bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
39 Gastrointestinal electrical stimulation in post‐surgical gastroparesis improves symptoms independently while gastric emptying response is dependent on baseline emptying
Authors: SCHMIEG RE , MINOCHA A , ABIDI N , ABELL TL
Published: May 2006

Introduction:  Temporary GES (tempGES) can improve both gastric emptying and symptoms in post‐surgical gastroparesis (PS‐GP). (SSAT 2004). Long‐term effects on GI symptoms and gastric emptying are unknown. Since many PS‐GP patients have non‐delayed emptying, the long‐term effect on baseline normal or rapid emptying is also unknown.

Patients:  36 pts (6 M, 30 F, mean age 42 years) with post‐surgical: Bilroth I (n = 11), Bilroth II (n = 4), other gastric surgery (n = 21) disordered gastric emptying were evaluated.

Methods:  GI symptoms (vomiting = V, Total = TSS), and solid meal gastric emptying (GET) at 1 and 4 h, were compared at baseline (Base), after temporary (tempGES) and permanent (permGES) gastric electrical stimulation as previously described (NGM, 2004; 16: 635.) Long‐term follow‐up for permanent GES ranged from 6 month to 10 years. Results were compared by t‐tests, and are reported as means ± SEM.

Results:  29 of the 36 patients were able to tolerate food for baseline quantitative gastric emptying testing. 20 patients had delayed and 9 patients had non‐delayed gastric emptying, with 7/9 being rapid. With both tempGES and permGES, GI symptoms improved (p < 0.05). Both tempGES and permGES showed accelerated GET for delayed patients and generally slowed GET for non‐delayed (p < 0.05 for 1 h values). See tables below.

Conclusions:  In a large group of post‐surgical GP patients, temporary and permanent gastrointestinal electrical stimulation improved GI symptoms independent of gastric emptying and for a prolonged time. GES improves symptoms independent of baseline gastric emptying, and improves GET dependent on the baseline gastric emptying.

Groups
All
Delayed
Non‐delayed

N = 36
N = 20
N = 9

V
TSS
V
TSS
V
TSS

Base
3.5 ± 0.7
15.6 ± 0.5
3.2 ± 0.2
16.0 ± 0.6
4.6 ± 2.9
15.7 ± 1.0

Temp
0.8 ± 0.3
6.1 ± 1.2
0.9 ± 0.4
5.4 ± 1.7
1.0 ± 0.8
7.9 ± 3.5

Perm
1.2 ± 0.3
9.3 ± 1.2
0.8 ± 0.3
7.6 ± 1.3
1.8 ± 0.4
10.3 ± 3.9
44 Sacral extracorporeal magnetic stimulation is an effective treatment for pelvic floor dyssynergia; Comparative study with biofeedback therapy
Authors: LEE JS , IM HH , JUNG Y , JUNG IS , JANG JY , CHUN YK , CHO YD , KIM JO , CHO JY , KIM YS , SHIM CS , KIM BS
Published: May 2006

Background:  Recent development of extracorporeal magnetic stimulation (ECMS) which uses current‐changing magnetic fields allows the induction of electrical stimulation in the desired deep tissue. Recent study showed the sacral nerve stimulation reduces corticoanal excitability that may play a functional role in anal continence mechanisms. Preliminary study shows that ECMS of sacral nerve can modify pelvic floor function and expel rectal balloon in patients with pelvic floor dyssynergia (PFD).

Aims:  To evaluate the effect of ECMS compared with biofeedback therapy (BF) in patients with PFD.

Methods and Materials:  Thirty‐eight patients who fulfilled Rome II criteria for PFD by colon transit time and anorectal function tests, were randomly treated with 8 sessions of ECMS (2/weeks; n = 19) at prone position or BF (2/weeks; n = 19) at sitting position. Stimulation parameters were set at 50–80% of maximum intensity, 10 and 50 Hz frequency, 3 s burst length with 3 and 6 s off using arm‐typed stimulator (BioCom‐1000, Mcube Co., Korea). Symptom scores for constipation with/without anorectal function test were repeatedly measured after each treatment. Response was defined as 50% or more decreased symptom score after treatment (partial response: 30–50%, poor: <30%).

Results:  Fifteen patients (age 49.1 ± 13.4 years, mean ± SD; 4 men) completed 8 session of BF and 14 patients (54.5 ± 17.6 years, 3 men) completed 8 session of ECMS. Four patients of BF group discontinued treatment due to unsatisfactory therapeutic effect (n = 1) and withdrew consent (n = 3) and 5 patients of ECMS group discontinued treatment because of same reasons (n = 1, 4). Total symptom scores were significantly decreased after treatment of 8 session in both treatment groups (13.4 ± 6.6 vs. 4.3 ± 4.0 for BF, p = 0.009; 14.9 ± 5.6 vs. 3.4 ± 4.0 for ECMS, p < 0.001). Bowel movements per week were also significantly increased after treatment in both groups (median 2 vs. 7 for BF, p = 0.035; median 2 vs. 7 for ECMS, p = 0.008). Thirteen out of 15 patients showed response in BF group and 12 out of 14 showed good response in ECMS group. No adverse effects in both groups.

Conclusions:  ECMS is as effective as BF for the treatment of PFD. Long‐term effect of ECMS for the patients with pelvic floor dyssynergia need to be evaluated in the near future.
45 Gastric electrical stimulation and sacral electrical stimulation: are two devices better than one?
Authors: JAIN S , AL‐JUBURI A , BRIZZOLORA J , SECREST CL , WHITE P , ABELL TL
Published: May 2006

Introduction:  Gastric Electrical Stimulation (GES) is available as a Humanitarian Use Device for patients with the symptoms of gastroparesis and is effective in reducing gastrointestinal symptoms. We have previously shown that patients with gastric motor disorders often have co‐existing abnormalities of the genitourinary system (Gastroenterol 112: A737, 1997), which may now be treated with sacral electrical stimulation (SES), resulting in similar improvements in genitourinary symptoms.

Patients:  We compared the results of therapy with GES and SES in 13 patients who were implanted with both devices. Patients were 11 f, 2 m, mean age of 41 years, who had documented gastroparesis as well as bladder or other pelvic floor dysfunction. All 13 patients had received their GES before the SES.

Methods:  Patients were evaluated at baseline and latest follow up (median 4 years for GES and 2 years for SES), according to previously standardized scores of GI (GI: 0–4, TSS max 20) and GU (GU: 0–3, UTSS, max 12) function. Results were compared by paired t‐tests and reported as mean ± SE.

Results:  All 13 patients improved both GI and GU symptoms and the improvement in all parameters as nausea, vomiting, anorexia, bloating, abdominal pain and gastric total symptom score (TSS), leakage, urgency, voiding difficulty, number of pads used and urinary total symptom score (UTSS) were statistically significant (see table below).

Conclusions:  The combination of GES and SES appears to be both safe and effective for patients with con‐comitant gastroparesis and bladder dysfunction and the existence of a stimulator for one disorder does not preclude another stimulator.

Vomiting
Nausea
Anorexia
Bloating
Abd. Pain
TSS

Before
2.75 ± 0.62
3.96 ± 0.13
3.46 ± 1.08
3.57 ± 0
3.79 ± 0.11
16.00 ± 1.05

After
0.63 ± 0.18
1.03 ± 0.07
1.63 ± 0.07
1.89 ± 0.36
1.29 ± 0.25
6.64 ± 0.94

P.Value
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.002
<0.001
<0.001

Leakage
Urgency
Voiding Difficulty
#Pads
UTSS

Before
1.33 ± 0.49
2.0 ± 0.51
2.43 ± 0.43
0.83 ± 0.48
6.5 ± 1.28

After
0
0.67 ± 0.42
0.5 ± 0.31
0
1.4 ± 0.75

P.Value
<0.001
0.007
0.002
0.007
<0.001
46 The feasibility of duodenum electrical stimulation to produce gastrointestinal symptoms in a clinical trial
Authors: STECCO KA , BASHYAM JA , HABEEB MA , HABIBULLAH CM , IMRAN MA
Published: May 2006

Introduction:  Proximal duodenal electrical stimulation with various energy parameters has been investigated as a possible treatment for various gastrointestinal (GI) myoelectrical diseases. Wide pulse width (millisecond) stimulation in the proximal duodenum can disrupt or entrain the normal myoelectrical rhythm and provide a potential feedback pathway to alter normal gastric function such as emptying, fundus tone, and intra‐gastric pressure and subsequently produce specific symptoms that could affect eating behaviors. A specific level of electrical stimulation is necessary to elicit symptoms and serve as an indicator that energy parameters are adequate. However, there has been no published data correlating electrical threshold stimulation with symptom characterization. The goal of this study was to determine the average minimum pulse width necessary to elicit GI symptoms.

Methods:  Eight patients underwent endoscopic placement of intraluminal electrodes in the proximal duodenum. Each patient received electrical stimulation in the millisecond (ms) range starting with a pulse width of 100 ms that was increased by intervals of 100 ms up to a maximum pulse width of 500 ms. The pulse repetition frequency was fixed at 12 CPM and each regimen was repeated for amplitudes ranging from 2 milliamps (mA) to 10 mA. Gastrointestinal symptom scores consisting of nausea, vomiting, satiety, fullness, pain, bloating and other, were taken at baseline and after each regimen change.

Results:  There was an average minimum threshold necessary for elicitation of symptoms (293.7 + 41.7 ms, p‐value = 0.063). The three most frequently reported GI symptoms were crampy abdominal pain, fullness, and bloating.

Conclusions:  Electrical stimulation of the duodenum is feasible. A certain minimum threshold of duodenal electrical stimulation is necessary to elicit GI symptoms in patients. The intensity and patient tolerability of each specific GI symptom was able to be adjusted by changing a certain energy parameter within a regimen. Further research is warranted to evaluate the ability of duodenal electrical stimulation to produce GI symptoms that may alter eating behaviors.
Duplication 8q22.1‐q24.1 associated with bipolar disorder and speech delay
Authors: Macayran JF , Brodie SG , Rao PN , O'Connor MJ , Gray JA , Ciarimboli B , Dipple KM
Published: May 2006

Objective:  To report a case of a child with bipolar disorder found to have an unbalanced translocation involving the long arm of chromosome 8, a region that has been previously implicated in genome‐wide linkage scans.

Case report:  A 7‐year‐old boy with a complex psychiatric symptom presentation including attention deficits, distractibility, impulsivity, pressured speech, sleep disturbance, aggressive behavior, and hypersexuality diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He also showed evidence of borderline intellectual and adaptive functioning and had mild dysmorphic features with a duplication of distal 8q that arose as an unbalanced chromosomal translocation due to a maternal 15p;8q insertion.

Conclusion:  This finding of an unbalanced translocation provides further evidence to support previous linkage studies of a potential causative gene on 8q for bipolar disorder.
Heritability and fitness-related consequences of squid personality traits
Authors: Sinn D. L. , Apiolaza L. A. , Moltschaniwskyj N. A.
Published: May 2006

Dumpling squid, Euprymna tasmanica, show consistent individual differences in behaviour that can be classified according to indices reflecting shy–bold, activity and reactivity responses. Using crosses of wild-caught single males to multiple females with known behavioural phenotypes, this study estimated patterns of additive genetic and residual variance in these behavioural traits from offspring of squid in two contexts, a threat (antipredator) and feeding (foraging) test. Genetic contributions to behavioural expression were dependent on test context. Behaviours in antipredator contexts had significant heritabilities (h2 = 0.2–0.8) while behaviours from foraging contexts had lesser additive genetic and greater residual components (h2 = 0.05–0.08). Personality trait variation in females was not related to her fecundity. Female boldness in foraging situations, which co-varied with body size, explained small but significant variation (∼21%) in brood hatching success, while successful fertilization was determined by positive assortion of mate pairs according to their shy–bold phenotype. These results are discussed in terms of the ecological and evolutionary significance of animal ‘personality’ traits in wild populations of animals.
Characterization of North American Armillaria species: genetic relationships determined by ribosomal DNA sequences and AFLP markers
Authors: Kim M.‐S. , Klopfenstein N. B. , Hanna J. W. , McDonald G. I.
Published: May 2006

Phylogenetic and genetic relationships among 10 North American Armillaria species were analysed using sequence data from ribosomal DNA (rDNA), including intergenic spacer (IGS‐1), internal transcribed spacers with associated 5.8S (ITS + 5.8S), and nuclear large subunit rDNA (nLSU), and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Based on rDNA sequence data, the nLSU region is less variable among Armillaria species than the ITS + 5.8S and IGS‐1 regions (nLSU < ITS + 5.8S < IGS‐1). Phylogenetic analyses of the rDNA sequences suggested Armillaria mellea, A. tabescens and A. nabsnona are well separated from the remaining Armillaria species (A. ostoyae, A. gemina, A. calvescens, A. sinapina, A. gallica, NABS X and A. cepistipes). Several Armillaria species (A. calvescens, A. sinapina, A. gallica, NABS X and A. cepistipes) clustered together based on rDNA sequencing data. Based on the isolates used in this study, it appears that techniques based on IGS‐1, ITS + 5.8S, and/or D‐domain/3′ ends of nLSU are not reliable for distinguishing A. calvescens, A. sinapina, A. gallica and A. cepistipes. However, AFLP data provided delineation among these species, and AFLP analysis supported taxonomic classification established by conventional methods (morphology and interfertility tests). Our results indicate that AFLP genetic markers offer potential for distinguishing currently recognized North American Biological Species (NABS) of Armillaria in future biological, ecological and taxonomic studies.
Protocol for screening rust disease resistance in Dalbergia sissoo
Authors: Harsh N. S. K. , Uniyal K. , Bhandari D. S.
Published: May 2006

A protocol has been developed for inoculation of rust disease in Dalbergia sissoo using urediniospores of Maravilia achroa. This is the first time that disease symptoms caused by M. achroa were artificially produced. The method has been successfully employed for screening 15 clones of D. sissoo against rust disease. Clone S‐167 was the most resistant remaining free from infection. Clones S‐57, S‐106 and S‐124 were also resistant. Clones S‐19, S‐24 and S‐89 were susceptible.
Variation of heartrot, sapwood infection and polyphenol extractives with provenance of Acacia mangium
Authors: Barry K. M. , Irianto R. S. B. , Tjahjono B. , Tarigan M. , Agustini L. , Hardiyanto E. B. , Mohammed C. L.
Published: May 2006

Infection of heartwood by decay fungi (heartrot) is a concern for growers of Acacia mangium for solid‐wood products as the incidence can be high in some regions of Indonesia. Variation of heartrot incidence for different provenances of A. mangium was determined using two field trials in Sumatra, Indonesia. In a Riau Province trial of 21 provenances, the effect of provenance was statistically significant for natural heartrot incidence, which ranged from 1.6% to 27.2%. In a smaller trial using artificial inoculation in South Sumatra, heartwood infection incidence ranged from 39.4% to 70.8% across six provenances and both wound type and provenance were statistically significant factors. There was also significant variation in sapwood infection length related to provenance. Wood extractives (yield, total phenols, protein‐precipitable tannin and 2,3‐trans‐3,4′,7,8‐tetrahydroxyflavanone) were quantified from a subsample of trees for each trial. However, no significant differences in extractive concentration were detectable according to provenance and evidence for a relationship between heartwood extractives and heartrot incidence was generally poor. While further studies need to be completed to establish the basis for heartrot incidence, results from these trials allow for recommendations on provenance selection to reduce heartrot incidence and provide information for further genetic selection programmes.
Effects of cadmium on serum sex hormone levels in pigs
Authors: Han X.‐Y. , Xu Z.‐R. , Wang Y.‐Z. , Du W.‐L.
Published: May 2006

An inhibition of sex hormone secretion is observed in domestic animals exposed to cadmium in experimental conditions. Ninety‐six gilts (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, initial weight 27.59 kg) were randomly assigned into four different groups with three replications in each group (eight gilts per replication). The groups received the corn–soybean basal diet and supplemented with 0, 0.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg cadmium (as CdCl2) respectively. The feeding trial was ended when body weight of pigs was approximately 90 kg. The results showed that 10.0 mg/kg cadmium significantly decreased average daily gain (p < 0.05) and increased feed/gain ratio (p < 0.05) of pigs. Follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, oestradiol (E2) and progesterone levels in serum of the pigs fed the diet supplemented with 10.0 mg/kg cadmium were lower significantly than those of the control (p < 0.05). Compared with the control, no changes were found in the levels mentioned above when the pigs fed the diet supplemented with 0.5 or 5.0 mg/kg cadmium (p > 0.05). The changes of regulatory mechanism of the pituitary–ovary axis may be the result of cadmium accumulation in pituitary and ovary and should be investigated further.
Concentration of Ca, P, Mg, Na and K in muscle, fat and bone tissue of lambs of the breed German Merino Landsheep in the course of the growing period
Authors: Bellof G. , Most E. , Pallauf J.
Published: May 2006

A growth experiment with 108 lambs (breed German Merino Landsheep) was carried out in order to examine how gender, body weight and feeding intensity affect major element concentrations in tissues and carcass. The lambs (50% male and 50% female) were fattened at three levels of feeding intensity (‘high’, ‘medium’ and ‘low’ by varying daily amounts of concentrate and hay) and slaughtered at different final body weights (30, 45 or 55 kg). Six male and six female animals were killed at a final body weight of 18 kg representing the live weight at the beginning of the comparative slaughter experiment. The left half carcass of each animal was divided into muscle tissue, fat tissue and bones/sinews and analysed for the major elements calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na) and potassium (K). The major element concentrations of all tissues were significantly influenced by the body weight. An influence of gender could be noticed for all elements except Ca in the muscle and fat tissue. In the bone tissue, however, only the elements Na and K were influenced by gender. The feeding intensity had no significant effect on the concentration of major elements in the tissues. In lamb muscle tissue combined from all parts (body weight range 18–45 kg, both sexes) the following concentrations of major elements were analysed: 323 mg K, 185 mg P, 61.7 Na, 20.2 mg Mg and 10.6 mg Ca (per 100 g meat, wet weight basis). In conclusion, the genotype investigated shows on the whole concentrations of major elements which are close to values reported for lambs in the literature.
Bachelor of What, Master of Whom? The Humboldt Myth and Historical Transformations of Higher Education in German‐Speaking Europe and the US1
Authors: ASH MITCHELL G.
Published: May 2006

Public debate on higher education reform today is dominated by competing views about what higher education institutions, particularly universities, are or should become. To a surprising extent, these views are based upon highly simplified characterisations of university history. The claims in question have been repeated so often that they have become clichés. Historical research has challenged all these conventional claims. The article aims to acquaint readers with the most important of these challenging results. Central here is an analysis of The Humboldt Myth about the rise of the modern research university in Germany and its alleged export to the US, and of the reasons why that myth remains so powerful, even though it has very little relation to realities on the ground. A second goal is to try to bring out some of the implications that a revision of standard views of higher education history might have for current policy debates, focusing in particular on the Bologna process.
The face you recognize may not be the one you saw: Memory conjunction errors in individuals with or without learning disability
Authors: DANIELSSON HENRIK , RÖNNBERG JERKER , LEVEN ANNA , ANDERSSON JAN , ANDERSSON KARIN , LYXELL BJÖRN
Published: May 2006

Memory conjunction errors, that is, when a combination of two previously presented stimuli is erroneously recognized as previously having been seen, were investigated in a face recognition task with drawings and photographs in 23 individuals with learning disability, and 18 chronologically age‐matched controls without learning disability. Compared to the controls, individuals with learning disability committed significantly more conjunction errors, feature errors (one old and one new component), but had lower correct recognition, when the results were adjusted for different guessing levels. A dual‐processing approach gained more support than a binding approach. However, neither of the approaches could explain all of the results. The results of the learning disability group were only partly related to non‐verbal intelligence.
Personality traits in women with Turner syndrome
Authors: BOMAN ULLA WIDE , HANSON CHARLES , HJELMQUIST ERLAND , MÖLLER ANDERS
Published: May 2006

Turner syndrome is caused by the total or partial absence of, or structural abnormalities in, one sex chromosome. A personality style characterized by traits related to low neuroticism and high extroversion has been reported for females with Turner syndrome, indicating possible genetic factors related to personality development. This study examines personality traits in 37 Swedish women with Turner syndrome using the Karolinska Scales of Personality Inventory. Compared to reference data, the subjects rated themselves as more sensation seeking, less detached, less verbally aggressive and less irritated. These results partially support previous findings. The subjects were divided into three karyotype groups: 45,X (n= 13), 45,X/46,XX or 45,X/45,XY (n= 13), and structural abnormalities (n= 11). Contrary to some previous findings, no differences in personality were found between the karyotype groups.
Engaging Indigenous Communities: Towards a Policy Framework for Indigenous Community Justice Programmes
Authors: Ryan Neal , Head Brian , Keast Robyn , Brown Kerry
Published: May 2006

Community engagement has come to the fore as a policy and programme approach that seeks to connect citizens both with each other and with government in order to deliver improved social and economic opportunities and outcomes. This model has become a key aspect of the intervention approach within Indigenous communities and is seen to have particular application in addressing community justice issues. This article examines a suite of community justice initiatives being used in Indigenous communities in Australia with a view to ascertaining how the principles of community engagement are operationalized. The article draws on this information and argues that community engagement is only one aspect of a number of community‐oriented justice initiatives currently being applied. These initiatives range from concepts of community as a location, community as an interest group, and the leveraging of community capital so as to tap into and build better and stronger relationships. In so doing, the latter attempts to increase the social infrastructure, resources and capacity of communities. However, despite government attention in this area, there is a lack of a policy and programmatic framework to guide a coherent and apposite approach to issues of community in specific policy settings. The article contributes to the development of a framework that begins the process of differentiating and assessing justice administration interventions.
Occupational Mobility for Immigrants in Sweden
Authors: Rooth Dan‐Olof , Ekberg Jan
Published: May 2006

With unique data material from the Immigrant Labour Market, Language Skill and Social Network project (IASS), based on interviews with four refugee immigrant groups (Ethiopians/Eritreans, Chileans, Iranians, and Romanians/Hungarians) occupational mobility is analysed from home country occupation to the first occupation in Sweden as well as occupational mobility during the first 15 years in Sweden. The study supports a U‐shaped occupational mobility relationship. For many people the first occupation in Sweden has a lower status than the home country occupation. The explanation may be a lack of international transferability of human capital and/or discrimination. Later, upward mobility in occupational status sets in. The U‐formed relationship is deeper for those refugees who had a high occupational status in their home country compared to those with a lower occupational status. Upward mobility was also stronger for those refugees who acquired a Swedish academic education and for those who had become fluent in Swedish.
Maintaining long‐term therapeutic programmes: a qualitative case study
Authors: Brown J. F.
Published: May 2006

Maintaining therapeutic programmes for people with learning disabilities over long periods of time presents a major challenge to care systems as the limited and slow pace of client behavioural change is often insufficient to sustain staff behaviour. In this study, a 17‐year‐old young man with profound learning difficulties was successfully supported on a toilet training programme for more than 2 years. In spite of early setbacks and only limited behavioural change the staff team persisted with the programme. Four factors were identified as supporting staff behaviour with the programme: (1) parental involvement, (2) the therapeutic culture and values of the care system, (3) support from external agencies and (4) positive staff feelings towards the client.
Scent marking and territorial defence in male bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus)
Authors: Wronski T. , Apio A. , Baranga J. , Plath M.
Published: May 2006

Tragelaphine antelopes were often considered to lack territoriality. A recent study, however, has suggested that male bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus use the inner core of their home ranges exclusively. In this study, we examined whether males demarcate this area with an oily secretion emanating at their horn bases and cheeks (front rubbing). Furthermore, we studied aggressive interactions between adult males relative to home‐range dimension. We found that the distribution pattern of the nearest‐neighbour distances between front‐rubbing marking sites significantly differed from random distribution and was shifted towards shorter distances. This is a typical pattern for territorial marking. Further support for the idea that front rubbing serves to demarcate male territories comes from the finding that the polygons obtained from nearest‐neighbour mapping of front‐rubbing sites match best the 70% minimum convex polygon (MCP) obtained from random location fixes. The exclusively used core of male home ranges was previously found to be the area inside the 50% MCP. Furthermore, males tended to defend the area inside the 70% core most intensely; that is, won aggressive interactions prevailed in number, whereas lost interactions prevailed further outside.
The immunophilin ligand GPI1046 protects neurons from the lethal effects of the HIV‐1 proteins gp120 and Tat by modulating endoplasmic reticulum calcium load
Authors: Caporello Emily , Nath Avindra , Slevin John , Galey David , Hamilton Greg , Williams Larry , Steiner Joseph P. , Haughey Norman J.
Published: May 2006

The dysfunction and death of neuronal cells is thought to underlie the cognitive manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐associated neurological disorders. Although HIV‐infected patients are living longer owing to the effectiveness of anti‐retroviral therapies, the number of patients developing neurological disorders is on the rise. Thus, there is an escalating need for effective therapies to preserve cognitive function in HIV‐infected patients. Using HIV‐protein‐induced neurotoxicity as a model system, we tested the effectiveness of a non‐immunosuppressive immunophilin ligand to attenuate gp120 and Tat‐induced modification of neuronal function. The immunophilin ligand GPI1046 attenuated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium release induced by gp120 and Tat and protected neurons from the lethal effect of these neurotoxic HIV proteins. Both inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate (IP3) and ryanodine‐sensitive ER calcium release was attenuated by pre‐incubation with GPI1046. Using the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium pump inhibitor thapsigargin to release ER calcium, we determined that GPI1046 reduced the total ER calcium load. These findings suggest that non‐immunosuppressive immunophilin ligands may be useful neuroprotective drugs in HIV dementia.
High glucose‐induced activation of the polyol pathway and changes of gene expression profiles in immortalized adult mouse Schwann cells IMS32
Authors: Sango Kazunori , Suzuki Takeshi , Yanagisawa Hiroko , Takaku Shizuka , Hirooka Hiroko , Tamura Miyuki , Watabe Kazuhiko
Published: May 2006

We investigated the polyol pathway activity and the gene expression profiles in immortalized adult mouse Schwann cells (IMS32) under normal (5.6 mm) and high (30 and 56 mm) glucose conditions for 7–14 days in culture. Messenger RNA and the protein expression of aldose reductase (AR) and the intracellular sorbitol and fructose contents were up‐regulated in IMS32 under high glucose conditions compared with normal glucose conditions. By employing DNA microarray and subsequent RT–PCR/northern blot analyses, we observed significant up‐regulation of the mRNA expressions for serum amyloid A3 (SAA3), angiopoietin‐like 4 (ANGPTL4) and ecotropic viral integration site 3 (Evi3), and the down‐regulation of aldehyde reductase (AKR1A4) mRNA expression in the cells under high glucose (30 mm) conditions. The application of an AR inhibitor, SNK‐860, to the high glucose medium ameliorated the increased sorbitol and fructose contents and the reduced AKR1A4 mRNA expression, while it had no effect on mRNA expressions for SAA3, ANGPTL4 or Evi3. Considering that the exposure to the high glucose (≥ 30 mm) conditions mimicking hyperglycaemiain vivoaccelerated the polyol pathway in IMS32, but not in other previously reported Schwann cells, the culture system of IMS32 under those conditions may provide novel findings about the polyol pathway‐related abnormalities in diabetic neuropathy.
Carbon sequestration in a temperate grassland; management and climatic controls
Authors: Jones S. K. , Rees R. M. , Kosmas D. , Ball B. C. , Skiba U. M.
Published: May 2006

Soil management practices that result in increased soil carbon (C) sequestration can make a valuable contribution to reducing the increase in atmospheric CO2 concentrations. We studied the effect of poultry manure, cattle slurry, sewage sludge, NH4NO3 or urea on C cycling and sequestration in silage grass production. Soil respiration, net ecosystem exchange (NEE) and methane (CH4) fluxes were measured with chambers, and soil samples were analysed for total C and dissolved organic C (DOC). Treatments were applied over 2 years and measurements were carried out over 3 years to assess possible residual effects. Organic fertilizer applications increased CO2 loss through soil respiration but also enhanced soil C storage compared with mineral fertilizer. Cumulative soil respiration rates were highest in poultry manure treatments with 13.7 t C ha−1 in 2003, corresponding to 1.6 times the control value, but no residual effect was seen. Soil respiration showed an exponential increase with temperature, and a bimodal relationship with soil moisture. The greatest NEE was observed on urea treatments (with a CO2 uptake of −4.4 g CO2 m−2 h−1). Total C and DOC were significantly greater in manure treatments in the soil surface (0–10 cm). Of the C added in the manures, 27% of that in the sewage pellets, 32% of that in the cattle slurry and 39% of that in the poultry manure remained in the 0–10 cm soil layer at the end of the experiment. Mineral fertilizer treatments had only small C sequestration rates, although uncertainties were high. Expressed as global warming potentials, the benefits of increased C sequestration on poultry manure and sewage pellet treatments were outweighed by the additional losses of N2O, particularly in the wet year 2002. Methane was emitted only for 2–3 days on cattle slurry treatments, but the magnitudes of fluxes were negligible compared with C losses by soil respiration.
Replication and Extension of the Continuity and Discontinuity of Self Scale (CDSS)
Authors: Secrest Janet , Zeller Richard
Published: May 2006

Purpose: To replicate and extend development of an instrument to measure continuity and discontinuity of self after stroke.

Design: The conceptual basis for the instrument was derived from an existential phenomenologic study of stroke survivors, which showed that life after stroke included both continuity and discontinuity of self, experienced as control, independence, and connections with others.

Methods: A 45‐item instrument with a three‐point response set was designed with standard instrument techniques. Study instruments included the Barthel Index (measure of functional abilities), and a pre‐ and poststroke QoL Cantril Ladder. The sample size for the initial study was 55, and for the replication study was 50. Principal components analysis was used in both studies. Data analysis was done with both the sample of 50 and with the combined samples, N=105.

Findings: The sample in the replication study had lower functional ability scores than did that of the original study; demographic characteristics were not significantly different. Factor analysis of the 50 cases robustly replicated the two‐factor solution. When the samples were combined, however, a subtle pattern was detected in the “continuity” dimension, resulting in two factors for continuity and one factor for discontinuity, for an overall three‐factor solution.

Conclusions: Continuity appears two‐dimensional, including control and independence as one dimension, and connections with others as the second. Discontinuity factored as a single dimension, indicating that perhaps loss permeates the components of discontinuity. Further study is in progress.
A Review of the Literature on Orientation as an Indicator of Level of Consciousness
Authors: Alverzo Joan P.
Published: May 2006

Purpose: To review and compare the concepts of orientation and level of consciousness.

Methods: Literature review, including studies of orientation as an indicator of level of consciousness, in the domains of nursing, medicine, and neuropsychology.

Findings: Orientation to time, place, and person as a measure of level of consciousness is poorly understood. The nursing practice of assessing orientation is common in many practice settings, yet little research has been done to validate whether it is meaningful.

Conclusions: This review lays important groundwork for future evidence‐based research into the use of orientation as an indicator of level of consciousness.
Interpretation, suspension, response: a reading of John Banville's Athena
Authors: McNamee Brendan
Published: May 2006

The character A. in Athena is depicted so ambiguously as to make it impossible to decide whether she is a ‘proper’ fictional character or simply a figment of the protagonist Morrow's imagination. This ambiguity prompts a suspension of interpretation on the reader's part as to what constitutes the real, which echoes the suspended psychic states that Morrow experiences through art. The ambiguous nature of the Morrow/A. story is offset by the down‐to‐earth and realistic Morrow/Aunt Corky story. These strands are linked by their symbolic connections to the paintings that Morrow describes and critiques after each chapter and by the similarities evoked between his response to art and his response to Aunt Corky's plight. This creative fusion of art and ethics goes beyond postmodern scepticism concerning the nature of reality and hints at an uninterpretable but tangible absence that transforms the quotidian without transcending it. Morrow's quotation from Adorno is as central to the novel thematically as it is structurally: ‘In their relation to empirical reality works of art recall the theologumenon that in a state of redemption everything will be just as it is and yet wholly different.’
Transmogrification or Forvandling?
Authors: Høgel Christian
Published: May 2006

Within a decade appeared two appraised translations of the Latin poet Ovid's Metamorphoses: the English Tales from Ovid by Ted Hughes, and the Danish Ovids forvandlinger by Otto Steen Due. Though in general true to Ovid's text, the two translations are markedly different, reflecting different traditions and different aims. Whereas Hughes centres on stories and their symbolic value, Due is more bent upon transmitting the original perspective and style of the original. In doing this, varied approaches are employed by both translators. Abridgements and additions are made, more or less modernized expressions used, and central issues – such as playfulness – conveyed or reinvented. Still, the substantially different approaches lie beneath and are traced into minor details of description and narration.
Writ in Water?
Authors: Grimm Reinhold
Published: May 2006

Translation has been much maligned over the centuries, and that of poetry in particular (think of Dante, Cervantes, and Victor Hugo). The present article, drawing, for the most part, on modern German verse and its renditions into English, investigates the complex phenomenon of such endeavors and arrives at a somewhat different – or, at least, more differentiated – result. Of course, there is no dearth whatsoever of blunders and veritable howlers in translation; however, there do occur – if rather seldom, granted –instances of perfect and flawless end products and, indeed, even cases of a poetic enrichment of the original in the target language. The examples discussed include, among others, poems by Georg Trakl, Marie Luise Kaschnitz, Günter Eich, Karl Krolow, Günter Kunert, and, above all, Hans Magnus Enzensberger from German literature as well as (seemingly artless) Eskimo, or Inuit, poetry as once collected, under the title Snehyttens Sange, by the Danish ethnologist Knud Rasmussen.
Middle English Translations of Medieval Encyclopedias
Authors: Twomey Michael W.
Published: May 2006

A medieval encyclopedia was an educational text describing the natural and human worlds that was used primarily within an institutional setting such as a monastery, cathedral school, or university. A few encyclopedias were also sources forexemplaused in medieval sermons both in Latin and in the vernacular languages. Only two such encyclopedias were translated into English: Bartholomaeus Anglicus’sDe proprietatibus rerumwas translated by John Trevisa in 1398/9, and a French version of Honorius Augustodunensis’sImago mundimade by Gossouin of Metz in 1245–50 was translated by William Caxton asMirrour of the World(printed 1480/1481 and 1490). These are both popular translations that render their originals rather literally than freely. Trevisa’s technique preserves the Latin terminology of the original, which suggests that his translation is meant to speed up searching for the English reader while it preserves the key terms of Bartholomaeus’s Latin. Caxton’s technique is to anglicize the original thoroughly, down to place‐names and local color, while he also expands his original somewhat via his stylistic preference for restatement in doublets and triplets.
The contribution of brain angiotensin II to the baroreflex regulation of renal sympathetic nerve activity in conscious normotensive and hypertensive rats
Authors: Huang Chunlong , Yoshimoto Misa , Miki Kenju , Johns Edward J.
Published: May 2006

Angiotensin II receptor density in the brain is elevated when dietary salt intake is raised or in the state of hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the angiotensin II modulation of the baroreceptor control of renal sympathetic nerve activity was altered under these conditions. Wistar rats, fed either a regular (0.25% w/w sodium) or high‐salt diet (3.1% w/w sodium), or stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSPs) were implanted with cannulae in the carotid artery, jugular vein and the cerebroventricle and with recording electrodes on the renal sympathetic nerves. Three days later, baroreceptor gain curves were generated for renal sympathetic nerve activity and heart rate before and following intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of losartan (15 μg) to block angiotensin AT1 receptors. The rats fed a regular diet had a mean blood pressure of 116 ± 3 mmHg and heart rate of 467 ± 25 beats min−1, which remained unchanged after the i.c.v. administration of losartan. The sensitivity or curvature coefficient of the baroreceptor curve for renal sympathetic nerve activity was increased by 36% (P < 0.05) following losartan. In the rats fed a high‐salt diet, all cardiovascular variables and the losartan‐induced increase in the baroreceptor curvature coefficient for renal sympathetic nerve activity (29%) were similar to values in rats on the regular sodium diet. The heart rate baroreceptor curvature coefficient was not altered in either the rats fed a regular or a high‐salt diet. The slope of the renal sympathetic nerve activity baroreflex gain curve in the SHRSPs was less and the increase following administration of losartan (54%) was greater than in the Wistar rats. These data indicate that in the conscious state, the tonic inhibitory action of brain angiotensin II on the baroreflex regulation of renal sympathetic nerve activity was unaffected by raised dietary sodium, but its role was enhanced in the SHRSPs.
Open probability of the epithelial sodium channel is regulated by intracellular sodium
Authors: Anantharam Arun , Tian Yuan , Palmer Lawrence G.
Published: May 2006

The regulation of epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) activity by Na+ was studied in Xenopus oocytes using two‐electrode voltage clamp and patch‐clamp recording techniques. Here we show that amiloride‐sensitive Na+ current (INa) is downregulated when ENaC‐expressing cells are exposed to high extracellular [Na+]. The reduction in macroscopic Na+ current is accompanied by an increase in the concentration of intracellular Na+ ([Na+]i) and is only slowly reversible. At the single‐channel level, incubating oocytes in high‐Na+ solution reduces open probability (Po) approximately twofold compared to when [Na+] is kept low, by increasing mean channel closed times. However, increasing Po by introducing a mutation in the β‐subunit (S518C) which, in the presence of [2‐(trimethylammonium) ethyl] methane thiosulfonate (MTSET), locks the channel in an open state, could not alone abolish the downregulation of macroscopic current measured with exposure to high external [Na+]. Inhibition of the insertion of new channels into the plasma membrane using Brefeldin A revealed that surface channel lifetime is also markedly reduced under these conditions. In channels harbouring a β‐subunit mutation, R564X, associated with Liddle's syndrome, open probability in both high‐ and low‐Na+ conditions is significantly higher than in wild‐type channels. Increasing the Po of these channels with an activating mutation abrogated the difference in macroscopic current observed between groups of oocytes incubated in high‐ and low‐Na+ conditions. These findings demonstrate that reduction of ENaC Po is a physiological mechanism limiting Na+ entry when [Na+]i is high.
AMPK alterations in cardiac physiology and pathology: enemy or ally?
Authors: Dyck Jason R. B. , Lopaschuk Gary D.
Published: May 2006

AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) has emerged as a key regulator of energy metabolism in the heart. The high energy demands of the heart are primarily met by the metabolism of both fatty acids and glucose, both processes being regulated by AMPK. During myocardial ischaemia a rapid activation of AMPK occurs, resulting in an activation of both glucose uptake and glycolysis, as well as an increase in fatty acid oxidation. This activation of AMPK has the potential to increase energy production and to inhibit apoptosis, thereby protecting the heart during the ischaemic stress. However, at clinically relevant high levels of fatty acids, ischaemic‐induced activation of AMPK also stimulates fatty acid oxidation during and following ischaemia. This can contribute to ischaemic injury secondary to an inhibition of glucose oxidation, which results in a decrease in cardiac efficiency. In a number of other non‐cardiac tissues, AMPK has been shown to have pro‐apoptotic effects. As a result, the question of whether AMPK activation benefits or harms the ischaemic heart remains controversial. The role of AMPK in cardiac hypertrophy is also controversial. Activation of AMPK inhibits protein synthesis, and may be an adaptive response to pathological cardiac hypertrophy. However, none of mouse models of AMPK deficiency (excluding those that may involve the γ2 subunit mutations) demonstrate increased cardiac mass, suggesting that AMPK is not essential for restriction of cardiac growth. In addition to the potential effects of AMPK on myofibrillar hypertrophy associated with pressure overload, there is also controversy with respect to the cardiac hypertrophy associated with the γ2 subunit mutations. In the cardiac hypertrophy associated with glycogen overload, both activating and inactivating mutations of AMPK in mice are associated with a marked cardiac hypertrophy. This review will address the issue of whether AMPK activation acts as an enemy or ally to the ischaemic and hypertrophied heart. Resolving this issue has important implications as to whether therapeutic approaches to protect the ischaemic heart should be developed which either activate or inhibit AMPK.
Ionic mechanisms of autorhythmic firing in rat cerebellar Golgi cells
Authors: Elisabetta Cesana Lia Forti , Mapelli Jonathan , D'Angelo Egidio
Published: May 2006

Although Golgi cells (GoCs), the main type of inhibitory interneuron in the cerebellar granular layer (GL), are thought to play a central role in cerebellar network function, their excitable properties have remained unexplored. GoCs fire rhythmically in vivo and in slices, but it was unclear whether this activity originated from pacemaker ionic mechanisms. We explored this issue in acute cerebellar slices from 3‐week‐old rats by combining loose cell‐attached (LCA) and whole‐cell (WC) recordings. GoCs displayed spontaneous firing at 1–10 Hz (room temperature) and 2–20 Hz (35–37°C), which persisted in the presence of blockers of fast synaptic receptors and mGluR and GABAB receptors, thus behaving, in our conditions, as pacemaker neurons. ZD 7288 (20 μm), a potent hyperpolarization‐activated current (Ih) blocker, slowed down pacemaker frequency. The role of subthreshold Na+ currents (INa,sub) could not be tested directly, but we observed a robust TTX‐sensitive, non‐inactivating Na+ current in the subthreshold voltage range. When studying repolarizing currents, we found that retigabine (5 μm), an activator of KCNQ K+ channels generating neuronal M‐type K+ (IM) currents, reduced GoC excitability in the threshold region. The KCNQ channel antagonist XE991 (5 μm) did not modify firing, suggesting that GoC IM has low XE991 sensitivity. Spike repolarization was followed by an after‐hyperpolarization (AHP) supported by apamin‐sensitive Ca2+‐dependent K+ currents (Iapa). Block of Iapa decreased pacemaker precision without altering average frequency. We propose that feed‐forward depolarization is sustained by Ih and INa,sub, and that delayed repolarizing feedback involves an IM‐like current whose properties remain to be characterized. The multiple ionic mechanisms shown here to contribute to GoC pacemaking should provide the substrate for fine regulation of firing frequency and precision, thus influencing the cyclic inhibition exerted by GoCs onto the cerebellar GL.