bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment with desipramine improves breathing and survival in a mouse model for Rett syndrome
Authors: Roux Jean‐Christophe , Dura Emmanuelle , Moncla Anne , Mancini Josette , Villard Laurent
Published: April 2007

Rett syndrome (RS) is a severe X‐linked neurological disorder in which most patients have mutations in the methyl‐CpG binding protein2 (MECP2) gene. No effective treatment exists. We previously showed that the Mecp2‐deficient mice, a mouse model of RS, have highly variable respiratory rhythm and frequent apneas due to reduced norepinephrine (NE) content, and a drastic decrease of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‐expressing neurons in the medulla. We showed here that treating these mice with desipramine (DMI), which specifically inhibits NE reuptake, significantly improved their respiratory rhythm during several weeks. In addition, the treatment significantly extended their lifespan. At the cellular level, we showed that the reduced number of TH‐expressing neurons before treatment in the mutant animals was not due to apoptosis. Conversely, we found that DMI treatment increased the number of TH‐expressing neurons in the mutant brainstem to reach wild‐type levels. We showed that this increase was not due to cellular proliferation. We propose that the Mecp2‐deficient TH‐expressing neurons lose their ability to synthesize TH at some point during their postnatal development. Our results suggest that a pharmacological stimulation of the noradrenergic system could be a promising approach for the treatment of the respiratory dysfunction which causes a significant proportion of death in RS patients.
Bidirectional regulation of mu‐opioid and CB1‐cannabinoid receptor in rats self‐administering heroin or WIN 55,212‐2
Authors: Fattore Liana , Viganò Daniela , Fadda Paola , Rubino Tiziana , Fratta Walter , Parolaro Daniela
Published: April 2007

This study examines the effect of intravenous self‐administration (SA) of either heroin or the cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN 55,212‐2 on levels and functionality of µ‐opioid (MOR) and CB1‐cannabinoid receptors (CB1R) in reward‐related brain areas, such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), caudate putamen (CP), hippocampus (Hippo), amygdala (Amy), hypothalamus (Hypo) and ventral tegmental area (VTA). [3H]DAMGO and [3H]CP‐55,940 autoradiography and agonist‐stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding were performed on brain sections of rats firmly self‐administering heroin or WIN 55,212‐2. Animals failing to acquire heroin or cannabinoid SA behaviour as well as drug‐naïve animals never exposed to experimental apparatus or procedure (home‐control group) were used as controls. With respect to control groups, which displayed very similar values, rats SA heroin showed increased MOR binding in the NAc (+174%), CP (+165%), Hippo (+121%), VTA (+175%), an enhanced CB1R density localized in the Amy (+147%) and VTA (+37%), and a widespread increased CB1 receptor functionality in the PFC (+95%), NAc (+313%), CP (+265%), Hippo (+38%), Amy (+221%). In turn, cannabinoid SA differently modulates CB1R binding in the Amy (+47%), Hypo (+94%), Hippo (−23%), VTA (−15%), and increases MOR levels (PFC: +124%; NAc: +68%; CP: +80%; Hippo: +73%; Amy: +99%) and efficiency (Hippo: +518%; Amy: +173%; Hypo: +188%). These findings suggest that voluntary chronic intake of opioids or cannabinoids induces reciprocal but differential regulation of MORs and CB1Rs density and activity in brain structures underlying drug‐taking and drug‐seeking behaviour, which could represent long‐term neuroadaptations contributing to the development of drug addiction and dependence.
Accurate visual guidance despite severe neglect
Authors: Wilkinson Elizabeth J. , Richardson Jonathan L. , Sherk Helen
Published: April 2007

Unilateral inactivation of the superior colliculus causes profound neglect. In cats, this neglect has been studied previously using tasks that require gaze orientation to, or detection of, a stimulus appearing somewhere in the visual field of an attentive animal. We investigated how neglect affects a completely different kind of task, visually guided foot placement while walking across a cluttered surface. We made muscimol injections into one superior colliculus, and performed perimetry to gauge the extent of the cat's neglect. Cats then walked repeatedly through a cluttered test alley. Most of the time, their gaze was deviated towards the side of the injection, so that they saw the alley floor ahead of them in their neglected hemifield. Surprisingly, they accurately avoided stepping on the densely scattered objects, just as they normally do. We surmise that cats process ‘neglected’ visual stimuli to guide foot placement even when they are unable to consciously perceive these stimuli.
Heterogeneous population of dopaminergic neurons derived from mouse embryonic stem cells: preliminary phenotyping based on receptor expression and function
Authors: Raye Warren S. , Tochon‐Danguy Nathalie , Pouton Colin W. , Haynes John M.
Published: April 2007

The possibility exists that directed differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells is capable of yielding enriched populations of dopaminergic neurons, but at present there is little understanding of the pharmacological properties of these cells; or whether such cells represent a pharmacologically, phenotypically similar population. In this study we used a simple culture protocol to generate dopaminergic neurons and offer a preliminary pharmacological investigation of these cells using Ca2+imaging and [3H]‐dopamine release studies. In fluo‐4 AM loaded cells, 13–17 days postplating, and after the addition of tetrodotoxin some of the population of mouse embryonic stem cell‐derived neurons responded to adenosine triphosphate (ATP), noradrenaline (NA), acetylcholine (ACh) andl‐glutamate (l‐glut) with elevations of Ca2+influx. Within the microtubule‐associated protein and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‐positive cell population adenosine triphosphate, noradrenaline, acetylcholine andl‐glutamate elicited positive elevations of Ca2+in 74, 66, 58 and 67% of the population; cells could be further subdivided into three major pharmacologically distinct populations based on the combinations of agonist they responded to. Acetylcholine (30 µm) and noradrenaline (30 µm) were the only agonists to elicit significant tritium overflow from [3H]‐dopamine loaded cells. The acetylcholine effect was blocked by atropine (1 µm) and tetrodotoxin (1 µm) and elevated by haloperidol (100 nm). The noradrenaline effects were reduced by cocaine (10 µm), but not by tetrodotoxin (100 nm). These data indicate that the dopaminergic neurons derived from mouse embryonic stem cells represent a heterogeneous population possessing combinations of purinergic, adrenergic, cholinergic and glutamatergic receptors located on the cell soma.
Congenital hyperinsulinism – a review of the disorder and a discussion of the anesthesia management
Authors: HARDY OLGA T. , LITMAN RONALD S.
Published: April 2007

Summary Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is the most common cause of persistent hypoglycemia in infants and children. In most affected infants, CHI is caused by a specific genetic defect that results in the altered expression of pancreatic beta cells causing unregulated oversecretion of insulin. Infants with CHI may have either focal or diffuse abnormalities of the pancreatic β‐cells. Both forms of CHI manifest as hypoglycemia, usually in the early newborn period. Focal disease can be treated effectively with surgical resection of the affected area, resulting in a total cure or rendering the patient amenable to medical management. Most children with diffuse disease are unresponsive to medical therapy, and require near‐total pancreatectomy. At The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, we have developed a multidisciplinary program for diagnosis and treatment of CHI. Anesthesiologists have played an integral role in the perioperative care of these infants, which includes diagnostic procedures, partial or near‐total pancreatectomy, and postoperative pain management. In this review, we describe the clinical features, diagnostic methods and anesthetic concerns in children with CHI.
A review of pediatric regional anesthesia practice during a 17‐year period in a single institution
Authors: ROCHETTE ALAIN , DADURE CHRISTOPHE , RAUX OLIVIER , TRONCIN RACHEL , MAILHEé PHILIPPE , CAPDEVILA XAVIER
Published: April 2007

Background:  There is anecdotal evidence of changes in pediatric regional anesthesia (RA) practice. We performed a retrospective review of prospective data on pediatric RA over 17 years in our institution.

Methods:  Data were collected from an electronic database for every anesthetic performed between 1989 and 2005. Type of RA, if any, and age of the patient were noted. Patients were divided into two groups: ≤4 years (younger group) and 5 years or older (older group).

Results:  A total of 51 408 anesthetics were performed; 23 609 (46%) in the younger group. A total of 10 929 RA were performed. In the younger group, RA increased from 9.5% to 27.6% (P < 0.001). Neuraxial blocks decreased from 100% to 59.7% of RA. Caudals decreased in the late 1990s from 70% to 22% of RA and epidurals have decreased from 22% to 11% of RA since 2002. Neonatal spinals were introduced in 1990 and now reach 30% of RA. Peripheral blocks have increased up to 37% of RA since 1994. In the older group, RA increased from 9.2% to 23.3% (P < 0.001), less than in the younger (P < 0.01). Neuraxial blocks have decreased from 97% to 24.9% of RA (P < 0.001), more obviously than in the younger group (P < 0.001). Peripheral blocks emerged in 1994, outnumbering neuraxial blocks as early as 1995 and now account for 75% of RA. This increase is significantly more pronounced than in the younger group (P < 0.001). In both groups, peripheral blocks were distributed among plexus blocks (30%) and compartment/peripheral nerve blocks (70%). In the last 5 years, a perineural catheter was placed in 12.9% of peripheral blocks to ensure continuous postoperative analgesia.

Conclusions:  In our hospital, there has been a dramatic increase in RA, mainly from 1989 to 1995. The most remarkable events in the last decade were: (i) the change in practice from neuraxial to peripheral blocks and (ii) the emergence of continuous postoperative analgesia via perineural catheters.
Brief hypnosis for severe needle phobia using switch‐‐wire imagery in a 5‐year old
Authors: CYNA ALLAN M. , TOMKINS DAVID , MADDOCK TODD , BARKER DAVID
Published: April 2007

We present a case of severe needle phobia in a 5‐year‐old boy who learned to utilize a self‐hypnosis technique to facilitate intravenous (i.v.) cannula placement. He was diagnosed with Bruton’s disease at 5 months of age and required monthly intravenous infusions. The boy had received inhalational general anesthesia for i.v. cannulation on 58 occasions. Initially, this was because of difficult venous access but more recently because of severe distress and agitation when approached with a cannula. Oral premedication with midazolam or ketamine proved unsatisfactory and hypnotherapy was therefore considered. Following a 10‐min conversational hypnotic induction, he was able to use switch‐‐wire imagery to dissociate sensation and movement in all four limbs in turn. Two days later the boy experienced painless venepuncture without the use of topical local anesthetic cream. There was no movement in the ‘switched‐off’ arm during i.v. cannula placement. This report adds to the increasing body of evidence that hypnosis represents a useful, additional tool that anesthetists may find valuable in everyday practice.
Effects of crop diversification levels and fertilization regimes on abundance of Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) and its parasitization by Diaeretiella rapae (M’Intosh) in broccoli
Authors: Ponti Luigi , Altieri Miguel A. , Gutierrez Andrew Paul
Published: April 2007

1 The effects of intercropping via competition on crop yields, pest [cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae (L.)] abundance, and natural enemy efficacy were studied in the Brassica oleracea L. var. italica system.

2 From May to December 2004, insect populations and yield parameters were monitored in summer and autumn in broccoli monoculture and polyculture systems with or without competition from Brassica spp. (mustard), or Fagopyrum esculentum Moench (buckwheat), with addition of organic (compost) or synthetic fertilizer.

3 Competition from buckwheat and mustard intercrops did not influence pest density on broccoli; rather, aphid pressure decreased and natural enemies of cabbage aphid were enhanced in intercropping treatments, but this varied with the intercropped plant and season (summer vs. autumn).

4 In compost‐fertilized broccoli systems, seasonal parasitization rates of B. brassicae by Diaeretiella rapae (M’Intosh) increased along with the expected lower aphid pressure compared with synthetically fertilized plants.
Primary attraction and random landing in host‐selection by wood‐feeding insects: a matter of scale?
Authors: Saint‐Germain Michel , Buddle Christopher M. , Drapeau Pierre
Published: April 2007

1 Most plant‐feeding insects show some degree of specialization and use a variety of cues to locate their host. Two main mechanisms of host location, primary attraction and random landing, have been investigated for such insects.

2 Research has led to contradictory conclusions about those hypotheses, especially for wood‐feeding insects; however, recent studies suggest that both mechanisms may take place in a single taxon but at different scales.

3 We developed a field experiment to test the hypothesis that primary attraction occurs at larger scale and random landing at finer scale in wood‐feeding insects. Landing rates, measured using sticky traps, were compared first between patches and then between individual trees according to their distance to a baited central tree.

4 Polynomial functions describing landing rate to distance relationships were compared with a function produced by a null model describing what should occur under the random landing hypothesis. Scolytidae and Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) responded to volatiles at the patch scale, supporting the primary attraction hypothesis, but the landing patterns of some groups at finer scale matched closely the predictions of our null model, giving support to the random landing hypothesis.

5 Our results show that the primary attraction and random landing hypotheses are not mutually exclusive and that prelanding use of host‐produced volatile is scale‐dependant. Scale considerations should thus be included in the study of prelanding host‐selection of wood‐feeding insects.
AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF PAYMENT CARD USAGE*
Authors: RYSMAN MARC
Published: April 2007

I exploit a unique data set on the payment card industry to study issues associated with network effects and two‐sided markets. I show that consumers concentrate their spending on a single payment network (single‐homing), although many maintain unused cards that allow the ability to use multiple networks (multi‐homing). Further, I establish a regional correlation between consumer usage and merchant acceptance within the four major networks (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover). This correlation is suggestive of the existence of a positive feedback loop between consumer usage and merchant acceptance.
COMPETING PAYMENT SCHEMES*
Authors: GUTHRIE GRAEME , WRIGHT JULIAN
Published: April 2007

This paper presents a model of competing payment schemes. Unlike previous work on generic two‐sided markets, the model allows for the fact that in a payment system, users on one side of the market (merchants) compete to attract users on the other side (consumers, who may use cards for purchases). It analyzes how competition between card associations and between merchants affects the choice of interchange fees, and thus the structure of fees charged to cardholders and merchants. Implications for other two‐sided markets are discussed.
INNOVATION AND MARKET STRUCTURE: AN EMPIRICAL EVALUATION OF THE ‘BOUNDS APPROACH’ IN THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY*
Authors: MARÍN PEDRO L. , SIOTIS GEORGES
Published: April 2007

This paper applies Sutton's [1998]‘bounds approach’ to the chemical industry. The approach predicts that (i) the lower bound of the ratio of the 1‐firm concentration index to product concentration is bounded away from zero at high levels of product concentration only in high R&D markets and (ii) the lower bound on market concentration is higher and increasing in product concentration in markets with higher R&D intensities. We test these two hypotheses and find that the data strongly support them. A novel feature of our analysis is the use of plant level data in defining products and the classification of products into markets based on end‐use.
A comparison of student feedback obtained through paper‐based and web‐based surveys of faculty teaching
Authors: Ardalan Ali , Ardalan Roya , Coppage Samuel , Crouch William
Published: April 2007

Many colleges have either begun or are contemplating using the web‐based survey to gather student feedback on faculty teaching. Unlike the paper‐based method, the web‐based approach gives every student in the class the opportunity to provide feedback. Hence, the populations that participate in the web‐based and paper‐based methods may be quite different, and so may be the feedback. This paper compares the results of student feedback gathered through paper‐based and web‐based approaches. The results provide information to faculty and administrators on any differences they may expect as they make the transition from a paper‐based to a web‐based survey of faculty teaching.
Patenting of Research Results Related to Genetic Resources from Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: The Crossroads of the Law of the Sea and Intellectual Property Law
Authors: Salpin Charlotte , Germani Valentina
Published: April 2007

The conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction has attracted increasing attention from international fora over the last 15 years. A particular issue that is currently debated surrounds the regime for research activities related to biological resources from areas beyond national jurisdiction. This article considers the implications of patenting the research results of such activities in the context of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It concludes that policy clarification is needed in order to ensure that any regime for bioprospecting in areas beyond national jurisdiction provides incentives for researchers and prospectors to continue uncovering the mysteries of the deep oceans, including through the issuance of patents, while at the same time ensuring a fair sharing of the benefits of research results with all States.
Legal Steps Outside the Climate Convention: Litigation as a Tool to Address Climate Change
Authors: Gupta Joyeeta
Published: April 2007

This article examines the recent academic interest in litigation as a tool to address climate change, as well as the surge of legal actions worldwide to bring the problem to the attention of judiciaries. This new interest reveals the frustration of legal scholars and activists at the slow rate at which policy makers are addressing the climate change problem. This article shows the slow build‐up of academic interest in litigation, before moving on to analyse the kinds of legal causes of action that are being used in different parts of the world. Most of these cases have not been fully resolved, and it is more than likely that the judgments may not always be favourable to the plaintiffs, but at least a first step has been made to involve yet another forum for addressing the climate change problem.
Correlates of orthographic learning in third‐grade children's silent reading
Authors: Bowey Judith A. , Miller Robyn
Published: April 2007

This study examined word identification, phonological recoding efficiency, familiar word reading efficiency, orthographic choice for familiar words and serial naming speed as potential correlates of orthographic learning following silent reading in third‐grade children. Children silently read a series of short stories, each containing six repetitions of a different target non‐word. They subsequently read target non‐words faster than homophones and preferred target non‐words to homophones in an orthographic choice task, indicating that they had formed functional orthographic representations of the target non‐words through phonologically recoding them during silent story reading. Target non‐word orthographic choice was correlated with all measures bar non‐symbol naming speed. The association between phonological recoding efficiency and orthographic learning lends support to the hypothesis that self‐teaching occurs through phonological recoding even in silent reading. Our findings were not generally consistent with the view that serial naming speed assesses orthographic learning aptitude.
Deriving word meanings from context: does explanation facilitate contextual analysis?
Authors: Cain Kate
Published: April 2007

The ability to derive the meanings of words from supportive story contexts was studied in 45 7‐ to 8‐year‐olds. Children read short stories each containing a different novel word and defined the word at the end of each story. There were three intervention sessions. One group was asked to justify their definition and subsequently received feedback on its accuracy. A second group was given feedback first and asked to explain how the experimenter knew the correct answer. A third (control) received feedback only. In general, practice led to improved performance, with an increased number of children in all groups using the story context to derive meanings for the novel words in a post‐intervention test. Children in the two explanation groups made the greatest gains in definition accuracy. The implications for teaching vocabulary learning skills are discussed.
Does exposure to orthography affect children's spelling accuracy?
Authors: Dixon Maureen , Kaminska Zofia
Published: April 2007

It has previously been reported that exposure to visually presented correctly and incorrectly spelled words has a significant effect on subsequent spelling accuracy. Previous research investigating this process in skilled adult readers has shown very robust effects that encountering a misspelling has a detrimental effect on spelling accuracy whereas encountering a correct spelling has a beneficial effect. This effect is considered to be mediated via an implicit priming mechanism. In the current study, children with a mean age of 10 years were tested using a similar procedure to the experiments with adults but the results revealed a qualitatively different pattern. Children showed a significant beneficial effect following presentation of a correct spelling but no measurable effect of encountering a misspelling on subsequent spelling accuracy. The fact that children's spelling output was also found to be affected by depth of encoding at the point of presentation points towards an explanation of children using explicit rather than implicit processing of prior information.
Young children at risk of literacy difficulties: factors predicting recovery from risk following phonologically based intervention
Authors: Whiteley Helen E. , Smith Chris D. , Connors Liz
Published: April 2007

This longitudinal project identified young children at risk of literacy difficulties and asked why some of these children fail to benefit from phonologically based intervention. Reception class children were screened to identify a group at risk of literacy difficulties and a matched group of children not at risk. Profiles were compiled for each child including measures of reading, spelling, memory, rapid naming, vocabulary and phonological awareness. A daily, 15‐week, small group intervention was implemented with 67 at‐risk children. Those who had not made progress in their literacy following this intervention participated in a second, individually administered intervention. The results indicate that letter knowledge and expressive vocabulary are key factors mediating a child's ability to benefit from a phonologically based intervention. Findings are discussed in the context of a lexical restructuring account of the development of spoken word recognition.
Business Cycles and the Role of Confidence: Evidence for Europe*
Authors: Taylor Karl , McNabb Robert
Published: April 2007

This paper examines whether indicators of consumer and business confidence can predict movements in GDP over the business cycle for four European economies. The empirical methodology used to investigate the properties of the data comprises cross‐correlation statistics, implementing an approach developed by den Haan [Journal of Monetary Economics (2000), Vol. 46, pp. 3–30]. The predictive power of confidence indicators is also examined, investigating whether they can predict discrete events, namely economic downturns, and whether they can quantitatively forecast point estimates of economic activity. The results indicate that both consumer and business confidence indicators are procyclical and generally play a significant role in predicting downturns.
Is the Aggregate Investor Reluctant to Realise Losses? Evidence from Taiwan
Authors: Barber Brad M. , Lee Yi‐Tsung , Liu Yu‐Jane , Odean Terrance
Published: April 2007

We ask whether the typical investor and the aggregate investor exhibit a bias known as the disposition effect, the tendency to sell investments that are held for a profit at a faster rate than investments held for a loss. We analyse all trading activity on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) for the five years ending in 1999. Using a dataset that contains all trades (over one billion) and the identity of every trader (nearly four million), we find that in aggregate, investors in Taiwan are about twice as likely to sell a stock if they are holding that stock for a gain rather than a loss. Eighty‐four percent of all Taiwanese investors sell winners at a faster rate than losers. Individuals, corporations, and dealers are reluctant to realise losses, while mutual funds and foreigners, who together account for less than 5% of all trades (by value), are not.
Acquisitions, Overconfident Managers and Self‐attribution Bias
Authors: Doukas John A. , Petmezas Dimitris
Published: April 2007

We examine whether acquisitions by overconfident managers generate superior abnormal returns and whether managerial overconfidence stems from self‐attribution. Self‐attribution bias suggests that overconfidence plays a greater role in higher order acquisition deals predicting lower wealth effects for higher order acquisition deals. Using two alternative measures of overconfidence (1) high order acquisition deals and (2) insider dealings we find evidence supporting the view that average stock returns are related to managerial overconfidence. Overconfident bidders realise lower announcement returns than rational bidders and exhibit poor long‐term performance. Second, we find that managerial overconfidence stems from self‐attribution bias. Specifically, we find that high‐order acquisitions (five or more deals within a three‐year period) are associated with lower wealth effects than low‐order acquisitions (first deals). That is, managers tend to credit the initial success to their own ability and therefore become overconfident and engage in more deals. In our analysis we control for endogeneity of the decision to engage in high‐order acquisitions and find evidence that does not support the self‐selection of excessive acquisitive firms. Our analysis is robust to the influence of merger waves, industry shocks, and macroeconomic conditions.
Free Movement of Persons and European Solidarity1
Authors: Giubboni Stefano
Published: April 2007

Abstract:  This article explores the tension between freedom of movement within the EC/EU and the principle of social solidarity, a tension which has increased in step with the progressive enlargement over the years of the circle of potential beneficiaries of the right to cross‐border access to the social and welfare benefits guaranteed by the social protection systems of the Member States. The article aims to re‐construct the system of Community rules regarding the free movement of persons within the EU from the point of view of the justifying criteria for the cross‐border access to national welfare systems of the different categories of ‘migrants’. The focus of the article is on the different degrees and models of solidarity which, at least at the present stage of the European integration process, justify correspondingly graduated and differentiated forms of cross‐border access to Member States' social and welfare benefits for the various categories of persons who move about within the EU.
Childhood psoriasis: a study of 277 patients from China
Authors: Fan X , Xiao F‐L , Yang S , Liu J‐B , Yan K‐L , Liang Y‐H , Sun L‐D , Du W‐H , Jin Y‐T , Zhang X‐J
Published: April 2007

Objectives  Psoriasis is common in childhood. The aim of this study was to present the clinical and epidemiological profile of childhood psoriasis in China.

Methods  A total of 277 childhood psoriasis patients younger than 16 years old were enrolled. Statistical analysis and heritability were performed using EPI INFO 6.0, spss 10.0 and Falconer's method.

Results  The median age was 11 years. The male : female ratio was 1 : 1.13. The median age of onset was 10 years. Of the patients, 48.7% had previous episodes of psoriasis. Of the 277 children with psoriasis, 68.6% had plaque‐type psoriasis, 28.9% had guttate psoriasis, 1.1% presented pustular forms of psoriasis and 1.4% had erythroderma. The extensor surface of the extremities was the most frequently affected site in our patients, followed by the appearance of lesions on the scalp. A positive family history of psoriasis was found in 34.3% patients. The prevalence of psoriasis in first‐ and second‐degree relatives was 7.0% and 1.0%, respectively. The heritability of psoriasis in first‐ and second‐degree relatives was 72.67% and 55.18%, respectively.

Conclusion  Our epidemiologic studies offer the information about Han Chinese distribution, which provide clues to describe psoriasis in children.
Irreversible blockade of sigma‐1 receptors by haloperidol and its metabolites in guinea pig brain and SH‐SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Cobos Enrique J. , Pozo Esperanza del , Baeyens José M.
Published: April 2007

We evaluated the effect of haloperidol (HP) and its metabolites on [3H](+)‐pentazocine binding to σ1receptors in SH‐SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells and guinea pig brain P1, P2and P3subcellular fractions. Three days after a single i.p. injection in guinea pigs of HP (but not of other σ1antagonists or (−)‐sulpiride), [3H](+)‐pentazocine binding to brain membranes was markedly decreased. Recovery of σ1receptor density to steady state after HP‐induced inactivation required more than 30 days. HP‐metabolite II (reduced HP, 4‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐α‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐4‐hydroxy‐1‐piperidinebutanol), but not HP‐metabolite I (4‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐4‐hydroxypiperidine), irreversibly blocked σ1receptors in guinea pig brain homogenate and P2fractionin vitro. We found similar results in SH‐SY5Y cells, which suggests that this process may also take place in humans. HP irreversibly inactivated σ1receptors when it was incubated with brain homogenate and SH‐SY5Y cells, but not when incubated with P2fraction membranes, which suggests that HP is metabolized to inactivate σ1receptors. Menadione, an inhibitor of the ketone reductase activity that leads to the production of HP‐metabolite II, completely prevented HP‐induced inactivation of σ1receptors in brain homogenates. These results suggest that HP may irreversibly inactivate σ1receptors in guinea pig and human cells, probably after metabolism to reduced HP.
DNA methylation regulates tissue‐specific expression of Shank3
Authors: Beri Silvana , Tonna Noemi , Menozzi Giorgia , Bonaglia Maria Clara , Sala Carlo , Giorda Roberto
Published: April 2007

Tissue‐specific gene expression can be controlled by epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation. SHANK3, together with its homologues SHANK1 and SHANK2, has a central functional and structural role in excitatory synapses and is involved in the human chromosome 22q13 deletion syndrome. In this report, we show by DNA methylation analysis in lymphocytes, brain cortex, cerebellum and heart that the three SHANK genes possess several methylated CpG boxes, but only SHANK3 CpG islands are highly methylated in tissues where protein expression is low or absent and unmethylated where expression is present. SHANK3 protein expression is significantly reduced in hippocampal neurons after treatment with methionine, while HeLa cells become able to express SHANK3 after treatment with 5‐Aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine. Altogether, these data suggest the existence of a specific epigenetic control mechanism regulating SHANK3, but not SHANK1 and SHANK2, expression.
The urge to change appearance in different psychopathological categories
Authors: Campo Joost à , Hardy Solange , Merckelbach Harald , Nijman Henk , Zwets Almar
Published: April 2007

Background:

In professional literature, mainly anecdotic descriptions can be found of striking, sometimes even bizarre manipulations of the appearance by psychiatric patients.

Objective:

In this study, it was examined whether the inclination to (drastically) change the appearance is related to (pre)psychotic symptoms.

Methods:

By means of a questionnaire, the frequency and nature of changing the appearance was studied among a sample of healthy volunteers (n = 38) and psychiatric patients (n = 61). The psychiatric group consisted of 1) patients with schizophrenia (n = 22), 2) patients with a borderline personality disorder (n = 20) and 3) patients with a depressive disorder (n = 19).

Results:

In accordance with previous findings, self-reports of drastic changes of appearance were associated with scores on various schizotypy scales. Psychiatric patients reported more changes of appearance, compared with healthy volunteers. Patients with schizophrenia reported most changes, followed by the group of patients with borderline personality disordered.

Conclusions:

Perhaps, drastic changes of the appearance are a visible expression of the loss of ego boundaries and/or of the sense of reality.
Marital satisfaction, conflict communication, attachment style and psychological distress in couples with a hospitalized depressed patient
Authors: Lemmens Gilbert M. D. , Buysse Ann , Heene Els , Eisler Ivan , Demyttenaere Koen
Published: April 2007

Background:

There has been fairly consistent empirical support for the association between major depressive disorder and marital dissatisfaction. However, this evidence is limited mostly to out-patient and population-based samples. Further, the role of possible mediating factors such as attachment style and conflict communication are less well investigated in major depression.

Objective:

The present study aims to investigate whether couples with a depressed partner and nonclinical couples differ in marital satisfaction, attachment style, psychological distress and conflict communication. Gender differences are also investigated.

Methods:

Seventy-seven couples, who participated in a family intervention trial, were compared with 77 age- and gender-matched nonclinical couples.

Results:

The depressed patients reported more psychological distress and attachment difficulties and less marital satisfaction than their partners and the nonclinical couples. Partners perceived their relationship as more satisfying than the nonclinical couples. The clinical couples reported less mutual constructive and more mutual avoidant communication in their relationship compared with the nonclinical couples. Finally, female depressed patients reported higher levels of psychological symptoms and were more avoidant attached than male patients.

Conclusions:

This study shows important differences in several individual and relational characteristics between couples with a depressed partner and nonclinical couples. Further research will be necessary to clarify whether the investigated psychosocial variables play a causal and/or a maintaining role in depression.
Brånemark Novum®: A New Treatment Concept for Rehabilitation of the Edentulous Mandible. Preliminary Results from a Prospective Clinical Follow‐up Study
Authors: Brånemark Per‐Ingvar , Engstrand Per , Öhrnell Lars‐Oluf , Gröndahl Kerstin , Nilsson Peter , Hagberg Kiell , Darle Christina , Lekholm Ulf
Published: April 2007

Background: Brånemark fixtures were originally prescribed to be placed in two surgical stages. During the past years, reports on the placement of machined titanium implants in a one‐stage procedure have been published, and the results have been encouraging. Recendy there has been considerable interest in early or immediate loading.

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to report the preliminary clinical results of a new method for implant treatment of the edentulous mandible. The new protocol involves prefabricated components and surgical guides, elimination of the prosthetic impression procedure and attachment of the permanent fixed bridge on the day of implant placement.

Methods: Fifty patients (26 males, 24 females) received 150 Brånemark Novum implants and were followed from 6 months to 3 years after implant placement. Bone width and height were determined preoperatively with the use of radiographs. The jaw was reduced in height to accommodate three special 5‐mm wide implants. Precise implant positioning was accomplished with special drilling templates. Drill guides were placed over the drilling templates during site preparation using a series of specially designed drills. After the mucosa had been sutured back into position, a prefabricated titanium lower bar was connected with titanium screws to the transmucosal fixture. Another titanium bar was then attached by the prosthodontist, and a bite registration was performed. The bridge was attached to the upper bar. The permanent reconstruction was provided to the patient later the same day.

Results: Three implants were lost to follow‐up and three failed, resulting in an overall survival rate of 98%. One prosthesis failed, leaving a prosthetic survival rate of 98%. The average treatment time was approximately 7 hours. At the baseline examination, the marginal bone level was 0.72 mm below the reference point. The average marginal bone loss was 0.2 mm per year and 0.26 mm between the 3‐month and 1‐year control visits. The accumulated mean bone loss, including baseline, was‐1.25 mm. A patient questionnaire demonstrated that 94% of the patients did not experience any discomfort during treatment and all patients would recommend the procedure to others.

Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the precise surgical and prosthetic protocol allows successful prosthetic rehabilitation of mandibular edentulism and that the permanent reconstruction can be provided to the patient on the day of fixture surgery.
Bone‐Tissue Formation and Integration of Titanium Implants: An Evaluation with Newly Developed Enzyme and Immunohistochemical Techniques
Authors: Johansson Carina B. , Röser Kerstin , Bolind Pia , Donath Karl , Albrektsson Tomas
Published: April 2007

Background: Examination of the tissue surrounding retrieved implants involve routine investigations on cut and ground sections. Undecalcified sections with implants in situ are histologically stained followed by qualitative and quantitative observations of the tissue response to the implants by light microscopy.

Purpose: A novel technique that allows for the accurate definition and quantification of enzymes involved in bone formation (alkaline phosphatase) and resorption (acid phosphatase) in the tissue is presented.

Materials and Methods: Commercially pure titanium and titanium alloy (Ti6A14V) implants were retrieved after 6 and 12 weeks of healing in rabbit bone. In addition, 4‐week specimens from commercially pure titanium bone harvest chambers placed in rabbit bone were used. Undecalcified cut and ground sections were produced and evaluated with enzyme and immunohistochemical staining techniques.

Results: The titanium implants retrieved after 6 weeks of insertion in rabbit bone revealed a higher activity of both alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase activity compared to the implants followed for 12 months. The former samples revealed ongoing bone‐tissue remodeling in the interface, whereas the latter ones showed steady‐state bone conditions. Applying the new technique allowed for investigation of various bone proteins present in the tissue that had formed inside titanium canals of harvest chambers at various times of follow‐up.

Conclusions: The combination of routine histologic stainings with enzyme and immunohistochemical technique of cut and ground specimens is a valuable tool in the investigations of retrieved implants from humans and animals. This novel technique now may be used to describe the state of bone regeneration in the interface zone associated with implant research.
Influence of Surface Roughness of Barrier Walls on Guided Bone Augmentation: Experimental Study in Rabbits
Authors: Lundgren AnnaKarin , Lundgren Dan , Wennerberg Ann , Hämmerle Christoph H. F. , Nyman Sture
Published: April 2007

Background: By using the guided tissue regeneration concept it is possible to augment bone, beyond the skeletal envelope, provided certain biologic, surgical, and barrier‐related demands are met. Among barrier‐related factors of importance are the surface properties.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether different surface roughness of the barrier wall influences the amount and morphology of augmented bone in a secluded space, using a titanium cylinder as barrier device placed on the rabbit skull.

Materials and Methods: Cylinders of commercially pure titanium were fabricated by machining, using a turning tool. The inner cylinder wall was either left untreated or grit‐blasted with titanium dioxide to increase surface roughness. The topographic profile of the inner surface of two cylinders (1 turned and 1 grit‐blasted) was measured in vitro to achieve a numeric characterization of each type of surface topography. Two cylinders, one with grit‐blasted and one with turned inner walls, were surgically placed and secured to the skull bone of each of eight rabbits. The plate of the cortical bone, facing the experimental area framed by the cylinder wall was removed, and care was taken to ensure total blood fill of the cylinders. After 3 months, the animals were sacrificed to obtain histology for histomorphometry.

Results: The relative volume of augmented tissue in the grit‐blasted cylinders (77.9 ± 10.5%) did not differ significantly from that in the turned cylinders (73.4 ± 5.5%, p =.118), neither did the volume of mineralized bone (20.1 ± 8.2% vs. 22.1 ± 7.2%, p =.064). The trabecular density of the augmented bone was higher close to the walls of both the turned and the grit‐blasted cylinders compared to the overall trabecular density within the cylinders, but with no significant difference between the two groups. However, the area of mineralized bone in direct contact with the inner surface of the titanium cylinder was significantly larger in the grit‐blasted (33.9 ± 13.3%) compared to the turned cylinders (12.0 ± 8.5%, p =.01).

Conclusions: The use of titanium barriers with a grit‐blasted inner surface compared to barriers with a turned surface resulted in the formation of similar amounts of bone beyond the skeletal envelope of the rabbit skull. However, a larger area of augmented mineralized bone was found in direct contact with the inner surface of the grit‐blasted cylinders.
Complications in Partially Edentulous Implant Patients: A 5‐Year Retrospective Follow‐up Study of 133 Patients Supplied with Unilateral Maxillary Prostheses
Authors: Wennerberg Ann , Jemt Torsten
Published: April 2007

Background: Numerous studies have reported successful outcomes for restoration of fully endentulous patients with Brånemark implants. However, some studies indicate more mechanical problems in restored partially endentulous situations.

Purpose: The objective was to study patients with potential risk for mechanical complications after implant treatment.

Materials and Methods: Patients were retrospectively evaluated 5 years after implant treatment in upper jaw Appelgate‐Kennedy Class II situations. Altogether 422 implants ad modum Brånemark were installed in 137 consecutively treated patients. One hundred thirty‐three prostheses were placed and followed‐up for 5 years, according to routine clinical protocols.

Results: The overall 5‐year implant cumulative survival rate (CSR) was 94.0%. The corresponding CSR for loaded implants and prostheses was 97.7% and 98.4%, respectively, and the overall marginal bone loss was 0.8 mm (0.6 mm) after 5 years. Sixteen abutment screws fractured in seven patients (5%) and 17 prostheses (13%) presented loose abutment or gold screws during the follow‐up period. Significantly more problems were reported in association with prostheses that included the canine (p <.05), and significantly more gold screws were working loose when only two implants were supporting the frameworks (p<.01).

Conclusions: Upper jaw implant treatment in unilateral free‐end situations seems to involve more mechanical problems than other implant treatment groups when only two implants can be installed and when the canine tooth is missing. However, most of these complications are easily adjusted, and the clinical survival of implants and prostheses is the same for these groups compared to other groups of partially edentulous implant patients.
Atomic Force Microscopic Study of Commercially Available Implant Abutments
Authors: Sawase Takashi , Wennerberg Ann , Hallgren Carin , Miyamoto Ikuya , Albrektsson Tomas
Published: April 2007

Background: Clinical studies have reported a correlation between the surface roughness of implant abutments and the rate of supragingival and subgingival plaque formation. In order to maintain periimplant health, it is important to understand the relationship between abutment surface characteristics and plaque formation.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to use high image resolution imaging techniques for analysis of implant abutment surface topography.

Materials and Methods: Five commercially available implant abutments (Brånemark, Nobel Biocide, AB, Goteborg, Sweden, Astra, Astra Tech AB, Mondal, Sweden, IMZ, Friatec AG, Mannheim, Germany, Steri‐Oss, Denar Corp, Anaheim, Calif, USA, and POI, Kyocera Corp, Kyoto, Japan) were visually and quantitatively characterized using an atomic force microscope.

Results: Statistical analysis by analysis of variance and Fishers's Protected Least Significant Differences showed significant differences (p<.05) between arithmetic mean deviation values of surface relative to the center plane (Sa). Power spectral density analysis also was effective as a spacing parameter. Sectional profiles measured the exact length, depth, or height of the specific features on the images.

Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, the Brånemark, Astra and IMZ abutments displayed turning marks in x direction from the procedure. The Steri‐Oss abutment showed smoothest surface among the five abutments tested.