bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dose effect of sevoflurane and isoflurane anesthetics on cortical blood flow during controlled hypotension in the pig
Authors: Kimme P. , Ledin T. , Sjöberg F.
Published: April 2007

Background:  The ability of the brain to preserve adequate cerebral blood flow (CBF) during alterations in systemic perfusion pressure is of fundamental importance. At increasing concentrations, isoflurane and sevoflurane have been known to alter CBF, which may be disadvantageous for patients with increased intracranial pressure. The aim was to examine the effects of isoflurane and sevoflurane at increasing minimum alveolar concentrations (MAC) on CBF, during controlled hypotension.

Methods:  We studied eight pigs during variations in perfusion pressure induced by caval block (100, 60, 50, and 40 mmHg) under normocapnia. CBF was measured locally in a defined area (4 × 5 measurement points covering 1 cm2) of the motor cortex using laser Doppler perfusion imaging. Physiological variables, assessed by analysis of arterial O2 and CO2, hemoglobin and hematocrit, were controlled. CBF was measured during propofol (10 mg × kg−1× h−1) and fentanyl (0.002 mg × kg−1× h−1) anesthesia, and then during anesthesia with either isoflurane or sevoflurane (given in random order) at increasing MAC (0.3–1.2). After a washout period, the measurements were repeated with the other gas.

Results:  CBF was significantly higher in the cortex during normotensive (control) settings, MAP ∼100 mmHg, compared with during hypotension (MAP 40–60 mmHg). Neither different anesthetic nor MAC or local measurement sites were found to influence CBF at any perfusion pressure.

Conclusion:  In this experimental model, the effect of hypotension on CBF was not altered by the anesthetics used [isoflurane, sevoflurane (MAC 0.3–1.2) or propofol (10 mg × kg−1× h−1)]. In this aspect (cortical tissue perspective), these volatile agents appear as suitable as propofol for neurosurgical anesthesia for patients at risk.
Beat‐to‐beat change in ‘myocardial performance index’ related to load
Authors: Haney M. F. , A’Roch R. , Johansson G. , Poelaert J. , Biber B.
Published: April 2007

Background:  This study was designed to assess the relationship of the ‘myocardial performance index’ (MPI) to the beat‐by‐beat change in pre‐load with static or unchanged contractile status.

Methods:  Eight anesthetized juvenile pigs were studied using direct measurement of the left ventricular pressure and volume. Transient inflation of a vena cava balloon catheter produced controlled pre‐load alterations. Consecutive beats were analyzed, grouped for first, second, third, etc. during the pre‐load alteration, and evaluated for the change in MPI during the same contractile status with a controlled pre‐load alteration. Two pharmacologic inotropic interventions were also included to generate several myocardial conditions in each animal.

Results:  MPI demonstrated a strong linear relationship to the pre‐load and after‐load. MPI increased progressively during decreasing end‐diastolic volume, mostly related to changes in ejection time. MPI was observed at the same level for three different myocardial function conditions (all eight animals), with a different relationship between MPI and pre‐load noted for each observation.

Conclusions:  MPI is strongly load dependent, and can vary widely in value for the same contractile status if the load is varied. The use of this index in critically ill patients should be limited in this respect. Further work is needed to establish the relationship of MPI to load and contractile status.
The effect of combining intermittent hemodiafiltration with forced alkaline diuresis on plasma myoglobin in rhabdomyolysis
Authors: Peltonen S. , ÅHlström A. , Kylävainio V. , Honkanen E. , Pettilä V.
Published: April 2007

Background:  Our aim was to examine the effect of combining intermittent hemodiafiltration (HDF) with forced alkaline diuresis on plasma myoglobin in rhabdomyolysis.

Methods:  This was a prospective, randomized, controlled, cross‐over study. Sixteen rhabdomyolysis patients with plasma myoglobin concentrations above 10,000 μg/l were randomized. Forced alkaline diuresis was started immediately after allocation and continued throughout the study. HDF, which lasted for 4 h, was started in group A immediately after allocation and in group B 4 h later. The primary analysis was intention‐to‐treat by repeated measures analysis of variance and Mann–Whitney U‐test.

Results:  The percentage elimination of myoglobin from the circulation during HDF differed significantly from that during alkaline diuresis (28.1% vs. 14.2%, respectively; P < 0.01). The mean decrease in plasma myoglobin concentration during HDF [9731 μg/l; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3672–5345 μg/l] and forced alkaline diuresis (3646 μg/l; 95% CI, 1260–6032 μg/l) did not show a statistically significant difference (P= NS). The mean total amount of myoglobin found in the ultrafiltrate was 58.4 mg.

Conclusion:  The percentage myoglobin decrease during combined HDF and forced alkaline diuresis was higher than that during forced alkaline diuresis alone. Renal replacement therapy with filtration techniques may be considered for the clearance of myoglobin from plasma when urine alkalinization is not successful.
Male preponderance of patients testing positive for malignant hyperthermia susceptibility
Authors: Islander G. , Rydenfelt K. , Ranklev E. , Bodelsson M.
Published: April 2007

Background:  Malignant hyperthermia susceptibility is diagnosed using an in vitro contracture test (IVCT). In families in which the mutation is known, genetic tests are also available. The inheritance pattern is regarded as autosomal dominant, which predicts equal proportions of men and women affected. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there were sex differences in the diagnostic outcome of the 1407 patients tested for malignant hyperthermia in Sweden between 1985 and 2005.

Methods:  Information about sex, diagnosis, IVCT result and kinship was analysed. Comparisons were made between the two sexes. Probands and relatives were analysed separately in order to eliminate bias caused by the type of surgery performed in the two sexes.

Results:  Males, more than females, revealed a pathological outcome in IVCT. Amongst male relatives, the fraction of pathological outcome in IVCT was 0.70 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.66–0.74]; the corresponding value for females was 0.40 (95% CI, 0.36–0.44).

Conclusion:  A significant difference was observed in the sex distribution of outcome of IVCT, with significantly more males revealing a pathological IVCT. This indicates the influence of one or several factors related to sex in the outcome of IVCT, for example different expression of calcium handling proteins in the sexes, a complex pattern of inheritance or unknown environmental factors.
Development and primary genetic analysis of a fertility temperature‐sensitive polima cytoplasmic male sterility restorer in Brassica napus
Authors: Fan Z. X. , Lei W. X. , Hong D. F. , He J. P. , Wan L. L. , Xu Z. H. , Liu P. W. , Yang G. S.
Published: April 2007

Over the past decade, the polima cytoplasmic male sterility (pol CMS) three‐line and two‐line systems have been developed for the production of hybrid seed in Brassica napus oilseed rape in China. The discovery of the novel pol CMS restorer line FL‐204 is described here. It restores male fertility of hybrid plants in the pol CMS system, but hybrid seed production can only be carried out under autumn sowing in Wuhan in south China under moderate temperatures at flowering. The restorer cannot be used as a male for hybrid seed production in northwestern China (Gansu) under spring sowing conditions, because there it is more or less male sterile due to high temperatures at flowering. Because of this behaviour, it is referred to as a fertility temperature‐sensitive restorer (FTSR) in this paper. F2, BC1 as well as double haploid populations were constructed to determine the inheritance of fertility restoration of FL‐204 in the autumn at Wuhan and under spring sowing conditions at Gansu, respectively. Deviations from Mendelian genetics were observed. It was hypothesized that the change of fertility was the result of the interaction between nuclear genes [restoring gene (Rf) and temperature‐sensitive genes (ts)] and the cytoplasm. The Rf gene in FL‐204 was incapable of restoring male fertility of pol CMS lines under spring sowing conditions at Gansu where it is inactivated by the recessive ts gene present in FL‐204. However, the ts gene(s) could be non‐functional under moderate temperature conditions at flowering at Wuhan which allows full expression of male fertility in FL‐204. The recessive ts gene(s) can only be expressed in plants containing the pol sterile cytoplasm. A method for the utilization of the FTSR pol CMS restorer FL‐204 for the production of hybrid seed in B. napus oilseed rape is proposed.
Pleiotropy and Redundancy of STAT Proteins in Early Pregnancy
Authors: Maj T , Chelmonska‐Soyta A
Published: April 2007

Contents

Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) are a group of proteins involved in signal transduction from numerous bioactive substances. Hormones and cytokines such as leukaemia inhibitory factor, interferon‐τ and prolactin, which play key roles during early pregnancy, activate the Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT signalling pathway. The STATs are thus involved in the regulation of implantation, establishing uterine receptivity and regulation of the maternal immune response. It seems that STATs can orchestrate signals from hormones and cytokines in different cell types and may therefore generate numerous biological effects, despite the relatively small number of receptors activating the JAK/STAT pathway. This review summarizes the participation of STATs in the main processes of early pregnancy, especially regarding their pleiotropy and redundancy.
Sarcomatous transformation in diaphyseal aclasis
Authors: Shah ZK , Peh WCG , Wong Y , Shek TWH , Davies AM
Published: April 2007

Multiple hereditary exostosis (or diaphyseal aclasis) is a condition characterized by the development of multiple osteochondromas. The tendency for malignant transformation into chondrosarcoma is well known. Malignancy typically arises from the cartilaginous cap of the osteochondroma. Radiographs supplemented by computed tomography have an important role in the diagnosis of this condition. Magnetic resonance imaging shows the features of sarcomatous change and aids in differentiating malignancy from pseudotumours.
Metastases to the breast: A review of 33 cases
Authors: Noguera JJ , Martínez‐Miravete P , Idoate F , Díaz L , Pina L , Zornoza G , Martínez‐Regueira F
Published: April 2007

The aim of the study was to show the clinical and radiological manifestations of metastases to the breast (MB). From 1987 to 2006, 33 patients with MB were diagnosed at our institution. Their clinical and radiological features were retrospectively evaluated. Of the 33 cases, 31 presented as a palpable breast lump. On mammography, their findings were classified as follows: well‐circumscribed masses (11 cases), ill‐circumscribed masses (five), focal asymmetric densities (one) and inflammatory skin changes (six). Mammograms were normal in six cases (all of them showed dense breast tissue). Four CT scans showed two well‐circumscribed masses and two ill‐circumscribed masses. Ultrasonography was available in 18 cases: hypoechoic lesions (15 cases) were more frequent than hyperechoic (one) or isoechoic lesions (two). The appearance on magnetic resonance was similar to primary breast cancer (one case). The most common primary tumours causing MB were haematological malignancies (nine cases) and melanomas (seven). Metastases to the breast showed a wide range of mammographic and ultrasonographic appearances, resembling both benign and malignant lesions. Any patient who presents with a breast lump with a history of cancer should undergo a core‐needle biopsy in order to determine the histology of the lump.
Extramedullary haematopoiesis in thalassaemia major causing spinal cord compression
Authors: Chiam QLL , Lau KK
Published: April 2007

A 33‐year‐old, homozygous beta‐thalassaemic, Jehovah witness man presented with subacute spinal cord compression secondary to extramedullary haematopoiesis within the thoracic spinal canal. In this case, MRI showed characteristic features of extramedullary haematopoiesis, leading to an early diagnosis.
Two cases of methanol poisoning: CT and MRI features
Authors: Bessell‐Browne RJ , Bynevelt M
Published: April 2007

Methanol poisoning in Australia is now very rare as methanol has been removed from methylated spirits. In acute intoxication methanol may result in a wide range of damage to the central nervous system. Few cases have been imaged with MRI. We present two cases and their striking neuroimaging findings with a discussion of the published work on methanol poisoning.
A PROBABILISTIC MODEL OF SHORT FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH
Authors: Cox B. N. , Morris W. L.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— A probabilistic model is presented that draws a direct link between stochastic microstructure and the statistics of measured growth rates. The model is formulated as a semi‐Markov process. The underlying Markov process describes the evolution of a growth control variable as an explicit function of crack length. The growth control variable is open to a variety of interpretations, depending on the mechanisms known to control growth in any given application. Elapsed fatigue cycles and the distribution of times to failure are calculated by invoking an empirical or postulated law of growth rate. This law is either a deterministic or probabilistic relationship between the growth control variable and the crack velocity. It may, and usually does, contain parameters that are evaluated by calibration against available statistical data. This process guarantees a high level of robustness of the model's predictions. The computational generality of the formulation facilitates the treatment of spectral loading.
The fidelity of the cortical retinotopic map in human amblyopia
Authors: Li Xingfeng , Dumoulin Serge O. , Mansouri Behzad , Hess Robert F.
Published: April 2007

To delineate the fidelity of the functional cortical organization in humans with amblyopia, we undertook an investigation into how spatial information is mapped across the visual cortex in amblyopic observers. We assessed whether the boundaries of the visual areas controlled by the amblyopic and fellow fixing eye are in the same position, the fidelity of the retinotopic map within different cortical areas and the average receptive field size in different visual areas. The functional organization of the visual cortex was reconstructed using a fMRI phase‐encoded retinotopic mapping analysis. This method sequentially stimulates each point in the visual field along the axes of a polar‐coordinate system, thereby reconstructing the representation of the visual field on the cortex. We found that the cortical areas were very similar in normals and amblyopes, with only small differences in boundary positions of different visual areas between fixing and fellow amblyopic eye activation. Within these corresponding visual areas, we did find anomalies in retinotopy in some but not all amblyopes that were not simply a consequence of the poorer functional responses and affected central and peripheral field regions. Only a small increase in the average (or collective) receptive field size was found for full‐field representation in amblyopes and none at all for central field representation. The former may simply be a consequence of the poorer functional responses.
Impact of 6‐hydroxydopamine lesions and cocaine exposure on µ‐opioid receptor expression and regulation of cholinergic transmission in the limbic–prefrontal territory of the rat dorsal striatum
Authors: Jabourian Maritza , Pérez Sylvie , Ezan Pascal , Glowinski Jacques , Deniau Jean‐Michel , Kemel Marie‐Louise
Published: April 2007

Information processing within the striatum is regulated by local circuits involving dopamine, cholinergic interneurons and neuropeptides released by recurrent collaterals of striatal output neurons. In the limbic–prefrontal territory of the dorsal striatum, enkephalin inhibits the NMDA‐evoked release of acetylcholine directly through µ‐opioid receptors (MORs) located on cholinergic interneurons and indirectly through MORs of output neurons of striosomes. In this territory, we investigated the consequence of changes in dopamine transmission, bilateral 6‐hydroxydopamine‐induced degeneration of striatal dopaminergic innervation or cocaine (acute and chronic) exposure on (i) MOR expression in both cholinergic interneurons and output neurons of striosomes, and (ii) the direct and indirect enkephalin–MOR regulations of the NMDA‐evoked release of acetylcholine. Expression of MORs in cholinergic interneurons was preserved after 6‐hydroxydopamine and down‐regulated after cocaine treatments. Accordingly, the direct enkephalin–MOR control of acetylcholine release was preserved after 6‐hydroxydopamine treatment and lost after cocaine exposure. Expression of MORs in output neurons of striosomes was down‐regulated in the 6‐hydroxydopamine situation and either preserved or up‐regulated after acute or chronic cocaine exposure, respectively. Accordingly, the indirect enkephalin–MOR control of acetylcholine release disappeared in the 6‐hydroxydopamine situation but surprisingly, despite preservation of MORs in striosomes, disappeared after cocaine treatment. Showing that MORs of striosomes are still functional in this situation, the MOR agonist [D‐Ala2,N‐Me‐Phe4,Gly5‐ol]‐enkephalin inhibited the NMDA‐evoked release of acetylcholine after cocaine exposure. Therefore, alteration in the regulation of cholinergic transmission by the enkephalin–MOR system might play a major role in the motivational and cognitive disorders associated with dopamine dysfunctions in fronto‐cortico‐basal ganglia circuits.
Long‐term potentiation of neuronal excitation by neuron–glia interactions in the rat spinal dorsal horn
Authors: Ikeda Hiroshi , Tsuda Makoto , Inoue Kazuhide , Murase Kazuyuki
Published: April 2007

By imaging neuronal excitation in rat spinal cord slices with a voltage‐sensitive dye, we examined the role of glial cells in the P2X receptor agonist αβ‐methylene ATP (αβmeATP)‐triggered long‐term potentiation (LTP) in the dorsal horn. Bath application of αβmeATP potentiated neuronal excitation in the superficial dorsal horn. The potentiation was inhibited in the presence of the P2X receptor antagonists TNP‐ATP, PPADS and A‐317491, and was not induced in slices taken from rats neonatally treated with capsaicin. These results suggest that αβmeATP acts on P2X receptors, possibly P2X3and/or P2X2/3, in capsaicin‐sensitive primary afferent terminals. Furthermore, the potentiation was inhibited by treatment with the glial metabolism inhibitor monofluoroacetic acid. Results obtained with the p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibitor SB203580, tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin (IL)‐6, and antibodies to TNF‐α and IL‐6, as well as by double immunolabelling of activated p38 MAPK with markers of astrocytes and microglia, demonstrated that αβmeATP activated p38 MAPK in astrocytes, and that the presence of proinflammatory cytokines and p38 MAPK activation were necessary for the induction of αβmeATP‐triggered LTP. These findings indicate that glial cells contribute to the αβmeATP‐induced LTP, which might be part of a cellular mechanism for the induction of persistent pain.
Effect of binocular retinal lesions on CRMP2 and CRMP4 but not Dyn I and Syt I expression in adult cat area 17
Authors: Cnops Lieselotte , Hu Tjing‐Tjing , Eysel Ulf T. , Arckens Lutgarde
Published: April 2007

Removal of retinal input from a restricted region of adult cat visual cortex leads to a substantial reorganization of the retinotopy within the sensory‐deprived cortical lesion projection zone (LPZ). Still little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying this cortical map reorganization. We chose two members of the collapsin response mediator protein (CRMP) family, CRMP2 and CRMP4, because of their involvement in neurite growth, and compared gene and protein expression levels between normal control and reorganizing visual cortex upon induction of central retinal lesions. Parallel analysis of Dynamin I (Dyn I) and Synaptotagmin I (Syt I), two molecules implicated in the exocytosis–endocytosis cycle, was performed because changes in neurotransmitter release have been implicated in cortical plasticity. Western blotting and real‐time polymerase chain reaction revealed a clear time‐dependent effect of retinal lesioning on CRMP2 and CRMP4 expression, with maximal impact 2 weeks post‐lesion. Altered CRMP levels were not a direct consequence of decreased visual activity in the LPZ as complete surgical removal of retinal input to one hemisphere had no effect on CRMP2 or CRMP4 expression. Thus, CRMP expression is correlated to cortical reorganization following partial deafferentation of adult visual cortex. In contrast, Dyn I and Syt I were not influenced and thereby do not promote exocytosis–endocytosis cycle modifications in adult cat cortical plasticity.
Dissociation and trafficking of rat GABAB receptor heterodimer upon chronic capsaicin stimulation
Authors: Laffray Sophie , Tan Kelly , Dulluc Josette , Bouali‐Benazzouz Rabia , Calver Andrew R. , Nagy Frédéric , Landry Marc
Published: April 2007

Gamma‐aminobutyric acid type B receptors (GABAB) are G‐protein‐coupled receptors that mediate GABAergic inhibition in the brain. Their functional expression is dependent upon the formation of heterodimers between GABAB1 and GABAB2 subunits, a process that occurs within the endoplasmic reticulum. However, the mechanisms that regulate GABAB receptor oligomerization at the plasma membrane remain largely unknown.

We first characterized the functional cytoarchitecture of an organotypic co‐culture model of rat dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord. Subsequently, we studied the interactions between GABAB subunits after chronic stimulation of sensory fibres with capsaicin. Surface labelling of recombinant proteins showed a decrease in subunit co‐localization and GABAB2 labelling, after capsaicin treatment. In these conditions, fluorescence lifetime imaging measurements further demonstrated a loss of interactions between green fluorescent protein‐GABAB1b and t‐dimer discosoma sp red fluorescent protein‐GABAB2 subunits. Finally, we established that the GABAB receptor undergoes clathrin‐dependent internalization and rapid recycling to the plasma membrane following activation with baclofen, a GABAB agonist. However, in cultures chronically stimulated with capsaicin, the agonist‐induced endocytosis was decreased, reflecting changes in the dimeric state of the receptor.

Taken together, our results indicate that the chronic stimulation of sensory fibres can dissociate the GABAB heterodimer and alters its responsiveness to the endogenous ligand. Chronic stimulation thus modulates receptor oligomerization, providing additional levels of control of signalling.
Developmental neural plasticity and its cognitive benefits: olivocerebellar reinnervation compensates for spatial function in the cerebellum
Authors: Willson Melina L. , Bower Adrian J. , Sherrard Rachel M.
Published: April 2007

The adult mammalian central nervous system displays limited reinnervation and recovery from trauma. However, during development, post‐lesion plasticity may generate alternative paths, thus providing models to investigate reinnervation and repair. After unilateral transection of the neonatal rat olivocerebellar path (pedunculotomy), axons from the remaining inferior olive reinnervate the denervated hemicerebellum. Unfortunately, reinnervation to the cerebellar hemisphere is incomplete; therefore, its capacity to mediate hemispheric function (navigation) is unknown. We studied sensorimotor control and spatial cognition of rats with and without transcommissural reinnervation using simple (bridge and ladder) and complex (wire) locomotion tests and the Morris water maze (hidden, probe and cued paradigms). Although pedunculotomized animals completed locomotory tasks more slowly than controls, all groups performed equally in the cued maze, indicating that lesioned animals could orientate to and reach the platform. In animals pedunculotomized on day 3 (Px3), which develop olivocerebellar reinnervation, final spatial knowledge was as good as controls, although they learned more erratically, failing to retain all information from one day to the next. By contrast, animals pedunculotomized on day 11 (Px11), which do not develop reinnervation, did not learn the task, taking less direct routes and more time to reach the platform than controls. In the probe test, control and Px3, but not Px11, animals swam directly to the remembered location. Furthermore, the amount of transcommissural reinnervation to the denervated hemisphere correlated directly with spatial performance. These results show that transcommissural olivocerebellar reinnervation is associated with spatial learning, i.e. even partial circuit repair confers significant functional benefit.
Task‐related differential dynamics of EEG alpha‐ and beta‐band synchronization in cortico‐basal motor structures
Authors: Klostermann Fabian , Nikulin Vadim V. , Kühn Andrea Annette , Marzinzik Frank , Wahl Michael , Pogosyan Alek , Kupsch Andreas , Schneider Gerd‐Helge , Brown Peter , Curio Gabriel
Published: April 2007

Movement‐related processing results in the modulation of neuronal synchronization over several electroencephalography (EEG) frequency ranges, including alpha‐ (8–12 Hz) and beta‐band (14–30 Hz). Whether modulation patterns differ across sites within the motor system remains unclear, but could denote how information is conveyed across the cortico‐basal network. We therefore compared the event‐related synchronization/desynchronization (ERS/ERD) in recordings from the scalp, basal ganglia and thalamic structures during a motor task.

Simultaneous depth and scalp EEG were recorded in 13 patients, undergoing deep brain stimulation of the thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) or the subthalamic nucleus (STN). They performed a choice‐reaction task with pre‐cued Go‐signals, instructive for either left‐ or right‐sided button presses.

In the beta‐band, pre‐cues and Go‐signals were followed by ERD starting well before and peaking at task execution, uniformly in all cortical and subcortical recordings. In contrast, a comparable alpha‐band ERD was only seen at the scalp, whereas mirror‐like ERS were observed in the motor‐inhibitory STN. In VIM, which receives strong somatosensory afferences, a major alpha‐ERD upon the Go‐signal did not start until the motor response.

These dissociations of task‐related Alpha‐ and Beta‐band dynamics tag a functional diversity in cortico‐basal networks, which are simultaneously active in motor processing. Whereas the uniform downregulation of Beta‐activity points to an anti‐kinetic operation mode throughout the motor system, site‐dependent courses of Alpha‐synchronization rather reflect the coordination of activity levels in functionally divergent motor structures during the preparation and execution of movements.
Association of vitamin D receptor (Fok‐I) polymorphism with the clinical presentation of calcium urolithiasis
Authors: Liu Chia‐Chu , Huang Chun‐Hsiung , Wu Wen‐Jeng , Huang Shu‐Pin , Chou Yii‐Her , Li Ching‐Chia , Chai Chee‐Yin , Wu Ming‐Tsang
Published: April 2007

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI polymorphism on the clinical presentation of calcium urolithiasis, as a FokI polymorphism in the VDR gene was recently reported to be associated with calcium metabolism disorders.

PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS

In all, 235 patients with calcium urolithiasis and 231 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls were recruited from Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital between June 2003 and February 2005. Clinical information on the age at first onset, stone episodes, stone severity and presence of family history were collected from patients with stones. Any VDR FokI polymorphism was detected using polymerase chain reaction‐based restriction analysis.

RESULTS

The frequency of VDR FokI genotypes between the patients and the healthy controls was not significantly different. However, among patients, those with the FF genotype had a significantly higher risk of having more stone episodes (adjusted odds ratio 2.15, 95% confidence interval 1.02–4.54, P = 0.044) and were younger at the first onset (3.23, 1.08–9.63, P = 0.036) than those with the ff genotype.

CONCLUSION

The VDR FokI polymorphism might be important in the clinical presentation of patients with calcium urolithiasis, especially for the frequency of stone episodes and age at first onset, although it is not associated with the formation of stones.
Peri‐operative complications of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: experience in the first 280 patients, and a review of literature
Authors: Shah Hemendra N. , Mahajan Amol P. , Hegde Sunil S. , Bansal Manish B.
Published: April 2007

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate, in a prospective study, the complications in 280 patients undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) at our institution, and to review previous reports to determine the overall incidence and types of various complications, and analyse their causes and means of prevention.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analysed the patients’ demographic, peri‐operative and follow‐up data, and the complications during and after surgery.

RESULTS

HoLEP was completed successfully in 268 patients (95.7%); eight required conversion to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) during the initial experience. The morcellation device and laser malfunctioned in two patients each. A blood transfusion was required during HoLEP in one patient; other complications included capsular perforation (9.6%), superficial bladder mucosal injury (3.9%) and ureteric orifice injury (2.1%). A blood transfusion was needed after HoLEP in 1.4% of patients and cystoscopy with clot evacuation in 0.7%. Transient urinary incontinence was the commonest complication after HoLEP, in 10.7% of patients, but recovered spontaneously in all except two (0.7%). Other rare complications were re‐catheterization (3.9%), urinary tract infection (3.2%), epididymitis (0.7%), meatal and submeatal stenosis (2.5%), bulbar urethral stricture (2.1%), bladder neck contracture (0.35%) and myocardial infarction (0.35%).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a low incidence of complications with HoLEP; most were minor and easily managed. Our results are comparable with those published previously, and establish HoLEP as safe and reproducible procedure. While gaining experience, HoLEP can be converted to TURP with no harm to the patient.
Temperature, but not productivity or geometry, predicts elevational diversity gradients in ants across spatial grains
Authors: Sanders Nathan J. , Lessard Jean‐Philippe , Fitzpatrick Matthew C. , Dunn Robert R.
Published: April 2007

Aim  This research aims to understand the factors that shape elevational diversity gradients and how those factors vary with spatial grain. Specifically, we test the predictions of the species–productivity hypothesis, species–temperature hypothesis, the metabolic theory of ecology and the mid‐domain effects null model. We also examine how the effects of productivity and temperature on richness depend on spatial grain.

Location  Deciduous forests along an elevational gradient in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA.

Methods  We sampled 22 leaf litter ant assemblages at three spatial grains, from 1‐m2 quadrats to 50 × 50 m plots using Winkler samplers.

Results  Across spatial grains, warmer sites had more species than did cooler sites, and primary productivity did not predict ant species richness. We found some support for the predictions of the metabolic theory of ecology, but no support for the mid‐domain effects null model. Thus, our data are best explained by some version of a species–temperature hypothesis.

Main conclusions  Our results suggest that temperature indirectly affects ant species diversity across spatial grains, perhaps by limiting access to resources. Warmer sites support more species because they support more individuals, thereby reducing the probability of local extinction. Many of our results from this elevational gradient agree with studies at more global scales, suggesting that some mechanisms shaping ant diversity gradients are common across scales.
Emerging trends in the functional genomics of the abiotic stress response in crop plants
Authors: Vij Shubha , Tyagi Akhilesh K.
Published: April 2007

Plants are exposed to different abiotic stresses, such as water deficit, high temperature, salinity, cold, heavy metals and mechanical wounding, under field conditions. It is estimated that such stress conditions can potentially reduce the yield of crop plants by more than 50%. Investigations of the physiological, biochemical and molecular aspects of stress tolerance have been conducted to unravel the intrinsic mechanisms developed during evolution to mitigate against stress by plants. Before the advent of the genomics era, researchers primarily used a gene‐by‐gene approach to decipher the function of the genes involved in the abiotic stress response. However, abiotic stress tolerance is a complex trait and, although large numbers of genes have been identified to be involved in the abiotic stress response, there remain large gaps in our understanding of the trait. The availability of the genome sequences of certain important plant species has enabled the use of strategies, such as genome‐wide expression profiling, to identify the genes associated with the stress response, followed by the verification of gene function by the analysis of mutants and transgenics. Certain components of both abscisic acid‐dependent and ‐independent cascades involved in the stress response have already been identified. Information originating from the genome‐wide analysis of abiotic stress tolerance will help to provide an insight into the stress‐responsive network(s), and may allow the modification of this network to reduce the loss caused by stress and to increase agricultural productivity.
Better the DVL You Know
Authors: Laszlo Sarah , Federmeier Kara D.
Published: April 2007

Current theories of reading are divided between dual-route accounts, which propose that separable processes subserve word recognition for orthographically regular and irregular strings, and connectionist models, which propose a single mechanism mapping form to meaning. These theories make distinct predictions about the processing of acronyms, which can be orthographically illegal and yet familiar, as compared with the processing of pseudowords, which are regular but unfamiliar. This study examined whether acronyms are processed like pseudowords and words. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded as subjects viewed familiar and unfamiliar acronyms, words, pseudowords, illegal strings, and—as the targets of the substantive behavioral task—proper names. Familiar acronyms elicited repetition effects on the N400 component, a functionally specific index of semantic activation processes; repetition effects for familiar acronyms were similar in magnitude, timing, and scalp distribution to those for words and pseudowords. The similarity of the brain response to familiar-but-illegal and unfamiliar-but-legal classes of stimuli is inconsistent with predictions of dual-route models of reading.
Distinguishing the Neural Correlates of Episodic Memory Encoding and Semantic Memory Retrieval
Authors: Prince Steven E. , Tsukiura Takashi , Cabeza Roberto
Published: April 2007

Episodic memory and semantic memory interact very closely. In particular, episodic memory encoding (EE) tends to elicit semantic memory retrieval (SR), and vice versa. Thus, similar activations for EE and SR in functional neuroimaging studies may reflect shared memory processes, or they may reflect the fact that EE and SR are usually confounded. To address this issue, we used a factorial functional magnetic resonance imaging approach to disentangle the neural correlates of EE and SR. Within the left temporal lobe, the hippocampus was associated with successful EE, whereas a posterior lateral region was associated with successful SR. Within the left inferior prefrontal cortex, a posterior region was involved in SR, a mid region was involved in both SR and EE, and an anterior region was involved in EE, but only when SR was also high. Thus, the neural correlates of EE and SR are dissociable but interact in specific brain regions.
Effect of skill level on recall of visually presented patterns of musical notes
Authors: KALAKOSKI VIRPI
Published: April 2007

Expertise effects in music were studied in a new task: the construction of mental representations from separate fragments. Groups of expert musicians and non‐musicians were asked to recall note patterns presented visually note by note. Skill‐level, musical well‐formedness of the note patterns and presentation mode were varied. The musicians recalled note patterns better than the non‐musicians, even though the presentation was visual and successive. Furthermore, only musicians’ performance was affected by musical well‐formedness of the note patterns when visual gestalt properties, verbal rehearsability, and familiarity of the stimuli were controlled. Musicians were also able to use letter names referring to notes as efficiently as visual notes, which indicates that the better recall of musicians cannot be explained by perceptual visual chunking. These results and the effect of skill level on the distribution of recall errors indicate that the ability to chunk incoming information into meaningful units does not require that complete familiar patterns are accessible to encoding processes, yet previous knowledge stored in long‐term memory affects representation construction in working memory. The present method offers a new reliable tool, and its implications to the research on construction of representations and musical imagery are discussed.
Stability and change in work values among male and female nurses and engineers
Authors: HAGSTRÖM TOM , KJELLBERG ANDERS
Published: April 2007

Gender related changes of work values were analyzed in a longitudinal questionnaire study of 173 male and 48 female engineers and 353 female and 31 male nurses at three measurement occasions covering about four and half years from the end of their vocational education. At all occasions,Social relationswere rated as more important by women than by men andAltruismwas given higher ratings by the nurses than by the engineers. Within both occupations women's meanAltruismratings were higher than men's mean ratings, and in all groups except male engineers the mean ratings dropped between the three occasions. Women's ratings ofBenefits and careerandInfluencewere strengthened in both occupations, thereby eliminating an initial gender difference. The stability of work values is discussed in terms of challenges and norms in working life.
Bullying at work: A discussion of definitions and prevalence, based on an empirical study
Authors: AGERVOLD MOGENS
Published: April 2007

The past 15 years have witnessed a growing interest in studies of bullying in the area of work and organizational psychology, but the results of research on this topic seem to indicate very wide variations in the prevalence of bullying. The range of differences may be primarily due to the utilization of different categories and operationalizations of the concept. The aim of this study is to discuss definitions and delimitations of the phenomenon known as bullying, and to demonstrate empirically how the prevalence of bullying can be determined by the way in which it is defined and delimited. On the background of a discussion of some current definitions of bullying and a survey of some central research results on its rate of occurrence, this study presents the results of a study of 3,024 public‐sector employees. The results showed that 1.0% of the sample reported that they had been bullied weekly during the previous six months, while 4.7% reported themselves as having been exposed to acts of bullying with the same frequency and for the same period of time. If we change the criteria from “weekly” to “2–3 times a month” the prevalences rise to 3.7% and 26.9%. Based on observations of bullying the prevalence is 3.3%. The results are discussed with reference to other studies that are comparable in terms of delimitations and rates of occurrence and it is concluded that the prevalence is at the same level as these.
The importance of impaired physical health and age in normal cognitive aging
Authors: BERGMAN INGVAR , BLOMBERG MARI , ALMKVIST OVE
Published: April 2007

The objective of this study was to investigate the importance of impaired physical health and age in normal cognitive aging. In our cross‐sectional, clinical and explorative study, medical and neuropsychological data from 118 voluntary healthy controls aged 26–91 years were collected from five recruitment occasions. Health was assessed according to a criterion reflecting clinical and subclinical severity. The examinations included a clinical investigation, brain neuroimaging, and a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Regression analyses showed a significant incidence of clinical and subclinical medical disorders that explained 10.8% of the variation in cognitive performance, while age‐related impairment explained 5.6%. Findings of the central nervous system were important but various other medical findings explained about half of the health‐related variation. Cognitively demanding tasks were more susceptible to impaired physical health while tasks comprising salient motor‐ and visual spatial elements were more prone to be impaired by age. Our findings suggest (1) that impaired physical health is more important than chronological age in accounting for cognitive impairment across the adult lifespan, (2) that age and health dissociate with regard to cognitive functions affected, and (3) that selection for so‐called “super healthy” elderly people might be justified in cognitive research. Because the prevalent diseases in normal aging are potentially preventable, the present findings promise good prospect for prevention of future cognitive disability among elderly people.
Performance and Performance Persistence of ‘Ethical’ Unit Trusts in the UK
Authors: Gregory Alan , Whittaker Julie
Published: April 2007

Abstract:  We examine performance, and persistence in the performance, of UK ‘ethical’ or SRI funds and find that performance appears to be time‐varying, showing that conclusions on performance itself are influenced by whether a static or time varying model is employed. Given evidence that many UK funds which claim to be international in nature may exhibit home bias in their portfolio allocations, we also propose a new measure for performance of international funds that allows for this and show that such recognition has important implications for the conclusions drawn with respect to these funds. We find evidence that supports persistence in performance, particularly at longer time horizons. There is some evidence that for domestic funds, past ‘winning’ SRI funds outperform ‘losing’ SRI funds to a greater extent than their control portfolio counterparts.
Functional specialisation of the thoracic limb of the hare (Lepus europeus)
Authors: Williams S. B. , Wilson A. M. , Payne R. C.
Published: April 2007

We provide quantitative anatomical data on the muscle–tendon architecture of the hare thoracic limb (specifically muscle mass, fascicle length, pennation angle, tendon mass and length). In addition, moment arms of major thoracic limb muscles were measured. Maximum isometric force and power of muscles, the moment of force about a joint, and tendon stress and strain were estimated. Data are compared with those from other cursorial mammals. The thoracic limb of the hare consists predominantly of extrinsic musculature with long parallel fascicles, specialised for generating force over a large range. A large shoulder flexor/elbow extensor muscle mass is present, in particular Triceps brachii. The pennate nature of the long head of this muscle suggests it has an important role in stabilising the elbow joint during stance, whilst moment arm curves suggest that it may also play a role in initiating shoulder flexion. In addition, Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus are capable of generating high forces, potentially to stabilise the shoulder joint during the stance phase of locomotion. Supraspinatus may in addition play an important role in forelimb protraction. The Subscapularis muscle was capable of generating surprisingly high forces, suggesting that the hare must be able to withstand/produce high forces during activities that need medio‐lateral stability, such as turning. Distally, tendons were relatively short, showing little potential for elastic energy storage when compared with both their pelvic limb counterparts and their equivalents in the horse thoracic limb. Thus, a ‘stiffer’ thoracic limb may be beneficial in terms of behaving like a strut, simply supporting and deflecting the body during high‐speed running. This more distal/less proximal distribution of limb mass is also likely to be important in retaining the manipulative/adaptive/non‐locomotor capabilities of the limb.
Caring for dying patients outside special palliative care settings: experiences from a nursing perspective
Authors: Wallerstedt Birgitta , Andershed Birgitta
Published: April 2007

The aim of the study was to describe nurses’ experiences in caring for gravely ill and dying patients outside special palliative care settings. Tape‐recorded qualitative interviews were conducted with a total of nine nurses in primary home care, community care and hospitals. The interviews were analysed according to phenomenological methodology, which resulted in the three common structures: ambition and dedication, everyday encounters, and satisfaction/dissatisfaction. In the ‘everyday encounters’ structure, the following key constituents emerged: responsibility, cooperation, experience and knowledge, feelings, and time and resources. The results describe the nurses’ high ambitions to give dying patients and their relatives high‐quality care. Despite this, they experienced greater or lesser degrees of dissatisfaction because of insufficient cooperation, support, time and resources. They experienced satisfaction through contact with patients and relatives, functioning collegial cooperation, and the knowledge, experience and personal growth the care had given them. The results indicate that nurses need the resources such as time, improved methods of communication and cooperation as well as more support in order to give quality palliative care and achieve satisfaction with the outcome. The need for discussion about the conditions for giving palliative care outside the hospices and other special palliative care settings is also elucidated.