bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Continuous monitoring of central venous oxygen saturation in neonates and small infants: in vitro evaluation of two different oximetry catheters
Authors: HUBER DIRK , OSTHAUS WILHELM A. , OPTENHÖFEL JÖRG , BREYMANN THOMAS , MARX GERNOT , PIEPENBROCK SIEGFRIED , SÜMPELMANN Robert
Published: June 2006

Background:  Accurate assessment and monitoring of the cardiocirculatory function are essential during major pediatric and pediatric cardiac surgery. Monitoring of the central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) may be a better indicator of tissue oxygenation and derangement of cellular oxygen utilization than the more commonly used vital parameters. Therefore, we compared oxygen saturation measurements with thin fiberoptic oximetry catheters and standard blood gas oximetry in an in vitro setting.

Methods:  Two different size continuous fiberoptic oximetry catheters (2–4‐F) were inserted in an extracorporeal circuit filled with human red blood cells in normal saline (haematocrit 30%, flow 600 ml·min−1). The results of fiberoptic oximetry were then compared with standard blood gas oximetry for a wide range of different oxygen saturations using linear regression.

Results:  The oxygen saturations found ranged from 9% to 100%. The results of the two different fiberoptic oximetry catheters correlated significantly (r = 0.99, P < 0.0001) with standard blood gas oximetry.

Conclusion:  The results of fiberoptic oximetry are nearly identical with standard blood gas oximetry for a wide range of different oxygen saturations. Thin oximetry catheters can be inserted percutaneously even in neonates and small infants. The continuous monitoring of ScvO2 may be beneficial, especially in patients who are in danger of developing low cardiac output or sudden cardiovascular collapse.
Prospective, randomized comparison of laryngeal tube and laryngeal mask airway in pediatric patients
Authors: GENZWUERKER H.V. , FRITZ A. , HINKELBEIN J. , FINTEIS T. , SCHLAEFER A. , SCHAEFFER M. , THIL E. , RAPP H.J.
Published: June 2006

Background : While reports of the use of laryngeal mask airway (LMA)‐Classic in great patient numbers are available, data on the use of the laryngeal tube (LT) in this age group is limited. The two devices are compared in a prospective randomized trial to evaluate success rates and quality of airway seal.

Methods : Sixty children, aged 2–8 years, scheduled for elective surgical interventions were randomized to be ventilated with LMA or LT. Standardized anesthesia was induced with fentanyl and propofol. Number of insertion attempts, time until first tidal volume and intraoperative tidal volumes, and peak pressures were recorded. Airway leak pressure was measured with cuff pressure adjusted to 60 cmH2O.

Results : Demographic data were comparable, average age in the LMA/LT group was 5.2 ± 1.9/5.3 ± 1.9 years. Insertion was successful in 29 of 30 patients in the LMA group (second attempt 8) and in all patients in the LT group (second attempt 3). Time until first tidal volume for LMA/LT was 23.1 ± 7.3/19.2 ± 8.6 s (P < 0.05). Peak airway pressures for LMA and LT were 15.3 ± 3.4 and 17.1 ± 4.0 cmH2O (P < 0.05) with tidal volumes of 10.2 ± 2.2 and 10.2 ± 1.9 ml·kg−1, airway leak pressure was 19.2 ± 8.6 cmH2O for LMA and 26.3 ± 7.3 cmH2O for LT (P < 0.001).

Conclusion : Insertion success rate is high with both LMA and LT in the age group studied. The airway leak pressure, serving as an estimate to judge quality of airway seal, is higher with the LT.
Indirect effects of algae on coral: algae‐mediated, microbe‐induced coral mortality
Authors: Smith Jennifer E. , Shaw Morrigan , Edwards Rob A. , Obura David , Pantos Olga , Sala Enric , Sandin Stuart A. , Smriga Steven , Hatay Mark , Rohwer Forest L.
Published: June 2006

Declines in coral cover are generally associated with increases in the abundance of fleshy algae. In many cases, it remains unclear whether algae are responsible, directly or indirectly, for coral death or whether they simply settle on dead coral surfaces. Here, we show that algae can indirectly cause coral mortality by enhancing microbial activity via the release of dissolved compounds. When coral and algae were placed in chambers together but separated by a 0.02 μm filter, corals suffered 100% mortality. With the addition of the broad‐spectrum antibiotic ampicillin, mortality was completely prevented. Physiological measurements showed complementary patterns of increasing coral stress with proximity to algae. Our results suggest that as human impacts increase and algae become more abundant on reefs a positive feedback loop may be created whereby compounds released by algae enhance microbial activity on live coral surfaces causing mortality of corals and further algal growth.
Active investment manager portfolios and preferences for stock characteristics
Authors: Brands Simone , Gallagher David R. , Looi Adrian
Published: June 2006

The present study investigates the stock characteristic preferences of institutional Australian equity managers. In aggregate we find that active managers exhibit preferences for stocks exhibiting high‐price variance, large market capitalization, low transaction costs, value‐oriented characteristics, greater levels of analyst coverage and lower variability in analyst earnings forecasts. We observe stronger preferences for higher volatility, value stocks and wider analyst coverage among smaller stocks. We also find that smaller investment managers prefer securities with higher market capitalization and analyst coverage (including low variation in the forecasts of these analysts). We also document that industry effects play an important role in portfolio construction.
Data preprocessing and data parsimony in corporate failure forecast models: evidence from Australian materials industry
Authors: Wu Weiping , Lee Vincent Cheng Siong , Tan Ting Yean
Published: June 2006

The present study, based on data for delisted and active corporations in the Australian materials industry, is an attempt to develop a systematic way of selecting corporate failure‐related features. We empirically tested the proposed procedure using three datasets. The first dataset contains 82 financial economic factors from the corporation's financial statement. The second dataset comprises 73 relevant financial ratios, which either directly or indirectly measure a corporation's propensity to fail, and are conciliated from the first dataset. The third dataset is a parsimonious dataset obtained from the application of combining a filter and a wrapper to preprocess the first dataset. The robustness of this preprocessed dataset is tested by comparing its performance with the first and second datasets in two statistical (logistic regression and naïve‐Bayes) and two machine learning (decision tree, neural network) classes of prediction models. Tests for prediction accuracies and reliabilities, using the computational (ROC curve, AUC) and the statistical (Cochran's Q statistic) criteria show that the third dataset outperforms the other two datasets in all four predicting models, achieving various accuracies ranges from 81 per cent to 84 per cent.
Does market misvaluation help explain share market long‐run underperformance following a seasoned equity issue?
Authors: Brown Philip , Gallery Gerry , Goei Olivia
Published: June 2006

We examine the relation between pre‐seasoned equity offering (SEO) announcement date misvaluation and long‐run post‐SEO performance for a large sample of Australian SEOs made between 1993 and 2001. Our study is motivated by inconsistent findings across countries with respect to the SEO long‐run underperformance anomaly first documented in the USA, inconclusive findings with respect to the hypothesis that managers exploit market misvaluation when timing equity issues, and a recent Australian Stock Exchange proposal to loosen SEO regulation. We find SEO firms underperform common share market benchmarks for up to 5 years after the announcement. Using a residual income valuation method, we show that this underperformance is related to pre‐announcement date misvaluation. An unexpected result is that underperformance and misvaluation are more severe for private placements than rights issues. Institutional factors unique to the Australian setting, particularly the large number of smaller loss‐making firms among private placement issuers, appear to explain the poorer performance of placement firms. Our results are robust to various measurement methods and assumptions, and demonstrate the importance of researching SEO performance in alternative institutional settings.
Brain and cognitive‐behavioural development after asphyxia at term birth
Authors: De Haan Michelle , Wyatt John S. , Roth Simon , Vargha‐Khadem Faraneh , Gadian David , Mishkin Mortimer
Published: June 2006

Perinatal asphyxia occurs in approximately 1–6 per 1000 live full‐term births. Different patterns of brain damage can result, though the relation of these patterns to long‐term cognitive‐behavioural outcome remains under investigation. The hippocampus is one brain region that can be damaged (typically not in isolation), and this site of damage has been implicated in two different long‐term outcomes, cognitive memory impairment and the psychiatric disorder schizophrenia. Factors in addition to the acute episode of asphyxia likely contribute to these specific outcomes, making prediction difficult. Future studies that better document long‐term cognitive‐behavioural outcome, quantitatively identify patterns of brain injury over development and consider additional variables that may modulate the impact of asphyxia on cognitive and behavioural function will forward the goals of predicting long‐term outcome and understanding the mechanisms by which it unfolds.
Physiological correlates of intellectual function in children with sickle cell disease: hypoxaemia, hyperaemia and brain infarction
Authors: Hogan Alexandra M. , Pit‐ten Cate Ineke M. , Vargha‐Khadem Faraneh , Prengler Mara , Kirkham Fenella J.
Published: June 2006

Lowered intelligence relative to controls is evident by mid‐childhood in children with sickle cell disease. There is consensus that brain infarct contributes to this deficit, but the subtle lowering of IQ in children with normal MRI scans might be accounted for by chronic systemic complications leading to insufficient oxygen delivery to the brain. We investigated the relationship between daytime oxyhaemoglobin saturation (SpO2), cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) and intellectual function (IQ) using path‐analysis in 30 adolescents with sickle cell disease (mean age 17.4 years, SD 4.2). Initial analyses revealed that the association between SpO2and Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) was fully mediated by increased CBFV, whereby SpO2was negatively correlated with CBFV and CBFV was negatively correlated with FSIQ, i.e. decreases in oxygen saturation are associated with increases in velocity, and increased velocity is associated with lowered IQ scores. The mediated relationship suggests that lowered IQ may be a function of abnormal oxygen delivery to the brain. Further analyses showed that the association between CBFV and IQ was significant for verbal but not for performance IQ. The pathophysiology characteristic of SCD can interfere with brain function and constrain intellectual development, even in the absence of an infarct. This supports the hypothesis that lowered intellectual function is partly explained by chronic hypoxia, and has wider implications for our understanding of SCD pathophysiology.
Institutional Efficiency, Monitoring Costs and the Investment Share of FDI*
Authors: Aizenman Joshua , Spiegel Mark M.
Published: June 2006

This paper models and tests the implications of institutional efficiency on the pattern of FDI. We posit that domestic agents have a comparative advantage over foreign agents in overcoming some of the obstacles associated with corruption and weak institutions. Under these circumstances, FDI is more sensitive to increases in enforcement costs. We then test this prediction, comparing institutional efficiency levels for a large cross‐section of countries in 1989 to subsequent FDI flows through the period of 1990–99, finding that institutional efficiency is positively associated with the ratio of subsequent foreign direct investment flows to both gross fixed capital formation and to private investment.
Trade and Real Wages: a Macroeconomic Model*
Authors: Batra Ravi , Beladi Hamid
Published: June 2006

We offer a new paradigm to understand the effects of trade on factor rewards. It utilizes the classical‐Keynesian model, and shows that normally a country’s trade deficit hurts labor by lowering the real wage, but benefits the owners of capital. The effects of tariffs on factor rewards and employment are opposite to those of the trade deficit, which falls with a rise in the tariff rate. Countries with trade shortfalls unambiguously benefit from their tariffs, because laborers far outnumber capitalists, who suffer from the declining interest rate. Thus, tariffs lead to a rise in social welfare in trade‐deficit countries.
Stroke incidence and prevalence in Europe: a review of available data
Authors: Truelsen T. , Piechowski‐Jóźwiak B. , Bonita R. , Mathers C. , Bogousslavsky J. , Boysen G.
Published: June 2006

Reliable data on stroke incidence and prevalence are essential for calculating the burden of stroke and the planning of prevention and treatment of stroke patients. In the current study we have reviewed the published data from EU countries, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland, and provide WHO estimates for stroke incidence and prevalence in these countries. Studies on stroke epidemiology published in peer‐reviewed journals during the past 10 years were identified using Medline/PubMed searches, and reviewed using the structure of WHO's stroke component of the WHO InfoBase. WHO estimates for stroke incidence and prevalence for each country were calculated from routine mortality statistics. Rates from studies that met the ‘ideal’ criteria were compared with WHO's estimates. Forty‐four incidence studies and 12 prevalence studies were identified. There were several methodological differences that hampered comparisons of data. WHO stroke estimates were in good agreement with results from ‘ideal’ stroke population studies. According to the WHO estimates the number of stroke events in these selected countries is likely to increase from 1.1 million per year in 2000 to more than 1.5 million per year in 2025 solely because of the demographic changes. Until better and more stroke studies are available, the WHO stroke estimates may provide the best data for understanding the stroke burden in countries where no stroke data currently exists. A standardized protocol for stroke surveillance is recommended.
Oral fumaric acid esters for the treatment of active multiple sclerosis: an open‐label, baseline‐controlled pilot study
Authors: Schimrigk S. , Brune N. , Hellwig K. , Lukas C. , Bellenberg B. , Rieks M. , Hoffmann V. , Pöhlau D. , Przuntek H.
Published: June 2006

An exploratory, prospective, open‐label study of fumaric acid esters (FAE, Fumaderm®) was conducted in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The study consisted of the following four phases: 6‐week baseline, 18‐week treatment (target dose of 720 mg/day), 4‐week washout, and a second 48‐week treatment phase (target dose of 360 mg/day). Ten patients with an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 2.0–6.0 and at least one gadolinium‐enhancing (Gd+) lesion on T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans participated in the study. Safety was assessed by adverse events (AEs), blood chemistry/hematology, electrocardiogram, and urinalysis. The primary efficacy outcomes were number and volume of Gd+ lesions. Other clinical outcomes included EDSS score, ambulation index (AI), and nine‐hole peg test (9‐HPT). Effects of FAE on intracellular cytokine profiles, T‐cell apoptosis, and soluble adhesion molecules were also assessed. Three patients withdrew during the first 3 weeks of the study because of side effects, non‐compliance, and follow‐up loss. The most common AEs were gastrointestinal symptoms and flushing; all AEs were reported as mild and reversible. FAE produced significant reductions from baseline in number (P < 0.05) and volume (P < 0.01) of Gd+ lesions after 18 weeks of treatment; this effect persisted during the second treatment phase at half the target dose after the 4‐week washout period. EDSS scores, AI, and 9‐HPT remained stable or slightly improved from baseline in all patients. Measures of T‐cell function demonstrated alterations in cytokines and circulating tumor necrosis factor. The results of this exploratory study suggest that further studies of FAE in patients with MS are warranted.
Accuracy of bedside diagnosis versus Allen and Siriraj stroke scores in Turkish patients
Authors: Ozeren A. , Bicakci S. , Burgut R. , Sarica Y. , Bozdemir H.
Published: June 2006

Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging allow the accurate diagnosis in stroke and distinction of ischemic from hemorrhagic lesions. However, clinical diagnosis is still critical where neuroimaging techniques are not available, especially to establish first‐aid measures in a stroke patient. In this prospective study of 300 patients with stroke, the diagnosis of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes was made as an informal bedside diagnosis prior to neuroimaging. The accuracy of bedside diagnosis was also compared with the results of the Allen and Siriraj stroke scores. Then, the reliability of these scores and our informal bedside diagnosis, along with the final diagnosis, were compared with each other. Our informal bedside diagnosis was correct in 250 of the 300 patients (83.3%). The diagnostic sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of bedside diagnosis for ischemic stroke were 87.8% and 86.0% and for intracerebral hemorrhage 75.7% and 78.5%, respectively. Sensitivity and PPV for every cut‐off value of the Allen and Siriraj stroke scores were less than that of sensitivity and PPV of informal bedside diagnosis. When the receiver operating curves obtained from the Allen and Siriraj stroke scores were compared, the Allen stroke score was found to be a better predictor in the final diagnosis. Our data suggest that an informal bedside diagnoses is as good as diagnoses made on certain intracerebral hemorrhages and on certain ischemic strokes by the Siriraj and Allen stroke scores; when compared, the Allen score seems to be better than the Siriraj stroke score. Hence, the use of both scores is recommended in epidemiologic studies as a screening tool as suggested by previous studies employing other diagnostic tools in clinics.
A new de novo Notch3 mutation causing CADASIL
Authors: Coto E. , Menéndez M. , Navarro R. , García‐Castro M. , Alvarez V.
Published: June 2006

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leucoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is one of the most common hereditary forms of stroke, and migraine with aura, mood disorders, or dementia, are also frequently found in these patients. Missense mutations in the Notch3 gene that create or destroy cysteine residues, have been found in most cases with a family history of the disease, although a few sporadic cases harbouring Notch3 mutations have also been described. Here, we describe a 44‐year‐old patient with clinical features of CADASIL who was a carrier of a new Notch3 mutation: cys128→gly. Both parents were alive and healthy, and negative for the mutation. This case illustrates the interest of analysing the Notch3 gene in cases with clinical features of CADASIL, even in the absence of a family history of the disease.
Neuromyelitis optica associated with myasthenia gravis: characteristic phenotype in Japanese population
Authors: Furukawa Y. , Yoshikawa H. , Yachie A. , Yamada M.
Published: June 2006

We report two female patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO, Devic's syndrome) following or coincidental with myasthenia gravis (MG). Their illnesses were characterized by subacute myelitis with optic neuritis, high serum levels of muscle acetylcholine receptor antibody, and autoimmune thyroid disease. Both patients fulfilled the clinical criteria of NMO, however, NMO‐IgG, autoantibody against aquaporin‐4 water channel, was absent from their sera. Both NMO and MG are relatively rare diseases. The considerable coincidence of these two disorders suggests that there is a subgroup of patients with NMO having a common immunological pathogenesis with MG.
EFNS guideline on the treatment of cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis
Authors: Einhäupl K. , Bousser M.‐G. , De Bruijn S. F. T. M. , Ferro J. M. , Martinelli I. , Masuhr F. , Stam J.
Published: June 2006

Cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rather rare disease which accounts for <1% of all strokes. Diagnosis is still frequently overlooked or delayed due to the wide spectrum of clinical symptoms and the often subacute or lingering onset. Current therapeutic measures which are used in clinical practice include the use of anticoagulants such as dose‐adjusted intravenous heparin or body weight‐adjusted subcutaneous low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH), the use of thrombolysis, and symptomatic therapy including control of seizures and elevated intracranial pressure. We searched MEDLINE (National Library of Medicine), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and the Cochrane Library to review the strength of evidence to support these interventions and the preparation of recommendations on the therapy of CVST based on the best available evidence. Review articles and book chapters were also included. Recommendations were reached by consensus. Where there was a lack of evidence, but consensus was clear we stated our opinion as good practice points. Patients with CVST without contraindications for anticoagulation should be treated either with body weight‐adjusted subcutaneous LMWH or dose‐adjusted intravenous heparin (good practice point). Concomitant intracranial haemorrhage related to CVST is not a contraindication for heparin therapy. The optimal duration of oral anticoagulation after the acute phase is unclear. Oral anticoagulation may be given for 3 months if CVST was secondary to a transient risk factor, for 6–12 months in patients with idiopathic CVST and in those with ‘mild’ hereditary thrombophilia. Indefinite anticoagulation (AC) should be considered in patients with two or more episodes of CVST and in those with one episode of CVST and ‘severe’ hereditary thrombophilia (good practice point). There is insufficient evidence to support the use of either systemic or local thrombolysis in patients with CVST. If patients deteriorate despite adequate anticoagulation and other causes of deterioration have been ruled out, thrombolysis may be a therapeutic option in selected cases, possibly in those without intracranial haemorrhage (good practice point). There are no controlled data about the risks and benefits of certain therapeutic measures to reduce an elevated intracranial pressure (with brain displacement) in patients with severe CVST. Antioedema treatment (including hyperventilation, osmotic diuretics and craniectomy) should be used as life saving interventions (good practice point).
A comparison between the effects of low (1 µg) and standard dose (250 µg) ACTH stimulation tests on adrenal cortex functions with Behçet's disease
Authors: Colak R , Ozkan Y , Cengiz SU , Saral Y , Kandi BC , Halifeoglu I
Published: June 2006

Introduction  Behçet's disease is a rare, chronic disorder. The cause of Behçet's disease is unknown. It is believed to be caused by an autoimmune reaction. As in other chronic autoimmune diseases, Behçet's disease may show a subclinical adrenal failure and some changes in cortisol levels. We aimed to evaluate adrenal gland function in Behçet's disease patients.

Material and method  This study included 18 Behçet's disease patients and 15 healthy controls. Patient and control groups were administered i.v. 1 µg low dose test (LDT) and 250 µg standard dose test (SDT) adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test after 12 h of night fasting with an interval of 3‐days and cortisol responses in the 0th, 30th and 60th minutes were evaluated.

Results  There was no statistically significant difference between basal cortisol values of Behçet's disease and control groups. Cortisol values in the 60th minute in LDT were significantly lower in Behçet's disease group than in the control group. In the peak cortisol responses to LDT, a significant decrease was found in Behçet's disease group.

Conclusion  These findings suggest that hypothalamo‐pituitary adrenal axis is partially suppressed in Behçet's disease.
Impact of protection on nest take and nesting success of parrots in Africa, Asia and Australasia
Authors: Pain D. J. , Martins T. L. F. , Boussekey M. , Diaz S. H. , Downs C. T. , Ekstrom J. M. M. , Garnett S. , Gilardi J. D. , McNiven D. , Primot P. , Rouys S. , Saoumoé M. , Symes C. T. , Tamungang S. A. , Theuerkauf J. , Villafuerte D. , Verfailles L. , Widmann P. , Widmann I. D.
Published: June 2006

Wild parrots represent one of the greatest commercial interests in the legal trade in wild birds. Although it is difficult to quantify, there is a considerable illegal trade in wild parrots. Thirty‐six per cent of the world's parrot species are listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as threatened or near threatened, and 55% of these are threatened to some degree by trade. In this paper, we investigate the impact of protection on the number of nests that failed because of nestlings being taken by humans (hereafter nest take) and on nesting success in parrots. We collate data on parrot nest take from published and unpublished studies from Africa, Asia and Australasia, including countries and sites with and without national and local parrot protection measures in place. Nest take was insignificant in Australia, where all studies were from areas with both local and national protection. For less developed countries, levels of nest take were variable between studies, spanning the whole range from 0 to 100%. Protection significantly reduced nest take and correspondingly increased nesting success. Our results corroborate those for the Neotropics; thus, the advantages of protection appear to be independent of geographical location or political and economic conditions. We analysed data on legal trade in wild‐caught parrots before and after implementation of the 1992 Wild Bird Conservation Act (which practically eliminated import of parrots to the USA) and found that there was no apparent shift in parrot imports to other global regions from the Neotropics. We suggest that conservation of parrots globally would benefit from similar legislation introduced in other regions, such as the EU (15), which is responsible for more than 60% of global imports of wild parrots.
Fur snagging as a method of evaluating the presence and abundance of a small carnivore, the pine marten (Martes martes)
Authors: Lynch Á. B. , Brown M. J. F. , Rochford J. M.
Published: June 2006

The pine marten Martes martes was once considered one of Ireland's rarest carnivores, but is now recolonizing many of the areas where it was once extirpated. It is important to monitor its population expansion so that conservation management decisions can be made regarding the status of this species. In this study, we investigate the use of fur snagging devices as a method of estimating pine marten presence and abundance in lowland and upland broadleaf woodland. We investigated whether these devices reliably detected presence, and how quickly. It was found that hair traps functioned very well in detecting pine martens on all survey transects and was essential in their detection in the most isolated site. A survey length of 6 days was sufficient to detect pine marten in all survey sites, with most detections occurring within the first 4 days. The hair traps functioned equally well as scat location for detecting pine marten and had the added advantage of there being no confusion as to the origin of the sample. Live trapping was used to verify the estimates of relative abundance from hair traps. There was a trend for the number of hair samples per site and the number of times animals were trapped per site to be positively correlated, although this was not significant. Hair traps do provide a real alternative for the monitoring of pine martens in both lowland and upland broadleaf woodlands, overcoming many of the disadvantages associated with scat location.
Retraction of the mobile descended larynx during groaning enables fallow bucks (Dama dama) to lower their formant frequencies
Authors: McElligott A. G. , Birrer M. , Vannoni E.
Published: June 2006

A permanently descended larynx is found in humans and several other species of mammals. In addition to this, the larynx of species such as fallow deer is mobile and in males it can be retracted during vocalization. The most likely explanation for the lowered retractable larynx in mammals is that it serves to exaggerate perceived body size (size exaggeration hypothesis) by decreasing the formant frequencies of calls. In this study, we quantified for the first time the elongation of the vocal tract in fallow bucks during vocalization. We also measured the effect of this vocal tract length (VTL) increase on formant frequencies (vocal tract resonances) and formant dispersion (spacing of formants). Our results show that fallow bucks increase their VTL on average by 52% during vocalization. This elongation resulted in strongly lowered formant frequencies and decreased formant dispersion. There were minimal changes to formants 1 and 2 (−0.91 and +1.9%, respectively) during vocal tract elongation, whereas formants 3, 4 and 5 decreased substantially: 18.9, 10.3 and 13.6%, respectively. Formant dispersion decreased by 12.4%. Formants are prominent in deer vocalizations and are used by males to gain information on the competitive abilities of signallers. It remains to be seen whether females also use the information that formants contain for assessing male quality before mating.
Negotiating obstacles: running kinematics of the lizard Sceloporus malachiticus
Authors: Kohlsdorf T. , Biewener A. A.
Published: June 2006

The kinematics of lizard locomotion has been extensively studied, focusing mainly on steady running over level ground or over uniformly inclined surfaces. However, lizards inhabit structurally complex environments and frequently encounter small physical barriers located along their traveling routes. Consequently, the ability to climb obstacles is likely ecologically advantageous for small vertebrates because it allows expansion of their spatial niche across distinct microhabitats. Our study tests which aspects of lizard kinematics change to improve the negotiation of obstacles that might be encountered along traveling routes. We examined the kinematics of Sceloporus malachiticus using high‐speed (500 fps) digital video as individuals moved over rectangular obstacles with three different heights (0.8, 1.8 and 3.8 cm; 22, 49 and 103% of the lizards' mean forelimb length: wrist to shoulder), as well as during steady level running. Our results show that S. malachiticus lizards increase vertical relative to horizontal limb motion and elevate their head and trunk in anticipation of moving over an obstacle. The lizards generally appeared to use their forelimbs as levers to pull their body over higher obstacles, whereas the hindlimbs pushed against the ground to propel the pelvis forward and upward. Elevation of the center of the trunk in preparatory strides (23.83 and 37.85 mm, low vs. high obstacle) and forelimb support duty factor (0.33 vs. 0.45, low vs. high obstacle) increased with obstacle height, whereas locomotor speed and stepping frequency decreased from steady level running (0.89 m s−1 and 6.87 Hz) when moving over the highest obstacle (0.62 m s−1 and 5.74 Hz). Lizards paused more frequently on high obstacles, and made more adjustments of hand and foot contact positions with increased barrier height. They also jumped and ran bipedally more frequently to negotiate higher obstacles. This study shows that both kinematic and behavioral strategies are used by small vertebrates with a sprawled posture to help negotiate obstacles.
Glycerotoxin stimulates neurotransmitter release from N‐type Ca2+ channel expressing neurons
Authors: Schenning Mitja , Proctor Dustin T. , Ragnarsson Lotten , Barbier Julien , Lavidis Nickolas A. , Molgó Jordi J. , Zamponi Gerald W. , Schiavo Giampietro , Meunier Frederic A.
Published: June 2006

Glycerotoxin (GLTx) is capable of stimulating neurotransmitter release at the frog neuromuscular junction by directly interacting with N‐type Ca2+ (Cav2.2) channels. Here we have utilized GLTx as a tool to investigate the functionality of Cav2.2 channels in various mammalian neuronal preparations. We first adapted a fluorescent‐based high‐throughput assay to monitor glutamate release from rat cortical synaptosomes. GLTx potently stimulates glutamate secretion and Ca2+ influx in synaptosomes with an EC50 of 50 pm. Both these effects were prevented using selective Cav2.2 channel blockers suggesting the functional involvement of Cav2.2 channels in mediating glutamate release in this system. We further show that both Cav2.1 (P/Q‐type) and Cav2.2 channels contribute equally to depolarization‐induced glutamate release. We then investigated the functionality of Cav2.2 channels at the neonatal rat neuromuscular junction. GLTx enhances both spontaneous and evoked neurotransmitter release causing a significant increase in the frequency of postsynaptic action potentials. These effects were blocked by specific Cav2.2 channel blockers demonstrating that either GLTx or its derivatives could be used to selectively enhance the neurotransmitter release from Cav2.2‐expressing mammalian neurons.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci for parentage assessment in captive populations of roseate spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja)
Authors: SAWYER GREGORY M. , BENJAMIN ROBERT C.
Published: June 2006

Six microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized to assess genetic diversity and determine parentage in three captive roseate spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja) populations. Analysis of 61 individuals from three zoological parks and one wild population at five polymorphic loci revealed an average of six alleles per locus and expected heterozygosities from 59% to 81% (average 70%). Since spoonbills do not exhibit obvious sexual dimorphism, Aaju4, which exhibited ZW‐specific alleles, was exceptionally useful for sex identification. These loci will be valuable tools for investigating genetic diversity and documenting patterns of parentage in captive roseate spoonbill populations.
Molecular sexing of pine marten (Martes martes): how many replicates?
Authors: LYNCH Á. B. , BROWN M. J. F.
Published: June 2006

We used primers developed for the SRY gene in otters (Lutra lutra) to determine sex in pine marten (Martes martes). The otter SRY primers worked accurately for pine marten and assigned sex correctly in most replicates. These primers can be used on tissue and noninvasively collected hair samples for the identification of the animal's sex. We found that, based on five sets of replicates, DNA extracted from leg muscle and hair gave significantly better results than DNA extracted from ear tissue. Finally, results indicate the optimum number of PCR replicates to accurately assign sex using this technique.
Ten informative markers developed from WRKY sequences in coconut (Cocos nucifera)
Authors: MAURO‐HERRERA MARGARITA , MEEROW ALAN W. , BORRONE JAMES W. , KUHN DAVID N. , SCHNELL RAYMOND J.
Published: June 2006

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) WRKY sequences containing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and one microsatellite repeat were used to develop 10 informative markers. These markers were evaluated in 15 genotypes representing six coconut cultivars. SNP‐containing alleles were detected by single‐strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. The number of detected alleles ranged from two to four. Five pairs of loci were in linkage disequilibrium in the test population. These markers are currently being evaluated in more individuals/cultivars to determine their value in estimating the genetic diversity of this species.
Characterization of microsatellite markers for the invasive ant species Anoplolepis gracilipes
Authors: FELDHAAR HEIKE , DRESCHER JOCHEN , BLÜTHGEN NICO
Published: June 2006

We present primer sequences for eight polymorphic microsatellite loci for the formicine ant Anoplolepis gracilipes, a serious pest species in South‐East Asia and Pacific islands and still spreading on all continents. Microsatellite loci were isolated with a highly efficient method of enrichment. The number of alleles ranged from two to 19 with an observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.842 to 1.0. The markers were designed for a sociogenetic study as well as for population genetics.
Characterization of microsatellite loci in fulvous fruit bat Rousettus leschenaulti
Authors: HUA P. Y. , CHEN J. P. , SUN M. , LIANG B. , ZHANG S. Y. , WU D. H.
Published: June 2006

Rousettus leschenaulti is an abundant species in many countries of South‐East Asia, including south China. We isolated seven microsatellite loci in R. leschenaulti from genomic DNA enriched for CA repeats with the enriched library method. A total of 56 samples from a population in the Guangxi Province of China were tested with these microsatellite markers. The polymorphism ranged from seven to 16 alleles, and the observed heterozygosity was 84–94%. It is the first time microsatellite markers were characterized from R. leschenaulti, and these markers can be an important tool for analysing population structure and genotypic diversity.
Ethnic Minority Rights in Central and Eastern Europe: The Case of the Hungarian ‘Status Law’
Authors: Chiva Cristina
Published: June 2006

The international controversy concerning the Hungarian ‘status law’ of 2001 attests to the vital importance of ethnic minority rights in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as within an enlarged European Union. The paper examines the unique challenges raised by the law from its initial adoption in June 2001 to its subsequent amendment in June 2003. It looks at the interaction between four principal kinds of actors: Hungary (a kin state legislating support for ethnic co- nationals in neighbouring countries), Romania and Slovakia (home states to sizeable Hungarian ethnic groups), the Hungarian minorities in Romania and Slovakia, and the European institutions that became involved in the dispute as mediators.
Can Populism Be Defended? William Riker, Gerry Mackie and the Interpretation of Democracy
Authors: Dowding Keith
Published: June 2006

The paper considers Mackie's defence of ‘populist’ democracy against the critique offered by Riker and the Rochester School. Riker has two arguments against populism: first that Arrow's theorem shows there is no such thing as the general will, second, that once we have chosen a social decision mechanism the results may not represent the true wishes of the population since people may vote strategically. Mackie argues Arrow's theorem is misleading since the independence condition is not itself substantively rational, and that manipulation never actually occurs. The paper shows that independence is needed for interpretation and prediction, and whilst Arrow's strong condition may not be ‘substantively rational’, examples show that no single decision mechanism, even Mackie's favoured Borda count is obviously superior. It then argues that every election can, in Arrow's terms, be considered as manipulated – though there is nothing substantively wrong in that. The paper ends by pointing out that in the absence of complete information market outcomes are also similarly manipulated.
Feeding Assistance Needs of Long‐Stay Nursing Home Residents and Staff Time to Provide Care
Authors: Simmons Sandra F. , Schnelle John F.
Published: June 2006

OBJECTIVES: To describe the staff time requirements to provide feeding assistance to nursing home residents who require three different types of assistance to improve oral food and fluid intake (social stimulation, verbal cuing, or both; physical guidance; or full physical assistance) and to determine whether physically dependent residents require more staff time, as defined in the national Resource Utilization Group System (RUGS) used for reimbursement.

DESIGN: Descriptive.

SETTING: Six skilled nursing homes.

PARTICIPANTS: Ninety‐one long‐stay residents with low oral intake who responded to improved feeding assistance.

MEASURMENTS: Research staff conducted direct observations of usual nursing home care for 2 consecutive days (total of six meals) to measure oral food and fluid consumption (total percentage eaten) and staff time spent providing assistance (minutes and seconds). Research staff then implemented a standardized graduated‐assistance protocol on 2 separate days (total of six meals) that enhanced residents' oral food and fluid intake.

RESULTS: Staff time to provide feeding assistance that improved food and fluid consumption was comparable across different levels of eating dependency. Across all levels, residents required an average of 35 to 40 minutes of staff time per meal; thus, residents who needed only supervision and verbal cuing required just as much time as those who were physically dependent on staff for eating.

CONCLUSION: The current RUGS system used for reimbursement likely underestimates the staff time required to provide feeding assistance care that improves oral intake.
Cigarette Smoking and the Risk of Supraventricular and Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in High‐Risk Cardiac Patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
Authors: GOLDENBERG ILAN , MOSS ARTHUR J. , McNITT SCOTT , ZAREBA WOJCIECH , DAUBERT JAMES P. , HALL W. JACKSON , ANDREWS MARK L. ,   for the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial‐II Investigators
Published: June 2006

Introduction: Nicotine elevates serum catecholamine concentration and is therefore potentially arrhythmogenic. However, the effect of cigarette smoking on arrhythmic risk in coronary heart disease patients is not well established.

Methods and Results: The risk of appropriate and inappropriate defibrillator therapy by smoking status was analyzed in 717 patients who received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial‐II. Compared with patients who had quit smoking before study entry (past smokers) and patients who had never smoked (never smokers), patients who continued smoking (current smokers) were significantly younger and generally had more favorable baseline clinical characteristics. Despite this, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for appropriate ICD therapy for fast ventricular tachycardia (at heart rates ≥180 b.p.m) or ventricular fibrillation was highest among current smokers (HR = 2.11 [95% CI 1.11–3.99]) and intermediate among past smokers (HR = 1.57 [95% CI 0.95–2.58]), as compared with never smokers (P for trend = 0.02). Current smokers also exhibited a higher risk of inappropriate ICD shocks (HR = 2.93 [95% CI 1.30–6.63]) than past (HR = 1.91 [95% CI 0.97–3.77]) and never smokers (P for trend = 0.008).

Conclusions: In patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction, continued cigarette smoking is associated with a significant increase in the risk of life‐threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias and inappropriate ICD shocks induced by rapid supraventricular arrhythmias. Our findings stress the importance of complete smoking cessation in this high‐risk population.
What are Arrhythmogenic Substrates in Diabetic Rat Atria?
Authors: KATO TAKESHI , YAMASHITA TAKESHI , SEKIGUCHI AKIKO , SAGARA KOUICHI , TAKAMURA MASAYUKI , TAKATA SHIGEO , KANEKO SHUICHI , AIZAWA TADANORI , FU LONG‐TAI
Published: June 2006

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is one of the significant independent risk factors for the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the pathophysiological mechanisms of the relationship have not been fully elucidated.

Methods and Results: The genetic type II diabetes (GK) rats and their original (Wistar) ones were subjected to electrophysiological (n = 8 per group) and histological (n = 7 per group) studies. At 40 weeks old, when GK rats had significantly (P < 0.01) more increased plasma glucose and HbA1c values than Wistar rats, atrial electrical stimuli in the isolated‐perfused hearts induced significantly greater number of repetitive atrial responses in GK rats than in Wistar rats (47.9 ± 17.5 vs 3.1 ± 1.3 beats, respectively, P < 0.01). GK rats showed significantly longer intra‐atrial activation time than Wistar rats (18.3 ± 0.4 ms vs 15.9 ± 0.5 ms, P < 0.01) without any significant difference in the atrial refractoriness. The histological examination revealed significantly increased diffuse fibrotic deposition in GK rats atria compared with Wistar ones (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: The present diabetic GK rat showed increased atrial arrhythmogenicity with intra‐atrial conduction disturbance, and thus indicated that the structural remodeling of atrium characterized by diffuse interstitial fibrosis would be a major substrate for diabetes‐related AF.
Using Journal Impact Factors to Correct for the Publication Bias of Medical Studies
Authors: Baker Rose , Jackson Dan
Published: June 2006

Summary Publication bias of the results of medical studies can invalidate evidence‐based medicine. The existing methodology for modeling this essentially relies upon the symmetry of the funnel plot. We present a new method of modeling publication bias that uses this information plus the impact factors of the publishing journals. A simple model of the publication process enables the estimation of bias‐corrected intervention effects. The procedure is illustrated using a meta‐analysis of the effectiveness of single‐dose oral aspirin for acute pain, and results are also obtained for five other meta‐analyses. The method enables the fitting of a wide range of models and is considered more flexible than other ways of compensating for publication bias. The model also provides the basis of a statistical test for the existence of publication bias. Use of the new methodology to supplement existing methods is recommended, in the context of a sensitivity analysis.
Estimation of the Causal Effects on Survival of Two‐Stage Nonrandomized Treatment Sequences for Recurrent Diseases
Authors: Huang Xuelin , Cormier Janice N. , Pisters Peter W. T.
Published: June 2006

SummaryIn the treatment of cancer, patients commonly receive a variety of sequential treatments. The initial treatments administered following diagnosis can vary, as well as subsequent salvage regimens given after disease recurrence. This article considers the situation where neither initial treatments nor salvage treatments are randomized. Assuming there are no unmeasured confounders, we estimate the joint causal effects on survival of initial and salvage treatments, that is, the effects of two‐stage treatment sequences. For each individual treatment sequence, we estimate the survival distribution function and the mean restricted survival time. Different treatment sequences are then compared using these estimates and their corresponding covariances. Simulation studies were conducted to evaluate the performance of the methods, including their sensitivity to the violation of the assumption of no unmeasured confounders. The methods are illustrated by a retrospective study of patients with soft tissue sarcoma, which motivated this research.