bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Second‐trimester intra‐abdominal bowel dilation in fetuses with gastroschisis predicts neonatal bowel atresia
Authors: Nick A. M. , Bruner J. P. , Moses R. , Yang E. Y. , Scott T. A.
Published: October 2006

Objective

To determine in fetuses with gastroschisis the association between intra‐abdominal bowel dilation in the second trimester and neonatal bowel atresia.

Methods

We reviewed ultrasound and medical records of fetuses with gastroschisis from January 1998 to August 2004. Fetuses with intra‐abdominal bowel dilation in the second trimester were identified and followed into the neonatal period.

Results

We identified 58 mother‐infant pairs showing fetal gastroschisis, with at least one prenatal ultrasound at our hospital and which were delivered there, or were transported there as newborns. Forty‐eight of the 58 fetuses had no intra‐abdominal bowel dilation and none of these neonates had bowel atresia. Ten of the 58 fetuses had intra‐abdominal bowel dilation and all had bowel atresia at birth (P < 0.0001). In eight cases in which ultrasound was performed at < 25 weeks' gestation, intra‐abdominal bowel dilation was already present.

Conclusion

Intra‐abdominal bowel dilation in the second trimester predicts neonatal bowel atresia in fetuses with gastroschisis. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Emergence of International and Regional Value Systems as a Manifestation of the Emerging International Constitutional Order
Authors: DE WET ERIKA
Published: October 2006

This article explores the composition of the emerging international value system, including its hierarchical components. It also contrasts this fragile international value system with the more strongly developed European value system (European public order), as concretized by the European Convention on Human Rights and the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights. It first argues that international human rights norms constitute the ‘core content’ of a constantly evolving and layered international value system. Within this value system, a special but fragile hierarchical status is granted to those human rights norms that qualify as jus cogens and/or erga omnes norms. Thereafter it explores the manner in which the European Court of Human Rights has concretized the normative superiority of obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights for member states vis-à-vis other norms of public international law, to the extent that a conflict between these norms arises. It concludes by examining whether these developments could also strengthen the international value system through a spill-over effect via the work of international human rights bodies and national courts. This, in turn, would strengthen the ability of the international value system to determine the outcome of conflicts between international obligations stemming from different international regimes.
Judge Vereshchetin: A Russian Scholar at the International Court of Justice
Authors: PUNZHIN SERGEY , WILES NATHALIE
Published: October 2006

There are three topics within the body of Vereshchetin's academic work which deserve special attention: the law of the sea, space law, and the theory of international law. Vereshchetin's contribution as a judge to the practice and theory of international law can be appreciated through his individual opinions and declarations, in which he dealt with various issues of international law and the international judicial process: self-determination, countermeasures, diplomatic protection, and questions which concern the functioning of the Court (the role and powers of the ICJ, non liquet, bases for the revision of decisions, declarations accepting the Court's jurisdiction and reservations to them, and so on).
From Margin to Centre: Recent Trends in Modern Italian Women's and Gender History
Authors: Willson Perry
Published: October 2006

This article reviews the considerable progress that has been made in modern Italian women's and gender history over the last decade. It puts forward the argument that such history, whose roots lie primarily in the feminist movement of the 1970s, was until recently consigned to the margins of the historical establishment but is now beginning to make a much greater impact. The article looks at the richness of the current wave of new publications and the wide range of topics they cover but argues that in a number of areas the historiography is still somewhat uneven. It also suggests that there is a pressing need for works of synthesis to draw together the research that has been done to date.
Dynamic microtubules are essential for efficient chromosome capture and biorientation in S. cerevisiae
Authors: Huang Baoying , Huffaker Tim C.
Published: October 2006

Attachment of chromosomes to the mitotic spindle has been proposed to require dynamic microtubules that randomly search three-dimensional space and become stabilized upon capture by kinetochores. In this study, we test this model by examining chromosome capture in Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants with attenuated microtubule dynamics. Although viable, these cells are slow to progress through mitosis. Preanaphase cells contain a high proportion of chromosomes that are attached to only one spindle pole and missegregate in the absence of the spindle assembly checkpoint. Measurement of the rates of chromosome capture and biorientation demonstrate that both are severely decreased in the mutants. These results provide direct evidence that dynamic microtubules are critical for efficient chromosome capture and biorientation and support the hypothesis that microtubule search and capture plays a central role in assembly of the mitotic spindle.
Safety, Efficacy and Pharmacokinetics of Peginterferon α2a (40 kd) in Children With Chronic Hepatitis C
Authors: Schwarz Kathleen B. , Mohan Parvathi , Narkewicz Michael R. , Molleston Jean Pappas , Nash S. Russell , Hu Sylvia , Wang Ka , Gries Jean Michel
Published: October 2006

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in children is a problem affecting thousands of children worldwide. Although standard interferon (INF) has better efficacy in pediatric patients than in adults, results in children with genotype 1 are poor; response rates to combination treatment with standard INF and ribavirin are better but the treatment requires thrice‐weekly injections. The improved antiviral efficacy of weekly pegylated interferons relative to standard interferons in adults with chronic HCV infection suggests that pegylated interferons may also improve antiviral efficacy in children. We therefore investigated the pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of peginterferon α2a (pegINF‐α2a) (40 kd) in 14 children ages 2 to 8 years with chronic hepatitis C (13 genotype 1, 1 non‐1 genotype). Drug dose was calculated from each patient's body surface area (BSA) according to the formula BSA (m2)/(1.73 m2) × 180 μg, and patients were administered once‐weekly subcutaneous injections for 48 weeks. Viral load and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined from blood drawn throughout the study and during follow‐up. At week 24, the mean trough concentration was about 20% below values obtained from adults treated with pegINF‐α2a, and the area under the curve from 0 to 168 hours was about 20% above adult values, suggesting that drug doses calculated from BSA achieved therapeutically adequate concentrations. Six of 14 patients (43%), all infected with genotype 1, achieved a sustained virological response. Adverse events were those commonly associated with INF‐based treatment, and none was deemed serious. In conclusion, our findings provide a basis for larger studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of pegINF‐α2a as monotherapy as well as in combination with ribavirin in pediatric patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Effect of a Low‐Cost Food on the Recovery and Death Rate of Malnourished Children
Authors: Greco Luigi , Balungi Jacquie , Amono Kevin , Iriso Robert , Corrado Bruno
Published: October 2006

Objectives:

Nutritional rehabilitation in Africa relies mainly on imported skim milk enriched with a sugar and salt mixture. We evaluated whether milk plus porridge made from local ingredients improves the outcome of childhood nutritional rehabilitation versus milk alone.

Patients and Methods:

This study was conducted in a nutritional unit in Lacor (Northern Uganda). The porridge, made from cheap locally available ingredients (maize flour, dried fish or meat, peanut butter and oil) supplemented with proteins and fats, provides 1.1 energy units, 4.4 kJ/g. We randomly sampled the files of 100 cases discharged in October, November and December 2001 (preintervention), in 2002 (soon after intervention onset) and in 2003 (more than 1 year after intervention onset). We recorded the average hospital days and average oedema‐free weight gain at discharge in the 3 groups.

Results:

Average oedema‐free weight gain increased from 21 g/d (95% confidence interval [CI], 12‐29) in 2001 to 35 g/d (95% CI, 25‐45) in 2002 and reached 59 g/d (95% CI, 51‐65) in 2003. Mortality decreased from 22% to 7.8%, and nutritional failures (insufficient weight gain) decreased by greater than 50%.

Conclusions:

The low‐cost porridge supplement (€2640/yr per 100 children) was effective in treating malnutrition. Widespread use of the porridge, which resulted in better outcomes than milk alone, could produce a savings in the medium‐ to long‐term, thereby releasing resources for other uses. A high‐energy porridge that is made from locally available ingredients and does not require imported foods seems to be appropriate for supplementary feeding after mother's milk in this setting.
The CR4 region of EBNA2 confers viability of Epstein–Barr virus-transformed B cells by CBF1-independent signalling
Authors: Grabusic Kristina , Maier Sabine , Hartmann Andrea , Mantik Anja , Hammerschmidt Wolfgang , Kempkes Bettina
Published: October 2006

The Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2) gene product is the key regulator of the latent genes of EBV and essential for EBV-mediated transformation of human primary B cells. Viral mutants were constructed carrying a deletion of the EBNA2 conserved region 4 (CR4). Primary resting B cells infected with the ΔCR4-EBNA2 mutant virus were dramatically impaired for B cell transformation. Lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) established with this mutant EBV revealed a prolonged population doubling time when cells were cultivated at low cell densities, which are not critical for wild-type-infected cells. Low-level spontaneous cell death occurred when the cells were cultivated at suboptimal cell densities. The phenotype of B cells and LCLs infected with the ΔCR4-EBNA2 mutant virus indicated that the CR4 region of EBNA2 specifically contributes to the viability of the cells rather than affecting cell division rates.
Enhanced antiviral antibody secretion and attenuated immunopathology during influenza virus infection in nitric oxide synthase-2-deficient mice
Authors: Jayasekera Jerome P. , Vinuesa Carola G. , Karupiah Gunasegaran , King Nicholas J. C.
Published: October 2006

NOS2gene-deficient (NOS2−/−) mice are less susceptible than wild-type (NOS2+/+) mice to infection withInfluenza A virus. Virus titres in the lungs of influenza-infected NOS2−/−mice are significantly lower than those in NOS2+/+mice, with enhanced viral clearance in NOS2−/−mice dependent on gamma interferon (IFN-γ). The current study was undertaken to ascertain the role of specific components of the immune response in promoting virus clearance in influenza-infected NOS2−/−mice. Levels of T cell- and natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity in the lungs of virus-infected mice were not significantly different between NOS2+/+and NOS2−/−mice. However, virus-infected NOS2−/−mice produced higher levels of virus-specific IgG2a antibody. Furthermore, more viable B cells and plasmablasts, along with greater levels of IFN-γ, were found in NOS2−/−splenocyte cultures stimulated with B-cell mitogens. In addition to the early reduction in virus titres, clinical symptoms and proinflammatory cytokine production were attenuated in NOS2−/−mice. Thus, NOS2−/−B cells are capable of responding rapidly to influenza virus infection by proliferating and preferentially producing antibody of the IgG2a subtype. The relationship between viral load and the development of immunopathology is discussed.
Does the clinical efficacy of vardenafil correlate with its effect on the endothelial function of cavernosal arteries? A pilot study
Authors: Mazo Evsey B. , Gamidov Safar I. , Iremashvili Vyacheslav V.
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the results of the ultrasonographic (US) measurement of post‐occlusive changes in the diameters of cavernosal arteries after administering phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE‐5) inhibitor vardenafil could be associated with the response to vardenafil in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED), as currently there are no reliable methods for predicting the success rate of oral PDE‐5 inhibitors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 122 men with ED; after a complex evaluation, the endothelial function of the cavernosal arteries was assessed in all patients before and 1 h after oral ingestion of vardenafil (20 mg), using our modification of the US assessment of post‐occlusive changes in the diameter of cavernosal arteries. After the evaluation, all patients received vardenafil 20 mg on demand for 4 weeks. A successful response was defined using two endpoints, i.e. the normalization of the International Index of Erectile Function Erectile Function domain score (≥26) and positive answers to both Sexual Encounter Profile questions 2 and 3 on ≥ 75% of occasions, based on the diary data collected.

RESULTS

In all patients the mean (sd) initial percentage increase in the cavernosal artery diameter (PICAD) in responders and nonresponders was not statistically different, at 49 (24) and 43 (26), respectively (P = 0.168), but PICAD values after vardenafil were significantly greater in responders, at 73 (16) vs 55 (23) (P < 0.001). Analysis of data from patients with different causes of ED showed statistically significant differences in PICAD between responders and nonresponders only in those with arteriogenic ED. The sensitivity and specificity of a PICAD of ≥ 50% after taking vardenafil 20 mg for predicting a positive response to the same dose of the drug in patients with arteriogenic ED were 94.9% and 91.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results of the US assessment of post‐occlusive changes in the diameter of cavernosal arteries after vardenafil administration are significantly associated with the clinical efficacy of the drug in patients with arteriogenic ED.
Prostate‐specific antigen testing: uncovering primary care influences
Authors: Gormley Gerard J. , Catney Denise , McCall Jacqueline R. , Reilly Philip M. , Gavin Anna T.
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVES

To examine influences on the behaviour of General Practitioner (GP) in relation to prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) testing.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

In Northern Ireland in 2003–2004, all GPs (1067) were invited to complete a self‐administered postal questionnaire survey that was then matched with a regional PSA‐testing database. The main outcome measures were individual GP responses for demographic, practice and training characteristics, PSA testing behaviour and perceived influences, matched against GP‐initiated first PSA tests performed in 2003 and 2004 (22 207 tests).

RESULTS

In all, 704 GPs (66%) responded and 49% of these reported awareness of the national guidelines, which was highest among those attending postgraduate meetings. PSA tests were more likely to be ordered by full‐time male GPs who had attended a local postgraduate urology meeting; ran a ‘well‐man’ clinic; tested men with unrelated complaints; and were not in a training practice. Testing levels were highest among GPs who had been practising for 21–30 years and those in rural practices. Awareness of national guidelines or having had a postgraduate post in urology did not affect testing behaviour. After adjusting for gender, working hours, duration in practice and urban/rural setting, independent influences increasing testing behaviour were: testing men with a positive family history or unrelated complaints; testing any man who requests it; and previous experience of prostate cancer being detected in an asymptomatic patient by PSA testing. Working in an accredited training practice was associated with lower testing levels.

CONCLUSION

There are complex influences on the PSA testing behaviour of GPs; addressing these influences could contribute to the rationalization of testing. A low awareness of national guidelines indicates a need for new strategies to disseminate and implement guidelines. The influence of local educational meetings on PSA testing is an unharnessed force.
The prevalence and predictors of erectile dysfunction in men with newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Al‐Hunayan Adel , Al‐Mutar Manal , Kehinde Elijah O. , Thalib Lukman , Al‐Ghorory Mounir
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED) in men newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All consecutive samples of men newly diagnosed with type 2 DM attending the diabetes centre in the capital of Kuwait were included in the study. Face‐to‐face interviews with the men were conducted using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)‐5 questionnaire. A threshold IIEF‐5 score of <21 was used to identify men with ED. Pertinent clinical and laboratory characteristics were collected.

RESULTS

Of 323 men with newly diagnosed type 2 DM, 31% had ED; comparing potent men and men with ED, there were statistically significant differences for smoking, duration of smoking, hypertension, education level, body mass index and serum glycosylated haemoglobin level. Among these, age was the most important risk factor identified by multivariate logistic regression.

CONCLUSION

About a third of men with newly diagnosed type 2 DM had ED; this was associated with many variables, but most notably with age at presentation.
The value of frozen‐section analysis of ureteric margins on surgical decision‐making in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer
Authors: Osman Yasser , El‐Tabey Nasr , Abdel‐Latif Mohamed , Mosbah Ahmed , Moustafa Noheir , Shaaban Atallah
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively investigate the value of routine frozen‐section analysis (FSA) of the ureteric margin for detecting distal ureteric malignancy in patients undergoing cystectomy for bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 100 consecutive patients had a radical cystectomy for TCC of the bladder; routine FS biopsies were obtained from the lower ureters of all. Definitive pathology with step‐sectioning of the lower ureters was reviewed, and the results of paraffin‐wax embedded sections and FSA were compared. The true incidence of distal ureteric malignancy was identified and correlated with different clinical and pathological variables.

RESULTS

There were 193 ureteric specimens examined; 16 ureters (8.3%) in 14 patients showed evidence of malignancy by FSA. True distal ureteric malignancy was diagnosed in 29 ureteric specimens (15%) in 24 patients. The sensitivity and specificity of the FSA were 45% and 98%, respectively, while the positive and negative predictive values were 81% and 91%, respectively. There was no significant correlation between distal ureteric malignancy and: patient age, tumour site or morphology, clinical or pathological staging, ipsilateral hydronephrosis, suspicious intraoperative ureter, biopsy or tumour grade, associated carcinoma in situ or nodal involvement. Male gender and positive intraoperative FSA were the only predictors significantly associated with distal ureteric malignancy by univariate analysis (P = 0.01 and <0.01, respectively). Both predictors remained significant on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

A positive ureteric FSA during cystectomy has a high predictive value in the diagnosis of distal ureteric malignancy, and is justified as an independent predictor in male patients with bladder TCC.
The clinical features of anterior prostate cancers
Authors: Koppie Theresa M. , Bianco Fernando J. , Kuroiwa Kentaro , Reuter Victor E. , Guillonneau Bertrand , Eastham James A. , Scardino Peter T.
Published: October 2006

Authors from New York present their experience with exclusively anteriorly located prostate cancers and compare them to those located only in the posterior part of the prostate. In this very large series, they found that the former group had lower Gleason grades and lower rates of extraprostatic extension.

In a paper from Cleveland, USA, the authors evaluate the rates of local and systemic progression, recurrence‐free survival and overall survival for patients with bladder carcinoma after limited pelvic lymph node dissection. In keeping with other reports where extended pelvic lymph node dissection was used, these authors reported decreased rates of survival with the limited dissection.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the clinical characteristics of anterior prostate cancers (APCs) and to compare these with posterior prostate cancers (PPCs).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We reviewed 1290 consecutive open and laparoscopic radical prostatectomies (RPs) at the authors’ institution from January 2000 to March 2004. Prostates were processed using a whole‐mount technique. Each surgical specimen was reviewed by one pathologist, and tumour areas were marked, measured and mapped. Positive surgical margins (PSMs) were defined as the presence of cancer cells at the inked surface of the specimen. Specimens were then categorized by the location of their dominant tumour, i.e. pure anterior, anterior > posterior, posterior > anterior, or pure posterior. We compared the clinical and pathological characteristics of 259 patients in the pure‐anterior group with the 594 in the pure‐posterior group.

RESULTS

Before RP, APCs had a significantly lower biopsy Gleason score (78% vs 68% with Gleason 4–6), fewer mean biopsy cores positive (2.0 vs 2.6), a smaller median percentage of positive cores (17% vs 26%), lower clinical stage (T1 in 79% vs 62%), and higher progression‐free probability estimated by preoperative nomogram (86% vs 84%) than PPCs. Patients with APCs also had more previous negative biopsy sessions. The pathological analysis of RP specimens showed that those with APCs had higher tumour volume (1.6 vs 0.83 mL) and had a higher PSM rate (12% vs 7%) than those with PPCs, despite specimens with PPCs having higher rates of extraprostatic extension (10% vs 19%).

CONCLUSIONS

APCs have lower Gleason grade and lower rates of extraprostatic extension, yet patients with anterior tumours have higher overall tumour volumes and higher PSM rates. Because current tools for detecting and staging prostate cancer can underestimate the extent of anterior prostate disease, improved methods are needed for localizing and characterizing anterior cancers.
Intracellular survival pathways in the liver
Authors: Luedde Tom , Trautwein Christian
Published: October 2006

Abstract: Recent studies have drawn attention to cytokines as important modulators of hepatocyte cell death during acute and chronic liver disease. Through interaction with cell surface receptors, they activate specific intracellular pathways that influence cell fate in different manners. For example, tumor necrosis factor not only induces proapoptotic signals via the caspase cascade but also activates intracellular survival pathways, namely the nuclear factor (NF)‐κB pathway. In this article, we will focus on the function of the NF‐κB pathway in liver physiology and pathology. Especially, recent data based on experiments with genetically modified mice will be discussed, which demonstrated important and controversial functions of this pathway e.g. in cytokine‐mediated hepatocyte apoptosis, ischemia‐reperfusion injury, liver regeneration and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, the role of the interleukin‐6 pathway and its possible protective function in the context of liver failure will be summarized.
Information Systems Project Continuation in Escalation Situations: A Real Options Model
Authors: Tiwana Amrit , Keil Mark , Fichman Robert G.
Published: October 2006

Software project escalation has been shown to be a widespread phenomenon. With few exceptions, prior research has portrayed escalation as an irrational decision‐making process whereby additional resources are plowed into a failing project. In this article, we examine the possibility that in some cases managers escalate their commitment not because they are acting irrationally, but rather as a rational response to real options that may be embedded in a project. A project embeds real options when managers have the opportunity but not the obligation to adjust the future direction of the project in response to external or internal events. Examples include deferring the project, switching the project to serve a different purpose, changing the scale of the project, implementing it in incremental stages, abandoning the project, or using the project as a platform for future growth opportunities. Although real options can represent a substantial portion of a project's value, they rarely enter into a project's formal justification process in the traditional quantitative discounted cash‐flow‐based project valuation techniques. Using experimental data collected from managers in 123 firms, we demonstrate that managers recognize and value the presence of real options. We also assess the relative importance that managers ascribe to each type of real option, showing that growth options are more highly valued than operational options. Finally, we demonstrate that the influence of the options on project continuation decisions is largely mediated by the perceived value that they add. Implications for both theory and practice are discussed.
Optimal Incentive Contracts for Loss‐Averse Managers: Stock Options versus Restricted Stock Grants
Authors: Dodonova Anna , Khoroshilov Yuri
Published: October 2006

This paper provides an explanation for the widespread use of stock option grants in executive compensation. It shows that the optimal incentive contract for loss‐averse managers must contain a substantial portion of stock options even when it should consist exclusively of stock grants for “classical” risk‐averse managers. The paper also provides an explanation for the drastic increase in the risk‐adjusted level of CEO compensations over the past two decades and argues that more option‐based compensation should be used in firms with higher cash flow volatility and in industries with a higher degree of heterogeneity among firms.
The Risk‐Return Relation in International Stock Markets
Authors: Guo Hui
Published: October 2006

We investigate the risk‐return relation in international stock markets using realized variance constructed from MSCI (Morgan Stanley Capital International) daily stock price indices. In contrast with the capital asset pricing model, realized variance by itself provides negligible information about future excess stock market returns; however, we uncover a positive and significant risk‐return tradeoff in many countries after controlling for the (U.S.) consumption‐wealth ratio. U.S. realized variance is also significantly related to future international stock market returns; more importantly, it always subsumes the information content of its local counterparts. Our results indicate that stock market variance is an important determinant of the equity premium.
E‐cadherin and β‐catenin expression patterns in malignant melanoma assessed by image analysis
Authors: Pećina‐Šlaus Nives , Žigmund Martina , Kušec Vesna , Martić Tamara Nikuševa , Čačić Mirjana , Šlaus Mario
Published: October 2006

Background:  We investigated the expression of E‐cadherin and β‐catenin in melanoma. Both proteins are components of adherens junctions but also play signalling roles in the wnt signal transduction pathway.

Materials and methods:  Seventy malignant melanomas were analysed by immunohistochemistry and evaluated by image analysis as staining density, i.e. light permeability (LP).

Results:  Comparison of mean values of relative LP for E‐cadherin and β‐catenin in tumor tissue shows that levels of E‐cadherin protein are significantly lower (259.67–116.23; t = 22.7; p = 0.000). The comparison of mean values of the relative LP of E‐cadherin in melanoma to the LP in the adjacent normal skin also shows that the expression of E‐cadherin in tumor is significantly lower (256.06–169.87; t = 11.55, p = 0.000). β‐catenin was observed in the cytoplasm in 30.6% of patients, in 24.2% in the cell membrane, in 21% in both the cytoplasm and membrane, in 1.6% in the membrane and nucleus and in 4.8% in the cytoplasm and nucleus, whereas in 17.7% of patients β‐catenin could not be observed. Patients with Clark 4 and 5 had significantly less β‐catenin than patients with Clark 2 and 3 (χ2 = 12.854; p = 0.005).

Conclusions:  Changes in E‐cadherin and β‐catenin levels have important roles in melanoma and could be used as molecular markers of disease progression.
A diagnostic trap for the dermatopathologist: granulomatous reactions from cutaneous microimplants for cosmetic purposes
Authors: Mustacchio Vincenzo , Cabibi D. , Minervini M. I. , Barresi E. , Amato S.
Published: October 2006

We present a case of late granulomatous reactions from silicone that first appeared in a site different from that of the injection causing an incorrect diagnosis of liposarcoma in the beginning. The histological picture was a cystic‐macrophagic granuloma in both the injection site (upper lip) and the migrating site (paranasal regions). We think that the foreign body has undergone an antigravity migration from the upper lip to the right paranasal region. To our knowledge, such a phenomenon has not been yet reported in literature.
No evidence of hepatitis C virus infection in Serbian patients with oral leukoplakia
Authors: Bokor‐Bratic M.
Published: October 2006

Background:  A review of the literature reveals controversy regarding the relationship between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and oral leukoplakia (OL). The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of HCV antibodies in patients with OL and control subjects resident in Serbia.

Methods:  In this cross‐sectional study 73 consecutive patients with histologically proven OL and 90 control subjects, whose age and gender were matched, were examined for the presence of serological evidence of chronic hepatic disease, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti‐HCV seropositivity.

Results:  None of the patients with OL or control subjects had antibodies to HCV or HBsAg. All patients with OL and control subjects had normal liver function.

Conclusion:  The present data indicate that patients with OL resident in Serbia do not have evidence of HCV or HBV infection.
Effectiveness of mouthguards in reducing neurocognitive deficits following sports‐related cerebral concussion
Authors: Mihalik Jason P. , McCaffrey Meghan A. , Rivera Eric M. , Pardini Jamie E. , Guskiewicz Kevin M. , Collins Michael W. , Lovell Mark R.
Published: October 2006

Abstract –  Although it is widely accepted that mouthguards decrease the incidence of dental injuries, there is a controversy among sports medicine professionals as to the effectiveness of mouthguards in decreasing the incidence or severity of sports‐related cerebral concussion (SRCC). While some experimental data suggest that this may be the case, there exist a number of reports suggesting that mouthguards do not serve this purpose. These conclusions have been drawn, however, without actually measuring the extent of neurocognitive dysfunction in athletes following sports‐related concussion. The purpose of this study was to determine whether mouthguard use reduces the neurocognitive and symptomatic impairments that follow an injurious episode of SRCC. Preseason baseline data were collected as part of an ongoing clinical program that uses a computerized neurocognitive test to assess various faculties of brain function and symptoms reported at the time of testing. Follow‐up testing from 180 student‐athletes who had sustained an SRCC was analyzed for the purpose of this study. These athletes were separated into one of two groups: those who reported using mouthguards and those who did not. Neurocognitive testing was accomplished using the Immediate Post‐Concussion and Assessment Test (ImPACT). Results suggest that neurocognitive deficits at the time of the athletes’ first follow‐up assessment did not differ between mouthguard users and non‐users, suggesting that mouthguard use does little to reduce the severity of neurocognitive dysfunction and onset of symptoms following sports‐related head trauma. However, an interesting finding in this study was that athletes experienced significantly lower neurocognitive test scores and reported higher symptom scores following SRCC regardless of mouthguard use. This emphasizes a thorough clinical evaluation of athletes that have sustained an SRCC. Although it was found in this study that mouthguard use does not decrease the severity of concussion, it is important to note that the use of mouthguards is paramount in reducing maxillofacial and dental trauma and their use should continue to be mandated by athletic associations and supported by all dental and sports medicine professionals.
Talking About Americans: The Image of the United States in English-Canadian Schools, 1900–1965
Authors: von Heyking Amy
Published: October 2006

History, civics, and social studies courses in Canadian schools have always represented some official understanding of Canadian citizenship, even Canadian identity. They have prepared children for citizenship and the exercise of their adult duties in the community. As historian Ken Osborne argues, citizenship remains a “flexibly protean” term, changing over time according to setting, and always resisted or undermined by those who disagree with the official understanding imposed upon them. While it may be difficult to assess the impact of the school's messages on students, we can identify the official ideas about English-Canadian citizenship and identity transmitted by schools.
AN ANALYSIS OF MACRO‐ECONOMIC CONVERGENCE IN SADC1
Authors: Rossouw Jannie
Published: October 2006

One of the goals of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is macro‐economic convergence leading to monetary unification and a single central bank. This goal is aligned with the goal of the African Union to build a monetary union for the entire continent in stages, starting with each of the subregions, of which SADC forms one important region. Despite views to the contrary, the current degree of compliance with the Maastricht criteria for convergence and membership of the European Union, shows that the challenges facing a SADC monetary union would not be insurmountable if the convergence criteria are viewed as permanent goals, rather than preconditions.
SOUTH AFRICA'S EXPORT PERFORMANCE: DETERMINANTS OF EXPORT SUPPLY
Authors: Edwards Lawrence , Alves Phil
Published: October 2006

This paper presents both a comparative analysis of South Africa's export structure and performance and an econometric investigation of the determinants of export volumes. The paper finds that the improved growth and diversification of South African manufactured exports during the 1990s lag those of East Asia and a few other resource‐based economies. This performance in part reflects relatively low world growth in resource‐based products, but factors that affect the profitability of export supply, such as the real effective exchange rate, infrastructure costs, tariff rates and skilled labour, are also shown to be important. Export demand and the ability to compete in the export market on the basis of price are not found to be a major constraint to export growth.
Tracking fin whale calls offshore the Galicia Margin, North East Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Gaspà Rebull Oriol , Cusí Jordi Díaz , Ruiz Fernández Mario , Muset Josep Gallart
Published: October 2006

Data recorded during a temporary deployment of ocean bottom seismometers (OBSs) are used in this study to monitor the presence of fin whales around the array. In the summer of 2003, ten OBSs were placed 250km from the NW coast of Iberia in the Galicia Margin, NE Atlantic Ocean for a period of one month. The recorded data set provided a large variety of signals, including fin whale vocalizations identified by their specific acoustic signature. The use of a dense array of seafloor receivers allowed investigation into the locations and tracks of the signal-generating whales using a seismological hypocentral location code. Individual pulses of different sequences have been chosen to study such tracks. Problems related to the correct identification of pulses, discrimination between direct and multiple arrivals, and the presence of more than one individual have been considered prior to location. Fin calls were concentrated in the last two weeks of the deployment and the locations were spread around the area covered by the array. These results illustrate that, besides its classical seismological aim, deployment of semipermanent seafloor seismic arrays can also provide valuable data for marine mammal behavior studies.
Contribution of low-frequency acoustic information to Chinese speech recognition in cochlear implant simulations
Authors: Luo Xin , Fu Qian-Jie
Published: October 2006

Chinese sentence recognition strongly relates to the reception of tonal information. For cochlear implant (CI) users with residual acoustic hearing, tonal information may be enhanced by restoring low-frequency acoustic cues in the nonimplanted ear. The present study investigated the contribution of low-frequency acoustic information to Chinese speech recognition in Mandarin-speaking normal-hearing subjects listening to acoustic simulations of bilaterally combined electric and acoustic hearing. Subjects listened to a 6-channel CI simulation in one ear and low-pass filtered speech in the other ear. Chinese tone, phoneme, and sentence recognition were measured in steady-state, speech-shaped noise, as a function of the cutoff frequency for low-pass filtered speech. Results showed that low-frequency acoustic information below 500Hz contributed most strongly to tone recognition, while low-frequency acoustic information above 500Hz contributed most strongly to phoneme recognition. For Chinese sentences, speech reception thresholds (SRTs) improved with increasing amounts of low-frequency acoustic information, and significantly improved when low-frequency acoustic information above 500Hz was preserved. SRTs were not significantly affected by the degree of spectral overlap between the CI simulation and low-pass filtered speech. These results suggest that, for CI patients with residual acoustic hearing, preserving low-frequency acoustic information can improve Chinese speech recognition in noise.
Role of the
Fusarium fujikuroi
TOR Kinase in Nitrogen Regulation and Secondary Metabolism
Authors: Teichert Sabine , Wottawa Marieke , Schönig Birgit , Tudzynski Bettina
Published: October 2006

In
Fusarium fujikuroi
, the biosynthesis of gibberellins (GAs) and bikaverin is under control of AreA-mediated nitrogen metabolite repression. Thus far, the signaling components acting upstream of AreA and regulating its nuclear translocation are unknown. In
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, the target of rapamycin (TOR) proteins, Tor1p and Tor2p, are key players of nutrient-mediated signal transduction to control cell growth. In filamentous fungi, probably only one TOR kinase-encoding gene exists. However, nothing is known about its function. Therefore, we investigated the role of TOR in the GA-producing fungus
F. fujikuroi
in order to determine whether TOR plays a role in nitrogen regulation, especially in the regulation of GA and bikaverin biosynthesis. We cloned and characterized the
F. fujikuroi tor
gene. However, we were not able to create knockout mutants, suggesting that TOR is essential for viability. Inhibition of TOR by rapamycin affected the expression of AreA-controlled secondary metabolite genes for GA and bikaverin biosynthesis, as well as genes involved in transcriptional and translational regulation, ribosome biogenesis, and autophagy. Deletion of
fpr1
encoding the FKBP12-homologue confirmed that the effects of rapamycin are due to the specific inhibition of TOR. Interestingly, the expression of most of the TOR target genes has been previously shown to be also affected in the glutamine synthetase mutant, although in the opposite way. We demonstrate here for the first time in a filamentous fungus that the TOR kinase is involved in nitrogen regulation of secondary metabolism and that rapamycin affects also the expression of genes involved in translation control, ribosome biogenesis, carbon metabolism, and autophagy.
Modulation of
Leishmania
ABC Protein Gene Expression through Life Stages and among Drug-Resistant Parasites
Authors: Leprohon Philippe , Légaré Danielle , Girard Isabelle , Papadopoulou Barbara , Ouellette Marc
Published: October 2006

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) protein superfamily is one of the largest evolutionarily conserved families and is found in all kingdoms of life. The recent completion of the
Leishmania
genome sequence allowed us to analyze and classify its encoded ABC proteins. The complete sequence predicts a data set of 42 open reading frames (ORFs) coding for proteins belonging to the ABC superfamily, with representative members of every major subfamily (from ABCA to ABCH) commonly found in eukaryotes. Comparative analysis showed that the same ABC data set is found between
Leishmania major
and
Leishmania infantum
and that some orthologues are found in the genome of the related parasites
Trypanosoma brucei
and
Trypanosoma cruzi
. Customized DNA microarrays were made to assess ABC gene expression profiling throughout the two main
Leishmania
life stages. Two ABC genes (
ABCA3
and
ABCG3
) are preferentially expressed in the amastigote stage, whereas one ABC gene (
ABCF3
) is more abundantly expressed in promastigotes. Microarray-based expression profiling experiments also revealed that three ABC genes (
ABCA3
,
ABCC3
, and
ABCH1
) are overexpressed in two independent antimony-resistant strains compared to the parental sensitive strain. All microarray results were confirmed by real-time reverse transcription-PCR assays. The present study provides a thorough phylogenic classification of the
Leishmania
ABC proteins and sets the basis for further functional studies on this important class of proteins.
Molecular Studies Reveal Frequent Misidentification of
Aspergillus fumigatus
by Morphotyping
Authors: Balajee S. Arunmozhi , Nickle David , Varga Janos , Marr Kieren A.
Published: October 2006

Aspergillus fumigatus
has been understood to be the most common cause of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in all epidemiological surveys. However, recent studies have uncovered a large degree of genetic heterogeneity between isolates morphologically identified as
A. fumigatus
, leading to the description of a new species,
Aspergillus lentulus
. Here, we examined the genetic diversity of clinical isolates identified as
A. fumigatus
using restriction enzyme polymorphism analysis and sequence-based identification. Analysis of 50 clinical isolates from geographically diverse locations recorded the presence of at least three distinct species:
A. lentulus
,
Aspergillus udagawae
, and
A. fumigatus
. In vitro,
A. lentulus
isolates demonstrated decreased susceptibility to antifungal drugs currently used for IA, including amphotericin B, voriconazole, and caspofungin;
A. udagawae
isolates demonstrated decreased in vitro susceptibility to amphotericin B. Results of the present study demonstrate that current phenotypic methods to identify fungi do not differentiate between genetically distinct species in the
A. fumigatus
group. Differential antifungal susceptibilities of these species may account for some of the reported poor outcomes of therapy in clinical studies.
SOUND GENERATION BY ONE-CELL AND TWO-CELL VORTICES IN A NONUNIFORM FLOW
Authors: ZHENG TING-HUI , VATISTAS GEORGIOS H. , POVITSKY ALEX
Published: October 2006

Sound generation by vortical disturbance in a subsonic flow around a cylinder is investigated, using different vortex formulations, by solving both linearized and nonlinear Euler equations numerically. Numerical errors associated with the finite-difference discretization and boundary conditions are kept small using the high-order-accurate spatial differentiation and time marching schemes along with accurate nonreflecting boundary conditions and the sponge layer. If the radial velocity in vortex is assumed equal to zero, the intensity and directivity of acoustic wave patterns appear to be quite similar for all vortex models. If the radial velocity is taken into consideration, for single-cell vortex, there is no noticeable change happening to the acoustic wave; for two-cell vortex, although the radial velocity is still much smaller than the tangential velocity, the former plays an important role in generation and propagation of nonsymmetrical sound waves. If only initial tangential velocity or only initial radial velocity of the two-cell vortical flow disturbance is considered, the generated sound level would increase with the Mach number of mean flow while the angular distribution of sound directivity remains the same. If the two-cell vortex with both velocity components is considered, the Mach number of the background flow would change not only the amplitude of the acoustic pressure but also the directivity of sound. As the Mach number increases, the maximum amplitude of acoustic pressure will be shifted to the upper half-plane.
An age-structured model of dendritic cell trafficking in the lung
Authors: Klinke David J.
Published: October 2006

As the sentinels of the immune system, dendritic cells (DC) play a critical role in initiating and maintaining appropriate T cell responses through capture and presentation of antigen, costimulation, and mediator release. Although much is known about certain aspects of DC function, the exact relationship between lung epithelial DC precursor populations in the blood and their functional role in antigen presentation are not clearly understood. I created an age-structured mathematical model for DC trafficking into the lung to address this question. While capturing experimentally observed system dynamics, I found that blood DC are preferentially recruited over blood monocytes. For short-lived antigens, the model results suggest that lung epithelial DC derived from blood DC exhibit a 625% increase in antigen density compared with those derived from blood monocytes. Finally, these results motivate future experimental studies to clarify aspects of DC trafficking in the lung.
Description of Aphelenchoides xylocopae n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae), the first observed association between nematodes and carpenter bees
Authors: Kanzaki Natsumi
Published: October 2006

Aphelenchoides xylocopae n. sp. is described and figured. The new species was isolated from the Japanese large carpenter bee, Xylocopa appendiculata circumvolans, and reared on a lawn of Botrytis cinerea. Specimens were collected from a 2-week-old culture on the fungus. The new species has a body length of 514-638 μm (males) and 532-674 μm (females). The cuticle is weakly annulated and there are three lines in the lateral field. The stylet is 10-11 μm long and has small basal swellings. Spicules are large (23-28 μm) and strongly arcuate. The male tail bears six (2 + 2 + 2) caudal papillae and is mucronate. The female tail is tapered to a pointed, amucronate or mucronate, terminus. The new species belongs to the Group 2 category of Aphelenchoides species. Cultured nematodes were used for sequencing the partial (ca 1 kbp) cytochrome oxidase subunit I of mitochondrial DNA and partial (ca 900 bp) small subunit ribosomal DNA for comparison with the sequences deposited at GenBank. The DNA sequences of A. xylocopae n. sp. were close to those of other Aphelenchoides and Bursaphelenchus species in the database, but the precise phylogenetic status of the new species could not be determined because of the limited sequences available for Aphelenchoides species.