bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum proteins and paraproteins in women with silicone implants and connective tissue disease: a case–control study
Authors: Csako Gyorgy , Costello Rene , Shamim Ejaz A , O'Hanlon Terrance P , Tran Anthony , Clauw Daniel J , Williams H James , Miller Frederick W
Published: September 2007

Prior studies have suggested abnormalities of serum proteins, including paraproteins, in women with silicone implants but did not control for the presence of connective-tissue disease (CTD). This retrospective case–control study, performed in tertiary-care academic centers, assessed possible alterations of serum proteins, including paraproteins, in such a population. Seventy-four women with silicone implants who subsequently developed CTD, and 74 age-matched and CTD-matched women without silicone implants, were assessed in the primary study; other groups were used for additional comparisons. Routine serum protein determinations and high-sensitivity protein electrophoresis and immunofixation electrophoresis were performed for detection of paraproteins. Women with silicone implants, either with or without CTD, had significantly lower serum total protein and α1-globulin, α2-globulin, β-globulin, γ-globulin, and IgG levels compared with those without silicone implants. There was no significant difference, however, in the frequency of paraproteinemia between women with silicone implants and CTD (9.5%) and age-matched and CTD-matched women without silicone implants (5.4%) (odds ratio, 1.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.51–6.45). Paraprotein isotypes were similar in the two groups, and the clinical characteristics of the 13 women with paraproteinemia were comparable with an independent population of 10 women with silicone breast implants, CTD, and previously diagnosed monoclonal gammopathies. In summary, this first comprehensive study of serum proteins in women with silicone implants and CTD found no substantially increased risk of monoclonal gammopathy. Women with silicone implants, however, had unexpectedly low serum globulin and immunoglobulin levels, with or without the subsequent development of CTD. The causes and clinical implications of these findings require further investigation.
Identification of novel regulatory factor X (RFX) target genes by comparative genomics in Drosophila species
Authors: Laurençon Anne , Dubruille Raphaëlle , Efimenko Evgeni , Grenier Guillaume , Bissett Ryan , Cortier Elisabeth , Rolland Vivien , Swoboda Peter , Durand Bénédicte
Published: September 2007

Background

Regulatory factor X (RFX) transcription factors play a key role in ciliary assembly in nematode, Drosophila and mouse. Using the tremendous advantages of comparative genomics in closely related species, we identified novel genes regulated by dRFX in Drosophila.

Results

We first demonstrate that a subset of known ciliary genes in Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila are regulated by dRFX and have a conserved RFX binding site (X-box) in their promoters in two highly divergent Drosophila species. We then designed an X-box consensus sequence and carried out a genome wide computer screen to identify novel genes under RFX control. We found 412 genes that share a conserved X-box upstream of the ATG in both species, with 83 genes presenting a more restricted consensus. We analyzed 25 of these 83 genes, 16 of which are indeed RFX target genes. Two of them have never been described as involved in ciliogenesis. In addition, reporter construct expression analysis revealed that three of the identified genes encode proteins specifically localized in ciliated endings of Drosophila sensory neurons.

Conclusion

Our X-box search strategy led to the identification of novel RFX target genes in Drosophila that are involved in sensory ciliogenesis. We also established a highly valuable Drosophila cilia and basal body dataset. These results demonstrate the accuracy of the X-box screen and will be useful for the identification of candidate genes for human ciliopathies, as several human homologs of RFX target genes are known to be involved in diseases, such as Bardet-Biedl syndrome.
APT and continuing professional development in UK psychiatry
Authors: Sims Andrew
Published: September 2007

Happy New Year, and welcome to what some are predicting will be the year of continuing professional development/ continuing medical education!
Risk and childbirth in psychiatry
Authors: Oates Margaret
Published: September 2007

The relationship between childbirth and serious mental illness has been known since the time of Ancient Greece. It was first described in the psychiatric literature by Esquirol and later by his pupil Marcé in 1857. A substantial number of women become mentally ill, often for the first time, following childbirth. There are few events associated with such a measurable and predictable risk to mental health as childbirth, with its nine months warning. Despite this, there is little awareness amongst general psychiatrists of the predictable and manageable risk that faces many of their female patients should they become pregnant, nor of the risks that mentally ill mothers may pose for their children.
Assessing for psychiatric injury and ‘nervous shock’
Authors: Eastman Nigel
Published: September 2007

There is no direct coherence between medical and legal concepts or between medical and legal ways of thinking (Eastman, 1992). As a result, there are often substantial difficulties in translating the findings of one (medicine) into the decisions of the other (law). In order to minimise interdisciplinary confusion, it is necessary for each to have an understanding of the approach of the other. This paper attempts to elucidate the relationship between law and psychiatry as it is played out specifically in personal injury litigation and in relation to civil legal claims for (legal) ‘nervous shock’. It is not confined solely to claims arising out of the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Eastman, 1995; Napier, 1995), but is applicable to any psychiatric sequelae of events for which legal liability of a defendant can be established. It also offers general comments about the provision of civil psycho-legal assessments, advice and opinion writing (Carson et al, 1993) as a backcloth to its more specific purpose.
Treatment of victims of trauma
Authors: Adshead Gwen
Published: September 2007

The psychiatric sequelae of trauma have been most often discussed in relation to disasters, both natural and man-made, and military conflict. This may sometimes lead psychiatrists to think of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other posttraumatic mental illnesses as being somewhat exotic and unusual in general psychiatric practice. In this paper, I propose that PTSD and related disorders are actually common psychiatric problems which require treatment.
Whistle blowing
Authors: Birley J.
Published: September 2007

“A practitioner shall be free, without prior consent of the employing authority to publish books, articles, etc. and to deliver any lecture or speak, whether on matters arising out of his or her hospital service or not”. Paragraph 330, Terms and Conditions of Service for Hospital Medical and Dental Staff

“The culture of honesty and high integrity in British public service is something that needs to be sustained. Half of all fraud is detected by staff who spot something dodgy and report on it. One of the best antidotes to fraud is an open attitude with staff”. Andrew Foster, Controller of the Audit Commission (1994)

“I am appalled at the thought that there remain in the NHS some people who feel that they work in a climate that prevents them from freely expressing their views. That is not the kind of organisation I wish to lead. I do not believe that there is any place for ‘confidentiality for commercial reasons’ in the family of the NHS”. Alan Langlands, Chief Executive of the NHS Executive (1995)

For the purpose of this article, I am using a definition of whistle blowing which was used at a conference in November 1995 at the Royal Society of Medicine:

“Reporting serious concern about patient care, past present or future, to people beyond the immediate circle of the clinical team. This could be ‘local’ – within the organisation – or ‘more distant’ for example to a professional organisation, the Secretary of State, politicians, or the media.”
The management of anorexia nervosa
Authors: Palmer R. L.
Published: September 2007

The severity of anorexia nervosa can vary from mild to life threatening. It is sometimes transient but often chronic. Such variety of disorder requires variety of response. The clinician must choose the right treatment to offer at the right time. The literature contains plenty of advice but most of this is based upon experience and opinion rather than on systematic research and treatment trials. For the most part, this paper will be no exception. Anorexia nervosa is a disorder which is distinct from other psychiatric syndromes but is of uncertain cause. In the face of this uncertainty, treatment tends to be informed by the favoured formulation of the clinician, usually some sort of ‘multifactorial theory’. Again this paper is no exception. It will concentrate upon the management of anorexia nervosa in late adolescence and adulthood. The treatment of children requires a different approach (Lask & Bryant-Waugh, 1993). The emphasis of the paper will be upon what can go wrong as well as what may be the best interventions to offer. Often the things that go wrong have more to do with the context of treatment and the way in which it is offered rather than with the treatment intervention itself.
Commentary
Authors: Hirsch Steven R.
Published: September 2007

It is difficult not to be won over by the description of assertive community treatment that promises nearly total caring for the most chronically disabled mentally ill, including “the material essentials of life such as food, clothing and shelter, coping skills necessary to meet the demands of community living and motivation to persevere in the face of life's adversity”. If we keep in mind that this approach is for patients who in previous decades would have spent their life in a mental institution, one can readily justify the transfer of expense and resources to this hopefully more humane form of treatment which allows patients to live within the context of open society, a preference they inevitably opt for when surveyed after a move from hospitalisation to community care.
Managing depression in older people
Authors: Katona Cornelius
Published: September 2007

Although common and disabling, depression in old age remains both underdetected and under-treated. This is particularly regrettable in view of its high risk of chronicity, recurrence and suicide, as well as the considerable burden of associated health care costs. Despite the availability of a variety of physical and psychological treatment options of well-established efficacy, there is little recent evidence of improvement in either clinical practice or patient outcome. An understanding of the principles of management of depression in elderly patients requires some knowledge of the differences between such patients and their younger counterparts. The clinical presentation and diagnosis of depression in old age, its epidemiology and prognosis are reviewed briefly below, before focusing on the practicalities of treatment.
Comment
Authors: Turner Trevor
Published: September 2007

There has long been considerable individual variation in the regimes for managing acutely disturbed patients, in terms of the drugs used, routes of administration and the dosages given. We all tend to learn from ‘accepted’ practice in the units in which we train, and the lack of good-quality controlled trials, published in leading and accessible journals, compounds the problem. Given the importance of this issue, when concerns about sudden death in the context of high dose regimes are generating considerable publicity (for example, MIND is calling for a blanket ban on dosages greater than those given in the BNF), the need for rigorous research has never been greater. Guidelines have, however, become established in a number of units, and this clear summary by Macpherson et al is therefore to be welcomed.
Family therapy with elderly people
Authors: Benbow Susan M. , Marriott Alison
Published: September 2007

Those who work with older adults will inevitably find themselves working with families. Indeed assessment of an older person is often difficult if members of their family and social network are not involved. Referrals to social and psychiatric services are often precipitated by family changes. Ratna & Davis (1984) described 142 consecutive referrals to a community old age psychiatry service and found retirement, family conflict, departure of or illness of a carer, or bereavement precipitated 60% of referrals. Thus, work with older adults will often necessitate work with families, although it may not be seen in those terms.
How psychiatrists can contribute to the public health
Authors: Kendell Robert
Published: September 2007

Public health has traditionally been concerned with the primary prevention of disease, either by eliminating its causes or by enhancing host resistance. Clean water supplies, efficient sewage and rubbish disposal, and refrigeration of food have largely eliminated the micro-organisms responsible for a wide range of infectious diseases, while anti-smoking campaigns have reduced mortality from cancer of the lung and coronary heart disease. Immunisation programmes have had a similarly dramatic effect on the incidence of many bacterial and viral diseases. Indeed, they have completely eliminated smallpox, and the polio virus seems likely to follow it into oblivion.
Psychodynamics of self-directed destructive behaviour in adolescence
Authors: Sutton Adrian
Published: September 2007

The Government white paper ‘Health of the Nation’ set a target for reduction of suicide rates by 15% by the year 2000. Although the document did not make specific reference to adolescence, it is no less important an issue in this age group than in adulthood since, along with accidental death and malignancy, suicide is one of the most common causes of death in late adolescence and early adulthood and there is an upward trend (Diekstra, 1993; McClure, 1994; Diekstra et al, 1995). How the reduction should be achieved is not clear, since suicide is a rare event which is the culmination of complex processes, and present knowledge does not give a firm foundation for evidence-based practice (Gunnell & Frankel, 1994).
Teaching child and adolescent psychiatry to medical undergraduates
Authors: Worrall-Davies Anne E.
Published: September 2007

The aim of this article is to set the teaching of child and adolescent psychiatry to medical undergraduates in the framework of current educational theory and General Medical Council (1993) curriculum guidelines. The objectives are to:

(a) outline the main reasons for teaching child and adolescent psychiatry in the medical undergraduate curriculum;

(b) discuss placement of child and adolescent psychiatry teaching in the curriculum;

(c) outline relevant content;

(d) describe appropriate teaching methods; and

(e) describe assessment and evaluation procedures.
Teaching old age psychiatry to medical undergraduates
Authors: Curran Stephen , Bowie Peter C. W.
Published: September 2007

There are many different course designs for the teaching of old age psychiatry. It may be taught in blocks or spread over the undergraduate curriculum and/or integrated with either psychiatry or medicine for the elderly. Whichever approach is used, at the end of their undergraduate training, students should have the same core knowledge, skills and attitudes.
Managing postgraduate education
Authors: Whyte Susan
Published: September 2007

There have been many changes in postgraduate education in psychiatry over the past 15 years. The Royal College of Psychiatrists was ahead of most other Medical Royal Colleges in organising supervised training schemes which took into account the educational needs of the trainee as well as providing an appropriate service to patients. The approval exercise, with inspection of both basic specialist and higher specialist training schemes, was introduced more than 20 years ago. Prior to the introduction of ‘Achieving a Balance’ – Plan for Action (Department of Health, 1987), the senior house officer (SHO) and registrar grades in psychiatry were more or less interchangeable, although those in registrar posts tended to rotate outwith their base hospital and gain experience in the sub-specialities.
The value of eliciting dreams in general psychiatry
Authors: Mitchison Sally
Published: September 2007

Dreams have been described as “an endangered species” in general psychiatry nowadays (Holmes, 1991). Liam Hudson (1985) suggests the danger derives from a society which has embraced a naïvely reductionist, oversimplified understanding of neurophysiology. But Hudson also sees a threat to dreams from the increasing variety of visual imagery available for personal creative adaptation through television, computer programs and video recording. Researching this article, I was unable to find a single reference to dreams in the British Journal of Psychiatry over the past 12 years. Theories about dreams are taught to trainee psychiatrists as historical background. In recent years there has been a revival of psychiatric interest in only one kind of dream –‘flashbacks' of traumatic experiences as a feature of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Distinct v-SNAREs regulate direct and indirect apical delivery in polarized epithelial cells
Authors: Pocard Thomas , Le Bivic André , Galli Thierry , Zurzolo Chiara
Published: September 2007

SNARE [soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein (SNAP) receptor] proteins control the membrane-fusion events of eukaryotic membrane-trafficking pathways. Specific vesicular and target SNAREs operate in specific trafficking routes, but the degree of specificity of SNARE functions is still elusive. Apical fusion requires the polarized distribution at the apical surface of the t-SNARE syntaxin 3, and several v-SNAREs including TI-VAMP and VAMP8 operate at the apical plasma membrane in polarized epithelial cells. It is not known, however, whether specific v-SNAREs are involved in direct and indirect routes to the apical surface. Here, we used RNAi to assess the role of two tetanus-neurotoxin-insensitive v-SNAREs, TI-VAMP/VAMP7 and VAMP8, in the sorting of raft- and non-raft-associated apical markers that follow either a direct or a transcytotic delivery, respectively, in FRT or Caco2 cells. We show that TI-VAMP mediates the direct apical delivery of both raft- and non-raft-associated proteins. By contrast, sorting by means of the transcytotic pathway is not affected by TI-VAMP knockdown but does appear to be regulated by VAMP8. Together with the specific role of VAMP3 in basolateral transport, our results demonstrate a high degree of specificity in v-SNARE function in polarized cells.
Performing the Nation: China's Children as Little Red Pioneers
Authors: Woronov T. E
Published: September 2007

The Little Red Pioneers, the Chinese Communist Party's organization for children aged 7–12, seem anachronistic in China today. This article argues that the Pioneer organization, rather than being an outdated relic of the nation's Maoist past, provides insight into contemporary Chinese nationalism, particularly the theoretical question of how children are produced as national subjects. Based in Butler's concept of performativity, this article argues that children's nationalism in China is performed through daily activities and practices structured by the Little Red Pioneers.
How Does the Changing Profile of Infants Who Are Referred for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Affect Their Overall Respiratory Outcome?
Authors: Beardsmore Caroline S. , Westaway Jennifer , Killer Hilliary , Firmin Richard K. , Pandya Hitesh
Published: September 2007

OBJECTIVE. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has been shown to be effective in term neonates with severe but reversible lung disease within the context of randomized, controlled trials. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation now has been open to a wider population of infants in the United Kingdom, and other treatments have become available. The population referred for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, therefore, has changed. The aims of this study were to (1) compare respiratory outcomes of infants who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in recent years with those from 10 years ago and (2) determine whether respiratory outcome varied with diagnostic group.

METHODS. All infants who were referred to a single extracorporeal membrane oxygenation center and were <12 months old during a 7-year period were eligible. One year after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, lung volume, airway conductance, maximum expiratory flow, and indices of tidal breathing were measured.

RESULTS. A total of 106 infants (77% of those eligible) were tested, and results were compared with those of 51 infants referred for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as part of the original United Kingdom extracorporeal membrane oxygenation trial. Lung volume was not different, but there was a strong trend for the infants who were seen in more recent years to have better forced expiratory flow and specific airway conductance. Restricting analysis to the major subgroup (meconium aspiration) confirmed these findings. When divided into diagnostic subgroups, infants who required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for respiratory distress syndrome or who were >2 weeks old when extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was commenced had a poorer respiratory outcome than others.

CONCLUSIONS. The respiratory outcome of infants who were treated beyond the tightly regulated criteria of the United Kingdom trial remains good and even shows a trend toward improvement. Certain subgroups require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for longer and have poorer pulmonary function when followed up.
Upscaling models of solute transport in porous media through genetic programming
Authors: Hill David J. , Minsker Barbara S. , Valocchi Albert J. , Babovic Vladan , Keijzer Maarten
Published: September 2007

Due to the considerable computational demands of modeling solute transport in heterogeneous porous media, there is a need for upscaled models that do not require explicit resolution of the small-scale heterogeneity. This study investigates the development of upscaled solute transport models using genetic programming (GP), a domain-independent modeling tool that searches the space of mathematical equations for one or more equations that describe a set of training data. An upscaling methodology is developed that facilitates both the GP search and the implementation of the resulting models. A case study is performed that demonstrates this methodology by developing vertically averaged equations of solute transport in perfectly stratified aquifers. The solute flux models developed for the case study were analyzed for parsimony and physical meaning, resulting in an upscaled model of the enhanced spreading of the solute plume, due to aquifer heterogeneity, as a process that changes from predominantly advective to Fickian. This case study not only demonstrates the use and efficacy of GP as a tool for developing upscaled solute transport models, but it also provides insight into how to approach more realistic multi-dimensional problems with this methodology.
Risk assessment for organic trace compounds in wastewater: comparison of conventional and advanced treatment
Authors: Schwätter F. , Hannich C.B. , Nöthe T. , Oehlmann J. , Fahlenkamp H.
Published: September 2007

The elimination of organic trace compounds in municipal wastewater was analysed at three German wastewater treatment plants. Additionally, the effects of advanced treatment, membrane filtration, adsorption and oxidation processes were investigated. To assess the ecotoxicity of effluents, a number of tools were used: substance-specific evaluation, case studies for combined effects and risk assessment on the basis of cumulative parameters. The results of the research projects revealed that aquatic environmental risks can be reduced significantly using advanced treatment technologies for wastewater treatment plants.
Implementing sustainable sanitation concepts in Luxembourg: methodological approach and outcomes
Authors: Schosseler P. , Lohmann T. , Schmitt B. , Perbal S. , Dubois C. , Sauerborn K. , Muschwitz C. , Weidenhaupt A.
Published: September 2007

The present paper reports the approaches adopted to involve and inform stakeholders at various levels and to identify barriers and needed actions towards the implementation of sustainable sanitation concepts in Luxembourg. The study was split into two phases, starting with a workshop and interviews of important actors/professionals of the water sector such as public administrations, engineering companies and sanitary firms. The second phase consisted of a survey among end-users, developed in order to analyse enabling and disabling factors with respect to sustainable water use in households, and for which over 200 questionnaires were evaluated. Valuable conclusions for the project orientation were derived from these studies in terms of further needs for awareness raising, information and formation. The water professionals pointed to specific questions with respect to the feasibility of sustainable sanitation, such as hygienic concerns or maintenance issues for decentralised technology. A moderate financial commitment towards environmentally friendly techniques as well as a considerable lack of knowledge concerning innovative sanitation concepts was detected for end-users. Based on these findings, tailor-made communication strategies for key stakeholder groups were elaborated and pilot projects were initiated.
Implementation of sustainable sanitation in existing urban areas: long-term strategies for an optimised solution
Authors: Kaufmann I. , Meyer T. , Kalsch M. , Schmitt T.G. , Hamacher H.W.
Published: September 2007

If technologies for decentralised sanitation and reuse (DESAR) and for natural stormwater management should at least partially replace existing systems, then intensive reconstruction work becomes essential. A conversion can only be realised successively over a long period due to high construction and financial expenses and requires new strategies. This paper presents the development and practical implementation of a mathematical tool to find an optimised strategy for the realisation of alternative and more decentralised drainage and sanitation concepts in existing urban areas. The succession of construction measures (e.g. the implementation of decentralised greywater recycling) for the whole period of consideration is determined based upon a mathematical optimisation model on the condition that the favoured future state is known. The model describes the complex interdependencies of the urban water and nutrient cycle and enables the minimisation of both financial efforts and ecological impacts on the way toward the future state. The results of the implementation for a rural area in Germany show that the mathematical optimisation is an adequate instrument to support decision-making processes in finding strategies for the realisation of sustainable urban water management.
Inhibitory effects of various beverages on human recombinant sulfotransferase isoforms SULT1A1 and SULT1A3
Authors: Nishimuta Haruka , Ohtani Hisakazu , Tsujimoto Masayuki , Ogura Kenichiro , Hiratsuka Akira , Sawada Yasufumi
Published: September 2007

Sulfotransferase (SULT) 1A1 and SULT1A3 play important roles in the presystemic inactivation of β2agonists in the liver and intestine, respectively. The study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of grapefruit juice, orange juice, green tea, black tea and oolong tea and their constituents on the activities of SULT1A1 and SULT1A3.

The activities of both SULT1A1 and SULT1A3 were significantly inhibited by all the beverages investigated at a concentration of 10%. The beverage constituents were tested in concentration ranges considered to be physiologically relevant. The grapefruit constituent, quercetin, completely inhibited SULT1A1, while quercetin and naringin both partially inhibited SULT1A3. The orange constituents, tangeretin and nobiletin, also completely inhibited SULT1A1. The tea constituents, (−)‐epicatechin gallate and (−)‐epigallocatechin gallate, both almost completely inhibited SULT1A1 and SULT1A3. Moreover, the theaflavin and thearubigin fractions of black tea both completely inhibited SULT1A1 and strongly inhibited SULT1A3. The inhibitory action of green tea on SULT1A3 was competitive, while that of black tea and oolong tea was mixed competitive/non‐competitive. Mechanism‐based inhibition was not observed with any beverage.

In conclusion, various beverages, especially teas, inhibit the function of SULT1A3, and therefore may have the potential to increase the bioavailability of orally administered substrates of SULT1A3, such as β2agonists. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection and localization of an estrogen receptor beta splice variant protein (ERβ2) in the adult female rat forebrain and midbrain regions
Authors: Chung Wilson C.J. , Pak Toni R. , Suzuki Shotaro , Pouliot Wendy A. , Andersen Melvin E. , Handa Robert J.
Published: September 2007

Estrogens regulate neural processes such as neuronal development, reproductive behavior, and hormone secretion, and signal through estrogen receptor (ER) α and ERβ (here called ERβ1). Recent studies have found variations in ERα and ERβ1 mRNA splicing in rodents and humans. Functional reporter gene assays suggest that these splicing variations alter ER‐mediated transcriptional regulation. Estrogen receptor beta 2 (ERβ2), an ERβ1 splice variant containing an 18 amino acid (AA) insert in the ligand binding domain, binds estradiol with ≈10‐fold lower affinity than ERβ1, suggesting that it may serve as a low‐affinity ER. Moreover, ERβ2 reportedly acts in a dominant‐negative fashion when heterodimerized with ERβ1 or ERα. To explore the function of ERβ2 in brain, an antiserum (TwoβER.1) targeting the 18 AA insert was developed and characterized. Western blot analysis and transient expression of ERβ2 in cell lines demonstrated that TwoβER.1 recognizes ERβ2. In the adult female rat brain, ERβ2 immunoreactivity is localized in the cell nucleus and is expressed with a distribution similar to that of ERβ1 mRNA. ERβ2 immunoreactive cell numbers were high in, for example, piriform cortex, paraventricular nucleus, supraoptic nucleus, arcuate nucleus, and hippocampal CA regions, whereas it was low in the dentate gyrus. Moreover, ERβ2 is coexpressed in gonadotropin‐releasing hormone and oxytocin neurons. These studies demonstrate ERβ splice variant proteins in brain and support the hypothesis that ER signaling diversity depends not only on ligand or coregulatory proteins, but also on regional and phenotypic selectivity of ER splice variant proteins. J. Comp. Neurol. 505:249–267, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Health risks and benefits of trans fatty acids including conjugated fatty acids in food – Synopsis of the AFSSA report and recommendations
Authors: Léger Claude‐Louis , Razanamahefa Landy , Margaritis Irène
Published: September 2007

An AFSSA's working group was created in 2004 to review the current knowledge on health risks and benefits of trans fatty acids (TFA) in food aiming to provide technical and scientific support to food recommendations and regulation. The AFSSA report on TFA was published on April 2005 and is available on AFSSA website. Based on several considerations AFSSA has proposed the chemical, non restricted definition of TFA – i.e. including together TFA naturally present in food and those chemically produced (the mixtures of trans conjugated isomers of linoleic acid, designed as CLA) or resulting from a manufacturing process – as the ”︁regulatory”︁ definition of TFA. From consumption data, including those newly collected in France, and studies concerned with cardiovascular diseases, overweight/obesity, metabolic syndrom and metabolism, AFSSA has recommended that the value of 2% of total energy intake be considered as TFA consumption level that should not be exceeded. To do so, it has been proposed several recommendations and measures to consumers (and domestic oil companies, see the AFSSA report). Since the consumption of CLA of natural origin was found to be very low in France (≥10% of TFA, with rumenic acid accounting for more than 90%), no particular measure has been required regarding naturally occurring CLA in food. In contrast, consuming the chemically‐produced CLA mixtures led to high‐dose intakes of both rumenic acid and 10t,12c CLA. Current data did not provide clear evidence for a beneficial effect of rumenic acid, whereas adverse effects of 10t,12c CLA were suspected. Accordingly, introduction of CLA mixtures in foods – regardless of the proportion of each isomer – has been considered not to be justified in the form of supplements/food ingredients in the state of knowledge. A strong recommendation has been expressed in favor of TFA labeling, whereas a separate labeling of CLA has not been required.
Trans fatty acids and cancers: AFSSA recommendations
Authors: Gerber Mariette , Razanamahefa Landy , Bougnoux Philippe
Published: September 2007

The results of epidemiological studies were too few and inconsistent to enable a conclusion to be drawn as to whether dietary trans fatty acids (TFA) including conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) were beneficial or detrimental to the various sites of cancer studied. The effect of CLA isomers has only been studied in animal models, and mainly on mammary tumours. CLA – particularly the 9c,11t CLA – exerted an inhibitory effect on the initiation and development of these tumours, whereas a similar effect has not been observed in humans, whose intake level is much lower than the threshold required for an antitumour effect to be detectable in rodents. The aforementioned effect has been obtained in animal models at prolonged and high intakes, from 0.5 to 2% of the total energy intake, which corresponds approximately to 5–10 g/day in humans. The underlying mechanisms have not been identified and are probably indirect and multiple.
Quantitative morphodynamic typology of rivers: a methodological study based on the French Upper Rhine basin
Authors: Schmitt Laurent , Maire Gérard , Nobelis Photis , Humbert Joël
Published: September 2007

This study sought to establish a quantitative functional hydrogeomorphological typology of river reference types in the French Upper Rhine basin that would meet the requirements of the European Water Framework Directive, defined in terms of hydromorphological quality and prospects for river restoration. Four ecoregions (i.e. hydrogeomorphic units) were delineated by expert opinion and validated by independent variables (i.e. 1·5‐year peak discharge, comparison of 10‐year daily flow and low flow, valley bottom morphology and specific stream power). A data set of 31 quantitative and qualitative variables for 187 field sites was established and analysed. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) of the quantitative variables and principal component analysis (PCA) provided hierarchy and grouping of variables. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) confirmed these results, discriminating sites into seven groups, but did not lead to a functional typology due to important overlapping between groups and variability within groups. A definitive quantitative typology was obtained through AHC and discriminant analysis with cross‐validation computed separately in each ecoregion. Results for two ecoregions, ‘marly calcareous loess‐covered hills’ and ‘crystalline Vosges mountains’, are given as examples. Finally, the classification of the sites is extended to the whole river network by river sectorization, each homogeneous river section being classified to one category on the basis of the preceding classification of sites. Methodological implications regarding river classification are also given. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Body mass index, waist circumference, waist–hip ratio and depressive symptoms in Chinese elderly: a population‐based study
Authors: Ho Roger C. M. , Niti Matthew , Kua Ee Heok , Ng Tze‐Pin
Published: September 2007

Background

Studies that investigated the relationship between obesity and depressive symptoms in the elderly have generated conflicting findings, partly because of the use of body mass index (BMI) alone to measure obesity in the elderly. The use of BMI fails to account for varying proportions of muscle, fat and bone, and few studies have used other measures of central obesity, such as waist–hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC).

Objectives

We examined whether individually BMI, WHR and WC were consistently associated with depressive symptoms in the elderly.

Methods

Analysis of cross‐sectional data of 2604 community dwelling Chinese elderly aged 55 and above, including socio‐emotional characteristics, self‐rated health and functional status, anthropometric measurements and Geriatric Depression Scale (15 items, GDS‐15).

Results

There was a negative trend in the prevalence of depressive symptoms (GDS ≥5) across increasing BMI categories: 16.9% in low BMI, 14.2% in normal weight, 12.1% in moderate to high BMI. The associations for moderate to high BMI (OR, 0.77; p = 0.04) relative to normal BMI, were statistically significant after controlling for confounding variables. However, no consistent trends in the prevalence of depressive symptoms and OR's were observed for increasing WHR and WC categories.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that waist–hip and circumference measures of central obesity did not support an inverse relationship of obesity and depressive symptoms. An inverse relationship of BMI with depressive symptoms may indicate greater physiologic and functional reserve from greater muscle mass that protects against depressive symptoms. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subjective cognitive complaints, neuropsychological performance, affective and behavioural symptoms in non‐demented patients
Authors: Gallassi Roberto , Bisulli Antonietta , Oppi Federico , Poda Roberto , Di Felice Carla
Published: September 2007

Objective

Subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) have been previously investigated to establish whether they are risk factors for dementia, but no clear‐cut conclusions have emerged. In this study non‐demented patients with SCC were studied and the neuropsychological findings, affective and behavioural aspects and parameters with the highest correct classifications in discriminating patients who had only SCC but no objective clinical and neuropsychological impairment, i.e. no cognitive impairment (NCI) patients and those with objective neuropsychological deficits, namely patients with mild cognitive (MCI) were analyzed.

Methods

Consecutive non‐demented outpatients with SCC were enrolled of over 9 months and examined using neuropsychological tests and scales for depression, anxiety and behaviour. Clinical criteria and neuropsychological test results were used to classify patients into groups of NCI, MCI and subtypes of MCI.

Results

Ninety‐two patients with SCC were included; 49 of them had objective deficits (MCI patients), whereas 43 were without any clinical and cognitive impairment (NCI patients). These patients had lower age, higher education and better general cognitive indices than MCI patients who had higher caregiver distress, depression and irritability. The combination of a battery for mental deterioration and for behavioural memory assessment were the most discriminative in differentiating the two groups.

Conclusions

An objective cognitive impairment, reaching the criteria for a MCI diagnosis, was present in almost half of patients having SCC. MCI patients have more behavioural disturbances than NCI subjects. SCC should not be underestimated and appropriate neuropsychological assessment is required to reassure subjects with normal results and to identify patients with MCI. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating adjusted NNT measures in logistic regression analysis
Authors: Bender Ralf , Kuss Oliver , Hildebrandt Mandy , Gehrmann Ulrich
Published: September 2007

The number needed to treat (NNT) is a popular measure to describe the absolute effect of a new treatment compared with a standard treatment or placebo in clinical trials with binary outcome. For use of NNT measures in epidemiology to compare exposed and unexposed subjects, the terms ‘number needed to be exposed’ (NNE) and ‘exposure impact number’ (EIN) have been proposed. Additionally, in the framework of logistic regression a method was derived to perform point and interval estimation of NNT measures with adjustment for confounding by using the adjusted odds ratio (OR approach). In this paper, a new method is proposed which is based upon the average risk difference over the observed confounder values (ARD approach). A decision has to be made, whether the effect of allocating an exposure to unexposed persons or the effect of removing an exposure from exposed persons should be described. We use the term NNE for the first and the term EIN for the second situation. NNE is the average number of unexposed persons needed to be exposed to observe one extra case; EIN is the average number of exposed persons among one case can be attributed to the exposure. By means of simulations it is shown that the ARD approach is better than the OR approach in terms of bias and coverage probability, especially if the confounder distribution is wide. The proposed method is illustrated by application to data of a cohort study investigating the effect of smoking on coronary heart disease. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The history of transient analysis and the recent trend
Authors: Ametani Akihiro
Published: September 2007

The paper has summarized the history of a transient analysis including the impedance necessary for the analysis, and various problems associated with transient simulations are pointed out.

Existing simulation tools based on a circuit theory still require refinement to improve the accuracy and the reliability at the same time. The tools inherently necessitate circuit parameters which involve a number of problems due to the assumption and the limit when the parameters were derived. A numerical electromagnetic analysis method looks quite promising as a transient simulation tool, because it is able to solve any transients which can not be dealt with by a circuit‐theory based tool. One of the main features of the method is that it does not require circuit parameters for those are automatically calculated as a part of a transient simulation. Copyright © 2007 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Analysis of energy consumption for multiple object identification system with active RFID tags
Authors: Su Xu , Xiao Yang
Published: September 2007

Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems are very effective for identifying objects. Existing published works focus on designing efficient collision resolution protocols for the tag identification problem in RFID systems with passive RFID tags. However, advances in low‐cost and low‐power sensing technologies will make active RFID tags more popular and affordable in the near future. In multiple object identification systems with active tags, the tags are designed for extremely low‐cost large‐scale applications such that battery replacement is not feasible. This imposes a critical energy‐constraint on the communication protocols used in these systems. In this paper, we analyze energy consumption and identification times for several protocols. The objective is to decrease energy consumption of tags by reducing both the total identification time and the total active time. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sunflower performance — Agronomic aspects
Authors: Jarvi Alvin J.
Published: September 2007

Sunflower performance is influenced by the cultivar, the environment, and the interaction of cultivar and environment. The environment is only partially controlled by the farmer and involves the interaction of many factors which vary greatly from day to day and from season to season. Good agronomic practices, which at least in part modify the environment, lead to the establishment of optimum use of the growing season. Plant population used in the major production areas range from 35,000 per hectare to 60,000 per hectare with planting depth ranging from 3 cm to 10 cm depending on soil moisture. Nitrogen is the most common limiting soil nutrient and generally as yields increase in response to nitrogen fertilizer there is a corresponding decrease in oil contents. Adequate weed control is very important during the first three weeks after emergence and is accomplished mechanically and/or chemically. Sunflower is frost‐tolerant during both the seedling stage and the post‐flowering period, and most susceptible during the period of rapid growth and flowering. Sunflower is not a highly drought‐resistant crop, but is effective in utilizing soil moisture to depth of over 2 m.
Insect problems of sunflowers
Authors: Arthur A. P.
Published: September 2007

Many insect pests belonging to several different groups attack cultivated sunflowers in North America. Sunflowers are native to this continent and weeds belonging to the same or closely related species are abundant throughout areas where cultivated sunflowers are grown. Thus, most sunflower insects are native and have been multiplying rapidly during the recent expansion in sunflower production. Discussion of the insect pests of sunflowers is facilitated by grouping them according to the part of the sunflower plant attacked, e.g., (a) leaf feeders, (b) stem and root feeders, and (c) head feeders. Leaf feeders are usually the easiest group to control. They are exposed to view, they and their damage are easily evaluated, and effective insecticidal controls can be applied when necessary. The stem and root feeders such as the carrot beetle in the South and cutworms in the North can cause severe damage before control measures are applied. However, many other species of stem feeders can be present in large numbers without causing economic damage. Head feeders include the sunflower moth, the banded sunflower moths, the sunflower seed maggot, the seed midge, and the seed weevil. These pests are potentially very damaging and, once they have entered the head, are difficult to control with insecticides. Traps baited with a synthetic pheromone are now available to monitor the abundance of sunflower moths. Further research on early warning systems to detect the abundance and distribution of other pests in this group is especially important. These will enable growers to apply controls before the pests are protected within the heads and will reduce the application of insecticides when they are not required.