bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Piaroa Sorcery and the Navigation of Negative Affect: To Be Aware, To Turn Away
Authors: Rodd Robin
Published: September 2007

An overemphasis on the interpretation of language has impeded understanding of the cultural and cognitive logic of sorcery's focal acts: divination and sorcery battle. Among the Piaroa of southern Venezuela, divination and sorcery battle are conducted during hallucinogen‐induced visions, and are predicated on an epistemology that privileges forms of knowing that are neither linguistic nor language‐like. I suggest that Piaroa sorcerers use hallucinogen‐induced visions to map the social ecology of emotions in ways partially explainable by cognitive science, and that mature contemplation may provide the anthropologist with a means of understanding relationships between nonlinguistic thought and culture. I interweave an account of my participation in a sorcery battle with neuropsychological interpretations of cognition and emotion to present a navigation of a negative affect theory of sorcery. The navigation of negative affect theory complements sociological and psychoanalytic approaches while emphasizing the cognitive skills and visionary experiences that underpin the practice of sorcery by shamans.
Reviews
Authors: Rich Grant Jewell
Published: September 2007

The Anthropology of Religious Conversion. Andrew Buckser and Stephen D. Glazier eds. New York: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2003. 236 pp. ISBN: 0742517780. $34.95 (paper); ISBN: 0742517772 $78.00 (hardback).
Reviews
Authors: Glazier Stephen D.
Published: September 2007

Books Received January 2003 to September 2005.
Effect of acute hyperinsulinaemia with and without angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade on resistin and adiponectin concentrations and expressions in healthy subjects
Authors: Krušinová E , Klementová M , Kopecký J , Wohl P , Kazdová L , Mlejnek P , Pravenec M , Hill M , Pelikánová T
Published: September 2007

Objective: The potential insulin-sensitizing function of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade (ARB) with regard to selected adipokines is not fully explained so far. Our study aimed to explore the influence of acute hyperinsulinaemia and acutely induced ARB on resistin and adiponectin concentrations and expressions in healthy subjects.

Design and methods: Plasma adipokines were measured: 1) at 0, 30 and 240 min of hyperinsulinaemic (1 mU/kg per min) euglycaemic (5 mmol/l) clamp (HEC), and 2) during HEC after acute ARB (losartan 200 mg; AT-HEC) using the same protocol, in eight healthy subjects. Needle biopsy of abdominal s.c. fat was performed at 0, 30 and 240 min of both clamps to assess the adipokines’ expressions.

Results: Comparing the glucose disposals of HEC and AT-HEC, no difference in insulin sensitivity was found. Plasma resistin increased equally during HEC and AT-HEC (P < 0.05). The expression of resistin in s.c. fat increased during HEC (P < 0.05), while no significant changes in expression were observed during AT-HEC. Plasma levels of adiponectin did not change during both clamps. Adiponectin expression increased during HEC (P < 0.05), while it did not change during AT-HEC.

Conclusions: In healthy subjects, acute hyperinsulinaemia is associated with an increase in plasma resistin independently of ARB, while plasma adiponectin is not influenced by insulin or ARB. The expressions of both resistin and adiponectin in s.c. adipose tissue are stimulated by acute hyperinsulinaemia, whereas losartan attenuates their insulin-stimulated expressions. This suggests a potential effect of losartanon adipokines’ expression.
Association of acylated ghrelin profiles with chronic inflammatory markers in overweight and obese postmenopausal women: a MONET study
Authors: St-Pierre David H , Bastard Jean-Philippe , Coderre Lise , Brochu Martin , Karelis Antony D , Lavoie Marie-Éve , Malita Florin , Fontaine Jonathan , Mignault Diane , Cianflone Katherine , Imbeault Pascal , Doucet Éric , Rabasa-Lhoret Rémi
Published: September 2007

Objective: Recent reports have suggested that the existence of associations between hormonal dysregulation and chronic upregulation of inflammatory markers, which may cause obesity-related disturbances. Thus, we examined whether acylated ghrelin (AcylG) and total ghrelin (TotG) levels could be associated with the following inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and soluble TNF receptor 1 (sTNF-R1).

Design: Cross-sectional study consisting of 50 overweight and obese postmenopausal women.

Methods: AcylG and TotG levels were assessed at 0, 60, 160, 170, and 180 min of the euglycemic/hyperinsulinemic clamp (EHC). We evaluated insulin sensitivity, body composition, and blood lipid profiles as well as fasting concentrations of CRP, TNF-α, and sTNF-R1.

Results: In fasting conditions, sTNF-R1 was negatively correlated with AcylG (r = −0.48, P < 0.001) levels. In addition, AcylG/TotG was associated negatively with sTNF-R1 (r = −0.44, P = 0.002) and positively with TNF-α (r = 0.38, P = 0.009) values. During the EHC, TotG (at all time points) and AcylG (at 60 and 160 min) values were significantly decreased from fasting concentrations. AcylG maximal reduction and area under the curve (AUC) values were correlated to sTNF-R1 (r = −0.35, P = 0.02 and r = −0.34, P = 0.02, respectively). Meanwhile, the AcylG/TotG AUC ratio was associated negatively with sTNF-R1 (r = −0.29, P < 0.05) and positively with TNF-α (r = 0.36, P = 0.02). Following adjustments for total adiposity, sTNF-R1 remained correlated with fasting and maximal reduction AcylG values. Similarly, AcylG/TotG ratios remained significantly correlated with sTNF-R1 and TNF-α. Importantly, 23% of the variation in sTNF-R1 was independently predicted by fasting AcylG.

Conclusion: These results are the first to suggest that both fasting and EHC-induced AcylG profiles are correlated with fasting values of sTNF-R1, a component of the TNF-α system. Thus, AcylG may act, at least in part, as one mediator of chronic inflammatory activity in human obesity.
Visceral adipose tissue zinc finger protein 36 mRNA levels are correlated with insulin, insulin resistance index, and adiponectinemia in women
Authors: Bouchard Luigi , Vohl Marie-Claude , Deshaies Yves , Rhéaume Caroline , Daris Marleen , Tchernof André
Published: September 2007

Introduction: Adipose tissue is now recognized as an endocrine organ and secretes numerous molecules and proteins potentially involved in the physiopathology of the metabolic syndrome. Recently, we have determined the transcriptome of omental adipose tissue, leading to the identification of a new candidate gene for obesity-related metabolic complications, zinc finger protein 36 (ZFP36), which is known to down-regulate tumor necrosis factor-α TNF-α) expression.

Objective: The objective of this study was to further examine the relationship between ZFP36 gene expression levels, obesity-related phenotypes, and adipokines.

Methods: Abdominal subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue samples were obtained from 46 women undergoing elective gynecological surgery. Adipose tissue ZFP36 mRNA abundance was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. Body fat accumulation and distribution were measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography. Fasting blood levels of glucose, insulin, and lipids, and circulating TNF-α, interleukin-6 (IL-6), resistin, and adiponectin were also measured.

Results: No correlation was observed between s.c. ZFP36 mRNA levels and any of the phenotypes tested. However, although omental ZFP36 mRNA levels were not correlated with measures of body fatness and lipid profile, they were negatively correlated with fasting insulin levels (R = −0.31; P = 0.05), the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR; R = −0.31; P = 0.05), and 2-h post-glucose insulinemia (R = −0.32; P = 0.05). Omental ZFP36 mRNA abundance was also positively correlated with adiponectinemia (R = 0.35; P = 0.03) but not with circulating TNF-α, IL-6, and resistin concentrations.

Conclusion: These results suggest that ZFP36 gene expression in omental adipose tissue, but not in abdominal s.c. fat, may offer partial protection against the development of insulin resistance and diabetes.
Effect of exercise training on plasma visfatin and eotaxin levels
Authors: Choi K M , Kim J H , Cho G J , Baik S H , Park H S , Kim S M
Published: September 2007

Objective: Visfatin, a novel adipokine, was revealed to be associated with obesity and to have insulin-mimetic effect. Eotaxin, which is an important chemokine in asthma, was recently reported to be associated with obesity in mice and humans. We evaluated the effect of exercise training on plasma visfatin and eotaxin levels in association with cardiovascular risk factors.

Design: Forty-eight non-diabetic Korean women were evaluated before and after a 12 week exercise program including aerobic exercise (45 min/session, 300 Kcal/day) and muscle strength training (20 min/session, 100 Kcal/day) five times per week.

Results: Plasma visfatin concentrations were elevated in obese subjects (body mass index, BMI≥25 kg/m2) when compared with non-obese subjects (16.4 ± 13.4 ng/ml vs 7.7 ± 5.2 ng/ml, P = 0.006), and eotaxin concentrations were elevated in subjects with central obesity (waist circumference, WC≥80 cm) when compared with those without central obesity (73.6 ± 17.8 pg/ml vs 64.2 ± 4.2 pg/ml, P = 0.005). In multiple regression analyses, visfatin levels were associated with BMI (R2 = 0.255) and eotaxin levels were associated with WC and body weight (R2 = 0.307). After the exercise program, body weight, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and insulin resistance of participants were decreased. Furthermore, plasma visfatin levels were significantly decreased from 13.6 ± 12.0 to 7.7 ± 7.9 ng/ml (P = 0.026) and eotaxin levels were reduced from 72.0 ± 16.7 to 66.9 ± 14.2 pg/ml (P = 0.018).

Conclusions: Exercise training with weight loss induced a significant reduction of plasma visfatin and eotaxin levels in non-diabetic Korean women.
Interstitial IGF-I in exercising skeletal muscle in women
Authors: Berg U , Gustafsson T , Sundberg C J , Kaijser L , Carlsson-Skwirut C , Bang P
Published: September 2007

Objective: To study interstitial IGF-I concentrations in resting and exercising skeletal muscle in relation to the circulating components of the IGF–IGF binding protein (IGFBP) system.

Design and methods: Seven women performed endurance exercise with 1 leg (Ex-leg) for 1 h. The resting leg (Rest-leg) served as a control. IGF-I was determined in microdialysate (MD) and was compared with veno-arterial (v-a) concentrations of circulating IGF–IGFBP components.

Results: Median (range) basal MD-IGF-I was 0.87 (0.4–1.5) μg/l or 0.4 (0.2)% of total-IGF-I (t-IGF-I) determined in arterial serum and in the same concentration range as free dissociable IGF-I (f-IGF-I). Rest-leg MD-IGF-I decreased, reaching significance after exercise. Ex-leg MD-IGF-I was unchanged during exercise and declined after exercise at the level of significance (P = 0.05). There was a release of f-IGF-I from the Ex-leg into the circulation at the end of and shortly after exercise. A small but significant increase in circulating IGFBP-1 was detected at the end of exercise and IGFBP-1 increased further after exercise. Although interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been associated with IGFBP-3 proteolysis, the circulating molecular forms of IGFBP-3 remained unchanged in spite of an IL-6 release from the muscle compartment.

Conclusions: Circulating IGFBP-1 is related to interstitial IGF-I in resting muscle although the temporal relationship may not be simple. Further studies should explore the role of local release of IGF-I and its impact on IGF-I activity during contraction.
The activation of somatostatinergic receptors by either somatostatin-14 or cortistatin-17 often inhibits ACTH hypersecretion in patients with Cushing’s disease
Authors: Giordano R , Picu A , Bonelli L , Broglio F , Prodam F , Grottoli S , Muccioli G , Ghigo E , Arvat E
Published: September 2007

Object: Somatostatin (SS) is known to inhibit GH and insulin, while its effect on corticotrope secretion is controversial: inhibition of ACTH secretion by agonists activating somatostatinergic receptors (sst)-2 and sst-5 was reported in vitro. Cortistatin (CST) not only binds all sst receptor subtypes but also possesses central actions that are not shared by SS.

Design: In nine patients with Cushing’s disease (CD), ACTH, cortisol, GH, insulin, and glucose levels were studied during 120-min i.v. infusion of SS-14 (2.0 μg/kg per h), CST-17 (2.0 μg/kg per h) or saline.

Results: Both SS or CST significantly affected the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. Cortisol was decreased to the same extent by either SS or CST (P < 0.05). Both SS and CST decreased ACTH, although statistical difference was reached only during CST (P < 0.05). Analyzing the individual responses as Δareas under curve (ΔAUCs), a clear and consensual inhibition of ACTH and cortisol under either SS or CST was recorded in five out of nine patients. Both SS or CST inhibited (P < 0.05) insulin, that even showed a rebound (P < 0.01) at the end of infusion. GH was not modified by either peptide.

Conclusion: SS and CST often display similar inhibitory effects on the HPA axis in CD. The activation of sst receptors by both peptides is followed in almost 50% of patients by a remarkable inhibition of ACTH and cortisol hypersecretion. These findings reinforce the view that sst receptors are involved in the control of the secretory activity of tumoral corticotropic cells.
Fine needle cytology of complex thyroid nodules
Authors: Cappelli C , Pirola I , Castellano M , Gandossi E , De Martino E , Delbarba A , Agosti B , Tironi A , Rosei E Agabiti
Published: September 2007

Objective: To evaluate whether a preliminary aspiration (ASP) of the cystic component and/or using spinal needles in complex thyroid nodules (CTN) could improve the adequacy of cytological sampling.

Methods: Between January 2004 and December 2006, 386 consecutive patients with CTN were enrolled in this prospective investigation. Ultrasound (US) fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the solid component of the nodule (one nodule per patient) was performed using two different 25 gauge needles, with (Yale Spinal, YS) or without (Neolus, NS) a stylet, in alternate sequence on consecutive patients. In addition, a subgroup of patients presenting larger cystic component (∼50%) was submitted to total aspiration of the cystic component (ASP+) or not submitted (ASP−) before US-FNAC, in alternate sequence within each needle type group. All the samplings were performed by a single endocrinologist.

Results: Adequate specimens were observed in 163 (84.5%) and 183 (94.8%) nodules investigated by NS and YS respectively. Sampling with the stylet needle was associated with an overall significant reduction of non-diagnostic specimens (15.5% vs 5.2% by NS and YS respectively, P < 0.001). The favourable result obtained with YS was independent from preliminary aspiration of the cystic component (ASP+: 14.8% vs 5.7% by NS and YS; ASP−: 16.2% vs 4.8%, not significant). A logistic regression analysis, taking into account nodule size and presence of intranodal vascularity at eco-colour evaluation of the solid component, confirmed that needle type was the only significant predictor of successful sampling (odds ratio 3.6 (95% confidence interval 1.7–7.6), P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Our data show that adopting stylet needles to perform FNAC in CTN may significantly improve the percentage of adequate sampling. On the other hand, preliminary aspiration of CTN with large cystic component does not add any advantage.
Interleukin-18 in plasma and adipose tissue: effects of obesity, insulin resistance, and weight loss
Authors: Bruun Jens M , Stallknecht Bente , Helge Jørn W , Richelsen Bjørn
Published: September 2007

Objective: Interleukin (IL)-18 is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease. The present study compared 1) IL-18 in adipocytes versus stromal vascular (SV) cells, 2) IL-18 in plasma and adipose tissue (AT) in obese versus lean subjects, and 3) IL-18 in plasma, AT, and skeletal muscle (SM) in obese subjects after weight loss.

Subjects and methods: At baseline, plasma and AT IL-18 in 23 obese subjects were compared with that in 12 lean subjects. The obese subjects were submitted to a 15-week life-style intervention (hypocaloric diet and daily exercise) after which plasma samples, AT, and SM biopsies were obtained. Analyses were performed by ELISA and RT-PCR respectively.

Results: IL-18 expression in isolated adipocytes was ~2% of that in SV cells. Plasma IL-18 was higher in obese subjects (P < 0.001) and associated with insulin resistance (HOMA; P < 0.001). AT expression of IL-18, CD14, and CD68 was higher in obese (P < 0.01). The intervention reduced body weight (P < 0.001), plasma IL-18 (P < 0.001), and increased insulin sensitivity (HOMA; P < 0.05). AT and SM expression of IL-18 remained unchanged after the intervention. Changes in plasma IL-18 were associated with changes in insulin sensitivity (P < 0.05) but not with BMI or AT expression of IL-18.

Conclusion: Plasma IL-18 is associated with changes in insulin resistance and reduced after weight loss. AT expression of IL-18 is increased in obesity but not affected by weight loss, indicating that changes in plasma IL-18 are related to insulin resistance rather than changes in obesity per se.
Clinical and biological phenotype of a patient with familial glucocorticoid deficiency type 2 caused by a mutation of melanocortin 2 receptor accessory protein
Authors: Rumié H , Metherell L A , Clark A J L , Beauloye V , Maes M
Published: September 2007

Familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD) is a rare inherited disorder which may be caused by mutations in the ACTH receptor (melanocortin 2 receptor, MC2R) named FGD type 1 or by mutations in the MC2R accessory protein (MRAP) named FGD type 2. We report the case history of a male patient from birth until adulthood with FGD type 2, confirmed by a mutation of the MRAP gene.
Evaluation of maternal thyroid function during pregnancy: the importance of using gestational age-specific reference intervals
Authors: Stricker Rt , Echenard M , Eberhart R , Chevailler M-C , Perez V , Quinn F A , Stricker Rn
Published: September 2007

Background: Maternal thyroid dysfunction has been associated with a variety of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Laboratory measurement of thyroid function plays an important role in the assessment of maternal thyroid health. However, occult thyroid disease and physiologic changes associated with pregnancy can complicate interpretation of maternal thyroid function tests (TFTs).

Objective and methods: To 1) establish the prevalence of laboratory evidence for autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) in pregnant women; 2) establish gestational age-specific reference intervals for TFTs in women without AITD; and 3) examine the influence of reference intervals on the interpretation of TFT in pregnant women. Serum samples were collected from 2272 pregnant women, and TFT performed. Gestational age-specific reference intervals were determined in women without AITD, and then compared with the non-pregnant assay-specific reference intervals for interpretation of testing results.

Results: Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) and thyroglobulin antibodies (Tg-Ab) were positive in 10.4 and 15.7% of women respectively. TPO-Ab level was related to maternal age, but TPO-Ab status, Tg-Ab status, and Tg-Ab level were not. Women with TSH > 3.0 mIU/l were significantly more likely to be TPO-Ab positive. Gestational age-specific reference intervals for TFT were significantly different from non-pregnant normal reference intervals. Interpretation of TFT in pregnant women using non-pregnant reference intervals could potentially result in misclassification of a significant percentage of results (range: 5.6–18.3%).

Conclusion: Laboratory evidence for thyroid dysfunction was common in this population of pregnant women. Accurate classification of TFT in pregnant women requires the use of gestational age-specific reference intervals.
The comparison of serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels between patients with metastatic and non-metastatic thyroid cancer, and patients with nontoxic multinodular goiter
Authors: Klubo-Gwiezdzinska Joanna , Junik Roman , Kopczynska Ewa , Juraniec Olga , Kardymowicz Hanna
Published: September 2007

Background: One of the important proangiogenic factors involved in the growth of normal and neoplastic tissues is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Aim: We hypothesized that serum VEGF concentration would differ between patients with metastatic and non-metastatic thyroid cancer, multinodular goiter, and healthy subjects. We also hypothesized that endogenous TSH stimulation would affect serum VEGF level.

Subjects and methods: The study group consisted of 71 patients (62 females and 9 males), aged 44.9 ± 12.3 years, with differentiated thyroid cancer (50 papillary, 17 follicular, and 4 oxyphilic), treated in our department during the years 2003–2006. All patients had undergone total or near-total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine treatment, that had resulted in remission in 59 patients and persistent/recurrent disease in 12 patients. The study included two control groups: 30 patients with nontoxic multinodular goiter and 30 healthy subjects.

Results: Serum VEGF concentrations were significantly higher in patients with distant metastases than those in remission or healthy patients. (423.4 vs 217.6 vs 235.55 pg/ml respectively, P < 0.05). This was not observed in patients with locoregional metastases. During endogenous TSH stimulation, VEGF decreased significantly (215.3 vs 169.6 pg/ml, P < 0.05). Patients with multinodular goiter showed significantly lower VEGF concentrations than the remaining study groups.

Conclusions: Serum VEGF concentration might be used as an additional marker of thyroid cancer with distant metastases, but its interpretation should be undertaken very cautiously. Endogenous TSH stimulation decreases VEGF levels in patients either with or without thyroid tissue, suggesting that its regulatory effects are through receptors located outside the thyrocytes.
Thyroid hormone is a critical determinant of myocardial performance in patients with heart failure: potential therapeutic implications
Authors: Pantos Constantinos , Dritsas Athanasios , Mourouzis Iordanis , Dimopoulos Antonios , Karatasakis Georgios , Athanassopoulos Georgios , Mavrogeni Sofia , Manginas Athanasios , Cokkinos Dennis V
Published: September 2007

Objective: Previous experimental studies have provided evidence showing that changes in thyroid hormone signaling correspond to alterations in myocardial function in animal models of heart failure. The present study further explores whether thyroid hormone alterations are correlated with the functional status of the myocardium in patients with heart failure.

Methods: In this study, 37 patients with mean ejection fraction (EF%) of 26.2 (8.2) were included. Myocardial performance was assessed by echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Total tri-iodothyronine (T3), thyroxine, and TSH levels were measured in plasma.

Results: Total T3 was strongly correlated with VO2max (r = 0.78, P = 2 × 10−8). Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed that total T3 was an independent predictor of VO2max (P = 0.000 005). A weaker but significant correlation was also found between total T3 and EF% (r = 0.56, P = 0.0004), systolic (r = 0.43, P = 0.009) and diastolic (r = 0.46, P = 0.004) blood pressure.

Conclusions: changes in thyroid hormone were closely correlated to myocardial functional status in patients with heart failure. These data probably indicate a possible role of thyroid hormone in the pathophysiology of heart failure and confirm previous experimental reports.
The clinical, pathological, and genetic features of familial isolated pituitary adenomas
Authors: Beckers Albert , Daly Adrian F
Published: September 2007

Pituitary adenomas occur in a familial setting in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) and Carney’s complex (CNC), which occur due to mutations in the genes MEN1 and PRKAR1A respectively. Isolated familial somatotropinoma (IFS) is also a well-described clinical syndrome related only to patients with acrogigantism. Pituitary adenomas of all types – not limited to IFS – can occur in a familial setting in the absence of MEN1 and CNC; this phenotype is termed familial isolated pituitary adenomas (FIPA). Over the past 7 years, we have described over 90 FIPA kindreds. In FIPA, both homogeneous and heterogeneous pituitary adenoma phenotypes can occur within families; virtually all FIPA kindreds contain at least one prolactinoma or somatotropinoma. FIPA differs from MEN1 in terms of a lower proportion of prolactinomas and more frequent somatotropinomas in the FIPA cohort. Patients with FIPA are significantly younger at diagnosis and have significantly larger pituitary adenomas than matched sporadic pituitary adenoma counterparts. A minority of FIPA families overall (15%) exhibit mutations in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP) gene; AIP mutations are present in only half of IFS kindreds occurring as part of the FIPA cohort. In families with AIP mutations, pituitary adenomas have a penetrance of over 50%. AIP mutations are extremely rare in patients with sporadic pituitary adenomas. This review deals with pituitary adenomas that occur in a familial setting, describes in detail the clinical, pathological, and genetic features of FIPA, and addresses aspects of the clinical approach to FIPA families with and without AIP mutations.
AcroBel – the Belgian registry on acromegaly: a survey of the ‘real-life’ outcome in 418 acromegalic subjects
Authors: Bex Marie , Abs Roger , T’Sjoen Guy , Mockel Jean , Velkeniers Brigitte , Muermans Katja , Maiter Dominique
Published: September 2007

Objectives: To constitute a registry on acromegaly, AcroBel, to evaluate the epidemiology and quality of care of acromegaly in Belgium and Luxembourg.

Design: A nationwide survey from June 2003 till September 2004 aiming to collect data from all patients with acromegaly who had visited the participating endocrine clinics after 1 January 2000.

Methods: Retrospective data collection coupled to a visit within the survey period, allowing sampling of metabolic parameters and centralised determination of GH and IGF-I.

Results: Four hundred and eighteen patients (51% men) were included, of which 96 were new cases, giving a mean incidence of 1.9 cases per million (c.p.m.) per year. The global prevalence was 41 c.p.m. but varied between 21 and 61 among different areas. Twenty-eight deaths were reported at a median age of 68 years in men and 74 years in women. The standardised mortality rate was significantly increased only in irradiated patients (2.70; confidence interval 1.60–4.55). Central measurements were available in 316 (75%) patients. Mean GH was ≤ 2 μg/l in 65% and IGF-I was normal for age in 56%, while both criteria were fulfilled in 49%. Multimodal treatment was more effective than primary medical therapy, since 56.5% were controlled versus 24.3% (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions: AcroBel provides an excellent tool to analyse the prevalence, incidence, treatment modalities and outcome of acromegaly in Belgium. This real-life survey reveals that only half of acromegalic patients received an adequate therapy resulting in cure or disease control when stringent biochemical criteria are used.
The use of 18-fluoro-dihydroxyphenylalanine and 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scanning in the assessment of metaiodobenzylguanidine-negative phaeochromocytoma
Authors: Mackenzie I S , Gurnell M , Balan K K , Simpson H , Chatterjee K , Brown M J
Published: September 2007

123I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) scintigraphy scanning is commonly used in the imaging of phaeochromocytoma (and paraganglioma) to confirm the site of disease and whether any spread has occurred. However, 123I-MIBG imaging is negative in 15% of cases of benign phaeochromocytoma and around 50% of cases of malignant phaeochromocytoma. In recent years, positron emission tomography (PET) scanning using various different radiotracers has been shown to be a good alternative or supplementary investigation in phaeochromocytoma. We present the cases of four patients with symptoms and signs suggestive of phaeochromocytoma, but who had negative 123I-MIBG scans, and illustrate the usefulness of 18-fluoro-dihydroxyphenylalanine PET scanning in their assessment. In one of the patients, we illustrate how fluorodeoxyglucose PETscanning can provide useful information about the extent of malignant disease. These illustrative cases lend further support for the use of PET scanning in the assessment of phaeochromocytoma and suggest that it may have a particularly important role in the investigation of patients in whom 123I-MIBG scanning is negative.
Regional fat distribution in adolescents with anorexia nervosa: effect of duration of malnutrition and weight recovery
Authors: De Álvaro María Teresa García , Muñoz-Calvo María Teresa , Barrios Vicente , Martínez Guillermo , Martos-Moreno Gabriel Ángel , Hawkins Federico , Argente Jesús
Published: September 2007

Objective: This study addresses the influence of the duration of malnutrition and the effect of weight recovery on regional fat mass distribution in moderately malnourished adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN).

Study design: We measured total and regional fat mass and leptin levels in 42 restrictive AN female adolescents and 23 controls. AN patients, followed over 2 years, were divided into three groups: prolonged moderate malnutrition (PM; secondary amenorrhea for over 1 year, n = 14); SM, short period of moderate malnutrition (secondary amenorrhea for less than 1 year, n = 13); and R, recovered from AN (BMI, body mass index and menses recovered for over 6 months, n = 15).

Results: Total, trunk, and extremity fat mass were reduced in the PM and SM groups (P < 0.05), whereas only PM patients showed altered regional fat distribution with a low trunk to extremity fat ratio (P < 0.05). BMI increased after 12 months only in the SM group (P < 0.05), with menses resumption in 69% of these patients and BMI normalization at 24 months. Their regional fat distribution was similar to controls throughout the study. No difference in any parameter was found between the R group and the controls.

Conclusion: Prolonged malnutrition, but not weight recovery, is associated with an abnormal regional fat distribution pattern in moderately malnourished AN adolescents.
Reduced Admissions for Acute Myocardial Infarction Associated with a Public Smoking Ban: Matched Controlled Study
Authors: Seo Dong-Chul , Torabi Mohammad R.
Published: September 2007

There has been no research linking implementation of a public smoking ban and reduced incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) among nonsmoking patients. An ex post facto matched control group study was conducted to determine whether there was a change in hospital admissions for AMI among nonsmoking patients after a public smoking ban was implemented in Monroe County compared with Delaware County, Indiana without such a ban. Poisson analysis was conducted for 44 months of hospital admissions. A significant drop occurred in the number of admissions among nonsmoking patients in Monroe County after the ban whereas a non-significant decrease in the number of admissions occurred in Delaware County. The changes in the number of smoking-patient admissions before and after the ban were not significant.
Protective and Risk Influences of Drug Use among a Multiethnic Sample of Adolescent Boys
Authors: Galaif E. R. , Newcomb M. D. , Vega W. A. , Krell R. D.
Published: September 2007

A measurement model was analyzed to demonstrate a differential distribution and cumulative exposure to psychosocial risk and protective influences of adolescent drug use among ethnically-diverse adolescent samples. The sample included U.S.-born (US) Latino ( N = 837), foreign-born (FB) Latino ( N = 447), White ( N = 632), and African American ( N = 618) adolescent boys. Psychological Distress, Peer Drug Use, and Adolescent Drug Use were significantly positively correlated with Peer Drug Use and Adolescent Drug Use. In contrast, Family, School, law abidance, and guilt were significantly negatively correlated with Peer Drug Use and Adolescent Drug Use. Multiple group analyses indicated significant similarities and differences among US and FB Latinos, and Whites. Implications for early prevention, multi-level interventions, and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Improving the Sensitivity of Needs Assessment for Substance Abuse Prevention Planning: The Measurement of Differential Severity of Consequences for Individual Substance Types
Authors: Shamblen Stephen R. , Springer J. Fred
Published: September 2007

There is an absence of systematic, comparative research examining the negative consequences that are experienced as a result of using specific substances. Further, techniques typically used for needs assessment (i.e., prevalence proportions) do not take into account the probability of experiencing a negative consequence as a result of using specific substances. An approximated severity index is proposed that: a) takes into account the probability of experiencing negative consequences as a result of using specific substances; and b) is comparable across substances. Data from the NSDUH and the ADSS are used to demonstrate these techniques. The findings suggest that substances typically considered priorities based on prevalence proportions are not the same substances that have a high probability of causing negative consequences. The policy implications of these findings are discussed.
A Preliminary Evaluation of the Effects of a Science Education Curriculum on Changes in Knowledge of Drugs in Youth
Authors: Holtz Kristen D. , Twombly Eric C.
Published: September 2007

Drug and alcohol use among youth remains at pervasively high levels, but students are receiving less school-based prevention. Infusing health information into core curricula may be a valuable prevention approach. Therefore, behavior change theory was used to develop a science education curriculum on drugs for fourth- and fifth-grade students, which was then evaluated using a pretest/posttest quasi-experimental design. Exposure to the curriculum was associated with a change in knowledge; other characteristics like grade level also played a role. More positive attitudes toward science at pretest predicted greater knowledge change, and students who knew less at the start showed a greater change in knowledge. Results of this evaluation may support the efficacy of the curriculum and the utility of combining behavior change theory with educational approaches.
A Multi-City Community Based Smoking Research Intervention Project in the African-American Population
Authors: Darity William A. , Tuthill Robert W. , Winder Alvin E. , Cernada George P. , Chen Ted T. L. , Buchanan David R. , Stanek Edward , Pastides Harris
Published: September 2007

Objective:

To carry out a community-based research approach to determine the most effective educational interventions to reduce smoking among African-American smokers. The intervention included preparation of the community, planning and developing a model of change, and developing a community-based intervention. The study population consisted of 2,544 randomly selected adult African-American smokers residing in four sites in the northeastern and southeastern parts of the United States. The research design provided a comparison of active intervention sites with passive control sites as well as low income and moderate income areas.

Major Outcome Measures:

Point prevalence of non-smoking at the time of interview; Period prevalence of non-smoking at the time of interview; Period prevalence of quit attempts in the prior six months; Number of smoke-free days in the prior six months; Number of cigarettes smoked daily at the time of interview.

Results:

Based upon a survey eighteen months after baseline data was collected, all four measures of cigarette smoking behavior showed a strong statistically significant reduction of personal smoking behavior among those receiving active interventions versus the passive group. On the basis of process variable analysis, direct contact with the project staff in the prior six months was significantly higher in the active intervention areas. There was only a small non-significant increase in personal smoking behavior in moderate income groups as opposed to low income groups.

Conclusion:

An analysis of process variables strongly suggests that, within this African-American Community, “hands on” or “face to face” approaches along with mass media, mailings, and other less personal approaches were more effective in reducing personal smoking behavior than media, mailings, and other impersonal approaches alone addressed to large audiences.
Implementing the Florida Kidcare Open Enrollment Communications Campaign: A Framework for Mobilizing Community Partners to Reduce the Number of Uninsured Children
Authors: Ray Jodi , White Michelle , Cannon Patrick , Bowen Chelsea , O'Rourke Kathleen
Published: September 2007

Florida ranks third among states with the lowest children's insurance coverage, due to constraints such as language barriers, multiple programs, documentation requirements, limited outreach, and short enrollment periods. In November 2004, Florida announced a 30-day children's health insurance enrollment period for January 2005 following an 18-month closure. This article describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a communication plan creating coalitions between community partners, government agencies, and child advocacy groups to inform families. Over 96,000 families applied, almost five times any previous monthly enrollment. This campaign serves as a template for implementing strategies and engaging community partners to reduce the number of uninsured children.
Smoking Prevalence, Attitudes, and Perceived Smoking Prevention and Control Responsibilities and Behaviors among Physicians in Jordan
Authors: Merrill Ray M. , Madanat Hala , Layton James B. , Hanson Carl L. , Madsen Camille C.
Published: September 2007

This study identifies smoking prevalence among physicians in Jordan. It also assesses their attitudes, perceived smoking prevention, and control responsibilities and behaviors. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 251 physicians from public and private hospitals in Jordan. The response rate was 67%. The prevalence of smoking is 22.4% for male and 9.1% for female physicians. Among current or former smokers, 81.1% ( n = 73), 29.1% overall, had smoked in front of a patient. The physicians believed that physician counseling could more effectively prevent patients from smoking than influencing patients to quit smoking. Approximately 56.2% of physicians had ever counseled patients about smoking and 34.3% regularly counseled patients about smoking. Only 18.3% ( n = 46) had received training, either in medical school or thereafter, on counseling patients about smoking. Physicians with training on counseling patients about smoking cessation were significantly more likely to have counseled or to routinely counsel patients to help them quit or not start smoking. Training also lowered the percentage of smokers who smoked in front of patients.
Feeling sounds after a thalamic lesion
Authors: Ro Tony , Farnè Alessandro , Johnson Ruth M. , Wedeen Van , Chu Zili , Wang Zhiyue J. , Hunter Jill V. , Beauchamp Michael S.
Published: September 2007

Objective

The ventrolateral nucleus of the thalamus (VL), based on its connectivity with the cerebellum and motor cortex, has long been considered to be involved with motor functions. We show that the human VL also plays a prominent role in sensory processing.

Methods

Structural magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging were used to localize a small lesion restricted to the right VL in a patient with contralesional sensory processing deficits. Systematic assessments of anatomic brain organization and behavioral measurements of somatosensory and visual processing were conducted at several time points after stroke.

Results

Initially, the patient was more likely to detect events on the contralesional side when a simultaneous ipsilesional event was presented within the same, but not different, sensory modality. This perceptual phenomenon, which we refer to as unisensory antiextinction, persisted for several months before transforming into a form of synesthesia in which auditory stimuli produced tactile percepts. Tractography performed on the diffusion tensor imaging data showed altered connections from the lesioned thalamus to the cerebral cortex, suggesting a neural basis for these sensory changes.

Interpretation

These results demonstrate a role for the VL in sensory processing and suggest that reorganization of thalamocortical axonal connectivity can lead to major changes in perception. Ann Neurol 2007
Mononuclear diorganotin(IV) complexes with arylhydroxamates: syntheses, structures and assessment of in vitro cytotoxicity
Authors: Shang Xianmei , Wu Jizhou , Pombeiro Armando J.L. , Li Qingshan
Published: September 2007

Two series of diorganotin(IV) complexes with dihalogenobenzohydroxamate ligands (substituents = 2,4‐Cl2, 2,4‐F2, 3,4‐F2, 2,5‐F2, 2,6‐F2), formulated as [R2Sn(HL)2] (a), and the arylhydroxamato/arylcarboxylato mixed‐ligand complexes [R2Sn(HL)(L′)] (b), were prepared and characterized by FT‐IR, 1H, 13C and 119Sn NMR spectroscopies, elemental analyses and melting point measurements. X‐ray diffraction analysis was also carried out for the complex [Me2Sn{3,4‐F2C6H3C(O)NHO}2], 1a. These compounds exhibit in vitro cytotoxic activities towards human leukemic promyelocites HL‐60, BGC‐823, BEL‐7402 and KB cell lines which, in some cases, are identical to, or even higher than, that of cisplatin. The type, position and number of the X substituents in the phenyl ring play a role in the cytotoxic activity, and complex 8a, with its 2,6‐difluorobenzohydroxamato ligand, is highly active against all tumor cells. A tentative structure–activity relationship is also described. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nickel‐catalyzed coupling of CO2 and amines: improved synthesis of carbamates
Authors: Niu Dong Fang , Zhang Li , Xiao Li Ping , Luo Yi Wen , Lu Jia Xing
Published: September 2007

The electrochemical incorporation of carbon dioxide into amines catalyzed by an electrogenerated Ni complex afforded carbamates in moderate yields under very mild conditions (p = 1 atm, room temperature) without any addition of probases. Mechanistic and electrochemical studies revealed the role of reduced nickel species in the activation of CO2 and electrogenerated CO$_{2}^{.-}$ as a base in the synthesis of carbamates. The influence of number of faradays per mole of amine supplied to the electrodes (Q), cathode materials, temperatures, supporting salts and amounts of catalyst was studied to optimize the electrolytic conditions. A plausible reaction mechanism for the reduction of CO2 was proposed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recycling in telomerization of butadiene with D‐xylose: Pd(TPPTS)n‐KF/Al2O3 as an active catalyst
Authors: Estrine Boris , Bouquillon Sandrine , Hénin Françoise , Muzart Jacques
Published: September 2007

A palladium‐TPPTS catalyst heterogenized on KF/alumina has been shown to be effective and recyclable for the selective formation of monooctadienylxylopyranosides via the telomerization of butadiene with D‐xylose. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Different photodegradation processes of PVC with different average degrees of polymerization
Authors: Shi Wei , Zhang Jun , Shi Xu‐Ming , Jiang Guo‐Dong
Published: September 2007

The influence of ultraviolet (UV)‐irradiation on the photodegradation mechanism of different average degrees of polymerization (DP) of poly(vinyl) chloride (PVC) with UV‐irradiation time was investigated by viscosity‐average molecular weight determination, UV‐vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), contact angle measurement, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). PVC films with differentDP(800, 1000, 1300, 3000) were prepared by solution casting. It was carried out exposing specimens to a xenon‐arc light source with a spectral irradiance of 0.68 W/(m2·nm) at 63°C. It was found that the photodegradation mechanism of the lowerDPof PVC (DP= 1000) was different from the higherDPof PVC (DP= 3000). This was because the lowerDPof PVC was a homopolymer, while the higherDPof PVC was often produced by copolymerizing with a certain quantity of crosslinking agent (e.g., DAP and DAM). UV‐vis and FTIR spectroscopy studies provided some results concerning the structure of the irradiated PVC, and the carbonyl index and CCl index were induced to study the process of PVC photodegradation with differentDP. TGA showed that the degradation temperatures of different weight loss increased with the irradiation time. The surface morphology of the irradiated polymer films with differentDPwas observed by contact angle measurement and SEM. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Dynamics of blood proteins adsorption onto poly (2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐silica nanocomposites: Correlation with biocompatibility
Authors: Bajpai A. K. , Mishra D. D.
Published: September 2007

A nanocomposite hybrid of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) and silica (PHEMA‐Si) was prepared by sol–gel process and characterized by FTIR, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), and XRD techniques. The prepared hybrid was evaluated for its water sorption capacity and the adsorption of blood proteins such as bovine serum albumin (BSA) and fibrinogen (Fgn) was carried out on the hybrid surfaces. The dynamic nature of the adsorption process was investigated and related kinetic parameters were evaluated. The effect of factors like concentrations of protein solutions, pH, and ionic strength of the adsorption medium and chemical architecture of the hybrid were investigated on the adsorption process. The prepared hybrids were also examined for in vitro blood compatibility. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Evaluation of improvement of physical and mechanical properties of bamboo fibers due to alkali treatment
Authors: Das Mahuya , Chakraborty Debabrata
Published: September 2007

Bamboo strips treated with caustic solutions of different concentrations, e.g., 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 50%, were subjected to mechanical testing giving stresses on tensile strength, percent elongation at break, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and toughness. The change in average density was −15%, and the weight loss value shows a maximum of 21.94% at 50% alkali treatment. The mechanical properties of bamboo strips increase steadily with increasing concentration of caustic soda, showing a comparable increased value at 15 and 20%, and then exhibiting a gradual fall. The percent elongation at break corroborates these observations showing a continuous decreasing trend. The properties under investigation exhibit a clear transition in between 15 and 20% alkali concentration. The morphology of strips was studied by scanning electron microscope and polarizing light microscope. The crystal structure of both untreated and treated strips was compared by XRD analysis. In both cases, the breakdown of the crystal structures of the cellulose fibers and the recrystallization or reorientation of the degraded chains that are devoid of hemicellulose are quite apparent. However, at a very high concentration (to the extent of 25%) the breakdown of structure predominates much more over the reorientation or recrystallization. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008