bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of cell‐cycle turnover and oxidative stress in telomere shortening and cellular senescence in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Sekoguchi Satoru , Nakajima Tomoki , Moriguchi Michihisa , Jo Masayasu , Nishikawa Taichiro , Katagishi Tatsuo , Kimura Hiroyuki , Minami Masahito , Itoh Yoshito , Kagawa Keizo , Tani Yoichi , Okanoue Takeshi
Published: June 2006

Background:  In addition to the telomere shortening that occurs with cell division, oxidative stress can damage or shorten telomeres and induce a condition termed premature senescence, possibly before telomeres become critically short. We investigated the effects of cell‐cycle turnover and oxidative stress on cellular senescence in hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related chronic liver injury.

Method:  Using quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization, the telomere lengths of hepatocytes in biopsy specimens from HCV‐positive patients were estimated. We assessed clinicopathological parameters that reflect cell‐cycle turnover, including Ki‐67 positive index, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level and degree of fibrosis, and also oxidative stress‐related parameters, such as 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) expression. Nuclear size and DNA content of hepatocytes were measured as morphological features of senescence.

Results:  Telomere shortening correlated with the degree of cell turnover, hepatic fibrosis and morphological features of aging cells. Furthermore, the rate of telomere shortening per year was positively correlated with fibrosis progression. In cases of no or mild fibrosis, telomere lengths of positive patients were generally shorter than those of 8‐OHdG‐negative patients, and this trend achieved statistical significance in advanced‐stage fibrosis. HCV carriers with persistently normal serum ALT level (PNAL) showed significantly longer telomeres than patients with active hepatitis and mild fibrosis. There was no significant difference in telomere lengths between HCV carriers with PNAL and normal controls.

Conclusions:  Cell‐cycle turnover is the primary mechanism of telomere shortening, and can induce fibrosis progression and cellular senescence. However, oxidative stress can be an accelerator of senescence, especially in advanced‐stage fibrosis.
Health‐related quality of life of chronic liver disease patients with and without hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kondo Yuji , Yoshida Haruhiko , Tateishi Ryosuke , Shiina Shuichiro , Mine Norio , Yamashiki Noriyo , Sato Shinpei , Kato Naoya , Kanai Fumihiko , Yanase Mikio , Yoshida Hideo , Akamatsu Masatoshi , Teratani Takuma , Kawabe Takao , Omata Masao
Published: June 2006

Background and Aim:  Impaired health‐related quality of life has been reported in patients with cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis. However, only limited data are available concerning the influence of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods:  Health‐related quality of life was assessed in 97 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who had been treated successfully with percutaneous ablation therapy, and 97 patients with chronic liver disease without hepatocellular carcinoma matched for age and sex, using the Japanese version of Short‐Form 36. Raw scores were transformed using norm‐based scoring. The relations with objective variables including status of hepatocellular carcinoma and laboratory data were analyzed.

Results:  Health‐related quality of life was lower in both groups than in the general population. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and patients in the control group showed similar scores. By multivariate analysis, liver function, especially serum albumin, strongly predicted health‐related quality of life, but status of hepatocellular carcinoma did not.

Conclusions:  Impaired health‐related quality of life was not associated with the presence of hepatocellular carcinoma but dependent on the level of liver function, indicating the importance of preserving liver function in following up patients. Serum albumin level was a useful objective variable to assess health‐related quality of life of patients with chronic liver disease.
Non‐mitogenic acidic fibroblast growth factor reduces intestinal dysfunction induced by ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats
Authors: Li Hai‐Hong , Fu Xiao‐Bing , Sun Tong‐Zhu , Cai Cun‐Liang , Zhou Gang , Chen Wei , Sheng Zhi‐Yong
Published: June 2006

Background:  Acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) has potentially therapeutic uses in some diseases, but the mitogenic activity of aFGF has been found to contribute to several human pathologies, so the extensive applications of wild‐type aFGF have been limited. The purpose of the present study was to explore the effects and mechanisms of wild‐type (aFGF) and non‐mitogenic aFGF on gut ischemia–reperfusion injury in rats.

Methods:  Rat intestinal ischemia–reperfusion injury (I/R) was produced by clamping the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for 45 min followed by reperfusion. One hundred and fourteen rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham operation (group C, n = 6), intestinal I/R + 0.1 mL saline (group S, n = 36), intestinal I/R + 4 µg/0.1 mL wild‐type aFGF (group W, n = 36) and intestinal I/R + 4 µg/0.1 mL modified aFGF (i.e. non‐mitogenic aFGF; group M, n = 36). According to different periods after reperfusion, groups S, W and M were further divided into 0.5‐, 1‐, 2‐, 6‐, 12‐ and 24‐h subgroups. The contents of d‐lactate and nitrite/nitrate were determined, the changes of intestinal histology were analyzed, the protein expressions of caspase‐3, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, and p38 were detected by western blot, and apoptotic cells were examined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)‐mediated dUDP‐biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay at 0.5, 1, 2, 6, 12 and 24 h after I/R, respectively.

Results:  Compared with rats in group S, intestinal histological damage, apoptotic index, d‐lactate content and nitrite/nitrate level all decreased significantly in group W and group M rats. However, there was no difference between rats treated with wild‐type aFGF and those with non‐mitogenic aFGF. The protein expression of caspase‐3, ERK1/2, and p38 in saline‐treated rats was higher than those in aFGF‐treated rats.

Conclusions:  Both types of aFGF had protective effects on gut I/R and there was no significant difference between the two aFGF. The protective effects of aFGF may come from the non‐mitogenic activity rather than the mitogenic activity of aFGF in tissue repair, indicating a potentially clinical use for the non‐mitogenic effects of aFGF in preventing visceral organ injury triggered by I/R injury in the future.
Expression of the caudal‐type homeodomain transcription factor CDX2 is related to clinical outcome in biliary tract carcinoma
Authors: Chang Yu‐Ting , Hsu Chiun , Jeng Yung‐Ming , Chang Ming‐Chu , Wei Shu‐Chen , Wong Jau‐Min
Published: June 2006

Background and Aim:  The caudal‐type homeodomain transcriptional factor CDX2, a member of the caudal‐related homeobox gene family, plays a crucial role in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation in the gut. Recent studies have reported that expression of CDX2 was an independent marker of outcome in patients with resected adenocarcinoma of ampulla of Vater, gastric cancer, and colon cancer. The clinicopathological significance of CDX2 expression has hitherto remained unclear in biliary tract carcinoma (BTC). The aim of this study was to determine whether CDX2 expression in BTC indicates clinical outcome.

Methods:  The expression of CDX2 was investigated immunohistochemically in surgically resected specimens from 164 patients with BTC, including 74 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas, 49 extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas, and 41 gallbladder carcinomas. The correlation between expression of CDX2 and clinicopathological factors, including overall survival, tumor location, tumor stage, and degree of tumor differentiation, was examined in patients with BTC.

Results:  In total, 27 of the 164 (16.46%) patients with BTC expressed CDX2. The frequency of CDX2 expression was much higher in the extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (22.45%) and gallbladder carcinomas (29.27%) than in the intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (5.41%), the difference being statistically significant (P = 0.002). Factors influencing survival on univariate analysis were tumor stage (P < 0.00001), degree of tumor differentiation (P = 0.0002), and CDX2 expression (P = 0.01). On multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazard model, CDX2 expression and tumor stage were independent prognostic factors in patients with BTC.

Conclusion:  Expression of CDX2 was an independent indicator of outcome in patients with BTC in addition to tumor stage and tumor differentiation. The mechanism by which CDX2 expression influences behavior of biliary tract carcinoma needs further investigation.
Survival predictors in patients with node‐negative gastric carcinoma
Authors: Lee Chin‐Chun , Wu Chew‐Wun , Lo Su‐ Shun , Chen Jen‐Hao , Li Anna F‐Y , Hsieh Mao‐Chin , Shen King‐Han , Lui Wing‐Yiu
Published: June 2006

Background: Presence or absence of nodal metastasis influences outcome of gastric cancer patients. This study gives insight into survival predictors and clinicopathological features of node‐negative gastric adenocarcinoma.

Methods: Between 1988 and 1999, 689 gastric cancer patients without other cancer or gastrectomy for benign disease who underwent curative resection were enrolled in this study. Clinicopathological data in patients with node metastasis were compared with those without.

Results: The survival rate at 5 and 10 years for node‐negative cases was 91.7% and 89.7%, respectively. On univariate analysis, node‐negative patients were characterized by frequent location in the lower two‐thirds of the stomach (84.9%), tumor size less than 4 cm (63.5%), grossly superficial type (71.6%), more medullary stromal reaction (50.5%) and intestinal type (67.7%), tumor invasion confined to serosa (78.4%), less poorly differentiated cell type (43.2%), and less lymphovascular invasion (33.4%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that lymphovascular invasion (relative risk: 5.036) and depth of cancer invasion (relative risk: 4.404) were independent poor prognostic factors. However, lymphovascular invasion and serosal invasion were also correlated (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Patients with node‐negative gastric adenocarcinoma had less disease progression and a favorable survival. Lymphovascular invasion and depth of cancer invasion were two independent but correlated survival predictors.
Excess mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma and morbidity of liver cirrhosis and hepatitis in HCV‐endemic areas in an HBV‐endemic country: Geographic variations among 502 villages in southern Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Meng‐Chin , Kee Kwong‐Ming , Chen Yao‐Der , Lin Li‐Chu , Tsai Lin‐San , Chen Hsiu‐Hsi , Lu Sheng‐Nan
Published: June 2006

Aims:  The aim of this study was to investigate excess mortality for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and prevalence of hepatitis and liver cirrhosis (LC) in hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐endemic areas in Taiwan, which is a hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐endemic country.

Methods:  Tainan County, located in southern Taiwan, consists of 533 villages in 31 townships. A total of 56 702 subjects ≥ 40 years old (mean age, 60.9 ± 11.8 years) were enrolled from 502 of the 533 villages between April and November 2004 (n ≥ 20/village). Serum blood HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to HCV (anti‐HCV) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels and platelet counts were measured. Township‐specific mortality for liver cancer (ICD = 155) for both sexes between 1992 and 2001 were obtained from official publications.

Results:  The prevalence of anti‐HCV in Tainan County was 10.2% (township range, 2.6–30.9%; village range, 0–90.5%). The prevalence of HBsAg was 10.9% (township range, 5.5–17.2%; village range, 0–30.8%). The prevalence of hypertransaminemia (serum ALT > 40 IU/L) was 12.8%. At township levels, prevalence of anti‐HCV (r2 = 0.92, P < 0.001), HBsAg and anti‐HCV (multiple r2 = 0.94) were correlated with hypertransaminemia prevalence by single and multiple linear analysis, respectively. At village levels, prevalence of anti‐HCV (r2 = 0.52, P < 0.001), HBsAg and anti‐HCV (multiple r2 = 0.53) were each correlated with prevalence of hypertransaminemia, respectively. The prevalence of thrombocytopenia (<150 000 platelets/µL) was 5.5%, and adopted as a surrogate prevalence for LC. At township levels, prevalence of anti‐HCV (r2 = 0.58) was the only factor correlated by multivariate analysis with prevalence of thrombocytopenia. At village levels, prevalence of anti‐HCV and female‐to‐male ratio (multiple r2 = 0.43) were each independently associated with prevalence of thrombocytopenia. At township levels, HBsAg prevalence (r2 = 0.42) was more correlated with HCC mortality than anti‐HCV prevalence (r2 = 0.28) for male subjects, while anti‐HCV prevalence (r2 = 0.45) was more correlated with HCC mortality than HBsAg prevalence (r2 = 0.14) for female subjects. Prevalence of HBV and HCV infection were associated by multivariate analysis with both male (multiple r2 = 0.62) and female (multiple r2 = 0.53) HCC mortality.

Conclusions:  Prevalence of anti‐HCV showed significant correlations with prevalence of hypertransaminemia, thrombocytopenia and liver cancer mortality. The findings indicate excessive mortality due to HCC, and LC and hepatitis prevalence in HCV‐endemic areas in Taiwan, an HBV‐endemic country.
Helicobacter pylori eradication prevents recurrence after simple closure of perforated duodenal ulcer
Authors: Bose Ashitha C , Kate Vikram , Ananthakrishnan Nilakantan , Parija Subhash Chandra
Published: June 2006

Background and Aim:  Evidence remains inconclusive as to whether eradication of Helicobacter pylori prevents ulcer relapse after simple closure of a perforated duodenal ulcer. This study was conducted to determine the effect of H. pylori eradication using a quadruple drug regimen along with a probiotic on ulcer recurrence after perforation closure.

Methods:  A total of 93 patients who had presented with perforated duodenal ulcer and had a simple closure of a duodenal perforation comprised the study group. Three months postoperatively, patients who were found to be positive for H. pylori infection (n = 60) were administered quadruple therapy consisting of omeprazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin and colloidal bismuth subcitrate for 10 days along with the probiotic Lactobacillus sporogenes for 14 days. Diagnosis of H. pylori was carried out by urease test and histology. Patients were followed for 18 months. Recurrence of ulcer was analyzed for correlation with H. pylori status.

Results:  Of 60 patients who received H. pylori eradication therapy, 53 were available for subsequent follow up. H. pylori eradication was achieved in 43/53 (81.1%) patients. The ulcer recurrence in the eradicated group was 18.6% (8/43) compared to 70% (7/10) in the noneradicated group (P = 0.003).

Conclusion:  Eradication of H. pylori significantly reduces the relapse of duodenal ulcer after simple closure of perforation. Anti H. pylori therapy must be recommended for all H. pylori positive patients after simple closure of a perforated duodenal ulcer.
Meta‐analysis of the effects of prokinetic agents in patients with functional dyspepsia
Authors: Hiyama Toru , Yoshihara Masaharu , Matsuo Keitaro , Kusunoki Hiroaki , Kamada Tomoari , Ito Masanori , Tanaka Shinji , Nishi Nobuo , Chayama Kazuaki , Haruma Ken
Published: June 2006

Background:  Functional dyspepsia (FD) is often treated with prokinetic agents; however, the efficacy of prokinetic agents in patients with FD has been questioned recently. The aim of this study was to perform a meta‐analysis of the effects of prokinetic agents in patients with FD.

Methods:  Prokinetic agents, including metoclopramide, domperidone, trimebutine, cisapride, itopride and mosapride, used for treatment of FD between 1951 and 2005 were identified. Twenty‐seven studies were selected. Difference in the probability of response between the interventional drug and placebo was used as a summary statistic for the treatment effect. Meta‐regression analysis was used to detect sources of heterogeneity.

Results:  In total, 1844 subjects were assigned to an experimental arm, and 1591 subjects were assigned to a placebo arm. Publication bias was ruled out by funnel plot and statistical testing (P = 0.975). In the overall analysis, the summary statistic was 0.295 (95% confidence interval: 0.208–0.382, P < 0.001), indicating that the interventional drug has 30% excess probability of producing a response compared with placebo. The most significant source of heterogeneity was the year of publication (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:  The data clearly indicate that prokinetic agents are significantly more effective than placebo in the treatment of FD. Although FD is a chronic condition, efficacy was assessed over short periods. Long‐term randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the effect.
Hospice patients’ views on research in palliative care
Authors: Terry W. , Olson L. G. , Ravenscroft P. , Wilss L. , Boulton‐Lewis G.
Published: June 2006

Background: This project was conducted to investigate whether the concerns that researchers have about including terminally ill patients in research were shared by a sample of terminally ill patients.

Methods: Twenty‐two patients admitted to a hospice participated in semistructured interviews; 18 patients had advanced malignant disease and 13 were women; their ages ranged from 28 to 93 years. The interview transcripts were analysed for common themes and particular attention was paid to the reasons patients gave for their views.

Results: All the patients wanted to participate in research. Patients advanced one or more of several reasons for participation, the commonest being altruism, enhancement of a sense of personal value, the assertion of persisting autonomy and the value they placed on a commitment by doctors to optimising care by research. They rejected the view that their consent might be non‐autonomous and put forward consistent views about what they considered relevant to consent.

Conclusions: Our patients did not share the concerns of ethicists about the difficulties and hazards of research with the terminally ill. These patients’ views are not reflected in the professional consensus.
Symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis: just when we thought we had all the answers
Authors: Gates P. C. , Chambers B. , Yan B. , Chong W. , Denton M.
Published: June 2006

The management of symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis has been a hotly debated topic for decades. The publication of four randomized controlled trials of carotid endarterectomy has clarified many of the issues. Patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis >70% benefit most with an absolute risk reduction of 17% over 2 years with numbers needed to treat of 3–6, whereas in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis >60%, the absolute risk reduction is 1% per annum (numbers needed to treat = 14–17). There is doubt about the benefit in women >70 years of age with asymptomatic stenosis. Carotid angioplasty and stenting is in its infancy and may one day supplant carotid endarterectomy as the treatment of choice; however, currently indications for this procedure include participation in randomized controlled trials, surgically inaccessible stenosis, in patients with combined symptomatic carotid and symptomatic coronary artery disease or in patients with severe co‐morbidities that preclude formal carotid endarterectomy.
Apical sparing in tako‐tsubo cardiomyopathy
Authors: Abdulla I. , Kay S. , Mussap C. , Nelson G. I. C. , Rasmussen H. H. , Hansen P. S. , Ward M. R.
Published: June 2006

Background: Tako‐tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is an acute reversible cause of segmental myocardial dysfunction that is poorly understood. We have noted a variant of this condition where a tiny segment at the apex retains some contractile function. This paper delineates the frequency of this variant relative to the classical form and the clinical differences between patients suffering from the two forms.

Methods: All cases of TTC (n = 35) were identified from our infarct angiography database and separated on the basis of apical sparing (n = 14) or no apical sparing (n = 21).

Results: Compared with the classical form, those with apical sparing were significantly younger (63 ± 12 vs 72 ± 13 years) and were more likely premenopausal (5/14 vs 0/21) and had higher ejection fractions (35 ± 6% vs 32 ± 4%). There was a trend towards higher recurrence (4/21 vs 0/14). There were no differences in time or season of presentation, precipitant stressor, premorbid drug therapy, haemodynamics at catheterization or acute outcomes.

Conclusion: The apical sparing variant of TTC is common, accounting for 40% of cases. While the patients are younger and more likely premenopausal, there are no other distinguishing features between the classical and the variant form.
Newer options in the management of acromegaly
Authors: Burt M. G. , Ho K. K. Y.
Published: June 2006

Paradigms for managing acromegaly have undergone major changes in the past two decades. This has been brought about by combining surgical, pharmacological and radiotherapeutic approaches that provide tight biochemical control to reduce mortality to that of the general population. The biochemical targets for treatment are a growth hormone of <2.5 ng/mL (∼7.5 mU/L) and a normal, age‐adjusted insulin‐like growth factor‐1. Until 20 years ago, dopamine agonists were the only class of pharmaceutical agents available to control acromegaly. They have a limited adjunctive role, even with the development of second‐generation selective agonists such as cabergoline. Surgery and radiotherapy were the mainstay of acromegaly management before the advent of the effective pharmacological therapies of the modern era: somatostatin analogues and pegvisomant, a growth hormone receptor antagonist. Somatostatin analogues achieve biochemical control in approximately 60% of patients. Pegvisomant, which is available in the USA and Europe and has just been registered in Australia, normalizes insulin‐like growth factor‐1 in nearly all patients but has no effect on tumour mass. Surgery is an appropriate first‐line therapy for microadenomas as the chance of success is high. For large and/or invasive tumours where the prospect of surgical cure is remote, first‐line therapy is somatostatin analogue treatment with debulking surgery having an adjunctive role to achieve tight control or to alleviate compression of the optic chiasm. Although acromegaly remains a challenging disease to manage, the expanding range of therapeutic options is likely to result in a better outcome for patients and offers the potential to tailor therapy based on a patient’s individual requirements.
Heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia: recent experience in a large teaching hospital
Authors: Sturtevant J. M. , Pillans P. I. , Mackenzie F. , Gibbs H. H.
Published: June 2006

Background: Heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a potentially serious adverse reaction caused by platelet‐activating antibodies.

Aim: To describe experience with HIT.

Methods: Twenty‐two patients identified by laboratory records of heparin‐associated antibodies with a 50% or greater decrease in platelet count were reviewed in our 600‐bed metropolitan teaching hospital from 1999 to April 2005.

Results: There was an increase in the frequency of HIT diagnosed during the review period, which was associated with a rise in the number of requests for HIT antibodies. Thrombotic complications were identified in 14 of 22 patients with HIT. Mean age was 65 years, and 11 patients were men. Seven patients died and HIT was considered contributory in four. One patient required mid‐forearm amputation. Unfractionated heparin was used in all cases and five patients also received enoxaparin. Mean time to HIT screen, reflecting when the diagnosis was first suspected, was 14 days. Platelet nadir ranged from 6 × 109/L to 88 × 109/L, with a percentage drop in platelet count of 67–96%. Alternative anticoagulation (danaparoid) was not used in three patients, two of whom died.

Conclusions: HIT is a potentially life‐threatening complication of heparin therapy, associated with a fall in platelet count and a high incidence of thromboembolic complications. It is most frequently seen using unfractionated heparin therapy. The increase in frequency of HIT diagnosed in our hospital appears to be associated with a greater awareness of the entity, although detection is often delayed. Platelet count should be monitored in patients on heparin and the presence of antiplatelet antibodies determined if HIT is suspected. Treatment involves both discontinuation of heparin and the use of an alternative anticoagulant such as danaparoid because of the persisting risk of thrombosis.
Evidence‐based clinical policy: case report of a reproducible process to encourage understanding and evaluation of evidence
Authors: Rikard‐Bell G. , Waters E. , Ward J.
Published: June 2006

We report within a case study a reproducible process to facilitate the explicit incorporation of evidence by a multidisciplinary group into clinical policy development. To support the decision‐making of a multidisciplinary Intersectoral Advisory Group (IAG) convened by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Health Policy Unit, a systematic review of randomized controlled trials about environmental tobacco smoke and smoking cessation interventions in paediatric settings was first undertaken. As reported in detail here, IAG members were then formally engaged in a transparent and replicable process to understand and interpret the synthesized evidence and to proffer their independent reactions regarding policy, practice and research. Our intention was to ensure that all IAG members were democratically engaged and made aware of the available evidence. As clinical policy must engage stakeholder representatives from diverse backgrounds, a process to equalize understanding of the evidence and ‘democratize’ judgment about its implications is needed. Future research must then examine the benefits of such explicit steps when guidelines, in turn, are implemented. We hypothesize that changes to future practice will be more likely if processes undertaken to develop guidelines are transparent to clinicians and other target groups.
Excision of a feline limbal melanoma and use of nictitans cartilage to repair the resulting corneoscleral defect
Authors: Kanai Kazutaka , Kanemaki Nobuyuki , Matsuo Shirou , Ichikawa Youichiro , Okujima Hisataka , Wada Yoshinori
Published: June 2006

A limbal melanoma was surgically removed from a 12‐year‐old castrated male black domestic shorthair (DSH) cat. The resulting full‐thickness eye wall defect was repaired using the autologous third eyelid cartilage. The patient was followed for 85 days postoperatively, during which time there was no recurrence. Other than a small amount of fibrin and blood at the anterior lens capsule, no significant complications were seen. Use of the third eyelid cartilage as graft material following resection of a feline limbal melanoma can be effective for repairing large eye wall defects and preserving ocular function. The third eyelid proved to be a convenient source of graft material. In addition, autologous grafting can reduce the potential for iatrogenic spread of infectious agents such as feline herpes virus.
Canine conjunctival hemangioma and hemangiosarcoma: a retrospective evaluation of 108 cases (1989–2004)
Authors: Pirie Chris G. , Knollinger Amy M. , Thomas Chet B. , Dubielzig Richard R.
Published: June 2006

Canine conjunctival tumors of vascular endothelial origin are common, although under‐reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of and potential risk factors for these tumors. This study evaluated 108 cases (70 hemangiomas, 38 hemangiosarcomas) from 8300 canine submissions between 1989 and 2004. Signalment, location, pigmentation, size, duration, diagnosis, margins, ancillary therapy, and geographic location were recorded. Follow‐up information was available for 49 cases. Each case was matched with two unaffected controls and compared using logistic regression analysis. Average age upon presentation was 8.6 years; there was no sex predilection. Risk of conjunctival tumors was statistically different among breed groups (P = 0.0010), demonstrating a propensity to occur in groups likely to have increased outdoor activity. Primary involvement occurred within nonpigmented epithelium along the leading edge of the nictitating membrane (41/108) and temporal bulbar conjunctiva (33/108). The etiology remains unknown; however, the strong site predilection, involvement of nonpigmented epithelium, and development within specific breed classes strongly suggest ultraviolet (UV) light as a significant risk factor. In a full‐logistic model including breed, gender, age, and UV exposure, UV was not a statistically significant variable (P = 0.1215). In a reduced‐model including UV only, significance was approached (P = 0.0696) and posthoc contrast demonstrated a significant linear trend with increasing UV exposure (P = 0.0147). In separate analysis of risks associated with hemangiosarcoma, compared with hemangioma, breed was not significant while increasing UV exposure was significant (P = 0.0381). Early surgical therapy is recommended and may be curative; however, recurrence is possible and more likely with hemangiosarcomas (11/20).
Effects of mydriatics on intraocular pressure and pupil size in the normal feline eye
Authors: Stadtbäumer Katrin , Frommlet Florian , Nell Barbara
Published: June 2006

Objective  To determine the effect of various mydriatics (1% atropine, 1% cyclopentolate, 0.5% tropicamide, 10% phenylephrine) on intraocular pressure (IOP) and pupil size (PS) in normal cats.

Animals studied  The mydriatics were tested in 10 adult ophthalmoscopically normal European Domestic Short‐haired cats.

Procedure  Single‐dose drug studies were divided into placebo (vehicle of phenylephrine), 10% phenylephrine, 0.5% tropicamide, 1% cyclopentolate and 1% atropine. After measurement of IOP and pupil size (PS) at 8 a.m. on the first day, one drop of the tested drug was applied to one randomly selected eye. The IOP and PS were measured for a minimum of 36 h until the pupil returned to pretest size.

Results  Ten per cent phenylephrine had no significant effect on IOP, and the effect on the pupil size was minimal (≤ 1 mm difference). One per cent atropine showed a maximal mean difference of 4.3 mmHg ± 4.1 mmHg in IOP compared to the untreated eye. These differences were statistically significant at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 16 h post‐treatment. At 1, 1.5 and 2 h after unilateral application of 1% cyclopentolate, the IOP in the treated eye was significantly higher than the IOP in the untreated eye with a maximal mean difference of 4.1 mmHg ± 4.5 mmHg. With 0.5% tropicamide, IOP of the treated eye was significantly higher than IOP of the untreated eye at 1 and 1.5 h after treatment with a maximal mean difference of 3.5 mmHg ± 3.3 mmHg. One per cent atropine caused the greatest increase in IOP, followed by 1% cyclopentolate and 0.5% tropicamide. The dilating effect of atropine, cyclopentolate and tropicamide lasted longer than the effect on intraocular pressure.

Conclusions  The parasympatholytics 1% atropine, 1% cyclopentolate and 0.5% tropicamide caused a statistically significant elevation of IOP and produced mydriasis in the treated eye in normal cats, while the sympathomimetic 10% phenylephrine had no significant effect on IOP or pupil size.
Reference values for selected ophthalmic diagnostic tests of the ferret (Mustela putorius furo)
Authors: Montiani‐Ferreira Fabiano , Mattos Bianca Chaim , Russ Heloisa Helena Abil
Published: June 2006

Purpose To perform selected ophthalmic diagnostic tests in healthy ferrets with the aim of establishing normal physiological reference values for this species.

Method A total of 15 healthy, unrelated ferrets were used to test most of the parameters in this investigation. Eight of the 15 ferrets were used for central corneal thickness evaluation. Ages varied from 1.5 to 6 years of age. Selected diagnostic ocular tests were performed including Schirmer tear test, tonometry using an applanation tonometer (Tonopen®), central corneal thickness using an ultrasonic pachymeter (Sonomed, Micropach®, Model 200P +) and culture of the normal conjunctival bacterial flora.

Results and discussion Staphylococcussp. andCorynebacteriumsp. were isolated from healthy conjunctival and eyelid margins, suggesting they are normal constituents of the conjunctival flora of the ferret. Results for selected ocular diagnostic tests investigated here for the ferret eye were as follows: intraocular pressure: 14.50 ± 3.27 mmHg; Schirmer tear test: 5.31 ± 1.32 mm/min; central corneal thickness: 0.337 ± 0.020 mm. No statistically significant differences between ages or genders were found for any of the results. The reference data for the ocular tests obtained in this investigation will help veterinary ophthalmologists to more accurately diagnose ocular diseases in the ferret. Knowledge of these reference values will be particularly useful to diagnose discrete or unusual pathological changes of the ferret eye.
Pars plana vitrectomy for the treatment of ophthalmomyiasis interna posterior in a dog
Authors: Ollivier F. J. , Barrie K. P. , Mames R. N. , Kallberg M. E. , Greiner E. C. , Plummer C. E. , Gelatt K. N. , Strubbe D. T. , Brooks D. E.
Published: June 2006

Unilateral chorioretinitis caused by ophthalmomyiasis interna posterior in a 5‐month‐old, female spayed Dachshund is reported. Larva removal by pars plana vitrectomy was performed after an unsuccessful photocoagulation of the organism. The larva was intact after surgical removal and was identified as a first stage instar Cuterebra spp. larva. The eye remains visual and comfortable with no signs of residual or recurrent inflammation postoperatively. This report describes, for the first time, the successful surgical retrieval of an intravitreal fly larva in a dog using vitrectomy techniques without sacrificing either the globe or vision, and taxonomic identification of the parasite.
Principles‐ versus rules‐based accounting standards: the FASB's standard setting strategy
Authors: Benston George J. , Bromwich Michael , Wagenhofer Alfred
Published: June 2006

In response to criticism of rules‐based accounting standards and Section 108(d) of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act of 2002, the SEC proposed principles‐based (or ‘objectives‐oriented’) standards. We identify several shortcomings with this approach and focus on two of them. First, the format (type) of a standard is dependent on the contents of what the standard regulates. Given the asset/liability approach combined with fair values, we argue that the combination of this measurement concept with principles‐based standards is inconsistent because it requires significant guidance for management judgment. Second, we propose the inclusion of a true‐and‐fair override as a necessary requirement for any format that is more than ‘principles‐only’ to deal with inconsistencies between principles and guidance. We discuss the benefits of this override and present evidence from the United Kingdom's experience.
Rules, principles and judgments in accounting standards
Authors: Bennett Bruce , Bradbury Michael , Prangnell Helen
Published: June 2006

The distinction between rules‐based and principles‐based standards is not well defined and is subject to a variety of interpretations (SEC, 2003, p. 5). Yet there is a commonly held view that the FASB's standards are rules‐based and the IASB's standards are principles‐based. This article identifies the basis of this distinction. For research and development, the article compares the FASB standard with two principles‐based standards. For each standard we identify and classify rules and judgments, and observe the level of justifications for the rules and assistance to support the judgments. The three standards have rules, are based on principles, and require the exercise of professional judgment; the less conservative standard requires more judgments and, unexpectedly, more rules. The results suggest that the rules‐based versus principles‐based distinction is not meaningful, except in relative terms. We conclude that a relatively more principles‐based standards regime requires professional judgment at both the transaction level (substance over form) and at the financial statement level (‘true and fair view’ override). Furthermore, it is suggested that any FASB and IASB convergence will require agreement on the weightings given to the qualitative characteristics.
Social reporting by islamic banks
Authors: Maali Bassam , Casson Peter , Napier Christopher
Published: June 2006

The last thirty years have witnessed the appearance and rapid expansion of Islamic banking both inside and outside the Islamic world. Islamic banks provide financial products that do not violate Sharia, the Islamic law of human conduct. The Islamic principles upon which the banks claim to operate give an important role to social issues. Applying these principles, we develop a benchmark set of social disclosures appropriate to Islamic banks. These are then compared, using a disclosure index approach, the actual social disclosures contained in the annual reports of twenty‐nine Islamic banks (located in sixteen countries) to this benchmark. In addition, content analysis is undertaken to measure the volume of social disclosures. Our analysis suggests that social reporting by Islamic banks falls significantly short of our expectations. The results of the analysis also suggest that banks required to pay the Islamic religious tax Zakah provide more social disclosures than banks not subject to Zakah.
Pure Altruism, Consumer Behavior and Choice Modeling*
Authors: Suh Jungho , Harrison Steve
Published: June 2006

An important assumption underlying non‐market valuation is that it is not the environment but the human preference that is valued. This paper attempts to test whether individual consumer behavior is influenced by a purely altruistic motive, examining the attitude of hikers towards the hypothetical removal of the Muju ski resort from the Mount Togyu National Park in South Korea. Data were collected from samples of hikers and skiers who visited the national park. The respondents were forced to consider trade‐offs between the recovery of the lost environmental assets in the Muju ski resort area, skiers’ additional travel time, and willingness‐to‐pay amounts for the hypothetical environmental improvement. It was found that hikers did not take into account skiers’ disutility represented by additional travel time.
Tax Incidence in Vietnam*
Authors: Haughton Jonathan , Quan Nguyen The , Bao Nguyen Hoang
Published: June 2006

This paper examines the incidence of taxation in Vietnam, using data from the Living Standards Survey of 1997–1998 and an input–output matrix for 1997. The tax system in 1998 was slightly progressive, taking the equivalent of 7.8percent of spending for households in the lowest, and 10.3percent from households in the highest expenditure quintile. The replacement of the turnover tax by a value‐added tax in January 1999 made the system marginally more progressive, and the falling importance of taxes on trade has had a negligible effect on the overall incidence of the tax system. The tax system is progressive overall because business income taxes fall mainly on better‐off households; and low‐income households rely heavily on home consumption, which is untaxed. Against this, agricultural taxes and fees are highly regressive. The recent phasing out of the agricultural land use tax is making the tax system more progressive; however, efforts since 2004 to limit price increases for motor fuels have effectively provided a relatively greater subsidy to rich than to poor households.
Wittgenstein on the Experience of Meaning and the Meaning of Music
Authors: Bar‐Elli Gilead
Published: June 2006

On the basis of some ideas of Wittgenstein’s, an argument is presented to the effect that the ability to feel or to experience meaning conditions the ability to mean, and is thus essential to our notion of meaning.

The experience of meaning, as manifested in the “fine shades” of use and behaviour, is central to Wittgenstein’s late conception of meaning. In explicating the basic elements involved here, I first try to clarify the notion of feeling and its relationship to meaning, emphasising its central role in music as explanatory of its use in language. The feeling of words, in this sense, is an objective feature of their meaning and use, and should be distinguished from feelings as psychological processes or experiences that may accompany the use of words. I then explain its philosophical significance by arguing that word‐feeling, and the “experience of meaning,” are basically instances of Wittgenstein’s general conception of aspect and aspect‐perception, which are important elements in his later conception of meaning and of thought. The nature of this experience is explicated in terms of grasping internal relations and relevant comparisons, which is manifested in a “mastery of a technique,” or “feeling at home” in a certain practice. In this sense, I argue, the ability to experience the meaning of a word is essential to the very intentionality of our thought and language. The ability to experience meaning is also a precondition for using words in a “secondary sense,” which is of great significance in itself. I conclude by pointing to the application of these notions of understanding, feeling and experience, as well as their explication in terms of comparisons, internal relations and mastery of technique, to music, where they are so apt and natural.
Wittgenstein’s On Certainty: There – Like our Life – Rush Rhees The Third Wittgenstein: The Post‐Investigations Works – Danièle Moyal‐Sharrock Understanding Wittgenstein’s On Certainty – Edited by Danièle Moyal‐Sharrock
Authors: Whittaker John H.
Published: June 2006

Books reviewed:

Rush Rhees, Wittgenstein’s On Certainty: There – Like our Life, D. Z. Phillips (ed.), (Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2003), 195 pp. incl. Index; $29.95; referred to in the text as Rhees.

Danièle Moyal‐Sharrock, The Third Wittgenstein: The Post‐Investigations Works (Aldershot: Ashgate, 2004), 225 pp. incl. Index; $99.95; referred to in the text as Third Witt.

Danièle Moyal‐Sharrock (ed.), Understanding Wittgenstein’s On Certainty (Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2004), 250 pp. incl. Index; $75.00; referred to in the text as M‐S. Reviewed by Louisiana State University Baton Rouge Louisiana 70803 USA
Achievement strategies in peer groups and adolescents’ school adjustment and norm‐breaking behavior
Authors: MÄÄTTÄ SAMI , STATTIN HÅKAN , NURMI JARI‐ERIK
Published: June 2006

The present study examined the extent to which the achievement strategies deployed by adolescents, and those used by their peers would predict adolescents’ school adjustment, academic achievement and problem behavior. The participants were 287 14–15‐year‐old comprehensive school students (121 boys and 165 girls) from a middle‐sized town in central Sweden. The results showed that not only the maladaptive strategies used by adolescents, but also those reported by their peers predicted adolescents’ norm‐breaking behavior, low school adjustment and low level of achievement: high levels of failure expectations and task‐avoidance among adolescents’ peers were positively associated with adolescents’ own norm‐breaking behavior, and indirectly via this, also with their maladjustment at school and low grades. These associations were found after controlling for the impact of adolescents’ own achievement strategies.
The Ambiguous Role of Religion in the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Authors: Shore Megan , Kline Scott
Published: June 2006

This article examines the ambiguous role that religion, particularly Christianity, played in the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and in South Africa's transition from apartheid to democracy. On the one hand, religious‐symbolic discourse was an empowered truth‐telling discourse used by victims and survivors in recounting their stories of apartheid abuse. Moreover, it was a discourse publicly affirmed and encouraged by TRC leaders such as Desmond Tutu. On the other hand, religious discourse was prohibited for perpetrators who came forward seeking amnesty; for amnesty applicants, only a legal‐forensic mode of truth‐telling was authorized by commissioners. We argue that this tension between religious and legal discourse in the TRC has contributed to the establishment of a democratic political culture in South Africa; yet, at the same time, it has also contributed to delays in social and economic justice for victims and survivors.
Galtung, Violence, and Gender: The Case for a Peace Studies/Feminism Alliance
Authors: Confortini Catia C.
Published: June 2006

My paper argues for an incorporation of feminist theories into peace theories, by analyzing what is missing by not confronting feminist contributions to a theory on violence. I take Johan Galtung's theory of violence as a point of departure, as a theory that is widely uncontested in peace studies. Galtung's articulation of direct, structural, and cultural violence offers a unified framework within which all violence can be seen. On the other hand, feminism can contribute to and enrich Galtung's theory of violence in four possible ways:

Galtung's theory needs to incorporate notions of gender as a social construct embodying relations of power.

Dichotomous, mutually exclusive categories that shape our understanding of the world are gendered and they are key to the production and reproduction of violence at all levels.

Gendered language defines the possibility and impossibility of pursuing different visions of the social world. Violence and peace can be constituted through language.

Violence produces and defines gender identities and, in turn, is produced and defined by them.

These contributions have important implications for peace studies: only by taking gender seriously as a category of analysis, can prescriptions for a violence‐free society be more than temporary solutions to deeply ingrained attitudes to accept violence as “natural.”
Elise Boulding's Rhetoric: An Invitation to Peace
Authors: Cavin Margaret
Published: June 2006

Elise Boulding has been an important voice in the American peace movement. In this paper, I examine Boulding's speeches with the goal of continuing the critique of peace rhetors toward the discovery of a peace rhetoric theory. The implications are clear that when there is a potential for conflict and war, the critique of rhetorical strategies used can lead to a better understanding of how people can learn to live peacefully with one another. Sonja J. Foss and Cindy L. Griffin's invitational rhetoric is a useful starting point to highlight some important features of Boulding's rhetoric.
Dynamic Monopsony: Evidence from a French Establishment Panel
Authors: FAKHFAKH FATHI , FITZROY FELIX
Published: June 2006

This paper uses a panel of about 6000 French establishments to test some implications of the modern theory of dynamic monopsony or upward‐sloping labour supply curves for average firm wages. Panel estimates provide strong evidence of a much larger long‐run employer size–wage effect (ESWE) than found previously, while controlling for worker quality and compensating differentials with lagged wages, and for profitability (rent‐sharing). Employment expansion also has a positive effect on wages, providing further evidence for upward‐sloping labour supply (as distinct from the effect of shocks in a perfectly competitive labour market).
Do Wage Subsidies Increase Employment in Subsidized Firms?
Authors: KANGASHARJU AKI
Published: June 2006

This paper examines whether subsidized jobs have contributed to employment in subsidized firms or have merely substituted for non‐subsidized ones. The data‐set is an unbalanced panel of some 31,000 firms that are followed annually between 1995 and 2002. The analysis is based on difference‐in‐differences, which is adjusted by regression and matching methods. The results indicate that wage subsidies stimulate employment, and that the magnitude of the effect is as aimed. I also found that subsidies have no sizeable effects on non‐subsidized firms of the industry or the geographical area in question.