bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Religiosity and Islamic Rule in Iran
Authors: TEZCÜR GÜNEŞ MURAT , AZADARMAKİ TAGHİ
Published: May 2008

We investigate the relationship between religiosity and support for Islamic rule in the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI). Are high levels of religiosity associated with an ideology characterized by clerical rule, supremacy of Islamic law, and state enforcement of Islam? The data come from a random sampling survey conducted in Tehran in August 2003. It covers a range of questions on religiosity, social, and political attitudes, and has a sample of 412 respondents. The analyses show that religiosity is closely affiliated with an ideological understanding of Islam in Tehran. Interestingly, political dissatisfaction does not negatively affect this association. Shi‘ism in Iran has evolved from a “world‐shaking” force into a “world‐legitimating” force.
Increase or Decrease? The Impact of the International Migratory Event on Immigrant Religious Participation
Authors: CONNOR PHILLIP
Published: May 2008

Immigrant religiosity has recently become a hot topic both in academia and in the public arena. For years, a debate has existed as to whether there is an increase or decrease of immigrant religious participation surrounding the migratory event. Some argue that the act of migration spurs an increase in immigrant religious participation, while others contend that migration is a disruptive event and decreases immigrant religious participation. In addition to contextual factors, a number of micro‐level factors may explain this change in religious participation: sex, family composition, religious affiliation, and employment status. This article uses longitudinal data from Quebec, Canada surveying nearly 1,000 immigrants during the 1990s. Results indicate that immigrant religious participation decreases substantially as compared to the average level of religious participation among the same immigrants prior to their migration. Besides religious affiliation, most of the micro‐level factors hypothesized to explain this change in religious participation prove statistically insignificant. The lack of significant results for micro‐level factors points to environmental factors that may be at work.
Spirituality, Gender, and Expressive Selfhood
Authors: SOINTU EEVA , WOODHEAD LINDA
Published: May 2008

This article discusses contemporary spiritualities, focusing in particular on the recent growth of practices attending to “mind, body, and sprit” and centered on the goal of “holistic well‐being.” We argue that the growing popularity of such “holistic spirituality” since the 1980s can be greatly illuminated by reference to Charles Taylor's account of the expressive mode of modern selfhood. Taylor's account is limited, however, by its inability to explain why women are disproportionately active within the sphere of holistic spirituality. By paying closer attention to gender, we seek to refine Taylor's approach and to advance our understanding of contemporary spirituality. Drawing on findings from two qualitative studies of holistic spirituality and health carried out in the United Kingdom, this article offers an analysis of what the “subjective turn” may mean for women. We argue that holistic spiritualities align with traditional spheres and representations of femininity, while simultaneously supporting and encouraging a move away from selfless to expressive selfhood. By endorsing and sanctioning “living life for others” and “living life for oneself,” holistic spiritualities offer a way of negotiating dilemmas of selfhood that face many women — and some men—in late modern contexts.
Holistic Individualism in the Age of Aquarius: Measuring Individualism/Collectivism in New Age, Catholic, and Atheist/Agnostic Groups
Authors: FARIAS MIGUEL , LALLJEE MANSUR
Published: May 2008

The New Age has been reported to be an exemplary religion of modernity, that emphasizes the importance of autonomy and self‐development. Attempts to establish whether New Age ideas and practices were oriented toward self‐transcendence or if, instead, they reinforced secular individualistic values and behaviors have become a central point of debate among researchers. In order to bring some new light to this debate we compared New Age with Roman Catholic and atheist/agnostic participants on a battery of social‐psychological measures, including values, self‐concepts, and individualism/collectivism. Results indicate that New Age individuals adopt an individualist outlook similar to that of nonreligious people, but also define themselves using a set of abstract holistic self‐concepts, show avoidance of competitive goals, and stress values of universalism. We call this pattern “holistic individualism” for its fusion of an individualistic value orientation with highly abstract holistic perceptions of the self.
Balm in Gilead: Racism, Religious Involvement, and Psychological Distress Among African‐American Adults
Authors: ELLISON CHRISTOPHER G. , MUSICK MARC A. , HENDERSON ANDREA K.
Published: May 2008

Although a long tradition of theoretical and sociohistorical analysis has suggested that religious practices and values help African Americans in coping with the distressing sequelae of racism and discrimination, few studies have examined this issue with systematic, quantitative, empirical data. Our work contributes to the literature by: (a) outlining a series of arguments regarding the potential significance of multiple aspects of religious involvement—attendance at services, church‐based social support, and religious guidance in daily life—in dealing with harmful psychosocial effects of recent experiences of discrimination; and (b) testing hypotheses derived from two alternative models of the racism‐religion‐distress relationship using longitudinal data from a nationwide survey. Results indicate that both religious guidance and religious attendance moderate the effects of racism on psychological distress, while congregational support has a direct (but not interactive) effect on distress, thereby partly offsetting (but not buffering) the negative effects of discrimination.
Religious Activities, Religious Orientation, and Aggressive Behavior
Authors: LEACH MARK M. , BERMAN MITCHELL E. , EUBANKS LEA
Published: May 2008

Theorists and clinicians have long believed that religious practice may reduce aggression and other destructive behaviors. To date, most evidence for a relationship between religiosity and aggression comes from nonexperimental studies. The purpose of this exploratory study was twofold. First, to examine experimentally whether two religious practices reduce aggressive behavior; second, to determine if specific aspects of religious orientation and spiritual transcendence are related to level of aggression, expressed under controlled laboratory conditions. Sixty‐two participants assigned to one of three experimental groups (memorize Bible passages, prayer/meditation, or control group) completed a laboratory task of aggression. Participants also completed religious and spirituality instruments, along with self‐ratings of aggressive disposition. Results indicated that neither memorization of biblical passages nor meditation reduced aggression. Intrinsic‐oriented religiosity participants self‐reported lower aggression than extrinsic‐oriented participants, but no differences were found on the laboratory task of aggression. Spiritual transcendence showed no behavioral aggression differences.
Dearly Departed: How Often Do Congregations Close?
Authors: ANDERSON SHAWNA L. , MARTINEZ JESSICA HAMAR , HOEGEMAN CATHERINE , ADLER GARY , CHAVES MARK
Published: May 2008

We establish for the first time a national mortality rate for religious congregations by determining the 2005 status of congregations in the 1998 National Congregations Study sample. The annual mortality rate for religious congregations is 1 percent, which is among the lowest mortality rates ever observed for any type of organization. This unusually low mortality rate probably indicates an organizational population whose weakest members live on in a weakened state rather than an organizational population that is unusually robust all the way down to its most vulnerable members.
Repetitive and stereotyped movements in children with autism spectrum disorders late in the second year of life
Authors: Morgan Lindee , Wetherby Amy M. , Barber Angie
Published: May 2008

Objectives:  The purpose of this study was to examine group differences and relationships with later developmental level and autism symptoms using a new clinical tool developed to measure repetitive and stereotyped movements (RSM) in young children.

Method:  Videotaped behavior samples using the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile (CSBS; Wetherby & Prizant, 2002) were coded for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD; n = 50), developmental delays without ASD (DD; n = 25), and typical development (TD; n = 50) between 18 and 24 months of age.

Results:  Children with ASD demonstrated significantly higher rate and larger inventory of RSM with objects and body during a systematic behavior sample than both the DD and TD groups. Measures of RSM were related to concurrent measures of social communication and predicted developmental outcomes and autism symptoms in the fourth year for the ASD group. None of the correlations between RSM and autism symptoms remained significant when controlling for CSBS Symbolic level. RSM with objects predicted unique variance in the severity of autism symptoms in the fourth year beyond that predicted by social communication measures alone.

Conclusions:  This study provides support for the diagnostic significance of RSM in children under 24 months of age and documents the utility of this RSM measurement tool as a companion to the CSBS.
A multi‐component social skills intervention for children with Asperger syndrome: The Junior Detective Training Program
Authors: Beaumont Renae , Sofronoff Kate
Published: May 2008

Background:  The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a new multi‐component social skills intervention for children with Asperger syndrome (AS): The Junior Detective Training Program. This 7‐week program included a computer game, small group sessions, parent training sessions and teacher handouts.

Method:  Forty‐nine children with AS were recruited to participate and randomly assigned to intervention (n = 26) or wait‐list control (n = 23) conditions.

Results:  Relative to children in the wait‐list group, program participants showed greater improvements in social skills over the course of the intervention, as indicated by parent‐report measures. Teacher‐report data also confirmed that children receiving the intervention made significant improvements in social functioning from pre‐ to post‐treatment. Treatment group participants were better able to suggest appropriate emotion‐management strategies for story characters at post‐intervention than at pre‐intervention, whereas control participants were not. However, there was no difference in the improvements made by children in the intervention and control conditions on facial expression and body‐posture recognition measures. Follow‐up data suggested that treatment gains were maintained by children at 5‐months post‐intervention.

Conclusions:  The Junior Detective Training Program appeared to be effective in enhancing the social skills and emotional understanding of children with AS. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Brain potential correlates of face recognition: Geometric distortions and the N250r brain response to stimulus repetitions
Authors: Bindemann Markus , Burton A. Mike , Leuthold Hartmut , Schweinberger Stefan R.
Published: May 2008

The N250r is an event‐related potential that has been related to activation of image‐independent representations of familiar faces during recognition. However, N250r also shows a degree of image specificity, with reduced activation across repetitions of different images of the same face compared to repetitions across the same image, suggesting a component that codes the visual overlap between two face images. This study investigated whether N250r is equally attenuated when horizontally or vertically stretched faces prime an unstretched image of the same face. The results confirm that N250r is larger across repetitions of the same face image than across different images of the same face. Despite this, N250r was equivalent for priming by the same face image and priming from stretched onto unstretched faces. This finding demonstrates that N250r does not simply reflect the superficial visual overlap between two face images and supports the notion that it is related to person recognition.
Impact of real‐world stress on cardiorespiratory resting function during sleep in daily life
Authors: Sakakibara Masahito , Kanematsu Takayoshi , Yasuma Fumihiko , Hayano Junichiro
Published: May 2008

To examine if real‐world stress affects the restorative function of sleep in daily life, we studied the impact of college examinations on cardiorespiratory resting function during sleep. In healthy college students, at 1 week before, the day before, and the first day of semester‐end examinations pulse wave signal during sleep at their own residences was measured continuously with a wristband‐shaped wireless transdermal photoelectric sensor. The cardiorespiratory resting function was assessed quantitatively as the power of a high‐frequency component of pulse rate variability, a surrogate measure of respiratory sinus arrhythmia. Changes in anxiety were also evaluated with a state anxiety questionnaire. On the day before the examinations, compared with 1 week before, the score of state anxiety increased and the HF component of pulse rate variability decreased. Among college students, anxiety about college examinations may be accompanied by suppression of the cardiorespiratory resting function during sleep.
Interoceptive awareness in experienced meditators
Authors: Khalsa Sahib S. , Rudrauf David , Damasio Antonio R. , Davidson Richard J. , Lutz Antoine , Tranel Daniel
Published: May 2008

Attention to internal body sensations is practiced in most meditation traditions. Many traditions state that this practice results in increased awareness of internal body sensations, but scientific studies evaluating this claim are lacking. We predicted that experienced meditators would display performance superior to that of nonmeditators on heartbeat detection, a standard noninvasive measure of resting interoceptive awareness. We compared two groups of meditators (Tibetan Buddhist and Kundalini) to an age‐ and body mass index‐matched group of nonmeditators. Contrary to our prediction, we found no evidence that meditators were superior to nonmeditators in the heartbeat detection task, across several sessions and respiratory modulation conditions. Compared to nonmeditators, however, meditators consistently rated their interoceptive performance as superior and the difficulty of the task as easier. These results provide evidence against the notion that practicing attention to internal body sensations, a core feature of meditation, enhances the ability to sense the heartbeat at rest.
Chronic hyperammonemia reduces the activity of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in cerebellum by altering its localization and increasing its phosphorylation by calcium‐calmodulin kinase II
Authors: El‐Mlili Nisrin , Rodrigo Regina , Naghizadeh Bahareh , Cauli Omar , Felipo Vicente
Published: May 2008

Impaired function of the glutamate‐nitric oxide‐cGMP pathway contributes to cognitive impairment in hyperammonemia and hepatic encephalopathy. The mechanisms by which hyperammonemia impairs this pathway remain unclear. Understanding these mechanisms would allow designing clinical treatments for cognitive deficits in hepatic encephalopathy. The aims of this work were: (i) to assess whether chronic hyperammonemia in vivo alters basal activity of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in cerebellum and/or its activation in response to NMDA receptor activation and (ii) to analyse the molecular mechanisms by which hyperammonemia induces these alterations. It is shown that hyperammonemia reduces both basal activity of nNOS and its activation following NMDA receptor activation. Reduced basal activity is because of increased phosphorylation in Ser847 (by 69%) which reduces basal activity of nNOS by about 40%. Increased phosphorylation of nNOS in Ser847 is because of increased activity of calcium‐calmodulin‐dependent protein kinases (CaMKII) which in turn is because of increased phosphorylation at Thr286. Inhibiting CaMKII with KN‐62 normalizes phosphorylation of Ser847 and basal NOS activity in hyperammonemic rats, returning to values similar to controls. Reduced activation of nNOS in response to NMDA receptor activation in hyperammonemia is because of altered subcellular localization of nNOS, with reduced amount in post‐synaptic membranes and increased amount in the cytosol.
New application of β‐galactosidase complementation to monitor tau self‐association
Authors: Ding Huiping , Johnson Gail V. W.
Published: May 2008

Neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated and aberrantly cleaved microtubule‐associated protein tau are a major neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Recent studies suggest that the predominant neurotoxic effect of pathologically processed tau is mediated by intermediate tau multimers rather than the mature tau tangles, thus underscoring the importance of studying tau self‐association preceding tangle formation. However, experimental approaches for such studies are limited. Here, we describe a modification of the β‐galactosidase (β‐gal) complementation assay, which provides a simple, sensitive and quantitative system to monitor pre‐tangle tau–tau interactions in a cell model. Full‐length tau (T4) and tau truncated at D421 (C3, to mimic caspase‐cleaved tau) were fused to one of a pair of weakly complementing β‐gal mutants (Δα and Δω) and expressed in human embryonic kidney cells. The tau–tau interactions and the subsequent juxtapositioning of Δα and Δω led to β‐gal complementation and an increase in β‐gal activity which was detected by histochemical staining and quantified by chemiluminescent assays. After cross‐linking with disuccinimidyl suberate, tau formed high molecular weight complexes which were detected on denaturing acrylamide gels, further confirming the close proximity among self‐associated tau molecules. The self‐association of C3 appeared to be less efficient than that of T4. Furthermore, treatment with lithium decreased β‐gal complementation of both T4 and C3 indicating that the interaction of these proteins was attenuated. Overall, this study suggests that β‐gal complementation assay can be a useful tool to monitor tau self‐association.
Evidence for an association of prion protein and sphingolipid‐mediated signaling
Authors: Schmalzbauer Rüdiger , Eigenbrod Sabina , Winoto‐Morbach Supandi , Xiang Wei , Schütze Stefan , Bertsch Uwe , Kretzschmar Hans A.
Published: May 2008

The physiological function of the cellular prion protein (PrPc) is unclear. PrPc associates with lipid rafts, highly glycolipid‐rich membrane domains containing a large variety of signaling molecules, e.g., sphingolipids (SL). In this study, we investigated possible connections between PrPc and sphingolipid‐associated signaling pathways. Using PrPc‐wt and PrPc‐k.o. hippocampal cell lines and mouse brains we showed higher activity of neutral and acid sphingomyelinase (SMase) in PrPc‐k.o.‐groups, while ceramide and sphingomyelin‐levels were unchanged. Furthermore, despite lower basal expression levels of sphingosine kinase (SphK) in PrPc‐k.o.‐groups, the levels of its metabolite sphingosine‐1‐phosphate were increased, whereas S1P3‐receptor expression was higher in PrPc‐wt‐groups again. In addition, we detected enhanced activity of phospholipase D1, an enzyme that seems to be suitable to act as a connector between the S1P3 receptor and continuative signaling. Finally, evidence for an impact on downstream signaling cascades, especially activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, was found. In summary, our data suggest that PrPc is involved in sphingolipid‐associated signaling, modulating pathways that exert anti‐apoptotic functions, hence indicating that PrPc plays a role in neuroprotection.
Redox‐reactive membrane vesicles produced by Shewanella
Authors: GORBY Y. , MCLEAN J. , KORENEVSKY A. , ROSSO K. , EL‐NAGGAR M. Y. , BEVERIDGE T. J
Published: May 2008

This manuscript is dedicated to our friend, mentor, and coauthor Dr Terry Beveridge, who devoted his scientific career to advancing fundamental aspects of microbial ultrastructure using innovative electron microscopic approaches. During his graduate studies with Professor Robert Murray, Terry provided some of the first glimpses and structural evaluations of the regular surface arrays (S‐layers) of Gram‐negative bacteria (Beveridge & Murray, 1974, 1975, 1976a). Beginning with his early electron microscopic assessments of metal binding by cell walls from Gram‐positive bacteria (Beveridge & Murray, 1976b, 1980) and continuing with more than 30 years of pioneering research on microbe–mineral interactions (Hoyle & Beveridge, 1983, 1984; Ferris et al., 1986; Gorby et al., 1988; Beveridge, 1989; Mullen et al., 1989; Urrutia Mera et al., 1992; Mera & Beveridge, 1993; Brown et al., 1994; Konhauser et al., 1994; Beveridge et al., 1997; Newman et al., 1997; Lower et al., 2001; Glasauer et al., 2002; Baesman et al., 2007), Terry helped to shape the developing field of biogeochemistry. Terry and his associates are also widely regarded for their research defining the structure and function of outer membrane vesicles from Gram‐negative bacteria that facilitate processes ranging from the delivery of pathogenic enzymes to the possible exchange of genetic information.

The current report represents the confluence of two of Terry's thematic research streams by demonstrating that membrane vesicles produced by dissimilatory metal‐reducing bacteria from the genus Shewanella catalyze the enzymatic transformation and precipitation of heavy metals and radionuclides. Under low‐shear conditions, membrane vesicles are commonly tethered to intact cells by electrically conductive filaments known as bacterial nanowires. The functional role of membrane vesicles and associated nanowires is not known, but the potential for mineralized vesicles that morphologically resemble nanofossils to serve as palaeontological indicators of early life on Earth and as biosignatures of life on other planets is recognized.
Stars of the terrestrial deep subsurface: A novel ‘star‐shaped’ bacterial morphotype from a South African platinum mine
Authors: WANGER G. , ONSTOTT T. C. , SOUTHAM G.
Published: May 2008

FOREWORD

We study structure and function. Credit of course, goes to TJB, for it is from him that I inherited the habit of personifying bacteria and attempting to think like a bacterium, to better understand what they do. This work has taken us to wonderful places such as Yellowstone National Park, The Canadian Arctic, Australia, and the deep subsurface in the Republic of South Africa, the subject of this manuscript. From their perspective, why they do what they do is simple, to live. How they do it, is more challenging for us to understand, so it is something that we continue to work on. The marvel of bacteria is something that I, in turn, try to pass on to my students where I hope it will find fertile ground and provide as much enjoyment as it has given me – G. Southam.

A biofilm (mine‐slime) collected from the Northam Platinum mine in the Republic of South Africa contained a new bacterial morphotype. Mine‐slimes are generally considered to be microbiologically compromised, subsurface samples due to the likelihood of contamination from the mining environment. However, careful examination of this biofilm demonstrated that it possessed a diverse bacterial population that included organisms that are consistent with the deep subsurface, suggesting that mine‐slimes represent an underutilized, ‘natural’ bacterial enrichment. Using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, a novel, branching, filamentous, star‐shape bacterium (in cross section) has been found, adding a new bacterial morphotype and strategy that bacteria have demonstrated to increase their surface area to volume ratio.
Opportunities for Academic Training in the Science and Practice of Restoration within the United States and Canada
Authors: Nelson Cara R. , Schoennagel Tania , Gregory Esther R.
Published: May 2008

With increasing interest in ecosystem restoration, there is a corresponding need for trained professionals who understand not only the science of restoration ecology but also the management practices and social factors that lead to successful project implementation. We surveyed 300 academic institutions in the United States and Canada with research programs in the ecological, conservation, and natural resource sciences to determine whether current curricula in restoration meet the needs of this growing field. Opportunities to obtain a degree specifically in the field of restoration were extremely limited: only 11 institutions (4%) offered undergraduate degrees, and only four (1%) offered graduate degrees. Half of these programs were established within the last 5 years. Only three programs required more than one course in restoration, and over half did not include any specific core courses in the social sciences. There were more opportunities to obtain a degree relevant to restoration but not specifically restoration focused: 21% of institutions offered such undergraduate degrees and 12% offered graduate degrees. With regard to courses, only 23% of institutions offered courses that specifically focused on restoration, whereas 43% offered courses that included “restoration” in their description. These trends suggest that although training opportunities are increasing, the current pool of programs and courses that explicitly focus on restoration is not sufficient to meet current demand for qualified and experienced restorationists or to ensure that these scientists and practitioners have the training necessary to meet the complex challenges of restoring degraded ecosystems in the future.
Thinking Locally for Urban Forest Restoration: A Simple Method Links Exotic Species Invasion to Local Landscape Structure
Authors: Vidra Rebecca L. , Shear Theodore H.
Published: May 2008

Restoring urban forests often involves eradicating exotic species and diligently guarding against future invasions. Understanding how landscape structure contributes to the distribution of exotic species may inform these management efforts. To date, the distribution of exotic species in forested patches has been correlated with the type of development surrounding the patch, with those surrounded by agricultural or urban development often more highly invaded. Yet, previous studies have categorized land use types and have not examined more local‐scale changes in land use. These local changes may be particularly important in urban areas where forested patches are immediately surrounded by diverse land use types. Our study examined how two key aspects of landscape structure, patch size and adjacent land use, may influence patterns of exotic species invasion of riparian buffers within Raleigh and Cary, North Carolina, United States. We found that large patch size alone, in our case, wide riparian buffers, does not protect against exotic species invasion. Patches surrounded by higher canopy‐cover landscapes (e.g., forests and older residential developments with mature canopy) were more likely to be invaded than those surrounded by less canopy cover (e.g., shopping malls and other commercial development). We attribute these results, in part, to increased pressure from exotic propagules from adjacent forests. When restoring urban forests, attention should be paid to local land use to better plan for successful, long‐term eradication of exotic species.
Translocations: Providing Outcomes for Wildlife, Resource Managers, Scientists, and the Human Community
Authors: Parker Kevin A.
Published: May 2008

The World Conservation Union (1987) defines a translocation as a release of animals with the intention of establishing, reestablishing, or augmenting an existing population. Despite frequent use as a tool for the management of threatened and endangered wildlife, the full benefits of translocations often go unrealized. In this article, I demonstrate how translocations can achieve outputs for conservation management, conservation science, and the wider human community, using North Island (NI) Saddleback or Tieke (Philesturnus rufusater) as an illustrative example. From a conservation management perspective, NI Saddleback have been salvaged from a relic population of less than 500 birds on 484‐ha Hen Island to a metapopulation of approximately 6,000 birds on 13 offshore islands and at two mainland New Zealand sites. These translocations have reduced the risk of global extinction for this species and helped restore the ecosystems involved. All these translocations have occurred in the past 42 years from known source populations and with known numbers of birds released. The resulting replicated serial population bottlenecks provide numerous scientific opportunities for conservation and biological research. Although the first Saddleback translocations were to reserves closed to the public, subsequent translocations have been to open reserves, providing the wider human community with an opportunity to see and be actively involved in the management of a threatened endemic species. This has raised the profile of both NI Saddleback and other species and has provided wider community conservation benefits. These three outputs illustrate the value of translocations for resource management and conservation science and for increasing community interest, participation, and investment in biological conservation.
The head nodding syndrome—Clinical classification and possible causes
Authors: Winkler Andrea S. , Friedrich Katrin , König Rebekka , Meindl Michael , Helbok Raimund , Unterberger Iris , Gotwald Thaddaeus , Dharsee Jaffer , Velicheti Sandeep , Kidunda Aslam , Jilek‐Aall Louise , Matuja William , Schmutzhard Erich
Published: May 2008

Purpose:  In the 1960s in Tanzania, L. Jilek‐Aall observed a seizure disorder characterized by head nodding (HN). Decades later, “nodding disease,” reminiscent of what was seen in Tanzania, was reported from Sudan. To date this seizure disorder has not been classified and possible causes still remain obscure.

Methods:  In a prospective study in southern Tanzania, we evaluated 62 patients with HN. Selected patients underwent blood (n = 51) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (n = 48) analyses. Others were chosen for MRI (n = 12) and EEG (n = 10).

Results:  Seizure type was classified as “head nodding only” and “head nodding plus,” the latter being combined with other types of seizure (n =34). During HN, consciousness was impaired in 11 patients (17.7%) and supportive signs of epileptic seizures were described by 15 (24.2%) patients. Precipitating factors were confirmed by 11 (17.7%) patients. Fifty‐six (90.3%) patients had at least one relative with epilepsy. EEG confirmed interictal epileptic activity in two patients and unspecific changes in four patients. MRI showed hippocampus pathologies (n = 5) and gliotic changes (n = 5). Skin polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity for Onchocerca volvulus was significantly associated with lesions on MRI. However, PCR of the CSF was negative in all cases.

Conclusions:  We present a comprehensive clinical description of the “HN syndrome,” possibly a new epilepsy disorder in sub‐Saharan Africa. MRI lesions and their association with positive skin PCR for O. volvulus despite negative PCR of the CSF is intriguing and deserves attention. Furthermore, the high prevalence of hippocampus sclerosis and familial clustering of epilepsy may point toward other potential pathogenetic mechanisms.
Antiepileptogenic and antiictogenic effects of retigabine under conditions of rapid kindling: An ontogenic study
Authors: Mazarati Andréy , Wu Jim , Shin Don , Kwon Young Se , Sankar Raman
Published: May 2008

Purpose:  To examine antiepileptogenic and antiictogenic potential of retigabine (RTG) under conditions of rapid kindling epileptogenesis during different stages of development.

Methods:  The experiments were performed in postnatal day 14 (P14), P21, and P35 male Wistar rats. After stereotaxic implantation of hippocampal stimulating and recording electrodes, the effects of RTG on baseline afterdischarge (AD) properties were studied. Next, the animals underwent rapid kindling (sixty 10 s trains, bipolar 20 Hz square wave pulses delivered every 5 min). The progression of seizures (kindling acquisition), and responses to test stimulations after kindling (retention) were compared between RTG and vehicle‐treated rats. Additionally, the effects of RTG on the severity of seizures in previously kindled animals were examined.

Results:  When administered intraperitoneally in doses that induced only mild, or no motor deficits, RTG significantly dampened brain excitability, evident as the increase of AD threshold and shortening of AD duration. During kindling, RTG delayed the development of focal seizures in P14 rats, and prevented the occurrence of full limbic seizures at all three ages. At P14 and P21, but not at P35, pretreatment with RTG prevented the establishment of kindling‐induced enhanced seizure susceptibility. Administration of RTG to kindled animals decreased the severity of seizures induced by test stimulation. The effect was most prominent at P14.

Discussion:  RTG exerted both antiepileptogenic and antiictogenic effects under conditions of rapid kindling model. These effects were apparent during postneonatal, early childhood, and adolescent stages of development.
Analysis of clinical patterns and underlying epileptogenic zones of hypermotor seizures
Authors: Rheims Sylvain , Ryvlin Philippe , Scherer Clarisse , Minotti Lorella , Hoffmann Dominique , Guenot Marc , Mauguière François , Benabid Alim‐Louis , Kahane Philippe
Published: May 2008

Background: Hypermotor seizures (HMS) are characterized by complex movements involving the proximal segment of the limbs and trunk. Although they are primarily reported in mesial frontal or orbitofrontal epilepsies, they have also been described in patients with temporal or insular epilepsies, questioning the localizing value of HMS in patients contemplating epilepsy surgery. Furthermore, HMS can include different forms of HM behaviors. Whether these clinical variations may be systematized and may reflect different locations of the epileptogenic zone (EZ) has not been evaluated yet.

Methods: We have retrospectively analyzed ictal signs and intracerebral EEG data in 11 patients presenting with HMS who became seizure free following epilepsy surgery with a minimum follow‐up of 24 months. Clinical phenomena were reviewed blinded to seizure onset zone.

Results: Two types of HMS could be distinguished in this population: HMS1, observed in six patients, mainly consisted of marked agitation that either included body rocking, kicking, or boxing, associated with a facial expression of fear. HMS2, observed in the five other patients, mainly consisted of mild agitation that included either horizontal movements or rotation of trunk and pelvis while lying on the bed, usually associated with tonic/dystonic posturing. SEEG findings showed that the EZ associated with HMS1 was mainly centered on the ventromesial frontal cortex. Conversely, HMS2 was primarily associated with an EZ localized within the mesial premotor cortex.

Conclusions: Although these findings remain to be confirmed by larger studies, they may help optimize the placement of intracerebral electrodes in patients contemplating epilepsy surgery.
Seizure type, antiepileptic drugs, and reproductive endocrine dysfunction in Indian women with epilepsy: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Sahota Preeti , Prabhakar Sudesh , Kharbanda Parampreet S. , Bhansali Anil , Jain Vanita , Das Chandi Prasad , Modi Manish
Published: May 2008

Background:  There is paucity of data regarding occurrence of reproductive endocrine disorders in Asian women with epilepsy (WWE) on antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy.

Purpose:  To determine the occurrence of reproductive endocrine disorders in Indian WWE, by seizure type and the AED use.

Methods:  Consecutive 427 reproductive age WWE receiving various AEDs were screened for the occurrence of menstrual abnormalities, weight change, and hirsutism. Of these, 53 WWE with menstrual disturbances and/or hirsutism were further evaluated for ovarian morphology and reproductive hormonal profile.

Results:  Menstrual abnormalities and/or hirsutism were observed in 83 of 427 (19.4%) WWE irrespective of epileptic seizure type; of these, 50 (60.2%) received valproate, 21 (25.3%) received carbamazepine, 11 (13.3%) received phenytoin, and one (1.2%) received phenobarbitone as the primary AED. Almost half of valproate‐treated women had significant weight gain and obesity. Among 53 of 83 women evaluated further, 23.5% and 63.6% of valproate‐treated women, 25% and 58.3% of carbamazepine‐treated women, and none and 20% of phenytoin‐treated women had polycystic ovaries (PCO) and hyperandrogenemia (HA), respectively. Valproate‐treated women had significantly higher frequency of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) (11.8% vs. 2.5%, p < 0.0001) and mean serum testrosterone levels (1.78 vs. 1.36 ng/ml, p = 0.03), compared with women treated with other AEDs.

Limitations:  Limitations include small number of women in antiepileptic subgroups and a high drop out rate in women who underwent ultrasound and endocrinological investigations.

Conclusion:  Menstrual abnormalities, weight gain, obesity, and PCOS are frequent and significantly higher in WWE receiving valproate, independent of seizure type.
Resolution of obstructive sleep apnea with epilepsy surgery? Expanding the relationship between sleep and epilepsy
Authors: Foldvary‐Schaefer Nancy , Stephenson Lisa , Bingaman William
Published: May 2008

Summary

Recent studies suggest a higher than expected prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with refractory epilepsy. In some cases, treatment of OSA improves seizure control. We report a case in which clinically significant OSA disappeared after left frontal lobe resection that produced a near seizure free state. This occurred in the absence of the usual factors, such as weight or medication change or variation in polysomnography (PSG) recording methodology, that often confound the comparison of sequential PSGs over time. Our patient underwent PSG with 18‐channel EEG recording pre‐ and postoperatively using standardized scoring techniques. Baseline testing revealed an apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) of 24 with severe oxygen desaturations reaching a nadir of 62%. Postoperative testing found both the AHI and oxygen saturation normalized as well as a marked reduction in spike rate. We hypothesize that the pathophysiology of OSA in patients with epilepsy may be impacted by frequent, extensive interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) and/or seizures altering upper airway control during sleep.
Nutritional supplements, foods, and epilepsy: Is there a relationship?
Authors: Asadi‐Pooya Ali A. , Mintzer Scott , Sperling Michael R.
Published: May 2008

Anecdotal reports suggest that certain foods and dietary contents might influence the occurrence of seizures. However, the existing data are scanty and sometimes controversial. Some studies have found that the supplementation with individual nutrients reduced seizure frequency or improved other aspects of health in patients with epilepsy, while other studies have failed to confirm those findings. Nutrient supplementation may be necessary to prevent or reverse the effects of certain deficiencies that frequently result from the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). However, the potential benefits of nutrient supplementation in patients with epilepsy must be weighed against reports that large doses of certain nutrients can interfere with the action of some AEDs. This paper reviews dietary and nutritional considerations in patients with epilepsy and also the relationship between foods, dietary elements, and seizures.
History of simple febrile seizures is associated with hippocampal abnormalities in adults
Authors: Auer Tibor , Barsi Peter , Bone Beata , Angyalosi Anna , Aradi Mihaly , Szalay Csaba , Horvath Reka A. , Kovacs Norbert , Kotek Gyula , Fogarasi Andras , Komoly Samuel , Janszky Imre , Schwarcz Attila , Janszky József
Published: May 2008

Summary

Background: It is unclear whether the hippocampal abnormality in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a consequence or the cause of afebrile or febrile seizures (FSs). We investigated whether hippocampal abnormalities are present in healthy adults
>
15 years after a simple FS.

Methods: Eight healthy subjects (5 men) with a history of simple FS (FS+ group) and eight sex‐ and aged‐matched control subjects (FS– group) were investigated by three MR methods: blinded visual inspection of the MRI pictures; automatic voxel‐based volumetry; and T2 relaxation time measurements.

Results: The mean total volume of the two hippocampi was 5.36 ± 1.33 cm
3
in the FS+ group and 6.63 ± 1.46 cm
3
in the FS– group (p = 0.069). The T2 values in the anterior part of the left hippocampus (p = 0.036) and in the middle part of the right hippocampus (p = 0.025) were elevated in the FS+ subjects. The mean volume of the right hippocampus was 3.05 ± 0.8 cm
3
in the FS+ men and 4.05 ± 0.48 cm
3
in the FS– men (p = 0.043). The mean total volume of the two hippocampi was 5.38 ± 1.4 cm
3
in the FS+ men and 7.48 ± 1.14 cm
3
in the FS– men (p = 0.043). There were three FS+ men in whom hippocampal abnormalities including hippocampal sclerosis (HS) and dysgenesis were observed on visual inspection.

Conclusions: A history of simple FS in childhood can be associated with hippocampal abnormalities in adults. These abnormalities are probably more pronounced in men. Simple FS may not be as a benign event as previously thought. Our findings suggest that hippocampal abnormalities associated with FS are not necessarily epileptogenic.
RATE OF O2 PRODUCTION DERIVED FROM PULSE‐AMPLITUDE‐MODULATED FLUORESCENCE: TESTING THREE BIOOPTICAL APPROACHES AGAINST MEASURED O2‐PRODUCTION RATE1
Authors: Hancke Torunn B. , Hancke Kasper , Johnsen Geir , Sakshaug Egil
Published: May 2008

Light absorption by phytoplankton is both species specific and affected by photoacclimational status. To estimate oxygenic photosynthesis from pulse‐amplitude‐modulated (PAM) fluorescence, the amount of quanta absorbed by PSII needs to be quantified. We present here three different biooptical approaches to estimate the fraction of light absorbed by PSII: (1) the factor 0.5, which implies that absorbed light is equally distributed among PSI and PSII; (2) the fraction of chl a in PSII, determined as the ratio between the scaled red‐peak fluorescence excitation and the red absorption peak; and (3) the measure of light absorbed by PSII, determined from the scaling of the fluorescence excitation spectra to the absorption spectra by the “no‐overshoot” procedure. Three marine phytoplankton species were used as test organisms: Prorocentrum minimum (Pavill.) J. Schiller (Dinophyceae), Prymnesium parvum cf. patelliferum (J. C. Green, D. J. Hibberd et Pienaar) A. Larsen (Haptophyceae), and Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin (Bacillariophyceae). Photosynthesis versus irradiance (P vs. E) parameters calculated using the three approaches were compared with P versus E parameters obtained from simultaneously measured rates of oxygen production. Generally, approach 1 underestimated, while approach 2 overestimated the gross O2‐production rate calculated from PAM fluorescence. Approach 3, in principle the best approach to estimate quanta absorbed by PSII, was also superior according to observations. Hence, we recommend approach 3 for estimation of gross O2‐production rates based on PAM fluorescence measurements.
THE OOGONIA OF MACROALGA UNDARIA PINNATIFIDA ARE ALKALINE‐PHOSPHATASE POSITIVE AND CONTAIN GERMINAL BODY‐LIKE STRUCTURES1
Authors: Alexandrova Ya N. , Reunov A. A.
Published: May 2008

It was observed that in the female gametophyte of Undaria pinnatifida (Harv.) Suringar (Phaeophyta, Laminariales) gametangial initials and maturing oogonia demonstrated different levels of alkaline‐phosphatase activity (APA). The oogonia exhibited a higher level of APA than in its initials. Electron‐dense granular ovoid structures ∼0.5–0.6 μm were present in the cytoplasm of oogonia. These inclusions were not membrane bound and do not appear to be associated with any particular organelles. The number of the inclusions was 1 to 2 in a single section of the cell. In essential details, the specific APA and subcellular germinal body‐like structure of the developing female gamete in U. pinnatifida were very similar to those in metazoan oocytes.
INTERACTIONS AMONG PHOSPHATE UPTAKE, PHOTOSYNTHESIS, AND CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE IN NUTRIENT‐LIMITED CULTURES OF THE CHLOROPHYTE MICROALGA DUNALIELLA TERTIOLECTA1
Authors: Roberts Simon , Shelly Kirsten , Beardall John
Published: May 2008

Phosphate‐limited and phosphate‐sufficient continuous cultures of the marine chlorophyte microalga Dunaliella tertiolecta Butcher were examined for their responses to the addition of phosphate. Phosphate‐limited cultures showed a marked quenching of chl fluorescence following a pulse of phosphate. This response was absent from cells growing under phosphate‐sufficient conditions. Both the extent of fluorescence quenching (where present) and the initial rate of change in quenching were dependent on the concentration of phosphate added to cell suspensions and on the degree of limitation (growth rate in continuous culture). The addition of phosphate also brought about a transient decrease in photosynthetic oxygen evolution and a stimulation in respiration, which were relaxed as the added phosphate was depleted from the external medium. The applicability of using nutrient‐induced fluorescence transients as a tool to identify the nutrient status of phytoplankton populations is discussed.
PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF THE LARGE SUBUNIT RUBISCO GENE SUPPORTS THE EXCLUSION OF AVRAINVILLEA AND CLADOCEPHALUS FROM THE UDOTEACEAE (BRYOPSIDALES, CHLOROPHYTA)1
Authors: Curtis Nicholas E. , Dawes Clinton J. , Pierce Sidney K.
Published: May 2008

The placement of Avrainvillea and Cladocephalus in the family Udoteaceae (order Bryopsidales) has been questioned on the basis of nuclear, plastid, and other ultrastructural characteristics unique to these genera. Bayesian analysis of the chloroplast‐encoded LSU RUBISCO (rbcL) gene showed that the Udoteaceae is paraphyletic. Cladocephalus luteofuscus (P. Crouan et H. Crouan) Børgesen, Avrainvillea nigricans f. floridana D. Littler et Littler, and A. mazei G. Murray et Boodle form a clade with the freshwater alga Dichotomosiphon tuberosus (A. Braun ex Kütz.) A. Ernst that is basal to a clade that includes other members of the Udoteaceae, the Halimedaceae, and the Caulerpaceae. The noncalcified species Boodleopsis pusilla (Collins) W. R. Taylor, A. B. Joly et Bernat. groups with species of the calcified Udoteacean genera Penicillus, Rhipocephalus, Udotea, and Halimeda.