bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prostate gland volume is a strong predictor of biopsy results in men 70 years or older with prostate‐speciﬁc antigen levels of 2.0–10.0 ng/mL
Authors: KOBAYASHI TAKASHI , MITSUMORI KENJI , KAWAHARA TAKASHI , NISHIZAWA KOJI , OGURA KEIJI , IDE YOSHIHIRO
Published: November 2005

Purpose: The incidence of prostate cancer, benign prostatic enlargement and serum level of prostate‐speciﬁc antigen (PSA) increase with patient age. Intermediate elevation of PSA in elderly populations is apt to be considered insigniﬁcant. We evaluated the impact of PSA and prostate volume on the presence of non‐palpable prostate cancer in elderly men with an intermediate level of PSA.

Materials and methods: Clinical records of 154 men 70 years or older, with non‐cancerous digital rectal examination ﬁndings and with serum PSA levels of 2.0–10.0 ng/mL, who underwent initial 6‐ to 10‐core transrectal prostate biopsy, were reviewed for prostate volume, number of biopsy cores, PSA and associated parameters. Stepwise logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) models were used to determine the impacts of the parameters on the biopsy results.

Results: Overall cancer detection rate was 40/154 or 26.0%. Prostate‐speciﬁc antigen showed no signiﬁcant association with the presence of prostate cancer (P = 0.59, Mann–Whitney U‐test), while prostate volume did (P < 0.0001). On stepwise logistic regression analysis, prostate volume (P = 0.024, 95% CI 1.008–1.116) and biopsy core density (P = 0.017, 95% CI 4.76–7.12 × 106) were independently associated with a cancer diagnosis, whereas PSA density was not an independent factor for a positive biopsy result. The area under the ROC curve for prostate volume was signiﬁcantly superior to that of PSA (0.802 vs. 0.529; P = 0.012).

Conclusions: In men 70 years or older with gray zone PSA, prostate cancer patients are equally distributed over any PSA range. Although PSA has less impact on cancer presence than mere prostate volume, prostate cancer would be detected in a substantial proportion of older patients with PSA levels of 2.0–10.0 ng/mL.
Response of papillary renal cell carcinoma in a solitary kidney to high dose interleukin therapy
Authors: DINER ERIC K , LINEHAN MARSTON , WALTHER MCCLELLAN
Published: November 2005

Abstract  Kidney cancer affects 36 000 Americans annually and is responsible for nearly 12 000 deaths every year in the US. Treatment with interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), the only FDA approved therapy for patients with advanced kidney cancer, is associated with a 10% complete response and a 12% partial response. To date, clear cell renal carcinoma has been the only histological type associated with response to IL‐2‐based therapy. In the current report, we describe a response to IL‐2 therapy in a patient with type I papillary renal carcinoma.
Massive epithelioid angiomyolipoma of the kidney in a young girl
Authors: HUNG MING‐SHAN , CHANG JULIA HUEIMEI , CHANG CHIN‐PAO , TAI HUI‐LUNG
Published: November 2005

Abstract  We report the case of a huge right renal tumor in a 17‐year‐old girl. Absence of fat on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging suggested renal cell carcinoma, and surgery was performed. Pathologic evaluation with HMB‐45 immunohistochemical staining conﬁrmed the diagnosis of epithelioid angiomyolipoma. The tumor consisted predominantly of epithelioid cells, and it could easily be misidentiﬁed as a renal cell carcinoma due to the paucity of the fat component. Previous reports have suggested that epithelioid angiomyolipomas have the potential to be malignant, and thus regular postoperative surveillance is recommended. Our patient had no signs of recurrence at her most recent follow up, 12 months after surgery.
Pure red cell aplasia in a prostate cancer patient treated with leuprolide acetate and chlormadinone acetate
Authors: KOBAYASHI MINORU , NUKUI AKINORI , MORITA TATSUO
Published: November 2005

Abstract  Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is characterized by anemia with reticulocytopenia but with normal leukocyte and platelet counts, and a bone marrow with a selective absence of erythroid precursor cells. Drug‐induced PRCA is a rare secondary form of PRCA, and is usually acute and fully reversible by the withdrawal of the causative drugs. We report a rare case of PRCA in a prostate cancer patient treated with combined androgen blockade (CAB) consisted of leuprolide acetate as a luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone agonist and chlormadinone acetate as an antiandrogen. This case demonstrated that these drugs could be a cause of PRCA, and suggests that regular close monitoring for anemia is needed in prostate cancer patients treated with these drugs.
Renal matrix stones in an emphysematous pyelonephritis
Authors: OKOCHI HISAO , IIYAMA TATSUO , KASAHARA KOTARO , MORIKI TOSHIAKI , INOUE KEIJI , SHUIN TARO
Published: November 2005

Abstract  A 74‐year‐old‐woman was referred to our hospital for further examination. Her chief complaint had been a high‐grade fever, but she was seen at our hospital without fever. Plain ﬁlm of kidney, ureter and bladder drip infusion pyelography and abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed a gas shadow surrounding calciﬁcations in the right renal pelvis. We diagnosed right emphysematous pyelonephritis. Since changes in the CT ﬁndings were not remarkable for 2 weeks, we performed laparoscopic right nephrectomy, even though her condition had not worsened. The renal pelvis contained brownish and clayish matter. We report here this rare case of renal matrix stones.
A molecular switch for translational control in taste memory consolidation
Authors: Belelovsky K. , Elkobi A. , Kaphzan H. , Nairn A. C. , Rosenblum K.
Published: November 2005

In a variety of species memory consolidation following different learning paradigms has been shown to be dependent on protein synthesis. However, it is not known whether modulation of protein synthesis is a critical component of the consolidation process, nor is the identity of any protein(s) subject to translational regulation, known. We report here that phosphorylation of eukaryotic elongation factor‐2 (eEF2), an indicator for translational elongation attenuation, is correlated with input that produces taste memory consolidation in the relevant cortex of rat. The temporal pattern of eEF2 phosphorylation is similar to extra‐cellular regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) activation and S6K1 phosphorylation, which are known to stimulate translation initiation. In addition, increased eEF2 phosphorylation and increased αCaMKII expression is detected in a synaptoneurosomal fraction made from taste cortex following memory consolidation. These results suggest that increased initiation rate together with decreased elongation rate, during memory consolidation, shift the rate‐limiting step of protein synthesis, to produce a local switch‐like effect in the expression of neuronal proteins.
Retinal abnormalities in human albinism translate into a reduction of grey matter in the occipital cortex
Authors: von dem Hagen Elisabeth A. H. , Houston Gavin C. , Hoffmann Michael B. , Jeffery Glen , Morland Antony B.
Published: November 2005

Albinism is a genetic condition associated with abnormalities of the visual system. Defects in melanin production cause underdevelopment of the fovea, reduced retinal cell numbers and abnormal routing of ganglion cell nerve fibres at the optic chiasm. We examined 19 subjects with albinism and 26 control subjects to determine whether retinal abnormalities affect the structure of the visual cortex. Whole‐brain, high‐resolution anatomical magnetic resonance imaging volumes from each subject were obtained on a 1.5‐T scanner and segmented into grey and white matter. A voxel‐wise statistical comparison of grey and white matter volumes in the occipital lobes between the two groups was performed using voxel‐based morphometry. Our analysis revealed a regionally specific decrease in grey matter volume at the occipital poles in albinism. The location of the decrease in grey matter corresponds to the cortical representation of the central visual field. This reduction is likely to be a direct result of decreased ganglion cell numbers in central retina in albinism.
Reciprocal connections between olfactory structures and the cortex of the rostral superior temporal sulcus in the Macaca fascicularis monkey
Authors: Mohedano‐Moriano A. , Martinez‐Marcos A. , Muñoz M. , Arroyo‐Jimenez M. M. , Marcos P. , Artacho‐Pérula E. , Blaizot X. , Insausti R.
Published: November 2005

Convergence of sensory modalities in the nonhuman primate cerebral cortex is still poorly understood. We present an anatomical tracing study in which polysensory association cortex located at the fundus and upper bank of the rostral superior temporal sulcus presents reciprocal connections with primary olfactory structures. At the same time, projections from this polysensory area reach multiple primary olfactory centres. Retrograde (Fast Blue) and anterograde (biotinylated dextran–amine and 3H‐amino acids) tracers were injected into primary olfactory structures and rostral superior temporal sulcus. Retrograde tracers restricted to the anterior olfactory nucleus resulted in labelled neurons in the rostral portion of the upper bank and fundus of superior temporal sulcus. Injections of biotinylated dextran–amine at the fundus and upper bank of the superior temporal sulcus confirmed this projection by labelling axons in the dorsal and lateral portions of the anterior olfactory nucleus, as well as piriform, periamygdaloid and entorhinal cortices. Retrograde tracer injections at the rostral superior temporal sulcus resulted in neuronal labelling in the anterior olfactory nucleus, piriform, periamygdaloid and entorhinal cortices, thus providing confirmation of the reciprocity between primary olfactory structures and the cortex at the rostral superior temporal sulcus. The reciprocal connections between the rostral part of superior temporal sulcus and primary olfactory structures represent a convergence for olfactory and other sensory modalities at the cortex of the rostral temporal lobe.
Modulation of calcium currents in mouse ventral horn neurons by extracellular pH
Authors: Carlin Kevin P.
Published: November 2005

Neuronal activity has been shown to modulate the pH of the extracellular environment. Since neuronal circuits in the ventral horn of the spinal cord are highly active during patterned movements, and voltage‐gated calcium channels play an important role in the production of spinal motoneuron output, the effects of changes in extracellular pH (pHe) on calcium currents in ventral horn neurons of the mouse spinal cord were examined. It is demonstrated that these channels are sensitive to modulation by pHe. The amplitude of the current mediated by these channels increased as the pHe was elevated. The elevated pHe also led to a hyperpolarizing shift in the voltage dependence of both activation and inactivation. The opposite effects were seen for a decrease in pHe. It was also noted that a decrease in pHe was associated with a faster inactivation of the current. It is concluded that voltage‐gated calcium currents in ventral horn neurons are modulated by changes in pHe, and that this modulation may play a physiologically important role in determining motoneuronal excitability during behaviors such as locomotion.
Conventional functional classification schemes underestimate the relationship with ecosystem functioning
Authors: Wright Justin P. , Naeem Shahid , Hector Andy , Lehman Clarence , Reich Peter B. , Schmid Bernhard , Tilman David
Published: November 2005

Studies linking the functional diversity of a biota to ecosystem functioning typically employa prioriclassifications of species into hypothetically complementary groups. However, multiple alternate classifications exist in which the number of functional groups, the number of species per functional group, and the grouping of species differ from thea priorischeme. Without assessing the relative precision, or ability of ana priorischeme to accurately predict ecosystem functioning relative to its many alternatives, the validity and utility of analyses based on a singlea prioriclassification scheme remains unclear. We examine the precision ofa prioriclassifications used in 10 experimental grassland systems in Europe and the United States that have found evidence for a significant role of functional plant diversity in governing ecosystem function. The predictive precision of thea prioriclassifications employed in these studies was seldom significantly higher than the precision of random classifications.Post‐hocclassification schemes that performed well in predicting ecosystem function resembled each other more with regard to species composition than average classifications, but there was still considerable variability in the manner in which these classification schemes grouped species. These results suggest that we need a more nuanced understanding of how the diversity of functional traits of species in an assemblage affects ecosystem functioning.
Genetic variability in a population of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi causes variation in plant growth
Authors: Koch Alexander M. , Croll Daniel , Sanders Ian R.
Published: November 2005

Different species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) alter plant growth and affect plant coexistence and diversity. Effects of within‐AMF species or within‐population variation on plant growth have received less attention. High genetic variation exists within AMF populations. However, it is unknown whether genetic variation contributes to differences in plant growth. In our study, a population of AMF was cultivated under identical conditions for several generations prior to the experiments thus avoiding environmental maternal effects. We show that genetically different Glomus intraradices isolates from one AMF population significantly alter plant growth in an axenic system and in greenhouse experiments. Isolates increased or reduced plant growth meaning that plants potentially receive benefits or are subject to costs by forming associations with different individuals in the AMF population. This shows that genetic variability in AMF populations could affect host‐plant fitness and should be considered in future research to understand these important soil organisms.
Utilization of capsaicin and vanillylamine as growth substrates by Capsicum (hot pepper)‐associated bacteria
Authors: Flagan Suvi F. , Leadbetter Jared R.
Published: November 2005

Capsaicin contributes to the organoleptic attributes of hot peppers. Here, we show that capsaicin is utilized as a growth nutrient by certain bacteria. Enrichment cultures utilizing capsaicin were successfully initiated using Capsicum‐derived plant material or leaves of tomato (a related Solanaceae) as inocula. No other sources of inoculum examined yielded positive enrichments. Of 25 isolates obtained from enrichments: all utilized 8‐methylnonanoic acid; nine were found capable of degrading capsaicin as sole carbon and energy source; 11 were found capable of utilizing vanillylamine; but only two strains could use either of these latter two compounds as sole nitrogen source. Phylogenetic analysis of capsaicin degraders revealed them to be strains of Variovorax and Ralstonia, whereas the vanillylamine degraders were strains of Pseudomonas and Variovorax. Neither of the two strains isolated from one enrichment culture originally inoculated with dried pepper fruit was capable of using capsaicin as sole carbon and nitrogen source. However, good growth was achieved under such conditions when the two isolates, a strain of Variovorax paradoxusThat degraded capsaicin when provided with ammonium, and a vanillylamine degrading strain of Pseudomonas putida, were cultured together. A cross‐feeding of capsaicin‐derived carbon and nitrogen between members of pepper‐associated consortia is proposed.
Vibrio parahaemolyticus in shellfish and clinical samples during two large epidemics of diarrhoea in southern Chile
Authors: Fuenzalida Loreto , Hernández Cristina , Toro Jessica , Rioseco M. Luisa , Romero Jaime , Espejo Romilio T.
Published: November 2005

Large epidemics of diarrhoea associated with seafood consumption and Vibrio parahaemolyticus occurred during the austral summers of 2004 and 2005 in the environs of Puerto Montt, Chile (41°29′S 72°24′W). There are no reports of V. parahaemolyticus infections before 2004 in this region, their absence being explained by the low ocean temperatures which seldom reach 16°C. We analysed V. parahaemolyticus obtained from shellfish and clinical samples during epidemics. Isolates were examined using conventional protocols and an improved method for restriction enzyme analysis using total bacterial DNA which permits direct genome restriction enzyme analysis by conventional gel electrophoresis (DGREA) with a similar discrimination index as restriction fragment length polymorphism‐pulsed field gel electrophoresis (RFLP‐PFGE). Analysis of clinical samples showed that the epidemics were caused by the V. parahaemolyticus O3:K6 pandemic clonal group. On the other hand, analysis of shellfish samples during both epidemics showed that 53% contained V. parahaemolyticus (3–93 g−1). Detailed analysis of 50 positive shellfish samples showed that only three contained detectable levels of the pandemic clone. Most V. parahaemolyticus isolates obtained from shellfish corresponded to non‐pandemic clones differentiated into 14 groups by DGREA. In summary, the causative agent during epidemics was only a minor component of a small but diverse population of V. parahaemolyticus in shellfish.
Long‐term follow‐up study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the doxazosin gastrointestinal therapeutic system in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia with or without concomitant hypertension
Authors: Chung Byung Ha , Hong Sung Joon
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVE

To assess the long‐term efficacy and safety of extended‐release doxazosin gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) under routine clinical care conditions over 12 months in Korean men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with and without coexisting hypertension.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this open‐label, multicentre, uncontrolled, flexible‐dose study, 475 men (≥40 years old) with clinical evidence of BPH were enrolled from 40 centres. Patients were evaluated at baseline and at 1, 2, 6 and 12 months of treatment. The primary efficacy variable was the Clinicians Global Assessment of Change (CGAC; improved, no change, or worse). Secondary efficacy variables were International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), and postvoid residual (PVR) urine volume. Adverse events (AEs) and blood pressure (BP) were also recorded.

RESULTS

In all, 186 patients completed the study; based on the CGAC, most patients (155, 83.8%) improved and 31 (16.2%) had no change in symptoms. The mean (sd) change in the IPSS and QoL from baseline were −9.0 (6.8) and −1.6 (1.4), respectively (both P < 0.05). The Qmax and PVR urine volume were significantly better than at baseline, with means of 10.5 (4.3) vs 13.7 (6.3), and 39.1 (37.0) vs 23.2 (33.7); P < 0.05). The decrease in systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) from baseline in 52 hypertensive patients was significantly greater than in 134 normotensive patients, at (SBP/DBP) −9.5 (18.4)/−13.4 (10.9) vs −3.3 (12.5)/−1.4 (9.5); P < 0.05). A total of 47 AEs were reported in 41 of 475 patients (8.6%); the most common were dizziness (2.7%), erectile dysfunction (1.1%), dry mouth (1.1%), prostatic disorder (0.6%), and postural hypotension (0.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

After 12 months, treatment with doxazosin GITS resulted in an improvement in > 83% of patients based on the CGAC, with significant improvements in IPSS, QoL, Qmax, and PVR urine volume. Doxazosin GITS was effective and well tolerated as long‐term therapy for Korean patients with BPH.
A very promising new glucolipidic surfactant: LipowheatTM
Authors: Djedour A. , Lafforgue C. , Marty J.‐P. , Grossiord J.‐L.
Published: November 2005

Synopsis

LipowheatTM is an entirely biodegradable 100% natural active ingredient, extracted from non‐transgenic wheat. Thanks to its very interesting properties, it can integrate the composition of most cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. The aim of this work was first to realize a large range of stable simple or multiple emulsions, in order to determine and evaluate the ability of a new glucolipidic surfactant LipowheatTM to form and stabilize emulsions. The rheological properties of these emulsions were tested during a 30‐day storage period at three different storage conditions (cold, room temperature and at 40°C). In addition to dynamic and static rheological tests, droplet size distribution of the cream was also determined. Furthermore, a stable simple emulsion was selected to realize percutaneous absorption and evaluate the properties of LipowheatTM.
Effect of added fragrances on the foaming properties of aqueous surfactant solutions
Authors: Kanei N. , Harigai T. , Kunieda H.
Published: November 2005

Foaming properties are important characteristics of surfactant solutions used for personal washing products, hair styling foam, shaving foam, etc. Fragrances are often used in these cosmetic products, but they also influence the foaming properties of aqueous surfactant solutions. In this study, we investigated the effects of added fragrances [d‐limonene (LN), α‐hexyl‐cinnamic‐aldehyde (HCA), β‐ionone (IN), benzyl acetate (BA), linalool (LL), geraniol (GL), eugenol (EL), and cis‐3‐hexenol (HL)] on the initial foam heights and foam stability of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) aqueous solutions. GL and EL increase the initial foam heights of 0.1 wt% and 0.3 wt% SDS aqueous solutions. Dynamic surface tension measurement shows that these fragrances quickly lower the surface tension of SDS solutions. Hence, GL and EL increase the initial foam heights because of the fast adsorption at the air/water interface. Further, GL and EL also increase the foam stability of SDS solutions and act as foam boosters. For the application to shampoo, the addition of GL results in the largest improvement of the initial foam height and the foam stability among the fragrances investigated here.
Detection thresholds of capsaicin: a new test to assess facial skin neurosensitivity
Authors: Jourdain R. , Bastien P. , De Lacharrie ‘ Re O. , Rubinstenn G.
Published: November 2005

The goal of this study was to assess the accuracy/reliability of a new test designed to measure cutaneous neurosensitivity. The test was carried out on a random population of 150 healthy adult women and was based on the determination of individual detection thresholds of topically applied capsaicin. Five capsaicin concentrations were used in 10% ethanol aqueous solution (3.16 × 10–5%; 1 × 10–4%; 3.16 × 10–4%; 1 × 10–3%; 3.16 × 10–3%). The methodology used to attain the detection threshold was capsaicin application in increasing concentration on the nasolabial folds. The vehicle was simultaneously applied following a split‐face, single‐blind plan. The test was stopped as soon as the subject reported a specific sensation lasting more than 30 s on the capsaicin side. The safety of the test was judged as excellent by the panellists since all the reported sensations were considered as slightly or moderately perceptible. The test allowed the classification of the test population according to six threshold levels corresponding to the sensitive reaction to one of the five capsaicin concentrations and to the absence of sensitivity to the highest concentration. Surprisingly, the distribution of the population was not unimodal and seemed to reveal the existence of two different sub‐groups: individuals with a low capsaicin detection threshold and those with a high threshold. These two sub‐populations strongly differed in their respective self‐perception of sensitive skin. The higher the self‐declared sensitive skin incidence was, the lower the detection threshold was. This new test of skin neurosensitivity is easy, quick, and truly painless. It appears to be a promising tool for the cosmetic diagnosis of sensitive skin.
Use of triphenyltetrazolium chloride in preservative efficacy testing
Authors: Orth D. S. , Eck K. S.
Published: November 2005

Preservative efficacy testing without counting colonies was performed by determining growth in dilutions of inoculated product following enrichment in Letheen broth with 0.001% triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) in 96‐well microtitre plates. Bacterial growth was indicated by the development of a red/pink colour in the enrichment broth. The method was used to determine log reductions of bacteria at specified times after inoculation, and D‐values were calculated using the reciprocal of the highest dilution showing growth (pink colour) as the log CFU/ml bacteria at each time point. The method using TTC was validated by demonstrating that D‐values for Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia, and Escherichia coli in 44 aqueous cosmetic and OTC‐drug products were virtually identical to those obtained when using Alamar Blue in the miniaturized system (1). Plotting D‐values obtained using TTC as a function of D‐values obtained using Alamar Blue gave a line with a slope of 0.98, which shows excellent agreement of results obtained by the two methods. This miniaturized assay system has been used for more than 3\,years for preservative efficacy testing of several hundred cosmetic and OTC‐drug product samples in our laboratory. It is recommended for laboratories that conduct large numbers of preservative efficacy tests.
Simultaneous determination of chlorinated bacteriostats in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products
Authors: Wang L.‐H. , Tso M. , Chin C.‐Y.
Published: November 2005

A high‐performance liquid chromatography method has been developed for simultaneous determination of triclosan (2,4,4‐trichloro‐2‐hydroxydiphenyl ether) and triclocarban (3,4,4‐trichlorocarbanilide) in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. The two compounds could be separated on a Nucleosil C18 column and eluted with acetonitrile and water (70:30, v/v) as the mobile phase and detected with a differential refractive index detector. The retention times of triclosan and triclocarban were 5.81 and 2.99 min, respectively. The results obtained were in good agreement with those obtained by a differential pulse voltammetric method.
Spatial and angular distribution of light incident on coatings using Mie‐scattering Monte Carlo simulations
Authors: Yamada M. , Butts M. D. , Kalla K. K.
Published: November 2005

We show the results of Mie‐scattering Monte Carlo models developed to simulate the optical properties of light incident on particle‐containing coatings. The model accommodates mixtures of particles with different sizes and complex refractive indices, enabling the simulation of formulations, including pigments. The simulation tracks trajectories of photons as they propagate through the turbid medium, calculating both angular and spatial light intensity distributions. Scalar quantities such as total transmission and reflection, and haze and diffuse reflectance, are also calculated.
The influence of ascorbic acid on the rheological properties of the microemulsion region of the SDS/pentanol/water system
Authors: Szymula M.
Published: November 2005

The rheological properties of the microemulsion region of the SDS, pentanol, and water micellar system have been studied experimentally. The W/O and O/W microemulsions behave as typical Newtonian fluids: viscosity remains constant independent of the shear rate. For the bicontinuous system the shear‐thinning effect is observed. The addition of ascorbic acid to the system caused a microemulsion viscosity increase, which was the highest in the bicontinuous region and at the lowest temperature.
Influence of cosmetics on emotional, autonomous, endocrinological, and immune reactions
Authors: Pössel P. , Ahrens S. , Hautzinger M.
Published: November 2005

Synopsis

Recent findings indicate that cosmetics increase positive valence of emotions and thereby influence the autonomous nerve system. Other studies showed the effects of emotions on the endocrinological and the immune system. Based on this preliminary conclusion, the aim of the present study was to prove whether cosmetics are able to decrease the level of the stress hormone cortisol and strengthen the immune system. Four slides of made up or unvarnished women each, integrated in another 16 slides each of equivalent valence and arousal, were presented to 60 women. During stimulus presentation, subjective (valence), autonomous (heart rate), endocrinological (salivary cortisol) as well as immunological reactions [secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA)] were recorded. As expected subjective ratings concerning the slides of made up women reported more positive valence than those concerning unvarnished women. Furthermore, heart rate decreased under presentation of made up women, which indicates the positive influence of these slides on the autonomous nerve system. Furthermore, in half of the volunteers a decrease of cortisol and an increase of sIgA level while presenting the made up women was measurable in contrast to the presentation of unvarnished women. Maybe this is due to a short presentation time and the endocrinological as well as the immune system can be hardly influenced that quick. Another explanation could be that the volunteers were in part so called psychophysiological non‐responders who show no reaction to emotional stimuli in the endocrinological and the immune system. It has to be considered that only the influence of visual stimuli and not the influence of social care (e.g. positive statements of other, etc.), which is normally connected with the use of cosmetics, was assessed, so that these delineated positive results show the lower limit of cosmetic effects.
Synthesis of enzymatically active human α‐l‐iduronidase in Arabidopsis cgl (complex glycan‐deficient) seeds
Authors: Downing Willa L. , Galpin Jason D. , Clemens Sabine , Lauzon Shauna M. , Samuels A. Lacey , Pidkowich Mark S. , Clarke Lorne A. , Kermode Allison R.
Published: November 2005

As an initial step to develop plants as systems to produce enzymes for the treatment of lysosomal storage disorders, Arabidopsis thaliana wild‐type (Col‐0) plants were transformed with a construct to express human α‐l‐iduronidase (IDUA; EC 3.2.1.76) in seeds using the promoter and other regulatory sequences of the Phaseolus vulgaris arcelin 5‐I gene. IDUA protein was easily detected on Western blots of extracts from the T2 seeds, and extracts contained IDUA activity as high as 2.9 nmol 4‐methylumbelliferone (4 MU)/min/mg total soluble protein (TSP), corresponding to approximately 0.06 µg IDUA/mg TSP. The purified protein reacted with an antibody specific for xylose‐containing plant complex glycans, indicating its transit through the Golgi complex. In an attempt to avoid maturation of the N‐linked glycans of IDUA, the same IDUA transgene was introduced into the Arabidopsis cgl background, which is deficient in the activity of N‐acetylglucosaminyl transferase I (EC 2.4.1.101), the first enzyme in the pathway of complex glycan biosynthesis. IDUA activity and protein levels were significantly higher in transgenic cgl vs. wild‐type seeds (e.g. maximum levels were 820 nmol 4 MU/min/mg TSP, or 18 µg IDUA/mg TSP). Affinity‐purified IDUA derived from cgl mutant seeds showed a markedly reduced reaction with the antibody specific for plant complex glycans, despite transit of the protein to the apoplast. Furthermore, gel mobility changes indicated that a greater proportion of its N‐linked glycans were susceptible to digestion by Streptomyces endoglycosidase H, as compared to IDUA derived from seeds of wild‐type Arabidopsis plants. The combined results indicate that IDUA produced in cgl mutant seeds contains glycans primarily in the high‐mannose form. This work clearly supports the viability of using plants for the production of human therapeutics with high‐mannose glycans.
Measurement of Outcome: A Proposed Scheme
Authors: STARFIELD BARBARA
Published: November 2005

The need to demonstrate that health care has an influence on health status is increasingly pressing. Such demonstrations require tools of measurement which are unfortunately not available. Development of instruments has been hampered by a lack of consensus on appropriate frames of reference, and there appears to be little agreement on what should be measured and what relative importance should be ascribed to different dimensions of health status. An approach that does not require the assignment of numerical values or weights to various aspects of health status and is applicable to all age groups within the population and to the whole spectrum of health problems rather than to specific medical diagnoses would seem desirable. A scheme that is based upon the development of a “profile” rather than a single “index” for describing health status is proposed in this paper. The model is a conceptual framework whose usefulness will depend upon efforts of a large number of researchers from many disciplines to develop instruments which can be incorporated in it.

Although the problems in development of the scheme are complex, I hope that it will focus attention on the relevant dimensions and facilitate improved coordination of efforts to produce ways to demonstrate what health care contributes to health.
Prediction of Headache Response in Migraine Treatment
Authors: Maas HJ , Danhof M , Pasqua OE Della
Published: November 2005

Triptans are efficacious for the acute treatment of migraine attacks. Yet, defining a concentration-effect relation for these compounds is difficult as the dynamics of the migraine attack are not thoroughly understood. The objective of this investigation was to develop a disease model to predict measures of headache in randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials investigating oral sumatriptan as a paradigm compound. A hidden Markov model based on the states of response (no relief, relief, and pain free) and headache scores (observed variable) was used in conjunction with population pharmacokinetics. Model parameters were capable of predicting the course of headache relief, pain-free status and headache recurrence. It was shown that sumatriptan shortens mean transit times between states by up to 5 h. The potency of sumatriptan (EC50) was 9 ng/ml. These findings demonstrate the value of combining pharmacokinetic and efficacy information to model disease and characterize time-independent drug properties in a population of migraineurs.
Annotation: What do we know about sensory dysfunction in autism? A critical review of the empirical evidence
Authors: Rogers Sally J. , Ozonoff Sally
Published: November 2005

Background:  Unusual responses to sensory stimuli are seen in many children with autism. Their presence was highlighted both in early accounts of autism and in more recent first‐person descriptions. There is a widespread belief that sensory symptoms characterize autism and differentiate it from other disorders. This paper examines the empirical evidence for this assumption.

Method:  All controlled experimental laboratory investigations published since 1960 were identified through systematic searches using Medline/PubMed and PsycInfo search engines. A total of 48 empirical papers and 27 theoretical or conceptual papers were reviewed.

Results:  Sensory symptoms are more frequent and prominent in children with autism than in typically developing children, but there is not good evidence that these symptoms differentiate autism from other developmental disorders. Certain groups, including children with fragile X syndrome and those who are deaf‐blind, appear to demonstrate higher rates of sensory symptoms than children with autism. In reviewing the evidence relevant to two theories of sensory dysfunction in autism, over‐ and under‐arousal theory, we find that there is very little support for hyper‐arousal and failure of habituation in autism. There is more evidence that children with autism, as a group, are hypo‐responsive to sensory stimuli, but there are also multiple failures to replicate findings and studies that demonstrate lack of group differences.

Conclusions:  The use of different methods, the study of different sensory modalities, and the changing scientific standards across decades complicate interpretation of this body of work. We close with suggestions for future research in this area.
Appraisal and coping processes among chronic low back pain patients
Authors: Busch Hillevi
Published: November 2005

Objectives:  Appraisals and coping play important roles in musculoskeletal disorders, but how these aspects develop over time remains unknown. The aim of the current study was to examine the development of pain‐related appraisals, coping and well behaviours among chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients.

Methods:  Twenty‐two outpatients (15 women, 7 men) of working age were interviewed about past and present experiences of CLBP. The interviews were analysed using Grounded theory.

Results:  The majority of the participants used disregarding processes in response to CLBP. The disregarding process developed from a psychological defence into a conscious coping strategy, the transition mediated by a crisis. This defence seemed to protect the participants’ self‐concept and reduce emotional discomfort, although it did not promote rehabilitation. The disregarding strategy was usually employed in later phases of the disorder and was consistent with active attempts at changing pain‐related behaviours.

Study limitation:  Most of the participants had experienced CLBP for several years, thus the risk of memory bias cannot be ruled out. Furthermore, the sample was composed of relatively healthy subjects, thus the findings may not apply to chronic low back patients in general.

Conclusion:  Acceptance of CLBP favoured rehabilitation and helped participants change pain‐related behaviours.
The feasibility of offering a family level intervention to parents of children with cancer
Authors: Svavarsdottir Erla Kolbrún , Sigurdardottir Anna
Published: November 2005

The purpose of the study was to determine the feasibility of conducting a family level intervention study in a clinical setting: (a) by evaluating nurses’ and families’ attitude towards the intervention and (b) assess the impact of the intervention on parents’ wellbeing, coping behaviour, hardiness and adaptation. The research is descriptive–longitudinal and took place at the Children's Hospital of the Landspitali University Hospital in Reykjavik, Iceland. Eight nurses working at the Children's Hospital and 10 families of children and adolescents newly diagnosed with cancer participated in the study. Eligible families, nurse administrator and clinical nurses were invited to participate. The nurses and the families who agreed to participate were asked to answer questionnaires. The main research variables were willingness to participate in the study, number of families accepting the intervention, demographical information, number of nurses believing in the intervention and the effectiveness of the intervention. Majority of the families (83%) were willing to participate in this study and all the nurses (n = 8) indicated positive responses regarding the implementation of the intervention within a clinical setting. Both mothers and fathers scored significantly higher on wellbeing after the intervention than before, but no significant difference was found in coping, hardiness or adaptation. Offering an educational and support intervention in a clinical setting for families of children and adolescents newly diagnosed with cancer can be feasible. Researchers and clinicians may want to enhance the intervention, test it on a bigger sample and with a control group.
Comparison of lifestyle and health among Danish nurses and the Danish female population: is it possible to generalize findings from nurses to the general female population?
Authors: Friis Karina , Ekholm Ola , Hundrup Yrsa A.
Published: November 2005

Aims:  To generalize findings from a nursing population to the general female population, the aim of this study was to compare lifestyle and health among Danish female nurses with that among Danish women. Furthermore, the aim was to compare lifestyle and health among Danish female nurses with women belonging to the same socio‐economic group as nurses.

Methods:  Danish females above the age of 44 in 1999 (n = 22 715) were compared with a group of women from the Danish Health and Morbidity Survey conducted in 2000 (n = 4445). Age standardized risk ratios (SRR) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to compare the two groups.

Results:  Nurses smoke less (SRR 0.74, CI: 0.70–0.78) and are more physically active (SRR 2.53, CI: 2.31–2.77) when compared with the general female population. A higher percentage of nurses consume five drinks or more on a weekday compared with the general female population (SRR 2.68, CI: 2.25–3.19). When comparing nurses with women belonging to the same socio‐economic group, these differences are also found to be statistically significant, but no differences are found according to overweight/obesity, self‐reported health and limitations in daily activities when nurses are compared with women belonging to the same socio‐economic group.

Conclusions:  In general, Danish nurses have a healthier lifestyle than other Danish women. In future studies, differences and similarities in lifestyle and health between nurses and other women should be considered when generalizing findings from Danish nurses to the Danish female population.
Predictors of quality of life among spouses of stroke patients during the first year after the stroke event
Authors: Larson Jenny , Franzén‐Dahlin Åsa , Billing Ewa , von Arbin Magnus , Murray Veronica , Wredling Regina
Published: November 2005

Background:  Stroke, a disease with severe consequences for patients and their families, often lead to psychosocial stress, and a decline in the quality of life (QoL) among carers. Predicting the QoL is essential in the development of effective nursing support interventions.

Aim:  The aim of the present study was to identify predicting factors for the general QoL among spouses of stroke patients, and to determine whether these predictors change during the first year after the patient's stroke event.

Design:  One hundred spouses were followed three times during 1 year regarding QoL, own illness, economic situation, well being, life situation, sense of coherence, social network and the patients' ability in activities of daily living (ADL). Stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were conducted for the baseline, 6‐ and 12‐month assessments respectively, with the present QoL as the dependent variable.

Results:  Over time during the first year after the patients’ stroke event, there were significant differences in the spouses perceived general QoL. Life situation and economic situation were the only predictors of the spouses’ QoL, which emerged during the entire year after the patient's stroke event, while well being, education, own illness, social network and ADL ability (patient) emerged at one or two occasions.

Conclusion:  The psychosocial factors – life situation, well being, social network, education and economy – are important in predicting QoL among spouses of stroke patients, and these predicting factors change over time. Determining the predictors at an early stage, and continuously over time, will help to focus clinical nursing interventions on the spouses’ changing needs.
Long‐term complications of sulphur mustard poisoning in severely intoxicated Iranian veterans
Authors: Balali‐Mood Mahdi , Hefazi Mehrdad , Mahmoudi Mahmoud , Jalali Eshagh , Attaran Davoud , Maleki Masoud , Razavi Mohammad Etezad , Zare Gholamali , Tabatabaee Abbas , Jaafari Mahmoud‐Reza
Published: November 2005

Sulphur mustard (SM) is an alkylating chemical warfare agent that was widely used during the World War I and in the Iran–Iraq conflict. Delayed complications of SM in different organs and their severity correlations have not previously been reported. Dermatological, ophthalmological, neurological and respiratory examinations, as well as spirometry, gasometry, high resolution computed tomography scanning of the chest, electromyography, nerve conduction velocity, cell blood counts, flow‐cytometric analyses, and measurement of serum immunoglobulins and complement factors were performed on all severely SM poisoned veterans in the province of Khorasan, Iran. Haematological and immunological studies were also performed on a control group consisting of 35 healthy male subjects. The severity of dermal, ocular and respiratory complications were classified into four grades and their correlations with each other as well as with the haematological and immunological parameters were determined, using Spearman's rank correlation test. Forty male patients (aged 43.8 ± 9.8 years) with confirmed SM poisoning 16–20 years after the exposure were studied. The most common complications were found in the lungs (95%), peripheral nerves (77.5%), skin (75%), and eyes (65%). WBC, RBC, haematocrit (HCT), IgM, C3, and the percentages of monocytes and CD3+ lymphocytes were significantly (P < 0.042) higher and the percentage of CD16 + 56 positive cells was significantly (P = 0.006) lower in the patients than in the control group. The severity of respiratory complications revealed a significant correlation with the severity of ocular complications (r = 0.322, P = 0.043), as well as with the haemoglobin (r = 0.369, P = 0.024) and HCT (r = 0.470, P =0.003). Although late complications of SM poisoning in the skin, eyes, and respiratory system are mainly due to its direct toxic effects, the neuromuscular, haematological and immunological complications are probably the result of systemic toxicity.
Comparative trial of tramadol/paracetamol and codeine/paracetamol combination tablets on the vigilance of healthy volunteers
Authors: Pickering Gisèle , Estrade Marielle , Dubray Claude
Published: November 2005

Combination of tramadol 37.5 mg/paracetamol 325 mg (a), or codeine 30 mg/paracetamol 500 mg (b) or 300 mg have similar pain efficacy but a difference has been suggested concerning their adverse events on vigilance. In clinical practice, combinations are usually given at the above‐mentioned dosage three to four times a day. The aim of this study was to compare a single dose of these two combinations (a) and (b) in 24 healthy young volunteers on visual choice reaction time (CRT, ms). Results show a longer CRT (P < 0.05) (up to 4% of the control value 3 h post‐dosing) and a higher report of somnolence in the codeine/paracetamol group compared with tramadol/paracetamol group (50% vs. 4% of the subjects). This observation is important and proves that even a single dosage of these largely used drugs may have a significant effect. This finding should be further investigated in elderly subjects who consume largely these drugs for chronic pain alleviation and who are more prone to this kind of adverse event.
Some issues with composite endpoints in clinical trials
Authors: Chi George Y.H.
Published: November 2005

This article discusses some important issues that may arise in the current usage of composite endpoints as primary endpoints for demonstrating the efficacy of new drugs in clinical trials. The discussion focuses on time‐to‐event composite endpoints. Issues discussed include validity of a composite endpoint, the often lack of follow‐up of patients beyond first event, the analysis of a composite endpoint, its sub‐composite and individual component endpoints and their interpretation. Actual published examples in the literature are used to illustrate some of these problems. It is recommended that a clinical trial using a composite endpoint as the primary endpoint should be designed to include patient follow‐up beyond the first event if possible. For data collected from such trials, basic formats for tabular presentation of trial data and for results of analysis of the composite endpoint, its sub‐composite and individual component endpoints are proposed for transparency and ease of interpretation.