bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Channels of Propaganda
Authors: Forrest Ian
Published: September 2007

This chapter looks further at communication and the transmission of knowledge, investigating the channels by which knowledge of the new procedures against heresy was communicated beyond the powerful and Latin-reading to the Anglophone laity. These included preaching, proclamations, citations, excommunications, judicial drama, processions, and executions.
6 Both Something Suffered and a Human Act: Death in the Thought of Karl Rahner
Authors: Albert Jones David
Published: September 2007

Karl Rahner develops his own distinctive theological approach to death in Zur Theologie des Todes – On the Theology of Death published in 1958. For Rahner, death is an event that affects the human being as a whole, not just the body, while leaving the immortal soul essentially unchanged. Understood as the conclusion of a personal life, death must itself be construed as an act. Rahner seems, like Ambrose, to interpret fulfilment as belonging to death as such. Nevertheless, as with Augustine, Rahner's thought continues to develop and his discussion of ‘the liberty of the sick’, while flawed, represents an important contribution to moral reflection on end of life issues.
Reframing the Discipline
Authors: Thomson Mathew
Published: September 2007

This chapter offers a new view of the academic discipline of psychology in early-20th-century Britain, moving beyond the dismissal of the era as one of backwardness in terms of development as a science. It shows that academic psychology mirrored the intellectual tendencies of popular psychology — in its vision of a social self, the importance of values in self-development, and its engagement with religion — even if professionalization put the two in tension. The argument is demonstrated through a case study of William McDougall, the era’s most influential British psychologist but now a largely forgotten figure. This also highlights the ambition of the nascent discipline as a tool of statecraft, and in relation to other emerging disciplines such as anthropology and sociology.
Psychology and Education
Authors: Thomson Mathew
Published: September 2007

This chapter argues that education was a key arena for spreading the influence of psychology. This is not a novel view, but it is argued that too much emphasis has been placed on the role of psychology in mental testing and child guidance as a tool of regulation, and too little on its significance for a more progressive pedagogy. It is argued that the latter reached well beyond the pioneering activities of figures like Montessori, the Russells, and A. S. Neill, and highlights the excitement about psychology among teachers exposed to the new ideas through teacher training. The role of psychological advice in childcare is considered, downplaying the influence of behaviourism and highlighting the ambivalence of psychologists towards popularization.
3 Case Marking on the Internal Argument and Lexical Aspect
Authors: Richardson Kylie
Published: September 2007

This chapter demonstrates that in the Slavic languages the accusative case arises on the internal argument of a ‘base’ verb whose event structure (lexical/semantic aspect) is compositional, whereas lexical case-marking occurs with atelic base verbs whose event structure is never compositional. A syntactic analysis is provided to account for this pattern.
Introduction: The Right Comparison
Authors: David A. P.
Published: September 2007

This introductory chapter prepares the way for new theories of epic and lyric poetics, particularly Homeric poetics, based on the notion of choreia (χορεία), by pointing out the comparatist foundations of recent Homeric poetics. A basic exposition of Saussure’s theory and critique of the comparative method sets the table for a revisiting of Milman Parry’s theory of Homeric composition, based on a comparison of Homer to ‘improvised’ south Slavic epic. It is argued that the right comparison for Homeric narrative is with modern classical music grounded in dance rhythm, because unlike the metre of the orally composed comparate, Homeric metre derives from a particular dance.
5 The ‘Choral Signifier’: The Shaping of Homeric Speech
Authors: David A. P.
Published: September 2007

This chapter considers the influence of a performance mode depicted by Homer — Demodocus the singer surrounded by a dancing circle — upon the phonological and semantic features of Homeric verse. A circle dance is a locus of conjuration and chanted noun-and-epithet phrases, delimited metrically by the turning points of the dance, become uniquely evocative ‘choral signifiers’. Paolo Vivante’s aesthetic theory of these phrases thereby receives a grounding in attested performance practice, although ‘choral theory’ is required to account for both the poetics and the aesthetics of Homeric verse. The effects of a non-linguistic dance rhythm upon Homeric and Hesiodic phonology, morphology, and diction are discussed. It is shown that ‘poetic license’ is a necessary component in an honest analysis of epic usage. Gregory Nagy’s derivation of the hexameter from smaller, later lyric metrical segments is critiqued in light of Pierre Chantraine’s observation that the Greek language is demonstrably maladapted to the hexameter, as is not the case with lyric metres. The choral signifier cannot be reduced to a purely linguistic phenomenon.
Libertinism and Toleration: Milton, Bruno, Aretino
Authors: Turner James Grantham
Published: September 2007

The ‘benefit of books promiscuously read’ haunts Milton's conception of toleration, and in Areopagitica he frequently cites bawdy or erotic authors such as Petronius or Pietro Aretino, ‘promiscuous’ books in another sense. Even the Bible ‘describes the carnal sense of wicked men not unelegantly’. The heart of Milton's argument involves, not merely the impracticality of censorship or the benefits of toleration in the abstract, but the positive necessity of encountering unlawful sex in literary form. Virtue is constituted by knowing forbidden sexuality as deeply as possible without actually doing it, and Aretino offers precisely those ‘objects of lust’ that allow us to take that test. An essential (but unrecognized) link between Aretino and Milton is the persecuted heretic Giordano Bruno. Both Milton and Bruno propose that personal growth depends on ‘contrariety’, and that the wise reader must therefore experience to the full the ‘ribald’ writings of libertines like Aretino.
Fourier-Mukai Transforms in Algebraic Geometry
Authors: Huybrechts D.
Published: September 2007

This book provides a systematic exposition of the theory of Fourier-Mukai transforms from an algebro-geometric point of view. Assuming a basic knowledge of algebraic geometry, the key aspect of this book is the derived category of coherent sheaves on a smooth projective variety. The derived category is a subtle invariant of the isomorphism type of a variety, and its group of autoequivalences often shows a rich structure. As it turns out — and this feature is pursued throughout the book — the behaviour of the derived category is determined by the geometric properties of the canonical bundle of the variety. Including notions from other areas, e.g., singular cohomology, Hodge theory, abelian varieties, K3 surfaces; full proofs and exercises are provided. The final chapter summarizes recent research directions, such as connections to orbifolds and the representation theory of finite groups via the McKay correspondence, stability conditions on triangulated categories, and the notion of the derived category of sheaves twisted by a gerbe.
oneChannelGUI: a graphical interface to Bioconductor tools, designed for life scientists who are not familiar with R language
Authors: Sanges Remo , Cordero Francesca , Calogero Raffaele A.
Published: September 2007

Summary: OneChannelGUI is an add-on Bioconductor package providing a new set of functions extending the capability of the affylmGUI package. This library provides a graphical interface (GUI) for Bioconductor libraries to be used for quality control, normalization, filtering, statistical validation and data mining for single channel microarrays. Affymetrix 3′ expression (IVT) arrays as well as the new whole transcript expression arrays, i.e. gene/exon 1.0 ST, are actually implemented. oneChannelGUI is available for most platforms on which R runs, i.e. Windows and Unix-like machines.

Availability:  http://www.bioconductor.org/packages/2.0/bioc/html/oneChannelGUI.html

Contact:  raffaele.calogero@unito.it

Supplementary information:  http://www.bioinformatica.unito.it/oneChannelGUI/
Potential for Integrated Management of Soybean Virus Disease
Authors: Pedersen Palle , Grau Craig , Cullen Eileen , Koval Nancy , Hill John H.
Published: September 2007

The recent introduction of the colonizing soybean aphid (Aphis glycines) to soybean in the northern United States has raised concern for potential increased disease caused by the nonpersistently aphid-transmitted Soybean mosaic virus (SMV). This study was conducted to examine the potential integration of host plant resistance and insecticide tactics for control of virus disease. Research from four location-years demonstrated that foliar application of the pyrethroid insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior) or the organophosphate chlorpyrifos (Lorsban 4E) timed to suppress soybean aphid populations does not reduce SMV. Therefore, the introduction of a colonizing aphid to the array of migratory noncolonizing aphids that transmit SMV does not result in potential for disease control through vector suppression by foliar insecticides. Treatment also did not result in management of Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV), transmitted by the bean leaf beetle (Cerotoma trifurcata), presumably because of issues related to different phenologies of the insect vectors. Soybean cultivars with the lowest virus titer in seed produced the highest grain yield and, thus, were rated as field tolerant compared with cultivars with the highest virus titer in seed. Host plant resistance, not vector control, is the most effective tactic to control SMV.
Reaction of Elite Wheat Genotypes from the Northern Great Plains of North America to Septoria Diseases
Authors: Mergoum M. , Singh P. K. , Ali S. , Elias E. M. , Anderson J. A. , Glover K. D. , Adhikari T. B.
Published: September 2007

Stagonospora nodorum blotch (SNB), caused by Phaeosphaeria nodorum, and Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by Mycosphaerella graminicola, are the main pathogens of the Septoria disease complex of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in North America. This study was conducted to determine the disease reaction of 126 elite hard red spring, white, and durum wheat cultivars and advanced breeding lines collected from the northern Great Plains of the United States and Canada to SNB and STB. Seedlings of the 126 wheat genotypes were evaluated for resistance to SNB and STB under controlled environmental conditions. Moreover, these 126 wheat genotypes also were infiltrated with culture filtrate of P. nodorum isolate Sn2000. Based on disease reactions, three cultivars (McNeal, Dapps, and Oklee) and 12 advanced breeding lines (CA-901-580W, 97SO254-8-1, MN03291, MN03308, WA007925, MT0245, ND756, ND801, ND803, ND808, ND809, and ND811) adapted to the northern Great Plains were found to be resistant to both Septoria diseases and insensitive to the culture filtrate. Additionally, eight genetically diverse lines and cultivars, including two tetraploid wheat genotypes, were identified to be resistant to both Septoria diseases. These results suggest that the wheat genotypes contain a broad genetic base for resistance to the Septoria diseases in the northern Great Plains of the United States and Canada, and the resistant sources identified in this study may be utilized in wheat-breeding programs.
Simulating nucleation of molecular solids
Authors: Black Simon
Published: September 2007

The activation free energy for nucleation of crystals from melts and solutions is described and simulated in a different way from traditional nucleation theory. For molecules at the surface of a nucleus, the unfavourable entropy of fusion outweighs the favourable enthalpy change. The free energy barrier to nucleation in pure melts is simulated from the entropy and enthalpy of fusion. By incorporating the unfavourable entropy of unmixing, nucleation from impure melts and solutions is also simulated. The nature of the metastable zone alters and its size is estimated.
Hexokinase III, cyclin A and galectin‐3 are overexpressed in malignant follicular thyroid nodules
Authors: Hooft L. , Van Der Veldt A. A. M. , Hoekstra O. S. , Boers M. , Molthoff C. F. M. , Van Diest P. J.
Published: September 2007

Background  Distinguishing malignant thyroid nodules in patients with follicular cytology by fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) remains problematic. The large majority of thyroid nodules (> 85%) are overtreated. Therefore, a clear need exists to develop more accurate initial diagnostic tests for follicular thyroid nodules. Galectin‐3 is the most recent promising marker to aid discrimination between benign and malignant thyroid lesions; however, this biomarker can be absent in follicular malignancies.

Aims  This study was undertaken to determine whether additional biomarkers can help to discriminate between benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Methods  Surgical specimens of 36 patients with benign (n = 12) and malignant (n = 24) thyroid nodules showing follicular cytology were assessed by immunohistochemistry for the expression of galectin‐3 and novel biomarkers.

Results  Expression of hexokinase III (HK III) (P = 0·000) cyclin A (P = 0·002) and galectin‐3 (P = 0·003) differed significantly between benign and malignant thyroid nodules. HK III had a sensitivity of 79% [95% confidence interval (CI) 60–91] and a specificity of 100% (95% CI 76–100) in predicting malignancy. Galectin‐3 had a sensitivity of 79% (95% CI 56–91) and a specificity of 75% (95% CI 47–91) in predicting malignancy. Combining HK III, cyclin A and galectin‐3 in a parallel test increased the sensitivity to 96% (95% CI 80–99) while the specificity remained at a high level of 75% (95% CI 47–91). Leave‐one‐out cross‐validation demonstrated a stable predictive validity of a model based on HK III, cyclin A and galectin‐3.

Conclusions  In this study, we have demonstrated that in addition to galectin‐3, HK III and cyclin A profiles could be important biomarkers in predicting malignancy in follicular thyroid nodules. The use of these biomarkers may allow an accurate preoperative diagnosis of thyroid cancer, which can be cost saving and may avoid serious morbidity such as vocal cord paralysis. The value of the suggested biomarkers warrants further evaluation in a large prospective study on cytological samples of follicular thyroid nodules.
Improving adherence to medications in pediatric liver transplant recipients
Authors: Shemesh E. , Annunziato R. A. , Shneider B. L. , Dugan C. A. , Warshaw J. , Kerkar N. , Emre S.
Published: September 2007

Abstract:  We describe results from a clinical program, which aimed at improving adherence to medications in children who had a liver transplant. We followed the medical outcomes of 23 children and adolescents who participated in a clinical adherence‐improvement protocol during the years 2001–2002. The protocol included identification of non‐adherent patients by examining tacrolimus blood levels and intervention by increasing the frequency of clinic visits for non‐adherent patients. In the two‐yr preintervention (1999–2000), there was no improvement in any of the outcomes. After the intervention, the number of patients with high alanine aminotransferase levels (100 and above) decreased significantly, from eight before the intervention to four afterwards. Other outcomes, including the number of rejection episodes (three before, none after) and the degree of adherence to tacrolimus, also improved, but the improvement did not reach statistical significance. Although non‐adherent patients were called to clinic more often under the protocol, the intervention did not lead to increased outpatient costs. This adherence‐‐improvement intervention appears to be promising in improving outcomes in pediatric liver transplant recipients. Larger, controlled studies are needed to establish the efficacy of this or other approaches.
Guidelines for nutritional care for infants with cholestatic liver disease before liver transplantation
Authors: Baker Alastair , Stevenson Rebecca , Dhawan Anil , Goncalves Isabel , Socha Piotr , Sokal Etienne
Published: September 2007

Abstract:  Infants with cholestatic liver disease are at risk of various nutritional deficiencies. They require regular review with appropriate interventions to prevent complications and ensure optimum possible status if liver transplantation becomes necessary. We propose evidence based and internationally agreed guidelines for their care with recommendations for therapeutic strategies and for service organization.
Estimation of the selenium requirement of growing guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)
Authors: Jensen C. , Pallauf J.
Published: September 2007

The aim of the study was to determine the selenium (Se) requirement of guinea pigs as a species unable to synthesize ascorbic acid. Forty‐nine male guinea pigs (average weight 208 ± 3.5 g) were divided into an initial status group and six experimental groups. The animals received a Se deficient Torula yeast based basal diet (<0.02 mg Se and 26 mg α‐tocopherol/kg) or a Se addition of 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25 mg/kg diet as sodium selenate for 10 weeks. There was no significant difference in weight gain (final weight 643 ± 21 g) between the groups and no clinical symptoms of Se deficiency occurred. With the exception of the testes, there was an increasing Se concentration in liver, plasma and haemolysate dependent on supplementation level. Glutathione peroxidase was determined in the plasma and Se dependent glutathione peroxidase (GPx1) in haemolysate, liver, kidney, heart and lung. Thioredoxin reductase (TR) activity was measured in liver, kidney and heart and deiodinase activity in the liver. A phospholipid hydroperoxide reducing activity with Se influence was determined in liver, kidney, heart, testes and brain. With the exception of GPx1 activity in heart and haemolysate and TR activity in the kidney, all enzymes already reached their maximal activity at 0.05 mg Se/kg diet. The activities of GPx1 and TR were used as parameters for broken line analysis and a Se requirement of 0.080 mg Se/kg diet was derived as sufficient for growing guinea pigs adequately supplied with vitamin E.
Comparison of Three Common Methods of Lung Lavage in Healthy Pigs
Authors: Hennig‐Pauka I. , Bremerich S. , Nienhoff H. , Schröder C. , Ganter M. , Blecha F. , Waldmann K.‐H. , Gerlach G. F.
Published: September 2007

Bronchoscopic, endotracheal and transtracheal lung lavage were evaluated in 38 healthy pigs taken from a nucleus herd in a good state of health with respect to their applicability in practice and the traceability of bacteria, cellular parameters and the antimicrobial peptide PR‐39 in the respective lavage fluid samples. The total cell count, qualitative morphological cellular characteristics as well as PR‐39 could be determined in all lavage fluid samples, while quantitative cell differentiation was not possible in endotracheal lavage samples. The comparison of the three methods resulted in a higher proportion of polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes (PMNs) and higher concentrations of PR‐39 in transtracheal samples. For this reason different valuation standards with respect to PMNs and PR‐39 concentrations are presupposed for transtracheal lavage samples. The occurrence of pavement epithelial cells as well as the number of contaminating bacterial species per sample was the lowest in transtracheal lavage.Mycoplasma hyopneumoniaepolymerase chain reaction appeared to have the highest diagnostic sensitivity in combination with bronchoscopic lavage. In conclusion, bronchoscopic and transtracheal lavage were considered to be more appropriate for bacteriological and cytological diagnostics than endotracheal lavage.
Genetic ablation of NMDA receptor subunit NR3B in mouse reveals motoneuronal and nonmotoneuronal phenotypes
Authors: Niemann Stephan , Kanki Hiroaki , Fukui Yasuyuki , Takao Keizo , Fukaya Masahiro , Hynynen Meri N. , Churchill Michael J. , Shefner Jeremy M. , Bronson Roderick T. , Brown Robert H. , Watanabe Masahiko , Miyakawa Tsuyoshi , Itohara Shigeyoshi , Hayashi Yasunori
Published: September 2007

NR3B is a modulatory subunit of the NMDA receptor, abundantly expressed in both cranial and spinal somatic motoneurons and at lower levels in other regions of the brain as well. Recently, we found the human NR3B gene (GRIN3B) to be highly genetically heterogeneous, and that ∼ 10% of the normal European‐American population lacks NR3B due to homozygous occurrence of a null allele in the gene. Therefore, it is especially important to understand the phenotypic consequences of the genetic loss of NR3B in both humans and animal models. We here provide results of behavioral analysis of mice genetically lacking NR3B, which is an ideal animal model due to homogeneity in genetic and environmental background. The NR3B–/– mice are viable and fertile. Consistent with the expression of NR3B in somatic motoneurons, the NR3B–/– mice showed a moderate but significant impairment in motor learning or coordination, and decreased activity in their home cages. Remarkably, the NR3B–/– mice showed a highly increased social interaction with their familiar cage mates in their home cage but moderately increased anxiety‐like behaviour and decreased social interaction in a novel environment, consistent with the inhibitory role of NR3B on the functions of NMDA receptors. This work is the first reporting of the functional significance of NR3B in vivo and may give insight into the contribution of genetic variability of NR3B in the phenotypic heterogeneity among human population.
Brief ischemia causes long‐term depression in midbrain dopamine neurons
Authors: Singh Vineeta , Carman Melissa , Roeper Jochen , Bonci Antonello
Published: September 2007

Degeneration of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinsonism and vascular dementia. SNc dopamine neurons both in vitro and in vivo show sensitivity to hypoxic/ischemic conditions and undergo degeneration. In acute brain slices, these dopamine neurons undergo hyperpolarization during hypoxia and hypoglycemia, which results in silencing of the neurons. However, the role that SNc excitatory synapses play in this process is poorly understood. Here we examined the effect of oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD) on glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the SNc in a rat midbrain slice preparation. OGD for 5 min caused pre‐synaptic ischemic long‐term depression (iLTD) of glutamate transmission, as both α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionic acid‐ and N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor‐mediated synaptic currents in SNc dopamine neurons were depressed to a similar extent. This depression began immediately after exposure to OGD and was not recovered upon washout of OGD. Pharmacological studies revealed that the iLTD was triggered by a rise in post‐synaptic intracellular calcium and mediated by activation of pre‐synaptic adenosine A1 receptors, which reduced glutamate‐dependent synaptic transmission by activating ATP‐dependent potassium channels. Furthermore, we observed that iLTD did not occlude tetanic long‐term depression (LTD) at the SNc excitatory synapses, suggesting that these two forms of LTD involve different pathways. Taken together, our results showed that brief exposure to hypoxia and hypoglycemia results in LTD of synaptic activity at glutamatergic synapses onto SNc neurons and this phenomenon could represent a protective mechanism by reducing ischemia‐induced excitotoxic injury to dopamine neurons.
Cannabinoids modulate Olig2 and polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule expression in the subventricular zone of post‐natal rats through cannabinoid receptor 1 and cannabinoid receptor 2
Authors: Arévalo‐Martín Ángel , García‐Ovejero Daniel , Rubio‐Araiz Ana , Gómez Oscar , Molina‐Holgado Francisco , Molina‐Holgado Eduardo
Published: September 2007

The subventricular zone (SVZ) is a source of post‐natal glial precursors that can migrate to the overlying white matter, where they may differentiate into oligodendrocytes. We showed that, in the post‐natal SVZ ependymocytes, radial glia and astrocyte‐like cells express cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), whereas cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) is found in cells expressing the polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule. To study CB1 and CB2 function, post‐natal rats were exposed to selective CB1 or CB2 agonists (arachidonyl‐2‐chloroethylamide and JWH‐056, respectively) for 15 days. Accordingly, we found that CB1 activation increases the number of Olig2‐positive cells in the dorsolateral SVZ, whereas CB2 activation increases polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule expression in this region. As intense myelination occurs during the first weeks of post‐natal development, we examined how modulating these factors affected the expression of myelin basic protein. Pharmacological administration of agonists and antagonists of CB1 and CB2 showed that the activation of both receptors is needed to augment the expression of myelin basic protein in the subcortical white matter.
ERP correlates of conscious error recognition: aware and unaware errors in an antisaccade task
Authors: Endrass Tanja , Reuter Benedikt , Kathmann Norbert
Published: September 2007

Event‐related potential (ERP) studies identified the error‐related negativity (Ne/ERN) and the error positivity (Pe) to be associated with performance errors. However, the functional significance of these components is not yet resolved. With the present study we intended to further investigate to what extent these components are related to error awareness. ERPs were recorded during an antisaccade task, and error awareness was obtained from accuracy ratings on each trial. In accordance with earlier findings, aware and unaware errors did not differ in Ne/ERN amplitude. Whereas the late Pe (400–600 ms) shows an increased parietal positivity for aware compared with unaware errors, the early Pe (200–300 ms) shows no dissociation between aware and unaware errors. These data lend further support to the view that the Ne/ERN and the (late) Pe reflect different processes in performance monitoring. In fact the present results provide a clear replication of [S. Nieuwenhuis et al. (2001) Psychophysiology, 38, 752–760], showing that the Pe is associated with error awareness and remedial action. Furthermore, it has been shown that this is only true for the late Pe, whereas the early Pe like the Ne/ERN is not modulated by error awareness.
Functional classification and central nervous projections of olfactory receptor neurons housed in antennal trichoid sensilla of female yellow fever mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti
Authors: Ghaninia Majid , Ignell Rickard , Hansson Bill S.
Published: September 2007

Mosquitoes are highly dependent on their olfactory system for, e.g. host location and identification of nectar‐feeding and oviposition sites. Odours are detected by olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) housed in hair‐shaped structures, sensilla, on the antennae and maxillary palps. In order to unravel the function of the olfactory system in the yellow fever vector, Aedes aegypti, we performed single‐sensillum recordings from trichoid sensilla on female antennae. These sensilla are divided into four distinct morphological types. Based on the response to a set of 16 odour compounds, we identified 18 different ORN types, housed in 10 sensillum types. The ORNs responded to behaviourally relevant olfactory cues, such as oviposition attractants and sweat‐borne compounds, including 4‐methylcyclohexanol and indole, respectively. Two ORNs housed in these sensilla, as well as two ORNs housed in an additional sensillum type, did not respond to any of the compounds tested. The ORNs housed in individual sensilla exhibited stereotypical pairing and displayed differences in signalling mode (excitatory and inhibitory) as well as in temporal response patterns. In addition to physiological characterization, we performed anterograde neurobiotin stainings of functionally identified ORNs in order to define the functional map among olfactory glomeruli in the primary olfactory centre, the antennal lobe. The targeted glomeruli were compared with an established 3D map. Our data showed that the ORN types sent their axons to defined antennal lobe glomeruli in a stereotypic pattern.
Negative life events and stability of sense of coherence: A five‐year follow‐up study of Finnish women and men
Authors: VOLANEN S.‐M. , SUOMINEN S. , LAHELMA E. , KOSKENVUO M. , SILVENTOINEN K.
Published: September 2007

A strong sense of coherence (SOC) is found to be associated with good mental health. This study investigated (1) whether negative life events affect level of SOC, (2) whether initial level of SOC modifies the effect of negative life events on SOC, and (3) whether stability of SOC differs between genders. The data were derived from the 15‐year Health and Social Support study (N= 17,271). Ordinary linear regression analysis was used. Negative life events decreased the level of SOC among both genders irrespective of the timing of the event. The more recent the life event, the lower the SOC. A strong SOC in 1998 did not protect SOC from declining during follow‐up. Specific gender differences were not discovered. SOC was related to negative changes in people's environment. Initially strong SOC was not more stable than initially mediocre or weak SOC. Men and women reacted quite similarly to negative life events.
A novel compound heterozygous dysferlin mutation in Miyoshi myopathy siblings responding to dantrolene
Authors: Hattori H. , Nagata E. , Oya Y. , Takahashi T. , Aoki M. , Ito D. , Suzuki N.
Published: September 2007

Miyoshi myopathy (MM) is an autosomal recessive distal muscular dystrophy characterized by mutations of the dysferlin gene. Although several pairs of homozygous/heterozygous mutations have been reported, few effective treatments of MM are available. We had observed the decreased serum creatine kinase (CK) before and after administration of dantrolene in the elder brother and the increased serum CK before and after discontinuance of the drug on suspicion of drug‐induced hepatopathy in the younger sister. We report a novel pair of heterozygous mutations in the 3′‐splicing site of exon 26 and the translation site of exon 28 of the dysferlin gene in two siblings, and effective treatment of their MM with dantrolene.
Vaginal Lactobacillus microbiota of healthy women in the late first trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Kiss H , Kögler B , Petricevic L , Sauerzapf I , Klayraung S , Domig K , Viernstein H , Kneifel W
Published: September 2007

Objective  This study was undertaken to characterise the dominant species of Lactobacillus colonising the vagina of healthy pregnant women, to examine some of their phenotypic and genotypic properties, and to gain a better understanding of the potential role of species, which might be associated with infection‐free status.

Design  A prospective descriptive cohort study.

Setting  Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Vienna and Medical School, Vienna, Austria.

Sample  A total of 200 women in the late first trimester of pregnancy without clinical signs of vaginal infection were included in the study. Of these, 126 women were found to have a normal vaginal flora based on Gram stain.

Methods  Culture probes from those 126 women were further processed for identification of Lactobacillus species. Overall, 168 colonies from 84 women were identified as belonging to the Lactobacillus genus. Based on the combined results of microbiological methods and genus‐specific, multiplex, and species‐specific polymerase chain reaction, lactobacilli were recovered from 72 women.

Main outcome measures  Identification of Lactobacillus species of the vaginal flora of healthy pregnant women.

Results  The most frequently occurring species were Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus gasseri, followed by Lactobacillus jensenii and Lactobacillus rhamnosus.

Conclusions  Our results may have implications on the composition and on the use of Lactobacillus preparations for the prevention of recurrent vaginal infection.
The Role of Mobile Computed Tomography in Mass Fatality Incidents
Authors: Rutty Guy N. , Robinson Claire E. , BouHaidar Ralph , Jeffery Amanda J. , Morgan Bruno
Published: September 2007

Abstract:  Mobile multi‐detector computed tomography (MDCT) scanners are potentially available to temporary mortuaries and can be operational within 20 min of arrival. We describe, to our knowledge, the first use of mobile MDCT for a mass fatality incident. A mobile MDCT scanner attended the disaster mortuary after a five vehicle road traffic incident. Five out of six bodies were successfully imaged by MDCT in c. 15 min per body. Subsequent full radiological analysis took c. 1 h per case. The results were compared to the autopsy examinations. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of imaging with mobile MDCT in relation to mass fatality work, illustrating the body pathway process, and its role in the identification of the pathology, personal effects, and health and safety hazards. We propose that the adoption of a single modality of mobile MDCT could replace the current use of multiple radiological sources within a mass fatality mortuary.
A comprehensive and critical review of dental implant prognosis in periodontally compromised partially edentulous patients
Authors: Karoussis Ioannis K. , Kotsovilis Sotirios , Fourmousis Ioannis
Published: September 2007

Objectives: The outcome of implant treatment in periodontally compromised partially edentulous patients has not been completely clarified. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to perform, applying a systematic methodology, a comprehensive and critical review of the prospective studies published in English up to and including August 2006, regarding the short‐term (<5 years) and long‐term (≥5 years) prognosis of osseointegrated implants placed in periodontally compromised partially edentulous patients.

Material and methods: Using The National Library Of Medicine and Cochrane Oral Health Group databases, a literature search for articles published up to and including August 2006 was performed. At the first phase of selection the titles and abstracts and at the second phase full papers were screened independently and in duplicate by the three reviewers (I. K. K., S. K., I. F.).

Results: The search provided 2987 potentially relevant titles and abstracts. At the first phase of evaluation, 2956 publications were rejected based on title and abstract. At the second phase, the full text of the remaining 31 publications was retrieved for more detailed evaluation. Finally, 15 prospective studies were selected, including seven short‐term and eight long‐term studies. Because of considerable discrepancies among these studies, meta‐analysis was not performed.

Conclusions: No statistically significant differences in both short‐term and long‐term implant survival exist between patients with a history of chronic periodontitis and periodontally healthy individuals. Patients with a history of chronic periodontitis may exhibit significantly greater long‐term probing pocket depth, peri‐implant marginal bone loss and incidence of peri‐implantitis compared with periodontally healthy subjects. Even though the short‐term implant prognosis for patients treated for aggressive periodontitis is acceptable, on a long‐term basis the matter is open to question. Alterations in clinical parameters around implants and teeth in aggressive periodontitis patients may not follow the same pattern, in contrast to what has been reported for chronic periodontitis patients. However, as only three studies comprising patients treated for aggressive periodontitis were selected, more studies, specially designed, are required to evaluate implant prognosis in this subtype of periodontitis. As the selected publications exhibited considerable discrepancies, more studies, uniformly designed, preferably longitudinal, prospective and controlled, would be important.
EAO Communication
Authors: Vasak Christoph , Fiederer Robert , Watzek Georg
Published: September 2007

Objectives: Thanks to their predictably high‐success rates, dental implants have gained a firm place among the treatment options for edentulous and partially dentate patients in state‐of‐the‐art dentistry. As a result, the need for high‐level basic and continued training in implant dentistry is increasing. The present questionnaire‐based survey was designed to shed light on the current state of implant training, any points of criticism and the need for a standardized training format in Europe.

Material and methods: Between July and November 2006, a 14‐item questionnaire was sent to 37 opinion leaders in 29 European countries. The questionnaires sent back were processed electronically and evaluated statistically.

Results: 82.8% of the participating opinion leaders responded. In the majority of the participating countries (87.5%), courses are funded by the industry. Most of the courses (43%) are confined to a few days and mainly consist of lectures in theory and hands‐on training. Of the attendees, most are general dental practitioners (29%). These perform as many implant treatments as specialized dentists. In 83% of the participating countries, a standardized certified training format in implant dentistry is considered to be required.

Conclusion: As implant dentistry is increasingly shifting from competence centers to general dental practitioners in the practice setting, standardized training concluded with a certified diploma has become necessary. This would provide for more transparency and for disseminating state‐of‐the‐art knowledge independent of the implant‐manufacturing industry.
Effect of pacifier use on mandibular position in preterm infants
Authors: Tonkin Shirley L , Lui Dana , McIntosh Christine G , Rowley Simon , Knight David B , Gunn Alistair J
Published: September 2007

Aim: It has been hypothesized that the association of pacifier use with reduced risk of sudden infant death is mediated by forward movement of the mandible and tongue that helps open the upper airway. Our aim was to examine whether the mandible is moved forward when an infant is sucking on a pacifier, and if so, whether the mandible remains advanced after the pacifier is removed.

Methods: In sixty clinically stable premature infants (corrected gestation age 36.5 ± 0.3 weeks, mean ± SEM) the distance from each ear where the pinna met the cheek to the most prominent point of the chin was measured bilaterally, and the average was used as an index of mandibular position. Mandibular position was determined before and after allowing the infants to suck on a pacifier for 10–15 min, and after removing the pacifier.

Results: There was a significant forward movement of the mandible when the infants were sucking on the pacifier (59.5 ± 0.7 vs. 58.6 ± 0.7 mm, p = 0.001), with no significant change after the pacifier was removed.

Conclusions: Pacifier use in preterm infants was associated with a small significant forward displacement of the jaw. These data suggest that pacifier use may help protect the upper airway.
Stimulation of sucking and swallowing to promote oral feeding in premature infants
Authors: Bragelien R , Røkke W , Markestad T
Published: September 2007

Aim: To study the effect of stimulation of sucking and swallowing on weaning from nasogastric (NG) feeding and length of hospital stay in premature infants.

Method: Randomized controlled trial with blinded evaluation. Premature infants on NG feeds and post‐menstrual age (PMA) less than 36 weeks who had poor ability to suck were randomized to receive one daily session of stimulation according to Vojta or no intervention other than standard nursing care.

Results: Of 36 infants, 18 received stimulation and 18 were observed without intervention. Mean gestational age at birth was 32.2 weeks (SD 2.4) versus 31.4 (2.3) weeks, p = 0.27, and PMA at study entry 35.1 weeks (0.8) versus 34.4 (0.9) weeks, p = 0.01, respectively. NG feeding was discontinued at 36.8 weeks (0.9) versus 36.3 (0.9) weeks' PMA, p = 0.25, and they were discharged at 37.8 weeks (0.9) versus 37.7 (1.3) weeks, p = 0.81.

Conclusion: The stimulation programme did not result in earlier weaning from NG feeding or earlier discharge. However, such studies may need to be large to limit the possibility of type II errors.
Pasteurization of mother's own milk reduces fat absorption and growth in preterm infants
Authors: Andersson Y , Sävman K , Bläckberg L , Hernell O
Published: September 2007

Aim: A randomized study was conducted to evaluate whether pasteurized milk (Holder pasteurization 62.5°C, 30 min) reduces fat absorption and growth in preterm infants.

Methods: Preterm infants (825–1325 g) born with gestational age ≤30 weeks were randomized into two groups, of which one started with pasteurized own mother's milk for 1 week and continued with raw milk the following week, and a second group was fed in reverse order. By using this design the infants served as their own controls. At the end of each week, a 72‐h fat balance was performed and growth was monitored.

Results: We found, on an average, 17% higher fat absorption with raw as compared to pasteurized milk. Infants gained more weight and linear growth assessed as knee–heel length was also greater during the week they were fed raw milk as compared to the week they were fed pasteurized milk.

Conclusion: Feeding preterm infants pasteurized as compared to raw own mother's milk reduced fat absorption. When the infants were fed raw milk, they gained more in knee–heel length compared to when they were fed pasteurized milk.
Effects of ciclosporin A, tacrolimus and sirolimus on cytokine production in neonatal immune cells
Authors: Puzik Alexander , Schultz Christian , Iblher Peter , Müller‐Steinhardt Michael , Härtel Christoph
Published: September 2007

Background: It was the aim of this study to evaluate the effects of the well‐known immunosuppressive drugs ciclosporin A (CsA), tacrolimus and sirolimus on the intracytoplasmic cytokine expression of neonatal immune cells.

Methods: Immunosuppressive drugs were added to whole blood cultures of neonatal cord blood samples (n = 17) and peripheral blood samples of adults (n = 17) in vitro prior to stimulation of lymphocytes with phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA)/ionomycin or monocytes.

Results: Upon exposure to ciclosporin A (500 ng/mL) or tacrolimus (25 ng/mL) the number of cytokine expressing T cells was almost completely blocked in neonatal T cells while sirolimus (10 ng/mL) only inhibited intracytoplasmatic tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) expression (mean% positive cells; 4.0 ± 2.1% vs. 1.09 ± 0.6%, p = 0.003), but mildly stimulated the intracellular expression of interleukin (IL)‐2 (24.4 ± 6.5% vs. 28.1 ± 7.1%, p = 0.041). In cord blood lymphocytes, the inhibitory effect of ciclosporin A and tacrolimus was dose‐dependent (e.g. IL‐2: control, 12.3 ± 5.33%, ciclosporin A 5 ng/mL, 10.1 ± 5.5%; 50 ng/mL, 7.1 ± 4.7%; 500 ng/mL, 1.2 ± 0.3%; tacrolimus 0.25 ng/mL, 9.3 ± 4.9%; 2.5 ng/mL, 6.1 ± 3.3%; 25 ng/mL, 1.0 ± 0.6%), while the function of adult lymphocytes was only impaired at high doses of both compounds. In contrast, the number of cytokine expressing monocytes was not influenced by ciclosporin A and tacrolimus except for a minor decrease of TNF‐α producing neonatal monocytes after addition of tacrolimus (17.9% vs. 13.9%, p = 0.031). Interestingly, sirolimus was shown to inhibit intracellular IL‐6 production in adults (63.1 ± 12.7% vs. 52.0 ± 16.0%, p = 0.005), but in neonatal monocytes intracellular IL‐6 expression was stimulated (53.5 ± 22.0% vs. 64.7 ± 19.1%, p = 0.041).

Conclusions: The potent dose‐dependent inhibitory effect of ciclosporin A and tacrolimus in cord blood lymphocytes provides the basis for further studies on functional immaturity of the neonatal immune system and for future strategies to optimize umbilical cord blood transplantion. Sirolimus was demonstrated to have a distinct effect on neonatal immune cells as shown by increased expression of IL‐2 in lymphocytes and IL‐6 in monocytes, while only lymphocytic TNF‐α expression was inhibited.
THE APPRENDI‐BLAKELY CASES: SENTENCING REFORM COUNTER REVOLUTION?
Authors: FRASE RICHARD S.
Published: September 2007

Recent Supreme Court decisions have extended jury trial rights and beyond‐reasonable‐doubt proof standards to certain sentence‐enhancement facts. The first two cases, Apprendi v. New Jersey and Ring v. Arizona, were narrow in scope and relatively uncontroversial. But Blakely v. Washington marked a substantial expansion of the rationale and scope of Apprendi, and threatened to invalidate entire sentencing reform systems, both legally‐binding guidelines of the type at issue in Blakely and it's sequel, Booker v. United States, and statutory determinate sentence systems like the one invalidated in Cunningham v. California. Each of these decisions has potential effects not only on sentencing severity and disparity in the cases controlled by that decision, but also on prosecutorial, legislative, and sentencing commission measures designed to comply with the decision, avoid it, and/or mitigate its impact. Field resistance and avoidance measures are likely to be stronger in jurisdictions where the existing sentencing system enjoyed broad support; in such jurisdictions, resistance may be particularly strong to the more controversial Blakely ruling. Impact assessments must therefore carefully distinguish the separate impacts of Apprendi and Blakely in each jurisdiction being studied, and the extent of support for the existing sentencing system. Such assessments should also examine pre‐existing trends and other independent sources of change; leadership by sentencing commissions or other officials in crafting responsive measures; structural and other features of the sentencing system which render compliance more or less difficult; and second‐stage effects, on sentencing, prosecutorial, or sentencing policy decisions, that reflect the prior compliance, avoidance, and mitigation measures adopted in that jurisdiction. The greatest long‐term effects may be on prosecutorial, legislative, and commission decisions, rather than on sentencing outcomes.