bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Reinforced Concrete Columns Confined using Glass Fiber-reinforced Polymers
Authors: Kumutha R. , Palanichamy M. S.
Published: November 2006

Experimental studies are reported on upgrading the load carrying capacity of reinforced concrete rectangular columns by jacketing with glass fiber reinforced plasic flexible wraps. This article presents results of a comprehensive experimental investigation on the behavior of axially loaded rectangular columns that have been strengthened with glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) wrap. This study is intended to examine several aspects related to the use of GFRP fabrics for strengthening rectangular columns subjected to axial compression. The objectives of the study are as follows: (1) to evaluate the effectiveness of external GFRP strengthening for rectangular concrete columns; (2) to evaluate the effect of the number of GFRP layers on the ultimate strength and ductility of confined concrete; and (3) to evaluate the effect of the aspect ratio of the column on the effectively confined cross section. To cover a wide range of cross-sectional dimension ratios, three aspect ratios (H/B, where H and B are, respectively, the longer and shorter sides of the cross section) are studied: H/B = 1.0, H/B = 1.25, and H/B = 1.66. Specimens with zero, one, and two layers of GFRP wrap are investigated. In total, nine specimens are subjected to axial compression which includes three control specimens. All the test specimens are loaded to failure in axial compression and the behavior of the specimens in the axial and transverse directions is investigated. The confinement provided by GFRP improves both the load carrying capacity and the ductility of the rectangular and square columns. This method of structural rehabilitation is shown to be applicable to rectangular sections.
An Elegant and Rigorous Analytical Solution for Anti-symmetric Angle-ply Rectangular Plates with any Combination of Simply Supported and Clamped Edges
Authors: Bhaskar K.
Published: November 2006

A superposition approach based on exact untruncated infinite series solutions, developed recently for cross-ply plates, is extended herein to obtain a fast-convergent analytical solution for anti-symmetric angle-ply plates with any combination of S1, S3, C1, and C3 type edges under arbitrary loading. Numerical results are presented to highlight the differences between the various edge conditions. It is finally concluded that the results are significantly influenced by the in-plane conditions when the edges are simply supported, but not when they are clamped.
Preparation and Properties of Composite Dough-modeling Compound Reinforced Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer/Silicon Rubber
Authors: Wu Wei-Li , Chen Da-Jun
Published: November 2006

In this study a new method is applied to prepare a novel composite in the ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM)/silicon rubber matrix with dough-modeling compound (DMC) reinforcing. The SEM photos show that the interfacial adhesion between DMC, EPDM, and silicon rubber could be enhanced, and the compatibility and covulcanization of DMC/EPDM/silicon rubber composite are good. The influence of the DMC and peroxide on the mechanical properties and heat resistance are studied. The results show that the mechanical properties and heat resistance of the composite are good, when m DMC/m EPD/m silicon rubber is 80/25/75. The heat aging properties of the composite using equivalent dicumyl peroxide (DCP) are better than those using benzoperoxide (BPO), but Shore A hardness and elongation at break do not vary significantly. The integral properties of the DMC reinforced EPDM/silicon rubber composite has advantages over three raw materials.
Pencil Pressure and Anxiety in Drawings
Authors: LaRoque Sean Davis , Obrzut John E.
Published: November 2006

This study used a techno-projective assessment method to analyze the relationship between pencil pressure applied during drawing tasks and state anxiety (S-anxiety) and trait anxiety (T-anxiety) levels. A highly accurate and precise pressure-sensitive palette was used by participants ( N = 50) between the ages of 6 and 11 to reliably and objectively measure the degree of pencil pressure during three drawing tasks: Draw-a-Person, Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test, and drawing an automobile. The State Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC) assessed the participants’ levels of S-anxiety and T-anxiety. Results indicated that individuals with higher levels of T-anxiety used significantly less pencil pressure on all three drawing measures than individuals with lower levels of T-anxiety. Furthermore, individuals with high and low levels of S-anxiety used significantly more pencil pressure on all three drawing measures than individuals with medium levels of S-anxiety. Implications of these findings and considerations for future research are discussed.
Teacher and Classroom Characteristics Associated With Teachers’ Ratings of Prekindergartners’ Relationships and Behaviors
Authors: Mashburn Andrew J. , Hamre Bridget K. , Downer Jason T. , Pianta Robert C.
Published: November 2006

Teachers’ ratings of children’s competencies may in part reflect characteristics and perspectives of teachers who assigned the ratings, which compromises their validity as a measure of child attributes. The purposes of this study were to use multilevel modeling to (a) estimate between-rater variance in teachers’ ratings of children’s social behaviors and relationships with teachers and (b) examine characteristics of teachers and classrooms associated with teachers’ perceptions of these social competencies. Ratings of 711 children completed by 210 prekindergarten teachers indicated that between 15% and 33% of the total variance in teachers’ ratings was attributed to mean differences between raters. After controlling for characteristics of children and their families, teachers’ ratings of positive relationships and behaviors were associated with fewer years of experience, higher self-efficacy, non-White race/ethnicity, shorter length programs, better child-teacher ratios, and programs located within school settings. Implications are discussed for interpreting and analyzing teachers’ ratings of children’s competencies.
Osmotic Demyelination and Hypertonic Dehydration in a 9-Year-Old Girl: Changes in Cerebrospinal Fluid Myelin Basic Protein
Authors: Shah Bobby , Tobias Joseph D.
Published: November 2006

A 9-year-old girl was admitted for the treatment of hyper-natremic dehydration. Her history was significant for psychogenic polydipsia, hyponatremia, and a renal concentrating defect. She presented with a 2-day history of altered mental status, ataxia, lethargy, fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Meningitis was ruled out. Over the course of her illness, slow rehydration was maintained with a gradual decrease (10 mEq per 24 hours) of the serum sodium. Despite this care, she developed quadriparesis, and magnetic resonance imaging performed on day 6 of her illness was consistent with osmotic demyelination (central pontine myelinolysis). To rule out an excessively rapid correction of hypernatremia as the etiology of the problem, a myelin basic protein was measured in the cerebrospinal fluid that had been obtained on hospital day 1. The myelin basic protein was 649.50 ng/mL (normal, 0.07-4.10 ng/mL). The current literature is presented regarding the postulated pathogenesis of central pontine myelinolysis and suggested therapies, previous reports of central pontine myelinolysis in children are reviewed, and the potential role of myelin basic protein in its diagnosis is discussed.
Increased aortic pulse wave velocity in middle aged women with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Bjarnegård N , Bengtsson C , Brodszki J , Sturfelt G , Nived O , Länne T
Published: November 2006

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a connective tissue disease where inflammatory activity affects several organ systems. An increased risk of cardiovascular disease has been identified in these patients, even after correction for traditional risk factors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate arterial stiffness and central hemodynamics in women with SLE in comparison to controls.

Arterial tonometry was used to measure aortic (carotid-femoral) and arm (carotid-radial) pulse wave velocity (PWV), reflected pressure waves, and aortic augmentation index (AIx) in 27 women with SLE (52 to 68 years) and 27 controls. Aortic PWV was higher in women with SLE than controls, 9.8 m/s versus 8.2 m/s ( P 0.01), after correction for mean arterial pressure and body mass index, 9.5 m/s versus 8.5 m/s ( P 0.05). Other parameters were similar, arm PWV, 8.4 versus 8.5 m/s, AIx 34 versus 33% and calculated central aortic pulse pressure 48 versus 43 mmHg, in SLE and controls, respectively (NS). Aortic PWV was positively associated to C-reactive protein (CRP) and complement factor 3 (C3).

Women with SLE have increased stiffness of their elastic central arteries. This may be one factor contributing to the increased cardiovascular risk seen in this cohort.
A review of health related quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Mcelhone K , Abbott J , Teh L -S
Published: November 2006

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important outcome measure in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A review was undertaken of the literature relating to HRQoL in SLE. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Allied and Complimentary Medicine were searched to locate full papers in the English language reporting on HRQoL in adult SLE patients published between 1990 and 2005. In total 53 papers were included and the review was subdivided into: 1) description of HRQoL in SLE patients; 2) HRQoL and disease activity and/or damage; 3) the impact of other variables on HRQoL; and 4) HRQoL measures used in clinical trials in SLE patients. The findings were as follows: HRQoL is reduced in SLE patients; HRQoL is not correlated to disease activity or damage; age appears to have a negative impact on HRQoL especially physical health but the effect of disease duration is unclear; other potentially modifiable variables such as fatigue and psychosocial factors impact on HRQoL in a complex manner; and HRQoL measures which are sensitive to change should be an essential outcome measure in all clinical trials on SLE patients.
Labour Institutions in China and India
Authors: Saha Bibhas
Published: November 2006

This essay makes a comparative assessment of labour institutions of China and India. China's drastic labour reforms were to some extent necessary for the creation of a free labour market, which then allowed unfettered industrial growth and rapid employment, although they also led to some adverse effects on income distribution and industrial relations. In contrast, India's inability and reluctance to reform its rigid labour laws might have significantly depleted the favourable effects of industrial deregulation in the organised sector. It remains to be seen how Indian investors cope with the old labour laws in a new economic environment.
A Transcultural Wisdom Bank in the Classroom: Making Cultural Diversity a Key Resource in Teaching and Learning
Authors: Chang Jui-shan
Published: November 2006

This article presents an account of how the author has made cultural diversity a powerful pedagogical resource for teaching rather than a burden. It is suggested that such an approach can deliver real educational benefits, rather than simply being a protocol to meet the requirements of “political correctness” or commercial imperatives. The issues addressed include how and why the author (a) mobilises cultural diversity and a comparative perspective in her curriculum; (b) proposes the notion of a “transcultural wisdom bank”; (c) brings cultural diversity into students’ active learning, which is achieved with intellectual depth and personal engagement; and (d) demonstrates with a learning infrastructure of group work and a “super-structure” of cultural contrasts to generate surprises and provoke new thoughts and discovery.
The Social Dynamics of the Interview: Age, Class, and Gender
Authors: Manderson Lenore , Bennett Elizabeth , Andajani-Sutjahjo Sari
Published: November 2006

Researchers have paid only limited attention to how social structural factors influence the course and content of interviews. Speech, comportment, and values inherent to gender and other social, structural, and contextual factors, such as age, socioeconomic positioning, and ethnicity, all influence the direction, flow, and content of interviews, informing how we might interpret the information collected in the process. Drawing on interviews conducted within an Australian study on chronic illness and disability, the authors explore the performative nature of the interview and how interviewers and interviewees respond to the structural factors shaping the social dynamics of the interview to produce accounts of social life.
Number of training sessions does not change program effectiveness
Authors: Scharf Laura , Bell Paul A. , Smith Sara Anne
Published: November 2006

Purpose: Exploratory study that examines outcomes of alternative Alzheimer's Savvy Caregiver Program (SCP) training formats for rural participants.

Method: 101 caregivers completed surveys before training in one-, two-, or three-day sessions and at six-month phone interview follow-up. Immediate post-training evaluations were also obtained.

Results: Regardless of format, participants viewed training as excellent, used SCP materials at six-month follow-up and increased participation in support groups.

Implications: Substantial modification in SCP to meet special needs of rural caregivers appears not to sacrifice desired outcomes.
Bilateral Training Does Not Facilitate Performance of Copying Tasks in Poststroke Hemiplegia
Authors: Tijs E. , Matyas T. A.
Published: November 2006

Objective. Previous studies in rehabilitation in poststroke hemiplegia have suggested that brief periods of bilateral training improve subsequent unilateral performance of the paretic upper limb. The bilateral training protocol involved task-specific practice using both upper limbs simultaneously and homologously (such that they mirrored each other). This study aimed to determine the generalizability of the bilateral training phenomenon by replicating the work with different tasks, measures, and a different experimenter.

Methods.Five single-case experiments were performed using a within-participant multiple-baseline design. Participants with post-stroke hemiplegia underwent 25 to 40 daily training sessions involving repetitive practice of 3 copying tasks. Pen movements were recorded on a digitizing pad. During the baseline phase, participants performed tasks unilaterally with their hemiplegic limb. Bilateral therapy was then applied in a staggered fashion to each task in turn. Quality of movement was measured in terms of temporal performance (jerkiness, speed, task duration), spatial performance (accuracy of copy), and arm posture (pen tilt).

Results. Movement quality of the hemiplegic limb was not improved during or subsequent to regular bilateral training.

Conclusions. The training phenomenon observed in previous work was not replicated when participants with hemiplegia practiced copying tasks bilaterally.
Neural Internet: Web Surfing with Brain Potentials for the Completely Paralyzed
Authors: Karim Ahmed A. , Hinterberger Thilo , Richter Jürgen , Mellinger Jürgen , Neumann Nicola , Flor Herta , Kübler Andrea , Birbaumer Niels
Published: November 2006

Neural Internet is a new technological advancement in brain-computer interface research, which enables locked-in patients to operate a Web browser directly with their brain potentials. Neural Internet was successfully tested with a locked-in patient diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis rendering him the first paralyzed person to surf the Internet solely by regulating his electrical brain activity. The functioning of Neural Internet and its clinical implications for motor-impaired patients are highlighted.
Emodin and DHA potently increase arsenic trioxide interferon-α–induced cell death of HTLV-I–transformed cells by generation of reactive oxygen species and inhibition of Akt and AP-1
Authors: Brown Megan , Bellon Marcia , Nicot Christophe
Published: November 2006

Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) is an aggressive lymphoproliferative disease of poor clinical prognosis associated with infection by the human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I). The use of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) has been shown to effectively treat acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with greater than 80% of patients achieving complete remission. The combination of arsenic and interferon has also shown promising results in the treatment of ATL. The requirement for slow dosage increases of arsenic and the time required to achieve a pharmacologic active dose in patients is a major obstacle because median survival of patients with ATL is about 6 months. In this study we report a potent synergistic effect of the combination of arsenic trioxide and interferon α (As/IFN-α) with emodin and DHA on cell-cycle arrest and cell death of HTLV-I–infected cells. Importantly, we found that clinically achievable doses of DHA and emodin allowed for reduced arsenic concentrations by 100-fold while still remaining highly toxic to tumor cells. Our data provide a rationale for combined use of As/IFN-α with emodin and DHA in patients with ATL refractory to conventional therapy.
Evidence for the multimeric structure of ferroportin
Authors: De Domenico Ivana , Ward Diane McVey , Musci Giovanni , Kaplan Jerry
Published: November 2006

Ferroportin (Fpn) (IREG1, SLC40A1, MTP1) is an iron transporter, and mutations in Fpn result in a genetically dominant form of iron overload disease. Previously, we demonstrated that Fpn is a multimer and that mutations in Fpn are dominant negative. Other studies have suggested that Fpn is not a multimer and that overexpression or epitope tags might affect the localization, topology, or multimerization of Fpn. We generated wild-type Fpn with 3 different epitopes, GFP, FLAG, and c-myc, and expressed these constructs in cultured cells. Co-expression of any 2 different epitope-tagged proteins in the same cell resulted in their quantitative coimmunoprecipitation. Treatment of Fpn-GFP/Fpn-FLAG–expressing cells with crosslinking reagents resulted in the crosslinking of Fpn-GFP and Fpn-FLAG. Western analysis of rat glioma C6 cells or mouse bone marrow macrophages exposed to crosslinking reagents showed that endogenous Fpn is a dimer. These results support the hypothesis that the dominant inheritance of Fpn–iron overload disease is due to the dominant-negative effects of mutant Fpn proteins.
Dendritic cell-mediated HIV-1 transmission to T cells of LAD-1 patients is impaired due to the defect in LFA-1
Authors: Groot Fedde , Kuijpers Taco W , Berkhout Ben , de Jong Esther C
Published: November 2006

Background

Dendritic cells (DC) have been proposed to mediate sexual HIV-1 transmission by capturing the virus in the mucosa and subsequently presenting it to CD4+ T cells. We have demonstrated before that DC subsets expressing higher levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) are better HIV-1 transmitters. ICAM-1 binds leukocyte function-associated molecule-1 (LFA-1) on T cells, an integrin responsible for adhesion and signaling at the immunological synapse. To corroborate the importance of the ICAM-1— LFA-1 interaction, we performed transmission experiments to LFA-1 negative leukocytes from Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency type 1 (LAD-1) patients.

Results

We clearly show that DC-mediated HIV-1 transmission to LAD-1 T cells is impaired in comparison to healthy controls. Furthermore, HIV-1 transmission to T cells from a unique LAD-1 patient with a well characterized LFA-1 activation defect was impaired as well, demonstrating that activation of LFA-1 is crucial for efficient transmission. Decreased cell adhesion between DC and LAD-1 T cells could also be illustrated by significantly smaller DC-T cell clusters after HIV-1 transmission.

Conclusion

By making use of LFA-1 defect cells from unique patients, this study provides more insight into the mechanism of HIV-1 transmission by DC. This may offer new treatment options to reduce sexual transmission of HIV-1.
HIV-1 infection and CD4 T cell depletion in the humanized Rag2-/-γc-/-(RAG-hu) mouse model
Authors: Berges Bradford K , Wheat William H , Palmer Brent E , Connick Elizabeth , Akkina Ramesh
Published: November 2006

Background

The currently well-established humanized mouse models, namely the hu-PBL-SCID and SCID-hu systems played an important role in HIV pathogenesis studies. However, despite many notable successes, several limitations still exist. They lack multi-lineage human hematopoiesis and a functional human immune system. These models primarily reflect an acute HIV infection with rapid CD4 T cell loss thus limiting pathogenesis studies to a short-term period. The new humanized Rag2-/-γc-/- mouse model (RAG-hu) created by intrahepatic injection of CD34 hematopoietic stem cells sustains long-term multi-lineage human hematopoiesis and is capable of mounting immune responses. Thus, this model shows considerable promise to study long-term in vivo HIV infection and pathogenesis.

Results

Here we demonstrate that RAG-hu mice produce human cell types permissive to HIV-1 infection and that they can be productively infected by HIV-1 ex vivo. To assess the capacity of these mice to sustain long-term infection in vivo, they were infected by either X4-tropic or R5-tropic HIV-1. Viral infection was assessed by PCR, co-culture, and in situ hybridization. Our results show that both X4 and R5 viruses are capable of infecting RAG-hu mice and that viremia lasts for at least 30 weeks. Moreover, HIV-1 infection leads to CD4 T cell depletion in peripheral blood and thymus, thus mimicking key aspects of HIV-1 pathogenesis. Additionally, a chimeric HIV-1 NL4-3 virus expressing a GFP reporter, although capable of causing viremia, failed to show CD4 T cell depletion possibly due to attenuation.

Conclusion

The humanized RAG-hu mouse model, characterized by its capacity for sustained multi-lineage human hematopoiesis and immune response, can support productive HIV-1 infection. Both T cell and macrophage tropic HIV-1 strains can cause persistent infection of RAG-hu mice resulting in CD4 T cell loss. Prolonged viremia in the context of CD4 T cell depletion seen in this model mirrors the main features of HIV infection in the human. Thus, the RAG-hu mouse model of HIV-1 infection shows great promise for future in vivo pathogenesis studies, evaluation of new drug treatments, vaccines and novel gene therapy strategies.
BoCaTFBS: a boosted cascade learner to refine the binding sites suggested by ChIP-chip experiments
Authors: Wang Lu-yong , Snyder Michael , Gerstein Mark
Published: November 2006

Comprehensive mapping of transcription factor binding sites is essential in postgenomic biology. For this, we propose a mining approach combining noisy data from ChIP (chromatin immunoprecipitation)-chip experiments with known binding site patterns. Our method (BoCaTFBS) uses boosted cascades of classifiers for optimum efficiency, in which components are alternating decision trees; it exploits interpositional correlations; and it explicitly integrates massive negative information from ChIP-chip experiments. We applied BoCaTFBS within the ENCODE project and showed that it outperforms many traditional binding site identification methods (for instance, profiles).
The reduced GM-CSF priming of ROS production in granulocytes from patients with myelodysplasia is associated with an impaired lipid raft formation
Authors: Fuhler Gwenny M , Blom Nel R , Coffer Paul J , Drayer A Lyndsay , Vellenga Edo
Published: November 2006

Patients with myelodysplasia (MDS) show an impaired reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in response to fMLP stimulation of GM-CSF-primed neutrophils. In this study, we investigated the involvement of lipid rafts in this process and showed that treatment of neutrophils with the lipid raft-disrupting agent methyl-β-cyclodextrin abrogates fMLP-induced ROS production and activation of ERK1/2 and protein kinase B/Akt, two signal transduction pathways involved in ROS production in unprimed and GM-CSF-primed neutrophils. We subsequently showed that there was a decreased presence of Lyn, gp91phox, and p22phox in lipid raft fractions from neutrophils of MDS. Furthermore, the plasma membrane expression of the lipid raft marker GM1, which increases upon stimulation of GM-CSF-primed cells with fMLP, was reduced significantly in MDS patients. By electron microscopy, we showed that the fMLP-induced increase in GM1 expression in GM-CSF-primed cells was a result of de novo synthesis, which was less efficient in MDS neutrophils. Taken together, these data indicate an involvement of lipid rafts in activation of signal transduction pathways leading to ROS production and show that in MDS neutrophils, an impaired lipid raft formation in GM-CSF-primed cells results in an impaired ROS production.
Cdx-Hox code controls competence for responding to Fgfs and retinoic acid in zebrafish neural tissue
Authors: Shimizu Takashi , Bae Young-Ki , Hibi Masahiko
Published: November 2006

Fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) and retinoic acid (RA) signals control the formation and anteroposterior patterning of posterior hindbrain. They are also involved in development processes in other regions of the embryo. Therefore,responsiveness to Fgf and RA signals must be controlled in a context-dependent manner. Inhibiting the caudal-related genes cdx1a and cdx4 in zebrafish embryos caused ectopic expression of genes that are normally expressed in the posterior hindbrain and anterior spinal cord, and ectopic formation of the hindbrain motor and commissure neurons in the posteriormost neural tissue. Combinational marker analyses suggest mirror-image duplication in the Cdx1a/4-defective embryos, and cell transplantation analysis further revealed that Cdx1a and Cdx4 repress a posterior hindbrain-specific gene expression cell-autonomously in the posterior neural tissue. Expression of fgfs and retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 suggested that in the Cdx1a/4-defective embryos, the Fgf and RA signaling activities overlap in the posterior body and display opposing gradients, compared with those in the hindbrain region. We found that Fgf and RA signals were required for ectopic expression. Expression of the posterior hox genes hoxb7a, hoxa9a or hoxb9a, which function downstream of Cdx1a/4, or activator fusion genes of hoxa9a or hoxb9a (VP16-hoxa9a, VP16-hoxb9a) suppressed this loss-of-function phenotype. These data suggest that Cdx suppresses the posterior hindbrain fate through regulation of the posterior hoxgenes; the posterior Hox proteins function as transcriptional activators and indirectly repress the ectopic expression of the posterior hindbrain genes in the posterior neural tissue. Our results indicate that the Cdx-Hox code modifies tissue competence to respond to Fgfs and RA in neural tissue.
Honeybee memory: a honeybee knows what to do and when
Authors: Zhang Shaowu , Schwarz Sebastian , Pahl Mario , Zhu Hong , Tautz Juergen
Published: November 2006

Honeybees have the ability to flexibly change their preference for a visual pattern according to the context in which a discrimination task is carried out. This study investigated the effect of time of day, task, as well as both parameters simultaneously, as contextual cue(s) in modulating bees' preference for a visual pattern. We carried out three series of experiments to investigate these interactions. The first series of experiments indicated that trained bees can reverse their pattern preference following midday breaks, as well as an overnight break, at the feeder and at the hive. The second series of experiments showed that trained bees are able to reverse their pattern preference in just a few minutes, depending on whether they are going out to forage or returning to the hive. The third series of experiments demonstrated that trained bees can significantly reverse their pattern preference at the feeder and at the hive entrance following midday breaks, as well as after an overnight break; the bees could also learn to choose different patterns at the feeder and at the hive entrance within each testing period. The training thus imposed a learnt pattern preference on the bees' daily circadian rhythm. This study demonstrates that the bee with a tiny brain possesses a sophisticated memory, and is able to remember tasks within a temporal context. Honey bees can thus `plan' their activities in time and space, and use context to determine which action to perform and when.
Otosclerosis: Relationship of spiral ligament hyalinization to sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Parahy Christian , Linthicum Fred H.
Published: November 2006

The sensorineural component of a mixed hearing loss due to otosclerosis is generally accepted as due to the otosclerotic lesion. The existence of pure cochlear otosclerosis without stapes fixation has been questioned. However, we are documenting 7 such cases in a separate publication. Results of this study, which evaluates 46 temporal bones with clinical or cochlear otosclerosis, demonstrate that the degree of sensorineural loss is directly related to the amount of hyalinization of the spiral ligament. The hyalinization occurs adjacent to active otospongiotic lesions but not next to inactive otosclerotic lesions. Both types of lesions may involve the cochlear endosteum. Small channels through the endosteal bone from the lesion to the spiral ligament have been found. The hyalinization spreads laterally from these channels. The hyalinization is presumably a result of the passage of toxic substances (proteolytic enzymes) from the lesion to the ligament. Strial atrophy is most pronounced on ligaments with the greatest degree of hyalinization. Hyalinization in only one ear produces decreased hearing compared to the other ear.
Plasmacytoma of the larynx
Authors: Maniglia Anthony J. , Xue J. W.
Published: November 2006

Plasmacytoma involving the larynx is very rare. To the best of our knowledge there are only 79 cases reported in the world literature. We are adding 3 more cases; 2 cases were associated with multiple myeloma and 1 was considered to be a solitary or extramedullar plasmacytoma. The clinical picture was hoarseness and upper airway obstruction. In plasmacytoma of the larynx multiple biopsies are often nondiagnostic, sometimes revealing only chronic inflammation and amyloid infiltration in the tissues. Most authors agree that the treatment of choice is conservative surgical excision and radiation therapy. Surgery may also be reserved to excise residual scar tissue and fibrosis after treatment mainly to improve the airway and eliminate the tracheostomy tube. To confirm the definitive diagnosis of solitary plasmacytoma of the larynx, long‐term follow‐up of many years is necessary in order to rule out multiple myeloma.
Evaluation of and access to posterior orbital tumors
Authors: Osguthorpe J. D. , Saunders R. A. , Adkins W. Y.
Published: November 2006

Head and neck surgeons enter the peripheral orbit for the therapy and/or biopsy of the most common expanding lesions, i.e., thyroid ophthalmopathy, direct extension of paranasal disease, pseudotumor and metastases. It is in this space between the bony orbital walls and the extraocular muscle cone that a majority of primary orbital neoplasms occur. The four basic approaches to posterior orbital tumors are: lateral orbitotomy through the temporal fossa with a modified Kronlein procedure, medial orbitotomy utilizing a Lynch incision and lacrimal sac mobilization, superior orbitotomy via a Naffziger frontotemporal crainotomy, and inferior exposure/decompression through the maxillary sinus. Case examples of the former two approaches are presented. None of these standard procedures allows full exposure of the posterior orbit. A combined cranio‐facial‐orbital access to this region utilizing a modified maxillectomy and frontotemporal craniotomy is detailed.
Cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis secondary to sphenoid sinusitis
Authors: Sofferman Robert A.
Published: November 2006

Cavernous sinus thrombosis is a serious life threatening condition which usually results from midfacial skin infections. Preantibiotic era mortality rates of 80% have improved markedly because of an early awareness of the condition and prompt initiation of parenteral antibiotics. Sphenoid sinusitis is an uncommon associated cause of cavernous sinus infection and is itself a rare and elusive clinical problem. A case of sphenoid sinusitis and concurrent cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis is presented to highlight the clinical diagnostic considerations with special emphasis on bilateral eye signs as indicators of the impending thrombophlebitic process.
Intranasal airway/pack: Description of a new device
Authors: Doyle Donald E. , Stoller Kenneth P.
Published: November 2006

We have designed and developed a new intranasal pack which has been found to be most effective in controlling anterior and posterior epistaxis. Its ease of introduction and patient tolerance make it ideal for treating posterior epistaxis on an outpatient basis, and as packing for septal, sinus, or rhinoplastic surgery. The unique features of a breathing cannula and total intranasal tamponade distinguish this device from all preceding ones.
Evaluation and correction of combined orbital trauma syndrome.
Authors: Stanley Robert B. , Mathog Robert H.
Published: November 2006

Injuries to the inferior and lateral orbital walls are traditionally classified as either “blow‐out” or trimalar fractures. This simplified system has helped considerably in the understanding of the causes of the two types of injury and methods of repair. Unfortunately, simultaneous occurrence can cause immediate and delayed problems that potentiate each other. Enophthalmos and globe ptosis, in combination with a depressed malar eminence, present a major challenge to the reconstructive surgeon's efforts to achieve satisfactory function and appearance.

This paper reports the results of combined orbital floor and lateral wall injuries as an important clinical trauma syndrome. The interaction of the two fractures with regard to pathophysiology, sequelae, and methods of correction will be discussed. A review of cases will be used to describe the authors' techniques of repair, and to illustrate the preferred methods of bone grafting for correction of retrusion and depression of the globe, muscle entrapment and depression of the malar eminence.
Rhinoscleroma … a diagnostic challenge.
Authors: Stiernberg Charles M. , Clark William D.
Published: November 2006

Rhinoscleroma is a rare chronic granulomatous infection predominantly affecting the upper respiratory tract. The patient presented here exemplifies several features of the disease, including the fact that diagnosis may elude the clinician for years, and this delay may increase morbidity substantially. The most common initial complaint is nasal obstruction, and physical examination frequently reveals erythematous granular or nodular swellings covered with crusts. Its tumor‐like appearance and local spread arouses suspicion of malignancy, but differential diagnosis also includes fungal infections and numerous granulomatous diseases. The classic histopathology consists of large vacuolated Mikuliz's cells and transformed plasma cells with Russell bodies. Numerous antibiotics have been used for treatment of this infection with varying degrees of success. Long‐term follow‐up is important because these patients can have numerous relapses. Geographic distribution is also discussed.
Diagnosis and cure of venous hum tinnitus.
Authors: Chandler James R.
Published: November 2006

Sounds arising from abnormalities of or abnormal communications between blood vessels in the neck or cranial cavity may result in objective tinnitus. It is audible to patient and examiner alike. Contrary to the usual subjective tinnitus of non‐vascular origin, it is low pitched and pulsatile in character. That tinnitus which arises from and within the internal jugular vein is particularly important, as it may be loud enough to interfere with sleep, and result in some loss of hearing. Diagnosis is important as it can be cured by simple ligation of the internal jugular vein. Such a case is reported.
Measurement of adductory force of individual laryngeal muscles in an in vivo canine model
Authors: Nasri Sina , Sercarz Joel A. , Azizzadeh Babak , Kreiman Jody , Berke Gerald S.
Published: November 2006

In this experiment, the adductory properties of three intrinsic laryngeal muscles (the thyroarytenoid [TA], lateral cricoarytenoid [LCA], and interarytenoid [IA]) were studied and quantified. Using an in vivo canine laryngeal model, a recently developed “tensionometer” was used to measure the adductory force produced by each of these muscles at the vocal process of the arytenoid. Isolated muscle activation was obtained by stimulating selective terminal branches of the anterior division of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Results indicate that the LCA is the strongest adductory muscle, followed by the TA and the IA Videolaryngoscopy revealed that LCA contraction causes adduction of the vocal fold and vocal process, with the predominant effect on the process. TA stimulation leads primarily to adduction of vocal fold, and the IA adducts mainly the vocal process. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Pleomorphic adenoma: Effect of tumor spill and inadequate resection on tumor recurrence
Authors: Buchman Craig , Stringer Scott P. , Mendenhall William M. , Parsons James T. , Jordan James R. , Cassisi Nicholas J.
Published: November 2006

Intraoperative tumor spill or inadequate resection may be associated with an increase in the recurrence rate of pleomorphic adenoma. An attempt was made to determine the recurrence rate when such factors were identified at the time of operation. From 1970 through 1989, 17 cases were identified in which there was a question of intraoperative tumor spill or inadequate resection of a salivary gland pleomorphic adenoma. Patients were either observed or given postoperative irradiation with a mean follow‐up of 7.4 years. The overall initial local recurrence rate was 24%, and all recurrences were successfully salvaged. Inadequate resection, particularly enucleation, was predictive of local recurrence, but tumor spill was not. Postoperative irradiation after inadequate resection appeared to decrease the probability of recurrence. We conclude that recurrence of pleomorphic adenoma is not increased by tumor spill as compared with inadequate resection.
Immune‐mediated inner ear disease and parvovirus b19
Authors: Cotter Cheryl S. , Singleton George T. , Corman Lourdes C.
Published: November 2006

Human parvovirus B19 (HP‐B19), the etiologic agent of the common childhood illness erythema infectiosum, has been implicated in systemic immune disorders. Patients presenting with sensorineural hearing loss and/or dizziness, not readily categorized, were evaluated for immune‐mediated inner ear disease. Appropriate serologic studies including parvovirus B19 antibody titers were conducted. Thirty patients with suspected immune‐mediated inner ear disease were treated with corticosteroid trial for 5 to 7 days, then reexamined with repeat audiogram and/or vestibular testing. Seventeen patients with clinical response were treated with long‐term corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide. Six patients had positive HP‐B19 immunoglobulin M (IgM) titers and 8 patients had positive parvovirus immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers. All 14 patients responded to therapy. Parvovirus B19, therefore, is a possible etiology of immune‐mediated inner ear disease.
Endoscopic laser excisional biopsy for selected glottic carcinomas
Authors: Peretti Giorgio , Cappiello Johnny , Nicolai Piero , Smussi Cinzia , Antonelli Antonino R.
Published: November 2006

From January 1988 to December 1990, 44 previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the true vocal cord (33 T1a, 11 Tis) underwent carbon dioxide laser excision. The mean follow‐up was 28 months (range, 12 to 44 months). Endoscopic excisional biopsy was the primary treatment in 38 of the 44 patients, whereas postoperative radiotherapy was added in 6 cases in which the pathology report showed positive margins. Recurrent vocal cord SCC developed in 8 (18%) of the cases, with an average interval of 17.8 months. Re‐treatment consisted of a second laser excision in 4 cases, radiotherapy in 1, hemilaryngectomy in 1, and total laryngectomy in 2. The definitive cure rate with endoscopic excisional biopsy for the patients originally treated with laser excision alone was 94.7% (36/38). Endoscopic laser treatment for selected glottic SCC proves to be an excellent alternative to radiotherapy or open neck surgery.
The Transcriptional Coactivator Querkopf Controls Adult Neurogenesis
Authors: Merson Tobias D. , Dixon Mathew P. , Collin Caitlin , Rietze Rodney L. , Bartlett Perry F. , Thomas Tim , Voss Anne K.
Published: November 2006

The adult mammalian brain maintains populations of neural stem cells within discrete proliferative zones. Understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating adult neural stem cell function is limited. Here, we show that MYST family histone acetyltransferaseQuerkopf(Qkf, Myst4, Morf)-deficient mice have cumulative defects in adult neurogenesisin vivo, resulting in declining numbers of olfactory bulb interneurons, a population of neurons produced in large numbers during adulthood.Qkf-deficient mice have fewer neural stem cells and fewer migrating neuroblasts in the rostral migratory stream.Qkfgene expression is strong in the neurogenic subventricular zone. A population enriched in multipotent cells can be isolated from this region on the basis ofQkfgene expression. Neural stem cells/progenitor cells isolated fromQkfmutant mice exhibited a reduced self-renewal capacity and a reduced ability to produce differentiated neurons. Together, our data show thatQkfis essential for normal adult neurogenesis.
Fusion of Microglia with Pyramidal Neurons after Retroviral Infection
Authors: Ackman James B. , Siddiqi Faez , Walikonis Randall S. , LoTurco Joseph J.
Published: November 2006

The neurogenic potential of the postnatal neocortex has not been tested previously with a combination of both retroviral and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling. Here we report that injections of enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) retrovirus into 134 postnatal rats resulted in GFP labeling of 642 pyramidal neurons in neocortex. GFP-labeled neocortical pyramidal neurons, however, unlike GFP-labeled glia, did not incorporate BrdU. Closer inspection of retrovirally labeled neurons revealed microglia fused to the apical dendrites of labeled pyramidal neurons. Retroviral infection of mixed cultures of cortical neurons and glia confirmed the presence of specific neuronal–microglial fusions. Microglia did not fuse to other glial cell types, and cultures not treated with retrovirus lacked microglial–neuronal fusion. Furthermore, activation of microglia by lipopolysaccharide greatly increased the virally induced fusion of microglia to neurons in culture. These results indicate a novel form of specific cell fusion between neuronal dendrites and microglia and further illustrate the need for caution when interpreting evidence for neuronogenesis in the postnatal brain.
Transgenic Rescue ofataxiaMice with Neuronal-Specific Expression of Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 14
Authors: Crimmins Stephen , Jin Youngam , Wheeler Crystal , Huffman Alexis K. , Chapman Carlene , Dobrunz Lynn E. , Levey Alan , Roth Kevin A. , Wilson Julie A. , Wilson Scott M.
Published: November 2006

Theataxiamutation (axJ) is a recessive neurological mutation that results in reduced growth, ataxia, and hindlimb muscle wasting in mice. TheaxJgene encodes ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (Usp14), a deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) that associates with the proteasome via its ubiquitin-like (Ubl) domain and is involved in processing ubiquitin chains. Analysis ofUsp14gene products demonstrated thatUsp14undergoes alternative pre-mRNA splicing to produce a full-length form of Usp14 that is capable of binding proteasomes and a form that contains a deletion in the Ubl domain. The full-length form of Usp14 is the only form that appears to be reduced in theaxJmice. Transgenic rescue of theaxJmice with neuronal-specific expression of Usp14 demonstrated that the full-length form of Usp14 was sufficient to restore viability and motor system function to theaxJmice. Biochemical analysis showed that the ubiquitin hydrolyase activity of this form of Usp14 is dependent on the presence of proteasomes, and neuronal expression of full-length Usp14 was able to restore the levels of monomeric ubiquitin in the brains ofaxJmice. However, theaxJ-rescued mice still displayed the Purkinje cell axonal swellings that are seen in theaxJmice, indicating that this cerebellar alteration is not the primary cause of theaxJmovement disorders. These results show that the motor defects observed in theaxJmice are attributable to a neuropathic disease rather than to a muscular disorder and suggest that changes in proteasomal function may contribute to neurological dysfunction in theaxJmice.
Parental Rules and Monitoring of Children’s Movie Viewing Associated With Children’s Risk for Smoking and Drinking
Authors: Dalton Madeline A. , Adachi-Mejia Anna M. , Longacre Meghan R. , Titus-Ernstoff Linda T. , Gibson Jennifer J. , Martin Susan K. , Sargent James D. , Beach Michael L.
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVES. Evidence suggests that media portrayals of tobacco and alcohol use are important predictors of adolescent smoking and drinking. We examined the role of parents in monitoring and limiting children’s movie exposure and whether or not this was associated with a lower risk of adolescent smoking and drinking.

DESIGN. We surveyed 2606 child-parent dyads between 2002 and 2003. We asked children (9–12 years of age) how often their parents engaged in specific behaviors to monitor their movie viewing and if their parents allowed them to watch R-rated movies. We also surveyed children about parental monitoring of nonmedia-related behaviors. The primary outcomes were risk of smoking and drinking alcohol, defined by attitudinal susceptibility or early experimentation with either substance.

RESULTS. Less than half (45.0%) the children were prohibited from watching R-rated movies. Of those who were allowed to watch R-rated movies, one third (34.7%) always viewed them with a parent and two thirds (65.3%) sometimes watched them without a parent. Less than 10% of the children reported that their parents consistently engaged in all 4 movie-monitoring behaviors. Even after controlling for parental monitoring of nonmedia-related behaviors and other covariates, children were at lower risk of smoking and drinking if their parents prohibited them from watching R-rated movies. Parental coviewing of R-rated movies was associated with a lower risk of child smoking but not drinking if parents consistently monitored what their children watched.

CONCLUSIONS. Parental rules and monitoring of children’s movie viewing may have a protective influence on children’s risk for smoking and drinking, over and above parental monitoring of nonmedia related behaviors. This highlights a potential role for parents in preventing early initiation of tobacco and alcohol use among adolescents.