bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of matrix metalloproteinases in benign and malignant follicular thyroid lesions
Authors: Cho Mar K , Eimoto T , Tateyama H , Arai Y , Fujiyoshi Y , Hamaguchi M
Published: January 2006

Aims : To examine expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and related proteins in follicular thyroid lesions (FTLs) and to determine their usefulness for differential diagnosis of FTLs, particularly between minimally invasive carcinoma and adenoma.

Methods and results : Six widely invasive follicular carcinomas (WIFCs), 15 minimally invasive follicular carcinomas (MIFCs), 19 follicular adenomas (FAs) and 10 adenomatous goitres (AGs) were analysed immunohistochemically for MMP‐1, MMP‐2, MMP‐7, MMP‐9, membrane‐type 1‐MMP (MT1‐MMP) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (TIMP‐2). MMP‐1 was positive in all FTLs. MMP‐2 and MMP‐7 were positive in more than 80% of WIFC and MIFC cases, whereas they were negative in all FA and AG cases except one MMP‐2+ FA (P < 0.001). MMP‐9 stained positive significantly more in MIFC than FA or AG cases (P < 0.05, respectively). The positivity of MT1‐MMP and TIMP‐2 was different among some of the FTLs, but with no significant difference between MIFC and FA cases. In‐situ hybridization of MMP‐2 and MMP‐7 mRNA in selected cases demonstrated the expression of these enzymes in the tumour cells as well as in some stromal cells.

Conclusions : Our results confirm MMP expression mainly in malignant FTLs and suggest that MMP‐2 and MMP‐7 may be useful markers to distinguish MIFC from FA.
Sensitivity and specificity of immunohistochemical markers used in the diagnosis of epithelioid mesothelioma: a detailed systematic analysis using published data
Authors: King J E , Thatcher N , Pickering C A C , Hasleton P S
Published: January 2006

Aims : Immunohistochemistry is frequently employed to aid the distinction between mesothelioma and pulmonary adenocarcinoma metastatic to the pleura, but there is uncertainty as to which antibodies are most useful. We analysed published data in order to establish sensitivity and specificity of antibodies used to distinguish between these tumours with a view to defining the most appropriate immunohistochemical panel to use when faced with this diagnostic problem.

Methods and results : A systematic analysis of the results of 88 published papers comparing immunohistochemical staining of a panel of antibodies in mesothelioma with epithelioid areas, and pulmonary adenocarcinoma metastatic to the pleura. Results for a total of 15 antibodies were analysed and expressed in terms of sensitivity and specificity. The most sensitive antibodies for identifying pulmonary adenocarcinoma were MOC‐31 and BG8 (both 93%), whilst the most specific were monoclonal CEA (97%) and TTF‐1 (100%). The most sensitive antibodies to identify epithelioid mesothelioma were CK5/6 (83%) and HBME‐1 (85%). The most specific antibodies were CK5/6 (85%) and WT1 (96%).

Conclusions : No single antibody is able to differentiate reliably between these two tumours. The use of a small panel of antibodies with a high combined sensitivity and specificity is recommended.
Dental abscess in a tooth with intact dens evaginatus
Authors: CHO S. Y.
Published: January 2006

This article reports a case of dental abscess in a mandibular premolar with intact dens evaginatus. Dentists are advised to critically evaluate those teeth with dens evaginatus, both clinically and radiographically, before attempting prophylactic treatments. This is particularly important medicolegally in case the tooth develops symptoms shortly after the prophylactic treatment. Dentists practising in Western countries should also be aware of this dental anomaly because of the increasing global migration of people from Asia.
Solitary median maxillary central incisor and normal stature: a report of three cases
Authors: CHO S. Y. , DRUMMOND B. K.
Published: January 2006

Solitary median maxillary central incisor (SMMCI) is a rare finding. Growth deficiency or other systemic abnormalities may or may not be seen in children with this anomaly. Nevertheless, the growth and development of all children with SMMCI should be closely monitored. This article reports the dental findings of three Chinese girls with SMMCI, but no growth deficiency or other systemic involvement.
Capnocytophaga in the dental plaque of immunocompromised children with cancer
Authors: SIXOU J. L. , AUBRY‐LEULIETTE A. , DE MEDEIROS‐BATTISTA O. , LEJEUNE S. , JOLIVET‐GOUGEON A. , SOLHI‐PINSARD H. , GANDEMER V. , BARBOSA‐ROGIER M. , BONNAURE‐MALLET M.
Published: January 2006

Objectives.  (i) To compare the prevalence and levels of Capnocytophaga, a known systemic pathogen in immunocompromised patients, in the dental plaque of healthy children and children with cancer, and (ii) to determine the susceptibility of strains isolated from cancer patients to a range of antibiotics.

Patients and methods.  Thirty‐one children with cancer undergoing a first course of immunosuppressive chemotherapy and 30 healthy control children were included in the study. Samples were collected on days 0, 7, 14, and 21 of the cure (and equivalent dates in controls). Susceptibility to antibiotics was tested using an agar dilution method and galleries with predefined concentrations of selected antibiotics.

Results.  There was a significant drop in the total anaerobic cultivable flora on day 14 and in the prevalence of Capnocytophaga on days 14 and 21 in the children with cancer. The proportion of Capnocytophaga in the anaerobic flora, however, was high in certain cancer patients. Beta‐lactam/beta‐lactamase inhibitor combinations, imipenem, clindamycin, and tetracycline were the most effective against Capnocytophaga.

Conclusion.  This study showed that Capnocytophaga decreased in prevalence and proportion in the dental plaque of cancer patients during chemotherapy but became predominant in some cases. It is recommended that imipenem or beta‐lactam/beta‐lactamase inhibitor combinations be used to treat Capnocytophaga bacteraemia.
Fluoride content of bottled waters available in Northern Greece
Authors: AHIROPOULOS V.
Published: January 2006

Objective.  The aim of this study was to evaluate the fluoride content of bottled drinking waters commercially available in northern Greece and to report on the accuracy of the labelling of fluoride concentration.

Materials and methods.  Twenty‐two randomly selected commercial brands of bottled water were obtained from three supermarkets in Thessaloniki, Greece. Three bottles of each brand were purchased. Following calibration, six tests were conducted on each bottle using a combination fluoride‐ion selective electrode (Orion, 96‐09‐00, MA, USA). The average reading for each brand was estimated and also compared with the fluoride content printed on the label.

Results.  The mean (± SD) fluoride content of the bottled water samples was 0·35 (± 1·00) mg F/L with a range from 0·05 to 4·8 mg F/L. Only 18% (N = 4) of brands tested mention the fluoride concentration on the label, and 90% (N = 22) had a tested fluoride between 0·05 and 0·21 mg F/L. Of the remaining two brands, one was found to contain 0·3 mg F/L without having the fluoride concentration indicated on the label, and the other was labelled at 6 mg F/L, whereas the concentration was estimated as 4·8 mg F/L.

Conclusions.  The use of bottled water may be a significant source of systemic fluoride and therefore be considered as a risk factor for dental fluorosis in young children. This article shows that bottled drinking waters contain differing concentrations of fluoride. The manufacturers’ labelling of fluoride concentrations may be inaccurate. When prescribing fluoride supplements, dentists should be aware of the fluoride content of bottled waters used by paediatric patients, especially brands with a concentration higher than 0·3 mg F/L. In view of the wide variation of fluoride concentration in the tested bottled waters, regulatory guidelines for controlling concentration in order to prevent dental fluorosis are recommended.
Did lemurs have sweepstake tickets? An exploration of Simpson's model for the colonization of Madagascar by mammals
Authors: Stankiewicz J. , Thiart C. , Masters J. C. , de Wit M. J.
Published: January 2006

Aim  To investigate the validity of Simpson's model of sweepstakes dispersal, particularly as it applies to the colonization of Madagascar by African mammals. We chose lemurs as a classic case.

Location  The East African coast, the Mozambique Channel and Madagascar.

Methods  First, we investigated the assumptions underlying Simpson's statistical model as it relates to dispersal events. Second, we modelled the fate of a natural raft carrying one or several migrating mammals under a range of environmental conditions: in the absence of winds or currents, in the presence of winds and currents, and with and without a sail. Finally, we investigated the possibility of an animal being transported across the Mozambique Channel by an extreme climatic event like a tornado or a cyclone.

Results  Our investigations show that Simpson's assumptions are consistently violated when applied to scenarios of over‐water dispersal by mammals. We suggest that a simple binomial probability model is an inappropriate basis for extrapolating the likelihood of dispersal events. One possible alternative is to use a geometric probability model. Our estimates of current and wind trajectories show that the most likely fate for a raft emerging from an estuary on the east coast of Africa is to follow the Mozambique current and become beached back on the African coast. Given prevailing winds and currents, transport from Madagascar to Africa is very much more likely than the reverse process. Freak transport by means of a hurricane or tornado is even less likely than rafting for mammals.

Main conclusions  Our models suggest that the scenario of sweepstakes dispersal that currently enjoys wide support is not valid at either the theoretical or the applied level when applied to the hypothetical invasion of Madagascar by African mammals. Alternative explanations should be sought.
Dispersal is fundamental to biogeography and the evolution of biodiversity on oceanic islands
Authors: Cowie Robert H. , Holland Brenden S.
Published: January 2006

Vicariance biogeography emerged several decades ago from the fusion of cladistics and plate tectonics, and quickly came to dominate historical biogeography. The field has since been largely constrained by the notion that only processes of vicariance and not dispersal offer testable patterns and refutable hypotheses, dispersal being a random process essentially adding only noise to a vicariant system. A consequence of this thinking seems to have been a focus on the biogeography of continents and continental islands, considering the biogeography of oceanic islands less worthy of scientific attention because, being dependent on stochastic dispersal, it was uninteresting. However, the importance of dispersal is increasingly being recognized, and here we stress its fundamental role in the generation of biodiversity on oceanic islands that have been createdin situ, never connected to larger land masses. Historical dispersal patterns resulting in modern distributions, once considered unknowable, are now being revealed in many plant and animal taxa, in large part through the analysis of polymorphic molecular markers. We emphasize the profound evolutionary insights that oceanic island biodiversity has provided, and the fact that, although small in area, oceanic islands harbour disproportionately high biodiversity and numbers of endemic taxa. We further stress the importance of continuing research on mechanisms generating oceanic island biodiversity, especially detection of general, non‐random patterns of dispersal, and hence the need to acknowledge oceanic dispersal as significant and worthy of research.
Ecosystem engineering across ecosystems: do engineer species sharing common features have generalized or idiosyncratic effects on species diversity?
Authors: Badano Ernesto I. , Cavieres Lohengrin A.
Published: January 2006

Aim  To integrate the effects of ecosystem engineers (organisms that create, maintain or destroy habitat for other species) sharing the same archetype on species diversity, and assess whether different engineer species have generalized or idiosyncratic effects across environmentally similar ecosystems.

Location  High‐Andean habitats of Chile and Argentina, from 23° S to 41° S.

Methods  We measured and compared the effects of eight alpine plants with cushion growth‐form on species richness, species diversity (measured as the Shannon–Wiener index) and evenness of vascular plant assemblages across four high‐Andean ecosystems of Chile and Argentina.

Results  The presence of cushion plants always increased the species richness, diversity (measured as the Shannon–Wiener index) and evenness of high‐Andean plant assemblages. However, while the presence of different cushion species within the same ecosystem controlled species diversity in the same way, these effects varied between cushion species from different ecosystems.

Main conclusions  Results consistently supported the idea that increases in habitat complexity due to the presence of ecosystem engineers, in this case cushion plants, would lead to higher community diversity. Results also indicate that effects of the presence of different cushion species within the same ecosystem could be generalized, while the effects of cushion species from different ecosystems should be considered idiosyncratic.
Stroke mortality and the apoB/apoA‐I ratio: results of the AMORIS prospective study
Authors: WALLDIUS G. , AASTVEIT A. H. , JUNGNER I.
Published: January 2006

Objectives.  LDL cholesterol is a well‐established risk factor for myocardial infarction, but not for stroke. The main objective of the present study was to determine if the risk of stroke is related to the balance between the proatherogenic apoB lipoprotein particles and the antiatherogenic apoA‐I particles as is the case for myocardial infarction.

Subjects and design.  A total of 98 722 men and 76 831 women were recruited from screening programmes. The prospective risk and the relationships between five different types of fatal strokes and the lipid fractions, apoB, apoA‐I and the apoB/apoA‐I ratio (automated immunoturbidimetry) were examined. The results were compared with the risks of other ischaemic and non‐ischaemic fatalities.

Results.  Mean follow‐up was 10.3 years. High apoB and low apoA‐I values were significantly related to risk of stroke. The odds ratio comparing the upper 10th versus the 1st decile of the apoB/apoA‐I ratio for all strokes adjusted for age, gender, total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) was 2.07 (95% CI: 1.49–2.88), P < 0.0001. The strongest association was for ischaemic stroke. Low apoA‐I was a common abnormality in all stroke subtypes including subarachnoidal and haemorrhagic strokes. In multivariate analyses the apoB/apoA‐I ratio was a stronger risk predictor than total/HDL and LDL/HDL cholesterol ratios. The apoB/apoA‐I ratio was linearly related to the risk of stroke although the slope was less than observed for the risk of fatal myocardial infarction. For all ischaemic events pooled together the age‐, gender‐, TC‐ and TG‐adjusted odds ratio, 10th vs. 1st decile, was 3.13 (95% CI: 2.66–3.69), P < 0.0001. By contrast, there was no relationship between the apoB/apoA‐I ratio and risk of cancer or any other non‐ischaemic causes of death.

Conclusions.  These observations link the apoB/apoA‐I ratio to the risk of fatal stroke in a similar fashion as for myocardial infarction and other ischaemic events. Our findings indicate that the apoB/apoA‐I ratio, which indicates the ‘cholesterol balance’, is a robust and specific maker of virtually all ischaemic events.
Composition of coronary plaques obtained by directional atherectomy in stable angina: its relation to serum lipids and statin treatment
Authors: SOLEM J. , LEVIN M. , KARLSSON T. , GRIP L. , ALBERTSSON P. , WIKLUND O.
Published: January 2006

Objectives.  The stability and inflammatory activity in atherosclerotic plaques may be modulated by lipids and lipoproteins as well as the pleiotropic effects of statins. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of statin treatment as well as the relation of plasma lipids and lipoproteins to tissue composition in atherosclerotic plaques.

Design.  Patients with stable angina and coronary plaques suitable for directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) were randomized to atorvastatin (80 mg once daily) or placebo (29 randomized, 22 underwent DCA, 11/group). After an average treatment of 10 weeks, patients underwent DCA, tissue specimens were obtained, and the tissue composition was determined by immunohistochemistry.

Results.  Atorvastatin reduced the T‐cell content, but did not change lipid, collagen, smooth muscle cell, or macrophage content. Plasma levels of apolipoprotein AI (apoAI) correlated positively with tissue collagen and inversely with metalloproteinase‐9 and macrophage content. About half the specimens contained neutrophil granulocytes.

Conclusions.  Short‐term atorvastatin treatment tended to reduce the T‐cell content of atherosclerotic plaques, indicating modulation of cell‐mediated immunity. High plasma levels of apoAI correlated with increased collagen content and reduced inflammation, supporting the notion that plasma apoAI stabilizes atherosclerotic plaques. The significance of neutrophils in the lesions merits further study.
Undergraduate nursing students’ perceptions of substance use and misuse: a Brazilian position
Authors: RASSOOL G. H. , VILLAR‐LUIS M. , CARRARO T. E. , LOPES G.
Published: January 2006

Alcohol, cocaine and cannabis are the substances most commonly abused in Brazil. There is limited evidence on the perceptions of undergraduate nursing students towards substance misuse. Negative attitudes, in combination with the lack of appropriate knowledge and skills, may result in minimal care provided to substance misusers. The aims of the study are to examine the knowledge and attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards substance misusers and consider the implications of these attitudes for nursing education. The Nurse Education in Alcohol and Drug Educational Faculty Survey (NEADA) questionnaire on knowledge and education, nursing interventions, attitudes and values was distributed to undergraduate nurses (n = 227) in the south and south‐eastern part of Brazil. The findings showed that there is a lack of adequate education in drug and alcohol use and misuse, including competency skills, but the participants were positive about treatment interventions. A paradigm shift in nurse education curricula and further research studies on attitudes and values towards substance misuse should be on the educational agenda. These are challenges faced by nurses to meet the healthcare needs of substance misusers.
‘Disgust, disgust beyond description’– shame cues to detect shame in disguise, in interviews with women who were sexually abused during childhood
Authors: RAHM G. B. , RENCK B. , RINGSBERG K. C.
Published: January 2006

Shame is a recurrent theme in the context of sexually abused women. Sexual abuse is taboo and shameful, and so is shame. Shame affects the development of a person and relationships, and is mentally painful. It is often covert. One aim of the present study was to explore whether and how women exposed to sexual abuse during childhood verbally express unacknowledged overt and covert shame, when interviewed about their physical and mental health, relations and circumstances relating to the sexual abuse. Another aim was, if shame was present, to describe the quality of the shame expressed by the women. A mainly qualitative approach with semi‐structured interviews was used. Ten women attending self‐help groups for women who were sexually abused during childhood were recruited as informants. The interviews were analysed for verbal expressions of shame by identifying code words and phrases, which were first sorted into six shame indicator groups and then categorized into various aspects of shame. The frequency of the code words and phrases was also counted. The findings clearly reveal that the affect of shame is present and negatively influences the lives of the informants in this study. It was possible to sort the code words and phrases most often mentioned into the indicator groups ‘alienated’, ‘inadequate’ and ‘hurt’, in the order of their frequency. It is obvious that shame affects the lives of this study's informants in negative ways. One important clinical implication for professionals in health care and psychiatric services is to acknowledge both sexual abuse and shame in order to make it possible for patients to work through it and thereby help them psychologically to improve their health.
Patients’ perspectives on information received in outpatient psychiatry
Authors: PERREAULT M. , KATERELOS T. E. , TARDIF H. , PAWLIUK N.
Published: January 2006

The purpose of this study is to develop a scale in order to determine the informational needs deemed most important by psychiatric outpatients, and to determine their level of satisfaction with information received. The ‘Patients’ Perspective on Information Questionnaire’ (PPIQ) scale was created and given to a volunteer sample of 86 psychiatric outpatients. The Client satisfaction questionnaire (CSQ‐8), assessing global satisfaction, was also completed to assess the convergent validity of the PPIQ‐Satisfaction subscale. Internal consistency for the two PPIQ subscales (Information and Satisfaction) is excellent (α = 0.90 and 0.91). Convergent validity between the Satisfaction subscale and the CSQ is adequate (r = 0.5). The PPIQ reveals high importance ratings given to items such as ‘side effects of medication’ and ‘confidentiality and access to chart’. Elevated satisfaction ratings are given to items from the conceptual category ‘treatment information’. Dissatisfaction on the PPIQ is highest for components of ‘information on service modality and organization’. The PPIQ appears to distinguish between information that is important to clients and their level of satisfaction with that information. Satisfaction on multiple components of information, such as treatment, service modality and organization, and clinical difficulties should be assessed to generate feedback to improve services.
Randomized placebo‐controlled trial comparing montelukast and cetirizine for treating perennial allergic rhinitis in children aged 2–6 yr
Authors: Chen Shuei‐Tu , Lu Ko‐Hsiu , Sun Hai‐Lun , Chang Wen‐Tung , Lue Ko‐Huang , Chou Ming‐Chih
Published: January 2006

Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) were recently added to the method of treating allergic rhinitis (AR). However, in children under 6 yr old, there has been no study about its efficacy in treating AR. We aim to compare the clinical efficacy of montelukast, cetirizine and placebo in the treatment of children from 2 to 6 yr old with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR), to see if there are any significant differences. Sixty children were selected and treated with montelukast, or cetirizine, or placebo once daily. The efficacy of the three agents was compared with the Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (PRQLQ) and Total Symptom Score (TSS) by diary. In addition, we also examined serum IgE, serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), blood eosinophil counts, nasal airway resistance (NAR) and eosinophil percentage in nasal smears. The results revealed that both montelukast and cetirizine were significantly efficacious compared with placebo in NAR, eosinophil percentage in nasal smears, PRQLQ, TSS and all symptom items except nasal itching, throat itching and tearing. For nasal itching, only cetirizine was significantly efficacious. On the other hand, for night sleep quality, montelukast was significantly superior to cetirizine.
Folates in plants: biosynthesis, distribution, and enhancement
Authors: Rébeillé Fabrice , Ravanel Stéphane , Jabrin Samuel , Douce Roland , Storozhenko Sergei , Van Der Straeten Dominique
Published: January 2006

Folates are crucial intermediates for a set of reactions that involve the transfer of single‐carbon units (C1 metabolism). They are directly involved in the synthesis of nucleic acids, methionine, pantothenate, glycine and serine, and indirectly, through S‐adenosyl methionine, in all methylation reactions. Humans cannot synthesize folates de novo. In these organisms, folate deficiency has severe effects on health and affects large population groups around the world. Because plants are the main source of dietary folates, there are great concerns to select plant food having high concentrations of folates or to engineer their folate metabolism to increase the initial amount. All these attempts rely on what we know about the metabolism of folates. During these last 10 years, the complex pathway leading to the synthesis of folates has been deciphered. Our knowledge about folate synthesis and distribution during plant growth and development also increased substantially. However, important aspects of folate metabolism remain unclear, such as catabolism, transport and regulation of the homeostasis. The aim of this review was to summarize our recent findings, to describe the few attempts reported in the literature to engineer folate level in plants, and to discuss potential strategies that could be used for enhancement.
Digestibility and digestive organ development in indigenous and improved chickens and ducks fed diets with increasing inclusion levels of cassava leaf meal
Authors: Borin K. , Lindberg J. E. , Ogle R. B.
Published: January 2006

Growing indigenous Cambodian chickens and ducks, and broiler chickens and White Pekin ducks were fed diets containing 0%, 7%, 14% and 20% of cassava leaf meal (CLM) to study the effects of CLM level on diet digestibility and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and organ development. The coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of dry matter (DM) and intake of digestible DM decreased with increased dietary CLM. DM and digestible DM intake was higher for local breeds than for the corresponding exotic breeds, and higher for ducks than for chickens (p < 0.001), although there were no species or breed effects on CTTAD of DM (p > 0.05). Weight of small intestine, caeca, gizzard and pancreas, expressed as per kg body weight, increased with increased CLM in the diet (p < 0.001). There was no consistent diet effect on liver weight. Length of small intestine and caeca, expressed on a mass‐specific basis, increased with dietary CLM content (p < 0.001). When expressed as per kg body weight small intestine, proventriculus, gizzard, pancreas and liver weights, and small intestine length, were higher in ducks than in chickens (p < 0.001), and were higher in the indigenous than in the improved breeds (p < 0.01), except for small intestine weights, which were similar. However chickens had higher weight of caeca (p < 0.001) and colon (p < 0.01) in absolute units and per kg body weight.
Resting energy expenditure and body composition of Labrador Retrievers fed high fat and low fat diets
Authors: Yoo S. , Ramsey J. J. , Havel P. J. , Jones P. G. , Fascetti A. J.
Published: January 2006

A high dietary fat intake may be an important environmental factor leading to obesity in some animals. The mechanism could be either an increase in caloric intake and/or a decrease in energy expenditure. To test the hypothesis that high fat diets result in decreased resting energy expenditure (REE), we measured REE using indirect calorimetry in 10‐adult intact male Labrador Retrievers, eating weight‐maintenance high‐fat (HF, 41% energy, average daily intake: 8018 ± 1247 kJ/day, mean ± SD) and low‐fat (LF, 14% energy, average daily intake: 7331 ± 771 kJ/day) diets for a 30‐day period. At the end of each dietary treatment, body composition measurements were performed using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. The mean ± SD REE was not different between diets (4940 ± 361 vs. 4861 ± 413 kJ/day on HF and LF diets respectively). Measurements of fat‐free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) also did not differ between diets (FFM: 26.8 ± 2.3 kg vs. 26.3 ± 2.5 kg; FM: 3.0 ± 2.3 vs. 3.1 ± 1.5 kg on HF and LF diets respectively). In summary, using a whole body calorimeter, we found no evidence of a decrease in REE or a change in body composition on a HF diet compared with LF diet.
Protein profiling of organic stone matrix and urine from dogs with urolithiasis
Authors: Forterre S. , Raila J. , Kohn B. , Brunnberg L. , Schweigert F. J.
Published: January 2006

Two‐thirds of the organic matrix in urinary stones consists of proteins. Their relationship to calculogenesis remains controversial with regard to their effect as inhibitors or promoters during stone formation. The purpose of the present study was to determine the differences in peptide and protein pattern between the urine of stone formers (n = 23) and control dogs (n = 12), as well as between organic matrix of different urinary stones (struvite n = 11, calcium oxalate n = 8, uric acid n = 4) using surface‐enhanced laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Specific differences in protein and peptide profiles were found in the organic matrix of different mineral compositions. Characteristic differences were also found in urinary peptide and protein pattern especially in molecular masses below 20 kDa between affected and healthy dogs. Based on the obtained molecular masses they were in some cases tentatively identified as proteins that are known to be involved in stone formation in humans. The study shows that in dogs, specific‐urinary peptides and proteins might be associated with urolithiasis. It indicates the importance to further characterize those proteins for possible diagnostic purposes in prognosis and therapy.
Effect of chicory products with different inulin content on rat caecum physiology
Authors: Juśkiewicz J. , Gła˛zka I. , Król B. , Zduńczyk Z.
Published: January 2006

A 4‐week experiment carried out on rats addressed the analysis of physiological properties of model casein diets supplemented with 5% cellulose or different preparations of chicory roots: flour, pulp, high‐ and low‐molecular inulin (INHM and INLM respectively). Of all preparations, only pulp did not induce the hypertrophy of caecum walls or an increase in the bulk of caecal digesta. Chicory preparations lowered caecal pH and ammonia concentration (except INLM preparation), evoked increased hydration of caecal digesta and protein content. The highest concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) was observed in rats fed a diet containing chicory pulp and INHM, whereas the lowest VFA concentration was reported after the administration of an INLM‐containing diet. The VFA pool was the highest in rats receiving a diet supplemented with chicory flour. All preparations examined diminished the coefficient of protein digestibility but not decrease nitrogen retention. The lowest levels of glucose and total cholesterol, at concurrently the highest level of HDL fraction, were recorded in serum of rats fed INLM. A distinct increase in intestinal wall and intestinal digesta, as well as the highest production of VFA and the lowest pH of caecal digesta indicate that chicory flour ingested to a semi‐synthetic diet had the most profitable effect on the functioning of rat caecum, compared with other chicory products. Compared with the INHM, the preparation of INLM increased caecal wall hypertrophy without increasing VFA production, still simultaneously increasing ammonia content and pH of caecal digesta, decreasing the total cholesterol concentration and increasing HDL content in serum.
Active immunization against leptin fails to affect reproduction and exerts only marginal effects on glucose metabolism in young female goats
Authors: Sauerwein H. , Heintges U. , Bruhns S. C. , Hennies M. , Gertler A.
Published: January 2006

Approximately 150 days before expected breeding time, 12 female goats (3 months of age) were actively immunized against ovine leptin. Booster injections were given throughout the following year. Control animals (n = 6) were sham‐immunized. After the first observed oestrus, a buck was introduced and goats were mated. Blood samples were collected twice weekly and frequent blood sampling series were performed on days −15, 76, 153 and 286 relative to the first immunization. Nine of the immunized goats developed titres within 3 months and had elevated serum concentrations of leptin compared with controls (p < 0.0001). Hematological parameters and blood chemistry were not affected by the immunization. No differences were detectable in all reproductive parameters recorded. Serum insulin was higher in immunized goats during the frequent blood sampling series of day 287 after the first immunization. Glucose metabolism was investigated during pregnancy using hyperglycaemic and euglycaemic/hyperinsulinaemic clamps. None of the parameters derived from the clamp studies was different (p > 0.05) between the two groups. During the hyperglycaemic clamp there was a trend (p < 0.15) towards increased insulin concentrations in immunized animals whereas glucose infusion rates were not different between the groups. This indicates decreased insulin sensitivity in immunized goats. Our study describes the ontogenesis of serum concentrations of leptin during growth, puberty and first pregnancy and parturition for the caprine species. The effects of the immunization were not detectable or only marginal and the approach aimed at therefore not effective to investigate leptin action in detail.
Cleft closure for the treatment of unhealed perineal sinus
Authors: Branagan G. , Thompson M. R. , Senapati A.
Published: January 2006

Objective  Despite improvements in surgical practice, persistent perineal wound sinus is still a common complication after proctectomy. This study presents the success of a modified cleft closure technique in dealing with this problem.

Methods  From May 1997 patients with a persistent perineal sinus after surgery underwent a cleft closure – similar to that performed for patients with pilonidal sinus disease.

Results  Eight patients (6 male, 2 female) with an average age of 52 years underwent a cleft closure for a persistent perineal sinus after surgery. Four patients had undergone a proctocolectomy (ulcerative colitis), 2 an abdominoperineal excision of the rectum (adenocarcinoma) and 2 a proctectomy (1 Crohn's disease, 1 complication of diverticular disease). Symptoms had been present for an average of 41 months (range 5–152 months) and 3 patients had undergone other procedures attempted previously to deal with the problem. The first three patients had the procedure as an inpatient with an average stay of 4.7 days. The next 5 patients had the procedure as a day case (2 local anaesthetic, 3 general anaesthetic). Two patients developed a postoperative wound infection and all but one wound had healed completely by 8 weeks. In this patient the procedure was repeated to achieve healing. There was no other associated morbidity and no postoperative deaths. There have been no recurrences to date.

Conclusion  Modified cleft closure for persistent perineal sinus is a simple procedure with low morbidity that can be performed under local anaesthetic in the day surgery unit.
Insulin allergy in a patient with Type 2 diabetes successfully treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion
Authors: Moyes V. , Driver R. , Croom A. , Mirakian R. , Chowdhury T. A.
Published: January 2006

Background  Patients with poor control of Type 2 diabetes on maximum oral hypoglycaemic therapy invariably need insulin therapy. Insulin allergy is uncommon, particularly in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Management of the condition can be difficult, and here we report the case of a patient with Type 2 diabetes and insulin allergy successfully managed with a continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII).

Case report  A 60‐year‐old man was referred with insulin allergy. He had poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes (glycated haemoglobin 10.4%), on maximum doses of sulphonylurea and metformin, with osmotic symptoms. He was compliant with diet and tablets. His diabetes was complicated by retinopathy, nephropathy, coronary heart disease, obstructive sleep apnoea, obesity, depression and hypertension. He commenced on twice daily mixed insulin and, shortly after, developed pain, itching and erythema at the injection sites. The sites became indurated and tender, and he had constitutional symptoms. The insulin was changed to other preparations, including short‐ and long‐acting analogues, with similar responses. Triple therapy with rosiglitazone was tried, with no improvement in control. Skin‐prick testing confirmed allergy to insulin rather than additives. The patient was reluctant to undergo desensitization. He was commenced on an insulin pump in addition to his oral hypoglycaemics, and achieved fair control (glycated haemoglobin 8.3%) on 88 units of lispro per day, with little or no skin or systemic reaction.

Conclusion  This is the first case report of insulin allergy in Type 2 diabetes being successfully managed by CSII.
Environmental Policy Uncertainty and Marketable Permit Systems: The Dutch Phosphate Quota Program
Authors: Wossink Ada , Gardebroek Cornelis
Published: January 2006

Tradable permits are generally considered as an efficient instrument to regulate pollution by individual producers. However, uncertainty about changes in or possible discontinuation of the program could make individual farmers reluctant to invest in tradable permits. This article uses the option approach to derive a theoretical model that shows the impact of policy uncertainty on investment in tradable quota. The empirical assessment provides weak evidence for the existence of option values due to policy uncertainty for phosphate quota in swine production in the Netherlands.
Regulating Nitrogen Pollution with Risk Averse Farmers under Hidden Information and Moral Hazard
Authors: Bontems Philippe , Thomas Alban
Published: January 2006

We consider a model of pollution regulation for a risk averse farmer involving hidden information, moral hazard, and risk‐sharing. The representative farmer faces a production risk originating from nitrogen leaching, and privately observes the soil capacity in retaining nitrogen only after the regulation contract is signed. The latter specifies a transfer and a nitrogen quota, whose decomposition by the farmer among different production stages is unknown to the regulator. We first characterize the optimal solution to the regulator's problem. The sequential decision model is estimated on French crop production data, and the results are used to calibrate and simulate the optimal contract.
Are “Decoupled” Farm Program Payments Really Decoupled? An Empirical Evaluation
Authors: Goodwin Barry K. , Mishra Ashok K.
Published: January 2006

This analysis utilizes farm‐level data to evaluate the extent to which U.S. farm program benefits, particularly direct payments, bring about distortions in production. The issue is important in WTO negotiations and in the debate over the distortionary effects of decoupled (“green‐box”) payments. Our results suggest that the distortions brought about by AMTA payments, though statistically significant in some cases, are very modest. Larger effects are implied for market loss assistance payments. Probit models suggest that AMTA payments do not influence the likelihood that agents will acquire more land. Our results are reinforced using an aggregate county‐level acreage model.
Energy Productivity Growth in the Dutch Greenhouse Industry
Authors: Lansink Alfons Oude , Ondersteijn Christien
Published: January 2006

Profitability of Dutch greenhouse firms is largely dependent on energy costs, and policy makers focus on reducing the use of energy by these firms. This article uses Russell measures of TE to develop indicators of energy productivity growth. Results show that energy productivity grew by 2.8% annually in the period 1976–95, with technical progress being the key factor driving the process of productivity growth. From this we conclude that policies aiming at enhancing the adoption of technological innovations are more effective, if due attention is paid to measures for improving TE.
Nonlinear Dynamics and Structural Change in the U.S. Hog—Corn Cycle: A Time‐Varying STAR Approach
Authors: Holt Matthew T. , Craig Lee A.
Published: January 2006

The linearity of the U.S. hog—corn cycle has been questioned by Chavas and Holt (1991). Even so, attempts have not been made to model the potential nonlinear dynamics in the hog—corn cycle by using regime‐switching models. One popular alternative is Teräsvirta's smooth transition autoregressive (STAR) model, which assumes regime switching is endogenous and potentially smooth. In this article, we examine monthly data for the U.S. hog—corn cycle, 1910–2004. A member of the STAR family, the time‐varying STAR, is fitted to the data and its properties examined. We find evidence of nonlinearity, regime‐dependent behavior, and time‐varying parameter change.
Modeling the Reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy for Arable Crops under Uncertainty
Authors: Sckokai Paolo , Moro Daniele
Published: January 2006

The size of the insurance and wealth effects of a change in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for arable crops is estimated. The impact of price uncertainty is accounted for in the specific decision‐making structure of the European Union (EU) arable crop producers under nonlinear mean‐variance risk preferences. A system of output supply, input demand, and land allocation equations is estimated on a sample of Italian specialized arable crop farms. The simulation of the impact of the recent reforms confirms that farmers' output responses are consistently affected by the size of the insurance and wealth effects.
Better educational website interface design: the implications from gender‐specific preferences in graduate students
Authors: Hsu Yu‐chang
Published: January 2006

This study investigated graduate students’ gender‐specific preferences for certain website interface design features, intending to generate useful information for instructors in choosing and for website designers in creating educational websites. The features investigated in this study included colour value, major navigation buttons placement, and navigation mode. In this study, 56 graduate students in a north‐eastern research university in the US volunteered to evaluate 30 pairs of web page screenshots or website prototypes, and to indicate on the questionnaires their preferences within each pair of prototype. Each participant's preferences for the three features were coded and categorised for chi‐square tests of independence to determine the relationships between gender and the investigated design features. The findings of gender effects on graduate students’ preferences for the aforementioned features were presented and discussed.
Developing a comprehensive metric for assessing discussion board effectiveness
Authors: Kay Robin H.
Published: January 2006

The use of online discussion boards has grown extensively in the past 5 years, yet some researchers argue that our understanding of how to use this tool in an effective and meaningful way is minimal at best. Part of the problem in acquiring more cohesive and useful information rests in the absence of a comprehensive, theory‐driven metric to assess quality and effectiveness. Based on an extensive review of the research, the following variables were used to assess traditional discussion board use: thread, location of message within thread, author (student vs. educator), subject line clarity, time of posting, response time from previous message, number of times message was read, number of words, primary purpose, message quality, difficulty level of topic, knowledge level, processing level and use of external resources. These variables proved to be effective in assessing 12 key areas of discussion board use. It is argued that this kind of metric is essential if we wish to advance our understanding of online discussion boards for both educators and researchers.
Girl gamers: the controversy of girl games and the relevance of female‐oriented game design for instructional design
Authors: Dickey Michele D.
Published: January 2006

Digital games have typically been considered a male leisure activity; however, recent statistics indicate that increasing numbers of females are now playing games. The purpose of this review is to investigate how the influx of girl gamers and the emergence of female‐oriented game design can inform instructional design for the construction of interactive learning environments. This review presents an overview of digital games and gender, an outline of girl games and ‘pink’ software, a discussion of the controversy of girl games, and a review and discussion of the research and implications of female‐oriented game design for instructional design. The goal of this review is to examine the influx of girl gamers into a male pastime and to analyse the implications of this for the design of interactive learning environments.
BEYOND THE SUBLIME: THE AESTHETICS OF THE ANALOGY OF BEING (PART TWO)
Authors: BETZ JOHN R.
Published: January 2006

This essay, the second half of a larger work, offers a constructive proposal for a theological aesthetics based upon a theological ontology of the analogia entis. The doctrine of the analogia entis, as articulated most famously by Erich Przywara, S. J., has been the subject of much criticism; however, the essay attempts to defend the doctrine, specifically, against the criticisms of Karl Barth and Martin Heidegger. The essay then offers a précis of Przywara's actual doctrine—beyond typical characterizations of it—with a view to the possibility it offers for a theological aesthetics and, specifically, for a genuinely theological account of the relationship between the beautiful and the sublime.
‘ROMAN’ OR ‘NATIVE’ BODIES IN BRITAIN: THE EVIDENCE OF LATE ROMAN NAIL‐CLEANER STRAP‐ENDS
Authors: ECKARDT HELLA , CRUMMY NINA
Published: January 2006

Summary.  This paper reviews late Roman ‘nail‐cleaner strap‐ends’, a group of objects first discussed by Hawkes and Dunning (1961). The precise function of these objects is unclear as their shape suggests use as toilet instruments but the split socket suggests that they were part of belt‐fittings. We suggest a detailed typology and discuss the dating evidence and the spatial distribution of the type. Regardless of their precise function, it is argued in this paper that nail‐cleaner strap‐ends of this type are unique to late Roman Britain and thus represent a distinct regional type. The use of nail‐cleaner strap‐ends can be viewed in the context of gender associations, military status and religious beliefs.
Political risk and the international bond market between the 1848 revolution and the outbreak of the First World War1
Authors: FERGUSON NIALL
Published: January 2006

This article uses price data and editorial commentaries from the contemporary financial press to measure the impact of political events on investors’ expectations from the middle of the nineteenth century until the First World War. The main question addressed is why political events appeared to affect the world's biggest financial market, the London bond market, much less between 1881 and 1914 than they had between 1843 and 1880. In particular, I ask why the outbreak of the First World War, an event traditionally seen as having been heralded by a series of international crises, was not apparently anticipated by investors. The article considers how far the declining sensitivity of the bond market to political events was a result of the spread of the gold standard, increased international financial integration, or changes in the fiscal policies of the great powers. I suggest that the increasing national separation of bond markets offers a better explanation. However, even this structural change cannot explain why the London market was so slow to appreciate the risk of war in 1914. To investors, the First World War truly came as a bolt from the blue.