bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term follow-up of strictureplasty for Crohn's disease
Authors: Fearnhead N S , Chowdhury R , Box B , George B D , Jewell D P , Mortensen N J McC
Published: February 2006

Background

Strictureplasty is an effective means of alleviating obstructive Crohn's disease while conserving bowel length. The aim of this study was to establish long-term outcomes of strictureplasty.

Methods

Between 1978 and 2003, 479 strictureplasties were performed in 100 patients during 159 operations. Information on Crohn's disease, medical therapy, laboratory indices, surgical details, complication rates and outcomes was recorded. The primary endpoint was abdominal reoperation.

Results

Mean follow-up was 85·1 (range 0·2–240·9) months. The overall morbidity rate was 22·6 per cent, with septic complications in 11·3 per cent, obstruction in 4·4 per cent and gastrointestinal haemorrhage in 3·8 per cent. The 30-day mortality rate was 0·6 per cent and the procedure-related series mortality rate 3.0 per cent. Perioperative parenteral nutrition was the only marker for morbidity (P < 0·001). Reoperation rates were 52 per cent at a mean of 40·2 (range 0·2–205·8) months after a first, 56 per cent at 26·1 (range 3·5–63·5) months after a second, 86 per cent at 27·4 (range 1·4–74·5) months after a third, and 62·5 per cent at 25·9 (range 7·3–70·5) months following a fourth strictureplasty procedure. The major risk factor for reoperation was young age (P < 0·001).

Conclusion

Long-term follow-up has confirmed the safety of strictureplasty in Crohn's disease. Morbidity is appreciable, although the surgical mortality rate is low. Reoperation rates are comparable following first and repeat strictureplasty procedures.
Anatomy of the clavicle and the intramedullary nailing of midclavicular fractures
Authors: Andermahr Jonas , Jubel Axel , Elsner Andreas , Johann Jan , Prokop Axel , Rehm Klaus Emil , Koebke Juergen
Published: February 2006

Intramedullary fixation is used increasingly to treat clavicular fractures. Anatomical variations in the clavicle of relevance to this procedure are analyzed. The length, diameters and curvature of the clavicle were measured in 196 specimens from the dissecting room. The calcium bone density was analyzed in 300 cross‐sectional samples of 100 specimens. The thickness of cortical and medullary bone of 70 slices was analyzed from freshly plastinated clavicles with implants in place. The female clavicle was shorter, less curved, and had a lower concentration of calcium than the male clavicle. Measurement of cortical thickness showed a mean value of 1.05 ± 0.23 mm at the most sternal measuring point, 2.05 ± 0.29 mm at the midpoint of the clavicle, and 0.95 ± 0.35 mm at the acromial end. The thinnest regions were the medial ventral cortex and the dorsal acromial cortex. These measurements explain clinical observations on nail perforation. The diameter of the medullary canal measured 6.7 ± 2.6 mm at its narrowest part, so that reaming (i.e., predrilling the medullary canal) prior to 3.5 mm titanium nail insertion is not necessary. The main difficulties encountered when placing a nail are secondary to the S‐curvature of the clavicle. In 80% of fractures, the break is located at the narrowest diameter of the medullary canal. Thus, the clavicle displays definite gender‐ and side‐specific anatomical features in terms of length, diameter, curvature, and calcium concentration. These should be considered when performing intramedullary fixation. Clin. Anat. 20:48–56, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Physician professionalism for a new century
Authors: Holsinger James W. , Beaton Benjamin
Published: February 2006

During the past 50 years, physicians have become increasingly dissatisfied with certain aspects of their profession. Dissatisfaction has intensified with the advent of managed care in the late 20th century, the medical liability crisis, and the growing divergence between the professional and personal expectations placed upon physicians and their practical ability to meet these expectations. These and other factors have encroached on physician autonomy, the formerly ascendant professional value within medicine. As the underlying values and practical realities of the broader American health care system have changed, the professional values and practices of physicians have failed to adapt correspondingly, resulting in a “professionalism gap” that contributes to physician dissatisfaction. To improve the outlook and efficacy of modern American physicians, the profession must adopt a new values framework that conforms to today's health care system. This means foregoing the 20th century's preferred “independent physician” model in favor of a new professional structure based on teamwork and collaboration. Convincing established physicians to embrace such a model will be difficult, but opportunities exist for significant progress among a new generation of physicians accustomed to the realities of managed care, flexible practice models, and health information technology. The teaching of clinical anatomy, given its incorporation of student collaboration at the earliest stages of medical education, offers a prime opportunity to introduce this generation to a reinvigorated code of professionalism that should reduce physician dissatisfaction and benefit society. Clin. Anat. 19:473–479, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Proximal humerus fractures
Authors: Sanchez‐Sotelo Joaquin
Published: February 2006

Proximal humerus fractures are common injuries. Knowledge of local anatomy is paramount in the evaluation and treatment of these injuries. Information regarding humeral head vascularity, fracture patterns, bone quality, and overall geometry have direct implications for nonoperative treatment, internal fixation, and hemiarthroplasty. The ascending branch of the anterior circumflex artery perfuses most of the humeral head. When fractured, the greater tuberosity tends to displace posterosuperiorly, the lesser tuberosity and the shaft displace medially, and the head may be pulled by the attached tuberosity, impacted into valgus, or in more severe cases dislocated, impacted, or divided. Internal fixation of two‐part, three‐part, and selected four‐part fractures may be compromised by local osteopenia; knowledge of the location of the strongest bone in the proximal humerus combined with the use of fixed‐angle devices and occasionally bone graft or substitutes has improved the outcome of osteosynthesis. When the humeral head cannot be preserved, successful hemiarthroplasty requires tuberosity union and anatomic restoration of the overall geometry of the proximal humerus in terms of height, retroversion, and head‐tuberosity relationships. Clin. Anat. 19:588–598, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Three‐dimensional reconstruction of registered and fused Chinese Visible Human and patient MRI images
Authors: Li L. , Liu Y.X. , Song Z.J.
Published: February 2006

Radiological images are commonly used as important tools in medical diagnoses and treatment. Different modalities of medical images provide uniquely different content. Hence, it is natural and desirable to combine different image modalities to obtain additional new information to enhance clinical assessment. However, given the current technology, radiological images are not always sufficiently informative to permit diagnosis and treatment. In order to address this problem, we fused selected portions of the Chinese Visible Human (CVH) dataset with MRI images from a patient. Specifically, we segmented the caudate nucleus, the lentiform nucleus, and the thalamus in the CVH dataset and then registered and fused this dataset with corresponding MRI images using both rigid and nonrigid registration techniques. After rigid and nonrigid registration, the CVH and MRI images largely coincided with each other. The shape, relationship, and position of focal areas and neural structures were clearly displayed. Using volume and surface rendering, these images were three‐dimensionally reconstructed to display the neural structures of interest within the brain. These structures can be rotated at will and observed from different angles. Our research indicates that the fusion of CVH and patients' MRI images can enhance the amount of neural information available to physicians and lay a foundation for the clinical use of the CVH dataset. Clin. Anat. 19:225–231, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Professionalism and team care in the clinical setting
Authors: Page David W.
Published: February 2006

The introduction of an 80‐hr work week mandates frequent sign‐out or transfer of patient information sessions among training physicians. At the same time, patients are increasingly more complex and cared for by teams employing technologically driven interventions. In order for team care to work, residents and medical students must master the elements of professionalism, upon which solid leadership and clear communication rests. Early instruction should include topics, such as clarity of language, cultural sensitivity, a subordination of self‐interest to the needs of the patient, and a dedication to lifelong learning of cognitive and motor skills. This exposure to professionalism may begin in the dissection room and continue seamlessly through residency and into practice. Clin. Anat. 19:468–472, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mindfulness, dissociation, EMDR and the anterior cingulate cortex: a hypothesis
Authors: Corrigan Frank M
Published: February 2006

Hypotheses on the neurobiology of a mindfulness–dissociation continuum are presented. Crucial to the hypotheses are the observations of a reciprocal interaction between the cognitive and affective subdivisions of the anterior cingulate cortex and the unilateral activation of right anterior cingulate in hypnotic dissociation and in post‐traumatic syndromes. It is proposed that the unilateral activation can cause a loss of the reciprocal relationship between the subdivisions and that in the case of peri‐traumatic dissociation the subsequent syndrome responds to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) through restoration of the bilateral activation and reinstatement of the reciprocal relationship between the subdivisions. Bilateral activation of the cognitive subdivisions is proposed to underlie the attentional state of concentration mindfulness in which affect is well regulated. Copyright © 2002 British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis
Self‐hypnosis tapes for anxious cancer patients: an evaluation using Personalised Emotional Index (PEI) diary data
Authors: Laidlaw Tannis M. , Willett Michael J.
Published: February 2006

In a preliminary study, two self‐hypnosis interventions delivered by audio‐tape in the privacy of their own homes were practised ad hoc by 27 cancer patients to alleviate acute anxiety ‘attacks’. Participants were randomly assigned to receive a tape teaching either progressive muscular relaxation or a light and slow breathing rhythm, both delivered in the context of hypnosis. Data on the incidence of acute anxiety episodes and ratings of both positive and negative emotions were collected prior to the intervention and post‐intervention using the Personalised Emotional Index (PEI) via daily diaries. Participants showed significant improvement in both incidence of acute anxiety episodes and emotional states, although only the Breathing Training group produced significant improvement in all three measures (more positive and less negative mood states and fewer anxiety ‘attacks’). Copyright © 2002 British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis
Conceptual issues in hypnosis research: explanations, definitions and the state/non‐state debate
Authors: Hasegawa Harutomo , Jamieson Graham A.
Published: February 2006

The present paper aims to integrate existing streams of hypnosis research and theory into a broader context. A conceptual framework is presented that illustrates the range of explanatory approaches that are available to describe psychological phenomena in general, and this is applied to the discussion of hypnosis. In doing so, various approaches to hypnosis research are categorized and the scope and limitations of the theories derived from them are considered. The definition of hypnosis is also explored within this framework. The state/non‐state debate is reconsidered in the context of the systems approach to states of consciousness described by Tart (1983/2000). Research agendas for hypnosis are clarified, and methodologies and directions for future research are suggested. Copyright © 2002 British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis
The use of hypnosis to help an anxious student with a social communication disorder to attend school
Authors: Byron David
Published: February 2006

This single‐case study examines the efficacy of hypnosis as an anxiety management and confidence strengthening technique in the specific area of a social communication disorder of long duration and which had proved resistant to other therapeutic approaches. The anxiety of a 15‐year‐old student with a social communication disorder and inability to enter a classroom was measured before and after intervention, in addition to progress on personal targets and the effect of his difficulties on life at home. In hypnosis the student was taught anxiety management and self‐hypnosis techniques and, with his mother, approaches to increase assertiveness. Anxiety decreased, and self‐confidence, social communication and school attendance increased during and following the hypnosis intervention. Four sessions, including hypnosis and self‐hypnosis, were delivered. Follow‐up monitoring visits at one, three and six months provided evidence of maintenance or continued improvement in the post‐intervention measures. In addition to the marked positive gains from pre‐ to post‐intervention measures, both the client and his mother reported improvements in his emotional well‐being and social inclusion. The significance of the results for the use of hypnosis as an adjunct to educational psychology is discussed. Copyright © 2002 British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis
Individual differences in personality, immunology and mood in patients undergoing self‐hypnosis training for the successful treatment of a chronic viral illness, HSV‐2
Authors: Gruzelier John , Champion Andy , Fox Paul , Rollin Matthew , McCormack Sheena , Catalan Pepe , Barton Simon , Henderson Don
Published: February 2006

Individual differences in personality, in particular cognitive activation, withdrawal and hypnotic susceptibility were examined in a study of self‐hypnosis training in patients with chronic and severe herpes simplex virus (HSV‐2), genital herpes, along with depression, anxiety and activation ratings. Immune parameters were assayed before and after the six‐week training. Self‐hypnosis almost halved recurrence rate, benefiting 65% of the patients. Furthermore clinical responders demonstrated an increase in natural killer cell (NKC) cytotoxicity of herpes infected cells as well as up‐regulation of nonspecific immune parameters. In replication of a student exam stress study (Gruzelier, Smith, Nagy and Henderson, 2001a) cognitive activation was positively associated with immune function; with improvement in herpes recurrence, improvements in specific NKC cytotoxicity, baseline functional NKC activity and energy ratings, and was unrelated to frequency of practice. No other measure of personality or affect was associated with immune system up‐regulation and improvements in health. Depression and, to a lesser extent, anxiety improved independently of herpes outcome. Depression and/or anxiety at baseline were positively associated with withdrawal, particularly the affective aspects, and neuroticism, which were associated with immune down‐regulation seen in NKC counts and NKC functional activity at baseline. Hypnotizability was associated positively with aspects of immune system up‐regulation and negatively with clinical depression. Immune system up‐regulation in clinical responders correlated positively with frequency of self‐hypnosis practice. This is possibly the first evidence for the efficacy of self‐hypnosis training for a chronic medical illness. Evidence (1) of the benefits to health and (2) of the viral specificity of the immune changes, here in the form of increased cytotoxicity of NKC for cells infected with the herpes virus, gives credence to the value of a psychological intervention for immunity; evidence for which is scarce in the field of psychoneuroimmunology. The predictive ability of cognitive activation for response to hypnotherapy is in keeping with the preferential effects on both immune parameters and health of hypnosis instructions which require the generation of dynamic imagery in contrast to instructions of passive relaxation imagery (Gruzelier, Levy, Williams and Henderson, 2001b). Copyright © 2002 British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis
Request‐to‐suggestion carryover: when responses to requests affect responses to suggestions
Authors: Gorassini Donald R.
Published: February 2006

This study examined how behaviour performed in response to requests (for example, ‘Raise your arm’) influenced responsiveness to suggestions (for example, ‘Your arm is rising’). Participants were requested to raise an outstretched arm or to hold an outstretched arm still but imagine it rising. Everyone complied with the particular request given. Later, all participants were administered suggestions announcing that arm rising movements would occur. The suggested movements occurred in eight of the 10 participants who were earlier requested to move but failed to occur in all 10 participants who were earlier requested to hold still. Theoretical implications and potential applications of these findings are discussed. Copyright © 2002 British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis
The involvement of frontally modulated attention in hypnosis and hypnotic susceptibility: cortical evoked potential evidence
Authors: Gruzelier John , Gray Matthew , Horn Peter
Published: February 2006

The frontal N100 difference wave (N100d) between cortical evoked potentials to frequent and infrequent tones was compared before and during hypnosis in subjects with high and low hypnotic susceptibility (n = 10,11). This was to test putative alterations in attention, novelty detection in particular, modulated by anterior functions including the anterior cingulate to auditory stimuli extraneous to hypnosis. Susceptibility was measured with the HGSHS:A and validated with a laboratory scale during the experiment. Results showed that in the highly susceptible participants the N100d was clearly manifested in the pre‐hypnosis control condition, was later attenuated following instructions of hypnosis and was virtually absent after further hypnosis. The effect was due to attenuated responding to the infrequent stimulus, without change to the frequent stimulus. This compromise extended to the later frontal P300 wave whose amplitude was reduced by 50% with hypnosis and was negligible by the end of hypnosis. The parietal P300 was reduced in both hypnosis conditions to a similar degree. These results were consistent with a progressive reduction throughout the hypnotic induction in focused attention to stimuli incidental to hypnosis capable of frontal modulation and frontal activation to the novel stimulus. In contrast the participants with low susceptibility showed an opposite pattern of change in the N100d. Though absent before hypnosis there was a progressive increase in the N100d from the first to the second hypnosis recording. This was underpinned by changes in response amplitudes to both frequent and infrequent stimuli, without systematic changes to the P300. Their results supported a dispersion of attentional resources and an absence of frontal activation in the pre‐hypnosis baseline, compatible with a lack of focused attention and engagement of frontal functions theorized to be necessary for hypnosis. Furthermore subjects with low hypnotizability showed a longer P300 latency at the central parietal peak compatible with more prolonged processing of the rare stimulus, in keeping with a more posterior bias in processing. This may militate against the induction of hypnosis, theorized to require initial engagement of anterior processes, and here supported by the results in the highly hypnotizable participants. Copyright © 2002 British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis
Memory and depth of processing in ‘hypnotized’ and non‐hypnotized’ subjects
Authors: Pitts Mark , Heap Michael
Published: February 2006

Two groups of subjects were compared for their free recall and recognition memory of 40 words, half of which they had processed at the ‘deep’ level and half at the ‘shallow’ level. Prior to testing recall and recognition, one group received a standard hypnotic induction and deepening routine and the other group listened to a ‘dummy’ induction, which consisted of instructions to keep their eyes closed but remain oriented to their immediate situation. Both groups were given identical suggestions for hypermnesia before testing their recall and their recognition. As expected, deeply processed words were recalled and recognized better than shallowly processed ones, but unlike the findings of Shields and Knox (1986), the hypnotic group did not show improved recall and recognition for deeply processed words. In fact the non‐hypnotic group had significantly higher recall scores overall than the hypnotic group. Measures of time estimation, awareness of external reality, and relaxation did not discriminate the two groups, indicating that, at least in terms of these experiences, the hypnotic and dummy inductions had no differential effects. Ad hoc analysis revealed a significant modest correlation between ratings of unawareness of the real world and deep‐shallow processing differences in recall. Some tentative implications for claims of hypnotic hypermnesia are suggested. Copyright © 1996 British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis
Direct Estimate of the Strength of Conjugation and Hyperconjugation by the Energy Decomposition Analysis Method
Authors: Fernández Israel , Frenking Gernot
Published: February 2006

The intrinsic strength of π interactions in conjugated and hyperconjugated molecules has been calculated using density functional theory by energy decomposition analysis (EDA) of the interaction energy between the conjugating fragments. The results of the EDA of the trans‐polyenes H2CCH(HCCH)nCHCH2 (n=1–3) show that the strength of π conjugation for each CC moiety is higher than in trans‐1,3‐butadiene. The absolute values for the conjugation between SiSi π bonds are around two‐thirds of the conjugation between CC bonds but the relative contributions of ΔEπ to ΔEorb in the all‐silicon systems are higher than in the carbon compounds. The π conjugation between CC and CO or CNH bonds in H2CCHC(H)O and H2CCHC(H)NH is comparable to the strength of the conjugation between CC bonds. The π conjugation in H2CCHC(R)O decreases when R=Me, OH, and NH2 while it increases when R=halogen. The hyperconjugation in ethane is around a quarter as strong as the π conjugation in ethyne. Very strong hyperconjugation is found in the central CC bonds in cubylcubane and tetrahedranyltetrahedrane. The hyperconjugation in substituted ethanes X3CCY3 (X,Y=Me, SiH3, F, Cl) is stronger than in the parent compound particularly when X,Y=SiH3 and Cl. The hyperconjugation in donor–acceptor‐substituted ethanes may be very strong; the largest ΔEπ value was calculated for (SiH3)3CCCl3 in which the hyperconjugation is stronger than the conjugation in ethene. The breakdown of the hyperconjugation in X3CCY3 shows that donation of the donor‐substituted moiety to the acceptor group is as expected the most important contribution but the reverse interaction is not negligible. The relative strengths of the π interactions between two CC double bonds, one CC double bond and CH3 or CMe3 substituents, and between two CH3 or CMe3 groups, which are separated by one CC single bond, are in a ratio of 4:2:1. Very strong hyperconjugation is found in HCCC(SiH3)3 and HCCCCl3. The extra stabilization of alkenes and alkynes with central multiple bonds over their terminal isomers coming from hyperconjugation is bigger than the total energy difference between the isomeric species. The hyperconjugation in MeC(R)O is half as strong as the conjugation in H2CCHC(R)O and shows the same trend for different substituents R. Bond energies and lengths should not be used as indicators of the strength of hyperconjugation because the effect of σ interactions and electrostatic forces may compensate for the hyperconjugative effect.
Sympathetic sprouting and changes in nociceptive sensory innervation in the glabrous skin of the rat hind paw following partial peripheral nerve injury
Authors: Yen Laurene D. , Bennett Gary J. , Ribeiro‐da‐Silva Alfredo
Published: February 2006

Previous studies have suggested that sympathetic sprouting in the periphery may contribute to the development and persistence of sympathetically maintained pain in animal models of neuropathic pain. In the present study, we examined changes in the cutaneous innervation in rats with a chronic constriction injury to the sciatic nerve. At several periods postinjury, hind paw skin was harvested and processed by using a monoclonal antibody against dopamine‐β‐hydroxylase to detect sympathetic fibers and a polyclonal antibody against calcitonin gene‐related peptide to identify peptidergic sensory fibers. We observed migration and branching of sympathetic fibers into the upper dermis of the hind paw skin, where they were normally absent. This migration was first detected at 2 weeks, peaked at 4–6 weeks, and lasted for at least 20 weeks postlesion. At 8 weeks postlesion, there was a dramatic increase in the density of peptidergic fibers in the upper dermis. Quantification revealed that densities of peptidergic fibers 8 weeks postlesion were significantly above levels in sham animals. The ectopic sympathetic fibers did not innervate blood vessels but formed a novel association and wrapped around sprouted peptidergic nociceptive fibers. Our data show a long‐term sympathetic and sensory innervation change in the rat hind paw skin after the chronic constriction injury. This novel fiber arrangement after nerve lesion may play an important role in the development and persistence of sympathetically maintained neuropathic pain after partial nerve lesions. J. Comp. Neurol. 495:679–690, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential distributions of the Ca2+‐dependent activator protein for secretion family proteins (CAPS2 and CAPS1) in the mouse brain
Authors: Sadakata Tetsushi , Itakura Makoto , Kozaki Shunji , Sekine Yukiko , Takahashi Masami , Furuichi Teiichi
Published: February 2006

The Ca2+‐dependent activator protein for secretion (CAPS/Cadps) family consists of two members, CAPS1 and CAPS2, and plays an important role in secretory granule exocytosis. It has been shown that CAPS1 regulates catecholamine release from neuroendocrine cells, whereas CAPS2 is involved in the release of two neurotrophins, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3), from parallel fibers of cerebellar granule cells. Although both CAPS proteins are expressed predominantly in the brain, their cellular and regional distributions in the brain are largely unknown. In this study we analyzed the immunohistochemical distributions of the CAPS family proteins in the mouse brain. In most areas of the embryonic nervous system CAPS1 and CAPS2 proteins were complementarily expressed. In the postnatal brain, CAPS1 was widespread at different levels. On the other hand, CAPS2 was localized to distinct cell types and fibers of various brain regions, including the olfactory bulb, cerebrum, hippocampal formation, thalamus, mesencephalic tegmentum, cerebellum, medulla, and spinal cord, except for some regions that overlapped with CAPS1. These CAPS2 cellular distribution patterns had the marked feature of coinciding with those of BDNF in various brain regions. Immunolabels for CAPS2 were also colocalized with those for some proteins related to exocytosis (VAMP and SNAP‐25) and endocytosis (Dynamin I) in the cell soma and processes of the mesencephalic tegmentum and cerebellum, suggesting that these proteins might be involved in the dynamics of CAPS2‐associated vesicles, although their colocalization on vesicles remains elusive. These results demonstrate that the CAPS family proteins are involved in the secretion of different secretory substances in developing and postnatal brains, and that CAPS2 is probably involved in BDNF secretion in many brain areas. J. Comp. Neurol. 495:735–753, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Point‐scale energy and mass balance snowpack simulations in the upper Karasu basin, Turkey
Authors: Şensoy A. , Şorman A. A. , Tekeli A. E. , Şorman A. Ü. , Garen D. C.
Published: February 2006

Since snowmelt runoff is important in the mountainous parts of the world, substantial efforts have been made to develop snowmelt models with many different levels of complexity to simulate the processes at the ground (soil–vegetation), within the snow, and at the interface with the atmosphere. Snow modifies the exchange of energy between the land surface and atmosphere and significantly affects the distribution of heating in the atmosphere by changing the surface albedo and regulating turbulent heat and momentum fluxes at the surface. Thus, for computing the amount of melt, the only strictly correct way is using an energy budget. A two‐layer point model (SNOBAL) was applied to calculate the energy and mass balance of snowmelt in the upper Karasu basin, in eastern Turkey, during the 2002–04 snow seasons. The data on snow and climate were provided from automated snow and meteorological stations installed and upgraded to collect high‐quality time series data of snow and meteorological variables, such as snow water equivalent, snow depth, precipitation and radiation, with automated data transfer. A number of analyses of snowpack energy and mass balance were carried out to understand the key processes that have major impacts on the snow simulation. Each form of energy transfer was evaluated during snow accumulation and ablation periods using a 2 h computational time step. The model results are appraised with respect both to temporal distribution (the model application for three consecutive snow seasons at one site) and to areal evaluation (the model application to three different sites for one season). The model performance is evaluated by comparing the results with observed snow water equivalent, snow depth and lysimeter yield. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The current disequilibrium of North Cascade glaciers
Authors: Pelto Mauri S.
Published: February 2006

Three lines of evidence indicate that North Cascade (Washington, USA) glaciers are currently in a state of disequilibrium. First, annual balance measured on nine glaciers yields a mean cumulative balance for the 1984–2004 period of −8·58 m water equivalent (w.e.), a net loss of ice thickness exceeding 9·5 m. This is a significant loss for glaciers that average 30–50 m in thickness, representing 18–32% of their entire volume.

Second, longitudinal profiles completed in 1984 and 2002 on 12 North Cascade glaciers confirm this volume change indicating a loss of −5·7 to −6·3 m in thickness (5·0–5·6 m w.e.) between 1984 and 2002, agreeing well with the measured cumulative balance of −5·52 m w.e. for the same period. The change in thickness on several glaciers has been equally substantial in the accumulation zone and the ablation zone, indicating that there is no point to which the glacier can retreat to achieve equilibrium. Substantial thinning along the entire length of a glacier is the key indicator that a glacier is in disequilibrium.

Third, North Cascade glacier retreat is rapid and ubiquitous. All 47 glaciers monitored are currently undergoing significant retreat or, in the case of four, have disappeared. Two of the glaciers where mass balance observations were begun, Spider Glacier and Lewis Glacier, have disappeared. The retreat since 1984 of eight Mount Baker glaciers that were all advancing in 1975 has averaged 297 m. These observations indicate broad regional continuity in glacial response to climate. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differential response to phytoestrogens in endocrine sensitive and resistant breast cancer cells in vitro
Authors: Limer Jane L. , Parkes Alicia T. , Speirs Valerie
Published: February 2006

Women approaching menopause increasingly investigate alternatives to hormone replacement therapy. Plant phytoestrogens are being promoted as “natural” alternatives but there is a lack of substantive data to advocate their safe use in breast cancer patients receiving tamoxifen (TAM), or in those who have relapsed. The aim of our study was to investigate the proliferative effects and mode of action of the phytoestrogens genistein, daidzein and coumestrol on TAM‐sensitive (‐s) and resistant (‐r) breast cancer cells under in vitro conditions designed to mimic the hormonal environment of the pre‐ and post‐menopausal breast. At physiological concentrations (<10 μM) and under reduced estrogen (E2) conditions, genistein was mitogenic to TAM‐s cells with TAM‐r cells generally refractory. Daidzein and coumestrol were growth stimulatory irrespective of TAM sensitivity. Transcriptional activity was ERE‐mediated. Combining phytoestrogens with E2 (simulating the pre‐menopausal breast environment) had no effect on growth of TAM‐s or TAM‐r cells. Addition of 4‐HT mimicked the hormonal environment in post‐menopausal breast cancer patients receiving TAM. The growth inhibitory effects of 4‐HT were abrogated in TAM‐s cells when combined with genistein and coumestrol, and to a lesser extent, daidzein, where significant growth stimulatory effects were observed. In TAM‐r cells, proliferation did not exceed control values. At phytoestrogen concentrations above 10 μM, growth inhibitory effects were seen, irrespective of estrogenic environment or cell sensitivity to TAM. Our in vitro data suggests that phytoestrogens could have potentially adverse mitogenic effects on tumour cells and should probably be avoided by patients who remain sensitive to TAM or in those with pre‐existing and possibly undiagnosed breast tumours. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Frequency and resistance of CD95 (Fas/Apo‐1) gene‐transfected tumor cells to CD95‐mediated apoptosis by the elimination and methylation of integrated DNA
Authors: Shimizu Motomu , Yoshimoto Takayuki , Sato Mayumi , Matsuzawa Akio , Takeda Yasutaka
Published: February 2006

It is important for more effective gene therapies to clarify the mechanisms by which cDNA integrated into cells can maintain or lose its function in vivo. We evaluated genetic and epigenetic events leading to alternation of the introduced CD95 (Fas/Apo‐1) gene as a model of gene therapy. Solid tumors formed by CD95 cDNA‐transfected hepatoma cells (F6b) were almost completely cured by a single treatment of anti‐CD95 monoclonal antibody (mAb) but recurred in gld/gld lpr/lpr mice after initial complete response. Recurred tumors were resistant to repeated mAb treatment. The ratio of resistant cells in tumors was estimated as 4.2 cells per 106 cells. The CD95‐resistant tumor contained CD95‐vanished and CD95‐decreased cells. CD95‐vanished cells were due to the deletion of CD95cDNA. However, CD95‐decreased cells retained CD95cDNA, which was highly methylated when determined with methylation‐dependent enzymes and a demethylation reagent, indicating that DNA methylation was responsible for the reduced CD95 expression and resistance to mAb. CD95‐decreased cells reduced the CD95 expression further but did not delete cDNA after a second in vivo treatment with anti‐CD95 mAb, suggesting that the elimination of cDNA is not induced after its methylation and that cells containing methylated genes became more resistant by further methylation. Thus, the elimination and methylation of integrated cDNA appear to occur through different mechanisms. Our study of resistant tumor cells, which arose by both mutational and epigenetic modifications of the introduced CD95 plasmid, provides important and fundamental information about the fate of introduced cDNA, augmenting the efficiency of gene therapy. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Atopic diseases, immunoglobulin E and risk of cancer of the prostate, breast, lung and colorectum
Authors: Wang Hao , Rothenbacher Dietrich , Löw Michael , Stegmaier Christa , Brenner Hermann , Diepgen Thomas L.
Published: February 2006

There is increasing epidemiological evidence for a role of allergic/atopic disorders in cancer development. However, findings have been inconsistent, which may be partly due to differences in defining allergy and the associated atopic disorders. The use of a biological marker for atopy may enhance the exploration of the association with cancer risks. To examine the association of atopy with common malignancies, we compared the prevalence of atopy in 318 patients with prostate cancer, 381 patients with breast cancer, 196 patients with lung cancer, 477 patients with colorectal cancer and 4,271 controls in a case‐control analysis of participants of 2 prospective studies conducted in Saarland, Germany. Data on physician‐diagnosed atopy‐related diseases (asthma, hay fever and atopic dermatitis) were obtained by self‐administered questionnaire. Allergen‐specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) was assessed among cases and controls to define atopy. We observed a significantly increased risk of prostate cancer (odds ratio (OR) 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00–1.83) and a tentatively, statistically not significant increased risk of breast cancer (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.87–1.66) and lung cancer (OR 1.29, 95% CI 0.87–1.92) with specific IgE positivity. No consistent associations were found with atopy‐related diseases. Our findings are consistent with other epidemiological evidence suggesting an increased risk of prostate cancer with atopy and indicate a complex association between atopy/atopy‐related diseases and cancer risk that varies by type of atopy‐related disorders and the particular type of cancer under consideration. The effect on cancer risk by atopy, defined by IgE reactivity, may differ from the effect by atopy‐related clinically defined diseases such as asthma, hay fever and atopic dermatitis. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The von Hippel‐Lindau tumor suppressor gene expression level has prognostic value in neuroblastoma
Authors: Hoebeeck Jasmien , Vandesompele Jo , Nilsson Helén , De Preter Katleen , Van Roy Nadine , De Smet Els , Yigit Nurten , De Paepe Anne , Laureys Geneviève , Påhlman Sven , Speleman Frank
Published: February 2006

Deletions of the short arm of chromosome 3 are often observed in a specific subset of aggressive neuroblastomas (NBs) with loss of distal 11q and without MYCN amplification. The critical deleted region encompasses the locus of the von Hippel‐Lindau gene (VHL, 3p25). Constitutional loss of function mutations in the VHL gene are responsible for the VHL syndrome, a dominantly inherited familial cancer syndrome predisposing to a variety of neoplasms, including pheochromocytoma. Pheochromocytomas are, like NB, derived from neural crest cells, but, unlike NB, consist of more mature chromaffin cells instead of immature neuroblasts. Further arguments for a putative role of VHL in NB are its function as oxygen sensitizer and the reported relation between hypoxia and dedifferentiation of NB cells, leading to a more aggressive phenotype. To test the possible involvement of VHL in NB, we did mRNA expression analysis and sought evidence for VHL gene inactivation. Although no evidence for a classic tumor suppressor role for VHL in NB could be obtained, a strong correlation was observed between reduced levels of VHL mRNA and low patient survival probability (p = 0.013). Furthermore, VHL appears to have predictive power in NTRK1 (TRKA) positive tumor samples with presumed favorable prognosis, which makes it a potentially valuable marker for more accurate risk assessment in this subgroup of patients. The significance of the reduced VHL expression levels in relation to NB tumor biology remains unexplained, as functional analysis demonstrated no clear effect of the reduction in VHL mRNA expression on protein stability of its downstream target hypoxia‐inducible factor α. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Computer simulation of bulk mechanical properties and surface hydration of biomaterials
Authors: Raffaini Giuseppina , Elli Stefano , Ganazzoli Fabio
Published: February 2006

Some intrinsic properties of biomaterials are calculated with atomistic computer simulations through energy minimizations and molecular dynamics methods. The mechanical properties of bulk polymers such as poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) are obtained in terms of the Young's modulus, the bulk and shear moduli, and the Poisson ratio below the glass transition temperature. The calculated values apply to an ideal, defect‐free sample, and therefore, they correspond to the theoretical upper limit for the mechanical behavior of these materials. The surface hydration of the same polymers and of graphite is analyzed in terms of the statistical distribution of the water molecules near the surfaces of these materials that range from hydrophilic to strongly hydrophobic. Consistent with recent spectroscopic evidence, it is found that water forms relatively ordered hydration shells driven by hydrogen bonds above the hydrophilic surface, but is highly disordered over the hydrophobic one. Therefore, it is suggested that computer simulations provide a new useful tool to investigate various aspects of biomaterials. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
In vitro cytotoxicity of a low‐shrinkage polymerizable liquid crystal resin monomer
Authors: Boland Edward J. , Carnes David L. , MacDougall Mary , Satsangi Neera , Rawls Ralph , Norling Barry
Published: February 2006

The objective of this study was to determine the in vitro cytotoxicity of novel, polymerizable liquid crystal resin monomers when placed in direct contact with dental and nondental cell lines. One common dimethacrylate and three liquid crystal compounds, Bis‐glycidyl methacrylate (Bis‐GMA), 2‐(t‐butyl)‐1,4‐bis‐{4‐(6‐acryloxy‐hexane‐1‐oxy)‐benzoyloxy}‐benzene (C6), 2‐(t‐butyl), 1‐[6‐(3‐acryloxy‐propionoxy)‐hexane‐1‐oxy‐benzoyloxy], 4‐[4‐(6‐acryloxy‐hexane‐1‐oxy)‐benzoyloxy]‐benxene (by‐product), and a 3:2 mixture of C6 and by‐product, respectively, were tested for relative cytotoxicity in vitro. Cultured dental and nondental cells were treated for 24 h with test compound dissolved in media over a fourfold range of concentration (10−4 −10−7 mol/L). Cytotoxicity was measured using the WST‐1 reagent as an indicator of remaining cell numbers based on the reduction of WST‐1 substrate by mitochondrial dehydrogenases in viable cells. Bis‐GMA ID50 was found to be consistent with ID50 values reported in the literature. A small but significant difference in the sensitivity of the dental and nondental cells in regard to their response to this dimethacrylate was noted. The liquid crystal resin monomers were significantly less cytotoxic to all cell lines tested. ID50 values of >1 × 10−4 mol/L were registered for the C6 and by‐product monomers alone. The 3:2 mixture of C6 and by‐product had a slightly higher cytotoxicity (ID50 = 1 × 10−4 mol/L); however, this remained significantly less than that of Bis‐GMA. The results demonstrate that the newly synthesized low‐shrinkage, polymerizable liquid crystal resin monomers demonstrate a minimal cytotoxic effect on both dental and nondental cells. These data suggest that the low‐shrinkage liquid crystal resin monomers will not elicit a response by oral tissues (pulp tissue) when used to repair carious lesions in posterior teeth. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Improved design of cementless hip stems using two‐dimensional functionally graded materials
Authors: Hedia H. S. , Shabara M. A. N. , El‐Midany T. T. , Fouda N.
Published: February 2006

Increasingly, it is acknowledged that bone resorption around cementless hip implants may cause future problems. The solution is frequently sought in reducing implant stiffness. However, this confronts the designer with a true design conflict: how to reduce the stiffness without excessively loading the proximal bone/prosthesis interface? The aim of this work is to improve the design of cementless hip stem material, using two‐dimensional (2D) functionally graded material (FGM) concept in order to solve the above problems. Two models were used in this analysis, using three materials with different elastic moduli, E1, E2, and E3. In model I, the elastic moduli E1 and E2 gradually change along the upper stem surface, while E3 is maintained constant along all the lower surface of the stem. However, in model II, the elastic moduli E1 and E2 gradually change along the lower stem surface, while E3 is maintained constant all along the upper stem surface. It is found that the recommended model is model I, which has three distinct materials of hydroxyapatite, Bioglass, and collagen. The recommended design of 2D FGM is expected to reduce the stress shielding by 91% and 12%, respectively, compared with titanium stem and model II of FGM. It is found that this new design reduces the maximum interface shear stress at the lateral and medial sides of the femur by about 50%, compared with titanium stem. Furthermore, the maximum interface shear stress is reduced by about 17% and 11% at the lateral and medial sides of the femur, respectively, compared with that of model II of FGM. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Application of selective saturation to image the dynamics of arterial blood flow during brain activation using magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Vazquez Alberto L. , Lee Gregory R. , Hernandez‐Garcia Luis , Noll Douglas C.
Published: February 2006

A saturation‐based approach is proposed to image the arterial blood flow signal with temporal resolution of 1 to 2 s and in‐plane spatial resolution of a few millimeters. Using a saturation approach to suppress the undesired background stationary signal allows the blood water that enters the slice to be imaged at some specified later time. Since the blood protons that are being imaged are not restricted to the intravascular space, this technique is also sensitive to tissue perfusion signal contributions. The signal uptake characteristics of the saturation method proposed were used to study the different signal contributions as a function of the acquisition parameters. A typical perfusion acquisition (FAIR) was also used for comparison. The proposed method was demonstrated in a functional motor activation experiment and the observed signal changes were smaller than those obtained using the FAIR acquisition. The dynamics of the saturation method and FAIR temporal signal changes were investigated and time constants between 2 and 44 s were estimated. The tissue signal contribution to the saturation method's signal was small over the range of acquisition parameters that sensitized it to the arterial compartment. Magn Reson Med, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.