bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinico‐pathological study of 12 cases of patients with leprosy admitted to Sina Hospital, Hamadan, Iran, from 1991 to 2000
Authors: Farshchian Mahmood , Kheirandish Abulfazl
Published: November 2004

Background  Leprosy is considered a chronic disabling condition. Many clinical and immunological aspects of the disease remain ill defined.

Aim  The study of clinico‐pathological and laboratory findings of patients with leprosy admitted to Sina Hospital, Hamadan, Iran, from 1991 to 2000.

Methods and patients  This is a descriptive retrospective cross‐sectional study. The statistical community comprised all patients diagnosed leprosy. This diagnosis was clinical and confirmed through pathology (skin‐biopsy) and laboratory (peripheral smear) measures.

Results  In this study, the disease was more common in males than females with a mean age of 48.5 ± 16.2 years. Most of the patients were more than 40 years old. Among 12 patients in this study, six cases were urban and six cases were rural. Six cases were living in Hamadan province and two cases migrated to Hamadan province (one of them from Afghanistan and the other from Kurdestan). Clinical diagnosis was confirmed by pathology in 11 cases, but in one case the clinical diagnosis did not match the pathology. In four cases the clinical diagnosis did not match the peripheral smear. Eight cases were admitted just once. Four cases had a history of recurrence and readmission (two patients had one time recurrence and the other two patients had two recurrences). There was no difference in the clinical findings between first presentation and recurrence. From the point of complication and disability, extremity disability was more common than eye disability. Increased severity of complications was found in patients with a delayed diagnosis and incomplete treatment.

Conclusion  This study showed that a rapid and correct diagnosis and complete treatment was necessary for prevention of complication and disability in patients with leprosy. Also the accuracy of pathology (skin biopsy) in the diagnosis exceeded the peripheral smear. Skin biopsy is recommended to confirm the diagnosis in all cases of leprosy. In the absence of pathology, patients must be considered as multibacillary patients and treated as such.
The clinical appearance of clonal nevi (inverted type A nevi)
Authors: Huynh Phung M. , Glusac Earl J. , Bolognia Jean L.
Published: November 2004

Background  The term “clonal nevus” is used to describe a variant of melanocytic nevus that histologically exhibits a localized proliferation of pigmented epithelioid dermal melanocytes within an otherwise ordinary nevus (Ball NJ, Golitz LE. Melanocytic nevi with focal atypical epithelioid cell components: a review of seventy‐three cases. J Am Acad Dermatol 1994; 30: 724–729). Reports to date have focused on the histologic appearance of these lesions.

Aim  To characterize the clinical appearance of clonal nevi.

Methods  Clinical and histologic examinations were performed of a single clonal nevus from each of five patients (two men and three women; age range, 37–80 years).

Results  All nevi were round to oval in shape with smooth, well‐defined borders. They were uniformly tan to light brown in color, except for a single blue–gray to blue–black focus of hyperpigmentation. The diameters of the nevi ranged from 2.5 to 10 mm. In individual nevi, the hyperpigmented focus was either centrally or eccentrically located and measured 1–2 mm in diameter. Histologically, these lesions showed banal melanocytes associated with a localized proliferation of melanocytes with abundant pigmented cytoplasm in the dermis, admixed with melanophages.

Conclusions  The appearance of clonal nevi – tan with a focus of blue–gray to blue–black pigmentation – allows one to recognize the lesion clinically.
Clonidine poisoning in children: A recent experience
Authors: Sinha Y , Cranswick NE
Published: November 2004

Objectives:  To identify cases of clonidine poisoning presenting to a tertiary paediatric hospital and to investigate trends in presentation, outcome and prevention. Furthermore, any public health implications of the use of clonidine in children are to be explored.

Methods:  Cases of clonidine poisoning presenting to Royal Children's Hospital were reviewed over the period from 1997 to 2001 (inclusive), with significant data obtained from coded medical records.

Results:  Twenty‐four cases of clonidine poisoning were identified over the 5‐year period. Nine patients ingested their own medication, which was prescribed for attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder. Clonidine was prescribed for a child in 16 cases (67%). Impaired conscious state and bradycardia were the most common presenting features. Activated charcoal was given in 14 cases and volume expansion in six. There were 12 children (50%) who required admission to intensive care for monitoring, including three who received mechanical ventilation. The average length of stay was 25.7 h with no long‐term complications.

Conclusions:  This is the largest series of clonidine poisoning in children recorded in Australia, with morbidity considerable. Emphasis needs to be placed on educating parents of clonidine's dangers in overdose to their own children as well as others.
ASCIA guidelines for prevention of food anaphylactic reactions in schools, preschools and child‐care centres
Authors: Baumgart K , Brown S , Gold M , Kemp A , Loblay R , Loh R , Mitrou D , Mullins R , Peake J , Ruhno J , Said M , Sinclair J , Smith V , Smith W , Solley G , Soutter V , Tang M , Ziegler J
Published: November 2004

Abstract:  These guidelines have been developed by the anaphylaxis working party of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy to provide advice for minimizing the risk of food‐induced anaphylaxis in schools, preschools and child‐care centres. The guidelines outline four steps for the prevention of food anaphylactic reactions in children at risk and food policy measures specific to school age and preschool age children.
Paediatric resuscitation by phone: The call back
Authors: Mullane MC , Wilson RG , Bedwani S
Published: November 2004

Objective:  To assess whether the nationwide introduction of standardized paediatric resuscitation training has resulted in an increase in resuscitation knowledge from 1995 and whether this increase in knowledge is greater in those who have attended a resuscitation training course within the last year.

Methods:  National telephone survey of paediatric residents.

Results:  A total of 128 out of a possible 140 residents responded. The mean score in 2002 was significantly higher than in 1995. Those 2002 respondents who had attended a course scored significantly higher than both 1995 respondents, and those 2002 respondents who had not attended a course. There was no significant difference between those 2002 respondents who had not attended a course and the 1995 respondents.

Conclusion:  There has been a significant increase in resuscitation knowledge from 1995 to 2002. This improvement has occurred over a period coinciding with the nationwide introduction of standardized resuscitation training. The authors suggest that this improvement is, in part, due to the introduction of standardized paediatric resuscitation training.
Effect of an early intervention programme on low birthweight infants with cerebral injuries
Authors: Ohgi S , Fukuda M , Akiyama T , Gima H
Published: November 2004

Objective:  To determine the effect of an early intervention programme (EIP) on low birthweight infants with cerebral injuries.

Methods:  Subjects were 23 high‐risk low birthweight infants (periventricular leukomalacia 15, intraventricular haemorrhage 5, both 3) receiving care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Nagasaki University Hospital. Subjects were randomly assigned to the EIP group (n = 12) or the control group (n = 11). Participants in the EIP group received a Neonatal Behavioral Assessment scale (NBAS)‐based intervention combined with developmental support designed to enhance the infants’ development and the quality of the parent−infant relationship. The control group received routine medical nursing care without the EIP. The EIP began prior to discharge from the NICU and lasted until 6 months of corrected age. All children were examined on the NBAS preintervention and again at 44 weeks postconceptional age. Maternal anxiety status (STAI) and maternal feelings of confidence in dealing with her baby (LCC) were measured pre and postintervention. Mental and motor development was assessed postintervention using the Bayley Scale of Infant Development.

Results:  Orientation and State Regulation of infant behavioural profiles, the STAI and LCC scores significantly improved in the EIP group (mean difference (95% CI): Orientation 0.7 (0.4, 1.1), State Regulation 0.9 (0.3, 1.5), STAI −5.5 (− 9.1, −1.9, LCC 5.3 (4.2, 6.5)), but not in the control group. Bayley mental developmental index (MDI) score in the EIP group was higher than in the control group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (mean difference (95% CI): MDI 8.5 (− 0.8, 17.8), PDI 6.7 (− 1.9, 15.4)).

Conclusion:  The EIP has beneficial effects on neonatal neurobehavioural development and maternal mental health of low birthweight infants with cerebral injuries. This evidence suggests that short‐term changes in maternal mental health and infant neurobehaviour promoted by an EIP may serve to initiate a positive interaction between parents and infants.
Childhood autism spectrum disorder in the Barwon region: A community based study
Authors: Icasiano F , Hewson P , Machet P , Cooper C , Marshall A
Published: November 2004

Objective:  To establish a community database for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to determine prevalence and identify subgroups based on key intellectual, clinical and family parameters.

Methods:  Data were collected for children previously diagnosed with an ASD in the Barwon region using parental interview and review of the child's paediatric and psychological records. Preschool diagnoses were typically made by specialist psychologists and school‐age diagnoses made by a multidisciplinary team.

Results:  One hundred and seventy‐seven children in the Barwon region were identified as having ASD (82% response rate). The prevalence of ASD was one per 255 children aged two to 17 years. The prevalence increased 10 fold over a 16‐year period and this increase was relatively even across all levels of child intellectual functioning. Forty‐two percent of children were intellectually disabled (IQ < 70) and performance IQ was significantly higher than verbal IQ but typical block design‐comprehension subtest patterns were not common. Nine sibling pair families were identified, 24% were labelled as having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), 6% had epilepsy, and 18.3% were macrocephalic where data were available. Family difficulty was associated with the degree of obsessions/rituals, frequency and intensity of anger/aggression, and ADHD but overall was not associated with the child's intellectual status.

Conclusions:  The relatively rapid increase in prevalence is consistent with overseas studies and suggests significant changes in diagnostic criteria, increasing community awareness and the need for support at all levels of intellectual functioning. Increased occurrence in siblings and relatives gives further evidence for a genetic cause.
Dr James George Beaney (1828−1891): A pioneer Australian paediatrician and paediatric surgeon
Authors: Pearn J
Published: November 2004

Abstract:  Dr James George Beaney (1828−1891) was a flamboyant and controversial Melbourne surgeon and paediatrician. He was the first in Australia, in 1859, to publish a medical textbook; and the first, in 1873, to publish a paediatric text, Children: their treatment in health and disease. An analysis of four of his published works relating to paediatrics and paediatric surgery establishes his place as a true pioneer in the chronology of children's medicine and welfare in his adopted land. He undertook heroic yet conservative surgery on children, was the first to write in detail about paediatric anaesthesia, and was the pioneer of family planning in Australia. In Children: their treatment in health and disease, he described in detail the supreme importance of breastfeeding, detailed clear practical concepts for the weaning of infants and discussed the diagnosis and management of diseases of the mouth, ears, eyes and teeth of infants. Beaney was shunned by much of the established medical profession because of his self‐promoting flamboyance and his egotism. However, an audit of surviving archives and of his published works affords him a place as another, hitherto unacknowledged true pioneer of Australian paediatrics.
‘Cerebral palsy’ due to mitochondrial cytopathy
Authors: Mordekar SR , Baxter PS
Published: November 2004

Abstract:  Two children aged 10 and 13 years with initially static motor problems, diagnosed as cerebral palsy, were found to have respiratory chain defects after developing a progressive course and multisystem involvement. Mitochondrial cytopathies should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cerebral palsy.
Hypoplasia of the arcuate nucleus and maternal smoking during pregnancy in sudden unexplained perinatal and infant death
Authors: Lavezzi Anna Maria , Ottaviani Giulia , Mauri Maria , Matturri Luigi
Published: November 2004

Maternal smoking during pregnancy is the most important risk factor for sudden perinatal and infant death in more industrialized countries. The frequent observation of hypoplasia of the arcuate nucleus in the brainstem of these victims prompted the verification of whether maternal cigarette smoking could be related to defective development of this nucleus during intrauterine life, by affecting the expression of specific genes involved in its developmental process. In serial sections of the brainstem of 54 cases of sudden and unexplained fetal and infant deaths (13 stillbirths, 7 neonatal deaths and 34 sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) victims), morphological and morphometrical analysis was used to observe the different structural alterations of the arcuate nucleus (bilateral hypoplasia, monolateral hypoplasia, partial hypoplasia, delayed neuronal maturation and decreased neuronal density) detected in 24 cases (44%). Correlating this finding with smoking in pregnancy, a significantly increased incidence of cytoarchitectural alterations of the arcuate nucleus was found in stillborns and SIDS victims with smoker mothers compared to victims with non‐smoker mothers. Moreover, the observation of a wide range of developing morphological defects of the arcuate nucleus related to maternal smoking led to the hypothesis that the constituents of the gas phase in cigarette smoke could directly affect the expression of genes involved in the development of this nucleus, such as the homeobox En‐2 gene.
Cysticercal chronic basal arachnoiditis with infarcts, mimicking tuberculous pathology in endemic areas
Authors: Aditya Gopaliah Shivane , Mahadevan Anita , Santosh Vani , Chickabasaviah Yasha Thagadur , Ashwathnarayanarao Chandramouli Bangalore , Krishna Shankar Susarla
Published: November 2004

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common of the parasitic diseases affecting the CNS, with protean clinical manifestations. Stroke as a complication of NCC occurs in a very small percentage of cases, mostly involving small perforating vessels while major intracranial vessel involvement is extremely rare. The present report involves two autopsied cases of chronic cysticercal basal arachnoiditis causing large arterial territory infarcts and, in the second case, a hypothalamic mass. They were diagnosed and managed, clinically and by neuroimaging, as stroke and neurotuberculosis, respectively. The diagnosis was established only at autopsy, which revealed NCC causing basal arachnoiditis, major vessel vasculitis and infarcts. Histologically, case 1 showed degenerating racemose cysticercal cyst within the thick basal exudate. In the second case, remnants of the degenerated cysticercal cyst in the form of hooklets and calcareous corpuscles were identified within the giant cell inciting a granulomatous response to form a hypothalamic mass lesion mimicking tuberculoma. The present case report highlights the importance of considering the non‐tuberculous etiologies of chronic basal arachnoiditis like NCC before initiating therapy especially in countries endemic to both NCC and tuberculosis, like India.
Argyrophilic grain disease: A late‐onset dementia with distinctive features among tauopathies
Authors: Tolnay Markus , Clavaguera Florence
Published: November 2004

Argyrophilic grain disease (AgD) is a late‐onset dementia morphologically characterized by the presence of abundant spindle‐shaped argyrophilic grains (ArG) in neuronal processes and coiled bodies in oligodendrocytes. AgD changes consist of the microtubule‐associated protein tau in an abnormally and hyperphosphorylated state and are mainly found in limbic regions, for example, in the hippocampus, the entorhinal and transentorhinal cortices and the amygdala. AgD shows a significant correlation with advancing age, and it became apparent from recent clinicopathological studies that it might account for approximately 5% of all dementia cases. Further immunohistochemical and biochemical studies revealed that AgD is a four‐repeat (4R) tauopathy similar to PSP and corticobasal degeneration (CBD), but distinct from Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Pick's disease. Moreover, a common genetic background regarding the tau gene haplotype has been suggested for AgD, PSP and CBD. However, although there are currently only limited data available, AgD seems to be clinically distinct from PSP and CBD and shares rather features of (mild) AD or other forms of ‘limbic’ dementias, among them senile dementia with tangles and the localized form of AD.
Weed problems and their management in rice fields of Malaysia: An overview
Authors: KARIM REZAUL S.M. , MAN AZMI B. , SAHID ISMAIL B.
Published: November 2004

The available literature on weed problems and weed control in rice fields in Malaysia is reviewed and suggestions for future research are included. The problem of weed competition with rice is of great economic importance in the country because it causes a 10–35% reduction in grain yield. About US$4.10 million is spent annually on herbicides for rice alone, and this amounts to approximately 7% of the total expenditure on herbicides. The shift in methods of rice culture from transplanting to direct seeding has magnified the weed problem. The problem of weedy rice is particularly acute in the direct‐seeding rice areas. Although a number of sulfonylurea herbicides (e.g. cinosulfuron, metsulfuron, bensulfuron and pyrazosulfuron) have been found to be suitable alternatives to the old herbicide 2,4‐D, an integrated weed management program must be developed in order to reduce the problem of herbicide resistance in weeds. Weed control methods that are more friendly to the environment and affordable to farmers must be sought. Weed‐competitive and allelopathic rice varieties must be produced. The problem of weeds in rice calls for systematic studies on biotechnological methods of control of weedy rice. Detailed studies on the biology and ecology of notorious rice weeds, particularly Oryza sativa L. (weedy rice), Echinochloa spp., Leptochloa chinensis (L.) Nees, Fimbristylis miliacea (L.) Vahl. and Limnocharis flava (L.) Buch. need to be done in order to formulate successful weed control measures.
Weed infestation and tea growth under various weed management methods in a young tea (Camellia sinensis[L.] Kuntze) plantation
Authors: PREMATILAKE KAPILA G. , FROUD‐WILLIAMS ROBERT J. , EKANAYAKE PUNCHI B.
Published: November 2004

A field experiment was conducted in the low country of Sri Lanka, during the period 1994–1995 to investigate the severity of weed infestation and tea growth in relation to weed management methods in newly established tea (Camellia sinensis[L.] Kuntze). Manual weeding (hand and slash weeding) at various intervals was compared with various herbicides, with or without mulching. Weed control with herbicides was superior to that of hand weeding at 6‐week intervals or more. Weed control with oxyfluorfen at 0.29 kg ai ha−1 + paraquat at 0.17 kg ai ha−1 or glyphosate at 0.99 kg ai ha−1 + kaolin at 3.42 kg ha−1 were superior. Plots unweeded for 12 weeks or more produced significantly greater (P < 0.05) weed biomass than plots unweeded for 6 weeks. Although the least weed dry weight (P < 0.05) and the greatest number of weed species were recorded with hand weeding at 2 week intervals, there was no particular benefit on tea growth when compared with hand weeding at 6 and 12 week intervals. Inter row mulching in chemically treated plots was more favorable for tea growth than no mulching, while living weed cover in unmulched slash weeded plots suppressed tea growth. A combination of mulching and herbicides, particularly oxyfluorfen and paraquat, followed by hand weeding at least every 6–8 weeks was considered the most appropriate weed management system for young tea.
Constructing Organizational Identities on the Web: A Case Study of Royal Dutch/Shell*
Authors: Coupland Christine , Brown Andrew D.
Published: November 2004

abstract 

In this paper we analyse two of the e‐mail exchanges that had been posted on Royal Dutch/Shell's Web site in order to investigate how organizational identities are constructed through processes of description, questioning, contestation and defence. Organizational identities may be regarded as ongoing arguments between insiders and between ostensible insiders and outsiders, who deploy various persuasive techniques in their efforts to render hegemonic their versions of an organization's identity. Making plausible through persuasive rhetoric is a complex task, and requires a discourse analytic methodology and an analytical focus on whole utterances, in order to explicate how identity‐as‐argument is enacted. The research implications of our paper are twofold. First, by focusing on language as an opaque phenomenon, taken‐for‐granted ways of being persuasive are made strange and hence more visible. Second, our understanding of organizations as situated in ongoing, multi‐focused arguments, illustrates a new way of conceptualizing the polyphonic, genre‐relevant nature of institutional identities.
In Search of Theory Development in Grounded Investigations: Doctors’ Experiences of Managing as an Example of Fitted and Prospective Theorizing
Authors: Hallier Jerry , Forbes Tom
Published: November 2004

abstract 

This article draws on a study of doctors’ experiences of clinical managing to highlight research conventions that limit the development and use of middle range theories in grounded studies. Using sensemaking and the psychological contract as example frameworks, we illustrate how customary deductive evaluations of middle range theories turn grounded researchers away from theory building. As a correction to these conventions, we offer an inductive approach to building existing theory in grounded investigations that does not depend solely on working with frameworks under different empirical conditions. We suggest that forward theorizing is most likely to progress from a synthesis of fitted explanation and prospective thinking that presses at the limits of the data's usefulness. To illustrate this approach, trialled thinking about novel theoretical juxtapositions and alternative sources was used in conjunction with our clinical director data. The value of this approach was supported in two ways. First, a number of fitted and prospective conjectures are offered about how social identity articulates with psychological contracts and sensemaking in role change situations. Second, new light is shed on the process by which particular social conditions differentially modify employees’ social categorizations, and how these inform employee responses to the evolving experience of role change. The article concludes with some tentative proposals for promoting more discussion of theory building in grounded investigations.
Microfinance, the Labour Market and Social Inclusion: A Tale of Three Cities
Authors: Mosley Paul , Steel Lucy
Published: November 2004

Great hopes have been held out for microfinance and other community development finance institutions (CDFIs) in industrialized countries as an instrument of “financially sustainable welfare provision”, following on from their success in many developing countries. Using interview data drawn from an exploratory sample of 45 clients, this paper examines the social and economic impact of three microfinance institutions in Glasgow, Sheffield and Belfast. The tentative conclusion is that most loans we examined do hit the target of the “financially excluded but bankable”, and exert an impact on poverty and social exclusion through the labour market and through helping to build social networks which reduce interpersonal risk. Our initial estimate is that each loan studied here was responsible for about 0.67 exits from unemployment over the two years 2000–2. If this ratio holds good outside the sample (and we emphasize the limitations of small sample size), this could mean that in the absence of microfinance services, the national unemployment total would be higher by some 2.4 per cent (or 22,000 individuals). The loans we have examined also save about £0.4 million on what would otherwise have been social security payments; grossed up again to all microfinance organizations, this implies an annual saving of about £250 million (1.4 per cent) on the total social security budget. However, to achieve this optimal impact microfinance institutions need to diversify their product: for example by switching from business loans into consumption loans, micro‐insurance, and equity, particularly in the rehabilitation of run‐down council estates.
Policy Targets and Ethical Tensions: UK Nurse Recruitment
Authors: Deeming Christopher
Published: November 2004

In July 2000 Britain's New Labour government set a target of 20,000 extra nurses for the NHS by 2004. In February 2002, two years ahead of schedule, the target was achieved. The government is to be congratulated on meeting its target but ethical questions over recruitment practices remain. Nurse registrations to the UK from the (then) fifteen EU countries remain flat despite government guidance making this the first priority for international recruitment. Registrations from developing countries with nursing shortages continue despite repeated guidance discouraging this. The government appears to have been caught in a policy bind. On the one hand it needed to be seen to be acting to prevent “poaching” while waiting for fresh intakes of trainees to come through; on the other, if it had succeeded it would have struggled to meet a key policy pledge and certainly not ahead of schedule. New Labour's stated commitment to an ethical foreign policy seems more apparent than real. The paper reports a clear dissonance between the thrust of national policy on nurse recruitment and current employment practices within the UK.
The Local and the National in Community Care: Exploring Policy and Politics in Finland and Britain
Authors: Burau Viola , Kröger Teppo
Published: November 2004

International literature on community care tends to focus on the national level of welfare institutions and policies. However, community care is largely a locally tailored service and this paper makes a case for local comparisons of community care policies. Using local case studies from Finland and Britain, the paper argues that focusing on the local level contributes to the comparative study of community care in two ways. First, local comparisons highlight the often distinctively local nature of community care policies and thereby add to our understanding of community care. Second, local comparisons extend existing cross‐country explanations of community care by showing that community care is largely shaped by local politics, together with indirect structuring by national contexts. As such, the local case studies highlight the importance of the relationship between policy and politics, which has often been neglected in comparative research.
A novel display of reconstruction computed tomography for the detection of small hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Teratani Takuma , Haruhiko Yoshida , Shuichiro Shiina , Shuntaro Obi , Shinpei Sato , Yukihiro Koike , Keisuke Hamamura , Masatoshi Akamatsu , Tomonori Fujishima , Yasuo Imai , Takao Kawabe , Yasushi Shiratori , Masao Omata
Published: November 2004

Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of the alternate display of arterial and equilibrium phase images (ADAEI) of 2 mm‐pitch reconstruction computed tomography (CT) in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials and methods: One hundred and eleven nodules in 72 patients were confirmed as HCC by radiology, histology, or clinical course. Blinded to the outcome, we retrospectively reviewed the CT images obtained with dual‐phase spiral CT (Radix Prima, Hitachi Medical, Tokyo, Japan) by ADAEI and by conventional display on cut films. Scanning for the arterial and equilibrium phases was initiated at 33 and 120 s, respectively, after starting the injection of contrast medium (iopamidol 3 ml/s) with a section thickness of 5 mm and a table feed speed of 5–7 mm/s. In ADAEI, all images were reconstructed with a 2‐mm interval, and displayed on the monitor in an alternating fashion so that an image in the arterial phase was followed by the corresponding image in the equilibrium phase, and then by the next pair of images in the craniocaudal direction.

Results: All 20 HCC nodules larger than 20 mm in diameter were detected by both ADAEI and the conventional display (NS). On the other hand, detectability of smaller HCC nodules was 91/91 (100%) and 72/91 (79%), respectively (P<0.0001 by McNemar' test). False‐positively identified HCC nodules, including those diagnosed as possible HCC, were 11 by ADAEI and eight by conventional display.

Conclusion: The novel, alternate display, ADAEI of 2 mm‐pitch reconstruction CT images was useful in detecting small HCC nodules while not requiring additional equipment or expense.
A primer on the molecular virology of hepatitis C
Authors: Moradpour Darius , Blum Hubert E.
Published: November 2004

Abstract: Exciting advances have recently been made in the understanding of the molecular virology of hepatitis C. Powerful model systems have been developed that allow to systematically dissect important steps of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) life cycle. These include new systems for functional analyses of the HCV glycoproteins, providing insights into possible HCV receptors and cell entry mechanisms, and the replicon system, which has revolutionized investigation of HCV RNA replication and has facilitated drug discovery efforts. The largest gaps remain in the understanding of the virion structure and the processes that lead to the assembly, packaging and release of virions. However, given the pace of current HCV research, progress in these directions may be expected in the near future. Here, we provide a primer on the molecular virology of hepatitis C, with particular reference to novel antiviral targets and therapeutic strategies.
Presence of markers for liver progenitor cells in human‐derived intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells
Authors: Liu Chao , Schreiter Thomas , Dirsch Olaf , Gerken Guido , Oldhafer Karl J. , Broelsch Christoph E. , Treichel Ulrich
Published: November 2004

Abstract: Aims: Rodent intrahepatic bile duct may harbor bipotential liver progenitor cells. In this study, human‐derived intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells (BECs) were investigated in terms of whether they have the character of liver progenitor cells.

Methods: Ten liver tissue specimens were obtained after partial hepatectomy or liver explantation. Intrahepatic BECs were isolated by density‐gradient centrifugation and immunomagnetic separation using anti‐human epithelial antigen and cultured in medium containing epidermal growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor. The isolated and cultured cells were characterized by immunostaining and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with a variety of markers for fetal hepatocytes and liver progenitor cells.

Results: These cells had proliferated for up to 18 weeks in vitro. They continuously expressed epithelial markers (cytokeratin (CK) 8 and CK 18) as well as biliary markers (CK 7 and CK 19). Remarkably, some isolated and cultured cells also expressed markers for fetal hepatocytes and liver progenitor cells, including albumin, α‐fetoprotein, α1‐antitrypsin, c‐kit and chromogranin‐A.

Conclusion: Some human‐derived intrahepatic BECs coexpressed markers for liver progenitor cells. This finding further supports the hypothesis that the human biliary tree may also consist of liver progenitor cells.
Chemokine receptor 5 and primary biliary cirrhosis: a two‐centre genetic association study
Authors: Baragiotta A. , Floreani A. , Agarwal K. , Venturi C. , Craggs A. , Jones D. E. J. , Donaldson P. T. , Bassendine M. F.
Published: November 2004

Abstract: Background: Chemokines and their receptors are important mediators of leucocyte trafficking and are suggested to be critical for establishment of inflammatory autoimmune processes. CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is expressed preferentially by CD4+ T cells. We hypothesised that the CCR5delta(Δ)32 genotype, which impairs surface expression of CCR5 in heterozygotes and is linked to a functional polymorphism of CD45RA expressed on suppressor‐inducer‐like ‘naïve’ CD4+ T cells, may modulate the inflammatory process in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).

Methods: CCR5Δ32 polymorphism was determined by PCR in 226 Caucasian PBC patients and 197 racially matched controls from two geographical areas, Newcastle, UK and Padua, Italy. (UK: 144 PBC, 105 controls, Italy: 82 PBC, 92 controls).

Results: When the two series were analysed separately, there were no significant differences in the genotype distribution comparing patients and controls (UK: wt/wt 72% vs 76%; wt/Δ32 28% vs 22%; Δ32/Δ32 0% vs 2%, P=0.24; Italy: wt/wt 72% vs 82%; wt/Δ32 27% vs 17%; Δ32/Δ32 0% vs 1%, P=0.14). However, when the data for the two series were pooled and reanalysed, we found an increase in the CCR5Δ32 mutation in PBC patients vs controls (28% vs 21%, OR=1.43, P=0.03), but there was no evidence that this Δ32 polymorphism is associated with less severe disease.

Conclusions: Although this two‐centre genetic association study is large compared with others performed in PBC, taken separately, each geographically based cohort of patients and controls is underpowered to detect a small effect of this functional polymorphism. This emphasises the need for far larger case–control collections to address which polymorphic markers or haplotypes might modify the pathogenesis and clinical course of PBC. We propose that multi‐centre collaboration on an international scale in ‘orphan’ complex liver diseases such as (PBC) is supported by the International Association for the Study of the Liver and promoted via their journal with development of a brief format for web‐based publication of studies.
Identification of ON–OFF direction‐selective ganglion cells in the mouse retina
Authors: Weng Shijun , Sun Wenzhi , He Shigang
Published: November 2004

We identified the ON–OFF direction‐selective ganglion cells (DSGCs) in the mouse retina and characterized their physiological, morphological and pharmacological properties. These cells showed transient responses to the onset and termination of a stationary flashing spot, and strong directional selectivity to a moving rectangle. Application of various pharmacological reagents demonstrated that the ON–OFF DSGCs in the mouse retina utilize a similar array of transmitters and receptors to compute motion direction to their counterparts in the rabbit retina. Voltage clamp recording showed that ON–OFF DSGCs in the mouse retina receive a larger inhibitory input when the stimulus is moving in the null direction and a larger excitatory input when the stimulus is moving in the preferred direction. Finally, intracellular infusion of neurobiotin revealed a bistratified dendritic field with recursive dendrites forming loop‐like structures, previously classified as RGD2 by morphology. Overall, the ON–OFF DSGCs in the mouse retina exhibit almost identical properties to their counterparts in the rabbit retina, indicating that the mechanisms for computing motion direction are conserved from mouse to rabbit, and probably also to higher mammals. This first detailed characterization of ON–OFF DSGCs in the mouse retina provides fundamental information for further study of maturation and regulation of the neuronal circuitry underlying computation of direction.
Gastric Cancer Originating from Bone Marrow-Derived Cells
Authors: Houghton JeanMarie , Stoicov Calin , Nomura Sachiyo , Rogers Arlin B. , Carlson Jane , Li Hanchen , Cai Xun , Fox James G. , Goldenring James R. , Wang Timothy C.
Published: November 2004

Epithelial cancers are believed to originate from transformation of tissue stem cells. However, bone marrow–derived cells (BMDCs), which are frequently recruited to sites of tissue injury and inflammation, might also represent a potential source of malignancy. We show that although acute injury, acute inflammation, or transient parietal cell loss within the stomach do not lead to BMDC recruitment, chronic infection of C57BL/6 mice with
Helicobacter
, a known carcinogen, induces repopulation of the stomach with BMDCs. Subsequently, these cells progress through metaplasia and dysplasia to intraepithelial cancer. These findings suggest that epithelial cancers can originate from marrow-derived sources and thus have broad implications for the multistep model of cancer progression.
Evidence for Positive Epistasis in HIV-1
Authors: Bonhoeffer Sebastian , Chappey Colombe , Parkin Neil T. , Whitcomb Jeanette M. , Petropoulos Christos J.
Published: November 2004

Reproductive strategies such as sexual reproduction and recombination that involve the shuffling of parental genomes for the production of offspring are ubiquitous in nature. However, their evolutionary benefit remains unclear. Many theories have identified potential benefits, but progress is hampered by the scarcity of relevant data. One class of theories is based on the assumption that mutations affecting fitness exhibit negative epistasis. Retroviruses recombine frequently and thus provide a unique opportunity to test these theories. Using amino acid sequence data and fitness values from 9466 human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) isolates, we find in contrast to these theories strong statistical evidence for a predominance of positive epistasis in HIV-1.
Pheromone Signaling Mechanisms in Yeast: A Prototypical Sex Machine
Authors: Wang Yuqi , Dohlman Henrik G.
Published: November 2004

The actions of many extracellular stimuli are elicited by complexes of cell surface receptors, heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide–binding proteins (G proteins), and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase complexes. Analysis of haploid yeast cells and their response to peptide mating pheromones has produced important advances in our understanding of G protein and MAP kinase signaling mechanisms. Many of the components, their interrelationships, and their regulators were first identified in yeast. Current analysis of the pheromone response pathway (see the Connections Maps at
Science
's Signal Transduction Knowledge Environment) will benefit from new and powerful genomic, proteomic, and computational approaches that will likely reveal additional general principles that are applicable to more complex organisms.
Jekyll and Hyde in the Microbial World
Authors: Truckses Dagmar M. , Garrenton Lindsay S. , Thorner Jeremy
Published: November 2004

Fungi are nonmotile organisms that obtain carbon from compounds in their immediate surroundings. Confronted with nutrient limitation, the yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
undergoes a dimorphic transition, switching from spherical cells to filaments of adherent, elongated cells that can invade the substratum. A complex web of sensing mechanisms and cooperation among signaling networks (including a mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade, cyclic adenosine monophosphate–dependent protein kinase, and 5′–adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase) elicits the appropriate changes in physiology, cell cycle progression, cell polarity, and gene expression to achieve this differentiation. Highly related signaling processes control filamentation and virulence of many human fungal pathogens.
A Late-Transition Metal Oxo Complex: K
7
Na
9
[O=Pt
IV
(H
2
O)L
2
], L = [PW
9
O
34
]
9-
Authors: Anderson Travis M. , Neiwert Wade A. , Kirk Martin L. , Piccoli Paula M. B. , Schultz Arthur J. , Koetzle Thomas F. , Musaev Djamaladdin G. , Morokuma Keiji , Cao Rui , Hill Craig L.
Published: November 2004

Terminal mono-oxo complexes of the late transition metal elements have long been considered too unstable to synthesize because of repulsion between the oxygen electrons and the mostly filled metal d orbitals. A platinum(IV)-oxo compound flanked by two polytungstate ligands, K
7
Na
9
[O=Pt(H
2
O)L
2
], L = [PW
9
O
34
9–
], has now been prepared and isolated at room temperature as air-stable brown crystals. X-ray and neutron diffraction at 30 kelvin revealed a very short [1.720(18) angstrom] Pt–O bond and no evidence of a hydrogen atom at the terminal oxygen, ruling out a better precedented Pt–OH complex. Density functional theory and spectroscopic data account for the stability of the Pt(IV)-oxo unit by electron withdrawal into delocalized orbitals of the polytungstates.
Weighing the Evidence
Authors: Mangel Marc
Published: November 2004

The Nature of Scientific Evidence
Statistical, Philosophical, and Empirical Considerations. Mark L. Taper and Subhash R. Lele, Eds. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2004. 585 pp. $85, £59.50. ISBN 0-226-78955-1. Paper, $30, £21. ISBN 0-226-78957-8.

The contributors--ecologists, statisticians, and philosophers--explore the relations among hypotheses, models, data, and inference in science.
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF ATMOSPHERIC AEROSOLS: RESULTS AND PERSPECTIVES OF THE PIXE TECHNIQUE
Authors: KOLTAY E.
Published: November 2004

Information on the elemental constituents of atmospheric aerosols is of basic importance in studying atmospheric processes for a detailed understanding of the physics and chemistry of the atmosphere. Environmental pollution and its impact can be tested in the same way, too.

In the present review we survey the main research fields in aerosol analytics that can be investigated with the application of the PIXE method. The nature of emission sources, emission inventories, aerosol transport and its tracing, arctic aerosols and climatic influences are mentioned along with methodological features of the present-day PIXE technique and its combined applications with other tools of instrumental analytics.
SURVEY OF PIXE PROGRAMS — 1991
Authors: CAHILL THOMAS A. , MIRANDA JAVIER , MORALES ROBERTO
Published: November 2004

A survey has been made of PIXE programs, updating and extending a similar one published in 1981. Significant changes have occurred in the past decade, especially in the use of focussed ion beams in PIXE microprobes, milliprobes, and external beam systems. Some programs have achieved success and even dominance in one type of application, while others continue to show innovation and flexibility in many areas. The total number of active programs has increased modestly from about 95 in 1981 to 110 in 1990, with much of the increase due to new proton microprobes.
A REVIEW OF PARTICLE-INDUCED X-RAY EMISSION IN GEOLOGY
Authors: MACARTHUR J. D. , MA XIN-PEI
Published: November 2004

Particle-induced X-ray emission is very well suited for the analysis of geological samples. This review discusses the characteristics for such analyses. For light-element analysis, the complimentary technique of particle-induced gamma ray emission is also discussed since the emission of gamma rays occurs simultaneously with the X-rays. Not only are exploratory investigations of PIXE's capabilities presented but also synopses of studies aimed at answering geological questions. The latter have become more and more common in the last few years, an indication of PIXE's maturity as a technique for clement analysis of geological material.
SEASONAL STUDY OF THE COMPOSITION OF ATMOSPHERIC AEROSOLS IN MEXICO CITY
Authors: ALDAPE F. , FLORES M. J. , DIAZ R. V. , MORALES J. R. , CAHILL T. A. , SARAVIA L.
Published: November 2004

Elemental analysis of airborne particulates collected in a site near downtown Mexico City have been performed. The samples were taken during one week of every season in 1988, Twenty three elements, from sodium to lead, were detected by Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE). In addition, soot contents was determined by laser Integrating Plate Method (LIPM). Concentrations of these elements show hourly variations during the day, with maximum values in the period from 6 to 12 A.M. An overall tendency toward maximum elemental concentrations is observed in the winter season, especially for primary anthropogenic pollutants, as was anticipated based upon the frequency of thermal inversions.
PIXE ANALYSIS OF THE ATMOSPHERIC AEROSOL AROUND THE GREAT WALL STATION IN THE ANTARCTIC
Authors: ZHU GUANGHUA , WANG XINFU , SHEN XINYIN , WU YUGUANG , ZHAO JUNLING
Published: November 2004

The size distributions of mass concentrations for 18 elements were obtained from a PIXE analysis of the atmospheric aerosol around the Great Wall Station in the Antarctic. The enrichment factors for various elements in the aerosol relative to the earth crust and sea water with a salinity of 3.5% were calculated. Comparisons were made between the coarse, fine and ultra-fine particles in the aerosol and those over the Pacific and in Beijing.

We observed the following: The atmospheric aerosol around the Great Wall Station comes mainly from marine aerosol, which is chiefly distributed at the particle size range of 0.5–8 μm and, to a lesser extent, from the local soil dust, which is distributed at particle sizes greater than 8 μm. Particles caused by human activities also come up to some proportions, and are distributed at sizes less than 0.5 μm. We conclude from analysis of size distribution spectra for aerosol mass concentrations that ultra-fine anthropogenic particles are mainly transported to the Great Wall Station from distant continents.
ALPAL, A PROGRAM TO GENERATE PHYSICS SIMULATION CODES FROM NATURAL DESCRIPTIONS
Authors: COOK G. O.
Published: November 2004

A Livermore Physics Applications Language (ALPAL), a new computer language, is described. ALPAL is a tool that generates a Fortran code module from a natural description of a physics model. This capability gives the computational physicist a significant productivity boost. While ALPAL is a working computer program, significant additions are being made to it. Some of the factors that make ALPAL an important tool are: first, it eliminates many sources of errors; second, it permits building program modules with far greater speed than is otherwise possible; third, it provides a means of specifying many numerical algorithms; and fourth, it is a language that is close to a journal-style presentation of physics models and numerical methods for solving them. In sum, ALPAL is designed to magnify the abilities and creativity of computational physicists.
SUBMILLISECOND PERIOD IN SUPERNOVA 1987A NEUTRINO DATA
Authors: RAYCHAUDHURI PROBHAS , SAHA DIPTIMAN
Published: November 2004

The neutrino burst from supernova 1987A detected by Mont Blanc, Kamiokande, IMB and Baksan have been studied within 0.01 ms to 1 ms by Ferraz-Mello technique to find periods from uneven spaced data. It is found that only Kamiokande and IMB neutrino data have significant periods 0.499 ms and 0.568 ms, respectively. Our analysis suggest that the supernova 1987A contains a submillisecond pulsar and is supported by the recently discovered submillisecond period detected from supernova 1987A optical data. We suggest that the pulsar in supernova 1987A is a radially pulsating neutron star.