bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimates of harm associated with changes in Swedish alcohol policy: results from past and present estimates
Authors: Andreasson Sven , Holder Harold D. , Norström Thor , Österberg Esa , Rossow Ingeborg
Published: May 2006

Aims (i) To compare actual developments of alcohol‐related harm in Sweden with estimates derived prior to major policy changes in 1995 and (ii) to estimate the effects on consumption and alcohol‐related harm of reducing alcohol prices in Sweden.

Design Alcohol effect parameters expressing the strength of the relationship between overall alcohol consumption and different alcohol‐related harms were obtained from ARIMA (Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average) time‐series analyses.

Measurements Measures of Swedish alcohol‐related mortality (liver cirrhosis, alcoholic psychosis, alcoholism and alcohol poisoning), accident mortality, suicide, homicide, assaults and sickness absence from 1950 to 1995.

Findings Previous estimates of alcohol‐related harm based on changes in alcohol consumption for the period 1994–2002 for Sweden were, in some cases (e.g. violent assaults and accidents), relatively close to the actual harm levels, whereas in other cases (e.g. homicides, alcohol‐related mortality and suicide) they diverged from observed harm levels. A tax cut by 40% on spirits and by 15% on wine is estimated to increase total per capita alcohol consumption by 0.35 litre. This increase is estimated to cause 289 additional deaths, 1627 additional assaults and 1.6 million additional sickness absence days.

Conclusions The estimates of future changes in harm based upon even relatively modest increases in alcohol consumption produce considerable negative effects, with large economic consequences for the Swedish economy. The additional alcohol‐related deaths, for instance, amount to more than half the number of yearly traffic fatalities in Sweden.
Volume of alcohol consumption, patterns of drinking and burden of disease in the European region 2002
Authors: Rehm Jürgen , Taylor Benjamin , Patra Jayadeep
Published: May 2006

Aims To describe the volume of alcohol consumption and patterns of drinking in the World Health Organization (WHO) European regions in 2002 and to estimate quantitatively the burden of disease attributable to alcohol in that year.

Methods Secondary data analysis. Exposure data were taken from the WHO Comparative Risk Assessment, outcome data from the WHO Measurement and Health Information department, and used to derive three outcome measures: deaths, years of life lost (YLL) and disability adjusted life years (DALY) for 2002. All calculations were conducted according to age, sex and region.

Results Alcohol consumption in the WHO regions for Europe was high, with 12.1 litres pure alcohol per capita, on average more than 100% above the global consumption. Alcohol consumption caused a considerable disease burden: 6.1% of all the deaths, 12.3% of all YLL and 10.7% of all DALY in all European regions in 2002 could be attributed to this exposure. Intentional and unintentional injuries accounted for almost 50% of all alcohol‐attributable deaths and almost 44% of alcohol‐attributable disease burden. Young people and men were affected the most. Geographically, the most eastern region around Russia had the highest alcohol‐attributable disease burden.

Conclusions Interventions should be implemented to reduce the high burden of alcohol‐attributable disease in the European regions. Given the epidemiological structure of the burden, injury prevention, including but not restricted to the prevention of traffic injuries, and specific prevention for young people should play the most important role in a comprehensive plan to reduce alcohol‐attributable burden.
Determinants of quality of life in chronic liver patients
Authors: GUTTELING J. J. , DE MAN R. A. , VAN DER PLAS S. M. , SCHALM S. W. , BUSSCHBACH J. J. V. , DARLINGTON A.‐S. E.
Published: May 2006

Background and aim

Health‐related quality of life of patients with chronic liver disease has been shown to be impaired in numerous studies. However, the factors which influence health‐related quality of life in treated chronic liver patients are not quite known. This is the first study to assess the impact of physical and psychosocial determinants on a weighted score of health‐related quality of life in patients with chronic liver disease.

Methods

The data of 1175 chronic liver patients were used to assess the relationship between items of the disease‐specific Liver Disease Symptom Index 2.0 and the Short Form (SF)‐6D weighted utility score by means of linear regression analyses.

Results

Health‐related quality of life was most strongly related to disease severity (B = −0.029) and joint pain (B = −0.023). Depression (B = −0.014), pain in the right upper abdomen (B = −0.014), decreased appetite (B =  0.014) and fatigue (B = −0.013) were also strongly related to health‐related quality of life. In hepatitis C virus patients, disease severity (B = −0.037) and depression (B = −0.030) were strong determinants of health‐related quality of life.

Conclusions

This study shows that health‐related quality of life in chronic liver patients is clearly determined by disease severity, joint pain, depression, decreased appetite and fatigue. These patients may benefit most from interventions aimed at improving adaptation to the symptoms described.
Floral display size influences subsequent plant choice by bumble bees
Authors: ISHII H. S.
Published: May 2006

The effect of floral display size (number of open flowers per plant) on subsequent plant choice by bumble bees, Bombus hypocrita sapporensis (Cockerell), was investigated using artificial inflorescences with blue or yellow flowers representing different ‘species’.

Bees flew to an inflorescence of the same colour (constant flight) more often after visiting a large inflorescence. This response occurred when the nectar volume per flower was constant (larger inflorescence offered more nectar), and when nectar volume per inflorescence was constant (nectar volume per flower varied with display size). These results indicate that bees did not exhibit higher constancy after visiting larger inflorescences because they extracted more nectar than from smaller ones.

Bees spent more time during visits to large vs small inflorescences. Possibly information about the last‐visited inflorescence fades from short‐term memory during longer visits, which strengthens colour constancy.

Selection on floral display size is thought to balance the attraction benefits of large displays with the cost of geitonogamy. However, in habitats with several competing plant species, selection for colour constancy may provide a further reason for selection to favour large floral displays.
The haemophilic ankle
Authors: RODRIGUEZ‐MERCHAN E. C.
Published: May 2006

Summary.  Radiation synoviorthesis is a very effective procedure that decreases both the frequency and the intensity of recurrent ankle bleeds related to ankle synovitis. The procedure should be performed as soon as possible to minimize the degree of articular cartilage damage. It can also be used in patients with inhibitors with minimal risk of complications. On average, the efficacy of the procedure ranges from 76% to 80%, and can be performed at any age. The procedure slows the cartilaginous damage which intra‐articular blood tends to produce in the long term. After 30 years of using radiation synovectomy worldwide, no damage has been reported in relation to the radioactive materials. Radiation synovectomy is currently the preferred procedure when radioactive materials are available; however, chemical synoviorthesis is an effective alternative method if radioactive materials are not available. Personal experience and the general recommendation among orthopaedic surgeons and haematologists is that when three early consecutive synoviorthesis (repeated every 3 months) fail to halt synovitis, a surgical synovectomy (open or by arthroscopy) should be immediately considered. For advanced haemophilic arthropathy of the ankle, the best solution is an ankle arthrodesis. Primary prophylaxis and radioactive synoviorthesis are the best ways that we have today of protecting against haemophilic synovitis and arthropathy of the ankle joint.
CD45 negatively regulates tumour necrosis factor and interleukin‐6 production in dendritic cells
Authors: Piercy Jenny , Petrova Svetla , Tchilian Elma Z. , Beverley Peter C. L.
Published: May 2006

CD45 is known to regulate signalling through many different surface receptors in diverse haemopoietic cell types. Here we report for the first time that CD45–/– bone marrow dendritic cells (BMDC) are more activated than CD45+/+ cells and that tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) production by BMDC and splenic dendritic cells (sDC), is increased following stimulation via Toll‐like receptor (TLR)3 and TLR9. Nuclear factor‐κB activation, an important downstream consequence of TLR3 and TLR9 signalling, is also increased in CD45–/– BMDC. BMDC of CD45–/– mice also produce more TNF and IL‐6 following stimulation with the cytokines TNF and interferon‐α. These results show that TLR signalling is increased in CD45–/– dendritic cells and imply that CD45 is a negative regulator of TLR and cytokine receptor signalling in dendritic cells.
Molecular defects of the C7 gene in two patients with complement C7 deficiency
Authors: Barroso Sonia , Rieubland Claudine , JoséÁlvarez Antonia , López‐Trascasa Margarita , Bart Pierre‐Alexandre , Núñez‐Roldán Antonio , Sánchez Berta
Published: May 2006

Different genetic mutations have been described in complement components resulting in total or subtotal deficiency states. In this work we report the genetic basis of C7 deficiency in a previously reported Spanish patient exhibiting a combined total deficiency of C7 and C4B associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. Exon‐specific polymerase chain reaction and sequencing revealed a not previously described single base mutation in exon 10 (T1458A) leading to a stop codon that causes the premature truncation of the C7 protein (C464X). Additionally, a C to A transversion at position 1561 (exon 11) was found in the patient resulting in an amino acid change (R499S). This latter mutation has been previously reported in individuals with subtotal C7 deficiency or with combined subtotal C6/C7 deficiency from widely spaced geographical areas. Another novel mutation was found in a second patient with meningococcal meningitis of Bolivian and Czech origin; a 11‐base pair deletion of nucleotides 631–641 in exon 6 leading to the generation of a downstream stop codon causing the premature truncation of the C7 protein product (T189 × 193). This patient was found to be a heterozygous compound for another mutation in C7; a two‐base pair deletion of nucleotides 1922 and 1923, 1923 and 1924 or 1924 and 1925 in exon 14 (1922delAG/1923delGA/1924delAG), leading again to the generation of a downstream stop codon that provokes the truncation of the C7 protein (S620×630). This latter mutation has been recently reported by our group in another Spanish family. Our results provide more evidences for the heterogeneous molecular basis of C7 deficiency.
Pattern and process in the ecological biogeography of European freshwater fish
Authors: GRIFFITHS DAVID
Published: May 2006

Species lists for regions of Europe defined by Illies (1978,Limnofauna Europaea, 2nd edn. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart), and augmented by information from Maitland (2000,Guide to Freshwater Fish of Britain and Europe. Hamlyn, London), are used to describe patterns in freshwater fish species richness and to examine the contribution of habitat preference, migration, body size and glacial history to these patterns.

The number of non‐endemic species declines to the north and west, with increasing distance from the Ponto‐Caspian region, the main source area, whereas endemic species richness declines only with latitude.

Habitat generalists tend to be migratory while riverine specialists are usually resident. Similar numbers of riverine species and generalists occur in Europe as a whole but generalists dominate in regional faunas and, to an increasing extent, in more isolated, formerly glaciated areas. Very few lacustrine specialists were found, reflecting the geologically ephemeral nature of lakes. Only 8% of riverine species have colonized glaciated areas, compared with more than half the generalist species, and the number declines rapidly with increasing distance from the source area.

Diadromous species show no geographical variation in species richness but potamodromous and resident species are affected by glaciation and by mountain and marine barriers.

The mean body size of regional faunas increases with latitude because there are relatively fewer small species in more distant, glaciated areas.

About half the species occurring in Europe are restricted to one region and the majority of these endemics occur in barrier regions with Mediterranean climates. Species in glaciated regions have much larger range sizes. Habitat preference and migration type, not body size, are the main determinants of range size.

Freshwater habitat availability varies across Europe with glaciated areas having more lakes of a given size than unglaciated areas. Catchment size is greatest at mid‐latitudes. For a given catchment size rivers in glaciated areas are shorter.

The results support the notion that habitat variability, on both short and long time scales, favours colonization ability, which requires large body size.

As a result of their limited vagility northern fish faunas are depauperate, show high levels of plasticity and polymorphism and may show elevated speciation rates. The isolated southern faunas of the Iberian and Italian peninsulas and the Balkans are rich in endemic species but may be subject to extinctions because of the spread of the highly seasonal Mediterranean climate.
1 Gastric myoelectrical activity compared to pyloric pressure in patients with gastroparesis
Authors: NGUYEN LB , PARKER S , SNAPE WJ
Published: May 2006

Background:  Gastric emptying is a function of gastric contraction, electrical activity, pyloric and duodenal resistance. Pylorospasm (basal pyloric pressures >10 mmHg; Mearin et al. Gastro 1986) has been implicated in gastroparesis. Currently, pyloric pressures can be measured invasively, using a Dent sleeve (Mui Scientific, Inc.) manometry catheter. Electrogastrography (EGG) is a noninvasive tool for measuring gastric myoelectrical activity. EGG has been shown to distinguish gastric outlet obstruction from idiopathic gastroparesis (Brzana et al. Amer J Gastro 1998).

Aims:  The aims of this study were to 1) determine whether EGG can distinguish patients with gastroparesis who have pylorospasm and 2) correlate basal pyloric pressure with various EGG parameters.

Methods and Results:  23 patients with gastroparesis (19 diabetics, mean age 40.4 ± 2.3, mean 4 hr gastric retention 43.0 ± 5.1%) had basal pyloric pressure measurements and EGG. Stationary basal pyloric pressures were measured using a Dent sleeve that was placed across the pyloric channel during endoscopy with fluoroscopic guidance. 60.9% (14/23) of patients had elevated pyloric pressures (21.8 ± 3.4 mmHg vs. 5.5 ± 0.8 mmHg). There was no difference in the postprandial power ratio and gastric emptying as measured by scintigraphy between the 2 groups. The fasting dominant slow wave frequency (SWF) in the elevated pyloric pressure group was significantly higher compared to the normal pyloric pressure group (3.1 ± 0.1 cpm vs. 2.4 ± 0.3 cpm; p = 0.013). There was significantly less dysrhythmia in the elevated pyloric pressure group (75.5 ± 6.0% normal rhythm vs. 54.8 ± 9.7% normal; p = 0.03). More patients in the elevated pyloric pressure group had normal fasting electrical rhythm (>70% normal electrical rhythm) compared to the normal pyloric pressure group (64.3% vs. 22.2%; p = 0.03). There was a correlation between pyloric pressure and fasting slow wave frequency (r = 0.53, p = 0.005) but no correlation with the percentage of dysrhythmia, postprandial power ratio or gastric emptying.

Conclusion:  Patients with normal pyloric pressure and delayed gastric emptying have significantly more abnormalities in slow wave frequency and dysrhythmia compared to patients with abnormal pyloric pressure. This suggests that patients with delayed gastric emptying with normal pyloric pressures have abnormalities in gastric conduction as a cause of their gastroparesis.
Leaf growth and turgor in growing cells of maize (Zea mays L.) respond to evaporative demand under moderate irrigation but not in water‐saturated soil
Authors: BOUCHABKÉ OUMAYA , TARDIEU FRANÇOIS , SIMONNEAU THIERRY
Published: May 2006

To test whether the inhibition of leaf expansion by high evaporative demand is a result of hydraulic processes, we have followed both leaf elongation rate (LER) and cell turgor in leaves of maize plants either normally watered or in water‐saturated soil in which hydraulic resistance at the soil–root interface was abolished. Cell turgor was measured in situ with a pressure probe in the elongating zone of the first and sixth leaves, and LERs of the same leaves were measured continuously with transducers or by following displacements of marks along the growing leaves. Both variables displayed spatial variations along the leaf and positively correlated within the elongating zone. Values peaked at mid‐distance of this zone, where the response of turgor to evaporative demand was further dissected. High evaporative demand decreased both LER and turgor for at least 5 h, with dose‐effect linear relations. This was observed in five genotypes with appreciable differences in turgor maintenance among genotypes. In contrast, the depressing effects of evaporative demand on both turgor and LER disappeared when the soil was saturated, thereby opposing a negligible resistance to water flow at the soil–root interface. These results suggest that the response of LER to evaporative demand has a hydraulic origin, enhanced by the resistance to water flux at the soil–root interface. They also suggest that turgor is not completely maintained under high evaporative demand, and may therefore contribute to the reductions in LER observed in non‐saturated soils.
Effects of lamotrigine in patients with bipolar disorder and alcohol dependence
Authors: Rubio Gabriel , López‐Muñoz Francisco , Alamo Cecilio
Published: May 2006

Background:  Bipolar disorder is significantly associated with alcohol use disorders. Anticonvulsant drugs are used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and they have also been used to treat alcohol dependence. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate tolerance and safety of lamotrigine in a dual‐diagnosis population presenting bipolar disorder and alcohol dependence. Open‐label lamotrigine was examined in 28 outpatients with DSM‐IV bipolar disorder and alcohol dependence. Lamotrigine was added to existing medication regimens.

Method:  Lamotrigine was started at a dose of 25 mg/day and titrated to a maximum dose of 300 mg/day. Subjects received a baseline evaluation which included a Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV (SCID) and weekly assessments for 12 weeks with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM‐D), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Severity of Alcohol Dependence Scale (SADS), a Visual Analogue Scale for Craving severity (VASC), and alcohol consumption. The concentration of carbohydrate‐deficient transferrin (CDT) was used as an indirect measure of alcohol consumption. The sample consisted of 18 men and 10 women diagnosed with alcohol dependence and bipolar disorder I (n = 21) or bipolar disorder II (n = 7), with a mean age of 36.5 ± 7.7 years.

Results:  Significant improvement was observed in HAM‐D, YMRS, and BPRS scores (p < 0.01). Craving and CDT also significantly decreased (p < 0.001). Lamotrigine was well tolerated with no dropout subjects due to adverse events.

Conclusion:  Lamotrigine is safe and well tolerated in this sample and associated with improvement in mood, alcohol craving and alcohol consumption. A placebo‐controlled study would be of interest.
Aripiprazole use in a pregnant schizoaffective woman
Authors: Mendhekar DN , Sunder Keerthy R , Andrade Chittaranjan
Published: May 2006

Background:  There are few or no clinical data on the safety of aripiprazole during pregnancy and lactation.

Case report:  A 27‐year‐old schizoaffective woman conceived while receiving aripiprazole 15 mg/day. The drug was withdrawn during the eighth week of gestation. She relapsed at week 20, and resumed treatment with the drug at a dose of 10 mg/day. She responded well, and the drug was continued through the rest of the pregnancy. The pregnancy was uneventful, but unexplained fetal tachycardia necessitated a cesarean section at full term. The newborn infant was normal in all regards and developed normally during a 6‐month follow up. The infant required to be bottle‐fed because of a failure of lactation.

Conclusion:  In this case, exposure to aripiprazole during different trimesters of pregnancy was not associated with intrauterine death, morphological teratogenicity, impaired fetal growth, neonatal toxicity, or neurobehavioral teratogenicity. Maternal health was not adversely affected during pregnancy. However, lactation failure occurred after delivery.
Electroconvulsive therapy: an effective therapy of medication‐resistant bipolar disorder
Authors: Sienaert Pascal , Peuskens Joseph
Published: May 2006

Objectives:  We report our experience with a medication‐refractory patient with bipolar I disorder, who remained clinically stable under continuation electroconvulsive therapy (C‐ECT). We found ECT to be effective in providing functionality for a patient when various medications had failed.

Methods and results:  A 53‐year‐old woman with a 31‐year history of recurrent manic and depressive episodes poorly responsive to medications warranted an ECT trial. Remission was achieved after 12 treatments and C‐ECT at weekly intervals was used as maintenance therapy. C‐ECT was continued for 37 months and 85 treatments, and discontinued when anesthetic difficulties precluded further treatment. Three months after the last ECT, she was readmitted in a severe manic relapse. Restarting ECT caused rapid remission. There are no signs of cognitive deterioration during C‐ECT.

Conclusion:  Long‐term C‐ECT is an effective and safe prophylactic treatment in individual treatment‐resistant patients with bipolar disorder.
An evolutionary analysis of the relationship between spite and altruism
Authors: Lehmann L. , Bargum K. , Reuter M.
Published: May 2006

We investigate the selective pressures on a social trait when evolution occurs in a population of constant size. We show that any social trait that is spiteful simultaneously qualifies as altruistic. In other words, any trait that reduces the fitness of less related individuals necessarily increases that of related ones. Our analysis demonstrates that the distinction between ‘Hamiltonian spite’ and ‘Wilsonian spite’ is not justified on the basis of fitness effects. We illustrate this general result with an explicit model for the evolution of a social act that reduces the recipient's survival (‘harming trait’). This model shows that the evolution of harming is favoured if local demes are of small size and migration is low (philopatry). Further, deme size and migration rate determine whether harming evolves as a selfish strategy by increasing the fitness of the actor, or as a spiteful/altruistic strategy through its positive effect on the fitness of close kin.
Parallel evolution of larval morphology and habitat in the snail-killing fly genus Tetanocera
Authors: Chapman E. G. , Foote B. A. , Malukiewicz J. , Hoeh W. R.
Published: May 2006

In this study, we sequenced one nuclear and three mitochondrial DNA loci to construct a robust estimate of phylogeny for all available species of Tetanocera. Character optimizations suggested that aquatic habitat was the ancestral condition for Tetanocera larvae, and that there were at least three parallel transitions to terrestrial habitat, with one reversal. Maximum likelihood analyses of character state transformations showed significant correlations between habitat transitions and changes in four larval morphological characteristics (cuticular pigmentation and three characters associated with the posterior spiracular disc). We provide evidence that phylogenetic niche conservatism has been responsible for the maintenance of aquatic-associated larval morphological character states, and that concerted convergence and/or gene linkage was responsible for parallel morphological changes that were derived in conjunction with habitat transitions. These habitat–morphology associations were consistent with the action of natural selection in facilitating the morphological changes that occurred during parallel aquatic to terrestrial habitat transitions in Tetanocera.
Excess dietary cystine intensifies the adverse effect of a methionine deficiency in the cat
Authors: Strieker M. J. , Werner A. , Morris J. G. , Rogers Q. R.
Published: May 2006

Foot pad dermatitis has been observed in turkeys, puppies and kittens fed diets deficient in methionine. Excess cystine aggravated the lesions and decreased body weight gain in puppies and turkeys. The objective of this study was to determine whether methionine deficiency induced perioral and foot pad lesions in kittens and whether excess cystine exacerbated the lesions. Eighteen kittens were divided into three groups and offered one of three diets: diet 1, low‐methionine, low‐cystine (LMLC; 1.6 g methionine and 1.6 g cystine/kg diet); diet 2, low‐methionine, high‐cystine (HMHC; 1.6 methionine and 15 g cystine/kg diet); diet 3, high‐methionine, high‐cystine (HMHC; 15 g methionine and 15 g cystine/kg diet). Kittens in the LMLC group lost body weight, whereas those in the LMHC group maintained their body weight and those in the HMHC group gained weight. Plasma methionine concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.001) for the HMHC group than for the LMLC and LMHC groups. Plasma cyst(e)ine (sum of cysteine and cystine) concentrations were different (p < 0.001) among all the three groups. Two kittens given the LMLC diet developed mild perioral lesions. All kittens receiving the LMHC diet developed foot pad lesions and severe perioral lesions. Histopathological changes observed in perioral biopsy specimens were similar to those described in protein deficiency. In conclusion, the results showed that a diet severely deficient in methionine causes perioral lesions in kittens, and that addition of excess cystine to the diet aggravates the perioral lesions and also causes foot pad lesions.
The social and economic consequences of childhood‐onset Type 1 diabetes mellitus across the lifecourse: a systematic review
Authors: Milton B. , Holland P. , Whitehead M.
Published: May 2006

Background  The incidence of childhood‐onset (Type 1) diabetes is high, and increasing, particularly among the very young. The aim of this review was to determine the longer‐term social consequences of having diabetes as a child and to determine whether adverse consequences are more severe for disadvantaged children.

Methods  Results from published and unpublished studies were synthesized narratively to examine the impact of diabetes on education, employment and income in adulthood. The question of whether the impact differed for different social groups was also examined.

Results  Case‐control studies found that children with diabetes missed more school than healthy children. Most studies of attainment found no differences between children with diabetes and non‐diabetic control subjects or the local population, although poor metabolic control, early‐onset, longer illness duration and serious hypoglycaemic events were associated with underachievement. People with childhood‐onset diabetes may experience disadvantage in employment, and have a lower income in adulthood, although diabetic complications appear to be the most important determinant of social consequences in later life.

Conclusions  Many children with diabetes—especially late‐onset—perform equally well at school despite increased rates of absence, but it is not yet clear whether specific subgroups are at greater risk of educational underperformance. People with childhood‐onset diabetes, however, do appear to experience some disadvantage in adult employment. Qualitative research and cohort studies are needed to fill key gaps in the existing evidence base. Future research must also examine the impact of diabetes‐related risk factors on socio‐economic consequences.
Psycho‐educational interventions for children and young people with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Murphy H. R. , Rayman G. , Skinner T. C.
Published: May 2006

Background  A systematic review of the literature in 2000 revealed numerous methodological shortcomings in education research, but in recent years progress has been made in the quantity and quality of psycho‐educational intervention studies.

Summary of contents  This review focuses on diabetes education programmes developed for children, young people and their families in the past 5 years. A comprehensive review of the literature identified 27 articles describing the evaluation of 24 psycho‐educational interventions. Data summary tables compare the key features of these, and comparisons are made between individual, group and family‐based interventions. Effect sizes are calculated for nine of the randomized studies. Three research questions are posed: firstly has the recent literature addressed the problems highlighted in the previous review; secondly is there sufficient evidence to recommend adaptation of a particular programme; and, finally, what do we still need to do?

Conclusions  Progress in the quality and quantity of educational research has not resulted in improved effectiveness of interventions. There is still insufficient evidence to recommend adaptation of a particular educational programme and no programme that has been proven effective in randomized studies for those with poor glycaemic control. To develop a range of effective educational interventions, further research involving larger sample sizes with multicentre collaboration is required.
Is There a Role for Education in the Way towards Stability and Democratisation in the Balkans? A Critical Review of BA.SO.P.ED’s Aims and Publications (1997–2004)
Authors: BONIDIS KYRIAKOS TH. , ZARIFIS GEORGE K.
Published: May 2006

November 1997 witnessed the formation of the Balkan Society for Pedagogy and Education (BA.SO.P.ED) in Thessaloniki, with the support of individual academics and pedagogues from many Balkan Universities and research institutes, but also with the participation of representatives of Educational Societies from Albania, Bulgaria, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (F.Y.R.O.M), Greece, Serbia & Montenegro (at that time known as New Yugoslavia), Romania, Turkey and Cyprus. Among the various goals that were adopted in this first step towards a more stable collaboration in the field of education — in a geographical area with a difficult social and political history, but also with a bad record of understanding among its nations that many times in their histories was marked by territorial disputes, that resulted in wars and long lasting political and social tragedies — the members of the Society included in their aim “. . . to promote by any means possible, constant exchange and updating of ideas at all levels (educational, social, political, etc.) in order to materialise those conditions that will facilitate the study and the research of their histories within a contemporary framework, but also will support a common initiative for collaborative action among those authorities that determine their educational and social policies . . .”i. In this article we look at how BA.SO.P.ED creates the conditions that could enable collaboration among pedagogues and educational researchers from the Balkans, by reviewing its activities and priorities as these appear in its publications during the period 1997–2004.
Effect of PbO on the Kinetics of {001} Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–35 mol% PbTiO3Single Crystals Grown into Fully Dense Matrices
Authors: Gorzkowski Edward P. , Chan Helen M. , Harmer Martin P.
Published: May 2006

The influence of excess PbO on Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–35mol% PbTiO3{001} single crystal growth by seeded polycrystal conversion (SPC) was studied in the range of 0–10 vol% PbO. As in previous studies, additions of PbO increased the boundary mobility significantly, thus facilitating single crystal growth via SPC. Unlike previous studies, single crystals were grown into pore‐free matrices, resulting in different crystal growth kinetics (signifying interface reaction controlled as opposed to diffusion controlled). Porosity was shown to decrease single crystal growth rates by a factor of 2. Additionally, it was found that single crystal and matrix grain growth rates are optimized at 1.5 vol% PbO, as opposed to previous work, which showed that 3 vol% PbO was fastest. Increasing PbO content beyond 1.5 vol% results in growth that is independent of liquid fraction for all annealing times. In addition, the matrix grains were faceted and the growth best‐fit parabolic kinetics so interface reaction control was deemed the most likely growth mechanism.
The persistence of depression score
Authors: Spijker J. , De Graaf R. , Ormel J. , Nolen W. A. , Grobbee D. E. , Burger H.
Published: May 2006

Objective:  To construct a score that allows prediction of major depressive episode (MDE) persistence in individuals with MDE using determinants of persistence identified in previous research.

Method:  Data were derived from 250 subjects from the general population with new MDE according to DSM‐III‐R. These subjects were recruited from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS), using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Determinants for persistence were transformed into a practical risk score using proportional hazards models and bootstrapping techniques.

Results:  The risk of MDE persistence after 12 months was 23%. The score comprised measures of physical illness, social support, depression severity and recurrency, and duration of previous episodes. With increasing categories of these measures, the predicted risks increased from 7 to 40%.

Conclusion:  We constructed the Persistence of Depression Score (PDS) showing reasonable performance. The PDS could be of importance in clinical practice to support treatment decisions.
Glutamatergic synapses in the rat nucleus tractus solitarii develop by direct insertion of calcium‐impermeable AMPA receptors and without activation of NMDA receptors
Authors: Balland Bénédicte , Lachamp Philippe , Strube Caroline , Kessler Jean‐Pierre , Tell Fabien
Published: May 2006

Calcium influxes through ionotropic glutamate receptors (AMPA and NMDA receptors, AMPARs and NMDARs) are considered to be critical for the shaping and refinement of neural circuits during synaptogenesis. Using a combined morphological and electrophysiological approach, we evaluated this hypothesis at the level of the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS), a brainstem structure that is a gateway for many visceral sensory afferent fibres. We confirmed that in the NTS, the first excitatory synapses appeared at embryonic day 18. We next characterized the biophysical properties of NTS AMPARs. Throughout perinatal development, both evoked and miniature EPSCs recorded in the presence of an NMDAR blocker were insensitive to polyamines and had linear current–voltage relationships. This demonstrated that AMPARs at NTS excitatory synapses were calcium‐impermeable receptors composed of a majority of GluR2 subunits. We then investigated the influence of calcium influxes through NMDARs on the development of NTS synaptic transmission. We found that NMDAR expression at synaptic sites did not precede AMPAR expression. Moreover, NMDAR blockade in utero did not prevent the development of AMPAR synaptic currents and the synaptic clustering of GluR2 subunits. Thus, our data support an alternative model of synaptogenesis that does not depend on calcium influxes through either AMPARs or NMDARs. This model may be particularly relevant to the formation of neural networks devoted to basic behaviours required at birth for survival.
Probability, pendulums, and pedagogy
Authors: Baker Gregory L.
Published: May 2006

Deterministic pendula exhibit a spectrum of behavior ranging from periodic to chaotic and provide an opportunity for an introductory discussion on the application of probability techniques to a deterministic system. Analytic and simulation techniques are used to determine probability distributions for a range of dynamical possibilities. In particular, we obtain probability distributions of the pendulum’s angular displacement and distributions of first return times for regular and chaotic motion. For chaotic motion, the latter distribution is modeled by a simple two-state Bernoulli process. Further considerations suggest that not all distributions are probability distributions.
Jack O’Lanterns and integrating spheres: Halloween physics
Authors: Whitehead Lorne A. , Mossman Michele A.
Published: May 2006

Although photometry, the measurement of the intensity and distribution of visible light, is important in many areas, most undergraduate physics courses do not include this topic. We present a simple introduction to key concepts in photometry, and as a fun example, we investigate the optics of a Jack O’Lantern.
Fall in Earth's Magnetic Field Is Erratic
Authors: Gubbins David , Jones Adrian L. , Finlay Christopher C.
Published: May 2006

Earth's magnetic field has decayed by about 5% per century since measurements began in 1840. Directional measurements predate those of intensity by more than 250 years, and we combined the global model of directions with paleomagnetic intensity measurements to estimate the fall in strength for this earlier period (1590 to 1840 A.D.). We found that magnetic field strength was nearly constant throughout this time, in contrast to the later period. Extrapolating to the core surface showed that the fall in strength originated in patches of reverse magnetic flux in the Southern Hemisphere. These patches were detectable by directional data alone; the pre-1840 model showed little or no evidence of them, supporting the conclusion of a steady dipole up to 1840.
A New Genus of African Monkey,
Rungwecebus
: Morphology, Ecology, and Molecular Phylogenetics
Authors: Davenport Tim R. B. , Stanley William T. , Sargis Eric J. , De Luca Daniela W. , Mpunga Noah E. , Machaga Sophy J. , Olson Link E.
Published: May 2006

A new species of African monkey,
Lophocebus kipunji
, was described in 2005 based on observations from two sites in Tanzania. We have since obtained a specimen killed by a farmer on Mount Rungwe, the type locality. Detailed molecular phylogenetic analyses of this specimen demonstrate that the genus
Lophocebus
is diphyletic. We provide a description of a new genus of African monkey and of the only preserved specimen of this primate. We also present information on the animal's ecology and conservation.
Ischemia Opens Neuronal Gap Junction Hemichannels
Authors: Thompson Roger J. , Zhou Ning , MacVicar Brian A.
Published: May 2006

Neuronal excitotoxicity during stroke is caused by activation of unidentified large-conductance channels, leading to swelling and calcium dysregulation. We show that ischemic-like conditions [O
2
/glucose deprivation (OGD)] open hemichannels, or half gap junctions, in neurons. Hemichannel opening was indicated by a large linear current and flux across the membrane of small fluorescent molecules. Single-channel openings of hemichannels (530 picosiemens) were observed in OGD. Both the current and dye flux were blocked by inhibitors of hemichannels. Therefore, hemichannel opening contributes to the profound ionic dysregulation during stroke and may be a ubiquitous component of ischemic neuronal death.
Recombinant Adenoviral Vectors Can Induce Expression of p73 via the E4-orf6/7 Protein
Authors: Shapiro Gary S. , Van Peursem Crystal , Ornelles David A. , Schaack Jerome , DeGregori James
Published: May 2006

Despite the utility of recombinant adenoviral vectors in basic research, their therapeutic promise remains unfulfilled. Most engineered adenoviral vectors use a heterologous promoter to transcribe a foreign gene. We show that adenoviruses containing the cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter induce the expression of the proapoptotic cellular protein TAp73 via the cyclin-dependent kinase-retinoblastoma protein-E2F pathway in murine embryonic fibroblasts. Cells transduced with these vectors also expressed high levels of the adenoviral E4-orf6/7 and E2A proteins. By contrast, adenoviruses containing the ubiquitin C promoter failed to elicit these effects. E4-orf6/7 is necessary and sufficient for increased TAp73 expression, as shown by using retrovirus-mediated E4-orf6/7 expression and adenovirus with the E4-orf6/7 gene deleted. Activation of TAp73 likely occurs via E4-orf6/7-induced dimerization of E2F and subsequent binding to the inverted E2F-responsive elements within the TAp73 promoter. In addition, adenoviral vectors containing the cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter, but not the ubiquitin C promoter, cooperated with chemotherapeutic agents to decrease cellularity in vitro. In contrast to murine embryonic fibroblasts, adenoviruses containing the ubiquitin C promoter, but not the cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter, induced both E4-orf6/7 and TAp73 in human foreskin fibroblasts, emphasizing the importance of cellular context for promoter-dependent effects. Because TAp73 is important for the efficacy of chemotherapy, adenoviruses that increase TAp73 expression may enhance cancer therapies by promoting apoptosis. However, such adenoviruses may impair the long-term survival of transduced cells during gene replacement therapies. Our findings reveal previously unknown effects of foreign promoters in recombinant adenoviral vectors and suggest means to improve the utility of engineered adenoviruses by better controlling their impact on viral and cellular gene expression.
Sequence Requirements for Localization of Human Cytomegalovirus Tegument Protein pp28 to the Virus Assembly Compartment and for Assembly of Infectious Virus
Authors: Seo Jun-Young , Britt William J.
Published: May 2006

The human cytomegalovirus UL99 open reading frame encodes a 190-amino-acid (aa) tegument protein, pp28, that is myristoylated and phosphorylated. pp28 is essential for assembly of infectious virus, and nonenveloped virions accumulate in the cytoplasm of cells infected with recombinant viruses with a UL99 deletion. pp28 is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) in transfected cells, while in infected cells, it is localized together with other virion proteins in a juxtanuclear compartment termed the assembly compartment (AC). We investigated the sequence requirements for pp28 trafficking to the AC and assembly of infectious virus. Our studies indicated that the first 30 to 35 aa were required for localization of pp28 to the ERGIC in transfected cells. Mutant forms of pp28 containing only the first 35 aa localized with other virion structural proteins to cytoplasmic compartments early in infection, but localization to the AC at late times required a minimum of 50 aa. In agreement with previous reports, we demonstrated that the deletion of a cluster of acidic amino acids (aa 44 to 59) prevented wild-type trafficking of pp28 and recovery of infectious virus. A recombinant virus expressing only the first 50 aa was replication competent, and this mutant, pp28, localized to the AC in cells infected with this virus. These findings argued that localization of pp28 to the AC was essential for assembly of infectious virus and raised the possibility that amino acids in the amino terminus of pp28 have additional roles in the envelopment and assembly of the virion other than simply localizing pp28 to the AC.
Role of the Herpes Simplex Virus Helicase-Primase Complex during Adeno-Associated Virus DNA Replication
Authors: Slanina Heiko , Weger Stefan , Stow Nigel D. , Kuhrs Annette , Heilbronn Regine
Published: May 2006

A subset of DNA replication proteins of herpes simplex virus (HSV) comprising the single-strand DNA-binding protein, ICP8 (UL29), and the helicase-primase complex (UL5, UL8, and UL52 proteins) has previously been shown to be sufficient for the replication of adeno-associated virus (AAV). We recently demonstrated complex formation between ICP8, AAV Rep78, and the single-stranded DNA AAV genome, both in vitro and in the nuclear HSV replication domains of coinfected cells. In this study the functional role(s) of HSV helicase and primase during AAV DNA replication were analyzed. To differentiate between their necessity as structural components of the HSV replication complex or as active enzymes, point mutations within the helicase and primase catalytic domains were analyzed. In two complementary approaches the remaining HSV helper functions were either provided by infection with HSV mutants or by plasmid transfection. We show here that upon cotransfection of the minimal four HSV proteins (i.e., the four proteins constituting the minimal requirements for basal AAV replication), UL52 primase catalytic activity was not required for AAV DNA replication. In contrast, UL5 helicase activity was necessary for fully efficient replication. Confocal microscopy confirmed that all mutants retained the ability to support formation of ICP8-positive nuclear replication foci, to which AAV Rep78 colocalized in a manner strictly dependent on the presence of AAV single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). The data indicate that recruitment of AAV Rep78 and ssDNA to nuclear replication sites by the four HSV helper proteins is maintained in the absence of catalytic primase or helicase activities and suggest an involvement of the HSV UL5 helicase activity during AAV DNA replication.
A method to select for mutator DNA polymerase δs inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Murphy Kelly , Darmawan Hariyanto , Schultz Amy , da Silva Elizabeth Fidalgo , Reha-Krantz Linda J
Published: May 2006

Proofreading DNA polymerases share common short peptide motifs that bind Mg2+in the exonuclease active center; however, hydrolysis rates are not the same for all of the enzymes, which indicates that there are functional and likely structural differences outside of the conserved residues. Since structural information is available for only a few proofreading DNA polymerases, we developed a genetic selection method to identify mutant alleles of the POL3 gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which encode DNA polymerase δ mutants that replicate DNA with reduced fidelity. The selection procedure is based on genetic methods used to identify "mutator" DNA polymerases in bacteriophage T4. New yeast DNA polymerase δ mutants were identified, but some mutants expected from studies of the phage T4 DNA polymerase were not detected. This would indicate that there may be important differences in the proofreading pathways catalyzed by the two DNA polymerases.Key words: DNA polymerase proofreading, genetic selection for mutator mutants, fidelity of DNA replication, yeast.