bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hemochromatosis gene mutations, liver function tests and iron status in alcohol‐dependent patients admitted for detoxification
Authors: Robinson Geoffrey , Narasimhan Seshasayee , Weatherall Mark , Beasley Richard
Published: July 2006

Background:  Screening of target populations for hemochromatosis (HFE) gene allele status has been recommended. Alcoholic liver disease may be associated with iron overload and there is evidence of excessive alcohol consumption among patients with hereditary hemochromatosis. This study determined the HFE gene allele status in alcohol‐dependent patients and explored the associations between iron status, liver enzymes, and HFE status.

Methods:  A total of 151 consecutive patients admitted for alcohol detoxification were tested for HFE mutations, iron status, and liver function tests. The prevalence data were compared with those from a New Zealand population. manova was used to compare liver function tests and iron status for subjects with different HFE mutations.

Results:  Three compound heterozygotes, one homozygote for C282Y, and one homozygote for H63D were found among the 151 patients. For the remaining 146 patients, there was no difference in the distribution of heterozygote status by allele, compared to the general New Zealand population. No HFE mutation: general population 64.4%, alcohol‐dependent patients 64.4%; H63D: general population 23.6%, alcohol‐dependent patients 28.1%; C282Y: general population 11.9%, alcohol‐dependent patients 7.5% (P = 0.20). There was no relationship between liver function tests or iron status and HFE mutation status among the study group.

Conclusions:  No evidence has been found in the present that HFE allele status prevalence is different from the general population or associated with different liver function or iron status among alcohol‐dependent patients. The cause of altered iron status among alcohol‐dependent patients does not appear to be related to HFE status.
Liposomal plasmid DNA encoding human thymosin α1 and interferon ω1 potently inhibits liver tumor growth in ICR mice
Authors: Chen Pei Fu , Fu Geng Feng , Zhang Hong Ying , Xu Gen Xing , Hou Ya Yi
Published: July 2006

Aim:  To evaluate the potential therapeutic effect of liposomal gene delivery, genes encoding for human thymosin alpha1 (Tα1) and interferon ω1 were injected via the tail vein into mice bearing a Hep‐A‐22 liver tumor.

Methods:  The cDNA of human Tα1 and interferon ω1 were obtained by synthesis or reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), respectively. Eukaryotic expressing vectors pIRES2, encoding Tα1 and/or interferon ω1, were constructed and injected with liposome via the tail vein into ICR mice bearing a Hep‐A‐22 tumor. The potency of tumor inhibition was evaluated when three treated groups were compared with the group receiving the empty vector. Apoptosis of tumor cells was investigated by analyzing DNA fragmentation.

Results:  Only the group treated with dual‐gene plasmid reached an eligible level of tumor inhibition (43%). The difference in tumor weight was statistically significant between the Tα1 gene or the interferon ω1 gene treated groups and the control (P < 0.05), and highly significant between the dual‐gene treated group and the control (P < 0.01). DNA ladder was observed in the tumor cells from the purpose gene treated groups but not from the control.

Conclusion:  The dual‐gene plasmid‐liposome complex showed more potent inhibition than the single gene constructs on the growth of Hep‐A‐22 tumor cells in mice, which may be attributed to indirect and additive induction of apoptosis in tumor cells by increased expression of Tα1 and interferon ω1.
Urinary excretion of oxidative metabolites of bilirubin in subjects with Gilbert syndrome
Authors: Vítek Libor , Kráslová Ivana , Muchová Lucie , Novotný Ladislav , Yamaguchi Tokio
Published: July 2006

Background and Aim:  Bilirubin is a potent endogenous antioxidant substance. Recent data suggest a direct relationship exists between urinary excretion of biopyrrins, a novel group of bilirubin oxidative metabolites, and severity of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate urinary excretion of biopyrrins in subjects with Gilbert syndrome.

Methods:  The study included patients with Gilbert syndrome (n = 33) and healthy blood donors (n = 25). In all subjects complete biochemical tests were conducted along with analysis of urinary excretion of biopyrrins. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used for multiple adjustments of possible confounders/modifiers.

Results:  As expected, high serum bilirubin levels were found in the Gilbert syndrome group as compared to controls (27.8 ± 9.7 vs 9.9 ± 3.0 µmol/L, P < 0.001). In contrast, urinary levels of biopyrrins were substantially lower in the Gilbert syndrome group as compared to normobilirubinemic control subjects (19.9 ± 26.0 vs 90.2 ± 139.1 U/g urinary creatinine, P < 0.001). The Gilbert syndrome group also had very low prevalence odds ratios for urinary biopyrrins above the median of the control values even after adjustment for possibly confounding factors (odds ratio 0.18, 95% confidence interval 0.33–0.94; P = 0.042).

Conclusions:  An inverse relationship was demonstrated between serum bilirubin level and urinary excretion of biopyrrins, which is presumably due to antioxidative effects of elevated serum bilirubin levels in Gilbert syndrome.
Assessment of esophageal motor function using combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and manometry in healthy volunteers: A single‐center study in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Chien‐Lin , Yi Chih‐Hsun
Published: July 2006

Background:  Combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and manometry (MII‐EM) allow simultaneous measurement of both pressure and bolus transit. The aim of this study was to establish normative data in Chinese subjects for combined MII‐EM and to correlate liquid and viscous bolus transit by impedance with esophageal contractions by manometry.

Methods:  Eighteen normal volunteers (six women and 12 men; mean age 24 years, range 19–36 years) underwent combined MII‐EM with a catheter containing four impedance‐measuring segments and five solid‐state pressure transducers. Each subject received 10 liquid and 10 viscous material swallows of 5 mL each. Tracings were analyzed for bolus presence time, total bolus transit time, contraction amplitude, duration, and onset velocity.

Results:  A total of 180 liquid and viscous swallow responses were analyzed. In all, 98.4% percent of manometrically normal liquid and 97.7% of manometrically normal viscous swallows had complete bolus transit by impedance. More than half (56.3%) of manometrically ineffective liquid and 50% of ineffective viscous swallows had complete bolus transit. Nearly 90% of normal individuals had at least 70% complete liquid bolus transit while more than 90% of normal individuals had at least 70% complete viscous bolus transit.

Conclusions:  This study establishes normative data for combined MII‐EM in a healthy Chinese population. These data will help provide impedance application in esophageal function testing with a reference range that could be utilized by future studies or clinical practices involving Chinese subjects.
Exercise myocardial perfusion stress testing in children with Kawasaki disease
Authors: Lim Chee Wen Terence , Ho Kheng Thye , Quek Swee Chye
Published: July 2006

Aim:  Kawasaki disease is the commonest cause of acquired coronary artery disease in children. Although echocardiography and treadmill stress testing have been the traditional methods of assessing coronary artery abnormalities and detecting myocardial ischaemia, respectively, these are inadequate for assessing perfusion and performance. We studied the safety and utility of exercise myocardial perfusion stress testing in children with previous Kawasaki disease.

Methods:  Eleven subjects (median age 12 years; seven male and four female adolescents) with a history of childhood Kawasaki disease underwent 99mTechnetium‐Tetrofosmin myocardial perfusion scan using a modified protocol. All had New York Heart Association effort tolerance class 1 and were asymptomatic at time of testing. Eight of 11 subjects had been treated with intravenous immunoglobulin during the acute phase. Six of 11 subjects had transient coronary artery dilatation. One subject with persistently dilated coronary arteries suffered an acute myocardial infarction 6 months after onset of Kawasaki disease but recovered well. Results were compared with clinical and echocardiographic findings.

Results:  All subjects were able to complete the exercise test. There were no side effects associated with radioisotope injection. Ten of 11 patients, including the one who suffered a myocardial infarction had normal tests. The single subject with an abnormal scan showed a minimal (2%) fixed defect in the left ventricular wall.

Conclusion:  Exercise myocardial perfusion stress is a safe and useful method for the assessment of myocardial perfusion in co‐operative children with a history of Kawasaki disease and is a useful addition to conventional methods for coronary risk stratification in such patients.
Sudden infant death syndrome and unascertainable deaths: Trends and disparities among Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal infants born in Western Australia from 1980 to 2001 inclusive
Authors: Freemantle C Jane , Read Anne W , De Klerk Nicholas H , McAullay Daniel , Anderson Ian P , Stanley Fiona J
Published: July 2006

Aim:  To analyse patterns and trends in mortality from unknown causes (sudden infant death syndrome and unascertainable deaths) for all Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal infants born in Western Australia, 1980–2001.

Methods:  Using total population linked data, we reviewed all post‐mortem reports, including death scene investigations and final causes of death as ascertained by the coroner. Neonatal, post‐neonatal and infant mortality rates attributed to unknown causes were calculated and the latter were analysed according to maternal age, geographical location, gestational age, sex and birthweight. Relative risks (95% confidence interval) for Aboriginal infants (compared with non‐Aboriginal) were calculated.

Results:  The proportion of deaths considered to be of unascertainable cause has significantly increased in recent years. In contrast to the non‐Aboriginal population, there has been no significant decrease in deaths in the Aboriginal population and the overall relative risk for Aboriginal infants for the most recent years studied was 7.9 (95% confidence interval 5.1–12.2). The relative risk was significantly increased for most categories analysed.

Conclusion:  Reviewing post‐mortem reports enabled identification of changes in the classification of deaths due to unknown causes. This provided a more accurate picture of the patterns and long‐term trends of such deaths so that programmes can be developed to specifically target those groups most at risk. Adequately funded and evaluated education campaigns aimed at reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome among Aboriginal infants are required, as well as sustaining the current efforts that have been so successful for non‐Aboriginal infants.
Risk factors for reduced lung function in Australian Aboriginal children
Authors: Bucens Ingrid K , Reid Alison , Sayers Susan M
Published: July 2006

Aim:  To determine the influence of perinatal and childhood exposures on lung function in a cohort of Australian Aboriginal children.

Methods:  This was a cross‐sectional study of 547 Northern Territory Aboriginal children, aged 8–14 years, belonging to a birth cohort. Assessment included physical examination and spirometry as well as retrospective review of centralised hospital records. The effect of select perinatal and childhood exposures on lung function outcomes (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75 s (FEF25–75)) adjusted for age, sex, height and other measures of size was examined using multiple regression.

Results:  Non‐urban residence (FEV1 −5% (95% confidence interval, CI 0.91–0.99), FVC −9% (95% CI 0.87–0.95)), current cough (FEV1 −6% (95% CI 0.91–0.97), FVC −4% (95% CI 0.93–0.97), FEF25–75 −8% (95% CI 0.86–0.98)) and hospitalisations for respiratory disease (FEV1 −10% (95% CI 0.86–0.95), FEF25–75 −12% (95% CI 0.70–0.87)) all had significant negative effects on adjusted lung function measures. Children with a non‐Aboriginal ancestor had significantly better lung function. No perinatal exposure other than neonatal lung disease had any significant effect on adjusted lung function.

Conclusions:  For Northern Territory Aboriginal children factors related to the childhood environment are more important than perinatal factors in determining childhood lung function.
On autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia (ADCA) other than polyglutamine diseases, with special reference to chromosome 16q22.1‐linked ADCA
Authors: Ishikawa Kinya , Mizusawa Hidehiro
Published: July 2006

Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia (ADCA) is a group of heterogeneous conditions. More than 20 genes or gene loci have been identified that are responsible for ADCA. Although expansions of the trinucleotide (CAG) repeat that encode polyglutamine are known to cause some forms of ADCA, growing knowledge about the genetic basis of ADCA indicates that many subtypes of ADCA are caused by mutations other than the CAG repeat/polyglutamine expansion. In this paper, we review ADCA caused by mutations other than polyglutamine expansions (i.e. “non‐polyglutamine diseases”). We also describe the neuropathology of chromosome 16q22.1‐linked ADCA, which appears to be the most common non‐polyglutamine disease in Japan. What we find to be characteristic on the chromosome 16q22.1‐linked ADCA brain is the presence of atrophic Purkinje cells surrounded by the formation of amorphous material, the latter composed of the Purkinje cell dendrites stemming from the cell bodies, the presynaptic terminals innervated by certain neurons, and the astroglial processes. Such neuropathological findings seem to be unique for this disease.
Examination of the type material of Synedra rumpens	=Fragilaria rumpens, Bacillariophyceae
Authors: Tuji Akihiro , Williams David M.
Published: July 2006

Fragilaria rumpens (Kütz.) G. W. F. Carlson is assumed to be a cosmopolitan species, and is often reported from ponds and lakes. Nevertheless, this species is similar to both Fragilaria capucina Desm. and Fragilaria vaucheriae (Kütz.) J. B. Petersen and, as a consequence, the taxonomy of all three species has been confusing. In an attempt to solve the taxonomic problems within this group, we have examined the type material of Synedra rumpens and discuss the differences between it and some of those species said to be similar.
New records of marine benthic algae from the Lagon Sud‐Ouest of New Caledonia, South Pacific
Authors: Millar Alan J. K. , Payri Claude E.
Published: July 2006

As part of an ongoing project to substantially increase knowledge of the marine algal flora of the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, a survey of the Nouméa region was conducted that has resulted in the discovery of 41 previously unrecorded species of macroalgae, including 1 Chlorophyta, 1 Phaeophyceae (Heterokontophyta) and 39 Rhodophyta. Among the biogeographically interesting new records are the green macroalgaRhipilia penicilloidesN’Yeurt et Keats (previously endemic to the islands of Fiji some 1000 km east of new Caledonia) and the brown algaCutleria mollisAllender et Kraft (originally described from Lord Howe Island some 1000 km to the south). The red algaGloiophloea articulataWeber‐van Bosse, known only from its initial discovery in 1928 from the Mascarene Islands in the western Indian Ocean, is now recorded in the deep‐water channels of the Nouméa region of New Caledonia. The widely distributed Indian Ocean speciesCorynomorpha prismatica(J. Agardh) J. Agardh has its easternmost distribution record from this area, andDotyella hawaiiensis(Doty et Wainwright) Womersley et Shepley is recorded for the first time outside its central‐Pacific distribution. These new discoveries represent a 12% increase in the total number of species (377) that are reliably known from New Caledonia.
Gene flow of the canker pathogen Botryosphaeria australis between Eucalyptus globulus plantations and native eucalypt forests in Western Australia
Authors: BURGESS TREENA I. , SAKALIDIS MONIQUE L. , HARDY GILES E. STJ.
Published: July 2006

Abstract  The eucalypt plantation industry in Western Australia provides a unique opportunity to study the movement of pathogens between closely related host taxa. Eucalyptus globulus, a native to Tasmania and south‐eastern Australia, is the predominant species in Western Australian plantations, often being planted adjacent to native forest containing Eucalyptus marginata and Eucalyptus diversicolor. Since the commencement of the plantation industry 20 years ago, several fungal species, previously known only to eastern Australia or overseas, have been reported on E. globulus in Western Australia. Botryosphaeria australis is a newly described species, recently found causing cankers on Acacia spp. in eastern Australia. However, during a routine survey, B. australis was found to be the predominant species associated with E. globulus plantations and native Eucalyptus spp. in Western Australia. In this study, six short simple repeat markers were used to evaluate genetic diversity and gene flow between collections of B. australis from native eucalypt forest and E. globulus plantations at two locations in south‐western Australia. In both cases, there was no restriction to gene flow between the plantations and the adjacent native forest. Botryosphaeria australis has now been isolated from a wide range of hosts across south‐western Australia and was not isolated from E. globulus in Tasmania or South Australia. This extensive distribution and host range suggests B. australis is native to Western Australia. This study demonstrates the ability of a pathogen to move between plantation and forests.
Astroglia up‐regulate transcription and secretion of ‘readthrough’ acetylcholinesterase following oxidative stress
Authors: Bond C. E. , Patel P. , Crouch L. , Tetlow N. , Day T. , Abu‐Hayyeh S. , Williamson C. , Greenfield S. A.
Published: July 2006

Novel and diverse functions of glial cells are currently the focus of much attention [A. Volterra and J. Meldolesi (2005)Nature Rev. 6, 626–640]. Here we present evidence that rat astroglia release acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as part of their response to hypoxic damage. Exposure of astroglia to tert‐butyl hydroperoxide, and hence oxidative stress, subsequently leads to a switching in mRNA from the classical membrane‐bound T‐AChE to a preferential increase in the splice variant for a soluble form, R‐AChE, This change in expression is reflected in increased perinuclear and reduced cytoplasmic AChE staining of the insulted glial cells, with a concomitant and marked increase in extracellular secretion that peaks at 1 h post‐treatment. An analogous increase in R‐AChE, over a similar time scale, occurs in response to psychological stress [D. Kaufer et al. (1998)Nature 93, 373–377], as well as to head injury and stroke [E. Shohami et al. (1999)J. Neurotrauma 6, 365–76]. The data presented here suggest that glial cells may be key chemical intermediaries in such situations and, perhaps more generally in pathological conditions involving oxidative stress, such as neurodegeneration.
Biogeography of the marine actinomycete Salinispora
Authors: Jensen Paul R. , Mafnas Chrisy
Published: July 2006

Marine actinomycetes belonging to the genus Salinispora were cultured from marine sediments collected at six geographically distinct locations. Detailed phylogenetic analyses of both 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequences reveal that this genus is comprised of three distinct but closely related clades corresponding to the species Salinispora tropica, Salinispora arenicola and a third species for which the name ‘Salinispora pacifica’ is proposed. Salinispora arenicola was cultured from all locations sampled and provides clear evidence for the cosmopolitan distribution of an individual bacterial species. The co‐occurrence of S. arenicola with S. tropica and S. pacifica suggests that ecological differentiation as opposed to geographical isolation is driving speciation within the genus. All Salinispora strains cultured to date share greater than 99% 16S rRNA gene sequence identity and thus comprise what has been described as a microdiverse ribotype cluster. The description of this cluster as a new genus, containing multiple species, provides clear evidence that fine‐scale 16S rDNA sequence analysis can be used to delineate among closely related species and that more conservative operational taxonomic unit values may significantly underestimate global species diversity.
An overview of obesity‐specific quality of life questionnaires
Authors: Duval K. , Marceau P. , Pérusse L. , Lacasse Y.
Published: July 2006

The measurement of quality of life in patients with obesity is useful to evaluate the effects of treatment (including bariatric surgery) and may influence the development of clinical pathways, service provision, healthcare expenditures and public health policy. Consequently, clinicians, researchers and policy makers must rely on valid measurement instruments. We reviewed 11 obesity‐specific quality of life questionnaires and classified them according to their domain of interest and described their measurement properties (specifications, validity, reliability, responsiveness and interpretability). We found that (i) nine questionnaires were developed specifically to be used as evaluative instruments in clinical trials; (ii) only three targeted populations with morbid obesity (body mass index > 40 kg m−2); (iii) construct validity was properly studied in three questionnaires; (iv) demonstration of responsiveness from independent randomized controlled trials was available for two of the 11 questionnaires; (v) keys to interpretation of scores were provided for three questionnaires. Future research should include further validation and a better definition of the interpretability of existing instruments.
Improving the accuracy of estimated blood loss at obstetric haemorrhage using clinical reconstructions
Authors: Bose P , Regan F , Paterson‐Brown S
Published: July 2006

Objectives  Following the results of the Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths report, which claims two maternal deaths annually in the UK from postpartum haemorrhage, our aim was to assess the accuracy of ‘visual estimation of blood loss’ and produce suitable pictorial and written algorithms to aid in the recognition and management of massive obstetric haemorrhage.

Design  Observational study to determine discrepancy between actual blood loss (ABL) and estimated blood loss (EBL).

Setting  Teaching hospital.

Population  Hundred and three obstetricians, anaesthetists, midwives, nurses and healthcare assistants.

Methods  Clinical scenarios were reproduced in the form of 12 Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) style stations augmented with known volumes of whole blood. Individual staff estimated the blood loss visually and recorded their results. Digital photographs were used to produce a pictorial ‘algorithm’ suitable for use as a teaching tool in labour ward.

Main outcome measures  Areas of greatest discrepancy between EBL and ABL.

Results  Significant underestimation of the ABL occurred in 5 of the 12 OSCE stations: 500‐ml (50‐cm diameter) floor spill, 1000‐ml (75‐cm diameter) floor spill, 1500‐ml (100‐cm diameter) floor spill, 350‐ml capacity of soaked 45‐ × 45‐cm large swab and the 2‐l vaginal postpartum haemorrhage on bed/floor.

Conclusions  Accurate visual estimation of blood loss is known to facilitate timely resuscitation, minimising the risk of disseminated intravascular coagulation and reducing the severity of haemorrhagic shock. Participation in clinical reconstructions may encourage early diagnosis and prompt treatment of postpartum haemorrhage. Written and pictorial guidelines may help all staff working in labour wards.
Six new microsatellite markers for the toxic marine dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense
Authors: ALPERMANN TILMAN J. , JOHN UW E. , MEDLIN LINDA K. , EDWARDS KEITH J. , HAYES PAUL K. , EVANS KATHARINE M.
Published: July 2006

We report the characterization of six new microsatellite loci for the toxic marine dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense (North American ribotype), using 56 isolates from a range of locations. The numbers of alleles per locus ranged from five to nine and gene diversities ranged from 0.041 to 0.722. We tested primers for these six loci on other A. tamarense ribotypes and on other Alexandrium species; the results suggest that the primers are specific to A. tamarense isolates belonging to the North American ribotype.
Ten polymorphic microsatellite markers for Scaphoideus titanus, the vector of flavescence dorée phytoplasma
Authors: PAPURA D. , GIRESSE X. , CARON H. , DELMOTTE F. , VAN HELDEN M.
Published: July 2006

The leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus is a vector of flavescence dorée phytoplasma, the causal agent of the most important grapevine yellow disease in European vineyards. Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed from a genomic library enriched for AC and AG repeats. Levels of polymorphism were evaluated in 106 individuals from S. titanus European and American populations. An average of 16 alleles per locus was detected and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.141 to 0.813. Cross‐species amplification was successful in four other Cicadellidae species. These 10 microsatellites are valuable markers for population genetic and phylogeographical studies of S. titanus.
Characterization of 13 microsatellite marker loci in Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi)
Authors: RAKOTOARISOA GILBERT , SHORE GARY E. , MCGUIRE SUSIE M. , ENGBERG SHANNON E. , EDWARD E. LOUIS JR , BRENNEMAN RICK A.
Published: July 2006

The Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) is one of the species of Propithecus, living in the dry forest of southwest Madagascar. This species is endangered due to the loss and fragmentation of its natural habitat, a consequence of deforestation. Thirteen novel nuclear microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in three populations of Verreaux's sifaka. The marker suite proved informative with an average of 8.9 alleles per locus and observed heterozygosity across the three populations of 0.675.
Characterization of nine microsatellite loci in impala (Aepyceros melampus)
Authors: HUEBINGER RYAN M. , DE MAAR THOMAS W. J. , WOODRUFF LAURENCE H. , POMP DANIEL , LOUIS EDWARD E.
Published: July 2006

Nine microsatellite loci were isolated from a genomic DNA library created from impala (Aepyceros melampus). Observed and expected levels of heterozygosity were computed utilizing 25 individuals from a population in central Kenya. Tests for Hardy–Weinberg equilibria were conducted and found that three of the nine loci deviated from equilibrium in this population. These markers were developed to analyse the genetic effects of culling and isolation on a game preserve in Kenya.
Health Care Markets, the Safety Net, and Utilization of Care among the Uninsured
Authors: Gresenz Carole Roan , Rogowski Jeannette , Escarce José J.
Published: July 2006

Objective. To quantify the relationship between utilization of care among the uninsured and the structure of the local health care market and safety net.

Data Sources/Study Setting. Nationally representative data from the 1996 to 2000 waves of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) linked to data from multiple secondary sources.

Study Design. We separately analyze outpatient care utilization and whether an individual incurred any medical expenditure among uninsured adults living in urban and rural areas. Safety net measures include distances between each individual and the nearest safety net providers as well as a measure of capacity based on local government and hospital health expenditures. Other covariates include the managed care presence in the local health care market, the percentage of individuals who are uninsured in the area, and local primary care physician supply. We simulate utilization using standardized predictions.

Principal Findings. Distances between the rural uninsured and safety net providers are significantly associated with utilization. In urban areas, we find that the percentage of individuals in the area who are uninsured, the pervasiveness and competitiveness of managed care, the primary care physician supply, and safety net capacity have a significant relationship with health care utilization.

Conclusions. Facilitating transport to safety net providers and increasing the number of such providers are likely to increase utilization of care among the rural uninsured. Our findings for urban areas suggest that the uninsured living in areas where managed care presence is substantial, and especially where managed care competition is limited, could be a target for policies to improve the ability of the uninsured to obtain care. Policies oriented toward enhancing funding for the safety net and increasing the capacity of safety net providers are likely to be important to ensuring the urban uninsured are able to obtain health care.
Guidelines for Systematic Review in Conservation and Environmental Management
Authors: PULLIN ANDREW S. , STEWART GAVIN B.
Published: July 2006

Abstract:  An increasing number of applied disciplines are utilizing evidence‐based frameworks to review and disseminate the effectiveness of management and policy interventions. The rationale is that increased accessibility of the best available evidence will provide a more efficient and less biased platform for decision making. We argue that there are significant benefits for conservation in using such a framework, but the scientific community needs to undertake and disseminate more systematic reviews before the full benefit can be realized. We devised a set of guidelines for undertaking formalized systematic review, based on a health services model. The guideline stages include planning and conducting a review, including protocol formation, search strategy, data inclusion, data extraction, and analysis. Review dissemination is addressed in terms of current developments and future plans for a Web‐based open‐access library. By the use of case studies we highlight critical modifications to guidelines for protocol formulation, data‐quality assessment, data extraction, and data synthesis for conservation and environmental management. Ecological data presented significant but soluble challenges for the systematic review process, particularly in terms of the quantity, accessibility, and diverse quality of available data. In the field of conservation and environmental management there needs to be further engagement of scientists and practitioners to develop and take ownership of an evidence‐based framework.
A Comparison of Landscapes Occupied by Increasing and Decreasing Populations of Grassland Birds
Authors: VEECH JOSEPH A.
Published: July 2006

Abstract: For several decades, many grassland bird species have been declining in abundance throughout the Midwest and Great Plains regions of the United States, possibly due to loss of natural grassland habitat and increasing urbanization. I used 20 years of data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey to identify increasing, decreasing, and stable populations of 36 grassland‐nesting bird species. I characterized the immediate landscape (circle with radius = 30 km) surrounding each population based on data from the National Resources Inventory. For each landscape, I calculated the proportion of eight different land‐cover types: restored grassland, rangeland, cultivated cropland, pasture, noncultivated cropland, forest, urban land, and water. Using a null model, I compared landscape composition of increasing, decreasing, and stable populations. As predicted on the basis of the habitat preferences of grassland birds, increasing populations inhabited landscapes that contained significantly more restored grassland and rangeland but significantly less forest land and urban land than landscapes inhabited by decreasing populations. There was no significant difference in the proportion of cropland within the landscapes of increasing and decreasing populations, although cropland composed a large proportion (>30%) of many landscapes. In contrast, restored grassland typically composed a very small proportion (<3.5%) of total land cover, yet it was significantly more common in the landscapes of increasing than decreasing populations. These results suggest that grassland birds may benefit from government initiatives, such as the Conservation Reserve Program, that promote the restoration of grassland at a landscape scale.
Levetiracetam Intravenous Infusion: A Randomized, Placebo‐controlled Safety and Pharmacokinetic Study
Authors: Ramael Steven , Daoust Agnès , Otoul Christian , Toublanc Nathalie , Troenaru Mona , Lu Zhihong (Sarah) , Stockis Armel
Published: July 2006

Summary:  Purpose: The primary objective of this placebo‐controlled study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of levetiracetam (LEV) administered intravenously (IV) at higher doses and/or at a faster infusion rate than proposed. The secondary objective was to assess LEV pharmacokinetics.

Methods: Single ascending doses of LEV administered by IV infusion (2,000, 3,000, 4,000 mg over 15 min; 1,500, 2,000, 2,500 mg over 5 min) were evaluated in 48 healthy subjects in a randomized, single‐blind, placebo‐controlled study.

Results: All randomized subjects completed the study. Adverse events reported after IV administration of LEV (≤4,000 mg infused over 15 min and ≤2,500 mg infused over 5 min) were primarily related to the CNS (dizziness, 52.8%; somnolence, 33.3%; fatigue, 11.1%; headache, 8.3%) and were consistent with the established safety profile for the oral formulation. Safety profiles were similar for each dose level of LEV and for both IV infusion rates, with no clear relation noted between incidence of adverse events and IV dose level or infusion rate. The pharmacokinetics of LEV administered by IV infusion was comparable across all dose groups and infusion rates. Respective geometric means (coefficient of variation) for 4,000 mg administered over 15 min and 2,500 mg infused over 5 min were maximum plasma concentration, 145 (24.6%) and 94.3 (36.2%) μg/ml; area under the plasma concentration–time curve, 1,239 (19.2%) and 585 (9.6%) μg/h/ml; terminal half‐life, 8.0 (14.5%) and 7.0 (12.7%) h.

Conclusions: LEV administered by IV infusion at dosages and/or infusion rates higher than those proposed was well tolerated in healthy subjects, and the pharmacokinetic profile was consistent with that for LEV administered orally.
Sleep Disturbances Reported by Refractory Partial‐onset Epilepsy Patients Receiving Polytherapy
Authors: Xu Xiao , Brandenburg Nancy A. , McDermott Anne M. , Bazil Carl W.
Published: July 2006

Summary:  Purpose: Although sleep disturbances are common in epilepsy, few studies examined the prevalence and impact of sleep disturbance in epilepsy patients. This study investigates these in a cross‐sectional survey.

Methods: We surveyed 201 adult partial‐onset epilepsy patients taking stable regimens of two or more antiepileptic medications. Community‐based U.S. neurologists recorded patient demographic and clinical information. Patients completed the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Sleep Scale, the Quality of Life in Epilepsy‐10 instrument (QOLIE‐10), and the EuroQol‐5D (EQ‐5D). We evaluated the associations of sleep with health‐related quality of life and clinical and demographic characteristics by using correlation coefficients and analysis of variance.

Results: Mean (SD) age was 44.2 (12.5); 34% of patients had diagnosed sleep disturbances; 10% received prescription sleep medications. Patients with sleep disturbance reported poorer mean QOLIE‐10 (55.2 vs. 63.7; p = 0.006) and EQ‐5D (0.49 vs. 0.71; p < 0.001) scores relative to those without sleep disturbances. The mean (SD) MOS Sleep Problems Index score was 36.2 (20.8), worse than the general population mean of 26. Patients with physician‐reported anxiety or depression had more sleep problems than did those without these comorbidities. Higher Sleep Problems Index scores were significantly (p < 0.001) correlated with poorer QOLIE‐10 (r=–0.49) and EQ‐5D (r=–0.56) scores. Patients experiencing a seizure within the past week reported higher MOS Sleep Problems Index scores than did those with a less‐recent seizure (41.5 vs. 32.8; p = 0.003).

Conclusions: Diagnosed and self‐reported sleep disturbances in patients with partial‐onset epilepsy are frequently overlooked, but are negatively associated with everyday functioning and well‐being, and therefore contribute significantly to the burden of epilepsy.
Mergers with Product Market Risk
Authors: Banal‐Estañol Albert , Ottaviani Marco
Published: July 2006

This paper studies the causes and the consequences of horizontal mergers among risk‐averse firms. The amount of diversification depends on the allocation of shares among the merging firms, with a direct risk‐sharing effect and an indirect strategic effect. If firms compete in quantities, consolidation makes firms more aggressive. Mergers involving few firms are then profitable with a relatively low level of risk aversion. With strong enough risk aversion, mergers reduce prices and improve social welfare. If firms instead compete in prices, consumers do not benefit from mergers in markets with demand uncertainty, but can easily benefit with cost uncertainty.
A Drink to Healthy Aging: The Association Between Older Women's Use of Alcohol and Their Health‐Related Quality of Life
Authors: Byles Julie , Young Anne , Furuya Hiroyuki , Parkinson Lynne
Published: July 2006

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between alcohol intake and mortality in a cohort of women aged 70 and older and to explore the relationship between level of alcohol use and changes in physical and mental health‐related quality of life.

DESIGN: National longitudinal surveys from 1996 to 2002.

SETTING: Community based.

PARTICIPANTS: A national random sample of 12,432 Australian women aged 70 to 75 at baseline.

MEASUREMENTS: Alcohol consumption was the factor of interest, and the main outcome measures were survival and health‐related quality of life, with adjustment for potential confounders.

RESULTS: Women who did not consume alcohol or who drank rarely were more likely to die (nondrinkers' hazard (HR)=ratio 1.94, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.4–2.6; rare drinkers' HR=1.58, 95% CI=1.2–2.1) than women in the low‐intake reference category (1–2 drinks per day, 3–6 days per week), or if they survived, they had lower health‐related quality‐of‐life scores on the General Health and Physical Functioning subscales of the Medical Outcomes Study 36‐item Short Form Survey after adjustment for smoking, comorbidity, education, body mass index, and area of residence. Nondrinkers also scored lower on the Mental Health and Social Functioning subscales.

CONCLUSION: Being a nondrinker of alcohol was associated with greater risk of death and poorer health‐related quality of life. Results for other levels of intake were consistent with current Australian alcohol consumption recommendations for women and indicated that moderate alcohol intake may carry some health benefits for older women in terms of survival and quality of life.
Impact of Information Technology Integration and Lean/Just‐In‐Time Practices on Lead‐Time Performance*
Authors: Ward Peter , Zhou Honggeng
Published: July 2006

Managers seeking to improve lead‐time performance are challenged by how to balance resources and investments between process improvement achieved through lean/just‐in‐time (JIT) practices and information technology (IT) deployment. However, extant literature provides little guidance on this question. Motivated by both practical importance and lack of academic research, this article examines empirically the relationships among interfirm IT integration, intrafirm IT integration, lean/JIT practices, and lead‐time performance using data from IndustryWeek's Census of Manufacturers (IndustryWeek, 2006). The results provide several new insights on the relationship between IT integration and lean/JIT practices. First, the study confirms that implementing lean/JIT practices significantly reduces lead time. Second, lean/JIT practices mediate the influence of IT integration on lead‐time performance. This suggests that process improvements that result from lean/JIT practices are important contributors to the success of IT integration. Even companies that have experienced success in reducing lead time through lean/JIT practices may benefit from IT integration practices such as those embodied in enterprise resource planning systems. The findings provide managers with empirical evidence and a theoretical framework on the balance between lean/JIT and IT for effecting improvement in lead‐time performance, thus offering practical guidance on this important question. Future research is needed to extend the lean/JIT practices in this study to supply chain practices and explore the relationship between supply chain practices and IT integration.
Recursive Behavior of Safety Stock Reduction: The Effect of Lead‐Time Uncertainty
Authors: Wang Ping , Hill James A.
Published: July 2006

Motivated by a recent paper on the effect of lead‐time variability reduction on safety stocks, we provide evidence of the recursive nature of safety stock changes. When lead times follow a gamma distribution we demonstrate that, for cycle service levels between .60 and .70, the reduction of lead‐time variability will first increase safety stock and then either recursively decrease safety stock or make it remain constant. We also numerically show the existence of the recursive effect. A two‐by‐two matrix is introduced to assist managers in making decisions regarding safety stock policy.
Preadult onset vs. adult onset of major depressive disorder: a replication study
Authors: Zisook S. , Rush A. J. , Lesser I. , Wisniewski S. R. , Trivedi M. , Husain M. M. , Balasubramani G. K. , Alpert J. E. , Fava M.
Published: July 2006

Objective:  In the first 1500 participants with major depressive disorder (MDD) that entered the sequenced treatment alternatives to relieve depression (STAR*D) study, those with preadult onset MDD were more likely to be women and to have a more chronic, severe and disabling form of depression than those with adult onset MDD. This study seeks to replicate these findings.

Method:  The second wave of STAR*D enrollees included 2541 out‐patients with MDD, divided into preadult (before age 18) and adult (age 18 or later) onset groups.

Results:  Participants with a preadult onset of MDD (38%) were younger, ill for longer and more likely to be women than those with adult onset MDD (62%). After adjusting for age, duration of illness and gender, participants with preadult onset MDD also had higher rates of family history of depression, more past suicide attempts, and lower rates of obsessive compulsive and panic disorder.

Conclusion:  Preadult onset MDD may be associated with a more familial form of depression with more suicidality than adult onset MDD.
Synergistic effects of verapamil on pingyangmycin‐induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in KB cells
Authors: Ho Y‐C , Tai K‐W , Chang Y‐C
Published: July 2006

Objectives: Previous studies have shown that pingyangmycin (PYM; bleomycin A5) can induce two distinct modes of cell death (necrosis, apoptosis). At high concentrations, PYM can be considered as an apoptosis mimetic drug. In this study, we explored the possibility that the membrane‐modifying agent verapamil might affect the transport function of PYM through the plasma membrane, resulting in inducing apoptosis of tumor cells at low concentration of PYM.

Methods: Cytotoxicity, flow cytometry and DNA fragmentation assays were used to detect the interaction of verapamil and PYM in human oral carcinoma cell line KB cells.

Results: Our results indicated that verapamil can enhance the cytotoxicity of PYM against KB cells with the non‐toxic doses (P < 0.05). The cell viability at a concentration of 500 μg ml−1of PYM was 35 ± 2% compared with control and 10 μg ml−1verapamil decreased the cell viability lower to 28 ± 1%. In addition, because of the synergistic effect of verapamil, KB cells apoptosis was found to be induced when treated with a lower concentration of PYM (50 μg ml−1) for 24 h by flow cytometry and DNA fragmentation assays.

Conclusions: Verapamil was found to enhance PYM‐induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in KB cells. The responsiveness of PYM might be explained by the effective accumulation of PYM by verapamil in KB cells mediated by the inhibition of PYM efflux function of the cells.
The effect of topical doxycycline usage on gingival crevicular fluid MMP‐8 levels of chronic and aggressive periodontitis patients: a pilot study
Authors: Ağan Ş , Sönmez Ş , Serdar M
Published: July 2006

Abstract:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of topical subgingival application of doxycycline hyclate (DH) gel adjunctive to non‐surgical periodontal therapy on gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐8 levels in chronic and aggressive periodontitis patients. Forty teeth of 10 chronic periodontitis patients and 32 teeth of eight aggressive periodontitis patients were screened for 6 months. Scaling and root planing (SRP) was applied to the control sites and DH gel adjunctive to SRP was applied to the test sites of each patient simultaneously. GCF MMP‐8 levels were analysed at baseline, 7 days; and at 1, 3 and 6 months by Sandwich Elisa Method. At 1, 3 and 6 months, probing depth (P < 0.0051) and plaque scores and bleeding on probing values (P = 0.000) significantly decreased in each group when compared with the baseline, but there was no statistically significant difference between the test and control sites. GCF MMP‐8 levels reduced presenting statistically significant differences on 7 days, 1, 3 and 6 months in four of the groups (P < 0.05); however, intergroup differences were not statistically significant. Developing functional and immunological‐based chair‐side MMP tests might serve as useful adjunctive diagnostic tools when monitoring the effects of DH gel application.
Theoretical and practical considerations for the development of online international collaborative learning for dental hygiene students
Authors: Gussy MG , Knevel RJM , Sigurdson V , Karlberg G
Published: July 2006

Abstract:  Globalization and concurrent development in computer and communication technology has increased interest in collaborative online teaching and learning for students in higher education institutions. Many institutions and teachers have introduced computer‐supported programmes in areas including dental hygiene. The potential for the use of this technology is exciting; however, its introduction should be careful and considered. We suggest that educators wanting to introduce computer‐supported programmes make explicit their pedagogical principles and then select technologies that support and exploit these principles. This paper describes this process as it was applied to the development of an international web‐based collaborative learning programme for dental hygiene students.
Angioma serpiginosum following the lines of Blaschko – an effective treatment with the IPL technology
Authors: Poenitz Nina , Koenen Wolfgang , Utikal Jochen , Goerdt Sergij
Published: July 2006

Angioma serpiginosum, first described by Hutchinson in 1889, is a rare benign vascular nevus with dilatation and proliferation of the capillaries in the upper dermis. A 15‐year‐old boy presented with an angioma serpiginosum on the right side of the body following the lines of Blaschko. Both the clinical pattern and the appearance in a male are unusual.Treatment with IPL technology (intense pulsed light), which emits polychromatic light from a high‐intensity flashlamp, proved to be an effective approach.