bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategies for mitigating an influenza pandemic with pre-pandemic H5N1 vaccines
Authors: Milne George , Kelso Joel , Kelly Heath
Published: September 2009

The recent worldwide spread of the swine-origin H1N1 2009 influenza outbreak has resulted in its designation as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. While it appears to result in mild symptoms, concern still exists that a more severe influenza pandemic with a high case fatality ratio might arise by reassortment or mutation of the currently circulating avian influenza (H5N1) virus. Given that recently developed candidate pre-pandemic H5N1 vaccines have shown potential for cross-strain protection, we investigated alternative vaccination strategies that exploit such vaccines using an agent-based simulation model of an actual community of approximately 30 000 people in a developed country. Assuming that a two-dose vaccination regimen would be required, we examined three vaccination strategies: pre-emptive, with vaccination applied prior to emergence of human-transmissible H5N1 influenza; reactive, where vaccination was initiated immediately after the first cases in the community were diagnosed; and a ‘split’ strategy where the first dose was administered pre-emptively during the pre-pandemic phase, with the second dose administered reactively. We showed that by effectively moving the delay between first and second doses into the pre-pandemic period, the split vaccination strategy achieved a substantially better attack rate reduction than the reactive strategy. Our results for an influenza strain with a reproduction number of 1.5 suggest reactive vaccination strategies that may be applicable to the current H1N1 2009 pandemic.
Validation of a Method for Estimating Long‐Term Exposures Based on Short‐Term Measurements
Authors: Wallace Lance , Williams Ronald
Published: September 2009

A method for estimating long‐term exposures from short‐term measurements is validated using data from a recent EPA study of exposure to fine particles. The method was developed a decade ago but long‐term exposure data to validate it did not exist until recently. In this article, exposure data from repeated visits to 37 persons over 1 year (up to 28 measurements per person) are used to test the model. Both fine particle mass and elemental concentrations measured indoors, outdoors, and on the person are examined. To provide the most stringent test of the method, only two single‐day distributions are randomly selected for each element to predict the long‐term distributions. The precision of the method in estimating the long‐term geometric mean and geometric standard deviation appears to be of the order of 10%, with no apparent bias. The precision in estimating the 99th percentile ranges from 19% to 48%, again without obvious bias. The precision can be improved by selecting a number of pairs of single‐day distributions instead of just one pair. Occasionally, the method fails to provide an estimate for the long‐term distribution. In that case, a repeat of the random selection procedure can provide an estimate. Although the method assumes a log‐normal distribution, most of the distributions tested failed the chi‐square test for log‐normality. Therefore, the method appears suitable for application to distributions that depart from log‐normality.
Morphological and physiological sexual selection targets in a territorial damselfly
Authors: SWILLEN INE , DE BLOCK MARJAN , STOKS ROBBY
Published: September 2009

Several morphological and physiological traits may shape fitness through the same performance measure. In such cases, differentiating between a scenario of many‐to‐one mapping, where phenotypic traits independently shape fitness leading to functional redundancy, and a scenario where traits strongly covary among each other and fitness, is needed.

A multivariate approach was used, including morphological and physiological traits related to flight ability, a crucial performance measure in flying insects, to identify independent correlates of short‐term mating success (mated versus unmated males) in the territorial damselfly Lestes viridis.

Males with higher flight muscle mass, higher relative thorax mass, and more symmetrical hindwings, all traits presumably linked to manoeuvrability, were more likely to be mated. Unexpectedly, although relative thorax mass is often used as a proxy for flight muscle mass, both traits were selected for independently. Mated males had a higher thorax fat content than unmated males, possibly because of enhanced flight endurance.

The finding of several independent targets of sexual selection linked to flight ability is consistent with a scenario of many‐to‐one mapping between phenotype and performance. Identifying such a scenario is important, because it may clarify situations where animals may show suboptimal values for some phenotypic traits shaping a performance measure, while still having high performance and fitness. We argue in the discussion that the functional approach of sexual selection provides a potent tool for examining unresolved issues in both sexual selection theory, as well as life‐history theory.
Electron tomography of III‐V quantum dots using dark field 002 imaging conditions
Authors: BEANLAND R. , SÁNCHEZ A.M. , HERNANDEZ‐GARRIDO J.C. , WOLF D. , MIDGLEY P.A.
Published: September 2009

We present an evaluation of electron tomography of buried InAs quantum dots using dark field 002 imaging conditions. The compositional sensitivity of this imaging condition gives strong contrast among III‐V materials of differing compositions and, in principle, should allow an accurate 3D model of the buried structures to be produced. The large extinction distance allows specimens several hundred nanometres in thickness to be examined and reduces the effect of strain contrast in the images, with the advantage that it can be performed using conventional transmission electron microscopy techniques. A two‐beam condition must be maintained for all images, and the presence of other strong diffraction effects at certain specimen orientation results reduces the number of orientations available for tomography by approximately 10%. The data presented here are limited due to a lack of angular range in the data set but we find that an acceptable 3D model of a buried quantum dot may be produced by imposing cylindrical symmetry on the data set.
Taxonomic revision of the Mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) of Oahu: epithets as epitaphs for an endangered fauna?
Authors: LIEBHERR JAMES K.
Published: September 2009

The Mecyclothorax Sharp beetle fauna of Oahu, Hawaii is revised, including the description of 13 new species—M. acherontius, M. uncinus, M. lobatus, M. dentatus, M. calceus, M. euryoides, M. invictus, M. ovatulus, M. lemur, M. satyrus, M. ramsdalei, M. pelops and M. niobespp.n.—to complement the six previously described species. Several cryptic species complexes characterized by similar external anatomy and highly divergent male genitalia are present in the fauna, including the M. brevis (Blackburn) species complex—four species sympatrically distributed on Tantalus, a mountain on the northern margin of Honolulu—and the sympatric sister species M. carteri (Perkins) and M. invictus from Mt. Kaala in the western Waianae Range. This repeated pattern of closely related species characterized by divergent male genitalia and relatively static external anatomy is also observed in the Mecyclothorax fauna of Molokai, an island of moderate geologic age within the Hawaiian archipelago, but not in the Mecyclothorax fauna of the most recently emergent Hawaii Island. Species distributions are generally also much more restricted on the older islands. These results are consistent with the occurrence of rampant, unfixed infraspecific genitalic variation early in an island radiation, with subsequent fixation of divergent genitalic characters occurring as speciation proceeds. Three distinct areas of endemism are defined by distributions of Oahu Mecyclothorax: the Waianae Range, the north Koolau Range and the south Koolau Range. Species distributions in two other carabid beetle genera in Hawaii containing native species—Blackburnia Sharp and Bembidion Latreille—congruently define these areas. The historical range of sampling dates is compared for Mecyclothorax species across the three areas, with the greatest diminution of recently collected species‐level diversity characterizing the south Koolau Range, where several Mecyclothorax species are characterized both by restricted geographic distributions within the developmental footprint of Honolulu, and by a lack of recent field collections, suggesting that they may qualify for endangered species status.
Physicochemical characteristics of Lake IRAD, an artificial lake in Wakwa region, Cameroon
Authors: Fezeu W.M.L. , Ngassoum M.B. , Montarges‐Pelletier E. , Echevarria G. , Mbofung C.M.F.
Published: September 2009

Wakwa is a region in north Cameroon characterized by intensive cattle production. This study evaluated the physicochemical characteristics of the waters in Lake IRAD, located near Wakwa, which is the main water source for cattle grazing in this area. Water samples were collected at four sampling sites during the rainy and dry seasons (April, July, October and February). The chemical composition of the water samples was analysed for various constituents, including nitrate (NO3–), chloride (Cl−), phosphate (PO43−), bicarbonate (HCO3−), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), aluminium (Al), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), ammonia–nitrogen (NH4–N) and organic matter (OM). The mineral composition varied significantly (P < 0.05) with the sampling period. High concentrations of zinc (0.96 mg L−1) and dissolved iron (1.23 mg L−l) were observed during the dry season. Total iron (3.25 mg L−1), OM (15.4 mg of O2 L−1), nitrate (28.82 mg L−1) and NH4–N (1.05 mg L−1) concentrations were highest during the rainy season. The iron, OM and NH4–N concentrations were higher than the USEPA‐recommended values (0.2 mg L−1, 4 mg of O2 L−1 and 0.5 mg L−1, respectively). The phosphate, copper, nickel and cadmium concentrations, considered as the polluting substances, were present in negligible concentrations, being below the detection limits of the analytical techniques used to measure them. The high iron, OM and nitrogen concentrations were attributed to water‐leached soil run‐off, as well as the activity of animals in the lake. Sampling sites 1 and 2, which were used mostly by cattle, were observed to have the highest concentrations of NH4–N, compared with sites 3 and S (exit point). It will be necessary to delimit cattle access points to the lake to reduce this type of contamination of drinking water.
Detailed analysis of the microdiversity of Prochlorococcus populations along a North‐South Atlantic Ocean transect
Authors: Jameson Eleanor , Joint Ian , Mann Nicholas H. , Mühling Martin
Published: September 2009

In order to understand how environmental factors shape the diversity of Prochlorococcus in the Atlantic Ocean, we have elucidated the microdiversity along a north–south transect. The polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the genetic diversity of rpoC1 gene fragments of Prochlorococcus at 12 sampling sites revealed a latitudinal pattern in Prochlorococcus RFLP‐type diversity in the samples collected from two depths. At the depth to which 14% of surface irradiance penetrated, HLII clones dominated the stations closest to the equator. The percentage of HLI clones increased with distance from the equator and LL clones were found only at the most northern and southern stations. In contrast, deeper (1% light depth) water samples did not show any overall trend in Prochlorococcus diversity or clade dominance. Multivariate statistical analyses indicated that Prochlorococcus diversity was linked to water temperature (partially an effect of latitude) and depth (which was linked to light penetration and turbidity). Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences obtained from the 423 different environmental RFLP‐types detected in this study indicated that the HLII and HLI populations were composed of a wide range of genetically different clones, while the LL Prochlorococcus clade was less diverse, although half of the samples screened in this study derived from the 1% light depth.
Effects of Dissolved Oxygen in Fruit Juices and Methods of Removal
Authors: García‐Torres R. , Ponagandla N. R. , Rouseff R. L. , Goodrich‐Schneider R. M. , Reyes‐De‐Corcuera J. I.
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACT:  In 2006, the U.S. fruit juice production was 7.6 million metric tons for oranges, apples, grapes, grapefruit, pineapples, and cranberries. Dissolved oxygen (DO) incorporated into fruit juices during processing affects quality parameters such as vitamin C, color, and aroma. Studies of dissolved oxygen effects on ascorbic acid degradation, nonenzymatic and enzymatic browning, and Strecker degradation are presented here. This article provides an overview of the basis of oxygen solubility, describes the changes in the food components most susceptible to degradation due to dissolved oxygen, and discusses different methods to eliminate dissolved oxygen. Kinetics and reaction mechanisms are discussed in view of conflicting results found in the literature.
Sexual function in women receiving maintenance dialysis
Authors: SEETHALA Srikanth , HESS Rachel , BOSSOLA Maurizio , UNRUH Mark L. , WEISBORD Steven D.
Published: September 2009

While substantial attention has been paid to the issue of sexual dysfunction in men on chronic dialysis, less is known about this problem in women with end‐stage renal disease. We sought to assess sexual dysfunction in women on chronic dialysis and determine whether patients discuss this problem with their providers and receive treatment. We prospectively enrolled women receiving chronic hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis in Pittsburgh, PA. We asked patients to complete the 19‐item Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) to assess sexual function and a 5‐item survey that assessed whether patients had discussed sexual dysfunction with their providers and/or received treatment for this problem in the past. We enrolled 66 patients; 59 (89%) on hemodialysis and 7 (11%) on peritoneal dialysis. All patients completed the FSFI, of whom 53 (80%) had FSFI scores <26.55, consistent with the presence of sexual dysfunction. Of 37 patients who were married or residing with a significant other, 27 (73%) had sexual dysfunction. Among 24 participants who reported having been sexually active over the previous 4 weeks, 11 (46%) had sexual dysfunction. Only 21% of patients with sexual dysfunction had discussed this problem with their gynecologist, renal or primary provider, and 3 (6%) reported having received treatment. Sexual dysfunction is common in women on dialysis, even among patients who are married or residing with a significant other and those who are sexually active. However, few women discuss this issue with their providers or receive treatment.
In vivo and in vitro evidence for epidermal H2O2‐mediated oxidative stress in piebaldism
Authors: Vafaee Tayyebeh , Rokos Hartmut , Salem Mohamed M. A. E. L. , Schallreuter Karin U.
Published: September 2009

Please cite this paper as:
In vivo and in vitro evidence for epidermal H2O2‐mediated oxidative stress in piebaldism. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: 883–887.

Abstract:  Piebaldism is characterised by the absence of pigment in patches on the skin, usually present at birth. Mutations in the kit gene are documented. Clinically this disorder can mimic vitiligo. Here, we show for the first time the presence of oxidised pteridine‐induced fluorescence in association with H2O2‐mediated stress in piebald patches employing Wood’s light and in vivo FT‐Raman spectroscopy. In situ immunofluorescence data revealed low catalase and methionine sulphoxide reductase A (MSRA) levels whereas thioredoxin reductase and methionine sulphoxide reductase B (MSRB) are not affected. We also show low superoxide dismutase levels in these patients. The presence of thioredoxin reductase provides capacity to reduce H2O2, a mechanism which is absent in vitiligo. Importantly, this enzyme reduces biopterin back to the functioning cofactor 6‐tetrahydrobiopterin. The absence of MSRA indicates deficient methionine sulphoxide repair in the cytosol, meanwhile the presence of MSRB is helpful to protect the nucleus. Taken together, we have identified H2O2‐mediated stress in piebald skin with distinct differences to vitiligo.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis: oral/periodontal involvement in adult patients
Authors: Annibali S , Cristalli MP , Solidani M , Ciavarella D , La Monaca G , Suriano MM , Lo Muzio L , Lo Russo L
Published: September 2009

Objective:  Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a clonal proliferative multisystem disease. Although bone and mucosae have been classified as non‐risk organs, their involvement may increase the risk of disease progression. Oral and periodontal lesions are burdened with a significant impairment of quality of life for associated signs, symptoms and loss of function. Most of information regards paediatric disease; the disease in adults has received limited attention.

Subjects and Methods:  A total of 31 adult patients affected by immuno‐histopathology confirmed LCH have been prospectively examined; attention was paid to the occurrence and characterization of oral lesions.

Results:  Twelve patients developed oral lesions. Posterior regions of jawbones were always affected; the involvement of anterior regions was not constant. Unifocal oral involvement was significantly associated with multisystemic disease while multifocal lesions were associated with unisystemic disease. Oral disease presented with soft tissue ulcers (50% of cases), gingival bleeding (66.7%), pain (83.4%), periodontal damage (50%), tooth mobility (16.7%), non‐healing extraction socket (8.3%); 41.6% of patients complained of negative outcomes on quality of life. Oral lesions were easily handled with local measures.

Conclusions:  Posterior regions require attention; single oral lesions may be part of multisystemic disease; oral and periodontal lesions may be early signs of disease reactivation.
Making Opportunities: Contemporary Evolution of Galician Nationalism in Spain (1982–2001)
Authors: Máiz Ramón
Published: September 2009

This article shows that the fact that the Bloque Nacionalista Galego went from being a marginal force to the second largest regional party in the Galician autonomous parliament was due both to the favourable political opportunity structure of the new institutional setting of the Spanish state of autonomies and also to its outstanding capacity for a multilevel organization, charismatic leadership and effective mobilisation repertories, together with the moderation of its initially radical nationalist discourse. Particularly, a successful strategy of frame realignment allowed it to connect with the overlapping and dual Galician‐Spanish identity of most Galician voters.
Building the Spanish Nation: The Centre‐Periphery Dialectic
Authors: Muro Diego , Quiroga Alejandro
Published: September 2009

This paper provides an historical overview of Spain's nation‐building process from the nineteenth century to the present time. Using Stein Rokkan's centre‐periphery paradigm, the paper argues that a pervasive feature in contemporary Spanish history is the dialectical relationship between the Spanish nation and the peripheral nations of Catalonia and the Basque Country. From this perspective, the Spanish nation‐building process is understood as one of the main triggering events for the emergence of peripheral nationalisms at the end of the nineteenth century. In the twentieth century, tensions between the core and the periphery help to explain why Spain has a quasi‐federal institutional structure. Recent interest in ‘constitutional patriotism’ for example, can only be understood in relation to Catalan and Basque initiatives to reform their autonomy status.
‘Don't Throw Yourself Away to the Dark Continent’: Shi'i Migration to West Africa and the Hierarchies of Exclusion in Lebanese Culture
Authors: Weiss Max
Published: September 2009

The Shi'i Lebanese diaspora in West Africa has played a key role in the construction of Lebanese Shi'i sectarian identity in the Twentieth century. This article provides some perspective and insight on the relationships among race, sect and colonialism in Africa and the Middle East through the lens of transnational Shi'i networks. Travel narratives written by Lebanese Shi'is who visited French West Africa during the 1930s indicate certain cultural hierarchies and racial modes of thinking. Moreover, some Lebanese internalised elements of colonial discourse while others, in a kind of inversion, re‐deployed them towards black Africans. These Lebanese travel diaries, therefore, constitute a unique primary source for the history of the Lebanese Shi'i mahjar (diaspora) in West Africa and its relationship with the watan (homeland); they also illuminate cultural hierarchies embedded in Shi'i consciousness. Such stereotypes about Africa have persisted well into the late 20th‐ and early 21st‐century in Lebanon.
EMERGENCE OF GRAVITY FROM INTERACTING SIMPLICES
Authors: LEE SUNG-SIK
Published: September 2009

We consider a statistical model of interacting 4-simplices fluctuating in an N-dimensional target space. We argue that a gravitational theory may arise as a low energy effective theory in a strongly interacting phase where the simplices form clusters with an emergent space and time with the Euclidean signature. In the large N limit, two possible phases are discussed, that is, "gravitational Coulomb phase" and "gravitational Higgs phase."
EXPERIMENTAL REALIZATION OF PROBABILISTIC REMOTE STATE PREPARATION
Authors: WU WEI , LIU WEI-TAO , CHEN PING-XING , LI CHENG-ZU
Published: September 2009

We experimentally demonstrate a protocol of probabilistic remote state preparation by virtue of entanglement, local operation and forward classical communications. Arbitrary polarization qubit state can be remotely prepared with this protocol. For both pure states and mixed states, the average efficiency is no less than 50% and the classical information cost is 1 bit. All 18 remotely prepared states were estimated with quantum state tomography system. The fidelities are all above 0.99, with average fidelity being 0.9956.
PHASE MATCHING IN FIXED-POINT QUANTUM SEARCH ALGORITHM
Authors: WANG HONG-FU , ZHANG SHOU , ZHAO YONG-FANG
Published: September 2009

We investigate the phase matching problem in the fixed-point quantum search algorithm proposed by Grover [Phys. Rev. Lett.95 (2005) 150501]. We show that the optimal phase shift is π/3.61, which replaces the π/3 phase shift in fixed-point quantum search algorithm. The π/3.61-phase algorithm can be achieved in [Formula: see text] with the success probability of at least 94.11%, which offsets disadvantage that the success probability of getting correct results usually decreases with the increase of marked items when original Grover quantum search algorithm is applied to search an unordered database. In the meantime, this work also indicates that Grover quantum search algorithm is considerably robust to certain kinds of perturbations and is robust against modest noise in the initialization procedure.
THE HKUST MULTIMAP SYSTEM FOR ACTIVE VISION
Authors: MENG YICONG , TSANG ERIC K. C. , LAM STANLEY Y. M. , SHI BERTRAM E.
Published: September 2009

This paper describes the HKUST MultiMap system, a hardware system we have developed to support the computation and integration of large numbers of neurally inspired feature maps at frame rates. The computed maps could serve as the basis for a generic image representation to enable robots to perform a variety of different tasks. In order to support the computation of feature representations with increasing complexity, the system can split the processing among a scalable number of processors, each on a different printed circuit board. We describe the hardware design of this board, as well as the communication protocol between different boards. Our experimental results on a four board system validate the performance of the proposed communication protocol. As an example of the applications enabled by this system, we describe a robotic binocular tracking system built by using it.
MULTI-VERSION MUSIC SEARCH USING ACOUSTIC FEATURE UNION AND EXACT SOFT MAPPING
Authors: YU YI , JOE KAZUKI , ORIA VINCENT , MOERCHEN FABIAN , DOWNIE J. STEPHEN , CHEN LEI
Published: September 2009

Research on audio-based music retrieval has primarily concentrated on refining audio features to improve search quality. However, much less work has been done on improving the time efficiency of music audio searches. Representing music audio documents in an indexable format provides a mechanism for achieving efficiency. To address this issue, in this work Exact Locality Sensitive Mapping (ELSM) is suggested to join the concatenated feature sets and soft hash values. On this basis we propose audio-based music indexing techniques, ELSM and Soft Locality Sensitive Hash (SoftLSH) using an optimized Feature Union (FU) set of extracted audio features. Two contributions are made here. First, the principle of similarity-invariance is applied in summarizing audio feature sequences and utilized in training semantic audio representations based on regression. Second, soft hash values are pre-calculated to help locate the searching range more accurately and improve collision probability among features similar to each other. Our algorithms are implemented in a demonstration system to show how to retrieve and evaluate multi-version audio documents. Experimental evaluation over a real "multi-version" audio dataset confirms the practicality of ELSM and SoftLSH with FU and proves that our algorithms are effective for both multi-version detection (online query, one-query vs. multi-object) and same content detection (batch queries, multi-queries vs. one-object).
The effect of high-dose sodium salicylate on chronically elevated plasma nonesterified fatty acid-induced insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction in overweight and obese nondiabetic men
Authors: Xiao Changting , Giacca Adria , Lewis Gary F.
Published: September 2009

Prolonged elevation of plasma nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) induces insulin resistance and impairs pancreatic β-cell adaptation to insulin resistance. Studies in rodents suggest that inflammation may play a role in this “lipotoxicity.” We studied the effects of sodium salicylate, an anti-inflammatory agent, on lipid-induced alterations in β-cell function and insulin sensitivity in six overweight and obese nondiabetic men. Each subject underwent four separate studies, 4–6 wk apart, in random order: 1) SAL, 1-wk placebo followed by intravenous (iv) infusion of saline for 48 h; 2) IH, 1-wk placebo followed by iv infusion of intralipid plus heparin for 48 h to raise plasma NEFA approximately twofold; 3) IH + SS, 1-wk sodium salicylate (4.5 g/day) followed by 48-h IH infusion; and 4) SS, 1-wk oral sodium salicylate followed by 48-h saline infusion. After 48-h saline or lipid infusion, insulin secretion and sensitivity were assessed by hyperglycemic clamp and euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, respectively, in sequential order. Insulin sensitivity was reduced by lipid infusion (IH = 67% of SAL) and was not improved by salicylate (IH + SS = 56% of SAL). Lipid infusion also reduced the disposition index ( P < 0.05), which was not prevented by sodium salicylate. Salicylate reduced insulin clearance. These data suggest that oral sodium salicylate at this dose impairs insulin clearance but does not ameliorate lipid-induced insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction in overweight and obese nondiabetic men.
Normal Spatial Attention But Impaired Saccades and Visual Motion Perception After Lesions of the Monkey Cerebellum
Authors: Ignashchenkova A. , Dash S. , Dicke P. W. , Haarmeier T. , Glickstein M. , Thier P.
Published: September 2009

Lesions of the cerebellum produce deficits in movement and motor learning. Saccadic dysmetria, for example, is caused by lesions of the posterior cerebellar vermis. Monkeys and patients with such lesions are unable to modify the amplitude of saccades. Some have suggested that the effects on eye movements might reflect a more global cognitive deficit caused by the cerebellar lesion. We tested that idea by studying the effects of vermis lesions on attention as well as saccadic eye movements, visual motion perception, and luminance change detection. Lesions in posterior vermis of four monkeys caused the known deficits in saccadic control. Attention tested by examination of acuity threshold changes induced by prior cueing of the location of the targets remained normal after vermis lesions. Luminance change detection was also unaffected by the lesions. In one case, after a lesion restricted to lobulus VIII, the animal had impaired visual motion perception.
Fixed Point Results for Generalized Contractive Multimaps in Metric Spaces
Authors: Latif Abdul , Abdou Afrah A. N.
Published: September 2009

The concept of generalized contractive multimaps in the setting of metric spaces is introduced, and the existence of fixed points for such maps is guaranteed under certain conditions. Consequently, our results either generalize or improve a number of fixed point results including the corresponding recent fixed point results of Ciric (2008), Latif-Albar (2008), Klim-Wardowski (2007), and Feng-Liu (2006). Examples are also given.
Changing Pattern in the Clinical Presentation of Pediatric Celiac Disease: A 30-Year Study
Authors: Roma Eleftheria , Panayiotou Joanna , Karantana Helen , Constantinidou Catherin , Siakavellas Spyros I. , Krini Maro , Syriopoulou Vassiliki P. , Bamias Giorgos
Published: September 2009

Background/Aims: The incidence of celiac disease (CD) has increased in recent years due to the recognition of atypical forms and the identification of silent cases through serological screening. Our aim was to detect temporal trends in the presentation of pediatric CD in Greece. Methods: We reviewed the medical files of all children diagnosed with CD between 1978 and 2007 at a single academic pediatric center. Cases were classified according to the year of diagnosis. We examined demographic data, presenting symptoms, delay to diagnosis, and the prevalence of associated conditions. Results: During the study period, 284 new cases of CD were diagnosed. The incidence of CD was significantly increased in recent years (p < 0.05). We observed significant trends towards older age at diagnosis (p < 0.001), longer delay to diagnosis (p < 0.05) and decreased frequency of the classical and/or gastrointestinal predominant mode of presentation (p < 0.001). In recent years, diagnosis of CD was significantly more frequent due to testing of asymptomatic children with a positive family history for CD or personal history of associated conditions (p < 0.001). Conclusion: We report a changing pattern in the presentation of pediatric CD in Greece. CD is diagnosed more frequently in older children, oftentimes presents with atypical symptoms, and is increasingly detected through serological screening. CD should be considered in the presence of atypical presentations.
Mucormycosis in a Crohn’s Disease Patient Treated with Infliximab
Authors: Wall Geoffrey C. , Leman Bernard I.
Published: September 2009

We report a case of sinus mucormycosis in a patient receiving infliximab for Crohn’s disease (CD). A 41-year-old white female with a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease, well-controlled diabetes, and ileocecal CD developed right-sided facial pain and high fevers, with computed tomography scan confirming sinusitis. She had been receiving both low-dose azathioprine and scheduled infliximab for her CD. A sinus biopsy was procured endoscopically which grew mucormycosis. All immunosuppressive agents were immediately discontinued, and the patient underwent multiple debridement procedures of the right sinuses. Amphotericin B lipid complex and posaconazole were administered to the patient. Repeat laboratory and imaging study demonstrated clearance of the infection approximately 30 days after diagnosis. The patient’s CD did not flair during withdrawal of immunosuppressive medications, and the patient completed 6 months of posaconazole therapy. Clinicians should be aware of the possible development of this potentially catastrophic infection in patients receiving infliximab, especially if such patients have other risks for mucormycosis, such as diabetes.
Perivascular Cuff and Spread of Treponema pallidum
Authors: Quatresooz Pascale , Piérard Gérald E.
Published: September 2009

Background: The incidence of syphilis is on the rise in many cities worldwide. Both the clinical and histopathological changes do not always fulfil the typical diagnostic criteria. Immunohistochemistry is available to identify and localize Treponema pallidum. Two main patterns of T. pallidum distribution were described in the skin, namely heavy intraepidermal infiltration and scattered pattern inside the lichenoid cell infiltrate. Objective: To search for a third pattern consistent with dissemination of the disease. Methods: Immunohistochemistry using an antispirochete (T. pallidum and Borrelia) antibody was used in all cases of syphilis submitted to our laboratory. In addition, deposits of immunoglobulins and complement indicative of immune complexes were searched for. Results: According to the cases, T. pallidum was disclosed in a combination of three patterns. The previously described epidermal and lichenoid patterns were confirmed, and a third pattern predominating in a perivascular location throughout the dermis was clearly identified in primary syphilis. The microorganisms were abundant in extracellular and intracellular locations, particularly inside endothelial cells. No deposits of immunoglobulins and complement were disclosed. Conclusion: The perivascular cuff of T. pallidum throughout the dermis might be representative of the dissemination phase of T. pallidum.
Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris with Preceding Cytomegalovirus Infection
Authors: Kawara Shigeru , Miyake Muneharu , Oiso Naoki , Kawada Akira
Published: September 2009

Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is a papulosquamous disorder comprising 6 clinical types. Some factors – including abnormal vitamin A metabolism, internal malignancies, autoimmune diseases, infection and trauma – are thought to be involved in the etiology. Recently, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated PRP has been reported to have distinct clinical features, such as nodulocystic acne and lichen spinulosus alongside PRP. We report here the case of a 38-year-old female with onset of classical PRP after a high fever. Virological studies indicated that the patient had primary systemic cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and not HIV infection. Our case suggested that primary CMV infection might have triggered typical PRP that was clinically different from HIV-associated PRP.
Growth Rates and Organ Weights of Rats
Authors: Solomon S. , Bengele H.H.
Published: September 2009

Previous studies from this laboratory have indicated that changing food availability of neonatal rats results in differences in functional development of the kidney. Results here show that during early development only, kidney to body weight ratios were lower for animals from reduced litters in comparison to those from Heart intact litters. In contrast, heart to body weight ratios were lower in animals from intact litters. In adult animals, no differences in organ weight to body weight ratios could be established between animals from different litters. It is suggested that these relationships are not determined by a common body weight factor like the amount of fat or change in muscle or skeletal mass which may however, account for the observations that animals from reduced litters are heavier than those from intact litters at a given age. It is argued that every organ studied reaches a maximum organ to body weight ratio sometime during development.
Perinatal Brain Damage: Porencephaly in a Cynomolgous Monkey
Authors: Myers R.E. , Valerio Marion G. , Martin D.P. , Nelson Karin B.
Published: September 2009

An infant monkey exhibited the clinical evidences of severe brain injury following birth. It was blind, partially deaf and showed severe motor disabilities. Postmortem brain examination at 1½ years of age revealed bilateral porencephalic defects centered well within the supply territories of the middle cerebral arteries. Other foci of injury suggestive of asphyctic brain damage appeared in the remaining, better preserved tissues. It is proposed that such porencephalic defects result from zones of cerebral necrosis and liquifaction of intermediate size produced by in utero fetal asphyxia. The body and organ growth retardation associated with the severe perinatal brain injury is also briefly described.
Combined Positive and Negative Pressure Ventilation in the Management of Severe Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Newborn Infants
Authors: Roloff D.W. , Outerbridge E.W. , Stern L.
Published: September 2009

Eleven newborn infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were artificially ventilated with an intermittent positive pressure respirator while a continuous negative pressure of ––4 to ––8 cm H2O was maintained about the chest; thereby achieving the equivalent positive of pressure ventilation. Although only two infants ultimately survived, arterial oxygen tension was improved in all patients, with a mean rise of 69.8 ± 17.3 mm Hg. Simultaneously, the alveolar-arterial oxygen difference fell·by a mean of 63.7 ± 18.4 mm Hg, even though the infants had not improved on preceding trials of both intermittent negative and intermittent positive pressure ventilation alone. These changes are significant at a level of p < 0.01. The maintenance of a continuous transpulmonary pressure gradient is an effective method for improving arterial oxygenation in infants requiring mechanical ventilation for the respiratory failure of RDS.
The Size of the Langerhans’ Islets in Infants with Severe Jaundice of Varying Etiology
Authors: Nicolopoulos D. , Hadjigeorgiou E. , Kaslaris E. , Moschos A.
Published: September 2009

The histological specimens of the pancreas of 33 new-born jaundiced infants were examined and compared to 35 controls. In 4 babies the jaundice was due to Rhesus incompatibility, in 8 to ABO incompatibility, in 13 to G-6-PD deficiency and in 8 the etiology of jaundice could not be ascertained. The Langerhans’ islets were found to be hyperplastic not only in the 4 infants, whose severe jaundice was due to Rhesus incompatibility, but, to a lesser degree, in the majority of the other jaundiced infants’ pancreas as well. The surface of the Langerhans’ islets was well correlated with the highest bilirubin level in all groups of jaundiced infants.
The Effects of Corticosteroids on Myelination of the Developing Rat Brain
Authors: Gumbinas Maria , Oda Marjorie , Huttenlocher P.
Published: September 2009

Treatment of 6-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats with a single injection of 0.8 mg of methylprednisone resulted in: (a) significant decrease in overall brain weight, which was less than the decrease in body weight; (b) decrease in frequency of myelinated fibers, which seemed to improve with age; (c) decrease in mean number of myelin lamellae, which showed only slight improvement with age, and (d) decrease in number of myelin lamellae for a given axon circumference, which did not improve with age. These alterations in myelination correlate with previous studies describing biochemical and physiologic changes in the developing brain following corticosteroid treatment and indicate that the long-term effect of neonatal corticosteroid administration warrants careful scrutiny.
Effects of Bilirubin Loading of Pregnant Rats on Hepatic UDP-Glucuronyltransferase Activity in the Offspring
Authors: Winsnes A. , Bratlid D.
Published: September 2009

Pregnant Wistar rats were loaded with bilirubin (intraperitoneal injections) during the last week before term. This resulted in increased serum bilirubin levels in both the mothers and their offspring at birth. In contrast to previous reports [1–3] no increase in bilirubin glucuronyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.17) activity was found in liver homogenates from the newborn rats and their mothers despite the increased level of substrate in serum.
Perinatal Expression of the Lewis and Secretor Blood Group Systems
Authors: Arcilla Minerva B. , Sturgeon P.
Published: September 2009

The sequential development of the expression of the Lewis and secretor gene systems in red cells and saliva was studied in normal infants by both qualitative and semiquantitative serological methods. Infants who are Lewis-positive (Le/ ) secretors (Se/ ) are red cell type Le(a –– b –– x + ) at birth; within a week they become Le(a + b –– x + ), then Le(a + b + x + ) and at approximately 2 years attain the adult phenotype Le(a –– b + x + ). In Lewis-positive (Le/ ) nonsecretors (se/se),maturation stops at the Le(a + b –– x + ) phase. Lewis-negative (leile) infants remain Le(a –– b –– x –– ). The salivary expression of the Lewis and secretor genes, however, are fully developed at birth. Compared to term infants, premature infants exhibit a more delayed maturation of these gene systems. These studies show the rate of maturation and tissue expressivity of the Lewis and secretor genes in the red cells and secretory tissues during the perinatal period is not synchronous; red cell expression lags behind that in saliva. The data also suggest that the Le gene governs the production of two antigens, Lea and Lex, and that Lex is the only antenatal red cell expression of the Le gene wich gives rise phenotypically to the unique Lewis type of the newborn Le(a –– b –– x + ).Lea, although repressed during intrauterine life, is activated rapidly within a few days after birth. The secretor gene activates later; its first red cell expression, the Leb antigen, may be evident between the first week and the fourth month of postnatal life. Its full expression, the complete conversion to Le(a –– b + x +) may take up to 2 years; it is during this transition phase that the second unique infantile type Le(a + b + x + ) is found. In the case of the Lewis-negative (leile) infant, the salivary studies suggest that the fetal le gene is not an amorph but is activated late in intrauterine life and undergoes a gradual but partial inactivation during the perinatal period. That the fetal se gene is also weakly active during the perinatal period and is then totally inactivated within the first year of life is suggested by the findings from two nonsecretor (se/se) infants.
An Alternative Animal Model for the Full-Term Small-for-Dates Human Baby
Authors: Adlard B.P.F. , Dobbing John , Smart L.
Published: September 2009

Rats were subjected to growth retardation either from conception to 5 days of postnatal age (FNR group) or during the period 5–25 postnatal days (IR group). The rat at 5 days of age has reached a stage of brain development comparable with the human baby at term. Hence the FNR group may serve as a model for the small-for-dates baby. Compared with well-nourished controls both restricted groups showed deficits in neurological maturation. Both brain weight and body weight in adulthood were significantly reduced by earlier growth restriction; these changes were less marked in FNR than in IR animals. Cerebellar weight was consistently reduced more than that of the remainder of the brain. Brain stem acetylcholinesterase activity in adulthood was significantly higher than normal in IR, but not in FNR animals.
The Effect of Cry on Heart Rate and the Q-A2 Interval in Early and Late Clamped Infants
Authors: Walsh Zoe , Gyulai Frans
Published: September 2009

43 infants with cords clamped at an average of 3 sec and 47 infants with cords clamped at an average of 5 min were examined at average ages of 2 h, 24 h and at 5–6 days. Phonocardiograms were taken with the infants well swaddled while half asleep and after a 20-sec cry induced by flicking the foot. Significant differences in heart rate at rest, after cry and in the relationship between the rate and Q-A2 interval were found. Some of the complex mechanisms involved are discussed. The changing relationship during the week between heart rate and Q-A2 interval at rest and similarity of the relationship after cry suggest that a standard stimulus, such as an 85-db sound, may be of use in carrying out phonocardiographic studies of infants at this age.
Plasma Lipids in Umbilical Cord Blood from Infants of Normal and Low Birth Weight
Authors: Fosbrooke Audrey S. , Wharton Brian A.
Published: September 2009

Plasma lipids were determined in the cord blood of 19 term, 16 preterm and 14 light-for-dates babies. Plasma triglyceride concentration was higher in the term than in the preterm group and was highest in the light-for-dates group. The proportions of poly unsaturated fatty acids in triglyceride and in cholesterol ester were higher in term than in preterm babies; values for light-for-dates babies did not differ from term babies. Plasma triglyceride concentrations were affected by the maturity of the pregnancy and also by the nutritional status of the fetus. The levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids were also related to the maturity of the pregnancy but were independent of the nutritional status of the fetus.
Effect of Early Postnatal Starvation on Subsequent Thyroid Function
Authors: Blackmore David
Published: September 2009

Four male rats from each of 48 litters were studied. Two from each litter suffered early postnatal starvation; two did not. All animals were injected with 2 μCi of 131I. 24 h after injection, the thyroids were removed and weighed and their activity counted. In 27 litters, the age at time of injection was 30–35 days. In the other 21 it was 55 days. The in vitro uptake of triiodothyronine by the serum proteins, and the protein-bound iodine were determined at 45 days of age in the 21 litters noted above. The starved animals had higher uptake of T3, lower PBI, more thyroid tissue per unit of body size, less hormone production (estimated) per unit of thyroid tissue, and less hormone per unit of body mass. An economical method of measuring the in vitro uptake of T3 by the serum proteins is presented.
Desaturation of Linoleic Acid in the Liver and Brain during the Development of Rats with Intra-Uterine Growth Retardation
Authors: Vallet-Strouve C. , Tordet-Caridroit C.
Published: September 2009

In vitro, studies on the desaturation of linoleic acid (essential fatty acid nonsynthetised by animals) in the liver and brain have been carried out during the development of rats with intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR) and of control rats. The IUGR was induced by restriction of the blood flow on the 17th gestational day. The results concerning the conversion of linoleic acid (18:2) to γ-linolenic acid (18:3) by the fetal hepatic and cerebral desaturating enzymes indicate that only the liver is affected by the clamping of the uterine vessels. No desaturase activity could be detected in the liver of IUGR animals during the first two days following the operation. However, the ratio of linoleic to arachidonic acid did not significally differ in the liver from fetus of IUGR rats and of control rats. The restriction of blood flow has no effect on the development of the fetal brain and furthermore, the pattern of desaturase activity was found to be identical in the two categories of animals.
Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Activity in Rat Liver during Development
Authors: Knowles S.E. , Ballard F.J.
Published: September 2009

Total pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activities in rat liver increase from 0.44 μmol/min/g liver (units, U) in the fetal animal to 1.41 U/g liver in the adult, whereas the fraction of the enzyme in the active form (PDHa) decreases from 23 to 7% total activity over the same period. A consequence of these changes is a greater ability of the system in adult liver to adapt to physiological stimuli which act to increase the relative proportion of PDHa. Activation of PDH has been reported to be controlled by the degree of phosphorylation of adenine nucleotides. This proposal has been tested in vivo by examining the proportion of the enzyme as PDHa during conditions when the ATP: ADP ratio was markedly altered. The data show only a minor effect of adenine nucleotides on PDHa activity.