bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Macrophage activation switching: an asset for the resolution of inflammation
Authors: Porcheray F , Viaud S , Rimaniol A-C , Léone C , Samah B , Dereuddre-Bosquet N , Dormont D , Gras G
Published: October 2005

Macrophages play a central role in inflammation and host defence against microorganisms, but they also participate actively in the resolution of inflammation after alternative activation. However, it is not known whether the resolution of inflammation requires alternative activation of new resting monocytes/macrophages or if proinflammatory activated macrophages have the capacity to switch their activation towards anti-inflammation. In order to answer this question, we first characterized differential human macrophage activation phenotypes. We found that CD163 and CD206 exhibited mutually exclusive induction patterns after stimulation by a panel of anti-inflammatory molecules, whereas CCL18 showed a third, overlapping, pattern. Hence, alternative activation is not a single process, but provides a variety of different cell populations. The capacity of macrophages to switch from one activation state to another was then assessed by determining the reversibility of CD163 and CD206 expression and of CCL18 and CCL3 production. We found that every activation state was rapidly and fully reversible, suggesting that a given cell may participate sequentially in both the induction and the resolution of inflammation. These findings may provide new insight into the inflammatory process as well as new fields of investigation for immunotherapy in the fields of chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer.
Protein kinase-A-dependent osteoprotegerin production on interleukin-1 stimulation in human gingival fibroblasts is distinct from periodontal ligament fibroblasts
Authors: Hormdee D , Nagasawa T , Kiji M , Yashiro R , Kobayashi H , Koshy G , Noguchi K , Nitta H , Ishikawa I
Published: October 2005

Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease, is characterized by increased expression of interleukin (IL)-1 and other inflammatory mediators resulting in extensive osteoclast formation and bone loss. Expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) and its decoy receptor, osteoprotegerin (OPG), by osteoblasts is important to regulate osteoclast differentiation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the regulatory effects of IL-1 on RANKL and OPG production by mesenchymal fibroblasts in periodontal tissue. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) and periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDL) were stimulated with IL-1α with or without protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX), protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors, protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) inhibitor. In some experiments, the cultured cells were directly stimulated with either PKA or PKC activators. In HGF, IL-1α-stimulated OPG mRNA expression was high and could be reduced by CHX. PKA inhibitor completely abrogated IL-1α-induced OPG mRNA expression and OPG production. Endogenous PGE2 further enhanced IL-1α-induced OPG production in HGF. In PDL, RANKL mRNA expression was greatly augmented by IL-1α. IL-1α induced OPG mRNA expression and protein production. PKC inhibitor partially reduced IL-1α-induced OPG production and PKC activator enhanced OPG production in PDL. The IL-1α-stimulated OPG mRNA expression in HGF was greater than PDL. These results provide new evidence for the possible osteoclastogenesis-inhibitory function of HGF through PKA activity pathway. PDL utilized PKC for OPG production. Thus, we emphasize that HGF and PDL have different characteristics of host defence mechanism against inflammatory process.
Early environmental factors and rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Edwards C J , Cooper C
Published: October 2005

The precise cause of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains uncertain. In recent years there has been extensive investment in pursuing genes important in RA. However, estimates suggest that the risk of developing RA is at most 50% determined by genes. There has been limited success defining the environmental factors important in developing RA. We hypothesize that this lack of success may be due to a concentration on the time around disease onset. There is evidence of production of the autoantibodies rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) and increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) years before RA becomes clinically apparent. In addition, early life events including intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) may have long lasting effects on immune function. We review the evidence that the early environment through effects on growth and infectious exposure may influence the likelihood of developing autoimmune diseases such as RA.
Protective effect of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in an experimental model of pemphigus vulgaris
Authors: Mimouni D , Blank M , Ashkenazi L , Milner Y , Frusic-Zlotkin M , Anhalt G J , David M , Shoenfeld Y
Published: October 2005

Uncontrolled studies have found intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) to be effective in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris (PV). The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of IVIG in preventing IgG autoantibodies binding to desmoglein-3 and blister formation using a controlled experimental design. The ability of IVIG to affect the binding of IgG affinity purified from two patients with PV to desmoglein-3 in comparison to IgG from one donor, was conducted by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The specificity was confirmed by competition assay. We assessed the effect of IVIG on the induction of experimental-PV in CD1 newborn mice by subcutaneous subjection of IgG affinity purified from two patients with PV. The treatment was conducted by subcutaneous administration of IVIG together with IgG from the pemphigus patients or appropriate control. The skin of the newborns was examined 24–48 h later for blisters, and samples of the affected areas were analysed by immunohistochemistry. IVIG as a whole molecule and its F(ab)2 portion inhibited the binding of anti-desmoglein-3 antibody to recombinant desmoglein-3 in a dose-dependent manner. The specificity was confirmed by competition assays. In-vivo, IVIG and its F(ab)2 portion prevented blister formation in the newborn mice. Cutaneous lesions were noted only in the groups of newborn mice who were injected with IgG fractions from the PV patients. Immunopathological evaluation revealed that IVIG prevented the formation of acanthylosis with IgG deposition in the intercellular spaces. These results point to the efficacy of IVIG in the prevention of blister formation in an experimental PV model.
C : N : P stoichiometry of dominant riparian trees and arthropods along the Middle Rio Grande
Authors: TIBBETS TERESA M. , MOLLES MANUEL C.
Published: October 2005

1. We examined the role of flooding on the leaf nutrient content of riparian trees by comparing the carbon : nitrogen : phosphorus (C : N : P) ratio of leaves and litter of Rio Grande cottonwood (Populus deltoides ssp. wislizenii) in flood and non‐flood sites along the Middle Rio Grande, NM, U.S.A. The leaf C : N : P ratio was also examined for two non‐native trees, saltcedar (Tamarix chinensis) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia), and six species of dominant riparian arthropods.

2. Living leaves and leaf litter of cottonwoods at flood sites had a significantly lower leaf N : P ratio and higher %P compared with leaves and litter at non‐flood sites. A non‐flood site downstream from wastewater effluent had a significantly lower litter C : N ratio than all other sites, suggesting N fertilisation through ground water. The non‐native trees, saltcedar and Russian olive, had higher mean leaf N content, N : P ratio, and lower C : N ratio compared with cottonwoods across study sites.

3. Riparian arthropods ranged from 5.2 to 7.1 for C : N ratio, 56–216 for C : P ratio, and 8.9–34 for N : P ratio. C content ranged from 25 to 52% of dry mass, N content from 4.7 to 10.8%, and P content from 0.59 to 1.2%. Differences in stoichiometry between high C : nutrient leaf litter and low C : nutrient invertebrates suggests possible food‐quality constraints for detritivores.

4. These results suggest that spatial and temporal variation in the C : N : P ratio of cottonwood leaves and leaf litter is influenced by surface and subsurface hydrologic connection within the floodplain. Reach‐scale variation in the elemental composition of riparian organic matter inputs may have important implications for decomposition, nutrient cycling, and food webs in river floodplain systems.
Genetic divergence of three freshwater isopod species from southern New Zealand
Authors: McGaughran Angela , Hogg Ian D. , Stevens Mark I. , Lindsay Chadderton W. , Winterbourn Michael J.
Published: October 2005

Aim  We examined the biogeography of three freshwater isopod species (Austridotea annectens, A. lacustris, A. benhami), and tested the hypotheses that genetic differences would: (1) exist between geographic locations; and (2) correspond to known geological events (e.g. appearance of islands leading to the availability of habitat).

Location  Southern New Zealand, including South Island, Stewart Island, Campbell Island and Chatham Islands.

Methods  We examined specimens throughout the known species range from 12 populations of A. lacustris, five populations of A. annectens, and three populations of A. benhami, using mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome c oxidase I) sequence analyses.

Results  We resolved three main clades corresponding to the three species, with 16% sequence divergence between A. annectens and A. benhami, and 31% divergence between these species and A. lacustris. Divergence within A. benhami was < 2.0%. However, divergence within A. lacustris reached up to 10% with four main groupings: (1) Chatham Islands; (2) Campbell Island; (3) Fiordland; and (4) east coast South Island and Stewart Island. Divergence within A. annectens reached up to 4.4%, with two main groupings: (1) Chatham Islands and (2) east coast South Island and Stewart Island. Patterns of genetic divergence were most likely the result of geographical isolation among A. lacustris and A. annectens populations. In particular, the divergence of A. lacustris and A. annectens on Chatham Islands may correspond to the availability of this habitat c. 4 Ma, whereas the divergence of A. lacustris on the much older Campbell Island and in Fiordland may indicate either a rare founder event or a change in ocean circulation that resulted in their isolation from a once more widespread gene pool.

Main conclusions  The three New Zealand species of Austridotea are genetically distinct, with up to 31% divergence between species. Genetic variability was highest between populations of the two most widely distributed species, and divergence was greatest on islands distant from mainland New Zealand and in the discrete Fiordland region. The magnitude of genetic divergence of isopods on the Auckland and Chatham Islands is consistent with these populations having been founded in the Pliocene via oceanic dispersal from mainland New Zealand.
Refining diagnoses: applying the DC‐LD to an Irish population with intellectual disability
Authors: Felstrom A. , Mulryan N. , Reidy J. , Staines M. , Hillery J.
Published: October 2005

Background  The diagnostic criteria for psychiatric disorders for use with adults with learning disabilities/mental retardation (DC‐LD) is a diagnostic tool developed in 2001 to improve upon existing classification systems for adults with learning disability. The aim of this study was to apply the classification system described by the DC‐LD to a residential intellectual disability (ID) population to examine whether it improved our diagnostic understanding of residents.

Methods  Chart reviews of 113 of 178 people in a residential ID service were conducted. For each resident, information was recorded according to the DC‐LD multi‐axial system. Each resident's case was then discussed with a member of nursing staff familiar with the resident. If diagnosis was unclear, the case was discussed with a senior clinical psychiatrist.

Results  The percentage of residents with a moderate to profound ID was 87.6%. In total, 94 diagnoses of psychiatric illness (Axis III, Level B, DC‐LD) were made. Of those 94 diagnoses, seven new diagnoses were found because of DC‐LD criteria. Of the total number of psychiatric diagnoses made, 72.3% were non‐specific, residual category diagnoses. A total of 79 residents (69.9%) had at least one behaviour problem diagnosed on Axis III, Level D, Problem behaviours. Fifty‐six (49.6%) of residents in this sample had co‐morbid epilepsy.

Conclusions  In people with moderate to profound learning disabilities, diagnosis continues to be challenging. The DC‐LD is a useful tool in helping to clarify diagnoses in this population by providing revised criteria and a system to classify problem behaviours. The DC‐LD would be more helpful if specific axes were included to document medical and psychosocial problems independently from other diagnoses. Further research is warranted to determine whether the DC‐LD hierarchical approach to diagnosis improves diagnostic validity.
Post‐traumatic stress disorder in young people with intellectual disability
Authors: Turk J. , Robbins I. , Woodhead M.
Published: October 2005

Background  Post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common and treatable. There is extensive research on people of average intelligence yet little on individuals with developmental disabilities.

Methods  We report two people with intellectual disability (ID) who experienced PTSD. The relevance of their developmental difficulties, social and communication profiles, attentional skills, and causes of these, to their presentations is discussed.

Results  Both individuals have fragile X syndrome and severe ID. One has Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – 4th Edition (DSM‐IV) autistic disorder; the other DSM‐IV attention deficit‐hyperactivity disorder. They experienced developmental and psychological regressions, new challenging behaviours and exacerbations of existing ones coincident with emotional trauma. PTSD symptoms and phenomena were identifiable despite intellectual and communicatory impairments.

Conclusion  Presentation of PTSD is influenced by degree and cause of ID, social circumstances, social and communicatory skills, nature and timing of traumatic experience and subsequent management. The paucity of literature suggests it is missed frequently in individuals with ID who risk having problems misattributed to other causes with potential for inappropriate interventions.
Psychiatric symptoms in alpha‐mannosidosis
Authors: Malm D. , Pantel J. , Linaker O. M.
Published: October 2005

Alpha‐mannosidosis is characterized by mild to moderate intellectual disability (ID), moderate to severe neurosensory hearing loss, frequent infections, psychomotor disturbances and skeletal dysmorphism. For the first time, a panel of nine alpha‐mannosidosis patients with psychiatric symptoms is presented. The clinical picture has several similarities: a physical or psychological stressor precedes a rapid development of a state of confusion, delusions, hallucinations, anxiety and often depression leading to a severe loss of function. This usually lasts 3–12 weeks, and is followed by a period of somnolence and asthenia. It may be more prevalent in females. In four of the described patients search for organic causes of the syndrome was performed, but revealed only negative findings. Because of the limited number of cases no firm conclusion about the benefit of various psychotropic drugs can be drawn from our observation.

Psychiatric symptoms could affect as many as 25% of patients with alpha‐mannosidosis. First onset is typically in late puberty to early adolescence. The episodes may be recurrent, and of limited duration although medication may be necessary to alleviate symptoms. Our observations indicate that alpha‐mannosidosis is associated with an increased risk of psychiatric symptoms. These should not be dismissed as part of the ID but should give rise to the initiation of adequate diagnostic work‐up, treatment and support.
Role of Sex and Sex Steroids in Mediating Pituitary‐Adrenal Responses to Acute Buspirone Treatment in Sheep
Authors: Broadbear J. H. , Pierce B. N. , Clarke I. J. , Canny B. J.
Published: October 2005

Systematic characterisation of sex differences in the serotonergic modulation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis may assist with our understanding of why stress‐related disorders are disproportionately represented in women. In this study, we examined the acute effects of buspirone, a serotonergic 1A receptor subtype agonist, on the endocrine endpoints of adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) and cortisol secretion in gonadectomised male and female sheep. Each sheep was treated with an acute i.v. injection containing vehicle or buspirone (0.03, 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg) in the presence and absence of sex steroid replacement (SSR). In males, SSR treatment consisted of testosterone (2 × 200 mg s.c. pellets) and, in females, the mid‐luteal phase of the oestrus cycle was simulated by treatment with oestradiol (1 cm s.c. implant) and an intravaginal controlled internal drug release device containing 0.3 g progesterone. ACTH, cortisol, testosterone and progesterone were measured in jugular blood. Basal ACTH levels were higher in males, whereas basal cortisol levels were higher in females, regardless of sex steroid status. The magnitude of the increase in ACTH and cortisol secretion following buspirone treatment was dose‐dependent. There were no differences in the ACTH responses of males and females to buspirone treatment, either in the presence or absence of sex steroid replacement. However, although the cortisol response to buspirone was greater in females, there was no discernable effect of sex steroid status in addition to this sex difference on either basal or buspirone‐stimulated cortisol release. We conclude that the larger basal and buspirone‐stimulated cortisol response measured in females may reflect a sex difference, either in the sensitivity of the adrenal gland to ACTH or in the catecholaminergic innervation of the adrenal gland. The lack of effect of sex and sex steroids in the ACTH secretory response to buspirone may indicate that the sex differences in serotonergic modulation of the HPA axis, as reported previously by our group, were mediated via serotonergic receptor subtypes other than the 1A receptor.
Lipocalin‐type prostaglandin D synthase (β‐trace) is upregulated in the αB‐crystallin‐positive oligodendrocytes and astrocytes in the chronic multiple sclerosis
Authors: Kagitani‐Shimono K. , Mohri I. , Oda H. , Ozono K. , Suzuki K. , Urade Y. , Taniike M.
Published: October 2005

Lipocalin‐type prostaglandin D synthase (L‐PGDS), which is mainly synthesized in leptomeningeal cells and oligodendrocytes (OLs) in rodents and humans, is secreted into the human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as β‐trace. L‐PGDS protects OLs and neurones against apoptosis in twitcher mice, a murine model of Krabbe's disease, and is the second only to a stress protein, αB‐crystallin, as the most abundant gene product upregulated in the demyelinating focus of multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we report that although the CSF level of L‐PGDS is not increased in MS patients, L‐PGDS is increased in the white matter of MS patients, especially in the shadow plaque as compared with the normal white matter. L‐PGDS immunoreactivity was intensely expressed in OLs within the shadow plaques and in hypertrophied astrocytes within the chronic plaques of MS patients. Both L‐PGDS‐positive OLs and astrocytes expressed a stress protein, αB‐crystallin. These results suggest that the upregulation of L‐PGDS occurs in OLs and astrocytes as a stress reaction.
Outbreak of Clinical Listeriosis in Sheep: Evaluation from possible Contamination Routes from Feed to Raw Produce and Humans
Authors: Wagner M. , Melzner D. , Bagò Z. , Winter P. , Egerbacher M. , Schilcher F. , Zangana A. , Schoder D.
Published: October 2005

We report the results of clinical and microbiological investigations onListeria monocytogenesinfections in a flock of 55 sheep and describe the implications for the safety of the raw milk and raw‐milk cheeses produced in the on‐farm dairy. The outbreak was caused by feeding grass silage, which was contaminated with 5 log10CFUL. monocytogenes/g. Clinically, although having been fed from the same batch of silage, abortive (nine ewes), encephalitic (one ewe) and septicaemic (four ewes) forms of listeriosis were observed during the outbreak phase. As the starting point of feeding the contaminated silage was known we could calculate an incubation period of 18 ± 2 and 26 days for the abortive and the encephalitic form of listeriosis, respectively. Pathologically, the septicaemic cases suffered fromListeriaaccumulation at comparable numbers in visceral organs but not in the brain. Only a single ewe developed central nervous symptoms and a rhomb‐encephalitis was immunohistologically confirmed. In this case the infection proceeded from the nasal mucosa into the brain, with no infections of the liver, spleen and other visceral organs. Sampling of the cheese production chain, the farm environment and the persons living at the farm revealed the exposure of a farm‐worker to an isolate genetically indistinguishable from the outbreak clone, obviously through the consumption of faecally contaminated bovine raw milk. The cheese under processing was free ofListeriabecause, as a result of intensive consultations, the farmer ensured a proper acidification of the cheese. The epidemiological findings suggest that food safety matters should be assessed in any case where infection of food‐producing animals with potential human pathogens is observed.
Caring for the dying patient
Authors: Barbato M. P.
Published: October 2005

Abstract

Patients die but their journey towards death is often camouflaged within a complex model of care that focuses on what is happening to them rather than what is happening with them. (Intern Med J 2005; 35: 636–637)
Spatially disjunct effects of co‐occurring competition and facilitation
Authors: Dickie Ian A. , Schnitzer Stefan A. , Reich Peter B. , Hobbie Sarah E.
Published: October 2005

Little is known of the co‐occurrence and implications of competitive and facilitative interactions within sites. Here we show spatially disjunct competition and facilitation at forest edges, with beneficial influences of trees on seedling growth via increased ectomycorrhizal infection apparent from 12 to 20 m while closer to trees seedling growth is negatively correlated with canopy closure. As a result, seedling growth is maximized at intermediate distances. Facilitative interactions were nonlinear: being within 15.7 m of a tree maximized seedling mycorrhizal infection; while competitive effects were correlated with canopy closure, which was related to distance and generally scales with density. These patterns result in a positive correlation of tree density and seedling growth at low densities of trees, and negative correlation at higher densities because of competition. A spatial model suggests that plant communities are a mosaic of positive and negative interactions, which may contribute to population homeostasis and plant diversity.
Changes to the elevational limits and extent of species ranges associated with climate change
Authors: Wilson Robert J. , Gutiérrez David , Gutiérrez Javier , Martínez David , Agudo Rosa , Monserrat Víctor J.
Published: October 2005

The first expected symptoms of a climate change‐generated biodiversity crisis are range contractions and extinctions at lower elevational and latitudinal limits to species distributions. However, whilst range expansions at high elevations and latitudes have been widely documented, there has been surprisingly little evidence for contractions at warm margins. We show that lower elevational limits for 16 butterfly species in central Spain have risen on average by 212 m (± SE 60) in 30 years, accompanying a 1.3 °C rise (equivalent to c. 225 m) in mean annual temperature. These elevational shifts signify an average reduction in habitable area by one‐third, with losses of 50–80% projected for the coming century, given maintenance of the species thermal associations. The results suggest that many species have already suffered climate‐mediated habitat losses that may threaten their long‐term chances of survival.
Insulin resistance, diabetes and cardiovascular risk: approaches to treatment
Authors: Rosenberg Daniel E. , A. Jabbour Serge , Goldstein Barry J.
Published: October 2005

Abstract:  The prevalence of diabetes is increasing worldwide. Insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus are major predictors of cardiovascular ischaemic disease. Other risk factors for cardiovascular death including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, smoking and visceral obesity are especially lethal in diabetics. C‐reactive protein, plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1, matrix metalloproteinases and other emerging risk factors and their roles are continually being researched and discovered.

Treatment of this syndrome must be aimed at lifestyle modification, glycaemic control and management of concomitant risk factors. Diet and exercise play a vital role in the treatment of diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. Weight reduction and increased physical activity will improve insulin resistance, hyperglycaemia, hypertension and dyslipidaemia. Hypertension management has been shown to be especially important in diabetics to prevent cardiovascular events. Likewise, multiple clinical trials show that reduction of cholesterol is even more vital in diabetics than the general population for risk reduction of coronary disease.

There is a great deal of evidence that tight control of glycaemia is essential to treatment of this condition. There are a variety of available pharmacological agents available including metformin, insulin secretagogues, alpha‐glucosidase inhibitors, thiazolidinediones and insulin. The mechanisms and side effects of these medications are discussed. As macrovascular disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality, an early, aggressive, multi‐factorial approach to treatment of the metabolic syndrome and diabetes is vital to prevent adverse cardiac outcomes.
Effect of three treatment schedules of recombinant methionyl human leptin on body weight in obese adults: a randomized, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Zelissen P. M. J. , Stenlof K. , Lean M. E. J. , Fogteloo J. , Keulen E. T. P. , Wilding J. , Finer N. , Rössner S. , Lawrence E. , Fletcher C. , McCamish M. ,   on behalf of the author group
Published: October 2005

Aim:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on body weight and safety of subcutaneously administered recombinant leptin in obese adults and to evaluate whether the timing of recombinant leptin administration influences efficacy.

Methods:  A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicentre study was designed, comprising of a 3‐week dietary lead‐in followed by a 12‐week leptin or placebo treatment period. A total of 284 overweight and obese (body mass index 27–37.0 kg/m2) predominantly white (98%) women (66%) and men (34%) with a mean (±s.d.) 46.8 ± 10.4 years of age were randomized into three treatment groups with three matching placebo groups. Recombinant leptin was administered by subcutaneous injection [10 mg/morning, 10 mg/evening or 20 mg/day (10 mg twice daily)]. Patients were counselled at baseline to reduce dietary intake by 2100 kJ/day (500 kcal/day), and dietary advice was reinforced every 2–4 weeks.

Results:  No statistically significant change in body weight occurred with recombinant leptin treatment compared with placebo treatment in any treatment group. No clinically significant adverse effects were observed with the exception of an increase in injection‐site reactions in patients treated with recombinant leptin (83%) vs. placebo (36%).

Conclusions:  Administration of recombinant leptin to an overweight and obese population, in addition to a mildly energy‐restricted diet, was not efficacious in terms of weight loss at the doses and schedules studied. The hypothesis that nocturnal administration of recombinant leptin might have a specific effect on weight loss was not supported.
Re‐evaluation of exercise intensity for overweight Japanese men by ventilatory threshold
Authors: Miyatake N. , Nishikawa H. , Morishita A. , Fujii M.
Published: October 2005

Aim:  To re‐evaluate exercise intensity for overweight Japanese men by ventilatory threshold (VT).

Methods:  Cross sectional clinical intervention study.

Subjects and materials:  One hundred and ten overweight Japanese men aged 32–59 years were recruited. The average body mass index was 28.5 ± 2.5 kg/m2. Aerobic exercise level was evaluated by measuring VT. Fifty per cent heart rate (HR) reserve by Karvonen's formula was calculated and compared with HR at VT. Fat distribution was evaluated by visceral fat and subcutaneous fat areas measured with computed tomography scanning at umbilical levels. Anthropometric parameters such as height, body weight and body fat percentage were also measured.

Results:  There was significant correlation between HR at VT and 50% HR reserve by Karvonen's formula (r = 0.642, p < 0.01). However, HR at VT was significantly lower than 50% HR reserve by Karvonen's formula (HR at VT 103.6 ± 10.6 beat/min vs. 50% HR reserve 125.0 ± 7.1 beat/min, p < 0.01) and HR at VT was corresponded to 28.5 ± 8.3% HR reserve by Karovonen's formula.

Conclusion:  The present study indicated that exercise intensity of 30% HR reserve should be recommended for overweight Japanese men.
Therapeutic implications of hepatitis B virus genotypes
Authors: Liu Chun‐Jen , Kao Jia‐Horng , Chen Ding‐Shinn
Published: October 2005

Abstract: Background/Aims: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a global health problem. In addition to the implementation of universal hepatitis B vaccination, effective and individualized treatment of chronic hepatitis B to prevent progression into end‐stage liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma is still needed. HBV has been designated eight genotypes (A–H) based on genome sequence divergence. The epidemiology of HBV genotypes and their implications on the responses to antiviral therapy have become increasingly recognized in both Asian and Western countries.

Methods: Published data are thus reviewed.

Results: Each genotype has its distinct geographical and ethnic distribution. Genotypes A and D occur frequently in Africa, Europe, and India, while genotypes B and C are prevalent in Asia. Genotype E is restricted to West Africa, and genotype F is found in Central and South America. The distribution of genotypes G and H is less clear. Accumulating evidence indicates a better sustained response to conventional interferon in patients with genotype B than those with C, and in patients with genotype A than those with D. In contrast, conflicting results exist regarding the response to pegylated interferon. On the other hand, the therapeutic responses to nucleoside/nucleotide analogues are comparable among patients with different HBV genotypes. The impact of HBV subgenotypes, mixed genotype infections, and recombinants of different genotypes on the response to antiviral treatments awaits further examinations.

Conclusion: Remarkable clinical and pathogenic differences do exist among HBV genotypes; however, researches on molecular and virologic mechanisms underlying the clinical phenotypes of different HBV genotypes are urgently needed.
Untangling the Intuition Mess: Intuition as a Construct in Entrepreneurship Research
Authors: Mitchell J. Robert , Friga Paul N. , Mitchell Ronald K.
Published: October 2005

Entrepreneurs often use intuition to explain their actions. But because entrepreneurial intuition is poorly defined in the research literature: the “intuitive” is confused with the “innate,” what is systematic is overlooked, and unexplained variance in entrepreneurial behavior remains high. Herein we: (1) bound and define the construct of entrepreneurial intuition within the distinctive domain of entrepreneurship research; (2) apply a levels–of–consciousness logic and process dynamism approach to; (3) organize definitions, antecedents, and consequences; and (4) produce propositions that lead to a working definition of entrepreneurial intuition. Our analysis renders intuition more usable in entrepreneurship research, and more valuable in practice.
Institutional Influences on the Worldwide Expansion of Venture Capital
Authors: Bruton Garry D. , Fried Vance H. , Manigart Sophie
Published: October 2005

The venture capital (VC) industry started in the United States and then spread worldwide. As it spread into other countries, there was a conscious attempt to copy industry practice from the U.S. However, venture capitalists in other countries are subject to different institutional forces that can impact their behavior. This article uses an institutional perspective to develop testable propositions on the impact of various institutions on venture capitalists’ behavior. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of an institutional theory perspective for VC research and public policy.
Psychosocial factors as risk indicators of periodontitis
Authors: Dolic Marijana , Bailer Josef , Staehle Hans Jörg , Eickholz Peter
Published: October 2005

Objective: Cross‐sectional investigation of associations between psychosocial and periodontal parameters.

Methods: One hundred and ten patients 18–76 years of age were examined clinically and 57 radiographically at the Department of Conservative Dentistry of the University Hospital of Heidelberg: probing depths (PDs) and attachment level (PAL‐V) were obtained at six sites per tooth. Inter‐proximal bone loss was assessed in 57 patients on panoramic radiographs. Further chemical and general environmental sensitivity, somatization, and smoking status were assessed by several questionnaires.

Results: Significant correlations between severe bone loss and age (r=0.38, p=0.004) were observed. PAL‐V and PD also correlated with age (r=0.45, p<0.001; r=0.37, p<0.001) and pack years (r=0.21, p=0.031; r=0.3, p=0.002). After adjustment for age, smoking, and sex a negative correlation between chemical odour sensitivity and bone loss, PD=4 mm as well as PAL‐V=4 mm was observed. Further, a negative correlation was observed between gastrointestinal sensitivity and PAL‐V=4 mm. Psychological stress correlated positively with bone loss.

Conclusion: The results give evidence for associations of psychosocial factors and periodontal disease. Some environmental traits seem to be related to more favourable periodontal status.
Long‐term treatment with sub‐antimicrobial dose doxycycline has no antibacterial effect on intestinal flora
Authors: Walker Clay , Preshaw Philip M. , Novak John , Hefti Arthur F. , Bradshaw Mark , Powala Christopher
Published: October 2005

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine if a 9‐month regimen of sub‐antimicrobial doxycycline (20 mg, bid) had an effect on either the intestinal or the vaginal microflora.

Material and Methods: A total of 69 periodontally diseased subjects were randomized to receive drug or placebo control for a 9‐month period. Stool specimens and vaginal swabs were collected at baseline and after 3 and 9 months of therapy. Samples were examined for total anaerobic counts, opportunistic pathogens, and doxycycline‐resistant (4 μg/ml) bacteria. All isolates that survived sub‐culture were identified and their susceptibilities determined to six antibiotics. Analyses were performed to determine if treatment differences were present.

Results: The only statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between the two treatment groups occurred in the doxycycline‐resistant counts at the baseline sample period for the faecal samples. This imbalance was before treatment initiation and the administration of the study drug. No between‐treatment differences were detected at either the 3‐ or 9‐month sample period either in the predominant bacterial taxa present or in their antibiotic susceptibilities.

Conclusions: There was no evidence that sub‐antimicrobial doxycycline treatment exerted an effect on the composition or doxycycline resistance level of either the faecal or the vaginal microflora.
Capsaicin‐induced local elevations in collagenase‐2 (matrix metalloproteinase‐8) levels in human gingival crevice fluid
Authors: Avellan N.‐L. , Kemppainen P. , Tervahartiala T. , Vilppola P. , Forster C. , Sorsa T.
Published: October 2005

Background and objectives:  Application of capsaicin on alveolar mucosa provokes pain and neurogenic vasodilatation in the adjacent gingiva. Pain‐associated inflammatory reactions may initiate expression of several pro‐inflammatory mediators. Collagenase‐2 (matrix metalloproteinase‐8: MMP‐8) is the major destructive protease, especially in the periodontitis‐affected gingival crevice fluid (GCF). With this background, we wished to study whether capsaicin stimulation of alveolar mucosa can induce changes in the GCF MMP‐8 levels.

Material and methods:  For 10 generally and periodontally healthy human volunteers, capsaicin (3%)‐moistened filter paper was applied unilaterally to the buccal alveolar mucosa on the anterior maxilla. GCF samples were collected from the tooth at the stimulation site and from several other incisors in the upper jaw. MMP‐8 levels and molecular forms in GCF samples were determined by immunofluorometric assay (IFMA) and western immunoblotting, respectively.

Results:  Capsaicin stimulation of the alveolar mucosa induced significant local elevations in levels and activation of MMP‐8 in GCF of the adjacent teeth. Western immunoblot revealed that both neutrophil‐ and mesenchymal‐type MMP‐8 isoforms were elevated and activated, together with 110 kDa high‐molecular size MMP‐8 species. This capsaicin‐evoked MMP‐8 elevation lasted several minutes after stimulation. During the experiments, no marked changes occurred in MMP‐8 levels in the GCF of distantly located teeth.

Conclusions:  These results suggest that capsaicin‐evoked neurogenic gingival inflammation can trigger the expression and activation of MMP‐8 in GCF of the adjacent teeth.
Biochemical and Crystallographic Studies Reveal a Specific Interaction Between TRAPP Subunits Trs33p and Bet3p
Authors: Kim Min‐Sung , Yi Min‐Ju , Lee Kwang‐Hoon , Wagner John , Munger Christine , Kim Yeon‐Gil , Whiteway Malcolm , Cygler Miroslaw , Oh Byung‐Ha , Sacher Michael
Published: October 2005

Transport protein particle (TRAPP) comprises a family of two highly related multiprotein complexes, with seven common subunits, that serve to target different classes of transport vesicles to their appropriate compartments. Defining the architecture of the complexes will advance our understanding of the functional differences between these highly related molecular machines. Genetic analyses in yeast suggested a specific interaction between the TRAPP subunits Bet3p and Trs33p. A mammalian bet3–trs33 complex was crystallized, and the structure was solved to 2.2 Å resolution. Intriguingly, the overall fold of the bet3 and trs33 monomers was similar, although the proteins had little overall sequence identity. In vitro experiments using yeast TRAPP subunits indicated that Bet3p binding to Trs33p facilitates the interaction between Bet3p and another TRAPP subunit, Bet5p. Mutational analysis suggests that yeast Trs33p facilitates other Bet3p protein–protein interactions. Furthermore, we show that Trs33p can increase the Golgi‐localized pool of a mutated Bet3 protein normally found in the cytosol. We propose that one of the roles of Trs33p is to facilitate the incorporation of the Bet3p subunit into assembling TRAPP complexes.
Randomized controlled clinical trials on agents used for chemical plaque control
Authors: Paraskevas S
Published: October 2005

Abstract:  Taking into account the limitations of the daily self‐performed oral hygiene the use of chemical agents that can be incorporated in dentifrice or mouth rinse formulations has been advocated. The present review deals with randomized controlled clinical trials of ≥6 months in duration, on the use of those agents and their effects on plaque and gingival inflammation.
Acoustic scattering from a finite cylindrical shell with evenly spaced stiffeners: Experimental investigation
Authors: Liétard R. , Décultot D. , Maze G. , Tran-Van-Nhieu M.
Published: October 2005

The influence of evenly spaced ribs (internal rings) on the acoustic scattering from a finite cylindrical shell is examined over the dimensionless frequency range 1<ka<42 (where k is the wave number in water and a the outer radius of the cylinder). Experimental results, obtained with a monostatic setup, are discussed in the incidence angle/time and incidence angle/frequency domains. The physical phenomena that give rise to highlights in the experimental spectra (Bragg scattering and scattering from Bloch-Floquet waves) are investigated. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) processing on different segments of time signals allows us to distinguish influences of these phenomena. Further, comparison is made between frequency based results and numerical results provided by, respectively, a theoretical model using the thin shell theory [Tran-Van-Nhieu, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 110, 2858–2866 (2001)] and a simple scattering/interference calculation.
Lexical frequency and acoustic reduction in spoken Dutch
Authors: Pluymaekers Mark , Ernestus Mirjam , Baayen R. Harald
Published: October 2005

This study investigates the effects of lexical frequency on the durational reduction of morphologically complex words in spoken Dutch. The hypothesis that high-frequency words are more reduced than low-frequency words was tested by comparing the durations of affixes occurring in different carrier words. Four Dutch affixes were investigated, each occurring in a large number of words with different frequencies. The materials came from a large database of face-to-face conversations. For each word containing a target affix, one token was randomly selected for acoustic analysis. Measurements were made of the duration of the affix as a whole and the durations of the individual segments in the affix. For three of the four affixes, a higher frequency of the carrier word led to shorter realizations of the affix as a whole, individual segments in the affix, or both. Other relevant factors were the sex and age of the speaker, segmental context, and speech rate. To accommodate for these findings, models of speech production should allow word frequency to affect the acoustic realizations of lower-level units, such as individual speech sounds occurring in affixes.
An alternative numerical implementation of the Burnett family of acoustic infinite elements
Authors: Bhandakkar T. K. , Jog C. S.
Published: October 2005

In a series of pioneering papers, Burnett and Holford presented the formulation and numerical implementation of three-dimensional acoustic infinite elements for modeling acoustic fields in exterior unbounded domains surrounding a structure. They are all based on a multipole expansion outside a closed coordinate surface that circumscribes the structure; the multipole expansion has a radial variable r, and two angular variables that describe the surfaces r=const. In the finite element representation, the pressure field is discretized using a product of radial and angular shape functions. The angular variables are discretized directly using nodal angular values. However, in some cases, and especially in problems involving symmetry, nodes are located in certain positions where one of the angular variables is undefined, thus leading to errors in the value of the angular variable in the interior of the elements connected to these nodes, and hence in the computed acoustic field. To overcome this problem, we propose an alternative numerical formulation in this work, which is based on the interpolation of the position vector expressed in the global Cartesian coordinate system (as in conventional finite elements) instead of the interpolation of angular variables. We present numerical solutions for a few benchmark problems using the proposed method.
Incidental categorization of spectrally complex non-invariant auditory stimuli in a computer game task
Authors: Wade Travis , Holt Lori L.
Published: October 2005

This study examined perceptual learning of spectrally complex nonspeech auditory categories in an interactive multi-modal training paradigm. Participants played a computer game in which they navigated through a three-dimensional space while responding to animated characters encountered along the way. Characters’ appearances in the game correlated with distinctive sound category distributions, exemplars of which repeated each time the characters were encountered. As the game progressed, the speed and difficulty of required tasks increased and characters became harder to identify visually, so quick identification of approaching characters by sound patterns was, although never required or encouraged, of gradually increasing benefit. After 30 min of play, participants performed a categorization task, matching sounds to characters. Despite not being informed of audio-visual correlations, participants exhibited reliable learning of these patterns at posttest. Categorization accuracy was related to several measures of game performance and category learning was sensitive to category distribution differences modeling acoustic structures of speech categories. Category knowledge resulting from the game was qualitatively different from that gained from an explicit unsupervised categorization task involving the same stimuli. Results are discussed with respect to information sources and mechanisms involved in acquiring complex, context-dependent auditory categories, including phonetic categories, and to multi-modal statistical learning.
Robust acoustic object detection
Authors: Amit Yali , Koloydenko Alexey , Niyogi Partha
Published: October 2005

We consider a novel approach to the problem of detecting phonological objects like phonemes, syllables, or words, directly from the speech signal. We begin by defining local features in the time-frequency plane with built in robustness to intensity variations and time warping. Global templates of phonological objects correspond to the coincidence in time and frequency of patterns of the local features. These global templates are constructed by using the statistics of the local features in a principled way. The templates have clear phonetic interpretability, are easily adaptable, have built in invariances, and display considerable robustness in the face of additive noise and clutter from competing speakers. We provide a detailed evaluation of the performance of some diphone detectors and a word detector based on this approach. We also perform some phonetic classification experiments based on the edge-based features suggested here.
Injection of ac current into scala media alters the sound pressure at the tympanic membrane: Variations with acoustical stimulus parameters
Authors: Hubbard A. E. , Mountain D. C.
Published: October 2005

The modulation of the sound pressure at the tympanic membrane of the gerbil by the injection of ac current into the basal turn of the cochlea was studied for a wide range of acoustic frequencies and levels. Currents of 5 μA at 100 Hz were passed into scala media through a micropipette filled with either 1.0 M or 0.17 M KCl. Modulation of the fundamental component of the sound pressure was observed for a wide range of acoustic frequencies above 400 Hz. The level of the acoustic stimulus influenced the percent modulation with the largest modulation occurring at the lowest acoustic levels studied. Modulation of the acoustic harmonics was also observed for many stimulus conditions. When present this modulation was greater than the modulation of the fundamental. Very high acoustic levels can permanently eliminate the modulation. These high levels decreased the responsiveness of the cochlear microphonic suggesting that hair cell damage had taken place.