bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of the feed base excess on urine parameters in cats*
Authors: Wagner E. , Keusch Ch. , Iben Ch.
Published: January 2006

In this study the base excess (BE) was used as a method to predict the influence of the food on the urinary pH on cats. Nine cat foods (six dry and three canned) were consecutively fed to eight cats. The urine pH, volume, specific gravity and water and food intake were determined daily. The base excess [BE; mmol/kg dry matter (DM)] was calculated from the compounds in the food (BE = 49.9*Ca+82.3*Mg*+43.5*Na+25.6*K‐64.6*P‐13.4*Met‐16.6*Cys‐28.2*Cl). The BE of the tested foods was between −287.35 and 133.38 mmol/kg DM. The mean urine pH varied between 5.76 (SD = 0.13) and 7.16 (SD = 0.22). The BE correlated with the mean urine pH (pH = 6.25+0.0023*BE;r = 0.74**). The urine volume (ml/kg BW/day) correlated significantly positive with the K‐ (r = 0.71**) and significantly negative with the P‐content (r = −0.67**), the Ca‐content (r = −0.50**) followed by the Mg‐content (r = −0.36**) of the food. The correlation coefficients between the anions/cations in the food and the urine pH was for K 0.36**, for P −0.61**, the Met+Cys −0.60** and Cl −0.27**. In practice the correlation between urine pH and BE would help to pre‐estimate the effect of food on the urine pH and to prevent urolith formation.
Late development of homoeothermy in mink (Mustela vison) kits – a strategy for maximum survival rate*
Authors: Tauson A.‐H. , Chwalibog A. , Tygesen M. P.
Published: January 2006

The objective of this study was to establish the age at which mink kits develop functional homoeothermy. The investigation was based on the hypothesis that in this species with very immature neonates, late development of homoeothermy may be an adaptation to economize with energy. Measurements of heat production (HE) by means of indirect calorimetry lasting 3 h were performed on neonatal kits and kits from 1 to 54 days of age. Both single kits and groups of 4–5 huddling kits were kept at 15 °C (L) or 30 °C (H) [from 35 days onwards at 25 °C (H)]. Animals were weighed before and after the experiments and evaporative water losses (EWL) were calculated. When exposed to L temperature, single kits responded with a very low HE until 29 days of age, and groups of kits until 14 days of age. It was not until they reached an age of approximately 6 weeks that single kits showed a clear thermoregulatory response to the L temperature by increased HE, whereas groups of kits showed increased HE from 29th day onwards. When kept at H temperature, HE was low initially, but all kits showed elevated HE at 8 days of age, and the metabolic rate was similar for single kits and kits huddling in groups. Evaporative water losses was higher among single than among groups of kits and slightly lower but more variable for animals at L than at H temperature. It was concluded that mink kits develop functional homoeothermy at an age of close to 6 weeks and that the failure of very young kits to thermoregulate is an adaptation mechanism in order to economise with their very limited body energy reserves.
Comparison of glycaemic control over 1 year with pioglitazone or gliclazide in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Perriello G. , Pampanelli S. , Di Pietro C. , Brunetti P. ,   on behalf of the Italian Pioglitazone Study Group
Published: January 2006

Aims  To compare long‐term (1 year) efficacy and safety of pioglitazone and gliclazide in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods  This was a double‐blind, multicentre, comparative, parallel group trial in 283 patients with Type 2 diabetes, who were randomized to receive 1‐year treatment with pioglitazone 30–45 mg/day or gliclazide 80–320 mg/day. Drug dose was titrated on the basis of self‐monitored blood glucose (SMBG) measurements and HbA1c values. The 1‐year changes in HbA1c, fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, HOMA‐S (HOmeostatic Model Assessment) and SMBG were compared. In a subgroup of patients (n = 10), systemic glucose production and utilization were determined by a combination of isotopic (deuterated glucose) and clamp techniques.

Results  In both groups, there were similar decreases in HbA1c (pioglitazone: −0.79%; gliclazide: −0.79%) and FBG (pioglitazone: −1.0 mmol/l; gliclazide: −0.7 mmol/l), whereas the slope of the reduction of fasting blood glucose was different between groups (P = 0.004). Insulin levels as well as insulin resistance assessed using HOMA‐S decreased significantly only after pioglitazone treatment (−11.94 pmol/l and −1.03, respectively, both P = 0.002 vs. baseline). A significantly greater reduction in systemic glucose production was observed in the pioglitazone group (−2.48 µmol/kg/min, P = 0.042) than in the gliclazide group (−1.02 µmol/kg/min). A few, mild adverse events occurred in both groups.

Conclusions  A comparable decrease in HbA1c and FBG was observed with pioglitazone and gliclazide. However, with pioglitazone there was a continuous decrease in FBG over 1 year, whereas gliclazide failed to maintain a similar trend. This favourable effect of pioglitazone was due to its insulin‐sensitizing effect and ability to decrease systemic glucose production.
Expressed emotion and Milan systemic intervention: a pilot study on families of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia
Authors: Bertrando Paolo , Cecchin Gianfranco , Clerici Massimo , Beltz Jutta , Milesi Alessandra , Cazzullo Carlo L.
Published: January 2006

This article presents the results of a pilot study carried out on families of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia (high‐frequency users of psychiatric services) using a standardized version of systemic family intervention based on the Milan Approach (‘Circular Interview’). We used expressed emotion (EE) to compare and assess two homogeneous samples of families, a treatment group (n = 10) and a control group (n = 8). We found that families participating in circular interviews showed a reduction in criticism, while 30% of their members with a diagnosis of schizophrenia relapsed. Families not receiving treatment showed no changes in EE levels, while 62.5% of their members with a diagnosis of schizophrenia relapsed. Although the difference in relapse rates is not statistically significant, these results justify further studies on the use of nondirective systemic intervention with families of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Coping with Rational Prodigals: A Theory of Social Security and Savings Subsidies
Authors: HOMBURG STEFAN
Published: January 2006

The rational prodigality argument, which often serves to justify social security, is considered in a second‐best tax framework with endogenous labour supply. Rational prodigality renders the familiar policies time‐inconsistent. I analyse time‐consistent policies and show that a wage tax suffices to rule out prodigality as a rational strategy. However, by using savings subsidies the solution can be improved upon. The subsidies are shown to be decreasing in income. A social security system with increasing contributions is not needed in either case.
How Much Does Trade Contribute to Market Structure?
Authors: MIRZA DANIEL
Published: January 2006

In general, firm‐level data are not available among foreign sellers to enable researchers to compute market concentration in open markets, and especially trade's contribution to this concentration. We implement a theory‐based procedure from a generalized Brander–Krugman framework that can be used to estimate foreign contribution to market concentration, using industrial trade and activity data only and without any need for firm‐level data. The results suggest a foreign contribution to concentration of around 30%–50% for small European economies and 20%–30% for larger European countries. Market structure is less affected by openness in the USA and Japan.
Inequality and Poverty in United States: The Effects of Rising Dispersion of Men's Earnings and Changing Family Behaviour
Authors: DALY MARY C. , VALLETTA ROBERT G.
Published: January 2006

Using semiparametric density estimation techniques, we analyse the effect of rising dispersion of men's earnings and related changes in family behaviour on increasing inequality in the distribution of family income in the United States. For the period 1969–1989, the growing dispersion of men's earnings and changing family structure can account for most of the rise in family income inequality. By contrast, the increase in labour force participation by women offset this trend. Inequality grew at a slower rate in the 1990s than in earlier decades, largely because of stabilization in the relative earnings of men from low‐income families.
Neck-Tongue Syndrome and Related (?) Conditions
Authors: Sjaastad O , Bakketeig LS
Published: January 2006

A search has been made for the neck-tongue syndrome. It started out with a systematic inquiry during the Vågå study of headache epidemiology during the years 1995-97. Two cases were detected relatively early during the study. This led to a scrutiny of such cases also in our hospital headache practice. The origin - and the basis of the study, nevertheless, was the Vågå study. In the Vågå study, where 1838 18-65-year-old parishioners were examined, there were four neck-tongue syndrome cases (N-TS), i.e. a prevalence of approximately 0.22%. N-TS may be more frequent than hitherto surmised. A variant was observed in one case; a young male: instead of numbness, a ‘spasm’ seemed to occur in the tongue. None of the four had at any time consulted their physician for their complaints. In our regular headache practice, two new cases were detected. In one of them and in one of the Vågå cases, there was a combination with ipsilateral cervicogenic headache (CEH). In N-TS, there may be both ipsilateral headache and upper extremity sensory phenomena, a constellation reminiscent of CEH. The possible pathogenetic relationship between N-TS and CEH is therefore discussed in some detail.
Treatment of paediatric atopic dermatitis with pimecrolimus (Elidel®, SDZ ASM 981): impact on quality of life and health‐related quality of life
Authors: McKenna SP , Whalley D , de Prost Y , Staab D , Huels J , Paul CF , van Assche D
Published: January 2006

Aim  To report on quality of life (QoL) and health‐related quality of life (HRQL) impacts of pimecrolimus (Elidel®, Novartis A.G., Basel, Switzerland, SDZ ASM 981) 1% cream in the long‐term treatment of paediatric atopic dermatitis.

Methods  QoL and HRQL data are presented from two 12‐month international clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of pimecrolimus 1% cream. Both trials were randomized and double blinded and compared two treatment strategies, one involving the use of emollients, pimecrolimus and topical corticosteroids, the other is ‘usual care’ (emollients plus topical corticosteroids) with a vehicle cream to maintain study blinding. The first trial (the infant trial) involved patients between ages 3 months and 2 years, whereas the children trial included patients aged 2–17 years. In both trials, QoL of the affected child's parent was evaluated with the parent's index of quality of life in atopic dermatitis (PIQoL‐AD). HRQL was assessed in the children trial only with the children's dermatology life quality index (CDLQI). QoL and HRQL assessments were conducted at baseline, 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months.

Results  Generalized linear modelling of PIQoL‐AD scores at each post‐baseline visit showed a greater impact on parent's QoL for pimecrolimus compared with control at all time‐points in both trials. HRQL scores showed a greater improvement from baseline for children in the pimecrolimus group compared with those in the control group at all time‐points.

Conclusions   The results show a beneficial impact of pimecrolimus on parents’ QoL in paediatric atopic dermatitis, confirming findings from earlier shorter term trials. There was also a clear benefit to the HRQL of the children treated.
Granuloma annulare on herpes zoster scars in a Hodgkin's disease patient following autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation
Authors: Şanlı HE , Koçyiǧit P , Arıca E , Kurtyüksel M , Heper AO , Özcan M
Published: January 2006

Various cutaneous lesions including granulomatous reactions may occur at sites of resolved herpes zoster infection. A 46‐year‐old man with Hodgkin's disease developed localized granuloma annulare lesions on herpes zoster scars 3 months after allogeneic peripheral stem cell transplantation. This is the first case of granuloma annulare localized on herpes zoster scars that developed following peripheral stem cell transplantation.
Exclusive penile Kaposi's sarcoma: report of an HIV‐negative man successfully treated with radiotherapy
Authors: Zargari O
Published: January 2006

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a rare neoplasm of endovascular cells with multifocal origin. The exact nature of the disease is not clear, but current data support the notion that KS is a vascular hyperplasia with a tight link to human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8) infection. Classic KS occurs primarily on the lower extremities in elderly men living in the Mediterranean region. Penile involvement has rarely been reported in non‐human immune deficiency virus (HIV) patients. Herein we present a 71‐year‐old HIV‐negative man with isolated KS on the penis who was treated successfully with radiotherapy. A review of the literature is also presented.
Atrophic dermatofibroma accompanied by aneurysmatic characteristics
Authors: Curcó N , Pagerols X , García M , Tarroch X , Vives P
Published: January 2006

A 40‐year‐old man presented a painful haemorrhagic plaque on his chest in the same location where a nodular lesion had been presented for many years. After 2 months, the plaque was replaced by a depressed lesion. The lesion diagnosed as an anetoderma was excised and the biopsy showed an atrophic dermatofibroma accompanied by aneurysmatic characteristics.
Desloratadine 5 mg once daily improves the quality of life of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria
Authors: Lachapelle JM , Decroix J , Henrijean A , Roquet‐Gravy PP , De Swerdt A , Boonen H , Lecuyer M , Suys E , Speelman G , Vastesaeger N
Published: January 2006

Background  Chronic urticaria is known to debilitate a person's quality of life via sleep disruption, itching lesions, fatigue, social isolation, energy loss and emotional/sexual difficulties. Once‐daily desloratadine significantly improved the signs and symptoms of CIU.

Objective  Assess the effect of desloratadine 5 mg once daily on the quality of life of patients suffering of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU).

Study population  One‐hundred twenty‐one consecutive patients with CIU present for at least 6 weeks prior to inclusion and with a current flare of at least 3 weeks, were included in the study in 24 Belgian centres.

Results  The mean dermatology life quality index (DLQI) significantly decreased from baseline to day 7 and further to day 42. Sixty per cent and 77% of patients had a clinically significant change (i.e. a decrease of at least 2 points) at day 7 or day 42, respectively, as compared with that of day 0. Change in pruritus and size of the hives significantly correlated with the change in the score of the quality of life. One‐third of patients experienced complete relief whereas in 1 of 10 patients no effect was experienced.

Conclusions  Desloratadine significantly improves the quality of life of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria as reflected by the dermatology life quality index (DLQI).
Towards a typology of specific language impairment
Authors: Van Weerdenburg Marjolijn , Verhoeven Ludo , Van Balkom Hans
Published: January 2006

Background: The population of children with specific language impairments (SLI) is heterogeneous. The present study was conducted to examine this heterogeneity more closely, by identifying and describing subgroups within the population of children with SLI in the Netherlands.

Method: A broad battery of language tests and language‐related cognitive tests were administered to 147 six‐year‐old and 136 eight‐year‐old children with SLI.

Results: Factor analyses revealed 4 factors indicating 4 distinctive linguistic domains for both age samples: 1) lexical‐semantic abilities, 2) auditory conceptualization, 3) verbal sequential memory and 4) speech production. These empirical findings were further validated by the positive correlations found between the language factors and the judgments of teachers and speech therapists. Finally, a cluster analysis revealed 4 distinct clusters of SLI children for each sample with specific language profiles based on the 4 factors. Results were nearly the same for both age samples.

Conclusions: The language problems that emerged from the two samples of children with SLI could be described as falling into four types. Based on these language types, four subgroups of children with SLI could be distinguished, each with a specific profile. Some subgroups had severe problems on one specific type of language problem; others had severe problems in more than one type of language problem when compared to the other subgroups of the same age sample. The different profiles may indicate that a more dynamic approach is needed in intervention, considering the presence of both compensating and restricting factors within each child with SLI.
Practitioner Review: Use of antiepileptic drugs in children
Authors: Guerrini Renzo , Parmeggiani Lucio
Published: January 2006

Background: The aim in treating epilepsy is to minimise or control seizures with full respect of quality‐of‐life issues, especially of cognitive functions. Optimal treatment first demands a correct recognition of the major type of seizures, followed by a correct diagnosis of the type of epilepsy or of the specific syndrome.

Methods: Review of data from literature and personal clinical experience in treating children with epilepsy.

Results: After summarising the general aspects on the diagnosis and treatment of the main forms of childhood epilepsy, we review key issues about management of seizure disorders, including when to start treatment, how to proceed when the first treatment fails, and how to set the targets of treatment. A special section is devoted to the new concept of epileptic encephalopathy and to the influence of ‘interictal’ EEG abnormalities on cognition, behaviour, and motor abilities in children, providing some suggestions on why and how to treat these conditions. A second section approaches the choice of treatment according to the specific syndromes including infantile spasms, focal epilepsies, syndromes with typical absence seizures, the myoclonic epilepsies and the Lennox–Gastaut syndrome.

Conclusions: Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can efficiently control seizures in most children. However, the specificity of AEDs is relatively limited, although continuing research is leading to a better understanding of the relationship between pathogenesis and the mechanism(s) and site(s) of drug action.
A randomised controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of an early psychological intervention with children involved in road traffic accidents
Authors: Stallard Paul , Velleman Richard , Salter Emma , Howse Imogen , Yule William , Taylor Gordon
Published: January 2006

Objective:  To determine whether an early intervention using a psychological debriefing format is effective in preventing psychological distress in child road traffic accident survivors.

Design:  Randomised controlled trial.

Setting:  Accident and Emergency Department, Royal United Hospital, Bath.

Subjects:  158 children aged 7–18. Follow‐up assessment completed eight months post accident with 132 (70/82 of the experimental group and 62/76 in the control group).

Main outcome measures:  Self‐completed measures of psychological distress; fulfilment of diagnostic criteria for post‐traumatic stress disorder.

Results:  Children in both groups demonstrated considerable improvements at follow‐up. The early intervention did not result in any additional significant gains.

Conclusions:  Although children in this study made significant improvements it is unclear whether these are better or worse than natural recovery rates. The specific intervention did not result in additional gains although the structured assessment provided for both groups may have been helpful in reducing subsequent pathology.
Autistic features in a total population of 7–9‐year‐old children assessed by the ASSQ (Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire)
Authors: Posserud Maj‐Britt , Lundervold Astri J. , Gillberg Christopher
Published: January 2006

Background:  The prevalence of autism is reported to be on the rise worldwide. Change of diagnostic criteria and a broadening of the concept of autism have been mentioned as contributing factors. Further studies of general populations are needed. The present study assessed the distribution of autistic features in a total population of children 7–9 years of age, and explored the impact of age, gender, informant, and participation bias on symptom report.

Methods:  Teacher and parent forms of the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) were used in the ‘Bergen Child Study’, a total population study of 9430 children aged 7–9 years. Completed teacher forms were returned for 97% and parent forms for 71% of the children. High‐scorers were defined according to the ASSQ validation study by Ehlers, Gillberg, and Wing (1999).

Results:  The distribution of ASSQ scores was found to be almost continuous. Of the children with both a teacher and a parent form, 2.1% were defined as high‐scorers. Children without parent informed consent (i.e., anonymous children) obtained significantly higher teacher scores than those who had questionnaires completed by both parent and teacher. Adjusting prevalence for the anonymous children, the prevalence of high‐scorers was 2.7% of the total population. Age did not affect symptom scores. Boys scored higher and parents reported more symptoms, particularly in girls. Agreement between informants was low to moderate.

Conclusions:  Autism symptoms are not uncommon in the general population of children. Our findings are consistent with the concept of autism as a spectrum. Non‐responders had a higher load of autism symptoms than identified children, indicating that reports on the prevalence of autism in a responder group underestimate true prevalence. Large differences across informants suggested the need to gather information both from families and from schools when screening for autism spectrum disorders.
Phonology and handedness in primary school: predictions of the right shift theory
Authors: Smythe Pamela , Annett Marian
Published: January 2006

Background:  The right shift (RS) theory of handedness suggests that poor phonology may occur in the general population as a risk associated with absence of an agent of left cerebral speech, the hypothesised RS + gene. The theory predicts that poor phonology is associated with reduced bias to right‐handedness.

Methods:  A representative cohort of primary school children was assessed on tests of phonology, nonverbal ability, literacy, and handedness. There were three types of analysis; for discrete variables, poor phonology and left hand preference; for continuous variables, phonology factor scores and hand skill; for ‘cases’ of specifically poor phonology.

Results:  Reduced bias to dextrality was found in those with poor phonology for all types of analysis. Trends were similar for both sexes but stronger in males than females. Poor phonology was associated with a raised proportion of left‐handed brothers. There was a strong association between poor phonology and poor literacy, but not all those with specifically poor phonology were poor readers or spellers. Among children with poor phonology but not poor for other variables, some 23–31% were left‐handed writers.

Conclusions:  Poor phonological processing is associated with reduced bias to the right hand, consistent with absence of an agent of left hemisphere advantage.
Children's subjective emotional reactivity to affective pictures: gender differences and their antisocial correlates in an unselected sample of 7–11‐year‐olds
Authors: Sharp Carla , Van Goozen Stephanie , Goodyer Ian
Published: January 2006

Background:  Differential responses in terms of gender and antisocial behaviour in emotional reactivity to affective pictures using the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) have been demonstrated in adult and adolescent samples. Moreover, a quadratic relationship between the arousal (intensity) and valence (degree of unpleasantness) has been suggested. The picture perception methodology has rarely been applied to middle school‐aged children. We examined the subjective ratings of emotional reactivity in children for: i) the relationship between arousal and valence, ii) gender differences, and iii) its association with measures of antisocial behaviour.

Method:  Twenty‐seven IAPS pictures were selected to cover a wide range of affective content and were individually administered to a non‐referred community sample of 659 7–11‐year‐old children using a paper‐and‐pencil version. Concurrent symptoms of conduct disorder, oppositional defiance and psychopathy were collected from multiple sources (teacher‐, parent‐ and self‐report).

Results:  A quadratic relationship between arousal and valence, similar to that previously reported in adults, was demonstrated. A gender difference was found for valence ratings, with girls rating aversive pictures more unpleasant than boys. No gender differences for arousal ratings were found. A significant difference was found between groups scoring above and below cut‐off scores on measures of antisocial behaviour. Children above cut‐off reported lower arousal to unpleasant pictures, but higher arousal to pleasant pictures.

Conclusions:  We confirmed that a paper‐and‐pencil version of the IAPS for evaluating emotion response to affectively valent and arousing stimuli can be used in school settings and that comparable gender differences in emotional reactivity can be found in children. The differential emotional reactivity of children above cut‐off on measures of antisocial behaviour suggested these symptoms to be associated with a combination of increased reward and decreased punishment sensitivity.
The Obsessive Compulsive Scale of the Child Behavior Checklist predicts obsessive‐compulsive disorder: a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis
Authors: Hudziak James J. , Althoff Robert R. , Stanger Catherine , van Beijsterveldt C.E.M. , Nelson Elliot C. , Hanna Gregory L. , Boomsma Dorret I. , Todd Richard D.
Published: January 2006

Background:  The purpose of this study was to determine a score on the Obsessive Compulsive Scale (OCS) from the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) to screen for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in children and to rigorously test the specificity and sensitivity of a single cutpoint.

Methods:  A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied to data from 61 patients with clinically determined OCD, 64 clinical controls and 73 general population controls to determine the best sum score on the CBCL‐OCS to predict confirmed OCD in children. Using the ROC‐determined cutoff, this score was applied to a national sample of CBCL data from 2460 singleton children ages 4–18 and to 20,016 children ages 7–18 from three large general population twin samples to determine the estimated prevalence in the general population.

Results:  Using a CBCL‐OCS score of 5 demonstrated an area under the curve (AUC) of .88 with high sensitivity (92%) and moderate specificity (67%) compared to clinical controls. Compared to the general population controls, the AUC was .96 with high sensitivity (92%) and specificity (89%). In the twin samples, the number of participants with CBCL‐OCS scores above this cutpoint was 2.3–7.1%.

Conclusions:  These findings suggest that the OCS of the CBCL may provide a highly effective way to screen for childhood OCD, and that the prevalence of childhood OCD may have been underestimated, thus prompting the need for further research into screening children for this condition.
Newcomers' learning of midwifery practice in a labour ward: a socio‐cultural perspective
Authors: Blåka Gunnhild
Published: January 2006

This article presents a qualitative case study of midwifery students’ learning processes in a Norwegian maternity ward. Midwifery students in their first year of midwifery education were interviewed with regard to their experiences of learning in this context. Both students and their preceptors were observed in different settings on the ward. Taking this community of practice as the privileged locus for learning practical knowledge, the study set out to understand students’ learning processes in this context, and how skilled midwifery was being learned. Three overarching themes emerged: acceptance into the community of practice; engagement in supportive dialogue with a preceptor; and being in different places at the right time. The study provides midwifery educators with some insight into midwifery students’ learning through participation in real‐life situations and performing midwifery actions within formal and informal learning relationships on the ward.
James I and fictional authority at the Palatine wedding celebrations
Authors: Curran Kevin
Published: January 2006

The 1613 marriage of James I's daughter, Elizabeth, to Frederick the Elector Palatine linked two of Europe's strongest Protestant nations. The union presented the possibility of tilting the balance of power away from the Catholic Habsburgs and allowed fervent Protestants in England to imagine themselves taking a leading role in this endeavour. The present essay is concerned with the festivities, public and private, mounted in London to celebrate this wedding. Focusing on textual accounts of the civic entertainments and Thomas Campion's wedding‐night masque, the essay shows how the Palatine marriage problematised the vision of Jacobean nationhood promulgated by the King. While James was envisioning the marriage as one step in a larger process of religious reconciliation, many were using the occasion to voice hopes for a return to a more militant cultural ethos. By highlighting this rift in political perception, this essay departs from received readings of the nuptials as an ideologically uniform event. It draws attention instead to disparities in the panegyrical rhetoric used at the wedding and explores the kinds of representational strategies that were deployed to conceal these disparities in an attempt to recast the marriage as an exclusively monarchical event.
ANALYSIS OF EXPRESSED SEQUENCE TAGS (ESTS) FROM THE POLAR DIATOM FRAGILARIOPSIS CYLINDRUS1
Authors: Mock Thomas , Krell Andreas , Glöckner Gernot , Kolukisaoglu Üner , Valentin Klaus
Published: January 2006

Analysis of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) was performed to gain insights into cold adaptation in the polar diatom Fragilariopsis cylindrus Grunow. The EST library was generated from RNA isolated 5 days after F. cylindrus cells were shifted from approximately +5° C to −1.8°C. A total of 1376 ESTs were sequenced from a non‐normalized cDNA library and assembled into 996 tentative unique sequences. About 27% of the ESTs displayed similarity (tBLASTX, e‐value of ≤10−4) to predicted proteins in the centric diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana Hasle & Heindal. Eleven additional algae and plant data bases were used for annotation of sequences not covered by Thalassiosira sequences (7%). Most of the ESTs were similar to genes encoding proteins responsible for translation, ribosomal structure, and biogenesis (3%), followed by genes encoding proteins for amino acid transport and metabolism and post‐translational modifications. Interestingly, 66% of all the EST sequences from F. cylindrus displayed no similarity (e‐value ≤10−4) to sequences from the 12 non‐redundant databases. Even 6 of the 10 strong to moderately expressed sequences in this EST library could not be identified. Adaptation of F. cylindrus to freezing temperatures of seawater may require a complex protein metabolism and possibly also genes, which were highly expressed but still unknown. However, it could also mean that due to low temperatures, there might have been a stronger pressure to adapt amino acid sequences, making it more difficult to identify these unknown sequences and/or that there are still few protist sequences available for comparison.
What Works in Securities Laws?
Authors: LA PORTA RAFAEL , LOPEZ‐DE‐SILANES FLORENCIO , SHLEIFER ANDREI
Published: January 2006

We examine the effect of securities laws on stock market development in 49 countries. We find little evidence that public enforcement benefits stock markets, but strong evidence that laws mandating disclosure and facilitating private enforcement through liability rules benefit stock markets.
Investment and Financing Constraints: Evidence from the Funding of Corporate Pension Plans
Authors: RAUH JOSHUA D.
Published: January 2006

I exploit sharply nonlinear funding rules for defined benefit pension plans in order to identify the dependence of corporate investment on internal financial resources in a large sample. Capital expenditures decline with mandatory contributions to DB pension plans, even when controlling for correlations between the pension funding status itself and the firm's unobserved investment opportunities. The effect is particularly evident among firms that face financing constraints based on observable variables such as credit ratings. Investment also displays strong negative correlations with the part of mandatory contributions resulting solely from unexpected asset market movements.
Favoritism in Mutual Fund Families? Evidence on Strategic Cross‐Fund Subsidization
Authors: GASPAR JOSÉ‐MIGUEL , MASSA MASSIMO , MATOS PEDRO
Published: January 2006

We investigate whether mutual fund families strategically transfer performance across member funds to favor those more likely to increase overall family profits. We find that “high family value” funds (i.e., high fees or high past performers) overperform at the expense of “low value” funds. Such a performance gap is above the one existing between similar funds not affiliated with the same family. Better allocations of underpriced initial public offering deals and opposite trades across member funds partly explain why high value funds overperform. Our findings highlight how the family organization prevalent in the mutual fund industry generates distortions in delegated asset management.
The Limits of Investor Behavior
Authors: LOEWENSTEIN MARK , WILLARD GREGORY A.
Published: January 2006

Many models use noise trader risk and corresponding violations of the Law of One Price to explain pricing anomalies, but include a storage technology in perfectly elastic supply or unlimited asset liability. Storage allows aggregate consumption risk to differ from exogenous fundamental risk, but using aggregate consumption as a factor for asset returns can make noise trader risk superfluous. Using (i) limited asset liability and limited storage withdrawals, or (ii) an endogenous locally riskless interest rate eliminates violations of the Law of One Price. Our main results use only budget equations and market clearing, and require virtually no assumptions about behavior.
Competing for Securities Underwriting Mandates: Banking Relationships and Analyst Recommendations
Authors: LJUNGQVIST ALEXANDER , MARSTON FELICIA , WILHELM WILLIAM J.
Published: January 2006

We investigate whether analyst behavior influenced banks' likelihood of winning underwriting mandates for a sample of 16,625 U.S. debt and equity offerings in 1993–2002. We control for the strength of the issuer's investment banking relationships with potential competitors for the mandate, prior lending relationships, and the endogeneity of analyst behavior and the bank's decision to provide analyst coverage. Although analyst behavior was influenced by economic incentives, we find no evidence that aggressive analyst behavior increased their bank's probability of winning an underwriting mandate. The main determinant of the lead‐bank choice is the strength of prior underwriting and lending relationships.
Unspanned Stochastic Volatility: Evidence from Hedging Interest Rate Derivatives
Authors: LI HAITAO , ZHAO FENG
Published: January 2006

Most existing dynamic term structure models assume that interest rate derivatives are redundant securities and can be perfectly hedged using solely bonds. We find that the quadratic term structure models have serious difficulties in hedging caps and cap straddles, even though they capture bond yields well. Furthermore, at‐the‐money straddle hedging errors are highly correlated with cap‐implied volatilities and can explain a large fraction of hedging errors of all caps and straddles across moneyness and maturities. Our results strongly suggest the existence of systematic unspanned factors related to stochastic volatility in interest rate derivatives markets.
An Outwardly Rectifying Chloride Channel in Human Atrial Cardiomyocytes
Authors: DEMION MARIE , GUINAMARD ROMAIN , EL CHEMALY ANTOUN , RAHMATI MOHAMMAD , BOIS PATRICK
Published: January 2006

Introduction: Among a range of chloride channels, outwardly rectifying Cl− channels have been reported in the heart of various species. Although the anionic current carried by this channel has been subjected to intense electrophysiological investigations, paradoxically no examination of single‐channel currents has been reported for human cardiomyocytes.

Methods and Results: Using the cell‐attached and cell‐free configurations of the patch‐clamp technique, we have characterized the properties of an outwardly rectifying chloride current (ORCC) at the unitary level in freshly isolated human atrial cardiomyocytes. In excised inside‐out patches, the channel presented a nonlinear I/V relationship with a conductance of 76.5 ± 14.7 pS in the positive voltage range and 8.1 ± 2 pS in the negative voltage range, indicating an outward rectification. Preincubation with the protein kinase C activator phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) significantly increased the number of spontaneously active channels observed. The channel was Cl− selective (Cl− to Na+ permeability ratio, PCl/PNa= 18) with the permeability sequence I− > Br− > Cl− > F− > gluconate. It was blocked by the classical Cl− channels blockers glibenclamide, NPPB, SITS, and DIDS. Channel activity was not dependent upon internal calcium concentration. In the cell‐attached configuration, ORCC channel activation was observed under perfusion of a hypotonic solution.

Conclusion: Human atrial myocytes express an outwardly rectifying Cl− channel that is sensitive to PKC activation. This channel shares biophysical and pharmacological properties with the swelling‐activated chloride current implicated in cardiac pathologies such as myocardial ischemia and dilated cardiopathies.
Enhanced Thermal Stability of Zinc‐Based Titanate (Dielectric) Ceramics Prepared by the Modified Sol–gel Route
Authors: Xing Xianran , Luo Jun , Liu Guirong , Qiao Lijie
Published: January 2006

A multi‐component substitution of Co and Ni was incorporated into ZnTiO3 to form pure hexagonal Zn1−x(Co1/2Ni1/2)xTiO3 (x=0,0.8,0.9,1.0) dielectric ceramic powders by a modified sol–gel route, following heat treatments at 600°C for 3 h and at 800°C for 6 h. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements revealed that the order of increasing thermal stability of solid solution compound Zn1−x(Co1/2Ni1/2)xTiO3 was ZnTiO3 (945°C), Zn0.1Ni0.9TiO3 (1346°C), Zn0.1(Co1/2Ni1/2)0.9TiO3 (1390°C), and Zn0.1Co0.9TiO3 (>1400°C). Both the dielectric constant and loss tangent reached a maximum at x=0.8 and then decreased with solubility, x, and measurement frequency.
Correlation between expression of CD56/NCAM and severe leukostasis in hyperleukocytic acute myelomonocytic leukaemia
Authors: Novotny J. R. , Nückel H. , Dührsen U.
Published: January 2006

Abstract:  Objective: The possible contribution of surface molecules to the development of leukostasis syndrome in hyperleukocytic acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) was assessed by routine immunophenotyping and grading of the probability of clinical leukostasis. Methods: Fifty‐three patients (23 women, 30 men, median age 59 yr) with hyperleukocytic AML [white blood count (WBC) above 50 × 109/L] were graded for the probability of clinical leukostasis according to the severity of neurologic, pulmonary and other symptoms possibly caused by leukostasis using a recently published scoring system. Age, WBC, absolute blast count, haemoglobin, cytogenetic risk group, infection, relative CD56 expression and absolute count of CD56 positive blasts were analyzed in multivariate stepwise backward logistic regression analysis. Results: In patients with acute monocytic leukaemia (AML M4/M5) the absolute count of leukaemic blasts expressing CD56/NCAM was highly associated with the development of symptoms graded as highly probable leukostasis and all three patients succumbing to early death were CD56 positive. Only the absolute count of CD56 positive blasts was a significant predictor of risk of severe leukostasis (P = 0.020). This was not found in AML without monocytic involvement (AML M1, M2, M3v). Conclusions: The expression of CD56/NCAM, a surface marker used in routine immunophenotyping of AML, may help to predict severe and potentially fatal leukostasis in hyperleukocytic acute myelomonocytic leukaemia. These results emphasize the usefulness of this four‐stage clinical grading scale for analysing the factors, which lead to severe leukostasis in hyperleukocytic patients. We extend previous findings that the mechanisms of leukostasis are different depending on the involvement of the monocytic lineage.
The functional (−1171 5A→6A) polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinase 3 gene as a risk factor for oral submucous fibrosis among male areca users
Authors: Tu H.‐F. , Liu C.‐J. , Chang C.‐S. , Lui M.‐T. , Kao S.‐Y. , Chang C.‐P. , Liu T.‐Y.
Published: January 2006

Background:  Insertion/deletion (−1171 5A→6A) polymorphisms in the promoter region of matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) gene result in different transcriptional activities. MMP3 is able to degrade collagens types II, V, IX, and X, and other extracellular matrix. The functional promoter polymorphism of MMP3 has been related to the susceptibility in some inflammatory diseases and metastasis of cancers.

Methods:  Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are prevalent among Asian areca users. In this study, genomic DNA obtained from the blood of OSCC (n = 150), OSF (n = 71), and control non‐diseased areca user (n = 98) in male were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based genotyping of MMP3.

Results:  The 5A genotype in MMP3 promoter was observed more frequently in OSF group than in control group (P = 0.01). No significant difference was noted between OSCC and control groups on the 5A genotype frequency (P = 0.18). No association was found between 5A genotype in MMP3 promoter and site or lymph node metastasis and stage of OSCC.

Conclusion:  The results indicated that the 5A genotype of MMP3 promoter was associated with the risk of OSF but not OSCC.
Molecular pathology of odontogenic tumors
Authors: Kumamoto H.
Published: January 2006

Odontogenic tumors are lesions derived from the elements of the tooth‐forming apparatus and are found exclusively within the jawbones. This review represents a contemporary outline of our current understanding of the molecular and genetic alterations associated with the development and progression of odontogenic tumors, including oncogenes, tumor‐suppressor genes, oncoviruses, growth factors, telomerase, cell cycle regulators, apoptosis‐related factors, regulators of tooth development, hard tissue‐related proteins, cell adhesion molecules, matrix‐degrading proteinases, angiogenic factors, and osteolytic cytokines. It is hoped that better understanding of related molecular mechanisms will help to predict the course of odontogenic tumors and lead to the development of new therapeutic concepts for their management.
Candidate gene studies in the 21st century: meta‐analysis, mediation, moderation
Authors: Munafò M. R.
Published: January 2006

The results of a large body of candidate gene studies of behavioural and psychiatric phenotypes have been largely inconclusive, with most findings failing to replicate reliably. A variety of approaches that augment the ‘traditional’ candidate gene approach are discussed, including the use of meta‐analysis to combine findings from existing published reports, the investigation of mediating variables (including the use of intermediate phenotypes or endophenotypes) and the awareness of possible moderating influences (such as sex or ethnicity) and gene–environment interactions on genetic associations, possibly via epigenetic mechanisms. Advances in genotyping technology will also allow the routine use of haplotype analysis and linkage disequilibrium mapping. Examples of how these approaches may improve our understanding of how genetic associations with behavioural and psychiatric phenotypes obtain are given.
Characterization of allelic variants at chromosome 15q14 in schizophrenia
Authors: Freedman R. , Leonard S. , Waldo M. , Gault J. , Olincy A. , Adler L. E.
Published: January 2006

Evidence of genetic linkage for schizophrenia at chromosome 15q14 has been reported in nine independent studies, but the molecular variants responsible for transmission of genetic risk are unknown. National Institute of Mental Health Schizophrenia Genetics Initiative families were genotyped for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and dinucleotide repeat markers in the 15q14 linkage region and analyzed based on the presence of particular alleles of the dinucleotide repeat marker D15S165 in the 15q14 region. Two alleles showed both familial transmission disequilibrium and population‐wide association with schizophrenia. The two groups identified by these two D15S165 alleles differ in age of onset, number of hospitalizations and intensity of nicotine abuse, as well as in predominant ethnicity. Variations in the frequency of SNPs in CHRNA7, the α‐7‐nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit gene at 15q14, were found in each group. Further sequencing in these two groups may yield more definitive identification of the molecular pathology.