bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficiency of sampling: Birthweight and gestational age distributions in two cohorts, < 31 weeks and 500–1499 grams
Authors: Reuss Mary Lynne , Clark Colleen J. G. , Paneth Nigel
Published: April 2008

Summary. We studied the efficiency of two common sampling strategies used to assemble cohorts to study the long‐term problems of preterm infants: infants with birthweights of 500–1499 g, and infants with gestational ages (GA) of < 31 weeks. Birthweight, G A and 2‐year outcome data from a population based study of infants < 2001 g, the Central New Jersey Brain Hemorrhage Study (NBH), were used to define the birthweight and GA distributions, at enrolment and at the age of 2 years, of overlapping subsets: infants 500–1499 g (n= 599) and infants < 31 weeks of age (n= 522). Using frequencies from the NBH study, we estimated that 1000 infants of 500–1499 g enrolled at birth would produce 712 infants at the age of 2 years, 498 below 31 weeks and 214 above. Enrolling 1000 infants < 31 weeks would produce a cohort of 697 infants at the age of 2, all of whom were < 31 weeks. Neither sampling strategy maximised the statistical power to investigate the pathophysiological determinants of long‐term outcomes associated with short GA. Both methods oversam‐pled older G As. A stratified sampling technique based on GA, designed to produce equal numbers of subjects at each week of GA, would improve statistical power to study long‐term outcomes. As we move from descriptive to analytical studies of preterm infants, we need to devise efficient, GA‐based, sampling strategies that maximise statistical power to test pathophysiological hypotheses.
Congenital malformations in the vicinity of a smelter in Northern Sweden, 1973–1990
Authors: Wulff M. , Högberg U. , Sandström‐Holmgren A.
Published: April 2008

Summary. The objective was to evaluate the rates of congenital malformation in children born in a population living around a smelter and to employees at the smelter, in a community in northern Sweden. By means of record linkage of the birth register and various registers of congenital malformations, a retrospective study of a birth cohort according to place of parental residence and employment was carried out to assess rates of congenital malformation occurring between 1973–1990. Neither a general, nor specific, significantly increased risk of congenital malformation was seen in the 2724 children born to women living close to the smelter or to employees of the smelter compared with the 15191 children in the reference population. No increased risk could be ascertained although there are reservations concerning the small sample size of the study group.
Temperature and the sudden infant death syndrome
Authors: Williams S. M. , Mitchell E. A. , Stewart A. W. , Taylor B.J.
Published: April 2008

Summary. .The relationship between the days on which sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) occurred and daily minimum and average temperature was examined for five regions of New Zealand for a three‐year period beginning on 1st November 1987. There was a marked winter excess of SIDS. After adjusting for season the temperature on the days preceding SIDS deaths were negatively associated with SIDS, but the effect was not statistically significant. Further analysis, using data from the New Zealand Cot Death Study, a nation‐wide case‐control study was based on the mean temperature 2 to 5 days before death for the cases or a nominated day for the controls. Statistically significant interaction effects between temperature and sleep position, and temperature and the age of the infant were found. A mean temperature 2–5 days beforehand 2.5oC below that on the day of death or the nominated day increased the risk of SIDS in those sleeping prone by 1.17 [95% CI 0.95 to 1.43] and in those sleeping on their side or back by 0.96 [95% CI 0.77 to 1.19]. In the same circumstances the odds ratio (OR) for infants aged 3 months or less would increase by 0.98 [95% CI 0.80 to 1.19] and that for infants older than 3 months by 1.20 [95 CI 0.97 to 1.49]. The statistically significant negative association between temperature a few days before death and SIDS has been reported previously. Most of the effect of temperature can be attributed to seasonal variations, and minor fluctuations in day to day temperatures make only a very small contribution to SIDS.
Comparison of demographic and defect characteristics among different developmental stages of congenital limb reduction defects
Authors: Lin Shao , Marshall Elizabeth G.
Published: April 2008

Summary. This study investigates how the timing of the development of limb reduction defects (LRDs) is associated with selected demographic, medical variables and defect characteristics. The LRD cases (n= 281) were ascertained from the Congenital Malformations Registry of New York State among 1983‐87 births. Cases were classified according to five stages of gestation based on when their earliest LRD developed. A control group consisted of a systematic random sample (n= 327) of non‐malformed livebirths. Demographic and LRD characteristics were abstracted from birth certificates and medical charts. Among LRDs, the defects that occurred in the earlier stages of gestation were found to be more complex involving syndromes, multiple limbs, and previous maternal medical problems, compared with those developing in the later stages. Middle or late stage LRDs tended to occur more often with syndactyly than early stage LRDs, and had significantly higher frequencies of non‐white infants compared with controls. In addition, some perinatal complications, preterm delivery and low birthweight were positively associated with any LRD. Our findings suggest that the timing of a disturbance in limb development is important in terms of LRD characteristics. Demographics did not vary consistently with the stage of LRD development. Further studies testing this classification technique are suggested.
From our own correspondents
Authors: MALCONTENT  , JEANGAFFIN
Published: April 2008

Fumes from the spleen

Knowledge does not automatically order itself in human terms … More startling, and contrary to workaday beliefs of most scientists, knowledge does not even accumulate, in the simplest, additive sense.
Impact of increased neonatal survival on postneonatal mortality in the United States
Authors: Kim Beyong II , Lee Kwang‐sun , Khoshnood Babak , Hsieh Hui‐Lung , Chen Te‐Jen , Mittendorf Robert
Published: April 2008

Summary. Neonatal intensive care has increased neonatal survival, but has also led to postponement of some of the neonatal deaths to the postneonatal period, particularly in very low birthweight (<1.5kg) infants. Our report assesses the impact of the increased neonatal survival and the accompanying delayed deaths on the crude postneonatal mortality rate oi the US, using the national livebirth cohort data of 1960,1980, and 1986. With increased neonatal survival, very low birthweight infants comprised 0.68% of all neonatal survivors in 1986, compared with only 0.31% in 1960. However, postneonatal mortality was increased in infants with birth weights < 1.0 kg from 69 per 1000 neonatal survivors in 1960 to 116 per 1000 in 1986. All other birthweight groups (> 1.0 kg) showed significant reductions in their postneonatal mortality, although the 1.0–1.5 kg group showed the least improvement. Thus, in 1986, 12.1% of all postneonatal deaths were from the very low birthweight neonatal survivors, as compared with 2.7% in 1960. If there had been no improvement in neonatal survival of very low birthweight infants since 1960, the crude postneonatal mortality rate of the US would have been 5.5% and 7.9% less than the actual rates of 3.65 and 3.45 per 1000 neonatal survivors in 1980 and 1986, respectively. However, the impact of these delayed deaths in very low birthweight infants was far less than the increase in their neonatal survival: an additional 416 per 1000 very low birthweight infants survived to 1 year of age in 1986 as compared with 1960. Delayed deaths in the 1.5‐2.5 kg birthweight group had a very small effect on postneonatal mortality and there was no such effect of delayed deaths in the > 2.5 kg birthweight group.
Discriminating between pore‐filling load and bed‐structure load: a new porosity‐based method, exemplified for the river Rhine
Authors: FRINGS ROY M. , KLEINHANS MAARTEN G. , VOLLMER STEFAN
Published: April 2008

Sediments contained in the river bed do not necessarily contribute to morphological change. The finest part of the sediment mixture often fills the pores between the larger grains and can be removed without causing a drop in bed level. The discrimination between pore‐filling load and bed‐structure load, therefore, is of practical importance for morphological predictions. In this study, a new method is proposed to estimate the cut‐off grain size that forms the boundary between pore‐filling load and bed‐structure load. The method evaluates the pore structure of the river bed geometrically. Only detailed grain‐size distributions of the river bed are required as input to the method. A preliminary validation shows that the calculated porosity and cut‐off size values agree well with experimental data. Application of the new cut‐off size method to the river Rhine demonstrates that the estimated cut‐off size decreases in a downstream direction from about 2 to 0·05 mm, covariant with the downstream fining of bed sediments. Grain size fractions that are pore‐filling load in the upstream part of the river thus gradually become bed‐structure load in the downstream part. The estimated (mass) percentage of pore‐filling load in the river bed ranges from 0% in areas with a unimodal river bed, to about 22% in reaches with a bimodal sand‐gravel bed. The estimated bed porosity varies between 0·15 and 0·35, which is considerably less than the often‐used standard value of 0·40. The predicted cut‐off size between pore‐filling load and bed‐structure load (Dc,p) is fundamentally different from the cut‐off size between wash‐load and bed‐material load (Dc,w), irrespective of the method used to determine Dc,p or Dc,w. Dc,w values are in the order of 10−1 mm and mainly dependent on the flow characteristics, whereas Dc,p values are generally much larger (about 100 mm in gravel‐bed rivers) and dependent on the bed composition. Knowledge of Dc,w is important for the prediction of the total sediment transport in a river (including suspended fines that do not interact with the bed), whereas knowledge of Dc,p helps to improve morphological predictions, especially if spatial variations in Dc,p are taken into account. An alternative to using a spatially variable value of Dc,p in morphological models is to use a spatially variable bed porosity, which can also be predicted with the new method. In addition to the morphological benefits, the new method also has sedimentological applications. The possibility to determine quickly whether a sediment mixture is clast‐supported or matrix‐supported may help to better understand downstream fining trends, sediment entrainment thresholds and variations in hydraulic conductivity.
Interaction between seroreactivity to microbial antigens and genetics in Crohn’s disease: is there a role for defensins?
Authors: Lakatos P. L. , Altorjay I. , Mándi Y. , Lakatos L. , Tumpek J. , Kovacs A. , Molnar T. , Tulassay Z. , Miheller P. , Palatka K. , Szamosi T. , Fischer S. , Papp J. ,   the Hungarian IBD Study Group, Papp M.
Published: April 2008

Antibodies against different microbial epitopes are associated with disease phenotype, may be of diagnostic importance and may reflect a loss of tolerance in Crohn’s disease (CD). Recently, an association was reported between the presence of these antibodies and mutations in pattern receptor genes. Our aim was to investigate whether mutations in various genes other than NOD2/CARD15 or TLR4 associated with CD (NOD1/CARD4, DLG5 and DEFB1) may influence the presence of antibodies against bacterial proteins and carbohydrates in a Hungarian cohort of CD patients. Three hundred and seventy‐six well‐characterized, unrelated, consecutive CD patients (male/female: 191/185, age at onset: 29.1 ± 12.9 years, duration: 7.9 ± 11.7 years) were investigated. Sera were assayed for anti‐Omp, anti‐Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCAs) immunoglobulin (Ig) A and IgG, and antibodies against a mannan epitope of S. cerevisiae (gASCA), laminaribioside (ALCA), chitobioside (ACCA), and mannobioside (AMCA). NOD1/CARD4, DLG5 and DEFB1 variants were tested by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism, and DEFB1 was genotyped in a subgroup of 160 patients. Detailed clinical phenotypes were determined by reviewing the patients’ medical charts. The carriage of DEFB1 20A variant alleles less frequently led to antiglycan positivity compared with patients without (29.6% vs 46.2%, OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.25–0.97), regardless of disease location or behavior. Similar tendency was observed for DEFB1 44G (present: 21.6% vs absent: 10.2%, P = 0.06) and ALCA. A gene or serology dosage effect was not observed. However, no association was found between the DEFB1 G52A, DLG5 R30Q, and NOD1/CARD4 E266K variants and any of the serology markers. We found that variants in human β‐defensin 1 gene are inversely associated with antiglycan antibodies, further confirming an important role for innate immunity in the pathogenesis of CD.
Latex allergy risk assessment in children and adolescents with type I diabetes mellitus
Authors: Bostancý I. , Dallar Y. , Ünsal Sac R. , Karakoc E. , Doganay B.
Published: April 2008

An increased frequency of allergic reactions to latex has been reported in specific populations with chronic latex exposure. However, relevance of latex allergy to children and adolescents with type I diabetes mellitus (DM1) has not been studied yet. The aim of the studty is to assess latex allergy risk in children and adolescents with DM1. Thirty‐nine children with DM1 and 35 controls were enrolled. In a case‐control study, we applied to all subjects a standard questionnaire, and specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentrations for latex, common aeroallergens, and food‐allergens were measured in serum samples. Latex exposure rates by means of medical procedures, operations, and latex glove usage were not different between DM1 and controls. Symptoms due to latex exposure were not determined in both groups. Three (7.7%) subjects in DM1 tested positive for latex‐specific antibodies (LSIE), whereas no subject in controls. Diabetics that tested positive for latex‐specific antibodies had the disease for three, 5 and 8 years. Nine (23.1%) of diabetics, and two (5.7%) of controls were atopic (p = 0.04). In our investigation, we found that children and adolescents with DM1 are not a risk group for latex allergy, and LSIE in children with DM1 was not accompanied by symptoms of latex allergy, or, presumably, increased risk of latex anaphylaxis.
Do patients with heart failure appropriately undergo invasive procedures post‐myocardial infarction? Results from a prospective multicentre study
Authors: Tobing D. , French J. , Varigos J. , Meehan A. , Billah B. , Krum H. ,   the post‐MI audit group
Published: April 2008

Background:  The degree of adherence to guideline recommendations that patients following myocardial infarction (MI) with congestive heart failure (CHF) undergo early angiography, and angioplasty if indicated, is unknown.

Methods:  We prospectively evaluated the use of invasive procedures in patients with segment‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non‐STEMI and CHF, admitted in 1 month to 16 Australian hospitals.

Results:  Of 475 post‐MI patients (248 (52.2%) with STEMI), 112 (23.6%) had CHF, (57 (23.0%) with STEMI). Patients with CHF, compared with those without CHF, were older (67.8 vs 63.2 years; P = 0.002) and were more often women (34 vs 24%, P = 0.03), but had similar rates of other risk factors. Compared with post‐MI patients without CHF, patients with CHF had fewer invasive procedures: angiography 72.3% versus 85.1% (P = 0.002) and angioplasty 33.9% versus 52.9% (P < 0.001) (12 (2.5%) patients underwent coronary surgery in‐hospital); and among STEMI patients (angiography 72.3% CHF vs 89.5% no CHF [P < 0.001]; angioplasty 50.9% CHF vs 69.1% no CHF [P = 0.011]); these differences remained significant after adjustment for clinical covariates. Of the 121 (25.5%) post‐MI patients aged ≥75 years, compared with those <75 years, the frequencies of angiography and angioplasty procedures were 66.1% versus 87.6% (P < 0.001) and 33.9% versus 53.4% (P < 0.001), respectively; 66% of the elderly with, and without, CHF had angiography.

Conclusion:  The presence of CHF post‐MI resulted in lower rates of use of angiography and angioplasty, which was not explained by lower procedure rates in the elderly. As these guideline‐recommended procedures may improve survival in patients with CHF post‐MI, future strategies should aim to enhance their use.
Early continence outcomes of posterior musculofascial plate reconstruction during robotic and laparoscopic prostatectomy
Authors: Nguyen Mike M. , Kamoi Kazumi , Stein Robert J. , Aron Monish , Hafron Jason M. , Turna Burak , Myers Robert P. , Gill Inderbir S.
Published: April 2008

Associate Editor

Ash Tewari

Editorial Board

Ralph Clayman, USA

Inderbir Gill, USA

Roger Kirby, UK

Mani Menon, USA

OBJECTIVES

To detail the technique and evaluate in a preliminary study the effectiveness of posterior reconstruction of Denonvilliers’ musculofascial plate (PRDMP) in enhancing early continence after robotic and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty‐two consecutive patients having robotic or laparoscopic RP with PRDMP (group 1). Thirty previous patients not having PRDMP were compared as historical controls (group 2). Continence, as measured by patient self‐reporting of the number of pads used/24 h, was assessed at 3 days and 6 weeks after catheter removal, by telephone interview. ‘Continent’ was defined as the use of none or one pads, ‘moderate incontinence’ as two pads, and ‘severe incontinence’ as more than two pads. Intraoperative transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) was used to measure the membranous urethral length before and after PRDMP.

RESULTS

At 3 days after catheter removal, more patients in group 1 were continent than in group 2 (34% vs 3%, P = 0.007). At 6 weeks continence was again better in group 1 (56% vs 17%, P = 0.006). The mean length of the membranous urethra on TRUS measured before RP, after RP but before the musculofascial suture, and afterward, was 15.6, 12 and 14 mm, respectively. Thus, reconstruction restored the length of the transected membranous urethra by a mean of 2 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

PRDMP during robotic and laparoscopic RP leads to improved maintenance of membranous urethral length and significantly higher early continence rates.
Urine fetuin‐A values in relation to the presence of urolithiasis
Authors: Stejskal David , Karpisek Michal , Vrtal Radovan , Student Vladimir , Solichova Pavlina , Fiala Richard , Stejskal Pavel
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship of urine fetuin‐A and other promotors and inhibitors of urine crystalization with urolithiasis, as fetuin‐A inhibits the precipitation of hydroxyapatite from supersaturated solutions of calcium and phosphate in vitro but no information on urine fetuin‐A in patients with urolithiasis is available.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 39 patients with urolithiasis and 22 individuals with no urolithiasis or probands with undetected stones were involved. All patients underwent kidney ultrasonography and X‐ray examination, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Serum creatinine, parathyroid hormone, calcium, magnesium, anorganic phosphate, uric acid and urine creatinine, albumin, α1‐microglobulin, sulphate, oxalate, citrate and fetuin‐A (ELISA) were determined.

RESULTS

The patients with urolithiasis had lower urine fetuin‐A levels (median 4.9 vs 0.77 mg/day; P < 0.01) and citraturia levels (1.7 vs 5.1 mmol/day; P = 0.02); and higher calciuria (6.5 vs 5.2 mmol/day) and oxaluria (0.47 vs 0.25; P = 0.04). Patients with fetuin‐A levels in the lowest quartile had an odds ratio of 36 compared with individuals in the highest quartile. The sensitivity of the urine fetuin‐A level for urolithiasis was 97.4% and specificity was 100% (area under the curve 0.99; 95% confidence interval 0.94–1.0) using a urine fetuin‐A threshold of ≤2.1 mg/day. Values of urine fetuin‐A did not correlate with gender, age or BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates, for the first time, that patients with documented urolithiasis had lower fetuin‐A concentrations independent of other conventional promotors and inhibitors of urine crystallization.
A novel murine model of allogeneic vaccination against renal cancer
Authors: Havranek Erik G. , Labarthe Marie‐Christine , Ward Stephen , Anderson Christopher J. , Whelan Michael A. , Pandha Hardev
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVES

To develop a murine model for whole‐cell allogeneic vaccination in renal cancer, as such vaccines aim to direct immune responses against patient tumour cells, due to shared antigens between the vaccine and tumour cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A novel murine renal cell line, allogeneic to BALB/c, was developed from a C57BL/6 mouse by primary cell culture (RVIK). It was immortalized by HPV16 E6/E7 and transfected with ras in an attempt to improve its immunogenicity. The cell line was characterized and tested as a vaccine in a BALB/c tumour‐protection model after subsequent tumour challenge with autologous RenCa tumour cells.

RESULTS

RVIK alone, with no ras induced cross‐reactive immunity, providing a valid non‐tumorigenic allogeneic whole‐cell vaccine model for renal cancer. Ras transfection per se did not improve RVIK immunity.

CONCLUSIONS

RVIK is a novel immunogenic murine renal epithelial cell line, which confers protection when used as an allogeneic vaccine. It provides proof of principle for the effectiveness of allogeneic whole‐cell vaccines and may therefore form the basis of a useful model of allogeneic vaccination to further optimize vaccination schedules, formulation and adjuvants for a clinical setting.
After the Paris Declaration: Taking on the Issue of Power
Authors: Hyden Goran
Published: April 2008

The new approach to assisting developing countries inspired by the Paris Declaration emphasises greater recipient control over the funds provided, thus confining donors’influence to upstream points in the policy process, where political aspects of development co‐operation become more important. Understanding better the role that power plays in the aid relationship will be critical to the implementation of the Declaration. This article shows how the political science literature can inform this set of issues. It argues that an understanding of aspects of power illuminates the challenges involved in transforming relations between donors and recipient governments as well as between governments and civil society organisations.
Is Happiness Having What You Want, Wanting What You Have, or Both?
Authors: Larsen Jeff T. , McKibban Amie R.
Published: April 2008

Rabbi Hyman Schachtel (1954) proposed that “happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have” (p. 37). In two studies, we tested Schachtel's maxim by asking participants whether or not they had and the extent to which they wanted each of 52 material items. To quantify how much people wanted what they had, we identified what they had and the extent to which they wanted those things. To quantify how much people had what they wanted, we identified how much they wanted and whether or not they had each item. Both variables accounted for unique variance in happiness. Moreover, the extent to which people wanted what they had partially mediated effects of gratitude and maximization on happiness, and the extent to which they had what they wanted partially mediated the effect of maximization. Results indicate that happiness is both wanting what you have and having what you want.
Why It Pays to Get Inside the Head of Your Opponent
Authors: Galinsky Adam D. , Maddux William W. , Gilin Debra , White Judith B.
Published: April 2008

The current research explored whether two related yet distinct social competencies—perspective taking (the cognitive capacity to consider the world from another individual's viewpoint) and empathy (the ability to connect emotionally with another individual)—have differential effects in negotiations. Across three studies, using both individual difference measures and experimental manipulations, we found that perspective taking increased individuals' ability to discover hidden agreements and to both create and claim resources at the bargaining table. However, empathy did not prove nearly as advantageous and at times was detrimental to discovering a possible deal and achieving individual profit. These results held regardless of whether the interaction was a negotiation in which aprima facie solution was not possible or a multiple-issue negotiation that required discovering mutually beneficial trade-offs. Although empathy is an essential tool in many aspects of social life, perspective taking appears to be a particularly critical ability in negotiations.
The Secret Life of Emotions [retracted]
Authors: Ruys Kirsten I. , Stapel Diederik A.
Published: April 2008

The following articles have been retracted from publication in Psychological Science:

Ruys, K. I., & Stapel, D. A. (2008). The secret life of emotions. Psychological Science, 19, 385–391. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02097.x

Ruys, K. I., & Stapel, D. A. (2008). Emotion elicitor or emotion messenger? Subliminal priming reveals two faces of facial expressions. Psychological Science, 19, 593–603. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02128.x

The editors and publishers of Psychological Science have made the retractions following the results of an investigation into the work of Diederik A. Stapel ( https://www.commissielevelt.nl/ ). The Levelt Committee has determined that these articles contained data that were fabricated by author Stapel. His coauthor was unaware of his actions, was not in any way involved in the generation of the data, and agrees to the retraction of the articles.

The following Psychological Science articles coauthored by Stapel have been cleared by the Levelt Committee, whose investigation into these articles found no evidence of fraudulent data or practices:

Lammers, J., Stapel, D. A., & Galinsky, A. D. (2010). Power increases hypocrisy: Moralizing in reasoning, immorality in behavior. Psychological Science, 21, 737–744. doi:10.1177/0956797610368810

Lammers, J., Stoker, J. I., Jordan, J., Pollmann, M., & Stapel, D. A. (2011). Power increases infidelity among men and women. Psychological Science, 22, 1191–1197. doi:10.1177/0956797611416252

Lammers, J., Stoker, J. I., & Stapel, D. A. (2009). Differentiating social and personal power: Opposite effects on stereotyping, but parallel effects on behavioral approach tendencies. Psychological Science, 20, 1543–1549. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02479.x

The five articles noted above are the only ones published in Psychological Science on which Stapel is listed as an author.
“In-Group Love” and “Out-Group Hate” as Motives for Individual Participation in Intergroup Conflict
Authors: Halevy Nir , Bornstein Gary , Sagiv Lilach
Published: April 2008

What motivates individual self-sacrificial behavior in intergroup conflicts? Is it the altruistic desire to help the in-group or the aggressive drive to hurt the out-group? This article introduces a new game paradigm, the intergroup prisoner's dilemma-maximizing difference (IPD-MD) game, designed specifically to distinguish between these two motives. The game involves two groups. Each group member is given a monetary endowment and can decide how much of it to contribute. Contribution can be made to either of two pools, one that benefits the in-group at a personal cost and another that, in addition, harms the out-group. An experiment demonstrated that contributions in the IPD-MD game are made almost exclusively to the cooperative, within-group pool. Moreover, preplay intragroup communication increases intragroup cooperation, but not intergroup competition. These results are compared with those observed in the intergroup prisoner's dilemma game, in which group members' contributions are restricted to the competitive, between-group pool.
A New Context for the Ramsar Convention: Wetlands in a Changing World
Authors: Bridgewater Peter
Published: April 2008

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) has had a considerable influence on the work under multilateral environmental agreements dealing with biological diversity, including the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The MA developed a strong conceptual framework which brought together the natural and social sciences, and through that synergy promoted what it means to be sustainable. The MA provided a means to redefine the Ramsar Convention's wise use concept in terms of sustainability, especially the capacity of the ecosystem to continue to deliver the services on which other ecosystems and people depend. The messages from the MA impact also on the Ramsar Convention's concept of maintenance of ecological character; and thus the list of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar sites). ‘Change in ecological character’, which is a concept that is important in measuring Ramsar site effectiveness, can also be resolved in terms of ecosystem services – and thus the criterion for being and continuing to be a Wetland of International Importance essentially becomes an issue of capacity to deliver ecosystem services.
Permanent Land‐based Facilities for Tourism in Antarctica: The Need for Regulation
Authors: Bastmeijer Kees , Lamers Machiel , Harcha Juan
Published: April 2008

Antarctica is often described as one of world's last wildernesses. For a very long time, its isolation from human settlements provided an effective protection from intensive human visitation; however, over the past two decades, human activities in Antarctica – in particular tourist activities – have grown and diversified rapidly. In view of environmental and other concerns, regulating Antarctic tourism has become one of the major issues of debate within the Antarctic Treaty System. One of the questions that has received much attention since 2004 is the question of whether additional measures are needed to regulate (e.g. prohibit) the future development of permanent land‐based facilities (such as hotels, visitor centres, logistic facilities) for tourism in Antarctica. A number of State governments involved in the Antarctic Treaty System have proposed to prohibit such developments; however, the question has not yet received a clear answer.

After a brief introduction to the Antarctic Treaty System, this article provides a definition of permanent land‐based facilities for tourism and an overview of current and past land‐based tourism facilities in Antarctica. Next, the question of whether such facilities are likely to further develop in the near future is discussed and an inventory is made of arguments for and against such developments. Environmental issues will be discussed first, followed by other considerations. Based on this information, a number of regulatory options are described for consideration by policy makers. The authors argue that there is a need for regulating permanent land‐based tourist facilities in Antarctica and in the conclusion of this article they express their views in respect of the most favourable option.
Antiretroviral drug resistance among antiretroviral‐naïve persons with recent HIV infection in Thailand
Authors: Apisarnthanarak A , Jirayasethpong T , Sa‐nguansilp C , Thongprapai H , Kittihanukul C , Kamudamas A , Tungsathapornpong A , Mundy LM
Published: April 2008

Objectives

To evaluate the prevalence and patterns of antiretroviral (ARV) drug resistance (ARV‐DR) among ARV drug‐naïve, recently infected persons with HIV in the 4‐year interval (2003–2006) after the inception of the National Access to ARV Programme for People who have AIDS in Thailand.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study of patients with recent HIV infection for HIV risks, ARV‐DR risks and baseline ARV‐DR.

Results

Seven of the 305 patients (2%) had baseline ARV‐DR. Via contract tracing, all seven patients with transmitted ARV‐DR identified sexual partners with prior ARV treatment failure and had documented low (<75%) ARV adherence. Annual ARV‐DR increased from 0 to 5.2% (P=0.06) between 2003 and 2006.

Conclusions

Report of sexual partners with potential HIV and ARV drug exposures can prompt baseline ARV‐DR testing of at‐risk individuals, while behavioural interventions for adherence and safer sex are refined to minimize the emergence of resistance to generic, fixed‐dose combination stavudine, lamivudine and nevirapine (GPO‐VIR) therapy.
Technological characterization of the natural lactic acid bacteria of artisanal Turkish White Pickled cheese
Authors: DAGDEMIR ELIF , OZDEMIR SALIH
Published: April 2008

The aim of this study was to characterize the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from White Pickled cheeses produced with traditional methods; and to improve the quality of cheesemaking with a selection of bacterial cultures from artisanal White cheeses. LAB were isolated and identified from 30 White Pickled cheese samples collected from various cities in Turkey. Also, the numbers of several microbial groups (total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, LAB, enterococci, coliforms, moulds and yeasts) of cheese samples were enumerated. Lactobacilli, lactococci and enterococci were the most abundant microbial groups. The numbers of Enterococcus and Lactobacillus isolates were higher than those of the other LAB. Enterococcus faecalis (24.43%), Enterococcus faecium (17.61%) and Lactobacillus fermentum (19.88%) isolates were the most frequently isolated species. Lactococcus strains showed the highest acidifying activity, followed by Enterococcus and Lactobacillus strains. Proteolytic activity of Enterococcus faecalis strains was higher than that of the other enterococci species, except Enterococcus avium strains. Within lactobacilli strains, the highest mean proteolytic activity was that of Lactobacillus bifermentans, Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus casei strains.
Exposure to grass pollen in Europe
Authors: Jaeger S.
Published: April 2008

Pooideae encompass both common wild and cultivated grasses, which are responsible for grass pollen exposure and sensitization in Europe. Across Europe, the pollination period of different members of this subfamily overlap and hayfever sufferers are therefore naturally exposed to a mixture of pollens from different grass species. Because of their morphological homology, Pooideae pollens are evaluated together in pollen counts and cannot be distinguished. Neither patients themselves, nor physicians can link the onset of hayfever symptoms to a specific grass species.
Circulatory and metabolic responses of the cirrhotic liver during pre‐operative simulation of a portacaval shunt by balloon occlusion of the portal vein
Authors: Delin N. Anders , Hagenfeldt Lars , Lindahl Jürgen
Published: April 2008

Summary. Portacaval shunt operation does not significantly prolong life in patients with liver cirrhosis and variceal bleedings, mainly due to the increased incidence of liver failure postoperatively. This is commonly believed to be caused by the deviation of portal blood from the liver which results in reduction of the hepatic blood flow. There is, however, large individual variation in the reaction to shunt operation, some patients conserving sufficient liver function and benefiting from the operation. In this study an attempt was made to identify these patients by a pre‐operative investigation. The immediate effects of the portacaval shunt on liver circulation and metabolism were simulated by balloon occlusion of the portal vein for 1 h. This procedure caused a decrease in hepatic blood flow by 20 % and a 50 % increase in the difference in oxygen content between inflowing and outflowing blood. Hepatic oxygen uptake remained unchanged. Likewise, the uptake of lactate and free fatty acids and the glucose output were unaffected. Acute portal occlusion in cirrhotic patients was thus followed by very moderate circulatory changes and no detectable metabolic effects and there was little variation between the patients in their reaction. In contrast, there were great differences in the clinical course of those patients who were subsequently operated on with a portacaval shunt, ranging from no detectable deterioration of liver function to rapid lethal liver failure. The reported preoperative investigation has thus not proved to be of value in selecting patients for portacaval shunt operation.
Substance P: Its Distribution, Pharmacological Actions And Possible Physiological Role In Sensory Neurons
Authors: Pernow Bengt
Published: April 2008

Summary. The undecapeptide substance P (SP) is a normal constituent of most tissues, particularly the central and peripheral nervous system. SP‐immunoreactive cell bodies and terminal networks are distributed in most areas of the brain. Particular interest has been focused on the presence and function of SP in the primary sensory neuron. SP is released from both the central and peripheral part of the sensory neuron following stimulation of the dorsal roots and peripheral sensory nerves. Evidence is given for a transmitter role of SP in the sensory neurons and for the hypothesis that SP is involved in the vascular effects induced by sensory nerve stimulation, referred to as the axon reflex.

SP is present in large amounts in the gastro‐intestinal tract. By immunohistochemistry SP is demonstrated within nerve cell bodies and terminals of the intramural plexuses but also in extrinsic neurons. It is released both from intrinsic sensory neurons of the gut and from the gastro‐intestinal lumen in response to vagal stimulation. SP stimulates motor activity and is ascribed a regulatory role for both the intestinal motility and blood flow.

SP has numerous pharmacological effects, the most obvious being excitation of spinal motoneurons, vasodilation and stimulation of salivary and pancreatic secretion. It is a normal constituent of blood plasma but there is no evidence that SP acts as a circulating hormone.
Skeletal muscle fibre types and sizes in anorexia nervosa patients
Authors: Essén B. , Fohlin L. , Thorén G. , Saltin B.
Published: April 2008

Summary. Fibre type composition and fibre areas in skeletal muscle of anorexia patients were studied on biopsies from the m. quadriceps femoris in five male and five females, whose body weight was 2–3‐5 SDs less than expected from the normal weight/height relationship. In two of the males, the muscle studies were also made after rehabilitation. A higher than normal percentage of type I fibres was found in the patients (male, 62 ±12, female, 69 ±7) whereas the percentage of type IIA fibres did not differ from normal individuals (male, 38 ±12, female 24 ±15). Of note was the observation that no type IIB fibres were found and some patients had an increased occurrence of the normally rare type IIC fibres. All muscle fibres were markedly atrophied with the mean cross‐sectional area of type IIA fibres being significantly smaller (male, 26‐1 ±3–7, female, 21‐2 ±10‐3, fi.m2×10‐2) than the mean area of type I fibres (male, 34‐1 ±4–7, female, 35‐3±7‐4, (j.m2× 10‐2). In the two males studied after rehabilitation (body weight increased 12 and 19 kg), mean fibre area had increased by 40%. Our results suggested that a predominant part of the reduction in body weight and lean body mass, seen in adolescent children suffering from anorexia nervosa, could be accounted for by a loss of skeletal muscle mass. In the six subjects where marker enzymes of glycolytic (TPDH, LDH) and mitochondrial pathways (CS, HAD) were assayed, the former were 50% and the latter 10–20% below sedentary controls. Maximal oxygen uptake was only 35 (males) and 29 (females) ml/kg min‐1; this contrasted with the physical activity pattern of these patients, yet was in line with their small muscle mass with its low oxidative potential.
Manometric oesophageal function, acid perfusion test and symptomatology in a 55‐year‐old general population
Authors: Kjellén Gerhard , Tibbling Lita
Published: April 2008

Summary.The frequency of different kinds of oesophageal dysfunction (OD) as shown by manometry and acid perfusion test was investigated in a 55‐year‐old general population. OD was found in 34±8% (95% confidence interval). Seventeen per cent had signs of dysmotility, 14% of hiatal hernia, 6% of lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) hypotension, 5% had a positive acid perfusion test and 13% had more than one kind of OD. Symptoms of gastro‐oesophageal reflux and chest symptoms were significantly more common in OD subjects than in subjects with normal oesophageal function. The oesophageal function tests had a capability in detecting 66% of subjects in the general population with heartburn or acid regurgitation, whereas they had a poor capability in detecting subjects with other oesophageal related symptoms. This investigation can therefore not answer the question whether our criteria for OD is clinically relevant or not. Irrespective of this, it is important to know the frequency of OD in the general population if the relevance of the OD frequency in hospital patient materials is to be evaluated.
Protein‐kinetic and haemodynamic studies in patients with liver cirrhosis. Evidence of a lymph‐imbalance theory of ascites formation
Authors: Henriksen Jens H.
Published: April 2008

Summary. Lymph drainage, splanchnic vascular pressures, plasma volume (PV), plasma renin (PRC) and aldosterone (PAC) concentrations were studied in different groups of patients with cirrhosis: I, patients who had never had ascites (n=17), II, patients with former but no actual ascites (n= 19), III, patients with slight or moderate ascites (n= 25), and IV, patients with tense ascites (n = 27).

Lymph drainage, determined as TERalb (the fraction of intravascular albumin mass (IVMaib), which leaves/returns into the vascular space per hour) was significantly elevated in cirrhotic patients (11.5% IVMalb‐h‐1) as compared to normal controls (5.9,P<0.001). TERalb in patients with tense ascites (group IV) was on the average 8‐4% IVMaib‐h‐1, a value which is significantly above normal (P<0.05), but significantly below those of groups I, II and III (12.5,13.4,12.6,P<0.01). Wedged hepatic venous pressure increased from group I to IV: 16, 22, 25 and 34 mmHg, respectively (P<0.01). Inferior vena caval pressure in group IV (15 mmHg) was significantly above those of group III (8 mmHg) and group I+11 (6 mmHg), (P<0–01). From group I to III, PV increased significantly (3125, 3610, 3870 ml, P<0.01). In the ascitic patients PV was constant or fell slightly in patients with tense ascites (3730 ml). PRC in untreated patients with tense ascites (IV) was 287 mIU‐1‐1, as compared to group III, I and normal controls (94, 50, 15, P<0.01). A similar pattern was found with respect to PAC.

The results suggest that an imbalance between enhanced protein and fluid filtration (consequent on portal hypertension) on one side, and a relatively insufficient lymphatic drainage on the other side plays a substantial role in the pathogenesis of ascites in cirrhosis. The results do not support a progressive plasma volume expansion as the main cause of cirrhotic ascites.
Optimal conditions for assay of cytochrome‐c‐oxidase activity in human skeletal muscle tissue
Authors: Bylund‐Fellenius A.‐C. , Davidsson M. , Arvidsson A. , Elander A. , Scherstén T.
Published: April 2008

Summary. Conditions for the assay of cytochrome‐c‐oxidase in human skeletal muscle tissue were studied, including an evaluation of the optimal conditions during the in vitro assay as well as the optimal conditions for storage and treatment of the tissue before the assay. The activity of cytochrome‐c‐oxidase was assayed polarographically with a Clark oxygen electrode. Optimal oxygen consumption rates were obtained at a cytochrome‐c‐concentration above 0·2 mmol/l, in the presence of TMPD, 2·2 mmol/l and ascorbic acid, 4.4 mmol/l as reducing agents. Enzyme proportionality was obtained after correction of the oxygen consumption rates for a blank reaction according to one of three alternatives presented. Variations in the homogenizing technique and the degree of dilution of the homogenate (1:11‐1:88) had only moderate effects on the enzyme activity. Optimal storage conditions were evaluated by comparing the enzyme activities measured in fresh muscles, frozen muscles and homogenates prepared from fresh muscles. During all storage conditions significantly higher activities were obtained when sucrose buffer (0·25 mol/l) was used as homogenizing medium as compared to phosphate buffer (0·1 mol/l). Freezing and thawing of the muscle tissue before the assay caused an average decrease in the enzyme activity of 50% (P <0·005) as compared to the activity obtained in fresh tissue. This untoward effect of the freezing and thawing was reduced when the enzyme activity was analysed in frozen homogenates prepared from fresh muscles. Thus, an average decrease in the enzyme activity of 15% (P <0·05) was found in frozen homogenates prepared in sucrose buffer as compared to the activity obtained in the fresh tissue.

These findings emphasize the importance of evaluating the effects of the tissue treatment for comparative studies of maximum enzyme activities in vitro.
The influence of inosine on the size of myocardial ischaemia and myocardial metabolism in the pig*
Authors: Czarnecki W. , Herbaczynska‐Cedro Krystyna
Published: April 2008

Summary. In acute experiments on open chest pigs 15 min occlusions of the left anterior descending coronary artery were performed, each occlusion followed by 45 min reperfusion. Myocardial ischaemia was defined by epicardial electrogram recorded from the border of the ischaemic area. Myocardial extraction of lactate and glucose as well as the extraction of FFA were measured before and at the 15th min of occlusion. Inosine (5 mg/kg/min) or 0·9% NaCl infusion was administered i.v. throughout the occlusion period. Inosine significantly diminished the number of ischaemic points and reduced an increase in R‐wave voltage induced by coronary occlusion. Myocardial extraction of measured substrates was not significantly influenced by inosine administration. In conclusion, inosine decreases the area of ischaemic injury induced by acute coronary occlusion in the pig.
Radionuclide assessment of right ventricular ejection fraction: a comparison of first pass studies with 133Xe and 99Tcm
Authors: Dahlström J. A.
Published: April 2008

Summary Right ventricular ejection fraction (Rvef) was determined in 26 patients using the first pass radionuclide angiocardiography with 133Xe and 99Tcm as tracers. A good correlation (r= 0·88) was found. Duplicate determinations in 13 patients with 133Xe showed good reproducibility, the absolute value for the standard error of a single determination being 2·6% and the coefficient of variation 5·7%. In a reference group of 17 individuals Rvef was 49±5% (range 42–61%). It is concluded that 133Xe can be used for Rvef determinations. Due to the rapid elimination and the low radiation dose 133Xe is preferable when repeated determinations of Rvef are desired.