bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adrenocortical function, feedback, and alphabet soup
Authors: Dallman Mary F.
Published: August 2005

This essay examines the historical significance of an APS classic paper that is freely available online: Ingle DJ. The effects of administering large amounts of cortin on the adrenal cortices of normal and hypophysectomized rats. Am J Physiol 124: 369–371, 1938 ( http://ajplegacy.physiology.org/cgi/reprint/124/2/369 ).
Short-Term Angiotensin(1-7) Receptor Mas Stimulation Improves Endothelial Function in Normotensive Rats
Authors: Faria-Silva Raphael , Duarte Fernanda V. , Santos Robson A.S.
Published: August 2005

In this study we evaluated the effect of angiotensin(1-7) and its nonpeptide analog, AVE 0991, on the endothelial function in vivo. The experiments were performed in conscious adult male Wistar rats, with polyethylene catheters implanted into the descending aorta (through left carotid artery), for injection of acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside, femoral artery for mean arterial pressure and heart rate measurement; and femoral vein for drug administration. Increasing doses of acetylcholine (3.1 ng to 25.0 ng) or nitroprusside (1.0 μg to 10.0 μg) were administered before and 30 minutes after the start of the infusion of: angiotensin(1-7) (0.7 and 7.0 pmol/min); A-779 (180 pmol/min); angiotensin(1-7) (7.0 pmol/min) combined with A-779 (180 pmol/min); AVE 0991 (11, 45, and 230 pmol/min); AVE 0991 (45 pmol/min) combined with A-779 (180 pmol/min), or vehicle (6 μL/min). Baseline mean arterial pressure and heart rate were not altered during angiotensin(1-7) or AVE 0991 infusion. Angiotensin(1-7) (0.7 pmol/min) infusion produced a significant potentiation of the hypotensive effect of acetylcholine (3.1 ng: −9±1 mm Hg before; −18±2 mm Hg after;
P
<0.05). A similar potentiation was observed with the higher dose of angiotensin(1-7). As observed for angiotensin(1-7), infusion of AVE 0991 at 230 pmol/min potentiated the acetylcholine effect (3.1 ng: −8±2 mm Hg before; −16±2 mm Hg after;
P
<0.05). The potentiating effect was not observed for nitroprusside. A-779 or
l
-NAME treatment blocked the potentiation produced by angiotensin(1-7) or AVE 0991. Our data indicate that short-term stimulation of angiotensin(1-7) receptors improve endothelial function through facilitation of nitric oxide release.
Diuresis and Natriuresis Caused by Activation of VR1-Positive Sensory Nerves in Renal Pelvis of Rats
Authors: Zhu Yi , Wang Youping , Wang Donna H.
Published: August 2005

To test the hypothesis that activation of the vanilloid receptor 1 (VR1) expressed in sensory nerves innervating the renal pelvis leads to diuresis and natriuresis, a selective VR1 receptor agonist, capsaicin (2.4 nmol), or vehicle was perfused intravenously or into the left renal pelvis of anesthetized rats at a rate without changing renal perfusion pressure. Mean arterial pressure was not altered by capsaicin administered intravenously or into the renal pelvis. Capsaicin perfusion into the left renal pelvis but not intravenously caused significant increases in urine flow rate and urinary sodium excretion bilaterally in a dose-dependent manner, which were abolished by capsazepine, a selective VR1 receptor antagonist, given ipsilaterally to the renal pelvis or by ipsilateral renal denervation. Capsaicin given intravenously or into the left renal pelvis increased plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide levels to the same extent. Increased plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide levels induced by capsaicin (68.9±2.8 pg/mL) perfusion into the renal pelvis was prevented either by capsazepine (22.5±10.1 pg/mL) given ipsilaterally into the renal pelvis or by ipsilateral renal denervation (25.9±2.3 pg/mL). Taken together, our data show that unilateral activation of VR1-positive sensory nerves innervating the renal pelvis leads to bilateral diuresis and natriuresis via a mechanism that is independent of plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide levels. These data suggest that VR1-positive sensory nerves in the kidney enhance renal excretory function, a mechanism that may be critically involved in sodium and fluid homeostasis.
Utility of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Rickers Carsten , Wilke Norbert M. , Jerosch-Herold Michael , Casey Susan A. , Panse Prasad , Panse Neeta , Weil Jochen , Zenovich Andrey G. , Maron Barry J.
Published: August 2005

Background—

Two-dimensional echocardiography is currently the standard test for the clinical diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The present study was undertaken to determine whether cardiac MRI (CMR) affords greater accuracy than echocardiography in establishing the diagnosis and assessing the magnitude of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in HCM.

Methods and Results—

Forty-eight patients (age 34±16 years) suspected of having HCM (or with a confirmed diagnosis) were imaged by both echocardiography and CMR to assess LV wall thickness in 8 anatomic segments (total n=384 segments) and compared in a blinded fashion. Maximum LV thickness was similar by echocardiography (21.7±9.1 mm) and CMR (22.5±9.6 mm;
P
=0.21). However, in 3 (6%) of the 48 patients, echocardiography did not demonstrate LV hypertrophy, and CMR identified otherwise undetected areas of wall thickening in the anterolateral LV free wall (17 to 20 mm), which resulted in a new diagnosis of HCM. In the overall study group, compared with CMR, echocardiography also underestimated the magnitude of hypertrophy in the basal anterolateral free wall (by 20±6%;
P
=0.001), as well as the presence of extreme LV wall thickness (≥30 mm) in 10% of patients (
P
<0.05).

Conclusions—

CMR is capable of identifying regions of LV hypertrophy not readily recognized by echocardiography and was solely responsible for diagnosis of the HCM phenotype in an important minority of patients. CMR enhances the assessment of LV hypertrophy, particularly in the anterolateral LV free wall, and represents a powerful supplemental imaging test with distinct diagnostic advantages for selected HCM patients.
A Survey of Temperature Measurements in Convective Clouds
Authors: Sinkevich Andrey A. , Lawson R. Paul
Published: August 2005

A brief review of errors associated with aircraft measurements of temperature in cumulus clouds is presented. This analysis forms the basis for the introduction of a compilation of in-cloud temperature measurements that the authors deem reliable. The measurements are mostly from radiometric thermometers, along with some carefully selected measurements taken with immersion thermometers. The data were collected in cumuli and cumulonimbi in Russia, the United States, and the central Pacific. An estimate of the in-cloud temperature measurement uncertainty is on the order of 0.5°C. The results suggest that the average temperature excess in cumulus clouds, when averaged over the cloud lifetime, is about 0.2°–0.3°C; this value may be biased to an unknown extent, however, by latencies inherent in identification and aircraft sampling of candidate clouds. The maximum temperature excess in growing cumulus congestus is about 2.5°–4°C. In the weak-echo regions of large thunderstorms, the temperature excess is at least 6°–8°C. The average and maximum temperature excesses in cumulus congestus over land are about 0.5°–1°C greater than over the ocean. Measurements of the spatial and vertical distributions of in-cloud temperature excess are presented. Some measurements that pertain to the structure of in-cloud temperature are also discussed.
Satellite-Based Imagery Techniques for Daytime Cloud/Snow Delineation from MODIS
Authors: Miller Steven D. , Lee Thomas F. , Fennimore Robert L.
Published: August 2005

This paper presents two multispectral enhancement techniques for distinguishing between regions of cloud and snow cover using optical spectrum passive radiometer satellite observations from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Fundamental to the techniques are the 1.6- and 2.2-μm shortwave infrared bands that are useful in distinguishing between absorbing snow cover (having low reflectance) and less absorbing liquid-phase clouds (higher reflectance). The 1.38-μm band helps to overcome ambiguities that arise in the case of optically thin cirrus. Designed to provide straightforward, stand-alone environmental characterization for operational forecasters (e.g., military weather forecasters in the context of mission planning), these products portray the information that is contained within complex scenes as value-added, readily interpretable imagery at the highest available spatial resolution. Their utility in scene characterization and quality control of digital snow maps is demonstrated.
Visual Permeability, Locomotive Permeability, Safety, and Enclosure
Authors: Stamps Arthur E.
Published: August 2005

Recent neurophysiological findings indicate that there is a region in the brain that responds strongly to enclosure and even more strongly to gaps in enclosure. Under evolutionary theory, that sensitivity could be explained by the effects of enclosure on safety. This article reports four experiments with dependent variables of open or enclosed and safe or threatening and independent variables of gaps, size of gaps, location of gaps, orientation of gaps, boundary height, locomotive permeability, and visual permeability. Impressions of enclosure were much more influenced by visual permeability than by locomotive permeability, but the reverse was found for impressions of safety, which were more strongly influenced by locomotive than by visual permeability.
How Well Are We Measuring Workers’ Rights?
Authors: Bivens L. Josh , Hersh Adam S. , Weller Christian E.
Published: August 2005

The literature overwhelmingly supports the proposition that high-quality domestic institutions are a precondition for economic growth. Political freedoms have been shown to contribute to this institutional quality. A smaller literature suggests that the adoption and enforcement of core labor standards (CLS) that protect the rights of workers can be an important boon for economic development. This article aims to lay a stronger groundwork for the literature linking workers’ rights and economic outcomes by examining more closely some of the proxies that have been used to measure these rights. Our results suggest that the ratification of CLS is only weakly correlated with the improvement of broader political freedoms. The figures also show some link between CLS ratification and proxies for actual rights enjoyed by workers.
Teaching Macroeconomics by Bringing Marx into the Classroom
Authors: Lautzenheiser Mark , Yasar Yavuz
Published: August 2005

The aggregate demand and supply graph is a staple in undergraduate macroeconomics courses. The foundations of this model and questions it addresses are often different from radical economics. The current article develops an alternative to the aggregate demand and supply framework. In the alternative framework, students are quickly introduced to certain aspects of Marx’s economic theory with the aid of a simple graphical tool.
Arguments for a Plurified View of the Social World
Authors: Cooren François , Fox Stephanie , Robichaud Daniel , Talih Nayla
Published: August 2005

This article shows how the structuration of space and time occurs through the articulation of different agents’ doings, whether these agents are human, technological or textual. Spacing and timing should therefore be considered hybrid achivements. This reflection then leads us to a reconceptualization of societies’ and organizations’ modes of being. Far from reifying these forms of life, that is to say, to transform them into things, this approach leads us - analytically speaking - to plurify them, to show that they are literally made of things, texts and humans: that they are plural and incarnated.
Facing Inwards and Outwards at Once: The liminal temporalities of academic perfomativity
Authors: Keenoy Tom
Published: August 2005

Through metaphor (as ever), we explore some aspects of the mutually implicated con-text, ideo-text, ego-text and sub-text to be found in the contemporary UK academic lifeworld. To this end, carefully selected data from a qualitative study of the changing nature of academic work in Britain is analysed to speculate about how a discourse of performativity (‘the RAE’) has been ‘translated’ into what appear to be ‘normalized’ legitimate forms of organizing and social action. By illustrating how these forms are reflected in academics’ liminal ‘work talk’, it emerges that one possible effect of this holographic process is a spatio-temporal constriction of the academic ‘lifeworld’.
Territory, Terror and Torture: Dream-reading the Apocalypse
Authors: Keller Catherine
Published: August 2005

Beginning from the apocalyptic work, Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the World, this article explores the Christian Apocalypse through dream-reading the imagery in the context of American responses to 9/11. The apocalyptic figures of the Whore, the Messiah and the Beast appear in interaction with each other. Apocalyptic language, like the tension between nationalism and globalization, both deterritorializes and reterritorializes, unleashing the total destructive power of Armageddon on whole populations through war or torture, legitimized through the notions of absolute good and evil. The article ends with ‘Earth Dreams’, an attempt to deconstruct apocalyptic ideas with a theopolitics of ‘just love’.
Incarnation in Times of Terror: Christian Theology and the Challenge of September 11th
Authors: Isherwood Lisa
Published: August 2005

The author argues that Christian theology needs to examine itself in the light of the events surrounding September 11th. Not only has some Christian theology lent itself to the creation of imperialistic mindsets that could be argued to be the root cause of the violence before and after September 11th but it now seems to sit on the fence. The author suggests that this, like so many in Christian theology, is ultimately a christological question and that we need to dislodge the dualistic lens through which we view Jesus if we are to make progress in this bleeding world. Dualism lends itself to hierarchy and hierarchy to division and exploitation against which background even the most horrifying acts can be understood. Christianity can no longer hide its head and claim that exploitative interpretations are misunderstandings—it needs to look again at its central doctrines.
Empirical Assessment of Eco-Certification
Authors: Melo Cristian J. , Wolf Steven A.
Published: August 2005

Eco-certification is widely perceived to be an increasingly important strategy to improve the environmental performance of agriculture in an era of global trade integration and apparent weakening of regulatory capacity of nation-states. Few analyses have sought to determine whether ecolabeled products are produced in a manner that conserves natural resources and mitigates risks to ecological integrity. The authors report on a 2003 audit of farming practices in banana production in Ecuador. They find that certified farms significantly outperform noncertified farms on all environmental assessment criteria. In many cases, noncertified farms are out of compliance with Ecuadorian environmental law. Thus, there is evidence to support claims that ecocertified products pose relatively lower ecological risks. In evaluating limitations of their study, the authors note a need to develop longitudinal data sets to assessif and how certification motivates behavioral change at the level of production.
Requirements of time management tools for outpatient physiotherapy practice
Authors: Fleet Leanne , Blandford Ann E.
Published: August 2005

The effects of electronic appointment booking systems on the time management activities of health professionals have received little attention to date. We report on time management practices in three outpatient physiotherapy departments with different paper and electronic systems. The study has identified a set of time management activities and associated social behaviours common to physiotherapy departments. The convenience, flexibility and expressive nature of paper diary systems is of significant value to users, whilst the clarity and superior database functionality of electronic systems are valued by staff using this medium. The study highlights several potential barriers to the effective deployment of electronic booking systems in physiotherapy departments, including poor resource and training provision, concerns regarding restrictive diary control measures, the continued reliance on burdensome duplication procedures and the need to coordinate multiple information artefacts, which need to be addressed if such technology is to be successfully designed and deployed.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee with a topical diclofenac solution: a randomised controlled, 6-week trial [ISRCTN53366886]
Authors: Baer Philip A , Thomas Lisa M , Shainhouse Zev
Published: August 2005

Background

Topical NSAIDs have been proven to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) in short-term studies (2 weeks). To justify its chronic use, efficacy of a topical NSAID over a longer term of study should be demonstrated. The efficacy and safety of a topical diclofenac solution over a 6-week treatment course in symptomatic primary OA of the knee was investigated.

Methods

216 men and women, age 40–85 years, with radiologically confirmed primary OA of the knee and a flare of pain at baseline following discontinuation of prior therapy were enrolled into this double-blind study. Participants applied either a topical diclofenac solution (Pennsaid®) or vehicle control solution (carrier with no diclofenac); 40 drops 4 times daily directly to the painful knee(s), without massage, for 6 weeks. Pre-planned primary efficacy outcome measures included the core continuous variables pain relief and improved physical function measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) LK3.1 OA Index, and improved patient global assessment (PGA). Secondary efficacy measure was reduced stiffness. Safety assessments included adverse events and vital signs.

Results

The topical diclofenac group had a significantly greater mean change in score (final minus baseline) compared to the vehicle control group for pain (-5.2 vs. -3.3, p = 0.003), physical function (-13.4 vs. -6.9, p = 0.001), PGA (-1.3 vs. -0.7, p = 0.0001) and stiffness (-1.8 vs. -0.9, p = 0.002). The mean difference between treatment arms (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 1.9 (0.7 to 3.2), 6.5 (2.5 to 10.5), 0.6 (0.2 to 0.9), and 0.9 (0.3 to 1.4), respectively. Safety analyses showed that topical diclofenac caused skin irritation, mostly minor local skin dryness, in 42/107 (39%), leading to discontinuation of treatment in 5/107 (5%) participants.

Conclusion

This topical diclofenac solution demonstrated relief at 6 weeks of the symptoms of primary osteoarthritis of the knee.
The Wessex Head Injury Matrix (WHIM) main scale: a preliminary report on a scale to assess and monitor patient recovery after severe head injury
Authors: Shiel A , Horn S A , Wilson B A , Watson M J , Campbell M J , Mclellan D L
Published: August 2005

Objective: To develop a behavioural assessment based on observations of patients recovering after severe head injury whereby data could be collected by observation and by testing everyday tasks.

Design: A prospective observational study of a cohort of 88 consecutive hospital admissions with severe head injury.

Setting: Two district general hospitals in the UK.

Patients: Eighty-eight consecutive admissions with severe traumatic head injury. Ages ranged from 14 to 67 years, mean coma duration was 14 days and mean duration of post traumatic amnesia (PTA) was 56 days.

Results: Fifty-eight items of behaviour were identified. Paired preference analysis was used to identify a sequence of recovery of these behaviours. The sequence began with arousal and led on to behaviours signalling recovery of social interaction and communication. Subsequent behaviours indicated increasing cognitive organization and return of orientation and memory. The behaviours on the scale are hierarchical and range from coma to emergence from PTA.

Conclusions: A scale to assess patients and monitor cognitive recovery after severe head injury has been developed. While individual patients will show some departures from the sequence identified, the scale helps to make explicit the earliest stages of natural recovery patterns after head injury.
Stroke patients' views on stroke outcomes: death versus disability
Authors: Hanger H C , Fogarty B , Wilkinson T J , Sainsbury R
Published: August 2005

Aims: To determine how elderly stroke patients perceive different stroke outcomes, including death, relative to each other and how these views compare with those of age/sex-matched controls.

Participants and setting: Twenty-eight elderly patients discharged from hospital with an acute stroke causing hemiplegia. Twenty-eight age/sexmatched control patients from the same hospital who had never had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack.

Methods: Patients and controls were asked to rank 11 clinical scenarios of potential stroke outcomes, from the most to the least desirable outcome.

Results: There was a striking bimodal distribution for sudden painless death in both groups. Painless death was preferred to even a minor stroke disability in over one-third of elderly individuals, whilst 20% would prefer severe disability rather than painless death. Sixty-nine per cent of stroke patients and 82% of controls ranked death as preferable to severe disability. Stroke patients may be more tolerant of disability (compared to death) than their controls (39% patients and 61% controls preferred death to any disability, p = 0.11).

Conclusions: Our results suggest that many elderly individuals would rather die than be alive and severely disabled. This may have important implications for acute stroke treatments such as thrombolysis.
Bobath or Motor Relearning Programme? A comparison of two different approaches of physiotherapy in stroke rehabilitation: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Langhammer Birgitta , Stanghelle Johan K
Published: August 2005

Objective: To examine whether two different physiotherapy regimes caused any differences in outcome in rehabilitation after acute stroke.

Design: A double-blind study of patients with acute first-ever stroke. Sixty-one patients were consecutively included, block randomized into two groups, and stratified according to gender and hemiplegic site. Group 1 (33 patients) and group 2 (28 patients) had physiotherapy according to Motor Relearning Programme (MRP) and Bobath, respectively. The supplemental treatment did not differ in the two groups.

Main outcome measures: The Motor Assessment Scale (MAS), the Sødring Motor Evaluation Scale (SMES), the Barthel ADL Index and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) were used. The following parameters were also registered: length of stay in the hospital, use of assistive devices for mobility, and the patient's accommodation after discharge from the hospital.

Results: Patients treated according to MRP stayed fewer days in hospital than those treated according to Bobath (mean 21 days versus 34 days, p = 0.008). Both groups improved in MAS and SMES, but the improvement in motor function was significantly better in the MRP group. The two groups improved in Barthel ADL Index without significant differences between the groups. However, women treated by MRP improved more in ADL than women treated by Bobath. There were no differences between the groups in the life quality test (NHP), use of assistive devices or accommodation after discharge from the hospital.

Conclusion: The present study indicates that physiotherapy treatment using the MRP is preferable to that using the Bobath programme in the acute rehabilitation of stroke patients.
Effects of upper and lower limb static exertions on global synkineses in hemiparetic subjects
Authors: Boissy Patrick , Bourbonnais Daniel , Gravel Denis , Arsenault A Bertrand , Lepage Yves
Published: August 2005

Objectives: Global synkineses are nonpurposive pathological involuntary muscle activities or movements elicited at several or all of the joints of the affected limb or limbs during voluntary forceful resisted contractions. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of upper and lower limb exertions on manifestations of upper limb global synkineses in hemiparetic subjects.

Design: Involuntary muscle activities on the affected upper limb of 11 hemiparetic subjects and on the left or right upper limb of 10 control subjects were recorded using surface electromyography during successive bilateral maximal ankle exertions and during contralateral grips.

Results: Significant differences in the level of involuntary electromyography (EMG) activities were observed between experimental conditions (ANOVAs, p < 0.05). EMG levels in hemiparetic subjects were significantly higher during contralateral grip tasks than during the ankle exertions.

Conclusion: These results suggest that upper limb global synkineses are more prevalent in specific tasks and that this task specificity may reflect the neurophysiological mechanisms involved in the generation of global synkineses.
Effect of Soil Aging on Assessing Magnitudes and Accelerations of Prehistoric Earthquakes
Authors: Leon Evangelia , Gassman Sarah L. , Talwani Pradeep
Published: August 2005

Increase in strength due to aging of sands is reflected in higher blow counts and tip resistance values in penetration resistance measurements. This affects the magnitudes and peak ground acceleration estimates of prehistoric earthquakes obtained from an analysis of geotechnical observations at paleoliquefaction sites in the South Carolina Coastal Plain. In this study, corrections were made to account for the effects of soil aging, which were neglected in earlier estimates. The results show that when the effects of aging of soils on their geotechnical properties are incorporated, the resulting back-calculations reduced earlier magnitude estimates of prehistoric earthquakes by about 0.9 units. The peak ground acceleration estimates were reduced by about 15% for those earthquakes originally estimated at approximately 0.15 g. For those earthquakes whose original estimates were greater than 0.2 g, there was no noticeable change when a correction was made for the aging of soils.
Resistin Stimulation of 17α-Hydroxylase Activity in Ovarian Theca Cells in Vitro: Relevance to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Munir Iqbal , Yen Hui-Wen , Baruth Talia , Tarkowski Rafal , Azziz Ricardo , Magoffin Denis A. , Jakimiuk Artur J.
Published: August 2005

Context: A newly discovered hormone resistin has been shown to be increased in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to confirm increased resistin concentrations in women with PCOS and to test the direct effect of resistin on human theca cell androgen production.

Design: Resistin was measured in fasting serum samples by RIA. To test the direct effects of resistin on ovarian androgen biosynthesis, human theca cells were cultured with resistin for 3 d in the presence and absence of forskolin and insulin.

Patients: Fasting serum samples were obtained from 45 women with PCOS and 74 regularly cycling premenopausal control women in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycles, and ovarian theca cell cultures were established from two control women.

Results: The mean serum resistin concentration was increased (40%) in women with PCOS. Serum resistin concentrations correlated positively with body mass index and testosterone in PCOS women but not in controls. There were no significant correlations between resistin and fasting insulin or indicators of insulin resistance when corrected for body mass index. In cultured human theca cells, basal 17α-hydroxylase activity was unchanged by resistin alone, but resistin enhanced 17α-hydroxylase activity in the presence of forskolin or a combination of forskolin plus insulin. Resistin (≥1 ng/ml) augmented forskolin and forskolin plus insulin stimulation of CYP17 mRNA expression in a concentration-dependent manner.

Conclusion: These data indicate that abnormal resistin secretion in PCOS may play a role in causing ovarian hyperandrogenism.
Defining the Proinflammatory Phenotype Using High Sensitive C-Reactive Protein Levels as the Biomarker
Authors: Devaraj Sridevi , O’Keefe Grant , Jialal Ishwarlal
Published: August 2005

Context: Inflammation is pivotal in atherosclerosis. The prototypic marker of inflammation is C-reactive protein (CRP). Numerous studies have confirmed that high CRP levels in normal volunteers predict cardiovascular events.

Objective: The objective of this study was to define proximal and associated abnormalities of the proinflammatory phenotype using CRP levels as the biomarker.

Design and Subjects: Two groups of normal, healthy subjects, selected by stringent criteria from an initial cohort of 252, were studied over the period of 12 months. Group 1 included subjects with consistently low CRP (<0.004 μm or <0.5 mg/liter; low CRP group; n = 15). Group 2 included subjects with consistently high CRP (>2.0 or >0.016 μm to <10 mg/liter or <0.085 μm; high CRP group; n = 13).

Main Outcome Measures: Fasting blood (50 ml) was obtained, and the following parameters were assayed: high sensitivity CRP, fibrinogen, lipid profile, insulin, whole blood cytokines after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 100 ng/ml for 24 h), soluble cell adhesion molecules, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, CD40, CD40 ligand, leptin, adiponectin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, IL-8, matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), and MMP-9. Genomic DNA was obtained from peripheral blood leukocytes, and the TNF-α −308 genotype was determined.

Results: The median CRP levels were 0.0018 μm (0.21 mg/liter) and 0.031 μm (3.7 mg/liter) for the low and high groups, respectively. High CRP subjects were older and had significantly higher body mass indexes, triglycerides, insulin, homeostasis model assessment, and leptin levels compared with low CRP subjects. The markers of inflammation, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, MMP-9, fibrinogen, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 levels were significantly higher in the high compared with the low CRP group. LPS-stimulated levels of whole blood IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF were significantly higher, and IL-4 levels were significantly lower in the high CRP group. After age- and body mass index-adjusted analysis of covariance, only plasma MMP-9 levels and LPS-stimulated whole blood IL-1β and TNF levels were significantly higher in the high CRP group. The frequency of the rare A allele at TNF-α −308 was equivalent in high and low CRP groups.

Conclusions: A phenotype characterized by increased plasma inflammatory mediators as well as increased LPS-stimulated whole blood TNF-α and IL-1β levels is associated with high plasma CRP levels. This systemic inflammatory phenotype may contribute to vascular inflammation or may reflect inflammation in vessels or at other sites.
Tissue Transglutaminase at Embryo-Maternal Interface
Authors: Kabir-Salmani Maryam , Shiokawa Shigetatsu , Akimoto Yoshihiro , Sakai Keiji , Sakai Ken , Iwashita Mitsutoshi
Published: August 2005

Context: Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) has a high affinity for fibronectin (FN) and is a coreceptor of both β1 and β3 integrin subunits. Considering the notion that FN and integrins have critical roles during the implantation process, this study was undertaken to elucidate the expression pattern and the potential physiological function of tTG at the embryo-maternal interface.

Methods: The primary cultures of human placentas from 15 legal elective abortions at the first trimester of normal pregnancies and endometrial biopsies of 12 female patients in the midluteal phase as well as normal trophoblastic cell lines (CRL) were employed to address these issues using several approaches, such as scanning and transmission electron microscopies, immunostaining for light and electron microscopies, western blotting, and function assays using GRGDSP hexapeptide and an antibody against tTG.

Results: The results demonstrated tTG expression on uterine pinopodes and lamellipodia of extravillous trophoblasts. The colocalization of tTG with β1 and β3 integrins and its interaction with αvβ3 integrin and integrin-associated proteins at focal adhesions of the extravillous trophoblasts were illustrated in the results of immunofluorescence, immunoblot, and coimmunoprecipitation studies. Furthermore, function assays revealed that tTG mediated the adhesion and spread of the placental cells on intact FN-coated and 42- and 110-kDa FN fragment-coated wells.

Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings demonstrated for the first time that tTG actively participates in adhesion events at the embryo-maternal interface through its interaction with FN, at least in part, by activating integrin-signaling pathways.
Vitamin D Insufficiency Does Not Affect Bone Mineral Density Response to Raloxifene
Authors: Antoniucci Diana M. , Vittinghoff Eric , Blackwell Terri , Black Dennis M. , Sellmeyer Deborah E.
Published: August 2005

Context: Vitamin D insufficiency and osteoporosis are common and often coexist in postmenopausal women.

Objective: The objective of this study was to test whether the presence of vitamin D insufficiency at the initiation of raloxifene therapy affected the subsequent response of bone mineral density (BMD).

Design, Setting, and Participants: We studied 7522 postmenopausal participants of the Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation, a placebo-controlled trial of the effects of raloxifene on BMD and fracture.

Intervention: After enrollment, all participants began daily supplements of 500 mg calcium and 400–600 IU cholecalciferol; 1 month later, women were randomly assigned to placebo or raloxifene.

Main Outcome Measure: Serum levels of vitamin D [25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD)] were measured at enrollment, randomization, and 6 months later. We categorized participants’ vitamin D status (deficient, insufficient, or sufficient) based on their randomization 25OHD level. We estimated the effects of treatment on BMD within these subgroups using linear regression models.

Results: At enrollment, 3.2% of participants were vitamin D deficient, and 51.8% were insufficient; after 7 months of cholecalciferol supplementation, 0.2% of all participants remained D deficient, and 23.6% remained insufficient. The effects of raloxifene on hip and spine BMD did not vary by vitamin D status at randomization (P = 0.08 and P = 0.7, respectively).

Conclusion: We conclude that vitamin D status at initiation of raloxifene therapy does not affect the subsequent BMD response when coadministered with cholecalciferol and calcium. After 7 months of cholecalciferol therapy, very few women continued to have 25OHD levels in the deficient range; however, 25OHD levels remained suboptimal in nearly one fourth of the cohort. Additional research is needed to determine whether these observations can be generalized to other antiresorptive agents.
Effect of Insulin on Plasma Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Children with New-Onset Diabetes
Authors: Ashraf Ambika , Mick Gail , Meleth Sreelatha , Abdullatif Hussein , Wang Xudong , McCormick Kenneth
Published: August 2005

Context: Considerable experimental evidence inculpates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as one of the candidate factors providing a mechanistic link between hyperglycemia and diabetic complications.

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of insulin treatment and glycemic control on plasma VEGF levels in children with new-onset diabetes.

Methods: This prospective study assessed the changes in plasma VEGF levels after treatment of diabetes with insulin. We also aimed to ascertain whether there was any correlation between plasma VEGF levels and simultaneous random plasma glucose. The study comprised 19 children with new-onset diabetes mellitus between the ages of 3 and 18 yr. The control group comprised 55 healthy nondiabetic children with idiopathic short stature.

Results: Plasma VEGF concentrations were significantly elevated in children at diagnosis of diabetes, compared with healthy controls (P < 0.0002). Plasma VEGF levels (P < 0.01) and hemoglobin A1C (P < 0.0001) declined in diabetic children after insulin treatment. There was a highly significant correlation between reduction in plasma VEGF levels and hemoglobin A1C levels (r = 0.65, P = 0.0037). We did not find any correlation between the simultaneous plasma glucose values and basal VEGF.

Conclusions: Presence of hyperglycemia and/ or insulin deficiency in children with new-onset of diabetes is associated with plasma VEGF elevation, even at the outset of disease, and this can be mitigated by insulin therapy.
Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia Type II in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients: Incidence and Complications
Authors: Hoh Brian L. , Aghi Manish , Pryor Johnny C. , Ogilvy Christopher S.
Published: August 2005

OBJECTIVE:

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia Type II (HIT II) is the autoimmune-mediated severe form of the disease characterized by a significant reduction in platelets, and it carries a high risk of “paradoxical” serious thrombotic complications. Although HIT II has been studied in several different patient populations, the incidence of HIT II and the rate of thrombotic complications have never been reported in a neurosurgical patient population. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients, among neurosurgical patient populations, have a high exposure to heparin because they are in critical care units and have indwelling vascular catheters. In addition, the increase in neuroendovascular procedures with the associated use of heparinization will increase the exposure of SAH patients to heparin.

METHODS:

During a 3.5-year period (January 2000–June 2003), 389 consecutive SAH patients were treated at our center. We retrospectively reviewed their laboratory data and medical records and used accepted clinical criteria for the diagnosis of HIT II to determine the incidence of HIT II, thrombotic complications, management, and outcome.

RESULTS:

Fifty-nine patients (15%) met the clinical diagnostic criteria for HIT II. The average platelet count nadir in the HIT II patients was 68,600 ± 25,300/μl (mean ± standard deviation). Female patients and patients with Fisher Grade 3 were more likely to develop HIT II (P < 0.01). Thirty-six patients (61%) underwent a neuroendovascular procedure. The rate of systemic thrombotic complications in the HIT II patients was 37 versus 7% in SAH patients without HIT II (P < 0.001), and the rate of new hypodensities on head computed tomographic scans was 66% in the HIT II patients versus 40% in the SAH patients without HIT II (P < 0.001). Clinical outcomes were worse in the HIT II patients. The outcome was favorable for 38% in the HIT II patients versus 52% in all SAH patients (P < 0.05), and deaths were more common (29%) in the HIT II patients than in all SAH patients (12%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION:

The incidence of HIT II in SAH patients at a single center was 15%. The SAH patients with HIT II had significantly higher rates of thrombotic complications, new hypodensities on head computed tomographic scans, more deaths, and significantly less favorable outcomes. This is the first report of the incidence of HIT II in a neurosurgical patient population.
Effect of Brain Surgery on Auditory and Motor Cortex Activation: A Preliminary Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Authors: Kokkonen Salla-Maarit , Kiviniemi Vesa , Mäkiranta Minna , Yrjänä Sanna , Koivukangas John , Tervonen Osmo
Published: August 2005

OBJECTIVE:

The effect of glioma removal on blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activation has not been widely documented. The aim of this preliminary study was to observe the effect of tumor resection on BOLD fMRI of the auditory and motor cortices.

METHODS:

Seven patients with gliomas underwent preoperative and early postoperative BOLD fMRI, and five of them underwent additional late postoperative BOLD fMRI. The auditory and motor cortices were localized with activation studies. A hemispheric activation index was used to quantify the relative extent of BOLD activation.

RESULTS:

The resection of a glioma with preoperative edema resulted in an increase from the preoperative to the early postoperative fMRI on auditory BOLD activation on the side of the tumor compared with the contralateral side. The same phenomenon was observed in one patient with motor BOLD activation. However, when no preoperative edema was present, a transient decrease in relative auditory BOLD activation was found.

CONCLUSION:

The results of this study suggest that the resection of a glioma with preoperative edema affecting the auditory and/or motor cortex may cause a transient increase in the BOLD response ipsilateral to the tumor. It seems that when the tumor is resected, the pressure on the brain, specifically on the affected auditory and/or motor cortex, decreases and the functional cortex becomes more easily detectable in BOLD fMRI.
Primary Intracranial Melanocytic Tumor Simulating Pituitary Macroadenoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Rousseau Audrey , Bernier Michèle , Kujas Michèle , Varlet Pascale
Published: August 2005

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE:

Primary intracranial melanocytic tumors are rare lesions, sellar ones being even more exceptional. So far, six melanomas and two melanocytomas have been described in an intrasellar and/or suprasellar location.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION:

We report on the case of a 25-year-old Caucasian woman presenting with a 4-year history of amenorrhea and an intrasellar mass with suprasellar extension suggestive of a pituitary macroadenoma.

INTERVENTION:

A gross subtotal resection of a hemorrhagic tumor was performed. Histological examination revealed melanin-laden pleomorphic tumor cells that tested positive for HMB-45 and S-100 and negative for cytokeratins, thus demonstrating that the tumor was a melanocytic neoplasm. An extensive workup failed to find evidence of any other primary site. The patient received no further treatment and is alive and well after 24 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSION:

Primary sellar melanocytic neoplasms are extremely rare lesions and present with few differential diagnoses. Deciding whether the tumor is best classified as a melanocytoma or a melanoma may prove difficult. Wide histological variations in both melanocytomas and melanomas render careful consideration of the clinical, radiological, and gross features essential in distinguishing one from the other.
Intrinsic Hematoma of the Oculomotor Nerve: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Ratilal Bernardo Oliveira , da Silva Galo Sergio Miguel Macedo , de Oliveira Vara Luiz Carlos Alberto
Published: August 2005

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE:

Intrinsic oculomotor nerve hematoma is an exceptional cause of third nerve palsy. This case report illustrates the clinical, radiological, and intraoperative relevance of this rare pathological finding.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION:

A 25-year-old woman with a 12-year history of gross total resection of cerebellar medulloblastoma and posterior whole-brain radiotherapy presented with complete left oculomotor palsy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a left-sided, perimesencephalic cistern, small, round lesion with a fluid level. Digital subtraction angiography demonstrated no evidence of vascular abnormalities.

INTERVENTION:

A pterional craniotomy was performed, and the left oculomotor nerve was exposed. A blackish intrinsic lesion was detected in its cisternal segment near the uncus. The lesion was incised, and liquid compatible with a subacute noncoagulated hematoma was drained. Three months after surgery, the patient had partial recovery from diplopia and extraocular muscle function.

CONCLUSION:

We reviewed the literature and found four cases of oculomotor nerve intrinsic hematoma. These cases were all associated with hematological diseases, trauma, or solid tumors, and, as a group, these patients had poor outcomes. In the present report, the possibility of radiotherapy-induced vasculopathy as a predisposing factor is discussed. Surgical removal of an intrinsic nerve hematoma is probably helpful in the functional recovery of these patients.
Chiari Type I Malformation Presenting as Hemifacial Spasm: Case Report
Authors: Colpan Mustafa Efkan , Sekerci Zeki
Published: August 2005

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE:

We report on a patient with a Chiari I malformation presenting with right hemifacial spasm. Clinicians should consider the downward displacement of the hindbrain as a rare cause of hemifacial spasm in Chiari I malformation.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION:

An 18-year-old man was admitted with right hemifacial spasm. The results of the neurological examination were normal except for the facial spasm. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a Chiari I malformation without syringomyelia. After surgery, the hemifacial spasm completely resolved.

INTERVENTION:

Posterior fossa decompression, C1 laminectomy, and duraplasty were performed.

CONCLUSION:

The hemifacial spasm could be attributed to compression and/or traction of the facial nerve because of downward displacement of the hindbrain in Chiari I malformation. Compression and/or traction might create irritation of the facial nerve that causes hemifacial spasm. Resolution of the hemifacial spasm after posterior fossa decompression could explain the facial nerve irritation in Chiari I malformation. Clinicians should consider Chiari malformation as a cause of hemifacial spasm and posterior fossa decompression as a potential treatment.
Reconstruction of Lepidocrocite Nanosheets into Anatase TiO2 by Rolling in Low Temperature
Authors: Wang Fumin , Jiu Jinting , Pei Lihua , Nakagawa Keizo , Isoda Seiji , Adachi Motonari
Published: August 2005

Highly crystallized anatase nanotubes and nanorods were prepared by rolling of molecular nanosheets, i.e., lepidocrocite, by surfactant-assisted hydrothermal method in low temperature (413 K). Alcohol played an important role for deintercalation of the surfactant between lepidocrocite nanosheets. Morphology of nanoscale anatase TiO2 materials was controlled by choosing pH and composition.
High Chiral Discrimination of 2,2′-Ditellurobis(2-deoxy-β-cyclodextrin) in Recognition of Dansyl-d/l-phenylalanine
Authors: Jia Shu-Yan , Hao Ya-Qiong , Li Li-Na , Chen Kai , Wu Yuqing , Liu Junqiu , Wu Lixin , Ding Yi-hong
Published: August 2005

This letter demonstrates the high chiral discrimination of 2,2′-ditellurobis(2-deoxy-β-cyclodextrin) (2-TeCD, 1) in recognizing dansyl-l-phenylalanine (DLP) and dansyl-d-phenylalanine (DDP). 1 is shown to be a very useful host in fluorescent sensing. It exhibits very good chiral enantioselectivity with a ratio of KL/KD = 3.71 in a stoichiometry of 1:1 in the chiral discrimination of DPs.
Psc3 cohesin of Schizosaccharomyces pombe: cell cycle analysis and identification of three distinct isoforms
Authors: Ilyushik Eduard , Pryce David W. , Walerych Dawid , Riddell Tracy , Wakeman Jane A. , McInerny Christopher J. , McFarlane Ramsay J.
Published: August 2005

Cohesins are a group of proteins that function to mediate correct chromosome segregation, DNA repair and meiotic recombination. This report presents the amino acid sequence for theSchizosaccharomyces pombecohesin Psc3 based on the translation of the cDNA sequence, showing that the protein is smaller than previously predicted. Interestingly, comparison of the amino acid and DNA coding sequences of Psc3 with fission yeast Rec11 meiotic region-specific recombination activator shows that both intron positioning within the genes and the amino-terminal half of the two proteins are highly conserved. We demonstrate that although the intergenic region upstream of thepsc3+start codon contains a consensus sequence for the cell-cycle regulatory MluI cell-cycle box,psc3+transcription is not differentially regulated during the mitotic cell cycle. Finally, we demonstrate that an epitope-tagged version of Psc3 undergoes no major changes during the mitotic cell cycle. However, instead we identify at least three distinct isoforms of Psc3, suggesting that post-translational modification of Psc3 contributes to the regulation of cohesion function.