bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anticipation of Pain Enhances the Nociceptive Transmission and Functional Connectivity within Pain Network in Rats
Authors: Wang Jin-Yan , Zhang Han-Ti , Chang Jing-Yu , Woodward Donald J , Baccalá Luiz A , Luo Fei
Published: August 2008

Background:

Expectation is a very potent pain modulator in both humans and animals. There is evidence that pain transmission neurons are modulated by expectation preceding painful stimuli. Nonetheless, few studies have examined the influence of pain expectation on the pain-related neuronal activity and the functional connectivity within the central nociceptive network.

Results:

This study used a tone-laser conditioning paradigm to establish the pain expectation in rats, and simultaneously recorded the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the medial dorsal thalamus (MD), and the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) to investigate the effect of pain expectation on laser-induced neuronal responses. Cross-correlation and partial directed coherence analysis were used to determine the functional interactions within and between the recorded areas during nociceptive transmission. The results showed that under anticipation condition, the neuronal activity to the auditory cue was significantly increased in the ACC area, whereas those to actual noxious stimuli were enhanced in all the recorded areas. Furthermore, neuronal correlations within and between these areas were significantly increased under conditions of expectation compared to those under non-expectation conditions, indicating an enhanced synchronization of neural activity within the pain network. In addition, information flow from the medial (ACC and MD) to the lateral (SI cortex) pain pathway increased, suggesting that the emotion-related neural circuits may modulate the neuronal activity in the somatosensory pathway during nociceptive transmission.

Conclusion:

These results demonstrate that the nociceptive processing in both medial and lateral pain systems is modulated by the expectation of pain.
An association study of ADSS gene polymorphisms with schizophrenia
Authors: Zhang Fuquan , Sham Pak C , Fan Hua , Xu Yong , Huang Xuezhu , So Honcheong , Song Yuqing , Liu Pozi
Published: August 2008

Background

Adenylosuccinate synthase (ADSS) catalyzes the first committed step of AMP synthesis. It was suggested that the blood-derived RNA of ADSS was down-regulated in schizophrenia (SZ) and one of the eight putative biomarker genes to discriminate SZ from normal controls. However, it remains unclear whether the reduction of ADSS RNA is due to the polymorphisms of the gene or not.

Methods

We attempted to examine the association of ADSS gene with schizophrenia in a Chinese population of 480 schizophrenics and 502 normal controls. Genotyping was performed by the Sequenom platform.

Results

The 6 marker SNPs (rs3102460, rs3127459, rs3127460, rs3127465, rs3006001, and rs3003211) were genotyped. The frequencies of alleles, genotypes, and haplotypes were tested between cases and controls. There was no significant difference of genotypic, allelic, or haplotypic distributions of the 6 SNPs between the two groups.

Conclusion

Our data did not support ADSS gene as a susceptibility gene for SZ in Chinese Han population. Large sample size study is needed to validate or replicate our association study, especially from other ethnic populations.
Double dermal sinuses: a case study
Authors: El Khashab Mostafa , Nejat Farideh , Ertiaei Abolhasan
Published: August 2008

Introduction

Dermal sinus tracts are rare congenital lesions located in the midline characterized by a cutaneous pit or dimple. They occur all along the midline neuroaxis, from the nasion and occipital area down to the lumbar and sacral regions, most frequently in the lumbar and lumbosacral region.

Case presentation

Here we report a 5-year-old girl who presented with occasional headache. There were two dimples, one on the dorsal aspect of her head and another on her neck.

Conclusion

Dermal sinuses are almost always singular and the co-existence of double dermal sinuses has not been reported previously.
Variable size computer-aided detection prompts and mammography film reader decisions
Authors: Gilbert Fiona J , Astley Susan M , Boggis Caroline RM , McGee Magnus A , Griffiths Pamela M , Duffy Stephen W , Agbaje Olorunsola F , Gillan Maureen GC , Wilson Mary , Jain Anil K , Barr Nicola , Beetles Ursula M , Griffiths Miriam A , Johnson Jill , Roberts Rita M , Deans Heather E , Duncan Karen A , Iyengar Geeta
Published: August 2008

Introduction

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of computer-aided detection (CAD) prompts on reader behaviour in a large sample of breast screening mammograms by analysing the relationship of the presence and size of prompts to the recall decision.

Methods

Local research ethics committee approval was obtained; informed consent was not required. Mammograms were obtained from women attending routine mammography at two breast screening centres in 1996. Films, previously double read, were re-read by a different reader using CAD. The study material included 315 cancer cases comprising all screen-detected cancer cases, all subsequent interval cancers and 861 normal cases randomly selected from 10,267 cases. Ground truth data were used to assess the efficacy of CAD prompting. Associations between prompt attributes and tumour features or reader recall decisions were assessed by chi-squared tests.

Results

There was a highly significant relationship between prompting and a decision to recall for cancer cases and for a random sample of normal cases (P < 0.001). Sixty-four per cent of all cases contained at least one CAD prompt. In cancer cases, larger prompts were more likely to be recalled (P = 0.02) for masses but there was no such association for calcifications (P = 0.9). In a random sample of 861 normal cases, larger prompts were more likely to be recalled (P = 0.02) for both mass and calcification prompts. Significant associations were observed with prompting and breast density (p = 0.009) for cancer cases but not for normal cases (P = 0.05).

Conclusions

For both normal cases and cancer cases, prompted mammograms were more likely to be recalled and the prompt size was also associated with a recall decision.
Characterization of phenotypically distinct B-cell subsets and receptor-stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in human cord blood B cells
Authors: Ha Yun Jung , Mun Yeung-Chul , Seong Chu-Myong , Lee Jong Ran
Published: August 2008

Human cord blood (CB) is a valuable source of hematopoietic stem cells, but clinical reports have indicated slow recovery of B-cell development and function after CB transplantation. To investigate the basis of these B-cell defects in reconstitution, we characterized B cells purified from CB. We compared B-cell receptor activation and B-cell subsets in CB, bone marrow (BM), and peripheral blood (PB). We found that in CB B cells activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 following ligation of CD40 but not of the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) was inefficient. The patterns of expression of CD5, CD34, and CD40 in the B-cell population of CB were similar to those in PB rather than in BM. The B cells in CB contained an increased proportion of B cells expressing a high level of CD24 and a low proportion of B cells expressing CD27, pointing to the presence of circulating CD24high immature transitional and CD27− naive B cells. CD40-mediated activation of ERK and p38 was also minimal in these B cells of CB. These findings may account for the functional defects of B cells in transplanted CB.
Ground-penetrating-radar response to fracture-fluid salinity: Why lower frequencies are favorable for resolving salinity changes
Authors: Tsoflias Georgios P. , Becker Matthew W.
Published: August 2008

Time-lapse ground-penetrating-radar (GPR) surveys exploit signal-amplitude changes to monitor saline tracers in fractures and to identify groundwater flow paths. However, the relationships between GPR signal amplitude, phase, and frequency with fracture aperture and fluid electrical conductivity are not well understood. We used analytical modeling, numerical simulations, and field experiments of multifrequency GPR to investigate these relationships for a millimeter-scale-aperture fracture saturated with water of varying salinity. We found that the response of lower-frequency radar signals detects changes in fluid salinity better than the response of higher-frequency signals. Increasing fluid electrical conductivity decreases low-frequency GPR signal wavelength, which improves its thin-layer resolution capability. We concluded that lower signal frequencies, such as [Formula: see text], and saline tracers of up to [Formula: see text] conductivity are preferable when using GPR to monitor flow in fractured rock. Furthermore, we found that GPR amplitude and phase responses are detectable in the field and predictable by EM theory and modeling; therefore, they can be related to fracture aperture and fluid salinity for hydrologic investigations of fractured-rock flow and transport properties.
Trends in Survival Over the Past Two Decades Among White and Black Patients With Newly Diagnosed Stage IV Breast Cancer
Authors: Dawood Shaheenah , Broglio Kristine , Gonzalez-Angulo Ana M. , Buzdar Aman U. , Hortobagyi Gabriel N. , Giordano Sharon H.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Overall, breast cancer mortality has been declining in the United States, but survival studies of patients with stage IV disease are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate trends in and factors affecting survival in a large population-based cohort of patients with newly diagnosed stage IV breast cancer.

Patients and Methods

We searched the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry to identify female patients with stage IV breast cancer diagnosed between 1988 and 2003. Patients were divided into three groups according to year of diagnosis (1988 to 1993, 1994 to 1998, and 1999 to 2003). Survival outcomes were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox models were fit to determine the characteristics independently associated with survival.

Results

We identified 15,438 patients. Median age was 62 years. Median follow-up was 16 months, 18 months, and 11 months in periods 1988 to 1993, 1994 to 1998, and 1999 to 2003, respectively. Median breast cancer–specific survival was 23 months. In the multivariate model, earlier year of diagnosis, grade 3 disease, increasing age, being unmarried, hormone receptor–negative disease, and no surgery were all independently associated with worse overall and breast cancer–specific survival. With each successive year of diagnosis, black patients had an increasingly greater risk of death compared with white patients (hazard ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.06; P = .031).

Conclusion

The survival of patients with newly diagnosed stage IV breast cancer has modestly improved over time, but these data suggest that the disparity in survival between black and white patients has increased.
ANGIOGRAPHIC PATTERNS OF WINGSPAN IN-STENT RESTENOSIS
Authors: Albuquerque Felipe C. , Levy Elad I. , Turk Aquilla S. , Niemann David B. , Aagaard-Kienitz Beverly , Pride G. Lee , Purdy Phillip D. , Welch Babu G. , Woo Henry H. , Rasmussen Peter A. , Hopkins L. Nelson , Masaryk Thomas J. , McDougall Cameron G. , Fiorella David J.
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE

A classification system developed to characterize in-stent restenosis (ISR) after coronary percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting was modified and applied to describe the appearance and distribution of ISR occurring after Wingspan (Boston Scientific, Fremont, CA) intracranial percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting.

METHODS

A prospective, intention-to-treat, multicenter registry of Wingspan treatment for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease was maintained. Clinical and angiographic follow-up results were recorded. ISR was defined as greater than 50% stenosis within or immediately adjacent (within 5 mm) to the implanted stent(s) and greater than 20% absolute luminal loss. ISR lesions were classified by angiographic pattern, location, and severity in comparison with the original lesion treated.

RESULTS

Imaging follow-up (3–15.5 months) was available for 127 intracranial stenotic lesions treated with Wingspan percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting. Forty-one lesions (32.3%) developed either ISR (n = 36 [28.3%]) or complete stent occlusion (n = 5 [3.9%]) after treatment. When restenotic lesions were characterized using the modified classification system, 25 of 41 (61.0%) were focal lesions involving less than 50% of the length of the stented segment: three were Type IA (focal stenosis involving one end of the stent), 21 were Type IB (focal intrastent stenosis involving a segment completely contained within the stent), and one was Type IC (multiple noncontiguous focal stenoses). Eleven lesions (26.8%) demonstrated diffuse stenosis (>50% of the length of the stented segment): nine were Type II with diffuse intrastent stenosis (completely contained within the stent) and two were Type III with proliferative ISR (extending beyond the stented segment). Five stents were completely occluded at follow-up (Type IV). Of the 36 ISR lesions, 16 were less severe or no worse than the original lesion with respect to severity of stenosis or length of the segment involved; 20 lesions were more severe than the original lesion with respect to the segment length involved (n = 5), actual stenosis severity (n = 6), or both (n = 9). Nine of 10 supraclinoid internal carotid artery ISR lesions and nine of 13 middle cerebral artery ISR lesions were more severe than the original lesion.

CONCLUSION

Wingspan ISR typically occurs as a focal lesion. In more than half of ISR cases, the ISR lesion was more extensive than the original lesion treated in terms of lesion length or stenosis severity. Supraclinoid internal carotid artery and middle cerebral artery lesions have a propensity to develop more severe posttreatment stenosis.
ENDOSCOPIC THIRD VENTRICULOSTOMY IN IDIOPATHIC NORMAL PRESSURE HYDROCEPHALUS
Authors: Gangemi ichelangelo , Maiuri Francesco , Naddeo Michele , Godano Umberto , Mascari Carmelo , Broggi Giovanni , Ferroli Paolo
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the report is to define the indications and results of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus and to discuss the physiopathological mechanism of this procedure.

METHODS

The cases of 110 patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus who underwent ETV in four Italian neurosurgical centers were retrospectively reviewed. The postoperative outcome was correlated with patient age, length of clinical history, preoperative clinical score, symptoms of clinical onset, type of hydrocephalus, and intraoperative findings.

RESULTS

The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 12 years (average, 6.5 yr). The outcome evaluation was made 2 years after the procedure. Postoperative clinical improvement occurred in 76 (69.1%) of 110 patients. There was no correlation between success rate and patient age or type of ventricular enlargement (normal or enlarged fourth ventricle). Conversely, the rate of neurological improvement was higher in patients with shorter clinical history, better preoperative neurological score, and clinical onset with gait disturbances. Moreover, the intraoperative finding of the sudden reappearance of normal cerebral pulsations and significant downward and upward movements of the third ventricular floor after ETV was also correlated with a good outcome.

CONCLUSION

ETV results in a relatively high rate of clinical improvement and a low complication rate in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. Therefore, it may be easily performed with the same approach used for intracranial pressure monitoring with low morbidity. However, our data must be confirmed by additional studies.
LOWER INCIDENCE OF REOPERATION WITH LONGER SHUNT SURVIVAL WITH ADULT VENTRICULOPERITONEAL SHUNTS PLACED FOR HEMORRHAGE-RELATED HYDROCEPHALUS
Authors: Hoh Brian L. , Lang Shih-Shan , Ortiz Michael V. , Chi Yueh-Yun , Lewis Stephen B. , Pincus David W.
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE

The incidence of reoperation for ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS) in adults, although lower than in pediatric patients, is not insignificant. We hypothesize that adult VPS placed for hemorrhage-related hydrocephalus have a lower incidence of reoperation than those placed for other types of hydrocephalus.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all adult (≥ 20 yr) VPS initially placed from February 2001 to August 2006 at the University of Florida. We determined the incidence and time interval to reoperation. Follow-up was conducted by telephone interview and review of medical records.

RESULTS

A total of 286 adult VPS were initially placed: 96 (34%) hemorrhage and 190 (66%) nonhemorrhage. A total of 15 (16%) hemorrhage patients underwent 22 shunt reoperations, compared with 50 (27%) nonhemorrhage patients who underwent 82 shunt reoperations (P = 0.0316). A Poisson regression analysis of the number of reoperations, factoring hemorrhage, age, and sex, demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of reoperation in hemorrhage patients (P = 0.0900). A Cox proportional hazards model analysis of time to first reoperation, factoring hemorrhage, age, and sex, demonstrated a significantly longer shunt survival in hemorrhage patients (P = 0.0404).

CONCLUSION

Adult VPS placed for hemorrhage-related hydrocephalus have a significantly lower incidence of reoperation and significantly longer shunt survival. This result may be related to an incidence of transient shunt dependency in patients with hemorrhage-related hydrocephalus. However, the precise mechanism remains unclear.
EFFECT OF MICROVASCULAR DECOMPRESSION IN TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA PATIENTS WITH OR WITHOUT CONSTANT PAIN
Authors: Sandell Tiril , Eide Per Kristian
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of microvascular decompression (MVD) in trigeminal neuralgia (TN) patients with or without constant pain.

METHODS

The study includes all first-time MVDs for facial pain performed by the senior author (PKE) during the 6-year period from 1999 to 2005 in the Department of Neurosurgery at the National Hospital. At the time of follow-up, pain relief was assessed using a standard mail questionnaire; those patients still having residual pain were further examined in the outpatient clinic or interviewed by phone.

RESULTS

The total study population includes 135 patients who underwent initial MVDs (67% of MVDs for TN without constant pain and 33% of MVDs for TN with constant pain). At the time of follow-up, the response rate was 95%, which provided us with 128 patients. The median observation period was 38 months (range, 12–87 mo). For episodic pain, MVD caused complete (i.e., 100%) pain relief in 78% of TN patients without constant pain and in 77% of TN patients with constant pain before MVD, and a significant pain relief (i.e., worst pain marked as 0–3 cm on a 10-cm visual analog scale) in 85 and 81%, respectively. For constant pain, MVD caused complete pain relief in 70% of the TN patients with constant pain before MVD, and significant pain relief in 77%.

CONCLUSION

In TN patients with constant pain before MVD, significant relief of episodic and constant pain was observed in 81 and 77%, respectively. Hence, the presence of constant pain should not prevent TN patients from being offered MVD.
SUBDURAL MOTOR CORTEX STIMULATION FOR CENTRAL AND PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHIC PAIN
Authors: Delavallée Maxime , Abu-Serieh Basel , de Tourchaninoff Marianne , Raftopoulos Christian
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE

In certain chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) conditions, extradural electrode implantation is preferred to a subdural location for motor cortex stimulation (MCS) therapy, but the rationale for this preference remains debatable. We provide documented long-term results of subdural MCS in CNP.

METHODS

Our eight consecutive patients (five men, three women; age range, 45–81 yr) had either central or peripheral CNP. We localized the central sulcus using anatomic landmarks and three-dimensional neuronavigation and by detecting the N20 wave inversion. We then created an elongated craniotomy (3 cm long × 1 cm wide), followed by a linear incision of the dura. An eight-polar plate electrode was slipped in subdurally. We used motor-evoked potentials to choose the optimal electrode position before fixing the electrode to the dura.

RESULTS

Six patients had favorable outcomes, and two had poor outcomes at the time of the last assessment (mean, 54 mo; range, 19–69 mo). Three patients experienced five transient complications, each having an episode of partial motor seizure, one that evolved into a secondary generalized seizure. Seizures were related to an abrupt increase in stimulation intensity. Two of these three patients also had hardware infections that required system replacement, with the electrode implanted extradurally at the second implantation in one case because of severe arachnoiditis. This change necessitated a greater intensity and a longer duration of stimulation to deliver a therapeutic effect equivalent to that with subdural MCS.

CONCLUSION

In this small series, subdural MCS seemed a tolerable approach in the long term for CNP patients. In addition, subdural MCS provided a therapeutic effect comparable to that obtained with extradural placement.
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF UNILATERAL AND BILATERAL CAGES WITH RESPECT TO CLINICAL OUTCOMES AND STABILITY IN INSTRUMENTED POSTERIOR LUMBAR INTERBODY FUSION
Authors: Lee Ji-Ho , Lee Jae Hyup , Yoon Kang-Sup , Kang Seung-Baik , Jo Chris H.
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE

We sought to compare the clinical and radiological results of instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) using unilateral or bilateral polyetheretherketone cages and pedicle screws.

METHODS

One hundred eighty-seven cases of degenerative spine that had been followed for at least 18 months were reviewed retrospectively. In 88 cases (147 levels), one cage was inserted, and in 99 cases (152 levels), two cages were inserted. Visual analog scale, Oswestry disability index, and functional rating indices were measured. Lumbar lordosis, lumbar scoliotic and fusion level scoliotic angles, and stable fixation were determined before surgery and 12 months postoperatively on standing x-rays. Amounts of intra- and postoperative blood loss, total quantities transfused, and operation times were also evaluated.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of visual analog scale, Oswestry disability index, functional rating indices, lumbar lordosis, lumbar scoliotic angles, fusion level scoliotic angles, or fixation stabilities. However, the amounts of postoperative blood loss, total blood loss, and total transfusion for two-level PLIF using a unilateral cage were statistically smaller than those for two-level PLIF using bilateral cages. Times required for PLIF using a unilateral cage were also significantly shorter than those for PLIF using bilateral cages.

CONCLUSION

Unilateral cage and bilateral pedicle screw insertion may be a good alternative surgical option because it provides adequate alignment, balance, and mechanical stability in addition to reducing operative time, blood loss, and transfusion requirements.
CURVULARIA FUNGI PRESENTING AS A LARGE CRANIAL BASE MENINGIOMA
Authors: Singh Harminder , Irwin Sibyl , Falowski Steven , Rosen Mark , Kenyon Lawrence , Jungkind Donald , Evans James
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE

Fungal infections are emerging as a growing threat to human health, especially in immunocompromised patients. Candida, Cryptococcus, and Aspergillus are a few of the commonly encountered organisms leading to brain abscesses. In this report, we describe Curvularia geniculata as the causative agent in central nervous system infection.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

Our review of the literature did not reveal a similar published case of central nervous system infection with this organism. A 35-year-old African-American man presented with obstructive hydrocephalus from a large cranial base lesion. Imaging characteristics on computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging scans were consistent with those of a cranial base meningioma.

INTERVENTION

The patient underwent an endoscopic transnasal/transclival approach to the anterior middle cranial base for biopsy and decompression of this lesion. A spindle cell proliferation was observed on frozen section, which favored a diagnosis of meningioma. However, on permanent sections, we identified fungal hyphae with budding. Subsequent biopsies grew Curvularia in fungal cultures. Deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing was used to confirm the identification of the isolate as Curvularia geniculata.

CONCLUSION

Limited data are available for in vitro susceptibility testing of Curvularia, and treatment modalities have not yet been standardized. The prognosis is usually poor. Despite being treated with voriconazole and intravenous amphotericin, this patient progressed to multiorgan failure and ultimately died. This is the first reported case of central nervous system infection by Curvularia geniculata.
STENT-MEDIATED WEDGING OF A CALCIFIC EMBOLUS TO RECANALIZE AN OCCLUDED MIDDLE CEREBRAL ARTERY
Authors: Schirmer Clemens M. , Thaler David E. , Malek Adel M.
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE

Calcific cerebral emboli are rare yet pose a difficult therapeutic challenge because of their lack of response to thrombolytic therapy and their propensity for fragmentation.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 75-year-old woman developed aphasia and hemiparesis after cardiac catheterization from a near-occlusive calcific embolus to the left middle cerebral artery origin. The calcific embolus was shown to be hemodynamically limiting by computed tomographic perfusion and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.

INTERVENTION

The patient was treated medically for 6 days with anticoagulation, antiplatelet, and hypertensive therapies but continued to deteriorate. A decision was made to attempt retrieval of the calcific embolus. Conventional intracranial mechanical clot and coil retrieval systems were used initially but were unsuccessful and caused migration of the calcific embolus, leading to complete occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery origin. At this point, the decision was made to wedge the calcific embolus against the vessel wall. A balloon-mounted coronary stent was used to achieve this successfully, resulting in recanalization of the middle cerebral artery trunk and flow restoration.

CONCLUSION

Symptomatic calcific emboli, which are poorly responsive to pharmacological therapy and difficult to recover using conventional retrieval systems, may be treated by immobilization against the vessel wall using a balloon-mounted stent.
The use of aggression in primary school boys' decisions about inclusion in and exclusion from playground football games
Authors: Woods Ruth
Published: August 2008

Background Sociometric studies have shown that some aggressive boys are popular, perceived as popular or cool, dominant, and central in the peer group (Estell, Cairns, Farmer, & Cairns, 2002; Milich & Landau, 1984; Prinstein & Cillessen, 2003; Rodkin, Farmer, Pearl, & Van Acker, 2006). This is not predicted by social information processing (SIP) models which see aggression as socially incompetent, resulting from distorted understanding of the social world (e.g. Crick & Dodge, 1994). However, sociologists of childhood have argued that some aggressive boys are popular because they use aggression to gain status and dominance, to undermine those of lower status, and to achieve hegemonic masculinity (Adler & Adler, 1998; Ferguson, 2000; Renold, 2007).

Aims This study aims to connect psychological and sociological literatures, asking whether social processes of status formation contribute to the link between popularity and aggression identified sociometrically.

Sample The paper describes case studies of three boys, aged between 8 and 10 years, attending a London primary school.

Methods Sociometric data on liking, disliking, and aggression are combined with ethnographic and interview data for each case study.

Results The data show that one way in which aggression aids popularity and dominance is through boys' strategic use of aggression to enforce decisions about inclusion and exclusion in desirable activities. It can be difficult for individual boys to achieve acceptance without resorting to aggression.

Conclusions The data provide support for sociological explanations of aggression in terms of status and inclusion, and challenge the SIP claim that aggressive children are socially incompetent and biased.
Chronic pain syndrome associated with health anxiety: A qualitative thematic comparison between pain patients with high and low health anxiety
Authors: Tang Nicole K. Y. , Salkovskis Paul M. , Hodges Amy , Soong Elaina , Hanna Magdi H. , Hester Joan
Published: August 2008

Objectives

Based on the high prevalence of health anxiety among patients with chronic pain and the conceptual overlap between the diagnostic criteria for hypochondriasis and pain disorder, it has been suggested that the cognitive‐behavioural theory of severe and persistent health anxiety can be applied to understand the problems presented by a subgroup of chronic pain patients. This study aimed to provide qualitative data to complement the progress of the existing experimental research and theory development.

Design

A cross‐sectional design with two groups was adopted.

Method

In‐depth semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 60 chronic pain patients seeking medical treatment from a specialist clinic, and theoretical thematic analysis was performed on a subset of interview transcripts drawn from the five most health anxious and the five least health anxious of this sample.

Results

Five themes emerged from the analysis, and they concerned (1) pain appraisal, (2) pain preoccupation, (3) coping strategies, (4) self‐identity, and (5) suicidal ideation. Differences were observed between the health anxious and non‐health anxious pain patients consistently across all these themes.

Conclusions

The phenomenological information both informs and supports the idea that the cognitive‐behavioural model of health anxiety can be adapted for the understanding of and development of treatments for pain patients with health anxiety. The findings also challenge the common practice of ‘lumping’ pain patients into a single group and underline the importance of matching treatments to the patients' psychological characteristics.
Unexplained chronic fatigue and core conflictual relationship themes: A study in a chronically fatigued population
Authors: Vandenbergen Jan. , Vanheule Stijn. , Rosseel Yves. , Desmet Mattias. , Verhaeghe Paul.
Published: August 2008

Objective. Unexplained fatigue syndromes are multidimensional phenomena that involve a constellation of symptoms. This paper explores whether typical relationship patterns are associated with self‐reported and clinically rated fatigue symptoms in chronically fatigued patients.

Method. Relationship patterns were assessed by means of the core conflictual relationship theme (CCRT) method. This method examines transference patterns, and was applied to interview data collected from chronically fatigued patients (N=30). Chronic fatigue was assessed by means of a self‐report questionnaire and was also rated clinically.

Results. Both self‐reported and clinically rated fatigue correlated with relationship themes. The intensity of fatigue related to the perception of others as not respecting and as negatively interfering. The typical reaction of the self to relationships consists of feeling disrespected, anger, passivity, and reduced feelings of self‐consistency.

Conclusion. Patients' perception of interpersonal relationships as distressing may be pivotal in understanding these results. Implications for clinical intervention and future research are indicated.
Longitudinal assessment of anxiety, depression, and fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Brown R. F. , Valpiani E. M. , Tennant C. C. , Dunn S. M. , Sharrock M. , Hodgkinson S. , Pollard J. D.
Published: August 2008

Objectives. No longitudinal studies have concurrently evaluated predictors of anxiety, depression, and fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). This study determined factors that best predicted anxiety, depression, and fatigue in MS patients from a large pool of disease, cognitive, life‐event stressor (LES), psychosocial, life‐style, and demographic factors.

Design. A 2‐year prospective longitudinal study evaluated predictors of psychological distress and fatigue in PwMS.

Methods. One hundred and one consecutive participants with MS were recruited from two MS clinics in Sydney, Australia. LES, anxiety, depression, and fatigue were assessed at baseline and at 3‐monthly intervals for 2‐years. Disease, cognitive, demographic, psychosocial, and life‐style factors were assessed at baseline. Patient‐reported relapses were recorded and corroborated by neurologists or evaluated against accepted relapse criteria.

Results. Depression strongly predicted anxiety and fatigue, and anxiety and fatigue strongly predicted later depression. Psychological distress (i.e. anxiety, depression) was also predicted by a combination of unhealthy behaviours (e.g. drug use, smoking, no exercise, or relaxation) and psychological factors (e.g. low optimism, avoidance coping), similar to the results of community‐based studies. However, state‐anxiety and fatigue were also predicted by immunotherapy status, and fatigue was also predicted by LES and demographics.

Conclusions. These results suggest that similar factors might underpin psychological distress and fatigue in MS patients and community‐well samples, although MS treatment factors may also be important. These results might assist clinicians in determining which MS patients are at greatest risk of developing anxiety, depression, or fatigue.
The Consumer Affinity Construct: Conceptualization, Qualitative Investigation, and Research Agenda
Authors: Oberecker Eva M. , Riefler Petra , Diamantopoulos Adamantios
Published: August 2008

Although the impact of negative attitudes toward foreign countries in general (e.g., as a consequence of ethnocentric tendencies) and specific countries in particular (e.g., as a result of animosity feelings) on consumption behavior has received considerable attention in the literature, the nature of and potential for behavioral consequences of favorable attitudes have largely been neglected. In this study, the authors explore the construct of consumer affinity as a favorable and country-specific attitude by drawing from both the interdisciplinary literature on country-related attitudes and a series of complementary qualitative studies. Specifically, the authors (1) identify the defining conceptual characteristics of the consumer affinity construct, (2) explore the underlying bases/sources of affinity, (3) provide insights into the behavioral consequences of consumer affinity in terms of consumer decision making, and (4) propose a nomological network and generate a series of research propositions to conceptually guide further research on the construct.
Consumer World-Mindedness, Social-Mindedness, and Store Image
Authors: Nijssen Edwin J. , Douglas Susan P.
Published: August 2008

As advances in communications technology shrink the impact of geographic distance, consumers are likely to become more aware of and familiar with products and services in other parts of the world, as well as global social and ethical issues. Retailers have responded to these trends (termed here “consumer world-mindedness” and “consumer social-mindedness”) by adapting their positioning and product assortment. The authors develop measures of consumer world-mindedness and social-mindedness and examine their relationship to exposure to other cultures and store image using a survey of 191 consumers in the Netherlands. The authors examine images of three types of stores: the Body Shop, fair-trade stores, and a grocery store with an imported food products section. The results confirm that consumers’ exposure to foreign cultures increases consumer world-mindedness and social-mindedness and that both have a significant impact on store image. The authors conclude with a discussion of implications for retail and international marketing management.
Customer Prioritization: Does it Pay off, and how Should it be Implemented?
Authors: Homburg Christian , Droll Mathias , Totzek Dirk
Published: August 2008

It seems to be common sense that to increase profits, firms should prioritize customers (i.e., focus their efforts on the most important customers). However, such a strategy might have substantial negative effects on firms’ relationships with customers treated at a low priority level. Prior research does not indicate satisfactorily whether and how customer prioritization pays off. Moreover, although customer prioritization may be strongly present in firms’ marketing strategies, firms frequently fail to implement such a strategy. Therefore, it is also important to investigate empirically by which means firms can facilitate implementation. The authors address both issues and conduct a cross-industry study with 310 firms from business-to-consumer and business-to-business contexts together with two independent validation samples. The results show that customer prioritization ultimately leads to higher average customer profitability and a higher return on sales because it (1) affects relationships with top-tier customers positively but does not affect relationships with bottom-tier customers and (2) reduces marketing and sales costs. Furthermore, the ability to assess customer profitability, the quality of customer information, selective organizational alignment, selective senior-level involvement, and selective elaboration of planning and control all positively moderate the link between a firm's prioritization strategy and actual customer prioritization.
How Customer Portfolio Affects New Product Development in Technology-Based Entrepreneurial Firms
Authors: Yli-Renko Helena , Janakiraman Ramkumar
Published: August 2008

This article focuses on how the customer portfolios of technology-based entrepreneurial firms affect new product development. Drawing on knowledge-based, resource dependence, and relational theories, the authors argue that the impact of a firm's customers on new product development depends on the size and relational embeddedness of the customer portfolio and the extent to which the firm is dependent on one or a few dominant customers for a majority of its revenues. The authors test the research model using longitudinal data on young firms operating in business-to-business markets in six technology-based industries. The results indicate that customer portfolio size has an inverse U-shaped relationship to the number of new products developed and that the more relationally embedded the customer set, the more new products the firm develops. Dependence stemming from revenue concentration has a negative impact on new product output. Furthermore, the authors find that relational embeddedness can compensate for too small of a customer portfolio and can help offset the negative effects of a highly concentrated portfolio. These results make important theoretical and empirical contributions to the new product development literature, helping uncover some of the antecedents of innovative productivity particularly relevant for young, technology-based firms. The results also contribute to the broader discourse on how customers affect new product development.
Atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype and low-density lipoprotein size and subclasses in patients with growth hormone deficiency before and after short-term replacement therapy
Authors: Rizzo Manfredi , Trepp Roman , Berneis Kaspar , Christ Emanuel R
Published: August 2008

The authors and journal apologize for an error in the above paper which appeared in 361-367. The acknowledgements should appear as below.

Acknowledgements

The study was funded by grant from the Swiss National Foundation to Emanuel R. Christ (No. #32000B0-100146). Kaspar Berneis was supported by a grant from Swiss National Foundation (3200BO-105258). The authors gratefully acknowledge the excellent technical assistance of S. Vosmeer.
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism is associated with central adiposity and increased androgenicity in healthy postmenopausal women
Authors: Lambrinoudaki Irene , Kaparos George , Papadimitriou Dimitra , Sergentanis Theodoros N , Creatsa Maria , Alexandrou Andreas , Logothetis Emmanuel , Christodoulakos George , Kouskouni E
Published: August 2008

Objective

To assess the association of genetic polymorphisms related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk with anthropometric parameters and indices of androgenicity in healthy postmenopausal women.

Design

Cross-sectional study in a University Menopause Clinic.

Methods

The following polymorphisms were assessed in 84 healthy postmenopausal women: glycoprotein IIIa Leu33Pro, apolipoprotein E2/E3/E4, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) Ala222Val, apolipoprotein B Arg3500Gln, paraoxonase 1 Gln192Arg, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 4G/5G, cholesterol-7 α-hydroxylase A-204C, and cholesterol ester transfer protein (TaqIB) B1/B2. Hormonal assays included FSH, LH, 17-β-estradiol, testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), DHEA sulfate, Δ-4-androstenedione (Δ4A), free androgen index (FAI), free estrogen index (FEI), and homocysteine (Hcy). The anthropometric components were body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR).

Results

MTHFR Ala222Val polymorphism was positively associated with testosterone, FAI, and FEI (P=0.001, P=0.0004, and P=0.014 respectively) and negatively with SHBG (P=0.047). Furthermore, women bearing this polymorphism had higher BMI and WHR compared with women with the wild-type variant (P=0.027 and P=0.044 respectively).

Conclusions

MTHFR Ala222Val polymorphism is associated with increased androgenicity and elevated BMI and WHR in healthy postmenopausal women. The significance of this association with respect to the CVD risk of postmenopausal women remains to be elucidated in future studies.
Monogenic polycystic ovary syndrome due to a mutation in the lamin A/C gene is sensitive to thiazolidinediones but not to metformin
Authors: Gambineri A , Semple R K , Forlani G , Genghini S , Grassi I , Hyden C S S , Pagotto U , O'Rahilly S , Pasquali R
Published: August 2008

Context

Despite the very high prevalence of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the underlying pathogenetic mechanism has remained obscure.

Objective

To determine the cause of two sisters' PCOS associated with severe insulin resistance.

Design

Clinical case report.

Methods

Two sisters who presented with hyperandrogenism and menstrual disorders in the context of PCOS, and were subsequently found to be severely insulin resistant. Physical examination revealed muscular hypertrophy with a paucity of fat in the extremities, trunk and gluteal regions, in spite of excess fat deposits in the face, neck and dorsocervical region. Known genes involved in familial partial lipodystrophy were screened. At the same time, metformin (1700 mg/day) was commenced. After 2–3 years of uninterrupted therapy, lack of clinical improvement led to the introduction of pioglitazone (30 mg/day).

Results

Both sisters were found to be heterozygous for the R482Q mutation in the lamin A/C gene (LMNA) gene, establishing the definitive diagnosis as Dunnigan-type familial partial lipodystrophy complicated by severe insulin resistance and secondary PCOS. Treatment with pioglitazone resulted in progressive amelioration of insulin resistance, hyperinsulinaemia and hyperandrogenaemia. Menses also improved, with restoration of a eumenorrhoeic pattern, and the framework of ultrasound PCO was in complete remission.

Conclusions

Assessment of insulin sensitivity and adipose tissue topography should be a key part of the initial evaluation of patients with PCOS. Identifying such forms of PCOS with monogenic insulin resistance as the primary pathogenic abnormality may have practical implications for therapy, since they respond to thiazolidinediones, but not to metformin.
Sequencing and Comparative Analysis of a Conserved Syntenic Segment in the Solanaceae
Authors: Wang Ying , Diehl Adam , Wu Feinan , Vrebalov Julia , Giovannoni James , Siepel Adam , Tanksley Steven D
Published: August 2008

Comparative genomics is a powerful tool for gaining insight into genomic function and evolution. However, in plants, sequence data that would enable detailed comparisons of both coding and noncoding regions have been limited in availability. Here we report the generation and analysis of sequences for an unduplicated conserved syntenic segment (CSS) in the genomes of five members of the agriculturally important plant family Solanaceae. This CSS includes a 105-kb region of tomato chromosome 2 and orthologous regions of the potato, eggplant, pepper, and petunia genomes. With a total neutral divergence of 0.73–0.78 substitutions/site, these sequences are similar enough that most noncoding regions can be aligned, yet divergent enough to be informative about evolutionary dynamics and selective pressures. The CSS contains 17 distinct genes with generally conserved order and orientation, but with numerous small-scale differences between species. Our analysis indicates that the last common ancestor of these species lived ∼27–36 million years ago, that more than one-third of short genomic segments (5–15 bp) are under selection, and that more than two-thirds of selected bases fall in noncoding regions. In addition, we identify genes under positive selection and analyze hundreds of conserved noncoding elements. This analysis provides a window into 30 million years of plant evolution in the absence of polyploidization.
A Weighted-Holm Procedure Accounting for Allele Frequencies in Genomewide Association Studies
Authors: Dalmasso Cyril , Génin Emmanuelle , Trégouet David-Alexandre
Published: August 2008

In the context of genomewide association studies where hundreds of thousand of polymorphisms are tested, stringent thresholds on the raw association test P-values are generally used to limit false-positive results. Instead of using thresholds based on raw P-values as in Bonferroni and sequential Sidak (SidakSD) corrections, we propose here to use a weighted-Holm procedure with weights depending on allele frequency of the polymorphisms. This method is shown to substantially improve the power to detect associations, in particular by favoring the detection of rare variants with high genetic effects over more frequent ones with lower effects.
Identification and Characterization of Arabidopsis Indole-3-Butyric Acid Response Mutants Defective in Novel Peroxisomal Enzymes
Authors: Zolman Bethany K , Martinez Naxhiely , Millius Arthur , Adham A Raquel , Bartel Bonnie
Published: August 2008

Genetic evidence suggests that indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) is converted to the active auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) by removal of two side-chain methylene units in a process similar to fatty acid β-oxidation. Previous studies implicate peroxisomes as the site of IBA metabolism, although the enzymes that act in this process are still being identified. Here, we describe two IBA-response mutants, ibr1 and ibr10. Like the previously described ibr3 mutant, which disrupts a putative peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase/dehydrogenase, ibr1 and ibr10 display normal IAA responses and defective IBA responses. These defects include reduced root elongation inhibition, decreased lateral root initiation, and reduced IBA-responsive gene expression. However, peroxisomal energy-generating pathways necessary during early seedling development are unaffected in the mutants. Positional cloning of the genes responsible for the mutant defects reveals that IBR1 encodes a member of the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase family and that IBR10 resembles enoyl-CoA hydratases/isomerases. Both enzymes contain C-terminal peroxisomal-targeting signals, consistent with IBA metabolism occurring in peroxisomes. We present a model in which IBR3, IBR10, and IBR1 may act sequentially in peroxisomal IBA β-oxidation to IAA.