bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth patterns and implications of complex dendrites in calcite travertines from Lýsuhóll, Snæfellsnes, Iceland
Authors: JONES BRIAN , RENAUT ROBIN W. , BERNHART OWEN R. , TORFASON HELGI
Published: September 2005

Calcite dendrite crystals are important but poorly understood components of calcite travertine that forms around many hot springs. The Lýsuhóll hot‐spring deposits, located in western Iceland, are formed primarily of siliceous sinters that were precipitated around numerous springs that are now inactive. Calcite travertine formed around the vent and on the discharge apron of one of the springs at the northern edge of the area. The travertine is formed largely of two types (I and II) of complex calcite dendrite crystals, up to 1 cm high, that grew through the gradual addition of trilete sub‐crystals. The morphology of the dendrite crystals was controlled by flow direction and the competition for growth space with neighbouring crystals. Densely crowded dendrites with limited branching characterize the rimstone dams whereas widely spaced dendrites with open branching are found in the pools. Many dendrite bushes in the pools nucleated around plant stems. Growth of the dendrite crystals was seasonal and incremental. Calcite precipitation was driven by rapid CO2 degassing of CO2‐rich spring waters during the spring and summer. During winter, when snow covered the ground and temperatures were low, opal‐A precipitated on the exposed surfaces of the dendrites. Segmentation of dendrite branches by discontinuities coated with opal‐A and overgrowth development around sub‐crystals resulted from this seasonal growth cycle. The calcite dendrite crystals in the Lýsuhóll travertine differ in morphology from those at other hot springs, such as those at Lake Bogoria, Kenya, and Waikite in New Zealand. Comparison with the calcite dendrite crystals found at those sites shows that dendrite morphology is site‐specific and probably controlled by carbonate saturation levels that, in turn, are controlled by the rate of CO2 degassing and location in the spring outflow system.
Identification of a new HLA‐B allele, HLA‐B*4443†, in a German family
Authors: Thude H. , Hardt C. , Schorner U. , Ferencik S. , Helfricht C. , Barz D.
Published: September 2005

A novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐B allele is described. The allele was identified in a German blood donor of Caucasian origin. Because high‐resolution HLA‐typing using sequence‐specific primers gave inconclusive results, sequence‐based typing was performed. Nucleotide sequences of exons 2 and 3 most closely match with HLA‐B*4417 and HLA‐B*440301 (99.5% identity). The predicted protein sequence revealed a single amino acid substitution (D156L) compared with the HLA‐B*4417 allele but two substitutions (Y113H, D116S) compared with the HLA‐B*440301 allele. Therefore, the novel allele has been officially assigned HLA‐B*4443 by the WHO Nomenclature Committee. The HLA‐B*4443 allele was found with the A*2301, Cw*0401, B*4443, DRB1*0701, DRB4*0107, and DQB1*0202 haplotype.
Comparison of BSE Prevalence Estimates from EU Countries for the Period July to December 2001 to the OIE and EU GBR Classifications
Authors: Giovannini A. , Savini L. , Conte A. , Fiore G. L.
Published: October 2005

Consequent upon the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) crisis, the European Union (EU) Commission enacted various decisions, which demanded that all bovine animals over 30 months of age should be examined by one of the approved rapid tests when slaughtered for human consumption. All cattle over 24 months of age subject to ‘special emergency slaughtering’ or died on the farm or in transit or suspect of BSE infection should also be examined by one of the approved rapid tests. According to a specific commission decision, Sweden and Finland were to test only a sample of bovine animals over 30 months of age subject to normal slaughter. Testing commenced on 1 January 2001. The authors evaluate the results of more than 5 million tests performed in the second semester 2001 from across the EU. The prevalence of BSE in the risk categories considered (emergency slaughter, fallen stock and healthy slaughtered), and the probability distribution of true‐positive, false‐positive and false‐negative results are estimated by second‐order Bayesian analysis. The results of the validation of tests performed in the EU are also considered by estimation of the probability distribution of their sensitivity and specificity. The prevalence of infection estimated in the cattle population of each EU country is compared against the criteria given in the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code and is also used to evaluate the consistency of the results of EU Geographical BSE Risk with the actual infection levels in the countries. Finally, the capability of the two current approaches to BSE surveillance (i.e. the testing of all slaughtered and dead cattle as applied in the EU and a surveillance system targeted at animals in risk categories only) to detect the infection in a given population are discussed.
Thiopurine methyltransferase and 6‐thioguanine nucleotide measurement: early experience of use in clinical practice
Authors: Gearry R. B. , Barclay M. L. , Roberts R. L. , Harraway J. , Zhang M. , Pike L. S. , George P. M. , Florkowski C. M.
Published: October 2005

Abstract

Background:  Azathioprine and 6‐mercaptopurine (6‐MP) are well established for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Assessing thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) status has been recommended to reduce the risk of serious toxicity. Measuring red blood cell (RBC) 6‐thioguanine nucleotide (6‐TGN) concentrations has been recommended for dose adjustment.

Aim:  To describe the results of measuring TPMT activity and genotype, and 6‐TGN concentration in New Zealand.

Methods:  Canterbury Health Laboratories provided these analyses for New Zealand. Those with low TPMT activity also underwent genotyping. All results were collated and analysed descriptively. 6‐TGN concentrations were correlated with the dose of thiopurine when known.

Results:  TPMT enzyme activity (range 1–22 U/mL) from 574 patients showed a trimodal distribution. Genotyping results matched this distribution with only mild overlap between *1/*1 homozygote and *1/*3 heterozygote groups. One patient without TPMT measurement before therapy had life‐threatening neutropenia and was later found to have *3/*3 genotype. TPMT analysis probably prevented two further such cases. Of 884 6‐TGN concentrations (range 0–1434 pmol/108 RBC), 41, 39 and 20% were within, below, and above the therapeutic range of 235–450 pmol/108 RBC, respectively. Leucopenia was seen in some patients with high 6‐TGN. 6‐MMP concentrations in 177 patients with low 6‐TGN suggested non‐compliance in 31, underdosing in 130, and preferential metabolism of 6‐MP to 6‐methylmercaptopurine in 16. There was poor correlation between azathioprine dose and 6‐TGN concentration (r2 = 0.002), supporting 6‐TGN monitoring.

Conclusions:  Measurement of TPMT enzyme activity and 6‐TGN concentration has been well‐integrated into clinical practice. These tests should reduce the risk of toxicity and improve efficacy with thiopurines in patients with IBD. (Intern Med J 2005; 35: 580–585)
Near‐death experience in a boy undergoing uneventful elective surgery under general anesthesia
Authors: LOPEZ URSULA , FORSTER ALAIN , ANNONI JEAN‐MARIE , HABRE WALID , ISELIN‐ CHAVES IRÈNE A.
Published: September 2005

Near‐death experience (NDE) is a complex subjective experience, which may include affective elements such as a sense of peacefulness, paranormal components such as a sensation of floating out of the body, and a perception of being in a dark tunnel and seeing a brilliant light. It is usually reported to occur in association with a wide range of life‐threatening situations, as for instance, cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We report on an episode of NDE that occurred in a 12‐year‐old boy who underwent a general anesthesia for an elective uncomplicated surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first case of NDE in a child that has been reported in this context.
Fatal marrow emboli in a pediatric patient having posterior spinal instrumentation for scoliosis repair
Authors: JOFFE DENISE , ELREFAI AHMED , THOMAS MICHAEL
Published: September 2005

This report describes the intraoperative course of a pediatric patient with neuromuscular scoliosis who died of massive fat and marrow emboli during posterior instrumentation for scoliosis surgery. In addition, the report describes the incidence and consequences of embolic events during spine surgery as well as the most common clinical sequelae. This patient's unique presentation is highlighted.
Addition of clonidine and fentanyl: comparison between three different regional anesthetic techniques in circumcision
Authors: NAJA ZOUHER A , ZIADE FOUAD M , AL‐TANNIR MOHAMAD A , ABI MANSOUR ROLA M , EL‐RAJAB MARIAM A
Published: September 2005

Background : Several techniques have been used for alleviating postcircumcision pain with regional anesthetics being more effective than systemic opioids. Our aim was to compare the effectiveness of dorsal penile block, ring block (RB) and dorsal penile block associated with RB in reducing postcircumcision pain in children.

Methods : We conducted a prospective randomized double‐blind clinical trial on 100 boys aged between 1 month and 5 years undergoing elective circumcision. Each 20 ml of local anesthetic mixture contained 9 ml lidocaine 1% without epinephrine, 9 ml bupivacaine 0.5%, 1 ml fentanyl (50 μg·ml−1) and 1 ml clonidine (75 μg·ml−1).

They were allocated to one of three groups: 33 boys were given a RB with 1–1.5 ml (group 1), 32 had a dorsal penile block with 1.5–4 ml (group 2) and 35 had a combined ring and dorsal penile block with 2.5–5 ml of anesthetic mixture based on the child's age.

Results : Ninety‐one children (91%) completed the clinical trial (three failed blocks and six follow‐up losses). The groups were similar with regard to age, weight, height, duration of surgery and hemodynamic status. The average pain scores were significantly higher with a RB compared with the other two groups (P < 0.05) for the first postoperative day. RB children and dorsal penile block children consumed significantly more analgesics for the first six postoperative hours (P < 0.05). The surgeon's satisfaction was significantly higher with the ring + dorsal penile block group (100%) compared with the other two groups (P = 0.032).

Conclusion : Dorsal penile block plus RB technique is superior to dorsal penile block alone and RB alone in reducing postcircumcision pain in children.
Area, isolation and body size evolution in insular carnivores
Authors: Meiri Shai , Dayan Tamar , Simberloff Daniel
Published: October 2005

Body sizes of insular mammals often differ strikingly from those of their mainland conspecifics. Small islands have reduced numbers of competitor and predator species, and more limited resources. Such reductions are believed to select for predictable changes in body sizes, with large mammals growing progressively smaller as island area decreases, while small ones grow progressively larger. Medium‐sized mammals are thought to be largest on intermediate‐sized islands. Increased isolation is seen as promoting insular gigantism. We searched for such patterns using a large database of insular carnivore specimens. Neither small nor large carnivores show a consistent area/body size relationship. Medium‐sized carnivores are no more likely to attain large size on medium‐sized islands then they are to be small there. We found no consistent patterns of body size variation in relation to isolation.
Metformin revisited: re‐evaluation of its properties and role in the pharmacopoeia of modern antidiabetic agents
Authors: Goodarzi Mark O. , Bryer‐Ash Michael
Published: October 2005

Background: The usefulness of metformin as an oral antidiabetic agent is widely accepted. However, several other classes of oral antidiabetic agents have been recently introduced, raising the need to evaluate the role of metformin as initial therapy and in combination with these newer drugs for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods: Synthesis of information was preceded by a comprehensive review of the English language literature using Medline. We also reviewed bibliographies of relevant articles. The studies most pertinent to the mechanism of action, efficacy, toxicity and administration of metformin were selected for citation in this review.

Results: Metformin acts by increasing tissue sensitivity to insulin, principally in the liver. Beneficial properties of metformin include weight reduction, favourable effects on the lipid profile and the fibrinolytic pathway, and improvement of ovarian function in some insulin‐resistant women. It does not cause hyperinsulinaemia or hypoglycaemia. Metformin is effective as monotherapy and, in combination with both insulin secretagogues and thiazolidinediones (TZDs), may obviate the need for insulin treatment. Several fixed‐dose combination pills containing metformin and other agents are available. A protocol for the initiation of therapy with contemporary oral agents for type 2 DM is presented, with emphasis on the continuing central role of metformin.

Conclusions: Metformin remains a safe and effective agent for the therapy of patients with type 2 DM. It is useful as monotherapy or in combination regimens with the newer insulin secretagogues, TZDs or insulin. It is still in most circumstances the agent of choice for initial therapy of the typical obese patient with type 2 DM and mild to moderate hyperglycaemia.
Percentile distribution of the waist circumference among Mexican pre‐adolescents of a primary school in Mexico City
Authors: Gómez‐Díaz Rita A. , Martínez‐Hernández Arturo J. , Aguilar‐Salinas Carlos A. , Violante Rafael , Alarcón Mardia López , Villarruel Margarita Jiménez , Rodarte Niels Wacher‐ , Solórzano‐Santos Fortino
Published: October 2005

Aim:  The aim of this study is to describe the percentile distribution of the waist circumference in Mexican pre‐pubertal children living in an urban, middle‐income area.

Methods:  Children, aged 6–10, from a primary school, located in a middle‐income area in Mexico City were included (n = 833). Anthropometric measurements were made in the case of all children by using standardized procedures.

Results:  The prevalence of obesity and overweight was greater among boys (p  <  0.001). Of them, 30 were obese (7.2%) and 47 were overweight (11.4%). Girls had a prevalence of obesity of 2.8% and of overweight of 8.8%. Boys had greater waist circumference than girls (p  <  0.001). This observation was independent from differences in age or body mass index (BMI). The distribution of the waist circumference was shifted towards higher values among boys. The values corresponding to the 85th percentile ranged, in boys aged 6–10, between 62.9 and 85.9 cm. By contrast, for girls, those values were 66.8 and 72.08 cm, respectively. A receiver–operator curve was constructed in order to identify the waist circumference most likely to be associated with a BMI of > 85th percentile. We found that age‐ and sex‐specific cut‐off points are required for the detection of central adiposity in children aged 6–10.

Conclusions:  The percentile distribution of the waist circumference in Mexican pre‐pubertal children living in urban, middle‐income areas is described in this study. Moreover, included are the cut‐off points most likely to be associated with increased adiposity. This information can be used for defining abdominal obesity in paediatric populations.
Plasma IL‐6 concentration is inversely related to insulin sensitivity, and acute‐phase proteins associate with glucose and lipid metabolism in healthy subjects
Authors: Heliövaara M. K. , Teppo A.‐M. , Karonen S. L. , Tuominen J. A. , Ebeling P.
Published: October 2005

Aim:  It has been shown that atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. Recent data suggest that inflammation precedes type 2 diabetes. Hence, we wanted to study the interrelationship between IL‐6, insulin sensitivity, lipids and numerous acute‐phase proteins.

Methods:  Twenty‐one healthy individuals [16 males/5 females, age 27.9 ± 1.8 years, body mass index (BMI) 24.1 ± 0.8 kg/m2] participated in the study. Each patient went through a 4‐h hyperinsulinaemic (40 mU/m2/min) euglycaemic clamp and 4‐h saline infusion. Blood samples were taken before and at the end of the infusions.

Results:  Plasma interleukin (IL)‐6 concentration correlated inversely with insulin sensitivity (M‐value) (r = −0.49, p < 0.05). Moreover, the plasma levels of IL‐6 associated with c‐peptide (r = 0.49, p < 0.05), fat% (r = 0.43, p < 0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.46, p < 0.05). α‐1‐acid glycoprotein was related to HbA1c (r = 0.47, p < 0.05), insulin (r = 0.55, p < 0.01), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.58, p < 0.01), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.58, p < 0.01) and triglycerides (r = 0.58, p < 0.01). Haptoglobin was correlated with insulin (r = 0.46, p < 0.05), total cholesterol (r = 0.61, p < 0.01), BMI (r = 0.58, p < 0.01), fat% (r = 0.63, p < 0.01) and lipid oxidation during clamp (r = 0.43, p < 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure decreased during the clamp (from 78.3 ± 1.9 to 72.1 ± 2.0 mmHg, p = 0.001). Insulin infusion did not affect the serum levels of most acute‐phase proteins.

Conclusions:  Our study suggests that low grade inflammation, as reflected by IL‐6, A1GP and haptoglobin contributes to the regulation of insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism and blood pressure in normal human physiology.
Development and evaluation of a prostate sexual rehabilitation clinic: a pilot project
Authors: Davison B. Joyce , Elliott Stacy , Ekland Marci , Griffin Shannon , Wiens Kristin
Published: September 2005

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a sexual rehabilitation service for men with prostate cancer and to use these results to inform the development of future care.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study participants included 155 men with prostate cancer referred to a sexual rehabilitation clinic by their urologists or radiation oncologists, of whom the partners of 58 were in attendance. Questionnaires to measure sexual function and positive feelings towards the partner were completed before the clinic visit; and for satisfaction with the clinic service immediately after the appointment; and for sexual function, positive feelings towards the partner, and satisfaction with treatments at 4 months afterward.

RESULTS

Ninety patients completed the 4‐month evaluation, of whom 35 were couples. Enhancement of erection and understanding sexual changes related to treatment were the two main concerns of patients. Phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitors and intracavernosal injections were the treatments of choice. Compared with partners, patients had significantly greater positive feelings towards their partners at both measurement times and were more satisfied with their prescribed treatment. The total scores on sexual function were significantly higher at 4 months.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support the need to include partners as a necessary part of these men's sexual rehabilitation. A structured follow‐up is necessary to monitor the success of treatment and to document the quality of erection.
Randomized, placebo‐controlled trial showing that finasteride reduces prostatic vascularity rapidly within 2 weeks
Authors: Donohue John F. , Hayne Dickon , Karnik Uttara , Thomas David R. , Foster Michael C.
Published: September 2005

OBJECTIVE

To measure expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvessel density (MVD) in the prostates of men after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) following 2 weeks of treatment with finasteride.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty‐four men scheduled to undergo TURP were randomized to receive 5 mg of finasteride or placebo daily for 2 weeks before surgery. Sections of prostatic urothelium were stained for VEGF expression and for CD31 to assess MVD. Ten consecutive, non‐overlapping high‐power fields were analysed in a blinded fashion.

RESULTS

In all, 31 men received finasteride and 33 placebo; the groups were similar in patient age, resected prostate weight, preoperative catheterization, prostate‐specific antigen level, aspirin use, spinal anaesthesia and postoperative diagnosis of prostate cancer. The mean (95% confidence interval) MVD was significantly lower in the finasteride group (60, 55–65) than in the placebo group (71, 64–78; P < 0.01). Similarly, the mean expression of VEGF was significantly lower in the finasteride group (47, 43–52 vs 61, 54–67; P < 0.001)

CONCLUSION

Finasteride inhibits angiogenic growth factors leading to reduced vascularity, and this is the basis of its action in reducing haematuria of prostatic origin. The present study shows that finasteride influences the prostatic microvasculature after only 2 weeks exposure.
Trends in Inequality in Infant Mortality in the North of England, 1921–1973, and their Association with Urban and Social Structure
Authors: Congdon P. , Southall H.
Published: September 2005

The paper analyses a time series of infant mortality rates in the north of England from 1921 to the early 1970s at a spatial scale that is more disaggregated than in previous studies of infant mortality trends in this period. The paper describes regression methods to obtain mortality gradients over socioeconomic indicators from the censuses of 1931, 1951, 1961 and 1971 and to assess whether there is any evidence for widening spatial inequalities in infant mortality outcomes against a background of an overall reduction in the infant mortality rate. Changes in the degree of inequality are also formally assessed by inequality measures such as the Gini and Theil indices, for which sampling densities are obtained and significant changes assessed. The analysis concerns a relatively infrequent outcome (especially towards the end of the period that is considered) and a high proportion of districts with small populations, so necessitating the use of appropriate methods for deriving indices of inequality and for regression modelling.
The Spatial Structure of Epidemic Emergence: Geographical Aspects of Poliomyelitis in North-Eastern USA, July–October 1916
Authors: Trevelyan Barry , Smallman-Raynor Matthew , Cliff Andrew D.
Published: September 2005

The great epidemic of poliomyelitis which swept New York City and surrounding territory in the summer of 1916 eclipsed all previous global experience of the disease. We draw on epidemiological information that is included in the seminal US Public Health Bulletin 91, ‘Epidemiologic studies of poliomyelitis in New York City and the northeastern United States during the year 1916’ (Washington DC, 1918), to re-examine the spatial structure of the epidemic. For the main phase of transmission of the epidemic, July–October 1916, it is shown that the maximum concentration of activity of poliomyelitis occurred within a 128-km radius of New York City. Although the integrity of the poliomyelitis cluster was maintained up to approximately 500 km from the metropolitan focus, the level and rate of propagation of disease declined with distance from the origin of the epidemic. Finally, it is shown that the geographical transmission of the epidemic in north-eastern USA probably followed a process of mixed contagious–hierarchical diffusion.
Modelling Reporting Bias: The Operative Mortality Rate for Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Authors: Jackson Dan , Copas John , Sutton Alex J.
Published: September 2005

It is perhaps underappreciated that ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is a significant cause of mortality in the UK. The only curative treatment is an emergency operation and quantifying the success of this presents many difficulties. In particular, there is empirical evidence of reporting bias, suggesting that studies failing to report operating theatre mortality may be those where death in theatre is more common. We suggest a procedure for correcting for this bias and re-examine a recent meta-analysis of the available data. This casts considerable doubt on some conclusions from naïve analyses that do not take into account the potential bias. Perhaps most importantly, our procedure indicates a modest improvement in operating theatre mortality over the last 50 years, which is a trend that is not evident from the usual naïve analyses.
Statistics for Weighing Benefits and Harms in a Proposed Genetic Substudy of a Randomized Cancer Prevention Trial
Authors: Baker Stuart G. , Kramer Barnett S.
Published: September 2005

When evaluating potential interventions for cancer prevention, it is necessary to compare benefits and harms. With new study designs, new statistical approaches may be needed to facilitate this comparison. A case in point arose in a proposed genetic substudy of a randomized trial of tamoxifen versus placebo in asymptomatic women who were at high risk for breast cancer. Although the randomized trial showed that tamoxifen substantially reduced the risk of breast cancer, the harms from tamoxifen were serious and some were life threaten-ing. In hopes of finding a subset of women with inherited risk genes who derive greater bene-fits from tamoxifen, we proposed a nested case–control study to test some trial subjects for various genes and new statistical methods to extrapolate benefits and harms to the general population. An important design question is whether or not the study should target common low penetrance genes. Our calculations show that useful results are only likely with rare high penetrance genes.
Primary Headaches in Preschool Age Children: Clinical Study and Follow-Up in 163 Patients
Authors: Battistella PA , Fiumana E , Binelli M , Bertossi E , Battista P , Perakis E , Soriani S
Published: September 2005

Although headache frequency is increasing in preschool age children, an extensive evaluation of the clinical features in affected patients has yet to be achieved. This retrospective study examined 243 patients who were separately analysed in two distinct groups according to the age of onset and the age of first clinical evaluation. Group 1 included preschool age children, while Group 2 consisted of pubertal age patients. In all the patients the importance of a positive family history for headache as a risk factor was confirmed. In addition, when compared with Group 2, Group 1 showed greater male gender prevalence and earlier onset of the attacks. Regarding clinical features, in Group 1, compared with Group 2, the attack duration was shorter with lower symptom association such as photo- or phonophobia, nausea and no pain increase during physical activity. In the same group, tension-type headache was the predominant diagnosis, in contrast to the high migraine prevalence of Group 2. This study also showed that the International Headache Society 1988 classification criteria are not fully adequate for juvenile headaches. In fact, the headaches of more than 10% of patients in Group 1 still remained unclassifiable, while those of all the subjects in Group 2 were properly classifiable.
Right-to-Left Shunt and Migraine: The Strength of the Relationship
Authors: Wammes-van der Heijden EA , Tijssen CC , Egberts ACG
Published: September 2005

Several studies have shown that the prevalence of a cardial right-to-left shunt (RLS) in patients with migraine with aura is significantly higher than in patients without migraine. To assess the strength of the possible relationship between RLS and migraine, the literature concerning this subject was systematically reviewed. We identified seven relevant studies. Among patients with RLS migraine with aura was 3.5 times more prevalent than among subjects without RLS [Mantel–Haenszel odds ratio (ORMH) 3.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1, 5.8]. In patients with ischaemic stroke migraine was more than two times more prevalent in patients with RLS than in patients without RLS (ORMH 2.1; 95% CI 1.6, 2.9). Our review shows that there is a clear association between RLS and migraine, especially migraine with aura. The relationship between RLS and migraine is further substantiated by the observations of disappearance and improvement of migraine symptoms after closure of the foramen ovale. However, the mechanism as well as the question about causality of this association has to be further elucidated.
Implication of Augmented Vasogenic Leakage in the Mechanism of Persistent Aura in Sporadic Hemiplegic Migraine
Authors: Iizuka T , Sakai F , Suzuki K , Igarashi H , Suzuki N
Published: September 2005

The aim of this study is to report a possible implication of augmented vasogenic leakage in the mechanism of prolonged aura in sporadic hemiplegic migraine. A 35-year-old woman with sporadic hemiplegic migraine presented with headache followed by right arm weakness, right visual field defect, aphasia and confusion that persisted for 1 week. During the acute stage, focal hyperaemia was seen in the left cerebral hemisphere corresponding to persistent aura symptoms. Augmented vasogenic leakage was demonstrated on delayed enhanced fluid-attenuated inversion recovery image. Magnetic resonance angiography showed dilation of the left middle cerebral artery. During the convalescent stage, such abnormal findings were not seen. Based on these results, we speculate that augmented vasogenic leakage from the leptomeningeal vessels, probably associated with activation of the trigeminovascular system, may delay the recovery of hemiplegic migraine aura.
Accurate motion‐produced distance and direction under systematically distorted perception
Authors: FUJITA NAOFUMI , SHIIHARA TORU , NOJI TERUKI
Published: September 2005

Abstract: We report the visually directed actions of soccer players. After perceiving the location of a target on their left side at the starting point and traveling toward the ball without seeing the target, the players could kick the ball accurately (Experiment 2). In contrast, if they were verbally asked the direction of the target in a similar situation, the perceived direction was systematically distorted (Experiment 3). Our major concern in explaining the distorted perception was whether the egocentric distance before locomotion was perceived accurately or not, and whether the updating of the target location during locomotion was accurate or not. Combining these two possibilities, there should be four hypotheses, each of which assumes either: (1) accurate egocentric distance and accurate updating, (2) inaccurate egocentric distance and accurate updating, (3) accurate egocentric distance and inaccurate updating, or (4) inaccurate egocentric distance and inaccurate updating. Based on these hypotheses, we conducted four simulations, which revealed that the combination of the perception of the accurate egocentric distance and the distorted updating that substituted the constant function for the sine function produced not only a goodr2, but also three kinds of interactions obtained in Experiment 3. Why did the players, based on their distorted perception, perform accurately? We would like to suggest that through perceptual learning they might acquire a perceptual‐motor relation as the inverse function of the physical‐perceptual relation.
The effect of binocular eye position on stereopsis with double images1
Authors: SHIMONO KOICHI , EGUSA HIROYUKI
Published: September 2005

Abstract:  We examined the hypothesis (Kaufman, 1976) that perceived relative depth between a stereoscopically fused stimulus and two nonfused stimuli (or double images) is due to vergence‐induced disparity (or disparity between the fixation plane and the fused stimulus). Twenty‐four observers reported their perceived depth between fused and nonfused stimuli with seven different vergence‐induced disparities, the sizes of which were controlled using Nonius alignment. We found that the magnitude of perceived depth covaried with the vergence‐induced disparity size and that it also depended on the binocular disparity size of the stereoscopic stimuli. This finding suggests that both vergence‐induced disparity and binocular disparity can be depth cues in stereopsis with double images.
Perceived velocity of point‐light walkers under complex viewing and background conditions1,2
Authors: GRONER RUDOLF , SCHOLLERER ESTHER
Published: September 2005

Abstract:  An experiment with a computer‐generated display of nine moving dots representing a human walker (Cutting, 1978) was carried out. The independent variables were the observer's perspective (stabilized or mobile), the background (vertical gratings with spatial frequencies of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 cycles/deg), the movement of the background (−1, 0, 1, 2, and 4 cycles/s), and the objective velocity of the walker. The dependent variable was the velocity estimated by the observer. It was predicted that the mobile observer's perspective should lead to a more precise estimate of the walker's velocity, because there were more motion cues available. There were 10 observers and their data were analyzed individually. Five observers perceived the walker's velocity faster under the mobile observer's perspective, three showed the opposite result, and two observed no significant difference. This large variability was attributed to the ambiguity of motion cues when there is no direct information available about the distance of the background from the moving object.
Disappearance of a monocular image in Panum's limiting case1
Authors: BINGUSHI KAZUO , YUKUMATSU SHINJI
Published: September 2005

Abstract:  This paper presents a model of how binocular single vision can be achieved. The model incorporates an inhibitory mechanism into the fusion theory, so we call it binocular‐inhibition theory. The essential property is an inhibitory mechanism in which a binocular unit yielding a fused image might inhibit two monocular neural units yielding double images in the network. To test the validity of the theory, we manipulated the binocular unit strength in the binocular network and measured the cumulative disappearance times of a monocular test stimulus in Panum's limiting case and in a single‐line stereogram under fixation of the eyes. We found that the test stimulus in a single‐line stereogram disappeared for longer periods of time than in Panum's limiting case. These results support the validity of the binocular‐inhibition theory, assuming that the inhibitory effect on the monocular units might be directly proportional to the activity of the binocular units and that binocular single vision can be achieved using the inhibitory effects from a binocular unit to monocular units.
Perception of relative distance in a driving simulator1,2
Authors: BAUMBERGER BERNARD , FLÜCKIGER MICHELANGELO , PAQUETTE MARTIN , BERGERON JACQUES , DELORME ANDRE
Published: September 2005

Abstract:  The aim of this experiment was to test, in a driving simulator, how a subject can control his approach towards several simulated car‐targets in different driving contexts. We assume that increasing complexity might influence driving performance according to the difficulty of perceiving distances properly. The subjects’ first task consisted of placing their car at an equal distance between two preceding cars. In the second task, the subjects had to place their car level with the preceding car. The target cars were either static or running at 40 or 60 km/h. The results showed a more precise distance perception when the difficulty of the task decreased. In all conditions the subjects underestimated distances. Subjects were better at 60 km/h than at 40 km/h and the performance improved with smaller car distances. In conclusion, the alignment tasks produced better performances than the mid‐distance tasks, as a consequence of their lower complexity. However, physical constraints due to the increase in velocity, as well as shorter distances between vehicles, improved performances.
The impact of the meal situation on the consumption of ready meals
Authors: Ahlgren Mia K. , Gustafsson Inga‐Britt , Hall Gunnar
Published: September 2005

The context in which a meal is eaten is known to affect intake and choice of food. The purpose of this study was to investigate in what typical situations ready meals are consumed and if consumer demands vary according to different situations. With a market survey four typical ready meal eating situations were identified, and the respondent's ready meal consumption was shown to be affected by situational factors. In the different eating situations there were dissimilar reasons for consumption. Two ready meal eating situations were investigated in greater detail in order to establish what triggered the ready meal consumption in these situations. One of these meal situations proved to be convenience driven and the other time driven. A situation‐oriented approach is suggested for further ready meal product development.
Turkish college students’ attitudes towards money
Authors: Özgen Özlen , Bayoğlu Ayşe Sezen
Published: September 2005

This research was carried out with 300 Turkish college students in Ankara in order to investigate attitudes to money. The questionnaire was given to subjects from three different universities. The data were analysed by using explanatory variables, including gender, age and family type. Findings indicated that college students’ money attitudes relating to the past and future were linked to selected demographics, especially gender and age variables. The results of this study are important to the understanding of financial behaviour of college students and to enable professionals in the field of family and consumer sciences to be more effective in their advice and teaching.
Cross‐seeding of wild‐type and hereditary variant‐type amyloid β‐proteins in the presence of gangliosides
Authors: Yamamoto Naoki , Matsuzaki Katsumi , Yanagisawa Katsuhiko
Published: September 2005

We investigated the molecular mechanism underlying the ganglioside‐induced initiation of the assembly of wild and hereditary variant‐type amyloid β‐proteins, including Arctic‐, Dutch‐, and Flemish‐type amyloid β‐proteins. We monitored the assembly of amyloid β‐protein by thioflavin‐T assay, western blotting and electron microscopy. We also examined how externally added amyloid β‐protein assembles in a cell culture. The assembly of wild‐, Arctic‐, Dutch‐, and Flemish‐type amyloid β‐proteins were accelerated in the presence of GM1, GM1, GM3 and GD3 gangliosides. Notably, all of these amyloid β‐proteins accelerated the assembly of different type of amyloid β‐protein, following prior binding to a specific ganglioside. A specific‐ganglioside‐bound form of variant‐type amyloid β‐protein was recognized by the antibody (4396C) specific to the GM1‐ganglioside‐induced altered conformation of wild‐type amyloid β‐protein. Moreover, the assembly of these amyloid β‐proteins in the presence of a specific ganglioside was markedly suppressed by coincubation with 4396C. This study suggests that cross‐seeding can occur between wild and hereditary variant‐type amyloid β‐proteins despite differences in their amino acid sequences.
Novel role of sphingosine kinase 1 as a mediator of neurotrophin‐3 action in oligodendrocyte progenitors
Authors: Saini Harsimran S. , Coelho Rochelle P. , Goparaju Sravan K. , Jolly Puneet S. , Maceyka Michael , Spiegel Sarah , Sato‐Bigbee Carmen
Published: September 2005

We had found previously that neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) is a potent stimulator of cAMP‐response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation in cultured oligodendrocyte progenitors. Here, we show that CREB phosphorylation in these cells is also highly stimulated by sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P), a sphingolipid metabolite that is known to be a potent mediator of numerous biological processes. Moreover, CREB phosphorylation in response to NT‐3 involves sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1), the enzyme that synthesizes S1P. Immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy indicated that NT‐3 induces translocation of SphK1 from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane of oligodendrocytes, a process accompanied by increased SphK1 activity in the membrane fraction where its substrate sphingosine resides. To examine the involvement of SphK1 in NT‐3 function, SphK1 expression was down‐regulated by treatment with SphK1 sequence‐specific small interfering RNA. Remarkably, the capacity of NT‐3 to protect oligodendrocyte progenitors from apoptotic cell death induced by growth factor deprivation was abolished by down‐regulating the expression of SphK1, as assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick‐end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Altogether, these results suggest that SphK1 plays a crucial role in the stimulation of oligodendrocyte progenitor survival by NT‐3, and demonstrate a functional link between NT‐3 and S1P signaling, adding to the complexity of mechanisms that modulate neurotrophin function and oligodendrocyte development.
Proteomic profiling of cerebrospinal fluid identifies biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Ranganathan Srikanth , Williams Eric , Ganchev Philip , Gopalakrishnan Vanathi , Lacomis David , Urbinelli Leo , Newhall Kristyn , Cudkowicz Merit E. , Brown Robert H. , Bowser Robert
Published: September 2005

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by degeneration of motor neurons. We tested the hypothesis that proteomic analysis will identify protein biomarkers that provide insight into disease pathogenesis and are diagnostically useful. To identify ALS specific biomarkers, we compared the proteomic profile of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from ALS and control subjects using surface‐enhanced laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight mass spectrometry (SELDI‐TOF‐MS). We identified 30 mass ion peaks with statistically significant (p < 0.01) differences between control and ALS subjects. Initial analysis with a rule‐learning algorithm yielded biomarker panels with diagnostic predictive value as subsequently assessed using an independent set of coded test subjects. Three biomarkers were identified that are either decreased (transthyretin, cystatin C) or increased (carboxy‐terminal fragment of neuroendocrine protein 7B2) in ALS CSF. We validated the SELDI‐TOF‐MS results for transthyretin and cystatin C by immunoblot and immunohistochemistry using commercially available antibodies. These findings identify a panel of CSF protein biomarkers for ALS.
Unraveling thrombin's true microglia‐activating potential: markedly disparate profiles of pharmaceutical‐grade and commercial‐grade thrombin preparations
Authors: Weinstein Jonathan R. , Hong Soyon , Kulman John D. , Bishop Caroline , Kuniyoshi Jon , Andersen Henrik , Ransom Bruce R. , Hanisch Uwe‐Karsten , Möller Thomas
Published: September 2005

Microglia are the resident immune cells of the CNS. Brain injury triggers microglial activation, leading to proliferation, changes in antigenic profile, NO production and cytokine release. It is widely believed that serum factors inundating the injured tissue can prompt this activation, leading to long‐term phenotypic changes. We and others have recently reported that commercial‐grade preparations of thrombin, a serine protease known for its central function in blood coagulation, activate microglial cells. Recent findings, however, have called into question the involvement of thrombin itself in the induction of microglial cytokine release and led us to systematically re‐investigate the ability of the protease to induce a broad spectrum of microglial activation parameters. We used a pharmaceutical‐grade recombinant human thrombin (rh‐thr) and compared it with a commercial‐grade plasma‐derived bovine thrombin (pb‐thr) preparation that has been used extensively in the literature, including in our own earlier report. We investigated the effect of these two thrombin preparations on proliferation, NO production, interleukin‐6 and tumour necrosis factor‐α release, intracellular calcium signaling and cell surface expression of CD95 (Fas) and CD40. Pb‐thr induced robust responses in all variables tested. In contrast, rh‐thr triggered calcium signals and induced small but significant changes in the expression of cell surface antigens, but had no effect on proliferation, NO production or cytokine release. Control studies assured equivalent thrombin potencies and excluded both species‐specific effects and endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) contamination as possible causes of the disparity. Our results indicate a substantially more restricted role for thrombin itself in microglial activation than previously appreciated, but point to several potentially important co‐stimulatory effects. In addition, these results suggest that previous studies examining thrombin's activation of microglia should be cautiously re‐interpreted.
Isolation, characterization and cross‐species amplification of microsatellite DNA loci in the tropical American yam Dioscorea trifida
Authors: HOCHU I. , SANTONI S. , BOUSALEM M.
Published: September 2005

We developed microsatellite markers in American yam (Dioscorea trifida). A microsatellite sequence‐enriched genomic library was screened, and after sequencing, primers were designed for 20 microsatellites. Among these, eight primer pairs yielded amplification products that were both interpretable and polymorphic in 24 yam cultivars. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 13 and the overall expected heterozygosity was around 0.5. Six of the eight Dioscorea trifida microsatellite loci gave amplification products in other Dioscorea species.
Isolation of polymorphic DNA microsatellites in the common sole Solea vulgaris
Authors: GAROIA FLAVIO , MARZOLA SILLA , GUARNIERO ILARIA , TRENTINI MASSIMO , TINTI FAUSTO
Published: September 2005

A microsatellite‐enriched genomic library was obtained from the common sole, Solea vulgaris, and seven polymorphic dinucleotide markers were successfully optimized. These markers showed levels of expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.55 to 0.83 and allele number ranging from eight to 12. Three of these markers were also found to successfully amplify in the closely related Solea senegalensis and can be employed to define population genetic structure of the two Solea species and for inferring stock origins.
Microarray technology in the study of obesity and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Baranova Ancha , Schlauch Karen , Gowder Shobha , Collantes Rochelle , Chandhoke Vikas , Younossi Zobair M.
Published: October 2005

Abstract: The recent development of high‐throughput gene expression technology permits simultaneous investigation of thousands of genes, providing a snapshot of the transcription state of diseased tissue. Microarray‐based expression profiling is well suited to investigate the molecular basis of complex diseases such as obesity and chronic liver disease. With the help of microarray technology, functional genomics will surely advance our understanding of these diseases, and lead to more effective, targeted interventions that lack the toxicity of many conventional treatments. Despite their tremendous potential, microarray studies are subject to potential flaws in experimental design, experimental techniques, data analysis, and data interpretation. Besides the technical issues, the most important challenge is to develop integrative databases that combine gene expression data with the clinical data. Over the next few years, advances in technology and refinements in study design and data analysis will make clinically relevant translational research even more engaging and productive.