bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AttenuatedSalmonellaengineered to produce human cytokine LIGHT inhibit tumor growth
Authors: Loeffler Markus , Le'Negrate Gaelle , Krajewska Maryla , Reed John C.
Published: July 2007

Intravenously administered bacteria reportedly accumulate in tumors. Furthermore, systemic administration of attenuatedSalmonella typhimuriumhas little or no significant side-effects in humans. Consequently, we engineered such bacteria to improve their oncolytic activity by stably inserting a gene encoding LIGHT, a cytokine known to promote tumor rejection. Unlike control bacteria, attenuatedS. typhimuriumexpressing LIGHT inhibited growth of primary tumors, as well as the dissemination of pulmonary metastases, in various mouse tumor models employing murine carcinoma cell lines in immunocompetent mice. Antitumor activity was achieved without significant toxicity and was associated with infiltration of inflammatory cells and dependent on the LIGHT receptors, herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM), and lymphotoxin-β receptor (LTβR). These findings provide evidence that nonvirulent bacteria can be exploited as targeting vehicles for local generation of therapeutic proteins in tumors.
Dynamic PolyConjugates for targeted
in vivo
delivery of siRNA to hepatocytes
Authors: Rozema David B. , Lewis David L. , Wakefield Darren H. , Wong So C. , Klein Jason J. , Roesch Paula L. , Bertin Stephanie L. , Reppen Tom W. , Chu Qili , Blokhin Andrei V. , Hagstrom James E. , Wolff Jon A.
Published: July 2007

Achieving efficient
in vivo
delivery of siRNA to the appropriate target cell would be a major advance in the use of RNAi in gene function studies and as a therapeutic modality. Hepatocytes, the key parenchymal cells of the liver, are a particularly attractive target cell type for siRNA delivery given their central role in several infectious and metabolic disorders. We have developed a vehicle for the delivery of siRNA to hepatocytes both
in vitro
and
in vivo
, which we have named siRNA Dynamic PolyConjugates. Key features of the Dynamic PolyConjugate technology include a membrane-active polymer, the ability to reversibly mask the activity of this polymer until it reaches the acidic environment of endosomes, and the ability to target this modified polymer and its siRNA cargo specifically to hepatocytes
in vivo
after simple, low-pressure i.v. injection. Using this delivery technology, we demonstrate effective knockdown of two endogenous genes in mouse liver: apolipoprotein B (
apoB
) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (
ppara
). Knockdown of
apoB
resulted in clear phenotypic changes that included a significant reduction in serum cholesterol and increased fat accumulation in the liver, consistent with the known functions of
apoB
. Knockdown of
ppara
also resulted in a phenotype consistent with its known function, although with less penetrance than observed in
apoB
knockdown mice. Analyses of serum liver enzyme and cytokine levels in treated mice indicated that the siRNA Dynamic PolyConjugate was nontoxic and well tolerated.
Elective caesarean section and respiratory morbidity in the term and near‐term neonate
Authors: HANSEN ANNE KIRKEBY , WISBORG KIRSTEN , ULDBJERG NIELS , HENRIKSEN TINE BRINK
Published: July 2007

Aim. The aim of this review was to assess the relationship between delivery by elective caesarean section and respiratory morbidity in the term and near‐term neonate. Methods. Searches were made in the MEDLINE database, EMBASE, Cochrane database and Web of Science to identify peer‐reviewed studies in English on elective caesarean section and respiratory morbidity in the newborn. We included studies that compared elective caesarean section to vaginal or intended vaginal delivery, with clear definition of outcome measures and information about gestational age. Results. Nine eligible studies were identified. All studies found that delivery by elective caesarean section increased the risk of various respiratory morbidities in the newborn near term compared with vaginal delivery, although the findings were not statistically significant in all studies. It was inappropriate to carry out a meta‐analysis with a pooled risk estimate because of a variety of methodological differences between the studies. The overall risk for respiratory morbidity, however, seemed to increase about 2 to 3 times, though some studies presented much higher risk estimates. A decreasing risk with increasing gestational age was shown in 2 studies. Conclusion. Delivery by elective caesarean section was shown to increase the risk of respiratory morbidity in all studies eligible for inclusion. The magnitude of this relative risk seemed to depend on gestational age even in deliveries after 37 completed weeks of gestation.
Pre‐symptomatic increase in urine‐orosomucoid excretion in pre‐eclamptic women
Authors: KRONBORG CAMILLA S. , ALLEN JIM , VITTINGHUS ERIK , KNUDSEN ULLA BRETH
Published: July 2007

Background. Although the pre‐eclamptic pathogenesis begins at least around the 18th week of pregnancy, clinically evident disease often does not appear until the third trimester. This long pre‐symptomatic latency period has led to intensive research for early markers of evolving disease. We evaluated urine excretion and plasma levels of orosomucoid and albumin longitudinally in healthy and pre‐eclamptic pregnancies. Orosomucoid is an acute phase protein involved in inflammation and protection of the endothelium. Methods. From a prospective, longitudinal cohort study consisting of 1,631 women, 32 women developed pre‐eclampsia, and 5 controls for every case of pre‐eclampsia were found. Blood samples were collected 4 times and urine samples 6 times from the 18/19th week and throughout pregnancy. Orosomucoid and albumin in plasma were analysed by standard methods, and in urine by sandwich ELISA. Results. Orosomucoid/creatinin excretion ratio was significantly higher early in pre‐eclamptic pregnancies (from the 20th week of pregnancy, p = 0.0053) compared with healthy pregnancies, the difference increased throughout pregnancy. Albumin/creatinin ratio increased subsequent to the increase in orosomucoid. In the plasma samples, orosomucoid was significantly higher late in pre‐eclamptic pregnancies (≥36th week, p = 0.0275). Conclusions. Pre‐eclampsia is associated with a pre‐symptomatic increase in the urine excretion of orosomucoid, and orosomucoid excretion precedes that of albumin. Orosomucoid excretion can probably be used as a prognostic tool in combination with other screening methods, and seems to be a more sensitive marker for evolving pre‐eclampsia than albumin. Plasma orosomucoid is significantly increased late in pre‐eclampsia. Thus, the increased excretion of orosomucoid must primarily originate from altered renal processing of orosomucoid.
Women's experiences and attitudes towards expectant management and induction of labor for post‐term pregnancy
Authors: HEIMSTAD RUNA , ROMUNDSTAD PÅL R. , HYETT JON , MATTSSON LARS‐ÅKE , SALVESEN KJELL Å.
Published: July 2007

Background. Clinical guidelines for post‐term management differ, and studies on women's attitudes are lacking. We aimed to assess the experiences and attitudes among women managed with serial antenatal monitoring or induction of labor, and the effects of post‐term pregnancy on self‐reports of quality of life. Methods. Women were randomized at 41weeks to immediate induction of labor or antenatal fetal surveillance every third day. At inclusion women answered a questionnaire about their attitudes towards post‐term pregnancy and health‐related quality of life. This was repeated in a follow‐up phone interview 6months later, including questions about their experiences of labor and perspective on future deliveries. Results. A total of 508women entered the study. At 41weeks 74% of all women preferred to be induced. Women reported good general and mental health, but physical health and vitality scores were low. In the induction group, 74% of women said they would prefer the same management in future pregnancies; only 38% of women who had serial antenatal monitoring would prefer this option again (p<0.001). In the induction group, contractions were reported as more intense (n = 157 versus n = 118, p<0.01) and frequent (n = 116 versus n = 87, p<0.01) compared to the monitored group. The majority (84%) reported a positive labor induction experience. Conclusion. Women preferred induction of labor to serial antenatal monitoring beyond 41weeks. Labors were shorter and contractions were reported to be more frequent and intense in the induction group compared with the monitored group. However, their experience with labor induction was positive.
N‐terminal parathyroid hormone‐related protein levels in human intrauterine growth restricted pregnancies
Authors: BRIANA DESPINA D. , BOUTSIKOU MARIA , BAKA STAVROULA , HASSIAKOS DEMETRIOS , GOURGIOTIS DEMETRIOS , MARMARINOS ANTONIOS , IACOVIDOU NICOLETTA , MALAMITSI‐PUCHNER ARIADNE
Published: July 2007

Background. N‐terminal parathyroid hormone‐related protein has a vital role in regulating cell growth and differentiation, uteroplacental vasodilatation, uterine muscle relaxation, and placental transport. These functions are compromised in intrauterine growth restriction. We aimed to investigate N‐terminal parathyroid hormone‐related protein concentrations in maternal, fetal, and neonatal plasma of intrauterine‐growth‐restricted and appropriate for gestational age pregnancies. Methods. Plasma N‐terminal parathyroid hormone‐related protein levels were determined in 40 mothers and their 20 intrauterine‐growth‐restricted and 20 appropriate for gestational age singleton full‐term fetuses and neonates on postnatal days 1 and 4. Results. Fetal N‐terminal parathyroid hormone‐related protein levels were significantly lower in the intrauterine growth restriction group (b = 1.166, 95%CI: 0.430–1.902, p = 0.003) and correlated with the customized centiles of the infants (r = 0.407, p = 0.009). In the appropriate for gestational age group, neonatal day 1 N‐terminal parathyroid hormone‐related protein levels were significantly lower compared to maternal (p<0.001) and fetal (p = 0.022) ones. Fetal and neonatal day 1 levels were significantly lower in males (b = −1.303, 95%CI: −2.508 to −0.097, p = 0.036, and b = −0.802, 95%CI: −1.5 to −0.105, p = 0.027, respectively). In the intrauterine growth restriction group, maternal N‐terminal parathyroid hormone‐related protein levels were significantly increased compared to fetal (p<0.001) and neonatal day 1 (p = 0.001) levels. Conclusions. The reduced fetal N‐terminal parathyroid hormone‐related protein concentrations in intrauterine growth restriction may reflect compromised placental function and impaired fetal growth, suggesting that N‐terminal parathyroid hormone‐related protein may be involved in the pathogenesis of intrauterine growth restriction.
Erythropoietin and intravenous iron therapy in postpartum anaemia
Authors: WÅGSTRÖM ELLE , ÅKESSON AGNETA , VAN ROOIJEN MARIANNE , LARSON BARBRO , BREMME KATARINA
Published: July 2007

Background. We assessed whether recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) enhances a rise in haemoglobin concentration in postpartum anaemia compared to intravenous iron alone. Design. Some 60 patients with haemoglobin values≤80 g/l were randomized within 72 h after parturition into 3 different treatment groups. All 3 groups were given a total dose of 450 mg intravenous iron sucrose. In addition, 2 groups were given 20,000 or 40,000 U of total rhEPO. All treatments were given on 2 occasions with an interval of 3 days (day 0 and 3). Results. Haemoglobin increased significantly in all 3 groups over time (p<0.001), and there were no differences between the different treatment groups on any day of evaluation (p = 0.59). The total mean increment in haemoglobin in all subjects was 18 g/l after 1 week, and 28 g/l after 2 weeks. Conclusion. In comparison to intravenous iron alone, the addition of rhEPO did not further increase haemoglobin concentration in women with postpartum anaemia.
Tight junction formation in epithelial ovarian adenocarcinoma
Authors: ZHU YIHONG , SUNDFELDT KARIN
Published: July 2007

Background. Epithelial cells are characterised by their ability to form polarised cell sheets with barriers between two tissue compartments. Epithelial tightness and apical/basolateral orientation are maintained through adherens and tight junctions (TJs). Alterations in junction formation and function could promote tumorigenesis via increased access to growth factors and cytokines. The etiology and development of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) are far from understood. The ovarian surface epithelium (OSE), regarded as progenitor cells of EOC, form weak functional TJs in culture without expressing typical junction proteins. However, these integral membrane epithelial proteins, E‐cadherin, claudin‐3 and claudin‐4, are often found in EOC. Methods. To clarify whether EOC can form functional TJs, 4 different ovarian cancer cell lines of various histology were analysed for their expression of TJ (claudin‐1, claudin‐3, claudin‐4 and zonola occludens‐1 (ZO‐1)) and adherens junction (AJ) (E‐cadherin and N‐cadherin) proteins, and the ability to build up trans‐epithelial resistance (TER) in culture was measured. Results. We found expression for all cell‐junction proteins with a typical honeycomb‐staining pattern in the serous adenocarcinomas indicating proper junction formation. Clear‐cell and endometrioid adenocarcinomas showed a different expression pattern. By measuring TER, including Ca2+ switch experiments, functional TJs were shown to build up only in serous adenocarcinomas. Conclusion. Serous adenocarcinomas formed functional TJs in vitro. The presence of claudin‐4 might be essential for the function of TJs in ovarian cancer.
What do Dopamine Transporter and Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Tell us About Attention Deficit–Hyperactivity Disorder? Pharmacogenomic Implications
Authors: Levy Florence
Published: July 2007

The purpose of the present paper was to review studies of two candidate genes for attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to separate aetiological from therapeutic effects. Genomic studies of ADHD were reviewed for candidate dopamine genes and studies selected to distinguish catechol-o-methyltransferase ( COMT) and dopamine transporter ( DAT-1) effects. Pharmacogenomic findings for the COMT gene were in agreement with the 1977 observations of Sprague and Sleator, who reported that at low psychostimulant doses, children with ADHD showed a remarkable improvement on a short-term memory test at all levels of task load, whereas at higher doses, there was a significant decrement in performance on the more difficult versions of the task, corresponding to an ‘inverted ‘U’ shaped curve’. Recent studies show that individuals with the homozygous COMT (valine/valine) genotype demonstrated improvement following psychostimulant treatment, because their tonic dopamine (DA) levels were low, whereas the homozygous COMT (methionine/methionine) individuals, who already have high initial prefrontal cortex (PFC) dopamine levels performed more poorly after medication, in tasks with high working memory load. On the other hand aetiological findings for DAT-1 gene were heterogenous, but more often positive than for COMT. Contrasting findings for COMT and DAT-1 may best be considered in terms of prediction of medication response in ADHD in the case of COMT, but in aetiological terms in the case of DAT-1, which is abundant in the striatum and possibly plays a greater role in determining hyperactivity and impulsivity, than working memory deficiencies.
Synaptic P2X7 Receptor Regenerative-Loop Hypothesis for Depression
Authors: Bennett Maxwell R.
Published: July 2007

Forty-five years ago the surprising discovery was made, in a Melbourne University laboratory, that peripheral synapses exist that release neither noradrenaline nor acetylcholine. The same laboratory went on to show that one of these then novel transmitters is adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP), for which a class of receptors has been dubbed P2X7. Recent linkage studies have shown that the P2X7 gene is associated with major depression and bipolar disorder. This speculative paper considers possible mechanisms that could link polymorphisms in the P2X7 gene with the functioning of neural networks, especially in the hippocampus. A selective review of the neurobiological literature on the location and function of the P2X7 receptor at synapses and on astrocytes as well as microglial cells was performed in the context of determining viable hypotheses as to the function of these receptors during synaptic transmission in the neural networks of the hippocampus. It is suggested that P2X7 receptors participate in a regenerative loop at central glutamatergic synapses. In this loop glutamate-evoked release of ATP from both astrocytes and microglia cells, as well as ATP derived from an autocatalytic release from astrocytes, provides purines that can act on presynaptic P2X7 purinergic receptors. This increases glutamate release to further the amount of ATP at the synapse, leading to a new functional state of the neural network in which the synapse participates. This synaptic ATP can also act on microglia P2X7 receptors to release the cytokine tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as can glutamate, with this TNF-α acting on the post-synaptic neuronal membrane to increase glutamate alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) receptors there. As synaptic ATP and glutamate are maintained by the regenerative loop they provide a sustained release of TNF-α, and therefore of AMPA receptor enhancement, increasing synaptic efficacy, and so contributing to the new functional state of the neural network. Infections can change this state by activating toll-like (TOL) receptors on the microglia concomitantly with their P2X7 receptor activation by the regenerative loop, thereby releasing the cytokine interleukin-1β, which decreases the AMPA receptors in the neural membrane, so decreasing synaptic efficacy and changing the functional state of the neural network in which the synapse resides. Polymorphisms in the P2X7 gene that modify operation of the regenerative loop or the release of cytokines, as can infections, change the functional state of neural networks, which may then lead to vulnerability to mood disorders.
Undergraduate Teaching of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Australia: Survey of Current Practice
Authors: Sawyer Michael , Giesen Femke
Published: July 2007

Objective: To identify the goals, content, and time allocated for undergraduate child psychiatry teaching programmes in Australian medical schools.

Method: A structured questionnaire designed specifically for the present study was used to identify the goals, content, and time allocated to child psychiatry teaching for undergraduate medical students. Staff responsible for child psychiatry teaching programmes at all 15 medical schools in Australia were contacted and those in 12 schools (80%) agreed to participate.

Results: All 12 medical schools provided some teaching relevant to child psychiatry. Teaching was commonly provided as part of general psychiatry and/or paediatric teaching programmes. Between 4 and 12 h were allocated for child psychiatry teaching, with the exception of one school, which assigned 46 h. Ten schools (83%) offered clinical placements in child psychiatry to some or all students, with placements ranging in length from 0.5 days to 8 weeks. However, only four schools (33%) offered clinical placements to all students. Two schools (17%) offered no clinical placements or electives in child psychiatry. The skills required to assess children and families, and knowledge about normal child development were identified as key teaching goals. Barriers to teaching child psychiatry included the lack of academic child psychiatrists in Australia, and the limited time allocated for this teaching in medical school curricula.

Conclusions: The amount of time allocated for teaching child psychiatry in Australian medical schools is relatively small and not consistent with the size of the public health problem posed by child and adolescent mental disorders. Staff responsible for teaching child psychiatry need to coordinate their activities more effectively at a national level to identify teaching goals, design curricula, and advocate for high-quality child psychiatry teaching programmes in medical schools.
Parental and Family Factors for Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Taiwanese Children
Authors: Shur-Fen Gau Susan
Published: July 2007

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the association between attention-deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and maternal psychological distress, parenting style and perceived family support, and the child's interaction with parents and behavioural problems at home in Taiwan.

Methods: The sample included 375 medicated pediatric patients with DSM-IV ADHD, and 750 school controls selected based on the age and gender structures of the ADHD group. Mothers reported on the Chinese Health Questionnaire, the Chinese versions of the Parental Bonding Instrument, the Family Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve, and the Home Behaviours of the Social Adjustment Inventory for Children and Adolescents.

Results: Mothers of children with ADHD reported greater psychological distress and perceived less support from their families than did mothers of controls. Moreover, mothers of children with ADHD were less affectionate and more overprotective and controlling toward their children than were mothers of controls. This difference was more apparent in boys than in girls. Children with ADHD were less likely to interact with their parents, yet demonstrated more severe behavioural problems at home.

Conclusions: Although the Taiwanese children with ADHD were under treatment with methylphenidate, they and their families still encountered a variety of difficulties in interaction, support, and communication with each other. Therefore, the parental approach should be integrated into the medication treatment for ADHD in Taiwan.
Validity and Reliability of the Behavioural Assessment Tool for Cognition and Higher Function (BATCH) in Neuropsychiatric Patients
Authors: Miller Kathryn , Walterfang Mark , Randhawa Sharan , Scholes Amelia , Mocellin Ramon , Velakoulis Dennis
Published: July 2007

Objective: Patients with mental health disorders frequently have difficulties with their cognitive functioning. Assessment of cognition in this population can be complicated by psychiatric symptomatology, making standard written and verbal assessment methods difficult. In these situations, observations by nursing and allied staff of patients’ routine activities provide an important source of information about cognitive ability. The Behavioural Assessment Tool for Cognition and Higher Function (BATCH) was developed to record observations of patients’ daily functioning under subheadings that reflect cognitive domains. Its capacity to provide a measure of cognitive function through observational means was assessed in a neuropsychiatric unit.

Method: A consecutive sample of 76 adult neuropsychiatry inpatients were assessed over 6 months using BATCH. BATCH measures the frequency of given behaviours grouped under 10 functional and cognitive domains: orientation, attention/concentration, personal responsibility, volition, adaptation, problem-solving/judgement, executive function, memory, language, and visuospatial function. Data from routine standardized cognitive (Mini-Mental Status Examination, MMSE; Neuropsychiatry Unit Cognitive Screening Tool, NUCOG), psychiatric (Neuropsychiatric Inventory; Health of the Nation Outcome Scale) and functional (Bristol Activities of Daily Living Scale; Barthel Index) instruments were collected to determine the relative contribution of cognitive function to scores on the BATCH.

Results: A strong correlation was found between total BATCH scores and total NUCOG and MMSE scores. BATCH and NUCOG subdomains correlated significantly in all subscales. BATCH demonstrated very high internal consistency. Linear regression analysis showed that the strongest determinant of BATCH scores was cognitive function as measured on the NUCOG. A significant subscale×group effect showed lower BATCH scores in memory, orientation, attention, executive function and language in dementia sufferers compared to psychiatric and neurological patient groups.

Conclusion: BATCH scores correlated strongly with pencil-and-paper measures of cognitive function. BATCH provides clinicians with a means of assessing cognitive function through behavioural observation, thus enabling assessment of patients with behavioural disturbance or severe psychopathology. This tool has practical application for adult and aged clients across all observational mental health settings.
Culturally Specific Process Measures to Improve Mental Health Clinical Practice: Indigenous Focus
Authors: O'Brien Anthony P. , Boddy Julie M. , Hardy Derrylea J.
Published: July 2007

Objective: In New Zealand and Australia, a renewed emphasis on equity and efficiency in the provision of mental health care has seen outcomes-focused, culturally appropriate clinical practice become essential within mental health services. Ascertaining the degree to which quality improvement and monitoring systems are enhancing professional practice and patient outcomes, however, is hindered by the difficulty of measuring the process of quality care delivery.

Method: This paper argues that it is the process of care delivery (i.e. what clinicians do to, and for, patients) that is critical to the effectiveness of treatment and the degree to which treatment either inhibits or promotes an improvement in mental health recovery. Identification of the underlying causes of poor achievement of process factors is likely to positively impact on things such as readmission rates, shared care initiatives, and ultimately patient recovery. Such attention could be the difference between low-quality service provision and a high-quality service provision with positive recovery outcomes for patients.

Results: Ascertaining the degree to which quality improvement and monitoring systems are enhancing professional practice and patient outcomes for indigenous people, however, is hindered by the difficulty of measuring such concepts. Australia has indeed embraced ‘culturally appropriate’ practice in recent years, but this appears to be piecemeal when compared with New Zealand. Certainly, there are inconsistent and variable approaches to cultural practices with indigenous people when comparing the two countries.

Conclusions: Using evidence from a bicultural mental health nursing study that developed and validated generic and Mâori-specific (indigenous) clinical indicators for mental health nursing standards of practice in New Zealand, it is argued that the process of care delivery is equally as important as outcome measures when ascertaining the effectiveness of nursing care. Second, this paper contends that accurate process measures must be culturally responsive to indigenous and other ethnic groups.
‘How do I cope with that?’ The challenge of ‘schooling’ cultures in further education for trainee FE lecturers
Authors: Bathmaker Ann‐Marie , Avis James
Published: July 2007

The development of professional identity amongst lecturers training to teach in further education (FE) colleges in England involves processes of adaptation. These partly take place during teaching placement in FE, as trainees navigate between their own anticipated professional identity and the identities which they feel under pressure to assume as they engage in their work with students. This article explores these processes of development, focusing in particular on the identities that trainee lecturers develop in their work with disengaged 16–19 year‐old students. Using case studies of two trainee lecturers, the article explores the way in which they are pushed towards adopting what they see as a ‘pedagogic’, ‘teacherly’ identity, which they had previously associated with schoolteachers, in their work with such students. The article suggests that the notion of ‘schooling’ identities and cultures, whilst contrasting with the vocational habitus proposed by others, is a useful way to explore how cultures and identities in general FE are created through similar processes of identity construction and reconstruction.
The use of modelling for theory building in qualitative analysis
Authors: Briggs Ann R. J.
Published: July 2007

The purpose of this article is to exemplify and enhance the place of modelling as a qualitative process in educational research. Modelling is widely used in quantitative research as a tool for analysis, theory building and prediction. Statistical data lend themselves to graphical representation of values, interrelationships and operational systems. This article argues that qualitative data can likewise be modelled, to enable further analysis of the phenomenon investigated, to stimulate theorising about the relationship of factors within the modelled system, and to enable predictions for future scenarios to be formulated. Although this approach has been advocated by qualitative research theorists, it is not commonly used in the field of educational management. The extended example offered in this article therefore demonstrates how modelling can be used as both a conceptual and a practical tool in this field of study, enabling both the construction of theory and the process of organisational development and decision making.
Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging in neurosurgery
Authors: Yrjänä S. K. , Tuominen J. , Koivukangas J.
Published: July 2007

Intraoperatively magnetic resonance (MR)-guided neurosurgical operations have been done since 1996, mostly for brain tumors. Several different concepts for intraoperative MRI procedures using low-, middle-, and high-field MR scanners have been reported from pioneering neurosurgical centers. In this article, we present the different solutions used in these centers from a practical point of view. More thoroughly, we present our own concept and experience of 160 craniotomies since 1999 in an operation theater equipped with a low-field (0.23T) scanner, which can be turned on and off during surgery.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the gallbladder: spectrum of abnormalities
Authors: Elsayes K. M. , Oliveira E. P. , Narra V. R. , EL-Merhi F. M. , Brown J. J.
Published: July 2007

Various pathologies involving the gallbladder can manifest clinically, producing nonspecific clinical symptoms and making diagnosis difficult and challenging. Real-time sonography is the most widely used diagnostic study for the gallbladder and the primary screening examination of choice. With increasing use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), gallbladder pathology is frequently seen. Understanding the basic patterns of various disease manifestations and appearance on MRI is the key to making an accurate diagnosis. Given its inherent tissue contrast and contrast sensitivity, MRI in conjunction with MRCP can be a very valuable test in evaluating gallbladder pathology. Gallbladder pathology can be classified into congenital (such as absence), inflammatory (acute, hemorrhagic, and chronic cholecystitis), traumatic, benign (polyps) and malignant tumors (gallbladder carcinoma and lymphoma), and other disease processes can be seen in cholelithiasis, cholesterosis, thickened gallbladder wall, and Mirrizzi syndrome.
Acceleration of nitric oxide autoxidation and nitrosation by membranes
Authors: Möller Matias N. , Li Qian , Lancaster Jack R. , Denicola Ana
Published: July 2007

The reaction between nitric oxide (•NO) and oxygen yields reactive species capable of oxidizing and nitrosating proteins, as well as deaminating DNA bases. Although this reaction is considered too slow to be biologically relevant, it has been shown that membranes, lipoproteins, mitochondria and possibly proteins can accelerate this reaction. This effect stems from the higher solubility of both •NO and O2in the hydrophobic phase of these biological particles, leading to a concentration of both reagents and so a higher rate of reaction. It has been determined that this reaction occurs from 30 to 300 times more rapidly within the membrane, while even higher values have been suggested for proteins. The autoxidation of •NO in membranes is not the main route for cellular •NO consumption but an important consequence of this phenomenon is to focus the generation of significant amounts of oxidizing and nitrosating molecules (nitrogen dioxide and dinitrogen trioxide) in the small volume comprised by cellular membranes. Even so, these reactive species are diffusible and their ultimate fate will depend on the reactivity towards available substrates rather than on physical barriers. The acceleration of •NO autoxidation by biological hydrophobic phases may thus be a general phenomenon that increases in importance in cases of •NO overproduction.
IUBMB Life, 59: 243‐248, 2007
Reduced mitochondrial DNA copy number is correlated with tumor progression and prognosis in Chinese breast cancer patients
Authors: Yu Man , Zhou Yunli , Shi Yurong , Ning Liansheng , Yang Yi , Wei Xiyin , Zhang Ning , Hao Xishan , Niu Ruifang
Published: July 2007

Somatic mutations and large‐scale depletion in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been extensively detected in various human cancers. However, it still remains unclear whether the alterations in mtDNA content are related to the clinicopathological parameters and patient prognosis in breast cancer. In the present study, we analyzed the copy number of mtDNA in 59 cases of invasive breast tumors and paired nontumorous tissues using quantitative real‐time PCR. Our data showed that the level of mtDNA was significantly decreased in tumor tissues as compared to the adjacent nontumorous counterparts (P = 0.001). The reduced copy number in mtDNA was associated with an older onset age (≥50 years old, P = 0.035) as well as a higher histological grade (P = 0.012). Survival analysis measured by the Kaplan‐Meier curves and the log‐rank test indicated that patients with reduced mtDNA content had significantly poorer disease‐free survival (DFS, P = 0.0079) and overall survival (OS, P = 0.011) rate. In addition, tumors harboring mutations in displacement (D)‐loop region, particularly at the polycytidine stretch (T/N ratio = 64.3 ± 8.2%) or close to the replication origins of the heavy‐strand (T/N ratio = 68.7 ± 5.5%), had a significantly lower copy number of mtDNA than the ones without D‐loop alterations. Together, our results suggested that reduced copy number of mtDNA may be involved in breast neoplastic transformation or progression and mtDNA content might be potentially used as a tool to predict prognosis. Somatic mutation in the D‐loop region probably is one of key contributing factors leading to decreased mtDNA level in breast tumors.
iubmb Life, 59: 450‐457, 2007
Where Consumers Diverge from Others: Identity Signaling and Product Domains
Authors: Berger Jonah , Heath Chip
Published: July 2007

We propose that consumers often make choices that diverge from those of others to ensure that they effectively communicate desired identities. Consistent with this identity-signaling perspective, four studies illustrate that consumers are more likely to diverge from majorities, or members of other social groups, in product domains that are seen as symbolic of identity (e.g., music or hairstyles, rather than backpacks or stereos). In identity domains, participants avoided options preferred by majorities and abandoned preferences shared with majorities. The social group associated with a product influenced choice more in identity domains and when a given product was framed as identity relevant. People diverge, in part, to avoid communicating undesired identities.
Plasma shut-down with fast impurity puff on ASDEX Upgrade
Authors: Pautasso G. , Fuchs C.J. , Gruber O. , Maggi C.F. , Maraschek M. , Pütterich T. , Rohde V. , Wittmann C. , Wolfrum E. , Cierpka P. , Beck M. ,   the ASDEX Upgrade Team
Published: July 2007

The massive injection of impurity gas into a plasma has been proved to reduce forces and localized thermal loads caused by disruptions in tokamaks. This mitigation system is routinely used on ASDEX Upgrade to shut down plasmas with a locked mode. The plasma response to impurity injection and the mechanism of reduction of the mechanical forces is discussed in the paper.
Home range and elevated egg densities within an inshore spawning ground of coastal cod
Authors: Espeland Sigurd Heiberg , Gundersen Ailin Fernløf , Olsen Esben Moland , Knutsen Halvor , Gjøsæter Jakob , Stenseth Nils C.
Published: July 2007

Espeland, S. H., Gundersen, A. F., Olsen, E. M., Knutsen, H., Gjøsæter, J., and Stenseth, N. C. 2007. Home range and elevated egg densities within an inshore spawning ground of coastal cod. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 920–928. Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) along the Norwegian Skagerrak coast are structured into genetically distinct local populations. Mechanisms contributing to this genetic structure may include spawning site fidelity of adult cod as well as retention of pelagic early life stages close to the spawning grounds. Spawning in sheltered inshore localities is likely to favour retention of eggs and larvae, the opposite situation to offshore spawning. A combined study was made of area utilization by adult cod and the distribution of cod eggs within an inshore locality of the Norwegian Skagerrak coast. The behaviour of adult cod was studied using acoustic telemetry and kernel modelling, and eggs were sampled throughout the spawning season. Generalized additive models were applied to test hypotheses about the spatial dynamics of the eggs, and the best model described a central spawning area that retained its integrity through time. Adult cod were confined to small parts of the study area and remained there throughout the spawning season. The average home range of the adult cod was 27 ha. Overall, the study demonstrated two mechanisms by which coastal (i.e. inshore) cod maintain their population structure: spawning site fidelity and the spatial dynamics of their eggs.
Effects of an area closed to fisheries on the composition of the benthic fauna in the southern North Sea
Authors: Duineveld Gerard C. A. , Bergman Magda J. N. , Lavaleye Marc S. S.
Published: July 2007

Duineveld, G. C. A., Bergman, M. J. N., and Lavaleye, M. S. S. 2007. Effects of an area closed to fisheries on the composition of the benthic fauna in the southern North Sea. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 899–908. The effects of fishery exclusion on the composition of the macrofauna were determined by comparing the fishery-exclusion zone around a gas production platform in the southern North Sea (Frisian Front) with nearby regularly fished areas. A Triple-D dredge was used, in addition to a standard box corer, to collect the relatively rare and larger species. Multivariate analysis showed greater species richness, evenness, and abundance of mud shrimps (Callianassa subterranea, Upogebia deltaura) and fragile bivalves (Arctica islandica, Thracia convexa, Dosinia lupinus, Abra nitida, Cultellus pellucidus) in the Triple-D samples from the exclusion area. Although box cores did confirm the higher abundance of both mud shrimps in the exclusion zone and demonstrated greater densities of the brittlestar Amphiura filiformis, they did not clearly reveal the distinctness of the exclusion zone. This is attributed to the large proportion of small, short-living species in the samples and the relative scarcity of vulnerable larger species common to all the box core samples. There was no evidence of greater recruitment in the relative small exclusion zone, despite its positive effect on adult survival. The observation that the fishery affects deep-living mud shrimps may point to consequences for the functioning of the benthic ecosystem other than simple loss of biodiversity.
Investigation of seabed fishing impacts on benthic structure using multi-beam sonar, sidescan sonar, and video
Authors: Malik Mashkoor A. , Mayer Larry A.
Published: July 2007

Malik, M. A., and Mayer, L. A. 2007. Investigation of seabed fishing impacts on benthic structure using multi-beam sonar, sidescan sonar, and video. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 1053–1065. Long, linear furrows of lengths up to several kilometres were observed during a recent high-resolution, multi-beam bathymetry survey of Jeffreys Ledge, a prominent fishing ground in the Gulf of Maine located about 50 km from Portsmouth, NH, USA. These features, which have a relief of only a few centimetres, are presumed to be caused either directly by dredging gear used in the area for scallop and clam fisheries, or indirectly through the dragging of boulders by bottom gear. Extraction of these features with very small vertical expression from a noisy data set, including several instrumental artefacts, presented a number of challenges. To enhance the detection and identification of the features, data artefacts were identified and removed selectively using spatial frequency filtering. Verification of the presence of the features was carried out with repeated multi-beam bathymetry surveys and sidescan sonar surveys. Seabed marks that were clearly detected on multi-beam and sidescan sonar records were not discernible on a subsequent video survey. The inability to see the seabed marks with video may be related to their age. The fact that with time, the textural contrasts discernible by video imagery are lost has important ramifications for the appropriateness of methodologies for quantifying gear impact. The results imply that detailed investigations of seabed impact are best done with a suite of survey tools (multi-beam bathymetry, sidescan sonar, and video) and software to integrate the disparate data sets geographically.
Biological oceanography and fisheries management: perspective after 10 years
Authors: Platt Trevor , Sathyendranath Shubha , Fuentes-Yaco César
Published: July 2007

Platt, T., Sathyendranath, S., and Fuentes-Yaco, C., 2007. Biological oceanography and fisheries management: perspective after 10 years. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 863–869. Despite 100 years of research into the relationship between oceanographic factors and fish recruitment, it has proved very difficult to demonstrate causal connections between properties of the marine ecosystem and the success of fisheries. Some authors have been led to conclude that such causal connections, therefore, do not exist: a corollary would be that biological oceanography is of limited relevance to fisheries issues. However, it would be premature to dismiss biological oceanography as a tool in fisheries management. If we have not been able to implicate ecosystem factors as a significant source of variance in fish recruitment, it may be because the search has been conducted at an inappropriate scale, a consequence of the limitations of ships as oceanographic platforms. The advent of remotely sensed data from satellites greatly extends the scales of time and space at which synoptic oceanography can be carried out. Access to such data allows a wider range of hypotheses to be tested, than is possible with ships alone, on the relationship between ecosystem factors and recruitment. Applications in both the Atlantic and Pacific have demonstrated strong fluctuations between years in the timing and the intensity of phytoplankton dynamics, with implications for recruitment and growth of exploited populations of fish and invertebrates. The results provide essential intelligence for those charged with stewardship of the marine environment.
The complexity of narrowband echo envelopes as a function of fish side-aspect angle
Authors: Burwen Debby L. , Nealson Patrick A. , Fleischman Steven J. , Mulligan Timothy J. , Horne John K.
Published: July 2007

Burwen, D. L., Nealson, P. A., Fleischman, S. J., Mulligan, T. J., and Horne, J. K. 2007. The complexity of narrowband echo envelopes as a function of fish side-aspect angle. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 1066–1074. High-frequency, narrowband acoustic signals may contain more information on fish size and orientation than previously thought. Our observations of dual frequency identification sonar (DIDSON) images of fish orientation paired with split-beam echo envelopes helped clarify why metrics such as echo duration have performed better than target strength measurements when predicting salmon lengths at side aspect. Fish orientation has a pronounced effect on the duration and shape of split-beam echo envelopes from large (80–130 cm) salmon insonified at side aspect. At near-normal aspect angles, echo envelopes are unimodal, symmetrical, and resemble echo envelopes from calibration spheres. With increasing oblique-aspect angle, echo shapes become less symmetrical as the number of peaks increases, and echo duration and amplitude become more variable. Using angle and range coordinates, peaks in an echo envelope can be traced to their origin on a DIDSON image. At oblique-aspect angles, discrete peaks develop that are reflected from regions close to the head and tail. In addition, the distance between peaks increases with increasing aspect angle and is larger than can be explained by swimbladder length.
Distribution and migration of saithe (Pollachius virens) around Iceland inferred from mark-recapture studies
Authors: Armannsson Hlynur , Jonsson Sigurdur Th. , Neilson John D. , Marteinsdottir Gudrun
Published: July 2007

Armannsson, H., Jonsson, S. Th., Neilson, J. D., and Marteinsdottir, G. 2007. Distribution and migration of saithe (Pollachius virens) around Iceland inferred from mark-recapture studies. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 1006–1016.

Knowledge of the distribution and migration of populations is necessary to identify and conserve stock components and therefore genetic variability. Compared with other gadoid species, little is known about the life history of saithe (Pollachius virens) (known as pollock in the Northwest Atlantic) or its stock components. About 15 800 saithe were tagged near Iceland from 2000 to 2004 to estimate population parameters, to describe saithe dynamics on the Icelandic shelf, and to monitor long-distance migrations, should they occur. A multiplicative model was used to standardize fishing effort to describe the distribution of the tagged population, based on tag returns from the fishery. Saithe have a high affinity to their tagging area, but move considerably within that area. Because of variability in fishing effort among areas, tagged fish exhibit different area-specific catchabilities. The results also indicate seasonal offshore–inshore migrations during summer and variability in migratory routes among different tagging areas related to affinities to different feeding grounds. This could indicate a more complex stock structure than previously thought. Finally, results to date do not indicate large-scale emigration of saithe from Icelandic fishing grounds.