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Differences Only (difference + only)
Kinds of Differences Only Selected AbstractsEffects of in utero exposure to 2,2,,4,4,,5,5,-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 153) on somatic growth and endocrine status in rat offspringCONGENITAL ANOMALIES, Issue 4 2008Kenichi Kobayashi ABSTRACT Exposure to polychlorobiphenyl (PCB) mixtures at an early stage of development has been reported to affect endocrine glands; however, little is known about the precise toxicological properties of individual PCB. The present study was undertaken to determine whether prenatal exposure to 2,2,,4,4,,5,5,-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 153), a di- ortho -substituted non-coplanar congener, affects postnatal development in rat offspring. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (Crj: CD (SD) IGS) were given PCB 153 (0, 16, or 64 mg/kg/day) orally from gestational day (GD) 10 through GD 16, and developmental parameters in the male and female offspring were examined. We found no dose-dependent changes in body weight, body length (nose,anus length), tail length, or the weights of kidneys, testes, ovaries and uterus in offspring at 1 or 3 weeks of age. Liver weights were increased in the PCB 153,treated groups, although we observed a significant difference only in males. Anogenital distance was unaffected in the PCB 153,treated groups. We observed a significant dose-dependent decrease in the plasma concentrations of thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine, whereas those of thyroid-stimulating hormone were not significantly changed. In addition, there were no dose-dependent changes in plasma concentrations of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I in any dose group. These findings suggest that prenatal exposure to PCB 153 (GD 10,16, 16,64 mg/kg/day) may alter the thyroid status in rat offspring to some extent without affecting somatic growth or its related hormonal parameters. [source] Assessment of Markers for Identifying Patients at Risk for Life-Threatening Arrhythmic Events in Brugada SyndromeJOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1 2005YOUICHI AJIRO M.D. Introduction: Risk stratification for life-threatening arrhythmic events in Brugada syndrome is not yet established. The aim of the present study was to examine the usefulness of various markers in predicting life-threatening arrhythmic events in the Brugada syndrome. Methods and Results: Forty-six patients with Brugada-type ECGs were categorized into the symptomatic (n = 28) and asymptomatic (n = 18) groups. Statistical analyses were performed with respect to the usefulness of the following markers: SCN5A mutation, pharmacologic challenge, ventricular fibrillation (VF) inducibility by programmed electrical stimulation, and late potential (LP) by signal-averaged ECG (SAECG). Comparison between the two groups revealed a significant difference only in LP positivity (92.6% vs 47.1%, P = 0.0004). The symptomatic group had significantly lower RMS40, longer LAS40, and longer fQRSd compared with the asymptomatic group. A significant difference was noted, especially RMS40. The positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and predictive accuracy when setting a cutoff value of 15 ,V were 92.0%, 78.9%, and 86.4%, respectively. Furthermore, patients with an RMS40 value <15 ,V (n = 25) showed significantly higher rates of VF recurrence compared with patients with an RMS40 value , 15 ,V (n = 19, P = 0.047). Conclusion: Regarding risk stratification for identifying high-risk patients in Brugada syndrome, only LP by SAECG was shown to be useful, suggesting the importance of RMS40 in predicting the history of life-threatening arrhythmic events and the recurrence of VF. [source] Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Essential Hyperhidrosis: Dynamic Influence of Sympathetic and Parasympathetic ManeuversANNALS OF NONINVASIVE ELECTROCARDIOLOGY, Issue 1 2005Dayimi Kaya M.D. Background: Essential hyperhidrosis has been associated with an increased activity of the sympathetic system. In this study, we investigated cardiac autonomic function in patients with essential hyperhidrosis and healthy controls by time and frequency domain analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). Method: In this study, 12 subjects with essential hyperhidrosis and 20 healthy subjects were included. Time and frequency domain parameters of HRV were obtained from all of the participants after a 15-minute resting period in supine position, during controlled respiration (CR) and handgrip exercise (HGE) in sitting position over 5-minute periods in each stage. Results: Baseline values of HRV parameters including RR interval, SDNN and root mean square of successive R-R interval differences, low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), normalized unit of high frequency (HFnu), normalized unit of low frequency (LFnu), and LF/HF ratio were identical in two groups. During CR, no difference was detected between the two groups with respect to HRV parameters. However, the expected increase in mean heart rate (mean R-R interval) did not occur in hyperhidrotic group, whereas it did occur in the control group (Friedman's P = 0.000). Handgrip exercise induced significant decrease in mean R-R interval in both groups and no difference was detected between the two groups with respect to the other HRV parameters. When repeated measurements were compared with two-way ANOVA, there was statistically significant difference only regarding mean heart rate in two groups (F = 6.5; P = 0.01). Conclusion: Our overall findings suggest that essential hyperhidrosis is a complex autonomic dysfunction rather than sympathetic overactivity, and parasympathetic system seems to be involved in pathogenesis of this disorder. [source] Evaluation of anti-wrinkle effects of a novel cosmetic containing niacinamideTHE JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 10 2008Akira KAWADA ABSTRACT Niacinamide is known to have effectiveness on sallowness, wrinkling, red blotchiness and hyperpigmented spots in aging skin. In this study, we have evaluated the anti-wrinkle effects of a new cosmetic containing niacinamide. A randomized, placebo-controlled, split face study was performed in 30 healthy Japanese females who had wrinkles in the eye areas. The tested cosmetic containing 4% niacinamide was applied on wrinkles of one side for 8 weeks, and a control cosmetic without niacinamide on another site. Anti-wrinkle effects were evaluated with two methods: (i) doctors' observation and photographs based on the guideline of the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association; and (ii) average roughness of skin surface (Ra value) using skin replica. This cosmetic showed marked and moderate improvement in 64% of the subjects with a significant difference as compared with the control site (P < 0.001). Wrinkle grades in the tested area significantly reduced more than pre-application (P < 0.001) and the control (P < 0.001). Reduction in Ra value on the tested area was more than pre-application (P < 0.01) and the control site (P < 0.05) with significant differences Only one subject stopped the study with minimal irritation. These results indicated that the tested lotion was well tolerated and may be an optional preparation for the treatment of wrinkles in the eye areas. [source] The symbolic identity implications of inter and intra-group transgressionsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Tyler G. Okimoto The current investigation proposes that symbolic identity concerns underlie retributive desires following a transgression, but that the type of identity concern that primarily drives that retribution varies between intra and intergroup contexts. More specifically, a respondent's social identity may be threatened by calling into question his or her ingroup's status and power in the larger superordinate society, a concern that is particularly relevant in intergroup contexts. Identity may also be threatened by questioning a group's identity-defining values, a concern that is particularly relevant in intragroup contexts. In support of these assertions, the current study shows that desires for retribution following an intergroup terrorist attack were stronger when the attack was framed as attempting to undermine the victimized nation's status/power, but were stronger following an intragroup terrorist attack when framed as attempting to undermine national values. Moreover, these differences only occurred for respondents high in national identification, underscoring that the effects are based on identity processes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Biofeedback-Assisted Relaxation in Migraine Headache: Relationship to Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity in the Middle Cerebral ArteryHEADACHE, Issue 3 2003Sachinder Vasudeva MD Objective.,To determine if migraineurs with aura respond differently to biofeedback/relaxation than those without aura and, if so, whether the variability in outcome can be explained by blood flow velocity. Background.,The relationship between cerebral blood flow velocity and treatment response to biofeedback/relaxation in migraine with and without aura is uncertain. Method.,Twenty migraineurs underwent 12 sessions of biofeedback/relaxation therapy, while 20 controls simply were told to relax on their own. Cerebral blood flow velocity was measured bilaterally in the middle cerebral artery with transcranial Doppler. Results.,The biofeedback group showed significant (P < .05) reductions in pain, depression, and anxiety compared to the control group. Patients with and without aura did equally well. There were significant (P < .05) left to right blood flow velocity differences only in the migraine with aura group. Maximum blood flow velocities were significantly higher (P < .05) in the migraine with aura group than in the cohort without aura. There was an inverse correlation between indicators of anxiety and blood flow velocity, perhaps related to hyperventilation-induced constriction in the small vessels distal to the middle cerebral artery. Conclusion.,The positive treatment response to biofeedback/relaxation in migraine headache is not related to presence of aura, nor to changes in blood flow velocity, but may be associated with reduction in anxiety and depression. [source] Variability of Organic Matter Processing in a Mediterranean Coastal LagoonINTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF HYDROBIOLOGY, Issue 5-6 2004Margarita Menéndez Abstract The spatial variability of plant organic matter processing was studied experimentally in a shallow coastal lagoon (Tancada lagoon, average depth: 37 cm, area: 1.8 km2) in the Ebro River Delta (NE Spain). To determine the effect of hydrology and sediment characteristics on plant organic matter processing, leaves of Phragmites australis at the end of its vegetative cycle and whole plants of Ruppia cirrhosa(Petagna) Grande, just abscised, were enclosed in litter bags. Two different mesh sizes (100 ,m and 2 mm) were used to study the effect of macroinvertebrates on decomposition. The bags were placed in the water column and approximately 15 cm above the sediment at 6 different locations in the lagoon. The experiment was performed twice, in autumn-winter and spring-summer. The effect of macroinvertebrates on decomposition rate was not significant in Tancada lagoon. Breakdown rates showed spatial differences only in spring-summer. In the autumn-winter experiment, the effect of strong wind masked the effects of environmental variables and hydrology on decomposition rate. In the spring-summer experiment, characterised by high stability of the water column, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentration in the water column and organic matter in the sediment were the main factors determining the variability of organic matter processing. A positive relationship was calculated between P. australis decomposition rate and dissolved inorganic nitrogen in spring-summer (r2 = 0.92, p < 0.001). (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Disjunct distributions in Gerris species (Insecta: Hemiptera: Gerridae): an analysis based on spatial and taxonomic patterns of genetic diversityJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 1 2010M.-C. Gagnon Abstract Aim, To perform a comparative analysis of distribution and genetic diversity in three closely related water strider species (Gerris) in order to shed light on a putative disjunct distribution in Gerris gillettei. Location, Canada and the western United States. Methods, Entomological collections from Canada and the United States were surveyed for records of Gerris pingreensis, G. gillettei and Gerris incognitus in order to establish the distribution range of each species. Using samples from present populations, mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence variation were used to construct minimum-spanning networks. Distribution patterns and genetic diversity were then compared among species. Results, Our results showed that G. incognitus is a genetically distinct species with an unsuspected disjunct distribution. Gerris pingreensis and G. gillettei were found to share genetic polymorphism and they displayed spatial differences only in terms of haplotype distribution, suggesting that they form a single species. Main conclusions, Distributional and molecular information uncover unusual distribution patterns and underline taxonomic uncertainty in a group of three closely related Gerris species. Vicariance and failure to recolonize following the last glaciation could explain the G. incognitus disjunction. Morphological and DNA-based species identifications suggest different post-glacial recolonization processes for G. pingreensis and G. gillettei. The putative discontinuous range of G. gillettei may be explained as disjunct phenotypes of a single species. [source] Targeted Deletion of the Sclerostin Gene in Mice Results in Increased Bone Formation and Bone Strength,,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 6 2008Xiaodong Li Abstract Introduction: Sclerosteosis is a rare high bone mass genetic disorder in humans caused by inactivating mutations in SOST, the gene encoding sclerostin. Based on these data, sclerostin has emerged as a key negative regulator of bone mass. We generated SOST knockout (KO) mice to gain a more detailed understanding of the effects of sclerostin deficiency on bone. Materials and Methods: Gene targeting was used to inactivate SOST and generate a line of SOST KO mice. Radiography, densitometry, ,CT, histomorphometry, and mechanical testing were used to characterize the impact of sclerostin deficiency on bone in male and female mice. Comparisons were made between same sex KO and wildtype (WT) mice. Results: The results for male and female SOST KO mice were similar, with differences only in the magnitude of some effects. SOST KO mice had increased radiodensity throughout the skeleton, with general skeletal morphology being normal in appearance. DXA analysis of lumbar vertebrae and whole leg showed that there was a significant increase in BMD (>50%) at both sites. ,CT analysis of femur showed that bone volume was significantly increased in both the trabecular and cortical compartments. Histomorphometry of trabecular bone revealed a significant increase in osteoblast surface and no significant change in osteoclast surface in SOST KO mice. The bone formation rate in SOST KO mice was significantly increased for trabecular bone (>9-fold) at the distal femur, as well as for the endocortical and periosteal surfaces of the femur midshaft. Mechanical testing of lumbar vertebrae and femur showed that bone strength was significantly increased at both sites in SOST KO mice. Conclusions:SOST KO mice have a high bone mass phenotype characterized by marked increases in BMD, bone volume, bone formation, and bone strength. These results show that sclerostin is a key negative regulator of a powerful, evolutionarily conserved bone formation pathway that acts on both trabecular and cortical bone. [source] Karyotyping of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata from patients with Candida sepsisMYCOSES, Issue 5-6 2000Klempp-Selb The aim of this study was to determine the relatedness of Candida strains from patients suffering from Candida septicaemia by typing of Candida isolates from blood cultures and different body sites by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE using a contour-clamped homogenous electric field, CHEF). We studied 17 isolates of Candida albicans and 10 isolates of Candida glabrata from six patients. Four patients suffered from a C. albicans septicaemia, one patient from a C. glabrata septicaemia, and one patient had a mixed septicaemia with C. albicans and C. glabrata. Eight isolates from blood cultures were compared with 19 isolates of other sites (stool six, urine four, genital swab four, tip of central venous catheter three, tracheal secretion one, sputum one). PFGE typing resulted in 10 different patterns, four with C. albicans and six with C. glabrata. Five of the six patients had strains of identical PFGE patterns in the blood and at other sites. Seven isolates of a 58-year-old female with a C. glabrata septicaemia fell into five different PFGE patterns. However, they showed minor differences only, which may be due to chromosomal rearrangements within a single strain. Thus it appears, that the colonizing Candida strains were identical to the circulating strains in the bloodstream in at least five of six patients. [source] Roles of perinatal problems on adolescent antisocial behaviors among children born after 33 completed weeks: a prospective investigationTHE JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, Issue 10 2008Yoko Nomura Background:, There is uncertainty about the extent to which mildly sub-optimal perinatal characteristics among individuals born near-term (>33 weeks of gestation) are associated with various subsequent childhood problems, including antisocial behavior. There is even more uncertainty about whether the pathway to antisocial behavior differs by gender. Methods:, A sample of 1689 infants, born near-term, was followed from birth for over 30 years. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), the study evaluated hypothesized mechanisms linking perinatal problems to antisocial behavior, mediated through the following variables in early and later childhood: neurological abnormalities at age 1; hearing, speech, and language problems at age 3; cognitive function at age 4; and academic performance at age 7. Childhood problems were assessed by trained research clinicians, blind to perinatal status. An ,antisocial behavior' variable was created, based on retrospective self-report of six antisocial incidences assessed in adulthood. Results:, Path coefficients showed that birthweight, head circumference, and Apgar scores were indirectly associated with antisocial behavior in the presence of one or more of the following: neurological abnormalities, abnormality in language, speech, and hearing, cognitive function, or academic performance. We found gender differences only in the associations between hearing and IQ and between language perception and IQ. Poor academic performance was associated with antisocial behavior in both boys and girls. Conclusion:, Our hypothesis, that perinatal problems may progress to antisocial behavior when mediated by various markers of early childhood problems, was confirmed. Adverse perinatal events need to be considered in identifying infants who are at risk for academic problems and antisocial behavior, even when the infant is born relatively close to term (i.e., >33 weeks). Poor academic performance, which is indirectly influenced by a variety of neurological and cognitive problems during the perinatal period, infancy, and early childhood appear to increase antisocial behavioral problems in both girls and boys. [source] Training and testing music skills in a boy with autism using a matching-to-sample formatBEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS, Issue 2 2010Erik Arntzen A 16-year old boy with autism was taught music skills using a matching to sample procedure. He was trained and subsequently tested for the formation of four 4-member classes, including different visual music stimuli, and Norwegian and Vietnamese labels for different major and minor chords. Four different stimuli sets were trained both in one-to-many (OTM) and many-to-one (MTO) training structures. Further, we explored if the reaction times to comparison stimuli increased from training to testing. Results showed that the participant formed equivalence classes with music relations. Furthermore, there were small differences only between OTM and MTO with respect to stimulus equivalence responding. The reaction times to comparison stimuli increased from training to testing, and were most pronounced for the equivalence trials. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] New Insight and Old Dilemma: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Japan and the United StatesCHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 5 2000Takie Sugiyama Lebra Conflict in close relationships, or ,generative tension,' characterizes both the United States and Japan, with differences only in the style and timing of its manifestation. The potentially fruitful strategy of Rothbaum et al.'s article is constrained by their cross-cultural comparative methodology. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||