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Terms modified by Distinguished Selected AbstractsWittgenstein Distinguished: A Response to Pieranna GaravasoPHILOSOPHICAL INVESTIGATIONS, Issue 1 2000Danièle Moyal-Sharrock First page of article [source] Transesophageal Contrast Echocardiography Distinguishes a Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus from Spontaneous Echo ContrastECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 4 2002Giso Von Der Recke M.A. No abstract is available for this article. [source] Favorable Response to Analgesics Does Not Predict a Benign Etiology of HeadacheHEADACHE, Issue 6 2008Jennifer V. Pope MD Background., Distinguishing between primary and secondary headaches (HAs) is essential for the safe and effective management of patients with HA. A favorable response to analgesics may be observed with both classes of HAs and therefore is not a good predictor of who needs further evaluation. Objective., To systematically review the data that a favorable response to analgesics including triptans should not be used to exclude a serious secondary cause of HA. Design., PubMed search of English-language articles between 1980 and 2007 and reference lists of these articles. Two authors independently reviewed articles for study results and quality. Inclusion was based on 100% agreement between authors. We included articles that described secondary HAs as (1) having a favorable response to analgesics and/or (2) having a favorable response to sumatriptan. Of the 548 studies identified by our search strategy, 18 were included in our final analysis. Results., Seven of the 18 studies found that 46/103 patients (44%) described a significant or complete resolution of secondary HA from medications such as anti-emetics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Eleven of the 18 articles including 25/25 patients (100%) described a significant or complete resolution of secondary HA from sumatriptan, a serotonin 5HT agonist. Conclusions., A favorable response to analgesics including triptans should not be used to exclude a serious secondary cause of HA. [source] Distinguishing between task and contextual performance for nurses: development of a job performance scaleJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 6 2007Jaimi H. Greenslade Abstract Title.,Distinguishing between task and contextual performance for nurses: development of a job performance scale Aim., This paper is a report of a development and validation of a new job performance scale based on an established job performance model. Background., Previous measures of nursing quality are atheoretical and fail to incorporate the complete range of behaviours performed. Thus, an up-to-date measure of job performance is required for assessing nursing quality. Methods., Test construction involved systematic generation of test items using focus groups, a literature review, and an expert review of test items. A pilot study was conducted to determine the multidimensional nature of the taxonomy and its psychometric properties. All data were collected in 2005. Findings., The final version of the nursing performance taxonomy included 41 behaviours across eight dimensions of job performance. Results from preliminary psychometric investigations suggest that the nursing performance scale has good internal consistency, good convergent validity and good criterion validity. Conclusion., The findings give preliminary support for a new job performance scale as a reliable and valid tool for assessing nursing quality. However, further research using a larger sample and nurses from a broader geographical region is required to cross-validate the measure. This scale may be used to guide hospital managers regarding the quality of nursing care within units and to guide future research in the area. [source] Using pulsed gradient spin echo NMR for chemical mixture analysis: How to obtain optimum resultsCONCEPTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE, Issue 4 2002Brian Antalek Abstract Pulsed gradient spin echo NMR is a powerful technique for measuring diffusion coefficients. When coupled with appropriate data processing schemes, the technique becomes an exceptionally valuable tool for mixture analysis, the separation of which is based on the molecular size. Extremely fine differentiation may be possible in the diffusion dimension but only with high-quality data. For fully resolved resonances, components with diffusion coefficients that differ by less than 2% may be distinguished in mixtures. For highly overlapped resonances, the resolved spectra of pure components with diffusion coefficients that differ by less than 30% may be obtained. In order to achieve the best possible data quality one must be aware of the primary sources of artifacts and incorporate the necessary means to alleviate them. The origin of these artifacts are described, along with the methods necessary to observe them. Practical solutions are presented. Examples are shown that demonstrate the effects of the artifacts on the acquired data set. Many mixture analysis problems may be addressed with conventional high resolution pulsed field gradient probe technology delivering less than 0.5 T m,1 (50 G cm,1). © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson 14: 225,258, 2002. [source] A context- and role-driven scientific workflow development patternCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 15 2008Wanchun Dou Abstract Scientific workflow execution often demands data-centric and computation-intensive collaboration efforts, which is typically different from the process-centric workflow execution with fixed execution specifications. Scientific workflow execution often challenges the traditional workflow development strategy in dynamic context management and role definition. In view of this observation, application context spectrums are firstly distinguished from different profiles of scientific workflow development. Then, a role enactment strategy is proposed for enabling workflow execution in certain application context. They jointly enhance the validity of a scientific workflow development through clearly articulating the correlation between computational subjects and computational objects engaged in scientific workflow system. Furthermore, a novel context- and role-driven scientific workflow development pattern is proposed for enacting a scientific workflow system on the Grid. Finally, a case study is presented to demonstrate the generic natures of the methods in this paper. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Unofficial international conflict resolution: Is there a Track 1½?CONFLICT RESOLUTION QUARTERLY, Issue 1 2009Are there best practices? Analysis of twenty-four cases of unofficial international conflict resolution initiatives, done according to similarities across seven variables, shows that the practice of "Track 1½" diplomacy is distinct from Track 2 diplomacy. Furthermore, these initiatives are distinguished by their focus on process or diverse goals. Multidimensional scaling organized the cases into four groupings of similar initiatives: Track 1½ process-focused, Track 1½ diversified, Track 2 process-focused, and Track 2 diversified. The variety of approaches used in these twenty-four cases of high-quality international conflict resolution initiatives suggests best practices. These practices should be considered sensitive to context rather than a standard set of procedures used regardless of conflict environment. [source] From Red Lists to Species of Conservation ConcernCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2004VERENA KELLER aves; conservación de especies; listas rojas; prioridades de conservación; Suiza Abstract:,National red lists of threatened animal and plant species prepared according to the criteria of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) adequately reflect the extinction risk of species within a country but cannot be used directly to set conservation priorities. In particular, the significance of national populations for the conservation of the species as a whole is not taken into account. We present a procedure that can be used to assess national responsibility based on the national red-list status of a species, the international importance of the national population, and the species' "historical rarity" status. We distinguished five responsibility classes for breeding birds: B1, threatened species with internationally important populations in Switzerland; B2, threatened species with internationally less important populations; B3, nonthreatened species with internationally important populations; B4, nonthreatened species with internationally less important populations; and B5, species that have never been common in Switzerland. Two responsibility classes were distinguished for birds occurring in Switzerland as visitors: G1, species with large concentrations in Switzerland and an unfavorable conservation status in Europe, and G2, species with large concentrations in Switzerland and a favorable conservation status in Europe. Two additional classes (G3 and G4) for visiting species occurring in internationally less important numbers are possible but were not analyzed in detail. Responsibility classes B1, B2, B3, G1, and G2 were defined as species of national conservation concern. We developed the method for birds in Switzerland, but it can be used in other countries and for other taxonomic groups as well. It is particularly suitable where national red lists are established according to IUCN guidelines. Resumen:,Las listas rojas nacionales de especies de animales y plantas amenazadas que siguen los criterios de la World Conservation Union (IUCN) reflejan adecuadamente el riesgo de extinción de especies en un país pero no pueden ser utilizadas directamente para definir prioridades de conservación. En particular, no se toma en cuenta el significado de poblaciones nacionales para la conservación de especies como tales. Presentamos un procedimiento que se puede utilizar para evaluar la responsabilidad nacional con base en el estatus de lista roja de una especie en un país, la importancia internacional de la población nacional y el estatus de "rareza histórica" de la especie. Distinguimos cinco clases de responsabilidad para aves residentes: B1, especies amenazadas con poblaciones internacionalmente importantes en Suiza; B2, especies amenazadas con poblaciones internacionalmente menos importantes; B3, especies no amenazadas con poblaciones internacionalmente importantes; B4, especies no amenazadas con poblaciones internacionalmente menos importantes; y B5, especies que nunca han sido comunes en Suiza. Se distinguieron dos clases de responsabilidad para aves que ocurren como visitantes en Suiza: G1, especies con grandes concentraciones en Suiza y un estatus de conservación desfavorable en Europa y G2, especies con grandes concentraciones en Suiza y un estatus de conservación favorable en Europa. Son posibles dos clases más, (G3 y G4) para especies visitantes que ocurren en números menos importantes internacionalmente, pero no fueron analizados en detalle. Las clases de responsabilidad B1, B2, B3, G1 y G2 fueron definidas como especies de interés nacional para la conservación. Desarrollamos el método para aves en Suiza, pero también se puede utilizar en otros países y con otros grupos taxonómicos, Es particularmente adecuado donde las listas rojas nacionales se establecen de acuerdo con lineamientos de IUCN. [source] Clustering: An Essential Step from Diverging to ConvergingCREATIVITY AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2007Marc Tassoul Within the context of new product development processes and the Creative Problem Solving (CPS) process, the authors have come to the view that clustering is to be seen as a separate step in the process of diverging and converging. Clustering is generally presented as part of the converging stages, and as such categorized as a selection technique, which in the authors' view does not do justice to this activity. It is about expanding knowledge, about connecting ideas, and connecting ideas to problem statements, functionalities, and values and consequences. It is about building a shared understanding, in other words about ,making sense', an essential creative activity in the development of concepts and, although different from a more freewheeling divergent phase, can be as creative and maybe even more so. Four kinds of clusterings are distinguished: object clustering, morphological clustering, functional clustering and gestalt clustering. Object clustering is mainly aimed at categorizing ideas into an overviewable set of groups of ideas. No special connections are being made, other then looking for similarities. Morphological clustering is used to split up a problem into subproblems after which the ideas generated are considered as subsolutions which can then be combined into concepts. Functional clustering is interesting when different approaches can be chosen to answer some question. It permits a more strategic choice to be made. Gestalt clustering is a more synthesis like approach, often with a more metaphoric and artistic stance. Collage is a good example of such clustering. General guidelines for clustering are: use a bottom-up process of emergence; postpone early rationalisations and verbalisations; start grouping ideas on the basis of feeling and intuition; and use metaphoric names to identify clusters. [source] The Forensic Inpatient Observation Scale (FIOS): development, reliability and validityCRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 3 2001Irma G.H. Timmerman Introduction Re-offending, as a measure of success in forensic psychiatry, gives no information about other behaviours that may have changed. The development of the Forensic Inpatient Observation Scale (FIOS), an observation instrument to assess the non-offending functioning of forensic patients, is described. Study 1 In the first study the development of the initial item pool of the FIOS is described. This resulted in an instrument consisting of 78 items and seven scales. The internal reliability of the scales ranged from 0.78 to 0.91. The inter-rater reliability of the scales varied from 0.50 to 0.85 and the test,retest reliability over a period of three weeks was high for most scales, ranging from 0.74 to 0.89. Study 2 In the second study the FIOS was developed further in another sample of forensic patients. This time exploratory factor analysis with Varimax rotation and post hoc reliability analysis were applied to determine the factor structure among the items. This resulted in an item pool of 35 items, among which six factors could be distinguished that closely resemble the factor structure of the FIOS in study one: (1) self-care, (2) social behaviour, (3) oppositional behaviour, (4) insight offence/ problems, (5) verbal skills and (6) distress. Most items have high loadings on the factor they are assigned; 29 items have a loading of 0.60 or higher. The internal consistency of the scales ranges from 0.73 to 0.91 and the scales appear to be measuring independent constructs. Twenty-five out of the 35 items have an inter-rater correspondence of 90% or higher and 30 out of 35 items have an inter-rater correspondence of 87.5% or higher. The inter-rater reliability on the scale level, however, was somewhat less satisfying with correlations ranging from 0.50 to 0.69. Discussion It is argued that training the observers on a more regular basis will improve the inter-rater reliability. There is some evidence for the convergent validity of the FIOS. The FIOS has some advantages over existing inpatient scales in that it is developed specifically for forensic patients, it does not particularly focus on axis 1 symptoms but includes oppositional behaviour and attitudes to offending. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] JC-1, a sensitive probe for a simultaneous detection of P-glycoprotein activity and apoptosis in leukemic cellsCYTOMETRY, Issue 3 2006Driss Chaoui Abstract Background JC-1 probe has been successfully used for the analysis of either apoptosis or P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity. Therefore, we wanted to see if JC-1 could also simultaneously assess both, P-gp activity and apoptosis, in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Methods P-gp activity was measured using JC-1 and compared to the results of the Rhodamine 123 (Rh 123) assay in P-gp negative and P-gp positive cell lines, and 12 AML samples. For apoptosis, spontaneous apoptosis, as well as, apoptosis induced by Cytosine Arabinosine and Homoharringtonine were analyzed. Both mitochondrial red fluorescence and cytoplasmic green fluorescence of JC-1 with and without a P-gp inhibitor (Cyclosporine A : CsA) were used for the identification of apoptotic cells, and this was compared to Annexin V/PI staining. Results (1) We found a good correlation between JC-1 and Rh 123 in viable cells. Even in a small population of viable cells, P-gp positive cells emitting low red fluorescence, gained on red fluorescence after P-gp inhibition with CsA permitting an evaluation of P-gp activity. (2) We found a good correlation between the Annexin V/PI staining and JC-1 (P < 0.0001) in the assessment of apoptotic cells. Most importantly, the apoptotic cells could be distinguished by the loss of red fluorescence and the increase of green fluorescence without any change after P-gp inhibition with CsA. Conclusions JC-1 can simultaneously evaluate two important parameters involved in drug resistance in AML cells, P-gp activity and apoptosis. © 2006 International Society for Analytical Cytology [source] Hemangiomas: Evaluation and TreatmentDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 5 2001Scott M. Dinehart MD Background. Hemangiomas are common skin tumors of infancy that have undergone recent changes in nomenclature, methods of evaluation, and treatment. Objective. To review the nomenclature, epidemiology, evaluation, and treatment of common hemangiomas. Methods. A literature search was conducted utilizing MEDLINE and the Cochrane library databases. Text search words used were "hemangioma" and "infancy." The clinical experience of the authors was also used to formulate the review. Results. There have been many advances in nomenclature and therapeutic options for children with hemangiomas. Hemangiomas are proliferative tumors of infancy that should be distinguished from structural malformations, such as port-wine stains and lymphangiomas. Conclusion. Natural involution remains a viable treatment option for the majority of patients with uncomplicated hemangiomas. Excisional surgery, laser, and pharmacologic remedies are indicated for a subset of complicated hemangioma patients. [source] Does food allergy cause atopic dermatitis?DERMATOLOGIC THERAPY, Issue 2 2006Food challenge testing to dissociate eczematous from immediate reactions ABSTRACT:, The objective is to evaluate and diagnose, in a controlled setting, suspected food allergy causation in patients hospitalized for management of severe, unremitting atopic dermatitis (AD). Nineteen children were hospitalized at Oregon Health and Science University with atopic dermatitis from 1986 to 2003 for food restriction, then challenge, following standard recommendations. Challenges were prioritized by categories of (a) critical foods (e.g., milk, wheat, egg, soy); (b) important foods; and (c) other suspected foods. Patients were closely observed for evidence of pruritus, eczematous responses, or IgE-mediated reactions. If results were inconsistent, double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge was performed. A total of 17 children with atopic dermatitis were assessed. Two could not be fully evaluated, thus were excluded from data tabulations. Only one positive eczematous food response was observed of 58 challenges. Three children had well-documented histories of food-induced IgE-mediated anaphylactoid or urticaria reactions to seafood and/or nuts and were not challenged with those foods. Atopic dermatitis, even in the highest-risk patients, is rarely induced by foods. Undocumented assumptions of food causation detract from proper anti-inflammatory management and should be discouraged. Immediate IgE-mediated food reactions are common in atopic dermatitis patients; such reactions are rapid onset, typically detected outside the clinic, and must be distinguished from eczematous reactions. Diagnosis of food-induced eczema cannot be made without food challenge testing. Such tests can be practical and useful for dispelling unrealistic assumptions about food allergy causation of atopic dermatitis. [source] Development of murine hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells characterized by the expression of hyaluronan receptorsDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 8 2007Hidenori Nonaka Abstract Endothelial cells (ECs) display distinct structural and functional characteristics depending on the tissue and developmental stage; however, the development of tissue-specific ECs remains poorly understood. Here, we describe the development of hepatic sinusoids in mice based on the expression of hyaluronan receptors Stab2 and Lyve-1. Flk-1+ cells in and around the liver bud begin to express Stab2 at embryonic day (E) 9.5, before the formation of vascular lumen. Hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HSECs) begin to express Lyve-1 at E10.5, and both markers continue to be expressed in HSECs thereafter. Although HSECs and lymphatic ECs (LECs) are known to share functional and phenotypic characteristics, we clearly show that HSECs can be distinguished from LECs by the expression of molecular markers and higher endocytotic activity. Our results provide new insight into the development of tissue-specific ECs and phenotypic criteria to distinguish HSECs from other types of ECs, including LECs. Developmental Dynamics 236:2258,2267, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Dorsal versus ventral scales and the dorsoventral patterning of chick foot epidermisDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 3 2004Fabrice Prin Abstract The dorsal and ventral scales of the chick foot can be distinguished morphologically and molecularly: the dorsal oblong overlapping scuta expressing both , and , keratins, and the ventral roundish nonprotruding reticula expressing only , keratins. The question arises how En-1 and Lmx1, whose role in dorsoventral limb patterning has been well established, can affect skin morphogenesis, which occurs 8 to 12 days later. Forced expression of En-1 or of Lmx1 in the hindlimb have, respectively, as expected, a ventralizing or a dorsalizing effect on skin, leading to the formation of either reticula-type or scuta-type scales on both faces. In both cases, however, the scales are abnormal and even glabrous skin without any scales at all may form. The normal inductive interactions between dermis and epidermis are disturbed after En-1 or Lmx1 misexpression. Effectively, while Lmx1 endows the dermal precursors of the ventral region with scuta inducing ability, En-1 blocks the competence of the dorsal epidermis to build scuta. Developmental Dynamics 229:564,578, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Integration and differentiation of human embryonic stem cells transplanted to the chick embryoDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 1 2002Ronald S. Goldstein Abstract Human embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells that can differentiate into a large array of cell types and, thus, hold promise for advancing our understanding of human embryology and for contributing to transplantation medicine. In this study, differentiation of human ES cells was examined in vivo by in ovo transplantation to organogenesis-stage embryos. Colonies of human ES cells were grafted into or in place of epithelial-stage somites of chick embryos of 1.5 to 2 days of development. The grafted human ES cells survived in the chick host and were identified by vital staining with carboxyfluorescein diacetate or use of a green fluorescent protein,expressing cells. Histologic analysis showed that human ES cells are easily distinguished from host cells by their larger, more intensely staining nuclei. Some grafted cells differentiated en masse into epithelia, whereas others migrated and mingled with host tissues, including the dorsal root ganglion. Colonies grafted directly adjacent to the host neural tube produced primarily structures with the morphology and molecular characteristics of neural rosettes. These structures contain differentiated neurons as shown by ,-3-tubulin and neurofilament expression in axons and cell bodies. Axons derived from the grafted cells penetrate the host nervous system, and host axons enter the structures derived from the graft. Our results show that human ES cells transplanted in ovo survive, divide, differentiate, and integrate with host tissues and that the host embryonic environment may modulate their differentiation. The chick embryo, therefore, may serve as an accessible and unique experimental system for the study of in vivo development of human ES cells. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Watching moving images specifically promotes development of medial area of secondary visual cortex in ratDEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 9 2009Baonan Sun Abstract It is generally accepted that the cortex can be divided into numerous regions depending on the type of information each processes, and that specific input is effective in improving the development of related regions. In visual cortex, many subareas are distinguished on the basis of their adequate information. However, whether the development of a subarea can be specifically improved by its particular input is still largely unknown. Here, we show the specific effects of motion information on the development of the medial area of secondary visual cortex (V2M), a subarea associated with processing the movement component of visual information. Although watching a moving or a still image had similar effects in primary visual cortex, the moving image induced multistage development of V2M in dark-reared rats: both mRNA and protein levels of GluR2 were upregulated, the density and protein content of GluR2-positive synapses increased, and the spine density and the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) of pyramidal neurons in Layer 5 were elevated. Our results suggest that rats are able to identify motion information, distribute it to V2M, and then use this input to specifically improve the development of V2M. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 2009 [source] Fetal handedness and head position preference: A developmental studyDEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2001J.I.P. de Vries Abstract Hand,head contacts were observed by means of serial ultrasound recordings in 10 healthy fetuses from 12 to 38 weeks of gestational age. Contacts were distinguished as being unimanual or bimanual, and if unimanual, whether they were made with the right or left hand. Both types of contact and ones made unimanually with the right or left hand were identified at each age as to whether they were associated with a preferential head position. A strong unimanual bias was evident at each age except for Week 36. At this age, there was a bimanual bias. Unimanual contacts did not develop a lateralized preference, and neither type of contact established a stable relationship with head position. Furthermore, there was no evidence to support the suggestion that hand contact and head position codevelop to form a preferred ipsilateral synergy. Findings are discussed relative to contradictory evidence from other fetal and neonatal studies. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 39: 171,178, 2001 [source] Cognitive flexibility in preschoolers: the role of representation activation and maintenanceDEVELOPMENTAL SCIENCE, Issue 3 2008Nicolas Chevalier Preschoolers' lack of cognitive flexibility has often been attributed to perseverative processing. This study investigates alternative potential sources of difficulty such as deficits in activating previously ignored information and in maintaining currently relevant information. In Experiment 1, a new task tapping attentional switching was designed to isolate the difficulty of overriding an initial representation, that is, perseverative processing (,Perseveration' version), and the difficulty of activating a previously ignored representation, that is, activation deficit (,Activation-deficit' version). Three-year-olds' performance suggested that inflexibility may primarily stem from an activation deficit. Control experiments confirmed that the difficulty of the ,Activation-deficit' version could not be attributed to the effect of attraction to novelty. In Experiment 2, ,distraction' errors, alleged to reflect a failure to maintain a relevant representation, and ,perseverative' errors were distinguished. The results highlighted the important role of representation maintenance in flexibility. The present study indicates that preschoolers' lack of cognitive flexibility is multi-determined and prompts us to reconsider the role of perseveration. [source] A role for innate immunity in type 1 diabetes?DIABETES/METABOLISM: RESEARCH AND REVIEWS, Issue 2 2003H. Beyan Abstract Two arms of the immune system, innate and adaptive immunity, differ in their mode of immune recognition. The innate immune system recognizes a few highly conserved structures on a broad range of microorganisms. On the other hand, recognition of self or autoreactivity is generally confined to the adaptive immune response. Whilst autoimmune features are relatively common, they should be distinguished from autoimmune disease that is infrequent. Type 1 diabetes is an immune-mediated disease due to the destruction of insulin secreting cells mediated by aggressive immune responses, including activation of the adaptive immune system following genetic and environmental interaction. Hypotheses for the cause of the immune dysfunction leading to type 1 diabetes include self-reactive T-cell clones that (1) escape deletion in the thymus, (2) escape from peripheral tolerance or (3) escape from homeostatic control with an alteration in the immune balance leading to autoimmunity. Evidence, outlined in this review, raises the possibility that changes in the innate immune system could lead to autoimmunity, by either priming or promoting aggressive adaptive immune responses. Hostile microorganisms are identified by genetically determined surface receptors on innate effector cells, thereby promoting clearance of these invaders. These innate effectors include a few relatively inflexible cell populations such as monocytes/macrophages, dendritic cells (DC), natural killer (NK) cells, natural killer T (NKT) cells and ,, T cells. Recent studies have identified abnormalities in some of these cells both in patients with type 1 diabetes and in those at risk of the disease. However, it remains unclear whether these abnormalities in innate effector cells predispose to autoimmune disease. If they were to do so, then modulation of the innate immune system could be of therapeutic value in preventing immune-mediated diseases such as type 1 diabetes. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Differential diagnostic features of small cell carcinoma in the uterine cervixDIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 9 2008Min Jung Kim M.D. Abstract Small cell carcinoma (SMCC) of the uterine cervix is rare and known to be an aggressive tumor, but there are only few reports on the cytologic features of cervical SMCC. This rare small cell lesion should be distinguished from malignant lymphoma (ML), squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCIS), and chronic lymphocytic cervicitis (CLC). By clarifying cytologic features and reevaluating the significance of cervical cytologic smears to reveal these cervical lesions, we can improve the diagnostic specificity and patient's outcome. The clinical record and available cervical smears from 13 cases of SMCC, four cases of malignant lymphoma, 20 cases of SCIS, and five cases of CLC were analyzed. The cytologic differential diagnostic points of SMCC were nuclear molding and smearing (100%), salt and pepper chromatin (100%), exudative and necrotic background (91.7%), various architectures including individual cells (83.3%), tight clusters (75%) and feathering and strip (50%), and inconspicuous nucleoli (75%). Early diagnosis of the cervical SMCC by cytology and treatment is important for better outcome of patients. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2008;36:618,623. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Utility of CD10 and RCCma in the diagnosis of metastatic conventional renal-cell adenocarcinoma by fine-needle aspiration biopsyDIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2005Aylin Simsir M.D. Abstract The cytologic diagnosis of primary conventional renal-cell adenocarcinoma (cRCC) is usually straightforward; however, metastatic cRCC must be distinguished from a variety of neoplasms with clear-cell features. CD10, a cell membrane-associated neutral endopeptidase, and renal-cell carcinoma marker (RCCma), an antibody against human proximal tubular brush border antigen, have recently been shown to be useful in the diagnosis of cRCC. We compared CD10 and RCCma in cell block material from fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) to assess their utility in the diagnosis of metastatic cRCC, in cytologic specimens. Seven primary and sixteen metastatic cRCCs were immunostained with CD10 and RCCma. The immunoreactivity results were compared with those of a variety of neoplasms originating from other sites such as the liver, lungs, breast, and the gastrointestinal tract. The sensitivity and specificity of CD10 for cRCC were 100% and 59%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of RCCma for cRCC were 35% and 100%, respectively. We conclude that CD10 has limited value in confirming the diagnosis of cRCC because of its low specificity. RCCma, when positive, is highly specific for cRCC, but its low sensitivity hinders its diagnostic usefulness. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2005;33:3,7. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Clear-cell adenocarcinoma of the female genital tract: Presence of Hyaline stroma and tigroid background in various types of cytologic specimensDIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2005Surapan Khunamornpong M.D. Abstract Hyaline basement membrane-like stromal material and tigroid background are distinctive cytologic features observed in Diff-Quik (DQ)- or Giemsa-stained smears of clear-cell adenocarcinoma (CCA) of the female genital tract. However, it is uncertain how often these features are present in different types of cytologic specimens, and which type of preparation is optimal for this diagnosis. We therefore reviewed the cytologic features of CCA in three types of specimens, including 15 scrape cytology specimens, 7 fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens, and 15 peritoneal cytology specimens, with emphasis on the features observed in DQ-stained smears. The cell morphology in scrape cytology specimens and FNA specimens was comparable, whereas in peritoneal cytology specimens, the cytoplasm was better preserved. Most tumor cells had fragile cytoplasm containing variable amounts of fine vacuoles, and round nuclei with distinct or prominent nucleoli. Hyaline stroma was present in 93% of scrape cytology specimens, 71% of FNA specimens, and 80% of peritoneal cytology specimens. Tigroid background was observed in 47% of scrape cytology specimens, 43% of FNA specimens, but in none of the peritoneal cytology specimens. Formation of a tigroid background may be prevented by the abundant fluid content in peritoneal cytology specimens. Hyaline stroma and tigroid background were uncommonly seen in scrape smears from other types of primary ovarian tumors, mainly juvenile granulosa cell tumor and yolk sac tumor. However, the additional presence of papillary structures allows CCA to be readily distinguished from these other tumors. We propose that scrape cytology offers the best approach for the intraoperative cytologic diagnosis of CCA. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2005;32:336,340.© 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Some Formal Ontological RelationsDIALECTICA, Issue 3 2004E. J. Lowe Some formal ontological relations are identified, in the context of an account of ontological categorization. It is argued that neither formal ontological relations nor ontological categories should themselves be regarded as elements of being, but that this does not undermine the claim of formal ontology to be a purely objective science. It is also argued that some formal ontological relations, like some ontological categories, are more basic than others. A four-category ontology is proposed, in which two basic categories of universals and two basic categories of particulars are distinguished in terms of certain formal ontological relations characteristically obtaining between entities belonging to the different categories. [source] Wittgenstein's Builders and Perry's Objection to Sentence PriorityDIALECTICA, Issue 1 2002Eli Dresner In the first section of this paper I present a view of linguistic meaning that I label 'Sentence Priority'(SP): the position that semantically primitive language-world contact is made at the level of complete sentences (rather than the level of sentence parts). Then, in the main part of the paper, I consider and reject an objection against Sentence Priority raised by John Perry, an objection that appeals to Wittgenstein's builders parable. Perry argues that the builder's utterances (,Slab',,Pillar', etc.) are utterances of self-standing nouns, and that therefore they constitute a counter-example to SP. A sound assessment of Perry's argument, however, depends on a clear distinction between two cases: one in which the four expressions mentioned in Wittgenstein's example exhaust the builders'expressive powers, and one in which they do not. Once these cases are distinguished it can be seen that in neither does Perry's argument go through. [source] The mushroom bodies , prominent brain centres of arthropods and annelids with enigmatic evolutionary originACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 1 2010Rudi Loesel Abstract Loesel, R. and Heuer, C.M. 2010. The mushroom bodies , prominent brain centres of arthropods and annelids with enigmatic evolutionary origin. ,Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 91: 29,34 Mushroom bodies (MBs) are the most prominent and conspicuous neuropils in the brain of arthropods, onychophorans and vagile polychaete annelids but have not been described in any other animal group with complex brain architecture. Due to a number of unique neuroanatomical characters MBs can easily be identified and distinguished from other brain centres. However, their evolutionary origin and the question whether MBs are homologous structures is still under debate. This paper will briefly summarize the available morphological data and their implications with respect to the molecular evidence on early metazoan radiation. Unraveling the origin of MBs is an example of the challenges neurophylogenists will face in the future, especially so since it will signify a major step towards reconstructing early metazoan brain evolution. [source] Morphological variation of the five vole species of the genus Microtus (Mammalia, Rodentia, Arvicolinae) occurring in GreeceACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 3 2009Stella E. Fraguedakis-Tsolis Abstract Morphometric data for the five vole species of the genus Microtus living in Greece are old, sparse, poor and insufficiently analysed. This work aims to give the first comprehensive morphometric analysis of body and skull inter- and intraspecific variation for M. (M.) guentheri, M. (M.) rossiaemeridionalis, M. (Terricola) subterraneus, M. (T.) felteni and M. (T.) thomasi, applying multivariate statistics to 28 linear morphometric variables. It was based on ample material (202 adult individuals) using samples from localities that adequately cover the entire distributional range of each species in Greece. The five species and the two subgenera (Microtus and Terricola) were morphometrically clearly distinguished and discriminating variables were revealed. However, morphometrics did not provide robust criteria to infer phylogenetic relations among species. Furthermore, three species, M. (M.) guentheri, M. (M.) rossiaemeridionalis and M. (T.) thomasi, exhibited considerable intraspecific size or shape variation, which was mostly random and not associated with geographical proximity. Comparisons with data in the literature, mainly concerning populations of these species from adjacent areas, indicate that the Greek M. (M.) guentheri, M. (M.) rossiaemeridionalis and M. (T.) thomasi tend to be smaller than their conspecifics, while M. (T.) subterraneus and M. (T.) felteni are about equal in size to their Balkan relatives. [source] Targeting the p53 tumor suppressor gene function in glioblastomas using small chemical moleculesDRUG DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, Issue 10 2006Roberta Magrini Abstract Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is recognized as the most frequent and malignant glioma of which two genetically different subtypes can be distinguished. Primary, de novo glioblastomas show a p53 wild type (wt) status and in 10% of the cases hdm2 overexpression/amplifications occur. In these tumors, the inactivation of the tumor suppressor p53 is elicited by enhanced hdm2-mediated degradation of p53. Secondary glioblastomas, on the other hand, show inactivating p53 mutations (mut) in 40% of the cases. Based on these observations, reactivating the function of p53 might hold promise for treatment of GBM. In wt p53 tumors showing increased hdm2 levels, the therapeutic strategy might be to inhibit the activity of hdm2 by treatment with small molecules like nutlin-3. For mut p53 glioblastomas, p53 function might be restored using small chemical entities such as PRIMA-1. Drug Dev. Res. 67:790,800, 2006. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Bed morphology and generation of step,pool channelsEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 11 2008Roman B. Weichert Abstract Flume experiments have been carried out to study the formation processes and the bed morphology of step,pool channels. From the experiments different step types and step configurations could be distinguished depending on the stream power. These step types can be seen as an image of the generation mechanisms of step,pool systems. These results suggest that the bed roughness geometry develops towards a condition that provides the maximum possible bed stability for a given grain size distribution. In contrast to a variety of other studies, antidunes did not contribute to the generation of the step structures. However, the data of the presented study fits well into the region of antidune formation proposed by Kennedy for sand-bed rivers. This observation points out that step,pool field-data located in the Kennedy region do not inevitably prove that antidunes played a role in step development. It is rather proposed that in Kennedy's region of antidune formation there exist hydraulic conditions where the flow resistance is maximized. It is suggested that such maximum flow resistance is associated with an optimal distance between the bedforms and their height, independently of whether these are antidunes in sand- and gravel-bed rivers or step,pool units in boulder-bed streams. The considerations of the Kennedy region of antidune formation and the analysis of planform step types depending on stream power both suggest that steep channels have a potential for self-stabilization by modifying the step,pool structure towards a geometry that provides maximum flow resistance and maximum bed stability. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Regional analysis of bedrock stream long profiles: evaluation of Hack's SL form, and formulation and assessment of an alternative (the DS form)EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 5 2007Geoff Goldrick Abstract The equilibrium form of the fluvial long profile has been used to elucidate a wide range of aspects of landscape history including tectonic activity in tectonic collision zones, and in continental margin and other intraplate settings, as well as other base-level changes such as due to sealevel fluctuations. The Hack SL form of the long profile, which describes a straight line on a log,normal plot of elevation (normal) versus distance (logarithmic), is the equilibrium long profile form that has been most widely used in such studies; slope,area analysis has also been used in recent years. We show that the SL form is a special case of a more general form of the equilibrium long profile (here called the DS form) that can be derived from the power relationship between stream discharge and downstream distance, and the dependence of stream incision on stream power. The DS form provides a better fit than the SL form to river long profiles in an intraplate setting in southeastern Australia experiencing low rates of denudation and mild surface uplift. We conclude that, if an a priori form of the long profile is to be used for investigations of regional landscape history, the DS form is preferable. In particular, the DS form in principle enables equilibrium steepening due to an increase in channel substrate lithological resistance (parallel shift in the DS plot) to be distinguished from disequilibrium steepening due to long profile rejuvenation (disordered outliers on the DS plot). Slope,area analysis and the slope,distance (DS) approach outlined here are complementary approaches, reflecting the close relationship between downstream distance and downstream catchment area. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||