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Selected AbstractsProtective effects of exercise preconditioning on hindlimb unloading-induced atrophy of rat soleus muscleACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2009H. Fujino Abstract Aim:, A chronic decrease in the activation and loading levels of skeletal muscles as occurs with hindlimb unloading (HU) results in a number of detrimental changes. Several proteolytic pathways are involved with an increase in myofibrillar protein degradation associated with HU. Exercise can be used to counter this increase in proteolytic activity and, thus, may be able to protect against some of the detrimental changes associated with chronic decreased use. The purpose of the present study was to determine the potential of a single bout of preconditioning endurance exercise in attenuating the effects of 2 weeks of HU on the mass, phenotype and force-related properties of the soleus muscle in adult rats. Methods:, Male Wistar rats were subjected to HU for 2 weeks. One half of the rats performed a single bout of treadmill exercise for 25 min immediately prior to the 2 weeks of HU. Results:, Soleus mass, maximum tetanic tension, myofibrillar protein content, fatigue resistance and percentage of type I (slow) myosin heavy chain were decreased in HU rats. In addition, markers for the cathepsin, calpain, caspase and ATP-ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathways were increased. The preconditioning endurance exercise bout attenuated all of the detrimental changes associated with HU, and increased HSP72 mRNA expression and protein levels. Conclusion:, These findings indicate that exercise preconditioning may be an effective countermeasure to the detrimental effects of chronic decreases in activation and loading levels on skeletal muscles and that an elevation in HSP72 may be one of the mechanisms associated with these responses. [source] Follow-up of an exercise-based treatment for children with reading difficultiesDYSLEXIA, Issue 2 2007David Reynolds Abstract This study reports the results of a long-term follow-up of an exercise-based approach to dyslexia-related disorders (Reynolds, Nicolson, & Hambly, Dyslexia, 2003; 9(1): 48,71). In the initial study, children at risk of dyslexia were identified in 3 years of a junior school. One half then undertook a 6 month, home-based exercise programme. Evaluation after 6 months indicated that the exercise group improved significantly more than the controls on a range of cognitive and motor skills. Critics had suggested that the improvement might be attributable to artifactual issues including Hawthorne effects; an initial literacy imbalance between the groups; and inclusion of non-dyslexic participants. The present study evaluated the issue of whether the gains were maintained over the following 18 months, and whether they were in some sense artifactual as postulated by critics of the original study. Comparison of (age-adjusted) initial and follow-up performance indicated significant gains in motor skill, speech/language fluency, phonology, and working memory. Both dyslexic and non-dyslexic low achieving children benefited. There was also a highly significant reduction in the incidence of symptoms of inattention. Interestingly there were no significant changes in speeded tests of reading and spelling, but there was a significant improvement in (age-adjusted) reading (NFER). It is concluded that the gains were indeed long-lasting, and that the alternative hypotheses based on potential artifacts were untenable, and that the exercise treatment therefore achieved its applied purpose. Further research is needed to determine the underlying reasons for the benefits. Possible (and potentially synergistic) explanations include: improved cerebellar function (neural level); improved learning ability and/or attentional ability (cognitive level); improved self-esteem and self-efficacy (affective level); and improved parental/familial support (social level). Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Sensorimotor memory and grip force control: does grip force anticipate a self-produced weight change when drinking with a straw from a cup?EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 10 2003Dennis A. Nowak Abstract We examined whether self-generated weight changes are anticipated by adequate grip force adjustments when repeatedly lifting an instrumented manipulandum. Subjects lifted a cup filled with 500 mL of water prior to and following drinking two portions of water with a straw without touching it. One half of the subjects drank from and lifted an uncovered cup receiving constant visual information about its filling level and the other half of the subjects drank from a covered cup without such visual feedback. During the lifts immediately following the drinking procedures, grip force scaling was erroneously programmed for the heavier weight of the preceding lift as was obvious from an inadequately high rate of grip force development. Vision had only a minor influence on the rate of grip force increase. The influence of vision on the scaling of peak grip force was more pronounced. More accurate force scaling was obtained with an increasing number of lifts performed under each weight condition, indicating an ongoing force adjustment process probably based on sensory feedback. We conclude that self-generation of a change in the weight of an object to be lifted is not, in itself, sufficient to elicit a predictive grip force output. Rather, accurate feedback information associated with the self-generated weight change is essential to update internal models related to the mechanical object properties. This assumption was confirmed in pilot experiments; when subjects lifted the cup after having poured water from it, they accurately scaled their fingertip force to the self-produced weight change. Here, direct sensory feedback from the grasping fingers could signal the weight change and update internal models while pouring water from the cup. Our data support the hypothesis that the sensorimotor system planning and processing predictive fingertip force can operate independently of higher-level cognitive and perceptual systems. [source] Interspecific differences in population trends of Spanish birds are related to habitat and climatic preferencesGLOBAL ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2008Javier Seoane ABSTRACT Aim, Animal monitoring programmes have allowed analyses of population trends, most of which now comment on the possible effect of global climate change. However, the relationship between the interspecific variation in population trends and species traits, such as habitat preferences, niche breadth or distribution patterns, has received little attention, in spite of its usefulness in the construction of ecological generalizations. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine whether there are characteristics shared among species with upwards or downwards trends, and (2) to assess whether population changes agree with what could be expected under global warming (a decrease in species typical of cooler environments). Location, The Spanish part of the Iberian Peninsula (c. 500,000 km2) in the south-western part of the Mediterranean Basin. Methods, We modelled recent breeding population changes (1996,2004), in areas without apparent land use changes, for 57 common passerine birds with species-specific ecological and distributional patterns as explanatory variables. Results, One-half of these species have shown a generalized pattern towards the increase of their populations, while only one-tenth showed a significant decrease. One half (54%) of the interspecific variability in yearly population trends is explained considering species-specific traits. Species showing more marked increases preferred wooded habitats, were habitat generalists and occupied warmer and wetter areas, while moderate decreases were found for open country habitats in drier areas. Main conclusions, The coherent pattern in population trends we found disagrees with the proposed detrimental effect of global warming on bird populations of western Europe, which is expected to be more intense in bird species inhabiting cooler areas and habitats. Such a pattern suggests that factors other than the increase in temperature may be brought to discussions on global change as relevant components to explain recent changes in biodiversity. [source] Women's "Justification" of Domestic Violence in EgyptJOURNAL OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY, Issue 5 2009Kathryn M. Yount We explored the influences of women's social learning, marital resources and constraints, and exposure to norms about women's family roles on their views about wife hitting or beating among 5,450 participants in the 2005 Egypt Demographic and Health Survey. One half justified wife hitting or beating for some reason. Women from rural areas who were exposed to domestic violence more often justified such acts. Dependent wives whose husbands had more schooling, were blood relatives, and were coresident more often justified such acts. In settings where women tended to marry at older ages, women less often justified such acts. Women's resources and constraints in marriage accounted for the largest share of the variability in their attitudes about domestic violence against women. [source] Paradoxical Sleep Deprivation and Sleep Recovery: Effects on the Hypothalamic,Pituitary,Adrenal Axis Activity, Energy Balance and Body Composition of RatsJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 4 2006D. C. Hipólide Abstract Numerous studies indicate that sleep deprivation alters energy expenditure. However, this conclusion is drawn from indirect measurements. In the present study, we investigated alterations of energy expenditure, body composition, blood glucose levels, plasma insulin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone levels immediately after 4 days of sleep deprivation or after 4 days of sleep recovery. Rats were sleep deprived or maintained in a control environment (groups sleep-deprived/deprivation and control/deprivation). One half of these animals were sacrificed at the end of the deprivation period and the other half was transported to metabolic cages, where they were allowed to sleep freely (groups sleep-deprived/recovery and control/recovery). At the end of the sleep recovery period, these rats were sacrificed. After sleep deprivation, sleep-deprived rats exhibited loss of body weight, augmented energy expenditure and reduced metabolic efficiency compared to control rats. These alterations were normalised during the sleep recovery period. The body composition of sleep-deprived rats was altered insofar as there was a loss of fat content and gain of protein content in the carcass compared to control rats. However, these alterations were not reversed by sleep recovery. Finally, plasma levels of insulin were reduced during the sleep deprivation period in both control and sleep deprived groups compared to the recovery period. After the deprivation period, plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels were increased in sleep-deprived rats compared to control rats, and although ACTH levels were similar between the groups after the sleep recovery period, corticosterone levels remained elevated in sleep-deprived rats after this period. By means of direct measurements of metabolism, our results showed that sleep deprivation produces increased energy expenditure and loss of fat content. Most of the alterations were reversed by sleep recovery, except for corticosterone levels and body composition. [source] Skin benefits from continuous topical administration of a zinc oxide/petrolatum formulation by a novel disposable diaperJOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 2001S Baldwin Abstract Background Diaper dermatitis is a common childhood affliction. Aiming to help reduce the prevalence of this problem, we have advanced in our development of a novel diaper that delivers dermatological formulations to help protect the skin from over-hydration and irritation. Objective To determine the clinical benefits of a novel disposable diaper designed to deliver a zinc oxide and petrolatum-based formulation continuously to the skin during use. Methods All studies were independent, blinded, randomized clinical trials. Study A was conducted to confirm transfer of the zinc oxide/petrolatum (ZnO/Pet) formulation from the diaper to the child's skin during use. Children wore a single diaper for 3 h or multiple diapers for 24 h. After the use period, stratum corneum samples were taken from each child and analysed for ZnO/Pet. Study B evaluated the prevention of skin irritation and barrier damage from a standard skin irritant (SLS) in an adult arm model. Study C evaluated skin erythema and diaper rash in 268 infants over a 4-week usage period. One half of the infants used the ZnO/Pet diaper, while the other half used a control diaper that was identical except for the absence of the ZnO/Pet formulation. Results The ointment formulation and ZnO transferred effectively from the diaper to the child's skin during product use. Transfer of ZnO increased from 4.2 µg/cm2 at 3 h to > 8 µg/cm2 at 24 h. Exposure to the formulations directly on adult skin prior to an irritant challenge was associated with up to a 3.5 reduction in skin barrier damage and skin erythema. Greatest reductions were seen for the ZnO containing formulations. Wearing of the formulation treated diaper was also associated with a significant reduction in skin erythema and diaper rash compared to the control product. Conclusions The results demonstrated the clinical benefits associated with continuous topical administration of a zinc oxide/petrolatum-based formulation by this novel diaper. [source] Photodamage therapy using an electro-optic q-switched Nd:YAG laserLASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 8 2010Dina Yaghmai MD Abstract Background and Objective Q-Switched Nd:YAG lasers produce photoacoustic effects in addition to photothermal effects which may allow for greater tissue collagen production. The objective of the study is to determine the effectiveness and tolerability of an Electro-Optic (EO) Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with Single Pulse and novel Double Pulse (DP) options in the treatment of photodamaged skin. Materials and Methods Sixteen subjects with photoaging were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, split-faced study. Subjects received 6 bi-weekly laser treatments. One half of the face was treated with a Single Pulse while the other half was treated with energies divided into a DP. Blinded investigators and subjects assessed improvement after the sixth treatment for wrinkles, coarseness, pigmentation, redness, laxity, comedones, pore size, and overall skin condition. Subjects also rated the tolerability of the treatments. Results For the Single Pulse side of the face, the investigators rated 33% of the patients as having a good to excellent (51% or greater) improvement in the overall condition of the skin while 47% of the subjects reported these levels. On the DP side, the overall improvement was good to excellent at a 27% rate by the investigators and 54% by the subjects. Distributions of improved ratings among investigators and subjects were similar for both sides of the treatment area. The majority of stinging/burning sensations during treatment were reported as mild on the DP side (62.8%) and moderate (63.8%) on the Single Pulse side. The chance of reporting none or only mild stinging/burning sensation during treatment was four times greater on the side of the face treated with the DP (P,<,0.0001). Conclusions Results have shown that treatment with the EO QS Nd:YAG laser provides a safe and effective method of skin rejuvenation with the additional benefit of significantly lower patient discomfort during use of the DP mode. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:699,705, 2010 © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Effects of integrated combination and quicklime supplementation on growth and pearl yield of freshwater pearl mussel, Hyriopsis cumingii (Lea, 1852)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 14 2009Yan Wang Abstract The effects of integrated combination and quicklime supplementation on growth and pearl yield of a freshwater mussel, Hyriopsis cumingii (Lea, 1852), were examined through a 137-day growout in land-based enclosures. The integrated combinations examined were either mussel, bighead carp and gibel carp or mussel and bighead carp. Each combination was treated either with or without quicklime supplementation. One half of the mussels in each enclosure were grafted with pieces of the mantle epithelium while the other half were not. During the experiment, gibel carp were fed formulated feed while the mussel and bighead carp were fed natural live food. Quicklime was regularly provided in the enclosures as calcium replenishment. The species composition in the integrated system significantly affected growth in shell size and wet weight of the mussels regardless of the graft and pearl yield, while no significant effects of quicklime supplementation were detected. Growth rates in shell size and wet weight of both grafted and non-grafted mussels and pearl yield were slightly higher in the enclosures with mussel, bighead carp and gibel carp than those with mussel and bighead carp, although these differences were not statistically significant. The non-grafted mussel exhibited faster growth in shell size and wet weight than the grafted mussel within the same treatment. Results of the present study indicate that species combination in an integrated system can affect growth and pearl yield of H. cumingii. The species combination of mussel, bighead carp and gibel carp is recommended for commercial H. cumingii farming. [source] Additional reverse transcription,polymerase chain reaction of peripheral slices is not superior to analysis of the central slice in sentinel lymph nodes from melanoma patientsBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2004H-J. Blaheta Summary Background The status of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) is an important prognostic factor in patients with cutaneous melanoma. Reverse transcription,polymerase chain reaction (RT,PCR) has been used as a sensitive means of detecting tumour cells in SLNs. Objectives To determine whether RT,PCR analysis of the SLN using both the central and the peripheral slices is more sensitive than molecular analysis of the central slice only. Methods Eighty-three SLNs from 59 patients with primary cutaneous melanoma were identified by SLN mapping. All SLNs were bisected along their longitudinal axis to produce two equal halves. One half was used for histology and immunohistochemistry, and the other was analysed by RT,PCR for tyrosinase and MelanA. Parallel to the longitudinal axis, one central slice (approximately 2 mm in thickness) was cut manually. This central slice was used for our standard RT,PCR protocol. In the current study, up to eight additional peripheral slices (each approximately 2 mm in thickness) were cut parallel to the existing cut surface. These peripheral slices were analysed by additional RT,PCR. Results Standard RT,PCR of the central slice yielded positive results in 34 of 59 patients (57%). Additional RT,PCR of peripheral slices demonstrated positive findings in six additional patients (10%) who were initially negative by standard RT,PCR of the central slice. In detail, seven of those 34 patients positive by standard RT,PCR of the central slice had positive histological findings. In each of these seven patients, RT,PCR was positive both in the central slice as well as in the peripheral slices. The remaining 27 patients with positive RT,PCR results of the central slice showed negative histological findings. Only nine (33%) of these 27 patients had a positive RT,PCR also in the peripheral slices. Finally, all 25 patients with negative RT,PCR results in the central slice showed negative histological findings. Six of these patients (24%) revealed positive RT,PCR results on the analysis of peripheral slices. However, three of these patients expressed only MelanA but not tyrosinase. Thirty lymph nodes from 24 nonmelanoma patients served as negative controls for RT,PCR. In three of these 24 patients (13%) expression of MelanA but not tyrosinase was detected by RT,PCR. Conclusions Molecular analysis of peripheral slices yielded six additional patients (10%) positive by RT,PCR who were initially negative by standard RT,PCR of the central slice. However, three of these six patients were found to express only MelanA but not tyrosinase. As MelanA expression was also found in 13% of control lymph nodes, positive MelanA expression alone in SLNs of melanoma patients requires cautious interpretation in order to avoid false-positive findings. Thus, additional molecular processing of peripheral slices did not significantly increase the number of patients with RT,PCR-positive SLNs. [source] Underuse of colorectal cancer screening among men screened for prostate cancerCANCER, Issue 20 2010A teachable moment? Abstract BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that colorectal cancer (CRC) screening reduces disease-specific mortality, whereas the utility of prostate cancer screening remains uncertain. However, adherence rates for prostate cancer screening and CRC screening are very similar, with population-based studies showing that approximately 50% of eligible US men are adherent to both tests. Among men scheduled to participate in a free prostate cancer screening program, the authors assessed the rates and correlates of CRC screening to determine the utility of this setting for addressing CRC screening nonadherence. METHODS: Participants (N = 331) were 50 to 70 years old with no history of prostate cancer or CRC. Men registered for free prostate cancer screening and completed a telephone interview 1 to 2 weeks before undergoing prostate cancer screening. RESULTS: One half of the participants who underwent free prostate cancer screening were eligible for but nonadherent to CRC screening. Importantly, 76% of the men who were nonadherent to CRC screening had a regular physician and/or health insurance, suggesting that CRC screening adherence was feasible in this group. Furthermore, multivariate analyses indicated that the only significant correlates of CRC screening adherence were having a regular physician, health insurance, and a history of prostate cancer screening. CONCLUSIONS: Free prostate cancer screening programs may provide a teachable moment to increase CRC screening among men who may not have the usual systemic barriers to CRC screening, at a time when they may be very receptive to cancer screening messages. In the United States, a large number of men participate in annual free prostate cancer screening programs and represent an easily accessible and untapped group that can benefit from interventions to increase CRC screening rates. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society. [source] Crystal growth, crystal structure and physical properties of polar orthorhombic tris(glycine) zinc chlorideCRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 2 2008M. Fleck Abstract Large single crystals of the polar (point group mm 2) compound tris(glycine) zinc chloride, (NH3CH2COO)3 · ZnCl2, were grown from aqueous solutions. The refractive indices were measured in the wavelength region from 365 nm to 1083 nm and an unpolarised absorption spectrum was recorded (transparency range from 260 to 1550nm). The phase matching conditions for second harmonic generation were analysed: both, type I (ss-f) and type II (sf-f) are possible in the red and near IR region. All five components of the piezoelectric tensor [dijk ] were determined; the maximum values of longitudinal and transverse piezoelectric effects are less than one half of d111 of ,-quartz. In addition, a redetermination of the crystal structure (including location of H atoms) is presented. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Hospital Disaster Preparedness in Los Angeles CountyACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2006Amy H. Kaji MD Background There are no standardized measures of hospital disaster preparedness or hospital "surge capacity." Objectives To characterize disaster preparedness among a cohort of hospitals in Los Angeles County, focusing on practice variation, plan characteristics, and surge capacity. Methods This was a descriptive, cross-sectional survey study, followed by on-site verification. Forty-five 9-1-1 receiving hospitals in Los Angeles County, CA, participated. Evaluations of hospital disaster plan structure, vendor agreements, modes of communication, medical and surgical supplies, involvement of law enforcement, mutual aid agreements with other facilities, drills and training, surge capacity (assessed by monthly emergency department diversion status, available beds, ventilators, and isolation rooms), decontamination capability, and pharmaceutical stockpiles were assessed by survey. Results Forty-three of 45 hospital plans (96%) were based on the Hospital Emergency Incident Command System, and the majority had protocols for hospital lockdown (100%), canceling elective surgeries (93%), early discharge (98%), day care for children of staff (88%), designating victim overflow areas (96%), and predisaster "preferred" vendor agreements (96%). All had emergency medical services,compatible radios and more than three days' worth of supplies. Fewer hospitals involved law enforcement (56%) or had mutual aid agreements with other hospitals (20%) or long-term care facilities (7%). Although the vast majority (96%) conducted multiagency drills, only 16% actually involved other agencies in their disaster training. Only 13 of 45 hospitals (29%) had a surge capacity of greater than 20 beds. Less than half (42%) had ten or more isolation rooms, and 27 hospitals (60%) were on diversion greater than 20% of the time. Thirteen hospitals (29%) had immediate access to six or more ventilators. Less than half had warm-water decontamination (42%), while approximately one half (51%) had a chemical antidote stockpile and 42% had an antibiotic stockpile. Conclusions Among hospitals in Los Angeles County, disaster preparedness and surge capacity appear to be limited by a failure to fully integrate interagency training and planning and a severely limited surge capacity, although there is a generally high level of availability of equipment and supplies. [source] The changing prevalence of diagnosed diabetes and its associated vascular complications in a large region of the UK*DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 6 2010C. L. Morgan Diabet. Med. 27, 673,678 (2010) Abstract Aims, To characterize the prevalence of diabetes in a large health district in 2004 and compare it with a previous estimate made in 1996. Methods, The study population comprised the resident population of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. Routine record linkage was used to identify patients from various sources of hospital and mortality data. Patients with diabetes were identified according to biochemistry test results, coding on routine data or attendance at a diabetes-related clinic. Diabetes-related complications were ascribed according to coding on routine data. Results, It was possible to identify 17 088 people with diabetes alive on 1 January 2005. Of these patients, 9064 (53.0%) were male and 8024 (47.0%) were female. Mean age (± sd) was 59.6 ± 18.9 years for males and 61.2 ± 20.4 years for females. The crude prevalence of diabetes in 2005 was 3.9% (3.4% adjusted) compared with 2.5% in 1996 (2.3% adjusted). With the exception of females aged , 75 years, the prevalence of diabetes increased in all age- and sex-specific subgroups. Within the 2005 cohort, over two-thirds has no recorded complications compared with approximately one half of the 1996 cohort. The prevalence of individual complications decreased, with the exception of renal complications. Conclusions, The prevalence of identified diabetes appears to have increased substantially over a relatively short period of 9 years to 2004. The increase in prevalence was 46%, with an increase in numbers of patients with diabetes of 53%. A number of factors are likely to have contributed to this, including an increase in case ascertainment. [source] Dispersion of flightless adults of the Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis, in greenhouses containing cucumbers infested with the aphid Aphis gossypii: effect of the presence of conspecific larvaeENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA, Issue 1 2004Lionel Gil Abstract Most females of the Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), stop laying eggs if conspecific larvae are present. We studied the effect of this inhibition on the dispersion of this insect in a greenhouse containing cucumbers uniformly infested with the aphid Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae). In the absence of conspecific larvae, the adults moved around at random, sinuously, and independently. They spent most of their time walking on the ground and only a little time on the aphid-infested plants. When the cucumber plants in one half of the greenhouse had conspecific larvae on them, the whole adult population migrated to the larva-free half of the greenhouse. Consequently, most eggs were laid in that part of the greenhouse which was devoid of larvae. The consequences of this spatio-temporal interaction between larvae and adults for the biological control of aphids is discussed. [source] Prognostic Implication of Contralateral Secondary Electrographic Seizures in Temporal Lobe EpilepsyEPILEPSIA, Issue 11 2000Ki Hyeong Lee Summary: Purpose: Interhemispheric propagation of seizures in temporal lobe epilepsy is frequently noted during intracranial EEG monitoring. We hypothesized that a distinct secondary electrographic seizure (DSES) in the temporal lobe contralateral to primary seizure onset may be an unfavorable prognostic indicator. Methods: We reviewed intracranial depth electrode EEG recordings, 1-year outcome, and medical records of 51 patients (M 29, F 22: age 15,64 years) who underwent anterior temporal lobectomy during 1988,96. We defined DSES as a seizure that spread to the contralateral temporal lobe and produced distinct contralateral EEG features. The distinct feature was focal involvement of one or two electrode contacts at onset, which starts and evolves independently from the ipsilateral temporal lobe. We considered DSES as the predominant seizure pattern when it occurred in more than one half of the patients' recorded seizures. Results: Only nine of 19 (47%) patients with predominant DSES had a 1-year seizure-free outcome, whereas 27 of 32 (84%) patients without predominant DSES had a 1-year seizure-free outcome (p <0.01). Bitemporal independent seizures were more common in patients with predominant DSES (9/19 versus 0/32; p <0.001). Conclusion: Our results suggest that distinct contralateral secondary electrographic seizure is a predictor of unfavorable outcome and is also more likely to be associated with bitemporal seizures. [source] Degeneration of pontine mossy fibres during cerebellar development in weaver mutant miceEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 4 2002Miwako Ozaki Abstract In weaver mutant mice, substitution of an amino acid residue in the pore region of GIRK2, a subtype of the G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying K+ channel, changes the properties of the homomeric channel to produce a lethal depolarized state in cerebellar granule cells and dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra. Degeneration of these types of neurons causes strong ataxia and Parkinsonian phenomena in the mutant mice, respectively. On the other hand, the mutant gene is also expressed in various other brain regions, in which the mutant may have effects on neuronal survival. Among these regions, we focused on the pontine nuclei, the origin of the pontocerebellar mossy fibres, projecting mainly into the central region of the cerebellar cortex. The results of histological analysis showed that by P9 the number of neurons in the nuclei was reduced in the mutant to about one half and by P18 to one third of those in the wild type, whereas until P7 the number were about the same in wild-type and weaver mutant mice. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the nuclei showed a marked reduction in volume and shape of the mutant nuclei, correlating well with the decrease in neuronal number. In addition, DiI (a lipophilic tracer dye) tracing experiments revealed retraction of pontocerebellar mossy fibres from the cerebellar cortex after P5. From these results, we conclude that projecting neurons in the pontine nuclei, as well as cerebellar granule cells and dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra, strongly degenerate in weaver mutant mice, resulting in elimination of pontocerebellar mossy fibres during cerebellar development. [source] The effectiveness of syringe irrigation and ultrasonics to remove debris from simulated irregularities within prepared root canal wallsINTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 10 2004S.-J. Lee Abstract Aim, To compare the ability of syringe irrigation and ultrasonic irrigation to remove artificially placed dentine debris from simulated canal irregularities within prepared root canals. Methodology, After canal enlargement, twelve canines were split longitudinally into two halves. On the wall of one half of each root canal a standard groove of 4 mm in length, 0.2 mm in width and 0.5 mm in depth was cut, 2,6 mm from the apex, to simulate uninstrumented canal extensions. On the wall of the other half, three standard saucer-shaped depressions of 0.3 mm in diameter and 0.5 mm in depth were cut at 2, 4 and 6 mm from the apex to simulate uninstrumented canal irregularities. Each groove and depression were filled with dentine debris mixed with 2% NaOCl to simulate a situation when dentine debris accumulates in uninstrumented canal extensions and irregularities during canal preparation. Each tooth was re-assembled by reconnecting the two halves, using wire and an impression putty material. Two per cent NaOCl was then delivered into each canal either using syringe irrigation (n = 8) or using ultrasonic irrigation (n = 8). Before and after irrigation, images of the two halves of the canal wall were taken, using a microscope and a digital camera, after which they were scanned into a PC as TIFF images. The amount of remaining dentine debris in the grooves and depressions was evaluated by using a scoring system between 0,3: the higher the score, the more the debris. The data were analysed by means of the Mann,Whitney U -test. Results, Both forms of irrigation reduced the debris score significantly. The debris score was statistically significantly lower after ultrasonic irrigation than after syringe irrigation (P = 0.002 for grooves, P = 0.047 for depressions). Conclusion, Ultrasonic irrigation ex vivo is more effective than syringe irrigation in removing artificially created dentine debris placed in simulated uninstrumented extensions and irregularities in straight, wide root canals. [source] Hybrid domain decomposition algorithms for compressible and almost incompressible elasticityINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2010Clark R. Dohrmann Abstract Overlapping Schwarz methods are considered for mixed finite element approximations of linear elasticity, with discontinuous pressure spaces, as well as for compressible elasticity approximated by standard conforming finite elements. The coarse components of the preconditioners are based on spaces, with a number of degrees of freedom per subdomain which are uniformly bounded, which are similar to those previously developed for scalar elliptic problems and domain decomposition methods of iterative substructuring type, i.e. methods based on nonoverlapping decompositions of the domain. The local components of the new preconditioners are based on solvers on a set of overlapping subdomains. In the current study, the dimension of the coarse spaces is smaller than in recently developed algorithms; in the compressible case all independent face degrees of freedom have been eliminated while in the almost incompressible case five out of six are not needed. In many cases, this will result in a reduction of the dimension of the coarse space by about one half compared with that of the algorithm previously considered. In addition, in spite of using overlapping subdomains to define the local components of the preconditioner, values of the residual and the approximate solution need only to be retained on the interface between the subdomains in the iteration of the new hybrid Schwarz algorithm. The use of discontinuous pressures makes it possible to work exclusively with symmetric, positive-definite problems and the standard preconditioned conjugate gradient method. Bounds are established for the condition number of the preconditioned operators. The bound for the almost incompressible case grows in proportion to the square of the logarithm of the number of degrees of freedom of individual subdomains and the third power of the relative overlap between the overlapping subdomains, and it is independent of the Poisson ratio as well as jumps in the Lamé parameters across the interface between the subdomains. Numerical results illustrate the findings. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Investigation of nanocrystalline CdS,glutathione particles by radial distribution functionJOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, Issue 6 2003V. I. Korsounski Using high-energy synchrotron radiation, powder diffraction experiments were carried out on CdS nanocrystals stabilized with glutathione. The radial distribution function was calculated from the data and analysed. The nanoparticle core, of diameter estimated as 15,20,Å, consists of Cd and S atoms in the proportion 1:1. Inside the core, both Cd and S atoms coordinate each other approximately tetrahedrally. The surface S atoms are connected to just two or three Cd atoms of the core and belong to the glutathione molecules of the particle shell. These S atoms are also a part of the core structure and contribute about one half of the total number of S atoms per particle. First-neighbour Cd,S distances are 2.523,Å with a narrow distance distribution. No difference is observed between the lengths of Cd,S bonds involving the sulfur of the glutathione molecules and the sulfur atoms which are solely bound to Cd. The bond angle Cd,S,Cd at the surface bridging S atoms of glutathione is ca 99.5°, i.e. significantly smaller than an average one of 109.5° characteristic of the Cd and S atom packing inside the core. Beyond the range of the near interatomic distances, the influence of the surface and the defects cause a significant distinction of the particle core structure from those of zincblende and wurtzite, characteristic of bulk CdS. [source] Effect of Blockade of TNF-, and Interleukin-1 Action on Bone Resorption in Early Postmenopausal Women,,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 5 2007Natthinee Charatcharoenwitthaya Abstract After acute estrogen withdrawal in postmenopausal women, administration of anakinra or etanercept, specific blockers of IL-1 and TNF-,, respectively, reduced the rise in bone resorption markers to about one half of that in controls. This is consistent with an important role for these immune cytokines in mediating the effect of estrogen deficiency on bone. Introduction: Studies in rodents have implicated increased production of interleukin (IL)-1, and TNF-, as mediators of bone loss after ovariectomy, but their roles are unclear in humans whose immune system differs markedly from that of rodents. Materials and Methods: We administered transdermal estradiol, 0.1 mg/d, for 60 days to 42 early postmenopausal women. Estrogen treatment was discontinued, and subjects were randomly assigned to intervention groups receiving 3 wk of injections with 0.9% saline, anakinra 100 mg/d, or etanercept 25 mg/twice weekly. Bone turnover was assessed by measuring serum carboxyl-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) and amino-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (NTX), markers for bone resorption, and serum amino-terminal propeptide of type 1 collagen (P1NP), a marker for bone formation. Results were expressed as percent change in markers from baseline (last 2 days of estrogen treatment and days 20 and 21 of intervention). Results: The percent changes from baseline during intervention for serum CTX, urine NTX, and serum PINP, respectively, were 43.3 ± 8.0%, 12.0 ± 7.1%, and ,41.0 ± 2.5% for the control group; 25.9 ± 6.3%, 9.5 ± 4.0%, and ,37.8 ± 3.0% for the anakinra group; and 21.7 ± 5.0%, 0.32 ± 3.82%, and ,34.5 ± 3.9% for the etanercept group. Compared with the control group, the blunting of the increase in serum CTX fell just below the level of significance (p = 0.10) after anakinra treatment, whereas the blunting of the increase in serum CTX (p = 0.034) and in urine NTX (p = 0.048) were significant after etanercept treatment. Other changes were not significant. Conclusions: The data are consistent with a role for TNF-,, and possibly for IL-1,, in mediating increased bone resorption during estrogen deficiency in women. Although either cytokine blocker reduced serum CTX by about one half, the effect of combined blockade could not be tested because of concerns about toxicity. The data do not exclude direct or indirect contributory roles for RANKL or for other cytokines. [source] Comparison of the bleeding on marginal probing index and the Eastman interdental bleeding index as indicators of gingivitisJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 3 2002D. S. Barendregt Abstract Aim: The purpose of the present study was to compare 2 indices, i.e., the Eastman interdental bleeding (EIB) index and the bleeding on marginal probing (BOMP) index. The comparison was made (a) in terms of the degree of bleeding provoked and the relationship with plaque in natural gingivitis and (b) for the ability of these 2 methods to detect differences between the development of experimental gingivitis in a control group and a group in which the development of gingival inflammation was suppressed by treatment. For the present studies, subjects were selected without interdental recession of the gingival tissues. Methods experiment 1: In this experiment, 43 subjects having established moderate gingivitis were assessed using a random splitmouth design (1st and 3rd/2nd and 4th quadrant). Plaque was scored on all approximal sites after which the BOMP index was assessed in one half of the mouth and the EIB index in the other. Results experiment 1: The BOMP index showed a bleeding score of 84% and the EIB index of 87%. The significant correlation between plaque and gingival bleeding for the BOMP index (0.55) was higher than for the EIB index (0.44). Methods experiment 2: For this experiment, 25 subjects participated in an experimental gingivitis trial of the lower jaw. At baseline, first the BOMP index and immediately thereafter the EIB index were assessed at all approximal sites. Experimental gingivitis (EG) was carried out in one randomly assigned quadrant and as a treatment modality only floss was used in the other (FL). Results experiment 2: In the EG quadrant, the BOMP index increased to 69% and the EIB index to 73%. Both indices showed a significant correlation with plaque; 0.60 and 0.64 respectively. In the FL quadrant, the BOMP index increased to 38% and the EIB index to 30%. No significant correlation between both gingivitis indices and the amount of plaque was present in the FL quadrant. Conclusion: The ability of the BOMP index and the EIB index to assess the level gingival inflammation appears to be comparable. Zusammenfassung Ziel: Der Zweck der vorliegenden Studie war es, die 2 Indizes, den Eastman Interdental Bleeding (EIB) Index und den Bleeding On Marginal Probing (BOMB) Index zu vergleichen. Der Vergleich erfolgte. (A) hinsichtlich des provozierten Blutungsgrades und der Relation zwischen Plaque und natürlicher Gingivitis sowie: (B) bezüglich der Fähigkeit dieser 2 Methoden hinsichtlich des Nachweises von Unterschieden zwischen der Entwicklung einer experimentellen Gingivitis in einer Kontrollgruppe und einer Gruppe in der die Ausbildung einer gingivalen Entzündung durch die Behandlung unterdrückt wurde. Für die vorliegende Studie wurden Personen ohne interdentale Gingivarezession ausgewählt. Methoden Experiment 1: Bei diesem Experiment wurden 43 Personen mit etablierter moderater Gingivitis nach einem randomisierten Splitmouth-Design untersucht (1. Und 3./2. Und 4. Quadrant). Die Plaque wurde an allen approximalen Flächen bestimmt und anschließend wurde BOMP-Index in der einen Hälfte des Gebisses und der EIB-Index in der anderen erhoben. Ergebnisse Experiment 1: Der BOMP-Index zeigte einen Blutungswert von 84% und der EIB-Index einen von 87%. Die signifikante Korrelation zwischen der Plaque und einer gingivalen Blutung war für den BOMP-Index (0.55) höher als für den EIB-Index (0.44). Methoden Experiment 2: Für diese Experiment wurde bei 25 Personen eine experimentelle Gingivitis im Unterkiefer erzeugt. Bei der Eingangsuntersuchung wurde an allen Approximalflächen zuerst der BOMP-Index und sofort anschließend der EIB-Index erhoben. Die experimentelle Gingivitis (EG) wurde in einem randomisiert bestimmten Quadranten erzeugt und als Behandlungsart wurde im anderen Quadranten nur Zahnseide (FL) verwendet. Ergebnisse Experiment 2: Im EG-Quadranten stiegen der BOMP-Index auf 69% und der EIB-Index auf 73% an. Beide Indizes zeigten eine signifikante Korrelation mit der Plaque, die bei 0.60 bzw. 0.64 lag. Im FL-Quadranten stiegen der BOMP-Index auf 38% und der EIB-Index auf 30% an. Zwischen beiden Gingivitis-Indizes und der Plaquemenge, die im FL-Quadranten vorhanden war, gab es keine signifikante Korrelation. Schlussfolgerung: Die Möglichkeit mit dem BOMP-Index und den EIB-Index das Niveau der gingivalen Entzündung zu Bestimmen scheint vergleichbar zu sein. Résumé But: Le but de cette étude a été de comparer 2 indices, c-à-d. l'indice du saignement interdentaire d'Eastman (EIB) et l'indice du saignement au sondage marginal (BOMP). La comparaison a été effectuée (a) en termes de saignement provoqué et de relation avec la plaque dentaire dans la gingivite naturelle et (b) sur l'aptitude de ces 2 méthodes à détecter des différences lors du dévelopment d'une gingivite expérimentale dans un groupe contrôle et dans un groupe test dont le dévelopement de l'inflammation gingivale a été entravé par un traitement. Pour ces études, des sujets qui ne présentaient pas de récession interdentaire ont été sélectionnés. Méthodes, expérience 1: Dans la première expérimentation, 43 sujets étant porteurs d'une gingivite modérée ont été enregistrés en utilisant un modèle de bouche divisée au hasard (1er et 3ième quadrants VS 2ième et 4ième quadrants). La plaque dentaire a été estimée sur tous les sites interproximaux. Résultats expérience 1: L'indice BOMP a ensuite été relevé sur une partie de la bouche et l'indice EIB sur l'autre. L'indice BOMP a eu un score de 84% et l'EIB de 87%. La corrélation significative entre la présence de plaque dentaire et le saignement gingival était pour l'indice BOMP de 0.55, supérieur donc à celui de l'EIB qui était de 0.44. Méthodes expérience 2: Lors de la seconde expérience, 25 sujets ont participéà une gingivite expérimentale au niveau de la mandibule. Lors de l'examen de départ l'indice BOMP a été relevé en premier suivi de celui de l'EIB au niveau de tous les sites interproximaux. La gingivite expérimentale (EG) a été effectuée sur un quadrant choisi de manière randomisée et un traitement avec de la soie dentaire uniquement a été utilisé dans l'autre (FL). Résultats expérience 2: Dans le quadrant avec EG l'indice BOMP atteignait 69% et l'indice EIB à 73%. Les deux indices avaient une corrélation significative avec la plaque dentaire, respectivement de 0.60 et 0.64. Dans le quadrant FL, l'indice BOMP grimpait à 38% et l'indice EIB à 30%. Aucune corrélation significative entre les deux indices de gingivite et la quantité de plaque n'a été trouvé dans le quadrant FL. Conclusions: L'aptitude des indices BOMP et EIB à mesurer le niveau d'inflammation gingivale semble comparable. [source] Evaluation of two types of online help for application softwareJOURNAL OF COMPUTER ASSISTED LEARNING, Issue 4 2000S. Dutke Abstract, A recent trend in application software design is to extend online help systems in order to support exploratory and self-paced learning. Two different information formats, lists of action steps that have to be taken to achieve a goal (operative help) and explanations about how a function works (function-oriented help), were evaluated to assess their effects on learning performance. In two experiments, adult computer novices (N = 60 and N = 20) learned to use experimental graphics software by task-based exploration. After one half of the tasks, the type of tasks changed so that the acquired action schema could no longer be applied. Results indicated that participants who had access to function-oriented help were coping more successfully with the schema change than participants who received operative help. The relevance to the design of software training and online help systems is discussed. [source] Detectable reporter gene expression following transduction of adenovirus and adeno-associated virus serotype 2 vectors within full-thickness osteoarthritic and unaffected canine cartilage in vitro and unaffected guinea pig cartilage in vivoJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 2 2010Kelly S. Santangelo Abstract This study quantified and compared the transduction efficiencies of adenoviral (Ad), Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-modified Ad, adeno-associated viral serotype 2 (AAV2), and self-complementary AAV2 (scAAV2) vectors within full-thickness osteoarthritic (OA) and unaffected canine cartilage explants in vitro. Intraarticular administration of Ad and scAAV2 vectors was performed to determine the ability of these vectors to transduce unaffected guinea pig cartilage in vivo. Following explant exposure to vector treatment or control, the onset and surface distribution of reporter gene expression was monitored daily with fluorescent microscopy. At termination, explants were divided: one half was digested for analysis using flow cytometry; the remaining portion was used for histology and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Intact articular joints were collected for real-time RT-PCR and IHC to detect reporter gene expression following injection of selected vectors. Ad vector transduced focal areas along the perimeters of explants; the remaining vectors transduced chondrocytes across 100% of the surface. Greater mean transduction efficiencies were found with both AAV2 vectors as compared to the Ad vector (p,,,0.026). Ad and Ad-RGD vectors transduced only superficial chondrocytes of OA and unaffected cartilage. Uniform reporter gene expression from AAV2 and scAAV2 was detected in the tangential and transitional zones of OA cartilage, but not deeper zones. AAV2 and scAAV2 vectors achieved partial and full-thickness transduction of unaffected cartilage. In vivo work revealed that scAAV2 vector, but not Ad vector, transduced deeper zones of cartilage and menisci. This study demonstrates that AAV2 and scAAV2 are reliable vectors for use in cartilage in vitro and in vivo. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:149,155, 2010 [source] Psychometric reevaluation of the Women in Science Scale (WiSS)JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING, Issue 10 2007Steven V. Owen The Women in Science Scale (WiSS) was first developed in 1984, and is still being used in contemporary studies, yet its psychometric properties have not been evaluated with current statistical methods. In this study, the WiSS was administered in its original 27-item form to 1,439 middle and high school students. Confirmatory factor analysis based upon the original description of the WiSS was modestly supportive of the proposed three-factor structure, but the claimed dimensions showed substantial redundancy. Therefore, we split our sample and performed exploratory factor analyses on one half. The most satisfactory solution, a two-factor model, was then applied to the crossvalidation sample with a confirmatory factor analysis. This two-factor structure was supported with a total of 14 items. Factor 1, Equality, contains eight items, and factor 2, Sexism, six items. Although our data are limited to adolescents, the WiSS, with improved psychometric properties, may be used descriptively to assess attitudes toward women in science and with additional stability and repeatability testing, may be used in evaluation research. The shortened WiSS should result in shorter administration time, fewer missing data, and increased acceptance among survey administrators in classroom settings. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 44: 1461,1478, 2007 [source] Bleeding peptic ulcer , time trends in incidence, treatment and mortality in SwedenALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 4 2009J. SADIC Summary Background, The incidence of peptic ulcer disease was expected to decrease following the introduction of acid inhibitors and Helicobacter pylori eradication. Aim, To analyse possible changes in the incidence of bleeding peptic ulcer, treatment and mortality over time. Methods, Residents of Malmö hospitalized for bleeding gastric or duodenal ulcer disease during 1987,2004 were identified in hospital databases (n = 1610). The material was divided into 6-year periods to identify changes over time. All patients who had been submitted to emergency surgery (n = 137) were reviewed. Results, The incidence rate for bleeding gastric or duodenal ulcers decreased by one half in males and by one-third in females and emergency operations decreased significantly (9.2%, 7.5% and 5.7% during the three time periods, respectively (P < 0.05). The post-operative mortality tended to decrease (9.7, 2.4 and 3.7%, respectively) and the 30-day mortality rates in the whole material were 1.2%, 3.6% and 3.4% during the different time periods. Conclusion, The incidence of bleeding gastric and duodenal ulcer disease has decreased markedly. Operative treatment has been replaced by endoscopic treatment. The bleeding ulcer-related mortality was less than 4% and has not changed over time. [source] Review article: fructose malabsorption and the bigger pictureALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 4 2007P. R. GIBSON Summary Fructose is found widely in the diet as a free hexose, as the disaccharide, sucrose and in a polymerized form (fructans). Free fructose has limited absorption in the small intestine, with up to one half of the population unable to completely absorb a load of 25 g. Average daily intake of fructose varies from 11 to 54 g around the world. Fructans are not hydrolysed or absorbed in the small intestine. The physiological consequences of their malabsorption include increasing osmotic load, providing substrate for rapid bacterial fermentation, changing gastrointestinal motility, promoting mucosal biofilm and altering the profile of bacteria. These effects are additive with other short-chain poorly absorbed carbohydrates such as sorbitol. The clinical significance of these events depends upon the response of the bowel to such changes; they have a higher chance of inducing symptoms in patients with functional gut disorders than asymptomatic subjects. Restricting dietary intake of free fructose and/or fructans may have durable symptomatic benefits in a high proportion of patients with functional gut disorders, but high quality evidence is lacking. It is proposed that confusion over the clinical relevance of fructose malabsorption may be reduced by regarding it not as an abnormality but as a physiological process offering an opportunity to improve functional gastrointestinal symptoms by dietary change. [source] Cooperative interaction of n -butylammonium ion with 1,3-alternate tetrapropoxycalix [4]arene: NMR and theoretical studyMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN CHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2008Jaroslav K Abstract The interaction of 1,3-alternate tetrapropoxycalix[4]arene (1) with n -butylammonium ion (2) in CD2Cl2 was examined using 1H, 13C and 14N NMR spectroscopy and DFT (density functional theory) calculations. NMR shows that 1 forms with 2 an equimolecular hydrogen-bonded complex with the equilibrium constant 5.91 × 103 l/mol at 296 K. The structure of the complex can be shown to be asymmetric at 203 K, with 2 interacting by hydrogen bonds with the two ethereal oxygen atoms of one half of 1 and with the , system of the other half, but is rapidly averaged to an apparent C4h symmetry by chemical exchange at higher temperatures. Using two related but independent techniques based on transverse and rotating-frame proton relaxation, it is shown that only an intermolecular exchange of 2 between the bound and free states takes place, in contrast to previously studied interaction of 1 with H3O+. Its correlation time is 0.169 ms. It is shown by DFT calculations that such swift exchange is not possible without a cooperative interaction of both 2 and 1 with several molecules of water present. Similarities and contrasts between the exchange processes of 2 and H3O+ bound to 1 are discussed, in particular with respect to the apparent quantum tunneling of the latter inside the molecule of the complex. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Deep radio imaging of the SCUBA 8-mJy survey fields: submillimetre source identifications and redshift distributionMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 1 2002R. J. Ivison Abstract The SCUBA 8-mJy survey is the largest submillimetre (submm) extragalactic mapping survey undertaken to date, covering 260 arcmin2 to a 4 , detection limit of ,8 mJy at 850 ,m, centred on the Lockman Hole and ELAIS N2 regions. Here, we present the results of new 1.4-GHz imaging of these fields, of the depth and resolution necessary to reliably identify radio counterparts for 18 of 30 submm sources, with possible detections of a further 25 per cent. Armed with this greatly improved positional information, we present and analyse new optical, near-infrared (near-IR) and XMM,Newton X-ray imaging to identify optical/IR host galaxies to half of the submm-selected sources in those fields. As many as 15 per cent of the submm sources detected at 1.4 GHz are resolved by the 1.4-arcsec beam and a further 25 per cent have more than one radio counterpart, suggesting that radio and submm emission arise from extended starbursts and that interactions are common. We note that less than a quarter of the submm-selected sample would have been recovered by targeting optically faint radio sources, underlining the selective nature of such surveys. At least 60 per cent of the radio-confirmed optical/IR host galaxies appear to be morphologically distorted; many are composite systems , red galaxies with relatively blue companions; just over one half are found to be very red (I , K > 3.3) or extremely red (I , K > 4); contrary to popular belief, most are sufficiently bright to be tackled with spectrographs on 8-m telescopes. We find one submm source which is associated with the steep-spectrum lobe of a radio galaxy, at least two more with flatter radio spectra typical of radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGN), one of them variable. The latter is amongst four sources (,15 per cent of the full sample) with X-ray emission consistent with obscured AGN, though the AGN would need to be Compton thick to power the observed far-IR luminosity. We exploit our well-matched radio and submm data to estimate the median redshift of the S850,m , 8 mJy submm galaxy population. If the radio/far-IR correlation holds at high redshift, and our sample is unbiased, we derive a conservative limit of ,z, ,2.0, or ,2.4 using spectral templates more representative of known submm galaxies. [source] A novel movement disorder of the lower lip,MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 6 2004Kleopas A. Kleopa MD Abstract Four patients, aged 25 to 42 years presented with acute onset of a movement disorder characterized by a tonic, sustained, lateral and outward protrusion of one half of the lower lip. The movement disorder was present at rest, while in some patients, it was also present during speech. In all cases, the abnormal lip posture could be suppressed voluntarily. Neurological examination was otherwise normal. Extensive laboratory investigation failed to reveal any causative factors for secondary focal dystonia. Treatment with oral medications and botulinum toxin was mostly ineffective. Spontaneous remissions were frequent. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||