bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Entrance and Exit Conditions on the Transient Evolution of Streaming Potential in a Finite Length Microchannel
Authors: Mansouri Ali , Scheuerman Carl , Bhattacharjee Subir , Kwok Daniel Y. , Kostiuk Larry W.
Published: May 2009

Microfluidic systems have profoundly transformed chemical analysis, separation and detection techniques over the past decade by enabling rapid manipulation of extremely small volumes of fluid. Electrokinetic (EK) flow, i.e., flow of an electrolyte in narrow capillaries driven by the combined influence of electric field and pressure, is of significant interest in microfluidic devices. Review of literature reveals that most studies on microchannels are either for steady state solution or infinite length microchannels. In this paper, we examine the development of a transient streaming potential for pressure-driven EK flow in a finite length microchannel. A transient numerical simulation of ion transport leading to the development of a streaming potential across a finite length circular cylindrical microchannel connecting two infinite reservoirs is presented. The solution based on finite element analysis shows the transient development of ionic fluxes, currents, and the streaming potential across the channel. The influence of the entrance and exit effects on the evolution of the streaming potential is clearly depicted in this study. Our results will be employed to discuss some of the limitations of literature streaming potential analysis based on infinite length microchannels.
A Micro-Fabricated Electrical-Impedance-Based In-Flight Hematology Analyzer
Authors: Layton Bradley E. , Jamieson Brian G. , Sullivan Stephanie M.
Published: May 2009

We present a proposed method to obtain three hematology parameters: red blood cell count, mean red blood cell volume and red blood cell distribution width on a microfabricated microchannel device. Detection will be conducted with an impedance device, in a series of three or more filter beds with channel dimensions on the order of 2–7 μm wide × 5 μm high × 5–15 μm long, and a total device volume on the order of 1 μl.
Effects of Cross-Section Geometry of Capillary on the Evaporation From the Meniscus
Authors: Jin Songwan , Choi Choonghyo , Breuer Kenneth S. , Yoo Jung Yul
Published: May 2009

Effects of cross-section geometry of capillary on the evaporation from the meniscus have been investigated by adopting several circular and rectangular capillaries. The evaporating meniscus shape, evaporation rate and flow near the evaporating meniscus of various liquids such as water, ethanol and methanol are determined. The shapes of water and ethanol menisci in circular capillary are quite different from each other due to the difference in surface tension. But the difference in meniscus shapes is relatively small in rectangular channel. The averaged evaporation fluxes in rectangular channel are much larger than that in circular capillary. The rotating vortex motion is observed near the evaporating menisci of ethanol and methanol except for the case of methanol in 200 × 20-μm capillary. The reason for this is considered to be the existence of the corner menisci at the four corners.
A Symmetry-Based Microfluidic Mixer for Rapid and Complete Mixing
Authors: Coleman Jeffrey T. , McKechnie Jonathan , Sinton David
Published: May 2009

Rapid electric field switching is an established microfluidic mixing strategy for electrokinetic flows. Many such microfluidic mixers are variations on the t- or y-channel geometry. In these configurations, rapid switching of the electric field can greatly improve initial mixing over that achieved with static-field mixing. Due to a fundamental lack of symmetry, however, these strategies suffer from lingering cross-channel concentration gradients which delay complete mixing of the fluid stream. Presented here is a field switching microfluidic mixing strategy which utilizes a symmetric sequential injector and an expansion chamber to achieve rapid and effectively complete microfluidic mixing. The three-inlet symmetric injector sequentially interlaces the two dissimilar incoming solutions. Just downstream of the injector, the sequence enters an expansion chamber and increased axial diffusion results in rapid mixing. The completely mixed solution is refocused into the outlet stream. The microfluidic chips are designed such that only the minimum number of independent fluid reservoirs is required. Chips are manufactured in polydimethylsiloxane using established soft-lithography based microfabrication methods. Fluorescence microscopy is employed to analyze, quantify and demonstrate the effectiveness of this mixing strategy, and determine a preferred operating frequency range. The microfluidic chip design is based on the findings of a recent numerical modelling based work that demonstrates the sequential injection micromixing concept.
Annular Liquid Film Flow Under Local Heating in Microchannel
Authors: Gatapova Elizaveta Ya. , Kuznetsov Vladimir V. , Kabov Oleg A. , Legros Jean-Claude
Published: May 2009

In our previous investigations the formation of liquid bump of locally heated laminar liquid film with co-current gas flow was obtained [1,2]. The evaporation of liquid was left out of account. Heat transfer to the gas phase was approximately specified by a constant Biot number [2,3]. The aim of this work is an investigation of the evaporation effect, the hydrodynamics and the heat transfer of liquid film flow in a channel 0.2–1 mm height. The 2-D model of locally heated liquid film moving under gravity and the action of co-current gas flow with low viscosity in a channel are considered. The channel can be inclined at an angle with respect to horizon. It is supposed that the height of the channel is much less than its width. Surface tension is assumed to depend on temperature. The velocity profiles for gas and liquid regions are found from problem of joint motion of isothermal non-deformable liquid film and gas flow. Using the findings the joint solution of heat transfer and diffusion problem with corresponding boundary condition is calculated. Having the temperature field in the whole of liquid and gas flow region we find a local heat transfer coefficient on the gas-liquid interface and Biot number as a function of flow parameters and spatial variables.
MR acoustic radiation force imaging: In vivo comparison to ultrasound motion tracking
Authors: Huang Yuexi , Curiel Laura , Kukic Aleksandra , Plewes Donald B. , Chopra Rajiv , Hynynen Kullervo
Published: May 2009

MR acoustic radiation force (ARF) imaging was developed for measuring tissue elastic properties using focused ultrasound to deliver a localized tissue motion. In this study, an imaging ultrasound transducer was mounted on the focused ultrasound transducer and ultrasound motion tracking was performed simultaneously to MR ARF imaging to validate the measurement results. In vivo studies on rabbit thigh muscle were performed and results showed a general agreement between the two modalities ( and ). The temporal information by the ultrasound measurement indicates that the parameters in MR ARF imaging should be optimized according to the tissue type, acoustic power, and envelope and frequency of the ARF modulation.
Multilevel hybrid 2D strain imaging algorithm for ultrasound sector/phased arrays
Authors: Chen Hao , Varghese Tomy
Published: May 2009

Two‐dimensional (2D) cross‐correlation algorithms are necessary to estimate local displacement vector information for strain imaging. However, most of the current two‐dimensional cross‐correlation algorithms were developed for linear array transducers. Although sector and phased array transducers are routinely used for clinical imaging of abdominal and cardiac applications, strain imaging for these applications has been performed using one‐dimensional (1D) cross‐correlation analysis. However, one‐dimensional cross‐correlation algorithms are unable to provide accurate and precise strain estimation along all the angular insonification directions which can range from to with sector and phased array transducers. In addition, since sector and phased array based images have larger separations between beam lines as the pulse propagates deeper into tissue, signal decorrelation artifacts with deformation or tissue motion are more pronounced. In this article, the authors propose a multilevel two‐dimensional hybrid algorithm for ultrasound sector and phased array data that demonstrate improved tracking and estimation performance when compared to the traditional 1D cross‐correlation or 2D cross‐correlation based methods. Experimental results demonstrate that the signal‐to‐noise and contrast‐to‐noise ratio estimates improve significantly for smaller window lengths for the hybrid method when compared to the currently used one‐dimensional or two‐dimensional cross‐correlation algorithms. Strain imaging results on ex vivo thermal lesions created in liver tissue and in vivo on cardiac short‐axis views demonstrate the improved image quality obtained with this method.
Tobacco regulation: autonomy up in smoke?
Authors: Hooper C R , Agule C
Published: May 2009

Over the past few decades, “Big Tobacco” has spread its tentacles across the developing world with devastating results. The global incidence of smoking has increased exponentially in Africa, Asia and South America and it is leading to an equally rapid increase in the incidence of smoking-induced morbidity and mortality on these continents. The World Health Organization (WHO) has tried to respond to this crisis by devising a set of regulations to limit the spread of smoking, and many countries have bound themselves to follow the WHO’s guidelines. This article provides an overview of these regulatory measures and the authors attempt to defend them from the perspective of liberty and autonomy. Their motivation is to countermand any attempt by the tobacco industry to attack the regulations on the grounds that they infringe the liberty rights of producers and consumers. It is also argued, however, that a blanket ban of the production, sale and consumption of tobacco cannot be justified on the grounds of autonomy alone.
Getting beyond the welfare of the child in assisted reproduction
Authors: Solberg B
Published: May 2009

The welfare of the child is the prevailing principle and concern regarding access to assisted reproduction in Western countries today, and there is a wish to avoid harm to future children. New research fields have developed in order to provide scientific evidence on the welfare of children living with different “types” of parents. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) seems to be heading in a responsible direction where the care and concern for future children is vital. However, the claim of this article is that the principle of the welfare of the child confuses the ethical framing of ART. Several philosophers in the past have argued that potential people must be regarded as outside the moral domain, and therefore cannot be harmed or benefitted. This message has not reached the policymakers, probably because the welfare of the child principle seems to fit so elegantly with common sense. In this article a different ethical framing of ART is proposed. The author argues that “futile care” and not “the welfare of the child” should be the guiding principle for eventually rejecting access to ART. The desired goal of ART treatment should be understood to be the production of functional families. Assisted reproduction is primarily about us, actual people in an actual society, and how potential children may affectus.
Teaching moral theories is an option: reply to Rob Lawlor
Authors: Benatar D
Published: May 2009

In his response to my earlier criticism, Rob Lawlor argues that the benefits I suggest can be derived from teaching moral theories in applied ethics courses can be obtained in other ways. In my reply, I note that because I never claimed the benefits could be obtained only from teaching moral theories, Dr Lawlor’s response fails to refute my earlier argument that some attention to moral theories is an option in applied ethics courses.
George Eliot’sMiddlemarch: a contribution to medical professionalism
Authors: Rosin A
Published: May 2009

The qualities of medical professionalism have been questioned in the last few years. George Eliot’s 19thcentury novelMiddlemarchillustrates some of the truths that should underlie the physician-patient relationship, and depicts prophetically some of the developments that were to occur in reality in the medicine of the 20thand 21stcentury. Her insight into the problems facing a medical researcher and the fictional conflicts between vocation and marriage are real issues of medical professionalism even today.
Storying the street: transition narratives of homeless youth
Authors: Ottaway N , King K , Erickson P G
Published: May 2009

Toronto Youth Street Stories is an innovative, web-based storytelling project that was conducted with homeless youths in Toronto. As a collaborative knowledge dissemination initiative, the project engaged youthful participants, authors, community mentors, youth service agencies and university-based researchers. Over 50 youths were encouraged to express their personal perspectives through author-led, creative writing workshops, resulting in youth-created stories, poems and pictures about a wide array of feelings and experiences. Across the dozens of pieces of writing, there is evidence of a chronology of street life, or an “arc of experience”, that ranges from living with abuse and despair, leaving home, living on the street, experiencing a crisis or turning point, accessing services and gradually moving away from street life toward self-sustaining independence and security. This arc of experience includes the stories of youth who have transitioned away from the street as well as those still facing homelessness. This paper describes this arc of experience and illustrates it with the subjective material generated by the youths’ stories about their lives on the streets of Toronto. We conclude that this project provided an important, creative outlet for the youths, and increased understanding of the challenges, stigma and resilience of homeless youth.
A novel Rf gene controlling fertility restoration of Ogura male sterility by RNA processing of orf138 found in Japanese wild radish and its STS markers
Authors: Yasumoto Keita , Terachi Toru , Yamagishi Hiroshi
Published: May 2009

To reveal the molecular and genetic mechanism of fertility restoration in Ogura male sterility in Japanese wild radish ( Raphanus sativus var. hortensis f. raphanistroides), we investigated fertility restoration of a plant that lacks the dominant type of orf687, a previously identified fertility restorer gene. A total of 100 F2 plants were made from the cross between a male-sterile strain with the Ogura cytoplasm, ‘MS-Gensuke’, and a Japanese wild radish plant. Segregation of pollen fertility in the F2 plants led us to assume that 2 dominant complementary genes controlled the fertility restoration of the plants. However, the fertility of 27 of 59 male-fertile plants was not completely restored, resulting in a group of plants with partial male fertility. Northern blot analysis of the CMS-associated gene orf138 indicated that one restorer allele (termed Rft) was involved in the processing of orf138 RNA. Rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) and subsequent Northern blot analysis confirmed that the orf138 transcript lost a 5′ part of the coding region of the orf138 gene in the restored plants. The accumulation of ORF138 protein was significantly reduced by Rft, but trace amounts of the protein were recognized in both partially male-fertile and male-sterile plants with Rft. The relationship of pollen fertility and segregation of co-dominant sequence tagged site (STS) markers in the F2 generation suggested that the penetrance of Rft was so low that Rft needs suitable conditions to function sufficiently for the complete restoration of fertility.
Divergent diversity patterns of NBS and LRR domains of resistance gene analogs in wild emmer wheat populations
Authors: Sela Hanan , Cheng Jianping , Jun Yan , Nevo Eviatar , Fahima Tzion
Published: May 2009

Disease resistance (R) genes are intriguing in their evolution and diversity patterns because of their constant interactions with evolving pathogens. In this study, we demonstrate the use of resistance gene analog (RGA) markers to estimate genetic diversity among 13 populations (118 genotypes) of Triticum dicoccoides collected along a natural aridity gradient in Israel. The diversity patterns of 204 markers derived from two R-gene domains, nucleotide binding site (NBS) and leucine-rich repeat (LRR), were compared and contrasted. Diversity patterns of NBS domain markers differed significantly from those of the LRR domain. NBS markers showed higher between-population diversity (Fst= 0.58), while LRR markers showed higher within-population diversity (Fst= 0.35). Gene diversity (He) values were twofold higher in the LRR domain than in the NBS domain (0.144 vs. 0.067). LRR Hevalues were correlated with precipitation in the spring (r = 0.8, p = 0.01), while NBS Hevalues showed no correlation with any ecogeographical variable. The evolutionary and applicative inferences of these findings are discussed. The current study demonstrates that RGA profiling is an excellent tool for studying diversity of R genes in natural plant populations.
Verification and validation of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for air entrainment at spillway aerators
Authors: Aydin M. Cihan , Ozturk Mualla
Published: May 2009

The results of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling obtained by using FLUENT software with respect to the air entrainment at spillway aerators are compared with data from a physical model study, as well as the results of some empirical equations and prototype observations presented by other investigators. The air-entrainment rates obtained from the CFD analyses are in reasonable agreement with the prototype data and the values calculated from empirical equations, and are better than the physical model data, which include considerable scale effects. The numerical verification procedure in this study is based on the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) editorial policy statement, which provides a framework for CFD uncertainty analysis. Thus, validation of the CFD is discussed within the scope of this study.
Identification, characterization, and overexpression of a phytase with potential industrial interest
Authors: Shi Xiao-Wei , Sun Ming-Lv , Zhou Bo , Wang Xiao-Yun
Published: May 2009

A high phytase-producing strain of Aspergillus niger N-3 was identified by screening 104 microbial strains. The gene for A. niger N-3 was cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris . The coding region without the introns and putative signal sequence was comprised of 1347 nucleotides. It encoded a polypeptide of 448 amino acids, exhibiting high amino acid sequence homologies (94.87%) with the typical phytase of A. niger NRRL 3135. The molecular mass of the recombinant phytase as determined by SDS–PAGE was 60–70 kDa, with maximum activity at ~55 °C (after incubation at 10 min). The phytase retained about 45% of its enzymatic activity under heat treatment at 90 °C for 5 min. It showed a greater affinity for sodium phytate than for p-nitrophenyl phosphate. Dual optima pH (2.0 and 5.5) was gained. The activity at pH 2.0 was about 30% higher than at pH 5.5, which was more suitable to the circumstance of the stomachs of monogastric animals. The extent of glycosylation influenced the characterization of phytase. The deglycosylated phytase showed pH optima at 3.5 and 5.5, and the molecular mass had dropped to 50 kDa.
EVOLVING MORE REPRESENTATIVE PROGRAMS WITH GENETIC PROGRAMMING
Authors: MCGAUGHRAN DANIEL , ZHANG MENGJIE
Published: May 2009

This paper describes a new representation of tree-based genetic programs in Genetic Programming, an approach of artificial intelligence and knowledge engineering, in order to adopt a form more conducive to imperative functions as developed by human programmers. This representation incorporates the Abstract Syntax Tree form into a larger tree structure based on a Control Flow Graph, thereby causing statements to be chained together sequentially and allowing genetic programs to be output as (non-object-oriented) C++ code fragments. Maintaining or improving the evolutionary performance has been a key priority in this development. These prompt additional genetic operators to be defined to better preserve chains of statements than the traditional Mutation and Crossover operators, thereby encouraging a more efficient evolution of genetic programs. Experimental results suggest that adopting a chained approach can make a significant improvement in evolutionary performance over using ProgN functions that evaluate their children sequentially. The introduction of additional operators can improve the evolutionary performance even further.

This approach can automatically generate computer programs for a particular problem using artificial intelligence and knowledge engineering approaches. In particular, the newly developed operators in the chained approach have great potential for generating human competitive programs in commonly used imperative programming languages such as C++.
SCHEME FOR STATE-INDEPENDENT TELEPORTATION BETWEEN TWO DISTANT ATOMS
Authors: JIN JIA-SEN , YU CHANG-SHUI , SONG HE-SHAN
Published: May 2009

We propose a scheme for long-distance teleportation of an unknown atomic state between two atoms that are trapped separately in optical cavities. Our scheme is based on the effects of quantum statistics of indistinguishable photons emitted from the trapped atoms. In this scheme, the probability of success is independent of the state to be teleported. Moreover, in the Lamb-Dicke limit, the requirement of the simultaneous clicks of the detectors is not necessary.
EFFICIENT POLARIZATION ENTANGLEMENT GENERATION FROM SPATIALLY CORRELATED PHOTONS
Authors: GU BIN , LI CHUAN-QI , CHEN YU-LIN
Published: May 2009

We present an efficient protocol for polarization entanglement generation from spatially correlated photons in spontaneous parametric down-conversion. Compare with the protocol proposed by Shimuzu et al. (Phys. Rev. A77 032338), only one polarizing beam splitter is used in this protocol, which makes it simpler and more convenient in a practical application. By increasing the number of the slits, we provide a way for generation of a hyperentangled state in both the spatial and polarization degrees of freedom.
ELKO SPINOR FIELDS: LAGRANGIANS FOR GRAVITY DERIVED FROM SUPERGRAVITY
Authors: DA ROCHA ROLDÃO , HOFF DA SILVA J. M.
Published: May 2009

Dual-helicity eigenspinors of the charge conjugation operator (ELKO spinor fields) belong — together with Majorana spinor fields — to a wider class of spinor fields, the so-called flagpole spinor fields, corresponding to the class-(5), according to Lounesto spinor field classification based on the relations and values taken by their associated bilinear covariants. There exists only six such disjoint classes: the first three corresponding to Dirac spinor fields, and the other three respectively corresponding to flagpole, flag-dipole and Weyl spinor fields. Using the mapping from ELKO spinor fields to the three classes Dirac spinor fields, it is shown that the Einstein–Hilbert, the Einstein–Palatini, and the Holst actions can be derived from the Quadratic Spinor Lagrangian (QSL), as the prime Lagrangian for supergravity. The Holst action is related to the Ashtekar's quantum gravity formulation. To each one of these classes, there corresponds a unique kind of action for a covariant gravity theory. Furthermore we consider the necessary and sufficient conditions to map Dirac spinor fields (DSFs) to ELKO, in order to naturally extend the Standard Model to spinor fields possessing mass dimension one. As ELKO is a prime candidate to describe dark matter and can be obtained from the DSFs, via a mapping explicitly constructed that does not preserve spinor field classes, we prove that — in particular — the Einstein–Hilbert, Einstein–Palatini, and Holst actions can be derived from the QSL, as a fundamental Lagrangian for supergravity, via ELKO spinor fields. The geometric meaning of the mass dimension-transmuting operator — leading ELKO Lagrangian into the Dirac Lagrangian — is also pointed out, together with its relationship to the instanton Hopf fibration.
Differential modeling of anaerobic and aerobic metabolism in the 800-m and 1,500-m run
Authors: Billat Véronique , Hamard Laurence , Koralsztein Jean Pierre , Morton R. Hugh
Published: May 2009

This study examined the hypothesis that running speed over 800- and 1,500-m races is regulated by the prevailing anaerobic (oxygen independent) store (ANS) at each instant of the race up until the all-out phase of the race over the last several meters. Therefore, we hypothesized that the anaerobic power that allows running above the speed at maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o2max) is regulated by ANS, and as a consequence the time limit at the anaerobic power (tlim PAN = ANS/PAN) is constant until the final sprint. Eight 800-m and seven 1,500-m male runners performed an incremental test to measure V̇o2maxand the minimal velocity associated with the attainment of V̇o2max( vV̇o2max), referred to as maximal aerobic power, and ran the 800-m or 1,500-m race with the intent of achieving the lowest time possible. Anaerobic power (PAN) was measured as the difference between total power and aerobic power, and instantaneous ANS as the difference between end-race and instantaneous accumulated oxygen deficits. In 800 m and 1,500 m, tlim PAN was constant during the first 70% of race time in both races. Furthermore, the 1,500-m performance was significantly correlated with tlim PAN during this period ( r = −0.92, P < 0.01), but the 800-m performance was not ( r = −0.05, P = 0.89), although it was correlated with the end-race oxygen deficit ( r = −0.70, P = 0.05). In conclusion, this study shows that in middle-distance races over both 800 m and 1,500 m, the speed variations during the first 70% of the race time serve to maintain constant the time to exhaustion at the instantaneous anaerobic power. This observation is consistent with the hypothesis that at any instant running speed is controlled by the ANS remaining.
Bone marrow fat accumulation after 60 days of bed rest persisted 1 year after activities were resumed along with hemopoietic stimulation: the Women International Space Simulation for Exploration study
Authors: Trudel Guy , Payne Michael , Mädler Burkhard , Ramachandran Nanthan , Lecompte Martin , Wade Charles , Biolo Gianni , Blanc Stéphane , Hughson Richard , Bear Lisa , Uhthoff Hans K.
Published: May 2009

Immobility in bed and decreased mobility cause adaptations to most human body systems. The effect of immobility on fat accumulation in hemopoietic bone marrow has never been measured prospectively. The reversibility of marrow fat accumulation and the effects on hemopoiesis are not known. In the present study, 24 healthy women (age: 25–40 yr) underwent −6° head-down bed rest for 60 days. We used MRI to noninvasively measure the lumbar vertebral fat fraction at various time points. We also measured hemoglobin, erythropoietin, reticulocytes, leukocytes, platelet count, peripheral fat mass, leptin, cortisol, and C-reactive protein during bed rest and for 1 yr after bed rest ended. Compared with baseline, the mean (± SE) fat fraction was increased after 60 days of bed rest (+2.5 ± 1.1%, P < 0.05); the increase persisted 1 yr after the resumption of regular activities (+2.3 ± 0.8%, P < 0.05). Mean hemoglobin levels were significantly decreased 6 days after bed rest ended (−1.36 ± 0.20 g/dl, P < 0.05) but had recovered at 1 yr, with significantly lower mean circulating erythropoietin levels (−3.8 ± 1.2 mU/ml, P < 0.05). Mean numbers of neutrophils and lymphocytes remained significantly elevated at 1 yr (+617 ± 218 neutrophils/μl and +498 ± 112 lymphocytes/μl, both P < 0.05). These results constitute direct evidence that bed rest irreversibly accelerated fat accumulation in hemopoietic bone marrow. The 2.5% increase in fat fraction after 60 days of bed rest was 25-fold larger than expected from historical ambulatory controls. Sixty days of bed rest accelerated by 4 yr the normal bone marrow involution. Bed rest and marrow adiposity were associated with hemopoietic stimulation. One year after subjects returned to normal activities, hemoglobin levels were maintained, with 43% lower circulating erythropoietin levels, and leukocytes remained significantly elevated across lineages. Lack of mobility alters hemopoiesis, possibly through marrow fat accumulation, with potentially wide-ranging clinical consequences.
Comparative Assessment of Photodynamic Therapy for Typical Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy: A Multicenter Study in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Honda Shigeru , Imai Hisanori , Yamashiro Kenji , Kurimoto Yasuo , Kanamori-Matsui Noriko , Kagotani Yasuaki , Tamura Yasushi , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Ohoto Sotaro , Takagi Hitoshi , Uenishi Mamoru , Negi Akira
Published: May 2009

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on different phenotypes of age-related macular degenerations (AMD): typical AMD (tAMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Procedures: 246 eyes from 242 patients (tAMD: 139, PCV: 107 eyes) were recruited. Gender, age, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before treatment, greatest linear dimension before treatment, lesion phenotype and PDT frequency were evaluated for predicting the BCVA at 12 months after PDT using stepwise multiple regression analyses. Additionally, 125 eyes with tAMD and 97 eyes with PCV followed up for more than 12 months after the final PDT were compared for the recurrence period. Results: In the stepwise analysis, a younger age, better pretreatment BCVA, lower PDT frequency, lesions with PCV and a smaller pretreatment greatest linear dimension were all significantly beneficial for a better BCVA at 12 months after PDT. PCV showed a significantly lower PDT frequency and greater improvement in the BCVA than tAMD. The recurrence period of PCV was significantly later than that of tAMD. Conclusions: The phenotype of AMD is significantly correlated with its prognosis after PDT. PCV showed a significantly better response to PDT in terms of BCVA improvement and effect durability.
Isovolemic Hemodilution Alters the Ratio of Whole-Body to Large-Vessel Hematocrit (F-Cell Ratio)
Authors: Haller M. , Brechtelsbauer H. , Akbulut C. , Fett W. , Briegel J. , Finsterer U.
Published: May 2009

Objective: To evaluate potential changes in the ratio of whole-body/large-vessel hematocrit (f-cell ratio) during isovolemic hemodilution and to compare the volume effects of 2 different plasma exchange solutions (hydroxyethyl starch 200,000/0.62 6% and human albumin 5%). Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Setting: Operating theater in a university hospital. Patients: 24 gynecological patients scheduled for elective surgery. Interventions: Isovolemic hemodilution was performed using 2 different plasma exchange solutions. Plasma volume was determined using dye dilution technique before and after hemodilution. The volume of withdrawn blood was measured from the change in weight of the blood bags taking into account the specific gravity of blood. Results: The volume of administered plasma exchange solutions exceeded the amount of withdrawn blood by 80 ± 47 ml (p < 0.001). Plasma volume was 3,067 ± 327 ml before and 3,517 ± 458 ml after hemodilution. Using red cell volumes calculated from measured plasma volumes and peripheral hematocrit, a deficit of 249 ± 133 ml (p < 0.0001) in red cells after hemodilution appeared with the measured withdrawn red cell volumes taken into account. This finding can be explained by a change in the f-cell ratio during isovolemic hemodilution. The volume effect of the exchange solutions was 1.05 for hydroxyethyl starch and 0.95 for albumin. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that a change in the f-cell ratio occurs during isovolemic hemodilution. The estimation of red cell volume or plasma volume changes by using either the hematocrit or plasma or red cell volume determinations together with the hematocrit may lead to erroneous results.
Is the Transfusion Requirement Predictable in Critically Ill Patients after Admission to the Intensive Care Unit?
Authors: Bein T. , Fröhlich D. , Frey A. , Metz Ch. , Hansen E. , Taeger K.
Published: May 2009

Objective: In intensive care medicine the clinical decision to order and transfuse red blood cells (RBC) is usually based on hematocrit or hemoglobin levels. The intention of this study was to investigate whether clinical or laboratory variables, taken after the admission of patients to the intensive care unit (ICU), are able to predict the transfusion requirement of the following 72 h. Design: The values of initially measured systolic blood pressure, hematocrit level, and the values of 2 scores of severity of disease (Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation [APACHE-II], Mortality Prediction Model [MPM]) were calculated after the admission of patients to the ICU. The decision for transfusion was based on specific criteria. The median values of the scores, those of the variables, and the median number of transfused RBC units of the surviving group were compared to the values of the group of patients who died during hospital stay. The quantity of RBC transfusions was compared to the variables and score values by linear regression analysis. Additionally, the values of the patients who did not receive blood transfusion were compared to those of patients who required RBC. Furthermore, the patient group with neurosurgical diseases was compared to the group without neurosurgical diseases. Patients: 117 patients were prospectively and consecutively investigated in an 8-bed ICU of a university hospital. Results: Nonsurvivors required significantly more units of RBC during the first 72 h (p < 0.05). Patients who did not require transfusion had a higher hematocrit and a lower APACHE-II value at admission (p < 0.001). In the MPM values no differences were found. Patients with neurosurgical diseases had a higher initial hematocrit value, and they required less units of RBC in comparison to patients without neurosurgical diseases. In the analysis of linear regression neither in the initially measured systolic blood pressure nor in the APACHE-II and MPM we found a strong linear correlation to the quantity of blood transfusion. Conclusions: A hematocrit value < 20% and a APACHE-II score > 20 at the time of admission to the ICU referred to a demand for blood transfusion. We believe that these parameters are useful as predictive instruments. The initially measured systolic blood pressure had no prognostic capacity. In the individual patient a number of factors should be taken into account to decide whether to transfuse or not.
Physikochemische Grundlagen der Kryokonservierung von Zellsuspensionen
Authors: Körber Ch.
Published: May 2009

The basic mechanisms of the freezing of cell suspensions are discussed in terms of solute enrichment and the resulting osmotical consequences. The shrinkage kinetics of the cell volume and the influence of the cooling rate play a crucial role regarding cell damage due to solution effects or intracellular ice formation. The use of cryoad-ditives permits a substantial reduction of the optimal cooling rate, due to different mechanisms for non-penetrating low molecular weight substances and polymers such as hydroxyethyl starch.
Allgemeine Aspekte beim Einsatz textiler Strukturen für die Implantation
Authors: Planck H.
Published: May 2009

Due to their fibrous structures and various textile construction possibilities, textile structures demonstrate a lot of versatile characteristics. They perform different functions and tasks like for example tissue replacement and tissue augmentation or serve as carrier or scaffold for cells. Textile fabrics like woven fabrics, warp and weft knits or nonwovens have different properties depending on the textile construction (kind of binding, main fiber orientation), which may be used to accomplish an indication-specific function. Biocompatibility and in vivo behavior of a medical device are also influenced by the structure of the product: in the case of textile structures the most important parameters are the kind of construction, wall thickness, yarn size, porosity, and pore size as well as surface roughness. Novel or improved polymeric materials are developed, which in combination with polymeric membrane systems will enable a new generation of implants in the form of biohybrid organs. The combination with stents used as micro-invasive OP systems will reduce operative procedure and the operation risks.
Prevention of Acute Kidney Injury by Erythropoietin in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Pilot Study
Authors: Song Young Rim , Lee Taewoo , You Sun Jin , Chin Ho Joon , Chae Dong-Wan , Lim Cheong , Park Kay-Hyun , Han Sunghee , Kim Jin-Hee , Na Ki Young
Published: May 2009

Background/Aims: Depending on the specific definition, acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in 7–40% of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Even small changes in serum creatinine (SCr) levels are associated with increased mortality after cardiac surgery. However, there are no current methods for preventing AKI after cardiac surgery. Erythropoietin (EPO) has been shown to elicit tissue-protective effects in various experimental models. In this pilot trial, we evaluated the effectiveness of EPO in the prevention of AKI after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: 71 patients scheduled for elective CABG randomly received either 300 U/kg of EPO or saline intravenously before surgery. AKI was defined as a 50% increase in SCr levels over baseline within the first 5 postoperative days. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated from the Cockcroft-Gault equation. Results: Of 71 patients, 13 developed postoperative AKI: 3 of the 36 patients in the EPO group (8%) and 10 of the 35 patients in the placebo group (29%; p = 0.035). The increase in postoperative SCr concentration and the decline in postoperative eGFR were significantly lower in the EPO group than in the placebo group. Conclusions: In our small, pilot trial, prophylactic administration of EPO prevents AKI and improves postoperative renal function. These data are preliminary and require confirmation in a larger clinical trial.
Detection of Trace Amounts of Fetal RhD-Positive Red Cells with Flow Cytometry after Multiple Rh-Negative Intrauterine Transfusions and RhD-Gene Determination with PCR
Authors: Lynen R. , Legler T.J. , Maas J.H. , Suren A. , Osmers R. , Behring B. , Schroeter W. , Koehler M.
Published: May 2009

In 2 cases of RhD-sensitized women, hemolytic disease of the newborns (hdn) was mitigated by intrauterine transfusions of·Rh-negative donor blood during pregnancy. In both cases preterm delivery was performed by cesarean section in week 32 of pregnancy. With cord blood the direct antiglobulin test (DAT) was negative using the gel test. The blood groups corresponded to the transfused donor blood. With flow cytometry (FC), 2% of IgG-coated red cells were found in the cord blood in case I and 5% in case 2. Using FC, these cells were RhD positive. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses showed the presence of RhD-gene sequences in both cases. Therefore, FC and PCR seem to be suitable methods for the diagnosis and the monitoring in cases of imminent hemolytic disease due to anti-D alloimmunization. With further transfusions, both children developed well after delivery.
Einsatz von Immunglobulinen bei Sepsis – eine Bestandsaufnahme
Authors: Werdan K. , Pilz G.
Published: May 2009

1. Für das Gesamtkollektiv «der Patienten mit Sepsis oder schwerem SIRS» ist die Frage der letalitätssenkenden Wirkung von Immunglobulinen weder belegt noch widerlegt. Es ist zu erwarten, daβ die Ergebnisse der SBITS-Studie mit 653 einge-schlossenen Patienten helfen werden, diese Frage zu beantwor-ten. 2. Für die Sepsis-Subgruppen «postoperative Sepsis mit Sepsis-Score > 19» und «endotoxämischer ( > 12,5 pg/ml) septischer Schock» wurde eine signifikante Reduktion der Letalität durch die Gabe von ivIgG und ivIgGMA in jeweils einer Placebo-kontrollierten Studie mit 62 bzw. 55 Patienten dokumentiert. Ehe für diese Sepsis-Subkollektive eine generelle Empfehlung zum Einsatz von Immunglobulinen gegeben werden kann, sollten die publizierten Ergebnisse in ausreichend groβen Fol-gestudien bestätigt werden. 3. Immunglobulin-Prophylaxe reduziert in definierten «Risiko-patienten» und nach definierten «Risiko-Operationen» die Häufigkeit von schweren Infektionen und die Dauer des Auf-enthaltes auf der Intensivstation und im Krankenhaus. 4. Die Score-basierte ivIg-Behandlung von herzchirurgischen Hochrisikopatienten wird als ein Konzept zur Optimierung der individuellen, frühen Behandlung der schweren systemischen Entzündungsreaktion nach kardiopulmonalem Bypass und der imminenten Sepsis vorgestellt. Eine entsprechende multizentri-sche, Placebo-kontrollierte Studie (ESSICS-Studie) befindet sich in der Planungsphase.
Control of ACAT2 Liver Expression by HNF4α
Authors: Pramfalk C. , Karlsson E. , Groop L. , Rudel L.L. , Angelin B. , Eriksson M. , Parini P.
Published: May 2009

Objective—

ACAT2 is thought to be responsible for cholesteryl ester production in chylomicron and VLDL assembly. Recently, we identified HNF1α as an important regulator of the human ACAT2 promoter. Thus, we hypothesized that MODY3 (HNF1α gene mutations) and possibly MODY1 (HNF4α, upstream regulator of HNF1α, gene mutations) subjects may have lower VLDL esterified cholesterol.

Methods and Results—

Serum analysis and lipoprotein separation using size-exclusion chromatography were performed in controls and MODY1 and MODY3 subjects. In vitro analyses included mutagenesis and cotransfections in HuH7 cells. Finally, the relevance in vivo of these findings was tested by ChIP assays in human liver. Whereas patients with MODY3 had normal lipoprotein composition, those with MODY1 had lower levels of VLDL and LDL esterified cholesterol, as well as of VLDL triglyceride. Mutagenesis revealed one important HNF4 binding site in the human ACAT2 promoter. ChIP assays and protein-to-protein interaction studies showed that HNF4α, directly or indirectly (via HNF1α), can bind to the ACAT2 promoter.

Conclusions—

We identified HNF4α as an important regulator of the hepatocyte-specific expression of the human ACAT2 promoter. Our results suggest that the lower levels of esterified cholesterol in VLDL- and LDL-particles in patients with MODY1 may—at least in part—be attributable to lower ACAT2 activity in these patients.
Tea Consumption and Ischemic Stroke Risk
Authors: Liang Wenbin , Lee Andy H. , Binns Colin W. , Huang Rongsheng , Hu Delong , Zhou Qingkun
Published: May 2009

Background and Purpose—

Although experimental studies have suggested that tea consumption may reduce the risk of ischemic stroke, available epidemiological evidence is equivocal, mainly due to the lack of accurate measurements on tea exposure. This study aims to ascertain the relationship between tea drinking and ischemic stroke risk.

Methods—

A case-control study was conducted in southern China from 2007 to 2008. A total of 374 patients with incident ischemic stroke and 464 control subjects (mean age, 69 years) were recruited from 3 hospitals in Foshan. Information on frequency and duration of tea drinking, quantity of dried tea leaves, and types of tea consumed, together with habitual diet and lifestyle characteristics, was obtained from participants using a validated and reliable questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were performed for tea consumption variables accounting for confounders that affect the ischemic stroke risk.

Results—

A significant decrease in ischemic stroke risk was observed for drinking at least one cup of tea weekly (
P
=0.015) when compared with infrequent or nondrinkers, the risk reduction being largest by drinking one to 2 cups of green or oolong tea daily. Significant inverse dose-response relationships were also found for years of drinking and the amount of dried tea leaves brewed. The adjusted ORs for the highest level of consumption in terms of frequency of intake, duration of drinking, and average tea leaves brewed were 0.61 (95% CI, 0.40 to 0.94), 0.40 (95% CI, 0.25 to 0.64), and 0.27 (95% CI, 0.16 to 0.46), respectively.

Conclusion—

Long-term tea consumption is associated with reduced risk of ischemic stroke.
The medieval jurists in Schedel's Weltchronik (1493) Immediate and remote sources
Authors: Bezemer Kees
Published: May 2009

Hartmann Schedel's Weltchronik (1493), also known as 'The Nuremberg Chronicle', contains 31 items on medieval jurists. These items are interesting because, through an intermediate source, they go for the larger part back to Caccialupi, the first serious historiographer of medieval jurisprudence (first edition 1472). This intermediate source, Jacobus Philippus Foresti of Bergamo (1434–1520), did more than passing on Caccialupi's knowledge, which was based essentially on manuscripts. Foresti, not formally trained in law, in particular used information about recently printed editions to update his own chronicle (first edition 1483). His role in legal historiography is more important than has been acknowledged so far.
Bruges, 15th-century centre of the notarial profession in the Low Countries
Authors: Callewier Hendrik
Published: May 2009

On the strength of previous research it has often been assumed that in Flanders the notarial profession had barely developed before 1531. That position can no longer be upheld, in particular with regard to fifteenth-century Bruges, since a prosopographical study into the notaries public who were active at the time in Bruges shows that nowhere else in the Low Countries was the notariate so successful. Moreover, because of their numbers, of their intensive activity in pursuing their trade and of the nature of the deeds they drafted, the Bruges notaries appear to have set the standards for their colleagues in the other parts of the Low Countries. Even so, it remains true that in Bruges as in the rest of North-Western Europe, the notarial profession remained far less important than in the cities of Northern Italy.
Arbitration in early-modern France (16th-18th cent.): A difficult position between the King-legislator's 'voluntarist' policy and a reactionary Judiciary
Authors: Ferrand Jérôme
Published: May 2009

The early-modern French monarchy incorporated arbitration within its system of judicial rationalisation. Faced with the constraints of the Ordinance on the Reform of Justice Administration, the sovereign regional courts (Parlements) multiplied the formal requirements imposed on arbitration proceedings so as to better control it. As a result, its field of application was reduced. In spite of the monarchy's efforts to rehabilitate arbitration, it was largely abandoned by litigants, who preferred to resort to settlement by agreement, which they perceived as a both less restricting and more effective substitute for ending their disputes.
About an unpublished “recueil d'arrêts”: the Jurisprudence du parlement de Flandre of Georges de Ghewiet
Authors: Dauchy Serge , Demars-Sion Véronique
Published: May 2009

Georges de Ghewiet's reports on cases decided by the Sovereign Court (Parlement) of Flanders in the Kingdom of France was primarily based on the reports written by Jacques Pollet, a judge in the same court, which were published in 1716. In his own work, de Ghewiet, an advocate, added new decisions, both of the Parlement of Flanders and of other courts in France and in the Low Countries, and included commentaries referring extensively to European legal literature. Like many other reports of the French Parlement of Flanders (all, however, written by judges), de Ghewiet's reports were never printed, although the author had intended to have the work published. A modern critical edition has been prepared by the authors of the present article. In this contribution, they discuss de Ghewiet's Jurisprudence du parlement de Flandre in comparison with other reports of the French Parlements, the author's purpose and the structure of the work, and also his use of a wide range of legal authorities.