bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consideraciones sobre el programa de detección de diabetes mellitus en población mexicana: el caso del Distrito Federal
Authors: Alvear-Galindo Maria Guadalupe , Laurell Asa Cristina
Published: April 2010

Desde la salud pública, los programas de detección para diabetes mellitus tipo 2 son un recurso para su vigilancia. La Secretaría de Salud Nacional implementó como estrategia de tamizaje el Programa de Acción Diabetes Mellitus (PADM-2), el cual se basa en dos pruebas secuenciales: Cuestionario de Factores de Riesgo y medición de glucemia capilar. En este trabajo, se exploró la capacidad del PADM-2 como estrategia de tamizaje. El estudio se efectuó en el año 2005, participaron 1.562 individuos que asistieron a seis unidades del primer nivel de atención de la Secretaría de Salud del Gobierno del Distrito. Se consideró como el estándar de oro a la glucosa sérica en ayuno. Al valorar las dos pruebas en serie, la sensibilidad fue de 98%, la especificidad de 58,7%, y el valor predictivo positivo de 16,6%. El valor predictivo positivo apunta a que una alta proporción del gasto se destina a detectar falsos positivos, lo cual hace necesario replantearse los criterios utilizados en el PADM-2, de tal manera que se obtenga un mayor beneficio económico y social.
Redes de conversação e coordenação de ações de saúde: estudo em um serviço móvel regional de atenção às urgências
Authors: Lima Juliano de Carvalho , Rivera Francisco Javier Uribe
Published: April 2010

A coordenação de redes de serviços é um dos principais desafios dos sistemas de saúde e exige uma intrincada trama de interações entre os atores envolvidos na prestação de serviços. Neste trabalho assume-se um modelo que coloca as redes de conversações como componente central da coordenação e analisam-se as redes de conversações no Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência (SAMU) da Região Metropolitana II do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Em particular, busca-se analisar como as interações verbais influenciam neste processo. Utiliza-se a observação direta e a gravação de reuniões como técnicas de coleta de dados e a análise de conversação como estratégia metodológica de análise. Entre os resultados destaca-se a identificação de duas redes principais de conversações como mecanismo de coordenação de ações. Advoga-se a importância do conceito de coordenação dialógica como ferramenta para a análise e para a melhoria da coordenação em sistemas de serviços de saúde.
Compulsão alimentar e fatores associados em adolescentes de Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil
Authors: Pivetta Loreni Augusta , Gonçalves-Silva Regina M. V.
Published: April 2010

O episódio de compulsão alimentar é caracterizado pela ingestão de grande quantidade de alimentos em tempo delimitado acompanhada de perda de controle sobre o que/quanto se come. O estudo objetivou estimar a prevalência e os fatores associados aos episódios de compulsão alimentar. Estudo transversal com 1.209 adolescentes de 14 a 19 anos. Para o diagnóstico dos episódios de compulsão alimentar utilizou-se o Questionário sobre Padrões de Alimentação e Peso - Revisado (QEWP-R). Foi realizada análise através da regressão de Poisson com abordagem hierárquica. A prevalência de episódios de compulsão alimentar foi 24,6% (IC95%: 22,3-27,2) e os fatores que permaneceram associados foram: sexo feminino (RP = 1,93; IC95%: 1,47-2,53), idade de 15 a 18 anos (RP = 1,54; IC95%: 1,01-2,37) e 19 anos (RP = 2,60; IC95%: 1,15-5,86), uso de bebidas alcoólicas mais de três vezes por mês (RP = 1,54; IC95%: 1,03-2,33) e flutuações de peso (RP = 1,76; IC95%: 1,33-2,31). Conclui-se que a prevalência de episódios de compulsão alimentar foi alta e associada ao sexo feminino, idade, uso de bebidas alcoólicas e flutuação de peso.
O uso de vernizes fluoretados e a redução da incidência de cárie dentária em pré-escolares: uma revisão sistemática
Authors: Carvalho Denise Martins , Salazar Mariana , Oliveira Branca Heloísa de , Coutinho Evandro Silva Freire
Published: April 2010

O objetivo desta revisão sistemática foi verificar se existe evidência conclusiva de que o verniz fluoretado reduz a incidência de cárie dentária em pré-escolares. Foram feitas buscas nas bases eletrônicas BBO, LILACS, MEDLINE e Cochrane para identificar ensaios clínicos controlados que avaliassem o desenvolvimento de lesões cavitadas de cárie em crianças com até seis anos de idade. Dois pesquisadores analisaram criticamente os trabalhos selecionados para inclusão. Foram encontrados 513 artigos e oito foram incluídos. Esses estudos apresentaram problemas quanto ao desenho e, além disso, eram heterogêneos quanto à experiência prévia de cárie dos participantes, ao tipo de intervenção administrada ao grupo controle, à exposição das crianças a outras fontes de fluoretos, e ao intervalo entre as aplicações de verniz. As diferenças absolutas entre as incidências de cárie nos grupos controle e teste e as frações prevenidas variaram de 0,30 a 1,64 e de 5 a 63%, respectivamente. O verniz fluoretado parece ser efetivo para reduzir a incidência de cárie dentária em pré-escolares, mas outros ensaios clínicos de melhor qualidade metodológica são necessários para se obter evidência conclusiva a esse respeito.
Determinantes individuais da utilização de serviços odontológicos por adultos e idosos de baixa renda
Authors: Baldani Márcia Helena , Brito Wanessa Hoffmann , Lawder Juliana Aparecida de Campos , Mendes Yasmine Bittencourt Emílio , Silva Francilene de Fátima Marcondes da , Antunes José Leopoldo Ferreira
Published: April 2010

A utilização de serviços odontológicos resulta da interação de determinantes biológicos com fatores socioculturais, familiares e comunitários, bem como de características dos sistemas de saúde. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar os fatores individuais associados à utilização de serviços odontológicos por parte de adultos e idosos de baixa renda residentes na área de abrangência da Estratégia Saúde da Família, em Ponta Grossa, PR. A amostra constou de 246 indivíduos, com 35 anos de idade ou mais, que responderam a um questionário sobre condições socioeconômicas, necessidade percebida e acesso a serviços odontológicos. A análise dos dados foi realizada por meio de regressão logística, segundo referencial teórico baseado no Modelo Comportamental de Andersen, considerando a consulta odontológica não recente como variável dependente. Verificou-se elevada prevalência de problemas bucais auto-referidos e de perdas dentárias. Cerca de 40% dos adultos e 67% dos idosos não iam ao dentista há mais de três anos. Indivíduos que não residiam em domicílios próprios, realizavam higiene bucal com menor frequência e utilizavam próteses totais apresentaram maiores chances de haver utilizado os serviços odontológicos há mais tempo. O fato de possuir um dentista regular foi identificado como fator de proteção na análise. Concluindo, os determinantes individuais mostraram-se importantes indicadores de acesso aos serviços de saúde bucal. O modelo teórico confirmou a presença de desigualdades sociais e psicossociais na utilização de serviços odontológicos entre os adultos e idosos de baixa renda.
A quantitative analysis of environmental associations in sauropod dinosaurs
Authors: Mannion Philip D. , Upchurch Paul
Published: April 2010

Both the body fossils and trackways of sauropod dinosaurs indicate that they inhabited a range of inland and coastal environments during their 160-Myr evolutionary history. Quantitative paleoecological analyses of a large data set of sauropod occurrences reveal a statistically significant positive association between non-titanosaurs and coastal environments, and between titanosaurs and inland environments. Similarly, “narrow-gauge” trackways are positively associated with coastal environments and “wide-gauge” trackways are associated with inland environments. The statistical support for these associations suggests that this is a genuine ecological signal: non-titanosaur sauropods preferred coastal environments such as carbonate platforms, whereas titanosaurs preferred inland environments such as fluvio-lacustrine systems. These results remain robust when the data set is time sliced and jackknifed in various ways. When the analyses are repeated using the more inclusive groupings of titanosauriforms and Macronaria, the signal is weakened or lost. These results reinforce the hypothesis that “wide-gauge” trackways were produced by titanosaurs. It is commonly assumed that the trackway and body fossil records will give different results, with the former providing a more reliable guide to the habitats occupied by extinct organisms because footprints are produced during life, whereas carcasses can be transported to different environments prior to burial. However, this view is challenged by our observation that separate body fossil and trackway data sets independently support the same conclusions regarding environmental preferences in sauropod dinosaurs. Similarly, analyzing localities and individuals independently results in the same environmental associations. We demonstrate that conclusions about environmental patterns among fossil taxa can be highly sensitive to an investigator's choices regarding analytical protocols. In particular, decisions regarding the taxonomic groupings used for comparison, the time range represented by the data set, and the criteria used to identify the number of localities can all have a marked effect on conclusions regarding the existence and nature of putative environmental associations. We recommend that large data sets be explored for such associations at a variety of different taxonomic and temporal scales.
Biotic influences on species duration: interactions between traits in marine molluscs
Authors: Crampton James S. , Cooper Roger A. , Beu Alan G. , Foote Michael , Marshall Bruce A.
Published: April 2010

We analyze relationships among a range of ecological and biological traits—geographic range size, body size, life mode, larval type, and feeding type—in order to identify those traits that are associated significantly with species duration in New Zealand Cenozoic marine molluscs, during a time of background extinction. Using log-linear modeling, we find that bivalves have only a small number of simple, two-way associations between the studied traits and duration. In contrast, gastropods display more complex interactions involving three-way associations between traits, a pattern that suggests greater macroecological complexity of gastropods. This is not an artifact caused by the larger number of gastropods than bivalves in our data set. We used stratified randomized resampling of families to test for associations between traits that might result from shared inheritance rather than ecological trait interactions; we found no evidence of phylogenetic effects in any associations examined. The relationships revealed by our study should serve to constrain the range of possible biological mechanisms that underlie these relationships. As previously observed, two-way associations are present between large geographic range and increased duration, and between large geographic range and large body size, in both bivalves and gastropods. In gastropods, planktotrophic larval type is associated with large range size through a three-way interaction that also involves duration; there is no direct association of larval type and geographic range. Gastropods also display two-way associations between duration and life mode, and duration and feeding type. We note that in gastropods, an infaunal life mode is associated with large range size, whereas in bivalves infaunality is associated with reduced range size.
Genetic and pharmacologic blockade of central melanocortin signaling attenuates cardiac cachexia in rodent models of heart failure
Authors: Scarlett Jarrad M , Bowe Darren D , Zhu Xinxia , Batra Ayesha K , Grant Wilmon F , Marks Daniel L
Published: April 2010

The central melanocortin system plays a key role in the regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis. We investigated whether genetic or pharmacologic blockade of central melanocortin signaling attenuates cardiac cachexia in mice and rats with heart failure. Permanent ligation of the left coronary artery (myocardial infarction (MI)) or sham operation was performed in wild-type (WT) or melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) knockout mice. Eight weeks after surgery, WT-Sham mice had significant increases in lean body mass (LBM; P<0.05) and fat mass (P<0.05), whereas WT-MI did not gain significant amounts of LBM or fat mass. Resting basal metabolic rate (BMR) was significantly lower in WT-Sham mice compared to WT-MI mice (P<0.001). In contrast, both MC4-Sham and MC4-MI mice gained significant amounts of LBM (P<0.05) and fat mass (P<0.05) over the study period. There was no significant difference in the BMR between MC4-Sham and MC4-MI mice. In the second experiment, rats received aortic bands or sham operations, and after recovery received i.c.v. injections of either artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) or the melanocortin antagonist agouti-related protein (AGRP) for 2 weeks. Banded rats receiving AGRP gained significant amount of LBM (P<0.05) and fat mass (P<0.05) over the treatment period, whereas banded rats receiving aCSF did not gain significant amounts of LBM or fat mass. These results demonstrated that genetic and pharmacologic blockade of melanocortin signaling attenuated the metabolic manifestations of cardiac cachexia in murine and rat models of heart failure.
Role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and AKT cascades in regulating hypoxia-induced angiogenic factors produced by a trophoblast-derived cell line
Authors: Fujita Daisuke , Tanabe Akiko , Sekijima Tatsuharu , Soen Hekiko , Narahara Keijirou , Yamashita Yoshiki , Terai Yoshito , Kamegai Hideki , Ohmichi Masahide
Published: April 2010

During human pregnancy, trophoblasts play an important role in embryo implantation and placental development. Cytotrophoblast cells invade the uterine spiral arteries and differentiate into extravillous trophoblasts, resulting in the remodeling of the uterine vessels and fetoplacental vasculature. During early pregnancy, a physiologically hypoxic environment induces the production of angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which are suggested to locally control the vascular remodeling. Endoglin, a cell-surface coreceptor for transforming growth factor-β1, is highly expressed in endothelial cells and syncytiotrophoblasts, and can be associated with endothelial nitric oxide synthase and vascular homeostasis. Several studies have recently suggested that some pregnancy-related complications, such as preeclampsia, have their origins early in pregnancy as a result of abnormalities in implantation and placental development. Although angiogenic factors are recognized as key molecules in placental development, little is known about the mechanism(s) of their regulation in trophoblasts. In this study, we elucidated the mechanisms underlying the regulation of VEGF and endoglin production under hypoxic conditions in the trophoblast-derived cell line, BeWo. We evaluated the role of the AKT–MTOR cascade and ERK kinase in the expression of VEGF and endoglin in response to hypoxia using various kinase inhibitors and small interfering RNA targeted against hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α (listed as HIF1A in Hugo Database). Our results suggest that both the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase–AKT–MTOR–HIF-1α and ERK–HIF-1α signaling pathways are crucial for increasing VEGF and endoglin expression in response to hypoxia in BeWo cells.
Shear strength of randomly distributed moist fibre-reinforced sand
Authors: Lovisa J. , Shukla S.K. , Sivakugan N.
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACT: The shear strength behaviour of randomly distributed dry fibre-reinforced sand has been extensively studied in recent decades. However, in foundation applications, sand will rarely be in a dry condition. Hence direct shear tests were conducted to investigate the effects of water content on the shear strength behaviour of sand reinforced with 0.25% randomly distributed glass fibres. The results of the tests suggest that the peak friction angle of the fibre-reinforced sand in moist condition is approximately 3° less than that in dry condition for a relative density greater than 50%. The fibre inclusions introduce an apparent cohesion intercept to the soil in the dry state, which remains almost unchanged by an increase in water content. The peak friction angle was expressed as a function of the relative density of sand for both reinforced and unreinforced cases.
Gingival Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of a Minor Salivary Gland
Authors: Seoane Juan , Varela‐Centelles Pablo , López‐Niño Javier , Vázquez Inés , Abdulkader Ihab , García‐Caballero Tomás
Published: April 2010

Background: A 47‐year‐old male non‐smoker with a history of psoriasis sought a consultation because of a painless, hard‐on‐palpation, 1‐cm exophytic lesion with a smooth and speckled surface located on the hard palate adjacent to tooth #12. The radiologic examination revealed no bone destruction. The lesion was clinically diagnosed as a fibrous hyperplasia or chronic pyogenic granuloma.

Methods: The lesion was surgically removed, fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for 24 hours, and, following common practice, embedded in paraffin. Sections, 4 μm thick, were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid‐Schiff, and alcian blue, pH 2.5. An immunohistochemical study was also performed.

Results: A definitive diagnosis of a mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC), a very rare, high‐grade malignancy tumor that more frequently appears in the elderly, was made. With the definitive diagnosis of an MAC of the palate, the upper‐left premolars were extracted using a box osteotomy, and the surgical wound was reconstructed with a Bichat fat‐pad flap. After a 6‐month follow‐up, no recurrence or cervical metastases were identified.

Conclusions: An MAC of a minor salivary gland may arise as a gingival exophytic lesion with a clinical appearance similar to a pyogenic granuloma. The existence of a light speckled pattern on the surface of the lesion indicates that an incisional biopsy is needed before surgical treatment to make possible a definitive diagnosis. To avoid delays in diagnosis and erroneous clinical approaches to exophytic gingival lesions, periodontists and practitioners should routinely perform a pathologic analysis to confirm the diagnosis when dealing with these kinds of lesions.
Effect of Smoking on Early Bone Healing Around Oxidized Surfaces: A Prospective, Controlled Study in Human Jaws
Authors: Shibli Jamil Awad , Piattelli Adriano , Iezzi Giovanna , Cardoso Luciana Ap. , Onuma Tatiana , de Carvalho Paulo Sérgio Perri , Susana d'Avila , Ferrari Daniel S. , Mangano Carlo , Zenóbio Elton Gonçalves
Published: April 2010

Background:This prospective and controlled histologic study evaluates the impact of smoking on bone‐to‐implant contact, the bone density in the threaded area, and the bone density outside the threaded area around microimplants with anodized surface retrieved from human jaws.

Methods:A total of 24 subjects (mean age 51.32 ± 7.5 years) were divided in two groups: smokers (n = 13 subjects) and non‐smokers (n = 11 subjects). Each subject received one microimplant with oxidized surface during conventional mandible or maxilla implant surgery. After 8 weeks, the microimplants and the surrounding tissue were removed and prepared for histomorphometric analysis.

Results:Three microimplants placed in smokers showed no osseointegration. The newly formed bone showed early stages of maturation, mainly in the non‐smokers. Marginal bone loss, gap, and fibrous tissue were present around implants retrieved from smokers. Histometric evaluation indicated that the mean bone‐to‐implant contact ranged between 25.97% ± 9.02% and 40.01% ± 12.98% for smokers and non‐smokers, respectively (P<0.001). Smokers presented 28.17% ± 10.32% of bone density in the threaded area, whereas non‐smokers showed 46.34% ± 19.12%. The mean of bone density outside the threaded area ranged between 18.76% and 25.11% for smokers and non‐smokers, respectively (P>0.05).

Conclusion:The present data obtained in human subjects confirm that smoking has a detrimental effect on early bone tissue response around oxidized implant surfaces.
Comparison of Clinical Efficacy of a Dentifrice Containing Calcium Sodium Phosphosilicate to a Dentifrice Containing Potassium Nitrate and to a Placebo on Dentinal Hypersensitivity: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Pradeep AR , Sharma Anuj
Published: April 2010

Background: A considerable number of agents are effective in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity. This 6‐week randomized clinical trial compares a dentifrice containing calcium sodium phosphosilicate to potassium nitrate and to a placebo.

Methods: A total of 110 subjects (58 males and 52 females; aged 20 to 60 years) were entered into the study. The volunteers selected at baseline had a history of dentin hypersensitivity caused by gingival recession or cervical erosion. Patients were required to have at least two teeth with a visual analog scale score of ≥4 to be included in the study. After sensitivity scores for controlled air stimulus (evaporative stimulus) and cold water (thermal stimulus) at baseline were recorded, subjects were given toothpastes randomly, and sensitivity scores were measured again at 2‐ and 6‐week follow‐ups.

Results: All three groups showed reduction in sensitivity scores at 2 weeks and 6 weeks for air stimulus and cold water. The calcium sodium phosphosilicate group, however, was found to be significantly better in reducing the visual analog scale score compared to the potassium nitrate group and the placebo group at any time point for both measures of sensitivity.

Conclusion: Under the conditions of a clinical trial, the calcium sodium phosphosilicate group showed comparable reduction in the symptoms of dentin hypersensitivity.
Analysis of constructed wetland performance for irrigation reuse
Authors: Marecos do Monte Helena , Albuquerque António
Published: April 2010

Most of the wastewater treatment systems in small rural communities of the Cova da Beira region (Portugal) consist of constructed wetlands (CW) with horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF). It is believed that those systems allow the compliance of discharge standards as well as the production of final effluents with suitability for reuse. Results obtained in a nine-month campaign in an HSSF bed pointed out that COD and TSS removal were lower than expected. A discrete sampling also showed that removal of TC, FC and HE was not enough to fulfill international irrigation goals. However, the bed had a very good response to variation of incoming nitrogen loads presenting high removal of nitrogen forms. A good correlation between mass load and mass removal rate was observed for BOD5, COD, TN, NH4-N, TP and TSS, which shows a satisfactory response of the bed to the variable incoming loads. The entrance of excessive loads of organic matter and solids contributed for the decrease of the effective volume for pollutant uptake and therefore, may have negatively influenced the treatment capability. Primary treatment should be improved in order to decrease the variation of incoming organic and solid loads and to improve the removal of COD, solids and pathogenic. The final effluent presented good physical–chemical quality to be reused for irrigation, which is the most likely application in the area.
Treatment of synthetic kraft evaporator condensate using thermophilic and mesophilic membrane aerated biofilm reactors
Authors: Liao B. Q. , Zheng M. R. , Ratana-Rueangsri L.
Published: April 2010

A comparative study on the treatment of synthetic kraft evaporator condensate was conducted using thermophilic (55°C) and mesophilic (30°C) membrane aerated biofilm reactors (MABRs) and sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) for 8 months. Under tested conditions, a chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of 80–95% was achieved with both thermophilic and mesophilic MABRs and SBRs. The COD removal efficiency of thermophilic MABR (80–90%) was slightly lower than that of the mesophilic MABR (85–95%) and the thermophilic SBR (90–95%). A significant amount (13–37%) of COD was stripped by conventional aeration in the SBRs, while stripping in MABRs was negligible. Simultaneous COD removal and denitrification were observed in the mesophilic MABR, while the thermophilic MABR contributed mainly for COD removal. Nitrification was not significant in both the thermophilic and mesophilic MABRs. The results suggest that treatment of kraft evaporator condensate is feasible with the use of both thermophilic and mesophilic MABRs in terms of COD removal with the advantages of negligible stripping.
Investigation of the effect of viscosity on slug flow in airlift tubular membranes in search of a sludge surrogate
Authors: Ratkovich N. , Chan C. C. V. , Bérubé P. R. , Nopens I.
Published: April 2010

The behaviour of three different liquid-gas slug flows (water, carboxymethyl cellulose and activated sludge) in a vertical tube was studied using a high speed camera (HSC). Experiments were performed using different flow rates and two tube diameters (6.3 and 9.9 mm). The observed difference in behaviour of the ascending gas slugs can be explained by the difference in viscosity of the fluids (Newtonian and non-Newtonian). Moreover, it was observed that the degree of coalescence of gas slugs is lower for non-Newtonian liquids and they behave like a succession of slugs without actually coalescing into a single larger gas slug. Finally, gas slug rising velocities were also extracted, but no subsequent difference in the rising velocities of the different fluids was found.
Laboratory analysis of a system for catchment, pre-treatment and treatment (SCPT) of runoff from impervious pavements
Authors: Fernández-Barrera A. H. , Rodriguez-Hernandez J. , Castro-Fresno D. , Vega-Zamanillo A.
Published: April 2010

This article reports the development and construction of a 1:1 scale laboratory prototype of a System for Catchment, Pre-treatment and Treatment (SCPT) of runoff polluted by contaminants washed from impervious pavements. The concept of the SCPT is an online system with an up-flow filter. The filter is composed of geotextile layers and limestone. The laboratory tests carried out were focused on determining the SCPT prototype behaviour under different working conditions. The variables studied were: inflow, pollutant loads and filtration system configuration. The results show that the system designed has a high capacity for treatment of solids and oil, with an average efficiency of 85% and 97% respectively. Moreover, the regression equations of the treatment efficiency were determined for each of the pollutants studied, for different inflow conditions and pollution loads.
Fate of triclocarban during soil aquifer treatment: soil column studies
Authors: Essandoh H. M. K. , Tizaoui C. , Mohamed M. H. A. , Amy G. , Brdjanovic D.
Published: April 2010

There are current concerns about the presence of persistent chemicals in recharge water used in soil aquifer treatment systems. Triclocarban (TCC) has been reported as a persistent, high production volume chemical with the potential to bioaccumulate in the environment. It is also known to have adverse effects such as toxicity and suspected endocrine disruption. This study was carried out to study the fate of TCC in soil aquifer treatment (SAT) through laboratory simulations in a soil column. The system performance was evaluated with regards to TCC influent concentration, sand (column) depth, and residence time. Results obtained confirmed the ability of SAT to reduce TCC concentrations in wastewater. Sorption and biodegradation were responsible for TCC removal, the latter mechanism however being unsustainable. The removal efficiency was found to be dependent on concentration and decreased over time and increased with column depth. Within the duration of the experimental run, TCC negatively impacted on treatment performance through a reduction in COD removals observed in the column.
Effect of oxygen availability on the removal efficiency and sludge characteristics during pentachlorophenol (PCP) biodegradation in a coupled granular sludge system
Authors: Chen Yuancai , Lin Che-Jen , Fu Shiyu , Zhan Huaiyu
Published: April 2010

This study systematically investigated the metabolism of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in batch experiments using coupled sludge granules under various dissolved oxygen concentrations. Results indicated that the oxygen condition in serum bottles has a significant effect on the microorganism metabolism. A greater degree of mineralization of PCP was achieved under oxygen-limited conditions (e.g., 40 and 60 initial headspace oxygen percentage (IHOP)), producing trichlorophenol (TCP), dichlorophenol (DCP) and monochlorophenol (MCP) as intermediates and chloride as one of the final products. Reductive dechlorination was identified as the primary pathway for the PCP degradation. Under strictly anaerobic or slightly oxidative conditions (0 and 20 IHOP), the reductive dechlorination of PCP led to an accumulation of TCP. Under aerobic conditions (80 and 100 IHOP), PCP degradation was less significant due to the hindered reductive chlorination in the presence of oxygen. It is also observed that cell hydrophobicity, protein (PN) concentration, settling velocity and specific gravity of the sludge granules decreased with IHOP from 0 to 60, and then increased with IHOP from 60 to 100. Specific methanogenic activity (SMA) and specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) confirmed that degradation of PCP was achieved by methanogenic and methanotrophic populations coexisting in a single granule. Because of a combination of reductive and oxidative degradation mechanisms, aerobic or facultative bacteria were found to oxidize the intermediates of PCP degradation products produced by methanogens and strict anaerobes during fermentation.
Preconcentration of Cu (II) from seawater using a novel and stable phenol–formaldehyde resin
Authors: Manivannan D. , Starvin Maria , Biju V. M.
Published: April 2010

Preconcentration of Cu (II) from seawater using a novel phenol–formaldehyde (P–F) resin was investigated. 1,2-dihydroxybenzene-4-azo-3-hydroxybenzene-formaldehyde resin (DAHBF) was prepared by condensing 1,2-dihydroxybenzene-4-azo-3-hydroxybenzene with formaldehyde (1:2 mole ratio) in the presence of oxalic acid as catalyst. Polychelates were obtained when the DAHBF was treated with the aqueous solution of Cu (II) ions. The polymeric resin and polymer-metal complexes were characterized with thermal analysis and spectral studies. The IR spectra of polychelates suggest that the metal was coordinated through the oxygen atoms of the dihydroxybenzene moiety. The TGA data revealed the thermal stability of the resin and the polychelates. X-ray diffraction study revealed the incorporation of the metal ion significantly enhanced the degree of crystallinity. The sorption properties of the chelate forming resin towards divalent metal ion [Cu(II)] was studied as a function of pH, preconcentration time, metal concentration, amount of resin, aqueous phase volume and presence of electrolyte. This procedure was validated for recovery of copper from seawater samples. The method has adequate accuracy and it can be used for determination of copper in sea water samples.
Effect of Intermittent Versus Continuous Parathyroid Hormone in the Cardiovascular System of Rats
Authors: Smajilovic Sanela , Schaal-Jensen Rasmus , Jabbari Reza , Smajilovic Una , Haunso Stig , Tfelt-Hansen Jacob
Published: April 2010

Objective:

PTH increases ionic calcium concentration in the serum, acting primarily on bone and kidney cells through the type 1 PTH receptor. Interestingly, PTH stimulates bone formation when administrated intermittently but causes severe bone loss with continuous administration. Daily injections of PTH are used as the most promising anabolic agent in the treatment of severe osteoporosis. Elevated PTH is reported an independent risk factor for left ventricle hypertrophy.

Design:

in rats we investigated the effect of intermittent and continuous administration of PTH on blood pressure, heart rate and development of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis.

Results:

We did not find PTH to induce heart hypertrophy. In contrast, continuous administration of PTH the mRNA level of a hypertrophic marker gene, atrial natriuretic peptide. When comparing the effect of continuously versus injected PTH collagen 1 mRNA was significantly higher in continuously treated animals.

Conclusion:

our data demonstrated a decrease in heart rate upon continuous administration of PTH in rats. No changes in blood pressure were observed. Moreover, neither intermittent nor continuous administration of PTH induced ventricular hypertrophy. But continuous PTH induced a marker of collagen 1. Thus, these data did not reveal any negative effects of the injection of PTH on the cardiovascular system.
Biphasic Anaphylaxis: A Review of the Incidence, Characteristics and Predictors
Authors: Ellis Anne K.
Published: April 2010

While it has been recognized for over a quarter century that anaphylactic reactions have the potential to follow
a biphasic course, reports on the incidence of biphasic anaphylaxis are conflicting, and the search for reliable predictive
factors of such responses has been challenging. Further adding to the complexity of this clinical entity are the widely variable
durations of the asymptomatic window, and the similarly variable reports on second phase severity. This review aims
to provide the health care professional with a better understanding of the true incidence, nature, and risk factors for this
type of reactivity by consolidating and summarizing the available literature on the topic of biphasic anaphylaxis. As our
body of evidence builds, patterns are emerging to suggest that those patients with an initial presentation requiring more
than one dose of epinephrine, those who have life-threatening initial presenting features, and those who otherwise take
longer to stabilize, are in this higher risk group, and would be more likely to benefit from prolonged in hospital observation.
Conversely, patients who respond rapidly to the immediate administration of epinephrine may be at lower risk, but
this finding requires confirmation by others. Further prospective evaluations of biphasic anaphylaxis will greatly aid our
understanding of this condition.
Autoantibodies in Breast Cancer Identify Proteins Involved in Self- Renewal and Epigenetic Chromatin Remodeling
Authors: Madrid Félix Fernández , Chen Wei , Tang Naimei , Zhang Xinbo , Dong Jinsheng , Sagar Harpreet , Abrams Judith
Published: April 2010

Recent studies have shown that autoantibodies developing in cancer patients are tumor-associated and are
promising biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. Here we report a panel of signal transduction molecules
with partial sequences identical to the oncogene Bmi-1, NIFK, a nucleolar protein interacting with the FHA domain of Ki-
67, TAB182, a protein interacting with tankyrase-1, CNOT6L, a subunit of the CCR4-NOT complex and to Elp3, a
subunit of the elongator complex that are recognized as autoantigens by breast cancer sera with the ability to discriminate
between invasive breast cancer and normal sera with high sensitivity and specificity. The proteins bearing the epitopes
recognized by these antibodies have conserved regions involved in protein-protein interactions participating in regulatory
processes such as self renewal, cell proliferation and survival, chromatin modulation, transcriptional silencing and organ
patterning, usually ascribed to stem cell function. In this work we demonstrate by autoantigen microarray analysis that
autoantibodies in breast cancer sera have the potential to delineate pathway connectivity. Our data indicate that several
pathways involved in maintaining telomere stability are the target of an autoimmune reaction in breast cancer. These findings
suggest that autoantibodies with the ability to recognize autoantigens involved in self-renewal and epigenetic chromatin
remodeling have the potential to predict an invasive tendency of breast cancer.
A Cournot Experiment with Managers and Students: Evidence from Germany and Malaysia
Authors: Waichman Israel , Requate Till , Siang Ch'ng Kean
Published: April 2010

We report results from a Cournot triopoly experiment conducted with different subject pools: German students, Malaysian students, and Malaysian managers. We find that Malaysian students perform significantly more competitively than both Malaysian managers and German students. Moreover, the Nash equilibrium point quite accurately describes the behavior of German students and Malaysian managers but not of Malaysian students, even though the quantities selected by Malaysian students are closer to the Nash equilibrium than to the collusive or competitive quantities.
Transactions Costs in Charitable Giving: Evidence from Two Field Experiments
Authors: Huck Steffen , Rasul Imran
Published: April 2010

In large-scale fundraising campaigns based on direct mailings, typically less than 5% of individuals donate to the charitable cause. We present evidence from two field experiments designed to measure the existence of transaction costs that inhibit charitable giving in such fundraising campaigns, and shed light on the nature of such transaction costs. The experiments are designed in conjunction with the Bavarian State Opera House. The first mail-out experiment was implemented over two stages using a within-subject design. We develop a theoretical framework that makes precise the identifying assumptions under which we can exploit this two-stage design to measure the following structural parameters among potential donors: (i) the share of donors who would make a strictly positive donation in the complete absence of transaction costs and (ii) the probability that a potential donor has sufficiently low transactions costs to make a strictly positive donation. Our results imply response rates to mail-out solicitations would almost double in the complete absence of transaction costs. The second field experiment provides more evidence on the nature of transaction costs. We distinguish between ex ante transaction costs, which prevent the choice problem from being considered and ex post transaction costs, which prevent choices being implemented. We find that the likelihood of a donation being made increases by 26% in response to even a small reduction in ex post transaction costs.
Kinked-Demand Equilibria and Weak Duopoly in the Hotelling Model of Horizontal Differentiation
Authors: Mérel Pierre R , Sexton Richard J.
Published: April 2010

The Hotelling model with finite consumer reservation price is, in its various forms, perhaps the canonical model of horizontal product differentiation. Yet the following key aspects of this model are little understood: (i) the existence of asymmetric price equilibria when consumers have unit demands and (ii) for a very broad set of model specifications, the non-monotonicity of price as a function of consumers' transportation cost, i.e., the degree of product differentiation in the market. We provide a complete characterization of the asymmetric equilibria, show that they exist for a comparatively "wide" range of markets, and argue that their existence is robust to various extensions of the prototype model. Introducing elasticity into consumer demands suppresses the kink in the firms' demand functions and ensures the uniqueness (and symmetry) of the price equilibrium. However, the key perverse comparative static of the symmetric kinked equilibrium, decreasing price as a function of transport cost, survives relaxation of the unit-demand assumption. Indeed the symmetric kinked equilibrium of the unit-demand case is a special case of a general but largely unexplored set of equilibria in the Hotelling model we call weak duopoly. Weak-duopoly equilibria exist for intermediate values of transportation cost for a very broad class of consumer demands. They occupy a comparatively wide range of the model parameter space, and firm behavior in weak duopoly differs fundamentally from that which occurs for lower values of the transportation cost, or when consumers have no reservation price.
Comparative research on the fattening aptitudes of the growing lambs of local Romanian breeds
Authors: Ghita E. , Lazar C. , Pelmus R. , Voicu I.
Published: April 2010

In Romania, suckling lamb meat is on demand during the Easter, but growing suckling lambs just for this purpose is not profitable. The paper performed a comparative study of the fattening aptitudes of the lambs from three local sheep breeds to produce carcasses demanded on the international market. The research was done on three groups (Carabash, Tsigai and Tsurcana breeds) of 16 weaned lambs each, with an initial weight between 21-27 kg and continued until the animals reached an weight of 35-38 kg. The experiment started after a period of accommodation to the experimental maintenance and feeding conditions. The animals were kept indoors under similar conditions of feeding and microclimate. The body weight of the animals was measured at the beginning and end of each fattening period, as well as the average daily gain and the total weight gain for each breed. During the late period of fattening, control weighing was performed until the target weight has been achieved. The Carabash lambs, which had the highest lambing weights of all the investigated breeds, proved to be the most precocious as weight gain. Over 44 fattening days they recorded an average daily gain of 0.258?0.016 kg, reaching a slaughtering weight of 38.46?1.178 kg with a feed conversion ratio of 4.66 FU. The Tsigai lambs, less precocious than the Carabash lambs, recorded an average daily gain of 0.191?0.043 kg, over 86 days 86, reaching a slaughtering weight of 37.16?0.130 kg, with a significantly higher feed conversion ratio, of 6.35 FU. The Tsurcana lambs, on the bottom position as fattening aptitudes, reached and average daily weight of 0.154?0.0142 kg over 91 days, reaching a slaughtering weight of 35.25?1.445 kg with a feed conversion ratio of 6.44FU.
The effects of different pre-mixtures in nutrition of sows and piglets
Authors: Zivkovic Branislav , Migdal W. , Kosovac Olga , Radovic C. , Delic N.
Published: April 2010

In the last ten years we have been witnesses to import of numerous premixes produced by various producers and of different quality in regard to concentration of ingredients which are their main components. There is relatively few data on the effects of their nutritive value in pigs, so this research was carried out with objective to verify the effects of several different imported premixes and those produced according to domestic concept, in nutrition of sows, suckling piglets and weaned piglets. Research was performed on private farm in the vicinity of Sabac in Serbia. Obtained results showed that there was no significant difference in losses of body masses and food consumption in sows during lactation period. Nutrition of suckling piglets using mixture which contained adequate premix of domestic production improved the growth rate by 7.6%. Cost of food when domestic premixes were used in nutrition of sows and piglets was by 5.3% lower, and value of realized piglets by approx. 26.0% more favourable when domestic premixes were used in nutrition of sows and suckling piglets. Piglets in rearing were fed mixtures containing imported premixes showed no significantly important effect on gain, but had poorer feed conversion by 6.2% compared to animals fed diets containing domestic premix. Domestic premix in mixtures reduced the cost of mixtures by 3.4% and reduced the cost of gain of piglets in rearing by 9.9% compared to nutrition with diets containing imported premixes. In general, obtained results shoed that use of both types of compared premixes can be recommended, but it is more economically efficient to use domestic premixes in nutrition of sows and piglets.
The effects of probiotic Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134 in the weaned pigs nutrition
Authors: Lojanica M. , Manojlovic M. , Jeremic D. , Petronijevic S.
Published: April 2010

Placing a ban on the use of antibiotics as additives for animal feed, had raised the producing risk, because of possibility for occurrence of many diseases in rearing piglets. One of alternative solutions is the use of probiotics as supplements, directly or in piglets feed. Aim of this study was to investigate the effects probiotic Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134 on the rearing piglets in the period from weaning to fattening start. This experiment included 500 piglets, divided in 2 groups, 250 piglets in experiment group (5 cycles with 50 piglets each) and 250 piglets (5 cycles with 50 piglets) in control group. Difference between experimental and control groups were in the way of feeding, experiment group had Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134 supplement and control was without. Influence of these probiotics was observed on the parameters: feed conversion ratio, daily gain increase and mortality. Piglets in the experiment group with probiotic Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134 in the ration showed lower feed conversion, higher daily growth increase and lower percentage of mortality, during this experiment. The difference between control and experimental group, for all parameters values, were established as statisticaly very significant (p<0.01) effect of the probiotic Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134 on rearing piglets in the period from weaning to the beginning of fattening.
Use of California mastitis test, somatic cells count and bacteriological findings in diagnostics of subclinical mastitis
Authors: Varatanovic N. , Podzo M. , Mutevelic T. , Podzo K. , Cengic B. , Hodzic A. , Hodzic E.
Published: April 2010

We have performed diagnostics of sub clinical mastitis in three different cow breeds with comparison of California mastitis test results, somatic cells count at quarter level and with bacteriological findings confirmation in order to justify their appliance in mastitis diagnostics. In total, 90 cows or 360 quarters of mammary gland have been examined. In 63.3 % of the examined cows, with different racial origin, positive reaction to California mastitis test have been established. Usually, positive reaction have been found in milk of one and two quarters, with reaction intensity of one and two plus. SSC higher than 200.000 in 1 ml is established in 60 % of cases and the most often causes of mastitis were staphylococcae, streptococcae and mixed infections. With continuous use of this methods it is possible to timely detect presence of sub clinical mastitis and so to obtain satisfactory results in prevention and therapy of mastitis, as well as improvement in amount and quality of milk.
Some significant exterior and reproductive properties of the English Thoroughbred horse population from the stud farm 'Ljubicevo', Serbia
Authors: Djermanovic V. , Mitrovic S. , Djordjevic N. , Novakovic M.
Published: April 2010

The investigation included 5 stallions (average age of 10.40 years) and 33 mares (average age of 10.33 years) with pedigree of the English Thoroughbred horse breed that are used for breeding on the Stud Farm Ljubicevo - Serbia. The investigation of some significant properties relating to the exterior (at stallions) and reproductive ones (at mares) were carried out in the year 2009. The following average exterior (body) measures of the stallions: the body mass (474.80 kg), withers height (160.46 cm), trunk or body length (161.88 cm), breast circumference (187.96 cm) and tibia circumference (19.22 cm) were within the standards of this horse breed of the age. The gestation period at mares, regardless the sex of a colt, averagely lasted 337.70 days. With the mares having had a male colt, the gestation lasted a little bit longer (338.92 days) than with the mares having had female colts (336.90 days). The difference in the gestation duration (2.02 days) was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Between the age of the mares and the gestation duration (regardless the sex of a colt) it was found a positive slight correlation (rp=0.320). Furthermore, between the age of the mares and the gestation duration it was found medium (rp=0.453) correlation at male colts, and quite poor correlation (rp=0.202) at female colts. Found coefficients of the phenotype correlation were not statistically confirmed (P>0.05).