bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transition Satisfaction and Family Well Being Among Parents of Young Adults With Severe Intellectual Disability
Authors: Neece Cameron L. , Kraemer Bonnie R. , Blacher Jan
Published: January 2009

The transition from high school to adulthood is a critical life stage that entails many changes, especially for youth with severe intellectual disability. The transition period may be especially stressful for the families of these young adults, who often experience a sudden change, or decrease, in services. However, little research has examined what constitutes a successful transition for the families of these individuals. The present study examined parent perspectives of transition for 128 young adults with severe intellectual disability, specifically, parent satisfaction with transition. Results suggested that transition satisfaction is related to young adult, family, and environmental characteristics, with environmental characteristics being the strongest predictors of transition satisfaction. Furthermore, transition satisfaction is related to multiple measures of family well being, indicating the tremendous need for considering the broader family system when planning for a young adult's transition. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
An Exploration of Parental Attributions Within the Autism Spectrum Disorders Population
Authors: Whittingham Koa , Sofronoff Kate , Sheffield Jeanie , Sanders Matthew R.
Published: January 2009

The experiences of clinicians working with the ASD population suggest that parents of children with autism frequently misattribute their child's behaviour, particularly misbehaviour, to autism and that this can be a barrier in behavioural interventions (Howlin and Rutter, 1987). However, no research on the specific attributions that parents of children with ASD make for their child's behaviour could be found. The current study is an exploration of parental attributions within the ASD population. Fifty-nine families participated in this study. Analysis identified a tendency for parents to generalise attributions about ASD-related behaviour to misbehaviour. In addition, analysis identified a tendency to believe that the child's positive behaviour is more stable and controllable by the child than misbehaviour. A relationship was found between parental autistic traits and a tendency for the parent to attribute responsibility to themselves for ASD-related behaviour and misbehaviour.
Being on PAR: Outcomes of a Pilot Trial to Improve Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace With the Promoting Adult Resilience (PAR) Program
Authors: Millear Prudence , Liossis Poppy , Shochet Ian M. , Biggs Herbert , Donald Maria
Published: January 2009

There is an urgent need to find strategies to promote positive mental health in the workplace. The current study presents outcomes of a pilot trial of the Promoting Adult Resilience (PAR) program, an innovative mental health promotion program, which is conducted in the workplace over 11 weekly sessions. The PAR program is a strengths-based resilience-building program that integrates interpersonal and cognitive–behaviour therapy (CBT) perspectives. Pre-, post- and follow-up measures on 20 PAR participants from a resource-sector company were compared with a non-intervention-matched comparison group. At follow-up, the PAR group had maintained significant post-test improvements in coping self-efficacy and lower levels of stress and depression, and reported greater work-life fit than the comparison group. The program appeared to be ecologically valid and treatment integrity was maintained. Process evaluations of PAR program showed that skills were rated highly and widely used in everyday life at both post and follow-up measurement times.
Relations for virtual fundamental classes of Hilbert schemes of curves on surfaces
Authors: Dürr Markus , Okonek Christian
Published: January 2009

In [Dürr, Kabanov, Okonek, Topology 46: 225–294, 2007] we constructed virtual fundamental classes for Hilbert schemes of divisors of topological type m on a surface V, and used these classes to define the Poincaré invariant of V:

We conjecture that this invariant coincides with the full Seiberg–Witten invariant computed with respect to the canonical orientation data.

In this note we prove that the existence of an integral curve C ⊂ V induces relations between some of these virtual fundamental classes . The corresponding relations for the Poincaré invariant can be considered as algebraic analoga of the fundamental relations obtained in [Ozsváth, Szabó, Ann. of Math. 151: 93–124, 2000].
Proposed Protocol for Characterizing a Clay Layer Subjected to Bending
Authors: Camp S. , Plé O. , Gourc J. P.
Published: January 2009

Solid waste landfills have a cover barrier including a compacted clay liner which is the major element of the safety of the site. However, this barrier encounters many problems, in particular those related to its implementation and to the mechanical loading, such as potential differential settlements within the waste, after closing the cell. This phenomenon can induce bending strains in the clay layer and so create damage. The originality of this work is that the study includes the comparison of results from different types of standard tests, inducing compressive and tensile stresses. Compression tests, under low confinement, have been performed in the laboratory to characterize the clay behavior and to compare results with four-point bending tests. Particular attention is paid to experimental results by focusing the analysis on failure initiation. For the bending test, the limit value of the extension strain of the clay layer without damage is characterized. To optimize the landfill cap cover, particularly in terms of deformability, an improvement of the mechanical clay layer capability is proposed by addition of fiber reinforcement.
Effect of Late Promoter Activity on Bacteriophage λ Fitness
Authors: Shao Yongping , Wang Ing-Nang
Published: January 2009

For many bacteriophages (phages), the proteins responsible for host lysis and virion morphogenesis are expressed from the same polycistronic transcript. Such an expression pattern can potentially have a pleiotropic effect on the assembly rate and lysis time, thus affecting phage fitness. To study the effects of late promoter activity on phage life history traits and fitness, we constructed a series of isogenic phage λ strains that differ only in their late promoter pR′ sequences. The resulting late promoter activities ranged from 6 to 100% of the wild type's. The lysis times, burst sizes, and relative fitness were empirically determined for these strains. Our results showed that the lysis time is more sensitive than the assembly rate to variation in pR′ activity. However, except for the strain with the lowest activity, the relative fitnesses of all the other strains are not significantly different from each other. Ad hoc models describing the effects of the late promoter activity on lysis time and assembly rate were constructed. The expected phage burst size and fitness curve were predicted from these models. Evolution of the late promoter activity was discussed in the context of phage life history trait evolution.
Construction of Genetic Linkage Maps and Comparative Genome Analysis of Catfish Using Gene-Associated Markers
Authors: Kucuktas Huseyin , Wang Shaolin , Li Ping , He Chongbo , Xu Peng , Sha Zhenxia , Liu Hong , Jiang Yanliang , Baoprasertkul Puttharat , Somridhivej Benjaporn , Wang Yaping , Abernathy Jason , Guo Ximing , Liu Lei , Muir William , Liu Zhanjiang
Published: January 2009

A genetic linkage map of the channel catfish genome (N = 29) was constructed using EST-based microsatellite and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in an interspecific reference family. A total of 413 microsatellites and 125 SNP markers were polymorphic in the reference family. Linkage analysis using JoinMap 4.0 allowed mapping of 331 markers (259 microsatellites and 72 SNPs) to 29 linkage groups. Each linkage group contained 3–18 markers. The largest linkage group contained 18 markers and spanned 131.2 cM, while the smallest linkage group contained 14 markers and spanned only 7.9 cM. The linkage map covered a genetic distance of 1811 cM with an average marker interval of 6.0 cM. Sex-specific maps were also constructed; the recombination rate for females was 1.6 times higher than that for males. Putative conserved syntenies between catfish and zebrafish, medaka, and Tetraodon were established, but the overall levels of genome rearrangements were high among the teleost genomes. This study represents a first-generation linkage map constructed by using EST-derived microsatellites and SNPs, laying a framework for large-scale comparative genome analysis in catfish. The conserved syntenies identified here between the catfish and the three model fish species should facilitate structural genome analysis and evolutionary studies, but more importantly should facilitate functional inference of catfish genes. Given that determination of gene functions is difficult in nonmodel species such as catfish, functional genome analysis will have to rely heavily on the establishment of orthologies from model species.
Drosophila convoluted/dALS Is an Essential Gene Required for Tracheal Tube Morphogenesis and Apical Matrix Organization
Authors: Swanson Lianna E , Yu Marcus , Nelson Kevin S , Laprise Patrick , Tepass Ulrich , Beitel Greg J
Published: January 2009

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) control cell and organism growth through evolutionarily conserved signaling pathways. The mammalian acid-labile subunit (ALS) is a secreted protein that complexes with IGFs to modulate their activity. Recent work has shown that a Drosophila homolog of ALS, dALS, can also complex with and modulate the activity of a Drosophila IGF. Here we report the first mutations in the gene encoding dALS. Unexpectedly, we find that these mutations are allelic to a previously described mutation in convoluted (conv), a gene required for epithelial morphogenesis. In conv mutants, the tubes of the Drosophila tracheal system become abnormally elongated without altering tracheal cell number. conv null mutations cause larval lethality, but do not disrupt several processes required for tracheal tube size control, including septate junction formation, deposition of a lumenal/apical extracellular matrix, and lumenal secretion of Vermiform and Serpentine, two putative matrix-modifying proteins. Clearance of lumenal matrix and subcellular localization of clathrin also appear normal in conv mutants. However, we show that Conv/dALS is required for the dynamic organization of the transient lumenal matrix and normal structure of the cuticle that lines the tracheal lumen. These and other data suggest that the Conv/dALS-dependent tube size control mechanism is distinct from other known processes involved in tracheal tube size regulation. Moreover, we present evidence indicating that Conv/dALS has a novel, IGF-signaling independent function in tracheal morphogenesis.
The Earliest Fossil Record of Pelecinid Wasps (Inseta: Hymenoptera: Proctotrupoidea: Pelecinidae) from Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Shih Chungkun , Liu Chenxi , Ren Dong
Published: January 2009

Two new genera, including three new species assigned to the subfamily Iscopininae Rasnitsyn, 1980 and family Pelecinidae Haliday, 1840—Archaeopelecinus tebbei, gen. et sp. nov., A. jinzhouensis, gen. et sp. nov., and Cathaypelecinus daohugouensis gen. et sp. nov.—are described from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of Eastern Inner Mongolia, China. This article documents the earliest record of fossil pelecinid wasps, extending the pelecinid existence to the Middle Jurassic and suggesting origination of pelecinid in northeastern China. Migration of pelecinid from East Asia to North, Central, and South Americas and evolution of pelecinid morphology (e.g., antennae, wing venation, body size, mouthparts) and dietary requirement also are discussed.
Validation of the target lipid model for toxicity assessment of residual petroleum constituents: Monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Authors: McGrath Joy A. , Di Toro Dominic M.
Published: January 2009

A method is presented for developing scientifically defensible, numeric guidelines for residual petroleum-related constituents, specifically monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), in the water column. The guidelines are equivalent to a HC5 (i.e., hazard concentration to 5% of the tested species, or the concentration that protects 95% of the tested species). The model of toxicity used in this evaluation is the target lipid model (TLM) that was developed for assessing the toxicity of type I narcotic chemicals. An acute to chronic ratio is used for chronic expression and sublethal effects. The TLM is evaluated by comparing predicted and observed toxicity of these petroleum components. The methodology is capable of predicting both the acute and chronic toxicity of MAHs and PAHs in single exposures and in mixtures. For acute exposures, the TLM was able to predict the toxicity to within a factor of three to five. The use of toxic units was an effective metric for expressing the toxicity of mixtures. Within the uncertainty bounds, the TLM correctly predicted where sublethal effects of edemas, hemorrhaging, and other abnormalities were observed to occur in early life-stage exposure to PAHs. The computed HC5s were lower than no-observed-effect concentrations based on growth, reproduction, and mortality endpoints and sublethal effects. The methodology presented can be used by the oil spill community to compare residual concentrations of PAHs against defensible, numeric guidelines to assess potential ecological impacts.
Sublethal effects of subacute exposure to RDX (1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) in the northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)
Authors: Quinn Michael J. , Bazar Matthew A. , McFarland Craig A. , Perkins Edward J. , Gust Kurt A. , Johnson Mark S.
Published: January 2009

Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) were orally exposed via gavage to 0, 0.5, 3, 8, 12, or 17 mg/kg of RDX (1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) in corn oil daily for 14 d to evaluate sublethal effects of this explosive in birds. Mortality occurred at a rates of 100, 67, and 25% for the 17, 12, and 8 mg/kg/d dose groups, respectively. Death was preceded by clonic and tonic convulsions and weight loss caused by gastrointestinal effects. Increases in serum globulin and total leukocytes were observed in the two highest-dose groups. Degeneration of testicular and splenic tissue also was observed. The no-observed-adverse-effects and lowest-observed-adverse-effects levels were determined as 3.0 and 8.0 mg/kg/d, respectively.
Enhancement of Extracellular Pullulanase Production by Raoultella
planticola DSMZ 4617 Using Optimized Medium Based on Sago Starch
Authors: Hii Siew Ling , Ling Tau Chuan , Mohamad Rosfarizan , Ariff Arbakariya B.
Published: January 2009

Enhancement of pullulanase production by Raoultella planticola DSMZ 4617 using optimized medium formulation
was investigated in batch fermentation using 500-mL shake flask. The fermentations were carried out, firstly, to
search for a suitable cultivation medium for enzyme production and followed by the evaluations on the influence of carbon
and nitrogen sources and also initial culture pHs on the secretion of pullulanase by this bacterium. The modified mineral
Czapek medium was found suitable to produce substantially high activity of pullulanase (320 times higher) as compared
to ‘Ohba-Ueda’ medium. This bacterium was found superior in pullulanase production using sago starch and peptone
as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. Using the optimized medium, the bacterium produced 0.95 U/mL of
pullulanase at initial culture pH of 7 and incubation temperature of 30oC.
A Fall and Near-Fall Assessment and Evaluation System
Authors: Dinh Anh , Shi Yang , Teng Daniel , Ralhan Amitoz , Chen Li , Dal Bello-Haas Vanina , Basran Jenny , Ko Seok-Bum , McCrowsky Carl
Published: January 2009

The FANFARE (FallsAndNearFallsAssessmentResearch andEvaluation) project has developed a system to fulfill the need for a wearable device to collect data for fall and near-falls analysis. The system consists of a computer and a wireless sensor network to measure, display, and store fall related parameters such as postural activities and heart rate variability. Ease of use and low power are considered in the design. The system was built and tested successfully. Different machine learning algorithms were applied to the stored data for fall and near-fall evaluation. Results indicate that the Naïve Bayes algorithm is the best choice, due to its fast model building and high accuracy in fall detection.
HIV Care Providers’ Role Legitimacy as Supporters of Their Patients’ Alcohol Reduction
Authors: Strauss Shiela M. , Munoz-Plaza Corrine , Tiburcio Nelson J. , Maisto Stephen A. , Conigliaro Joseph , Gwadz Marya , Lunievicz Joseph , Norman Robert
Published: January 2009

Although HIV care providers are strategically situated to support their patients’ alcohol reduction efforts, many
do not do so, sometimes failing to view this support as consistent with their roles. Using data collected from 112 HIV providers
in 7 hospital-based HIV Care Centers in the NYC metropolitan area, this paper examines the correlates of providers’
role legitimacy as patients’ alcohol reduction supporters. Results indicate that providers (1) responsible for a very
large number of patients and (2) with limited confidence in their own ability to give this assistance, but high confidence in
their program’s ability to do so, were less likely to have a high level of role legitimacy as patients’ alcohol reduction supporters.
Findings suggest the types of providers to target for alcohol reduction support training.
Application of ATOVS Radiance with ARW WRF/GSI Data Assimilation System in the Prediction of Hurricane Katrina
Authors: Xu J. , Rugg S. , Horner M. , Byerle L.
Published: January 2009

In this study, we evaluated the impact of directly assimilating radiance on Hurricane Katrina forecasts over the Gulf of Mexico in the southeastern United States in August 2005. The ATOVS (i.e., The Advanced Television and Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS)-N Operational Vertical Sounder) radiance data, the Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation (GSI) three-dimensional variational analysis (3DVAR) system, and the Advanced Research WRF (ARW WRF) model were employed. The results in a series of experiments show that after radiance data assimilation, the intensity and structure of initial fields including atmospheric flow, temperature and moisture have been modified somehow, especially with instruments using microwave bands such as AMSU-A/B. An anomalous southward pressure gradient has been added behind the hurricane center, which made the easterly flow go through the initial vortex center, accelerating westward movement
of the hurricane. All data assimilation experiments obtain a similar forecast for the hurricane track before 36 h of model integration. After 36 h, the hurricane tracks in AMSU-A/B experiments are closer to the best track, but the tracks in HIRS3 and control experiments have a bigger error. However, we note that the improvement is limited, all assimilation experiments did not properly depict the deepening of the hurricane center around 1800 UTC 28 August.
Vaccines, Virucides and Drugs Against HIV/AIDS: Hopes and Optimisms for the Future
Authors: Al-Jabri A.A , Alenzi F.Q
Published: January 2009

More than 25 million lives have been claimed by AIDS and 33.2 million people are estimated to have HIV, the majority of which are living in the underdeveloped countries. Failed tests on vaccines, virucides and complete virus eradication have caused scientists to refocus on the basic questions of what makes an effective HIV immune response. The "gloom" over disappointing research results on vaccine development and virucides "threatens to overshadow more positive" HIV/AIDS-related news, such as findings that male circumcision might reduce the likelihood of HIV transmission and that giving antiretroviral drugs to "high-risk" HIV-negative people (pre-exposure prophylaxis) could help protect them from infection. Something like pre-exposure prophylaxis has a good chance of becoming available before we have a 100% efficacious vaccine. The future in the field of HIV/AIDS will be much brighter if global research is appropriately coordinated and sufficient funds are available.
Correlations Between Allergic and Infectious Diseases – Results of the Latest German National Health Survey (NHS98) and the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS)
Authors: Langen U. , Röhmel J.
Published: January 2009

In the literature, according to the hygiene hypothesis, infections should be expected to correlate with fewer allergies. However, several studies clearly show that infections – especially infections of the upper respiratory tract – and surrogate parameters such as the use of antibiotics or paracetamol correlate with a higher rate of allergies. This article reviews the literature (50 articles are analyzed) on possible connections between infections and allergies and offers some possible explanations. Original data from population-based health interviews and examination surveys of adults, children and adolescents are added. These data show a clear correlation between most infections and an enhanced allergy rate. Nevertheless, although the correlastions obtained seem intriguing, it has to be kept in mind, that no clear direction of the correlations can be stated since the database does not allow for such interpretation. So, the data do not necessarily add to the picture of the hygiene hypothesis, as the infections could have followed the allergies. The probability of suffering from an allergy rises with the number of infections (or vice versa) a person has had (e.g. the risk for adults of developing asthma is enhanced to 1.3 CI-95% 1.2-1.4 with enhanced numbers of former infections with pertussis, chickenpox, scarlet fever, dysentery or typhoid/paratyphoid). This applies especially to pertussis (e.g. 15.8% CI-95% 13.6-18.3% of children with hayfever had pertussis versus 7.6% CI-95% 6.9-8.3% of the healthy children) and chickenpox infections (e.g. 84.7% CI-95% 82.7-86.6% of children with hayfever had chickenpox versus 66.8% CI-95% 65.8-67.8% of the healthy children), both of which are preventable by vaccination.
Real Options and Escalation of Commitment: A Behavioral Analysis of Capital Investment Decisions
Authors: Denison Christine A.
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACT: This study uses experimental methods to explore whether incorporating real options into net present value analysis can reduce escalation of commitment, or the tendency of decision makers to continue to commit resources to a project after receiving negative feedback. This reduction in escalation behavior should occur because the incorporation of real options offers the user greater cognitive accessibility to the possibility of project abandonment. Findings indicate that users of real options exhibit less escalation of commitment than do users of net present value analysis alone. The main result demonstrates that the use of real options in capital budgeting can affect the behavior and decisions of the user even in an experimental setting that controls for the informational advantage of using real options.
An Analysis of the “Going Concern Assumption”: Text Mining from Japanese Financial Reports
Authors: Shirata Cindy Y. , Sakagami Manabu
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACT: Accounting standards in Japan have been updated frequently in recent years, creating confusion and difficulty for information users to compare financial numbers between different fiscal years or different companies. Under these circumstances, since March 31, 2004, the following sections have been required in annual reports: Uncertain Risk Information, Management's Discussion and Analysis, and Information Related to Corporate Governance. This additional disclosure increases the amount of material available for text mining/content analysis in evaluating companies' conditions. In this study we clarify the difference between going-concern companies and non-going-concern companies by analyzing to the nonfinancial (qualitative) information disclosed in Financial Report in Japan (Japan 10-K) using key words. The results of our study revealed that certain nonfinancial key words in financial reports can be used to evaluate corporate financial position.
A Face Validation of a SOM-Based Financial Benchmarking Model
Authors: Eklund Tomas , Back Barbro , Vanharanta Hannu , Visa Ari
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACT: Managers in today's international companies are facing a complex competitive environment. Financial benchmarking is an essential component of competitor analysis, a task that increases in importance as markets expand. However, measuring different aspects of performance in the form of multiple ratios is difficult using today's tools. A state of the art survey of financial benchmarking methods in Finnish publicly noted companies found that few advanced, multiple-ratio methods are currently used. The survey found support for the need for new, complexity-reducing tools in financial benchmarking.

In this study, a model for financial benchmarking in the pulp and paper industry, created using the self-organizing map (SOM), is evaluated by experts from industry. The survey found that the managers considered the model better than many of their own methods, especially in terms of format. In particular, the model was found to be useful in strategic decision-making settings.
Appearance of New Terms in Accounting Language: A Preliminary Examination of Accounting Pronouncements and Financial Statements
Authors: Garnsey Margaret R. , Fisher Ingrid E.
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACT: Accounting language evolves as the transactions and organizations it provides guidance for change. We provide a preliminary analysis of terms used in official accounting pronouncements and annual corporate financial statements. Initial results show statistical natural language-processing techniques provide a means of identifying new terms as they enter the lexicon. These techniques should be valuable in deriving a complete accounting lexicon as well as in constructing and maintaining an accounting thesaurus to support information retrieval.
The Added Value of IT Investment: A Demand-Side Perspective
Authors: Koo Meihua , Lin Huey-Yeh , Smedley Georgia
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACT: Can investments in information technology translate into benefits for investors? This study uses Bayesian theory to explore whether the benefits of adopting a technology (that increases the quality of information) extend to the investing community. An added value to firms investing in technology is that such investment may increase the demand for information from outside the firm. As the market demand for this information increases, companies that seek capital in the security markets may have a greater incentive to adopt technologies that increase information quality.
Developing Accounting Course Materials as Dynamic Content
Authors: Tam Kinsun
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACT: Accounting course materials are traditionally presented as static content. Enabling timely and informative interactions with the reader, dynamic content can enrich these presentations. This paper discusses benefits of dynamic content to accounting education, and describes its application in an activity-based costing case. A technology road map to dynamic content development is provided.
Using Key Performance Indicators and Risk Measures in Continuous Monitoring
Authors: Nigrini Mark J. , Johnson Arlo J.
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACT: The paper describes a continuous monitoring methodology in an environment with multiple cues indicative of fraud and errors. A case study describes an application by a restaurant franchisor on the monthly sales numbers reported by franchisees. The system scores each restaurant based on variables judged to be possible indicators of fraud or errors in the monthly sales reports. The variables are weighted according to their perceived importance to obtain a final risk score for each restaurant. The output is a small set of audit targets believed to have a high risk of reporting errors. The variables can be categorized as being (1) key performance indicators, (2) statistical irregularities, (3) motivation or pressure related variables, and (4) variables related to compliance with the franchising agreement.
Query Issues in Continuous Reporting Systems
Authors: Gal Graham
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACT: Investors have often made the case that more and better information will improve their decisions. Regulators have sought to answer these requests by searching for ways to make the information more readily available. A possible solution would be to move toward real time reporting. Certainly, current technology could provide an expanded set of corporate information that is more current or even continuously available. However, as the time between event and reporting of that event shrinks, several issues arise. These include the information to be disclosed, its level of detail, the time lag, and the methods available to query the information. Furthermore, information usage, information adequacy, and materiality emerge as additional concerns. These issues can benefit from learning from queries on statistical databases such as those containing U.S. census information and hospital information. Methodologies to restrict queries with the use of inference channels, inductive learning, and query history are proposed as having implications for continuous reporting.
Effect of Intensive Glycemic Control and Diabetes Complications on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Van Den Eeden Stephen K. , Sarma Aruna V. , Rutledge Brandy N. , Cleary Patricia A. , Kusek John W. , Nyberg Leroy M. , McVary Kevin T. , Wessells Hunter ,   for the DCCT/EDIC Research Group
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVE

Although diabetes is known to result in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men, it remains unclear if glycemic control can mitigate urinary symptoms. We studied how diabetic characteristics are related to LUTS in the men who completed the urological assessment component (UroEDIC) of the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) follow-up study of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) participants.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Study participants were men who completed the UroEDIC questionnaire at the year 10 DCCT/EDIC follow-up examination, which included data on genitourinary tract function and the American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUASI). Analyses were conducted to assess how treatment arm and diabetes characteristics were associated with LUTS using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of the 591 men who completed the AUASI questions, nearly 20% (n = 115) had AUASI scores in the moderate to severe category for LUTS (AUASI score ≥8). No associations were observed between LUTS and treatment arm, or A1C levels at the DCCT baseline or end-of-study or at the year 10 EDIC (UroEDIC) examination. Of the diabetes complications studied, only erectile dysfunction at the UroEDIC examination was associated with LUTS.

CONCLUSIONS

These data from the UroEDIC cohort do not support the assumption that intensive glycemic control results in decreased lower urinary tract symptom severity in men with type 1 diabetes. This result may be due to a true lack of effect, or it may be due to other factors, for example, the relatively young age of the cohort.
Effect of Progression From Impaired Glucose Tolerance to Diabetes on Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Its Amelioration by Lifestyle and Metformin Intervention
Authors: Goldberg Ronald B. , Temprosa Marinella , Haffner Steven , Orchard Trevor J. , Ratner Robert E. , Fowler Sarah E. , Mather Kieren , Marcovina Santica , Saudek Chris , Matulik Margaret J. , Price David
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVE

Although subjects with diabetes have increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), the evolution of this increased risk as pre-diabetic individuals progress to diabetes is not understood. This study examines the longitudinal relationship between selected CVD risk factors (blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL and LDL cholesterol, and LDL peak particle density [PPD]) and glycemia in the three treatment groups of the Diabetes Prevention Program.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 3,234 participants with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were followed for a mean of 3.2 years after randomization to intensive lifestyle intervention (ILS), metformin, or placebo. Using repeated-measures models, adjusted mean levels of risk factors were estimated for an annual change in glycemic status. Tests were also conducted to assess the risk factor trends with improvement or worsening of glycemic status.

RESULTS

CVD risk factor values and changes from baseline became more unfavorable as glucose tolerance status deteriorated but improved with reversion to normal glucose tolerance (NGT), especially in the ILS intervention group (trend test P < 0.001 for all risk factors except for LDL PPD [P = 0.02] in ILS and HDL cholesterol [P = 0.02] in placebo). Although there were few significant differences in the transition from IGT to diabetes, there were strong relationships between risk factors and continuous measures of glycemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Progression from IGT to diabetes is associated with mild deterioration, whereas reversion to NGT is associated with improvement in risk factors. Early intervention with ILS, but less so with metformin, in participants at high risk for diabetes improves the cardiovascular risk and glucose tolerance profile simultaneously.
Prevalence of Abnormal Lipid Profiles and the Relationship With the Development of Microalbuminuria in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Loredana Marcovecchio M. , Neil Dalton R. , Toby Prevost A. , Acerini Carlo L. , Barrett Timothy G. , Cooper Jason D. , Edge Julie , Neil Andrew , Shield Julian , Widmer Barry , Todd John A. , Dunger David B.
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVE

To explore the prevalence of lipid abnormalities and their relationship with albumin excretion and microalbuminuria in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The study population comprised 895 young subjects with type 1 diabetes (490 males); median age at the baseline assessment was 14.5 years (range 10–21.1), and median diabetes duration was 4.8 years (0.2–17). A total of 2,194 nonfasting blood samples were collected longitudinally for determination of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, TG, and non-HDL cholesterol. Additional annually collected data on anthropometric parameters, A1C, and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) were available.

RESULTS

Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and non-HDL cholesterol were higher in females than in males (all P < 0.001). A significant proportion of subjects presented sustained lipid abnormalities during follow-up: total cholesterol >5.2 mmol/l (18.6%), non-HDL cholesterol >3.4 mmol/l (25.9%), TG >1.7 mmol/l (20.1%), and LDL cholesterol >3.4 mmol/l (9.6%). Age and duration were significantly related to all lipid parameters (P < 0.001); A1C was independently related to all parameters (P < 0.001) except HDL cholesterol, whereas BMI SD scores were related to all parameters (P < 0.05) except total cholesterol. Total cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol were independently related to longitudinal changes in ACR (B coefficient ± SE): 0.03 ± 0.01/1 mmol/l, P = 0.009, and 0.32 ± 0.014/1 mmol/l, P = 0.02, respectively. Overall mean total cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol were higher in microalbuminuria positive (n = 115) than in normoalbuminuric subjects (n = 780): total cholesterol 4.7 ± 1.2 vs. 4.5 ± 0.8 mmol/l (P = 0.04) and non-HDL cholesterol 3.2 ± 1.2 vs. 2.9 ± 0.8 mmol/l (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

In this longitudinal study of adolescents with type 1 diabetes, sustained lipid abnormalities were related to age, duration, BMI, and A1C. Furthermore, ACR was related to both total cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol, indicating a potential role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.
Cost-Efficacy of Surgically Induced Weight Loss for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Keating Catherine L. , Dixon John B. , Moodie Marjory L. , Peeters Anna , Playfair Julie , O'Brien Paul E.
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVE

To determine the within-trial cost-efficacy of surgical therapy relative to conventional therapy for achieving remission of recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes in class I and II obese patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Efficacy results were derived from a 2-year randomized controlled trial. A health sector perspective was adopted, and within-trial intervention costs included gastric banding surgery, mitigation of complications, outpatient medical consultations, medical investigations, pathology, weight loss therapies, and medication. Resource use was measured based on data drawn from a trial database and patient medical records and valued based on private hospital costs and government schedules in 2006 Australian dollars (AUD). An incremental cost-effectiveness analysis was undertaken.

RESULTS

Mean 2-year intervention costs per patient were 13,400 AUD for surgical therapy and 3,400 AUD for conventional therapy, with laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) surgery accounting for 85% of the difference. Outpatient medical consultation costs were three times higher for surgical patients, whereas medication costs were 1.5 times higher for conventional patients. The cost differences were primarily in the first 6 months of the trial. Relative to conventional therapy, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for surgical therapy was 16,600 AUD per case of diabetes remitted (currency exchange: 1 AUD = 0.74 USD).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical therapy appears to be a cost-effective option for managing type 2 diabetes in class I and II obese patients.
Spontaneous third ventriculostomy: definition by endoscopy and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics
Authors: Parmar Amit , Aquilina Kristian , Carter Michael R.
Published: January 2009

Chronic obstructive hydrocephalus is known to cause ventricular diverticula and, rarely, spontaneous ventriculostomy. The authors present the case of a patient in whom a spontaneous third ventriculostomy was identified with long-standing hydrocephalus secondary to aqueductal stenosis. To their knowledge, this is the first report in which a spontaneous stoma in the floor of the third ventricle was evaluated using endoscopy and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics studies. Both studies confirmed that the spontaneous stoma is similar in structure and function to surgical third ventriculostomy.
Quantitative analysis of the variation in angles of the carpal arch after open and endoscopic carpal tunnel release
Authors: Flores Leandro Pretto , Cavalcante Thiago F. P. , Neto Oswaldo R. M. , Alcântara Fabiano S.
Published: January 2009

Object

Previous studies have demonstrated that the volume of the carpal canal increases after open and endoscopic surgery in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. There is some controversy regarding the contribution of the postoperative widening of the carpal arch to the increment in carpal canal volume. The objectives of this study were to: 1) evaluate the degree of variation in the angles formed by the borders of the carpal arch following the surgical division of the transverse carpal ligament; and 2) determine if there are differences in the variation of these angles after the classical open surgery versus endoscopic carpal tunnel release.

Methods

The authors prospectively studied 20 patients undergoing carpal tunnel syndrome surgery: 10 patients were treated via the standard open technique, and 10 underwent endoscopic carpal tunnel release. The angles of the carpal arch were measured on CT scans of the affected hand obtained before and immediately after the surgical procedures. Measurements were performed at the level of the pisiform-scaphoid hiatus and at the level of the hook of the hamate-trapezium hiatus.

Results

There was widening of the postoperative angles of the carpal arch after open and endoscopic division of the flexor retinaculum; however, the difference between pre- and postoperative angulations reached statistical significance only in those patients treated by means of the open procedure. The mean (± SD) values for the postoperative increase in the angles at the level of the pisiform-scaphoid hiatus were 5.1 ± 0.4° after open surgery and 2.5 ± 0.3° after the endoscopically assisted procedure (p < 0.05). At the level of the hook of the hamate-trapezium hiatus, the mean values for the widening of the angles were 6.2 ± 0.6° for the open surgery group and 1.2 ± 0.4° for those patients treated by means of the endoscopic technique (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The widening of the postoperative angles of the carpal arch is a phenomenon observed at the proximal and distal levels of the carpal canal, and it can be noted after both open and endoscopically assisted carpal tunnel release. The endoscopic procedure yielded less increase in these angles than the open surgery.
Retention of Nanoparticles-Labeled Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells in the Isolated Ex Vivo Perfused Heart After Myocardial Infarction in Animal Model
Authors: Klabusay Martin , Scheer Peter , Doubek Michael , Rehakova Kristina , Coupek Petr , Horky Drahomir
Published: January 2009

Cell therapy of myocardial infarction (MI) is under clinical investigation, yet little is known about its underlying mechanism of function. Our aims were to induce a sub-lethal myocardial infarction in a rabbit, to evaluate the abilities of labeled bone marrow mononuclear cells to migrate from the vessel bed into extracellular space of the myocardium, and to evaluate the short-term distribution of cells in the damaged left ventricle. Sub-lethal myocardial infarction was induced in rabbits by ligation of the left coronary vessel branch ( in vivo). The Langendorff heart perfusion model ( ex vivo) was used in the next phase. The hearts subjected to MI induction were divided into 3 groups (P1–P3), and hearts without MI formed a control group (C). Nanoparticles-labeled bone marrow mononuclear cells were injected into coronary arteries via the aorta. Perfusion after application lasted 2 minutes in the P1 group, 10 minutes in the P2 and C groups, and 25 minutes in the P3 group. The myocardium of the left ventricle was examined histologically, and the numbers of labeled cells in vessels, myocardium, and combined were determined. The numbers of detected cells in the P1 and C groups were significantly lower than in the P2 and P3 groups. In the P2 and P3 groups, the numbers of cells found distally from the ligation were significantly higher than proximally from the ligation site. Bone marrow mononuclear cells labeled with iron oxide nanoparticles proved the ability to migrate in the myocardium interstitium with significantly higher affinity for the tissue damaged by infarction.
Bacterio-pathological Studies on Salmonellosis, Colibacillosis and Pasteurellosis in Natural and Experimental Infections in Chickens
Authors: Rahman MA , Samad MA , Rahman MB , Kabir SML
Published: January 2009

Bacterio-pathological investigation on 1751 dead chickens during one year period from January to December 2002 at the BRAC Poultry Disease Diagnostic Centre, Gazipur showed that 39.81% (n=697) cases with seven types of different bacteriological diseases of which salmonellosis (n=385), colibacillosis (n=147) and fowl cholera (n=114) were found significantly higher rate of prevalence then staphylococcosis (n=6),Â  gangrenous dermatitis (n=17), necrotic enteritis (n=24) and infectious coryza (n=4). Accordingly, avian salmonellosis, colibacillosis and pasteurellosis were selected for detailed investigation. Age wise prevalence of avian salmonellosis showed highest infection rate in adult layers (53.25%) in comparison to brooding (14.55%), growing (16.10%) and pullet (16.10%) chickens. The avian colibacillosis was found widely prevalent in all age groups of chickens (9.52 to 36.73%) with specially high prevalence rate in adult layer birds (36.73%). Fowl cholera was recorded in chickens more than two weeks of age with significantly (p < 0.01) highest occurrence in adult chickens. Seasonal influence showed significantly (p < 0.01) highest proportionate prevalence of salmonellosis during summer (48.05%) in comparison to rainy (28.31%) and winter (23.66%) seasons. Colibacillosis was recorded more or less uniformly in all the three seasons of the year with significantly (p < 0.01) higher rate during summer (40.82%) season. Similarly, the prevalence of fowl cholera was also found significantly (p < 0.01) highest during summer (49.12%) in comparison to rainy (26.32%) and winter (24.56%) seasons. The isolated causative agents of avian salmonellosis (Salmonella pullorum), avian colibacillosis (Escherichia coli) and avian pasteurellosis (Pasteurella multocida) were characterized by bacteriological methods which were also subjected to pathogenicity study in 52-day old broiler chickens. Pathogenicity study showed that the incubation period of these three bacterial diseases were recorded as 96 hours and clinical signs appeared on 4th day of inoculation and observed that S. pullorum, E. coli and P.Â  multocida resulted 100% morbidity in chickens. Key words: Characterization; pathogenicity; salmonellosis; colibacillosis; pasteurellosis; chickens doi: 10.3329/bjvm.v2i1.1926 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2004). 2(1) : 01-08
Characterization and Antibiogram of Escherichia coli Associated with Mortality in Broilers and Ducklings in Bangladesh
Authors: Islam MT , Islam MA , Samad MA , Kabir SML
Published: January 2009

Mortality in broilers (6.56%) and growing ducks (11.0%) caused by Escherichia coli was recorded in the experimental flocks study during the period from May to August 2003. E. coli organisms isolated from broiler birds affected with characteristic lesions of omphalitis and yolk sac infection, fibrinous pericarditis and peri-hepatitis , hemorrhagic enteritis, and accumulation of excessive pericardial and peritoneal fluid, whereas from ducks with lesions of hemorrhagic enteritis and extensive epicardial hemorrhages. Each of the 21 isolates collected from broilers and 11 isolates from ducks was characterized by cultural and biochemical studies, of which 8 isolates from broilers and 5 isolates from ducks were tested for antibiotic sensitivity with 9 different antibiotics. The antibiotic sensitivity pattern showed that the isolates were highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin but an increasing trend of resistance was recorded in broilers (7 / 9) than duck (4 / 9) isolates. It may be concluded from the results of this study that the high rate of E. coli infection in broilers and ducks along with the high resistance of isolates to antibiotics constitute a threat to the poultry industry in Bangladesh. Key words: Escherichia coli infection; mortality; broilers; ducks; characterization; antibiogram doi: 10.3329/bjvm.v2i1.1927 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2004). 2 (1) : 09-14