bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Predictors of Female Sexual Dysfunction in a Primary Care Setting: A Survey Finding
Authors: Ishak Izan H. , Low Wah-Yun , Othman Sajaratulnisah
Published: June 2010

Introduction

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a highly prevalent sexual health problem but poorly investigated at the primary care level.

Aim

This article examines the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and its possible risk factors associated with women at high risk of FSD in a hospital-based primary practice.

Methods

A validated Malay version of the Female Sexual Function Index (MVFSFI) was utilized to determine FSD in a cross-sectional study design, involving 163 married women, aged 18–65 years, in a tertiary hospital-based primary care clinic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Sociodemographic, marital profile, health, and lifestyle for women at high risk of FSD and those who were not at high risk were compared and their risk factors were determined.

Main Outcome Measures

Prevalence of FSD in Malaysian women based on the MVFSFI, and its risk factors for developing FSD.

Results

Some 42 (25.8%) out of 163 women had sexual dysfunction. Prevalence of sexual dysfunction increased significantly with age. Sexual dysfunctions were detected as desire problem (39.3%), arousal problem (25.8%), lubrication problem (21.5%), orgasm problem (16.6%), satisfaction problem (21.5%) and pain problems (16.6%). Women at high risk of FSD were significantly associated with age (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.9 to 9.0), husband’s age (OR 4.3 95% C.I 1.9 to 9.3), duration of marriage (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.6 to 6.8), medical problems (OR 8.5, 95% CI 3.3 to 21.7), menopausal status (OR 6.6, 95% CI 3.1 to 14.3), and frequency of sexual intercourse (OR 10.7, 95% CI 3.6 to 31.7). Multivariate analysis showed that medical problem (adjusted OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.6 to 14.0) and frequency of sexual intercourse (adjusted OR 7.2, 95% CI 2.1 to 24.0) were associated with increased risk of having FSD. Those who practiced contraception were less likely to have FSD.

Conclusion

Sexual health problems are prevalent in women attending primary care clinic where one in four women were at high risk of FSD. Thus, primary care physician should be trained and prepared to address this issue.
Effects of Intramuscular Testosterone Undecanoate on Body Composition and Bone Mineral Density in Female-to-Male Transsexuals
Authors: Mueller Andreas , Haeberle Lothar , Zollver Hendryk , Claassen Tomma , Kronawitter Desiree , Oppelt Patricia G. , Cupisti Susanne , Beckmann Matthias W. , Dittrich Ralf
Published: June 2010

Introduction

The most common treatment regimen in female-to-male transsexuals is administration of short-acting testosterone esters intramuscularly every 2 weeks.

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-acting intramuscular testosterone undecanoate on body composition and bone mineral density during cross-sex hormone therapy in female-to-male transsexuals.

Methods

Forty-five female-to-male transsexuals (FtMs) were treated with injections of testosterone undecanoate 1,000 mg intramuscularly every 12 weeks over 24 months.

Main Outcome Measures

Body composition, bone mineral density, hormone parameters, and lipids were compared after 12 months and after 24 months with baseline values. Sonographic findings in the ovaries and endometrium, clinical and adverse effects during the study period were recorded.

Results

There was a significant increase in lean mass in the FtMs during the study period in comparison with baseline values, whereas no change in BMI, fat mass, and bone mineral density was observed. There was a significant decline in gonadotropins, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, sex hormone-binding globulin, and high-density lipoprotein, while testosterone and triglyceride levels increased significantly after 12 and 24 months. Ovaries remained unchanged and no noticeable endometrial pathology was observed. No mortality or morbidity was observed during the study period. We observed a cessation of menstrual bleeding, an increase in clitoral growth, libido, body and beard hair growth, deepened voices and decline in breast size. There was a significant increase in hemoglobin, hematocrit, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and an increase in systolic blood pressure during the study period.

Conclusions

There was an increase in lean mass during the study period in FtMs treated with testosterone undecanoate. Transsexual patients should be monitored for adverse effects on lipid profiles, blood pressure, and erythrocytosis during intramuscular testosterone undecanoate therapy.
Greater Tactile Sensitivity and Less Use of Immature Psychological Defense Mechanisms Predict Women’s Penile-Vaginal Intercourse Orgasm
Authors: Brody Stuart , Houde Stephanie , Hess Ursula
Published: June 2010

Introduction

Previous research has suggested that diminished tactile sensitivity might be associated with reduced sexual activity and function. Research has also demonstrated significant physiological and psychological differences between sexual behaviors, including immature psychological defense mechanisms (associated with various psychopathologies) impairing specifically women’s orgasm from penile-vaginal intercourse (PVI).

Aims

To examine the extent to which orgasm triggered by PVI (distinguished from other sexual activities) is associated with both greater tactile sensitivity and lesser use of immature psychological defenses.

Methods

Seventy French-Canadian female university students (aged 18–30) had their finger sensitivity measured with von Frey type microfilaments, completed the Defense Style Questionnaire and a short form of the Marlowe-Crowne social desirability scale, and provided details of the 1 month (and ever) frequencies of engaging in, and having an orgasm from, PVI, masturbation, anal intercourse, partner masturbation, and cunnilingus.

Main Outcome Measures

Logistic and linear regression prediction of orgasm triggered by PVI from tactile sensitivity, age, social desirability responding, and immature psychological defenses.

Results

Having a PVI orgasm in the past month was associated with greater tactile sensitivity (odds ratio=4.0 for each filament point) and less use of immature defense mechanisms (odds ratio=5.1 for each scale point). Lifetime PVI orgasm was associated only with less use of immature defense mechanisms (and lower social desirability responding score). Orgasms triggered by other activities were not associated with either tactile sensitivity or immature defense mechanisms. Tactile sensitivity was also associated with greater past month PVI frequency (inclusion of PVI frequency in a logistic regression model displaced tactile sensitivity), and lesser use of immature defenses was associated with greater past month PVI and PVI orgasm frequencies.

Conclusions

Both diminished physical sensitivity and the presence of specific psychological impairments might decrease the likelihood of women’s orgasm from specifically PVI, but not other sexual activities.
Intracavernous Delivery of Synthetic Angiopoietin-1 Protein as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Erectile Dysfunction in the Type II Diabetic db/db Mouse
Authors: Jin Hai-Rong , Kim Woo Jean , Song Jae Sook , Piao Shuguang , Tumurbaatar Munkhbayar , Shin Sun Hwa , Choi Min Ji , Tuvshintur Buyankhuu , Song Kang-Moon , Kwon Mi-Hye , Yin Guo Nan , Koh Gou Young , Ryu Ji-Kan , Suh Jun-Kyu
Published: June 2010

Introduction

Patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) associated with type II diabetes often have impaired endothelial function and tend to respond poorly to oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. Therefore, neovascularization is a promising strategy for curing diabetic ED.

Aim

To determine the effectiveness of a soluble, stable, and potent angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) variant, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP)-Ang1, in promoting cavernous angiogenesis and erectile function in a mouse model of type II diabetic ED.

Methods

Sixteen-week-old male db/db mice (in which obesity and type II diabetes are caused by a mutation in the leptin receptor) and control C57BL/6J mice were used and divided into four groups (N=14 per group): age-matched controls; db/db mice receiving two successive intracavernous injections of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (days −3 and 0; 20 µL); db/db mice receiving a single intracavernous injection of COMP-Ang1 protein (day 0; 5.8 µg/20 µL); and db/db mice receiving two successive intracavernous injections of COMP-Ang1 protein (days −3 and 0; 5.8 µg/20 µL).

Main Outcome Measures

Two weeks later, erectile function was measured by electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve. The penis was then harvested and stained with antibodies to platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) (endothelial cell marker), phosphohistone H3 (PH3, a nuclear protein indicative of cell proliferation), phospho-endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and eNOS. Penis specimens from a separate group of animals were used for cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) quantification.

Results

Local delivery of COMP-Ang1 protein significantly increased eNOS phosphorylation and cGMP and cAMP expression compared with that in the group treated with PBS. Repeated intracavernous injections of COMP-Ang1 protein completely restored erectile function and cavernous endothelial content through enhanced cavernous neoangiogenesis as evaluated by PECAM-1 and PH3 immunohistochemistry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling assay, whereas a single injection of COMP-Ang1 protein elicited partial improvement.

Conclusion

Cavernous neovascularization using recombinant Ang1 protein is a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of ED resulting from type II diabetes. Jin H-R, Kim WJ, Song JS, Piao S, Tumurbaatar M, Shin SH, Choi MJ, Tuvshintur B, Song K-M, Kwon M-H, Yin GN, Koh GY, Ryu J-K, and Suh J-K. Intracavernous delivery of synthetic angiopoietin-1 protein as a novel therapeutic strategy for erectile dysfunction in the type II diabetic db/db mouse.
SURVIVAL OF SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM DURING THE RIPENING OF HERBY CHEESE (OTLU PEYNIR)
Authors: ALEMDAR SÜLEYMAN , AĞAOĞLU SEMA
Published: June 2010

This study was conducted to determine the survival of Salmonella Typhimurium during the ripening period of herby cheese made traditionally from raw milk. For this purpose, the cheese milk was inoculated with S. Typhimurium at the level of 103 and 105 colony‐forming units/mL, and then both manufactured herby cheeses were divided into two groups equally. The herby cheeses were stored by using two different methods for ripening, either embedding into the soil or putting into brine, and analyzed on the 1st, 7th, 15th, 30th, 60th and 90th days of ripening period. At the end of the storage period, S.Typhimurium could not be detected in embedded herby cheese at both levels of the inoculation; whereas it was found that the number of the bacterium was just decreased to 2.60 and 3.15 log MPN/g in brined herby cheese for each inoculation levels, respectively. The results indicated that S. Typhimurium could survive at least 60 days in embedded herby cheese and till the last days of the ripening in brined herby cheese. This point should be taken into account for the potential risk to public health.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Milk and other dairy products may be contaminated with some pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella spp. Salmonella Typhimurium is an emerging food pathogen in cheeses when it contaminates the milk. In this study, the behavior of S. Typhimurium was investigated during ripening of herby cheeses. Herby cheese made traditionally from raw milk were stored either embedding into the soil or putting into brine. As a result, it was found that embedded cheeses were safer than brined cheeses with respect to the S. Typhimurium contamination at the end of the ripening period.
The bridge: Providing nursing care for survivors of sexual violence
Authors: Ross Ratchneewan , Draucker Claire Burke , Martsolf Donna , Adamle Kathleen , Chiang‐Hanisko Lenny , Lewandowski Wendy
Published: June 2010

Purpose: To describe the experiences of nurses who provide care for survivors of sexual violence (SV) on a number of different types of hospital units.

Data sources: Semi‐structured interviews of 23 unit managers and 12 advanced practice nurses from four tertiary care hospitals were audiotaped and transcribed. Participants were asked to describe how they screen for SV and how they provide care for survivors. A team approach was used to conduct a thematic analysis of the data.

Conclusions: The bridge metaphor was chosen as the central theme of the data because it captures three key aspects of the participants’ experiences: an initial sense of disconnection from patients who are survivors of SV (being separated on opposite shores), the need to proceed cautiously (tentatively stepping onto the bridge), and the experience of forming a meaningful connection that serves as the context of care (meeting on the bridge and crossing it together).

Implications for practice: This research suggests that nurses provide quality care for survivors of SV by intuitively responding to survivors’ cues of distress, cautiously broaching the topic of violence, and finding ways to ease the healthcare encounter.
Relationships between aggression, depression, and alcohol, tobacco: Implications for healthcare providers in student health
Authors: Roberts Susan J. , Glod Carol A. , Kim Reo , Hounchell Julie
Published: June 2010

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of aggression, depression, and at‐risk health behaviors in a random sample of undergraduate college students and to explore the relationship between these variables.

Data sources: The study survey was sent to 2500 undergraduate students; 428 participated, responding to items from the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey about alcohol, drug and tobacco, violence and aggression, the Beck Depression Inventory II, and items adapted from the Overt Aggression Scale.

Conclusions: Almost one third of the sample reported cigarette smoking, 22% moderate depression, 81% drink alcohol, with 58% drinking more than five drinks at least once in the last month. Reports of verbal and physical aggression were also common. Moderate depression was related to cigarette smoking, physical, and verbal aggression, but not to heavy alcohol use. An understanding of these relationships can be utilized to screen and intervene with students at risk.

Implications for practice: The results call for increased screening and treatment of depression in college students, and suggest that students with aggressive behaviors are at the highest risk for depression, and should be a group to receive specific attention for screening.
Pre‐ and posttest evaluation of a breast cancer risk assessment program for nurse practitioners
Authors: Edwards Quannetta T. , Seibert Diane
Published: June 2010

Purpose: Numerous studies have shown that healthcare providers, including nurse practitioners (NPs) fail to provide breast cancer risk assessment (BrCRA) in primary care settings. A potential barrier to the use of BrCRA is insufficient knowledge or training of risk assessment. The purpose of this study was to analyze the outcome of a BrCRA program developed to enhance NPs' knowledge of risk assessment and use of empiric risk assessment models.

Data sources: Thirty‐five NPs participated in a before‐after (pretest–posttest design) study evaluating the effectiveness of a BrCRA education program conducted at a national NP conference. Demographics, pre/post knowledge, and course satisfaction measures were all examined as a part of this pilot study.

Conclusion: Continuing education through the implementation of a BrCRA program significantly increased NPs knowledge in assessing breast cancer risk and the use of empiric risk assessment models.

Implications for practice: Many healthcare providers, including NPs, are inadequately prepared to assess a woman's risk for breast cancer. Understanding breast cancer risk assessment is essential if NPs are to provide appropriate counseling, management, and referral strategies needed to reduce a woman's risk for developing the disease. Continuing education provides one means to enhance NP's knowledge of BrCRA.
Making the diagnosis: Idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder
Authors: Taub Leslie‐Faith M.
Published: June 2010

Purpose: To present a clinical case of idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD), differential diagnoses, selected treatments, and the pathology involved.

Data sources: An Ovid data base search (covering 635 medical, neurologic, and psychiatric journals) was conducted using the search term RBD and limited to the years 2005–2009. This search strategy was used to locate clinical, research, and review articles providing the state of the science about RBD. A hand search was also conducted for seminal research papers as well as recent publications within the specialty of sleep disorders.

Conclusions: RBD is a parasomnia with symptoms common to other disorders making it important to identify unique symptoms and diagnostic testing that helps differentiates these diseases. RBD can put the patient and the bed partner at risk for injury. Its prevalence is estimated to be 0.5% in older adults.

Implications for practice: Nurse practitioners are primary care providers for older adults who may have complaints about behaviors associated with RBD. Knowledge of this disease process as well as its relationship with four other neurodegenerative diseases may provide an opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment of RBD and surveillance for and early diagnosis of the other neurodegenerative diseases in these patients.
Evaluating pressure ulcer care by home healthcare nurses
Authors: Yamamoto‐Mitani Noriko , Katakura Naoko , Fujita Junko , Shinohara Yuko , Sonoda Yoshimi , Hayashi Kunihiko
Published: June 2010

yamamoto‐mitani n., katakura n., fujita j., shinohara y., sonoda y. & hayashi k. (2011) Evaluating pressure ulcer care by home healthcare nurses. International Journal of Older People Nursing6, 201–215

doi: 10.1111/j.1748‐3743.2010.00228.x

Aim.  To field test an objective evaluation tool consisting of process‐oriented quality indicators for pressure ulcer care, using nursing charts of homecare nurses. These quality indicators were developed by the authors.

Background.  Most Japanese homecare nursing agencies are small and to use much of their human and economic resources to improve the care quality is not realistic. A simple and effective system for quality assurance/improvement needs to be considered.

Design.  Descriptive study design, using the chart reviews of 34 homecare nursing clients from two homecare nursing agencies.

Methods.  Nursing charts were evaluated using our quality indicators for pressure ulcer care, and whether the charts pass or not in terms of the practices described in the quality indicator was rated. The pass rates by chart and nurses’ self‐evaluation were compared, and pass rates by charts were examined.

Results.  The evaluation by chart review generally matched with self‐evaluations. The pass rates by charts were higher for indicators related to wound treatment than those related to preventive care.

Conclusions and implications for practice.  Home healthcare nurses could give more attention to pressure ulcer prevention. Regular self‐checks of quality indicators may remind the nurses of the importance of prevention.
Insights gained through Marte Meo counselling: experiences of nurses in dementia specific care units
Authors: Einang Alnes Rigmor , Kirkevold Marit , Skovdahl Kirsti
Published: June 2010

Alnes R.E., Kirkevold M. & Skovdahl K. (2010) Insights gained through Marte Meo counselling: experiences of nurses in dementia specific care units. International Journal of Older People Nursing6, 123–132 doi: 10.1111/j.1748‐3743.2010.00229.x

Aim.  This study sought to uncover what nurses perceived to have learned, during their participation in video supported counselling, based on Marte Meo principles, in four dementia specific care units.

Methods.  This was a descriptive qualitative study. Data were collected through 12 individual and four focus group interviews. In addition, supplementary data from two video recordings and one written log were included. Findings emerged through content analysis and re‐examination of the text based on the initial analysis.

Results.  The nurses experienced that they acquired new knowledge about the residents through Marte Meo Counselling (MMC), resulting in improved capability to interpret the residents` expressions, and increased awareness of the residents’ competence. New knowledge about themselves as nurses also emerged; they recognised how their actions entailed consequences for the interaction, in turn making them conscious of the usefulness of taking time, pacing their interactions, maintaining eye contact and describing the situation in words when the interaction took place. This appeared to increase the resident’s perception of being able to cope.

Conclusions.  This study indicates that MMC helped the nurses to gain knowledge about how to improve interactions with residents suffering from dementia. Further research is warranted into the effectiveness of MMC.
The phage‐driven microbial loop in petroleum bioremediation
Authors: Rosenberg Eugene , Bittan‐Banin Gili , Sharon Gil , Shon Avital , Hershko Galit , Levy Itzik , Ron Eliora Z.
Published: June 2010

During the drilling process and transport of crude oil, water mixes with the petroleum. At oil terminals, the water settles to the bottom of storage tanks. This drainage water is contaminated with emulsified oil and water‐soluble hydrocarbons and must be treated before it can be released into the environment. In this study, we tested the efficiency of a continuous flow, two‐stage bioreactor for treating drainage water from an Israeli oil terminal. The bioreactor removed all of the ammonia, 93% of the sulfide and converted 90% of the total organic carbon (TOC) into carbon dioxide. SYBR Gold staining indicated that reactor 1 contained 1.7 × 108 bacteria and 3.7 × 108 phages per millilitre, and reactor 2 contained 1.3 × 108 bacteria and 1.7 × 109 phages per millilitre. The unexpectedly high mineralization of TOC and high concentration of phage in reactor 2 support the concept of a phage‐driven microbial loop in the bioremediation of the drainage water. In general, application of this concept in bioremediation of contaminated water has the potential to increase the efficiency of processes.
Studies with bioengineered Nisin peptides highlight the broad‐spectrum potency of Nisin V
Authors: Field Des , Quigley Lisa , O'Connor Paula M. , Rea Mary C. , Daly Karen , Cotter Paul D. , Hill Colin , Ross R. Paul
Published: June 2010

Nisin A is the most thoroughly investigated member of the lantibiotic family of antimicrobial peptides. In addition to a long history of safe use as a food antimicrobial, its activity against multi‐drug resistant pathogens has resulted in a renewed interest in applying nisin as a chemotherapeutic to treat bacterial infections. The wealth of Nisin‐related information that has been generated has also led to the development of the biotechnological capacity to engineer novel Nisin variants with a view to improving the function and physicochemical properties of this already potent peptide. However, the identification of bioengineered Nisin derivatives with enhanced antimicrobial activity against Gram‐positive targets is a recent event. In this study, we created stable producers of the most promising derivatives of Nisin A generated to date [M21V (hereafter Nisin V) and K22T (hereafter Nisin T)] and assessed their potency against a range of drug‐resistant clinical, veterinary and food pathogens. Nisin T exhibited increased activity against all veterinary isolates, including streptococci and staphylococci, and against a number of multi‐drug resistant clinical isolates including MRSA, but not vancomycin‐resistant enterococci. In contrast, Nisin V displayed increased potency against all targets tested including hVISA strains and the hyper‐virulent Clostridium difficile ribotype 027 and against important food pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus. Significantly, this enhanced activity was validated in a model food system against L. monocytogenes. We conclude that Nisin V possesses significant potential as a novel preservative or chemotherapeutic compound.
Evaluation of a Fiber Reinforced Drillable Bone Cement for Screw Augmentation in a Sheep Model—Mechanical Testing
Authors: Ahern Benjamin J. , Harten Robert D. , Gruskin Elliott A. , Schaer Thomas P.
Published: June 2010

We evaluated the mechanical properties of a novel fiber reinforced calcium phosphate at time zero and after 12 weeks in vivo using a sheep long bone osteotomy model. Time zero data were obtained and compared by pullout testing of 4.5 mm bone screws from bone proper and overdrilled defects of 4.5 and 8 mm diameter. Defects were augmented with: polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), calcium phosphate, and fiber reinforced calcium phosphate using cadaveric sheep tibiae. Twelve‐week data were obtained from explanted tibiae of sheep that underwent unilateral tibial osteotomy surgery repaired with a locking compression plate. The most distal hole was overdrilled to 4.5 or 8 mm diameter, filled with fiber reinforced cement, drilled, tapped and a 4.5 mm screw was placed. Screw holding strength at t= 0 was significantly higher for reinforced when compared to nonreinforced cement, but not different from bone or PMMA in 4.5 mm defects. There was no difference in pullout strength for the 8 mm defect data. After 12 weeks fiber reinforced pullout strength increased by 45% and 8.9% for 4.5 and 8 mm defects, respectively, when compared to t= 0 testing. Fiber reinforced calcium phosphate bone cement can be drilled and tapped to support orthopedic hardware for trauma applications. Clin Trans Sci 2010; Volume 3: 112–115
Clinical significance of osseous spurs on the dorsoproximal aspect of the third metatarsal bone
Authors: FAIRBURN A. , DYSON S. , MURRAY R.
Published: June 2010

Reasons for performing study:Osseous spurs on the dorsoproximal aspect of the third metatarsal bone (MtIII) are common, but their clinical significance is unknown.

Objectives:To verify the sites of insertion of the dorsal metatarsal ligament and the tendons oftibialis cranialisandfibularis tertiusin order to determine if periarticular osteophytes and entheseophytes could be differentiated radiologically; and to determine the frequency of occurrence of osseous spurs on the dorsoproximal aspect of MtIII.

Hypotheses:The frequency of osseous spurs on the dorsoproximal aspect of MtIII would be higher in lame than in clinically normal horses and higher in horses with distal hock joint pain or proximal suspensory desmitis than in horses with other causes of hindlimb lameness.

Methods:A retrospective study of data from the clinical work up and tarsal radiographs of 455 horses was performed. Horses were divided into:Group 1, clinically normal horses;Groups 2–5, according to the diagnosis of hindlimb lameness. Radiographs were examined for the presence of an osseous spur on the dorsoproximal aspect of MtIII; pathology of the distal tarsal joints was graded. The associations between the presence of a spur and lameness, diagnosis group and the grade of distal tarsal joint abnormalities were analysed statistically using Chi‐squared tests.

Results:An osseous spur was present in 25% of horses; 13% of horses with bilateral radiographs had bilateral spurs. There was no significant difference in frequency of the presence of a spur between lame and nonlame horses, or between horses with other causes of hindlimb lameness and horses with proximal suspensory desmitis and/or distal tarsal joint pain. The presence of an osseous spur was significantly associated with the grade of radiological abnormality in the distal tarsal joints (tarsometatarsal joint P = 0.018: centrodistal joint P = 0.027). In many horses it was not possible to differentiate accurately between osteophytes and entheseophytes.

Conclusions and potential relevance:The presence of an osseous spur on the dorsoproximal aspect of MtIII in the absence of other radiological abnormalities may be an incidental finding. Osseous spurs occur more frequently in hocks with radiological abnormalities in the distal tarsal joints and may be an indicator of distal tarsal joint osteoarthritis. The clinical significance must be established by intra‐articular analgesia.
Effect of dietary restriction on body condition, composition and welfare of overweight and obese pony mares
Authors: DUGDALE A. H. A. , CURTIS G. C. , CRIPPS P. , HARRIS P. A. , ARGO C. McG.
Published: June 2010

Reasons for performing study:Increased prevalence of obesity among UK horses and ponies demands evidence‐based advice to promote weight loss.

Hypothesis:Restriction of dry matter intake (DMI) to 1% of body mass (BM, 6% of predicted maintenance digestible energy [DE] requirements) would promote weight loss without compromise to health.

Methods:Five mature (mean ± s.e. 10 ± 2 years), overweight/obese pony mares (BM, 257 ± 20 kg: body condition score [BCS] 6.8/9 ± 0.5) were studied over 12 weeks. Animals were individually housed. Daily provision of a chaff‐based, complete diet (measured DE, 8.5 MJ/kg DM) was restricted to 1% of actual BM as DMI daily. BCS, girth measurements and ultrasound‐derived measures of subcutaneous fat depth overlying the gluteal region and 12th intercostal space (rib‐eye) were recorded weekly. Body fat content was estimated at the beginning and end of the study by deuterium oxide dilution methods. Clinical biochemistry was monitored weekly. Behaviour was observed (24 h, 3/5 ponies) on 3 occasions.

Results:BM decreased by 4.3 ± 1.1% during the first week and thereafter by 0.7 ± 0.1% of BM at end of Week 1 each week. BCS remained constant. Heart and belly girths, rump width and subcutaneous fat depth at rib‐eye decreased significantly with time and BM. Fat comprised 45 ± 19% of BM loss. Fatter animals lost relatively more fat. With decreased feeding activity, time spent in ‘play’ and rest increased by 36 ± 11% and 438 ± 95%, respectively.

Conclusions:This plane of nutrition resulted in an overall rate of weight loss of 1% of outset BM weekly. BCS was not a useful index of early weight loss but heart and belly girths and subcutaneous rib‐eye fat were identified as alternative markers.

Potential relevance:This study provides an evidence‐base for the management of weight loss in obese animals, especially those for which exercise may be contra‐indicated.
Intrauterine administration of plant oils inhibits luteolysis in the mare
Authors: WILSHER S. , ALLEN W. R.
Published: June 2010

Reasons for performing the study: The maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP) signal in the mare has not been determined, although oestrogens have been proposed as a potential candidate.

Objectives: To determine effects of intrauterine administration of oestrogen and various oils on cyclic luteolysis in the mare.

Hypothesis: Intrauterine oestradiol or fatty acids may suppress luteolysis in the cycling mare when administered during late dioestrus.

Methods: A single 1 ml dose of slow‐release oestradiol (10 mg/ml) in fractionated coconut oil was infused into the uterine lumen of cycling mares on Days 6, 8, 10, 12 or 14 post ovulation (n = 12 in each group). Four further groups, each of 12 mares, received an intrauterine infusion of either 1 ml of fractionated coconut oil, peanut oil, mineral oil or a slow‐release preparation of oestradiol (10 mg/ml) in mineral oil on Day 10 post ovulation. Serial blood samples were assayed for progesterone concentrations to monitor luteal function.

Results: Intrauterine administration of oestradiol in fractionated coconut oil showed peak efficacy at Day 10 when luteolysis was delayed in 11/12 (92%) mares. The ability of the treatment to delay luteolysis was not significantly different when administered on Days 8 (9/12; 75%), 12 (10/12; 83%) or 14 (6/12; 50%) of dioestrus, but declined significantly when given on Day 6 (3/12; 25%). Oestradiol was not needed to initiate luteostasis since fractionated coconut oil alone or peanut oil administered at Day 10 induced the same high rate of luteal persistence (11/12; 92% for both oils). In contrast, mineral oil did not prolong luteal lifespan, either when administered alone (2/12; 17%) or combined with oestradiol (3/12; 25%).

Conclusion: These results do not unequivocally rule out a possible involvement of embryonic oestrogens in MRP in the mare but suggest it is unlikely. The results demonstrate that plant oils can postpone luteolysis, suggesting they may modulate synthesis or release of prostaglandins from the mare's endometrium.

Potential relevance: Administration of fractionated coconut or peanut oil on Day 10 post ovulation provides an effective and practical method of prolonging luteal function (‘pseudopregnancy’) thereby suppressing unwanted oestrous behaviour. Further studies to elucidate the mechanism by which this is achieved may increase understanding of both luteostasis and MRP signal in the mare.
Singularities at Solder Joint Interfaces and Their Effects on Fracture Models
Authors: Bhate D. , Chan D. , Subbarayan G. , Nguyen L. , Zhao J. , Edwards D.
Published: June 2010

In this study, we focus on investigating the nature of the stress and strain behavior in solder joints and their effect on the hybrid damage modeling approach, which is inspired by cohesive zone modeling and Weibull functions [Towashiraporn, et al., 2005, “A Hybrid Model for Computationally Efficient Fatigue Fracture Simulations at Microelectronic Assembly Interfaces,” Int. J. Solids Struct., 42(15), pp. 4468–4483]. We review well understood principles in elastic-plastic fracture mechanics and more recent work in cohesive zone modeling, that address the nature of the singular solutions at the crack tip and provide insight when dealing with the more complex problem of solder joint fracture. Using three-dimensional finite element analysis of a chip scale package, we systematically examine the stress-strain behavior at the edge of the solder joint along the interface. The singular nature of the behavior manifests itself as mesh dependence of the predicted crack front shape and the cycles to failure. We discuss the conditions under which the predicted crack growth rate is of reasonable accuracy by incorporating a characteristic length measure. We validate predictions made by the hybrid damage modeling approach against a companion experimental study in which crack growth was tracked in packages subjected to accelerated thermal cycling.
Data Center Housing High Performance Supercomputer Cluster: Above Floor Thermal Measurements Compared To CFD Analysis
Authors: Schmidt Roger , Iyengar Madhusudan , Caricari Joe
Published: June 2010

With the ever increasing heat dissipated by information technology (IT) equipment housed in data centers, it is becoming more important to project the changes that can occur in the data center as the newer higher powered hardware is installed. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software that is available has improved over the years. CFD software specific to data center thermal analysis has also been developed. This has improved the time lines of providing some quick analysis of the effects of new hardware into the data center. But it is critically important that this software provide a good report to the user of the effects of adding this new hardware. It is the purpose of this paper to examine a large cluster installation and compare the CFD analysis with environmental measurements obtained from the same site. This paper shows measurements and CFD data for high powered racks as high as 27 kW clustered such that heat fluxes in some regions of the data center exceeded 700 W per square foot. This paper describes the thermal profile of a high performance computing cluster located in an data center and a comparison of that cluster modeled via CFD. The high performance advanced simulation and computing (ASC) cluster had a peak performance of 77.8 TFlop/s, and employed more than 12,000 processors, 50 Tbytes of memory, and 2 Pbytes of globally accessible disk space. The cluster was first tested in the manufacturer’s development laboratory in Poughkeepsie, New York, and then shipped to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California, where it was installed to support the national security mission of the U.S. Detailed measurements were taken in both data centers and were previously reported. The Poughkeepsie results will be reported here along with a comparison to CFD modeling results. In some areas of the Poughkeepsie data center, there were regions that did exceed the equipment inlet air temperature specifications by a significant amount. These areas will be highlighted and reasons given on why these areas failed to meet the criteria. The modeling results by region showed trends that compared somewhat favorably but some rack thermal profiles deviated quite significantly from measurements.
Switched Magnetospheric Regulation of Pulsar Spin-Down
Authors: Lyne Andrew , Hobbs George , Kramer Michael , Stairs Ingrid , Stappers Ben
Published: June 2010

Pulsar Clocks

Pulsars are rotating neutron stars whose rotation rates can be extremely stable, sometimes rivaling the precision atomic clock. Unfortunately, not all pulsars are this precise—most show irregularities in their rotation rates. Using a large data set collected over many years at Jodrell Bank in the United Kingdom,Lyneet al.(p.408, published online 24 June) show that the rotation of pulsars is not modulated by a single spin-down rate but typically by two, each accompanied by a unique pulse profile. The irregularities are linked to abrupt quasiperiodic changes in the pulsar's magnetosphere, observed as changes in pulse shape and spin-down rate. Thus, it may be possible to use pulse-shape information to improve the precision of pulsars as stable clocks that can be used as probes of gravitational physics.
Simulated Rapid Warming of Abyssal North Pacific Waters
Authors: Masuda Shuhei , Awaji Toshiyuki , Sugiura Nozomi , Matthews John Philip , Toyoda Takahiro , Kawai Yoshimi , Doi Toshimasa , Kouketsu Shinya , Igarashi Hiromichi , Katsumata Katsuro , Uchida Hiroshi , Kawano Takeshi , Fukasawa Masao
Published: June 2010

Warming the Deep

The coldest ocean waters are located at the bottoms of the major ocean basins, and, because it takes a long time for water to sink from the surface to these regions, they are relatively isolated from the warming trends that are now occurring at shallower depths. However, warming in these deep waters has recently been observed, sooner than anticipated.

Masuda
et al.

(p.
319
, published online 24 June) performed computer simulations of ocean circulation and found that internal waves are able to transport heat rapidly from the surface waters around Antarctica to the bottom of the North Pacific, which can occur within four decades, rather than the centuries that conventional mechanisms have suggested.
Electric-bicycle-related injury: a rising traffic injury burden in China
Authors: Feng Zhiying , Raghuwanshi Rakesh P , Xu Zigang , Huang Dayong , Zhang Chong , Jin Tao
Published: June 2010

Objective

To examine the rising casualty rate related to electric bicycle usage.

Design

Analysis of the Hangzhou Police Bureau's data on electric-bicycle-related injuries and deaths.

Setting

Hangzhou, China, 2004–2008.

Patients or subjects

Electric-bicycle riders.

Main outcome measure

Electric-bicycle-related casualty rates in Hangzhou from 2004 to 2008.

Results

There was a significant average annual increase in electric-bicycle-related casualty rates of 2.7 per 100 000 population (95% CI 1.5 to 3.9, p=0.005). At the same time, overall road traffic and manual-bicycle-related deaths and injuries decreased.

Conclusion

As it is difficult to ban the use of electric bicycles in China, laws, rules and regulations need to be reinforced and strengthened. New regulations should be created for the safety of electric bicycle riders and others on the road, and mandatory helmet use should be considered.
A historical mortality study among bus drivers and bus maintenance workers exposed to urban air pollutants in the city of Genoa, Italy
Authors: Merlo Domenico Franco , Stagi Elena , Fontana Vincenzo , Consonni Dario , Gozza Claudia , Garrone Elsa , Bertazzi Pier Alberto , Pesatori Angela Cecilia
Published: June 2010

Objective

A historical mortality cohort study was conducted in Genoa, Italy among public transport workers ever employed between 1949 and 1980, to estimate overall and cause-specific mortality from January 1970 to December 2005 and to examine associations between exposure to urban air pollutants and overall and cause-specific mortality.

Methods

Causes of death for 9267 males (6510 bus drivers, 2073 maintenance workers and 601 white collar workers) were coded according to ICD-9. Standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) and 95% CIs were computed by applying Italian and regional male death rates to person-years of observation for the entire cohort and following stratification by longest held job title and length of and time since first employment using the Poisson regression model.

Results

There were 2916 deaths and 230 009 person-years of observation; 17 subjects were lost to follow-up. SMRs for all causes, diseases of the circulatory, respiratory, digestive and genitourinary systems, and for accidents were lower than expected. SMRs (95% CI) were increased for lung cancer (1.16, 1.05 to 1.28), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (1.23, 0.85 to 1.78), Hodgkin's lymphoma (2.14, 1.19 to 3.87) and diabetes mellitus (1.16, 1.05 to 1.28). The SMR for leukaemia was 0.77 (0.51 to 1.16). Hodgkin's lymphoma mortality was significantly increased among bus drivers (1.62, 1.37 to 5.04). Lung cancer risk was significantly increased among all workers after 30 years' employment and among maintenance workers.

Conclusions

The study failed to show any increased risk for leukaemias. The increased mortality from Hodgkin's lymphoma and lung cancer may be associated with long-term exposure to urban air pollution.
Maternal residence near municipal waste incinerators and the risk of urinary tract birth defects
Authors: Cordier Sylvaine , Lehébel Anne , Amar Emmanuelle , Anzivino-Viricel Lucie , Hours Martine , Monfort Christine , Chevrier Cécile , Chiron Mireille , Robert-Gnansia Elisabeth
Published: June 2010

Objectives

Waste incineration releases a mixture of chemicals with high embryotoxic potential, including heavy metals and dioxins/furans, into the atmosphere. In a previous ecological study we found an association between the risk of urinary tract birth defects and residence in the vicinity of municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs). The objective of the present study was to specifically test this association.

Methods

A population-based case–control study compared 304 infants with urinary tract birth defects diagnosed in the Rhône-Alpes region (2001–2003) with a random sample of 226 population controls frequency-matched for infant sex and year and district of birth. Exposure to dioxins in early pregnancy at the place of residence, used as a tracer of the mixture released by 21 active waste incinerators, was predicted with second-generation Gaussian modelling (ADMS3 software). Other industrial emissions of dioxins, population density and neighbourhood deprivation were also assessed. Individual risk factors including consumption of local food were obtained by interviews with 62% of the case and all control families.

Results

Risk was increased for mothers exposed to dioxins above the median at the beginning of pregnancy (OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.47 to 5.92 for dioxin deposits). When only interviewed cases were considered, risk estimates decreased mainly because the non-interviewed cases were more likely to live in exposed residential environments (OR 2.05, 95% CI 0.92 to 4.57). The results suggest that consumption of local food modifies this risk.

Conclusions

This study confirms our previous observation of a link between the risk of urinary tract birth defects and exposure to MSWI emissions in early pregnancy and illustrates the effect of participation bias on risk estimates of environmental health impacts.
Pesticide safety training and practices in women working in small-scale agriculture in South Africa
Authors: Naidoo S , London L , Rother H-A , Burdorf A , Naidoo R N , Kromhout H
Published: June 2010

Objectives

Unregulated use of pesticides continues in developing countries in the presence of illiteracy and limited safety training and practices. This paper describes training and safety practices when mixing and spraying pesticides, and acetylcholinesterase levels among women farmers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Methods

A cross-sectional study conducted in women working in small-scale agriculture in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in 2006 assessed pesticide training and safety practices using a questionnaire survey and measured acetylcholinesterase levels in 803 women. Three components of safety behaviour were identified through principle component analysis and described.

Results

The mean age of participants was 41.8 years (range 18–82 years) with a mean of 6.9 years (range 1–12 years) of education among school attendees. Among the 803 women included, 366 (45.6%) were the primary sprayers on their farm. Only 16.4% of the sprayers had ever attended a pesticide training course and only 18.0% reported ever reading pesticide labels. Of the women using some form of protective equipment, 56.7% and 54.9% reported doing so when mixing and spraying pesticides, respectively. The mean acetylcholinesterase level corrected for haemoglobin among study participants was 28.9 U/g Hb (95% CI 28.4 to 29.4).

Conclusion

Women working in small-scale agriculture in rural KwaZulu-Natal with limited access to pesticide training observe few safety practices when mixing and spraying pesticides.
Mineralization at the Golden Grove Cu – Zn deposit, Western Australia. I: Premetamorphic textures of the opaque minerals
Authors: Frater Kenneth Maxwell
Published: June 2010

The competent opaque minerals in the Archaean Golden Grove deposit, pyrite and magnetite, retain pre-regional metamorphic textures despite the lower greenschist-facies grade of metamorphism. The pre-regional metamorphic textures and structures recognized include the development of pyrite and magnetite overgrowths, the replacement of pyrrhotite by pyrite, the conversion of a primary hematite–goethite mineralogy to magnetite and, as a result of thermal metamorphism, further local replacement of pyrrhotite (and sphalerite) by magnetite. Comparisons between pyrite from the Cu-rich mineralization at the base of the deposit and that from the Zn-rich mineralization in the hanging wall indicate that postdepositional modification and recrystallization were more extreme at the base of the deposit. The pre-regional metamorphic textures and structures indicate that pyrite and magnetite overgrowths developed almost immediately after primary precipitation ceased and that overgrowths continued to develop into the late hydrothermal–diagenetic stage of mineralization. A large proportion of the sulphide–Fe-oxide mineralization was formed at shallow depth within the volaniclastic host rocks, but at two horizons (the base and hanging wall) the mineralization formed at or very near the sea floor. These two periods of near sea-floor sulphide precipitation are separated by an oxide-dominated opaque-mineral assemblage, originally hematite–goethite and secondary marcasite but now converted to magnetite and secondary pyrite. The microtextural evidence supports a three-stage evolution of the ore deposit, two sulphide exhalative phases of mineralization separated by a stage of more oxidized hydrothermal activity, or, alternatively, sea-floor weathering during which hematite–goethite formed and marcasite partly replaced earlier formed sulphides.