bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prospective Study of Erythema Toxicum Neonatorum: Epidemiology and Predisposing Factors
Authors: Monteagudo Benigno , Labandeira Javier , Cabanillas Miguel , Acevedo Antonio , Toribio Jaime
Published: November 2011

Abstract:  We performed a prospective study of 1,000 neonates investigated in the first 72 hours of life in the health area of Ferrol (northwest of Spain) to assess the prevalence of erythema toxicum neonatorum, the anatomical sites most frequently involved, the influence of different maternal and neonatal parameters, day of life of medical examination, and type of delivery (vaginal or Cesarean). Overall prevalence of erythema toxicum neonatorum was 16.7%. Lesions most frequently involved the trunk, buttocks, and proximal areas of limbs. A higher prevalence of this dermatosis was found in Caucasian newborns (p = 0.01) and those with higher birthweight (p < 0.05), greater gestational age (p < 0.05), vaginal delivery (p < 0.05), maternal age of <30 years (p = 0.28), and fewer than two previous pregnancies (p = 0.12).
Erythema Dyschromicum Perstans in a Japanese Child
Authors: Oiso Naoki , Tsuruta Daisuke , Imanishi Hisayoshi , Kobayashi Hiromi , Kawada Akira
Published: November 2011

Abstract:  Erythema dyschromicum perstans (EDP) is asymptomatic slate‐gray to blue‐brown macules. Idiopathic eruptive macular pigmentation is asymptomatic brown nonconfluent macules. We describe electron microscopic studies of a 9‐year‐old Japanese girl with EDP. The ultrastructural figures indicated that the production of immature, small, irregular‐shaped melanosomes in melanocytes and peripheral localization of melanosomes in keratinocytes caused the clinical appearance of EDP. The ultrastructural evidence distinguishes EDP from idiopathic eruptive macular pigmentation and suggests a distinct pathogenesis of the disease.
Physician Perspectives on Medical Care Delivery in Assisted Living
Authors: Sloane Philip D. , Zimmerman Sheryl , Perez Rosa , Reed David , Harris‐Wallace Brandy , Khandelwal Christine , Beeber Anna Song , Madeline Mitchell C. , Schumacher John
Published: November 2011

Objectives

To describe the provision of medical care in assisted living (AL) as provided by physicians who are especially active in providing care to older adults and AL residents; to identify characteristics associated with physician confidence in AL staff; and to ask physicians a variety of questions about their experience providing care to AL residents and how it compares with providing care in the nursing home and home care settings.

Design

Cross‐sectional descriptive study.

Setting

AL communities in 27 states.

Participants

One hundred sixty‐five physicians and administrators of 125 AL settings in which they had patients.

Measurements

Interviews and questionnaires containing open‐ and close‐ended questions regarding demographics, care arrangements, attitudes, and behaviors in managing medical problems.

Results

Most respondents were certified in internal medicine (46%) or family medicine (47%); 32% were certified in geriatrics and 30% in medical directorship. In this select sample, 48% visited the AL setting once a year or less, and 19% visited once a week or more. Mean physician confidence in AL staff was 3.3 (somewhat confident), with greater confidence associated with smaller AL community size, nursing presence, and the physician being the medical director. Qualitative analyses identified differences between settings including lack of vital sign assessment in the home setting, concern about the ability of AL staff to assess and monitor problems, and greater administrative and regulatory requirements in AL than in the other settings.

Conclusion

Providing medical care for AL residents presents unique challenges and opportunities for physicians. Nursing presence and physician oversight and familiarity and communicating with AL staff who are highly familiar with a given resident and can monitor care may facilitate care.
Carotid Intima‐Media Thickness Measurements Are Not Affected by the Ultrasound Frequency
Authors: Bhagirath Kapil M. , Lester Steven J. , Humphries Julie , Hentz Joseph G. , Hurst R. Todd
Published: November 2011

Objective: Carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT) is a B‐mode ultrasound measure of subclinical atherosclerosis predictive of future cardiovascular risk. Carotid IMT measurements were historically obtained at an ultrasound frequency of 8 MHz or lower, but it is unknown whether measurements obtained at higher frequencies using newer, more advanced ultrasound technology allow for valid comparison to the older general population databases that are commonly used for the interpretation of carotid IMT results. Methods: Carotid IMT studies were conducted in 35 consecutive patients at standard (8 MHz) and high (14 MHz) frequencies and measurements were performed by two independent expert readers. Systematic bias was assessed by using the paired t‐test and agreement was analyzed with the Bland–Altman method. Results: The sample mean carotid IMT obtained at 14 MHz was 0.006 mm lower than that obtained at 8 MHz. The 95% confidence interval (CI) for the mean difference between frequencies indicated that the population mean for 14 MHz is unlikely to be more than 0.02 mm lower than for 8 MHz (95% CI –0.017 to 0.004). The 95% reference range for the difference between the two transducer frequencies indicated that the thickness obtained at 14 MHz was within 0.05 mm of that obtained at 8 MHz for 95% of subjects. Conclusions: Carotid IMT measurements obtained at higher transducer frequencies are similar to those obtained at standard frequency. This finding has important clinical implications because it validates comparison of carotid IMT measurements obtained with newer, more advanced ultrasound technology with the landmark reference carotid IMT studies commonly used for interpretation of carotid IMT results. (Echocardiography 2012;29:354‐357)
Evaluation of Right Ventricular Function in Early Period Following Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defect
Authors: Ağaç Mustafa Tarık , Akyüz Ali Rıza , Acar Zeydin , Akdemir Ramazan , Korkmaz Levent , Kırış Abdülkadir , Erkuş Emre , Erkan Hakan , Çelik Şükrü
Published: November 2011

Aims: There is limited data on alterations in novel right ventricular (RV) function indices like tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and tricuspid annular systolic velocity (TASV) after transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. We aimed to evaluate RV function by echocardiography (ECG) with these novel indices in early period in patients with secundum‐type ASD that was closed percutaneously. Methods: Patients were enrolled to study if they had secundum‐type ASD that was suitable for percutaneous closure. Patient population consisted of 4 men and 16 women. Echocardiography was performed before and 1 month after closure. Results: Mean age was 37 ± 16. Mean diameter of ASD and total atrial septum length measured by ECG were 19 ± 6 mm and 49 ± 7 mm, respectively. Mean diameter of defect in transesophageal echocardiography was 20 ± 6 mm. Stretched mean diameter in catheterization was 23 ± 6 mm. One month after closure, there were statistically significant decreases in RV end‐diastolic diameters (43.3 ± 10.7 mm vs. 34.9 ± 5.5 mm; P < 0.001), RV/left ventricular (LV) end‐diastolic diameter ratio (1.1 ± 0.3 vs. 0.87 ± 0.1; P < 0.001), TASV (16.9 ± 3.2 cm/sec vs. 14.3 ± 3.3 cm/sec; P < 0.05), early diastolic tricuspid annular velocity (15.3 ± 3.1 cm/sec vs. 13.4 ± 2.4 cm/sec P <0.05), late diastolic tricuspid annular velocity (16.2 ± 5.4 cm/sec vs. 14.3 ± 6.3 cm/sec; P < 0.05), and TAPSE (29.9 ± 6.2 mm vs. 22.4 ± 7.4 mm; P < 0.001). LV end‐diastolic diameter (38.0 ± 6.9 mm and 40.0 ± 4.5 P < 0.05) was increased, whereas there was no change in LV ejection fraction. Conclusion: Closure of ASD by using Amplatzer devices led to decrease in right heart chamber size, tissue Doppler–derived tricuspid annular velocities and TAPSE in early period. (Echocardiography 2012;29:358‐362)
Which Factors Impact Myocardial Function in Systemic Sclerosis?
Authors: Ivanovic Branislava A. , Tadic Marijana V. , Zlatanovic Maja M. , Damjanov Nemanja N. , Ostojić Predrag M. , Bonaci‐Nikolic Branka N.
Published: November 2011

Background: The aim of our study was to determine clinical and echocardiographic parameters, which impacted the left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) diastolic and global function in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods: The study included 50 SSc patients and 48 age‐matched healthy volunteers. All the patients underwent clinical examination, serological tests, pulmonary function testing, and complete two‐dimensional echocardiography, which included pulsed and tissue Doppler. We determined the ratio of early diastolic transtricuspid/transmitral and the lateral area of the tricuspid/mitral annulus flow velocities (E/e′;lateral). RV and LV global ventricular function was estimated by the Tei index. Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was calculated by using echocardiographic parameters. Results: Tricuspid inflow E/A ratio was decreased in the SSc group (P < 0.001), also as e′/a′ ratio (P < 0.001), whereas E/e′tricuspid was increased (P = 0.001). The RV Tei index was increased in SSc patients (P < 0.001). PVR was significantly higher than in controls (P < 0.001). The multivariate analysis showed that brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level (β= 0.403, P = 0.016), diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO; β= 0.361, P = 0.025), RV systolic pressure (β= 0.449, P = 0.011), and PVR (β= 0.507, P < 0.001) were independently associated with RV diastolic function (tricuspid E/e′lateral). Similar results were achieved for the RV Tei index. Multiple regression showed that BNP level (β= 0.337, P = 0.029), DLCO (β= 0.405, P = 0.011), and PVR (β= 0.449, P = 0.022) were independently associated with LV diastolic function (mitral E/e′lateral). Similar results were obtained for the LV Tei index. Conclusion: Our study revealed some new noninvasive parameters (BNP, DLCO, and PVR), which are useful for everyday clinical practice for determining of early myocardial involvement in SSc. (Echocardiography 2012;29:307‐317)
Empirical Likelihood for Cumulative Hazard Ratio Estimation with Covariate Adjustment
Authors: Dong Bin , Matthews David E.
Published: November 2011

Summary In medical studies, it is often of scientific interest to evaluate the treatment effect via the ratio of cumulative hazards, especially when those hazards may be nonproportional. To deal with nonproportionality in the Cox regression model, investigators usually assume that the treatment effect has some functional form. However, to do so may create a model misspecification problem because it is generally difficult to justify the specific parametric form chosen for the treatment effect. In this article, we employ empirical likelihood (EL) to develop a nonparametric estimator of the cumulative hazard ratio with covariate adjustment under two nonproportional hazard models, one that is stratified, as well as a less restrictive framework involving group‐specific treatment adjustment. The asymptotic properties of the EL ratio statistic are derived in each situation and the finite‐sample properties of EL‐based estimators are assessed via simulation studies. Simultaneous confidence bands for all values of the adjusted cumulative hazard ratio in a fixed interval of interest are also developed. The proposed methods are illustrated using two different datasets concerning the survival experience of patients with non‐Hodgkin’s lymphoma or ovarian cancer.
Distribution of the Entodiniomorphid Ciliate Troglocorys cava Tokiwa, Modrý, Ito, Pomajbíková, Petrželková, & Imai, , (Entodiniomorphida: Blepharocorythidae) in Wild and Captive Chimpanzees
Authors: Pomajbíková Kateřina , Petrželková Klára J. , Petrášová Jana , Profousová Ilona , Kalousová Barbora , Jirků Miloslav , Sá Rui M. , Modrý David
Published: November 2011

Trophozoites of Troglocorys cava were detected in all but one of the wild chimpanzee populations from Rubondo Island (Tanzania), with a prevalence ranging between 20% and 78%. However, the ciliate was absent in all captive groups. Prevalence appeared to increase with the number of sequential samples taken from a particular individual and reached 95.5% in wild individuals sampled at least 4 times.
Ciliate Ingestion and Digestion: Flow Cytometric Measurements and Regrowth of a Digestion‐Resistant Campylobacter jejuni
Authors: First Matthew R. , Park Nina Y. , Berrang Mark E. , Meinersmann Richard J. , Bernhard Joan M. , Gast Rebecca J. , Hollibaugh James T.
Published: November 2011

We measured ingestion and digestion rates of the pathogenic bacterium Campylobacter jejuni by a freshwater ciliate Colpoda sp. to determine whether Campylobacter is able to resist protist digestion. Campylobacter and the nonpathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas putida LH1 were labeled with a 5‐chloromethylfluorescein diacetate, which fluoresces in intact and active cells but fades when exposed to low pH environments, such as protistan food vacuoles. Ingestion and digestion rates were measured via flow cytometry as the change in ciliate fluorescence over time, which corresponded to the quantity of intracellular bacteria. The rate of Campylobacter ingestion exceeded the digestion rate. Ciliates retained labeled Campylobacter 5 h after ingestion was stopped. In contrast, ciliates grazing upon P. putida returned to baseline fluorescence within 5 h, indicating that P. putida were completely digested. The ability of intracellular Campylobacter to remain viable after ingestion was tested by sorting individual ciliates and bacterial cells into Campylobacter‐selective media. Campylobacter growth occurred in 15% (± 5 SE) of wells seeded with highly fluorescent ciliates, whereas only 4% (± 1) of wells seeded with free‐living Campylobacter exhibited growth. A key advantage of this approach is that it is rapid and should be applicable to other phagocytotis studies.
Upconversion Luminescence of γ‐AlON:Er3+ Phosphors with Mg2+ Co‐Doping
Authors: Zhang Fang , Chen Shi , Zhang Hailong L. , Li Jun , Yang Yan , Zhou Guohong H. , Liu Xuejian J. , Wang Shiwei W.
Published: November 2011

A new composition of phosphor material AlON:Er3+ codoped with Mg2+ were prepared by solid‐state reaction method. The effect of Mg2+ dopants on upconversion luminescence properties of the AlON:Er3+ phosphor was investigated. At certain concentrations, Mg2+ dopants were found to greatly enhance the red emission intensity of AlON:Er3+ phosphors. From our results, the enhancement of the emission intensity by Mg2+ dopants was discussed in terms of the Er3+ distribution in crystal lattice and crystal symmetry by introducing oxygen vacancy.
Overtaking on migration: does longer distance migration always incur a penalty?
Authors: Alves José A. , Gunnarsson Tómas G. , Potts Peter M. , Gélinaud Guillaume , Sutherland William J. , Gill Jennifer A.
Published: November 2011

For many migratory bird species, the latitudinal range of the winter distribution spans thousands of kilometres, thus encompassing considerable variation in individual migration distances. Pressure to winter near breeding areas is thought to be a strong driver of the evolution of migration patterns, as individuals undertaking a shorter migration are generally considered to benefit from earlier arrival on the breeding grounds. However, the influence of migration distance on timing of arrival is difficult to quantify because of the large scales over which individuals must be tracked. Using a unique dataset of individually‐marked Icelandic black‐tailed godwitsLimosa limosa islandicatracked throughout the migratory range by a network of hundreds of volunteer observers, we quantify the consequences of migrating different distances for the use of stop‐over sites and timing of arrival in Iceland. Modelling of potential flight distances and tracking of individuals from across the winter range shows that individuals wintering further from the breeding grounds must undertake a stop‐over during spring migration. However, despite travelling twice the distance and undertaking a stop‐over, individuals wintering furthest from the breeding grounds are able to overtake their conspecifics on spring migration and arrive earlier in Iceland. Wintering further from the breeding grounds can therefore be advantageous in migratory species, even when this requires the use of stop‐over sites which lengthen the migratory journey. As early arrival on breeding sites confers advantages for breeding success, the capacity of longer distance migrants to overtake conspecifics is likely to influence the fitness consequences of individual migration strategies. Variation in the quality of wintering and stopover sites throughout the range can therefore outweigh the benefits of wintering close to the breeding grounds, and may be a primary driver of the evolution of specific migration routes and patterns.
Landscape structure influences pollinator movements and directly affects plant reproductive success
Authors: Cranmer Louise , McCollin Duncan , Ollerton Jeff
Published: November 2011

Pollinators play a key role within most terrestrial communities in maintaining plant populations, as well as pollinating many agricultural crops for seed and fruit production. The mobility of pollinating animals is significant to their importance but we know little about how landscape structure influences pollinator movements. Linear landscape features such as hedgerows and embankments are conspicuous features of agricultural landscape structure and are important artificial habitats in their own right. However, there has been some debate as to the function of these landscape elements as corridors between larger expanses of semi‐natural habitat separated by urban and agricultural habitats. Few studies have specifically studied insect flight responses to linear landscape elements. By observing bumblebee flight behaviour along hedgerows and, by creating a medium‐scale experimental array of flower patches using an artificial linear feature, we examined whether such structures can elicit an oriented flight response along them and therefore facilitate insect movement through the landscape. We found that both hedgerows and artificial linear landscape features can influence the flight directions of bumblebees (Bombus spp. Hymenoptera, Apidae), one of Europe's most important groups of pollinators. A bioassay experiment in which Salvia pratensis (Lamiaceae) was planted into landscape patches with differing numbers of connecting hedgerows showed that this directional response can have a profound effect on plant reproductive success – plants had increased pollinator activity, pollen receipt and subsequent seed set in patches with more connections. The overall hedgerow connectedness of a landscape is therefore important both to bumblebee movement and to those plants which depend on bumblebees for pollination services.
Obstetric complications and neurological soft signs in male patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Bersani Giuseppe , Clemente Roberta , Gherardelli Simona , Bersani Francesco Saverio , Manuali Giorgiana
Published: November 2011

Bersani G, Clemente R, Gherardelli S, Bersani FS, Manuali G. Obstetric complications and neurological soft signs in male patients with schizophrenia.

Objective:The study investigated the relationship between neurological soft signs (NSS) and obstetric complications (OCs) in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods:Sixty-three male patients with schizophrenia were divided into two subgroups, based on the OCs presence or absence, which were compared in relation to NSS prevalence. After that, a Person's correlation test was performed to explore the correlation between NSS and OCs severity.

Results:The subgroup with OCs showed more NSS, but there were not significant correlations between NSS and OCs severity.

Conclusions:It seems that any OC, without distinction in typology and severity, could unspecifically impair the neurodevelopment and inducing NSS expression. Our findings confirm the hypothesis that neurodevelopment alterations, such as those probably induced by OCs, can contribute to a premorbid brain dysfunctional state expressed by NSS.
Multiple psychosomatic symptoms can indicate child physical abuse – results from a study of Swedish schoolchildren
Authors: Jernbro Carolina , Svensson Birgitta , Tindberg Ylva , Janson Staffan
Published: November 2011

Aim:  To examine whether children with self‐reported experiences of either physical abuse alone or combined with intimate partner violence report more psychosomatic symptoms than other children and to explore whether these possible associations are enhanced by school‐related factors, chronic condition and demographic factors.

Methods:  A national cross‐sectional study of 2771 pupils in grades 4, 6 and 9 from 44 schools in Sweden was carried out in 2006 (91% response rate). Data were analysed with univariate tests (chi‐square), multiple logistic regression analyses and stratified logistic regression analyses, expressed as crude odds ratio (OR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals.

Results:  There was a strong association between reported physical abuse and multiple (three or more) psychosomatic symptoms among schoolchildren (AOR 2.12). Chronic condition was the only determinant that had an obvious enhancing effect on the association between physical abuse and psychosomatic symptoms in childhood.

Conclusion:  This study shows that multiple psychosomatic symptoms are associated with child physical abuse. Health professionals therefore need to pay special attention to schoolchildren who complain about the co‐occurrence of psychosomatic symptoms and pattern of symptoms, which could not be easily explained by other causes.
The guanine cap of human guanylate‐binding protein 1 is responsible for dimerization and self‐activation of GTP hydrolysis
Authors: Wehner Mark , Kunzelmann Simone , Herrmann Christian
Published: November 2011

Human guanylate‐binding protein 1 (hGBP1) belongs to the superfamily of large, dynamin‐related GTPases. The expression of hGBP1 is induced by stimulation with interferons (mainly interferon‐γ), and it plays a role in different cellular responses to inflammatory cytokines, e.g. pathogen defence, control of proliferation, and angiogenesis. Although other members of the dynamin superfamily show a diversity of cellular functions, they share a common GTPase mechanism that relies on nucleotide‐controlled oligomerization and self‐activation of the GTPase. Previous structural studies on hGBP1 have suggested a mechanism of GTPase and GDPase activity that, as a critical step, involves dimerization of the large GTP‐binding domains. In this study, we show that the guanine cap of hGBP1 is the key structural element responsible for dimerization, and is thereby essential for self‐activation of the GTPase activity. Studies of concentration‐dependent GTP hydrolysis showed that mutations of residues in the guanine cap, in particular Arg240 and Arg244, resulted in higher dissociation constants of the dimer, whereas the maximum hydrolytic activity was largely unaffected. Additionally, we identified an intramolecular polar contact (Lys62–Asp255) whose mutation leads to a loss of self‐activation capability and controlled oligomer formation. We suggest that this contact structurally couples the guanine cap to the switch regions of the GTPase, translating the structural changes that occur upon nucleotide binding to a change in oligomerization and self‐activation.

Structured digital abstract

hGBP1
 and hGBP1 bind by molecularsieving (Viewinteraction)
A model for water sharing in the Ganges River Basin
Authors: Kamruzzaman M. , Beecham S. , Zuppi G. M.
Published: November 2011

This study investigates water resources sharing and in particular the impact of the Farakka Barrage in the Ganges River Basin management which has led to conflict between the Ganges states since 1951. A deadlock prevailed between Bangladesh and India during the dry seasons. The 1996 water sharing treaty adopted and the results suggest that availability of flows is crucial during the period 1 March to 31 May. Moreover, the average flow availability at Farakka dam has been gradually declining during the period 1997 to 2007. For 2005 and 2006, it was found that the average flow availability declined by 12 and 25%, respectively. A Stackelberg leader–follower model is described for optimal water allocation in the Ganges River Basin between Bangladesh and India both with and without additional water transfers from Nepal. It is recommended that a market‐based water transfer arrangement from Nepal is implemented for both Bangladesh and India.
Lower Rehospitalization Rates Among Rural Medicare Beneficiaries With Diabetes
Authors: Bennett Kevin J. , Probst Janice C. , Vyavaharkar Medha , Glover Saundra H.
Published: November 2011

Purpose: We estimated the 30‐day readmission rate of Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes, across levels of rurality.

Methods: We merged the 2005 Medicare Chronic Conditions 5% sample data with the 2007 Area Resource File. The study population was delimited to those with diabetes and at least 1 hospitalization in the year. Unadjusted readmission rates were estimated across levels of rurality. Multivariate logistic regression estimated the factors associated with readmissions.

Findings: Overall, 14.4% had a readmission; this was higher among urban (14.9%) than rural (12.9%) residents. The adjusted odds indicated that remote rural residents were less likely to have a readmission (OR 0.74, 0.57‐0.95) than urban residents. Also, those with a 30‐day physician follow‐up visit were more likely to have a readmission (OR 2.25, 1.96‐2.58) than those without a visit.

Conclusion: The factors that contribute to hospital readmissions are complex; our findings indicate that access to follow‐up care is highly associated with having a readmission. It is possible that residents of remote rural counties may not receive necessary readmissions due to lower availability of such follow‐up care. Policy makers should continue to monitor this apparent disparity to determine the impact of these lower rates on both patients and hospitals alike.
One‐legged endurance training: leg blood flow and oxygen extraction during cycling exercise
Authors: Rud B. , Foss Ø. , Krustrup P. , Secher N.H. , Hallén J.
Published: November 2011

Aim:  As a consequence of enhanced local vascular conductance, perfusion of muscles increases with exercise intensity to suffice the oxygen demand. However, when maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and cardiac output are approached, the increase in conductance is blunted. Endurance training increases muscle metabolic capacity, but to what extent that affects the regulation of muscle vascular conductance during exercise is unknown.

Methods:  Seven weeks of one‐legged endurance training was carried out by twelve subjects. Pulmonary VO2 during cycling and one‐legged cycling was tested before and after training, while VO2 of the trained leg (TL) and control leg (CL) during cycling was determined after training.

Results: VO2max for cycling was unaffected by training, although one‐legged VO2max became 6.7 (2.3)% (mean ± SE) larger with TL than with CL. Also TL citrate synthase activity was higher [30 (12)%; P < 0.05]. With the two legs working at precisely the same power during cycling at high intensity (n = 8), leg oxygen uptake was 21 (8)% larger for TL than for CL (P < 0.05) with oxygen extraction being 3.5 (1.1)% higher (P < 0.05) and leg blood flow tended to be higher by 16.0 (7.0)% (P = 0.06).

Conclusion:  That enhanced VO2max for the trained leg had no implication for cycling VO2max supports that there is a central limitation to VO2max during whole‐body exercise. However, the metabolic balance between the legs was changed during high‐intensity exercise as oxygen delivery and oxygen extraction were higher in the trained leg, suggesting that endurance training ameliorates blunting of leg blood flow and oxygen uptake during whole‐body exercise.
International survey of enteral nutrition protocols used in children with Crohn's disease
Authors: WHITTEN Kylie E , ROGERS Paula , OOI Chee (Keith) Y , DAY Andrew S
Published: November 2011

OBJECTIVE:  Differing protocols have been utilized in published studies evaluating exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) in the management of active pediatric Crohn's disease. This study aimed to ascertain the protocols currently utilized in different pediatric centers around the world and to highlight their similarities and differences.

METHODS:  A questionnaire was circulated to individuals at pediatric centers in countries in Europe, North America and Asia–Pacific. Respondents were asked to indicate the number of children treated with EEN at their centers in the previous years and to provide details of their protocol used for administering EEN to these children.

RESULTS:  Responses were received from 35 separate centers (42% of those asked). The duration of EEN varied from <6 weeks to >12 weeks, but was most commonly 6 to 8 weeks. Although 23 different formulas were utilized across the centers, most (90%) used polymeric formulas. Flavourings were commonly added to formulas but wide variations existed between centers with the prescription of food and fluids permitted during the EEN period. The reintroduction of food after EEN also varied greatly: the most common recommendations were for an initial low‐fiber diet (26%) or the gradual introduction of food quantity as the formula volume decreased (52%).

CONCLUSIONS:  This questionnaire‐based study has shown the wide variations in EEN protocols used in different areas of the world. The development of consistent protocols may enhance the acceptance, efficacy and wider utilization of this therapy.
Statistical Considerations for Analysis of Microarray Experiments
Authors: Owzar Kouros , Barry William T. , Jung Sin‐Ho
Published: November 2011

Microarray technologies enable the simultaneous interrogation of expressions from thousands of genes from a biospecimen sample taken from a patient. This large set of expressions generates a genetic profile of the patient that may be used to identify potential prognostic or predictive genes or genetic models for clinical outcomes. The aim of this article is to provide a broad overview of some of the major statistical considerations for the design and analysis of microarrays experiments conducted as correlative science studies to clinical trials. An emphasis will be placed on how the lack of understanding and improper use of statistical concepts and methods will lead to noise discovery and misinterpretation of experimental results. Clin Trans Sci 2011; Volume 4: 466–477
Comparison of cytokine levels from undiluted vitreous of untreated patients with retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Koss Michael J , Pfister Marcel , Rothweiler Florian , Michaelis Martin , Cinatl Jindrich , Schubert Ralf , Koch Frank H
Published: November 2011

Purpose:  To compare cytokines in undiluted vitreous of treatment‐naïve patients with macular oedema without vitreomacular traction secondary to branch (BRVO), central (CRVO) and hemi‐central (H‐CRVO) retinal vein occlusion.

Methods:  Ninety‐four patients (median age 72 years, 42 men) underwent an intravitreal combination therapy, including a single‐site 23‐gauge core vitrectomy and the application of bevacizumab and dexamethasone due to vision‐decreasing macular oedema. Among these were 43 patients with BRVO, 35 with CRVO and 16 patients with hemi‐CRVO, which were distributed in a fresh or old retinal vein occlusion type (seven or more months after onset). Undiluted vitreous samples were analysed for interleukin 6 (IL‐6), monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF‐A) with cytometric BEAD assay. Vitreous samples from patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane served as controls (n = 14).

Results:  The mean cytokine values were highest in the CRVO group with IL‐6 = 64.7 pg/ml (SD ± 115.8), MCP‐1 = 1015.8 pg/ml (±970.1) and VEGF‐A = 278.4 pg/ml (±512.8), followed by the H‐CRVO group with IL‐6 = 59.9 pg/ml (SD ± 97.5), MCP‐1 = 938.8 pg/ml (±561.1) and VEGF‐A = 211.5 pg/ml (±232.4). The BRVO group had IL‐6 = 23.2 pg/ml (SD ± 48.8), MCP‐1 = 602.6 pg/ml (±490.3) and VEGF‐A = 161.8 pg/ml (±314.4). The values of MCP‐1 and VEGF‐A were significantly different for CRVO or H‐CRVO versus BRVO. All values were significantly higher than in the control samples, which had 6.2 ± 3.4 pg/ml (IL‐6), 253 ± 74 pg/ml (MCP‐1) and 7 ± 4.9 pg/ml (VEGF‐A). Within the old RVO type, only MCP‐1 was significantly different for CRVO or H‐CRVO versus BRVO.

Conclusions:  Both inflammatory markers and VEGF‐A were higher in CRVO and H‐CRVO than in BRVO undiluted vitreous samples. It seems that monocyte recruitment to the vessel wall, which might underlie the importance of eosinophils in tissue remodelling after RVO, is of special interest owing to the significant difference in MCP‐1 in the older RVO types.
Complement system activation and endothelial dysfunction in patients with age‐related macular degeneration (AMD): possible relationship between AMD and atherosclerosis
Authors: Machalińska Anna , Kawa Miłosz P. , Marlicz Wojciech , Machaliński Bogusław
Published: November 2011

Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) shares several pathological and epidemiological similarities with systemic atherosclerosis (AS). First, an association between AS and AMD is apparent from the analyses of the histological and biochemical structure of atherosclerotic plaques in the vascular walls and retinal drusen, the hallmark of AMD. Second, there is considerable evidence implicating endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of both disorders, and cellular oxidative stress appears to be a common denominator underlying this process. Moreover, there are observations that the complement system (CS) triggering inflammatory response contributes to the onset and advancement of both diseases. The CS plays a role in the generation of drusen and neovascularization in AMD as well as in vascular endothelium activation, cell damage and ultimately atherosclerotic plaque formation in the course of systemic arteriosclerosis. It is widely recognized that both AMD and AS are not only related to local stimulation of the CS, but also result in its systemic activation. In addition, a specific Y402H polymorphism of the complement inhibitor factor H has been found to be associated with the incidence of both AMD and AS. Here, we propose a linking hypothesis between CS activation, endothelial dysfunction and the pathogenesis of two common and age‐related pathological processes, AS and AMD. We also discuss the potential therapeutic value of pharmacological modulation of CS activation in these disorders.
Silver yoga versus physical exercise for physical fitness
Authors: Bedah AA
Published: November 2011

Chen KM, Fan JT, Wang HH, Wu SJ, Li CH, Lin HS.

Silver yoga exercises improved physical fitness of transitional frail elders.

Nurs Res 2010; 59: 364–70.
Chondroitin sulphate has objective but no subjective effects
Authors: Ernst E
Published: November 2011

Wildi LM, Raynauld JP, Martel‐Pelletier J, Beaulieu A, Bessette L, Morin F, Abram F, Dorais M, Pelletier JP.

Chondroitin sulphate reduces both cartilage volume loss and bone marrow lesions in knee osteoarthritis patients starting as early as 6 months after initiation of therapy: a randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled pilot study using MRI.

Ann Rheum Dis 2011; 70: 982–9.
A herbal formula for food allergy
Authors: Gundling K
Published: November 2011

Wang J, Patil S, Yang N, Ko J, Lee J, Noone S, Sampson H, Li X.

Safety, tolerability, and immunologic effects of a food allergy herbal formula in food allergic individuals: a randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, dose escalation, phase 1 study.

Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2010; 105: 75–84.
Assessing the potential of Caribbean phytomedicinals
Authors: Awang Dennis VC
Published: November 2011

Over the past four decades, there has not been any significant organised research into the therapeutic efficacy and/or potential toxicity of purportedly medicinal Caribbean botanicals. Books published during the period and dealing with such plants were essentially compendia of ethnopharmacological information regarding uses, containing occasional crude modes of preparation of treatments and sparse data on chemical constituents. More recent publications have tended to consider the evidence‐based legitimacy of a modest number of pharmacologically active plants. Currently, two of the most prominent organisations in this area are TRAMIL (the Program of Applied Research to Popular Medicine in the Caribbean) and the Caribbean Herbal Medicine Research Institute (CaHMRI). While TRAMIL's expressed main aim is to stimulate research that has the potential to educate physicians, pharmacologists, health personnel, and health programmes, its core research activity has been the conduct of ethnopharmacological disease‐based surveys on the traditional medicinal uses of plants by the people in the Caribbean territories; TRAMIL is not involved in the conduct of clinical trials. A major objective of CaHMRI at the University of Trinidad and Tobago is claimed to be the provision of sound scientific information about medicinal plants and herbal remedies. However, CaHMRI's declared mission is the identification of local medicinal plants and isolation of their characteristic bioactive constituents, although an Internet posting states that it plans to test herbal medicinal extracts for their safety and efficacy through clinical trials. However, so far CaHMRI has not reported on any such activities. Cuba appears to be the only Caribbean territory to have made significant progress in advancing the status of herbal medicines from the folkloric domain. As part of its national natural and traditional medicine system, herbal medicine products are being manufactured by the State in pharmaceutical production laboratories.
Leader and follower organizational identification: The mediating role of leader behaviour and implications for follower OCB
Authors: Schuh Sebastian C. , Zhang Xin‐an , Egold Nikolai W. , Graf Matthias M. , Pandey Diwakar , van Dick Rolf
Published: November 2011

The transfer model of organizational identification (OI) posits a trickle‐down process of OI from leaders to followers. This, in turn, should foster employees’ willingness to engage in extra‐role behaviour. Prior research has provided consistent support for the model in field studies and experimental settings. The present studies extend the OI transfer model by examining the mediating role of transformational leadership (TFL) behaviour in the leader OI‐follower OI link. Using a multi‐level, multi‐source approach we tested our model in two studies. Study 1 was conducted in Germany (N= 18 leaders and 216 employees) and provided support for the proposed mediation process. In a second Study, which was conducted in China (N= 44 leaders and 109 followers), we were able to replicate and extend these findings. Again, leader behaviour mediated the link between leader OI and employee OI. Additionally, we found that leader transformational behaviour and employee OI together mediated the link between leader OI and employee extra‐role efforts.

Practitioner Points

Given that organizations are generally structured in a pyramid‐shaped form, the present findings suggest that leader OI can be highly leveraged since it appears to cascade down the organizational hierarchy.

Hence, measures fostering leader OI appear to be effective and efficient means to increase followers’ identification with the organization. Follower OI, in turn, positively relates to employee extra‐effort on behalf of the organization.

Furthermore, our findings suggest that this transfer of OI is not restricted to leader‐follower links in western, individualistic societies but also applies to China, characterized by more collectivistic values.
Anion transport by the cochlear motor protein prestin
Authors: Schänzler Michael , Fahlke Christoph
Published: November 2011

Non‐technical summary  Cochlear inner hair cells transform acoustic signals into electric signals. Another type of hair cells, outer hair cells, actively amplifies sensory signals and thus contributes to the exquisite sensitivity of the human auditory system. Cochlear amplification is based on length oscillations of outer hair cells that are mediated by a membrane‐bound motor protein, prestin. Prestin transforms electrical signals directly in conformational changes and in extremely fast length changes of outer hair cells. Prestin belongs to a family of proteins that mainly function as anion transporters or channels. We here demonstrate that – under certain anionic conditions – all branches of this family can function as anion channels. These results show that prestin shares important functions with other family members that are not motor proteins. Knowledge of how prestin can switch between motor protein and channel mode will increase our understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying cochlear amplification.
Human sympathetic outflows to skin and muscle target organs fluctuate concordantly over a wide range of time‐varying frequencies
Authors: Bernjak Alan , Cui Jian , Iwase Satoshi , Mano Tadaaki , Stefanovska Aneta , Eckberg Dwain L.
Published: November 2011

Non‐technical summary  Traffic carried over two branches of the sympathetic nervous system can be recorded in cooperative human subjects, with fine needles inserted directly into leg nerves. We made simultaneous recordings of sympathetic activity with two needles inserted into nerve tracts supplying skin and muscles, and used a mathematical method, wavelet phase coherence, to obtain insights into how the brain regulates neural oscillations. Our results document continuously varying and coherently coupled human skin and muscle sympathetic nerve oscillations over time (suggesting that they are driven by other central frequency generators).
Dynamic Tear Test Definition of the Temperature Transition From Linear Elastic to Gross Strain Fracture Conditions
Authors: Loss F. J. , Pellini W. S.
Published: November 2011

Transition temperature concepts for fracture-safe design have been based on the relatively narrow temperature range evidenced by the fracture mode transition from plane strain to plane stress. Fracture mechanics theory has suggested that large increases of section size should provide sufficient mechanical constraint for retention of plane strain conditions through the transition temperature range. Recent investigations, based on Dynamic Tear (DT) tests of thick section reactor grade steels (A-533B), have provided clear evidence that the plane strain to plane stress transition is not eliminated. These findings are of major consequence to concepts of fracture-safe design and show that temperatures significantly above NDT + 100 F can provide a conservative margin of safety, even for the condition of very large flaws and plastic overload. The DT test, as conducted using a small specimen, defines the temperature range of transition from linear elastic to gross strain mechanical conditions of fracture and therefore the required analytical treatment for flaw size-stress calculations. Fracture mechanics concepts are brought into consonance with transition temperature concepts of long standing, and the importance of considering fracture initiation in terms of limiting dynamic fracture toughness values is emphasized.
Alloy Steel Dynamic Strain-Aging and Notch Brittle Fracture
Authors: Clough W. R.
Published: November 2011

Transverse V-notch Charpy specimens prepared from sheet bar of 1045, 4140, and 4340, each in four different metallurgical conditions, were deformed to fracture in slow bending at four diverse combinations of deflection rate and temperature within the blue-brittle range. In more than half of the instances, after reaching the maximum load condition, load-deflection curves showed instantaneous load drops due to the occurrence of rapidly propagating fractures. Fracture surfaces were replicated and examined by electron fractographic techniques. The rapidly propagating cracks involved cleavage or quasi-cleavage, conclusively demonstrating that notch brittle fracture can occur with alloy steels undergoing dynamic strain-aging at considerably elevated temperatures.
On the Optimal Control Problem With Unrestricted Final Time
Authors: Leondes C. T. , Niemann R. A.
Published: November 2011

In problems of optimal control, the final time T may be fixed or it may be unrestricted. For the unrestricted final time case, an additional necessary condition that the Hamiltonian be zero is added to the conditions for optimality used for the fixed time case. In this paper, it will be shown that this necessary condition may lead to a local maximum of the performance criterion with respect to final times as well as a local minimum. This paper first develops a computational algorithm using only the H = 0 condition, and then develops a sufficient condition for a local minimum with respect to final time and a computational algorithm employing this condition. Numerical examples are given to illustrate all results.
An Efficient Computational Procedure for the Optimization of a Class of Distributed Parameter Systems
Authors: Wismer D. A.
Published: November 2011

The optimal control problem for a broad class of distributed parameter systems defined by vector parabolic partial differential equations is considered. The problem is solved by discretizing the spatial domain and then treating the (large) resultant set of ordinary differential equations as a set of independent subsystems. The subsystems are determined by decomposition of the total system into lower-dimensional problems and the necessary conditions for optimality of the overall system are then satisfied by an iterative procedure. With this treatment, the optimal control problem can be solved for larger systems (or finer spatial discretizations) than would otherwise be feasible. An example is given for a system described by a nonlinear parabolic partial differential equation in one space dimension.
Control With a Multiplicative Mode
Authors: Mohler R. R. , Rink R. E.
Published: November 2011

The merit of a multiplicative control mode is demonstrated by means of an optimal-control synthesis procedure that is applied to a bilinear regulator problem. Not only is the bilinear regulator superior to the linear regulator for step inputs, but it exhibits far better performance for sinusoidal inputs. Though bilinear control systems are very common in nature, for the most part, they have been overlooked in engineering despite their advantages.
The Adrenal Glucocorticoid Endocrine System: Simulation of a Biological Controller
Authors: Yates F. E.
Published: November 2011

Communication within biological systems involves either or both of two kinds of channels, each with a different kind of signal. The two types of signals are: (a) nerve impulse, or (b) hormones. These channels appear in control loops that provide external control over many plant processes that characterize the living states. One of these chemical control arrangements, the adrenal glucocorticoid system, has been studied by means of computer simulation in order to assess its role in the regulation of energy fluxes in animals. The dominant time-constant of the controller system ranges from ten minutes to one hour in higher animals and man, and the system follows a circadian rhythm of one cycle per 24 hours at its input. The controller system is nonlinear; its bandpass characteristics are a function of its initial operating level, and cannot be concisely stated. However, the simulation indicates that energy transformations occurring within animals in the frequency domain of one cycle every 24 hours down to one cycle every hour could be entrained or driven by the adrenal glucocorticoid system.
Analysis and Control of Unsteady Flows in Natural Gas Piping Systems
Authors: Stoner M. A.
Published: November 2011

In this paper the method of characteristics is used to provide a solution of the equations governing unsteady flow in natural gas pipelines. The validity of this approach is confirmed by comparison with experimental transients. The basic working equations are then adapted to a computation scheme which results in a transient control calculation procedure. The main emphasis is given to its use on gas piping networks.