bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure Revised II (PRISM-RII) – a novel method to assess perceived burden of illness in diabetes patients
Authors: Klis Sandor , Vingerhoets Ad JJM , de Wit Maartje , Zandbelt Noortje , Snoek Frank J
Published: November 2008

Background

The Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure (PRISM) has been introduced as a visual measure of suffering. We explored the validity of a revised version, the PRISM-RII, in diabetes patients as part of the annual review.

Methods

Participants were 308 adult outpatients with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Measures: (1) the PRISM-RII, yielding Self-Illness Separation (SIS) and Illness Perception Measure (IPM); (2) the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) scale, a measure of diabetes-related distress; (3) the WHO-5 Well-Being Index; (4) and a validation question on suffering (SQ). In addition, patients' complication status, comorbidity and glycemic control values(HbA1c) were recorded.

Results

Patients with complications did have marginally significant higher scores on IPM, compared to patients without complications. Type 2 patients had higher IPM scores than Type 1 patients. SIS and IPM showed low intercorrelation (r= -.25;p< .01). Convergent validity of PRISM-RII was demonstrated by significant correlations between IPM and PAID (r= 0.50;p< 0.01), WHO-5 (r= -.26;p< 0.01) and SQ (r= 0.36;p< 0.01). SIS showed only significant correlations with PAID (r= -0.28;p< 0.01) and SQ (r= -0.22;p< 0.01). Neither IPM nor SIS was significantly associated with HbA1c. The PRISM-RII appeared easy to use and facilitated discussion with care providers on coping with the burden of diabetes.

Conclusion

PRISM-RII appears a promising additional tool to assess the psychological burden of diabetes.
Detection of postoperative granulation tissue with an ICG-enhanced integrated OI-/X-ray System
Authors: Meier Reinhard , Boddington Sophie , Krug Christian , Acosta Frank L , Thullier Daniel , Henning Tobias D , Sutton Elizabeth J , Tavri Sidhartha , Lotz Jeffrey C , Daldrup-Link Heike E
Published: November 2008

Background

The development of postoperative granulation tissue is one of the main postoperative risks after lumbar spine surgery. This granulation tissue may lead to persistent or new clinical symptoms or complicate a follow up surgery. A sensitive non-invasive imaging technique, that could diagnose this granulation tissue at the bedside, would help to develop appropriate treatments. Thus, the purpose of this study was to establish a fast and economic imaging tool for the diagnosis of granulation tissue after lumbar spine surgery, using a new integrated Optical Imaging (OI)/X-ray imaging system and the FDA-approved fluorescent contrast agent Indocyanine Green (ICG).

Methods

12 male Sprague Dawley rats underwent intervertebral disk surgery. Imaging of the operated lumbar spine was done with the integrated OI/X-ray system at 7 and 14 days after surgery. 6 rats served as non-operated controls. OI/X-ray scans of all rats were acquired before and after intravenous injection of the FDA-approved fluorescent dye Indocyanine Green (ICG) at a dose of 1 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg. The fluorescence signal of the paravertebral soft tissues was compared between different groups of rats using Wilcoxon-tests. Lumbar spines and paravertebral soft tissues were further processed with histopathology.

Results

In both dose groups, ICG provided a significant enhancement of soft tissue in the area of surgery, which corresponded with granulation tissue on histopathology. The peak and time interval of fluorescence enhancement was significantly higher using 10 mg/kg dose of ICG compared to the 1 mg/kg ICG dose. The levels of significance were p < 0.05. Fusion of OI data with X-rays allowed an accurate anatomical localization of the enhancing granulation tissue.

Conclusion

ICG-enhanced OI is a suitable technique to diagnose granulation tissue after lumbar spine surgery. This new imaging technique may be clinically applicable for postoperative treatment monitoring. It could be also used to evaluate the effect of anti-inflammatory drugs and may even allow evaluations at the bedside with new hand-held OI scanners.
The cost-effectiveness of increasing alcohol taxes: a modelling study
Authors: van den Berg Matthijs , van Baal Pieter HM , Tariq Luqman , Schuit Albertine J , de Wit G Ardine , Hoogenveen Rudolf T
Published: November 2008

Background

Excessive alcohol use increases risks of chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease and several types of cancer, with associated losses of quality of life and life-years. Alcohol taxes can be considered as a public health instrument as they are known to be able to decrease alcohol consumption. In this paper, we estimate the cost-effectiveness of an alcohol tax increase for the entire Dutch population from a health-care perspective focusing on health benefits and health-care costs in alcohol users.

Methods

The chronic disease model of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment was used to extrapolate from decreased alcohol consumption due to tax increases to effects on health-care costs, life-years gained and quality-adjusted life-years gained, A Dutch scenario in which tax increases for beer are planned, and a Swedish scenario representing one of the highest alcohol taxes in Europe, were compared with current practice in the Netherlands. To estimate cost-effectiveness ratios, yearly differences in model outcomes between intervention and current practice scenarios were discounted and added over the time horizon of 100 years to find net present values for incremental life-years gained, quality-adjusted life-years gained, and health-care costs.

Results

In the Swedish scenario, many more quality-adjusted life-years were gained than in the Dutch scenario, but both scenarios had almost equal incremental cost-effectiveness ratios: €5100 per quality-adjusted life-year and €5300 per quality-adjusted life-year, respectively.

Conclusion

Focusing on health-care costs and health consequences for drinkers, an alcohol tax increase is a cost-effective policy instrument.
Passive immunization against highly pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (AIV) strain H7N3 with antiserum generated from viral polypeptides protect poultry birds from lethal viral infection
Authors: Shahzad Mirza Imran , Naeem Khalid , Mukhtar Muhammad , Khanum Azra
Published: November 2008

Our studies were aimed at developing a vaccination strategy that could provide protection against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (AIV), H7N3 or its variants outbreaks. A purified viral stock of highly pathogenic H7N3 isolate was lysed to isolate viral proteins by electrophresing on 12% sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), followed by their elution from gel through trituration in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Overall, five isolated viral polypeptides/proteins upon characterization were used to prepare hyperimmune monovalent serum against respective polypeptides independently and a mixture of all five in poultry birds, and specificity confirmation of each antiserum through dot blot and Western blotting. Antiserum generated from various group birds was pooled and evaluated in 2-week old broiler chicken, for its protection against viral challenge. To evaluate in-vivo protection of each antiserum against viral challenges, six groups of 2-week old broiler chicken were injected with antiserum and a seventh control group received normal saline. Each group was exposed to purified highly pathogenic AIV H7N3 strain at a dose 105 embryo lethal dose (ELD50). We observed that nucleoprotein (NP) antiserum significantly protected birds from viral infection induced morbidity, mortality and lowered viral shedding compared with antiserum from individual viral proteins or mixed polypeptides/proteins inclusive of NP component. The capability of individual viral polypeptide specific antisera to protect against viral challenges in decreasing order was nucleoprotein (NP) > hemagglutinin (HA) > neuraminidase (NA) > viral proteins mix > viral polymerase (PM) > non-structural proteins (NS). Our data provide proof of concept for potential utilization of passive immunization in protecting poultry industry during infection outbreaks. Furthermore conserved nature of avian NP makes it an ideal candidate to produce antiserum protective against viral infection.
Feeding biomechanics of juvenile red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) from the northwestern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Case Janelle E. , Westneat Mark W. , Marshall Christopher D.
Published: November 2008

Juvenile red snapper settle across several complex habitats, which function as nurseries for young fish. Little is known about their life history or feeding biomechanics during this time. However, recent studies have shown higher growth rates for juveniles located on mud habitats adjacent to low profile reefs, perhaps because of varied prey availability and abundance. To further investigate the habitat needs of juvenile red snapper and test hypotheses of feeding development, individuals were collected from a low profile shell ridge and adjacent mud areas on Freeport Rocks, TX, USA, and divided into three size classes (≤3.9, 4.0–5.9, ≥6.0 cm SL). Output from a dynamic lever model suggested an ontogenetic shift in feeding morphology. Biomechanical modeling also predicted that off-ridge juveniles would have slower, stronger jaws compared with on-ridge juveniles. Kinematic profiles obtained from actual feeding events validated the models' predictive ability. Analysis of prey capture events demonstrated that on-ridge juveniles exhibited larger jaw displacements than off-ridge juveniles. Shape analysis was used to further investigate habitat effects on morphology. Off-ridge juveniles differed from on-ridge juveniles in possessing a deeper head and body. Results from model simulations, kinematic profiles, behavioral observations and shape analysis all compliment the conclusion that on-ridge juveniles exhibited more suction feeding behavior, whereas off-ridge juveniles used more biting behavior. Habitat disparity and possibly available prey composition generated variations in juvenile feeding biomechanics and behavior that may affect recruitment.
The effect of acute temperature increases on the cardiorespiratory performance of resting and swimming sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)
Authors: Steinhausen M. F. , Sandblom E. , Eliason E. J. , Verhille C. , Farrell A. P.
Published: November 2008

The mechanism underlying the decrease in aerobic scope in fish at warm temperatures is not fully understood and is the focus of this research. Our study examined oxygen uptake and delivery in resting, swimming and recovering sockeye salmon while water temperature was acutely increased from 15°C to 24°C in 2°C h–1 increments. Fish swam at a constant speed during the temperature change. By simultaneously measuring oxygen consumption(ṀO2), cardiac output (Q̇) and the blood oxygen status of arterial and venous blood, we were able to determine where in the oxygen cascade a limitation appeared when fish stopped sustained swimming as temperature increased. High temperature fatigue of swimming sockeye salmon was not a result of a failure of either oxygen delivery to the gills or oxygen diffusion at the gills because oxygen partial pressure(PO2) and oxygen content(CO2) in arterial blood did not decrease with increasing temperature, as would be predicted for such limitations. Instead,arterial oxygen delivery (TaO2) was initially hampered due to a failure to adequately increase Q̇ with increasing temperature. Subsequently, lactate appeared in the blood and venous PO2 remained constant.
Digestive physiology of the Burmese python: broad regulation of integrated performance
Authors: Secor Stephen M.
Published: November 2008

As an apparent adaptation to predictably long episodes of fasting, the sit-and-wait foraging Burmese python experiences unprecedented regulation of gastrointestinal and cardiovascular performance with feeding and fasting. The ingestion of a meal signals the quiescent gut tissues to start secreting digestive acid and enzymes, to upregulate intestinal brush-border enzymes and nutrient transporters, and to grow. An integrated phenomenon, digestion is also characterized by increases in the mass, and presumably the function, of the heart, pancreas, liver and kidneys. Once digestion is complete, the python's stomach and small intestine rapidly downregulate performance. Much of the modulation of intestinal function can be explained by the 5-fold increase in microvillus length and apical surface area with feeding, and the subsequent shortening of the microvilli after digestion has finished. Digestion for the Burmese python is a relatively expensive endeavor, evident by the as much as a 44-fold increase in metabolic rate and equivalent in cost to as much as 37% of the meal's energy. Their large metabolic response is supported by substantial increases in ventilation and cardiac output and the apparent catabolism of glucose and lipids. Unmatched in the magnitude of its numerous physiological responses to feeding, the Burmese python is a very attractive model for examining the capacities and regulatory mechanisms of physiological performance.
Surviving cave bats: auditory and behavioural defences in the Australian noctuid moth,Speiredonia spectans
Authors: Fullard James H. , Jackson Matt E. , Jacobs David S. , Pavey Chris R. , Burwell Chris J.
Published: November 2008

The Australian noctuid moth, Speiredonia spectans shares its subterranean day roosts (caves and abandoned mines) with insectivorous bats,some of which prey upon it. The capacity of this moth to survive is assumed to arise from its ability to listen for the bats' echolocation calls and take evasive action; however, the auditory characteristics of this moth or any tropically distributed Australian moth have never been examined. We investigated the ears of S. spectans and determined that they are among the most sensitive ever described for a noctuid moth. Using playbacks of cave-recorded bats, we determined that S. spectans is able to detect most of the calls of two co-habiting bats, Rhinolophus megaphyllusand Miniopterus australis, whose echolocation calls are dominated by frequencies ranging from 60 to 79 kHz. Video-recorded observations of this roost site show that S. spectans adjusts its flight activity to avoid bats but this defence may delay the normal emergence of the moths and leave some `pinned down' in the roosts for the entire night. At a different day roost, we observed the auditory responses of one moth to the exceptionally high echolocation frequencies (150–160 kHz) of the bat Hipposideros ater and determined that S. spectans is unable to detect most of its calls. We suggest that this auditory constraint, in addition to the greater flight manoeuvrability of H. ater, renders S. spectans vulnerable to predation by this bat to the point of excluding the moth from day roosts where the bat occurs.
Limits to running speed in dogs, horses and humans
Authors: Denny Mark W.
Published: November 2008

Are there absolute limits to the speed at which animals can run? If so, how close are present-day individuals to these limits? I approach these questions by using three statistical models and data from competitive races to estimate maximum running speeds for greyhounds, thoroughbred horses and elite human athletes. In each case, an absolute speed limit is definable, and the current record approaches that predicted maximum. While all such extrapolations must be used cautiously, these data suggest that there are limits to the ability of either natural or artificial selection to produce ever faster dogs, horses and humans. Quantification of the limits to running speed may aid in formulating and testing models of locomotion.
National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory Medicine Practice Guidelines for Use of Tumor Markers in Testicular, Prostate, Colorectal, Breast, and Ovarian Cancers
Authors: Sturgeon Catharine M , Duffy Michael J , Stenman Ulf-Håkan , Lilja Hans , Brünner Nils , Chan Daniel W , Babaian Richard , Bast Robert C , Dowell Barry , Esteva Francisco J , Haglund Caj , Harbeck Nadia , Hayes Daniel F , Holten-Andersen Mads , Klee George G , Lamerz Rolf , Looijenga Leendert H , Molina Rafael , Nielsen Hans Jørgen , Rittenhouse Harry , Semjonow Axel , Shih Ie-Ming , Sibley Paul , Sölétormos György , Stephan Carsten , Sokoll Lori , Hoffman Barry R , Diamandis Eleftherios P
Published: November 2008

Background: Updated National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB) Laboratory Medicine Practice Guidelines for the use of tumor markers in the clinic have been developed.

Methods: Published reports relevant to use of tumor markers for 5 cancer sites—testicular, prostate, colorectal, breast, and ovarian—were critically reviewed.

Results: For testicular cancer, α-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin, and lactate dehydrogenase are recommended for diagnosis/case finding, staging, prognosis determination, recurrence detection, and therapy monitoring. α-Fetoprotein is also recommended for differential diagnosis of nonseminomatous and seminomatous germ cell tumors. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is not recommended for prostate cancer screening, but may be used for detecting disease recurrence and monitoring therapy. Free PSA measurement data are useful for distinguishing malignant from benign prostatic disease when total PSA is <10 μg/L. In colorectal cancer, carcinoembryonic antigen is recommended (with some caveats) for prognosis determination, postoperative surveillance, and therapy monitoring in advanced disease. Fecal occult blood testing may be used for screening asymptomatic adults 50 years or older. For breast cancer, estrogen and progesterone receptors are mandatory for predicting response to hormone therapy, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 measurement is mandatory for predicting response to trastuzumab, and urokinase plasminogen activator/plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 may be used for determining prognosis in lymph node–negative patients. CA15-3/BR27–29 or carcinoembryonic antigen may be used for therapy monitoring in advanced disease. CA125 is recommended (with transvaginal ultrasound) for early detection of ovarian cancer in women at high risk for this disease. CA125 is also recommended for differential diagnosis of suspicious pelvic masses in postmenopausal women, as well as for detection of recurrence, monitoring of therapy, and determination of prognosis in women with ovarian cancer.

Conclusions: Implementation of these recommendations should encourage optimal use of tumor markers.
Homogeneous geodesics of non-unimodular Lorentzian Lie groups and naturally reductive Lorentzian spaces in dimension three
Authors: Calvaruso G. , Marinosci R. A.
Published: November 2008

We determine, for all three-dimensional non-unimodular Lie groups equipped with a Lorentzian metric, the set of homogeneous geodesics through a point. Together with the results of [G. Calvaruso, Homogeneous structures on three-dimensional Lorentzian manifolds.J. Geom. Phys.57(2007), 1279–1291. MR2287304 (2008b:53066) Zbl 1112.53051] and [G. Calvaruso, R. A. Marinosci, Homogeneous geodesics of three-dimensional unimodular Lorentzian Lie groups.Mediterr. J. Math.3(2006), 467–481. MR2274738 Zbl pre05151042], this leads to the full classification of three-dimensional Lorentzian g.o. spaces and naturally reductive spaces.
Finite type Monge–Ampère foliations
Authors: Kalka Morris , Patrizio Giorgio
Published: November 2008

For plurisubharmonic solutions of the complex homogeneous Monge–Ampère equation whose level sets are hypersurfaces of finite type, in dimension 2, it is shown that the Monge–Ampère foliation is defined even at points of higher degeneracy. The result is applied to provide a positive answer to a question of Burns on homogeneous polynomials whose logarithms satisfy the complex Monge–Ampère equation and to generalize the work of P. M. Wong on the classification of complete weighted circular domains.
Counting the hyperplane sections with fixed invariants of a plane quintic – three approaches to a classical enumerative problem
Authors: Cadman Charles , Laza Radu
Published: November 2008

We use three different methods to count the number of lines in the plane whose intersection with a fixed general quintic has fixed cross-ratios. We compare and contrast these methods, shedding light on some classical ideas which underlie modern techniques.
Fracture toughness, chip types and the mechanics of cutting wood. A review COST Action E35 2004–2008: Wood machining – micromechanics and fracture
Authors: Wyeth David J. , Goli Giacomo , Atkins Anthony G.
Published: November 2008

Historical studies for predicting cutting forces in wood processing are based on the Piispanen/Ernst-Merchant theory employed in metal cutting where the offcut/chip is formed in shear. This analysis has been recently improved to include significant work of surface separation and formation (i.e., the fracture toughness of the workpiece, as well as the shear yield stress and friction). The new theory is applied here to wood cutting experiments. It is well known that chip formation and surface damage depend on grain orientation and chip thickness, but experiments reveal that chip formation alters with cutting speed as well. During the COST E35 action a series of experiments and special devices to orthogonally cut wood at high and low speed have been developed. In this paper, an overview of the cutting devices and the main results are given.
Die Deutschen als ,das Volk der Dichter und Denker'. Entstehung, Kontexte und Funktionen eines nationalen StereotypsThe German as "the People of Poets and Thinkers". The Development, Contexts, and Functions of a National Stereotype
Authors: Blaicher Günther
Published: November 2008

Basierend auf der Annahme, daß das Stereotyp vom ,Volk der Dichter und Denker' im Laufe des 19. Jahrhunderts innerhalb des Diskurses über die nationale Identität der Deutschen entstanden ist, untersucht der Aufsatz Darstellungen der Nationalgeschichte, der deutschen Literaturgeschichte sowie zeitdiagnostische Essays. Während in diesem Diskurs bis 1871 die Rede über die Bedeutung ,unserer (großen) Dichter und Denker' dominierte, konnte die Formel ,Volk der Dichter und Denker' erst in den achtziger Jahren nachgewiesen werden. Sie diente in ironischer und sarkastischer Verwendung als Schlagwort, um die sich im Bismarck-Reich auftuende Diskrepanz zwischen dem Anspruch auf kulturelle Überlegenheit und einer enttäuschenden Wirklichkeit aufzuzeigen.
A Kinetic Study on the Nitric Oxide Trapping by the Fe(III)-Dithiocarbamate-Nitroxyl Complex: Influence of the Ligand Structure and External Pressure on the Trapping Rate
Authors: Yoshioka Daisuke , Kotake Yashige , Sueshi Yoshimi
Published: November 2008

The Fe(III)-dithiocarbamate-nitroxyl (Fe-dtc-nitroxyl) complex, where nitroxyl represents nitroxyl free radical (R-N(O)-R’), has been shown to trap nitric oxide (NO) in aqueous solution, replacing the nitroxyl ligand. As a result, non-complexed nitroxyl radical was released to the solution. Fe(III)-dithiocarbamate (Fe-dtc) complexes without the nitroxyl ligand also traps NO, producing NO-Fe-dtc complex. These two reactions have been used for the purpose of NO detection. We investigated how the ligand structure and external pressure influence NO trapping rates in these complexes. The ratios of NO trapping rates (k
1/k
2) between various Fe-dtc-nitroxyl complexes and the Fe-dtc complex were determined by using a competitive NO trapping method. The ratio k
1/k
2 was 29.8±2.8 for Fe-dtc-nitroxyl and Fe-dtc, where dtc = N-(dithiocarboxy) sarcosine (DTCS) and nitroxyl = 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl- piperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO). For another combination, dtc = N-methyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (MGD)/nitroxyl = TEMPO, k
1/k
2 was 7.19±0.25. Overall, NO trapping rate of the Fe-dtc-nitroxyl complex was faster than that of the Fe-dtc complex, and k
1/k
2 for Fe-MGD complex was dependent on the electron-withdrawing or -repelling nature of the functional group in the ligand. Based on pressure dependence experiments for the competitive reaction, we obtained large negative activation volumes for NO trapping of the Fe-dtc-nitroxyl complex as well as the difference in activation volumes (–45 to –26 cm3 mol–1) between the NO trapping reactions by the two Fe complexes. These data sets with different nature allowed us to speculate the reaction mechanism for NO trapping of the Fe-dtc-nitroxyl complex.
Composition Fluctuations in Phospholipid-Sterol Vesicles – a Small-angle Neutron Scattering Study
Authors: Krivanek R. , Jeworrek C. , Czeslik Claus , Winter Roland
Published: November 2008

Sterols regulate biological processes and sustain the domain structure of cellular membranes. While cholesterol is the major sterol of vertebrates, ergosterol plays a key role in fungal membranes. In this study, small-angle neutron scattering in combination with the H/D contrast variation technique was employed to probe the lateral compositional organization in dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine/ergosterol (DPPC/erg) model membranes over the temperature range from 26 to 78 °C. In addition, small-angle X-ray scattering and calorimetric measurements were carried out to characterize the phase behavior of this system in the temperature interval covered. The SANS measurements clearly demonstrate the absence of critical-point-like composition fluctuations at the temperature where the liquid-ordered/liquid-disordered (lo/ld) two-phase region closes and gives way to the all-fluid phase. Furthermore, no scattering due to large-scale composition fluctuations has been found in the whole lo+ld two-phase region of the system. It is concluded that this binary phospholipid-sterol mixture in the lo+ld coexistence region exhibits a homogeneous membrane with fluctuating nano-scale domains rather than a macroscopically separated two-phase coexistence region as observed for ternary phospholipid-sterol mixtures. Such small domains are expected to have particular properties like an increased line energy, a spontaneous curvature and limited lifetimes, which will probably also prevail for the small raft-like domains in cellular membranes.
Adiponectin is associated with low bone mineral density in elderly men
Authors: Basurto Lourdes , Galván Rosa , Cordova Nydia , Saucedo Renata , Vargas Columba , Campos Sandra , Halley Elizabeth , Avelar Francisco , Zárate Arturo
Published: November 2008

Objective

Recent evidence suggests that adiponectin may play a role in bone metabolism. Previous studies demonstrated that the adiponectin levels had a negative correlation with bone mineral density (BMD) in women. However, little is known about the relationship between adiponectin and BMD in men. The aim of this study was to determinate the relationship between the adiponectin levels and BMD in elderly men.

Design

Cross-sectional study including 92 healthy men aged 60–80 years.

Methods

Main outcome measures were the adiponectin levels estimated by RIA and BMD at lumbar spine and femoral neck using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Results

The negative correlation between adiponectin and BMD at the spine was r=−0.209, (P<0.05) and at the femoral neck was r=−0.237, (P<0.001). These correlations disappeared after adjustment for body mass index (BMI). When stratified by BMI, the relationship between BMD and adiponectin remained significant in the subgroup of participants with BMI >27 kg/m2, but disappeared in men with BMI ≤27 kg/m2. In multiple regression analysis, adiponectin was a significant determinant of BMD at the spine, not at the femoral neck, in those with BMI >27.

Conclusion

BMD is negatively associated with the adiponectin levels in men older than 60 years and this relationship is greater in those men with BMI >27, which suggests a plausible connection between bone and fat tissue.
Geotextile containment for hydraulic and environmental engineering
Authors: Lawson C. R.
Published: November 2008

Historically, geotextile containment has been used to encapsulate sandy soils to permit their use as flexible, erosion-resistant, mass-gravity structures in hydraulic and marine applications. More recently, geotextile containment has been used as a means of disposing of, and dewatering, various waste streams and contaminated sediments. The paper reviews the three main geotextile containment units in use – geotextile tubes, geotextile containers and geotextile bags – and analyses their use in a wide range of hydraulic and environmental applications. Special attention is given to the use of geotextile containment for the isolation, dewatering, and disposal of specific waste streams and contaminated sediments. Note: This paper is an updated version of the Giroud Lecture presented by C. R. Lawson at the 8th International Conference on Geosynthetics held in Yokohama, Japan, in 2006.
Long-term water flow capacity of geosynthetic drains and structural stability of their drain cores
Authors: Müller W. W. , Jakob I. , Tatzky-Gerth R.
Published: November 2008

The German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) has established a testing guideline to assess the suitability of geosynthetic or geocomposite drain elements for final landfill cover systems. The BAM guideline uses a uniform procedure for determining long-term water flow capacity. For this purpose, it is necessary to produce data for creep behavior under compressive and shear stresses. The residual long-term thicknesses are extrapolated and the pressures determined that are necessary to enforce the residual thickness in a short-term experiment. The flow capacities measured under these pressures at the various bedding conditions are defined as long-term water flow capacities. The procedure is described for three different geosynthetic drain materials. Two of them use random arrays of PP strands and the third a HDPE geonet as drain cores. The extrapolation of creep curves is permissible only when they follow a simple functional relation over the envisaged time period (at least 100 years). Therefore one has to assume that creep will not trigger a stability collapse of the drain core, and that aging does not invoke any relevant changes in the material strength, which would alter the course of the creep curves significantly. The assumption may be proven by the method of long-term, high-pressure creep and long-term, high-temperature shear strength testing, and by measuring antioxidant depletion in oven-aging tests. The consideration of long-term water flow capacity, given here, is supplemented by a detailed discussion of the structural stability of the drain cores. The long-term aging behavior of the plastic drain cores and the geotextiles will be considered in the second part of the paper.
A numerical study on the use of geofoam to increase the external stability of reinforced soil walls
Authors: Hatami K. , Witthoeft A. F.
Published: November 2008

The potential benefit of placing a panel of compressible (i.e. expanded polystyrene) geofoam behind the reinforced zone of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls is investigated using a numerical modeling approach. A panel of geofoam is placed immediately behind the reinforced zone during the construction phase of an idealized plane-strain reinforced soil segmental wall model. The analysis procedure includes the modeling of soil compaction. The magnitudes and distributions of earth pressure behind the reinforced zone in the wall models with and without the geofoam panel are compared to quantify the reductions in lateral earth pressure, resultant lateral force and overturning moment expected due to the placement of the geofoam material. Predicted magnitudes of facing lateral deformation and reinforcement strains are also compared among cases studied in order to evaluate the effect of geofoam on wall serviceability. It is shown that placing geofoam behind the reinforced zone can reduce the maximum lateral earth pressure behind this zone by as much as 50% depending on the geofoam thickness and stiffness values. The magnitudes of total lateral earth force (i.e. the resultant force of the lateral earth pressure distribution) behind the reinforced mass and overturning moment about the wall toe are shown to decrease by 31% and 26%, respectively. These findings point to a significant potential for using geofoam to reduce the lateral earth pressure demand on MSE walls (i.e. as opposed to rigid retaining walls examined previously) and thereby increase their serviceability and their factors of safety against external instability.
A pseudo-epidemic of septicemia among Medicare patients in Iowa.
Authors: Helms C M
Published: November 2008

Between 1980 and 1986, Medicare discharges for DRG 416 (Septicemia Age greater than or equal to 18) increased dramatically in Iowa. The rate rose most steeply between 1983 and 1984. Relative bacteria-specific septicemia rates did not change substantially. The proportion of citing hospitals increased as did the number of citations per citing hospital. The data are best explained by increased physician-hospital reporting. A component of DRG (diagnosis related group) "creep" could not be excluded.
'Lumping it': the hidden denominator of the medical malpractice crisis.
Authors: Meyers A R
Published: November 2008

In a recent article, Miller has reminded us that medical malpractice litigation is not simply an economic problem which inhibits medical practice and increases health care costs. She argues that it has three broader "societal objectives": reparation, emotional vindication, and deterrence. Viewed in the broader perspective of social values, the Maine data suggest that our current approach to medical malpractice does not perform well. Significant numbers of respondents believe that they have been neither vindicated nor compensated for their own or their relatives' illness, injury, or death; and that they have not had the opportunity to protect others from harm. As Miller suggests in her review of British alternatives to medical malpractice litigation, there may be more efficient and effective means of reparation. There may also be more direct and less costly means to deter incompetent practitioners and vindicate those who are harmed. We shall never discover these alternatives if we view the medical malpractice "crisis" as a simple or straightforward problem of costs of premiums, costs of settlements, and costs of judgments; numerators. Medical malpractice litigation is the expression of deep and highly complicated problems, which cannot be solved or even significantly alleviated by false solutions motivated only by concerns of costs and cost containment. They can be addressed only by careful, thoughtful, and comprehensive analysis.
Induced abortion trends in South Australia, 1970-84.
Authors: Hart G , Macharper T
Published: November 2008

Following legislative amendments extending the grounds for abortion in South Australia the abortion rate rose from 6.0/1000 in 1970, to 9.9/1000 in 1971, to 13.2/1000 in 1984. However, rates differ widely by marital status among young women, the age pattern varies markedly for different marital status groups, and trends over time differ for different age/marital status groups. Collection of detailed age and marital status data on every live birth and abortion is recommended in order to provide the most informative analysis of abortion trends.
Pontiac fever outbreak associated with a cooling tower.
Authors: Friedman S , Spitalny K , Barbaree J , Faur Y , McKinney R
Published: November 2008

In late April 1984, an outbreak of Pontiac fever was investigated in an office building in lower Manhattan (New York City). The outbreak was characterized by a high attack rate (78 per cent overall); the predominant symptoms were myalgias, chills, fatigue, fever, and headache. There was a clustering of cases in an office that was air cooled by a dedicated cooling tower separate from the remainder of the building. A high concentration of live L. Pneumophila cells in the cooling tower was quantified. Airborne spread via settle plates placed along the air intake system and within the office was demonstrated. Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen was found in the urine of two cases, and identical monoclonal antibody reactivity patterns of isolates from all sources was observed. Difficulty was experienced in eliminating the organism from the tower.
A pilot outreach program for small quantity generators of hazardous waste.
Authors: Brown M S , Kelley B G , Gutensohn J
Published: November 2008

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management initiated a pilot project to improve compliance with hazardous waste regulations and management of hazardous wastes with auto body shops around the state. The program consisted of mass mailings, a series of workshops throughout the state, a coordinated inspection program by the state regulatory agency, and technology transfer. At the start of the program in January 1986, approximately 650 of the estimated 2,350 auto body shops in the state had notified EPA of their waste generating activities; by January 1987, approximately 1,200 shops had done so. Suggestions for improving program efforts include tailoring the outreach effort to the industry, government-sponsored research and development directed at the needs of small firms, mandatory participation in hazardous waste transportation programs, and better coordination by EPA of its information collection and distribution program.
Visits to physicians before and after exposure to urea formaldehyde foam insulation.
Authors: L'Abbé K A , Hoey J R , Hanley J , Wacholder S , Nantel A
Published: November 2008

The average number of visits to a physician made by a sample of 351 residents of homes insulated with urea formaldehyde foam insulation in Montreal in the one year period before exposure was 5.25, and in the year following 5.62, an increase of 7 per cent (odds ratio 1.07, 95% CI = 1.00, 1.15). The increase in visits in the post insulation year was limited to subjects who had the product installed in the winter (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.18,1.85), and was not seen for study subjects who insulated their homes during other seasons of the year.
A comparison of injury date and death date in 42,698 suicides.
Authors: Phillips D P , Sanzone A G
Published: November 2008

The date of death was compared with the date of injury (the onset of the suicidal act) for 42,698 California suicides, 1973-85. Findings revealed 92.6 per cent of all California suicides occurred within one day of the injury date. Graphs of daily suicides by injury date and by death date displayed essentially identical patterns around the holidays, by date of the week, and after publicized suicide stories. These findings suggest that the difference between date of death and date of injury need not be taken into consideration in the analysis of temporal fluctuations, as was previously supposed.
Correlates of reported smoke detector usage in an inner-city population: participants in a smoke detector give-away program.
Authors: Shaw K N , McCormick M C , Kustra S L , Ruddy R M , Casey R D
Published: November 2008

As part of a smoke detector give-away program, 388 adults were surveyed to characterize smoke detector ownership in a low-income population and to identify those who would acquire a free smoke detector following their child's visit to the hospital. Factors associated with smoke detector ownership included higher education, home ownership (vs public housing), knowledge of the city smoke detector law, and the practice of other injury prevention measures. Regardless of ownership, the great majority of parents (82 per cent) acquired a free smoke detector, but those previously without a smoke detector were more likely to do so. These characteristics of smoke detector usage and acquisition should be considered in targeting future intervention strategies.
Breast cancer incidence in young women by estrogen receptor status and race.
Authors: Stanford J L , Greenberg R S
Published: November 2008

A population-based study was utilized to calculate breast cancer incidence rates in White and Black women, ages 30 to 54, according to tumor estrogen receptor status. Both racial groups had higher incidence curves for estrogen receptor negative breast cancer between ages 30 and 49. There was an excess of receptor negative cancer in young Black women, an observation that may help explain the racial disparity in breast cancer survival.
Health care cost containment measures and mortality in Hennepin County's Medicaid elderly and all elderly.
Authors: Lindberg G L , Lurie N , Bannick-Mohrland S , Sherman R E , Farseth P A
Published: November 2008

In Minnesota, several health care cost containment measures occurred about the time Medicare's Prospective Payment System (PPS) was implemented. These included a moratorium on additional nursing home beds, preadmission screening of nursing home applicants, and rapid growth in HMO (health maintenance organization) enrollment by Medicare recipients. Hospital days per elderly Medicaid recipient decreased by 38 percent for those in nursing homes and by 35 percent for those not in nursing homes from 1982 to 1984. By 1986, hospital days per recipient had decreased 53 and 55 percent, respectively, from the 1982 level. Age-adjusted mortality rates for elderly Medicaid nursing home residents for the period 1977 through 1986 showed an increasing trend after 1982. Estimated age-adjusted mortality rates for the entire County population, which had decreased steadily from 1970 to 1982, rose significantly above the projected rate in 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1987. We conclude that, coincident with the institution of the PPS and other health care cost containment measures, use of hospital care has fallen for all elderly Medicaid recipients, age-adjusted mortality rates among those in nursing homes have increased, and the mortality rate trend for the total Hennepin County elderly population has stopped declining.
Back-country water treatment to prevent giardiasis.
Authors: Ongerth J E , Johnson R L , Macdonald S C , Frost F , Stibbs H H
Published: November 2008

This study was conducted to provide current information on the effectiveness of water treatment chemicals and filters for control of Giardia cysts in areas where treated water is not available. Four filters and seven chemical treatments were evaluated for both clear and turbid water at 10 degrees C. Three contact disinfection devices were also tested for cyst inactivation. Filters were tested with 1-liter volumes of water seeded with 3 x 10(4) cysts of G. lamblia produced in gerbils inoculated with in vitro cultured trophozoites; the entire volume of filtrate was examined for cyst passage. Chemical treatments were evaluated at concentrations specified by the manufacturer and for contact times that might be expected of hikers (30 minutes) and campers (eight hours, i.e., overnight). Two of the four filter devices tested were 100 percent effective for Giardia cyst removal. Of the other two filters, one was 90 percent effective and the other considerably less effective. Among the seven disinfection treatments, the iodine-based chemicals were all significantly more effective than the chlorine-based chemicals. None of the chemical treatments achieved 99.9 percent cyst inactivation with only 30-minute contact. After an eight-hour contact each of the iodine but none of the chlorine preparations achieved at least 99.9 percent cyst inactivation. None of the contact disinfection devices provided appreciable cyst inactivation. Heating water to at least 70 degrees C for 10 minutes was an acceptable alternative treatment.
A new epidemiologic and laboratory classification system for paralytic poliomyelitis cases.
Authors: Sutter R W , Brink E W , Cochi S L , Kew O M , Orenstein W A , Biellik R J , Hinman A R
Published: November 2008

An epidemiologic classification of paralytic poliomyelitis cases (ECPPC) has been in use in the United States since 1976. In 1985, this classification system was reviewed because of recent changes in the epidemiology of paralytic poliomyelitis and improved laboratory capability to definitively characterize poliovirus strains. An alternative classification system was devised, the epidemiologic and laboratory classification of paralytic polio cases (ELCPPC), that incorporated virus isolation and strain characterization with epidemiologic information. Reported paralytic poliomyelitis cases for 1980-86 were classified by both the ECPPC and the ELCPPC classification systems. The new ELCPPC system classified 91 per cent of the reported cases as vaccine-associated, while the ECPPC system classified only 71 per cent of the reported cases as vaccine-associated. The proposed classification system provides more specific and useful information particularly concerning vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis.
Alcohol consumption and problem drinking in white male veterans and nonveterans.
Authors: Richards M S , Goldberg J , Rodin M B , Anderson R J
Published: November 2008

The relation between veteran status and 15 indicators of alcohol consumption and problem drinking is examined using data from the 1977, 1983, and 1985 National Health Interview Surveys conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics. After simultaneous adjustment for age, region of the US, urbanization, ethnicity, marital status, education, and income, a greater proportion of White male veterans than White male nonveterans were heavy drinkers and a smaller proportion were abstainers. This association appeared in all three survey years; further, veterans consistently reported a high daily consumption level (the equivalent of approximately six bottles of beer, five glasses of wine, or four mixed drinks) compared to nonveterans. Among White male veterans, 6.9 percent reported family or marital problems and 13.9 percent reported motor vehicle crashes or violations compared to 4.4 percent and 8.9 percent, respectively, among nonveterans. The same pattern was observed for lifetime prevalences of alcoholism (veterans have nearly two and a half times the lifetime prevalence of nonveterans), cirrhosis of the liver, and unspecified alcohol-related problems.
Nurse-midwifery practice in the United States, 1982 and 1987.
Authors: Adams C J
Published: November 2008

Surveys of certified nurse-midwives living in the United States were conducted on behalf of the American College of Nurse-Midwives for 1982 and 1987. Most of the respondents were providing prenatal and family planning care. The 1982 respondents conducted 1.8 percent of the deliveries that took place in the United States during 1982 and 1988 respondents conducted 2.5 percent of all 1987 United States deliveries.
Multivariate prediction of total and cardiovascular mortality in an obese Polynesian population.
Authors: Crews D E
Published: November 2008

The effects of body weight and blood pressure on the risk of total mortality and mortality from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) were examined in a prospective sample of 5,866 adult residents of American Samoa, a Polynesian population noted for exhibiting high levels of obesity. Data collected during 1975-76 were linked to mortality records from 1976 through 1981. In logistic regression models which did not include blood pressure, percent of desirable weight was an important risk factor for mortality from CVD, but it was not an important risk factor when diastolic blood pressure was included in the model. Percent of desirable weight was not related to mortality from all causes combined in either Samoan men or women. Age and diastolic blood pressure were predictors of total and CVD mortality in men and women. These results, in an obese population, suggest that body weight and obesity are not independently related to excess mortality in the very obese, although they may associate with high blood pressure. These results also suggest that relations between physiological characteristics and mortality may vary with cultural, genetic, or other factors not examined in this study.