bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Glycinoeclepin A: Generation of a Novel Bridgehead Anion Species
Authors: Shiina Yasuhiro , Tomata Yoshihide , Miyashita Masaaki , Tanino Keiji
Published: June 2010

The asymmetric total synthesis of glycinoeclepin A, a hatch-stimulating agent of the soybean cyst nematode, was accomplished on the basis of a cyclopentene annulation for constructing the CD ring moiety having contiguous quaternary carbon atoms. Introduction of the A ring moiety was achieved by an alkylation reaction using a 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hex-1-yl anion species.
Paediatric and neonatal surgery
Authors: Wheeler Robert
Published: June 2010

Paediatric and neonatal surgery is the smallest of the nine surgical specialties, with fewer than 120 consultants in the United Kingdom. The national arrangements for children's surgery, and some of the difficulties these create, are described. Illustrations of some frequent and recurring areas of paediatric surgical practice that frequently lead to claims are provided.
Measuring harm levels with the Global Trigger Tool
Authors: Carter Michael
Published: June 2010

Over five years, the Global Trigger Tool (GTT) has been used to measure harm events on random case-notes at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital. The GTT has been adapted to a District General Hospital governance setting within the National Health Service. Overall, serious harm levels have diminished, though increased instances of more minor harm indicate that further improvements need to be made.
Funding update
Authors: Rawson Edwina
Published: June 2010

Funding medical litigation is constantly evolving, and the last 12 months have seen many interesting cases and developments, in addition to proposed radical reforms to the structure of funding. Now, more than ever, medical negligence lawyers need to key abreast of developments, not only in their own area but in other areas of litigation as these may give indication of changes that may come our way. It is vital for patient safety that funding is effective, and that medical litigation remains commercially viable for firms.
Identification and quantitative analyses of microRNAs located in the distal axons of sympathetic neurons
Authors: Natera-Naranjo Orlangie , Aschrafi Armaz , Gioio Anthony E. , Kaplan Barry B.
Published: June 2010

microRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a novel class of small, noncoding RNAs that act as negative post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. Although the nervous system is a prominent site of miRNA expression, little is known about the spatial expression profiles of miRNAs in neurons. Here, we employed compartmentalized Campenot cell culture chambers to obtain a pure axonal RNA fraction of superior cervical ganglia (SCG) neurons, and determined the miRNA expression levels in these subcellular structural domains by microarray analysis and by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The data revealed stable expression of a number of mature miRNAs that were enriched in the axons and presynaptic nerve terminals. Among the 130 miRNAs identified in the axon, miR-15b, miR-16, miR-204, and miR-221 were found to be highly abundant in distal axons as compared with the cell bodies of primary sympathetic neurons. Moreover, a number of miRNAs encoded by a common primary transcript (pri-miRNA) were differentially expressed in the distal axons, suggesting that there is a differential subcellular transport of miRNAs derived from the same coding region of the genome. Taken together, the data provide an important resource for future studies on the regulation of axonal protein synthesis and the role played by miRNAs in the maintenance of axonal structure and function as well as neuronal growth and development.
EW Formulations Using Polymeric Surfactants
Authors: Hu Qiang , Linder Gregory J.
Published: June 2010

Four polymeric surfactants of consistent chemistry with different architectures were evaluated in concentrated emulsions, also known as emulsions in water (EW), of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester (2,4-D ester). EW dilution performance was evaluated using the ASTM E1116-98 standard emulsion test, and the emulsion was analyzed for droplet size distribution using a light scattering technique; zeta potential was determined, and rheology measured. A structure-property-performance relationship for these polymeric surfactants in the subject EW was developed. All four polymeric surfactants proved to be effective in formulating stable EWs with the corresponding emulsion stability increasing positively in the order of random, triblock, quasi-diblock, and finally diblock. Preferred polymeric surfactant performance in EW provided small droplet sizes with excellent dilution stability due primarily to the steric stabilization of the dispersed phase in both the concentrates and upon dilution.
Extrém nagy inguinoscrotalis sérv előkészítése és műtéti megoldása
Authors: Csákai Iván , Knausz József , Kolonics Gyula , Bátorfi József
Published: June 2010

Absztrakt

A szerzők inguinoscrotalis óriássérv sikeres operációja során nyert tapasztalataikat ismertetik. A 8 éve növekvő extrém méretű heresérv műtétje során előbb az ismételten folytatott pneumoperitoneum-képzéssel tágították a hasfalat, majd a középső median vonalba, sub-lay helyzetbe implantált polipropilén hálóval összesen 16 cm-rel növelték a has körfogatát, így teremtve meg az extraabdominalis sérvtartalom hasüregbe történő repositiójának lehetőségét.
Two New Genera and One New Species of Jurassic Axymyiidae (Diptera: Nematocera), with Revision and Redescription of the Extinct Taxa
Authors: Zhang Junfeng
Published: June 2010

One new genus and new species, Sinaxymyia rara gen. et sp. nov., is described. Juraxymyia gen. nov. is proposed for Psocites fossilisZhang, 2004. The genus and species, Psocites pectinatus (Hong, 1983), is redescribed based on new axymyiids from the Jurassic of China. The systematic positions for Crenoptychoptera decorosaHao, Dong et Ren, 2009, Crenoptychoptera vulgarisHao, Dong et Ren, 2009, and Crenoptychoptera vicinaHao, Dong et Ren, 2009 are reassessed, these do belong rather to Axymyiidae than to Eoptychopterinae, Ptychopteridae. All the impressions of male axymyiid flies are the first description in the geological records of Axymyiidae. Establishing homologies between the sclerites of the male genitalia of the Jurassic species described here and recent species of the family is difficult.
Survey of Pogonognathellus Börner (Collembola: Tomoceridae) in the Southern Appalachians Based on Morphological and Molecular Data
Authors: Felderhoff Kelly L , Bernard Ernest C , Moulton John K
Published: June 2010

Pogonognathellus Börner is the most common genus of tomocerid Collembola in the southern Appalachian region of the United States. Scale pattern, cuticle color, and molecular data were used with morphology and chaetotaxy to reappraise the members of this genus. P. bidentatus and P. elongatus are confirmed as well-marked species; P. nigritus Maynard is removed from synonymy with P. elongatus and reestablished as a valid species, and a neotype is designated. Two new species are described. Pogonognathellus danieli n. sp. from a cave in Great Smoky Mountains National Park resembles the California cave species P. celsus but possesses clubbed tenent hairs on all tibiotarsi; in P. celsus, the tenent hairs are pointed. P. mystax n. sp. is related to the “P. flavescens complex” but differs in having a purple clypeus and a prominent band of light scales along the posterior edge of each tergite. Many collections of P. flavescens-like and P. dubius-like specimens were made but molecular analysis indicated that these specimens consisted of four P. dubius-like taxa and four P. flavescens-like taxa. True P. flavescens from Sweden (type locality) were molecularly distinct from the putative American P. flavescens included in the analysis. A tentative phylogenetic tree indicated three clades of southern Appalachian Pogonognathellus: one clade containing P. bidentatus; another clade containing species with posterior cephalic macrochaetae but without anterior macrochaetae on the fourth abdominal tergite (Abd. IV; P. elongatus, P. nigritus, and an undescribed species); and a third clade without posterior cephalic macrochaetae but with one pair of anterior macrochaetae on Abd. IV (P. danieli, P. mystax, and eight undescribed species).
Research Toward an Artificial Diet for Adult Asian Citrus Psyllid
Authors: Hall David G , Shatters Robert G , Carpenter James E , Shapiro Jeffrey P
Published: June 2010

Research progress is reported on an artificial diet for adult Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). The primary objective was to develop a system for screening antimicrobial peptides and other potential toxic proteins for activity against adults. The base diet was a sterilized solution of sucrose (30%) and yellow-green food coloring (0.5%) in tap water. All of the studies presented were conducted at 25°C, 75% RH, and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h. Adult psyllids were <7 d old when they were transferred to diet. Addition of the food coloring was necessary to prompt adults to feed. Among the feeding trials discussed, a mean of 69.1 ± 3.2% adults survived for 14 d on the base sucrose diet. Survival rates of males and females were similar. Adults feeding on the sucrose diet may have ingested less food than adults feeding on citrus leaf disks based on differences in quantities of adult excrements deposited in feeding chambers. However, survival of adults feeding on leaf disks over a 2-wk period was only marginally better than survival of adults feeding on the base sucrose diet, and final rates of survival of adults fed these two food sources were not significantly different.
Application of Rough Set Analysis in Species and Caste Discrimination of Bumblebees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Bombus) Based on Antennal Sensilla
Authors: Shang Lina , Wang Yinliang , Wang Panpan , Wang Shuangwei , Ren Bingzhong
Published: June 2010

Using scanning electron microscope, eight types of sensilla were found on the antennae of all castes in eight Bombus species (Hymenoptera: Apidae) collected in Jilin Province, China. The numbers of various types of antennal sensilla were analyzed by rough set data analysis method to determine which sensillum type might be useful in species and caste discrimination. The results showed that the number of sensilla basiconica A, B (s. t. a, s. t. b), sensilla trichodea A, B, C/ D (s. t. a, s. t. b, s. t. c/ d) and sensilla placodea (s. p) can be used in species discrimination, whereas only types s. t. a, s. t. b, and s. t. b are relevant in caste discrimination. Other types of sensilla had a lower taxonomic value for species and caste discrimination. This study provides a mathematic reference for the function research of antennal sensilla of Bombus determined by single-cell recording at both peripheral and antennal lobe (central nervous system) levels.
Feeding Behavior Patterns ofLeptocorisa chinensis(Hemiptera: Alydidae) Nymphs on Host and Nonhost Plants
Authors: Ishizaki Mami , Yasuda Tetsuya , Watanabe Tomonari
Published: June 2010

Feeding behavior of the nymphs of Leptocorisa chinensis Dallas (Hemiptera: Alydidae) on various poaceous (grass) species was investigated. The sequence of behavioral phases of the nymph on the food plant was as follows: antennation, rostrum extension, dabbing with the labium, rostrum placement on the plant surface, stylet penetration, and sustained ingestion. Observed behavioral phases of nymphs released on seed heads differed among three categories of plants: food grasses (including rice), nonfood grasses, and nongrasses (nonfood). The nymphs were able to discriminate food grasses from nonfood grasses before they penetrated with their stylets. On nongrasses, nymphs did not exhibit the feeding behavioral phases except for antennation. Nymphs also exhibited behavioral phases such as antennation, rostrum extension, and dabbing with the labium, on paper strips treated with methanol extract of food grasses, but not with extract of nonfood grasses and nongrasses. These results suggest that chemical cues exist in food grass species.
Connection: Schwartz Center Rounds at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
Authors: Penson Richard T. , Schapira Lidia , Mack Sally , Stanzler Marjorie , Lynch Thomas J.
Published: June 2010

Shortly before his death in 1995, Kenneth B. Schwartz, a cancer patient at Massachusetts General Hospital, founded the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center®, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing compassionate health care. The Center sponsors Schwartz Rounds®, a multidisciplinary forum in which doctors, nurses, chaplains, social workers, and other staff reflect on important psychosocial issues that arise in caring for patients. Attendees participate in an interactive discussion about issues anchored in a case presentation and share their experiences, thoughts, and feelings. The patient narratives may center on wonderful events and transcendent experiences or tragic stories, during which staff can only bear witness to the suffering. The Rounds focus on caregivers' experiences, and encourage staff to share insights, own their vulnerabilities, and support each other. The primary objective is to foster healing relationships and provide support to professional caregivers, enhance communication among caregivers, and improve the connection between patients and caregivers. Currently, >50,000 clinicians attend monthly Schwartz Rounds at 195 sites in 31 states, numbers that are rapidly growing. In this article we explore the reasons that contribute to the success of this model of multidisciplinary reflection.
A Review of the Most Promising Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer: One Step Closer to Targeted Therapy
Authors: Deschoolmeester Vanessa , Baay Marc , Specenier Pol , Lardon Filip , Vermorken Jan B.
Published: June 2010

Rapidly growing insights into the molecular biology of colorectal cancer (CRC) and recent developments in gene sequencing and molecular diagnostics have led to high expectations for the identification of molecular markers to be used in optimized and tailored treatment regimens. However, many of the published data on molecular biomarkers are contradictory in their findings and the current reality is that no molecular marker, other than the KRAS gene in the case of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)- targeted therapy for metastatic disease, has made it into clinical practice. Many markers investigated suffer from technical shortcomings, resulting from lack of quantitative techniques to capture the impact of the molecular alteration. This understanding has recently led to the more comprehensive approaches of global gene expression profiling or genome-wide analysis to determine prognostic and predictive signatures in tumors. In this review, an update of the most recent data on promising biological prognostic and/or predictive markers, including microsatellite instability, epidermal growth factor receptor, KRAS, BRAF, CpG island methylator phenotype, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, forkhead box P3–positive T cells, receptor for hyaluronic acid–mediated motility, phosphatase and tensin homolog, and T-cell originated protein kinase, in patients with CRC is provided.
Effects of Early Exposure and Lifetime Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) on Child Adjustment
Authors: Graham-Bermann Sandra A. , Perkins Suzanne
Published: June 2010

Children exposed to overwhelming and potentially traumatic events early in their lives are considered at-risk for problems in adjustment. Yet it is not known whether it is the age of first exposure (AFE) to violence or the amount of violence that the child witnessed in their lifetime that has the greatest impact on adjustment. For a sample of 190 children ages 6 to 12 exposed to intimate partner violence, their mothers reported that the average length of their abusive relationship was 10 years. The majority of children were first exposed to family violence as infants (64%), with only 12% first exposed when school-aged. Both the AFE and an estimate of the cumulative amount of violence were significantly and negatively related to children’s behavioral problems. However, in regression analyses controlling for child sex, ethnicity, age, and family environment variables, cumulative violence exposure accounted for greater variance in adjustment than did AFE. Furthermore, cumulative violence exposure mediated the relationship between AFE and externalizing behavior problems, indicating that the cumulative exposure to IPV outweighed the AFE in its effect on child adjustment.
Child Neglect, Social Context, and Educational Outcomes: Examining the Moderating Effects of School and Neighborhood Context
Authors: Chapple Constance L. , Vaske Jamie
Published: June 2010

Research on child neglect has found that neglected children are more likely to experience worse developmental outcomes than non-neglected children. These negative outcomes include antisocial behavior as well as poor school performance. Eco-developmental theory has found that adverse social contexts often worsen these outcomes for neglected and maltreated youths. However, little research has been done on the educational outcomes of neglected children and none of it has employed a national, longitudinal, community sample with an examination of social context. We do so in our research and find that several types of child neglect significantly predict a variety of poor educational outcomes at the bivariate level and that physical and educational neglect were significantly associated with a composite measure of school problems in multivariate analysis. We offer several explanations for our findings and future directions for research.
Sexual Revictimization and Interpersonal Effectiveness
Authors: Kearns Megan C. , Calhoun Karen S.
Published: June 2010

This study utilized a cross-sectional design in order to explore the relationship between interpersonal effectiveness, defined as level of assertiveness, social perception, and perceived self-efficacy, and repeated sexual victimization in adolescence and adulthood. In addition, we compared global versus situation-specific measures of interpersonal effectiveness. Results indicated that global measures of interpersonal effectiveness failed to differentiate victim groups, and there were also no group differences in social perception. However, on situation-specific measures, revictimized women were significantly lower than nonvictims on sexual assertiveness and sexual self-efficacy. These results support the hypothesis that interpersonal functioning is related to sexual revictimization and highlight the need to measure interpersonal functioning specifically in sexual situations as it relates to women’s sexual assault history.
Views of the Self and others at Different Ages: Utility of Repertory Grid Technique in Detecting the Positivity Effect in Aging
Authors: Williams Ben D. , Harter Stephanie Lewis
Published: June 2010

Socioemotional selectivity theory (Carstensen, 1995) posits a “positivity effect” in older adults, describing an increasing tendency to attend to, process, interpret, and remember events and others in life in a positive fashion as one ages. Drawing on personal construct theory, Viney (1993) observes increasing integration of constructions of self with others across the lifespan. The current study extends assessment of the positivity effect, integrating it with personal construct theory, by use of Repertory Grid (RepGrid) analysis. Consistent with the positivity effect, older adults (ages 54–86) described others more positively on RepGrid measures in comparison to younger adults (ages 18–25). Older adults also described the self as more similar to others and tended to describe the self more positively. The age groups did not differ in measures of psychological distress or well being with the exception of older adults describing more autonomy.
Optimism and Well-Being in Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Social Support and Perceived Control
Authors: Ferguson Susan Jeanne , Goodwin Andrea D.
Published: June 2010

To investigate how psychosocial resources may improve well-being for older adults, this study explored the relationship among questionnaire measures of optimism, social support and perceptions of control in predicting subjective well-being (measured with the positive affect subscale of the Affect Balance Scale) (Bradburn, 1969) and psychological well-being (measured with the purpose in life scale of the Ryff Psychological Well-being scales) (Ryff, Lee, Essex, & Schmutte, 1994) among older adults. The potential mediating roles of perceived social support and perception of control were also explored. Participants were 225 adults aged from 65 to 94 years. Optimism was found to be a predictor of both subjective and psychological well-being, and perceived social support was found to mediate the relationship between optimism and subjective well-being, but not psychological well-being. In contrast, perception of control was found to mediate the relationship between optimism and psychological well-being, but not subjective wellbeing. Longitudinal research is needed to confirm these pathways.
An Examination of Stage Theory of Grief among Individuals Bereaved by Natural and Violent Causes: A Meaning-Oriented Contribution
Authors: Holland Jason M. , Neimeyer Robert A.
Published: June 2010

Despite its popularity, few attempts have been made to empirically test the stage theory of grief. The most prominent of these attempts was conducted by Maciejewski, Zhang, Block, and Prigerson (2007), who found that different states of grieving may peak in a sequence that is consistent with stage theory. The present study aimed to provide a conceptual replication and extension of these findings by examining the association between time since loss and five grief Indicators (focusing on disbelief, anger, yearning, depression, and acceptance), among an ethnically diverse sample of young adults who had been bereaved by natural ( n = 441) and violent ( n = 173) causes. We also examined the potential salience of meaning-making and assessed the extent to which participants had made sense of their losses. In general, limited support was found for stage theory, alongside some evidence of an “anniversary reaction” marked by heightened distress and reduced acceptance for participants approaching the second anniversary of the death. Overall, sense-making emerged as a much stronger predictor of grief Indicators than time since loss, highlighting the relevance of a meaning-oriented perspective.
The PCAOB’s First Seven Years: A Retrospection
Authors: Gradison Bill , Boster Ron
Published: June 2010

SUMMARY: The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) turned seven years old in January 2010. Up until that date, it had spent more than three-quarters of a billion dollars of compulsory “fees” paid predominantly by larger public companies (issuers) to finance the specific mandate given it by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.1 The authors were there from the beginning. We offer a Board-level perspective into the PCAOB’s key programs and policies.
Interventions With Adherence-Promoting Components in Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Hood Korey K. , Rohan Jennifer M. , Peterson Claire M. , Drotar Dennis
Published: June 2010

OBJECTIVE

To review interventions with adherence-promoting components and document their impact on glycemic control via meta-analysis.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Data from 15 studies that met the following criteria were subjected to meta-analysis: 1) randomized, controlled trial, 2) study sample included youth aged <19 years, 3) youth had type 1 diabetes, 4) study reported results on glycemic control; and 5) study reported use of adherence- or self-management–promoting components.

RESULTS

The 15 studies included 997 youth with type 1 diabetes. The mean effect size for pre- to posttreatment change for the intervention versus control group comparison was 0.11 (95% CI −0.01 to 0.23). This is a small effect, demonstrating very modest improvements in glycemic control. However, analysis for the pre- to posttreatment effects for the intervention group alone did show significant variability [Q(14) = 33.11; P < 0.05]. Multicomponent interventions, those that targeted emotional, social, or family processes that facilitate diabetes management, were more potent than interventions just targeting a direct, behavioral process (e.g., increase in blood glucose monitoring frequency).

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions that focus on direct, behavioral processes and neglect emotional, social, and family processes are unlikely to have an impact on glycemic control; multicomponent interventions showed more robust effects on A1C. Future clinical research should focus on refining interventions and gathering more efficacy and effectiveness data on health outcomes of the pediatric patients treated with these interventions.
Painful Diabetic Neuropathy Is Associated With Greater Autonomic Dysfunction Than Painless Diabetic Neuropathy
Authors: Gandhi Rajiv A. , Marques Jefferson L.B. , Selvarajah Dinesh , Emery Celia J. , Tesfaye Solomon
Published: June 2010

OBJECTIVE

Although a clear link between diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and autonomic neuropathy is recognized, the relationship of autonomic neuropathy with subtypes of DPN is less clear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of autonomic neuropathy with painless and painful DPN.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Eighty subjects (20 healthy volunteers, 20 with no DPN, 20 with painful DPN, 20 with painless DPN) underwent detailed neurophysiological investigations (including conventional autonomic function tests [AFTs]) and spectral analysis of short-term heart rate variability (HRV), which assesses sympathovagal modulation of the heart rate. Various frequency-domain (including low frequency [LF], high frequency [HF], and total power [TP]) and time-domain (standard deviation of all normal-to-normal R-R intervals [SDNN] and root mean square of successive differences [RMSSD]) parameters were assessed.

RESULTS

HRV analysis revealed significant differences across the groups in LF, HF, TP, SDNN, and RMSSD (ANOVA P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that compared with painless DPN, painful DPN had significantly lower HF (3.59 ± 1.08 [means ± SD] vs. 2.67 ± 1.56), TP (5.73 ± 1.28 vs. 4.79 ± 1.51), and SDNN (2.91 ± 0.65 vs. 1.62 ± 3.5), P < 0.05. No significant differences were seen between painless DPN and painful DPN using an AFT.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that painful DPN is associated with significantly greater autonomic dysfunction than painless DPN. These changes are only detected using spectral analysis of HRV (a simple test based on a 5-min electrocardiogram recording), suggesting that it is a more sensitive tool to detect autonomic dysfunction, which is still under-detected in people with diabetes. The greater autonomic dysfunction seen in painful DPN may reflect more predominant small fiber involvement and adds to the growing evidence of its role in the pathophysiology of painful DPN.
Screening Adults for Pre-Diabetes and Diabetes May Be Cost-Saving
Authors: Chatterjee Ranee , Venkat Narayan K.M. , Lipscomb Joseph , Phillips Lawrence S.
Published: June 2010

OBJECTIVE

The economic costs of hyperglycemia are substantial. Early detection would allow management to prevent or delay development of diabetes and diabetes-related complications. We investigated the economic justification for screening for pre-diabetes/diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We projected health system and societal costs over 3 years for 1,259 adults, comparing costs associated with five opportunistic screening tests. All subjects had measurements taken of random plasma and capillary glucose (RPG and RCG), A1C, and plasma and capillary glucose 1 h after a 50 g oral glucose challenge test without prior fasting (GCT-pl and GCT-cap), and a subsequent diagnostic 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

RESULTS

Assuming 70% specificity screening cutoffs, Medicare costs for testing, retail costs for generic metformin, and costs for false negatives as 10% of reported costs associated with pre-diabetes/diabetes, health system costs over 3 years for the different screening tests would be GCT-pl $180,635; GCT-cap $182,980; RPG $182,780; RCG $186,090; and A1C $192,261; all lower than costs for no screening, which would be $205,966. Under varying assumptions, projected health system costs for screening and treatment with metformin or lifestyle modification would be less than costs for no screening as long as disease prevalence is at least 70% of that of our population and false-negative costs are at least 10% of disease costs. Societal costs would equal or exceed costs of no screening depending on treatment type.

CONCLUSIONS

Screening appears to be cost-saving compared to no screening from a health system perspective, and potentially cost-neutral from a societal perspective. These data suggest that strong consideration should be given to screening—with preventive management—and that use of GCTs may be cost-effective.
Effects of Glutamine on Glycemic Control During and After Exercise in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Mauras Nelly , Xing Dongyuan , Fox Larry A. , Englert Kim , Darmaun Dominique
Published: June 2010

OBJECTIVE

To investigate if oral glutamine ameliorates exercise and postexercise nighttime hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetic adolescents.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Ten adolescents (15.2 ± 1.4 years [SD], A1C 6.9 ± 0.9%) on insulin pumps were studied. The subjects were randomized to receive a glutamine or placebo drink pre-exercise and at bedtime (0.25 g/kg/dose). A 3:00 p.m. exercise session consisted of four 15-min treadmill/5-min rest cycles. Pre-exercise blood glucose was 140–150 mg/dl and was monitored throughout the night. Studies were randomized crossover over 3 weeks.

RESULTS

Blood glucose levels dropped comparably (52%) during exercise on both days. However, the overnight number of hypoglycemic events was higher on glutamine than placebo (≤70 mg/dl, P = 0.03 and ≤60, P = 0.05). The cumulative probability of nighttime hypoglycemia was increased on glutamine days (80%) versus placebo days (50%) (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Glutamine increased the cumulative probability of postexercise overnight hypoglycemia compared with placebo in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Whether glutamine may enhance insulin sensitivity postexercise requires further study in type 1 diabetes.
Renal Hyperfiltration and Arterial Stiffness in Humans With Uncomplicated Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Cherney David Z.I. , Sochett Etienne B. , Lai Vesta , Dekker Maria G. , Slorach Cameron , Scholey James W. , Bradley Timothy J.
Published: June 2010

OBJECTIVE

We have reported that renal hyperfiltration is associated with endothelial dysfunction in early type 1 diabetes. However, the relationship between renal hyperfiltration and arterial stiffness is unknown. Accordingly, we measured arterial stiffness in type 1 diabetic subjects with hyperfiltering (n = 20) or normofiltering (n = 18).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Augmentation index (AIx), aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), renal hemodynamic function (inulin and paraaminohippurate clearances), and urinary and circulating plasma cGMP were measured in normoalbuminuric subjects with type 1 diabetes during clamped euglycemia (glucose 4–6 mmol/l) and hyperglycemia (glucose 9–11 mmol/l).

RESULTS

During clamped euglycemia, hyperfiltering subjects (glomerular filtration rate ≥135 ml/min/1.73 m2) exhibited lower AIx values (−6.1 ± 2.9 vs. 13.9 ± 2.7%, P = 0.001) and higher cGMP levels in urine and plasma compared with normofiltering subjects. These differences were maintained during clamped hyperglycemia. As expected, renal hemodynamic responses to clamped hyperglycemia were exaggerated in normofilterers, but values for AIx remained unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

Renal hyperfiltration is associated with reduced arterial stiffness in subjects with uncomplicated type 1 diabetes.
Muscular Strength and Hydroxyproline Concentration in Urine After Different Flexibility Training Protocols
Authors: de Almeida Olavo , de Oliveira Sampaio Adriane , Conceição Mário , Paranhos Vivian , Mello Danielli , Vale Rodrigo , Achour Júnior Abdallah , Dantas Estélio
Published: June 2010

Muscular Strength and Hydroxyproline Concentration in Urine After Different Flexibility Training Protocols

The objective of this study was to evaluate variation in the lumbar spine extension (LSE) muscular strength index and the hydroxyproline (HP) urinary concentrations as a function of flexibility training with maximum intensity (flexibilizing) statically, by proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and submaximally. The sample population - with an age of 17.13 ± 1.23; body mass of 63.23 ± 6.36 kg; height of 173.62 ± 5.465 cm and body fat percentage of 10 ± 3.62% - comprised 60 male individuals divided randomly into four equal groups: CG (control), StrG (stretching), SFG (static flexibilizing) and PNFG (flexibilizing by PNF). The statistical program SPSS 14.0 for Windows was used to perform a Shapiro Wilk test to verify the normality of the data and Levene's test to analyze the homogeneity of the sample, repeated measures ANOVA for multiple comparisons among groups and the Tukey's HSD Post Hoc test to determine the statistical difference within groups of the variables. A significance level of 95% (p<0.05) was adopted. The results showed a significant difference in LSE between PNFG and CG (D% = 11%; p = 0.029). It can be concluded that the practice of PNF increased strength in the study group.
Reflections on Justice under the Context of Globalization
Authors: Dunaj Ľubomír
Published: June 2010

Reflections on Justice under the Context of Globalization

This paper deals with the need to change the way in which we consider justice in connection with globalisation. It analyses injustice in countries with developed capitalism, employing the work of Axel Honneth and Nancy Fraser. The paper highlights the importance of using "critical theory" in relation to developing an acceptable understanding of the term justice, and using "critical theory" in conjunction with Hans Herbert Kögler's "philosophical hermeneutics". In order to adequately investigate contemporary human civilization it is necessary to enrich our knowledge by investigating "civilisational analysis" (Johann P. Arnason).
On Sources of Structural Injustice: A Feminist Reading of the Theory of Iris M. Young
Authors: Uhde Zuzana
Published: June 2010

On Sources of Structural Injustice: A Feminist Reading of the Theory of Iris M. Young

The author focuses on a critical theory of justice and democracy by Iris Marion Young. Young's normative approach to justice and the institutional framework of inclusive democracy develops out of her critique of injustice. In the first section the author explains Young's approach to structural injustice, which she conceptualizes in terms of domination and oppression. In the second part the author elucidates Young's concept of the politics of difference and inclusive democracy. In this context Young differentiates between social and cultural groups; this enables her to take into consideration the political significance of group differences. The author goes on to present Young's critical theory of gender based on the notion of women as a social structural group. Young argues that gender refers to social structures that shape relations of subordination and oppression rather than to identity. In the final part the author discusses the application of Young's concept of structural injustice at a transnational level. Finally, she concludes with an outline for a feminist reading of the concept of structural injustice in a transnational context.
Motor Control: In Search of Physics of the Living Systems
Authors: Latash Mark
Published: June 2010

Motor Control: In Search of Physics of the Living Systems

This review contrasts two approaches to motor control that have dominated the field over the past years. One of them is built on ideas of the control theory; it assumes that neuronal structures perform computations and operates with notions such as motor programs and internal models. The alternative approach is based on physics and neurophysiology. It refutes the assumption of neural computations and operates with such notions as neuronal thresholds and equilibrium states. The two approaches have different goals. The former tries to produce a formal description of how any system, irrespective of its physics and physiology, can produce typical features of biological movement. This research may be very productive and important for such fields as robotics and prosthetics. The latter approach tries to produce a formal description of how neuromotor processes within the actual systems for movement production (for example, the human body) are organized to produce coordinated movements. Its goal is to turn motor control into a subfield of physics of living systems. Recent developments of the equilibrium-point hypothesis, referent configuration hypothesis, and the ideas of synergic control represent important steps towards achieving this goal.
Vaginal involvement in genital erosive lichen planus
Authors: HELGESEN ANNE LISE ORDING , GJERSVIK PETTER , JEBSEN PETER , KIRSCHNER ROLF , TANBO TOM
Published: June 2010

A specialized Vulva Clinic with dedicated gynecologists and dermatologists was established in Oslo, Norway, in 2003. Fifty‐eight women referred to the clinic in 2003–2009 were diagnosed with genital erosive lichen planus. All patients filled out a questionnaire. Gynecological examination, including vaginal inspection, was performed, if necessary in general anesthesia. Median age at symptom start was 51 years (range 17–78 years) with 15 women (26%) being younger than 40 years old. Sexual abstinence was reported by 36 women and dyspareunia by another 10. On examination, vaginal involvement was seen in 49 women, including vaginal synechiae in 29 and total obliteration of the vagina in 9. Of 56 women treated with topical corticosteroids for at least three months, two had complete response and 36 partial responses. Similarly, of 22 women treated with tacrolimus, three had complete and six partial response. We conclude that vaginal involvement is more common in genital erosive lichen planus than previously reported.
Effects of intrapartum epidural analgesia at high altitudes: maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes. A randomized controlled trial of two formulations of analgesics
Authors: SHOKRY MAHMOUD , MANAA ESSAM M. , SHOUKRY RANDA ALI , SHOKEIR MOHAMED HOSSAM , ELSEDFY GHADA O. , ABD EL‐AZIZ ABD EL‐SALAM
Published: June 2010

Objectives. To investigate whether intrapartum epidural analgesics (bupivacaine or ropivacaine) have an influence (safety and efficacy) on mothers, fetuses, or newborns at high altitudes (2,200 m above the sea level). Design. Prospective randomized trial. Setting. A tertiary referral hospital in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. Population. Eighty parturient women with normal full term pregnancy (37–40 weeks) were randomly allocated to a group receiving epidural bupivacaine 0.125% and the other receiving ropivacaine 0.2%, with fentanyl 100 μg given to both groups. Methods. Intra‐ and postpartum clinical management of the pregnant women and newborns and fetal Doppler assessments were performed. Main outcome measures. Severity of pain, onset and duration of analgesia, and occurrence of motor blockade were primary outcomes. Progress of labor, need for oxytocin augmentation, mode of delivery, and neonatal condition were secondary outcomes. Results. Demographic, labor characteristics, and neonatal outcomes of the two groups were comparable. The onset of analgesia was relatively more rapid for ropivacaine group (p = 0.067). Duration of analgesia after the first bolus dose was longer and the need for supplemental epidural analgesic doses was lesser in the bupivacaine group (p = 0.041 and 0.045, respectively). In both groups, the fetal umbilical and middle cerebral artery pulsatility indices showed significant change when compared to the baseline of the same group. Conclusion. At high altitudes, no major advantage was found for epidural ropivacaine over bupivacaine in addition to fentanyl for labor analgesia and no harmful effects of the medications were found on mothers, fetuses, or newborns.
High cesarean prevalence in a national population‐based study in Brazil: the role of private practice
Authors: REBELO FERNANDA , DA ROCHA CAMILLA MEDEIROS MACEDO , CORTES TAÍSA RODRIGUES , DUTRA CARMEM LÚCIA , KAC GILBERTO
Published: June 2010

Background. Excessive use of cesarean sections (CSs) is a serious problem worldwide. Objective. To estimate the frequency and identify factors associated with cesarean deliveries in Brazil. Design. Cross‐sectional study conducted in 2006–2007 as part of the third edition of the Children's and Women's National Demographic and Health Survey. Setting. Brazil. Sample. Brazilian women in reproductive age. Methods. Socioeconomic and demographic data were utilized, including maternal age, education level, per capita income, skin color, smoking habit, marital status, age at first delivery, parity, and type of prenatal services. Main outcome measures. Adjusted estimate of the prevalence ratios of the type of delivery performed (cesarean or vaginal). Results. Cesarean prevalence was 43.9% (95% CI: 40.9–46.9), 68.7% for women who had per capita income greater than US$ 125 per month, and 77.2% for those who had attended private or privately insured prenatal services. In the adjusted analysis, the variables that presented significant prevalence ratios (95% confidence interval) were macro‐region [southeast = 1.45 (1.21–1.73); south = 1.48 (1.24–1.77), and midwest = 1.43 (1.21–1.71)], maternal age above 25 years [26–30 years = 1.57 (1.25–1.97); ≥ 31 years = 1.77 (1.39–2.27)], education levels ≥ 9 years (PR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.55–2.23), and having attended private or privately insured prenatal services (PR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.65–2.12) and parity [primipara = 1.87 (1.47–2.36)]. Conclusions. CS rates are generally very high in Brazil. They are significantly higher than the average among women attending private/insured antenatal care, among the highly educated, and in provinces with higher socioeconomic levels.
Preliminary assessment of dynamic contrast-enhanced CT implementation in pretreatment FDG-PET/CT for outcome prediction in head and neck tumors
Authors: Abramyuk Andrij , Wolf Gunter , Shakirin Georgy , Haberland Ulrike , Tokalov Sergey , Koch Arne , Appold Steffen , Zöphel Klaus , Abolmaali Nasreddin
Published: June 2010

Background: Recently published data show some controversy concerning the impact of [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in predicting head and neck tumors (HNT) outcome. Assessment of tumor blood supply parameters using dynamic contrast-enhanced CT (DCE-CT) may deliver additional information concerning this important question.

Purpose: To evaluate the contribution of DCE-CT implemented in pretherapeutic FDG-PET/CT protocol for prognosis prediction in patients with HNT.

Material and Methods: Ten consecutive patients (median age 50 years, range 47–74 years) with histologically proven HNT underwent FDG-PET/CT with DCE-CT before treatment. FDG uptake was measured by maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax). Relative tumor blood volume (rTBV) was determined from DCE-CT using Patlak analysis. Intratumoral heterogeneity was assessed by means of lacunarity analysis. Obtained values were compared with time-to-progression and overall survival. PET and DCE-CT images were compared on a pixel-by-pixel basis using Pearson coefficient of correlation.

Results: Three patients with lower FDG uptake (SUVmax: 8±1) and five patients with higher FDG uptake (SUVmax: 15±4, P=0.004) were free of local recurrence for 24 months. Two groups of patients with significantly differing lower (group A: 0.37±0.02, n=6) and higher (group B: 0.52±0.01, n=4; P<0.01), tumor heterogeneity (lacunarity) were identified. Corresponding mean rTBV was higher in group A (9.6±1.8 ml/100 ml) than in group B (6.2±0.6 ml/100 ml). All six patients with homogeneous tumor blood supply (lower lacunarity) and higher rTBV were free of local recurrence during 24 months, while two of four patients with heterogeneous tumor blood supply (higher lacunarity) and lower rTBV died during follow-up due to tumor relapse. A weak correlation between FDG-PET and DCE-CT rTBV was observed (R2=0.1).

Conclusion: FDG-PET/CT and DCT-CT are complementary methods for surveillance assessment in patients with HNT. Implementation of DCE-CT in the pretreatment FDG-PET/CT protocol may improve tumor outcome prediction.
Scaling-up a Reactive Extrusion Operation: A One-dimensional Simulation Analysis
Authors: Ortiz-Rodriguez E. , Tzoganakis C.
Published: June 2010

The peroxide-initiated degradation of polypropylene is simulated by means of a one-dimensional (1D) reactive extrusion (REX) model. Two scale-up rules, namely, constant thermal time and specific energy consumption (SEC) are evaluated for co-rotating intermeshing twin screw extruders (COITSEs) of various sizes. The weight-average molecular weight (Mw) and the polydispersity index (PDI) are selected as the evaluation parameters for testing the scale-up procedures being analyzed. The results for the simulated operating conditions show that when the REX operation is scaled-up under constant thermal time, very good agreement is obtained between the Mw and PDI of the larger extruders and the values of these parameters corresponding to the reference extruder. For the constant SEC approach, more significant variations are observed for both of the aforementioned parameters. In the case of the constant thermal time scale-up approach, the effect of operating conditions of the reference extruder on the scaled-up operation is further analyzed. For a constant screw speed, when the reference mass throughput increases the predicted time of extrusion increases. Regarding the temperature of reaction, the higher increase of this parameter corresponds, in general terms, to the lower mass throughputs and higher screw speeds specified for the reference extruder.
The Germans Must Have Done Something Right
Authors: Langenbacher Eric
Published: June 2010

Germany-watchers and many Germans have long been sour about the unified country. Often for well-founded reasons, there are few policy or cultural areas that have not been subjected to withering criticism: failed integration of immigrants, an antiquated political economy, insufficient coming-to-terms with the past, atrophied parties, or lackluster foreign policy. Nevertheless, the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Wall and unification is an appropriate moment to pause and reflect on the accomplishments of contemporary Germany—export champion, environmental pioneer, cultural leader, and staunch multilateral European. Despite all of the problems of the last twenty years and the daunting challenges ahead, perhaps Germans can dare some cautious optimism and even a sense of pride.
German Environmentalism: Still Feeding on Its Romantic, Anti-Modern Heritage?
Authors: Brand Karl-Werner
Published: June 2010

Goodbody, Axel. 2007. Nature, Technology and Cultural Change in Twentieth-Century German Literature: The Challenge of Ecocriticism. New York: Palgrave.

Markham, William T. 2008. Environmental Organizations in Modern Germany: Hardy Survivors in the Twentieth Century and Beyond. New York: Berghahn Books.
Common Interest Revisited
Authors: Cusine Douglas J
Published: June 2010

This article seeks to re-examine the circumstances in which common interest is to be found, against the background ofthe definition by Bell, and in particular to consider whether there is a right of common interest which is intermediate between that of common property on the one hand and a servitude on the other. It also looks at the obligations which arisefrom common interest, and the extinction ofcommon interest.