bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolic effects of pioglitazone and rosiglitazone in patients with diabetes and metabolic syndrome treated with metformin
Authors: Derosa G. , D’Angelo A. , Ragonesi P. D. , Ciccarelli L. , Piccinni M. N. , Pricolo F. , Salvadeo S. A. T. , Montagna L. , Gravina A. , Ferrari I. , Paniga S. , Cicero A. F. G.
Published: January 2007

Background: Metformin is considered the gold standard for type 2 diabetes treatment as monotherapy and in combination with sulphonylureas and insulin, whereas the combination of metformin with thiazolidinediones is relatively less studied. The aim of the present study was to assess the differential effect on glycaemic metabolism and lipid variables of the combination of metformin plus pioglitazone or metformin plus rosiglitazone in diabetic patients with metabolic syndrome.

Methods: All patients began metformin and were randomized to receive pioglitazone or rosiglitazone for 12 months. We assessed body mass index, glycated haemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose, postprandial plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin, postprandial plasma insulin, homeostasis model assessment index, total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A‐I, and apolipoprotein B.

Results: Significant decreases in glycated haemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose, postprandial plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin, and postprandial plasma insulin were seen after 9 and 12 months in both groups. Homeostasis model assessment index improved at 12 months in both groups. Significant total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A‐I, and apolipoprotein B improvement was observed in pioglitazone group after 12 months, but not in the rosiglitazone group. These variations were significant between groups.

Conclusion: The combination of metformin plus thiazolidinediones was able to improve glycaemic control compared with previous therapy. Pioglitazone was associated with a significant improvement in lipid and lipoprotein variables.
Non‐invasive positive pressure ventilation for acute respiratory failure: justified or just hot air?
Authors: Crummy F. , Naughton M. T.
Published: January 2007

Non‐invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIV) is the provision of mechanical positive airway pressure ventilatory support through the patient’s upper airway through mask interface. Conditions in which it has been shown to be effective are acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema and acute hypercapnic exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In such conditions, NIV is associated with reduced intensive care unit demands, a reduction in intubation rates, reduced health‐care expenditure and improved survival. Other conditions, such as hypercapnia of other cause, hypoxaemic respiratory failure and acute asthma, have supportive, but less conclusive data. Indications, contraindications and guidelines for the use of NIV are discussed.
Tissue angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus without left ventricular systolic dysfunction or clinical evidence of heart failure: a pooled meta‐analysis of randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trials
Authors: Saha S. A. , Molnar J. , Arora R. R.
Published: January 2007

Aim:  The aim of this study was to determine the role of tissue angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus without left ventricular systolic dysfunction or clinical evidence of heart failure in randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trials using pooled meta‐analysis techniques.

Methods:  Randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trials of at least 12 months duration in patients with diabetes mellitus without left ventricular systolic dysfunction or heart failure who had experienced a prior cardiovascular event or were at high cardiovascular risk were selected. A total of 10 328 patients (43 517 patient‐years) from four selected trials were used for meta‐analysis. Relative risk estimations were made using data pooled from the selected trials and statistical significance was determined using the Chi‐squared test (two‐sided alpha error <0.05). The number of patients needed to treat was also calculated.

Results:  Tissue ACE inhibitors significantly reduced the risk of cardiovascular mortality by 14.9% (p = 0.022), myocardial infarction by 20.8% (p = 0.002) and the need for invasive coronary revascularization by 14% (p = 0.015) when compared to placebo. The risk of all‐cause mortality also tended to be lower among patients randomized to tissue ACE inhibitors, whereas the risks of stroke and hospitalization for heart failure were not significantly affected. Treating about 65 patients with tissue ACE inhibitors for about 4.2 years would prevent one myocardial infarction, whereas treating about 85 patients would prevent one cardiovascular death.

Conclusion:  Pooled meta‐analysis of randomized placebo‐controlled trials suggests that tissue ACE inhibitors modestly reduce the risk of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death and tend to reduce overall mortality in diabetic patients without left ventricular systolic dysfunction or heart failure.
Trusting patients, trusting nurses
Authors: Sellman Derek
Published: January 2007

Abstract  The general expectation that patients should be willing to trust nurses is rarely explored or challenged despite claims of diminishing public trust in social and professional institutions. Everyday meanings of trust take account of circumstance and suggest that our understanding of what it means to trust is contextually bound. However, in the context of health care, to trust implies a particular understanding which becomes apparent when abuses of this trust are reported and acknowledged as scandals. The predominant assumption in the literature that trust is something that occurs between equally competent adults cannot explain trust in nursing precisely because of the unequal power relationships between patients on the one hand and healthcare professionals on the other. Moreover, the tendency to conflate terms such as trust, reliance, confidence and so on suggests that confusion permeates discussions of trust in nursing. In this paper, I argue in support of Annette Baier’s requirement of good will (or lack of ill will) as the essential feature of trust, and outline how this account (i) enables us to make the necessary distinctions between trust on the one hand and ‘trust pretenders’ on the other; and (ii) lays the foundations for understanding trust in relationships, such as those between patients and nurses, where power differentials exist.
Towards a plurality of perspectives for nurse educators
Authors: Pratt Daniel D. , Boll Stephanie L. , Collins John B.
Published: January 2007

Abstract  Most of the literature on teaching within nursing education presents teaching and learning strategies as unproblematic and widely generalized across contexts, content, learners, and educators. We argue that to be truly effective, teaching strategies must be harmonious with instructor’s beliefs, intentions, and actions. In this paper, we introduce the notion of a plurality of effective teaching based on five different ‘perspectives on teaching’– each composed of different beliefs, intentions, actions, and strategies and illustrated by cases from nursing education. We propose that this foundational conceptualization provides a base from which nurse educators can (1) communicate across differences of philosophical perspective and intent; and (2) critically reflect on their educational practices.
Military Policies and the State System as Impediments to Democracy
Authors: Johansen Robert C.
Published: January 2007

Military policies impose severe limits on democracy and call into question the viability of the liberal democratic state. Military mentality undermines democratic culture; the complexity of warfare defies public understanding; speed required in decision-making prevents public debate; secrecy misleads the public while often disguising executive abuse of power; vested interests in high military expenditure skew political processes; and concentration of power among a few obstructs democratic participation. Even state sovereignty, which military policies bolster, obstructs democracy because interdependence requires governments to be held accountable, through transnational law and institutions, to ‘foreign’ as well as ‘domestic’ citizens since both are affected by national decisions.
The Greek moulages: a picture of skin diseases in former times
Authors: Worm A‐M , Hadjivassiliou M , Katsambas A
Published: January 2007

Medical moulages are three‐dimensional wax figures made for teaching in the beginning of the last century. A rather unknown hospital museum in Athens, Greece, stores 1660 moulages depicting skin and venereal diseases prevalent at that time such as syphilis, lepra and tuberculosis. The historical background behind the Greek moulages and the art of moulaging are described.
Decomposition of the ERP late posterior negativity: Effects of retrieval and response fluency
Authors: Herron Jane E.
Published: January 2007

Negativity elicited by recognized items over posterior sites—the late posterior negativity (LPN)—has been linked to action monitoring, task “uncertainty,” and contextual retrieval. Four recognition tests required retrieval of encoding operations. Task fluency was assumed to increase with each block. The responses assigned to the episodic sources were reversed in Block 3 to reduce response fluency. Dissociable LPNs were identified; the 1200–1900‐ms LPN was insensitive to task and response fluency and may reflect the maintenance of a retrieved episode. The 600–1200‐ms LPN was sensitive to task fluency and may index the search for episodic information. A response‐related LPN was sensitive to response fluency and was consistent with an action monitoring role. The findings confirm that the LPN is functionally heterogeneous, and comprises subcomponents sensitive to retrieval fluency, action monitoring, and postretrieval processing respectively.
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Hemibarbus labeo (Cyprinidae) using PCR‐based isolation of microsatellite arrays (PIMA)
Authors: LIN CHUNG‐JIAN , WANG JIANG‐PING , LIN HUNG‐DU , CHIANG TZEN‐YUH
Published: January 2007

A total of 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci from Hemibarbus labeo were isolated and characterized using an optimized protocol to construct a microsatellite‐enriched genomic library. The analysis of variability was performed in 24 specimens of mainland China. The mean number of alleles across loci was 3.10 ± 1.10 and the level of expected heterozygosity varied from 0.0417 to 0.7482. Frequencies of null alleles of the 10 loci are not significantly greater than zero. No linkage disequilibrium was detected between loci in either population. Five primer pairs cross‐amplify the microsatellites in other species, indicating transportability of the markers within the family Cyprinidae.
Improving outcome in patients undergoing liver surgery
Authors: Furrer Katarzyna , DeOliveira Michelle Lucinda , Graf Rolf , Clavien Pierre‐Alain
Published: January 2007

Liver surgery is associated with many factors, which may affect outcome. Preoperative assessment of patient's general condition, resectability, and liver reserve are paramount for success. The Child–Pugh score and other scoring systems only partially enables to assess the risk associated with liver surgery. The presence of portal hypertension per se is a major risk factor for hepatectomy. Intraoperatively, any attempts should be made to minimize blood loss. Low central venous pressure and inflow occlusion best prevent bleeding. Ischemic preconditioning and intermittent clamping are routinely applied in many centers to protect against long periods of ischemia, although the mechanisms of protection remain unclear. In this review we describe recent advances in activated pathways associated with protection against ischemia. Postoperatively, the best factor impacting on outcome probably resides in experienced medical care particularly in the intensive care setting. Currently, no drug or gene therapy approaches has reached the clinic. The future relies on new insight into mechanisms of ischemia–reperfusion injury.
CagA and VacA are Immunoblot Markers of Past Helicobacter pylori Infection in Atrophic Body Gastritis
Authors: Annibale Bruno , Lahner Edith , Santucci Annalisa , Vaira Dino , Pasquali Amelia , Severi Carola , Mini Roberta , Figura Natale , Fave Gianfranco Delle
Published: January 2007

Background and Aim:  Atrophic body gastritis (ABG) may be induced by H. pylori infection. It is difficult to diagnose H. pylori infection in this condition, since during progression of body atrophy the bacterium disappears. In 30% of patients with ABG no sign of H. pylori infection is detectable. We aimed to investigate whether patients with ABG, classified as H. pylori‐negative by conventional methods (ELISA serology and Giemsa stain histology), have been previously exposed to the infection.

Methods:  Case series consisted of 138 outpatients with ABG, of whom 31 are H. pylori negative (histology and ELISA serology), and 107 are H. pylori related (histology and ELISA serology positive: active infection, n = 29; only serology positive: past infection, n = 78). Thirty control subjects who were H. pylori negative at histology and ELISA serology were investigated. Immunoblotting of sera against H. pylori whole‐cell protein lysate was performed.

Results:  None of the control sera recognized CagA, VacA, heat‐shock protein B, and urease B, yielding a specificity of 100%. All H. pylori‐negative patients with ABG showed immunoblotting seroreactivity, including in each case either CagA or VacA. The concomitant seroreactivity against CagA and VacA was highly prevalent in the H. pylori‐negative patients with ABG, comparable to those with active infection (77.4% vs. 86.2%) and with past infection (vs. 61.5%).

Conclusions:  Immunoblotting against CagA and VacA is able to prove past exposure to H. pylori infection in all patients with ABG defined as H. pylori‐negative by conventional methods, suggesting a hidden role of H. pylori infection in gastric atrophy also in these patients.
5‐LOX Inhibitor Modulates the Inflammatory Responses Provoked by Helicobacter pylori Infection
Authors: Park Soojin , Han Sang‐Uk , Lee Kee‐Myung , Park Kyung Ha , Cho Sung Won , Hahm Ki‐Baik
Published: January 2007

Background:  Arachidonic acid metabolites have been considered as pivotal mediators in Helicobacter pylori‐induced inflammatory response, which are mainly metabolized by two distinct enzymes: cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX). While COX has become well known to play a key role in either carcinogenesis or inflammation related to H. pylori infection, little is known regarding the implication of LOX in H. pylori infection. In this study, we evaluated the roles of 5‐LOX and its metabolites in H. pylori‐induced host responses and further a potential beneficial action of specific LOX inhibitors against H. pylori infection.

Materials and Methods:  Expressions of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), COX‐2, and 5‐LOX after H. pylori infection were evaluated by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting. Synthesis of LOX metabolites was measured with reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. For analyzing the influence of 5‐LOX inhibitors, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and geraniin, on H. pylori‐induced inflammatory responses, RNase protection assay and RT‐PCR were performed.

Results:  H. pylori stimulated the translocation of cPLA2 from cytoplasm to nucleus and increased the biosynthesis of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs) as a predominant form of 5S‐HETE in gastric epithelium. NDGA exerted a strong suppression activity of H. pylori‐induced 5‐LOX signaling. The administration of LOX inhibitors was related with down‐expression of proinflammatory mediators such as interleukin‐8 and tumor necrosis factor‐α in both H. pylori‐infected gastric epithelial cells and macrophage cells.

Conclusion:  LOX modulation with its specific inhibitors could impose significant anti‐inflammatory responses after H. pylori infection, based on the fact that H. pylori infection provoked gastric inflammation through metabolizing arachidonic acid by the 5‐LOX pathway.
Identification and Characterization of an Organic Solvent Tolerance Gene in Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Chiu Hung‐Chuan , Lin Tzu‐Lung , Wang Jin‐Town
Published: January 2007

Background:  Pre‐cleaning and soaking in glutaraldehyde is the necessary procedure to disinfect endoscopes. However, some chemical‐solvent‐tolerant bacteria may survive after incomplete endoscopic disinfection. The goal of this study was to identify glutaraldehyde resistance‐related genes in Helicobacter pylori.

Materials and Methods:  λ‐Zap phagemid expression library of H. pylori strain NTUH‐C1 was selected with 0.1% glutaraldehyde. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of glutaraldehyde‐resistant DNA fragments of H. pylori NTUH‐C1 strain were determined. Imp/OstA recombinant protein was expressed, purified, and used to generate anti‐Imp/OstA polyclonal antibody. Imp/ostA knockout, deletion, and complementation strains were constructed. The function of Imp/OstA was monitored by organic solvent tolerance assay, antibiotics susceptibility test, and n‐phenylnapthylamine assay.

Results:  Using Imp/ostA polyclonal antibody against cell lysate of wild‐type and imp/ostA mutant showed that it is not essential in H. pylori. Organic solvent tolerance assay demonstrated the role of Imp/ostA in n‐hexane tolerance. MIC test showed that the mutation of imp/ostA was susceptible to hydrophobic and β‐lactam antibiotics. NPN assay demonstrated that the level of outer membrane permeability was increased by 50% in mutant strain comparing to wild‐type strain (p < .001).

Conclusions:  We have identified an Imp/OstA protein that was associated with glutaraldehyde resistance in our clinical strain H. pylori NTUH‐C1 by screening of λ‐Zap expression library. Disruption of this protein results in altering membrane permeability, sensitivity to organic solvent, and susceptibility to antibiotics.
Headaches and Oral Contraceptives: Impact of Eliminating the Standard 7‐Day Placebo Interval
Authors: Sulak Patricia , Willis Sherilyn , Kuehl Thomas , Coffee Andrea , Clark Jeffrey
Published: January 2007

Objective.—The aim was to assess the timing and severity of self‐reported headaches in patients utilizing a standard 28‐day oral contraceptive (OC) cycle consisting of 21 hormone (estrogen + progestin)‐containing pills and 7 placebo pills (ie, 21/7‐day cycle) converted to a placebo‐free extended OC regimen.

Methods.—An open label single‐center prospective analysis of headaches recorded daily on a severity scale of 0 to 10, along with the headache item of the Penn Daily Symptom Rating (DSR17) and a weekly modified Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) headache questionnaire, during standard 21/7‐day cycles followed by a 168‐day extended placebo‐free regimen of an OC containing 3 mg of drosperinone and 30 mcg of ethinyl estradiol (DRSP/EE).

Results.—Of the 114 patients who began the trial, 111 completed the 21/7‐day cycle portion of the study. Based on the headaches scales, there were significant differences in headache severity among the 28 days of the standard 21/7 cycles (P < .001). Greater headache severity occurred on days 25 through 28 during the 7‐day placebo interval of the 21/7 cycles (P < .05). Of the 111 patients who completed the 21/7 phase of the study, 102 (92%) completed the 168‐day extended placebo‐free OC regimen. During the first 28 days of the extended placebo‐free regimen, daily headache scores decreased (P < .0001) compared to those of the previous 21 active/7 placebo day cycle. The difference on a daily basis was first detected on extended cycle days 25 through 28 (P < .0001) and persisted throughout the remainder of the 168‐day regimen. Subjects were divided into 2 groups (severe and mild) based on the median of the total headache score during the 21/7 OC cycle. The group with higher total headache scores demonstrated a significant (P < .0001) reduction in daily headaches beginning in the first 28‐day interval of the extended placebo‐free regimen, persisting throughout the entire 168‐day extended regimen. In contrast, the group with the lower total headache score remained unchanged (P= .79) throughout the extended regimen. Impact of headaches on work, family, and social functions also improved on the extended placebo‐free regimen in 6 of 8 measures (P < .05) assessed by weekly headache questionnaires.

Conclusion.—Compared to a 21/7‐day OC regimen, a 168‐day extended placebo‐free regimen of DRSP/EE led to a decrease in headache severity along with improvement in work productivity and involvement in activities. This is a preliminary study and results may not be widely generalizable.
Effect of Multivitamin and Mineral Supplementation on Episodes of Infection in Nursing Home Residents: A Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Study
Authors: Liu Barbara A. , McGeer Allison , McArthur Margaret A. , Simor Andrew E. , Aghdassi Elaheh , Davis Lori , Allard Johane P.
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of vitamin and mineral supplementation on infections in an elderly institutionalized population.

DESIGN: Eighteen‐month, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial.

SETTING: Twenty‐one long‐term care facilities.

PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred sixty‐three subjects from 21 long‐term care facilities.

INTERVENTION: Participants were randomized to receive one multivitamin and mineral supplementation daily or placebo.

MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was number of infections per subject. Secondary outcomes were antibiotic use and hospitalization rates. Infection control surveillance was conducted over 18 months using standardized criteria.

RESULTS: Outcome data from 748 subjects, mean age 85, were included in the intention‐to‐treat analysis. Using univariate analyses, there was no difference in infectious episodes between the supplemented and placebo groups (3.5 infections per 1,000 resident‐days vs 3.8 infections per 1,000 resident‐days, odds ratio (OR)=0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.82–1.03, P=.12). There was a reduction in antibiotic usage in the supplementation group, but this was not significant in the multivariate model. There was no difference in the number of hospital visits. In the multivariate analysis, the effect of multivitamin use on total number of infections was not significant (OR=0.77, 95% CI=0.54–1.1). Subjects without dementia had a greater rate of infections than those with dementia (OR=1.44, 95% CI=1.19–1.76). In post hoc subgroup analysis, subjects without dementia who received supplementation had a significantly lower rate of infections than those who received placebo (relative risk=0.81, 95% CI=0.66–0.99).

CONCLUSION: Overall, multivitamin and mineral supplementation does not have a significant effect on the incidence of infections in institutionalized seniors, although the subgroup of residents in long‐term care without dementia may benefit from supplementation. Further research is needed to determine its effect in high‐risk subgroups within the nursing home population.
Ecological Risks to Fossorial Vertebrates from Volatile Organic Compounds in Soil
Authors: Carlsen Tina M.
Published: January 2007

The past several years has seen an increased awareness of the need to conduct ecological risk assessments (ERAs) for hazardous waste sites. One technique used in ERAs involves estimating contaminant exposure to individual animals of selected species, which is then compared to a reference dose derived from the literature. Exposure estimates are conducted on those species which are representative of the different trophic levels found at the site. In many terrestrial systems, fossorial (burrowing) vertebrates are found in both lower and upper trophic levels. As part of the ERA conducted for Site 300, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's high‐explosive test facility, contaminant exposures were estimated for fossorial and nonfossorial vertebrates spanning two trophic levels. The results of the evaluation revealed that a significant pathway by which fossorial vertebrates could be exposed to trichloroethylene in soil was through the inhalation of contaminated subsurface burrow air. This was the first time that the importance of this ecological exposure pathway has been recognized. The results of this analysis suggest that further research into the ecological significance of subsurface burrow air contaminated with volatile organic compounds is warranted.
Risk Assessment of Nongenotoxic Carcinogens Based upon Cell Proliferation/Death Rates in Rodents
Authors: Gaylor David W. , Zheng Qi
Published: January 2007

Increased cell proliferation increases the opportunity for transformations of normal cells to malignant cells via intermediate cells. Nongenotoxic cytotoxic carcinogens that increase cell proliferation rates to replace necrotic cells are likely to have a threshold dose for cytotoxicity below which necrosis and hence, carcinogenesis do not occur. Thus, low dose cancer risk estimates based upon nonthreshold, linear extrapolation are inappropriate for this situation. However, a threshold dose is questionable if a nongenotoxic carcinogen acts via a cell receptor. Also, a nongenotoxic carcinogen that increases the cell proliferation rate, via the cell division rate and/or cell removal rate by apoptosis, by augmenting an existing endogenous mechanism is not likely to have a threshold dose. Whether or not a threshold dose exists for nongenotoxic carcinogens, it is of interest to study the relationship between lifetime tumor incidence and the cell proliferation rate. The Moolgavkar–Venzon–Knudson biologically based stochastic two‐stage clonal expansion model is used to describe a carcinogenic process. Because the variability in cell proliferation rates among animals often makes it impossible to detect changes of less than 20% in the rate, it is shown that small changes in the cell proliferation rate, that may be obscured by the background noise in rates, can produce large changes in the lifetime tumor incidence as calculated from the Moolgavkar–Venzon–Knudson model. That is, dose response curves for cell proliferation and tumor incidence do not necessarily mimic each other. This makes the use of no observed effect levels (NOELs) for cell proliferation rates often inadmissible for establishing acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) of nongenotoxic carcinogens. In those cases where low dose linearity is not likely, a potential alternative to a NOEL is a benchmark dose corresponding to a small increase in the cell proliferation rate, e. g., 1%, to which appropriate safety (uncertainty) factors can be applied to arrive at an ADI.
A Conservative Approach to Performing Transseptal Punctures Without the Use of Intracardiac Echocardiography: Stepwise Approach with Real‐Time Video Clips
Authors: CHENG ALAN , CALKINS HUGH
Published: January 2007

Atrial transseptal puncture as a means of accessing the left heart is a critical component of catheter ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation, left‐sided accessory pathways, and access to the left ventricle in patients with certain types of prosthetic aortic valves. Although this technique has been performed successfully since the 1950s, severe and potentially life‐threatening complications can still occur, including cardiac tamponade and/or death. Some have adopted the use of intracardiac echocardiography, but our laboratory and many others throughout the world have successfully relied on fluoroscopic imaging alone. The aim of this brief report is to describe in detail our technique for performing transseptal punctures during catheter ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation. We employ a similar approach when targeting left‐sided accessory pathways, although only a single transseptal is performed in those cases. Utilizing a series of real‐time video clips, we describe our technique of double transseptal puncture and illustrate in detail ways in which to avoid common pitfalls.
Right Heart Function and Scleroderma: Insights from Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion
Authors: Lee Chiu‐Yen , Chang Shu‐Mei , Hsiao Shih‐Hung , Tseng Jui‐Cheng , Lin Shih‐Kai , Liu Chun‐Peng
Published: January 2007

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of echocardiographic parameters as predictors of rehospitalization in scleroderma patients. Methods: Echocardiographic studies were conducted in 38 patients with systolic scleroderma (SSc) to assess cardiopulmonary function. Forty‐five age‐matched volunteers without any sign of heart failure served as the control group. Transmitral flow pattern, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) were evaluated. All patients were subsequently followed for one year. Results: Peak transmitral early‐diastolic velocity (mitral E) and TAPSE measurements were significantly different between SSc and control patients (mitral E: 74.1 ± 16.3 vs. 83.5 ± 17.0 cm/s with P = 0.012; TAPSE: 2.4 ± 0.43 vs. 1.9 ± 0.39 cm with P < 0.0001). LVEF was similar, but RVEF was lower in the SSc group (LVEF: 61.7 ± 9.7 vs. 61.7 ± 5.8% with P = 0.962; RVEF: 49.6 ± 6.8 vs. 39.2 ± 6.7% with P < 0.0001). A strong correlation was found between TAPSE and RVEF. A TAPSE less than 1.96 cm indicted a RVEF less than 40% with a sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 78%. Contrary to expectation, pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) did not correlate well with RV function (r = 0.261, r2= 0.068, P = 0.016). Finally, the frequency of rehospitalization was inversely correlated with RVEF and TAPSE in SSc patients. Conclusions: We can predict the rehospitalization rate of SSc patients by TAPSE and RVEF, suggesting the involvement of heart, skin, lung, and other organs in scleroderma patients.
Physicochemical properties of the thermal gel of water‐washed meat in the presence of the more soluble fraction of porcine sarcoplasmic protein
Authors: MIYAGUCHI Yuji , HAYASHI Yuki , SAKAMOTO Taro
Published: January 2007

We investigated the physicochemical properties of the thermal gel of water‐washed pork meat (WWM) in the presence of the soluble fraction of porcine sarcoplasmic protein (SP) obtained with ammonium sulfate at 75 percent saturation. Two precipitated fractions of SP were obtained at 0–50 percent and 50–75 percent saturation, named SP‐f1 and SP‐f2, respectively, and the soluble fraction obtained at 75 percent saturation, SP‐f3, was used. Sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that SP‐f3 contained mainly glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), while SP‐f1 and SP‐f2 had other SPs such as phosphorylase b, enolase, actin and phosphoglycerate mutase. The gel strength of WWM was greater when SP‐f3 rather than one of various animal proteins such as bovine plasma (BP), egg white, or whey protein isolates (WPI), was added and SP‐f3 had a gel‐enhancing effect as good as that of polyphosphate (PP). The gel strength of WWM with added SP‐f3 increased significantly with NaCl at 0.15 mol/L or more, but not in the absence of NaCl (0 mol/L). The effect of SP‐f3 was evident at neutral pH and maximum gel strength was obtained at a pH above 6.0. Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis showed that an endothermic peak corresponding to myosin heads in WWM shifted to a lower temperature with the addition of SP‐f3, as in the case of PP, though there was no such shift in the presence of other animal proteins (BP, egg white and WPI), suggesting that SP‐f3 increases the gel strength of WWM through the dissociation of actomyosin similar to PP. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed wall‐like structures among the protein strands in the WWM gel matrix in the presence of SP‐f3. The results of DSC and SEM indicated that the formation of a gel network in meat products is reinforced with GAPDH in SP after the interaction between GAPDH and myofibrillar protein.
A Camera of Her Own: Woolf and the Legacy of the Indomitable Mrs. Cameron
Authors: Setina Emily
Published: January 2007

This paper forms part of a Literature Compass cluster of articles which examines the current state of Virgina Woolf Studies and aims to provide a snapshot of the field. Urmila Seshagiri (University of Tennessee) and Rishona Zimring (Lewis and Clark College) first provide an introduction for this paper along with Anne Fernald's article, “Woolfian Resonances.” The full text of Emily Setina's piece then follows.

These papers grew out of the 15th Annual International Virginia Woolf Conference (College of Lewis and Clark, Portland, OR, June 9–12, 2005).

The full cluster is made up of the following articles:

“Introduction: Virginia Woolf and The Art of Exploration,” Urmila Seshagiri and Rishona Zimring, Literature Compass 3 (2006), 10.1111/j.1741‐4113.2006.00393.x

“Virginia Woolf's Sense of Adventure,” Maria DiBattista, Literature Compass 3 (2006), 10.1111/j.1741‐4113.2006.00394.x

“The Twentieth Part: Virginia Woolf in the British Museum Reading Room,” Benjamin Harvey, Literature Compass 3 (2006), 10.1111/j.1741‐4113.2006.00395.x

“‘Street Haunting’: Phantasmagorias of the Modern Imperial Metropolis,” Sara Gerend, Literature Compass 3 (2006), 10.1111/j.1741‐4113.2006.00396.x

“Hyde Park Gate News,” Gill Lowe, Literature Compass 3 (2006), 10.1111/j.1741‐4113.2006.00397.x

“The Art of ‘Scene‐Making’ in the Charleston Bulletin Supplements,” Claudia Olk, Literature Compass 3 (2006), 10.1111/j.1741‐4113.2006.00398.x

“A Camera of Her Own: Woolf and the Legacy of the Indomitable Mrs. Cameron,” Emily Setina, Literature Compass 3 (2006), 10.1111/j.1741‐4113.2006.00399.x

“Woolfian Resonances,” Anne Fernald, Literature Compass 3 (2006), 10.1111/j.1741‐4113.2006.00400.x

“Early Twentieth‐Century British Women Travellers to Greece: Contextualizing the Example of Virginia Woolf,” Martha Klironomos, Literature Compass 3 (2006), 10.1111/j.1741‐4113.2006.00401.x

“‘Others Wanted to Travel’: Woolf and ‘America Herself’,” Thaine Stearns, Literature Compass 3 (2006), 10.1111/j.1741‐4113.2006.00402.x
RETRACTED: Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate(‐)Protects Chang Liver Cells against Ethanol‐Induced Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis
Authors: Kaviarasan Subramanian , Ramamurthy Nalini , Gunasekaran Palani , Varalakshmi Elango , Anuradha Carani V.
Published: January 2007

Abstract: The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) on ethanol (EtOH)‐induced cytotoxicity in human Chang liver cells. Cells were incubated with either 30 mM EtOH alone or together in presence of (25 µM) EGCG for 24 hr. Assays were performed in treated cells to evaluate the ability of EGCG to prevent the toxic effects of EtOH. EtOH exposure suppressed the growth of Chang liver cells and induced lactate dehydrogenase leakage, oxygen radical formation, peroxidation of lipids, mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. Reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) while oxidized glutathione (GSSG) concentration was significantly elevated in EtOH‐treated cells as compared to normal cells. Incubation of EGCG along with EtOH significantly prevented EtOH‐dependent cell loss and lactate dehydrogenase leakage. This was associated with a reduction in oxidative damage as reflected by a reduction in the generation of reactive oxygen species, and in lipid peroxidation and maintenance of intracellular GSH/GSSG ratio. EGCG decreased the accumulation of sub‐G1phase cells and reduced apoptosis. The findings suggest that EGCG exerts a protective action during EtOH‐induced liver cell damage.
Annotated expressed sequence tags and xenobiotic detoxification in the aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer)
Authors: FIGUEROA C.C. , PRUNIER‐LETERME N. , RISPE C. , SEPÚLVEDA F. , FUENTES‐CONTRERAS E. , SABATER‐MUÑOZ B. , SIMON J.‐C. , TAGU D.
Published: January 2007

Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are phytophagous insects that are important agricultural pests. The enormous negative economic impacts caused by aphids worldwide are well known, and are mostly due to their high multiplication rate and the transmission of phytopathogenic viruses. Aphid management strategies mainly involve chemical treatments which are pollutants and are increasingly inefficient, since aphids have developed multiple insecticide‐resistant mechanisms. Among the most economically important species is the green peach aphid Myzus persicae Sulzer (Aphididae: Macrosiphini), which is able to colonize a wide range of host plants belonging to many different families, and transmits numerous plant viruses. Because of its large prevalence, M. persicae has been the target of massive insecticide treatments; consequently, it has evolved several insecticide‐resistant mechanisms. In this work, a collection of expressed genes from M. persicae is presented in order to identify putative genes involved in xenobiotic detoxification. After cDNA cloning and sequencing, 959 expressed sequence tags (EST) were annotated. Most sequences matched known genes corresponded to metabolism proteins (26%), ribosomal proteins (23%) and structural proteins (8%). Among them, several sequences corresponded to proteins putatively involved in sensing, degradation or detoxification of plant xenobiotic products.
Determination of ethane, pentane and isoprene in exhaled air – effects of breath‐holding, flow rate and purified air
Authors: Lärstad M. A. E. , Torén K. , Bake B. , Olin A.‐C.
Published: January 2007

Aim:  Exhaled ethane, pentane and isoprene have been proposed as biomarkers of oxidative stress. The objectives were to explore whether ethane, pentane and isoprene are produced within the airways and to explore the effect of different sampling parameters on analyte concentrations.

Methods:  The flow dependency of the analyte concentrations, the concentrations in dead‐space and alveolar air after breath‐holding and the influence of inhaling purified air on analyte concentrations were investigated. The analytical method involved thermal desorption from sorbent tubes and gas chromatography. The studied group comprised 13 subjects with clinically stable asthma and 14 healthy controls.

Results:  Ethane concentrations decreased slightly, but significantly, at higher flow rates in subjects with asthma (P = 0.0063) but not in healthy controls. Pentane levels were increased at higher flow rates both in healthy and asthmatic subjects (P = 0.022 and 0.0063 respectively). Isoprene levels were increased at higher flow rates, but only significantly in healthy subjects (P = 0.0034). After breath‐holding, no significant changes in ethane levels were observed. Pentane and isoprene levels increased significantly after 20 s of breath‐holding. Inhalation of purified air before exhalation resulted in a substantial decrease in ethane levels, a moderate decrease in pentane levels and an increase in isoprene levels.

Conclusion:  The major fractions of exhaled ethane, pentane and isoprene seem to be of systemic origin. There was, however, a tendency for ethane to be flow rate dependent in asthmatic subjects, although to a very limited extent, suggesting that small amounts of ethane may be formed in the airways.
Impact of Ramadan on physical performance in professional soccer players
Authors: Zerguini Yacine , Kirkendall Donald , Junge Astrid , Dvorak Jiri
Published: January 2007

Objective:Ramadan is a period of daylight abstention from liquid or solid nutrients. As sports continue to be scheduled, an understanding of the effects of Ramadan on Muslim athletes is warranted.

Design:Two Algerian professional soccer teams (55 men) were studied. Field tests of physical and soccer performance were collected before, at the end and 2 weeks after Ramadan in 2004. Players were queried on sleeping habits and personal perception of training and match performance.

Setting:Field setting at club training ground.

Main outcome measures:Performance on fitness and skill tests.

Results:Performance declined significantly (p<0.05) for speed, agility, dribbling speed and endurance, and most stayed low after the conclusion of Ramadan. Nearly 70% of the players thought that their training and performance were adversely affected during the fast.

Conclusions:The phase shift of food intake and disruption of sleep patterns affect actual and perceived physical performance. Islamic athletes need to explore strategies that will maximise performance during Ramadan.
Precambrian history of the eastern Ferris Mountains and Bear Mountain, south-central Wyoming Province
Authors: Bowers Nancy E , Chamberlain Kevin R
Published: January 2007

The eastern Ferris Mountains and Bear Mountain area of south-central Wyoming contain a complex assemblage of Archean and Proterozoic rock units, including a metasedimentary and metavolcanic supracrustal sequence named the Spanish Mine metamorphic suite, three granitic plutons (Turkey Creek, Ferris Mountains, Bear Mountain), and at least three sets of mafic dikes. The Spanish Mine metamorphic suite was deposited, intruded by mafic sills and (or) dikes, and underwent amphibolite-grade metamorphism and folding just prior to, or synkinematic with, the intrusion of the Turkey Creek metaplutonic suite, U–Pb dated at 2733.5 ± 2 Ma. A second set of mafic dikes intruded the Turkey Creek metaplutonic suite prior to mylonitic shearing and late-stage folding along the Miners Canyon shear zone. These events were followed by intrusion of the Ferris Mountains plutonic suite at ~2717 Ma. The emplacement of the yet undated granite of Bear Mountain records the last phase of Neoarchean magmatism. The timing of magmatism and deformation support a model that the Ferris Mountains basement rocks formed in an arc terrane distinct from the older Wyoming craton and were accreted to the province in the Neoarchean. Intrusion of a third mafic dike set is dated at 2113 ± 15 Ma and may date the silicified, epidote-rich zones that crosscut all of the Archean rock units. Lead isotopic compositions of galena within the Spanish Mine metamorphic suite indicate additional Proterozoic activity and mineralization.
Archean crustal growth by lateral accretion of juvenile supracrustal belts in the south-central Wyoming Province
Authors: Frost Carol D , Fruchey Benjamin L , Chamberlain Kevin R , Frost B Ronald
Published: January 2007

Neoarchean supracrustal sequences in the south-central Wyoming Province are exposed as relatively small belts in Laramide uplifts. Some sequences are composed of materials derived mainly from pre-existing Wyoming province crust, but others are dominated by juvenile components. The latter include the Miners Delight Formation in the Wind River Range, the Rattlesnake Hills Group in the Granite Mountains, and the Bradley Peak succession in the Seminoe Mountains. U–Pb zircon dates from interbedded metavolcanic rocks suggest that these supracrustal belts are of at least two different ages: ca. 2.67 and ca. 2.72 Ga. We identify a time of contractional deformation and accretion of some of these supracrustal packages to the southern Wyoming Province at ~2.65–2.63 Ga. Magmatism is nearly synchronous with deformation. Some granitoids intrude the Wyoming Province basement, as well as the juvenile rocks thrust onto this basement; these have Nd isotopic compositions indicating that these plutons assimilated some old continental basement during ascent. Plutons intruding the supracrustal rocks located farther from the margin do not show this continental influence. The time scale and geologic processes of deposition, contractional deformation, and plutonism appear analogous to Phanerozoic examples of oceanic terrane accretion, such as formed the Klamath Mountains Province of California and Oregon. We conclude that a major episode of Neoarchean crustal growth involved both the lateral accretion of juvenile terranes and the intrusion of arc magmas formed from mantle-derived and (or) juvenile crustal sources and was driven by geologic processes very similar to modern plate tectonics.
Temporal and spatial variation in the energy intake of a brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) population in an Appalachian watershed
Authors: Utz Ryan M , Hartman Kyle J
Published: January 2007

Stream-dwelling salmonids in eastern North America are often restricted to headwater watersheds, where productivity is low and thus feeding conditions are poor. We sought to quantify how energy intake varies with spatial and temporal variation by monitoring feeding rates in multiple sites over the course of two years. Daily rations were calculated for 939 fish by examining stomach contents. Maintenance rations were compared with daily rations using a bioenergetics model. Consumption peaked in spring, dropped substantially in summer, and remained low until the following spring. A minority of fish fed at very high levels during all seasons, elevating the mean consumption of the population. Fish occupying large sites with low trout densities consistently consumed more energy than fish in smaller streams with high trout densities. A direct relationship between trout density and mean consumption was observed during summer, when feeding conditions were poorest. Our findings suggest that within a headwater watershed, larger reaches of streams where fewer trout are found act as important feeding areas and thus may be important habitat for brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis).
Evidence for reduced genetic variation in severely deformed juvenile salmonids
Authors: Tiira Katriina , Piironen Jorma , Primmer Craig R
Published: January 2007

Inbreeding is one of the factors that can result in high infant mortality. In many species, however, mortality at early life stages is very difficult to observe in the wild and estimates from later life stages may therefore underestimate the effects of reduced genetic variability on fitness. Using microsatellites, we compared the amount of genetic variation in severely deformed fry of Lake Saimaa salmon (Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) hatchery brood stocks with normal fry from the same brood stocks. We observed significantly lower standardized heterozygosity and higher internal relatedness values for deformed fry of both species compared with normal fry. Our results suggest that (i) inbreeding can be an important factor causing severe deformities in juvenile salmonids and (ii) high mortality of severely deformed low heterozygosity individuals in early life stages may partly explain why some studies exploring heterozygosity–fitness correlations fail to find any association. An important direction for future research on this topic will be to compare the results of experiments conducted in captivity with those of similar experiments conducted in wild or semi-wild conditions, as such studies would help to better understand the direct relevance of research conducted in captivity with respect to the conservation of wild populations.