bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Topological twists
Authors: Allen John
Published: November 2011

The pervasive quality of governments to reach directly into our lives, the striking ability of far-flung corporations to make their presence felt at close quarters, and the ease with which NGOs fold distant harms into local campaigns all speak to a world in which distances are no longer a good indication of either separation or proximity. Such actions speak to a world in which proximity and distance play across one another, where topology not topography, it is argued, offers a better starting point to grasp many of the spatial and temporal dynamics involved. The article sets out the limits of territorial and networked approaches to power and goes on to show how the ability  of powerful bodies to draw distant others within close reach or construct the close-at-hand at a distance opens up an understanding of power more in tune with the spatial reworkings of authority and influence today. More significantly, it goes on to illustrate how power-topologies enable actors to register their presence through quieter, less brash forms of power than domination and overt control, and, in so doing, allow some actors to exert an influence and reach way beyond their means and resources.
Geography, space and the re-emergence of topological thinking
Authors: Paasi Anssi
Published: November 2011

‘Topological twists’ is one part of John Allen’s long project where he has profoundly examined the spatialities of (political) power and has considerably expanded our horizons. This commentary will reflect four themes related to his article ( Allen, 2011 ). Since there are currently several challenging views on the changing forms of power, I will first briefly compare his ideas of power with that of others. Second, I will scrutinize the re-emergence of topological thinking in social sciences and geography – ‘re-emergence’ because this idea has long roots. I will then comment on current ideas and related ‘geometric’ vocabularies, and finally discuss the issue of generalization versus context in the social sciences.
Neoliberalism, science institutions and new experiments in knowledge production
Authors: Campbell Hugh
Published: November 2011

The work of Larner on neoliberalism (e.g. Larner, 2003 , 2011 ) has had an important influence on scholars in the arguably most neoliberalized of economies – New Zealand ( Larner et al., 2007 ). Of particular importance is the direct confrontation of one of the key implicit framings within the prior scholarship on neoliberalism which has tended to equate all economic change during the last two decades as being caused by neoliberalization and all outcomes of these transformations as automatically bad. Larner (2011) argues for a decentring of the neoliberalism narrative as a sole explanation of all change in places like New Zealand. This commentary uses the revised approach of Larner and her New Zealand collaborators – Richard Le Heron and Nick Lewis – to briefly examine the consequences of neoliberalization in the context of state-funded science institutions in New Zealand. The result is an understanding of neoliberalization in the context of state-funded knowledge-production that recognizes multiple outcomes which resulted in both a reaffirmation of a core political project around traditional agricultural science, as well as the simultaneous emergence of new approaches, concepts and challenges. These new approaches are demonstrated by a group of new ‘transdisciplinary’ or methodologically innovative projects that are producing new kinds of knowledge about key transformations in primary production and new economic land use in New Zealand.
Pre-natal exposure to dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene and infant lower respiratory tract infections and wheeze
Authors: Gascon Mireia , Vrijheid Martine , Martínez David , Ballester Ferran , Basterrechea Mikel , Blarduni Elizabeth , Esplugues Ana , Vizcaino Esther , Grimalt Joan O. , Morales Eva , Sunyer Jordi
Published: November 2011

The aim of our study was to examine whether pre-natal exposure to dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) increases the risk of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) and wheeze in infants.

The study is based on a birth cohort of 1,455 mother–child pairs. Maternal serum concentrations of DDE, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were measured during pregnancy. Parental reports on LRTI and wheeze were obtained when children were 12–14 months old.

35.4% of children developed at least one LRTI episode and 33.6% at least one wheezing episode during their first 12–14 months of life. Median DDE, PCBs and HCB concentrations were 116.3, 113.7 and 46.4 ng·g−1lipid, respectively. DDE concentrations were associated with LRTI risk (relative risk (RR) per 10% increase 1.11, 95% CI 1.00–1.22), also after adjustment for PCBs and HCB. In all quartiles of DDE exposure, the risk of LRTI was increased compared with the lowest quartile, but the increase was statistically significant only in the third quartile (RR 1.33, 95% CI 1.08–1.62). No association was observed for PCBs and HCB. Results were similar for wheeze.

This study suggests that pre-natal DDE exposure is associated with a higher risk of LRTI and wheeze in infants independently of exposure to other organochlorine compounds.
Serotonin receptor 3A polymorphism c.-42C > T is associated with severe dyspepsia
Authors: Mujakovic Suhreta , ter Linde José JM , de Wit Niek J , van Marrewijk Corine J , Fransen Gerdine AJ , Onland-Moret N Charlotte , Laheij Robert JF , Muris Jean WM , Grobbee Diederick E , Samsom Melvin , Jansen Jan BMJ , Knottnerus André , Numans Mattijs E
Published: November 2011

Background

The association between anxiety and depression related traits and dyspepsia may reflect a common genetic predisposition. Furthermore, genetic factors may contribute to the risk of having increased visceral sensitivity, which has been implicated in dyspeptic symptom generation. Serotonin (5-HT) modulates visceral sensitivity by its action on 5-HT3 receptors. Interestingly, a functional polymorphism in HTR3A, encoding the 5-HT3 receptor A subunit, has been reported to be associated with depression and anxiety related traits. A functional polymorphism in the serotonin transporter (5-HTT), which terminates serotonergic signalling, was also found associated with these psychiatric comorbidities and increased visceral sensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome, which coexistence is associated with higher dyspeptic symptom severity. We investigated the association between these functional polymorphisms and dyspeptic symptom severity.

Methods

Data from 592 unrelated, Caucasian, primary care patients with dyspepsia participating in a randomised clinical trial comparing step-up and step-down antacid drug treatment (The DIAMOND trial) were analysed. Patients were genotyped for HTR3A c.-42C > T SNP and the 44 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in the 5-HTT promoter (5-HTTLPR). Intensity of 8 dyspeptic symptoms at baseline was assessed using a validated questionnaire (0 = none; 6 = very severe). Sum score ≥20 was defined severe dyspepsia.

Results

HTR3A c.-42T allele carriers were more prevalent in patients with severe dyspepsia (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.06-2.20). This association appeared to be stronger in females (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.25-3.39) and patients homozygous for the long (L) variant of the 5-HTTLPR genotype (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.01-3.94). Females with 5-HTTLPR LL genotype showed the strongest association (OR = 3.50, 95% CI = 1.37-8.90).

Conclusions

The HTR3A c.-42T allele is associated with severe dyspeptic symptoms. The stronger association among patients carrying the 5-HTTLPR L allele suggests an additive effect of the two polymorphisms. These results support the hypothesis that diminished 5-HT3 mediated antinociception predisposes to increased visceral sensitivity of the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, the HTR3A c.-42C > T and 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms likely represent predisposing genetic variants in common to psychiatric morbidity and dyspepsia.
Using discrete event simulation to compare the performance of family health unit and primary health care centre organizational models in Portugal
Authors: Fialho André S , Oliveira Mónica D , Sá Armando B
Published: November 2011

Background

Recent reforms in Portugal aimed at strengthening the role of the primary care system, in order to improve the quality of the health care system. Since 2006 new policies aiming to change the organization, incentive structures and funding of the primary health care sector were designed, promoting the evolution of traditional primary health care centres (PHCCs) into a new type of organizational unit - family health units (FHUs). This study aimed to compare performances of PHCC and FHU organizational models and to assess the potential gains from converting PHCCs into FHUs.

Methods

Stochastic discrete event simulation models for the two types of organizational models were designed and implemented using Simul8 software. These models were applied to data from nineteen primary care units in three municipalities of the Greater Lisbon area.

Results

The conversion of PHCCs into FHUs seems to have the potential to generate substantial improvements in productivity and accessibility, while not having a significant impact on costs. This conversion might entail a 45% reduction in the average number of days required to obtain a medical appointment and a 7% and 9% increase in the average number of medical and nursing consultations, respectively.

Conclusions

Reorganization of PHCC into FHUs might increase accessibility of patients to services and efficiency in the provision of primary care services.
GP96 is over-expressed in oral cavity cancer and is a poor prognostic indicator for patients receiving radiotherapy
Authors: Lin Chien-Yu , Lin Ting-Yang , Wang Hung-Ming , Huang Shiang-Fu , Fan Kang-Hsing , Liao Chun-Ta , Chen I-How , Lee Li-Yu , Li Yen-Liang , Chen Yin-Ju , Cheng Ann-Joy , Chang Joseph T
Published: November 2011

Background

Oral cavity cancers (ORC) are the most common cancers, and standard treatment is radical surgery with postoperative radiotherapy. However, locoregional failure remains a major problem, indicating radioresistance an important issue. Our previous work has shown that GP96 contributed to radioresistance in nasopharyngeal and oral cancer cell lines. In this study, we determined clinical significance of GP96 in ORC by evaluation of GP96 expression and its association with disease prognosis in patients receiving radiotherapy

Methods

Total of 79 ORC patients (77 males, median age: 48 years old) receiving radical surgery and postoperative radiotherapy between Oct 1999 and Dec 2004 were enrolled. Patients in pathological stages II, III and IV were 16.5%, 16.5% and 67%, respectively. For each patient, a pair of carcinoma tissue and grossly adjacent normal mucosa was obtained. GP96-expression was examined by western blot analysis, and the association with clinicopathological status was determined.

Results

Three-year locoregional control (LRC), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 69%, 79%, 63% and 57%, respectively. We found that 55 patients (70%) displayed GP96-overexpression in the tumor tissue, which correlated with a higher pN stage (p = 0.020) and tumor depth (> 10 mm) (p = 0.045). Nodal extracapsular spreading (ECS) and GP96-overexpression predicted adverse LRC (p = 0.049 and p = 0.008). When stratified by nodal ECS, the adverse impact of GP96 remained significant in three-year LRC (p = 0.004). In multivariate analysis, GP96-overexpression was also an independent predictor of LRC, DSS and OS (p = 0.018, p = 0.011 and p = 0.012).

Conclusion

GP96 may play roles in radioresistance which attributes to tumor invasiveness in oral cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. GP96 may serve as a novel prognostic marker of radiotherapy. However, further independent studies are required to validate our findings in a larger series.
Diet-induced obesity suppresses sevoflurane preconditioning against myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury: role of AMP-activated protein kinase pathway
Authors: Song Tao , Lv Liang-Ying , Xu Jia , Tian Zhe-Yu , Cui Wen-Yao , Wang Qiu-Shi , Qu Ge , Shi Xiao-Mei
Published: November 2011

Obesity is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease, but its impact on anesthetic-induced cardioprotective actions is unexplored. We tested whether obesity inhibits anesthetic sevoflurane-induced preconditioning and whether this effect is mediated via the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat (HF, 45% kcal as fat) or low-fat (LF, 10% kcal as fat) diet for 12 weeks. HF-fed rats developed metabolic disturbances including visceral obesity, hyperinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia and dyslipidemia. HF- or LF-fed rats subjected to 25 min of myocardial ischemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion were assigned to the following groups: control, sevoflurane preconditioning, sevoflurane plus AMPK inhibitor ara-A or AMPK activator A769662 alone. Infarct size was similar between the two control groups. Sevoflurane preconditioning significantly reduced infarct size in LF-fed rats but failed to induce cardioprotection in HF-fed rats. Phosphorylation of AMPK and endothelial nitric oxide synthase, as well as myocardial nitrite and nitrate, were also increased by sevoflurane preconditioning in LF-fed rats but not in HF-fed rats. Pretreatment with ara-A inhibited phosphorylation of AMPK and reversed sevoflurane preconditioning-induced cardioprotection in LF-fed rats, whereas it had no effects in HF-fed rats. In addition, sevoflurane preconditioning failed to enhance reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the myocardium of HF-fed rats compared with LF-fed rats. Direct activation of AMPK with A769662 equally increased phosphorylation of AMPK and reduced infarct size in both LF- and HF-fed rats. The results suggest that diet-induced obesity suppresses sevoflurane preconditioning-induced cardioprotective action, probably due to a diminished effect of sevoflurane preconditioning on activation of the ROS-mediated AMPK signaling pathway.
Vascular Access Sites for Acute Renal Replacement in Intensive Care Units
Authors: Dugué Audrey E. , Levesque Stéphanie P. , Fischer Marc-Olivier , Souweine Bertrand , Mira Jean-Paul , Megarbane Bruno , Daubin Cédric , du Cheyron Damien , Parienti Jean-Jacques
Published: November 2011

Background and objectives

Several temporary venous catheterizations are sometimes required for acute renal replacement therapy (RRT) in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study compares first and second catheterizations in the femoral and jugular veins in terms of patient safety.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

A crossover study from the catheter-dialysis randomized study (Cathedia), which was conducted among 736 critically ill adults requiring RRT, was performed. Catheter insertion complications, catheter-tip colonization, catheter dysfunction and urea reduction ratio (URR) were analyzed considering the crossover and longitudinal designs.

Results

This study analyzed134 patients who underwent two different sites of catheterization, 57 and 77 of whom were initially randomized in the femoral and jugular site, respectively. Using anatomic landmarks, time to insert a femoral catheter was shorter (P=0.01) and more successful (P=0.003) compared with catheterization in the jugular site. Time to catheter-tip colonization at removal was not significantly different between the two sites of insertion (median, 14 days in both groups; hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.61–1.59; P=0.96), as well as time to dysfunction. URRs were analyzed from 395 dialysis sessions (n=48 patients). No significant difference (P=0.49) in mean URR was detected between sessions performed through femoral (n=213; 50.9%) and jugular (n=182; 49.5%) dialysis catheters.

Conclusions

These results validate prior results of this study group and extend external validity to the second catheter used for RRT in the ICU. Femoral and internal jugular acute vascular access sites are both acceptable for RRT therapy in the ICU.
Early Renal Function Decline in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Pavkov Meda E. , Knowler William C. , Lemley Kevin V. , Mason Clinton C. , Myers Bryan D. , Nelson Robert G.
Published: November 2011

Background and objectives

Early decline in GFR may reflect progressive kidney disease in type 1 diabetes, but its predictive value in type 2 diabetes is uncertain.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

In this longitudinal study, GFR was measured serially over approximately 4.0 years in 195 Pima Indians with type 2 diabetes. Renal function decline (RFD) was defined during this initial period by an average GFR loss ≥3.3%/yr, as defined previously in type 1 diabetes. Subsequently, participants were followed for up to 17.8 years to ESRD onset, death, or December 31, 2010, whichever came first.

Results

RFD prevalence during the initial period was 32% in 68 participants with normal baseline albuminuria (albumin/creatinine ratio [ACR] < 30 mg/g), 42% in 88 with microalbuminuria (ACR 30 to <300 mg/g), and 74% in 39 with macroalbuminuria (ACR ≥300 mg/g; P<0.001). The cumulative incidence of ESRD 10 years after the initial period was 41% in those with RFD and 15% in those without (P<0.001); 41 of the 49 ESRD cases (83.7%) occurred in participants who had or developed macroalbuminuria during the initial period. When adjusted for age, sex, diabetes duration, and hemoglobin A1c, the ESRD hazard rate was 4.78 times (95% confidence interval, 2.39–9.58) as high in those with RFD as in those without; further adjustment for albuminuria attenuated this association (hazard ratio, 1.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.82–3.91).

Conclusions

In type 2 diabetes, loss of GFR often occurs before the onset of macroalbuminuria, but a decline predictive of ESRD is strongly dependent on progression to macroalbuminuria.
Dietary Patterns During Adolescence and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Middle-Aged Women
Authors: Malik Vasanti S. , Fung Teresa T. , van Dam Rob M. , Rimm Eric B. , Rosner Bernard , Hu Frank B.
Published: November 2011

OBJECTIVE

Whether dietary habits early in life can affect risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in adulthood is unknown. We evaluated the relationship between dietary patterns during adolescence and risk of T2DM in midlife.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We examined the 7-year incidence of T2DM in relation to dietary patterns during high school among 37,038 participants in the Nurses’ Health Study II cohort, who completed a food-frequency questionnaire about their diet during high school. Dietary patterns were derived by factor analysis. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate relative risk (RR) and 95% CI.

RESULTS

The prudent pattern, characterized by healthy foods, was not associated with risk of T2DM. The Western pattern, characterized by desserts, processed meats, and refined grains, was associated with 29% greater risk of T2DM (RR 1.29; 95% CI 1.00–1.66; P trend 0.04), after adjusting for high school and adult risk factors comparing extreme quintiles, but was attenuated after adjusting for adult weight change (1.19; 0.92–1.54). Women who had high Western pattern scores in high school and adulthood had an elevated risk of T2DM compared with women who had consistent low scores (1.82; 1.35–2.45), and this association was partly mediated by adult BMI (1.15; 0.85–1.56).

CONCLUSIONS

A Western dietary pattern during adolescence may increase risk of T2DM in later life, partly through adult weight gain. Preventive measures should be aimed at developing healthy dietary habits that begin in early life and continue through adulthood.
Elevated Admission Glucose and Mortality in Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Scherz Nathalie , Labarère José , Aujesky Drahomir , Méan Marie
Published: November 2011

OBJECTIVE

Although associated with adverse outcomes in other cardiopulmonary conditions, the prognostic value of elevated glucose in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is unknown. We sought to examine the association between glucose levels and mortality and hospital readmission rates for patients with PE.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We evaluated 13,621 patient discharges with a primary diagnosis of PE from 185 acute care hospitals in Pennsylvania (from January 2000 to November 2002). Admission glucose levels were analyzed as a categorical variable (≤110, >110–140, >140–170, >170–240, and >240 mg/dL). The outcomes were 30-day all-cause mortality and hospital readmission. We used random-intercept logistic regression to assess the independent association between admission glucose levels and mortality and hospital readmission, adjusting for patient (age, sex, race, insurance, comorbid conditions, severity of illness, laboratory parameters, and thrombolysis) and hospital (region, size, and teaching status) factors.

RESULTS

Elevated glucose (>110 mg/dL) was present in 8,666 (63.6%) patients. Patients with a glucose level ≤110, >110–140, >140–170, >170–240, and >240 mg/dL had a 30-day mortality of 5.6, 8.4, 12.0, 15.6, and 18.3%, respectively (P < 0.001). Compared with patients with a glucose level ≤110 mg/dL, the adjusted odds of dying were greater for patients with a glucose level >110–140 (odds ratio 1.19 [95% CI 1.00–1.42]), >140–170 (1.44 [1.17–1.77]), >170–240 (1.54 [1.26–1.90]), and >240 mg/dL (1.60 [1.26–2.03]), with no difference in the odds of hospital readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with acute PE, elevated admission glucose is common and independently associated with short-term mortality.
Sedimentation and Thermal Stratification During Floods: A Case Study on Hail Haor of North-East Bangladesh
Authors: Mondal M Shahjahan , Kouchi Yuichi , Okubo Kenji
Published: November 2011

The presence of numerous haors (seasonal lakes), and the occurrence of flash floods and sedimentation are among the dominant physical and hydro-climatic features of North-East Bangladesh. These features for one of the haors (Hail Haor) in the region are studied using a conceptual hydrological model and a hydraulic routine. The hydrologic model used for daily runoff estimation from rainfall and evaporation information is the widely used tank model. Both soil-moisture movement and stream-flow routing are considered in the developed model. The tank runoff is used as an input to a hydraulic routine for estimation of stream water temperatures and suspended sediment load. Based on the stream sediment concentration, sedimentation in a downstream lake (Hail Haor) is estimated and it is found to be about 25 mm per annum. The relationship between monsoonal flooding and thermal response of the haor is investigated with one-year measured data of haor temperatures and water level. Different heat fluxes and thermal stability parameters are also estimated. The advection flux and the Richardson number are found to be sensitive to flooding in the haor. The unique feature of the Hail Haor found in the context of lake ecology is that thermal stratification occurs during sunny days under calm weather and complete mixing occurs in the event of large flash floods. Keywords: tank model; suspended sediment; water temperature; thermal stratification; buoyancy flux; Richardson number; haor.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jhm.v6i1.5480 Journal of Hydrology and Meteorology, Vol. 6, No. 1 15-25
Water Rights: A key to sustainable development in Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Madhav Narayan
Published: November 2011

By addressing water, one will also address human development. People’s lack of access to safe and secure water is not due to the quantity of water available on the earth but rather because the institutions set up to manage the issues are not up to the challenge. In Nepal Muluki Ain (Laws of Land) did not regulate water much in detail because water was not considered an important resource and a source of major revenue. Water rights are based on practices legitimized by law and they are related to political, economic and social relationship and to other rights such as land rights Muluki Ain (1854, 1952 and 1963),which regulates priority in acquiring water from water sources, and allocation of water. Acts promulgated between 1961 and 1992 reflect the growing importance of water resources in Nepalese political economy and not only empower the state to regulate water use, they also vested ownership of all water resources with the state. Although various Acts gave water rights to every citizen of Nepal, there are gender bias in executing power and rights to use water sources. Water scarcity problem can perhaps be due to geographical reality, climate change or to the excessive use of water resource in one sector and a resulting loss of raw water available for other uses. Issues such as good water governance, negotiation and collaboration for water sharing, awareness on values of water, management of water induced disasters etc needs specific attention.Keywords: muluki Ain (laws of land); Bhupati (land lords)DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jhm.v6i1.5486Journal of Hydrology and Meteorology, Vol. 6, No. 1 37-43
Ultrasonic Tomography for Evaluation of Concrete Pavements
Authors: Hoegh Kyle , Khazanovich Lev , Yu H. Thomas
Published: November 2011

Ultrasonic tomography is an emerging technology that shows promise for quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) during construction or for rehabilitation decisions about concrete pavements. However, the benefits of this emerging technology have not yet been fully captured for widespread use in highway infrastructure management. Verification of a state-of-the-art ultrasonic tomography device, MIRA, is presented through multiple field trials involving typical pavement constructability and rehabilitation issues. Field trials indicate that although the device is a useful portable pavement diagnostic alternative capable of consistent thickness measurement, reinforcement location, and distress evaluation, significant efforts and user expertise are required for measurement and data interpretation of large-scale application. Software was developed for a more productive, objective signal interpretation method with auto-mated analysis of reinforcement location in continuously reinforced concrete pavement. This type of automation for multiple applications shows promise for the use of ultrasonic tomography to improve large-scale pavement QA/QC and rehabilitation projects in the future. Nevertheless, the research in the paper shows ultrasonic tomography to be an accurate, reliable, and convenient alternative or supplement to traditional techniques that can be used for a wide variety of small-scale pavement diagnostics applications.
Examination of the influence of ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament on symptom progression and surgical outcome of ossification of the thoracic ligamentum flavum: a multicenter study
Authors: Ando Kei , Imagama Shiro , Wakao Norimitsu , Hirano Kenichi , Tauchi Ryoji , Muramoto Akio , Kato Fumihiko , Yukawa Yasutsugu , Kawakami Noriaki , Sato Koji , Matsubara Yuji , Kanemura Tokumi , Matsuyama Yukihiro , Ishiguro Naoki
Published: November 2011

Object

The purpose of this study was to provide the first evidence for the influence of an ossified anterior longitudinal ligament (OALL) on the clinical features and surgical outcomes in an ossified ligamentum flavum (OLF) in the thoracic region.

Methods

Sixty-three patients who underwent surgery for a 1-level thoracic OLF were identified, and preoperative symptoms, severity of symptoms and myelopathy, disease duration, MR imaging and CT findings, surgical procedure, intraoperative findings, complications, and postoperative recovery were investigated in these patients. Entities of OALLs were found on sagittal CT images to be adjacent to or at the same vertebral level as the OLF were classified into 4 types: no discernible type (Type N), one-sided (Type O), discontinuous (Type D), and continuous (Type C).

Results

The duration of symptoms was especially long for Types D and C OALLs. Patients with Type D OALLs had a significantly worse percentage of recovery, as well as worse preoperative JOA scores.

Conclusions

The authors' results showed that a Type D OALL had strong associations with preoperative severity of symptoms and surgical outcomes. These findings may allow surgeons to determine the severity of preoperative symptoms and the probable surgical outcomes from the OALL classifications. Moreover, surgery with instrumentation for Type D OALLs may produce better surgical outcomes.
4-Acetoxydolastane Diterpene from the Brazilian Brown Alga Canistrocarpus cervicornis as Antileishmanial Agent
Authors: Santos Adriana Oliveira dos , Britta Elizandra Aparecida , Bianco Everson Miguel , Ueda-Nakamura Tania , Filho Benedito Prado Dias , Pereira Renato Crespo , Nakamura Celso Vataru
Published: November 2011

Natural marine products have shown an interesting array of diverse and novel chemical structures with potent biological activities. Our study reports the antiproliferative assays of crude extracts, fraction and pure compound (4R,9S,14S)-4α-acetoxy-9β,14α-dihydroxydolast-1(15),7-diene (1) obtained from brown alga Canistrocarpus cervicornis showing the antileishmanial activity. We showed that 1 had a dose-dependent activity during 72 h of treatment, exhibiting IC50 of 2.0 µg/mL, 12.0 µg/mL, and 4.0 µg/mL for promastigote, axenic amastigote and intracellular amastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis, respectively. A cytotoxicity assay showed that the action of the isolated compound 1 was 93.0 times less toxic to the macrophage than to the protozoan. Additionally, compound 1 induced ultrastructural changes, including extensive mitochondrial damage; decrease in Rh123 fluorescence, suggesting interference with the mitochondrial membrane potential; and lipid peroxidation in parasite cells. The use of 1 from C. cervicornis against L. amazonensis parasites might be of great interest as a future alternative to the development of new antileishmanial drugs.
A CUSTOMIZED AND PORTABLE COMPONENT-BASED FRAMEWORK FOR INTELLIGENT HOMECARE SYSTEM DESIGN WITH VIDEO AND PHYSIOLOGICAL MONITORING MACHINERIES
Authors: Chen Yen-Lin , Chiang Chuan-Yen , Yu Chao-Wei , Yuan Shyan-Ming , Hong Zeng-Wei
Published: November 2011

This study proposes a customized and reusable component-based design framework based on the UML modeling process for intelligent home healthcare systems. All the proposed functional components are reusable, replaceable, and extensible for the system developers to implement customized home healthcare systems addressing different demands of patients and caregivers from healthcare monitoring aspects. The prototype design of the intelligent healthcare system based on these proposed components can provide the following features: (1) monitoring and recording videos of rehabilitation situations and patient behavior using multiple CCD cameras, which can be stored accordingly in an archive; (2) recording the patient's physiological data and corresponding treatment plan, which can be stored in an XML archiving database for caregivers' review; (3) automatically alerting patients to remind them of medication schedules or treatment plans, while recording the patient's treatment situations; (4) caregivers monitoring videos and physiological records of the patient's rehabilitation using handheld mobile devices via the Internet or wireless communication networks; and (5) caregivers and patients establishing alert mechanisms for the patients' physiological warning states. If the patient's physiological state suddenly deteriorates, the module would immediately alert caregivers by sending notification messages to their remote mobile devices or web browsers.
Parasites of South African wildlife. XIX. The prevalence of helminths in some common antelopes, warthogs and a bushpig in the Limpopo province, South Africa
Authors: Van Wyk Ilana C. , Boomker Joop
Published: November 2011

Little work has been conducted on the helminth parasites of artiodactylids in the northern and western parts of the Limpopo province, which is considerably drier than the rest of the province. The aim of this study was to determine the kinds and numbers of helminth that occur in different wildlife hosts in the area as well as whether any zoonotic helminths were present. Ten impalas (Aepyceros melampus), eight kudus (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), four blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), two black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou), three gemsbok (Oryx gazella), one nyala (Tragelaphus angasii), one bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), one waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus), six warthogs (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) and a single bushpig (Potamochoerus porcus) were sampled from various localities in the semi-arid northern and western areas of the Limpopo province. New host–parasite associations included Trichostrongylus deflexus from blue wildebeest, Agriostomum gorgonis from black wildebeest, Stilesia globipunctata from the waterbuck and Fasciola hepatica in a kudu. The mean helminth burden, including extra-gastrointestinal helminths, was 592 in impalas, 407 in kudus and blue wildebeest, 588 in black wildebeest, 184 in gemsbok, and 2150 in the waterbuck. Excluding Probstmayria vivipara, the mean helminth burden in warthogs was 2228 and the total nematode burden in the bushpig was 80. The total burdens and species richness of the helminths in this study were consistently low when compared with similar studies on the same species in areas with higher rainfall. This has practical implications when animals are translocated to areas with higher rainfall and higher prevalence of helminths.
Partikel-Swerm-Optimering (PSO) toetsbank vir globale wiskundige minimeringsprobleme
Authors: De Bruin Ludwig , Ehlers Elize M.
Published: November 2011

’n Partikel-Swerm-Optimering (PSO) toetsbank is ontwikkel om verskillende algoritmes te vergelyk. Die toetsbank stel ons in staat om te bepaal watter tipe algoritmes verskillende probleme die beste oplos. Hierdie referaat sal eerstens wiskundige optimering definieer, kortliks PSO verduidelik, die toetsbankstelsel opsom en laastens na resultate verwys.
Change of iron species and iron solubility in Asian dust during the long-range transport from western China to Japan
Authors: Takahashi Y. , Higashi M. , Furukawa T. , Mitsunobu S.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. In the North Pacific, transport and deposition of mineral dust from Asia appear to be one of major sources of iron which can regulate growth of phytoplankton in the ocean. In this process, it is essential to identify chemical species of iron contained in Asian dust, because bioavailability of iron in the ocean is strongly influenced by the solubility of iron, which in turn is dependent on iron species in the dust. Here, we report that clay minerals (illite and chlorite) in the dusts near the source collected at Aksu (western China) can be transformed into ferrihydrite by atmospheric chemical processes during their long-range transport to eastern China (Qingdao) and Japan (Tsukuba) based on the speciation by X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and other methods such as X-ray diffraction and chemical extraction. As a result, Fe molar ratio in Aksu (illite : chlorite : ferrihydrite = 70 : 25 : 5) was changed to that in Tsukuba (illite : chlorite : ferrihydrite = 65 : 10 : 25). Moreover, leaching experiments were conducted to study the change of iron solubility. It was found that the iron solubility for the dust in Tsukuba (soluble iron fraction: 11.8 % and 1.10 % for synthetic rain water and seawater, respectively) was larger than that in Aksu (4.1 % and 0.28 %, respectively), showing that iron in the dust after the transport becomes more soluble possibly due to the formation of ferrihydrite in the atmosphere. Our findings suggested that secondary formation of ferrihydrite during the transport should be considered as one of important processes in evaluating the supply of soluble iron to seawater.
Contact Lens–Related Dry Eye and Ocular Surface Changes with Mapping Technique in Long-Term Soft Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lens Wearers
Authors: Sengor Tomris , Kurna Sevda Aydin , Ozbay Nurver , Ertek Semahat , Aki Suat , Altun Ahmet
Published: November 2011

Purpose

To evaluate ocular surface changes in long-term silicone hydrogel contact lens wearers.

Methods

Thirty patients were included in this study. Twenty patients (40 eyes) using contact lenses constituted group 1 and 10 (20 eyes) volunteers constituted group 2. The duration of average contact lens usage was 7.74±3.3 years. Ocular surface was evaluated by surface staining, tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer I test, and conjunctival impression cytology with color-coded mapping technique and by the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI).

Results

The mean break-up time was lower and staining scores were higher in group 1 (p<0.001) but Schirmer values were not significantly different from group 2 (p>0.05). The mean OSDI score was 34.59±11.93 to 19.28±6.7 in group 1 and 2. Increased metaplastic predominant changes of grade II and III were observed in the interpalpebral and perilimbal areas in group 1. Significant correlations were observed in TBUT, cornea staining, and grade II to grade III metaplasia ratios between duration of the lens usage and contact lens wear time in a day.

Conclusions

Silicone hydrogel lenses produce significant changes on tear film and impression cytology of the ocular surface in long-term use.
Água, Solo e Educação Ambiental
Authors: Silva Maristella Sampaio Marques da , Nascimento Vera Lúcia Batista do , Bastos Filho Jenner Barreto
Published: November 2011

Neste livro, os organizadores – os Profs. João Tertuliano Nepomuceno Agra e José Otávio Aguiar da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande- foram suficientemente hábeis para reunir trabalhos diversos de 17 autores. Este empreendimento relevante para a reflexão ambiental no contexto do semi-árido do Nordeste brasileiro, em particular do semi-árido paraibano, já mostra a dimensão do projeto. Esses autores, embora apresentem contribuições variadas e sob diferentes pontos de vista, conseguem escrever relevantes peças que se complementam em um produto final, a um só tempo, articulado e didático.
Suleiman I (“the Magnificent”) (1494–1566)
Authors: Bonney Richard
Published: November 2011

No Ottoman prince acceded to the throne with such advantages as those Selim bequeathed to his son Suleiman I, “the law‐giver” (Qanuni), who acceded to the throne in September 1520 at the age of 25. (His people did not refer to him by the epithet “the Magnificent” given to him in western Europe.) A lesser prince would have been content to consolidate Selim's achievement by making administrative and legal reforms. Suleiman certainly did this, thus earning his sobriquet; but he also led his army on 13 great campaigns, spending over ten years in the field and gaining a reputation as one of the greatest of all Ottoman military leaders.
Design and Synthesis of New 1,3‐Benzdiazinan‐4‐one Derivatives as Selective Cyclooxygenase (COX‐2) Inhibitors
Authors: Zarghi Afshin , Zebardast Tannaz , Hajighasemali Fatemeh , Alipoor Eskandar , Daraie Bahram , Hedayati Mehdi
Published: November 2011

A new group of regioisomeric 2,3‐diaryl‐1,3‐benzdiazinan‐4‐ones, possessing a methyl sulfonyl pharmacophore, were synthesized and their biological activities were tested for cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitory activity. In vitro COX‐1/COX‐2 inhibition studies identified 3‐(p‐fluorophenyl)‐2‐(4‐methylsulfonylphenyl)‐1,3‐benzdiazinane‐4‐one (2b) as a potent and highly selective (IC50 = 0.07 µM; selectivity index = 572.8) COX‐2 inhibitor.
Design, Synthesis and Cytotoxicity of Novel Chalcone Analogs Derived from 1‐Cyclohexylpyrrolidin‐2‐one and 2,3‐Dihydrobenzo[f]chromen‐1‐one
Authors: Brien Kimberly A. , Bandi Ravi Kumar , Behera Ajaya Kumar , Mishra Bijay Kumar , Majumdar Poulomi , Satam Vijay , Savagian Mia , Tzou Samuel , Lee Megan , Zeller Matthias , Robles Andrew J. , Mooberry Susan , Pati Hari , Lee Moses
Published: November 2011

Two divergent series of novel chalcone analogs, one derived from 1‐cyclohexylpyrrolidin‐2‐one and the other derived from 1‐benzo[f]chromanone, were designed, synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxicity against two murine cancer cell lines. Two 1‐benzo[f]chromanone analogs, 4g and 4j yielded moderate toxicity against both melanoma B16 and lymphoma L1210 cell lines with IC50 values between the range of 5 and 6 µM. With an IC50 value of 3.4 µM, compound 4g was also active against human MDA‐MB‐435 melanoma cells. X‐ray structures of the β‐hydroxy ketone product (4a) and the α,β‐unsaturated ketone (4h) were collected, and confirm the syn‐configuration between the carbonyl moiety and the β‐vinylic proton in 4h. X‐ray structures of two 1‐cyclohexylpyrrolidin‐2‐one derivatives were also obtained, and both showed an E‐configuration for the double bond.
The ribosomal exit tunnel as a target for optimizing protein expression in Escherichia coli
Authors: Contreras‐Martinez Lydia M. , Boock Jason T. , Kostecki Jan S. , DeLisa Matthew P.
Published: November 2011

The folding of many cellular proteins occurs co‐translationally immediately outside the ribosome exit tunnel, where ribosomal proteins and other associated factors coordinate the synthesis and folding of newly translated polypeptides. Here, we show that the large subunit protein L29, which forms part of the exit tunnel in Escherichia coli, is required for the productive synthesis of an array of structurally diverse recombinant proteins including the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and an intracellular single‐chain Fv antibody. Surprisingly, the corresponding mRNA transcript level of these proteins was markedly less abundant in cells lacking L29, suggesting an unexpected regulatory mechanism that links defects in the exit tunnel to the expression of genetic information. To further highlight the importance of L29 in maintaining protein expression, we used mutagenesis and selection to obtain L29 variants that enhanced GFP expression. Overall, our results suggest that the ribosomal exit tunnel proteins may be key targets for optimizing the overproduction of active, structurally complex recombinant proteins in bacterial cells.

See accompanying Commentary by Baneyx DOI: 10.1002/biot.201100488
DNA‐Binding Small‐Ligand‐Immobilized Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor for Detecting Thymine‐Related Single‐Nucleotide Polymorphisms
Authors: Miura Sara , Nishizawa Seiichi , Suzuki Akinori , Fujimoto Yukiko , Ono Katsuya , Gao Qiang , Teramae Norio
Published: November 2011

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor that carries DNA‐binding small ligands has been developed for the detection of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). 3,5‐Diaminopyrazine derivatives, with a hydrogen‐bonding profile fully complementary to the thymine base, were utilized as recognition elements on the sensor surface, and a target single‐stranded DNA sequence was hybridized with a DNA probe containing an abasic site to place this site opposite a nucleobase to be detected. In a continuous flow of sample solutions buffered to pH 6.4 (0.25 M NaCl), the 3,5‐diaminopyrazine‐based SPR sensor can detect an orphan nucleobase in the duplex with a clear selectivity for thymine over cytosine, guanine, and adenine (5’‐GTT GGA GCT GXG GGC GTA GGC‐3’/3’‐CAA CCT CGA CNC CCG CAT CCG‐5’; X=abasic site, N=target nucleobase G, C, A, or T). The SPR response was linear in the concentration range 10–100 nM. Allele discrimination is possible based on the combination of different binding surfaces in a flow cell of the SPR system, which is demonstrated for the analysis of the thymine/cytosine mutation present in 63‐meric polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification products (Ha‐ras gene, codon 12, antisense strand). Comparison with a bulk assay based on 3,5‐diaminopyrazine/DNA binding shows that the immobilization of 3,5‐diaminopyrazine derivatives on the SPR sensor allows more sensitive detection of the target DNA sequence, and binding selectivity can be tuned by controlling the salt concentration of sample solutions. These features of the DNA‐binding small‐molecule‐immobilized SPR sensor are discussed as a basis for the design of SPR biosensors for SNP genotyping.
Different Rearrangement Behaviour of the Cation or Anion Derived from the Diels–Alder Adduct of 9‐Ferrocenylanthracene and 1,4‐Benzoquinone: Ring‐Opening or Paddlewheel Formation
Authors: Nikitin Kirill , Müller‐Bunz Helge , Ortin Yannick , McGlinchey Michael J.
Published: November 2011

Prototropic rearrangement of the Diels–Alder adduct (3 a) of 9‐ferrocenylanthracene and 1,4‐benzoquinone potentially furnishes 9‐ferrocenyl‐1,4‐dihydroxytriptycene (3 b) incorporating aC2vsymmetrical paddlewheel moiety. However, reaction of3 awith HBF4unexpectedly yields instead 9‐ferrocenyl‐10‐(2,5‐dihydroxyphenyl)anthracene (4) via cleavage of the C9C12 bond to generate initially a ferrocenyl‐stabilized cation. Treatment of3 awith sodium hydride and iodomethane yields 1,4‐dimethoxy‐9‐ferrocenyltriptycene (3 c) in high yield but, surprisingly, also leads to fission of the C9C12 bond resulting, after methylation, in the formation of 9‐hydroxy‐9‐ferrocenyl‐10‐(2‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxyphenyl)dihydroanthracene (12), which readily dehydrates on silica to form 9‐ferrocenyl‐10‐(2‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxyphenyl)anthracene (8). The X‐ray crystal structures of3 a,3 cand4are reported.
ChemInform Abstract: Direct Correlation Between Nitrogen Chemisorption and Ammonia Synhesis Activity of Ruthenium Catalysts Supported on Carbon Covered Alumina ( CCA).
Authors: MASTHAN S. K. , PRASAD P. S. S. , RAO K. S. R. , RAO P. K.
Published: November 2011

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Asymmetric Diels‐Alder Reactions of Cyclopentadiene with N‐Crotonoyl‐1, 3‐oxazolidin‐2‐one Derivatives Mediated by Chiral Lewis Acids.
Authors: CHAPUIS C. , BAUER T. , JEZEWSKI A. , JURCZAK J.
Published: November 2011

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis of Extended Linear Aromatics Using Tandem Diels‐Alder Aromatization Reactions.
Authors: MORRIS J. L. , BECKER C. L. , FRONCZEK F. R. , DALY W. H. , MCLAUGHLIN M. L.
Published: November 2011

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Photolysis of 3‐Chloro‐3‐aryldiazirines in the Presence of Amines and Allyl Alcohol.
Authors: LIU M. T. H. , ROMASHIN Y. N. , VENKATACHALAM T. K.
Published: November 2011

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: 3,3‐Dicyclopropyl‐1,2‐dioxetanes: Unusual Temperature Effect on the Singlet Oxygenation of 1,1‐Dialkylethylenes.
Authors: MATSUMOTO M. , SUGANUMA H.
Published: November 2011

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.