bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eco-evolutionary dynamics
Authors: Pelletier F. , Garant D. , Hendry A.P.
Published: May 2009

Evolutionary ecologists and population biologists have recently considered that ecological and evolutionary changes are intimately linked and can occur on the same time-scale. Recent theoretical developments have shown how the feedback between ecological and evolutionary dynamics can be linked, and there are now empirical demonstrations showing that ecological change can lead to rapid evolutionary change. We also have evidence that microevolutionary change can leave an ecological signature. We are at a stage where the integration of ecology and evolution is a necessary step towards major advances in our understanding of the processes that shape and maintain biodiversity. This special feature about ‘eco-evolutionary dynamics’ brings together biologists from empirical and theoretical backgrounds to bridge the gap between ecology and evolution and provide a series of contributions aimed at quantifying the interactions between these fundamental processes.
Management of the Acute Scrotum in a District General Hospital: 10-Year Experience
Authors: Tajchner Lukas , Larkin John O. , Bourke Michael G. , Waldron Ronan , Barry Kevin , Eustace Paul W.
Published: May 2009

The acutely painful scrotum is a common urologic emergency. The primary objective of management is to avoid testicular loss. This requires a high index of clinical suspicion and prompt surgical intervention. In our series conducted between January 1996 and December 2005, 119 patients (age range: 4–62 years) underwent emergency operative exploration for acute scrotal pain. The most common finding was torted cyst of Morgagni (63/119, 52.9%), followed by testicular torsion (41/119, 34.4%). The majority of testicular torsions occurred in the pubertal group (22/41, 53.6%). Only one patient in this group had an unsalvageable testis necessitating orchidectomy, a testicular loss rate in torsion of 2.4%. There were no postoperative wound infections or scrotal haematomas. Testicular salvage depends critically on early surgical intervention, so the delay incurred in diagnostic imaging may extend the period of ischaemia. Furthermore, all radiological investigations have a certain false-negative rate. We advocate immediate surgical exploration of the acute scrotum. We report a low orchidectomy rate (2.4%) in testicular torsion.
Brachial Plexus Anatomy: Normal and Variant
Authors: Orebaugh Steven L. , Williams Brian A.
Published: May 2009

Effective brachial plexus blockade requires a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the plexus, as well as an appreciation of anatomic variations that may occur. This review summarizes relevant anatomy of the plexus, along with variations and anomalies that may affect nerve blocks conducted at these levels. The Medline, Cochrane Library, and PubMed electronic databases were searched in order to compile reports related to the anatomy of the brachial plexus using the following free terms: "brachial plexus", "median nerve", "ulnar nerve", "radial nerve", "axillary nerve", and "musculocutanous nerve". Each of these was then paired with the MESH terms "anatomy", "nerve block", "anomaly", "variation", and "ultrasound". Resulting articles were hand searched for additional relevant literature. A total of 68 searches were conducted, with a total of 377 possible articles for inclusion. Of these, 57 were found to provide substantive information for this review. The normal anatomy of the brachial plexus is briefly reviewed, with an emphasis on those features revealed by use of imaging technologies. Anomalies of the anatomy that might affect the conduct of the various brachial plexus blocks are noted. Brachial plexus blockade has been effectively utilized as a component of anesthesia for upper extremity surgery for a century. Over that period, our understanding of anatomy and its variations has improved significantly. The ability to explore anatomy at the bedside, with real-time ultrasonography, has improved our appreciation of brachial plexus anatomy as well.
Improvement of radiation‐induced healing delay by etanercept treatment in rat arteries
Authors: Sugiyama Kenji , Yamaguchi Masayuki , Kuroda Junichiro , Takanashi Masakazu , Ishikawa Yukio , Fujii Hirofumi , Ishii Toshiharu , Esumi Hiroyasu
Published: May 2009

Surgical treatment often causes difficulty in the irradiated field because of delayed wound healing, which is mainly due to vascular dysfunction. To overcome this difficulty, we attempted to accelerate the recovery from clamp injury in irradiated superficial epigastric arteries of rats as a model. Etanercept, a soluble receptor of tumor necrosis factor‐α, was administered four times to rats with irradiated arteries before and after clamp injury. Loss of endothelial cells and necrosis of the media in the irradiated arteries continued for more than 1 week after the injury; however, in the rats treated with etanercept, the endothelial cells recovered in the intima, and α‐smooth muscle actin‐positive smooth muscle cells recovered in the injured and irradiated arteries. After clamp injury of common carotid arteries that had previously been irradiated, the blood flow in these arteries was visualized by magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. The time‐of‐flight signal was weakened in the injured and irradiated arteries. This time‐of‐flight signal was recovered by the etanercept treatment. These findings suggest that etanercept improves the radiation‐impaired healing of arteries in rats. (Cancer Sci2009)
Relationship of sleep quality and quality of life in children with monosymptomatic enuresis
Authors: Ertan P. , Yilmaz O. , Caglayan M. , Sogut A. , Aslan S. , Yuksel H.
Published: May 2009

Background  Health‐related quality of life (QoL) in children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis might be influenced by impaired quality of sleep. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible deteriorations in QoL and sleep quality and the association between these parameters in children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis.

Methods  The study consisted of 44 children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and 27 healthy controls aged 6–15 years. KINDL QoL and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were applied to all children.

Results  Mean total KINDL scores in enuresis and control groups were 65.1 ± 11.0 vs. 67.4 ± 13.7, respectively (P = 0.44). PSQI scores were not significantly different between the groups (P > 0.05l). In the enuresis group, age showed significant negative correlation with self‐esteem domain of KINDL (r = −0.39, P = 0.01) and positive correlation with sleep duration sub‐score of the PSQI (r = 0.37, P = 0.03). Duration of enuresis showed significantly negative correlation with total KINDL score and self‐esteem domain (r = −0.32 and r = −0.39, P = 0.04 and P = 0.01, respectively). There was significant correlation between physical well‐being sub‐score of KINDL with daytime dysfunction and total scores of PSQI (r = −0.53, P = 0.001 and r = −0.41, P = 0.02, respectively). Daytime dysfunction sub‐score of PSQI was significantly correlated with friends sub‐score of KINDL (r = −0.33, P = 0.04).

Conclusions  As age of the child and duration of enuresis increase, self‐esteem domain of QoL worsens. Moreover, there is a significant correlation of physical well‐being and friends domains of QoL score and total and daytime dysfunction scores of PSQI. These findings necessitate global evaluation of QoL and sleep quality in children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis to increase efficacy of health care.
A comprehensive model of care for rehabilitation of children with acquired brain injuries
Authors: Chevignard M. , Toure H. , Brugel D. G. , Poirier J. , Laurent‐Vannier A.
Published: May 2009

Background  Acquired brain injury (ABI) is a leading cause of death and lifelong acquired disability in children and remains a significant public health issue. Deficits may only become fully apparent when developmental demands increase and once cognitive processes are expected to be fully developed. It is therefore necessary to provide organized long‐term follow‐up for children post ABI. Despite these recommendations, it has been shown that only a small proportion of children received specialized rehabilitation and adequate follow‐up after ABI.

Aims  The aims are: (i) to describe a comprehensive model of care devoted to children with acquired brain injuries; and (ii) to provide descriptive data analysing the characteristics of children followed up, the type/amount of services provided and general outcomes.

Programme description  The programme features an in‐ and outpatient rehabilitation facility, where multidisciplinary rehabilitation and specialized schooling are provided. The ultimate goal of the programme is to promote each child's successful reintegration in school and in the community. Adequate preparation of discharge is essential, long‐term follow‐up is organized, and an outreach programme has been developed to deal with the complex delayed psychosocial issues.

Results  Overall outcome, as measured by the Glasgow Outcome Scale, improved dramatically between admission (3.3; SD = 0.45) and discharge (2.15; SD = 0.74). Most of the children were discharged home with an adequate personalized plan for ongoing rehabilitation and school adaptations. Analysis of the outreach programme underlines the more challenging issues arising in late adolescence‐early adulthood.

Conclusion  Given the specificities of childhood ABI, long‐term specific care must be organized and co‐ordinated, regardless of injury severity.
Comparison of adjuvant and adjuvant‐free murine experimental asthma models
Authors: Conrad M. L. , Yildirim A. Ö. , Sonar S. S. , Kılıç A. , Sudowe S. , Lunow M. , Teich R. , Renz H. , Garn H.
Published: May 2009

Introduction
The most widely used protocol for the induction of experimental allergic airway inflammation in mice involves sensitization by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of the antigen ovalbumin (OVA) used in conjunction with the adjuvant aluminium hydroxide (alum). Although adjuvants are frequently used, there are questions regarding the necessity of alum for murine asthma studies due to the non‐physiological nature of this chemical.

Objective
The objective of this study was to compare experimental asthma phenotypes between adjuvant and adjuvant‐free protocols of murine allergic airway inflammation in an attempt to develop a standardized alternative to adjuvant use.

Method
An adjuvant‐free OVA model of experimental asthma was investigated in BALB/c mice using i.p. or subcutaneous (s.c.) sensitization routes. For the s.c. sensitization, β‐galactosidase (β‐gal) was also tested as an antigen. In addition, OVA adjuvant and adjuvant‐free sensitization protocols were compared in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Open‐field testing was performed to assess the effect of alum on mouse behaviour.

Results
Comparison of adjuvant vs. adjuvant‐free and i.p. vs. s.c. protocols revealed that both adjuvant use and route of antigen application significantly influenced OVA‐specific antibody production. Comparison of adjuvant and adjuvant‐free protocols in this study clearly demonstrated the non‐requirement of alum for the induction of acute allergic airway inflammation, as both protocols induce a similar disease phenotype. BALB/c mice were significantly more susceptible than C57BL/6 mice to sensitization. Using the improved s.c. adjuvant‐free protocol, it was demonstrated that alternative antigens such as β‐gal can also be utilized. Behavioural studies indicated severe distress in mice treated with alum.

Conclusion
The OVA s.c. adjuvant‐free protocol used in this study generates a phenotype comparable to the benchmark adjuvant protocol widely used in the literature. The adjuvant‐free alternative avoids the added complication of non‐physiological adjuvants that may interfere with asthma treatment or prevention strategies.
A mouse model of lupin allergy
Authors: Vinje N. E. , Larsen S. , Løvik M.
Published: May 2009

Background
Lupin has been introduced as a new food ingredient in an increasing number of European countries, resulting in reports of allergic reactions mostly due to cross‐reactions in peanut‐allergic individuals. Some cases of primary lupin allergy have also been reported.

Objective
The aim of our study was to develop a food allergy model of lupin in mice with anaphylaxis as the endpoint and further, to develop an approach to estimate the allergen dose inducing maximal sensitization using a statistical design requiring a limited number of animals.

Methods
Mice were immunized by intragastric gavage using cholera toxin as an adjuvant. A two‐compartment response surface design with IgE as the main variable was used to estimate the maximal sensitizing dose of lupin in the model. This estimated dose was further used to evaluate the model. The mice were challenged with a high dose of lupin and signs of an anaphylactic reaction were observed. Antibody reactions (IgE and IgG2a), serum mast cell protease [mouse mast cell protease‐1 (MMCP‐1)] and ex vivo production of cytokines (IL‐4, IL‐5 and IFN‐γ) by spleen cells were measured. An immunoblot with regard to IgE binding was also performed.

Results
The dose that elicited the maximal sensitization measured as IgE was 5.7 mg lupin protein per immunization. Mice that received this dose developed anaphylactic reactions upon challenge, IgE against several proteins in the lupin extract, and high levels of MMCP‐1, and showed a general shift towards a T‐helper type 2 response. Post‐challenge serum MMCP‐1 levels corresponded to the seriousness of the anaphylactic reactions.

Conclusion
We have established a mouse model with clinical symptoms of lupin allergy, with an optimized dose of lupin protein. A statistical design that can be used to determine an optimal immunization dose with the use of a minimum of laboratory animals is described.
Land‐cover data improve bioclimatic models for anurans and turtles at a regional scale
Authors: Tingley R. , Herman T. B.
Published: May 2009

Aim We investigated whether accounting for land cover could improve bioclimatic models for eight species of anurans and three species of turtles at a regional scale. We then tested whether accounting for spatial autocorrelation could significantly improve bioclimatic models after statistically controlling for the effects of land cover.

Location Nova Scotia, eastern Canada.

Methods Species distribution data were taken from a recent (1999–2003) herpetofaunal atlas. Generalized linear models were used to relate the presence or absence of each species to climate and land‐cover variables at a 10‐km resolution. We then accounted for spatial autocorrelation using an autocovariate or third‐order trend surface of the geographical coordinates of each grid square. Finally, variance partitioning was used to explore the independent and joint contributions of climate, land cover and spatial autocorrelation.

Results The inclusion of land cover significantly increased the explanatory power of bioclimatic models for 10 of the 11 species. Furthermore, including land cover significantly increased predictive performance for eight of the 11 species. Accounting for spatial autocorrelation improved model fit for rare species but generally did not improve prediction success. Variance partitioning demonstrated that this lack of improvement was a result of the high correlation between climate and trend‐surface variables.

Main conclusions The results of this study suggest that accounting for the effects of land cover can significantly improve the explanatory and predictive power of bioclimatic models for anurans and turtles at a regional scale. We argue that the integration of climate and land‐cover data is likely to produce more accurate spatial predictions of contemporary herpetofaunal diversity. However, the use of land‐cover simulations in climate‐induced range‐shift projections introduces additional uncertainty into the predictions of bioclimatic models. Further research is therefore needed to determine whether accounting for the effects of land cover in range‐shift projections is merited.
Genetic, morphological, and feather isotope variation of migratory willow warblers show gradual divergence in a ring
Authors: BENSCH STAFFAN , GRAHN MATS , MÜLLER NILS , GAY LAURENE , ÅKESSON SUSANNE
Published: May 2009

The circular distribution of the willow warblerPhylloscopus trochilusaround the Baltic Sea shares many features with the classic examples of ring species; however, the system is much younger. It has previously been shown that a secondary contact zone is located in central Scandinavia, where there are narrow clines for several morphological traits coincident with a migratory divide. Here we analyse multiple traits and genes from > 1700 males captured on breeding territories at 77 sites spread around the Baltic Sea to test the following hypothesis. If the secondary contact zone in Scandinavia is a result of divergence in two allopatric refuge populations during the last glaciation, we expect to find a similar secondary contact zone somewhere else around the circular distribution. Our results show that the trait clines were wider and displaced from each other along the eastern side of the Baltic Sea. Analyses of 12 microsatellite loci confirmed that the genome is very similar between the terminal forms (FST = 0). Two AFLP‐derived markers filtered out from a genomic scan instead appear to be maintained by selection. These markers exhibited steep clines at the secondary contact zone in Scandinavia, but as for the phenotypic traits, had vastly different cline centres east of the Baltic Sea. The trait clines along the ring distribution outside the Scandinavian secondary contact zone thus seem to have been shaped by independent action of selection or drift during the process of postglacial colonization.
Divergence population genetic analysis of hybridization between rhesus and cynomolgus macaques
Authors: STEVISON LAURIE S. , KOHN MICHAEL H.
Published: May 2009

The geographic ranges of rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and cynomolgus (M. fascicularis) macaques adjoin in Indochina where they appear to hybridize. We used published and newly generated DNA sequences from 19 loci spanning ~20 kb to test whether introgression has occurred between these macaque species. We studied introgression at the level of nuclear DNA and distinguished between incomplete lineage sorting of ancestral polymorphisms or interspecific gene flow. We implemented a divergence population genetics approach by fitting our data to an isolation model implemented in the software IMa. The model that posits no gene flow from the rhesus into the cynomolgus macaque was rejected (P = 1.99 × 10−8). Gene flow in this direction was estimated as 2Nm~1.2, while gene flow in the reverse direction was nonsignificantly different from zero (P = 0.16). The divergence time between species was estimated as ~1.3 million years. Balancing selection, a special case of incomplete sorting, was taken into consideration, as well as potential crossbreeding in captivity. Parameter estimates varied between analyses of subsets of data, although we still rejected isolation models. Geographic sampling of the data, where samples of cynomolgus macaques derived from Indochina were excluded, revealed a lost signature of gene flow, indicating that interspecific gene flow is restricted to mainland Indochina. Our results, in conjunction with those by others, justify future detailed analyses into the genetics of reproductive barriers and reticulate evolution in these two genome‐enabled primates. Future studies of the natural hybridization between rhesus and cynomolgus macaques would expand the repertoire of systems available for speciation studies in primates.
Identification of heterotic metabolite QTL in Arabidopsis thaliana RIL and IL populations
Authors: Lisec Jan , Steinfath Matthias , Meyer Rhonda C. , Selbig Joachim , Melchinger Albrecht E. , Willmitzer Lothar , Altmann Thomas
Published: May 2009

Two mapping populations of a cross between the Arabidopsis thaliana accessions Col‐0 and C24 were cultivated and analyzed with respect to the levels of 181 metabolites to elucidate the biological phenomenon of heterosis at the metabolic level. The relative mid‐parent heterosis in the F1 hybrids was <20% for most metabolic traits. The first mapping population consisting of 369 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) and their test cross progeny with both parents allowed us to determine the position and effect of 147 quantitative trait loci (QTL) for metabolite absolute mid‐parent heterosis (aMPH). Furthermore, we identified 153 and 83 QTL for augmented additive (Z1) and dominance effects (Z2), respectively. We identified putative candidate genes for these QTL using the aracyc database (http://www.arabidopsis.org/biocyc), and calculated the average degree of dominance, which was within the dominance and over‐dominance range for most metabolites. Analyzing a second population of 41 introgression lines (ILs) and their test crosses with the recurrent parent, we identified 634 significant differences in metabolite levels. Nine per cent of these effects were classified as over‐dominant, according to the mode of inheritance. A comparison of both approaches suggested epistasis as a major contributor to metabolite heterosis in Arabidopsis. A linear combination of metabolite levels was shown to significantly correlate with biomass heterosis (r = 0.62).
Methodology and implications of knemometry in growth assessment of inhaled glucocorticoids
Authors: Wolthers O. D.
Published: May 2009

Wolthers OD. Methodology and implications of knemometry in growth assessment of inhaled glucocorticoids.  Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: e190–e198. © 2009 The Author Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Munksgaard

When validated recommendations for standardization and measurement procedures are used short‐term assessment of lower leg growth by knemometry is a highly accurate and reproducible method for assessment of systemic activity of inhaled glucocorticoids. Crossover and parallel designs applying consistent measurement intervals can be used. Crossover designs with a single‐blind run in and washout and double‐blind active periods are as sensitive as designs using randomized placebo periods. In populations of children, short‐term knemometry appears to be capable of defining specific glucocorticoids, application devices and doses that do not suppress long‐term height growth. Although no specific cut‐off level can be identified in individuals from the available randomized, double‐blind short‐term knemometry and intermediate‐term height growth rate studies, good evidence have been provided that if the short‐term lower leg growth suppression in populations of children is higher than approximately 25%, the risk of intermediate‐term growth suppression becomes significant with a mean height growth rate retardation in the range of approximately 0.5–1.5 cm during the first year of treatment. Short‐term knemometry should be performed as an integral part of the safety assessments of new inhaled glucocorticoids and inhalation devices in children with asthma, before intermediate‐term height growth evaluations are initiated.
Brain abscess due to Klebsiella pneumoniae in a liver‐transplanted child
Authors: Vajro P. , Sokal E.M. , Maddaluno S. , Esposito M. , Caranci F. , Capuano G. , Caropreso M. , Lenta S.
Published: May 2009

Abstract: Brain abscesses are a rare, severe complication of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). They are almost exclusively due to fungi, Nocardia, or Toxoplasma, and usually occur within months of surgery. Here we report the case of an adolescent who developed a brain abscess due to Klebsiella pneumoniae 11.5 years after OLT. Fever was absent and laboratory parameters were not indicative of infectious disease, and therefore the diagnosis of a central nervous system neoplasm was considered. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy led to a diagnosis of a brain abscess, and to prompt appropriate antibiotic treatment. This case shows that K. pneumoniae may cause a brain abscess long after liver transplantation. The appearance of neurological symptoms should alert clinicians to consider a brain abscess even in the absence of overt clinical/laboratory signs of inflammation, which may be blunted by chronic immunosuppression.
Optimization of mate selection based on genotypic information with overlapping generations
Authors: Nishio M. , Kahi A.K. , Hirooka H.
Published: May 2009

The objective of this study was to develop a method to optimize the selection and mating decisions based on genotypic information with overlapping generations by applying mate selection algorithm. In this study, differential evolution algorithm was used to optimize numbers of mating between genotypes and the optimal numbers of males and females selected from each genotype over planning horizon. This method assumed a single biallelic QTL (Q and q) and was applied to a simple situation in a herd of pigs as an example. Four dominance degrees of gene: recessive, additive, complete‐dominance and over‐dominance were considered. For all dominance degrees, the frequency of the favourable allele in males selected for replacement increased rapidly. In contrast, the frequency of favourable allele in females selected for replacement increased more gradually. The superiorities in cumulative discounted performance (CDP) when the initial allele frequency was 0.5 over a case when the frequency was 0.05 over the planning horizon were greatly affected by dominance degrees. The CDP superiorities ranged from 24% for an over‐dominant QTL to 91% for a recessive QTL.
A meta‐analysis of impacts of alien vs. native plants on pollinator visitation and reproductive success of co‐flowering native plants
Authors: Morales Carolina Laura , Traveset Anna
Published: May 2009

Alien plant species can alter pollinator visitation and, in turn, the sexual reproduction of natives. Using a conventional and a phylogenetically controlled meta‐analytical approach on a data set of 40 studies, we evaluated the effect of alien neighbour plant species (aliens) on visitation to and reproduction of native co‐flowering focal species (focals), and compared such effect to that of native neighbours (natives). An overall significantly negative effect of aliens on visitation to and reproduction of focals was confirmed. Interestingly, aliens differed from natives in their effect on visitation, but not on reproductive success. The negative effect of aliens on visitation and reproductive success increased at high relative alien plant abundance, but this increase was proportionally lower than the increase in relative plant abundance. Likewise, effect of aliens on visitation and reproductive success was most detrimental when alien and focal species had similar flower symmetry or colour. The phylogenetic relatedness between alien neighbours and focals influenced the reproductive success effect size. Results of the phylogenetic meta‐analysis were only partly consistent with those of the conventional meta‐analysis, depending on the response variable and on whether we controlled for the phylogeny of neighbour or focal species, which calls for special attention to control for species relatedness in this type of review. This study demonstrates the predominant detrimental impact of alien plants on pollination and reproduction of natives, and highlights the importance of phenotypic similarity to the outcome of the interaction.
Radiofrequency ablation of small renal cortical tumours in healthy adults: renal function preservation and intermediate oncological outcome
Authors: Stern Joshua M. , Gupta Amit , Raman Jay D. , Cost Nicholas , Lucas Steven , Lotan Yair , Raj Ganesh V. , Cadeddu Jeffrey A.
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVES

To present the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and oncological outcomes in a series of patients with cT1a renal cortical tumours treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA), a non‐ischaemic minimally invasive ablative method, as nephron‐sparing surgery gives excellent oncological outcomes and preserves renal function.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Healthy (American Society of Anesthesiologists, ASA, I and II) patients with cT1a renal masses were identified, and clinical and radiographic data were reviewed to assess indications, complications, radiological evidence of disease recurrence, and renal function. Changes in GFR were calculated. Radiological recurrence was defined as any new enhancement (>10 Hounsfield units) after absence of enhancement on initial 6‐week computed tomography.

RESULTS

Four patients were ASA I and 59 were ASA II; the median (range) age was 58 (20–84.6) years and the lesion diameter 2.1 (1–4.0) cm. Preoperative needle biopsy was diagnostic in 89% of patients, including 75% diagnostic of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). At a median (range) follow‐up of 34 (1.0–80) months the renal preservation rate was 97%. One patient had a nephrectomy for biopsy‐confirmed recurrence of RCC at 55 months; a second had a nephrectomy at 24 months for suspected radiographic recurrence, but had no evidence of disease on final pathology. A fifth (20%) of the patients had chronic kidney disease at the time of diagnosis. The median GFR before and after RFA was 76.3 and 74.3 mL/min/m2 (difference 2.0 mL/min/m2).

CONCLUSION

RFA might be a reasonable treatment choice for the healthy patient, with appropriate informed consent. Intermediate results suggest excellent oncological outcomes and preservation of renal function.
Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among patients with prostate cancer
Authors: Trump Donald L. , Chadha Manpreet K. , Sunga Annette Y. , Fakih Marwan G. , Ashraf Umeer , Silliman Carrie G. , Hollis Bruce W. , Nesline Mary K. , Tian Lili , Tan Wei , Johnson Candace S.
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVE

To assess the frequency of vitamin D deficiency among men with prostate cancer, as considerable epidemiological, in vitro, in vivo and clinical data support an association between vitamin D deficiency and prostate cancer outcome.

PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The study included 120 ambulatory men with recurrent prostate cancer and 50 with clinically localized prostate cancer who were evaluated and serum samples assayed for 25‐OH vitamin D levels. Then 100 controls (both sexes), matched for age and season of serum sample, were chosen from a prospective serum banking protocol. The relationship between age, body mass index, disease stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, season and previous therapy on vitamin D status were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

The mean 25‐OH vitamin D level was 25.9 ng/mL in those with recurrent disease, 27.5 ng/mL in men with clinically localized prostate cancer and 24.5 ng/mL in controls. The frequency of vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) and insufficiency (20–31 ng/mL) was 40% and 32% in men with recurrent prostate; 28% had vitamin D levels that were normal (32–100 ng/mL). Among men with localized prostate cancer, 18% were deficient, 50% were insufficient and 32% were normal. Among controls, 31% were deficient, 40% were insufficient and 29% were normal. Metastatic disease (P = 0.005) and season of blood sampling (winter/spring; P = 0.01) were associated with vitamin D deficiency in patients with prostate cancer, while age, race, performance status and body mass index were not.

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were common among men with prostate cancer and apparently normal controls in the western New York region.
Purse‐string technique for laparoscopic excision of a bladder mucosal cuff in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract: initial report with intermediate follow‐up
Authors: Shoma Ahmed M.
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVE

To describe a novel modification for excision of a bladder mucosal cuff around the ipsilateral ureter during laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) in the patients with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 2003 and 2007, 13 patients with upper urinary TCC were managed by LNU with excision of a bladder mucosal cuff. The renal pedicle was clipped early. The kidney was freed. The ureter was dissected down to the vesico‐ureteric junction. The intramural part of the ureter was dissected under vision and sharply freed from the surrounding detrusor muscle of the bladder until the level of the ureteric orifice. Then the detrusor muscle was further dissected away from the underneath bladder mucosa for 1 cm around the ureteric orifice. Thus, a bladder cuff of mucosa‐only could be retrieved. A purse‐string suture was taken at the edge of the dissected mucosa and the cuff was excised. The intaoperative and postoperative outcome and morbidity were recorded and results of the short‐ and intermediate‐term follow‐up were evaluated.

RESULTS

All the procedures were completed by laparoscopy. The mean operative time was 226 min. The mean blood loss was 233 mL. There were no major complications. The median follow‐up was 31.5 months. During follow‐up, one patient developed recurrence in the renal bed. There was no pelvic recurrences. Two patients developed papillary bladder tumours.

CONCLUSION

The purse‐string technique enabled complete LNU without opening of the pelvicalyceal system. Short‐ and intermediate‐term follow‐up showed the oncological safety of the procedure. The outcomes from more patients with a longer follow‐up are required to confirm these preliminary findings.
Long‐term effects of repeated intradetrusor botulinum neurotoxin A injections on detrusor function in patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction
Authors: Pannek Jürgen , Göcking Konrad , Bersch Ulf
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the influence of repeated botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT‐A) treatments on detrusor function in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (DOA) due to spinal cord lesions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a retrospective study, urodynamic evaluations of 27 consecutive patients with neurogenic DOA due to spinal cord lesions who received at least five BoNT‐A treatments were analysed.

RESULTS

After the first BoNT‐A treatment, bladder capacity, reflex volume, continence status and detrusor compliance were significantly improved and maximum detrusor pressure (Pdetmax) was significantly reduced. The mean number of BoNT‐A treatments was 7.1. Compared with the results of the first treatment, the incontinence rate (seven patients) and the number of patients with an elevated Pdetmax (five patients) were slightly increased after the final BoNT‐A treatment. The long‐term success rate was 74%. Every fourth patient needed a major surgical intervention. There was a significant decrease in Pdetmax before BoNT‐A treatments, indicating that detrusor contraction strength did not completely recover after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirmed the long‐term efficacy of repeated BoNT‐A treatments in patients with neurogenic DOA. However, in long‐term follow‐up, every fourth patient required surgical interventions. Moreover, our data give the first hint that BoNT‐A may lead to impaired detrusor contraction strength, which could influence future treatment options. Prospective studies are necessary to elucidate the impact of repeated BoNT‐A treatments on detrusor function and the interactions with future treatment options.
Undiagnosed diabetes—data from the English longitudinal study of ageing
Authors: Pierce M. B. , Zaninotto P. , Steel N. , Mindell J.
Published: May 2009

Aims  Diabetes UK estimates a quarter of UK cases of diabetes are undiagnosed; 750 000 people have undiagnosed diabetes in addition to 2.25 million with known diabetes, but research studies examining this are contradictory. The aim was to determine the prevalence of, and risk factors for, undiagnosed diabetes in the population of England aged > 50 years and to calculate the percentage of cases of undiagnosed diabetes.

Methods  This was a cross‐sectional study in a nationally representative sample of 6739 people aged 52–79 years from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) 2004/2005. Diabetes cases were ascertained by self‐reported doctor diagnosis of diabetes. A fasting plasma glucose measurement after a minimum of 8‐h fast was available for 2387 (38% of the participants without diabetes). Undiagnosed diabetes cases were based on a fasting plasma glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/l.

Results  The overall weighted prevalence of diabetes was 9.1%; 502 people (7.5%) had self‐reported diabetes (9.0% of men and 6.0% of women); 36 (1.7%) had undiagnosed diabetes (2.6% of men and 0.8% of women). Of cases of diabetes, 18.5% were undiagnosed (22% in men, 12% in women). Significant risk factors for undiagnosed diabetes were male sex, higher body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure and triglycerides.

Conclusions  In 2004 the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes, and the proportion of cases of diabetes that were undiagnosed, appear smaller than in previous studies. This is likely to be due to increased awareness of diabetes and improved clinical care resulting in many of those with previously undetected disease having been diagnosed.
Towards a better understanding of correlation
Authors: Rayner J. C. W. , Beh Eric J.
Published: May 2009

Correlation is often used to assess both independence and linearity in two dimensions, but is not well understood in higher dimensions. Here we take a closer look at these uses of correlation in two dimensions and how these assessments might be extended to higher dimensions. Our discussion will focus on the simple case of understanding the nature of correlation for association models for two‐ and three‐way contingency tables, but can also be considered in a more general setting.
Recruiting and organising migrant workers through education and training: a comparison of Community and the GMB
Authors: Heyes Jason
Published: May 2009

A number of British trade unions have developed initiatives to facilitate migrant workers' access to English‐language tuition. This article focuses on the efforts of two trade unions and explores the ways in which they have supported migrant workers and the extent and effectiveness of their attempts to link education to their recruitment and organising activities.
Engaging the professional: organising call centre agents in India
Authors: Noronha Ernesto , D'Cruz Premilla
Published: May 2009

The extremely challenging external environment poses numerous challenges to union formation among call centre agents in India. Complicating matters is the acquired professional identity of call centre agents. In this scenario, the union organising call centre employees envisaged that partnership with employers was the only possibility acceptable to call centre agents, employer organisations and society at large, enabling them to regain some acceptability and credibility for the heretofore tainted Indian trade union movement.
Labour market dualism and industrial relations in Europe
Authors: Alemán José
Published: May 2009

This article studies the regulation of fixed‐term contracts and its effects on European industrial relations (2002–06). The study reveals a positive association between temporary employment and industrial conflict and evaluates three mechanisms that may account for this association in 18 European countries. The study reveals that the more these contracts are used, the lower the level of wages and job security workers can expect.
Skin hydration and transepidermal water loss in patients with a history of sulfur mustard contact: a case–control study
Authors: Davoudi Seyyed Masoud , Keshavarz Saeed , Sadr Bardia , Shohrati Majid , Naghizadeh Mohammad Mehdi , Farsinejad Khalil , Rashighi‐Firouzabadi Mehdi , Zartab Hamed , Firooz Alireza
Published: May 2009

Background   Skin lesions are among the most common complications of contact with sulfur mustard.

Objective   This study was aimed to measure skin water content and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in patients with a history of sulfur mustard contact.

Methods   Three hundred ten male participants were included in this study: 87 (28.1%) sulfur mustard–exposed patients with current skin lesions (group 1), 71 (22.9%) sulfur mustard–exposed patients without skin lesions (group 2), 78 (25.2%) patients with dermatitis (group 3) and 74 (23.8%) normal controls (group 4) The water content and TEWL of skin was measured at four different locations of the body: forehead, suprasternal, palm and dorsum of hand. Nonparametric statistical tests (Kruskal–Wallis) were used to compare the four groups, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results   The mean age of participants were 44.0 ± 6.7, 41.9 ± 5.9, 43.8 ± 9.3 and 44.8 ± 8.9 years in groups 1 to 4, respectively (P = 0.146). Xerosis, post‐lesional hyperpigmentation and lichenification were significantly more common in either sulfur mustard–exposed participants or non‐exposed participants with dermatitis (P < 0.05). Skin hydration was higher in subjects with sulfur mustard contact than in non‐injured participants (P < 0.05) in the dorsum and palm of hands and forehead. TEWL was significantly higher in participants only in suprasternal area and dorsum of hand.

Conclusion   Contact with sulfur mustard agent can alter biophysical properties of the skin‐especially the function of stratum corneum as a barrier to water loss‐several years after exposure.

Conflicts of interest

None declared.
The impact of a quadrivalent human papillomavirus (types 6, 11, 16, 18) virus‐like particle vaccine in European women aged 16 to 24
Authors: Majewski S , Bosch FX , Dillner J. , Iversen O‐E , Kjaer SK , Muñoz N , Olsson S‐E , Paavonen J , Sigurdsson K , Bryan J , Esser MT , Giacoletti K , James M , Taddeo F , Vuocolo S , Barr E
Published: May 2009

Background  Quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV types 6/11/16/18) L1 VLP vaccine is highly effective in preventing HPV 6/11/16/18‐related cervical and external genital disease. Herein, we evaluated the impact of the quadrivalent HPV 6/11/16/18 L1 VLP vaccine on prevention of HPV‐associated cervico‐genital lesions in a broad population of sexually active European women.

Methods  Female subjects (N = 9265) aged 16–24 with four or fewer lifetime sexual partners were enrolled and randomized to quadrivalent HPV vaccine or placebo. Subjects underwent cervicovaginal sampling for HPV DNA detection. Papanicolaou testing and anti‐HPV 6/11/16/18 serology testing was also performed.

Results  Vaccine efficacy against lesions representing immediate cervical cancer precursors (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2/3 or adenocarcinoma in situ) related to HPV 6/11/16/18 in the per‐protocol population was 100.0%[95% confidence interval (95% CI), 89.8–100.0]. Efficacy against external genital lesions (vulvar or vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia, condyloma, vulvar or vaginal cancer) related to vaccine HPV types in the per‐protocol European population was 99.0% (95% CI, 94.4–100.0).

Conclusion  These data demonstrate that quadrivalent HPV 6/11/16/18 vaccination programs in 16‐ to 24‐year‐old European women can be beneficial.

NCT0009252, NCT00092534, NCT00092495
Association between palmoplantar pustulosis and cigarette smoking in Brazil: a case–control study
Authors: Miot HA , Miot LDB , Lopes PS , Haddad GR , Marques SA
Published: May 2009

Background  Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) discloses some differences compared to vulgar psoriasis (PV) in terms of age of onset, female predominance and low occurrence of psoriasis lesions elsewhere. Cigarette smoking has been associated to PPP in international studies; nevertheless, these studies were never performed among Brazilian.

Objectives  To compare prevalence of smoking among PPP, PV and other dermatologic patients (NPD).

Methods  Case–control study involving 25 PPP patients from a reference psoriasis centre. Two control groups were matched according to gender and age: 50 patients with PV and 50 NPD. Confounders were adjusted by conditional multiple logistic regression.

Results  Among cases, 84.0% were female and PPP age of disease onset (41.4 years) was greater than PV (34.5 years). Prevalence of ever smoking was higher among cases (92.0%) than PV (52.0%) and NPD (30.0%). Adjusted odds ratio of PPP ever smoking compared to PV and NPD was 9.5 and 36.2, respectively. All smokers reported the onset of their habit before the development of PPP.

Conclusions  There was significant association between PPP and smoking. However, the impact of giving it up in the clinical course of the disease remains to be established.
Numerical modeling of hydrothermal zinc silicate and sulfide mineralization in the Vazante deposit, Brazil
Authors: APPOLD M. S. , MONTEIRO L. V. S.
Published: May 2009

The Vazante zinc deposit in central Brazil is currently the world’s largest known example of a hypogene nonsulfide (i.e. willemite‐dominant) zinc deposit. The mineralization is hypothesized to have formed as a result of mixing between a hot, acidic, reducing, metal‐rich brine and a cool, more basic and dilute, metal‐poor meteoric fluid. The present study sought to investigate this scenario by quantifying the individual effects of temperature, pH, salinity, and oxidation state on willemite and sphalerite solubility, and modeling their combined effects during mixing through reaction path and reactive transport modeling. Solubility calculations showed that in an initially hot, moderately acidic, reducing, metal‐rich ore fluid saturated with respect to silica, willemite solubility is relatively insensitive to changes in temperature and log , but highly sensitive to changes in pH and salinity. In contrast, sphalerite solubility was highly sensitive to changes in temperature and log , as well as salinity, and was less sensitive than willemite to changes in pH. Reaction path models sought to extend these observations by modeling the geochemistry of mixing. The results show that mixing is able to produce most of the major zinc ore and gangue minerals observed in the field, though not necessarily at the same paragenetic stages, and that both compositional and temperature changes from mixing are needed. Reactive transport models were formulated to investigate spatial patterns of mineralization. The results showed that sphalerite deposition was strongly controlled by temperature and concentrated in the regions of greatest temperature change. Willemite deposition was concentrated along the interface between the metal‐rich ore fluid and the surrounding meteoric fluid. The more rapid transport of solute than heat, in conjunction with the higher concentration of silica than sulfide in both fluids meant that willemite mineralization developed over a broader region and in greater concentrations compared with sphalerite.
On modeling of chemical stimulation of an enhanced geothermal system using a high pH solution with chelating agent
Authors: XU T. , ROSE P. , FAYER S. , PRUESS K.
Published: May 2009

Dissolution of silica and calcite in the presence of a chelating agent (NTA) at a high pH was successfully demonstrated in laboratory experiments using a high‐temperature flow reactor. (Note that the term ‘silica’ used here includes amorphous silica, quartz, and silicate glass bead.) The mineral dissolution and associated porosity enhancement in the experiments were reproduced by reactive transport modeling using TOUGHREACT. The chemical stimulation method was applied by numerical modeling to a field geothermal injection well system to investigate its effectiveness. Parameters applicable to the quartz monzodiorite unit at the Enhanced Geothermal Systems site at Desert Peak (Nevada) were used. Results indicate that the injection of a high pH chelating solution results in dissolution of both calcite and plagioclase, while avoiding precipitation of calcite at high temperature conditions. Consequently, reservoir porosity and permeability can be enhanced especially near the injection well. Injection at a lower temperature of 120°C (temperature is over 160°C in the base‐case) results in a porosity increase that is smaller close to the injection point, but extends to a larger radial distance. A slower kinetic rate results in less aggressive mineral dissolution close to the injection point and larger extent along the flow path, which is favorable for chemical stimulation.