bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Probiotic Content of Commercial Yogurts in West Virginia
Authors: Dunlap Brian S. , Yu Hongwei , Elitsur Yoram
Published: February 2009

Probiotics are live microorganisms that can confer health benefits. Current recommendations for probiotic dosing in pediatrics for acute gastroenteritis range from 109 to 1011 colony forming units (CFUs)/day. In the present study, commercial yogurts were investigated for probiotic content and concentration. A total of 10 yogurts and 1 probiotic supplement were tested. Culture and enumeration were performed on Lactobacillus specific agar, and presence of gram positive rods were confirmed with gram staining. Various PCR techniques were also used to identify different Lactobacillus species. Good colony growth was noted on all cultures, with enumeration results ranging from 4.8 × 109 to 9.5 × 1010 CFU in a single 100mL serving. A wide variety of bacterial species was noted, including unidentified bacteria. All yogurt samples had enough probiotic content to meet current recommendations for treatment of acute gastroenteritis. Physicians should use yogurts with caution in this setting until full bacterial repertoires are available for commercial yogurts.
Mothers' expressive style and emotional responses to children's behavior predict children's prosocial and achievement-related self-ratings
Authors: Dunsmore Julie C. , Bradburn Isabel S. , Costanzo Philip R. , Fredrickson Barbara L.
Published: February 2009

In this study we investigated whether mothers' typical expressive style and specific emotional responses to children's behaviors are linked to children's prosocial and competence self-ratings. Eight-to 12-year-old children and their mothers rated how mothers had felt when children behaved pro-socially and antisocially, achieved and failed to achieve. Children rated self-descriptiveness of prosocial and achievement-related traits. Mothers' positive expressiveness was associated with children's higher achievement-related self-ratings. Mothers' positive- and negative-dominant expressiveness was associated with children's lower prosocial self-ratings. Mothers' happiness about both children's prosocial and achievement-related behavior was associated with children's higher self-ratings for both domains. Mothers' anger about children's antisocial behavior was related to children's lower self-ratings for both domains. When mothers were higher in negative-submissive expressiveness, and responded with more sadness to children's failure to achieve, children reported lower achievement self-ratings. Results support the importance of multidimensional assessment of self-concept and suggest that parents' typical expressive style moderates the influence of parents' specific emotional responses on children's self-ratings.
A longitudinal examination of risky sexual behaviors among Canadian and Italian adolescents: Considering individual, parental, and friend characteristics
Authors: P. Marie-Aude Boislard , Poulin François , Kiesner Jeff , Dishion Thomas J.
Published: February 2009

In this study, two longitudinal models of early adolescent risky sexual behaviors (RSB) were compared using a pooled sample of 267 Canadian and Italian adolescents (55% females; 53% Canadians) assessed yearly from grade 8 to 10. We focused on parenting practices (monitoring, control, limit setting), adolescent problem behaviors (antisocial behaviors, substance use) and their friends' deviance (antisocial behaviors, substance use) as predictors of condom use frequency and lifetime number of sexual partners. The socialization model postulates that youths' problem behaviors and RSB are behaviors learned within the friendship network where deviancy training can occur. The selection model posits that delinquent youth tend to affiliate with each other, and that RSB is one of many behaviors that can form the basis of selection. Using structural equation modeling, this study showed that the socialization model was the most accurate to explain the emergence of RSB. A full mediation of parenting practices, passing through deviant friends and youths' problem behavior, was observed for condom use. The same process applied to number of sexual partners, but a direct effect for parenting practices was also found.
Bringing Energy Back into the Economy
Authors: Alam M. Shahid
Published: February 2009

This paper works out some of the basic properties of an economy where energy is the driving force behind all economic activities. The economy now consists of streams of energy conversions that direct energy to the production of goods and services. The focus on energy generates a variety of insights. It yields a new taxonomy of economies and economic activities; allows a better grasp of the tasks performed by labor and capital; raises the prospect of examining growth as the speeding up of machines; and identifies greater use of energy as an important independent source of growth. In addition, I use these results to explain the near stagnation in living standards in agrarian economies in the millennia before 1800, and the dramatic acceleration in growth since that date.
Roads to Poverty
Authors: Shriar Avrum J.
Published: February 2009

This article examines socioeconomic and land use changes associated with the ongoing, rapid economic integration of Petén, Guatemala, which has resulted mainly through road improvements. The study is based primarily on fieldwork conducted by the author before (1998) and after (2005) access roads were paved, greatly reducing travel times to and from the region. Petén's farmers now must compete with larger, more efficient, and often subsidized producers elsewhere in the country and beyond, whereas large-scale commercial farmers and ranchers are flocking to the region because of its improved access and other factors. Household survey data from one agriculturally important area indicate that most households have become poorer and their farming systems less diverse and that the concentration of land and wealth is intensifying. Results suggest that infrastructure aimed at enhancing economic integration can marginalize the majority in a previously remote region, particularly when little is done to support residents' ability to compete economically.
“The Game Turns on You”
Authors: Draus Paul J. , Carlson Robert G.
Published: February 2009

Exchanges of sex for crack cocaine have received much attention from public health researchers and ethnographers of substance abuse. These exchanges are often viewed as one-dimensional relationships in which men use their access to crack cocaine and women's dependence on the drug to exploit them sexually. Drawing on in-depth interview data gathered during three years of research conducted in central Ohio, this article examines the relationship between sexual behavior and crack cocaine use from both male and female perspectives. Bourdieu's concept of fields is then applied to illuminate the relational dimensions of gender, sex, and power within this local crack-cocaine using scene, while also illustrating the domination inherent in most scenarios involving crack-for-sex exchange. Implications for possible interventions based on this analysis are also discussed.
Antenatal Care Provided and its Quality in Field Clinics in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka
Authors: Pinidiyapathirage MJ , Wickremasinghe AR
Published: February 2009

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Gampaha District in Sri Lanka to assess the quality of care provided at antenatal field clinics. Checklists were used to assess the structure and process attributes of quality. An interviewer administered questionnaire assessed the quality of information provided to the clients and client satisfaction. The findings indicated that several resource components need upgrading in the district. The majority of clinics did not have adequate seating arrangements, lacked a footstool, a height measuring instrument and Vitamin C. Less than 50% of the staff were present at 8.00 a.m. in eight clinics. Health education material was substandard in nine clinics. No supervisory notes were made during the preceding year in fourteen clinics. Testing urine for sugar and albumin was substandard in 11 and eight clinics, respectively. Physical examination of pregnant females was substandard in all 20 clinics. No information was provided on some routine procedures carried out at the clinic such as blood pressure monitoring, weight gain and vaccines given. Client satisfaction exceeded 95% in all aspects except building and infrastructure and time spent at the clinic. Asia Pac J Public Health 2007; 19(3): 38-44.
Regulatory T cells differentially modulate the maturation and apoptosis of human CD8+ T-cell subsets
Authors: Nikolova Maria , Lelievre Jean-Daniel , Carriere Matthieu , Bensussan Armand , Lévy Yves
Published: February 2009

The balanced manifestation of effector functions and the generation of long-living memory cells is a hallmark of efficient CD8+ T-cell response. Accumulating data pinpoint CD4+ CD25high regulatory T (Treg) cells as a key factor for the inefficiency of CD8+ T-cell responses in viral persistence. Little is known about the effects of Treg cells on the homeostasis of healthy donor CD8+ T cells. The present study demonstrates that Treg cells exert differential effects on CD8+ T-cell subsets. Treg cells inhibited mostly the polyclonal proliferation of CD27− effector cells compared with CD27+ memory CD8+ T cells. Moreover, they inhibited the polyclonal and antigen-driven differentiation of memory cells into functional effectors as defined by IFN-γ secretion and induction of CD160 expression. Finally, Treg cells reduced the apoptosis of memory but not of effector and terminal effector cell populations. These effects were at least in part mediated by a decreased expression of PD-L1, but not of programmed death 1 (PD-1), on CD8+ T cells after activation. Thus, in the setting of a healthy immune system, Treg cells fine-tune the memory/effector cell balance and promote the accumulation of long-living memory cells in case of strong stimulation.
Novel function for interleukin-7 in dendritic cell development
Authors: Vogt Tobias K. , Link Alexander , Perrin John , Finke Daniela , Luther Sanjiv A.
Published: February 2009

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is crucial for the development of T and B lymphocytes from common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs) and for the maintenance of mature T lymphocytes. Its in vivo role for dendritic cells (DCs) has been poorly defined. Here, we investigated whether IL-7 is important for the development or maintenance of different DC types. Bone marrow–derived DCs expressed the IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) and survived significantly longer in the presence of IL-7. Migratory DCs (migDCs) isolated from lymph nodes also expressed IL-7R. Surprisingly, IL-7R was not required for their maintenance but indirectly for their development. Conventional DCs (cDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) resident in lymph nodes and spleen were IL-7R−. Using mixed bone marrow chimeras, we observed an intrinsic requirement for IL-7R signals in their development. As the number of CLPs but not myeloid progenitors was reduced in the absence of IL-7 signals, we propose that a large fraction of cDCs and pDCs derives from CLPs and shares not only the lymphoid origin but also the IL-7 requirement with lymphocyte precursors.
Orai1: a channel to safer antithrombotic therapy
Authors: Authi Kalwant S.
Published: February 2009

In this issue of Blood, Braun and colleagues identify Orai1 as the major component of the store-operated Ca2+ entry channel in platelets. Their findings have significance for the development of safer antithrombotic drugs.
Induction of apoptosis by the retinoid inducible growth regulator RIG1 depends on the NC motif in HtTA cervical cancer cells
Authors: Tsai Fu-Ming , Shyu Rong-Yaun , Lin Su-Ching , Wu Chang-Chieh , Jiang Shun-Yuan
Published: February 2009

Background

Retinoid-inducible gene 1 (RIG1), also known as tazarotene-induced gene 3 or retinoic-acid receptor responder 3, is a growth regulator, which induces apoptosis and differentiation. RIG1 is classified into the NC protein family. This study investigated functional domains and critical amino acids associated with RIG1-mediated cell death and apoptosis.

Results

Using enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP)-tagged RIG1 variants, RIG1 proteins with deletion at the NC domain significantly decreased cell death induced by RIG1, and fusion variants containing only the NC domain significantly induced apoptosis of HtTA cervical cancer cells. The EGFP-RIG1-induced apoptosis was significantly decreased in cells expressing N112C113 motif double- (NC→FG) or triple- (NCR→FGE) mutated RIG1 variants. Using dodecapeptides, nuclear localization and profound cell death was observed in HtTA cells expressing wild type RIG1111–123 or Leu121-mutated RIG1111–123:L→ C peptide, but peptides double- or triple-mutated at the NC motif alone, RIG1111–123:NC→FG or RIG1111–123:NCR→FGE, were cytoplasmically localized and did not induce apoptosis. The RIG1111–123 also induced apoptosis of A2058 melanoma cells but not normal human fibroblasts.

Conclusion

The NC domain, especially the NC motif, plays the major role in RIG1-mediated pro-apoptotic activity. The RIG1111–123 dodecapeptide exhibited strong pro-apoptotic activity and has potential as an anticancer drug.
Toothache and associated factors in Brazilian adults: a cross-sectional population-based study
Authors: Kuhnen Mirian , Peres Marco A , Masiero Anelise V , Peres Karen G
Published: February 2009

Background

Toothache is a dental public health problem and one of the predictors of dental attendance and it is strongly associated with the life quality of individuals. In spite of this, there are few population-based epidemiological studies on this theme. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of toothache and associated factors in adults of Lages, Southern Brazil.

Methods

A cross-sectional population-based study was carried out in a sample of 2,022 adults aged 20 to 59 years living in the urban area of a medium sized city in Southern Brazil. A questionnaire including socioeconomic, demographic, smoking, alcohol, and use of dental service variables was applied at adults household. Toothache occurred six months previous of the interview was considered the outcome. Poisson regression analyses were performed following a theoretical hierarchical framework. All analysis was adjusted by the sample design effect.

Results

The response rate was 98.6%. The prevalence of toothache was 18.0% (95% CI 16.0; 20.1). The following variables were associated with toothache after adjustment: female (PR = 1.3 95% CI 1.3; 2.0), black skin colour vs. whites (PR = 1.5 95% CI 1.1, 1.9), low per capita income (PR = 1.7 95% CI 1.2, 2.3), smokers (PR = 1.5 95% CI 1.2, 1.9) and those who reported alcohol problems (PR = 1.4 95% CI 1.1; 1.9). To be 40 years of age (PR = 0.5 95% CI 0.4, 0.7) and use dental service in the last year (RR = 0.5 95% CI 0.4, 0.6) were protective factors for toothache.

Conclusion

The prevalence of toothache in adults of Lages can be considered a major problem of dental public health.
Comparison of bee products based on assays of antioxidant capacities
Authors: Nakajima Yoshimi , Tsuruma Kazuhiro , Shimazawa Masamitsu , Mishima Satoshi , Hara Hideaki
Published: February 2009

Background

Bee products (including propolis, royal jelly, and bee pollen) are popular, traditional health foods. We compared antioxidant effects among water and ethanol extracts of Brazilian green propolis (WEP or EEP), its main constituents, water-soluble royal jelly (RJ), and an ethanol extract of bee pollen.

Methods

The hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-, superoxide anion (O2
·-)-, and hydroxyl radical (HO·)- scavenging capacities of bee products were measured using antioxidant capacity assays that employed the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive probe 5-(and-6)-chloromethyl-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, acetyl ester (CM-H2DCFDA) or aminophenyl fluorescein (APF).

Results

The rank order of antioxidant potencies was as follows: WEP > EEP > pollen, but neither RJ nor 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA) had any effects. Concerning the main constituents of WEP, the rank order of antioxidant effects was: caffeic acid > artepillin C > drupanin, but neither baccharin nor coumaric acid had any effects. The scavenging effects of caffeic acid were as powerful as those of trolox, but stronger than those of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) or vitamin C.

Conclusion

On the basis of the present assays, propolis is the most powerful antioxidant of all the bee product examined, and its effect may be partly due to the various caffeic acids it contains. Pollen, too, exhibited strong antioxidant effects.
The origins of phagocytosis and eukaryogenesis
Authors: Yutin Natalya , Wolf Maxim Y , Wolf Yuri I , Koonin Eugene V
Published: February 2009

Background

Phagocytosis, that is, engulfment of large particles by eukaryotic cells, is found in diverse organisms and is often thought to be central to the very origin of the eukaryotic cell, in particular, for the acquisition of bacterial endosymbionts including the ancestor of the mitochondrion.

Results

Comparisons of the sets of proteins implicated in phagocytosis in different eukaryotes reveal extreme diversity, with very few highly conserved components that typically do not possess readily identifiable prokaryotic homologs. Nevertheless, phylogenetic analysis of those proteins for which such homologs do exist yields clues to the possible origin of phagocytosis. The central finding is that a subset of archaea encode actins that are not only monophyletic with eukaryotic actins but also share unique structural features with actin-related proteins (Arp) 2 and 3. All phagocytic processes are strictly dependent on remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton and the formation of branched filaments for which Arp2/3 are responsible. The presence of common structural features in Arp2/3 and the archaeal actins suggests that the common ancestors of the archaeal and eukaryotic actins were capable of forming branched filaments, like modern Arp2/3. The Rho family GTPases that are ubiquitous regulators of phagocytosis in eukaryotes appear to be of bacterial origin, so assuming that the host of the mitochondrial endosymbiont was an archaeon, the genes for these GTPases come via horizontal gene transfer from the endosymbiont or in an earlier event.

Conclusion

The present findings suggest a hypothetical scenario of eukaryogenesis under which the archaeal ancestor of eukaryotes had no cell wall (like modern Thermoplasma) but had an actin-based cytoskeleton including branched actin filaments that allowed this organism to produce actin-supported membrane protrusions. These protrusions would facilitate accidental, occasional engulfment of bacteria, one of which eventually became the mitochondrion. The acquisition of the endosymbiont triggered eukaryogenesis, in particular, the emergence of the endomembrane system that eventually led to the evolution of modern-type phagocytosis, independently in several eukaryotic lineages.

Reviewers

This article was reviewed by Simonetta Gribaldo, Gaspar Jekely, and Pierre Pontarotti. For the full reviews, please go to the Reviewers' Reports section.
Mechanical characteristics of three staples commonly used in foot surgery
Authors: Rethnam Ulfin , Kuiper Jan , Makwana Nilesh
Published: February 2009

Background

Bone staples are an accepted method of fixation in foot surgery. They reduce operating time and trauma in surgical procedures. A variety of memory staples are available but their properties compared to standard staples are not known. We carried out a study comparing two popular types of memory staples and a standard stainless steel staple.

Methods

Standardized bone models of metatarsals made from Tufnol tubes were osteotomized and stabilised using one of three types of bone staples, two types of memory staple (Memory staple and heat‐activated Memoclip) or a standard stainless steel staple (Richards). Constructs were loaded in bending and torsion on a material testing machine. The moment and torque to achieve 10 degree of bending or torsion and permanent angulation of the osteotomized bones were assessed.

Results

The Richards staple was found to provide a four times larger resistance to bending and torsion than the two memory staples. However, it was permanently deformed after bending. The Memory and Memoclip staples were equal in their stiffness. In addition, angulation of bones fixed with the Memoclip was elastic, preventing any permanent deformation.

Conclusion

The Richards staple was stiffer, although the permanent deformation of this staple is a disadvantage. Memoclip staples exhibit lower but adequate stiffnesss when compared to the standard Richards staple and are not permanently deformed after bending. The Memoclip staples were easier to handle. The results will enable surgeons to determine the optimal staple for foot and ankle procedures.
Defining the potential for cell therapy for vascular disease using animal models
Authors: Gulati Rajiv , Simari Robert D.
Published: February 2009

Cell-based therapeutics are currently being developed for a wide array of unmet medical needs. As obstructive vascular disease is the major cause of mortality in the world, cell-based strategies aimed at developing novel therapies or improving current therapies are currently under study. These studies are based on the evolving understanding of the biology of vascular progenitor cells, which has in turn led to the availability of well-defined sources of vascular cells for delivery. Crucial to the development of these approaches is the preclinical testing of cell delivery in animal models. This review highlights the crucial steps involved in the selection of cell sources and generation, delivery approaches, animal models to be used, and endpoints to be studied, in the context of cell delivery for vascular disease. Furthermore, the development of cell delivery to induce angiogenesis in ischemic limbs and to improve the response to large vessel injury will be discussed.
Mouse models of Huntington disease: variations on a theme
Authors: Ehrnhoefer Dagmar E. , Butland Stefanie L. , Pouladi Mahmoud A. , Hayden Michael R.
Published: February 2009

An accepted prerequisite for clinical trials of a compound in humans is the successful alleviation of the disease in animal models. For some diseases, however, successful translation of drug effects from mouse models to the bedside has been limited. One question is whether the current models accurately reproduce the human disease. Here, we examine the mouse models that are available for therapeutic testing in Huntington disease (HD), a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder for which there is no effective treatment. The current mouse models show different degrees of similarity to the human condition. Significant phenotypic differences are seen in mouse models that express either truncated or full-length human, or full-length mouse, mutant huntingtin (mHTT). These differences in phenotypic expression may be attributable to the influences of protein context, mouse strain and a difference in regulatory sequences between the mouse Htt and human HTT genes.
Disease models and mechanisms in the classroom
Authors: Gitler Aaron D.
Published: February 2009

At the University of Pennsylvania (PENN), we devote an entire graduate-level course to the study of human disease models: Seminar on Current Genetic Research: Modeling Human Disease in Diverse Genetic Systems
Drinking from the firehose of scientific publishing
Authors: Patil Chris , Siegel Vivian
Published: February 2009

The fundamental question is this: can the wisdom of crowds be exploited to post-filter the literature?
Education in cognitive-behavioural therapy for mental health professionals
Authors: Rees Clare S , Krabbe Maria , Monaghan Benjamin J
Published: February 2009

Since 1998, videoconferencing has been used to provide training in cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for mental health practitioners in rural and remote Western Australia. A preliminary study of the outcomes found significant improvements in knowledge of the therapy among participants. In this study, data from 48 participants were collected over a seven-year period. Each participant completed the Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy Knowledge Questionnaire before and after training, as well as a questionnaire about satisfaction. The sample included different training groups, made up of different mental health practitioners with varying levels of motivation and experience in mental health. There was a significant improvement in the participants' knowledge of CBT from pre- to post-training ( P < 0.001) as well as high levels of satisfaction with the content and delivery of the programme. The majority of participants had used CBT principles learned in the course during their clinical practice. A range of patients had been treated, from those with anxiety disorders to those with bipolar disorder, i.e. the training was applicable to professionals working at the more severe end of the disease spectrum.
Mobile communication using a mobile phone with a glucometer for glucose control in Type 2 patients with diabetes: as effective as an Internet-based glucose monitoring system
Authors: Cho Jae-Hyoung , Lee Hye-Chung , Lim Dong-Jun , Kwon Hyuk-Sang , Yoon Kun-Ho
Published: February 2009

A mobile phone with a glucometer integrated into the battery pack (the ‘Diabetes Phone’) was launched in Korea in 2003. We compared its effect on management of type 2 diabetes to the Internet-based glucose monitoring system (IBGMS), which had been studied previously. We conducted a randomized trial involving 69 patients for three months. Participants were assigned to an Internet group or a phone group. The phone group communicated with medical staff through the mobile phone only. Their glucose-monitoring data were automatically transferred to individual, web-based charts and they received medical recommendations by short message service. The Internet group used the IBGMS. There were no significant differences between the groups at baseline. After three months' intervention, HbA1c levels of both groups had decreased significantly, from 7.6% to 6.9% for the Internet group and from 8.3% to 7.1% for the phone group ( P < 0.01). Levels of patient satisfaction and adherence to medical advice were similar. Mobile, bidirectional communication between doctors and patients using the diabetes phone was as effective for glucose control as the previously-studied Internet-based monitoring system and it was good for patient satisfaction and adherence.
A mobile telemedicine system for remote consultation in cases of acute stroke
Authors: Kim Dong-Keun , Yoo Sun K , Park In-Cheol , Choa Minhong , Bae Kyoung Y , Kim Young-Dae , Heo Ji-Hoe
Published: February 2009

A mobile telemedicine system, capable of transmitting video and audio simultaneously, was designed for consulting acute stroke patients remotely. It could use a wireless local area network (e.g. inside the hospital) or a mobile phone network (e.g. outside the hospital). When initiating a call, the sending unit chose a suitable encoding profile based on the measured data throughput, in order to allocate appropriate bit rates for video and audio transmission. The system was tested using a portable digital assistant (PDA) type phone and smart phone as receiving units. Video and audio recordings were made from five patients (two normal and three stroke patients) and then transmitted at different rates. Subjectively, both video and audio qualities improved as the data throughput increased. The physical findings, including facial droop, arm drift and abnormal speech, were observed remotely by four specialists according to the Cincinnati Pre-hospital Stroke Scale guideline. A comparison between the face-to-face method and the mobile telemedicine method showed that there were no discrepancies at bit rates of more than 400 kbit/s. We conclude that specialists could generally conduct remote consultations for stroke patients either using a public mobile network or a wireless LAN.
Mobile digital fundus screening of type 2 diabetes patients in the Finnish county of South-Ostrobothnia
Authors: Lemmetty Riku , Mäkelä Kari
Published: February 2009

In 1999 we introduced a digital, mobile eye fundus camera for screening type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (adult onset diabetes) in the Finnish county of South-Ostrobothnia. Prior to this, eye fundus examinations were only available in the regional central hospital, and no systematic screening of type 2 (adult onset) diabetes patients was possible. The total number of screenings carried out with the mobile equipment from 1999 to 2006 was 17,471 cases. There were significant benefits, most important from improved coverage of type 2 diabetes patients. Because the mobile system made eye fundus examinations available to patients in their nearest health centre, approximately 85% of all patients with diabetes in the region are now screened. On average this means that each patient is screened once every 2.5 years, which is in line with national recommendations. As a result, more of the earlier stage retinopathy cases have been diagnosed. There have also been changes in the frequency and type of procedures at the eye department of the regional central hospital. The number of cases referred to the eye department for follow-up studies has decreased from 49 in 2000 to 19 in 2005. The screening system adopted in South-Ostrobothnia has had beneficial effects for both patients and health-care providers.
Post-operative care through tele-follow up visits in patients undergoing thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy in a resource-constrained environment
Authors: Mishra Anjali , Kapoor Lily , Mishra Saroj Kanta
Published: February 2009

We conducted a pilot study to assess the feasibility of tele-follow up in post-operative cases of thyroid and parathyroid diseases. Patients were enrolled after operation at the tertiary hospital in Lucknow who consented to report to the telemedicine centre at Cuttack, approximately 1500 km away. Initially videoconferencing used a single ISDN line (128 kbit/s); subsequently a satellite-based connection (384 kbit/s) was employed. Patients were given a questionnaire to assess their satisfaction with tele-follow up and the financial and work-time savings incurred by them. Over a period of nearly four years, a total of 34 postoperative patients were followed up by telemedicine. A total of 66 tele-visit sessions were held. The average number of visits per patient was two (range 1–6). The nature of disease was benign in 17 patients and malignant in the other 17. The reasons for tele-follow up were: confirmation of histology report ( n = 18), medication dosage adjustments ( n = 24) and serum thyroglobulin monitoring ( n = 5). The patients' level of satisfaction was very good (31%) or excellent (69%). There were substantial financial and work-time savings per visit. Tele-follow up is feasible after thyroid and parathyroid surgery for benign thyroid and parathyroid disorders and in patients with low-risk thyroid cancers. The technique ensures satisfactory postoperative follow-up.
Utilizing the Molecular Gateway: The Path to Personalized Cancer Management
Authors: Overdevest Jonathan B , Theodorescu Dan , Lee Jae K
Published: February 2009

Background: Personalized medicine is the provision of focused prevention, detection, prognostic, and therapeutic efforts according to an individual’s genetic composition. The actualization of personalized medicine will require combining a patient’s conventional clinical data with bioinformatics-based molecular-assessment profiles. This synergistic approach offers tangible benefits, such as heightened specificity in the molecular classification of cancer subtypes, improved prognostic accuracy, targeted development of new therapies, novel applications for old therapies, and tailored selection and delivery of chemotherapeutics.

Content: Our ability to personalize cancer management is rapidly expanding through biotechnological advances in the postgenomic era. The platforms of genomics, proteomics, single-nucleotide polymorphism profiling and haplotype mapping, high-throughput genomic sequencing, and pharmacogenomics constitute the mechanisms for the molecular assessment of a patient’s tumor. The complementary data derived during these assessments is processed through bioinformatics analysis to offer unique insights for linking expression profiles to disease detection, tumor response to chemotherapy, and patient survival. Together, these approaches permit improved physician capacity to assess risk, target therapies, and tailor a chemotherapeutic treatment course.

Summary: Personalized medicine is poised for rapid growth as the insights provided by new bioinformatics models are integrated with current procedures for assessing and treating cancer patients. Integration of these biological platforms will require refinement of tissue-processing and analysis techniques, particularly in clinical pathology, to overcome obstacles in customizing our ability to treat cancer.
Shear Deformation of Locked Sand in Triaxial Compression
Authors: Wong RCK
Published: February 2009

Dense, uncemented, locked Athabasca oil sand specimens were tested in drained triaxial compression with enlarged lubricated platen ends. Computer tomography and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging techniques were used to examine the micro-structural features of the intact and sheared specimens. The micro-structures studied in this paper include shear banding pattern, shear band thickness, and spatial porosity distributions inside and outside shear bands.
An Electrokinetic Testing Apparatus for Undisturbed/Remoulded Soils under In-Situ Stress Conditions
Authors: Shang JQ , Masterson KL
Published: February 2009

In this paper, the design and construction of an apparatus for the study of electrokinetics are presented in detail. The apparatus is capable of both applying a designated effective stress to a soil sample and measuring the volume change and pore pressure during the electrokinetic testing. The results of a high voltage electrokinetic test on a remolded natural clay sample are reported to illustrate the operation of the apparatus and to study the mechanism of high voltage electrokinetics. During the 91 day test period of, including the application of a high voltage (−10 kV to −12 kV) for 51 days via insulated electrodes, the volume and pore pressure changes were negligible. Nevertheless, the geotechnical properties of the soil significantly improved, including increases in shear strength (69%), shear modulus (151%) and preconsolidation pressure (700%). Since the increases are calculated with respect to the control sample under identical effective stress and drainage conditions over the same time period, they can only be attributed to high voltage electrokinetic effects, possibly cementation bonding, diagenesis, and ionic diffusion.

The electrokinetic testing apparatus developed in this study provides a viable tool for the study of electrokinetics on clayey soils for better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the process.
Elastic Modulus of Geogrid-Reinforced Sand Using Plate Load Tests
Authors: Gabr MA , Hart JH
Published: February 2009

An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the elastic modulus of sand reinforced with polymeric geogrids. A total of nine plate load tests were performed in the laboratory using a 1.52 m × 1.52 m × 1.37 m (length × width × depth) test box, and a 0.3 m square test plate. The measured test data were used to evaluate a modulus constant (E1), rather than the bearing capacity, as traditionally presented in literature. The modulus constant was estimated based on two deformation levels of 9.2 mm and 4.6 mm. These deformation levels, defined as δ1 and δ0.5, correspond to normalized settlement ratios (δ/B) of 1.5 and 3.0%, respectively, where B = width of the test plate. In general, a stiffer load-settlement response was measured when the geogrid reinforcement was included. Using SR1 geogrids with sand, the modulus constant (E1) decreased as a function of increasing u/B ratio (u = distance from plate to Eop reinforcement layer). In comparison, results indicated the presence of a critical u/B ratio when the SR2 geogrids were used. In this study, this particular ratio was estimated to be 0.65. Values of E1 from large scale model testing by Adams and Collin (1997) correlated well with E1 values evaluated from this testing program.
An Investigation of the Elastic Stress-Strain Behavior of a Banded Sandstone and a Sandstone-Like Material
Authors: Talesnick ML , Katz A , Ringel M
Published: February 2009

A complete methodology has been presented and implemented that enables the independent determination of the five mechanical parameters required to describe the elastic behavior of a transverse isotropic rock. The uniqueness of the methodology is that only one specimen is required. A single hollow specimen is subjected to a series of specific stress conditions. From each stress condition a different parameter or parameters may be determined. The most important advantage of the methodology is that the difficulty of material variability between specimens is to a large extent eliminated. Testing of multiple specimens allows for a better formulation of the nature of the material isotropy and the variability in material parameters.

Results of the methodology compare favorably to other more conventional frameworks such as uniaxial testing and Brazilian compression. The bulk of the testing was carried out on a natural anisotropic banded sandstone; however, a set of control specimens of sand concrete were tested in order to consider the credibility of the methodology.

The methodology has been implemented to consider possible differences in the response of both materials to compressive and tensile stress regimes. Over the range of stresses considered, the differences between the compressive and tensile stiffnesses are surprisingly small.
Instrumentation of Bored Concrete Piles for Horizontal Load Tests
Authors: de Sousa Coutinho AGF , Toco Emilio F , de Almeida Garrett JL , Tavares Cardoso E
Published: February 2009

This paper contains the fundamental outline of an experimental work developed over a period of several years covering the instrumentation and execution of horizontal load tests on bored reinforced concrete piles and pile groups. The instrumentation used is described, with particular emphasis on a system that is a completely original concept in strain measurement in piles of this kind. Hints are also given on system assemblage, insertion into the pile borehole, and preparation for automatic data acquisition. The paper also contains a description of the loading systems for piles and pile groups, giving special emphasis to the new aspects introduced. Finally, some references are made to the execution of the tests and some critical observations given on the results of the instrumentation equipment used.
Lateral Load Behavior of Jetted Piles
Authors: Hameed RA , Gunaratne M , Putcha S , Kuo C , Johnson S
Published: February 2009

Water jetting can be utilized as an effective aid to impact pile driving when hard strata are encountered above the designated tip elevation. When jetting, the immediate neighborhood of the pile is first liquefied due to high pore pressure induced by the water jet and subsequently densified with its dissipation. In addition, the percolating water also creates a filtration zone further away from the pile. Hence, jetting invariably causes substantial disturbance to the surrounding soil that results in a noticeable change in the lateral deformation behavior. Currently, no definitive criteria are available to quantify the possible reduction in the lateral strength of driven piles when jetting is employed. This paper presents the results of an experimental study performed with model piles installed using (1) impact driving and (2) jetting in a sandy soil (with 10% clay) compacted to different unit weights under unsaturated as well as saturated conditions. The beam theory and polynomial approximations are used to convert measured load-strain data to conventional lateral pressure-deformation characteristics (p-y curves). Then, the effect of jetting on the lateral load behavior of piles is presented in terms of non-dimensional empirical curves. An example is also provided to illustrate how the results can be utilized to synthesize p-y curves for jetted piles based on available p-y curves for impact-driven piles in the same soil.
Model for Capillary-Induced Radial Flow in Cohesionless Soils
Authors: Sivakumar Babu GL , Fox PJ
Published: February 2009

Capillary phenomena in cohesionless soils play an important role in the migration of liquids through the unsaturated zone above and close to groundwater sources. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a theoretical and experimental study of capillary flow in the radial direction. A closed-form solution for the time-dependent advance of wetting front radius is derived as a function of porosity, degree of saturation, hydraulic conductivity, and capillary head. A laboratory test called the “radial horizontal capillarity test” was developed to measure the radial movement of the wetting front as a function of time and experiments were conducted. Values of capillary-induced hydraulic conductivity and capillary head from the theory and experiments on sands and silt are close to those obtained from linear horizontal capillarity tests.
Tomographic Evaluation of Air and Water Flow Patterns in Soil Column
Authors: Wong RCK , Wibowo R
Published: February 2009

This paper describes the use of computerized tomography (CT) as a nondestructive method to estimate the three-dimensional spatial distributions of porosity, air, and water saturations during air-water displacement tests in a soil column. Local porosity was found to be a critical factor in controlling the air and water flow patterns. In nonhomogeneous soil, high local porosity promotes early development of isolated air channel breakthrough that maintains a high average water retention saturation. In homogenous soil, micro air channels are established uniformly, resulting in a low water saturation. Interpretation of data based on overall porosity could lead to unreliable flow analysis for water and/or air movement in unsaturated soil. In addition, this paper investigates the use of gas exsolution to enhance the delivery of air within soil media.
Miniature Cone Penetration Tests in Soft and Stiff Clays
Authors: Titi HH , Mohammad LN , Tumay MT
Published: February 2009

An electric continuous intrusion miniature cone penetration test system was recently developed for roadway design and construction control of embankments. The system continuously advances a 2 cm2 electric miniature cone penetrometer by uncoiling a stainless steel push rod. Field and laboratory testing programs were conducted on overconsolidated, normally consolidated, and compacted Louisiana clays. The field testing program consisted of cone penetration tests using both 2 and 15 cm2 electric cone penetrometers in conjunction with soil sampling, while laboratory tests included physical properties and strength characteristics of the investigated soils. Analyses of cone penetration tests were conducted to assess the repeatability and reliability, as well as confirming that the electric miniature friction cone output is in compliance with output of the 15 cm2 cone.
Calibration of Testing Equipment for Reliable Small-Strain Deformation Measurements Using Synthetic Specimens
Authors: Kim D-S , Kweon G-C
Published: February 2009

For reliable deformation measurements at small strains, calibration of the entire testing system in addition to routine transducer calibrations are very important. Seven synthetic specimens of varying stiffness (4.3 to 1500 MPa) were constructed and tested to measure the compliance of testing equipment and to improve the measurement setups. Testing equipment used in this study included resonant column device (RC), torsional shear device (TS), free-free resonant column device (FF-RC), cyclic resilient modulus testing device (MR) and the static compression testing device. Moduli of synthetic specimens determined by various testing equipment after improvement were almost identical if considered the effect of loading frequency, indicating that all of the testing devices were well calibrated over a wide stiffness range. To verify the effectiveness of calibration on soil testing, two subgrade soils were tested, and moduli determined by various tests compared well. Use of synthetic calibration specimens shows potential for calibrating testing equipment and determining its capability and limitation of small-strain deformation measurements.
Interfacial Parameters and Work of Adhesion in Soil-Liquid Systems
Authors: Kaya A , Lloyd TB , Fang H-Y
Published: February 2009

The surface/interfacial properties and soil-liquid interaction are studied to serve as a preliminary study to interpret engineering behavior of soils. To fully understand the nature of fine-grained soil-pore fluid interaction, the work of adhesion of liquids on kaolinite and bentonite is determined by means of measuring soil-liquid contact angle by the Wilhelmy Plate technique and horizontal capillarity. The results reveal that work of adhesion of soils with organic liquids varies considerably depending on the surface tension of the organic liquids (cohesive forces) as well as the liquid-soil adhesive forces. Further, surface parameters of the soils, γSLW, γS#x002B;, and γS− are determined and compared with the values reported in the literature. The results reported in this study are compared with the previous ones in the literature. The agreement between the results of this study and reported results in the literature is good. Results also revealed that when the soil particles are wetted with water, organic liquids couldn't displace water molecules and change the soil microstructure. Based on the obtained results, it is concluded that studying the work of adhesion is a very useful way of understanding soil-liquid interaction and predicting engineering behavior of soils.
Laboratory Evaluation of Cemented Backfill Materials for Mines
Authors: Unal E , Cakmakci G
Published: February 2009

A brief state-of-the-art review is given on backfill materials and laboratory tests. A new system developed for testing backfill material in the laboratory is described. In this system, most of the limitations of previously applied techniques have been eliminated. In performing unconfined-deformability tests (UDT) and confined-deformability tests (CDT), large cylindrical specimens having a diameter of 600 mm are used. The specimens were prepared from riverbed sand and gravel mixed with cement. A total of 135 UDT and 127 CDT specimens were tested in order to investigate the strength and deformability characteristics of 40 different combinations of backfill mixture. Calculation methods are evaluated in terms of stress-strain plots and are illustrated with examples. Typical results are presented. Two sets of deformation data can be obtained during testing: one from between the top and bottom plates, and the other from between the rings peripherally fixed onto the specimen. It is shown in this study that ring-to-ring readings provide more reliable modulus results.