bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new approach for evaluating carryover and its influence on quantitation in high‐performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry assay
Authors: Zeng Wei , Musson Donald G. , Fisher Alison L. , Wang Amy Qiu
Published: January 2006

In a high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)‐based analytical method, carryover denotes one type of systematic error that is derived from a preceding sample and introduced into the next sample. For typical bioanalytical method development, a significant amount of time and resources are spent on reducing carryover for some analytes. In this paper, the statistical characteristics of carryover were analyzed based on the experimental results. The relative carryover (RC), defined as the peak area ratio of a blank sample to the preceding sample, was constant for the analyte and independent of the concentration of the preceding sample. The influence of carryover on the quantitation of the next injected sample or the ‘following’ sample was proportional to the concentration ratio of two consecutive samples and the relative carryover. Based on these experiments and analyses, the influence of carryover on the quantitation of unknown samples in an HPLC assay can be evaluated by the estimated carryover influence (ECI), which is the product of the relative carryover and the concentration ratio. This new approach provides a quantitative estimation for the influence of carryover on the quantitation of the unknown sample, and removes the limit put on the dynamic range of the assay by the current criterion of carryover. In general, if the relative standard deviation (RSD) of a validated bioanalytical method is less than 10%, the carryover will not have a significant effect on the accuracy of the assay when the estimated carryover influence is less than 5%. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The satisfiability threshold for randomly generated binary constraint satisfaction problems
Authors: Frieze Alan , Molloy Michael
Published: January 2006

We study two natural models of randomly generated constraint satisfaction problems. We determine how quickly the domain size must grow withnto ensure that these models are robust in the sense that they exhibit a non‐trivial threshold of satisfiability, and we determine the asymptotic order of that threshold. We also provide resolution complexity lower bounds for these models. One of our results immediately yields a theorem regarding homomorphisms between two random graphs. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2006
Rationality, foolishness, and adaptive intelligence
Authors: March James G.
Published: January 2006

Technologies of model‐based rationality are the core technologies of strategic management, having largely replaced earlier technologies that placed greater reliance on traditional practice or on communication either with the stars or with the gods. The technologies used by organizations in their pursuit of intelligence can be imagined to change over time as a result of responding to the successes and failures associated with the technologies. Although technologies of rationality seem clearly to be effective instruments of exploitation in relatively simple situations and to derive their adaptive advantage from those capabilities, their ventures in more complex explorations seem often to lead to huge mistakes and thus unlikely to be sustained by adaptive processes. Whether their survival as instruments of exploratory novelty in complex situations is desirable is a difficult question to answer, but it seems likely that any such survival may require hitchhiking on their successes in simpler worlds. Survival may also be served by the heroism of fools and the blindness of true believers. Their imperviousness to feedback is both the despair of adaptive intelligence and, conceivably, its salvation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The presence of a separate COO/president and its impact on strategic change and CEO dismissal
Authors: Zhang Yan
Published: January 2006

This study focuses on the leadership structure at the very top of a firm. Specifically, it examines how the presence of a COO/president, who is separate from the CEO, affects strategic change and CEO dismissal. With longitudinal data on the tenures of 207 CEOs, results suggest that the presence of a separate COO/president increases the magnitude of strategic change under conditions of low firm performance but it decreases the magnitude of strategic change under conditions of high firm performance. In addition, the presence of a separate COO/president increases the likelihood of CEO dismissal under conditions of low firm performance, and this effect is stronger when the magnitude of strategic change is high; but it has no impact on the likelihood of CEO dismissal under conditions of high firm performance. These results suggest that the impact of the presence of a separate COO/president on strategic change and CEO dismissal varies across different organizational contexts. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meeting application requirements with conductive carbon black
Authors: Van Bellingen Christine , Probst Nicolas , Grivei Eusebiu
Published: January 2006

High structure or so‐called conductive carbon blacks (CCBs) constitute the major family of conductive additives. They enable one to make polymers permanently conductive at “low” to “very low” loadings, for technical applications involving, e.g., the transport of energy, protection against arcing or discharge. Designing conductive parts requires certain know‐how, as many parameters influence the final electrical conductivity, and many other requirements have to be fulfilled. This paper highlights the impact of the carbon black (CB) type and loading, the polymer type, and the compounding conditions on the conductive, mechanical, dispersion, and flow properties of various plastics compounds. The study especially positions a unique family of low surface area (LSA) CCBs, suggests means to make conductive parts with compounding and transformation ease, and points out that more conductive additive does not automatically give the best overall performance. J. VINYL. ADDIT. TECHNOL., 12:14–18, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers
Modification of polymers by using poly(vinyl butyral)‐based additives
Authors: Hofmann George H. , Lee Win‐Chung
Published: January 2006

Poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) is the tough polymer film widely used as the interlayer in safety glass laminates such as automotive windshields. This material is now available in pellet form for easy blending into other polymer resins. It has been shown to act as an impact modifier and/or processing aid when blended at low levels into a variety of engineering resins, polyolefins, and PVC. At relatively high loadings, it performs as a permanent plasticizer imparting toughness, flexibility, enhanced processability, and oil resistance. The residual hydroxyl groups in PVB provide active surface sites to enhance paintability and adhesion to other materials. The adhesion of PVB has been found to enhance stiffness/compatibility when glass fibers and minerals are incorporated into engineering resins. The hydroxyl functionality has been used as crosslinking sites to form tough oil‐resistant thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) via dynamic vulcanization. J. VINYL. ADDIT. TECHNOL., 12:33–36, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers
Clonidine effects on pain evoked SII activity in humans
Authors: Hauck Michael , Bischoff Petra , Schmidt Gunther , Zimmermann Roger , Lorenz Juergen , Morrow Thomas J. , Bromm Burkhart
Published: January 2006

We investigated pain evoked activity in the human secondary sensory cortex (SII) following clonidine administration in six healthy volunteers using multi‐channel magnetoencephalography (MEG). Pain was elicited by electrical shocks applied intracutaneously to the fingertip. Subjects rated pain intensity and perceptions of tiredness and passiveness by numerical ranking scales. Each subject underwent two investigations, one week apart from each other, with clonidine doses of 1.5 or 3.0 μg/kg, administered intravenously in a random order and double‐blinded. We applied a total number of seven blocks, each consisting of 60 painful stimuli, with one adaptation block, one pre‐medication block, four post‐medication blocks and one recovery block at the end of the session. MEG data were analysed by dipole reconstruction using CURRYR (Neuroscan, Hamburg) software package. Cortical activity in the contralateral SII cortex appeared with peak latencies of 118.5 ± 10 ms. This activity was significantly reduced by clonidine, in parallel with a reduction of pain intensity and enhancement of subjective tiredness and passiveness. There was, however, no significant correlation between MEG and subjective effects. Although both clonidine doses had similar effects, the higher dose induced longer changes. Results indicate that intravenous clonidine is able to relieve pain, but the exact mechanism of clonidine at the level of the SII cortex remains unclear. It is possible that clonidine interacts with the brainstem ascending system regulating vigilance and arousal which would explain the observed decrement of pain induced activity in SII. An additional more specific analgesic action at spinal level cannot be excluded.
“You feel so hopeless”: A qualitative study of GP management of acute back pain
Authors: Breen Alan , Austin Helen , Campion‐Smith Charles , Carr Eloise , Mann Eileen
Published: January 2006

Background Biopsychosocial management of non‐specific back pain in general practice has been problematical, with frequent inappropriate referral for imaging and secondary care interventions and lack of self‐confidence in the ability to provide evidence‐based care.

Background To examine GP attitudes to managing back pain as a biopsychosocial problem in order to inform future educational strategies that may improve practice.

Background Twenty‐one GPs from separate practices within the Dorset and Somerset Strategic Health Authority area (UK) participated in telephone interviews leading to the development of vignettes to refine the theoretical framework for subsequent focus group interviews about evidence‐based back pain management. Transcripts were analysed thematically.

Background There were 5 main emergent themes. These were generally negative and dominated by concerns about doctor—patient interaction. They included feelings of frustration, mismatches of perceptions in the doctor—patient relationship, problems in relation to time, challenges and discord between stakeholders in the process (for example, over sickness certification) and a lack of resources for education, awareness and local services to refer to. Psychosocial aspects of the actual care process were rarely raised. Participants favoured education that is multidisciplinary, in small group format and involves the participation of patients.

Background This study illustrates the difficulties that GPs may have in applying the relevant evidence for the successful management of back pain. A desire to avoid conflict in the relationship with patients explained much of the problem of implementing evidence in general practice. This indicates a need for insightful educational strategies that involve active GP participation.
Discovering differential activation machinery of the Toll‐like receptor 4 signaling pathways in MyD88 knockouts
Authors: Selvarajoo Kumar
Published: January 2006

To understand differential time activation of nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) and the temporal features of the downstream pro‐inflammatory cytokines’ [tumour‐necrosis‐factor‐α (TNF‐α) and IP‐10] mRNA levels in myeloid differentiation primary‐response protein 88 (MyD88) knockouts (KOs), I developed a computational model of the TLR4 pathway. The result suggests that the late phase expression of NF‐κB activity observed in MyD88 KOs is possibly due to a number of novel intermediates acting along the MyD88‐independent pathway. I also simulate that the TNF‐α levels will increase at a longer time in MyD88 KOs, not previously mentioned.
Protection against DNA damage‐induced apoptosis by the angiogenic factor thymidine phosphorylase
Authors: Jeung Hei-Cheul , Che Xiao-Fang , Haraguchi Misako , Zhao Hong-Ye , Furukawa Tatsuhiko , Gotanda Takenari , Zheng Chun-Lei , Tsuneyoshi Kengo , Sumizawa Tomoyuki , Roh Jae Kyung , Akiyama Shin-ichi
Published: January 2006

Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) is involved both in pyrimidine nucleoside metabolism and in angiogenesis. TP also conferred the resistance to hypoxia‐induced apoptosis of the cancer cells. In U937 cells, DNA damage‐inducing agents significantly enhanced the expression of TP. Cell lines stably transfected with TP cDNA were more resistant to the DNA damage‐inducing agents than the mock‐transfected cells and showed augmented activity of Akt. The cytoprotective function of TP against DNA damage was independent of its enzymatic activity. The resistance to apoptosis was partially abrogated by treatment with the phosphatidyl inositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) inhibitors, suggesting that the cytoprotective function of TP is mediated, at least in part, by regulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. These findings indicate that TP expression in increased by various stress including DNA damage and that TP molecules confer resistance to DNA damage‐induced apoptosis in cancer cells.
The conserved Ala37 in the ERF/AP2 domain is essential for binding with the DRE element and the GCC box
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhao Tong-Jin , Liu Jing-Mei , Liu Wei-Qun , Liu Qiang , Yan Yong-Bin , Zhou Hai-Meng
Published: January 2006

Four AP2/EREBP genes encoding putative ethylene‐responsive element binding factor (ERF)/AP2 domains were cloned from Brassica napus, and these genes could be induced by low temperature, ethylene, drought, high salinity, abscisic acid and jasmonate treatments. These four genes, named BnDREBIII‐1 to BnDREBIII‐4, were highly homologous and the 37th amino acid was the only difference among their ERF/AP2 domains. BnDREBIII‐1 was demonstrated to be able to bind to both dehydration‐responsive element and the GCC box and transactivate the expression of downstream genes, while BnDREBIII‐4 could bind neither. Further results suggested that Ala37 might play a crucial role in the DNA binding or the stability of the ERF/AP2 domain.
The Tie2 5′ untranslated region is inhibitory to 5′ end‐mediated translation initiation
Authors: Park Eun-Hee , Lee Joseph M. , Pelletier Jerry
Published: January 2006

Tie2 is an endothelium‐specific receptor tyrosine kinase required for normal blood vessel maturation, remodeling, and stability. Tie2 expression is also upregulated in various cancers implicating a role in tumor angiogenesis. Its mRNA transcript contains an unusually long (372 nucleotides) 5′ untranslated region (UTR) with five upstream open reading frames (uORFs) and an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) that allows this mRNA to be translated under hypoxic conditions. This sets up an alternative initiation pathway with the potential to clash with 5′ end‐mediated initiation from the same template. Herein, we define experimental conditions under which the Tie2 IRES is not active, allowing us to assess the contribution of the 5′ UTR to cap‐dependent translation on the Tie2 transcript. We find that the Tie2 5′ UTR is inhibitory to translation initiation with ribosome flow decreasing following encounters with each uORF. No single uORF was found to harbor significant cis‐acting inhibitory activity. Our results suggest that the uORFs within the Tie2 5′ UTR serve to decrease the percent of ribosomes competent for reinitiation as these traverse the mRNA 5′ UTR, thus minimizing interference with the IRES.
Microtubule binding proteins CLIP‐170, EB1, and p150Glued form distinct plus‐end complexes
Authors: Ligon Lee A. , Shelly Spencer S. , Tokito Mariko K. , Holzbaur Erika L.F.
Published: January 2006

Microtubule plus‐end proteins CLIP‐170 and EB1 dynamically track the tips of growing microtubules in vivo. Here we examine the association of these proteins with microtubules in vitro. CLIP‐170 binds tubulin dimers and co‐assembles into growing microtubules. EB1 binds tubulin dimers more weakly, so no co‐assembly is observed. However, EB1 binds to CLIP‐170, and forms a co‐complex with CLIP‐170 and tubulin that is recruited to growing microtubule plus ends. The interaction between CLIP‐170 and EB1 is competitively inhibited by the related CAP‐Gly protein p150Glued, which also localizes to microtubule plus ends in vivo. Based on these observations, we propose a model in which the formation of distinct plus‐end complexes may differentially affect microtubule dynamics in vivo.
TDP43 depletion rescues aberrant CFTR exon 9 skipping
Authors: Ayala Youhna M. , Pagani Franco , Baralle Francisco E.
Published: January 2006

CFTR exon 9 presents a 3′ splice site polymorphism, (UG)
m
U
n
, whose composition influences splicing. TDP43 specifically binds the UG tract of the transcript and inhibits splicing in vitro. We report that depletion of TDP43 through RNA interference removes splicing inhibition caused by unfavorable (UG)
m
U
n
sequences, indicating that TDP43 exerts a potent inhibitory effect in vivo. We also show that the UG–TDP43 interaction has a dominant role over other exon 9 splicing regulatory elements. These results suggest that TDP43 association near a splice site has determined the evolution of positive splicing regulatory elements to contrast this inhibition.
The regulation of Bax by c‐Jun N‐terminal protein kinase (JNK) is a prerequisite to the mitochondrial‐induced apoptotic pathway
Authors: Papadakis Emmanouil S. , Finegan Katherine G. , Wang Xin , Robinson Andrew C. , Guo Chun , Kayahara Midori , Tournier Cathy
Published: January 2006

The signaling mechanism by which JNK affects mitochondria is critical to initiate apoptosis. Here we show that the absence of JNK provides a partial resistance to the toxic effect of the heavy metal cadmium. Both wild type and jnk−/− fibroblasts undergoing death exhibit cytosolic cytochrome c but, unlike wild type cells, the JNK‐deficient fibroblasts do not display increased caspase activity and DNA fragmentation. The absence of apoptotic death correlates with a specific defect in activation of Bax. We conclude that JNK‐dependent regulation of Bax is essential to mediate the apoptotic release of cytochrome c regardless of Bid and Bim activation.
Identification of the linear epitope for Fc‐binding on the bovine IgG2 Fc receptor (boFcγ2R) using synthetic peptides
Authors: Zhang Gaiping , Guo Junqing , Zhou Jiyong , Wang Xuannian , Li Qingmei , Yang Yanyan , Shen Huigang , Zhao Dong , Zhang Hua , Xi Jun , Wang Li , Qiao Songlin , Jin Xin
Published: January 2006

To identify the linear epitope for Fc‐binding on the bovine IgG2 Fc receptor (boFcγ2R), peptides derived from the membrane‐distal extracellular domain (EC1) of boFcγ2R corresponding to the homologous region of human FcαRI were synthesized. Binding of bovine IgG2 to the different peptides was tested by Dot‐blot assay, and the peptide showing maximal binding was further modified by truncation and mutation. The minimum effective peptide 82FIGV85 located in the putative F–G loop of the EC1 domain was found to bind bovine IgG2 specifically and inhibit the binding of bovine IgG2 to the receptor. The Phe82, Ile83 and Val85 residues within the linear epitope were shown to be critical for IgG2‐binding. Such functional epitope peptide should be very useful for understanding the IgG‐Fcγ interaction and development of FcR‐targeting drugs.
CT domain of CCN2/CTGF directly interacts with fibronectin and enhances cell adhesion of chondrocytes through integrin α5β1
Authors: Hoshijima Mitsuhiro , Hattori Takako , Inoue Miho , Araki Daisuke , Hanagata Hiroshi , Miyauchi Akira , Takigawa Masaharu
Published: January 2006

Searching for CCN family protein 2/connective tissue growth factor (CCN2/CTGF) interactive proteins by yeast‐two‐hybrid screening, we identified fibronectin 1 gene product as a major binding partner of CCN2/CTGF in the chondrosarcoma‐derived chondrocytic cell line HCS‐2/8. Only the CT domain of CCN2/CTGF bound directly to fibronectin (FN). CCN2/CTGF and its CT domain enhanced the adhesion of HCS‐2/8 cells to FN in a dose‐dependent manner. The CCN2/CTGF‐enhancing effect on cell adhesion to FN was abolished by a blocking antibody against α5β1 integrin (α5β1), but not by one against anti‐αvβ3 integrin. These findings suggest for the first time that CCN2/CTGF enhances chondrocyte adhesion to FN through direct interaction of its C‐terminal CT domain with FN, and that α5β1 is involved in this adhesion.
Bacteria in the gut of juvenile cod Gadus morhua fed live feed enriched with four different commercial diets
Authors: Korsnes Kjetil , Nicolaisen Ove , Skår Cecilie K. , Nerland Audun H. , Bergh Øivind
Published: January 2006

Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L., larvae were fed rotifers, Brachionus plicatilis and Artemia franciscana enriched on four different commercial media, using the manufacturers' protocols. Pooled samples of 20 cod larvae were homogenized, diluted, and plated out on Petri dishes. The number of colony-forming units per larva was estimated, and the dominant strains subsequently sampled for sequencing of 16S rDNA. Bacteria showing high sequence similarity to a pathogen characteristic of cod and other fish species, Listonella anguillarum, were present in all four groups. Other taxa present among the dominating bacterial colonies were Pseudoalteromonas sp., and Vibrio sp. However, these bacteria could be assigned to genera only. The different enrichments probably affected the number of colony-forming bacteria per millilitre in the enrichment cultures as well as in the larval gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Also, the composition of the microbiota associated with the larval GI tract was probably affected by the enrichment media.
Folic acid pretreatment prevents the reduction of Na+,K+‐ATPase and butyrylcholinesterase activities in rats subjected to acute hyperhomocysteinemia
Authors: Matté Cristiane , Durigon Eduardo , Stefanello Francieli M. , Cipriani Franciele , Wajner Moacir , Wyse Angela T.S.
Published: January 2006

The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of folic acid pretreatment on parietal cortex Na+,K+‐ATPase and serum butyrylcholinesterase activities in rats subjected to acute hyperhomocysteinemia. Animals were pretreated daily with an intraperitoneal injection of folic acid (5 mg/kg) or saline from the 22th to the 28th day of age. Twelve hours after the last injection of folic acid or saline, the rats received a single subcutaneous injection of homocysteine (0.6 μmol/g of weight body) or saline and were killed 1 h later. Serum was collected and the brain was quickly removed and parietal cortex dissected. Results showed that acute homocysteine administration significantly decreased the activities of Na+,K+‐ATPase and butyrylcholinesterase on parietal cortex and serum, respectively. Furthermore, folic acid pretreatment totally prevented these inhibitory effects. We also evaluated the effect of acute homocysteine administration on some parameters of oxidative stress, namely thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances and total thiol content in parietal cortex of rats. No alteration of these parameters were observed in parietal cortex of homocysteinemic animals, indicating that these oxidative stress parameters were probably not responsible for the reduction of Na+,K+‐ATPase and butyrylcholinesterase activities. The presented results confirm previous findings that acute hyperhomocysteinemia produces an inhibition of Na+,K+‐ATPase and butyrylcholinesterase activities and that pretreatment with folic acid prevents such effects. Assuming that homocysteine might also reduce the activities of these enzymes in human beings, our results support a new potential therapeutic strategy based on folic acid supplementation to prevent the neurological damage found in hyperhomocysteinemia.
Measurement of the pubic portion of the levator ani muscle in women with unilateral defects in 3‐D models from MR images
Authors: Chen L. , Hsu Y. , Ashton‐Miller J.A. , DeLancey J.O.L.
Published: January 2006

Objective

Develop a method to quantify the cross‐sectional area of the pubic portion of the levator ani muscle, validate the method in women with unilateral muscle defects, and report preliminary findings in those women.

Method

Multi‐planar proton density magnetic resonance images of 12 women with a unilateral defect in the pubic portion of their levator ani were selected from a larger study of levator ani muscle anatomy in women with and without genital prolapse. Three‐dimensional bilateral models of the levator ani were reconstructed (using 3‐D Slicer, version 2.1b1) and divided into iliococcygeal and pubic portions. Muscle cross‐sectional areas were calculated at four equally spaced locations perpendicular to a line drawn from the pubic origin to the visceral insertion using the I‐DEAS® computer modeling software.

Results

The cross‐sectional area of the muscle on the side with the defect was smaller than the normal side at all the four locations. The average bilateral difference was up to 81% at location 1 (nearest pubic origin). Almost all of the volume difference (13.7%, P = 0.0004) was attributable to a reduction in the pubic portion (24.6%, P < 0.0001), not the iliococcygeal portion (P = 0.64), of the muscle.

Conclusions

A method was developed to quantify cross‐sectional area of the pubic portion of the levator ani perpendicular to the intact muscle direction. Significant bilateral cross‐sectional area differences were found between intact and defective muscles in women with a unilateral defect.
Making EmOC a reality—CARE's experiences in areas of high maternal mortality in Africa
Authors: Kayongo M. , Rubardt M. , Butera J. , Abdullah M. , Mboninyibuka D. , Madili M.
Published: January 2006

Objective

This paper describes the package of interventions undertaken by the CARE/AMDD program collaboration to increase the availability and quality of emergency obstetric care for 3 high maternal mortality countries in Africa.

Methods

Project implementation over 4 years focused on enhancing the capacity of 10 district hospitals in 3 countries — Tanzania, Rwanda and Ethiopia. Interventions were designed to create functional health facilities with trained and competent staff, working in an enabling environment supporting EmOC service delivery.

Results

By keeping a clear focus on EmOC, the project achieved modest improvements in services, even in the face of the considerable constraints of rural district hospitals. Availability and utilization of EmOC increased in Tanzania; the met need for EmOC increased slightly from 14% in year 1 to 19% in year 4, while in Rwanda it increased from 16% to 25% over 4 years. Case fatality rates (CFR) declined by 30–50% in all 3 countries. While still well below UN recommendations, in all 3 countries there was also a progressive increase in the cesarean section rates, a life saving obstetric intervention.

Conclusions

The increases in met need and decreases in case fatality suggest that project interventions improved the quality and use of EmOC, a critical component for saving women's lives.
Strengthening emergency obstetric care in Ayacucho, Peru
Authors: Kayongo M. , Esquiche E. , Luna M.R. , Frias G. , Vega‐Centeno L. , Bailey P.
Published: January 2006

Objective

With support from the Averting Maternal Death and Disability (AMDD) Program, CARE began the FEMME Project in 2000 to increase access and utilization of emergency obstetric care (EmOC) services for the approximately 48,000 pregnant women in the northern provinces of Ayacucho.

Methods

The project targeted 5 facilities with a comprehensive package of interventions designed to improve capacity to provide quality EmOC services and to promote a human rights approach in health care. Key program activities included improvements in infrastructure, human resources capacity development, development of service standards and protocols, quality improvement activities, and promoting a rights‐based approach to health.

Results

By the end of the project, northern Ayacucho had 6 functioning EmOC facilities: 3 comprehensive (including a non‐FEMME project facility) and 3 basic. This exceeds the UN minimum recommendation of 5 EmOC facilities per 500,000 population. Other changes in the UN process indicators indicate an increase in quality and utilization of EmOC services. Met need for EmOC increased significantly from 30% in 2000 to a high of 84% in 2004. Case fatality rates declined and the number of maternal deaths in the entire region declined.

Conclusion

CARE's work in Ayacucho made an impact on policies and programs related to EmOC throughout the region. Within CARE, project experiences have supported maternal health programs particularly in the Latin American/Caribbean region.
Dorso-medial antebrachiocarpal luxation with radio-ulna luxation in a domestic shorthair
Authors: Shales Chris J , Langley-Hobbs Sorrel
Published: January 2006

An 8-year-old domestic shorthair was admitted with non-weight bearing left forelimb lameness. Examination and radiographs revealed dorso-medial antebrachiocarpal luxation with palmar luxation of the distal radio-ulnar joint. Primary repair was performed and stabilised using an arthrodesis wire and type Ia Kirschner-Ehmer (K-E) external skeletal fixator (ESF). The cat regained excellent pain-free limb function by 14 weeks with only minor reduction in range of movement. This is the first case report of a cat with distal radio-ulnar joint luxation associated with antebrachiocarpal luxation. Primary repair of carpal luxation in the cat should be considered before arthrodesis.
Effects of a single dose of an intranasal feline herpesvirus 1, calicivirus, and panleukopenia vaccine on clinical signs and virus shedding after challenge with virulent feline herpesvirus 1
Authors: Lappin Michael R , Sebring Randal W , Porter Marilyn , Radecki Steven J , Veir Julia
Published: January 2006

The objective of this study was to determine whether intranasal administration of a commercially available FVRCP vaccine to kittens lessened clinical signs and feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) viral shedding when compared to unvaccinated control kittens after FHV-1 challenge. Three groups of 10 unvaccinated kittens were administered one dose of vaccine 6 days (group 1), 4 days (group 2), or 2 days (group 3) before challenge, respectively. One group was maintained as unvaccinated controls (group 4). FHV-1 challenge was then induced and the kittens were observed for 14 days. When the grouped vaccinated kitten results (groups 1–3) were compared to group 4 results, clinical scores following challenge were significantly lower ( P<0.05) and significantly lower body temperatures ( P<0.05) were detected on days 0, 5 and 9 post-challenge. When evaluated by individual group, group 1 and group 2 kittens had significantly lower clinical scores ( P<0.05) than group 4 kittens post-challenge. In addition, FHV-1 shedding was lower in group 1 kittens when compared to group 4 kittens on day 6 after challenge ( P<0.05). Administration of this vaccine within several days prior to exposure lessened clinical signs of disease and FHV-1 shedding compared to unvaccinated kittens.
A retrospective study of 90Strontium plesiotherapy for feline squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal planum
Authors: Goodfellow Mark , Hayes Alison , Murphy Sue , Brearley Malcolm
Published: January 2006

The responses of 15 cats with histologically ( n=14) or cytologically ( n=1) confirmed nasal squamous cell carcinoma treated with 90Strontium plesiotherapy were reviewed retrospectively. Cats were treated such that a total dose of 50 Gy was delivered at a depth of 2 mm, administered in five fractions over a 10-day period. Of the cats, 11 were stage T2, three were Tis and one had only a cytological diagnosis precluding staging. Eleven of the cats achieved complete response (no visible lesion after 6–8 weeks) following the first cycle of therapy, and two cats with partial response achieved complete response with a second cycle of therapy. The remaining two cats achieved partial response following therapy, but further intervention was declined. Euthanasia was performed in these two cats because of progressive disease after 81 and 142 days. Of the 85% of cats that achieved a complete response, there was no recurrence of disease during a follow-up period of 134–2043 days (median 652 days). In addition to prolonged disease-free survivals, 90Strontium therapy produced excellent cosmetic results from the owners' perspective. These results demonstrate that superficial squamous cell carcinoma of the feline nasal planum responds excellently to 90Strontium plesiotherapy, and this form of therapy may offer advantages over other alternatives currently available.
Radial Shift of the Ulnar Fingers: A New Technique for Special Cases of Longitudinal Central Deficiency
Authors: FOUCHER GUY , LORÉA PATRICK , HOVIUS STEVEN , PIVATO GIORGIO , MEDINA JOSE
Published: January 2006

Treatment of central longitudinal deficiencies is well defined, with different techniques established for the classical clefts. However, none of these techniques is easily applied to the treatment of very deep clefts accompanied by a significant divergence of the metacarpal bones. In such cases, the results of current techniques are disappointing. We propose a new technique of “Translocation in the Radial direction of the Ulnar Finger(s)” (TRUF) by intra-carpal osteotomy. The results are illustrated in three clinical cases. The TRUF operation allowed closing of the cleft, alignment of the metacarpal bones and preservation of carpometacarpal mobility. When necessary, a metacarpal synostosis may be treated at the same procedure.
SOCIAL NETWORKS AND INFLAMMATORY MARKERS IN THE FRAMINGHAM HEART STUDY
Authors: LOUCKS ERIC B. , SULLIVAN LISA M. , D’AGOSTINO Sr RALPH B. , LARSON MARTIN G. , BERKMAN LISA F. , BENJAMIN EMELIA J.
Published: January 2006

Lack of social integration predicts coronary heart disease mortality in prospective studies; however, the biological pathways that may be responsible are poorly understood. The specific aims of this study were to examine whether social networks are associated with serum concentrations of the inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Participants in the Framingham Study attending examinations from 1998 to 2001 (n=3267) were eligible for inclusion in the study. Social networks were assessed using the Berkman–Syme Social Network Index (SNI). Concentrations of IL-6, CRP, sICAM-1 and MCP-1 were measured in fasting serum samples. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to assess the association of social networks with inflammatory markers adjusting for potential confounders including age, smoking, blood pressure, total:HDL cholesterol ratio, body mass index, lipid-lowering and antihypertensive medication, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression and socioeconomic status. Results found that the SNI was significantly inversely associated with IL-6 in men (p=0·03) after adjusting for potential confounders. In age-adjusted analyses, social networks also were significantly inversely associated with IL-6 for women (p=0·03) and were marginally to modestly associated with CRP and sICAM-1 for men (p=0·08 and 0·02, respectively), but these associations were not significant in the multivariate analyses. In conclusion, social networks were found to be inversely associated with interleukin-6 levels in men. The possibility that inflammatory markers may be potential mediators between social integration and coronary heart disease merits further investigation.
Post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage: a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial of cold dissection versus bipolar diathermy dissection
Authors: Haddow K , Montague M-L , Hussain S S M
Published: January 2006

Objective: To determine whether bipolar dissection tonsillectomy is associated with a higher post-operative haemorrhage rate than cold dissection tonsillectomy.

Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

Setting: Otolaryngology department of a teaching hospital.

Participants: Two hundred and forty-five patients undergoing elective tonsillectomy between July 2002 and November 2004.

Interventions: Patients were randomly assigned to either bipolar dissection or cold dissection (with bipolar haemostasis).

Main outcome measures: Post-operative haemorrhage rates, management (conservative or surgical) and blood transfusion requirements were recorded. The grade of surgeon and history of quinsy were also recorded.

Results: One hundred and forty-one patients (58 per cent) were randomized to the bipolar dissection and 104 (42 per cent) to the cold dissection groups. Seventeen patients (12.1 per cent) in the bipolar dissection group and eight patients (7.7 per cent) in the cold dissection group suffered haemorrhage (p = 1.0; degrees of freedom (Df) 0.0; 95 per cent confidence intervals (CI) −0.1 to 0.0). The haemorrhage rates for procedures conducted by senior house officers, specialist registrars and consultants were 11.4 per cent, 10.3 per cent and 5.0 per cent, respectively. Two patients required surgical intervention, both from the bipolar dissection group. No patients required blood transfusion. A history of quinsy was not associated with an increased haemorrhage rate.

Conclusion: The difference in haemorrhage rates between groups and surgeon grades did not reach statistical significance. Nonetheless the trend towards a greater incidence of haemorrhage in the bipolar group and in procedures conducted by more junior surgeons during the trial raised concerns. The results of the National Prospective Tonsillectomy Audit and our interim results have led us to abandon the trial and disallow the use of bipolar dissection in tonsillectomies performed by junior staff members.
Preeclampsia: current understanding of the molecular basis of vascular dysfunction
Authors: Sankaralingam Sowndramalingam , Arenas Ivan A. , Lalu Manoj M. , Davidge Sandra T.
Published: January 2006

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disorder characterised by hypertension and proteinuria occurring after the 20th week of gestation. Delivery of the placenta results in resolution of the condition, implicating the placenta as a central culprit in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. In preeclampsia, an inadequate placental trophoblast invasion of the maternal uterine spiral arteries results in poor placental perfusion, leading to placental ischaemia. This could result in release of factors into the maternal circulation that cause widespread activation or dysfunction of the maternal endothelium. Factors in the maternal circulation might induce oxidative stress and/or elicit an inflammatory response in the maternal endothelium, resulting in the altered expression of several genes involved in the regulation of vascular tone. This review addresses the potential circulating factors and the molecular mechanisms involved in the alteration of vascular function that occurs in preeclampsia.
Characterization of ambient aerosol from measurements of cloud condensation nuclei during the 2003 Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Aerosol Intensive Observational Period at the Southern Great Plains site in Oklahoma
Authors: Rissman T. A. , VanReken T. M. , Wang J. , Gasparini R. , Collins D. R. , Jonsson H. H. , Brechtel F. J. , Flagan R. C. , Seinfeld J. H.
Published: January 2006

Measurements were made by a new cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) instrument (CCNC3) during the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program's Aerosol Intensive Observational Period (IOP) in May 2003 in Lamont, Oklahoma. An inverse aerosol/CCN closure study is undertaken, in which the predicted number concentration of particles available for activation (NP) at the CCNC3 operating supersaturations is compared to that observed (NO). NP is based on Köhler Theory, with assumed and inferred aerosol composition and mixing state, and the airborne aerosol size distribution measured by the Caltech Dual Automatic Classified Aerosol Detector (DACAD). An initial comparison of NO and NP, assuming the ambient aerosol is pure ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4), results in closure ratios (NP/NO) ranging from 1.18 to 3.68 over the duration of the IOP, indicating that the aerosol is less hygroscopic than (NH4)2SO4. NP and NO are found to agree when the modeled aerosol population has characteristics of an external mixture of particles, in which insoluble material is preferentially distributed among particles with small diameters (<50 nm) and purely insoluble particles are present over a range of diameters. The classification of sampled air masses by closure ratio and aerosol size distribution is discussed in depth. Inverse aerosol/CCN closure analysis can be a valuable means of inferring aerosol composition and mixing state when direct measurements are not available, especially when surface measurements of aerosol composition and mixing state are not sufficient to predict CCN concentrations at altitude, as was the case under the stratified aerosol layer conditions encountered during the IOP.
A limit on the effect of rectified diffusion in volcanic systems
Authors: Ichihara M. , Brodsky E. E.
Published: January 2006

Forced oscillations can push dissolved volatiles into bubbles by a process called rectified diffusion. In engineering applications, the pumping action of rectified diffusion makes bubbles grow. In the geosciences, rectified diffusion is a suggested mechanism to trigger volcanic eruptions with seismic waves generated by distant earthquakes. Previous geoscience studies adopted the engineering results and proposed that in a confined system like a magma chamber, rectified diffusion causes pressure increase rather than bubble growth. However, the volcanic application is fundamentally different than engineering applications in that solubility continually changes with increasing pressure in the confined system. Here we present the first self‐consistent treatment of rectified diffusion in a confined system. Evolving solubility has a significant effect. The new solution demonstrates that previous work significantly overestimated the effect of rectified diffusion in magmatic systems. For reasonable seismic wave amplitudes, the pressure change is at the most 2 × 10−9 of its initial value.
South American climate during the Last Glacial Maximum: Delayed onset of the South American monsoon
Authors: Cook K. H. , Vizy E. K.
Published: January 2006

The climate of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) over South America is simulated using a regional climate model with 60‐km resolution, providing a simulation that is superior to those available from global models that do not resolve the topography and regional‐scale features of the South American climate realistically. LGM conditions on SST, insolation, vegetation, and reduced atmospheric CO2 on the South American climate are imposed together and individually. Remote influences are not included. Annual rainfall is 25–35% lower in the LGM than in the present day simulation throughout the Amazon basin. A primary cause is a 2–3 month delay in the onset of the rainy season, so that the dry season is about twice as long as in the present day. The delayed onset occurs because the low‐level inflow from the tropical Atlantic onto the South American continent is drier than in the present day simulation due to reduced evaporation from cooler surface waters, and this slows the springtime buildup of moist static energy that is needed to initiate convection. Once the monsoon begins in the Southern Hemisphere, LGM rainfall rates are similar to those in the present day. In the Northern Hemisphere, however, rainfall is lower throughout the (shortened) rainy season. Regional‐scale structure includes slight precipitation increases in the Nordeste region of Brazil and along the eastern foothills of the Andes, and a region in the center of the Amazon basin that does not experience annual drying. In the Andes Mountains, the signal is complicated, with regions of significant rainfall increases adjacent to regions with reduced precipitation.
Rainfall and its seasonality over the Amazon in the 21st century as assessed by the coupled models for the IPCC AR4
Authors: Li Wenhong , Fu Rong , Dickinson Robert E.
Published: January 2006

The global climate models for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report (IPCC AR4) predict very different changes of rainfall over the Amazon under the SRES A1B scenario for global climate change. Five of the eleven models predict an increase of annual rainfall, three models predict a decrease of rainfall, and the other three models predict no significant changes in the Amazon rainfall. We have further examined two models. The UKMO‐HadCM3 model predicts an El Niño‐like sea surface temperature (SST) change and warming in the northern tropical Atlantic which appear to enhance atmospheric subsidence and consequently reduce clouds over the Amazon. The resultant increase of surface solar absorption causes a stronger surface sensible heat flux and thus reduces relative humidity of the surface air. These changes decrease the rate and length of wet season rainfall and surface latent heat flux. This decreased wet season rainfall leads to drier soil during the subsequent dry season, which in turn can delay the transition from the dry to wet season. GISS‐ER predicts a weaker SST warming in the western Pacific and the southern tropical Atlantic which increases moisture transport and hence rainfall in the Amazon. In the southern Amazon and Nordeste where the strongest rainfall increase occurs, the resultant higher soil moisture supports a higher surface latent heat flux during the dry and transition season and leads to an earlier wet season onset.
Integration of electrostatic and fluid dynamics within a dust devil
Authors: Farrell W. M. , Renno N. , Delory G. T. , Cummer S. A. , Marshall J. R.
Published: January 2006

In this study we derive an analytical expression to describe the electrostatic field in a dust cloud with grain trajectories defined by fluid dynamics and grain charging via contact electrification. In order to solve for the electric field, we merge the fluid dynamic–driven grain motion directly into the basic electrostatic formalism to end up with an electric field dependent on meteorological variables within the dust cloud. We find that the E field is driven by two processes: the currents associated with the charging grains and the increasing velocity difference of varying‐sized grains at early times. The resulting processes give rise to an exponentially growing electric field, which for Mars applications, quickly approaches breakdown values. Variations in the growth of the electric field are found with varying grains sizes and varying ambient atmospheric conductivity.