bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Landscape Components, Land Use, and Neighborhood Satisfaction
Authors: Kweon Byoung-Suk , Ellis Christopher D , Leiva Pedro I , Rogers George O
Published: February 2010

Neighborhood satisfaction is an important component of life satisfaction. As a contributor to life satisfaction, neighborhood satisfaction is influenced by individual and household background variables. However, there is limited understanding of how physical environments influence neighborhood satisfaction. This paper examines the effect of landscape components (structures, pavement, trees) and land use (residential, commercial, and open space) on neighborhood satisfaction. A survey of 276 respondents in College Station, Texas, was georeferenced and analyzed with landscape components and land-use GIS data. A structural equation model (SEM) examines the relationships among background variables, land use, landscape components, and neighborhood satisfaction simultaneously. Landscape components and land use were both found to play an important role in neighborhood satisfaction. Trees were found to have a positive effect on neighborhood satisfaction while structures were negative. Pavement, when commercial land use and structures in the SEM model were accounted for, shows a positive relationship with neighborhood satisfaction, suggesting that not all pavement is seen as undesirable. Commercial land use was also found to have a negative effect on neighborhood satisfaction, while background variables have no significant impact. The amount and arrangement of land uses and landscape components in neighborhoods may improve the well-being of residents by increasing their neighborhood satisfaction.
Development of Prototype Urbansim Models
Authors: Patterson Zachary , Bierlaire Michel
Published: February 2010

UrbanSim is an integrated transportation land-use model that has been under development since the late 1990s. It has received a significant amount of attention in the integrated modeling community. It is well known for its disaggregated approach. A number of papers describing the application of UrbanSim have appeared in the formal and gray literatures. Some of these papers report on successful applications of UrbanSim with little description of the amount of effort required to develop an operational model. Those that do report on the effort and challenges of using UrbanSim suggest that substantial data and human resources are required. One recent report quantifies the human resource requirements as an interdisciplinary team of four for three years. This reputation makes many potential users think twice before developing an UrbanSim model. We believe the best way to evaluate UrbanSim for a new region is by having a sense of how it can be used, and how much effort is required to do so. Understanding UrbanSim, however, does not require having a fully operational model. This paper is aimed at researchers and institutions that would like to evaluate UrbanSim, but are concerned about the effort required to do so. Based on two applications (Brussels in Belgium and Lausanne in Switzerland), it describes a procedure to develop a prototype UrbanSim model and how to use it to evaluate UrbanSim for application to a new region. Its objective is to motivate, describe, comment and illustrate a procedure for an efficient evaluation of the use of UrbanSim. Its main contributions are threefold. First, it develops a procedure by which a prototype UrbanSim model can be developed for evaluation purposes in a new region. Second, it provides an analysis of the effort required to do so. Finally, in so doing it advances knowledge in the field of transportation and land-use modeling by helping modelers to evaluate the use of UrbanSim for a particular study region, in a rigorous and systematic way.
Translations: Effects of Viewpoint, Feature, and Naming on Identifying Repeatedly Copied Drawings
Authors: Dyson Benjamin J , Cohen Rachel
Published: February 2010

We explored the tension between bottom–up and top–down contributions to object recognition in a collaboration between a visual artist and a cognitive psychologist. Initial pictorial renderings of objects and animals from various viewpoints were iteratively copied, and a series of drawings that changed from highly concrete images into highly abstract images was produced. In drawing identification in which sets were shown in reverse order, participants were more accurate, more confident, and quicker to correctly identify the evolving image when it was originally displayed from a canonical viewpoint with all salient features present. In drawing identification in which images were shown in random order, more abstract images could be resolved as a result of previously identifying a more concrete iteration of the same drawing. The results raise issues about the influence of viewpoint and feature on the preservation of pictorial images and about the role of labelling in the interpretation of ambiguous stimuli. In addition, the study highlights a procedure in which visual stimuli can degrade without necessitating a substantial loss of complexity.
Early weaning has minimal effects on lifetime growth performance and body composition of pigs
Authors: Collins C. L. , Leury B. J. , Dunshea F. R.
Published: February 2010

Two hundred and forty pigs (120 entire boars and 120 gilts) were selected in three replicates of 40 boars and 40 gilts and housed in pens of 20 pigs of the same sex. Pigs were allocated to a 2 by 2 factorial experiment, with the respective factors being sex (entire male or female) and age at weaning (13 or 21 days). Pigs within each replicate were weaned on the same day, with the pigs’ farrowing date differing by ~8 days for the two weaning ages. Pigs were offered ad libitum access to feed for the entire experimental period. Eight randomly selected pigs from each pen were tagged as focus animals. These animals underwent dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning six times from weaning through to slaughter to measure changes in body composition. The animals weaned at 13 days of age were lighter at weaning (4.68 ± 1.16 and 6.84 ± 1.34 kg, respectively, for the animals weaned at 13 and 21 days, P < 0.001). During the first 4 days after weaning pigs weaned at 21 days of age consumed more feed (72.1 v. 30.9 g/day, P < 0.001) and gained faster (35.0 v. –63.0 g/day, P = 0.042) than those weaned at 13 days. The pigs weaned at 13 days did, however, ‘catch up’ to be the same weight as those weaned at 21 days by 53 days of age (17.4 and 17.8 kg, respectively, P = 0.33). Daily gain from birth to 146 days of age did not differ across treatments (610, 597, 640, 657 g/day, respectively, for the gilts weaned at 13 days, gilts weaned at 21 days, boars weaned at 13 days and boars weaned at 21 days, P = 0.31). DXA analyses indicated that the animals weaned at 13 days had a greater percentage of lean tissue at 119 days of age (78.4 and 76.8%, respectively, P = 0.039) although this was not maintained through to slaughter. There were no treatment effects on the percentage of adipose tissue from 90 to 146 days of age, although the DXA estimated adipose tissue mass was greater at 146 days of age in the animals weaned at 21 days (13.8 and 15.2 kg, respectively, for the animals weaned at 13 and 21 days of age, P = 0.023, s.e.d. 0.60). These data suggest that weaning age predominately influences growth immediately after weaning, and does not have a major influence on lifetime growth performance or body composition at commercial slaughter weights.
Influence of stocking rate and mixed grazing of Angora goats and Merino sheep on animal and pasture production in southern Australia. 2. Liveweight, body condition score, carcass yield and mortality
Authors: McGregor B. A.
Published: February 2010

The effects of animal species (AS; Angora goats, Merino sheep, mixed-grazed goats and sheep at the ratio of 1 : 1) and stocking rate (SR; 7.5, 10 and 12.5 animals/ha) on the liveweight, body condition score, carcass yield and mortality of goats and sheep were determined in a replicated experiment on improved annual temperate pastures in southern Australia from 1981 to 1984. The pattern of liveweight change was similar for both species with growth from pasture germination in autumn until maturation in late spring followed by weight loss. In winter, sheep grew faster than goats (65 versus 10 g/day, P < 0.05). In mixed-grazed treatments between November and December goats either grew when sheep were losing weight or goats lost less weight than sheep (P < 0.01). Both AS (P < 0.001) and SR (P < 0.001) affected liveweight of sheep and an AS × SR interaction (P < 0.05) affected liveweight of goats. Mixed-grazed sheep were heavier than separately grazed sheep at all SR with a mean difference at 10 and 12.5/ha of 4.6 kg. Mixed-grazed goats at 10/ha were heavier than separately grazed goats from the end of the second year of the experiment, but at 12.5/ha, separately grazed goats maintained an advantage over mixed-grazed goats, with a 9.4-kg mean difference in December (P < 0.05). Body condition scores of goats and sheep declined with increasing SR; they were highest in late spring and were highly correlated with liveweight (r2 > 0.8). Both AS and SR affected (P < 0.001) carcass weight and GR tissue depth as a direct result of differences in liveweight. Adjusting for differences in carcass weight negated AS effects on GR tissue depth. The carcass weights of sheep and goats increased by similar amounts for each 1-kg increase in liveweight. Mortality of sheep (3.1% p.a.) was unaffected by AS or SR. An AS × SR interaction indicated mortality of separately grazed goats at 12.5/ha and mixed-grazed goats at 10 and 12.5/ha were higher (P < 0.05) than all other goat (29 versus 9%) and sheep treatments, primarily because of increased susceptibility to cold stress. Disease prevalence differed between sheep and goats. Mixed grazing of Merino sheep and Angora goats produced complementary and competitive effects depending upon the SR. Goats used summer pasture better but winter pasture less well for liveweight gain than sheep. Angora goats should not be grazed alone or mixed grazed with sheep on annual temperate pastures at SR greater than that recommended for Merino sheep and the evidence indicates a lower SR will reduce risks associated with mortality.
High-risk neuroblastoma tumors with 11q-deletion display a poor prognostic, chromosome instability phenotype with later onset
Authors: Carén Helena , Kryh Hanna , Nethander Maria , Sjöberg Rose-Marie , Träger Catarina , Nilsson Staffan , Abrahamsson Jonas , Kogner Per , Martinsson Tommy
Published: February 2010

Analysis of chromosomal aberrations is used to determine the prognosis of neuroblastomas (NBs) and to aid treatment decisions.
MYCN
amplification (MNA) alone is an incomplete poor prognostic factor, and chromosome 11q status has recently been included in risk classification. We analyzed 165 NB tumors using high-density SNP microarrays and specifically compared the high-risk groups defined by MNA (
n
= 37) and 11q-deletion (
n
= 21). Median patient age at diagnosis was 21 months for MNA tumors and 42 months for 11q-deletion tumors, and median survival time after diagnosis was 16 months for MNA and 40 months for 11q deletion. Overall survival (at 8 years) was ∼35% in both groups. MNA and 11q deletion were almost mutually exclusive; only one case harbored both aberrations. The numbers of segmental aberrations differed significantly; the MNA group had a median of four aberrations, whereas the 11q-deletion group had 12. The high frequency of chromosomal breaks in the 11q-deletion group is suggestive of a chromosomal instability phenotype gene located in 11q; one such gene,
H2AFX
, is located in 11q23.3 (within the 11q-deletion region). Furthermore, in the groups with segmental aberrations without MNA or 11q deletion, the tumors with 17q gain have worse prognosis than those with segmental aberrations without 17q gain, which have a favorable outcome. This study has implications for therapy in different risk groups and stresses that genome-wide microarray analyses should be included in clinical management to fully evaluate risk, aid diagnosis, and guide treatment.
NO-γ emissions from streamer discharges: direct electron impact excitation versus resonant energy transfer
Authors: Liu Ningyu , Pasko Victor P
Published: February 2010

It has been established that production of NO-γ emission in pulsed corona discharges is dominated by the energy transfer from
to the NO ground state NO(X 
2Πr) while direct excitation by electron impact is negligible. However, recent studies suggest that the electron impact excitation plays a more important role. In this work, we report modelling results of NO-γ emission associated with streamer discharges using two cross section data sets available in the literature. The first set was originally reported by Mojarrabi et al (1996 Phys. Rev. A 54 2977–82) and later updated by Brunger et al (2000 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys.
33 809–19); the second set was published by Hayashi (1990 Nonequilibrium Processes in Partially Ionized Gases (NATO Advanced Science Institutes Series, Series B, Physics vol 220) ed M Capitelli and J N Bardsley (New York: Plenum) pp 333–40). According to the results, the role played by the electron impact excitation in the production of NO-γ is drastically different when different cross sections are used. The results indicate that the first data set leads to better agreement with experimental measurements.
Minimax current density coil design
Authors: Poole Michael , Weiss Pierre , Lopez Hector Sanchez , Ng Michael , Crozier Stuart
Published: February 2010

‘Coil design’ is an inverse problem in which arrangements of wire are designed to generate a prescribed magnetic field when energized with electric current. The design of gradient and shim coils for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are important examples of coil design. The magnetic fields that these coils generate are usually required to be both strong and accurate. Other electromagnetic properties of the coils, such as inductance, may be considered in the design process, which becomes an optimization problem. The maximum current density is additionally optimized in this work and the resultant coils are investigated for performance and practicality. Coils with minimax current density were found to exhibit maximally spread wires and may help disperse localized regions of Joule heating. They also produce the highest possible magnetic field strength per unit current for any given surface and wire size. Three different flavours of boundary element method that employ different basis functions (triangular elements with uniform current, cylindrical elements with sinusoidal current and conic section elements with sinusoidal-uniform current) were used with this approach to illustrate its generality.
Microindel detection in short-read sequence data
Authors: Krawitz Peter , Rödelsperger Christian , Jäger Marten , Jostins Luke , Bauer Sebastian , Robinson Peter N.
Published: February 2010

Motivation: Several recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of resequencing and single nucleotide variant (SNV) detection by deep short-read sequencing platforms. While several reliable algorithms are available for automated SNV detection, the automated detection of microindels in deep short-read data presents a new bioinformatics challenge.

Results: We systematically analyzed how the short-read mapping tools MAQ, Bowtie, Burrows-Wheeler alignment tool (BWA), Novoalign and RazerS perform on simulated datasets that contain indels and evaluated how indels affect error rates in SNV detection. We implemented a simple algorithm to compute the equivalent indel region eir, which can be used to process the alignments produced by the mapping tools in order to perform indel calling. Using simulated data that contains indels, we demonstrate that indel detection works well on short-read data: the detection rate for microindels (<4 bp) is >90%. Our study provides insights into systematic errors in SNV detection that is based on ungapped short sequence read alignments. Gapped alignments of short sequence reads can be used to reduce this error and to detect microindels in simulated short-read data. A comparison with microindels automatically identified on the ABI Sanger and Roche 454 platform indicates that microindel detection from short sequence reads identifies both overlapping and distinct indels.

Contact:  peter.krawitz@googlemail.com; peter.robinson@charite.de

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Phybase: an R package for species tree analysis
Authors: Liu Liang , Yu Lili
Published: February 2010

Motivation: Phybase is an R package for phylogenetic analysis using species trees. It provides functions to read, write, manipulate, simulate, estimate, summarize and plot species trees, which contain not only the topology and branch lengths but also population sizes.

Availability: The Phybase package is available at the R repository. The manual and supporting materials including source code, sample R code and sample data files for the species tree analysis are available at http://stat.osu.edu/∼liuliang/research/phybase.html

Contact:  lliu@desu.edu
Hierarchical modelling of temperature and habitat size effects on population dynamics of North Atlantic cod
Authors: Mantzouni Irene , Sørensen Helle , O'Hara Robert B. , MacKenzie Brian R.
Published: February 2010

Mantzouni, I., Sørensen, H., O'Hara, R. B., and MacKenzie, B. R. 2010. Hierarchical modelling of temperature and habitat size effects on population dynamics of North Atlantic cod. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 833–855. Understanding how temperature affects cod (Gadus morhua) ecology is important for forecasting how populations will develop as climate changes in future. The effects of spawning-season temperature and habitat size on cod recruitment dynamics have been investigated across the North Atlantic. Ricker and Beverton and Holt stock–recruitment (SR) models were extended by applying hierarchical methods, mixed-effects models, and Bayesian inference to incorporate the influence of these ecosystem factors on model parameters representing cod maximum reproductive rate and carrying capacity. We identified the pattern of temperature effects on cod productivity at the species level and estimated SR model parameters with increased precision. Temperature impacts vary geographically, being positive in areas where temperatures are <5°C, and negative for higher temperatures. Using the relationship derived, it is possible to predict expected changes in population-specific reproductive rates and carrying capacities resulting from temperature increases. Further, carrying capacity covaries with available habitat size, explaining at least half its variability across stocks. These patterns improve our understanding of environmental impacts on key population parameters, which is required for an ecosystem approach to cod management, particularly under ocean-warming scenarios.
Etiology of Peanut Pod Rot in Nicaragua: I. The Effect of Pod Size, Calcium, Fungicide, and Nematicide
Authors: Augusto Joao , Brenneman Timothy B. , Csinos Alexander S.
Published: February 2010

Pod rot is one of the most important peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) diseases in the pacific coast region of Cosiguina in Nicaragua. The region receives excessive rainfall during the peanut growing season and fields with high pod rot incidence often have moderate to high infestations of stem rot (Sclerotium rolfsii) and lesion nematode (Pratylenchus spp.). It was hypothesized that soilborne fungi, nematode damage and/or soil calcium deficiency could be involved in peanut pod rot. Flutolanil (1.2 kg a.i./ha, two applications), aldicarb (3.4 kg a.i./ha, one application), and calcium (670 kg/ha, two applications of gypsum) were evaluated on small (Georgia Green) and large (C-99R) seeded, runner cultivars in field experiments from 2005 to 2007 to help determine disease etiology. Experiments were split-split-plot or split-plot designs and treatments were replicated five times. There were no differences in pod rot between the two cultivars. Flutolanil did not decrease pod rot and only increased yield when associated with aldicarb nematicide. Gypsum application did not decrease pod rot, or increase yield or pod calcium content. Aldicarb had no effect on pod rot, but significantly increased yield by 22%, apparently by suppression of pod and/or root damage by lesion nematode. Neither calcium deficiency nor lesion nematode damage increased pod rot.

Accepted for publication 19 October 2009. Published 15 February 2010.
A divalent switch drives H-NS/DNA-binding conformations between stiffening and bridging modes
Authors: Liu Yingjie , Chen Hu , Kenney Linda J. , Yan Jie
Published: February 2010

Heat-stable nucleoid structuring protein (H-NS) is an abundant prokaryotic protein that plays important roles in organizing chromosomal DNA and gene silencing. Two controversial binding modes were identified. H-NS binding stimulating DNA bridging has become the accepted mechanism, whereas H-NS binding causing DNA stiffening has been largely ignored. Here, we report that both modes exist, and that changes in divalent cations drive a switch between them. The stiffening form is present under physiological conditions, and directly responds to pH and temperature in vitro. Our findings have broad implications and require a reinterpretation of the mechanism by which H-NS regulates genes.
Very-Long-Chain Fatty Acids Are Involved in Polar Auxin Transport and Developmental Patterning inArabidopsis
Authors: Roudier François , Gissot Lionel , Beaudoin Frédéric , Haslam Richard , Michaelson Louise , Marion Jessica , Molino Diana , Lima Amparo , Bach Liên , Morin Halima , Tellier Frédérique , Palauqui Jean-Christophe , Bellec Yannick , Renne Charlotte , Miquel Martine , DaCosta Marco , Vignard Julien , Rochat Christine , Markham Jennifer E. , Moreau Patrick , Napier Johnathan , Faure Jean-Denis
Published: February 2010

Very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are essential for many aspects of plant development and necessary for the synthesis of seed storage triacylglycerols, epicuticular waxes, and sphingolipids. Identification of the acetyl-CoA carboxylase PASTICCINO3 and the 3-hydroxy acyl-CoA dehydratase PASTICCINO2 revealed that VLCFAs are important for cell proliferation and tissue patterning. Here, we show that the immunophilin PASTICCINO1 (PAS1) is also required for VLCFA synthesis. Impairment of PAS1 function results in reduction of VLCFA levels that particularly affects the composition of sphingolipids, known to be important for cell polarity in animals. Moreover, PAS1 associates with several enzymes of the VLCFA elongase complex in the endoplasmic reticulum. The pas1 mutants are deficient in lateral root formation and are characterized by an abnormal patterning of the embryo apex, which leads to defective cotyledon organogenesis. Our data indicate that in both tissues, defective organogenesis is associated with the mistargeting of the auxin efflux carrier PIN FORMED1 in specific cells, resulting in local alteration of polar auxin distribution. Furthermore, we show that exogenous VLCFAs rescue lateral root organogenesis and polar auxin distribution, indicating their direct involvement in these processes. Based on these data, we propose that PAS1 acts as a molecular scaffold for the fatty acid elongase complex in the endoplasmic reticulum and that the resulting VLCFAs are required for polar auxin transport and tissue patterning during plant development.
The pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of S‐tenatoprazole‐Na 30 mg, 60 mg and 90 mg vs. esomeprazole 40 mg in healthy male subjects
Authors: HUNT R. H. , ARMSTRONG D. , YAGHOOBI M. , JAMES C.
Published: February 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 648–657

Background  Racemic tenatoprazole 40 mg/day provides more prolonged acid suppression than esomeprazole 40 mg/day.

Aim  To compare pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles of tenatoprazole and esomeprazole.

Methods  A single‐centre, double‐blind, double‐dummy, randomized, 4‐way, cross‐over study was conducted in 32 healthy male subjects. S‐tenatoprazole‐Na 30, 60 or 90 mg, or esomeprazole 40 mg was administered once daily for 5 days with 10‐day washout intervals. The 24‐h intragastric pH was recorded at baseline and on day 5 of each period.

Results  On day 5, median pH (5.34 ± 0.45 and 5.19 ± 0.52 vs. 4.76 ± 0.82, respectively, P < 0.002) and percentage time with pH > 4 (80 ± 11 and 77 ± 12, vs. 63 ± 11 respectively, P < 0.0001) for 24‐h were higher with S‐tenatoprazole‐Na 90 mg and 60 mg than esomeprazole. In nocturnal periods, S‐tenatoprazole‐Na 90 mg, 60 mg and 30 mg were superior to esomeprazole with regard to median pH (5.14 ± 0.64, 4.94 ± 0.65, 4.65 ± 0.86 and 3.69 ± 1.18 respectively, P < 0.0001) and percentage time with pH > 4 (77 ± 12, 73 ± 17, 64 ± 17 and 46 ± 17 respectively, P < 0.0001). Proportion of subjects with nocturnal acid breakthrough with S‐tenatoprazole‐Na 90 mg, 60 mg and 30 mg was significantly less than with esomeprazole (54.8, 43.3, 56.7 and 90.3 respectively, P < 0.04). The proportion of subjects with >16 hrs with pH >4 was significantly higher with S‐tenatoprazole‐Na 90 mg and 60 mg than with esomeprazole (87.1%, 83.3% and 41.9% respectively, P < 0.02).

Conclusions  S‐tenatoprazole‐Na produced significantly greater and more prolonged dose‐dependent 24‐h and nocturnal acid suppression than esomeprazole. S‐tenatoprazole‐Na may provide greater clinical efficacy compared with current PPIs for patients with ineffective once‐daily therapy.
The development and validation of a new coeliac disease quality of life survey (CD‐QOL)
Authors: DORN S. D. , HERNANDEZ L. , MINAYA M. T. , MORRIS C. B. , HU Y. , LESERMAN J. , LEWIS S. , LEE A. , BANGDIWALA S. I. , GREEN P. H. R. , DROSSMAN D. A.
Published: February 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 666–675

Background  Previous studies on coeliac disease (CD)‐related quality of life (QOL) have been limited by their use of a ‘generic’ rather than coeliac disease‐specific assessment instruments.

Aim  To develop and psychometrically validate a new coeliac disease‐specific instrument, the CD‐QOL.

Methods  Through a series of focus groups, we elicited items from patients that related to the specific nature of their disease and its impact on their basic needs. Through expert review, cognitive debriefing with patients and pilot testing, a scale was developed, refined and administered to 387 patients on a gluten‐free diet from both community‐based support groups and a tertiary care referral centre. Finally, a formal validation study was conducted to assess the psychometric properties of the CD‐QOL.

Results  The final CD‐QOL has 20 items across four clinically relevant subscales (Limitations, Dysphoria, Health Concerns, and Inadequate Treatment). The CD‐QOL has high internal consistency, reliability, and psychometric validation indicates both convergent and discriminate validity.

Conclusions  The CD‐QOL is a reliable and valid measure of coeliac disease related QOL. As a new disease‐specific instrument, it is likely to be a useful tool for evaluating patients with this disorder.
Clinically significant liver injury in patients treated with natalizumab
Authors: BEZABEH S. , FLOWERS C. M. , KORTEPETER C. , AVIGAN M.
Published: February 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 1028–1035

Background  Natalizumab is a recombinant monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis and patients with Crohn’s disease. Because of its immunosuppressive effects, natalizumab has been associated with a number of atypical and opportunistic infections.

Aim  To describe and summarize six spontaneously reported post‐marketing cases of clinically significant drug induced‐liver injury associated with natalizumab use.

Methods  The FDA maintains a database of adverse event reports (AERS). We searched the AERS database for reports of serious liver injury associated with natalizumab use from November 2004, when the drug was approved, through 30 June 2008.

Results  The search resulted in six spontaneously reported post‐marketing cases of severe drug‐induced liver injury. Four of six patients developed liver injury with elevations of serum transaminases and hyperbilirubinemia after only a single infusion of natalizumab. One of these patients experienced repeated increases of aminotransferases and bilirubin when natalizumab was re‐administered.

Conclusions  Serious hepatic injury may occur in association with natalizumab use. Health professionals should be alerted to possible serious liver injury in patients receiving natalizumab.
Low‐ and standard‐dose peginterferon alfa‐2a for chronic hepatitis C, genotype 2 or 3: efficacy, tolerability, viral kinetics and cytokine response
Authors: ROTMAN Y. , BORG B. B. , SOZA A. , FELD J. J. , MODI A. A. , LOOMBA R. , LUTCHMAN G. , RIVERA E. , DOO E. , GHANY M. G. , HELLER T. , NEUMANN A. U. , LIANG T. J. , HOOFNAGLE J. H.
Published: February 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 1018–1027

Background  Chronic infection with hepatitis C, genotype 2/3, responds better than other genotypes to peginterferon and ribavirin treatment. We hypothesized that a lower dose of peginterferon would be as effective, but less toxic than standard doses.

Aim  To test the hypothesis that a lower dose of peginterferon would be as effective as, but less toxic than, standard doses.

Methods  A total of 30 patients were treated with low‐dose peginterferon alfa‐2a (90 μg/week) and 27 patients with standard doses (180 μg/week) for 24 weeks in combination with 800 mg/day of ribavirin. Patients who failed treatment were offered 48 weeks of standard‐dose treatment. Viral and serum inducible protein 10 (IP‐10) levels were measured and early viral kinetic parameters were calculated.

Results  Sustained virological response was achieved in 68% of the low‐dose and 87% of the standard‐dose patients (per protocol, P = 0.79 for non‐inferiority). Re‐treatment was successful in all patients who tolerated full dose and duration. The standard‐dose group had greater first‐phase declines of viral levels and faster time to negativity. The second‐phase slope was not dose‐dependent. IP‐10 induction was significantly greater with the standard dose. Although fatigue and general feeling during treatment were worse for standard dose, haematological toxicity and depression did not differ between groups.

Conclusion  A lower dose of peginterferon is associated with some symptomatic benefit, but the response is not equivalent to standard dosing.
Survival and length of stay following blood transfusion in octogenarians following cardiac surgery
Authors: Veenith T. , Sharples L. , Gerrard C. , Valchanov K. , Vuylsteke A.
Published: February 2010

Our aim was to assess if peri‐operative blood transfusion is an independent risk factor for mortality and morbidity in the elderly. We report the results of a cohort study of all patients aged 80 or more on the day of their emergency or elective cardiac surgery (n = 874), using routinely collected data from January 2003 to November 2007. The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality in hospital. The secondary outcomes were duration of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and overall hospital stay. Confounding variables were used to build up a risk model using a multivariable logistic regression analysis, and blood transfusion was added to assess whether it had additional predictive value for hospital mortality. Patients were divided into three groups: (i) transfusion of 0–2 units of red blood cells; (ii) transfusion of > 2 units of red blood cells and (iii) transfusion of red blood cells plus other clotting products. The strongest independent predictors of hospital death were logistic EuroSCORE and body mass index. After inclusion of these two variables, the odds ratio for transfusion remained significant. Relative to 0–2 units, the odds ratio for > 2 units was 6.80 (95% CI 2.46–18.8), and for other additional blood products was 14.4 (95% CI 5.34–37.3), with a p value of < 0.001. Duration of stay in the ICU was significantly associated with the amount of blood products administered (median (IQR [range]) ICU stay 1 (1‐2 [0‐15]) day if transfused 0–2 units of red blood cells, 2 (1‐6 [0‐128]) days if transfused > 2 units of red blood cells and 3 (1‐76 [0‐114]) days if other clotting products were used; p value < 0.001). Hospital stay was also associated with the amount of red cells used (p < 0.001).
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are consumed during allergic inflammation and affect T helper type 1 (Th1)- and Th2-mediated hypersensitivity differently
Authors: Johansson S , Lönnqvist A , Östman S , Sandberg A-S , Wold A E
Published: February 2010

Studies have shown that atopic individuals have decreased serum levels of n-3 fatty acids. Indicating these compounds may have a protective effect against allergic reaction and/or are consumed during inflammation. This study investigated whether fish (n-3) or sunflower (n-6) oil supplementation affected T helper type 1 (Th1)- and Th2-mediated hypersensitivity in the skin and airways, respectively, and whether the fatty acid serum profile changed during the inflammatory response. Mice were fed regular chow, chow + 10% fish oil or chow + 10% sunflower oil. Mice were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) resolved in Th1 or Th2 adjuvant. For Th1 hypersensitivity, mice were challenged with OVA in the footpad. Footpad swelling, OVA-induced lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production in the draining lymph node were evaluated. In the airway hypersensitivity model (Th2), mice were challenged intranasally with OVA and the resulting serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E and eosinophilic lung infiltration were measured. In the Th1 model, OVA-specific T cells proliferated less and produced less interferon (IFN)-γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin (IL)-6 in fish oil-fed mice versus controls. Footpad swelling was reduced marginally. In contrast, mice fed fish oil in the Th2 model produced more OVA-specific IgE and had slightly higher proportions of eosinophils in lung infiltrate. A significant fall in serum levels of long-chain n-3 fatty acids accompanied challenge and Th2-mediated inflammation in Th2 model. Fish oil supplementation affects Th1 and Th2 immune responses conversely; significant consumption of n-3 fatty acids occurs during Th2-driven inflammation. The latter observation may explain the association between Th2-mediated inflammation and low serum levels of n-3 fatty acids.
Discrepant influence of vitamin D status on parathyroid hormone and bone mass after two years of calcium supplementation
Authors: Chailurkit La‐or , Saetung Sunee , Thakkinstian Ammarin , Ongphiphadhanakul Boonsong , Rajatanavin Rajata
Published: February 2010

Objective  To investigate the influence of vitamin D status on parathyroid hormone and bone mass after a 2‐year supplementation of calcium alone.

Patients and Methods  Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial, in healthy postmenopausal women without osteoporosis: three hundred and thirty‐six subjects aged 60–97 years were studied and randomized to receive elemental calcium 500 mg/day (n = 175) or placebo (n = 161) for 2 years.

Measurements  Changes in parathyroid hormone (PTH) and bone mineral density (BMD) from baseline and vitamin D status. Values are presented as means ± SD.

Results  After 2 years, subjects with calcium supplementation had significant decrease in plasma PTH level (4·4 ± 1·7 vs 4·7 ± 1·9 pmol/l, P < 0·01), improved lumbar BMD (1·031 ± 0·12 vs 1·004 ± 0·12 g/cm2, P < 0·001) and total hip BMD (0·890 ± 0·10 vs 0·883 ± 0·10 g/cm2, P < 0·001) without change in femoral neck BMD. In the placebo group, PTH level significantly increased (4·8 ± 1·6 vs 4·5 ± 1·5 pmol/l, P < 0·001), lumbar BMD slightly increased (1·027 ± 0·14 vs 1·018 ± 0·14 g/cm2, P < 0·001), total hip and femoral neck BMD decreased (0·876 ± 0·11 vs 0·887 ± 0·11 g/cm2, P < 0·001 and 0·783 ± 0·10 vs 0·798 ± 0·10 g/cm2, P < 0·001, respectively). When subjects were classified according to baseline 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels into those with 25(OH)D in the lower tertile (lowVitD) and those in the middle and upper tertiles combined (normVitD). The degree of PTH suppression after calcium supplementation was significantly higher in the normVitD compared to the lowVitD groups (−5·6 ± 26·7%vs 1·3 ± 27·2%, P < 0·05). No effect of vitamin D status on the change in lumbar BMD after calcium supplementation was demonstrated. Despite the higher suppression of PTH, there was a slight decrease in femoral neck BMD after calcium supplementation in the normVitD group while femoral neck BMD was more or less maintained in the lowVitD group (−0·6 ± 3·2%vs 0·5 ± 2·9%, P < 0·05).

Conclusion  Calcium supplementation appears to affect femoral bone mass less in Thai postmenopausal women with adequate vitamin D status, despite higher suppression of PTH.
Does leptin predict incident hypertension in older adults?
Authors: Kramer Caroline K. , Von Mühlen Denise , Barrett‐Connor Elizabeth
Published: February 2010

Objective  Leptin is associated with blood pressure (BP) in experimental and cross‐sectional studies, but only one previous prospective study of middle‐aged men has reported the association between leptin and incident hypertension. We examined the association of leptin levels with incident hypertension in a population‐based study of older men and women.

Design  Longitudinal cohort study.

Population  Participants were 602 community‐dwelling older adults with normal baseline BP levels who attended a research clinic visit between 1984 and 1987 and again 4·4 years later (mean age was 66·2 ± 11·4; 60·6% were men; mean body mass index (BMI) 24·9 ± 3·4 kg/m2).

Measurements  Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg and/or antihypertensive drug treatment. Leptin was measured by radioimmunoassay.

Results  After an average 4·4‐year follow‐up (minimum 2–maximum 7 years), 106 (17·6%) new cases of hypertension were identified. At baseline, participants who developed hypertension were older and had higher systolic BP and higher total cholesterol compared to participants who remained normotensive. Baseline serum leptin levels were higher in participants who developed hypertension compared to persistent normotensives [median (25th–75th range)] [8·8(5–16) vs 7(4–11) ng/ml, P = 0·002]. In logistic regression models, leptin (log‐transformed) predicted incident hypertension before and after adjustments for baseline age, BMI, systolic BP, total cholesterol, medications, and previous cardiovascular disease (OR 1·75 95% CI 1·17–2·61, P = 0·006). This association persisted after exclusion of 45 obese participants.

Conclusion  Higher leptin levels were independently associated with increased odds of incident hypertension in older adults.
Limited blood sampling for pharmacokinetic dose tailoring of FVIII in the prophylactic treatment of haemophilia A
Authors: BJÖRKMAN S.
Published: February 2010

Summary.  The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of limited blood sampling and Bayesian analysis to estimate the pharmacokinetics (PK) and tailor the dose of factor VIII (FVIII) in an individual patient. In a Bayesian analysis, PK parameters are estimated from only a few plasma concentration measurements, using a previously established PK model. First the necessary model was created using intense blood sampling FVIII data from 10 patients. Then FVIII data from another 21 patients were used for ‘clinical’ evaluation. Three scenarios were created retrospectively by reduction of the original 7‐sample data set; blood sampling at 4, 24 and 48 h, at 8 and 30 h and at 24 h after the infusion. PK parameters were estimated for each individual using Bayesian analysis and compared with those obtained using conventional methods from the full data. The accuracy of predictions of FVIII levels during prophylactic treatment 5–17 months later and implications for dose tailoring were also investigated. Blood sampling at 4, 24 and 48 h was found to give practically the same PK information as a full, conventional (7–10‐sample) study. Even a single 24‐h FVIII level provided adequate data for initial dose tailoring and gave predictions of FVIII levels 5–17 months later that were not appreciably worse than predictions based on the full PK analysis. By contrast, dose tailoring based on body weight failed completely. In conclusion, PK‐based dose tailoring of FVIII can be performed using limited blood sampling during prophylactic treatment.
Effects of microwave and ultrasonic wave treatment on inactivation of Alicyclobacillus
Authors: Wang Jing , Zhao Guanghua , Liao Xiaojun , Hu Xiaosong
Published: February 2010

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of microwave (MW), ultrasonic wave (UW) and their combination treatments for the same length of time (10 or 30 min) on the inactivation of vegetative cells of three different strains of Alicyclobacillus, (Alicyclobacillus acidiphilus DSM 14558T, Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris DSM 3922T and Alicyclobacillus cycloheptanicus DSM 4006T) in a laboratory medium. The results showed that A. acidoterrestris DSM 3922T seemed to be the most susceptible strain. It was also found that when MW or UW was employed separately, UW was more effective and the effectiveness of MW and UW was improved as the power and exposure time increased. By comparison, UW treatment followed by MW was significantly better than the treatment of MW followed by UW. Furthermore, combined MW and UW treatment had a markedly better effect than separate MW processing, but had a less effect than UW alone, except that the inactivation of A. cycloheptanicus DSM 4006T was significantly increased (P < 0.05) by the 30‐min treatment of UW (400 W for 20 min) + MW (900 W for 10 min).
Sensory analysis and fruiting bodies characterisation of the edible mushrooms Pleurotus ostreatus and Polyporus tenuiculus obtained on leaf waste from the essential oil production industry
Authors: Omarini Alejandra , Nepote Valeria , Grosso Nelson R. , Zygadlo Julio A. , Albertó Edgardo
Published: February 2010

The present investigation aims to examine if waste from the essential oil industry (Laurus nobilis and Eucalyptus cinnerea) can modify the sensory attributes of dried Pleurotus ostreatus and Polyporus tenuiculus. Moreover, the conversion percentage from dry substrate weight to fresh mushroom weight (biological efficiency) and fresh fruiting body characterisation were evaluated. It was possible to obtain fruiting bodies in both aromatic substrates. This study demonstrated that the substrate composition had effects on the sensory and quality characteristics of the mushrooms. The use of aromatic plant wastes increased the intensities of the brown colour, sour, ‘mushroom’ flavour and springiness, and decreased the intensities of the bitterness and hardness. In addition, significant differences between species were observed. Pleurotus ostreatus had the highest ‘mushroom’ flavour, pungency and sour intensities, and P. tenuiculus was recognised for its cereal flavour, hardness, fibrous texture and springiness.
Study of the microbial diversity and antimicrobial properties of Irish edible brown seaweeds
Authors: Gupta Shilpi , Rajauria Gaurav , Abu‐Ghannam Nissreen
Published: February 2010

Brown Irish edible seaweeds, Himanthalia elongata, Laminaria sachharina and Laminaria digitata, were evaluated for the microbiota in raw and heat processed form. Raw seaweeds showed complete absence of aerobic mesophiles, halophiles, yeasts and molds. However, heating at 85 °C for 15 min resulted in spore germination. Bacterial counts as high as 107 were observed for aerobic mesophiles and halophiles. Heating above 95 °C for 15 min resulted in complete inactivation of surface microflora. Bacteria belonging to Bacillaceae, Paenibacillaceae, Moraxellaceae and Enterobacteriaceae family were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. In vitro antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extracts of the seaweed on food pathogenic and food spoilage bacteria were also evaluated. The seaweeds in their raw state had almost 100% inhibition against Listeria monocytogenes; 98% and 93% inhibition was achieved against Pseudomonas aeruginosa by H. elongata and L. saccharina extracts, respectively. Heating the seaweeds resulted in the reduction of antimicrobial activity as compared to raw. The effect was more pronounced against Gram negative bacteria.
n‐3 Omega fatty acids: a review of current knowledge
Authors: Gogus Ugur , Smith Chris
Published: February 2010

The very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (C18–C22) and n‐3 Omega PUFAs are apparently widely accepted as a part of modern nutrition because of their beneficial effects on metabolism. Most significantly, the reported protective effect of the n‐3 omega fatty acids in relation to cardiovascular inflammatory diseases and cancer has led people to consider these fatty acids more beneficial than other dietary supplements. Unfortunately, there is a lack of studies relating to the physical performance increasing effect in sports diets, cholesterol‐reducing effect in meat technology, effects on human serum profile, the application dose and the side effects with/without omega‐6 PUFAs, which has left us with several crucial unanswered questions. We still do not know the correct dose of n‐3 omega and the correct ratio of n‐3 omega to n‐6 omega or their possible contraindications when combined with drugs, other foods and herbal supplements. Another reported aspect of n‐3 omega PUFAs is that they protect and even enhance the effect in medical treatment of important diseases such as Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis and cancer. These reports led to PUFAs becoming one of the most accepted and consumed food supplements. Despite this weight of evidence and the considerable current use, there is still a need for studies, which will determine whether the n‐3 omega fatty acids are in fact important functional supplements with no adverse effects. This review will attempt to outline the current position of n‐3 omega fatty acids in the field of clinical nutrition and healthcare and outline the studies needed to determine whether there are significant advantages in taking them as food supplement without any adverse effects.
Industrial processing effects on chestnut fruits (Castanea sativa Mill.) 3. Minerals, free sugars, carotenoids and antioxidant vitamins
Authors: De Vasconcelos Maria do Carmo B. M. , Nunes Fernando , Viguera Cristina García , Bennett Richard N. , Rosa Eduardo A.S. , Ferreira‐Cardoso Jorge V.
Published: February 2010

The major aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of industrial processing on the composition of minerals, free sugars, vitamins and pigments in fruits of chestnut cultivars at four stages of industrial processing (A–fresh; B–after 3 months storage at ± 0 °C and relative humidity = 90%; C–after flame peeling at 800 °–1000 °C for 1–2 s; D–after freezing in a tunnel with a CO2 flow at −65 °C for 15–20 min) from two harvest years. Potassium and phosphorous were predominant in the fruits of all cultivars for both harvest years. Calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and manganese were also present in the fruits. Fruits from both harvest years had a significant content of free sugars, with sucrose predominating, and these sugars were more affected by the processing stage. Significant levels of lutein, lutein esters, γ‐tocopherol and vitamin C were also found in the chestnut fruits. Fruit carotenoids and vitamin C significantly decreased during the industrial processing.