bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of bone impingement prediction in pre-operative planning for shoulder arthroplasty
Authors: Krekel P R , de Bruin P W , Valstar E R , Post F H , Rozing P M , Botha C P
Published: March 2009

In shoulder arthroplasty, malpositioning of prostheses often leads to reduced post-operative range of motion (ROM) and complications such as impingement, loosening, and dislocation. Furthermore, the risk of impingement complications increases when reverse total prostheses are used. For this purpose a pre-operative planning system was developed that enables surgeons to perform a virtual shoulder replacement procedure. The present authors' pre-operative planning system simulates patient-specific bone-determined ROM meant to reduce the risk of impingement complications and to improve the ROM of patients undergoing shoulder replacement surgery. This paper describes a validation experiment with the purpose of ratifying the clinical applicability and usefulness of the ROM simulation module for shoulder replacement surgery. The experiment was performed on cadaveric shoulders. A data connection was set up between the software environment and an existing intra-operative guidance system to track the relative positions of the bones. This allowed the patient-specific surface models to be visualized within the software for the position and alignment of the tracked bones. For both shoulders, ROM measurements were recorded and tagged with relevant information such as the type of prosthesis and the type of movement that was performed. The observed ROM and occurrences of impingement were compared with the simulated equivalents. The median deviation between observed impingement angles and simulated impingement angles was −0.30° with an interquartile range of 5.20° (from −3.40° to 1.80°). It was concluded that the ROM simulator is sufficiently accurate to fulfil its role as a supportive instrument for orthopaedic surgeons during shoulder replacement surgery.
Medical engineering at Cardiff University. Part 2: Postgraduate programmes of study
Authors: Theobald P , O'Doherty D M , Holt C A , Evans S L , Jones M D
Published: March 2009

The Medical Engineering team within the School of Engineering, Cardiff University, delivers two postgraduate programmes of study. Established over 10 years ago, the part-time MSc programmes in Orthopaedic Engineering and Clinical Engineering offer the opportunity of further study while remaining within full-time employment. Both programmes deliver 120 taught credits over two academic years via a series of residential weekends, with successful completion enabling the student to undertake and then defend a 60-credit research dissertation. Fulfilling a specific role on the career pathway for both student cohorts, the strength of each programme is indicated by the consistent number of applicants.
Calculation of feedback gains for an optimal controller
Authors: Radisavljevic V
Published: March 2009

This paper presents a numerical algorithm for solving non-linear algebraic equations generated in an optimization problem in which the sum of a quadratic performance criterion and the H2-norm of the closed-loop transfer function from a Gaussian white noise stochastic disturbance to the state space variables of a linear time invariant system is minimized. The proposed algorithm is given in terms of algebraic Lyapunov equations. It is shown in this paper that this algorithm converges to the local minimum under non-restrictive, control theory and applications-oriented assumptions, stabilizability and detectability.
Efficient application of Gauss’ principle to generic mechanical systems
Authors: Fumagalli A , Masarati P
Published: March 2009

This article discusses one of the solutions proposed in the literature to Gauss’ principle known as principle of ‘least constraint’, proposing a clarifying interpretation that allows significant computational improvements when considering its application to problems with non-diagonal mass matrix. The case of non-symmetric mass matrix is briefly discussed as well.
Incorporating subjective end-user perceptions in the design process: A study of leg guard comfort in cricket
Authors: Webster J M , Roberts J
Published: March 2009

During the design of sports equipment, the main focus is usually on physical performance attributes, neglecting key subjective factors such as feel or comfort. The personal protective equipment worn in sport is a typical example of where injury prevention has taken precedence over user comfort, but it is anticipated that, with an improved approach to the design process, comfort can be enhanced without sacrificing protection. Using cricket leg guards as an example, this study aims to develop a systematic method for assessing user perceptions and incorporating them into the design process. Using this method, players’ perceptions of the factors that influence comfort were elicited through the use of co-discovery sessions, focus groups, and individual interviews and analysed through an inductive process to produce a comfort model. The relative importance of the different comfort dimensions were identified through the use of an online questionnaire utilizing the analytical hierarchy process method. Through the combination of these methods, six general dimensions were identified with a weighting regarding the amount to which each one determines a user's perceived comfort. These results demonstrate how subjective analysis can be integrated into the design process, allowing for end users’ preferences to be considered and integrated.
Oncogenic HPV infection interrupts the expression of tumor-suppressive miR-34a through viral oncoprotein E6
Authors: Wang Xiaohong , Wang Hsu-Kun , McCoy J. Philip , Banerjee Nilam S. , Rader Janet S. , Broker Thomas R. , Meyers Craig , Chow Louise T. , Zheng Zhi-Ming
Published: March 2009

MicroRNAs (miRNA) play pivotal roles in controlling cell proliferation and differentiation. Aberrant miRNA expression in human is becoming recognized as a new molecular mechanism of carcinogenesis. However, the causes for alterations in miRNA expression remain largely unknown. Infection with oncogenic human papillomavirus types 16 (HPV16) and 18 (HPV18) can lead to cervical and other ano-genital cancers. Here, we have demonstrated that cervical cancer tissues and cervical cancer-derived cell lines containing oncogenic HPVs display reduced expression of tumor-suppressive miR-34a. The reduction of miR-34a expression in organotypic tissues derived from HPV-containing primary human keratinocytes correlates with the early productive phase and is attributed to the expression of viral E6, which destabilizes the tumor suppressor p53, a known miR-34a transactivator. Knockdown of viral E6 expression in HPV16+ and HPV18+ cervical cancer cell lines by siRNAs leads to an increased expression of p53 and miR-34a and accumulation of miR-34a in G0/G1 phase cells. Ectopic expression of miR-34a in HPV18+ HeLa cells and HPV− HCT116 cells results in a substantial induction of cell growth retardation and a moderate cell apoptosis. Together, this is the first time a viral oncoprotein has been shown to regulate cellular miRNA expression. Our data have provided new insights into mechanisms by which high-risk HPVs contribute to the development of cervical cancer.
Terlipressin for Children with Extremely Low Cardiac Output After Open Heart Surgery
Authors: Matok Ilan , Rubinshtein Marina , Levy Amalia , Vardi Amir , Leibovitch Leah , Mishali David , Barzilay Zohar , Paret Gideon
Published: March 2009

Background:

Terlipressin, a long-acting analog of vasopressin, has been used successfully in patients with extremely low cardiac output, but its application in children following open heart surgery is limited.

Objective:

To describe our experience using terlipressin in children with extremely low cardiac output after open heart surgery.

Methods:

Records were reviewed of all pediatric patients between January 2003 and December 2005 who had undergone open heart surgery, experienced extremely low cardiac output, and were treated with terlipressin as rescue therapy. Mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, urine output, and lactate and oxygenation index values were retrieved and analyzed when available.

Results:

Twenty-nine children who were considered gravely ill despite conventional vasoactive agents received terlipressin as rescue therapy, which rapidly yielded significant improvements in all measured hemodynamic and respiratory indices. Mean ± SD arterial blood pressure increased significantly, from 49 ± 17 to 57 ± 16 mm Hg after 10 minutes (p = 0.004) and to 64 ± 15 mm Hg 24 hours after treatment onset (p = 0.001). Twenty-four hours following terlipressin administration, urine output increased from 1.5 ± 2.1 to 3.0 ± 2.3 mL/kg/h (p = 0.001), the oxygenation index decreased from 16.5 ± 27.9 to 9.5 ± 16.7 in the survivors (p = 0.023), and the inotropic score decreased from 41.9 ± 19.9 to 32.6 ± 18.8 (p = 0.009).

Conclusions:

Terlipressin caused significant improvement in hemodynamic, respiratory, and renal indices in children with extremely low cardiac output after open heart surgery. Further controlled studies are needed to confirm the drug's safety and efficacy in this population.
Google Scholar Versus PubMed in Locating Primary Literature to Answer Drug-Related Questions
Authors: Freeman Maisha Kelly , Lauderdale Stacy A , Kendrach Michael G , Woolley Thomas W
Published: March 2009

Background:

Google Scholar linked more visitors to biomedical journal Web sites than did PubMed after the database's initial release; however, its usefulness in locating primary literature articles is unknown.

Objective:

To assess in both databases the availability of primary literature target articles; total number of citations; availability of free, full-text journal articles; and number of primary literature target articles retrieved by year within the first 100 citations of the search results.

Methods:

Drug information question reviews published in The Annals of Pharmacotherapy Drug Information Rounds column served as targets to determine the retrieval ability of Google Scholar and PubMed searches. Reviews printed in this column from January 2006 to June 2007 were eligible for study inclusion. Articles were chosen if at least 2 key words of the printed article were included in the PubMed Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) database, and these terms were searched in both databases.

Results:

Twenty-two of 33 (67%) eligible Drug Information Rounds articles met the inclusion criteria. The median number of primary literature articles used in each of these articles was 6.5 (IQR 4.8, 8.3; mean ± SD 8 ± 5.4). No significant differences were found for the mean number of target primary literature articles located within the first 100 citations in Google Scholar and PubMed searches (5.1 ± 3.9 vs 5.3 ± 3.3; p = 0.868). Google Scholar searches located more total results than PubMed (2211.6 ± 3999.5 vs 44.2 ± 47.4; p = 0.019). The availability of free, full-text journal articles per Drug Information Rounds article was similar between the databases (1.8 ± 1.7 vs 2.3 ± 1.7; p = 0.325). More primary literature articles published prior to 2000 were located with Google Scholar searches compared with PubMed (62.8% vs 34.9%; p = 0.017); however, no statistically significant differences between the databases were observed for articles published after 2000 (66.4 vs 77.1; p = 0.074).

Conclusions:

No significant differences were identified in the number of target primary literature articles located between databases. PubMed searches yielded fewer total citations than Google Scholar results; however, PubMed appears to be more specific than Google Scholar for locating relevant primary literature articles.
Erlotinib-Induced Hepatitis Complicated by Fatal Lactic Acidosis in an Elderly Man with Lung Cancer
Authors: Pellegrinotti Marco , Fimognari Filippo Luca , Franco Alessandro , Repetto Lazzaro , Pastorelli Ruggero
Published: March 2009

Objective:

To report a case of erlotinib-induced hepatitis complicated by fatal lactic acidosis in an elderly patient with lung adenocarcinoma and diabetes mellitus.

Case Summary:

A 77-year-old man with stage IIIB lung adenocarcinoma was treated with erlotinib 100 mg/day, an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, after failure of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The patient also had type 2 diabetes mellitus; metformin therapy had been initiated 5 years before presentation. Twelve days after the start of erlotinib therapy, he developed drug-related acute hepatitis complicated by renal deterioration (aspartate aminotransferase 1400 U/L, alanine aminotransferase 1299 U/L, creatinine 4.4 mg/dL, urea nitrogen 55 mg/dL). Viral causes of hepatitis were excluded and a recent computed tomography scan had ruled out liver metastases. According to the Roussel-Uclaf causality assessment method, the erlotinib-related hepatitis was classified as probable. The patient's condition was soon complicated by the onset of lactic acidosis, which caused death 2 hours after admission.

Discussion:

In this patient, lactic acidosis was promoted by erlotinib-related hepatitis with initial liver failure (decreased lactate clearance), concomitant metformin treatment (increased lactate production), and acute renal deterioration (metformin accumulation). This is the second case of fatal erlotinib-induced liver toxicity in a patient with lung cancer. In the previous case, death occurred after about 11 days and was entirely due to fulminant hepatitis, whereas in our patient, the liver injury only initiated a drug–disease interaction that caused fatal lactic acidosis within a lew hours.

Conclusions:

Liver function should be carefully monitored during erlotinib treatment, particularly in elderly and frail patients on multiple medications. Further studies are therefore needed for better testing the safety of erlotinib in such people, commonly encountered in the real world, but often excluded from participation in randomized trials of cancer treatment.
Systematic Review of Interventions to Improve Prescribing
Authors: Ostini Remo , Hegney Desley , Jackson Claire , Williamson Margaret , Mackson Judith M , Gurman Karin , Hall Wayne , Tett Susan E
Published: March 2009

Objective:

To update 2 comprehensive reviews of systematic reviews on prescribing interventions and identify the latest evidence about the effectiveness of the interventions.

Data Sources:

Systematic searches for English-language reports of experimental and quasi-experimental research were conducted in PubMed(1951–May 2007). EMBASE (1974–March 2008), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970–March 2008), and 11 other bibliographic databases of medical, social science, and business research. Following an initial title screening process and after selecting 6 specific intervention categories (identified from the previous reviews) in community settings, 2 reviewers independently assessed abstracts and then full studies for relevance and quality and extracted relevant data using formal assessment and data extraction tools. Results were then methodically incorporated into the findings of the 2 earlier reviews of systematic reviews.

Data Selection And Synthesis:

Twenty-nine of 26,314 articles reviewed were assessed to be of relevant, high-quality research. Audit and feedback, together with educational outreach visits, were the focus of the majority of recent, high-quality research into prescribing interventions. These interventions were also the most effective in improving prescribing practice. A smaller number of studies included a patient-mediated intervention; this intervention was not consistently effective. There is insufficient recent research into manual reminders to confidently update earlier reviews and there remains insufficient evidence to draw conclusions regarding the effectiveness of local consensus processes or multidisciplinary teams.

Conclusions:

Educational outreach as well as audit and feedback continue to dominate research into prescribing interventions. These 2 prescribing interventions also most consistently show positive results. Much less research is conducted into other types of interventions and there is still very little effort to systematically test why interventions do or do not work.
Micafungin plus Fluconazole in an Infected Knee with Retained Hardware due to Candida albicans
Authors: Bland Christopher M , Thomas Sanil
Published: March 2009

Objective:

To describe the use of micafungin and fluconazole in the management of a fungal prosthetic joint infection caused by Candida albicans.

Case Summary:

A 55-year-old female who had undergone total left knee arthroplasty due to rheumatoid arthritis presented with symptoms of a left knee infection. Intravenous vancomycin 1 g every 12 hours and intravenous ampicillin/sulbactam 1.5 g every 6 hours were initiated. Arthrocentesis produced cloudy synovial fluid with a white blood cell (WBC) count of 5.995 × 103/μL. C-reactive protein (CRP) was 19.8 mg/dL and erythrocyte sediment rate (ESR) was greater than 120 mm/h. Gram stain was negative, but intraoperative cultures grew C. albicans. Four days later the patient's condition worsened and repeat arthrocentesis showed WBC count of 16.8 × 103/μL with budding yeast in the synovial fluid. Antibiotics were stopped and liposomal amphotericin B 5 mg/kg once daily was started but was stopped after a few doses due to renal failure. Intravenous micafungin 100 mg daily was initiated; intravenous fluconazole 400 mg daily was added 2 days later and subsequently changed to oral fluconazole after 2 days of therapy. The patient received combination micafungin/fluconazole therapy for 8 weeks. After approximately 8 weeks of therapy, the CRP level and ESR had decreased from 19.8 to 7.1 mg/dL and greater than 120 to 81 mm/h, respectively. The patient's pain and range of motion in her knee had returned to baseline levels at last follow-up after the total knee arthroplasty. After 8 weeks of combination therapy, micafungin was discontinued but oral fluconazole was continued; approximately 8 weeks later the patient relapsed, requiring removal of the prosthetic knee hardware.

Discussion:

Fungal prosthetic joint infections are rare, but definitive data regarding appropriate treatment are lacking. Echinocandins are an attractive treatment option due to their enhanced biofilm penetration. In our patient, treatment with micafungin plus fluconazole for 8 weeks followed by fluconazole monotherapy was associated with an initial good outcome in the treatment of a C. albicans prosthetic knee infection with retained hardware. This was, to our knowledge, the first case using micafungin in a prosthetic joint infection.

Conclusions:

Although micafungin plus fluconazole showed positive results in our patient, more data are needed regarding combination therapy for fungal prosthetic joint infections.
Comparison of Inhaled Corticosteroids: An Update
Authors: Kelly H William
Published: March 2009

Objective:

To review the basis for the estimated comparative daily dosages of inhaled corticosteroids for children and adults that are presented in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Expert Panel Report 3; in addition, the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic basis for potential clinical differences among inhaled corticosteroids is discussed.

Data Sources:

A complete MEDLINE search was conducted of human studies of asthma pharmacotherapy published between January 1, 2001, and March 15, 2006, followed by a PubMed search up until August 2008, using ciclesonide, inhaled corticosteroids, and pharmacokinetics as key words. Product information on each inhaled corticosteroid was also included.

Study Selection And Data Extraction:

Comparative clinical trials of inhaled corticosteroids and systematic reviews for efficacy comparisons were evaluated. Extensive literature reviews, meta-analyses, and selected clinical studies that illustrate or represent specific points of view were selected. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic data extracted from previously published reviews and specific studies were included.

Data Synthesis:

Pharmacodynamic characteristics (glucocorticoid receptor binding) and lung delivery determine the relative clinical efficacy and pharmacokinetic properties (oral bioavailability, lung retention, systemic clearance) and determine comparative therapeutic index of the inhaled corticosteroids. Secondary pharmacokinetic differences (intracellular fatty acid esterification, high serum protein binding) that have been posited to improve duration of action and/or therapeutic index are unproven, and current comparative clinical trials do not support the hypotheses that they provide an advantage. Ultrafine particle meter-dose inhalers (MDIs) have not demonstrated superior asthma control or improved safety over older MDIs. All of the inhaled corticosteroids demonstrate efficacy with once-daily dosing, and all are more effective when dosed twice daily.

Conclusions:

Current evidence suggests that all of the inhaled corticosteroids have sufficient therapeutic indexes to provide similar efficacy and safety in low to medium doses. Whether or not some of the newer inhaled corticosteroids offer any advantages at higher doses has yet to be determined.
Review Paper: Origin and Molecular Pathology of Adrenocortical Neoplasms
Authors: Bielinska M. , Parviainen H. , Kiiveri S. , Heikinheimo M. , Wilson D. B.
Published: March 2009

Neoplastic adrenocortical lesions are common in humans and several species of domestic animals. Although there are unanswered questions about the origin and evolution of adrenocortical neoplasms, analysis of human tumor specimens and animal models indicates that adrenocortical tumorigenesis involves both genetic and epigenetic alterations. Chromosomal changes accumulate during tumor progression, and aberrant telomere function is one of the key mechanisms underlying chromosome instability during this process. Epigenetic changes serve to expand the size of the uncommitted adrenal progenitor population, modulate their phenotypic plasticity (i.e., responsiveness to extracellular signals), and increase the likelihood of subsequent genetic alterations. Analyses of heritable and spontaneous types of human adrenocortical tumors documented alterations in either cell surface receptors or their downstream effectors that impact neoplastic transformation. Many of the mutations associated with benign human adrenocortical tumors result in dysregulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling, whereas key factors and/or signaling pathways associated with adrenocortical carcinomas include dysregulated expression of the IGF2 gene cluster, activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and inactivation of the p53 tumor suppressor. A better understanding of the factors and signaling pathways involved in adrenal tumorigenesis is necessary to develop targeted pharmacologic and genetic therapies.
Tumor-associated Carbohydrate Antigens: Sialyl Lea and T/Tn Antigens in Canine Mammary Tumors
Authors: Nowak M. , Madej J. , Dziégiel P. , Łopuszyński W. , Rodo A. , Ugorski M.
Published: March 2009

Twenty-eight canine mammary tubulopapillary carcinomas and 14 simple adenomas were studied by immunohistochemistry for the expressions of the tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens. Sialyl Lea was detected in 71.42% of the malignant and 92.84% of the benign tumors. Staining with anti-T and anti-Tn monoclonal antibodies revealed that 85.70% of the tubulopapillary carcinomas expressed T and Tn antigens. In contrast, 50% of the adenomas did not express T antigen, and 42.85% of them were only weakly stained for this carbohydrate structure. In the case of Tn antigen, the majority (57.14%) of samples was weakly stained, and no binding was observed in 35.71% of the analyzed specimens. Comparison of average values of reaction intensity (IRS) scale for malignant versus benign tumors by the Mann-Whitney U-test revealed a significant relationship between T and Tn antigens expression and type (malignant vs. benign) mammary tumors. Based on the results obtained, it is suggested that each of the studied antigens can be treated as a tumor-associated antigen of canine mammary tumors. However, only the T and Tn antigens seem to be associated with malignant transformation of mammary gland cells and to be of potential value as diagnostic markers.
Widespread Mismatch Repair Protein Expression in Canine Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumors
Authors: Munday J. S. , French A. F. , Gibson I. R. , Gwynne K.
Published: March 2009

Cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCTs) are common canine neoplasms. Some dog breeds more frequently develop MCTs, suggesting a genetically mediated predisposition. In humans, the most common inherited cancer predisposition is caused by germline defects in the mismatch repair (MMR) genes. To investigate whether inherited defects in the MMR genes predispose some dogs to MCT development, MMR expression in 22 MCTs from young and predisposed breed dogs was compared with MMR expression in 22 MCTs from old dogs of non-MCT-predisposed breeds. MMR expression was investigated immunohistochemically using antibodies against MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6. Mast cells within all MCTs expressed MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6. There were no significant differences in the intensity of immunoreactivity or the percentage of cells expressing MMR proteins between MCTs from the 2 groups of dogs. There were no significant differences in MMR protein expression between grade II and grade III MCTs. These results do not support the hypothesis that inherited MMR defects predispose some dogs to MCT development.
Degenerative Myelopathy in 18 Pembroke Welsh Corgi Dogs
Authors: March P. A. , Coates J. R. , Abyad R. J. , Williams D. A. , O'Brien D. P. , Olby N. J. , Keating J. H. , Oglesbee M.
Published: March 2009

Postmortem examination was performed on 18 Pembroke Welsh Corgi dogs (mean age 12.7 years) with clinical signs and antemortem diagnostic tests compatible with a diagnosis of degenerative myelopathy. Tissue sections from specific spinal cord and brain regions were systematically evaluated in all dogs. Axonal degeneration and loss were graded according to severity and subsequently compared across different spinal cord segments and funiculi. White matter lesions were identified in defined regions of the dorsal, lateral, and ventral funiculi. The dorsolateral portion of the lateral funiculus was the most severely affected region in all cord segments. Spinal cord segment T12 exhibited the most severe axonal loss. Spinal nerve roots, peripheral nerves, and brain sections were within normal limits, with the exception of areas of mild astrogliosis in gray matter of the caudal medulla. Dogs with more severe lesions showed significant progression of axonal degeneration and loss at T12 and at cord segments cranial and caudal to T12. Severity of axonal loss in individual dogs positively correlated with the duration of clinical signs. The distribution of axonal degeneration resembled that reported in German Shepherd Dog degenerative myelopathy but differed with respect to the transverse and longitudinal extent of the lesions within more clearly defined funicular areas. Although these lesion differences might reflect disease longevity, they could also indicate a form of degenerative myelopathy unique to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi dog.
Immunophenotypic and Histologic Classification of 50 Cases of Feline Gastrointestinal Lymphoma
Authors: Pohlman L. M. , Higginbotham M. L. , Welles E. G. , Johnson C. M.
Published: March 2009

The purpose of this study was to determine the immunophenotype and histologic classification of 50 cases of feline gastrointestinal lymphoma. Classification was determined using the National Cancer Institute Working Formulation and the Revised European and American Lymphoma/ World Health Organization classification system. Tissue sections were stained with HE, phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin, anti-CD3, anti-CD79a, and anti-BLA.36. Overall, B-cell tumors predominated at 54% (27/50), including 16 diffuse large with immunoblastic nuclear type, 2 diffuse large with centroblastic nuclear type, 3 small lymphocytic, 4 lymphocytic intermediate type, and 2 T-cell-rich large B-cell lymphomas. T-cell tumors comprised 38% (19/50), including 15 epitheliotropic small lymphocytic and 4 lymphoblastic. Three tumors (6%) were nonreactive for B- and T-cell markers and had eosinophilic cytoplasmic granules when stained with HE. Gastric tumors were diagnosed in 24% (12/50) of cats, and 18% (9/50) were present only in the stomach. All gastric lymphomas were of B-cell lineage. Small intestinal lymphoma predominated, with 74% (37/50) of cats affected: T-cell tumors comprised 52% (19/37); 38% (14/37) were B-cell tumors; 8% (3/37) were nonreactive for B- and T-cell markers; and 2% (1/37) expressed both CD3 and BLA.36. Of the 8 cats (16%) that had lymphoma of the large intestine, 88% (7/8) had B-cell tumors and 12% (1/8) had T-cell tumors. The strongest association between gastrointestinal lymphoma immunophenotype, histologic classification, and location occurred in the stomach, where there was a predominance of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of immunoblastic nuclear type.
Subgroup J Avian Leukosis Virus-Induced Histiocytic Sarcomatosis Occurs Only in Persistently Viremic but Not Immunotolerized Meat-type Chickens
Authors: Pandiri A. R. , Gimeno I. M. , Reed W. M. , Fitzgerald S. D. , Fadly A. M.
Published: March 2009

The role of subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV J) infection profile in the development of histiocytic sarcomatosis (HS) in chickens was evaluated using retrospective analysis of 2 experiments involving in ovo and at-hatch inoculation of commercial meat-type and ADOL line 0 chickens with 100 or 10,000 TCID50 of various strains ALV J. HS was observed only in persistently viremic, meat-type chickens that were inoculated at hatch, but not in immunotolerized (persistently viremic, with no antibodies), in ovo inoculated chickens. However, the immunotolerized, in ovo inoculated chickens developed a high incidence of myeloid tumors. HS appeared to arise from the splenic ellipsoids and red pulp, and metastasized to liver, kidney, and other organs. The neoplastic cells were diffusely positive for ChL5, CD45, and MHC class II with multifocal infiltration of T and B lymphocytes. Expression of viral antigen gp85 within HS was very low compared with that noted in ALV J-induced myelocytomas. The above observations suggest that the mechanisms of oncogenesis of HS might be different from that of other ALV J-induced tumors.
Alcian Blue and Pyronine Y Histochemical Stains Permit Assessment of Multiple Parameters in Pulmonary Disease Models
Authors: Meyerholz D. K. , Rodgers J. , Castilow E. M. , Varga S. M.
Published: March 2009

Utilization of a combined Alcian Blue and Pyronine Y histochemical method for the assessment of multiple parameters in the respiratory tract of various species is described. Acidic mucins were deep blue (sialylated mucins), red (sulfated mucins), or variably purple (mixture of sialylated/sulfated mucins), and differential mucus production was readily detected in a murine respiratory syncytial virus vaccine model of pulmonary inflammation. Elastic fibers stained red in the walls of pulmonary arteries, connecting airways, alveolar septa, and subpleural interstitium. Mast cells had red to red-purple granular cytoplasmic staining. Nuclei were ubiquitously counterstained pale blue. Representative staining was detected in tissues from multiple species, including inbred mice, rats, ferrets, cats, dogs, sheep, and pigs. The fluorescent property of the stained tissues offers additional modalities with which to analyze tissue sections. This histochemical technique detects multiple critical parameters in routine paraffin sections of lung tissue, reduces the need for repeated serial sectioning and staining, and is cost-effective and simple to perform.
Spontaneous Lysosomal Storage Disease Caused bySida carpinifolia(Malvaceae) Poisoning in Cattle
Authors: Furlan F. H. , Lucioli J. , Veronezi L. O. , Medeiros A. L. , Barros S. S. , Traverso S. D. , Gava A.
Published: March 2009

Clinical and pathologic findings for the spontaneous poisoning by Sida carpinifolia in cattle are described in this study. A survey on field cases of S. carpinifolia in cattle was carried out on farms of Alto Vale do Itajai, State of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. Sixteen affected animals were clinically evaluated and 9 were subjected to postmortem examination. The main clinical signs consisted of marching gait, alert gaze, head tremors, and poor growth. Histologic and ultrastructural lesions consisted of vacuolization and distension of neuronal perikarya, mainly from Purkinje cells, and of the cytoplasm of acinar pancreatic and thyroid follicular cells. Clinical signs and lesions varied from mild to severe. Improvement of the clinical signs was observed in cattle after a period of up to 90 days without consuming the plant; however, residual lesions, mainly characterized by axonal spheroids and absence of Purkinje neurons in some areas of the cerebellum, were observed in these cases. It is concluded that the natural chronic consumption of S. carpinifolia was the etiologic cause of storage disease in cattle in this study.
Retrospective Study of Melamine/Cyanuric Acid-Induced Renal Failure in Dogs in Korea between 2003 and 2004
Authors: Yhee J.-Y. , Brown C. A. , Yu C.-H. , Kim J.-H. , Poppenga R. , Sur J.-H.
Published: March 2009

In early 2007, American pet food ingredients leading to nephrotoxic renal failure of dogs and cats raised serious concerns about the safety of pet foods. Major pet food companies recalled more than 1,000 commercial pet foods in consideration of pet safety. A similar pet food-associated outbreak of nephrotoxic renal failure occurred in Asia, in late 2003 and 2004, resulting in a similar extensive pet food recall. At that time, contamination of ingredients with a nephrotoxin-producing fungus at a pet food production facility was suspected. However, toxicologic evidence to substantiate a mycotoxicosis was lacking. Moreover, the renal lesions were not typical of those reported with fungal nephrotoxins. During 2003 and 2004, 14 dogs were presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea, with renal failure and distinctive renal pathologic findings. Grossly, the kidneys were greenish in color with greenish uroliths in the renal pelvis or bladder. Histologically, characteristic crystals with pinwheel radiating striations were present in distal tubular segments. Toxicologic analysis identified melamine, cyanuric acid, and ammelide in deparaffinized formalin-fixed kidney samples.
Diagnostic Exercise: Intraosseous Epidermoid Cysts in the Third Phalanx of a Dressage Mare
Authors: Headley S. A. , Kummala E. , Saarinen H. , Tupamáki A. , Tulamo R.-M.
Published: March 2009

An 11-yr-old Dressage mare had abnormal gait, and an abscess of the left hoof was suspected but not observed. Radiographic and computerized tomographic evaluations showed a large cystic lesion near the apex of the pedal bone, and a smaller, similar lesion at the lateral wing. Sagittal sections through the affected member revealed two intraosseous cysts at the third phalanx. Histologic and histochemical results characterized the lesions as intraosseous epidermoid cysts of the third phalanx.
Monitoring Biofilm Formation in Power Plant Environments
Authors: Licina GJ , Nekoksa G
Published: March 2009

Power plants have experienced severe general corrosion, pitting, under deposit corrosion, and microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in cooling water systems, resulting in decreased plant availability and significantly increased operations and maintenance costs. MIC has been a particularly difficult problem since corrosion resistant alloys in relatively benign environments have failed as a result of microbiological influences in short times. Copper base alloys, carbon steels and stainless steels have all been susceptible. In a number of instances, replacement of piping and heat exchangers has been required to alleviate corrosion-related problems.

Monitoring is a key element to improved corrosion control in cooling water systems. On-line methods provide evaluations of corrosion rates in real time and are sensitive to localized corrosion. Electrochemical methods of corrosion measurement are readily automated, both for acquisition of corrosion data and for process control. An electrochemical probe for on-line monitoring of biofilm activity has been shown to provide an early warning of biofilm formation and incipient MIC in fresh and saline waters.
Effect of Moisture on the Interfacial Shear Strength: A Study Using the Single Fiber Fragmentation Test
Authors: Pratt BA , Bradley WL
Published: March 2009

The effect of absorbed moisture on the interfacial strength of a carbon fiber/epoxy matrix composite has been studied using the single fiber fragmentation test. The absorption of 1.40% moisture produced a reduction less than 20% in the interfacial shear strength. This reduction in interfacial strength may be associated with a reduction in the residual compressive stresses at the fiber/matrix interface associated with the cooldown from the curing temperature, a weakening of the chemical adhesion, or a softening of the matrix giving failure by interphase yielding. These results suggest that long-term durability of carbon fiber/epoxy matrix composites in seawater may not be much affected by absorbed seawater.
Aging of Composites in Water: Comparison of Five Materials in Terms of Absorption Kinetics and Evolution of Mechanical Properties
Authors: Choqueuse D , Davies P , Mazéas F , Baizeau R
Published: March 2009

This paper presents results for wet aging of five glass fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites. Specimens were immersed in distilled water for 2 years at four temperatures (5, 20, 40, and 60°C), at both atmospheric pressure and 10 MPa hydrostatic pressure. Absorption kinetics and the evolution of properties were followed through periodic Tg measurements, modal analysis, and destructive mechanical testing. There is no direct correlation between the quantity of water absorbed and the loss of mechanical properties; this emphasizes that absorption curves are of limited use for material selection. A hydrostatic pressure of 10 MPa accelerates moisture absorption in the epoxy composites. The establishment of a large data base of results has enabled accelerated test methods to be critically evaluated and the role of temperature and pressure as accelerating parameters is discussed.
Vitellogenin as a Biomarker for Xenobiotic Estrogens: A Review
Authors: Palmer BD , Selcer KW
Published: March 2009

A number of chemical pollutants have physiological effects mimicking those of estrogen. These xenobiotic estrogens pose an insidious risk to wildlife and humans by disrupting reproductive and developmental processes, thereby impairing both the exposed individuals and their offspring. Xenobiotic estrogens are impacting both wildlife and human health, thus it is important to screen chemicals for estrogenic potential, and to monitor environmental levels of estrogenic pollutants. Although most known xenobiotic estrogens show little structural similarity, they do produce predictable physiological responses. This allows the use of functional estrogenicity assays employing specific biomarkers of estrogen action, such as vitellogenin. Vitellogenin is an egg-yolk precursor protein produced by the liver in response to estrogens and estrogen agonists. Vitellogenin is normally found only in the serum of adult female oviparous vertebrates, but it can be induced in males and immature females by estrogen. Vitellogenin induction bioassays can be used to screen chemicals for estrogenic and antiestrogenic activity, to test water for the presence of xenobiotic estrogens, and to screen wildlife populations for exposure to environmental estrogens.
Development of Cytochromes P450 in Avian Species as a Biomarker for Environmental Contaminant Exposure and Effect: Procedures and Baseline Values
Authors: Melancon MJ
Published: March 2009

As in mammals and fish, birds respond to many environmental contaminants with induction of hepatic cytochromes P450. In order to monitor cytchromes P450 in specific avian species, for assessing the status of that species or the habitat it utilizes, it is necessary to have background information on the appropriate assay conditions and the responsiveness of cytochrome P450 induction in that species. Assay of four monooxygenases which give resorufin as product, using a fluorescence microwell plate scanner, has proven to be an effective approach. Information is provided on the incubation conditions and baseline activity for twenty avian species at ages ranging from pipping embryo to adult. Induction responsiveness is presented for sixteen of them. This information can serve as a guide for those who wish to utilize cytochrome P450 as a biomarker for contaminant exposure and effect to aid in selection of appropriate species, age, and monooxygenase assay(s).
Development and Characterization of a Nonprimate Animal Model of Methanol-Induced Neurotoxicity
Authors: Eells JT , Salzman MM , Lewandowski MF , Murray TG
Published: March 2009

Humans and nonhuman primates are uniquely sensitive to the toxic effects of methanol. The toxic syndrome in these species is characterized by formic acidemia, metabolic acidosis and blindness or serious visual impairment. Nonprimate species are normally resistant to the accumulation of formate and associated metabolic and visual toxicity. We have developed a nonprimate model of methanol toxicity using rats in which formate oxidation has been selectively inhibited. Methanol intoxicated rats developed formic acidemia, metabolic acidosis and visual toxicity analogous to the human methanol poisoning syndrome. Visual dysfunction was manifested as reductions in the flash evoked cortical potential and electroretinogram which occurred coincident with blood formate accumulation. Histopathologic studies revealed mitochondrial disruption and vacuolation in the retinal pigment epithelium, photoreceptor inner segments and opticnerve. The establishment of this nonprimate animal model of methanol intoxication will facilitate research into the mechanistic aspects of methanol toxicity as well as the development and testing of treatments for human methanol poisoning. (Supported by The American Petroleum Institute and NIH grants RO1-ES06648 and P30-EYO1931).
PRÉCIS — A Probabilistic Risk Assessment System
Authors: Peterson DM , Knowlton RG
Published: March 2009

A series of computer tools has been developed to conduct the exposure assessment and risk characterization phases of human health risk assessments within a probabilistic framework. The tools are collectively referred to as the Probabilistic Risk Evaluation and Characterization Investigation System (PRÉCIS). With this system, a risk assessor can calculate the doses and risks associated with multiple environmental and exposure pathways, for both chemicals and radioactive contaminants. Exposure assessment models in the system account for transport of contaminants to receptor points from a source zone originating in unsaturated soils above the water table. In addition to performing calculations of dose and risk based on initial concentrations, PRÉCIS can also be used in an inverse manner to compute soil concentrations in the source area that must not be exceeded if prescribed limits on dose or risk are to be met. Such soil contaminant levels, referred to as soil guidelines, are computed for both single contaminants and chemical mixtures and can be used as action levels or cleanup levels. Probabilistic estimates of risk, dose and soil guidelines are derived using Monte Carlo techniques.
Investigation of the High-Temperature Damping of the Nickel-Base Superalloy CMSX-4 in the kHz-Range
Authors: Hermann W , Sockel HG
Published: March 2009

The elastic moduli of two-phase (γ-matrix and γ'-precipitates) nickel-base alloys show a strong decrease between 1000 and 1100°C. Damping measurements were carried out with specimens of the nickel-base superalloy CMSX-4, a near-γ matrix material, and the intermetallic phase Ni3Al (considered as near γ') with the aim to achieve a better understanding of this elastic moduli decrease. For the determination of the damping a free-free beam technique was applied. In CMSX-4 two different damping peaks separated by about 70 K for each mode of the flexural vibration are found between 1000 and 1200°C. The corresponding relaxation processes cause a modulus defect of about 20%. The damping spectrum of the near-γ' material Ni3Al is very similar to that observed for the alloy, with two relaxation peaks in the same temperature range. In contrast to that, the near-γ matrix material exhibits only one maximum in the spectrum. A comparison of the evaluated damping parameters of the relaxation peaks in the different materials leads to the conclusion that the diffusion of nickel and aluminum atoms in the γ'-phase most probably is responsible for the observed relaxations.
Critical Experimental Data on the Snoek-Köster Relaxation and Their Explanation by the Coupling Model
Authors: Magalas LB , Ngai KL
Published: March 2009

This paper is devoted to the Snoek-Köster (SK) relaxation in deformed α-iron containing carbon as foreign interstital atoms (FIAs). In this study crucial experimental data on SK relaxation in deformed ultra-high purity α-iron doped with carbon at different concentration levels will be presented. The experimental results include the relaxation enthalpy, HSK, the relaxation time, τSK, the shape of the SK peak and their dependences on carbon concentration, deformation temperature as well as the amount of plastic deformation will be used to critically test theoretical models. In fact, the interpretation of activation enthalpy is still the main unresolved issue in the studies of SK relaxation. Schoeck has recently called into attention that the essential question every theory of SK relaxation must answer is why the HSK is larger than the diffusion enthalpy of the corresponding interstitial in the lattice. Therefore we will focus our discussion on the problem of relaxation enthalpy and relaxation time of SK peak. From an analysis of the experimental data we find that the activation enthalpy of the carbon SK peak in α-iron actually varies over a wide range, decreasing towards the activation enthalpy, HS, of the Snoek relaxation with decreasing C concentration. This, together with an observed influence of the deformation temperature on the relaxation strength of the SK peak raise serious question on the validity of the Seeger model based on kink pair formation (KPF) mechanism. Schoeck earlier had also ruled out the KPF mechanism by calling into attention the fact that some measurements found the strength of the SK relaxation far exceeds that predicted by the KPF mechanism. Therefore the hypothesis that only screw dislocations are responsible for SK relaxation is not confirmed in this study.

In our theoretical approach presented here, the Shoeck model with the dragging mechanism is refined so as to take into account mutual interactions between FIAs possessing a long-range mobility in the Cottrell cloud surrounding dislocations. The cooperative migration of the FIAs caused by the mutual interactions between them with the FIAs locked in time-dependent strain field of dislocations subjected to an external, dynamical mechanical field is considered to be the basic “physical picture” of SK relaxation in our theoretical approach. We shall work out the consequence of this physical picture by using the coupling model to describe the cooperative migration of the FIAs and incorporating this into the dragging mechanism of Schoeck. The results can explain quantitatively the critical experimental facts that HSK increases over a wide range from 0.95 < HSK < 2.12 eV with carbon concentration and the corresponding preexponential factors. The relaxation strength is the same as the string model of Schoeck which is in agreement with experiment.