bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Couples' voluntary counselling and testing and nevirapine use in antenatal clinics in two African capitals: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Conkling Martha , Shutes Erin L , Karita Etienne , Chomba Elwyn , Tichacek Amanda , Sinkala Moses , Vwalika Bellington , Iwanowski Melissa , Allen Susan A
Published: March 2010

Background

With the accessibility of prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) services in sub‐Saharan Africa, more women are being tested for HIV in antenatal care settings. Involving partners in the counselling and testing process could help prevent horizontal and vertical transmission of HIV. This study was conducted to assess the feasibility of couples' voluntary counseling and testing (CVCT) in antenatal care and to measure compliance with PMTCT.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted over eight months at two public antenatal clinics in Kigali, Rwanda, and Lusaka, Zambia. A convenience sample of 3625 pregnant women was enrolled. Of these, 1054 women were lost to follow up. The intervention consisted of same‐day individual voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) and weekend CVCT; HIV‐positive participants received nevirapine tablets. In Kigali, nevirapine syrup was provided in the labour and delivery ward; in Lusaka, nevirapine syrup was supplied in pre‐measured single‐dose syringes. The main outcome measures were nurse midwife‐recorded deliveries and reported nevirapine use.

Results

In eight months, 1940 women enrolled in Kigali (984 VCT, 956 CVCT) and 1685 women enrolled in Lusaka (1022 VCT, 663 CVCT). HIV prevalence was 14% in Kigali, and 27% in Lusaka. Loss to follow up was more common in Kigali than Lusaka (33% vs. 24%, p = 0.000). In Lusaka, HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative women had significantly different loss‐to‐follow‐up rates (30% vs. 22%, p = 0.002). CVCT was associated with reduced loss to follow up: in Kigali, 31% of couples versus 36% of women testing alone (p = 0.011); and in Lusaka, 22% of couples versus 25% of women testing alone (p = 0.137). Among HIV‐positive women with follow up, CVCT had no impact on nevirapine use (86‐89% in Kigali; 78‐79% in Lusaka).

Conclusions

Weekend CVCT, though new, was feasible in both capital cities. The beneficial impact of CVCT on loss to follow up was significant, while nevirapine compliance was similar in women tested alone or with their partners. Pre‐measured nevirapine syrup syringes provided flexibility to HIV‐positive mothers in Lusaka, but may have contributed to study loss to follow up. These two prevention interventions remain a challenge, with CVCT still operating without supportive government policy in Zambia.
Alveolar fluid clearance in healthy pigs and influence of positive end-expiratory pressure
Authors: García-Delgado Manuel , Touma-Fernández Ángel , Chamorro-Marín Virginia , Ruiz-Aguilar Antonio , Aguilar-Alonso Eduardo , Fernández-Mondéjar Enrique
Published: March 2010

Introduction

The objectives were to characterize alveolar fluid clearance (AFC) in pigs with normal lungs and to analyze the effect of immediate application of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP).

Methods

Animals (n = 25) were mechanically ventilated and divided into four groups: small edema (SE) group, producing pulmonary edema (PE) by intratracheal instillation of 4 ml/kg of saline solution; small edema with PEEP (SE + PEEP) group, same as previous but applying PEEP of 10 cmH2O; large edema (LE) group, producing PE by instillation of 10 ml/kg of saline solution; and large edema with PEEP (LE + PEEP) group, same as LE group but applying PEEP of 10 cmH2O. AFC was estimated from differences in extravascular lung water values obtained by transpulmonary thermodilution method.

Results

At one hour, AFC was 19.4% in SE group and 18.0% in LE group. In the SE + PEEP group, the AFC rate was higher at one hour than at subsequent time points and higher than in the SE group (45.4% vs. 19.4% at one hour, P < 0.05). The AFC rate was also significantly higher in the LE + PEEP than in the LE group at three hours and four hours.

Conclusions

In this pig model, the AFC rate is around 20% at one hour and around 50% at four hours, regardless of the amount of edema, and is increased by the application of PEEP.
Effect of dexmedetomidine versus lorazepam on outcome in patients with sepsis: an a priori-designed analysis of the MENDS randomized controlled trial
Authors: Pandharipande Pratik P , Sanders Robert D , Girard Timothy D , McGrane Stuart , Thompson Jennifer L , Shintani Ayumi K , Herr Daniel L , Maze Mervyn , Ely E Wesley ,   the MENDS investigators
Published: March 2010

Introduction

Benzodiazepines and α2 adrenoceptor agonists exert opposing effects on innate immunity and mortality in animal models of infection. We hypothesized that sedation with dexmedetomidine (an α2 adrenoceptor agonist), as compared with lorazepam (a benzodiazepine), would provide greater improvements in clinical outcomes among septic patients than among non-septic patients.

Methods

In this a priori-determined subgroup analysis of septic vs non-septic patients from the MENDS double-blind randomized controlled trial, adult medical/surgical mechanically ventilated patients were randomized to receive dexmedetomidine-based or lorazepam-based sedation for up to 5 days. Delirium and other clinical outcomes were analyzed comparing sedation groups, adjusting for clinically relevant covariates as well as assessing interactions between sedation group and sepsis.

Results

Of the 103 patients randomized, 63 (31 dexmedetomidine; 32 lorazepam) were admitted with sepsis and 40 (21 dexmedetomidine; 19 lorazepam) without sepsis. Baseline characteristics were similar between treatment groups for both septic and non-septic patients. Compared with septic patients who received lorazepam, the dexmedetomidine septic patients had 3.2 more delirium/coma-free days (DCFD) on average (95% CI for difference, 1.1 to 4.9), 1.5 (-0.1, 2.8) more delirium-free days (DFD) and 6 (0.3, 11.1) more ventilator-free days (VFD). The beneficial effects of dexmedetomidine were more pronounced in septic patients than in non-septic patients for both DCFDs and VFDs (P-value for interaction = 0.09 and 0.02 respectively). Additionally, sedation with dexmedetomidine, compared with lorazepam, reduced the daily risk of delirium [OR, CI 0.3 (0.1, 0.7)] in both septic and non-septic patients (P-value for interaction = 0.94). Risk of dying at 28 days was reduced by 70% [hazard ratio 0.3 (0.1, 0.9)] in dexmedetomidine patients with sepsis as compared to the lorazepam patients; this reduction in death was not seen in non-septic patients (P-value for interaction = 0.11).

Conclusions

In this subgroup analysis, septic patients receiving dexmedetomidine had more days free of brain dysfunction and mechanical ventilation and were less likely to die than those that received a lorazepam-based sedation regimen. These results were more pronounced in septic patients than in non-septic patients. Prospective clinical studies and further preclinical mechanistic studies are needed to confirm these results.

Trial Registration

NCT00095251.
Characterizing regulatory path motifs in integrated networks using perturbational data
Authors: Joshi Anagha , Van Parys Thomas , Van de Peer Yves , Michoel Tom
Published: March 2010

We introduce Pathicular http://bioinformatics.psb.ugent.be/software/details/Pathicular, a Cytoscape plugin for studying the cellular response to perturbations of transcription factors by integrating perturbational expression data with transcriptional, protein-protein and phosphorylation networks. Pathicular searches for 'regulatory path motifs', short paths in the integrated physical networks which occur significantly more often than expected between transcription factors and their targets in the perturbational data. A case study in Saccharomyces cerevisiae identifies eight regulatory path motifs and demonstrates their biological significance.
Cell distribution after intracoronary bone marrow stem cell delivery in damaged and undamaged myocardium: implications for clinical trials
Authors: Forest Virginie F , Tirouvanziam Ashok M , Perigaud Christian , Fernandes Sarah , Fusellier Marion S , Desfontis Jean-Claude , Toquet Claire S , Heymann Marie-Françoise M , Crochet Dominique P , Lemarchand Patricia F
Published: March 2010

Introduction

Early randomized clinical trials of autologous bone marrow cardiac stem cell therapy have reported contradictory results highlighting the need for a better evaluation of protocol designs. This study was designed to quantify and compare whole body and heart cell distribution after intracoronary or peripheral intravenous injection of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells in a porcine acute myocardial infarction model with late reperfusion.

Methods

Myocardial infarction was induced using balloon inflation in the left coronary artery in domestic pigs. At seven days post-myocardial infarction, 1 × 10(8) autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells were labeled with fluorescent marker and/or 99mTc radiotracer, and delivered using intracoronary or peripheral intravenous injection (leg vein).

Results

Scintigraphic analyses and Υ-emission radioactivity counting of harvested organs showed a significant cell fraction retained within the heart after intracoronary injection (6 ± 1.7% of injected radioactivity at 24 hours), whereas following peripheral intravenous cell injection, no cardiac homing was observed at 24 hours and cells were mainly detected within the lungs. Importantly, no difference was observed in the percentage of retained cells within the myocardium in the presence or absence of myocardial infarction. Histological evaluation did not show arterial occlusion in both animal groups and confirmed the presence of bone marrow mononuclear cells within the injected myocardium area.

Conclusions

Intravenous bone marrow mononuclear cell injection was ineffective to target myocardium. Myocardial cell distribution following intracoronary injection did not depend on myocardial infarction presence, a factor that could be useful for cardiac cell therapy in patients with chronic heart failure of non-ischemic origin or with ischemic myocardium without myocardial infarction.
Functional Promoter −1271G>C Variant of HSPB1 Predicts Lung Cancer Risk and Survival
Authors: Guo Huan , Bai Yun , Xu Ping , Hu Zhibin , Liu Li , Wang Fang , Jin Guangfu , Wang Feng , Deng Qifei , Tu Yixiao , Feng Maohui , Lu Daru , Shen Hongbing , Wu Tangchun
Published: March 2010

Purpose

Heat-shock protein 27 (Hsp27), encoded by HSPB1, plays crucial roles in tumorigenesis and cell survival and is reported to be an independent prognosis marker for cancer. We hypothesized that genetic variants of the HSPB1 gene may be associated with lung cancer susceptibility and survival.

Patients and Methods

We first resequenced the full-length HSPB1 gene and then genotyped three selected tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 1,152 paired Chinese lung cancer patient cases and controls. Another 500 paired patient cases and controls were used for replication. We also evaluated the roles of these tagSNPs in the overall survival of 248 patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and validated the results in another 335 patients with advanced NSCLC. The genotype-phenotype correlation was assessed in 309 workers with occupational exposure to polycyclic-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as well as by luciferase reporter assay and Western blotting analysis.

Results

The −1271C allele was associated with a significantly increased lung cancer risk in the two independent patient case–control studies (P < .05 for both), but it conferred a favorable survival for patients with advanced NSCLC in two independent cohorts (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.66 and 0.75, respectively). The occupational PAH-exposed workers carrying the −1271C allele showed higher DNA damage levels than those with the −1271G allele (P = .027). Furthermore, the −1271C allele significantly decreased luciferase activity in four cell lines and resulted in lower Hsp27 expression levels in normal lung tissues when compared with −1271G allele (P < .05).

Conclusion

The functional HSPB1 promoter −1271G>C variant may affect lung cancer susceptibility and survival by modulating endogenous Hsp27 synthesis levels.
Multicenter Phase II Study of Everolimus in Patients With Previously Treated Metastatic Gastric Cancer
Authors: Doi Toshihiko , Muro Kei , Boku Narikazu , Yamada Yasuhide , Nishina Tomohiro , Takiuchi Hiroya , Komatsu Yoshito , Hamamoto Yasuo , Ohno Nobutsugu , Fujita Yoshie , Robson Matthew , Ohtsu Atsushi
Published: March 2010

Purpose

Everolimus, an oral inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin, has shown antitumor activity in gastric cancer in preclinical and phase I studies. This phase II study evaluated the efficacy and safety of everolimus in pretreated patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Patients and Methods

Patients with advanced gastric cancer who experienced progression despite prior chemotherapy received everolimus 10 mg orally daily until disease progression or study discontinuation. The primary end point was disease control rate (DCR; ie, complete response, partial response, or stable disease). Secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety.

Results

Fifty-three patients were assessable (median age, 63 years; 51% and 49% received one or two prior chemotherapy regimens, respectively). Although no complete or partial response was obtained, a decrease in tumor size from baseline was observed in 45% of patients by central review. The DCR was 56.0% (95% CI, 41.3% to 70.0%); median PFS was 2.7 months (95% CI, 1.6 to 3.0 months). At a median follow-up time of 9.6 months, median OS was 10.1 months (95% CI, 6.5 to 12.1 months). Common grade 3 or 4 adverse events included anemia, hyponatremia, increased γ-glutamyltransferase, and lymphopenia. Grade 1 or 2 pneumonitis was reported in eight patients (15.1%).

Conclusion

Everolimus monotherapy resulted in a promising DCR in patients with previously treated advanced gastric cancer. Adverse events are consistent with the reported safety profile of everolimus. These results warrant further evaluation in patients with advanced gastric cancer.
project:rendition
Authors:   JC2
Published: March 2010

project:rendition was an art collaboration that investigated recent American military policies hidden from public view. The project was produced by JC2, a collective comprising the artists Joy Episalla, Joy Garnett, Carrie Moyer, and Carrie Yamaoka.
Towards a Reference Architecture for Regional Electricity MarketsEntwurf einer Referenzarchitektur für regionale Elektrizitätsmärkte
Authors: Beer Sebastian , Rüttinger Hannes , Bischofs Ludger , Appelrath Hans-Jürgen
Published: March 2010

In the last few years, driving forces like political legislation, an increased use of renewable energy sources and a growing ecological awareness resulted in an advanced integration of distributed energy resources in the public power grid. The resulting change towards a decentralised power supply is expected to further continue in the coming years and requires a reorganization of the conventional market structures in order to meet the challenges as well as to exploit the potentials resulting from the new situation. In the following work we present a reference architecture for regional electricity markets which addresses this very issue. Besides a description of the general market design, a more detailed view of selected market players is provided.
Generic Legal Aspects of E-EnergyRechtsaspekte der E-Energy
Authors: Raabe Oliver , Lorenz Mieke , Schmelzer Knut
Published: March 2010

The purpose of this paper is to show that information and communication technologies (ICT) play a central role in future energy supply systems. The paper at hand is concerned with legal use cases and practical problems regarding the so-called “Internet of Energy”. These issues are currently also under intense investigation within the framework of the interdisciplinary e-energy-program. The scenarios discussed in the paper are analysed in terms of their reconcilability with the prevailing law. Subsequently, the regulatory framework is interpreted and the need for legal adjustments is demonstrated.
Synthese Verteilter SystemeSynthesis of Distributed Systems
Authors: Schewe Sven
Published: March 2010

Der gemeinsame Nenner der Informatik ist die Automatisierung von Abläufen, Analysen und Prozessen. In den vergangenen Jahrzehnten wurde viel auf dem Gebiet der Automatisierung fremder Domänen erreicht. Traditionell sind wir aber bei Automatisierung in unserer ureigenen Domäne, der Systementwicklung und -analyse, deutlich zurückhaltender. Das wirft die Frage auf, ob wir hier nicht viel mehr tun könnten und müssten. Ist zum Beispiel die manuelle Suche nach Lösungen gut spezifizierter Probleme angemessen? Wir diskutieren diese Frage am Beispiel verteilter Systeme mit Spezifikationen in temporalen oder Fixpunkt-Logiken wie LTL, ATL∗ oder μ-Kalkülen, den natürlichen Spezifikationssprachen für nicht-terminierende (oder: reaktive) Systeme wie zum Beispiel Kommunikationsprotokolle.
ANE syndrome caused by mutated RBM28 gene: a novel etiology of combined pituitary hormone deficiency
Authors: Spiegel Ronen , Shalev Stavit A , Adawi Amin , Sprecher Eli , Tenenbaum-Rakover Yardena
Published: March 2010

Objective and design

A homozygous loss-of-function mutation in the geneRBM28was recently reported to underlie alopecia, neurological defects, and endocrinopathy (ANE) syndrome. The aim of the present study was to characterize the endocrine phenotype of ANE syndrome and to delineate its pathogenesis.

Methods

Detailed neuroendocrine assessment was performed in five affected male siblings harboring the homozygous p.L351P mutation inRBM28.

Results

All five affected patients, aged 20–39 years, displayed absent puberty, hypogonadism, and variable degrees of short stature. Low IGF1 concentration and a lack of GH response to provocative tests in all siblings were consistent with GH deficiency. Low testosterone and gonadotropin levels with absence or low response to GnRH stimulation indicated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. ACTH deficiency evolved over time, and glucocorticoid replacement therapy was initiated in four patients. Thyroid analysis showed variable abnormal TSH response to TRH stimulation, suggesting hypothalamic compensated hypothyroidism in four subjects and laboratory hypothyroidism (low free thyroxine) in one patient. Low prolactin levels were shown in one case.

Conclusions

The endocrine defects characteristic of ANE syndrome are compatible with variable combined anterior pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD), which evolves gradually over the years, indicating long-term hormonal monitoring. We propose that defects in the cellular Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway underlie this endocrinopathy.RBM28gene defects should be added to the growing list of gene defects associated with syndromic CPHD.
Physician Views on Barriers to Primary Care for Young Adults With Childhood-Onset Chronic Disease
Authors: Okumura Megumi J. , Kerr Eve A. , Cabana Michael D. , Davis Matthew M. , Demonner Sonya , Heisler Michele
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE:

Growing numbers of children with severe chronic illnesses are surviving to adulthood. Little is known about what primary care physicians perceive as the resources for and barriers to providing primary care services for young adults who transfer care from pediatric to adult medicine practitioners. The objective of this study was to describe primary care physicians' resources for and barriers to caring for young adults with childhood-onset chronic diseases.

METHODS:

We conducted a national mailed survey of general internists and pediatricians to assess their office and specialty resources, attitudes toward, and barriers faced in treating young adult patients with childhood-onset chronic diseases. We then analyzed how these factors were associated with overall perceived quality of chronic illness care delivery.

RESULTS:

Overall response rate was 53% (1289 of 2434). Only half of general internists viewed themselves as readily able to provide for the primary care needs of young adults with childhood-onset chronic diseases. Half of the internists and 62% of pediatricians thought that it would be difficult for these young adults to find an adult-focused primary care provider. Both specialties reported lack of time and reimbursement as major barriers in providing primary care to transitioning patients. Good office systems for coordinating patient care and improved coordination with subspecialty resources were both associated with improved provider perception of providing high-quality chronic illness care.

CONCLUSIONS:

General pediatricians and internists report multiple barriers to providing care for adults with childhood-onset chronic diseases. Improvements in office-based support seem to be most associated with perceived quality of care delivery.
Effect of Neonatal Jaundice and Phototherapy on the Frequency of First-Year Outpatient Visits
Authors: Usatin Danielle , Liljestrand Petra , Kuzniewicz Michael W. , Escobar Gabriel J. , Newman Thomas B.
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this study was to determine whether either hyperbilirubinemia or inpatient phototherapy is associated with increased subsequent outpatient visit rates, a possible effect of the “vulnerable child syndrome.”

METHODS:

We compared 3 groups of otherwise well term and late-preterm infants who were born between 1995 and 2004 in Northern California Kaiser hospitals: group 1 never had a documented total serum bilirubin (TSB) level ≥12 mg/dL (n = 128 417); group 2 had a TSB level ≥17 and <23 mg/dL as outpatients between 48 hours and 7 days of age and did not receive inpatient phototherapy (n = 6777); and group 3 met criteria for group 2 but did receive inpatient phototherapy (n = 1765). We compared outpatient visit rates from 15 to 364 days of age adjusting for other predictors of visit rates by using Poisson and linear regression.

RESULTS:

The mean total number of visits between 15 and 364 days was 9.83. Compared with group 1, adjusted total first-year visit rates were slightly increased in group 2 (adjusted incidence rate ratio: 1.04 [95% confidence interval: 1.02–1.05]) and group 3 (incidence rate ratio: 1.07 [95% confidence interval: 1.05–1.10]). The increases in visit rates were greatest for visits from 15 to 59 days of age, for specialty visits, and for unspecified diagnoses. These rates correspond to adjusted increases in total first-year visits (compared with group 1) of 0.36 visits in group 2 and 0.73 visits in group 3.

CONCLUSIONS:

Neonatal jaundice and inpatient phototherapy are associated with only small increases in first-year outpatient visit rates, consistent with mild or infrequent contribution to the vulnerable child syndrome in this population.
Adolescent Violence Perpetration: Associations With Multiple Types of Adverse Childhood Experiences
Authors: Duke Naomi N. , Pettingell Sandra L. , McMorris Barbara J. , Borowsky Iris W.
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE:

Adverse childhood experiences are associated with significant functional impairment and life lost in adolescence and adulthood. This study identified relationships between multiple types of adverse events and distinct categories of adolescent violence perpetration.

METHODS:

Data are from 136 549 students in the 6th, 9th, and 12th grades who responded to the 2007 Minnesota Student Survey, an anonymous, self-report survey examining youth health behaviors and perceptions, characteristics of primary socializing domains, and youth engagement. Linear and logistic regression models were used to determine if 6 types of adverse experiences including physical abuse, sexual abuse by family and/or other persons, witnessing abuse, and household dysfunction caused by family alcohol and/or drug use were significantly associated with risk of adolescent violence perpetration after adjustment for demographic covariates. An adverse-events score was entered into regression models to test for a dose-response relationship between the event score and violence outcomes. All analyses were stratified according to gender.

RESULTS:

More than 1 in 4 youth (28.9%) reported at least 1 adverse childhood experience. The most commonly reported adverse experience was alcohol abuse by a household family member that caused problems. Each type of adverse childhood experience was significantly associated with adolescent interpersonal violence perpetration (delinquency, bullying, physical fighting, dating violence, weapon-carrying on school property) and self-directed violence (self-mutilatory behavior, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt). For each additional type of adverse event reported by youth, the risk of violence perpetration increased 35% to 144%.

CONCLUSIONS:

Multiple types of adverse childhood experiences should be considered as risk factors for a spectrum of violence-related outcomes during adolescence. Providers and advocates should be aware of the interrelatedness and cumulative impact of adverse-event types. Study findings support broadening the current discourse on types of adverse events when considering pathways from child maltreatment to adolescent perpetration of delinquent and violent outcomes.
Camel No. 9 Cigarette-Marketing Campaign Targeted Young Teenage Girls
Authors: Pierce John P. , Messer Karen , James Lisa E. , White Martha M. , Kealey Sheila , Vallone Donna M. , Healton Cheryl G.
Published: March 2010

CONTEXT:

The 1998 Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) restricted tobacco industry advertising practices that targeted teens.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess whether cigarette-advertising campaigns conducted after the MSA continue to influence smoking among adolescents.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:

Participants were a national longitudinal cohort of 1036 adolescents (baseline age: 10–13 years) enrolled in a parenting study. Between 2003 and 2008, 5 sequential telephone interviews were conducted, including the participant's report of brand of “favorite” cigarette advertisement. The fifth interview was conducted after the start of RJ Reynolds' innovative “Camel No. 9” advertising campaign in 2007. Smoking outcome reported from the fifth survey.

RESULTS:

The response rate through the fifth survey was 71.8%. Teenagers who reported any favorite cigarette ad at baseline (mean age: 11.7 years) were 50% more likely to have smoked by the fifth interview (adjusted odds ratio: 1.5 [95% confidence interval: 1.0–2.3]). For boys, the proportion with a favorite ad was stable across all 5 surveys, as it was for girls across the first 4 surveys. However, after the start of the Camel No. 9 advertising campaign, the proportion of girls who reported a favorite ad increased by 10 percentage points, to 44%. The Camel brand accounted almost entirely for this increase, and the proportion of each gender that nominated the Marlboro brand remained relatively stable.

CONCLUSIONS:

After the MSA, adolescents continued to be responsive to cigarette advertising, and those who were responsive were more likely to start smoking. Recent RJ Reynolds advertising may be effectively targeting adolescent girls.
Effectiveness of the Informed Consent Process for a Pediatric Resuscitation Trial
Authors: Raymond Tia Tortoriello , Carroll Timothy Glenn , Sales Glenda , Morris Marilyn Cummings
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE:

When prospective informed consent is not feasible, clinical research that presents more than minimal risk can proceed only with an exception from informed consent. Our objectives were (1) to describe the in-hospital community consultation and public disclosure process for a clinical trial and (2) to evaluate our in-hospital public disclosure process.

METHODS:

Community consultation included parents, providers, and administrators in a PICU via focus groups, conferences, and other methods. Public disclosure consisted of a brochure and a poster in all PICU waiting rooms. These materials described risks and benefits of the trial, that no consent would be sought, how to “opt out,” and how to provide feedback. A verbal questionnaire was administered to parents of potential patients during the trial to evaluate the public disclosure process.

RESULTS:

Eighty-one percent of 93 parents were aware of the ongoing trial. Seventy-six of 93 remembered seeing the brochure; of these, 26% did not read, 39% read quickly, and 35% read carefully. Thirty-seven of 93 parents remembered seeing the poster; of these, 51% did not read, 32% read quickly, and 17% read carefully. Sixty-seven percent reported that they would want to participate in the study, 9% would not, and 24% were undecided. Of the 7 parents who did not want to participate, 3 had opted out and 4 were unaware that they could opt out.

CONCLUSIONS:

Parents endorsed resuscitation research with an exception from informed consent. Public disclosure yielded >80% parental awareness. Efforts should be made to ensure awareness of the ability to opt out.
Darwin and the psychologists: Foreword
Authors: Pléh Csaba , Bereczkei Tamás
Published: March 2010

A bevezető röviden áttekinti, miért is volt fontos az egész pszichológiai közösségben a 150 éves Darwin-évforduló. Hogyan tekintenek a pszichológusok az összehasonlító, a szelekciós és az egyéni különbségeket kiemelő darwini gondolatokra. Ezután röviden érinti azt a 2009 áprilisában megrendezett pécsi konferenciát, amelynek előadásait bemutatja a kötet és a tematikus szám.
Female face and hairstyles: Alternative mate choice tactics related own attractiveness
Authors: Meskó Norbert
Published: March 2010

Az alternatív párválasztási stratégiák elméletében (Gross
, 1996; Waynforth
, 1998, 1999, 2000) főként a hímek intraszexuális versengésével kapcsolatban írták le azt a jelenséget, amelynek lényege, hogy kevésbé jó genetikai minőséggel bíró egyedek (alacsonyabb fizikai vonzerővel, magasabb aszimmetriaértékkel jellemzett), olyan alternatív párválasztási taktikát használnak, amely a reprodukcióhoz más szempontból fontos. Valószínűleg a nők között is működhet hasonló, az intraszexuális kompetícióval összefüggő szelekciós nyomás, amelynek eredményeként az eltérő fenotípusos minőségből fakadóan az egyének egymással versengő stratégiákat alkalmaznak genetikai sikerességük javítása érdekében. Hipotézisünk tesztelésére önként jelentkező nők arcát fényképeztük le, amelynek szépségét hétfokú skála segítségével, férfiakkal ítéltettük meg. A fotókra 15 különböző hajviseletet illesztettünk komputeres program segítségével, és arra kértük a (női és férfi) résztvevőket, hogy állítsanak fel rangsort aszerint, hogy melyik frizura a legelőnyösebb az adott archoz, és melyik kevésbé az. Így minden nővel kapcsolatban két adatsort kaptunk: 1. saját véleménye arcának megítéléséről, 2. a férfiak átlagolt véleménye ugyanarról a női arcról. A két hierarchia-sorrendet elemezve megtudtuk, hogy kik azok, akiknek a férfiak preferenciájával egybeesik saját döntésük, és kik azok, aki a férfiak értékítéletétől függetlenül alakítják véleményüket megjelenésükkel kapcsolatban. Ezenkívül a női válaszadókkal kérdőívet vettünk fel, ahol a hajviselettel és párválasztással kapcsolatos kérdések mellett regisztráltuk a cm-ben mért hajhosszat is. Eredményeink igazolták a predikciókat és megerősítették az alternatív párválasztási stratégiák elméletét.
Humor and interpersonal attraction: How gender, personality and physique affect humor preference
Authors: Tisljár Roland , Komjáthy Laura
Published: March 2010

Az emberi párválasztásban szerepet játszó mechanizmusok az evolúciós pszichológia egyik központi kérdését képezik. Az udvarlás során a fizikai vonzerő alapvető jelentőséggel bír, de ezen túlmenően számos személyiségdimenzió is befolyásolja az egyén attraktivitásának mértékét. Ezek közé tartozik a humorérzék is, mely számos kutató szerint a párválasztási folyamat során tölti be elsődleges funkcióját. A humor evolúciós pszichológiai hátterének vizsgálata az utóbbi évtizedben egyre nagyobb érdeklődést kiváltó, számos kutatást indukáló terület, mindazonáltal az egyéni humorpreferencia evolúciós háttértényezői még nem tisztázottak. Egyes korai személyiségtipológiai elképzelések (például Sheldon) szerint a testalkat összefügg a humorérzékkel, a piknikus alkattal rendelkező személyek e feltevés szerint jó aktív humorérzékkel rendelkeznek. Kutatásunkban a nemnek, az extroverzió személyiségdimenziónak, valamint a testalkatnak a humorpreferenciával való kapcsolatát vizsgáltuk. Eredményeink szerint a férfiak jobban preferálják a humort és párválasztási kontextusban hajlamosabbak a használatára. További eredmény, hogy a túlsúllyal rendelkező introvertált személyek szintén nagyobb mértékű humorpreferenciát mutatnak, amely eredmény az adaptív párválasztási stratégiák és taktikák tükrében kerül értelmezésre.
The tensions of Darwin the man and scientist in the eye of psychologists
Authors: Pléh Csaba
Published: March 2010

A dolgozat először Darwin felfedezésének gondolatmenetét elemzi pszichológiai szempontból. Rámutat arra, hogy az elmélet gondolati felépítésében a piciny változások és a katasztrófákat helyettesítő állandó átalakulás előtérbe állításában jellegzetes gondolati analógiák érhetők tetten. Egy másik fontos szempont a tudományos teljesítmény és a személyes sors kapcsolata. Mai szempontból Darwin gondolkodásmódja alapvetően rendszerező. A mai pszichológiában sokat emlegetett autizmus spektrumba is sorolhatnánk, éppen a taxonomikus szenvedély alapján. Ugyanakkor az állandó átalakulások hangsúlyozásával ezt a rendszerező gondolkodásmódot összekapcsolja a dinamikával. A dolgozat kitér a Darwin patológiájával kapcsolatos különböző értelmezésekre is, különös hangsúllyal kiemelve Bowlby felfogását a kötődési drámák szerepéről a 19. század nagy szellemi teljesítményeiben.
Personality traits in the mate choice: homogamy and/or sexual imprinting
Authors: Gyuris Petra , Bereczkei Tamás , Járai Róbert
Published: March 2010

Korábbi, az arc elemzésén alapuló vizsgálataink azzal a következtetéssel zárultak, hogy a fenotípusos illesztés modellje mellett bizonyos szexuális imprinting jellegű mechanizmusok is részt vesznek a párválasztásban. Jelenlegi kutatásunkban arra vagyunk kíváncsiak, hogy a személyiségvonások esetében is kimutatható-e a szexuális imprinting hatása. Vizsgálatunkban 49 házaspár és azok szülei vettek részt, összesen 294 személy. Mindegyikükkel felvettük a Caprara-féle BIG FIVE kérdőívet, és a házaspárokat a s-EMBU retrospektív attachement teszt kitöltésére is megkértük. Hasonlóságot találtunk a férfiak felesége és anyjuk között a BFQ Szociális Kívánatosság és a Lelkiismeretesség faktorában, valamint kimutattuk, hogy az anyai nevelési stílus befolyásolja a férfiak párválasztását. A s-EMBU anyai Elutasítás faktora az Érzelmi stabilitás, az Érzelmi melegség faktor pedig a Barátságosság vonásban fejti ki hatását. Az anyai nevelési stílus pontosabb elemzésekor azt a meglepő eredményt kaptuk, hogy az anyjukkal „rosszabb” kapcsolatban lévő férfiak azok, akik igyekeznek anyjukhoz hasonló feleséget választani az Érzelmi stabilitás és a Szociális Kívánatosság személyiségvonásban. A női párválasztásban csupán egy tendencia jelzi a szexuális imprinting működését: az apjuktól magas Szeretetet tapasztaló nők férje és apjuk a Lelkiismeretesség faktorban hasonlítanak egymáshoz.
Design and construction of improvement works at Bruton flood storage reservoir, Somerset
Authors: Pether Rachel
Published: March 2010

Following significant floods in Bruton, Somerset during 1979 and 1982, a flood storage reservoir (FSR) was constructed 1·5 km upstream of the town to provide a 100-year standard of flood protection. The storage capacity of the FSR was approximately 500 000 m3 and hence it was covered by the Reservoirs Act 1975. Various studies on the FSR were undertaken between 2000 and 2006 as a result of recommendations made during inspections executed under the Act. The Environment Agency then implemented a £2·5 million programme of remedial and improvement works, commencing on site in March 2008. The works were designed by Black & Veatch Ltd and the main contractor was Jackson Civil Engineering. Construction of the works was completed in summer 2009. The primary drivers for the scheme were the improvement of the spillway and increasing the storage capacity of the reservoir. The opportunity was also taken to construct a new trash screen at the upstream end of the outlet culvert, as the original structure did not meet current standards regarding screen area or safe access. This paper covers some of the interesting features of both the design and construction of the works.
Scottish canal reservoirs – a historical perspective. Part 3: Caledonian canal
Authors: Brown David H
Published: March 2010

This paper is based on a presentation made to the Institution of Civil Engineers' Panel for Historic Engineering Works and the British Dam Society in Glasgow on 11 March 2009. Earlier parts of this paper discussed the reservoirs supplying the Lowlands and Crinan canals. This part discusses the unusual reservoirs on the Caledonian canal. Inspecting and Supervising Engineers for all the Scottish canal reservoirs are listed.
Spectrophotometric determination of etamsylate in pharmaceuticals using ferric chloride based on complex formation reactions
Authors: Basavaiah Vinay , Revanasiddappa Doddarevanna , Devi Zenita , Basavaiah Kanakapura
Published: March 2010

The present study describes two simple and selective spectrophotometric methods for the rapid determination of etamsylate (ETM) in bulk and in capsule formulations. The methods are based on the oxidation of ETM with ferric chloride in neutral medium and subsequent chelation of the resulting iron(II) with 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) (method A) and with 2,2?-bipyridyl (Bipy) (method B). The resulting red colored chromogens are measured at 510 and 520 nm, in method A and B, respectively. In both methods, the absorbance is found to increase linearly with increasing ETM concentration. Beer?s law is obeyed over the ranges 0.5-10 and 0.8-16 ?g/ml for method A and B, respectively. The calculated molar absorptivity values are 2.17?104 and 1.65?104 l/mol/cm for method A and B, respectively, and the corresponding sandell sensitivities are 0.012 and 0.016 ?g/cm2. Intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy of the methods were established according to ICH guidelines. The proposed methods were applied to determine ETM in dosage forms and the results were statistically compared with that of an official BP method.
The emission of particulate matters and heavy metals from cement kilns - case study: co-incineration of tires in Serbia
Authors: Jovovic Aleksandar , Kovacevic Zoran , Radic Dejan , Stojiljkovic Dragoslava , Obradovic Marko , Todorovic Dusan , Stanojevic Miroslav
Published: March 2010

Co-incineration of wastes started more than 20 years ago. In the last 10 years, the use of alternative fuels in the cement industry is continuously increasing. The use of solid wastes in cement kilns is one of the best technologies for a complete and safe destruction of these wastes, due to the fact that there is a simultaneous benefit of destroying wastes and getting the energy. However, particulate matters (PM) and gaseous chemicals emitted from a source into the environment could be directly transmitted to humans through air inhalation. Therefore, for accurate health risk estimation, the emission of pollutants must be determined. In this work, the analysis of the emission of different pollutants when replacing partially the fuel type used in a cement kiln is done. PM, PM10, heavy metals and inorganic pollutants are analyzed. The methods used for sampling and analysis are the standard methods suggested by the EU regulations for stack analysis. Experimental results have shown the encouraging results: in particular clinker characteristics were unmodified, and stack emissions (NOx, SO2 and CO mainly) were in the case of tires, slightly incremented but remaining almost always below the law imposed limits, and in some cases were even decreased.
Analysis of air pollution caused by particle matter emission from the copper smelter complex Bor (Serbia)
Authors: Tasic Visa , Milosevic Novica , Kovacevic Renata , Petrovic Nevenka
Published: March 2010

The main aim of this paper is to present analyses of temporal variations of particulate matter in Bor (Serbia) influenced by copper production at the Copper Smelter Complex Bor. Particulate emissions are of concern because the presence of fine particles (PM2.5 - particles with diametar less than 2.5 ?m) and ultrafine particles (PM0.1 - particles with diametar less than 0.1 ?m) assume higher risk for human health. Such particles can penetrate deeper into respiratory organs and, at the same time, a probability for such penetration and deposition in the respiratory system is greater. The analysis is based on comparison of SO2 and PM measurements at several locations in the area of Bor town in the close vicinity of Copper Smelter. PM concentrations were highly correlated with sulfur dioxide and inversely correlated with local wind speed during pollution episodes. Presented results indicate that the dominant source of coarse and fine particles in Bor town is the Copper Smelting Complex Bor. The most significant factors for particulate matter distribution are meteorological parameters of wind speed and direction. It was found that exceeding of daily limit values of concentrations of PM10 (50 ?g/m3) usually occurs due to very high concentrations in a period of several hours during the day.
Phenylcopper(I) clusters in the gas phase obtained by laser desorption/ionization from bis(dibenzoylmethane)copper(II)
Authors: Frański Rafał , Kozik Tomasz , Staniszewski Bartosz , Urbaniak Włodzimierz
Published: March 2010

It has been demonstrated that phenylcopper(I)-containing clusters are generated in the gas phase from bis(dibenzoylmethane) copper(II) (Cu(dbm)2) by laser desorption/ ionization (LDI) method. For example, the [Cu5dbm2(C6H5)2]+ ion can be considered as consisting of two Cudbm molecules, two CuC6H5 molecules and a Cu+ cation. The [Cu5(C6H5)4]+ ion can be considered as phenylcopper(I) cluster (consisting of four phenylcopper molecules) ionized by additional Cu+ cation. Results from MS/MS (tandem mass spectrometry) experiments have confirmed the presence of phenylcopper molecules in the analyzed clusters. Ease of preparation of dibenzoylmethane-metal complexes and straightforward method to obtain LDI mass spectra offer a wide range of possibilities to study similar organometallic clusters in the gas phase.
Formulation and evaluation of multiple tablets as a biphasic gastroretentive floating drug delivery system for fenoverine
Authors: Bandari Suresh , Eaga Chandra , Thadishetty Ashok , Yamsani Madhusudan
Published: March 2010

Formulation and evaluation of multiple tablets as a biphasic gastroretentive floating drug delivery system for fenoverine

A biphasic gastroretentive drug delivery system of fenoverine was developed to maintain constant plasma concentration. The delivery system consisted of a loading-dose tablet and a floating multiple matrix tablet prepared by the direct compression process. The drug release from biphasic GRDDS in 0.1 mol L-1HCl and SGF (enzyme free) was sustained over 12 h with buoyant properties. Stability studies showed no significant change in dissolution profiles (f2 value > 50). Based on the release kinetics, it can be concluded that the floating multiple matrix tablet containing HPMC was a particularly suitable gastroretentive drug delivery system with a zero-order release profile.
Design, synthesis, hydrolysis kinetics and phamacodynamic profiles of histidine and alanine conjugates of aceclofenac
Authors: Rasheed Arun , Kumar C.
Published: March 2010

Design, synthesis, hydrolysis kinetics and phamacodynamic profiles of histidine and alanine conjugates of aceclofenac

The gastrointestinal toxicity associated with aceclofenac can be reduced by condensing its carboxylic acid group with methyl esters of amino acids like histidine and alanine to give amide linkage by the Schotten-Baumann method. Physicochemical characterization of the conjugates was carried out by various analytical and spectral methods. The synthesized conjugates were also subjected toin vitrohydrolysis in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) at pH 1.2, simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) at pH 7.4 and SIF+ 80% human plasma at pH 7.4. The release of free aceclofenac from histidine and alanine conjugated aceclofenac showed negligible hydrolysis in SGF compared to SIF. This indicated that the conjugates do not break in stomach, but release aceclofenac in SIF. Both synthesized conjugates showed excellent pharmacological response and encouraging hydrolysis rate in SIF and SIF + 80% human plasma. Marked reduction of the ulcer index and comparable increase in analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities were obtained in both cases compared to aceclofenac alone. These findings suggest that the conjugates are better in action compared to the parent drug and have fewer gastrointestinal side-effects.
New Records of Xylomycetobiontic Beetles (Insecta, Coleoptera) from Kyiv Region (Ukraine)
Authors: Krivosheyev R.
Published: March 2010

New Records of Xylomycetobiontic Beetles (Insecta, Coleoptera) from Kyiv Region (Ukraine)

Eleven species are recorded from Kyiv and Kyiv Region, among them three, Corticarina latipennis (Sahlberg, 1871), Cis laricinus (Mellié, 1848), and Epuraea excisicollis (Reitter 1872), are recorded from Ukraine, Triplax rufipes (Fabricius, 1781) and Cis glabratus (Mellié, 1848) from Kyiv Region, and Salpingus ruficollis (Linnaeus, 1761) from the Left-Bank (Trans-Dnieper) Ukraine for the first time. Distribution and ecological peculiarities of some species are discussed.
The Fruit Flies (Diptera, Tephritidae) in Tehran Province, with New Records for Iranian Fauna
Authors: Namin S. , Nozari J. , Rasoulian Gh.
Published: March 2010

The Fruit Flies (Diptera, Tephritidae) in Tehran Province, with New Records for Iranian Fauna

As the result of studies of the tephritid flies in Tehran Province (Iran) in 2008-2009, 38 species of 22 genera are found to occur in this region; altogether 47 species are listed; of them, 9 species and 2 genera (ChetostomaandXyphosia) are recorded for the first time for Iranian fauna. In addition,Steptorrhamphus tuberosusis reported as a new host plant forEnsina sonchi.
Role of omentum in wound healing of goats
Authors: Bhuyan AAM , Rahman MM , Hashim MA , Islam MK , Islam MN , Islam A
Published: March 2010

The role of omentum with or without antibiotic administration was evaluated in the healing of external wounds in goats. Nine goats aged 8-10 months and weighing 7-8 kg was randomly allocated into 3 groups as A: treated with omentum, B: omentum plus antibiotic and C: control. Experimental wounds about 2.5 cm long and 0.5 cm deep was produced on each side of the midline at the lumber region in each goat. Omentum 2 cm long and 0.4 cm wide obtained from an abattoir were lodged between the wound edges and apposed with nylon thread by simple interrupted suture. Complete healing was obtained on 11, 13 and 19 days in groups B, A and C, respectively. Rectal temperature, heart and respiratory rates showed no significant (p>0.05) variation during the healing period. On histopathological studies, highest degree of inflammation was observed in group C till day 15, but on day 5 in groups A and B. The rates of fibrosis of collagen fibre, epithelialization and neo-vascularization were most intensive in group B and then in group A and C till day 10. It is suggested that omentum along with antibiotic showed good healing in goats. DOI: 10.3329/bvet.v25i1.4612 Bangl. vet. 2008. Vol. 25, No. 1, 1-8