bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elemental distribution and oxygen deficiency of magnetron sputtered indium tin oxide films
Authors: Thøgersen Annett , Rein Margrethe , Monakhov Edouard , Mayandi Jeyanthinath , Diplas Spyros
Published: June 2011

The atomic structure and composition of noninterfacial ITO and ITO-Si interfaces were studied with transmission electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The films were deposited by dc magnetron sputtering on monocrystalline p-type (100) Si wafers. Both as deposited and heat treated films consisted of crystalline ITO. The ITO/Si interface showed a more complicated composition. A thin layer of SiOx was found at the ITO/Si interface together with In and Sn nanoclusters, as well as highly oxygen deficient regions, as observed by XPS. High energy electron exposure of this area crystallized the In nanoclusters and at the same time increased the SiOx interface layer thickness.
Model reduction for fluids using frequential snapshots
Authors: Dergham G. , Sipp D. , Robinet J.-C. , Barbagallo A.
Published: June 2011

This paper deals with model reduction of high-order linear systems. An alternative method to approximate proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) and balanced truncation is exposed in this paper within the framework of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The method of snapshots used to obtain low-rank approximations of the system controllability and observability Gramians is carried out in the frequency domain. Model reduction is thus performed using flow states that are long-time harmonic responses of the flow to given forcings, we call them frequential snapshots. In contrast with the recent works using time-stepping approach, restricted to stable systems, this one can always be computed for systems without marginal modes while it reduces to the same procedure for stable systems. We show that this method is efficient to perform POD and balanced proper orthogonal decomposition reduced-order models in both globally stable and unstable flows through two numerical examples: the flow over a backward-facing step and the flow over a square cavity. The first one is a globally stable flow exhibiting strong transient growths as a typical noise amplifier system while the second is a globally unstable flow representative of an oscillator system. In both cases, it is shown that the frequency-based snapshot method yields reduced-order models that efficiently capture the input-output behavior of the system. In particular, regarding the unstable cavity flow, our resulting unstable reduced-order models possess the same unstable global modes and stable transfer functions as those of the full system.
Improved 3-omega measurement of thermal conductivity in liquid, gases, and powders using a metal-coated optical fiber
Authors: Schiffres Scott N. , Malen Jonathan A.
Published: June 2011

A novel 3ω thermal conductivity measurement technique called metal-coated 3ω is introduced for use with liquids, gases, powders, and aerogels. This technique employs a micron-scale metal-coated glass fiber as a heater/thermometer that is suspended within the sample. Metal-coated 3ω exceeds alternate 3ω based fluid sensing techniques in a number of key metrics enabling rapid measurements of small samples of materials with very low thermal effusivity (gases), using smaller temperature oscillations with lower parasitic conduction losses. Its advantages relative to existing fluid measurement techniques, including transient hot-wire, steady-state methods, and solid-wire 3ω are discussed. A generalized n-layer concentric cylindrical periodic heating solution that accounts for thermal boundary resistance is presented. Improved sensitivity to boundary conductance is recognized through this model. Metal-coated 3ω was successfully validated through a benchmark study of gases and liquids spanning two-orders of magnitude in thermal conductivity.
On the thermal conductivity of particulate nanocomposites
Authors: Ordonez-Miranda J. , Yang Ronggui , Alvarado-Gil J. J.
Published: June 2011

The modified effective medium approximation model proposed by Minnich and Chen [Appl. Phys. Lett. 91, 073105 (2007)] for the thermal conductivity of nanocomposites is extended for spheroidal inclusions. It is shown that the dependence of the thermal conductivity of nanocomposites on the shape and size of particle inclusions can be described by: (1) the collision cross-section per unit volume of the particles and (2) the mean distance that the energy carriers (electrons or phonons) can travel inside the particles. The predictions of this analytical approach are in good agreement with available data obtained through numerical calculations of the Boltzmann equation.
Detection of nitrogen related traps in nitrided/reoxidized silicon dioxide films with thermally stimulated current and maximum entropy method
Authors: Yonamoto Yoshiki , Inaba Yutaka , Akamatsu Naotosih
Published: June 2011

We constructed the new method to analyze thermally stimulated current (TSC) using maximum entropy method. This method allows us to extract trap density depending on trap energy level [Nt(Et)] from a TSC curve. Using this to analyze TSC of as-deposited, nitrided, and reoxidized thin silicon dioxide films, we were able to determine Nt(Et) of hole traps with very highly energy resolution and to observe the generation of nitrogen related hole traps.
Steering of an ultrarelativistic proton beam by a bent germanium crystal
Authors: De Salvador D. , Bagli E. , Lytovchenko O. , Mazzolari A. , Carturan S. , Della Mea G. , Guidi V. , Bazzan M. , Argiolas N. , Carnera A. , Bolognini D. , Hasan S. , Prest M. , Vallazza E.
Published: June 2011

Curved crystals, thanks to the electrostatic potential generated by the coherent atomic structure, may deflect ultrarelativistic charged particles by means of channeling and volume reflection effects. Most of the experimental knowledge about these phenomena was gathered with Si crystals, though the performance could be improved by using materials with a larger atomic number. In this letter, we investigate planar and axial channeling and volume reflection in a high quality Ge short strip crystal. All the effects are demonstrated to occur in agreement with theoretical expectations, which take into account the stronger confinement potential for an ideal Ge crystal.
Hybrid density functional theory description of N- and C-doping of NiO
Authors: Nolan Michael , Long Run , English Niall J. , Mooney Damian A.
Published: June 2011

The large intrinsic bandgap of NiO hinders its potential application as a photocatalyst under visible-light irradiation. In this study, we have performed first-principles screened exchange hybrid density functional theory with the HSE06 functional calculations of N- and C-doped NiO to investigate the effect of doping on the electronic structure of NiO. C-doping at an oxygen site induces gap states due to the dopant, the positions of which suggest that the top of the valence band is made up primarily of C 2p-derived states with some Ni 3d contributions, and the lowest-energy empty state is in the middle of the gap. This leads to an effective bandgap of 1.7 eV, which is of potential interest for photocatalytic applications. N-doping induces comparatively little dopant-Ni 3d interactions, but results in similar positions of dopant-induced states, i.e., the top of the valence band is made up of dopant 2p states and the lowest unoccupied state is the empty gap state derived from the dopant, leading to bandgap narrowing. With the hybrid density functional theory (DFT) results available, we discuss issues with the DFT corrected for on-site Coulomb description of these systems.
Relativistic Landau-Aharonov-Casher quantization based on the Lorentz symmetry violation background
Authors: Bakke K. , Belich H. , Silva E. O.
Published: June 2011

Based on the discussions about the Aharonov-Casher effect in the Lorentz symmetry violation background, we show that the analogue of the relativistic Landau quantization in the Aharonov-Casher setup can be achieved in the Lorentz-symmetry violation background.
Phase change behavior in titanium-doped Ge2Sb2Te5 films
Authors: Wei S. J. , Zhu H. F. , Chen K. , Xu D. , Li J. , Gan F. X. , Zhang X. , Xia Y. J. , Li G. H.
Published: June 2011

The titanium-doped Ge2Sb2Te5 films were deposited on Si(100) substrates by comagnetron sputtering method. The titanium concentrations in those films were determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The influence of Ti doping upon phase change characteristics of the samples has been investigated by x-ray diffraction and a temperature-regulable UVISEL™ typed spectroscopic ellipsometry. With the augmentation of Ti doping concentration, the crystalline temperatures of the films went up while annealing, and the face-centered-cubic phase of them had high thermal stability because of the bond making between Ti and Te elements partly.
Diindenoperylene as ambipolar semiconductor: Influence of electrode materials and mobility asymmetry in organic field-effect transistors
Authors: Horlet Matthias , Kraus Michael , Brütting Wolfgang , Opitz Andreas
Published: June 2011

Organic field-effect transistors were prepared using diindenoperylene as molecular semiconductor. An insulating alkane layer was used to separate the semiconductor from the underlying oxide and to suppress effects of electron traps at that surface. Diindenoperylene transistors were studied for various electrode materials. Unipolar p- and n-type as well as ambipolar devices were realized. An electron mobility of up to 0.14 cm2/V s and a hole mobility of up to 0.052 cm2/V s were found. The temperature dependent analysis shows similar trap distributions for both carrier types. Therefore the asymmetry in electron and hole transport seems to be an intrinsic effect of diindenoperylene.
Adaptation-induced synchronization in laminar cortical circuits
Authors: Hansen Bryan J. , Dragoi Valentin
Published: June 2011

A fundamental feature of information processing in neocortex is the ability of individual neurons to adapt to changes in incoming stimuli. It is increasingly being understood that cortical adaptation is a phenomenon that requires network interactions. The fact that the structure of local networks depends critically on cortical layer raises the possibility that adaptation could induce specific effects in different layers. Here we show that brief exposure (300 ms) to a stimulus of fixed orientation modulates the strength of synchronization between individual neurons and local population activity in the gamma-band frequency (30–80 Hz) in macaque primary visual cortex (V1) and influences the ability of individual neurons to encode stimulus orientation. Using laminar probes, we found that although stimulus presentation elicits a large increase in the gamma synchronization of rhythmic neuronal activity in the input (granular) layers of V1, adaptation caused a pronounced increase in synchronization in the cortical output (supragranular) layers. The increase in gamma synchronization after adaptation was significantly correlated with an improvement in neuronal orientation discrimination performance only in the supragranular layers. Thus, synchronization between the spiking activity of individual neurons and their local population may enhance sensory coding to optimize network processing across laminar circuits.
Isolation ofAcinetobacter baumanniiComplex and Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusfrom Hospital Rooms Following Terminal Cleaning and Disinfection: Can We Do Better?
Authors: Manian Farrin A. , Griesenauer Sandra , Senkel Diane , Setzer Janice M. , Doll Sara A. , Perry Annie M. , Wiechens Michelle
Published: June 2011

Objective.

To study the frequency of isolation ofAcinetobacter baumanniicomplex (ABC) and methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) from surfaces of rooms newly vacated by patients with multidrug-resistant (MDR) ABC following various rounds of routine terminal cleaning and disinfection (C/D) with bleach or 1 round of C/D followed by hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) treatment.

Setting.

A 900-bed tertiary care hospital.

Methods.

ABC and MRSA cultures were obtained from hospital rooms including 312 rooms (mean, 18.3 sites/room) following 4 rounds of C/D, 37 rooms (mean, 20 sites/room) following 1 round of C/D before and after HPV treatment, and 134 rooms (mean, 20 sites/room) following 1 round of C/D and HPV treatment.

Results.

Following 4 rounds of C/D, 83 (26.6%) rooms had 1 or more culture-positive sites; 102 (1.8%) sites in 51 (16.4%) rooms grew ABC, and 108 (1.9%) sites in 44 (14.1%) rooms grew MRSA. The addition of HPV treatment to 1 round of C/D resulted in a significant drop in ABC- and MRSA-positive room sites (odds ratio, 0 [95% confidence interval, 0–0.8];P= .04 for both organisms). Following 1 round of C/D and HPV treatment, 6 (4.5%) rooms were culture-positive for ABC, MRSA, or both.

Conclusions.

Routine terminal C/D of hospital rooms vacated by MDRABC-positive patients may be associated with a significant number of ABC- or MRSA-positive room surfaces even when up to 4 rounds of C/D are performed. The addition of HPV treatment to 1 round of C/D appears effective in reducing the number of persistently contaminated room sites in this setting.
Institutional Control Measures to Curtail the Epidemic Spread of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: A 4-Year Perspective
Authors: Cohen Matan J. , Block Colin , Levin Phillip D. , Schwartz Carmela , Gross Ilana , Weiss Yuval , Moses Allon E. , Benenson Shmuel
Published: June 2011

Objective.

To describe the implementation of an institution-wide, multiple-step intervention to curtail the epidemic spread of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP).

Design.

Consecutive intervention analyses.

Patients and Setting.

All patients admitted to a 775-bed tertiary care medical center in Jerusalem, Israel, from 2006 through 2010.

Interventions.

The effects of 4 interventions were assessed: (1) a policy of isolation for patients colonized or infected with CRKP in single rooms, which was started in March 2006; (2) cohorting of CRKP patients with dedicated nursing staff and screening of patients neighboring a patient newly identified as a carrier of CRKP, which was started in March 2007; (3) weekly active surveillance of intensive care unit patients, which was started during August 2008; and (4) selective surveillance of patients admitted to the emergency department, which was started in March 2009. Interrupted regression analysis and change-point analysis were used to assess the effect of each intervention on the CRKP epidemic.

Results.

Patient isolation alone failed to control the spread of CRKP, with incidence increasing to a peak of 30 new cases per 1,000 hospital beds per month. Institution of patient cohorting led to a steep decline in the incidence of CRKP acquisition (P< .001). Introduction of active surveillance interventions was followed by a decrease in the incidence of CRKP-positive clinical cultures but an increase in the incidence of CRKP-positive screening cultures. The mean prevalence of CRKP positivity for the period after cohorting began showed a statistically significant change from the mean prevalence in the preceding period (P< .001).

Conclusions.

The cohorting of patients with dedicated staff, combined with implementation of focused active surveillance, effectively terminated the epidemic spread of CRKP. Cohorting reduced cross-infection within the hospital, and active surveillance allowed for earlier detection of carrier status. Both interventions should be considered in attempts to contain a hospital epidemic.
Faculty and Resident Physicians' Attitudes, Perceptions, and Knowledge about Antimicrobial Use and Resistance
Authors: Abbo Lilian , Sinkowitz-Cochran Ronda , Smith Laura , Ariza-Heredia Ella , Gómez-Marín Orlando , Srinivasan Arjun , Hooton Thomas M.
Published: June 2011

We surveyed faculty and residents to assess attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge about antimicrobial use and resistance. Most respondents were concerned about resistance when prescribing antibiotics and agreed that antibiotics are overused, that inappropriate use is professionally unethical, and that others, but not themselves, overprescribe antibiotics. Antimicrobial stewardship programs should capitalize on these perceptions.
Risk Factors for Development of Intestinal Colonization with Imipenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the Intensive Care Unit Setting
Authors: Harris Anthony D. , Johnson J. Kristie , Thom Kerri A. , Morgan Daniel J. , McGregor Jessina C. , Ajao Adebola O. , Moore Anita C. , Comer Angela C. , Furuno Jon P.
Published: June 2011

Risk factors for development of intestinal colonization by imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (IRPA) may differ between those who acquire the organism via patient-to-patient transmission versus by antibiotic selective pressure. The aim of this study was to quantify potential risk factors for the development of IRPA not due to patient-to-patient transmission.
Using Oral Vancomycin Prescriptions as a Proxy Measure forClostridium difficileInfections: A Spatial and Time Series Analysis
Authors: Polgreen Philip M. , Yang Ming , Kuntz Jennifer L. , Laxminarayan Ramanan , Cavanaugh Joseph E.
Published: June 2011

Sales for a drug may be correlated with the prevalence of a condition treated by the drug. We found that state data revealed a strong spatial association and national data a strong temporal association betweenClostridium difficileand oral vancomycin prescription sales, suggesting a new “signal” for detecting disease activity.
Diffeomorphisms with global dominated splittings cannot be minimal
Authors: Zhang Pengfei
Published: June 2011

Let

M
M

be a closed manifold and

f
f

be a diffeomorphism on

M
M

. We show that if

f
f

has a nontrivial dominated splitting

T
M
=
E
⊕
F

TM=E\oplus F

, then

f
f

cannot be minimal. The proof mainly uses Mañé’s argument and Liao’s selecting lemma.
The Role of the GP in United Kingdom Mental Health Legislation
Authors: Bennett Shona N. , Harrison Mark , Gilmore Michelle , Bennett Daniel M.
Published: June 2011

GPs may be required to assist in the administration of Mental Health or Mental Capacity Legislation. Although infrequent, this process can be complicated and time consuming. Due to different legal systems, the role of the GP in civil commitment varies considerably throughout the UK. This article aims to give a brief overview of the main pieces of legislation in the different areas of the UK, England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and to assist the GP in navigating the practicalities of applying the law to clinical cases.
Nerve Stimulator-guided Supplemental Popliteal Sciatic Nerve Block after a Failed Sciatic Block Does Not Increase the Incidence of Transient Postoperative Neurologic Sequelae
Authors: Nader Antoun , Kendall Mark C. , Doty Robert , DeLeon Alexander , Yaghmour Edward , Kelikian Armen S. , McCarthy Robert J.
Published: June 2011

Background

Supplemental peripheral nerve blocks are not commonly performed in adults because of concerns of cumulative exposure of the nerve to the local anesthetic as well as increased ischemia from epinephrine. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of postoperative neurologic symptoms after a failed subgluteal sciatic nerve block and a supplemental popliteal sciatic nerve block.

Methods

Five hundred twelve adult patients undergoing ambulatory surgery were prospectively studied (1 yr). Sciatic nerve blocks were performed using levobupivacaine 0.625% with epinephrine 1:200,000 (0.5 ml/kg). Patients who failed to achieve sensory and motor anesthesia at 30-60 min were given a popliteal sciatic nerve block (lidocaine 2% 10 ml + levobupivacaine 0.5% 10 ml). Subjects were contacted at 24 h to 48 h, 2 weeks, and 1 month. Symptomatic patients were contacted biweekly and reevaluated during follow-up surgeon visits until symptom resolution.

Results

Four hundred thirty-nine subjects were analyzed. Fifty-six received a popliteal sciatic nerve block. Four subjects (0.9%) had self-reported neurologic symptoms in the distribution of the sciatic nerve. Investigator-initiated follow-up revealed 33 subjects (8.7%) who received a single subgluteal sciatic block and 4 subjects (7.1%) after a supplemental sciatic nerve block with neurologic symptoms (P = 0.80). The median duration of symptoms was 4 weeks (95% CI 3-5) in the subgluteal and 4 weeks (95% CI 3-5) weeks in the popliteal group (P = 0.98). All symptoms resolved by 14 weeks postprocedure.

Conclusion

Blocking the sciatic nerve at a more distal site after a failed subgluteal sciatic nerve block does not appear to influence the incidence or duration of neurologic sequelae.
Murine models in critical care research*
Authors: Haouzi Philippe
Published: June 2011

Introduction:

Access to genetically engineered mice has opened many new opportunities to address questions relevant to the pathophysiology and treatment of patients in critical conditions. However, the results of studies in mice cannot disregard the unique ability of small rodents to adjust their temperature and high metabolic rate and the corresponding respiratory and circulatory requirements in response to hypoxia.

Point of View:

Studies performed in mice on questions related to metabolic, circulatory, and respiratory regulation should always be considered in light of the ability of mice to rapidly drop their nonshivering thermogenesis-related metabolism. As an example, it has been recently argued that a moderate level of inhaled hydrogen sulfide may have a potential benefit in patients in coma or shock or during an anoxic or ischemic insult, as this toxic gas dramatically reduces the metabolic rate in resting mice. However, acute hypometabolism has long been described in small mammals in response to hypoxia and is not specific to hydrogen sulfide. More importantly, mice have a specific metabolic rate that is 15–20 times higher than the specific metabolic level of a resting human. This difference can be accounted for by the large amount of heat produced by mice through nonshivering thermogenesis, related to the activity of uncoupling proteins. This mechanism, which is essential for maintaining homeothermia in small mammals, is virtually absent in larger animals, including in adult humans. Accordingly, no direct metabolic effect of hydrogen sulfide is observed in large mammals. We present the view that similar reasoning should be applied when the circulatory or respiratory response to hypoxic exposure is considered. This leads us to question whether a similar strategy could occur in mice in critical conditions other than hypoxia, such as in hypovolemic, septic, or cardiogenic shock.

Conclusion:

Mouse models developed to understand the mechanisms of protection against hypoxia or ischemia or to propose new therapeutic approaches applicable in critical care patients should be understood in light of the specificity of the metabolic, respiratory, and circulatory responses of mice to a hypoxic insult, since many of these adaptations have no clear equivalent in humans.
Long‐term Changes in Food Consumption Trends in Overweight Children in the HIKCUPS Intervention
Authors: Burrows Tracy , Janet Warren M. , Collins Clare E.
Published: June 2011

Background and Aim:

Energy intake is a major contributor to energy imbalance and is a key modifiable factor for successful treatment of obesity. Long‐term changes in dietary intake from pediatric obesity treatment programs are rarely reported. The aim of this study was to describe the changes in food intake of children from all intervention groups from baseline to 2‐year follow‐up after a 6‐month obesity intervention.

Subjects and Methods:

Overweight children (n = 160, 5–9 years), 58% girls and body mass index z score (mean ± SD) 2.89 ± 0.79, were recruited to the Hunter Illawarra Kids Challenge using the Parent Support randomized controlled trial. Dietary intake was reported by parents for children at baseline and 2‐year follow‐up (n = 87) using a food frequency questionnaire. Linear mixed models were used to determine differences by time.

Results:

Parents reported decreases in total energy (total kcal, kcal/kg), child percentage of total energy from energy‐dense, nutrient‐poor foods (sweetened drinks, potato crisps, sweets, and carry‐out foods) from 42% ± 1.0% at baseline to 34.8% ± 1.0% at 2 years (P < 0.001), with an increase in percentage of energy from nutrient‐dense foods (fruits, vegetables, dairy, breads, and cereals) from 57% ± 0.9% at baseline to 65% ± 1.0% at 2 years (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

This is the only one of a few studies that report dietary data of overweight children who participated in a treatment program with long‐term follow‐up. It provides evidence that improvements in food intake can be sustained up to 2 years through decreased consumption of energy‐dense, nutrient‐poor foods, particularly sweetened drinks, and increased consumption of core foods following an intervention.
Celiac Disease in Normal‐weight and Overweight Children
Authors: Reilly Norelle Rizkalla , Aguilar Kathleen , Hassid Benjamin G. , Cheng Jianfeng , DeFelice Amy R. , Kazlow Philip , Bhagat Govind , Green Peter H.
Published: June 2011

Objectives:

There are few data on pediatric celiac disease in the United States. The aim of our study was to describe the presentation of celiac disease among children with a normal and an elevated body mass index (BMI) for age, and to study their BMI changes following a gluten‐free diet (GFD).

Patients and Methods:

One hundred forty‐two children (age 13 months–19 years) with biopsy‐proven celiac disease, contained in a registry of patients studied at our center from 2000 to 2008, had follow‐up growth data available. Patients’ height, weight, and BMI were converted to z scores for age and grouped by BMI as underweight, normal, and overweight. Compliance was confirmed using results of serological assays, and data of noncompliant patients were analyzed separately. Data were analyzed during the observation period and were expressed as change in height, weight, and BMI z score per month of dietary treatment.

Results:

Nearly 19% of patients had an elevated BMI at diagnosis (12.6% overweight, 6% obese) and 74.5% presented with a normal BMI. The mean duration of follow‐up was 35.6 months. Seventy‐five percent of patients with an elevated BMI at diagnosis decreased their BMI z scores significantly after adherence to a GFD, normalizing it in 44% of cases. Of patients with a normal BMI at diagnosis, weight z scores increased significantly after treatment, and 13% became overweight.

Conclusions:

Both normal weight and overweight frequently occur in North American children presenting with celiac disease. A GFD may have a beneficial effect upon the BMI of overweight and obese children with celiac disease.
Superoxide dismutase C is required for intracellular survival and virulence of Burkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: Vanaporn Muthita , Wand Matthew , Michell Stephen L. , Sarkar-Tyson Mitali , Ireland Philip , Goldman Stan , Kewcharoenwong Chidchamai , Rinchai Darawan , Lertmemongkolchai Ganjana , Titball Richard W.
Published: June 2011

Burkholderia pseudomallei is an intracellular pathogen and the causative agent of melioidosis, a life-threatening disease of humans. Within host cells, superoxide is an important mediator of pathogen killing. In this study, we have identified the B. pseudomallei K96243 sodC gene, shown that it has superoxide dismutase activity, and constructed an allelic deletion mutant of this gene. Compared with the wild-type, the mutant was more sensitive to killing by extracellular superoxide, but not to superoxide generated intracellularly. The sodC mutant showed a markedly decreased survival in J774A.1 mouse macrophages, and reduced numbers of bacteria were recovered from human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) when compared with the wild-type. The numbers of wild-type or mutant bacteria recovered from human diabetic neutrophils were significantly lower than from normal human neutrophils. The sodC mutant was attenuated in BALB/c mice. Our results indicate that SodC plays a key role in the virulence of B. pseudomallei, but that diabetics are not more susceptible to infection because of a reduced ability of PMNs to kill by superoxide.
Beamline 08ID-1, the prime beamline of the Canadian Macromolecular Crystallography Facility
Authors: Grochulski Pawel , Fodje Michel N. , Gorin James , Labiuk Shaunivan L. , Berg Russ
Published: June 2011

Beamline 08ID-1 is the prime macromolecular crystallography beamline at the Canadian Light Source. Based on a small-gap in-vacuum undulator, it is designed for challenging projects like small crystals and crystals with large cell dimensions. Beamline 08ID-1, together with a second bending-magnet beamline, constitute the Canadian Macromolecular Crystallography Facility (CMCF). This paper presents an overall description of the 08ID-1 beamline, including its specifications, beamline software and recent scientific highlights. The end-station of the beamline is equipped with a CCD X-ray detector, on-axis crystal visualization system, a single-axis goniometer and a sample automounter allowing remote access to the beamline. The general user program is guaranteed up to 55% of the useful beam time and is run under a peer-review proposal system. The CMCF staff provide `Mail-in' crystallography service to the users with the highest-scored proposals.
Pharmacokinetics of two formulations of omeprazole administered through a gastrostomy tube in patients with severe neurodevelopmental problems
Authors: Boussery Koen , De Smet Julie , De Cock Pieter , Vande Velde Saskia , Mehuys Els , De Paepe Peter , Remon Jean Paul , Van Bocxlaer Jan F. P. , Van Winckel Myriam
Published: June 2011

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• In tube‐fed patients with severe neurodevelopmental problems, omeprazole for the treatment of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease often needs to be administered through the feeding tube.

• In daily practice, various procedures are used to administer the commercially available, enteric‐coated omeprazole formulations through a feeding tube.

• No bioavailability data are available to support a rational choice between the available administration procedures.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• This study demonstrates a substantial interindividual variability in omeprazole pharmacokinetics after administration through the gastrostomy tube in patients with severe neurodevelopmental problems.

• In most patients, plasma concentration–time profiles seem more favourable with a suspension formulation than with a MUPS® formulation.

• Consequently, there is no apparent advantage in choosing a MUPS® formulation over the more easily administered suspension formulation.

AIMS Omeprazole is often administered through a gastrostomy tube as either (i) a Multiple Unit Pellet System (MUPS®) tablet disintegrated in water (MUPS® formulation), or (ii) a suspension in 8.4% sodium bicarbonate (suspension formulation). This bioavailability study evaluates this practice in tube‐fed patients with severe neurodevelopmental problems.

METHODS Nonblinded, two‐phase cross‐over trial.

RESULTS In seven of 10 patients, bioavailability was higher for the suspension formulation than for the MUPS® formulation. Median (90% confidence interval) area under the plasma concentration–time curve ratio (MUPS® over suspension) was 0.5 (0.06–2.37).

CONCLUSIONS In this population, omeprazole MUPS® formulation has no apparent advantage over the more easily administered suspension formulation.
Increased body mass index modifies associations between alcohol intake and blood cholesterol profile
Authors: Wakabayashi Ichiro
Published: June 2011

Eur J Clin Invest 2011

Background and objectives  Habitual alcohol drinking influences blood cholesterol profile, and dyslipidaemia often accompanies obesity. The aim of this study was to determine whether obesity modifies relationships between alcohol intake and blood cholesterol profile.

Methods  Japanese men aged 35–60 years (n = 23 834) were divided into two groups by body mass index (BMI) (normal BMI: ≥ 18·5 and < 25 kg/m2; high BMI: ≥ 25 kg/m2) and were further divided into four subgroups by alcohol intake [non‐, light (< 22 g ethanol/day), heavy (≥ 22 and < 44 g ethanol/day) and very heavy (≥ 44 g ethanol/day) drinkers]. Relationships of alcohol intake with serum LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL/HDL ratio were investigated.

Results  Both in the subject groups with normal and high BMI, alcohol intake was associated with lower risks of high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol and high LDL/HDL ratio, and these risks tended to decrease as alcohol intake increased. The odds ratios vs. nondrinkers for high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol and high LDL/HDL ratio tended to be lower in the normal BMI group than in the high BMI group. Significant interactions between alcohol drinking and BMI for high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol and high LDL/HDL ratio were found in all of the drinker subgroups except for the interaction for high LDL cholesterol in light drinkers.

Conclusions  High BMI status is suggested to attenuate the associations of alcohol intake with lower LDL cholesterol, higher HDL cholesterol and lower LDL/HDL ratio.
A critique of Rasch analysis using the Dyspnoea‐12 as an illustrative example
Authors: Yorke Janelle , Horton Mike , Jones Paul W.
Published: June 2011

yorke j., horton m. & jones p. w. (2012) A critique of Rasch analysis using the Dyspnoea‐12 as an illustrative example. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(1), 191–198.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study of the application and critique of Rasch analysis to the development of the Dyspnoea‐12 questionnaire; an instrument that measures breathlessness severity.

Background.  The development of questionnaires has traditionally involved application of classical test theory. Rasch analysis has gained international momentum as a robust application of ‘modern’ psychometric testing for the development of new instruments and the refinement of existing ones.

Method.  A total of 358 patients [mean age 62 (sd = 8); chronic obstructive pulmonary disease = 123, interstitial lung disease = 129, heart failure = 106], responded to an initial list of 81 items (between May 2006 and February 2008). Hierarchical modelling reduced the list to 34 items. Rasch analysis was used to inform decisions about further item removal and fit to the unidimensional model. Rasch analysis included tests of item response appropriateness, item residual, differential item functioning (including gender and diagnosis) and unidimensionality.

Results.  Twenty‐two items failed to reach the requirements of the Rasch model and were removed. Reasons included high residuals and item bias associated with gender and diagnosis. The 12‐items conformed to the Rasch unidimensional parameters (number of statistically significant t‐tests 6·7%; confidence interval: 4·4–9·0%).

Conclusion.  We have presented the steps involved in reducing and refining a large item‐set by identifying those items which possessed the most reliable measurement properties. The Dyspnoea‐12 is reliable and simple to use and should find utility in both practice and research settings. We recommend that nurses consider Rasch analysis in the development of health‐related questionnaires.
Exploring Serological Classification Tree Model of Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis by Magnetic Beads Pretreatment and MALDI‐TOF MS Analysis
Authors: Deng C. , Lin M. , Hu C. , Li Y. , Gao Y. , Cheng X. , Zhang F. , Dong M. , Li Y.
Published: June 2011

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease disturbing status of public health, and accurate diagnosis of TB would effectively help control the disturbance. Our study tried to establish a classification tree model that distinguished active TB from non‐TB individuals. We used matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) combined with weak cationic exchange (WCX) magnetic beads to analyse 178 serum samples containing 75 patients with active TB and 103 non‐TB individuals (43 patients with common pulmonary diseases and 60 healthy controls). Samples were randomly divided into a training set and a test set. Statistical softwares were applied to construct this model. An amount of 48 differential expressed peaks (P < 0.05) were identified by the training set, and our model was set up by three of them, m/z 7626, 8561 and 8608. This model can discriminate patients with active TB from patients with non‐TB with a sensitivity of 98.3% and a specificity of 84.4%. The test set was used to verify the performance, which demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity: 85.7% and 83.3%, respectively. Differential expressed peaks between smear‐positive and smear‐negative active TB also have been analysed. It came out that m/z 8561 and 8608 not only acted as vital factors in the pathogenesis of active TB but also played an important role in regulating different active TB status. In conclusion, MALDI‐TOF MS combined with WCX magnetic beads was a powerful technology for constructing classification tree model, and the model we built could serve as a potential diagnostic tool for active TB.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: An Indian experience
Authors: Maiti Abhishek , Chatterjee Sudip
Published: June 2011

Aims:  Data regarding the presentation and course of patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is scarce in South Asia. We aimed to fill that gap by collating our experience with CAH and comparing it with findings from few other centres around the world for pertinent differences.

Methods:  We retrospectively analysed the records of 86 CAH patients seen at our tertiary care centre in Eastern‐India from 1996 to 2010.

Results:  Forty‐five patients (52.3%) had classic disease and 41 (47.7%) had non‐classic disease (NC CAH). In the classic CAH group, 18 (20.9%) had salt wasting CAH (SW CAH) while 27 (31.4%) had simple virilising disease (SV CAH). Ten (11.6%) had a 46,XY karyotype. Patients with SW CAH were diagnosed earlier in infancy at a median age of 0.5 year, than those with SV type, who were diagnosed at 9 years (P < 0.05). The NC CAH patients were diagnosed still later, at 20.4 years. In patients with SW CAH, boys were diagnosed at an earlier median age of 0.1 year than girls who were diagnosed at 6.4 years (P < 0.05). Sixteen girls (21% of the girls) underwent vaginoplasty of whom four required additional clitoroplasty. One girl needed bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy. One NC CAH patient had a successful assisted pregnancy. Hypothyroidism, found in seven (8.1%) was the commonest coexisting abnormality.

Conclusion:  The skewed male : female ratio suggested that a substantial proportion of males were being missed and consequently may die. Majority of the diagnosed patients (n= 55, 64%) have been lost to follow‐up. Remaining patients could be reasonably controlled with standard therapy.
Does more protein in the first week of life change outcomes for very low birthweight babies?
Authors: Cormack Barbara E , Bloomfield Frank H , Dezoete Anne , Kuschel Carl A
Published: June 2011

Background:  Following publication of revised recommended nutrient intakes (RNI) for infants <1500 g, our intravenous nutrition (IVN) solutions were reformulated to deliver RNI in a restricted volume to ensure additional non‐nutritional fluids did not detract from nutritional intake. An audit was performed to determine whether these changes achieved RNI and influenced growth, clinical or neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Methods:  Two cohorts of 40 infants <1500 g were identified from a prospectively maintained database: babies born before and after reformulation of the IVN solutions. Data on nutritional intakes for the first 30 days of life, growth and clinical outcomes were collected. Neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 months corrected age (CA) were obtained from a Bayley III assessment. Results are presented as mean ± SD.

Results:  The ‘after’ group received significantly less fluid (105 ± 12 vs. 132 ± 15 mL/kg/day, P < 0.001) but more protein (3.2 ± 0.6 vs. 2.4 ± 0.5 g/kg/day, P < 0.001) in the first week of life. There were no differences in clinical outcome, growth z‐scores at 4 weeks of age or neurodevelopmental outcome at 18 months CA between the ‘before’ and ‘after’ infants. Enteral protein intake in the first 2 weeks of life was positively associated with neurodevelopmental outcome (cognitive score r2= 0.13 P= 0.03, motor score r2= 0.27 P= 0.001).

Conclusion:  Although the new IVN regimen achieved intakes closer to RNI, there were no major effects on growth, clinical outcome or neurodevelopmental outcome at 18 months CA. Enteral protein intake in the first two weeks was positively associated with neurodevelopmental outcome, suggesting early enteral protein intake is important for optimal brain function.
Anatomical variation of the posterior lumbar tributaries of the left renal vein in retroperitoneoscopic left living donor nephrectomy
Authors: Li Gang , Dong Jun , Lu Jin‐Shan , Zu Qiang , Yang Su‐Xia , Li Hong‐Zhao , Ma Xin , Zhang Xu
Published: June 2011

Objectives:  To increase awareness of the anatomical variation of the posterior lumbar tributaries of the left renal vein in retroperitoneoscopic left living donor nephrectomy.

Methods:  A total of 61 cases of retroperitoneoscopic left living donor nephrectomy were carried out from March 2008 to June 2010. The anatomical variations of the posterior lumbar tributaries of the left renal vein in these patients were noted.

Results:  According to the variation of posterior lumbar tributaries, there were seven types in total, including five main types (accounts for 95.1%, 58/61 cases) and the type of reno‐hemi‐azygo‐lumbar trunk (AZV; accounts for 16.4%, 10/61 cases). According to the number of posterior lumbar tributaries, no lumbar vein covers accounted for 16.4% (10/61 cases), one lumbar vein accounted for 47.5% (29/61 cases), two lumbar veins accounted for 32.8% (20/61 cases) and three lumbar veins accounted 3.3% (2/61 cases). According to the operation time during the process of managing posterior lumbar veins, it was type 4 (AZV) on which the surgeon spent the most time (P < 0.05), and type 5 (no lumbar vein) on which the surgeon spent the least time (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:  This is the first report of the anatomical variation of the posterior lumbar tributaries of the left renal vein in retroperitoneal laparoscopic left living donor nephrectomy. Detailed knowledge of these anatomical variations will undoubtedly help surgeons to avoid the potential risk of vein damage during nephrectomy and to obtain a longer renal artery for the following renal transplantation.
The phylogenetic distribution and morphological variation of the ‘pouch’ in female snakes
Authors: Siegel Dustin S. , Miralles Aurélien , Trauth Stanley E. , Aldridge Robert D.
Published: June 2011

Siegel D.S., Miralles A, Trauth S.E. and Aldridge R.D. 2011. The phylogenetic distribution and morphological variation of the ‘pouch’ in female snakes. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 93: 400–408.

The urodaeum of female snakes is a chamber that receives the oviducts, urinary ducts, and intestine. Previous studies have indicated that a derived region of unknown function persists between the urodaeum and oviducts in some snakes of the Colubroides. This structure was recently termed the ‘pouch’; however, it is also commonly referred to as the vaginal pouch. A broad sampling of female snakes revealed that the pouch evolved once on the branch leading to Colubroides. The presence of the pouch in Colubroides is not unambiguous, as this feature was lost in some members of the Atractaspididae and Lamprophiidae. Variation was also observed in pouch morphology between taxa of the Colubroides. Variation included the following: (1) whether the pouch was bifurcated and if so, were the arms of the pouch separated caudally, (2) whether separated pouch arms were split by a caudal bifurcation of the urodaeum or through medial septa of the pouch arms, and (3) the absence or presence of oviducal papillae invading the cranial/lateral extremity of the pouch. The variation in pouch morphology observed does not appear to be correlated with the evolutionary history of Colubroides and polymorphism within families is common.
Development, morphology and ultrastructure of the branchial crown of Fabricia stellaris (Müller, 1774) (Polychaeta: Sabellida: Fabriciinae)
Authors: Randel Nadine , Bick Andreas
Published: June 2011

Randel, N. and Bick, A. 2011. Development, morphology and ultrastructure of the branchial crown of Fabricia stellaris (Müller, 1774) (Polychaeta: Sabellida: Fabriciinae). —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 93: 409–421.

Sabellidae and Serpulidae are well‐known tube‐building polychaetes with a distinctive and often spectacularly colourful branchial crown. Morphological investigations suggest that these taxa form the monophyletic clade Sabellida, with the adelphotaxa Sabellidae and Serpulidae, but the relationship between these taxa remains ambiguous. Molecular investigations have indicated that the Fabriciinae, major taxon of Sabellidae, belongs to Serpulidae, thereby making Sabellidae paraphyletic; however, morphological characters are absent to support this result. We investigate the development, anatomy and ultrastructure of the branchial crown of Fabricia stellaris (Müller, 1774), describing morphological characteristics useful not only for constructing morphological phylogenies but also for understanding the evolution of the branchial crown. The morphology of the radioles and pinnules does not differ from each other. The supporting tissue of the branchial crown consists of myoepithelial cells and a solid extracellular matrix (ECM). Both ciliated and non‐ciliated cells form the epidermal layer; ciliated cells shape the food groove. Most important is the result that radioles and pinnules within Sabellida may not be homologous, because the morphology and the branching of radioles and pinnules are completely different between Sabellinae, Fabriciinae and Serpulidae. The terms ‘primary branch’ for radioles and ‘secondary branch’ for pinnules are proposed for Fabriciinae. The phylogeny of the Sabellida is discussed.
Increment of 30‐min post‐challenge plasma glucose is associated with urine albumin excretion in men with normal glucose regulation
Authors: Li D. , Hou X. , Ma X. , Zong W. , Shao X. , Lu H. , Xiang K. , Jia W.
Published: June 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 1323–1329 (2011)

Aims  The overwhelming majority of subjects with normal glucose regulation have the highest plasma glucose concentration at 30 minutes during oral glucose tolerance. We aimed to examine the association between increment of 30‐min post‐challenge glucose and albuminuria in participants with normal glucose regulation.

Methods  A population‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted in six communities in Shanghai between 2007 and 2008. A total of 3508 subjects with normal glucose regulation had complete data and were enrolled into the analysis. Among the selected subjects, only 1525 individuals (581 men, 944 women) were examined for their serum insulin levels. We assessed post‐challenge blood glucose and insulin at 0, 30 and 120 min, urinary albumin and creatinine. The 30‐min post‐challenge glucose increment (Δ) was calculated as 30‐min post‐challenge glucose minus fasting plasma glucose, and albumin/creatinine ratio was used to reflect urinary albumin excretion.

Results  Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the Δ30‐min post‐challenge glucose was independently associated with increased albumin/creatinine ratio in men with normal glucose regulation (OR = 1.08, P = 0.025), but not in women. Furthermore, multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that early‐phase glucose disposition index was the main factor responsible for Δ30‐min post‐challenge glucose and explained 14–20% of the variance of Δ30‐min post‐challenge glucose in the two subgroups (P < 0.05). Notably, men had higher Δ30‐min post‐challenge glucose and lower early‐phase glucose disposition index than women (all P < 0.001).

Conclusions  The 30‐min post‐challenge plasma glucose increment is associated with urine albumin excretion in men with normal glucose regulation.