bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional variation in the malaria parasitePlasmodium falciparum
Authors: Rovira-Graells Núria , Gupta Archna P. , Planet Evarist , Crowley Valerie M. , Mok Sachel , Ribas de Pouplana Lluís , Preiser Peter R. , Bozdech Zbynek , Cortés Alfred
Published: March 2012

Malaria genetic variation has been extensively characterized, but the level of epigenetic plasticity remains largely unexplored. Here we provide a comprehensive characterization of transcriptional variation in the most lethal malaria parasite,Plasmodium falciparum, based on highly accurate transcriptional analysis of isogenic parasite lines grown under homogeneous conditions. This analysis revealed extensive transcriptional heterogeneity within genetically homogeneous clonal parasite populations. We show that clonally variant expression controlled at the epigenetic level is an intrinsic property of specific genes and gene families, the majority of which participate in host–parasite interactions. Intrinsic transcriptional variability is not restricted to genes involved in immune evasion, but also affects genes linked to lipid metabolism, protein folding, erythrocyte remodeling, or transcriptional regulation, among others, indicating that epigenetic variation results in both antigenic and functional variation. We observed a general association between heterochromatin marks and clonally variant expression, extending previous observations for specific genes to essentially all variantly expressed gene families. These results suggest that phenotypic variation of functionally unrelatedP. falciparumgene families is mediated by a common mechanism based on reversible formation of H3K9me3-based heterochromatin. In changing environments, diversity confers fitness to a population. Our results support the idea thatP. falciparumuses a bet-hedging strategy, as an alternative to directed transcriptional responses, to adapt to common fluctuations in its environment. Consistent with this idea, we found that transcriptionally different isogenic parasite lines markedly differed in their survival to heat-shock mimicking febrile episodes and adapted to periodic heat-shock with a pattern consistent with natural selection of pre-existing parasites.
Why don't northern American solutions to drinking and driving work in southern America?
Authors: Pechansky Flavio , Chandran Aruna
Published: March 2012

While individual studies from several South American countries have shown driving while intoxicated to be a problem, there are no objective systematically collected alcohol‐associated driving data obtained in most South American countries. This limits their ability to implement and enforce targeted prevention strategies, evaluate whether proven prevention efforts from North America (particularly the United States and Canada) can be transferred to the South, and to sustain momentum for the improvement of road safety by demonstrating that previously implemented legal and policy changes are effective. The aim of this paper is to discuss the abysmal differences that exist between northern and southern American countries regarding the current status of driving while intoxicated prevention strategies—their implementation, impacts and effects—using Brazil as a case example. We propose a three‐pronged approach to close this northern–southern American gap in driving while intoxicated prevention and intervention: (a) systematic collection on road traffic crash/injury/death as well as risk factor data, (b) passage of laws without loopholes requiring compliance with blood alcohol concentration testing and (c) provision of appropriate training and equipment to the police in concomitance with vigilant enforcement. Resources and energies must be put towards data collection, implementation of prevention strategies and enforcement in order to decrease the unacceptably high rates of these preventable driving while intoxicated deaths.
An analysis of ethical issues in using wastewater analysis to monitor illicit drug use
Authors: Hall Wayne , Prichard Jeremy , Kirkbride Paul , Bruno Raimondo , Thai Phong K. , Gartner Coral , Lai Foon Yin , Ort Christoph , Mueller Jochen F.
Published: March 2012

Aims To discuss ethical issues that may arise in using WWA to monitor illicit drug use in the general population and in entertainment precincts, prisons, schools and work‐places.

Method Review current applications of WWA and identify ethical and social issues that may be raised with current and projected future uses of this method.

Results Wastewater analysis (WWA) of drug residues is a promising method of monitoring illicit drug use that may overcome some limitations of other monitoring methods. When used for monitoring purposes in large populations, WWA does not raise major ethical concerns because individuals are not identified and the prospects of harming residents of catchment areas are remote. When WWA is used in smaller catchment areas (entertainment venues, prisons, schools or work‐places) their results could, possibly, indirectly affect the occupants adversely. Researchers will need to take care in reporting their results to reduce media misreporting. Fears about possible use of WWA for mass individual surveillance by drug law enforcement officials are unlikely to be realized, but will need to be addressed because they may affect public support adversely for this type of research.

Conclusions Using wastewater analysis to monitor illicit drug use in large populations does not raise major ethical concerns, but researchers need to minimize possible adverse consequences in studying smaller populations, such as workers, prisoners and students.
The role of high‐mobility group box‐1 (HMGB1) in the pathogenesis of asthma
Authors: Shim E.‐J. , Chun E. , Lee H.‐S. , Bang B.‐R. , Kim T.‐W. , Cho S.‐H. , Min K.‐U. , Park H.‐W.
Published: March 2012

Background

High‐mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) belonging to endogenous danger signals prolongs eosinophil survival and acts as a chemoattractant.

Objective

The authors evaluated the role of HMGB1 in the pathogenesis of asthma characterized by eosinophilic airway inflammation.

Methods

Firstly, HMGB1 expressions in induced sputum obtained from human asthmatics were determined. This was followed by an evaluation of the role of HMGB1 in a murine model of asthma using anti‐HMGB1 antibodies. Then the effect of HMGB1 on the receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) expressions on CD11b‐CD11c+ cells isolated from a murine model of asthma were measured to elucidate the mechanisms involved.

Results

Sputum HMGB1 expressions were markedly higher in asthmatics than in normal controls, and were positively correlated with sputum eosinophilia and sputum TNF‐α, IL‐5 and IL‐13 expressions. In a murine model of asthma, HMGB1 expressions in lung tissue and HMGB1 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were significantly elevated and eosinophilic airway inflammation, non‐specific airway hyperresponsiveness, and pathological changes were attenuated by blocking HMGB1 activity. Furthermore, we found that enhanced RAGE expressions on CD11b‐CD11c+ also significantly decreased when HMGB1 activity was blocked.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

Our findings suggest that HMGB1 plays a key role in the pathogenesis of clinical and experimental asthma characterized by eosinophilic airway inflammation.
Progressive decline of residual follicle pool after clinical diagnosis of autoimmune ovarian insufficiency
Authors: Falorni Alberto , Brozzetti Annalisa , Aglietti Maria Chiara , Esposito Raffaella , Minarelli Viviana , Morelli Silvia , Sbroma Tomaro Emilia , Marzotti Stefania
Published: March 2012

Context

In approximately 5–8% patients with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), the disease is caused by an autoimmune process made evident by the appearance of autoantibodies against steroidogenic enzymes (SCA‐POI). Anti‐müllerian hormone (AMH) is the best marker of the residual follicular pool.

Objective

To evaluate the rate of loss of the residual follicle pool in women with SCA‐POI after clinical diagnosis.

Design and methods

One hundred and thirty‐two women with POI were tested for 21‐hydroxylase autoantibodies, 17α‐hydroxylase autoantibodies and P450scc autoantibodies, and 35 patients with SCA‐POI were identified. AMH was analysed at the time of the first visit in all women with POI, and in follow‐up, serum samples were taken 1–3 years after in 11 women with SCA‐POI and detectable AMH.

Results

12/35 (35%) women with SCA‐POI had AMH levels within the normal range at the time of first sampling, as compared to 6/97 (6%) with idiopathic POI (P < 0·001). 11/17 (65%) women with SCA‐POI with <6 years disease duration had normal serum AMH concentration. A progressive decline in AMH concentration was observed at longitudinal follow‐up in all 11 AMH‐positive women with SCA‐POI, at an estimated average rate of 1·6 μg/l AMH/year (corresponding to an average 57% of preserved follicle pool/previous year) (R2 = 0·219, P = 0·028). After 6 years of disease duration, only 1/18 (6%) women with SCA‐POI had detectable levels of AMH, similar to women with idiopathic POI (5/78, 6%).

Conclusion

Most women with SCA‐POI present at clinical diagnosis with a preserved follicle pool that is progressively lost within a few years.
Antibacterial activity of dentine and pulp extracellular matrix extracts
Authors: Smith J. G. , Smith A. J. , Shelton R. M. , Cooper P. R.
Published: March 2012

Smith JG, Smith AJ, Shelton RM, Cooper PR. Antibacterial activity of dentine and pulp extracellular matrix extracts. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 749–755, 2012.

Aim  To determine whether extracellular matrix (ECM) preparations from pulp (pECM) and dentine (dECM) possess antimicrobial activity.

Methodology  Dentine and pulp ECM preparations were isolated with 10% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), pH 7.2 and sequential use of 0.5 mol L−1 NaCl, pH 11.7 and 0.1 mol L−1 tartaric acid, pH 2.0, respectively, with protease inhibitor inclusion throughout. Antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus oralis and Enterococcus faecalis was assessed using turbidity as a measure of bacteria growth. The cytotoxicity of the extracts on primary pulp cells was also determined by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Statistical analysis of data was performed using paired student’s t‐tests.

Results  Extracellular matrix extracts from the pulp and dentine showed antibacterial activity against three types of anaerobic bacteria associated with dental disease (P < 0.05). The ECM extracts demonstrated no significant cytotoxic effect on pulpal cells at the concentrations used for antibacterial activity.

Conclusions  The bacteriostatic antibacterial activity of pECM and dECM indicates that the release of these matrix molecules from pulp and dentine may contribute to defence responses during dental disease, treatment and repair.
A feasibility study for the analysis of reparative dentinogenesis in pOBCol3.6GFPtpz transgenic mice
Authors: Frozoni M. , Balic A. , Sagomonyants K. , Zaia A. A. , Line S. R. P. , Mina M.
Published: March 2012

Frozoni M, Balic A, Sagomonyants K, Zaia AA, Line SRP, Mina M. A feasibility study for the analysis of reparative dentinogenesis in pOBCol3.6GFPtpz transgenic mice. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 907–914, 2012.

Aim  To examine the feasibility of using the pOBCol3.6GFPtpz [3.6‐green fluorescent protein (GFP)] transgenic mice as an in vivo model for studying the biological sequence of events during pulp healing and reparative dentinogenesis.

Methodology  Pulp exposures were created in the first maxillary molar of 12–16‐week‐old 3.6‐GFP transgenic mice with CD1 and C57/Bl6 genetic background. Direct pulp capping on exposed teeth was performed using mineral trioxide aggregate followed by restoration with a light‐cured adhesive system (AS) and composite resin. In control teeth, the AS was placed in direct contact with the pulp. Animals were euthanized at various time points after pulp exposure and capping. The maxillary arch was isolated, fixed and processed for histological and epifluorescence analysis to examine reparative dentinogenesis.

Results  Analysis of teeth immediately after pulp exposure revealed absence of odontoblasts expressing 3.6‐GFP at the injury site. Evidence of reparative dentinogenesis was apparent at 4 weeks in 3.6‐GFP mice in CD1 background and at 8 weeks in 3.6‐GFP mice with C57/Bl6 background. The reparative dentine with both groups contained newly formed atubular‐mineralized tissue resembling a dentine bridge and/or osteodentine that was lined by cells expressing 3.6‐GFP as well as 3.6‐GFP expressing cells embedded within the atubular matrix.

Conclusion  This study was conducted in a few animals and did not allow statistical analysis. The results revealed that the 3.6‐GFP transgenic animals provide a unique model for direct analysis of cellular and molecular mechanisms of pulp repair and tertiary dentinogenesis in vivo. The study also shows the effects of the capping material and the genetic background of the mice in the sequence and timing of reparative dentinogenesis.
Natural enamel caries in polarized light microscopy: differences in histopathological features derived from a qualitative versus a quantitative approach to interpret enamel birefringence
Authors: DE MEDEIROS R.C.G. , SOARES J.D. , DE SOUSA F.B.
Published: March 2012

Lesion area measurement of enamel caries using polarized light microscopy (PLM) is currently performed in a large number of studies, but measurements are based mainly on a mislead qualitative interpretation of enamel birefringence in a single immersion medium. Here, five natural enamel caries lesions are analysed by microradiography and in PLM, and the differences in their histopathological features derived from a qualitative versus a quantitative interpretation of enamel birefringence are described. Enamel birefringence in different immersion media (air, water and quinoline) is interpreted by both qualitative and quantitative approaches, the former leading to an underestimation of the depth of enamel caries mainly when the criterion of validating sound enamel as a negatively birefringent area in immersion in water is used (a current common practice in dental research). Procedures to avoid the shortcomings of a qualitative interpretation of enamel birefringence are presented and discussed.
Unraveling functional abdominal bloating and distension: the role of thoraco‐abdominal accommodation and a physical sign to aid its detection
Authors: Whorwell P. J.
Published: March 2012

Bloating and distension are common complaints in patients with irritable bowel syndrome of which the cause has remained elusive, although it has been shown that the obvious explanation of excessive gas is unlikely. The recent application of technologies such as the gas challenge technique, abdominal inductance plethysmography, CT scanning, as well as electromyography of the diaphragm and anterior abdominal wall, have allowed the situation to be slowly unraveled. It is now seems probable that the pathophysiology of bloating and distension are subtly different with the former having a sensory component whereas mechanical factors, such as disordered abdominal accommodation, contribute more to the latter.
Maternal Intake of Methyl‐Donor Nutrients and Child Cognition at 3 Years of Age
Authors: Villamor Eduardo , Rifas‐Shiman Sheryl L. , Gillman Matthew W. , Oken Emily
Published: March 2012

Villamor E, Rifas‐Shiman SL, Gillman MW, Oken E. Maternal intake of methyl‐donor nutrients and child cognition at 3 years of age. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2012; ••:••–••.

Methyl‐donor nutrients are substrates for methylation reactions involved in neurodevelopment processes. The role of maternal intake of these nutrients on cognitive performance of the offspring is poorly understood. We examined the associations of maternal intake of folate, vitamin B12, choline, betaine and methionine during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, with tests of cognitive performance in the offspring at 3 years of age using data from 1210 participants in Project Viva, a prospective pre‐birth cohort study in Massachusetts. We assessed nutrient intake with the use of food frequency questionnaires. Children's cognition at age 3 years was evaluated with the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test III (PPVT‐III) and visual‐motor skills with the Wide Range Assessment of Visual Motor Abilities test. In multivariable models adjusting for potential sociobehavioural and nutritional confounders, for each 600 µg/day increment in total folate intake during the first trimester, PPVT‐III score at age 3 years was 1.6 points [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1, 3.1; P = 0.04] higher. There was a weak inverse association between vitamin B12 intake during the second trimester and PPVT‐III scores [−0.4 points per 2.6 µg/day; 95% CI −0.8, −0.1; P = 0.01]. We did not find associations between choline, betaine or methionine and cognitive outcomes at this age. Results of this study suggest that higher intake of folate in early pregnancy is associated with higher scores on the PPVT‐III, a test of receptive language that predicts overall intelligence, at age 3 years.
Characterization of Leishmania infantum thiol‐dependent reductase 1 and evaluation of its potential to induce immune protection
Authors: SILVA A. M. , TAVARES J. , SILVESTRE R. , OUAISSI A. , COOMBS G. H. , CORDEIRO‐da‐SILVA A.
Published: March 2012

The need to develop an effective vaccine against leishmaniasis to prevent the 2 million new cases each year led to the search for antigens able to elicit protection against infection with Leishmania. In this study, we have characterized a parasite‐specific protein of Leishmania infantum named thiol‐dependent reductase 1 (TDR1). The protein is present in both life cycle stages of L. infantum with a notable higher expression in the amastigote forms, suggesting a role in the interaction between the parasite and the mammalian host. Thiol‐dependent reductase 1 is localized in the cytosol, although we were able to detect the protein in the culture medium of both promastigotes and axenic amastigotes, and consequently, TDR1 is considered an excreted/secreted molecule of the parasite. Therefore, we have evaluated the potential of TDR1 recombinant protein to protect against experimental challenge with L. infantum parasites using a murine model. Despite a reduction in spleen parasite load in the chronic phase of disease, TDR1 administration was not effective in the protection of Balb/c mice against visceral leishmaniasis and thus TDR1 do not have a crucial role in the modulation of mammalian host immune response, as observed with its protein counterpart Tc52 of Trypanosoma cruzi.
DNA Sequence Variation and Regulation of Genes Involved in Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Qidwai T. , Jamal F. , Khan M. Y.
Published: March 2012

Abstract DNA sequence variations [copy number variations, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and microsatellite repeats] play an important role in susceptibility/resistance to tuberculosis and other infectious diseases like malaria and HIV. Different population exhibit variable associations with tuberculosis susceptibility and severity because of DNA sequence variations in both host and parasite. A number of genes and their polymorphisms have been identified that appear to be important in tuberculosis. In this article, several case–control studies of tuberculosis including a number of genes in different population have been explored. Furthermore, this review summarizes the current studies of host polymorphisms and their association with tuberculosis in different population. We have computationally predicted 275 SNPs which occur in transcription factor binding sites for transcription factors in 19 genes involved in pathogenesis of tuberculosis. Some common SNPs are rs1327474, rs755622, rs1801274, rs396991, rs5030737, rs1800451, rs1800450, rs3763313 rs3763313, rs9268494 and rs9268492 that have been found to play a role in disease. Presence of non‐synonimous polymorphisms in coding region might affect the structure of protein, whereas polymorphisms in promoter region affect the level of gene products, consequently altering the susceptibility/resistance to disease. Based on this prediction, we hypothesize that these genes play an important role in susceptibility to tuberculosis through an altered expression of gene product via the modification of transcriptional regulation of gene.
Gastrointestinal health and function in weaned pigs: a review of feeding strategies to control post‐weaning diarrhoea without using in‐feed antimicrobial compounds
Authors: Heo J. M. , Opapeju F. O. , Pluske J. R. , Kim J. C. , Hampson D. J. , Nyachoti C. M.
Published: March 2012

For the last several decades, antimicrobial compounds have been used to promote piglet growth at weaning through the prevention of subclinical and clinical disease. There are, however, increasing concerns in relation to the development of antibiotic‐resistant bacterial strains and the potential of these and associated resistance genes to impact on human health. As a consequence, European Union (EU) banned the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in swine and livestock production on 1 January 2006. Furthermore, minerals such as zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are not feasible alternatives/replacements to antibiotics because their excretion is a possible threat to the environment. Consequently, there is a need to develop feeding programs to serve as a means for controlling problems associated with the weaning transition without using antimicrobial compounds. This review, therefore, is focused on some of nutritional strategies that are known to improve structure and function of gastrointestinal tract and (or) promote post‐weaning growth with special emphasis on probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, trace minerals and dietary protein source and level.
Capacitation and Capacitation‐like Sperm Surface Changes Induced by Handling Boar Semen
Authors: Leahy T , Gadella BM
Published: March 2012

Contents

Since it has been well recognized that reproductive technologies, such as cryopreservation and sex‐sorting, have a detrimental impact on sperm quality. These procedures cause sperm membrane destabilization which resembles that of capacitation. The pathways of this complex biochemical event are slowly unravelling, including the vital role of coating and decoating factors on the sperm surface. Characterization of these factors is leading to the development of novel surface manipulation techniques to stabilize the sperm membrane during handling. The possible application of these for assisted pig reproduction is discussed.
Approaches Towards Efficient Use of Boar Semen in the Pig Industry
Authors: Roca J , Parrilla I , Rodriguez‐Martinez H , Gil MA , Cuello C , Vazquez JM , Martinez EA
Published: March 2012

Contents

The current cervical artificial insemination (CAI) procedure, involving deposition of excessive sperm numbers, is uneconomical for pig industry. The most obvious alternative requires uterine deposition in combination with fixed‐time AI, which would reduce the number of sperm required per pregnant sow, thus allowing the best use of valuable boars and, ultimately, the commercial integration of frozen–thawed and sexed sperm. This review depicts possible best ways to implement an efficient use of liquid‐stored, frozen–thawed and sexed sperm by the pig industry.
Review on International Trade with Boar Semen
Authors: Riesenbeck A
Published: March 2012

Contents

For more than 40 years, AI (artificial insemination) has been carried out with pigs. In some countries, it constitutes since the 1990s the dominant procedure with piglet production to fertilize the sow. This procedure of insemination with fresh semen has become prevalent in all countries on a worldwide basis with an important pig meat production, with the exception of China. Meanwhile, up to 90% of the sows have been artificially inseminated. The trend is still upwards. As the need of pig meat and thus the production continues to increase, one can proceed on the assumption that the number of semen doses, which is necessary for this procedure, will likewise increase correspondingly. Until now, the trade beyond borders has only been marginal. An improvement in the sense of a longer shelf life for semen doses is indispensable for the trade over longer distances.
Feedback interventions for improving self‐awareness after brain injury: A protocol for a pragmatic randomised controlled trial
Authors: Schmidt Julia , Fleming Jennifer , Ownsworth Tamara , Lannin Natasha , Khan Asad
Published: March 2012

Background

Occupational therapists working in brain injury rehabilitation use functional tasks as a means of providing feedback to improve self‐awareness of people who have a brain injury and ultimately improve their occupational performance.

Purpose

To compare the effectiveness of video, verbal and experiential feedback for improving self‐awareness in people with traumatic brain injury.

Methods

A randomised controlled trial will be conducted to compare the efficacy of video and verbal feedback during occupational therapy. Fifty‐four participants with traumatic brain injury will be randomly allocated into three intervention groups: (i) video plus verbal feedback, (ii) verbal feedback and (iii) experiential feedback (control condition). Participants will receive the allocated intervention based on performance of a meal preparation task. The intervention sessions will occur four times during a two‐week period. Blinded assessment will occur at baseline, post‐intervention, and two months follow up. The primary outcome will be a measure of on‐line self‐awareness (number of self‐corrected and therapist corrected errors). Secondary outcomes to be assessed include levels of intellectual self‐awareness, emotional distress, and acceptance of disability. Data will be analysed using an intention to treat approach. Linear mixed effects models will be used to investigate the intervention effects.

Findings and Implications

Results will contribute to evidence‐based guidelines to support therapists to choose the most effective form of feedback for people with decreased self‐awareness after traumatic brain injury.
Collaboration with teachers: A survey of South Australian occupational therapists' perceptions and experiences
Authors: Kennedy Sarah , Stewart Hugh
Published: March 2012

Background/aim

Early intervention and the development of integrated coordinated services in schools has created a greater need for effective collaboration between health and education professionals. The present study aimed to explore South Australian occupational therapists' perceptions and experiences of collaboration with school teachers in providing services to kindergarten and school‐aged children.

Methods

A survey was employed to capture the perceptions and experiences of 45 occupational therapists, working with kindergarten and school‐aged children in South Australia. Descriptive exploratory statistical analysis of the data obtained was performed using SPSS version 17, followed by thematic analysis for extended text responses to compile and identify predominant themes.

Results

The results indicated a high level of consensus among participants for what constitutes collaborative practice, low levels of implementation indicated that differences exist between perceptions and experiences of best practice. Participants showed ambivalence about the success of, and satisfaction with, their own collaborative practice.

Conclusions

The present study has confirmed consistency with existing literature that the best practice principles for collaboration are not implemented in the field. The findings have implications for current practice to address the challenges of collaborative work. Further research into the efficacy of collaboration and investigation of appropriate models and systems, which support collaboration is proposed to facilitate best practice in South Australia.
Lymph node count threshold for optimal pelvic lymph node staging in prostate cancer
Authors: Abdollah Firas , Sun Maxine , Thuret Rodolphe , Jeldres Claudio , Tian Zhe , Briganti Alberto , Shariat Shahrokh F , Perrotte Paul , Montorsi Francesco , Karakiewicz Pierre I
Published: March 2012

Objectives:  To test the relationship between the extent of pelvic lymph node dissection at radical prostatectomy and the rate of lymph node metastases, and to identify the ideal number of lymph nodes that should be removed to achieve an optimal staging.

Methods:  We assessed 20 789 prostate cancer patients treated with radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection between 2004 and 2006. Receiver operating characteristics analyses were used to define the probability of correctly staging lymph node metastases patients according to lymph node count. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses tested the relationship between lymph node count and lymph node metastases rate.

Results:  The average lymph node count was 6.4 (median 5.0). Overall, the lymph node metastases rate was 2.5%; and it resulted to be 0.2, 1.5 and 6.7% in low, intermediate and high‐risk tumors, respectively. The rate of lymph node metastases was 3.5 and 6.7% in patients with 10 and 20 lymph node count, respectively. Removing 20 lymph nodes yielded a 90% probability of correctly staging lymph node metastases, regardless of risk group. In multivariable analysis, lymph node count was an independent predictor of lymph node metastases stage (odds ratio: 1.07, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:  A direct relationship might exist between the extent of pelvic lymph node dissection and the lymph node metastases rate. An extended pelvic lymph node dissection with at least 20 lymph nodes would offer correct lymph node staging in 90% of cases, regardless of tumor characteristics. This cut‐off might be considered adequate by most surgeons. Such a high lymph node yield necessitates an anatomically extended pelvic lymph node dissection.
Gonadotropin‐releasing hormone: An update review of the antagonists versus agonists
Authors: Van Poppel Hein , Klotz Laurence
Published: March 2012

Gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonists and antagonists provide androgen‐deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. Unlike agonists, gonadotropin‐releasing hormone antagonists have a direct mode of action to block pituitary gonadotropin‐releasing hormone receptors. There are two licensed gonadotropin‐releasing hormone antagonists, degarelix and abarelix. Of these, degarelix is the more extensively studied and has been documented to be more effective than the well‐established, first‐line agonist, leuprolide, in terms of substantially faster onset of castration, faster suppression of prostate‐specific antigen, no risk for testosterone surge or clinical flare, and improved prostate‐specific antigen progression‐free survival, suggesting a delay in castration resistance. Other than minor injection‐site reactions, degarelix is generally well tolerated, without systemic allergic reactions and with most adverse events consistent with androgen suppression or the underlying condition. In conclusion, degarelix provides a rational, first‐line androgen‐deprivation therapy suitable for the treatment of prostate cancer, with faster onset of castration than with agonists, and no testosterone surge. Furthermore, data suggest that degarelix improves disease control compared with leuprolide, and might delay the onset of castration‐resistant disease. In view of these clinical benefits and the lack of need for concomitant anti‐androgen treatment, gonadotropin‐releasing hormone antagonists might replace gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonists as first‐line androgen‐deprivation therapy in the future.
Farmers' perspectives on the biotic constraint of Striga hermonthica and its control in western Kenya
Authors: ATERA EVANS ATUTI , ITOH KAZUYUKI , AZUMA TETSUSHI , ISHII TAKASHIGE
Published: March 2012

Witchweed, Striga hermonthica (hereafter, referred to as “Striga”), is a major biotic constraint to cereal production in sub‐Saharan Africa. The parasitic plant is a socioeconomic problem that has forced some resource‐poor farmers to abandon their farms due to high infestation. This study was designed in order to elucidate farmers' perceptions of Striga control measures and to determine their potential adoption in two villages in western Kenya. Participatory rural appraisals and individual interviews were conducted in 2009 and 2010 in a sample of 128 and 120 households in Kaura and Kogweno‐Oriang villages in Homabay and Rachuonyo districts, respectively. The results revealed that crop production was the main occupation in most households. The farmers identified Striga as one of the major constraints to maize, sorghum, and finger millet production. According to the farmers, the most popular control measures were hand‐pulling, crop rotation, and intercropping, even though rotational systems might need a longer timeframe to reduce the soil seed bank of Striga. Although the level of Striga infestation and damage were increasing in the farmers' fields, the adoption of the control options was limited. The reason for the low adoption level of the control methods by the farmers is because they are “too risky” as there is no guarantee of a direct pay‐off in increased crop yield. Farmer‐led evaluation and adaptation of the various Striga control technologies in real‐life situations will facilitate the choice of appropriate options and facilitate their uptake.
Detection and localization of multiple cracks in a stepped shaft
Authors: SINGH S. K. , TIWARI R.
Published: March 2012

The presence of a crack in a shaft causes a slope discontinuity in the elastic line of the shaft. There are crack detection techniques, available in the literature, exploiting the slope discontinuity arising because of the crack in the shaft. Steps present in a shaft are expected to interfere with the results obtained through these identification techniques based upon slope discontinuity. It would be even more difficult to identify a crack if it is near a step as both the step and the crack will cause slope discontinuities. A multi‐crack identification technique has been developed (Singh S. K. and Tiwari R. (2010). Mech. Machine Theory 45, 1813–1827; Singh S. K., Tiwari R. and Talukdar S. (2009). IUTAM Proc. in Recent Trends in Rotor Dynamics, March 23–26, IIT Delhi, India) which uses shaft‐forced responses at several frequencies to identify the number of cracks and their locations over the shaft. The algorithm uses normalization of quadratic coefficients obtained from measured responses of a cracked shaft and from simulated responses of the intact shaft for detecting the slope discontinuity. In the present work, the effect of steps in the shaft on crack identification has been analysed. Cracks are assumed to be both near the step and far from the step. The identification algorithm works well for both the simulation cases.
Fracture analysis of functionally graded materials with U‐ and V‐notches under mode I loading using the averaged strain‐energy density criterion
Authors: MEHRAN S. , ROUHI S. , RAMZANI B. , BARATI E.
Published: March 2012

One of the most powerful criteria to predict the critical fracture load in plates with notches is the strain‐energy density averaged over a well‐defined control volume ahead of the notch tip. Although the averaged strain‐energy density (ASED) criterion has been proposed for homogeneous materials, it has been shown in this paper that this criterion can also be applied for non‐homogeneous materials, especially for functionally graded materials (FGMs). A numerical method has been used to evaluate the control volume boundary, the averaged strain‐energy density over the control volume, and also the critical fracture load in FGMs under mode I loading. A new set of experimental results on fracture of blunt V‐notched samples made of austenitic–martensitic functionally graded steel under mode I loading have been provided.
A cumulative damage model for fatigue life estimation of high‐strength steels in high‐cycle and very‐high‐cycle fatigue regimes
Authors: SUN C. , XIE J. , ZHAO A. , LEI Z. , HONG Y.
Published: March 2012

A cumulative fatigue damage model is presented to estimate fatigue life for high‐strength steels in high‐cycle and very‐high‐cycle fatigue regimes with fish‐eye mode failure, and a simple formula is obtained. The model takes into account the inclusion size, fine granular area (FGA) size, and tensile strength of materials. Then, the ‘equivalent crack growth rate’ of FGA is proposed. The model is used to estimate the fatigue life and equivalent crack growth rate for a bearing steel (GCr15) of present investigation and four high‐strength steels in the literature. The equivalent crack growth rate of FGA is calculated to be of the order of magnitude of 10−14–10−11 m/cycle. The estimated results accord well with the present experimental results and prior predictions and experimental results in the literature. Moreover, the effect of inclusion size on fatigue life is discussed. It is indicated that the inclusion size has an important influence on the fatigue life, and the effect is related to the relative size of inclusion for FGA. For the inclusion size close to the FGA size, the former has a substantial effect on the fatigue life. While for the relatively large value of FGA size to inclusion size, it has little effect on the fatigue life.
Mechanical and fracture–mechanical properties of geosynthetic reinforced asphalt systems
Authors: JAMEK M. , TSCHEGG E. K. , LUGMAYR R.
Published: March 2012

Geosynthetic interlayers in asphalt systems have become a convenient technology for lifetime prolongation in road construction engineering. Established testing methods for characterizing construction materials can be used to describe and evaluate these innovative systems. This study compares three groups of asphalt interlayer systems (stress absorbing membrane interlayer = SAMI, asphalt reinforcement, SAMI + asphalt reinforcement) represented by 10 different geosynthetic interlayers in terms of crack growth resistance and strength. The results will be presented in relation to asphalt reference systems without interlayer. The mechanical and fracture–mechanical properties were determined by means of the wedge splitting test (WST) according to Tschegg and partially by the pull‐out test. Due to temperature dependences of the material properties of asphalt, the tests have been performed at −10 °C, 0 °C and +10 °C specimen temperature.
Fatigue and Impact Behaviour of Carbon Fibre Composite Bicycle Forks
Authors: SISNEROS P. M. , YANG P. , EL‐HAJJAR R. F.
Published: March 2012

The use of carbon fibre‐based polymeric composites in bicycle components has dramatically increased in the last few decades. This paper presents the results of fatigue and impact testing on bicycle forks that are known to have quality‐related manufacturing defects. In the investigation performed, acoustic emission testing is used to monitor crack growth during fatigue loading and impact. The results show three distinct stages in composite fatigue failure related to initiation, propagation and final growth. Implications of the results on design and testing of composite bicycle components are addressed pointing to a greater need in understanding current design procedures.
Fatigue damage analysis based on energy parameters in reinforced polyamide
Authors: CARRASCAL I. A. , CASADO J. A. , DIEGO S. , POLANCO J. A. , GUTIÉRREZ‐SOLANA F.
Published: March 2012

This article proposes an analysis method for the identification of the damage caused in a reinforced polyamide fatigue process through the evolution of the generated energy per cycle. Monotonous fatigue tests have been carried out at different stress levels using Polyamide 6 reinforced with short fibre glass tensile specimens. The loss of mechanical properties is measured using a damage parameter, defined as the variation in energy per cycle with respect to the initial conditions. Three clearly differentiated zones can be distinguished in the evolution of damage as a function of the energy per cycle. The first zone is one of deaccelerated rapid growth; in the second, the damage grows linearly, so that the damage growth speed can be determined as a function of the potential of variation of the stress applied; and finally, the third is a zone of accelerated growth of the damage until fracture.
Numerical and experimental studies on fracture process of recycled concrete
Authors: XIAO J. , LIU Q. , WU Y. C.
Published: March 2012

In this paper, an improved lattice model of heterogeneous cohesive frictional solids is developed to simulate the fracture process of recycled concrete under tensile and compressive loadings. In this numerical simulation, the recycled concrete is considered as a composite material of five phases, including natural aggregates, old hardened mortar (HM), new HM, new interfacial transition zone (ITZ) and old ITZ. In addition to the numerical simulation, a series of laboratory tests are designed to investigate the failure process of the recycled concrete. The fracture process of the numerical simulation is in a satisfactory agreement with the experimental observations. It is demonstrated that the cracks always appear around ITZs at first, extend to old HM secondly and then to new HM in the recycled concrete. Under the condition of this investigation, the simulated stress–strain relationship of recycled concrete is fit well with the laboratory test results under tensile loadings.
Monitoring airborne biotic contaminants in the indoor environment of pig and poultry confinement buildings
Authors: Hong Pei‐Ying , Li Xiangzhen , Yang Xufei , Shinkai Takumi , Zhang Yuanhui , Wang Xinlei , Mackie Roderick I.
Published: March 2012

Given the growing concerns over human and animal health issues related to confined animal feeding operations, an in‐depth examination is required to monitor for airborne bacteria and associated antibiotic resistance genes. Our 16S rRNA‐based pyrosequencing revealed that the airborne microbial community skewed towards a higher abundance of Firmicutes (> 59.2%) and Bacteroidetes (4.2–31.4%) within the confinement buildings, while the office environment was predominated by Proteobacteria (55.2%). Furthermore, bioaerosols in the confinement buildings were sporadically associated with genera of potential pathogens, and these genera were more frequently observed in the bioaerosols of pig and layer hen confinement than the turkey confinement buildings and office environment. High abundances of tetracycline resistance genes (9.55 × 102to 1.69 × 106copies ng−1DNA) were also detected in the bioaerosols sampled from confinement buildings. Bacterial lineages present in the poultry bioaerosols clustered apart from those present in the pig bioaerosols and among the different phases of pig production, suggesting that different livestock as well as production phase were associated with a distinct airborne microbial community. By understanding the diversity of biotic contaminants associated with the different confinement buildings, this study facilitates the implementation of better management strategies to minimize potential health impacts on both livestock and humans working in this environment.
Renal haemorrhage risk after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy: results from the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination Database
Authors: Sugihara Toru , Yasunaga Hideo , Horiguchi Hiromasa , Nishimatsu Hiroaki , Hirano Yoshikazu , Matsuda Shinya , Homma Yukio
Published: March 2012

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Renal haemorrhage is a severe adverse event of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy with an incidence of about 0.5%. This rarity had made comparative studies among lithotripter models difficult. This study examines a large number of cases and models to reveal risk factors for postoperative renal haemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE

To assess clinical and mechanical risk factors of clinically significant renal haemorrhage after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patient data were extracted from the Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database from 6 months per each year, 2006–2008. The availability of lithotripters in each hospital was identified. We performed logistic regression analysis, which included the generator type (electrohydraulic, electromagnetic or piezoelectric), age, gender, laterality of stones (right, left or uncertain), location of stones (kidney, ureter or uncertain), total number of treatment sessions, anaesthesia and hospital volume (HV), focal size (greater or less than 400 mm3) and F2 angle (greater or less than 70°). Renal haemorrhage events were identified within the database.

RESULTS

Overall, 81 renal haemorrhage events in 26 969 patients (32 476 ESWL sessions) at 482 hospitals with 38 lithotripter models were identified. The incidence of events was 0.50% with renal stones and 0.14% with ureter stones. Specifications of 34 lithotripter models were available. Use of piezoelectric lithotripters (vs electromagnettic, OR 0.13, P= 0.044) and high HV (≥140/year, vs ≤70/year, OR 0.49, P= 0.012) significantly decreased the risk of renal haemorrhage events. Age, gender, focal size and F2 angle did not show statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

There is a low incidence of renal haemorrhage after ESWL. The less invasive nature of piezoelectric lithotripters and an inverse volume–outcome relationship with ESWL procedures was revealed. Age, focal size and F2 angle do not appear to have a significant impact on renal haemorrhage.
Use of the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument as a measure of distal symmetrical peripheral neuropathy in Type 1 diabetes: results from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications
Authors: Herman W. H. , Pop‐Busui R. , Braffett B. H. , Martin C. L. , Cleary P. A. , Albers J. W. , Feldman E. L. ,   The DCCT/EDIC Research Group
Published: March 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, 937–944 (2012)

Aims  The Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) is used to assess distal symmetrical peripheral neuropathy in diabetes. It includes two separate assessments: a 15‐item self‐administered questionnaire and a lower extremity examination that includes inspection and assessment of vibratory sensation and ankle reflexes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of the MNSI in detecting distal symmetrical peripheral neuropathy in patients with Type 1 diabetes and to develop new scoring algorithms.

Methods  The MNSI was performed by trained personnel at each of the 28 Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications clinical sites. Neurologic examinations and nerve conduction studies were performed during the same year. Confirmed clinical neuropathy was defined by symptoms and signs of distal symmetrical peripheral neuropathy based on the examination of a neurologist and abnormal nerve conduction findings in ≥ 2 anatomically distinct nerves among the sural, peroneal and median nerves.

Results  We studied 1184 subjects with Type 1 diabetes. Mean age was 47 years and duration of diabetes was 26 years. Thirty per cent of participants had confirmed clinical neuropathy, 18% had ≥ 4 and 5% had ≥ 7 abnormal responses on the MNSI questionnaire, and 33% had abnormal scores (≥ 2.5) on the MNSI examination. New scoring algorithms were developed and cut points defined to improve the performance of the MNSI questionnaire, examination and the combination of the two.

Conclusions  Altering the cut point to define an abnormal test from ≥ 7 abnormal to ≥ 4 abnormal items improves the performance of the MNSI questionnaire. The MNSI is a simple, non‐invasive and valid measure of distal symmetrical peripheral neuropathy in Type 1 diabetes.