bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of thromboelastography in dogs with immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia: 39 cases (2000–2008)
Authors: Sinnott Virginia B. , Otto Cynthia M.
Published: September 2009

Objective
–
To analyze thromboelastograms (TEGs) of naturally occurring cases of immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) in order to identify whether a hypercoagulable state was present and whether its presence was associated with differences in survival.

Design
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Retrospective study spanning January 2000 to June 2008. Medical records of dogs were evaluated. Endpoints were considered death or discharge from the hospital.

Setting
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Academic teaching hospital.

Animals
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Thirty‐nine dogs with a diagnosis of IMHA and at least one TEG performed during hospitalization were included.

Interventions
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None.

Measurements and Main Results
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Four values were evaluated from the TEG: the R time (R), K time (K), alpha angle (α), and maximum amplitude. From these values, a coagulation index (CI) was calculated to classify patients as normocoagulable, hypercoagulable, or hypocoagulable. Thirty‐three of 39 patients were hypercoagulable based on the CI. The 6 remaining dogs were normocoagulable. The patients with a normocoagulable CI had an increased mortality rate (100%) when compared with the hypercoagulable patients using Fisher's exact test (P=0.02). Additionally, prolongation of partial thromboplastin time did not preclude hypercoagulable TEG values.

Conclusions
–
The majority of dogs with IMHA were hypercoagulable as measured by TEG. A normal CI was associated with a worse outcome in this patient population. TEG may provide additional and complementary information to prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time relating to coagulation status in dogs with IMHA and may help predict prognosis and potentially guide clinical decisions to utilize anticoagulant drugs.
Long‐Term Complication Rates and Survival of Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters: The Role of Percutaneous Versus Surgical Placement
Authors: Perakis Kostas E. , Stylianou Kostas G. , Kyriazis John P. , Mavroeidi Vasiliki N. , Katsipi Irene G. , Vardaki Eleftheria A. , Petrakis Ioannis G. , Stratigis Spyros , Kroustalakis Nikos G. , Alegakis Athanasios K. , Daphnis Eugene K.
Published: September 2009

Considerable controversy currently exists in the literature concerning the mode of catheter placement and its impact on the technical success of peritoneal dialysis (PD). We decided to compare the impact of the surgical versus the percutaneous insertion technique on peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDCs) complications and survival. Our study population comprised 152 patients in whom 170 PDCs were inserted between January 1990 and December 2007 at the main PD unit on the island of Crete. Eighty four catheters were surgically placed (S group) and 86 were placed percutaneously by nephrologists (N group). The total experience accumulated was 4997 patient‐months. The overall complications did not differ between the two groups. Only early leakage was more frequent in N group than S group (10.3 versus 1.9 episodes per 1000 patient‐months; p < 0.001). However, it was easily treated and did not constitute a cause of early catheter removal. Catheter survival was 91.1%, 80.7%, and 73.2%, in the S group versus 89.5%, 83.7%, and 83.7% for the N group at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively (p = 0.2). Catheter survival has significantly increased over the last decade. Factors positively affecting PDC survival appeared to be the use of mupirocin for exit site care and the utilization of the coiled type of catheter, practices implemented mainly after 1999. Peritonitis‐free survival and patient survival were not associated with the mode of placement, while in Cox regression analysis, were longer in patients treated with automated PD. The placement mode did not affect PD outcomes. Percutaneous implantation proved a safe, simple, low cost, immediately available method for PDC placement and helped to expand our PD program.
Arterial Stent Placement in Arteriovenous Dialysis Access by Interventional Nephrologists
Authors: Asif Arif , Yevzlin Alexander S.
Published: September 2009

Arterial stenoses in patients with arteriovenous dialysis access can create a variety of problems including access dysfunction, thrombosis, and hand ischemia. While percutaneous balloon angioplasty is largely successful in the management of arterial stenoses, elastic recoil can present a real predicament to this treatment. In this report, we present two cases of arterial stenosis that demonstrated elastic recoil after angioplasty and required endovascular stent insertion. Both cases were treated successfully without any complications on an outpatient basis. This report describes arterial stent placement in patients with arteriovenous access and discusses anticoagulation considerations in such cases.
Scheduled Short‐Term Prevention With Frovatriptan for Migraine Occurring Exclusively in Association With Menstruation
Authors: Silberstein Stephen D. , Berner Todd , Tobin John , Xiang Qinfang , Campbell John C.
Published: September 2009

Objective.— This post hoc subgroup analysis evaluated scheduled short‐term preventive frovatriptan therapy for women with migraine occurring exclusively in association with menstruation (occurring day −2 to +3; day 1 = menses start, no migraines outside this window).

Background.— A previously published randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled 3‐way crossover trial assessed the efficacy and safety of a scheduled 6‐day preventive regimen with frovatriptan for the treatment of menstrual migraine; the study population included women experiencing both menstrual and non‐menstrual migraine and women experiencing only menstrual migraine.

Methods.— Women received each treatment (placebo, frovatriptan 2.5 mg once daily, and frovatriptan 2.5 mg twice daily) once over 3 perimenstrual periods in randomized sequence. For this subset analysis, screening questions were used to identify women with migraine occurring exclusively in association with menstruation. Efficacy was evaluated by occurrence and severity of migraine, functional impairment, and rescue medication use. Adverse events and tolerability were also assessed.

Results.— Among 179 patients, the mean age (SD) was 37.3 (7.7) years and mean menstrual migraine history was 10.6 (8.7) years. Significantly fewer women experienced menstrual migraine during treatment with frovatriptan twice daily (37.7%, P < .001) or once daily (51.3%, P = .002) than during treatment with placebo (67.1%); a significant dose response was noted (P = .01, twice daily vs once daily). Significant treatment differences were also found for several secondary endpoints, but the data from this post hoc analysis must be interpreted with caution. Frovatriptan was well tolerated and most adverse events were mild or moderate and similar to those reported with the acute treatment of migraine with frovatriptan; the most common adverse events were nausea, dizziness, and headache.

Conclusions.— Scheduled short‐term preventive frovatriptan therapy effectively reduced the occurrence of menstrual migraine in women with attacks occurring exclusively in association with menstruation.
Evaluation of Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Commonly Used Denture Base Resins
Authors: Phoenix Rodney D. , Mansueto Michael A. , Ackerman Neal A. , Jones Robert E.
Published: September 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate and compare the mechanical and thermal properties of 6 commonly used polymethyl methacrylate denture base resins.

Materials and Methods: Sorption, solubility, color stability, adaptation, flexural stiffness, and hardness were assessed to determine compliance with ADA Specification No. 12. Thermal assessments were performed using differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis. Results were assessed using statistical and observational analyses.

Results: All materials satisfied ADA requirements for sorption, solubility, and color stability. Adaptation testing indicated that microwave‐activated systems provided better adaptation to associated casts than conventional heat‐activated resins. According to flexural testing results, microwaveable resins were relatively stiff, while rubber‐modified resins were more flexible. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated that microwave‐activated systems were more completely polymerized than conventional heat‐activated materials.

Conclusion: The microwaveable resins displayed better adaptation, greater stiffness, and greater surface hardness than other denture base resins included in this investigation. Elastomeric toughening agents yielded decreased stiffness, decreased surface hardness, and decreased glass transition temperatures.
Alveolar Distraction Osteogenesis: Revive and Restore the Native Bone
Authors: Sant Sumedha , Jagtap Amit
Published: September 2009

In prosthodontics, knife‐edge bony alveolar ridges can cause a problem in their rehabilitation. The distraction osteogenesis process raises the medullary component of the alveolus, allowing the labial plate of the existing natural bone to be displaced. This process involves mobilization, transport, and fixation of a healthy segment of bone adjacent to the deficient site. It entails use of the gradual controlled displacement of surgically created fractures, which results in simultaneous expansion of soft tissue and bone volume. A mechanical device, the alveolar distraction device, is used for this purpose. This modality of treatment can be used in implant dentistry cases for rehabilitation of resorbed ridges. The objective of this overview is to explain this procedure wherein the alveolar housing, including the osseous and soft‐tissue components, is enlarged in a single, simultaneous process, which makes creation of an appropriate alveolar morphology possible.
Cycle Time in Packaged Software Firms
Authors: Carmel Erran
Published: September 2009

Reduction of cycle time (i.e., time to market) is a fundamental competitive strategy in many industries. With the current proliferation of personal computer (PC) technology, software developers face intense competition. However, unlike their counterparts in other consumer goods markets, product development managers in the software industry appear to be less concerned with (or even aware of) cycle time than they are with other competitive variables.

To explore the role of cycle‐time reduction in the process of developing software packages, Erran Carmel conducted a study of 15 software package companies in the Washington‐Baltimore metropolitan area. The survey results indicate that software package developers are generally unaware of cycle‐time reduction as a management concept. Instead, software developers tend to focus on rapid development, with an emphasis on “crunch” periods of intense effort aimed at meeting a deadline. During these periods of peak activity, 87% of the developers in core teams worked more than 56 hours per week and 47% worked more than 71 hours per week.

In terms of the organizational variables necessary for cycle‐time reduction, all of the survey respondents point to the importance of a small, cohesive, core development team, similar to a cross‐functional team. Members of the core team are entrepreneurial and share a common vision of the product's design, use, and long‐term direction.

As for the development variables associated with cycle‐time reduction, the software companies in the survey typically do not use process models or risk analysis techniques. Similarly, they devote scant resources to automated tools. For the majority of the firms in the survey, annual investment in automated software development tools is less than $1,000 per developer. On the other hand, reuse (as embodied in object‐oriented design and development) and incremental innovation are important to all of the sample firms.

Although quality assurance (QA) activities are not addressed in the innovation literature, QA is a significant cycle‐time component in software development. As demonstrated by the industry practice of releasing products with long lists of known defects, the software product category clearly has quality problems. With the current boom in new users, pressure will grow for improved quality. To remain competitive, software developers need to determine how they can better integrate QA activities into the development process while reducing cycle time.
Spatial Cluster Detection for Weighted Outcomes Using Cumulative Geographic Residuals
Authors: Cook Andrea J. , Li Yi , Arterburn David , Tiwari Ram C.
Published: September 2009

Summary Spatial cluster detection is an important methodology for identifying regions with excessive numbers of adverse health events without making strong model assumptions on the underlying spatial dependence structure. Previous work has focused on point or individual‐level outcome data and few advances have been made when the outcome data are reported at an aggregated level, for example, at the county‐ or census‐tract level. This article proposes a new class of spatial cluster detection methods for point or aggregate data, comprising of continuous, binary, and count data. Compared with the existing spatial cluster detection methods it has the following advantages. First, it readily incorporates region‐specific weights, for example, based on a region's population or a region's outcome variance, which is the key for aggregate data. Second, the established general framework allows for area‐level and individual‐level covariate adjustment. A simulation study is conducted to evaluate the performance of the method. The proposed method is then applied to assess spatial clustering of high Body Mass Index in a health maintenance organization population in the Seattle, Washington, USA area.
A new locus for hereditary hypotrichosis simplex maps to chromosome 13q12.12∼12.3 in a Chinese family
Authors: Xu Chao , Zhang Li , Chen Nan , Su Bin , Pan Cun‐Ming , Li Jun‐Yan , Zhang Guo‐Wei , Liu Zhi , Sheng Yan , Song Huai‐Dong
Published: September 2009

Background: Hereditary hypotrichosis simplex (MIM 146520, HHS) is a rare form of nonsyndromic alopecia. The locus for autosomal dominant HHS was mapped to 18p11.32‐p11.23 and 6p21.3, respectively, suggestive of genetic heterogeneity.

Aim: To identify the disease‐causing gene for a four‐generation Chinese family with dominant transmission of a form of HHS. The work was carried out at State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics.

Methods: Genome‐wide screening was carried out in a Chinese family with HHS using microsatellite markers, and linkage analysis was performed using the MLINK program.

Results: The highest two‐point logarithm of the odds (LOD) score was obtained with the microsatellite marker D13S217 (LOD score of 4.041 at θ = 0.00). After fine mapping and haplotype analysis, we defined a critical region of about 9.57 cM flanked by markers D13S1243 and D13S1299. The disease‐causing gene was mapped to 13q12.12∼12.3 in this family.

Conclusions: A novel locus for HHS maps to chromosome 13q12.12∼12.3 in a Chinese family.

Xu C, Zhang L, Chen N, Su B, Pan C‐M, Li J‐Y, Zhang G‐W, Liu Z, Sheng Y, Song H‐D. A new locus for hereditary hypotrichosis simplex maps to chromosome 13q12.12∼12.3 in a Chinese family.
TRAPP II Complex Assembly Requires Trs33 or Trs65
Authors: Tokarev Andrei A. , Taussig David , Sundaram Geetanjali , Lipatova Zhanna , Liang Yongheng , Mulholland Jonathan W. , Segev Nava
Published: September 2009

TRAPP is a multi‐subunit complex that acts as a Ypt/Rab activator at the Golgi apparatus. TRAPP exists in two forms: TRAPP I is comprised of five essential and conserved subunits and TRAPP II contains two additional essential and conserved subunits, Trs120 and Trs130. Previously, we have shown that Trs65, a nonessential fungi‐specific TRAPP subunit, plays a role in TRAPP II assembly. TRS33 encodes another nonessential but conserved TRAPP subunit whose function is not known. Here, we show that one of these two subunits, nonessential individually, is required for TRAPP II assembly. Trs33 and Trs65 share sequence, intracellular localization and interaction similarities. Specifically, Trs33 interacts genetically with both Trs120 and Trs130 and physically with Trs120. In addition, trs33 mutant cells contain lower levels of TRAPP II and exhibit aberrant localization of the Golgi Ypts. Together, our results indicate that in yeast, TRAPP II assembly is an essential process that can be accomplished by either of two related TRAPP subunits. Moreover, because humans express two Trs33 homologues, we propose that the requirement of Trs33 for TRAPP II assembly is conserved from yeast to humans.
Photopheresis in pediatric patients with low‐body weight using the UVAR® XTS™ system
Authors: Hillen Uwe , Meyer Sabine , Schadendorf Dirk , Kremens Bernhard
Published: September 2009

Background: Photopheresis (ECP) with the UVAR® XTS™ system has been limited to patients with a body weight > 40 kg, because extracorporeal blood volumes (ECV) may exceed 15% of the total blood volumes in low‐body‐weight patients. Because of these instrument characteristics, the use of ECP is limited in pediatric patients.

Patients and methods: In 5 patients (age 4 to 15 years) with graft‐versus‐host disease and with a body weight between 13 and 34 kilograms, photopheresis was performed using the UVAR® XTS™ system. In 3 patients ECP could be performed by balancing the ECV with saline infusions. In 2 patients the system was modified in that the instrument was primed with packed red cells. During the treatment, fluid balance was guaranteed by a reservoir from a transfusion bag connected in parallel.

Results: Together 223 procedures were performed, among them 28 with the modification of the system. The treatments were well tolerated, and no episodes of hypotension were observed.

Conclusions: It is possible to run ECP in low‐body weight patients with the UVAR® XTS™ system.
Willingness of Nurses to Report Medication Administration Errors in Southern Taiwan: A Cross‐Sectional Survey
Authors: Lin Yu‐Hua , Ma Su‐mei
Published: September 2009

Background: Underreporting of medication administering errors (MAEs) is a threat to the quality of nursing care. The reasons for MAEs are complex and vary by health professional and institution.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of MAEs and the willingness of nurses to report them.

Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted involving a survey of 14 medical surgical hospitals in southern Taiwan. Nurses voluntarily participated in this study. A structured questionnaire was completed by 605 participants. Data were collected from February 1, 2005 to March 15, 2005 using the following instruments: MAEs Unwillingness to Report Scale, Medication Errors Etiology Questionnaire, and Personal Features Questionnaire. One additional question was used to identify the willingness of nurses to report medication errors: “When medication errors occur, should they be reported to the department?” This question helped to identify the willingness or lack thereof, to report incident errors.

Results: The results indicated that 66.9% of the nurses reported experiencing MAEs and 87.7% of the nurses had a willingness to report the MAEs if there were no consequences for reporting. The nurses' willingness to report MAEs differed by job position, nursing grade, type of hospital, and hospital funding. The final logistic regression model demonstrated hospital funding to be the only statistically significant factor. The odds of a willingness to report MAEs increased 2.66‐fold in private hospitals (p = 0.032, CI = 1.09 to 6.49), and 3.28 in nonprofit hospitals (p = 0.00, CI = 1.73 to 6.21) when compared to public hospitals.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that reporting of MAEs should be anonymous and without negative consequences in order to monitor and guide improvements in hospital medication systems.
The successful management of two pregnancies with wild type metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Authors: TAN Thean Hsiang , HEMMINGS Christine , STAFFORD‐BELL Martyn , ROBSON Steve , GOLDSTEIN David , YIP Desmond
Published: September 2009

Aim:  To discuss the management of the uncommon situation of metastatic gastrointestinal tumour coexisting with pregnancy.

Method:  We describe two cases of women with metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) who successfully achieved a full‐term pregnancy without complications and with the delivery of healthy infants. In both cases, treatment with imatinib mesylate was withheld during pregnancy because of its unknown effects and questionable safety for the developing fetus. The available data in the medical literature regarding the use and safety of imatinib and pregnancy are reviewed. We also examine whether the knowledge of the exon mutational status would have influenced treatment decisions.

Results:  Both women had wild type GIST, but with different tumor growth characteristics, treatment responses and outcomes. The first patient deferred imatinib therapy to fall pregnant and her disease progressed rapidly off treatment. The second patient had a more indolent GIST where active surgical management allowed her to experience a long durable clinical response. She potentially belongs to a pediatric subgroup which carries a better prognosis despite being off imatinib.

Conclusion:  While we have successfully managed two pregnant women with metastatic GIST, the issue of initiating imatinib therapy in treatment‐naive women, and treatment interruption in women already on therapy, remain difficult areas. Patients and their partners need to make an informed choice regarding the associated risks and the potential long‐term sequelae if pregnancies are contemplated. Further research into the natural history of wild type GIST and how to tailor subsequent treatment are needed.
Reversible encephalopathy following 5‐fluorouracil‐based chemotherapy in patients with dihydropyrimidine dehyrogenase deficiency
Authors: KIM Dong Wook , OH Jeeyoung , CHO Yo Han , KIM So Young , YOON So Young
Published: September 2009

5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) is one of the most frequently used chemotherapy agents for the treatment of a number of solid cancers. We report two patients with advanced gastric cancer who developed acute encephalopathy after receiving chemotherapy composed of 5‐FU and oxaliplatin. One patient presented with altered consciousness and the other with generalized tonic clonic seizure. 5‐FU‐induced encephalopathy was suspected by clinical, radiological and electroencephalographic findings, and both patients had reduced expression of dihyropyrimidine dehydrogenase, the rate‐limiting enzyme responsible for the catabolism of 5‐FU. The neurological symptoms improved spontaneously, and did not recur in the following cycle of chemotherapy with the administration of a reduced dose of 5‐FU. We suggest that the early recognition of this adverse event can reverse 5‐FU‐induced neurological symptoms and a dose reduction of the offending drug can prevent the recurrence of 5‐FU induced encephalopathy.
Dielectric Relaxation in CaO–Bi2O3–B2O3 Glasses
Authors: Majhi Koushik , Varma Kalidhindi B. R.
Published: September 2009

Glasses in the system CaO–Bi2O3–B2O3 (in molar ratio) have been prepared using melt‐quenching route. Ion transport characteristics were investigated for this glass using electric modulus, ac conductivity and impedance measurements. The ac conductivity was rationalized using Almond–West power law. Dielectric relaxation has been analyzed based on the behavior of electric modulus behavior. The activation energy associated with the electrical relaxation determined from the electric modulus spectra was found to be 1.76 eV, close to that the activation energy for dc conductivity (1.71 eV) indicating that the same species took part in both the processes. The stretched exponent β (0.5–0.6) is invariant with temperature for the present glasses.
On fitting planetary systems in counter-revolving configurations
Authors: Gayon-Markt Julie , Bois Eric
Published: September 2009

In Gayon & Bois and Gayon, Bois & Scholl, (i) we studied the theoretical feasibility and efficiency of retrograde mean motion resonances (i.e. two planets are both in orbital resonance and in counter-revolving configuration), (ii) we showed that retrograde resonances can generate interesting mechanisms of stability and (iii) we obtained a dynamical fit involving a counter-revolving configuration that is consistent with the observations of the HD 73526 planetary system. In the present Letter, we present and analyse data reductions assuming counter-revolving configurations for eight compact multiplanetary systems detected through the radial velocity method. In each case, we select the best fit leading to a dynamically stable solution. The resulting data reductions obtained in rms and values for counter-revolving configurations are of the same order, and sometimes slightly better than for prograde configurations. In the end, these fits tend to show that, over the eight studied multiplanetary systems, six of them could be regulated by a mechanism involving a counter-revolving configuration.
VISUAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ESTHETIC QUALITY OF THE ROSEBUSH
Authors: BOUMAZA RACHID , DEMOTES‐MAINARD SABINE , HUCHE‐THELIER LYDIE , GUERIN VINCENT
Published: September 2009

Since its introduction into the analysis of foodstuffs, sensory analysis has been applied in several contexts. This work seeks to widen the field of sensory analysis to include ornamental plants and to characterize their esthetic quality. Using the rosebush as a plant model, an attribute generation protocol is proposed in order to develop a conventional profile of such products. Further to statistical treatments aiming to verify the unambiguity, discrimination and independence of these attributes, a reduced list of 18 attributes has been set up. These attributes make up the very core of the conventional profiling studies currently undertaken.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The generation of a list of attributes that is not too long, in order to describe plants as exhaustively as possible, is one of the first steps of extending sensory analysis methods to ornamental horticulture. This list will be used to train a panel of assessors to characterize the rosebush.

Two applications are in progress. The first application consists of evaluating the impact of nitrogen nutrition on the visual quality of the rosebush. The second has the objective of determining which characteristics influence consumer preferences.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: SOCIAL VERSUS ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES
Authors: PULLMAN MADELEINE E. , MALONI MICHAEL J. , CARTER CRAIG R.
Published: September 2009

Sustainable supply management research generally focuses on environmental practices. We show through an analysis of the food industry that sustainability requires an expanded view to encompass both environmental and social elements. We interviewed and surveyed food and beverage producers in the U.S. Pacific Northwest to both validate expanded sustainability elements in the industry and assess subsequent performance outcomes. A path analysis reveals that food industry managers perceive both direct and mediated impacts of sustainability programs on performance. Specifically, the results indicate that sustainability program effects are limited to the impact of conservation and land management environmental practices on overall environmental performance and human resources practices on quality performance. However, environmental performance improvements lead to improved quality performance, which in turn improves cost performance. The results highlight the complexity of sustainability impacts on performance and suggest that performance benefits from sustainability programs may be difficult to recognize.
Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells and the Inflammatory Response
Authors: Jaiswal Siddhartha , Weissman Irving L.
Published: September 2009

Cells of the vertebrate immune system are continuously regenerated by division of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) into differentiated effector cells. Classically, HSCs were thought to reside primarily in the bone marrow niche where they produced mature progeny that migrated from the marrow to repopulate the peripheral immune system. However, emerging evidence has established that hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are themselves mobile and able to repopulate ectopic niches and contribute more directly to inflammatory responses in the periphery. How the HSPCs remain immune to destruction in a toxic inflammatory milieu is unknown.
Targets of Protective Tumor Immunity
Authors: Dranoff Glenn
Published: September 2009

The identification of antigens associated with tumor destruction is a major goal of cancer immunology. Several genetic and biochemical techniques have revealed a broad range of gene products that elicit immune recognition in cancer patients, but the biologic importance of these responses in most cases is poorly understood. While some targets are linked to tumor regressions in the context of adoptive cellular therapies or cancer vaccinations, the possible roles of immunity to most antigens in disease pathogenesis and clinical outcomes remain to be elucidated. One strategy for characterizing antigens that elicit clinically significant immune recognition involves the study of patients who achieve durable clinical benefits from immune treatments. Through this approach, we uncovered the immunogenicity of major histocompatibility chain‐related protein A (MICA), which is a ligand for NKG2D, and ERp5, a protein disulfide isomerase involved in MICA shedding. Our findings suggest that components of the NKG2D pathway may be attractive targets for therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.
Role of Neutrophils in Arginine‐asymmetric Dimethylarginine Pathway Subsequent to Endotoxemia
Authors: Nurten Türközkan , Nihal Şahin , Gonca Ozan , Özgür Akgül , Halil Yaman , Filiz Bircan , Barbaros Balabanli
Published: September 2009

There is a striking correlation between nitric oxide (NO) production and myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activity accession in various tissues after endotoxemia. Both arginine–NO and arginine‐asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) pathways have been recognized to play critical roles during infection and inflammation. We investigated whether there is a link between MPO‐mediated nitrating pathway and arginine–ADMA pathway after endotoxemia in liver. All experiments were performed in two groups (control and endotoxemia) of 10 guinea pigs. In this study, 6 h after the administration of endotoxin at a dose of 4 mg/kg, MPO activity and ADMA, L‐arginine, and 3‐nitrotyrosine (3‐NT, a stable product of peroxynitrite formation) levels were measured. Measurement of ADMA and L‐arginine were accomplished by HPLC with fluorescent detector. 3‐NT was quantified by HPLC with electrochemical detector. MPO activity was determined by spectrophotometric method. After administration of endotoxin, ADMA and L‐arginine levels decreased, but 3‐NT levels and MPO activity increased significantly. In conclusion, there is an inverse relationship between MPO‐mediated tyrosine nitration and arginine–ADMA pathway in liver after endotoxemia.
Inhibition of TNF‐α‐induced Activation of NF‐κB by Hantavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins
Authors: Taylor Shannon L. , Krempel Ryan L. , Schmaljohn Connie S.
Published: September 2009

Hantaviruses cause two human diseases thought to be immune‐mediated: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). We recently reported that the nucleocapsid (N) protein of HFRS‐causing Hantaan virus (HTNV) inhibits tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) activation of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB). Here we measured the ability of other hantaviral N proteins to similarly interfere with the inflammatory process of TNF‐α. We found that like HTNV N, the N proteins of HFRS‐causing Seoul and Dobrava viruses inhibited TNF‐α activation of NF‐κB and translocation of the NF‐κB p65 subunit, but did not interfere with degradation of inhibitor of NF‐κB (IκB). In contrast, the HFRS‐causing Puumala virus and the HPS‐causing Andes and Sin Nombre viruses did not prevent TNF‐α activation of NF‐κB or nuclear translocation of p65. These studies provide evidence that hantaviruses differ in their abilities to interfere with host innate immune responses.
Effect of Shear on the Rheology and Crystallization of Palm Oil
Authors: Tarabukina E. , Jego F. , Haudin J.‐M. , Navard P. , Peuvrel‐Disdier E.
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACT:  This article reports on the impact of shear on crystallization upon cooling of palm oil. Samples were cooled down under shear from 70 to 10 °C, then kept at this temperature, while performing rheological measurements using a controlled shear rate rheometer and rheo‐optical observations using optical microscopy and small‐angle light scattering. Shear rates between 1 and 300 s−1 were investigated. Two crystallization steps were observed, characterized by associated viscosity increases. The effect of shear on these 2 crystallization processes was investigated. Shear was shown to influence almost all of the steps of the structuring process of the crystallizing palm oil. The spherulite size and growth rate during the 1st crystallization are affected by shear. The onset time of the 2nd crystallization process strongly depends on the extent of shear. The steady state structures after the 1st and 2nd crystallization processes constituted of a suspension of aggregates of spherulites are controlled by the applied shear rate.

Practical Application: The texture of crystallized vegetal fats and subsequent end product properties depend on the structure developed during the crystallization process. This structuring process is strongly influenced by the thermo‐mechanical history applied to the product (cooling rate, degree of undercooling, annealing time, application of flow). This article shows how the shear rate as well as extent of shear affects the different steps of the crystallization and aggregation processes in the case of palm oil after the 1st crystallization.
Effect of Process on Physicochemical Properties of Oat Bran Soluble Dietary Fiber
Authors: Zhang Min , Liang Yi , Pei Ying , Gao Weiwei , Zhang Zesheng
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACT: To evaluate the effects of processes on physicochemical properties of oat bran soluble dietary fiber (OSDF), the oat bran was processed by steam heating, superfine grinding, and extrusion, and extracted to obtain OSDF. The molecular weight distribution, monosaccharide composition, transparency, solubility, structure, and thermal and morphological properties of OSDF were investigated. The yield of OSDF increased after the processing compared to the untreated. The proportion of high molecular weight granules was higher in OSDF from extruded oat bran. The backbone of the OSDF was not changed, but the proportion of the residue linkages in OSDF was varied after the processing. Solubility and swelling power showed significant positive correlation with molecular weight distribution while transparency showed significant negative correlation with molecular weight distribution. Three processes had great impact on the physicochemical properties of OSDF. The OSDF from superfine ground oat bran showed some physical–chemical properties that might be of potential use in the food industry.
Influence of gender and menopausal status on peripheral and choroidal circulation
Authors: Kavroulaki Dimitra , Gugleta Konstantin , Kochkorov Asan , Katamay Robert , Flammer Josef , Orgul Selim
Published: September 2009

Acta Ophthalmol. 2010: 88: 850–853

Purpose:  To evaluate the influence of menopausal status and age on peripheral and ocular circulation assessed by means of continuous laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF).

Methods:  Fifty‐three healthy participants were recruited randomly. Twenty‐six men and 27 women were divided into two age groups. Choroidal blood flow was measured by LDF and peripheral circulation was measured at the fingertips (digit IV) using the Perimed PeriFlux (Järfälla, Sweden) laser Doppler System 5000. Independent t‐test and two‐way analysis of variance (anova) were performed.

Results:  Group distribution was: male/female = 14/16 for the younger group and 12/11 for the older group. Average age across groups was 31.3 ± 6.8/28.4 ± 7.0 years and 66.3 ± 8.3/61.5 ± 3.6 years, respectively. Finger and choroidal LDF flow values were significantly different between the two female age groups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively). In men this was not the case (p = 0.85 and p = 0.56, respectively). anova interaction p‐value for the factors ‘age group’ and ‘gender’ for finger LDF flow was p = 0.012, and for choroidal LDF flow p = 0.049, demonstrating significant gender differences with ageing.

Conclusion:  Menopausal status in women has significant influence on both choroidal and peripheral blood flow; the opposite behaviour occurs with ageing.
Morphological evaluation of normal human corneal epithelium
Authors: Ehlers Niels , Heegaard Steffen , Hjortdal Jesper , Ivarsen Anders , Nielsen Kim , Prause Jan Ulrik
Published: September 2009

Acta Ophthalmol. 2010: 88: 858–861

Purpose:  The human corneal epithelium is usually described as a 50‐μm‐thick layer of regular stratified squamous non‐keratinized cells with a thickness of 5–7 cells. The purpose of this study is systemically to revisit the histopathological appearance of 100 corneas.

Methods:  5‐μm‐thick sections of corneas from 100 consecutively selected paraffin‐embedded eyes were stained with hematoxylin–eosin and Periodic Acid‐Schiff (PAS). All specimens were evaluated by light microscopy. The eyes were enucleated from patients with choroidal melanoma. Corneas were considered to be normal.

Results:  Ninety of 100 eyes were evaluated. The central epithelial, stromal and total corneal thickness was measured as 36.0 μm, 618 μm and 651 μm, respectively, with a variation coefficient from 0.21 to 0.22. Pathological appearances were found in 27% of corneas, including thickened basement membrane and alterations in Bowman’s membrane. No intraepithelial microcysts, as found in Meesmann corneal dystrophy, were observed.

Conclusion:  The total corneal thickness was higher than reported in in vivo studies and with a wider variation. This may be an effect of uncontrolled swelling and dehydration during preparation. The high number of pathological observations suggests that ‘normal’ eyes harbour and potentially accumulate considerable pathology.
Free entry and social efficiency under vertical oligopoly
Authors: Ghosh Arghya , Morita Hodaka
Published: September 2009

We analyze a successive vertical oligopoly model that incorporates vertical relationships between industries and demonstrate that free entry in an industry that produces a homogeneous product can lead to a socially insufficient number of firms. This is in contrast with the proevious findings that, under Cournot oligopoloy with fixed set‐up costs, level of entry in the free‐entry equilibrium is socially excessive. It has often been argued that this result can provide a justification for apparently anticompetitive entry regulations. Our finding yields an important policy implication that such a justification is not necessarily valid when vertical relationships ar taken into account.
Association of increased serum acute‐phase protein concentrations with reproductive performance in dairy cows with postpartum metritis
Authors: Chan Jacky Peng‐Wen , Chang Chao‐Chin , Hsu Wei‐Li , Liu Wen‐Bor , Chen Ter‐Hsin
Published: September 2009

Background:It is known that quantification of bovine acute‐phase proteins could routinely provide early diagnostic and prognostic information for monitoring herd health status.

Objective:The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA) have the potential for indicating uterine infection, mainly due to subclinical endometritis, which can seriously influence the reproductive performance in dairy cows.

Methods:A total of 264 serum samples were collected from 24 Holstein dairy cows at defined intervals from 1 week prepartum to 6 months postpartum. Clinically healthy animals (Group 1,n=6) were compared with 24 animals having acute puerperal metritis (Group 2,n=18) and with concentrations obtained from healthy heifers (baseline values,n=10). The concentrations of serum Hp and SAA were measured using a hemoglobin‐binding assay and Western blot analysis, respectively. Reproductive performance was assessed as the number of days open and the conception rate at the end of the study.

Results:Upper cut‐off values for Hp and SAA concentrations in heifers were 130.9 μg/L and 51.9 μg/mL, respectively. Hp concentrations in Group 2 were significantly higher than those in Group 1 at all time points (P<.001). Additionally, among the successfully pregnant animals, the number of days open was significantly higher in 6 cows with Hp >130.9 μg/mL (median=316 days) than in 11 cows with Hp ≤130.9 μg/mL (median=120 days) (P=.0024).

Conclusions:Serum Hp and SAA concentrations can be used to recognize uterine infection in postpartum cows. The association between elevated Hp values and number of days open suggests Hp may also be a useful indicator of poor prognosis for reproductive performance.
LQR-Based Control of a Two Zone HCCI Engine Model
Authors: Tandra Varun , Srivastava Nilabh
Published: September 2009

With growing environmental concern, automobile energy consumption has become a key element in the current debate on global warming. Over the last two decades, significant research effort has been directed towards developing advanced engine technologies such as HCCI (Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition) that not only lower the exhaust emissions from an automobile, but also offers reprieve from conventional gasoline/diesel usage by promising fuel-flexibility. HCCI offers better engine performance and reduced emissions by emulating the best features of both CI (compression-ignition) and SI (spark-ignition) engines. However, accurate and reliable combustion control of an HCCI engine is an inherently challenging task. Many single-zone control-oriented HCCI models reported in literature fail to accurately estimate the peak pressures, ignition timings, and especially cylinder temperatures. Although certain multi-zone models of HCCI engines based on detail chemical kinetics and fluid mechanics have been developed, such models are too complex for the synthesis of fast and reliable control laws. Thus, considerable research effort has been directed in the present work to develop a physics-based two-zone model of a single-cylinder HCCI engine accounting for temperature and concentration inhomogeneities within the cylinder for better prediction of peak pressures, combustion timings, and exhaust temperatures. The results obtained were in consonance with the computationally intensive multi-zone models. The nonlinear model for peak pressure, ignition timing and exhaust temperature was linearized about an operating point to facilitate the development of an effective LQR (linear quadratic regulator). The model inputs include variable valve timings to effectively control peak pressures, exhaust temperatures and ignition timings.
Theoretical Study of One- and Two-Photon Absorption Properties of Organic Conjugated Materials for Photovoltaic Devices
Authors: Wang Wei , Hu Zhong , Khadka Vedbar Singh , Yan Xingzhong , Ropp Michael , Galipeau David
Published: September 2009

In the process of photovoltaic energy conversion, photons with the energy below the band-gap can not be absorbed and do not contribute to energy conversion. Frequency up-conversion describes the conversion of low energy incident photons towards higher energy photons via active materials. Two-photon absorption induced fluorescence is one of the approaches that convert low energy incident photons towards higher energy photons via active material. In this paper, quantum-chemical techniques were applied to theoretically investigate one- and two-photon absorption properties of some new molecules with “Λ” shape. Two-photon absorption cross sections of these derivatives were obtained using three-state model. Geometrical structure of molecule was optimized using Hartree-Fock Theory (HF) and properties of excited states of molecule were obtained based on Configuration Interaction with single excitations method (CIS).
Sustainable Production in the Age of Mass Customization: An Example in the Footwear Industry
Authors: Graziosi Serena , Germani Michele
Published: September 2009

It is well known that the global market is driving companies towards new productive paradigms oriented to product customization, agility and environmental sustainability. Companies have to face the problem of providing as much product variety as possible in order to rapidly satisfy a wide number of specific market segments. Even if the emerging automated agile production environments could enable them to manage product variety, in many productive fields, large waste streams, due to the practical difficulty of adapting the traditional production lines to product changes, are still present. At the same time a growing public concern for the environment, is forcing companies to investigate alternative uses for waste material. In this paper we present a practical example from the footwear industry in order to show how companies can successfully apply the concept of sustainable production taking into account the mass customization requirements but contemporarily reducing the material waste. The approach is focused on the combination in the same plant of two different production lines: one is dedicated to the primary production while the other uses the waste material to realize the secondary production.
Injection Technology of Enriched Hydrogen Gas to Reduce Sulfur Oxide and Fly Ash Emission
Authors: Prisecaru Tudor I. , Dica Corneliu , Petcu Cristian , Prisecaru Malina Mihaela , Chiriac Radu
Published: September 2009

This paper presents a CFD model and the first validation set of results concerning a new technology to inject and adsorb, under safe conditions, a hydrogen enriched gas in solid fuel that has been milled, at the burner inlets of a power designated steam boiler. The present paper presents a dynamic model of enrichment technology which refers to the improvement of the classical existent technological flow of the pulverized coal burning installation in order to prepare and burn weak volatile matters pulverized fuel. The model refers to obtain an enriched hydrogen pit coal by the injection of an hydrogen enriched gas into the average ground pulverized pit coal current, the control of the gas diffusion into the porous environment of the powder particles, process that is accelerated in comparison with other gaseous component parts due to the hydrogen atom / molecule characteristics, and finally, the adsorption of this molecule into coal particles. The complex nature of this model consists in: to issue and simulate the procedure to inject and diffuse the hydrogen enriched gas in the pulverized coal current; to design and to simulate an installation to enrich by injection the pulverized pit coal in primary mixture stream — a special attention is paid to the influence of the pit coal particles porosity upon the hydrogen adsorbing process; to develop a model to simulate the burners operation in these new conditions. Burning process of this enriched pulverized pit coal is expected to produce a strong decrease in sulfur dioxide emissions and also in the flying ash concentration at the end of the furnace. A set of preliminary experimental results concerning all aspects of this technology will be also presented. These results have been obtained on a laboratory scaled installation which is located at labs of the Politehnica University of Bucharest. This installation has a storage capacity of hydrogen, a 5000 rpm ventilator mill to prepare the solid fuel. Test equipment includes Horiba gas analyzer, high speed camera and all other facilities to determine all the operational parameters. Different types of burners can be installed at this installation in order to determine an optimal procedure.