bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A study of the relationship between albuminuria, proteinuria and urinary reagent strips
Authors: Collier Geraldine , Greenan Marie Clare , Brady Jennifer J , Murray Barbara , Cunningham Sean K
Published: April 2009

Background

The aims of this study were to examine the relationship between proteinuria and albuminuria and to assess the equivalence between the albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) and the protein to creatinine ratio (PCR) at the cut-offs recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance on chronic kidney disease. The sensitivity and specificity of the reagent strips used in our laboratory for the detection of clinical proteinuria was also assessed.

Methods

Urine samples ( n = 117) were screened for protein using the Bayer Multistix 10SG and read manually. Urinary total protein and creatinine was measured on the Roche P Modular by the benzethonium chloride and kinetic Jaffe methods, respectively. Urinary albumin was measured by immunoturbidimetry on the Roche Cobas Mira.

Results

The relationship between urinary protein and albumin loss was non-linear ( P < 0.05). As urinary protein loss increased the percentage of albumin to total protein increased. At the NICE guidance recommended cut-offs for clinical proteinuria (ACR ≥30 mg/mmol and PCR ≥50 mg/mmol) there was one discordant result between ACR and PCR (ACR <30 mg/mmol and PCR >50 mg/mmol). The Bayer Multistix 10SG had a sensitivity and specificity of 97% and 62%, respectively, for the detection of clinical proteinuria compared with ACR.

Conclusions

The proportion of urinary total protein attributable to albumin changes with concentration. There was only one discordant result between ACR and PCR: therefore either ratio may be used for the identification of clinical proteinuria. As a screening test for proteinuria, the Bayer Multistix 10SG had an acceptable sensitivity but poor specificity.
A simple automated solid-phase extraction procedure for measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and D2 by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Knox Susan , Harris John , Calton Lisa , Wallace A Michael
Published: April 2009

Background

Measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) and D2 (25OHD2) is challenging. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods have been described but they are often complex and difficult to automate. We have developed a simplified procedure involving an automated solid-phase extraction (SPE).

Methods

Internal standard (hexadeuterated 25-hydroxyvitamin D3) was added to serum or plasma followed by protein precipitation with methanol. Following centrifugation, a robotic instrument (CTC PAL [Presearch] for ITSP™ SPE [MicroLiter Analytical Supplies, Inc]) performed a six-step SPE procedure and the purified samples were injected into the LC-MS/MS. Quantification of 25OHD3 and 25OHD2 was by electrospray ionization MS/MS in the multiple-reaction monitoring mode.

Results

The lower limit of quantitation was 4.0 nmol/L for 25OHD3 and 7.5 nmol/L for 25OHD2. Within- and between-assay precision was below 10% over the concentration range of 22.5–120 nmol/L for D3 and 17.5–70 nmol/L for D2 ( n = 10). The calibration was linear up to 2500 nmol/L ( r = 0.99). Recoveries ranged between 89% and 104% for both metabolites and no ion suppression was observed. The results obtained compared well ( r = 0.96) with the IDS-OCTEIA 25-hydroxyvitamin D enzyme immunoassay for samples containing less than 125 nmol/L, at higher concentrations the immunodiagnostic system (IDS) method showed positive bias.

Conclusions

Our simplified sample preparation and automated SPE method is suitable for the measurement of 25OHD3 and D2 in a routine laboratory environment. The system can process up to 300 samples per day with no cumbersome solvent evaporation step and minimal operator intervention.
Detection of haemolysis and reporting of potassium results in samples from neonates
Authors: Jeffery Jinny , Sharma Aabha , Ayling Ruth M
Published: April 2009

Background

In vitro haemolysis is a common occurrence in clinical laboratories and causes a spurious increase in potassium. In the past, haemolysis was sought by visual inspection but is now commonly detected by automated measurement of the haemolytic index (HI). This study compared detection of haemolysis in adult and neonatal samples by inspection and measurement of HI and verified that a single equation is appropriate to correct for the increase in potassium in both haemolysed samples.

Methods

Laboratory staff inspected samples for haemolysis and their observations were compared with the measured HI. The potassium concentrations and haemolytic indices of 613 adult and 523 neonatal samples were correlated to derive equations to compensate for the increase in potassium with increase in HI. These were found not to differ significantly and a single equation for use in both populations was derived.

Results

The presence of icterus was found to decrease ability to detect haemolysis on inspection. The mean (95% confidence limits) potassium increase per unit HI was 0.0094 mmol/L (0.0078–0.0103 mmol/L) for adults and 0.0108 mmol/L (0.0094–0.0121 mmol/L) for neonates. The equation developed to compensate for potassium release in haemolysed samples was: adjusted potassium = measured potassium − (HI in μmol/L × 0.01).

Conclusion

The use of HI rather than visual inspection is particularly recommended in neonates whose serum tends to be icteric. It can be used in the same correction equation as in adults to compensate for potassium released due to haemolysis and facilitate reporting a qualitative comment to assist in immediate clinical management.
Clinical biochemistry of assisted conception
Authors: Srivastava Rajeev , Kay Vanessa
Published: April 2009

Assisted reproductive technology has shown rapid advancement since the birth of the first ‘test-tube’ baby in Oldham, UK, in 1978. Since April 2005, women between the ages of 23 and 39, who meet the described eligibility criteria, are able to get one free in vitro fertilization cycle funded by the National Health Service. Private treatment costs anything from £4000 to £8000 for a single cycle of treatment. Almost 15% of the couples in UK are affected by fertility problems and undergo detailed investigations before being offered assisted conception. Assisted reproduction is the collective name for treatments designed to lead to conception by means other than sexual intercourse. These include intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection and gamete donation. This review is intended to summarize the principles of assisted conception and examine the role of the biochemistry laboratory in: (A) the diagnosis and subsequent management of ovulatory disorders; (B) assessing ovarian reserve before initiating fertility treatment and (C) monitoring fertility treatment. It touches on the screening of potential gamete donors and follow-up of children born after assisted conception. This article was prepared at the invitation of the Clinical Sciences Reviews Committee of the Association of Clinical Biochemistry.
Ischaemia-modified albumin in dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Sbarouni Eftihia , Georgiadou Panagiota , Koutelou Maria , Sklavainas Ioannis , Panagiotakos Demosthenes , Voudris Vassilis
Published: April 2009

Background

Biomarkers of myocardial necrosis may be increased in patients with chronic heart failure. We investigated whether ischaemia-modified albumin (IMA), a marker of ischaemia, is also elevated in patients with compensated heart failure, due to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Methods

We studied 42 patients with DCM and an equal number of age-matched normal volunteers. We assessed IMA serum levels with the albumin cobalt binding test.

Results

IMA was 89.9 ± 13.1 (71–117) KU/L in the patient group and 93.9 ± 9.9 (76–122) KU/L in the control group, with no significant difference between the two ( P = 0.11). However, IMA differed significantly according to the New York Heart Association classification ( P = 0.003) and was negatively correlated with the left ventricular ejection fraction ( r = −0.40, P = 0.014).

Conclusions

We conclude that IMA, a marker of ischaemia, does not differ in patients with clinically stable DCM compared with normal subjects, but varies significantly in relation to the severity of the disease.
Morphological study on dental caries induced in WBN/KobSlc rats (Rattus norvegicus) fed a standard laboratory diet
Authors: Fukuzato Yoko , Matsuura Tetsuro , Ozaki Kiyokazu , Matsuura Masahiro , Sano Tomoya , Nakahara Yutaka , Kodama Yasushi , Nakagawa Akihito , Okamura Sumie , Suido Hirohisa , Torii Kayo , Makino Taketoshi , Narama Isao
Published: April 2009

In our previous studies, WBN/KobSlc was characterized as a rat strain in which only males began to develop pancreatitis, and then presented with diabetic symptoms. In the course of studying their pancreatic inflammation, we detected molar caries in prediabetic males feeding on a standard diet (CRF-1) widely used for experimental animals. The purpose of this study is to confirm whether the WBN/KobSlc strain is caries-susceptible to the diet reported to be non-cariogenic, and to examine the effect of a prediabetic condition on their dental caries. For a morphological study, 25 male WBN/KobSlc rats aged 3.2–7.8 months and 24 females of the same strain aged 3.3–6.6 months were used, along with 10 males and 10 females of 8.2-month-old F344 rats. Marked dental caries were detected in the mandibular molars of male and female WBN/KobSlc rats regardless of pancreatitis, although no similar changes were observed in any teeth of the F344 strain fed the same diet. Soft X-ray examination revealed that the caries began in the crown and progressed horizontally and vertically, and that a severe radiolucent lesion extensively expanded to the entire crown, corresponding to a macroscopically deleted molar. The caries had gradually developed mainly in the second mandibular molar from more than 3.5 months of age, while none were seen in any rats before that time. The WBN/KobSlc rats were caries-susceptible even to the standard laboratory diet, and pancreatitis was not directly associated with the onset of dental caries in this strain.
Electroencephalographic responses to tail clamping in anaesthetized rat pups
Authors: Diesch T J , Mellor D J , Johnson C B , Lentle R G
Published: April 2009

We investigated electroencephalographic (EEG) responses to tail clamping in lightly anaesthetized rat pups (5–22 days) in order to determine the ontogeny of EEG activity and at what age they may be capable of experiencing pain. Median frequency (F50) and spectral edge frequency (F95) of the power spectrum in the range of 1–30 Hz were determined before and after the application of a noxious stimulus and power spectra were compared by multivariate analysis. There was a postnatal increase in EEG power as, before clamping, pups aged 5–7 days exhibited isoelectric traces, whereas those aged 12–14 days and 21–22 days had intermittent EEG activity where the power in all frequencies was significantly lower at the former than at the latter age. Pups aged 5–7 days exhibited no EEG response to clamping in view of their isoelectric traces. Pups aged 12–14 days showed a significant decrease in F95 ( P = 0.002), whereas those aged 21–22 days showed highly significant reduction in F50 and F95 ( P = 0.028 and P < 0.001, respectively) as well as changes in EEG power of specific frequencies after clamping. The results and related literature suggest that rat pups aged 5–7 days and younger are not likely to perceive pain and that the ability to perceive pain develops gradually between postnatal ages 12–14 days and 21–22 days.
Cardiac arrhythmias related to continuous thermodilution cardiac output measurement in an anaesthetized sheep
Authors: Coppens P , Moens Y
Published: April 2009

A case of cardiac arrhythmias related to continuous thermodilution cardiac output (CCO) is reported. A sheep anaesthetized for experimental purpose was instrumented with a special Swan-Ganz catheter-type to be used for CCO measurements. One hour after starting the CCO monitoring, isolated ventricular extrasystoles were noticed on the electrocardiogram with an increasing frequency. Subsequently bursts of extrasystoles occurred. Atrioventricular dissociation was also observed. The peaks of temperature of the thermal filament were within the normal range and their presence was noticed when arrhythmias appeared. Mean blood pressure and cardiac output did not change during this episode. When the CCO was switched off, no more arrhythmias were observed. The CCO Swan-Ganz by itself did not generate any arrhythmia. The sheep recovered uneventfully. When arrhythmias occur during anaesthesia where CCO is used, a thermal filament induced origin of the arrhythmia must be considered.
Reported analgesic administration to rabbits, pigs, sheep, dogs and non-human primates undergoing experimental surgical procedures
Authors: Coulter C A , Flecknell P A , Richardson C A
Published: April 2009

Reported analgesic use following experimental surgery is low in rodents and there has been little published information on the frequency of analgesic use in other laboratory species. A structured literature review was conducted to examine analgesic administration in larger laboratory animals. The Scirus search engine was used to identify studies published in peer-reviewed journals that reported carrying out experimental surgery on ‘large’ laboratory animals, specifically rabbits, pigs, sheep, dogs and non-human primates. Seventy-four studies between 2000 and 2001 and 75 studies between 2005 and 2006 were included in the review. There was an increase in the reported administration of systemic analgesics to these species from 50% in 2000–2001 to 63% in 2005–2006. When all agents with analgesic properties were considered (systemic analgesics, local anaesthetics and anaesthetics with analgesic components), the proportion of papers that reported some form of analgesic administration to ‘large’ laboratory animals increased from 86% in 2000–2001 to 89% in 2005–2006. Overall rabbits, pigs, sheep, dogs and non-human primates were more likely to receive analgesics following potentially painful experimental procedures than has been reported in laboratory rodents but analgesic administration to ‘large’ laboratory species is still not optimal.
Longitudinal as well as age-matched assessments of bone changes in the mature ovariectomized rat model
Authors: Leitner M M , Tami A E , Montavon P M , Ito K
Published: April 2009

In the past, bone loss in the ovariectomized (OVX) osteoporotic rat model has been monitored using in vitro micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to assess bone structure (bone volume/total volume, BV/TV). The purpose of this study was to assess the importance of baseline control and sham groups in 12–16-week-old, reproductively mature rats. Measurements were carried out in a longitudinal and age-matched fashion using newer in vivo peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), which measures apparent bone mineral density (BMD). BMD was measured at the distal femoral metaphysis of 12-week-old female Wistar rats with pQCT. Subsequently, animals were either OVX or sham operated, and pQCT measurements were repeated four weeks later. Then, all rats were euthanized and in vitro BMD and BV/TV were obtained by micro-CT imaging. Results from three consistently differentiated regions of interest showed that there was significant bone loss and growth during the four weeks in the OVX and sham group, respectively. Taking this into account, i.e. a posteriori superimposing growth to loss, no differences resulted between BMD values measured in a longitudinal fashion with pQCT and that measured in comparison with an age-matched sham group with micro-CT and pQCT. In addition, there was a strong linear correlation between BMD measured with pQCT and BV/TV obtained from micro-CT. In conclusion, this outcome provides new insights into individual bone changes due to OVX and growth in Wistar rats during the age period of 12–16 weeks, which is often applied in osteoporosis research as the ‘mature’ rat model. Data can be used as baseline information upon which future in vivo study designs with this rat model can refer to reduce and minimize animal use.
A new method for induction and synchronization of oestrus and fertile ovulations in mice by using exogenous hormones
Authors: Pallares P , Gonzalez-Bulnes A
Published: April 2009

Four consecutive experiments were conducted to design and establish the effectiveness of different protocols for induction and synchronization of oestrus and ovulation in mice. Results showed that the highest synchronization degree and the highest fertility rates were obtained using two intraperitoneal doses of 0.5 μg of cloprostenol, three days apart, plus a single subcutaneous dose of 3 μg of progesterone coincidentally with the first injection of cloprostenol. Of the main advantages of the new method, we have to highlight the short time elapsed for appearance, and the high degree of synchronization of oestrus and ovulations (almost 100% of the animals responding to the treatment in 48 h; 78.4% with fertile mates at 24 h), plus the high fertility rate obtained after a programmed mating (100%). Overall, these yields are superior to those obtained by classical methods based on the use of male pheromones; hence the proposed protocol arises as an adequate alternative for reproductive management in mice.
DNA analysis from stool samples: a fast and reliable method avoiding invasive sampling methods in mouse models of bleeding disorders
Authors: Kalippke Katy , Werwitzke Sonja , von Hornung Marcus , Mischke Reinhard , Ganser Arnold , Tiede Andreas
Published: April 2009

Mouse models with targeted disruptions of coagulation factor genes are used to study disorders of haemostasis such as haemophilia. Standard protocols to obtain biopsies for genotyping in breeding programmes are based on invasive sampling methods such as tail clipping. These procedures imply a high risk of fatal bleeding, especially in haemophilic mouse models. Here we used a non-invasive sampling method obtaining stool samples for DNA isolation in a breeding programme, aiming to introduce targeted disruptions of Fc receptor genes (Fc gamma receptor IIB and III) into the haemophilia A mouse model (factor VIII deficiency). Faecal pellets were reliably obtained from individual mice and high-quality DNA was extracted with a mean yield of 7.1 μg/pellet. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of wild-type and knockout alleles for Fc receptor and factor VIII genes was similar, comparing stool and peripheral blood as the source of genomic DNA. Definite genotype identification was achieved in a first attempt in 336 of 352 analyses (95%). Repeated analysis of homozygous knockout animals confirmed the first result in all cases. No animal was lost due to bleeding from the procedure. In conclusion, DNA isolation from stool is a preferable method for genotyping in laboratory animals, especially in models of bleeding disorders. Avoiding loss of animals due to bleeding implies a substantial improvement in animal welfare by reducing the number of animals used and may also advance the effectiveness of breeding programmes in these disease models.
The diet board: welfare impacts of a novel method of dietary restriction in laboratory rats
Authors: Kasanen I H E , Inhilä K J , Vainio O M , Kiviniemi V V , Hau J , Scheinin M , Mering S M , Nevalainen T O
Published: April 2009

Laboratory rats are commonly fed ad libitum (AL). Moderate dietary restriction (DR) decreases mortality and morbidity when compared with AL feeding, but there are several obstacles to the implementation of DR. Traditional methods of restricted feeding disrupt normal diurnal eating rhythms and are not compatible with group housing. We have designed a novel method, the diet board, to restrict the feeding of group-housed rats. Animals fed from the diet board had 15% lower body weight than the AL-fed animals at the age of 17 weeks. The welfare effects of diet board feeding were assessed by comparing the stress physiology of diet board fed animals with that of AL-fed animals. Diet board feeding was associated with higher serum corticosterone levels and lower faecal secretion of IgA, suggesting the diet board causes a stress reaction. However, the AL-fed group had larger adrenal glands with higher adrenaline and noradrenaline content than the diet board animals. No gastric ulcers were found in any of the animals at necropsy. The diet board thus appears to cause a stress reaction when compared with AL-fed rats, but no apparent pathology was associated with this reaction. The diet board could help to solve the health problems associated with AL feeding, while allowing the rats to be group-housed and to maintain their normal diurnal eating rhythms. The diet board can also be seen as a functional cage furniture item, dividing the cage into compartments and thus increasing the structural complexity of the environment. In conclusion, the diet board appears to possess refinement potential compared with traditional methods of DR.
Effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in domestic pigs with focus on the amino acid metabolism
Authors: Jensen-Waern M , Andersson M , Kruse R , Nilsson B , Larsson R , Korsgren O , Essén-Gustavsson B
Published: April 2009

Streptozotocin (STZ) given intravenously destroys pancreatic beta cells and is widely used in animal models to mimic type 1 diabetes. The effects of STZ on the clinical state of health and metabolism were studied in six high health certified domestic pigs weighing 19 ± 1.3 kg at the start of the experiment. A single STZ dose of 150 mg/kg of body weight successfully induced hyperglycaemia and alterations in amino acid metabolism. Within 9 h after STZ administration, the blood glucose values fell from 5.4–7.5 mmol/L to 0.8–2.2 mmol/L. Hypoglycaemia was treated with 0.5 g glucose/kg body weight. In all pigs, hyperglycaemia was produced 24 h after STZ treatment, and 3 days after STZ injection, the glucose concentration was >25 mmol/L. Mean C-peptide concentration was 0.25 ± 0.16 μg/L since 2 days after STZ injection until the end of the study. The serum concentration of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) increased four-fold, and alanine and taurine decreased by approximately 70% and 50%, respectively, after STZ treatment. All but one pig remained brisk and the physical examination was normal except for a retarded growth rate and a reduction of the skeletal muscle. At the end of the study, the pigs were moderately emaciated. Postmortem examination confirmed muscle wasting and a reduction of abdominal and subcutaneous fat. In conclusion, STZ-induced diabetes in pigs fulfils the requirements for a good animal model for type 1 diabetes with respect to clinical signs of the disease and alterations in the carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism.
Microsatellite analysis in two populations of Kunming mice
Authors: Shang Haitao , Wei Hong , Yue Bingfei , Xu Ping , Huang Honggang
Published: April 2009

Kunming mice are the most widely used outbred colony in China. Differences in biological characters and drug reactions among different populations have been observed when using Kunming mice. But the molecular genetic profiles of Kunming mice and the extent of genetic differentiation among populations are unclear. Fifteen microsatellite markers were screened by a fluorescence-based semi-automated genotyping method for the two main populations of Kunming mice from Beijing (BJ) and Shanghai (SH) in China. The observed number of alleles, effective number of alleles, observed heterozygosity, unbiased expected heterozygosity and Shannon information index were used to estimate the genetic variation within the populations. A total of 89 alleles were detected in the two populations, with two to 12 at each locus, and the mean unbiased expected heterozygosity was 0.5724, which implies that there is abundant genetic variation in the populations of Kunming mice. Population differentiation was shown by shared alleles, F-statistics, Nei genetic distance and Nei genetic identity. In population BJ and population SH, respectively, only 35 of 61 and 35 of 63 alleles were shared by both. The Fst per locus varied from 0.0131 (D2Mit30) to 0.5697 (D7Mit281) and the average Fst of all loci was 0.1433, which indicates moderate genetic differentiation between the two Kunming mouse populations. The differences were also observed by Nei's [Genetic distance between populations. Am Nat 1972;106:283–92]1 genetic distance (0.3987) and Nei's [Estimation of average heterozygosity and genetic distance from a small number of individuals. Genetics 1978;89:583–90]2 unbiased measures of genetic distance (0.3881) estimates of subdivision. This research on Kunming mouse genetic diversity will assist in developing a national plan for the unification and standardization of the populations of Kunming mice in China.
Pilot Model: Judging Alternate Modes of Dispensing Prophylaxis in Los Angeles County
Authors: Richter Anke , Khan Sinan
Published: April 2009

In large metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles County (LAC), public health departments must supplement their traditional methods of dispensing prophylaxis to the general public in their jurisdictions during mass biological and chemical events. Although many alternate modes of dispensing are being discussed, a quantitative model to compare their relative advantages and disadvantages does not exist. We use multicriteria decision analysis to help the LAC Department of Public Health (DPH) assess the trade-offs associated with these alternate modes of dispensing oral prophylaxis. We found that one of the most hyped methods (drive-thru dispensing) is not a good choice for LAC. Our baseline analysis shows that the top two alternatives, dispensing through commercial pharmacies and dispensing through the United States Postal Service, are equally effective. Either alternative would be acceptable; the final decision could be made on either legal or political grounds. Our analysis provided the DPH with much insight into to its decision problem. It could become part of the justification of proposals for alternate dispensing plans to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, the DPH has hired a consulting firm to pursue business participation, including commercial pharmacies, for dispensing mass prophylaxis.
A Simulation Model to Compare Strategies for the Reduction of Health-Care–Associated Infections
Authors: Hagtvedt Reidar , Griffin Paul , Keskinocak Pınar , Roberts Rebecca
Published: April 2009

Cook County Hospital, like many hospitals in the United States and worldwide, is pursuing a strategy to combat health-care–associated infections (HAIs). In the United States, approximately two million people are infected each year and over 100,000 die. In this paper, an interdisciplinary team of researchers from Georgia Tech and Cook County Hospital, with backgrounds in engineering, economics, and medicine, analyze the flow of pathogens. We combine infection rates and cost data to build a discrete-event simulation model to capture the complex relationships between hand hygiene, isolation, demand, and costs. We find that both hand hygiene and isolation policies have a significant impact on rates of infection, and that a complex interplay between factors exists. This suggests that a systems-level approach to infection-control procedures will be required to contain health-care–associated infections.
Rebuttal of “Polar Bear Population Forecasts: A Public-Policy Forecasting Audit”
Authors: Amstrup Steven C. , Caswell Hal , DeWeaver Eric , Stirling Ian , Douglas David C. , Marcot Bruce G. , Hunter Christine M.
Published: April 2009

Observed declines in the Arctic sea ice have resulted in a variety of negative effects on polar bears (Ursus maritimus). Projections for additional future declines in sea ice resulted in a proposal to list polar bears as a threatened species under the United States Endangered Species Act. To provide information for the Department of the Interior's listing-decision process, the US Geological Survey (USGS) produced a series of nine research reports evaluating the present and future status of polar bears throughout their range. In response, Armstrong et al. [Armstrong, J. S., K. C. Green, W. Soon. 2008. Polar bear population forecasts: A public-policy forecasting audit. Interfaces 38(5) 382–405], which we will refer to as AGS, performed an audit of two of these nine reports. AGS claimed that the general circulation models upon which the USGS reports relied were not valid forecasting tools, that USGS researchers were not objective or lacked independence from policy decisions, that they did not utilize all available information in constructing their forecasts, and that they violated numerous principles of forecasting espoused by AGS. AGS (p. 382) concluded that the two USGS reports were “unscientific and inconsequential to decision makers.” We evaluate the AGS audit and show how AGS are mistaken or misleading on every claim. We provide evidence that general circulation models are useful in forecasting future climate conditions and that corporate and government leaders are relying on these models to do so. We clarify the strict independence of the USGS from the listing decision. We show that the allegations of failure to follow the principles of forecasting espoused by AGS are either incorrect or are based on misconceptions about the Arctic environment, polar bear biology, or statistical and mathematical methods. We conclude by showing that the AGS principles of forecasting are too ambiguous and subjective to be used as a reliable basis for auditing scientific investigations. In summary, we show that the AGS audit offers no valid criticism of the USGS conclusion that global warming poses a serious threat to the future welfare of polar bears and that it only serves to distract from reasoned public-policy debate.
Performance of Fibrous Concrete under Sulfate Cyclic Treatment
Authors: Haddad Rami H. , Andrawes Abeer T.
Published: April 2009

An experimental study was undertaken to investigate the potential of using steel fibers in controlling expansion and reducing damage of concrete under cyclic treatment in a sulfate solution. Cylindrical (100 × 200 mm) and prism (70 × 70 × 300 mm) concrete specimens were prepared without and with different volumetric fractions (0.5–2 %) of hooked steel (HS), brass-coated steel (BCS), or a blend of both fibers, before being cured for three weeks, and subjected to sulfate cyclic treatment in 5 % Na2SO4 solution for about 4 months. Throughout the treatment period, cracking initiation and development were monitored and expansion-time history established for the concrete prisms whereas compressive mechanical properties of the concrete cylinders were obtained and compared to those of controls. Fibrous concrete mixtures experienced less expansion and cracking extent under sulfate cyclic treatment as compared to those of plain concrete. HS at volumetric fractions of 1 to 2 % contributed more to reducing expansion and delaying cracking as compared to that of BCS fibers. Under sulfate cyclic treatment, concrete mixtures with fibers showed higher residuals for compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, toughness, and the strain at peak stress as compared to those of plain concrete. The statistical model developed for predicting the residual compressive strength as a function of induced strain, fiber type, and content showed excellent fit of the data used. Use of steel fibers in concrete contributes to maintaining its mechanical properties and elongates its lifetime in structures that are located in sulfate contaminated environments.
Analysis of Stress Concentration around Inclusions due to Thermally Induced Strain to the Steel Matrix
Authors: Allazadeh M. R. , Garcia C. I. , DeArdo A. J. , Lovell M. R.
Published: April 2009

A finite element method (FEM) was employed to aid in the thermodynamic analysis of the cooling process of steel containing nonmetallic inclusions in a homogenous, isotropic, single-phase steel matrix. Three different contact techniques available in ANSYS were used in a 2-D model of Al2O3 inclusions in a 1010 steel grade to define different types of inclusion-steel interfaces. Comparisons of these numerical techniques examine the effect of the characteristic of the interface on the residual stress concentration zone around inclusions embedded in a steel matrix with an initially free stress state and their thermal interaction during the cooling process from 1300°C. Results are presented to discuss the significance of the inclusion surface and boundary conditions (axisymmetric and fully constrained) on the stress distribution within the stress concentration zone in the vicinity of the interface.
Malignus nyelőcső-obstructio palliatiója öntáguló fémsztent behelyezésévelr
Authors: Tolmácsi Balázs , Rábai Kálmán , Szamosi Tamás , Czeglédi Zsófia , Gyökeres Tibor , Zsigmond Ferenc , Banai János
Published: April 2009

Absztrakt

Háttér: A nyelőcsőszűkületet okozó daganat kiindulási helye általában maga a nyelőcső, de okozhat stenosist a cardia, a tüdő, a mediastinum tumora és ritka esetekben mammatumor metastasisa is. Az ilyen esetek nagy része inoperábilis, általában a betegség előrehaladott stádiuma, illetve a komorbiditás és az életkor miatt. A betegek többsége ezért csak palliatív terápiában részesülhet. A legáltalánosabb és az életminőséget leginkább befolyásoló tünet a dysphagia, melynek megoldására több lehetőség is kínálkozik. Dolgozatunkban az öntáguló fémsztentekkel szerzett tapasztalatainkat foglaljuk össze. Betegek és módszerek: 2003–2008 között tumoros nyelészavar/-képtelenség miatt osztályunkon összesen 64 betegnél (15 nő / 49 férfi) végeztünk 68 endoscopos sztentbehelyezést. Radiológiai kivizsgálást követően a tumor pozíciója alapján distalisan nyitódó antireflux-billentyűvel ellátott vagy a nélküli fedett sztenteket alkalmaztunk, egy esetben proximalisan nyitódó fedett sztent került behelyezésre a tumor magas pozíciója miatt. Célunk a per os táplálhatóság biztosítása, illetve az esetleges fistulák fedése volt. Erdemények: A nyelés minden esetben jelentősen javult. A dysphagia score a sztentbehelyezés előtt átlagosan 3,2 volt, míg a sztent behelyezése után 1,7-re csökkent. Fontos adat, hogy a fistulák zárása minden esetben eredményes volt. A sztentek behelyezése kapcsán technikai problémák alacsony arányban (2/68 – 2,94%) adódtak. A beavatkozásokat követően egy esetben észleltünk 7 napon belül migratiót. Egy betegnél a beavatkozást követően 2 nappal nem fatális myocardialis infarctus alakult ki. Késői szövődményként tumorbenövés, illetve túlnövés öt alkalommal, vérzéses szövődmény összesen négy alkalommal jelentkezett. Fistulaképződést három esetben észleltünk. Hét napon túli sztentmigratio két esetben következett be. Resztentelésre összesen négy esetben, falatelakadás miatt ismételt endoscopos beavatkozásra három esetben került sor. Következtetések: A dysphagia-értékek javulása bizonyítja, hogy a fémsztentek hatékonyan javítják a betegek nyelési funkcióját. Tapasztalataink alapján a sztentfüggő szövődmények összaránya alacsony. Véleményünk szerint az öntáguló fémsztentekkel végzett nyelőcső-intubatio biztonságosan és eredményesen alkalmazható a malignus oesophagus obstructio palliatív terápiájában.
Hegrák kialakulása korrozív sérülés miatt subtotalisan resecált nyelőcsőbenr
Authors: Szabó Melinda , Pavlovics Gábor , Papp András , Horváth Örs Péter
Published: April 2009

Absztrakt

Bevezetés: Korrozív sérülést követően a hegrák kialakulásának potenciális veszélye miatt a sebészi ellátásban máig vitatott kérdés, hogy minden esetben kell-e a sérült nyelőcsövet resecálni vagy elegendő a szimpla bypass-műtét. Esetismertetés: 56 éves nőbetegnél lúgivás következtében kialakult nyelőcsőstrictura miatt nyelőcsőresectio történt intramediastinalis colonpótlással. 28 évvel később progrediáló nyelési panaszok, fogyás hátterében epidermoid nyelőcső-carcinoma igazolódott a maradék nyelőcsőben. Sikeres neoadjuváns kemoradioterápiát követően klinikánkon a maradék nyelőcső resectiója és szabad jejunum-transzplantáció történt. A posztoperatív 14. napon szövődménymentes gyógyulást követően, jó nyelési funkcióval otthonába emittáltuk. Megbeszélés: Bemutatott esetünkben 28 évvel a nyelőcső-resectio után és több mint 50 évvel a korrozív sérülést követően alakult ki hegrák a maradék nyelőcsőben, mely egy újabb érv a bypass mellett.
Extraabdominalis desmoid tumorral megjelenő Gardner-syndromás beteg kezelésével szerzett hosszú távú tapasztalataink és irodalmi áttekintésr
Authors: Mátrai Zoltán , Papp János , Polgár Csaba , Hitre Erika , Köves István , Oláh Edit , Andi Judit , Kiss Andrea , Vámosi Nagy István , Tóth László , Orosz Zsolt
Published: April 2009

Absztrakt

A Gardner-syndroma a familiaris adenomatosus polyposis klinikai altípusa, autosomalis dominánsan öröklődő betegség, amelyet a gastrointestinalis traktus polyposisa és extraintestinalis elváltozások jellemeznek, mint multiplex osteomák, valamint bőr- és lágyrésztumorok. A Gardner-syndromához társuló desmoid tumorok terápiás kihívást jelenthetnek. A szerzők egy 17 éves nőbeteg esetét mutatják be, akinél a Gardner-syndroma a lumbalis régió agresszív desmoid tumorával jelent meg. A beteget a 80 hónapos utánkövetés során sebészileg, non-steroid gyulladáscsökkentőkkel, tamoxifennel és sugárterápiával kezeltük. Következtetésként elmondhatjuk, hogy familiaris adenomatosus polyposisban vagy Gardner-syndromában a desmoid tumorok megjelenése megelőzheti a betegség gastrointestinalis manifesztációját. Az ilyen betegeknél genetikai vizsgálatot és colonoscopiát kell végezni, megelőzendő a későbbi colorectalis rosszindulatú daganat kialakulását. A desmoid tumor multidisciplinaris kezelést igényel.
Hereditaer Nonpolyposis Colorectalis Carcinoma előfordulásával szerzett tapasztalatainkr
Authors: Tanyi Miklós
Published: April 2009

Absztrakt

Bevezetés:A Hereditaer Nonpolyposis Colorectalis Carcinoma (HNPCC) a leggyakrabban előforduló, vastagbéldaganatok kialakulására hajlamosító öröklődő megbetegedés. Az összes vastagbéldaganat mintegy 3–5%-áért felelős. Előfordulásával kapcsolatos magyarországi adatok még nem állnak rendelkezésre.Betegek és módszer:1997–2006 között 809 vastag-béldaganatban szenvedő beteg családi anamnaesisét mértük fel. Első vizsgálati szakban retrospektív, a második szakban prospektív adatszerzést alkalmaztunk. Ezt követően immunhisztokémiai és mikroszatellita-instabilitási vizsgálatokat végeztünk, majd DNS-szekvenálás és multiplex ligatio dependens próba amplifikációs módszer segítségével kerestük a betegség hátterében álló MMR gének mutációit és a nagy deletiókat.Eredmények:Vizsgálataink során 10 patogén mutációt és számos polimorfizmust találtunk. Hét mutációt az Amszterdam Kritériumokat egyértelműen teljesítő családok között, hármat pedig a Bethesda Kritériumokat teljesítő családok esetén sikerült igazolnunk. A valós populációs adatokat reprezentáló második vizsgálati szakban a betegeink 6%-a egyértelműen teljesítette az Amszterdam Kritériumokat, és a betegek 1,7%-ában tudtuk igazolni valamelyik MMR gén patogén mutációját.Összefoglalás:Tíz igazolt patogén mutáció közül nyolcat munkacsoportunk közölt elsőként. Nem tudtunk igazolni ismétlődően előforduló mutációkat. A mutációk elszórtan helyezkednek el a különböző MMR gének különböző exonjain. A teljes vizsgálati soron átesett Amszterdam-pozitív családjaink 77%-ában tudtunk mutációt igazolni, mely megelőzi a nemzetközi adatokat. A patogén mutációt hordozó családok 30%-a nem került volna felismerésre az Amszterdam Kritériumok egyedüli alkalmazásával. Az Amszterdam és Bethesda Kritériumok egyidejű alkalmazása szükséges ahhoz, hogy lehetőleg minden mutációhordozó családot felismerjünk.
Toxicity of Rotenone and Antimycin to Silver Carp and Bighead Carp
Authors: Rach Jeff J. , Boogaard Michael , Kolar Cynthia
Published: April 2009

The general public, natural resource managers, and government agencies have become increasingly concerned about the continued spread of silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and bighead carp H. nobilis in the Mississippi River basin and their potential spread into the Great Lakes. An integrated approach of chemical, biological, and physical measures is needed to reduce Asian carp populations in these waters. Rotenone and antimycin are the only general piscicides that are registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for controlling fish populations. Considerable information is available regarding the toxicity of these chemicals to numerous fish species. However, there is little available toxicity information indicating the potential for these chemicals to control Asian carp. In this study, Prenfish (5% rotenone) and antimycin (90% antimycin-A) toxicities to silver carp and bighead carp were assessed in acute toxicity and effective contact time tests. Each acute toxicity test consisted of fish being exposed to nine concentrations of a toxicant for 96 h in a static bath. In effective contact time tests, silver carp and bighead carp were exposed to the toxicants for 2, 4, 8, 12, or 24 h in a static bath. After each chemical exposure period, fish were transferred to recovery tanks containing freshwater for a 96-h mortality evaluation period. Tests were conducted at 12, 20, or 27°C, and all concentrations were tested in triplicate. Effective contact time tests more accurately estimated expected field treatment mortality than did acute toxicity tests for exposures of 12 h or less. The acute toxicity trials for silver carp and bighead carp underestimated antimycin toxicity for 12-h exposures and overestimated Prenfish toxicity. In effective contact time trials, Prenfish-treated fish became immobilized early in the exposures and appeared moribund; however, many of these fish recovered in freshwater. Antimycin-treated fish that appeared unaffected by the chemical later died when placed in recovery tanks. Some native fish species survived antimycin or Prenfish exposures that killed Asian carp; however, the differences in sensitivity between these native fish species and Asian carp are not sufficient to permit selective removal of Asian carp from natural bodies of water. Prenfish and antimycin were both more toxic in warmer water than in cooler water, and both compounds would be toxic to Asian carp if applied within label concentration guidelines.
Indirect Care: The Measure of how We Support Our Staff
Authors: Suby ChrysMarie
Published: April 2009

This article explores the challenges of managing nursing labor resources in acute care hospital settings, with particular attention to indirect care support staff and to budgeting for the back-fill needed to cover labor hours on the unit when staff are absent for education programs and meetings. Because nursing is usually the largest portion of caregiver hours, appropriately supporting the work of nursing is critically important.
EMDR Treatment of Workplace Trauma A Case Series
Authors: Rost Christine , Hofmann Arne , Wheeler Kathleen
Published: April 2009

Violence and aggression in the workplace is an increasing international concern. No studies have yet determined the most efficacious psychotherapeutic strategies to alleviate the consequences of workplace violence, and none have identified interventions that might fortify workers who are repeatedly exposed to danger. This case series describes the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment of seven bank employees and one transportation worker who suffered repeated acute traumatization. The Impact of Events Scale, the Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome 10-Questions Inventory, and the Beck Depression Inventory were used to measure changes in symptom severity. Results showed that EMDR effectively reduced symptoms and may provide a possible protective buffer in situations of ongoing workplace violence.
Intervening Early With EMDR on Military Operations A Case Study
Authors: Wesson Matthew , Gould Matthew
Published: April 2009

The U.K. armed forces are currently involved in a number of military operations throughout the world. Offering structured psychological interventions such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in theater has a number of potential advantages. This single-case study describes how the EMDR recent event protocol (Shapiro, 1995) was used in theater with a 27-year-old active-duty U.K. soldier who was experiencing an acute stress reaction after treating a land mine casualty. The intervention took place 2 weeks posttrauma with four sessions conducted on consecutive days, resulting in a positive outcome, with the soldier able to return immediately to frontline duties. Treatment response was assessed with administration of four standardized measures at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 18-month follow-up. Treatment effects remained at 18-month follow-up. The challenges of conducting EMDR in operational theaters and clinical implications are explored.
Influence of nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations and ratios on Lemna gibba growth responses to triclosan in laboratory and stream mesocosm experiments
Authors: Fulton Barry A. , Brain Richard A. , Usenko Sascha , Back Jeffrey A. , King Ryan S. , Brooks Bryan W.
Published: April 2009

The effects of co-occurring nutrient and contaminant stressors are very likely to interact in aquatic systems, particularly at the level of primary producers. Site-specific nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations are often much lower and differ in relative availability than those used in nutrient-saturated laboratory assays for aquatic plants, which can introduce uncertainty in prospective ecological hazard and risk assessments. Because triclosan, an antimicrobial agent included in personal care products, potentially presents high relative risk among antimicrobial agents to aquatic plants and algae, we performed laboratory experiments with the model aquatic macrophyte Lemna gibba across a gradient of environmentally relevant N:P levels with and without triclosan co-exposure. Frond numbers (7 d) were significantly higher in N:P treatments of 16 and 23 but were lower in N:P of 937 and 2,500 treatments relative to standardized control media (N:P = 3). When triclosan co-exposure occurred at high nutrient concentrations, frond number median effective concentration values at N:P 0.75, 3, and 16 were more than twofold lower than triclosan median effective concentration values in low nutrient media N:P ratios. However, a triclosan median effective concentration for frond number was twofold lower at N:P of 2,500 than at other N:P ratios in low concentration media. Influences of P enrichment on triclosan toxicity to L. gibba were further explored during a 14-d outdoor experimental stream mesocosm study. Effects of 2.6 and 20.8 μg L−1 triclosan on L. gibba growth rates were more pronounced with increasing P treatment levels, which was generally consistent with our laboratory observations. Findings from these laboratory and field studies indicate that site-specific nutrient concentrations and ratios should be considered during assessments of primary producer responses to chemical stressors.
Rediscussion of charged dilaton-axion black hole entropy
Authors: Wang Chunyan , Gui Yuanxing
Published: April 2009

We rediscuss the entropy of a charged dilaton-axion black hole for both the asymptotically flat and non-flat cases by using the thin film brick-wall model. This improved method avoids some drawbacks in the original brick-wall method such as the small mass approximation, neglecting the logarithm term, and taking the term L
3 as the contribution of the vacuum surrounding the black hole. The entropy we obtain turns out to be proportional to the horizon area of the black hole, conforming to the Bekenstein-Hawking area-entropy formula for black holes.