bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental and numerical investigation of cavity-based supersonic flow and combustion
Authors: Wang Hongbo , Wang Zhenguo , Sun Mingbo , Qin Ning
Published: April 2013

The characteristics of cavity-based supersonic flow and combustion in a scramjet combustor are investigated both experimentally and numerically. Cavities with depth D = 8 mm, length-to-depth ratio L/D = 4 or 7 and aft angle A = 22.5, 45 or 90° are considered. In non-reacting flows, the cavity shear layer dives deeper into the cavity with decreasing aft angle, resulting in a more intense impingement of the shear layer on the aft wall and a stronger trailing edge shock but weaker oscillations within the cavity as well as a smaller penetration of the upstream-injected hydrogen jet. The cavity with larger aft angle is beneficial to promote the instabilities evolving in the jet-mixing layer and accelerate the breakdown of the counter-rotating vortices, resulting in more rapid fuel–air mixing. In reacting flows, the cavity with larger aft angle also exhibits stronger oscillations and higher combustion efficiency with no greater total pressure loss. The results indicate that cavities with larger aft angle may be more beneficial to enhance the supersonic mixing and combustion as long as the oscillations are not too violent to induce blowout or blowoff of the cavity-stabilized combustion.
Ageing of thermoplastic umbilical hose materials used in a marine environment I – Polyethylene
Authors: Pethrick Richard A , Banks William M , Brodesser Monika
Published: April 2013

This study of the behaviour of high-density polyethylene umbilical hoses subjected to constant and cyclic variation of pressure and temperatures attempts to simulate the temperatures and stresses experienced in offshore operations. The hoses are used to carry fluids to the top of the wellhead and provide protection for the electrical and optical controls systems. Measurements are reported for exposures at 40℃, 70℃ and 100℃ in water, methanol and xylene, using an applied pressure of 200 bar. The changes in the physical properties of the hose were monitored by measurement of the tensile properties, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and gravimetric uptake of the fluids. Significant changes occur immediately on application of pressure and reflect changes in crystallinity. The rates and extent of the modifications depend primarily on the ageing temperature but are also influenced by the fluid. Water has little effect on the rate at which ageing occurs, whereas xylene, which is a potential solvent for high-density polyethylene, exhibits characteristics of plasticization. Methanol behaves as a weak solvent and shows characteristics intermediate between xylene and water. Burst tests carried out on the aged material show that significant loss in strength is only observed with the highest temperatures and most aggressive solvent systems. The study indicates that engineers should use pressure-aged rather than initial materials data when designing umbilical hose systems.
Childhood Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Owens Scott
Published: April 2013

There have been dramatic increases over the past several decades in the prevalence of childhood obesity and childhood metabolic syndrome in the United States and other industrialized nations. Since the 2 conditions carry negative health implications, both during childhood and later in life, it is important for health care professionals to stay abreast of the current literature relative to both conditions. This review will examine definitional issues, prevalence rates, causative factors, and health consequences associated with childhood obesity and the metabolic syndrome, as well as current thinking regarding prevention and treatment efforts. The review will conclude with recommendations relative to future research needs.
Comparison of low and atmospheric pressure air plasma treatment of polyethylene
Authors: Kikani P , Desai B , Prajapati S , Arun P , Chauhan N , Nema S K
Published: April 2013

Surface activation of polyethylene (PE) samples has been carried out using low pressure plasmas (at two different operating frequencies, namely, 40 kHz and 13·56 MHz) and dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) (50 Hz frequency and at atmospheric pressure), and the results are compared. The surface of the PE samples has been exposed to these different plasmas for various time durations ranging from 1 to 30 min. The treated samples have also been studied for their aging behaviour by exposing them to the ambient atmosphere for up to 7 days. The plasma induced morphological changes were studied using an scanning electron microscope and an atomic force microscope, while the formation of various functional groups was identified using Fourier transform infrared analysis. The surface energy values were observed to increase from 27·5 dyne cm−1 (of untreated PE) to 73·8 and 52·2 dyne cm−1 after low pressure 40 kHz and 13·56 MHz air plasma treatment respectively and to 35·6 dyne cm−1 after the DBD air plasma treatment. The low pressure plasma treatment at an operating frequency of 40 kHz has produced the best results in the surface activation of PE. During the aging process, the formation of C = C bonds was observed on the surface of PE.
Regional differences in diabetes prevalence and awareness between coastal and interior provinces in China: a population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Xu Shaoyong , Ming Jie , Xing Ying , Gao Bin , Yang Chunbao , Ji Qiuhe , Chen Gang
Published: April 2013

Background

Most studies on diabetes prevalence and awareness in China are regional or about a single province, and differences between coastal and interior provinces have not been discussed even in the nation-based studies. The aim of this study was to determine regional differences in diabetes prevalence and awareness between coastal and interior provinces, and to identify the factors associated with diabetes prevalence and awareness.

Methods

Provinces Fujian and Shaanxi were chosen to represent the coastal and interior provinces, respectively. The data of two provinces were from the China National Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Study 2007–08. A total of 5926 people (Fujian 2672 and Shaanxi 3254) aged above 20 years were included as participants in the study. Age-standardized prevalence and awareness were compared between provinces. Logistic regression analysis was performed not only to examine risk factors of diabetes prevalence and awareness, but also to examine the association between regional difference and diabetes prevalence and awareness.

Results

The age-standardized prevalence of diabetes in Fujian was higher than that in Shaanxi among total (11.5% vs. 8.0%), male (13.6% vs. 8.9%) and female (10.8% vs. 7.4%) populations. Diabetes awareness for total and male population in Fujian was higher than that in Shaanxi (42.3% vs. 34.9% and 46.8% vs. 35.2%, respectively). Age, sex, central obesity, family history of diabetes, and metabolic risk factors were all significantly associated with diabetes prevalence in both provinces. However, cigarette smoking was significantly associated with prevalence in Fujian and physical activity was significantly associated with the prevalence in Shaanxi. Family history of diabetes was the only independent risk factor of diabetes awareness in both provinces. After being adjusted for all listed risk factors, the regional difference of diabetes prevalence was still significant, but that of diabetes awareness lost significance.

Conclusions

Both diabetes prevalence and awareness were higher in coastal provinces and lower in interior provinces in China. Lifestyle risk factors were found to contribute differently to diabetes prevalence in the two provinces and other unknown risk factors may account for differences of diabetes prevalence between provinces. In addition, family history of diabetes was the only independent risk factor in both provinces.
One single method to produce native and Tat-fused recombinant human α-synuclein in Escherichia coli
Authors: Caldinelli Laura , Albani Diego , Pollegioni Loredano
Published: April 2013

Background

Human α-synuclein is a small-sized, natively unfolded protein that in fibrillar form is the primary component of Lewy bodies, the pathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease. Experimental evidence suggests that α-synuclein aggregation is the key event that triggers neurotoxicity although additional findings have proposed a protective role of α-synuclein against oxidative stress. One way to address the mechanism of this protective action is to evaluate α-synuclein-mediated protection by delivering this protein inside cells using a chimeric protein fused with the Tat-transduction domain of HIV Tat, named TAT-α-synuclein.

Results

A reliable protocol was designed to efficiently express and purify two different forms of human α-synuclein. The synthetic cDNAs encoding for the native α-synuclein and the fusion protein with the transduction domain of Tat protein from HIV were overexpressed in a BL21(DE3) E. coli strain as His-tagged proteins. The recombinant proteins largely localized (≥ 85%) to the periplasmic space. By using a quick purification protocol, based on recovery of periplasmic space content and metal-chelating chromatography, the recombinant α-synuclein protein forms could be purified in a single step to ≥ 95% purity. Both α-synuclein recombinant proteins form fibrils and the TAT-α-synuclein is also cytotoxic in the micromolar concentration range.

Conclusions

To further characterize the molecular mechanisms of α-synuclein neurotoxicity both in vitro and in vivo and to evaluate the relevance of extracellular α-synuclein for the pathogenesis and progression of Parkinson’s disease, a suitable method to produce different high-quality forms of this pathological protein is required. Our optimized expression and purification procedure offers an easier and faster means of producing different forms (i.e., both the native and the TAT-fusion form) of soluble recombinant α-synuclein than previously described procedures.
HPV16 synthetic long peptide (HPV16-SLP) vaccination therapy of patients with advanced or recurrent HPV16-induced gynecological carcinoma, a phase II trial
Authors: van Poelgeest Mariette I E , Welters Marij J P , van Esch Edith M G , Stynenbosch Linda F M , Kerpershoek Gijs , van Persijn van Meerten Els L , van den Hende Muriel , Löwik Margriet J G , Berends-van der Meer Dorien M A , Fathers Lorraine M , Valentijn A Rob P M , Oostendorp Jaap , Fleuren Gert Jan , Melief Cornelis J M , Kenter Gemma G , van der Burg Sjoerd H
Published: April 2013

Background

Human papilloma virus type 16 (HPV16)-induced gynecological cancers, in particular cervical cancers, are found in many women worldwide. The HPV16 encoded oncoproteins E6 and E7 are tumor-specific targets for the adaptive immune system permitting the development of an HPV16-synthetic long peptide (SLP) vaccine with an excellent treatment profile in animal models. Here, we determined the toxicity, safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of the HPV16 SLP vaccine in patients with advanced or recurrent HPV16-induced gynecological carcinoma.

Methods

Patients with HPV16-positive advanced or recurrent gynecological carcinoma (n = 20) were subcutaneously vaccinated with an HPV16-SLP vaccine consisting of a mix of 13 HPV16 E6 and HPV16 E7 overlapping long peptides in Montanide ISA-51 adjuvant. The primary endpoints were safety, toxicity and tumor regression as determined by RECIST. In addition, the vaccine-induced T-cell response was assessed by proliferation and associated cytokine production as well as IFNγ-ELISPOT.

Results

No systemic toxicity beyond CTCAE grade II was observed. In a few patients transient flu-like symptoms were observed. In 9 out of 16 tested patients vaccine-induced HPV16-specific proliferative responses were detected which were associated with the production of IFNγ, TNFα, IL-5 and/or IL-10. ELISPOT analysis revealed a vaccine-induced immune response in 11 of the 13 tested patients. The capacity to respond to the vaccine was positively correlated to the patient’s immune status as reflected by their response to common recall antigens at the start of the trial. Median survival was 12.6 ± 9.1 months. No regression of tumors was observed among the 12 evaluable patients. Nineteen patients died of progressive disease.

Conclusions

The HPV16-SLP vaccine was well tolerated and induced a broad IFNγ-associated T-cell response in patients with advanced or recurrent HPV16-induced gynecological carcinoma but neither induced tumor regression nor prevented progressive disease. We, therefore, plan to use this vaccine in combination with chemotherapy and immunomodulation.
Novel pebbles in the mosaic of autoimmunity
Authors: Perricone Carlo , Agmon-Levin Nancy , Shoenfeld Yehuda
Published: April 2013

Almost 25 years ago, the concept of the ‘mosaic of autoimmunity’ was introduced to the scientific community, and since then this concept has continuously evolved, with new pebbles being added regularly. We are now looking at an era in which the players of autoimmunity have changed names and roles. In this issue of BMC Medicine, several aspects of autoimmunity have been addressed, suggesting that we are now at the forefront of autoimmunity science. Within the environmental factors generating autoimmunity are now included unsuspected molecules such as vitamin D and aluminum. Some adjuvants such as aluminum are recognized as causal factors in the development of the autoimmune response. An entirely new syndrome, the autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA), has been recently described. This is the new wind blowing within the branches of autoimmunity, adding knowledge to physicians for helping patients with autoimmune disease.
Associations between selected immune-mediated diseases and tuberculosis: record-linkage studies
Authors: Ramagopalan Sreeram V , Goldacre Raph , Skingsley Andrew , Conlon Chris , Goldacre Michael J
Published: April 2013

Background

Previous studies have suggested that there may be an association between some immune-mediated diseases and risk of tuberculosis (TB).

Methods

We analyzed a database of linked statistical records of hospital admissions and death certificates for the whole of England (1999 to 2011), and a similar database (the Oxford Record Linkage Study (ORLS)) for a region of southern England in an earlier period. Rate ratios for TB were determined, comparing immune-mediated disease cohorts with comparison cohorts.

Results

In the all-England dataset, there were significantly elevated risks of TB after hospital admission for the following individual immune-mediated diseases: Addison's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, chronic active hepatitis, coeliac disease, Crohn's disease, dermatomyositis, Goodpasture's syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), myasthenia gravis, myxedema, pemphigoid, pernicious anemia, polyarteritis nodosa, polymyositis, primary biliary cirrhosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, Sjögren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), thyrotoxicosis and ulcerative colitis. Particularly high levels of risk were found for Addison’s disease (rate ratio (RR) = 11.9 (95% CI 9.5 to 14.7)), Goodpasture’s syndrome (RR = 10.8 (95% CI 4.0 to 23.5)), SLE (RR = 9.4 (95% CI 7.9 to 11.1)), polymyositis (RR = 8.0 (95% CI 4.9 to 12.2)), polyarteritis nodosa (RR = 6.7 (95% CI 3.2 to 12.4)), dermatomyositis (RR = 6.6 (95% CI 3.0 to 12.5)), scleroderma (RR = 6.1 (95% CI 4.4 to 8.2)) and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (RR = 5.1 (95% CI 3.4 to 7.4)).

Conclusions

These two databases show that patients with some immune-mediated diseases have an increased risk of TB, although we cannot explicitly state the direction of risk or exclude confounding. Further study of these associations is warranted, and these findings may aid TB screening, control and treatment policies.
Slow CCL2-dependent translocation of biopersistent particles from muscle to brain
Authors: Khan Zakir , Combadière Christophe , Authier François-Jérôme , Itier Valérie , Lux François , Exley Christopher , Mahrouf-Yorgov Meriem , Decrouy Xavier , Moretto Philippe , Tillement Olivier , Gherardi Romain K , Cadusseau Josette
Published: April 2013

Background

Long-term biodistribution of nanomaterials used in medicine is largely unknown. This is the case for alum, the most widely used vaccine adjuvant, which is a nanocrystalline compound spontaneously forming micron/submicron-sized agglomerates. Although generally well tolerated, alum is occasionally detected within monocyte-lineage cells long after immunization in presumably susceptible individuals with systemic/neurologic manifestations or autoimmune (inflammatory) syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA).

Methods

On the grounds of preliminary investigations in 252 patients with alum-associated ASIA showing both a selective increase of circulating CCL2, the major monocyte chemoattractant, and a variation in theCCL2gene, we designed mouse experiments to assess biodistribution of vaccine-derived aluminum and of alum-particle fluorescent surrogates injected in muscle. Aluminum was detected in tissues by Morin stain and particle induced X-ray emission) (PIXE) Both 500 nm fluorescent latex beads and vaccine alum agglomerates-sized nanohybrids (Al-Rho) were used.

Results

Intramuscular injection of alum-containing vaccine was associated with the appearance of aluminum deposits in distant organs, such as spleen and brain where they were still detected one year after injection. Both fluorescent materials injected into muscle translocated to draining lymph nodes (DLNs) and thereafter were detected associated with phagocytes in blood and spleen. Particles linearly accumulated in the brain up to the six-month endpoint; they were first found in perivascular CD11b+cells and then in microglia and other neural cells. DLN ablation dramatically reduced the biodistribution. Cerebral translocation was not observed after direct intravenous injection, but significantly increased in mice with chronically altered blood-brain-barrier. Loss/gain-of-function experiments consistently implicated CCL2 in systemic diffusion of Al-Rho particles captured by monocyte-lineage cells and in their subsequent neurodelivery. Stereotactic particle injection pointed out brain retention as a factor of progressive particle accumulation.

Conclusion

Nanomaterials can be transported by monocyte-lineage cells to DLNs, blood and spleen, and, similarly to HIV, may use CCL2-dependent mechanisms to penetrate the brain. This occurs at a very low rate in normal conditions explaining good overall tolerance of alum despite its strong neurotoxic potential. However, continuously escalating doses of this poorly biodegradable adjuvant in the population may become insidiously unsafe, especially in the case of overimmunization or immature/altered blood brain barrier or high constitutive CCL-2 production.
HIV restriction in quiescent CD4+T cells
Authors: Zack Jerome A , Kim Sohn G , Vatakis Dimitrios N
Published: April 2013

The restriction of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in quiescent CD4+T cells has been an area of active investigation. Early studies have suggested that this T cell subset is refractory to infection by the virus. Subsequently it was demonstrated that quiescent cells could be infected at low levels; nevertheless these observations supported the earlier assertions of debilitating defects in the viral life cycle. This phenomenon raised hopes that identification of the block in quiescent cells could lead to the development of new therapies against HIV. As limiting levels of raw cellular factors such as nucleotides did not account for the block to infection, a number of groups pursued the identification of cellular proteins whose presence or absence may impact the permissiveness of quiescent T cells to HIV infection. A series of studies in the past few years have identified a number of host factors implicated in the block to infection. In this review, we will present the progress made, other avenues of investigation and the potential impact these studies have in the development of more effective therapies against HIV.
Mimiviridae: clusters of orthologous genes, reconstruction of gene repertoire evolution and proposed expansion of the giant virus family
Authors: Yutin Natalya , Colson Philippe , Raoult Didier , Koonin Eugene V
Published: April 2013

Background

The family Mimiviridae belongs to the large monophyletic group of Nucleo-Cytoplasmic Large DNA Viruses (NCLDV; proposed order Megavirales) and encompasses giant viruses infecting amoeba and probably other unicellular eukaryotes. The recent discovery of the Cafeteria roenbergensis virus (CroV), a distant relative of the prototype mimiviruses, led to a substantial expansion of the genetic variance within the family Mimiviridae. In the light of these findings, a reassessment of the relationships between the mimiviruses and other NCLDV and reconstruction of the evolution of giant virus genomes emerge as interesting and timely goals.

Results

Database searches for the protein sequences encoded in the genomes of several viruses originally classified as members of the family Phycodnaviridae, in particular Organic Lake phycodnaviruses and Phaeocystis globosa viruses (OLPG), revealed a greater number of highly similar homologs in members of the Mimiviridae than in phycodnaviruses. We constructed a collection of 898 Clusters of Orthologous Genes for the putative expanded family Mimiviridae (MimiCOGs) and used these clusters for a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the genes that are conserved in most of the NCLDV. The topologies of the phylogenetic trees for these conserved viral genes strongly support the monophyly of the OLPG and the mimiviruses. The same tree topology was obtained by analysis of the phyletic patterns of conserved viral genes. We further employed the mimiCOGs to obtain a maximum likelihood reconstruction of the history of genes losses and gains among the giant viruses. The results reveal massive gene gain in the mimivirus branch and modest gene gain in the OLPG branch.

Conclusions

These phylogenomic results reported here suggest a substantial expansion of the family Mimiviridae. The proposed expanded family encompasses a greater diversity of viruses including a group of viruses with much smaller genomes than those of the original members of the Mimiviridae. If the OLPG group is included in an expanded family Mimiviridae, it becomes the only family of giant viruses currently shown to host virophages. The mimiCOGs are expected to become a key resource for phylogenomics of giant viruses.
Mucopolysaccharidosis type VI phenotypes-genotypes and antibody response to galsulfase
Authors: Brands Marion M , Hoogeveen-Westerveld Marianne , Kroos Marian A , Nobel Willemieke , Ruijter George J , Özkan Lale , Plug Iris , Grinberg Daniel , Vilageliu Lluïsa , Halley Dicky J , Ploeg Ans T van der , Reuser Arnold J
Published: April 2013

Background

Mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome; MPS VI) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder in which deficiency of N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfatase (arylsulfatase B; ARSB) leads to the storage of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in connective tissue. The genotype-phenotype correlation has been addressed in several publications but the picture is not complete. Since 2007, enzyme-replacement therapy (ERT) has been available for patients with MPS VI in the Netherlands. The purpose of our study was to learn more about the genotype-phenotype correlations in MPS VI and the antibody response to ERT with galsulfase (recombinant human arylsulfatase B).

Methods

We identified ARSB mutations in 12 patients and used site-directed mutagenesis to study their effect. Antibody levels to galsulfase were measured using ELISA and a semi-quantitative immunoprecipitation method. We assessed the in vitro inhibitory effect of antibodies on galsulfase uptake and their effect on clinical outcome.

Results

Five patients had a rapidly progressive phenotype and seven a slowly progressive phenotype. In total 9 pathogenic mutations were identified including 4 novel mutations (N301K, V332G, A237D, and c.1142 + 2 T > C) together composing 8 pathogenic genotypes. Most mutations appeared not to affect the synthesis of ARSB (66 kD precursor), but to hamper its maturation (43 kD ARSB). Disease severity was correlated with urinary GAG excretion. All patients developed antibodies to galsulfase within 26 weeks of treatment. It was demonstrated that these antibodies can inhibit the uptake of galsulfase in vitro.

Conclusions

The clinical phenotypes and the observed defects in the biosynthesis of ARSB show that some of the mutations that we identified are clearly more severe than others. Patients receiving galsulfase as enzyme-replacement therapy can develop antibodies towards the therapeutic protein. Though most titers are modest, they can exceed a level at which they potentially affect the clinical outcome of enzyme-replacement therapy.
Serum KL-6 is a predictor of outcome in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
Authors: Bonella Francesco , Ohshimo Shinichiro , Miaotian Cai , Griese Matthias , Guzman Josune , Costabel Ulrich
Published: April 2013

Background

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disorder characterised by abundant alveolar accumulation of surfactant lipoproteins. Serum levels of KL-6, high molecular weight human MUC1 mucin, are increased in the majority of patients with PAP. The prognostic significance of KL-6 in PAP is still unknown. Aim of the study was to evaluate whether serum KL-6 levels correlate with the outcome of the disease.

Patients and methods

From 2006 to 2012, we prospectively studied 33 patients with primary autoimmune PAP. We measured serum KL-6 levels by ELISA (Eisai, Tokyo, Japan), and evaluated the correlation between initial KL-6 levels and clinical variables. Disease progression was defined as deterioration of symptoms, and/or lung function, and/or chest imaging.

Main results

The initial serum KL-6 levels were significantly correlated with the baseline PaO2, A-aDO2, DLCO, VC and TLC (p=0.042, 0.012, 0.012, 0.02 and 0.013, respectively). The change over time of serum KL-6 correlated with the change over time of DLCO (p=0.017). The initial serum KL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients with disease progression than in those with remission (p<0.001). At a cut-off level of 1526 U/mL, the initial serum KL-6 level predicted disease progression (Se 81%, Sp 94%). At a cut-off level of 2157 U/mL, the initial serum KL-6 predicted the necessity of repeated whole lung lavage (Se 83%, Sp 96%). In the multivariate analysis, the initial serum level of KL-6 was the strongest predictor of disease progression (HR 9.41, p=0.008).

Conclusions

Serum KL-6 seems to predict outcome in PAP.
Prevalence of common hemoglobin variants in an afro-descendent Ecuadorian population
Authors: Domínguez Yamila , Zurita Camilo , Calvopiña Diego , Villacís Jacqueline , Mora Marcelo
Published: April 2013

Background

Hemoglobinopathies are among the most studied and frequent pathologies. These genetic disorders are considered a very important health care threat in many tropical countries. Ecuador is a tropical Latin-American country with an important presence of afro-descendants (7.2%). Afro-descendants are among the ethnic groups with higher frequency of hemoglobinopathies reported. Ambuqui is a region within the Imbabura province with an important presence of afro-descendants (>50%). The present study analyzed the frequency of the most common hemoglobin variants in an asymptomatic afro-descendent population using capillary electrophoresis.

Findings

From 114 individuals, 25 (22%) reported a hemoglobin variant. All individuals that presented hemoglobin variants were heterozygotes (asymptomatic). Hemoglobin S (sickle cell trait) was the most frequent variant found (14%), followed by hemoglobin E (4.4%), Fetal (2.6%) and C (1%).

Conclusion

Prevalence of hemoglobin S was consistent with populations from other countries, but it was lower than other Ecuadorian afro-descendent populations. Frequency of hemoglobin C was lower than other afro-descendent populations. This data suggests the possibility of gene flow from Native American individuals to the Ambuqui population there by lowering the frequency of their hemoglobin variants compared with other afro-descendant populations. Evaluating the frequency of hemoglobinopathies in Ecuadorian populations is essential. Despite the high frequency of these disorders, very few health care facilities implement hemoglobinopathies tests as a routine practice.
Reliability of ultrasound to measure morphology of the toe flexor muscles
Authors: Mickle Karen J , Nester Christopher J , Crofts Gillian , Steele Julie R
Published: April 2013

Background

Measuring the strength of individual foot muscles is very challenging; however, measuring muscle morphology has been shown to be associated with strength. A reliable method of assessing foot muscle atrophy and hypertrophy would therefore be beneficial to researchers and clinicians. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the test‐retest intra‐observer reliability of ultrasound to measure the morphology of the primary toe flexor muscles.

Method

The abductor hallucis, flexor hallucis brevis, flexor digitorum brevis, quadratus plantae and abductor digiti minimi muscles in the foot, and the flexor digitorum longus and flexor hallucis longus muscles in the shank were assessed in five males and five females (mean age = 32.1 ± 10.1 years). Muscles were imaged using a GE Venue 40 ultrasound (6‐9 or 7.6‐10.7 MHz transducer) in a random order, and on two occasions 1‐6 days apart. Muscle thickness and cross‐sectional area were measured using Image J software with the assessor blinded to muscle and day of scan. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and limits of agreement were calculated to assess day‐to‐day repeatability of the measurements.

Results

The method was found to have good reliability (ICC = 0.89‐0.99) with limits of agreement between 8‐28% of the relative muscle size.

Conclusion

The protocol described in this paper showed that ultrasound is a reliable method to measure morphology of the toe flexor muscles. The portability and advantages of ultrasound make it a useful tool for clinical and research settings.
Effects of exogenous enzymes and dietary energy on performance and digestive physiology of broilers
Authors: Zou Jialing , Zheng Ping , Zhang Keying , Ding Xuemei , Bai Shiping
Published: April 2013

The study was conducted to compare the effects of XG with AG and BM at different metabolizable energy diets on growth performance, digestive physiology and energy utilization of broilers fed with corn-SBM diet. A 2 × 4 factorial design was used with two basal diets (the positive control group, PC; negative control with ME reduction 100 kcal/kg, NC) and with or without the addition of three exogenous enzymes (0.02% BM; 0.01% AG; 0.05% XG) respectively. 1,200 one-day-old broilers were randomly allocated to 8 treatments with 10 pens of 15 broilers. There was no significant difference on BW, BWG, and FI at 0-21d, 21-42d or 0-42d for diet, enzymes or their interactions, but FI at 22-42d and 0-42d were tend to be decreased with the addition of enzymes. The F/G was significantly improved by the addition of enzymes especially in NC diet. The dietary AME and TME in PC or NC diet were significantly increased by XG or AG in NC diet. The villus length and V/C of ileum were significantly increased by the addition of BM or XG. XG improved the activities of trypsin, chymotrypsin and amylase, BM improved the activity of trypsin at 21d, and AG improved the activity of chymotrypsin at 21d. Comparing to PC diet, the addition of enzymes in PC or NC diet decreased feed cost per kg body weight gain especially in NC diet (except AG in PC diet) with the highest profits for XG in NC diet. In conclusion, supplementation of 0.02% BM or 0.01% AG or 0.05% XG could improve feed conversion of broilers in corn-soybean meal diet by improving energy utilization and digestive physiology, and also supplementation of 0.05% XG had a preferable efficacy in low energy diet.
The effect of high concentration oxygen therapy on PaCO2 in acute and chronic respiratory disorders
Authors: Pilcher Janine , Perrin Kyle , Beasley Richard
Published: April 2013

There is evidence that the potential for high concentration oxygen therapy to increase PaCO2 is not limited to stable and acute exacerbations of COPD, but also to other acute respiratory disorders with abnormal gas exchange such as asthma and pneumonia, and chronic respiratory conditions with hypercapnia such as obesity hypoventilation syndrome. This evidence forms the basis of consensus guidelines which recommend that oxygen therapy is titrated in COPD and other respiratory conditions, to ensure the maximal benefits of oxygen therapy are achieved while reducing the potential for harm due to hyperoxia.
Angulated Bi3+–WO3 with Significant Alkali Resistance and Efficient Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Wada Marie , Wang Nini , Konishi Yoshinari , Miseki Yugo , Gunji Takahiro , Sayama Kazuhiro
Published: April 2013

Angulated WO3 modified with Bi3+ (Bi–WO3) showed very high resistance to 1 M NaOH solution. Moreover, the activities of Pt/Bi–WO3 both before and after immersion in NaOH solution were excellent for the photocatalytic oxidation of organic compounds under visible light.
A Polyelectrolyte-stabilized Approach for Massive Production of AgCl/Graphene Nanocomposites
Authors: Wang Yanqing , Fugetsu Bunshi
Published: April 2013

A simple yet highly effective approach for the massive production of AgCl/graphene hybrid nanoparticles is described. The use of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA), a typical cationic polyelectrolyte, to stabilize the graphene sheets in situ was the key to achieve the goal. AgCl nanoparticles having an average diameter of ca. 500 nm combined firmly with the PDDA-stabilized graphene sheets were produced in large amounts. New insights into the unique photocatalytic properties of the PDDA-stabilized AgCl/graphene hybrid nanoparticles were obtained through analysis of the resultant samples by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy together with other suitable analytical methods.
Low-temperature-operative Carbon Monoxide Gas Sensor with Novel CO Oxidizing Catalyst
Authors: Hosoya Ayaka , Tamura Shinji , Imanaka Nobuhito
Published: April 2013

A catalytic-combustion-type carbon monoxide gas sensor operable at a low temperature was devised by employing a Pt-loaded cerium oxide–zirconium oxide–tin oxide solid solution as a novel oxidizing catalyst. Since this catalyst can oxidize CO at low temperatures, the sensor with the Pt-loaded CeO2–ZrO2–SnO2 catalyst exhibits a smooth and reproducible response to CO gas at 70 °C, which is a significantly lower temperature than that required for the operation of sensors with the conventional CO oxidation catalysts Pt/Al2O3 or Pd/Al2O3.
Carboplatin (Renally Dosed) and Etoposide Regimen for Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Rutledge Matthew R. , Waddell J. Aubrey , Solimando Dominic A.
Published: April 2013

The complexity of cancer chemotherapy requires pharmacists be familiar with the complicated regimens and highly toxic agents used. This column reviews various issues related to preparation, dispensing, and administration of antineoplastic therapy, and the agents, both commercially available and investigational, used to treat malignant diseases.
Guidelines for the Safe Preparation of Sterile Compounds: Results of the ISMP Sterile Preparation Compounding Safety Summit of October 2011
Authors: Rich Darryl S. , Fricker Matthew P. , Cohen Michael R. , Levine Stuart R.
Published: April 2013

Significant patient safety incidents related to sterile drug compounding have occurred for many years. Previous guidelines have focused on ensuring sterility, but serious compounding errors have occurred as well. National efforts are needed to identify and reduce the potential for such errors and their causative factors. In response, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) convened in October 2011 a summit of 60 invited experts in the field for the purpose of establishing by consensus guidelines, safe practices, and standard operating procedures needed to ensure the safe preparation of compounded sterile preparations, especially intravenous admixtures. The resulting guidelines were categorized into 14 core processes: policies and procedures, order entry and verification, drug storage, assembling products and supplies, compounding, drug conservation during drug shortages, preparation of source/bulk containers, technology/automation used, IV workflow software, automated IV compounding devices, quality control/final verification, product labeling, record keeping, and staff management. They were also classified into 3 levels: mandatory, standard, and recommendation. The guidelines presented in this article were felt to be applicable to any health care organization that prepares sterile compounded products. The consensus of the group was that adherence to these guidelines will improve the safety of sterile product compounding and reduce harmful errors in patients receiving these products. Incorporation of these guidelines into sterile compounding practices of health care organizations is an important component of improving patient safety.
Oral Antineoplastic Handling at Health Care Institutions in the United States: Survey of Nurses and Pharmacists
Authors: Reeves David J. , Kam Teresa C. , Storey Susan H.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

To characterize and identify trends in current practices for ordering, handling, dispensing, administering, and disposing of oral antineoplastics.

Methods

An electronic survey was designed and sent to pharmacists and nurses via professional society listservs.

Results

One hundred and twenty-three practitioners responded to the survey. Of those responding, 76% described having an official policy regarding the handling of oral antineoplastics. Prescribing was limited to attending physicians or oncologists the majority of the time (42% and 98%, respectively), with 11% accepting telephone orders for oral antineoplastics. Personal protective equipment was required by many of the respondents; 70% required gloves be worn. Patient contact precautions were utilized by 79% of practitioners, of which 81% followed similar precautions for targeted therapies. Compounding was required to be performed in a biological safety cabinet by 88% of respondents, and 83% required decontamination of supplies and equipment after exposure to oral antineoplastics.

Conclusion

Although practices varied slightly, the majority of respondents follow available guidance when handling oral antineoplastics.
Approvals, Submission, and Important Labeling Changes for US Marketed Pharmaceuticals
Authors: Baker Danial E.
Published: April 2013

This monthly feature will help readers keep current on new drugs, new indications, dosage forms, and safety-related changes in labeling or use. Efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of this information; however, if there are any questions, please let me know at bakerdan@wsu.edu .
Role of Pharmacy Education in Growing the Pharmacy Practice Model
Authors: Kennerly Julie , Weber Robert J.
Published: April 2013

The Director's Forum series is designed to guide pharmacy leaders in establishing patient-centered services in hospitals and health systems. This article focuses on pharmacy academia's (“Academy”) role in transforming an organization's pharmacy practice model. Pharmacy students can assume an integrated and accountable role in the practice model by having defined responsibilities for patient care. This role will produce students who are best trained to meet the challenges of pharmacy practice and health care reform. To make the students successful in this role, the pharmacy director must have a specific plan for integrating pharmacy students into the model and establishing relationships with Academy leadership, most importantly with the dean of the school or college of pharmacy. If successfully executed, the relationship between the Academy and the pharmacy department will enhance the mission of developing patient-centered pharmacy services.
Biological Nutrient Removal Model No. 2 (BNRM2): a general model for wastewater treatment plants
Authors: Barat R. , Serralta J. , Ruano M. V. , Jiménez E. , Ribes J. , Seco A. , Ferrer J.
Published: April 2013

This paper presents the plant-wide model Biological Nutrient Removal Model No. 2 (BNRM2). Since nitrite was not considered in the BNRM1, and this previous model also failed to accurately simulate the anaerobic digestion because precipitation processes were not considered, an extension of BNRM1 has been developed. This extension comprises all the components and processes required to simulate nitrogen removal via nitrite and the formation of the solids most likely to precipitate in anaerobic digesters. The solids considered in BNRM2 are: struvite, amorphous calcium phosphate, hidroxyapatite, newberite, vivianite, strengite, variscite, and calcium carbonate. With regard to nitrogen removal via nitrite, apart from nitrite oxidizing bacteria two groups of ammonium oxidizing organisms (AOO) have been considered since different sets of kinetic parameters have been reported for the AOO present in activated sludge systems and SHARON (Single reactor system for High activity Ammonium Removal Over Nitrite) reactors. Due to the new processes considered, BNRM2 allows an accurate prediction of wastewater treatment plant performance in wider environmental and operating conditions.
Adsorption removal of tetracycline from aqueous solution by anaerobic granular sludge: equilibrium and kinetic studies
Authors: Li Ke , Ji Feng , Liu Yuanlu , Tong Zilin , Zhan Xinmin , Hu Zhenhu
Published: April 2013

High concentration animal wastewater is often contaminated by tetracycline and an upflow anaerobic sludge bioreactor (UASB) with granular sludge is often used to treat the wastewater. The investigation of the adsorption process of tetracycline on anaerobic granular sludge during anaerobic digestion of animal wastewater will increase the understanding of antibiotics behavior in the UASB reactor. In this study, the effects of initial pH, humic acid concentration, and temperature on the removal of tetracycline by anaerobic granular sludge from aqueous solution were investigated using the batch adsorption technique in 100 mL flasks with 75 mL of work volume. The results show that the highest removal efficiency of 93.0% was achieved around pH 3.0 and the removal efficiency at the neutral pH range (pH 6.0–8.0) is about 91.5%. The thermodynamic analysis indicates that the adsorption is a spontaneous and endothermic process. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order equation. The adsorption isotherms analysis indicates that the Langmuir model is better than the Freundlich model for the description of the adsorption process and confirms the result of thermodynamics analysis. The maximum adsorption capacities were 2.984, 4.108 and 4.618 mg/g at 25, 35 and 45 °C, respectively. These results provide useful information for understanding the fate and transformation of tetracycline in a UASB digestion system and improving the management of tetracycline contaminated animal wastewater.
Integrating water resources management in eco-hydrological modelling
Authors: Koch H. , Liersch S. , Hattermann F. F.
Published: April 2013

In this paper the integration of water resources management with regard to reservoir management in an eco-hydrological model is described. The model was designed to simulate different reservoir management options, such as optimized hydropower production, irrigation intake from the reservoir or optimized provisioning downstream. The integrated model can be used to investigate the impacts of climate variability/change on discharge or to study possible adaptation strategies in terms of reservoir management. The study area, the Upper Niger Basin located in the West African Sahel, is characterized by a monsoon-type climate. Rainfall and discharge regime are subject to strong seasonality. Measured data from a reservoir are used to show that the reservoir model and the integrated management options can be used to simulate the regulation of this reservoir. The inflow into the reservoir and the discharge downstream of the reservoir are quite distinctive, which points out the importance of the inclusion of water resources management.
Assessing the efficiency of different CSO positions based on network graph characteristics
Authors: Sitzenfrei R. , Urich C. , Möderl M. , Rauch W.
Published: April 2013

The technical design of urban drainage systems comprises two major aspects: first, the spatial layout of the sewer system and second, the pipe-sizing process. Usually, engineers determine the spatial layout of the sewer network manually, taking into account physical features and future planning scenarios. Before the pipe-sizing process starts, it is important to determine locations of possible weirs and combined sewer overflows (CSOs) based on, e.g. distance to receiving water bodies or to a wastewater treatment plant and available space for storage units. However, positions of CSOs are also determined by topological characteristics of the sewer networks. In order to better understand the impact of placement choices for CSOs and storage units in new systems, this work aims to determine case unspecific, general rules. Therefore, based on numerous, stochastically generated virtual alpine sewer systems of different sizes it is investigated how choices for placement of CSOs and storage units have an impact on the pipe-sizing process (hence, also on investment costs) and on technical performance (CSO efficiency and flooding). To describe the impact of the topological positions of these elements in the sewer networks, graph characteristics are used. With an evaluation of 2,000 different alpine combined sewer systems, it was found that, as expected, with CSOs at more downstream positions in the network, greater construction costs and better performance regarding CSO efficiency result. At a specific point (i.e. topological network position), no significant difference (further increase) in construction costs can be identified. Contrarily, the flooding efficiency increases with more upstream positions of the CSOs. Therefore, CSO and flooding efficiency are in a trade-off conflict and a compromise is required.
Autotrophic nitrogen removal after ureolytic phosphate precipitation to remove both endogenous and exogenous nitrogen
Authors: Desmidt E. , Monballiu A. , De Clippeleir H. , Verstraete W. , Meesschaert B. D.
Published: April 2013

Anaerobic digestion yields effluents rich in ammonium and phosphate and poor in biodegradable organic carbon, thereby making them less suitable for conventional biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal. In addition, the demand for fertilizers is increasing, energy prices are rising and global phosphate reserves are declining. This requires both changes in wastewater treatment technologies and implementation of new processes. In this contribution a description is given of the combination of a ureolytic phosphate precipitation (UPP) and an autotrophic nitrogen removal (ANR) process on the anaerobic effluent of a potato processing company. The results obtained show that it is possible to recover phosphate as struvite and to remove the nitrogen with the ANR process. The ANR process was performed in either one or two reactors (partial nitritation + Anammox). The one-reactor configuration operated stably when the dissolved oxygen was kept between 0.1 and 0.35 mg L−1. The best results for the two-reactor system were obtained when part of the effluent of the UPP was fully nitrified in a nitritation reactor and mixed in a 3:5 volumetric ratio with untreated ammonium-containing effluent. A phosphate and nitrogen removal efficiency of respectively 83 ± 1% and of 86 ± 7% was observed during this experiment.