bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A potential competition bias in the detection of safety signals from spontaneous reporting databases
Authors: Pariente Antoine , Didailler Marie , Avillach Paul , Miremont‐Salamé Ghada , Fourrier‐Reglat Annie , Haramburu Françoise , Moore Nicholas
Published: September 2010

Purpose

To study whether reports related to known drug‐event associations could hinder the detection of new signals by increasing the detection thresholds when using disporportionality analyses in spontaneous reporting (SR) databases.

Methods

The French SR database (2005–2006 data) was used to test this hypothesis for the following events: bleeding, headache, hepatitis, myalgia, myocardial infarction, stroke, and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). For each of these, using the Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR) and the Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR), the number of cases needed to trigger a signal out of 50, 100, and 200 reports for a hypothetical newly introduced drug were computed before and after removing from the database reports involving drugs known to be associated with the event.

Results

For bleeding and stroke, removing potentially competitive data resulted in a decrease of the number of cases needed to trigger a signal for a newly introduced drug for both PRR and ROR (e.g., from 9 to 4, and 5 to 3 cases out of 50 reports for bleeding and stroke, respectively using the PRR). They were not or only slightly modified for the other studied events.

Conclusions

Removing reports related to known drug‐event associations could increase the sensitivity of signal detection in SR databases. This should be considered when using SR databases for signal detection as it could result in earlier identification of new drug‐event associations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An open‐safety study of dual antiviral therapy in real‐world patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Tinè Fabio , Graviano Domenico , Giannuoli Gandolfo , Madonia Salvatore , Malizia Giuseppe , Patti Salvatore , Fasola Salvatore , Cottone Mario , D'Amico Gennaro
Published: September 2010

Purpose

Treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C with alpha‐interferon and ribavirin usually produces adverse events within the first 3 months. We aimed to assess safety and predictors of discontinuation or dose modification of these drugs.

Methods

Observational study of 312 patients with predominantly genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C treated openly along 5 years in a clinical practice setting.

Results

Eighty‐four percent of patients experienced at least one adverse event (853 events in total, 3.3 per patient on average). Incidence rate was higher during the first 90 days and decreased thereafter (<5%). Discontinuation rates at 30 and 90 days and at end of treatment were 2, 4 and 8%, respectively. Seventy percent of discontinuation cases were due to adverse events rather than to laboratory abnormalities. Serious adverse events were rare (<1%). Dose modifications were made in 158 patients (51%) on 237 occasions. After adjusting for covariates, older age was a predictor of early discontinuation, whereas HCV genotypes 1–4 and daily ribavirin dose of 1000 mg or more were predictors of dose modification.

Conclusions

The majority of real‐world patients with chronic hepatitis C tolerate acceptably dual therapy and very few discontinue it. Subjective decisions on dose reduction of either compound appears to have a major impact on adherence of patients. There is a need to better define, collect and analyse clinical features which may predict adverse events and safety‐related decisions during therapy of chronic hepatitis C. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Probing interactions between aggrecan and mica surface by the atomic force microscopy
Authors: Chandran Preethi L. , Dimitriadis Emilios K. , Basser Peter J. , Horkay Ferenc
Published: September 2010

Aggrecan is a bottlebrush shaped macromolecule found in the extracellular matrix of cartilage. The negatively charged glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains attached to its protein backbone give aggrecan molecules a high charge density, which is essential for exerting high osmotic swelling pressure and resisting compression under external load. In solution, aggrecan assemblies are insensitive to the presence of calcium ions, and show distinct osmotic pressure versus concentration regimes. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of ionic environment on the structure of aggrecan molecules adsorbed onto well‐controlled mica surfaces. The conformation of the aggrecan was visualized using Atomic Force Microscopy. On positively charged APS mica the GAG chains of the aggrecan molecules are distinguishable, and their average dimensions are practically unaffected by the presence of salt ions. With increasing aggrecan concentration they form clusters, and at higher concentrations they form a continuous monolayer of conforming molecules. On negatively charged mica, the extent of aggrecan adsorption varies with salt composition. Understanding aggrecan adsorption onto a charged surface provides insight into its interactions with bone and implant surfaces in the biological milieu. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2010
Variation in immunoreactive trypsinogen concentrations among michigan newborns and implications for cystic fibrosis newborn screening
Authors: Korzeniewski Steven J. , Young William I. , Hawkins Harry C. , Cavanagh Kevin , Nasr Samya Z. , Langbo Carrie , TenEyck Kelly R. , Grosse Scott D. , Kleyn Mary , Grigorescu Violanda
Published: September 2010

Objective

To investigate variation in immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT) concentrations by race, sex, birth weight, and gestational age and their implications for the use of percentile‐based cutoffs for cystic fibrosis (CF) newborn screening (NBS) programs.

Patients and Methods

This cross‐sectional population‐based study of resident infants screened in Michigan investigates associations between demographic and perinatal variables and IRT concentrations after controlling for covariates. This study also analyzed how 96th and 99.8th IRT concentration percentiles values calculated by Michigan NBS vary by demographic and perinatal factors. Characteristics of infants having high (≥99.8th percentile) IRT concentrations and negative DNA tests are also explored.

Results

IRT mean concentrations and percentiles vary significantly by race, birth weight, gestational age, and to a lesser degree by sex. The greatest variation in mean IRT concentrations was observed among racial categories; black infants had an adjusted mean concentration of 36 ng/ml and Asian/Pacific Islander infants had a mean concentration of 25 ng/ml compared to an average concentration of 28 ng/ml in white infants and infants of other races.

Conclusions

Variation in IRT concentrations resulted in the over‐representation of certain groups referred for secondary testing, particularly referrals for sweat testing based on very high (≥99.8th percentile) concentrations alone, which is no longer recommended in Michigan. Further research may be warranted to evaluate initial IRT cutoffs used for CF NBS. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:125–130. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Roles for the two N‐terminal (β/α) modules in the folding of a (β/α)8‐barrel protein as studied by fragmentation analysis
Authors: Akanuma Satoshi , Yamagishi Akihiko
Published: September 2010

The (β/α)8‐barrel is one of the most abundant folds found in enzymes. To identify the independent folding units and the segment(s) that correspond to a minimum core structure within a (β/α)8‐barrel protein, fragmentation experiments were performed with Escherichia coli phosphoribosylanthranilate isomerase, which has a single (β/α)8‐barrel domain. Our previous studies indicated that the central four β/α segments comprise an independent folding unit; whereas, the role(s) of the first two β/α segments in folding had not been clarified prior to this report. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a series of N‐terminally deleted fragments starting with (β/α)1–5β6 as the parent construct. Analytical gel filtration and urea‐induced equilibrium unfolding experiments indicated that deletions within the N‐terminal region, that is, within the first two β/α modules, resulted in reduced stability or aggregation of the remaining segments. The (β/α)3–5β6 segment appeared to fold into a stable structure and deletion of β6 from (β/α)3–5β6 yielded (β/α)3–5, which did not form native‐like secondary structures. However, urea‐induced unfolding of (β/α)3–5, monitored by reduction of tryptophan fluorescence, indicated that the fragment contained a loosely packed hydrophobic core. Taken together, the results of our previous and present fragmentation experiments suggest the importance of the central (β/α)3–4β5 module in folding, which is a finding that is compatible with our simulated unfolding study performed previously. Proteins 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
VCD studies on cyclic peptides assembled from L‐α‐amino acids and a trans‐2‐aminocyclopentane‐ or trans‐2‐aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid
Authors: Vass E. , Strijowski U. , Wollschläger K. , Mándity I. M. , Szilvágyi G. , Jewgiński M. , Gaus K. , Royo S. , Majer Z. , Sewald N. , Hollósi M.
Published: September 2010

The increasing interest in peptidomimetics of biological relevance prompted us to synthesize a series of cyclic peptides comprising trans‐2‐aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid (Achc) or trans‐2‐aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid (Acpc). NMR experiments in combination with MD calculations were performed to investigate the three‐dimensional structure of the cyclic peptides. These data were compared to the conformational information obtained by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy. Experimental VCD spectra were compared to theoretical VCD spectra computed quantum chemically at B3LYP/6‐31G(d) density functional theory (DFT) level. The good agreement between the structural features derived from the VCD spectra and the NMR‐based structures underlines the applicability of VCD in studying the conformation of small cyclic peptides. Copyright © 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Legendre expansion of the Debye interaction
Authors: Winkler Peter
Published: September 2010

The Legendre expansion of the Debye interaction has been derived in a form that is suited to evaluate two‐electron matrix elements between Slater type orbitals using a Gauss‐Laguerre quadrature algorithm. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Arsenic and thallium data in environmental samples: Fact or fiction?
Authors: Chapnick Susan D. , Pitts Leonard C. , Rothman Nancy C.
Published: September 2010

Matrix effects may increasingly lead to erroneous environmental decisions as regulatory limits or risk‐based concentrations of concern for trace metals move lower toward the limits of analytical detection. A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Technical Standards Alert estimated that environmental data reported using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP‐AES) has a false‐positive rate for thallium of 99.9 percent and for arsenic of 25 to 50 percent. Although this does not seem to be widely known in the environmental community, using three case studies, this article presents data in environmental samples that demonstrate severe matrix effects on the accuracy of arsenic and thallium results. Case Study 1 involves soil results with concentrations that approached or exceeded the applicable regulatory soil cleanup objectives of 13 mg/kg for arsenic and 2 mg/kg for thallium. Reanalysis using ICP coupled with a mass spectrometer (ICP‐MS) confirmed all thallium results were false positives and all arsenic results were biased high, concluding no action was required for soil remediation. Case Study 2 involves groundwater results for thallium at a Superfund site, where thallium was detected in groundwater up to 21.6 μ g/L using ICP‐AES. Reanalysis by ICP‐MS reported thallium as nondetect below the applicable regulatory level in all samples. ICP‐MS is usually a more definitive and accurate method of analysis compared to ICP‐AES; however, this is not always the case, as we demonstrate in Case Study 3, using data from groundwater samples at an industrial site. Through a weight‐of‐evidence approach, it is demonstrated that although method quality control results were acceptable, interferences in some groundwater samples caused biased high results for arsenic using ICP‐MS, which were significantly lower when reanalyzed using hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Causes of these interference effects and conclusions from the three case studies to obtain accurate metal data for site assessment, risk characterization, and remedy selection are discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
In situ bioremediation of an aniline spill in an industrial setting
Authors: Portier Ralph J. , Curole Glen P. , Conger Robert M. , Basirico Laura M. , Metosh‐Dickey Caroline
Published: September 2010

In situ remediation of aniline from soils and groundwater using biological and physical treatments was conducted at the BASF Corporation facility in Geismar, Louisiana. To mitigate the migration of aniline, remediate contaminated soil and groundwater, and determine concentrations, 24 immobilized microbe bioreactors were fixed in the subsoil, and a horizontal recovery well and 7 monitoring wells were installed. Soil and monitoring wells were sampled quarterly to assess bioplug impact on the aniline concentrations. The recovery well was sampled monthly to estimate the pounds of aniline removed from groundwater. Soil pH, composition, and microbial counts were used to estimate the fate and transport. Aniline levels were lowered significantly after remediation and total cancer risk was below levels for industrial sites, as established by State of Louisiana Risk Evaluation/Corrective Action Program guidelines. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Expediting sustainable brownfields redevelopment by applying Triad using the membrane interface probe
Authors: Watt Maria D. , Burlingame Michael , Beattie Jessica R. , Koberle Melissa , Carlson Brad
Published: September 2010

Redevelopment and reuse plans are often based upon an expedited delineation and remediation life cycle, since delayed reuse usually has economic consequences. It has also become increasingly important to utilize sustainable practices to achieve investigation and remediation goals. In this article, the Triad approach is used to expedite the delineation of a source area within a municipal landfill to complete the remedial effort prior to construction of an urban civic center. The Triad approach uses the three elements of systematic project planning, dynamic work strategy, and real‐time measurement to expedite site characterization (Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council, 2003). In this article, the Triad sampling strategy consisted of two phases. The first phase included in situ screening of soil and groundwater using the membrane interface probe (MIP), and the second phase included confirmatory sampling via vertical profiles in the soil and groundwater. This study found that, using the MIP in a dynamic sampling strategy, a critical element of the Triad approach, combined with the proper placement of confirmatory samples, significantly reduced overall project cost and will expedite the site redevelopment. The use of the Triad approach also contributed to the integration of green and sustainable practices into the project. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Merging anchovy eggs abundance into a hydrodynamic model as an assessment tool for estuarine ecohydrological management
Authors: Morais Pedro , Martins Flávio , Chícharo Maria Alexandra , Lopes João , Chícharo Luís
Published: September 2010

The impoundment of rivers by large dams is the biggest direct anthropogenic impact on the hydrological cycle. However, dams can help solving eutrophication in estuaries by controlling flow pulses, which in turn might enhance the advection of fish larval stages from their spawning and nursery areas. Thus, this work aimed to merge data on the abundance of anchovy eggs with MOHID hydrodynamic model for the Guadiana estuary, allowing dam/basin managers to set river discharge scenarios that might mitigate/prevent eutrophication, without compromising the presence of fish larval stages inside the estuary. Data on anchovy larval stages were assessed in the Guadiana estuary and adjacent coast and three simulation setups were developed. In Simulation A, anchovy eggs abundance was merged in the hydrodynamic model to compare the outputs with data on the abundance, distribution and development stage of anchovy eggs and larvae. In Simulation B, lagrangian particles were incorporated in the model to determine the percentage of particles released from the upper, middle and lower estuary that remain in the estuary along 10 days, in two tidal situations and in seven river discharge scenarios. In Simulation C, the abundance of anchovy eggs was merged in the model to select the discharge scenario(s) that do not compromise the presence of anchovy larval stages in the estuary. Results confirmed the spawning and nursery areas of anchovy and showed that scenarios B (Qmax = 20 m3 s−1) and C (Qmax = 50 m3 s−1) should be applied during neap tides. The choice between scenarios depends on the degree of eutrophication, the effectiveness of an inexistent monitoring program and on plankton response experiments to flushing and increased nutrient loading. This work produced an easy‐to‐use management tool for Guadiana managers, serving as an example to other estuarine sites around the world. Ultimately, this work suggests that river flow management must be guided by robust ecological studies, under an adequate sociological framework and adopting sustainable economic principles to maintain and improve the ecosystem services. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Precollege contexts of undocumented students: Implications for student affairs professionals
Authors: Gildersleeve Ryan Evely , Ranero Jessica J.
Published: September 2010

Undocumented students' precollege experiences have been shaped by and continue to shape their histories of participation in higher education. By understanding these experiences, student affairs professionals can teach and empower undocumented college students as they navigate higher education.
Tenuous options: The career development process for undocumented students
Authors: Ortiz Anna M. , Hinojosa Alejandro
Published: September 2010

Undocumented students face a variety of legal restraints in their efforts to enter higher education in the United States. These same legal restraints are just as formidable at the end of their academic career. Career development and other student affairs professionals need to understand these legal restraints so they can maximize the chances that undocumented students have to achieve their educational and career goals.
Sharing their secrets: Undocumented students' personal stories of fear, drive, and survival
Authors: Hernandez Susana , Hernandez Ignacio , Gadson Rebecca , Huftalin Deneece , Ortiz Anna M. , White Mistalene Calleroz , Yocum‐Gaffney DeAnn
Published: September 2010

The previous chapters have examined how the legal status of undocumented students restrains their access to higher education, exacerbates their academic and emotional stress, and limits their career opportunities. However, individually none of these challenges captures the real struggle of these students. Only through understanding undocumented students' total experience can student affairs professionals be prepared to respond to their needs.
Rejection, feeling bad, and being hurt: Using multilevel modeling to clarify the link between peer group aggression and adjustment
Authors: Rulison Kelly L. , Gest Scott D. , Loken Eric , Welsh Janet A.
Published: September 2010

The association between affiliating with aggressive peers and behavioral, social and psychological adjustment was examined. Students initially in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade (N = 427) were followed biannually through 7th grade. Students’ peer‐nominated groups were identified. Multilevel modeling was used to examine the independent contributions of adolescents’ typical peer context (between‐person effect) and changes in peer context (within‐person effects) to adolescents’ adjustment. Typically affiliating with aggressive groups and affiliating with more aggressive groups than usual predicted higher aggression for all youth. Typically affiliating with aggressive groups predicted negative adjustment (lower social preference and self‐worth, higher victimization) for girls but neutral or positive adjustment for boys. Although typical peer context was consistently associated with adjustment, changes in peer context predicted small changes in adjustment for several outcomes. Results underscored the need to adopt a more differentiated picture of adolescents’ dynamic peer context and its association with normative development.
Defining Success in Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty
Authors: Ramsden Alistair , Rainsbury Paul , Sells Henry
Published: September 2010

Reported success rates for laparoscopic pyeloplasty exceed 90% despite no standard definition of success.

Objective:

To assess our success rate for laparoscopic pyeloplasty using various definitions reported in the literature.

Method:

Data for 52 patients undergoing transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty were retrospectively analysed. We define success as improvement in pain plus preservation of differential function on MAG3 renogram. Other case series were identified in the literature and their definitions of success used to reassess our data.

Results:

Full data were available on 47/52 patients. Defining success as improvement in pain plus preservation of differential function on MAG3 renogram, our success rate was 85.1%. By entering our data into others' definitions of success, our success rate ranged from 77% to 98%.

Conclusion:

We have demonstrated the impact of various definitions on the reported success rate in laparoscopic pyeloplasty. There is a need for consensus in defining success so that meaningful comparison of results can be made. We propose that our definition should be adopted in future assessments of this procedure.
Focal Therapy is an Option for the Majority of Localised Prostate Cancers: A Histopathological Study of Contemporary UK Radical Prostatectomies
Authors: Aslam Muhammad Z. , Turner G. , Brewster S.F.
Published: September 2010

Objectives:

Focal therapy for prostate cancer offers a management option intermediate between active surveillance and radical therapy for small volume, low grade localised prostate cancer. We studied a series of UK radical prostatectomies (RP) performed for organ-confined prostate cancer to identify the proportion of cases potentially suitable for pure lesion only focal therapy (PLFT) or focal hemi-gland ablation (FHA).

Methods:

The pathological features of 309 RP specimens were studied. Patients were grouped into the following categories: group A: unifocal cancer; group B: multifocal disease where only the index cancer was significant (Epstein's criteria); group C: unilateral multifocal significant disease; group D: bilateral multifocal significant disease.

Results:

56% (172) patients were candidates for PLFT, including 70 group A cases plus 102 group B cases. Group C comprised 4% (11) cases who are candidates for FHA. Thus 60% (183) cases were candidates for either PLFT or FHA.

Conclusions:

A significant number of patients are potential candidates for focal therapy in this RP series. We encourage prospective clinical trials investigating the oncological safety and outcomes of focal therapy in treating low and intermediate risk localised prostate cancer.
Effects of local lidocaine treatment before and after median nerve injury on mechanical hypersensitivity and microglia activation in rat cuneate nucleus
Authors: Linl Shih‐Chang , Yehl Jiann‐Horng , Chenl Chih‐Li , Choul Shiu‐Huey , Tsail Yi‐Ju
Published: September 2010

This study examined the relationship between microglia activation in the cuneate nucleus (CN) and behavioral hypersensitivity after chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the median nerve. We also investigated effects of local lidocaine pre‐ and post‐treatment on microglia activation and development of hypersensitivity in this model. By immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting, little immunoreactivity of OX‐42, a microglia activation marker, was detected in the CN of normal rats. As early as 1 day after CCI, there was a significant increase in OX‐42 immunoreactivity in the lesion side of CN, which reached a maximum at 14 days. Microinjection of minocycline, a microglia activation inhibitor, into the CN 1 day after CCI attenuated injury‐induced behavioral hypersensitivity in a dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, the animals received 1%, 2% or 5% lidocaine 15 min prior to median nerve CCI (pre‐treatment), 5 h (early post‐treatment) or 1 day (late post‐treatment) after median nerve CCI. Pre‐treatment and early post‐treatment with 2% and 5% lidocaine, but not 1% lidocaine, attenuated OX‐42 immunoreactivity and behavioral hypersensitivity following median nerve injury. Late post‐treatment with 1%, 2%, or 5% lidocaine failed to decrease OX‐42 immunoreactivity and mechanical hypersensitivity in CCI rats. In conclusion, median nerve injury‐induced microglia activation in the CN modulated development of behavioral hypersensitivity. High‐concentration lidocaine was effective in decreasing microglia activation in the CN and in attenuating neuropathic pain sensations at the early stage following nerve injury, when microglia had not yet been activated.
Prescribing practices in psychiatric hospitals in Eastern Europe
Authors: Jordanova V. , Maric N.P. , Alikaj V. , Bajs M. , Cavic T. , Iosub D. , Mihai A. , Szalontay A. , Sartorius N.
Published: September 2010

Background

There has been no evidence about the prescribing practices in psychiatric care in Eastern Europe.

Aims

To examine the patterns of psychotropic prescribing in five countries of Eastern Europe.

Method

We conducted a one-day census of psychiatric treatments used in eight psychiatric hospitals in Albania, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Romania. We examined clinical records and medication charts of 1304 patients.

Results

The use of polypharmacy was frequent across all diagnostic groups. Only 6.8% of patients were on monotherapy. The mean number of prescribed drugs was 2.8 (SD 0.97) with 26.5% receiving two drugs, 42.1% receiving three drugs and 22.1% being prescribed four or more psychotropic drugs. Typical antipsychotics were prescribed to 63% and atypical antipsychotics to 40% of patients with psychosis. Older generations of antidepressants were prescribed to 29% of patients with depression. Anxiolitic drugs were prescribed to 20.4% and benzodiazepines to 68.5% of patients. One third of patients received an anticholinergic drug on a regular basis.

Conclusions

Older generation antipsychotics and antidepressants were used more frequently than in the countries of Western Europe. Psychotropic polypharmacy is a common practice. There is a need for adopting more evidence-based practice in psychiatric care in these countries.
Mitochondrial dysfunction and pathology in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
Authors: Clay Hayley B. , Daws Stephanie , Konradi Christine
Published: September 2010

Bipolar disorder (BPD) and schizophrenia (SZ) are severe psychiatric illnesses with a combined prevalence of 4%. A disturbance of energy metabolism is frequently observed in these disorders. Several pieces of evidence point to an underlying dysfunction of mitochondria: (i) decreased mitochondrial respiration; (ii) changes in mitochondrial morphology; (iii) increases in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphisms and in levels of mtDNA mutations; (iv) downregulation of nuclear mRNA molecules and proteins involved in mitochondrial respiration; (v) decreased high‐energy phosphates and decreased pH in the brain; and (vi) psychotic and affective symptoms, and cognitive decline in mitochondrial disorders. Furthermore, transgenic mice with mutated mitochondrial DNA polymerase show mood disorder‐like phenotypes. In this review, we will discuss the genetic and physiological components of mitochondria and the evidence for mitochondrial abnormalities in BPD and SZ. We will furthermore describe the role of mitochondria during brain development and the effect of current drugs for mental illness on mitochondrial function. Understanding the role of mitochondria, both developmentally as well as in the ailing brain, is of critical importance to elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms in psychiatric disorders.
Mineralogical evidence for a local volcanic origin of the parent material of Bermuda Quaternary paleosols
Authors: Prognon François , Cojan Isabelle , Kindler Pascal , Thiry Médard , Demange Michel
Published: September 2010

The alternation of carbonate deposits and paleosols compose the emerged part of the Bermuda archipelago. The pedological units present a complex and diversified mineralogy. Former studies demonstrated that the paleosols are not primarily a product of the unique dissolution of the surrounding carbonates, but contain a massive input of allochthonous non-carbonate detrital material. Researchers during more than the past three decades have attributed this flux of insoluble residues (IR) to Saharan dusts. We carried out systematic field and mineralogical analyses on the Quaternary paleosols from the Bermuda archipelago. Their mineralogical assemblage predominantly includes carbonates, clay minerals (kaolinite, chlorite and chlorite/vermiculite), phosphates, and aluminium and iron oxides/hydroxides. This assemblage is strikingly close to the mineralogy of the weathered volcanic substrate of Bermuda, but noticeably different from the mineralogy of Saharan dust. Moreover, we found volcanic lithoclasts in numerous paleosol profiles all over the archipelago and in all the recorded time intervals. We thus consider the volcanic seamount underlying Bermuda as the main source of non-carbonate minerals detected in the paleosols. This hypothesis further resolves the anomalous maturity of Bermudan paleosols compared to their southern counterparts in the Bahamas and Barbados.
Viral Hepatitis Infections in Southern Taiwan: A Multicenter Community‐based Study
Authors: Yang Jeng‐Fu , Lin Chia‐I , Huang Jee‐Fu , Dai Chia‐Yen , Lin Wen‐Yi , Ho Chi‐Kung , Hsieh Ming‐Yen , Lee Li‐Po , Ho Nai‐Jen , Lin Zu‐Yau , Chen Shinn‐Cherng , Hsieh Ming‐Yuh , Wang Liang‐Yen , Yu Ming‐Lung , Chuang Wan‐Long , Chang Wen‐Yu
Published: September 2010

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are major causes of liver disease in Taiwan and have a great impact on the health of this country. This study investigated the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV in southern Taiwan. Screening programs were performed from September 1999 to August 2005 for community‐based surveillance of liver disease. A total of 28,797 adults from southern Taiwan, including Kaohsiung City (n = 14,036), Kaohsiung County (n = 7,713), and Pingtung County (n = 7,048) were participated. The mean age was 50.3 ± 14.6 years (range, 20‐97 years), with 41.0% were men. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to HCV (anti‐HCV), and liver function tests were performed. Among the 28,797 adults, the prevalence of HBsAg(+) was 15.1% and that for anti‐HCV(+) was 8.6%. The seroprevalence of HBsAg in Kaohsiung County was 18.2%, which was higher than in Kaohsiung City (14.7%, p < 0.001) or Pingtung County (12.5%, p < 0.001). The seroprevalence of anti‐HCV in Kaohsiung County was 17.2%, which was higher than in the other regions (Kaohsiung City = 5.8%, p < 0.001; Pingtung County = 4.6%, p < 0.001). The prevalence of dual HBsAg and anti‐HCV was 1.1% (323 patients). Tzukuan Township in Kaohsiung County was endemic for HBsAg (19.1%, 1,026/5,375 patients), anti‐HCV (22.4%, 1,203/5,375 patients), and dual HBsAg/anti‐HCV (3.6%, 191/5,375 patients). Subjects with anti‐HCV(+) were older and had higher alanine transaminase levels than their HBsAg(+) counterparts (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The current study shows the epidemiological characteristics of HBV and HCV infections among adults in southern Taiwan. Viral hepatitis infections remain widely endemic in this region.
Anesthesia Induction With Sevoflurane and Propofol: Evaluation of P‐wave Dispersion, QT and Corrected QT Intervals
Authors: Hanci Volkan , Aydin Mustafa , Yurtlu Bülent Serhan , Ayoğlu Hilal , Okyay Rahsan Dilek , Taş Ebru , Erdoğan Gülay , Aydoğan Keziban , Turan Isil özkoçak
Published: September 2010

The present study compared the effects of anesthesia induction with sevoflurane and propofol on hemodynamics, P‐wave dispersion (Pwd), QT interval and corrected QT (QTc) interval. A total of 72 adult patients were included in this prospective study. All patients had control electrocardiograms (ECGs) before anesthesia induction. Anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane inhalation or intravenous propofol. Electrocardiography for all patients was performed during the 1st and 3rd minutes of induction, 3 minutes after administration of muscle relaxant, and at 5 minutes and 10 minutes after intubation. Pwd and QT intervals were measured on all ECGs. QTc intervals were determined using the Bazett formula. There was no significant difference in Pwd and QT and QTc intervals on control ECGs. In the sevoflurane group, except for control ECGs, Pwd and QTc interval on all ECGs were significantly longer than those in the propofol group (p < 0.05). We conclude that propofol should be used for anesthesia induction in patients with a predisposition to preoperative arrhythmias, and in those whose Pwd and QTc durations are prolonged on preoperative ECGs.
Features of Parotid Gland Diseases and Surgical Results in Southern Taiwan
Authors: Chan Wen‐Hsiang , Lee Ka‐Wo , Chiang Feng‐Yu , Ho Kuen‐Yao , Chai Chee‐Yin , Kuo Wen‐Rei
Published: September 2010

Various parotid gland diseases are seen clinically, including inflammation, sialolithiasis, and benign and malignant tumors. It is important to differentiate between these to make a correct diagnosis and for proper management. Here, we investigated the relationship between tumor characteristics and pathology, and considered whether the former could be used to differentiate malignant from benign parotid gland diseases. We retrospectively reviewed the charts and data of 316 patients who underwent surgery in Kaohsiung Medical University Chung‐Ho Memorial Hospital from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2008. Two hundred and eighty‐one patients (88.9%) had benign disease, and 35 (11.1%) had malignant disease. The most common benign disease was pleomorphic adenoma (115 cases, 36.4%), but the most common disease in male patients was Warthin's tumor, a finding which, as far as we aware, has not been previously been reported in the literature. The incidence of Warthin's tumor seems to be increasing. In malignant disease, the most common was acinic cell carcinoma (8 cases, 22.9%). Compared with benign disease, malignant parotid gland disease more often presents as a hard, painful, fixed and large mass (> 3 cm), and more often involves the deep lobe of the parotid gland. Partial parotidectomy was adequate for most tumors, including pleomorphic adenoma. The most common postoperative complication was temporary facial palsy, followed by permanent facial palsy. However, there was no difference in transient facial palsy rate between benign and malignant parotid gland disease, although parotid gland cancer had a higher incidence of permanent facial palsy postoperatively.
Ganglioneuroma of Posterior Mediastinum in a 6‐year‐old Girl: Imaging for Pediatric Intrathoracic Incidentaloma
Authors: Lin Pei‐Chin , Lin Shih‐Hsiung , Chou Shah‐Hwa , Chen Yu‐Wen , Chang Tai‐Tsung , Wu Jiunn‐Ren , Jaw Twei‐Shun , Dai Zen‐Kong , Chao Mei‐Chyn
Published: September 2010

Intrathoracic tumor is a rare entity in the pediatric population and neurogenic tumors account for 40‐50% of childhood intrathoracic tumors. They can cause severe symptoms, such as respiratory distress, neurological dysfunction and metabolic disturbances. Posterior mediastinal ganglioneuroma (GN) usually occurs in children and can be found accidentally. Precise preoperative diagnosis is very difficult and has a great influence on surgical intervention. Here, we report a 6‐year‐old girl with a posterior mediastinal GN that was found incidentally on chest radiography. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a right paraspinal tumor with punctuate calcification and intraspinal extension. 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography revealed low‐grade fluorodeoxyglucose avidity of this tumor. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can characterize GN and positron emission tomography is helpful for differentiating benign or malignant lesions.
Iatrogenic Rupture of the Ureter During Kidney Biopsy
Authors: Chen Szu‐Chia , Liu Wan‐Chun , Wang Chuan‐Sheng , Jang Mei‐Yu , Lin Hugo You‐Hsien , Lee Su‐Chu , Chang Jer‐Ming , Chen Hung‐Chun
Published: September 2010

Perirenal hematoma, hematuria, and abdominal pain are common complications of kidney biopsy, but ureter rupture is relatively less frequent. Here we report a patient who experienced severe abdominal pain and gross hematuria following a non‐smooth procedure of ultrasound‐guided kidney biopsy. Computed tomography showed rupture of the left upper third of the ureter. We implanted a curled double‐J catheter between the renal pelvis and urinary bladder. Abdominal pain and gross hematuria improved. After 2 months, the double‐J catheter was removed and the patient had no further clinical symptoms. The possibility of ureter rupture, although rare, should be considered in the presence of abdominal pain and gross hematuria in patients after receiving a kidney biopsy.
Managing for justice in community-based water planning: a conceptual framework
Authors: HOWARD JONATHON LEIGH
Published: September 2010

This paper provides a systematic way to consider justice in community-based environmental planning and management. A conceptual framework connects the literature on management functions to the empirical and theoretical research on justice. Two contrasting case studies of the water reform process in Australia are used to illustrate how to apply this framework. These case studies show that certain perspectives of justice are particularly pertinent during different phases of a planning process, and that community-based environmental planning and management can be more difficult when the stakeholders involved have different values and views about a resource, and when perceived injustices occur early in a planning process.
Toxicity of acrylamide and evaluation of its exposure in baby foods
Authors: Erkekoğlu Pınar , Baydar Terken
Published: September 2010

Contaminants are a vast subject area of food safety and quality and can be present in our food chain from raw materials to finished products. Acrylamide, an α,β-unsaturated (conjugated) reactive molecule, can be detected as a contaminant in several foodstuffs including baby foods and infant formulas. It is anticipated that children will generally have intakes that are two to three times those of adults when expressed on a body-weight basis. Though exposure to acrylamide is inevitable, it is necessary to protect infant and children from high exposure. The present review focuses on the several adverse health effects of acrylamide including mutagenicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, neurotoxicity and reproductive toxicity, and the possible outcomes of childhood exposure from baby foods and infant formulas.
Period Lengths for Iterated Functions
Authors: SCHMUTZ ERIC
Published: September 2010

Let Ωnbe thenn-element set consisting of all functions that have {1, 2, 3, . . .,n} as both domain and codomain. LetT(f) be the order off,i.e., the period of the sequencef,f(2),f(3),f(4). . . of compositional iterates. A closely related number,B(f) = the product of the lengths of the cycles off, has previously been used as an approximation forT. This paper proves that the average values of these two quantities are quite different. The expected value ofTiswherek0is a complicated but explicitly defined constant that is approximately 3.36. The expected value ofBis much larger:
Affect Analysis Model: novel rule-based approach to affect sensing from text
Authors: NEVIAROUSKAYA ALENA , PRENDINGER HELMUT , ISHIZUKA MITSURU
Published: September 2010

In this paper, we address the tasks of recognition and interpretation of affect communicated through text messaging in online communication environments. Specifically, we focus on Instant Messaging (IM) or blogs, where people use an informal or garbled style of writing. We introduced a novel rule-based linguistic approach for affect recognition from text. Our Affect Analysis Model (AAM) was designed to deal with not only grammatically and syntactically correct textual input, but also informal messages written in an abbreviated or expressive manner. The proposed rule-based approach processes each sentence in stages, including symbolic cue processing, detection and transformation of abbreviations, sentence parsing and word/phrase/sentence-level analyses. Our method is capable of processing sentences of different complexity, including simple, compound, complex (with complement and relative clauses) and complex–compound sentences. Affect in text is classified into nine emotion categories (or neutral). The strength of the resulting emotional state depends on vectors of emotional words, relations among them, tense of the analysed sentence and availability of first person pronouns. The evaluation of the Affect Analysis Model algorithm showed promising results regarding its capability to accurately recognize fine-grained emotions reflected in sentences from diary-like blog posts (averaged accuracy is up to 77 per cent), fairy tales (averaged accuracy is up to 70.2 per cent) and news headlines (our algorithm outperformed eight other systems on several measures).
5-HT2Breceptors are expressed on astrocytes from brain and in culture and are a chronic target for all five conventional ‘serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors’
Authors: Zhang Shiquen , Li Baoman , Lovatt Ditte , Xu Junnan , Song Dan , Goldman Steven A. , Nedergaard Maiken , Hertz Leif , Peng Liang
Published: September 2010

In well-differentiated primary cultures of mouse astrocytes, which express no serotonin transporter (SERT), the ‘serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitor’ (SSRI) fluoxetine leadsacutelyto 5-HT2Breceptor-mediated, transactivation-dependent phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) with an EC50of ~5 μM, andchronicallyto ERK1/2phosphorylation-dependent upregulation of mRNA and protein expression of calcium-dependent phospholipase A2(cPLA2) with ten-fold higher affinity. This affinity is high enough that fluoxetine given therapeutically may activate astrocytic 5-HT2Breceptors (Liet al., 2008, 2009). We now confirm the expression of 5-HT2Breceptors in astrocytes freshly dissociated from mouse brain and isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and investigate in cultured cells if the effects of fluoxetine are shared by all five conventional SSRIs with sufficiently high affinity to be relevant for mechanism(s) of action of SSRIs. Phosphorylated and total ERK1/2and mRNA and protein expression of cPLA2awere determined by Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Paroxetine, which differs widely from fluoxetine in affinity for SERT and for another 5-HT2receptor, the 5-HT2Creceptor, acted acutely and chronically like fluoxetine. One micromolar of paroxetine, fluvoxamine or sertraline increased cPLA2aexpression during chronic treatment; citalopram had a similar effect at 0.1–0.5 μM; these are therapeutically relevant concentrations.
Moving local food through conventional food system infrastructure: Value chain framework comparisons and insights
Authors: Bloom J. Dara , Hinrichs C. Clare
Published: September 2010

There is growing recognition that the direct marketing initiatives favored by many local food activists and proponents often lack the capacity to meet rapidly expanding consumer demand for local food. To address these needs, some food systems researchers have identified a role for ‘transitional’ food systems that piggyback on the pre-existing, conventional local food system infrastructure, while moving toward the social and economic benefits of direct marketing. This paper uses a value chain model (based on business management studies and adapted to the context of agrifood enterprises) as a framework for investigating how actors who are accustomed to working within the logic of the traditional produce industry incorporate local food into their overall operations. Using a qualitative comparative case study approach, the paper examines how features of the value chain structure and governance mechanisms operate in two food distribution networks that are transitioning toward localization in a rural and an urban region of Pennsylvania, respectively. Case study analysis focuses on conventional wholesale produce distributors as the link between local producers and local buyers. Interviews with the distributors, producers and buyers reveal the sources and outcomes of challenges affecting how the distributors organize their purchasing and selling of local produce. Network practices, in turn, have equity implications as distributors struggle to pay producers enough to maintain their economic viability, while still making local produce accessible to a wide range of consumers. Policy-makers and practitioners seeking to support the ‘scaling up’ of local and regional food systems should consider targeted development of technical infrastructure in processing and distribution, as well as outreach on appropriate shared ownership models. Future research should be longitudinal to determine the longer-term role and contribution of the conventional food system infrastructure in transitioning to more sustainable local and regional food systems.
Pilot Neuroimaging Study in Civilian Trauma Survivors
Authors: Dörfel Denise , Werner Annett , Schaefer Michael , Karl Anke
Published: September 2010

Despite its hypothesized role in the etiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), little research has investigated neural correlates of episodic memory impairment in trauma survivors. This pilot study utilized a correlational design to investigate the association between PTSD symptom severity, hippocampal volume, episodic memory, and brain activation during the Remember-Know task. Eleven non-medicated, right-handed survivors of civilian trauma participated in the study. Significant positive correlations were found between PTSD symptom severity and the activation of brain areas implicated in the episodic recognition network such as hippocampus, precuneus, and occipital gyrus. Higher PTSD symptoms were also significantly negatively correlated with brain activations in areas associated with episodic memory but also visuospatial attention such as the superior parietal lobule and the supramarginal gyrus. The pattern of results indicates specific alterations in the recruitment of the episodic memory network, possibly with a focus on internal mental imagery at the cost of integration between internal processes and external visuospatial online monitoring.