bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Runoff modifications due to the conversion of natural grasslands to forests in a large basin in Uruguay
Authors: Silveira Luis , Alonso Jimena
Published: October 2008

Uruguay has encouraged the development of the forestry sector since 1989. As a member of the Montreal Process, the country has followed a set of criteria and indicators for the Sustainable Forest Management. The aim of this paper is to describe the studies carried out in a large basin of 2097 km2, located in an area of humid subtropical climate and 1300 mm of long‐term mean annual rainfall, where the conversion of natural grasslands to forests increased up to 540 km2 during the last 15 years. Using data from daily rainfall and streamflow, the study analyses the effects of afforestation on the runoff and water loss. The analysis comprises hydrographs resulting from comparable rainfall events and annual and seasonal streamflow and water loss behaviour, both before afforestation (1975–1993) and during the afforestation period (1994–2008). A statistically significant reduction of runoff volumes (33–43%) and peak flows (59–65%) were identified on storm hydrographs. The annual and seasonal streamflow also showed diminishing tendencies due to the forestry development, whereas the water loss increases. The annual streamflow decreased between 8·2 and 36·5% depending on the annual rainfall totals. The streamflow reduction was higher during spring and summer (25·2–38·4%) and smaller during autumn and winter (15–20·3%). The water loss is expected to increase by 98 mm for the long‐term mean annual rainfall. The resulting information is a valuable input for the Integrated Water Resources Management of the Negro river basin located downstream, where hydroelectric power, rice irrigation and forestry development are supported. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two decades of new concepts in nitric oxide signaling: From the discovery of a gas messenger to the mediation of nonenzymatic posttranslational modifications
Authors: Martínez‐Ruiz Antonio , Lamas Santiago
Published: October 2008

For the past 20 years, nitric oxide (NO) has established itself as a gaseous free radical with crucial and unpredicted roles in a wide spectrum of biological functions and organisms. We present here a case whereby NO‐mediated signaling can be broadly classified into classical (cGMP‐mediated) and nonclassical, the latter mainly alluding to posttranslational modifications related to NO and its interaction with reactive groups in proteins. © 2008 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 61(2): 91–98, 2009
Bacterial ancient DNA as an indicator of human presence in the past: its correlation with palynological and archaeological data
Authors: Madeja Jacek , Wacnik Agnieszka , Zyga Agata , Stankiewicz Elzbieta , Wypasek Ewa , Guminski Witold , Harmata Krystyna
Published: October 2008

Palynological investigation is one of the most important tools for reconstructing past vegetation. Some plants have proved to be relatively sensitive indicators of human activity, but most of them are not specific. In this paper we propose a method which can be used for the verification of phases of anthropogenic impact on vegetation distinguished in pollen diagrams. In this work we adopted the existing molecular methods for tracking bacterial ancient DNA of Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides‐Prevotella (known as human‐ and cow‐specific genetic markers) in palynologically and archaeologically associated sediments. This method can be helpful in determining local human presence, especially in those time periods when pollen analysis has not always been very discriminating (Palaeolithic, Mesolithic) and at sites without archaeological evidence. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Water‐holding capacity of insoluble fibre decreases free water and elevates digesta viscosity in the rat
Authors: Takahashi Toru , Furuichi Yukio , Mizuno Takafumi , Kato Masako , Tabara Aya , Kawada Yuka , Hirano Yoshiyuki , Kubo Kin‐ya , Onozuka Minoru , Kurita Osamu
Published: October 2008

BACKGROUND: The relationships between possible physiological properties of insoluble fibre and the viscosity of digesta are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of insoluble fibres with different water‐holding capacity, swelling, oil‐holding capacity and cation exchange capacity on gastric, small intestinal and caecal contents in rats fed a semi‐purified diet containing either no fibre (control), 50 g kg−1 tossa jute fibre or 50 g kg−1 shiitake fibre.

RESULTS: The water‐holding capacity, swelling, oil‐holding capacity and cation exchange capacity of insoluble fibres of tossa jute were higher than those of shiitake (P < 0.001). The order of the viscosities of digesta was control group < shiitake fibre group < tossa jute fibre group in gastric, small intestinal and caecal contents (P < 0.05). The digesta viscosity at a shear rate of 40 s−1 was strongly correlated with the free water content of digesta (r = − 0.89; P < 0.01). The free water content of digesta depended on the water‐holding capacity of insoluble fibres represented as a linear function with negative slope (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: The viscosity of digesta depends on the free water content, and this is reduced by fibre that holds water and can swell. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Combining pedometrics, remote sensing and field observations for assessing soil loss in challenging drylands: A case study of Northwestern Somalia
Authors: Omuto C. T. , Vargas R. R.
Published: October 2008

Soil loss is a major concern for land managers due to its influence on biomass production, surface water quality and landscape beauty. In Somalia, the risk of soil loss is accelerated by the removal of vegetation, bad land use practices and negative impacts of urbanization. The political upheavals and consequent insecurity in the country are major limitations for detailed database and research in soil loss. This study tested opportunities in pedometrics, remote sensing, limited field data collection and the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) to model the risk of soil loss in northwestern Somalia. The approach successfully predicted the risk of soil loss with accuracy of 79 per cent. It also showed that RUSLE is only relatively accurate and stable in identifying areas with low risk of soil loss and therefore is useful in modelling early warning signs of erosion. About 24 per cent of northwestern Somalia was depicted to have no significant human‐induced soil loss while 68 per cent of the region is in threat of soil loss if no action is taken against the removal of vegetation, land use practices and policies on land tenure systems. About 8 per cent of the area is at high risk of soil loss due to negative effects of urbanization and lack of proper management of steep slopes. It is anticipated that this approach can be integrated in the assessment of soil erosion in areas with poor database. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of natural zeolites and organic fertilisers on the characteristics of degraded soils and yield of crops grown in Western Serbia
Authors: Glisic I. P. , Milosevic T. M. , Glisic I. S. , Milosevic N. T.
Published: October 2008

Soils with unfavourable characteristics (pronounced acidity, disturbed structure, compaction, exhaustion, tiredness, etc.) cover a considerable area of Serbia. Specific crops, the fruit ones in particular, are being grown on these soils, yielding, however, considerably lower yields. The paper presents results of two‐year studies on the effect of natural zeolites, organic fertiliser—cattle manure and mineral NPK fertiliser (15:15:15) on soil properties and fruit yield and fruit properties of strawberry and blackberry plants grown on shallow eroded vertisol.

The results have shown that the chemical properties of the soil improved with the natural zeolite ‘Agrozel’ (1 kg m−2) +  Manure (1 kg m−2) treatment—resulting in a 0·94‐unit acidity decrease and a 0·58% humus content increase at a 0–20 cm soil depth. Positive but less pronounced changes were also detected at greater soil depths. The strawberry and blackberry cultivation in these soils using the above substances gave rise to a yield increase. In the second year of study, strawberry and blackberry yields increased by 13·15% and 6·27%, respectively. Basic chemical properties of strawberry and blackberry fruits (soluble solids and total acid contents) were not significantly affected by zeolite and organic fertiliser additions to the soil. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Macromol. Rapid Commun. 21/2008
Authors: Kuo Chi‐Ching , Tung Yi‐Chih , Lin Chia‐Hung , Chen Wen‐Chang
Published: October 2008

Back Cover: Poly[2,7‐(9,9‐dihexylfluorene)]‐block‐poly‐(methyl methacrylate) (PF‐b‐PMMA) electrospun fibers formed various PF‐aggregated structures of dotlike, linelike, and ellipselike shape for different THF/DMF solvent ratios, which led to distinct photophysical properties. Further details can be found in the article by C.‐C. Kuo, Y‐C. Tung, C.‐H. Lin, and W.‐C. Chen* on page 1711.
Structural glycomics using hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) with mass spectrometry
Authors: Wuhrer Manfred , de Boer Arjen R. , Deelder André M.
Published: October 2008

Hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) with mass spectrometry is a versatile technique for structural glycomics. Glycans are retained by hydrogen bonding, ionic interactions, and dipole–dipole interactions. Glycopeptides as well as glycans with various modifications and reducing‐end labels can be efficiently separated, which often results in the resolution of isobaric species. Chromatography is usually performed with solvent mixtures of organic modifier (often acetonitrile) and volatile (acidic) buffer which are suitable for online‐electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry. When performed at the nano‐scale, this results in a detection limit for oligosaccharides of approximately 1 femtomol. Alternatively, glycans may be analyzed by offline‐MALDI‐MS(/MS) in both negative‐ion mode and positive‐ion mode, which allows the registration of informative fragment ion spectra from deprotonated species and sodium adducts, respectively. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 28:192–206, 2009
Consumption of oat β‐glucan with or without plant stanols did not influence inflammatory markers in hypercholesterolemic subjects
Authors: Theuwissen Elke , Plat Jogchum , Mensink Ronald P.
Published: October 2008

We have earlier demonstrated that muesli enriched with oat β‐glucan effectively lowered serum LDL cholesterol. Addition of plant stanols further lowered LDL cholesterol. Besides these hypocholesterolemic effects, β‐glucan and plant stanol esters (PSE) may also affect inflammatory processes. Forty‐two mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects randomly consumed for 4 wk (crossover design) control muesli (4.8 g control fiber), β‐glucan muesli (4.8 g oat β‐glucan), or combination muesli (4.8 g oat β‐glucan plus 1.4 g stanol as PSE). Changes in cytokine production (IL‐6, IL‐8, and TNF‐α) of LPS‐stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and whole blood were evaluated, as well as changes in plasma high‐sensitivity (hs)‐CRP. Additionally, changes in expression profiles of 84 genes involved in atherosclerosis metabolism were assessed in isolated PBMC. IL‐6, IL‐8, and TNF‐α production by PBMC and whole blood after LPS stimulation did not differ between the treatments. Also high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) levels were similar. β‐Glucan consumption did not change gene expression, while only 3 genes (ADFP, CDH5, CSF2) out of the 84 genes from the atherosclerotic risk panel were differentially expressed (p < 0.05) after consumption of PSE. Consumption of β‐glucan with or without PSE did not influence inflammatory parameters in mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects.
Oligomeric procyanidins inhibit cell migration and modulate the expression of migration and proliferation associated genes in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells
Authors: García‐Conesa María‐Teresa , Tribolo Sandra , Guyot Sylvain , Tomás‐Barberán Francisco A. , Kroon Paul A.
Published: October 2008

The consumption of flavan‐3‐ols has been associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and improvements in vascular function. However, the nature of the flavan‐3‐ols responsible and the mechanisms underlying the vascular responses are not fully understood. We used microarrays to search for molecular changes in response to the exposure to (–)‐epicatechin (EC), procyanidin dimer B2, and a mixture of oligomeric procyanidins in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). No gene expression changes were detected in HUVECs exposed to EC or dimer B2, however, the oligomeric procyanidins induced significant gene expression changes in both resting and TNF‐α‐stimulated cells. In particular, the expression of genes such as ADAMTS1, THBS1, ANGPT2, CYR61, ET‐1, EDG3, and PDE4B involved in endothelial cell migration and proliferation, were substantially over‐represented. Also, exposure to the oligomers arrested the cells at the G0/G1 phase and inhibited cell migration. These data show that human endothelial cells respond to oligomeric procyanidins by exhibiting a less migratory phenotype and by a general modulation of the expression of genes that are associated with key events in the angiogenic process. The molecular changes associated with procyanidin treatment identified in this study are consistent with the beneficial effects of flavan‐3‐ols on vascular function.
Polyphenolic composition of roots and petioles of Rheum rhaponticum L.
Authors: Püssa Tõnu , Raudsepp Piret , Kuzina Kristina , Raal Ain
Published: October 2008

Introduction

Various species of the genus Rheum (Polygonaceae) are known for their high content of medicinally important hydroxyanthraquinones. However, little information is available concerning the polyphenolic composition of garden or dietary rhubarb Rheum rhaponticum L. (R. rhaponticum).

Objective

Determination of further polyphenols in the roots and petioles of R. rhaponticum.

Methodology

The dried plant material was extracted with 10‐fold excess (v/w) of methanol and subsequently diluted five times with methanol–water (1:1) and analysed by reversed‐phase liquid chromatography using tandem UV‐photodiode array and mass selective detection (RP‐HPLC‐UV‐ESI/MS2). Polyphenols were identified using either HPLC‐ESI/MS2 data obtained for respective commercial standards or by comparison of a parent ion fragmentation picture with the respective MS2 spectrum from the literature.

Results

The roots of R. rhaponticum were very rich in various hydroxystilbenes and contained four main substance groups –derivatives of trans‐piceatannol, trans‐resveratrol, trans‐rhapontigenin and trans‐deoxyrhapontigenin. Additionally, pterostilbene acetylglucosides and a number of hydroxyanthraquinones and their glycosides were identified in the root samples. The profile of polyphenols in the petioles of R. rhaponticum was similar to that of the roots but the content of individual substances was remarkably lower. The petioles of the R. rhaponticum additionally contained significant amounts of derivatives of flavonol quercetin, which is a good antioxidant.

Conclusion

The study has shown that roots of R. rhaponticum contain a wide variety of hydroxystilbenes and deserve further consideration as a source of medicinally interesting compounds. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Model‐Based Nonlinear Control of Batch Fluidized Bed Dryers
Authors: Li Mingzhong , Duncan Stephen
Published: October 2008

Control of a batch fluidized bed dryer is required in many industries. In this paper, the optimization and feedback control of material moisture content in a batch fluidized bed dryer are studied. The optimal operating conditions of the dryer have been found and a generic model control (GMC) strategy has been implemented to achieve a desired drying rate for wet materials. As it is usually impractical to measure moisture content directly, an extended Kalman filter (EKF) observer is used to estimate the moisture content on‐line in order to detect the drying end‐point and to provide a state estimate for feedback control. Studies show that the EKF observer and the GMC controller can provide satisfactory estimation and control of the particle moisture content even if the process model error is significant.
Dynamic Model Analysis of Batch Fluidized Bed Dryers
Authors: Li Mingzhong , Duncan Stephen
Published: October 2008

In this work, a lumped mechanistic model has been developed to describe the heat and mass transfer between solid, gas and bubble phases in a batch fluidized bed dryer. To minimize the computational load, an approximation of the bubble temperature has been made in the model and it is shown that this does not significantly reduce the accuracy of the model. Model parameter sensitivity analysis has indicated that the performance characteristics of a bath fluidized bed dryer are affected not only by the inlet gas superficial velocity and temperature, but also by the features of particle and bubble phases, in particular, the particle and bubble sizes. Experimental validation shows that the proposed lumped dynamic model can be used to predict the particle moisture content and temperature profiles during the drying process in a fluidized bed dryer.
Dissipation of acephate, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin and their metabolites in a humid‐tropical vegetable production system
Authors: Chai Lian‐Kuet , Mohd‐Tahir Norhayati , Bruun Hansen Hans Christian
Published: October 2008

BACKGROUND:High amounts of insecticides are often used in intensive tropical vegetable production systems. Their persistence and residues in vegetables and soils need to be studied to ensure food safety and environmental stability. The dissipation of acephate, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin and their metabolites was studied in green mustard [Brassica juncea(L.) Coss.] and soils. Two treatments, Impact 75 (acephate) and Agent 505 (cypermethrin plus chlorpyrifos), were applied 4 times at weekly intervals.

RESULTS:Dissipation of acephate, chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin in green mustard and topsoils followed first‐order kinetics, with half‐lives of between 1.1 and 3.1 days in green mustard and between 1.4 and 9.4 days in topsoils (26 °C). Higher vapour pressure of insecticides and higher rainfall appeared to stimulate dissipation from the vegetable, with least effect of rainfall on chlorpyrifos. Dissipation rates in the vegetable were faster or similar (cypermethrin) to rates observed for temperate areas. Preharvest intervals of 13, 4 and 3 days were required for acephate, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin and their metabolites to comply with the tolerance levels. The pesticide dissipation rates in soils varied by less than a factor of 3 between sites. The metabolites methamidophos and TCP derived from acephate and chlorpyrifos amounted to less than 10 and 25% by mass of the parent compounds in soils. Vegetable shading possibly retarded pesticide degradation in soil.

CONCLUSION:The dissipation of pesticides and their metabolites in the vegetable was rapid and faster than the dissipation in temperate climates. The degradation rates of pesticides in the soil were equal to or slightly faster than the degradation rates in temperate soils. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Licoflavone C attenuates the genotoxicity of cancer drugs in human peripheral lymphocytes
Authors: Scarpato Roberto , Paganucci Letizia , Bertoli Alessandra , Fiore Lisa , Pistelli Luisa , Federico Giovanni
Published: October 2008

Flavonoids exhibit a wide spectrum of biological activities that can lead to beneficial effects for human health. The search for cytotoxic, genotoxic and/or antimutagenic natural compounds is therefore of great relevance, especially in cancer chemotherapy. In view of this, we screened the potential genotoxicity/antigenotoxicty of licoflavone C (LFLC) – a naturally occurring prenyl‐flavone extracted fromGenista ephedroides– using the micronucleus (MN) assay on stimulated and cytochalasin B‐blocked human lymphocytes. LFLC did not increase the spontaneous MN level up to 600 µM final concentration where a strong toxicity was seen to occur. We therefore performed an antigenotoxicity assay against the two mutagenic anticancer drugs, mitomycin C (MMC) and daunorubicin (DAU), using two non‐toxic LFLC concentrations (0.1 µM and 1.0 µM). The MN frequencies induced by 0.025 µg/ml or 0.05 µg/ml DAU were significantly lowered by 45.4% or 46.6% and 41.8% or 44.8% at LFLC 0.1 and 1.0 µM, respectively. After treatment with 0.085 µg/ml or 0.17 µg/ml MMC, we detected a reduction in genotoxicity of 35.1% or 37.0% and of 38.0% or 35.8% at LFLC 0.1 and 1.0 µM, respectively. In conclusion, LFLC was proven to be protective toward the chromosome damage induced by DAU or MMC in cultured human peripheral lymphocytes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photoprotective effect of red ginseng against ultraviolet radiation‐induced chronic skin damage in the hairless mouse
Authors: Lee Hae June , Kim Joong Sun , Song Myoung Sub , Seo Heung Sik , Moon Changjong , Kim Jong Choon , Jo Sung Kee , Jang Jong Sik , Kim Sung Ho
Published: October 2008

To evaluate the ability of red ginseng (RG) to protect the skin from photodamage, the gross and microscopic changes in the skin of hairless mice and RG‐treated mice exposed chronically to UV were examined. The skin of the UV‐irradiated mice showed characteristic signs of photoaging, such as deep wrinkles across the back, increased epidermal thickness, numerous cell infiltration, and many enlarged keratinizing cysts. The RG‐treated mice showed a significantly decreased wrinkling score, minimal epidermal hyperplasia, slightly increased dermal cellularity and lack of proliferation of cysts. By week 22, 88.9% (i.p. with saline) or 60.0% (topical administration with cream base) of the UV‐irradiated mice developed at least one tumor. RG delayed tumor onset significantly. RG was also effective in reducing the occurrence of UV radiation‐induced skin tumors and reduced the number of tumors per mouse. After 22 weeks of treatment, 57.1% (i.p.) or 85.7% (topical administration) of the mice treated with RG were tumor‐free. Tumor multiplicity was reduced by 89.3% (i.p.) or 92.2% (topical administration) in the RG treated groups. It is noted that skin that is chronically exposed to UV is subject to photoaging and photocarcinogenesis and the regular use of RG would prevent these photodamaging effects of UV. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bovine serum albumin adsorption onto 316L stainless steel and alumina: a comparative study using depletion, protein radiolabeling, quartz crystal microbalance and atomic force microscopy
Authors: Gispert M. P. , Serro A. P. , Colaço R. , Saramago B.
Published: October 2008

The importance of protein adsorption on biomaterials is widely recognized, but the dependence of the adsorption results on the chosen technique has not been much addressed. The objective of this work is to compare adsorption data obtained using several techniques under experimental conditions as closely as possible. Two case studies were investigated: adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) onto 316L stainless steel (SS) and onto alumina. Both materials were used as powders and plates, whose characterization was done through zeta potential (ZP) measurements. The experimental techniques were depletion, protein radiolabeling, quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM‐D) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The adsorption isotherms obtained with depletion and QCM‐D techniques, although quantitatively different, present some similarities in shape. Both techniques suggest the existence of a compact end‐on monolayer of protein on the SS surface, while on the alumina surface a less dense side‐on monolayer is formed at lower BSA concentration, followed by a second layer at higher concentration. AFM topographical characterization of the protein films adsorbed on both materials confirms those findings. Further use of AFM in determining the thickness of the film adsorbed on SS yielded values in good agreement with the QDM‐D results. Different surface charges measured on powders and plates do not seem to affect adsorption. Protein radiolabeling seems to be the least reliable technique because it yields, for both materials, adsorption values higher than those from the other techniques. In the case of SS, the difference amounts to one order of magnitude. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimization of electroless NiP coatings based on multiple roughness characteristics
Authors: Sahoo Prasanta
Published: October 2008

This paper presents an experimental study of roughness characteristics of electroless NiP coatings. Optimization of coating process parameters is done with multiple surface roughness characteristics based on Taguchi method coupled with grey relational analysis. Experiments are carried out by utilizing the combination of process parameters based on L27 Taguchi orthogonal design with three process parameters, viz. bath temperature, concentration of nickel source solution and concentration of reducing agent. Results show that concentration of the reducing agent and its interaction with concentration of the nickel source solution have significant influence in controlling the roughness characteristics of electroless NiP coating. Grey‐based Taguchi method is found to optimize the coating parameters fairly well. The surface morphology and composition of coatings are also studied with the help of scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersed X‐ray analysis and X‐ray diffraction analysis. No significant change in nickel and phosphorous content of coatings occurs with annealing. The NiP deposit is nanocrystalline in the as‐plated condition, and upon heat treatment at 400 °C it produces Ni5P2, Ni2P, and NiP2 as major compound constituents. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Work in progress: relative safety of high‐rise and low‐rise buildings in Los Angeles
Authors: Zareian Farzin
Published: October 2008

This paper summarizes the first phase of research on the relative safety of buildings in Los Angeles. At this phase, the behaviour of two 20‐storey buildings designed according to UBC‐1994 provisions and subjected to simulated and recorded/scaled ground motions that represent a rare seismic event is investigated. The seismic event considered in this study is a magnitude 7·15 ground motion initiated in the blind thrust Puente Hills fault system. The effect of beam to column connections detailing on seismic demands is also investigated by developing two models for each building: one with pre‐Northridge connection assumptions and the other with post‐Northridge ones. In all models, the effects of gravity load carrying system and slab are neglected for simplicity. It is concluded that simulated ground motions representing the magnitude 7·15 earthquake impose higher seismic demands compared with recorded/scaled motions that represent a similar event to the extent that in the high‐slip region of the fault, the behaviour of the 20‐storey building with post‐Northridge connection can be deemed unacceptable. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prognostic Factors in Critically Ill Patients Suffering from Secondary Peritonitis: A Retrospective, Observational, Survival Time Analysis
Authors: Schneider Christian P. , Seyboth Carol , Vilsmaier Markus , Küchenhoff Helmut , Hofner Benjamin , Jauch Karl‐Walter , Hartl Wolfgang H.
Published: October 2008

Background

Acute mortality of unselected critically ill patients has improved during the last 15 years. Whether these benefits also affect survival of critically ill patients with secondary peritonitis is unclear as is the relevance of specific prognostic factors, such as source control.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of data collected prospectively from March 1993 to February 2005. A cohort of 319 consecutive postoperative patients with secondary peritonitis requiring intensive care was evaluated. End points for outcome analysis were derived from daily changes of hazard rate.

Results

Four‐month survival rate after intensive care unit (ICU) admission was 31.7%. For patients who have survived for more than 4 months, the 1‐year survival was 82.7%. After adjustment for relevant covariates, a high disease severity at ICU admission and during ICU stay, specific comorbidities (extended malignancies, liver cirrhosis) and sources of infection (distal esophagus, stomach), and an inadequate initial antibiotic therapy were associated with worse 4‐month prognosis. Inability to obtain source control was the most important determinant of mortality, and treatment after 2002 was combined with improved prognosis.

Conclusions

Four‐month prognosis of critically ill, surgical patients with secondary peritonitis is poor and mostly determined by the ability to obtain source control. Outcome has improved since 2002, and after successful surgical and intensive care therapy long‐term survival seems to be good.
Transcellular relocation of tetrahydrobiopterin across Caco‐2 cells: A model study of tetrahydrobiopterin absorption through epithelial cells of intestinal mucosa
Authors: Ohashi A. , Fukumuro M. , Sawabe K. , Mamada K. , Sugawara Y. , Matsuoka H. , Hasegawa H.
Published: October 2008

Oral administration of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) has been known to be effective in treating BH4‐deficient patients. It has long been established that BH4is absorbed by the intestinal mucosa. However, the mechanism for translocation of BH4across epithelial cells has not been elucidated. In order to study BH4transport mechanisms, Caco‐2 cells were employed in this study as an epithelial cell model. Caco‐2 cells were cultured (2 × 104cells/0.3 cm2well) for 21 days in a 24‐well format using Transwell, a porous membrane‐based culture dish, at which point they had established themselves as a tight sheet with a definite polarity. When BH4(100 μmol/L) was given to cells from the apical side, a considerable translocation toward their basolateral side was noted. The rate of BH4movement was around 150 pmol/h per well. This was comparable to the highest rate of BH4uptake or its release so far obtained using a monolayer culture of Caco‐2 cells on an ordinary plastic plate. The transcellular movement of BH4across the polar culture on the porous membrane was effectively prevented by benzbromarone (10 μmol/L), a well known inhibitor of a group of transporters including urate transporter (URAT1), organic anion transporters (OATs), and multidrug‐resistance‐associated proteins (MRPs). It was thus concluded that in Caco‐2 cells, BH4moved across the cell interior in a rapid ligand‐specific manner that was driven by a transporter.
The g.1170C>T polymorphism of the 5′ untranslated region of the human alpha‐galactosidase gene is associated with decreased enzyme expression—Evidence from a family study
Authors: Oliveira J. P. , Ferreira S. , Reguenga C. , Carvalho F. , Månsson J.‐E.
Published: October 2008

Subnormal leukocyte α‐galactosidase (α‐Gal) activity was found during evaluation of an adolescent male with cryptogenic cerebrovascular small‐vessel disease. The only molecular abnormality found was the g.1170C>T single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the 5′ untranslated region of exon 1 in the α‐Gal gene (GLA). Historically, this polymorphism has been considered to be biologically neutral. To test the hypothesis that the g.1170T allele might be associated with lower α‐Gal expression, we genotyped GLA exon 1 and measured leukocyte and plasma α‐Gal in the parents, brother and sister of the index case. The g.1170T allele co‐segregated with a subnormal leukocyte α‐Gal activity in the three siblings. Although plasma enzyme activities were within the normal range in all five relatives, the ranking of their values suggested a dosage effect of the g.1170T allele. Western blotting assays of leukocyte protein extracts showed that the relative expression of α‐Gal in both the patient and his sister was significantly lower than in sex‐matched hemizygous or homozygous controls for the g.1170C allele, either normalized to the β‐actin immunoblot expression or standardized to a known amount of recombinant human α‐Gal. These family data, in combination with results from a recent GLA SNP screening study among healthy Portuguese individuals, suggest that the g.1170C>T SNP may be co‐dominantly associated with a relatively decreased GLA expression at the transcription and/or translation level. Larger population studies are needed to confirm these findings and to test the hypothesis that the GLA g.1170C>T may contribute to the multifactorial risk of ischaemic small‐vessel cerebrovascular disease.
SMOOTH SOLUTIONS OF VOLTERRA EQUATIONS VIA SEMIGROUPS
Authors: BÁRTA TOMÁŠ
Published: October 2008

In this paper we introduce a class of left shift semigroups that are differentiable. With the help of perturbation theory for differentiable semigroups we show that solutions of an integrodifferential equation can be infinitely differentiable if the convolution kernel is sufficiently smooth and regular.
IMMERSION OF MANIFOLDS WITH UNBOUNDED IMAGE AND A MODIFIED MAXIMUM PRINCIPLE OF YAU
Authors: BORBÉLY ALBERT
Published: October 2008

Let N be a complete Riemannian manifold isometrically immersed into a Hadamard manifold M. We show that the immersion cannot be bounded if the mean curvature of the immersed manifold is small compared with the curvature of M and the Laplacian of the distance function on N grows at most linearly. The latter condition is satisfied if the Ricci curvature of N does not approach $-\infty $ too fast. The main tool in the proof is a modification of Yau’s maximum principle.
SUMS OF MULTIPLICATIVE FUNCTIONS OVER A BEATTY SEQUENCE
Authors: GÜLOĞLU AHMET M. , WESLEY NEVANS C.
Published: October 2008

We study sums involving multiplicative functions that take values over a nonhomogenous Beatty sequence. We then apply our result in a few special cases to obtain asymptotic formulas for quantities such as the number of integers in a Beatty sequence that are representable as a sum of two squares up to a given magnitude.
ON A DUALITY THEOREM OF WAKAMATSU
Authors: HUANG ZHAOYONG
Published: October 2008

Let R be a left coherent ring, S a right coherent ring and RU a generalized tilting module, with S=End(RU) satisfying the condition that each finitely presented left R-module X with ExtRi(X,U)=0 for any i≥1 is U-torsionless. If M is a finitely presented left R-module such that ExtRi(M,U)=0 for any i≥0 with $i \neq n$ (where n is a nonnegative integer), then $\mathrm {Ext}_S^n( \mathrm {Ext}_R^n(M, U), U)\cong M$ and ExtSi(ExtRn(M,U),U)=0 for any i≥0 with $i\neq n$. A duality is thus induced between the category of finitely presented holonomic left R-modules and the category of finitely presented holonomic right S-modules.
Lack of effect of supplementation with essential fatty acids on bone mineral density in healthy pre- and postmenopausal women:two randomized controlled trials of Efacal® v. calcium alone
Authors: Bassey E. Joan , Littlewood Julie J. , Rothwell M. Claire , Pye David W.
Published: October 2008

Randomized controlled trials of the effects of the dietary supplement Efacal® (Scotia Pharmaceuticals Plc, Guildford, Surrey, UK) v. Ca only on total body bone mineral density (BMD) and markers of bone turnover were conducted in healthy pre- and postmenopausal women separately. Total daily dose for 12 months for the Efacal® groups was: Ca 1·0 g, evening primrose oil 4·0 g and marine fish oil 440 mg; and for the control groups was: Ca 1·0 g. Reported compliance was better than 90 % in both age groups. For the forty-three premenopausal women (age range 25–40 years), initial mean total body BMD values were similar for Efacal® and control groups and both groups showed highly significant mean increases of about 1 %; however, there were no significant between-group differences for the changes in BMD or markers of bone turnover. For the forty-two postmenopausal women (age range 50–65 years), initial mean total body BMD values were again well-matched across treatment groups. Both Efacal® and control groups showed highly significant decreases in total body BMD of about 1 %, but again there were no significant between-group differences in total body BMD or markers of bone turnover. Possible confounding variables such as initial total body BMD were explored but had no effect on the outcome in either age group. Nail quality improved in both age groups and in both Efacal® and control groups. Again, there was no significant difference between treatment groups. No evidence was found to support a beneficial effect of Efacal® on BMD in these women.
The effect of high intakes of casein and casein phosphopeptide on calcium absorption in the rat
Authors: Bennett Teresa , Desmond Audrey , Harrington Maria , McDonagh David , FitzGerald Richard , Flynn Albert , Cashman Kevin D.
Published: October 2008

The effect of the level or source of dietary protein or protein-derived peptides on Ca absorption is not well understood. We determined, therefore, the influence of habitual dietary casein level, meal casein and meal casein phosphopeptide (CPP) on Ca absorption in the rat. True fractional Ca absorption was investigated in male 7-week-old rats, Wistar strain, in three separate studies using a faecal 47Sc : 47Ca ratio method. In studies A and C, rats (n 8 per group) were fed on a purified diet containing 200 g casein/kg for 2 weeks. Rats were then given a 47Ca-labelled meal (10 g) containing (per kg) either 0, 100, 200, or 300 g casein (study A) or 0, 100, 200, 350 or 500 g CPP (study C). In study B, rats (n 24 per group) were fed on a purified diet containing (per kg) either 200, 350 or 500 g casein for 2 weeks. Each group was then further randomized into three groups (n 8 per group) and given a 47Ca-labelled meal (10 g of the same diet) containing (per kg) either 200, 350 or 500 g casein. Ca absorption from a meal was unaffected by increasing meal casein concentration from 0 to 300 g/kg (study A), but was increased with a meal casein content of 500 g/kg (study B). Fractional Ca absorption decreased with increasing usual dietary casein intake in the range 200–500 g/kg (study B), suggesting intestinal adaptation. Ca absorption was unaffected by inclusion of 100 g CPP/kg in a single meal but was significantly (P < 0·001) reduced by 200, 350 and 500 g CPP/kg meal, with no evident dose-relationship. Thus, while Ca absorption was enhanced by high-casein meals, the mechanism remains unclear.
Teflon laryngeal granuloma presenting as laryngeal cancer on combined positron emission tomography and computed tomography scanning
Authors: Ondik M P , Kang J , Bayerl M G , Bruno M , Goldenberg D
Published: October 2008

Background:

Positron emission tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) has been increasingly used in the diagnostic investigation of patients with neoplasms of the head and neck. Positron emission tomography and computed tomography have also proven useful for surveillance of thyroid cancers that no longer concentrate radioiodine. However, certain benign or inflammatory lesions can also accumulate 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and lead to misdiagnosis.

Objectives:

We review and discuss the pitfalls of using positron emission tomography and computed tomography for surveillance of thyroid cancer.

Method:

We present the case of a 48-year-old woman who was diagnosed with a laryngeal neoplasm on integrated positron emission tomography and computed tomography scanning, after a routine ultrasound demonstrated an enlarged thyroid nodule. On physical examination, she had a laryngeal mass overlying an immobile vocal fold. The mass was biopsied and found to harbour a Teflon granuloma.

Conclusions:

Positron emission tomography positive Teflon granulomas have previously been reported in the nasopharynx and vocal folds, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who have undergone prior surgery involving Teflon injection. It is important for otolaryngologists and radiologists to recognise potential causes of false positive positron emission tomography and computed tomography findings, including Teflon granulomas.
Fluctuating hearing loss associated with Halo vest application
Authors: Davies-Husband C R , Phillips J S , Innes A J
Published: October 2008

Objective:

We report the unique case of a 16-year-old man presenting with sudden and profound left-sided hearing loss following application of a Halo vest.

Methods:

Case report and review of the world literature concerning spinal realignment procedures, spinal manipulation and Halo vest application.

Results:

A 16-year-old man presented to the ENT clinic with sudden and profound left-sided hearing loss after undergoing posterior release of a fixed flexion extension deformity of the cervical spine and Halo vest application. The hearing loss slowly improved until the patient disrupted the Halo vest while boarding a bus. Regular audiometry documented the progress of the patient's hearing loss.

Conclusion:

Procedures that significantly alter the established bony anatomy of the neck can be associated with profound audiological deficit through disturbance of the vertebrobasilar arterial system. Such a phenomenon may be associated with application or disruption of a Halo vest.
Intact meatal skin, canal wall down approach for difficult cochlear implantation
Authors: Carfrae M J , Foyt D
Published: October 2008

Introduction:

The intact posterior meatal skin, canal wall down technique for difficult cochlear implantation provides expanded access to the middle ear for cochleostomy in cases of obscured middle-ear landmarks, limited facial recess access and limited mastoid cavity dimensions. Careful preservation of the posterior canal wall skin in this procedure obviates the need for obliteration of the middle-ear mucosa and closure of the external auditory canal.

Objectives:

To present a canal wall down technique for cochlear implantation, which preserves the intact posterior external auditory canal wall skin. This approach is employed when a standard facial recess cochleostomy is not possible.

Methods:

Three cases of intact posterior meatal skin, canal wall down cochlear implantation are presented together with long-term follow-up results. In all three cases, implantation via a facial recess approach was not possible. One patient suffered from severe cochlear otosclerosis with obliteration of the round window niche. The second patient had severe middle-ear fibrosis with encasement of all middle-ear structures and obliteration of routine landmarks. The third patient had an anterior sigmoid sinus obscuring access to the facial recess. Cochlear implantation via the canal wall down, intact posterior canal wall skin technique was successfully performed in each of these patients.

Results:

All three patients were successfully implanted, with full electrode insertion achieved. All patients subsequently became active implant users. One patient did suffer from a minor wound complication post-operatively, unrelated to the approach. Patient follow up ranged from four to six years.
How the distribution of colonies of the hydroid Laomedea flexuosa is limited to a narrow belt along the lower littoral zone
Authors: Marfenin N.N. , Belorustseva S.A.
Published: October 2008

In the White Sea the colonial hydroid Laomedea flexuosa inhabits a narrow belt of the lower littoral zone. How is so limited a habitat determined? We studied the time of planula release and the behaviour of larvae during the free-swimming stage and settlement in natural and laboratory conditions. Three methods were used to record the tidal-dependent dynamic of planula release: (1) plankton collecting bags around Fucus distichus macrophytes with mature hydroid colonies; (2) active stirring of Fucus with hydroids in a container with water, which is an old way to stimulate planula release; and (3) direct counts of the mature planulae in gonangia. The dynamic intensity of L. flexuosa planula release was investigated according to 3–4 phases of the tidal cycle. A moment of general release of larvae was shown to be correlated with a period of low water. Following the incoming tide keeps planulae in the littoral area. The planulae of L. flexuosa have a short period of swimming (less than 30 minutes), unlike those of Gonothyrae loveni and Dynamena pumila whose swimming period is about 36 hours. Quick settlement and tidal planula release could explain the strong spatial limitation in the distribution of L. flexuosa within the lower level of the intertidal zone. It is hypothesized that distribution over large areas is most likely by drift of colonies attached to detached seaweeds. Our outlook about the biological ways of ecological niche differentiation among marine organisms is broadened by the results of this study.
A proof of the “Theorem of the Means.”
Authors: Walsh C. E.
Published: October 2008

Numerous proofs have been given of this familiar theorem, which states that if a1, a2, …, an are positive, and not all equal, then

The following is an elementary proof by induction, which I have not seen used before. It is, of course, not claimed to be novel, and not likely to be so.
On the Newton-Raphson method of Approximation
Authors: Richmond H. W.
Published: October 2008

The Method.—An equation F(x) = 0 has, a root x = r, not known exactly. From a first approximation to r, x = a, a second approximation, x = b, is obtained from the formula

From b a third approximation, x = c, is obtained by the same formula, and so on. The method is pointless unless the successive approximations do actually tend to r; a rule that ensures this is due to Fourier.
Some Parameters of Sampling Distributions Simply Obtained
Authors: Brown L. M.
Published: October 2008

In the theory of statistics a set of quantities a1, a2, …, av is considered, and called a distribution. The moments of this distribution about its origin are defined by the equations

.
An Elementary Proof of Morley's Trisector Theorem
Authors: Walls Nancy
Published: October 2008

Morley's theorem states that if ABC be any triangle, and if those trisectors of the angles B and C adjacent to BC meet in L, and M, N be similarly constructed, then the triangle LMN is equilateral.
Dirichlet's Integrals
Authors: Mordell L. J.
Published: October 2008

The integrals referred to here are those given by the following

Theorem:

where the integration is extended over

and l > 0, m > 0, n > 0, a ≤ a ≤ b < ∞.
A geometrical proof of
Authors: Russell A. D.
Published: October 2008

In the figure, ABC is a triangle with B > C; AF is made equal to AC, AE bisects the angle A, and BDEG is a rectangle. It is easily seen that the angles marked α are equal, that B − α = C + α, and hence that α = ½ (B − C). Then:
A model of a hyperboloid of one sheet and its asymptotic cone
Authors: Walker A. G.
Published: October 2008

In this article is described the construction of a thread model of a hyperboloid of one sheet (H) and its asymptotic cone (C). It ia simple to make, requiring only cardboard and thread, and can be made collapsible and of pocket size if desired. The model consists of two hinged pieces of cardboard (intersecting planes π and ) on which are drawn circles SH, respectively in which the planes meet H, and the concentric circles SC, respectively in which the planes meet C. A number of generators of the same system on H are now represented by threads joining SH and , and the corresponding parallel generators of C are represented by threads joining SC and . In order to ensure that these generators are well spaced, those of C are taken at equal eccentric angles apart in a principal elliptic section. The main theorem used in the design is that if l a generator of C, then the tangent plane to C at points of l meets H in two generators both of which are parallel to l
A dual quadratic transformation associated with the Hessian conics of a pencil
Authors: Scott T.
Published: October 2008

1. The invariants and covariants of a system of two conics have been much studied2 but little has been said about those of three conies. Three conics have a symmetrical invariant Ω123, or in symbolical notation (a b c)2. According to Ciamberlini3 the vanishing of this invariant signifies that the Φ conic of any two of f1, f2, f3 is inpolar with respect to the third; and in a previous paper4 I have derived by symbolical methods a more symmetrical result, viz., if Ω123 vanishes, then u being any line in the plane, u1, u2, u3 are concurrent, where ui is the polar with respect to fi of the pole of u with respect to Φjk.