bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Avaliação comparativa do padrão de normalidade do perfil facial em pacientes Brasileiros leucodermas e em Norte-Americanos
Authors: Sant'Ana Eduardo , Kuriki Érika Uliam , Arnett William , Lautenschläger Gustavo de Almeida Camargo , Yaedu Renato Yassutaka Faria
Published: January 2009

OBJETIVO: ciente de que a cirurgia ortognática moderna se preocupa em planejar e diagnosticar os casos clínicos utilizando medidas obtidas de grandezas do perfil tegumentar dos pacientes - com o auxílio de imagens digitais empregadas em softwares de planejamento -, no presente estudo foi proposto aferir as medidas de brasileiros leucodermas de descendência européia e compará-las com as medidas já padronizadas por Arnett, com o intuito de criar novas medidas a serem seguidas por brasileiros que utilizam o software de predição cirúrgica Dolphin Imaging 9.0. MÉTODOS: foram utilizadas radiografias cefalométricas de 31 pacientes com oclusão Classe I de Angle e harmonia facial. Todas as radiografias foram digitalizadas e inseridas no software Dolphin 9.0 e 16 pontos de tecido mole e 22 pontos do esqueleto facial foram marcados, seguindo-se exatamente as marcações da análise de Arnett e McLaughlin presentes no programa. RESULTADOS: os resultados obtidos foram avaliados estatisticamente e mostram que o perfil do brasileiro é quase totalmente diferente do perfil norte-americano, exceção feita a apenas quatro pontos para os homens e outros quatro para as mulheres. Os brasileiros apresentam uma face menos protruída, um perfil mais convexo e menor proeminência do queixo do que o grupo controle. CONCLUSÃO: esses dados mostram a necessidade de se realizar algumas mudanças nas grandezas numéricas para que um perfeito diagnóstico e planejamento possam ser realizados em brasileiros, criando assim o padrão do perfil facial do brasileiro leucoderma de descendência européia.
Modificações no periodonto de ratos diabéticos após a movimentação ortodôntica
Authors: Real Luis Alberto Sabino Vila , Ramos Adilson Luiz , Zanoni Jacqueline Nelisis
Published: January 2009

OBJETIVOS: o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as modificações do ligamento periodontal de incisivos de ratos diabéticos submetidos a forças ortodônticas. MÉTODOS: vinte ratos machos Wistar (Rattus norvegicus) com 105 dias de idade foram empregados. Os ratos foram divididos em quatro grupos: C - animais normoglicêmicos não submetidos à movimentação dentária; CAO - animais normoglicêmicos submetidos à movimentação dentária; D - animais diabéticos não submetidos à movimentação dentária; DAO - animais diabéticos submetidos à movimentação dentária. Os animais permaneceram com o dispositivo de movimentação dentária por 5 dias. Foram avaliados o número de vasos sangüíneos e a espessura do ligamento periodontal nos terços cervical, médio e apical dos cortes histológicos. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÕES: no lado de tensão, a movimentação dentária nos animais do grupo CAO resultou em um ligamento periodontal mais espesso (17,64% no terço apical, 39,28% no terço médio e 51,35% na região cervical), quando comparado ao grupo C (p < 0,05 para os terços médio e cervical). No grupo DAO, o aumento da espessura do ligamento periodontal foi 50,55% (terço apical), 48,14% (terço médio) e 50% (terço cervical) maior que nos animais do grupo D (p < 0,05). O número de vasos sanguíneos encontrados no ligamento periodontal não apresentou diferenças estatisticamente significantes quando todos os grupos foram comparados (p > 0,05). Ainda no lado de tensão, foram observadas lacunas de reabsorção nos animais dos grupos CAO, D e DAO. O lado de pressão não foi examinado nesta fase do estudo.
Má oclusão Classe III de Angle com discrepância ântero-posterior acentuada
Authors: Bittencourt Marcos Alan Vieira
Published: January 2009

A má oclusão Classe III de Angle é caracterizada por uma discrepância dentária ântero-posterior, que pode ou não estar acompanhada por alterações esqueléticas. Em geral, o aspecto facial fica bastante comprometido, sendo justamente esse fator, na maioria das vezes, que motiva o paciente a procurar pelo tratamento. Este caso foi apresentado à Diretoria do Board Brasileiro de Ortodontia e Ortopedia Facial (BBO), representando a categoria 4, ou seja, uma má oclusão com discrepância ântero-posterior acentuada, Classe III, com ANB menor ou igual a -2º, como parte dos requisitos para a obtenção do título de Diplomado pelo BBO.
Enhancement of liver size by stimulation of intact rat liver with exogenous hepatotrophic factors
Authors: Parra Osório Miguel , Silva Rubens Augusto Penteado de Sousa e , Silva José Roberto Machado Cunha da , Hernandez-Blasquez Francisco Javier , Peduto Luigi , Saad William Abrão , Saad Junior William Abrão
Published: January 2009

In mammals, liver size is related to animal body weight at the 2.5 to 3% proportion, a ratio mediated by the afflux of hepatotrophic factors. Formulas capable of modifying this ratio have been developed in previous studies on the rat, with enhancement of liver size brought about by intraperitoneal (portal) infusion of exogenous factors such as glucose, amino acids, insulin, glucagon, vitamins, electrolytes, and triiodothyronine. However, the efficacy of these formulations was accompanied by increased animal mortality (PARRA et al.19,20 ). The present study, which was carried out with small methodological modifications on a larger number of rats using daily intraperitoneal injections of a solution of exogenous hepatotrophic factors (40 ml/kg) for seven days, confirms the previous findings, with a 114.16 ± 7.90% enhancement of liver size beyond the expected value for the body weight of the animal. However, the problem of animal mortality was not fully resolved.
Lymphoma of unknown origin located in paravertebral muscles: an unusual cause of low back pain in children
Authors: Diniz Ricardo Edésio Amorim Santos , Goldenberg José , Carvalho José Carlos Medina de , Gomes Carlos Eduardo Sales , Goldenberg Evelin Diana , Sementille Angelo
Published: January 2009

The authors report a case of an adolescent with a poorly differentiated lymphoma of unknown origin located at paravertebral muscles, whose presenty symptom was low back pain.
Current concepts on the transmission of bacteria and parasites by blood components
Authors: Wendel Neto Silvano
Published: January 2009

Several bacterial and parasite transfusion-transmitted diseases have been described in the medical literature. This review deals with the main bacterial (Syphilis, Lyme disease, Gram positive and Gram negative agents), parasite (Chagas disease, malaria, leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis and babesiosis) and rickettsial diseases that are carried by blood products. Preventional aspects (e.g. storage, screening tests, use of leukocyte-depleted components), diagnosis, geographical distribution and the incidence of these transfusional hazards are also discussed.
CHANGES IN FISH DIETS AND FOOD WEB MERCURY BIOACCUMULATION INDUCED BY AN INVASIVE PLANKTIVOROUS FISH
Authors: Eagles-Smith Collin A. , Suchanek Thomas H. , Colwell Arthur E. , Anderson Norman L. , Moyle Peter B.
Published: January 2009

The invasion, boom, collapse, and reestablishment of a population of the planktivorous threadfin shad in Clear Lake, California, USA, were documented over a 20‐year period, as were the effects of changing shad populations on diet and mercury (Hg) bioaccumulation in nearshore fishes. Threadfin shad competitively displaced other planktivorous fish in the lake, such as inland silversides, young‐of‐year (YOY) largemouth bass, and YOY bluegill, by reducing zooplankton abundance. As a result, all three species shifted from a diet that was dominated by zooplankton to one that was almost entirely zoobenthos. Stable carbon isotopes corroborated this pattern with each species becoming enriched in δ13C, which is elevated in benthic vs. pelagic organisms. Concomitant with these changes, Hg concentrations increased by ∼50% in all three species. In contrast, obligate benthivores such as prickly sculpin showed no relationship between diet or δ13C and the presence of threadfin shad, suggesting that effects of the shad were not strongly linked to the benthic fish community. There were also no changes in Hg concentrations of prickly sculpin. The temporary extirpation of threadfin shad from the lake resulted in zooplankton densities, foraging patterns, isotope ratios, and Hg concentrations in pelagic fishes returning to pre‐shad values. These results indicate that even transient perturbations of the structure of freshwater food webs can result in significant alterations in the bioaccumulation of Hg and that food webs in lakes can be highly resilient.
CLEAR LAKE SEDIMENTS: ANTHROPOGENIC CHANGES IN PHYSICAL SEDIMENTOLOGY AND MAGNETIC RESPONSE
Authors: Osleger David A. , Zierenberg Robert A. , Suchanek Thomas H. , Stoner Joseph S. , Morgan Sally , Adam David P.
Published: January 2009

We analyzed the sedimentological characteristics and magnetic properties of cores from the three basins of Clear Lake, California, USA, to assess the depositional response to a series of land use changes that occurred in the watershed over the 20th century. Results indicate that distinct and abrupt shifts in particle size, magnetic concentration/mineralogy, and redox conditions occur concurrently with a variety of ecological and chemical changes in lake bed sediments. This coincidence of events occurred around 1927, a datum determined by an abrupt increase in total mercury (Hg) in Clear Lake cores and the known initiation of open‐pit Hg mining at the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine, confirmed by 210Pb dating. Ages below the 1927 horizon were determined by accelerator mass spectrometry on 14C of coarse organic debris. Calculated sedimentation rates below the 1927 datum are ∼1 mm/yr, whereas rates from 1927 to 2000 are up to an order of magnitude higher, with averages of ∼3.5–19 mm/yr.

In both the Oaks and Upper Arms, the post‐1927 co‐occurrence of abrupt shifts in magnetic signatures with color differences indicative of changing redox conditions is interpreted to reflect a more oxygenated diagenetic regime and rapid burial of sediment below the depth of sulfate diffusion. Post‐1927 in the Oaks Arm, grain size exhibits a gradual coarsening‐upward pattern that we attribute to the input of mechanically deposited waste rock related to open‐pit mining activities at the mine. In contrast, grain size in the Upper Arm exhibits a gradational fining‐upward after 1927 that we interpret as human‐induced erosion of fine‐grained soils and chemically weathered rocks of the Franciscan Assemblage by heavy earthmoving equipment associated with a road‐ and home‐building boom, exacerbated by stream channel mining and wetlands destruction. The flux of fine‐grained sediment into the Upper Arm increased the nutrient load to the lake, and that in turn catalyzed profuse cyanobacterial blooms through the 20th century. The resulting organic biomass, in combination with the increased inorganic sediment supply, contributed to the abrupt increase in sedimentation rate after 1927.
MERCURY TROPHIC TRANSFER IN A EUTROPHIC LAKE: THE IMPORTANCE OF HABITAT‐SPECIFIC FORAGING
Authors: Eagles-Smith Collin A. , Suchanek Thomas H. , Colwell Arthur E. , Anderson Norman L.
Published: January 2009

Mercury (Hg) trophic transfer and bioaccumulation in fish from a mine‐impacted, eutrophic lake were examined in relation to foraging habitat, trophic position, and size. Diet analysis indicated that there were clear ontogenetic shifts in foraging habitats and trophic position. Pelagic diet decreased and benthic diet increased with increasing fish length in bluegill, black crappie, inland silverside, and largemouth bass, whereas there was no shift for prickly sculpin or threadfin shad. Stable carbon isotope values (δ13C) were inversely related to the proportion of pelagic prey items in the diet, but there was no clear relationship with benthic foraging. There were distinct differences between pelagic and benthic prey basal δ13C values, with a range of approximately −28‰ in pelagic zooplankton to approximately −20‰ in benthic caddisflies. Profundal prey such as chironomid larvae had intermediate δ13C values of approximately −24‰, reflecting the influence of pelagic detrital subsidies and suppressing the propagation of the benthic carbon isotope signal up the food chain. Fish total mercury (TotHg) concentrations varied with habitat‐specific foraging, trophic position, and size; however, the relationships differed among species and ages. When controlling for the effects of species, length, and trophic position, TotHg and δ13C were positively correlated, indicating that Hg trophic transfer is linked to benthic foraging. When examined on a species‐specific basis, TotHg was positively correlated with δ13C only for bluegill, largemouth bass, and threadfin shad. However, diet‐based multiple regression analyses suggested that TotHg also increased with benthic foraging for inland silverside and black crappie. In both species, benthic prey items were dominated by chironomid larvae, explaining the discrepancy with δ13C. These results illustrate the importance of foraging habitat to Hg bioaccumulation and indicate that pelagic carbon can strongly subsidize the basal energy sources of benthic organisms.
MERCURY RESIDUES AND PRODUCTIVITY IN OSPREY AND GREBES FROM A MINE‐DOMINATED ECOSYSTEM
Authors: Anderson Daniel W. , Suchanek Thomas H. , Eagles-Smith Collin A. , Cahill Thomas M.
Published: January 2009

Mercury (Hg) and reproduction and status of Western and Clark's Grebes (Aechmophorussp.) and Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) were studied from 1992 through 2001 and then less intensely through 2006 at Clear Lake, California, USA. Remediation to reduce Hg loading from the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine was initiated in 1992. Mercury in grebe feathers declined monotonically from ∼23 mg/kg dry mass (DM) in 1967–1969 to 1 mg/kg in 2003, but then increased to 7 mg/kg in 2004–2006. Mercury in Osprey feathers varied similarly, with mean values of 20 mg/kg DM in 1992, declining to a low of 2 mg/kg in 1998, but increasing to 23 mg/kg in 2003, and 12 mg/kg in 2006. Mercury in Osprey feathers at our reference site (Eagle Lake, California) remained low (1–8 ppm) throughout the entire period, 1992–2003. Grebe productivity at Clear Lake improved from ∼0.1 to 0.5 fledged young per adult during the latter part of the study when human disturbance was prevented. At that period in time, improved productivity did not differ from our reference site at Eagle Lake. Human disturbance, however, as a co‐factor made it impossible to evaluate statistically subtle Hg effects on grebe productivity at Clear Lake. Osprey reproduced sufficiently to maintain increasing breeding numbers from 1992 to 2006. Mercury in Clear Lake water, sediments, invertebrates, and fish did not decline from 1992 to 2003, but a shift in trophic structure induced by an introduced planktivorous fish species may have caused significant alterations in Hg concentrations in several species of prey fishes that may have produced concomitant changes in Osprey and grebe Hg exposure. The temporary declines observed in grebe and Osprey feather residues in the late 1990s, with coincidental improvements in reproductive performance, however, could not be attributed to remediation at the mine site.
ENDOGENOUS AND EXOGENOUS FACTORS CONTROLLING TEMPORAL ABUNDANCE PATTERNS OF TROPICAL MOSQUITOES
Authors: Yang Guo-Jing , Brook Barry W. , Whelan Peter I. , Cleland Sam , Bradshaw Corey J. A.
Published: January 2009

The growing demand for efficient and effective mosquito control requires a better understanding of vector population dynamics and how these are modified by endogenous and exogenous factors. A long‐term (11‐year) monitoring data set describing the relative abundance of the saltmarsh mosquito (Aedes vigilax) in the greater Darwin region, northern Australia, was examined in a suite of Gompertz‐logistic (GL) models with and without hypothesized environmental correlates (high tide frequency, rainfall, and relative humidity). High tide frequency and humidity were hypothesized to influence saltmarsh mosquito abundance positively, and rainfall was hypothesized to correlate negatively by reducing the availability of suitable habitats (moist substrata) required by ovipositing adult female mosquitoes. We also examined whether environmental correlates explained the variance in seasonal carrying capacity (K) because environmental stochasticity is hypothesized to modify population growth rate (r), carrying capacity, or both. Current and lagged‐time effects were tested by comparing alternative population dynamics models using three different information criteria (Akaike's Information Criterion [corrected; AICc], Bayesian Information Criterion [BIC], and cross‐validation [C‐V]). The GL model with a two‐month lag without environmental effects explained 31% of the deviance in population growth rate. This increased to >70% under various model combinations of high tide frequency, rainfall, and relative humidity, of which, high tide frequency and rainfall had the highest contributions. Temporal variation in K was explained weakly by high tide frequency, and there was some evidence that the filling of depressions to reduce standing water availability has reduced Aedes vigilax carrying capacity over the study period. This study underscores the need to consider simultaneously both types of drivers (endogenous and exogenous) when predicting mosquito abundance and population growth patterns. This work also indicates that climate change, via continued increases in rainfall and higher expected frequencies and intensities of high tide events with sea level rise, will alter mosquito abundance trends in northern Australia.
MANAGING TRADE‐OFFS IN LANDSCAPE RESTORATION AND REVEGETATION PROJECTS
Authors: Maron Martine , Cockfield Geoff
Published: January 2009

Landscape restoration projects often have multiple and disparate conservation, resource enhancement, and sometimes economic objectives, since projects that seek to meet more than one objective tend to be viewed more positively by funding agencies and the community. The degree to which there are trade‐offs among desired objectives is an important variable for decision makers, yet this is rarely explicitly considered. In particular, the existence of ecological thresholds has important implications for decision‐making at both the project level and the regional level. We develop a model of the possibilities and choices for an agency seeking to achieve two environmental objectives in a region through revegetation of a number of sites. A graphical model of the production possibilities sets for a single revegetation project is developed, and different trade‐off relationships are discussed and illustrated. Then the model is used to demonstrate the possibilities for managing all such projects within a region. We show that, where there are thresholds in the trade‐off relationship between two objectives, specialization (single‐ or dominant‐objective projects) should be considered. This is illustrated using a case study in which revegetation is used to meet avian biodiversity and salinity mitigation objectives. We conclude that where there are sufficient scientific data, explicit consideration of different types of trade‐offs can assist in making decisions about the most efficient mix and type of projects to better achieve a range of objectives within a region.
SIMULATED ATMOSPHERIC NO3−DEPOSITION INCREASES SOIL ORGANIC MATTER BY SLOWING DECOMPOSITION
Authors: Zak Donald R. , Holmes William E. , Burton Andrew J. , Pregitzer Kurt S. , Talhelm Alan F.
Published: January 2009

Presently, there is uncertainty regarding the degree to which anthropogenic N deposition will foster C storage in the N‐limited forests of the Northern Hemisphere, ecosystems which are globally important sinks for anthropogenic CO2. We constructed organic matter and N budgets for replicate northern hardwood stands (n= 4) that have received ambient (0.7–1.2 g N·m−2·yr−1) and experimental NO3−deposition (ambient plus 3 g NO3−‐N·m−2·yr−1) for a decade; we also traced the flow of a15NO3−pulse over a six‐year period. Experimental NO3−deposition had no effect on organic matter or N stored in the standing forest overstory, but it did significantly increase the N concentration (+19%) and N content (+24%) of canopy leaves. In contrast, a decade of experimental NO3−deposition significantly increased amounts of organic matter (+12%) and N (+9%) in forest floor and mineral soil, despite no increase in detritus production. A greater forest floor (Oe/a) mass under experimental NO3−deposition resulted from slower decomposition, which is consistent with previously reported declines in lignolytic activity by microbial communities exposed to experimental NO3−deposition. Tracing15NO3−revealed that N accumulated in soil organic matter by first flowing through soil microorganisms and plants, and that the shedding of15N‐labeled leaf litter enriched soil organic matter over a six‐year duration. Our results demonstrate that atmospheric NO3−deposition exerts a direct and negative effect on microbial activity in this forest ecosystem, slowing the decomposition of aboveground litter and leading to the accumulation of forest floor and soil organic matter. To the best of our knowledge, this mechanism is not represented in the majority of simulation models predicting the influence of anthropogenic N deposition on ecosystem C storage in northern forests.
TESTING HYPOTHESES ASSOCIATED WITH BIRD RESPONSES TO WILDFIRE
Authors: Lindenmayer David B. , Wood Jeff T. , Cunningham Ross B. , MacGregor Christopher , Crane Mason , Michael Damian , Montague-Drake Rebecca , Brown Darren , Muntz Rachel , Gill A. Malcolm
Published: January 2009

Disturbance is a key ecological process influencing the distribution and abundance of many elements of the earth's biota. Predicting the response of biota to disturbance is therefore important, but it nevertheless remains difficult to make accurate forecasts of response. We tested predictions from disturbance‐related theories and concepts in 10 vegetation types at Booderee National Park (southeastern Australia) using a retrospective study of bird responses to fire history (over 35 years) on 110 sites and a prospective study following a single wildfire event in 2003 at 59 of these sites. Our data did not support predictions from the intermediate‐disturbance hypothesis; observed bird species richness at a site was significantly (F1,99= 6.30,P= 0.014) negatively related to the number of fires since 1972 and was 8.7% lower (95% CI, 1.8–15.1%) for each additional fire. In contrast to fire history effects, we found that after the 2003 fire, the vast majority of individual species and the bird assemblage per se in most vegetation types recovered within two years. Thus, recovery after a single fire did not reflect long‐term effects of multiple fires on overall bird species richness at a site. We postulated that the recovery of bird species richness and bird assemblage composition after the 2003 fire would be fastest in structurally simple vegetation types and slowest in structurally complex vegetation, but observed the opposite. Although observed bird species richness in vertically heterogeneous forest and woodland had returned to prefire levels by 2006, bird species richness in structurally simple vegetation types (e.g., sedgeland) had not. Postfire vegetation regeneration, together with a paucity of early‐successional specialists, would explain the speed of recovery of the bird assemblage and why it changed relatively little during our investigation.
THE DARK SIDE OF SUBSIDIES: ADULT STREAM INSECTS EXPORT ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS TO RIPARIAN PREDATORS
Authors: Walters David M. , Fritz Ken M. , Otter Ryan R.
Published: January 2009

Aquatic insects provide a critical energy subsidy to riparian food webs, yet their role as vectors of contaminants to terrestrial ecosystems is poorly understood. We investigated relationships between aquatic resource utilization and contaminant exposure for a riparian invertivore assemblage (spiders and herptiles) along a stream contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes indicated that aquatic insect utilization varied among predators, with progressive enrichment of δ13C and depletion of δ15N as predators shifted from aquatic to terrestrial prey. PCB concentrations significantly increased along these isotopic gradients; δ13C and δ15N explained 65% and 15% of the variance in predator ΣPCBs, respectively. PCBs in predators were high, exceeding 2000 ng/g wet mass (the human‐health advisory prohibiting any consumption of fish tissue) in three species. Greater consideration should be given to streams as lateral exporters rather than simply as longitudinal conduits for contaminants. Persistent contaminants are underutilized for addressing landscape‐level questions in subsidy research, but our results demonstrate they are an ideal in situ tracer of stream‐derived energy because they label stream organic matter and invertebrates over large distances. Likewise, riparian predators such as tetragnathid spiders have great potential as biological monitors of stream condition and as an assessment tool for risk management of contaminated aquatic sediments.
Assessing the importance of dietborne cadmium and particle characteristics on bioavailability and bioaccumulation in the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Offermann Kirsten , Matthäi Anett , Ahlf Wolfgang
Published: January 2009

To investigate the impact of multiple cadmium exposure pathways on bioavailability and bioaccumulation, Caenorhabditis elegans were exposed to either dissolved cadmium or to both particulate (dietborne) and dissolved cadmium. The dietborne metal exposure scenarios included evaluations of two bacteria species (Escherichia coli and Arthrobacter globiformis), varying bacteria concentrations, artificial particles (with different surface functional groups or coated with lipopolysaccharides), as well as a mixture of both bacteria and artificial particles. Total cadmium concentration in the nematodes was used as a proxy for total metal accumulation. Internal cadmium availability was determined using the cadmium-responsive gene-1 (cdr-1) transcript level, as quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Particle-associated exposure was the predominant contributor to cadmium bio-availability and bioaccumulation; however, no clear relationship between cdr-1 expression and cadmium body burden was observed. The quality and quantity of particles, rather than the total particle-associated metal load, was of primary importance in regulating cadmium uptake and accumulation. Nematodes exposed to cadmium-contaminated bacteria displayed significantly higher levels of cdr-1 expression relative to artificial particles. Furthermore, C. elegans displayed a statistically significant difference in cadmium accumulation patterns between the biotic diet, abiotic particles, and aqueous phase. Waterborne exposure caused an increase in total cadmium body burden following inhibition of the P-glycoprotein transport system in nematodes. This may suggest that cadmium taken up by the aqueous phase is detoxified preferentially by excretion.
Mass recovery methods for trichloroethylene in plant tissue
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Gayathri , Werth Charles J. , Negri Maria Cristina
Published: January 2009

Monitoring expenses form a significant fraction of the costs associated with remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater sites. A novel monitoring method that could result in significant cost savings is the use of plants as monitoring devices; previous work indicates that plant tissue samples, especially trunk (core) and branch samples, can be used to delineate soil and groundwater plumes at phytoremediation sites. An important factor in reducing the uncertainty associated with this sampling method is development of a technique to analyze, both consistently and accurately, the chemicals stored in plant tissue samples. The present research presents a simple, robust, and inexpensive technique to recover most of the contaminant in plant branch tissue, irrespective of the age or species of the plant. Tricholoroethylene (TCE) was the chemical analyzed. A number of headspace and solvent extraction techniques in the literature were evaluated, including headspace extraction at different incubation times and temperatures and solvent extraction using hexane or hot methanol. Extraction using hot methanol was relatively fast, simple, and reliable; this method recovered more than 89% of the TCE present in branches of five different tree species.
Variability of herbage production in mixed leys as related to ley age and environmental factors: a farm survey
Authors: RIESINGER P. , HERZON I.
Published: January 2009

Influences of ley age, soil properties, and geographical location on the herbage production of red clover-grass leys were determined under practical conditions on 27 organic farms located in the southern and in the northwestern coastal regions of Finland. Averaged over one-, two-, and three-year-old leys the accumulated first and second cuts produced 7.12 t dry matter herbage ha-1 year-1, with a clover proportion of 34.8%. Herbage production declined with increasing ley age. The average proportion of clover increased from 26.4% in the first to 43.7% in the second cut but decreased with ley age. Within- and between-field variations of clover proportions markedly decreased from the first to the second cut and strongly increased with ley age, while changes in the variations of herbage production were less pronounced. Within-field variations of clover proportions in the first and in the second cuts were higher at lower proportions of clover. Herbage production was positively related with clover proportion. Soil properties had a major impact on clover proportion and herbage production, largely explaining also regional differences in ley growth. Amelioration of fields and, not at least, of less fertile sites within the same field seems to be a crucial requirement for higher and more even clover proportions and herbage yields.;
Effect of osmotic dehydration in fructose, sucrose and fructooligosaccharide solutions on the content of saccharides in plums and apples and their energy value
Authors: KLEWICKI R. , UCZCIWEK M.
Published: January 2009

Plums (Najbolia and Stanley) and apples (Idared) were subjected to osmotic dehydration in 50% solutions of fructose, sucrose and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) at 22, 40 and 60 °C for 24 hours. The content of fructooligosaccharides, sucrose and monosaccharides in dried material was determined. Plums osmosed in fructose contained from 22.3% w/w to 29.6%w/w of this saccharide depending on the process temperature. The content of sucrose in plums and apples varied from 18.6% w/w to 30.4% w/w after using sucrose as osmotic agent. Material processed at 40 °C was characterised by the highest content of FOS: 22.624.7% w/w in plums (nystose as osmotic agent) and 13.7% w/w in apples (FOS preparation as osmotic agent). The partial replacement of sucrose and monosaccharides by fructooligosaccharides reduced the energy value of carbohydrates in dried material by 1237% depending on the process conditions.;
Field-scale spatial variation in yields and nitrogen fixation of clover-grass leys and in soil nutrients
Authors: NYKÄNEN A. , JAUHIAINEN L. , KEMPPAINEN LINDSTRÖM
Published: January 2009

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) plays a crucial role in organic farming and red clover (Trifolium pratense) is cultivated widely in boreal grasslands for BNF. A geostatistical method, model-based kriging, was used to determine the spatial variation in yield, clover content and BNF of clover-grass leys as well as soil chemical properties throughout two fields in 2004-2006. Based on this variation, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine the similar patterns of variation. On one location, total dry matter yields of the leys decreased over three production years from 9 700 to 4 100 kg ha-1, clover content from 53 to 26% and BNF from 150 to 40 kg N ha-1, whereas on the other location the yields increased from 6 500 to 7 100 kg ha-1, clover content from 52 to 62% and BNF from 100 to 120 kg N ha-1. Nutrient concentrations in soil also varied greatly within the fields, although this depended on the nutrient species. Kriging combined with PCA described the spatial variation of ley parameters very informatively, but was not as powerful for describing the pattern of nutrients. Based on the spatial dependence determined in the two fields investigated, it seems that the sampling distance should be 80 m for soil nutrients, 100 m for yield and 60 m for clover content and BNF determination, respectively.;
Are larger farms more efficient?A farm level study of the relationships between efficiency and size on specialized dairy farms in Sweden
Authors: HANSSON H.
Published: January 2009

The study explored how economic, technical and allocative input efficiencies in specialized Swedish dairy farms are affected by differences in farm size. The efficiency analysis showed that costs could decrease by 30% if all farms were as efficient as the best farms in the sample. The effect of farm size was analysed in second-stage regressions. Two measures of farm size were considered: income from dairy and the number of hectares, together with squared measures of both size measures and variables to control for geographic location. The results showed that the relationships between farm size and efficiency can be described as non-linear, where efficiency first tends to decrease with size and then increase. The average scale efficiency was 94.7%, suggesting that, on average, the farms are close to their optimal scale. The paper concludes by suggesting that farm efficiency can be increased both by focusing on increasing the knowledge about how inputs can be more optimally combined and by growth of the farms. However, the latter suggestion requires farm growth aiming at the larger farm segments.;
A Right to Work? A Right to Leisure? Labor Rights as Human Rights
Authors: Risse Mathias
Published: January 2009

Labor rights are the first to come up for criticism when accounts of human rights are offered in response to philosophical questions about them, and notoriously so Article 24, which talks about `rest and leisure' and `period holidays with pay.' This study first tries to make it plausible why labor rights would appear on the Universal Declaration, and next articulates some philosophical objections to their presence there. The interesting question then is not so much how one could respond to the objections, but to explore what commitments one needs to make to answer our question in a satisfactory manner. To make progress, we can contrast the idea of human rights with conceptions of them. Such conceptions offer answers to a set of philosophical questions about human rights. It would be rather unlikely for any such conception to emerge as the uniquely best philosophical account of human rights since disagreements among different conceptions (each of which requires commitments to a range of issues) are complex. What is sensible to ask then is what a conception of human rights would have to be like to count labor rights as human rights, and whether there is a conception of that sort. I offer one conception that I take to be plausible overall, and that does count labor rights as human rights. Or, that is: it does count a right to work as a human right, alas not in the strong interpretation according to which states must create jobs but in the weaker sense that states need to make sure people are not systematically excluded from employment, and are treated in certain ways at their place of work, and it does count a right to leisure as a human right, alas not a right to paid vacations.
Voluntary Slavery and the Limits of the Market
Authors: Satz Debra
Published: January 2009

This paper considers the normative assessment of bonded labor from the perspectives of libertarianism and Paretian welfare economics. I argue that neither theory can account for our objections to bonded labor arrangements; moreover, they fail in interesting ways. Reflecting on their normative failures focuses us on other considerations besides individual choice and efficiency. Such considerations include: the effects of labor markets on workers' preferences and capacities; the exploitation of the vulnerabilities of the poor; and the permanent binding of one person to another.
Janiceps Conjoined Twins with Extreme Asymmetry: Case Report with Complete Autopsy and Histopathologic Findings
Authors: Kastenbaum Hannah A. , McPherson Elizabeth W. , Murdoch Geoffrey H. , Ozolek John A.
Published: January 2009

Conjoined twinning is a rare form of twinning, in which 2 bodies are attached, and is classified according to the anatomic place of attachment. An extremely rare form of conjoined twinning is janiceps conjoined twinning, in which 2 faces are attached but oriented in opposite directions. In this report, we present an unusual and difficult-to-classify case of conjoined male twins with partial duplication of craniofacial, upper oropharyngeal, and cardiac organs. We believe this to be one of the few reported cases of janiceps asymmetrus. We describe in detail the gross and microscopic pathology and offer some insights into the possible embryogenesis and distinction from the other rare form of conjoined twinning with facial duplication, diprosopus.
Perspectives on the Etiology of Chronic Rhinosinusitis: An Immune Barrier Hypothesis
Authors: Kern Robert C. , Conley David B. , Walsh William , Chandra Rakesh , Kato Atsushi , Tripathi-Peters Anju , Grammer Leslie C. , Schleimer Robert P.
Published: January 2009

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has been defined as persistent symptomatic inflammation of the nasal and sinus mucosa resulting from the interaction of multiple host and environmental factors. Recent studies have implicated Alternaria fungi or toxigenic Staphylococcus aureus as critical agents in CRS pathogenesis. The emphasis on environmental agents in CRS etiology has focused interest toward elimination of those agents as the prime mechanism of therapy. This viewpoint is in marked contrast to the current perspective on some other chronic inflammatory epithelial disorders that afflict the skin, lungs, and gut, wherein host factors are believed to predispose to disease expression in the presence of ubiquitous environmental agents.

Methods

The current review evaluates CRS etiology from this perspective and considers that CRS develops, in part, as an outcome of a dysfunctional host response. Specifically, evidence from our laboratory and others will be reviewed indicating that CRS is associated with a failure of the mechanical and immunologic barriers across the nasal mucosa. The hypothesis would further propose that genetic and epigenetic variation predisposes susceptible individuals to barrier failure in the presence of environmental stress leading to CRS.

Results

From this unifying perspective, bacteria and fungi are seen as disease modifiers rather than primary etiologic agents.

Conclusion

The goal is to place concepts of CRS pathophysiology in a framework consistent with a current understanding of chronic inflammation in general and epithelial disease in particular.
Acoustic Rhinometry of Asian Noses
Authors: Tantilipikorn Pongsakorn , Jareoncharsri Perapun , Voraprayoon Siriporn , Bunnag Chaweewan , Clement Peter A.
Published: January 2009

Background

Each ethnic group has different nasal cavity geometries. The reference value of the minimal cross-sectional area (MCA) and the nasal volume (NV) is mandatory for rhinologic evaluation in regular practice and for research. This study was designed to study the normal value of acoustic rhinometry (AR) in Asian subjects in comparison with other ethnic groups.

Methods

AR was performed in 135 healthy Thai subjects. Subjects were divided into two groups: group I, with normal anterior rhinoscopic appearance; group II included subjects with asymptomatic, slightly deviated nasal septa.

Results

The mean of the MCA was 0.61 ± 0.60 cm2 before decongestion and 0.64 ± 0.14 cm2 after decongestion. The mean distance from the nostril to the point of MCA (D) was 1.66 ± 0.59 cm before decongestion and 1.41 ± 0.74 cm after decongestion. The mean of the NV measured between 0 and 4 cm was 3.66 ± 0.67 cm3 before decongestion and 4.18 ± 0.75 cm3 after decongestion. Before decongestion, there were no significant differences in the mean of the MCA, D, and NV between group I and group II subjects; however, there were significant differences in mean MCA and NV after decongestion. There were no differences in the parameters between male and female subjects before decongestion, except for the D, but after decongestion the mean values of the MCA, D, and NV were significantly higher in male subjects compared with female subjects.

Conclusion

The results of this study can be used as a reference value for Asian ethnicities. Thai subjects had measurements comparable with those of the European study and somewhat different from the study in black populations.
The Efficacy of Topical Antibiofilm Agents in a Sheep Model of Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Le Tong , Psaltis Alkis , Tan Lor Wai , Wormald Peter-John
Published: January 2009

Background

Biofilms have been shown to be resistant to conventional antibiotic treatment. This study uses a sheep biofilm model developed by our department to investigate several novel topical anti-biofilm treatments.

Methods

Staphylococcal biofilms were grown in 54 sheep frontal sinuses over 8 days: Each sinus was randomized to (1) no intervention, (2) single mupirocin flush, (3) regular 12-hourly mupirocin flushes for 5 days, (4) Citric Acid Zwitterionic Surfactant (CAZS) via hydrodebrider, (5) gallium nitrate, (6) CAZS with gallium nitrate, (7) CAZS with mupirocin, and (8) saline regular flushes. Sheep were sacrificed and the sinus mucosa harvested 1 or 8 days after treatment to assess treatment and any biofilm regrowth. Confocal scanning laser microscopy was used to confirm the presence or absence of biofilms, and the extent of biofilm reduction was quantitated using fluorescent in situ hybridization and colony forming unit counts.

Results

In the control sheep biofilm coverage averaged 31.7%. Saline and mupirocin b.d. washes for 5 days had 23% and 0.84% coverage, respectively, when harvested on day 8. A single mupirocin and gallium wash had 7.7% and 16.2% on day 1 and 5.88% and 16.0% on day 8. CAZS with hydrodebrider had 6.66% on day 1 but 21.95% on day 8 whereas CAZS with hydodebrider and gallium had 13.3% on day 8.

Conclusion

This study shows that regular treatment with mupirocin produced the most marked reduction in biofilm surface area coverage (0.84% and 1.25%) with sustained effects over the 8-day follow-up period.
Olfactory Bulb Volume in Patients with Sinonasal Disease
Authors: Rombaux Philippe , Potier Helene , Bertrand Bernard , Duprez Thierry , Hummel Thomas
Published: January 2009

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the volume of the olfactory bulb (OB) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (without nasal polyposis at the endoscopic evaluation) and to evaluate the correlation between this measure and the degree of sinonasal inflammation.

Methods

Patients with sinonasal disease (SND; n = 22) were compared with healthy controls (n = 16) using orthonasal and retronasal olfactory test results and OB volumes measurement calculated by planimetric manual contouring using standardized methods. The Lund-Mackay score (originally described for CT scan) was also used to gauge sinonasal inflammation (SND score).

Results

The two groups were not significantly different in terms of age or distribution of sex. Patients had significantly higher right- and left-sided SND scores than controls. There was no significant group difference between patients and controls with regard to OB volume. However, patients with an SND score ≥12 had larger OB volumes than patients with higher SND scores (p < 0.001). Even when controlling for the subjects’ age, a significant correlation was present between OB volume and SND score (r =-0.52; p = 0.001) with smaller OB volumes being associated with a higher degree of sinonasal pathology.

Conclusion

OB volume correlated with the SND score, which is an indicator of the degree of sinonasal inflammation. SND patients with a slight decrease or even normal olfactory function may already exhibit changes in their OB volume. This study also seems to emphasize the idea that OB volume changes are more sensitive to subtle changes in the olfactory system than results from psychophysical testing.
Posttraumatic Anosmia Secondary to Central Nervous System Injury
Authors: Wu Amy P. , Davidson Terence
Published: January 2009

Background

The presumed pathogenesis of posttraumatic anosmia is stretching or shearing of the olfactory nerves in a coup-contracoup head contusion. Direct injury to the brain is an alternate mechanism of injury. In this study we report a case where direct injury to the brain is the probable mechanism of injury.

Methods

A case report was performed.

Results

A 55-year-old man presented with loss of smell beginning 1 month after a closed head injury with loss of consciousness. The MRI showed posttraumatic scarring in the region of the olfactory bulbs.

Conclusion

This case suggests that central nervous system injury to the olfactory bulbs and tracts may be a mechanism of posttraumatic anosmia.
Sonography versus Plain x Rays in Diagnosis of Nasal Fractures
Authors: Giirkov Robert , Krause Eike , Clevert Dirk
Published: January 2009

Background

The standard imaging procedure for suspected nasal fractures has been radiography (XR). However, its usefulness for clinical decision making is highly controversial. High-resolution ultrasonography now offers a promising new diagnostic imaging option. In this study we compared the diagnostic value of high-resolution ultrasonography and conventional XR in the evaluation of suspected nasal fractures.

Methods

A prospective single-blinded study was performed. Ultrasound (US) and XR findings in 80 patients with suspected nasal fractures were compared with the definite clinical diagnosis with respect to sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.

Results

For detection of fractures of the nasal dorsum, both modalities had high sensitivity (98 and 88% for US and XR, respectively) and specificity (95% for both US and XR). In lateral nasal wall fractures, specificity was higher for XR (75% versus 94%). Sensitivity was significantly higher for the US examination (98% versus 28%). In summary, the accuracy was higher for US.

Conclusion

When available, US should be the first-line imaging procedure in the evaluation of nasal fractures.
Balloon Catheter Dilatation for Frontal Sinus Ostium Stenosis in the Office Setting
Authors: Luong Amber , Batra Pete S. , Fakhri Samer , Citardi Martin J.
Published: January 2009

Background

Frontal sinus ostium stenosis (FSOS) is problematic even for expert surgeons. Balloon catheter (BC) technology has been recently introduced to rhinology. The aim of this study is to assess technical feasibility and effectiveness of BC dilatation of FSOS in the office setting.

Methods

This retrospective, multi-institutional case series describes all patients who underwent BC dilatation of FSOS in the office setting in the year ending December 31, 2007.

Results

Six adult patients underwent a total of seven BC dilatations of FSOS in the clinical setting. The pretreatment ostium size was 1-2 mm. Four of the dilatations were performed with a 5-mm lacrimal BC (LacriCATH, Quest Medical, Allen, TX) and three dilatations were executed with a 7-mm sinus BC (SinuCATH, Quest Medical). All procedures were performed using topical anesthesia only. No complications occurred. Five of the six dilated FSOS dilatations were deemed successful after one BC dilatation. One ostium contracted >50% and required repeat BC dilatation. All ostia have remained patent with a follow-up range of 4-9 months. No subject has required formal surgical revision.

Conclusion

This preliminary report describes BC of FSOS in the office setting. The technique may serve as a safe and feasible alternative, potentially avoiding formal revision sinus surgery in select patients.