bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collision Type and Player Anticipation Affect Head Impact Severity Among Youth Ice Hockey Players
Authors: Mihalik Jason P. , Blackburn J. Troy , Greenwald Richard M. , Cantu Robert C. , Marshall Stephen W. , Guskiewicz Kevin M.
Published: May 2010

OBJECTIVE:

The objective was to determine how body collision type and player anticipation affected the severity of head impacts sustained by young athletes. For anticipated collisions, we sought to evaluate different body position descriptors during delivery and receipt of body collisions and their effects on head impact severity. We hypothesized that head impact biomechanical features would be more severe in unanticipated collisions and open-ice collisions, compared with anticipated collisions and collisions along the playing boards, respectively.

METHODS:

Sixteen ice hockey players (age: 14.0 ± 0.5 years) wore instrumented helmets from which biomechanical measures (ie, linear acceleration, rotational acceleration, and severity profile) associated with head impacts were computed. Body collisions observed in video footage captured over a 54-game season were evaluated for collision type (open ice versus along the playing boards), level of anticipation (anticipated versus unanticipated), and relative body positioning by using a new tool developed for this purpose.

RESULTS:

Open-ice collisions resulted in greater head linear (P = .036) and rotational (P = .003) accelerations, compared with collisions along the playing boards. Anticipated collisions tended to result in less-severe head impacts than unanticipated collisions, especially for medium-intensity impacts (50th to 75th percentiles of severity scores).

CONCLUSION:

Our data underscore the need to provide players with the necessary technical skills to heighten their awareness of imminent collisions and to mitigate the severity of head impacts in this sport.
Antibiotic Management of Staphylococcus aureus Infections in US Children's Hospitals, 1999–2008
Authors: Herigon Joshua C. , Hersh Adam L. , Gerber Jeffrey S. , Zaoutis Theoklis E. , Newland Jason G.
Published: May 2010

OBJECTIVES:

The objective of this study was to describe trends in antibiotic management for Staphylococcus aureus infections among hospitalized children from 1999 to 2008.

METHODS:

A retrospective study was conducted by using the Pediatric Health Information Systems database to describe antibiotic treatment of inpatients with S aureus infection at 25 children's hospitals in the United States. Patients who were admitted from 1999 to 2008 with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes for S aureus infection were included. Trends in the use of vancomycin, clindamycin, linezolid, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, cefazolin, and oxacillin/nafcillin were examined for percentage use and days of therapy per 1000 patient-days.

RESULTS:

A total of 64813 patients had a discharge diagnosis for S aureus infection. The incidence of methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) infections during this period increased 10-fold, from 2 to 21 cases per 1000 admissions, whereas the methicillin-susceptible S aureus infection rate remained stable. Among patients with S aureus infections, antibiotics that treat MRSA increased from 52% to 79% of cases, whereas those that treat only methicillin-susceptible S aureus declined from 66% to <30% of cases. Clindamycin showed the greatest increase, from 21% in 1999 to 63% in 2008. Similar trends were observed by using days of therapy per 1000 patient-days.

CONCLUSIONS:

Antibiotic prescribing patterns for the treatment of S aureus infections have changed significantly during the past decade, reflecting the emergence of community-associated MRSA. Clindamycin is now the most commonly prescribed antibiotic for S aureus infections among hospitalized children. The substantial use of clindamycin emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring of local S aureus susceptibility patterns.
Defensin-Barbed Innate Immunity: Clinical Associations in the Pediatric Population
Authors: Underwood Mark A. , Bevins Charles L.
Published: May 2010

Defensins and related antimicrobial peptides serve a central role in innate immunity in all species of plants and animals. In humans, defensins are widely expressed, including in neutrophils, skin, and mucosal epithelia. Most defensins are potent antibiotics, and some have chemotactic and toxin-neutralizing activities. Results of recent studies on the homeostatic and disease-fighting activities of human defensins point to a key relevance in several pediatric disorders. Inherited variation in defensin gene expression may contribute to susceptibility to several diseases, including psoriasis and Crohn disease. We review here the recent discoveries in innate immunity that shed light on the potential roles of defensins, and other antimicrobial molecules, in the pathophysiology of common pediatric diseases such as atopic dermatitis, necrotizing enterocolitis, cystic fibrosis, and otitis media.
Abandoning the notion of “translation-inherent” explicitation: Against a dogma of translation studies
Authors: Becher Viktor
Published: May 2010

One of the best-known hypotheses of translation studies, the Explicitation Hypothesis, postulates that explicitation is “inherent” in the process of translation and may therefore be regarded as a “universal of translation”. In recent years, a number of corpus-based studies on explicitation have been produced, most of which purport to offer evidence in favor of this hypothesis. As a consequence, the alleged universality of explicitation has achieved the status of dogma in translation studies. The aim of the present article is to show that the dogma of translation-inherent explicitation rests on fallacious theoretical considerations and premature interpretations of empirical data. In the first place, it will be argued that the Explicitation Hypothesis strictly speaking does not even qualify as a scientific hypothesis, since it is unmotivated, unparsimonious and vaguely formulated. In the second place, it will be shown that previous studies on explicitation fail to provide conclusive evidence for the translation-inherent nature of explicitation due to a number of methodological shortcomings.
Comparison of parallel texts of petitions in Polish-Hungarian and Polish-English translation
Authors: Kaczmarek Karolina , Matulewska Aleksandra
Published: May 2010

This article explores the possibilities of using parallel texts in Polish, Hungarian and English legal translation and legal translation teaching. The authors focus on petitions, a special genre of the legal register, and show that the macrostructure of Polish, Hungarian and English are different: they are composed of the same elements, but these are ordered differently. Polish petitions may be written by lawyers as well as lay persons, thus the language used in them may be both legal and colloquial depending on the author. English petitions are usually executed by lawyers, or they are simply forms which are filled in by claimants. In Hungary a claimant also fills in a form. What may pose serious translation problems is the part called the grounds of the petition, as it may be written in a specialpurpose register or in colloquial language. Despite the differences, parallel texts of petitions in Polish, Hungarian and English provide the translator and trainee translator with more reliable equivalents than dictionaries, and not only for technical terms, but also for phraseological units and formulaic sequences.
Cost/benefit calculations of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus screening methods and their practical importance
Authors: Knausz Márta , Kaproncai Gabriella , Rozgonyi Ferenc
Published: May 2010

A nosocomialis fertőzések fő okozói az egészségügyi többletkiadásoknak és szoros összefüggésben állnak a betegbiztonság problémakörével is. Hatékony infekciókontrollal, szigorított higiénés intézkedésekkel, célzott szűrővizsgálatokkal a kórházi fertőzések 30%-a megelőzhető. Napjainkban a methicillinrezisztens
Staphylococcus aureus
az egyik legfontosabb nosocomialis patogén. Az ellene történő védekezés lépései jól ismertek, ezért választottuk ezt a kórokozót költséghatékonysági vizsgálatainkhoz. Kiszámoltuk a győri Petz Aladár Megyei Oktatókórházban kétéves periódus alatt lezajlott methicillinrezisztens
Staphylococcus aureus
okozta járvány költségeit és szembeállítottuk a szűrővizsgálatok költségeivel. Eredményeinket összehasonlítottuk a nemzetközi szakirodalmi adatokkal is. Megállapíthatjuk, hogy a szűrővizsgálatok költségei jóval alacsonyabbak, mint a kórházi fertőzések kezelésének költségei, ezért elsődleges szerepe a prevenciónak van.
Age-related microscopic and molecular changes of the human colon, and their role in the development of colorectal cancer in elderly people
Authors: Leiszter Katalin , Galamb Orsolya , Sipos Ferenc , Tóth Kinga , Valcz Gábor , Patai V. Árpád , Molnár Jeannette , Molnár Béla , Tulassay Zsolt
Published: May 2010

Az öregedés emésztőrendszeri hatásainak vizsgálata, molekuláris hátterének megismerése és bizonyos betegségek (mint például az idősek körében gyakrabban előforduló sporadikus vastagbélrák) kialakulásával való kapcsolatának feltérképezése új és ígéretes területe a molekuláris gasztroenterológiának. Ismert tény, hogy az emésztőrendszerben az öregedés során kialakuló molekuláris változások egy része (például a DNS-metiláció, a telomerrövidülés) a vastagbélrák bizonyos típusaiban is azonosítható. A sporadikus vastagbélrák epidemiológiai és molekuláris tulajdonságait ismerve továbbra is nyitott kérdés, hogy pontosan milyen molekuláris mechanizmusok, genetikai vagy génexpressziós szintű, illetve epigenetikai változások magyarázzák, hogy 45–50 éves kor felett a sporadikus vastagbélrákos megbetegedések száma ugrásszerűen megnő, és ezek vajon hogyan hozhatók összefüggésbe az öregedés mechanizmusával. Hosszú távon a megelőzés és a korszerű kezelés szempontjából is kiemelkedő jelentőségű lehet a megismert folyamatok célzott befolyásolása. Dolgozatunk az öregedés során a vastagbélben kialakuló mikroszkópos és molekuláris változásokat foglalja össze, és ezek lehetséges szerepét mutatja be az időskori sporadikus vastagbélrák kialakulásában.
Update on Paraneoplastic Neurologic Disorders
Authors: Rosenfeld Myrna R. , Dalmau Josep
Published: May 2010

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Identify the symptoms of paraneoplastic neurologic disorders (PNDs) and, when appropriate, include PNDs in the differential diagnosis when evaluating patients with systemic cancers.Describe the relationship of paraneoplastic antibodies and specific syndromes, where present, and their use in diagnosis of PND.

CME This article is available for continuing medical education credit at CME.TheOncologist.com

When patients with cancer develop neurologic symptoms, common causes include metastasis, infections, coagulopathy, metabolic or nutritional disturbances, and neurotoxicity from treatments. A thorough clinical history, temporal association with cancer therapies, and results of ancillary tests usually reveal one of these mechanisms as the etiology. When no etiology is identified, the diagnosis considered is often that of a paraneoplastic neurologic disorder (PND). With the recognition that PNDs are more frequent than previously thought, the availability of diagnostic tests, and the fact that, for some PNDs, treatment helps, PNDs should no longer be considered diagnostic zebras, and when appropriate should be included in the differential diagnosis early in the evaluation.
Understanding Micrometastatic Disease and Anoikis Resistance in Ewing Family of Tumors and Osteosarcoma
Authors: Strauss Sandra J. , Ng Tony , Mendoza-Naranjo Ariadna , Whelan Jeremy , Sorensen Poul H.B.
Published: May 2010

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Explain the importance of resistance to anoikis in the development of metastases.Describe the mechanisms of anoikis resistance in EFTs and osteosarcoma and their potential use in development of new therapies.

CME This article is available for continuing medical education credit at CME.TheOncologist.com

Detection of micrometastatic tumor cells in the bone marrow or peripheral blood of patients with Ewing family of tumors (EFTs) and osteosarcoma has been shown to correlate with poor outcome. Although one of the aims of chemotherapy is eradication of micrometastatic disease, these cells vary phenotypically from primary tumor cells and appear to be more resistant to chemotherapy. As a barrier to metastasis, cells normally undergo a form of cell death termed anoikis after they lose contact with the extracellular matrix or neighboring cells. Tumor cells that acquire malignant potential have developed mechanisms to resist anoikis and thereby survive after detachment from their primary site and while traveling through the circulation. Investigating mechanisms of resistance to anoikis, therefore, provides a valuable model to investigate regulation of micrometastatic disease. This review focuses on the current understanding of the mechanisms involved in mediating cell survival and resistance to anoikis in EFTs and osteosarcoma and discusses future studies that may help to identify novel therapeutics targeted at micrometastatic disease.
Effect of total sleep deprivation on postprandial metabolic and insulin responses in shift workers and non-shift workers
Authors: Wehrens Sophie M T , Hampton Shelagh M , Finn Rebecca E , Skene Debra J
Published: May 2010

Epidemiological studies have shown that shift workers are at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease which may, in part, be related to metabolic and hormonal changes. Partial sleep deprivation, a common consequence of rotating shift work, has been shown to affect glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. The current study investigated the effects of one night of total sleep deprivation, as a proxy for the first night shift, on postprandial glucose, insulin and lipid (triacylglycerols (TAGs) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs)) responses under controlled laboratory conditions in shift workers and non-shift workers. Eleven experienced shift workers (35.7±7.2 years, mean±s.d.) who had worked in shifts for 8.7±5.25 years were matched with 13 non-shift workers who had worked for 32.8±6.4 years. After an adaptation night and a baseline sleep night, volunteers were kept awake for 30.5 h, followed by a nap (4 h) and recovery sleep. Blood samples were taken prior to and after a standard breakfast following baseline sleep, total sleep deprivation and recovery sleep. Basal TAG levels prior to the standard breakfast were significantly lower after sleep deprivation, indicating higher energy expenditure. Basal NEFA levels were significantly lower after recovery sleep. Postprandial insulin and TAG responses were significantly increased, and the NEFA response was decreased after recovery sleep, suggestive of insulin insensitivity. Although there were no overall significant differences between non-shift workers and shift workers, non-shift workers showed significantly higher basal insulin levels, lower basal NEFA levels, and an increased postprandial insulin and a decreased NEFA response after recovery sleep. In future, the reasons for these inter-group differences are to be investigated.
Factorial Analysis of Trihalomethanes Formation in Drinking Water
Authors: Chowdhury Shakhawat , Champagne Pascale , McLellan P James
Published: May 2010

Disinfection of drinking water reduces pathogenic infection, but may pose risks to human health through the formation of disinfection byproducts. The effects of different factors on the formation of trihalomethanes were investigated using a statistically designed experimental program, and a predictive model for trihalomethanes formation was developed. Synthetic water samples with different factor levels were produced, and trihalomethanes concentrations were measured. A replicated fractional factorial design with center points was performed, and significant factors were identified through statistical analysis. A second‐order trihalomethanes formation model was developed from 92 experiments, and the statistical adequacy was assessed through appropriate diagnostics. This model was validated using additional data from the Drinking Water Surveillance Program database and was applied to the Smiths Falls water supply system in Ontario, Canada. The model predictions were correlated strongly to the measured trihalomethanes, with correlations of 0.95 and 0.91, respectively. The resulting model can assist in analyzing risk‐cost tradeoffs in the design and operation of water supply systems.
Bioaugmentation to Improve Nitrification in Activated Sludge Treatment
Authors: Leu Shao‐Yuan , Stenstrom Michael K.
Published: May 2010

Bioaugmentation is a proposed technique to improve nutrient removal in municipal wastewater treatment. Compared with commonly used nitrification/denitrification (NDN) processes, bioaugmentation may be able to reduce tankage or land requirements. Many approaches for bioaugmentation have been developed, but few studies have compared the benefits among different approaches. This paper quantifies the effectiveness of bioaugmentation processes and investigates three major “onsite” bioaugmentation alternatives: 1) the parallel‐plants approach, which uses acclimated biomass grown in a nitrifying “long‐SRT” (sludge retention time) plant to augment a low‐SRT treatment plant; 2) the enricher‐reactor approach, which uses an offline reactor to produce the augmentation cultures; and 3) the enricher‐reactor/return activated sludge (ER‐RAS) approach, which grows enrichment culture in a reaeration reactor that receives a portion of the recycle activated sludge. Kinetic models were developed to simulate each approach, and the benefits of various approaches are presented on the same basis with controllable parameters, such as bioaugmentation levels, aeration tank volume, and temperatures. Examples were given to illustrate the potential benefits of bioaugmentation by upgrading a “carbon‐only” wastewater treatment plant to nitrification. Simulation results suggested that all bioaugmentation approaches can decrease the minimum SRT for nitrification. The parallel‐plants approach creates the highest concentration of biomass but may fail at too low temperature. The ER‐RAS approach likely would be more useful at lower temperature and required less reactor volume; enricher‐reactor approach would likely be more advantageous in the presence of inhibitory compound(s).
Selecting the Most Relevant Variables for Anaerobic Digestion Imbalances: Two Case Studies
Authors: Dalmau Jordi , Comas Joaquim , Rodríguez‐Roda Ignasi , Latrille Eric , Steyer Jean‐Philippe
Published: May 2010

In this study, a wrapper approach was applied to objectively select the most important variables related to two different anaerobic digestion imbalances, acidogenic states and foaming. This feature selection method, implemented in artificial neural networks (ANN), was performed using input and output data from a fully instrumented pilot plant (1 m3 upflow fixed bed digester). Results for acidogenic states showed that pH, volatile fatty acids, and inflow rate were the most relevant variables. Results for foaming showed that inflow rate and total organic carbon were among the relevant variables, both of which were related to the feed loading of the digester. Because there is not a complete agreement on the causes of foaming, these results highlight the role of digester feeding patterns in the development of foaming.
Cold Climate Performance Analysis of On‐Site Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems
Authors: Williamson Eric
Published: May 2010

Household on‐site septic systems with secondary wastewater treatment in Anchorage, Alaska, were sampled and analyzed for performance parameters during the winter to spring months. System types included intermittent dosing sand filters (ISF), three types of recirculating trickling filters (RTF), and suspended‐growth aeration tanks. Total nitrogen from the trickling filter and aeration tank effluent was fairly uniform, at approximately 30 mg/L. Total suspended solids (TSS) means were mostly less than 15 mg/L. The 5‐day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) showed considerable variability, with means ranging from 9.2 mg/L for ISFs up to 39.5 mg/L for one type of RTF, even though this type has shown excellent results in several test programs. The data suggested that effluent temperature within the sample range had almost no effect on effluent concentrations of BOD5 or TSS and only a small effect on the removal of total nitrogen. Non‐climatic factors were probably of equal importance to treatment results.
Bacterial Attachment and Detachment in Aluminum‐Coated Quartz Sand in Response to Ionic Strength Change
Authors: Lee Chang‐Gu , Park Seong‐Jik , Han Yong‐Un , Park Jeong‐Ann , Kim Song‐Bae
Published: May 2010

Column experiments were performed to investigate the effect of ionic strength on the attachment and detachment of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 10537 and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 in aluminum‐coated quartz sand. Results showed that the average mass recovery decreased from 80.7 to 45.3% in quartz sand and remained constant in aluminum‐coated sand with increasing ionic concentrations of sodium chloride solution from 1 to 100 mmol/L. As the ionic concentrations of leaching solution changed from 100 to 0.1 mmol/L, average mass recovery of 39.1% was obtained from quartz sand (bacterial release), but no detachment was observed from aluminum‐coated sand. This lack of detachment can be attributed to inner‐sphere complexes between bacteria and aluminum‐coated sand, which are minimally affected by ionic strength. This research indicates that aluminum‐coated sand has advantages over quartz sand in bacteria removal in water filtration systems.
Investigating the Fundamental Basis for Selectors to Improve Activated Sludge Settling
Authors: Gray(Gabb) Donald M.D. , De Lange Vincent P. , Chien Mark H. , Esquer Mark A. , Shao Y.J.
Published: May 2010

Aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic selectors have become popular for controlling filamentous bulking in activated sludge systems; however, selectors are not always successful. Regression analyses of data collected from 48 full‐scale wastewater treatment plants, with operating selectors, provided a method for ranking the importance of selector operating and design parameters (with respect to their influence on activated sludge settleability) and suggests optimum numerical ranges for these parameters for best selector performance. Selectors do not appear to control filamentous bulking in long mean cell residence time (MCRT) plants. Further, the elimination of all selector zones may help to control bulking in these plants. However, other design/operating parameters were shown to influence activated sludge settleability in long‐MCRT plants. Aerobic selectors in short‐MCRT plants can control filamentous bulking, if they are small enough to produce a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) concentration gradient. Anoxic and anaerobic selectors can control filamentous bulking in short‐MCRT plants, if the selector volume is large enough and/or the selector mixed‐liquor suspended solids concentration is high enough. These unaerated selector systems do not appear to benefit from a BOD concentration gradient as the aerobic selectors in short‐MCRT plants do. Although anaerobic/anoxic selector compartmentalization in these plants appears to improve settleability, this presumably is because of reduced selector short‐circuiting.
Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies on the Adsorption of Anionic Surfactant on Quaternary Ammonium Cationic Cellulose
Authors: Zhang Yuanzhang , Shi Wenjian , Zhou Hualan , Fu Xing , Chen Xuan
Published: May 2010

Removal of anionic surfactants from aqueous solutions by adsorption onto quaternary ammonium cationic cellulose (QACC) was investigated. The effects of solution acidity, initial concentration, adsorption time, and temperature on the adsorption of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS) were studied. The kinetic experimental data fit well with the pseudo‐second‐order model; the rate constant of the adsorption increased with temperature. The values of apparent activation energy for the adsorption were calculated as ranging from 10.2 to 17.4 kJ/mol. The adsorption isotherm can be described by the Langmuir isotherm. The values of thermodynamic parameters (ΔH0, ΔS0, and ΔG0) for the adsorption indicated that this process was spontaneous and endothermic. At 318 K, the saturated adsorption capacities of QACC for SDBS, SLS, and SDS were 1.75, 1.53, and 1.39 mmol/g, respectively. The adsorption process was mainly chemisorption and partially physisorption. The results show that QACC is effective for the removal of anionic surfactants.
Understanding philosophical animal
Authors: Popovic Una
Published: May 2010

In this paper, inspired by the Predrag Krstic's book Philosophical Animal author is trying to find hers way through a broad and complex web of philosophies and roles that different animals play in them. The main question is how to understand philosophy itself in a present day context, which philosophy is supposed to think and rethink through. Animals as presented in concepts, more precisely philosophical contexts, open one interesting and innovative way to deal with this question, balancing between tradition of philosophy and its presence, structure of philosophical arguments and questioning of language of philosophy, abstract and individual. In this frame philosopher as the true philosophical animal is revealed as the main symbol that requires analysis in his philosophical strategies.
'Spirit' and 'Letter' of the moral law: Text and commentary in the hermeneutics of German idealism II
Authors: Milisavljevic Vladimir
Published: May 2010

The first part of this paper, published in the previous issue of the review was intended to expose the religious origins of the duality between 'Spirit' and 'Letter' as well as its meaning in the general philosophical context of early German idealism. This second and final part of the paper is focused on the ethical implications of this question, since the opposing of the 'Spirit' of Kant's System to its 'Letter', backed by frequent references to the Christian fulfillment of the Mosaic Law through love or faith, represented one of the principal resources of contemporary critiques of his moral philosophy. The final consequence of this line of criticism of Kant lies in the suppression of the authority of a transcendent moral norm. This step which at the same time abolishes the authority of the text, and hence the reverent attitude of the commentary as a literal genre, can be observed as early as in Hegel's theological youth writings, which advocate the suppression of the transcendent moral law by means of its integration in free subjectivity which exists in the community of believing Christians.
The questions for Machiavelli
Authors: Lakicevic Dragan
Published: May 2010

The main intention of the work that deals with the Nicolo Machiavelli thought is to point out the obvious paradox between the high political goal and the legitimating of all possible means for its realization. Are evil deeds inevitable in the sphere of politics and under what circumstances the immorality contained in political acts could be transformed into common good? The text asks additional questions such as about the accomplishments of ambitious political projects, the relationship among the ideologist and the representative of political power, the transformations of the means into the ends, the use of violence and indoctrination in political acts, revolutionary and evolutionary political methods, etc. The author claims that political technologies recommended by Machiavelli basically haven't diminished, but have taken on more modern and more adequate forms.
The problem of evil in Hinduism
Authors: Kindjic Zoran
Published: May 2010

After having pointed to the different religious concepts of the origin of evil, the author focuses on the discussion of Hinduism as a typical paradigm of monism. Since the Indian deities are actually manifestations of the eternal arch principle, they contain within themselves the unity of opposites, i.e. they have both light and dark side. Evil which affects an individual is interpreted as sinning against the universal cosmic and moral order. The doctrine that man's destiny is determined by one's deeds in the previous incarnations is almost widely accepted in India. The idea of karma at the same time provides the cosmic justice and releases God from the responsibility for evil in the world. The impersonal law of karma also has the educational purpose. The whole world derived from the brahman and under the process of evolution. Through the numerous lives and the different experiences, suffering from the consequences of one's own behavior, an individual learn from the spiritual lessons. In the times of the cosmic crises, when evil prevails in the world, Vishnu incarnates in the figure of avatar to win over evil and to restore the blocked evolution. Although evil is defeated, it still cannot be entirely uprooted from the physical world. The salvation for man is possible only after dissolving personal ego and having enlightened oneself, transcends to the sphere of dualism.
The assessment of diastolic function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Obradovic-Tomasevic Biljana , Vujasinovic-Stupar Nada , Tomasevic Ratko
Published: May 2010

Introduction. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory autoimmune chronic disease. In comparison with the overall population, mortality and morbidity of RA patients are increased due to cardiovascular diseases. There is increasing evidence that autoimmunity mechanisms are included in pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Isolated disorder of diastolic function can, even with normal heart contractility, lead to heart failure. The aim of this study was to assess diastolic function in RA patients and determine factors causing diastolic dysfunction. Material and methods. The study included 88 patients with RA treated at Rheumatology Department, Clinical Hospital Centre, Zemun. All the patients were thoroughly examined (clinical findings, laboratory and echocardiographic examination). All parameters of diastolic function (mitral and pulmonary flow) were measured. Results. In RA patients 98,9% had diastolic function disorder. This parameter had been changed prior to clinical signs of heart failure and decrease of ejection fraction. Indicators of diastolic function, velocities E, A and their ratio VE/VA, as well as velocities S, D and their ratio VS/VD were lower in patients with positive rheumatoid factor. The patients' age (p<0.01), duration of the disease (p<0.05), high level of cholesterol (p<0.05), triglycerides (p<0.05) and arterial hypertension (p<0.05) were significant factors considerably affecting diastolic function. Conclusion. These findings suggest subclinical myocardial disorder in a great number of RA patients. Apart from early and aggressive treatment of the chronic inflammatory process, it is also necessary to prevent further heart complications by timely recognition and treatment of 'standard' risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
Enterococcal endocarditis: A case report
Authors: Cvjetkovic Dejan , Aleksic-Djordjevic Mirjana , Jovanovic Jovana , Hrnjakovic-Cvjetkovic Ivana , Stefan-Mikic Sandra , Sevic Sinisa
Published: May 2010

Introduction. Bacteria from genus Enterococcus may cause infections mostly in those who are immunocompromised and those who underwent endoscopic or surgical procedures. Endocarditis is caused by enterococci in 5-10% of cases. Its clinical presentation does not differ from endocarditis of other bacterial origin. Previous susceptibility testing is needed for appropriate choice of antibiotics against enterococci. The treatment recommendations for enterococcal endocarditis were given by American Heart Association recently. Case report. A case of enterococcal endocarditis in a young female person hospitalised at Clinic for infectious diseases was reviewed. The disease was diagnosed during an extensive diagnostic procedure. Multiply repeated echocardiographic examination helped to find out bacterial vegetations on the mitral valve. Enterococcus species was isolated from several blood cultures. Despite powerful antibiotic treatment, the additional valvular replacement had to be done. Discussion. A case of enerococcal endocarditis in a young female person was reviewed. The right diagnosis was based on a thorough clinical examination in cooperation with cardiologists using repeated transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. Echocardiography, even if it is transesophageal, has limited sensitivity and specify, so it is sometimes necessary to be repeated for several times in diagnosing endocarditis. The source of endocarditis was not identified. The combined antimicrobial and surgical treatment led to the complete recovery of patient. Conclusion. Enterococcal endocarditis rarely occurrs in young females. Infective disease specialists sometimes face enterococcal endocarditis in their practice, mostly when they have to cope with fever of unknown origin. An appropriate approach to such conditions includes careful search for heart valve changes by repeated echocardiographic finding, if necessary.
Primary pelvic hydatid cyst: Case report
Authors: Stanojevic Goran , Jovanovic Milan , Stojanovic Miroslav , Rancic Zoran , Djordjevic-Jovanovic Lidija , Miladinovic-Tasic Natasa
Published: May 2010

Introduction. Primary hydatid cyst in the pelvis is an extremely rare site of the disease and occurs in approximately 0.7% of the patients with this disease. Case report. The case of a 65-year-old woman is reported, who was admitted for surgical treatment of incidentally detected pelvis tumor of unclear origin. Intraoperatively, it was noted that the tumor in the pelvis was cystic, resembling a hydatid disease, involving left pararectal space and extending to the sacroiliac joint. The total cystectomy with partial pericystectomy was performed. The section was sent to histopathology, which confirmed intraoperative findings. Discussion and conclusion. A pelvic hydatid cyst is in most cases diagnosed intraoperatively but the disease should be taken into consideration in cases of cystic tumors of unclear origin, especially in endemic regions and in persons with positive history of pet keeping. Surgical management is the treatment of choice. The principal goal is the compromise between the need to completely remove the cyst and the fact that it is a benign disease so the patient should not be unnecessarily exposed to an increased operative risk.
Photodynamic therapy of cariogenic agents: A systematic review
Authors: Araujo Patrícia Valente , Cortes Maria Esperanza , Poletto Luiz Thadeu de Abreu
Published: May 2010

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the current status of the photodynamic therapy (PDT) against cariogenic micro-organisms. Publications with abstracts, published in English and available online in PubMed, were included. To identify relevant publications, all abstracts obtained from the search in PubMed were read independently by the authors. In total, 19 studies were reviewed. It was difficult to compare the results among all the studies because of their heterogeneity regarding photosensitizer, light source, exposure time, and photosensitizer incubation period before the irradiation. All but one in vitro studies assessed showed significant killing of micro-organisms demonstrating the antibacterial effect of PDT against cariogenic bacteria. Due to heterogeneity in the treatment parameters, there are no available clinical protocols to apply the PDT in vivo and further works are now being undertaken to make this treatment clinically accessible and to determine the efficacy of PDT on carious dentin in vivo.
Distribution and Ecology of Alchemilla Species in Osogovo Mt. and West Balkan Mt. In Bulgaria
Authors: Gavrilova Anna , Vitkova Antonina
Published: May 2010

Distribution and Ecology ofAlchemillaSpecies in Osogovo Mt. and West Balkan Mt. In Bulgaria

The present study aims to determine some common species of genusAlchemilla(Rosaceae) in Osogovo Mt. and West Balkan Mt. in Bulgaria. The ecological conditions in seven habitat types according to EUNIS with detected presence ofAlchemillaspecies are compared. According to this classification, the habitats that were found belong to six general types: Transition mires and quaking bogs (D 2.3), Mountain hay meadows (E 2.3), Moist or wet eutrophic and mesotrophic grassland (E 3.4), Acid alpine and subalpine grassland (E 4.3), Subalpine moist or wet tall-herb and fern stands (E 5.5), Evergreen alpine and subalpine heath and scrub (F 2.2). Seven species were reported in the investigated regions:A. crinitaBuser,A. erythropodaJuz.,A. flabellataBuser,A. glabraNeygenf.,A. glaucescensWallr.,A. monticolaOpiz andA. viridifloraRothm. In the paper are submitted some new reports for the presence ofA. crinita, A. erythropodaandA. glabrain the investigated areas. Some preliminary results concerning the resources of the examined species are obtained.
Phytosociological Study of Beech and Beech-Mixed Woods in Monti Sibillini National Park (Central Apennines, Italy)
Authors: Catorci Andrea , Vitanzi Alessandra , Ballelli Sandro
Published: May 2010

Phytosociological Study of Beech and Beech-Mixed Woods in Monti Sibillini National Park (Central Apennines, Italy)

The results of a phytosociological survey of the woods mainly growing on limestones in the Southern part of the Marches Region (Central Italy), that is part of the Monti Sibillini National Park, are here presented. This area is characterized by a temperate climate (upper mesotemperate and lower/upper supratemperate bioclimatic belts). In order to study the vegetation, 173 phytosociological relevés were carried out through the Braun-Blanquet methodology. All the data obtained were submitted to multivariate analysis. The phytosociological analysis is characterized in nine associations, whereof three are of new description (Lathyro veneti-Fagetum sylvaticae hieracietosum murorum, Cardamino kitaibelii-Fagetum sylvaticae corallorhizetosum trifidaeandCardamino kitaibelii-Fagetum sylvaticae anemonetosum nemorosae).
Formation of Direct Surface Relief in Photochrome-Chalcogenide Composites
Authors: Gerbreders A. , Teteris J.
Published: May 2010

Formation of Direct Surface Relief in Photochrome-Chalcogenide Composites

A method for preparation of thin triple composite films of organic polymer-chalcogenide-photochromes is described, the photo-induced changes of optical properties and holographic recording are considered. The films were obtained from solutions of arsenic sulphide, azobenzene Disperse Red 1, spiropyran, and organic polymers in organic solvents. The solutions were spread over glass or quartz substrates; the thickness of dry films was 3-10 μm. The absorption spectra of the prepared films were studied and analyzed. The holographic recording of diffraction gratings was performed by laser lines of 325 nm, 442 nm and 532 nm. During recording the diffraction efficiency was measured simultaneously in the transmission and reflection modes. The relief formation on the film surface was observed and the profile of the gratings formed was analyzed using AFM microscope. The influence of photoisomerization and photo-induced mass transport on the surface relief formation process is discussed.
A Bacterial Hydrogen Production Test System for Measuring H2 Concentrations in Liquids and Gases
Authors: Klepere I. , Muiznieks I. , Kleperis J.
Published: May 2010

A Bacterial Hydrogen Production Test System for Measuring H2Concentrations in Liquids and Gases

The hydrogen production by biological processes using fermentative micro-organisms is an environment-friendly way for storage and use of energy. A laboratory-scale model of the fermentation system was developed and tested, which allows studying the kinetics of hydrogen production by a standardEscherichia coliMSCL (Microbial Strain Collection of Latvia) strain 332 used as indicator at the sanitary analyses of water. In this work, we compared the hydrogen concentrations in liquid (the cultivation media) and gaseous environments. During the anaerobic growth ofE. coliMSCL332 bacteria in glucose-containing media a hydrogen over-saturation in the liquid phase was observed. The maximum of dissolved hydrogen concentration (2481 μmol/l) was reached by the fourth hour of fermentation, while for gaseous phase the mass-spectrometric analysis showed that hydrogen of the highest concentration occupied only 0.4% volume.
Dynamics of Autumn Migration of the Acrocephalus Warblers Through the Polish Baltic Coast
Authors: Kozłowska Anna , Stępniewska Katarzyna , Stępniewski Krzysztof , Busse Przemysław
Published: May 2010

Dynamics of Autumn Migration of the Acrocephalus Warblers Through the Polish Baltic Coast

We analyse in our paper the autumn migration of five warblers: i.e. the Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus), Sedge Warbler (A. schoenobaenus), Marsh Warbler (A. palustris), Great Reed Warbler (A. arundinaceus) and Aquatic Warbler (A. paludicola), through the Polish Baltic coast. Data were collected in 1962-2005 at two stations: Bukowo-Kopań and Mierzeja Wiślana, as well as (for a comparison) at the Drużno station in 1990-2002 and 2003-2005. The most numerous species caught at all the stations was the Reed Warbler, whereas the Aquatic Warbler was caught only sporadically. Long-term number dynamics from Bukowo-Kopań and Mierzeja Wiślana showed considerable fluctuations for the first four species, which could have been influenced by weather or habitat changes, or they could have reflected long-term population cycles. Strong correlations between the numbers of species preferring reeds might indicate habitat basis of the fluctuations. Seasonal migration dynamics were also similar, with the peak of migration in mid-August. However, the dynamics from Drużno suggested that the real peak of migration occurred earlier. Median dates of the Reed Warbler migration at Bukowo-Kopań showed marked fluctuations, whereas at Mierzeja Wiślana they were delayed significantly; these changes were probably connected with climate changes.
Wintering Range of the Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) in Europe - Stabilized or Changing?
Authors: Mokwa Katarzyna
Published: May 2010

Wintering Range of the Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) in Europe - Stabilized or Changing?

So far the expansion of the Blackcap wintering range could not have been confirmed based on the analysis of ringing recovery data. The aims of this work was to define present boundaries of regular wintering area of the Blackcap in Europe and to find out whether the wintering range of the species has expanded over the last decades. A comparison of the Blackcap return rate in different parts of wintering area in subsequent winters was based on the probability distribution analysis. Dates of the Blackcap recoveries in different areas were also compared. Changes in number of winter recoveries from Great Britain as well as from regions to the north and south of the delimited northern boundary of the species regular wintering area were analysed as well.

Blackcaps ringed in winter in Scandinavia did not return to this area in the following winters. Percent share of such individuals in Central-Western Europe was low. Birds were recorded in these regions mainly at the beginning of winter. The Blackcap return rate both in Great Britain and in southern Europe was very high; birds were observed there throughout the whole winter. Over the last decades of the XXth century the numbers of winter recoveries grew to a similar extent in the areas located to the north and south of the northern boundary of the Blackcap regular wintering area. Only in Great Britain this increase was faster. Based on the ringing recovery data analysis it can only be concluded that the regular wintering area of the Blackcap in Europe is most probably limited to the territories of the Mediterranean Sea basin. Most winter recoveries from other parts of Europe are probably only unsuccessful wintering attempts.
Migrations and Wintering of the Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in Poland
Authors: Śliwa Paweł , Mokwa Katarzyna , Rejt Łukasz
Published: May 2010

Migrations and Wintering of the Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in Poland

In Poland, the Kestrel is an uncommon bird during the winter time. It rarely winters in the eastern part of the country; however, the reported numbers of regular wintering cases increase towards the south-west. The aims of this study were: to analyse the wintering area of Kestrels nesting in Poland, to compare distances covered by the birds migrating for the first time in their life to their movements in the following years, and to determine the origin of Kestrels wintering in Poland. The material for the analysis comprised 171 recoveries of the birds ringed in Poland or recorded in Poland but ringed abroad within the years 1931-2001. Out of 48 adult Kestrels ringed or recovered during both migration periods (autumn and spring), the great majority were recorded in Poland; only 2 birds were found as adult ones in France and 1 in Ukraine. We obtained 32 recoveries of Kestrels ringed in Poland as chicks or as individuals in their first year of life and recorded again during their first migration season (autumn-spring). Five of them were recorded outside the country. In Poland, there were reported 94 Kestrels that had been ringed abroad. Those birds came from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Denmark, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Ukraine. These data show that mainly Kestrels nesting in the north of the continent migrate across Poland and some of them winter here as well. A great majority of recoveries referred to Kestrels ringed in Finland. These birds also came to Poland from Germany and from the areas located to the south-west of Poland.
Any change in the Methodology of field studies on bird Migration? A comparison of methods used in 1994-2003 and a Quarter Century earlier
Authors: Nowakowski Jarosław , Chruściel Jacek , Ginter Małgorzata , Rosińska Katarzyna
Published: May 2010

Any change in the Methodology of field studies on bird Migration? A comparison of methods used in 1994-2003 and a Quarter Century earlier

The holistic approach to the study of bird migration observed in the past decades and the huge advancement in technology should be seen in the numbers and types of methods used in field studies for this phenomenon. To check this assumption, we compared field methods used in the studies on bird migration published in international journals in 1994-2003 (N = 570 papers) and in 1967-1976 (N = 394 papers). We noted an increase in the mean number of methods per a single paper (from 1.49 in the former of these decades to 1.98 in the latter) and a change in the frequency of each method. In recent years, methods such as satellite telemetry, DNA or isotope proportions analyses have been developed. An increase in the mean number of methods as well as changes of the most frequently used methods were more apparent in journals indexed on the ISI Master Journal List in 2003 than in other current journals, where the methods were often found to be similar to those applied a quarter century earlier, which surprised us.
Selected indicators of technical quality of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) wood in north-eastern Poland
Authors: Lachowicz Hubert
Published: May 2010

Wybrane wskaźniki jakości technicznej drewna brzozy brodawkowatej (Betula pendulaRoth.) w północno-wschodniej Polsce
The method of determining risk of wind damage to tree stands
Authors: Bruchwald Arkadiusz , Dmyterko Elżbieta
Published: May 2010

Metoda określania ryzyka uszkodzenia drzewostanu przez wiatr
The use of hemispherical photographs for canopy description and light condition modeling in tree stands
Authors: Bolibok Leszek
Published: May 2010

Zastosowanie zdjęć hemisferycznych do opisu struktury warstwy koron i modelowania warunków świetlnych pod okapem drzewostanów
Dipoena torva (Thorell, 1875) - spider living on tree stems
Authors: Stańska Marzena , Rozwałka Robert , Kowalczyk Kinga
Published: May 2010

Dipoena torva(Thorell, 1875) - gatunek pająka związany z pniami drzew