bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neck needle foreign bodies in intravenous drug abusers
Authors: Williams Mark F. , Eisele David W. , Wyatt Susan H.
Published: October 2006

Intravenous drug abusers often resort to deep cervical venous access if peripheral access is problematic. Deep cervical injection can occasionally result in needle breakage and needle foreign body. The records of 50 patients with neck needle foreign bodies related to intravenous drug abuse treated at The Johns Hopkins Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Only half of these patients presented to this hospital with a complaint of a neck needle. Complications related to neck needles were manifested in 5 (10%) of the patients at the time of initial presentation. No delayed complications occurred. Human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity for this group of patients was 77% compared to a rate of 29% for all intravenous drug abusers at the same institution. The demographics and management of neck needle foreign bodies are discussed, and the importance of recognition of neck needle foreign bodies is emphasized.
Rhabdomyosarcoma of the head and neck in adults: A study of 26 patients
Authors: Nayar Ravi C. , Prudhomme Francois , Parise Orlando , Gandia Daniel , Luboinski Bernard , Schwaab Guy
Published: October 2006

The clinical records of 26, predominantly male, adults with rhabdomyosarcomas in the head and neck were analyzed. Patients' ages ranged from 18 to 74 years (mean: 24.5 years). According to the retrospective clinical group classification, 18 (69%) of 26 were advanced tumors at initial presentation belonging to group III or IV. The ethmoids were the most common primary site of origin in 12 (46%) of 26 patients. Nodal and systemic metastases were noted in 12 (46%) and 6 (23%) patients, respectively. Bone metastases were noted in 4 patients.

Heterogeneous treatment protocols were used with a variety of chemotherapy combinations in most cases, with surgery and radiotherapy. Overall results were poor, with a survival rate of 7.6% at 5 years. Neither histopathology nor response to chemotherapy was found to influence survival. All long‐term survivors belonged to the early‐stage groups (clinical groups I and II) for which complete surgical excision was possible.

In spite of a poor prognosis after relapse, the use of aggressive chemotherapy appeared to prolong life in some patients.
Airway resistance and work of breathing in tracheostomy tubes
Authors: Byron Mullins J. , Templer Jerry W. , Davis William E. , Kong Jie , Hinson James
Published: October 2006

Recommendations for sizing of tracheostomy tubes are generally based on anatomic considerations with the largest fitting tube most commonly placed. Once in the tracheostomy site, the tube assumes the new role of the upper airway. Consideration of the airway resistance of each tracheostomy tube and change in work of breathing are important in maintaining the respiratory system homeostasis. The airflow dynamics of neonatal, pediatric, and adult tracheostomy tubes were studied. Flow rates were plotted against change in pressure for inspiratory and expiratory flows and resistances for each tube were calculated. The expiratory resistances were larger for the neonatal tubes and pediatric tubes 0 and 00, while inspiratory resistances were the limiting factor in the adult tubes and the larger pediatric tubes. Comparison of calculated resistances of the tracheostomy tubes was made with known physiologic airway resistances. Adult tubes 8 and 10 most closely simulated the upper airway resistance of adults and neonatal tube 0 appeared most appropriate for the newborn. Work of breathing was determined for each tracheostomy tube. Increasing tube diameter as well as decreasing tidal volume and respiratory rate decreased the amount of work required to maintain a given flow.
Combination of Transient Plane Source and Slug Calorimeter Measurements to Estimate the Thermal Properties of Fire Resistive Materials
Authors: Bentz DP
Published: October 2006

The thermal properties of fire resistive materials (FRMs) as a function of temperature critically influence their ability to protect a (steel) structure during a fire exposure. Measurement of these properties is complicated by the microstructural heterogeneity of typical FRMs, the need to measure properties over a wide temperature range from room temperature to 1000°C and higher, and the reactions, phase changes, and volumetric changes that the materials may undergo during exposure to elevated temperatures. This paper presents an integrated approach for determining thermal properties via a combination of two experimental techniques, namely the transient plane source and the slug calorimeter methods. The former is utilized to provide an estimate of the volumetric heat capacity and a room temperature thermal conductivity value for the FRM under study, while the latter is employed to estimate the variation in effective thermal conductivity with temperature, including the influences of reactions and mass transport during multiple heating/cooling cycles. The combination of the two techniques is demonstrated for four different inorganic-based FRMs. Their extension to organic (intumescent) systems is also discussed.
Cerebellar Modulation of Trigeminal Reflex Blinks: Interpositus Neurons
Authors: Chen Fang-Ping , Evinger Craig
Published: October 2006

Because of its simplicity, blinking is a prominent model system in analysis of adaptation and conditioning with the cerebellum. Nevertheless, data on the role of the cerebellum in modulation of normal reflex blinks are limited. We correlated the discharge of interpositus (IP) neurons with normal trigeminal reflex blinks and blink adaptation in urethane-anesthetized rats. Two groups of IP neurons responded to cornea stimulation. One group, pause neurons, showed a long cessation of their tonic discharge beginning 6 ms before the end of lid closure. The second group, burst neurons, exhibited a transient increase in firing frequency at a constant interval after the cornea stimulus. The cessation of pause neuron activity appeared to contribute to the termination of blinks. The tonic discharge rate increased and the cessation of pause neuron activity was delayed coincident with increased amplitude and duration of reflex blinks produced by blink adaptation. There was a coincident increase in the amplitude and duration of reflex blinks with increased tonic activity and delayed pause in pause neurons treated with the GABAAantagonist, gabazine. Burst neurons did not appear to modulate reflex blinks. Burst neuron discharge correlated neither with blink characteristics normally nor with blink adaptation. These findings indicated that pause neurons affect reflex blinks by providing a tonic excitatory input to facial motoneurons during lid closure and then disfacilitating those motoneurons to adjust the termination of lid closure. Burst neurons may play a role in eyelid conditioning.
Functional Analyses of Glycyl-tRNA Synthetase Mutations Suggest a Key Role for tRNA-Charging Enzymes in Peripheral Axons
Authors: Antonellis Anthony , Lee-Lin Shih-Queen , Wasterlain Amy , Leo Paul , Quezado Martha , Goldfarb Lev G. , Myung Kyungjae , Burgess Shawn , Fischbeck Kenneth H. , Green Eric D.
Published: October 2006

Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 2D (CMT2D) and distal spinal muscular atrophy type V (dSMA-V) are axonal neuropathies characterized by a phenotype that is more severe in the upper extremities. We previously implicated mutations in the gene encoding glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GARS) as the cause of CMT2D and dSMA-V. GARS is a member of the family of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases responsible for charging tRNA with cognate amino acids; GARS ligates glycine to tRNAGly. Here, we present functional analyses of disease-associatedGARSmutations and show that there are not any significant mutation-associated changes inGARSexpression levels; that the majority of identifiedGARSmutations modeled in yeast severely impair viability; and that, in most cases, mutant GARS protein mislocalizes in neuronal cells. Indeed, four of the five mutations studied show loss-of-function features in at least one assay, suggesting that tRNA-charging deficits play a role in disease pathogenesis. Finally, we detected endogenous GARS-associated granules in the neurite projections of cultured neurons and in the peripheral nerve axons of normal human tissue. These data are particularly important in light of the recent identification of CMT-associated mutations in another tRNA synthetase gene [YARS(tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase gene)]. Together, these findings suggest that tRNA-charging enzymes play a key role in maintaining peripheral axons.
An Inhibitor of Serine Proteases, Neuroserpin, Acts as a Neuroprotective Agent in a Mouse Model of Neurodegenerative Disease
Authors: Simonin Yannick , Charron Yves , Sonderegger Peter , Vassalli Jean-Dominique , Kato Ann C.
Published: October 2006

Various studies suggest that proteolytic activity may be involved in a number of neurodegenerative disorders, including stroke and seizure. In this report, we examined the role of tryptic serine proteases, plasminogen activators (PAs), in the evolution of a neurodegenerative disease. Transgenic mice overexpressing an axonally secreted inhibitor of serine proteases (neuroserpin) were crossed with mice characterized by a “dying-back” motor neuron disease [progressive motor neuronopathy (pmn/pmn)]. Compared withpmn/pmnmice that showed an increase in PA activity, double mutant mice had decreased PA activity in sciatic nerves and spinal cord; their lifespan was increased by 50%, their motor behavior was stabilized, and histological analysis revealed increased numbers of myelinated axons and rescue of motoneuron number and size. This is the first report showing that a class of serine proteases (PAs) may be involved in the pathogenesis of a motor neuron disease and more specifically in axonal degeneration. Inhibiting serine proteases could offer a new strategy for delaying these disorders.
Modelling drying shrinkage of cement-stabilised crushed rock
Authors: Chakrabarti S. , Kodikara J.
Published: October 2006

This paper investigates the significant curling that occurs during drying of crushed basaltic aggregate stabilised with cementitious binders. The percentage of cement (by weight) is 3%, producing stabilised materials, which are weakly cemented. These materials are commonly used in the pavement industry for constructing cement-stabilised pavements for light to medium traffic. Curling deformations, in the form of lifting off from the edges (generating a concave surface), or lifting off from the middle (creating a convex surface), are reported in drying concrete pavements. The test specimens had cross-sections measuring 75 mm × 75 mm and length of 280 mm. This paper presents experimental observations of differences in shrinkage behaviour of stabilised crushed rock drying from one or all faces (i.e. one- or three-dimensional conditions) under controlled conditions. A theoretical explanation for the perceived curling is presented on the basis of physical principles and unsaturated soil mechanics. The curling was attributed primarily to differential shrinkage strain increments that occur within the specimen and their variation with the progression of desiccation. Making use of non-linear elasticity theory, the shrinkage and curling behaviour was modelled using the finite-difference method.
The feasibility study of using non-woven MBR for reduction of hydrolysed biosolids
Authors: Horng R.-Y. , Shao H. , Chang W.-K. , Chang M.-C.
Published: October 2006

In this study, non-woven MBR was used to treat hydrolysed biosolids wasted from a biological treatment plant. The concentration of SS of hydrolysed biosolids in influent was 10,000 mg/L and the concentration of SS in effluent was less than 200 mg/L with/without discharging wasted sludge depending on different HRTs, i.e. 20, 15 and 10 d. The results indicated that the percentage of biosolids reduction in terms of SS removal efficiency in non-woven MBR was around 65, 60 and 35%, respectively, depending on different HRTs. Meanwhile, the ratio of VSS/SS was decreased from 0.78 to 0.50 and the number of smaller inorganic particle sizes increased due to extended SRT. The initial flux in the non-woven MBR was set at 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06 m3/m2/day and trans-membrane pressure (TMP) was less than 10 kPa. The permeate flux could be maintained quite stably due to lower TMP. The proposed non-woven MBR could be used to achieve the reduction of biosolids in the wastewater treatment plant.
Agricultural use of municipal wastewater sludges: phosphorus availability of biological excess phosphorus removal sludges
Authors: Erdincler A. , Seyhan L.D.
Published: October 2006

Reuse of sewage sludges as phosphorus fertiliser requires the estimation of the plant availabilities of phosphorus (P) from different sludges. This study investigates the effect of lime stabilisation on the phosphorus availability from biological phosphorus removal sludges. In the first part of the study, pot experiments were carried out to assess the fertilising effect of a dewatered biological phosphorus removal sludge. Availability of P was determined in terms of plant-uptake. In the second part of the study, incubation tests were carried out to observe the change in the available P with time when the waste activated sludge (WAS) from an enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process is mixed with the same soil. In this part, the plant available P was measured in terms of Olsen extractable P. A P-deficient, alkaline soil was used in the experiments and Lollium Perenne was selected as the testing plant. The results of the pot experiments revealed that lime-stabilisation of the sludge considerably decreased or retarded the availability of P in the sludge. In the incubation tests, the availability of phosphorus in the lime stabilised and non-stabilised sludge amended soil samples was close to each other. In general, P-availability was increased due to the sludge application except for the lime-stabilised dewatered sludge.
An investigation of agricultural use potential of wastewater sludges in Turkey – case of heavy metals
Authors: Özsoy G. , Dilek F.B. , Sanin F.D.
Published: October 2006

Landfilling is one of the most common methods that are used in the final disposal of sludge world wide, as well as in Turkey. However, increasing sludge quantities and limited landfilling areas make this method difficult to apply. The use of sludge in agriculture presents a possible alternative for disposal. However, it also poses some risks to be evaluated. In this respect, it is important to identify the heavy metal content of sewage sludges because of its adverse health effects. This study aims to determine the heavy metal contents of sludges and wastewaters from three different wastewater treatment plants in Turkey. The selection of plants was carried out according to the different treatment technologies applied to wastewater and sludge in those plants. Heavy metal analysis of sludges and wastewaters was conducted using a microwave assisted digestion procedure. After sampling and analysis, the results show that all the related metal concentrations are below the values that are set in the Soil Pollution Control Regulation of Turkey. However, in two of the three plants, Zn and Ni concentration should be tracked carefully.
The survival of pathogens in soil treated with wastewater sludge and in potatoes grown in such soil
Authors: Chale-Matsau J.R.B. , Snyman H.G.
Published: October 2006

The prevalence of pathogens on potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) grown in soil amended with a pathogen rich wastewater sludge was investigated. Bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae are important pathogens causing intestinal and systemic illness of humans and other animals.

Type B sludge was used. Sludges investigated are the high metal and the low metal sludges. Microorganisms in the sludge-amended soil were using culture-based technique. Salmonella and E. coli were observed in tested soil samples. No microorganisms were isolated from control samples taken throughout the process of the experiment. At harvest time, some of the potato samples from LMS soil were contaminated. These potatoes were subjected to further investigation using molecular techniques (polymerase chain reaction) with fD1 and rP2 as primers. Organisms identified from the sequenced potato peel samples with the BLAST search tool included Enterobacter agglomerans (Pantoea agglomerans), several Buttiauxella spp., Pectobacterium spp., Erwinia spp. and a few Pantoea spp. Other than the E. agglomerans, which is commonly found in the gut and upper respiratory tract of humans and in the environment, all the other species identified were found to be mainly either plant or soil pathogens. The E. agglomerans are not primary pathogens but secondary opportunistic pathogens particularly in immuno-compromised individuals.

These results suggest that growing high risk crops using wastewater sludge contaminated soil may lead to limited infestation of produce with primary pathogens. It appears that the use of HMS due to early pathogen die-off provides less risk of infection than the LMS. However, proper treatment of wastewater sludge to reduce pathogen load is essential prior to its use as soil conditioner.
The REAL process – a process for recycling sludge from water works
Authors: Stendahl K. , Färm C. , Fritzdorf I. , Ulmert H.
Published: October 2006

In order to produce drinking water, coagulants – such as aluminium salts – are widely used for precipitation and separation of impurities from raw water. The residual from the process is sludge, which presents a disposal problem. The REAL process is a method for recycling the aluminium from the sludge. In a first step, the aluminium hydroxide is dissolved in sulphuric acid. In a second step, an ultra filtration will separate all suspended matter and large molecules, leaving a concentrate of 15–20% dry solids. The permeate will contain the trivalent aluminium ions together with 30–50% of the organic contaminants. In a third step, by concentrating the permeate in a nano filter, the concentration of aluminium will be high enough to, in a fourth step, be precipitated with potassium sulphate to form a pure crystal: potassium aluminium sulphate. The potassium aluminium sulphate is comparable to standard aluminium sulphate. The process will give a residual in form of a concentrate from the ultra filtration, representing a few per cent of the incoming volume. This paper presents the results from a long time pilot-scale continuous test run at Västerås water works in Sweden, as well as calculations of costs for full-scale operations.
Non Equilibrium Thermodynamics and the City: A New Approach to Urban Studies
Authors: Pulselli Riccardo Maria , Ciampalini Francesca , Galli Alessandro , Pulselli Federico Maria
Published: October 2006

A city can be conceived as a complex self‐adaptive system. The multiple interactions among its structural elements and dynamic agents, its organization on multiple time‐space scales, its exchanges with the external context, its irreversible dynamics, are signs of complexity. Some concepts from the evolutionary thermodynamics, such us the theory of dissipative structures, could be extended to the city in order to investigate its behaviour. This theoretical framework suggests to analyze the city in terms of entropy and negentropy production. An emergy analysis (spelled with an “m”) of an urban region is presented in order to investigate how cities maintain their organization (and decrease their entropy) by virtue of constant energy inflows from the external environment. As a result, a non‐homogeneous spatial pattern of emergy density is shown as an attempt to investigate the multiple relations and energy exchanges that take place in an urban region. This approach to urban studies introduces a new energy‐based vision to understand cities.
Determination of Environmental Persistence and Thermogravimetric Analysis of Paper Artificially Aged by Photoirradiation
Authors: Campanella Luigi , Costanza Cecilia , Tomassetti Mauro
Published: October 2006

Fabriano paper was aged by irradiation with ultraviolet light (λ=310) in a veterometer for 300 hours

At fixed time intervals, samples of the paper under test were analysed by titanium dioxide photosensor to determine electrochemically the “environmental persistence” index, by a suitable conductimeter method, to determine the specific conductivity variation and by thermogravimetry to determine the moisture content, the onset temperature of the cellulose degradation process and the value of the activation energy of the same process.

The behaviour of these different types of indicators displayed approximately monotonous trends as a function of time.
Formaldehyde Activity on Historical Glass Objects in Museum Microclimate
Authors: Greiner‐Wronowa Elżbieta , Pusoska Anna
Published: October 2006

Degradation of some cultural heritage monuments has been caused by interaction with the closest environment (micro‐climate). Amount of separate compounds is very small and because of it, this fact becomes neglected.

Time and temperature can induce their activity finally causing deterioration. In this category organic compounds can be interpreted as one of museum show – case element.

This statement has been improved by testing glass objects and their suitable sensors (model glasses). Destructive activity of formaldehyde on historical glasses belonging to the XVIII‐th c. objects with totally different compositions has been confirmed by carried out experiments. For historical material which is very limited, sensor glass method has been applied.

Sensors are prepared on the base of results of chemical analyses of original glass chemical analyses and melted on laboratory scale (according to historical data). Induced corrosion for sensor supports knowledge about deterioration process in real micro‐environmental conditions.

The following testing methods were used: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), optical interferometer (OI), inductively couple plasma (ICP).
FISH and array‐CGH analysis of a complex chromosome 3 aberration suggests that loss of CNTN4 and CRBN contributes to mental retardation in 3pter deletions
Authors: Dijkhuizen Trijnie , van Essen Ton , van der Vlies Pieter , Verheij Joke B.G.M. , Sikkema‐Raddatz Birgit , van der Veen Anneke Y. , Gerssen‐Schoorl Klasien B.J. , Buys Charles H.C.M. , Kok Klaas
Published: October 2006

Imbalances of 3p telomeric sequences cause 3p− and trisomy 3p syndrome, respectively, showing distinct, but also shared clinical features. No causative genes have been identified in trisomy 3p patients, but for the 3p− syndrome, there is growing evidence that monosomy for one or more of four genes at 3pter, CHL1, CNTN4, CRBN, and MEGAP/srGAP3, may play a causative role. We describe here an analysis of a complex chromosome 3p aberration in a severely mentally retarded patient that revealed two adjacent segments with different copy number gains and a distal deletion. The deletion in this patient included the loci for CHL1, CNTN4, and CRBN, and narrowed the critical segment associated with the 3p− syndrome to 1.5 Mb, including the loci for CNTN4 and CRBN. We speculate that the deletion contributes more to this patient's phenotype than the gains that were observed. We suggest that 3p− syndrome associated features are primarily caused by loss of CNTN4 and CRBN, with loss of CHL1 probably having an additional detrimental effect on the cognitive functioning of the present patient. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Strong dependence in the nominal exchange rates of the Polish zloty
Authors: Gil‐Alana L. A. , Nazarski M.
Published: October 2006

We examine the nominal exchange rates of six currencies (Canadian, Australian and U.S. dollars, euro, Japanese yen and U.K. pound) against the Polish zloty by means of statistical techniques based on unit roots and other long memory processes. We use both parametric and semiparametric methods for estimating and testing integer and fractional orders of integration at the long run or zero frequency. The results show that unit roots are likely to occur in relation with the U.S. and the Canadian dollars, the Japanese yen and the U.K. pound. However, for the Australian dollar and the euro, this hypothesis is rejected in favour of smaller degrees of integration, implying mean reversion in their behaviour. Thus, for the former currencies, in the event of an exogenous shock affecting the exchange rates, strong policy actions must be required to bring the variables back to their original levels. On the other hand, for the Australian dollar and the euro, there exists less need of action since the series will return to their levels sometime in the future. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of Independent Samples of High‐Dimensional Data by Pairwise Distance Measures
Authors: Kropf Siegfried , Lux Anke , Eszlinger Markus , Heuer Holger , Smalla Kornelia
Published: October 2006

Pairwise distance or association measures of sample elements are often used as a basis for hierarchical cluster analyses. They can also be used in tests for the comparison of pre‐defined subgroups of the total sample. Usually this is done with permutation tests.

In this paper, we compare such a procedure with alternative tests for high‐dimensional data based on spherically distributed scores in simulation experiments and with real data. The tests based on the pairwise distance or similarity measures perform quite well in this comparison. As the number of possible permutations is small in very small samples, this might restrict the use of the test. Therefore, we propose an exact parametric small sample version of the test using randomly rotated samples. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Comparison between Principal Component Analysis and Independent Component Analysis in Electroencephalograms Modelling
Authors: Bugli C. , Lambert P.
Published: October 2006

Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is a classical technique in statistical data analysis, feature extraction and data reduction, aiming at explaining observed signals as a linear combination of orthogonal principal components. Independent Component Analysis (ICA) is a technique of array processing and data analysis, aiming at recovering unobserved signals or ‘sources’ from observed mixtures, exploiting only the assumption of mutual independence between the signals. The separation of the sources by ICA has great potential in applications such as the separation of sound signals (like voices mixed in simultaneous multiple records, for example), in telecommunication or in the treatment of medical signals. However, ICA is not yet often used by statisticians. In this paper, we shall present ICA in a statistical framework and compare this method with PCA for electroencephalograms (EEG) analysis.We shall see that ICA provides a more useful data representation than PCA, for instance, for the representation of a particular characteristic of the EEG named event‐related potential (ERP). (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Five Interval Estimators for Proportion Ratio under a Stratified Randomized Clinical Trial with Noncompliance
Authors: Lui Kung‐Jong , Chang Kuang‐Chao
Published: October 2006

It is not uncommon that we may encounter a randomized clinical trial (RCT) in which there are confounders which are needed to control and patients who do not comply with their assigned treatments. In this paper, we concentrate our attention on interval estimation of the proportion ratio (PR) of probabilities of response betwen two treatments in a stratified noncompliance RCT. We have developed and considered five asymptotic interval estimators for the PR, including the interval estimator using the weighted‐least squares (WLS) estimator, the interval estimator using the Mantel‐Haenszel type of weight, the interval estimator derived from Fieller's Theorem with the corresponding WLS optimal weight, the interval estimator derived from Fieller's Theorem with the randomization‐based optimal weight, and the interval estimator based on a stratified two‐sample proportion test with the optimal weight suggested elsewhere. To evaluate and compare the finite sample performance of these estimators, we apply Monte Carlo simulation to calculate the coverage probability and average length in a variety of situations. We discuss the limitation and usefulness for each of these interval estimators, as well as include a general guideline about which estimators may be used for given various situations. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The Modified Mosher′s Method and the Sulfoximine Method
Authors: Kusumi Takenori , Ooi Takashi , Ohkubo Yumi , Yabuuchi Tetsuya
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Phase I clinical trial of bortezomib in combination with gemcitabine in patients with advanced solid tumors
Authors: Ryan David P. , Appleman Leonard J. , Lynch Thomas , Supko Jeffrey G. , Fidias Panagiotis , Clark Jeffrey W. , Fishman Mayer , Zhu Andrew X. , Enzinger Peter C. , Kashala Oscar , Cusack James , Eder Joseph P.
Published: October 2006

BACKGROUND.

Bortezomib is the first proteasome inhibitor to show preliminary evidence of activity against solid tumors. Findings from preclinical studies prompted a Phase I trial to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs) of bortezomib in combination with gemcitabine in patients with recurring/refractory advanced solid tumors. The effect of gemcitabine on proteasome inhibition by bortezomib in whole blood was also investigated.

METHODS.

Bortezomib was administered as an intravenous bolus injection on Days 1, 4, 8, and 11, with gemcitabine (30‐minute infusion) on Days 1 and 8 of a 21‐day cycle. Groups of ≥3 patients were evaluated at each dose level. Escalating doses of gemcitabine 500 mg/m2 to 1000 mg/m2 with bortezomib 1.0 mg/m2 to 1.5 mg/m2 were planned.

RESULTS.

There were no DLTs in patients receiving bortezomib 1.0 mg/m2 and gemcitabine 500 mg/m2 to 1000 mg/m2 in the first 3 dose levels. Dose‐limiting nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal obstruction, and thrombocytopenia occurred in 4 of 5 evaluable patients in dose level 4 (bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2, gemcitabine 800 mg/m2), establishing bortezomib 1.0 mg/m2 and gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 as the MTD. Most common Grade ≥3 toxicities were neutropenia (6 patients), thrombocytopenia (5 patients), gastrointestinal disorders (6 patients), and general disorders (4 patients) such as fatigue. One patient with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma achieved a partial response and 7 achieved stable disease. Inhibition of 20S proteasome activity by bortezomib was unaffected by gemcitabine coadministration.

CONCLUSION.

Dosages of bortezomib and gemcitabine suitable for further evaluation of antitumor activity have been established. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society
An acoustic echo cancellation using subadaptive filter
Authors: Otani Masayuki , Kajikawa Yoshinobu , Nomura Yasuo
Published: October 2006

In this paper, a method using a subadaptive filter playing the supplementary role of acoustic echo cancellation is discussed. Since the updating state of the adaptive filter can be calculated approximately as a characteristic of the subadaptive filter, the step size parameter can be optimally controlled depending on the estimation accuracy. Also, for prevention of echo path variation, we discuss a variable detector in which the variation of the filter coefficients at the time of variation is considered. The proposed method is found to be robust to channel variations and can improve the ERLE by 10 to 15 dB in comparison with the conventional method. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 90(2): 9–21, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.20231
MU decomposition from multichannel surface EMG signals using blind deconvolution
Authors: Maekawa Satoshi , Arimoto Takahiko , Kotani Manabu
Published: October 2006

Without any prior knowledge about the statistics of motor unit action potentials, the authors tried to decompose motor units from multichannel surface electromyography (sEMG) signals which can be measured noninvasively. A problem in this case is that the transfer function of sEMG has non‐minimum phase characteristics. Therefore, the blind deconvolution method using noncausal filter is applied to the actually measured sEMG signals and the result of MU decomposition is discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 90(2): 22–30, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.20309
Postfeedback development perceptions: Applying the theory of planned behavior
Authors: McCarthy Alma , Garavan Thomas
Published: October 2006

The primary purpose of management development programs is performance improvement at an individual and organizational level. Performance improvement results from knowledge, skill, or ability enhancement. An important intervention in management development is the use of 360‐degree or multisource feedback (MSF), which leads to more effective career development activity resulting from enhanced self‐awareness. The research model used to investigate self‐reported postfeedback management development behavior is derived using the theory of planned behavior. The findings reveal that perceptions of the accuracy of MSF, cynicism, perceived organizational support, and age are significant predictors of postfeedback development behavior. The implications for research and practice are set out.
Supplier diversity: A missing link in human resource development
Authors: Greer Bertie M. , Maltbia Terrence E. , Scott Chaunda L.
Published: October 2006

By examining supplier diversity programs and comparing their components with the role of the diversity practitioners, we highlight the important role that diversity practitioners can have in supplier diversity programs. In reviewing the U.S. auto industry and its successful supplier diversity model, our findings suggest that diversity practitioners have a real opportunity to expand their existing roles as strategist, educator, and researcher. We explore the aforementioned and offer conclusions and implications for HRD practice.
Smoking and alcohol drinking in relation to risk of gastric cancer: A population‐based, prospective cohort study
Authors: Sjödahl Krister , Lu Yunxia , Nilsen Tom I.L. , Ye Weimin , Hveem Kristian , Vatten Lars , Lagergren Jesper
Published: October 2006

The relations between tobacco, alcohol and risk of gastric cancer need to be established, and any gain from preventive measures should be estimated. We conducted a population‐based, prospective cohort study in Nord‐Trondelag county in Norway. During 1984–1986, adult residents were invited to a health survey and they answered questionnaires that assessed exposure to tobacco and alcohol, together with potential confounding factors. The exposure assessment regarding alcohol was limited to a 14‐day period. New gastric cancers that occurred during follow‐up (1984–2002) were identified by linkage to the Norwegian Cancer Registry. Cox proportion hazards regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for sex, education and body mass index. Follow‐up of 1,117,648 person‐years at risk among 69,962 cohort members revealed 251 gastric cancers, including 224 noncardia cancers. The risk was almost twice as high in daily smokers (HR = 1.88 [CI 95% = 1.33–2.67]) as in never smokers. Independent dose‐response relations were found with earlier age at initiation (p = 0.02), frequency (p = 0.00) and duration of smoking (p = 0.00). Attributable risk (AR) of gastric cancer among current smokers was 8.7/100,000 person‐years and the corresponding population AR was 18.4%. No statistically significant associations between various degrees of exposure to alcohol and risk of gastric cancer was revealed, but combined high use of cigarettes (>20/day) and alcohol (>5 occasions/14 days) increased the risk of noncardia gastric cancer nearly 5‐fold (HR = 4.90 [95% CI = 1.90–12.62]), compared to nonusers. It is concluded that smoking is a dose‐dependent risk factor for gastric cancer. Combined high exposure to smoking and alcohol further increases the risk. Successful preventive measures could considerably reduce the incidence of gastric cancer. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of Changing Rainfall on the Limnology of a Mediterranean, Flowthrough‐Seepage Chain of Lakes
Authors: Alvarez‐Cobelas M. , Cirujano S. , Rojo C. , Rodrigo M. A. , Piña E. , Rodríguez‐Murillo J. C. , Montero E.
Published: October 2006

Relationships between groundwater and lake ecology are often overlooked, but they may be strong, particularly in seepage lakes. As a result, the nature and degree of groundwater effects on lakes are usually neglected. In this study interactions among rainfall, groundwater and surface water and their limnological effects were traced seasonally for two years of changing rainfall in a Spanish flowthrough, seepage lake complex. Cumulative rainfall dictated recharge of groundwater with delays of nine months. Groundwater discharge, in turn, increased surface discharge downstream. Mediated by the geographical setting of lakes, both fluxes impinged on lake water renewal time, but effects of the latter on limnological variables were much stronger at the district scale than at the single lake scale. These water‐renewal effects included the following: decreasing salinity, total phosphorus concentration and phytoplankton biomass and increasing water transparency and total nitrogen concentration as water renewal shortened, the nitrogen effect arising because of nitrate‐rich water entering the lakes as groundwater levels rose. This complex response of a Mediterranean lake district to water availability may also be expected in cold temperate lakes as climate change effects become stronger. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Establishing a rapid response team (RRT) in an academic hospital: One year's experience
Authors: King Emmanuel , Horvath Rebecca , Shulkin David J.
Published: October 2006

BACKGROUND

Rapid response teams and medical emergency teams have been utilized to rapidly manage seriously ill patients at risk of cardiopulmonary arrest and other high‐risk conditions but have not been extensively described in the American medical literature.

OBJECTIVES

To describe a full year's experience of implementing a rapid response team (RRT) in an academic medical center.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of our hospital's RRT database and description of the implementation process from July 2004 to July 2005.

SETTING

Urban, academic medical center.

RESULTS

The RRT system was activated for 307 potentially unstable patients. The most common reasons for an RRT activation were cardiac, respiratory, and neurological conditions. At least 37% of RRT calls were for off‐unit inpatients and to outpatient/common areas frequented by outpatients and visitors, whereas at least 42% occurred in inpatient units. Most RRT calls, 82.9%, occurred during daytime hours. In the opinion of RRT leaders 98% of the evaluated calls were appropriate and 85% of the RRT responses resulted in the prevention of further clinical deterioration.

CONCLUSIONS

An RRT was introduced into an academic medical center, and the results suggested it is capable of preventing clinical deterioration in unstable patients and may have the potential to decrease the frequency of cardiac arrests. The RRT also may fill a gap in patient safety by enabling rapid triage and expedited treatment of off‐unit inpatients, outpatients, and visitors. The keys to the early success of our implementation of an RRT were multidisciplinary input and improvements made in real time. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2006;1:296–305. © 2006 Society of Hospital Medicine.
In vivo measurement of plaque burden in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Borthakur Arijitt , Gur Tamar , Wheaton Andrew J. , Corbo Matthew , Trojanowski John Q. , Lee Virginia M.‐Y. , Reddy Ravinder
Published: October 2006

Purpose

To demonstrate an MRI method for directly visualizing amyloid‐β (Aβ) plaques in the APP/PS1 transgenic (tg) mouse brain in vivo, and show that T1ρ relaxation rate increases progressively with Alzheimer's disease (AD)‐related pathology in the tg mouse brain.

Materials and Methods

We obtained in vivo MR images of a mouse model of AD (APP/PS1) that overexpresses human amyloid precursor protein, and measured T1ρ via quantitative relaxometric maps.

Results

A significant decrease in T1ρ was observed in the cortex and hippocampus of 12‐ and 18‐month‐old animals compared to their age‐matched controls. There was also a correlation between changes in T1ρ and the age of the animals.

Conclusion

T1ρ relaxometry may be a sensitive method for noninvasively determining AD‐related pathology in APP/PS1 mice. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Release of gentamicin from a tricalcium phosphate bone implant
Authors: Silverman Lance D. , Lukashova Lyudmila , Herman Oren T. , Lane Joseph M. , Boskey Adele L.
Published: October 2006

The impregnation and elution of gentamicin antibiotic from a commercially available porous β‐tricalcium phosphate (TCP) bone implant material (Vitoss®, Orthovita, Inc.) was investigated in vitro. Sustained local antibiotic release is an attractive method for the prevention of infection following surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of the naturally forming clot that occurs within a porous tissue scaffold when combined with autologous blood or bone marrow aspirate (BMA) as a method for achieving controlled drug delivery. The diffusion of antibiotic from porous TCP scaffolds was studied using water, clotted blood, or BMA as impregnating fluids. Incorporation of the drug into the porous scaffold using clotted blood or BMA as a binder produced slowed release relative to aqueous impregnated and dried samples. Modifications were made to the elution method to simulate restricted diffusion due to surrounding clotted blood, tissue, or bone that would occur in vivo. These modified methods simulated release in a surgical site and showed long release profiles, with significant amounts of antibiotic being released for up to 2 weeks. We concluded that adding gentamicin with autologous BMA is a promising method of controlling drug release. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:23–29, 2007
The interactions between nitrogen dose, year and stage of ripeness on nitrogen and trace element concentrations and seed‐borne pathogens in organic and conventional wheat
Authors: L‐Baeckström Gärd , Lundegårdh Bengt , Hanell Ulf
Published: October 2006

The effects of N dose and stage of ripeness on Fe, Co, Cr, Ni, Se and N concentration and incidence of fungal diseases were measured in winter wheat grain from conventional (CONV) and organic (ORG) systems on neighbouring areas of a 10‐year‐old manure‐based farm. Principal components analysis (PCA) of the data showed that year had the greatest influence on the results, but that cropping system affected N, Ni, Fe and Se content and incidence of diseases. Attack by Dreschlera tritici‐repentis was highest in ORG and attack by Stagonospora nodorum in CONV. Increasing stage of maturity increased incidence of fungal disease and Fe content. Analysis of variance and MANOVA showed that wheat yield was affected by weather (precipitation and temperature), cropping system and N dose. The 10% lower yield in ORG than CONV was explained by a lower amount of plant available N at the same N dose. Nitrogen, Fe, Ni, Se and Co contents in grain were affected by year, while dry matter content was significantly lower in ORG than in CONV. The MANOVA identified correlations between Co and Fe, Ni and Se. Incidence of fungal diseases was foremost affected by weather, stage of ripeness and N dose. Organic cropping increased Fe and Se uptake and decreased S. nodorum attack, but increased attack by D. tritici‐repentis. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of sn‐1,3‐lipase‐catalysed interesterification on the oxidative stability of soybean oil‐based structured lipids
Authors: Turan Semra , Karabulut Ihsan , Vural Halil
Published: October 2006

The oxidative stability of structured lipids (SLs) synthesised by specific sn‐1,3‐lipase catalysed interesterification of soybean oil (SBO) with caprylic acid (CA) in a stirred batch reactor was studied. SLs contained considerable amounts of tocopherol (TOH) isomers, although they lost almost 25% of endogenous TOHs during production. The effects of the addition of different TOH homologues (α, β, γ, δ), ascorbyl palmitate (AP, 200 ppm), lecithin (Le, 1000 ppm), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, 100 ppm) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA, 100 ppm) on the oxidative stability of SLs were investigated. Induction time (IT) of SBO, determined by the Rancimat method, decreased from 8.4 to 5.8 h at 110 °C after the modification. On the other hand, purified SLs and purified SBO had the same IT due to the tocopherol reduction during silica purification. No significant difference was observed between IT of SLs and SLs plus different α‐tocopherol concentrations (50, 100, 150, 200, 300, 500 and 1000 ppm) (P > 0.05). However, the addition of Le and/or AP significantly improved oxidative stability of purified SLs and SBO. The ternary blend containing δ‐TOH, AP and Le had higher IT than ternary blends of α‐TOH, β‐TOH or γ‐TOH. Furthermore, ternary blend containing BHA, AP and Le had higher IT than ternary blends of BHT, AP and Le. In addition, there was an increase in peroxide value (PV), conjugated diene (CD) content and p‐anisidine value (AV) during oxidation of oils at 60 °C. Antioxidant mixtures of α‐TOH (50 ppm) and δ‐TOH (500 ppm) with AP and Le decreased PV, CD and AV effectively. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
The effect of proteinase inhibitors in food protein hydrolysis by digestive proteinases of white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) larvae
Authors: Alarcón Francisco J , de Oña Carmen , Díaz Manuel , García‐Carreño Fernando L , Moyano Francisco J , Navarrete del Toro María A
Published: October 2006

This study describes the digestive capacities of 10‐day‐old white shrimp postlarvae (PL10) and how some inhibitors of proteinases affect the digestion of protein in aquafeeds by using in vitro hydrolysis techniques. Biochemical data showed eight active proteinases in the PL10 hepatopancreas extract. Enzymes belong to the metallo‐ and serine‐proteinase classes. The effect of inhibitors present in protein ingredients and aquafeeds on PL10 proteinases showed that ovalbumin alone and in commercial microcapsules yielded a significant inhibition in proteolytic activity of PL10 hepatopancreas enzymes. The capacity of PL10 proteinases to hydrolyse the protein fraction within different sources and microcapsules was demonstrated by two in vitro approaches, the pH‐stat (degree of hydrolysis, DH) and electrophoresis (coefficient of protein degradation, CPD). It was shown that PL10 proteinases hydrolyse, in different extent protein sources and microcapsules. Casein, cuttlefish meal and feeds containing these ingredients are quickly hydrolysed. By contrast, ovalbumin and microcapsules containing ovalbumin are not hydrolysed. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry