bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does remote ischemic preconditioning prevent delayed hippocampal neuronal death following transient global cerebral ischemia in rats?
Authors: Saxena Pankaj , Bala Arul , Campbell Kym , Meloni Bruno , d'Udekem Yves , Konstantinov Igor E.
Published: September 2009

Objective: To determine if remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) induced by transient limb ischemia is protective against delayed hippocampal neuronal death in rats undergoing transient global cerebral ischemia (GCI).

Method: Animals were randomized into 3 groups: Group I (Control, n = 5) underwent sham procedure, namely, general anesthesia x 2, without cerebral ischemia; Group II (RIPC + GCI, n = 5) was subjected to RIPC, induced by transient left hind limb ischemia under general anesthesia prior to GCI; Group III (GCI only, n = 5) underwent sham procedure under general anesthesia prior to GCI. Twenty-four hours after the RIPC or sham procedure, a transient GCI was induced for 8 minutes in Groups II and III by means of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion and hypotension. Hippocampal CA1 neurons were histologically examined at 7 days after ischemia.

Results: There was no significant difference between the RIPC group and the ischemia only group. The number of neurons in the RIPC group were 0.90 (95% CI 0.20, 4.08) times the number in the ischemia group (p=0.89). The number of neurons in the RIPC group were 0.03 (95% CI 0.01, 0.10) times the number in the Control group (p=0.0001). Conclusion: Second window of the RIPC does not prevent hippocampal CA1 neuronal death at 7 days after transient global cerebral ischemia.
Alternative Production Methods for Lignocellulosic Composite Materials
Authors: Sarul Taner I. , Akdogan Anil , Koyun Ahmet
Published: September 2009

This article investigates two different production methods and feasibility in practical application of alternative lignocellulosic (LC) polymer composites. In the first method, LC is conditioned in the sodium sulfite solution before the extrusion process. The second method is based on preparing polymer solution using xylene. As experimental results, xylene consumption was found to be over practical limits and it also required simultaneous mixing to homogenize the composite material, which increases overall costs of the system, besides volatile material xylene had cancer-causing affect. The rheological characteristics of the LC composite obtained by the second method has been improved as compared to virgin polyethylene. However, the difficulty experienced in increasing LC percentage and excess inorganic oxides found in the LC’s structure were determined as the negative affects of the second method.
Mode of cellular toxicity of aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis (Schweinf. Ex Hiern) stem in male rat liver and kidney
Authors: Yakubu MT , Oladiji AT , Akanji MA
Published: September 2009

The mode of cellular toxicity of aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis stem in male rats was investigated. Rats were grouped into four: A, B, C and D where A (the control) received orally 1 mL of distilled water; B, C and D (test groups) received orally 18, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight of the extract, respectively, for 28 days. Infrared spectroscopy indicated the presence of hydroxyl (OH) and primary amine (CONH). Clinical toxicity symptoms such as respiratory distress, epistasis, salivation, hypo- and hyperactivity were not observed at any period of the experiment. No mortality was also recorded. Extract administration significantly reduced (p < .05) the activities of alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and gamma glutamyl transferase in the liver and kidney with corresponding increases in the serum. Serum malondialdehyde also increased significantly in all the extract-treated groups. The liver and kidney body weight ratios of the extract-treated animals compared well (P > .05) with their controls throughout the experimental period. The extract did not cause any swelling, atrophy or hypertrophy of the organs. The other evidence in this study suggests disruption of the ordered lipid bilayer of the plasma membranes of the hepatocytes and nephrons. This might have resulted from peroxidation of the polyunsaturated fatty acids on the membranes of the hepatocytes and nephrons made possible by the functional groups or the product of metabolism of the extract. This may be responsible for the compromise of the integrity of the plasma membranes of the hepatocytes and nephrons.
Use of pralidoxime without atropine in rivastigmine (carbamate) toxicity
Authors: Hoffman RS , Manini AF , Russell-Haders AL , Felberbaum M. , Mercurio-Zappala M.
Published: September 2009

Some experimental models suggest that the use of pralidoxime in carbamate toxicity is deleterious. Although pretreatment with atropine minimizes the adverse effect of pralidoxime reported in these models, concerns over the risks of pralidoxime in humans with carbamate poisoning continue. We present a unique case of carbamate toxicity treated successfully with pralidoxime alone. An 80-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s dementia presented to the emergency department with 3-4 days of lightheadedness, vomiting, diarrhea, and bilateral lower extremity muscle pain. Extensive review of systems was otherwise negative. Her vital signs were BP, 207/85 mmHg; pulse, 101 beats/min; rectal temperature, 36.6 °C; respirations, 18/min; and SpO2, 95% breathing room air. Her bedside glucose measurement was 6.7 mmol/L. Physical examination revealed a confused, diaphoretic, ill-appearing woman with miosis and fasciculations of the tongue, eyelids, gastrocnemius and quadriceps bilaterally. The heart, lung, abdominal and head, eyes, ears, nose and throat examinations were otherwise unremarkable. Nine 5-cm2 rivastigmine patches (9.5 mg/24-hour) were found adherent to her torso and lower extremities. The patches were immediately removed and underlying skin cleansed with soap and water. Laboratory values including complete blood count, basic metabolic panel, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, troponin, coagulation studies and urinalysis were unremarkable. Due to the absence of pulmonary muscarinic findings, no atropine was administered. However, 1 g of pralidoxime was administered intravenously over 30 min to treat fasciculations. Within 30 min of this treatment, there was significant improvement in symptoms and resolution of fasciculations. She was admitted to the hospital, required no further pralidoxime therapy and was discharged after 3 days. Rivastigmine is a reversible (carbamate) cholinesterase inhibitor used to treat dementia. In overdose, cholinergic crisis is expected and in this case was precipitated by patch overuse. We believe there was a causal relationship between pralidoxime administration and the prompt resolution of symptoms and fasciculations. This case of apparently safe and effective pralidoxime use without concomitant atropine administration in a patient with carbamate toxicity reinforces recent data demonstrating the potential safety of pralidoxime in carbamate toxicity.
Time-dependent changes in lead and δ-aminolevulinic acid after subchronic lead exposure in rats
Authors: Kang Hwan Goo , Jeong Sang Hee , Cho Mi Ran , Cho Joon Hyoung , Bischoff Karyn
Published: September 2009

The time-dependent changes in lead (Pb) concentrations in major tissues, serum and urine, and the Pb biomarker δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) concentration in urine were studied in rats after sub-chronic Pb exposure. Female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were exposed to Pb in drinking water at concentrations of 100 ppm and 1000 ppm for 30 days. The Pb concentration in muscle, liver, kidney, plasma and urine, and the ALA concentration in urine were determined during exposure and every 7 days after exposure for 3 weeks. The muscle Pb concentration did not change post exposure. The liver Pb concentration increased 2.2 to 2.8 times (100 ppm group) and 3.9 to 7.4 times (1000 ppm group) during exposure, then decreased rapidly. Kidney Pb concentrations were 8.0 to 14.3 times (100 ppm group) and 13.8 to 28.5 times (1000 ppm group) higher than controls during exposure and decreased for 1 to 2 weeks post exposure. Plasma Pb concentrations were 1.2 to 3.3 times (100 ppm group) and 2.9 to 5.8 times (1000 ppm group) higher than control concentrations during exposure and decreased time-dependently in the 1000-ppm group after exposure. Urine Pb concentrations were 8.5 to 10.7 times (100 ppm group) and 30.4 to 51.1 times (1000 ppm group) higher than control concentrations during exposure and rapidly decreased after exposure, though concentrations remained up to 4 times higher than controls in the 1000 ppm exposure group. Urine ALA concentrations increased 1.7 to 2.6 and 7.1 to 32.7 times during exposure in the 100 ppm and 1000 ppm groups respectively, and remained elevated for 21 days post exposure. Our data support that urine Pb concentration is a useful marker for acute Pb exposure or post exposure. Urine ALA may be a predicator of biological response to Pb exposure.
A Smart Steel Strand for the Evaluation of Prestress Loss Distribution in Post-tensioned Concrete Structures
Authors: Zhou Zhi , He Jianping , Chen Genda , Ou Jinping
Published: September 2009

Prestress loss adversely affects the behavior of in-service post-tensioned structures in terms of deflection/camber, cracking, and ultimate capacity. It is thus important to determine the level of prestressing force at various loading stages from the initial prestressing force transfer to the structure, through different in-service loads, to the ultimate load of the structure. Prestress loss is difficult to evaluate due to several intertwined factors such as creep, shrinkage, relaxation, geometric configuration, distributed friction, and slippage of post-tensioned strands. Till date, there is no cost-effective and reliable sensor and installation technique for the long-term monitoring and evaluation of prestress loss. In this study, a smart fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) rebar with an embedded novel optical fiber (OF) is developed for the distributed strain of post-tensioned strands. The new OF is an integrated global and local monitoring technology developed by combining the Brillouin optical time domain analysis/refectory sensor and the optical fiber Bragg grating into one single fiber. The FRP rebar and six steel wires were bundled together to form a seven-wire steel strand for the post-tensioning and monitoring of concrete structures. The performances of the smart rebar and strand were validated with static tests of a prestressed steel frame structure and a post-tensioned concrete beam. The smart steel strand can accurately measure the prestress loss at each loading stage, which agrees well with that measured by a pressure loading cell and predicted by a design code.
The Blessing of Hospice
Authors: Kruschke Cheryl Ann , Lee Leon Deborah
Published: September 2009

Hospice care is provided at the end of life. End-of-life care is not discussed until it is needed. The average person knows the term but not what it really means until a terminal diagnosis is made. This article discusses the end-of-life issues faced by our mother and how it affected the entire family. The hospice home our mother lived in during the last 2 weeks and 1 day of her life showcased the best hospice has to offer in terms of physical, emotional, and spiritual support.
Religious Care Required for Japanese Terminally Ill Patients With Cancer From the Perspective of Bereaved Family Members
Authors: Okamoto Takuya , Ando Michiyo , Morita Tatsuya , Hirai Kei , Kawamura Ryo , Mitsunori Miyashita , Sato Kazuki , Shima Yasuo
Published: September 2009

The aim of this study was to explore the most suitable religious care for Japanese terminally ill patients with cancer based on the opinions of bereaved family members. A multicenter questionnaire survey on palliative care service was sent to 592 bereaved family members of patients with cancer who were admitted to palliative care units in Japan, and 430 responded by mail. In the section of the questionnaire about religious care, 382 responses were used for quantitative analysis, and 71 responses about religious care for qualitative analysis. In the current study, the 71 responses were grouped into families with and without a religion and were analyzed qualitatively. Families with a religion (N = 28) chose answers such as ‘‘Instrumental care’’ such as music or a religious event, ‘‘Freedom of choice of kinds for religious care,’’ ‘‘Staff involvement of religious care,’’ ‘‘Meeting with a pastoral care workers,’’ and ‘‘Burden of offering a different kind of personal religion.’’ In contrast, families without a religion (N = 44) chose answers such as ‘‘Instrumental care,’’ ‘‘Freedom of choice whether patients receive religious care or not,’’ ‘‘Spiritual care,’’ ‘‘Not being able to accept religious care,’’ and ‘‘Burden of thinking about a religion and nuisance.’’ These findings suggest that Japanese bereaved families with a religion generally regard religious care positively and prefer care through their own religion, whereas some families without a religion require religious care but some do not prefer it.
Spirituality of Our Lives: An Interview With Harry Aponte
Authors: Horsford Sheena
Published: September 2009

Dr. Harry Aponte is a leader in the field of couple and family therapy. He has made lasting contributions in many aspects of the profession, including working with low-income and minority families and exploring self-of-the therapist issues. The following interview, conducted in October 2007 by Sheena Horsford, focused on spirituality and meaning making.
Treating Patients With Asthma: The Impact of Individual and Family Dynamics
Authors: Sperry Len
Published: September 2009

Asthma is an increasingly common chronic medical condition that affects not only patients but their families. Because this condition has significant psychosocial impact, effective treatment requires an integration of psychosocial treatment—including individual, couples, and family counseling—with conventional medical treatment. Individual psychological dynamics as well as couple and family dynamics that influence the treatment process are described along with implications for family counseling. An illustrative case example is included.
Intimate Partner Violence and Social Isolation Across the Rural/Urban Divide
Authors: Lanier Christina , Maume Michael O.
Published: September 2009

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive social problem that affects victims, families, and communities. Beginning with the acknowledgment of this phenomenon as a social problem, investigations have attempted to answer questions regarding the extent, prevalence, and the possible contributing social and psychological factors that influence this behavior. This study proposes an approach to the problem of IPV based on a unifying concept: social isolation. The authors argue that the utility of the concept of social isolation lies in its ability to encapsulate critical social-structural and social-psychological correlates of IPV. The main objective of the study is to examine the extent to which the role of social isolation in predicting IPV varies by urban/rural context. Measures of key variables were obtained from Waves 1 and 2 of the National Survey of Families and Households and the 1990 census. Results of multivariate analyses indicate that only some measures of social support (isolation) are statistically significant and only for families within rural (nonmetropolitan) counties.
Understanding and Knowledge of Psychiatric Treatment Among Adolescents and Adults
Authors: Lurie Ido , Aviram Shai , Linder Muli , Kalman Noa , Ratzoni Gideon , Levkovitz Yechiel , Bloch Yuval
Published: September 2009

We evaluated the level of adolescent psychiatric patients’ knowledge and understanding of their treatment in light of their competency to participate in decision-making processes related to their receiving treatment, and compared the adolescents’ levels of understanding and knowledge to those of adult psychiatric patients. The study group consisted of 30 adolescents and 30 adults who were randomly selected from the inpatients of our mental health center. Consenting participants were interviewed and their objective knowledge of psychiatric treatments was evaluated by a specially designed questionnaire. Adolescents knew significantly more about adverse effects of treatment and showed a higher level of comprehensive general knowledge. These data indicate that adolescents are no less knowledgeable than adults and should be regarded as competent partners in the process of therapeutic decision making.
Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms in Children: Exploring Hospital Staff Perceptions
Authors: Furness Penny , Glazebrook Cris , Tay Jasmine , Abbas Kirsty , Slaveska-Hollis Karmen
Published: September 2009

Many children present at GP surgeries with debilitating symptoms with no obvious physical cause and are then referred to acute settings for investigation. Research with GPs suggests caring for this group of patients presents a significant challenge, however, the impact upon the range of hospital staff with whom they have contact has been little studied. This study aimed to explore perceptions and experiences of caring for children with medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) and their families among the paediatric staff at one large UK hospital Trust. Data demonstrated staff awareness that children affected by MUPS have complex needs and the perception that those needs resulted in extra demands and anxieties, especially regarding time management, care protocols and communication. There was a clear desire by general paediatric staff for more information and training from psychiatric services to help them care for this group. Results also revealed staff perceptions of the quality of current MUPS care and suggestions as to how this could be improved.
Enough’s Enough: Conversations with Myself and Other Practitioners
Authors: Southall Angela
Published: September 2009

Amidst considerable media focus on the stresses and strains on health services personnel who choose to leave the service, the author interviewed child mental health colleagues about how they coped with organizational stress in the UK National Health Service (NHS). The themes that emerged suggest that clinical staff feel senior managers have lost touch with what is described as the primary task — that of caring for the children and families that use the service. Practitioners feel undervalued and overwhelmed by nonclinical activities. Although stressed, the kinds of coping mechanisms described are likely to maintain high levels of stress, rather than reduce them. It is suggested that the cognitive dissonance paradigm explains both the stressful nature of practitioner experience and the tendency for clinical staff to work even harder in circumstances of perceived oppression. Perceptual Control and general systemic theories may help provide a framework in which to understand the dynamic forces at work that maintain the clinical and senior management groups in a state of perpetual conflict.
Attachment Research and Eating Disorders: A Review of the Literature
Authors: O'Shaughnessy Ruth , Dallos Rudi
Published: September 2009

The aim of this article is to review the clinical literature which examines the association between attachment patterns and eating disorders with a focus on anorexia nervosa, and to examine the varieties of methods and measures employed in attachment research. A literature review was carried out and the relevant articles are examined in terms of their contribution to this area. The literature indicates a number of important considerations when working with this group, including extreme separation anxiety and unresolved loss and trauma, and discusses the implications of these findings for treatment. The results also indicate conflicting evidence regarding associations between attachment style and eating disorder subgroup suggesting that severity of disorder matters more than eating disorder subtype. The different ways of investigating attachment patterns and experiences are explored in this paper. It is suggested that the attachment classification system runs the risk of reducing complex human experience to typologies and that qualitative research might help to address this problem.
Soapbox: Interprofessional Working: Choice or Destiny?
Authors: Cooper Andrew
Published: September 2009

This article suggests that there may be profound obstacles to our capacity to work together effectively across professional or disciplinary boundaries. These problems are rooted in our love of ourselves and our professions and our dislike of those not like us, dynamics which are also central to the production of our positive professional identities. Such a thickly textured notion of professional identity is at odds with contemporary health and welfare policy trends which stress ‘role performance’ as the start and finish of professional activity. Such shallow concepts of identity are an affront to the real ethical difficulties facing us as we struggle to move beyond professional narcissism and engage with the different professional ‘other’.
Emotional and behavioural adjustment in siblings of children with intellectual disability with and without autism
Authors: Petalas Michael A. , Hastings Richard P. , Nash Susie , Lloyd Tracey , Dowey Alan
Published: September 2009

Siblings of children with autism may be at greater risk for psychological problems than siblings of children with another disability or of typically developing (TD) children. However, it is difficult to establish whether autism or the presence of intellectual disability (ID) explains the findings in previous research. Mothers rated the emotional and behavioural adjustment of siblings of children with ID with ( N = 25) or without ( N = 24) autism. Data were also available 18 months later for siblings of children with autism and ID ( N = 15). Siblings of children with autism and ID had more emotional problems compared with siblings of children with ID only and with normative data. Three variables were pertinent: increasing age of the child with autism, having a brother with autism, and being younger than the child with autism. Behavioural and emotional difficulties of siblings of children with autism and ID were relatively stable over 18 months.
Patterns and Implications of User Control Actions in Buildings
Authors: Mahdavi Ardeshir
Published: September 2009

The control actions by the inhabitants of buildings can significantly affect the energy performance of buildings and their environmental impact. However, relatively few studies have investigated such actions in detail and on a long-term basis. In most buildings, occupants operate control devices such as windows, shades, luminaries, radiators, and fans to bring about desirable indoor environmental conditions. Knowledge of such user actions is crucial for accurate prediction of building performance (energy use, indoor climate) and effective operation of building service systems. The present contribution describes an effort to observe control-oriented occupant behavior in office buildings in Austria over a period of 1 year. Thereby, user control actions as related to one or more of the building systems for ambient lighting, shading, window ventilation, and heating were monitored together with indoor and outdoor environmental parameters. The collected data has been analyzed to explore relationships between the kinds and frequency of the control actions and the magnitude and dynamism of indoor and outdoor environmental changes. Moreover, implications of user actions for energy use are studied.
Token responses to gendered newsrooms
Authors: Hardin Marie , Whiteside Erin
Published: September 2009

Female sports journalists work as tokens in gendered organizations where masculinity is integral to hierarchical logic and newswork processes. Through in-depth interviews, this longitudinal study explores how women in the industry manage their gendered and professional identities and make career decisions. Our findings suggest that although participants framed their decisions to stay or to leave in idealized terms, their choices were also guided by cultural and structural impediments acknowledged but accepted as natural and immutable. The women noted negative gender-related experiences, but most minimized them and saw their gender as an advantage. They also described their struggles to balance their work and social lives, the latter of which they saw as a necessary sacrifice to become ideal workers. We discuss these issues and suggest that sports media will fail to reach gender parity until these barriers are addressed; until then, the revolving door will keep turning.
An actor-network perspective on changing work practices
Authors: Plesner Ursula
Published: September 2009

New information and communication technologies (ICTs) such as email and the internet have altered the work practices of journalists. This article introduces Actor-Network Theory (ANT) as a framework for analyzing the relation between new ICTs and changing practices in newswork. It argues that ANT offers an exciting new perspective on ‘holistic’ studies of mass mediation practices, because it calls for a focus on heterogeneous actors: people, ideals, symbolic constructions, and material elements are seen as equally important elements to analyze. The article offers empirical examples of how ICTs have become elements of specific actor-networks, and argues that, at this point, the new aspect of them is their seamlessness. It is argued that while including materiality — technology — in analyses of journalism practices we should refrain from essentializing the ‘effects’ of ICT. Rather, technology should be treated analytically as an actant tightly integrated in networks with other actants, without being assigned particular forces or consequences.
An Examination of Organizational Commitment and Professional Commitment and the Relationship to Work Environment, Demographic and Organizational Factors
Authors: Giffords Elissa D.
Published: September 2009

• Summary: This study examines organizational commitment and professional commitment among a sample of social workers. It empirically explores the relationship between social workers’ commitment and nine work environment variables (collegiality, promotional opportunity, job security, organization and profession-specific skills, autonomy, legitimacy of promotions, distributive justice and supervisor recognition), six demographic or background variables (gender, relationship status, age, employment status, years in social work (profession tenure) and years employed in the current organization (job tenure). It also includes 16 organizational variables (organizational auspices, organizational type, job position, yearly earnings and various types of job benefits, that is, medical, dental, vacation time, sick leave, flex-time, child care, maternity/paternity leave, disability insurance, life insurance, university education/degree programs, employer-paid professional development opportunities and other benefits.

• Findings: Based on a sample of the members of the National Association of Social Workers, the findings suggest that work environment and organizational factors contribute to social workers’ organizational and professional commitment, though the results suggest that organizational commitment is noticeably easier to explain than professional commitment.

• Applications: In today’s changing social service environment it is especially prudent for administrators to promote factors associated with employee commitment. This study suggests that social work managers ought to develop a greater understanding of organizational and professional commitment because of its link to organizational effectiveness and consequently how social workers work toward accomplishing their organizational or program mission.
Bi-criteria Convoy Movement Problem
Authors: Ram Kumar P.N. , Narendran T.T. , Sivakumar A.I.
Published: September 2009

The problem of routing and scheduling military convoys adhering to certain constraints is known as the convoy movement problem. This work addresses a bi-criteria model for the peacetime version of the convoy movement problem with minimizing total travel time and travel span as objectives. Two approaches, one based on goal programming and the other based on simulated annealing, are proposed. Encouraging results have been obtained.
Determining Critical Members of Layered Operational Terrorist Networks
Authors: Geffre Jennifer L. , Deckro Richard F. , Knighton Shane A.
Published: September 2009

This study provides a quantitative method for destabilizing clandestine network operations, by determining which critical members to remove or influence in order to impact operations.The quantitative value of criticality is established by three measures: (1) the members’ social connectedness across multi-layered affiliations, (2) their involvement in operations, and (3) their emergence during periods and at locations of interest.Various techniques, including centrality, risk analysis, system reliability, and decision analysis, are incorporated to determine a member’s criticality to the group’s operations. The advantage of synergistically leveraging the social, operational, and temporal local criticality of group members allows for the maximum disruption of the group’s structure and operations, thus diminishing its effectiveness.
Towards an African Journalism Model
Authors: Shaw Ibrahim Seaga
Published: September 2009

Much of the scholarly literature regarding theories of journalism practice is premised on the tenets of the western model of liberal democracy. To the extent that this model is held to be universal, it hinders the analytical theorization of journalistic precepts that have evolved locally in most countries of the developing world. This article seeks to address this problem by exploring the evolution of what may be aptly characterized as the African journalism model. This model is grounded in oral discourse, creativity, humanity and agency. By comparing and contrasting these two models, this article seeks to challenge the assumption that African journalism is one of mere ‘bandwagonism’ informed by western ‘modernity’ and ‘civilization’. In particular, by exploring the origin and transformation of journalism in sub-Saharan Africa before, during and after colonialism, this article contributes to the conceptual elaboration of alternative conceptions of the African model of journalism.
Historical Research on the Self and Emotions
Authors: Reddy William M.
Published: September 2009

Research on this topic in Europe and North America has reached a new stage. Prior to 1970, historians told a story of progress in which modern individuals gradually gained mastery of emotions. After 1970 this older approach was put into doubt. Since 1990 research into the history of emotions has increasingly relied on a new methodology, based on the assumption that emotion is a domain of effort, and that it is possible to document variance between emotional standards, on the one hand, and the greater or lesser success of individuals in conforming to them, on the other. Emotional standards are now assumed to display a history that is not progressive, but reflects distinctive features of each period.
Assessing adherence to teriparatide therapy, causes of nonadherence and effect of adherence on bone mineral density measurements in osteoporotic patients at high risk for fracture
Authors: Mulgund Manisha , Beattie Karen A. , Wong Andy K. O. , Papaioannou Alexandra , Adachi Jonathan D.
Published: September 2009

Objectives: To determine (a) adherence rates at 6, 9 and 18 months amongst patients receiving teriparatide treatment for severe osteoporosis and (b) causes of therapy discontinuation and the effect of teriparatide on bone mineral density (BMD) in adherent and nonadherent patients at different time intervals.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 111 patients receiving teriparatide from September 2004 to June 2007 was performed. Patients’ self-reports were used to record adherence and causes of nonadherence at 6, 9 and 18 months. BMDs for all patients were measured using the same DXA scanner at baseline and follow up.

Results: Of 111 participants, 17 were male (mean age 60 years) and 94 were female (mean age 69 years). Of these, 12 did not initiate therapy and 4 were lost to follow up. Reported adherence was 89.6% at 6 months, 87.6% at 9 months and 74.7% at 18 months. Causes of nonadherence included cost ( n = 4), no benefit ( n = 1) and adverse events ( n = 8). Common adverse events were leg cramps ( n = 9), headache ( n = 5) and myalgia ( n = 4). Mean spine and femur BMD changes were 3.30% and 0.67% at 4—9 months respectively, and 5.39% and 0.77% at 10—18 months respectively.

Conclusion: Adherence to teriparatide was almost 90% at 9 months and decreased to 75% at 18 months. Adverse events led to nonadherence in 20% of patients. Those who were nonadherent had lower baseline BMD values than those who were adherent. Changes in BMD at the lumbar spine were greater than changes observed at the femoral neck.
Treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis
Authors: Mazziotti Gherardo , Giustina Andrea , Canalis Ernesto , Bilezikian John P.
Published: September 2009

Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) is the most common form of secondary osteoporosis. Fractures occur in 30—50% of patients with GIO. Therefore, treatment of this disease is critical. Although patients should receive supplemental calcium and vitamin D, additional measures are necessary to prevent fractures. Estrogens and androgens may be of value in patients with hypogonadism, but bisphosphonates and teriparatide are the most effective agents in the treatment of GIO. Bisphosphonates prevent the early bone loss that follows exposure to glucocorticoids, and which has been attributed to increased resorption. Teriparatide appears to be more effective than alendronate in established GIO when reduced bone formation is the predominant pathophysiological mechanism. In conclusion, GIO can be prevented and treated with appropriate medical intervention.
Modelling and analysis of electrochemical machining of cast Al/20%SiCp composites
Authors: Senthilkumar C. , Ganesan G. , Karthikeyan R. , Srikanth S.
Published: September 2009

The machining characteristics of LM25 Al/20%SiCP composite using electrochemical machining was investigated in the present study. The present paper highlights the features of the development of a comprehensive mathematical model for correlating the interactive and higher order influences of various machining parameters on the dominant machining criteria, i.e. the metal removal rate and the surface roughness Ra phenomena, through response surface methodology, utilising relevant experimental data as obtained through experimentation. Experimental plan is performed by a standard response surface methodology design called a central composite design. The results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicate that the proposed mathematical model obtained can adequately describes the performance within the limits of the factors being studied. Optimal combination of these parameters can be used in order to achieve maximum metal removal rate and minimum Ra.
Nanosized Zn–Sn metal composite oxide: A new anode material for Li ion battery
Authors: Huang F. , Lu X-Z. , Liu Y. , Liu J. , Wu R.
Published: September 2009

The morphological evolution of nanosized Zn–Sn composite oxides, synthesised by the decomposition of ZnSn(OH)6 precursor at temperature ranged from 300 to 800°C was investigated by using XRD and high resolution TEM. The precursor was also studied by thermal analysis. The electrochemical performance of Zn–Sn composite oxides as anode materials for Li ion batteries was measured in the form of Li/Zn–Sn composite oxides cells. The results reveal that the samples calcined at low temperatures (300 and 500°C) were amorphous Zn2SnO4 and SnO2, and the samples calcined at high temperatures (720 and 800°C) were crystal Zn2SnO4 and SnO2. All the samples have a high reversible specific capacity of over 800 mAh g−1, and the first charge specific capacity is up to 903 mAh g−1 for the sample calcined at 500°C. The charge capacity and cyclability were sensitive to the structure and composition of the electrode active materials; the samples calcined at phase transition temperature rage exhibited relatively worse electrochemical properties.
Comparison of microstructures and thermal insulation capability of plasma sprayed nanostructured and traditional YPSZ coatings
Authors: Wang W. Q. , Gong W. B. , Ma K. , Sun D. Q.
Published: September 2009

Microstructural features and thermal insulation capability of plasma sprayed nanostructured and traditional yttria partly stabilised zirconia (YPSZ: ZrO2–8Y2O3) coatings were investigated. Both nanostructured YPSZ coating and traditional YPSZ coating were mainly composed of non-transformable t-ZrO2 phases. The detailed microstructures of the nanostructured YPSZ coating were observed using FESEM, which presented three types of microstructures: columnar grains, equiaxed grains and nanosized zirconia particles embedded in the so called matrix formed by melted powders. However, the traditional YPSZ coating only contained columnar and equiaxed grains. The average porosities of nanostructured and traditional YPSZ coatings are 12·5 and 9·7 respectively. Compared with the traditional YPSZ coating, the nanostructured coating contained finer microcracks. The nanostructured YPSZ coating has higher thermal insulation capability than the traditional YPSZ coating. For YPSZ coating of 200 μm in thickness, the temperature drop Δ T (thermal insulation capability) of the nanostructured coating at 1350°C increased by 27 compared with that of the traditional coating.
TC-PTP is required for the maintenance of MYC-driven B-cell lymphomas
Authors: Young Ryan M. , Polsky Avital , Refaeli Yosef
Published: September 2009

We sought to determine the contributions of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) to the pathogenesis of B-cell lymphomas. We found that T-cell PTP (TC-PTP) was overexpressed in transformed B cells. We hypothesized that TC-PTP may be a tumor-promoting gene that is regulated by MYC overexpression in B cells. Knockdown of TC-PTP in murine tumors resulted in decreased cell viability in vitro because of an arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, cells with reduced TC-PTP expression were unable to either engraft or expand in vivo. Taken together, these data indicate that TC-PTP is required for B-cell tumor maintenance. Our data also suggested a correlation between TC-PTP expression and MYC overexpression. To investigate this further, we used malignant murine B cells that contain a doxycycline-repressible MYC transgene. We found that repression of MYC overexpression with doxycycline reduced TC-PTP expression. Moreover, enforced expression of TC-PTP showed partial rescue of the expansion of tumor cells after suppression of MYC overexpression. These results suggest that MYC overexpression induces TC-PTP overexpression, which in turn promotes tumor proliferation, implicating TC-PTP as an important effector of the MYC-driven proliferation program in B-cell lymphomas. Thus, TC-PTP may be a suitable molecular target for the treatment of B-cell lymphomas.
Genotyping of Streptococcus agalactiae(group B streptococci) isolated from vaginal and rectal swabs of women at 35-37 weeks of pregnancy
Authors: El Aila Nabil Abdullah , Tency Inge , Claeys Geert , Saerens Bart , De Backer Ellen , Temmerman Marleen , Verhelst Rita , Vaneechoutte Mario
Published: September 2009

Background

Group B streptococci (GBS), or Streptococcus agalactiae, are the leading bacterial cause of meningitis and bacterial sepsis in newborns. Here we compared different culture media for GBS detection and we compared the occurrence of different genotypes and serotypes of GBS isolates from the vagina and rectum.

Methods

Streptococcus agalactiae was cultured separately from both rectum and vagina, for a total of 150 pregnant women, i) directly onto Columbia CNA agar, or indirectly onto ii) Granada agar resp. iii) Columbia CNA agar, after overnight incubation in Lim broth.

Results

Thirty six women (24%) were colonized by GBS. Of these, 19 harbored GBS in both rectum and vagina, 9 only in the vagina and 8 exclusively in the rectum. The combination of Lim broth and subculture on Granada agar was the only culture method that detected all GBS positive women. Using RAPD-analysis, a total of 66 genotypes could be established among the 118 isolates from 32 women for which fingerprinting was carried out. Up to 4 different genotypes in total (rectal + vaginal) were found for 4 women, one woman carried 3 different genotypes vaginally and 14 women carried two 2 different genotypes vaginally. Only two subjects were found to carry strains with the same genotype, although the serotype of both of these strains was different.

Eighteen of the 19 subjects with GBS at both sites had at least one vaginal and one rectal isolate with the same genotype.

We report the presence of two to four different genotypes in 22 (61%) of the 36 GBS positive women and the presence of identical genotypes in both sites for all women but one.

Conclusion

The combination of Lim broth and subculture on Granada medium provide high sensitivity for GBS detection from vaginal and rectal swabs from pregnant women. We established a higher genotypic diversity per individual than other studies, with up to four different genotypes among a maximum of 6 isolates per individual picked. Still, 18 of the 19 women with GBS from both rectum and vagina had at least one isolate from each sampling site with the same genotype.
Prevention of type 2 diabetes in adults with impaired glucose tolerance: the European Diabetes Prevention RCT in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Authors: Penn Linda , White Martin , Oldroyd John , Walker Mark , Alberti K George MM , Mathers John C
Published: September 2009

Background

Diabetes prevalence is increasing. The Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study (DPS) showed a 58% reduction in Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) incidence in adults with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). The European Diabetes Prevention Study (EDIPS) extends the DPS to different European populations, using the same study design. In the Newcastle arm of this study (EDIPS-Newcastle), we tested the hypothesis that T2D can be prevented by lifestyle intervention and explored secondary outcomes in relation to diabetes incidence.

Methods

We recruited 102 participants (42 men and 60 women, mean age 57 years, mean BMI 34 kgm-2) with IGT to EDIPS-Newcastle and randomised to Intervention and usual care Control groups. The intervention included individual motivational interviewing aimed at: weight reduction, increase in physical activity, fibre and carbohydrate intake and reduction of fat intake (secondary outcomes). The primary outcome was diagnosis of T2D.

Results

Mean duration of follow-up was 3.1 years. T2D was diagnosed in 16 participants (I = 5, C = 11). Absolute incidence of T2D was 32.7 per 1000 person-years in the Intervention-group and 67.1 per 1000 person-years in the Control-group. The overall incidence of diabetes was reduced by 55% in the Intervention-group, compared with the Control-group: RR 0.45 (95%CI 0.2 to 1.2).

Explanatory survival analysis of secondary outcomes showed that those who sustained beneficial changes for two or more years reduced their risk of developing T2D.

Conclusion

Our results are consistent with other diabetes prevention trials. This study was designed as part of a larger study and although the sample size limits statistical significance, the results contribute to the evidence that T2D can be prevented by lifestyle changes in adults with IGT. In explanatory analysis small sustained beneficial changes in weight, physical activity or dietary factors were associated with reduction in T2D incidence.

Trial Registration

International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number registry (ISRCTN)

Registry number: ISRCTN 15670600

http://www.controlled-trials.com/isrctn/search.html?srch=15670600%26sort=3%26dir=desc%26max=10
Surface display of heterologous proteins in Bacillus thuringiensis using a peptidoglycan hydrolase anchor
Authors: Shao Xiaohu , Jiang Mengtian , Yu Ziniu , Cai Hao , Li Lin
Published: September 2009

Background

Previous studies have revealed that the lysin motif (LysM) domains of bacterial cell wall-degrading enzymes are able to bind to peptidoglycan moieties of the cell wall. This suggests an approach for a cell surface display system in Gram-positive bacteria using a LysM-containing protein as the anchoring motif. In this study, we developed a new surface display system in B. thuringiensis using a LysM-containing peptidoglycan hydrolase, endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (Mbg), as the anchor protein.

Results

Homology searching in the B. thuringiensis YBT-1520 genome revealed a putative peptidoglycan hydrolase gene. The encoded protein, Mbg, exhibited substantial cell-wall binding capacity. The deduced amino acid sequence of Mbg was structurally distinguished as an N-terminal domain with two tandemly aligned LysMs and a C-terminal catalytic domain. A GFP-fusion protein was expressed and used to verify the surface localization by Western blot, flow cytometry, protease accessibility, SDS sensitivity, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy assays. Low-level constitutive expression of Mbg was elevated by introducing a sporulation-independent promoter of cry3Aa. Truncated Mbg domains with separate N-terminus (Mbgn), C-terminus (Mbgc), LysM1, or LysM2 were further compared for their cell-wall displaying efficiencies. The Mbgn moiety contributed to cell-wall anchoring, while LysM1 was the active domain. Two tandemly repeated Mbgns exhibited the highest display activity, while the activity of three repeated Mbgns was decreased. A heterologous bacterial multicopper oxidase (WlacD) was successfully displayed onto the surface of B. thuringiensis target cells using the optimum (Mbgn)2 anchor, without radically altering its catalytic activity.

Conclusion

Mbg can be a functional anchor protein to target different heterologous proteins onto the surface of B. thuringiensis cells. Since the LysM domain appears to be universal in Gram-positive bacteria, the strategy presented here could be applicable in other bacteria for developing this type of system.
Schizosaccharomyces pombe Cds1Chk2 regulates homologous recombination at stalled replication forks through the phosphorylation of recombination protein Rad60
Authors: Miyabe Izumi , Morishita Takashi , Shinagawa Hideo , Carr Antony M.
Published: September 2009

The Schizosaccharomyces pombe rad60 gene is essential for cell growth and is involved in repairing DNA double-strand breaks. Rad60 physically interacts with, and is functionally related to, the structural maintenance of chromosomes 5 and 6 protein complex (Smc5/6). Rad60 is phosphorylated in response to hydroxyurea (HU)-induced DNA replication arrest in a Cds1Chk2-dependent manner. Rad60 localizes in nucleus in unchallenged cells, but becomes diffused throughout the cell in response to HU. To understand the role of Rad60 phosphorylation, we mutated the putative phosphorylation target motifs of Cds1Chk2 and have identified two Cds1Chk2 target residues responsible for Rad60 dispersal in response to HU. We show that the phosphorylation-defective rad60 mutation partially suppresses HU sensitivity and the elevated recombination frequency of smc6-X. Our data suggest that Rad60 phosphorylation is required to regulate homologous recombination at stalled replication forks, probably by regulating Smc5/6.