bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brain glucose transporters, O‐GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation of tau in diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Liu Ying , Liu Fei , Grundke‐Iqbal Inge , Iqbal Khalid , Gong Cheng‐Xin
Published: July 2009

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases the risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but the underlying mechanism is unknown. In this study, we determined the levels of major brain glucose transporters, O‐GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation of tau in the postmortem brain tissue from frontal cortices of 7 controls, 11 T2DM subjects, 10 AD subjects and 8 additional subjects who had both T2DM and AD. We found that the neuronal glucose transporter 3 was decreased to a bigger extent in T2DM brain than in AD brain. The O‐GlcNAcylation levels of global proteins and of tau were also decreased in T2DM brain as seen in AD brain. Phosphorylation of tau at some of the AD abnormal hyperphosphorylation sites was increased in T2DM brain. These results suggest that T2DM may contribute to the increased risk for AD by impairing brain glucose uptake/metabolism and, consequently, down‐regulation of O‐GlcNAcylation, which facilitates abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau.
A prospective comparative study of gentamicin‐ and amikacin‐induced nephrotoxicity in patients with normal baseline renal function
Authors: Sweileh Waleed M.
Published: July 2009

The aim of this study was to compare the nephrotoxic potential of amikacin (AK) and gentamicin (GM) in patients with normal baseline renal function. This study was a 1‐year, non‐interventional prospective study of patients administered either GM or AK. The study was carried out at the internal medicine department of Al‐Watani governmental study. Nephrotoxicity was defined as a serum creatinine (SCr) increase of ≥0.5 mg/dL from the basal (normal) SCr level. The two groups (GM, n = 45 and AK, n = 49) were similar in population composition, and underlying pathological and infectious processes requiring antimicrobials. No significant difference in age was found between patients in the GM and AK groups, P = 0.83. Patients in the GM group received comparatively lower doses than those in the AK group (mean = 2.5 mg/kg/day and 14.4 mg/kg/day, respectively) but the duration of treatment was similar. Sixteen of 45 patients receiving GM (35.6%) and eight of 49 patients receiving AK (16.3%) developed nephrotoxicity, P = 0.033. Single daily dosing with GM, regardless of the total daily dose, produced less nephrotoxicity than multiple dosing. In contrast, AK given at a total dose of 1 g daily, showed no benefit of single dosing compared with multiple dosing. In patients with initial normal renal function, GM was significantly more nephrotoxic than AK. Multiple dosing of GM was more nephrotoxic than single dosing. AK‐induced nephrotoxicity was not significantly dependent on dosing frequency.
Comparison of soil properties of native forests, Pinus patula plantations and adjacent pastures in the Andean highlands of southern Ecuador: land use history or recent vegetation effects?
Authors: Chacón G. , Gagnon D. , Paré D.
Published: July 2009

In the high Andes of Ecuador scarcity of farmland has led to accelerated deforestation, in particular over the last 40 years. Soil mis‐management has caused the rapid decline of soil fertility and most farmland has been irreversibly transformed into grassland or tree plantations. The present study assessed whether pastures and particularly pine plantations were associated with less soil nutrients. The soils from six sites each of native forests and Pinus patula plantations, and their adjacent pastures were sampled in a geographically large area in the Paute watershed, south Ecuador. Soil analyses showed statistically significant differences for soil cations and effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) only. ECEC was highest in soils from native forests and their adjacent pastures (6.4 cmol/kg) compared to pine plantations and their pastures (4.2 cmol/kg). Mean soil organic matter and pH were similar in native forests/pastures (39% SOM; pH 5.4) and in plantations/pastures (40% SOM; pH 5). As pasture soils had ECEC concentrations statistically similar to those of their adjacent forest or plantation, they do not form a single homogeneous land use type based on soil nutrients. Therefore, this study cannot conclude that the presence of pines alone has caused soil degradation, but instead that the soil at the site was already degraded before pines were planted. This study proposes the scenario that pine plantations are established in pastures as a last resort, when the soils are already strongly degraded, and more profitable land uses are not available. Farmers are reluctant to use fertile land for tree plantations, and only the planting of well‐known species, such as pines, is officially encouraged.
Policy decisiveness and responses to speculative attacks in developed countries
Authors: HAN KYUNG JOON
Published: July 2009

Why are some countries able to defend their currencies when there are speculative attacks, while others fail to do so and devalue their currencies? This article suggests that intragovernment factors as well as government‐legislature relations should be considered because many of the policy responses to speculative attacks do not require legislative acquiescence, so that intragovernment attributes will have more substantial effects on the policy responses than those of government‐legislature relations. This article suggests that cleavages within government and its instability have a negative effect on decisiveness. Data regarding speculative attacks in developed countries from the 1970s to the 1990s and the Heckman selection model show that governments with many veto players and with less durability have had difficulty in defending their currencies in the face of speculative attacks. The article also finds that governmental institutional effects can be constrained by central bank independence. The effects become substantially smaller and statistically insignificant when central banks are very independent. The overall results imply that policy indecisiveness induced by some political factors makes governments less able to adopt a new policy equilibrium that is necessary to respond to an exogenous shock such as speculative attack.
Effect of recombinant feline interferon‐ω alone and in combination with chemotherapeutic agents on putative tumour‐initiating cells and daughter cells derived from canine and feline mammary tumours
Authors: Penzo C. , Ross M. , Muirhead R. , Else R. , Argyle D. J.
Published: July 2009

Interferons (IFNs) are naturally produced cytokines with multiple important biological functions. The activity of recombinant feline IFN‐ω (rFeIFN‐ω) alone and in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs was tested on canine and feline mammary carcinoma cell lines (REM134 and CAT‐MT) and putative tumour‐initiating cells (TIC) derived from these cell lines by sphere assay. Viability was measured by chemoluminescence and a one‐way analysis of variance and Student'st‐tests were used for statistical analysis. rFeIFN‐ω showedin vitroantitumour activity on feline and canine mammary carcinoma cells and putative TICs with a dose‐dependent and target cell‐specific action. Putative TICs were more resistant to the action of rFeIFN‐ω compared with daughter REM134 and CAT‐MT cells. REM134 cells and TICs were more sensitive to rFeIFN‐ω compared with the feline counterparts. An additive effect was noticed between rFeIFN‐ω and conventional anticancer drugs, in particular following co‐culture of cells with anthracycline drugs. The results suggest that rFeIFN‐ω warrants further investigation as a therapeutic adjunct in feline and canine mammary tumours.
The relationship between tumour size and expression of prognostic markers in benign and malignant canine mammary tumours
Authors: Ferreira E. , Bertagnolli A. C. , Cavalcanti M. F. , Schmitt F. C. , Cassali G. D.
Published: July 2009

Tumour size is considered one of the most important determinants of clinical staging in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to assess the value of tumour size as an indicator of the differentiation of mammary neoplasias in female dogs. The tumour, nodes metastates (TNM) system, based on primary lesion size, the extent of its dissemination to regional lymph nodes and the presence or absence of distant metastases, was applied to 120 female dogs diagnosed with mammary neoplasias. Paraffin blocks from 38 cases were selected and studied by immunohistochemical staining for prognostic and predictive markers of breast cancer. The Kaplan–Meier survival curve was estimated for 110 female dogs. Larger tumours (T3) were mostly malignant and showed lower expression of progesterone receptor and higher expression of cellular proliferation markers. Global survival time was shorter in female dogs with large tumour masses. This study highlights the importance of tumour size as a prognostic indicator of mammary neoplasias in female dogs.
Fetal extrasystole may predict poor neonatal outcome
Authors: BROWN Jake A. , MORRISON John C. , MAGANN Everett F. , CEFALO Robert C.
Published: July 2009

Extrasystoles particularly premature atrial contractions noted during labour on the fetal heart rate monitoring strip are usually thought to be benign. In pregnancies complicated by fetal infection and/or the fetal inflammatory response syndrome, there are some data that extrasystoles noted during the intrapartum period may be related to neonatal sepsis and eventual poor neonatal outcome including death or neonatal encephalopathy. Additional observations are needed to substantiate this hypothesis.
Using botulinum toxin for pelvic indications in women
Authors: RAO Archana , ABBOTT Jason
Published: July 2009

Background: Botulinum toxin (BoNT) is a potent neurotoxin. Its ability to cause muscle paralysis is increasingly being utilised for the management of a number of conditions of interest to the gynaecologist.

Aims: This review aims to give the reader an overview of the use of BoNT for conditions presenting a management challenge for the gynaecologist, such as chronic pelvic pain and idiopathic detrusor overactivity.

Methods: The literature was reviewed regarding the use, side‐effects and complications of BoNT in the pelvis, focussing on chronic pelvic pain, provoked vestibulodynia, conditions involving the lower gastrointestinal tract and detrusor overactivity.

Results: In terms of pain caused by pelvic floor spasm, daily pelvic pain and dyspareunia are the symptoms most likely to be improved by BoNT. Limited data regarding use for provoked vestibulodynia indicate an improvement in pain scores. In the lower gastrointestinal tract, injection into puborectalis has been showed to objectively improve intravaginal pressures, though there are no randomised controlled trials (class I studies) validating its use in this setting. Class I studies demonstrate a role for BoNT in the management of idiopathic detrusor overactivity, though long‐term follow‐up data are lacking. Potential problems with BoNT injection include toxin reactions, urinary and faecal incontinence, urinary retention and secondary treatment failure due to antibody production.

Conclusions: A single class I study supports the use of BoNT for refractory pelvic floor spasm; however, further adequately powered class I studies for this indication and for provoked vestibulodynia are warranted.
To mesh or not to mesh
Authors: DIETZ Hans P.
Published: July 2009

We are in the midst of an increasingly acrimonious discussion regarding the use of mesh in pelvic reconstructive surgery. Modern mesh kits, aggressively marketed by biotech companies, have become widespread. At times, they are used inappropriately, and significant complications such as pain syndromes and erosion are not uncommon. While conventional alternatives such as sacrospinous colpopexy and Burch colposuspension are not without their problems either, the discussion surrounding mesh use has a character never encountered before in urogynaecology. Many colleagues feel that the resolution of this conflict may be found in large randomised controlled trials such as the PROSPECT trial currently being planned in the UK. I feel that such a trial may well do more harm than good, unless certain precautions are taken. In this opinion piece I’ll try and explain why.
The outcomes of pregnancies following a prenatal diagnosis of fetal exomphalos in Western Australia
Authors: CALVERT Nick , DAMIANI Sara , SUNARIO Julian , BOWER Caroline , DICKINSON Jan E.
Published: July 2009

Aims: To review the perinatal outcomes for prenatally diagnosed exomphalos from a single geographical region.

Methods: Retrospective review of cases of prenatally identified exomphalos in the state of Western Australia in the ten‐year period 1998–2007 using the medical databases of the sole tertiary obstetric and paediatric hospitals.

Results: Ninety‐four cases of prenatally identified exomphalos comprise this consecutive case series. Culture‐proven karyotypic abnormalities occurred in 40 (42.6%) fetuses. No karyotypically abnormal fetus survived the neonatal period, with 33 of 40 (82.5%) pregnancies interrupted, five of 40 (12.5%) resulting in fetal demise and two (5%) neonatal deaths. For the 49 (52.1%) fetuses with a normal karyotype, 26 (53.1%) had associated abnormalities with termination occurring in 22 (84.6%). Prenatally isolated exomphalos was present in 23 cases (24.5%), with live birth in 15 cases (30.6% of euploid fetuses). Fourteen (93.3%) of the liveborn prenatally isolated exomphalos cases survived with no postoperative deaths, although four (28.5%) had significant abnormalities detected postdelivery and most have experienced childhood morbidity.

Conclusions: In the the majority of cases of prenatally detected exomphalos the pregnancy was interrupted secondary to chromosomal or structural abnormalities. In only 10.6% of prenatally recognised fetuses with exomphalos was the disorder truly isolated with neonatal survival occurring.
DP‐155, a Lecithin Derivative of Indomethacin, is a Novel Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drug for Analgesia and Alzheimer's Disease Therapy
Authors: Dvir Eran , Elman Anat , Simmons Danielle , Shapiro Israel , Duvdevani Revital , Dahan Arik , Hoffman Amnon , Friedman Jonathan E.
Published: July 2009

DP‐155 is a lipid prodrug of indomethacin that comprises the latter conjugated to lecithin at position sn‐2 via a 5‐carbon length linker. It is cleaved by phospholipase A2 (PLA)2 to a greater extent than similar compounds with linkers of 2, 3, and 4 carbons. Indomethacin is the principal metabolite of DP‐155 in rat serum and, after DP‐155 oral administration, the half‐life of the metabolite was 22 and 93 h in serum and brain, respectively, compared to 10 and 24 h following indomethacin administration. The brain to serum ratio was 3.5 times higher for DP‐155 than for indomethacin. In vitro studies demonstrated that DP‐155 is a selective cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 inhibitor. After it is cleaved, its indomethacin derivative nonselectively inhibits both COX‐1 and ‐2. DP‐155 showed a better toxicity profile probably due to the sustained, low serum levels and reduced maximal concentration of its indomethacin metabolite. DP‐155 did not produce gastric toxicity at the highest acute dose tested (0.28 mmol/kg), while indomethacin caused gastric ulcers at a dose 33‐fold lower. Furthermore, after repeated oral dosing, gastrointestinal and renal toxicity was lower (10‐ and 5‐fold, respectively) and delayed with DP‐155 compared to indomethacin. In addition to reduced toxicity, DP‐155 had similar ameliorative effects to indomethacin in antipyretic and analgesia models. Moreover, DP‐155 and indomethacin were equally efficacious in reducing levels of amyloid ß (Aß)42 in transgenic Alzheimer's disease mouse (Tg2576) brains as well as reducing Aß42 intracellular uptake, neurodegeneration, and inflammation in an in vitro AD model. The relatively high brain levels of indomethacin after DP‐155 administration explain the equal efficacy of DP‐155 despite its low systemic blood concentrations. Compared to indomethacin, the favored safety profile and equal efficacy of DP‐155 establish the compound as a potential candidate for chronic use to treat AD‐related pathology and for analgesia.
Carbon sequestration in peatland: patterns and mechanisms of response to climate change
Authors: Belyea Lisa R. , Malmer Nils
Published: July 2009

The response of peatlands to changes in the climatic water budget is crucial to predicting potential feedbacks on the global carbon (C) cycle. To gain insight on the patterns and mechanisms of response, we linked a model of peat accumulation to a model of peatland hydrology, then applied these models to empirical data spanning the past 5000 years for the large mire Store Mosse in southern Sweden. We estimated parameters for C sequestration and height growth by fitting the peat accumulation model to two age profiles. Then, we used independent reconstruction of climate wetness and model reconstruction of bog height to examine changes in peatland hydrology. Reconstructions of C sequestration showed two distinct patterns of behaviour: abrupt increases associated with major transitions in vegetation and dominant Sphagnum species (fuscum, rubellum–fuscum and magellanicum stages), and gradual decreases associated with increasing humification of newly formed peat. Carbon sequestration rate ranged from a minimum of 14 to a maximum of 72 g m−2 yr−1, with the most rapid changes occurring in the past 1000 years. Vegetation transitions were associated with periods of increasing climate wetness during which the hydrological requirement for increased seepage loss was met by rise of the water table closer to the peatland surface, with the indirect result of enhancing peat formation. Gradual decline in C sequestration within each vegetation stage resulted from enhanced litter decay losses from the near‐surface layer. In the first two vegetation stages, peatland development (i.e., increasing surface gradient) and decreasing climate wetness drove a gradual increase in thickness of the unsaturated, near‐surface layer, reducing seepage water loss and peat formation. In the most recent vegetation stage, the surface diverged into a mosaic of wet and dry microsites. Despite a steady increase in climate wetness, C sequestration declined rapidly. The complexity of response to climate change cautions against use of past rates to estimate current or to predict future rates of peatland C sequestration. Understanding interactions among hydrology, surface structure and peat formation are essential to predicting potential feedback on the global C cycle.
Trends and scenarios of the carbon budget in postagricultural Puerto Rico (1936–2060)
Authors: Ricardo Grau H. , Mitchell Aide T. , Zimmerman Jess K. , Thomlinson John R.
Published: July 2009

Contrary to the general trend in the tropics, Puerto Rico underwent a process of agriculture abandonment during the second half of the 20th century as a consequence of socioeconomic changes toward urbanization and industrialization. Using data on land‐use change, biomass accumulation in secondary forests, and ratios between gross domestic product (GDP) and carbon emissions, we developed a model of the carbon budget for Puerto Rico between 1936 and 2060. As a consequence of land abandonment, forests have expanded rapidly since 1950, achieving the highest sequestration rates between 1980 and 1990. Regardless of future scenarios of demography and land use, sequestration rates will decrease in the future because biomass accumulation decreases with forest age and there is little agricultural land remaining to be abandoned. Due to high per‐capita consumption and population density, carbon emissions of Puerto Rico have increased dramatically and exceeded carbon sequestration during the second half of the 20th century. Although Puerto Rico had the highest percent of reforestation for a tropical country, emissions during the period 1950–2000 were approximately 3.5 times higher than sequestration, and current annual emission is almost nine times the rate of sequestration. Additionally, while sequestration will decrease over the next six decades, current socioeconomic trends suggest increasing emissions unless there are significant changes in energy technology or consumption patterns. In conclusion, socioeconomic changes leading to urbanization and industrialization in tropical countries may promote high rates of carbon sequestration during the decades following land abandonment. Initial high rates of carbon sequestration can balance emissions of developing countries with low emission/GDP ratio. In Puerto Rico, the socioeconomic changes that promoted reforestation also promoted high‐energy consumption, and resulted in a net increase in carbon emissions.
REDUCED GENETIC DIVERSITY AND INCREASED POPULATION DIFFERENTIATION IN PERIPHERAL AND OVERHARVESTED POPULATIONS OF GIGARTINA SKOTTSBERGII (RHODOPHYTA, GIGARTINALES) IN SOUTHERN CHILE1
Authors: Faugeron Sylvain , Martínez Enrique A. , Correa Juan A. , Cardenas Leyla , Destombe Christophe , Valero Myriam
Published: July 2009

This study assesses two hypotheses on the genetic diversity of populations of Gigartina skottsbergii Setchell et Gardner (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales) at the border of the species distribution: 1) peripheral populations display a reduced genetic diversity compared with central populations, and 2) genetic differentiation is higher among peripheral than among central populations. Two peripheral and four central populations were sampled along the Chilean coast and 113 haploid individuals were analyzed using 17 random amplification of polymorphic DNA loci. The genetic diversity was estimated by allele diversity (He), allele richness (Â), and the mean pair‐wise differences among multilocus genotypes. All three estimates consistently and significantly indicated a lower genetic diversity within the peripheral than within the central populations. Genetic differentiation between the two peripheral populations was stronger (FST=0.35) than between central populations at similar spatial scales (FST ranging from 0 to 0.25). In addition, it appeared from the distribution of pair‐wise differences that peripheral populations are in demographic expansion after a recent bottleneck. The results are discussed in the specific context of potential overharvesting of these wild populations.
A Monte Carlo Risk Assessment Model for Acrylamide Formation in French Fries
Authors: Cummins Enda , Butler Francis , Gormley Ronan , Brunton Nigel
Published: July 2009

The objective of this study is to estimate the likely human exposure to the group 2a carcinogen, acrylamide, from French fries by Irish consumers by developing a quantitative risk assessment model using Monte Carlo simulation techniques. Various stages in the French‐fry‐making process were modeled from initial potato harvest, storage, and processing procedures. The model was developed in Microsoft Excel with the @Risk add‐on package. The model was run for 10,000 iterations using Latin hypercube sampling. The simulated mean acrylamide level in French fries was calculated to be 317 μg/kg. It was found that females are exposed to smaller levels of acrylamide than males (mean exposure of 0.20 μg/kg bw/day and 0.27 μg/kg bw/day, respectively). Although the carcinogenic potency of acrylamide is not well known, the simulated probability of exceeding the average chronic human dietary intake of 1 μg/kg bw/day (as suggested by WHO) was 0.054 and 0.029 for males and females, respectively. A sensitivity analysis highlighted the importance of the selection of appropriate cultivars with known low reducing sugar levels for French fry production. Strict control of cooking conditions (correlation coefficient of 0.42 and 0.35 for frying time and temperature, respectively) and blanching procedures (correlation coefficient −0.25) were also found to be important in ensuring minimal acrylamide formation.
Development and Application of a Stochastic Epidemic Model for the Transmission of Salmonella Typhimurium at the Farm Level of the Pork Production Chain
Authors: Soumpasis Ilias , Butler Francis
Published: July 2009

In previous work a deterministic model for the compartment level was built, taking into account the two different syndromes with which Salmonella Typhimurium appears at pig farms. Based on this model, a stochastic one was built in this work that simulated different compartmental sizes, taking into account compartments of 200 to 400 pigs. Multiple scenarios of starting conditions of infection (SCI) ranging from 0.25 to 100% were tested for each population size. The effect of each of these two factors on the probability of disease extinctions and the prevalence of each of the classes of the model and the risk groups of pigs were estimated. The results showed that the compartment population had an inverse effect on the probability of disease extinction. On the other hand, low SCI resulted in high levels of early extinctions reaching 45%, while higher SCI led to high levels of late extinctions. Early extinctions resulted in the absence of the pathogen from the compartment, while late extinctions did not assure it. This effect shows that reducing the population of the compartment combined with appropriate cleaning and good farming practices could have a positive effect in the reduction of the risk of introducing S. Typhimurium into the slaughtering procedure. On the other hand, the profile of seroprevalence at slaughter age allows for risk characterization of the farm, given the relative stability and the small variation for higher SCI.
The Value to the Customer of RFID in Service Applications*
Authors: Heim Gregory R. , Wentworth Jr. William R. , Peng Xiaosong (David)
Published: July 2009

This article examines how customer value may be affected by deploying radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies within service environments. Business articles promote operational cost savings and improved inventory management as key benefits of deploying RFID. In response, service firms are using RFID to reengineer service transactions and customer touchpoints. Customers may view these RFID applications to offer both benefits and drawbacks. This article demonstrates that individuals will recognize far more value from RFID service applications than just cost savings and inventory availability. The article analyzes qualitative survey responses on the value gained from RFID to identify a broad list of value objectives—benefits and drawbacks—associated with RFID service applications. The article contributes to academic literature by providing salient value dimensions for return on investment models of service RFID applications and for future empirical analyses of means‐ends and value‐profit chain models. Managers can use the list of dimensions to develop rich business cases for evaluating the benefits and costs from enhancing service operations with RFID. The identified drawbacks also provide managers with a resource for understanding potential risks of RFID applications.
Three‐dimensional morphometric analysis of human cadaver bone: microstructural data from maxilla and mandible
Authors: Fanuscu Mete I. , Chang Ting‐Ling
Published: July 2009

Abstract: The mechanical behavior of bone is a critical factor in the attainment and maintenance of osseointegration. Current procedures and classifications in assessing bone quality have limitations. Micro‐computed tomography (microCT) is a new method to image and quantify bone with very high resolution. This study was aimed to analyze cadaveric maxillary and mandibular trabecular bone with 3‐D morphometric data acquired through microCT and correlate with conventional bone assessment methods. Moderately resorbed edentulous maxilla and mandible from a human cadaver were scanned in the conventional CT unit with opaque markers indicating specific anterior and posterior sites. These sites were then sectioned and standard periapical radiographs were obtained. Bone cores were harvested from the sectioned sites and scanned in the microCT unit. Bone density values based on the Hounsfield scale ranged from 51 to 529 in the mandible and 186 to 389 in the maxilla, anterior sites being higher in both. Periapical images did not yield distinct differences. 3‐D morphometric analysis in microCT produced a range of values with anterior specimens being favorable: bone volume density (0.12–0.291), trabecular thickness (0.12–0.16 mm), trabecular separation (0.46–0.82 mm), trabecular number (1.08–2.071/mm) and structural model index (0.29–1.27). General agreement between bone density and microCT indices was noted; however, subtle differences have to be studied with larger samples. This preliminary study suggests that the understanding of mechanical competence of trabecular bone might reveal further information about the prognosis of implant therapy, advancements in implant design, surgical techniques and grafting.
School in photodermatology: Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome
Authors: Anstey Alex
Published: July 2009

The Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome has only recently been added to the small number of congenital disorders characterized by photosensitivity. The clinical features of this disorder are distinct from other photosensitivity syndromes. Details on the patho‐mechanism of photosensitivity in the Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome have yet to be fully determined. However, preliminary evidence points to the deranged cholesterol metabolism that characterizes the syndrome as causal in this UVA‐mediated photosensitivity disorder.
Trajectories of Conflict Over Raising Adolescent Children and Marital Satisfaction
Authors: Cui Ming , Donnellan M. Brent
Published: July 2009

The present study examined trajectories of marital satisfaction among couples with adolescent children and evaluated how changes in parents' conflict over raising adolescent children were associated with changes in marital satisfaction over 4 years. Using a prospective, longitudinal research design and controlling for family socioeconomic status, dyadic growth curve analysis from a sample of 431 couples with adolescent children indicated that marital satisfaction decreased over time for parents with adolescent children and that the trajectories for mothers and fathers were substantially linked. More importantly, the study demonstrated that increases or decreases in parents' marital conflict over raising adolescent children were associated with corresponding decreases or increases in marital satisfaction for both mothers and fathers.
Family Structure Transitions and Maternal Parenting Stress
Authors: Cooper Carey E. , McLanahan Sara S. , Meadows Sarah O. , Brooks‐Gunn Jeanne
Published: July 2009

Data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 4,176) are used to examine family structure transitions and maternal parenting stress. Using multilevel modeling, we found that mothers who exit coresidential relationships with biological fathers or enter coresidential relationships with nonbiological fathers reported higher levels of parenting stress than mothers in stable coresidential relationships. Mothers who enter coresidential relationships with biological fathers reported lower levels of parenting stress than mothers who remain single. Mothers' resources, especially their relationships with biological fathers, accounted for most of the associations between transitions and parenting stress, with posttransition resources being more important than pretransition resources. Mothers with high levels of education were less affected by transitions than mothers with less education.
Changing Sibship Size and Educational Progress During Childhood: Evidence From the Philippines
Authors: Schmeer Kammi K.
Published: July 2009

This paper investigates the association between changes in coresident sibship size and children's educational progress in the Philippines. When conceptualized at the household level, sibship size is a dynamic aspect of the family context with potentially important implications for resources needed to support a child's education. Individual‐level change models suggested that adding younger siblings in early childhood (from birth to age 9) and losing both younger and older siblings later in childhood (from age 9 to 19) were associated with less educational progress by the focal child between ages 9 and 19. These effects were additive and indicated the importance of assessing both type of change and timing in evaluating the relationship between coresident sibship size and educational progress during childhood.
Brain angiogenesis in developmental and pathological processes: neurovascular injury and angiogenic recovery after stroke
Authors: Arai Ken , Jin Guang , Navaratna Deepti , Lo Eng H.
Published: July 2009

Pathophysiologic responses in brain after stroke are highly complex. Thus far, a singular focus on saving neurons alone has not revealed any clinically effective neuroprotectants. To address this limitation, the concept of a neurovascular unit was developed. Within this conceptual framework, brain function and dysfunction are manifested at the level of cell–cell signaling between neuronal, glial and vascular elements. For stroke, coordinated responses at the neurovascular interface will mediate acute as well as chronic events in ischemic and hemorrhagic brain tissue. In this minireview, we briefly survey two representative examples of neurovascular responses in stroke. During the early acute phase of neurovascular injury, blood–brain barrier perturbations should predominate with key roles for various matrix proteases. During the delayed phase, brain angiogenesis may provide the critical neurovascular substrates for neuronal remodeling. In this minireview, we propose the hypothesis that the biphasic nature of neurovascular responses represents an endogenous attempt by damaged parenchyma to trigger brain angiogenesis and repair. This phenomenon may allow acute deleterious signals to transition into beneficial effects during stroke recovery. Understanding how neurovascular signals and substrates make the transition from initial injury to angiogenic recovery will be important if we are to find new therapeutic approaches for stroke.
Brain angiogenesis in developmental and pathological processes: mechanism and therapeutic intervention in brain tumors
Authors: Kim Woo‐Young , Lee Ho‐Young
Published: July 2009

Formation of new blood vessels is required for the growth and metastasis of all solid tumors. New blood vessels are established in tumors mainly through angiogenesis. Brain tumors in particular are highly angiogenic. Therefore, interventions designed to prevent angiogenesis may be effective at controlling brain tumors. Indeed, many recent findings from preclinical and clinical studies of antiangiogenic therapy for brain tumors have shown that it is a promising approach to managing this deadly disease, especially when combined with other cytotoxic treatments. In this minireview, we summarize the basic characteristics of brain tumor angiogenesis and the role of known angiogenic factors in regulating this angiogenesis, which may be targets of antiangiogenic therapy. We also discuss the current status of antiangiogenic therapy for brain tumors, the suggested mechanisms of this therapy and the limitations of this strategy.
Two overlapping antiparallel genes encoding the iron regulator DmdR1 and the Adm proteins control sidephore and antibiotic biosynthesis in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)
Authors: Tunca Sedef , Barreiro Carlos , Coque Juan‐José R. , Martín Juan F.
Published: July 2009

The dmdR1 gene of Streptomyces coelicolor encodes an important regulator of iron metabolism. An antiparallel gene (adm) homologous to a development‐regulated gene of Streptomyces aureofaciens has been found to overlap with dmdR1. Both proteins DmdR1 and Adm are formed in solid and liquid cultures of S. coelicolor A3(2). The purpose of this study was to assess possible interaction between the products of these two antiparallel genes. Two mutants with stop codons resulting in arrested translation of either DmdR1 or Adm were obtained by gene replacement and compared with a deletion mutant (ΔdmdR1/adm) that was defective in both genes. The deletion mutant was unable to form either protein, did not sporulate and lacked desferrioxamine, actinorhodin and undecylprodigiosin biosynthesis; biosynthesis of these compounds was recovered by complementation with dmdR1/adm genes. The mutant in which formation of Adm protein was arrested showed normal levels of DmdR1, lacked Adm and over‐produced the antibiotics undecylprodigiosin and actinorhodin (in MS medium), suggesting that Adm plays an important role in secondary metabolism. The mutant in which DmdR1 formation was arrested synthesized desferrioxamines in a constitutive (deregulated) manner, and produced relatively normal levels of antibiotics. In conclusion, our results suggest that there is a fine interplay of expression of these antiparallel genes, as observed for other genes that encode lethal proteins such as the toxin/antitoxin systems. The Adm protein seems to have a major effect on the control of secondary metabolism, and its formation is probably tightly controlled, as expected for a key regulator.
Emergency department diagnosis of pulmonary embolism is associated with significantly reduced mortality: A linked data population study
Authors: Jelinek George A , Ingarfield Sharyn L , Mountain David , Gibson Nicholas P , Jacobs Ian G
Published: July 2009

Objectives:  We characterized patients admitted via ED with a principal hospital discharge diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) and compared mortality of those diagnosed in the ED with those diagnosed after admission.

Methods:  Patients with a hospital discharge diagnosis ICD 10 I26 presenting to the ED in Perth, Western Australia between 1 July 2000 and 30 December 2006 had records from the Emergency Department Information System linked to the Western Australian Hospital Morbidity Data System and the death registry.

Results:  Of 2250 patients (mean age 60.4), 1227 (54.5%) were female. Of 1931 patients with an ED diagnosis recorded, 1207 (62.5%) were diagnosed with PE in ED. Of these, 383 (17.0%) had presented to an ED within 28 days previously, 142 (37.1%) with either chest pain or breathing problems, with 207 (54.0%) admitted but not receiving a principal hospital discharge diagnosis of PE. There were 127 (5.6%) in‐hospital deaths. Controlling for age and comorbidity with logistic regression, patients diagnosed with PE in ED were less likely to die in hospital, within 7 and 30 days of ED arrival, than those diagnosed after admission (adjusted OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.20–0.47; adjusted OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.19–0.53; adjusted OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.20–0.44; respectively).

Conclusion:  Making the diagnosis of PE in ED was associated with a substantial survival advantage that persisted after hospital discharge.
Factors influencing consistency of triage using the Australasian Triage Scale: Implications for guideline development
Authors: Gerdtz Marie F , Chu Matthew , Collins Marnie , Considine Julie , Crellin Dianne , Sands Natisha , Stewart Carmel , Pollock Wendy E
Published: July 2009

Objective: To examine the influence of the nurse, the type of patient presentation and the level of hospital service on consistency of triage using the Australasian Triage Scale.

Methods: A secondary analysis of survey data was conducted. The main study was undertaken to measure the reliability of 237 scenarios for inclusion in a national training programme. Nurses were recruited from a quota sample of Australian ED according to peer group. Analysis was performed to determine concordance: the percentage of responses in the modal triage category. Analysis of variance (anova) and Pearson correlations were used to investigate associations between the explanatory variables and concordance.

Results: A total of 42/50 (84%) participants returned questionnaires, providing 9946 scenario responses for analysis. Significant differences in concordance were observed by variables describing the type of patient presentation and level of urgency. Mean scores for the comparison group (adult pain; 70.7%) were higher than the groups involving a mental health or pregnancy presentations (61.4%;P≤ 0.001; 65.0%;P= 0.02). Modal responses at the extreme ends of the scale were higher than in the middle categories (P≤ 0.001). There was a significant main effect on concordance by type of service according to peer group (P= 0.03). Of the nine variables that described nurse characteristics, age was the only factor to influence the outcome (P= 0.05).

Conclusion: We identified significant problems with the consistency of triage for mental health and pregnancy presentations. Further research is needed to improve the guidelines on the implementation of the Australasian Triage Scale for these populations.
Confirmation of endotracheal intubation by combined ultrasonographic methods in the emergency department
Authors: Park Soon Chang , Ryu Ji Ho , Yeom Seok Ran , Jeong Jin Woo , Cho Suck Ju
Published: July 2009

Objectives:  The objective of the present study was to investigate whether the combined use of transcricothyroid membrane ultrasonography and ultrasonographic evaluation for pleural sliding is useful for verifying endotracheal intubation in the ED.

Methods:  We performed a prospective clinical trial in the ED from January to July 2008. All patients enrolled in the present study had been admitted to the ED owing to severe airway problems. A linear probe was placed horizontally over the cricothyroid membrane (dynamic phase) during the intubation process. Endotracheal intubation was confirmed by ultrasonographic lung sliding. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated.

Results:  Thirty patients (17 men, 13 women; mean age 59.6 ± 16.7 [SD] years) were enrolled in the study. Of the 30, 7 had a history of trauma. Four trauma patients were diagnosed with haemopneumothorax. The ratio of initial oesophageal‐to‐endotracheal intubation was 3:27. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for endotracheal intubation were 96.3%, 100%, 100% and 75%, respectively. After verification by ultrasonographic lung sliding, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were each 100%.

Conclusions:  The combination of transcricothyroid membrane ultrasonography and ultrasonographic lung‐sliding evaluation could be useful in confirming endotracheal intubation in the ED.
What is the nature of the emergence phenomenon when using intravenous or intramuscular ketamine for paediatric procedural sedation?
Authors: Treston Greg , Bell Anthony , Cardwell Rob , Fincher Gavin , Chand Dip , Cashion Geoff
Published: July 2009

Objective:  Ketamine has become the drug most favoured by emergency physicians for sedation of children in the ED. Some emergency physicians do not use ketamine for paediatric procedural sedation (PPS) because of concern about emergence delirium on recovery. The present study set out to determine the true incidence and nature of this phenomenon.

Methods:  Prospective data relating to any emergence agitation, crying, hallucinations, dreams, altered perceptions, delirium and necessary interventions were recorded in consecutive cases of ketamine PPS from March 2002 to June 2007, and analysed. Standard inclusion and exclusion criteria for the use of ketamine were followed.

Results:  A total of 745 prospective data collection records were available for analysis over the 5 year period. Of all, 93 (12.5%) children cried on awakening when recovering from PPS, 291 (39%) experienced pleasant altered perceptions and 16 (2.1%) experienced what was called ‘emergence delirium’. None required any active treatment and all except one settled within 20 min. There was no evidence of an increased rate of nightmares on telephone follow up in the weeks post procedure.

Conclusion:  The belief that ketamine, in the doses used for ED PPS, causes frequent emergence delirium is flawed. A pleasant emergence phenomenon is common, but is not distressing for the child, and has no long‐term (up to 30 days) negative sequelae. Rarely, there is anxiety or distress on awakening from ketamine sedation, which settles spontaneously. This should not deter emergency physicians from using ketamine for PPS.
WHO'S ON FIRST: CERCLA COST RECOVERY, CONTRIBUTION, AND PROTECTION
Authors: MCCRORY MARTIN A.
Published: July 2009

I told him it was law logic ‐ an artificial system of reasoning, exclusively used in courts of justice, but good for nothing anywhere else.1
Silicon: its manifold roles in plants
Authors: Epstein E.
Published: July 2009

The title of this essay declares that silicon does have roles in plants and all participants in this conference know that that is so. This knowledge, however, is not shared by the general community of plant biologists, who largely ignore the element. This baffling contrast is based on two sets of experience. First, higher plants can grow to maturity in nutrient solutions formulated without silicon. That has led to the conventional wisdom that silicon is not an essential element, or nutrient, and thus can be disregarded. Second, the world's plants do not grow in the benign environment of solution culture in plant biological research establishments. They grow in the field, under conditions that are often anything but benign. It is there, in the real world with its manifold stressful features, that the silicon status of plants can make a huge difference in their performance. The stresses that silicon alleviates range all the way from biotic, including diseases and pests, to abiotic such as gravity and metal toxicities. Silicon performs its functions in two ways: by the polymerization of silicic acid leading to the formation of solid amorphous, hydrated silica, and by being instrumental in the formation of organic defence compounds through alteration of gene expression. The silicon nutrition of plants is not only scientifically intriguing but also important in a world where more food will have to be wrung from a finite area of land, for that will put crops under stress.
Acute Kidney Injury in Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy: Potential Role of Macroscopic Hematuria and Acute Tubulointerstitial Injury
Authors: Kveder Radoslav , Lindič Jelka , Aleš Andreja , Kovač Damjan , Vizjak Alenka , Ferluga Dušan
Published: July 2009

The aim of our retrospective study was to analyze the clinical course and outcome of patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy who presented with macroscopic hematuria and acute kidney injury (AKI). During the period from 1990 to 2005, seven out of 584 adult patients with IgA nephropathy (1.2%) fulfilled the criteria for macroscopic hematuria‐induced AKI. There was an equal gender distribution among our patients, and a rather high average age at presentation (55.7 ± 10.9 years). Four patients who were oliguric upon admission to hospital needed hemodialysis treatment. The average serum creatinine at the time of kidney biopsy was 429.8 ± 377 µmol/L (median value 378). The percutaneous kidney needle biopsies showed focal proliferative crescentic glomerulonephritis of subclass III, according to the Haas scheme, associated with prominent red blood cell tubular casts and acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. Four patients with the most prominent crescents and tubulointerstitial involvement were treated with methylprednisolone. All patients, treated and untreated, recovered their kidney function (the serum creatinine at a median follow‐up of 15 months was 111.7 ± 38 µmol/L). In conclusion, AKI in IgA nephropathy accompanied by macroscopic hematuria appears to have been a reversible condition in our series of patients. Regarding pathogenesis, the kidney biopsy study points to the important role of glomerular bleeding with consequent, widespread obstructive red blood cell tubular casts accompanied by tubular injury and interstitial nephritis.