bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of the Composite Method to the Spatial Forecast Verification Methods Intercomparison Dataset
Authors: Nachamkin Jason E.
Published: March 2009

The composite method is applied to verify a series of idealized and real precipitation forecasts as part of the Spatial Forecast Verification Methods Intercomparison Project. The test cases range from simple geometric shapes to high-resolution (∼4 km) numerical model precipitation output. The performance of the composite method is described as it is applied to each set of forecasts. In general, the method performed well because it was able to relay information concerning spatial displacement and areal coverage errors. Summary scores derived from the composite means and the individual events displayed relevant information in a condensed form. The composite method also showed an ability to discern performance attributes from high-resolution precipitation forecasts from several competing model configurations, though the results were somewhat limited by the lack of data. Overall, the composite method proved to be most sensitive in revealing systematic displacement errors, while it was less sensitive to systematic model biases.
A genetic screen in zebrafish defines a hierarchical network of pathways required for hematopoietic stem cell emergence
Authors: Burns Caroline E. , Galloway Jenna L. , Smith Alexandra C. H. , Keefe Matthew D. , Cashman Timothy J. , Paik Elizabeth J. , Mayhall Elizabeth A. , Amsterdam Adam H. , Zon Leonard I.
Published: March 2009

Defining the genetic pathways essential for hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) development remains a fundamental goal impacting stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. To genetically dissect HSC emergence in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) region, we screened a collection of insertional zebrafish mutant lines for expression of the HSC marker, c-myb. Nine essential genes were identified, which were subsequently binned into categories representing their proximity to HSC induction. Using overexpression and loss-of-function studies in zebrafish, we ordered these signaling pathways with respect to each other and to the Vegf, Notch, and Runx programs. Overexpression of vegf and notch is sufficient to induce HSCs in the tbx16 mutant, despite a lack of axial vascular organization. Although embryos deficient for artery specification, such as the phospholipase C gamma-1 (plcγ1) mutant, fail to specify HSCs, overexpression of notch or runx1 can rescue their hematopoietic defect. The most proximal HSC mutants, such as hdac1, were found to have no defect in vessel or artery formation. Further analysis demonstrated that hdac1 acts downstream of Notch signaling but upstream or in parallel to runx1 to promote AGM hematopoiesis. Together, our results establish a hierarchy of signaling programs required and sufficient for HSC emergence in the AGM.
Genic non-coding microsatellites in the rice genome: characterization, marker design and use in assessing genetic and evolutionary relationships among domesticated groups
Authors: Parida Swarup Kumar , Dalal Vivek , Singh Ashok Kumar , Singh Nagendra Kumar , Mohapatra Trilochan
Published: March 2009

Background

Completely sequenced plant genomes provide scope for designing a large number of microsatellite markers, which are useful in various aspects of crop breeding and genetic analysis. With the objective of developing genic but non-coding microsatellite (GNMS) markers for the rice (Oryza sativa L.) genome, we characterized the frequency and relative distribution of microsatellite repeat-motifs in 18,935 predicted protein coding genes including 14,308 putative promoter sequences.

Results

We identified 19,555 perfect GNMS repeats with densities ranging from 306.7/Mb in chromosome 1 to 450/Mb in chromosome 12 with an average of 357.5 GNMS per Mb. The average microsatellite density was maximum in the 5' untranslated regions (UTRs) followed by those in introns, promoters, 3'UTRs and minimum in the coding sequences (CDS). Primers were designed for 17,966 (92%) GNMS repeats, including 4,288 (94%) hypervariable class I types, which were bin-mapped on the rice genome. The GNMS markers were most polymorphic in the intronic region (73.3%) followed by markers in the promoter region (53.3%) and least in the CDS (26.6%). The robust polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification efficiency and high polymorphic potential of GNMS markers over genic coding and random genomic microsatellite markers suggest their immediate use in efficient genotyping applications in rice. A set of these markers could assess genetic diversity and establish phylogenetic relationships among domesticated rice cultivar groups. We also demonstrated the usefulness of orthologous and paralogous conserved non-coding microsatellite (CNMS) markers, identified in the putative rice promoter sequences, for comparative physical mapping and understanding of evolutionary and gene regulatory complexities among rice and other members of the grass family. The divergence between long-grained aromatics and subspecies japonica was estimated to be more recent (0.004 Mya) compared to short-grained aromatics from japonica (0.006 Mya) and long-grained aromatics from subspecies indica (0.014 Mya).

Conclusion

Our analyses showed that GNMS markers with their high polymorphic potential would be preferred candidate functional markers in various marker-based applications in rice genetics, genomics and breeding. The CNMS markers provided encouraging implications for their use in comparative genome mapping and understanding of evolutionary complexities in rice and other members of grass family.
New structural analogues of curcumin exhibit potent growth suppressive activity in human colorectal carcinoma cells
Authors: Cen Ling , Hutzen Brian , Ball Sarah , DeAngelis Stephanie , Chen Chun-Liang , Fuchs James R , Li Chenglong , Li Pui-Kai , Lin Jiayuh
Published: March 2009

Background

Colorectal carcinoma is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the Western World. Novel therapeutic approaches are needed for colorectal carcinoma. Curcumin, the active component and yellow pigment of turmeric, has been reported to have several anti-cancer activities including anti-proliferation, anti-invasion, and anti-angiogenesis. Clinical trials have suggested that curcumin may serve as a potential preventive or therapeutic agent for colorectal cancer.

Methods

We compared the inhibitory effects of curcumin and novel structural analogues, GO-Y030, FLLL-11, and FLLL-12, in three independent human colorectal cancer cell lines, SW480, HT-29, and HCT116. MTT cell viability assay was used to examine the cell viability/proliferation and western blots were used to determine the level of PARP cleavages. Half-Maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were calculated using Sigma Plot 9.0 software.

Results

Curcumin inhibited cell viability in all three of the human colorectal cancer cell lines studied with IC50 values ranging between 10.26 μM and 13.31 μM. GO-Y030, FLLL-11, and FLLL-12 were more potent than curcumin in the inhibition of cell viability in these three human colorectal cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging between 0.51 μM and 4.48 μM. In addition, FLLL-11 and FLLL-12 exhibit low toxicity to WI-38 normal human lung fibroblasts with an IC-50 value greater than 1,000 μM. GO-Y030, FLLL-11, and FLLL-12 are also more potent than curcumin in the induction of apoptosis, as evidenced by cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase-3 in all three human colorectal cancer cell lines studied.

Conclusion

The results indicate that the three curcumin analogues studied exhibit more potent inhibitory activity than curcumin in human colorectal cancer cells. Thus, they may have translational potential as chemopreventive or therapeutic agents for colorectal carcinoma.
A systematic review of the literature on the effectiveness of exercise therapy for groin pain in athletes
Authors: Machotka Zuzana , Kumar Saravana , Perraton Luke G
Published: March 2009

Background

Athletes competing in sports that require running, changes in direction, repetitive kicking and physical contact are at a relatively higher risk of experiencing episodes of athletic groin pain. To date, there has been no systematic review that aims to inform clinicians about the best available evidence on features of exercise interventions for groin pain in athletes. The primary aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the available evidence on the effectiveness of exercise therapy for groin pain in athletes. The secondary aim of this review was to identify the key features of exercise interventions used in the management of groin pain in an athletic population.

Methods

MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, SPORTSDiscus, Embase, AMED, Ovid, PEDro, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and Google Scholar databases were electronically searched. Data relating to research design, sample population, type of sport and exercise intervention was extracted. The methodological evaluation of included studies was conducted by using a modified quantitative critical appraisal tool.

Results

The search strategy identified 468 studies, 12 of which were potentially relevant. Ultimately five studies were included in this review. Overall the quality of primary research literature was moderate, with only one randomised controlled trial identified. All included studies provided evidence that an exercise intervention may lead to favourable outcomes in terms of return to sport. Four of the five studies reviewed included a strengthening component and most utilised functional, standing positions similar to those required by their sport. No study appropriately reported the intensity of their exercise interventions. Duration of intervention ranged from 3.8 weeks to 16 weeks. All five studies reported the use of one or more co-intervention.

Conclusion

Best available evidence to date, with its limitations, continues to support common clinical practice of exercise therapy as a key component of rehabilitation for groin pain in athletes. Overall, the available evidence suggests that exercise, particularly strengthening exercise of the hip and abdominal musculature could be an effective intervention for athletes with groin pain. Literature provides foundational evidence that this may need to be in the form of progressive exercises (static to functional) and performed through range. There is currently no clear evidence regarding the most effective intensity and frequency of exercise, because of a lack of reporting in the primary literature.
Anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic effects of piperine in human interleukin 1β-stimulated fibroblast-like synoviocytes and in rat arthritis models
Authors: Bang Jun Soo , Oh Da Hee , Choi Hyun Mi , Sur Bong-Jun , Lim Sung-Jig , Kim Jung Yeon , Yang Hyung-In , Yoo Myung Chul , Hahm Dae-Hyun , Kim Kyoung Soo
Published: March 2009

Introduction

The objective of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory, nociceptive, and antiarthritic effects of piperine, the active phenolic component in black pepper extract.

Methods

The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of piperine was tested on interleukin 1β (IL1β)-stimulated fibroblast-like synoviocytes derived form patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The levels of IL6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs), cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were investigated by ELISA and RT-PCR analysis. The analgesic and antiarthritic activities of piperine were investigated on rat models of carrageenan-induced acute paw pain and arthritis. The former were evaluated with a paw pressure test, and the latter by measuring the squeaking score, paw volume, and weight distribution ratio. Piperine was administrated orally to rats at 20 and 100 mg/kg/day for 8 days.

Results

Piperine inhibited the expression of IL6 and MMP13 and reduced the production of PGE2 in a dose dependant manner at concentrations of 10 to 100 μg/ml. In particular, the production of PGE2 was significantly inhibited even at 10 μg/ml of piperine. Piperine inhibited the migration of activator protein 1 (AP-1), but not nuclear factor (NF)κB, into the nucleus in IL1β-treated synoviocytes. In rats, piperine significantly reduced nociceptive and arthritic symptoms at days 8 and 4, respectively. Histological staining showed that piperine significantly reduced the inflammatory area in the ankle joints.

Conclusions

These results suggest that piperine has anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antiarthritic effects in an arthritis animal model. Thus, piperine should be further studied with regard to use either as a pharmaceutical or as a dietary supplement for the treatment of arthritis.
Increased risk of peripheral arterial disease in polymyalgia rheumatica: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Warrington Kenneth J , Jarpa Elena P , Crowson Cynthia S , Cooper Leslie T , Hunder Gene G , Matteson Eric L , Gabriel Sherine E
Published: March 2009

Introduction

The present study was conducted to determine whether patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) are at an increased risk of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Methods

An inception cohort of all Olmsted County, Minnesota residents diagnosed with PMR between 1 January 1970 and 31 December 1999 was compared with non-PMR subjects (two for each PMR subject) from among residents. Both cohorts were followed longitudinally by complete medical record review from the incidence date of PMR (or index date for the non-PMR cohort) until death, incident PAD, migration, or 31 December 2006. PMR-related disease characteristics, traditional cardiovascular risk factors and diagnosis of PAD were abstracted from the medical record. Cumulative incidence of PAD was estimated using Kaplan–Meier methods. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the risk of PAD in PMR compared with non-PMR.

Results

A total of 353 PMR patients (mean age 73.3 years, 67% women) and 705 non-PMR subjects (mean age 73.2 years, 68% female) were followed for a median of 11.0 years. PAD developed in 38 patients (10-year cumulative incidence, 8.5%) with PMR and in 28 non-PMR subjects (10-year cumulative incidence, 4.1%) (hazard ratio (95% confidence interval), 2.40 (1.47, 3.92)). After adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, patients with PMR still had a significantly higher risk for PAD (hazard ratio, 2.50 (1.53, 4.08)) compared with controls. Giant cell arteritis occurred in 63 (18%) PMR patients but was not predictive of PAD (P = 0.15). There was no difference between mortality in PMR and the non-PMR cohorts nor in PMR patients with and those without PAD (P = 0.16).

Conclusions

Patients with PMR appear to have an increased risk of PAD.
Thromboelastometry for the assessment of coagulation abnormalities in early and established adult sepsis: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Daudel Fritz , Kessler Ulf , Folly Hélène , Lienert Jasmin S , Takala Jukka , Jakob Stephan M
Published: March 2009

Introduction

The inflammatory response to an invading pathogen in sepsis leads to complex alterations in hemostasis by dysregulation of procoagulant and anticoagulant factors. Recent treatment options to correct these abnormalities in patients with sepsis and organ dysfunction have yielded conflicting results. Using thromboelastometry (ROTEM®), we assessed the course of hemostatic alterations in patients with sepsis and related these alterations to the severity of organ dysfunction.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included 30 consecutive critically ill patients with sepsis admitted to a 30-bed multidisciplinary intensive care unit (ICU). Hemostasis was analyzed with routine clotting tests as well as thromboelastometry every 12 hours for the first 48 hours, and at discharge from the ICU. Organ dysfunction was quantified using the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score.

Results

Simplified Acute Physiology Score II and SOFA scores at ICU admission were 52 ± 15 and 9 ± 4, respectively. During the ICU stay the clotting time decreased from 65 ± 8 seconds to 57 ± 5 seconds (P = 0.021) and clot formation time (CFT) from 97 ± 63 seconds to 63 ± 31 seconds (P = 0.017), whereas maximal clot firmness (MCF) increased from 62 ± 11 mm to 67 ± 9 mm (P = 0.035). Classification by SOFA score revealed that CFT was slower (P = 0.017) and MCF weaker (P = 0.005) in patients with more severe organ failure (SOFA ≥ 10, CFT 125 ± 76 seconds, and MCF 57 ± 11 mm) as compared with patients who had lower SOFA scores (SOFA <10, CFT 69 ± 27, and MCF 68 ± 8). Along with increasing coagulation factor activity, the initially increased International Normalized Ratio (INR) and prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) corrected over time.

Conclusions

Key variables of ROTEM® remained within the reference ranges during the phase of critical illness in this cohort of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock without bleeding complications. Improved organ dysfunction upon discharge from the ICU was associated with shortened coagulation time, accelerated clot formation, and increased firmness of the formed blood clot when compared with values on admission. With increased severity of illness, changes of ROTEM® variables were more pronounced.
A multicentre case-control study of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as a risk factor for severe sepsis and septic shock
Authors: Legras Annick , Giraudeau Bruno , Jonville-Bera Annie-Pierre , Camus Christophe , François Bruno , Runge Isabelle , Kouatchet Achille , Veinstein Anne , Tayoro Jérome , Villers Daniel , Autret-Leca Elisabeth
Published: March 2009

Introduction

We aimed to establish whether the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during evolving bacterial community-acquired infection in adults is associated with severe sepsis or septic shock.

Methods

We conducted a multicentre case-control study in eight intensive care units. Cases were all adult patients admitted for severe sepsis or septic shock due to a bacterial community-acquired infection. Control individuals were patients hospitalized with a mild community-acquired infection. Each case was matched to one control for age, presence of diabetes and site of infection.

Results

The main outcome measures were the proportions of cases and controls exposed to NSAIDs or aspirin during the period of observation. In all, 152 matched pairs were analyzed. The use of NSAIDs or aspirin during the observation period did not differ between cases and controls (27% versus 28; odds ratio = 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.52 to 1.64). If aspirin was not considered or if a distinction was made between acute and chronic drug treatment, there remained no difference between groups. However, the median time to prescription of effective antibiotic therapy was longer for NSAID users (6 days, 95% CI = 3 to 7 days) than for nonusers (3 days, 95% CI = 2 to 3 days; P = 0.02).

Conclusions

In this study, the use of NSAIDs or aspirin during evolving bacterial infection was frequent and occurred in one-quarter of the patients with such infection. Although the use of NSAIDs by patients with severe sepsis or septic shock did not differ from their use by those with mild infection at the same infected site, we observed a longer median time to prescription of effective antibiotic therapy in NSAID users.
Gastric tonometry versus cardiac index as resuscitation goals in septic shock: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Palizas Fernando , Dubin Arnaldo , Regueira Tomas , Bruhn Alejandro , Knobel Elias , Lazzeri Silvio , Baredes Natalio , Hernández Glenn
Published: March 2009

Introduction

Resuscitation goals for septic shock remain controversial. Despite the normalization of systemic hemodynamic variables, tissue hypoperfusion can still persist. Indeed, lactate or oxygen venous saturation may be difficult to interpret. Our hypothesis was that a gastric intramucosal pH-guided resuscitation protocol might improve the outcome of septic shock compared with a standard approach aimed at normalizing systemic parameters such as cardiac index (CI).

Methods

The 130 septic-shock patients were randomized to two different resuscitation goals: CI ≥ 3.0 L/min/m2 (CI group: 66 patients) or intramucosal pH (pHi) ≥ 7.32 (pHi group: 64 patients). After correcting basic physiologic parameters, additional resuscitation consisting of more fluids and dobutamine was started if specific goals for each group had not been reached. Several clinical data were registered at baseline and during evolution. Hemodynamic data and pHi values were registered every 6 hours during the protocol. Primary end point was 28 days' mortality.

Results

Both groups were comparable at baseline. The most frequent sources of infection were abdominal sepsis and pneumonia. Twenty-eight day mortality (30.3 vs. 28.1%), peak Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System scores (32.6 ± 6.5 vs. 33.2 ± 4.7) and ICU length of stay (12.6 ± 8.2 vs. 16 ± 12.4 days) were comparable. A higher proportion of patients exhibited values below the specific target at baseline in the pHi group compared with the CI group (50% vs. 10.9%; P < 0.001). Of 32 patients with a pHi < 7.32 at baseline, only 7 (22%) normalized this parameter after resuscitation. Areas under the receiver operator characteristic curves to predict mortality at baseline, and at 24 and 48 hours were 0.55, 0.61, and 0.47, and 0.70, 0.90, and 0.75, for CI and pHi, respectively.

Conclusions

Our study failed to demonstrate any survival benefit of using pHi compared with CI as resuscitation goal in septic-shock patients. Nevertheless, a normalization of pHi within 24 hours of resuscitation is a strong signal of therapeutic success, and in contrast, a persistent low pHi despite treatment is associated with a very bad prognosis in septic-shock patients.
Treated depression in adolescents: predictors of outcome at 28 weeks
Authors: Wilkinson Paul , Dubicka Bernadka , Kelvin Raphael , Roberts Chris , Goodyer Ian
Published: March 2009

Background

There is great heterogeneity of clinical presentation and outcome in paediatric depression.

Aims

To identify which clinical and environmental risk factors at baseline and during treatment predicted major depression at 28-week follow-up in a sample of adolescents with depression.

Method

One hundred and ninety-two British adolescents with unipolar major depression were enrolled in a randomised controlled trial (the Adolescent Depression Antidepressants and Psychotherapy Trial, ADAPT). Participants were treated for 28 weeks with routine psychosocial care and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), with half also receiving cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT). Full clinical and demographic assessment was carried out at baseline and 28 weeks.

Results

Depression at 28 weeks was predicted by the additive effects of severity, obsessive–compulsive disorder and suicidal ideation at entry together with presence of at least one disappointing life event over the follow-up period.

Conclusions

Clinicians should assess for severity, suicidality and comorbid obsessive–compulsive disorder at presentation and should monitor closely for subsequent life events during treatment.
Migraine in recurrent depression: case–control study
Authors: Samaan Zainab , Farmer Anne , Craddock Nick , Jones Lisa , Korszun Ania , Owen Mike , McGuffin Peter
Published: March 2009

Background

An association between depression and headache is well established, but the specificity to migraine is unclear.

Aims

To investigate the specificity of the association of depression and migraine.

Method

People with recurrent depression (n=1259) were compared with psychiatrically healthy controls (n=851) to investigate headache defined according to International Headache Society criteria in each group.

Results

All headache types were more prevalent in the case group than in the controls. However, the strongest association was between depression and migraine with aura (OR=5.6). Among participants with recurrent headaches, migraine with aura (but not other forms of headache) was highly significantly associated with depression.

Conclusions

The data suggest that not only is there a general relationship between headache and depression but also that among people with recurrent headache there is a specific association between depression and migraine with aura. The association is likely to be explained by overlapping aetiological risk factors.
Does therapists' competence matter in delivering psychological therapy?
Authors: Davidson Kate , Scott Jan
Published: March 2009

Therapists differ in their effectiveness in the delivery of psychological therapy. Can trainees who are exposed to similar training in psychological therapy achieve the same standard of competence regardless of professional background? This is a timely question given the planned expansion of psychological therapists to treat common mental disorders in England and Wales and the Scottish initiative to increase access to psychological therapies.
Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise: Socioeconomic Status, Poor Health in Childhood, and Human Capital Development
Authors: Currie Janet
Published: March 2009

There are many possible pathways between parental education, income, and health, and between child health and education, but only some of them have been explored in the literature. This essay focuses on links between parental socioeconomic status (as measured by education, income, occupation, or in some cases area of residence) and child health, and between child health and adult education or income. Specifically, I ask two questions: What is the evidence regarding whether parental socioeconomic status affects child health? And, what is the evidence relating child health to future educational and labor market outcomes? I show that there is now strong evidence of both links, suggesting that health could play a role in the intergenerational transmission of economic status.
Femoral impaction bone grafting with the Exeter stem - the Swedish experience
Authors: Ornstein E. , Linder L. , Ranstam J. , Lewold S. , Eisler T. , Torper M.
Published: March 2009

We identified 1305 femoral impaction bone grafting revisions using the Exeter stem performed between 1989 and 2002 in 30 hospitals throughout Sweden. There were 1188 patients with a mean age of 71 years (29 to 94) followed up for between five and 18 years.

The participating departments reported 70 further revisions in total, of which 57 could also be identified on the Swedish National Arthroplasty Registry.

Kaplan-Meier survivorship for all causes of failure was 94.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) 92 to 96) for women and 94.7% (95% CI, 92 to 96) for men at 15 years. Survivorship at 15 years for aseptic loosening was 99.1% (95% CI 98.4 to 99.5), for infection 98.6% (95% CI 97.6 to 99.2), for subsidence 99.0% (95% CI 98.2 to 99.4) and for fracture 98.7% (95% CI 97.9 to 99.2)

Statistically significant predictors of failure were the year in which revision was conducted (p < 0.001). The number of previous revisions was slightly above the level of signifance (p = 0.056). Age, gender, the length of the stem and previous septic loosening were not predictors of failure (p = 0.213, p = 0.399, p = 0.337, p = 0.687, respectively). The difference in survivorship between high- and low-volume departments was only 3% at ten years.

We conclude that impaction bone grafting with the Exeter stem has an excellent long-term survivorship following revision arthroplasty. The technique of impaction grafting appears to be reliable, can be learned rapidly and produces a predictably low incidence of aseptic loosening.
Central bone grafting for nonunion of fractures of the tibia
Authors: Ryzewicz M. , Morgan S. J. , Linford E. , Thwing J. I. , de Resende G. V. P. , Smith W. R.
Published: March 2009

Nonunion of the tibia associated with bone loss, previous infection, obliteration of the intramedullary canal or located in the distal metaphysis poses a challenge to the surgeon and significant morbidity to patients. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 24 patients who were treated by central bone grafting and compared them to those of 20 who were treated with a traditional posterolateral graft. Central bone grafting entails a lateral approach, anterior to the fibula and interosseous membrane which is used to create a central space filled with cancellous iliac crest autograft. Upon consolidation, a tibiofibular synostosis is formed that is strong enough for weight-bearing. This procedure has advantages over other methods of treatment for selected nonunions.

Of the 24 patients with central bone grafting, 23 went on to radiographic and clinical union without further intervention. All healed within a mean of 20 weeks (10 to 48). No further bone grafts were required, and few complications were encountered. These results were comparable to those of the 20 patients who underwent posterolateral bone grafting who united at a mean of 31.3 weeks (16 to 60) but one of whom required below-knee amputation for intractable sepsis.

Central bone grafting is a safe and effective treatment for difficult nonunions of the tibia.
The influence of pre-operative factors on the length of in-patient stay following primary total hip replacement for osteoarthritis
Authors: Dall G. F. , Ohly N. E. , Ballantyne J. A. , Brenkel I. J.
Published: March 2009

We analysed which pre-operative factors could be used to predict the length of in-patient stay following unilateral primary total hip replacement undertaken for osteoarthritis. Data were collected prospectively from 2302 patients undergoing primary total hip replacement over a nine-year period. The relationships between the various pre-operative factors and length of stay were studied separately using either Student’s t-test or Pearson’s correlation, and then subjected to multiple linear regression analysis.

The mean length of stay was 8.1 days (median 7; 3 to 58). After adjusting for the effects of other pre-operative factors, younger age, male gender, higher combined Harris hip function and activity score, higher general health perception dimension of the Short-Form 36 score, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use were all found to be significantly associated with a reduced length of stay.
The influenza A virus matrix protein as a marker to monitor initial virus internalisation
Authors: Eierhoff Thorsten , Ludwig Stephan , Ehrhardt Christina
Published: March 2009

The uptake of influenza A viruses (IAV) into cells represents an attractive antiviral drug target, e.g., by interfering with essential cellular or viral entry factors. So far, this process could only be studied by time-consuming microscopical methods. Thus, there is a lack of rapid and easy assay systems to monitor viral entry. Here, we describe a rapid procedure to analyse internalisation of IAV via Western blot detection of virion-associated matrix protein (M1), the most abundant protein within the viral particle. The assay is broadly applicable and detects different virus strains of various subtypes. As a proof of principle, treatment of cells with various known or presumed entry inhibitors resulted in reduced M1 levels. Removal of sialic acids, the receptors for IAV, led to a complete loss of the M1 signal, indicating that virus internalisation can be monitored already at the stage of attachment. Prevention of endosomal acidification resulted in a delayed degradation of M1 indicative of IAV particles trapped in endosomes. Thus, early detection of the virus-associated M1 protein is a rapid method to monitor different steps of influenza virus internalisation and has potential for application as a screening method for drugs that interfere with the uptake of IAV.
Tests of a Novel Ceiling Panel for Maintaining Space Relative Humidity by Moisture Transfer from an Aqueous Salt Solution
Authors: Fauchoux Melanie T. , Simonson Carey J. , Torvi David A.
Published: March 2009

Radiant ceiling panels are used to heat and cool occupied spaces as they satisfy comfort conditions better than all-air systems. Radiant panels also consume less energy as fan size and heating and cooling loads are reduced. A disadvantage of radiant ceiling panels is the lack of control of the relative humidity (RH) in the space, which can affect comfort. The goal of this research is to create a new ceiling panel that can transfer both heat and moisture to maintain temperature and RH in a space. The heat and moisture transfer panel (HAMP) is constructed from a porous membrane and uses a salt solution as the transfer media. Tests have been run on the HAMP using different salt solutions and temperatures in order to determine the amount of moisture transferred between the HAMP and the air. Given initially dry air, the HAMP is able to increase the RH of the air up to 15 % RH with water and up to 7.8 % RH with a salt solution. This results in a change in humidity ratio of 2.7 g/kg with water and 1.3 g/kg with a salt solution.
Chapter 3-Musculoskeletal Allograft Tissue Banking and Safety
Authors: Tomford WW , Joyce MJ , Joyce DM
Published: March 2009

ALLOGRAFT MUSCULOSKELETAL TISSUES have been used successfully by orthopedic surgeons in the treatment of their patients over the decades. Allografts fill defects, provide structural support, including replacement of the large skeletal segments, and stimulate bone healing in the case of demineralized bone that has osteoinductive properties. The surgeon must evaluate the patient's orthopedic problem and determine the type of implant that will be most suitable. Will it be used for reconstruction or primarily to stimulate bone healing?
Chapter 5-The Development of Bone Graft Materials Using Various Formulations of Demineralized Bone Matrix
Authors: Tomford WW , Borden M
Published: March 2009

THE DISCOVERY OF THE PROTEINS CAPABLE of inducing bone formation can be traced back to the work by Marshall Urist in the mid-1960s [1]. When Urist discovered that the implantation of various preparations of demineralized bovine bone into rat muscle resulted in the deposition of ectopic bone, he began to investigate the cause of this response. This led to the eventual isolation and characterization of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). Although Urist's early studies are often referred to as the “discovery of BMPs,” they also introduced the scientific community to the osteoconductive capabilities of demineralized bone matrix. Following Urist's initial work, a significant amount of research has shown the ability of demineralized matrix (DBM) to induce bone formation [2-8]. The success of DBM in the laboratory eventually translated into its use as a clinical bone graft material. Particulate DBM saw its first use in patients as a bone void filler in dental and periodontal surgeries [9]. The range of applications soon expanded to include the current areas of orthopedics [10-13] and oral and maxillofacial surgery [14-17].
Chapter 9-Preclinical, Clinical, and Regulatory Issues in Cell-Based Therapies
Authors: Attawia M , Rosier R , Arinzeh TL
Published: March 2009

CELL OR CELL-BASED TISSUE ENGINEERING therapy is a rapidly growing and evolving technology that can include a broad range of products, e.g., processed, selected, or expanded human or other mammalian cells, stem or progenitor cells, genetically engineered cell therapies, alone or in combination with a synthetic or biological biomaterial. The United States Food and Drag Administration (FDA) reviews and regulates these products to assure safety and effectiveness. Beginning in the 1990s, the FDA has set forth a considerable amount of resources to improve the review and regulation of these products to ensure the protection of the public health while permitting significant innovation and keeping regulatory burden to a minimum. Currently, the FDA has approved some cell-based tissue engineered products for use, whereas others are still in preclinical development or undergoing regulatory evaluation.
Chapter 16-Clinical Issues in the Development of Bone Graft Substitutes in Orthopedic Trauma Care
Authors: Agrawal M , Katti DS , Bucholz RW
Published: March 2009

MORE THAN 500,000 SURGICAL PROCEDURES using bone grafts or bone graft substitutes are performed annually in the United States. Fractures and traumatic bone defects constitute a large proportion of these procedures, second only to spinal arthrodeses. This expanding market for grafts has stimulated the development over the last 20 years of a host of different bone graft substitutes composed of calcium phosphate or calcium sulfate biomaterials. No fewer than 30 bone graft substitutes and allograft products are currently in various stages of clinical development. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the critical clinical issues in the development of bone graft substitutes in orthopedic trauma care.
Prevention of Rotavirus Disease: Updated Guidelines for Use of Rotavirus Vaccine
Authors:   Committee on Infectious Diseases
Published: March 2009

This Policy Statement was retired June 2012.

This statement updates and replaces the 2007 American Academy of Pediatrics statement for prevention of rotavirus gastroenteritis. In February 2006, a live oral human-bovine reassortant rotavirus vaccine (RV5 [RotaTeq]) was licensed as a 3-dose series for use in infants in the United States. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended routine use of RV5 in infants in the United States. In April 2008, a live, oral, human attenuated rotavirus vaccine (RV1 [Rotarix]) was licensed as a 2-dose series for use in infants in the United States. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends routine immunization of infants in the United States with rotavirus vaccine. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not express a preference for either RV5 or RV1. RV5 is to be administered orally in a 3-dose series with doses administered at 2, 4, and 6 months of age; RV1 is to be administered orally in a 2-dose series with doses administered at 2 and 4 months of age. The first dose of rotavirus vaccine should be administered from 6 weeks through 14 weeks, 6 days of age. The minimum interval between doses of rotavirus vaccine is 4 weeks. All doses should be administered by 8 months, 0 days of age. Recommendations in this statement also address the maximum ages for doses, contraindications, precautions, and special situations for administration of rotavirus vaccine.
Effects of parental age and food availability on the reproductive success of Heermann's Gulls in the Gulf of California
Authors: Vieyra Leticia , Velarde Enriqueta , Ezcurra Exequiel
Published: March 2009

Parental age, body condition, and food availability have been found to influence breeding parameters in seabirds, such as clutch size, number of chicks hatched and fledged, hatching, fledging, and reproductive success. In this paper we analyze the influence of parental age and body condition estimated by body mass, and food availability estimated from catch per unit effort (CPUE) statistics for Pacific sardine (Sardinops caeruleus) + northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) by the local fishing fleet, on the breeding parameters of the Heermann's Gull (Larus heermanni; a vulnerable species according to Mexican federal law) nesting in Isla Rasa, Gulf of California, Mexico. Results are based on data from 1123 recaptures of known‐age individuals, ranging from 4 to 13 years of age, during seven observation years between 1989 and 1997. Ages of mated male and female gulls were positively correlated. Breeding parameters showed their lowest values in 1992, an El Niño year in which the birds also showed significantly lower individual masses for both males and females, and in which the local CPUE of sardine + anchovies was lowest. All breeding parameters increased significantly with parental age and were highest at 10–12 years. No significant statistical interactions were found between food availability and parental age on the breeding parameters. Through a path analysis we found that there is a strong chained relationship between variables: food availability, which is strongly driven by oceanographic conditions, affects both the survival of eggs into hatchlings and the survival of hatchlings into fledglings. This external factor and parental age, a biological factor intrinsic to each nesting couple, explain 41% of the observed between‐nest variation in fledgling success.
Sufficient sampling for asymptotic minimum species richness estimators
Authors: Chao Anne , Colwell Robert K. , Lin Chih-Wei , Gotelli Nicholas J.
Published: March 2009

Biodiversity sampling is labor intensive, and a substantial fraction of a biota is often represented by species of very low abundance, which typically remain undetected by biodiversity surveys. Statistical methods are widely used to estimate the asymptotic number of species present, including species not yet detected. Additional sampling is required to detect and identify these species, but richness estimators do not indicate how much sampling effort (additional individuals or samples) would be necessary to reach the asymptote of the species accumulation curve. Here we develop the first statistically rigorous nonparametric method for estimating the minimum number of additional individuals, samples, or sampling area required to detect any arbitrary proportion (including 100%) of the estimated asymptotic species richness. The method uses the Chao1 and Chao2 nonparametric estimators of asymptotic richness, which are based on the frequencies of rare species in the original sampling data. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, we randomly subsampled individuals or quadrats from two large biodiversity inventories (light trap captures of Lepidoptera in Great Britain and censuses of woody plants on Barro Colorado Island [BCI], Panama). The simulation results suggest that the method performs well but is slightly conservative for small sample sizes. Analyses of the BCI results suggest that the method is robust to nonindependence arising from small‐scale spatial aggregation of species occurrences. When the method was applied to seven published biodiversity data sets, the additional sampling effort necessary to capture all the estimated species ranged from 1.05 to 10.67 times the original sample (median ≈ 2.23). Substantially less effort is needed to detect 90% of the species (0.33–1.10 times the original effort; median ≈ 0.80). An Excel spreadsheet tool is provided for calculating necessary sampling effort for either abundance data or replicated incidence data.
Contribution of sunflecks is minimal in expanding shrub thickets compared to temperate forest
Authors: Brantley Steven T. , Young Donald R.
Published: March 2009

Ecological consequences of shrub encroachment are emerging as a key issue in the study of global change. In mesic grasslands, shrub encroachment can result in a fivefold increase in ecosystem leaf area index (LAI) and a concurrent reduction in understory light and herbaceous diversity. LAI and light attenuation are often higher for shrub thickets than for forest communities in the same region, yet little is known about the contribution of sunflecks in shrub‐dominated systems. Our objective was to compare fine‐scale spatial and temporal dynamics of understory light in shrub thickets to the light environment in typical forest communities. We used an array of quantum sensors to examine variation in diffuse and direct light and determined the relative contribution of sunflecks during midday inMorella ceriferashrub thickets, a 30‐yr‐old abandonedPinus taedaplantation, and a mature, second‐growth, deciduous forest. Instantaneous photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was measured at 1‐s intervals at five sites in each community during midday. In summer, understory light during midday in shrub thickets was ∼0.8% of above‐canopy light, compared to 1.9% and 5.4% in pine and deciduous forests, respectively. During summer, PPFD was uncorrelated between sensors as close as 0.075 m in shrub thickets compared to 0.175 m and 0.900 m in pine and deciduous forests, respectively, indicating that sunflecks in shrub thickets were generally small compared to sunflecks in the two forests. Sunflecks in shrub thickets were generally short (all <30 s) and relatively low in intensity (<150 μmol photons·m−2·s−1) and contributed only 5% of understory light during midday. Sunflecks were longer (up to 6 minutes) and more intense (up to 350 μmol photons·m−2·s−1) in the two forest communities and contributed 31% and 22% of understory light during midday in pine and deciduous forest, respectively. The combination of high LAI and relatively short‐stature ofM. ceriferashrub thickets produces a dense canopy that reduces both diffuse light and the occurrence of sunflecks. The lack of sunflecks may limit the number of microsites with a favorable light environment and contribute to the reduction in understory cover and diversity within the shrub thickets.
Linking invasions and biogeography: Isolation differentially affects exotic and native plant diversity
Authors: Long Jeremy D. , Trussell Geoffrey C. , Elliman Ted
Published: March 2009

The role of native species diversity in providing biotic resistance to invasion remains controversial, with evidence supporting both negative and positive relationships that are often scale dependent. Across larger spatial scales, positive relationships suggest that exotic and native species respond similarly to factors other than diversity. In the case of island habitats, such factors may include island size and isolation from the mainland. However, previous island studies exploring this issue examined only a few islands or islands separated by extreme distances. In this study, we surveyed exotic and native plant diversity on 25 islands separated by <15 km in Boston Harbor. Exotic and native species richness were positively correlated. Consistent with island biogeography theory, species richness of both groups was positively related to area and negatively related to isolation. However, the isolation effect was significantly stronger for native species. This differential effect of isolation on native species translated into exotic species representing a higher proportion of all plant species on more distant islands. The community similarity of inner harbor islands vs. outer harbor islands was greater for exotic species, indicating that isolation had a weaker influence on individual exotic species. These results contrast with recent work focusing on similarities between exotic and native species and highlight the importance of studies that use an island biogeographic approach to better understand those factors influencing the ecology of invasive species.
Prevalence of Perceived Experiences of Emotional, Physical, Sexual, and Health Care Abuse in a Swedish Male Patient Sample
Authors: Swahnberg Katarina , Hearn Jeff , Wijma Barbro
Published: March 2009

The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of and current suffering from emotional abuse (EA), physical abuse (PA), and sexual abuse (SA) and abuse in health care (AHC) among male Swedish patients and compare prevalences of abuse between female and male patients at a Swedish university hospital. For data collection we used the NorVold Abuse Questionnaire, which has been validated in a female sample and in the present study. The lifetime prevalences were EA = 12.8%, PA = 45.7%, SA = 3.8%, and AHC = 8.1%. Current suffering from abuse among participants was 1% to 9%. The women reported higher rates than men of current suffering from all kinds of abuse and more severe forms of abuse, such as life-threatening PA. Health care staff should be aware of the documented high prevalences of abuse and learn to make good judgments as to when to ask male as well as female patients about experiences of abuse.