bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of microbiological quality of drinking water from household tanks in Bermuda
Authors: Lévesque B. , Pereg D. , Watkinson E. , Maguire J.S. , Bissonnette L. , Gingras S. , Rouja P. , Bergeron M.G. , Dewailly É.
Published: June 2008

Bermuda residents collect rainwater from rooftops to fulfil their freshwater needs. The objective of this study was to assess the microbiological quality of drinking water in household tanks throughout Bermuda. The tanks surveyed were selected randomly from the electoral register. Governmental officers visited the selected household (n = 102) to collect water samples and administer a short questionnaire about the tank characteristics, the residents’ habits in terms of water use, and general information on the water collecting system and its maintenance. At the same time, water samples were collected for analysis and total coliforms and Escherichia coli were determined by 2 methods (membrane filtration and culture on chromogenic media, Colilert kit). Results from the 2 methods were highly correlated and showed that approximately 90% of the samples analysed were contaminated with total coliforms in concentrations exceeding 10 CFU/100 mL, and approximately 66% of samples showed contamination with E. coli. Tank cleaning in the year prior to sampling seems to protect against water contamination. If rainwater collection from roofs is the most efficient mean for providing freshwater to Bermudians, it must not be considered a source of high quality drinking water because of the high levels of microbial contamination.
SEROTYPE REPLACEMENT OF VERTICALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES THROUGH PERFECT VACCINATION
Authors: THOMASEY DOUGLAS H. , MARTCHEVA MAIA
Published: June 2008

Strain replacement occurs when after a vaccination campaign one (or more) strains decline in prevalence while another strain (or strains) rise in prevalence. Differential effectiveness of the vaccine is the widely accepted and the most important mechanism which leads to this replacement effect. Recent theoretical studies have suggested that strain replacement may occur even if the vaccine is perfect, that is, the vaccine is completely effective with respect to all strains present. It has already been shown that perfect vaccination, along with a trade-off mechanism, such as co-infection or super-infection, lead to strain replacement. In this paper, we examine the hypothesis that strain replacement with perfect vaccination occurs only with trade-off mechanisms which allow a strain with a lower reproduction number to eliminate a strain with a higher reproduction number in the absence of vaccination. We test this hypothesis on a two-strain model with vertical transmission. We first show that vertical transmission as a trade-off mechanism can lead to dominance of a strain with suboptimal reproduction number. Based on the hypothesis we expect, and we show, that strain replacement occurs with vertical transmission.
QSAR MODEL OF THE QUORUM-QUENCHING N-ACYL-HOMOSERINE LACTONE LACTONASE ACTIVITY
Authors: NANTASENAMAT CHANIN , PIACHAM THEERAPHON , TANTIMONGCOLWAT TANAWUT , NAENNA THANAKORN , ISARANKURA-NA-AYUDHYA CHARTCHALERM , PRACHAYASITTIKUL VIRAPONG
Published: June 2008

A quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) study was performed to model the lactonolysis activity of N-acyl-homoserine lactone lactonase. A data set comprising of 20 homoserine lactones and related compounds was taken from the work of Wang et al. Quantum chemical descriptors were calculated using the semiempirical AM1 method. Partial least squares regression was utilized to construct a predictive model. This computational approach reliably reproduced the lactonolysis activity with high accuracy as illustrated by the correlation coefficient in excess of 0.9. It is demonstrated that the combined use of quantum chemical descriptors with partial least squares regression are suitable for modeling the AHL lactonolysis activity.
IGF UPTAKE WITH COMPETITIVE BINDING IN ARTICULAR CARTILAGE
Authors: ZHANG LIHAI , GARDINER BRUCE S. , SMITH DAVID W. , PIVONKA PETER , GRODZINSKY ALAN J.
Published: June 2008

Experiments on the transport of radiolabeled Insulin-like Growth Factors (IGF-I and -II) into bovine articular cartilage show differential uptake depending on the relative proportion of IGF-I and -II. In this study, we present a mathematical model describing both the transport and competition of IGF-I and -II for binding sites represented by two functional groupings of IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs). The first grouping has approximately similar binding affinity to both IGF-I and -II (i.e. IGFBPs 1–5), whereas the second group has significantly higher binding preference for IGF-II compared to IGF-I (i.e. IGFBP-6). Using nonlinear least squares, it is shown that the experimental equilibrium competitive binding results can be described using a reversible Langmuir sorption isotherm involving two dominant IGFBP functional groups.

After coupling the sorption model with a poromechanical continuum model, parametric studies are carried out to investigate the effect of model changes including IGF boundary conditions and the ratios of the two IGFBP functional groups. The results show that ignoring competitive binding leads to a significant overestimation of total IGF-I uptake, but an underestimation the rate of "free" (physiologically active) IGF-I within the cartilage. An increase of first group of IGFBPs (i.e. IGFBPs 1–5) as has been reported for osteoarthritis, is observed to hinder the bioavailability of free IGF-I in cartilage, even though the total IGF-I uptake is enhanced. Furthermore, the combination of dynamic compression and competitive binding is seen to enhance the IGF-I uptake within cartilage, but this enhancement is overestimated if competitive binding is neglected.
ALGORITHM FOR EXTERNAL ARGUMENTS CALCULATION OF THE NODES OF A SHRUB IN THE MANDELBROT SET
Authors: PASTOR G. , ROMERA M. , ALVAREZ G. , ARROYO D. , ORUE A. B. , FERNANDEZ V. , MONTOYA F.
Published: June 2008

Misiurewicz points are essential points of the Mandelbrot set. External arguments are the most useful tool in order to analyze these points; therefore, it is important to go deeper in the study of the external arguments' calculation of these points. In this paper we introduce an algorithm to calculate the external arguments of the branch points, or nodes, of a shrub, since such nodes are the most outstanding Misiurewicz points of the chaotic region of the Mandelbrot set. Devaney and Moreno-Rocha had already presented a paper where they calculated the external arguments of one of these Misiurewicz points, the main node of a shrub. Our algorithm widens the study of Devaney and Moreno-Rocha because it allows one to calculate the external arguments of any node of the shrub.
A sedimentological and cyclostratigraphic evaluation of the completeness of the Mississippian–Pennsylvanian (Mid-Carboniferous) Global Stratotype Section and Point, Arrow Canyon, Nevada, USA
Authors: BARNETT A.J. , WRIGHT V.P.
Published: June 2008

The Mississippian–Pennsylvanian Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) are hosted within a shallow-water, dominantly carbonate succession in the lower part of the Bird Spring Formation at Arrow Canyon, Nevada, USA. The boundary is marked by the first appearance datum (FAD) of the conodont
Declinognathodus noduliferus sensu lato
. It is shown that the boundary interval is punctuated by numerous subaerial hiatuses represented by palaeokarstic surfaces and palaeosols, which divide strata at this location into fourth-order glacio-eustatic cycles. A well-developed palaeosol horizon occurs <1 m above the FAD of
D. noduliferus
. It also coincides with a very marked facies change and a second-order shift in cycle-stacking patterns. These characteristics violate International Commission on Stratigraphy guidelines, which state that GSSPs should be chosen in sections showing continuous sedimentation and lacking vertical facies changes at or near the boundary. Because the Mid-Carboniferous is an icehouse interval, cyclostratigraphy is a powerful tool for high-resolution correlation. A comparison of the cyclostratigraphy of Mid-Carboniferous strata at Arrow Canyon and in northern England indicates that a large number of glacio-eustatic sea-level oscillations are not recorded at Arrow Canyon and that this section contains over 25 missed beats of Milankovitch band duration equating to a hiatus of ≥1 Ma.
An Eocene age for the proposed Silverpit Impact Crater
Authors: WALL MOSTYN L.T. , CARTWRIGHT JOE , DAVIES RICHARD J.
Published: June 2008

Three-dimensional seismic analysis is used to describe the detailed morphology of the Silverpit crater, a proposed marine impact crater located in the southern North Sea, UK. We examine and constrain for the first time the geometry, extent and age of the post-crater sediment units that define the crater fill. A circular bowl-shaped depression has been mapped and interpreted to represent the upper limit of impact deformation and the geometry of the crater at the end of cratering processes. Reflections exhibit a parallel onlap fill onto the bowl-shaped crater floor, indicating that accommodation space was created instantaneously without any contemporaneous sedimentation. Using regional lithostratigraphic markers constrained by microfossil and calcareous nannofossil analysis, we have dated the first onlapping sediments onto the crater. The age of the onlapping sediments allows us to constrain the crater formation to be Middle Eocene in age. This date is
c
. 10–15 Ma younger than the previous ascribed age for the crater formation and rules out the Silverpit crater as a K–T boundary impact. The age of crater formation considerably predates regional folding and accompanying salt flowage, effectively ruling out a salt withdrawal origin for the Silverpit crater.
Essential role of satellite cells in the growth of rat soleus muscle fibers
Authors: Kawano Fuminori , Takeno Yoshiaki , Nakai Naoya , Higo Yoko , Terada Masahiro , Ohira Takashi , Nonaka Ikuya , Ohira Yoshinobu
Published: June 2008

Effects of gravitational loading or unloading on the growth-associated increase in the cross-sectional area and length of fibers, as well as the total fiber number, in soleus muscle were studied in rats. Furthermore, the roles of satellite cells and myonuclei in growth of these properties were also investigated. The hindlimb unloading by tail suspension was performed in newborn rats from postnatal day 4 to month 3 with or without 3-mo reloading. The morphological properties were measured in whole muscle and/or single fibers sampled from tendon to tendon. Growth-associated increases of soleus weight and fiber cross-sectional area in the unloaded group were ∼68% and 69% less than the age-matched controls. However, the increases of number and length of fibers were not influenced by unloading. Growth-related increases of the number of quiescent satellite cells and myonuclei were inhibited by unloading. And the growth-related decrease of mitotically active satellite cells, seen even in controls (20%, P > 0.05), was also stimulated (80%). The increase of myonuclei during 3-mo unloading was only 40 times vs. 92 times in controls. Inhibited increase of myonuclear number was not related to apoptosis. The size of myonuclear domain in the unloaded group was less and that of single nuclei, which was decreased by growth, was larger than controls. However, all of these parameters, inhibited by unloading, were increased toward the control levels generally by reloading. It is suggested that the satellite cell-related stimulation in response to gravitational loading plays an essential role in the cross-sectional growth of soleus muscle fibers.
TRPM8 activation suppresses cellular viability in human melanoma
Authors: Yamamura Hisao , Ugawa Shinya , Ueda Takashi , Morita Akimichi , Shimada Shoichi
Published: June 2008

The transient receptor potential melastatin subfamily (TRPM), which is a mammalian homologue of cell death-regulated genes in Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila, has potential roles in the process of the cell cycle and regulation of Ca2+ signaling. Among this subfamily, TRPM8 (also known as Trp-p8) is a Ca2+-permeable channel that was originally identified as a prostate-specific gene upregulated in tumors. Here we showed that the TRPM8 channel was expressed in human melanoma G-361 cells, and activation of the channel produced sustainable Ca2+ influx. The application of menthol, an agonist for TRPM8 channel, elevated cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC50 value of 286 μM in melanoma cells. Menthol-induced responses were significantly abolished by the removal of external Ca2+. Moreover, inward currents at a holding potential of −60 mV in melanoma cells were markedly potentiated by the addition of 300 μM menthol. The most striking finding was that the viability of melanoma cells was dose-dependently depressed in the presence of menthol. These results reveal that a functional TRPM8 protein is expressed in human melanoma cells to involve the mechanism underlying tumor progression via the Ca2+ handling pathway, providing us with a novel target of drug development for malignant melanoma.
Performance of Single and Double Shaft Disk Separators
Authors: Taamneh Yazan , Ripperger Siegfried
Published: June 2008

Rotating disks separators, mounted on single and double hollow shafts, are investigated experimentally. The shaft and disks were enclosed in stainless steel housing. Many parameters were measured to study their influence on the performance of single and double shaft disk filters at various rotation speeds. These parameters are pressure inside the housing, permeate flux, and electrical power consumption. The average velocity coefficient k˜ for single and double shaft disk separators was estimated and was found to be a good criterion of module performance as well. The comparison of measured and calculated filtration flow rate at various rotation speeds was in a good agreement. The estimated average shear stress is found to be about twice in double shaft filter disk. The feasibility of double shaft disk separator in treating filtration without filter cake is highly appreciated.
Evidence-Based Neonatal Drug Therapy for Prevention of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants
Authors: Schmidt Barbara , Roberts Robin , Millar David , Kirpalani Haresh
Published: June 2008

Corticosteroids, intramuscular vitamin A and caffeine reduce the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very-low-birth-weight infants. We compared the size of the beneficial drug effects on BPD and evaluated long-term drug safety by estimating the number needed to treat (NNT) and the number needed to harm (NNH) for the outcome of cerebral palsy (CP). When given prophylactically during the first 4 days of life, corticosteroids increase the risk of CP (NNH 22; 95% CI: 12–133). When prescribed between days 7 and 14, corticosteroids reduce the 28-day mortality rate in addition to reducing BPD. Their effect on CP remains uncertain: the limited data available are consistent with a best-case scenario (NNT 15) and a worst-case scenario (NNH 14). Although repeated intramuscular injections of vitamin A during the 1st month of life reduce BPD (NNT 12; 95% CI: 6–94), estimates for CP range from an NNT of 11 to an NNH of 33. Early use of caffeine reduces both BPD and CP. The NNT for BPD is 10 (95% CI: 7–16), while the NNT for CP is 34 (95% CI: 20–132). We conclude that caffeine is the drug of choice for the prevention of BPD in very-low-birth-weight infants. Corticosteroids should be avoided during the first few days of life. However, when given during the 2nd week of life to infants at high risk of BPD corticosteroids may have important short- and long-term benefits. These should be urgently confirmed or refuted in well-designed controlled trials.
Optimal Ventilatory Strategies and Surfactant to Protect the Preterm Lungs
Authors: Ramanathan Rangasamy
Published: June 2008

Invasive ventilation via the endotracheal tube is one of the most common therapeutic interventions performed in preterm infants with respiratory failure. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) occurs in about 50% of preterm infants born at less than 30 weeks of gestational age. Mechanical ventilation using conventional or high-frequency ventilation and surfactant therapy have become the standard of care in management of preterm infants with RDS. However, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains as a major morbidity with adverse pulmonary and nonpulmonary outcomes in preterm infants despite these interventions. Ventilator-associated lung injury appears to be related to the duration of invasive ventilation via the endotracheal tube rather than the mode of ventilation. Randomized controlled trials comparing conventional mechanical ventilation and high-frequency ventilation, using ‘optimal ventilatory strategies’, have shown no significant difference in rates of BPD. Use of noninvasive ventilation, such as nasal continuous positive airway pressure and nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation has shown a significant decrease in postextubation failure as well as reduced incidence of BPD. Optimal ventilatory strategy in preterm infants with RDS may begin in the delivery room with application of sustained inflation to establish functional residual capacity, followed by surfactant therapy and rapid extubation to noninvasive ventilation to decrease the incidence of BPD and improve overall outcome.
The Neurology of Psychosis
Authors: Oyebode Femi
Published: June 2008

The neural basis of psychosis is yet to be fully elucidated. In this review the contribution of schizophrenia-like psychosis of epilepsy, delusional misidentification syndromes and psychotic phenomena, such as auditory and visual hallucinations, to our understanding of the neural basis of psychosis is examined. Schizophrenia-like psychosis of epilepsy is associated with seizures originating from the limbic structures. Reduced seizure frequency, left-sided electrical foci, and neurodevelopmental lesions manifesting as cortical dysgenesis are known to influence the likelihood of developing schizophrenia-like psychosis of epilepsy. The delusional misidentification syndromes are a group of rare psychiatric symptoms in which impairments of face recognition memory are present. These conditions appear also to be associated with organic lesions affecting limbic structures and also involving both the frontal and parietal lobes. There is evidence that right-sided lesions predominate in the aetiology of delusional misidentification syndromes. Thus, the common link between schizophrenia, schizophrenia-like psychosis of epilepsy and delusional misidentification syndromes appears to be involvement of limbic structures in their pathophysiology. Discrete psychotic phenomena such as visual and auditory hallucinations appear to arise from functional changes in the same cortical areas subserving the normal physiological functions of vision and audition but also involving limbic structures. In conclusion, the limbic structures appear to be central to the psychopathology of psychosis but with involvement of frontal and parietal structures. These inquiries are revealing as much about psychosis as they are about the nature of normal brain function.
Molecular Typing of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureusIsolated in a Bahrain Hospital
Authors: Udo Edet E. , Panigrahi D. , Jamsheer A.E.
Published: June 2008

Objective: To investigate antibacterial resistance patterns and genetic relatedness of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) obtained at the Salmaniya Medical Complex in Bahrain. Methods: A total of 53 consecutive MRSA isolates obtained from 53 patients were studied using antibacterial resistance patterns, coagulase gene polymorphism, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Results: There was a high prevalence of resistance to fusidic acid (92.5%), ciprofloxacin (92.5%), erythromycin (90.6%), tetracycline (88.7%), trimethoprim (88.7%), streptomycin (88.7%), kanamycin (83.0%) and gentamicin (73.6%). Coagulase gene typing divided the isolates into five coagulase types comprising coagulase type 36 (86.7%), type 20 (3.8%), type 16 (3.8%), type 38 (1.9%) and type 384 (3.8%). They belonged to SCCmec type III (86.7%) and SCCmec type IV (13.3%). PFGE identified five pulsotypes (types A–E) with PFGE type A and its subtypes comprising 83% of the isolates. PFGE type A isolates were multiresistant and had the SCCmec type III and coagulase type 36 genotype. The SCCmec type IV isolates were nonmultiresistant with different genetic backgrounds. Conclusions: The study identified two types of MRSA in the hospital during the study period. One type consisted of a persistent multiresistant PFGE clone with the SCCmec type III and coagulase type 36 genotypes. The second type consisted of nonmultiresistant isolates that belonged to different genetic backgrounds and were isolated less frequently.
Rare Hemoglobin Variant Hb Yaizu Observed in Turkey
Authors: Atalay Erol Ömer , Atalay Ayfer , Koyuncu Hasan , Öztürk Onur , Köseler Aylin , Özkan Anzel , Demirtepe Sanem
Published: June 2008

Objective: To determine the characteristic features of the rare hemoglobin (Hb) variant Hb Yaizu to enable laboratory diagnosis of the hemoglobin variants during screening programs. Materials and Methods: Genomic DNA was obtained from the 4 members of a family living in Denizli province, an Aegean region of Turkey. Blood cell counts, hemoglobin composition, hemoglobin electrophoresis (both alkaline and acid), HPLC analysis, DNA sequencing and beta globin gene cluster haplotypes were done. Results: Hb Yaizu carriers were apparently healthy individuals. Hb Yaizu was slightly faster than Hb S at alkaline pH, but slower than Hb S at acidic pH in hemoglobin electrophoresis. An abnormal hemoglobin peak was observed with a retention time of 4.77 min in HPLC analysis attributed to Hb Yaizu. Two members of the family were heterozygous Hb Yaizu [beta 79(EF3) Asp>Asn] confirmed by DNA sequencing. The mutation was found to be linked with the Mediterranean haplotype I [+––––++]. Conclusion: We have presented the details of Hb Yaizu, a rare hemoglobin variant that may be important to hemoglobinopathy screening programs, although its clinical significance is unclear.
Prevalence of Goiter among Children Aged 11–16 Years in Ahwaz, Iran
Authors: Monajemzadeh Seyed Mehdi , Moghadam Ali Zamani
Published: June 2008

Objective: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Ahwaz, Iran to find out the prevalence of goiter among schoolchildren ages 11–16 years. Subjects andMethods: Multistage sampling methodology was followed for selecting the study population. A total of 1,950 children (1,050 males, 900 females) were clinically assessed for thyroid gland enlargement. Data were collected on age, sex, weight, height, iodized salt consumption, family history of goiter, and thyroid size by palpation. Results: One hundred forty-six of the 1,950 children showed various grades of goiter, giving a prevalence of overall goiter of 7.48%. Of the 146 persons with goiter, 46 (31.5%) were male and 100 (68.5%) were female. Prevalence of goiter among male and female students was 4.4 and 11.1%, respectively. Prevalence of grade 1, 2, and 3 goiters was 56.8% (83 cases), 37.7% (55 cases), and 5.5% (8 cases), respectively. A significant difference existed between height of students with grade 1 goiter and those with grade 2 and 3 goiter (p < 0.001). A significant difference also was found between weight of students with grade 1 goiter and students with grade 2 goiters (p < 0.002). Conclusion: These results indicate that Ahwaz City is not an endemic area for iodine deficiency, probably because of its geographic location (the low altitude of sea level) or nutritional habits of its population (consumption of fish and iodized salt).
Serum Micronutrient and Micromineral Concentrations and Ratios in Healthy Omani Subjects
Authors: Abiaka Clifford , Al-Tobi Mohammed , Joshi Ravi
Published: June 2008

Objective: This study aimed to establish reference ranges of serum concentrations of copper, zinc, retinol, α-tocopherol, copper:caeruloplasmin and copper:zinc ratios in a group of healthy Omani men and women. Materials and Methods: Assay techniques employed were atomic absorption spectrophotometry (copper and zinc), reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography with isocratic elution (retinol and α-tocopherol), immunonephelometry (caeruloplasmin) and spectrophotometry (albumin and cholesterol). Results: The mean ± SD (µM) obtained for copper, zinc, retinol, and α-tocopherol were 15.9 ± 3.0, 14.2 ± 2.0, 1.45 ± 0.39 and 16.9 ± 4.4, respectively. The mean ± SD for copper:zinc and copper:caeruloplasmin ratios were 1.15 ± 0.30 µmol/mmol and 6.99 ± 0.84 µmol/g, respectively. Significantly higher (p < 0.0001) copper and caeruloplasmin concentrations, copper:zinc and copper:caeruloplasmin ratios and lower zinc, retinol, α-tocopherol, cholesterol concentrations and α-tocopherol:cholesterol ratio were present in women compared to men. Age appeared to be associated with copper and retinol concentrations, and copper:caeruloplasmin ratios in women; in men, the association was mostly moderate with caeruloplasmin, α-tocopherol, cholesterol concentrations and α-tocopherol:cholesterol ratios. Smokers had decreased albumin (p = 0.002), zinc (p = 0.023) concentrations, and copper:caeruloplasmin ratios (p = 0.002), increased α-tocopherol concentrations (p = 0.016) and α-tocopherol:cholesterol ratios (p = 0.021) compared with non-smokers. Deficiency incidence was ≤5% for all investigated parameters. Conclusions: Reference ranges of micronutrient concentrations and micromineral ratios were established for Omani subjects. The mean values of several micronutrients were lower than those reported for other populations and some showed gender effects.
Ossifying Fibromyxoid Tumor of Soft Parts
Authors: Al-Brahim Nabeel , Dashti Mustafa A.
Published: June 2008

Objective: To report a rare case of ossifying fibromyxoid tumor of soft tissue in Kuwait. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 60-year-old woman presented with a painless tumor, increasing in size and located in the left buttock, which had been present for an uncertain duration. The patient underwent an excisional biopsy. Pathological examination revealed a 7.5-cm well-circumscribed mass with a lobulated cut surface. Histologically, the tumor was encapsulated by an incomplete shell of lamellar bone. The tumor had variable cellularity, and, in areas, contained myxoid stroma. The tumor cells had eosinophilic cytoplasm with vesicular round-to-oval nuclei. Sparse mitoses were noted. Immunohistochemical stains demonstrated that the tumor cells expressed vimentin, S100 and neuron-specific enolase, with the latter expressed focally. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of ossifying fibromyxoid tumor of soft parts to be reported in Kuwait. Therefore, pathologists and clinicians should be aware of this tumor.
Hoffmann’s Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Tuncel Deniz , Cetinkaya Ali , Kaya Berna , Gokce Mustafa
Published: June 2008

Objective: We report a very rare case of Hoffmann’s syndrome with musclehypertrophy complicating hypothyroidism. Clinical Presentation: A 24-year-old man presented with a 2-year history of forgetfulness, swelling in his face, shoulder and calf, and motor weakness in his lower extremities. His calf and shoulder muscles were hypertrophic. Neurological examination revealed hoarseness of the voice, proximal muscle weakness, reduced deep tendon reflexes and a mildly ataxic gait. Laboratory tests indicated markedly elevated serum muscle enzymes and lipids, a high thyroid-stimulating hormone level and low free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine levels. Electromyographic evaluation showed myopathy. Intervention: Oral L-thyroxine treatment was started and at a 1-month follow-up examination, mental status and physical performance were improved. Conclusion: This report shows that in the differential diagnosis of myopathy with pseudohypertrophy, Hoffmann’s syndrome should be considered.
Fluoride Retention of a Mucosa Adhesive Paste Compared with Other Home-Care Fluoride Products
Authors: Gabre P. , Birkhed D. , Gahnberg L.
Published: June 2008

Home-care use of fluoride (F) requires a motivated individual and several F products rely on a person’s ability to follow instructions and to cooperate with the treatment. The aim of this crossover study was to investigate concentrations, distribution in the oral cavity and duration of the elevated F concentrations after using four F products: (1) a mucosa adhesive paste with 0.1% F, (2) a mouth rinsing solution with 0.2% NaF, (3) toothpaste containing 0.5% F and (4) a tablet with 0.75 mg F. Fourteen subjects used the four products in randomized order either during the daytime or just before going to bed. The F concentration was measured both in saliva and at interproximal sites. After 6 h of sleep, the F concentration after using the mucosa adhesive paste and the mouth rinse solution was high in saliva. In the interproximal area, the adhesive paste showed the highest values. During daytime use, all the products increased the F concentration, but only the mucosa adhesive paste and the rinsing solution elevated F in saliva for up to 2 h. In the interproximal area, the paste increased the F concentration most. In conclusion, this study showed that the mucosa adhesive paste and the mouth rinse solution led to higher F concentrations and for a longer time than tablets and toothpaste. For patients who are unable to comply with traditional F treatment, an F-containing adhesive paste therefore has the potential to be a useful vehicle. For individuals who are able to cooperate, a mouth rinse with an F solution is a simple, efficient and well-known method for preventing dental caries.
Fractional Urinary Fluoride Excretion of Young Female Adults during the Diurnal and Nocturnal Periods
Authors: Villa A. , Anabalón M. , Cabezas L. , Rugg-Gunn A.
Published: June 2008

Objectives: This study aimed to confirm a previously obtained value for the fractional urinary fluoride excretion (FUFE) over a 24-hour period in adults and to assess whether there are significant differences between FUFE measured during the diurnal (7 a.m. and 6 p.m.) and the subsequent nocturnal (6 p.m. until 7 a.m. of the following day) periods. Methods: Urine was collected over 24 h from 60 healthy female volunteers residing in Santiago, Chile. The individuals’ fluoride intakes over the diurnal and nocturnal periods were calculated from their corresponding F ingestion, measured by dietary analysis. Separate urine collections during both periods were obtained from each volunteer. The fluoride concentrations were measured with a fluoride-ion-selective electrode either directly (urine, water and beverages) or after sample treatment with the microdiffusion technique (food). Results: The average 24-hour FUFE value was 0.69, with a 95% CI of 0.65–0.72, while the average FUFE for the diurnal period was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.42–0.50), and the corresponding result for the nocturnal period showed a significantly higher (paired t test, p < 0.0001) amount of 1.09 (95% CI: 0.97–1.22). Conclusions: A recently published result for the daily FUFE value (0.71) in adults was confirmed. The diurnal average FUFE value is significantly lower than the average nocturnal one. Accepting that approximately 10% of the fluoride intake is not absorbed, the daily fluoride retention can be preliminarily estimated as 20% of the ingested fluoride.
Hypomineralized Second Primary Molars: Prevalence Data in Dutch 5-Year-Olds
Authors: Elfrink M.E.C. , Schuller A.A. , Weerheijm K.L. , Veerkamp J.S.J.
Published: June 2008

The aim of this cross-sectional observational study was to report on the prevalence of hypomineralizations in second primary molars in 5-year-old Dutch children. In the study 386 (45% girls) 5-year-old Dutch children, all insured by a Health Insurance Fund, participated. Scoring criteria for molar incisor hypomineralization molars were adapted to score second primary molars. The prevalence of hypomineralized second primary molars (HSPM) was 4.9% at child level and 3.6% at tooth level. Most HSPMs (87%) showed demarcated opacities, followed by posteruptive enamel loss (40%).
Are We Getting Enough Allergens?
Authors: Linneberg Allan
Published: June 2008

This paper proposes that reduced allergen exposure is one of the factors underlying the higher risk of IgE-mediated allergic disease in populations with an urbanized, westernized, and affluent lifestyle. This lower allergen exposure results in the failure to induce and maintain immune tolerance to common environmental allergens. The paper summarizes different lines of evidence that may support or contradict this hypothesis and points to areas where more knowledge is needed.
T Helper Lymphocyte Response to Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Its Components in Patients with Respiratory Allergy and Nonatopic Controls
Authors: Shimojo Naoki , Katsuki Toshiyuki , Tateno Noriko , Tomiita Minako , Kohno Yoichi
Published: June 2008

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) G protein is involved in Th2-shifted immune response, while F protein has a reverse effect on RSV infection in Th2-prone BALB/c mice. Studies on the human T cell response to F or G protein are few, and the relationship between the immune response to G protein and atopy is not known. Methods: We established CD4+ RSV-specific T cell lines (TCLs) from adult patients with respiratory allergic diseases (allergics) or nonatopic controls (controls), and examined proliferative responses and γ-interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin 4 (IL-4) production in these TCLs upon stimulation with RSV, F or G proteins. Results: 32 and 29 RSV-specific oligoclonal TCLs were established from allergics and controls, respectively. IL-4/IFN-γ in the culture supernatant of antigen-stimulated TCLs was significantly higher in allergics than in controls (p = 0.042). IL-4/IFN-γ ratios in the culture supernatants of G-protein-reactive TCLs were significantly higher in allergics than in controls (p = 0.016), while no differences in IL-4/IFN-γ in culture supernatants of F-protein-reactive TCLs were found between allergics and controls (p = 0.787). IL-4/IFN-γ in the culture supernatants of G-protein-reactive TCLs was significantly higher than those of F-protein-reactive TCLs in allergics (p = 0.023) but not in controls (p = 0.768). Conclusion: The results suggest that the T cell response to RSV is influenced by the atopic diathesis as well as by individual RSV antigens, and that G protein may be an important antigen involved in allergy in humans.
Acute Allergic Skin Reactions and Intestinal Contractility Changes in Mice Orally Sensitized against Casein or Whey
Authors: Schouten Bastiaan , van Esch Betty C.A.M. , Hofman Gerard A. , van den Elsen Lieke W.J. , Willemsen Linette E.M. , Garssen Johan
Published: June 2008

Background: Cow’s milk allergy (CMA) is characterized by hypersensitivity against casein or whey, affecting 2.5% of young infants. The pathogenesis of CMA involves IgE as well as non-IgE-mediated reactions and clinical symptoms are found in the skin, lungs and gastrointestinal tract. In this study, local and systemic immunopathology was determined in whey- or casein-allergic mice. Methods: Mice were orally sensitized with casein or whey using cholera toxin as an adjuvant. Serum immunoglobulins and the acute allergic skin reaction (ear swelling 1 h after intradermal allergen challenge) were determined to reveal systemic hypersensitivity. Furthermore, pathophysiological changes were assessed within the intestine. Results: An acute allergic skin reaction was induced in both whey- and casein-sensitized mice. In these mice, whey-specific IgE, IgG1, IgG2a and casein-specific IgG1 levels were found to be increased. In addition, the serum mouse mast cell protease-1 (mMCP-1) concentration was enhanced, reflecting mast cell degranulation. Indeed, the number of mMCP-1-positive mast cells within the colon was diminished in both whey- and casein-sensitized mice. Only in casein-sensitized mice isometric contraction of the colon was reduced, reflecting motility alterations. Conclusion: Mice, orally sensitized against casein or whey, revealed an allergen-specific acute allergic skin reaction. In casein-sensitized mice, hypocontractility of the colon reflected pathophysiological changes within the intestine. Allergen-induced ear swelling and intestinal contractility changes are novel parameters in animal models of CMA which may add to the search for new therapeutic strategies to relieve symptoms of CMA.
Prevalence of Skin Diseases in a Cohort of 48,665 Employees in Germany
Authors: Schaefer I. , Rustenbach S.J. , Zimmer L. , Augustin M.
Published: June 2008

Background: Epidemiological data are important for planning medical care. Thus far, only few prevalence data for skin diseases have been published in Germany, most of them not population based. Objectives: Estimation of prevalences of common skin diseases in a sample of employees of German companies. Methods: Whole-body examinations were performed by trained dermatologists in 150 companies as part of skin cancer screenings. Using a standardized and computerized data entry, all clinical dermatological findings were documented. Explicitly skin lesions requiring current treatment were noted. The retrospective evaluation of the data was descriptive, using the diagnoses defined a priori in the data entry mask. Results: 48,665 persons (52.8% male) with a mean age of 43.2 years were examined. The following frequencies of chronic and acute inflammatory skin diseases were observed: contact eczema 8.9%, acne 4.2%, seborrhoeic eczema 3.4%, rosacea 2.2%, psoriasis vulgaris 2.1%, atopic eczema 1.4% and lichen ruber 0.07%. In total, dermatological findings needing treatment were observed in 19% of the study cohort; 1.3% of the participants presented a suspicious finding requiring diagnostics for skin malignoma. Conclusions: There is a high frequency of chronic inflammatory skin diseases in the general working population and a high need for dermatological treatment.
Effect of Baseline and Changes in Systolic Blood Pressure Over Time on the Effectiveness of Valsartan in the Valsartan Heart Failure Trial
Authors: Anand Inder S. , Rector Thomas S. , Kuskowski Michael , Thomas Sabu , Holwerda N.J. , Cohn Jay N.
Published: June 2008

Background—

Low systolic blood pressure (SBP) is a risk factor for adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). Valsartan improved morbidity rates in the Valsartan Heart Failure Trial (Val-HeFT) despite a reduction in SBP. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the SBP-lowering effects of valsartan and its cardiovascular protective effects in this population.

Methods and Results—

Baseline measurements and changes in SBP at 4 months were related to mortality and morbidity rates. The effects of valsartan on these end points were compared in quartiles of baseline SBP with multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models that included a test for interaction between the effects of valsartan treatment and baseline SBP and examined the effects of changes in SBP on the valsartan effect. The mean�SD baseline SBP in all patients (n=5010) was 124�18 mm Hg. Patients in the lowest quartile of SBP (SBP ≤110 mm Hg; mean SBP 102 mm Hg; n=940) had more severe HF and a significantly increased adjusted risk of death (hazard ratio [HR], 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 1.43;
P
=0.02), first morbid event (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.40;
P
=0.001), and hospitalization for HF (HR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.22 to 1.73;
P
<0.001) than did patients in the upper 3 quartiles of baseline SBP (mean SBP 130 mm Hg; n=3260). Valsartan reduced SBP in patients in the upper 3 quartiles but not in patients in the lowest quartile who had a baseline SBP <110 mm Hg. Valsartan was associated with decreases in the risks of first morbid event (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.91;
P
=0.005) and hospitalization for HF (HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.79;
P
<0.001) in the lowest quartile that were not significantly different than the valsartan effects in the other 3 quartiles combined (first morbid event HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.02;
P
=0.10; and HF hospitalization HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.93;
P
=0.006; nonsignificant interactions). The decrease in SBP from baseline to 4 months was an independent risk factor for subsequent events. When changes in SBP were added to the regression model, the effects of valsartan in the lowest quartile and in the other 3 quartiles combined did not change substantially.

Conclusion—

Baseline SBP and a decrease in SBP over time were risk factors for adverse events in HF. Valsartan reduced SBP but not in the high-risk group of patients who had a baseline SBP <110 mm Hg. The beneficial effects of valsartan did not vary significantly with baseline SBP, and decreases in SBP did not counteract the beneficial effects on HF morbidity rates.
Reducing Uncertainties of SNO-Estimated Intersatellite AMSU-A Brightness Temperature Biases for Surface-Sensitive Channels
Authors: Iacovazzi Robert A. , Cao Changyong
Published: June 2008

In this study, a technique has been developed to improve collocation of two passive-microwave satellite instrument datasets at a simultaneous nadir overpass (SNO). The technique has been designed for the purpose of reducing uncertainties related to SNO-inferred intersatellite brightness temperature (Tb) biases, and it involves replacing the current “nearest-neighbor pixel matching” collocation technique with quality-controlled bilinear interpolation. Since the largest Tb bias estimation uncertainties of the SNO method are associated with highly variable earth scenes and window channels of microwave radiometers that have relatively large (∼50 km) separation between measurements, the authors have used Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit A (AMSU-A) data to develop the technique. It is found that using the new data collocation technique reduces SNO ensemble mean Tb bias confidence intervals in the SNO method, as applied to surface-sensitive channels of AMSU-A, by nearly 70% on average. This improvement in the SNO method enhances its ability to quantify intersatellite Tb biases at microwave radiometer channels that are sensitive to surface radiation, which is necessary to advance the sciences of numerical weather prediction and climate change detection.
Pressure and Temperature Differences between Vaisala RS80 and RS92 Radiosonde Systems
Authors: Steinbrecht Wolfgang , Claude Hans , Schönenborn Fritz , Leiterer Ulrich , Dier Horst , Lanzinger Eckhard
Published: June 2008

In several twin flight campaigns, Vaisala RS80 radiosonde systems report lower temperatures than Vaisala RS92 systems in the daytime. Simultaneous differences increase from less than 0.1 K at pressure altitudes below 100 hPa to 0.7 K at 10 hPa. Much of the difference can be explained by an overcorrection of the RS80 radiation error. At night, RS92 and RS80 sounding systems report very similar simultaneous temperatures throughout the atmosphere. Geopotential heights from RS92 pressure, temperature, and humidity data (pTU heights) are within 25 m of geopotential heights from the RS92 global positioning system data (GPS heights) from the ground up to about 70 hPa. At higher altitudes, RS92 sondes produced after July 2004 show nearly identical pTU and GPS heights, but other manufacturing batches show systematic differences, up to ±100 m near 10 hPa. RS80 sondes provide much less accurate pressure and geopotential height. On average, they give up to 1 hPa higher pressure and 20 m lower pTU heights than RS92 sondes in the troposphere, and lower pressures and larger heights in the stratosphere (e.g., by −0.4 hPa and +100 m near 10 hPa). Previous intercomparisons have found similar differences between the two sonde types.

As expected from these simultaneous pressure and temperature differences, the transition from Vaisala RS80 to RS92 sondes at German radiosonde stations between 2003 and 2005 has produced artificial increases in stratospheric temperature records, particularly during daytime (1200 UTC), but due to the wrong RS80 pressures, also at night (0000 UTC). The spurious daytime temperature step reaches +0.3 ± 0.2 K at 50 hPa and +0.7 ± 0.4 K at 10 hPa, the nighttime step reaches +0.1 ± 0.1 K at 50 hPa and +0.35 ± 0.2 K at 10 hPa (2σ uncertainties). The mean difference between day- and nighttime temperatures (1200–0000 UTC) has increased as well, by 0.1 ± 0.06 K at 70 hPa and by 0.76 ± 0.16 K at 10 hPa. In the troposphere and at levels below 100 hPa no significant differences are found, although there are indications for higher daytime temperatures, possibly up to 0.1 K, from RS92 sondes. Results indicate that RS92 sondes are more accurate. Historic temperature records from RS80 sondes should be corrected for use in climate studies.
Experiments with Cloud Properties: Impact on Surface Radiative Fluxes
Authors: Wang H. , Pinker R. T. , Minnis P. , Khaiyer M. M.
Published: June 2008

Solar radiation reaching the earth’s surface provides the primary forcing of the climate system, and thus, information on this parameter is needed at a global scale. Several satellite-based estimates of surface radiative fluxes are available, but they differ from each other in many aspects. The focus of this study is to highlight one aspect of such differences, namely, the way satellite-observed radiances are used to derive information on cloud optical properties and the impact this has on derived parameters such as surface radiative fluxes. Frequently, satellite visible radiance in a single channel is used to infer cloud transmission; at times, several spectral channels are utilized to derive cloud optical properties and use these to infer cloud transmission. In this study, an evaluation of these two approaches will be performed in terms of impact on the accuracy in surface radiative fluxes. The University of Maryland Satellite Radiation Budget (UMD/SRB) model is used as a tool to perform such an evaluation over the central United States. The estimated shortwave fluxes are evaluated against ground observations at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program (ARM) Central Facility and at four ARM extended sites. It is shown that the largest differences between these two approaches occur during the winter season when snow is on the ground.
Northern Hemisphere Stationary Waves in Future Climate Projections
Authors: Brandefelt Jenny , Körnich Heiner
Published: June 2008

The response of the atmospheric large-scale circulation to an enhanced greenhouse gas (GHG) forcing varies among coupled global climate model (CGCM) simulations. In this study, 16 CGCM simulations of the response of the climate system to a 1% yr−1 increase in the atmospheric CO2 concentration to quadrupling are analyzed with focus on Northern Hemisphere winter. A common signal in 14 out of the 16 simulations is an increased or unchanged stationary wave amplitude.

A majority of the simulations may be categorized into one of three groups based on the GHG-induced changes in the atmospheric stationary waves. The response of the zonal mean barotropic wind is similar within each group. Fifty percent of the simulations belong to the first group, which is categorized by a stationary wave with five waves encompassing the entire NH and a strengthening of the zonal mean barotropic wind. The second and third groups, respectively consisting of three and two simulations, are characterized by a broadening and a northward shift of the zonal mean barotropic wind, respectively. A linear model of barotropic vorticity is employed to study the importance of these mean flow changes to the stationary wave response. The linear calculations indicate that the GHG-induced mean wind changes explain 50%, 4%, and 37% of the stationary wave changes in each group, respectively. Thus, for the majority of simulations the zonal mean wind changes do significantly explain the stationary wave response.