bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coping Processes as Revealed in the Stories of Mothers of Children With Autism
Authors: Marshall Vaughan , Long Bonita C.
Published: December 2009

Copious research evidence identifies the many stressors faced by mothers of children with autism. The aim of this study was to examine the ways in which coping is revealed in the content and structure of stories told by five mothers of children with autism. Narrative data were analyzed using both holistic-form and categorical-content approaches. Manifestations of coping were revealed in the macrostructures of stories. Cognitive coping strategies were particularly apparent in the life stories, which tended to focus on the emotional and cognitive journeys of the storytellers. Stories of discrete coping episodes added information about behavioral coping strategies employed in specific situations. Analysis of form, particularly of the structure of the life stories, yielded strategies the mothers employed to make meaning of autism in their lives.
The Unintended Consequences of Staffing Mandates in Florida Nursing Homes: Impacts on Indirect-Care Staff
Authors: Thomas Kali S. , Hyer Kathryn , Andel Ross , Weech-Maldonado Robert
Published: December 2009

Research on nursing staff ratios and quality of care in nursing homes prompted Florida to implement minimum nursing staff ratios for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in 2001. Using the contingency theory, the authors investigated the response to this mandate and its potential effects on indirect-care staff. This study used the Online Survey, Certification, and Reporting (OSCAR) staffing data for freestanding Florida nursing homes between the years 1999 and 2004. Piecewise regression growth curve models were investigated to test whether the percentage of Medicaid residents is associated with change in indirect-care staffing levels. The number of indirect-care staff hours per 100 residents declined significantly following the mandated increase in nursing staff, particularly among facilities with a low percentage of Medicaid residents. This may have stemmed from a partial transfer of indirect-care to CNAs and was exacerbated in facilities that received less additional reimbursement to pay for CNA increases.
Arsenic trioxide and olanzapine co-administration: case analysis
Authors: Kaufman Kenneth R , Chhabra Saurabh , Levitt Michael , Sood Rahul
Published: December 2009

QTc prolongation is associated with arsenic trioxide (ATO) treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Olanzapine was safely co-administered with ATO to treat co-morbid psychiatric diagnoses. It is important to closely monitor for drug—drug interactions and cumulative drug adverse effects in patients receiving oncology agents and psychotropics. Further research is indicated to determine risk/benefit profiles of psychotropics co-administered with ATO. In light of current limited data, co-administration of psychotropics with ATO should be reported presenting both instances wherein no interactions are noted and those with adverse effects.
Successful administration of a low dose of calcium nadroparin in patients suffering from pulmonary embolism and brain metastases: a report of two cases
Authors: Vitale F V , Rotondo Stefano , Sessa Edoardo , Antonelli Giovanna , Colina Paolo , Parisi Alessandra , Giamo Valentina , Ferraù Francesco
Published: December 2009

Objective. To focus on the optimal management of thromboembolic complication in patients who have undergone chemotherapy with concomitant brain metastases and referred to a Division of Clinical Oncology.

Background. Thromboembolic diseases are common events in cancer patients due to clotting activation by tumor cells. On the other hand, brain metastases are common complication of systemic cancers. Postmortem studies show that a quarter of patients dying from cancer have intracranial metastases. Brain metastases and pulmonary embolism are life-threatening conditions because of the risk of fatal endocranic hypertension and severe dyspnea. Calcium nadroparin is a low molecular weight heparin usually administered in patient with venous thromboembolism at a dose level of 180 IU/kg/daily.

Case summaries. The authors report the cases of two patients with intracranial metastases and pulmonary embolism-related dyspnea successfully treated with low dose of calcium nadroparin. A patient suffering from metastatic breast cancer and another one with metastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer were recently referred to our department because of severe dyspnea occurring during chemotherapy treatment. Both patients had cerebellar intracranial metastases. Massive pulmonary embolisms were shown by means of the computerized tomography. Despite the administration of a lower heparin dose than the usual one, around three-quarters of the calcium nadroparin daily conventional dose, quickly regressed dyspnea. Significant pulmonary embolism regression was revealed with computerized tomography scan within 8 weeks from the beginning of the thromboembolic complications. None of the patients showed any heparin treatment-related complications.

Conclusion. The authors conclude that, with regard to cancer patients carrying brain metastases who require anti-coagulant therapy, increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage should be kept in mind. An initial low molecular weight heparin dose reduction could be effective, and safely administered, also in case of pulmonary embolism with severe dyspnea.
Current challenges in European oncology pharmacy practice
Authors: Hoppe-Tichy Torsten
Published: December 2009

Background. The demand for pharmacy cancer services is expected to at least double over the next 10 years, as the population ages and new treatments are introduced. Safe and efficient handling of cytotoxic products minimises risks to staff and reduces medication errors.

Objectives. To identify and describe strategies for coping safely and effectively with heavier workloads in the hospital oncology pharmacy, currently and in the future.

Methods. The PubMed database was searched for literature on approaches to safe handling of antineoplastic agents and to decreasing medication errors in the hospital pharmacy. Articles that were judged to be of prime importance to the hospital oncologist were reviewed. These safety concepts are put into the context of contemporary hospital oncology pharmacy practice through discussion of key issues, including increased demand, the role of the pharmacist in determining the hospital formulary, and growth in patient preferences for oral chemotherapy. Recommendations on best practices are also provided, based on relevant literature and author experience.

Conclusions. Efficient, safe hospital pharmacy operations can be aided by capacity planning, dose banding, and knowledge of novel products and procedures that can reduce risks to health while increasing the number of patients who are safely treated. Consideration may also be given to the economic role of oncology pharmacists in formulary development. J Oncol Pharm Practice (2010) 16: 9—18.
Transient cardiomyopathy as the presenting feature of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
Authors: Mawhinney E. , Watt M. , McDonnell GV
Published: December 2009

Brainstem lesions are rarely associated with neurogenic pulmonary oedema (NPO) in multiple sclerosis and other disorders. The exact mechanism for this is unknown. We describe a case of a 15-year-old boy who presented with transient cardiomyopathy and severe acute pulmonary oedema. Several days after his initial presentation he developed an ataxic syndrome with limb, truncal and gait ataxia and nystagmus on primary gaze. Investigations confirmed acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). For the first time, we describe a case of transient cardiomyopathy and NPO as the initial manifestation of ADEM.
Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds in Indoor Air in the Gdansk Area Using Permeation Passive Samplers
Authors: Zabiegała Bożena , Partyka Monika , Zygmunt Bogdan , Namieśnik Jacek
Published: December 2009

Passive dosimetry — known for over a hundred years — is still a useful tool in monitoring air pollutants. In this work, permeation passive samplers were used to determine indoor air quality in 22 apartments located in the Gdansk area in the northern part of Poland. The results obtained by the passive sampling technique were compared to those obtained by dynamic sampling. Attempts were also made to identify indoor sources of pollution and assess the effect of the infiltration of outdoor pollutants on indoor air quality.
A Study Comparing the Noise Reduction Behavior of Variously Shaped Barriers of Limited Size in Indoor Spaces
Authors: Kavraz Mustafa , Abdülrahimov Ramiz
Published: December 2009

The noise produced by machines in the factories of industrial facilities have negative effect on both physical and mental health of the workers. For this reason, in such factories, it is necessary that machines, which produce considerable noise be situated together in an area and separated from the sections of the facility that produce less noise. This study investigated the noise reduction values of multi-layered planar, L-shaped, and U-shaped barriers that were used to separate the sections with machines producing a high level of noise from the people working in the sections where the machines produce less noise. Given the shapes, the dimensions and the distances of the barriers to the receivers and also considering the differences in unit weights, this study has analysed the noise reduction values of various barriers through measurement; compared and evaluated the findings; and made further recommendations.
Identities in action: a nexus analysis of identity construction and language shift
Authors: Lane Pia
Published: December 2009

This article investigates language shift and identity construction in two Finnic-speaking communities: Lappe in Ontario, Canada and Bugøynes in Northern Norway by asking how the people of these two communities perceive themselves at a time when their minority language is in the process of disappearing. Identity construction through visual and linguistic means are analysed and compared. In both communities, people speak similar minority languages, observe similar traditions and have Finnish items in their homes, but such actions do not carry the same symbolic value. In Lappe, these items and traditions have been allocated social meaning; they are explicitly referred to as ‘Finn’, whereas similar items and traditions do not carry any overt symbolic value in Bugøynes. This symbolic value, or lack thereof, is not a direct result of the items and traditions themselves; rather they mediate social action. An analysis of the social actions and the way these actions take part in identity construction reveals that it is not the traditions and items in themselves that carry symbolic value, but rather the actions that precede or accompany them.
Where have all the children gone? A visual semiotic account of advertisements for fashion dolls
Authors: Almeida Danielle
Published: December 2009

Through features such as design, advertising images and marketing— language-produced texts, toys convey messages that reflect the cultural and social meanings of the world surrounding them. Taking advantage of the fact that many toys have become icons in the age of consumerism, this article attempts to reveal the structures of signification behind the visual discourse of advertisements for fashion dolls retrieved from the children’s toy website: www.mgae.com. Drawing on Kress and Van Leeuwen’s grammar of visual design for the analysis of visual features in advertisements, the author examines the topics reflected by advertisements for fashion dolls, the roles they play and the type of relationship that is established between the participants involved. The analyses of the advertisements suggest that, in addition to fostering children’s sense of group identity, they also promote values such as positive self-fulfilment and fashion consumption.
Thoughts on paediatric diabetes care in the UK
Authors: Krone Nils , Högler Wolfgang , Barrett Timothy G
Published: December 2009

Paediatric diabetes ranks among the most common chronic diseases in childhood and affects 23,000 children under 17 years in the UK with an increase at a rate of about 3% a year. Acute medical management at manifestation is well established and successfully conducted in the vast majority of cases. The chronic long-term treatment is challenging and involves self-managed, regular subcutaneous insulin administration for life, together with diet, exercise and lifestyle support to avoid short and long-term complications. Variability of average glycaemic control in children with type 1 diabetes exists between centres both nationally and internationally. Glycaemic control in UK children, however, is worse than in many other European countries. Herein, we review findings on glycaemic control reflected by glycated haemoglobin A1C and consider the current trend in the UK in comparison with the European continent. Furthermore, small practical differences in care delivery exemplified by differences in practice such as intensified insulin therapy and the use of insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios, differences in well established diabetes education and self-monitoring of blood glucose are discussed.
Insulin dose adjustment and exercise in type 1 diabetes: what do we tell the patient?
Authors: Lumb Alistair N , Gallen Ian W
Published: December 2009

Many people with type 1 diabetes are keen to exercise and play sport. Different types of exercise cause different problems with glycaemic control and require different management strategies. Physiological problems and possible management solutions in type 1 diabetes are considered for three types of exercise using case scenarios. Moderate intensity exercise is linked with hypoglycaemia and so insulin dose reductions and carbohydrate supplementation are discussed. Similar strategies for dealing with post-exercise hypoglycaemia are also considered. High intensity-exercise is linked with hyperglycaemia, with insulin dose increases a possible solution. Intermittent high-intensity exercise is linked with an attenuated reduction in blood glucose during exercise, and a reduction in the risk of immediate post-exercise hypoglycaemia. The potential benefits of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in managing diabetes in the context of exercise are discussed. Given the need to keep patients with type 1 diabetes healthy, training in this area is becoming increasingly important for professionals caring for this group of patients.
A comparison of simultaneous and sequential brightness judgements
Authors: Fotios SA , Cheal C.
Published: December 2009

This paper presents the results of brightness matching and brightness discrimination tests carried out using sequential evaluation (temporal juxtaposition) to compare brightness under lamps of different spectral power distribution at mesopic levels of illumination. These data are compared with the results of previous tests, which used simultaneous evaluations (spatial juxtaposition) to enable comparison of these different modes of evaluation. It is concluded that sequential and simultaneous evaluations yield similar estimates of illuminances required for equal spatial brightness and similar levels of precision in this task.
Why does the provision of home mechanical ventilation vary so widely?
Authors: Dybwik Knut , Tollåli Terje , Nielsen Erik Waage , Brinchmann Berit Støre
Published: December 2009

There is wide variation in the provision of home mechanical ventilation (HMV) throughout Europe, but the provision of home mechanical ventilation can also vary within countries. In 2008, the overall prevalence of HMV in Norway was 19.9/100,000, and there were huge regional differences in treatment prevalence. The aim of this study is to find explanations for these differences. We gathered multidisciplinary respondents involved in HMV treatment from five hospitals in five different counties to six focus group conversations to explore respondents’ views of their experiences systematically. We based the analysis on grounded theory. We found that uneven distribution of ‘‘enthusiasm’’ between hospitals seems to be an important factor in the geographical distribution of HMV. Furthermore, we found that the three subcategories, ‘‘high competence,’’ ‘‘spreading competence,’’ and ‘‘multidisciplinary collaboration,’’ are developed and used systematically in counties with ‘‘enthusiasm.’’ This culture is the main category, which might explain the differences, and is described as ‘‘wise enthusiasm.’’ The last subcategory is ‘‘individual attitudes’’ about HMV among decision-making physicians. The most important factor is most likely the uneven distribution of highly skilled enthusiasm between hospitals. Individual attitudes about HMV among the decision makers may also explain why the provision of HMV varies so widely. Data describing regional differences in the prevalence of HMV within countries is lacking. Further research is needed to identify these differences to ensure equality of provision of HMV.
Orthopaedic Magnetic Resonance Imaging Challenge: Apophyseal Avulsions at the Pelvis
Authors: Kjellin Ingrid , Stadnick Michael E. , Awh Mark H.
Published: December 2009

Apophyseal avulsion injuries of the hip and pelvis are frequent athletic injuries in children and adolescents, most commonly associated with explosive movement or sprinting. This article details typically encountered apophyseal injuries and their appearance on magnetic resonance imaging.
Expression of the neuroprotective slow Wallerian degeneration (Wld
S
) gene in non-neuronal tissues
Authors: Wishart Thomas M , Brownstein David G , Thomson Derek , Tabakova Anca M , Boothe Katherine M , Tsao Jack W , Gillingwater Thomas H
Published: December 2009

Background

The slow Wallerian Degeneration (Wld

S
) gene specifically protects axonal and synaptic compartments of neurons from a wide variety of degeneration-inducing stimuli, including; traumatic injury, Parkinson's disease, demyelinating neuropathies, some forms of motor neuron disease and global cerebral ischemia. The Wld

S
gene encodes a novel Ube4b-Nmnat1 chimeric protein (WldS protein) that is responsible for conferring the neuroprotective phenotype. How the chimeric WldS protein confers neuroprotection remains controversial, but several studies have shown that expression in neurons in vivo and in vitro modifies key cellular pathways, including; NAD biosynthesis, ubiquitination, the mitochondrial proteome, cell cycle status and cell stress. Whether similar changes are induced in non-neuronal tissue and organs at a basal level in vivo remains to be determined. This may be of particular importance for the development and application of neuroprotective therapeutic strategies based around Wld

S
-mediated pathways designed for use in human patients.

Results

We have undertaken a detailed analysis of non-neuronal Wld

S
expression in Wld

S
mice, alongside gravimetric and histological analyses, to examine the influence of Wld

S
expression in non-neuronal tissues. We show that expression of Wld

S
RNA and protein are not restricted to neuronal tissue, but that the relative RNA and protein expression levels rarely correlate in these non-neuronal tissues. We show that Wld

S
mice have normal body weight and growth characteristics as well as gravimetrically and histologically normal organs, regardless of WldS protein levels. Finally, we demonstrate that previously reported Wld

S
-induced changes in cell cycle and cell stress status are neuronal-specific, not recapitulated in non-neuronal tissues at a basal level.

Conclusions

We conclude that expression of WldS protein has no adverse effects on non-neuronal tissue at a basal level in vivo, supporting the possibility of its safe use in future therapeutic strategies targeting axonal and/or synaptic compartments in patients with neurodegenerative disease. Future experiments determining whether WldS protein can modify responses to injury in non-neuronal tissue are now required.
The relationship between chronic type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation and cervical spine pain
Authors: Gumina Stefano , Carbone Stefano , Arceri Valerio , Rita Alessandro , Vestri Anna R , Postacchini Franco
Published: December 2009

Background

This study was aimed at evaluating whether or not patients with chronic type III acromioclavicular dislocation develop cervical spine pain and degenerative changes more frequently than normal subjects.

Methods

The cervical spine of 34 patients with chronic type III AC dislocation was radiographically evaluated. Osteophytosis presence was registered and the narrowing of the intervertebral disc and cervical lordosis were evaluated. Subjective cervical symptoms were investigated using the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ). One-hundred healthy volunteers were recruited as a control group.

Results

The rate and distribution of osteophytosis and narrowed intervertebral disc were similar in both of the groups. Patients with chronic AC dislocation had a lower value of cervical lordosis. NPQ score was 17.3% in patients with AC separation (100% = the worst result) and 2.2% in the control group (p < 0.05). An inverse significant nonparametric correlation was found between the NPQ value and the lordosis degree in the AC dislocation group (p = 0.001) wheras results were not correlated (p = 0.27) in the control group.

Conclusions

Our study shows that chronic type III AC dislocation does not interfere with osteophytes formation or intervertebral disc narrowing, but that it may predispose cervical hypolordosis. The higher average NPQ values were observed in patients with chronic AC dislocation, especially in those that developed cervical hypolordosis.
PALB2 variants in hereditary and unselected Finnish Prostate cancer cases
Authors: Pakkanen Sanna , Wahlfors Tiina , Siltanen Sanna , Patrikainen Mimmi , Matikainen Mika P , Tammela Teuvo L J , Schleutker Johanna
Published: December 2009

Background

PALB2 1592delT mutation is associated with increased breast cancer and suggestive prostate cancer (PRCA) risk in Finland. In this study we wanted to assess if any other PALB2 variants associate to increased PRCA risk and clinically describe patients with formerly found PALB2 1592delT mutation.

Methods

Finnish families with two or more PRCA cases (n = 178) and unselected cases (n = 285) with complete clinical data were initially screened for variants in the coding region and splice sites of PALB2. Potentially interesting variants were verified in additional set of unselected cases (n = 463).

Results

From our clinically defined sample set we identified total of six variants in PALB2. No novel variants among Finnish PRCA cases were found. Clinical characteristics of the variant carriers, including the previously described family carrying PALB2 1592delT, revealed a trend towards aggressive disease, which also applied to a few non-familial cases. Hypersensitivity to mitomycin C (MMC) of lymphoblasts from individuals from the family with 1592delT revealed haploinsufficiency among carriers with altered genotype.

Conclusions

Though any of the detected PALB2 variants do not associate to PRCA in population level in Finland it cannot be ruled out that some of these variants contribute to cancer susceptibility at individual level.
Analysis of cat oocyte activation methods for the generation of feline disease models by nuclear transfer
Authors: Wang Chunmin , Swanson William F , Herrick Jason R , Lee Kiho , Machaty Zoltan
Published: December 2009

Background

Somatic cell nuclear transfer in cats offers a useful tool for the generation of valuable research models. However, low birth rates after nuclear transfer hamper exploitation of the full potential of the technology. Poor embryo development after activation of the reconstructed oocytes seems to be responsible, at least in part, for the low efficiency. The objective of this study was to characterize the response of cat oocytes to various stimuli in order to fine-tune existing and possibly develop new activation methods for the generation of cat disease models by somatic cell nuclear transfer.

Methods

First, changes in the intracellular free calcium concentration [Ca2+]i in the oocytes induced by a number of artificial stimuli were characterized. The stimuli included electroporation, ethanol, ionomycin, thimerosal, strontium-chloride and sodium (Na+)-free medium. The potential of the most promising treatments (with or without subsequent incubation in the presence of cycloheximide and cytochalasin B) to stimulate oocyte activation and support development of the resultant parthenogenetic embryos was then evaluated. Finally, the most effective methods were selected to activate oocytes reconstructed during nuclear transfer with fibroblasts from mucopolysaccharidosis I- and alpha-mannosidosis-affected cats.

Results

All treatments were able to elicit a [Ca2+]i elevation in the ooplasm with various characteristics. Pronuclear formation and development up to the blastocyst stage was most efficiently triggered by electroporation (60.5 +/- 2.9 and 11.5 +/- 1.7%) and the combined thimerosal/DTT treatment (67.7 +/- 1.8 and 10.6 +/- 1.9%); incubation of the stimulated oocytes with cycloheximide and cytochalasin B had a positive effect on embryo development. When these two methods were used to activate oocytes reconstructed during nuclear transfer, up to 84.9% of the reconstructed oocytes cleaved. When the 2 to 4-cell embryos (a total of 220) were transferred into 19 recipient females, 4 animals became pregnant. All of the fetuses developed from oocytes activated by electroporation followed by cycloheximide and cytochalasin B incubation; no fetal development was detected as a result of thimerosal/DTT activation. Although heartbeats were detected in two of the cloned fetuses, no term development occurred.

Conclusion

Electroporation proved to be the most effective method for the activation of cat oocytes reconstructed by nuclear transfer. The combined thimerosal/DTT treatment followed by cycloheximide and cytochalasin B incubation triggered development effectively to the blastocyst stage; whether it is a viable option to stimulate term development of cloned cat embryos needs further investigations.
Comparison of the effects of vitamin D products in a psoriasis plaque test and a murine psoriasis xenograft model
Authors: Kvist Peter H , Svensson Lars , Hagberg Oskar , Hoffmann Vibeke , Kemp Kaare , Røpke Mads A
Published: December 2009

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of Daivobet®and calcipotriol on clinical score and biomarker responses in a modified version of the Scholtz-Dumas psoriasis plaque assay. Furthermore, it was the aim to compare the effects of calcipotriol and betamethasone in the murine psoriasis xenograft model. Twenty four patients with psoriasis were treated topically once daily for three weeks, whereas the grafted mice were treated for four weeks. Clinical responses were scored twice weekly and biopsies were taken at the end of each study to analyse for skin biomarkers by histology and immunohistochemistry. The results clearly demonstrate effects on both clinical signs and biomarkers. In the patient study the total clinical score was reduced significantly with both Daivobet®and calcipotriol. Both treatments reduced epidermal thickness, Ki-67 and cytokeratin 16 expression. T cell infiltration was significantly reduced by Daivobet®but only marginally by calcipotriol. Both treatments showed strong effects on the epidermal psoriatic phenotype.

Results from the xenograft model essentially showed the same results. However differences were observed when investigating subtypes of T cells.

The study demonstrates the feasibility of obtaining robust biomarker data in the psoriasis plaque test that correlate well with those obtained in other clinical studies. Furthermore, the biomarker data from the plaque test correlate with biopsy data from the grafted mice.
Evaluation of population impact of candidate polymorphisms for coronary heart disease in the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort
Authors: Yan Yu , Hu Yijuan , North Kari E , Franceschini Nora , Lin Danyu
Published: December 2009

In order to evaluate the population impact of putative causal genetic variants over the life course of disease, we extended the static estimation of population-attributable risk fraction and developed a novel tool to evaluate how the population impact changes over time using the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort data provided to the Genetic Analysis Workshop 16, Problem 2. A set of population-attributable risk fractions based on survival functions were estimated under the proportional hazards models. The development of this novel measure of population impact creates a more comprehensive estimate of population impact over the life course of disease, which may help us to better understand genetic susceptibility at the population level.
Memory management in genome-wide association studies
Authors: Chen Xiang , Zhang Meizhuo , Wang Minghui , Zhu Wensheng , Cho Kelly , Zhang Heping
Published: December 2009

Genome-wide association is a powerful tool for the identification of genes that underlie common diseases. Genome-wide association studies generate billions of genotypes and pose significant computational challenges for most users including limited computer memory. We applied a recently developed memory management tool to two analyses of North American Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium studies and measured the performance in terms of central processing unit and memory usage. We conclude that our memory management approach is simple, efficient, and effective for genome-wide association studies.
ERCC2, ERCC1 polymorphisms and haplotypes, cooking oil fume and lung adenocarcinoma risk in Chinese non-smoking females
Authors: Yin Zhihua , Su Meng , Li Xuelian , Li Mingchuan , Ma Rui , He Qincheng , Zhou Baosen
Published: December 2009

Background

Excision repair cross-complementing group 1 (ERCC1) and group 2 (ERCC2) proteins play important roles in the repair of DNA damage and adducts. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of DNA repair genes are suspected to influence the risk of lung cancer. This study aimed to investigate the association between the ERCC2 751, 312 and ERCC1 118 polymorphisms and the risk of lung adenocarcinoma in Chinese non-smoking females.

Methods

A hospital-based case-control study of 285 patients and 285 matched controls was conducted. Information concerning demographic and risk factors was obtained for each case and control by a trained interviewer. After informed consent was obtained, each person donated 10 ml blood for biomarker testing. Three polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method.

Results

This study showed that the individuals with the combined ERCC2 751AC/CC genotypes were at an increased risk for lung adenocarcinoma compared with those carrying the AA genotype [adjusted odds ratios (OR) 1.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-2.52]. The stratified analysis suggested that increased risk associated with ERCC2 751 variant genotypes (AC/CC) was more pronounced in individuals without exposure to cooking oil fume (OR 1.98, 95%CI 1.18-3.32) and those without exposure to fuel smoke (OR 2.47, 95%CI 1.46-4.18). Haplotype analysis showed that the A-G-T and C-G-C haplotypes were associated with increased risk of lung adenocarcinoma among non-smoking females (ORs were 1.43 and 2.28, 95%CIs were 1.07-1.91 and 1.34-3.89, respectively).

Conclusion

ERCC2 751 polymorphism may be a genetic risk modifier for lung adenocarcinoma in non-smoking females in China.
Generalized tetanus in a 4-year old boy presenting with dysphagia and trismus: a case report
Authors: de Jong Petrus Rudolf , de Heer-Groen Thea , Schröder Cornelis Hendrik , Jansen Nicolaas Johannes Georgius
Published: December 2009

Introduction

The low incidence of tetanus in developed countries has resulted in a decreased vigilance of this disease. This raises concern, as the prodromal stadium of a generalized tetanus infection may lack the characteristic paroxysmal muscle spasms. Tetanus can rapidly progress into life-threatening muscle spasms accompanied by respiratory insufficiency and/or autonomic dysfunction. This emphasizes the need for early diagnosis and treatment.

Case presentation

A 4-year-old Caucasian boy presented with a one-week history of general malaise, mild fever, indolence and anorexia. He subsequently developed dysphagia, sialorrhoea, difficulties opening the mouth and eventually dehydration. Due to parental concerns about the boy's refusal of fluids, a pediatrician was consulted. At that time of presentation he showed signs of trismus and muscle rigidity. Together with the lack of immunization and a toe nail infection, this lead to the suspicion of a generalized tetanus infection. After sedation, endotracheal intubation and ventilation, passive immunization and initiation of antimicrobial treatment, he was immediately transferred to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) for further treatment. The frequency and severity of paroxysmal muscle spasms increased progressively during his PICU stay, despite high doses of sedatives. Not before two weeks after admittance, extubation and careful weaning off sedatives was achieved.

Conclusion

Tetanus infection remains a rare but potentially lethal disease in developed countries. As the full scope of classical symptoms may be absent at first presentation, tetanus should always be considered in non-immunized patients with an acute onset of dysphagia and trismus.
Policy Making on Data Exclusivity in the European Union: From Industrial Interests to Legal Realities
Authors: Adamini Sandra , Maarse Hans , Versluis Esther , Light Donald W.
Published: December 2009

After lengthening the duration of patents to twenty years in 1984, the pharmaceutical industry has turned to data exclusivity as a major vehicle for extending market protection, even after patents expire. Such protections give companies the power to tax consumers for innovation by charging above-market prices. This article draws upon unique information to describe how key actors lengthened data exclusivity for patented drugs to postpone generic competition in the European Union (EU) just before ten new members joined it. We explore the political route and the interests of different actors to understand the process by which industrial interests are translated into legal realities in the world's largest harmonized market. Several factors influenced the outcome, including the role of the pharmaceutical unit of the Directorate General for Enterprise of the European Commission in promoting the interests of the innovative branch of the industry, the time pressure to find a viable compromise before EU enlargement, and the heterogeneous preferences of the other actors. The case illustrates the inherent tension between the desire of both health care administrators and patients for high-quality, low-cost medicines and the objective of the innovator pharmaceutical industry to find and approve new drugs that are price protected and sell them in a way that maximizes revenues.
In vitro friction and lubrication of large bearing hip prostheses
Authors: Flanagan S , Jones E , Birkinshaw C
Published: December 2009

New material combinations and designs of artificial hip implants are being introduced in an effort to improve proprioception and functional longevity. Larger joints in particular are being developed to improve joint stability, and it is thought that these larger implants will be more satisfactory for younger and more physically active patients. The study detailed here used a hip friction simulator to assess the friction and lubrication properties of large-diameter hip bearings of metal-on-metal and ceramic-on-reinforced-polymer couplings. Joints of different diameters were evaluated to determine what effect, if any, bearing diameter had on lubrication. In addition, the effects of lubricant type are considered, using carboxymethyl cellulose and bovine calf serum, and the physiological lubricant is shown to be considerably more effective at reducing friction. The frictional studies showed that the metal-on-metal joints worked under a mixed lubrication regime, producing similar friction factor values to each other. The addition of bovine calf serum (BCS) reduced the friction. The ceramic-on-reinforced-polymer samples were shown to operate with high friction factors and mixed lubrication. When tested with BCS, the larger-diameter bearings showed a decrease in friction compared with the smaller-size bearings, and the addition of BCS resulted in an increase in friction, unlike the metal-on-metal system. The study demonstrated that the component's diameter had little or no influence on the lubrication and friction of the large bearing combinations tested.
Beyond GDP: The Quest for a Measure of Social Welfare
Authors: Fleurbaey Marc
Published: December 2009

This paper critically examines the various approaches to the measurement of individual well-being and social welfare that have been considered for the construction of alternatives to GDP. Special attention is devoted to recent developments in the analysis of sustainability, in the study of happiness, in the theory of social choice and fair allocation, and in the capability approach. It is suggested in the conclusion that, although convergence toward a consensual approach is not impossible, for the moment not one but three alternatives to GDP are worth developing. (JEL I31, E23, E01)
Variation in the gene encoding Krüppel-like factor 7 influences body fat: studies of 14 818 Danes
Authors: Zobel Dorit P , Andreasen Camilla H , Burgdorf Kristoffer S , Andersson Ehm A , Sandbæk Annelli , Lauritzen Torsten , Borch-Johnsen Knut , Jørgensen Torben , Maeda Shiro , Nakamura Yusuke , Eiberg Hans , Pedersen Oluf , Hansen Torben
Published: December 2009

The authors and journal apologize for an error in the above paper above which appeared in 160 (4) 603–609. The twelfth author's name should have appeared as Oluf Pedersen, as shown correctly above.
Weed Eradication—An Economic Perspective
Authors: Panetta F. Dane
Published: December 2009

There has been recent interest in determining the upper limits to the feasibility of weed eradication. Although a number of disparate factors determine the success of an eradication program, ultimately eradication feasibility must be viewed in the context of the amount of investment that can be made. The latter should reflect the hazard posed by an invasion, with greater investment justified by greater threats. In simplest terms, the effort (and hence investment) to achieve weed eradication comprises the detection effort required to delimit an invasion plus the search and control effort required to prevent reproduction until extirpation occurs over the entire infested area. The difficulty of estimating the required investment at the commencement of a weed eradication program (as well as during periodic reviews) is a serious problem. Bioeconomics show promise in determining the optimal approach to managing weed invasions, notwithstanding ongoing difficulties in estimating the costs and benefits of eradication and alternative invasion management strategies. A flexible approach to the management of weed invasions is needed, allowing for the adoption of another strategy when it becomes clear that the probability of eradication is low, owing to resourcing or intractable technical issues. Whether the considerable progress that has been achieved towards eradication of the once massive witchweed invasion can be duplicated for other weeds of agricultural systems will depend to a large extent upon investment (> $250 million over 50 yr in this instance). Weeds of natural ecosystems seem destined to remain more difficult eradication targets for a variety of reasons, including higher impedance to eradication, more difficulty in valuing the benefits arising from eradication, and possibly less willingness to pay from society at large.
Nonchemical Methods for Managing Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum)
Authors: Flory S. Luke , Lewis Jason
Published: December 2009

Chemical, mechanical, and biological methods are used to manage invasive plants, but their effectiveness at removing specific plant invaders while preserving native communities varies widely. Chemical methods are used most extensively but the nontarget effects of some herbicides can have lasting effects on native plants. Nonchemical methods are needed for sites containing rare or threatened native species and where the cost of herbicides is prohibitive. Here we evaluate multiple nonchemical methods for removing Japanese stiltgrass, a nonnative annual grass that is rapidly invading eastern U.S. forests. We applied mowing, hand weeding, and spring and fall fire treatments to replicated plots at three forested sites in southern Indiana and compared the response of Japanese stiltgrass and native plants to untreated reference plots. Mowing and fall fires applied just before seed set were the most effective methods for removing Japanese stiltgrass. Mowing decreased invader cover by 70% and biomass by 95%, whereas fall fires reduced cover by 79% and biomass by 90% compared to reference plots. Spring fire reduced Japanese stiltgrass cover, but not biomass, and hand weeding did not significantly reduce invader cover or biomass compared to untreated plots. There were no significant differences in the response of the overall native plant community or of specific native plant functional groups to the removal treatments. In summary, mowing and properly timed fall fires may be effective nonchemical methods for managing Japanese stiltgrass invasions and restoring native communities. Future research should focus on evaluating the responses of Japanese stiltgrass, native species, and other plant invaders to removal treatments conducted over successive growing seasons across a range of invaded habitats.
Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense) Removal and its Effect on Native Plant Communities of Riparian Forests
Authors: Hanula James L. , Horn Scott , Taylor John W.
Published: December 2009

Chinese privet is a major invasive shrub within riparian zones throughout the southeastern United States. We removed privet shrubs from four riparian forests in October 2005 with a Gyrotrac® mulching machine or by hand-felling with chainsaws and machetes to determine how well these treatments controlled privet and how they affected plant community recovery. One year after shrub removal a foliar application of 2% glyphosate was applied to privet remaining in the herbaceous layer. Three “desired-future-condition” plots were also measured to assess how well treatments shifted plant communities toward a desirable outcome. Both methods completely removed privet from the shrub layer without reducing nonprivet shrub cover and diversity below levels on the untreated control plots. Nonprivet plant cover on the mulched plots was > 60% by 2007, similar to the desired-future-condition plots and higher than the hand-felling plots. Both treatments resulted in higher nonprivet plant cover than the untreated controls. Ordination showed that after 2 yr privet removal plots were tightly grouped, suggesting that the two removal techniques resulted in the same plant communities, which were distinctly different from both the untreated controls and the desired-future-condition. Both treatments created open streamside forests usable for recreation and other human activities. However, much longer periods of time or active management of the understory plant communities, or both, will be required to change the forests to typical mature forest plant communities.
In Situ Stress Pattern and its Impact in Drilling High-Angle Wells in Gulf of Suez, Egypt
Authors: Dutta Dhruba J. , Fotoh Ahmed Abu El , Juandi Dedi
Published: December 2009

Borehole instability, in most of the cases, is a direct reflection of earth's in situ stress state. It is well known that the stress distribution around the wellbore induces deformation depending on many factors ranging from wellbore pressure history and rock strength to the trajectory orientation.

A stress direction map is generated for the GoS from observations of borehole breakout detected in multi-arm-caliper logs and other log data base, viz., electrical Images and sonic logs. In vertical wells, the maximum tangential stress around borehole can produce breakouts and their orientation indicates the direction of minimum in situ horizontal stress (Sh). In the case of deviated wells, a stress-tensor diagram defines Sh direction with reasonable accuracy, provided wells cover wide range of deviation angle and azimuth

The current study indicates that Sh in GoS is aligned along two major trends. The main NNE – SSW trend, with average orientation of N10degE, exists in most of the region. The second trend is aligned NE – SW and observed locally at the central eastern and south-western part of GoS, with an average orientation of N50degE. Most studies of the structural and tectonic history of the GoS have identified two age significant orientations for this extensional rift. The early to middle Miocene rifting, responded to a Sh direction of N55-60degE (rift-climax). The younger stress fields of the Late Miocene and Pliocene times rotated progressively counterclockwise to a N15–25degE direction that persisted into early-late Pleistocene time. The dominant in situ stress orientation trend, identified in this study, therefore, is mainly controlled by this younger stress field of the GoS rifting.

In situ stress directions have strong impact in drilling high angle wells in GoS. Proper placement of well trajectory with respect to in situ stress reduces instability in drilling. The paper exhibits example of directional sensitivity of well trajectory and successful drilling campaign based on the developed stress map.
A Novel Technology for Through Tubing Perforation in Highly Deviated Wells Where Electric Line Is Limited
Authors: Ifediora Emmanuel , Ibrahim Charles , Ekeke Davis , Nwaochei Francis , Ogugua Emeka , Ene Emeka C. , Orumwese Sylvester , Idedevbo Kingsley
Published: December 2009

Electric line remedial work such as through tubing perforation has been successfully carried out in most vertical/deviated wells. However, in high angle/horizontal wells it has become a major undertaking due to inability of the gravity-assisted, electric line to convey perforating guns to angles greater than 65°. With this electric line limitation, the options available for deploying the guns are limited to wireline tractor and e-coiled tubing since most through tubing perforation are done in real time. Apart from space constraint at the wellsite and cumbersome logistics, the main set back with the e-coil is its unavailability, while the tractor has high operational cost. This paper outlines the successful perforation of horizontal wells in the Niger Delta while addressing the operational issues encountered.

The first case history is Addax ORW-11H, a horizontal well planned to have the lateral section slimmed down to 6 in. hole. After successfully drilling the hole to target depth (TD), a 6-in. hole-opener was deployed on 3½ in. drill pipe to condition the well before running the 4½ in. liner. In an attempt to re-run the hole-opener, the bottomhole assembly (BHA) got stuck 20 ft off target depth. After several unsuccessful attempts to recover the BHA, it was decided to perforate the 3½ in. drill pipe to provide a conduit for production. The challenge was deploying the gun at 90°deviation, correlating and perforating on depth without e-coil. This was overcome by using an intelligent memory correlating and perforating tool to perforate the drill pipe and communicate with the reservoir. On completion, the well delivered 1,400 bopd with 0% water cut.

The second case history is Chevron Okan Well Y, which was drilled and completed as a horizontal gravity waterflood injection well. The initial 20,000-bwpd water injection began to drop and later quit due to sand accumulation and plugging. After an unsuccessful sand cleanout, the proposed remedial action was to add 40 ft of additional perforations shallower in the target reservoir to provide access for the desired injection rates for the well and help increase recovery. Initial attempt to run electric line to TD failed due to inclination of over 77°, but the well was later perforated successfully using the same novel technology with significant cost reduction.