bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reductive nitrosylation of ferric human serum heme‐albumin
Authors: Ascenzi Paolo , Cao Yu , di Masi Alessandra , Gullotta Francesca , De Sanctis Giampiero , Fanali Gabriella , Fasano Mauro , Coletta Massimo
Published: April 2010

Heme endows human serum albumin (HSA) with heme‐protein‐like reactivity and spectroscopic properties. Here, the kinetics and thermodynamics of reductive nitrosylation of ferric human serum heme‐albumin [HSA‐heme‐Fe(III)] are reported. All data were obtained at 20 °C. At pH 5.5, HSA‐heme‐Fe(III) binds nitrogen monoxide (NO) reversibly, leading to the formation of nitrosylated HSA‐heme‐Fe(III) [HSA‐heme‐Fe(III)‐NO]. By contrast, at pH ≥ 6.5, the addition of NO to HSA‐heme‐Fe(III) leads to the transient formation of HSA‐heme‐Fe(III)‐NO in equilibrium with HSA‐heme‐Fe(II)‐NO+. Then, HSA‐heme‐Fe(II)‐NO+undergoes nucleophilic attack by OH−to yield ferrous human serum heme‐albumin [HSA‐heme‐Fe(II)]. HSA‐heme‐Fe(II) further reacts with NO to give nitrosylated HSA‐heme‐Fe(II) [HSA‐heme‐Fe(II)‐NO]. The rate‐limiting step for reductive nitrosylation of HSA‐heme‐Fe(III) is represented by the OH−‐mediated reduction of HSA‐heme‐Fe(II)‐NO+to HSA‐heme‐Fe(II). The value of the second‐order rate constant for OH−‐mediated reduction of HSA‐heme‐Fe(II)‐NO+to HSA‐heme‐Fe(II) is 4.4 × 103 m−1·s−1. The present results highlight the role of HSA‐heme‐Fe in scavenging reactive nitrogen species.
Effect of Mucuna pruriens (Linn.) on Sexual Behavior and Sperm Parameters in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Rat
Authors: Suresh Sekar , Prakash Seppan
Published: April 2010

Introduction

Sexual dysfunction is one of the major secondary complications in the diabetic. Mucuna pruriens, a leguminous plant identified for its antidiabetic, aphrodisiac, and improving fertility properties, has been the choice of Indian traditional medicine.

Aim

Objective of the present study was to analyze the efficacy of M. pruriens on male sexual behavior and sperm parameters in long-term hyperglycemic male rats.

Methods

Male albino rats were divided as group I control, group II diabetes induced (streptozotocin [STZ] 60 mg/kg of body weight (b.w.) in 0.1 M citrate buffer), group III diabetic rats administered with 200 mg/kg b.w. of ethanolic extract of M. pruriens seed, group IV diabetic rats administered with 5 mg/kg b.w. of sildenafil citrate (SC), group V administered with 200 mg/kg b.w. of extract, and group VI administered with 5 mg/kg b.w. of SC. M. pruriens and SC were administered in single oral dosage per day for a period of 60 days. The animals were subjected to mating behavior analyses, libido, test of potency, and epididymal sperms were analyzed.

Main Outcome Measure

The mating behavior, libido, test of potency, along with epididymal sperms were studied.

Results

The study showed significant reduction in sexual behavior and sperm parameters in group II. Daily sperm production (DSP) and levels of follicular stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone were significantly reduced in group II, whereas the animals with diabetes administered with seed extract of M. pruriens (group III) showed significant improvement in sexual behavior, libido and potency, sperm parameters, DSP, and hormonal levels when compared to group II.

Conclusion

The present work reveals the potential efficacy of ethanolic seed extract of M. pruriens to improve male sexual behavior with androgenic and antidiabetic effects in the STZ-induced diabetic male rats. This study supports the usage of M. pruriens in the Indian system of medicine as sexual invigorator in diabetic condition and encourages performing similar study in men.
A Comparative Study of the Sexual Function of Institutionalized Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Acuña María José , Martín Joaquín Carlos , Graciani Miguel , Cruces Agustina , Gotor Francisco
Published: April 2010

Introduction

Sexual dysfunction occurs frequently in patients with schizophrenia.

Aim

To assess the sexual function of institutionalized patients with schizophrenia and compare it to both that of noninstitutionalized schizophrenic patients as well as patients without any mental illness.

Methods

A cross-sectional comparative analysis between three groups: Group A: 75 patients with schizophrenia and/or schizoaffective disorder according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition (ICD-10) criteria, admitted into public psychiatric residential facilities; Group B: 41 patients with the same diagnosis who live in the community; Group C: 152 patients with no mental illness attended to by a Primary Care Medical Center.

Main Outcome Measures

The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia and Changes in Sexual Function Questionnaire were used to complete the study.

Results

When institutionalized patients were compared to the control group, the impairment of sexual function was identified in all areas except Arousal in women and the percentage of dysfunction in Desire-Interest for both sexes. The results for noninstitutionalized schizophrenic males indicated a deficit in Pleasure and Orgasm and in Pleasure and Desire-Frequency for females, when compared with the control group. The overall subscale indicated that 71.2% of males and 57.1% of females in the institutionalized group experienced sexual dysfunction compared with 10% of males and 50% of females in the noninstitutionalized group, and only 12.7% of women in the control group.

Conclusions

Most areas of sexual function are impaired among patients with schizophrenia, especially among institutionalized patients. However, their percentage of sexual dysfunction associated with sexual thoughts or fantasies was similar to that of patients without mental illness.
Female Sexual Well-Being ScaleTM: Responsiveness to Interventional Product Use by Sexually Functional Women
Authors: Rosen Raymond C. , Althof Stanley E. , Barbach Lonnie G. , Dietrich Jennifer , Wanser Rita , Zhang Paul
Published: April 2010

Introduction

Initial psychometric evaluation of the Female Sexual Well-Being ScaleTM (FSWB ScaleTM) demonstrated its validity for assessing sexual well-being in sexually functional US women.

Aim

To evaluate the responsiveness of the FSWB Scale to interventional products in sexually functional women and to confirm its psychometric validity.

Methods

In a 5-week, randomized, multicenter study, the responsiveness of FSWB Scale scores to interventional products was evaluated in 326 sexually functional, heterosexual women randomized to: (i) no intervention; (ii) couple lubricants (1 lubricant for female and second lubricant for male partner); (iii) female arousal gel; or (iv) female lubricant. At baseline, participants were instructed to have ≥3 occurrences of vaginal intercourse over the next 4 weeks. Participants assigned to an intervention were instructed to use the product immediately before intercourse. Women completed the self-administered FSWB Scale at week 1 (screening), week 2 (baseline), and week 5 (study end).

Main Outcome Measures

Changes from baseline in the FSWB Scale overall score and four domain scores were analyzed using analysis of covariance. Additional analyses were conducted to confirm psychometric validity.

Results

The mean change from baseline in the FSWB Scale overall score improved significantly among the four arms (treatment-effect P = 0.03). The within-treatment mean increase from baseline in the overall score was significant for each product arm (all P ≤ 0.002), whereas no significant change was observed for the no intervention arm (P = 0.13). Changes from baseline in the four domain scores improved differentially according to the expected effects of each product. Factor structure, reliability, and construct validity results confirmed those reported previously.

Conclusions

The FSWB Scale demonstrated excellent responsiveness to interventional products, with scores remaining relatively stable with no intervention and changing differentially and by domain with different product types. The results strongly support the usefulness of the FSWB Scale for assessing sexual well-being in future studies. Rosen RC, Althof SE, Barbach LG, Dietrich J, Wanser R, and Zhang P. Female Sexual Well-Being ScaleTM: Responsiveness to interventional product use by sexually functional women.
Differentiating Components of Sexual Well-Being in Women: Are Sexual Satisfaction and Sexual Distress Independent Constructs?
Authors: Stephenson Kyle R. , Meston Cindy M.
Published: April 2010

Introduction

Sexual satisfaction and sexual distress are common outcome measures in studies of sexual health and well-being. However, confusion remains as to if and how the two constructs are related. While many researchers have conceptualized satisfaction and distress as polar opposites, with a lack of satisfaction indicating high distress and vice versa, there is a growing movement to view satisfaction and distress as relatively independent factors and measure them accordingly.

Aim

The study aimed to assess the level of independence between sexual satisfaction and distress in female clinical and nonclinical samples.

Methods

Ninety-nine women (mean age=25.3) undergoing treatment (traditional sex therapy and/or gingko biloba) for sexual arousal disorder with or without coexistent hypoactive sexual desire disorder and/or orgasmic disorder completed surveys assessing sexual satisfaction, sexual distress, sexual functioning, and relational functioning at pretreatment, mid-treatment, posttreatment, and follow-up. Two hundred twenty sexually healthy women (mean age=20.25) completed similar surveys at 1-month intervals.

Main Outcome Measures

Sexually dysfunctional women completed the Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women (SSS-W), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Sexually healthy women completed the SSS-W, the FSFI, the Relationship Assessment Scale, and the Dimensions of Relationship Quality Scale.

Results

Sexual satisfaction and distress were generally closely and inversely related; however, distress was more closely related to sexual functioning variables than was satisfaction in the clinical sample, and satisfaction was more closely related to relational variables than was distress in the nonclinical sample. Additionally, satisfaction and distress showed partially independent patterns of change over time, and scales of distress showed a larger change in response to treatment than did scales of satisfaction.

Conclusion

Although sexual satisfaction and distress may be closely related, these findings suggest that they are, at least, partially independent constructs. Implications for research on sexual well-being and treatment outcome studies are discussed.
Androgen Blockade for the Treatment of High-Flow Priapism
Authors: Mwamukonda Kuwong B. , Chi Thomas , Shindel Alan W. , Lue Tom F.
Published: April 2010

Introduction

High-flow priapism (HFP) may occur secondary to perineal trauma, congenital arterial malformations, and iatrogenic insults. In cases that do not resolve spontaneously, standard management is by selective embolization, resulting in resolution rates as high as 78%; however, erectile dysfunction (ED) is a frequent complication, occurring in up to 39% of cases.

Aim

We report our use of androgen blockade (AB) to suppress nocturnal erections as an alternative treatment for HFP.

Methods

A retrospective review of all patients treated at our institution for HFP was undertaken. Included in this study were any patients treated with single- or combination-agent AB for HFP. Operative reports and medical records were examined to determine patient characteristics and outcomes. Treatment efficacy, side effects, and residual ED were assessed using a questionnaire.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary clinical outcomes assessed were resolution of HFP, tolerability, and side effects of treatment.

Results

Seven patients with HFP were treated with AB. Priapism was a result of trauma in three patients and a persistent high-flow state after shunt procedures in four. Mean follow-up was 2 years (range 4 to 64 months). Therapy consisted primarily of 7.5 mg intramuscular monthly leuprolide injections, although bicalutamide and ketoconazole were also utilized as adjunct treatments. Therapy duration ranged from 2 months to 6 months and was discontinued after symptom resolution. One patient discontinued daily ketoconazole after 1 week because of severe hot flashes. The remaining six patients reported complete resolution of HFP. The primary complaints during therapy were decreased libido and fatigue. All patients reported some degree of ED during therapy. There was no reported residual ED or other hypogonadal symptoms on withdrawal of therapy.

Conclusion

AB is a successful option for treating HFP with acceptable side effects and return to baseline potency on treatment withdrawal.
Correlating Fermi gamma-ray sources with ultra-high-energy cosmic rays
Authors: Mirabal N. , Oya I.
Published: April 2010

The origin of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) is one of the enduring mysteries of high-energy astrophysics. To investigate this, we cross-correlate the recently released Fermi Large Area Telescope First Source Catalog (1FGL) with the public sample of UHECRs made available by the Pierre Auger collaboration. Of the 27 UHECRs in the sample, we find 12 events that arrived within of Fermi sources. However, we find similar or larger number of matches in 63 out of 100 artificial UHECR samples constructed using positions randomly drawn from the BATSE 4B catalogue of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) collected from 1991 until 1996. Based on our analysis, we find no evidence that UHECRs are associated with Fermi sources. We conclude with some remarks about the astrophysical origin of cosmic rays.
DETOXIFICATION OF DEOXYNIVALENOL BY BACILLUS STRAINS
Authors: CHENG BOCAI , WAN CUIXIANG , YANG SHILIANG , XU HENGYI , WEI HUA , LIU JIANSHE , TIAN WANHONG , ZENG MING
Published: April 2010

Deoxynivalenol (DON) poses a health risk to animals and humans consuming contaminated food and feed. Currently, no effective method had been established to detoxify DON. Obtaining strains for the detoxification of DON from probiotic strains and ascertaining the mechanisms of detoxification will be helpful for assuring food safety in food processing. In this research, two Bacillus strains possessing the capability of detoxifying DON were picked out from 59 probiotics by using a two‐run screening. The strategy of adjusting pH and eightfold dilution was successfully applied to eliminate the interferences caused by MRS and nutrition broth in DON determination in competitive indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The capability of detoxification reached a high level when the spent culture supernatant of these two Bacillus were incubated at 37C, 180 rpm for 12 h, the detoxification rate were >98% and 71.4%, respectively. The rate presented a sharp decrease when the heating temperature changed from 65–75C. The detoxification potential was completely lost, when the heating temperature was 100C, whereas the viable cells were demonstrated as having no detoxification potential. The mechanism for detoxification of DON is related to some thermosensitive substances in the SCS of these two Bacillus.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Twenty‐five percent of the global grains were contaminated by mycotoxins, resulting in the problem of quality and safety in food and feeds and also great economic loss. As one of the most popular mycotoxins in maize and wheat, deoxynivalenol attracted few many detoxification approaches. In our study, we have found that two probiotic strains of Bacillus presented stronger detoxification ability of deoxynivalenol, therefore they could be applied in the fermentation process of feedstuffs and fermented food. Furthermore, our research provided a protocol for searching the potential bacteria, which could be used for the detoxification of other mytoxins, e.g., aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, etc.
ASSESSMENT OF ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES OF PEDIOCIN PRODUCED BY PEDIOCOCCUS ACIDILACTICI LAB 5
Authors: MANDAL VIVEKANANDA , SEN SUKANTA K. , MANDAL NARAYAN C.
Published: April 2010

Pediocin NV 5, produced by Pediococcus acidilactici LAB 5, was found to be active against a number of food spoilage and food‐related health hazards associated gram‐positive bacteria. The partially purified bacteriocin was tested for its mode of action against two sensitive strains – Enterococcus faecalis MB1 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides Ly and was found to be bactericidal at a concentration of 800 AU/mL. Atomic absorption spectroscopy for K+ ions showed that pediocin NV 5 caused pore formation which was comparable to valinomycin on human pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes Microbial Type Culture Collection (MTCC) 657. The scanning electron micrographs showed a great variation in cell morphology like elevated protrusion and barrel shape formation from cocci in treated cells. Pediocin NV 5 treatment (800 AU/mL) did not cause any loss of cellular proteins and DNA from treated cells but treatment at higher activity units (20,000 AU/mL) caused lysis in Listeria monocytogenes MTCC 657 proving its lytic mode of action.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Postpackage food spoilage of fermented food products of fish, meat, vegetables and dairy products causes a major problem in food preservation. The most predominating spoilage bacteria in both fresh and processed fish, meat, vegetables and dairy products are the species of Bacillus, Campylobacter, Clostridium, Enterobacter, Listeria, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Serratia, Staphylococcus, Yersinia, etc.; some of them are also reported to have pathogenicity in humans. Among them, Listeria monocytogenes is responsible for listeriosis, a disease with high mortality rate in humans. The use of bacteriocin as food biopreservative is an alternative method for food preservation and a good substitute for the conventionally used chemical preservatives. Results of this study show that high thermotolerant bacteriocins like pediocin NV 5, produced by Pediococcus acidilactici LAB 5, which has bactericidal activity at very low concentration against these organisms, can effectively be considered as a good candidate for food preservation.
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE BACILLUS CEREUS EMETIC TOXIN, CEREULIDE, USING MICELLAR ELECTROKINETIC CHROMATOGRAPHY‐CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS
Authors: OH MI‐HWA , COX JULIAN M.
Published: April 2010

A micellar electrokinetic chromatography capillary electrophoresis (MEKC‐CE) method was developed for quantitative analysis of cereulide, the emetic toxin produced by Bacillus cereus. Valinomycin, a highly hydrophobic cyclic dodecadepsipeptide with a chemical structure similar to that of cereulide, was used as a surrogate for method development. A series of buffer systems and electrophoretic conditions were investigated and optimized. The final method, yielding good peak resolution and reproducibility of analysis, utilized 20 mM borate buffer, pH 8.5, containing 75 mM SDS. The capillary had a 50 µm internal diameter and 36.4 cm effective length, and was maintained at 25C throughout column preparation and analysis. The sample compartment was maintained at 22C. A constant voltage of 15 kV was applied, after hydrodynamic injection of the sample at 34.5 KPa for 2 s. Detection used ultraviolet light, at 195 nm. A calibration curve, using peak area rather than peak height, was obtained with purified cereulide, with linearity between 2 and 30 ng/µL.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Detection of the emetic toxin cereulide, as well as enumeration of B. cereus, is important for determining the risk of emetic food poisoning. The novel capillary electrophoresis method developed in this study, employing the principles of MEKC‐CE, can be used for the quantitative analysis of cereulide. MEKC‐CE gives results quickly and simply, and offers advantages over reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC), through simple sample handling and preparation, less sample required and lower cost of operation. After calibration with purified cereulide was obtained, the applicability of the method to model and real food samples was evaluated with rice samples inoculated with an emetic B. cereus strain and samples from an outbreak of emetic food poisoning. The results showed that the method can be successfully applied to both semi‐purified toxin extracts of cultures and food samples.
INACTIVATION OF FOODBORNE PATHOGENS ON FRANKFURTERS USING ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT AND GRAS ANTIMICROBIALS
Authors: SOMMERS CHRISTOPHER H. , SCULLEN O. JOSEPH , SITES JOSEPH E.
Published: April 2010

Listeria monocytogenes is an occasional contaminant of ready‐to‐eat meats such as frankfurters and sausages and is responsible for foodborne illness outbreaks and recalls of the subsequently adulterated food products. Salmonella and Staphylococus aureus are prevalent among pathogens which cause foodborne illness. Ultraviolet light (UV‐C) (254 nm) is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐approved intervention technology that can inactivate foodborne pathogens on frankfurter and precooked sausage surfaces. Potassium lactate, sodium diacetate and lauric arginate ester are U.S. FDA‐approved antimicrobials that can inactivate and inhibit the growth of foodborne pathogens during refrigerated storage. UV‐C light, when used in combination with the three antimicrobials, inactivated 2.32–2.80 log of the pathogens, which was more effective than either process used individually as determined by analysis of variance (n = 6, P < 0.05). During 12 weeks of refrigerated storage (10C), the use of UV‐C in combination with the 3 antimicrobials was found to be very effective, with 3.6–4.1 log of the three pathogens being inactivated by the end of the storage period. UV‐C and antimicrobials had no impact on frankfurter color or texture. The combinatorial use of UV‐C and antimicrobials was found to be an effective hurdle against pathogen survival and proliferation.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Ultraviolet light (254 nm) is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration‐approved technology that can be used in combination with generally recognized as safe (GRAS) antimicrobials to decontaminate the surfaces of precooked sausages such as frankfurters and bratwurst. This work indicates that ultraviolet light (UV‐C), when used in combination with the commercially used antimicrobial compounds potassium lactate, sodium diacetate and lauric arginate ester, effectively inactivates and controls the growth of human pathogens better than UV‐C or GRAS antimicrobials when used individually. The process described in this study can realistically be adopted by both small and large meat processors to provide safer precooked sausages for consumers.
EVALUATION OF TWO COMMERCIAL REAL‐TIME PCR ASSAYS FOR DETECTING CAMPYLOBACTER IN BROILER CARCASS RINSES*
Authors: ENGLEN MARK D. , BERRANG MARK E. , MEINERSMANN RICHARD J. , FEDORKA‐CRAY PAULA J.
Published: April 2010

Traditional plating methods are reliable means for Campylobacter identification from poultry samples but automated gene‐based detection systems now available can reduce assay time, data collection and analysis. Bio‐Rad and DuPont Qualicon recently introduced Campylobacter assays for their real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) instruments. We evaluated the utility of these assays compared with standard plating and enumeration methods routinely used in our laboratory. Two replicates of 40 broiler carcass rinses collected before and after defeathering at a commercial processing plant were tested. All samples were positive for Campylobacter by direct plating of rinses: log10 cfu values ranged from 0.24 to 4.61. In contrast, the Bio‐Rad iQ‐Check assay returned 60–72.5% positives on direct rinses; the Qualicon BAX Q7 test produced 60–85% positives with direct rinse samples. Using aliquots of 24 h enrichment broth from rinses in the real‐time assays significantly improved detection: the Bio‐Rad test had 95–100% positive while the Qualicon assay found 90–95% positive.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Traditional detection methods for Campylobacter are time‐consuming, requiring as much as 5 days to complete. The recent introduction of commercial real‐time PCR instruments for the identification of Campylobacter offer more rapid, simplified alternatives to standard culture‐based techniques.
Electric acoustic stimulation of the auditory system: experience and results of ten patients using MED‐EL’s M and FlexEAS electrodes
Authors: Lee A. , Jiang D. , McLaren S. , Nunn T. , Demler J.M. , Tysome J.R. , Connor S. , Fitzgerald O’Connor A.
Published: April 2010

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2010, 35, 190–197

Objective:  To evaluate the hearing preservation rate and speech perception scores in patients with profound high frequency hearing loss and acoustically aidable low frequency hearing, managed with the MED‐EL electric acoustic stimulation system referenced to the insertion depth of the electrode array.

Study design:  Retrospective data analysis.

Participants and setting:  Ten patients implanted at the Auditory Implant Centre, Guy’s and St Thomas’s Hospital, London, UK.

Main outcome measures:  Pure tone audiometry, speech perception tests and electrode insertion depth angle.

Results:  Postoperatively, functional hearing preservation allowing electric acoustic stimulation was achieved in eight patients and total preservation of residual hearing in five patients with follow‐up periods of more than 12 months. Three of four (75%) patients with an insertion depth of >360° had a threshold shift of >25 dB, and all four patients had a threshold shift of >10 dB. All patients with total hearing preservation had the electrode inserted up to 360° at maximum. Overall, speech perception outcomes increased significantly and hearing impairment was significantly reduced after electric acoustic stimulation or electric stimulation alone as compared with the preoperative scores.

Conclusion:  Electric acoustic stimulation provides significant benefit to individuals with profound high frequency hearing loss. Studies with larger number of patients are needed to establish the optimal electrode insertion angle as well as to further analyse the benefit of electric acoustic stimulation.
Efficient Photodecarboxylation of Trifluoromethyl‐substituted Phenylacetic and Mandelic Acids
Authors: Burns Misty‐Dawn , Lukeman Matthew
Published: April 2010

A total of eight CF3‐substituted phenylacetic and mandelic acids are shown to undergo efficient photodecarboxylation (PDC; Φ = 0.37–0.74) in basic aqueous solution to give the corresponding trifluoromethyltoluenes or trifluoromethylbenzyl alcohols. The products are consistent with the almost exclusive formation of benzylic carbanions that subsequently react with water, with minor amounts (≤5%) of radical‐derived products detected. Quenching studies indicate that the reaction likely proceeds from the singlet excited state. This work demonstrates that the CF3 group greatly facilitates the excited state ionic PDC of phenylacetic acids.
Forest Road Erosion Control Using Multiobjective Optimization1
Authors: Thompson Matthew , Sessions John , Boston Kevin , Skaugset Arne , Tomberlin David
Published: April 2010

Thompson, Matthew, John Sessions, Kevin Boston, Arne Skaugset, and David Tomberlin, 2010. Forest Road Erosion Control Using Multiobjective Optimization.Journal of the American Water Resources Association(JAWRA) 46(4): 712‐723. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2010.00443.x

Abstract: Forest roads are associated with accelerated erosion and can be a major source of sediment delivery to streams, which can degrade aquatic habitat. Controlling road‐related erosion therefore remains an important issue for forest stewardship. Managers are faced with the task to develop efficient road management strategies to achieve conflicting environmental and economic goals. This manuscript uses mathematical programming techniques to identify the efficient frontier between sediment reduction and treatment costs. Information on the nature of the tradeoffs between conflicting objectives can give the decision maker more insight into the problem, and help in reaching a suitable compromise solution. This approach avoids difficulties associated witha prioriestablishment of targets for sediment reduction, preferences between competing objectives, and mechanisms to scale noncommensurate objectives. Computational results demonstrate the utility of this multiobjective optimization approach, which should facilitate tradeoff analysis and ideally promote efficient erosion control on forest roads.
Reclaimed Mineland Curve Number Response to Temporal Distribution of Rainfall1
Authors: Warner Richard C. , Agouridis Carmen T. , Vingralek Page T. , Fogle Alex W.
Published: April 2010

Warner, Richard C., Carmen T. Agouridis, Page T. Vingralek, and Alex W. Fogle, 2010. Reclaimed Mineland Curve Number Response to Temporal Distribution of Rainfall. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(4): 724‐732. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2010.00444.x

Abstract:  The curve number (CN) method is a common technique to estimate runoff volume, and it is widely used in coal mining operations such as those in the Appalachian region of Kentucky. However, very little CN data are available for watersheds disturbed by surface mining and then reclaimed using traditional techniques. Furthermore, as the CN method does not readily account for variations in infiltration rates due to varying rainfall distributions, the selection of a single CN value to encompass all temporal rainfall distributions could lead engineers to substantially under‐ or over‐size water detention structures used in mining operations or other land uses such as development. Using rainfall and runoff data from a surface coal mine located in the Cumberland Plateau of eastern Kentucky, CNs were computed for conventionally reclaimed lands. The effects of temporal rainfall distributions on CNs was also examined by classifying storms as intense, steady, multi‐interval intense, or multi‐interval steady. Results indicate that CNs for such reclaimed lands ranged from 62 to 94 with a mean value of 85. Temporal rainfall distributions were also shown to significantly affect CN values with intense storms having significantly higher CNs than multi‐interval storms. These results indicate that a period of recovery is present between rainfall bursts of a multi‐interval storm that allows depressional storage and infiltration rates to rebound.
Spring‐retained delayed surgical obturator for total maxillectomy: a technical note
Authors: Patil P.G.
Published: April 2010

Aim: The aim of this article is to describe a technique to fabricate a spring retained surgical obturator prosthesis for rehabilitation of a patient with total maxillectomy.

Material and Methods: The mandibular retention plate was fabricated with the help of hard, round, stainless steel orthodontic wires and heat‐polymerizing acrylic resin. The 0.6 mm wire is manipulated to make Adams clasps on right and left mandibular first molars and 1 mm wire to make C clasps on right and left mandibular first premolars. A palatal shaped maxillary obturator plate was fabricated with acrylic resin. Two newly designed springs were fabricated with 0.6 mm orthodontic wire. Lower end of the springs were attached to the mandibular retention plate and upper ends were attached to the maxillary obturator plate.

Results: When the appliance was placed in the mouth with the help of the mandibular retention plate, the maxillary obturator plate remains in a floating position in the mouth by spring‐action on both sides. The springs used in the appliance were easy to fabricate and required less space in the buccal vestibules with minimum soft tissue irritation.

Conclusion: This obturator develops the seal with the dorsum of the tongue during deglutition, thus helping the patient to take liquid food orally. It has proven to be the acceptable and comfortable treatment option for the patients with total maxillectomy, thereby, enhancing the quality of life during the initial healing period.
Impacts of prescribed fire on saproxylic beetles in loblolly pine logs
Authors: ULYSHEN MICHAEL D. , HORN SCOTT , BARNES BRITTANY , GANDHI KAMAL J. K.
Published: April 2010

Abstract.  1. Studies addressing the immediate impacts of fire on forest arthropod communities and their implications for conservation are few, particularly for species within dead wood. To investigate the effects of fire on saproxylic beetles (Coleoptera), we randomly assigned large‐diameter loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) logs to a forest scheduled for a prescribed burn (i.e. a low‐intensity surface fire) or to an adjacent unburned forest in Georgia, USA.

2. Beginning 5 days after the fire, the logs were placed in rearing bags to capture emerging beetles. In total, 3457 individuals from 80 taxa were collected.

3. While more than twice as many individuals were collected from unburned logs than from burned logs, none of the 21 most abundant (i.e. ≥10 individuals) taxa, with the exception of Dioedus punctatus LeConte (Tenebrionidae), was absent from burned logs. Furthermore, similar total numbers of species were collected from unburned (62) and burned (60) logs.

4. Diplocoelus rudis (LeConte), Cathartosilvanus imbellis (LeConte) and Endeitoma dentata (Horn) were considerably more common in burned logs, suggesting rapid colonisation following the fire.

5. There were no differences in community composition between treatments based on analyses of similarities (anosim) using presence–absence data. Community composition, however, did differ between treatments based on anosim using log‐transformed abundance data, but only for logs taken from a tree largely covered by bark, suggesting that the subcortical fauna is more strongly impacted.

6. These results indicate that saproxylic beetles within large‐diameter loblolly pine logs can, for the most part, tolerate low‐intensity fires and need not recolonise burned sites.
New records and a niche model for the distribution of two Neotropical damselflies: Schistolobos boliviensis and Tuberculobasis inversa (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)
Authors: DE ALMEIDA MIRIAN C. , CÔRTES LARA G. , DE MARCO JÚNIOR PAULO
Published: April 2010

Abstract.  1. Two new records for the Neotropical damselflies, Schistolobos boliviensis and Tuberculobasis inversa, previously known only from the Amazonia, are presented from the Brazilian Cerrado.

2. Potential distribution models for the two species were built first using only previous occurrence points from the literature, and later adding the new records. The first niche models had low capacity to predict the new records for both species. The models with with all biogeographical information increased overall distributional area for both species and indicated priority areas for inventory outside its original distribution. The results reinforce the use of modelling as a tool to increase faunal knowledge in poorly studied areas, allowing an initial evaluation of conservation status and the indication of priority areas for inventories.
Acute neurological crisis: A toxicological commentary
Authors: Evans R. J.
Published: April 2010

In the present case the clinical signs, despite their florid nature, are rather non‐specific. The same is true of the post mortem findings. That makes presumptive diagnosis hazardous. There is no specific reason to suspect poisoning on the basis of circumstantial or factual evidence of exposure, from clinical signs or from the pathological investigations. In these circumstances and in the absence therefore of any indication as to the agent sought, it would be impossible to proceed with chemical analysis. Even if analysis is possible the likely costs and the legal and epidemiological value of the information must be considered. It is a wise policy to discourage clients from pursuing litigation in cases of putative intoxication unless the losses are substantial and the evidence clear cut.
A clinical study of cisapride in horses after colic surgery
Authors: de GEEST J. , VLAMINCK K. , MUYLLE E. , DEPREZ P. , SUSTRONCK B. , PICAVET M. T.
Published: April 2010

Cisapride was administered to 42 horses, treated surgically for colic, to prevent the occurrence of post operative ileus. The results of this treatment were beneficial. Only two horses showed gastric reflux in the post operative phase; borborygmi were detected within 3 h after surgery and defaecation within 24 h post operatively. These results were a marked improvement over the usual treatment, especially when colic was due to small intestinal pathology. When colic was related to large intestinal pathology, a less pronounced effect was observed.
Field management of two foals with suspected botulism
Authors: Crane Susan A.
Published: April 2010

Two cases of botulism in foals and their medical management are described. Both cases were treated on the farm for financial reasons and had successful outcomes. The foals were treated withClostridium botulinumtype B antitoxin, antibiotics, ocular lubricants, histamine (H2) blockers in one case, and tube feeding in another case, along with diligent nursing care by the owners. A discussion is presented on the field management of foals suspected of suffering from botulism and possible complications.
VIDEO REVIEW
Authors: HOPES R.
Published: April 2010

Anatomy of the Equine Hoof and Innervation of the Forelimb
Book Review
Authors: MACGREGOR C. M.
Published: April 2010

Book Reviewed in this Article:

On the Horse's foot, shoes and shoeing: the bibliographic record and a brief timeline history of horseshoeing by Henry Heymering.
Anaesthesia of donkeys and mules
Authors: Matthews Nora S. , Taylor T. S. , Hartsfield Sandee M.
Published: April 2010

Great variabilities in the sizes and types of donkeys and mules affects the choice of drugs and anaesthetic management of these equids. Most of the difference between donkeys, mules and horses is apparent when using injectable anaesthetic regimens, since these drugs are distributed and metabolised at rates different from the horse. With inhalant anaesthesia few differences are seen between equids. However, it is helpful for the clinician to recognise behavioural differences between donkeys, mules and horses which impact on anaesthetic management.
Anaesthetic emergencies and complications — Part 1
Authors: Grubb Tamaea L. , Muir W. W.
Published: April 2010

Anaesthetic emergencies and complications should be anticipated and prepared for prior to anaesthesia. Attentive patient monitoring will help to prevent most anaesthetic emergencies and increase the potential for success should an emergency occur (Table 8).
Gastric reflux: what does it mean?
Authors: Singer Ellen R.
Published: April 2010

Gastric reflux is an important clinical parameter to evaluate when treating the equine acute abdomen. This statement applies equally to first opinion visits, preoperative evaluations and post operative evaluations. Although simply a ‚clinical sign’ the presence of gastric reflux often helps to decrease the length of our list of differential diagnoses and speeds our decision for exploratory laparotomy.
Particle-Image Velocimetry Study of a Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device
Authors: Ferrara E. , Muramatsu M. , Christensen K. T. , Cestari I. A.
Published: April 2010

Particle-image velocimetry (PIV) was used to visualize the flow within an optically transparent pediatric ventricular assist device (PVAD) under development in our laboratory. The device studied is a diaphragm type pulsatile pump with an ejection volume of 30 ml per beating cycle intended for temporary cardiac assistance as a bridge to transplantation or recovery in children. Of particular interest was the identification of flow patterns, including regions of stagnation and/or strong turbulence that often promote thrombus formation and hemolysis, which can degrade the usefulness of such devices. For this purpose, phase-locked PIV measurements were performed in planes parallel to the diaphram that drives the flow in the device. The test fluid was seeded with 10 μm polystyrene spheres, and the motion of these particles was used to determine the instantaneous flow velocity distribution in the illumination plane. These measurements revealed that flow velocities up to 1.0 m/s can occur within the PVAD. Phase-averaged velocity fields revealed the fixed vortices that drive the bulk flow within the device, though significant cycle-to-cycle variability was also quite apparent in the instantaneous velocity distributions, most notably during the filling phase. This cycle-to-cycle variability can generate strong turbulence that may contribute to greater hemolysis. Stagnation regions have also been observed between the input and output branches of the prototype, which can increase the likelihood of thrombus formation.
Reverse Pupillary Block Slows Iris Contour Recovery From Corneoscleral Indentation
Authors: Amini Rouzbeh , Barocas Victor H.
Published: April 2010

Corneoscleral indentation changes the iris contour and alters the angle between the iris and cornea. Although this effect has long been observed, the mechanism by which it occurs remains poorly understood. Previous theoretical research has shown that corneoscleral indentation can deform the eye globe and consequently rotate the iris root. In this work, we studied the fluid-structure interaction between the iris and aqueous humor, driven by iris root rotation. The iris root rotation obtained from our previous whole-globe model was used as a boundary condition for a fluid-structure interaction finite element model of the anterior eye. We studied the effect of two parameters-rotation angle and indentation speed-on the iris contour and aqueous humor dynamics. We found that posterior rotation of the iris root caused posterior bowing of the iris. After the iris root was returned to its original orientation, the aqueous humor was trapped in the anterior chamber because the iris tip pinned against the lens (reverse pupillary block). After 0.5–2 min of simulation, aqueous humor secretion into the posterior chamber and outflow from the anterior chamber allowed the system to return to its original steady state flow condition. The faster or farther the iris root rotated, the longer it took to return to steady state. Reverse pupillary block following corneoscleral indentation is a possible explanation for the clinical observation that prevention of blinking causes the iris to drift forward.
Mechanical Analysis of the Preferred Strategy Selection in Human Stumble Recovery
Authors: de Boer T. , Wisse M. , van der Helm F. C. T.
Published: April 2010

We use simple walking models, based on mechanical principles, to study the preferred strategy selection in human stumble recovery. Humans typically apply an elevating strategy in response to a stumble in early swing and midswing, for which the perturbed step is lengthened in a continuation of the original step. A lowering strategy is executed for stumbles occurring at midswing or late swing, for which the perturbed swing foot is immediately placed on the ground and the recovery is executed in the subsequent step. There is no clear understanding of why either strategy is preferred over the other. We hypothesize that the human strategy preference is the result of an attempt to minimize the cost of successful recovery. We evaluate five hypothesized measures for recovery cost, focusing on the energetic cost of active recovery limb placement. We determine all hypothesized cost measures as a function of the chosen recovery strategy and the timing of the stumble during gait. Minimization of the cost measures based on the required torque, impulse, power and torque/time results in a humanlike strategy preference. The cost measure based on swing work does not predict a favorable strategy as a function of the gait phase.
Evaluation of Negative Fixed-Charge Density in Tissue-Engineered Cartilage by Quantitative MRI and Relationship With Biomechanical Properties
Authors: Miyata Shogo , Homma Kazuhiro , Numano Tomokazu , Tateishi Tetsuya , Ushida Takashi
Published: April 2010

Applying tissue-engineered cartilage in a clinical setting requires noninvasive evaluation to detect the maturity of the cartilage. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of articular cartilage has been widely accepted and applied clinically in recent years. In this study, we evaluated the negative fixed-charge density (nFCD) of tissue-engineered cartilage using gadolinium-enhanced MRI and determined the relationship between nFCD and biomechanical properties. To reconstruct cartilage tissue, articular chondrocytes from bovine humeral heads were embedded in agarose gel and cultured in vitro for up to 4 weeks. The nFCD of the cartilage was determined using the MRI gadolinium exclusion method. The equilibrium modulus was determined using a compressive stress relaxation test, and the dynamic modulus was determined by a dynamic compression test. The equilibrium compressive modulus and dynamic modulus of the tissue-engineered cartilage increased with an increase in culture time. The nFCD value—as determined with the [Gd-DTPA2−] measurement using the MRI technique—increased with culture time. In the regression analysis, nFCD showed significant correlations with equilibrium compressive modulus and dynamic modulus. From these results, gadolinium-enhanced MRI measurements can serve as a useful predictor of the biomechanical properties of tissue-engineered cartilage.
Biomechanical and Elastographic Analysis of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Treated Tissue Following Surgery
Authors: Marie Hazel , Zhang Yong , Heffner Jeremy , Dorion Heath A. , Fagan Diana L.
Published: April 2010

Hernia repair continues to be a problem facing surgeons today, particularly because of the high incidence of reoccurrence. This work presents preliminary data of a pioneering effort to investigate the effect of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) on mechanical property enhancement in full thickness fascial defects. Heparinized MSCs harvested from a rabbit’s tibia/iliac crest were applied to two fascial defects on the rabbit’s abdominal wall, with two other defects acting as controls (no MSCs added). After an 8 week recovery period, the entire abdominal fascia was harvested for mechanical property testing and elastographic strain analysis. Preliminary results from uniaxial tensile testing indicate a significant increase in the modulus of toughness strain energy, with at least a 50% increase in the MSC treated defects as compared with the control defects. Results from the elastographic strain analysis show excellent correlation in the calibration of the elastography to the uniaxial tensile test, with nearly identical moduli of elasticity. In addition, the elastographs clearly show tissue property heterogeneity at all stages of tensile testing. The MSC treated tissue demonstrates promise of enhanced material properties over that of the nontreated tissue; testing and analysis is ongoing. The elastography provides pixel-level description of tissue property variations providing critical information on wound healing effectiveness that would be impossible with other methods. In the ongoing research, optical elastography, in combination with the traditional tensile test and tissue histology, will be used to characterize localized biomechanical properties directly within the defect area and to locate “crack” initiation and propagation sights as the material is strained to rupture.