bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Intracoronary Electrocardiogram in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: YONG ANDY SC , LOWE HARRY C , NG MARTIN KC , KRITHARIDES LEONARD
Published: December 2008

The technique of obtaining an epicardial electrocardiogram trace by connecting the guidewire during coronary angioplasty to an electrocardiogram lead has been used since 1985. The intracoronary electrocardiogram appears to be more sensitive than the surface electrocardiogram in detecting transient ischemia, particularly in the territory of the left anterior descending and left circumflex coronary arteries. Importantly, recent studies have shown the intracoronary electrocardiogram to be particularly useful in demonstrating pre‐ and postconditioning during interventional procedures, predicting periprocedural myocardial damage, and in the determination of regional viability in the catheterization laboratory. Barriers to the use of the intracoronary electrocardiogram in the clinical setting include the lack of standardized methods for acquiring and analyzing the intracoronary electrocardiogram, and the lack of commercially available continuous intracoronary monitoring systems to permit analysis while performing coronary interventions. Facilitating these relatively simple technical developments may permit optimal integration of the intracoronary electrocardiogram into the catheterization laboratory.
Maraschino Cherry: A Laboratory‐Lecture Unit
Authors: Wrolstad Ronald E.
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT:  Oregon State Univ. has offered FST 102 “Maraschino Cherry” as a 1‐credit orientation course since 1994. The maraschino cherry serves as a vehicle from which faculty give their disciplinary perspective, for example, the chemistry of the maraschino cherry, processing unit operations, microbiology and food safety, food law, sensory analysis, product development, and so on. This laboratory‐lecture unit was developed to provide reference background information, including instructions for making maraschino cherries. The unit explains the functions of SO2, CaCl2, acidulants (citric or HCl), and sodium chlorite in cherry brine formulations, as well as the critical role of pH in cherry brine formulation and processing of maraschino cherries. How to estimate °Brix of sugar syrups by the Pearson square method is described. The unit gives students an understanding of the regulatory distinctions between certified colorants and colorants exempt from certification; artificial, natural, and with other natural flavors (WONF) flavorings; and additives and ingredients. A brief historical perspective of maraschino cherries is given. Study questions and suggested student projects are included.
Role of the vitamin D3 pathway in healthy and diseased skin – facts, contradictions and hypotheses
Authors: Lehmann Bodo
Published: December 2008

Abstract:  Irradiation of human keratinocytes with UVB (280–320 nm) in vitro and in vivo activates the metabolism of 7‐dehydrocholesterol to hormonally active calcitriol. The production of calcitriol in the skin strongly depends on the photosynthesis of vitamin D3 which is biologically inactive in the first instance. Vitamin D3 serves as the starting substrate for two subsequent enzymatic hydroxylation steps in epidermal keratinocytes. Both the amount of vitamin D3 and the activity of anabolic and catabolic vitamin D hydroxylases determine the cutaneous level of calcitriol. The hormonally active metabolite of vitamin D3 regulates a huge number of genes in keratinocytes, and thus acts in an autocrine and/or paracrine manner. This local pathway of vitamin D3 is unique, but its relevance for healthy and diseased skin is widely unknown, yet. Experimental findings implicate several questions: (1) Is UVB‐induced formation of calcitriol involved in regulation of growth and differentaition of epidermal cells as well as immunological and skin protective processes? (2) What endogenous and exogenous factors including drugs affect the cutaneous vitamin D3 pathway? From a therapeutical point of view, it has been known for a long time that topical application of calcitriol and its analogs can improve hyperproliferative skin diseases like psoriasis. In spite of many encouraging studies in recent years, the fields of the routinely therapeutical application of calcitriol or vitamin D analogs in dermatology (e.g. treatment of immunological, inflammatory, malignancies and infectious skin diseases) have not been intensified. Why is that?
Nurses’ roles in identifying urinary incontinence and its effects on social life
Authors: Kök Gülşah , Şenel Nur , Akyüz Aygül
Published: December 2008

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a serious health problem, which is usually neglected by both health professionals and patients, and negatively affects women’s social, psychological and sexual life. The aim of this descriptive study was planned to identify UI‐affecting women who attended the gynaecology outpatient clinic at a training military hospital in Turkey, their individual perception levels of the effect and the effect of UI on their social lives. Sample of this study included 229 patients who were older than 18 years and had a normal delivery. The data obtained from the application were analysed as percentages in the spss 11.0 program. By means of a two‐section questionnaire, it was found that 37.1% of the women had experienced UI, and the problem was affecting their social life ‘slightly’ at a rate of 28.2%; and ‘highly’ and ‘extremely highly’ with a rate of 41.2% in total. This study suggests that nurses can identify UI symptoms among women who attend to gynaecological outpatient clinics, assess them from the perspective of UI risk factors, explore their thoughts on the effects of UI symptoms on their social lives and encourage them to get treatment accordingly.
Growth and hormonal status of children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Authors: Swift P G , Kearney P J , Dalton R G , Bullimore J A , Mott M G , Savage D C
Published: December 2008

Growth and hypothalamic-pituitary function have been studied in children in long-term remission from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). All 14 children are growing and developing normally; in the 8 children in whom the hypothalamic pituitary axis was investigated endocrine function is normal. Continuing long-term review of these children is essential, but hypothalamic-pituitary investigation is required only when there is a decrease in growth velocity or delay in the onset of puberty.
Faecal excretion of oligosaccharides and other carbohydrates in normal neonates.
Authors: Whyte R K , Homer R , Pennock C A
Published: December 2008

Chromatographic analysis of sugars in the stools of 40 normal newborn infants has shown the presence of an oligosaccharide in 85% of samples. The oligosaccharide has been shown to contain fucose (6-deoxygalactose), glucose, and galactose and is present in normal breast milk. In addition fucose has also been found in the presence of galactose in some samples and is probably a breakdown product of milk oligosaccharides. These findings, which affect the interpretation of faecal sugar excretion, have not been described previously.
The role of haemoglobin A2testing in the diagnosis of thalassaemias and related haemoglobinopathies
Authors: Mosca A , Paleari R , Ivaldi G , Galanello R , Giordano P C
Published: December 2008

The increase in haemoglobin (Hb)A2level is the most significant parameter in the identification of β thalassaemia carriers. However, in some cases the level of HbA2is not typically elevated and some difficulties may arise in making the diagnosis. For these reasons the quantification of HbA2has to be performed with great accuracy and the results must be interpreted together with other haematological and biochemical evidence. The present document includes comments on the need for accuracy and standardisation, and on the interpretation of the HbA2value, reviewing the most crucial aspects related to this test. A practical flow-chart is presented to summarise the significance of HbA2estimation in different thalassaemia syndromes and related haemoglobinopathies.
Neonatal haemoglobinopathy screening in Burkina Faso: Table 1
Authors: Kafando E , Nacoulma E , Ouattara Y , Ayéroué J , Cotton F , Sawadogo M , Gulbis B
Published: December 2008

Aims:

To report our experience of neonatal screening for sickle cell disease in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) and to discuss the feasibility of neonatal screening in this country.

Methods:

Between the years 2000 and 2004, there were about 2341 births in five maternity services in Ouagadougou. These babies were screened for sickle cell disease in a universal screening pilot programme. In 2006, 53 babies born to selected couples were screened. The specimens were collected either by cord blood sampling or from a dried blood spot on filter paper. The screening was performed using an isoelectric focusing technique.

Results:

In the first stage (2000–4), the incidence of sickle cell disease was 1:57. In the second stage, six of 53 babies of selected couples were found to have major haemoglobinopathies: one was homozygous for haemoglobin S and five were compound heterozygotes for haemoglobins S and C.

Conclusions:

The results suggest that a national screening programme should be implemented in Burkina Faso with effective newborn and subsequent follow-up, but a methodology needs to be developed.
Multifocal primary extranodal B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma involving six extranodal sites: Figure 1
Authors: Craig J , Walker K , Bayer L , Brunton J , Oliver B , Meiklejohn D , Kernohan N , Tauro S
Published: December 2008

An unusual case of Epstein–Barr virus-negative primary extranodal B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma involving six anatomical sites is described in a report that challenges the role of organotropism in the pathogenesis of extranodal lymphoma.
“Two per cent isn’t a lot, but when it comes to death it seems quite a lot anyway”: patients’ perception of risk and willingness to accept risks associated with thrombolytic drug treatment for acute stroke
Authors: Mangset M , Berge E , Førde R , Nessa J , Wyller T B
Published: December 2008

Background:

Thrombolytic drugs to treat an acute ischaemic stroke reduce the risk of death or major disability. The treatment is, however, also associated with an increased risk of potentially fatal intracranial bleeding. This confronts the patient with the dilemma of whether or not to take a risk of a serious side effect in order to increase the likelihood of a favourable outcome.

Objective:

To explore acute stroke patients’ perception of risk and willingness to accept risks associated with thrombolytic drug treatment.

Design:

Eleven patients who had been informed about thrombolytic drug treatment and had been through the process of deciding whether or not to participate in a thrombolytic drug trial went through repeated qualitative, semistructured interviews.

Results:

Many patients showed a limited perception of the risks connected with thrombolytic drug treatment. Some perceived the risk as not relevant to them and were reluctant to accept that treatment could cause harm. Others seemed to be aware that treatment would mean exposure to risk. The patients’ willingness to take a risk also varied substantially. Several statements revealed ambiguity and confusion about being involved in a decision about treatment. The patients’ reasoning about risk was put into the context of their health-related experiences and life histories. Several patients wanted the doctor to be responsible for the decisions.

Conclusion:

Acute stroke patients’ difficulties in perceiving and processing information about risk may reduce their ability to be involved in clinical decisions where risks are involved.
Understanding ethics guidelines using an internet-based expert system
Authors: Shankar G , Simmons A
Published: December 2008

National and international guidelines outlining ethical conduct in research involving humans and animals have evolved into large and complex documents making the process of gaining ethics approval a complicated task for researchers in the area. Researchers, in particular those who are relatively new to the ethics approval process, can struggle to understand the parts of an ethics guideline that apply to their research and the nature of their ethical obligations to trial participants. With the scope of medical research likely to continue to expand in the future, it is clear that ethics guidelines will only increase in complexity and number. This paper describes one possible solution to the problem: the use of an internet-based expert system to intelligently and interactively distribute the information stored in ethics guidelines to individual researchers. This paper also details how one such system was designed and tested with respect to Australian medical research ethics guidelines.
On Norman Daniels’ interpretation of the moral significance of healthcare
Authors: Schramme T
Published: December 2008

According to Norman Daniels, the moral significance of health needs stem from their impact on the normal opportunity range: pathological conditions involve comparative disadvantage. In this paper I defend an alternative reading of the moral importance of healthcare, which focuses on non-comparative aspects of disease. In the first section I distinguish two contrasting perspectives on pathological conditions, viz a comparative versus a non-comparative. By using this distinction I introduce a related disparity regarding the moral importance of personal responsibility for disease. I claim that people are usually prepared to disregard individual responsibility for disease, if it involves non-comparative harm, but not if it entails mere disadvantage. Since disadvantage means to have less than equal opportunities, Daniels’ conception of opportunity is vital for his theory. It is therefore scrutinised more closely. I try to show that he wavers between two interpretations of the notion of opportunity, which are again linked to the distinction between a comparative and a non-comparative point of view. Finally, I criticise Daniels’ supposition that persons have an interest in the normal opportunity range.
Improvement in the management of acutely poisoned patients using an electronic database, prospective audit and targeted educational intervention
Authors: Greene S L , Wood D M , Gawarammana I B , Warren-Gash C , Drake N , Jones A L , Dargan P I
Published: December 2008

Problem

The need to improve the clinical assessment and management of acutely poisoned patients presenting to an NHS hospital emergency department (ED).

Design

Creation of an electronic clinical toxicology database to prospectively collect all aspects of clinical information on poisoned-patient presentations. Systematic analysis of collated information to identify shortfalls in patient assessment and management. Bimonthly audit meetings, and design and implementation of educational interventions to address identified shortfalls. Ongoing audit to demonstrate continued improvement in patient care.

Background and setting

ED in tertiary-level inner-city London teaching hospital. Study conducted by staff from the ED and clinical toxicology service.

Key measures for improvement

Demonstration of overall reduction in the incidence of predefined shortfalls in patient assessment and management during 12-month study period.

Strategies for improvement

Targeted educational lectures and case-based clinical scenarios addressing identified deficiencies in the knowledge required to effectively manage poisoned patients. Weekly case-based anonymised feedback report sent electronically to staff involved in caring for poisoned patients.

Effects of change

Implementation of targeted teaching of ED staff and regular electronic distribution of teaching cases. Between the first and second 6 months of the study, there was a significant increase in the proportion of presentations for which clinical management was graded as “good” (77.6% to 89.4%, p<0.0001) and a significant reduction in the proportion of “major” (9.9% to 5.8%, p = 0.012) and “minor” (12.6% to 4.8%, p<0.0001) shortfalls.

Lessons learnt

Systematic collection of clinical information, using a dedicated electronic database and subsequent review and audit of collated data by interested clinicians, enabled design and implementation of targeted educational interventions to address shortfalls in patient management. This process has led to significant improvements in the clinical care of acutely poisoned patients presenting to the ED.
Radiation effects on the intima–media thickness of the common carotid artery in post-radiotherapy patients with head and neck malignancy
Authors: Shariat M , Alias N A A , Biswal B M
Published: December 2008

Background

Post-radiation large vessel injury has not received as much attention as microvascular irradiation injury. A few studies have shown that common carotid intima–media thickness (IMT) is increased after radiotherapy to the head and neck. However, in most of these studies, the irradiated subjects also had other major risk factors for atherosclerosis. In this study, irradiated subjects with major risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, history of previous cerebrovascular accident and connective tissue disorder were excluded.

Objective

To show in a cross-sectional study if radiotherapy to the carotid area has any effect on the IMT of the common carotid artery.

Subjects and methods

13 patients with head and neck malignancies who had completed radiotherapy to the carotid region at least 1 year previously underwent ultrasound of the carotid artery. IMT measurements were compared with those of 13 healthy controls, matched for age, sex and race, with no history of radiotherapy.

Results

The irradiated subjects had significantly larger IMT measurements (mean 0.74 mm) than the non-irradiated subjects (mean 0.46 mm). The difference was significant (p<0.001) with a confidence interval of 95%.

Conclusions

This study shows that there is a measurable, significant (p<0.001) increase in IMT of the common carotid artery after radiotherapy for head and neck malignancy compared with non-irradiated matched controls. This knowledge is important for risk–benefit assessment of prophylactic or therapeutic neck irradiation. Increased awareness of this complication should provide an opportunity to intervene and prevent future cerebrovascular accidents in the majority of such patients.
The added value of peripheral blood cell morphology in the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases—part 2: illustrative cases
Authors: Potasman I , Prokocimer M
Published: December 2008

The previous review dealt with the diagnostic yield of peripheral blood smear examination with regard to diagnosis of infectious diseases. In addition to the clinical data, it can provide information of major clinical significance. At times, it can even replace additional, costly and time-consuming diagnostic modalities. The following clinical vignettes, which are discussed briefly, support these arguments.
A Programmable Max‐Log‐MAP Turbo Decoder Implementation
Authors: Salmela Perttu , Sorokin Harri , Takala Jarmo
Published: December 2008

In the advent of very high data rates of the upcoming 3G long‐term evolution telecommunication systems, there is a crucial need for efficient and flexible turbo decoder implementations. In this study, a max‐log‐MAP turbo decoder is implemented as an application‐specific instruction‐set processor. The processor is accompanied with accelerating computing units, which can be controlled in detail. With a novel memory interface, the dual‐port memory for extrinsic information is avoided. As a result, processing one trellis stage with max‐log‐MAP algorithm takes only 1.02 clock cycles on average, which is comparable to pure hardware decoders. With six turbo iterations and 277 MHz clock frequency 22.7 Mbps, decoding speed is achieved on 130 nm technology.
New Thiophene Monolayer‐Protected Copper Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Chemical‐Physical Characterization
Authors: Foresti Elisabetta , Fracasso Guido , Lanzi Massimiliano , Lesci Isidoro Giorgio , Paganin Luisa , Zuccheri Tommaso , Roveri Norberto
Published: December 2008

For the first time copper 3‐(6‐mercaptohexyl)thiophene‐protected nanoparticles (Cu T6SH) have been synthesized by a one‐phase system, utilizing an NaBH4/LiCl mixture in diglyme as the reducing reagent and avoiding water medium dissolving copper salts. The prepared nanoclusters, characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), have shown a constant spherical morphology with a size dimension of 5‐6 nm in diameter. After their synthesis, no morphological evolution and irreversible aggregation process has been observed after a storage in CH2Cl2 at low temperature for a period up to six months long. Cu T6SH nanoparticles have been investigated by UV‐Visible (UV‐Vis) and Fourier transmission infrared (FTIR) spectroscopes to characterize the alkylthiophenes monolayer conformations and the particles optoelectronic properties. The UV‐Vis reveals the lack of the surface plasmonic band, previously observed in Cu‐nanosized clusters at about 556–570 nm, and shows a wide‐band centered at 293 nm, probably due to the high‐conformational surface ordering of thiophene rings on the Cu core. The results highlight the importance of the modifications ported to the well‐known one‐phase synthetic reactions to obtain a clear lack, even after a storage of six months, of any irreversible aggregation that has always characterized chain thiophene‐protected metallic nanoparticles.
Growth of Functional FeTi Clusters Covered with Carbon Layer
Authors: Kaito Chihiro , Kumamoto Akihito , Ono Ryoichi , Saito Yoshio , Morikawa Shigeru
Published: December 2008

FeTi clusters with a diameter of less than 10 nm and covered with a graphitic layer have been preferentially produced in an H2 gas atmosphere at pressures of 10 and 26.6 kPa by the simultaneous evaporation of Fe and Ti wires from a concave carbon boat. To compare this result with cluster formation in an inert gas atmosphere, the result for an Ar gas pressure of 10 kPa is also discussed. The formation of disordered FeNi clusters predominately took place in an H2 gas atmosphere.
Mechanistic Multidimensional Modeling of Forced Convection Boiling Heat Transfer
Authors: Podowski Michael Z. , Podowski Raf M.
Published: December 2008

Due to the importance of boiling heat transfer in general, and boiling crisis in particular, for the analysis of operation and safety of both nuclear reactors and conventional thermal power systems, extensive efforts have been made in the past to develop a variety of methods and tools to evaluate the boiling heat transfer coefficient and to assess the onset of temperature excursion and critical heat flux (CHF) at various operating conditions of boiling channels. The objective of this paper is to present mathematical modeling concepts behind the development of mechanistic multidimensional models of low‐quality forced convection boiling, including the mechanisms leading to temperature excursion and the onset of CHF.
Diabetes as a Risk Factor for Cognitive Decline in Older Patients
Authors: Maggi S. , Limongi F. , Noale M. , Romanato G. , Tonin P. , Rozzini R. , Scafato E. , Crepaldi G.
Published: December 2008

Aims: To assess the role of type 2 diabetes as a risk factor for cognitive decline among elderly people. Methods: Analyses were carried out on data from the Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging, a study on 5,632 subjects aged 65–84 years, with baseline in 1992 and follow-ups in 1996 and 2000. Results:At baseline, diabetic women had significantly worse scores on all cognitive tests compared to nondiabetic women, but did not show worsening over time, whereas men with diabetes did not show worse scores on cognitive tests at baseline compared to nondiabetic males; however, diabetes in men was associated with a risk of cognitive decline over time, particularly in attention. Higher levels of HbA1c were associated with poorer performance on memory tests at follow-up in both sexes. Conclusion: The impact of diabetes on cognitive status might differ in older men and women, probably because of a survival effect, with a higher mortality at a younger age among diabetic men. The metabolic and cardiovascular abnormalities associated with diabetes might be responsible for the cognitive decline, at different rates and ages, in men and women. The routine assessment of diabetes complications in the elderly should include cognitive evaluation in both sexes.
Germ Cell Tumors of the Gonads: A Selective Review Emphasizing Problems in Drug Resistance and Current Therapy Options
Authors: Schrader Mark , Kempkensteffen Carsten , Christoph Frank , Hinz Stefan , Weikert Steffen , Lein Michael , Krause Hans , Stephan Carsten , Jung Klaus , Hoepfner Michael , Albers Peter , Miller Kurt , Schostak Martin
Published: December 2008

Germ cell tumors are the most common malignancies in men under 50 years and also the most common cause of death from solid tumors in this age group. The past few decades have seen no change in the fact that 40% of such tumors have already metastasized by the time of initial diagnosis. In contrast to the majority of metastasized solid tumors, germ cell tumors can be effectively treated by cisplatin-based polychemotherapy. They only rarely show resistance mechanisms. Resistance to chemotherapeutics has been extensively examined in urological and nonurological tumors. Various mechanisms enabling malignant tumor cells to avoid the cytotoxic effect of chemotherapeutics have been discovered in the past few years. On the other hand, the reasons for the excellent responsiveness of germ cell tumors to chemotherapy have remained unclear. Theoretical models for the high cure rates of germ cell tumors after cisplatin-based polychemotherapy consider, on the one hand, molecular-biological aspects of malignant germ cell tumor cells per se and, on the other hand, the immunological and nonimmunological response mechanisms of the patients. This review article summarizes theoretical models for the high chemotherapy sensitivity of germ cell tumors and points out new therapeutic prospects.
Erlotinib for Metastatic Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: First-, Second- or Third-Line Setting – Does It Matter ?
Authors: Ailawadhi Sikander , Derby Lyudmyla , Natarajan Raj , Fetterly Gerald , Reid Mary , Ramnath Nithya
Published: December 2008

Background: Erlotinib is approved as treatment for metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), following failure of initial therapy. Studies to define patients that derive maximal benefit from erlotinib have not dictated current practice. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the prescription patterns and outcomes related to erlotinib use for NSCLC in a comprehensive cancer center. Results: Of 137 consecutive patients treated with erlotinib over 2 years, 116 were evaluable. Median age was 66 years, 63% females, most common histology was adenocarcinoma (n = 58). Seventy-nine patients presented with stage IIIB–IV disease, 37 with recurrent disease. There were 109 smokers. Erlotinib was given first line in 31 (27%), second line in 52 (45%) and third line in 33 (28%) patients. Daily erlotinib dose was 100 mg in 21 (18%) and 150 mg in 91 (82%) patients. Median duration of treatment was 8 weeks (range 1–72). Median overall survival (OS) from initiation of erlotinib was 5.4 months (range 0.2–27.8). There was no significant difference in median survival by disease stage (recurrent vs. de novo IIIB–IV) (p = 0.201), whether erlotinib was used as first-, second-, third-line therapy (p = 0.971) or at different doses (100 vs. 150 mg daily dose) (p = 0.579). Conclusions: OS after erlotinib use was not different, whether used as first-, second- or third-line therapy, whether patients had recurrent metastatic NSCLC or de novo stage IV disease, or if erlotinib was used at a dose of 100 or 150 mg daily.
Load-Induced Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis in Cultured Multicellular Myocardial Preparations Is Unaltered in Presence of the β-Adrenoceptor Antagonist Nebivolol
Authors: Janssen P.M.L. , Zeitz O. , Schumann H. , Holtz J. , Hasenfuss G.
Published: December 2008

Overload-induced heart failure is associated with enhanced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes, and increased mechanical load is an inductor of this apoptosis. It is unknown whether nebivolol, a third generation β1-adrenoceptor antagonist, possesses properties that can attenuate this apoptosis. Multicellular preparations from rabbit hearts were mounted in a culture system that allows for measurement of contractile parameters over several days. Culturing these muscles on a constant high preload induces apoptosis of the cardiomyocytes. Of each heart, 1 preloaded muscle preparation was treated with nebivolol (10–6 mol/l), 1 preloaded without continuous exposure to nebivolol (positive control) and 1 unloaded (negative control). After 48 h of continuous loaded contractions, apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL-assay to confirm that nuclei of myocytes were affected, or by DNA-ladder intensity analysis for semiquantification. Maximal twitch force development was slightly, but significantly, lower in preparations contracting in presence of nebivolol (compared to solvent) while twitch-timing parameters were similar. After 48 h of continuous contractions, no additional differences were observed between the groups regarding contractile parameters. DNA-ladder analysis showed a similar rate of apoptosis in presence of nebivolol. Nebivolol does not increase, nor decrease, the rate of load-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
Application of Automatic Speech Recognition to Quantitative Assessment of Tracheoesophageal Speech with Different Signal Quality
Authors: Haderlein Tino , Riedhammer Korbinian , Nöth Elmar , Toy Hikmet , Schuster Maria , Eysholdt Ulrich , Hornegger Joachim , Rosanowski Frank
Published: December 2008

Objective: Tracheoesophageal voice is state-of-the-art in voice rehabilitation after laryngectomy. Intelligibility on a telephone is an important evaluation criterion as it is a crucial part of social life. An objective measure of intelligibility when talking on a telephone is desirable in the field of postlaryngectomy speech therapy and its evaluation. Patients and Methods: Based upon successful earlier studies with broadband speech, an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system was applied to 41 recordings of postlaryngectomy patients. Recordings were available in different signal qualities; quality was the crucial criterion for this study. Results: Compared to the intelligibility rating of 5 human experts, the ASR system had a correlation coefficient of r = –0.87 and Krippendorff’s α of 0.65 when broadband speech was processed. The rater group alone achieved α = 0.66. With the test recordings in telephone quality, the system reached r = –0.79 and α = 0.67. Conclusion: For medical purposes, a comprehensive diagnostic approach to (substitute) voice has to cover both subjective and objective tests. An automatic recognition system such as the one proposed in this study can be used for objective intelligibility rating with results comparable to those of human experts. This holds for broadband speech as well as for automatic evaluation via telephone.
Glyceraldehyde Is Present in Rat Lens and Its Level Is Increased in Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Miwa I. , Chen A.-S. , Taguchi T.
Published: December 2008

Purpose: OP-lysine, a glycation product of lysine residues of proteins, has been reported to be formed with glyceraldehyde and glycolaldehyde as precursors in the lens, and has been suggested to play a role in senile cataracts. However, there has been no reliable information regarding the content of glyceraldehyde in tissues. This study determined the glyceraldehyde levels in the lenses of normal and diabetic rats. Methods: Glyceraldehyde was derivatized to a fluorescent compound, and the compound was then quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: The lens glyceraldehyde levels in normal and diabetic rats were 0.75 ± 0.06 and 1.26 ± 0.21 nmol/g wet weight (means ± standard deviations of 6 animals, p < 0.01), respectively. Isolated rat lenses accumulated a higher level of glyceraldehyde when cultured for 6 days in 25.5 mM glucose than when cultured in 5.5 mM glucose. Conclusions: Glyceraldehyde was found to be present in the lens and was increased in diabetes mellitus. OP-lysine is thus likely to be a potential risk factor for senile and diabetic cataracts.
Long-Term Partial Remission of AutoImmune Thrombocytopenia in a Patient Treated with the Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Antibody Infliximab for Refractory Fistulizing Crohn’s Disease
Authors: de Rossi Thomas M. , Krauss Norbert , Voll Reinhard E. , Nägel Andreas , Weidenhiller Michael , Konturek Peter C. , Hahn Eckhart G. , Raithel Martin
Published: December 2008

Background: Up to the present date, the treatment of recurrent chronic fistulas occurring with Crohn’s disease represents a challenging task for both internists and surgeons alike. Methods: Conservative methods of treatment using steroids, dietotherapy, antibiotics or immunosuppressive agents are not particularly effective in treating fistulas. Treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) antibodies results in more remissions of fistulas. However, its use requires appropriate medical experience and causes substantial costs. Surgical procedures such as fistula sanitation or protective ileostomy are often obfuscated by the recurrence of the condition. The efficiency of anti-TNFα antibodies for the treatment of active Crohn’s disease has been evidenced through several multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. Results: Here we report the successful anti-TNFα treatment of a patient suffering from chronic, fistulizing, therapy-resistant Crohn‘s disease and a concomitant chronic autoimmune thrombocytopenia. The chimeric anti-TNFα antibody infliximab markedly reduced the disease activity of Crohn’s disease, and, in addition, substantially increased the platelet counts. After infliximab application, no other treatment of autoimmune thrombocytopenia was required. After infliximab therapy, autoantibodies to dsDNS could be observed. However, there were no signs of a lupus-like disease. Conclusion: This report indicates a favorable therapeutic response of autoimmune thrombocytopenia associated to Crohn’s disease.
Subcortical Laterality of Speech Encoding
Authors: Hornickel Jane , Skoe Erika , Kraus Nina
Published: December 2008

It is well established that in the majority of the population language processing is lateralized to the left hemisphere. Evidence suggests that lateralization is also present in the brainstem. In the current study, the syllable /da/ was presented monaurally to the right and left ears and electrophysiological responses from the brainstem were recorded in adults with symmetrical interaural click-evoked responses. Responses to the right-ear presentation occurred earlier than those to left-ear presentation in two peaks of the frequency following response (FFR) and approached significance for the third peak of the FFR and the offset peak. Interestingly, there were no differences in interpeak latencies indicating the response to right-ear presentation simply occurred earlier over this region. Analyses also showed more robust frequency encoding when stimuli were presented to the right ear than the left ear. The effect was found for the harmonics of the fundamental that correspond to the first formant of the stimulus, but was not seen in the fundamental frequency range. The results suggest that left lateralization of processing acoustic elements important for discriminating speech extends to the auditory brainstem and that these effects are speech specific.
Bioequivalence of HX575 (Recombinant Human Epoetin Alfa) and a Comparator Epoetin Alfa after Multiple Subcutaneous Administrations
Authors: Sörgel Fritz , Thyroff-Friesinger Ursula , Vetter Andrea , Vens-Cappell Bernhard , Kinzig Martina
Published: December 2008

Aim: To compare the steady-state pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of two erythropoesis-stimulating agents (ESA), HX575 (Binocrit®, Sandoz GmbH, Holzkirchen, Germany), human recombinant epoetin alfa approved as the first biosimilar ESA, and a comparator epoetin alfa, following multiple subcutaneous administrations. Methods: An open, randomized, parallel group study was conducted in 80 healthy adult males. Subjects were randomized to multiple subcutaneous doses of 100 IU/kg body weight of HX575 or of the comparator epoetin alfa 3 times weekly for 4 weeks. Results: The hematological profiles of both treatments were similar, as determined from the population mean curves and area under the effect curve (AUEC) ratios. HX575 met the predefined biosimilarity criteria with respect to the ratio and 90% confidence interval of the AUECHb (98.9% [97.7–100.2%]), the primary PD endpoint. The PK of the two treatments were also similar as shown by the AUC0–48 ratios and 90% confidence intervals, 94.3% [84.7–105.0%] and 96.9% [88.2–106.5%], respectively. Study medication was well tolerated and neutralizing anti-epoetin antibodies were not detected. Conclusions: HX575 and the comparator epoetin alfa were bioequivalent with respect to their PK/PD, supporting the conclusion that both, when administered subcutaneously, will be equally efficacious and may be interchangeable as therapy.
The Effect of Imposed Drying on Parameterized Deep Convection
Authors: Sobel Adam H. , Bellon Gilles
Published: December 2008

This paper examines the influence of imposed drying, intended to represent horizontal advection of dry air, on parameterized deep convection interacting with large-scale dynamics in a single-column model framework. Two single-column models, one based on the NASA Goddard Earth Observing System general circulation model version 5 (GEOS5) and the other developed by Bony and Emanuel, are run in weak temperature gradient mode. Drying is imposed by relaxation of the specific humidity field toward zero within a specified vertical layer. The strength of the drying is controlled by specifying either the relaxation time scale or the vertically integrated drying tendency; results are insensitive to which specification is used.

The two models reach very different solutions for the same boundary conditions and model configuration. Even when adjustments to the boundary conditions and model parameters are made to render the precipitation rates similar, large differences in the profiles of relative humidity and large-scale vertical velocity persist. In both models, however, drying in the middle troposphere is more effective, per kg m−2 s−1 (or W m−2) of imposed drying, in suppressing precipitation than is drying in the lower troposphere. Even when compared at equal relaxation time (corresponding to weaker net drying in the middle than lower troposphere), middle-tropospheric drying is comparably effective to lower-tropospheric drying. Upper-tropospheric drying has a relatively small effect on precipitation, although large drying in the upper troposphere cannot be imposed as a steady state because of the lack of moisture there. Consistent with the other model differences, the gross moist stabilities of the two models are quite different and vary somewhat differently as a function of imposed drying, but in both models the gross moist stability increases as the drying is increased when it is less than around 30 W m−2 and located in the middle troposphere. For lower-tropospheric drying, the gross moist stability either decreases with increased drying or increases more slowly than for middle-tropospheric drying.
El Niño Modoki Impacts on Australian Rainfall
Authors: Taschetto Andréa S. , England Matthew H.
Published: December 2008

This study investigates interseasonal and interevent variations in the impact of El Niño on Australian rainfall using available observations from the postsatellite era. Of particular interest is the difference in impact between classical El Niño events wherein peak sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies appear in the eastern Pacific and the recently termed El Niño “Modoki” events that are characterized by distinct warm SST anomalies in the central Pacific and weaker cold anomalies in the west and east of the basin. A clear interseasonal and interevent difference is apparent, with the maximum rainfall response for Modoki events occurring in austral autumn compared to austral spring for classical El Niños. Most interestingly, the Modoki and non-Modoki El Niño events exhibit a marked difference in rainfall impact over Australia: while classical El Niños are associated with a significant reduction in rainfall over northeastern and southeastern Australia, Modoki events appear to drive a large-scale decrease in rainfall over northwestern and northern Australia. In addition, rainfall variations during March–April–May are more sensitive to the Modoki SST anomaly pattern than the conventional El Niño anomalies to the east.
Seasonality and Interannual Variability of the Westerly Jet in the Tibetan Plateau Region*
Authors: Schiemann Reinhard , Lüthi Daniel , Schär Christoph
Published: December 2008

In this study, 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) data are used for the description of the seasonal cycle and the interannual variability of the westerly jet in the Tibetan Plateau region. To complement results based on the analysis of monthly mean horizontal wind speeds, an occurrence-based jet climatology is constructed by identifying the locations of the jet axes at 6-hourly intervals throughout 1958–2001. Thus, a dataset describing the highly transient and localized features of jet variability is obtained.

During winter and summer the westerly jet is located, respectively, to the south and north of the Tibetan Plateau. During the spring and autumn seasons there are jet transitions from south to north and vice versa. The median dates for these transitions are 28 April and 12 October. The spring transition is associated with large interannual variations, while the fall transition occurs more reliably within a 3-week period. The strength of the jet exhibits a peculiar seasonal cycle. During northward migration in April/May, the jet intensity weakens and its latitudinal position varies largely. In some springs, there are several transitions and split configurations occur before the jet settles in its northern summer position. In June, a well-defined and unusually strong jet reappears at the northern flanks of the Tibetan Plateau. In autumn, the jet gradually but reliably recedes to the south and is typically more intense than in spring.

The jet transitions between the two preferred locations follow the seasonal latitudinal migration of the jet in the Northern Hemisphere. An analysis of interannual variations shows the statistical relationship between the strength of the summer jet, the tropospheric meridional temperature gradient, and the all-India rainfall series. Both this analysis and results from previous studies point to the particular dynamical relevance of the onsetting Indian summer monsoon precipitation and the associated diabatic heating for the formation of the strong summer jet.

Finally, an example is provided that illustrates the climatological significance of the jet in terms of the covariation between the jet location and the spatial precipitation distribution in central Asia.
How Important Is Air–Sea Coupling in ENSO and MJO Evolution?
Authors: Newman Matthew , Sardeshmukh Prashant D. , Penland Cécile
Published: December 2008

The effect of air–sea coupling on tropical climate variability is investigated in a coupled linear inverse model (LIM) derived from the simultaneous and 6-day lag covariances of observed 7-day running mean departures from the annual cycle. The model predicts the covariances at all other lags. The predicted and observed lag covariances, as well as the associated power spectra, are generally found to agree within sampling uncertainty. This validates the LIM’s basic premise that beyond daily time scales, the evolution of tropical atmospheric and oceanic anomalies is effectively linear and stochastically driven. It also justifies a linear diagnosis of air–sea coupling in the system.

The results show that air–sea coupling has a very small effect on subseasonal atmospheric variability. It has much larger effects on longer-term variability, in both the atmosphere and the ocean, including greatly increasing the amplitude of ENSO and lengthening its dominant period from 2 to 4 years. Consistent with these results, the eigenvectors of the system’s dynamical evolution operator also separate into two distinct, but nonorthogonal, subspaces: one governing the nearly uncoupled subseasonal dynamics and the other governing the strongly coupled longer-term dynamics. These subspaces arise naturally from the LIM analysis; no bandpass frequency filtering need be applied. One implication of this remarkably clean separation of the uncoupled and coupled dynamics is that GCM errors in anomalous tropical air–sea coupling may cause substantial errors on interannual and longer time scales but probably not on the subseasonal scales associated with the MJO.
A Study of the Error Covariance Matrix of Radar Rainfall Estimates in Stratiform Rain. Part II: Scale Dependence
Authors: Berenguer Marc , Zawadzki Isztar
Published: December 2008

The contribution of various physical sources of uncertainty affecting radar rainfall estimates at the ground has been recently quantified at a resolution typically used in schemes assimilating rainfall at the ground onto mesoscale models. Here, the contribution of the two most important sources of uncertainty at nonattenuating wavelengths (the range-dependent error and the uncertainty due to the Z–R transformation) and their interaction are studied as a function of the resolution of radar observations.

The analysis is carried out using a large dataset of collocated reflectivity profiles from the McGill S-band radar and disdrometric measurements obtained in stratiform rainfall at resolutions of 1 × 1, 5 × 5, and 15 × 15 km2. Results show that the errors affecting radar quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) have a strong dependence with range, and that their structure is scale dependent. At the analyzed resolutions, QPE errors are significantly correlated in time and over several grid points.
Technical Features of Curriculum-Based Measures for Beginning Writers
Authors: McMaster Kristen L. , Xiaoqing Du  , Pétursdóttir Anna-Lind
Published: December 2008

The purpose of the two studies reported in this article was to examine technical features of curriculum-based measures for beginning writers. In Study 1, 50 first graders responded to word copying, sentence copying, and story prompts. In Study 2, 50 additional first graders responded to letter, picture-word, picture-theme, and photo prompts. In both studies, 3- to 5-minute prompts were administered in winter and spring and scored using a variety of quantitative procedures. Students were also administered the Test of Written Language—Third Edition , and teacher ratings and scores on a district rubric for writing were collected. Test-retest (Study 1 only) and alternate-form reliability, criterion validity, and winter-to-spring growth were examined for each measure. Sentence-copying, story, picture-word, and photo prompts emerged as promising beginning-writing measures. Findings have implications for monitoring student progress within a seamless and flexible system across ages and skill levels.