bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic data in population viability analysis: case studies with ambystomatid salamanders
Authors: Greenwald K. R.
Published: December 2009

Parameterization of population viability models is a complicated task for most types of animals, as knowledge of population demography, abundance and connectivity can be incomplete or unattainable. Here I illustrate several ways in which genetic data can be used to inform population viability analysis, via the parameterization of both initial abundance and dispersal matrices. As case studies, I use three ambysomatid salamander datasets to address the following question: how do population viability predictions change when dispersal estimates are based on genetic assignment test data versus a general dispersal–distance function? Model results showed that no local population was large enough to ensure long‐term persistence in the absence of immigration, suggesting a metapopulation structure. Models parameterized with a dispersal–distance function resulted in much more optimistic predictions than those incorporating genetic data in the dispersal estimates. Under the dispersal–distance function scenario all local populations persisted; however, using genetic assignments to infer dispersal revealed local populations at risk of extinction. Viability estimates based on dispersal–distance functions should be interpreted with caution, especially in heterogeneous landscapes. In these situations I promote the idea of model parameterization using genetic assignment tests for a more accurate portrayal of real‐world dispersal patterns.
Characteristics of sentinel lymph nodes’ metastatic involvement in early stage of vulvar cancer
Authors: KLÁT Jaroslav , ŠEVČÍK Libor , ŠIMETKA Ondřej , GRÁF Petar , WALOSCHEK Tomáš , KRAFT Otakar , JALUVKOVÁ Zdena , PROCHÁZKA Martin
Published: December 2009

Background:  Nodal involvement is one of the most significant prognostic factors in early‐stage vulvar cancer.

Aims:  To determine the diagnostic accuracy of sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in early‐stage vulvar cancer and to describe the characteristics of metastatic lymph node involvement.

Methods:  Of 23 women with early‐stage squamous cell vulvar cancer included in the study, five had lateral lesions and 18 had midline lesions. SLN detection was performed by using a radioactive tracer and blue dye, followed by radical vulvectomy or radical wide excision with uni/bilateral inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy, depending on tumour size and localization. SLNs were subsequently examined with haematoxylin–eosin and immunohistochemistry.

Results:  The SLN detection was successful in all 23 women (100%) and in 38 of 41 groins (92.3%) tested. The total number of SLNs was 67, with an average of 1.76 per groin. In total, 20 positive SLNs were detected in 14 of 23 patients. From a total of 20 positive SLNs, micrometastases were found in five SLNs and isolated tumour cells in one SLN. We experienced one case with a false negativity of SLN. Sensitivity, negative predictive value, accuracy and false negativity of SLN detection were 93.3%, 88.8%, 95.6% and 7.1% respectively.

Conclusion:  The SLN biopsy performed by an experienced team is a feasible method, with high accuracy in patients with early‐stage vulvar cancer. Prognostic value of micrometastases should be confirmed in further studies.
Trends in induction of labour, 1998–2007: A population‐based study
Authors: MEALING N. M. , ROBERTS C. L. , FORD J. B. , SIMPSON J. M. , MORRIS J. M.
Published: December 2009

Background:  Increasing rates of induction have been reported in the UK, the USA, Canada and Australia since the early 1990s; however, there is a lack of population‐based studies on trends and pharmacological management of induction of labour.

Aims:  To determine population trends in induction of labour and predictors of failed induction (in caesarean section, specifically for failure to progress with cervix dilation ≤3 cm).

Methods:  Trends in induction were determined for women in NSW who laboured at ≥ 32 weeks from 1998 to 2007 (N = 739 904). To determine the predictors of failed induction, 92 359 deliveries of live singletons for whom linked birth and hospital data were available (2001–2005) were examined using logistic regression analysis.

Results:  The rate of induction increased over the decade from 25.3 to 29.1%; however, among those induced with prostaglandin alone, it decreased from 33.5 to 23.8%. Oxytocin alone was the most commonly used labour induction agent overall (51%) and in most population subgroups. The predictors of failed induction in both nullipara and multipara included increasing maternal age, pre‐term and post‐term birth and the use of prostaglandin or mechanical methods of induction (neither oxytocin nor prostaglandin).

Conclusions:  The pharmacological agents used for induction of labour have changed over the past decade. An important area for future research is to investigate how the dosage of oxytocin and prostaglandin affects pregnancy outcomes.
The St. George Homebirth Program: An evaluation of the first 100 booked women
Authors: McMURTRIE Jane , CATLING‐PAUL Christine , TEATE Ali , CAPLICE Shea , CHAPMAN Michael , HOMER Caroline
Published: December 2009

Background:  The St. George Homebirth Program was the first publicly funded homebirth model of care set up in New South Wales. This program provides access to selected women at low obstetric risk the option of having their babies at home. There are only four other publicly funded homebirth programs operating in Australia.

Aims:  To report the outcomes of the first 100 women booked at the St. George Homebirth Program.

Methods:  A prospective descriptive study was undertaken. Data were collected on the first 100 women who gave birth between November 2005 and March 2009. Two databases were accessed and missing data were followed up by review of the relevant charts.

Results:  Of the first 100 booked women, 63 achieved a homebirth, 30 were transferred to hospital or independent midwifery care in the antenatal period and seven were transferred intrapartum. Two women were transferred to hospital in the early postnatal period, one for a postpartum haemorrhage and one for hypotension. One baby suffered mild respiratory distress, was treated in the emergency department and was discharged home within four hours.

Conclusion:  The St. George Hospital homebirth program has provided reassuring outcomes for the first 100 women it has cared for over the past four years. Wider availability of this service could be achieved provided there is the appropriate close collaboration between providers and effective processes for consultation, referral and transfer. The outcomes of women and babies in publicly funded homebirth programs deserve further study, and the development of a national prospective database of all planned homebirths would contribute to this knowledge.
Simultaneous Vasomotor Reactivity Testing in the Middle Cerebral and Basilar Artery with Suboccipital Probe Fixation Device
Authors: Hong Ji Man , Joo In Soo , Huh Kyoon , Sheen Seung Soo
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND

We assess the feasibility of using the newly designed suboccipital probe fixation device (SPFD) as a convenient and reliable tool for simultaneous measurement of vasomotor reactivity (VMR) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and basilar artery (BA).

METHODS

We analyzed 30 healthy volunteers’ VMR values by using both SPFD and conventional handheld method. The VMR values were measured as percentage increase of the mean flow velocity on transcranial Doppler (TCD) in response to hypercapnia induced by the rebreathing method. The VMR tests were performed three times: (1) for both MCAs, (2) for the index MCA (the better signal window) and the BA by using the SPFD, and (3) for the index MCA and the BA by using the handheld technique.

RESULTS

The VMR values of the right and left MCAs were similar (P > .05). Although the VMR values of the index MCA and the BA obtained by SPFD application and the handheld technique were similar (P > .05), the correlation coefficient of VMR values obtained by using the SPFD was higher (r= .827, P < .001 vs. r= .568, P= .001).

CONCLUSION

The SPFD is a convenient and reliable tool for the evaluation of relative VMR between the MCA and BA during TCD monitoring.
Isolated and Reversible Lesions of the Corpus Callosum: A Distinct Entity
Authors: Garcia‐Monco Juan Carlos , Martínez Amaia , Brochado Ana Pinedo , Saralegui Ibone , Cabrera Alberto , Beldarrain Marian Gomez
Published: December 2009

The Reversible Splenial Lesion Syndrome represents a distinct clinicoradiological syndrome, associated with several disorders, including infection, high altitude cerebral edema, antiepileptic drug withdrawal, and severe metabolic disturbances (hypoglycemia and hypernatremia). Clinical presentation is nonspecific, most frequently as an encephalopathy or encephalitis. Outcome is favorable in most patients unless there is a severe underlying disorder. Magnetic resonance imaging findings are restricted to the splenium and consist of a nonenhancing oval lesion, hyperintense on T2‐weighted images, including FLAIR. Findings on diffusion‐weighted imaging are consistent with cytotoxic edema except for high‐altitude cerebral edema, where vasogenic edema is present. Resolution after weeks or months is the rule.

J Neuroimaging 2010;20:1‐2.
The association of Fcγ receptor IIIb genetic polymorphism and susceptibility to periodontitis in Taiwanese individuals
Authors: Ho Ya‐Ping , Yang Yi‐Hsin , Ho Kun‐Yen , Wu Yi‐Min , Tsai Chi‐Cheng
Published: December 2009

Ho Y‐P, Yang Y‐H, Ho K‐Y, Wu Y‐M, Tsai C‐C. The association of Fcγ receptor IIIb genetic polymorphism and susceptibility to periodontitis in Taiwanese individuals. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 145–151. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐051X.2009.01507.x.

Aim: The allelic polymorphism of FcγRIIIb, the neutrophil‐specific receptor involved in the phagocytosis of immunoglobulin G‐opsonized bacteria, has functionally distinct capacities that are important in host defence mediated by neutrophils. The aim of this study was to identify whether the polymorphism of FcγRIIIb is associated with periodontitis in Taiwanese individuals.

Materials and methods: This case–control study included of 93 aggressive periodontitis (AgP) patients, 372 chronic periodontitis (CP) patients and 158 healthy controls (HC). The FcγRIIIb genotypes were determined by PCR using allele‐specific primers. The risk for periodontitis associated with genotypes was calculated as the odds ratio (OR).

Results: A significant difference was observed in the distribution of the FcγRIIIb genotype between either AgP and HC, or AgP and CP, but not between CP and HC. The OR for carriage of the NA2 allele (NA1NA2+NA2NA2 versus NA1NA1) in AgP was 3.27 [95% confidence interval (CI)=1.57–7.51, p=0.0027] and 2.94 (95% CI=1.49–6.48, p=0.0037), as compared with HC and CP. After adjusting for possible confounding factors, the association was still significant.

Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that subjects carrying at least one copy of the FcγRIIIb‐NA2 allele might be associated with susceptibility to AgP. However, the clinical implications of the FcγRIIIb allelic polymorphism should be determined by further studies.
A multi‐centre and cross‐sectional study of dentine hypersensitivity in China
Authors: Que Kehua , Ruan Jianping , Fan Xu , Liang Xiao , Hu Deyu
Published: December 2009

Que K, Ruan J, Fan X, Liang X, Hu D. A multi‐centre and cross‐sectional study of dentine hypersensitivity in China. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 631–637. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐051X.2009.01513.x.

Aim: The objective of this study was to establish the prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity (DH) in Chinese urban adults and the possible effects of smoking on DH.

Materials and Methods: A total of 2640 subjects were distributed equally in 12 communities in Chengdu and Xian City, respectively, and of all age groups (10 years for an age group) including the same number of male and female subjects in each community. Each subject completed a structured interview and the subjects who reported hypersensitivity symptoms were examined with cold air from a dental triple syringe in order to confirm the diagnosis of DH. Attachment loss and gingival recession of sensitive teeth were measured by a Williams periodontal probe.

Results: The diagnosis of DH established following a clinical assessment yielded an overall prevalence of 25.5%. The 50–59‐year‐old age group had the greatest number of subjects with DH (p<0.05). 78.6% and 31.4% of sensitive teeth were associated with attachment loss and gingival loss, respectively. Subjects who smoked did not have more sensitive teeth on average than subjects who did not smoke (p>0.05).

Conclusions: The prevalence of DH in a selected community population was 25.5%.
Re‐integrating earthworm juveniles into soil biodiversity studies: species identification through DNA barcoding
Authors: RICHARD B. , DECAËNS T. , ROUGERIE R. , JAMES S. W. , PORCO D. , HEBERT P. D. N.
Published: December 2009

Species identification of earthworms is usually achieved by careful observation of morphological features, often sexual characters only present in adult specimens. Consequently, juveniles or cocoons are often impossible to identify, creating a possible bias in studies that aim to document species richness and abundance. DNA barcoding, the use of a short standardized DNA fragment for species identification, is a promising approach for species discrimination. When a reference library is available, DNA‐based identification is possible for all life stages. In this study, we show that DNA barcoding is an unrivaled tool for high volume identification of juvenile earthworms. To illustrate this advance, we generated DNA barcodes for specimens of Lumbricus collected from three temperate grasslands in western France. The analysis of genetic distances between individuals shows that juvenile sequences unequivocally match DNA barcode clusters of previously identified adult specimens, demonstrating the potential of DNA barcoding to provide exhaustive specimen identification for soil ecological research.
Predictive and prognostic value of antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor in primary Sjogren’s syndrome
Authors: HUO An‐Ping , LIN Kuan‐Chia , CHOU Chung‐Tei
Published: December 2009

Aims:  To assess the predictive and prognostic value of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and rheumatoid factor (RF) in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS).

Methods:  This retrospective study includes 201 patients that fulfilled the 1993 European preliminary classification criteria for pSS. The patients were further categorized by the 2002 revised criteria, with or without the inclusion of ANA and RF as classification criteria, and were further subgrouped by the presence of ANA, RF, anti‐SS‐A, and anti‐SS‐B, and different ANA titers. The clinical manifestations, serological markers, and results of lip biopsies among these subgroups were compared.

Results:  Our results showed pSS patients who are seropositive for one of the following markers: ANA, RF, anti‐SS‐A, or anti‐SS‐B are younger, predominantly female, and had more serological abnormalities than those with seronegativity of ANA, RF, anti‐SS‐A, or anti‐SS‐B. Higher ANA titers (≥ 1 : 640) correlated with higher frequency of serum anti‐SS‐A+ and anti‐SS‐B+, and elevations of serum immunoglobulin G and A in all three different classification criteria groups. The clinical manifestations and laboratory results in the 2002 revised criteria groups with or without the inclusion of ANA and RF as classification criteria items were highly concordant.

Conclusion:  Regardless of the classification criteria for pSS, patients who are seropositive for one of the ANA, RF, anti‐SS‐A and anti‐SS‐B biomarkers are more likely to have autoimmune‐related Sjögren’s syndrome. ANA and RF have shown to possess the predictive and prognostic values for those who do not fulfill the higher stringent 2002 revised criteria but are indicated for immunomodulatory therapy. Thus we suggest that ANA and RF should be reconsidered as items of classification criteria for pSS.
An efflux pump is required for siderophore recycling by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Yeterian Emilie , Martin Lois W. , Lamont Iain L. , Schalk Isabelle J.
Published: December 2009

Pyoverdine (PVDI) is a siderophore produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in order to obtain iron. This molecule is composed of a fluorescent chromophore linked to an octapeptide. Following secretion from the bacteria, PVDI chelates iron ions and the resulting Fe‐PVDI complexes are taken up by the bacteria through a cell surface receptor protein. The iron is released in the periplasm and the resulting PVDI is recycled, being secreted out of the bacteria by a previously unknown mechanism. Three genes with the potential to encode an efflux system are adjacent to, and coregulated with, genes required for PVDI‐mediated iron transport. Mutation of genes encoding this efflux pump (named PvdRT‐OpmQ) prevented recycling of PVDI from the periplasm into the extracellular medium. Fluorescence microscopy showed that in the mutant bacteria PVDI accumulated in the periplasm. Gallium (Ga3+), a metal that cannot be removed from PVDI by reduction, is taken up by P. aeruginosa when chelated by PVDI. Recycling did not occur after transport of PVDI–Ga3+ and fluorescence accumulated in the periplasm even when the PvdRT‐OpmQ efflux pump was functional. Cellular fractionation showed that PVDI‐synthesizing bacteria lacking PvdRT‐OpmQ secreted PVDI but had an approximately 20‐fold increase in the amount of PVD present in the periplasm, consistent with an inability to recycle PVDI. Collectively, these data show that PvdRT‐OpmQ is involved in recycling of PVDI from the periplasm to the extracellular medium and recycling requires release of the metal ion from PVDI.
Anatomy of a Newsvendor Decision: Observations from a Verbal Protocol Analysis
Authors: Gavirneni Srinagesh , Isen Alice M.
Published: December 2009

An exploratory analysis of verbal protocols from a think‐aloud newsvendor experiment provided deeper insights into the decision‐making process, enabling us to formulate a number of questions that are worth answering in future research. In a think‐aloud experiment, subjects verbalize their cognitions while performing a task; responses are then recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. A majority of the subjects struggled with the abstractness of the business setting and were keen to know information on the product type, industry setting, decisions taken in the past, competitor's situation, etc. A large portion of the participants correctly identified the overage and underage costs, but failed to convert that information into the optimal order quantity. Finally, the bias in the order quantity was significantly influenced by the specific type of risk (overage or underage) that was identified closer to the decision, alluding to the presence of a recency effect. As a first application of verbal protocol analysis to inventory decision making, this study gives us an opportunity to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of this research methodology.
Three-Dimensional Numerical Modeling of the Transient Fluid-Structural Interaction Response of Tidal Turbines
Authors: Young Yin L. , Motley Michael R. , Yeung Ronald W.
Published: December 2009

The objective of this work is to develop and validate a coupled boundary element method-finite element method to simulate the transient fluid-structure interaction response of tidal turbines subject to spatially varying inflow. The focus is on tidal turbines, although the methodology is also applicable for the analysis and design of wind turbines. An overview of the formulation for both the fluid and solid domains, and the fluid-structure interaction algorithms, is presented. The model is validated by comparing the predicted thrust and power measurements, as well as cavitation patterns, with experimental measurements and observations for an 800 mm marine current turbine presented in the work of Bahaj et al. (2007, “Power and Thrust Measurements of Marine Current Turbines Under Various Hydrodynamic Flow Conditions in a Cavitation Tunnel and a Towing Tank,” Renewable Energy, 32, pp. 407–426). Additional numerical results are shown for the same turbine, but scaled up to 20 m in diameter, operating in a tidal boundary layer flow with a water depth of 30 m. The results show that transient cavitation will develop near the blade tip when the blades are near the free surface at highly-loaded off-design conditions, and the blades will undergo excessive deformation because of the high fluid loading and slender blade profile. The results also show that the natural frequencies of the blades are significantly reduced when operating in water, as compared with when operating in air, because of added-mass effects. In addition to demonstrating the need for proper consideration for fluid cavitation and structural response, current design challenges for both wind and tidal turbines are discussed.
Enhanced Campbell Diagram With the Concept of H∞ in Rotating Machinery: Lee Diagram
Authors: Lee Chong-Won , Seo Yun-Ho
Published: December 2009

The Campbell diagram, a frequency-speed diagram, has been widely used for prediction of possible occurrence of resonances in the phase of design and operation of rotating machinery since its advent in 1920s. In this paper, a set of new frequency-speed diagrams, which is referred to as the Lee diagram, is newly proposed, where the conventional Campbell diagram is incorporated with the concept of the infinity norm of directional frequency response matrix (dFRM) associated with a rotor with rotating and stationary asymmetry in general. The dFRM is constructed based on complete modal analysis of a linear periodically time-varying rotor model formulated in the complex coordinates. It is shown that the Lee diagram is powerful in that it can identify the modes of symmetry, rotating and stationary asymmetry, and extract only a few critical resonances out of the, otherwise, overcrowded ones without a measure of priority as in the Campbell diagram. In order to demonstrate the power of the Lee diagram in design and operation of rotating machines, three examples are treated: a typical anisotropic rigid rotor, a simple general rotor, and a two-pole generator.
Modeling Impacts Between a Continuous System and a Rigid Obstacle Using Coefficient of Restitution
Authors: Vyasarayani Chandrika P. , McPhee John , Birkett Stephen
Published: December 2009

In this work, we discuss the limitations of the existing collocation-based coefficient of restitution method for simulating impacts in continuous systems. We propose a new method for modeling the impact dynamics of continuous systems based on the unit impulse response. The developed method allows one to relate modal velocity initial conditions before and after impact without requiring the integration of the system equations of motion during impact. The proposed method has been used to model the impact of a pinned-pinned beam with a rigid obstacle. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the inability of the collocation-based coefficient of restitution method to predict an accurate and energy-consistent response. We also compare the results obtained by unit impulse-based coefficient of restitution method with a penalty approach.
Effect of Friction on Coupled Contact in a Twisted Wire Cable
Authors: Gnanavel B. K. , Gopinath D. , Parthasarathy N. S.
Published: December 2009

A strand or cable consists of a central core surrounded by a number of wires wound helically in a single layer or multilayers. There are three modes of contact in a simple straight strand. The first type is a core-wire contact in which the wires in the layer are in contact with the core only. In the second type, the wires in the layer are in contact among themselves and not with the core, while in the third type there is a coupled contact among the core and all the wires. Most literature handled the cable assembly with either the core-wire or the wire-wire contact because of the simplicity of the loads acting in these distinct contact modes. An attempt is made in this paper to model the strand with a coupled core-wire and wire-wire contact and deduce its equations of equilibrium. The numerical analyses of strand force, twisting moment, strand stiffness, contact force, and contact stress are carried out based on the equilibrium of thin rods and the results are compared with earlier research works. The importance of the inclusion of interface forces and their effects is studied.
Model-Based Control of Electroslag Remelting Process Using Unscented Kalman Filter
Authors: Ahn Seokyoung , Beaman Joseph J. , Williamson Rodney L. , Melgaard David K.
Published: December 2009

Electroslag remelting (ESR) is used widely throughout the specialty metals industry. The process generally consists of a regularly shaped electrode, wherein a small amount is immersed in liquid slag at a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the electrode. Melting droplets from the electrode fall through the lower density slag into a liquid pool constrained by a crucible and solidify into an ingot. High quality ingots require that electrode melt rate and immersion depth be controlled at all times during the process. This can be difficult when process conditions are such that the temperature distribution in the electrode is not at steady state. This condition is encountered during the beginning and closing stages of the ESR process and also during some process disturbances such as when the melt zone passes through a transverse electrode crack. To address these transient melting situations, a new method of the ESR estimation and control has been developed that incorporates an accurate, reduced order melting model to continually estimate the temperature distribution in the electrode. The ESR process is highly nonlinear, noisy, and has coupled dynamics. An extended Kalman filter and an unscented Kalman filter were chosen as possible estimators and compared in the controller design. During the highly transient periods in melting, the unscented Kalman filter showed superior performance for estimating and controlling the system.
Cbl Controls EGFR Fate by Regulating Early Endosome Fusion
Authors: Visser Smit Gina D. , Place Trenton L. , Cole Sara L. , Clausen Kathryn A. , Vemuganti Soumya , Zhang Guojuan , Koland John G. , Lill Nancy L.
Published: December 2009

The E3 ubiquitin ligase Cbl mediates the fusion of early endosomes necessary to target EGFR for lysosomal degradation.
Tumor Suppression by PTEN Requires the Activation of the PKR-eIF2α Phosphorylation Pathway
Authors: Mounir Zineb , Krishnamoorthy Jothi Latha , Robertson Gavin P. , Scheuner Donalyn , Kaufman Randal J. , Georgescu Maria-Magdalena , Koromilas Antonis E.
Published: December 2009

A tumor-suppressing function of the lipid and protein phosphatase PTEN involves inhibition of protein synthesis and is independent of its activity as a phosphatase.
Bacterial populations and metabolites in the feces of free roaming and captive grizzly bears
Authors: Schwab Clarissa , Cristescu Bogdan , Boyce Mark S. , Stenhouse Gordon B. , Gänzle Michael
Published: December 2009

Gut physiology, host phylogeny, and diet determine the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Grizzly bears ( Ursus arctos horribilis ) belong to the Order Carnivora, yet feed on an omnivorous diet. The role of intestinal microflora in grizzly bear digestion has not been investigated. Microbiota and microbial activity were analysed from the feces of wild and captive grizzly bears. Bacterial composition was determined using culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. The feces of wild and captive grizzly bears contained log 9.1 ± 0.5 and log 9.2 ± 0.3 gene copies·g–1, respectively. Facultative anaerobes Enterobacteriaceae and enterococci were dominant in wild bear feces. Among the strict anaerobes, the Bacteroides – Prevotella – Porphyromonas group was most prominent. Enterobacteriaceae were predominant in the feces of captive grizzly bears, at log 8.9 ± 0.5 gene copies·g–1. Strict anaerobes of the Bacteroides–Prevotella–Porphyromonas group and the Clostridium coccoides cluster were present at log 6.7 ± 0.9 and log 6.8 ± 0.8 gene copies·g–1, respectively. The presence of lactate and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) verified microbial activity. Total SCFA content and composition was affected by diet. SCFA composition in the feces of captive grizzly bears resembled the SCFA composition of prey-consuming wild animals. A consistent data set was obtained that associated fecal microbiota and metabolites with the distinctive gut physiology and diet of grizzly bears.
The impact of pond depth and environmental conditions on sunlight inactivation of Escherichia coli and enterococci in wastewater in a warm climate
Authors: Maïga Ynoussa , Wethe Joseph , Denyigba Kokou , Ouattara Aboubakar Sidiki
Published: December 2009

Microcosm experiments were carried out under dark and real sunlight conditions in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) to investigate the survival of faecal indicators ( Escherichia coli and enterococci) in secondary wastewater. Light damage was estimated by loss of bacterial culturability. The results clearly show that sunlight has a deleterious effect on the survival of both indicators. The mean dark inactivation coefficients for E. coli and enterococci were 0.045 and 0.047 h–1,respectively, whereas inactivation coefficients in the shallowest microcosm (0.1 m) in illuminated conditions were 0.796 and 0.559 h–1, respectively. No significant effect of pond depth (0.1–0.9 m) on the inactivation of both indicators was observed in the dark. However, the effect of depth was significant in the microcosms exposed to sunlight, probably because of attenuation. In illuminated conditions, enterococci were broadly inactivated more rapidly than E. coli (T90 = 26.81 h for E. coli and 15.67 h for enterococci in the 0.4 m microcosm). However, E. coli presented greater variability in the survival capabilities, suggesting difficulties in interpreting data using only E. coli as an indicator. Therefore, the use of both indicators together should be advisable for the assessment of effluent quality from waste stabilization ponds in the Sahelian region.
Changes inPPARgene expression and myocardial tolerance to ischaemia: relevance to pleiotropic effects of statinsThis article is one of a selection of papers published in a special issue on Advances in Cardiovascular Research.
Authors: Ravingerová Táňa , Adameová Adriana , Kelly Tara , Antonopoulou Efthymia , Pancza Dezider , Ondrejčáková Mária , Khandelwal Vinoth Kumar Megraj , Čarnická Slávka , Lazou Antigone
Published: December 2009

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR), which are key transcriptional regulators of lipid metabolism and energy production, have been suggested to play an important role in myocardial ischaemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury. Their role in cardioprotection, however, is not yet fully elucidated. Statins have shown beneficial effects on I/R damage beyond lipid lowering, and some of their cardioprotective cholesterol-independent effects may be related to the regulation of PPAR. To clarify this issue, we explored a potential link between a response to I/R and changes in cardiac PPARα protein and gene expression in simvastatin-treated normocholesterolaemic rats. After 5 days of treatment with simvastatin (10 mg/kg per day, p.o.), Langendorff-perfused hearts were subjected to 30 min regional ischaemia (occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery) or global ischaemia and 2 h reperfusion for the evaluation of the infarct size (triphenyltetrazolium chloride and planimetry; as percentage of risk area), ischaemic arrhythmias, and postischaemic contractile recovery. Baseline PPARα mRNA and protein levels were increased by 3-fold and 2-fold, respectively, in simvastatin-treated hearts compared with the untreated controls. Simvastatin-treated hearts exhibited smaller size of infarction (11.5% ± 0.4% vs. 33.7% ± 4% in controls; p < 0.01), improved postischaemic contractile recovery, and lower severity of arrhythmias during ischaemia and early reperfusion. Enhanced resistance to I/R injury was associated with preservation of mRNA and protein levels of PPARα in contrast to their marked downregulation in controls. In conclusion, statin-induced changes in the expression of PPARα may contribute to attenuation of myocardial I/R injury and thus suggest the involvement of cardioprotective mechanisms independent of inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase.
GPS Satellites Orbits: Resonance
Authors: Ferreira Luiz Danilo Damasceno , de Moraes RodolphoVilhena
Published: December 2009

The effects of perturbations due to resonant geopotential harmonics on the semimajor axis of GPS satellites are analyzed. For some GPS satellites, secular perturbations of about 4 m/day can be obtained by numerical integration of the Lagrange planetary equations considering in the disturbing potential the main secular resonant coefficients. Amplitudes for long‐period terms due to resonant coefficients are also exhibited for some hypothetical satellites orbiting in the neighborhood of the GPS satellites orbits. The results are important to perform orbital maneuvers of GPS satellites such that they stay in their nominal orbits. Also, for the GPS satellites that are not active, the long‐period effects due to the resonance must be taken into account in the surveillance of the orbital evolutions of such debris.
A “υ‐Operation Free” Approach to Prüfer υ‐Multiplication Domains
Authors: Fontana Marco , Zafrullah Muhammad
Published: December 2009

The so‐called Prüfer υ‐multiplication domains (PυMDs) are usually defined as domains whose finitely generated nonzero ideals are t‐invertible. These domains generalize Prüfer domains and Krull domains. The PυMDs are relatively obscure compared to their very well‐known special cases. One of the reasons could be that the study of PυMDs uses the jargon of star operations, such as the υ‐operation and the t‐operation. In this paper, we provide characterizations of and basic results on PυMDs and related notions without star operations.
Determination of Neural Fiber Connections Based on Data Structure Algorithm
Authors: Göksel Duru Dilek , Özkan Mehmed
Published: December 2009

The brain activity during perception or cognition is mostly examined by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). However, the cause of the detected activity relies on the anatomy. Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTMRI) as a noninvasive modality providing in vivo anatomical information allows determining neural fiber connections which leads to brain mapping. Still a complete map of fiber paths representing the human brain is missing in literature. One of the main drawbacks of reliable fiber mapping is the correct detection of the orientation of multiple fibers within a single imaging voxel. In this study a method based on linear data structures is proposed to define the fiber paths regarding their diffusivity. Another advantage of the proposed method is that the analysis is applied on entire brain diffusion tensor data. The implementation results are promising, so that the method will be developed as a rapid fiber tractography algorithm for the clinical use as future study.
Surgical Outcome in Patients with Oral Verrucous Carcinoma: Long-Term Follow-Up in an Endemic Betel Quid Chewing Area
Authors: Huang Tung-Tsun , Hsu Lee-Ping , Hsu Yung-Hsiang , Chen Peir-Rong
Published: December 2009

Background/Aims: To evaluate the clinical features and prognosis of patients with oral verrucous carcinoma (OVC) in an endemic betel quid chewing area. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted in 39 patients with OVC treated surgically from 1991 to 2002. Results: Thirty-seven patients (94.9%) were male. The median age at diagnosis was 53.8 years. All patients had been exposed to betel quid, cigarette smoking, and/or alcohol. The most common site of tumor origin was the buccal mucosa (64.1%). The tumor control rate was 97.4% after the first surgical procedure. Second/multiple primary tumors (SPTs/MPTs) were found in 21 patients. There were 13 deaths during the follow-up period, with SPTs/MPTs being the most common cause. The cancer-specific survival rate was 89.1% at 5 years, but continued to decrease thereafter. Conclusion: Surgery was effective for controlling OVC. However, long-term follow-up was necessary because of the high incidence of SPTs/MPTs and its impact on patient survival.
Is Antibiotic Prophylaxis Necessary in Elective Laparoscopic Surgery for Benign Gynecologic Conditions?
Authors: Litta Pietro , Sacco Giuseppe , Tsiroglou Dimitrios , Cosmi Erich , Ciavattini Andrea
Published: December 2009

Background: The use of prophylactic antibiotics in gynecologic laparoscopic surgery is still popular and many gynecologic surgeons believe that prophylactic antibiotic therapy will decrease the incidence of postoperative infection complications. Aim: The aim of this prospective cohort study was to investigate the opportunity of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent early postoperative infections and febrile morbidity in elective laparoscopic surgery for benign gynecological conditions. Methods: 300 women who underwent laparoscopic surgery for benign gynecological conditions were included in the study. After the patients were included they were divided in two groups (ratio 1:1). Group A (n = 150) received 2 g of cefazolin (Cefamezin®; Pfizer Italia Srl, Italy) 30 min before surgery and group B (n = 150) received no antibiotic prophylaxis. Results: No postoperative infection was diagnosed for a total of 300 study patients. The overall rate of febrile morbidity was 3.3% for a total of 300 patients (1.3% for group A and 2% for group B). No differences in infection complications and febrile morbidity were found between the two groups. Conclusion: Postoperative infection complications in laparoscopic gynecologic surgery without antimicrobial prophylaxis are negligible and overlapping to those obtained with cefazolin prophylaxis.
Association of a Common G6PC2 Variant with Fasting Plasma Glucose Levels in Non-Diabetic Individuals
Authors: Demirci F.Y. , Dressen A.S. , Hamman R.F. , Bunker C.H. , Kammerer C.M. , Kamboh M.I.
Published: December 2009

Background/Aims: Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels correlate with cardiovascular disease and mortality in both diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. G6PC2 encodes a pancreatic islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase-related protein and G6pc2-null mice were reported to exhibit decreased blood glucose levels. Two recent genome-wide association studies have implicated a role for G6PC2 in regulation of FPGlevels in the general European population and reported the strongest association with the rs560887 SNP. The purpose of this study was to replicate this association in our independent epidemiological samples. Methods: DNA samples from non-Hispanic white Americans (NHWs; n = 623), Hispanic Americans (n = 410) and black Africans (n = 787) were genotyped for rs560887 using TaqMan allelic discrimination. Results: While no minor allele A of rs560887 was observed among blacks, its frequency was 33% in NHWs and 17.5% in Hispanics. The rs560887 minor allele was associated with reduced FPG levels in non-diabetic NHWs (p = 0.002 under an additive model). A similar trend of association was observed in non-diabetic Hispanics (p = 0.076 under a dominant model), which was more pronounced in normoglycemic subjects (p = 0.036). Conclusions: Our results independently confirm the robust association of G6PC2/rs560887 with FPG levels in non-diabetic NHWs. The observed evidence for association in Hispanics warrants further studies in larger samples.
Rosuvastatin in the Prevention of Stroke Among Men and Women With Elevated Levels of C-Reactive Protein
Authors: Everett Brendan M. , Glynn Robert J. , MacFadyen Jean G. , Ridker Paul M
Published: December 2009

Background—

Prior primary prevention trials of statin therapy that used cholesterol criteria for enrollment have not reported significant decreases in stroke risk. We evaluated whether statin therapy might reduce stroke rates among individuals with low levels of cholesterol but elevated levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

Methods and Results—

In Justification for the Use of statins in Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin (JUPITER), 17 802 apparently healthy men and women with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels <130 mg/dL and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels ≥2.0 mg/L were randomly allocated to rosuvastatin 20 mg daily or placebo and then followed up for the occurrence of a first stroke. After a median follow-up of 1.9 years (maximum, 5.0 years), rosuvastatin resulted in a 48% reduction in the hazard of fatal and nonfatal stroke as compared with placebo (incidence rate, 0.18 and 0.34 per 100 person-years of observation, respectively; hazard ratio 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.34 to 0.79;
P
=0.002), a finding that was consistent across all examined subgroups. This finding was due to a 51% reduction in the rate of ischemic stroke (hazard ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.30 to 0.81;
P
=0.004), with no difference in the rates of hemorrhagic stroke between the active and placebo arms (hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.24 to 1.88;
P
=0.44).

Conclusion—

Rosuvastatin reduces by more than half the incidence of ischemic stroke among men and women with low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels who are at risk because of elevated levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

Clinical Trial Registration—

clinicaltrial.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00239681.
Relationship Between Cardiac Rehabilitation and Long-Term Risks of Death and Myocardial Infarction Among Elderly Medicare Beneficiaries
Authors: Hammill Bradley G. , Curtis Lesley H. , Schulman Kevin A. , Whellan David J.
Published: December 2009

Background—

For patients with coronary heart disease, exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation improves survival rate and has beneficial effects on risk factors for coronary artery disease. The relationship between the number of sessions attended and long-term outcomes is unknown.

Methods and Results—

In a national 5% sample of Medicare beneficiaries, we identified 30 161 elderly patients who attended at least 1 cardiac rehabilitation session between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2005. We used a Cox proportional hazards model to estimate the relationship between the number of sessions attended and death and myocardial infarction (MI) at 4 years. The cumulative number of sessions was a time-dependent covariate. After adjustment for demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, and subsequent hospitalization, patients who attended 36 sessions had a 14% lower risk of death (hazard ratio [HR], 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77 to 0.97) and a 12% lower risk of MI (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.83 to 0.93) than those who attended 24 sessions; a 22% lower risk of death (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.71 to 0.87) and a 23% lower risk of MI (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.69 to 0.87) than those who attended 12 sessions; and a 47% lower risk of death (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.59) and a 31% lower risk of MI (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.81) than those who attended 1 session.

Conclusions—

Among Medicare beneficiaries, a strong dose–response relationship existed between the number of cardiac rehabilitation sessions and long-term outcomes. Attending all 36 sessions reimbursed by Medicare was associated with lower risks of death and MI at 4 years compared with attending fewer sessions.
Improved Survival Among Patients With Eisenmenger Syndrome Receiving Advanced Therapy for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Dimopoulos Konstantinos , Inuzuka Ryo , Goletto Sara , Giannakoulas Georgios , Swan Lorna , Wort Stephen J. , Gatzoulis Michael A.
Published: December 2009

Background—

Advanced therapy (AT) for pulmonary arterial hypertension in the context of congenital heart disease (Eisenmenger syndrome) improves pulmonary hemodynamics, functional class, and the 6-minute walk test. We examined the potential effect of AT on survival in this population.

Methods and Results—

Data on all Eisenmenger patients attending our center over the past decade were collected. Survival rates were compared between patients on and off AT with the use of a modified version of the Cox model, which treats AT as a time-varying covariate. Baseline differences were adjusted for the use of propensity scores. A total of 229 patients (aged 34.5±12.6 years; 35.4% male) were included. The majority had complex anatomy, and 53.7% were in New York Heart Association class ≥III at baseline assessment. Mean resting saturations were 84.3%. Sixty-eight patients (29.7%) either were on AT or had AT initiated during follow-up. During a median follow-up of 4.0 years, 52 patients died, only 2 of them while on AT. Patients on AT were at a significantly lower risk of death, both unadjusted and after adjustment for baseline clinical differences by propensity score regression adjustment (
C
statistic=0.80; hazard ratio, 0.16; 95% confidence interval, 0.04 to 0.71;
P
=0.015) and propensity score matching (hazard ratio, 0.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.01 to 0.78;
P
=0.028).

Conclusions—

AT for pulmonary arterial hypertension in a contemporary cohort of adults with Eisenmenger syndrome was associated with a lower risk of death. Survival benefits should be considered together with improved hemodynamics and functional class when decisions are made about AT in this population.
Cost-Effectiveness of Prasugrel Versus Clopidogrel in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes and Planned Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Mahoney Elizabeth M. , Wang Kaijun , Arnold Suzanne V. , Proskorovsky Irina , Wiviott Stephen , Antman Elliott , Braunwald Eugene , Cohen David J.
Published: December 2009

Background—

In patients with acute coronary syndromes and planned percutaneous coronary intervention, the Trial to Assess Improvement in Therapeutic Outcomes by Optimizing Platelet Inhibition With Prasugrel–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 38 (TRITON-TIMI 38) demonstrated that treatment with prasugrel versus clopidogrel was associated with reduced rates of cardiovascular death, MI, or stroke and an increased risk of major bleeding. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of prasugrel versus clopidogrel from the perspective of the US healthcare system by using data from TRITON-TIMI 38.

Methods and Results—

Detailed resource use data were prospectively collected for all patients recruited from 8 countries (United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, and France; n=3373 prasugrel, n=3332 clopidogrel). Hospitalization costs were estimated on the basis of diagnosis-related group and in-hospital complications. Cardiovascular medication costs were estimated by using net wholesale prices (clopidogrel=$4.62/d; prasugrel=$5.45/d). Life expectancy was estimated from in-trial cardiovascular and bleeding events with the use of statistical models of long-term survival from a similar population from the Saskatchewan Health Database. Over a median follow-up of 14.7 months, average total costs (including study drug) were $221 per patient lower with prasugrel (95% confidence interval, −759 to 299), largely because of a lower rate of rehospitalization involving percutaneous coronary intervention. Prasugrel was associated with life expectancy gains of 0.102 years (95% confidence interval, 0.030 to 0.180), primarily because of the decreased rate of nonfatal MI. Thus, compared with clopidogrel, prasugrel was an economically dominant treatment strategy. If a hypothetical generic cost for clopidogrel of $1/d is used, the incremental net cost with prasugrel was $996 per patient, yielding an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $9727 per life-year gained.

Conclusion—

Among acute coronary syndrome patients with planned percutaneous coronary intervention, treatment with prasugrel versus clopidogrel for up to 15 months is an economically attractive treatment strategy.

Clinical Trial Registration—

clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00097591.