bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and the pharmacokinetic/ pharmacodynamic relationship of zolpidem in healthy subjects
Authors: de Haas SL , Schoemaker RC , van Gerven JMA , Hoever P , Cohen AF , Dingemanse J
Published: August 2009

Zolpidem is one of the most frequently prescribed hypnotics, as it is a very short-acting compound with relatively few side effects. Zolpidem’s short duration of action is partly related to its short elimination half-life, but the associations between plasma levels and pharmacodynamic (PD) effects are not precisely known. In this study, the concentration—effect relationships for zolpidem were modelled. Zolpidem (10 mg) was administered in a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial to determine PD and pharmacokinetics (PK) in 14 healthy volunteers. Zolpidem was absorbed and eliminated quickly, with a median Tmaxof 0.78 h (range: 0.33—2.50) and t1/2of 2.2 h. Zolpidem reduced saccadic peak velocity (SPV), adaptive tracking performance, electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha power and visual analogue scale (VAS) alertness score and increased body sway, EEG beta power and VAS ‘feeling high’. Short- and long-term memory was not affected. Central nervous system effects normalised more rapidly than the decrease of plasma concentrations. For most effects, zolpidem’s short duration of action could be adequately described by both a sigmoid Emaxmodel and a transit tolerance model. For SPV and EEG alpha power, the tolerance model seemed less suitable. These PK/PD models have different implications for the mechanism underlying zolpidem’s short duration of action. A sigmoid Emaxmodel (which is based on ligand binding theory) would imply a threshold value for the drug’s effective concentrations. A transit tolerance model (in which a hypothetical factor builds up with time that antagonises the effects of the parent compound) is compatible with a rapid reversible desensitisation of GABAergic subunits.
Use of Nomograms for Personalized Decision-Analytic Recommendations
Authors: Fu Alex Z. , Cantor Scott B. , Kattan Michael W.
Published: August 2009

Objective. A difficulty with applying decision analysis at the bedside is that it generally requires computer software for the calculations, which may render the method impractical. The purpose of this study was to illustrate the feasibility of developing a regression model that approximates the results from a published decision-analytic model for prostate cancer and permits bedside generation of personalized decision-analytic recommendations with a paper nomogram. Methods. The authors used the example of radical prostatectomy v. watchful waiting for patients with early-stage prostate cancer. First, they took a published decision analysis and generated recommendations using simulated data where patient baseline factors and preference scores for health states were systematically varied. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the parameters with strong associations with the recommendation. A reduced model was fit that excluded other preference scores except for watchful waiting. They compared the recommended management predictive accuracies from the full v. reduced model at the individual patient level for 63 men from another published study. Discrimination was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. A nomogram was constructed from the covariates in the reduced model. Results. The reduced logistic regression model predicted the recommendations accurately for the 63 patients, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.92. Discrimination was excellent as demonstrated by histograms. Conclusions. The authors demonstrated that logistic regression modeling allows accurate reproduction of decision-analytic recommendations with simplified calculations, which can be accomplished using a graphic nomogram. This approach should facilitate clinical decision analysis at the bedside.
Mechanical Stability of the Subtalar Joint After Lateral Ligament Sectioning and Ankle Brace Application
Authors: Kamiya Tomoaki , Kura Hideji , Suzuki Daisuke , Uchiyama Eiichi , Fujimiya Mineko , Yamashita Toshihiko
Published: August 2009

Background

The roles of each ligament supporting the subtalar joint have not been clarified despite several biomechanical studies. The effects of ankle braces on subtalar instability have not been shown.

Hypothesis

The ankle brace has a partial effect on restricting excessive motion of the subtalar joint.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Ten normal fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens were used. The angular motions of the talus were measured via a magnetic tracking system. The specimens were tested while inversion and eversion forces, as well as internal and external rotation torques, were applied. The calcaneofibular ligament, cervical ligament, and interosseous talocalcaneal ligament were sectioned sequentially, and the roles of each ligament, as well as the stabilizing effects of the ankle brace, were examined.

Results

Complete sectioning of the ligaments increased the angle between the talus and calcaneus in the frontal plane to 51.7° ± 11.8° compared with 35.7° ± 6.0° in the intact state when inversion force was applied. There was a statistically significant difference in the angles between complete sectioning of the ligaments and after application of the brace (34.1° ± 7.3°) when inversion force was applied. On the other hand, significant differences in subtalar rotation were not found between complete sectioning of the ligaments and application of the brace when internal and external rotational torques were applied.

Conclusion

The ankle brace limited inversion of the subtalar joint, but it did not restrict motion after application of internal or external rotational torques.

Clinical Relevance

In cases of severe ankle sprains involving the calcaneofibular ligament, cervical ligament, and interosseous talocalcaneal ligament injuries, application of an ankle brace might be less effective in limiting internal-external rotational instabilities than in cases of inversion instabilities in the subtalar joint. An improvement in the design of the brace is needed to restore better rotational stability in the subtalar joint.
Suppression Dynamics of a Co-flow Diffusion Flame with High Expansion Aqueous Foam
Authors: Ananth Ramagopal , Farley John P.
Published: August 2009

A time-dependent, moving boundary, multiphase Navier—Stokes model is developed to study the effects of aqueous foam with high air-to-water volume ratio (expansion ratio, Ex) on a jet diffusion flame. The flame is formed by combusting a steady flow of propane gas. Both the shape and velocity of the foam surface are affected by evaporation and injection rates, and are obtained by volume of fluid method. The evaporation at the advancing foam front releases water vapor as well as a significant amount of air into the flame. At low foam injection rates, simulations show that the flame spreads along the foam surface and is not extinguished. This is because the injection rate is comparable to the evaporation rate, which causes cooling but prevents the foam from advancing into the flame. However, at high foam injection rates, the simulations show that the flame lifts from the burner lip and the flame is reestablished above the rising foam surface due to the continued supply of the propane gas. Thus, the foam extinguishes the flame locally in its path by increased smothering as it rises towards the top of the burner. Both the smothering and evaporation effects are found to be important.
Risk Reduction Education
Authors: Lamorey Suzanne
Published: August 2009

Teens with disabilities need information about risk topics such as addiction, abuse, sex, and delinquency to make healthy choices as they participate in mainstream society. This article presents questionnaire-based information provided by special educators in secondary schools about their efforts, limitations, and needs in providing risk reduction education to their students. In a qualitative analysis of teacher feedback, implications for parents, principals, and district administrators are discussed.
Mercury vapor inhalation and its effect on glutathione peroxidase in goldsmiths exposed occupationally
Authors: Jayaprakash K.
Published: August 2009

In the gold ornaments manufacturing cottage industries, the gold metal grain dust waste particles are recovered from mercury (Hg) amalgam. The results on air samples from these industries during the recovery process have shown a high prevalence of Hg vapor (42.7 mg/m3). The blood concentration of Hg is elevated (79.1 μg/L) among workers when their blood samples are tested. The Hg toxicity is reflected in the reduction of glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity in RBC (49.317 mg/L of RBC) when compared with the data from control subjects (68.536 mg/L of RBC). These values are statistically significant. This would suggest that the Hg poisoning in goldsmiths is due to exposure. The results are discussed with relation to preventive measures.
Impairment of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in cadmium-hypertensive rats
Authors: Gökalp O. , Özdem S. , Dönmez S. , Dogan M. , Demirin H. , Kara Y. , Sütcü R. , Cicek E. , Özer MK , Delibas N.
Published: August 2009

Abnormalities in the production and/or release of relaxing factors from the endothelium have been implicated in the development of hypertension in several animal models. Endothelium-dependent relaxation has been reported to be impaired in thoracic aorta in experimentally induced and genetically hypertensive rats. Present study has extented these observations to thoracic aorta of cadmium-hypertensive rats. The possible role of alterations in oxidant status was also studied. Hypertension was induced by the intraperitoneal administration of 1 mg/kg/day cadmium for 15 days. Mechanical responses produced by acetylcholine (ACh, 10— 9—10—4 M) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10—10—10— 5 M) were studied on phenylephrine-precontracted thoracic aorta rings from control and cadmium-hypertensive rats. Serum nitric oxide (NO) and aortic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. ACh-induced relaxation was attenuated in aorta from cadmium-hypertensive rats, whereas relaxation responses to SNP did not differ significantly between the groups. Exposure of aortic rings to NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 —4 M) resulted in a significantly greater inhibition of relaxation response to ACh in aortic rings of cadmium-hypertensive rats as compared with control rats. Incubation with L-arginine (L-Arg, 10 —3 M) caused a similar reversal of the inhibition of ACh-induced relaxation by L-NAME in both groups. Serum NO levels were decreased and aortic MDA levels were increased in cadmium-treated rats as compared with control rats. However, the differences between the groups did not reach a statistical significance. These findings suggested that the reduction in endothelium-dependent relaxation may play a role in cadmium-induced hypertension as it was in many other hypertension models.
Inhalation of formaldehyde and xylene induces apoptotic cell death in the lung tissue
Authors: Sandikci M. , Seyrek K. , Aksit H. , Kose H.
Published: August 2009

The aim of this study was to determine the localization and number of apoptotic cells in lung tissue and bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) of newborns, young, and adult rats exposed to formaldehyde (6 ppm) or technical xylene (300 ppm) for 6 weeks (8 h/day). A total of 27 female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Apoptotic cells were mainly localized around the bronchus and bronchioles and relatively less frequently on the walls of alveoli and interalveolar septa both in control and experimental groups. In the BALT, reactive cells were localized in the area under the epithelium and distributed homogenously within the lymphoid follicles. The numbers of apoptotic cells in the lung tissue including the BALT were significantly higher in young and adult rats exposed to formaldehyde and xylene than those detected in control groups.
Techniques for Assessment of Intravascular Volume in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Marik Paul E.
Published: August 2009

Fluid replacement is considered the cornerstone of resuscitation in the ICU. However, only about 50% of critically ill hemodynamically unstable patients are fluid responsive; furthermore, both under-resuscitation and overzealous fluid administration adversely affect outcome Consequently, the resuscitation of critically ill patients requires an accurate assessment of the patients’ intravascular volume status and their volume responsiveness. This paper reviews the evolution and accuracy of methods for assessing fluid responsiveness in critically ill patients.
Top Management Team Diversity and Performance of Christian Churches
Authors: Perkins D. Clay , Fields Dail
Published: August 2009

This study investigates the relationship of top management team (TMT) diversity with performance of Christian churches, a particular type of nonprofit and voluntary organization. Performance measures were based on applying the balanced scorecard to the church setting. Within a sample of 82 churches from a single denomination, the authors found that greater diversity in the spiritual maturity and relationships of TMT members with the senior pastor was positively related with growth in church attendance. TMT diversity in age was positively related with Sunday school attendance. Surprisingly, diversity in TMT attitudes and tenure were positively related with efficiency of internal processes. Greater diversity in tenure in the TMT was negatively related with growth in church revenues. The findings suggest that diversity in the church TMT’s may pay off in organizational growth, increased constituent learning, and better operating efficiency, but it may have negative impacts on growth in revenues. The findings related to efficiency suggest that TMT diversity may have different effects within nonprofit settings than it does within commercial business organizations.
Toward Optimal Design of Piezoelectric Transducers Based on Multifunctional and Smoothly Graded Hybrid Material Systems
Authors: Rubio Wilfredo M. , Silva Emilio C.N. , Paulino Glaucio H.
Published: August 2009

This work explores the design of piezoelectric transducers based on functional material gradation, here named functionally graded piezoelectric transducer (FGPT). Depending on the applications, FGPTs must achieve several goals, which are essentially related to the transducer resonance frequency, vibration modes, and excitation strength at specific resonance frequencies. Several approaches can be used to achieve these goals; however, this work focuses on finding the optimal material gradation of FGPTs by means of topology optimization. Three objective functions are proposed: (i) to obtain the FGPT optimal material gradation for maximizing specified resonance frequencies; (ii) to design piezoelectric resonators, thus, the optimal material gradation is found for achieving desirable eigenvalues and eigenmodes; and (iii) to find the optimal material distribution of FGPTs, which maximizes specified excitation strength. To track the desirable vibration mode, a mode-tracking method utilizing the ‘modal assurance criterion’ is applied. The continuous change of piezoelectric, dielectric, and elastic properties is achieved by using the graded finite element concept. The optimization algorithm is constructed based on sequential linear programming, and the concept of continuum approximation of material distribution. To illustrate the method, 2D FGPTs are designed for each objective function. In addition, the FGPT performance is compared with the non-FGPT one.
A Distributed Model of Ionomeric Polymer Metal Composite
Authors: Punning A. , Johanson U. , Anton M. , Aabloo A. , Kruusmaa M.
Published: August 2009

This article presents a novel model of an ionomeric polymer metal composite (IPMC) material. An IPMC is modeled as a lossy RC distributed line. Unlike other electro-mechanical models of an IPMC, the distributed nature of our model permits modeling the non-uniform bending of the material. Instead of modeling the tip deflection or uniform deformation of the material, we model the changing curvature. The transient behavior of the electrical signal as well as the transient bending of the IPMC are described by partial differential equations. By implementing the proper initial and boundary conditions we develop the analytical description of the possibly non-uniform transient behavior of an IPMC consistent with the experimental results.
Performance of a Drum Transducer for Scavenging Vibration Energy
Authors: Yuan Jiangbo , Xie Tao , Chen Weishan , Shan Xiaobiao , Jiang Shunong
Published: August 2009

This article analyzes the performance of a piezoelectric drum transducer in the flexural mode for scavenging ambient vibration energy. We have derived an analytical solution from the governing equations of piezoelectricity that shows the role of each of the physical parameters in determining the performance of the piezoelectric energy harvester, measured by the output power density and the power efficiency. Numerical results indicate the considerably enhanced performances by adjusting the physical and geometrical parameters of the scavenging structure.
Fuzzy Friction Controllers For Semi-active Seismic Isolation Systems
Authors: Lu Lyan-Ywan , Lin Ging-Long
Published: August 2009

Some studies have shown that a conventional seismic isolation system may suffer from an excessive isolator displacement when subjected to a near-fault earthquake that usually has a long-period velocity pulse waveform. In order to alleviate this problem, a semi-active isolation system (SAIS) with a variable friction damper (VFD) controlled by proposed fuzzy controllers is investigated in this study. By varying the clamping force in the VFD damper, the slip force of the damper applied on the isolation system can be regulated on-line. Moreover, in order to determine the clamping force, four types of simple fuzzy controllers are developed based on the concept of antilock braking systems used in automobiles, and their isolation performances are simulated and compared. In addition, in order to assure a fair comparison, four types of earthquakes, namely far-field, weak near-fault, strong near-fault, extreme near-fault earthquakes, representing a wide variety of ground motions are considered as the ground excitations in the simulation. The numerical result shows that among the four fuzzy controllers proposed, the one that takes the ground velocity as an input variable has the best overall performance. As compared to the uncontrolled passive isolation system, the SAIS system with this controller greatly reduces the structural acceleration and base displacement responses simultaneously in a strong or extreme near-fault earthquake, whereas the controller results in a roughly equal level of acceleration response and a much less base displacement in a far-field or weak near-fault earthquake.
Examining the Influence of Team-Referent Causal Attributions and Team Performance on Collective Efficacy
Authors: Dithurbide Lori , Sullivan Philip , Chow Graig
Published: August 2009

This study examined the relationship between team-referent attributions, team performance, and collective efficacy beliefs in recreational sport teams. A total of 248 recreational volleyball players from 45 different coed teams participated in the study. Participants completed a subjective performance measure and the Causal Dimension Scale for Teams directly following a match and then completed the Collective Efficacy Questionnaire for Sports prior to their subsequent game. Using hierarchical linear modeling, it was found that both objective and subjective measures of performance positively predicted collective efficacy at the team level. In addition, stability negatively predicted collective efficacy beliefs; however, this relationship was moderated by objective performance.
Digital Games in eLearning Environments
Authors: Moreno-Ger Pablo , Burgos Daniel , Torrente Javier
Published: August 2009

The notion of using games in education is as old as games themselves. In addition, the massive market opened by the digital games industry has caused great interest regarding their specific potential in education. However, this interest is sometimes thwarted by the resistance of traditional educational settings toward technology-enhanced learning and digital games. The future, on the contrary, is much more promising within the eLearning field. This field is in a process of evolution and reinvention, seeking new features and ideas to improve the learning experience. We believe that educational games are a perfect medium for these new directions in eLearning. In this article, the synergies between the new eLearning environments and educational games are explored and reviewed.
Estimating Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction
Authors: Lahneman William J. , Keesing Hugo A.
Published: August 2009

The simulation offers a way to improve student understanding of the analytic process used by intelligence analysts as well as analysts in other fields such as business and public policy. The simulation places participants in the role of intelligence analysts in the months leading up to the Iraq War. Participants prepare an outline of a national intelligence estimate (NIE) that assesses the status of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction programs. The simulation has several stages that mimic the actual process that the U.S. intelligence community (IC) uses to produce NIEs. The simulation gives participants a better understanding of the ambiguity that IC analysts face in their jobs, the difficult assessments they must make based on limited information, the complexities of collaboration between different agencies in the IC to produce unified judgments, and the different perspectives of analysts and policy makers. The simulation takes about 2½ hours to conduct and requires very little preparation by instructors and participants. It is a valuable addition to courses in intelligence, national security, foreign policy, and international relations.
Validity and Reliability of the Japanese Version of the Caregiver Reaction Assessment Scale (CRA-J) for Community-Dwelling Cancer Patients
Authors: Misawa Tomoyo , Miyashita Mitsunori , Kawa Masako , Abe Koji , Abe Mayumi , Nakayama Yasuko , Given Charles W.
Published: August 2009

Background: The aim of this study was to validate the Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA) among caregivers of community-dwelling advanced cancer patients in Japan. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to advanced cancer patients and their caregivers who were cared for at day hospices and home palliative care services. We translated the CRA into Japanese, and then verified factor validity, reliability, construct validity, concurrent validity, and known groups’ validity. To address construct and concurrent validity, we calculated Pearson’s correlation coefficient between the Japanese version of the CRA and the Burden Index of Caregivers (BIC). To address known groups’ validity, we used the t test or analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: A total of 57 caregivers participated in the study. Five factors were extracted (‘‘impact on schedule,’’ ‘‘caregiver’s self-esteem,’’ ‘‘lack of family support,’’ ‘‘impact on health,’’ and ‘‘impact on finances’’) and reliability was good. Construct and concurrent validity among the subscales of the BIC were good. Regarding known groups validity, the subscale score of ‘‘impact on schedule’’ for the groups that cared 6 hours or more per day was higher than the other group (P = .04). Conclusion: The CRA-J is valid and reliable. This scale is useful for caregivers of cancer patients in Japan.
Symptom Assessment in Palliative Medicine: Complexities and Challenges
Authors: Kirkova Jordanka , Walsh Declan , Russel Mitchell , Hauser Katherine , Lasheen Wael
Published: August 2009

Symptoms are important patient-reported outcomes (PRO), which help to evaluate the impact of diseases and treatments and assess quality of care. Thorough symptom assessment is a challenge, as patients in palliative settings are often polysymptomatic and easily fatigued. There is no consensus about standardization of symptom assessment in palliative medicine. The available research provides some methodological guidance, but the psychometric properties of structured multisymptom assessments are largely understudied. New approaches may improve the efficacy of clinical assessment and create instruments with greater clinical utility. In this article, we discuss current methodological concepts of symptom assessment in clinical practice, specifically with reference to symptom questionnaires appropriate for palliative medicine.
Advance Care Planning in the Primary Care Setting: A Comparison of Attending Staff and Resident Barriers
Authors: Tung Ericka E. , North Frederick
Published: August 2009

Advance directive completion rates remain poor in the ambulatory setting. The purpose of this study was to explore and contrast staff provider and resident physicians’ experiences with advance care planning (ACP) and to identify barriers to this process in the primary care setting. A 17-item survey was administered to staff primary care providers and categorical internal medicine residents. Staff providers were more likely to discuss ACP after prompting from patients’ family members (P < .02) or after a change in health status (P < .02) and were more likely to believe that non-physician members of the care team should counsel patients about ACP. The majority of respondents cited system-based barriers as major obstacles to ACP. Strategies aimed at systematizing the ACP process for both patients and providers are needed.
Influence of Malignancy on the Decision to Withhold or Withdraw Life-Sustaining Therapy in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Cavallazzi Rodrigo , Hirani Amyn , Vasu Tajender S. , Pachinburavan Monvasi , Kane Gregory C.
Published: August 2009

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of malignancy on the decision to limit life-sustaining therapy in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: At the day of patients’ admission to the ICU, we prospectively collected information on demographics, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score, and features related to malignancy. We retrospectively collected information on in-hospital survival and decision to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment. Results: This study included 122 adult critically ill patients. After adjusting for age and APACHE II score, patients with malignancy had 3.02 (95% CI 1.19 to 7.62) higher odds of having life-sustaining therapy withdrawn or withheld as compared to patients without active malignancy. Conclusion: Our study showed that critically ill patients with malignancy are more likely to have their life-sustaining therapy withheld or withdrawn than those without malignancy after adjusting for severity of disease. This finding may be related to a perception that critically ill patients with malignancy have worse prognosis as compared with those without malignancy.
Atraumatic Osteonecrosis After Estrogen Replacement Therapy Associated with Low Protein S Level in a Patient with Turner Syndrome
Authors: Üreten Kemal , Ozturk M. Akif , Bostancı Ahmet , Çeneli Özcan , Özbek Mustafa , Haznedaroğlu İbrahim C.
Published: August 2009

Atraumatic osteonecrosis has been associated with a variety of clinical conditions including corticosteroid usage, alcoholism, infections, hyperbaric events, storage disorders, marrow-infiltrating diseases, coagulation defects, and some autoimmune diseases. Osteonecrosis due to thrombophilia is an extremely rare condition with only few cases reported previously in the literature. Hormone-replacement therapies cause increased risk of venous thrombosis, probably by causing a synergistic effect with inherited clotting defects. In this article, we report a young female with Turner syndrome, who developed avascular necrosis of the femoral head during treatment with oral estrogen, which was associated with low protein S levels.
Dabigatran Etexilate: Pivotal Trials for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis After Hip or Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Eriksson Bengt I. , Friedman Richard J.
Published: August 2009

Dabigatran etexilate, an oral direct thrombin inhibitor, was investigated in 3 large phase III trials for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after total hip arthroplasty (RE-NOVATE, N = 3494) or total knee arthroplasty (RE-MODEL, N = 2076 and RE-MOBILIZE, N = 2615). RE-NOVATE and RE-MODEL were conducted mainly in Europe, and RE-MOBILIZE was conducted predominantly in the United States and Canada. This review discusses the results of these trials. In all 3 trials, 2 doses, 220 mg and 150 mg once daily, were compared with enoxaparin. Both RE-MODEL and RE-NOVATE demonstrated noninferiority for the primary outcome (a composite of total VTE events and all-cause mortality), P = .0003 and P < .0001, respectively, for these trials. In 2008, these data formed the basis for European and Canadian approval. While RE-MOBILIZE did not demonstrate noninferiority for the primary outcome (25.3% for enoxaparin vs 31.1% for 220 mg, risk difference +5.8%, 95% CI, 0.8-10.8; P = .02 and 33.7% for 150 mg, risk difference +8.4%, 95% CI, 3.4-13.3; P = .0009), both treatments were similar for the secondary composite outcome (major VTE plus VTErelated mortality; 3.4% with 220 mg, 3.0% with 150 mg, and 2.2% with enoxaparin) and symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (0.8%, 0.7%, and 0.6%). There were no differences in the bleeding rates, hepatic enzyme elevations, or acute coronary syndrome events between the 2 treatments. With the practical advantages of once-daily oral dosing, dabigatran etexilate can be considered an attractive alternative to conventional thromboprophylaxis regimens in patients undergoing elective total hip and knee arthroplasty.
Elevated Fibrin-Related Markers in Patients with Malignant Diseases Suspected of Having Thrombotic Disorders
Authors: Nomura Hideki , Wada Hideo , Mizuno Toshiro , Yamashita Yoshiki , Saito Kanako , Kitano Shigehisa , Katayama Naoyuki , Yamada Norikazu , Sugiyama Takashi , Sudo Akihiro , Usui Masanobu , Isaji Shuji , Nobori Tsutomu
Published: August 2009

Background: Most patients with malignant diseases are frequently complicated with some type of thrombosis, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT)/pulmonary embolism (PE). Objective: The cohort and retrospective study was designed to examine the frequency of thrombosis in patients with malignant diseases and to evaluate the efficacy of D-dimer and soluble fibrin (SF) for the diagnosis of thrombosis. Patients/Methods: The plasma concentrations of D-dimer and SF were measured in patients with malignant diseases suspected of having thrombosis. D-dimer and SF were measured using a latex aggregation assay. Results: Thrombosis was observed in 23.3% of the patients with malignant diseases. Disseminated intravascular coagulation was frequently observed in patients with hepatoma, and DVT/PE was frequently observed in patients with colon cancer, lung cancer, and uterine cancer. The plasma levels of D-dimer and SF were increased in malignant diseases, especially hepatoma. Plasma levels of D-dimer and SF were significantly higher in patients with thrombosis in comparison to patients without thrombosis. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed the D-dimer and SF levels to be useful in the diagnosis of thrombosis. Conclusion: Elevated D-dimer and SF levels might indicate a high risk of thrombosis in patients with malignant disease; however, these assays still need to be standardized.
Elevated Risk of Child Maltreatment in Families With Stepparents but Not With Adoptive Parents
Authors: van IJzendoorn Marinus H. , Euser Eveline M. , Prinzie Peter , Juffer Femmie , Bakermans-Kranenburg Marian J.
Published: August 2009

Does child maltreatment occur more often in adoptive and stepfamilies than in biological families? Data were collected from all 17 Dutch child protective services (CPS) agencies on 13,538 cases of certified child maltreatment in 2005. Family composition of the maltreated children was compared to a large national representative sample of the Netherlands Kinship Panel Study (NKPS). Larger families, one-parent families, and families with a stepparent showed elevated risks for child maltreatment. Adoptive families, however, showed significantly less child maltreatment than expected. The findings are discussed in the context of parental investment theory that seems to be applicable to stepparents but not to adoptive parents.
Oil Characteristics and Nutritional Composition of the Ridge Gourd (Luffa acutangula Roxb.) Seeds Grown in Bangladesh
Authors: Ali M.A. , Azad M.A.K. , Yeasmin Mst. S. , Khan A.M. , Sayeed M. Abu
Published: August 2009

The aim of the work was a comparative study of oil characteristics and nutritional composition of seeds of two local varieties of ridge gourd collected from different districts of Bangladesh: Prince ridge gourd (PRG) and Hercules ridge gourd (HRG). Most of the physicochemical characteristics reported herein, of the seed oils of both varieties were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by sampling locations. Acylglycerol classes were estimated to be monoacylglycerols (1.6-1.9% in PRG and 1.4-1.6% in HRG), diacylglycerols (4.0-4.6% in PRG and 2.6-3.0% in HRG) and triacylglycerols (84.6-86.7% in PRG and 86.7-88.3% in HRG) whereas lipid classes to be neutral lipids (92.5-94.2% in PRG and 91.7-94.9% in HRG), glycolipids (2.8-3.2% in PRG and 2.5-3.9% in HRG) and phospholipids (1.9-2.4% in PRG and 1.2-2.6% in HRG). Glyceride and lipid compositions of PRG seed oil did not show any significant difference (p < 0.05) between the two samples of Rajshahi and Dinajpur districts. HRG samples had similar values for diacylglycerol contents. GLC analysis showed the presence of only four fatty acids from series C16:0 to C18:2. Linoleic acid was the major ranging from 49.5% to 51.0% in PRG and 48.6% to 49.2% in HRG. Both varieties contained considerable amounts of lipid (26.8-28.2% in PRG and 23.2-25.4% in HRG), protein (20.8-23.1% in PRG and 25.9-26.8% in HRG) and other essential nutrients. Most of the nutrient contents in PRG samples differed significantly (p < 0.05) than those found in HRG samples. Nutrient information reported herein illustrates the benefits to public health for those, who consume this plant fruit.
The Concept of Ego Threat in Social and Personality Psychology: Is Ego Threat a Viable Scientific Construct?
Authors: Leary Mark R. , Terry Meredith L. , Batts Allen Ashley , Tate Eleanor B.
Published: August 2009

Although widely invoked as an explanation for psychological phenomena, ego threat has been conceptualized and induced in a variety of ways. Most contemporary research conceptualizes ego threat as a threat to a person’s self-image or self-esteem, but experimental operationalizations of ego threat usually confound threats to self-esteem with threats to public image or decreased control over negative events, leading to an inability to distinguish the effects of threats to people’s personal egos from threats to public image or threats to feelings of control. This article reviews research on ego threat, discusses experimental manipulations that confound ego threat with other processes, and makes recommendations regarding the use of ego threat as a construct in personality and social psychology.
Speaking Our Language: The Essential Role of Scholar-Practitioners in HRD
Authors: Moats Jason B. , McLean Gary N.
Published: August 2009

The problem and the solution. A gap is perceived to exist between scholars and practitioners that is continually exacerbated by failures to develop fully opportunities for collaboration. This article explores ways that through interpretation, scholar-practitioners may be able to bridge this gap between scholars and practitioners. The authors suggest ways in which scholar-practitioners can act to (a) improve collaboration between scholars and practitioners and (b) improve the dissemination of the knowledge created by and for scholars and practitioners.The article concludes by asserting that HRD has much to do to identify the innovative practices that truly help organizations it serves.The authors offer several areas of practice and research in which the aforementioned collaboration is needed to improve HRD as a whole. There is much to be done, but it starts with understanding each other.
The Link Between Research and Practice: Experiences of HRD and Other Professions
Authors: Short Darren C. , Keefer Jeffrey , Stone Sophia J.
Published: August 2009

Creating synergy between research and practice is viewed as the basis for creating successful and meaningful HRD outcomes and is fundamental to the maturation of the profession. Given this, there is naturally an interest in the strength of the relationship between research, theory, and practice, and this has been reflected in the journals of the Academy of Human Resource Development from their inception. In this article, the authors summarize some of the key points from the last 10 years of those journals and put them in the context of research-to-practice experiences in other professions. We conclude that HRD practitioners, practice, and professionals are hampered by the lack of connection between practice and research in the field.
Yoga in Brazil and the National Health System
Authors: Siegel Pamela , de Barros Nelson F.
Published: August 2009

Background: Yoga is practiced in almost all Brazilian urban centers by people of various social, economic, and cultural strata. Practitioners use yoga for health promotion and illness prevention, as well as for developing self-knowledge and self-care. Objective: This article explores the perceptions of yoga leaders regarding the potential contributions of yoga to the Brazilian National Health System (BNHS). Methods: Leaders of the 15 most developed yoga traditions in São Paulo, Brazil, were interviewed regarding their perceptions of potential contributions of yoga to the National Health System. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed according to qualitative methodology. Results: Areas in which yoga was perceived as being able to make important contributions included the concept of body-mind-soul; vegetarianism; postural correction and integration of movements; peace culture; the cultivation of virtuous values (e.g., abstention from addictive substances); spiritual consciousness; integration of the self; cultivation of awareness; brain oxygenization; cultivation of discipline and improved quality of life. Conclusion: Yoga is seen as a group of useful physical, social, and philosophical practices for the health field. However, challenges to its integration into the BNHS include its maintenance as an alternative culture practice and its distance from the epistemological bases of present complementary and integrative medicine.
Commemoration Amid Criticism: The Mixed Legacy of Urban Renewal in Southwest Washington, D.C
Authors: Russello Ammon Francesca
Published: August 2009

This case study of the postwar rebuilding of Southwest Washington, D.C., examines the long-term experience of one urban renewal project, from conception, planning, and design, through the construction and occupation of its new built environment. Southwest was one of the earliest, largest, and most comprehensive and varied Title I redevelopment projects in the country. A close look at its built environment demonstrates significant outcomes in terms of building and landscape design, overall neighborhood planning, and accompanying demographic changes. Existing work on Southwest and its postwar peers duly illustrates the racial injustice and physical and social loss that urban renewal produced. This article expands and supplements these narratives with parallel stories of enduring residential structures amid commercial failures, and new community formation where another had been torn apart. The result is a mixed physical and social legacy for urban renewal that has attracted both criticism and commemoration.
Routines in medication management: the perspective of people with chronic conditions
Authors: Haslbeck Jörg W. , Schaeffer Doris
Published: August 2009

Objective: To focus on the challenges and problems of medication management in everyday life experienced by people with chronic conditions, giving special attention to chronic illness trajectories.

Methods: Using a grounded theory approach, in-depth and follow-up interviews with 27 chronically ill people were conducted and analysed.

Results: From the perspective of people with chronic conditions, the main challenge in everyday medication management was to develop, maintain, and adjust routines. Routines were affected by the chronic illness trajectory and a variety of barriers. Developing and adjusting routines was further complicated by inadequate information and counselling, asymmetric relationships and communication with healthcare professionals, restrictive healthcare conditions, increasing complexities in medication regimens as well as healthcare professionals’ lack of interest in the problems of chronically ill people balancing their chronic condition and medication regimen in everyday life.

Discussion: Chronically ill persons have to deal with numerous difficulties in everyday medication management on their own. They are often overwhelmed by problems related to both their medication regimen and their routines in medication (self-) management. Thus, they require individualized long-term self-management support. Future research should address the dynamic nature of chronic illness trajectories and focus on later phases of chronic conditions.
Study of precipitation hardening in lead calcium tin anodes for copper electrowinning
Authors: Camurri C. , Carrasco C. , Prat O. , Mangalaraja R. , Pagliero A. , Colàs R.
Published: August 2009

A suitable yield stress for Pb anodes with 0·07%Ca and 1·3%Sn of 6 mm thickness for copper electrowinning is achieved by means of deformation and precipitation hardening processes, their useful life being dependent on this yield stress. The objective of the present work was to optimise the precipitation hardening, by finding the best cooling conditions for the anodes in the moulds and the optimum hot rolling temperature. The results show that increasing the cooling rate of ingots beyond the rate of natural cooling enhances the precipitation hardening. At least 45 days of aging are necessary to reach stable conditions for the precipitation hardening, with precipitates formation as CaSn3. The hot rolling temperature does not have a significant effect on the precipitation hardening of the anodes.
The uses of Greek Orthodoxy in the early poetry of Yannis Ritsos
Authors: Kittmer John
Published: August 2009

The influence of Greek Orthodoxy on Ritsos’ poetry, previously neglected because of the poet’s political commitments, is examined. Against the backdrop of the poet’s Orthodox upbringing and his early conversion to communism, Ritsos’ uses of Orthodoxy in certain poems written before 1948 are considered. The diversity is demonstrated during this period of Ritsos’ conception and treatment of the tensions and oppositions between Orthodoxy and Marxism. The ideological influence of Varnalis on the earliest collection, Τρακτέρ, can be contrasted with the more nuanced use of Orthodox material in Επιτάφιος and the sympathetic depiction of childhood religion in Μια πυγολαμπίδα φωτίζει τη νύχτα. Only in the particular conditions of wartime Greece does Ritsos manage a bridge between Orthodoxy and Marxism: Η Κυρά των Αμπελιών synthesizes Ritsos’ liberation message with images rooted in popular religion.
Comparison of next generation sequencing technologies for transcriptome characterization
Authors: Wall P Kerr , Leebens-Mack Jim , Chanderbali André S , Barakat Abdelali , Wolcott Erik , Liang Haiying , Landherr Lena , Tomsho Lynn P , Hu Yi , Carlson John E , Ma Hong , Schuster Stephan C , Soltis Douglas E , Soltis Pamela S , Altman Naomi , dePamphilis Claude W
Published: August 2009

Background

We have developed a simulation approach to help determine the optimal mixture of sequencing methods for most complete and cost effective transcriptome sequencing. We compared simulation results for traditional capillary sequencing with "Next Generation" (NG) ultra high-throughput technologies. The simulation model was parameterized using mappings of 130,000 cDNA sequence reads to the Arabidopsis genome (NCBI Accession SRA008180.19). We also generated 454-GS20 sequences and de novo assemblies for the basal eudicot California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) and the magnoliid avocado (Persea americana) using a variety of methods for cDNA synthesis.

Results

The Arabidopsis reads tagged more than 15,000 genes, including new splice variants and extended UTR regions. Of the total 134,791 reads (13.8 MB), 119,518 (88.7%) mapped exactly to known exons, while 1,117 (0.8%) mapped to introns, 11,524 (8.6%) spanned annotated intron/exon boundaries, and 3,066 (2.3%) extended beyond the end of annotated UTRs. Sequence-based inference of relative gene expression levels correlated significantly with microarray data. As expected, NG sequencing of normalized libraries tagged more genes than non-normalized libraries, although non-normalized libraries yielded more full-length cDNA sequences. The Arabidopsis data were used to simulate additional rounds of NG and traditional EST sequencing, and various combinations of each. Our simulations suggest a combination of FLX and Solexa sequencing for optimal transcriptome coverage at modest cost. We have also developed ESTcalc http://fgp.huck.psu.edu/NG_Sims/ngsim.pl, an online webtool, which allows users to explore the results of this study by specifying individualized costs and sequencing characteristics.

Conclusion

NG sequencing technologies are a highly flexible set of platforms that can be scaled to suit different project goals. In terms of sequence coverage alone, the NG sequencing is a dramatic advance over capillary-based sequencing, but NG sequencing also presents significant challenges in assembly and sequence accuracy due to short read lengths, method-specific sequencing errors, and the absence of physical clones. These problems may be overcome by hybrid sequencing strategies using a mixture of sequencing methodologies, by new assemblers, and by sequencing more deeply. Sequencing and microarray outcomes from multiple experiments suggest that our simulator will be useful for guiding NG transcriptome sequencing projects in a wide range of organisms.
The Toll-Like receptor adaptor TRIF contributes to otitis media pathogenesis and recovery
Authors: Leichtle Anke , Hernandez Michelle , Pak Kwang , Webster Nicholas J , Wasserman Stephen I , Ryan Allen F
Published: August 2009

Background

Toll-like receptor (TLR) signalling is crucial for innate immune responses to infection. The involvement of TLRs in otitis media (OM), the most prevalent childhood disease in developed countries, has been implicated by studies in middle ear cell lines, by association studies of TLR-related gene polymorphisms, and by altered OM in mice bearing mutations in TLR genes. Activated TLRs signal via two alternative intracellular signaling molecules with differing effects; MyD88 (Myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88) inducing primarily interleukin expression and TRIF (Tir-domain-containing adaptor inducing interferon β) mediating type I interferon (IFN) expression. We tested the hypothesis that TRIF and type I IFN signaling play a role in OM, using a murine model of OM induced by non-typeableHaemophilus influenzae(NTHi). The ME inflammatory response to NTHi was examined in wild-type (WT) and TRIF-/- mice by qPCR, gene microarray, histopathology and bacterial culture.

Results

Expression of TRIF mRNA was only modesty enhanced during OM, but both type I IFN signalling genes and type I IFN-inducible genes were significantly up-regulated in WT mice. TRIF-deficient mice showed reduced but more persistent mucosal hyperplasia and less leukocyte infiltration into the ME in response to NTHi infection than did WT animals. Viable bacteria could be cultured from MEs of TRIF-/- mice for much longer in the course of disease than was the case for middle ears of WT mice.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that activation of TRIF/type I IFN responses is important in both the pathogenesis and resolution of NTHi-induced OM.