bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parathyroidectomy in the elderly population: Does age really matter?
Authors: Young VyVy N. , Osborne Kyra M. , Fleming Muffin M. , Flynn Michael B. , Goldstein Richard E. , Bumpous Jeffrey M.
Published: November 2009

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Compare parathyroidectomy patients based on age, including demographics, outcomes, and complications.

Study Design:

Retrospective review.

Methods:

Prospective parathyroidectomy database covering 1998 to 2007 was reviewed retrospectively.

Results:

A total of 687 patients underwent parathyroidectomy, including 247 (36%) >65 years old. Discharge was more often on day of surgery in younger patients (42.5% vs. 29.2%, P = .007) and >23 hours for older patients (24.7% vs. 12.3%, P < .0001). Older patients stayed longer in the recovery room (134 vs. 107 minutes, P = .005). Despite postoperative normocalcemia, older patients tended to have persistently elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) (10.5% vs. 6.4%, P = .07), whereas younger patients had normal PTH (81.6% vs. 70%, P = .0007). PTH levels were low‐abnormal (56–110) in younger patients (47% vs. 29%, P = .046), but high‐abnormal (>220) in older patients (16.6% vs. 9.55%, P = .009). Overall complication rates were low (6%–8%), with >93% in either group having no major complications. There was no difference in timing or types of complications, except elderly patients were more likely to have cardiac complications (2.83% vs. 0.45%, P = .022).

Conclusions:

Nearly 700 parathyroidectomies were performed at our institution over 10 years. Elderly patients comprised one third of this population. They were likely to have longer hospital and recovery room stays, and postoperative normocalcemia with elevated PTH, which may actually be a normal finding for these patients, but it warrants further study. The rate, timing, and types of complications were similar between age groups, although elderly patients had more cardiac complications. When properly indicated, parathyroidectomy remains a safe and effective option for management of hyperparathyroidism in elderly patients. Laryngoscope, 2010
Sustained delivery of lidocaine into the cochlea using poly lactic/glycolic acid microparticles
Authors: Horie Rie T. , Sakamoto Tatsunori , Nakagawa Takayuki , Tabata Yasuhiko , Okamura Noboru , Tomiyama Naoki , Tachibana Mitsuhiro , Ito Juichi
Published: November 2009

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that is known to suppress tinnitus via systemic or local application; however, this effect has only limited duration. The current study aimed to establish a method for the sustained delivery of lidocaine into the cochlea using poly lactic/glycolic acid (PLGA) microparticles.

Study Design:

Experimental study.

Methods:

Lidocaine‐loaded PLGA microparticles were produced and their in vitro‐release profiles were examined. The lidocaine concentrations in the perilymph were measured at different time points following the application of the lidocaine‐loaded PLGA microparticles to the round‐window membranes of guinea pigs. The possible adverse effects of the local application of lidocaine‐loaded PLGA microparticles were also examined.

Results:

The in vitro analyses revealed that the microparticles were capable of the sustained delivery of lidocaine. The in vivo experiments demonstrated the sustained delivery of lidocaine into the cochlear fluid, and the maintenance of high lidocaine concentrations in the perilymph for up to 3 days after application. Nystagmus and inflammation in the middle ear mucosa were not detected after the local application of lidocaine‐loaded PLGA microparticles, although temporary hearing loss was observed.

Conclusions:

Lidocaine‐loaded PLGA microparticles were shown to be capable of the sustained delivery of lidocaine into the cochlea, suggesting that they could be used for the attenuation of peripheral tinnitus. Laryngoscope, 2010
7Li NMR chemical shift titration and theoretical DFT calculation studies: solvent and anion effects on second‐order complexation of 12‐crown‐4 and 1‐aza‐12‐crown‐4 with Lithium cation in several aprotic solvents
Authors: Masiker Marilyn C. , Mayne Charles L. , Boone Brian J. , Orendt Anita M. , Eyring Edward M.
Published: November 2009

7Li NMR titration was used to determine stepwise complexation constants for the second‐order complexation of lithium cation with 12‐crown‐4 in acetonitrile, propylene carbonate and a binary mixture of propylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate. The anions used were perchlorate, hexaflurophosphate and trifluromethanesulfonate. A second ligand 1‐aza‐12‐crown‐4 was similarly investigated. The exchange between the free and complexed cation in these reactions is fast on an NMR timescale resulting in a single lithium peak which is a concentration‐weighted average of the free and bound species. Solvent effects show that the 1:1 complex is much more stable in acetonitrile than in propylene carbonate or in the propylene carbonate dimethyl carbonate mixture. Anion effects for a given solvent were small. Optimized geometries of the free ligands and the 1:1 and 1:2 (sandwich) metal–ligand complexes were predicted by hybrid‐density functional theory using the Gaussian 03 software package. Results were compared to literature values for 1:1 stability constants found by microcalorimetry for several of these systems and are found to be in good agreement. Although microcalorimetry only considered the formation of 1:1 complexes, 7Li NMR shows evidence that both 1:1 and 1:2 complexes should be considered. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Mandel–Cryer effect in chemoporoelasticity
Authors: Bunger A. P.
Published: November 2009

Chemoporoelastic theory is an extension of classical Biot poroelasticity that accounts for coupling with the presence and the transport of ions in the pore fluid. The impact of this extra level of coupling can be both substantial and complex. This paper relies on the two variations of Mandel's classical problem, which has become a canonical illustration of the complexity that poromechanical coupling can bring to an otherwise straightforward system. To this end, solutions for a chemoporoelastic shale cylinder and a spherical shale ball are derived. These solutions are then used to demonstrate that chemoporoelastic coupling leads to a coupled pore pressure response that is not only non‐monotonic, as in Mandel's classical case, but also demonstrates the consequences of the semi‐permeable membrane‐like nature of the shale and of the problem's two diffusion‐related timescales. This paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of these results for experimentation and modeling of so‐called reactive shales using chemoporoelastic theory. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of necrotic neural response in super‐acute cerebral ischemia using activity‐induced manganese‐enhanced (AIM) MRI
Authors: Inoue Yasuo , Aoki Ichio , Mori Yuki , Kawai Yuko , Ebisu Toshihiko , Osaka Yasuhiko , Houri Takashi , Mineura Katsuyoshi , Higuchi Toshihiro , Tanaka Chuzo
Published: November 2009

Immediate and certain determination of the treatable area is important for choosing risky treatments such as thrombolysis for brain ischemia, especially in the super‐acute phase. Although it has been suggested that the mismatch between regions displaying ‘large abnormal perfusion’ and ‘small abnormal diffusion’ indicates a treatable area on an MRI, it has also been reported that the mismatch region is an imperfect approximation of the treatable region named the ‘penumbra’. Manganese accumulation reflecting calcium influx into cells was reported previously in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model using activity‐induced manganese‐enhanced (AIM) MRI. However, in the super‐acute phase, there have been no reports about mismatches between areas showing changes to the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and regions that are enhanced in AIM MRI. It is expected that the AIM signal can be enhanced immediately after cerebral ischemia in the necrotic core region due to calcium influx. In this study, a remote embolic rat model, created using titanium‐oxide macrospheres, was used to observe necrotic neural responses in the super‐acute phase after ischemia. In addition, images were evaluated by comparison between ADC, AIM MRI, and histology. The signal enhancement in AIM MRI was detected at 2 min after the cerebral infarction using a remote embolic method. The enhanced area on the AIM MRI was significantly smaller than that on the ADC map. The tissue degeneration highlighted by histological analysis corresponded more closely to the enhanced area on the AIM MRI than that on the ADC map. Thus, the manganese‐enhanced region in brain ischemia might indicate ‘necrotic’ irreversible tissue that underwent calcium influx. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Credit scores, race, and residential sorting
Authors: Nelson Ashlyn Aiko
Published: November 2009

Credit scores have a profound impact on home purchasing power and mortgage pricing, yet little is known about how credit scores influence households' residential location decisions. This study estimates the effects of credit scores on residential sorting behavior using a novel mortgage industry data set combining household demographic, credit, and financial data with property location information and detailed community attribute data. I employ the data set to estimate a discrete‐choice residential sorting model. I find that credit scores significantly predict residential sorting behavior and models that do not account for credit score provide biased estimates of housing utilities for black households in particular. Simulation results show that increases in credit score are associated with increases in the consumption of higher‐priced homes in more expensive school districts, higher‐quality public schools, and proximity to urban/metropolitan areas. © 2010 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Elderly immigrants' labor supply response to supplemental security income
Authors: Kaushal Neeraj
Published: November 2009

This paper examined how the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, which banned Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for the majority of elderly immigrants, affected their employment, retirement, and family incomes. The policy was found to be associated with a 3.5 percentage point (9.5 percent) increase in the employment and a 3.8 percentage point (7 percent) decrease in the retirement of foreign‐born elderly men. Partly as a result of their employment response, SSI ineligibility and the consequent decline in SSI receipt did not have any statistically significant effects on the family incomes of elderly foreign‐born men. Noncitizen elderly women, on the other hand, did not experience any increase in employment, and those without family support suffered a 10 to 17 percent decline in income. These findings suggest that access to SSI did not create work disincentives for noncitizen elderly women and that SSI restrictions have imposed financial hardship on those without any family support, many of whom perhaps cannot effectively increase their employment. © 2010 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Phase separation in thin films of end‐grafted block copolymers
Authors: O'Driscoll Benjamin M. D. , Oren Ron , Hamley Ian W.
Published: November 2009

An atomic force microscopy investigation was carried out on various thick (30–120 nm) polymethyl methacrylate‐b‐polystyrene and poly(2‐(dimethyl amino)ethyl methacrylate)‐b‐polystyrene films prepared via a grafting‐from method. The structure of the films was examined with both topographic and phase imaging. Several different morphologies were observed including a perforated lamellar phase with irregular perforations. In addition, complementary small‐angle X‐ray scattering and reflectometry results measurements on a non‐grafted polymer are presented. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and characterization of low density polyethylene‐agar biocomposites: Torque‐rheological, mechanical, thermal and morphological properties
Authors: Madera‐Santana T.J. , Robledo D. , Azamar J.A. , Ríos‐Soberanis C.R. , Freile‐Pelegrín Y.
Published: November 2009

Low density polyethylene (LDPE) and agar were blended by using the former as an internal mixer and varying the amount of agar. Resulting blends were hot pressed and characterized with regard to their torque‐rheological, mechanical, dynamic‐mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties. The torque rheological properties were determined using classical power law model. Tensile properties of LDPE‐agar biocomposites showed that agar improves the tensile modulus (stiffness), but compromise the tensile strength and elongation at break. Viscoelastic behavior of the matrix is clearly influenced by the presence of agar biofiller as shown by the dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Thermal behavior of the biocomposites was also investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Morphological observations by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) show the ductile to brittle fracture of LDPE‐agar biocomposites subjected to tensile test. This work is an initial reference to identify potential applications of biocomposites based‐on agar as a biofiller. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Elastic modulus of viscoelastic magnetic silicone gel body
Authors: Matsumura Kazuhiko , Yamaguchi Hiroshi
Published: November 2009

This paper describes various viscoelastic magnetic silicone gel bodies developed to create a new type of viscoelastic magnetic material. This material is capable of undergoing substantial changes in mechanical properties due to the large deformation caused by magnetic traction force under the application of a moderate strength magnetic field. This study performed tensile tests for various viscoelastic magnetic silicone gel bodies under a uniform steady magnetic field. The elastic moduli of the gel bodies were measured under different controlled experimental conditions. The experimental results showed that, under the applied magnetic field, the elastic moduli of the viscoelastic magnetic silicone gel bodies increased and were largely dependent upon the magnetic properties of the magnetic particles. The magnetic particle size and the material properties of the dispersant and the silicone gel also had significant effects on the moduli of the gel bodies. This paper also discusses the most appropriate combination of the materials used in this study from the standpoint of gaining a large magnetic traction force. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Double proton transfer in crystals of 1,3,4,6,7,8‐hexahydro‐2H‐pyrimido[1,2‐a] pyrimidine (hppH):13C and15N CPMAS NMR study of (hppH)2
Authors: Coles Martyn P. , Khalaf Majid S. , Claramunt Rosa M. , García M. Angeles , Alkorta Ibon , Elguero José
Published: November 2009

In this paper, we report an example of intermolecular solid‐state proton transfer in the bicyclic guanidine, hppH. A combination of X‐ray crystallography, CPMAS NMR (13C and15N) and theoretical calculations allows us to determine that a double proton transfer takes place in the (hppH)2dimer with an activation energy of about 50 kJ mol−1. According to the B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) calculations, the double proton transfer occurs non‐symmetrically through a zwitterion. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Disruptions in the organization of meal preparation and consumption among older cancer patients and their family caregivers
Authors: Locher Julie L. , Robinson Caroline O. , Bailey F. Amos , Carroll William R. , Heimburger Douglas C. , Saif M. Wasif , Tajeu Gabriel , Ritchie Christine S.
Published: November 2009

Objectives: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the social organization of caring as gendered work as it relates to meal preparation and consumption activities surrounding older adult cancer patients and their caregivers.

Methods: Qualitative methods consisting of in‐depth, semi‐structured, face‐to‐face interviews with 30 older cancer patients (17 women and 13 men aged 68–90) and their caregivers were conducted separately. Participants were diagnosed with pancreatic, colon, breast, lymphoma, skin, and head and neck cancer.

Results: Major findings were that both patients and caregivers experienced distress surrounding food preparation and mealtime activities, and these varied according to the gender of both patients and caregivers and the relationship that existed between patients and caregivers. Of particular note, female patients experienced distress over not being able to fully participate in meal planning and cooking activities that were central to their self‐identity. Related to this, male spouses experienced frustration over not being able to engage in cooking activities that met their wives' expectations. Female caregivers expressed tremendous discontent that the one they were caring for did not eat like they ‘should’.

Discussion: Matters related to the organization of meals and food consumption activities may be a source of significant distress for patients and caregivers. Further research and greater attention from health care providers are warranted to evaluate the extent of such distress. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Individual and dyadic predictors of body image in women with breast cancer
Authors: Zimmermann Tanja , Scott Jennifer L. , Heinrichs Nina
Published: November 2009

Objective: Previous studies examining the body image among breast cancer (BC) patients have primarily focused on their psychosocial adjustment or on the predictive value of body image on quality of life. Little is known about predictors of body image.

Methods: The present study investigated how much body image in women with BC is determined by individual factors (surgery type, medical treatments, disease stage, women's age, depressive symptoms) and by dyadic variables (relationship satisfaction and duration, dyadic coping). Furthermore, two different aspects of women's body image were assessed: self‐ acceptance and perceptions of partners' acceptance. Ninety‐eight German women with early stage BC and their partners participated.

Results: Individual and dyadic aspects of body image were differentially related to body image. Women's depressive symptoms and men's marital satisfaction predicted women's self‐acceptance, but not women's perceptions of their partners' acceptance of their appearance. Female's relationship satisfaction and perspective on common dyadic coping predicted women's perceptions of their partner's acceptance of their appearance.

Conclusions: The findings suggest interventions that include strategies to reduce women's depressive symptoms and build relationship satisfaction, might reduce body image difficulties in women after BC. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Necessary and sufficient conditions for solving consensus problems of double‐integrator dynamics via sampled control
Authors: Liu Huiyang , Xie Guangming , Wang Long
Published: November 2009

In this paper, consensus problems of double‐integrator dynamics via sampled control are investigated. The sampled control protocol is induced from continuous‐time linear consensus protocol by using periodic sampling technology and zero‐order hold circuit. With the obtained sampled control protocol, the continuous‐time multi‐agent system is equivalently transformed into a linear discrete‐time system. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given to guarantee that all the agents asymptotically travel with zero relative positions and common velocities. Furthermore, consensus problem with continuous‐time consensus protocol is re‐analyzed. A necessary and sufficient condition is also obtained which is consistent with the special case when the sampling period tends to zero. The effectiveness of these algorithms is demonstrated through simulations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Negative correlation and log‐concavity
Authors: Kahn J. , Neiman M.
Published: November 2009

We give counterexamples and a few positive results related to several conjectures of R. Pemantle (Pemantle, J Math Phys 41 (2000), 1371–1390) and D. Wagner (Wagner, Ann Combin 12 (2008), 211–239) concerning negative correlation and log‐concavity properties for probability measures and relations between them. Most of the negative results have also been obtained, independently but somewhat earlier, by Borcea et al. (Borcea et al., J Am Math Soc 22 (2009), 521–567). We also give short proofs of a pair of results from (Pemantle, J Math Phys 41 (2000), 1371–1390) and (Borcea et al., J Am Math Soc 22 (2009), 521–567); prove that “almost exchangeable” measures satisfy the “Feder‐Mihail” property, thus providing a “non‐obvious” example of a class of measures for which this important property can be shown to hold; and mention some further questions. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2010
Detecting qualitative interaction: A Bayesian approach
Authors: Bayman Emine Özgür , Chaloner Kathryn , Cowles Mary Kathryn
Published: November 2009

Differences in treatment effects between centers in a multi‐center trial may be important. These differences represent treatment by subgroup interaction. Peto defines qualitative interaction (QI) to occur when the simple treatment effect in one subgroup has a different sign than in another subgroup: this interaction is important. Interaction where the treatment effects are of the same sign in all subgroups is called quantitative and is often not important because the treatment recommendation is identical in all cases. A hierarchical model is used here with exchangeable mean responses to each treatment between subgroups. The posterior probability of QI and the corresponding Bayes factor are proposed as a diagnostic and as a test statistic. The model is motivated by two multi‐center trials with binary responses. The frequentist power and size of the test using the Bayes factor are examined and compared with two other commonly used tests. The impact of imbalance between the sample sizes in each subgroup on power is examined, and the test based on the Bayes factor typically has better power for unbalanced designs, especially for small sample sizes. An exact test based on the Bayes factor is also suggested assuming the hierarchical model. The Bayes factor provides a concise summary of the evidence for or against QI. It is shown by example that it is easily adapted to summarize the evidence for ‘clinically meaningful QI,’ defined as the simple effects being of opposite signs and larger in absolute value than a minimal clinically meaningful effect. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of behavioural and creational design motifs through dynamic analysis
Authors: Ng Janice Ka‐Yee , Guéhéneuc Yann‐Gaël , Antoniol Giuliano
Published: November 2009

Design patterns offer design motifs, solutions to object‐oriented design problems. Design motifs lead to well‐structured designs and thus are believed to ease software maintenance. However, after use, they are often ‘lost’ and are consequently of little help during program comprehension and other maintenance activities. Therefore, several works proposed design pattern identification approaches to recover occurrences of the motifs. These approaches mainly used the structure and organization of classes as input. Consequently, they have a low precision when considering behavioural and creational motifs, which pertain to the assignment of responsibilities and the collaborations among objects at runtime. We propose MoDeC, an approach to describe behavioural and creational motifs as collaborations among objects in the form of scenario diagrams. We identify these motifs using dynamic analysis and constraint programming. Using a proof‐of‐concept implementation of MoDeC and different scenarios for five other Java programs andBuilder,Command, andVisitor, we show that MoDeC has a better precision than the state‐of‐the‐art static approaches. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antiestrogenicity and estrogenicity in leachates from solid waste deposits
Authors: Svenson Anders , Sjöholm Sofia , Allard Ann‐Sofie , Kaj Lennart
Published: November 2009

A great deal of effort has been devoted to developing new in vitro and in vivo methods to identify and classify endocrine disrupting chemicals that have been identified in environmental samples. In this study an in vitro test based on recombinant yeast strains transfected with genes for the human estrogen receptor α was adapted to examine the presence of estrogenic and antiestrogenic substances in six Swedish landfill leachates. Antiestrogenic effects were measured as inhibition of the estradiol induced response with the human estrogen receptor α, and quantified by comparison with the corresponding inhibitory effects of a known antiestrogen, hydroxytamoxifen. The estrogenicity was within the range of that determined in domestic sewage effluents, from below the limit of detection to 29 ng estradiol units L−1. Antiestrogenicity was detected in some of the investigated landfill leachates, ranging between <38 and 3800 μg hydroxytamoxifen equivalents L−1. There was no apparent relation between the type of waste deposited on the landfills and the antiestrogenic effect. Fractionation of a landfill leachate showed that estrogenic compounds were located in two dominant fractions. Three estrogenic compounds were found that accounted for the estrogenic activity in extracts of leachates: bisphenol A, estradiol, and ethinylestradiol. The bisphenol may have been released from decomposing plastic waste and the estrogenic steroids from earlier deposits of municipal sewage sludge and pharmaceutical waste. Fractionation of leachates from three parts of a landfill showed that the antiestrogenic activity was distributed in at least four fractions and somewhat different in different flows of leachate. This indicated a heterogeneous mixture of antiestrogenic substances. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2011.
Repeated preexposure or coexposure to arsenic differentially alters acetaminophen‐induced oxidative stress in rat kidney
Authors: Manimaran Ayyasamy , Sarkar Souvendra Nath , Sankar Palanisamy
Published: November 2009

Acetaminophen (AP) is a widely used, cheap, and over‐the‐counter nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug. Its toxicity depends on the cytochrome P‐450 (CYP)‐mediated oxidation to the toxic metaboliteN‐acetyl‐p‐benzoquinoneimine. On the other hand, arsenic, a global groundwater and environmental contaminant of major public health concern, decreases hepatic CYP content and its dependent monoxygenase activities. We hypothesized that arsenic exposure would reduce the AP toxicity. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of repeated preexposure or coexposure to arsenic on the oxidative stress induced by a single or repeated oral administration of AP in rat kidney and its possible relationship with the effects of arsenic on certain antioxidants. Rats were exposed to arsenic through drinking water at 25 ppm for 28 days. The dosages of AP used for a single administration after arsenic preexposure for 28 days were 420 and 1000 mg kg−1, while for daily concurrent administration with arsenic for 28 days were 105 and 420 mg kg−1body weight. AP increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) in rat kidney where its acute administration caused more LPO than its subacute dosing. Repeated arsenic exposure differentially altered the AP‐induced LPO. Arsenic preexposure antagonized LPO induced by the acute AP administration; in contrast, arsenic coexposure aggravated the repeated dose (AP)‐mediated LPO. Arsenic‐mediated alterations in renal sensitivity to LPO did not appear to be linked to the antioxidants such as reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase; nor could it be related to glutathione‐S‐transferase activity. The results indicated that repeated arsenic preexposure decreased susceptibility of rat kidney to acute AP‐mediated oxidative stress; on the contrary, its coexposure rendered the rat kidney more vulnerable to oxidative stress induced by the repeated dosing of AP. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2011.
Novel toxic effects associated with a tropical Limnothrix/Geitlerinema‐like cyanobacterium
Authors: Bernard Catherine , Froscio Suzanne , Campbell Rebecca , Monis Paul , Humpage Andrew , Fabbro Larelle
Published: November 2009

The presence of a toxic strain of a fine filamentous cyanobacterium belonging to the Oscillatorialean family Pseudanabaenacea was detected during a survey of cyanobacterial taxa associated with the presence of cylindrospermopsin in dams in Central Queensland (Australia). The strain, AC0243, was isolated and cultured, its genomic DNA extracted and 16S RNA gene sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis placed AC0243 with Limnothrix species, although this genus appears polyphyletic. Moreover, not all morphological characters are consistent with this genus but more closely fit the description of Geitlerinema unigranulatum (R.N. Singh) Komárek and Azevedo. The potential toxic effects of AC0243 extract were assessed chemically and biologically. Cell free protein synthesis was inhibited by the extract. Exposure of Vero cells to the extract resulted in a significant reduction in cellular ATP levels following 24–72 h incubation. The presence of cylindrospermopsin was excluded based on the nature of responses obtained in cell and cell‐free assays; in addition, (i) it could not be detected by HPLC, LC‐MS, or immunological assay, and (ii) no genes currently associated with the production of cylindrospermopsin were found in the genome. Other known cyanobacterial toxins were not detected. The apparent novelty of this toxin is discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 2011.
The role of oxidative stress in enantiomer‐specific, bifenthrin‐induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells
Authors: Lu Xianting , Hu Fen , Ma Yun , Wang Cui , Zhang Ying , Zhao Meirong
Published: November 2009

With the widespread use of synthetic pyrethroids (SPs), the various toxic effects of these compounds have attracted much interest with respect to the investigation of involved mechanisms. However, research on molecular mechanisms of enantioselective toxicity of SPs has been limited. Our previous investigations suggested that enantiomers of cis‐bifenthrin (cis‐BF) behaved enantioselectively in endocrine disruption and mammalian cytotoxicity. While little is known about the molecular mechanism of the enantioselective toxicity of cis‐BF, recent experiments implicated oxidative stress in the cytotoxicity of many SPs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether cis‐BF enantioselectively induced oxidative stress lead to enantioselective cytotoxicity. In this article, we used the rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line as an in vitro model to evaluate the involvement of the oxidative stress pathway in enantioselective cytotoxicity of cis‐BF. Following exposure of cells to cis‐BF and its enantiomers, a significant reduction in cell survival and superoxide dimutase, as well as increased production of lactate dehydrogenase, intracellular reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, was observed in 1S‐cis‐BF, while 1R‐cis‐BF exhibited these effects to a lesser degree. These results clearly demonstrated that enantiomer‐specific cis‐BF‐induced oxidative damage is possibly an initiating event and contributes, at least in part, to the mechanism of cis‐BF‐induced enantioselective cytotoxicity. Furthermore, our study also indicated that enantioselectivity should be considered when evaluating the ecotoxicological effects and the health risks of chiral contaminants. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2011.
Study of the morphology and granulometry of polyethylene–clay nanocomposite powders
Authors: Abareshi Maryam , Zebarjad Seyyed Mojtaba , Goharshadi Elaheh K.
Published: November 2009

Medium‐density polyethylene (MDPE) matrix nanocomposites reinforced with different clay contents were produced by using a planetary ball mill. The morphology of all the milled samples, including pure polyethylene and the polyethylene–clay nanocomposites, was examined by scanning electron microscopy. To investigate the effects of milling time and clay content on the particle size of polyethylene powder, sieve analysis was used. The results showed that during milling, the regular shape of pure polyethylene powder converts into flake shapes and the average particle size of the powder increases upon increasing the milling time because the welding mechanism is predominant. Also, the presence of the clay can increase the maximum‐particle size, and increasing the clay content can decrease the milling time required to reach the same maximum particle size. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Outward electron transfer by Saccharomyces cerevisiae monitored with a bi‐cathodic microbial fuel cell‐type activity sensor
Authors: Ducommun Raphaël , Favre Marie‐France , Carrard Delphine , Fischer Fabian
Published: November 2009

A Janus head‐like bi‐cathodic microbial fuel cell was constructed to monitor the electron transfer from Saccharomyces cerevisiae to a woven carbon anode. The experiments were conducted during an ethanol cultivation of 170 g/l glucose in the presence and absence of yeast‐peptone medium. First, using a basic fuel‐cell type activity sensor, it was shown that yeast‐peptone medium contains electroactive compounds. For this purpose, 1% solutions of soy peptone and yeast extract were subjected to oxidative conditions, using a microbial fuel cell set‐up corresponding to a typical galvanic cell, consisting of culture medium in the anodic half‐cell and 0.5 M K3Fe(CN)6 in the cathodic half‐cell. Second, using a bi‐cathodic microbial fuel cell, it was shown that electrons were transferred from yeast cells to the carbon anode. The participation of electroactive compounds in the electron transport was separated as background current. This result was verified by applying medium‐free conditions, where only glucose was fed, confirming that electrons are transferred from yeast cells to the woven carbon anode. Knowledge about the electron transfer through the cell membrane is of importance in amperometric online monitoring of yeast fermentations and for electricity production with microbial fuel cells. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retrenchment for Event-B: UseCase-wise development and Rodin integration
Authors: Banach Richard
Published: November 2009

UseCase-wise Development, an ‘Agile Method’ which introduces functionality into an application stage by stage, with each stage being carried through (ideally) to implementation before the next is considered, is examined with a view to its being treated via an Event-B methodology. The need to modify top level behaviour in a non-skip way precludes its naive treatment via Event-B refinement, and paves the way for the use of retrenchment in an Event-B context. An Event-B formulation of retrenchment aligned to the practicalities of the Rodin toolset is described. The details of refinement/retrenchment interworking needed to handle UseCase-wise development are outlined, and three small case studies are discussed. The details of the integration of the retrenchment proposal into Rodin are outlined.
Mammographic Determination of Breast Volume by Elliptical Cone Estimation
Authors: Fung James T. K. , Chan Sharon W. W. , Chiu Annie N. K. , Cheung Polly S. Y. , Lam S. H.
Published: November 2009

Background

We propose a new breast volume calculation method, treating the breast as an elliptical cone on craniocaudal and medial–lateral‐oblique mammograms. This study aims to compare the accuracy and reproducibility of this proposed calculation method to the old Katariya method, which calculates breast volume as a circular cone on the craniocaudal mammogram only.

Materials and methods

From January 2005 to December 2006, 83 mastectomy patients with recorded breast weight and available preoperative mammographic films were included in the present study. Two surgeons independently measured breast height and width on the preoperative craniocaudal and medial–lateral‐oblique mammograms. Breast volume was calculated as a circular cone in the craniocaudal view, and as an elliptical cone in both the craniocaudal and the medial–lateral‐oblique mammograms. The accuracy of each method was determined and compared by linear regression analyses. Interobserver variability was assessed by bivariate correlation.

Results

The most accurate formula for calculating breast volume was the one that assumed the elliptical cone projection. The mean error of estimated breast volume using the elliptical cone (EC) formula is 3.8 cm3 (standard deviation [SD] = 133 cm3). The mean error of traditional circular cone (CC) formula is −51.3 cm3 (SD = 182 cm3). From a linear regression model, the correlation coefficient of estimated breast volume using EC formula measured 0.977, whereas that using the CC formula measured 0.952 (Fig. 1). Measurements were reproducible between the two independent observers; the Pearson correlation for the EC formula is 0.93 (p < 0.001), and that for the CC formula is 0.95 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Breast volume can be accurately determined from measurements made on mammograms. The proposed EC formula calculating breast volume on both the craniocaudal and the medial–lateral‐oblique mammograms may be more accurate, as the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the breast are not always the same. In addition, height measurement on the medial–lateral‐oblique film can eliminate the compression error as the craniocaudal film may miss the base of the breast and underestimate the breast volume. Taking both mammogram views for measurement is comparably reproducible to the traditional method. Reproducibility of measurement can be further enhanced by better defining the point of measurements.
Risk Factors and Causes of Death in MEN1 Disease. A GTE (Groupe d’Etude des Tumeurs Endocrines) Cohort Study Among 758 Patients
Authors: Goudet Pierre , Murat Arnaud , Binquet Christine , Cardot‐Bauters Christine , Costa Annie , Ruszniewski Philippe , Niccoli Patricia , Ménégaux Fabrice , Chabrier Georges , Borson‐Chazot Françoise , Tabarin Antoine , Bouchard Philippe , Delemer Brigitte , Beckers Alfred , Bonithon‐Kopp Claire
Published: November 2009

Background

The natural history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is known through single‐institution or single‐family studies. We aimed to analyze the risk factors and causes of death in a large cohort of MEN1 patients.

Methods

Overall, 758 symptomatic MEN1 patients were identified through the GTE network (Groupe d’étude des Tumeurs Endocrines), which involves French and Belgian genetics laboratories responsible for MEN1 diagnosis and 80 clinical reference centers. The causes of death were analyzed. A frailty model, including time‐dependent variables, was used to assess the impact of each clinical lesion, except for hyperparathyroidism, on survival.

Results

The median follow‐up was 6.3 years. Female gender, family history of MEN1, and recent diagnosis were associated with a lower risk of death. Compared with nonaffected patients, those with thymic tumors (hazard ratio [HR] = 4.64, 95% CI = 1.73‐12.41), glucagonomas–vipomas–somatostatinomas (HR = 4.29, 95% CI = 1.54‐11.93), nonfunctioning pancreatic tumors (HR = 3.43, 95% CI = 1.71‐6.88), and gastrinoma (HR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.09‐3.25) had a higher risk of death after adjustment for age, gender, and diagnosis period. The increased risk of death among patients with adrenal tumors was not significant, but three patients died from aggressive adrenal tumors. Pituitary tumors, insulinomas, and bronchial tumors did not increase the risk of death. The proportion of MEN1‐related deaths decreased from 76.8 to 71.4% after 1990.

Conclusions

The prognosis of MEN1 disease has improved since 1980. Thymic tumors and duodenopancreatic tumors, including nonsecreting pancreatic tumors, increased the risk of death. Rare but aggressive adrenal tumors may also cause death. Most deaths were related to MEN1. New recommendations on abdominal and thoracic imaging are required.
A Tale of Two Celts
Authors: Wheeler Malcolm H.
Published: November 2009

The eponym “Graves’ disease” is usually applied to the condition of immunogenic hyperthyroidism, in no small part due to the promotion and influence of the French physician Armand Trousseau who wrote in 1862, “Du Goître Exophthalmique, ou Maladie de Graves.” However, the distinguished Bath physician Caleb Hillier Parry, a friend of both Edward Jenner and John Hunter, first described the clinical picture of thyrotoxicosis associated with exophthalmos and cardiac dysfunction in a paper published posthumously in 1825, some 10 years before Robert Graves’ initial report. Graves was unaware of Parry’s earlier description and considered that the thyroid condition in the four female cases that he studied might be secondary to functional cardiac disorders and palpitations. The many outstanding contributions to medicine and science of Parry and Graves, two truly remarkable nineteenth century Celtic physicians, are compared and discussed. A case is made for considering the renaming of immunogenic hyperthyroidism as Parry’s disease, a proposal made by Sir William Osler, who was the first to recognise Parry’s claim for priority for the recognition of exophthalmic goitre.
Vaccines for immunological control of fertility
Authors: Gupta Satish K. , Bansal Pankaj
Published: November 2009

Vaccines have been proposed as one of the strategies for population control. Immunocontraceptive vaccines can be designed to inhibit: (1) production of gametes (sperm and egg); (2) functions of gametes, leading to blocking of fertilization; and (3) gamete outcome (pregnancy). Immunization with gonadotropin‐releasing hormone coupled to different carriers has shown curtailment in the production of sperm with concomitant infertility in various species. Immunization of nonhuman primates and men with ovine follicle stimulating hormone has also resulted in reduced sperm output. Various spermatozoa‐specific proteins such as FA1, PH‐20, LDH‐C4, SP‐10, SP‐17, sp56, SPAG9, and Izumo have been proposed as candidate antigens to develop contraceptive vaccines, which have shown efficacy in inhibiting fertility in different animal models. Immunization with zona pellucida glycoproteins‐based immunogens also results in curtailment of fertility in a variety of species. However, ways to overcome the observed oophoritis associated with zona proteins immunization have yet to be discovered, a necessary step before their proposal for control of human population. Nonetheless, this is a very promising approach to control wildlife animal population. Phase II clinical trials of β‐human chorionic gonadotropin‐based vaccine in women have established the proof of principle that it is possible to inhibit fertility without any untoward side‐effects by vaccination. Further scientific inputs are required to increase the efficacy of contraceptive vaccines and establish their safety beyond doubt, before they can become applicable for control of fertility in humans.
Weighting methods in multi-attribute assessment of transport projects
Authors: Delle Site Paolo , Filippi Francesco
Published: November 2009

The paper considers the application to transport project assessment of multi-attribute value theory (MAVT). The aim is to compare the results of three weighting methods which are used in MAVT: ratio with swings, Saaty scale with swings, and trade-off. An experiment is set up for a decision problem relating to a public transport project. A sample of individuals is asked to provide judgments according to the three methods. The weights obtained by ratio with swings and by Saaty scale with swings show a high correlation, while weights obtained by each of these methods show a low correlation with trade-off. The weight attached to the cost attribute is higher in trade-off, which is implemented as pricing out, than in the other methods; two explanations for this result are proposed: the compatibility principle and loss aversion. The paper also provides insight on how the attributes of transport project alternatives should be described by indicators so that individuals can attach a value to them.
Pressure pain threshold mapping of the trapezius muscle reveals heterogeneity in the distribution of muscular hyperalgesia after eccentric exercise
Authors: Binderup Asbjørn T. , Arendt‐Nielsen Lars , Madeleine Pascal
Published: November 2009

This study aimed at investigating in details the spatial characteristics of muscular hyperalgesia after development of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in the trapezius muscle. High density pressure pain mapping consisting of 36 pain pressure threshold (PPT) recording points were assessed over the trapezius muscle from 20 subjects. PPT were recorded before, immediately after and 24 h after eccentric exercise/rest for the exercise group (N = 10) and the control group (N = 10). A 36 points geometric grid was used on both the exercise and control groups. The eccentric exercise used to elicit DOMS consisted of 50 contractions against a downward pressing force at 100% maximum voluntary contraction in bouts of 10 contractions followed by 2 min break. For the exercise group, PPT values decreased significantly over time for all points (P < 0.001) but not for the control group. At baseline, both muscle belly sites and upper part of the trapezius were more sensitive than muscle belly sites and middle and lower parts (P < 0.001 for both). The hyperalgesia was also mostly developed in the muscle belly sites (P < 0.001), further enhancing its position as the most sensitive part of the muscle. The present results showed the topographical distribution of pressure pain sensitivity over the trapezius muscle and also that hyperalgesia developed in a heterogeneous manner over the trapezius muscle in response to eccentric exercise underlining sensory partitioning of the muscle. The technique of high density pressure pain topographical mappings can be helpful in characterizing muscle hyperalgesia and its heterogeneity.
Apparent feline leukemia virus-induced chronic lymphocytic leukemia and response to treatment
Authors: Kyle Kristy N. , Wright Zachary
Published: November 2009

Chylothorax secondary to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was diagnosed in a feline leukemia virus (FeLV)-positive 8-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair feline. The leukemia resolved following therapy with chlorambucil, prednisone, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and lomustine. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of CLL in an FeLV-positive cat. Although a causative relationship cannot be proven, patients diagnosed with either disease may benefit from diagnostics to rule out the presence of the other concurrent condition.