bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatiotemporal correlations of aftershock sequences
Authors: Peixoto Tiago P. , Doblhoff‐Dier Katharina , Davidsen Jörn
Published: October 2010

Aftershock sequences are of particular interest in seismic research because they may condition seismic activity in a given region over long time spans. Although they are typically identified with periods of enhanced seismic activity after a large earthquake as characterized by the Omori law, our knowledge of the spatiotemporal correlations between events in an aftershock sequence is limited. Here, we study the spatiotemporal correlations of two aftershock sequences form California (Parkfield and Hector Mine) using the recently introduced concept of “recurrent” events. We find that both sequences have very similar properties and that most of them are captured by the space‐time epidemic‐type aftershock sequence (ETAS) model if one takes into account catalog incompleteness. However, the stochastic ETAS model does not capture those spatiotemporal correlations that give rise to the observed distribution of recurrent events on small spatial scales. We also find that there is no clear evidence for stress shadows that have been observed for smaller earthquakes.
Effect of Langmuir cells on bubble dissolution and air‐sea gas exchange
Authors: Chiba David , Baschek Burkard
Published: October 2010

Gases are exchanged between the atmosphere and ocean by diffusion through the sea surface and by dissolution of air bubbles injected by breaking wind waves. Langmuir cells enhance the contribution from bubbles by keeping them under water for longer thus increasing their dissolution. We determine the importance of Langmuir cells by using a bubble model to calculate the amount of gas that dissolves from bubbles as a function of wind speed, gas saturation, and injection depth and a Langmuir cell model to estimate the effect of the associated downwelling currents on bubble dissolution. The calculations are preformed for the eight gases N2, O2, CO2, He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe, and the results are then compared with the total gas exchange determined by common descriptions of air‐sea gas exchange. The contribution of gas bubbles to air‐sea gas exchange increases with wind speed and can reach 77% for O2, 98% for N2, and 16% for CO2 at a wind speed of 20 m s−1 and a gas saturation of 95%. The additional effect of Langmuir cells on the total gas exchange at a gas saturation of 95% is 19% for O2, 35% for N2, and 0.7% for CO2. The importance of Langmuir cells for air‐sea gas exchange generally increases with gas saturation and decreases with the solubility of the gas.
Occurrence frequency of convective gravity waves during the North American thunderstorm season
Authors: Hoffmann L. , Alexander M. J.
Published: October 2010

Convective gravity waves are an important driver of the equator‐to‐pole circulation in the stratospheric summer hemisphere, but their nature is not well known. Previous studies showing tight relationships between deep convection and convective waves mainly focus on tropical latitudes. For midlatitudes most analyses are based on case studies. Here we present a new multiyear occurrence frequency analysis of convective waves at midlatitudes. The study is based on radiance measurements made by the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) satellite experiment during the North American thunderstorm season, May to August, in the years 2003–2008. For this study we optimized an existing algorithm to detect deep convection in AIRS data to be applicable at midlatitudes. We also present a new detection algorithm for gravity waves in AIRS data based on a variance filter approach for 4.3 μm brightness temperatures. The new algorithm can detect plane wave perturbations in the altitude range from 20 to 65 km with vertical wavelengths larger than 15 km and horizontal wavelengths from 50 to 1000 km. By analyzing spatial and temporal correlations of the individual AIRS observations, it can be shown that more than 95% of the observed gravity waves in a core region over the North American Great Plains are related to deep convective clouds, i.e., are likely being classified appropriately as convective waves. We conclude that the core region is a good location to observe and characterize the properties of convective waves at midlatitudes. The statistical analyses presented here are also valuable to validate parameterization schemes for convective gravity waves. For completeness, it should be mentioned that our analyses cover not only the U.S. Midwest but the North American continent as well as the surrounding ocean regions in general. Our analysis also reveals interesting details about tropical convection and related gravity wave activity, as well as the capability of the AIRS instrument to observe these.
BIPES, a cost-effective high-throughput method for assessing microbial diversity
Authors: Zhou Hong-Wei , Li Dong-Fang , Tam Nora Fung-Yee , Jiang Xiao-Tao , Zhang Hai , Sheng Hua-Fang , Qin Jin , Liu Xiao , Zou Fei
Published: October 2010

Pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA (16S) variable tags has become the most popular method for assessing microbial diversity, but the method remains costly for the evaluation of large numbers of environmental samples with high sequencing depths. We developed a barcoded Illumina paired-end (PE) sequencing (BIPES) method that sequences each 16S V6 tag from both ends on the Illumina HiSeq 2000, and the PE reads are then overlapped to obtain the V6 tag. The average accuracy of Illumina single-end (SE) reads was only 97.9%, which decreased from ∼99.9% at the start of the read to less than 85% at the end of the read; nevertheless, overlapping of the PE reads significantly increased the sequencing accuracy to 99.65% by verifying the 3′ end of each SE in which the sequencing quality was degraded. After the removal of tags with two or more mismatches within the medial 40–70 bases of the reads and of tags with any primer errors, the overall base sequencing accuracy of the BIPES reads was further increased to 99.93%. The BIPES reads reflected the amounts of the various tags in the initial template, but long tags and high GC tags were underestimated. The BIPES method yields 20–50 times more 16S V6 tags than does pyrosequencing in a single-flow cell run, and each of the BIPES reads costs less than 1/40 of a pyrosequencing read. As a laborsaving and cost-effective method, BIPES can be routinely used to analyze the microbial ecology of both environmental and human microbiomes.
Incorporating Community Annotation Interfaces into the CIPRO2.5 Database with Comprehensible Sketches to Support Quick Annotations of Proteome Data.
Authors: Ueno Keisuke , Yonezawa Kouki , Mineta Katsuhiko , Endo Toshinori
Published: October 2010

User annotation or comment interfaces are now widely used in several web sites such as journals, news, weblogs and Wikipedia. However, there are only a few biological databases with annotation interfaces. The _Ciona_ intestinalis protein database (CIPRO) was created in order to provide integrated proteome data especially for experimental biologists. The current database contains 89,673 unique sequences covering all the known and predicted gene models. Typical tasks include which gene models are reliable and which function is plausible. The human-curated annotation is most important for the meaningful database.Here we incorporate three new functions into the CIPRO2.5 database (http://cipro.ibio.jp/2.5/), providing enriched resources for the users. First, a community annotation interface as web forms and a user comment editor with rating its comment were added. Second, the web pages were specifically designed to compact for quickly understood overviews. For example, cytolocalization was automatically provided by a color-depicted cell image based on the intensity instead of the numeric values of raw data. The expression data of EST, microarray and 2D-PAGE were integrated as one chart. In addition to these data, the images of transmembrane prediction, domain and motif search, and the OMIM ortholog on the chromosome map were included in each protein page. The last, even the BLAST and PMF search were added to combined fields in the retrieval system.As a result, a total of 11,134 pages were annotated by our community. Furthermore, 2,186 comments were added to the database. Those annotated data are freely accessible at the CIPRO2.5 web site.
Rice Genes in Oryzabase
Authors: Yamazaki Yukiko , Tsuchiya Rie , Takahashi Yuka , Asanuma Takao , Shidahara Yo , Sakaniwa Shingo
Published: October 2010

In addition to maintaining a rice gene list, Oryzabase, a database of rice science, has also been hosting a website to submit newly identified genes. The current rice gene dictionary is based on a traditional rice trait gene dictionary and extended through time with new genes which are manually retrieved from journal articles. Currently over 4000 genes are listed. However it is still insufficient in both quantity and quality.Recently we started to apply automated extraction before manual annotation to enhance the efficiency of gene extraction. To improve the quality of information, we started collecting relevant DNA accessions and LOCUS-ID. In Oryzabase, we try to employ the help of users to overcome this information insufficiency by adding a comment box in each gene page to allow researchers to write additional information. Besides adding GO (gene ontology) and TO (trait ontology) to the genes, PO (plant ontology) has been newly assigned to enable better semantic query processing. The current status of gene extraction and ontology assignment and its related problems will be introduced.Oryzabase is available at "http://www.shigen.nig.ac.jp/rice/oryzabase/":http://www.shigen.nig.ac.jp/rice/oryzabase/.
Metacuration Standards and Minimum Information about a Bioinformatics Investigation
Authors: Tan Tin Wee , Khan Asif , Lim Shen Jean , Hu Yong Li , de Silva Mark , Lim Kuan Siong
Published: October 2010

Many bioinformatics databases published in journals are here this year and gone the next. There is generally (i) no requirement, mandatory or otherwise, by reviewers, editors or publishers for full disclosure of how databases are built and how they are maintained; (ii) no standardized requirement for data in public access databases to be kept as backup for release and access when a project ends, when funds expire and website terminates; (iii) the case of proprietary resources, there is no requirement for data to be kept in escrow for release under stated conditions such as when a published database disappears due to company closure. Consequently, much of the biological databases published in the past twenty years are easily lost, even though the publications describing or referencing these databases and webservices remain. Given the volume of publications today, even though it is practically possible for reviewers to re-create databases as described in a manuscript, there is usually insufficient disclosure and raw data for this to be done, even if there is sufficient time and resources available to perform this. Consequently, verification and validation is assumed, and claims of the paper accepted as true and correct at face value. A solution to this growing problem is to experiment with some kind of minimum standards of reporting such as the Minimum Information About a Bioinformatics Investigation (MIABi) and standardized requirements of data deposition and escrow for enabling persistence and reproducibility. With easy availability of cloud computing, such a level of reproducibility can become a reality in the near term. Through standards in meta-curation and minimum standards of reporting that uphold the tenets of scientific reproducibility, verifiability, sustainability and continuity of data resources, the knowledge preserved will underpin tomorrow's scientific research. Other issues include disambiguation of authors or database names, and unique identifiers to support non-repudiability, possibly in multiple languages. The International Conference on Bioinformatics and its publications are now in the process of making attempts at addressing these issues and this presentation will highlight some of the current efforts.
Lack of Association of CD36 SNPs With Early Onset Obesity: A Meta‐Analysis in 9,973 European Subjects
Authors: Choquet Hélène , Labrune Yann , De Graeve Franck , Hinney Anke , Hebebrand Johannes , Scherag André , Lecoeur Cécile , Tauber Maithé , Balkau Beverley , Elliot Paul , Jarvelin Marjo‐Riita , Walley Andrew J. , Besnard Philippe , Froguel Philippe , Meyre David
Published: October 2010

A recent study suggested that four CD36 polymorphisms (namely rs3211867, rs3211883, rs3211908, and rs1527483) were associated with an increased risk of obesity, an increased BMI and percentage of body fat in European adolescents. We first attempted to confirm these results in three independent case‐control genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) data totaling 3,509 subjects of French and German origin, but we were unable to find any association of these variants with early onset obesity risk. We then genotyped the four CD36 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a large population‐based study of 4,667 Finnish subjects and we did not replicate any of the recently reported associations with BMI. By combining all available data in a meta‐analysis (N = 9,973), we found no evidence for an association of the reported four variants in CD36 with increased obesity risk or increased BMI (0.07 ≤ P values ≤ 0.93). Finally, we assessed the contribution of the full CD36 locus gene variation to obesity risk in 3,509 subjects and we did not detect any significant association with obesity after correction for multiple testing. In summary, we were unable to confirm the recently reported association of variants in CD36 with early onset obesity in populations of European ancestry.
Parent‐Only Treatment for Childhood Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Boutelle Kerri N. , Cafri Guy , Crow Scott J.
Published: October 2010

Parent‐only (PO) treatments for childhood obesity are feasible, more cost‐effective and potentially easier to disseminate. The objective of this study was to determine whether a PO treatment is not inferior to a parent + child (PC) treatment for childhood obesity. Eighty parent‐child dyads with an 8–12 year old overweight or obese child (>85th BMI‐P) were recruited and randomized into PO or PC treatment for childhood obesity. Parents or parent‐child dyads attended 5‐month treatment groups. Child and parent body size, child caloric intake, and child physical activity were assessed at baseline, post‐treatment, and 6‐months follow‐up. Noninferiority testing using mixed linear models was used to compare PO treatment with PC treatment. Results showed that the PO group was not inferior to the PC group in terms of child weight loss. Results also showed that the PO group was not inferior to the PC group in terms of parent weight loss and child physical activity, but not child caloric intake. This study suggests that a PO treatment could provide similar results to PC in child weight loss and other relevant outcomes, and potentially could be more cost‐effective and easier to disseminate. Although further research is needed, this study suggests that PO groups are a viable method for providing childhood obesity treatment.
Genome‐Wide Association Study of Anthropometric Traits and Evidence of Interactions With Age and Study Year in Filipino Women
Authors: Croteau‐Chonka Damien C. , Marvelle Amanda F. , Lange Ethan M. , Lee Nanette R. , Adair Linda S. , Lange Leslie A. , Mohlke Karen L.
Published: October 2010

Increased values of multiple adiposity‐related anthropometric traits are important risk factors for many common complex diseases. We performed a genome‐wide association (GWA) study for four quantitative traits related to body size and adiposity (BMI, weight, waist circumference, and height) in a cohort of 1,792 adult Filipino women from the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey (CLHNS). This is the first GWA study of anthropometric traits in Filipinos, a population experiencing a rapid transition into a more obesogenic environment. In addition to identifying suggestive evidence of additional single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) association signals (P < 10−5), we replicated (P < 0.05, same direction of additive effect) associations previously reported in European populations of both BMI and weight with MC4R and FTO, of BMI with BDNF, and of height with EFEMP1, ZBTB38, and NPPC, but none with waist circumference. We also replicated loci reported in Japanese or Korean populations as associated with BMI (OTOL1) and height (HIST1H1PS2, C14orf145, GPC5). A difference in local linkage disequilibrium (LD) between European and Asian populations suggests a narrowed association region for BDNF, while still including a proposed functional nonsynonymous amino acid substitution variant (rs6265, Val66Met). Finally, we observed significant evidence (P < 0.0042) for age‐by‐genotype interactions influencing BMI for rs17782313 (MC4R) and rs9939609 (FTO), and for a study year‐by‐genotype interaction for rs4923461 (BDNF). Our results show that several genetic risk factors are associated with anthropometric traits in Filipinos and provide further insight into the effects of BDNF, FTO, and MC4R on BMI.
A Solid High‐Protein Meal Evokes Stronger Hunger Suppression Than a Liquefied High‐Protein Meal
Authors: Martens Mieke J.I. , Lemmens Sofie G.T. , Born Jurriaan M. , Westerterp‐Plantenga Margriet S.
Published: October 2010

Hunger is a potential problem for compliance with an energy‐restricted diet. Relatively high‐protein meal‐replacement products have been shown to diminish this problem; they are available as liquid and solid meals, yet their physical state can affect hunger suppression. The objective was to investigate the differences in appetite profile and physiological parameters after consumption of a single‐macronutrient, subject‐specific, high‐protein meal in liquefied vs. solid form, controlled for energy density, weight, and volume. Ten male subjects (age: 21.1 ± 3.9 years; BMI: 22.4 ± 1.2 kg/m2) were offered lunch subject‐specifically as 15% of daily energy requirement (DER), consisting of solid (steamed chicken breast + 750 ml water) or liquefied protein (steamed chicken breast blended in 500 ml water + 250 ml water). Appetite profiles, insulin, glucose, and ghrelin were measured over 3 h. Comparing the solid vs. liquefied condition, oral exposure time did not differ between conditions (19.2 ± 0.4 and 18.8 ± 0.6 min, respectively; P = 0.13). Area under the curve (AUC) effects were observed for thirst; statistically significant condition × time interactions and statistically significant differences at several time points were observed for desire to eat (condition × time P < 0.05; 31 ± 6 mm vs. 53 ± 8 mm; P < 0.04 at 115 min) and thirst (condition × time P < 0.01; 27 ± 8 mm vs. 41 ± 8 mm; P < 0.05 at 30 min and 23 ± 6 mm vs. 41 ± 8 mm; P < 0.02 at 70 min) to be lower, while hunger suppression (79 ± 3 mm and 52 ± 10 mm; P < 0.03 at 20 min and 61 ± 7 mm and 44 ± 8 mm; P < 0.03 at 115 min) was higher in the solid condition. Glucose, insulin, and ghrelin concentration curves were similar for both conditions. In conclusion, solid protein evokes a stronger suppression of hunger and desire to eat than liquefied protein.
Melanocortin‐4 Receptor Gene Mutations in a Dutch Cohort of Obese Children
Authors: van den Berg Linda , van Beekum Olivier , Heutink Peter , Felius Bram A. , van de Heijning Monique P.M. , Strijbis Stefan , van Spaendonk Rosalina , Piancatelli Daniela , Garner Keith M. , El‐Aouad Rajae , Sistermans Erik , Adan Roger A.H. , Delemarre‐van de Waal Henriette A.
Published: October 2010

The most common monogenic form of obesity is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the melanocortin‐4 receptor (MC4R). We have screened the MC4R coding sequence in 291 patients of a Dutch outpatient pediatric obesity clinic. We analyzed the minimal promoter region of the gene in a random subgroup of 217 children. Our aims were (i) to determine the frequency of MC4R mutations in a cohort of Dutch clinically obese children and (ii) to search for mutations in the promoter of the gene. Eleven MC4R coding variants were detected. Five children had mutations that have been shown to affect receptor function by other research groups (p.Y35X, p.I251fs, p.G231S). These children did not have earlier onset of obesity or higher BMI‐SDS than the remainder of the cohort. One child had a novel nonsynonymous coding mutation (p.L304F). This variant showed a markedly decreased cell surface expression in in vitro experiments and is thus expected to be pathogenic. We detected 12 variants in the MC4R flanking regions. Five of these were not previously described (c.‐1101C>T, c.‐705A>T, c.‐461A>G, c.‐312T>C, c.‐213A>G). We investigated these mutations by family studies and a bioinformatic approach. We conclude that rare heterozygous mutations in the coding sequence of MC4R account for some severe obesity cases in the Dutch population. These patients are difficult to recognize in a clinical setting. We generated a list of all MC4R variants that were described in the literature so far, which can aid the interpretation of mutations found in a diagnostic setting.
A highly efficient and thermostable α‐amylase from soya bean seeds
Authors: Prakash Om , Jaiswal Nivedita
Published: October 2010

The α‐amylase from soya bean seeds was purified by affinity precipitation, resulting in approx. 20‐fold purification with approx. 84% recovery. The purified α‐amylase had an optimum pH of 5.5, optimum temperature of 75 °C, Arrhenius energy of activation of 6.03 kcal/mol (1 kcal≈4.184 kJ) and a Km of 2.427 mg/ml (starch substrate). The enzyme had maximum substrate specificity for starch. Among the various metal ions tested, Co2+ and Mn2+ were found to be strong activators. The effect of thiol group modifying agents showed that the thiols of soya bean α‐amylase are not directly involved in catalysis. The thermostability of the enzyme makes it suitable for starch liquefaction and the detergent industry respectively.
Contrasting effects of ERK on tight junction integrity in differentiated and under-differentiated Caco-2 cell monolayers
Authors: Aggarwal Sudhir , Suzuki Takuya , Taylor William L. , Bhargava Aditi , Rao Radhakrishna K.
Published: October 2010

ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) activation leads to disruption of tight junctions in some epithelial monolayers, whereas it prevents disruption of tight junctions in other epithelia. The factors responsible for such contrasting influences of ERK on tight junction integrity are unknown. The present study investigated the effect of the state of cell differentiation on ERK-mediated regulation of tight junctions in Caco-2 cell monolayers. EGF (epidermal growth factor) potentiated H2O2-induced tight junction disruption in under-differentiated cell monolayers, which was attenuated by the MEK [MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase)/ERK kinase] inhibitor U0126. In contrast, EGF prevented H2O2-induced disruption of tight junctions in differentiated cell monolayers, which was also attenuated by U0126. Knockdown of ERK1/2 enhanced tight junction integrity and accelerated assembly of tight junctions in under-differentiated cell monolayers, whereas it had the opposite effect in differentiated cell monolayers. Regulated expression of wild-type and constitutively active MEK1 disrupted tight junctions, and the expression of dominant-negative MEK1 enhanced tight junction integrity in under-differentiated cells, whereas contrasting responses were recorded in differentiated cells. EGF prevented both H2O2-induced association of PP2A (protein phosphatase 2A), and loss of association of PKCζ (protein kinase Cζ), with occludin by an ERK-dependent mechanism in differentiated cell monolayers, but not in under-differentiated cell monolayers. Active ERK was distributed in the intracellular compartment in under-differentiated cell monolayers, whereas it was localized mainly in the perijunctional region in differentiated cell monolayers. Thus ERK may exhibit its contrasting influences on tight junction integrity in under-differentiated and differentiated epithelial cells by virtue of differences in its subcellular distribution and ability to regulate the association of PKCζ and PP2A with tight junction proteins.
New developments on the TNFα-mediated signalling pathways
Authors: Sethu Swaminathan , Melendez Alirio J.
Published: October 2010

TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) is an extensively studied pleiotropic cytokine associated with the pathogenesis of a variety of inflammatory diseases. It elicits a wide spectrum of cellular responses which mediates and regulates inflammation, immune response, cell survival, proliferation and apoptosis. TNFα initiates its responses by binding to its receptors. TNFα-induced effector responses are mediated by the actions and interactions among the various intracellular signalling mediators in the cell. TNFα induces both survival and apoptotic signal in a TRADD (TNF receptor-associated DD)-dependent and -independent way. The signals are further transduced via a variety of signalling mediators, including caspases, MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases), phospholipid mediators and miRNA/miR (microRNA), whose roles in specific functional responses is not fully understood. Elucidating the complexity and cross talks among signalling mediators involved in the TNFα-mediated responses will certainly aid in the identification of molecular targets, which can potentially lead to the development of novel therapeutics to treat TNFα-associated disorders and in dampening inflammation.
Analgesia for pelvic and perineal cancer pain by intrathecal steroid injection
Authors: Taguchi H. , Shingu K. , Okuda H. , Matsumoto H.
Published: October 2010

Background:  Corticosteroids are used systemically in patients with advanced cancer to alleviate pain. Intrathecal administration of steroids is rarely performed but analgesic effects of intrathecal steroids have been reported in animal studies. We administered betamethasone intrathecally in three cancer patients with uncontrollable pain.

Case report:  Intrathecal injection of betamethasone (1–4 mg) with saline (total volume = 2 mL) was performed in three patients with advanced pelvic or perineal cancer, in whom pain could not be controlled in spite of various analgesic therapies. After obtaining the patient's informed consent for the procedure, betamethasone was administered intrathecally through the L4/5 intervertebral space. Intrathecal betamethasone produced rapid analgesia within 10 min and subsequent long‐lasting analgesia for 5 days or more. Sleep, appetite and activity improved. No adverse effects were observed in any of the patients.

Conclusions:  Intrathecal injection of betamethasone may be a useful approach in some patients with intractable cancer pain.
Effect of amino acid solutions on intraoperative hypothermia and postoperative shivering
Authors: Şahin A , Aypar Ü
Published: October 2010

Background: Intraoperative hypothermia is a major adverse effect of general anesthesia. The different anesthetics may influence thermoregulation differently. Proteins or amino acids have been postulated to stimulate heat production. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of intraoperative administration of amino acid solutions on intraoperative hypothermia and postoperative shivering in two different anesthetic regimens.

Methods: Forty ASA I–III craniotomy patients were assigned to four groups of 10 patients in a randomized prospective study, as follows: ISO − isoflurane‐based anesthesia; PRO − propofol‐based anesthesia; ISO + AA − Isoflurane‐based anesthesia with supplementation of amino acid infusion; PRO + AA − Isoflurane‐based anesthesia with supplementation of amino acid infusion. Hemodynamic parameters, esophageal temperature and postoperative shivering scores were recorded.

Results: Core temperatures were higher during emergence in amino acid‐treated propofol group, compared with the other groups. The core temperature decreased significantly in three groups throughout the operation, except the in amino acid‐treated propofol group. The shivering intensity was less in the amino acid‐treated groups.

Conclusion: The anesthetic method may influence the thermic effect of amino acids under general anesthesia. Propofol anesthesia has more thermogenic effect than isoflurane when combined with amino acid solutions.
Incidence and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting are similar after metoclopramide 20 mg and ondansetron 8 mg given by the end of laparoscopic cholecystectomies
Authors: Quaynor H. , Ræder J. C.
Published: October 2010

Background: Ondansetron has a well documented antiemetic prophylactic effect, whereas in most studies of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), metoclopramide is less efficacious. This can be attributed to the short‐lasting effect of metoclopramide when a low dose is given at the beginning of surgery. We wanted to test a 20‐mg dose of metoclopramide given at the end of surgery, using ondansetron 8 mg as a reference.

Methods: 122 patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia were studied in a randomized, double‐blind study design. At the end of the procedure, the patients received either metoclopramide 20 mg or ondansetron 8 mg intravenously. The patients were observed for 24 h for PONV, pain, side‐effects and need for rescue antiemetic medication.

Results: No significant differences in the incidence of PONV or need for rescue antiemetic treatment was observed in the 0–24 h postoperative study period. The overall incidence of PONV was 43% in the ondansetron group and 47% in the metoclopramide group. The ondansetron patients had a significantly higher incidence of moderate or strong pain during the postoperative observation period (61% vs. 35% in the metoclopramide group) (P < 0.05). No significant differences in side‐effects between the groups were observed.

Conclusions: Metoclopramide 20 mg i.v. given at the end of laparoscopic cholecystectomy resulted in a similar incidence of PONV compared with ondansetron 8 mg. The patients receiving metoclopramide had less pain than the patients receiving ondansetron.
Pharmacokinetics of sulfadimethoxine and ormetoprim in a 5:1 ratio following intraperitoneal and oral administration, in the hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops × Morone saxitalis)
Authors: Bakal R. S. , Bai S. A. , Stoskopf M. K.
Published: October 2010

Selected pharmacokinetic parameters for sulfadimethoxine and ormetoprim, administered in a 5:1 ratio, via the oral and intraperitoneal (i.p.) routes were determined in the hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops × Morone saxitalis). Plasma concentrations of both drugs were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography. A first‐order one‐compartment model adequately described plasma drug disposition. The elimination half‐lives for sulfadimethoxine following i.p. and oral administration were 26 and 10.5 h, respectively. The half‐lives for ormetoprim administered via i.p. and oral routes were 7.5 and 3.9 h, respectively. Cmax for sulfadimethoxine via the i.p. and oral routes were calculated to be 27.7 (±9.0) μg/mL at 3.6 h and 3.2 (±1.2) μg/mL at 1.2 h, respectively. Cmax for ormetoprim via the i.p. route was calculated to be 1.2 (±0.5) μg/mL at 9.1 h and 1.58 (±0.7) μg/mL at 5.7 h for the oral route. The oral availability of sulfadimethoxine relative to the i.p. route was 4.6%, while the oral availability of ormetoprim relative to the i.p. route was 78.5%. Due to the nonconstant ratio of these drugs in the plasma of the animal, the actual drug ratio to use for determining minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is unclear. Using the ratio of the total amount of each drug that is absorbed as a surrogate for the mean actual ratio may be the best alternative to current methods. Using this ratio as determined in these studies, (2.14:1 sulfadimethoxine:ormetoprim) to determine the MICs the single 50 mg/kg oral dose of the 5:1 combination of sulfadimethoxine and ormetoprim appears to provide plasma concentrations high enough to inhibit the growth of Yersinia ruckeri, Edwardsiella tarda, and Escherichia coli.
Pharmacokinetics of ceftiofur in llamas and alpacas
Authors: Drew M. L. , Johnson L. , Pugh D. , Navarre C. B. , Taylor I. T. , Craigmill A. L.
Published: October 2010

Pharmacokinetic studies of antibiotics in South American camelids are uncommon, therefore drugs are often administered to llamas and alpacas based on dosages established in other domestic species. The disposition of ceftiofur sodium was studied in llamas following intramuscular administration and in alpacas following intravenous and intramuscular administration. Eleven adult llamas were given ceftiofur sodium by intramuscular injection. Each animal received either a standard dose of 2.2 mg/kg or an allometrically scaled dose ranging from 2.62 to 2.99 mg/kg in a crossover design. Ten adult alpacas were given ceftiofur sodium by intravenous and intramuscular injections. Each animal received a standard dosage of 1 mg/kg or an allometrically scaled dose ranging from 1.27 to 1.44 mg/kg i.v., and 1.31–1.51 mg/kg i.m. Blood samples were collected at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h after administration of the ceftiofur. Pharmacokinetic parameters of ceftiofur in llamas and alpacas were similar following i.m. dosing at both dose levels. The only differences noted were in the total AUC between dose levels, but the AUC/dose values were not different. A sequence effect was noted in the alpaca data, which resulted in lower AUCs for the second dose when the i.v. dose was given first, and with higher AUCs for the second dose when the i.m. dose was given first. Overall, ceftiofur pharmacokinetics in llamas and alpacas are similar, and also very similar to reported parameters for sheep and goats.
Skin concentrations of thromboxane synthetase inhibitor after topical application with bioelastic membrane
Authors: Wang N.‐Z. , Urry D. W. , Swaim S. F. , Gillette R. L. , Hoffman C. E. , Hinkle S. H. , Coolman S. L. , Luan C.‐X. , Xu J. , Kemppainen B. W.
Published: October 2010

Elevated thromboxane levels are associated with a number of disease states, including dermal pressure ulcers. When dazmegrel was orally administered to greyhound dogs wearing leg casts, it resulted in a sparring effect on the skin areas of potential pressure ulcer development. The objective of this research was to determine if bioelastic matrices could provide controlled release of thromboxane A2synthetase inhibitor (dazmegrel) at tissue concentrations sufficient for inhibition of thromboxane synthesis. The animal used for these studies was the greyhound, which has thin skin, angular conformation, limited body fat and is predisposed to pressure ulcers similar to those occurring in humans.In vivoskin penetration studies showed that epidermal exposure to bioelastic thromboxane synthetase inhibitor (TSI) matrix resulted in local tissue concentrations of TSI sufficient for thromboxane synthetase inhibition. There were no significant differences between dazmegrel in the skin layers (epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous layers) on 1, 7 and 14‐day exposures.
Multiple once‐daily dose pharmacokinetics and renal safety of gentamicin in dogs
Authors: Albarellos G. , Montoya L. , Ambros L. , Kreil V. , Hallu R. , Rebuelto M.
Published: October 2010

In this study the pharmacokinetics and renal safety of gentamicin in healthy dogs was investigated after multiple dosing. Six adult male dogs received once‐daily gentamicin (6 mg/kg) intramuscularly for 5 days. Serial blood samples were taken on days 1 and 5 of treatment, and at predose, 1 and 6 h on days 2, 3 and 4. Urinalysis, hematology and serum biochemistry evaluation were carried out before, 7 and 14 days after the first gentamicin administration. Mean value of the main pharmacokinetic parameters were:AUC(μg·h/mL), 97.4 and 100.2; terminal half‐life (harmonic mean), 0.76 and 1.01 h;ClB/F(mL/min·kg), 1.24 and 1.10;VD(area)/F(L/kg), 0.084 and 0.10;MRT(h), 1.48 and 1.77;Cmax(μg/mL), 54.5 and 49.2;tmax(h), 0.40 and 0.48 for the first and last dose, respectively. Accumulation was determined asR1 = 0.97 andR2 = 1.22. Mean trough gentamicin serum concentrations were 0.06, 0.07, 0.09, 0.1 and 0.1 μg/mL for the first, second, third, fourth and fifth dose, respectively. Statistically significant increases (P < 0.05) were found for last doseMRTand fourth and fifth trough gentamicin serum concentrations. Laboratory tests detected a slight increase in serum creatinine and urea nitrogen concentrations (one dog), decreased specific urine gravity (one dog) and presence of few granular casts (two dogs). It is concluded that once‐daily administration of gentamicin may provide adequate serum levels to treat most susceptible gram‐negative infections with little or no nephrotoxicity in dogs.
Eating Behavior Disorders in Uremia: A Question of Balance in Appetite Regulation
Authors: Aguilera Abelardo , Codoceo Rosa , Bajo María A. , Iglesias Pedro , Diéz Juan J. , Barril Guillermina , Cigarrán Secundino , Álvarez Vicente , Celadilla Olga , Fernández‐Perpén Antonio , Montero Agustín , Selgas Rafael
Published: October 2010

Eating and appetite disorders are frequent complications of the uremic syndrome which contribute to malnutrition in dialysis patients. The data suggest that uremic anorexia may occur with or without abdominal and visceral fat accumulation despite a lower food intake. This form of obesity (i.e., with low food intake and malnutrition) is more common in dialysis patients than obesity with high food intake. This article reviews the current knowledge regarding mechanisms responsible for appetite regulation in normal conditions and in uremic patients. Anorexia in dialysis patients has been historically considered as a sign of uremic toxicity due to ‘‘inadequate’’ dialysis as judged by uncertain means (‘‘middle molecule’’ accumulation, Kt/V, ‘‘peak‐concentration hypothesis,’’ and others). We propose the tryptophan‐serotonin hypothesis, based on a uremia‐induced disorder in patients’ amino acid profile—low concentrations of large neutral and branched‐chain amino acids with high tryptophan levels. A high rate of tryptophan transport across the blood‐brain barrier increases the synthesis of serotonin, a major appetite inhibitor. Inflammation may also play a role in the genesis of anorexia and malnutrition. For example, silent infection with Helicobacter pylori may be a source of cytokines with cachectic action; its eradication improves appetite and nutrition. The evaluation of appetite should take into account cultural and social aspects. Uremic patients showed a universal trend to carbohydrate preference and red meat refusal compared to healthy people. In contrast, white meat was less problematic. Uremic patients also have a remarkable attraction for citrics and strong flavors in general. Eating preferences or refusals have been related to the predominance of some appetite peptide modulators. High levels of cholecystokinin (CCK) (a powerful anorexigen) are associated with early satiety for carbohydrates and neuropeptide Y (NPY) (an orexigen) with repeated food intake. Obesity and elevated body mass index often falsely suggest a good nutritional status. In uremic patients (a hyperinsulinemia state), disorders in the regulation of fat distribution (insulin, leptin, insulin‐like growth factor [IGF]‐1, fatty acids, and disorders in receptors for insulin, lipoprotein lipase, mitochondrial uncoupling protein‐2, and β3‐adrenoreceptors) may cause abdominal fat accumulation without an increase in appetite. Finally, appetite regulation in uremia is highly complex. Disorders in adipose tissue, gastrointestinal and neuropeptides, retained or hyperproduced inflammatory end products, and central nervous system changes may all play a role. Uremic anorexia may be explained by a hypothalamic hyperserotoninergic state derived from a high concentration of tryptophan and low branched‐chain amino acids.
Comparative nutritive value of cassava leaf meal, soya beans, fish meal and casein in diets for growing pigs
Authors: Agunbiade J. A. , Susenbeth A. , Sudekum K.‐H.
Published: October 2010

A trial was conducted to investigate energy and nutrient digestibility of cassava leaf meal (CLM), casein (CAS), fish meal (FM), full‐fat soya bean (FFSB) and extracted soya bean meal (SBM). The basal diet containing cassava root meal (CRM) and FFSB meal and the other five dietary treatments were evaluated with 12 crossbred castrated male pigs in a metabolism study covering three successive experimental periods between 40 and 60 kg body weight (BW). Total tract digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and gross energy (GE) of diets, generally increased significantly (p < 0.05) from CLM diet to FFSB and FM diets and finally to CAS and SBM diets, corresponding to a decrease in fibre content in the diets. Except for CAS diets, the pattern of acid detergent fibre (ADF) digestibility followed a similar trend. Significantly higher ADF digestibility was recorded for soya bean diets while ADF digestibility value obtained for CLM diet was significantly lower. The digestible energy values obtained for CAS, FM, FFSB, SBM and CLM were 22.2, 16.3, 17.5, 17.0 and 8.0 MJ/kg DM, respectively. Corresponding metabolizable energy values were 22.1, 15.6, 17.1, 16.3 and 7.6 MJ/kg DM, respectively.
Self‐Rated Quality of Life Scales for People with an Intellectual Disability: a Reply to Ager & Hatton
Authors: Cummins Robert A.
Published: October 2010

An earlier publication by the present author concerning quality of life (QoL) measurement has been critiqued by A. Ager and C. Hatton. The present paper addresses the issues raised. It commences with a reappraisal of the Life Experiences Checklist and confirms the present author's view that this instrument is not adequate to measure QoL in accordance with contemporary understanding of the construct. It is argued that QoL scales should include both objective and subjective measurements across a minimum set of domains adequate to embrace the whole life experience. Finally, the usefulness of QoL measurement for people with intellectual disability is debated.
Identity Conflict in People with Intellectual Disabilities: What Role do Service‐providers Play in Mediating Stigma?
Authors: Craig Jaime , Craig Fiona , Withers Paul , Hatton Chris , Limb Kate
Published: October 2010

Background  This study explores the relationship that the people with an intellectual disability have with their ‘learning disabled’ identity and the influence of intellectual disability services on this relationship.

Methods  Information was collected using three methodologies: (1) audit of referrals to a community psychology service for people with intellectual disabilities; (2) service‐users focus group; (3) survey of the attitudes of intellectual disability service‐providers.

Results  The results indicate that the conflict about an intellectually disabled identity may be an area of unmet need in services for people with intellectual disabilities.

Conclusions  There is a need for careful consideration of the ways in which this identity is managed by service‐providers.
Characterization of Multisensory Environments: Why Do Teachers Use Them?
Authors: Stephenson Jennifer
Published: October 2010

Background  Special educators are increasingly using multisensory environments even though there is a lack of evidence for their effectiveness as an educational intervention. This paper explores the way multisensory rooms are presented on the World Wide Web in an attempt to understand why they are being used by teachers.

Methods  Searches of the World Wide Web were carried out to locate 48 relevant sites. The contents of the sites were analyzed in terms of aims or purposes, purported benefits and outcomes, use of research, confidence of claims, emphasis on student behaviour and building interpersonal relationships.

Results  The aims included sensory stimulation and relaxation. A wide range of purported outcomes were identified that were confidently claimed with little reference to the existing research base. Many sites did claim benefits for student behaviour and building up of relationships.

Conclusions  There is an uncritical presentation of the purported benefits of multisensory environments with a belief that sensory stimulation is, in itself, a good thing. It seems that a teacher's desire to build positive relationships and provide pleasant experiences may be an important factor in the use of these environments.
Surface and underground measurements of geomagnetic variations in the micropulsations band
Authors: Villante U. , Vellante M. , De Lauretis M. , Cerulli‐Irelli P. , Lanzerotti L.J. , Medford L.V. , Maclennan C.G.
Published: October 2010

Geomagnetic fluctuations in the frequency band 2–70 mHz recorded simultaneously at a depth of about 1200 m in the underground Gran Sasso Laboratory (central Italy) and on the earth's surface (approximately along the Laboratory vertical) are compared using multivariate spectral analysis. Experimental problems and analytical techniques adopted for the signal processing are discussed. In particular, a modification of the standard least‐squares method for estimating multiple‐input transfer functions is proposed. The results show apparent different skin effects for each magnetic field component and a significant coherence between the underground vertical signal and the horizontal signals, suggesting the presence of lateral inhomogeneities in the underground conductivity structure. The results are also consistent with an average resistivity of the intervening medium of the order of 10–20 Ωm and with the presence of a more conductive layer at greater depth.
iSPITM— the improved source parameter imaging method
Authors: Smith Richard S. , Thurston Jeffrey B. , Dai Ting‐Fan , MacLeod Ian N.
Published: October 2010

Interpretation of an anomalous magnetic response involves determining the parameters that characterize the source of the anomaly. The depth to the top of the structure is a parameter that is commonly sought, and the Source Parameter ImagingTM (SPITM) method is one way of determining this depth estimate. One advantage of the SPI method is that the depths can be displayed on an image. Typically there can be one image for an assumed contact (fault) model and another image for an assumed dipping thin sheet (dike) model. The depth estimate obtained will depend on the model assumed. An improvement to the source parameter imaging method extends the method to horizontal cylinders and at the same time allows the most appropriate model to be determined automatically. This model can be displayed on an image and the correct depth estimate for each anomaly can also be determined. The depth estimates can therefore be summarized on one map independent of an assumed model. The images generated from synthetic and field data show that the improved SPI method makes the task of interpreting magnetic data significantly easier.