bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of hallux valgus in the general population: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Nix Sheree , Smith Michelle , Vicenzino Bill
Published: October 2010

Background

Hallux valgus (HV) is a foot deformity commonly seen in medical practice, often accompanied by significant functional disability and foot pain. Despite frequent mention in a diverse body of literature, a precise estimate of the prevalence of HV is difficult to ascertain. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate prevalence of HV in the overall population and evaluate the influence of age and gender.

Methods

Electronic databases (Medline, Embase, and CINAHL) and reference lists of included papers were searched to June 2009 for papers on HV prevalence without language restriction. MeSH terms and keywords were used relating to HV or bunions, prevalence and various synonyms. Included studies were surveys reporting original data for prevalence of HV or bunions in healthy populations of any age group. Surveys reporting prevalence data grouped with other foot deformities and in specific disease groups (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes) were excluded. Two independent investigators quality rated all included papers on the Epidemiological Appraisal Instrument. Data on raw prevalence, population studied and methodology were extracted. Prevalence proportions and the standard error were calculated, and meta‐analysis was performed using a random effects model.

Results

A total of 78 papers reporting results of 76 surveys (total 496,957 participants) were included and grouped by study population for meta‐analysis. Pooled prevalence estimates for HV were 23% in adults aged 18‐65 years (CI: 16.3 to 29.6) and 35.7% in elderly people aged over 65 years (CI: 29.5 to 42.0). Prevalence increased with age and was higher in females [30% (CI: 22 to 38)] compared to males [13% (CI: 9 to 17)]. Potential sources of bias were sampling method, study quality and method of HV diagnosis.

Conclusions

Notwithstanding the wide variation in estimates, it is evident that HV is prevalent; more so in females and with increasing age. Methodological quality issues need to be addressed in interpreting reports in the literature and in future research.
Chest physiotherapy in preterm infants with lung diseases
Authors: Giannantonio Carmen , Papacci Patrizia , Ciarniello Roberta , Tesfagabir Mikael Ghennet , Purcaro Velia , Cota Francesco , Semeraro Carla Maria , Romagnoli Costantino
Published: October 2010

Background

In neonatology the role of chest physiotherapy is still uncertain because of the controversial outcomes.

Methods

The aim of this study was to test the applicability in preterm infants of 'reflex rolling', from the Vojta method, in preterm neonates with lung pathology, with particular attention to the effects on blood gases and oxygen saturation, on the spontaneous breathing, on the onset of stress or pain. The study included 34 preterm newborns with mean gestational age of 30.5 (1.6) weeks - mean (DS) - and birth weight of 1430 (423) g - mean (DS) -, who suffered from hyaline membrane disease, under treatment with nasal CPAP (continuous positive airways pressure), or from pneumonia, under treatment with oxygen-therapy. The neonates underwent phase 1 of 'reflex rolling' according to Vojta method three times daily. Respiratory rate, SatO2, transcutaneous PtcCO2e PtcO2were monitored; in order to evaluate the onset of stress or pain following the stimulations, the NIPS score and the PIPP score were recorded; cerebral ultrasound scans were performed on postnatal days 1-3-5-7, and then weekly.

Results

In this population the first phase of Vojta's 'reflex rolling' caused an increase of PtcO2and SatO2values. No negative effects on PtcCO2and respiratory rate were observed, NIPS and PIPP stress scores remained unmodified during the treatment; in no patient the intraventricular haemorrhage worsened in time and none of the infants developed periventricular leucomalacia.

Conclusions

Our experience, using the Vojta method, allows to affirm that this method is safe for preterm neonates, but further investigations are necessary to confirm its positive effects and to evaluate long-term respiratory outcomes.
A Quick Test of cognitive speed is sensitive in detecting early treatment response in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Palmqvist Sebastian , Minthon Lennart , Wattmo Carina , Londos Elisabet , Hansson Oskar
Published: October 2010

Introduction

There is a great need for quick tests that identify treatment response in Alzheimer's disease (AD) to determine who benefits from the treatment. In this study, A Quick Test of cognitive speed (AQT) was compared with the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) in the evaluation of treatment outcome in AD.

Methods

75 patients with mild to moderate AD at a memory clinic were assessed with AQT and the MMSE at a pretreatment visit, at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEI) initiated at baseline. Changes in the mean test scores before and after treatment were compared, as well as the number of treatment responders detected by each test, according to a reliable change index (RCI).

Results

After 8 weeks of treatment, the AQT improvement, expressed as a percentage, was significantly greater than that of the MMSE (P = 0.026). According to the RCI, the cut-offs to define a responder were ≥16 seconds improvement on AQT and ≥3 points on the MMSE after 8 weeks. With these cut-offs, both tests falsely classified ≤5% as responders during the pretreatment period. After 8 weeks of treatment, AQT detected significantly more responders than the MMSE (34% compared with 17%; P = 0.024). After 6 months of treatment, the 8-week AQT responders still showed a significantly better treatment response than the AQT nonresponders (22.3 seconds in mean difference; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

AQT detects twice as many treatment responders as the MMSE. It seems that AQT can, already after 8 weeks, identify the AD patients who will continue to benefit from ChEI treatment.
17-allyamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin treatment results in a magnetic resonance spectroscopy-detectable elevation in choline-containing metabolites associated with increased expression of choline transporter SLC44A1 and phospholipase A2
Authors: Brandes Alissa H , Ward Christopher S , Ronen Sabrina M
Published: October 2010

Introduction

17-allyamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), a small molecule inhibitor of Hsp90, is currently in clinical trials in breast cancer. However, 17-AAG treatment often results in inhibition of tumor growth rather than shrinkage, making detection of response a challenge. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) are noninvasive imaging methods than can be used to monitor metabolic biomarkers of drug-target modulation. This study set out to examine the MRS-detectable metabolic consequences of Hsp90 inhibition in a breast cancer model.

Methods

MCF-7 breast cancer cells were investigated, and MRS studies were performed both on live cells and on cell extracts. 31P and 1H MRS were used to determine total cellular metabolite concentrations and 13C MRS was used to probe the metabolism of [1,2-13C]-choline. To explain the MRS metabolic findings, microarray and RT-PCR were used to analyze gene expression, and in vitro activity assays were performed to determine changes in enzymatic activity following 17-AAG treatment.

Results

Treatment of MCF-7 cells with 17-AAG for 48 hours caused a significant increase in intracellular levels of choline (to 266 ± 18% of control, P = 0.05) and phosphocholine (PC; to 181 ± 10% of control, P = 0.001) associated with an increase in expression of choline transporter SLC44A1 and an elevation in the de novo synthesis of PC. We also detected an increase in intracellular levels of glycerophosphocholine (GPC; to 176 ± 38% of control, P = 0.03) associated with an increase in PLA2 expression and activity.

Conclusions

This study determined that in the MCF-7 breast cancer model inhibition of Hsp90 by 17-AAG results in a significant MRS-detectable increase in choline, PC and GPC, which is likely due to an increase in choline transport into the cell and phospholipase activation. 1H MRSI can be used in the clinical setting to detect levels of total choline-containing metabolite (t-Cho, composed of intracellular choline, PC and GPC). As Hsp90 inhibitors enter routine clinical use, t-Cho could thus provide an easily detectable, noninvasive metabolic biomarker of Hsp90 inhibition in breast cancer patients.
Resuscitation fluid use in critically ill adults: an international cross-sectional study in 391 intensive care units
Authors: Finfer Simon , Liu Bette , Taylor Colman , Bellomo Rinaldo , Billot Laurent , Cook Deborah , Du Bin , McArthur Colin , Myburgh John ,   SAFE TRIPS Investigators
Published: October 2010

Introduction

Recent evidence suggests that choice of fluid used for resuscitation may influence mortality in critically ill patients.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study in 391 intensive care units across 25 countries to describe the types of fluids administered during resuscitation episodes. We used generalized estimating equations to examine the association between patient, prescriber and geographic factors and the type of fluid administered (classified as crystalloid, colloid or blood products).

Results

During the 24-hour study period, 1,955 of 5,274 (37.1%) patients received resuscitation fluid during 4,488 resuscitation episodes. The main indications for administering crystalloid or colloid were impaired perfusion (1,526/3,419 (44.6%) of episodes), or to correct abnormal vital signs (1,189/3,419 (34.8%)). Overall, colloid was administered to more patients (1,234 (23.4%) versus 782 (14.8%)) and during more episodes (2,173 (48.4%) versus 1,468 (32.7%)) than crystalloid. After adjusting for patient and prescriber characteristics, practice varied significantly between countries with country being a strong independent determinant of the type of fluid prescribed. Compared to Canada where crystalloid, colloid and blood products were administered in 35.5%, 40.6% and 28.3% of resuscitation episodes respectively, odds ratios for the prescription of crystalloid in China, Great Britain and New Zealand were 0.46 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.30 to 0.69), 0.18 (0.10 to 0.32) and 3.43 (1.71 to 6.84) respectively; odds ratios for the prescription of colloid in China, Great Britain and New Zealand were 1.72 (1.20 to 2.47), 4.72 (2.99 to 7.44) and 0.39 (0.21 to 0.74) respectively. In contrast, choice of fluid was not influenced by measures of illness severity (for example, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score).

Conclusions

Administration of resuscitation fluid is a common intervention in intensive care units and choice of fluid varies markedly between countries. Although colloid solutions are more expensive and may possibly be harmful in some patients, they were administered to more patients and during more resuscitation episodes than crystalloids were.
William Tyndale and Religious Debate
Authors: Betteridge Thomas
Published: October 2010

A central aim of Tyndale's polemical works was to convert the mass of the populace to a more rigorous and meaningful engagement with Christ's teaching. In this he shared the concerns of most early-sixteenth-century religious reformers. Alongside this pastoral desire, however, Tyndale articulated a radical anticlericalism. It is in this context that the relation between Tyndale and Lollardy needs to be reexamined. This article examines Tyndale's work, particularly The Obedience of a Christian Man, The Practice of Prelates, and his translation of the New Testament, in relationship to a number of contemporary works, including Lollard writings, Stephen Hawes's The Conversion of the Swearers, the anonymous The Passion of Christ, and A sermon concernynge certayne heretickes by John Fisher. Within this context, it is possible to see that Tyndale was not a Lollard, and yet his work displays a clear and unambiguous engagement with many of Lollardy's central concerns, including the aspiration that individual Christians study scripture and debate with fellow believers its meaning as it relates to the godly life. Tyndale's work is driven above all by a pastoral desire to teach Christ's gospel.
Can You Serve? The Theology of Service from Langland to Luther
Authors: Knowles Jim
Published: October 2010

In setting the apologia of Piers Plowman in passus 5 of the C-text alongside Martin Luther's 1525 text De servo arbitrio and his earlier lectures on the Psalms, this essay moves across the Reformation divide to argue for continuities between these writers' treatments of the theological grammar of “serve and deserve.” The article argues that when Langland has his narrator questioned by Reason and asked, “Can you serve?” Langland understands the question, like Luther, in the broadest theological and ethical sense. The article attends in detail to conventional readings that see the apologia as referring to Langland's putative clerical status, to his status as a laboring body under the terms of the 1388 labor statutes, or to his own vocation as a poet and maker of vernacular theology. Establishing significant parallels between Langland and Luther allows the picture of the “Lutheran moment” painted by recent literary historians to be questioned and challenged.
Dead Souls and Modern Minds? Mortalism and the Early Modern Imagination, from Marlowe to Milton
Authors: McDowell Nicholas
Published: October 2010

Mortalism, the doctrine that the soul sleeps or dies with the death of the body to be reawakened or resurrected at the Last Judgment, was adopted by Luther but became a significant feature of the continental “radical Reformation” rather than of the Calvinist theology that shaped later-sixteenth-century English Protestantism. It was amid the intellectual turbulence of the mid-seventeenth century that mortalist ideas first became common currency in England, and they were not necessarily held only by religious and political radicals. But they nonetheless had radical potential in terms of the questions they provoked about the meaning of life and the nature of death, and about the divine economy of rewards and punishments. This essay places mortalist thinking in relation to competing historiographical narratives of Reformation and secularization in early modern England, paying particular attention to poetic treatments of the mortal soul in Lucretius, Marlowe, Milton, and Dryden.
Green fluorescent protein regulation in the coral Acropora yongei during photoacclimation
Authors: Roth Melissa S. , Latz Michael I. , Goericke Ralf , Deheyn Dimitri D.
Published: October 2010

Reef-building corals inhabit high light environments and are dependent on photosynthetic endosymbiotic dinoflagellates for nutrition. While photoacclimation responses of the dinoflagellates to changes in illumination are well understood, host photoacclimation strategies are poorly known. This study investigated fluorescent protein expression in the shallow-water coral Acropora yongei during a 30 day laboratory photoacclimation experiment in the context of its dinoflagellate symbionts. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) concentration measured by Western blotting changed reversibly with light intensity. The first 15 days of the photoacclimation experiment led to a ∼1.6 times increase in GFP concentration for high light corals (900 μmol quanta m–2 s–1) and a ∼4 times decrease in GFP concentration for low light corals (30 μmol quanta m–2 s–1) compared with medium light corals (300 μmol quanta m–2 s–1). Green fluorescence increased ∼1.9 times in high light corals and decreased ∼1.9 times in low light corals compared with medium light corals. GFP concentration and green fluorescence intensity were significantly correlated. Typical photoacclimation responses in the dinoflagellates were observed including changes in density, photosynthetic pigment concentration and photosynthetic efficiency. Although fluorescent proteins are ubiquitous and abundant in scleractinian corals, their functions remain ambiguous. These results suggest that scleractinian corals regulate GFP to modulate the internal light environment and support the hypothesis that GFP has a photoprotective function. The success of photoprotection and photoacclimation strategies, in addition to stress responses, will be critical to the fate of scleractinian corals exposed to climate change and other stressors.
Flight behaviour of the hawkmothManduca sextatowards unimodal and multimodal targets
Authors: Balkenius Anna , Dacke Marie
Published: October 2010

Here, we analyse the flight behaviour of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta while it approaches three different artificial flower stimuli: a clearly visible blue flower, an invisible scented flower and a flower that is both visible and scented. By tracking the moths in fine temporal detail, we find that flight towards an artificial flower differs depending on whether the stimulus is unimodal (either visual or olfactory) or multimodal (both visual and olfactory). In all three cases, the moth reduces its speed as it nears the target but the speed is higher overall when the visual stimulus is not present. Visual feedback, as well as the concentration gradient of the odour, is used to guide the moths towards the stimulus. The main difference in flight behaviour between an approach towards a visual and a multimodal stimulus is that the olfactory information makes the moths turn more rapidly towards the multimodal stimulus. We also find that moths extend their proboscises in front of a clearly visible feeder independent of whether an odour is present. In contrast, a scented transparent artificial flower only occasionally triggers this response.
Look and touch: multimodal sensory control of flower inspection movements in the nocturnal hawkmothManduca sexta
Authors: Goyret Joaquín
Published: October 2010

A crucial stage in the interaction between pollinators and plants is the moment of physical contact between them, known as flower inspection, or handling. Floral guides – conspicuous colour markings, or structural features of flower corollas – have been shown to be important in the inspecting behaviour of many insects, particularly in diurnal species. For the nocturnal hawkmoth Manduca sexta tactile input has an important role in flower inspection, but there is no knowledge about the use of visual floral guides in this behaviour. I carried out a series of experiments to first, evaluate the putative role of floral guides during flower inspection and second, to explore how simultaneous tactile and visual guides could influence this behaviour. Results show that visual floral guides affect flower inspection by M. sexta. Moths confine proboscis placement to areas of higher light reflectance regardless of their chromaticity, but do not appear to show movements in any particular direction within these areas. I also recorded inspection times, finding that moths can learn to inspect flowers more efficiently when visual floral guides are available. Additionally, I found that some visual floral guides can affect the body orientation that moths adopt while hovering in front of horizontal models. Finally, when presented with flower models offering both visual and tactile guides, the former influenced proboscis placement, whereas the latter controlled proboscis movements. Results show that innate inspection behaviour is under multimodal sensory control, consistent with other components of the foraging task. Fine scale inspection movements (elicited by diverse floral traits) and the tight adjustment between the morphology of pollinators and flowers appear to be adaptively integrated, facilitating reward assessment and effective pollen transfer.
The consequences of reversible gill remodelling on ammonia excretion in goldfish (Carassius auratus)
Authors: Perry Steve F. , Schwaiger Tyler , Kumai Yusuke , Tzaneva Velislava , Braun Marvin H.
Published: October 2010

Goldfish acclimated to cold water (e.g. 7°C) experience a marked reduction in functional lamellar surface area owing to the proliferation of an interlamellar cell mass (ILCM), a phenomenon termed gill remodelling. The goal of the present study was to assess the consequences of the reduced functional surface area on the capacity of goldfish to excrete ammonia. Despite the expected impact of ambient temperature on functional surface area, fish acclimated to 7°C and 25°C exhibited similar rates of ammonia excretion (Jnet,amm); the Q10 values for fed and starved fish were 1.07 and 1.20, respectively. To control for possible temperature-related differences in rates of endogenous ammonia production, Jnet,amm was determined at the two acclimation temperatures after loading fish with 1.12 μmol g–1 of NH4Cl. In the 3 h post-injection period, Jnet,amm was elevated to a greater extent in the 25°C fish. To estimate the potential contribution of increased ventilation and cardiac output to ammonia clearance in the warmer fish, the ammonia loading experiment was repeated on the 7°C fish immediately after they were exercised to exhaustion. The rate of excretion of ammonia was significantly increased in the exercised 7°C fish (presumably experiencing increased ventilation and cardiac output for at least some of the measurement period) suggesting that differences in external and internal convection may at least partially explain the enhanced capacity of the 25°C fish to clear the ammonia load. To more specifically assess the contribution of the different functional surface areas on the differing rates of ammonia clearance at the two acclimation temperatures, the 7°C fish were exposed for 7 days to hypoxia (PO2=10 mmHg=1.33 kPa), a treatment known to cause the disappearance of the ILCM. The results demonstrated that the hypoxia-associated loss of the ILCM was accompanied by a significant increase in the rate of ammonia clearance in the 7°C fish when returned to normoxic conditions. To determine whether compensatory changes in the ammonia transporting proteins might be contributing to sustaining Jnet,amm under conditions of reduced functional lamellar surface area, the relative expression and branchial distribution of four Rh proteins were assessed by western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Although the relative expression of the Rh proteins was unaffected by acclimation temperature, there did appear to be a change in the spatial distribution of Rhag, Rhbg and Rhcg1. Specifically, these three Rh proteins (and to a lesser extent Rhcg2) appeared to localize in cells on the outer edge of the ILCM that were enriched with Na+/K+-ATPase. Thus, we suggest that despite the impediment to ammonia excretion imposed by the ILCM, goldfish acclimated to 7°C are able to sustain normal rates of excretion owing to the redistribution of ammonia transporting cells.
The control of breathing in goldfish (Carassius auratus) experiencing thermally induced gill remodelling
Authors: Tzaneva Velislava , Perry Steve F.
Published: October 2010

At temperatures below 15°C the gill lamellae of goldfish (Carassius auratus) are largely covered by an interlamellar cell mass (ILCM) which decreases the functional surface area of the gill. The presence of the ILCM in goldfish acclimated to cold water conceivably could lead to a covering of the neuroepithelial cells (NECs), which are believed to be important for sensing ambient O2 and CO2 levels. In this study we tested the hypothesis that goldfish with covered lamellae (and presumably fewer NECs exposed to the water) exhibit a decreased capacity to hyperventilate in response to hypoxic stimuli. Measurements of ventilation amplitude and frequency were performed during exposure to acute hypoxia (PwO2=30 mmHg) or following injections of the O2 chemoreceptor stimulant NaCN into the buccal cavity or caudal vein of fish acclimated to 25°C (uncovered lamellae) or 7°C (covered lamellae) to stimulate predominantly the externally or internally oriented NECs, respectively. The results demonstrated no significant differences in the response to hypoxia, with each group exhibiting similar percentage increases in ventilation amplitude (90–91%) and frequency (34–43%). Similarly, with the exception of a rightward shift of the ventilation frequency dose–response in the fish acclimated to 7°C, there were no significant differences between the two groups of fish in the ED50 values. These findings suggest that goldfish with covered lamellae retain the capacity to sense external hypoxic stimuli. Using immunohistochemistry to identify serotonin-enriched NECs, it was demonstrated that the presence of the ILCM results in the NECs being redistributed towards the distal regions of the lamellae. In 25°C-acclimated fish, the NECs were distributed evenly along the length of the lamellae with 53±3% of them in the distal half, whereas in fish acclimated to 7°C, 83±5% of the NECs were confined to the distal half. Using the neuronal marker antibody ZN-12, it was demonstrated that the NECs at the distal edges of the lamellae are innervated by nerve fibres. Thus, it is hypothesised that the capacity to sense external hypoxic stimuli in goldfish acclimated to cold water is maintained despite the increasing coverage of the gill epithelial surfaces because of a redistribution of innervated NECs to the exposed distal regions of the lamellae.
Changes in materials properties explain the effects of humidity on gecko adhesion
Authors: Puthoff Jonathan B. , Prowse Michael S. , Wilkinson Matt , Autumn Kellar
Published: October 2010

Geckos owe their remarkable stickiness to millions of dry setae on their toes, and the mechanism of adhesion in gecko setae has been the topic of scientific scrutiny for over two centuries. Previously, we demonstrated that van der Waals forces are sufficient for strong adhesion and friction in gecko setae, and that water-based capillary adhesion is not required. However, recent studies demonstrated that adhesion increases with relative humidity (RH) and proposed that surface hydration and capillary water bridge formation is important or even necessary. In this study, we confirmed a significant effect of RH on gecko adhesion, but rejected the capillary adhesion hypothesis. While contact forces of isolated tokay gecko setal arrays increased with humidity, the increase was similar on hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces, inconsistent with a capillary mechanism. Contact forces increased with RH even at high shear rates, where capillary bridge formation is too slow to affect adhesion. How then can a humidity-related increase in adhesion and friction be explained? The effect of RH on the mechanical properties of setal β-keratin has escaped consideration until now. We discovered that an increase in RH softens setae and increases viscoelastic damping, which increases adhesion. Changes in setal materials properties, not capillary forces, fully explain humidity-enhanced adhesion, and van der Waals forces remain the only empirically supported mechanism of adhesion in geckos.
Posterior lymph heart function in two species of anurans: analysis based on both in vivo pressure–volume relationships by conductance manometry and ultrasound
Authors: Crossley Dane A. , Hillman Stanley S.
Published: October 2010

Rhinella marina and Lithobates catesbeianus have known differences in the capacity to mobilize lymph to stabilize blood volume following dehydration and hemorrhage. The purpose of these experiments was to assess whether there are interspecific differences in basic lymph heart functions. The end diastolic volumes of posterior lymph hearts averaged 10.8 μl kg–1 in R. marina and 7.9–10.8 μl kg–1 in L. catesbeianus by conductance manometry, and 9–32 μl kg–1 in R. marina by ultasound techniques, which correlated with body mass. Stroke volumes were approximately 20% of end diastolic volumes in both species. Peak systolic pressures and stroke work were correlated with the index of contractility (dP/dtmax) in both species. Stroke volume was correlated to stroke work but not peak systolic pressure, end diastolic volume or end diastolic pressure indicating the preload variables do not seem to determine stroke volume as would be predicted from Starling considerations of the blood heart. Renal portal elastance (end systolic pressure/stroke volume) an afterload index did not differ interspecifically, and was equivalent to values for systemic flow indices from mice of equivalent ventricular volume. These data, taken together with predictions derived from mammalian models on the effect of high resistance indicate afterload (renal portal pressure), may be important determinants of posterior lymph heart stroke volume. The shape of the pressure–volume loop is different from an idealized version previously reported, and is influenced by end diastolic volume. Our data indicate that increasing end diastolic pressure and volume can influence the loop shape but not the stroke volume. This indicates that lymph hearts do not behave in a Starling Law manner with increased preload volume.
Fun with radicals: Some new perspectives for organic synthesis
Authors: Quiclet-Sire Béatrice , Zard Samir Z.
Published: October 2010

The degenerative radical addition-transfer of xanthates onto alkenes allows the rapid assembly of richly functionalized structures. Various families of open-chain, cyclic, and polycyclic compounds can thus be readily accessed. Furthermore, the process can be extended to the synthesis or modification of aromatic and heteroaromatic derivatives by exploiting the possibility of using peroxides both as initiators and stoichiometric oxidants. The modification of existing polymers and the controlled synthesis of block polymers by what is now known as the RAFT/MADIX (reversible addition–fragmentation transfer/macromolecular design by interchange of xanthate) process is described briefly.
Prediction of plywood bonding quality using an artificial neural network
Authors: Esteban Luis García , Fernández Francisco García , de Palacios Paloma
Published: October 2010

The bonding quality test is one of the most important of all tests performed on plywood, because it determines the suitability of boards for use in the type of exposure they are intended for. Because this test involves aging pretreatment, results are not available in <24–97 h after manufacture, depending on the type of board, and therefore any error in the manufacturing process is not detected until 1–4 days later. To solve this time problem, an artificial neural network was developed as a predictive method to determine the suitability of board bonding through other properties that can be determined in less testing time: thickness, moisture content, density, bending strength, and modulus of elasticity. The network designed WAS a feedforward multilayer perceptron trained by supervised learning after normalization of the input data, and allowed the bonding test result to be predicted with 93% accuracy.
Whether and Whither an Applied Career Track for Doctoral Political Scientists
Authors: Biggs Jeffrey R. , Jones Veronica
Published: October 2010

There is no surefire mechanism to balance the incoming flow of political science doctoral candidates with the availability of tenure-track positions upon graduation. With as many as 15% of such doctoral graduates leaving academe, it would appear time for the campus to begin mentoring its students with a seasoned understanding of the non-academic career options. A sampling of former APSA Congressional Fellow political science doctorates indicates a variety of such non-academic applied political science positions for which the graduate work was a benefit.
The Politics Missed by Political Science
Authors: Petrocik John R. , Steeper Frederick T.
Published: October 2010

This essay offers some experience-based observations about electoral phenomena that academic political science misses because of a focus on conceptual and theoretical debates that often take pride of place over the empirical phenomena that gave rise to the ideas and concepts that we highly value. We suggest that academic political science is increasingly committed to models and methods that serve a theory or an idea more than they account for observable empirical regularities. Practitioner methods and innovations for persuading voters and winning elections under varying electoral conditions are largely unknown to scholars, with consequences for our collective factual knowledge and ability to test current hypotheses and theories about elections in an appropriate wide range of circumstances.
Political Science and Practical Politics: A Journalist's Journey
Authors: Cook Rhodes
Published: October 2010

Political journalism can serve as a useful bridge between practical politics and political science. This article recounts the authors personal journey from a childhood interest in maps, numbers and elections to a lifetime career as a political journalist. It also illustrates the partnership that can flourish between journalism and academe in making sense of our nations political scene.
Armed with Practice: Learning to Engage with the Military
Authors: Murtazashvili Jennifer Brick
Published: October 2010

Political scientists and the international development community have strong formal and informal norms that create barriers to engaging with the U.S. military. Nowhere are these tensions greater felt than in the actual battlefield. With the evolution of contemporary counterinsurgency strategy, the military has reached out to both social scientists and the development community. Instead of closing doors to the military, all parties would be better served if they opened their doors to dialogue. Most importantly, engaging the military constructively will actually help save civilian lives, rather than endanger them.
Is Political Science Relevant? Ask an Expert Witness
Authors: Mayer Kenneth R
Published: October 2010

Working as an expert witness is one of the most direct ways for a political scientist to affect actual policy. However, the worlds of academia and litigation are vastly different environments, with different norms, goals, and rules. I explore some of these differences, as well as the implications for straddling the two worlds as an expert. Ultimately, the parties in election law, redistricting, and voting rights litigation have found political scientists to be valuable partners. It is a very satisfying experience to find that our methods and skills have value outside the friendly confines of the ivory tower.
Healing the Rift between Political Science and Practical Politics
Authors: Hacker Jacob S
Published: October 2010

Policywhat government does, why it does it, and what difference it makesdeserves a more central position in political science, especially in the study of American politics. This paper outlines the advantages of such a "policy-focused" political science not just for the engagement of the discipline (and those within it) with pressing real-world problems, but also for the quality of research. My argument is not simply that a focus on policy will make political science more "relevant," although it will. It is that a political science without systematic attention to policy is a bad political sciencea political science that fails to capture extremely important aspects of politics.
Building a Political Science Public Sphere with Blogs
Authors: Farrell Henry , Sides John
Published: October 2010

We argue that political science blogs can link conversations among political scientists with broader public debates about contemporary issues. Political science blogs do this by identifying relevant research, explaining its findings, and articulating its applicability. We identify strategies besides blogging that individual scholars and the discipline could undertake to enhance its public profile.
Political Science and Practical Politics
Authors: Kersh Rogan
Published: October 2010

The relationship between political science and the "real world" of public policy and politics has long been a complicated one. Current calls for more relevance in political science research echo back to the discipline's early days. This essay traces the intertwined history of practice and ivory tower, with specific attention to the rise of economics as a policy-engaged social science. A mini-case study of political scientists' involvement in contemporary health policymaking provides a concrete focus.
Abandoning Peracetic Acid-Based Dialyzer Reuse Is Associated with Improved Survival
Authors: Lacson Eduardo , Wang Weiling , Mooney Ann , Ofsthun Norma , Lazarus J. Michael , Hakim Raymond M.
Published: October 2010

Background and objectives

Higher mortality risk reported with reuse versus single use of dialyzers is potentially related to reuse reagents that modify membrane surface characteristics and the blood-membrane interface. A key mechanism may involve stimulation of an inflammatory response.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

In a prospective crossover design, laboratory markers and mortality from 23 hemodialysis facilities abandoning reuse with peracetic acid mixture were tracked. C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC) count, albumin, and prealbumin were measured for 2 consecutive months before abandoning reuse and subsequently within 3 and 6 months on single use. Survival models were utilized to compare the 6-month period before abandoning reuse (baseline) and the 6-month period on single use of dialyzers after a 3-month “washout period.”

Results

Patients from baseline and single-use periods had a mean age of approximately 63 years; 44% were female, 54% were diabetic, 60% were white, and the mean vintage was approximately 3.2 years. The unadjusted hazard ratio for death was 0.70 and after case-mix adjustment was 0.74 for single use compared with reuse. Patients with CRP ≥ 5 mg/L during reuse (mean CRP = 26.6 mg/ml in April) declined on single use to 20.2 mg/L by August and 20.4 mg/L by November. WBC count declined slightly during single use, but nutritional markers were unchanged.

Conclusions

Abandonment of peracetic-acid-based reuse was associated with improved survival and lower levels of inflammatory but not nutritional markers. Further study is needed to evaluate a potential link between dialyzer reuse, inflammation, and mortality.
Clinical Value of NPHS2 Analysis in Early- and Adult-Onset Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Santín Sheila , Tazón-Vega Bárbara , Silva Irene , Cobo María Ángeles , Giménez Isabel , Ruíz Patricia , García-Maset Rafael , Ballarín José , Torra Roser , Ars Elisabet
Published: October 2010

Background and objectives

To date, very few cases with adult-onset focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) carrying NPHS2 variants have been described, all of them being compound heterozygous for the p.R229Q variant and one pathogenic mutation.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Mutation analysis was performed in 148 unrelated Spanish patients, of whom 50 presented with FSGS after 18 years of age. Pathogenicity of amino acid substitutions was evaluated through an in silico scoring system. Haplotype analysis was carried out using NPHS2 single nucleotide polymorphism and microsatellite markers.

Results

Compound heterozygous or homozygous NPHS2 pathogenic mutations were identified in seven childhood-onset steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) cases. Six additional cases with late childhood- and adult-onset SRNS were compound heterozygotes for p.R229Q and one pathogenic mutation, mostly p.A284V. p.R229Q was more frequent among SRNS cases relative to controls (odds ratio = 2.65; P = 0.02). Significantly higher age at onset of the disease and slower progression to ESRD were found in patients with one pathogenic mutation plus the p.R229Q variant in respect to patients with two NPHS2 pathogenic mutations.

Conclusions

NPHS2 analysis has a clinical value in both childhood- and adult-onset SRNS patients. For adult-onset patients, the first step should be screening for p.R229Q and, if positive, for p.A284V. These alleles are present in conserved haplotypes, suggesting a common origin for these substitutions. Patients carrying this specific NPHS2 allele combination did not respond to corticoids or immunosuppressors and showed FSGS, average 8-year progression to ESRD, and low risk for recurrence of FSGS after kidney transplant.
Transition metal M(II) complexes with isonicotinoylhydrazone-9-anthraldehyde
Authors: Dianu M.L. , Kriza A. , Stanica N. , Musuc A.M.
Published: October 2010

New complexes of isonicotinoylhydrazone-9-anthraldehyde with Cu(II), Co(II)
and Ni(II) have been prepared and characterized by analytical and
physico-chemical techniques, such as elemental and thermal analyses, magnetic
susceptibility and conductivity measurements, and electronic, EPR and IR
spectral studies. The infrared spectral studies revealed the bidentate or
monodentate nature of the Schiff base in the complexes; the pyridine nitrogen
does not participate in the coordination. A tetrahedral geometry is suggested
for the nitrate-complexes and an octahedral geometry for the others. Thermal
studies support the chemical formulation of these complexes.
An HPLC method for the determination of digoxin in dissolution samples
Authors: Milenkovic Miroslav , Marinkovic Valentina , Sibinovic Predrag , Palic Radosav , Milenovic Dragan
Published: October 2010

An HPLC method for digoxin quantification in dissolution samples obtained as
per the official British Pharmacopeia (BP) method is presented in this paper.
The chromatography was performed at 20 ?C on a Symmetry C18; 3.5 ?m, 75 x 4.6
mm column with water - acetonitrile (72 : 28, v/v), as the mobile phase and
UV detection at 220 nm. The method was found to be selective, linear,
accurate and precise in the specified ranges. The LOD and LOQ were 0.015 ?g
mL-1 and 0.050 ?g mL-1, respectively. Robustness testing was conducted to
evaluate the impact of minor changes in the chromatographic parameters (i.e.,
acetonitrile fraction, flow rate of the mobile phase, column temperature and
column length) on the characteristics of the digoxin peak. A. full factorial
design (24) was used to investigate the influence of the four variables The
presented HPLC method was applied in quality and stability testing of Digoxin
tablets 0.25 mg.
A study of new antimalarial artemisinins through molecular modeling and multivariate analysis
Authors: Ferreira João , Figueiredo Antonio , Barbosa Jardel , Cristino Maria , Macedo Williams , Silva Osmarina , Malheiros Bruno , Serra Raymony , Ciriaco-Pinheiro Jose
Published: October 2010

Artemisinin and 18 derivatives with antimalarial activity against W-2 strains
of Plasmodium falciparum were studied through quantum chemistry and
multivariate analysis. The geometry optimization of the structures was
realized with the Hartree-Fock (HF) theory and 3-21G basis set. Maps of
molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) and molecular docking were used to
investigate the interaction between the ligands and the receptor (heme).
Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA)
were employed to select the most important descriptors related to activity. A
predictive model was generated by the Partial Least Square (PLS) method
through 15 molecules and 4 used as an external validation set, which were
selected in the training set, the validation parameters of which are Q2 =
0.85 and R2 = 0.86. The model included as molecular parameters, the radial
distribution function, RDF060e, the hydration energy, HE, and the distance
between the O1 atom from the ligand and the iron atom from heme, d(Fe-O1).
Thus, the synthesis of new derivatives may follow the results of the MEP maps
and the PLS analysis.
The composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Levisticum officinale Koch. flowers and fruits at different developmental stages
Authors: Mirjalili Mohammad , Salehi Peyman , Sonboli Ali , Hadian Javad , Ebrahimi Samad , Yousefzadi Morteza
Published: October 2010

The composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Levisticum
officinale Koch. at different developmental stages (flower, immature fruit,
green mature fruit and ripened fruit) is reported. The essential oils were
obtained by hydrodistillation of air-dried samples and their antibacterial
activities were tested against seven bacteria. The yield of oil (w/w %) in
different stages was in the order: immature fruit (1.5 %) > green mature
fruit (1.0 %) > ripened fruit (0.6 %) > flower (0.1 %). The essential oils
were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. In total, 27, 31, 28 and 26 constituents were
identified and quantified in the mentioned samples, respectively. Monoterpene
hydrocarbons were the main group of compounds in the green mature fruit (79.2
%), immature fruit (78.4 %), ripened fruit (75.2 %) and flower (44.0 %). The
antibacterial activity of the oils was evaluated by the disk diffusion method
using M?ller-Hinton agar and determination of inhibition zones. The results
of the bioassays showed some variations between the three tested oils in
their inhibitory activity against the tested bacteria at a 10 ?l disc-1
concentration. The oils from mature and ripened fruit exhibited potent
antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, with minimum inhibitory
concentration (MIC) values of 0.90 mg ml-1 in mature and ripen fruits.
The new planning in the latest Yugoslav state alliance of Serbia and Montenegro
Authors: Cavric Branko
Published: October 2010

In the waves of transition and recent changes to political and planning regulatory mechanisms in most eastern and central European countries, the Yugoslav planning fabric is discovering new avenues and trying to develop new endeavors within the framework of economic, political and professional independence. The main idea of this paper is to challenge the history and evolution of Yugoslav planning system, legislature administration and education; planning techniques and the planning implementation. All these and other constitutive and important elements of a viable and flexible planning need to be considerably improved, since the arrival of a new political authorities and powers. The discussion should also enhance our knowledge about trans-national approaches and different planning ideas, concepts and practices applicable in the current Yugoslav planning environment. This could lead to a new planning based on global thinking and an interconnected world, flavoured with locally sustainable planning solutions that could bring the Yugoslav planning machinery on the board of the new century. At the same time, this approach would reflect how the Yugoslav planning community could improve its "own values" whilst looking forward to creating a modern and efficient planning mechanism.
Urban task force
Authors: Grubovic Ljiljana
Published: October 2010

The Urban Task Force Report has brought to our attention, that English towns and cities today require a new renaissance. The comprehensive planning has retarded urban living (Urban Renaissance, Sharing the Vision 01.99, 1999). Forty percent of inner-urban housing stock is subsidized 'social' housing. A review of the demographic and development trends have lead to the UK Government?s new urban policy that prioritizes the regeneration of towns and cities by building on recycled urban land and protecting the countryside. As result, Urban Task Force (UTF) was founded the with the following aims To identify causes of urban decline in England; To recommend practical solutions how to bring people back into cities; To establish a new vision for urban regeneration based on the principles of design excellence, social well being and environmental responsibility within a viable economic and legislative framework (Urban Task Force, 1999:1). This paper represents the analysis of the economic and political effects of the program and its viability.