bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Normal inflammatory markers in appendicitis: evidence from two independent cohort studies
Authors: Vaughan-Shaw Pg , Rees Jr , Bell E , Hamdan M , Platt T
Published: May 2011

Objectives

Acute appendicitis is a common surgical condition which can lead to severe complications. Recent work suggested that patients experiencing right lower abdominal pain, with normal white cell count (WCC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are unlikely to have acute appendicitis and can be discharged. We present two independent datasets that suggest that this strategy may not be risk-free.

Design

Retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients from two district general hospitals. Sensitivity and specificity of CRP, WCC and neutrophil count (NC) in predicting appendicitis were calculated. Markers were analysed using Fisher's exact test and Kruskul-Wallace test.

Setting

Two district general hospitals in the UK.

Participants

Patients undergoing appendicectomy for suspected appendicitis.

Main outcome measures

Inflammatory markers and appendix histology.

Results

A total of 297 patients were included. Appendicitis occurred in four patients with normal CRP, WCC and NC in centre A and 13 patients in centre B. The sensitivity of all three markers combined was 94% (centre A) and 92% (centre B). The specificity was 60% (centre A) and 64% (centre B). No single marker could differentiate uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis, but a raised NC or a CRP >35.5 mg/l predicted complicated appendicitis. CRP, WCC and NC combined differentiated between patients with a normal appendix, uncomplicated appendicitis and complicated appendicitis.

Conclusions

Appendicitis in the presence of normal inflammatory markers is not uncommon. We disagree with the view of Sengupta et al. who suggest that patients with normal WCC and CRP are unlikely to have appendicitis, and recommend that clinicians be wary of normal inflammatory markers in patients with a high clinical suspicion of appendicitis.
Chronic fatigue syndrome in the media: a content analysis of newspaper articles
Authors: Knudsen Ann Kristen , Omenås Anne Nagelgaard , Harvey Samuel B , Løvvik Camilla Ms , Lervik Linn V , Mykletun Arnstein
Published: May 2011

Objectives

Although cognitive behavioural therapy and graded exercise treatment are recognized evidence-based treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), their use is still considered controversial by some patient groups. This debate has been reflected in the media, where many patients gather health information. The aim of this study was to examine how treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome/ME is described in the newspaper media.

Design

Content analysis of newspaper articles.

Setting

The digitalized media archive Atekst was used to identify Norwegian newspaper articles where chronic fatigue syndrome/ME was mentioned.

Participants

Norwegian newspaper articles published over a 20-month period, from 1 January 2008 to 31 August 2009.

Main outcome measures

Statements regarding efficiency of various types of treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome/ME and the related source of the treatment advice. Statements were categorized as being either positive or negative towards evidence-based or alternative treatment.

Results

One hundred and twenty-two statements regarding treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome/ME were identified among 123 newspaper articles. The most frequent statements were positive statements towards alternative treatment Lightning Process (26.2%), negative statements towards evidence-based treatments (22.1%), and positive statements towards other alternative treatment interventions (22.1%). Only 14.8% of the statements were positive towards evidence-based treatment. Case-subjects were the most frequently cited sources, accounting for 35.2% of the statements, followed by physicians and the Norwegian ME association.

Conclusions

Statements regarding treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome/ME in newspapers are mainly pro-alternative treatment and against evidence-based treatment. The media has great potential to influence individual choices. The unbalanced reporting of treatment options for chronic fatigue syndrome/ME in the media is potentially harmful.
VapC6, a ribonucleolytic toxin regulates thermophilicity in the crenarchaeote Sulfolobus solfataricus
Authors: Maezato Yukari , Daugherty Amanda , Dana Karl , Soo Edith , Cooper Charlotte , Tachdjian Sabrina , Kelly Robert M. , Blum Paul
Published: May 2011

The phylum Crenarchaeota includes hyperthermophilic micro-organisms subjected to dynamic thermal conditions. Previous transcriptomic studies of Sulfolobus solfataricus identified vapBC6 as a heat-shock (HS)-inducible member of the Vap toxin–antitoxin gene family. In this study, the inactivation of the vapBC6 operon by targeted gene disruption produced two recessive phenotypes related to fitness, HS sensitivity and a heat-dependent reduction in the rate of growth. In-frame vapBC6 deletion mutants were analyzed to examine the respective roles of each protein. Since vapB6 transcript abundance was elevated in the vapC6 deletion, the VapC6 toxin appears to regulate abundance of its cognate antitoxin. In contrast, vapC6 transcript abundance was reduced in the vapB6 deletion. A putative intergenic terminator may underlie these observations by coordinating vapBC6 expression. As predicted by structural modeling, recombinant VapC6 produced using chaperone cosynthesis exhibited heat-dependent ribonucleolytic activity toward S. solfataricus total RNA. This activity could be blocked by addition of preheated recombinant VapB6. In vivo transcript targets were identified by assessing the relative expression of genes that naturally respond to thermal stress in VapBC6-deficient cells. Preferential increases were observed for dppB-1 and tetR, and preferential decreases were observed for rpoD and eIF2 gamma. Specific VapC6 ribonucleolytic action could also be demonstrated in vitro toward RNAs whose expression increased in the VapBC6-deficient strain during heat shock. These findings provide a biochemical mechanism and identify cellular targets underlying VapBC6-mediated control over microbial growth and survival at temperature extremes.
Polymerase ribozyme efficiency increased by G/T-rich DNA oligonucleotides
Authors: Yao Chengguo , Müller Ulrich F.
Published: May 2011

The RNA world hypothesis states that the early evolution of life went through a stage where RNA served as genome and as catalyst. The replication of RNA world organisms would have been facilitated by ribozymes that catalyze RNA polymerization. To recapitulate an RNA world in the laboratory, a series of RNA polymerase ribozymes was developed previously. However, these ribozymes have a polymerization efficiency that is too low for self-replication, and the most efficient ribozymes prefer one specific template sequence. The limiting factor for polymerization efficiency is the weak sequence-independent binding to its primer/template substrate. Most of the known polymerase ribozymes bind an RNA heptanucleotide to form the P2 duplex on the ribozyme. By modifying this heptanucleotide, we were able to significantly increase polymerization efficiency. Truncations at the 3′-terminus of this heptanucleotide increased full-length primer extension by 10-fold, on a specific template sequence. In contrast, polymerization on several different template sequences was improved dramatically by replacing the RNA heptanucleotide with DNA oligomers containing randomized sequences of 15 nt. The presence of G and T in the random sequences was sufficient for this effect, with an optimal composition of 60% G and 40% T. Our results indicate that these DNA sequences function by establishing many weak and nonspecific base-pairing interactions to the single-stranded portion of the template. Such low-specificity interactions could have had important functions in an RNA world.
The RNR motif of B. subtilis RNase P protein interacts with both PRNA and pre-tRNA to stabilize an active conformer
Authors: Koutmou Kristin S. , Day-Storms Jeremy J. , Fierke Carol A.
Published: May 2011

Ribonuclease P (RNase P) catalyzes the metal-dependent 5′ end maturation of precursor tRNAs (pre-tRNAs). In Bacteria, RNase P is composed of a catalytic RNA (PRNA) and a protein subunit (P protein) necessary for function in vivo. The P protein enhances pre-tRNA affinity, selectivity, and cleavage efficiency, as well as modulates the cation requirement for RNase P function. Bacterial P proteins share little sequence conservation although the protein structures are homologous. Here we combine site-directed mutagenesis, affinity measurements, and single turnover kinetics to demonstrate that two residues (R60 and R62) in the most highly conserved region of the P protein, the RNR motif (R60–R68 in Bacillus subtilis), stabilize PRNA complexes with both P protein (PRNA•P protein) and pre-tRNA (PRNA•P protein•pre-tRNA). Additionally, these data indicate that the RNR motif enhances a metal-stabilized conformational change in RNase P that accompanies substrate binding and is essential for efficient catalysis. Stabilization of this conformational change contributes to both the decreased metal requirement and the enhanced substrate recognition of the RNase P holoenzyme, illuminating the role of the most highly conserved region of P protein in the RNase P reaction pathway.
Scheduling Major League Baseball Umpires and the Traveling Umpire Problem
Authors: Trick Michael A. , Yildiz Hakan , Yunes Tallys
Published: June 2011

The scheduling needs of umpires and referees differ from the needs of sports teams. In some sports leagues, such as Major League Baseball in the United States, umpires travel throughout the league's territory; they do not have a “home base.” For such leagues, balancing the need to minimize umpire travel and the objective that an umpire should not handle the games of a particular team too frequently is important. We have used our approach, which is based on network optimization and simulated annealing, to successfully schedule Major League Baseball umpires. To develop this approach, we created the traveling umpire problem, which includes the major umpire scheduling issues and also provides a test bed for alternative techniques.
Gender-related differences in the oxidant state of cells in Fanconi anemia heterozygotes
Authors: Petrovic Sandra , Leskovac Andreja , Kotur-Stevuljevic Jelena , Joksic Jelena , Guc-Scekic Marija , Vujic Dragana , Joksic Gordana
Published: May 2011

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare cancer-prone genetic disorder characterized by progressive bone marrow failure, chromosomal instability and redox abnormalities. There is much biochemical and genetic data, which strongly suggest that FA cells experience increased oxidative stress. The present study was designed to elucidate if differences in oxidant state exist between control, idiopathic bone marrow failure (idBMF) and FA cells, and to analyze oxidant state of cells in FA heterozygous carriers as well. The results of the present study confirm an in vivo prooxidant state of FA cells and clearly indicate that FA patients can be distinguished from idBMF patients based on the oxidant state of cells. Female carriers of FA mutation also exhibited hallmarks of an in vivo prooxidant state behaving in a similar manner as FA patients. On the other hand, the oxidant state of cells in FA male carriers and idBMF families failed to show any significant difference vs. controls. We demonstrate that the altered oxidant state influences susceptibility of cells to apoptosis in both FA patients and female carriers. The results highlight the need for further research of the possible role of mitochondrial inheritance in the pathogenesis of FA.
Cooperative and independent activities of Sgt2 and Get5 in the targeting of tail-anchored proteins
Authors: Kohl Christian , Tessarz Peter , von der Malsburg Karina , Zahn Regina , Bukau Bernd , Mogk Axel
Published: May 2011

TPR proteins modulate the activity of molecular chaperones. Here, we describe the S. cerevisiae TPR protein Sgt2 as interaction partner of Ssa1 and Hsp104 and as a component of the GET pathway by interacting with Get5. The GET pathway mediates the sorting of tail-anchored (TA) proteins, harboring a C-terminal trans-membrane segment, to the ER membrane. S. cerevisiae sgt2Δ cells show partial defects in TA protein sorting. Sgt2 activity in vivo relies on its N- and C-terminal domains, whereas the central TPR domain and thus chaperone interactions are dispensable. We show that TA protein sorting defects are more severe in sgt2Δ get5Δ mutants compared to single knockouts. Furthermore, overproduction of Sgt2 becomes toxic to get3Δ but not to get5Δ cells. Together, these findings indicate an additional, Get5-independent role of Sgt2 in TA protein sorting, pointing to parallel pathways of substrate delivery to Get3.
Agreement between paired blood gas values in samples transported either by a pneumatic system or by human courier
Authors: Victor Peter John , Patole Shalom , Joseph Fleming Jude , Selvakumar Ratnasamy , Graham Petra L.
Published: May 2011

Background: Rapid accurate assessment of metabolic derangements is crucial in the critically ill. We evaluated if arterial blood gas (ABG) samples transported through a pneumatic tube system (PTS) agreed with values transported by a human courier.

Methods: In this prospective study of 50-paired ABG samples, the couriered reference ABG was compared with those transported by PTS. Agreement was summarised by the mean difference with 95% limits of agreement (LOA) and Lin's concordance correlation (pc).

Results: The mean (±SD) time from sampling to analysis was 35.7±23.2 (courier) and 38.6±22.1 (PTS) minutes. Agreement was good between courier and PTS for pH, PaCO2, bicarbonate, oxygen saturation and PaO2 values (pc>0.97). Although the mean difference in PaO2 values between PTS and courier was small (–0.9 mm Hg) and the agreement was good, individual differences were clinically significant (95% LOA –40.8 to 39.0). For PaO2 <160 mm Hg, analysis of PTS samples yielded erroneously high PaO2 values and vice versa for PaO2>160 mm Hg compared to manual courier. This suggested exaggerated oxygen movement between the blood sample and air in the PTS.

Conclusions: In this study, analysis of samples transported through the PTS resulted in clinically unacceptable PaO2 values. Delay in transport and analysis of ABG samples should be avoided and samples transported manually if they cannot be assessed on-site.
Improving clinical laboratory efficiency: a time-motion evaluation of the Abbott m2000 RealTime and Roche COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan PCR systems for the simultaneous quantitation of HIV-1 RNA and HCV RNA
Authors: Amendola Alessandra , Coen Sabrina , Belladonna Stefano , Pulvirenti F. Renato , Clemens John M. , Capobianchi M. Rosaria
Published: May 2011

Background: Diagnostic laboratories need automation that facilitates efficient processing and workflow management to meet today's challenges for expanding services and reducing cost, yet maintaining the highest levels of quality.

Methods: Processing efficiency of two commercially available automated systems for quantifying HIV-1 and HCV RNA, Abbott m2000 system and Roche COBAS Ampliprep/COBAS TaqMan 96 (docked) systems (CAP/CTM), was evaluated in a mid/high throughput workflow laboratory using a representative daily workload of 24 HCV and 72 HIV samples. Three test scenarios were evaluated: A) one run with four batches on the CAP/CTM system, B) two runs on the Abbott m2000 and C) one run using the Abbott m2000 maxCycle feature (maxCycle) for co-processing these assays. Cycle times for processing, throughput and hands-on time were evaluated.

Results: Overall processing cycle time was 10.3, 9.1 and 7.6 h for Scenarios A), B) and C), respectively. Total hands-on time for each scenario was, in order, 100.0 (A), 90.3 (B) and 61.4 min (C).

Conclusions: The interface of an automated analyzer to the laboratory workflow, notably system set up for samples and reagents and clean up functions, are as important as the automation capability of the analyzer for the overall impact to processing efficiency and operator hands-on time.
Evaluation of two automated chemiluminescence immunoassays, the LIAISON Treponema Screen and the ARCHITECT Syphilis TP, and the Treponema pallidum particle agglutination test for laboratory diagnosis of syphilis
Authors: Wellinghausen Nele , Dietenberger Hanna
Published: May 2011

Background: Automated Treponema pallidum-specific chemi-luminescence immunoassays (CLIA) run on random-access analyzers allow for rapid diagnosis of syphilis infection.

Methods: We evaluated the LIAISON Treponema Screen (LIA) and the ARCHITECT Syphilis TP (ARCH) in comparison to the Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) test, as a screening test for syphilis. We performed a prospective study using 577 sera submitted for diagnosis of syphilis, including 318 samples from pregnant women. In addition, 42 stored sera from 32 patients with clinically and serologically characterized syphilis infection were investigated.

Results: In the prospective study, the sensitivity and specificity of LIA, ARCH, and TPPA were 100% (18/18), 100% (17/17), and 100% (18/18), and 100% (558/558), 99.8% (552/553), and 99.6% (556/558), respectively. In pregnant women, the specificity of LIA and ARCH was 100% (317/317) and of TPPA 99.7% (316/317). One sample from a child with assumed exposure to maternal antitreponemal antibodies was omitted from analysis. LIA, ARCH, and TPPA were also positive in all investigated sera from patients with known syphilis.

Conclusions: Both automated CLIA demonstrated excellent diagnostic sensitivity and specificity when evaluated as a screening test for syphilis under routine conditions of a diagnostic laboratory. Thus, these may be used independently as an alternative to the manual TPPA screen.
Racial trends in sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among US adolescents: 1988–2004
Authors: Bremer Andrew A. , Byrd Robert S. , Auinger Peggy
Published: June 2011

Background: Increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beve­rages (SSBs) over the past two decades has been implicated in the increased incidence of metabolic disorders in the pediatric population, but whether racial differences exist with regard to SSB intake among adolescents is unknown.

Objective: To evaluate racial trends in SSB consumption in US adolescents.

Study group: In total, 10,201 individuals aged 12–19 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during the years 1988–1994 and 1999–2004 were included in the study.

Methods: Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to determine SSB consumption trends.

Results: From 1988 to 2004, SSB intake increased more in adolescents from racial minorities than in their Caucasian counterparts. Although other Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites consumed more SSBs than other racial groups at the beginning of the study, the amount of SSBs consumed by other racial groups increased in the interval time such that total SSB consumption in each racial group was comparable by the end of the study period. Sex-related differences in SSB consumption trends among racial groups were also observed.

Conclusions: SSB consumption trends have differed among racial groups and between the sexes over the past two decades, with SSB intake having increased more dramatically in racial minorities during this time than in non-Hispanic whites. Although other Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites consumed more SSBs than other racial groups in 1988–1991, SSB consumption among adolescents from all racial groups was comparable by 2003–2004. Furthermore, adolescents from most racial groups consumed more SSBs in 1994–2004 than in 1988–1994, paralleling the increase in pediatric obesity and metabolic syndrome.
The Application and Early-Age Behaviors of Continuously Reinforced Bonded Concrete Overlay of Distressed Jointed Concrete Pavements
Authors: Sun RenJuan , Won Hoonill , Won Moon. C.
Published: June 2011

Considerable efforts and money are spent to maintain and repair the distressed jointed concrete pavement (JCP) sections by providing partial-/full-depth repair, under sealing, and patching; however, a lot of distresses reoccur frequently. For severe distresses, overlay was constructed on the JCP. Resurfacing with a bonded concrete overlay (BCO) over the existing pavement to form a monolithic structure has proven to be a cost-effective rehabilitation strategy. Continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) bonded overlay was constructed for the rehabilitation of a 2000 ft long JCP section on U.S.75 in Sherman, Texas, United States which had been subjected to numerous rehabilitations to construct the guidelines of the CRCP bonded overlay. The pavement design and concrete mix design selected are discussed and introduced in this article. In order to reduce the reflective cracking at the location of the JCP joints, geotextile was placed at the joint location before the overlay construction. For the study on the function of the geotextile, the geotextile was not placed at 20 JCP joints for the comparison. One week after the BCO construction, the investigation for the CRCP cracking was carried out at three stages. The investigated results revealed that the cracks at the transverse steel location are much more than those between the transverse steel. Falling weight deflectometer testing was run on the pavement surface before and after the overlay construction to measure the deflection behavior of the pavement. The performance of the overlay shows that the bonded CRCP is appropriate for the JCP resurfacing.
A combination of polymorphisms in HSD11B1 associates with in vivo 11β-HSD1 activity and metabolic syndrome in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Gambineri Alessandra , Tomassoni Federica , Munarini Alessandra , Stimson Roland H , Mioni Roberto , Pagotto Uberto , Chapman Karen E , Andrew Ruth , Mantovani Vilma , Pasquali Renato , Walker Brian R
Published: May 2011

Objective

Regeneration of cortisol by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) within liver and adipose tissue may be of pathophysiological importance in obesity and the metabolic syndrome. single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in HSD11B1, the gene encoding 11β-HSD1, have been associated with type 2 diabetes and hypertension in population-based cohort studies, and with hyperandrogenism in patients with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the functional consequences of these SNPs for in vivo 11β-HSD1 expression and activity are unknown.

Methods

We explored associations of well-characterised hormonal and metabolic phenotypes with two common SNPs (rs846910 and rs12086634) in HSD11B1 in 600 women (300 with PCOS) and investigated 11β-HSD1 expression and activity in a nested study of 40 women from this cohort.

Results

HSD11B1 genotypes (as single SNPs and as the combination of the two minor allele SNPs) were not associated with PCOS. Women who were heterozygous for rs846910 A and homozygous for rs12086634 T (GA, TT genotype) had a higher risk of metabolic syndrome, regardless of the diagnosis of PCOS (odds ratio in the whole cohort=2.77 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16–6.67), P=0.023). In the nested cohort, women with the GA, TT genotype had higher HSD11B1 mRNA levels in adipose tissue, and higher rates of appearance of cortisol and d3-cortisol (16.1±0.7 nmol/min versus 12.1±1.1, P=0.044) during 9,11,12,12-2H4-cortisol (d4-cortisol) steady-state infusion.

Conclusions

We conclude that, in a population of Southern European Caucasian women with and without PCOS, alleles of HSD11B1 containing the two SNPs rs846910 A and rs12086634 T confer increased 11β-HSD1 expression and activity, which associates with the metabolic syndrome.
Estimating the Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes: A Comparison of Several Risk Scores
Authors: Schmid Rémy , Vollenweider Peter , Waeber Gérard , Marques-Vidal Pedro
Published: June 2011

OBJECTIVE

To compare in the Swiss population the results of several scores estimating the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This was a single-center, cross-sectional study conducted between 2003 and 2006 in Lausanne, Switzerland. Overall, 3,251 women and 2,937 men, aged 35–75 years, were assessed, of which 5,760 (93%) were free from diabetes and included in the current study. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes was assessed using seven different risk scores, including clinical data with or without biological data. Participants were considered to be eligible for primary prevention according to the thresholds provided for each score. The results were then extrapolated to the Swiss population of the same sex and age.

RESULTS

The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increased with age in all scores. The prevalence of participants at high risk ranged between 1.6 and 24.9% in men and between 1.1 and 15.7% in women. Extrapolated to the Swiss population of similar age, the overall number of participants at risk, and thus susceptible to intervention, ranged between 46,708 and 636,841. In addition, scores that included the same clinical variables led to a significantly different prevalence of participants at risk (4.2% [95% CI 3.4–5.0] vs. 12.8% [11.5–14.1] in men and 2.9% [2.4–3.6] vs. 6.0% [5.2–6.9] in women).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of participants at risk for developing type 2 diabetes varies considerably according to the scoring system used. To adequately prevent type 2 diabetes, risk-scoring systems must be validated for each population considered.
Synthesis, UV/vis spectra and electrochemical characterisation of arylthio and styryl substituted ferrocenes
Authors: Sørensen Thomas , Nielsen Merete
Published: June 2011

Two series of substituted ferrocenes were synthesised using either the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction or monolithiation of ferrocene. The series consist of arylthio- and styryl-ferrocenes with different substituents in the para position of the aryl rings of the systems. The electronic communication was investigated by comparing the substituent effects in absorption spectroscopy and in cyclic voltammetry. A small substituent effect was found in the electronic transitions of the styryl substituted ferrocenes. The oxidation of the ferrocene derivatives showed clear substituent effects as illustrated by the linear Hammett plots. The effect was shown to be an order of magnitude larger in the arylthio-systems than in the styryl systems. It is suggested that the reason behind the large effect is a direct sulfur-iron orbital overlap.
A study of nucleic acid base-stacking by the Monte Carlo method: Extended cluster approach
Authors: Danilov Victor , Dailidonis Vladimir , Mourik Tanja , Früchtl Herbert
Published: June 2011

The adenine-thymine (AT), adenine-uracil (AU) and guanine-cytosine (GC) base associates in clusters containing 400 water molecules were studied using a newly implemented Metropolis Monte Carlo algorithm based on the extended cluster approach. Starting from the hydrogen-bonded Watson-Crick geometries, all three base pairs are transformed into more favorable stacked configurations during the simulation. The obtained results show, for the first time, the transition from planar base pairs to stacked base associates in the Monte Carlo framework. Analysis of the interaction energies shows that, in the water cluster, the stacked dimers are energetically preferable compared to the corresponding Watson-Crick base pairs. This is due to the larger base-water interaction in the stacked structures. The water-water interaction is one of the main factors promoting the formation of stacked dimers, and the obtained data confirm the crucial role of the water-water interactions in base stacking.
The Lindelöf number of C
p(X)×C
p(X) for strongly zero-dimensional X
Authors: Okunev Oleg
Published: June 2011

We prove that if X is a strongly zero-dimensional space, then for every locally compact second-countable space M, C
p(X, M) is a continuous image of a closed subspace of C
p(X). It follows in particular, that for strongly zero-dimensional spaces X, the Lindelöf number of C
p(X)×C
p(X) coincides with the Lindelöf number of C
p(X). We also prove that l(C
p(X
n)κ) ≤ l(C
p(X)κ) whenever κ is an infinite cardinal and X is a strongly zero-dimensional union of at most κcompact subspaces.
A Phenomenological Model for Prediction Auto-Ignition and Soot Formation of Turbulent Diffusion Combustion in a High Pressure Common Rail Diesel Engine
Authors: Liu Yongfeng , Yang Jianwei , Sun Jianmin , Zhu Aihua , Zhou Qinghui
Published: June 2011

A new phenomenological model, the TP (Temperature Phase) model, is presented to carry out optimization calculations for turbulent diffusion combustion in a high-pressure common rail diesel engine. Temperature is the most important parameter in the TP model, which includes two parts: an auto-ignition and a soot model. In the auto-ignition phase, different reaction mechanisms are built for different zones. For the soot model, different methods are used for different temperatures. The TP model is then implemented in KIVA code instead of original model to carry out optimization. The results of cylinder pressures, the corresponding heat release rates, and soot with variation of injection time, variation of rail pressure and variation of speed among TP model, KIVA standard model and experimental data are analyzed. The results indicate that the TP model can carry out optimization and CFD (computational fluid dynamics) and can be a useful tool to study turbulent diffusion combustion.
Postglacial north–south expansion of populations of Rhizophora mangle (Rhizophoraceae) along the Brazilian coast revealed by microsatellite analysis
Authors: Pil Maria W. , Boeger Maria R. T. , Muschner Valéria C. , Pie Marcio R. , Ostrensky Antonio , Boeger Walter A.
Published: May 2011

• Premise of the study: Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) dominates tropical tidal areas along both sides of the Atlantic, yet little is known about its degree of population differentiation over large geographical scales. Information on the genetic variability of mangrove species along the Brazilian coast is important not only for understanding the recent gene flow dynamic between populations, but also to evaluate models of evolutionary diversification and develop effective strategies for conservation. We investigated the genetic variability of the red mangrove along the Brazilian coast.

• Methods: Eight microsatellite loci were used to genotype 145 individuals across 10 populations spanning more than 4500 km of coast line. We estimated the genetic variability and structure of the populations and the historical gene flow between them.

• Key results: The level of genetic variability was low, with only 27 different alleles being detected and allele richness between 1.25 and 2.75. On the other hand, there was substantial population differentiation (Rst = 0.48; P < 0.001), especially between the northern and southern populations. The populations from Pará and Maranhão had significantly greater genetic variability than did the remaining locations.

• Conclusions: This difference might reflect the older age of the northern mangroves, which likely remained stable during the Quaternary glaciations. The lowest variability observed in the southern populations of the red mangrove most likely reflects their recent age, associated with allelic reduction, resulting from the consecutive founder events that followed subsequent colonization of estuaries during the gradual warming by the end of the last glacial period.
New microsatellite loci for water yam (Dioscorea alata, Dioscoreaceae) and cross‐amplification for other Dioscorea species
Authors: Siqueira Marcos V. B. M. , Marconi Thiago G. , Bonatelli Maria L. , Zucchi Maria I. , Veasey Elizabeth A.
Published: May 2011

• Premise of the study: Dioscorea alata L. is one of the most widely distributed species of the genus in the humid and semihumid tropics and is associated with traditional agriculture. Only a few microsatellite markers have been developed so far for this and other Dioscorea species.

• Methods and Results: We isolated 14 codominant polymorphic microsatellite markers using a microsatellite‐enriched genomic library technique. Ten microsatellite loci were selected, and 80 D. alata accessions from different regions in Brazil were evaluated with nine polymorphic loci. The polymorphism information content (PIC) varied from 0.39 to 0.78 and the power discrimination (PD) ranged from 0.15 to 0.91. Six of the markers showed transferability for the species D. bulbifera, D. cayenensis‐D. rotundata, and D. trifida.

• Conclusions: The SSR markers obtained are an important tool for further studies aiming to characterize the genetic diversity in D. alata and other Dioscorea spp. accessions.
Identification and cross‐species transferability of 112 novel unigene‐derived microsatellite markers in tea (Camellia sinensis)
Authors: Sharma Himanshu , Kumar Rahul , Sharma Vikas , Kumar Vishal , Bhardwaj Pankaj , Ahuja Paramvir Singh , Sharma Ram Kumar
Published: May 2011

• Premise of the study: Tea Unigene‐derived MicroSatellite (TUGMS) markers were identified from the publicly available EST data in Camellia sinensis for characterization and future genome mapping studies in tea.

• Methods and Results: One hundred twelve novel TUGMS markers were identified from 4356 unigenes derived by clustering of 12788 random ESTs in C. sinensis. Amplification‐based validation of the TUGMS loci proved them to be highly polymorphic [an average (av.) of 5.24 alleles], heterozygous (HE, av. 0.746; Ho, av. 0.566) and informative (PIC, av. 0.392). TUGMS loci were 100% transferable in cultivated C. assamica and C. assamica subsp. lasiocalyx and highly cross‐transferrable to the related species C. japonica, C. rosiflora, and C. sasanqua.

• Conclusions: These 112 novel highly polymorphic TUGMS markers with proven cross‐species transferability will facilitate the future genetic diversity and genome mapping studies in tea.
Isolation and characterization of 20 new microsatellite loci in Coriaria nepalensis (Coriariaceae)
Authors: Chen Jia‐Hui , Zhou Yan , Yang Yong‐Ping
Published: May 2011

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were developed for Coriaria nepalensis, a traditional Chinese medicinal and ornamental plant, to investigate its genetic diversity and population genetic structure as well as its evolutionary history.

• Methods and Results: Twenty‐eight dinucleotide microsatellite loci were identified in C. nepalensis, 20 of which showed polymorphism among five populations. The expected heterozygosities were 0–1 (mean 0.469).

• Conclusions: These markers may be useful for further investigation of the population genetics, systematics, and phylogeography of Coriaria nepalensis.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Schoenoplectus juncoides (Cyperaceae)1
Authors: Ohsako Takanori , Yamada Yuko
Published: May 2011

• Premise of the study: We developed microsatellite markers for Schoenoplectus juncoides, a weed found in rice paddy fields in eastern Asia.

• Methods and Results: Ten dinucleotide microsatellite loci were isolated, and genetic variability within and among local populations were characterized. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 6 with a mean of 3.6. Expected heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.067 to 0.471, whereas observed heterozygosity showed much lower values ranging from 0.000 to 0.083. Most of the loci showed significant deviation from Hardy−Weinberg equilibrium and high inbreeding coefficient values (0.525–1.000).

• Conclusions: All the 10 microsatellite loci displayed polymorphism within and among populations. These loci are useful genetic markers for microevolution and ecological studies of S. juncoides populations.
Development of ten polymorphic microsatellite loci for Fosbergia shweliensis (Rubiaceae), a potentially crisis endangered tree
Authors: Dao Zhiling , Ji Yunheng , Liu Tao , Liu Keming , Li Heng
Published: May 2011

• Premise of the study: Fosbergia shweliensis (Anth.) Tirveng. & Sastre (Rubiaceae) is a potentially endangered tree endemic to China. Microsatellite markers were developed to investigate population genetics of this plant.

• Methods and Results: Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified and screened in 32 individuals from four wild populations of F. shweliensis. Alleles numbered 2 to 5, and their levels of observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.0564 to 0.7214 and from 0.2794 to 0.7912, respectively.

• Conclusions: These new microsatellite loci will facilitate further studies of the population genetics of F. shweliensis, allowing us to design reasonable conservation and management strategies.
Development of microsatellites in the Hawaiian endemic palm Pritchardia martii (Arecaceae) and their utility in congeners
Authors: Bacon Christine D. , Johnson Gabriel P. , Meimberg Harald , Puppo Pamela , Simmons Mark P. , Wagner Warren L.
Published: May 2011

• Premise of the study: Pritchardia (loulu palm) is the seventh largest flowering plant genus in the Hawaiian archipelago, and many species are of high conservation concern. The island radiation has produced many cryptic species complexes across fine ecological gradients. Microsatellite primers were optimized to investigate genetic diversity of Pritchardia martii (Gaudich.) H. Wendl. and species boundaries among the Hawaiian Pritchardia.

• Methods and Results: Six new loci and three previously described loci for a closely related genus, Phoenix, were optimized and tested. Five loci were polymorphic, and 72 alleles were detected across loci within P. martii. The five loci were also polymorphic across the other 27 currently recognized Pritchardia species.

• Conclusions: These results indicate the utility of these microsatellite markers for understanding the conservation genetics of P. martii and species delimitation and hybridization across the genus.
Differential Features Between Primary Ankylosing Spondylitis and Spondylitis Associated with Psoriasis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: PÉREZ ALAMINO RODOLFO , MALDONADO COCCO JOSÉ A. , CITERA GUSTAVO , ARTURI PABLO , VAZQUEZ-MELLADO JANITZIA , SAMPAIO-BARROS PERCIVAL D. , FLORES DIANA , BURGOS-VARGAS RUBÉN , SANTOS HELENA , CHAVEZ-CORRALES JOSÉ E. , PALLEIRO DANIEL , GUTIERREZ MIGUEL A. , VIEIRA-SOUSA ELSA , PIMENTEL-SANTOS FERNANDO M. , PAIRA SERGIO , BERMAN ALBERTO , MORENO-ALVAREZ MARIO , COLLANTES-ESTEVEZ EDUARDO
Published: June 2011

Objective.

To describe differential characteristics of axial involvement in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) as compared with that seen in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in a cohort of Ibero-American patients.

Methods.

This study included 2044 consecutive patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA; ESSG criteria). Demographic, clinical, disease activity, functional ability, quality of life, work status, radiologic, and therapeutic data were evaluated and collected by RESPONDIA members from different Ibero-American countries between June and December 2006. Patients selected for analysis met modified New York criteria (mNY) for AS.

Results.

A total of 1264 patients met the New York criteria for AS: 1072 had primary AS, 147 had psoriatic, and 45 had IBD-associated spondylitis. Median disease duration was comparable among the 3 patient groups. Patients with primary AS were significantly younger (p = 0.01) and presented a higher frequency of males (p = 0.01) than the other 2 groups. Axial manifestations such as inflammatory back pain and sacroiliac pain were significantly more frequent in patients with primary AS (p = 0.05) versus other groups, whereas frequency of dactylitis, enthesitis, and peripheral arthritis was more common in patients with psoriatic spondylitis (p = 0.05). Spinal mobility was significantly more limited in patients with primary AS versus the other 2 groups (p = 0.0001). Radiologic changes according to BASRI total score were equally significant in primary AS. Disease activity (BASDAI), functional ability (BASFI), and quality of life (ASQoL) scores were comparable in the 3 groups.

Conclusion.

Patients with primary AS had more severe axial involvement than those with spondylitis associated with psoriasis or IBD. Functional capacity, disease activity, and quality of life were comparable among the groups studied.
Secondary Osteoporosis in Men and Women: Clinical Challenge of an Unresolved Issue
Authors: ROMAGNOLI ELISABETTA , DEL FIACCO ROMANO , RUSSO STEFANIA , PIEMONTE SARA , FIDANZA FRANCESCA , COLAPIETRO FRANCESCA , DIACINTI DANIELE , CIPRIANI CRISTIANA , MINISOLA SALVATORE
Published: June 2011

Objective.

To evaluate the clinical and etiological factors of osteoporosis. We also tested the FRAX algorithm to compare the assessment of fracture risk in patients with primary or secondary osteoporosis.

Methods.

A prospective study carried out in a large sample of 123 men and 246 women. All subjects had a biochemical, densitometric, and radiological examination of thoracic and lumbar spine.

Results.

The prevalence of primary (men 52.9% vs women 50%; p = nonsignificant) and secondary (men 21.1% vs women 17.5%; p = nonsignificant) osteoporosis did not differ between the sexes. In contrast, the prevalence of primary osteoporosis was significantly higher than secondary causes (p < 0.0001) in both men and women. While women came to our attention for prevention of osteoporosis, men sought help because of clinical symptoms or disease-related complications, such as fractures. As evaluated by the FRAX tool, patients with osteopenia do not need treatment, in agreement with Italian guidelines. The estimated risk of major osteoporotic and hip fractures was significantly higher in women with secondary osteoporosis compared to men and also compared to women with primary osteoporosis.

Conclusion.

The prevalence of secondary osteoporosis in men is similar to that in women and it is less frequent than commonly reported. In patients with secondary osteoporosis, FRAX calculation may provide an estimate of a particularly high fracture risk in patients whose bone fragility is usually attributed to another disease.
Le « mélodrame » du Risorgimento
Authors: Sorba Carlotta
Published: May 2011

Résumé Déconstruisant le mythe politique qui fait de Verdi le « père de la patrie italienne », ce texte propose une relecture de la représentation habituelle des rapports entre l’opéra et le Risorgimento italien. Il ne s’agit pas de nier la part prise par l’opéra dans le processus de construction du discours nationaliste, mais de mettre en évidence et d’analyser les dispositifs spécifiques et parfois contradictoires de cette implication. L’article entreprend de comprendre comment les salles de théâtre ont été des lieux-clés de la diffusion du discours patriotique, et surtout d’analyser l’échange complexe et à double sens qui s’est produit, en particulier entre 1846 et 1849, entre le mélodrame en musique et le mouvement nationaliste italien : les thèmes patriotiques entrent dans les intrigues des livres d’opéra et enflamment les parterres bien au delà des intentions des compositeurs, tandis que les dispositifs de la narration mélodramatique influencent le langage, les gestes et la narration politique du moment. Le texte montre comment, dans l’Italie du Risorgimento , le discours national a été marqué par l’« imagination mélodramatique » dont Peter Brooks a magistralement parlé.
Théâtre et révolution à la veille de 1848
Authors: Robert Vincent
Published: May 2011

Résumé On a souvent dit que le triomphe de la pièce de Dumas Le Chevalier de Maison-Rouge . Un épisode du temps des Girondins était un signe avant-coureur de la révolution de 1848. Or, l’année précédente, les critiques avaient été d’un tout autre avis ; les conservateurs enthousiastes, tandis que les républicains cachaient mal leurs réserves pour une pièce qui, d’après eux, ridiculisait la révolution et les sans-culottes parisiens. L’énorme succès de la pièce pose donc une question : avaient-ils vu le même spectacle ? À quoi les censeurs et la critique ont-ils été aveugles ? A contrario , qu’est-ce qui a pu séduire le public du Paris populaire ?
Entre tréteaux et barricades
Authors: Moisand Jeanne
Published: May 2011

Résumé À la fin du XIX e siècle, alors que le théâtre devient cher et élitiste en Europe, son accès s’ouvre à l’inverse à Barcelone aux spectateurs ouvriers. Souvent analphabètes, ces derniers fréquentent assidûment les théâtres « publics » et les salles associatives, et incarnent eux-mêmes la plupart des pièces à succès dans leurs sociétés d’amateurs. Adeptes du théâtre « sérieux » (en trois actes et plus), en musique ou non, ces milieux apprécient aussi de plus en plus les pièces brèves et commerciales produites à Madrid. Ces goûts diversifiés leur permettent d’investir un espace culturel bilingue et socialement partagé. La « récréation » théâtrale des milieux populaires, d’abord promue par divers réformateurs sociaux, se politise progressivement. Dans le contexte conflictuel de la Barcelone fin-de-siècle, les nouveaux publics ouvriers se mobilisent au théâtre, pour exiger l’accès à une réelle représentation politique et à une culture « libre ».
Le carnaval du temps présent
Authors: Charle Christophe
Published: May 2011

Résumé La vie théâtrale de la seconde moitié du XIX e siècle est marquée par la multiplication des genres hybrides et parodiques. Dans une période où la lutte pour la liberté d’expression est en voie de gagner la partie, ils servent de commentaires à l’actualité multiforme des grandes villes et, en particulier, des capitales, lieux centraux de ces combats politiques. Bien que fondées sur des stéréotypes et des conventions scéniques répétitives, les revues d’actualité occupent une place constante et parfois grandissante dans la programmation saisonnière des théâtres mais aussi des nouveaux spectacles concurrents. À travers l’analyse d’une série de revues présentées à Paris dans la seconde moitié du XIX e siècle et d’un échantillon plus restreint proposé à Bruxelles, l’article montre comment ces spectacles empruntent à tous les registres, du plus futile au plus sérieux, abordent assez librement presque tous les thèmes sans enfreindre certaines autolimitations et mettent au jour les ressorts centraux de la culture moyenne, à un moment où celle-ci est bousculée par le changement du paysage social et du paysage urbain. Libéré des conventions du réalisme et des rôles fixes des genres traditionnels, ce type de pièce se diffuse dans un large spectre de public et est d’autant plus apprécié ou corrosif que les autres genres s’affadissent. Inversement, quand les mécanismes de la censure disparaissent, il perd sa fonction de dérision au profit du spectaculaire ou du voyeurisme. Le décalage d’évolution entre Paris, ville plus tôt libérée des conformismes, et Bruxelles, espace public sous contrainte, met en valeur combien ce genre parodique dépend du contexte politique, moral et religieux global pour garder son efficacité critique.