bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘I Can’t Seem To Stay A Fixed Ideal’: Self-design and self-harm in subcultures
Authors: Mankowski Guy
Published: March 2014

This article investigates the personal and social impact of predominantly musical subcultures. It looks at the extent to which in particular punk and post-punk subcultures have validated ideas of self-design. ‘Self-design’ here is a term analogous to S. Greenblatt’s (1983) concept of ‘self-fashioning’, referring to the capacity some influencers have to validate the subversion of cultural norms in aspects of personal presentation. After briefly contextualizing the historical and cultural backdrops such groups and individuals have emerged from (e.g. mod, punk, post-punk, New Romantic and Riot Grrl) this article will examine the social norms such figures can subvert. It will then go on to focus upon more extreme examples of self-design using the case study of Richey Edwards. The article concludes by drawing from recent research to investigate where self-design ends and self-harm begins.
Book Review
Authors: Kiszely Philip
Published: March 2014

The City is Ablaze! The Story of a Post-Punk Popzine, 1984–1994, Karren Ablaze! (2013) Leeds: Mittens On Publishing, 320 pp., ISBN: 9780957427006, p/bk, £25
The examination of relationships between emotional intelligence levels and creativity levels of pre-service teachers in the teaching-learning process and environments
Authors: Duman Bilal , Göçen Güler , Yakar Ali
Published: March 2014

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence levels and creativity levels of pre-service teachers in the process of constructing educational system in Turkey. In the study, mixed methods which include qualitative and quantitative data were used. The study was done in 2011-2012 academic year with the participation of the students of Muğla University, Faculty of Education, Departments of Elementary Science Teaching, Elementary School Teaching, Pre-School Teaching, Elementary Social Sciences Teaching, Turkish Language Teaching and English Language Teaching. The questionnaire which was adapted to Turkish language by Tatar et al. (2011) "Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire" was used to determine the pre-service teachers' emotional intelligence levels. Additionally, the questionnaire which was adapted to Turkish language by Aksoy (2004) "How Creative Are You?" was used to determine the pre-service teachers' creativity levels. And "Personal Data Form" was used to collect personal data of the pre-service teachers. For the collection of qualitative data, semi-structured interview form prepared by the researchers, and "Personal Data Form" were used to. In order to analyze the quantitative data, "t test" and one-way anova were used. Both critical and interpretive analysis techniques were applied together in the analysis of the qualitative data. According to results of the study, it was determined that emotional intelligence levels of pre-service teachers vary significantly based on gender; yet, no significant difference based on grade level and department was observed. Additionally, it was determined that creativity levels of pre-service teachers vary significantly depending on department, but no significant difference is observed based on gender and grade level. And finally, it was determined that there was positive and significant relationship at a low level between emotional intelligence levels and creativity levels of pre-service teachers.
Efficient Imputation of Missing Markers in Low-Coverage Genotyping-by-Sequencing Data from Multiparental Crosses
Authors: Huang B Emma , Raghavan Chitra , Mauleon Ramil , Broman Karl W , Leung Hei
Published: March 2014

We consider genomic imputation for low-coverage genotyping-by-sequencing data with high levels of missing data. We compensate for this loss of information by utilizing family relationships in multiparental experimental crosses. This nearly quadruples the number of usable markers when applied to a large rice Multiparent Advanced Generation InterCross (MAGIC) study.
Fisher’s Geometrical Model Emerges as a Property of Complex Integrated Phenotypic Networks
Authors: Martin Guillaume
Published: March 2014

Models relating phenotype space to fitness (phenotype–fitness landscapes) have seen important developments recently. They can roughly be divided into mechanistic models (e.g., metabolic networks) and more heuristic models like Fisher’s geometrical model. Each has its own drawbacks, but both yield testable predictions on how the context (genomic background or environment) affects the distribution of mutation effects on fitness and thus adaptation. Both have received some empirical validation. This article aims at bridging the gap between these approaches. A derivation of the Fisher model “from first principles” is proposed, where the basic assumptions emerge from a more general model, inspired by mechanistic networks. I start from a general phenotypic network relating unspecified phenotypic traits and fitness. A limited set of qualitative assumptions is then imposed, mostly corresponding to known features of phenotypic networks: a large set of traits is pleiotropically affected by mutations and determines a much smaller set of traits under optimizing selection. Otherwise, the model remains fairly general regarding the phenotypic processes involved or the distribution of mutation effects affecting the network. A statistical treatment and a local approximation close to a fitness optimum yield a landscape that is effectively the isotropic Fisher model or its extension with a single dominant phenotypic direction. The fit of the resulting alternative distributions is illustrated in an empirical data set. These results bear implications on the validity of Fisher’s model’s assumptions and on which features of mutation fitness effects may vary (or not) across genomic or environmental contexts.
Nascent DNA Synthesis During Homologous Recombination Is Synergistically Promoted by the Rad51 Recombinase and DNA Homology
Authors: Mundia Maureen M , Desai Vatsal , Magwood Alissa C , Baker Mark D
Published: March 2014

In this study, we exploited a plasmid-based assay that detects the new DNA synthesis (3′ extension) that accompanies Rad51-mediated homology searching and strand invasion steps of homologous recombination to investigate the interplay between Rad51 concentration and homology length. Mouse hybridoma cells that express endogenous levels of Rad51 display an approximate linear increase in the frequency of 3′ extension for homology lengths of 500 bp to 2 kb. At values below ∼500 bp, the frequency of 3′ extension declines markedly, suggesting that this might represent the minimal efficient processing segment for 3′ extension. Overexpression of wild-type Rad51 stimulated the frequency of 3′ extension by ∼3-fold for homology lengths <900 bp, but when homology was >2 kb, 3′ extension frequency increased by as much as 10-fold. Excess wild-type Rad51 did not increase the average 3′ extension tract length. Analysis of cell lines expressing N-terminally FLAG-tagged Rad51 polymerization mutants F86E, A89E, or F86E/A89E established that the 3′ extension process requires Rad51 polymerization activity. Mouse hybridoma cells that have reduced Brca2 (Breast cancer susceptibility 2) due to stable expression of small interfering RNA show a significant reduction in 3′ extension efficiency; expression of wild-type human BRCA2, but not a BRCA2 variant devoid of BRC repeats 1–8, rescues the 3′ extension defect in these cells. Our results suggest that increased Rad51 concentration and homology length interact synergistically to promote 3′ extension, presumably as a result of enhanced Brca2-mediated Rad51 polymerization.
Effect of different doses of GA3 application at primordia initiation stage on the growth and yield of Oyster mushroom
Authors: Sarker RR , Chowdhury AKMSH
Published: March 2014

Gibberellic acid (GA3) was sprayed with eleven doses viz. 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 ppm at the primordia initiation stage to evaluate its effect on the growth and yield performance of Oyster Mushroom. At 10 ppm level GA3 gave the highest economic yield and dry weight. Application of GA3 increased the fresh economic yields to about 30% and 34%, while 80% and 115% dry weights increase occurred compared to the control at first and second harvests, respectively. GA3 showed a positive effect on number of effective fruiting body, stalk length, pileus diameter, biological yield, economic yield and dry economic yield. The result suggested that GA3 at 10 ppm/packet would be the best possible concentration for production of Oyster Mushroom. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i1.18196 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(1): 5-10, 2013
Isolation and characterization of piperine from the fruits of black pepper (Piper nigrum)
Authors: Saha KC , Seal HP , Noor MA
Published: March 2014

Black pepper (Piper nigrum) is a spice vine crop which is used as a food preservative and as an essential component in traditional medicines. The aim of this study was to extract, isolate and characterize the structure of piperine. The fruits of black pepper were extracted in ethanol and compounds present identified by TLC under iodine vapour. A compound (A2) having Rf value 0.54 was isolated by column chromatography which may be responsible for the pungency of black pepper. After recrystallization of the isolate with benzene and chloroform mixture (7:1) gave pale yellow crystals of m.p. 128~129oC (reported 130oC). The IR, 1H NMR and mass spectra of the pure crystalline compound (A2) were recorded. The mass spectra of the compound (A2) showed molecular ion peak M+· at 284.5 which was similar to that of piperine (mol. wt. 285). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i1.18197 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(1): 11-16, 2013
Organic and inorganic fertilization on the yield and quality of soybean
Authors: Khaim S , Chowdhury MAH , Saha BK
Published: March 2014

Combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers can play an important role for increasing yield and quality of soybean. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at Genetics and Plant Breeding farm, Bangladesh Agricultural University from July to November, 2011 to evaluate the effect of cowdung and poultry manure with chemical fertilizer on the yield and quality of soybean cv. BINA soybean-2. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design having 9 treatments viz. control (CT), 100% recommended dose of chemical fertilizers (RDCF100%), 50% RDCF (RDCF50%), cowdung 10 t ha-1 (CD10 t ha-1), 50% RDCF + CD 5 t ha-1 (RDCF50% + CD5 t ha-1), 75% RDCF + CD 3 t ha-1 (RDCF75% + CD3 t ha-1), poultry manure 3 t ha-1 (PM3 t ha-1), 50% RDCF + PM 1.5 t ha-1 (RDCF50% + PM1.5 t ha-1) and 75% RDCF + PM 1 t ha-1 (RDCF75% + PM1 t ha-1) with 3 replications. All the treatments significantly influenced the yield, yield attributing parameters and protein content except oil content of BINA soybean-2. The highest plant height, yield, branches plant-1, filled pods plant-1, grain plant-1 and 100-grain wt. were found in RDCF100%, which were statistically identical with RDCF75%+PM1 t ha-1 and RDCF75%+CD3 t ha-1 and the lowest values of all the parameters were obtained from control treatment. The maximum protein content was observed in RDCF100%, which was identical to RDCF75%+PM1 t ha-1 and RDCF75%+CD3 t ha-1 and the lowest value was found in control. The overall finding of this study indicated that organic manure in combination with the recommended dose of chemical fertilizers can be applied to achieve better yield and quality of soybean as well as to improve soil fertility status. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i1.18199 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(1): 23-28, 2013
Empowerment and Microfinance: A socioeconomic study of female garment workers in Dhaka City
Authors: Rahman MA , Khatun M , Tasnim Z , Islam N
Published: March 2014

This paper is an endeavor to depict the reasons for migration and involving with garments industry, adequacy, sources and utilization of credit, and empowerment of the female garments workers in a selected area of Dhaka City. Primary data were collected from 60 respondents in two categories such as: 30 helpers and 30 operators, randomly. Descriptive statistics such as percentage and arithmetic mean were applied to analyze the data and to describe socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents. Poverty, search for job and husbands work in Dhaka, financial help to family, secure more income and assure basic needs were the main reasons for involving with garments industry. Average amount applied for loan was Tk. 5650.00 and average amount of loan received was Tk. 4450.00 which was 78.23% of total applied amount in the category of Helper. On the other hand, average amount applied for loan was Tk. 10540.00 and average amount of loan received was Tk. 7670.00 which was 72.77% of total applied amount in the category of Operator. About 94% respondents (Helper) keep their earnings and spend independently; this figure was about 97% for operator. Level of income, human and social capital improved in both helper and operator categories but savings decreased 66.67% and 40% respectively. In the areas of decision making like food selection, treatment, visit to relatives, family planning all the cases vastly improved. This study recommended measures for improving the prevailing microfinance facilities, to a great extent, to achieve female workers empowerment and satisfaction at the maximum level. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i1.18223 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(1): 125-132, 2013
Growth stage sensitivity of wheat to irrigation water salinity
Authors: Mojid MA , Mia MS , Saha AK , Tabriz SS
Published: March 2014

The effects of irrigation water salinity (12 dS m?1), imposed at maximum tillering (35?40 days after sowing, DAS) or booting (50?60 DAS) or grain filling (75?85 DAS) stage of wheat, on growth and yield of the crop was demonstrated. The experiment comprised four treatments  I1: irrigation by fresh water (FW) at all three growth stages (control), I2: irrigation by saline water (SW) at maximum tillering stage and by FW at other stages, I3: irrigation by SW at booting stage and by FW at other stages, and I4: irrigation by SW at grain filling stage and by FW at other stages. The experiment was set in a randomized complete block with three replications. Wheat was grown under three irrigations (each of 3 cm) and recommended fertilizer doses (120 kg N, 32 kg P, 62 kg K, 20 kg S, 3 kg Zn and 1 kg B ha?1). Salinity of irrigation water imposed, separately, at the three growth stages did not impart significant (p = 0.05) negative influence on plant height, spike density, spike length, spikelets and grains per spike and 1000-grain weight. It, however, significantly hindered leaf area index (LAI), above ground dry matter (ADM), grain and straw yields, grain-straw ratio and water productivity of the crop. The least grain (3.622 t ha?1) and straw (5.772 t ha?1) yields, LAI (1.24 and 2.18 at 50 and 70 DAS, respectively), ADM (0.80, 4.78 and 7.66 t ha?1) and water productivity (186.5 and 297.3 kg ha?1 cm?1) obtained under I3 implied that salinity of irrigation water imposed at booting stage exerted the maximum retarding effects on the growth and yield of wheat. Grain yield decreased by 13.4% in I3 over the control, I1. An increase in grain and biomass yields by 14.3 and 11.9%, respectively under I2 over I1 demonstrated a positive contribution of irrigation water salinity imposed at maximum tillering stage of wheat. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i1.18226 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(1): 147-152, 2013
Environmental awareness among the industrial workers: A study in Tangail district, Bangladesh
Authors: Shil SC , Sarker BC , Akter A , Bakali B
Published: March 2014

The Principal determination of the study was to fix the extent of environmental sentience among the different classes of industrial workers. A hundred ten workers were selected through purposive sampling technique from several industries in the region of Tangail district, Bangladesh. Among the selected workers, the female respondents were 37 in number and rests of the 73 were male. The workers were asked questions to appraise their level of understanding considering environment, environmental issues, and their persuasion to solve the different environmental problems. The determinations disclosed that, majority (91.8%) of the workers have approximately general conception about environment, idea about pollution of environmental constituents, Global warming and climate change awareness. From the view of most (85.5%) of the workers, the country is most vulnerable due to environmental pollution and not executing competent rules and ordinance along with public awareness. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i1.18228 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(1): 159-164, 2013
Adjuvant in central neuraxial blocks
Authors: Akhtaruzzaman AKM
Published: March 2014

DOI
Comparative study in prolapse lumbar intervertebral disc (PLID) surgery by spinal vs general anaesthesia
Authors: Chowdhury Md Shahnewaz , Roy Sabya Sachi , Rahman Md Matiur , Hossain Md Mozaffer , Alim SMA
Published: March 2014

Background Lumbar discectomy is most commonly performed under general anaesthesia, which can be associated with several perioperative morbidities including nausea, vomiting, atelectasis, pulmonary aspiration, and prolonged post-anaesthesia recovery. It is possible that fewer complications may occur if the procedure is performed under spinal anesthesia. Objective We have compared patient satisfaction between spinal versus general anaesthesia in patients for single level lumbar surgery. Methods Eighty consecutive patients of ASA grade I-II were recruited and randomized into two equal groups, with half of this patients receiving spinal anaesthesia (n-40) and the remainder general anaesthesia (n-40). A comprehensive postoperative evaluation was carried out documenting any anaesthetic complications, pace of physiological and functional recovery and patient satisfaction. Variables were recorded as pain level using a visual analogue scale (VAS) at 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours; patient level of satisfaction during the stay on the ward using verbal rating scale (VRS) as it was detected by A p-value < 0.05 were considered as significant. Results Spinal anaesthesia patients achieved the milestones of physiological and functional recovery more rapidly and reported less postoperative pain. Perioperative hypotension in 25 % of patients and none was hypertensive in spinal group and in G/A Group 05% of patients was hypotensive and 20% were hypertensive. Postoperative pain intensity more in G/A group than spinal group. Patient satisfaction in spinal group was more comparative to G/A group. Conclusion Spinal anaesthesia ensures better operating conditions, better postoperative pain control and a quicker postoperative recovery when compared to general anaesthesia for single level lumbar spine surgery DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbsa.v23i2.18173 Journal of BSA, 2009; 23(2): 47-50
In vitro and in vivo Biocompatibility of Alginate Dialdehyde/Gelatin Hydrogels with and without Nanoscaled Bioactive Glass for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Rottensteiner Ulrike , Sarker Bapi , Heusinger Dominik , Dafinova Diana , Rath Subha , Beier Justus , Kneser Ulrich , Horch Raymund , Detsch Rainer , Boccaccini Aldo , Arkudas Andreas
Published: March 2014

In addition to good mechanical properties needed for three-dimensional tissue engineering, the combination of alginate dialdehyde, gelatin and nano-scaled bioactive glass (45S5) is supposed to combine excellent cellular adhesion, proliferation and differentiation properties, good biocompatibility and predictable degradation rates. The goal of this study was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility as a first step on the way to its use as a scaffold in bone tissue engineering. In vitro evaluation showed good cell adherence and proliferation of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells seeded on covalently crosslinked alginate dialdehyde-gelatin (ADA-GEL) hydrogel films with and without 0.1% nano-Bioglass® (nBG). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)- and mitochondrial activity significantly increased in both ADA-GEL and ADA-GEL-nBG groups compared to alginate. However, addition of 0.1% nBG seemed to have slight cytotoxic effect compared to ADA-GEL. In vivo implantation did not produce a significant inflammatory reaction, and ongoing degradation could be seen after four weeks. Ongoing vascularization was detected after four weeks. The good biocompatibility encourages future studies using ADA-GEL and nBG for bone tissue engineering application.
Comparison of Eight Techniques for Reconstructing Multi-Satellite Sensor Time-Series NDVI Data Sets in the Heihe River Basin, China
Authors: Geng Liying , Ma Mingguo , Wang Xufeng , Yu Wenping , Jia Shuzhen , Wang Haibo
Published: March 2014

More than 20 techniques have been developed to de-noise time-series vegetation index data from different satellite sensors to reconstruct long time-series data sets. Although many studies have compared Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) noise-reduction techniques, few studies have compared these techniques systematically and comprehensively. This study tested eight techniques for smoothing different vegetation types using different types of multi-temporal NDVI data (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) (Global Inventory Modeling and Map Studies (GIMMS) and Pathfinder AVHRR Land (PAL), Satellite Pour l’ Observation de la Terre (SPOT) VEGETATION (VGT), and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) (Terra)) with the ultimate purpose of determining the best reconstruction technique for each type of vegetation captured with four satellite sensors. These techniques include the modified best index slope extraction (M-BISE) technique, the Savitzky-Golay (S-G) technique, the mean value iteration filter (MVI) technique, the asymmetric Gaussian (A-G) technique, the double logistic (D-L) technique, the changing-weight filter (CW) technique, the interpolation for data reconstruction (IDR) technique, and the Whittaker smoother (WS) technique. These techniques were evaluated by calculating the root mean square error (RMSE), the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), and the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). The results indicate that the S-G, CW, and WS techniques perform better than the other tested techniques, while the IDR, M-BISE, and MVI techniques performed worse than the other techniques. The best de-noise technique varies with different vegetation types and NDVI data sources. The S-G performs best in most situations. In addition, the CW and WS are effective techniques that were exceeded only by the S-G technique. The assessment results are consistent in terms of the three evaluation indexes for GIMMS, PAL, and SPOT data in the study area, but not for the MODIS data. The study will be very helpful for choosing reconstruction techniques for long time-series data sets.
Influence of Surface Position along the Working Range of Conoscopic Holography Sensors on Dimensional Verification of AISI 316 Wire EDM Machined Surfaces
Authors: Fernández Pedro , Blanco David , Rico Carlos , Valiño Gonzalo , Mateos Sabino
Published: March 2014

Conoscopic holography (CH) is a non-contact interferometric technique used for surface digitization which presents several advantages over other optical techniques such as laser triangulation. Among others, the ability for the reconstruction of high-sloped surfaces stands out, and so does its lower dependence on surface optical properties. Nevertheless, similarly to other optical systems, adjustment of CH sensors requires an adequate selection of configuration parameters for ensuring a high quality surface digitizing. This should be done on a surface located as close as possible to the stand-off distance by tuning frequency (F) and power (P) until the quality indicators Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and signal envelope (Total) meet proper values. However, not all the points of an actual surface are located at the stand-off distance, but they could be located throughout the whole working range (WR). Thus, the quality of a digitized surface may not be uniform. The present work analyses how the quality of a reconstructed surface is affected by its relative position within the WR under different combinations of the parameters F and P. Experiments have been conducted on AISI 316 wire EDM machined flat surfaces. The number of high-quality points digitized as well as distance measurements between different surfaces throughout the WR allowed for comparing the metrological behaviour of the CH sensor with respect to a touch probe (TP) on a CMM.
Pilot Experience in Senegal with Peritoneal Dialysis for End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Niang Abdou , Cisse Mouhamadou Moustapha , Mahmoud Sidi Mohamed Ould M. , Lemrabott Ahmed Tall Ould , Ka El Hadji Fary , Diouf Boucar
Published: March 2014

Introduction

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is occasionally used in western sub-Saharan Africa to treat patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The present study is a retrospective review of the initial six years’ experience with PD for ESRD therapy in Senegal, a West African country with a population of over 12 million.

Material and Methods

Single-center retrospective cohort study of patients treated with PD between March 2004 and December 2010. Basic demographic data were collected on all patients. Peritonitis rates, causes of death and reasons for transfer to hemodialysis (HD) were determined in all patients.

Results

Sixty-two patients were included in the study. The median age was 47 ± 13 years with a male/female ratio of 1.21. Nephrosclerosis and diabetic nephropathy were the main causes of ESRD. The mean Charlson score was 3 ± 1 with a range of 2 to 7. Forty five peritonitis episodes were diagnosed in 36 patients (58%) for a peritonitis rate of 1 episode/20 patient-months (0.60 episodes per year). Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most commonly identified organisms. Touch contamination has been implicated in 26 cases (57.7%). In 23 episodes (51%), bacterial cultures were negative. Catheter removal was necessary in 12 cases (26.6%) due to mechanical dysfunction, fungal or refractory infection. Sixteen patients died during the study.

Conclusion

Peritoneal dialysis is a suitable therapy which may be widely used for ESRD treatment in western sub-Saharan Africa. A good peritonitis rate can be achieved despite the difficult living conditions of patients. Challenges to the development of PD programs include training health care providers, developing an infrastructure to support the program, and developing a cost structure which permits expansion of the PD program.
Prognostic Value of Serum Von Willebrand Factor, but Not Soluble Icam and Vcam, for Mortality and Cardiovascular Events is Independent of Residual Renal Function in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Dong Jie , Li Yan-Jun , Yang Zhi-Kai , Xu Rong
Published: March 2014

Objective

We explored associations between markers of endothelial dysfunction and outcome events, and whether those associations were independent of residual renal function (RRF) in patients on peritoneal dialysis.

Methods

The study enrolled 261 incident patients and 68 healthy control subjects who were followed till death, censoring, or study end. Demographics, biochemistry, markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein) and endothelial dysfunction [soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM), soluble vascular adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM), and von Willebrand factor (vWf)] were examined at baseline. Outcome events included all-cause death and fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular (CV) events.

Results

Mean levels of vWf, sICAM, and sVCAM were significantly higher in patients than in healthy control subjects. Levels of sICAM and sVCAM, but not vWf, were significantly correlated with RRF. Levels of sICAM and vWf both predicted all-cause mortality and fatal and nonfatal CV events after adjustment for recognizable CV risk factors. The association between sICAM and outcome events disappeared after further adjustment for RRF. However, RRF did not change the predictive role of vWf for outcome events. Compared with the lowest vWf quartile (6.6% – 73.9%), the highest vWf quartile (240.9% – 1161%) predicted the highest risk for fatal and nonfatal CV events (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.05; 95% confidence interval: 1.15 to 3.64; p = 0.014). We observed no associations between sVCAM and RRF, or sVCAM and any outcome event.

Conclusions

The prognostic value of vWf, but not sICAM, is independent of RRF in predicting mortality and CV events.
Peginesatide to Manage Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Zabaneh Raja , Roger Simon D. , El-Shahawy Mohamed , Roppolo Michael , Runyan Grant , O'Neil Janet , Qiu Ping
Published: March 2014

♦Background

Peginesatide is a novel, synthetic, peptide-based pegylated erythropoiesis-stimulating agent that is designed specifically to stimulate the erythropoietin receptor. The purpose of the present study was to assess, for the first time, the efficacy and safety of peginesatide in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD) and previously on epoetin treatment.

♦Methods

In this open-label multicenter study, 59 PD patients with CKD were converted from epoetin (alfa or beta) to once-monthly peginesatide. Doses were titrated to maintain hemoglobin levels between 10 g/dL and 12 g/dL during the 25 weeks of the study. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in mean hemoglobin values during the evaluation period (weeks 20 – 25).

♦Results

The mean hemoglobin value during the evaluation period was 11.3 ± 1.07 g/dL, and the mean change from baseline was 0.10 ± 1.15 g/dL (95% confidence limits: –0.24, 0.44 g/dL). During the evaluation period, most patients maintained hemoglobin levels between 10 g/dL and 12 g/dL (63.0%) and within ±1.0 g/dL of baseline (60.9%). The median weekly epoetin dose at baseline was 96.0 U/kg, and the median starting peginesatide dose was 0.047 mg/kg. Forty-three patients (72.9%) completed the study. Six patients (10.2%) received red blood cell transfusions. The observed adverse event profile was consistent with underlying conditions in the PD patient population. The most common adverse event was peritonitis (20.3%), a complication commonly associated with PD. Four deaths occurred during the study (2 related to septic shock, and 1 each to myocardial ischemia and myasthenia gravis).

♦Conclusions

In this study, once-monthly peginesatide maintained hemoglobin levels in PD patients after conversion from epoetin.
Predicting the Peritoneal Absorption of Icodextrin in Rats and Humans Including the Effect of α–Amylase Activity in Dialysate
Authors: Akonur Alp , Holmes Clifford J. , Leypoldt John K.
Published: March 2014

Background

Contrary to ultrafiltration, the three-pore model predictions of icodextrin absorption from the peritoneal cavity have not yet been reported likely, in part, due to difficulties in estimating the degradation of glucose-polymer chains by α–amylase activity in dialysate. We incorporated this degradation process in a modified three-pore model of peritoneal transport to predict ultrafiltration and icodextrin absorption simultaneously in rats and humans.

Methods

Separate three-pore models were constructed for humans and rats. The model for humans was adapted from PD Adequest 2.0 including a clearance term out of the peritoneal cavity to account for the absorption of large molecules to the peritoneal tissues, and considering patients who routinely used icodextrin by establishing steady-state plasma concentrations. The model for rats employed a standard three-pore model in which human kinetic parameters were scaled for a rat based on differences in body weight. Both models described the icodextrin molecular weight (MW) distribution as five distinct MW fractions. First order kinetics was applied using degradation rate constants obtained from previous in-vitro measurements using gel permeation chromatography. Ultrafiltration and absorption were predicted during a 4-hour exchange in rats, and 9 and 14-hour exchanges in humans with slow to fast transport characteristics with and without the effect of amylase activity.

Results

In rats, the icodextrin MW profile shifted towards the low MW fractions due to complete disappearance of the MW fractions greater than 27.5 kDa. Including the effect of amylase activity (60 U/L) resulted in 21.1% increase in ultrafiltration (UF) (7.6 mL vs 6.0 mL) and 7.1% increase in icodextrin absorption (CHO) (62.5% with vs 58.1%). In humans, the shift in MW profile was less pronounced. The fast transport (H) patient absorbed more icodextrin than the slow transport (L) patient during both 14-hour (H: 47.9% vs L: 40.2%) and 9-hour (H: 37.4% vs L: 31.7%) exchanges. While the UF was higher during the longer exchange, it varied modestly among the patient types (14-hour range: 460 – 509 mL vs 9-hour range: 382 – 389 mL). When averaged over all patients, the increases in UF and CHO during the 14-hour exchange due to amylase activity (7 U/L) were 15% and 1.5%, respectively.

Conclusion

The icodextrin absorption values predicted by the model agreed with those measured in rats and humans to accurately show the increased absorption in rats. Also, the model confirmed the previous suggestions by predicting an increase in UF specific to amylase activity in dialysate, likely due to the added osmolality by the small molecules generated as a result of the degradation process. As expected, this increase was more pronounced in rats than in humans because of higher dialysate concentrations of amylase in rats.
Can EPS Development be Avoided with Early Interventions? The Potential Role of Tamoxifen—A Single-Center Study
Authors: De Sousa–Amorim Erika , Del Peso Gloria , Bajo M. Auxiliadora , Alvarez Laura , Ossorio Marta , Gil Fernando , Bellon Teresa , Selgas Rafael
Published: March 2014

Background

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a severe complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Identification of patients at high risk for EPS (“EPS-prone”) and delivery of appropriate interventions might prevent its development. Our aim was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of all EPS and EPS-prone patients diagnosed at our PD unit.

Methods

For a 30-year period representing our entire PD experience, we retrospectively identified all patients with EPS (diagnosed according to International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis criteria) and all patients defined as EPS-prone because they met at least 2 established criteria (severe peritonitis, PD vintage greater than 3 years, severe hemoperitoneum, overexposure to glucose, and acquired ultrafiltration failure).

Results

Of 679 PD patients, we identified 20 with EPS, for an overall prevalence of 2.9%. Mean age at diagnosis was 50.2 ± 16.4 years, with a median PD time of 77.96 months (range: 44.36 – 102.7 months) and a median follow-up of 30.91 months (range: 4.6 – 68.75 months). Of patients with EPS, 10 (50%) received tamoxifen, 10 (50%) received parenteral nutrition, and 2 (10%) underwent adhesiolysis, with 25% mortality related to EPS. Another 14 patients were identified as EPS-prone. Median follow-up was 54.05 months (range: 11.9 – 87.04 months). All received tamoxifen, and 5 (36%) received corticosteroids; none progressed to full EPS. We observed no differences in baseline data between the groups, but the group with EPS had been on PD longer (84 ± 53 months vs 39 ± 20 months, p = 0.002) and had a higher cumulative number of days of peritoneal inflammation from peritonitis (17.2 ± 11.1 days vs 9.8 ± 7.9 days, p = 0.015). Overall mortality was similar in the groups. The incidence of EPS declined during our three decades of experience (5.6%, 3.9%, and 0.3%).

Conclusions

Being a serious, life-threatening complication of PD, EPS requires high suspicion to allow for prompt diagnosis and treatment. Early detection of EPS-prone states and delivery of appropriate intervention might prevent EPS development. Tamoxifen seems to be a key strategy in prevention, but caution should be used in interpreting our results. Additional randomized controlled studies are needed.
Alterations of Intercellular Junctions in Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells from Patients Undergoing Dialysis: Effect of Retinoic Acid
Authors: Retana Carmen , Sanchez Elsa , Perez-Lopez Alejandro , Cruz Armando , Lagunas Jesus , Cruz Carmen , Vital Socorro , Reyes Jose L.
Published: March 2014

Background

Dialysis patients are classified according to their peritoneal permeability as low transporter (LT, low solute permeability) or high transporter (HT, high solute permeability). Tight junction (TJ) proteins are critical to maintain ions, molecules and water paracellular transport through peritoneum. Exposure to peritoneal dialysis solutions causes damage to TJ in human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs). We analyzed the quantity, distribution and function of TJ proteins: claudin-1, -2 and -8, ZO-1 and occludin, in HPMC cultures from LT and HT patients. Since all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) might modify the expression of TJ proteins, we studied its effect on HPMCs.

Methods

Control HPMCs were isolated from human omentum, while HT or LT cells were obtained from dialysis effluents. Cells were cultured in presence of ATRA 0, 50 or 100 nM. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) measurement, immunostaining and Western blot analyses were performed.

Results

HT exhibited lower TER than control and LT monolayers. Immunofluorescence for TJ was weak and discontinuous along the cell contour, in LT and HT. Furthermore, claudin- 1, occludin and ZO-1 expressions were decreased. In all groups, claudin-2 was localized at nuclei. We observed that ATRA improved TJ distribution and increased TJ expression in HT. This retinoid did not modify claudin-2 and -8 expressions. All-trans retinoic acid decreased TER in HT, but had no effect in LT.

Conclusions

Tight junctions were altered in HPMCs from dialyzed patients. The HT monolayer has lower TER than LT, which might be associated with the peritoneal permeability in these patients. ATRA might be a therapeutic alternative to maintain mesothelial integrity, since it improved TJ localization and expression.
Mortality Rates do not Differ among Patients Prescribed Various Vitamin d Agents
Authors: Bond T. Christopher , Wilson Steve , Moran John , Krishnan Mahesh
Published: March 2014

Background

Limited well-controlled research exists examining the impact of different formulations of oral vitamin D on clinical outcomes in dialysis patients, specifically those on peritoneal dialysis. For this retrospective mortality analysis, we compared mortality rates of patients on 3 of the most commonly prescribed vitamin D agents.

Methods

We examined 2 years (7/1/2008 to 6/30/2010) of oral medication records of peritoneal dialysis patients from a large US dialysis organization. Patients were identified whose physicians prescribed a single form of vitamin D (calcitriol, paricalcitol, or doxercalciferol) for ≥ 90% of all patient-months. We excluded incident patients (< 90 days on dialysis) and patients whose physicians treated < 5 peritoneal dialysis patients at a dialysis facility, and we assessed mortality.

Results

The analysis inclusion criteria identified 1,707 patients. The subset in this analysis included 12.6% of all prevalent peritoneal dialysis patients and 11.8% of prevalent patient-months. Patients with physicians who predominately prescribed calcitriol had a lower mortality rate: 9.33 (confidence interval (CI) 7.06, 11.60) deaths per 100 patient-years than the doxercalciferol, 12.20 (CI 9.34, 15.06) or paricalcitol, 12.27 (CI 9.27, 15.28) groups. However, these differences were not statistically significant. A Cox proportional hazards model, adjusting for differences in age, vintage, gender, race, body mass index, and comorbidities also showed no significant differences.

Conclusions

For this peritoneal dialysis population, instrumental variable analyses showed no significant difference in mortality in patients taking the most common oral vitamin D formulations (calcitriol, doxercalciferol, paricalcitol).
The Association between Body Mass Index and Mortality on Peritoneal Dialysis: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Kim Yong Kyun , Kim Su-Hyun , Kim Hyung Wook , Kim Young Ok , Jin Dong Chan , Song Ho Chul , Choi Euy Jin , Kim Yong-Lim , Kim Yon-Su , Kang Shin-Wook , Kim Nam-Ho , Yang Chul Woo
Published: March 2014

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated that increased body mass index (BMI) is associated with decreased mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, the association between BMI and survival has not been well established in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). The aim of the study was to determine the association between BMI and mortality in the PD population using the Clinical Research Center (CRC) registry for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) cohort in Korea.

Methods

Prevalent patients with PD were selected from the CRC registry for ESRD, a prospective cohort study on dialysis patients in Korea. Patients were categorized into four groups by quartiles of BMI. Cox regression analysis was used to calculate the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of mortality with a BMI of quartile 2 (21.4 - 23.5 kg/m2) as the reference.

Results

A total of 900 prevalent patients undergoing PD were included. The median follow-up period was 24 months. The multivariate Cox proportional hazard model showed that the lowest quartile of BMI was associated with higher mortality (HR 3.00,95% confidence interval (CI), 1.26 - 7.15). However, the higher quartiles of BMI were not associated with mortality compared with the reference category of BMI quartile 2 (Quartile 3: HR 1.11, 95% CI, 0.43 - 2.85, Quartile 4: H R 1.64,95% CI, 0.66 - 4.06) after adjustment for clinical variables.

Conclusions

Lower BMI was a significant risk factor for death, but increased BMI was not associated with mortality in Korean PD patients.
Best Practices Consensus Protocol for Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Placement by Interventional Radiologists
Authors: Abdel–Aal Ahmed K. , Dybbro Paul , Hathaway Peter , Guest Steven , Neuwirth Michael , Krishnamurthy Venkat
Published: March 2014

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters can be placed by interventional radiologists, an approach that might offer scheduling efficiencies, cost-effectiveness, and a minimally invasive procedure. In the United States, changes in the dialysis reimbursement structure by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are expected to result in the increased use of PD, a less costly dialysis modality that offers patients the opportunity to receive dialysis in the home setting and to have more independence for travel and work schedules, and that preserves vascular access for future dialysis options. Placement of PD catheters by interventional radiologists might therefore be increasingly requested by nephrology practices, given that recent publications have demonstrated the favorable impact on PD practices of an interventional radiology PD placement capability.

Earlier reports of interventional radiology PD catheter placement came from single-center practices with smaller reported experiences. The need for a larger consensus document that attempts to establish best demonstrated practices for radiologists is evident. The radiologists submitting this consensus document represent a combined experience of more than 1000 PD catheter placements. The authors submit these consensus-proposed best demonstrated practices for placement of PD catheters by interventional radiologists under ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic guidance. This technique might allow for expeditious placement of permanent PD catheters in late-referred patients with end-stage renal disease, thus facilitating urgent-start PD and avoiding the need for temporary vascular access catheters.
Metformin in Peritoneal Dialysis: A Pilot Experience
Authors: Al-Hwiesh Abdulla Khalaf , Abdul-Rahman Ibrahiem Saeed , El-Deen Mohammad Ahmad Nasr , Larbi Emmanuel , Divino-Filho Jose C. , Al-Mohanna Fahd Abdul-Aziz , Gupta Krishan L.
Published: March 2014

Objective

In a number of patients, the antidiabetic drug metformin has been associated with lactic acidosis. Despite the fact that diabetes mellitus is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and that peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an expanding modality of treatment, little is known about optimal treatment strategies in the large group of PD patients with diabetes. In patients with ESRD, the use of metformin has been limited because of the perceived risk of lactic acidosis or severe hypoglycemia. However, metformin use is likely to be beneficial, and PD might itself be a safeguard against the alleged complications.

Methods

Our study involved 35 patients with insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes [median age: 54 years; interquartile range (IQR): 47–59 years] on automated PD (APD) therapy. Patients with additional risk factors for lactic acidosis were excluded. Metformin was introduced at a daily dose in the range 0.5 – 1.0 g. All patients were monitored for glycemic control by blood sugar levels and HbA1c. Plasma lactic acid levels were measured weekly for 4 weeks and then monthly to the end of the study. Plasma and effluent metformin and plasma lactate levels were measured simultaneously.

Results

In this cohort, the median duration of diabetes was 18 years (IQR: 14 – 21 years), median time on PD was 31 months (IQR: 27 – 36 months), and median HbA1c was 6.8% (IQR: 5.9% – 6.9%). At metformin introduction and at the end of the study, the median anion gap was 11 mmol/L (IQR: 9 – 16 mmol/L) and 12 mmol/L (IQR: 9 – 16 mmol/L; p > 0.05) respectively, median pH was 7.33 (IQR: 7.32 – 7.36) and 7.34 (IQR: 7.32 – 7.36, p > 0.05) respectively, and mean metformin concentration in plasma and peritoneal fluid was 2.57 ± 1.49 mg/L and 2.83 ± 1.7 mg/L respectively. In the group overall, mean lactate was 1.39 ± 0.61 mmol/L, and hyperlactemia (>2 mmol/L to 5 mmol/L) was found in 4 of 525 plasma samples (0.76%), but the patients presented no symptoms. None of the patients registered a plasma lactate level above 5 mmol/L. We observed no correlation between plasma metformin and plasma lactate ( r = 0.27).

Conclusions

Metformin may be used with caution in APD patients with insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes. Although our study demonstrated the feasibility of metformin use in APD, it was not large enough to demonstrate safety; a large-scale study is needed.