bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Range Expansion as a Response to Increasing Group Size in the Yunnan Snub-Nosed Monkey
Authors: Li Dayong , Ren Baoping , Li Baoguo , Li Ming
Published: January 2011

The Yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti) is characterized by a larger home range and group size than other colobine species. We investigated variations in home range size of a free-ranging group of R. bieti from 1998 to 2007 in the Baimaxueshan National Nature Reserve in Yunnan, China. Group size increased from 160 to 450 over the 10 years. Results also showed a home range shift and yearly home range expansion, although this expansion was very limited. The study group covered a 33.78-km2 area during the 10-year period, with some areas abandoned and others used repeatedly. The yearly home range increase stopped in 2004 and decreased thereafter. Despite increasing group size usually being coupled with larger yearly home range (>30 km2), the group confined itself within a relatively small and stable area (<18 km2) during 2005–2007, with a significant portion of their accessible home range discarded. Consequently, the study group showed the highest recorded population density among extant groups of R. bieti. Reasons why the group settled into a substantially smaller home range area remain unclear.
The Applicability of a Predictive Index for Second- and Third-Line Treatment of Unselected Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Wojas-Krawczyk Kamila , Krawczyk Paweł , Mlak Radosław , Kucharczyk Tomasz , Kowalski Dariusz M. , Krzakowski Maciej , Milanowski Janusz
Published: January 2011

Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors of EGFR (TKI-EGFR) induced response in only 10% of Caucasian non-small-cell lung cancer patients in second- or third-line treatment. Independent predictive factors for qualification to TKI-EGFR treatment have not been assessed. In 2008, a prognostic index was reported for patients treated with erlotinib in the BR.21 trial, but its application for real, unselected patients is limited. Objectives: Based on clinical and molecular factors of patients treated with erlotinib, we tried to create a predictive index which could be applied in real treatment practice. Methods: In a Cox regression model, we established 6 factors which affected overall survival for erlotinib treatment: performance status, erlotinib-induced rash, time from diagnosis to treatment, gender, weight loss and LDH level. We analyzed the risk factors of early progression and survival shorter than 6 months. In addition we included: time from first-line chemotherapy to erlotinib treatment, smoking status, mutation status in EGFR and anemia. Results: Our model consisted of 10 factors that were assigned points according to HR or χ2 and p value. The score was used to separate patients into 4 risk categories of unfavorable disease course based on 10th, 50th and 90th percentiles: low risk (I), intermediate low risk (II), intermediate high risk (III) and high risk (IV). Survival probability was significantly higher for group I, intermediate for groups II and III, and significantly lower for group IV (χ2 = 49.5, p < 0.0001). Based on the previously reported index we could not qualify our patients for the low risk group. Conclusions: Our model could be useful for qualification for erlotinib treatment of patients with numerous adverse factors and limited access to genetic examination.
Did Goethe Describe Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
Authors: Bonazza Sara , Scaglione Cesa , Poppi Massimo , Rizzo Giovanni
Published: January 2011

As early as 1846, the typical symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were described by Heinrich Hoffmann (1809–1894). However, in Goethe’s masterpiece Faust (1832), the character of Euphorion strongly suggests ADHD diagnosis.
Characterization and Functionality of Cardiac Progenitor Cells in Congenital Heart Patients
Authors: Mishra Rachana , Vijayan Kalpana , Colletti Evan J. , Harrington Daniel A. , Matthiesen Thomas S. , Simpson David , Goh Saik Kia , Walker Brandon L. , Almeida-Porada Graça , Wang Deli , Backer Carl L. , Dudley Samuel C. , Wold Loren E. , Kaushal Sunjay
Published: January 2011

Background—

Human cardiac progenitor cells (hCPCs) may promote myocardial regeneration in adult ischemic myocardium. The regenerative capacity of hCPCs in young patients with nonischemic congenital heart defects for potential use in congenital heart defect repair warrants exploration.

Methods and Results—

Human right atrial specimens were obtained during routine congenital cardiac surgery across 3 groups: neonates (age, <30 days), infants (age, 1 month to 2 years), and children (age, >2 to ≤13 years). C-kit
+
hCPCs were 3-fold higher in neonates than in children >2 years of age. hCPC proliferation was greatest during the neonatal period as evidenced by c-kit
+
Ki67
+
expression but decreased with age. hCPC differentiation capacity was also greatest in neonatal right atrium as evidenced by c-kit
+
, NKX2–5
+
, NOTCH1
+
, and NUMB
+
expression. Despite the age-dependent decline in resident hCPCs, we isolated and expanded right atrium–derived CPCs from all patients (n=103) across all ages and diagnoses using the cardiosphere method. Intact cardiospheres contained a mix of heart-derived cell subpopulations that included cardiac progenitor cells expressing c-kit
+
, Islet-1, and supporting cells. The number of c-kit
+
–expressing cells was highest in human cardiosphere-derived cells (hCDCs) grown from neonatal and infant right atrium. Furthermore, hCDCs could differentiate into diverse cardiovascular lineages by in vitro differentiation assays. Transplanted hCDCs promoted greater myocardial regeneration and functional improvement in infarcted myocardium than transplanted cardiac fibroblasts.

Conclusions—

Resident hCPCs are most abundant in the neonatal period and rapidly decrease over time. hCDCs can be reproducibly isolated and expanded from young human myocardial samples regardless of age or diagnosis. hCPCs are functional and have potential in congenital cardiac repair.
On the corkscrew condition for minimal sets
Authors: Hong Guanghao , Wang Lihe
Published: January 2011

In this paper a geometric property, namely the corkscrew condition, has been obtained for minimal sets.
Anonymization of Statistical Data
Authors: de Capitani di Vimercati Sabrina , Foresti Sara , Livraga Giovanni , Samarati Pierangela
Published: January 2011

In the modern digital society, personal information about individuals can be collected, stored, shared and disseminated much more easily and freely. Such data can be released in “macrodata” form, reporting aggregated information, or in “microdata” form, reporting specific information on individual respondents. To ensure proper privacy of individuals as well of public and private organizations, it is then important to protect possible sensitive information in the original dataset from either direct or indirect disclosure. In this paper, we characterize macrodata and microdata releases and then focus on microdata protection. We provide a characterization of the main microdata protection techniques and describe recent solutions for protecting microdata against identity and attribute disclosure, discussing some open issues that need to be investigated.
Synthesis and crystal structure of 4-ethyl-3-(4-methyl-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)-s-triazole-5-thione and 4-carboxymethyl-3-(4-methyl-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)-s-triazole-5-thione
Authors: Wawrzycka-Gorczyca Irena , Siwek Agata
Published: January 2011

The crystal structures of two new compounds were determined: 4-ethyl-3-(4-methyl-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)-s-triazole-5-thione (1), P21/n, a = 10.433(2), b = 7.975(2), c = 13.100(3) Å, β = 110.70(3)° and 4-carboxymethyl-3-(4-methyl-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)-s-triazole-5-thione (2), P21/c, a = 6.444(1), b = 14.721(3), c = 11.067(2) Å, β = 93.50(3)°. In both structures, the molecules form ähydrogen-bonded dimers through N1—H1n···S1 (triaäzole···S=C-triazole) interactions. The crystal structure of 1 is further stabilized by intermolecular C—H···N and S···S interactions, while in 2, C—H···N/O, O—H···N/S, S···S/O and π···π interactions are observed.
Clustering of Risk Factors: A Simple Method of Detecting Cardiovascular Disease in Youth
Authors: Shah Amy S. , Dolan Lawrence M. , Gao Zhiqian , Kimball Thomas R. , Urbina Elaine M.
Published: January 2011

OBJECTIVE:

Cardiovascular risk assessment is an accepted practice in adults and correlates with early changes in carotid structure and function. Its clinical use in pediatrics is less common. We sought to determine whether a simple method of clustering cardiovascular risks could detect early atherosclerotic changes in youth. In addition, we compared risk clustering with the accepted Patholobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth score to assess its utility for predicting early vascular disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

We collected demographic, anthropometric, laboratory, and vascular measures in a cross-sectional study. The study population (n = 474; mean age: 18 years) was divided into low-risk (0–1) or high-risk (≥2) groups on the basis of the number of cardiovascular risk factors present at evaluation. Group differences and vascular outcomes were compared. General linear models were used to compare clustering cardiovascular risks with the Patholobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth score.

RESULTS:

The high-risk group had higher vascular thickness and stiffness compared with the low-risk group (P < .05). Regression models found that clustering cardiovascular risks is associated with abnormal vascular structure and function after adjustment for age, race, and gender. The Patholobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth score also is associated with abnormal vascular structure and function but with lower R2 values (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Cardiovascular risk clustering is a reliable tool for assessing abnormal vascular function. Its simplicity, compared with the Patholobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth score, provides an advantageous tool for the practicing clinician to identify those youth who are at higher risk for early cardiovascular disease.
Are new recommendations on the prevention of infective endocarditis applicable in our environment?
Authors: Ivanovic Branislava , Matic Snezana , Pavlovic Milorad , Tadic Marijana , Simic Dragan
Published: January 2011

Introduction. Over half a century ago the process of prevention of infective
endocarditis in patients with predisposed cardiac diseases was started. The
application of prevention has been based on the fact that infective
endocarditis is preceded by bacteraemia, which can be caused by some invasive
diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and whose development can be prevented
by applying antibiotics before an intervention. According to the latest
guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology published this year,
prevention is recommended only in high risk patients with previous infective
endocarditis, prosthetic valves, cyanotic congenital heart diseases without
surgical repair or with residual defects, palliative shunts or conduits,
congenital heart diseases with complete repair with prosthetic material up to
six months after the procedure (surgery or percutaneous intervention), and
when the residual defect persists at the site of implantation of a prosthetic
material. In addition, antibiotic prophylaxis is limited to dental procedures
with the manipulation of gingival or periapical region of the teeth or
perforation of the oral mucosa. Objective. The aim of this testing was to
confirm whether these novelties in recommendations were applicable in our
environment. Methods. Fifty-seven patients (44 men and 13 women) with
infective endocarditis were included in the testing. Infective endocarditis
was diagnosed in 68% of patients based on two major criteria and in 32% based
on one major and three minor criteria. Results. In 54.4% of patients the
entry site of infection could be determined. Twenty-one percent of patients
developed infection after a dental intervention, 17.5% of patients the
infection occurred after a skin/soft tissue lesion, whereas urinary infection
preceded infective endocarditis in 14% of patients and bowel diverticulosis
was a possible cause in of 1.75% of patients. In all cases with infective
endocarditis preceded by the dental intervention, antibiotic prophylaxis was
not applied due to absent data of heart disease or negligence. Conclusion. In
our country a high incidence of infective endocarditis following dental
procedures has been observed. One of possible reasons is poor oral hygiene.
Its improvement and a regular dental control, as well as the individual risk
assessment of intervention and conditions under which the intervention is
performed could determine risk reduction for the development of infective
endocarditis.
Is morning urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio a reliable estimator of 24-hour proteinuria in patients with kidney diseases?
Authors: Lezaic Visnja , Ristic Stojanka , Dopsaj Violeta , Marinkovic Jelena
Published: January 2011

Introduction. Proteinuria is the most frequent marker of kidney damage.
Although 24-hour urinary proteinuria is the gold standard, the measurement
of proteinuria from albumin urinary creatinine ratio is proposed as much
useful metod. Objective. To evaluate the accuracy of urine
protein-to-creatinine (P/Cr) ratio in morning urine specimens as compared
with 24-hour total protein excretion for the measurement of proteinuria in
patients with different kidney diseases and different renal function levels.
Methods. Proteinuria in the studied patients was assessed by 24-hour protein
excretion (24-hour PRT) and spot urine P/Cr ratio. The analysis of
concordance between 24-hour PRT and P/ Cr was carried out using intraclass
correlation coefficient (ICC), paired t-test and Bland-Altman plots. The
discriminant cutoff values for spot urine P/Cr ratio in predicting 24-hour
protein ?threshold? excretion were determined using receiver operating
characteristic curves (ROC), as well as sensitivity and specificity.
Results. A total of 303 patients were included in the study. The concordance
between 24-hour PRT and P/Cr ratio was excellent (ICC 0.931). Systematic
overestimation of PRT by urinary P/ Cr ratio was disclosed (mean difference
0.138, p=0.011). The P/ Cr of 0.25 (sensitivity 0.90; specificity 0.96),
0.66 (1.00; 0.91) and 2.55 (1.0; 0.97) g/g reliably predicted 24-hour urine
total protein equivalent ?thresholds? at 0.2, 1.0 and 3.5 g/day. The chronic
renal failure group independently positively influenced the difference
between 24-hour PRT and P/Cr. It means the lower the kidney function the
higher is the difference between the two proteinuria measurements.
Conclusion. This study supports the recommendation of using spot urine P/Cr
ratio in proteinuria screening in patients with different kidney diseases.
The obtained results indicated better agreement between morning P/Cr and
24-hour PRT in patients with lower proteinuria and better kidney function.
Determinants of the most significant characteristics of reproductive health
Authors: Miljkovic Snezana , Djokic Dragoljub , Djukic-Dejanovic Slavica , Grbic Gordana , Mitrasinovic Dejan , Radosavljevic-Svetozarevic Jelena , Prelevic Rade , Krivokapic Zarko , Visnjic Aleksandar
Published: January 2011

Introduction. Reproductive health of women is determined by females?
demographic and socio-economic characteristics, their behavior, and the
complex of environmental factors. Objective. The paper examines the
predictive impact of personal and environmental characteristics, health and
healthcare characteristics regarding the most important aspects of
reproductive health. Methods From a sample of 2,718 women, aged 20-49 years,
we collected information on various characteristics using a structured
questionnaire. Based on factorial analysis (principal components method,
Kaisser Varimax criterion) we selected representative variables (factors),
describing personal (demographic and socio-economic) characteristics of
women, their environment (family, household, community), health (attitudes
towards health, life-style, health status), healthcare (independent) and the
characteristics of reproductive health (dependent variables). The predictors
were analyzed by multiple regression and correlation. Results. Sexual
behavior was determined by socio-economic status, personal tidiness, rest,
presence of risk factor(s), health evaluation and attitude toward personal
responsibility, trust in physicians etc. The predictors of contraception
involved satisfaction with one?s own health, serious health problems, health
evaluation. The presence and number of abortions were determined by personal
psychological maturity, rest, risk factors, life-style, health evaluation
and its manifestations, and the continuity and timely healthcare. The
predictors of adequate protection of reproductive health involved the
cultural level of the community, financial standing of the household,
satisfaction with one?s own life, tidiness and rest, presence of risk
factors, health evaluation, attitude towards personal responsibility, and
trust in physicians. HIV control was determined by satisfaction with one?s
own life, physical activity of women, presence of serious health problems,
and the content of primary healthcare. Postpartal protection was determined
by the cultural level of the community, reasons for dissatisfaction with
one?s own life, presence of risk factors and deficiencies, and timely
contraception. The predictors of reproductive period duration are
availability of health care in a community and personal tidiness of women.
Conclusion. The study confirmed predictive impact of most of the studied
characteristics.
Interparietal bone in forensic practice: Case report
Authors: Nikolic Slobodan , Zivkovic Vladimir , Jukovic Fehim
Published: January 2011

Introduction. In forensic autopsy, pathologists pay attention to skull
fracture lines. They are not much interested in the anatomical morphological
variations of the skull bones, as long as the variations are not present. The
interparietal bone is one of the anatomical variations that could be of
interest for forensic pathologists. Case Outline. We present a case of a
54-year-old man who, after a fall overlived a head injury for six weeks. By
chance, autopsy revealed an undivided interparietal bone. Its lateral sutures
were fused with parietal bones and unrecognizable from the anterior skull
bones, while the sutura mendosa was clearly visible. Conclusion. The forensic
pathologist should be able to recognize anatomic morphological variations,
including those of skull bones. The interparietal bone could be interpreted
wrongly as belonging to the fractured occipital bone, i.e. as a broken
fragment. This is of particular significance in the cases, for example, of
murder or child abuse. Its inferior suture can be seen by X-ray and possibly
wrongly interpreted as a fracture line. The presence of this variation may be
occasionally useful in the identification of an unknown or lost person.
Potential distribution and environmental threat of Pueraria lobata
Authors: Follak Swen
Published: January 2011

Pueraria lobata (kudzu) is an invasive weed originating from East Asia. Local infestations have been recently observed in Switzerland and northern Italy; however, the potential for P. lobata to spread and to become abundant and damaging in the Alpine countries is not known. The aim of this study was to project the potential distribution of P. lobata under current climate in Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia and parts of northern Italy using the ecoclimatic model CLIMEX. In addition, areas at risk were identified where P. lobata may occur as a strong and aggressive competitor. This was derived from the plants’ distribution and climatic requirements in the south-eastern United States where the heaviest infestations occur. Projections show that 60.84% of the total land area of northern Italy, followed by 47.08% of Slovenia, 21.01% of Austria and only 1.97% of Switzerland are climatically suitable. P. lobata may become a troublesome weed due to very favourable climatic conditions only in some parts of northern Italy and Slovenia. In climatically suitable areas, any occurrence of the plant should be carefully observed. In infested and highly climatically suitable areas, there is a need for strategic management to prevent further spread of P. lobata.
Les Rhodopes au XIVe siècle. Histoire administrative et prosopographie
Authors: Asdracha Catherine
Published: January 2011

REB 34 1976 France p. 175-209

Catherine Asdracha, Les Rhodopes au XIVe siècle. Histoire administrative et prosopo- graphie. — Poursuivant sur la situation administrative de cette région (voir REB 31, 1973, p. 257-297), l'auteur étudie les variations des districts administratifs dans les Rhodopes au cours des guerres civiles de la première moitié du XIVe siècle. La rapidité et la fréquence des changements de régime dans les principales villes introduisent de nombreuses variantes dans la dénomination des thèmes de la région. Parmi les noms des personnages relevés, on distingue les fonctionnaires civils et militaires mandatés par le pouvoir central, les archontes locaux, les chefs autonomes, enfin quelques personnages secondaires.
Une description de Constantinople traduite par un pèlerin anglais
Authors: Ciggaar Krijnie N.
Published: January 2011

REB 34 1976 France p. 211-267

Krijnie N. Ciggaar, Une description de Constantinople traduite par un pèlerin anglais. — Une description anonyme des sanctuaires et des reliques de Constantinople, publiée par S. G. Mercati d'après l'Ottobonianus lat. 169, passait pour appartenir à la fin du XIIe siècle. La découverte d'un témoin plus complet, le Digbeianus 112 (Oxford), qui date de la première moitié du XIIe siècle, permet d'envisager un point de départ plus haut pour la composition de l'original grec (de 1063 à la fin du Xe siècle) et de situer la traduction latine vers la fin du XIe ou le début du XIIe siècle. L'hypothèse que l'auteur de la traduction est un clerc anglais apparaît comme très vraisemblable d'après l'origine du manuscrit et divers indices littéraires et historiques. Le texte est édité avec un index des sanctuaires et des reliques. En appendice est éditée une description brève de Jérusalem, jointe à celle de Constantinople dans les manuscrits.
Questions de droit matrimonial : 1172-1175
Authors: Darrouzès Jean
Published: January 2011

REB 35 1977 France p. 107-157

J. Darrouzès, Questions de droit matrimonial : 1172-1175. — Deux questions de droit matrimonial occupent les milieux ecclésiastiques de 1172 à 1175 ; une première discussion sur un cas d'empêchement du mariage au sixième degré d'affinité en entraîne une seconde sur le bien-fondé du décret de Sisinius. Cinq documents inédits, tirés du Sinaiticus 1117 et du Parisinus 1234, concernent cette affaire : une lettre de Manuel Comnène, une lettre du patriarche au nom du synode, un discours synodal anonyme, un avis personnel du patriarche et un avis du métropolite d'Amasée. L'article comprend l'édition et la traduction des textes. Le principal intérêt de ces documents est de montrer d'une manière concrète et sur un point bien défini les échanges entre le pouvoir civil et le pouvoir ecclésiastique dans le domaine législatif.
Observations on some Turcica of Pachymeres
Authors: Zachariadou Elizabeth
Published: January 2011

REB 36 1978 France p. 261-267

Elizabeth Zachariadou, Observations on some Turcica of Pachymeres. — Πάκης, -παξις and -παξ have been considered to be the Greek renderings of the Turkish title beg in Pachymeres' orthography. According to the author, only πάκης is beg. Παξις stands for bakhshi : therefore Κουτζίμπαξις is the Greek rendering of Kodjabakhshi. Παξις stands also for bashi: therefore Τζασίμπαξις is the Greek rendering of the title Caushbashi. As for -παξ, it is the Greek transcription of the title pasha.
Note sur l'axiarque et le taxiarque
Authors: Cheynet Jean-Claude
Published: January 2011

REB 44 1986 France p. 233-235

J.-C. Cheynet, Note sur l'axiarque et le taxiarque. — Constatant que la fonction d'axiarque est bien attestée par des sceaux et par une inscription, l'auteur s'appuie sur un texte de Jahja d'Antioche pour établir l'équivalence vraisemblable entre les fonctions d'axiarque et de taxiarque.
Deux textes inédits du patriarche Germain
Authors: Darrouzès Jean
Published: January 2011

REB 45 1987 France p. 5-13

J. Darrouzès, Deux textes inédits du patriarche Germain. — Le manuscrit Mosquensis Mus. Hist. 265 contient des extraits de deux discours du patriarche Germain Ier, qui traitaient l'un des saintes images, l'autre du blocus de Constantinople par Souleiman ; édition avec introduction et traduction.
Le patriarche Méthode contre les Iconoclastes et les Stoudites
Authors: Darrouzès Jean
Published: January 2011

REB 45 1987 France p. 15-57

J. Darrouzès, Le patriarche Méthode contre les Iconoclastes et les Stoudites. — En plus d'une lettre du patriarche Méthode publiée récemment (I. Doens et Ch. Hannick), le Sinaiticus 441 en contient une autre, dirigée également contre les Stoudites. La publication de ces deux lettres avec traduction donne à l'auteur l'occasion de réexaminer les fragments de lettres du même patriarche, reproduits à la fin de l'article, que l'on peut maintenant reclasser de manière plus satisfaisante dans la série des actes.
Frère Simon le Constantinopolitain, O.P. (1235?-1325?)
Authors: Congourdeau Marie-Hélène
Published: January 2011

REB 45 1987 France p. 165-174

Marie-Hélène Congourdeau, Frère Simon le Constantinopolitain, O.P. (1235?-1325?). — L'article, présenté comme communication au 15e Congrès International d'Études Byzantines, brosse un portrait de fr. Simon de Constantinople, dominicain du couvent de Péra au début du 14e siècle. L'analyse des lettres (conservées dans le Vatic, gr. 1104 et le Sinait. gr. 1706) qu'il envoya à diverses personnalités byzantines de son époque, à propos de la procession du Saint Esprit, révèle un homme de culture essentiellement grecque, fait rare chez les frères prêcheurs de son époque. Cette correspondance donne également des renseignements précieux sur des documents concernant la controverse latino-grecque : mention d'un concile romain en 380 sur le Filioque et d'un manuscrit (perdu) donnant une version unique du texte grec des Dialogues de Grégoire le Grand.
Le culte de la Vierge de Jérusalem à Constantinopie aux 6e-7e siècles
Authors: Van Esbroeck Michel
Published: January 2011

REB 46 1988 France p. 181-190

M. van Esbroeck, Le culte de la Vierge de Jérusalem à Constantinople aux 6e - 7e siècles. — A l'analyse, les détails d'aménagement liturgique pour la fête de la Vierge aux Blachernes et aux Chalkopratées, livrés par les chronographes byzantins, s'avèrent relever moins d'un réflexe de collectionneur curieux que d'une juste estimation des enjeux politiques. Venues de Jérusalem, les processions de Constantinople ont dominé la place à la faveur de l'anti-chalcédonisme en 512, et elles aboutissent à une réforme qui coïncide avec l'absorption des symboles monophysites dans l'orthodoxie de l'empereur Maurice.
Fixation of pelvic floor fractures in cats
Authors: Montavon P. M. , Kipfer N. M.
Published: January 2011

Objectives: To retrospectively evaluate the outcome of internal fixation of trauma-related pelvic floor fractures using a ventral abdominal approach in cats.

Methods: Clinical examination and radio-graphic findings at presentation, after surgery, and at follow-up were assessed. Information gathered included concurrent injuries, surgical technique used, lameness and pain scores, and radiographic signs of implant stability.

Results: Ten European shorthair cats were included in the study. Pelvic floor fractures were stabilised using locking plates in nine cats, and symphyseal separation was fixated using hemicerclage wire in one cat. Additional procedures included reduction of sacroiliac luxation in nine cats with positional screws placed in six cats, and plate stabilization of sacral fractures in one cat.

All cats were able to walk within five days of surgery. No orthopaedic or neurological deficits were observed in seven cats at follow-up. Neurological deficits were observed in one cat. Signs of pain at implant sites due to inadequate surgical technique were noted in two cats. Anatomical reduction of the pelvic floor was achieved in eight cats.

Clinical significance: Stabilization of the pelvic floor and repair of sacroiliac luxation and other injuries by a ventral abdominal approach in cats led to an overall successful outcome. Fixation of the pelvic floor in cats with intact acetabular and ilial bones should be considered in patients with multiple pelvic fractures in combination with sacroiliac joint luxation or sacral fracture, pelvic canal narrowing, traumatic abdominal hernia, and other abdominal injuries.
Computed tomographic findings and treatment of an unusual fracture of the proximal ulna in a mature dog
Authors: Trevail T. , Comerford E. J. , Hattersley R. D.
Published: January 2011

This report describes the diagnosis and treatment of an unusual fracture of the proximal ulna in a four-year-old male neutered Labrador Retriever dog, the orientation of which has not been reported in the veterinary literature. Computed tomography allowed fracture visualisation and aided surgical planning. Fixation was achieved using a lag screw and an anti-rotational Kirschner wire. Six month follow-up indicated satisfactory outcome with complete return to normal function.
Assessment and Treatment of ADHD: An Update
Authors: Hendren Robert L.
Published: January 2011

ADHD affects patients differently as they age. Because there are new and developing treatments, physicians should be acquainted with the most appropriate treatments for patients of all ages. Treatments include psychosocial treatments; pharmaceutical treatments; and alternative therapies, including biofeedback.
Detection of Biomechanical Changes After Corneal Cross-Linking Using Ocular Response Analyzer Software
Authors: Spoerl Eberhard , Terai Naim , Scholz Freia , Raiskup Frederik , Pillunat Lutz E.
Published: January 2011

Purpose:

To investigate biomechanical changes after corneal cross-linking (CXL) with riboflavin/ultraviolet-A (UVA) in keratoconus using the recently developed Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA, Reichert Technologies) software.

Methods:

Through use of the new ORA software (version 2.04), 37 new parameters derived from the best measurement signal with the highest wavescore of 4 measurements from 50 eyes of 46 patients with keratoconus were obtained before and 1 year after CXL. The parameters of 96 eyes from 96 age-matched, healthy individuals with a spherical equivalent refraction <3.00 diopters served as controls.

Results:

Corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) before CXL were 7.38±1.42 mmHg and 6.16±1.42 mmHg, respectively, compared to 7.37±1.26 mmHg (
P
=.971) and 6.16±1.50 mmHg after CXL (
P
=.997), respectively. Based on these 37 new parameters, the area under peak 2 (p2area) showed a statistically significant increase from 1262.3±623.1 before CXL to 1704.3±732.3 1 year after CXL (35%;
P
=.001). The related value for the p2area of the healthy control group was 3374.9±1099.9. A significant negative correlation was observed between the p2area and the difference in CH-CRF values (r=−0.29,
P
=.001).

Conclusions:

The area under peak 2 appears to be a more sensitive parameter to detect biomechanical changes after CXL than CH or CRF alone. After CXL, keratoconic corneas display altered biomechanical properties, which remain different to those observed in healthy corneas.
Bioptics in Sutureless Intrascleral Multifocal Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens Fixation
Authors: Pavlidis Mitrofanis , de Ortueta Diego , Scharioth Gabor B.
Published: January 2011

Purpose:

To present a technique for sutureless fixation of a three-piece, multifocal, posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) in the ciliary sulcus.

Methods:

A 24-year-old woman presented with bilateral subluxation of the crystalline lens. Two straight sclerotomies were prepared with a 24-gauge cannula 2.0 mm from the limbus 180° apart from each other. The cannula was used to create a 2.0- to 3.0-mm tunnel parallel to the limbus starting from the sclerotomies. The leading haptic of the multifocal IOL was grasped at its tip with end-gripping, 25-gauge forceps and pulled through the sclerotomy. The forceps was used to introduce the IOL haptic into the scleral tunnel parallel to the limbus.

Results:

Multifocal posterior chamber IOLs were stable and well centered. No postoperative complications occurred in the 16-month follow-up period. Preoperative astigmatism was corrected after IOL implantation with corneal wavefront-guided laser epithelial keratomileusis.

Conclusions:

Sutureless fixation of multifocal posterior chamber IOL haptics in a scleral tunnel parallel to the limbus can be successful, resulting in long-term centration and three-dimensional axial stability for optimal refractive results. If necessary, postoperative wavefront-guided refractive correction can be performed to optimize final refraction.
Hyperthyroidism-Associated Insulin Resistance Is Not Mediated by Adiponectin Levels
Authors: Chu Chih-Hsun , Lam Hing-Chung , Lee Jenn-Kuen , Lu Chih-Chen , Sun Chun-Chin , Wang Mei-Chun , Chuang Ming-Ju
Published: January 2011

To evaluate the relationship between circulating adiponectin and insulin sensitivity in patients with hyperthyroid Graves' disease, we studied 19 adult patients with this disease and 19 age- and sex-matched euthyroid controls. All hyperthyroid patients were treated with antithyroid drugs and were re-evaluated after thyroid function normalized. Before antithyroid treatment, the adiponectin plasma concentrations were not different comparing with those in control group. The adiponectin levels remained unchanged after treatment. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in hyperthyroid group was higher before treatment than after treatment. There was no significant difference in serum glucose and insulin levels between hyperthyroid and control groups and in the hyperthyroid group before and after treatment. BMI-adjusted adiponectin levels were not different among three groups. On the other hand, BMI-adjusted insulin levels and HOMA-IR values were significantly decreased after management of hyperthyroidism. Pearson's correlation revealed that insulin and HOMA-IR values positively correlated with triiodothyronine (T3) and free thyroxine (FT4) levels. However, adiponectin did not correlate with T3, FT4, insulin, HOMA-IR and thyrotropin receptor autoantibody (TRAb) levels. In conclusion, insulin resistance associated with hyperthyroidism is not mediated by the levels of plasma adiponectin.
Bromoform in the tropical boundary layer of the Maritime Continent during OP3
Authors: Pyle J. A. , Ashfold M. J. , Harris N. R. P. , Robinson A. D. , Warwick N. J. , Carver G. D. , Gostlow B. , O'Brien L. M. , Manning A. J. , Phang S. M. , Yong S. E. , Leong K. P. , Ung E. H. , Ong S.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. We report measurements of bromoform made by gas chromatography during the OP3 campaign in 2008. Measurements were made simultaneously for a few days at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) site in the Danum Valley, a rainforest location in Sabah, Borneo, and at a nearby coastal site at Kunak. Background values at Kunak were higher than those measured in the rainforest (2–5 ppt compared with 1 ppt) and excursions away from the background were very much higher, reaching 10 s of ppt. Measurements of C2Cl4, an industrial tracer, showed no significant difference in background at the two sites. Modelling using two different models can reproduce a number of the observed features. The data are consistent with a strong, local coastal source of bromoform in eastern Sabah and can be used to infer the strength of the source of bromoform in South East Asia. However, they provide only a very weak constraint on global emissions. The global model results highlight the difficulty for short-lived species of extrapolating limited duration, local measurements to a global source.
Size-resolved and bulk activation properties of aerosols in the North China plain: the importance of aerosol size distribution in the prediction of CCN number concentration
Authors: Deng Z. Z. , Zhao C. S. , Ma N. , Liu P. F. , Ran L. , Xu W. Y. , Chen J. , Liang Z. , Liang S. , Huang M. Y. , Ma X. C. , Zhang Q. , Quan J. N. , Yan P. , Henning S. , Mildenberger K. , Sommerhage E. , Schäfer M. , Stratmann F. , Wiedensohler A.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. Size-resolved and bulk activation properties of aerosols were measured at a regional/suburban site in the North China Plain (NCP), which is occasionally heavily polluted by anthropogenic aerosol particles and gases. A CCN (Cloud Condensation Nuclei) closure study is conducted with bulk CCN number concentration (NCCN) and calculated NCCN based on the aerosol number size distribution and size-resolved activation properties. The observed NCCN are higher than those observed in other locations than China, with average NCCN of roughly 2000, 3000, 6000, 10 000 and 13 000 cm−3 at supersaturations of 0.056, 0.083, 0.17, 0.35 and 0.70%, respectively. An inferred critical dry diameter (Dm) is calculated based on the measured NCCN and aerosol number size distribution assuming homogeneous chemical composition. This inferred cut off diameter varies in a wide range, indicating that it is impossible to predict NCCN with a fixed critical diameter. Size-resolved activation measurements show that most of the 300 nm particles are activated at the investigated supersaturations, while almost no particles of 30 nm are activated even at the highest supersaturation of 0.72%. The activation ratio increases with increasing supersaturation and particle size. The slopes of the activation curves for ambient aerosols are not as steep as those observed in calibrations with ammonium sulfate suggesting that the observed aerosols is an external mixture of more hygroscopic and hydrophobic particles. This conclusion is confirmed by hygroscopicity measurements performed during two intensive field studies in 2009. The calculated NCCN based on the size-resolved activation ratio and aerosol number size distribution correlate well with the measured NCCN, and show an average overestimation of 19%. Sensitivity studies of the CCN closure show that the NCCN for each supersaturation is well predicted with the campaign average of size-resolved activation curves. These results indicate that the aerosol number size distribution is critical in the prediction of possible CCN. The NCCN can be estimated with average activation curve, along with a well described aerosol number size distribution.
Measurements of tropospheric HO2 and RO2 by oxygen dilution modulation and chemical ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Hornbrook R. S. , Crawford J. H. , Edwards G. D. , Goyea O. , Mauldin III R. L. , Olson J. S. , Cantrell C. A.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. An improved method for the measurement of hydroperoxy radicals (HO2) and organic peroxy radicals (RO2, where R is any organic group) has been developed that combines two previous chemical conversion/chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS) peroxy radical measurement techniques. Applicable to both ground-based and aircraft platforms, the method provides good separation between HO2 and RO2 and frequent measurement capability with observations of both HO2 and HO2+RO2 amounts each minute. This allows for analyses of measured [HO2]/[HO2+RO2] ratios on timescales relevant to tropospheric photochemistry. By varying both [NO] and [O2] simultaneously in the chemical conversion region of the PeRCIMS (Peroxy Radical CIMS) inlet, the method exploits the changing conversion efficiency of RO2 to HO2 under different inlet [NO]/[O2] to selectively observe either primarily HO2 or the sum of HO2 and RO2. Two modes of operation have been established for ambient measurements: in the first half of the minute, RO2 radicals are measured at close to 100% efficiency along with HO2 radicals (low [NO]/[O2] = 2.53×10−5) and in the second half of the minute, HO2 is detected while the majority of ambient RO2 radicals are measured with low efficiency, approximately 15% (high [NO]/[O2] = 6.80×10−4). The method has been tested extensively in the laboratory under various conditions and for a variety of organic peroxy radicals relevant to the atmosphere and the results of these tests are presented. The modified PeRCIMS instrument has been deployed successfully using the new measurement technique on a number of aircraft campaigns, including on the NSF/NCAR C-130 during the MIRAGE-Mex and NASA INTEX-B field campaigns in the spring of 2006. A brief comparison of the peroxy radical measurements during these campaigns to a photochemical box model indicates good agreement under tropospheric conditions where NOx (NO+NO2) concentrations are lower than 0.5 ppbV (parts per billion by volume).
Formation and global distribution of sea-surface microlayers
Authors: Wurl O. , Wurl E. , Miller L. , Johnson K. , Vagle S.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. Results from a study of surfactants in the sea-surface microlayer (SML) in different regions of the ocean (subtropical, temperate, polar) suggest that this interfacial layer between the ocean and atmosphere covers the ocean's surface to a significant extent. New, experimentally-derived threshold values at which primary production acts as a significant source of natural surfactants to the microlayer are coupled with a wind speed threshold at which the SML is presumed to be disrupted, and the results suggest that surfactant enrichment in the SML is greater in oligotrophic regions of the ocean than in more productive waters. Furthermore, surfactant enrichments persisted at wind speeds of up to 10 m s−1, without any observed depletion above 5 m s−1. This suggests that the SML is stable enough to exist even at the global average wind speed of 6.6 m s−1. Using our observations of the surfactant enrichments at various trophic levels and wind states, global maps of primary production and wind speed allow us to extrapolate the ocean's SML coverage . The maps indicate that wide regions of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans between 30° N and 30° S may be more significantly covered with SML than north of 30° N and south of 30° S, where higher productivity (spring/summer blooms) and wind speeds exceeding 12 m s−1 may prevent extensive SML formation.
Tracing the origin of dissolved silicon transferred from various soil-plant systems towards rivers: a review
Authors: Cornelis J.-T. , Delvaux B. , Georg R. B. , Lucas Y. , Ranger J. , Opfergelt S.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. Silicon (Si) released as H4SiO4 by weathering of Si-containing solid phases is partly recycled through vegetation before its land-to-rivers transfer. By accumulating in terrestrial plants to a similar extent as some major macronutrients (0.1–10% Si dry weight), Si becomes largely mobile in the soil-plant system. Litter-fall leads to a substantial reactive biogenic silica pool in soil, which contributes to the release of dissolved Si (DSi) in soil solution. Understanding the biogeochemical cycle of silicon in surface environments and the DSi export from soils into rivers is crucial given that the marine primary bio-productivity depends on the availability of H4SiO4 for phytoplankton that requires Si. Continental fluxes of DSi seem to be deeply influenced by climate (temperature and runoff) as well as soil-vegetation systems. Therefore, continental areas can be characterized by various abilities to transfer DSi from soil-plant systems towards rivers. Here we pay special attention to those processes taking place in soil-plant systems and controlling the Si transfer towards rivers. We aim at identifying relevant geochemical tracers of Si pathways within the soil-plant system to obtain a better understanding of the origin of DSi exported towards rivers. In this review, we compare different soil-plant systems (weathering-unlimited and weathering-limited environments) and the variations of the geochemical tracers (Ge/Si ratios and δ30Si) in DSi outputs. We recommend the use of biogeochemical tracers in combination with Si mass-balances and detailed physico-chemical characterization of soil-plant systems to allow better insight in the sources and fate of Si in these biogeochemical systems.
The early Eocene equable climate problem revisited
Authors: Huber M. , Caballero R.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. The early Eocene "equable climate problem", i.e. warm extratropical annual mean and above-freezing winter temperatures evidenced by proxy records, has remained as one of the great unsolved problems in paleoclimate. Recent progress in modeling and in paleoclimate proxy development provides an opportunity to revisit this problem to ascertain if the current generation of models can reproduce the past climate features without extensive modification. Here we have compiled early Eocene terrestrial temperature data and compared with climate model results with a consistent and rigorous methodology. We test the hypothesis that equable climates can be explained simply as a response to increased greenhouse gas forcing within the framework of the atmospheric component of the Community Climate System Model (version 3), a climate model in common use for predicting future climate change. We find that, with suitably large radiative forcing, the model and data are in general agreement for annual mean and cold month mean temperatures, and that the pattern of high latitude amplification recorded by proxies can be reproduced.
Climatology of daily rainfall semi-variance in The Netherlands
Authors: van de Beek C. Z. , Leijnse H. , Torfs P. J. J. F. , Uijlenhoet R.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. Rain gauges can offer high quality rainfall measurements at their locations. Networks of rain gauges can offer better insight into the space-time variability of rainfall, but they tend to be too widely spaced for accurate estimates between points. While remote sensing systems, such as radars and networks of microwave links, can offer good insight in the spatial variability of rainfall they tend to have more problems in identifying the correct rain amounts at the ground. A way to estimate the variability of rainfall between gauge points is to interpolate between them using fitted variograms. If a dense rain gauge network is lacking it is difficult to estimate variograms accurately. In this paper a 30-year dataset of daily rain accumulations gathered at 29 automatic weather stations operated by KNMI (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute) and a one-year dataset of 10 gauges in a network with a radius of 5 km around CESAR (Cabauw Experimental Site for Atmospheric Research) are employed to estimate variograms. Fitted variogram parameters are shown to vary according to season, following simple cosine functions. Semi-variances at short ranges during winter and spring tend to be underestimated, but semi-variances during summer and autumn are well predicted.