bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of a split-injection strategy on the performance of stratified lean combustion for a gasoline direct-injection engine
Authors: Park C , Kim S , Kim H , Lee S , Kim C , Moriyoshi Y
Published: July 2011

Fuel economy can be significantly improved in a gasoline direct-injection (GDI) engine owing to the stratified mixture formation strategy which guarantees stable combustion under ultra-lean air–fuel mixture conditions. In the GDI engine, it is widely accepted that the spray-guided direct-injection system, which is characterized by a close configuration between the centrally mounted injector and the spark plug, is regarded as a promising technology among the efforts to realize stratified lean combustion. With this configuration, the split injection can be an effective fuel injection scheme because of its potential to modulate the spray characteristics as well as to create a combustible mixture in the proximity of the spark plug.

In this study, the split-injection strategy was assessed as a way to achieve ultra-lean operation in a GDI engine and the resulting lean-combustion characteristics were investigated in terms of the engine performance and emissions. The engine was tested at constant operating conditions (an engine speed of 3000 r/min and an indicated mean effective pressure of 0.4 MPa) with a change in the fuel injection pressure ranging from 10 MPa to 20 MPa. The excess air ratio λ varied from stoichiometry to the lean flammability limit, which turned out to be extended in the GDI approach. The engine test results show that the split injection of fuel allowed the formation of an adequately stratified mixture in lean-combustion conditions, and thus stable combustion was guaranteed. These results indicate that an excess air ratio was one of the important factors affecting the thermal efficiency and nitrogen oxide (NO x) emissions and was significantly extended to λ = 2.0 by the split-injection scheme. In addition, several fuel injection parameters such as the injection quantity, the split ratio, and the number of splits were examined with an emphasis on their impact on the fuel economy and emissions. The results demonstrate that there exists a trade-off between the NO x reduction and the efficiency, and therefore it is required to choose an appropriate injection strategy depending on the engine operating conditions in order to satisfy emission regulations.
Kodály, Literacy, and the Brain
Authors: Jacobi Bonnie S.
Published: July 2011

The principles of Hungarian music educator Zoltán Kodály can be particularly useful not only in teaching children how to read music notation but also in creating curiosity and enjoyment for reading music. Many of Kodály’s ideas pertaining to music literacy have been echoed by educators such as Jerome Bruner and Edwin Gordon, as well as current brain researchers. Specifically, Kodály’s emphasis on sound before sight, going from known to unknown, use of moveable do solfège, use of various learning modes, and the importance of providing adequate preparation of pitch concepts can all be useful in our approach to preparing students to read pitch on the music staff. Various vertical as well as vertical/horizontal “pre-staff” activities, including melodic contour, body signs, visual icons, and the solfa tone ladder help to build children’s understanding of pitch placement and create curiosity for seeing how familiar sounds will look on the staff.
A Comparative Efficacy of Amitriptyline, Gabapentin, and Pregabalin in Neuropathic Cancer Pain
Authors: Mishra Seema , Bhatnagar Sushma , Goyal Gaurav Nirvani , Rana Shiv Pratap Singh , Upadhya Surjya Prasad
Published: July 2011

Neuropathic pain is difficult to diagnose and difficult to treat with certainty. So the aim of the study was to evaluate comparative clinical efficacy of pregabaline with amitriptyline and gabapentin in neuropathic cancer pain. A total of 120 patients with cancer having severe neuropathic cancer pain were enrolled in the study after taking approval from Institutional Ethics Committee and divided in to 4 groups: group AT—amitriptyline, group GB—gabapentin, group PG—pregabalin, and group PL—placebo. Oral morphine was used for rescue analgesic for continued pain. Pain score (Visual Analogue scale) and secondary outcome measures such as intensity of lancinating, dysesthesia, and burning on numerical rating scale, Global satisfaction score (GSS), Eastern Co-operative Oncology Group scoring (ECOG), and adverse effects were assessed. At the end of study there was significant decrease in pain score in group PG as compared to the other groups; group AT ( P = .003), group GB ( P = .042), and group PL ( P = .024). Percentage of patients with lancinating pain and dysesthesia were significantly less in group PG as compared to groups GB and PL. All the patients in group PL needed rescue morphine. After 4 visits, maximum improvement in ECOG scoring and GSS scoring was observed in group PG patients. Our results suggested that all antineuropathic drugs are effective in relieving cancer-related neuropathic pain. There was statistically and clinically significant morphine sparing effect of pregabaline in relieving neuropathic cancer pain and neuropathic symptoms as compared to other antineuropathic drugs.
Prevalence of Sudden Speechlessness in Critical Care Units
Authors: Thomas Loris A. , Rodriguez Carmen S.
Published: July 2011

Sudden speechlessness (SS) is commonly experienced by patients admitted to critical care units. Although literature findings document challenges associated with periods of SS, the prevalence is unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence and characteristics of adult SS patients in four critical care units at a university-affiliated tertiary care hospital. Data are collected on 9 randomly selected days over a 4-month period. The daily prevalence of SS ranges from 16% to 24% in each unit. Characteristic data collected includes patient age, gender, medical diagnosis related to SS episode, type of speechlessness, days since SS began, and communication strategies in use. Respiratory intubation related to various clinical diagnoses is the main cause for SS. Use of multiple specific strategies to convey needs during SS periods are identified. Follow-up studies to further define the prevalence of SS in settings beyond the critical care environment are recommended.
Why mobilize support online? The paradox of party behaviour online
Authors: Cardenal Ana S.
Published: July 2011

The internet offers opportunities for political mobilization that parties are under-exploiting. Drawing on the rational choice approach to party behaviour, this paper builds an argument for why this is the case. I argue that if parties are not using new media to mobilize support, it is because the benefits of using it are uncertain while there are very certain costs – communicational and organizational – involved in the decision. I also argue that party characteristics shape incentives to use the internet for political mobilization and hence help to account for observed differences in party behaviour online. Using evidence from parties in Spain and Catalonia, the study finds that parties that are large, in opposition, non-programmatic, and non-bureaucratic tend to have greater incentives to use the internet for political mobilization, both because they expect to get the largest benefits and to pay the minimum costs from online mobilization.
Suppression of aldosterone mediates regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with hypertension
Authors: Pouleur Anne-Catherine , Uno Hajime , Prescott Margaret F , Desai Akshay , Appelbaum Evan , Lukashevich Valentina , Smith Beverly A , Dahlöf Björn , Solomon Scott D ,   (for the ALLAY Investigators)
Published: July 2011

Background: High circulating aldosterone levels stimulate myocardial fibrosis and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). However, it is not clear whether suppression of aldosterone directly contributes to LVH regression in hypertensive patients.

Methods: The Aliskiren in Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (ALLAY) trial randomised 465 hypertensive overweight subjects with LVH to the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren 300 mg, losartan 100 mg or the combination and followed patients for 9 months. All patients were treated to standard blood pressure targets. Left ventricular (LV) mass index (LVMI) and LV wall thickness (LVWT) were assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance. A subset of 136 patients who had plasma aldosterone concentration (ALDO) measured at baseline and study end was analysed.

Results: At baseline, plasma ALDO was modestly related to systolic blood pressure, LVMI, and wall thickness (all, p < 0.05). Aliskiren, either alone or in combination, was associated with a significantly greater reduction from baseline to 9 months in plasma aldosterone than losartan alone ( p < 0.02). Reduction in ALDO was related to reduction in LVMI even after adjustment for baseline ALDO, BP reduction and treatment group ( p for trend = 0.042).

Conclusion: In hypertensive patients with increased LVWT, aliskiren alone or in combination with the angiotensin receptor blocker losartan provides greater reduction in aldosterone compared to losartan alone. Moreover, suppression of aldosterone was associated with reduction of LVH, independently of the change in SBP, suggesting that suppression of aldosterone, a known mediator of LVH, may be particularly important for LVH regression and as a target for therapy.
Comparison of the effects of long-term pioglitazone and rosiglitazone therapy on liver enzymes in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Phey Ming Yeap  , Lockman Khalida Ann , Elton Rob , Boyd Margaret , Hayes Peter Clive , Jaap Alan J
Published: July 2011

Aims

Insulin resistance is a major factor influencing the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Hence, insulin sensitisers such as thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are a potential treatment for NAFLD although their long-term benefits remain unknown.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 396 and 364 type 2 diabetes patients who received pioglitazone and rosiglitazone therapy respectively from diabetes clinics between May 2001 and November 2007.

Results

One hundred and seventy-seven pioglitazone-treated and 152 rosiglitazone-treated patients were included. After a year of treatment, significant improvement in glycated haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was observed in both groups despite weight gain. Changes in HbA1C and liver function test (LFT) were positively correlated in pioglitazone-treated (ALT p=0.01; GGT p<0.001; ALP p=0.006) and rosiglitazone-treated (GGT p= 0.01, ALP p=0.002) groups. Multiple regression showed no significant difference in the changes in ALT (p=0.43) and GGT (p=0.13) between the groups but a larger reduction in ALP (p=0.03) was noted in rosiglitazone-treated patients. Sixty patients remained on pioglitazone and 46 patients continued on rosiglitazone after four years. Sustained improvement in ALT, GGT and HbA 1C was observed in both groups despite weight gain over four years.
The responses of the iliac artery to insulin: direct delayed nitric oxide-mediated dilatation
Authors: O'Hora Therese Ruane , Markos Farouk , Wainwright Cherry , Al-Obaidi Mohamed , Im oble Mark
Published: July 2011

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of insulin on a conduit artery. In a closed-off test segment of iliac artery in vivo in anaethetised pigs, pressure was kept constant. During the first 10 minutes of exposure to hyperinsulinaemic blood, the test segment diameter was 3.63±0.64 mm (mean ± SD). Dilatation occurred after 10 minutes when the test segment diameter increased to 3.80±0.62 mm (mean ± SD), p=0.0006, n=10. The increase in diameter with the vehicle for insulin in blood was -0.0775±0.116 mm (mean ± SD, n=6) and with hyperinsulin in blood was 0.165±0.124 mm (mean ± SD, n=10), p=0.0024. Dilatation with hyperinsulin was 0.229±0.116 mm (mean ± SD) versus insulin plus 250 µg/ml of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME), 0.041±0.026 mm (mean ± SD), p=0.0313, n=6. No evidence of arterial constriction was observed in the presence of L-NAME. We conclude that insulin has a direct relaxing effect on the smooth muscle in the wall of conduit artery, mediated by nitric oxide.
Polypharmacy and renal failure
Authors: Shaafi Khalifa , Siddiqi Ahmed
Published: July 2011

Polypharmacy is a common feature of the treatment of people with type 2 diabetes. Many patients are receiving treatment for concomitant disorders in addition to glucose lowering therapies. Herein we report a patient with normal renal function on polypharmacy who had exenatide added to his glucose-lowering regimen. When the patient presented with acute renal failure some medications, including exenatide which has been associated with rare cases of renal insufficiency, were discontinued. The patient made a rapid recovery, but the simultaneous withdrawal of several agents precludes ascribing causal effect to a single drug. Nevertheless withdrawal of agents metabolised or eliminated via the kidney is warranted in renal failure.
Pioglitazone: an agent which reduces stroke, myocardial infarction and death and is also a key component of the modern paradigm for the optimum management of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ryder R.E.J.
Published: July 2011

A randomised controlled trial (RCT), the PROactive study, was undertaken to see if pioglitazone improved cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes. Initially the results were controversial and pioglitazone was not widely recognised as a beneficial agent for cardiovascular disease. A meta-analysis of rosiglitazone studies raising the possibility that it was associated with cardiovascular harm received worldwide media attention and the negative concern spread to involve pioglitazone through presumed ‘class-effect’. A careful re-look at the detail of the PROactive’s primary composite endpoint, which led to the controversy over the outcome, suggests that medical statistics may have been inadequate to reveal the real clinical effect. A number of other studies support the interpretation that pioglitazone significantly improves cardiovascular outcomes. While the potential risk:benefit of pioglitazone needs to be acknowledged, it now also needs to be recognised that pioglitazone and metformin are the only glucose-lowering agents with RCT data demonstrating a reduction in stroke, myocardial infarction and death in type 2 diabetes. Furthermore there now exists a strong case that even in type 2 diabetes patients without known cardiovascular disease, the modern paradigm for management should involve the combination of metformin, pioglitazone and glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists used early and aggressively to achieve a target glycated haemoglobin A1C <6%.
Hypertriglyceridaemia, LPL deficiency and pancreatitis -pathogenesis and therapeutic options
Authors: Munigoti Srinivasa P , Rees Alan
Published: July 2011

Severe hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG) is recognised as the third most common cause of acute pancreatitis. While secondary causes of HTG such as excess alcohol, obesity and diabetes are well recognised, identification and treatment of primary genetic disorders such as lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency remain a challenge. HTG secondary to such genetic disorders does not respond to established medical therapy, resulting in recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis. A very low fat diet remains first-line therapy in the treatment of severe HTG secondary to LPL deficiency, and in resistant cases insulin, heparin and plasma apheresis are used with some success. Viral vector-delivered gene therapy is a novel treatment option that is currently being tested in patients with LPL deficiency with promising results.
Effects of flicker characteristics from solid-state lighting on detection, acceptability and comfort
Authors: Bullough JD , Sweater Hickcox K. , Klein TR , Narendran N.
Published: July 2011

A study to assess the detection and acceptability of flicker and stroboscopic effects under different lighting conditions was conducted. Frequencies from 50 Hz to 300 Hz were assessed, as well as different modulation amounts, duty cycles, waveform shapes and correlated colour temperatures. For the range of conditions evaluated, direct perception of flicker was negligible at 100 Hz or higher, but stroboscopic effects could be perceived at 300 Hz. Reducing flicker modulation from 100% to 33% decreased perception of stroboscopic effects. A higher duty cycle was associated with slightly lower discomfort. The implications for solid-state lighting systems producing high-modulation flicker are discussed.
The influence of spectral power distribution on contrast sensitivity
Authors: Arranz I , Matesanz BM , Rosa C de la , Menéndez JA , Issolio L , Mar S , Aparicio JA
Published: July 2011

The influence of lighting of different spectral power distribution on letter contrast sensitivity has been studied. The different spectral power distributions were obtained by filtering or dimming tungsten halogen lamps. Measurements were made on 20 young and healthy individuals (25 eyes) whose monocular contrast sensitivities were measured with a natural pupil. Sixteen combinations of test and surround luminance with high or low correlated colour temperatures were studied in such a way that the influence of test luminance, surround luminance or colour temperature of both visual fields could be independently studied. Both test luminance and surround luminance influenced contrast sensitivity but correlated colour temperature did not.
Inflammatory effects of blood leukocytes: association with vascular function in neuropeptide Y proline 7-genotyped type 2 diabetes patients
Authors: Kakko Tanja , Jaakkola Ulriikka , Raitakari Olli T , Kallio Jaana
Published: July 2011

Objective: We investigated the associations of inflammatory blood cell activation with vascular parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes to elucidate the possible mechanisms of accelerated atherosclerosis observed in subjects with the Leucine 7 to Proline 7 polymorphism (Leu7Pro) in the neuropeptide Y (NPY).

Methods: Our study included 31 Caucasian patients with type 2 diabetes; 12 of them had the Leu7Pro7 (heterozygous), and 19 had the Leu7Leu7 (wild type) genotype. Vascular parameters were determined by ultrasound methods. Leukocyte analyses were performed from blood samples using flow cytometry. NPY concentrations were determined in plasma.

Results: The amount of platelet—granulocyte complexes was positively correlated with NPY concentration ( p=0.008) and carotid intima-media thickness ( p=0.035) in the Leu7Pro7 group. Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) expression in monocytes correlated negatively with brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation also in the Leu7Pro7 group ( p=0.037). The expression of tissue factor on monocytes correlated negatively with brachial artery diameter in the Leu7Pro7 patients as well ( p=0.019).

Conclusion: The results indicate significant associations between inflammatory cell activation in blood and vascular atherosclerosis in genetically prone subjects, and provide possible mechanistic information about the role of NPY and the Leu7Pro polymorphism in the development of atherosclerosis.
Advancing a Second-Person Contemplative Approach for Collective Wisdom and Leadership Development
Authors: Gunnlaugson Olen
Published: July 2011

This article introduces and develops a second-person contemplative approach for instructors, groups, and teams working with fostering collective wisdom and leadership development processes. To these ends, I draw upon Scharmer’s practice of presencing, Varela’s three gestures of becoming aware, and the Quaker practice of discernment as a means for engaging collective contemplative approaches to transformative learning across different academic and professional contexts of learning.
Does Sensory Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation Enhance Motor Recovery Following a Stroke? A Systematic Review
Authors: Laufer Yocheved , Elboim-Gabyzon Michal
Published: July 2011

Background. Somatosensory input may lead to long-lasting cortical plasticity enhanced by motor recovery in patients with neurological impairments. Sensory transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) is a relatively risk-free and easy-to-implement modality for rehabilitation. Objective. The authors systematically examine the effects of sensory TENS on motor recovery after stroke. Methods. Eligible randomized or quasi-randomized trials were identified via searches of computerized databases. Two assessors reviewed independently the eligibility and methodological quality of the retrieved articles. Results. In all, 15 articles satisfied the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality was generally good, with a mean (standard deviation) PEDro score of 6.7/10 (1.2). Although the majority of studies reported significant effects on at least 1 outcome measure, effect sizes were generally small. Meta-analysis could not be performed for the majority of outcome measures because of variability between studies and insufficient data. A moderate effect was determined for force production of the ankle dorsiflexors and for the Timed Up and Go test. Conclusions. Sensory stimulation via TENS may be beneficial to enhance aspects of motor recovery following a stroke, particularly when used in combination with active training. Because of the great variability between studies, particularly in terms of the timing of the intervention after the stroke, the outcome measures used, and the stimulation protocols, insufficient data are available to provide guidelines about strategies and efficacy.
Descriptive analysis of physical restraint (protective holding) among community living adults with intellectual disability
Authors: Luiselli James K. , Sperry James M. , Magee Christine
Published: July 2011

We analyzed incidence and implementation patterns of physical restraint (PR) among 448 adults with intellectual disability within community-based day habilitation programs and group homes. PR was implemented exclusively as a consequence for self-harming, aggressive, and environmentally disruptive behaviors. Less than 10% of adults received PR and more than 90% of documented restraints occurred as a planned intervention procedure. Several adults accounted for the majority of PR. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
Reliability of equipment for measuring the ground hardness and traction
Authors: Twomey D M , Otago L , Ullah S , Finch C F
Published: July 2011

The aim of this paper is to report the inter-rater reliabilities and intra-rater reliabilities of the Clegg hammer, penetrometer, and studded-boot apparatus used for measuring the mechanical properties of natural turf, and to determine whether the level of experience influences the reliability. Three experienced and three novice testers measured the surface hardness and rotational traction at nine locations on a community-level Australian football oval. A repeated-measures analysis of variance tested for significant differences between the six testers for all equipment, and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to determine the inter-rater reliabilities and intra-rater reliabilities. The ICCs for the reliability between the six testers ranged between 0.77 and 0.87 for the Clegg hammer, ranged between 0.55 and 0.73 for the penetrometer, and equalled 0.51 for the studded-boot apparatus. The inter-rater reliabilities and intra-rater reliabilities were greater for the experienced testers than for the novice testers for the Clegg hammer and penetrometer but the novice testers produced greater inter-rater reliabilities for the studded-boot apparatus. This study highlights the potential variability that can exist between testers using the ground hardness and traction equipment, which has implications for future research involving multiple testers both in agronomic-based studies and in linking the surface properties to the injury risk across multiple venues.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Cornelia de Lange Syndrome by 2D and 3D Sonography
Authors: Ghazle Hamad , Chopra Prajna , Bhatt Shweta
Published: July 2011

Cornelia de Lange syndrome, also known as Brachmann–de Lange syndrome, is a congenital condition characterized by pre- and postnatal growth deficiency, limb deformities, typical face features, hirsutism, behavioral problems, cognitive delay, and failure to thrive after birth. This developmental genetic disorder ranges from mild to fatal with unknown etiology. The sonographic prenatal findings in a case of Cornelia de Lange syndrome at 22 weeks’ gestation, which demonstrated facial dysmorphism, upper and lower limb abnormalities, growth retardation, and cardiac abnormality and confirmed at 32 weeks and 2 days of gestation and at autopsy, are discussed. Fetal karyotyping was normal. Because 2D sonography is the primary imaging modality for evaluating the growing fetus, it is possible to use 3D sonography to precisely evaluate the facial dysmorphism and limb defects and make a specific diagnosis of this entity.
Why are health authorities concerned about home treatment of patients with sleep apnoea?
Authors: Escarrabill J.
Published: July 2011

Educational aims

To give an overview of the variability of home treatment for CPAP

To give insight into the reason for this variability

Although individual costs are low, the long-term treatment of patients with sleep apnoea has a large overall cost. In trying to assess the economic price of treatment of these patients, authorities need to consider many different aspects of the treatment, including the diagnosis, indications and patient compliance. However, this is complicated by the variability within these aspects. Although the number of patients has seen a steady increase, variability in diagnosis is dictated by efficient management of waiting lists. Variability of indications is more difficult to explain, although differences in diagnostic criteria and provision of service may have influence here. Finally, variability in compliance is a key aspect and must be considered during prescription of treatment.
Management of cough in adults
Authors: Kardos P.
Published: July 2011

Educational aims

To illustrate reasonable and cost-effective management of cough, one of the most frequent reasons for primary care consultations.

To assist in the secondary care diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough as the solely presenting symptom if chest radiography and lung function tests remain inconclusive.

To emphasise the rational order starting with simple (noninvasive and cost-effective) diagnostic procedures, graduating to complex, invasive and expensive (e.g.computed tomography and bronchoscopy) measures.

Cough is highly prevalent as a cumbersome presenting complaint for many patients. The symptom cough is elicited by a myriad of very different respiratory and nonrespiratory diseases. Symptomatic pharmacological treatment is of very limited efficacy. Presently, no new drug for cough in the pipeline has completed phase II development. Therefore, treating cough requires exact diagnosis for causal treatment. Cough is often the first (but not necessarily an early) symptom of life-threatening diseases, such as lung tumours or recurrent pulmonary embolism. Thus, in 2004, the German Respiratory Society published evidence-based guidelines on the management of cough. Acute and chronic cough were defined, and algorithms were provided for diagnostic workup. In 2010, the guidelines were updated (http://leitlinien.net). An abridged english version is also now available [1]. In this review, evidence-based recommendations (mostly weak evidence or consensus) from these guidelines are adapted into learning points.
How to treat patients that do not tolerate continuous positive airway pressure
Authors: Vanderveken O.M. , Hoekema A.
Published: July 2011

Educational aims

To outline recommendations concerning the proper management of obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) patients that cannot be treated adequately with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) due to intolerance, poor compliance or CPAP refusal.

To provide information about the selection of appropriate patients for alternative non-CPAP treatment modalities.

To better understand the different aspects of OSAHS treatment with oral appliances, including indications, contraindications, medical work-up and clinical protocol, and expected short- and long-term results.

To discuss the different surgical options for the treatment of OSAHS and to provide information on the important issue of a proper patient selection for upper airway surgery, as most OSAHS surgical outcomes are associated with the pre-operative assessment of the level(s) of upper airway collapse. Finally, to present future perspectives in sleep apnoea surgery.

The effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is potentially high for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS), but accounting for the relatively low acceptance and compliance, and correcting for sleep time, its actual effect and use, the adjusted CPAP effectiveness remains relatively low.

Oral appliance therapy has emerged as a noninvasive alternative to CPAP in subjects with OSAHS who do not tolerate or comply with CPAP. Surgical procedures can be performed successfully in carefully selected patients. Moreover, concerning the surgical treatment options, it appears from the available evidence that maxillomandibular advancement is a safe and highly effective surgical treatment modality for OSAHS that should be indicated more readily in clinical practice.

Two methods of pre-treatment airway evaluation will be discussed. First, newer technologies using imaging techniques coupled with computational fluid dynamics methods allow investigation of the flow characteristics and aerodynamic forces within the upper airway of the OSAHS patient. Secondly, routine application of drug-induced sleep endoscopy to assess the site(s) of flutter and upper airway obstruction during drug-induced sleep can increase the success rate of both upper airway surgery and oral appliance therapy.
747,000 litres air blown to help raise awareness of spirometry
Authors: Siafakas N. , Fletcher M. , Carlsen K­H.
Published: July 2011

The first ever World Spirometry Day took place on October 14, 2010, and “blew” expectations out of the water. Results recorded on the day itself and up to 1 week afterwards reached >83,000 tests from >250 events. However, the numbers are set to continue rising, as many events are ongoing for the month of October and through to World COPD Day on November 17, 2010, and 400 events are yet to share their results. These early indications show how the day has captured the interest and enthusiasm of people across the globe, and what an impact it has had on the profile of spirometry testing and lung health.
A novel method to identify cooperative functional modules: study of module coordination in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell cycle
Authors: Hsu Jeh-Ting , Peng Chien-Hua , Hsieh Wen-Ping , Lan Chung-Yu , Tang Chuan Yi
Published: July 2011

Background

Identifying key components in biological processes and their associations is critical for deciphering cellular functions. Recently, numerous gene expression and molecular interaction experiments have been reported in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and these have enabled systematic studies. Although a number of approaches have been used to predict gene functions and interactions, tools that analyze the essential coordination of functional components in cellular processes still need to be developed.

Results

In this work, we present a new approach to study the cooperation of functional modules (sets of functionally related genes) in a specific cellular process. A cooperative module pair is defined as two modules that significantly cooperate with certain functional genes in a cellular process. This method identifies cooperative module pairs that significantly influence a cellular process and the correlated genes and interactions that are essential to that process. Using the yeast cell cycle as an example, we identified 101 cooperative module associations among 82 modules, and importantly, we established a cell cycle-specific cooperative module network. Most of the identified module pairs cover cooperative pathways and components essential to the cell cycle. We found that 14, 36, 18, 15, and 20 cooperative module pairs significantly cooperate with genes regulated in early G1, late G1, S, G2, and M phase, respectively. Fifty-nine module pairs that correlate with Cdc28 and other essential regulators were also identified. These results are consistent with previous studies and demonstrate that our methodology is effective for studying cooperative mechanisms in the cell cycle.

Conclusions

In this work, we propose a new approach to identifying condition-related cooperative interactions, and importantly, we establish a cell cycle-specific cooperation module network. These results provide a global view of the cell cycle and the method can be used to discover the dynamic coordination properties of functional components in other cellular processes.
Gene discovery using next-generation pyrosequencing to develop ESTs for Phalaenopsis orchids
Authors: Hsiao Yu-Yun , Chen Yun-Wen , Huang Shi-Ching , Pan Zhao-Jun , Fu Chih-Hsiung , Chen Wen-Huei , Tsai Wen-Chieh , Chen Hong-Hwa
Published: July 2011

Background

Orchids are one of the most diversified angiosperms, but few genomic resources are available for these non-model plants. In addition to the ecological significance, Phalaenopsis has been considered as an economically important floriculture industry worldwide. We aimed to use massively parallel 454 pyrosequencing for a global characterization of the Phalaenopsis transcriptome.

Results

To maximize sequence diversity, we pooled RNA from 10 samples of different tissues, various developmental stages, and biotic- or abiotic-stressed plants. We obtained 206,960 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) with an average read length of 228 bp. These reads were assembled into 8,233 contigs and 34,630 singletons. The unigenes were searched against the NCBI non-redundant (NR) protein database. Based on sequence similarity with known proteins, these analyses identified 22,234 different genes (E-value cutoff, e-7). Assembled sequences were annotated with Gene Ontology, Gene Family and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. Among these annotations, over 780 unigenes encoding putative transcription factors were identified.

Conclusion

Pyrosequencing was effective in identifying a large set of unigenes from Phalaenopsis. The informative EST dataset we developed constitutes a much-needed resource for discovery of genes involved in various biological processes in Phalaenopsis and other orchid species. These transcribed sequences will narrow the gap between study of model organisms with many genomic resources and species that are important for ecological and evolutionary studies.
A novel method to prepare L-Arabinose from xylose mother liquor by yeast-mediated biopurification
Authors: Cheng Hairong , Wang Hengwei , Lv Jiyang , Jiang Mingguo , Lin Shuangjun , Deng Zixin
Published: July 2011

Background

L-arabinose is an important intermediate for anti-virus drug synthesis and has also been used in food additives for diets-controlling in recent years. Commercial production of L-arabinose is a complex progress consisting of acid hydrolysis of gum arabic, followed by multiple procedures of purification, thus making high production cost. Therefore, there is a biotechnological and commercial interest in the development of new cost-effective and high-performance methods for obtaining high purity grade L-arabinose.

Results

An alternative, economical method for purifying L-arabinose from xylose mother liquor was developed in this study. After screening 306 yeast strains, a strain of Pichia anomala Y161 was selected as it could effectively metabolize other sugars but not L-arabinose. Fermentation in a medium containing xylose mother liquor permitted enrichment of L-arabinose by a significant depletion of other sugars. Biochemical analysis of this yeast strain confirmed that its poor capacity for utilizing L-arabinose was due to low activities of the enzymes required for the metabolism of this sugar. Response surface methodology was employed for optimization the fermentation conditions in shake flask cultures. The optimum conditions were: 75 h fermentation time, at 32.5°C, in a medium containing 21% (v/v) xylose mother liquor. Under these conditions, the highest purity of L-arabinose reached was 86.1% of total sugar, facilitating recovery of white crystalline L-arabinose from the fermentation medium by simple methods.

Conclusion

Yeast-mediated biopurification provides a dynamic method to prepare high purity of L-arabinose from the feedstock solution xylose mother liqour, with cost-effective and high-performance properties.
A critical assessment for the value of markers to gate-out undesired events in HLA-peptide multimer staining protocols
Authors: Attig Sebastian , Price Leah , Janetzki Sylvia , Kalos Michael , Pride Michael , McNeil Lisa , Clay Tim , Yuan Jianda , Odunsi Kunle , Hoos Axel , Romero Pedro , Britten Cedrik M ,   the CRI-CIC Assay Working Group
Published: July 2011

Background

The introduction of antibody markers to identify undesired cell populations in flow-cytometry based assays, so called DUMP channel markers, has become a practice in an increasing number of labs performing HLA-peptide multimer assays. However, the impact of the introduction of a DUMP channel in multimer assays has so far not been systematically investigated across a broad variety of protocols.

Methods

The Cancer Research Institute's Cancer Immunotherapy Consortium (CRI-CIC) conducted a multimer proficiency panel with a specific focus on the impact of DUMP channel use. The panel design allowed individual laboratories to use their own protocol for thawing, staining, gating, and data analysis. Each experiment was performed twice and in parallel, with and without the application of a dump channel strategy.

Results

The introduction of a DUMP channel is an effective measure to reduce the amount of non-specific MULTIMER binding to T cells. Beneficial effects for the use of a DUMP channel were observed across a wide range of individual laboratories and for all tested donor-antigen combinations. In 48% of experiments we observed a reduction of the background MULTIMER-binding. In this subgroup of experiments the median background reduction observed after introduction of a DUMP channel was 0.053%.

Conclusions

We conclude that appropriate use of a DUMP channel can significantly reduce background staining across a large fraction of protocols and improve the ability to accurately detect and quantify the frequency of antigen-specific T cells by multimer reagents. Thus, use of a DUMP channel may become crucial for detecting low frequency antigen-specific immune responses. Further recommendations on assay performance and data presentation guidelines for publication of MULTIMER experimental data are provided.
Nonlinear thermo-optical properties of two-layered spherical system of gold nanoparticle core and water vapor shell during initial stage of shell expansion
Authors: Pustovalov Victor K , Astafyeva Liudmila G
Published: July 2011

Nonlinear thermo-optical properties of two-layered spherical system of gold nanoparticle core and water vapor shell, created under laser heating of nanoparticle in water, were theoretically investigated. Vapor shell expansion leads to decreasing up to one to two orders of magnitude in comparison with initial values of scattering and extinction of the radiation with wavelengths 532 and 633 nm by system while shell radius is increased up to value of about two radii of nanoparticle. Subsequent increasing of shell radius more than two radii of nanoparticle leads to rise of scattering and extinction properties of system over initial values. The significant decrease of radiation scattering and extinction by system of nanoparticle-vapor shell can be used for experimental detection of the energy threshold of vapor shell formation and investigation of the first stages of its expansion.

PACS: 42.62.BE. 78.67. BF
Strong association between non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and low 25(OH) vitamin D levels in an adult population with normal serum liver enzymes
Authors: Barchetta Ilaria , Angelico Francesco , Ben Maria Del , Baroni Marco Giorgio , Pozzilli Paolo , Morini Sergio , Cavallo Maria Gisella
Published: July 2011

Background

Hypovitaminosis D has been recently recognized as a worldwide epidemic. Since vitamin D exerts significant metabolic activities, comprising free fatty acids (FFA) flux regulation from the periphery to the liver, its deficiency may promote fat deposition into the hepatocytes. Aim of our study was to test the hypothesis of a direct association between hypovitaminosis D and the presence of NAFLD in subjects with various degree of insulin-resistance and related metabolic disorders.

Methods

We studied 262 consecutive subjects referred to the Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases clinics for metabolic evaluation. NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) was diagnosed by upper abdomen ultrasonography, metabolic syndrome was identified according to the Third Report of National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP/ATPIII) modified criteria. Insulin-resistance was evaluated by means of HOMA-IR. Fatty-Liver-Index, a recently identified correlate of NAFLD, was also estimated. Serum 25(OH)vitamin D was measured by colorimetric method.

Results

Patients with NAFLD (n = 162,61.8%) had reduced serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels compared to subjects without NAFLD (14.8 ± 9.2 vs 20.5 ± 9.7 ng/ml, p < 0.001, OR 0.95, IC 95% 0.92-0.98). The relationship between NAFLD and reduced 25(OH)vitamin D levels was independent from age, sex, triglycerides, high density lipoproteins (HDL) and glycaemia (p < 0.005) and Fatty Liver Index inversely correlated with low 25(OH) vitamin D regardless sex, age and HOMA-IR (p < 0.007).

Conclusions

Low 25(OH)vitamin D levels are associated with the presence of NAFLD independently from metabolic syndrome, diabetes and insulin-resistance profile.
Comparison of intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange in treatment of mechanically ventilated children with Guillain Barré syndrome: a randomized study
Authors: El-Bayoumi Mohammed A , El-Refaey Ahmed M , Abdelkader Alaa M , El-Assmy Mohamed MA , Alwakeel Angi A , El-Tahan Hanem M
Published: July 2011

Introduction

Respiratory failure is a life threatening complication of Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS). There is no consensus on the specific treatment for this subset of children with GBS.

Methods

This was a prospective randomized study to compare the outcome of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and plasma exchange (PE) treatment in children with GBS requiring mechanical ventilation. Forty-one children with GBS requiring endotracheal mechanical ventilation (MV) within 14 days from disease onset were included. The ages of the children ranged from 49 to 143 months.

Randomly, 20 children received a five-day course of IVIG (0.4 g/kg/day) and 21 children received a five-day course of one volume PE daily. Lumbar puncture (LP) was performed in 36 patients (18 in each group).

Results

Both groups had comparable age (p = 0.764), weight (p = 0.764), duration of illness prior to MV (p = 0.854), preceding diarrhea (p = 0.751), cranial nerve involvement (p = 0.756), muscle power using Medical Research Council (MRC) sum score (p = 0.266) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein (p = 0.606).

Children in the PE group had a shorter period of MV (median 11 days, IQR 11.0 to 13.0) compared to IVIG group (median 13 days, IQR 11.3 to 14.5) with p = 0.037.

Those in the PE group had a tendency for a shorter Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) stay (p = 0.094).

A total of 20/21 (95.2%) and 18/20 (90%) children in the PE and IVIG groups respectively could walk unaided within four weeks after PICU discharge (p = 0.606).

There was a negative correlation between CSF protein and duration of mechanical ventilation in the PE group (p = 0.037), but not in the IVIG group (p = 0.132).

Conclusions

In children with GBS requiring MV, PE is superior to IVIG regarding the duration of MV but not PICU stay or the short term neurological outcome.

The negative correlation between CSF protein values and duration of MV in PE group requires further evaluation of its clinical usefulness.

Trial Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT01306578
In-vivovalidation of a new non-invasive continuous ventricular stroke volume monitoring system in an animal model
Authors: Konings Maurits K , Grundeman Paul F , Goovaerts Henk G , Roosendaal Maarten R , Hoefer Imo E , Doevendans Pieter A , Rademakers Frank E , Buhre Wolfgang F
Published: July 2011

Introduction

Recently, a non-invasive, continuous ventricular stroke volume monitoring system using skin electrodes has been developed. In contrast to impedance-based methods, the new technique (ventricular field recognition) enables measurement of changes in ventricular volume. A prototype using this new method was built (the hemologic cardiac profiler, HCP) and validated against a reference method in a pig model during variations in cardiac output.

Methods

In six Dalland pigs, cardiac output was simultaneously measured with the HCP (CO-HCP), and an invasive ultrasonic flow-probe around the ascending aorta (CO-FP). Variations in CO were achieved by change in ventricular loading conditions, cardiac pacing, and dobutamine administration. Data were analysed according to Bland-Altman analysis and Pearson's correlation.

Results

Pearson's correlation between the CO-HCP and the CO-FP was r = 0.978. Bland-Altman analysis showed a bias of - 0.114 L/minute, and a variability of the bias (2 standard deviations, 2SD) of 0.55 L/minute.

Conclusions

The results of the present study demonstrate that CO-HCP is comparable to CO-FP in an animal model of cardiac output measurements during a wide variation of CO. Therefore, the HCP has the potential to become a clinical applicable cardiac output monitor.
Introduction to this special section: Practical applications of anisotropy
Authors: Lynn Heloise Bloxsom , Veta La , Michelena Reinaldo J.
Published: July 2011

The use of seismic anisotropy is a topic that has evolved dramatically in the last 25 years in the oil and gas industry. Even though physicists who study waves and vibrations in solids have taught us that elastic properties of rocks should be described by a complex set of functions and parameters, many years of seismic data processing were conducted assuming that the velocities in the subsurface rocks were isotropic, and that the shear modulus was zero (that the rocks could be treated as “a liquid”). “Isotropic” means that the value measured (e.g., velocity) is the same in all directions (whether you consider angles of incidence or source-receiver azimuths) for a rock volume of interest.
Target-oriented stratigraphic processing for AVZ analysis
Authors: Burnstad Roy M. , Keho Timothy H.
Published: July 2011

The advent of wide-azimuth, long-offset land seismic data makes possible more routine application of P-wave amplitude variation with azimuth (AVZ) analysis for fracture fairway and stress-field identification and characterization. Such analysis, however, requires revisiting the processing approach which prepares the data for inversion. We expand upon an industry standard amplitude variation with offset (AVO) processing flow, which is designed to achieve this end, by incorporating azimuth into surface-consistent processes without generation of azimuthal stack volumes.