bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary factors in functional dyspepsia
Authors: Feinle‐bisset C. , Horowitz M.
Published: April 2006

Abstract  Functional dyspepsia (FD) is characterized by upper gastrointestinal symptoms, which are frequently exacerbated by meal ingestion. While subgroups of FD patients exhibit a range of disturbances in upper gastrointestinal motor function, including delayed gastric emptying and abnormal intragastric meal distribution, which may reflect impaired proximal gastric relaxation and/or antral dysmotility, the association between symptoms and abnormalities in motor function appears to be relatively weak. More recently, the concept of visceral hypersensitivity to mechanical and chemical/nutrient stimuli has been promoted as important in the aetiology of dyspeptic symptoms. Somewhat surprisingly, the role of ‘dietary’ factors, that is, those factors, related directly to food ingestion, including patterns of nutrient intake, potential intolerance to specific foods or macronutrients, as well as cognitive factors, have been largely ignored. Moreover, presently available treatments fail to take into account the fact that symptoms are frequently induced by eating. This review focuses on the relevance of ‘dietary’ factors to FD.
Eosinophil‐selective mediators in human strongyloidiasis
Authors: MIR A. , BENAHMED D. , IGUAL R. , BORRÁS R. , O’CONNOR J. E. , MORENO M. J. , RULL S.
Published: April 2006

Strongyloides stercoralis infection is characterized by the production of IgE and eosinophils in peripheral blood. Experimental studies have demonstrated that eosinophils play an important role in protection against Strongyloides stercoralis, but the mechanisms regulating eosinophils are not known. In this study we have focused on analysing the molecules that selectively regulate eosinophil migration, namely eotaxin and interleukin‐5 (IL‐5), using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in patients with strongyloidiasis. Serum expression of eotaxin and IL‐5 were significantly increased in patients compared with the control group. This rise suggests that selective mediators of the eosinophil can have a role in immunity against S. stercoralis in human infection.
Practical Approach to Lung Health in Nepal: better prescribing and reduction of cost
Authors: Shrestha Naveen , Samir K. C. , Baltussen Rob , Kafle Kumud K. , Bishai David , Niessen Louis
Published: April 2006

Objectives  To assess the impact of Practical Approach to Lung Health (PAL) guidelines on prescription behaviour and the total cost of prescription for patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia.

Methods  Pre‐ and post‐intervention comparison in a cluster randomized trial of primary care facilities. Seven health posts and 33 subhealth posts in Nepal were stratified by type and randomized into intervention and control groups. Health workers from the intervention facilities received 5 days training on the adapted PAL guidelines and their use. To collect prescription details, we used carbon‐copy prescription pads in both groups. To measure the impact of PAL guidelines we used the World Health Organization's rational use of drug indicators and drug cost indicators, in a multivariate regression analysis.

Results  The PAL guidelines led to fewer prescriptions of multiple drugs and to more prescriptions of generic and essential drugs. The guidelines also lowered average prescription cost and wastage by disease except for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease although not to a statistically significant degree. Similarly, the prescription of antibiotics and adherence to guidelines improved, albeit not statistically significant.

Conclusion  There is evidence that the implementation of PAL guidelines promotes rational use of drugs for some respiratory diseases. The expected health effects of PAL guidelines should be compared with their implementation costs before continuing training on lung health, and strategies put in place to sustain the effects.
Validity of verbal autopsy procedures for determining cause of death in Tanzania
Authors: Setel Philip W. , Whiting David R. , Hemed Yusuf , Chandramohan Daniel , Wolfson Lara J. , Alberti K. G. M. M. , Lopez Alan D.
Published: April 2006

Objectives  To validate verbal autopsy (VA) procedures for use in sample vital registration. Verbal autopsy is an important method for deriving cause‐specific mortality estimates where disease burdens are greatest and routine cause‐specific mortality data do not exist.

Methods  Verbal autopsies and medical records (MR) were collected for 3123 deaths in the perinatal/neonatal period, post‐neonatal <5 age group, and for ages of 5 years and over in Tanzania. Causes of death were assigned by physician panels using the International Classification of Disease, revision 10. Validity was measured by: cause‐specific mortality fractions (CSMF); sensitivity; specificity and positive predictive value. Medical record diagnoses were scored for degree of uncertainty, and sensitivity and specificity adjusted. Criteria for evaluating VA performance in generating true proportional mortality were applied.

Results  Verbal autopsy produced accurate CSMFs for nine causes in different age groups: birth asphyxia; intrauterine complications; pneumonia; HIV/AIDS; malaria (adults); tuberculosis; cerebrovascular diseases; injuries and direct maternal causes. Results for 20 other causes approached the threshold for good performance.

Conclusions  Verbal autopsy reliably estimated CSMFs for diseases of public health importance in all age groups. Further validation is needed to assess reasons for lack of positive results for some conditions.
The efficacy of sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine alone and in combination with chloroquine for malaria treatment in rural Eastern Sudan: the interrelation between resistance, age and gametocytogenesis
Authors: A‐Elbasit Ishraga E. , Elbashir Mustafa I. , Khalil Insaf F. , Alifrangis Michael , Giha Hayder A.
Published: April 2006

Objective  To compare the efficacy of sulfadoxine–pyremethamine (SP) + chloroquine (CQ) combination treatment against falciparum malaria with SP treatment alone.

Method  In‐vivo study of 254 patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in rural eastern Sudan, where the population is semi‐immune.

Results  Sulfadoxine–pyremethamine treatment alone cured 68.3% (41/60) and SP + CQ cured 63.4% (123/194). Early and late treatment failures occurred in both treatment groups. Host age (as a marker for immunity) and parasite gametocytogenesis (as a marker for transmissibility) were significantly associated with SP resistance. Patients who were cured were significantly older (median age 21 years) than patients whose treatment failed (median age 12 years). Gametocyte production was significantly higher in patients with treatment failure (0.72 vs 0.45) and associated with younger age. Gametocyte counts were comparable between both groups until day 7 of follow up; thereafter, they were significantly higher in patients with treatment failure. However, the longevity of gametocytes was comparable in both treatment groups.

Conclusion  Chloroquine did not improve the parasite response to SP. Age was strongly associated with clearance of SP‐resistant parasites. The fast rise of SP resistance may partially be due to selection of SP resistant parasites and expansion of the resistant population through the gametocytogenic effect of SP.
Challenges in estimating past plant diversity from fossil pollen data: statistical assessment, problems, and possible solutions
Authors: Weng Chengyu , Hooghiemstra Henry , Duivenvoorden Joost F.
Published: April 2006

Fossil pollen data from sediment cores may be used as a measure for past plant diversity. According to the theory of probability, palynological richness is positively related to the pollen count. In a low pollen count, only common taxa are detected, whereas rare taxa are only detected by chance. The detection of all pollen taxa requires a very high pollen count, which is time‐consuming. In regular palynological investigations, the detected richness in pollen spectra varies with the pollen count. Rarefaction analysis estimates palynological richness in an exactly equal‐sum count for all samples, so that comparison between samples is meaningful. However, the over‐representation of some taxa suppresses the detection probability of rare taxa; low total pollen abundance in a sample enhances the detection probability of rare taxa and long‐distance transported pollen grains. These factors bias the observed palynological richness and distort comparisons. Palynological richness in a pollen count proportional to its pollen influx may be one proxy for reconstructing diversity trends through time. The use of this proxy overcomes most problems encountered in rarefaction analysis, but is constrained by inaccuracy in estimating pollen influx due to the imprecise time control of sediment cores. Estimating palynological richness by mathematical methods may be another way of reconstructing pollen diversity. Pollen data tend to reflect diversity on a regional scale. Sites from small basins have the advantage of recording diversity at both local and regional scales, if the detection of each taxon is independent. By associating one site from a large basin with a series of sites from very small basins (e.g. forest‐hollows), information about both regional and local diversity may be obtained. Entomophilous pollen taxa may have to be measured using a different strategy than anemophilous taxa.
Genetic background differences between FVB and C57BL/6 mice affect hypnotic susceptibility to pentobarbital, ketamine and nitrous oxide, but not isoflurane
Authors: Sato Y. , Seo N. , Kobayashi E.
Published: April 2006

Background:  Pharmacogenomics has allowed us to identify the mechanisms underlying much of the inherited variability in drug response. There have been several reports of strain‐dependent anesthetic actions in rodents, indicating that significant genetic differences exist in the hypnotic and antinociceptive effects of various anesthetics.

Methods:  Loss of righting reflex was used to compare the hypnotic action of pentobarbital, ketamine, nitrous oxide and isoflurane between two genetically different populations of mice, C57BL/6 with black hair and Friends virus B (FVB) with white hair.

Results:  C57BL/6 mice were more susceptible than FVB mice to the hypnotic effects of ketamine, pentobarbital and nitrous oxide. However, the sensitivity to isoflurane did not differ between C57BL/6 and FVB mice.

Conclusion:  Genetic background affects the hypnotic susceptibility to some anesthetic agents in mice. Our results indicate that there may be a different genetic basis for the operation of hypnosis between isoflurane and other anesthetics, such as pentobarbital, ketamine and nitrous oxide.
Unicoloniality, recognition and genetic differentiation in a native Formica ant
Authors: Holzer B. , Chapuisat M. , Kremer N. , Finet C. , Keller L.
Published: April 2006

Some ants have an extraordinary form of social organization, called unicoloniality, whereby individuals mix freely among physically separated nests. This mode of social organization has been primarily studied in introduced and invasive ant species, so that the recognition ability and genetic structure of ants forming unicolonial populations in their native range remain poorly known. We investigated the pattern of aggression and the genetic structure of six unicolonial populations of the ant Formica paralugubris at four hierarchical levels: within nests, among nests within the same population, among nests of populations within the Alps or Jura Mountains and among nests of the two mountain ranges. Ants within populations showed no aggressive behaviour, but recognized nonnestmates as shown by longer antennation bouts. Overall, the level of aggression increased with geographic and genetic distance but was always considerably lower than between species. No distinct behavioural supercolony boundaries were found. Our study provides evidence that unicoloniality can be maintained in noninvasive ants despite significant genetic differentiation and the ability to discriminate between nestmates and nonnestmates.
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis: attenuation of yeast cells by gamma irradiation
Authors: Demicheli Marina Cortez , Reis Bernardo Sgarbi , Goes Alfredo Miranda , Ribeiro de Andrade Antero Silva
Published: April 2006

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is the agent of paracoccidioidomycosis, the most prevalent mycosis in Latin America, and currently there is no effective vaccine. The aim of this study was to attenuate the yeast form of P. brasiliensis by gamma irradiation for further studies on vaccine research. Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (strain Pb 18) cultures were irradiated at doses between 0.5 and 8.0 kGy. After each dose the viability, reproductive ability and protein metabolism were evaluated. The comparison between the antigenic profile of irradiated and control yeast was made by Western blot and the virulence evaluated by the inoculation in C57Bl/J6 mice. At 6.5 kGy the yeast lost its reproductive capacity. The viability and the incorporation of [L‐35S]‐methionine were the same in control and up to 6.5 kGy irradiated cells, but 6.5 kGy‐irradiated yeast secreted 40% less proteins. The Western blot profile was clearly similar in control and 6.5 kGy‐irradiated yeast. No colony‐forming unit (CFU) could be recovered from the tissues of the mice infected with the radioattenuated yeast. We concluded that for P. brasiliensis yeast it is possible to find a dose in which the pathogen loses its reproductive ability and virulence, while retaining its viability, metabolic activity and the antigenic profile.
More economic 25 mg 13C‐urea breath test can be effective in detecting primary Helicobacter pylori infection in children
Authors: Yang Yao‐Jong , Sheu Bor‐Shyang , Lee Shui‐Cheng , Wu Jiunn‐Jong
Published: April 2006

Background and Aim:  The high cost of the 13C‐urea breath test (UBT) limits its wide application for both epidemiological and clinical studies for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection. This study examined if a lower‐dose UBT, applying 1 mg/kg of bodyweight (maximum 25 mg, UBT25), could introduce cost savings while preserving high diagnostic yields for primary H. pylori infection.

Methods:  Children aged less than 16 years were recruited after obtaining consent. Those children with administration of antibiotics or proton pump inhibitors within 1 month of the tests were excluded. Positive tests for both the UBT with 50 mg urea (UBT50) and the H. pylori stool antigen (HpSA) were qualifying criteria for H. pylori infection. Negative results for both indicated non‐infection. The UBT25 was conducted 1 week after the UBT50. The cut‐off points for the UBT25 ranging from 2δ to 5δ were examined for their sensitivity, specificity and accuracy rates.

Results:  A total of 153 children were recruited (55% male; mean age 9.1 ± 3.5 years). Both the UBT50 and HpSA test were positive in 18 (13.1%) and negative in 119 children, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the UBT25 were optimally achieved at 88.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 71.4–100) and 95.0% (95% CI: 91.1–99.9), judged with a cut‐off point at 3.5δ. The diagnostic accuracy was significantly higher for children older than 7 years than for those younger than 7 years (98%vs 85%, P = 0.009).

Conclusion:  Lower‐dose UBT titration by bodyweight can cut costs while maintaining a highly reliable method to screen primary H. pylori infection in children older than 7 years, which is generally beyond school age.
An Examination of Sources of Peer-Review Bias
Authors: Blackburn Jessica L. , Hakel Milton D.
Published: April 2006

Peer-review ratings of 1,983 posters submitted for three annual conferences of a professional society were examined for evidence of bias. Hypotheses derived from the literature on the better-than-average effect were tested by analyzing 7,383 sets of ratings. Reviewers who authored posters gave lower average ratings than reviewers who did not author posters. Posters having authorship that included at least one reviewer received higher ratings than those having only nonreviewing authors. Reviewers' experience and professional role were also explored as biasing factors. The ratings were converted into z scores, and differences in reliability and acceptance decisions were examined. Implications for current peer-review practices are discussed.
Numeracy and Decision Making
Authors: Peters Ellen , Västfjäll Daniel , Slovic Paul , Mertz C.K. , Mazzocco Ketti , Dickert Stephan
Published: April 2006

A series of four studies explored how the ability to comprehend and transform probability numbers relates to performance on judgment and decision tasks. On the surface, the tasks in the four studies appear to be widely different; at a conceptual level, however, they all involve processing numbers and the potential to show an influence of affect. Findings were consistent with highly numerate individuals being more likely to retrieve and use appropriate numerical principles, thus making themselves less susceptible to framing effects, compared with less numerate individuals. In addition, the highly numerate tended to draw different (generally stronger or more precise) affective meaning from numbers and numerical comparisons, and their affective responses were more precise. Although generally helpful, this tendency may sometimes lead to worse decisions. The less numerate were influenced more by competing, irrelevant affective considerations. Analyses showed that the effect of numeracy was not due to general intelligence. Numerical ability appears to matter to judgments and decisions in important ways.
Dual Processing in Reasoning
Authors: Neys Wim De
Published: April 2006

Human reasoning has been characterized as an interplay between an automatic belief-based system and a demanding logic-based reasoning system. The present study tested a fundamental claim about the nature of individual differences in reasoning and the processing demands of both systems. Participants varying in working memory capacity performed a reasoning task while their executive resources were burdened with a secondary task. Results were consistent with the dual-process claim: The executive burden hampered correct reasoning when the believability of a conclusion conflicted with its logical validity, but not when beliefs cued the correct response. However, although participants with high working memory spans performed better than those with lower spans in cases of a conflict, all reasoners showed similar effects of load. The findings support the idea that there are two reasoning systems with differential processing demands, but constitute evidence against qualitative individual differences in the human reasoning machinery.
Suppression of Emotional and Nonemotional Content in Memory
Authors: Depue Brendan E. , Banich Marie T. , Curran Tim
Published: April 2006

Two experiments utilized a think/no-think paradigm to examine whether cognitive control of memories differs depending on whether they contain information with negative or neutral emotional content. During a training phase, participants learned face-word pairs (Experiment 1) or face-picture pairs (Experiment 2). In a subsequent experimental phase, participants were shown faces and told to think of the items paired with some of the faces and to try not to think of the items paired with other faces. Finally, in a test phase, participants were again shown each face and asked to recall the item with which it had been paired previously. Results for both verbal (Experiment 1) and nonverbal (Experiment 2) items indicated that the facilitatory and inhibitory influences of cognitive control were larger for negative than neutral items.
Estimation of Polygons and Areas
Authors: PERSSON ANNA H. , BONDESSON LENNART , BÖRLIN NICLAS
Published: April 2006

Abstract. In forestry the problem of estimating areas is central. This paper addresses area estimation through fitting of a polygon to observed coordinate data. Coordinates of corners and points along the sides of a simple closed polygon are measured with independent random errors. This paper focuses on procedures to adjust the coordinates for estimation of the polygon and its area. Different new techniques that consider different amounts of prior information are described and compared. The different techniques use restricted least squares, maximum likelihood and the expectation maximization algorithm. In a simulation study it is shown that the root mean square errors of the estimates are decreased when coordinates are adjusted before estimation. Minor further improvement is achieved by using prior information about the order and the distribution of the points along the sides of the polygon. This paper has its origin in forestry but there are also other applications.
Determination of the ability of high‐frequency ECG to estimate left ventricular mass in humans, determined by magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Trägårdh Elin , Arheden Håkan , Pettersson Jonas , Wagner Galen S. , Pahlm Olle
Published: April 2006

Background:  Previous studies have shown a significantly higher correlation between left ventricular mass index (LVMi) and high‐frequency QRS components (HF‐QRS) than between LVMi and QRS amplitudes in the standard frequency range in rabbits. The purpose of the present study was to compare ECG measurements from standard and high‐frequency ranges with left ventricular mass (LVM) and LVMi determined by magnetic resonance imaging in humans.

Methods:  Sixty‐two normal subjects were studied. Signal‐averaged ECGs from the 12 standard leads were analysed in the standard frequency range (0·05–150 Hz), in the middle (25–100 Hz) and high end (50–150 Hz) of the standard frequency range and in the 150–250 Hz range. Root‐mean square (RMS) values from the HF‐QRS and QRS amplitude measurements from the standard ECGs were compared with LVM and LVMi.

Results:  The correlations between LVMi and HF‐QRS were similar to those between LVMi and standard ECG. When regarding LVM, however, the correlations found in the standard ECG were higher than those found in HF‐QRS.

Conclusions:  Contrary to previous results in animals, we found in humans no better correlation between HF‐QRS and LVM/LVMi than between standard ECG and LVM/LVMi.
Decision support for the initial triage of patients with acute coronary syndromes
Authors: Olsson Sven‐Erik , Ohlsson Mattias , Öhlin Hans , Dzaferagic Samir , Nilsson Marie‐Louise , Sandkull Per , Edenbrandt Lars
Published: April 2006

Early revascularization of acute coronary syndromes improves the prognosis. It is of vital importance that the decision to treat the patient is taken as early as possible. The aim of this study was (i) to develop an automated tool for the analysis of electrocardiograms (ECGs) with regard to changes that indicate possible transmural ischaemia and (ii) to assess the influence of the tool on the ECG classifications of three interns with less than 12 months of experience in ECG reading. An artificial neural network was trained to automatically interpret ECGs using 3000 ECGs recorded at an emergency department. Thereafter, the performance of the network was evaluated using 1000 test ECGs. In the second step, three interns classified these test ECGs twice on different occasions, with and without the advice of the neural network. The gold standard was the classification made by two experienced cardiologists. On average, the three interns showed a sensitivity of 68% at a specificity of 92% without the advice of the neural network and a sensitivity of 93% at a specificity of 87% with the advice. The neural network itself showed a sensitivity of 95% at a specificity of 88%. The increase in sensitivity of 23–26% was significant (P<0·001) for all three interns. In conclusion, an artificial neural network can be trained to the improve performance in the interpretation of ST‐segment changes in accordance with that of the experienced cardiologists.
On Power and Responsibility
Authors: Hayward Clarissa Rile
Published: April 2006

The article focuses on Lukes' treatment of the relation between power and responsibility. By attempting to draw a sharp distinction between power and structural constraint, I argue, Lukes unnecessarily excludes from his analysis a wide range of significant and inegalitarian social constraints on freedom. The article defends a more structural approach to the study of power, one that employs democratic evaluative standards. Power relations are more or less legitimate, by this view, depending on the extent to which they enable the people they affect to help shape and reshape them. Contra Lukes' claim that structural approaches are incapable of accounting for the relationship between power and responsibility, I argue that they are fully compatible with theories of political responsibility. Even if no identifiable agent or agents can be held morally responsible for creating a given relation of domination, those actors whose actions helped produce that relationship are obligated to attempt to understand and to change it.
Young Adult Substance Use and Depression as a Consequence of Delinquency Trajectories During Middle Adolescence
Authors: Wiesner Margit , Windle Michael
Published: April 2006

This longitudinal study extended work fromWiesner and Windle (2004)by examining young adult outcomes (i.e., alcohol and illicit drug use, depression) of middle‐adolescent trajectories of delinquent behavior for a community sample of 724 young women and men (at average ages 23.8 years). Each domain of young adult adjustment problems was assessed with three indicators (i.e., lifetime rates of psychiatric disorders, annual rates of psychiatric disorders, elevated levels of problem behaviors). Findings indicated specificity in trajectory‐outcome associations, with all active offender pathway groups consistently showing poorer adjustment in the domains of young adult alcohol and illicit drug use (but not depression) relative to the rare offenders. However, there was almost no evidence of differential outcomes among the four most active offender trajectory groups. Overall, this study offered limited support for the contention that differing developmental courses and experiences during middle adolescence are linked to differential outcomes in early adulthood.
The Role of Parentification and Family Climate in Adaptation Among Immigrant Adolescents in Israel
Authors: Walsh Sophie , Shulman Shmuel , Bar‐On Zvulun , Tsur Antal
Published: April 2006

Parentification has been defined as the familial interactional pattern in which children and adolescents are assigned or assume roles and responsibilities normally the province of adults. Two studies were conducted to examine the role that parentification takes in the context of immigration with regard to its impact on adolescent adaptation. In study 1, a comparison between 70 adolescent immigrants from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) in Israel with 70 nonimmigrant Israeli adolescents showed higher levels of spousal role taking among the immigrant adolescents. In the case of the immigrants, spousal role taking was seen to involve positive relationships with both parents (as opposed to with only one for the nonimmigrants) and to be associated with better coping with stressful events. In study 2, the association between the incidence of parentification and family climates was explored among 123 adolescent immigrants from the FSU in Israel. Of the three climates found, the optimal cohesive independence‐oriented family climate showed a higher incidence of parentification (parental role taking, spousal role taking, parental role for siblings, and nonspecific adult role taking) as opposed to within the unstructured‐conflict‐oriented and control‐oriented family climates. These results seem to strengthen the position that optimal adolescent development following immigration involves a combination of enhanced familial relatedness and assumption of responsibility within a climate that allows age‐appropriate autonomy.
Effect of low‐repetition jump training on bone mineral density in young women
Authors: Kato T. , Terashima T. , Yamashita T. , Hatanaka Y. , Honda A. , Umemura Y.
Published: April 2006

The hypothesis of the present study was that low‐repetition and high‐impact training of 10 maximum vertical jumps/day, 3 times/week would be effective for improving bone mineral density (BMD) in ordinary young women. Thirty‐six female college students, with mean age, height, and weight of 20.7±0.7 years, 158.9±4.6 cm, and 50.4±5.5 kg, respectively, were randomly divided into two groups: jump training and a control group. After 6 months of maximum vertical jumping exercise intervention, BMD in the femoral neck region significantly increased in the jump group from the baseline (0.984±0.081 vs 1.010±0.080 mg/cm2; P<0.01), although there was no significant change in the control group (0.985±0.0143 vs 0.974±0.134 mg/cm2). And also lumbar spine (L(2–4)) BMD significantly increased in the jump training group from the baseline (0.991±0.115 vs 1.015±0.113 mg/cm2; P<0.01), whereas no significant change was observed in the control group (1.007±0.113 vs 1.013±0.110 mg/cm2). No significant interactions were observed at other measurement sites, Ward's triangle, greater trochanter, and total hip BMD. Calcium intakes and accelometry‐determined physical daily activity showed no significant difference between the two groups. From the results of the present study, low‐repetition and high‐impact jumps enhanced BMD at the specific bone sites in young women who had almost reached the age of peak bone mass.
TWO‐DIMENSIONAL COLOR TISSUE DOPPLER IMAGING DETECTS MYOCARDIAL DYSFUNCTION BEFORE OCCURRENCE OF HYPERTROPHY IN A YOUNG MAINE COON CAT
Authors: CHETBOUL VALERIE , CARLOS SAMPEDRANO CAROLINA , GOUNI VASSILIKI , NICOLLE AUDREY P. , POUCHELON JEAN‐LOUIS
Published: April 2006

A 20‐month‐old healthy male Maine Coon cat was referred for a cardiovascular evaluation. Physical examination and electrocardiogram were normal. The end‐diastolic subaortic interventricular septal thickness (6 mm; reference range: ≤6 mm) and the mitral flow late diastolic velocity (0.89 m/s; reference range: 0.2–0.8 m/s) were within the upper ranges. However, M‐mode echocardiography did not reveal any sign of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) identified a marked left ventricular free wall dysfunction characterized by decreased myocardial velocities in early diastole, increased myocardial velocities in late diastole and the presence of postsystolic contractions both at the base and the apex for the longitudinal motion. One year later, the diagnosis of HCM was confirmed by conventional echocardiography and the cat died suddenly 2 months later. This report demonstrates for the first time in spontaneous HCM the sensitivity of TDI for early diagnosis of myocardial dysfunction and suggests that TDI should form part of the screening techniques for early diagnosis of feline HCM.
POWER DOPPLER ASSESSMENT OF THE NEOVASCULARIZATION DURING UNCOMPLICATED FRACTURE HEALING OF LONG BONES IN DOGS AND CATS
Authors: RISSELADA MARIJE , KRAMER MARTIN , SAUNDERS JIMMY H. , VERLEYEN PIET , VAN BREE HENRI
Published: April 2006

The aims of this prospective study were to test the feasibility of assessing neovascularization with power Doppler ultrasonography and to investigate its usefulness to follow fracture healing of long bones in dogs and cats. A total of 51 patients (44 dogs and seven cats) were followed. Fracture types differed from simple to comminuted. Therapy ranged from external coaptation to plate osteosynthesis. Patients were followed with radiography, B‐mode real time and power Doppler ultrasonography every 2–4 weeks until the fracture was healed. All fractures healed uneventfully. A semi‐quantitative numerical score based on signal intensity, vessel area, and number of Doppler signals was assigned and the mean value was used to compare patients and examinations. Time postoperatively was divided into periods of 10 days. No Doppler signal was present during the first 10 days. The mean of the scores was highest between 11 and 20 days postoperatively and the median of the scores peaked between 21 and 30 days. A gradual decrease was seen thereafter. The mean of the scores was zero at 71–80 days and the median at 51–60 days postoperatively for the grouped results. In all positive power Doppler examinations, signals were present in and close to the callus. In seven patients (five dogs and two cats) signals were also present in the peripheral soft tissues in one of the follow up examinations. The normal healing process of fractured bones can be visualized using power Doppler ultrasonography and follows a distinctive time‐dependent pattern.
The role of interface framework residues in determining antibody VH/VL interaction strength and antigen‐binding affinity
Authors: Masuda Kenji , Sakamoto Kenzo , Kojima Miki , Aburatani Takahide , Ueda Takuya , Ueda Hiroshi
Published: April 2006

While many antibodies with strong antigen‐binding affinity have stable variable regions with a strong antibody heavy chain variable region fragment (VH)/antibody light chain variable region fragment (VL) interaction, the anti‐lysozyme IgG HyHEL‐10 has a fairly strong affinity, yet a very weak VH/VL interaction strength, in the absence of antigen. To investigate the possible relationship between antigen‐binding affinity and VH/VL interaction strength, a novel phage display system that can switch two display modes was employed. We focused on the two framework region 2 regions of the HyHEL‐10 VH and VL, facing each other at the domain interface, and a combinatorial library was made in which each framework region 2 residue was mixed with that of D1.3, which has a far stronger VH/VL interaction. The phagemid library, encoding VH gene 7 and VL amber codon gene 9, was used to transform TG‐1 (sup+), and the phages displaying functional variable regions were selected. The selected phages were then used to infect a nonsuppressing strain, and the culture supernatant containing VH‐displaying phages and soluble VL fragment was used to evaluate the VH/VL interaction strength. The results clearly showed the existence of a key framework region 2 residue (H39) that strongly affects VH/VL interaction strength, and a marked positive correlation between the antigen‐binding affinity and the VH/VL interaction, especially in the presence of a set of particular VL residues. The effect of the H39 mutation on the wild‐type variable region was also confirmed by a SPR biosensor as a several‐fold increase in antigen‐binding affinity owing to an increased association rate, while a slight decrease was observed for the single‐chain variable region.
The β domain is required for Vps4p oligomerization into a functionally active ATPase
Authors: Vajjhala Parimala R. , Wong Julin S. , To Hui‐Yi , Munn Alan L.
Published: April 2006

Endocytic and biosynthetic trafficking pathways to the lysosome/vacuole converge at the prevacuolar endosomal compartment. During transport through this compartment, integral membrane proteins that are destined for delivery to the lysosome/vacuole lumen undergo multivesicular body (MVB) sorting into internal vesicles formed by invagination of the endosomal limiting membrane. Vps4 is an AAA family ATPase which plays a key role in MVB sorting and facilitates transport through endosomes. It possesses an N‐terminal microtubule interacting and trafficking domain required for recruitment to endosomes and an AAA domain with an ATPase catalytic site. The recently solved 3D structure revealed a β domain, which protrudes from the AAA domain, and a final C‐terminal α‐helix. However, the in vivo roles of these domains are not known. In this study, we have identified motifs in these domains that are highly conserved between yeast and human Vps4. We have mutated these motifs and studied the effect on yeast Vps4p function in vivo and in vitro. We show that the β domain of the budding yeast Vps4p is not required for recruitment to endosomes, but is essential for all Vps4p endocytic functions in vivo. We also show that the β domain is required for Vps4p homotypic interaction and for full ATPase activity. In addition, it is required for interaction with Vta1p, which works in concert with Vps4p in vivo. Our studies suggest that assembly of a Vps4p oligomeric complex with full ATPase activity that interacts with Vta1p is essential for normal endosome function.
Characterization of a novel long‐chain acyl‐CoA thioesterase from Alcaligenes faecalis
Authors: Shahi Puja , Kumar Ish , Sharma Ritu , Sanger Shefali , Jolly Ravinder S.
Published: April 2006

A novel long‐chain acyl‐CoA thioesterase from Alcaligenes faecalis has been isolated and characterized. The protein was extracted from the cells with 1 m NaCl, which required 1.5‐fold, single‐step purification to yield near‐homogeneous preparations. In solution, the protein exists as homomeric aggregates, of mean diameter 21.6 nm, consisting of 22‐kDa subunits. MS/MS data for peptides obtained by trypsin digestion of the thiosterase did not match any peptide from Escherichia coli thioesterases or any other thioesterases in the database. The thioesterase was associated exclusively with the surface of cells as revealed by ultrastructural studies using electron microscopy and immunogold labeling. It hydrolyzed saturated and unsaturated fatty acyl‐CoAs of C12 to C18 chain length with Vmax and Km of 3.58–9.73 µmol·min−1·(mg protein)−1 and 2.66–4.11 µm, respectively. A catalytically important histidine residue is implicated in the active site of the enzyme. The thioesterase was active and stable over a wide range of temperature and pH. Maximum activity was observed at 65 °C and pH 10.5, and varied between 60% and 80% at temperatures of 25–70 °C and pH 6.5–10. The thioesterase also hydrolyzed p‐nitrophenyl esters of C2 to C12 chain length, but substrate competition experiments demonstrated that the long‐chain acyl‐CoAs are better substrates for thioesterase than p‐nitrophenyl esters. When assayed at 37 and 20 °C, the affinity and catalytic efficiency of the thioesterase for palmitoleoyl‐CoA and cis‐vaccenoyl‐CoA were reduced approximately twofold at the lower temperature, but remained largely unaltered for palmitoyl‐CoA.
Hedging Strategies for Grain Processors
Authors: Wilson William W. , Nganje William E. , Wagner Robert
Published: April 2006

Price risk management confronting grain processors differs from that faced by conventional hedgers, especially when futures markets for outputs do not exist. Three components of this problem are addressed in this study. One is the relationship between input and output prices, which are impacted in part by the structure and conduct of an industry. In some cases, these are highly correlated and in others they are not. The second refers to the hedge horizon or how far forward a firm should cover its inherent and persistent short cash positions. This study incorporates these relationships into a utility maximizing model to evaluate hedging effectiveness relative to traditional hedging strategies for processors. Finally, stochastic dominance analysis is used to compare hedging strategies when output is sold at a fixed price for future delivery. Secondary data from the bread‐baking industry are used for empirical analysis. Results indicate that hedging decisions are impacted by these relationships and affect firm risk exposure.

La gestion du risque de prix des conditionneurs de grain diffère de celle des opérateurs en couverture traditionnels, surtout lorsqu'il n'existe pas de marchés de contrats à terme pour les extrants. La présente étude traite de trois aspects du problème. Tout d'abord, il y a la relation entre le prix de l'intrant et le prix de l'extrant, prix qu'influencent en partie la structure et le comportement d'une industrie. Dans certains cas, la corrélation est très étroite et dans d'autres, elle ne l'est pas. Ensuite, il y a l'horizon de couverture ou jusqu'où dans le futur une entreprise devrait‐elle couvrir ses faibles positions de trésorerie inhérentes et soutenues. Dans la présente étude, nous avons intégré ces relations dans un modèle de maximisation de l'utilité pour évaluer l'efficacité des opérations de couverture par rapport aux stratégies de couverture traditionnelles des conditionneurs. Finalement, l'analyse de la dominance stochastique est utilisée pour comparer les stratégies de couverture lorsque l'extrant est vendu à un prix fixe pour livraison à terme. Des données secondaires issues de l'industrie de la boulangerie ont été utilisées pour l'analyse empirique. Les résultats ont indiqué que ces liens influaient sur les décisions de couverture et que ces décisions avaient des répercussions sur l'exposition au risque de l'entreprise.
THE SHORT‐TERM BEHAVIORAL REACTIONS OF BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS TO INTERACTIONS WITH BOATS IN DOUBTFUL SOUND, NEW ZEALAND
Authors: Lusseau David
Published: April 2006

Abstract

Doubtful Sound is home to one of the southernmost resident populations of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.). This population regularly interacts with scenic cruises. During these interactions, dolphins tend to horizontally and vertically avoid vessels, especially when the behavior of these vessels is intrusive. This study aimed at understanding the behavioral reactions of individuals to these interactions that lead to the disruption of the school's behavioral state. Observing the behavioral events performed by individuals during an interaction can help define the short‐term reactions elicited by the boat presence. I recorded the behavioral events performed by all individuals of focal schools. The frequency of occurrence of all events was compared depending on the presence of vessels, their behavior, and the behavioral state of the focal school. Dolphins tended to perform more side flops while interacting with powerboats, a behavior which may be used as a non‐vocal communication tool. Moreover, the movement of dolphins became more erratic during interactions with all types of vessels. These effects increased when the boats were more intrusive while interacting. This study shows that the impact of interaction with boats can be minimized if the vessels respect the guidelines in place.
Analysis
of Enthalpy Approximation for Compressed Liquid
Water
Authors: Kostic Milivoje
M.
Published: April 2006

It is custom to approximate solid and liquid thermodynamic properties as being a function of temperature only, since they are virtually incompressible, and Pdv boundary work may be neglected. Furthermore, in classical literature, for isothermal compression processes, a general “improvement” and correction for liquid enthalpy approximation is given by adding the “pressure correction,” vdP, to the corresponding saturation value. It is shown that such correction given for isothermal processes is generally valid for isentropic processes only. Analysis of water real properties, over the saturation temperature range and a wide pressure range up to 100MPa, shows that the recommended corrections are only beneficial for higher pressures at smaller temperatures (below 200°C), insignificant for smaller pressures at most of the temperatures, about the same but opposite sign (thus unnecessary) for intermediate temperatures and pressures, and more erroneous (thus counterproductive and misleading) for higher temperatures and pressures, than the corresponding saturation values without any correction. The misconception in the literature is a result of the erroneous assumption, that due to incompressibility for liquids in general, the internal energy is less dependent on pressure than enthalpy.
Analysis of Potential Conversion Efficiency of a Solar Hybrid System With High-Temperature Stage
Authors: Vorobiev Y. V. , González-Hernández J. , Kribus A.
Published: April 2006

The analysis is given of hybrid system of solar energy conversion having a stage operating at high temperature. The system contains a radiation concentrator, a photovoltaic solar cell, and a thermal generator, which could be thermoelectric one or a heat engine. Two options are discussed, one (a) with concentration of the whole solar radiation on the PV cell working at high temperature and coupled to the high-temperature stage, and another (b) with a special PV cell construction, which allows the use of the part of solar spectrum not absorbed in the semiconductor material of the cell (“thermal energy”) to drive the high-temperature stage while the cell is working at ambient temperature. The possibilities of using different semiconductor materials are analyzed. It is shown that the demands to the cell material are different in the two cases examined: in system (a) with high temperature of cell operation, the materials providing minimum temperature dependence of the conversion efficiency are necessary, for another system (b) the materials with the larger band gap are profitable. The efficiency of thermal generator is assumed to be proportional to that of the Carnot engine. The optical and thermal energy losses are taken into account, including the losses by convection and radiation in the high-temperature stage. The radiation losses impose restrictions upon the working temperature of the thermal generator in the system (b), thus defining the highest possible concentration ratio. The calculations made show that the hybrid system proposed could be both efficient and practical, promising the total conversion efficiency around 25-30% for system (a), and 30-40% for system (b).
Experimental Study on the Thermal Performance of the Shape-Stabilized Phase Change Material Floor Used in Passive Solar Buildings
Authors: Zhang Yinping , Xu Xu , Di Hongfa , Lin Kunping , Yang Rui
Published: April 2006

The novel shape-stabilized phase change material (PCM) has the following salient features: large apparent specific heat for the phase change temperature region, suitable thermal conductivity, and the ability to keep the shape stabilized when it undergoes a phase change. In this technical brief, we put forward a kind of shape-stabilized PCM floor that is able to absorb solar radiation energy in the daytime and to release the heat at night in winter. The thermal performance of a prototype room using such a floor was studied. The experiments show that the mean indoor temperature of a room with the PCM floor is about 2°C higher than that of the room without a PCM floor, and the indoor temperature swing range is obviously minimized. Therefore, installing shape-stabilized PCM in a room may increase the degree of thermal comfort and reduce space heating energy consumption in winter. In addition, the experimental results provide data for modeling and simulation research for such PCM floor systems.
HOW DISTRIBUTION AFFECTS THE SUCCESS OF PAIR PROGRAMMING
Authors: CANFORA GERARDO , CIMITILE ANIELLO , DI LUCCA GIUSEPPE ANTONIO , VISAGGIO CORRADO AARON
Published: April 2006

Recent experiments demonstrated the effectiveness of pair programming in terms of quality and productivity. Growing interest towards global software development is fostering the design of suitable methods and tools for distributing software processes, at any level of detail, from entire subprocesses up to a single activity. Consequently, people placed in different locations could also share programming tasks and related practices, such as pair programming. Unfortunately, distribution might seriously compromise the success of pair programming, due to communication and collaboration issues. We have performed an experiment in order to investigate the impact of distribution on pair programming when performing maintenance tasks. An interesting conjecture stems from the experiment: under certain conditions, distributed pair's components tend to dismiss from each other, stopping the collaborative work. This can be a very expensive risk factor to keep into account when planning tasks of distributed pair programming.