bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphological Characteristics and Proliferation of Keratocytes Cultured Under Simulated Microgravity
Authors: Chen Jiansu , Chen Rui , Gao Shujing
Published: June 2007

Abstract:  This study probed the changes of keratocytes cultured under simulated microgravity. Keratocytes were isolated from rabbit corneas using collagenase digestion method. Cells were seeded in a 55‐mL capacity high‐aspect‐ratio vessel (HARV) of rotary cell culture system (RCCS) at a density of 1 × 104 cells/mL. Dehydrated bovine acellular corneal stroma (5 × 5 × 1 mm, n = 30) was used as a carrier for keratocyte culture. Rotational speed was set at 15, 20, and 30 rpm in the first, second, and third week of culture, respectively. Histological evaluation showed that keratocytes in simulated microgravity culture grew into carriers, but those under conventional gravity grew on the surface of carriers. Scanning electron microscopic evaluation showed that after 19 days in culture, keratocytes on the carriers were spherical and spread in the spaces among the collagen fibers. Cells were dendritic or spindle shaped, and they developed many foot processes linked with surrounding cells. The absorbance values of the simulated microgravity group were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that of the conventional group from 10 to 19 days of culture. The RCCS obviously enhanced the proliferation of rabbit keratocytes and facilitated the cells' growth into or on the dehydrated bovine acellular corneal stroma. Cells showed more natural morphology.
Hand Function and Oral Hygiene in Older Institutionalized Brazilians
Authors: Padilha Dalva M. P. , Hugo Fernando N. , Hilgert Juliana B. , Dal Moro Rafael G.
Published: June 2007

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the oral hygiene of institutionalized older people differs significantly between groups of participants with different degrees of hand function.

DESIGN: Cross‐sectional study.

SETTING: Residents of a long‐term institution of Porto Alegre, Brazil.

PARTICIPANTS: Forty‐nine institutionalized older people. Subjects restricted to bed or with Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores less than 15 were excluded.

MEASUREMENTS: Dental (Silness and Löe Index) and denture plaque (Modified Ambjornsen Plaque Index) scores were assessed as a measure of oral hygiene. Hand functions were assessed using the Jebsen‐Taylor and the Purdue pegboard tests. Participants were grouped according to their levels of hand function (regarded as good if test values were at the median or higher in the case of Purdue pegboard test and below the median in the case of Jebsen‐Taylor test). Existence of differences between groups was checked using univariate analysis of variance, adjusting for age, sex and cognitive status according to MMSE.

RESULTS: Dentate participants with poor hand function according to the Dominant Hand Purdue test harbored significantly more dental plaque after adjustment for age, sex, and cognitive status. Complete denture wearers with poor hand function according to the Dominant Hand and Sum of Three Steps Purdue tests and the total Jebsen‐Taylor test also had significantly more denture plaque after adjustment.

CONCLUSION: The results support the notion that hand function plays a central role in oral hygiene, mainly removal of dental and denture plaque, in institutionalized older people.
Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome in Older Adults: Outcomes on Sleep Quality, Sleepiness, Fatigue, Depression, and Quality of Life
Authors: Cuellar Norma G. , Strumpf Neville E. , Ratcliffe Sarah J.
Published: June 2007

OBJECTIVES: To compare differences in sleep quality, sleepiness, fatigue, depression, and quality of life according to severity of symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in older adults.

DESIGN: Descriptive, comparative study; cross‐sectional design.

SETTING: Penn Sleep Center at the University of Pennsylvania and RLS support groups in Philadelphia.

PARTICIPANTS: Thirty‐nine adults, aged 65 and older, diagnosed with RLS with symptoms at least 3 nights per week. Participants were stratified according to symptom severity based on scores from the RLS Symptom Severity Scale. Exclusion criteria were dementia, cognitive impairments, and sleep disorders other than RLS.

MEASUREMENTS: Sleep quality, measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were sleepiness, fatigue, depression, and quality of life measured using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Center for Epidemiological Studies—Depression Scale (CES‐D), and RLS Quality of Life Instrument (RLS‐QLI), respectively.

RESULTS: Significant differences were found in subjective sleep quality (P=.007) and sleep duration (P=.04), as well as in PSQI global score (P=.007). RLS‐QLI sleep quality (β=−0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI)=−0.18 to −0.06, P<.001) and sleepiness (β=0.35, 95% CI=0.09–0.61, P=.01) were significantly related to PSQI global score. Subjects with severe symptoms were five times as likely to use medication to treat RLS (OR=5.3, 95% CI=1.2–22.2).

CONCLUSION: The severity of RLS symptoms in older adults affects not only sleep quality but also many aspects of quality of life, including social functioning, daily functioning, and emotional well‐being.
Changing Trends in Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome in the Population Aged 50 and Older
Authors: Paul Sindy M. , Martin Rose M. , Lu Shou‐En , Lin Yong
Published: June 2007

OBJECTIVES: To alert persons in the public and private healthcare professions to the increasing trends in higher proportions of persons aged 50 and older who are newly diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and who are living with HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

DESIGN: Data from the period 1992 through 2004 from the HIV/AIDS Reporting System (HARS) were analyzed.

SETTING: New Jersey is the eleventh‐most‐populous state, with the highest density of persons per square mile. It also has the fifth‐highest number of AIDS cases.

PARTICIPANTS: All persons residing in New Jersey and reported to HARS with HIV infection or who are considered to have AIDS.

MEASUREMENTS: Trends in persons aged 50 and older were compared with those in the population younger than 50 during 1992 through 2004 for the numbers of persons living with HIV/AIDS and the number of persons newly diagnosed with HIV infection.

RESULTS: The proportion of all persons aged 50 and older living with HIV/AIDS in 2004 was significantly greater than the comparable proportion of persons in 1992. Proportionally, more persons were newly diagnosed with HIV who were aged 50 and older according to sex and for each of the three major race or ethnicity groups (white non‐Hispanic, black non‐Hispanic, and Hispanic) than were persons younger than 50. Each of these increases was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: HIV/AIDS social marketing campaigns should include images and issues related to older persons in educational and prevention efforts. New methods that reach older populations should be considered. Physicians and other healthcare providers should be made aware of their role in prevention and education about HIV. Testing of older populations with risk factors should be encouraged.
Nitric Oxide Metabolites Are Associated with Survival in Older Patients
Authors: Hayashi Toshio , Nomura Hideki , Osawa Masako , Funami Jun , Miyazaki Asaka , Iguchi Akihisa
Published: June 2007

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of various vascular endocrinological substances, such as plasma nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), as surrogate markers of survival in older patients.

DESIGN: Prospective cohort, observational.

SETTING: Nagoya University Hospital and related hospitals, Japan.

PARTICIPANTS: One hundred fifty patients aged 70 and older, recruited consecutively from the outpatient clinics of Nagoya University Hospital and related hospitals.

MEASUREMENT: Serum biochemical analyses such as albumin and total cholesterol, various prognostic markers, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, NOx, activities of daily living (ADLs), and instrumental ADLs (IADLs) were evaluated on enrollment. ADLs, IADLs, and comorbidities, especially depression and impaired cognition, were evaluated on enrollment. The main outcome was survival rate over 2.75 years.

RESULTS: Forty‐nine patients died during the follow‐up period. Mann‐Whitney U‐test showed that hemoglobin, total protein, serum albumin, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high sensitive c‐reactive protein, NOx, B‐type natriuretic peptide, interleukin‐6, and TNF‐α levels; ADLs; cognitive impairment; and depressive status were significantly different for subjects who survived and those who died. Of the dependent variables in the Cox proportional hazards regression analyses, only ADLs, NOx, and albumin were significantly different. In the Kaplan‐Meier analyses of mortality, the prognosis of patients in the third and fourth quartiles of NOx was significantly worse than that of patients in the first or second quartile. The prognosis of patients with impaired ADLs was worse than that of other patients for the overall period.

CONCLUSION: Lower levels of NOx may be associated with survival in older patients. It may be an effective marker, like ADLs, which is a well‐known marker.
Expected Estimating Equations for Missing Data, Measurement Error, and Misclassification, with Application to Longitudinal Nonignorable Missing Data
Authors: Wang C. Y. , Huang Yijian , Chao Edward C. , Jeffcoat Marjorie K.
Published: June 2007

Summary Missing data, measurement error, and misclassification are three important problems in many research fields, such as epidemiological studies. It is well known that missing data and measurement error in covariates may lead to biased estimation. Misclassification may be considered as a special type of measurement error, for categorical data. Nevertheless, we treat misclassification as a different problem from measurement error because statistical models for them are different. Indeed, in the literature, methods for these three problems were generally proposed separately given that statistical modeling for them are very different. The problem is more challenging in a longitudinal study with nonignorable missing data. In this article, we consider estimation in generalized linear models under these three incomplete data models. We propose a general approach based on expected estimating equations (EEEs) to solve these three incomplete data problems in a unified fashion. This EEE approach can be easily implemented and its asymptotic covariance can be obtained by sandwich estimation. Intensive simulation studies are performed under various incomplete data settings. The proposed method is applied to a longitudinal study of oral bone density in relation to body bone density.
The Mizon–Richard Encompassing Test for the Cox and Aalen Additive Hazards Models
Authors: Martinussen Torben , Aalen Odd O. , Scheike Thomas H.
Published: June 2007

SummaryThe Cox hazards model (Cox, 1972,Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Series B34,187–220) for survival data is routinely used in many applied fields, sometimes, however, with too little emphasis on the fit of the model. A useful alternative to the Cox model is the Aalen additive hazards model (Aalen, 1980, inLecture Notes in Statistics‐2, 1–25) that can easily accommodate time changing covariate effects. It is of interest to decide which of the two models that are most appropriate to apply in a given application. This is a nontrivial problem as these two classes of models are nonnested except only for special cases. In this article we explore the Mizon–Richard encompassing test for this particular problem. It turns out that it corresponds to fitting of the Aalen model to the martingale residuals obtained from the Cox regression analysis. We also consider a variant of this method, which relates to the proportional excess model (Martinussen and Scheike, 2002,Biometrika89,283–298). Large sample properties of the suggested methods under the two rival models are derived. The finite‐sample properties of the proposed procedures are assessed through a simulation study. The methods are further applied to the well‐known primary biliary cirrhosis data set.
Simultaneous Regression Shrinkage, Variable Selection, and Supervised Clustering of Predictors with OSCAR
Authors: Bondell Howard D. , Reich Brian J.
Published: June 2007

SummaryVariable selection can be challenging, particularly in situations with a large number of predictors with possibly high correlations, such as gene expression data. In this article, a new method called the OSCAR (octagonal shrinkage and clustering algorithm for regression) is proposed to simultaneously select variables while grouping them into predictive clusters. In addition to improving prediction accuracy and interpretation, these resulting groups can then be investigated further to discover what contributes to the group having a similar behavior. The technique is based on penalized least squares with a geometrically intuitive penalty function that shrinks some coefficients to exactly zero. Additionally, this penalty yields exact equality of some coefficients, encouraging correlated predictors that have a similar effect on the response to form predictive clusters represented by a single coefficient. The proposed procedure is shown to compare favorably to the existing shrinkage and variable selection techniques in terms of both prediction error and model complexity, while yielding the additional grouping information.
Statistical Method for Detecting Structural Change in the Growth Process
Authors: Ninomiya Yoshiyuki , Yoshimoto Atsushi
Published: June 2007

SummaryDue to competition among individual trees and other exogenous factors that change the growth environment, each tree grows following its own growth trend with some structural changes in growth over time. In the present article, a new method is proposed to detect a structural change in the growth process. We formulate the method as a simple statistical test for signal detection without constructing any specific model for the structural change. To evaluate thep‐value of the test, the tube method is developed because the regular distribution theory is insufficient. Using two sets of tree diameter growth data sampled from planted forest stands ofCryptomeria japonicain Japan, we conduct an analysis of identifying the effect of thinning on the growth process as a structural change. Our results demonstrate that the proposed method is useful to identify the structural change caused by thinning. We also provide the properties of the method in terms of the size and power of the test.
Bayesian Hierarchical Spatially Correlated Functional Data Analysis with Application to Colon Carcinogenesis
Authors: Baladandayuthapani Veerabhadran , Mallick Bani K. , Young Hong Mee , Lupton Joanne R. , Turner Nancy D. , Carroll Raymond J.
Published: June 2007

Summary In this article, we present new methods to analyze data from an experiment using rodent models to investigate the role of p27, an important cell‐cycle mediator, in early colon carcinogenesis. The responses modeled here are essentially functions nested within a two‐stage hierarchy. Standard functional data analysis literature focuses on a single stage of hierarchy and conditionally independent functions with near white noise. However, in our experiment, there is substantial biological motivation for the existence of spatial correlation among the functions, which arise from the locations of biological structures called colonic crypts: this possible functional correlation is a phenomenon we term crypt signaling. Thus, as a point of general methodology, we require an analysis that allows for functions to be correlated at the deepest level of the hierarchy. Our approach is fully Bayesian and uses Markov chain Monte Carlo methods for inference and estimation. Analysis of this data set gives new insights into the structure of p27 expression in early colon carcinogenesis and suggests the existence of significant crypt signaling. Our methodology uses regression splines, and because of the hierarchical nature of the data, dimension reduction of the covariance matrix of the spline coefficients is important: we suggest simple methods for overcoming this problem.
Bone level changes at axial‐ and non‐axial‐positioned implants supporting fixed partial dentures. A 5‐year retrospective longitudinal study
Authors: Koutouzis Theofilos , Wennström Jan L.
Published: June 2007

Aim: The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the potential influence of implant inclination on marginal bone loss at freestanding, implant‐supported, fixed partial dentures (FPDs) over a 5‐year period of functional loading.

Material and methods: The material comprised 38 periodontally treated, partially dentate patients with a total of 42 free‐standing FPDs supported by implants of the Astra Tech System®. Mesio‐distal inclination of the implants in relation to a vertical axis perpendicular to the occlusal plane was measured with a protractor on standardized photographs of the master cast. The two tail quartiles of the distribution of the implants with regard to the implant inclination were defined as axial‐positioned (mean 2.4°; range 0–4°) and non‐axial‐positioned implants (mean 17.1°; range 11–30°), respectively. For FPDs supported by two implants, both the mesial–distal and buccal–lingual inter‐implant inclination was measured. The primary outcome variable was change in peri‐implant bone level from the time of FPD placement to the 5‐year follow‐up examination. Comparison between axial‐ and non‐axial‐positioned implants was performed by the use of a Mann–Whitney U‐test. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to analyze relationships between inter‐implant inclination (mesial–distal and buccal–lingual) and 5‐year bone level change on the FPD level.

Results: The 5‐year mean bone level change amounted to 0.4 mm (SD 0.97) for the axial and 0.5 mm (0.95) for non‐axial‐positioned implants (P>0.05). For the FPDs supported by two implants, the mean inter‐implant inclination was 9.2° (1–36°) in the mesial–distal direction and 6.7° (0–24°) in the buccal–lingual direction. Correlation analysis revealed lack of statistically significant correlation between inter‐implant inclination (mesial–distal and buccal–lingual) and 5‐year bone level change (r=−0.19 and r=−0.32, respectively).

Conclusion: The study failed to support the hypothesis that implant inclination has an effect on peri‐implant bone loss.
Biomechanical analysis on platform switching: is there any biomechanical rationale?
Authors: Maeda Yoshinobu , Miura Jiro , Taki Ikuro , Sogo Motofumi
Published: June 2007

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the biomechanical advantages of platform switching using three‐dimensional (3D) finite element models.

Material and methods: 3D finite element models simulating an external hex implant (4 × 15 mm) and the surrounding bone were constructed. One model was the simulation of a 4 mm diameter abutment connection and the other was the simulation of a narrower 3.25 mm diameter abutment connection, assuming a platform‐switching configuration.

Results: The stress level in the cervical bone area at the implant was greatly reduced when the narrow diameter abutment was connected compared with the regular‐sized one.

Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it was suggested that the platform switching configuration has the biomechanical advantage of shifting the stress concentration area away from the cervical bone–implant interface. It also has the disadvantage of increasing stress in the abutment or abutment screw.
Genetic and environmental influences on self‐reported and parent‐reported behavior problems in young adult adoptees
Authors: Van Den Berg M. P. , Huizink A. C. , Van Baal G. C. M. , Tieman W. , Van Der Ende J. , Verhulst F. C.
Published: June 2007

The aim of the present study was to estimate the genetic, shared and nonshared environmental contributions to self‐reported and parent‐reported internalizing and externalizing problems in a follow‐up study of intercountry adopted young adults. Young Adult Self‐Report ratings were obtained from 1475 adoptees aged 22–32 years and Young Adult Behavior Checklist ratings from 1115 adoptive parents. For the genetic analyses, a subset of 143 adopted biologically related and 295 unrelated siblings was used. The data were subjected to model fitting decomposing three sources of variance: genetic factors (A) shared environment (C) and nonshared environment (E). Genetic factors were of more importance in both self‐reported (A2= 54%, C2= 0, and E2= 46%) and parent‐reported (A2= 76%, C2= 15% and E2= 9%) internalizing problems. Environmental factors were of more importance in both self‐reported (A2= 33%, C2= 17% and E2= 50%) and parent‐reported (A2= 28%, C2= 27% and E2= 45%) externalizing problems. This was in contrast with findings from the first and second assessments in the same sample during adolescence when genetic factors were more important in explaining externalizing problems compared with internalizing problems. Our results suggest a developmental reversal in genetic and environmental influences on behavior problems from early adolescence into adulthood, which could be related to different underlying developmental trajectories.
Impact of intra‐ and interstrain cross‐fostering on mouse maternal care
Authors: Van Der Veen R. , Abrous D. N. , Ronald de Kloet E. , Piazza P. V. , Koehl M.
Published: June 2007

The importance of maternal care in shaping an individual’s phenotype in health and disease is becoming more and more apparent in both human and animal studies. However, in mouse studies using inbred strains or knockout mice to analyze the genetic influences on the development of normal and aberrant behavioral phenotypes, maternal behavior is very poorly characterized and often ignored. This study provides an extensive analysis of spontaneous maternal behavior of inbred mice in three conditions: (1) comparing two commonly used strains, (2) analyzing the impact of adopting pups from the same strain (intrastrain cross‐fostering) and (3) analyzing the impact of adopting pups from a different strain (interstrain cross‐fostering). For each condition, maternal behavior was analyzed continuously over 23‐h periods on postnatal days 2, 4, 6 and 9. We report that (1) the maternal behavior of C57BL/6J and DBA/2J dams toward their biological offspring is highly similar, (2) intrastrain cross‐fostering has minimal impact on maternal behavior of C57BL/6J and DBA/2J dams, (3) interstrain cross‐fostering does not modify the strain differences in maternal care observed between AKR and C3H/He mothers and (4) the pup strain does influence the amount of maternal behavior shown by both mothers in interstrain cross‐fostering. These latter findings demonstrate that both mother strain and pup strain are key determinants of maternal behavior.
Pyoderma gangrenosum: Clinical presentation and outcome in 18 cases and review of the literature
Authors: Hasselmann Dirk O. , Bens Guido , Tilgen Wolfgang , Reichrath Jörg
Published: June 2007

Background: Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an idiopathic ulcerative neutrophilic inflammatory skin disease characterized by variable clinical presentation and outcome. Because its incidence is low, no prospective randomized controlled trials and only a few large case studies on PG have been reported.

Observations: We demonstrate the clinical presentation and outcome in 18 cases with severe and chronic PG. In our 18 patients, the female/male ratio was 3.5:1, the mean onset age was 53.1 yrs (range 23–78); six cases (33%) had associated diseases (inflammatory bowel disease [n = 2, 11%], monoclonal gammopathy [n = 2, 11%], rheumatoid arthritis [n = 1, 6%], diabetes mellitus [n = 1, 6%]). Anatomic locations involved were lower leg (n = 14, 78%), abdomen (n = 5, 28%), arm (n = 3, 17%), breast (n = 2, 11%), and buttocks (n = 1,6%). Five patients (28%) had multiple lesions (n ≥ 2). Immunosuppressive monotherapies (n = 3, 17%) and polytherapies (n = 15, 83%) were used. 13 patients (72%) showed complete remission (mean duration to complete remission: 1.29 yrs), three patients (17%) persistent disease (mean duration: 8 yrs), contact was lost to one patient (6%) and one patient died (6%).

Conclusion: Our observations add to the growing body of evidence that PG responds in most cases to systemic immunosuppressive treatment, with corticosteroids and cyclosporine representing first‐line therapies. Besides reporting the clinical outcome in our 18 patients, we review the literature and discuss treatment recommendations that take additional factors including associated conditions, disease severity and localization of lesions into consideration.
Photochemical cleavage of a tattoo pigment by UVB radiation or natural sunlight
Authors: Engel Eva , Spannberger Andrea , Vasold Rudolf , König Burkhard , Landthaler Michael , Bäumler Wolfgang
Published: June 2007

Background: Millions of people have at least one tattoo. Complex and light absorbing molecules are implanted in the skin. When tattooed skin receives UV radiation or natural sunlight, photochemical cleavage of the pigments may occur. As a first step, we dissolved pigments in a suitable solvent and analyzed them after light irradiation.

Methods: The widespread Pigment Red 22 was dissolved in different solvents. The solutions were irradiated with either UVB radiation (up to 8 h) or with natural sunlight (110 days). After irradiation, the solutions were analyzed by means of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Results: A clear cleavage of the pigment was detected in all solvents and the primary decomposition products were identified. In tetrahydrofuran and dioxane, the pigment concentration decreased significantly during UVB irradiation, whereas the pigment was completely destroyed during sunlight exposure. In chloroform and dichloromethane, the pigment concentration decreased slightly during UVB irradiation, whereas the pigment was almost completely destroyed during sunlight exposure.

Conclusion: Since chloroform and dichloromethane do not affect the cleavage process, these solvents are optimal for such in vitro experiments. We have shown the cleavage of the tattoo pigment Red 22 when exposed to UVB radiation or natural sunlight. The decomposition products are hazardous showing a potential risk of being toxic or even carcinogenic. At present, a risk assessment is not feasible since the concentration of pigments and their decomposition products in skin are unknown.
Fabry disease: Case report with emphasis on enzyme replacement therapy and possible future therapeutic options
Authors: Möhrenschlager Matthias , Pontz Bertram F. , Lanzl Ines , Podskarbi Theodor , Henkel Verena , Ring Johannes
Published: June 2007

A 38‐year‐old male Caucasian with Fabry disease presented with angiokeratomas and tortuous conjunctival and retinal vessels. Additionally, the patient showed characteristic skin lesions of psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. His past medical history revealed anhidrosis, acral paresthesias, myocardial infarction, phlebothrombosis, hypertension, antithrombin III deficiency, factor V Leiden disease, chronic obstructive lung disease, tinnitus, diarrhea, recurrent abdominal pain, headache, and depressive mood. He was treated with intravenous substitution of the deficient enzyme α‐galactosidase A. Possible future options in treatment of Fabry disease are discussed.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FEATURES OF OBLIQUE AND STRAIGHT DISTAL SESAMOIDEAN DESMITIS IN 27 HORSES
Authors: SAMPSON SARAH N. , SCHNEIDER ROBERT K. , TUCKER RUSSELL L. , GAVIN PATRICK R. , ZUBROD CHAD J. , HO CHARLES P.
Published: June 2007

Injury to the oblique and straight distal sesamoidean ligaments is becoming recognized as a more common cause of lameness in horses than was previously thought. The purpose of this study was to review the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of 27 horses affected with desmitis of the oblique and/or straight distal sesamoidean ligament and determine long‐term prognosis for horses with this diagnosis. Imaging was performed with horses in right lateral recumbency in a high‐field 1 T magnet. All horses had lameness localized to the digit or metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal joint region with diagnostic local anesthetic blocks. Ten horses had forelimb lameness and 17 horses had hind limb lameness. MR imaging revealed abnormalities in the oblique distal sesamoidean ligaments in 18 horses, in the straight distal sesamoidean ligament in three horses, and in both the oblique and straight distal sesamoidean ligament in six horses. Treatment consisted of a 6‐month rest and rehabilitation program in all horses. The digital flexor tendon sheath was injected with methylprednisolone acetate and hyaluronic acid in 22 horses to decrease inflammation in the injured ligaments before starting the rest and rehabilitation program. Two horses had ligament splitting performed, one in the oblique distal sesamoidean ligament and one in the straight distal sesamoidean ligament. MR imaging is an effective method for diagnosing injury to the oblique and straight distal sesamoidean ligaments in horses. Treatment, primarily a 6‐month rest and rehabilitation program, allowed 76% of the horses to successfully resume performance.
IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—DISCOSPONDYLITIS AND SEPTIC ARTHRITIS IN A DOG
Authors: STERN LEAH , McCARTHY ROBERT , KING RYAN , HUNT KATHLEEN
Published: June 2007

A 6‐year‐old German Shepherd dog was evaluated for hind limb lameness. When a diagnosis, could not be achieved using radiography and ultrasonography, bone scintigraphy was performed to look for occult lameness or the presence of multiostic disease. Bone scintigraphy was useful in identification of increased radiopharmaceutical uptake in the thoracic spine and right coxofemoral joint, which directed further testing leading to the diagnosis of discospondylitis, septic arthritis of the coxofemoral joint, and a urinary tract infection.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN RENAL HYPOECHOIC SUBCAPSULAR THICKENING AND LYMPHOSARCOMA IN CATS
Authors: VALDÉS‐MARTÍNEZ ALEJANDRO , CIANCIOLO RACHEL , MAI WILFRIED
Published: June 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between renal hypoechoic subcapsular thickening observed ultrasonographically and the presence of renal lymphosarcoma in cats. The ultrasonography database was retrospectively searched for cats that underwent ultrasound examination and ultrasound guided needle renal aspirate, renal biopsy, or necropsy. One radiologist unaware of the final diagnosis evaluated the images for the presence of hypoechoic subcapsular thickening and other abnormal findings. Fifty‐four cats met the inclusion criteria. Hypoechoic subcapsular thickening was found in 21 cats of which 17 had lymphosarcoma; the remaining four cats had a different diagnosis. Eleven out of 33 cats without hypoechoic subcapsular thickening were positive for lymphosarcoma, and the rest had a different diagnosis. There was a significant association between hypoechoic subcapsular thickening and renal lymphosarcoma (P=0.001). The positive predictive value of hypoechoic subcapsular thickening for lymphosarcoma was 80.9% and the negative predictive value was 66.7%. The sensitivity and specificity of hypoechoic subcapsular thickening for the diagnosis of renal lymphosarcoma were 60.7% and 84.6%, respectively. The results of this study indicate that the presence of hypoechoic subcapsular thickening in feline kidneys is associated with renal lymphosarcoma.
ULTRASOUND APPROACH TO THE CANINE DISTAL TIBIA AND TROCHLEAR RIDGES OF THE TALUS
Authors: LIUTI TIZIANA , SAUNDERS JIMMY H. , GIELEN INGRID , DE RYCKE LIEVE , COOPMAN FRANK , VAN BREE HENRI
Published: June 2007

The aim of the present study was to evaluate to what extent the distal tibia and the trochlear ridges of the talus can be examined with ultrasound (US) in the dog and to establish a protocol for an optimal US examination of these ridges. Six hind limbs of deceased adult mixed‐breed dogs were used. In two limbs, needles were placed using US guidance on the trochlea of the talus, just dorsal to and plantar to the distal tibia: one with the tarsal joint in extension and one with the joint in flexion. Then mediolateral (ML) radiographs of both joints were made with the needle in place to determine the percentage of the trochlear ridge of the talus that can be seen using US imaging. An US examination of the tarsal joint was performed on the four other limbs using microconvex (8 MHz) and linear (12 MHz) transducers (Logiq 7) and compound imaging. A three‐step protocol was performed including a dorsal approach with the limb extended and the linear transducer (step I), a plantar approach with the limb flexed and the linear transducer (step II), and a plantar approach with the limb flexed and the microconvex transducer (step III). After the US examination, the four limbs were frozen and sectioned, two in a transverse and two in a sagittal plane. Bony structures on the US images were matched with the corresponding anatomic sections. The distal tibia and both trochlear ridges of the talus were easily recognized on the US images using the proposed protocol. When combining the dorsal and plantar approaches, it was possible to visualize up to 75% of the trochlear ridges of the talus in the dog.
RESPONSE OF NINETEEN CATS WITH NASAL LYMPHOMA TO RADIATION THERAPY AND CHEMOTHERAPY
Authors: SFILIGOI GABRIELLA , THÉON ALAIN P. , KENT MICHAEL S.
Published: June 2007

The records of 19 cats treated for stage I nasal lymphoma with radiation therapy and chemotherapy were reviewed to determine response to therapy, treatment outcome and possible prognostic indicators. All cats were treated with megavoltage radiation therapy to a total dose ranging from 22 to 48 Gy (median dose=42 Gy). All cats were prescribed at least 6 months of multiagent chemotherapy. The median progression‐free interval for all cats was 945 days (31 months). Two cats did not achieve clinical remission. Of 17 cats evaluable for relapse, 10 (58.8%) were progression free during the entire follow‐up period. Four cats (23.5%) suffered local recurrence, while three (17.6%) experienced distant relapse. The median survival time was 955 days (31.4 months). The only variable found to have a significant negative impact on survival was destruction of the cribriform plate before therapy (P=0.002). The long progression free and survival times reported here indicate that cats with stage I nasal lymphoma treated with aggressive local and systemic therapy can have a favorable outcome when compared with other anatomic forms of lymphoma. Despite strong clinical responses to the multimodality therapy used, the fact that three (17.6%) cats relapsed distantly supports the recommendation that treatment with radiation therapy alone is insufficient until further prospective studies can be performed.
The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): Validation of the Malay Version
Authors: Sidi Hatta , Abdullah Norni , Puteh Sharifah Ezat Wan , Midin Marhani
Published: June 2007

Introduction

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a prevalent sexual health problem that has been inadequately investigated in Malaysia, a nation with a conservative multiethnic society.

Aim

To validate the Malay version of the Female Sexual Function Index (MVFSFI) for the study of FSD.

Main Outcome Measure

To measure the validity and reliability of the MVFSFI and its domains.

Methods

Validation was carried out on aspects of face, content, discriminant, and criterion (concurrent) validity. Reliability studies on test–retest and on internal consistency were conducted with Cronbach's alpha and Pearson correlation, respectively. The values with the highest sensitivity and specificity generated from the receiver operating characteristic curves were taken as the cutoff scores to differentiate cases and noncases.

Results

A total of 230 married women aged 18–70 years participated in this study. There was a high test–retest correlation by respondents (r at least >0.7). The MVFSFI was found to have good discriminant validity as a whole and for each domain. A total score of 55 was taken as the cutoff point for the MVFSFI to distinguish between women with sexual dysfunction and those without (sensitivity=99%, specificity=97%). Scores lower than 55 indicate sexual dysfunction. The cutoff score for each domain was also established for the MVFSFI: ≤5 for sexual desire disorder (sensitivity=95%, specificity=89%); ≤9 for sexual arousal disorder (sensitivity=77%, specificity=95%); ≤10 for disorder of lubrication (sensitivity=79%, specificity=87%); ≤4 for orgasmic disorder (sensitivity=83%, specificity=85%); ≤11 for sexual dissatisfaction (sensitivity=83%, specificity=85%); and ≤7 for sexual pain disorder (sensitivity=86%, specificity=95%).

Conclusion

The MVFSFI is a validated and locally accepted questionnaire for use in the assessment of FSD in the Malaysian population.
Supplier Evaluations: The Role of Communication Quality
Authors: Prahinski Carol , Fan Ying
Published: June 2007

Although manufacturers communicate supplier evaluations in order to influence the supplier, little is known about the role of communication quality from the suppliers' perspective and its impact on suppliers' performance. Using structural equation modeling and data collected from 138 automotive suppliers, the results suggest that the evaluation content and frequency have an impact on communication quality and suppliers' commitment. Surprisingly, frequent communication of strategic criteria was insignificant or negative. In addition, commitment of suppliers to the buying organization mediated the relationship between communication quality and supplier's performance.
Environmental Uncertainty and Strategic Supply Management: A Resource Dependence Perspective and Performance Implications
Authors: Paulraj Antony , Chen Injazz J.
Published: June 2007

Environmental uncertainty plays a crucial role in the implementation of strategic supply management initiatives. The current study adopts the resource dependence theory to explain the direct effect of supply chain uncertainties on strategic supply management, operationalized as a second‐order construct comprising strategic purchasing, long‐term relationship orientation, interfirm communication, cross‐organizational teams and supplier integration. Using structural equation modeling, the 200‐firm sample provided evidence that strategic supply management is driven by supply and technology uncertainty. Demand uncertainty, on the other hand, was not found to have a significant impact on strategic supply management. Findings further support the link between strategic supply management and the performance of both buying and supplying firms.
Interobserver agreement in the diagnosis of canine hip dysplasia using the standard ventrodorsal hip‐extended radiographic method
Authors: Verhoeven G. , Coopman F. , Duchateau L. , Saunders J. H. , Van Rijssen B. , Van Bree H.
Published: June 2007

Objectives:To determine the agreement between observers and to investigate the effect of observer experience in diagnosing canine hip dysplasia and providing final scoring of hips using the standard ventrodorsal hip‐extended radiographic method. The agreement of the final scoring, with a presumed correct assessment based on the Norberg angle, is also investigated.

Methods:Thirty observers were requested to read 50 ventrodorsal hip‐extended radiographs of 25 dogs according to Federation Cynologique International criteria. Groups of experienced (nine members) and inexperienced (21 members) observers were used.

Results:For providing the distinction between dysplastic versus non‐dysplastic dogs, the average interobserver agreement was 72 per cent and was significantly higher (P<0·0001) than the score that could be expected by chance without any agreement between observers. For providing the final score (A, B, C, D or E), an average interobserver agreement of 43·6 per cent was found. In the experienced group, an agreement score of 76 per cent was found for the distinction between AB versus non‐AB and an agreement score of 81 per cent was found for the distinction between C versus non‐C. The agreement score was significantly higher (P<0·0001) for the experienced group than for the inexperienced group in all cases. Agreement between the presumed correct assessment based on the Norberg angle and the observer‘s evaluation was low (P=0·35), irrespective of whether the observers were experienced (71·8 per cent correct assessments) or inexperienced (69 per cent correct assessments).

ClinicalSignificance:Although interobserver agreement is low, observer experience increases agreement.
Solar Radiation‐induced Mortality of Marine Pico‐phytoplankton in the Oligotrophic Ocean†
Authors: Agustí Susana , Llabrés Moira
Published: June 2007

We examined the response of pico‐phytoplankton communities sampled at the equatorial, tropical and temperate Central Atlantic Ocean to subsurface underwater solar radiation in order to test the generality of the reported cell mortality for these populations when exposed to high ultra violet radiation (UVR) and photosynthetically active radiation. The natural communities of pico‐phytoplankton populations tested experienced high cell mortality when exposed to high solar radiation, despite inhabiting tropical waters. Synechococcus and eukaryotes were more resistant to solar radiation than Prochlorococcus. The decay rates of all pico‐phytoplankton groups examined tended to be much higher when exposed to total solar radiation than when UVB‐R was filtered out. We also show that even short exposures of 30 min to high solar radiation were able to induce cell mortality in Prochlorococcus. The variability in the decay rates of living Prochlorococcus cells were strongly related to the condition of the original population. However, Synechococcus decay rates were higher in populations from the tropical area, with eukaryotes sensitivity increasing with increasing the trophic degree. The data reported in this study and in the literature revealed contrasting capacities of Prochlorococcus, Synechococcus and eukaryotes to survive under high solar radiation. Although the mechanisms involved are as yet unclear, their elucidation may help explain niche partitioning among these organisms in the ocean.
Porphyrin Fluorescence Dominates UV Photoemission of Folded Cytochrome c
Authors: Löwenich Dennis , Kleinermanns Karl
Published: June 2007

In this article we reinvestigate the bimodal fluorescence of cytochrome c (Cyt c) by using excitation‐wavelength‐dependent fluorescence spectroscopy. We show that its major contributions at pH 3–7 do not arise from tryptophan (Trp‐59) fluorescence as hitherto assumed. Instead, different chromophores of Cyt c contribute at different pH values. At pH 3–7, the porphyrin system contributes about 80% and tryptophan about 20% to the total fluorescence upon excitation of Cyt c at 280 nm. At pH 2, the fluorescence originates nearly completely from the tryptophan residue. Porphyrin fluorescence is still present at pH 2 but its contribution is too small for quantitative deconvolution. Our results show that the UV fluorescence of Cyt c has to be deconvoluted before it can be used to perform time‐resolved measurements of the folding of this small protein.
Effects of Substituents on Synthetic Analogs of Chlorophylls. Part 1: Synthesis, Vibrational Properties and Excited‐state Decay Characteristics
Authors: Kee Hooi Ling , Kirmaier Christine , Tang Qun , Diers James R. , Muthiah Chinnasamy , Taniguchi Masahiko , Laha Joydev K. , Ptaszek Marcin , Lindsey Jonathan S. , Bocian David F. , Holten Dewey
Published: June 2007

Understanding the effects of substituents on the spectra of chlorins is essential for a wide variety of applications. Recent developments in synthetic methodology have made possible systematic studies of the properties of the chlorin macrocycle as a function of diverse types and patterns of substituents. In this paper, the spectral, vibrational and excited‐state decay characteristics are examined for a set of synthetic chlorins. The chlorins bear substituents at the 5,10,15 (meso) positions or the 3,13 (β) positions (plus 10‐mesityl in a series of compounds) and include 24 zinc chlorins, 18 free base (Fb) analogs and one Fb or zinc oxophorbine. The oxophorbine contains the keto‐bearing isocyclic ring present in the natural photosynthetic pigments (e.g.chlorophylla). The substituents cause no significant perturbation to the structure of the chlorin macrocycle, as evidenced by the vibrational properties investigated using resonance Raman spectroscopy. In contrast, the fluorescence properties are significantly altered due to the electronic effects of substituents. For example, the fluorescence wavelength maximum, quantum yield and lifetime for a zinc chlorin bearing 3,13‐diacetyl and 10‐mesityl groups (662 nm, 0.28, 6.0 ns) differ substantially from those of the parent unsubstituted chlorin (602 nm, 0.062, 1.7 ns). Each of these properties of the lowest singlet excited state can be progressively stepped between these two extremes by incorporating different substituents. These perturbations are associated with significant changes in the rate constants of the decay pathways of the lowest excited singlet state. In this regard, the zinc chlorins with the red‐most fluorescence also have the greatest radiative decay rate constant and are expected to have the fastest nonradiative internal conversion to the ground state. Nonetheless, these complexes have the longest singlet excited‐state lifetime. The Fb chlorins bearing the same substituents exhibit similar fluorescence properties. Such combinations of factors render the chlorins suitable for a range of applications that require tunable coverage of the solar spectrum, long‐lived excited states and red‐region fluorescence.
Variability of UVR Effects on Photosynthesis of Summer Phytoplankton Assemblages from a Tropical Coastal Area of the South China Sea†
Authors: Gao Kunshan , Li Gang , Helbling E. Walter , Villafañe Virginia E.
Published: June 2007

From June to September 2005, we carried out experiments to determine the ultraviolet radiation (UVR) ‐induced photoinhibition of summer phytoplankton assemblages from a coastal site of the South China Sea. Variability in taxonomic composition was determined throughout the summer, with a peak chlorophyll a (chl a∼20 μg chl a L−1) dominated by the diatom Skeletonema costatum that was detected early in the study period; the rest of the time samples were characterized by monads and flagellates, with low chl a values (1–5 chl a μg L−1). Surface water samples were placed in quartz tubes, inoculated with radiocarbon and exposed to solar radiation for 2–3 h to determine photosynthetic rates under three quality radiation treatments (i.e. PAB, 280–700 nm; PA, 320–700 nm and P, 400–700 nm) using different filters and under seven levels of ambient irradiance using neutral density screens (PvsE curves). UVR inhibition of samples exposed to maximum irradiance (i.e. at the surface) varied from −12.2% to 50%, while the daytime‐integrated UVR‐related photoinhibition in surface seawater varied from −62% to 7%. The effects of UVR on the photosynthetic parameters PBmax and Ek were also variable, but UV‐B accounted for most of the observed variability. During sunny days, photosynthesis of microplankton (>20 μm) and piconanoplankton (<20 μm) were significantly inhibited by UVR (mostly by UV‐B). However, during cloudy days, while piconanoplankton cells were still inhibited by UVR, microplankton cells used UVR (mostly UV‐A) as the source of energy for photosynthesis, resulting in higher carbon fixation in samples exposed to UVR than the ones exposed only to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Our results indicate that size structure and cloudiness clearly condition the overall impact of UVR on phytoplankton photosynthesis in this tropical site of South China. In addition, model predictions for this area considering only PAR for primary production might have underestimated carbon fixation due to UVR contribution.