bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Confocal microscopy with double immunofluorescence staining reveals the functional transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 expressed in myoepithelial cells of human submandibular glands
Authors: Ding Qianwen , Zhang Yan , Cong Xin , Cai Zhigang , Han Jingyan , Su Yunchao , Wu Li‐Ling , Yu Guan‐Gyan
Published: September 2011

Myoepithelial cells (MECs) mainly surround acini and intercalated ducts in the human salivary glands. The contraction of MECs provides the expulsive force to promote salivation. We previously found functional transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) was expressed in rabbit and human submandibular glands and increased saliva secretion. However, it was unknown whether TRPV1 was expressed in MECs of submandibular glands. In this study, we observed the immunoflourescence of TRPV1 was not only located in serous acini and ducts but also surround the basal layer of the acinus and intercalated ducts of human submandibular glands. Double immunofluorescence staining revealed colocalization of TRPV1 with calponin, vimentin, and α‐smooth muscle actin, which indicated the myoepithelial expression of TRPV1. Treating submandibular gland tissues with capsaicin, an agonist of TRPV1, substantially increased the phosphorylation of the 20‐kDa regulatory light‐chain subunit of myosin (MLC20), a crucial molecule for contraction of smooth muscle cells, in MECs. Pretreatment with capsazepine, a specific TRPV1 inhibitor, blocked capsaicin‐induced MLC20 phosphorylation. These results suggest that TRPV1 is expressed in MECs of the human submandibular gland and mediates myoepithelial contraction via a mechanism involving MLC20 phosphorylation. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long‐term functional adeno‐associated virus‐microdystrophin expression in the dystrophic CXMDj dog
Authors: Koo Taeyoung , Okada Takashi , Athanasopoulos Takis , Foster Helen , Takeda Shin'ichi , Dickson George
Published: September 2011

Background

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe, inherited, muscle‐wasting disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Preclinical studies of adeno‐associated virus gene therapy for DMD have been described in mouse and dog models of this disease. However, low and transient expression of microdystrophin in dystrophic dogs and a lack of long‐term microdystrophin expression associated with a CD8+ T‐cell response in DMD patients suggests that the development of improved microdystrophin genes and delivery strategies is essential for successful clinical trials in DMD patients.

Methods

We have previously shown the efficiency of mRNA sequence optimization of mouse microdystrophin in ameliorating the pathology of dystrophic mdx mice. In the present study, we generated adeno‐associated virus (AAV)2/8 vectors expressing an mRNA sequence‐optimized canine microdystrophin under the control of a muscle‐specific promoter and injected intramuscularly into a single canine X‐linked muscular dystrophy (CXMDj) dog.

Results

Expression of stable and high levels of microdystrophin was observed along with an association of the dystrophin‐associated protein complex in intramuscularly injected muscles of a CXMDj dog for at least 8 weeks without immune responses. Treated muscles were highly protected from dystrophic damage, with reduced levels of myofiber permeability and central nucleation.

Conclusions

The data obtained in the present study suggest that the use of canine‐specific and mRNA sequence‐optimized microdystrophin genes in conjunction with a muscle‐specific promoter results in high and stable levels of microdystrophin expression in a canine model of DMD. This approach will potentially allow the reduction of dosage and contribute towards the development of a safe and effective AAV gene therapy clinical trial protocol for DMD. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prediction of illness severity in patients with major depression using structural MR brain scans
Authors: Mwangi Benson , Matthews Keith , Steele J. Douglas
Published: September 2011

Purpose:

To develop a model for the prediction of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) illness severity ratings from individual structural MRI brain scans.

Materials and Methods:

Structural T1‐weighted MRI scans were obtained from 30 patients with MDD recruited from two different scanning centers. Self‐rated (Beck Depression Inventory; BDI), and clinician‐rated (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, HRSD), syndrome‐specific illness severity ratings were obtained just before scanning. Relevance vector regression (RVR) was used to predict the scores (BDI, HRSD) from T1‐weighted MRI scans.

Results:

It was possible to predict the BDI score (correlation between actual score and RVR predicted scores r = 0.694; P < 0.0001), but not the HRSD scores (r = 0.34; P = 0.068) from individual subjects. BDI scores from the most ill patients were predicted more accurately than those from patients who were least ill (standard deviation of difference between predicted and actual scores 2.5 versus 7.4, respectively).

Conclusion:

These data suggest that T1‐weighted MRI scans contain sufficient information about neurobiological change in patients with MDD to permit accurate predictions about illness severity, on an individual subject basis, particularly for the most ill patients. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:64‐71. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Projections of the climate potential for tourism at local scales: application to Platja de Palma, Spain
Authors: Amengual A. , Homar V. , Romero R. , Alonso S. , Ramis C.
Published: September 2011

Primary socioeconomic activities in the System of Platja de Palma (SPdP), located in the southwestern coast of Mallorca, Spain, are beach‐based holidays and, therefore, are very closely linked to climate. The social, economic and environmental adaptation that this region must make in the mid‐ and long‐term period has to take into account the changes in the tourist potential when the climate changes. A second‐generation climate index for tourism (CIT) has been adopted to measure tourism potential under the present and possible future climatic conditions. CIT is a theoretically based and empirically derived index that allows assessing the sun, sea and sand (3S) weather resource. Daily observed series of 2 m maximum temperature, precipitation, 2 m relative humidity, cloud cover and 10 m wind speed have been used to derive the present climate potential for tourism. For future projections, daily averaged meteorological variables have been obtained from a set of regional climate models (RCMs) within the European ENSEMBLES project. The adoption of a multimodel ensemble strategy allows quantifying the uncertainties arising from model errors and boundary conditions. To use CIT values based on RCM data properly at local scales, a quantile–quantile adjustment has been applied. Results show a significant increase in the annual frequency of days with acceptable conditions together with a slightly increment for the ideal climate perceptions at the expense of decreasing unacceptable categories. For the summery peak season, ideal conditions are projected to decrease from mid‐century favouring acceptable categories. However, an almost general increase for both classes is anticipated in spring and autumn throughout the century. That is, higher frequencies of optimal climate perceptions for carrying out 3S outdoors activities are expected to shift from the peak to shoulder seasons. Therefore, climate change would result in a major impact for the current seasonally adjusted service sector in SPdP. With this information at hand, policy makers and the team of experts planning its socioeconomic future can respond more effectively to the demanding challenge of local adaptation to climate change by implementing adaptation and mitigation strategies to the tourist sector. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Transient heat conduction by the boundary element method: D‐BEM approaches
Authors: Carrer J. A. M. , Oliveira M. F. , Vanzuit R. J. , Mansur W. J.
Published: September 2011

This work is concerned with the development of different domain‐BEM (D‐BEM) approaches to the solution of two‐dimensional diffusion problems. In the first approach, the process of time marching is accomplished with a combination of the finite difference and the Houbolt methods. The second approach starts by weighting, with respect to time, the basic D‐BEM equation, under the assumption of linear and constant time variation for the temperature and for the heat flux, respectively. A constant time weighting function is adopted. The time integration reduces the order of the time derivative that appears in the domain integral; as a consequence, the initial conditions are directly taken into account. Four examples are presented to verify the applicability of the proposed approaches, and the D‐BEM results are compared with the corresponding analytical solutions.Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Knockdown of stomatin‐like protein 2 (STOML2) reduces the invasive ability of glioma cells through inhibition of the NF‐κB/MMP‐9 pathway
Authors: Song Libing , Liu Liping , Wu Zhiqiang , Lin Chuyong , Dai Ting , Yu Chunping , Wang Xi , Wu Jueheng , Li Mengfeng , Li Jun
Published: September 2011

Stomatin‐like protein 2 (STOML2), a member of the stomatin family, has been reported to be up‐regulated in several types of human cancers. The clinical significance and biological role of STOML2 in gliomas remain largely unknown. Here, we describe the significantly up‐regulated expression of STOML2 in glioma cell lines and glioma tissues at both the transcriptional and translational levels. Silencing endogenous STOML2 in glioma cells and primary glioma cells drastically reduced their migratory speed and invasive ability, associated with induction of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP‐9). We also demonstrated that knockdown of STOML2 significantly inhibited the transcriptional activity of NF‐κB and repressed the expression levels of NF‐κB target genes, including MMP‐9. A luciferase reporter assay revealed that the impact of STOML2 on MMP‐9 expression is NF‐κB‐dependent. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the up‐regulation of STOML2 was significantly correlated with the WHO histological grade of gliomas (p < 0.001). Patients with higher STOML2 expression levels had an overall shorter survival time, whereas patients with lower expression of STOML2 had a longer survival time. A multivariate analysis revealed that STOML2 expression might be an independent prognostic indicator for the survival of glioma patients. Taken together, our results suggest that overexpression of STOML2 is associated with glioma aggressiveness and may represent an independent prognostic factor for the outcome of glioma patients. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Statin usage and all‐cause and disease‐specific mortality in a nationwide study
Authors: Haukka Jari , Niskanen Leo , Partonen Timo , Lönnqvist Jouko , Tiihonen Jari
Published: September 2011

Context

The consumption of statins (HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors) in most Western countries has increased to the extent that it may affect all‐cause and disease‐specific mortality.

Objective

To analyze the association of statin use with all‐cause and disease‐specific mortality utilizing nationwide databases in a record linkage study in Finland.

Methods

The study population included all statin users in Finland who had purchased at least one prescription between 1997 and 2005. A control population matched for age, sex, and place of residence and without statin usage was selected. The study population consisted of 336 618 pairs of individuals, and the mean length of follow‐up was 4.4 years. All‐cause mortality and mortality caused by coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, other circulatory causes, cancer, unnatural causes, and suicide were analyzed. Persistence to treatment was calculated by varying adherence criteria between 20 and 80%.

Results

We observed association between all‐cause, non‐CHD and CHD and treatment with statins in statin user group. For CHD mortality, we observed a relationship between the persistence to statin treatment and a decreasing CHD mortality. For each 10% increase in adherence criteria, a 5% (2–8%) decrease in CHD mortality was observed within the range of 20% (RR 0.81, 95%CI 0.32–2.02) to 80% (RR 0.54, 95%CI 0.46–0.64).

Conclusion

In this nationwide study, long‐term use of statins is associated with the reduction in CHD mortality. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification and characterization of two novel antimicrobial peptides, temporin‐Ra and temporin‐Rb, from skin secretions of the marsh frog (Rana ridibunda)
Authors: Asoodeh Ahmad , Zardini Hadi Zare , Chamani JamshidKhan
Published: September 2011

In this study, two novel antimicrobial peptides from the skin secretions of the marsh frog, Rana ridibunda, named temporin‐Ra and temporin‐Rb, were identified and purified using RP‐HPLC. Temporin‐Ra and temporin‐Rb are composed of 14 and 12 amino acids, respectively. Our results show that these peptides have inhibitory effects on both gram‐negative and gram‐positive bacteria, especially antibiotic resistant strains prevalent in hospitals, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae. The sequences and molecular weights of these peptides were determined using tandem MS. The molecular masses were found to be 1242.5 Da for temporin‐Rb and 1585.1 Da for temporin‐Ra. Human red blood cells tolerated well exposure to temporin‐Ra and temporin‐Rb, which, at a concentration of 60 µg/ml, induced 1.3% and 1.1% hemolysis, respectively. MIC values of these peptides are suitable for potent antimicrobial peptides. The low hemolytic effect and wide‐spectrum antimicrobial activity suggest a possible therapeutic application of these novel peptides. Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Variations of electronic transport in graphene of different origins
Authors: Skákalová Viera , Lee Dong Su , Beringer Thomas , Kaiser Alan B. , Srivastava Anchal , Park Hye Jin , Roth Siegmar
Published: September 2011

We prepared three graphene devices with different levels of disorder in the graphene structure by 1. exfoliation from highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), 2. chemical vapour deposition (CVD), using Cu foil as a catalyst, and by 3. CVD, using a Ni layer evaporated on a Si/SiO2 substrate as a catalyst. The gate voltage characteristics, quantum Hall effect (QHE) and temperature (T) dependences of the conductivity of these samples were studied. A comparison of the transport features indicates that, unlike the highly ordered crystal of exfoliated graphene, the graphene sample produced by the CVD method on the Ni substrate shows a significant degradation of the QHE signature with a resistivity value three orders of magnitude higher than that in a graphene crystal. In the exfoliated material phonon scattering dominates the electronic transport at high carrier density, thus reducing the conductivity at high T. Thermal assistance plays an important role in the electronic transport of our graphene grown on Ni with more disordered structure, which causes conductivity to increase with rising T. As to graphene grown on Cu foil, it displays many features similar to those of a perfect graphene crystal. This is good news for possible applications of CVD‐grown graphene. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optimization of airborne wind energy generators
Authors: Fagiano Lorenzo , Milanese Mario , Piga Dario
Published: September 2011

This paper presents novel results related to an innovative airborne wind energy technology, named Kitenergy, for the conversion of high‐altitude wind energy into electricity. The research activities carried out in the last five years, including theoretical analyses, numerical simulations, and experimental tests, indicate that Kitenergy could bring forth a revolution in wind energy generation, providing renewable energy in large quantities at a lower cost than fossil energy. This work investigates three important theoretical aspects: the evaluation of the performance achieved by the employed control law, the optimization of the generator operating cycle, and the possibility to generate continuously a constant and maximal power output. These issues are tackled through the combined use of modeling, control, and optimization methods that result to be key technologies for a significant breakthrough in renewable energy generation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Entropy and set cardinality inequalities for partition‐determined functions
Authors: Madiman Mokshay , Marcus Adam W. , Tetali Prasad
Published: September 2011

A new notion of partition‐determined functions is introduced, and several basic inequalities are developed for the entropies of such functions of independent random variables, as well as for cardinalities of compound sets obtained using these functions. Here a compound set means a set obtained by varying each argument of a function of several variables over a set associated with that argument, where all the sets are subsets of an appropriate algebraic structure so that the function is well defined. On the one hand, the entropy inequalities developed for partition‐determined functions imply entropic analogues of general inequalities of Plünnecke‐Ruzsa type. On the other hand, the cardinality inequalities developed for compound sets imply several inequalities for sumsets, including for instance a generalization of inequalities proved by Gyarmati, Matolcsi and Ruzsa (2010). We also provide partial progress towards a conjecture of Ruzsa (2007) for sumsets in nonabelian groups. All proofs are elementary and rely on properly developing certain information‐theoretic inequalities. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 40, 399–424, 2012
A starch/milled‐montmorillonite nanocomposite for warp sizing
Authors: Gao Ming , Zhu Pu‐xin
Published: September 2011

Na‐montmorillonite (Na‐MMT) was ball‐milled, and a starch/MMT nanocomposite for warp sizing was prepared by solution intercalating technique, with oxidized corn starch (OS) of concentration 6 wt% and the Na‐MMT of 5 wt% on the basis of dry OS. Scanning electron microscope and laser particle size analyzer were used to investigate the particle morphology and size distribution of the MMT. The interlamellar spacing of the MMT and crystal structure the OS‐based composite film were analyzed by using XRD. The sizing performances of the nanocomposite were also tested. All of the experiments conducted, together with those of the OS alone and OS/unmilled MMT for comparison. The results revealed that the ball‐milling treatment resulted in a smaller partical size with a narrow distribution, and larger interlamellar spacing of the Na‐MMT. In comparison with the pristine clay, the milled MMT restrained the crystallization of OS to a greater extent as composited into the OS, had more decrease effects on apparent viscosity of OS paste and hygroscopicity of the casting films, and had more improvement effects on the tensile properties of OS films and adhesiveness of sizes to fibers.
The impact of paracetamol on selected biomarkers of the mollusc species Corbicula fluminea
Authors: Brandão Fátima Pinto , Pereira Joana Luísa , Gonçalves Fernando , Nunes Bruno
Published: September 2011

The Asian clam Corbicula fluminea is an invasive bivalve that has recently spread in Europe and currently represents a large portion of the aquatic biomass in specific areas. Because of the impacts that the species may have in invaded ecosystems, increased knowledge on the physiologic features of the species life‐cycle under different environmental scenarios (e.g., contamination events) is critical to understand the dynamics of the invasion and resulting ecosystem imbalance. The presence of pharmaceutical residues in the aquatic environment has recently received great attention since high levels of contamination have been found, not only in sewage treatment plant effluents, but also in open waters. The present article reports toxicological biochemical effects of paracetamol to Corbicula fluminea following short‐ and long‐term exposures. Oxidative stress parameters were specially focused namely catalase (CAT), glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs), and glutathione reductase (GRed). The effect of tested substances on lipid peroxidation was also investigated. Paracetamol did not induce alterations on CAT activity, caused a significant decrease of GSTs activity following short‐ and long‐term exposure (LOEC values of 532.78 mg L−1 and 30.98 μg L−1, respectively), and was responsible for a significant and dose‐dependent decrease of GRed activity in short‐ and long‐term exposures. These results indicate that exposure to paracetamol can provoke significant alterations on the cellular redox status of C. fluminea. 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 74–83, 2014.
Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Spectral Properties of Three Complexes with a Tetrazole‐based Ligand
Authors: Tong Xiao‐Lan , Xin Jian‐Hua
Published: September 2011

To investigate the coordination chemistry of 1‐subsitituted tetrazole derivatives compared with the 5‐subsitituted tetrazole derivatives and to get a better knowledge of the influence of the metal ions and co‐ligand for the structures of the complexes, three complexes based upon tetrazolate groups were synthesized and structurally characterized by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction: [CoLCl2] (1), [ZnLCl2] (2), and [Cu4L2(N3)8]n (3) [L = 2‐(1‐phenyl‐1H‐tetrazol‐5‐ylsulfanylmenthyl)pyridine]. In complexes 1 and 2, the C–H···N and C–H···Cl intermolecular hydrogen bonds results in 2D supramolecular structures, which can be rationalized to be a (63) topology when the centroid of each molecule was treated as a 3‐connected node with three other molecules around it. In 3, the μ‐1,1 coordination modes of N3– and the bridging coordination mode of L build a 2D layer structure. In complexes 1 and 2, hydrogen bonding interactions play important roles in increasing the dimensionality of supramolecular assemblies. Meanwhile, the electronic spectrum of complex 1 and the fluorescent properties of complex 2 were also studied.
Hydrothermal Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Characterizations of Five New Lanthanide(III) Diphosphonates with a Layered Structure
Authors: Wang Cheng‐Lin , Li Jing , Sun Zhen‐Gang , Hua Rui‐Nian , Zhu Yan‐Yu , Chen Kai , Jiao Cheng‐Qi , Li Chao , Zheng Ming‐Jing , Chu Wei , Tian Hui , Sun Shou‐Hui
Published: September 2011

Five new lanthanide(III) diphosphonates, namely, Ln[(HL)(H2O)]·H2O [Ln = La (1), Ce (2), Pr (3), Nd (4), Sm (5); H4L = C6H11N(CH2PO3H2)2] were synthesized under hydrothermal reaction conditions at 140 °C and structurally characterized by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction, X‐ray powder diffraction, IR spectroscopy, elemental, and thermogravimetric analysis. Compounds 1–5 are isostructural and exhibit a 2D framework structure. The LnO8 polyhedra form 1D zigzag chains along the c axis by edge‐sharing, which are further interconnected by CPO3 tetrahedra through edge‐ and corner‐sharing to form a 2D layer in the ac plane. The cyclohexyl groups of the ligands are orientated toward the interlayer space.
Sectionectomy of the liver
Authors: Yamanaka Junichi , Fujimoto Jiro
Published: September 2011

Anatomic resection of the liver, which refers to the systemic elimination of the main tumor with micrometastases, preserves liver function and is highly recommended. Tumors located centrally or in the vicinity of major portal pedicles or hepatic veins, however, tend to require extensive hepatectomy. Anatomic sectionectomy of the liver might represent an alternative to such extensive resection. Preoperative simulation, external landmarks, selective devascularization, and intraoperative ultrasound are useful to achieve anatomic sectionectomy. Anatomic resection requires division of the relevant portal vein, hepatic artery, and bile duct. This may be achieved by individual isolation of the three elements or by mass isolation of all three in their surrounding fibrous sheath (Glisson's capsule). Both approaches are equally effective for extensive resections. When sectionectomy is performed, however, the isolation of individual vasculobiliary elements is sometimes difficult and dangerous compared with the isolation of the sectional portal pedicles. By identifying the portal pedicles to individual anatomic sections, it is possible to control the inflow to the section that is intended for resection. Anatomic sectionectomy is a safe alternative to extensive liver resection in selected patients, avoiding unnecessary sacrifice of functional liver parenchyma and increasing the opportunity to perform repeat resections in cases of recurrence.
Physiological Adaptation of a Mature Adult Walking the Alps
Authors: Ardigò Luca P. , Lippi Giuseppe , Salvagno Gian Luca , Schena Federico
Published: September 2011

Research on endurance locomotion has mainly focused on elite athletes rather than common middle-aged subjects. Our report describes the physiological and hematological adaptation of a healthy, active 62-year-old man who trekked alone along a 1300 km/3 month course of Alpine paths (Via Alpina). The following procedures were conducted: pre- and post-trekking and fortnightly field anthropometry (total and lean body mass), functional tests (isometric maximal voluntary force, spontaneous walking speed, relative metabolic cost, and peak oxygen consumption) and clinical chemistry/hematological measurements with laboratory instruments; daily self-administered effort measurements using portable devices along the route (walked distance, ascent, descent, time, metabolic consumption, and cost). Despite the tough trekking route, the subject completed the trek without any worsening of his performance, or any significant health or functional problems. In addition, his peak oxygen consumption increased by 13.2%. His successful adaptation may be attributed to his constant, repeated middle-intensity and extensive exercise and lengthy exposure to high altitude. The clinical chemistry/hematological measurements documented his physiological adaptation. In conclusion, we show how an active, middle-aged man can successfully face endurance trekking, not only without any harm to his health or functions but also with an increase in his capacity to support specific effort.
Injuries In Mountain Bike Racing: Frequency of Injuries In Endurance Versus Cross Country Mountain Bike Races
Authors: Lareau Stephanie A. , McGinnis Henderson D.
Published: September 2011

Objective

To determine the frequency of injuries requiring medical attention among mountain bike racers at endurance races (6 hours or greater in duration) versus traditional cross country races (less than 6 hours duration) and to determine the medical support available at races.

Methods

A survey was developed to determine participants' experience level, previous injuries, and demographic information. An additional survey was completed by injured riders to determine injuries and treatment received. The number of medical providers, their level of training, and the supplies available was determined.

Results

The endurance riders had more years of mountain biking experience, averaged more hours of riding per week, and had fewer injuries requiring medical attention in the past year than the riders in the races. Of the cross-country riders, 7.2% were injured during the race, and 4.7% of endurance racers were injured. There was no increased risk of being injured in a race over an endurance race (odds ratio 1.6, 95% CI [0.50, 2.92]). Lacerations and abrasions were the most common injuries in both events. Head injuries, eye injuries, and blisters were only reported in the endurance events. Endurance events were more likely to have medical assistance available.

Conclusion

There was a greater percentage of riders reporting injuries in the cross-country races. It is possible that many of the endurance racers did not report injuries, continuing to ride or taking care of their own injuries quickly. Both events tended to have similar types of injuries and, therefore, both events most likely need similar medical support.
A Comparison of the Incidence and Understanding of Altitude Illness Between Porters and Trekkers in the Solu Khumbu Region of Nepal
Authors: Newcomb Lauren , Sherpa Chhewang , Nickol Annabel , Windsor Jeremy
Published: September 2011

Objective

Altitude illness can occur in anyone who ascends to high altitude. Better understanding of altitude illness is associated with a lower incidence of acute mountain sickness (AMS). The purpose of this study is to compare, for the first time, the incidence and understanding of altitude illness between foreign trekkers and indigenous porters in Nepal.

Methods

Interviews and questionnaires were completed at the International Porter Protection Group Rescue Post at Machermo (4470 m). Participants completed the Lake Louise acute mountain sickness self-assessment questionnaire. They were also asked about their actions in response to high altitude illness scenarios as well as their perception of the vulnerability of porters vs trekkers to altitude illness. Ascent profile, age, gender, ethnic origin, and altitude of home residence were also obtained.

Results

Trekkers ( n=131) had a significantly higher incidence of AMS (21% vs 8%) than porters ( n=92; P < .02). Lowland porters (whose home villages were below 3050 m, n=61) had a numerically higher, though not significantly different, incidence of AMS (10% vs 3%) compared to highland porters ( n=31). The majority of trekkers and porters recognized the symptoms of altitude illness and the most appropriate action to be taken. Despite the lower incidence of AMS in porters, around half felt that they were at greater risk than trekkers.

Conclusions

Porters had a lower incidence of AMS, which may be attributable to repeated ascents through the trekking season, or differences in reporting symptoms. Both trekkers and porters demonstrated appropriate knowledge of actions to be taken in response to altitude illness.
Large-eddy simulation of the zero-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layer up to Reθ = O(1012)
Authors: Inoue M. , Pullin D. I.
Published: September 2011

A near-wall subgrid-scale (SGS) model is used to perform large-eddy simulation (LES) of the developing, smooth-wall, zero-pressure-gradient flat-plate turbulent boundary layer. In this model, the stretched-vortex, SGS closure is utilized in conjunction with a tailored, near-wall model designed to incorporate anisotropic vorticity scales in the presence of the wall. Large-eddy simulations of the turbulent boundary layer are reported at Reynolds numbers ${\mathit{Re}}_{\theta } $ based on the free-stream velocity and the momentum thickness in the range ${\mathit{Re}}_{\theta } = 1{0}^{3} \text{{\ndash}} 1{0}^{12} $. Results include the inverse square-root skin-friction coefficient, $ \sqrt{2/ {C}_{f} } $, velocity profiles, the shape factor $H$, the von Kármán ‘constant’ and the Coles wake factor as functions of ${\mathit{Re}}_{\theta } $. Comparisons with some direct numerical simulation (DNS) and experiment are made including turbulent intensity data from atmospheric-layer measurements at ${\mathit{Re}}_{\theta } = O(1{0}^{6} )$. At extremely large ${\mathit{Re}}_{\theta } $, the empirical Coles–Fernholz relation for skin-friction coefficient provides a reasonable representation of the LES predictions. While the present LES methodology cannot probe the structure of the near-wall region, the present results show turbulence intensities that scale on the wall-friction velocity and on the Clauser length scale over almost all of the outer boundary layer. It is argued that LES is suggestive of the asymptotic, infinite Reynolds number limit for the smooth-wall turbulent boundary layer and different ways in which this limit can be approached are discussed. The maximum ${\mathit{Re}}_{\theta } $ of the present simulations appears to be limited by machine precision and it is speculated, but not demonstrated, that even larger ${\mathit{Re}}_{\theta } $ could be achieved with quad- or higher-precision arithmetic.
A risk–benefit analysis approach to seafood intake to determine optimal consumption
Authors: Sirot Véronique , Leblanc Jean-Charles , Margaritis Irène
Published: September 2011

Seafood provides n-3 long-chain PUFA (n-3 LC-PUFA), vitamins and minerals, which are essential to maintain good health. Moreover, seafood is a source of contaminants such as methylmercury, arsenic and persistent organic pollutants that may affect health. The aim of the present study was to determine in what quantities seafood consumption would provide nutritional benefits, while minimising the risks linked to food contaminants. Seafood was grouped into clusters using a hierarchical cluster analysis. Those nutrients and contaminants were selected for which it is known that seafood is a major source. The risk–benefit analysis consisted in using an optimisation model with constraints to calculate optimum seafood cluster consumption levels. The goal was to optimise nutrient intakes as well as to limit contaminant exposure with the condition being to attain recommended nutritional intakes without exceeding tolerable upper intakes for contaminants and nutrients, while taking into account background intakes. An optimum consumption level was calculated for adults that minimises inorganic arsenic exposure and increases vitamin D intake in the general population. This consumption level guarantees that the consumer reaches the recommended intake for n-3 LC-PUFA, Se and I, while remaining below the tolerable upper intakes for methylmercury, Cd, dioxins, polychlorobiphenyls, Zn, Ca and Cu. This consumption level, which is approximately 200 g/week of certain fatty fish species and approximately 50 g/week of lean fish, molluscs and crustaceans, has to be considered in order to determine food consumption recommendations in a public health perspective.
Breakfast glycaemic index and cognitive function in adolescent school children
Authors: Cooper Simon B. , Bandelow Stephan , Nute Maria L. , Morris John G. , Nevill Mary E.
Published: September 2011

It has been suggested that a low-glycaemic index (GI) breakfast may be beneficial for some elements of cognitive function (e.g. memory and attention), but the effects are not clear, especially in adolescents. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a low-GI breakfast, a high-GI breakfast and breakfast omission on cognitive function in adolescents. A total of fifty-two adolescents aged 12–14 years were recruited to participate in the study. Participants consumed a low-GI breakfast, a high-GI breakfast or omitted breakfast. A battery of cognitive function tests was completed 30 and 120 min following breakfast consumption and capillary blood samples were taken during the 120 min postprandial period. The findings show that there was a greater improvement in response times following a low-GI breakfast, compared with breakfast omission on the Stroop (P = 0·009) and Flanker (P = 0·041) tasks, and compared with a high-GI breakfast on the Sternberg paradigm (P = 0·013). Furthermore, accuracy on all three tests was better maintained on the low-GI trial compared with the high-GI (Stroop:P = 0·039; Sternberg:P = 0·018; Flanker:P = 0·014) and breakfast omission (Stroop:P < 0·001; Sternberg:P = 0·050; Flanker:P = 0·014) trials. Following the low-GI breakfast, participants displayed a lower glycaemic response (P < 0·001) than following the high-GI breakfast, but there was no difference in the insulinaemic response (P = 0·063) between the high- and low-GI breakfasts. Therefore, we conclude that a low-GI breakfast is most beneficial for adolescents' cognitive function, compared with a high-GI breakfast or breakfast omission.
Expected satiation after repeated consumption of low- or high-energy-dense soup
Authors: Hogenkamp Pleunie S. , Brunstrom Jeffrey M. , Stafleu Annette , Mars Monica , de Graaf Cees
Published: September 2011

We investigated whether repeated consumption of a low-energy-dense (LED; 208 kJ/100 g) or high-energy-dense (HED; 645 kJ/100 g) soup modifies expectations relating to the satiating capacity of the food, and its subsequent intake. In study 1, participants consumed either a novel-flavoured LED (n 32; 21 (sd 1·6) years, BMI 21·4 (sd 1·6) kg/m2) or HED soup (n 32; 21 (sd 1·6) years, BMI 21·3 (sd 1·7) kg/m2). Soup was served in a fixed amount on days 1–4 and ad libitum on day 5. ‘Expected satiation’ was measured on days 1, 2 and 5. Expected satiation did not change after repeated consumption of the LED or HED soup. Ad libitum intake did not differ between the LED (461 (sd 213) g) and HED soup (391 (sd 164) g). Only on day 1, expected satiation was higher for the HED soup than for the LED soup (P = 0·03), suggesting a role for sensory attributes in expected satiation. In study 2, thirty participants (21 (sd 1·6) years, BMI 21·3 (sd 1·7) kg/m2) performed a single measurement of expected satiation of the LED and HED soup, and four commercially available types of soup. Ratings on sensory attributes were associated with expected satiation. Results on expected satiation coincided with those of study 1. Thickness and intensity of taste were independently associated with expected satiation. Expectations may initially rely on sensory attributes and previous experiences, and are not easily changed.
“God Is Not Affected by the Depression”: Pentecostal Missions during the 1930s
Authors: Curtis Heather D.
Published: September 2011

Near the beginning of his classic depression-era novel,The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck introduces the Reverend Jim Casy, a “Burning Busher” who “used to . . . get the people jumpin' an' talking' in tongues, an' glory-shoutin' till they just fell down and passed out.” But now Casy has given up preaching. “The sperit ain't in the people much no more;” Casy tells his friend Tom Joad, “and worse'n that, the sperit ain't in me no more.” Throughout the novel, Steinbeck underscores the crisis of religious meaning in the face of financial catastrophes confronting families like the Joads—share croppers and over-extended farmers who were forced off their land in dustbowl states such as Oklahoma, traveled west seeking work and better wages in California, only to find themselves struggling to stave off starvation, disease, and despair in crowded makeshift or government camps where they encountered sharp-tongued, fire-baptized believers like Steinbeck's character Lisbeth Sandry, a “deep-down Jesus-lover” who accused them of wickedness and warned that God was watching and smoking out sinners who took pleasure in play acting, devil-dancing, and other “hell-burning” behaviors.
In Every Cup of Bitterness, Sweetness: California Christianity in the Great Depression
Authors: Ebel Jonathan H.
Published: September 2011

If the past decade has taught Americans anything, it is the danger of treating Wall Street as the sole indicator of the nation's economic health. Those who lived through the Great Depression learned this lesson also. Because so many more Americans and American institutions are investors in 2011 than in 1929, the stock market is a better measure today than it was eighty years ago, but as we relearned in 2008, 2002, and 1987, it is still possible to be blinded to significant systemic problems within and beyond the equity markets if all one does is follow the ticker. To be sure, a focus on Wall Street does not condemn an economic policy or history to failure or irrelevance. But the limits of such works, defined by their urban gaze, have a way of echoing across professions and disciplines that rely in various ways on the work of economists.
Ring versus ‘Mercedes-Benz’ cartilage-perichondrium graft tympanoplasty in management of pars tensa cholesteatoma
Authors: Albirmawy O A
Published: September 2011

Objective:

To compare anatomical and audiological outcomes of ring versus ‘Mercedes-Benz’ cartilage-perichondrium graft tympanoplasty in patients with pars tensa cholesteatoma.

Study design:

Prospective clinical study.

Setting:

Otolaryngology department, Tanta University Hospital, Egypt.

Patients and methods: Over three years, 60 ears in 60 patients underwent surgery for either sinus or tensa retraction cholesteatoma, reconstructed using either a ring-shaped (30 ears) or Mercedes-Benz symbol shaped (30 ears) cartilage-perichondrium graft, with at least two years' follow up. Post-operative drum perforation and retraction, cholesteatoma residue and recurrence, middle-ear effusion, and hearing acuity were monitored.

Results:

Anatomical outcomes were equivalent in both groups, but slightly better in the Mercedes group. Hearing improved significantly in both groups (pre- vs post-operative results), but significantly more so in the ring group. Within-group hearing outcomes were unaffected by cholesteatoma type or tympanoplasty type.

Conclusion:

The Mercedes-Benz technique may be superior to the ring technique in preventing neodrum retraction. However, the ring graft technique had better hearing outcomes, perhaps due to its more physiological design.
Different methods for ethical analysis in health technology assessment: An empirical study
Authors: Saarni Samuli I. , Braunack-Mayer Annette , Hofmann Bjørn , van der Wilt Gert Jan
Published: September 2011

Objectives: Ethical analysis can highlight important ethical issues related to implementing a technology, values inherent in the technology itself, and value-decisions underlying the health technology assessment (HTA) process. Ethical analysis is a well-acknowledged part of HTA, yet seldom included in practice. One reason for this is lack of knowledge about the properties and differences between the methods available. This study compares different methods for ethical analysis within HTA.

Methods: Ethical issues related to bariatric (obesity) surgery were independently evaluated using axiological, casuist, principlist, and EUnetHTA models for ethical analysis within HTA. The methods and results are presented and compared.

Results: Despite varying theoretical underpinnings and practical approaches, the four methods identified similar themes: personal responsibility, self-infliction, discrimination, justice, public funding, and stakeholder involvement. The axiological and EUnetHTA models identified a wider range of arguments, whereas casuistry and principlism concentrated more on analyzing a narrower set of arguments deemed more important.

Conclusions: Different methods can be successfully used for conducting ethical analysis within HTA. Although our study does not show that different methods in ethics always produce similar results, it supports the view that different methods of ethics can yield relevantly similar results. This suggests that the key conclusions of ethical analyses within HTA can be transferable between methods and countries. The systematic and transparent use of some method of ethics appears more important than the choice of the exact method.
An uneven spread: A review of public involvement in the National Institute of Health Research's Health Technology Assessment program
Authors: Moran Rebecca , Davidson Peter
Published: September 2011

Objectives: This study comprises a review of public involvement strategies across the five stages of research management in the UK's HTA program at the end of a 10-year period. These five stages are: identification of topics; prioritization of these topics as researchable questions; commissioning of research; monitoring of projects throughout their implementation; and publication and dissemination of findings.

Methods: Internal HTA documentation was analyzed alongside narrative analysis of semi-structured interviews of program staff, and a rapid review of published literature.

Results: Public involvement strategies have developed with the growth of the HTA program but were spread unevenly across the five stages of research management. Public involvement was present in identification, strongest in prioritization, present in commissioning but minimal in monitoring and absent in publication and dissemination.

Conclusions: The HTA program has developed public involvement strategies but mainly in prioritization. Further research is required to ascertain where public involvement can be most appropriately used and to evaluate its impact.
Organizational and Command Aspects for Coordinating the Public Health Response to an Outbreak of Acute Renal Failure, Republic of Panama, 2006
Authors: Cruz Miguel A. , Keim Mark E. , Schier Joshua G. , Gonzalez Raul , Valencia Angel , Telfer Jana L.
Published: September 2011

The Ministry of Health of Panama (MINSA) received several reports of ill persons who had clinical presentations of acute renal insufficiency or failure during September and October 2006. On 01 October 2006, the MINSA formally asked the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assist with the investigation. Additional agencies involved in the response included the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Gorgas Institute for Health Studies (GIHS), and the Social Security Health System (SSHS) of Panama. Through a joint effort, the MINSA, CDC, FDA, GIHS, SSHS, and PAHO were able to characterize the illness, identify the etiological agent, identify the population-at-risk, and launch an unprecedented media and social mobilization effort to prevent additional cases.

International outbreak responses may require familiarity with basic emergency management principles beyond technical or scientific considerations. The management, logistical capabilities, team interaction, and efficiency of outbreak investigations can be enhanced substantially by having staff already familiar with common operational frameworks for incident responses. This report describes the inter-agency coordination and organizational structure implemented during an international response to identify the cause of an outbreak of acute renal failure in Panama.
Sunlight modulates the relative importance of heterotrophic bacteria and picophytoplankton in DMSP-sulphur uptake
Authors: Ruiz-González Clara , Simó Rafel , Vila-Costa Maria , Sommaruga Ruben , Gasol Josep M
Published: September 2011

There is a large body of evidence supporting a major role of heterotrophic bacteria in dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) utilisation as a source of reduced sulphur. However, a role for phototrophic microorganisms has been only recently described and little is known about their contribution to DMSP consumption and the potential modulating effects of sunlight. In an attempt to ascertain the relative quantitative roles of heterotrophic bacteria and picophytoplankton in the osmoheterotrophic uptake of DMSP-sulphur upon exposure to natural sunlight conditions, we incubated northwestern Mediterranean waters under various optical filters and used an array of bulk and single-cell activity methods to trace the fate of added 35S-DMSP. Flow cytometry cell sorting confirmed dark 35S uptake by Prochlorococcus, Synechococcus and heterotrophic bacteria, the latter being the most efficient in terms of uptake on a cell volume basis. Under exposure to full sunlight, however, the relative contribution of Synechococcus was significantly enhanced, mainly because of the inhibition of heterotrophic bacteria. Microautoradiography showed a strong increase in the proportion of Synechococcus cells actively taking up 35S-DMSP, which, after full sunlight exposure, made up to 15% of total active Bacteria. Parallel incubations with 3H-leucine generally showed no clear responses to light. Finally, size-fractionated assimilation experiments showed greater relative cyanobacterial assimilation during the day than at night compared with that of heterotrophic bacteria. Our results show for the first time a major influence of sunlight in regulating the competition among autotrophic and heterotrophic picoplankton for DMSP uptake at both the daily and seasonal time scales.