bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dose‐by‐dose virological and hematological responses to intravenous immunoglobulin in an immunocompromised patient with persistent parvovirus B19 infection
Authors: Tang Julian W. , Lau June S.M. , Wong Stephanie Y.N. , Cheung Jo L.K. , Chan C.H. , Wong K.F. , Wong Ann , Chan Paul K.S.
Published: July 2007

A 42‐year‐old male with stage IV mantle cell lymphoma received chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. He developed pancytopaenia, and bone marrow examination indicated a parvovirus B19 (PVB 19)‐induced red cell aplasia, confirmed by virological tests. Multiple doses of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) were given over the following months, with blood samples being taken after each dose for quantitative PVB 19 DNA and hematological testing to assess the response. Each dose of IVIG produced a 1–3 log10 drop in PVB 19 DNA levels. Eventually, after the fifth dose of IVIG, the PVB 19 DNA was reduced to <10 copies/ml serum, with a gradual improvement in his hematological parameters. This report demonstrates how close monitoring of the virological and hematological response to IVIG therapy for persistent PVB 19 infection in an immunocompromised patient can optimize the usage of this relatively expensive, and sometimes scarce intervention. J. Med. Virol. 79:1401–1405, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular and epidemiological study on nosocomial transmission of HCV in hemodialysis patients in Brazil
Authors: Carneiro Megmar A.S. , Teles Sheila A. , Lampe Elisabeth , Espírito‐Santo Márcia P. , Gouveia‐Oliveira Rodrigo , Reis Nádia R.S. , Yoshida Clara F.T. , Martins Regina M.B.
Published: July 2007

An epidemiological and molecular study of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was carried out in Brazilian hemodialysis centers. A total of 1,095 patients in all 15 hemodialysis centers in the State of Goiás, Brazil, were studied. All patients were interviewed for possible risk factors to HCV infection and serum samples tested for anti‐HCV by ELISA and for HCV RNA by nested RT‐PCR of the 5′ NC region. For sequence analysis, HCV RNA amplification for the NS5B region (nt 8,279–8,619) was performed. The phylogenetic tree was generated with MrBayes, and clusters with support values above 0.85 were considered epidemiologically related. Of the 1,095 patients, 180 were anti‐HCV and/or HCV RNA positive, resulting in an overall prevalence of 16.4% (95% CI: 14.3–18.7). The prevalence of HCV infection in the dialysis centers ranged from 0% to 47.7%. Multivariate analysis of risk factors revealed that history of blood transfusion not screened for anti‐HCV and length of time on hemodialysis were independently associated with HCV infection in this population. One hundred six samples could be amplified and sequenced in the NS5B region. Among them, plylogenetic tree analysis revealed that 69 sequences form 13 separated clusters, which were supported by credibility intervals ranging from 85% to 100%, indicating a very close relationship among the HCV isolates and therefore a likely transmission of the virus between patients. By combining phylogenetic analysis with epidemiological data, routes of transmission between the clustered‐related‐patients could be suggested. These findings provide evidence for nosocomial transmission of HCV in Brazilian hemodialysis centers. J. Med. Virol. 79:1325–1333, 2007. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Energy and protein requirements of growing Nili‐Ravi buffalo heifers in tropical environment
Authors: Paul Shyam S , Patil Nitin V
Published: July 2007

Thirty Nili‐Ravi buffalo heifers (average initial weight 119 kg) were used to assess energy and protein requirements for maintenance and growth. The calves were randomly divided into six equal groups and were fed six diets consisting of three levels of energy (55%, 60% and 65% total digestible nutrient—TDN) in ration and two levels of protein (10% and 12% crude protein—CP) in ration in factorial arrangement ad libitum until they attained 400 kg body weight. Energy and protein requirements at different stages of growth were estimated by partitioning of the metabolizable energy (ME), CP and metabolizable protein (MP) intake for maintenance and body weight gain by regression analysis. All of the multiple regression equations derived for different body weight ranges were highly significant (P < 0.01) and had high R2 values. The ME (kJ), CP (g) and MP (g) requirements for maintenance at different body weights were 443–542, 5.89–9.38 and 4.03–6.30 kg−0.75 d−1. The respective values for average daily gain in body weight (ADG) were 26–53, 0.24–0.48 and 0.18–0.31 g−1 ADG d−1. The predicted requirements matched well with their corresponding actual intake values across the data range. Regressed values were used to develop new feeding standards for buffalo heifers. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Enzymatic vegetable extract with bio‐ active components: Influence of fertiliser on the colour and anthocyanins of red grapes
Authors: Parrado Juan , Escudero‐Gilete María L , Friaza Vicente , García‐Martínez Ana , González‐Miret María L , Bautista Juan D , Heredia Francisco J
Published: July 2007

BACKGROUND: The obtention and physicochemical characterization of an enzymatic vegetable extract (EVE) from agroindustrial wastes by a proteolytic extraction is described. The main components of EVE are nitrogen (peptides and free amino acids) and phytohormones (auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins), as functional components. The effect of EVE as fertilizer/biostimulant on several parameters of red grapes, such as colour and anthocyanins, was also evaluated.

RESULTS: Its application induced high anthocyanin content with the specific induction of petunidin. Tristimulus colorimetry was applied in order to study the colour of musts. Grape juice with significant and perceptible differences in colour characteristics was obtained using EVE. The colour points were located around redder hues (hab) on the (a*b*)‐plane and lightness (L*) was lower.

CONCLUSION: The fertilization with biostimulant shows a promising future in the functional plant nutrition linked with an increase in the organoleptic and quality food parameters. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Rapid and sensitive determination of two degradation products of flumethrin in honey by ultrasonically assisted extraction and gas chromatography with electron capture detection
Authors: Zhou Jinhui , Xue Xiaofeng , Li Yi , Zhang Jinzhen , Wu Liming , Chen Lanzhen , Zhao Jing
Published: July 2007

A rapid and sensitive method for the determination of 4‐fluoro‐3‐phenoxybenzaldehyde cyanohydrin (FPBC) and 4‐fluoro‐3‐phenoxy‐benzaldehyde (FPB) in honey samples using ultrasonically assisted extraction and gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC–ECD) has been developed. The different factors affecting the efficiency of the extraction were carefully optimized. The honey sample was extracted with a mixture of hexane and dichloromethane (v/v, 1:1) utilizing the ultrasonically assisted technique and cleaned up by solid‐phase extraction on Oasis HLB cartridges. The eluate was evaporated to dryness and residues were reconstituted to 1.0 mL with hexane and determined by GC–ECD. The calibration curves of fortified samples showed acceptable linear response (R2 >0.99) over a range of 3–100 ng/g for FPBC and FPB in seven replicate determinations of six concentrations, respectively, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a lack‐of‐fit test was performed to validate the regression data. Overall average recoveries ranged from 90.9 to 106.2% for honey samples. The detection limits were 0.9 ng/g for FPBC and 1.0 ng/g for FPB, respectively. This method can be successfully applied to routine determination of two degradation products of flumethrin in honey samples.
HPLC‐MS of anthraquinoids, flavonoids, and their degradation products in analysis of natural dyes in archeological objects
Authors: Surowiec Izabella , Szostek Bogdan , Trojanowicz Marek
Published: July 2007

LC with MS detection was optimized for sensitive and selective analysis of main classes of natural dyes used in ancient times for dyeing textiles – red anthraquinoids, yellow flavonoids, and known degradation products of flavonols – hydroxybenzoic acids. Fragmentation patterns of both negative and positive molecular ions for the above mentioned compounds were investigated. Three acquisition modes of MS analysis: scanning, SIM, and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in both positive and negative ion modes were optimized and compared with each other and with the UV‐Vis diode‐array detection. Even though in the applied chromatographic system formic acid was used in the mobile phase, SIM in the negative ion mode was the most selective and sensitive detection for all the investigated compounds when both mixtures of standards and analysis of extracts from archeological samples were concerned, with one exception – alizarin, for which MS detection in positive ion mode was more sensitive. Detection limits obtained with MS detection for all investigated compounds except quinizarin were lower than the ones obtained with the diode‐array UV‐Vis detection, making MS detection the most suitable tool for the analysis of natural dyes and their degradation products in extracts from archeological samples.
Determination of sugars and alditols in tobacco with high performance anion‐exchange chromatography
Authors: Tang Kuntian , Liang Lina , Cai Yaqi , Mou Shifen
Published: July 2007

Sugars, alditols, and alcohols in tobacco products were quantified utilizing a method of high‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography‐pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC‐PAD). The optimized analytical method can be used to classify different tobaccos and control the quality of tobaccos. To substantiate the applicability of the method, the analysis of 27 tobacco samples with satisfactory linearity, repeatability, and accuracy had been demonstrated. Compared with some other analytical methods for tobacco, the HPAEC‐PAD method provided a simple and powerful tool for the analysis of not only sugars but also alcohols in tobacco extracts.
The Structure and Thermodynamics of a Heteropolymer Chain in Confinement – Computer Simulation Studies
Authors: Sikorski Andrzej
Published: July 2007

A coarse‐grained model of heteropolymer (polypeptide) chains in a slit was designed in order to study the folding process in confinement. The idealized chains represented heteropolymers consisted of hydrophobic and hydrophilic united atoms, which were restricted to vertices of a (310) lattice. The force field consisted of the excluded volume, the long‐distance potential between pairs of segments and the local helical potential. Monte Carlo simulations were performed using the algorithm with micromodifications of the chain's conformation and employing the Replica Exchange technique. The influence of the size of the slit, the temperature and the force field on the dimension and the structure of chains were studied. It was shown that a moderate confinement stabilizes folded chains while a strong confinement does not.

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Modeling normal and pathological processes through skin tissue engineering
Authors: Garcia Marta , Escamez Maria Jose , Carretero Marta , Mirones Isabel , Martinez‐Santamaria Lucia , Navarro Manuel , Jorcano Jose L. , Meana Alvaro , Del Rio Marcela , Larcher Fernando
Published: July 2007

Skin tissue engineering emerged as an experimental regenerative therapy motivated primarily by the critical need for early permanent coverage of extensive burn injuries in patients with insufficient sources of autologous skin for grafting. With time, the approach evolved toward a wider range of applications including disease modeling. We have established a skin‐humanized mouse model system consisting in bioengineered human‐skin‐engrafted immunodeficient mice. This new model allows to performing regenerative medicine, gene therapy, genomics, and pathology studies in a human context on homogeneous samples. Starting from skin cells (keratinocytes and fibroblasts) isolated from normal donor skin or patient's biopsies, we have been able to deconstruct‐reconstruct several inherited skin disorders including genodermatoses and cancer‐prone diseases in a large number of skin humanized mice. In addition, the model allows conducting studies in normal human skin to gain further insight into physiological processes such as wound healing or UV‐responses. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of health care costs for open burch colposuspension, laparoscopic colposuspension and tension‐free vaginal tape in the treatment of female urinary incontinence
Authors: Ankardal Maud , Järbrink Krister , Milsom Ian , Heiwall Bengt , Lausten‐Thomsen Niels , Ellström‐Engh Marie
Published: July 2007

Aims

To compare direct health care costs of treatment for stress urinary incontinence in Sweden with four different procedures: (i) open Burch colposuspension (OBC); (ii) laparoscopic colposuspension with sutures (LCS); (iii) laparoscopic colposuspension with mesh and staples (LCM), and (iv) Tension‐free Vaginal Tape (TVT).

Material and Methods

A model was constructed representing a hospital with standardized surgical equipment, staff and average unit costs in 2003 Euros. The time used for anesthesia and surgery was calculated. Clinical data was collected from three different sources, a multicenter, randomized, prospective study comparing OBC with LCM with 1 year follow‐up, a three‐armed, prospective study where women were randomized to either OBC, LCM, or LCS with 1 year follow‐up and a descriptive study reporting results of TVT with 5 year follow‐up. Data collected from the studies and hospital cost data were put into the model to create the different cost elements.

Results

The total cost per individual, showed a lower cost for TVT compared to the other alternatives. The direct costs for a TVT, €1,366 were only 56% of the costs for an OBC, €2,431 (P < 0.001) and 59% of the costs for a LCS, €2,310 (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

When using a model and comparing health care costs for surgical treatment of female stress urinary incontinence in Sweden, the TVT procedure generated a lower direct cost than both open and laparoscopic colposuspension. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:761–766, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hague's Domain revisited
Authors: McKean Dayton D.
Published: July 2007

Freedom bursting out all over in Jersey City but eventual rise of a new strong man foreseen by visiting author.
Boston's mid‐century revolt
Authors: Harvey Lashley G.
Published: July 2007

Administrative study, ousting of Boss Curley, adoption of new charter combine to give promise of better things.
Taking politics out of politics
Authors: Mayhill G. Roger , Britton E. T.
Published: July 2007

Use of voting machines for the nomination of candidates by state party conventions in lndinna thwarts boar rule.
Optimal control of time‐delay systems by dynamic programming
Authors: Dadebo Solomon , Luus Rein
Published: July 2007

The use of iterative dynamic programming employing systematic region contraction and accessible grid points is investigated for the optimal control of time‐delay systems. At the time of generating the grid points for the state variables, the corresponding delayed variables at each time stage are also generated and stored in memory. Then, when applying dynamic programming, a linear approximation is used to obtain the initial profile for the delayed variables during integration. This procedure was tested with four problems of different complexity. In each case the optimal control policy is easily obtained and the results compare very favourably with those reported in the literature using other computational procedures.
Numerical solution of a drug displacement problem with bounded state variables
Authors: Maurer H. , Wiegand M.
Published: July 2007

The interaction of the two drugs warfarin and phenylbutazone has previously been considered as a time‐optimal control problem with state inequality constraints. We include bounds for the control and show that necessary optimality conditions and junction conditions for bounded state variables lead to boundary value problems with switching and junction conditions. A special version of the multiple‐shooting algorithm is employed for solving the different types of boundary value problems. The switching structure of the optimal control is determined for a range of parameters in the state constraint. Owing to the special structure of the control, a state space solution is obtained in a first step which reduces the numerical complexity of the problem. It is shown how the numerical results can be used to compute the generalized gradient of the optimal value function explicitly.
Exercise echocardiography reveals subclinical cardiac dysfunction in young adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Jarfelt M. , Kujacic V. , Holmgren D. , Bjarnason R. , Lannering B.
Published: July 2007

Objective

Anthracyclines (AC) have contributed significantly to increased survival rate in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), although the use of these drugs is limited due to cardiotoxicity. The aim was to evaluate heart muscle function in asymptomatic adult survivors of ALL treated in early childhood in relation to the combined effects of AC and other potential cardiotoxic factors.

Procedure

Twenty‐three young adult ALL survivors who had all received treatment with median 120 (120–400) mg AC/m2 before the onset of puberty were examined median 21 years after remission and compared with 12 healthy controls. Basal echocardiography including two‐dimensional (2D) M‐mode and Doppler examination was performed, followed by a maximal exercise stress test and stress echocardiography immediately after stress test and after 5 min recovery.

Results

We found significant differences in systolic function between patients and controls at maximal exercise despite absence of reported symptoms from the patients. The most marked difference was in ejection fraction at stress 59.5% (32.6–81.1) and 77.3% (66.2–85.3), respectively (P < 0.00006). Ten out of 23 patients reduced their ejection fraction at stress compared with at rest; this was not found in any of the controls. Cardiovascular risk factors such as GH deficiency and a high proportion of trunk fat did not have an impact on cardiac function.

Conclusions

With very long follow up in a homogenous cohort of ALL survivors, we found subclinical cardiac dysfunction with exercise stress echocardiography even after low doses of AC. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:835–840. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential intestinal mucosal protein expression in hypercholesterolemic mice fed a phytosterol‐enriched diet
Authors: Calpe‐Berdiel Laura , Escolà‐Gil Joan Carles , Julve Josep , Zapico‐Muñiz Edgar , Canals Francesc , Blanco‐Vaca Francisco
Published: July 2007

The molecular mechanisms involved in the phytosterol‐induced decrease in intestinal cholesterol absorption remain unclear. Further, other biological properties such as immunomodulatory activity and protection against cancer have also been ascribed to these plant compounds. To gain insight into the mechanisms underlying phytosterol actions, we conducted a proteomic study in the intestinal mucosa of phytosterol‐fed apolipoprotein E‐deficient hypercholesterolemic (apoE−/−) mice. With respect to control‐fed apoE−/− mice, nine differentially expressed proteins were identified in whole‐enterocyte homogenates using 2‐D DIGE and MALDI‐TOF MS. These proteins are involved in plasma membrane stabilization, cytoskeleton assembly network, and cholesterol metabolism. Four of these proteins were selected for further study since they showed the highest abundance change or had a potential functional relationship with known effects of phytosterols. Annexin A2 (ANXA2) and β‐actin decrease and annexin A4 (ANXA4) and annexin A5 (ANXA5) increase were confirmed by Western blot analysis. Intestinal gene expression of ANXA2 and A5 and β‐actin was reduced, whereas that of ANXA4 was unchanged. The main results were retested in normocholesterolemic C57BL/6J mice. ANXA4 and ANXA5 protein upregulation and ANXA2 and β‐actin downregulation were reproduced in these animals. However, no changes in gene expression were found in C57BL/6J mice in either of the four proteins selected. ANXA2, A4, and A5 and β‐actin are proteins of special interest given their pleiotropic functions that include cholesterol‐ester transport from caveolae, apoptosis, and anti‐inflammatory properties. Therefore, the protein expression changes identified in this study might be involved in the biological effects of phytosterols.
A novel [Ag(NH3)2]+ probe for chemiluminescent imaging detection of proteins after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
Authors: Xiong Xin , Wang Zhenzhen , Baeyens Willy R. G. , Delanghe Joris R. , Huang Zhi , Huang Guangming , Ouyang Jin
Published: July 2007

The development of a novel [Ag(NH3)2]+ probe chemiluminescence (CL)‐based imaging method for the detection of various proteins after PAGE is described. The detection is based upon the probe [Ag(NH3)2]+ catalyzing the CL reaction of the luminol–potassium persulfate system. The proposed method detects various proteins labeled by [Ag(NH3)2]+ and expands the application scope to SDS gels. It also detects proteins directly in polyacrylamide gels, without tedious transferring procedures. Furthermore, successful identification of proteins by peptide mass profiling using ionization MS was easily performed, and no pretreatments of gel prior to digestion are needed. Detection limits for standard marker proteins match CBB‐R250 staining and the linear dynamic range is superior to CBB‐R250 staining and silver staining. The CL imaging conditions, including luminescent reagents, silver ion concentration, the ammonia‐controlled system and the washing reagents parameters have also been optimized.
Adduction of solvent molecules by ions isolated within an ion trap mass spectrometer under atmospheric pressure ionisation conditions
Authors: Wickens James R. , Sleeman Richard , Keely Brendan J.
Published: July 2007

Benzylpyridine and papaverine, an alkyl quinoline, both produce product ions containing an azepinium ring during atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation or electrospray multistage mass spectrometry. By controlling the trapping conditions, an isolated azepinium ion was held within the trap for an extended period of time without excitation. A subsequent analytical scan revealed a mass spectrum containing ions at two mass‐to‐charge (m/z) ratios, the first at the m/z of the isolated product ion and the second at an m/z ratio corresponding to the adduction of a molecule of solvent. Isolation and resonance excitation of the adduct ion remove the solvent molecule, resulting in recovery of the azepinium ion at the same signal intensity as the adduct ion. Isolating and trapping the ion for a further period allowed the solvent adduct ion to be re‐formed. Modulation of the solvent flowing into the source while the ion was trapped allowed variation in the solvent molecule adducted to the trapped ion. The proportion of the ion current due to the adduct ion depends on the nature of the isolated ion, the proton affinity of the solvent and the length of time for which the ion was trapped. Adduct ion formation, deliberately maximised in this study, can occur to a significant extent under standard ion trap operating conditions, reducing the ion current of product ions of interest and, ultimately, the response in tandem mass spectrometric assays. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tracking human travel using stable oxygen and hydrogen isotope analyses of hair and urine
Authors: O'Brien Diane M. , Wooller Matthew J.
Published: July 2007

The stable oxygen and hydrogen isotope compositions of organic samples are increasingly being used to investigate patterns of animal migration. Relatively few studies have applied these techniques to modern humans, despite a variety of potential forensic applications. We analyzed drinking water and food at two geographic locations, East Greenbush, New York (USA) and Fairbanks, Alaska (USA), with different δ18O and δD values for precipitation and tap water. Foods varied widely in measured δ18O and δD values, but not systematically by purchase location. We measured δ18O and δD values of scalp hair from five residents at each location. We used a mixing model to establish the proportion of oxygen and hydrogen in head hair derived from drinking water (∼27% and ∼36%, respectively). Finally, we analyzed the δ18O and δD values of facial hair and urine from a subject who traveled from Fairbanks to East Greenbush, on to the UK and back to Fairbanks. Urine δ18O and δD values responded immediately and strongly to travel‐related change in drinking water, and were well described by a single‐pool turnover model. Beard hair δ18O values tracked changes in urine δ18O closely, and oscillated between the values for the resident populations in both locations. In contrast, beard hair δD values did not track changes in urine δD as well, and retained a signature of the traveler's permanent residence. Our findings show that the δ18O and δD values of urine and facial hair (specifically δ18O) can provide a record of the geographical movements of humans. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Open tube combustion method of organic samples for stable carbon isotope analysis
Authors: Velivetskaya Tatiana A. , Ignatyev Alexander V. , Reize Marina V. , Kiyashko Serguei I.
Published: July 2007

A simple and effective method for the conversion of organic carbon into carbon dioxide for analysis of stable carbon isotopes (δ13C) in samples of various organic substances, soils, sedimentary rocks, oils and volatile organic liquids is presented. The conversion of organic carbon of the samples is carried out in a quartz reactor connected to a vacuum line for CO2 freezing and purification. A solid organic sample mixed with CuO is placed at the reactor bottom and the reactor is subsequently filled with granular CuO. One end of the CuO column is preheated to 850°C while the other end of the column in contact with the sample is kept at ambient temperature. Heating of the sample (850°C) and the remainder of the column is then performed. The preheated part of the column provides efficient conversion of carbon into CO2. The reactor for the conversion of volatile liquid organic compounds is filled with granular CuO. The column of CuO is heated to 850°C. Samples of volatile liquids are introduced into the reactor through a septum using a microsyringe. Complete conversion takes 10 min for solid samples and 3 min for volatile liquids. The precision of the δ13C analysis for solid and volatile liquid organic substances is ±0.1‰ and ±0.04‰, respectively. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcomes and prognostic factors of cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after radical major hepatectomy
Authors: Zhou Li , Rui Jing‐An , Wang Shao‐Bin , Chen Shu‐Guang , Qu Qiang , Chi Tian‐Yi , Wei Xue , Han Kai , Zhang Ning , Zhao Hai‐Tao
Published: July 2007

Background

Radical major hepatectomy (RMH) has been suggested as one of main options for cure of large/advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its operative risk remains high and its effectiveness is still controversial, especially for patients with liver cirrhosis. The present study aims to investigate short‐ and long‐term outcomes and to identify prognostic factors for cirrhotic patients with HCC after RMH.

Materials and Methods

Prospectively collected clinicopathological data of 81consecutive cirrhotic HCC patients who underwent RMH were reviewed retrospectively. The Kaplan‐Meier method was adopted for evaluating long‐term survival. Prognostic factors were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

After RMH, perioperative mortality, overall morbidity, and life‐threatening morbidity were 1.2%, 24.7%, and 12.3%, respectively. Overall and disease‐free 5‐year survival rates were 39.4% and 28.1%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that presence of portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) and satellite nodules, late TNM staging, high Edmondson‐Steiner grading, and blood transfusion was associated with worsened prognosis. Of them, Edmondson‐Steiner grading was identified as the sole independent prognostic factor for both overall and disease‐free survival by multivariate analysis, whereas blood transfusion and the presence of PVTT independently predicted unfavorable overall or disease‐free survival, respectively.

Conclusions

These data indicated that RMH was safe and appeared to be effective in treating cirrhotic patients with HCC. Some tumor‐related and clinical variables influenced long‐term outcome of these patients after RMH.
Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Hepatitis B Endemic Area
Authors: Bartlett Adam St. J. R. , McCall John L. , Koea Jonathan B. , Holden Andrew , Yeong Mee‐Ling , Gurusinghe Nishanthi , Gane Ed
Published: July 2007

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignancy of the liver. Treatment options include liver resection, tumor ablation, and liver transplantation.

Methods

We report the results of all patients undergoing partial hepatectomy for HCC with curative intent from a center where all major treatment modalities were available.

Results

A series of 53 patients were identified, of whom 72% had underlying liver disease, mostly chronic hepatitis B infection. Altogether, 57% of patients underwent major resections, of whom 43% had histologically proven cirrhosis. Postoperative morbidity and mortality occurred in 41.5% and 7.5%, respectively. After a median follow‐up of 34 months, the survival probabilities at 1, 3, and 5 years were 74.1%, 54.1%, and 42.6%, respectively. A total of 47% developed recurrent disease over the study period with a median disease‐free survival of 13.8 months. The probabilities of recurrence at 1, 3, and 5 years were 35.2%, 49.4%, and 55.9%, respectively. Among those who developed recurrence, 76% died, with a median time to death from the time the recurrence was diagnosed of 7.8 months. There was a good association between the CLIP score and survival following liver resection. Multivariate analysis showed that only tumor recurrence and the presence of cirrhosis was a significant determinant of the risk of tumor‐related death.

Conclusion

These findings confirm that with careful patient selection liver resection for HCC can achieve good long‐term patient survival and acceptable risks.
Open Mesh Repair of Incisional Hernia Using a Sublay Technique: Long‐Term Follow‐up
Authors: Kurzer Martin , Kark Allan , Selouk Simon , Belsham Philip
Published: July 2007

Background

Reported results of incisional hernia repair are poor with high recurrence rates unless prosthetic mesh is used. Mesh gives improved results, but certain techniques are associated with a high incidence of infections, fistulas, and seromas. This study reports the results of a consecutive series of incisional hernias repaired using an open sublay technique with retromuscular mesh placement. The primary endpoint was hernia recurrence. Secondary endpoints were complications and long‐term discomfort.

Methods

A total of 125 patients were operated on between 1991 and 2001. In 2002 they were sent a questionnaire and asked to return for examination if they thought their hernia had recurred or if they had pain. A second questionnaire was sent in 2005, and all patients were asked to return for examination.

Results

There were no postoperative deaths and no major systemic complications. There were no early (within 30 days) wound infections; the mesh subsequently became infected in two patients and had to be removed. Seromas developed in 12 patients. In 2002, a total of 106 questionnaires were returned; 3 patients had died of unrelated causes, and 16 were untraceable despite repeated attempts. There were five (4%) recurrences. Altogether, 6 patients had abdominal wall discomfort, and 49 patients spontaneously wrote that they were pleased or very pleased with the long‐term result. At a second follow‐up a mean of 8 years after operation (95 months; range 46–168 months) patients were assessed by an independent observer, and there were no further recurrences.

Conclusions

Open repair of incisional hernias with mesh in the subfascial plane is highly effective with acceptable complication rates. Surgeon experience and a team approach are important factors in obtaining good results. Trials comparing open with laparoscopic repair are needed.
In Situ Intestinal Ischemia‐Reperfusion Injury in the Pig: A Model Using the First Jejunal Artery for Flushing
Authors: Yandza Thierry , Mekaouche Mourad , Bréaud Jean , Oroboscianu Ioana , Saint‐Paul Marie‐Christine , Ramella‐Virieux Silvina , Benchimol Daniel , Gugenheim Jean
Published: July 2007

Background

We describe a new surgical technique of in situ intestinal ischemia–reperfusion injury in the pig, which includes transection of the small bowel, extrinsic autonomic denervation, lymphatic disruption, and finally in‐situ cold ischemia of the graft by flushing through the first jejunal artery.

Material and methods

Ten female pigs were used for the study. All neural and lymphatic connections to the jejunoileum were transected. The stripped superior mesenteric vessels remained as the only connections. The skeletonized mesenteric vessels were clamped and the superior mesenteric artery was cannulated through the first jejunal artery. The isolated jejunoileum was flushed with cold IGL‐1 solution. A small incision on the superior mesenteric vein was made to allow outflow of the effluent. After the flushing process was complete, the small incision in the superior mesenteric vein was closed and the vascular clamps were removed. The proximal 70% of the graft was resected.

Results

The mean preoperative weight of the animals was 25.8 ±7.6 kg. The mean duration of the operation was 242.0 ± 28.6 min. The mean cold ischemia time was 47.6 ± 3.9 min. All animals survived the procedure and were sacrificed at day 8. At sacrifice, there were no adhesions. The small bowel appeared normal. On intestinal histology, there were no significant changes between specimens obtained from the animal immediately at the end of cold flushing (T0), 2 h after reperfusion (T1), and at sacrifice (T2).

Conclusions

This novel technique for intestinal ischemia–reperfusion injury in the pig provides an extremely useful model for experimental studies of immunological and cold ischemia–reperfusion injury of transplanted small bowels.
Reviewing Chandipura: A Vesiculovirus in Human Epidemics
Authors: Basak Soumen , Mondal Arindam , Polley Smarajit , Mukhopadhyay Subhradip , Chattopadhyay Dhrubajyoti
Published: July 2007

Chandipura virus, a member of the rhabdoviridae family and vesiculovirus genera, has recently emerged as human pathogen that is associated with a number of outbreaks in different parts of India. Although, the virus closely resembles with the prototype vesiculovirus, Vesicular Stomatitis Virus, it could be readily distinguished by its ability to infect humans. Studies on Chandipura virus while shed light into distinct stages of viral infection; it may also allow us to identify potential drug targets for antiviral therapy. In this review, we have summarized our current understanding of Chandipura virus life cycle at the molecular detail with particular interest in viral RNA metabolisms, namely transcription, replication and packaging of viral RNA into nucleocapsid structure. Contemporary research on otherwise extensively studied family member Vesicular Stomatitis Virus has also been addressed to present a more comprehensive picture of vesiculovirus life cycle. Finally, we reveal examples of protein economy in Chandipura virus life-cycle whereby each viral protein has evolved complexity to perform multiple tasks.
Decreased Fibroblast and Increased Osteoblast Functions on Ionic Plasma Deposited Nanostructured Ti Coatings
Authors: Cohen Ariel , Liu-Synder Peishan , Storey Dan , Webster Thomas J
Published: July 2007

Bioactive coatings are in high demand to control cellular functions for numerous medical devices. The objective of this in vitro study was to characterize for the first time fibroblast (fibrous scar tissue forming cells) adhesion and proliferation on an important polymeric biomaterial (silicone) coated with titanium using a novel ionic plasma deposition (IPD) process. Fibroblasts are one of the first anchorage-dependent cells to arrive at an implant surface during the wound healing process. Persistent excessive functions of fibroblasts have been linked to detrimental fibrous tissue formation which may cause implant failure. The IPD process creates a surface-engineered nanostructure (with features usually below 100 nm) by first using a vacuum to remove all contaminants, then guiding charged metallic ions or plasma to the surface of a medical device at ambient temperature. Results demonstrated that compared to currently used titanium and uncoated silicone, silicone coated with titanium using IPD significantly decreased fibroblast adhesion and proliferation. Results also showed competitively increased osteoblast (bone-forming cells) over fibroblast adhesion on silicone coated with titanium; in contrast, osteoblast adhesion was not competitively increased over fibroblast adhesion on uncoated silicone or titanium controls. In this manner, this study strongly suggests that IPD should be further studied for biomaterial applications in which fibrous tissue encapsulation is undesirable (such as for orthopedic implants, cardiovascular components, etc.).
Care related pain in hospitalized patients: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Coutaux Anne , Salomon Laurence , Rosenheim Michel , Baccard Anne‐Sophie , Quiertant Catherine , Papy Emmanuelle , Blanchon Thierry , Collin Elisabeth , Cesselin François , Binhas Michèle , Bourgeois Pierre ,   The Pain Committee, Hôpital de la Pitié‐Salpêtrière, AP‐HP, Paris, France
Published: July 2007

Context: Care‐related pain includes pain occurring during transportation, movement, diagnostic imaging, physical examination, or treatment. Its prevalence has never been assessed in a large adult inpatient population.

Objective: To identify the procedures likely to induce or increase pain in hospital patients, attempting to separate the most painful from those reported as most frequently inducing pain.

Design: A single‐day cross‐sectional survey conducted in two large French teaching hospitals, including all hospitalized patients, free of communication problems. One third was randomly selected and interviewed about the painful episodes that had occurred or were associated with the procedures performed during the previous two weeks. Patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire.

Results: Six‐hundred‐eighty‐four patients were randomly selected. Six‐hundred‐seventy‐one painful events were reported in 55% of the patients, with an average of 1.8events/patient. Fifty‐two percent of the painful events were associated with procedures performed by non‐medical staff; 38% of the painful episodes occurred during procedures involving vascular puncture and 24% during patients’ mobilization. In 57% of painful procedures, pain was rated as severe or extremely severe. The most painful procedures were invasive procedures, other than vascular and non vascular punctures (74% of severe and extremely severe painful episodes). Maximum pain intensity was rated higher for procedures that were repeated than for those experienced only once (62% versus 53%, p=0.02).

Conclusion: This survey gives new insight into our daily practice. Proper management of care‐related pain should be a major concern of all hospital staff to improve the quality of our health care.
Influence of scapular position on the pressure pain threshold of the upper trapezius muscle region
Authors: Azevedo Daniel Camara , de Pires Tatiana Lima , de Andrade Fernanda Souza , McDonnell Mary Kate
Published: July 2007

A position of scapula depression will maintain the upper trapezius muscle region in a lengthened position, causing excessive strain. This strain could lead to peripheral nociceptive nerves sensitization in the affected area, changing the pressure pain threshold (PPT). Thus, people with a faulty alignment of scapular depression may have lower PPT levels in the upper trapezius region when compared to subjects with normal vertical scapular position. The purpose of this double‐blind study was to assess the influence of scapular position on the PPT of the upper trapezius region in a young healthy population. Fifty two physical therapy students of the Catholic University of Minas Gerais – PUC‐Minas, Brazil, with normal shoulder (NS group,n=26, 6 men and 20 women) or depressed shoulder (DS group,n=26, 6 men and 20 women) volunteered to participate in this study. An electronic pressure algometer was used to measure the PPT on the upper trapezius muscle region. The results showed a significant difference between groups, with the DS group (19.0±9.0N/cm2) demonstrated lower mean PPT values when compared to NS group (26.1±9.6N/cm2) (p<0.01). Our results showed that healthy young subjects with depressed scapula position had significant lower upper trapezius PPT values when compared to subjects with normal scapula position.
Paraspinal abscess complicated by endocarditis following a facet joint injection⋆
Authors: Hoelzer Bryan C. , Weingarten Toby N. , Hooten W. Michael , Wright R. Scott , Wilson Walter R. , Wilson Peter R.
Published: July 2007

Infectious complications secondary to lumbar facet injections are exceedingly rare, follow an indolent course, and local sequelae include abscess spread or infections of the central nervous system. We present the case of the development of a facet abscess and infective endocarditis, which developed shortly after a lumbar facet injection. With the increase in interventional pain procedures, physicians must be aware of potential infectious complications.
Long‐term pain after inguinal hernia repair in a population‐based cohort; risk factors and interference with daily activities
Authors: Kalliomäki Maija‐L. , Meyerson Josefine , Gunnarsson Ulf , Gordh Torsten , Sandblom Gabriel
Published: July 2007

In the Swedish Hernia Register 2834 inguinal hernia repairs in 2583 patients were registered in the county of Uppsala 1998–2004. In May 2005 the 2421 patients still alive were requested by mail to fill in a validated questionnaire concerning postherniorrhaphy pain. The final response rate became 72%. Altogether 519 patients (29%) stated that they had pain in the operated groin to some extent during past week. In 98 patients (6%) the pain interfered with daily activities. Factors associated with an increased risk of residual pain in a multivariate logistic regression analysis were age below median, operation for recurrence, open repair technique, history of preoperative pain, and less than three years from surgery. Factors not associated with occurrence of residual pain were gender, method of anaesthesia during surgery, hernia sac diameter, postoperative complications, hernia type, need for emergency operation, reducibility of the hernia sac and complete dissection of the hernia sac. Factors found to be associated with impairment of function due to pain in a multivariate logistic regression analysis were: age below median, female gender, medial hernia, open repair technique, postoperative complications, need for operation for recurrence, presence of preoperative pain and less than three years from surgery. The possibility of long‐term pain as an outcome after hernia operations should be taken into consideration in the decision making prior to operation.
Conservation of transcriptional sensing systems in prokaryotes: A perspective from Escherichia coli
Authors: Salgado Heladia , Martínez-Antonio Agustino , Janga Sarath Chandra
Published: July 2007

The activity of transcription factors is usually governed by allosteric physicochemical signals or metabolites, which are in turn produced in the cell or obtained from the environment by the activity of the products of effector genes. Previously, we identified a collection of more than 110 transcription factors and their corresponding effector genes in Escherichia coli K‐12. Here, we introduce the notion of “triferog”, which relates to the identification of orthologous transcription factors and effector genes across genomes and show that transcriptional sensing systems known in E. coli are poorly conserved beyond Salmonella. We also find that enzymes that act as effector genes for the production of endogenous effector metabolites are more conserved than their corresponding effector genes encoding for transport and two‐component systems for sensing exogenous signals. Finally, we observe that on an evolutionary scale enzymes are more conserved than their respective TFs, suggesting a homogenous cellular metabolism across genomes and the conservation of transcriptional control of critical cellular processes like DNA replication by a common endogenous signal. We hypothesize that extensive variation in the domain architecture of TFs and changes in endogenous conditions at large phylogenetic distances could be the major contributing factors for the observed differential conservation of TFs and their corresponding effector genes encoding for enzymes, causing variations in transcriptional responses across organisms.
Late Quaternary environmental and human Events at En Gedi, reflected by the geology and archaeology of the Moringa Cave (Dead Sea area, Israel)
Authors: Lisker Sorin , Porat Roi , Davidovich Uri , Eshel Hanan , Lauritzen Stein-Erik , Frumkin Amos
Published: July 2007

The Moringa Cave within Pleistocene sediments in the En Gedi area of the Dead Sea Fault Escarpment contains a sequence of various Pleistocene lacustrine deposits associated with higher-than-today lake levels at the Dead Sea basin. In addition it contains Chalcolithic remains and 5th century BC burials attributed to the Persian period, cemented and covered by Late Holocene travertine flowstone. These deposits represent a chain of Late Pleistocene and Holocene interconnected environmental and human events, echoing broader scale regional and global climate events. A major shift between depositional environments is associated with the rapid fall of Lake Lisan level during the latest Pleistocene. This exposed the sediments, providing for cave formation processes sometime between the latest Pleistocene (ca. 15 ka) and the Middle Holocene (ca. 4500 BC), eventually leading to human use of the cave. The Chalcolithic use of the cave can be related to a relatively moist desert environment, probably related to a shift in the location of the northern boundary of the Saharo-Arabian desert belt. The travertine layer was U–Th dated 2.46"0.10 to 2.10"0.04 ka, in agreement with the archaeological finds from the Persian period. Together with the inner consistency of the dating results, this strongly supports the reliability of the radiometric ages. The 2.46–2.10 ka travertine deposition within the presently dry cave suggests a higher recharge of the Judean Desert aquifer, correlative to a rising Dead Sea towards the end of the 1st millennium BC. This suggests a relatively moist local and regional climate facilitating human habitation of the desert.
Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for benzimidazole resistance in veterinary nematodes
Authors: VON SAMSON-HIMMELSTJERNA G. , BLACKHALL W. J. , McCARTHY J. S. , SKUCE P. J.
Published: July 2007

Resistance to the benzimidazole class of anthelmintics in nematodes of veterinary importance has a long history. Research into the mechanisms responsible for this resistance is subsequently at a more advanced stage than for other classes of anthelmintics. The principal mechanism of resistance to benzimidazoles is likely to involve changes in the primary structure of β-tubulins, the building blocks of microtubules. Specifically, point mutations in the β-tubulin isotype 1 gene leading to amino acid substitutions in codons 167, 198, and 200 of the protein have been associated with resistance in nematodes. These single nucleotide polymorphisms offer a means of detecting the presence of resistance within populations. In this mini-review, we focus on the prevalence and importance of these polymorphisms in three groups of nematodes: trichostrongylids, cyathostomins, and hookworms. A brief overview of existing strategies for genotyping single nucleotide polymorphisms is also presented. The CARS initiative hopes to exploit these known polymorphisms to further our understanding of the phenomenon of BZ resistance.