bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incorporating Feedback from Multiple Sensory Modalities Enhances Brain–Machine Interface Control
Authors: Suminski Aaron J. , Tkach Dennis C. , Fagg Andrew H. , Hatsopoulos Nicholas G.
Published: December 2010

The brain typically uses a rich supply of feedback from multiple sensory modalities to control movement in healthy individuals. In many individuals, these afferent pathways, as well as their efferent counterparts, are compromised by disease or injury resulting in significant impairments and reduced quality of life. Brain–machine interfaces (BMIs) offer the promise of recovered functionality to these individuals by allowing them to control a device using their thoughts. Most current BMI implementations use visual feedback for closed-loop control; however, it has been suggested that the inclusion of additional feedback modalities may lead to improvements in control. We demonstrate for the first time that kinesthetic feedback can be used together with vision to significantly improve control of a cursor driven by neural activity of the primary motor cortex (MI). Using an exoskeletal robot, the monkey's arm was moved to passively follow a cortically controlled visual cursor, thereby providing the monkey with kinesthetic information about the motion of the cursor. When visual and proprioceptive feedback were congruent, both the time to successfully reach a target decreased and the cursor paths became straighter, compared with incongruent feedback conditions. This enhanced performance was accompanied by a significant increase in the amount of movement-related information contained in the spiking activity of neurons in MI. These findings suggest that BMI control can be significantly improved in paralyzed patients with residual kinesthetic sense and provide the groundwork for augmenting cortically controlled BMIs with multiple forms of natural or surrogate sensory feedback.
Diffusion Tensor Tractography Reveals Abnormal Topological Organization in Structural Cortical Networks in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Lo Chun-Yi , Wang Pei-Ning , Chou Kun-Hsien , Wang Jinhui , He Yong , Lin Ching-Po
Published: December 2010

Recent research on Alzheimer's disease (AD) has shown that the decline of cognitive and memory functions is accompanied by a disrupted neuronal connectivity characterized by white matter (WM) degeneration. However, changes in the topological organization of WM structural network in AD remain largely unknown. Here, we used diffusion tensor image tractography to construct the human brain WM networks of 25 AD patients and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, followed by a graph theoretical analysis. We found that both AD patients and controls had a small-world topology in WM network, suggesting an optimal balance between structurally segregated and integrative organization. More important, the AD patients exhibited increased shortest path length and decreased global efficiency in WM network compared with controls, implying abnormal topological organization. Furthermore, we showed that the WM network contained highly connected hub regions that were predominately located in the precuneus, cingulate cortex, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which was consistent with the previous diffusion-MRI studies. Specifically, AD patients were found to have reduced nodal efficiency predominantly located in the frontal regions. Finally, we showed that the alterations of various network properties were significantly correlated with the behavior performances. Together, the present study demonstrated for the first time that the Alzheimer's brain was associated with disrupted topological organization in the large-scale WM structural networks, thus providing the structural evidence for abnormalities of systematic integrity in this disease. This work could also have implications for understanding how the abnormalities of structural connectivity in AD underlie behavioral deficits in the patients.
Seeing Is Believing: Effects of Visual Contextual Cues on Learning and Transfer of Locomotor Adaptation
Authors: Torres-Oviedo Gelsy , Bastian Amy J.
Published: December 2010

Devices such as robots or treadmills are often used to drive motor learning because they can create novel physical environments. However, the learning (i.e., adaptation) acquired on these devices only partially generalizes to natural movements. What determines the specificity of motor learning, and can this be reliably made more general? Here we investigated the effect of visual cues on the specificity of split-belt walking adaptation. We systematically removed vision to eliminate the visual-proprioceptive mismatch that is a salient cue specific to treadmills: vision indicates that we are not moving while leg proprioception indicates that we are. We evaluated the adaptation of temporal and spatial features of gait (i.e., timing and location of foot landing), their transfer to walking over ground, and washout of adaptation when subjects returned to the treadmill. Removing vision during both training (i.e., on the treadmill) and testing (i.e., over ground) strongly improved the transfer of treadmill adaptation to natural walking. Removing vision only during training increased transfer of temporal adaptation, whereas removing vision only during testing increased the transfer of spatial adaptation. This dissociation reveals differences in adaptive mechanisms for temporal and spatial features of walking. Finally training without vision increased the amount that was learned and was linked to the variability in the behavior during adaptation. In conclusion, contextual cues can be manipulated to modulate the magnitude, transfer, and washout of device-induced learning in humans. These results bring us closer to our ultimate goal of developing rehabilitation strategies that improve movements beyond the clinical setting.
Opposing Actions of Endothelin-1 on Glutamatergic Transmission onto Vasopressin and Oxytocin Neurons in the Supraoptic Nucleus
Authors: Zampronio Aleksander R. , Kuzmiski J. Brent , Florence Clare M. , Mulligan Sean J. , Pittman Quentin J.
Published: December 2010

Endothelin (ET-1) given centrally has many reported actions on hormonal and autonomic outputs from the CNS. However, it is unclear whether these effects are due to local ischemia via its vasoconstrictor properties or to a direct neuromodulatory action. ET-1 stimulates the release of oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) from supraoptic magnocellular (MNCs) neuronsin vivo; therefore, we asked whether ET-1 modulates the excitatory inputs onto MNCs that are critical in sculpting the activity of these neurons. To investigate whether ET-1 modulates excitatory synaptic transmission, we obtained whole-cell recordings and analyzed quantal glutamate release onto MNCs in the supraoptic nucleus (SON). Neurons identified as VP-containing neurosecretory cells displayed a decrease in quantal frequency in response to ET-1 (10–100 pm). This decrease was mediated by ETAreceptor activation and production of a retrograde messenger that targets presynaptic cannabinoid-1 receptors. In contrast, neurons identified as OT-containing MNCs displayed a transient increase in quantal glutamate release in response to ET-1 application via ETBreceptor activation. Application of TTX to block action potential-dependent glutamate release inhibited the excitatory action of ET-1 in OT neurons. There were no changes in quantal amplitude in either MNC type, suggesting that the effects of ET-1 were via presynaptic mechanisms. A gliotransmitter does not appear to be involved as ET-1 failed to elevate astrocytic calcium in the SON. Our results demonstrate that ET-1 differentially modulates glutamate release onto VP- versus OT-containing MNCs, thus implicating it in the selective regulation of neuroendocrine output from the SON.
Distonias: aspectos terapêuticos
Authors: Limongi João Carlos Papaterra
Published: December 2010

Diversas abordagens terapêuticas são utilizadas em pacientes com distonias. Sempre que possível, causas específicas devem ser identificadas e tratadas. As modalidades de tratamento sintomático podem ser agrupadas em três categorias: tratamento farmacológico, cirúrgico e injeções locais de toxina botulínica. Cada uma dessas modalidades apresenta algumas vantagens e limitações. Formas generalizadas, particularmente as de ocorrência na infância, podem se beneficiar com drogas anticolinérgicas ou, em alguns casos, com a levodopa ou outros agentes tais como antagonistas da dopamina, baclofeno e benzodiazepínicos. As formas focais não respondem adequadamente ao tratamento farmacológico sistêmico mas beneficiam-se significativamente com injeções de toxina botulínica nos grupos musculares acometidos. Cerca de 90% dos pacientes com blefarospasmo e 70% daqueles com distonia cervical apresentam resposta satisfatória a esse tipo de terapia. O tratamento cirúrgico tem sido utilizado em algumas formas de distonias generalizadas (lesões estereotáxicas), axiais (rizotomias) ou focais (miectomias e neurectomias) com resultados variáveis.
Clinical manifestations of peripheral nervous system involvement in human chronic chagas disease
Authors: Genovese Osvaldo , Ballario Carlos , Storino Ruben , Segura Elsa , Sica Roberto E. R.
Published: December 2010

We conducted a clinical and electromyographical study in patients with Chagas' disease in the indeterminate or chronic stages of the illness. Altogether 841 patients were examined. Only 511 were admitted within the protocol; the remainder patients were rejected because they showed other causes able to damage the nervous system. Fifty two (10.17%) out of the 511 patients showed signs and symptoms of peripheral nervous system involvement in the form of sensory impairment and diminished tendon jerks suggesting the presence of neuropathy. Forty five of them were submitted to a conventional electromyographical examination. Fifteen of mem showed normal results, while the remainder 30 disclosed a reduced interference pattern, being most of the remaining motor unit potentials fragmented or poliphasic, reduced sensory and motor conduction velocities and diminished amplitude of the sensory action potential. The findings suggest that some chagasic patients in the indeterminate or chronic stages of the disease may develop a clinical mild sensory-motor peripheral neuropathy.
Cisto de aracnóide e pseudotumor cerebral: relato de caso
Authors: Cabral Nilton Domingos , Nitrini Ricardo , Plese José Pindaro P.
Published: December 2010

Relato do caso de paciente de 12 anos de idade com cisto de aracnóide na fossa craniana posterior e pseudotumor cerebral dependente de derivação cisto-peritoneal previamente instalada. Esta constatação corrobora assertivas da literatura que sugerem um mecanismo fisiopatológico em comum para estas duas entidades e que estaria relacionado a defeito no fluxo do líquido cefalorraqueano.
Utilização de Ecolife® e Acibenzolar-s-metil (ASM) no controle da antracnose da banana em pós-colheita
Authors: Furtado Luciano Marinho , Rodrigues Antônia Alice Costa , Araújo Vivianne Saraiva de , Silva Leilson Lopes Santos , Catarino Aricléia de Moraes
Published: December 2010

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a ação dos produtos ASM e Ecolife no controle da antracnose pós-colheita em frutos de banana. Frutos sadios de banana, variedades maçã, prata, pacovan e cacau , em fase intermediária de maturação, foram imersos previamente em soluções de ASM e Ecolife e inoculados com Colletotrichum musae. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial com quatro repetições. Os resultados apresentados demonstraram a eficácia dos produtos nas concentrações de 5 ml/ L (Ecolife) e 0,50g/ L (ASM) no controle da antracnose nas variedades analisa das. A variedade cacau apresentou menor lesão quando tratada com o Ecolife (5,79 mm). Com relação ao efeito do ASM, a bana na prata demonstrou um melhor resultado, com tamanho médio de lesão de 5,62 mm. Com o decorrer do processo de maturação dos frutos houve um decréscimo na severidade da doença nas quatro variedades estudadas, exceto no tratamento testemunha, que continuou apresentando aumento no tamanho das lesões nos frutos e atingir a polpa ao final da maturação.
A prevenção às drogas como garantia do direito à vida e à saúde: uma interface com a educação
Authors: Bertoni Luci Mara , Adorni Dulcinéia da Silva
Published: December 2010

Os apelos midiáticos do consumismo nos levam a fazer uma reflexão sobre o consumo de drogas e a sua prevenção. A falta de políticas públicas preventivas nos remete a pensar que o ser humano tem sido furtado do direito à vida e à saúde. O que se pretende aqui, sem usar jargões de campanhas de prevenção às drogas, mas concordando com a essência das palavras, é que prevenção também se ensina e a falha está em não compreendermos a importância de considerá-la em seus diferentes níveis.
Educação e direitos humanos: desafios para a escola contemporânea
Authors: Fernandes Angela Viana Machado , Paludeto Melina Casari
Published: December 2010

A educação voltada aos direitos humanos ainda não faz parte da prática nem do currículo da escola brasileira. Em momentos de crise de valores públicos e privados e da sociedade como um todo, torna-se imperativo que as temáticas da igualdade e da dignidade humana não estejam inscritas apenas de textos legais, mas que, igualmente, sejam internalizadas por todos que atuam tanto na educação formal como na não formal.
Sistema eleitoral e sistema partidário
Authors: Nicolau Jairo Marconi , Schmitt Rogério Augusto
Published: December 2010

Na literatura sobre as instituições políticas brasileiras, é freqüente considerar-se que o sistema eleitoral é a causa da fragmentação nentes do sistema eleitoral - a fórmula eleitoral, a magnitude do distrito e o processo de escolha intra-lista dos candidatos - sobre o sistema partidário. As conclusões do estudo não confirmam a suposição prevalecente na literatura.
Pobreza, desigualdade e políticas públicas: caracterizando e problematizando a realidade brasileira
Authors: Silva Maria Ozanira da Silva e
Published: December 2010

Este artigo traz reflexões sobre as categorias pobreza, desigualdade e exclusão social como referências teóricas para analisar a política social. Traz com destaque as categorias pobreza e desigualdade para resgatar a implantação e o desenvolvimento das políticas públicas de corte social no Brasil. Para tanto, considera o quadro social brasileiro e os programas sociais direcionados, historicamente, para o enfrentamento da pobreza no país. Nesse contexto, enfatiza a conjuntura recente com indicação do declínio nos índices de pobreza e desigualdade social e da elevação dos recursos orçamentários para financiamento dos programas sociais, mormente após a Constituição Federal de 1988. Desenvolve uma problematização sobre os programas sociais implementados no Brasil para enfrentamento da pobreza e da desigualdade social, apontando seus limites e a centralidade dos programas de transferência de renda para a proteção social.
O controle da pobreza operado através do sistema penal
Authors: Kilduff Fernanda
Published: December 2010

Com o objetivo de refletir sobre criminalização/penalização, este artigo analisa a virada neoconservadora em relação à política criminal, como mais uma expressão do conjunto de mudanças operadas no marco do capitalismo contemporâneo. Em um contexto caraterizado pelo retrocesso das políticas sociais, discute a expansão do sistema penal como estratégia privilegiada pelos Estados capitalistas para conter e administrar em forma criminalizadora as crescentes e cada vez mais complexas manifestações da "questão social¹" atreladas a uma situação objetiva de desemprego maciço e estrutural. Para finalizar o debate, apresenta elementos tanto para refletir sobre a função histórica do direito penal burguês quanto para analisar seu papel fundamental na atual estratégia imperialista.
A política de habitação rural e o desenvolvimento da agricultura familiar
Authors: Rover Oscar José , Munarini Paulo Roberto
Published: December 2010

Este artigo analisa a contribuição do Programa Nacional de Habitação Rural (PNHR) para o desenvolvimento de territórios predominantemente rurais. A partir do estudo de sua implementação na região Oeste Catarinense, ponder sobre os avanços e as restrições desta política social. Para as análises realizadas procedeu-se a uma revisão de literatura, à busca de documentação sobre a política e sua implementação na região estudada, bem como a entrevistas com lideranças e agricultores demandantes e beneficiados por uma casa nova ou reforma. Verificou-se que o PNHR cria uma oportunidade para as famílias rurais descapitalizadas construírem ou reformarem sua casa, apesar de ser ainda restrita a sua abrangência para o conjunto dessas famílias. A reformulação do programa, reduzindo exigências financeiras e para operação dos créditos, pode oportunizar que maior número de famílias dele se beneficie, com impacto social positivo no desenvolvimento regional.
Acidentes registrados no Centro de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo
Authors: Chiodi Mônica Bonagamba , Marziale Maria Helena palucci , Mondadori Rosângela Murari , Robazzi Maria Lúcia do Carmo Cruz
Published: December 2010

Pesquisa descritiva com abordagem quantitativa, que teve como objetivo investigar a ocorrência de acidentes de trabalho (AT) com exposição a material biológico entre trabalhadores da saúde do município de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, registrados no Centro de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador (CEREST) em 2005. Foram registrados através da Comunicação de Acidente de Trabalho 1665 AT (91,7%) e 151 (8,3%) foram diagnosticadas como doenças ocupacionais. Dos 1665 AT registrados, 480 (28,82%) AT vitimizaram trabalhadores das unidades de assistência de saúde e em 53 (31,87%) ocorreu exposição a material biológico. O diagnóstico da situação acidentária ocupacional é relevante para a elaboração de estratégias preventivas pelos serviços de atenção ao trabalhador e os resultados da pesquisa ora realizada traz importantes indicadores que possibilitarão a organização de ações em cumprimento ao papel esperado pela Rede Nacional de Atenção à Saúde do Trabalhador (RENAST) contribuindo de forma efetiva para a promoção da Saúde do Trabalhador.
Comunicação da equipe de enfermagem e a relação com a gerência nas instituições de saúde
Authors: Santos Maria Cláudia dos , Bernardes Andrea
Published: December 2010

A comunicação deve acontecer constantemente a fim de reger as atividades gerenciais proporcionando informação, motivação e satisfação nos cargos. Tal estudo objetiva analisar as contribuições das pesquisas produzidas acerca da comunicação na gerência de enfermagem, tomando por base as publicações em periódicos nacionais. Trata-se de revisão integrativa da literatura, sendo incluídas dissertações, teses e artigos indexados na Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval Systems Online (MEDLINE) e Banco de Dados Bibliográficos da Universidade de São Paulo (DEDALUS), no período de 1998 até 2008. O fortalecimento do processo comunicativo e a garantia de que ele ocorra de forma clara e eficiente é essencial para a gerência de enfermagem. É por meio desta comunicação eficiente que o enfermeiro garante identificação de problemas individuais e coletivos, podendo relacioná-los com a análise da situação encontrada e direcioná-los para um planejamento de cuidado apropriado e efetivo.
Object Recognition Using Local Context Information
Authors: Sang Nong , Gao Changxin
Published: December 2010

The object recognition method based on local features is significant in computer vision. However, the
robustness of this method is limited, since it is often sensitive to large intra-class variance, occlusion, insignificant
variety of poses, low-revolution conditions, background clutter etc. Context information gives an access to
resolve this problem. Local feature context, object context and scene context can be used in computer vision
system. This chapter focuses on the first one, and presents two object recognition approaches with two different
types of local context: neighbour-based context and geometric context. Our experimental results demonstrated the
good performance of our methods.
The Skin: A Valuable Route for Administration of Drugs
Authors: Luisa Dominguez-Delgado Clara , Marlen Rodriguez-Cruz Isabel , Lopez- Cervantes Miriam
Published: December 2010

The skin is the largest organ of the body and its main function is to protect the organism against
undesirable effects of the environment. The skin is composed of three different laye rs: epidermis, dermis and
hypodermis. The epidermis contains the stratum corneum, the uppermost layer of the epidermis, that acts as the
barrier function of the skin due to its very high density and its low hydration. The dermis is an extensive vascular
network providing skin nutrition, repair, thermal regulation and immune response. The hypodermis acts as a heat
insulator, a shock absorber, and an energy storage region. There are also several appendages in the skin: hair
follicles, sebaceous, sweat glands and nails. The skin prope rties play an important role to allow penetration of
topically applied drugs or substanc es into the skin. Drug permeation through the skin include the diffusion
through the intact epidermis and the skin appendages. In this chapter we reviewed structure, immunological and
electrical properties, penetration routes of drugs throughout skin, types of skin and the most common skin
disorders that affect humans.
Electroporation of the Skin
Authors: A. Gonzalez Cesar , Rubinsky Boris
Published: December 2010

Transdermal drug delivery offers an attractive alternative to the conve ntional drug delivery methods of
oral administration and injection. However, the stratum corneum acts as a barrier that limits the penetration of
substances through the skin. Applic ation of high voltage pulses to th e skin increases its permeability
(electroporation) and enables the delivery of va rious substances into and through the skin.

The application of electroporation to the skin has been shown to increase transdermal drug delivery. Moreover,
electroporation, used alone or in combination with other enhancement methods, expands the range of drugs (small
to macromolecules, lipophilic or hydrophilic, charged or neutra l molecules) which can be delivered
transdermally.

The efficacy of transport depends on the electrical parameters and the physicochemical properties of drugs. The
in vivo application of high voltage pulses is well tolerated but muscle cont ractions are usually induced. The
electrode and patch design is an important issue to reduce the discomfort of the electrical treatment in humans.

This chapter presents the main findings in the field of electroporation. Par ticular attention is paid to proposed
enhancement mechanisms and trends in the field of topical and transdermal delivery.
Transdermal Drug Delivery Using Microneedles
Authors: Olatunji Ololade , Al-Qallaf Barrrak , Bhusan Das Diganta
Published: December 2010

Microneedles have been introduced as a measure to solve the shortcoming of normal transdermal
patches and hypodermic injections as they are able to pierce through th e stratum corneum, the top sub-layer of
skin, in a simple and almost painless manner. Previous studies have shown microneedles to enhance drug delivery
through the skin by significant amount as compared to the conventional drug delivery methods using transdermal
patches. A number of designs have b een proposed using both solid and hollow microneedles of different types of
materials. These studies show the effects of a number of factors that affect the drug delivery efficiency using
these microneedles. Mathematical models have also been proposed to represent transport of drug through the skin
and blood concentration in the blood using microneedles. These models provide the relationships between
parameters such as needle length and skin thickness, a nd factors such as permeability of the drug through the skin
and the force to insert the microneedle into the skin. Di fferent applications of microneedles in transdermal drug
delivery have been proposed in different publications, which may include, e.g., delivery of vaccines for
immunization, insulin delivery for cont rolling glucose level in diabetic pati ents, and others. The results from the
existing studies have shown microneedle s to have promising prospects in transdermal drug delivery applications.
This chapter aims to review various aspects of transdermal drug delivery by microneedle arrays.
Evaluation of a postexposure rabies prophylaxis protocol for domestic animals in Texas: 2000–2009
Authors: Wilson Pamela J. , Oertli Ernest H. , Hunt Patrick R. , Sidwa Thomas J.
Published: December 2010

Objective—To determine whether postexposure rabies prophylaxis (PEP) in domestic animals, as mandated in Texas, has continued to be effective and to evaluate preexposure or postexposure vaccination failures from 2000 through 2009.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—1,014 unvaccinated domestic animals (769 dogs, 126 cats, 72 horses, 39 cattle, 3 sheep, 4 goats, and 1 llama) that received PEP and 12 vaccinated domestic animals (7 dogs and 5 cats) with possible failure of protection.

Procedures—Zoonotic incident reports from 2000 through 2009 were reviewed for information regarding unvaccinated domestic animals that received PEP in accordance with the state protocol after exposure to a laboratory-confirmed rabid animal; reports also were reviewed for any preexposure or postexposure vaccination failures. The state-required PEP protocol was as follows: immediately vaccinate the animal against rabies, isolate the animal for 90 days, and administer booster vaccinations during the third and eighth weeks of the isolation period.

Results—From 2000 through 2009, 1,014 animals received PEP; no failures were recorded. One preexposure vaccination failure was recorded.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The Texas PEP protocol was used during the 10-year period. Results indicated that an effective PEP protocol for unvaccinated domestic animals exposed to rabies was immediate vaccination against rabies, a strict isolation period of 90 days, and administration of booster vaccinations during the third and eighth weeks of the isolation period.
Methylphenidate toxicosis in dogs: 128 cases (2001–2008)
Authors: Genovese David W. , Gwaltney-Brant Sharon M. , Slater Margaret R.
Published: December 2010

Objective—To determine clinical signs and outcomes of methylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH) toxicosis in dogs; to assess effects of amount (ie, dose) and formulation (immediate or extended release) of ingested MPH on onset, duration, and severity of clinical signs; and to describe management of MPH intoxication.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—128 dogs with MPH toxicosis or exposure.

Procedures—Data from an Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) database from November 1, 2001, to November 30, 2008, were reviewed. Records of dogs were searched for APCC classifications of confirmed (n = 71) or suspected (39) MPH toxicosis; dogs (18) that ingested MPH but did not develop clinical signs of toxicosis were also included. Signalment, dose, clinical signs, treatment, and outcome were evaluated.

Results—Clinical signs of toxicosis were reported in 107 of 128 (84%) dogs that ingested MPH; these included hyperactivity in 42 (33%), tachycardia in 27 (21%), vomiting in 19 (15%), agitation in 16 (13%), and hyperthermia in 13 (10%). Doses ranged from 0.36 mg/kg (0.164 mg/lb) to 117.0 mg/kg (53.18 mg/lb). Severity of clinical signs was not strongly associated with dose. More severe and prolonged clinical signs were associated with ingestion of extended-release formulations of MPH; 3 dogs that consumed these formulations (doses, 10.2 mg/kg [4.64 mg/lb], 15.4 mg/kg [700 mg/lb], and 31.1 mg/kg [14.14 mg/lb]) died. Favorable outcomes were reported for most (31/34 [91%]) dogs.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Ingestion of even small amounts of MPH can cause severe clinical signs in dogs. Monitoring and supportive care are recommended regardless of dose.
Long-term outcome of treatment of dental abscesses with a wound-packing technique in pet rabbits: 13 cases (1998–2007)
Authors: Taylor W. Michael , Beaufrère Hugues , Mans Christoph , Smith Dale A.
Published: December 2010

Objective—To evaluate the effectiveness and treatment outcome of a minimal surgical debridement and antimicrobial-impregnated gauze packing technique for treatment of dental abscesses in rabbits.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—13 rabbits with 14 dental abscesses.

Procedures—Medical records of pet rabbits with dental abscesses were reviewed. Rabbits that underwent a wound-packing treatment protocol with a follow-up period of > 6 months were included. Pretreatment evaluation included physical examination, skull radiography, CBC and plasma biochemical profile, and an endoscopically guided dental examination. The surgical procedure consisted of lancing the abscess, cleaning the cavity, minimal debridement, and packing with strips of synthetic gauze impregnated with a selected antimicrobial. Purulent material from abscesses was submitted for bacterial culture. The procedure was repeated weekly until abscess resolution. Rabbits also received systemic treatment with antimicrobials.

Results—Rabbit ages ranged from 1 to 5 years. Anaerobic bacteria were cultured from 6 abscesses and aerobic bacteria from 5; no bacteria were cultured from 4 abscesses. Antimicrobials most commonly used in packing procedures were ampicillin and clindamycin; trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole with metronidazole and azithromycin were given most often for systemic treatment. Thirteen of 14 abscesses resolved, and rabbits were followed for a mean ± SD period of 32.6 ± 24.3 months. Number of packing procedures used to obtain resolution of infection was 4.8 ± 2.2.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Minimal surgical debridement followed by antimicrobial-impregnated gauze packing of the abscess cavity is an effective and practical option for the long-term resolution of dental abscesses in rabbits when combined with systemic treatment with appropriate antimicrobials.
Use of calcium folinate in the management of accidental methotrexate ingestion in two dogs
Authors: Lewis Daniel H. , Barfield Dominic M. , Humm Karen R. , Goggs Robert A.
Published: December 2010

Case Description—2 English Pointers were suspected of having consumed toxic doses of methotrexate, a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor frequently used in human and veterinary chemotherapeutic protocols.

Clinical Findings—Potentially toxic plasma concentrations of methotrexate were detected in both dogs. Results of physical examination, a CBC, blood gas analysis, and serum biochemical analysis were predominantly unremarkable, although 1 dog had mild hyponatremia (1372 mmol/L; reference range, 140 to 153 mmol/L) and mild hypocalcemia (1.03 mmol of ionized calcium/L; reference range, 1.13 to 1.33 mmol of ionized calcium/L).

Treatment and Outcome—Point-of-care determination of plasma methotrexate concentrations was not available; thus, palliative care was provided. Emesis was induced in both dogs by SC administration of apomorphine, and 3 doses of a suspension of activated charcoal with sorbitol were administered orally over a 6-hour period. Fluid diuresis was initiated in both dogs by administration of a compound sodium lactate solution, and N-acetylcysteine was administered IV to both dogs as a hepatoprotectant. A solution of calcium folinate (also known as leucovorin) was administered IV to both dogs to mitigate the effects of ingested methotrexate. No adverse effects associated with calcium folinate administration were identified, and no clinical or pathological evidence of methotrexate intoxication was detected.

Clinical Relevance—IV administration of calcium folinate appeared to prevent the pathological sequelae of methotrexate intoxication without adverse effects. Administration of calcium folinate is recommended for the treatment of dogs with suspected or confirmed methotrexate overdose.
Infusion of a lipid emulsion to treat lidocaine intoxication in a cat
Authors: O'Brien Taylor Q. , Clark-Price Stuart C. , Evans Erika E. , Di Fazio Renata , McMichael Maureen A.
Published: December 2010

Case Description—A 5-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat was examined because of presumptive lidocaine intoxication. Thirty minutes earlier, the cat had received an SC injection of approximately 140 mg of lidocaine hydrochloride (20 mg/kg [9.1 mg/lb]) to facilitate closure of a wound on the left pelvic limb.

Clinical Findings—Initial physical examination revealed severe lethargy and respiratory distress; erratic, poor-quality pulses with severe hypotension; and pulmonary edema.

Treatment and Outcome—Initial supportive treatment included administration of oxygen and IV administration of lactated Ringer's solution. Additional treatment with a 20% lipid emulsion (1.5 mL/kg [0.68 mL/lb], IV) delivered over a 30-minute period resulted in dramatic improvement in cardiovascular and behavioral variables. No adverse effects from lipid emulsion were detected on routine hematologic evaluation, thoracic radiography, or computed tomography.

Clinical Relevance—IV administration of a lipid emulsion was used in the treatment of lidocaine intoxication in a cat. Rapid infusion of a lipid emulsion may be a therapeutic option for veterinary patients with toxicosis attributable to local anesthetics or other lipid-soluble drugs.
Development of a rapid resolution HPLC method for the separation and determination of 17 phenolic compounds in crude plant extracts
Authors: Mišan Aleksandra , Mimica-Dukić Neda , Mandić Anamarija , Sakač Marijana , Milovanović Ivan , Sedej Ivana
Published: December 2010

Rapid Resolution HPLC/DAD method, on a 1.8 µm, 4.6×50 mm column, was developed to enable a rapid separation of a mixture of 17 compounds, which consisted of hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavones, flavonols, flavanone, flavonol-glycoside and antraquinone, in a single run, within 22 minutes. The developed method is precise, accurate and sensitive enough for simultaneous quantitative evaluation of major compounds in crude and hydrolyzed extracts of parsley, buckthorn, mint, caraway and birch. In order to overcome the inability to quantify all the phenolic compounds present in the samples caused by lack of external standards, HPLC approaches for the total phenolic content estimation based on sum of all integrated peak areas were made. These results were compared with the total phenolic content determined by Folin-Cioacalteu method. Although the correlation between the series of data was not significant (pHPLC was not high in the case of parsley, buckthorn and mint extract. Regarding the obtained results, the HPLC approach could serve as an excellent tool for total phenolic content estimation, without the need for complete identification of the individual compounds.
Sn-Ni-Bi liquid phase thermodynamic properties
Authors: Milcheva Nikolina , Romanowska Jolanta , Vassilev Gueorgui
Published: December 2010

Experimental data of bismuth activity coefficients at 1773 K were obtained by isopiestic method and compared to calculated values. Thermodynamic properties of the Sn-Ni-Bi liquid phase were estimated by means of the general solution model and by the methods of Kohler. Description of the ternary liquid phase (Gibbs excess energy dependence on the temperature and the composition) was achieved by using available thermodynamic data of the constitutive binary systems (Ni-Bi, Sn-Bi, Sn-Ni). A comparison between calculated quantities and experimental data wasconducted. The present assessment with thermodynamically optimized values of the system Sn-Ni-Bi (obtained by the CALPHAD approach) was in good agreement. The suggested appearance of a liquid phase miscibility gap at high temperatures is in agreement with the experimental bismuth activity data and with the assessed thermochemical functions.
Correlation of hydrogen capacity in carbon material with the parameters of electrosorption
Authors: Lota Grzegorz , Fic Krzysztof , Jurewicz Krzysztof , Frackowiak Elzbieta
Published: December 2010

Electrochemical storage of hydrogen in activated carbon material has been investigated using different parameters of cathodic polarization. It has been proven that application of short galvanostatic pulses could be efficient for hydrogen storage in microporous carbon material. Charging current loads from 50 mA g−1 to 32 A g−1 have been used showing correlation between hydrogen capacity, time of charging and electrical efficiency. The anodic charge equivalent to electrooxidation of 1.0 wt% of hydrogen can be already reached after 90 s of cathodic polarization. Temperature effect has been also evaluated and a gradual increase of hydrogen capacity with a better pronounced oxidation plateau was obtained at higher temperatures. Reversible electrosorption of hydrogen is a useful reaction in supercapacitor performance and it might have a potential application for a negative electrode of supercapacitor as well as reversibly operating electrode in the secondary cell.
Use of pyridinium ionic liquids as catalysts for the synthesis of 3,5-bis(dodecyloxycarbonyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine derivative
Authors: Pajuste Karlis , Plotniece Aiva , Kore Kintija , Intenberga Liva , Cekavicus Brigita , Kaldre Dainis , Duburs Gunars , Sobolev Arkadij
Published: December 2010

The synthesis of cationic amphiphilic 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative, potential gene delivery agent is achieved via an efficient multi-step sequence. The key step of this approach is a two-component Hantzsch type cyclisation of 3-oxo-2-[1-phenylmethylidene]-butyric acid dodecyl ester and 3-amino-but-2-enoic acid dodecyl ester utilising bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ether as a solvent and 1-butyl-4-methylpyridinium chloride as a catalyst. The 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative with long alkyl ester chains at positions 3 and 5 of the 1,4-DHP ring — 3,5-bis(dodecyloxycarbonyl)-2,6-dimethyl-4-phenyl-1,4-dihydropyridine was obtained in substantially higher yield with respect to classical Hantzsch synthesis. Bromination of this compound followed by nucleophilic substitution of bromine with pyridine gave the desired cationic amphiphilic 1,4-dihydropyridine.
Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of prochiral ketones catalyzed by aminosulfonamide-ruthenium complexes in ionic liquid
Authors: Zhou Zhongqiang , Sun Yong , Zhang Aiqing
Published: December 2010

Chiral aminosulfonamides containing imidazolium group were used as ligands for the ruthenium(II)-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of prochiral ketones in ionic liquid, affording good to excellent conversions and enantiomeric excesses. The catalytic system could be easily recovered and reused several times.
Meldola’s Blue — doped titania sol-gel sensor for NADH determination
Authors: Adamski Juliusz , Kochana Jolanta
Published: December 2010

Titania layers obtained by a sol-gel technique doped with redox mediator, Meldola’s Blue, were employed for construction of a new NADH senor. Optimization of preparation process as well as experimental conditions affecting the response of the sensor were examined. Under optimal conditions NADH could be determined in the wide linear range from 90 to 2300 µM with detection limit 12 µM and a high sensitivity 12.5 nA µM−1. The usefulness of developed sensor was preliminarily checked in determination of NADH forming during enzymatic oxidation of ethanol catalyzed by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH).
Preparation and examination of multilayer graphene nanosheets by exfoliation of graphite in high efficient attritor mill
Authors: Kun Péter , Wéber Ferenc , Balázsi Csaba
Published: December 2010

Graphene multilayers have been prepared by mechanical method based on milling graphite in high efficient attritor mill. The results showed that the best dispersion media is ethanol, and 10 hours of intensive milling proved to be the most efficient way to separate the graphite layers as it was shown by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements.
Nature of the silver precipitation obtained by cementation from thiosulphate solutions
Authors: Kuntyi O. , Zozulya G. , Saldan I. , Kree V. , Korniy S. , Stel’makhovych B.
Published: December 2010

The morphology and composition of the deposits formed on the surface of magnesium disk during cementation from thiosulphate solutions (0.0025–0.1M) [Ag(S2O3)2]3− + 0.5M S2O3
2− have been studied. A porous deposit with low adhesion is formed on the surface of the magnesium metal substrate. Within a wide range of [Ag(S2O3)2]3− ion concentrations, sulfur as well as silver are constituents of the deposit at the initial stages of cementation and at the end of the reaction. This is attributed to the electrochemical behaviour of magnesium in thiosulphate solutions resulting in the exceeding of current limit on cathode for pure silver reduction. Hence, parallel electrochemical reactions take place that are very close in their values to the standard redox potentials of reduction of [Ag(S2O3)2]3− ions to Ag0 and S2O32− ions to S2−. Sulfur content in the cement deposits increases with the decrease in [Ag(S2O3)2]3− ion concentration and increase in cementation time. This tendency is also observed with the decreasing solution temperature.
Endothelial microparticle formation in moderate concentrations of homocysteine and methionine in vitro
Authors: Sekuła Małgorzata , Janawa Greta , Stankiewicz Elżbieta , Stępień Ewa
Published: December 2010

Microparticles (MPs) are small membrane vesicles released by stimulated or apoptotic cells, including the endothelium. Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is a blood disorder characterized by an increase in the plasma concentrations of total homocysteine (Hcy). The plasma Hcy level is determined by environmental factors (dietary habits, i.e. the intake of folic acid, FA) and genetic factors (N 5,N 10-methylenetetrahydro-folate reductase, MTHFR, polymorphism 677C>T). To evaluate whether moderate Hcy concentrations induce endothelial MP formation, the role of FA supplementation and the influence of MTHFR polymorphism were analysed. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were treated in vitro with 50 μM of Hcy and methionine (Met). The MP number and apoptotic phenotype were analyzed using flow cytometry. Increasing doses of FA (5, 15 and 50 μM) were used to reduce the HHcy effect. The MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism was determined. HUVEC stimulated by Hcy produced significantly more MPs than HUVEC under the control conditions: 3,551 ± 620 vs 2,270 ± 657 kMP (p = 0.02). Supplementation with FA at concentrations of 5, 15 and 50 μM reduced the MP count in the cell culture supernatant to 345 ± 332, 873 ± 329, and 688 ± 453 kMP, respectively (p = 0.03). MTHFR 677C>T heterozygosity was associated with a significant increase in MP formation after stimulation with Hcy compared to the control conditions: 3,617 ± 152 vs 1,518 ± 343 kMP (p = 0.02). Furthermore, the MTHFR genotype altered MP formation after Met loading. On average, 24% of the entire MP population was apoptotic (annexin V-positive). Endothelial function impairment due to HHcy is related to MP shedding, which may involve platelets and other blood and vascular cells. MP shedding is a physiological response to moderate HHcy.
Steam-reforming of ethanol for hydrogen production
Authors: Bshish Ahmed , Yaakob Zahira , Narayanan Binitha , Ramakrishnan Resmi , Ebshish Ali
Published: December 2010

Production of hydrogen by steam-reforming of ethanol has been performed using different catalytic systems. The present review focuses on various catalyst systems used for this purpose. The activity of catalysts depends on several factors such as the nature of the active metal catalyst and the catalyst support, the precursor used, the method adopted for catalyst preparation, and the presence of promoters as well as reaction conditions like the water-to-ethanol molar ratio, temperature, and space velocity. Among the active metals used to date for hydrogen production from ethanol, promoted-Ni is found to be a suitable choice in terms of the activity of the resulting catalyst. Cu is the most commonly used promoter with nickel-based catalysts to overcome the inactivity of nickel in the water-gas shift reaction. γ-Al2O3 support has been preferred by many researchers because of its ability to withstand reaction conditions. However, γ-Al2O3, being acidic, possesses the disadvantage of favouring ethanol dehydration to ethylene which is considered to be a source of carbon deposit found on the catalyst. To overcome this difficulty and to obtain the long-term catalyst stability, basic oxide supports such as CeO2, MgO, La2O3, etc. are mixed with alumina which neutralises the acidic sites. Most of the catalysts which can provide higher ethanol conversion and hydrogen selectivity were prepared by a combination of impregnation method and sol-gel method. High temperature and high water-to-ethanol molar ratio are two important factors in increasing the ethanol conversion and hydrogen selectivity, whereas an increase in pressure can adversely affect hydrogen production.
Complexation studies of 3-substituted β-diketones with selected d- and f-metal ions
Authors: Pawlicki Grzegorz , Staniszewski Bartosz , Witt Katarzyna , Urbaniak Włodzimierz , Lis Stefan
Published: December 2010

Results of spectroscopic investigations related to complex compositions of 3-substituted derivatives of pentane-2,4-dione (β-diketonate) complexes with chosen d- and f-metal ions are presented. Ligands 3-allylacetylacetone (3all-acac) and 3-benzylacetylacetone (3ben-acac) were prepared and used for the complexation study with Cu(II), Co(II), Nd(III), and Ho(III) metal ions. Based on the absorption spectra of lanthanide ions in their hypersensitive transitions, with the use of computer assisted target factor analysis (CAT) and absorption spectra of the ligands with Cu(II) and Co(II), the verification of complex compositions and the determination of their stability constants were achieved. In case of Nd(III) and Ho(III) complexes with β-diketone ligands, absorption of their maxima were studied in the range of hypersensitive transitions 4 I 9/2 → 4 F 7/2 + 4 S 3/2 (λ max ∼ 734 nm and 748 nm) for Nd(III) and in the range of 435–465 nm, corresponding to the hypersensitive transition 5 G 6 → 5 I 8 (λ max ∼ 450 nm), for Ho(III).
Bone Mineral Density Is Not Related to Osteophyte Formation in Osteoarthritis of the Hip
Authors: OKANO KUNIHIKO , AOYAGI KIYOSHI , CHIBA KO , MOTOKAWA SATORU , MATSUMOTO TOMOKO
Published: December 2010

Objective.

Reports have suggested that bone mineral density (BMD) is higher in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip than in healthy controls. Various types of OA of the hip caused by osteophyte formation were observed on radiographs during progression to the advanced degenerative stage, and the preoperative type of OA was reported to influence the results of surgical treatment. However, the mechanism underlying the development of different types of OA is still unknown. We measured BMD of patients with hip OA and determined whether higher BMD was observed in patients with osteophyte formation than in those without osteophytes.

Methods.

We measured BMD of the lumbar spine, radius, and calcaneus using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in 88 women who were scheduled to undergo total hip arthroplasty for endstage OA. Hips were evaluated for osteophyte formation using Bombelli’s classification; 31 were graded as atrophic type, 30 as normotrophic, and 27 as hypertrophic. BMD at different skeletal sites were compared among the 3 types of OA.

Results.

No significant difference in BMD of the lumbar spine, ultradistal radius, mid-radius, or calcaneus was observed among the atrophic, normotrophic, and hypertrophic types of OA.

Conclusion.

Our data suggest that osteophyte formation is not related to general BMD. Factors other than general bone status, for example the morphology of the hip joint, need to be analyzed to determine the pathomechanism of osteophyte formation in the osteoarthritic hip.