bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dominio cultural del autocuidado en diabeticos tipo 2 con y sin control glucémico en México
Authors: Salcedo-Rocha Ana L , Alba-García Javier E García de , Sevila Elizabeth
Published: March 2008

OBJETIVO: Analisar los principales elementos relacionados con el dominio cultural del autocuidado de la salud, entre pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 con y sin controle glucémico. MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo en 57 diabéticos controlados y 76 sin control glucémico, con promedio de 60 años de edad en una clínica del Seguro Social en México en 2003. Se aplicaron técnicas de antropología cognitiva de listas libres y cuestionario estructurado para obtener modelo semántico y promedio de conocimiento cultural a seis preguntas sobre su padecimiento por análisis de consenso. RESULTADOS: Los datos sociodemográficos de ambos grupos no mostraron diferencias significativas. Todos los modelos de respuesta comparados presentaron estructuras semánticas similares, con excepción a: "Qué se entiende como ejercicio" (p<0.05). El promedio de conocimiento cultural sobre los aspectos analizados fue similar en ambos grupos, solamente el nivel de conocimiento relacionado a "Cómo debe ayudar la familia a un adulto para estar sano" fue estadísticamente significativamente mayor en pacientes controlados. CONCLUSIONES: Los hallazgos muestran a diferente estructura semántica sobre la concepción del ejercicio entre los grupos de pacientes y la diferencia en el promedio de conocimiento cultural sobre el apoyo familiar para la salud de paciente. Estas informaciones deben ser tomadas en cuenta al elaborar programas educativos, de auto atención y atención médica adaptados a la cultura del paciente con diabetes tipo 2.
Brazilian WHOQOL-OLD Module version: a Rasch analysis of a new instrument
Authors: Chachamovich Eduardo , Fleck Marcelo P , Trentini Clarissa , Power Mick
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Brazilian version of WHOQOL-OLD Module and to test potential changes to the instrument to increase its psychometric adequacy. METHODS: A total of 424 older adults living in a city in Southern Brazil completed the WHOQOL-OLD instrument, in 2005. Rasch analysis was used to explore the psychometric performance of the scale, as implemented by the RUMM2020 software. Item-trait interaction, threshold disorders, presence of differential item functioning and item fit, were analyzed. RESULTS: Two ("death and dying" and "sensory abilities") out of six domains showed inadequate item-trait interactions. Rescoring the response scale and deleting the most misperforming items led to scale improvement. The evaluation of domains and items individually showed that the "intimacy" domain does perform well in contrast to the findings using the classical approach. In addition, the "sensory abilities" domain does not derive an interval measure in its current format. CONCLUSIONS: Unidimensionality and local independence were seen in all domains. Changes in the response scale and deletion of problematic items improved the scale's performance.
Role of Hypertonic Saline for the Management of Intracranial Hypertension After Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Forsyth Lisa L. , Liu‐DeRyke Xi , Parker Dennis , Rhoney Denise H.
Published: March 2008

Increased intracranial pressure after neurologic injury is a clinical challenge that often requires administration of osmotic agents. The most common osmotic agent used for treatment has been mannitol; however, interest has been renewed in using hypertonic saline after neurologic injury, since it is not associated with hypovolemia. The types of procedures or injury for which hypertonic saline has been used are vast, from elective craniotomy for tumor resection to stroke and traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of well‐controlled clinical trials that provide evidence for the best concentration, administration approach, and length of therapy with hypertonic saline. The bulk of the data exists for traumatic brain injury, although most of these data are from observational and retrospective analyses, which do not allow for an evaluation of the impact of hypertonic saline on clinical outcomes. Nonetheless, both animal and clinical data suggest that patients with traumatic brain injury and those with stroke may benefit from hypertonic saline therapy. Since hypertonic saline has a high risk of injury with inappropriate administration and is considered a “high‐alert” drug, safety issues surrounding its dispensing and administration must be considered. Randomized outcome trials comparing mannitol with hypertonic saline in various subpopulations of neurologic injury would add valuable information to the literature and provide a basis for establishment of best clinical practices.
Atypical Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: Diagnostic Controversies and Considerations
Authors: Picard Lara S. , Lindsay Shane , Strawn Jeffrey R. , Kaneria Rakesh M. , Patel Nick C. , Keck Paul E.
Published: March 2008

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a serious and potentially fatal adverse effect of antipsychotic drugs. The diagnosis of NMS commonly requires core symptoms of hyperthermia and muscle rigidity. Although diagnostic criteria for NMS have been established and are widely accepted and used, it should be recognized that atypical presentations pose a diagnostic dilemma, as hyperthermia and/or muscle rigidity may be absent or develop slowly over several days, leading to impairment or a significant delay in diagnosis and treatment. Evidence from case reports and retrospective evaluations supports a concept of atypical NMS, particularly with regard to treatment with atypical antipsychotics. However, it remains unclear whether these atypical presentations represent early or impending NMS. Furthermore, it is unclear whether dysfunction in other neurotransmitter systems, in addition to dopamine, may be involved in the pathogenesis of NMS induced by atypical antipsychotics. In patients receiving any antipsychotic, clinicians should carefully evaluate any features of NMS and should not prematurely exclude a diagnosis of NMS in cases where severe rigidity or hyperthermia is not initially apparent.
Factors Affecting the Thermal Stability of Conventional Scale Inhibitors for Application in High Pressure/High Temperature Reservoirs
Authors: Dyer S. J. , Graham G. M. , Sorbie K. S.
Published: March 2008

Following an earlier paper (SPE 37274, 1997),1 we have continued to investigate the thermal stability of scale inhibitors for application in high pressure/high temperature (HP/HT) reservoirs. HP/HT reservoirs are currently under development in the North Sea and are characterised by high salinity brines (TDS > 300,000 ppm) high temperatures (T > 175°C) and high pressures (12,000–15,000 psi, ~ 800–1050 bar). At present produced brines are treated with scale inhibitors to prevent mineral scale deposition within tubulars and topside equipment. However, the conventional polymer and phosphonate scale inhibitors currently being used may not be appropriate for application in the harsh HP/HT reservoirs.

In this work, results are presented from static thermal stability tests conducted on conventional polymer and phosphonate scale inhibitors including phosphino-polycarboxylate (PPCA), polyvinyl sulphonate (PVS), penta-phosphonate (DETPMP) and hexa-phosphonate (TETHMP). The stability of the scale inhibitors has been considered at temperatures ranging from 120°C to 200°C and other factors which may affect thermal stability have also been investigated, including solution pH and the presence of oxygen radicals, iron and common cations (Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+) in the inhibitor solution. The results from this work demonstrate how factors such as pH and brine composition control thermal stability. Furthermore, the controlling influence of certain factors, such as solution pH, affect different species differently. This work assists in the selection of scale inhibitors for use in HP/HT applications.
Impact of sewage sludge applications on the biogeochemistry of soils
Authors: Devaney D. , Hodson M. E. , Godley A. R. , Purdy K. , Yamulki S.
Published: March 2008

This report describes an investigation into the bioavailability and fate of trace metals and their subsequent impact on important soil microbiological functions such as nitrification, denitrification and methane oxidation in low and high Cu containing soils in the presence and absence of residual organic matter from sewage sludge additions made 10 years earlier. The soils being studied are part of long term sewage sludge trials and include a low Cu soil (13.3 mg Cu/kg soil, 4.18 LOI %), left un-amended to serve as a control soil, soil amended with a high Cu sewage sludge (278.3 mg Cu/kg soil, 6.52 LOI %) and soil amended with a low Cu sewage sludge (46.3 mg Cu/kg soil, 6.18 LOI %). Soil was also amended with inorganic metal salts (273.4 mg Cu/kg soil, 4.52 LOI %) to further investigate the impact of Cu in the absence of additional organic matter contained in applied sewage sludge. Data from the first two years of a project are presented which has included field-based studies at long term sewage sludge trials based in Watlington, Oxford, UK and laboratory based studies at the Institute of Grassland & Environmental Research, North Wyke, Devon, UK.
Odor control during post-digestion processing of biosolids through bioaugmentation of anaerobic digestion
Authors: Tepe N. , Yurtsever D. , Duran M. , Mehta R. J. , Bruno C. , Punzi V. L.
Published: March 2008

The effects of bioaugmenting anaerobic biosolids digestion with a commercial product that contained selected strains of bacteria from genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Actinomycetes, along with ancillary organic compounds containing various micronutrients were evaluated. The main objective of the study was to investigate the effects of bioaugmentation specifically on the performance of methanogenesis during anaerobic digestion, as well as on the generation and fate of odor-causing compounds during the storage of the digested biosolids. The bench-scale digester with 5 g/L bioaugment generated 29% more net CH4 than a control during the eight weeks of operation. In addition, the average residual propionic acid concentration in the bioaugmented digester was 46% lower than that in the control. The biosolids digested in the bioaugmented digester generated a negligible amount of methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) during 10 days of post-digestion storage, while CH3SH concentration in the control reached nearly 300 ppmv during the same period. Similarly peak dimethyl sulfide (CH3SCH3) generated by stored biosolids from the bioaugmented digester was only 37% of that from the control. Similar results were obtained in a subsequent short term study designed to confirm the repeatability of the findings.
Effect of didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride on nitrate reduction in a mixed methanogenic culture
Authors: Tezel U. , Pavlostathis S. G. , Pierson J. A.
Published: March 2008

The effect of the quaternary ammonium compound, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC), on nitrate reduction was investigated at concentrations up to 100 mg/L in a batch assay using a mixed, mesophilic (35°C) methanogenic culture. Glucose was used as the carbon and energy source and the initial nitrate concentration was 70 mg N/L. Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonia (DNRA) and to dinitrogen (denitrification) were observed at DDAC concentrations up to 25 mg/L. At and above 50 mg DDAC/L, DNRA was inhibited and denitrification was incomplete resulting in accumulation of nitrous oxide. At DDAC concentrations above 10 mg/L, production of nitrous oxide, even transiently, resulted in complete, long-term inhibition of methanogenesis and accumulation of volatile fatty acids. Fermentation was inhibited at and above 75 mg DDAC/L. DDAC suppressed microbial growth and caused cell lysis at a concentration 50 mg/L or higher. Most of the added DDAC was adsorbed on the biomass. Over 96% of the added DDAC was recovered from all cultures at the end of the 100-days incubation period, indicating that DDAC did not degrade in the mixed methanogenic culture under the conditions of this study.
Anaerobic wastewater treatment and membrane filtration: a one night stand or a sustainable relationship?
Authors: Jeison D. , van Lier J. B. , Jeison D.
Published: March 2008

Several anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBR) were operated, under various conditions, applying different reactor configurations. Applicable fluxes were strongly determined by the physical properties of the sludge present in the reactors. Results show that particle size is a key determining factor for the attainable fluxes. Under thermophilic conditions, small sludge particle size was observed, resulting in low critical fluxes reaching 6–7 L/m2 h for the submerged configuration and acidified substrate. In contrast, under mesophilic conditions critical fluxes of 20 L/m2 h were obtained. The acidification level also showed a strong effect. Under thermophilic conditions, the presence of a significant fraction of non-acidified organic matter induced the growth of suspended acidogenic biomass that seriously affected the applicable fluxes, both in submerged and side-stream configurations. Under all conditions tested cake formation showed to be the limiting factor determining the applicable fluxes. Only low levels of irreversible fouling were observed. Due to technical and economical considerations, most interesting perspectives for the application of AnMBR are expected with the treatment of high-strength particulate wastewaters, and with extreme wastewaters characterised by high temperature, salinity, etc.
Exploring the potential of membrane bioreactors to enhance metals removal from wastewater: pilot experiences
Authors: Fatone F. , Eusebi A. L. , Battistoni P. , Pavan P.
Published: March 2008

The potential of membrane bioreactors to enhance the removal of selected metals from low loaded sewages has been explored. A 1400 litre pilot plant, equipped with an industrial submerged module of hollow fibre membranes, has been used in three different configurations: membrane bioreactor, operating in sequencing batch modality, for the treatment of real mixed municipal/industrial wastewater; membrane-assisted biosorption reactor, for the treatment of real leachate from municipal landfills; continuously fed membrane bioreactor, for the treatment of water charged with cadmium and nickel ions. The results show that: (a) in treating wastewaters with low levels of heavy metals (< one milligram per litre concentration), operating high sludge ages is not an effective strategy to significantly enhance the metals removal; (b) Hg and Cd are effectively removed already in conventional systems with gravitational final clarifiers, while Cu, Cr, Ni can rely on a additional performance in membrane bioreactors; (c) the further membrane effect is remarkable for Cu and Cr, while it is less significant for Ni. Basically, similar membrane effects recur in three different experimental applications that let us estimate the potential of membrane system to retain selected metal complexes. The future development of the research will investigate the relations between the membrane effect and the manipulable filtration parameters (i.e., permeate flux, solids content, filtration cycle).
Partial Least Squares local calibration of a UV–visible spectrometer used for in situ measurements of COD and TSS concentrations in urban drainage systems
Authors: Torres A. , Bertrand-Krajewski J.-L.
Published: March 2008

Recent UV–visible spectrometers deliver on line and in situ absorbance spectra in wastewater or stormwater transported in urban drainage systems. After calibration with local data sets, spectra can be used to estimate pollutant concentrations. Calibration methods are usually based on PLS (Partial Least Squares) regression. Their most important difficulty lies in the identification of the number of both i) the latent vectors and ii) the independent variables. A method is proposed to identify these variables, based on an exhaustive tests procedure (Jackknife cross validation and matrix of prediction indicator). It was applied to estimate TSS (total suspended solids) or COD (chemical oxygen demand) concentrations at the inlet of a storage-settling tank in a stormwater separate sewer system, and compared to three other calibration methods used either for turbidity meters or UV–visible spectrometers. With the available calibration data set: i) the spectrometer gives results with better prediction quality than the turbidity meter, ii) for the spectrometer, local calibration gives better results than global calibration, iii) the proposed PLS method gives results with a similar order of magnitude in uncertainties as the manufacturer local calibration method, but is more open and transparent for the user. Similar results were obtained for a second data set.
What drives communities' decisions and behaviours in the reuse of wastewater
Authors: Nancarrow B. E. , Leviston Z. , Po M. , Porter N. B. , Tucker D. I.
Published: March 2008

This paper outlines a five year investigation which aimed to develop a measurement to predict community intended behaviour in relation to the reuse of wastewater. It has been apparent that communities support the concept of water reuse as a means of responsible water resources management. However, reactions from people when it comes to actually using the recycled water are frequently quite different, particularly when it involves close personal contact or ingestion of the water. Little has been known of how people make their decisions to accept or reject schemes. Therefore, a research program was designed to systematically identify, measure and test the major factors that govern people's decision-making. A social experiment was designed whereby a large group of random community members participated in tasting and swallowing what they believed to be recycled water from different sources and products grown with recycled waters. This provided an immediate experience for the development of measures of psychological and other factors in decisions to taste and/or swallow. This then formed the basis for whole of city surveys which tested and refined an hypothesised model of intended behaviour, and three case studies over time which sought to replicate the model.
Taiwan's Population and Family Planning Efforts: An Historical Perspective
Authors: Cernada G. , Sun T. H. , Chang M. C. , Tsai J. F.
Published: March 2008

The unprecedented decline of Taiwan's natural population increase rate from 3% in 1963 to 1.9% in 1973, attributed primarily to an increasing use of contraception, brought universal attention to one of the first and most successful national family planning programs, at a time when successes were few. Taiwan met its goal of decreasing its natural increase rate despite its young population, increasing numbers of women of childbearing ages, a strong preference for sons and a per capita income at the outset in 1963 of less than U.S.$200. Recognition of this achievement brought thousands of professionals, particularly from developing countries, to study the program firsthand: more than 3,000 during 1970–73 alone. This was matched by an avalanche of publications about the program that appeared around the world, written by practitioners, academics and others. This article tells the story of this success.
Race, Health, and the African Diaspora
Authors: Spigner Clarence
Published: March 2008

Health inequalities exist throughout the African Diaspora and are viewed in this article as largely color-coded. In developed, developing, and undeveloped nations today, “racial” stratification is consistently reflected in an inability to provide adequate health regardless of national policy or ideology. For instance, African Americans experience less than adequate health care very similar to Blacks in Britain, in spite of each nations differing health systems. Latin America's Africana Negra communities experience poorer health similar to Blacks throughout the Caribbean. The African continent itself is arguably the poorest on earth. A common history of racism correlates with health disparities across the African Diaspora.
Development of non-aqueous single stage derivatisation method for the determination of putrescine and cadaverine using GC-MS
Authors: Awan M.
Published: March 2008

A single step derivatisation for the determination of putrescine and cadaverine by gas chromatography using trifluoroacetylacetone (TFAA) in methanol or ethanol was studied and optimised. The derivatives were analysed by an iontrap gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) operating with electron impact ionisation with selective ion storage (EI-SIS) mode. The optimised mole ratios for TFAA/putrescine and TFAA/cadaverine reactions were 5/1 and 5.8/1 respectively with a reaction time of 15 minutes at 95oC. The retention times for the derivatised putrescine and cadaverine were 11.3 and 12.2 minutes respectively using the capillary column, CP-Sil 8CB; 30 m length x 0.25 mm i.d. x 0.25 mm film. The correlation coefficients (R2) of calibration curves for putrescine and cadaverine were 0.991 and 0.990 respectively over a concentration range of 100 ng cm−3 to 1500 ng cm−3. The method developed was found to be simple (single-stage derivatisation), rapid (15 minutes derivatisation & 14 minutes GC/MS run) and accurate (putrescine and cadaverine recoveries 94.8%–97.7%).
Massive scalar field quasinormal modes of a Schwarzschild black hole surrounded by quintessence
Authors: Ma Chunrui , Gui Yuanxing , Wang Wei , Wang Fujun
Published: March 2008

We present the quasinormal frequencies of the massive scalar field in the background of a Schwarzchild black hole surrounded by quintessence with the third-order WKB method. The mass of the scalar field u plays an important role in studying the quasinormal frequencies, the real part of the frequencies increases linearly as mass of the field u increases, while the imaginary part in absolute value decreases linearly which leads to damping more slowly than the massless scalar field. The frequencies have a limited value, so it is easier to detect the quasinormal modes. Moreover, owing to the presence of the quintessence, the massive scalar field damps more slowly.
Discretely tunable and multiwavelength erbium doped fibre lasers with Fabry-Perot etalon
Authors: Stryjak M. , Budnicki A. , Lewicki R. , Kaczmarek P. , Abramski K.
Published: March 2008

Modern WDM telecommunication systems require stable and calibrated laser sources. In this paper, we present examples of such lasers based on erbium doped fibres, i.e., discretely tunable and multiwavelength ring lasers. For the first case, tuning is possible due to a tunable Bragg grating overlapping spectrally the third telecommunication window (1550 nm). When a Fabry-Perot etalon is inserted into the cavity, discrete tunable operation with appropriate spacing between operating wavelengths is possible. Different free spectral ranges (FSR) of applied etalons ensured operation at a wavelength spacing 0.4 nm, 0.8 nm or 1.6 nm, respectively. When an acoustooptical Bragg frequency shifter was inserted together with the Fabry-Perot etalon, the stable simultaneous multiwavelength operation covering the erbium doped gain range was achieved.
On calculation of generalized densities
Authors: Kijonka Václav
Published: March 2008

In the paper continuous variants of densities of sets of positive integers are introduced, some of their properties are studied and formula for their calculation is proved.
Oscillation criteria for third-order nonlinear differential equations
Authors: Baculíková B. , Elabbasy E. , Saker S. , Džurina J.
Published: March 2008

In this paper, we are concerned with the oscillation properties of the third order differential equation $$
\left( {b(t) \left( {[a(t)x'(t)'} \right)^\gamma } \right)^\prime + q(t)x^\gamma (t) = 0, \gamma > 0
$$. Some new sufficient conditions which insure that every solution oscillates or converges to zero are established. The obtained results extend the results known in the literature for γ = 1. Some examples are considered to illustrate our main results.
Hierarchical Dependence in Meta-Analysis
Authors: Stevens John R. , Taylor Alan M.
Published: March 2008

Meta-analysis is a frequent tool among education and behavioral researchers to combine results from multiple experiments to arrive at a clear understanding of some effect of interest. One of the traditional assumptions in a meta-analysis is the independence of the effect sizes from the studies under consideration. This article presents a meta-analytic review of 13 experiments with 18 study reports all involving the effect of native-language (L1) vocabulary aids on second-language (L2) reading comprehension. Some experiments produced multiple study reports, creating a dependence structure among the resulting effect size estimates. The covariance among these effect size estimates is estimated and incorporated into a proposed meta-analysis model that accounts for the dependence at a hierarchical level. The overall effect size estimate (g =. 63) indicates that L1 vocabulary aids can be an effective L2 reading comprehension aid in the short term. An interpretation of the hierarchical components is discussed.
The relative importance of disturbance and environmental stress at local and regional scales in French coastal sand dunes
Authors: Forey Estelle , Chapelet Benjamin , Vitasse Yann , Tilquin Mathieu , Touzard Blaise , Michalet Richard
Published: March 2008

Questions:1. Is there a primary role of disturbance at local scale and of environmental stress at regional scale? 2. Does disturbance increase or decrease environmental stress at local scale?

Location:The Atlantic coastal dune system of the Aquitaine Region (France).

Methods:Species biomass and 16 environmental variables were sampled in 128 quadrats along a local beach‐inland gradient and a regional North‐South gradient. Environmental data were analysed with ANOVAs and vegetation‐environment relationships with Canonical Correspondence Analysis.

Results:At the local scale community composition was primarily driven by disturbance due to sand burial, whereas water and nutrient stress better explained regional differences. However, random biogeographical events are very likely to also affect community composition at the largest scale. The main interaction between environmental stress and disturbance was the mitigation of nutrient stress induced by disturbance at a local scale. This was due to a positive direct effect of sand burial and a positive indirect effect of wind (decrease in VPD by ocean spray). Although wind had also a significant effect on soil conductivity and pH, there was no evidence that these factors had any role in community composition.

Conclusions:Our results support the hypothesis that disturbance had a primary role at local scale and environmental stress at regional scale but further research is needed to separate the effect of stress from that of dispersal at regional scale. We also demonstrated that environmental stress in primary succession may not always decline with decreasing disturbance.
Chromophoric 5′‐O‐Silyl Protection of N‐Protected 2′‐ACE Ribonucleosides for Solid‐Phase RNA Synthesis
Authors: Delaney Michael O. , Thomas Angela , Ricketts Chris , Kitchen David E. , Kaiser Robert J.
Published: March 2008

Recent advances in the understanding of the pivotal roles played by endogenous small RNAs in gene regulation have resulted in a substantial and rapidly growing market for synthetic RNA. 5′‐Silyl‐2′‐ACE chemistry has proven to be a robust and reliable technology for the synthesis of oligoribonucleotides. This unit describes an important improvement to this chemistry, by adding a cycle‐to‐cycle traceability analogous to that inherent in 5′‐dimethoxytrityl–based approaches. This is achieved by first regioselectively introducing a 5′‐alkynylsilyl protecting group onto the 2′‐ACE‐protected nucleosides. The 5′‐alkynylsilyl group is then reacted with an azide derivative of the chromophore Disperse Red 1, which enables spectrophotometric interrogation of each coupling step following 5′‐deprotection. Finally, the protected nucleosides are elaborated into their 3′‐phosphoramidite derivatives for use in solid‐phase RNA synthesis. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 32:2.14.1‐2.14.26. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Detection of Aberrant 2′‐5′ Linkages in RNA by Anion Exchange
Authors: Thayer J.R. , Rao Srinivasa , Puri Nitin
Published: March 2008

Formation of aberrant 2′‐5′ linkages can unintentionally occur in chemical synthesis of RNA. These linkages may arise by phosphoryl migration during deprotection, release, or subsequent steps during manufacture of therapeutic RNA. Their presence has been linked to a number of biochemical activities, so their potential for contribution to “off‐target” effects is significant. Assaying for their presence, to ensure safe and effective therapeutic activity, is not straightforward. Since these linkages do not alter the RNA mass or the ionic or hydrophobic character of the product, confirmation of their presence or absence is not readily addressable by conventional chromatographic, electrophoretic, or mass spectrometric techniques. Since 2′‐5′ linkages are known to alter RNA solution conformation, they may also alter stationary phase interactions. A method for identifying the presence of these aberrant linkages by pellicular anion‐exchange HPLC is presented in this unit. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 32:10.13.1‐10.13.11. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Two‐Dimensional Blue Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis
Authors: Schamel Wolfgang W.A.
Published: March 2008

Multiprotein complexes play crucial roles in nearly all cell biological processes. Blue Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (BN‐PAGE) is a powerful method to study these complexes. It is a native protein separation method that relies on the dye Coomassie blue to confer negative charge for separation. It has a higher resolution than gel filtration or sucrose density ultracentrifugation and can be used for protein complexes from 10 kDa to 10 MDa. If a second‐dimension SDS‐PAGE is applied (two‐dimensional BN/SDS‐PAGE), the size, subunit composition, and relative abundance of the different multiprotein complexes can be studied. In recent years, there has been a large increase in the number of publications where BN‐PAGE was used to study protein‐protein interactions. Here, we give detailed protocols for the separation of multiprotein complexes by two‐dimensional BN/SDS‐PAGE and for a related technique to determine the stoichiometry of these complexes. Curr. Protoc. Cell Biol. 38:6.10.1‐6.10.21. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Rural education for older adults
Authors: Mott Vivian W.
Published: March 2008

Meeting the learning needs of older adults in rural areas is a critical and growing concern for adult and continuing education. This chapter addresses learning in a rural context for older adults.
Information, communication, and educational technologies in rural Alaska
Authors: Page G. Andrew , Hill Melissa
Published: March 2008

Interviews with bush Alaskan educators offer a close‐up perspective of the challenges surrounding the adoption of information, communication, and educational technologies in rural areas.
Dental wear and oral pathology: Possible evidence and consequences of habitual use of teeth in a Swedish Neolithic sample
Authors: Molnar Petra
Published: March 2008

Atypical wear and oral lesions were studied in the dental remains from the Middle Neolithic Pitted Ware Culture site Ajvide on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. Teeth (n = 764) from 17 males and 11 females were examined microscopically to document unusual wear, assess wear patterns and oral lesions as evidence of habitual behavior, and determine their effect on the oral health of this population. Five atypical wear types were observed: occlusal facets, occlusal excessive load, labial vertical striae, labial horizontal striae, and interproximal striae. Three oral lesions were recorded: chipping, periapical lesions, and dental tilting. Results indicate that teeth were used in a habitual manner at Ajvide, based on the morphology and regularity of the patterns of atypical wear. Differences were observed between the sexes, indicating gender‐related differences in the habitual use of teeth. Some wear categories showed a significant correlation with age, signifying increased or accumulated wear with age. Statistically significant positive correlations were found in the molars between occlusal excessive load wear and periapical lesions as well as tilting. Other apparent links were also observed between chipping and vertical striae as well as excessive load, although these were not significant. This suggests a relationship between dental wear and dental pathologies at this site, suggesting that habitual use of teeth indirectly affected the general oral health at the site. Wear patterns, furthermore, seem to mirror both frequent activities as well as single events. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Growth‐related changes in prehistoric Jomon and modern Japanese mandibles with emphasis on cortical bone distribution
Authors: Fukase Hitoshi , Suwa Gen
Published: March 2008

Cortical bone distribution of the anthropoid mandibular symphysis has been addressed in relation to mechanical stress generated by mastication. To examine whether or not bone mass and distribution patterns of the human mandibular symphysis could be interpreted as an example of functional adaptation, we compared the skeletal growth series of two populations, prehistoric Jomon, considered to represent a “robust” mandibular morphology associated with a presumed heavier masticatory load, and modern Japanese. Results showed that the adult Jomon symphysis possessed significantly greater bone mass and thicker cortical bone compared to the modern Japanese condition. However, the second moments of area did not differ significantly between the two, indicating comparable rigidity against bending. Furthermore, the Jomon mandibles of the infant to juvenile stages exhibited most of the adult characteristics, in both bone mass/distribution of the symphysis and in mandibular corpus/ramus morphologies. The present study also demonstrated the presence of a growth pattern of symphyseal cortical thickness, common to both the Jomon and the modern Japanese series. In both populations, subsequent to deciduous molar occlusion, cortical bone tends to be thickest at the inferolingual symphysis, at the location where the highest tensile stresses presumably occur during mastication. These findings suggest that the “robust” characteristics of the Jomon mandible are initially manifested early in development, and that the effect of mechanical stimulus to bone mass formation in the human symphysis is largely confined to a regulatory role during growth modeling. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predicting progression in primary progressive multiple sclerosis: A 10‐year multicenter study
Authors: Khaleeli Zhaleh , Ciccarelli Olga , Manfredonia Francesco , Barkhof Frederik , Brochet Bruno , Cercignani Mara , Dousset Vincent , Filippi Massimo , Montalban Xavier , Polman Chris , Rovaris Marco , Rovira Alex , Sastre‐Garriga Jaume , Vellinga Machteld , Miller David , Thompson Alan
Published: March 2008

Rates of progression vary widely in primary progressive multiple sclerosis. This multicenter study aimed to identify predictors of progression over 10 years. A total of 101 patients who had been imaged at baseline and 2 years were scored on the expanded disability status scale after 10 years. Ordinal logistic regression identified the following independent variables that predicted progression: male sex, shorter disease duration, and slower timed walk test at baseline (best overall predictor), and deterioration in expanded disability status scale score and reduction in brain volume over 2 years. These predictors of long‐term disability provide some insight into disease progression. Ann Neurol 2008
Reversible optic neuropathy with OPA1 exon 5b mutation
Authors: Cornille Karen , Milea Dan , Amati‐Bonneau Patrizia , Procaccio Vincent , Zazoun Lydie , Guillet Virginie , El Achouri Ghizlane , Delettre Cécile , Gueguen Naïg , Loiseau Dominique , Muller Agnès , Ferré Marc , Chevrollier Arnaud , Wallace Douglas C. , Bonneau Dominique , Hamel Christian , Reynier Pascal , Lenaers Guy
Published: March 2008

A new c.740G>A (R247H) mutation in OPA1 alternate spliced exon 5b was found in a patient presenting with bilateral optic neuropathy followed by partial, spontaneous visual recovery. R247H fibroblasts from the patient and his unaffected father presented unusual highly tubular mitochondrial network, significant increased susceptibility to apoptosis, oxidative phosphorylation uncoupling, and altered OPA1 protein profile, supporting the pathogenicity of this mutation. These results suggest that the clinical spectrum of the OPA1‐associated optic neuropathies may be larger than previously described, and that spontaneous recovery may occur in cases harboring an exon 5b mutation. Ann Neurol 2008
Comments on “Mirror Symmetry Breaking” of the Centrosymmetric CaCO3 Crystals with Amino Acids
Authors: Lahav Meir , Leiserowitz Leslie
Published: March 2008

Symmetry violation: Recent results by Tremel and co‐workers on the phase selection of calcium carbonate through the chirality of adsorbed amino acids appear to provide a deterministic route to “mirror‐symmetry breaking”, which may have ramifications for the emergence of homochirality on Earth. In our view, however, the crystallization experiments violate basic rules of symmetry and we suspect the presence of chemical, biological, or other homochiral or achiral contaminants in the system.
Tobacco and pregnancy: Overview of exposures and effects
Authors: Rogers John M.
Published: March 2008

This opening article will review the epidemiology of the effects of cigarette smoking and other forms of tobacco exposure on human development. Sources of exposure described include cigarettes and other forms of smoked tobacco, secondhand (environmental) tobacco smoke, several forms of smokeless tobacco, and nicotine from nicotine replacement therapy. Exposure is immense and worldwide, most of it due to smoking, but in some parts of the world and in some populations, smoking is exceeded by smokeless tobacco use. Nicotine and carbon monoxide exposure are of large concern, but cigarette smoke contains over 4000 chemical constituents and additives including known carcinogens, toxic heavy metals, and many chemicals untested for developmental toxicity. The impact of tobacco on human development will be reviewed. Fertility, conception, survival of the conceptus, most phases and aspects of development studied to date, as well as postnatal survival and health are adversely impacted by maternal tobacco use or exposure. Effects in surviving offspring are probably life‐long, and are still being elucidated. It is hoped that this review and those to follow in this issue will serve to keep a focus on the critical and continuing problem of tobacco use impacting human development. Brith Defects Research (Part C) 84: 1–15, 2008. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bauen im Bestand – Zuordnung historischer Betonfestigkeiten
Authors: Fingerloos Frank
Published: March 2008

Die Beurteilung der Standsicherheit ist beim Bauen im Bestand von wesentlicher Bedeutung. Dabei sind Informationen über die früher verwendeten Baustoffe für die Planung, Ausschreibung und Bauausführung unerlässlich. Auf Basis der historischen Stahlbetonbestimmungen in Deutschland werden die Betone in Bezug auf die Festigkeitsklassen zugeordnet. Ausgehend von den ursprünglich zulässigen Beanspruchungen wird ein Vorschlag für die Annahme charakteristischer Druckfestigkeiten auf Basis des neuen Normenkonzepts gemacht.
An indeterminate occlusion duration predicts procedural failure in the recanalization of coronary chronic total occlusions
Authors: Barlis Peter , Kaplan Sahin , Dimopoulos Konstantinos , Tanigawa Jun , Schultz Carl , Di Mario Carlo
Published: March 2008

Objectives:

To identify the impact of occlusion duration (OD) and, in particular, an indeterminate occlusion duration (IOD) on immediate angiographic success and long‐term clinical outcomes in patients undergoing chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods:

From May 2003 to October 2006, all patients having PCI for a CTO were consecutively registered. In addition to an assessment of procedural outcomes, patients were followed long‐term for occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

Results:

202 consecutive patients were included. Of these, 123 (60.9%) had a known OD while in the remaining 79 (39.1%), OD was indeterminate. Overall technical success was 82.7% and was lower in the IOD group (70.9% vs. 90.2%, P = 0.0004). An IOD was a predictor of procedural failure (adjusted OR 4.51, 95% CI 1.7–11.5, P = 0.002). An IOD (HR 2.59, 95%CI 1.08–6.23, P = 0.032) and procedural success (HR 0.26, 95%CI 0.11–0.60, P = 0.002) were the only independent predictors of long‐term MACE. Patients with a failed PCI and an IOD had a 5‐fold increased risk of MACE compared to those with known OD (37.0% vs. 7.1%, log rank P = 0.0036).

Conclusions:

In addition to the traditional predictors of procedural success and clinical outcome, this study, for the first time uncovered the importance of OD and, in particular, of an IOD. Still, in patients who are successfully recanalized, a long or IOD bears the same low rate of MACE as the general CTO population while in patients with failed PCI, an IOD carries a considerable risk of adverse prognosis. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Feasibility of primary clot extraction prior to percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Aqel Raed , Zoghbi Gilbert , Hage Fadi , Philips George , Perry Gilbert , Iskandrian Ami , Dell'Italia Louis
Published: March 2008

Objectives: To test the feasibility, safety, and in‐hospital outcomes of utilizing the FilterWire EZ to extract clot prior to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (MI). Background: PCI in patients with acute MI is associated with a higher incidence of distal embolization, no‐reflow, or slow flow partly due to the presence of clot burden. Methods: The authors describe the feasibility, safety, and outcomes of using a FilterWire EZ distal protection device as a clot extraction device in patients who presented with acute MI and documented clot on coronary angiography. Results: Fifteen consecutive male patients with a mean age of 54 ± 8 years presented with acute MI (60% ST elevation MI). MI involved left anterior descending artery (n = 4), circumflex artery (n = 3), and right coronary artery (n = 8). Clot extraction followed by PCI reduced the percent diameter stenosis from 94 ± 12 to 65 ± 11 (P < 0.001) and restored TIMI 3 flow in all patients without distal embolization. The angiographic, procedural, and clinical success rates were 100%. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 52 ± 8% (range 30–62%) with only three patients (15%) who had an LVEF <50% and five patients (33%) without apparent wall motion abnormalities on echocardiography. Conclusions: Clot extraction before PCI during acute MI in native coronaries is feasible, safe, and effective in restoring TIMI 3 flow without distal embolization. Whether this approach results in better outcomes and improved LV function compared with standard therapy alone requires further investigation. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Balloon angioplasty with stenting to correct a functionally interrupted aorta: A case report with three‐year follow‐up
Authors: Musso Tamara M. , Slack Michael C. , Nowlen Todd T.
Published: March 2008

A 16‐year‐old male presenting with upper extremity hypertension was found to have a severe form of discrete coarctation with complete luminal obliteration, causing a functional interruption of the thoracic aorta. Fluoroscopically guided perforation of the obstruction and creation of a neo‐aortic lumen was performed. This was followed by balloon angioplasty and stent placement, successfully relieving the coarctation. The procedural method, acute and late follow‐up results, and a discussion of the potential risks and benefits are presented. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Postnatal changes in the Rexed lamination and markers of nociceptive afferents in the superficial dorsal horn of the rat
Authors: Lorenzo Louis‐Etienne , Ramien Michele , St. Louis Manon , De Koninck Yves , Ribeiro‐Da‐Silva Alfredo
Published: March 2008

In this study, we investigated postnatal changes in Rexed's laminae and distribution of nociceptive afferents in the dorsal horn of the rat lumbar spinal cord at postnatal days 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 60. Transverse sections of the L4–L5 segments were processed for triple labeling with isolectin B4 (IB4)‐binding as a marker of nonpeptidergic C‐fibers, calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) immunoreactivity to label peptidergic nociceptive afferents, and a fluorescent Nissl stain to visualize cells and lamination at different stages of postnatal development. The Nissl staining revealed that the thickness of lamina I (LI) and outer lamina II remained mostly unchanged from birth until adulthood. CGRP afferents terminated mostly in LI and the outer two‐thirds of lamina II, whereas the termination area of fibers binding IB4 was centered on the middle one‐third of lamina II at all ages studied. In absolute values, the overall width of the bands of intense CGRP and IB4 labeling increased with age but decreased as a percentage of the overall thickness of the dorsal horn with maturation. The overlap of CGRP termination area with that of IB4 afferents increased with age. The consequences of these findings are twofold. First, the size of the different laminae does not grow evenly across the dorsal horn. Second, CGRP and IB4 labeling cannot be considered per se to be reliable markers of lamination during development. These findings have implications for comparing data obtained in immature and mature tissues with respect to localization of structures in the dorsal horn. J. Comp. Neurol. 508:592–604, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nuclear ferritin‐mediated protection of corneal epithelial cells from oxidative damage to DNA
Authors: Cai Cindy , Ching Anna , Lagace Christopher , Linsenmayer Thomas
Published: March 2008

We previously obtained evidence that ferritin is a nuclear protein in embryonic avian corneal epithelial (CE) cells, and that the ferritin in this site protects DNA from UV‐induced damage. UV irradiation is known to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ferritin is known to ameliorate further oxidative damage by sequestering free iron, thus decreasing the formation of hydroxyl radicals through the Fenton reaction. Here we present evidence that nuclear ferritin can similarly prevent damage by the ROS, H2O2. These results, when coupled with our previous ones showing that nuclear ferritin appears in the CE early in its development, raises the possibility that this ferritin may serve two protective roles. The initial one would be during embryonic development to protect the CE from ROS endogenously produced by the embryo itself (e.g., H2O2; the latter one would be post‐hatching to protect the CE from environmentally produced oxidative insults (e.g., from U.V. light). Developmental Dynamics 237:2676–2683, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.