bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Finite Mixture Models with Concomitant Information: Assessing Diagnostic Criteria for Diabetes
Authors: Thompson Theodore J. , Smith Philip J. , Boyle James P. 
Published: July 2009

SUMMARY
The World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic criteria for diabetes mellitus were determined in part by evidence that in some populations the plasma glucose level 2 h after an oral glucose load is a mixture of two distinct distributions. We present a finite mixture model that allows the two component densities to be generalized linear models and the mixture probability to be a logistic regression model. The model allows us to estimate the prevalence of diabetes and sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic criteria as a function of covariates and to estimate them in the absence of an external standard. Sensitivity is the probability that a test indicates disease conditionally on disease being present. Specificity is the probability that a test indicates no disease conditionally on no disease being present. We obtained maximum likelihood estimates via the EM algorithm and derived the standard errors from the information matrix and by the bootstrap. In the application to data from the diabetes in Egypt project a two-component mixture model fits well and the two components are interpreted as normal and diabetes. The means and variances are similar to results found in other populations. The minimum misclassification cutpoints decrease with age, are lower in urban areas and are higher in rural areas than the 200 mg dl-1 cutpoint recommended by the WHO. These differences are modest and our results generally support the WHO criterion. Our methods allow the direct inclusion of concomitant data whereas past analyses were based on partitioning the data.
Species and kinds: a critique of Rieppel’s “one of a kind” account of species
Authors: Reydon Thomas A.C. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractA major issue in philosophical debates on the species problem concerns the opposition between two seemingly incompatible views of the metaphysics of species: the view that species are individuals and the view that species are natural kinds. In two recent papers in this journal, Olivier Rieppel suggested that this opposition is much less deep than it seems at first sight. Rieppel used a recently developed philosophical account of natural kindhood, namely Richard Boyd’s “homeostatic property cluster” theory, to argue that every species taxon can be conceived of as an individual that constitutes the single member of its own specific natural kind. In this paper I criticize Rieppel’s approach and argue that it does not deliver what it is supposed to, namely an account of species as kinds about which generalized statements can be made.
Long‐term results of patients with malignant carcinoid syndrome receiving octreotide LAR
Authors: TOUMPANAKIS C. , GARLAND J. , MARELLI L. , SRIRAJASKANTHAN R. , SOH J. , DAVIES P. , BUSCOMBE J. , CAPLIN M. E. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryBackground  Octreotide LAR is an established treatment for malignant carcinoid syndrome. However, studies with large number of patients and long follow‐up are lacking.Aim  To present long‐terms results with octreotide LAR, assessing duration of clinical and objective response and treatment tolerance, in a large, homogeneous cohort of patients with malignant carcinoid syndrome.Methods  A total of 108 patients with metastatic midgut neuroendocrine tumours were included in this 8‐year study. Clinical evaluation was based on a symptom score. Radiological assessment was based on RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumours) criteria.Results  Of the 108 patients, 24% had a sustained symptomatic response. In the remaining patients, loss of symptomatic response with the initial dose was noted within 3‐60 months. In 17% of them, symptoms were controlled by just an increase of octreotide LAR dose, whilst the other patients required additional treatment. Overall, in 45.3% of patients, symptoms were well controlled during the study period with only octreotide LAR, and no additional treatment was required. No significant adverse effects were noted.Conclusions  Octreotide LAR treatment provides a sustained symptomatic response in about half of the patients with malignant carcinoid syndrome and contributes to disease stabilization for a longer period than previously described.
Diagnostic yield of oesophagogastroduodenoscopy in children with abdominal pain
Authors: THAKKAR K. , CHEN L. , TATEVIAN N. , SHULMAN R. J. , MCDUFFIE A. , TSOU M. , GILGER M. A. , EL‐SERAG H. B. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryBackground  Abdominal pain is the most common indication for oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) in children. However, existing studies examining the diagnostic outcomes of OGD in children with abdominal pain are limited.Aim  To examine the diagnostic yield of OGD with biopsy in the evaluation of abdominal pain and to describe the endoscopic and histological findings in patients undergoing OGD for abdominal pain of unclear aetiology.Methods  We performed a retrospective cross‐sectional cohort study in children under 18 years of age who had OGD for the primary indication of abdominal pain, at Texas Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters from 1 January 2002 to 30 June 2005.Results  Overall, OGD was diagnostic in 454 (38.1%) of the 1191 procedures, including reflux oesophagitis (23%, n = 271), Helicobacter pylori infections (5%, n = 55), peptic ulcers (3%, n = 32), eosinophilic oesophagitis (2%, n = 25), celiac disease (1%, n = 9) and Crohn’s disease (0.5%, n = 7). Male gender, older age, elevated C‐reactive protein and vomiting were associated with increased diagnostic yield.Conclusions  Our findings suggest that OGD is valuable for the evaluation of chronic abdominal pain in children, with a diagnostic yield of 38%. The majority of alarm symptoms and routine laboratory tests are not significantly associated with diagnostic yield.
Allergenicity and cross‐reactivity of pine pollen
Authors: Gastaminza G. , Lombardero M. , Bernaola G. , Antepara I. , Muñoz D. , Gamboa P. M. , Audicana M. T. , Marcos C. , Ansotegui I. J. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryBackground
Pine pollen has long been considered a non‐allergenic pollen. The large size of the grain and its low levels of proteins are the main reasons invoked to explain this low allergenicity. The aim of this study was to describe the main allergenic bands of Pinus radiata (PR) and its cross‐reactivity with other pine species, other conifers and grass pollen.Methods
Sixty‐five pine‐pollen‐allergic patients (51% also sensitized to grass pollen) were studied. Skin prick tests (SPT) to a battery of allergens including PR, Pinus pinea, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus nigra and Cupressus sempervirens pollens and specific IgE determination to PR and Pinus strobus were performed. IgE‐immunoblotting to a PR extract and other pine pollens was also carried out. UniCAP inhibition and immunoblotting inhibition studies were performed to assess the cross‐reactivity between different pollens.Results
The SPTs were positive with all the pine pollen extracts tested in 69% of the patients. Specific IgE was positive to PR or P. strobus in 77% of the patients, and to Lolium perenne in 51%. Nine different allergenic bands were detected. The two main allergens were a 42 kDa band recognized by 85% of the patients and a band of approximately 6–8 kDa recognized by 40%. A high degree of cross‐reactivity was observed between different pine pollen species, but not between pines and C. sempervirens pollen. A partial cross‐reactivity could be seen between pine and grass pollens only in patients also sensitized to L. perenne.Conclusions
Pine pollen should be considered as a potential allergenic pollen especially where this pollen is abundant. The detection of a high number of patients that were monosensitized to pine pollen suggests the possibility of treating these patients with specific immunotherapy.
Improvement of fractional flow reserve and collateral flow by treatment with external counterpulsation (Art.Net.‐2 Trial)
Authors: Buschmann E. E. , Utz W. , Pagonas N. , Schulz‐Menger J. , Busjahn A. , Monti J. , Maerz W. , Le Noble F. , Thierfelder L. , Dietz R. , Klauss V. , Gross M. , Buschmann I.R. ,   On behalf of the Arteriogenesis Network (Art. Net.)
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground  Arteriogenesis (collateral artery growth) is nature’s most efficient rescue mechanism to overcome the fatal consequences of arterial occlusion or stenosis. The goal of this trial was to investigate the effect of external counterpulsation (ECP) on coronary collateral artery growth.Materials and methods  A total of 23 patients (age 61 ± 2·5 years) with stable coronary artery disease and at least one haemodynamic significant stenosis eligible for percutaneous coronary intervention were prospectively recruited into the two study groups in a 2 : 1 manner (ECP : control). One group (ECP group, n = 16) underwent 35 1‐h sessions of ECP in 7 weeks. In the control group (n = 7), the natural course of collateral circulation over 7 weeks was evaluated. All patients underwent a cardiac catheterization at baseline and after 7 weeks, with invasive measurements of the pressure‐derived collateral flow index (CFIp, primary endpoint) and fractional flow reserve (FFR).Results  In the ECP group, the CFIp (from 0·08 ± 0·01 to 0·15 ± 0·02; P < 0·001) and FFR (from 0·68 ± 0·03 to 0·79 ± 0·03; P = 0·001) improved significantly, while in the control group no change was observed. Only the ECP group showed a reduction of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS, P = 0·008) and New York Heart Association (NYHA, P < 0·001) classification.Conclusion  In this study, we provide direct functional evidence for the stimulation of coronary arteriogenesis via ECP in patients with stable coronary artery disease. These data might open a novel noninvasive and preventive treatment avenue for patients with non‐acute vascular stenotic disease.
Soil hydraulic properties in relation to local rapid soil changes induced by field drainage: a case study
Authors: Frison A. , Cousin I. , Montagne D. , Cornu S. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryThe impact of human activities on soil changes is poorly recognized and quantified. We performed an experiment to estimate the impact of 20 years, subsurface drainage on water retention in an Albeluvisol. The studied soil comprises heterogeneous horizons that exhibit a complex juxtaposition of two elementary pedological volumes (EPVs) with a silty white and a clayey ochre EPV. The water retention characteristics of each EPV were determined at four distances from the drain in the E&Bt heterogeneous horizon. The water retention property of the whole horizon was calculated by using an additive equation in order to obtain the available water content of the horizon, and thus to estimate the soil functioning. Whatever the distance to the drain, the silty white EPVs retained more water for water potentials between saturation and approximately −300 cm than the clayey ochre EPVs, and less for water potentials lower than approximately −300 cm. The available water content of the white EPVs and the whole horizon increased near the drain. These changes in water retention properties were interpreted in terms of effects on the horizon structure, which were enhanced by the horizontal fluxes enhanced by the installation of the drains. The present work demonstrates the great influence of agricultural drainage on rapid soil change and on soil spatial variability.Modification des propriétés hydrodynamiques des sols en relation avec les évolutions pédogénétiques rapides liées au drainage: une étude de casRésuméLes conséquences des activités anthropiques sur l’évolution des sols sont actuellement très peu reconnues. Nous avons mis en place une expérience afin d’estimer l’impact d’un drainage agricole installé depuis 20 ans sur les propriétés hydriques d’un Albeluvisol. Le sol étudié comprend des horizons hétérogènes composés d’une juxtaposition complexe de Volumes Pédologiques Elémentaires (VPE): des VPE clairs limoneux et des VPE ocre plus argileux. Les propriétés de rétention en eau de chaque VPE de l’horizon E&Bt ont été déterminées en fonction de la distance au drain. Nous avons calculé la courbe de rétention effective pour l’ensemble de l’horizon en utilisant l’équation d’additivité. Nous avons ainsi estimé la réserve en eau de l’horizon afin de discuter du fonctionnement hydrique du sol. Quelle que soit la distance au drain, les VPE clairs retiennent (i) plus d’eau pour des potentiels matriciels compris entre la saturation et ∼−300 cm que les VPE ocre, et (ii) moins d’eau pour des potentiels matriciels inférieurs à∼−300 cm. Les réserves en eau utiles des VPE clairs et de l’ensemble de l’horizon augmentent lorsque l’on se rapproche du drain. Ces évolutions des propriétés de rétention en eau ont été interprétées en terme de changements de structure de l’horizon, lesquels sont la résultante des flux horizontaux accrus par l’installation du réseau de drainage. Ce travail contribue à démontrer l’importante influence du drainage agricole sur l’évolution rapide des sols.
Measurement of aggregate bond energy using ultrasonic dispersion
Authors: Zhu Z. L. , Minasny B. , Field D. J. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryNumerous protocols have been developed to assess soil stability, such as wet sieving, end‐over‐end shaking and rainfall simulation, but a major limitation of these procedures is that they apply an arbitrary application of mechanical energy that is not quantified, resulting in a stability assessment that can only be related to the context in which it is being used. To address this, previous authors demonstrated that the energy (L) responsible for dispersing soil could be determined when using ultrasonic agitation. Changes in ultrasonic equipment, with the inclusion of a feedback system to adjust the output energy, Ep, of the ultrasonic probe, preclude the assumption that Epis the same in pure water and in dispersed and undispersed soil–water systems, which may explain why previous approaches have not been routinely adopted. Our paper presents a new theory for estimating the components of the energy balance in an ultrasonic system fitted with a power‐adjusting feedback mechanism facilitating the estimate of L. Using Vertisol and Ferrasol soil samples, the components of the ultrasonic energy balance were successfully estimated and the estimate of L was greater than that reported in earlier work. When used to calculate the soil dispersion characteristic curve, it was found that the critical dispersive energy (Ld) was in the range of 100–600 J g−1, which appears to be much larger compared with previously published values, and the Ldconstituted 3–20% of the total energy applied to the soil–water system.
The trophic ecology of castes in harvester ant colonies
Authors: Smith Chris R. , Suarez Andrew V. 
Published: July 2009

Summary1.The castes of social insects can vary dramatically in physiology, morphology and behaviour, and are a model of phenotypic plasticity. Dietary variation has been implicated in the evolution of castes and is involved in developmental differentiation. This study uses the elemental and isotopic composition of castes to infer the diets they consumed during larval development, when caste was determined.2.We analysed the elemental (C : N) and isotopic (δ13C and δ15N) composition of individuals of all castes in colonies ofPogonomyrmex badius, the Florida seed harvester ant, at each of two sites. Sampled herbivores and insectivores were used to calibrate measures of colony trophic position. The proportions of insects and seeds foraged by colonies correlated with inferred trophic position, strengthening the inference of diet from isotopic composition.3.Pupae of each of the four castes (male, reproductive female or gyne, major worker and minor worker) are distinguishable based on their composition and inferred diet during the larval phase.4.Within colonies, larval diet inferred from δ15N suggests that the largest individuals assimilated more insect/protein relative to seeds. This result was consistent across colonies despite high variation in a colony’s relative trophic position.5.Carbon to nitrogen ratio (C : N) of each caste was also different, and differences were consistent across colonies and sites. While females increase in N content with increasing size, the pattern is reversed in males. This result may reflect basic life history differences (e.g. life span) between males and females. Since female reproductive potential correlates with female size in this species, the decrease in N content with increasing female caste size supports that reproductive development is N‐limited, and that workers are trophically castrated due to N deprivation during larval development.
Carbon‐nitrogen interactions in fertility island soil from a tropical semi‐arid ecosystem
Authors: Perroni‐Ventura Yareni , Montaña Carlos , García‐Oliva Felipe 
Published: July 2009

Summary 1. Biological nitrogen (N) fixation by symbiotic and free‐living organisms is considered the main pathway for N soil enrichment in desert and semi‐desert ecosystems. This fact is more noticeable in tropical ecosystems where legume species have a high relative abundance. However, this biological fixation pathway does not guarantee the maintenance of soil N pools, and N conservation pathways are important in understanding controls over soil N cycling. 2. In dryland ecosystems, desert plants can form a ‘fertility island’ (FI) as soils beneath plants show higher concentrations of N and organic matter. 3. Here we assess how carbon (C) and N may interact to conserve soil N within the FI soil of two legume species (Prosopis laevigata and Parkinsonia praecox), one a known N‐fixer and the other believed not to fix N, as well as within adjacent bare ground soil. In a semi‐arid tropical ecosystem in central Mexico, we examined spatial patterns in C and N pools and transformation rates, and we investigated seasonal variations in these relationships. 4. Results show that FI soil C and N could be linked to total N storage through net C and N immobilization in microbial biomass and heterotrophic microbial activity. Soil under P. laevigata canopy had greater total N as well as N accumulated in microbial biomass than soil under P. praecox and bare ground soil. Nevertheless, inorganic N and potential net N mineralization rates were similar under soils of both species, although we expected higher inorganic N and N‐mineralization values in N‐fixer species to explain the greater total N. Higher total N concentrations under P. laevigata probably result from greater inputs of organic C and a higher potential net C mineralization rate in comparison to P. praecox and bare ground soil. 5. Even though N input and output values were not measured, the results highlight the importance of assessing the role of organic C, heterotrophic microbial activity, and N storage in microbial biomass in order to understand controls over N retention in soil N cycling. Thus, soil C‐N interactions could be a control factor of N soil conservation in this tropical semi‐arid ecosystem.
Isolation of a novel strain of Bacillus pumilus from penaeid shrimp that is inhibitory against marine pathogens.
Authors: Hill J E , Baiano J C F , Barnes A C 
Published: July 2009

AbstractA bacterium was isolated from the mid‐gut of healthy black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon, based on a large zone of inhibition in mixed culture on solid medium. The isolate was a Gram‐positive, motile spore former, with an optimum pH range for growth in tryptone soya broth containing 2% NaCl of between pH 6 and 9. The bacterium was highly salt tolerant with concentrations between 0% and 8% having no detrimental effect on growth. The isolate was identified as Bacillus pumilus based on physiological capabilities using the API50CHB and Biolog systems. Amplification and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene followed by phylogenetic analysis confirmed its identity. The Bacillus pumilus isolate was strongly inhibitory against the marine bacterial pathogens Vibrio alginolyticus, V. mimicus and V. harveyi, and weakly inhibitory against V. parahaemolyticus in cross‐streaking assays on solid medium. The organism was marginally self‐inhibitory, and inhibited B. licheniformis and B. subtilis. The suitability of the B. pumilus isolate for use as a probiotic in farmed shrimp was further supported by the absence of any of the known B. cereus enterotoxin genes. Based on these in vitro results, in vivo safety and efficacy trials are underway to determine suitability of the novel strain as a commercial probiotic.
Unsafe abortion in urban and rural Tanzania: method, provider and consequences
Authors: Rasch Vibeke , Kipingili Rose 
Published: July 2009

SummaryObjective  To describe unsafe abortion methods and associated health consequences in Tanzania, where induced abortion is restricted by law but common and known to account for a disproportionate share of hospital admissions.Method  Cross‐sectional study of women admitted with alleged miscarriage: 278 in rural Tanzania and 473 in urban Tanzania. Women who had undergone a clandestinely induced abortion were identified by an empathetic approach and interviewed in detail about the procedure. Information about complications was obtained from the patient file.Results  Sixty‐two per cent in rural Tanzania and 63% in urban Tanzania stated that they had had an unsafe induced abortion. The abortion had been induced by an unskilled provider in 46% of rural women and 60% of urban women. Herbs and roots had commonly been used for induction, in 42% of rural and 54% of urban women. The method most often associated with abortion complications was catheter/roots, whereas the method least often associated with complications was herbs.Conclusion  The large number of women identified as having had unsafe abortion together with the prevalent use of herbs calls for attention.
Five‐year experience with scaling‐up access to antiretroviral treatment in an HIV care programme in Cambodia
Authors: Thai Sopheak , Koole Olivier , Un Phally , Ros Seilavath , De Munter Paul , Van Damme Wim , Jacques Gary , Colebunders Robert , Lynen Lutgarde 
Published: July 2009

SummaryObjectives  To evaluate a 5‐year HIV care programme (2003–2007) in the Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.Methods  Analysis of routine programme indicators per year: number of new patients, active patients, antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage in the cohort, mortality and loss to follow‐up. Comparison of mortality before and after the start of ART using Kaplan–Meier survival curves. Analysis of risk factors using Cox regression for the combined endpoint of mortality and loss to follow‐up in patients on ART.Results  3844 patients were registered in the hospital between March 2003 and December 2007. The mortality and loss to follow‐up rate fell and paralleled the rise of ART coverage from 23% in 2003 to 90% in 2007. The mortality and the loss to follow‐up rate was significantly higher in patients not on ART but eligible (Log rank P < 0.001). The combined endpoint of mortality and loss to follow‐up was 48.7% after one year in patients who were waiting for ART. 1667 patients were started on ART. The combined endpoint (mortality and loss to follow‐up) in this group was 11.5% at 12 months and 14.2% at 24 months. Risk factors for mortality in the ART group were male sex, CD4 count <50 cells/μl, BMI <18 and haemoglobin levels <10 g/dl.Conclusion  Better access to ART is associated with lower mortality and fewer losses to follow‐up. Pre‐ART attrition remains significant. Strategies are needed to enable an earlier start of ART and to promote retention in care.