bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Peer acceleration: effects of a social network tailored substance abuse prevention program among high‐risk adolescents
Authors: Valente Thomas W. , Ritt‐Olson Anamara , Stacy Alan , Unger Jennifer B. , Okamoto Janet , Sussman Steve 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACTObjective To test whether a social network tailored substance abuse prevention program can reduce substance use among high‐risk adolescents without creating deviancy training (iatrogenic effects).Methods A classroom randomized controlled trial comparing control classes with those receiving an evidence‐based substance use prevention program [Towards No Drug Abuse (TND)] and TND Network, a peer‐led interactive version of TND. Students (n = 541, mean age 16.3 years) in 75 classes from 14 alternative high schools completed surveys before and approximately 1 year after curriculum delivery. Past‐month use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and cocaine were assessed.Results Overall, TND Network was effective in reducing substance use. However, the program effect interacted with peer influence and was effective mainly for students who had peer networks that did not use substances. Students with classroom friends who use substances were more likely to increase their use.Conclusions A peer‐led interactive substance abuse prevention program can accelerate peer influences. For students with a peer environment that supports non‐use, the program was effective and reduced substance use. For students with a peer environment that supports substance use, an interactive program may have deleterious effects.
Managing the 2004/05 anthrax outbreak in Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National Parks, Uganda
Authors: Wafula Mapesa Moses , Patrick Atimnedi , Charles Tumwesigye 
Published: September 2007

AbstractIn August 2004, hippo mortality in the waters of Kazinga Channel, Lakes George and Edward within Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) was observed. Veterinary investigation confirmed the disease killing hippos to be anthrax, using clinical, postmortem and laboratory diagnosis, including the polymerase chain reaction technique. Anthrax is believed to have occurred in QENP in 1959, 1962 and 1991 amongst Hippopotamus amphibious but these was not as devastating as the outbreak of 2004–2005. During the outbreak, 306 hippopotami representing 11.63%, 63 zebras representing 1.47%, 60 buffaloes representing 0.9%, thirteen warthogs representing 0.69%, twelve kobs representing 0.07%, three waterbucks representing 0.09% and five elephants representing 0.02% died. A multisectoral National Taskforce was set up, to among other things contain the disease at source and halt its spread. Carcass disposal by burying and burning, decontamination of disposal sites by 10% formaldehyde, ring vaccination of cattle and sheep using blanthrax vaccine and community sensitization, were carried out by the taskforce. A surveillance programme is in place.
Serum and urinary myoglobin following an aborted malignant hyperthermia reaction
Authors: Laurence A. S. , Vanner G. K. , Collins W. , Hopkins P. M. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryA 13‐year‐old boy presenting for correction of bat ears was anaesthetised with thiopentone and suxamethonium, the administration of which was followed by jaw spasm, poor peripheral perfusion (without cyanosis) and marked tachycardia. The procedure was abandoned, dantrolene and Ringer lactate IL were given intravenously and the patient regained consciousness I h later. Levels of serum myoglobin, urinary myoglobin and creatine kinase were followed until they returned to normal. Despite a peak serum myoglobin of 58 000 μg.l−1 and peak urinary level of 446 000 μg.1−1, no renal impairment occurred. Subsequent testing for susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia proved positive for the patient and four other members of the family.
Management of Caesarean delivery in the presence of a large pelvic vascular malformation
Authors: Gray C. , Richmond M. N. , Duncan S. L. B. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryCaesarean section is associated with significant cardiovascular disturbances. We present a patient known to have a large pelvic arteriovenous malformation who underwent elective Caesarean section. To assist in the monitoring and management of the anticipated haemodynamic changes a flow directed pulmonary artery catheter with the capacity to allow continuous cardiac output measurement was used.
The laryngeal mask airway for thyroid and parathyroid surgery
Authors: Hobbiger H. E. , Allen J. G. , Greatorex R. G. , Denny N. M. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryThe role of the laryngeal mask airway for thyroid and parathyroid surgery was studied in 97 consecutive patients. In 50% the technique combined electrical stimulation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve with visualisation of vocal cord movement via a fibreoptic bronchoscope. Stimulation was required in 10% to assist in identifying recurrent laryngeal nerve position during difficult surgical dissection. In the remaining 40% stimulation was used to confirm nerve integrity and for teaching purposes. Tracheal intubation was required for seven patients but in only two of these was intubation unplanned. The incidence of postoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve dysfunction was zero. These data suggest that the technique offers a safe alternative in airway management and may provide advantages in terms of preservation of recurrent laryngeal nerve function.
A comparison between the Macintosh and the McCoy laryngoscope blades
Authors: Cook T. M. , Tuckey J. P. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryThe view of the larynx using the Macintosh laryngoscope and the McCoy levering laryngoscope was assessed in 177 adult patients. The view with the McCoy blade in the neutral position and in the position (neutral or elevated) that gave the ‘best’ view were recorded. The McCoy blade in the neutral position was associated with a lower incidence of grade 1 views and a higher incidence of grade 2 views than the Macintosh blade. There was no difference in the incidence of grade 3 views. When views for each patient using the different blades were compared, the McCoy blade in the neutral position produced a worse view than the Macintosh blade (p < 0.0001). The view obtained with the McCoy blade in its ‘best’ position and the Macintosh blade were similar. In the 152 patients in whom the vocal cords were seen using the Macintosh blade, the view was worse using the McCoy blade in its ‘best’ position more often than it was better (p = 0.06). In 25 patients, the vocal cords could not be seen with the Macintosh blade; in these patients the view was better with the McCoy blade (the cords were visible) on 14 occasions and worse in one (p = 0.001). We conclude that the McCoy blade in its neutral position does not behave identically to the Macintosh blade. The McCoy blade is a useful aid to difficult intubation but should not replace the Macintosh blade as the first choice laryngoscope.
Vertebral fracture assessment in patients presenting with incident nonvertebral fractures
Authors: Howat Isobel , Carty David , Harrison Joyce , Fraser Mayrine , McLellan Alastair R. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryBackground  Patients with fractures should be prioritized for assessment for osteoporosis so that they can benefit from treatment for the secondary prevention of osteoporotic fractures. Assessment is seldom offered to patients with vertebral fractures because these fractures are typically not diagnosed. Vertebral fractures can be identified by vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) using current dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanners.Objective  The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of vertebral fractures, using VFA, in patients presenting with nonvertebral fractures and to assess whether this impacts on the management of these patients.Design  A cohort study undertaken in 577 patients aged 50 years or over including 455 women, who presented with nonvertebral fractures and who underwent routine post‐fracture assessment by a Fracture Liaison Service (FLS).Measurements  The numbers and severity of vertebral fractures were assessed in evaluable vertebrae from TV4 to LV4 in addition to bone mineral density (BMD) assessment.Results  Using DXA, 76% of vertebrae could be evaluated by VFA. Of the men and women with nonvertebral fractures, 19–20% had at least one vertebral fracture. The prevalence ranged from 6% in men with humeral fractures to 32% among women with hip fractures. The prevalence of vertebral fractures correlated most strongly with increasing age and with severity of reduction of BMD. Using local treatment protocols, VFA would result in only 3% more patients receiving treatment for fracture secondary prevention.Conclusions  In patients with nonvertebral fractures, VFA identifies a substantial burden of prevalent vertebral fractures that have not hitherto been recognized. Nevertheless, VFA seldom influences the need for treatment for fracture secondary prevention after a nonvertebral fracture.
Glycohaemoglobin as a determinant of increased fibrinogen concentrations and low‐grade inflammation in apparently healthy nondiabetic individuals
Authors: Rogowski Ori , Shapira Itzhak , Peretz Hava , Berliner Shlomo 
Published: September 2007

SummaryObjective  To determine the potential role of glycohaemoglobin as a possible determinant of increased fibrinogen concentrations and low‐grade inflammation in a group of apparently healthy, nondiabetic individuals not expressing clinically overt atherothrombosis.Design and Main Outcome Measures  We performed a cross‐sectional analysis of the concentrations of glycohaemoglobin alongside the concentrations of quantitative fibrinogen and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP). In all, 1511 males and 757 apparently healthy females, without diabetes mellitus or clinically evident atherothrombotic disease, were enrolled in the study during their routine annual health check‐up.Results  Glycohaemoglobin entered the linear regression models as a significant determinant of quantitative fibrinogen in both genders and of hs‐CRP in men. We found this to be true even following the inclusion of multiple variables known to influence the intensity of low‐grade inflammation, such as age, gender, waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure, medications, hormone therapy, glucose levels (normal or impaired fasting glucose), smoking habits, family history of coronary artery disease, lipid profile as well as alcohol consumption and sports intensity. We found glycohaemoglobin to be a significant determinant of fibrinogen concentrations in apparently healthy nondiabetic individuals not yet presenting with evident atherothrombosis.Conclusions  This observation supports the idea that glycohaemoglobin might have an effect on fibrinogen concentrations in both genders and on hs‐CRP in men. Moreover, our results suggest that glycohaemoglobin should be perceived as a continuous variable without a ‘normal’ cut‐off point, as it may exhibit a detrimental role even when present in relatively low levels.
Clinicopathological correlations of Bcl‐xL and Bax expression in differentiated thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Martínez‐Brocca M. Asunción , Castilla Carolina , Navarro Elena , Amaya M. José , Travado Paulino , Japón Miguel A. , Sáez Carmen 
Published: September 2007

SummaryObjective  The Bcl‐2 family proteins are essential mediators in the apoptotic process. Our aim was to investigate whether anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐xL and pro‐apoptotic Bax were over‐expressed in a large series of differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTC) and to study their association with tumour presentation at diagnosis and prognosis.Design and Patients  We examined the immunohistochemical expression of Bcl‐xL and Bax in benign nodular thyroid disease (BNTD) and DTC and their association with clinicopathological parameters. Thyroid tissue samples were collected from an unselected series of patients undergoing surgical resection for DTC (n = 74) or BNTD (n = 15).Results  Among DTC cases, expression of Bcl‐xL was found to be high in 43·2% and low or absent in 56·8%. Expression of Bax was high in 75·7% and low or absent in 24·3%. Non‐neoplastic thyroid tissue was largely unstained for both proteins. Among BNTD cases, expression of Bcl‐xL was high in 13·3% and low or absent in 86·6%. Expression of Bax was high in 14·3% and low or absent in 86·6%. A significant association was found between Bcl‐xL expression and the presence of high‐risk histological subtype (P < 0·05), and regional lymph node (P < 0·01) and distant metastases (P < 0·01). The association between high Bcl‐xL expression levels and a longer time of persistent disease after radioiodine ablation was also significant (P < 0·01). Bcl‐xL expression was confirmed as an independent prognostic factor for persistent disease in DTC (relative risk, 2·5; 95% confidence interval, 1·1–5·9; P < 0·05).Conclusions  Immunohistochemical expression of Bcl‐xL might be a valuable tool in the prediction of tumour aggressiveness in DTC.
Presence of spondyloarthropathy and its clinical profile in patients with hypoparathyroidism
Authors: Goswami Ravinder , Ray Debarti , Sharma Raju , Tomar Neeraj , Gupta Rajiva , Gupta Nandita , Sreenivas Vishnubhatla 
Published: September 2007

SummaryBackground  Though spondyloarthropathy has been described in patients with sporadic idiopathic hypoparathyroidism (SIH), the clinical profile is not known.Objectives  To describe the clinical profile including radiological features of spondyloarthropathy and prevalence of HLA‐B27 allele in patients with hypoparathyroidism, and to identify any differences from ankylosing spondylitis.Subjects and methods  Clinical characteristics and radiographs of pelvis and spine were assessed in 40 consecutive patients with SIH. Radiographs were assessed by radiologist (RS) and rheumatologist (RG) for the features of spondyloarthropathy including sacroiliitis, syndesmophytes and hip joint calcification, and so on. HLA‐B27 genotyping was carried out in patients with SIH, and 195 healthy controls using duplex PCR. Fourteen control radiographs were from age‐matched normal individuals.Results  Three patients with SIH had clinically overt spondyloarthropathy which closely resembled ankylosing spondylitis. Fourteen (eight females and six males) of the 40 patients with SIH showed radiological changes including syndesmophytes in lower dorsal or dorso‐lumbar spine (n = 6), sacroiliitis and new bone formation at the acetabular rim of the hip joint (n = 10). Though all six patients demonstrating syndesmophytes had new bone formation at hip, sacroiliitis was seen in only three of them. None of the 14 controls had syndesmophytes, sacroiliitis or hip joint calcification.The mean (SD) duration of illness (15·4 ± 8·7 vs. 6·5 ± 5·9 years, P < 0·01), BMI (24·1 ± 5·2 vs. 20·8 ± 3·7 kg/m2, P = 0·04) and frequency of basal ganglia calcification was higher (100%vs. 57·7%, P < 0·01) in patients who showed changes of spondyloarthropathy in comparison to those without these changes. On multiple logistic regression analysis, only duration of hypoparathyroid illness was associated with spondyloarthropathy with an odds ratio of 1·17 (95% CI = 1·05–1·30, P < 0·01) per year increase in the duration. The mean age, serum total calcium, inorganic phosphorus and serum intact PTH (iPTH) levels were not significantly different between SIH patients with and without spondyloarthropathy. The frequency of HLA‐B27 allele was comparable between SIH and the control groups.Conclusions  Thus, spondyloarthropathy is a distinct clinical entity in patients with SIH. Its salient clinical features include presence of syndesmophytes at the thoracic or thoraco‐lumbar spine, mild sacroiliitis, calcification at the acetabular margin of hip, preserved bone density, equal distribution in both sexes and lack of HLA‐B27 association. Presence of spondyloarthropathy, like basal ganglia calcification, is associated with longer duration of hypoparathyroidism. It is important to differentiate hypoparathyroid‐related spondyloarthropathy from ankylosing spondylitis because the management for the two disorders is different.
Material stiffness, branching pattern and soil matric potential affect the pullout resistance of model root systems
Authors: Mickovski S. B. , Bengough A. G. , Bransby M. F. , Davies M. C. R. , Hallett P. D. , Sonnenberg R. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryUnderstanding of the detailed mechanisms of how roots anchor in and reinforce soil is complicated by the variability and complexity of both materials. This study controlled material stiffness and architecture of root analogues, by using rubber and wood, and also employed real willow root segments, to investigate the effect on pullout resistance in wet and air‐dry sand. The architecture of model roots included either no laterals (tap‐root) or a single pair at two different locations (herringbone and dichotomous). During pullout tests, data on load and displacement were recorded. These studies were combined with Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) image analysis of the model root‐soil system at a transparent interface during pullout to increase understanding of mechanical interactions along the root. Model rubber roots with small stiffness had increasing pullout resistance as the branching and the depth of the lateral roots increased. Similarly, with the stiff wooden root models, the models with lateral roots embedded deeper showed greatest resistance. PIV showed that rubber model roots mobilized their interface shear strength progressively whilst rigid roots mobilized it equally and more rapidly over the whole root length. Soil water suction increased the pullout resistance of the roots by increasing the effective stress and soil strength. Separate pullout tests conducted on willow root samples embedded in sand showed similar behaviour to the rigid model roots. These tests also demonstrated the effect of the root curvature and rough interface on the maximum pullout resistance.
A review and reassessment of lake phosphorus retention and the nutrient loading concept
Authors: BRETT MICHAEL T. , BENJAMIN MARK M. 
Published: September 2007

Summary1. We conducted a statistical reassessment of data previously reported in the lake total phosphorus (TP) input/output literature (n = 305) to determine which lake characteristics are most strongly associated with lake phosphorus concentration and retention. We tested five different hypotheses for predicting lake TP concentrations and phosphorus retention.2. The Vollenweider phosphorus mass loading model can be expressed as: TPout = TPin/(1 + στw), where TPin is the flow‐weighted input TP concentration, τw is the lake hydraulic retention time and σ is a first‐order rate constant for phosphorus loss.3. The inflow‐weighted TP input concentration is a moderately strong predictor (r2 = 0.71) of lake phosphorus concentrations when using log–log transformed data. Lake TP retention is negatively correlated with lake hydraulic retention time (r2 = 0.35).4. Of the approaches tested, the best fit to observed data was obtained by estimating σ as an inverse function of the lake's hydraulic retention time. Although this mass balance approach explained 84% of the variability in log–log transformed data, the prediction error for individual lakes was quite high.5. Estimating σ as the ratio of a putative particle settling velocity to the mean lake depth yielded poorer predictions of lake TP (r2 = 0.77) than the approach described above, and in fact did not improve model performance compared with simply assuming that σ is a constant for all lakes.6. Our results also demonstrate that changing the flow‐weighted input concentration should always have a directly proportionate impact on lake phosphorus concentrations, provided the type of phosphorus loaded (e.g. dissolved or particulate) does not vary.
Size‐fractionated phytoplankton biomass and its implications for the dynamics of an oligotrophic tropical lake
Authors: ADAME MARÍA FERNANDA , ALCOCER JAVIER , ESCOBAR ELVA 
Published: September 2007

Summary1. Size‐fractionated phytoplankton biomass was examined in relation to the hydrodynamics of tropical Lake Alchichica from 1999 to 2002.2. Alchichica is a warm monomictic lake, in which mixing takes place from late December to early March. The lake is oligotrophic (mean total chlorophyll‐a concentration 4.2 ± 4.2 μg L−1) and its phytoplankton biomass is dominated (72.3 ± 16.4%) by large individuals (>2 μm). The degree of dominance of the large size class (nano‐ and microplankton) over the small size class (picoplankton) throughout the year is mainly determined by the availability of silicate and the Si/N ratio in the hypolimnion prior to the mixing period.3. This is the first record of an oligotrophic tropical lake dominated by large size fractions of phytoplankton. Because of this dominance, the fate of most primary productivity is rapid sedimentation to the bottom followed by decomposition that promotes an anoxic hypolimnion.4. Our findings in tropical Lake Alchichica challenge the idea that oligotrophic waters are dominated by small phytoplankton, as has been well established for the oligotrophic ocean and temperate lakes.
Life‐history constraints and warning signal expression in an arctiid moth
Authors: OJALA K. , LINDSTRÖM L. , MAPPES J. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryTraditionally, large pattern elements in conspicuous warning signals are assumed to be selected by predation because increasing signal strength enhances education and avoidance of predators. However, variation in the colour pattern of a warningly coloured species often exists even within a location, and many warning signals have relatively small pattern elements. This suggests that there must be opposing selection pressures that can constrain warning signal expression, resulting in variation in warning signals as well as suboptimal signals for predator education.We quantified the variation in the warning signal ofParasemia plantaginis‐moth larvae. With a full‐sib rearing experiment, we tested whether this variation has a genetic as well as an environmental component, by measuring the warning signal size of the developing larvae that were reared on eitherRumexor an artificial diet. We also measured whether signal development was correlated to other life‐history variables.We show that the relative size of the warning signal varies among families but increases with larval age. The signal development also has an environmental component, since signal size develops more slowly and remains smaller in larvae feeding on the artificial diet than in those feeding onRumex. Also, larvae with a short development time produced large warning signals. We also found that the larvae with a large orange signal were more likely to survive to adulthood.Our results suggest that diet and life‐history correlates can constrain development of the warning signal. Our study underlines the importance of considering life‐histories of animals, not only predation, when studying the evolution of warning signals. Constraints of multiple selection pressures should be incorporated into the theory of the evolution of aposematism.