bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An analysis of hospital preparedness capacity for public health emergency in four regions of China: Beijing, Shandong, Guangxi, and Hainan
Authors: Li Xingming , Huang Jianshi , Zhang Hui 
Published: September 2008

Abstract

Background
Hospital preparedness is critical for the early detection and management of public health emergency (PHE). Understanding the current status of PHE preparedness is the first step in planning to enhance hospitals' capacities for emergency response. The objective of this study is to understand the current status of hospital PHE preparedness in China.

Methods
Four hundred hospitals in four city and provinces of China were surveyed using a standardized questionnaire. Data related to hospital demographic data; PHE preparation; response to PHE in community; stockpiles of drugs and materials; detection and identification of PHE; procedures for medical treatment; laboratory diagnosis and management; staff training; and risk communication were collected and analyzed.

Results
Valid responses were received from 318 (79.5%) of the 400 hospitals surveyed. Of the valid responses, 264 (85.2%) hospitals had emergency plans; 93.3% had command centres and personnel for PHE; 22.9% included community organisations during the training for PHE; 97.4% could transport needed medical staff to a PHE; 53.1% had evaluated stockpiles of drugs; 61.5% had evaluated their supply systems; 55.5% had developed surveillance systems; and 74.6% could monitor the abnormity(See in appendix). Physicians in 80.2% of the analyzed hospitals reported up-to-date knowledge of their institution's PHE protocol. Of the 318 respondents, 97.4% followed strict laboratory regulations, however, only about 33.5% had protocols for suspected samples. Furthermore, only 59.0% could isolate and identify salmonella and staphylococcus and less than 5% could isolate and identify human H5N1 avian flu and SARS. Staff training or drill programs were reported in 94.5% of the institutions; 50.3% periodically assessed the efficacy of staff training; 45% had experts to provide psychological counselling; 12.1% had provided training for their medical staff to assess PHE-related stress. All of the above capacities related to the demographic characteristics of hospitals and will be discussed in-depth in this paper.

Conclusion
Our survey suggested that, at the time of the survey, hospital preparedness for PHE in China was at an early stage of development. Comprehensive measures should be taken to enhance hospital capacity in the prevention and management of PHE.
Aging and partial body weight support affects gait variability
Authors: Kyvelidou Anastasia , Kurz Max J , Ehlers Julie L , Stergiou Nicholas 
Published: September 2008

Abstract

Background
Aging leads to increases in gait variability which may explain the large incidence of falls in the elderly. Body weight support training may be utilized to improve gait in the elderly and minimize falls. However, before initiating rehabilitation protocols, baseline studies are needed to identify the effect of body weight support on elderly gait variability. Our purpose was to determine the kinematic variability of the lower extremities in young and elderly healthy females at changing levels of body weight support during walking.

Methods
Ten young and ten elderly females walked on a treadmill for two minutes with a body weight support (BWS) system under four different conditions: 1 g, 0.9 g, 0.8 g, and 0.7 g. Three-dimensional kinematics was captured at 60 Hz with a Peak Performance high speed video system. Magnitude and structure of variability of the sagittal plane angular kinematics of the right lower extremity was analyzed using both linear (magnitude; standard deviations and coefficient of variations) and nonlinear (structure; Lyapunov exponents) measures. A two way mixed ANOVA was used to evaluate the effect of age and BWS on variability.

Results
Linear analysis showed that the elderly presented significantly more variability at the hip and knee joint than the young females. Moreover, higher levels of BWS presented increased variability at all joints as found in both the linear and nonlinear measures utilized.

Conclusion
Increased levels of BWS increased lower extremity kinematic variability. If the intent of BWS training is to decrease variability in gait patterns, this did not occur based on our results. However, we did not perform a training study. Thus, it is possible that after several weeks of training and increased habituation, these initial increased variability values will decrease. This assumption needs to be addressed in future investigation with both "healthy" elderly and elderly fallers. In addition, it is possible that BWS training can have a positive transfer effect by bringing overground kinematic variability to healthy normative levels, which also needs to be explored in future studies.
Defects and Conductivity in Ceria-based Oxides
Authors: Kilner J A 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
The electrical conductivity of ceria solid solutions has been extensively investigated for many years, and many theories have been advanced to explain the differences seen in ostensibly identical materials. This short review looks at some recent theoretical and experimental evidence which has thrown new light onto the complex interplay between the cation and anion sublattice in these technologically important materials.
Dialkylzinc-accelerated α-Trifluoromethylation of Carbonyl Compounds Catalyzed by Late-transition-metal Complexes
Authors: Tomita Yuichi , Itoh Yoshimitsu , Mikami Koichi 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Trifluoromethylation of ketone silyl enol ethers is found to be significantly accelerated by late-transition-metal catalysts and dialkylzincs to give α-trifluoromethyl ketones in good yields. Addition of dialkylzinc is the key to the high yielding α-trifluoromethylation of carbonyl compounds.
Indium-mediated Allylation of Heteroaryl, Benzyl, and Cinnamyl Thiocyanates: A Novel Route for 3-(Allylsulfanyl)-1H-indoles
Authors: Yadav J S , Reddy B V Subba , Chandrakanth D , Gopal A V Hara 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Heteroaryl, benzyl, and cinnamyl thiocyanates undergo smooth allylation with allyl bromide in the presence of indium or zinc metal in THF at room temperature to produce the corresponding allyl sulfides in good yields and with high selectivity.
Insulin resistance and obesity in childhood
Authors: Chiarelli Francesco , Marcovecchio Maria Loredana 
Published: September 2008

Childhood obesity is a significant health problem that has reached epidemic proportions around the world and is associated with several metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Insulin resistance is a common feature of childhood obesity and is considered to be an important link between adiposity and the associated risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Insulin resistance is also a key component of the metabolic syndrome, and its prevalence in the paediatric population is increasing, particularly among obese children and adolescents. Several factors are implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity-related insulin resistance, such as increased free fatty acids and many hormones and cytokines released by adipose tissue.Valid and reliable methods are essential to assess the presence and the extent of insulin resistance, the associated risk factors and the effect of pharmacological and lifestyle interventions. The two most common tests to assess insulin resistance are the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp and the frequently sampled i.v. glucose tolerance test utilizing the minimal model. However, both these tests are not easily accomplished, are time consuming, expensive and invasive. Simpler methods to assess insulin resistance based on surrogate markers derived from an oral glucose tolerance test or from fasting insulin and glucose levels have been validated in children and adolescents and widely used.Given the strong association between obesity, insulin resistance and the development of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease, prevention and treatment of childhood obesity appear to be essential to prevent the development of insulin resistance and the associated complications.
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A in two families with the familial medullary thyroid carcinoma associated G533C mutation of the RET proto-oncogene
Authors: Peppa Melpomeni , Boutati Eleni , Kamakari Smaragda , Pikounis Vasilios , Peros George , Panayiotides Ioannis G , Economopoulos Theofanis , Raptis Sotirios A , Hadjidakis Dimitrios 
Published: September 2008

IntroductionMultiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disorder, associated with a cluster of germline gain-of-function mutations of the RET proto-oncogene (RET), mainly in exons 10–15. The G533C mutation in exon 8 of the RET is rare and has been mainly related to the familial medullary thyroid carcinoma.Patients-methodsWe describe the RET G533C mutation in exon 8 of the RET in two unrelated female index patients, with MEN2A phenotype, consisting of pheochromocytoma which was the presenting feature and medullary thyroid carcinoma. In addition, 12 family members were also studied. DNA extraction, PCR, and sequencing of RET was performed in exons 7–19 and 21, following standard procedures.ResultsThe mutation was found in both index patients and in 6 out of 12 family members (50%). Three of them were biochemically affected with histologically proven medullary thyroid carcinoma in two of them while there are no certain clues regarding the other three members as they declined further evaluation.ConclusionPatients with MEN2A should be also searched in exon 8 while positive carriers of this mutation should be screened annually for pheochromocytoma or other components of the syndrome.
Haplogroup analysis of vitamin-K epoxide reductase (VKORC1) gene: novel element in the optimization of anticoagulant therapy
Authors: Sipeky Csilla , Melegh Béla 
Published: September 2008

A warfarin és az acenokumarolok a leggyakrabban alkalmazott antikoagulánsok, amelyek szűk terápiás tartománnyal rendelkeznek, a hatásos dózis pedig populáción belül és egyénenként is nagy változatosságot mutat. A kumarinok a K-vitamin-epoxidreduktáz enzim (VKOR) gátlásán keresztül akadályozzák meg a koagulációt. Az enzimet kódoló VKORC1 gén mutációi jelentősen befolyásolják a kumarinok iránti érzékenységet. A VKORC1 gén genetikai variabilitását a *2, *3 és a *4 haplotípusok fedik le a kaukázusi populációban. Antikoaguláns kezelésben részesülő betegek bemutatásán keresztül összefoglaló tanulmányban ismertetjük a VKORC1 gén haplotípusának variabilitását. Munkánkban 28, klinikailag nem szokványos antikoaguláns választ produkáló beteget karakterizáltunk a VKORC1 G-1639A, G9041A és C6009T polimorfizmusokra. Molekuláris módszerként PCR-RFLP technikát és direkt szekvenálást alkalmaztunk. Betegpopulációnkban sikerült kimutatni VKORC1 *1*2, *2*2, *2*3, *1*4, *2*4 és *3*4 haplotípusokat. Vizsgált betegeink körében előfordult a VKORC1 gén haplotípusa alapján közepes dózisigényű (4,9±0,2 mg/nap) A/B haplocsoportú (a vizsgált betegek 61%-a) és magas dózisigényű (6,2±0,3 mg/nap) B haplocsoportú (25%) beteg is. Az antikoaguláns terápia vérzéses szövődményeinek megelőzésében fontos az alacsony warfarindózisú (2,7±0,2 mg/nap) A haplocsoportba tartozó betegek (esetünkben 14%) diagnosztizálása. Eredményeink mutatják, hogy a haplocsoport-vizsgálat segíti a megfelelő szintű véralvadásgátláshoz szükséges gyógyszerdózis meghatározását és a végzetes vérzési epizódok elkerülését.
Allocation of Sampling Effort to Optimize Efficiency of Watershed‐Level Ichthyofaunal Inventories
Authors: Smith Katherine L. , Jones Michael L. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractSampling protocols for ichthyofaunal inventories have received considerable study at the stream reach level; however, no studies have examined the optimal allocation of sampling effort for watershed‐level inventories. To address this question, we used data from surveys of four Great Lakes watersheds to compare rates of species accumulation among several watershed‐level scenarios of sampling effort allocation (sampling strategies). To allow for quantitative comparisons among strategies, we (1) divided each sampling site into smaller sampling units and separately recorded fish capture data at the smallest unit; (2) stratified the allocation of sampling effort throughout each watershed by stream order; and (3) recorded all sampling and travel costs (i.e., time spent on different tasks). We used a Monte Carlo simulation program to resample the data from each of the four watershed surveys and calculated rates of species accumulation. This technique allowed us to quantitatively compare sampling strategies. Using this program, we determined the optimal values for (1) the length of stream to sample at each reach; (2) the allocation of sampling effort (time) among stream order strata; and (3) the allocation of effort between seasons (spring and summer) for each of the four watersheds. On average, sampling 15, 9, and 9 stream widths per reach in first‐, second‐, and third‐order reaches, respectively, maximized the rates of species accumulation across watersheds. Allocating 50‐70% of the sampling effort to third‐order strata of each watershed yielded the highest rates of species accumulation without increasing the number of species systematically missed in either the lower or upper portions of the watershed. Focusing sampling effort in only one season, either spring or summer, did not consistently increase the rates of species accumulation. Our results provide useful guidance for the design of watershed‐scale ichthyofaunal surveys in Great Lakes basin watersheds. We recommend similar assessments in other regions with contrasting patterns of fish diversity.
Effects of Salinity, Temperature, and Weight on the Survival of Young‐of‐Year Shortnose Sturgeon
Authors: Ziegeweid Jeffrey R. , Jennings Cecil A. , Peterson Douglas L. , Black Marsha C. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAnthropogenic modifications of rivers and estuarine habitats have reduced the growth and recruitment of shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum throughout its native range. This study used data from laboratory experiments to examine the individual and interactive effects of salinity, temperature, and fish weight on the survival of young‐of‐year shortnose sturgeon. The shortnose sturgeon in these experiments ranged from 56 to 187 mm in total length, from 0.4 to 42.8 g in weight, and from 66 to 144 d posthatch in age. Survival in 23°C water declined as salinity increased, but salinity tolerance increased with body size. The salinity lethal to 50% of the test fish after 48 h ranged from 14.8‰ to 20.9‰. Survival in freshwater declined as temperature increased, but temperature tolerance increased with body size. The temperature lethal to 50% of the test fish after 48 h ranged from 28.2°C to 30.7°C. In factorial experiments, salinity and temperature interacted significantly to affect young‐of‐year survival. The results of the factorial experiments were used to generate a predictive model in which the probability of survival was dependent on salinity, temperature, fish weight, and all interactions among the variables. The results of this study can be used to identify suitable habitats for young‐of‐year shortnose sturgeon. The results of this study also can be used to predict the recruitment bottlenecks that may result from additional anthropogenic disturbances to rivers in the southeastern United States.
Reliability of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis for Estimating Whole‐Fish Energy Density and Percent Lipids
Authors: Pothoven Steven A. , Ludsin Stuart A. , Höök Tomas O. , Fanslow David L. , Mason Doran M. , Collingsworth Paris D. , Van Tassell Jason J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWe evaluated bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) as a nonlethal means of predicting energy density and percent lipids for three fish species: Yellow perch Perca flavescens, walleye Sander vitreus, and lake whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis. Although models that combined BIA measures with fish wet mass provided strong predictions of total energy, total lipids, and total dry mass for whole fish, including BIA provided only slightly better predictions than using fish mass alone. Regression models that used BIA measures to directly predict the energy density or percent lipids of whole fish were generally better than those using body mass alone (based on Akaike's information criterion). However, the goodness of fit of models that used BIA measures varied widely across species and at best explained only slightly more than one‐half the variation observed in fish energy density or percent lipids. Models that combined BIA measures with body mass for prediction had the strongest correlations between predicted and observed energy density or percent lipids for a validation group of fish, but there were significant biases in these predictions. For example, the models underestimated energy density and percent lipids for lipid‐rich fish and overestimated energy density and percent lipids for lipid‐poor fish. A comparison of observed versus predicted whole‐fish energy densities and percent lipids demonstrated that models that incorporated BIA measures had lower maximum percent error than models without BIA measures in them, although the errors for the BIA models were still generally high (energy density: 15‐18%; percent lipids: 82‐89%). Considerable work is still required before BIA can provide reliable predictions of whole‐fish energy density and percent lipids, including understanding how temperature, electrode placement, and the variation in lipid distribution within a fish affect BIA measures.
Patterns of Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure in Bluegill Nests over the Course of the Spawning Season
Authors: Olson Mark H. , Adams‐Deutsch Tristan , Cassels Kelly J. , Oliver Amy E. , Mitchell David L. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractUltraviolet radiation (UVR; wave length, 280‐400 nm) can be an important source of mortality for fish, particularly during early life history stages. Because UVR exposure varies seasonally owing to solar angle, climatic conditions, and changes in the UV transparency of water, UVR‐induced mortality among temperate fishes may vary as a function of spawning time. We examined patterns of UVR exposure in nests of bluegill Lepomis macrochirus over the course of a spawning season in a highly transparent lake in northeastern Pennsylvania. At the beginning, middle, and end of the spawning season, we measured nest depth and estimated the cumulative UVR exposure of all bluegill nests along three 250‐m transects. Cumulative exposure was then used to predict the UVR‐induced mortality for bluegill larvae in each nest. The median UVR exposure in bluegill nests was highest at the start of the spawning season, and the predicted UVR‐induced larval mortality was at least 10% in 38% of the nests. As the season progressed, the median UVR exposure decreased, and only 4% of the nests were predicted to have larval mortality of at least 10% by the middle and end of the spawning season. This decrease in exposure was partly due to a seasonal decline in UVR transparency. In addition, mean nest depth increased over the course of the spawning season, as bluegills increasingly nested at depths of 4 m or more. Because UVR attenuates with depth, deeper nests received less UVR exposure than did nests closer to the surface. For many species, reproductive success is strongly dependent on spawning time. Our results suggest that in some systems a consequence of early spawning may be an increased risk of UVR‐induced mortality.
Clonal variation in physiological responses of Daphnia magna to the strobilurin fungicide azoxystrobin
Authors: Warming Trine Perlt , Mulderij Gabi , Christoffersen Kirsten Seestern 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Because of its high grazing potential, Daphnia magna is an ecologically important species in aquatic food webs. This is especially true in small, shallow ponds lacking fish, where grazing by D. magna may have a relatively higher impact on water clarity as compared to larger lakes. Thus, a reduction in daphnid abundance may have dramatic ecological consequences for shallow ponds. At the same time, shallow ponds in close proximity to agricultural areas likely experience higher concentrations of pesticides because of runoff, spray drift, and drain flow. In the present study, the acute and chronic physiological effects of the strobilurin fungicide azoxystrobin on three clones of D. magna originating from different Danish lakes were evaluated. Significant clonal variation in the sensitivity of D. magna toward azoxystrobin was demonstrated. One clone had a 48-h median lethal concentration (LC50) of 0.277 mg/L (95% confidence limits [CL], 0.145 and 0.427 mg/L), which is comparable to the value widely used in risk assessments (0.259 mg/L). The two remaining clones were far more sensitive, however, and had LC50s of 0.071 mg/L (95% CL, 0.034 and 0.126 mg/L) and 0.098 mg/L (95% CL, 0.066 and 0.139 mg/L), respectively. Furthermore, through respiration measurements and life-table experiments, sublethal stress was shown to exist at exposure to an ecologically relevant concentration (0.026 μg/L). Based on these results, we may expect changes in daphnid populations at azoxystrobin concentrations much lower than previously thought. Thus, ponds in the agricultural areas may experience changes in food-web structure even at very low concentrations of azoxystrobin.
Peroxidase-mediated degradation of perfluorooctanoic acid
Authors: Colosi Lisa M. , Pinto Roger A. , Huang Qingguo , Weber Walter J. Jr. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Concentrations of aqueous-phase perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a representative perfluorinated aliphatic (PFA) compound, are shown to be reduced effectively via reaction with horseradish peroxidase (HRP), hydrogen peroxide, and a phenolic cosubstrate (4-methoxyphenol). Reaction rate profiles are pseudo–first order, yielding an apparent best-fit removal rate constant of k1 = 0.003/min (r2 = 0.96, n = 14). Approximately 68% depletion of the parent compound and 98% depletion of its related acute aquatic toxicity are achieved in 6 h. Because no PFOA removal is observed in the absence of cosubstrate and/or following consumption thereof, we conclude that radical intermediate species generated during reaction between HRP and 4-methoxyphenol mediate nonspecific depletion of PFOA and that these intermediates may be sufficiently reactive to sever the extremely stable C–F bonds of PFOA. These results are consistent with measurements of reaction by-products, including fluoride ion and various aliphatic species of shortened chain length. Based on these findings, we conclude that PFA degradation may occur via one of two mechanisms: Kolbe decarboxylation followed by stepwise conversion of–CF2 units to CO2 and fluoride ion, or radical abstraction from a double bond with subsequent fragmentation. Our results indicate that under appropriate conditions, enzymatic degradation may comprise a natural transformation pathway for PFAs. Moreover, we anticipate that appropriately engineered enzymatic processes may hold promise for treatment of PFOA-contaminated waters. This, to the best of our knowledge, is the first report to substantiate the efficacy of HRP-catalyzed reactions for contaminant removal via degradative reactions versus polymerization reactions.