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Significant Differences (significant + difference)
Kinds of Significant Differences Terms modified by Significant Differences Selected AbstractsReview and comparison of tropospheric scintillation prediction models for satellite communicationsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKING, Issue 4 2006P. Yu Abstract An overview of the origin and characteristics of tropospheric scintillation is presented and a measurement database against which scintillation models are to be tested is described. Maximum likelihood log-normal and gamma distributions are compared with the measured distribution of scintillation intensity. Eleven statistical models of monthly mean scintillation intensity are briefly reviewed and their predictions compared with measurements. RMS error, correlation, percentage error bias, RMS percentage error and percentage error skew are used in a comprehensive comparison of these models. In the context of our measurements, the ITU-R model has the best overall performance. Significant difference in the relative performance of the models is apparent when these results are compared with those from a similar study using data measured in Italy. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The effect of Chinese food therapy on community dwelling Chinese hypertensive patients with Yin-deficiencyJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 7-8 2010CuiZhen Shen Objectives., The objectives of this study are to evaluate the effectiveness of Chinese food therapy in correcting the Yin-deficiency and to examine its impact on the patients' quality of life and hypertension control. Background., Epidemiological studies have shown 14,50% of people with hypertension have Yin-deficiency. Whether restoring the Yin,Yang balance by means of Chinese food therapy can help to better manage patients with hypertension has yet to be examined. Design., Two groups randomised controlled trial. Methods., Eighty-five hypertensive patients recruited from two community health service centre were divided into two groups. The intervention group (n = 48) received specific dietary instructions and corresponding management of their antihypertensive medication if indicated and brief health education, whilst the control group (n = 37) received routine support involving only brief health education. Data were collected at baseline, after intervention at four, eight, 12 and 16 weeks follow-up. Comparisons were made to examine the effects of Chinese food therapy on Yin-deficiency symptoms, blood pressure and quality of life of hypertensive patients. Results., The intervention group had reduction in the numbers of antihypertensive medication taken as well as improvement in most of the Yin-deficiency symptoms after 12 weeks of Chinese food therapy and mean scores of several SF-36 dimensions were higher than that of in the control group after 12 and 16 weeks follow-up. Significant difference was found in systolic blood pressure in the intervention group when it was compared from baseline to after four and eight weeks respectively. Conclusion., Chinese Food Therapy can restore body constitution with Yin,Yang imbalance and may potentially improve hypertensive patients' quality of life. It is also beneficial in controlling blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Relevance to clinical practice., Chinese food therapy may become a complementary therapy in health care and it should be a component of nursing education and health education. [source] IMPACT OF BLENDING OF FRYING OILS ON VISCOSITY AND HEAT TRANSFER COEFFICIENT AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURESJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 1 2010SUKUMAR DEBNATH ABSTRACT In the present work, the effect of binary blending of five frying oils on kinematic viscosity (,) and convective heat transfer coefficient (h) was studied at elevated temperatures (170, 180 and 190C). A Cannon Ubbelhode calibrated capillary viscometer (Cannon Instrument Company, State College, PA) in a custom-designed and fabricated convective air bath heater and a highly conductive cylindrical metal transducer were used for generating,and h data, respectively. The value of,decreased from 3.617 × 10 - 6 to 2.062 × 10 - 6 m2 s - 1, and h increased from 221.0 to 301.2 Wm - 2 C - 1 by increasing the aforementioned oil temperatures. A good correlation between, (R2 > 0.996) or h (R2 > 0.987) of these frying oils and their selected binary blends with the previously mentioned temperature range was observed. Significant difference (P < 0.05) was found between different levels of parameters when treatments were compared using Tukey's test. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS In food engineering applications, the physical properties of foods play an important role in the analysis of process parameters and in the design and fabrication of processing equipment. Determination of kinematic viscosity and convective heat transfer coefficients of frying oils and their selected blends at elevated temperatures are useful from an industrial point of view. In the present work, the effect of blending different edible oils on the kinematic viscosity and convective heat transfer coefficients at elevated temperatures was studied. Because selected blended oils provided lower levels of viscosities and higher levels of heat transfer coefficients, these results may be an attractive proposition in improving the quality of fried products and cost-effectiveness in the fried food industry. [source] Comparative Study of Thermal Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes in Ground PorkJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 4 2004R. Y. Murphy ABSTRACT: Thermal inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes in ground pork was compared. The D (decimal reduction time at a certain heating temperature) values of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and L. monocytogenes at 55 to 70°C were 33.44 to 0.048 min, 45.87 to 0.083 min, and 47.17 to 0.085 min, respectively. The z (temperature rise for 1 log10 reduction of D) value of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and L. monocytogenes in ground pork was 4.94°C, 5.89°C, and 5.92°C, respectively. Significant difference was found on the D and z values between E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella or between E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes. The D and z values of Salmonella in ground pork were not significantly different from L. monocytogenes. [source] Chronic hepatitis C genotype 6 responds better to pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination therapy than genotype 1JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 4 2010Owen T-Y Tsang Abstract Background and Aims:, Chronic hepatitis C genotype 6 is common in Hong Kong, especially among i.v. drug abusers. Responses of these patients to combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin treatment were inconsistent and the numbers of patients involved in previous studies were small. We performed a retrospective study to compare the therapeutic responses of this regimen in patients infected with genotype 6 and genotype 1. Methods:, Seventy patients with either genotype 6 or genotype 1 were recruited. Both groups received 800,1200 mg of ribavirin daily plus either 180 mg of pegylated ,-interferon-2a or 1.5 mg/kg pegylated ,-interferon-2b weekly for 48 weeks. Their responses to treatments were compared. Results:, The early virological response to combination therapy of patients with genotype 6 was significantly better than that of genotype 1 (88.6% vs 74.3%, P = 0.03). Significant difference was also identified in the end of treatment response of the two genotypes (60% vs 81.4% for genotype 1 and 6, respectively; P = 0.005). The sustained virological response (SVR) to treatment in patients with genotype 6 was also significantly superior to that of patients with genotype 1 (75.7% vs 57.1%, P = 0.02). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age of 55 years or less, genotypes of hepatitis C virus, liver biopsy staging and baseline hepatitis C virus RNA of 200 000 IU/mL or less were independent predictors for better SVR in this cohort. Conclusion:, Patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 6 respond better to pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination treatment than patients with genotype 1. [source] The effect of water to ethanol feed ratio on physical properties and aerosolization behavior of spray dried cromolyn sodium particlesJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 5 2005Kambiz Gilani Abstract Cromolyn sodium (CS) was spray dried under constant operation conditions from different water to ethanol feed ratios (50:50,0:100). The spray dried CS samples were characterized for their physicochemical properties including crystallinity, particle size distribution, morphology, density, and water/ethanol content. To determine quantitatively the crystallinity of the powders, an X-ray diffraction (XRD) method was developed using samples with different crystallinity prepared by physical mixing of 100% amorphous and 100% crystalline CS materials. The aerodynamic behavior of the CS samples was determined using an Andersen Cascade Impactor (ACI) with a Spinhaler® at an air flow of 60 L/min. Binary mixtures of each spray dried CS powder and Pharmatose® 325, a commercial ,-lactose monohydrate available for DPI formulations, were prepared and in vitro aerosol deposition of the drug from the mixtures was analyzed using ACI to evaluate the effect of carrier on deposition profiles of the spray dried samples. CS spray dried from absolute ethanol exhibited XRD pattern characteristic for crystalline materials and different from patterns of the other samples. The crystallinity of spray dried CS obtained in the presence of water varied from 0% to 28.37%, depending on the ratio of water to ethanol in the feed suspensions. All samples presented different particle size, water/ethanol content, and bulk density values. CS particles spray dried from absolute ethanol presented uniform elongated shape whereas the other samples consisted mainly of particles with irregular shape. Overall, fine particle fraction increased significantly (p,<,0.01) with decreasing d50% and water and ethanol content of spray dried CS samples. Significant difference (p,<,0.01) in deposition profiles of the drug were observed between corresponding carrier free and carrier blended formulations. The difference in deposition profiles of CS aerosolized from various spray dried samples were described according to the particle size, shape, and water/ethanol contents of the powders. The results of this study indicate that enhanced aerosol performance of CS can be obtained by spray drying of the drug from suspensions containing ,87.5% v/v ethanol. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 94:1048,1059, 2005 [source] Delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (dGEMRIC) of hip joint cartilage in femoroacetabular impingement (FAI): Are pre- and postcontrast imaging both necessary?MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 6 2009Bernd Bittersohl Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess if delayed gadolinium MRI of cartilage using postcontrast T1 (T1Gd) is sufficient for evaluating cartilage damage in femoroacetabular impingement without using noncontrast values (T10). T1Gd and ,R1 (1/T1Gd , 1/T10) that include noncontrast T1 measurements were studied in two grades of osteoarthritis and in a control group of asymptomatic young-adult volunteers. Differences between T1Gd and ,R1 values for femoroacetabular impingement patients and volunteers were compared. There was a very high correlation between T1Gd and ,R1 in all study groups. In the study cohort with Tonnis grade 0, correlation (r) was ,0.95 and ,0.89 with Tonnis grade 1 and ,0.88 in asymptomatic volunteers, being statistically significant (P < 0.001) for all groups. For both T1Gd and ,R1, a statistically significant difference was noted between patients and control group. Significant difference was also noted for both T1Gd and ,R1 between the patients with Tonnis grade 0 osteoarthritis and those with grade 1 changes. Our results prove a linear correlation between T1Gd and ,R1, suggesting that T1Gd assessment is sufficient for the clinical utility of delayed gadolinium MRI of cartilage in this setting and additional time-consuming T10 evaluation may not be needed. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Kinematic study of whole body center of mass position during gait in Parkinson's disease patients with and without festination,MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 6 2010Marcelo Merello MD Abstract Gait festination (FE) can cause serious disability in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. It is argued that the center of pressure position (COP) and body center of mass (COM) are possibly implicated in FE pathogenesis. The relationship between them remains unclear. The goal of this study was to determine spatiotemporal relationships between COM and COP in PD and to explore whether FE arises as a consequence of lack of physiological link between COP and COM during step stride. Twenty patients with idiopathic PD, in OFF state and 17-age-matched control subjects completed a 10-m walking protocol. PD patients were divided in two groups: those with FE and those without (NF). COM position, excursion, and its relationship with COP, as well as other kinematic parameters were analyzed. COM displacement along the horizontal and vertical plane was significantly lower in FE patients as was the maximum position on the movement direction axis compared with controls or NF patients. Significant difference in minimal COM position in FE patients was also observed. The percentage of stride time during which COM was situated ahead of COP along the movement axis in FE patients was significantly greater than for controls or NF patients. This would seem to indicate that FE patients are constantly attempting to align COP to COM, causing FE. The explanation might be that FE arises as a postural strategy to align COP within the area of COM displacement. Findings illustrate a putative role for postural strategies in the treatment of FE. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society [source] Depressive symptoms amongst asthmatic children's caregiversPEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4p2 2010Alexandra Szabó Szabó A, Mezei G, K,vári É, Cserháti E. Depressive symptoms amongst asthmatic children's caregivers. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: e667,e673. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S We wanted to find out, whether the number of depressive symptoms is higher amongst asthmatic children's caregivers, compared to international data, to the Hungarian population average, and to parents of children with chronic renal disease. Are these depressive symptoms connected to the children's psychological status, asthma severity or current asthma symptoms? One-hundred and eight, 7- to 17-yr-old asthmatic children were enrolled, who have been treated at the Semmelweis University, First Department of Pediatrics. Children were suffering from asthma for at least 1 yr, with a median of 8 yr (1,16 yr), they started to develop asthmatic symptoms between the age of 0.5,14 yr (median: 3 yr). We also identified 27 children with chronic renal diseases and their caregivers, who functioned as a control group. Children were asked to complete the Hungarian-validated versions of the Child Depression Inventory, the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory for Children and the Juniper Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire. Asthma severity and current symptoms were also documented, 56% had no symptoms on the preceding week. Caregivers were asked to complete the Hungarian versions of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) short form, the Spielberger Anxiety Inventory and the Juniper Pediatric Asthma Caregivers' Quality of Life Questionnaire. Caregivers of asthmatic children had significantly more depressive symptoms (7.73 ± 6.69 s.d.) than the age-specific normal population (p < 0.01). Caregivers of renal patients also experience more depressive symptoms (9.61 ± 7.43 s.d.) than their healthy peers, but difference between the two chronic diseases' group did not prove to be significant. Asthmatic children's caregivers who scored more points on the BDI than the population average suffer from more anxiety symptoms, but their quality of life is not worse than the caregivers' with less depressive points. Depressive symptoms were neither connected to the children's psychological and asthmatic symptoms nor quality of life. Amongst caregivers of asthmatic children, at least mild depressive symptoms were represented amongst 39% of men and 33% of women. Gender difference was not significant, despite observations in the normal Hungarian population. Amongst caregivers of renal patients, depressive symptoms were represented in 14% of men and 50% of women. Gender difference was significant. (p = 0.05). Significant difference was observed between male asthmatic and renal caregivers, albeit difference was not significant between the female groups. No difference was found in depressive symptoms according to caregivers' level of education. Caregivers of children with asthma have more depressive symptoms than the average Hungarian population, but their results do not differ from caregivers taking care of children with chronic renal diseases. Caregivers of asthmatic children having at least mild depressive symptoms tend to have higher anxiety symptoms as well. Up to date, childhood chronic disease management and long-term care should also focus on parental psychology, mainly on depression and anxiety, as prevalence is higher than in the average population. [source] Prognostic Value of Various Spermatological Attributes as Predictors of Zona Binding and Zona Penetration of Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) SemenREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 1 2009S Selvaraju Contents Twenty-four ejaculates from six (four ejaculates each) Surti buffalo bulls aged 4,8 years were used to assess various attributes of spermatozoa influencing the zona-binding and zona-penetration tests. Ejaculates from each bulls were subjected to in vitro sperm--zona binding and sperm--zona penetration tests (four replicates per bull) using immature buffalo oocytes. The average number of spermatozoa bound per oocyte was 27.79 ± 5.90. The average number of spermatozoa penetrated per oocyte was 3.35 ± 0.64. The average number of zona-bound and -penetrated spermatozoa differed significantly between animals. Significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between the plasmalemma integrity as assessed by eosin--nigrosin stain and hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test. Furthermore, the percentage of cells positive for the HOS test, i.e. functional membrane integrity (51.25 ± 2.32) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than hypo-osmotic swelling-Giemsa (HOS-G) test, i.e. the subpopulation of spermatozoa positive for functional membrane and acrosomal integrities (42.87 ± 4.56). The HOS test had significant correlations with plasmalemma integrity as measured by the vital stain, eosin--nigrosin (r = 0.85, p < 0.05). The HOS-G test also had significant correlation with plasmalemma integrity measured by vital stains such as eosin--nigrosin (r = 0.90, p < 0.05) and fluorogenic stains [carboxyfluorescein diacetate (CFDA) and propidium iodide (PI); r = 0.92, p < 0.01] and HOS test (r = 0.93), acrosomal integrity (r = 0.86, p < 0.05) and mitochondrial membrane potential (r = 0.99, p < 0.01). The plasmalemma integrity (fluorogenic stain), functional membrane integrity (HOS test), subpopulation of spermatozoa positive for functional membrane and acrosomal integrities (HOS-G test) and mitochondrial membrane potential had significant (p < 0.05) correlation with sperm zona binding and penetration. The present study indicates that these parameters could represent important determinants of sperm quality influencing zona binding and penetration. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Serum IL-6 Level May Have Role in the Pathophysiology of Unexplained InfertilityAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Bulent Demir Problem, The aim of this study was to compare the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 of women with unexplained infertility with fertile subjects. Method of study, Serum IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-, (TNF-,) levels of 45 infertile and 44 fertile women on day 3 of menstrual cycle were assessed and compared for this prospective controlled study. Results, The mean serum IL-6 level was significantly higher in women with unexplained infertility, compared with fertile women (5.71 ± 1.81 and 4.31 ± 1.79, P < 0.001, Student's t -test). There was no significant difference in TNF-, level among the groups. Conclusion, Significant difference in serum IL-6 levels between unexplained infertile and fertile women suggests that this cytokine may be involved in pathophysiology of unexplained infertility. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies Evaluating Recombinant Plasmid pCXN2-mIzumo as a Potential Immunocontraceptive AntigenAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Gang An Problems, Study on feasibility of pCXN2-mIzumo as a potential immunocontraceptive antigen. Method of study, Two groups of mice received 100 ,g/mouse plasmids of pCXN2-mIzumo and pCXN2 respectively. RT-PCR Immunofluorescence assay and ELISA were performed to observe pCXN2-mIzumo expression and antibody response in the inoculated mice. Sperm penetration assay and animal mating were employed to detect differences of in vitro fertilization (IVF) rate and mean litter size between the experimental and control groups. Results, Izumo cDNA positive bands were detected in sample from mice immunized with pCXN2-mIzumo. IgG response started to rise at 2 weeks after first boost and reached the highest antibody titers at 2 weeks after third boost of immunization with pCXN2-mIzumo in the experimental mice. In vitro fertilization rate in the experimental group (11.57%) was significantly lower than that in control (36.60%). Significant difference of mean litter size between female experimental and control groups was observed, and there was significant negative correlation between individual anti-serum titers and litter size (r = ,0.308, P < 0.05). Conclusion, pCXN2-mIzumo plasmid possesses appreciable anti-fertility potential. [source] Preservation of Endothelium Nitric Oxide Release by Pulsatile Flow Cardiopulmonary Bypass When Compared With Continuous FlowARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 11 2009Ettore Lanzarone Abstract The aim of this work is to analyze endothelium nitric oxide (NO) release in patients undergoing continuous or pulsatile flow cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Nine patients operated under continuous flow CPB, and nine patients on pulsatile flow CPB were enrolled. Plasma samples were withdrawn for the chemiluminescence detection of nitrite and nitrate. Moreover the cellular component was withdrawn for the detection of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in the erythrocytes, and an estimation of systemic inflammatory response was carried out. Significant reduction in the intraoperative concentration with respect to the preoperative was observed only under continuous flow CPB for both nitrite and NOx (nitrite + nitrate) concentration (P = 0.010 and P = 0.016, respectively). Significant difference in intraoperative nitrite concentration was also observed between the groups (P = 0.012). Finally, erythrocytes showed a certain endothelial NOS activity, which did not differ between the groups, and no differences in the inflammatory response were pointed out. The significant reduction of NO2 - concentration under continuous perfusion revealed the strong connection among perfusion modality, endothelial NO release, and plasmatic nitrite concentration. The similar erythrocyte eNOS activity between the groups revealed that the differences in blood NO metabolites are mainly ascribable to the endothelium release. [source] Heat Flow Pattern in the Mainland of China and Its Geodynamic SignificanceACTA GEOLOGICA SINICA (ENGLISH EDITION), Issue 2 2000WANG Yang Abstract On the basis of 723 heat flow measurements in the mainland of China and over 2000 data from the global heat flow data set, the authors compiled the heat flow map of the mainland of China and its adjacent areas to exhibit the overall variation of the heat flow pattern in the mainland. The heat flow pattern of the mainland is complex, and can not be simply summarized as "low in the north and west and high in the south and east". Significant difference exists between eastern and western China in the spatial pattern of heat flow. Divided by the 105°E meridian, heat flow values in eastern China show a westward-decreasing trend; and a northward variation is observed in western China. The high-heat flow regions correspond to tectonically active belts such as Cenozoic orogens and extensional basins, where mantle heat flow is high; and the low-heat flow regions correspond to stable units such as the Tarim and Yangtze platforms. This heat flow pattern is controlled by India-Asia collision in the west and Pacific plate subduction in the east. The lateral variation in lithospheric strength corresponds to the heat flow variation, and there is a generally reversely proportional relation between heat flow and lithospheric strength in the mainland of China. The mosaic pattern of present deformation in the mainland results from lateral rheological heterogeneity. The good coincidence between weak strength domains and seismic zones demonstrates the intrinsic relation between the strength heterogeneity and regional seismicity pattern in the mainland of China. [source] Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Infants after Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease: A Comparison of Single-Ventricle vs.CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE, Issue 2 2010Two-Ventricle Physiology ABSTRACT Introduction., The neurodevelopmental outcome of children with repaired congenital heart defect has risen in importance with improved survival. This study compares neurodevelopmental outcomes of children who had CHD with single ventricle physiology with those who had CHD with two-ventricle physiology. Patients and Methods., Participants included 112 infants discharged from the NICU between February 1999 to August 2006. The 12 infants who had a known genetic defect were excluded. Of the 100 infants 26 had single ventricle physiology and 74 had CHD with two-ventricle physiology. The children were seen in a follow-up clinic and growth parameters and standardized instruments were used to evaluate development. The referral rate to early intervention services was also compared. Results., The number of functional ventricles did not significantly differentiate growth parameters at 6,8 months of age. Early cognitive outcomes were relatively unimpaired in both the groups (single ventricle vs. two ventricle physiology). Early motor outcomes were worse in (p < 0.05) CHD with single ventricle physiology. The rate of referral for early intervention services was high in both groups compared to the average rate of referral in the state, but there was not a significant difference between the CHD groups. Conclusion., Significant differences noted on motor outcomes at the 6,8 month visit were no longer apparent in later visits. Referral to early intervention services is high in both the groups. These findings are important to those caring for infants with CHD because many of these patients may need referral for early intervention. [source] Serum and 24-hour Urine Analysis in Adult Cyanotic and Noncyanotic Congenital Heart Disease PatientsCONGENITAL HEART DISEASE, Issue 3 2009Efrén Martínez-Quintana MD ABSTRACT Introduction., Glomerulopathy is a complication of congenital heart disease patients. The risk of developing renal impairment is particularly high in cyanotic patients. Objective., The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of renal dysfunction and microalbumiuria in adult cyanotic and non cyanotic congenital heart disease patients. Methods., Fourteen cyanotic and 22 noncyanotic congenital heart disease patients were studied in the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Unit at the Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular-Materno Infantil. Demographic characteristics, complete blood count, and 24-hour urianalysis were obtained, including abdominal ultrasound in those with cyanosis. Results., No differences were seen between age (years) (27.4 ± 8.2; 26.4 ± 8.3; P = .71), sex, size, weight, or glomerular filtration rate (mL/min/1.73 m2) (81.1 ± 22.9 vs. 84.9 ± 9.2, P = .482) between cyanotic and noncyanotic patients. However, Eisenmenger patients had significantly impaired renal function when compared with noncyanotic patients (73.0 ± 17.3 vs. 84.9 ± 9.2 mL/min/1.73 m2, P = .023). Significant differences were obtained in oxygen saturation (%) (83.8 ± 5.8 vs. 97.8 ± 0.8; P = .000), hematocrit (%) (59.3 ± 8.1 vs. 40.9 ± 8.5; P = .000), platelets (103/µL) (161.5 ± 70.5 vs. 277.9 ± 57.6; P = .000), serum uric acid (mg/dL) (7.5 ± 2.3 vs. 5.6 ± 1.5; P = .008) and microalbuminuria (mg/24 hours) (12.8 [0, 700.2] vs. 2.4 [0, 18.9]; P = .000) between cyanotic and noncyanotic patients. Five cyanotic patients (35.7%) had microalbuminuria (>30 mg/24 hours) and three of them (21.4%) proteinuria (>1 g/24 hours). No significant differences were seen between serum and urine parameters between cyanotic patients who had microalbuminuria (>30 mg/24 hours) and those cyanotic patients who did not have it (<30 mg/24 hours). Conclusions., Renal impairment is frequently seen in congenital heart disease patients, being associated occasionally with proteinuria and microalbuminuria in cyanotic ones. [source] Introduction Strategies Put to the Test: Local Adaptation versus HeterosisCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2004PHILIPPINE VERGEER exogamia; introducciones multi-fuente; introducciones uni-fuente; Succisa pratensis Abstract:,Plant biodiversity has declined seriously because of both habitat deterioration and habitat fragmentation. As a result, many species have been forced into small, fragmented, and isolated populations and are believed to suffer from higher extinction risks. Genetic reinforcement and the establishment of new populations are now widely used to prevent extinction. However, the genetic background of transplants may seriously affect the long-term success of these populations because increased genetic variation may reduce the risk of inbreeding or lead to better performance by restored heterozygosity levels (heterosis). Introduced transplants, however, may be poorly adapted to the new local conditions. We tested the initial success of alternative introduction strategies. We evaluated the potential for inbreeding, heterosis, and/or local adaptation after introduction of artificial populations of Succisa pratensis. We introduced individuals from local and distant artificial populations that were created from either small or large populations. We created the artificial populations with the same census population size but varying effective population sizes by adjusting the relatedness of individuals. We analyzed the demographic consequences of inbreeding, heterosis, and/or local adaptation of these artificial populations. Reduced performance after selfing was manifested by a reduction in seed production, seed weight, germination, and flowering percentage. Seed production, seed weight, flowering percentage, and number of flowerheads were negatively affected by small population size. Local adaptation increased biomass and flowering percentage for local individuals. Seed weight and seed production exhibited significant heterosis. Our results demonstrate that threatened populations can benefit from introduction and genetic reinforcement of individuals from related populations. Significant differences among the artificial populations for several measured performance components suggest that introduction or reinforcement is best achieved through material from a local population or, when unavailable, from several large populations. Resumen:,La biodiversidad de plantas ha declinado seriamente tanto por el deterioro como la fragmentación de hábitats. Como resultado, muchas especies han sido relegadas a poblaciones pequeñas, fragmentadas y aisladas cuyos riesgos de extinción se piensa que son mayores. El reforzamiento genético y el establecimiento de poblaciones nuevas se utilizan ampliamente en la actualidad para prevenir la extinción. Sin embargo, los antecedentes genéticos de transplantes pueden afectar seriamente el éxito de estas poblaciones a largo plazo debido a que el incremento en la variación genética puede reducir el riesgo de endogamia o puede conducir a un mejor rendimiento por lograr niveles de heterocigosidad restaurados (heterosis). No obstante, los trasplantes introducidos pueden adaptarse deficientemente a las nuevas condiciones locales. Probamos el éxito inicial de estrategias de introducción alternativas. Evaluamos el potencial de endogamia, heterosis y/o adaptación local después de la introducción de poblaciones artificiales de Succisa pratensis. Introdujimos individuos de poblaciones locales y de poblaciones artificiales distantes que fueron creadas a partir de poblaciones tanto pequeñas como grandes. Las poblaciones artificiales fueron creadas con el mismo tamaño poblacional censal pero variaron en tamaños poblacionales efectivos al ajustar la parentela de los individuos. Analizamos las consecuencias demográficas de la endogamia, heterosis y/o adaptación local de estas poblaciones artificiales. Después de la autofecundación se manifestó una reducción en el rendimiento por reducción en la producción y peso de semillas y en el porcentaje de germinación y floración. La producción y peso de semillas, el porcentaje de floración y el número de botones florales fueron afectados negativamente por el tamaño poblacional pequeño. La adaptación local incrementó la biomasa y el porcentaje de floración en individuos locales. El peso y producción de semillas mostró heterosis significativa. Nuestros resultados demuestran que las poblaciones amenazadas pueden beneficiarse de la introducción y del reforzamiento genético de individuos de poblaciones emparentadas. Las diferencias significativas entre las poblaciones artificiales en varios de los componentes de rendimiento medidos sugiere que la introducción o reforzamiento se logra mejor con material de una población local o, cuando no disponible, con material de varias poblaciones grandes. [source] A comparative study of corporate social responsibility in Bangladesh and PakistanCORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2009Malik Asghar Naeem Abstract Making a contribution to sustainable development through good corporate social responsibility presents businesses with a challenge, particularly in developing countries. This paper measures the sensitivity to corporate social responsibility amongst businesses operating in Bangladesh and Pakistan through a review of written policies of both listed local firms and multinational corporations operating there. We use the Global Compact supplemented by relevant parts of the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Reporting Guidelines to benchmark companies and countries. Significant differences are found between local listed companies and multinational corporations. However, all companies are seen to be failing to engage with many aspects of corporate social responsibility related to sustainable development. Specific deficiencies relate to anti-corruption, gender equality, child labor, community giving and the formal representation of workers. Few differences are found between the approaches taken by companies in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Given the development needs of the region we point to businesses being unwilling or unable to adopt sufficiently robust corporate social responsibility and point to a role for both government and civil society. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source] Prolonged exposure to inhaled nitric oxide transiently modifies tubular function in healthy piglets and promotes tubular apoptosisACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2009W. Go, dzik Abstract Aim:, Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is a selective pulmonary vasodilator. We hypothesized that those piglets exposed to prolonged iNO react with a modified renal function. Methods:, Randomized, placebo-controlled exposure to 40 p.p.m. iNO (30 h) in piglets (n = 20). Plasma and urine were sampled during three periods (first and second 12 h periods, and finally a 6 h period). We measured urine volumes, plasma and urine electrolytes (UNa, UK, UCl), plasma creatinine and urea. We calculated creatinine clearance (Ccr), and fractional excretions of sodium and potassium (FENa, FEK) and urinary excretions of electrolytes (UENa, UEK, UECl). Haemodynamic data were recorded and renal tubular apoptosis detected. Results:, For the first 12 h, certain parameters significantly increased in the iNO group (mean ± SD): UNa (mmol L,1), 87.7 (±35.0) vs. 39.3 (±22.9), UCl (mmol L,1) 80.4 (±32.8) vs. 48.0 (±26.7), FENa (%) 2.1 (±0.8) vs. 0.7 (±0.5), FEK (%) 31.7 (±7.0) vs. 20.7 (±12.3), as well as UENa (mmol) 61.0 (±21.1) vs. 27.6 (±17.9) and UECl (mmol) 57.3 (24.5) vs. 37.6 (29.0). These changes were absent in the second and third periods of the study. Significant differences in percentage of apoptotic cell nuclei in the renal cortex and medulla were found after iNO exposure: 39% vs. 15%. Conclusion:, Exposure to 40 p.p.m. iNO in healthy anaesthetized piglets has a transient natriuretic effect that disappears after 12 h. We also found evidence of renal tubular apoptosis promotion after 30 h of iNO. [source] Heterogeneous modes of uptake for latex beads revealed through live cell imaging of phagocytes expressing a probe for phosphatidylinositol-(3,4,5)-trisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol-(3,4)-bisphosphateCYTOSKELETON, Issue 9 2008Jennifer Giorgione Abstract Latex beads are the preferred phagocytic substrate in biochemical studies of phagosome composition and maturation. Using living Dictyostelium cells and fluorescent probes, we compared the properties of phagosomes formed to ingest latex beads or digestible prey. Significant differences were found during the initial steps of phagocytosis. During uptake of bacteria or yeast, PHcrac-GFP, a probe that binds to membranes enriched in PI(3,4,5)P3 and PI(3,4)P2, always labeled the nascent phagosome and faded shortly after it sealed. However, labeling of bead-containing phagosomes was highly variable. Beads were engulfed by phagosomes either lacking or displaying the PHcrac-GFP label, and that label, if present, often persisted for many minutes, revealing that early trafficking steps for bead-containing phagosomes are quite heterogeneous. Later stages of the endocytic pathway appeared more similar for phagosomes containing prey and latex beads. Both types of phagosomes fused with acidic endosomes while undergoing transport along microtubules, both acquired the V-ATPase and lost it prior to exocytosis, and both bound the late endosome marker vacuolin B, which was transferred to the plasma membrane upon exocytosis. We conclude that caution is needed in extrapolating results from latex bead phagosomes to phagosomes containing physiological substances, especially in early stages of the endocytic pathway. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Healing of 400 intra-alveolar root fractures.DENTAL TRAUMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2004Abstract,,, This is the second part of a retrospective study of 400 root-fractured permanent incisors. In this article, the effect of various treatment procedures is analyzed. Treatment delay, i.e. treatment later than 24 h after injury, did not change the root fracture healing pattern, healing with hard tissue between fragments (HH1), interposition of bone and/or periodontal ligament (PDL) or pulp necrosis (NEC). When initial displacement did not exceed 1 mm, optimal repositioning appeared to significantly enhance both the likelihood of pulpal healing and hard tissue repair (HH1). Significant differences in healing were found among the different splinting techniques. The lowest frequency of healing was found with cap splints and the highest with fiberglass or Kevlar® splints. The latter splinting procedure showed almost the same healing result as non-splinting. Comparison between non-splinting and splinting for non-displaced teeth was found to reveal no benefit from splinting. With respect to root fractures with displacement, too few cases were available for analysis. No beneficial effect of splinting periods greater than 4 weeks could be demonstrated. The administration of antibiotics had the paradoxical effect of promoting both HH1 and NEC. No explanation could be found. It was concluded that, optimal repositioning seems to favor healing. Furthermore, the chosen splinting method appears to be related to healing of root fractures, with a preference to pulp healing and healing fusion of fragments to a certain flexibility of the splint and possibly also non-traumatogenic splint application. Splinting for more than 4 weeks was not found to influence the healing pattern. A certain treatment delay (a few days) appears not to result in inferior healing. The role of antibiotics upon fracture healing is questionable. [source] Violence from young women involuntarily admitted for severe drug abuseACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2007T. Palmstierna Objective:, To simultaneously evaluate actuarial and dynamic predictors of severe in-patient violence among women involuntarily admitted for severe drug abuse. Method:, All patients admitted to special facilities for involuntary treatment of absconding-prone, previously violent, drug abusing women in Sweden were assessed with the Staff Observation Aggression Scale, revised. Actuarial data on risk factors for violence were collected and considered in an extended Cox proportional hazards model with multiple events and daily assessments of the Broset Violence Checklist as time-dependent covariates. Results:, Low-grade violence and being influenced by illicit drugs were the best predictors of severe violence within 24 h. Significant differences in risk for violence between different institutions were also found. Conclusion:, In-patient violence risk is rapidly varying over time with being influenced by illicit drugs and exhibiting low-grade violence being significant dynamic predictors. Differences in violence between patients could not be explained by patient characteristics. [source] How much of a priority is treating erectile dysfunction?DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 3 2003A study of patients' perceptions Abstract Background Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one complication of diabetes for which the treatment is rationed. Despite considerable public debate there has been no formal assessment of the views of patients and sufferers of the priority of treating ED. Aims To determine the perceptions of diabetic patients of the relative priority of treating ED in comparison with treatments for other diabetic complications and common medical conditions. Methods Psychological measures were used to assess subjects' perceptions of the relative importance of ED in comparison with eight other common problems (blindness, foot ulcers, high blood pressure, impotence, kidney disease, high cholesterol, migraine, mild indigestion and sleeping difficulties). The concept of willingness to pay was used to assess the amount per month participants would be prepared to pay for treatment for ED and other conditions. Four groups (controls, healthy diabetic men, impotent diabetic men and impotent diabetic men not in a sexual relationship) were studied. Results Significant differences were found between the four groups with regard to the ranking of the importance of ED compared with other health problems. Impotent diabetic male patients were prepared to pay more for treatment for their condition than all other conditions except blindness and renal failure. Conclusions Men with diabetes, in particular ED sufferers, believe ED has a major impact on quality of life and is as important to treat as many other conditions associated with diabetes. Diabet. Med. 20, 205,209 (2003) [source] Low prevalence of cardiac autonomic neuropathy in Type 1 diabetic patients without nephropathyDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 8 2001J. A. Meinhold Abstract Aim To assess the prevalence of cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in Type 1 diabetic patients with and without nephropathy. Methods Sixty-six consecutive patients without nephropathy (n = 24), with incipient (n = 26) or overt nephropathy (n = 16) and a diabetes duration between 21 and 31 years were examined. Heart rate variability (HRV) as measure for CAN was investigated with short-term spectral analysis in the low-frequency (LF) band (0.06,0.15 Hz), reflecting sympathetic and vagal activity, and high-frequency (HF) band (0.15,0.50 Hz), reflecting vagal activity. HRV was expressed as spectral power (ms2, log-transformed). Normal, age-corresponding reference values were established in 184 controls. QTc intervals and dispersion were measured. Results After adjustment for age, there was no significant difference between healthy controls and patients without nephropathy. After further adjustment for diabetes duration, HbA1c, hypertension and treatment with ,-blockers, HRV in both frequency bands decreased with evidence of nephropathy. LF band (supine): patients without nephropathy 5.56 (4.89,6.21) (least squares means and 95% confidence interval (CI)), incipient nephropathy 5.72 (5.15,6.29) and overt nephropathy 4.11 (3.27,4.96). HF band (supine): without nephropathy 5.93 (5.26,6.60), incipient nephropathy 5.99 (5.41,6.57) and overt nephropathy 4.84 (4.00,5.68). Significant differences were found for patients without and with incipient nephropathy compared with those with overt nephropathy in the LF band and between patients with incipient nephropathy compared with those with overt nephropathy in the HF band. QTc intervals and QTc dispersion increased significantly with increasing nephropathy. Conclusions Long-term Type 1 diabetes without nephropathy was not associated with impaired cardiac autonomic function in our study. However, in those with nephropathy, a loss of both vagal and sympathetic activity was present, and the severity of CAN correlated positively with more advanced nephropathy. Diabet. Med. 18, 607,613 (2001) [source] Role of computerized morphometric analysis in diagnosis of effusion specimensDIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 10 2006B. Arora M.D. Abstract The present study was undertaken to compare morphometric analysis of cells in 100 effusion samples, with unaided cytological diagnosis. All the cases in the form of Leishman's stained smears were subjected to computerized-interactive morphometry (CIM) by usage of Image analysis software. On routine cytological examination, 44 cases were benign, 26 were malignant, and 30 cases were placed in "atypical" category. On morphometry, values for mean nuclear area (MNA) and mean cytoplasmic area (MCA) in benign cases were found to be 58.39 ± 12.22 ,m2 and 185.70 ± 43.69 ,m2, while for malignant cases were 120.12 ± 16.28 ,m2 and 274.65 ± 61.01 ,m2, respectively (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, highly significant). Significant differences were also noted among benign, atypical, and malignant cases for MNA (P < 0.001). The differences between atypical and malignant cases for N/C (nuclear/cytoplasmic) ratio were also found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001). Finally, 46 cases were found to be benign, 39 malignant, and 15 in the category of atypical cases. CIM helps in better and quicker sorting for malignant cells. MNA and N/C ratio are the most significant parameters in differentiating various cells in effusions. MCA constitutes as another useful parameter. Salient features of CIM, including their applications in the light of current study, are discussed. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006;34:670,675. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Comparison of four groups of substance-abusing in-patients with different psychiatric comorbidityACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2001J. Hättenschwiler Objective: ,Comparisons of different groups of dual patients are rare, yet potential differences could have therapeutic implications. In this study, four groups of psychiatric in-patients with substance use disorder were compared to each other: patients with no psychiatric comorbidity, patients with comorbid schizophrenia and patients with affective and personality disorder. Method: ,Apart from sociodemographic, therapy-related variables and a detailed survey of their substance use, all subjects were assessed with BPRS and SCL-90-R. Results: ,No differences were found in the patients' demography, psychosocial adjustment and substance consumption career. Significant differences were found in regard to some therapy variables reflecting adherence to treatment and global outcome and to the level of psychopathology. Conclusion: ,Both substance use and comorbid psychiatric disorder have a variable impact on distinct areas of patients' general condition and functioning. The group with comorbid affective disorder appeared to be the most difficult to treat and the therapeutic approach to this disorder deserves reconsideration. [source] Prevalence of responsible hospitality policies in licensed premises that are associated with alcohol-related harmDRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 2 2002JUSTINE B. DALY Abstract This study aimed to determine the prevalence of responsible hospitality policies in a group of licensed premises associated with alcohol-related harm. During March 1999, 108 licensed premises with one or more police-identified alcohol-related incidents in the previous 3 months received a visit from a police officer. A 30-item audit checklist was used to determine the responsible hospitality policies being undertaken by each premises within eight policy domains: display required signage (three items); responsible host practices to prevent intoxication and under-age drinking (five items); written policies and guidelines for responsible service (three items); discouraging inappropriate promotions (three items); safe transport (two items); responsible management issues (seven items); physical environment (three items) and entry conditions (four items). No premises were undertaking all 30 items. Eighty per cent of the premises were undertaking 20 of the 30 items. All premises were undertaking at least 17 of the items. The proportion of premises undertaking individual items ranged from 16% to 100%. Premises were less likely to report having and providing written responsible hospitality documentation to staff, using door charges and having entry/re-entry rules. Significant differences between rural and urban premises were evident for four policies. Clubs were significantly more likely than hotels to have a written responsible service of alcohol policy and to clearly display codes of dress and conditions of entry. This study provides an indication of the extent and nature of responsible hospitality policies in a sample of licensed premises that are associated with a broad range of alcohol related harms. The finding that a large majority of such premises appear to adopt responsible hospitality policies suggests a need to assess the validity and reliability of tools used in the routine assessment of such policies, and of the potential for harm from licensed premises. [source] 13C/12C Ratios of endogenous urinary steroids investigated for doping control purposesDRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS, Issue 2 2009Thomas Piper Abstract In order to detect the misuse of endogenous anabolic steroids such as testosterone by athletes a total of n = 1734 suspicious urine samples were investigated by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry throughout the years 2005, 2006 and 2007. The 13C/12C ratio of a target substance (androsterone, a testosterone metabolite) was compared to the 13C/12C ratio of an endogenous reference compound (11,-hydroxyandrosterone). N = 1340 samples were investigated due to elevated testosterone/epitestosterone ratios, with n = 87 (6.5%) exceptional findings regarding their isotopic ratios. An additional n = 164 samples were investigated because of elevated dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations, with n = 2 (1.2%) exceptional findings. The remainder were subjected to isotope ratio analysis because of elevated androsterone levels or because this was requested by sports federations. Significant differences between female and male samples were found for the 13C/12C ratios of androsterone and 11,-hydroxyandrosterone but not for samples taken in or out of competition. A further n = 645 samples originating from other World Anti-Doping Agency accredited laboratories, mainly throughout Europe as well as South America, South Africa and Southeast Asia, were investigated. The 13C/12C ratios of the urinary steroids differ significantly for each geographical region, reflecting the dietary status of the individuals. The system stability over time has been tested by repeated injections of a standard solution and repeated processing of frozen stored blank urine. Despite a drift over time in absolute 13C/12C ratios, no significant change in the difference of 13C/12C (11,-hydroxyandrosterone) minus 13C/12C (androsterone) could be observed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Low-level defective processing of non-verbal sounds in dyslexic childrenDYSLEXIA, Issue 2 2009Paulino Uclés Abstract We compared processing of non-verbal auditory stimuli by dyslexic and non-dyslexic children using electrophysiological methods. The study included 39 children (17 with dyslexia plus 22 controls) assessed via frontal, central, parietal, and temporal electrodes. As an extension of previous P300 event-related potential studies, we analysed variations in the power values of 40-Hz oscillations (gamma-band oscillations involved in cognitive processing) during a specific time window in response to the auditory ,oddball' paradigm that entail target (random 2,kHz) and standard (frequent 1,kHz) stimuli. Dyslexic children differed significantly from controls (P<0.001) in the mean power of the wavelet-transformed 40-Hz oscillation in a time interval starting at 25 ms after stimulus onset up to 50 ms. This means defective processing of sounds. Within groups, standard and target tones elicited significantly different power values (P<0.001). Correlations of values between standard and target responses at each electrode position were not significant within either group, although dyslexics showed a lower correlation than controls. Significant differences in the mean power of these oscillations detected at very early stages of auditory processing in dyslexic children and the wide range of mean values reveal impairment in processing non-verbal sounds in dyslexia. Our results also support recent findings using behavioural and electrophysiological methods suggesting that dyslexia is a general auditory deficit instead of a speech-specific deficit. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Dyslexia in English as a second languageDYSLEXIA, Issue 1 2005Turid Helland Abstract This study focused on English as L2 in a group of Norwegian dyslexic 12 year olds, compared to an age and gender matched control group. Norwegian school children learn English from the first grades on. The subjects were assessed with a test battery of verbal and written tasks. First, they were given a comprehension task; second, a model sentence task; third, two pragmatic tasks, and fourth, three tasks of literacy. The verbal tasks were scored according to comprehension, morphology, syntax and semantics, while the literacy tasks were scored by spelling, translation and reading skills. It was hypothesized that the results of the control group and the dyslexia group would differ on all tasks, but that subgrouping the dyslexia group by comprehension skills would show heterogeneity within the dyslexia group. The data analyses confirmed these hypotheses. Significant differences were seen between the dyslexia group and the control group. However, the subgrouping revealed minor differences between the control group and the subgroup with good comprehension skills, and major differences between the control group and the subgroup with poor comprehension skills. Especially morphology and spelling were difficult for the dyslexia group. The results were tentatively discussed within the framework of biological and cognitive models of how to interpret L2 performance in dyslexia, underlining the importance of further research in L2 acquisition in dyslexia. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||