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Selected AbstractsDetection of Mild Hyposalivation in Elderly People Based on the Chewing Time of Specifically Designed Disc Tests: Diagnostic AccuracyJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 4 2009DrOdont, Isabelle Madinier DDS OBJECTIVES: To compare sialometry with chewing time (including swallowing) of specifically designed disc tests. DESIGN: Index test versus reference standard (sialometry; 60 patients); reliability study (10 patients). SETTING: Outpatient dental clinic and geriatric ward, Nice University Hospital, France. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty adults and 30 older patients (mean ages 47 and 84). INTERVENTION: Index test assessment in patients with and without hyposalivation. MEASUREMENTS: Data from medical files, interviews and oral examination were collected. Sialometry (stimulated salivary flow rate (SSFR) mL/min) and disc chewing times (seconds) were measured. RESULTS: Sialometry was too long and was inappropriate for five of the 30 older persons. Chewing times were negatively correlated to sialometry results (Spearman correlation coefficient (R)=0.77, P<.001). The threshold to diagnose hyposalivation (SSFR <1 mL/min) was 40 seconds (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC)=0.921, 100% sensitivity, 72% specificity). Twenty-seven subjects with a SSFR less than 1.5 mL/min had a chewing time longer than 40 seconds, suggesting that mild hyposalivation and eating difficulties were related (AUC=0.941, 93% sensitivity, 88% specificity). Mean chewing time was greater with xerostomia (51.9 vs 30.7 seconds, P<.001) but not with dental pain (39.5 vs 39.9, P=.96). Masticatory percentage (e.g., pairs of antagonistic teeth) had no effect on chewing time (SSFR <1 mL/min, AUC=0.921; SSFR <1.5 mL/min, AUC=0.950). Reliability was better for the disc test than for sialometry (intraclass correlation 0.85 vs 0.70). CONCLUSION: This disc test was conceived to detect mild hyposalivation in geriatric patients with impaired dental health. Early detection of hyposalivation could help to suppress or avoid xerostomia-inducing drugs and to prevent oral infections and dental caries. [source] Rh blood group and liver transplantationLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 10 2007James D. Perkins M.D. Special Section Editor Background Cold ischemia time and the presence of postoperative hepatic arterial thrombosis have been associated with biliary complications (BC) after liver transplantation. An ABO-incompatible blood group has also been suggested as a factor for predisposal towards BC. However, the influence of Rh nonidentity has not been studied previously. Materials Three hundred fifty six liver transplants were performed from 1995 to 2000 at our hospital. BC incidence and risk factors were studied in 345 patients. Results Seventy patients (20%) presented BC after liver transplantation. Bile leakage (24/45%) and stenotic anastomosis (21/30%) were the most frequent complications. Presence of BC in Rh-nonidentical graft-host cases (23/76, 30%) was higher than in Rh-identical grafts (47/269, 17%) (P = 0.01). BC was also more frequent in grafts with arterial thrombosis (9/25, 36% vs 60/319, 19%; P = 0.03) and grafts with cold ischemia time longer than 430 min (26/174, 15% vs 44/171, 26%; P = 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression confirmed that Rh graft-host nonidentical blood groups [RR = 2(1.1-3.6); P = 0.02], arterial thrombosis [RR = 2.6(1.1-6.4); P = 0.02] and cold ischemia time longer than 430 min [RR = 1.8(1-3.2); P = 0.02] were risk factors for presenting BC. Conclusion Liver transplantation using Rh graft-host nonidentical blood groups leads to a greater incidence of BC. [source] Study of oxidation after monoacrylate grafting on polyethylenePOLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 8 2008Ourida Iguerb Abstract BACKGROUND: The surface properties of high-density polyethylene and linear low-density polyethylene were modified by grafting urethane monoacrylate monomer under UV irradiation. This graft polymerization was carried out on native substrates and on substrates pre-treated by wet oxidation, for different oxidation times. RESULTS: As the urethane monacrylate layer is crosslinked, its grafting efficiency was checked by dissolving the polyethylene substrates in hot toluene. Grafting was evidenced by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of the obtained residues, which showed that both the characteristic urethane acrylate (3350 cm,1) and polyethylene (2920, 730 and 720 cm,1) bands were observable for any polyethylene oxidation time. For an oxidation time longer than 10 hours, acrylate grafting was homogeneous and the grafted surface was smooth with a roughness of less than 10 nm. In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of the residues revealed that O/C had an average value of 0.19, which is lower than the value corresponding to pure acrylate (0.42), whereas N/C had an average value of 0.068, also lower than that of pure acrylate (0.09), thus confirming the grafting. CONCLUSION: A urethane monoacrylate layer was grafted on native and oxidized polyethylene films. For highly oxidized films, the grafted surfaces are smooth and homogeneous. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Brain Sterols in the AY-9944 Rat Model of Atypical Absence SeizuresEPILEPSIA, Issue 1 2002Miguel A. Cortez Summary: ,Purpose: The AY-9944 (AY)-treated rat is a reproducible and clinically relevant animal model of atypical absence seizures. AY inhibits cholesterol synthesis, but the relation between brain sterol levels and the spontaneously recurrent absence seizures has not been determined. Methods: Long,Evans hooded rats were treated every 6 days from postnatal day (P)2 to P20 with AY (7.5 mg/kg, s.c.) or saline. Electrodes were permanently implanted under pentobarbital anesthesia at P50. Spike-and-wave discharge (SWD) duration and amplitude were quantified at P55. Changes in brain sterols after AY were examined in three different experiments, looking at brain regions (experiment 1), recovery after stopping AY (experiment 2), or gender differences (experiment 3). Results: Experiment 1: AY caused spontaneously recurrent slow SWD that lasted 59 times longer and had a 3.2-fold higher amplitude than that in controls. At P55, brain cholesterol was reduced and 7-dehydrocholesterol was increased in all brain regions (p < 0.0001). Experiment 2: Four hundred days after stopping AY-9944 treatment (P420), brain sterol levels had returned to normal levels, but the AY-induced SWD lasted twice as long as at P55. Experiment 3: At P55, AY-induced changes in plasma and liver (but not brain) sterols were significantly more severe in females compared with males. Conclusions: AY-induced seizures appear to be related to AY-induced changes in brain sterols but persisted long after the sterols had returned to normal after the last AY injection. Hence, there appears to be a critical developmental window during which the AY must be given but after which the AY-induced change in brain sterols is no longer essential to sustaining the seizures. [source] Postnatal innervation of the rat superior colliculus by axons of late-born retinal ganglion cellsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 7 2002Elizabeth J. Dallimore Abstract Rat retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are generated between embryonic day (E) 13 and E19. Retinal axons first reach the superior colliculus at E16/16.5 but the time of arrival of axons from late-born RGCs is unknown. This study examined (i) whether there is a correlation between RGC genesis and the timing of retinotectal innervation and (ii) when axons of late-born RGCs reach the superior colliculus. Pregnant Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) on E16, E18 or E19. Pups from these litters received unilateral superior colliculus injections of fluorogold (FG) at ages between postnatal (P) day P0 and P6, and were perfused 1,2 days later. RGCs in 3 rats from each BrdU litter were labelled in adulthood by placing FG onto transected optic nerve. Retinas were cryosectioned and the number of FG, BrdU and double-labelled (FG+/BrdU+) RGCs quantified. In the E16 group, the proportion of FG-labelled RGCs that were BrdU+ did not vary with age, indicating that axons from these cells had reached the superior colliculus by P0/P1. In contrast, for the smaller cohorts of RGCs born on E18 or E19, the proportion of BrdU+ cells that were FG+ increased significantly after birth; axons from most RGCs born on E19 were not retrogradely FG-labelled until P4/P5. Thus there is a correlation between birthdate and innervation in rat retinotectal pathways. Furthermore, compared to the earliest born RGCs, axons from late-born RGCs take about three times longer to reach the superior colliculus. Later-arriving axons presumably encounter comparatively different growth terrains en route and eventually innervate more differentiated target structures. [source] A new species of Anthurium (Araceae) from Espírito Santo State, eastern BrazilFEDDES REPERTORIUM, Issue 1-2 2005E. G. Gonçalves Dr. A new species of Anthurium (A. viridispathum E.G.Gonç., sp. nova) is described and illustrated. It occurs in rocky outcrops in Espírito Santo state, eastern Brazil. It seems to be closer to AnthuriumvalidinerviumEngl., but differs in the primary lateral veins departing from the midrib in a more obtuse angle (45,55° not 30°), much wider spathe (2,2.3 times longer than broad, not 5,6) and inflorescenes longer than leaves (much shorter in A. validinervium). Anthurium viridispathum is tentavely placed in the section UrospadixEngl. subsection ObscureviridiaEngl. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) Eine neue Art der Gattung Anthurium (Araceae) aus dem Staat Espírito Santo, Ostbrasilien Eine neue Art der Gattung Anthurium (A. viridispathum E.G.Gonç., sp. nova) wird beschrieben und abgebildet. Sie findet sich in felsigen Aufschlüssen im Bundesstaat Espírito Santo, Ostbrasilien. Sie ist eng verwandt mit Anthurium validinerviumEngl., untercheidet sich aber durch primäre Seitenadern, die von der Mittelrippe in einem größeren Winkel (45,55°, nicht 30°) abgehen, einer viel breiteren Spatha (2,2,3 mal länger als breit, nicht 5,6 mal) und Blütenständen länger als die Blätter (wesentlich kürzer in A. viridinervium). Anthuriumviridispathum wird unter Vorbehalt in die sect. UrospadixEngl. subsect. ObscureviridiaEngl. gestellt. [source] Foraging effort in relation to the constraints of reproduction in free-ranging albatrossesFUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2003S. A. Shaffer Summary 1Theoretical models predict that animals will vary their effort to maximize different currencies such as time and energy when the constraints of reproduction change during breeding, but this has been poorly studied in free-ranging animals. 2Foraging effort (energy per unit time) was examined by comparing mass changes, foraging costs and activity-specific behaviours of Wandering Albatrosses (Diomedea exulans Linnaeus) during the incubation and chick-brooding stages. In 1998, 38 albatrosses (20 during incubation and 18 during brooding) were injected with doubly labelled water and equipped with satellite transmitters and activity data loggers. 3During incubation, albatrosses travelled 3·7 times farther and were at sea 3·2 times longer, yet foraging costs were significantly lower than trips made during brooding (incubation 4·52 ± 0·50 SD W kg,1vs brooding 4·98 ± 0·55 SD W kg,1). 4The rate of daily mass gain decreased significantly with time at sea during incubation whereas the rate of daily mass gain increased significantly with time at sea during brooding. 5Foraging effort was higher during brooding, suggesting that birds were minimizing time at sea to maximize the rate of food delivery to chicks. In contrast, foraging effort was lower during incubation, suggesting that birds were maximizing time at sea and minimizing the energy costs of foraging. 6Foraging costs were also different between sexes. However, this was related to body size differences and not to differences in foraging effort as suggested in previous studies. [source] An Analytical Solution for Ground Water Transit Time through Unconfined AquifersGROUND WATER, Issue 4 2005R. Chesnaux An exact, closed-form analytical solution is developed for calculating ground water transit times within Dupuit-type flow systems. The solution applies to steady-state, saturated flow through an unconfined, horizontal aquifer recharged by surface infiltration and discharging to a downgradient fixed-head boundary. The upgradient boundary can represent, using the same equation, a no-flow boundary or a fixed head. The approach is unique for calculating travel times because it makes no a priori assumptions regarding the limit of the water table rise with respect to the minimum saturated aquifer thickness. The computed travel times are verified against a numerical model, and examples are provided, which show that the predicted travel times can be on the order of nine times longer relative to existing analytical solutions. [source] High-Modulus Organic Glasses Prepared by Physical Vapor DepositionADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 1 2010Kenneth L. Kearns Extraordinarily stable organic glasses are prepared by physical vapor deposition using indomethacin (IMC) or trisnaphthylbenzene. Utilizing Brillouin light scattering (BLS), the elastic moduli of these stable glasses (SG) are found to exceed those of ordinary glass (OG) by up to 19%. Such high-modulus glasses take more than 104 times longer than the structural relaxation time to transform to the supercooled liquid (SCL). [source] Brief breath holding may confound functional magnetic resonance imaging studiesHUMAN BRAIN MAPPING, Issue 4 2005David F. Abbott Abstract We demonstrate that breath holding of short durations may confound functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies. Some subjects may hold their breath for a short time during task performance, especially if the task is challenging. Breath holding may therefore need to be considered specifically when interpreting fMRI experiments. We studied the temporal and spatial characteristics of cerebral T2*-weighted signal during short periods of breath holding by seven individuals in a 3-tesla MR scanner. We demonstrate that breath-holds as short as 3 s can result in regions of significant cerebral activation. More interestingly, we show that focal activation remains present when the data is analysed in a number of different ways, including analyses that correct for motion and model the task epoch as if it were 10 times longer than the actual breath-hold length. These findings have potential relevance for many researchers carrying out fMRI studies. Hum. Brain Mapping 24:284,290, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Clinical randomized controlled trial of chemomechanical caries removal (CarisolvÔ)INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 3 2006M. A. LOZANO-CHOURIO Summary., Objectives., The purpose of this study was to compare the chemomechanical caries-removal system (CarisolvÔ) with high-speed excavation in cavitated occlusal caries of primary molars. Design and setting., The study was a randomized controlled, clinical trial in which the two techniques were compared in each subject. Participants were chosen from public schools, in Maracaibo County, Zulia State, Venezuela. Sample and methods. The sample consisted of 80 primary molars selected from 40 children (mean age 7·7 ± 0·7 years). Each patient had at least two contralateral primary molars with cavitated occlusal caries and approximately equal-size access to lesions. The outcome variables were: clinically complete caries removal, size of the opening of the cavity, volume of carious tissue removed, pain during caries removal, anaesthesia requested by the patient, caries-removal time, and behaviour and preference of patients. Results., All treated molars were clinically caries free whichever caries-removal procedure was used. When Carisolv, was used the final cavity entrance sizes were smaller (P < 0·001) and the estimated volume of tissue removed was less (P < 0·001). The time taken for caries removal was three times longer (7·51 ± 1·83 min, P < 0·001). Some pain was reported by seven (17·5%) participants when Carisolv was used, compared with 16 (40%) when high-speed excavation was used (P < 0·05). Using the Carisolv method there was a higher proportion of patients with positive behaviour (P < 0·01), and 71·0% (P < 0·05) preferred this treatment. Conclusion., Carisolv is an effective clinical alternative treatment for the removal of occlusal dentinal caries in cavitated primary molars; it is more conservative of dental tissue and appeared to be more comfortable for most patients, although the clinical time spent is longer than when using high-speed excavation. [source] Black bear femoral geometry and cortical porosity are not adversely affected by ageing despite annual periods of disuse (hibernation)JOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 2 2007Meghan E. McGee Abstract Disuse (i.e. inactivity) causes bone loss, and a recovery period that is 2,3 times longer than the inactive period is usually required to recover lost bone. However, black bears experience annual disuse (hibernation) and remobilization periods that are approximately equal in length, yet bears maintain or increase cortical bone material properties and whole bone mechanical properties with age. In this study, we investigated the architectural properties of bear femurs to determine whether cortical structure is preserved with age in bears. We showed that cross-sectional geometric properties increase with age, but porosity and resorption cavity density do not change with age in skeletally immature male and female bears. These findings suggest that structural properties substantially contribute to increasing whole bone strength with age in bears, particularly during skeletal maturation. Porosity was not different between skeletally immature and mature bears, and showed minimal regional variations between anatomical quadrants and radial positions that were similar in pattern and magnitude between skeletally immature and mature bears. We also found gender dimorphisms in bear cortical bone properties: females have smaller, less porous bones than males. Our results provide further support for the idea that black bears possess a biological mechanism to prevent disuse osteoporosis. [source] Genome-wide linkage and QTL mapping in porcine F2 families generated from Pietrain, Meishan and Wild Boar crossesJOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 6 2003H. Geldermann Summary Three informative pig F2 families based on European Wild Boar (W), Meishan (M) and Pietrain (P) crosses have been used for genome-wide linkage and quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis. Altogether 129 microsatellites, 56 type I loci and 46 trait definitions (specific to growth, fattening, fat deposition, muscling, meat quality, stress resistance and body conformation) were included in the study. In the linkage maps of M × P, W × P and W × M families, average spacing of markers were 18.4, 19.7 and 18.8 cM, the numbers of informative meioses were 582, 534 and 625, and the total lengths of autosomes measured were 27.3, 26.0 and 26.2 Morgan units, respectively. Maternal maps were on average 1.3 times longer than paternal maps. QTLs contributing more than 3% of F2 phenotypic variance could be identified at p < 0.05 chromosome-wide level. Differences in the numbers and positions of QTLs were observed between families. Genome-wide significant QTL effects were mapped for growth and fattening traits on eight chromosomes (1, 2, 4, 13, 14, 17, 18 and X), for fat deposition traits on seven chromosomes (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and X), for muscling traits on 11 chromosomes (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 15 and X), for meat quality and stress resistance traits on seven chromosomes (2, 3, 6, 13, 16, 18 and X), and QTLs for body-conformation traits were detected on 14 chromosomes. Closely correlated traits showed similar QTL profiles within families. Major QTL effects for meat quality and stress resistance traits were found on SSC6 in the interval RYR1-A1BG in the W × P and M × P families, and could be attributed to segregation of the RYR1 allele T derived from Pietrain, whereas no effect in the corresponding SSC6 interval was found in family W × M, where Wild Boar and Meishan both contributed the RYR1 allele C. QTL positions were mostly similar in two of the three families for body conformation traits and for growth, fattening, fat deposition and muscling traits, especially on SSC4 (interval SW1073-NGFB). QTLs with large effects were also mapped on SSC7 in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) (interval CYP21A2-S0102) and affected body length, weight of head and many other traits. The identification of DNA variants in genes causative for the QTLs requires further fine mapping of QTL intervals and a positional cloning. However, for these subsequent steps, the genome-wide QTL mapping in F2 families represents an essential starting point and is therefore significant for animal breeding. Zusammenfassung Drei informative F2 -Familien, die aus Kreuzungen von Europäischem Wildschwein (W), Meishan (M) und Pietrain (P) erstellt worden waren, wurden für eine genomweite Kopplungs- und QTL-Analyse benutzt. Insgesamt wurden 129 Mikrosatellitenloci, 56 Type-I-Loci und 46 Merkmalsdefinitionen (für Wachstum, Mastleistung, Fettansatz, Bemuskelung, Fleischqualität, Stressresistenz und Körperform) in die Untersuchungen einbezogen. In den Kopplungskarten der Familien M × P, W × P und W × M wurden durchschnittliche Markerabstände von 18.4, 19.7 bzw. 18.8 cM erreicht und 582, 534 bzw. 625 informative Meiosen beobachtet. Für die Gesamtlängen der Autosomen wurden in den drei Familien 27.3, 26.0 bzw. 26.2 Morgan-Einheiten gemessen. Die maternalen Kopplungskarten waren durchschnittlich 1.3-fach länger als die paternalen. QTLs, die mehr als 3% der phänotypischen Varianz in der F2 -Generation erklärten, konnten mit p < 0.05 chromosomenweitem Signifikanzniveau nachgewiesen werden. Zwischen den Familien wurden Differenzen in den Anzahlen und Positionen der QTLs beobachtet. Genomweit signifikante QTL-Effekte wurden für Wachstum und Fettansatz auf acht Chromosomen (1, 2, 4, 13, 14, 17, 18 und X) kartiert, für Fettansatz auf sieben Chromosomen (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 und X), für Bemuskelung auf elf Chromosomen (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 15 und X), für Fleischqualität/Stressresistenz auf sieben Chromosomen (2, 3, 6, 13, 16, 18 und X), und QTLs für die Körperform wurden auf 14 Chromosomen kartiert. Eng korrelierte Merkmale zeigten ähnliche QTL-Profile innerhalb Familien. Die bedeutsamsten QTL-Effekte wurden für Fleischqualitäts- und Stressresistenzmerkmale auf Chromosom 6, Intervall RYR1-A1BG, in den Familien W × P und M × P gefunden, während in diesem Chromosomenintervall in der Familie W × M, in der der RYR1 -Locus keine segregierenden Exon-Allele aufwies, kein QTL zu erkennen war. Mehrere der QTL-Positionen waren für die Körperform wie auch für Wachstum, Mastleistung, Fettansatz und Bemuskelung in zwei von drei Familien ähnlich. Dies galt besonders für Chromosom 4 (Intervall SW1073-NGFB). QTLs mit großen Effekten wurden auf Chromosom 7 im MHC (Intervall CYP21A2-S0102) kartiert; sie beeinflussten Körperlänge, Kopfgewicht, aber auch viele weitere Merkmale. Zur Identifizierung der DNA-Varianten, die einem QTL zugrunde liegen, ist eine Feinkartierung von QTLs und positionale Klonierung erforderlich. Für diese nachfolgenden Untersuchungsmethoden ist jedoch die genomweite QTL-Kartierung in F2 -Familien ein entscheidender Ausgangspunkt; sie ist deshalb bedeutungsvoll für die Tierzüchtung. [source] Some characteristics of sperm motility in European hake (Merluccius merluccius, L., 1758)JOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 5 2010A.-L. Groison Summary The objective of this paper is to characterize some of the sperm motility parameters in European hake (Merluccius merluccius), which is considered to be a species with aquaculture potential. The total ATP, ADP and AMP concentrations were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography on hake sperm samples collected during the winter-early spring in the Bay of Biscay (France) (n = 22) and on hake sperm samples collected during the summer-early autumn in waters off Western Norway (n = 5). The Adenylate Energy Charge (AEC) was deduced from these data. Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) was used to measure a series of parameters characterizing the motility and the sperm swimming performances. Changes in salinity of the swimming medium affected all the measured motility parameters. The sperm velocity and the straightness of the movement were at maximum when sperm was activated with 100% filtrated sea water (100 SW) but decreased sharply later. When sperm was activated in filtrated sea water (50% diluted with distilled water: 50 SW) the values of these parameters increased (with a lower percentage of active cells) during the first 2.5 min and thereafter decreased slowly. In 50 SW, the initial velocity was lowered but the swimming period lasting 4.5 times longer than in 100 SW (but with a lower percentage of actively swimming cells). Initial sperm motility (percentage of swimming cells) in 100 SW was affected by sperm storage duration. Undiluted sperm could be stored at 4°C for 5 days and still show 13 ± 7% motility; the velocity and straightness of the movement were at maximum at the earliest period of measurement (0.5,1 day of storage) and then decreased gradually to reach their minima after 4 days of storage. Further, both the AEC and ATP content decreased with storage time, with the AEC decreasing from 0.78 ± 0.07 (mean ± SD) at stripping time to 0.20 ± 0.09 after 2 days of storage. Over the same period ATP content decreased from 85 ± 80 to 5 ± 4 nanomoles 10,9 spermatozoa, these data presenting a high variability. [source] Quantitative Analysis of the Duration of Slow Conduction in the Reentrant Circuit of Ventricular Tachycardia After Myocardial InfarctionJOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 9 2008YI-GANG LI M.D. Background: Few data are available to define the circuits in ventricular tachycardia (VT) after myocardial infarction and the conduction time (CT) through the zone of slow conduction (SCZ). This study assessed the CT of the SCZ and identified different reentrant circuits. Methods: During VTs, concealed entrainment (CE) was attempted. The SCZ was identified by a difference between postpacing interval (PPI) and VT cycle length (VTcl) ,30 ms. Since the CT in the normally conducting part of the VT circuit is constant during VT and CE, a CE site within the reentrant circuit with (S-QRS)/PPI , 50% was classified as an inner reentry in which the entire circuit was within the scar, and a CE site with (S-QRS)/PPI < 50% as a common reentry in which part of the circuit was within the scar and part out of the scar. Results: CE was achieved in 20 VTs (12 patients). Six VTs (30%) with a (S-QRS)/PPI ,50% were classified as inner reentry and 14 VTs (70%) with a (S-QRS)/PPI <50% during CE mapping as common reentry. The EG-QRS interval (308 ± 73 ms vs 109 ± 59 ms, P < 0.0001) was significantly longer and the incidence of systolic potentials higher (4/6 vs 0/12, P < 0.001) in the inner reentry group. For the 14 VTs with a common reetry, the CT of the SCZ was 348 ± 73 ms, while the CT in the normal area was 135 ± 50 ms. Conclusion: According to the proposed classification, 30% of VTs after myocardial infarction had an entire reentrant circuit within the scar. In VTs with a common reentrant circuit, the CT of the SCZ is approximately four times longer than the CT in the normal area, accounting for more than 70% of VTcl. [source] Kinetics and thermodynamics of glucoamylase inhibition by lactate during fermentable sugar production from food wasteJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 5 2010Xiao Qiang Wang Abstract BACKGROUND: Glucoamylase hydrolysis is a key step in the bioconversion of food waste with complicated composition. This work investigated the effect of lactate on glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger UV-60, and inhibition mechanisms of glucoamylase by lactate during food waste hydrolysis. RESULTS: For 125 min hydrolysis of food waste (10%, dry basis), reducing sugars produced in the absence of lactate were 15%, 26% and 56% more than those produced in the presence of 24 g L,1 lactate at 60, 50 and 40 °C, respectively. Kinetic study showed that the type of glucoamylase inhibition by lactate was competitive, and Km (Michaelis-Menten constent), Vmax (maximum initial velocity), KI (inhibition constant) were 103.2 g L,1, 5.0 g L,1 min,1, 100.6 g L,1, respectively, for food waste hydrolysis at 60 °C and pH 4.6. Lactate also accelerated glucoamylase denaturation significantly. Activation energy of denaturation without inhibitor was 61% greater than that of denaturation with inhibitor (24 g L,1 lactate). Half-lives (t1/2) without inhibitor were 7.6, 2.7, 2.6, 1.7 and 1.2 times longer than those with inhibitor at temperature 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 °C, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results are helpful to process optimization of saccharification and bioconversion of food waste. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Analysis of the factors related with mate choice and reproductive success in male three-spined sticklebacksJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2000E. R. Cubillos Territorial three-spined sticklebacks moved 5·3 times as far as non-territorial males in 2 min (P < 0·001) and spent 11·1 times longer in aggression in the pools (P< 0·001). Territorial males had slightly higher condition factors than non-territorial males. Condition factor was correlated positively with the gonad mass (P< 0·006), carotenoid concentration (P< 0·006) and the activity of CS in the axial muscle (P< 0·05) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in pectoral muscle (P < 0·003). The male traits best correlated positively with female mate choice were courtship effort (P< 0·001), coloration (P< 0·003) and initial condition (P< 0·025). Courtship behaviour was related to intestine mass (P< 0·018), axial (P< 0·028) and pectoral muscle citrate synthase (CS) activity (P< 0·047); coloration was related to gonad mass (P< 0·037). These muscle enzymes may be involved in ATP generation for sustained activities or in recuperation between bouts of burst activity. Females that choose to mate with assiduously courting males which bear higher CS levels may be choosing individuals that show honestly their good condition and capacity to accomplish reproductive tasks. [source] Quality Evaluation of Pinto Beans and Green Beans Canned in Two Large Reusable ContainersJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 6 2003W.G. McGlynn ABSTRACT: As an alternative to standard metal cans, 2 large-scale, reusable containers were constructed with volumetric capacities 3.6 to 3.8 times greater and process times 1.36 to 2.05 times longer than a nr 10 can. Effects of increased process time on product quality were measured by conducting objective color and texture evaluations on green beans and pinto beans canned in both containers. Green beans and pinto beans had comparable texture profiles to beans processed conventionally in nr 10 cans. The color of green beans also was comparable; the color of pinto beans was darker, possibly due to contact with the metal container. Color and texture differences were minimal between inner and outer product layers. [source] The child verbal competence effect in court: a comparative study of field investigative interviews of children in child sexual abuse casesJOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE PSYCHOLOGY AND OFFENDER PROFILING, Issue 2 2009Trond Myklebust Abstract The purpose of this study is to compare field investigative interviews of children (FIIC) with three different legal outcomes in child sexual abuse cases: (i) insufficient evidence to proceed (IEP); (ii) convictions; or (iii) acquittals by the court. One hundred FIIC were divided into one of the three outcome possibilities. Amongst the female interviewees older than 10 years, there were no cases of acquittals and the convicted cases were over-represented. The children's response to open questions was found to be the main difference between the three FIIC outcomes. The responses to these open questions were 1.9 and 2.3 times longer in the convicted cases compared to acquittals and IEP. Possible explanations for the result are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Selective maximization of 31P MR spectroscopic signals of in vivo human brain metabolites at 3TJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 3 2007Rose-Ann M. Blenman PhD Abstract Purpose To develop a short TR, short TE, large flip angle (LFA), in vivo 31P MR spectroscopy (MRS) technique at 3T that selectively maximizes the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of long T1 human brain metabolites implicated in bipolar disorder. Materials and Methods Two pulse sequences were evaluated for efficiency. Slice profiles acquired with the scaled, sinc-shaped, radiofrequency (RF) LFA pulses were compared to those acquired with Shinnar-Le Roux (SLR) RF LFA pulses. The SLR-based LFA pulse sequence was used to maximize the inorganic phosphate signal in a phantom, after which volunteer metabolite signals were selectively maximized and compared to their correlates acquired with conventional spin-echo methods. Results The comparison of slice profiles acquired with sinc-shaped RF LFA pulses vs. SLR RF LFA pulses showed that SLR-based pulse sequences, with their improved excitation and slice profiles, yield significantly better results. In vivo LFA spin-echo MRS implemented with SLR pulses selectively increased the 31P MRS signal, by as much as 93%, of human brain metabolites that have T1 times longer than the TR of the acquisition. Conclusion The data show that the LFA technique can be employed in vivo to maximize the signal of long T131P brain metabolites at a given TE and TR. LFAs ranging between 120° and 150° are shown to maximize the 31P signal of human brain metabolites at 3T. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Chemical and sensory stability of roasted high-oleic peanuts from ArgentinaJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 6 2006Valeria Nepote Abstract The purpose of this work was to determine the chemical and sensory stability of roasted peanuts prepared with a high-oleic cultivar, Granoleico (GO-RP), in comparison to a regular cultivar, Tegua (T-RP), from Argentina. Consumer test of fresh products, oxidative stability estimated by chemical indicators (peroxide and p -anisidine values, conjugated dienes and trienes) and descriptive analyses during storage (at 23 and 40 °C) were performed on the roasted peanuts. GO-RP did not differ from T-RP as regards consumer acceptance. Chemical indicator values and oxidized and cardboard flavors showed lower increments for GO-RP than T-RP during storage. Roasted peanutty flavor decreased for both samples at 23 and 40 °C. Using prediction equations, roasted peanuts prepared with kernels of high-oleic contents had shelf lives of 25 (at 23 °C) and 10 (at 40 °C) times longer than those elaborated with normal peanuts. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Preclinical pharmacology of robenacoxib: a novel selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 1 2009J. N. KING This manuscript reports the results of preclinical studies in the rat with robenacoxib, a novel selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor. Robenacoxib selectively inhibited COX-2 in vitro as evidenced from COX-1:COX-2 IC50 ratios of 27:1 in purified enzyme preparations and >967:1 in isolated cell assays. Binding to COX-1 was rapid and readily reversible (dissociation t1/2 << 1 min), whilst COX-2 binding was slowly reversible (t1/2 = 25 min). In vivo, robenacoxib inhibited PGE2 production (an index of COX-2 inhibition) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated air pouches (ID50 0.3 mg/kg) and for at least 24 h in zymosan-induced inflammatory exudate (at 2 mg/kg). Robenacoxib was COX-1 sparing, as it inhibited serum TxB2 synthesis ex vivo (an index of COX-1 inhibition) only at very high doses (100 mg/kg but not at 2,30 mg/kg). Robenacoxib inhibited carrageenan-induced paw oedema (ID50 0.40,0.48 mg/kg), LPS-induced fever (ID50 1.1 mg/kg) and Randall,Selitto pain (10 mg/kg). Robenacoxib was highly bound to plasma protein (99.9% at 50 ng/mL in vitro). After intravenous dosing, clearance was 2.4 mL/min/kg and volume of distribution at steady-state was 306 mL/kg. Robenacoxib was preferentially distributed into inflammatory exudate; the AUC for exudate was 2.9 times higher than for blood and the MRT in exudate (15.9 h) was three times longer than in blood (5.3 h). Robenacoxib produced significantly less gastric ulceration and intestinal permeability as compared with the reference nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), diclofenac, and did not inhibit PGE2 or 6-keto PGF1, concentrations in the stomach and ileum at 30 mg/kg. Robenacoxib also had no relevant effects on kidney function at 30 mg/kg. In summary, results of preclinical studies in rats studies suggest that robenacoxib has an attractive pharmacological profile for potential use in the intended target species, cats and dogs. [source] Bioavailability of amprolium in fasting and nonfasting chickens after intravenous and oral administrationJOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 1 2000Hamamoto The bioavailability of amprolium (APL) was measured after intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) administration to chickens. Twelve healthy chickens weighing 1.28,1.41 kg received a dose of 13 mg APL/kg intravenously, and 13 or 26 mg APL/kg orally in both a fasted and a nonfasted condition in a Latin square design. Plasma samples were taken from the subwing vein for determination of APL concentration by HPLC method. The data following intravenous and oral administration were best fitted by 2-compartment and 1-compartment models, respectively, using weighted nonlinear least squares regression. The half-life beta t½,, volume of distribution (Vd) and total body clearance (Cl) after intravenous administration were 0.21 h, 0.12 L/kg and 1.32 L/h.kg, respectively. The elimination half-life (t½ Kel) after oral administration was 0.292,0.654 h which is 1.5,3.2 times longer than after intravenous administration, suggesting the presence of a ,flip-flop' phenomenon in chickens. The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of 13 mg/kg APL administered orally to chickens during fasting was significantly (about four times) higher than that during nonfasting (P < 0.05). Bioavailability during nonfasting was from 2.3 to 2.6%, and 6.4% during fasting. [source] Growth and development of giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) cubs at Beijing ZooJOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, Issue 2 2001Jianjun Peng Abstract We studied the postnatal body weight gain and development of 11 male and nine female giant panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca cubs born at Beijing Zoo from 1985 to 1998. Growth rates of the cubs appeared to be sexually dimorphic from the fourth month after birth; the male grew slightly faster than the female cubs. Growth rates between artificially fed and naturally fed cubs were significantly different from the fourth month after birth. The growth rate of the artificially fed cubs was slightly higher than that of the cubs fed by their mothers, indicating that the substitute milk satisfied the nutrient needs of the cubs. The body length of the cubs increased rapidly after birth; 8-month-old cubs were three times longer than newborn cubs. Chest circumferences of 8-month-old cubs also increased to twice that of newborn cubs. Tail length relative to body length was reduced from 14.9% at birth to about 8.6% in 8-month-old cubs. Cubs started to grow teeth when they were 3 months old. By the age of 1 year, the cubs had fully grown deciduous teeth. The teeth formula of one 1-year-old cub was 2·1·3·0/2·1·3·0=24. We recorded the changes in fur colour, development of the sense organs and limbs of the giant panda cubs. Finally, we compared the body weight and life-history parameters of giant pandas with those of bears and raccoons and discussed the management regime for the care of captive-born giant panda cubs. [source] The effects of water retention time and watershed features on the limnology of two tropical reservoirs in BrazilLAKES & RESERVOIRS: RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2008Maria Carolina S. Soares Abstract Although reservoirs are similar to natural lakes in many respects, such driving forces as water retention time and watershed features can play important roles in the limnology of manmade lakes. With the goal of investigating how these factors influence the limnology of tropical reservoirs, physical and chemical variables were measured at four sampling sites in two reservoirs in southern Brazil, from June 2002 to June 2003. Funil Reservoir is located in one of the most-populated areas in the country, in the Paraíba do Sul river basin, which drains and drastically influences the water quality of the reservoir. In contrast, Lajes Reservoir is located in a well-preserved area, with its water retention time varying from six to 30 times longer than for Funil Reservoir. Funil Reservoir is a turbid (median euphotic zone = 4.3 m), eutrophic reservoir (median total phosphorus (TP) = 3.1 µm), with a high phytoplankton biomass (median chlorophyll- a concentration = 10.0 µg L,1). In contrast, Lajes Reservoir is a transparent (median euphotic zone = 9.2 m), mesotrophic water system (median TP = 1.0 µm), with a low phytoplankton biomass (median chlorophyll- a = 1.9 µg L,1). Both reservoirs were stratified during the summer months, but isothermy was only observed in Funil Reservoir. Because of its short water retention time, Funil Reservoir is a much more dynamic system than Lajes Reservoir, with a pronounced temporal pattern related to changes in its water column and its phytoplankton biomass. Spatial heterogeneity is more evident in Lajes Reservoir, mainly as a consequence of its location in a preserved area, long water retention time and the presence of net cages for fish culture in the waterbody. The typical spatial zonation found in reservoirs, related to nutrient sedimentation and light availability, however, is more evident in Funil Reservoir than in Lajes Reservoir. Despite the similarities between these two water systems, which are in the same geographical region with similar climate, and are comparable in size, the distinct watershed features and water retention time are responsible for marked differences between these reservoirs. [source] Codeswitching in English Courses in Chinese UniversitiesMODERN LANGUAGE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2010HANS VAN DER MEIJ This study examines the views of teachers and students on the frequency of teacher codeswitching in English major courses in Chinese universities. An important distinction made in the inquiry is the difference between,believed,and,desired,presence in short or long moments of codeswitching. Lessons were recorded to assess the accuracy of teachers' beliefs on codeswitching frequency. The data indicate that teachers felt comfortable with their current practices. They were unaware, however, that their actual codeswitching practice was 7 times more frequent and took 10 times longer than believed. Students wanted (even) more and longer switches. Both teachers and students perceive the classroom as a compound bilingual space in which teacher codeswitching is desirable and functional. The conclusion further discusses the factors that presumably affect the diverse outcomes that many studies, including this one, report for codeswitching frequency. [source] The outburst duration and duty cycle of GRS 1915+105MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 3 2009Patrick Deegan ABSTRACT The extraordinarily long outburst of GRS 1915+105 makes it one of the most remarkable low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs). It has been in a state of constant outburst since its discovery in 1992, an eruption which has persisted ,100 times longer than those of more typical LXMBs. The long orbital period of GRS 1915+105 implies that it contains large and massive accretion disc which is able to fuel its extreme outburst. In this paper, we address the longevity of the outburst and quiescence phases of GRS 1915+105 using smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH) simulations of its accretion disc through many outburst cycles. Our model is set in the two-, framework and includes the effects of the thermoviscous instability, tidal torques, irradiation by central X-rays and wind mass loss. We explore the model parameter space and examine the impact of the various ingredients. We predict that the outburst of GRS 1915+105 should last a minimum of 20 yr and possibly up to ,100 yr if X-ray irradiation is very significant. The predicted recurrence times are of the order of 104 yr, making the X-ray duty cycle a few 0.1 per cent. Such a low duty cycle may mean that GRS 1915+105 is not an anomaly among the more standard LMXBs and that many similar, but quiescent, systems could be present in the Galaxy. [source] Burden of parkinsonism: A population-based studyMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 3 2003FRCPC, Mark Guttman MD Abstract Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with a significant burden of illness and cost to society, which has been difficult to quantify. Our objective was to use linked administrative databases from the population of Ontario, Canada, to assess the prevalence of parkinsonism, physician- and drug-related costs, and hospital utilization for parkinsonian patients compared with age/sex matched controls. An inception cohort of parkinsonian cases from 1993/1994 was age and sex matched (1:2) to controls and followed for 6 years. Patients were identified by the diagnostic code for PD, the use of specific PD drugs, or a combination. The parkinsonian case cohort (15,304) was matched to (30,608) controls that did not have parkinsonism. The age-adjusted prevalence rates were 3.63 for men and for 3.24 women per 1,000 (increased by 5.4% for men and 9.8% for women). Physician costs were 1.4 times more, there were 1.44 times more hospital admissions, admissions were on average 1.19 times longer, and drug costs were 3.0 times more for parkinsonian cases. We conclude that the substantially higher physician and drug costs as well as hospitalization rates compared with controls clearly suggest that parkinsonism is associated with large direct costs to society. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society [source] Mitigating Photosensitivity of Erythropoietic Protoporphyria Patients by an Agonistic Analog of ,-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone,PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Juergen H. Harms Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is a rare hereditary disorder characterized by dermal accumulation of the photosensitizer protoporphyrin IX. Following sunlight exposure, the resulting photosensitivity is manifested first as pain, later as erythema, edema and dermal lesions. Afamelanotide (Nle4 -d-Phe7 -,-MSH), a synthetic analog of ,-melanocyte stimulating hormone and agonist of the melanocortin-1-receptor, promotes melanin synthesis, increasing skin pigmentation. This study examines the efficacy of afamelanotide in preventing symptoms in patients with EPP. A sustained-release subcutaneous implant of 20 mg afamelanotide was administered twice, with a 60-day interval to five EPP patients. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed by a photoprovocation test using standardized white light irradiation, melanin density (MD) determination and daily recording of sunlight exposure and symptoms. From Day 30 to Day 120 tolerance to photoprovocation significantly increased compared with baseline (P = 0.007) and skin MD was significantly higher than that recorded at baseline (P = 0.004). Except for two low-grade pain episodes, patients recorded no phototoxic events past Day 4 of treatment. Tolerance to natural sunlight was up to 24 times longer than prior to therapy. The findings demonstrate beneficial effects of afamelanotide in patients with EPP. Due to the limited number of patients enrolled and the design being an open-label study, confirmation by a large-scale trial is required. [source] Defect density dependence of carrier dynamics in AlGaN multiple quantum wells grown on GaN substrates and templatesPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 7 2005G. A. Garrett Abstract Subpicosecond time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) has been used to compare the room temperature carrier dynamics in Al0.1Ga0.9N/Al0.3Ga0.7N multiple quantum well (MQW) structures simultaneously deposited on a high quality free standing HVPE GaN substrate (dislocation density ,1 × 107cm,2) and 1 µm MOCVD GaN template on sapphire. The PL lifetime of ,500 ps in the MQW on GaN substrate is about 5 times longer than that for the MQW on GaN template, with a concomitant increase in CW PL intensity. This behavior is attributed primarily to an increase in nonradiative lifetime associated with a 100 times reduction in dislocation density in the GaN substrate. The observation that the PL lifetime in the MQW falls short of the ,900 ps dominant decay time in the GaN substrate may be indicative of generation of additional defects and dislocations due to substrate surface preparation, strain relaxation, and nonoptimal growth temperature associated with the difference in heating of the thin GaN template on sapphire and the thick GaN substrate. An extended PL rise time of greater than 20 ps for the MQW emission when above barrier pumping is employed implies that both wells and barriers are of high quality. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||