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Selected AbstractsThe dimensionality of alcohol use disorders and alcohol consumption in a cross-national perspectiveADDICTION, Issue 2 2010Guilherme Borges ABSTRACT Aims To replicate the finding that there is a single dimension trait in alcohol use disorders and to test whether the usual 5+ drinks for men and 4+ drinks for women and other measures of alcohol consumption help to improve alcohol use disorder criteria in a series of diverse patients from emergency departments (EDs) in four countries. Design Cross-sectional surveys of patients aged 18 years and older that reflected consecutive arrival at the ED. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview Core was used to obtain a diagnosis of DSM-IV alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse; quantity and frequency of drinking and drunkenness as well as usual number of drinks consumed during the last year. Setting Participants were 5195 injured and non-injured patients attending seven EDs in four countries: Argentina, Mexico, Poland and the United States (between 1995,2001). Findings Using exploratory factor analyses alcohol use disorders can be described as a single, unidimensional continuum without any clear-cut distinction between the criteria for dependence and abuse in all sites. Results from item response theory analyses showed that the current DSM-IV criteria tap people in the middle,upper end of the alcohol use disorder continuum. Alcohol consumption (amount and frequency of use) can be used in all EDs with the current DSM-IV diagnostic criteria to help tap the middle,lower part of this continuum. Even though some specific diagnostic criteria and some alcohol consumption variables showed differential item function across sites, test response curves were invariant for ED sites and their inclusion would not impact the final (total) performance of the diagnostic system. Conclusions DSM-IV abuse and dependence form a unidimensional continuum in ED patients regardless of country of survey. Alcohol consumption variables, if added, would help to tap patients with more moderate severity. The DSM diagnostic system for alcohol use disorders showed invariance and performed extremely well in these samples. [source] The Birth of the CAP Die Geburt der GAP La naissance de la PACEUROCHOICES, Issue 2 2008David R. Stead Summary The Birth of the CAP Fifty years ago, a Conference was held at Stresa which could be said to be the single event that most appropriately marks the birth of the CAP. Although five policy objectives had been written into the 1957 Treaty of Rome, these have been widely criticised for being vague and contradictory, and the Treaty contained very few stipulations on the specific policy instruments to be adopted. The Stresa Conference made important, but incomplete, progress towards finalising the policy framework. Most notably, it was generally agreed to avoid a level of price support that created unwanted commodity surpluses and inhibited structural adjustment. But these good intentions, and the positive ,European spirit' of the Conference, began to unravel as soon as the fraught decisions were taken on the details of unifying the protectionist agricultural policies of six different countries. In particular, the decision to fix the initial level of common cereals prices at the upper end of the national spread set an unsatisfactory reference point for other support prices; and an attempt to introduce a genuine common structural policy was rejected. At the turn of the 1970s, the CAP was clearly unbalanced and protectionist, but the Community's first fully-fledged common policy had been constructed. Il y a cinquante ans, s'est tenue à Stresa une Conférence qui pourrait être considérée comme l'évènement unique qui marque le mieux la naissance de la PAC. Bien que cinq objectifs pour l'action publique aient été inscrits dans le Traité de Rome en 1957, leur caractère imprécis et contradictoire a fait l'objet de nombreuses critiques et le Traité ne comportait que de très rares indications sur les instruments de politique à adopter. La Conférence de Stresa a permis de réaliser des progrès importants mais incomplets dans la définition du cadre de l'action publique. Intéressant à noter, il a généralement été convenu d'éviter un niveau de soutien des prix qui engendrerait des surplus excessifs de produits de base et empêcherait l'ajustement structurel. Mais ces bonnes intentions, ainsi que l'esprit "européen" positif de la Conférence, ont commencéà se dissoudre dès que des décisions problématiques furent prises sur le détail de l'uniformisation des politiques agricoles protectionnistes de six pays différents. En particulier, la décision consistant à fixer le niveau initial des prix communs des céréales à la borne supérieur du spectre des prix nationaux a constitué un point de référence peu satisfaisant pour les autres prix de soutien; et la tentative d'introduire une vraie politique commune des structures a avorté. Au tournant des années soixante dix, la PAC était nettement déséquilibrée et protectionniste, mais la première politique complètement commune de la Communautéétait en place. Vor 50 Jahren fand in Stresa eine Konferenz statt, bei welcher es sich wohl um das einzige Ereignis handelt, welches am zutreffendsten als Geburtstag der GAP betrachtet werden kann. Obgleich die politische Zielsetzung bereits 1957 in den Römischen Verträgen festgelegt worden war, standen diese wegen ihrer vagen Formulierung und Widersprüchlichkeit häufig im Kreuzfeuer der Kritik. Die Verträge enthielten nur sehr wenige konkrete Vereinbarungen im Hinblick auf die einzuführenden politischen Instrumente. Durch die Konferenz in Stresa konnten wichtige, jedoch unvollständige, Fortschritte bei der Ausarbeitung der politischen Rahmenbedingungen erzielt werden. Vor allem gab es den allgemeinen Konsens, dass es aufgrund der Preisstützung nicht zu unerwünschten Überschüssen bei Agrarprodukten und zu einer Hemmung der Strukturanpassungen kommen dürfe. Diese guten Absichten und die "europäische Gesinnung" der Konferenz schwanden jedoch, als die bedeutsamen Entscheidungen hinsichtlich der Einzelheiten für die Vereinheitlichung der protektionistischen Agrarpolitiken der sechs verschiedenen Länder getroffen wurden. Insbesondere die Entscheidung, das Anfangsniveau der gemeinsamen Preise für Getreide an der oberen Grenze der nationalen Preisspannen festzumachen, legte einen unbefriedigenden Referenzpunkt für die übrigen Stützpreise fest. Der Vorschlag, eine originär gemeinsame Strukturpolitik einzuführen, wurde abgelehnt. Um 1970 war die GAP eindeutig unausgewogen und protektionistisch; der Entwurf der ersten vollständigen gemeinsamen Politik der Gemeinschaft war jedoch abgeschlossen. [source] HPV triage testing or repeat Pap smear for the management of atypical squamous cells (ASCUS) on Pap smear: is there evidence of process utility?HEALTH ECONOMICS, Issue 5 2008Kirsten Howard Abstract A two-stage standard gamble was used to evaluate women's preferences for alternative managements of atypical squamous cells of undermined significance (ASCUS) on Pap smear (repeat Pap smear compared with immediate HPV test), and to test for the evidence of process utility. Women's utilities for the health state scenarios were clustered towards the upper end of the 0,1 scale with considerable variability in women's preferences. There was evidence of process utility, with immediate human papillomavirus (HPV) testing strategies having lower valuations than repeat Pap smear, where the clinical outcome was the same. Mean (95% CI) utilities for HPV testing (negative test) followed by resolution were 0.9967 (0.9957,0.9978) compared with repeat Pap smear followed by resolution: 0.9972 (0.9964,0.9980). Mean (95% CI) utilities for immediate HPV testing (positive test), followed by colposcopy, biopsy and treatment were 0.9354 (0.8544,1.0) compared with repeat Pap smear followed by colposcopy, biopsy and treatment: 0.9656 (0.9081,1.0). Our results add to the existing evidence that the impact of healthcare interventions on well-being is not limited to the effect of the intervention on the health outcomes expected from the intervention; process of care can have quality of life implications for the individual. A modelled application of trial-based data will allow characterisation of the true population costs, benefits, risks and harms of alternative triage strategies and subsequent policy implications thereof. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Does an alteration of dialyzer design and geometry affect biocompatibility parameters?HEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2006Karel OPATRNÝ Jr. Abstract The aim of the study was to assess the biocompatibility profile of a newly developed high-flux polysulfone dialyzer type (FX-class dialyzer). The new class of dialyzers incorporates a number of novel design features (including a new membrane) that have been developed specifically in order to enhance the removal of small- and middle-size molecules. The new FX dialyzer series was compared with the classical routinely used high-flux polysulfone F series of dialyzers. In an open prospective, randomized, crossover clinical study, concentrations of the C5a complement component, and leukocyte count in blood and various thrombogenicity parameters were evaluated before, and at 15 and 60 min of hemodialysis at both dialyzer inlet and outlet in 9 long-term hemodialysis patients using the FX60S dialyzers and, after crossover, the classical F60S, while in another 9 patients, the evaluation was made with the dialyzers used in reverse order. The comparison of dialyzers based on evaluation of the group including all procedures with the FX60S and the group including procedures with the F60S did not reveal significant differences in platelet count, activated partial thromboplastin times, plasma heparin levels, platelet factor-4, D-dimer, C5a, and leukocyte count at any point of the collecting period. Both dialyzer types showed a significant increase in the plasma levels of the thrombin-antithrombin III complexes; however, the measured levels were only slightly elevated compared with the upper end of the normal range. Biocompatibility parameters reflecting the behavior of platelets, fibrinolysis, complement activation, and leukopenia do not differ during dialysis with either the FX60S or the F60S despite their large differences in design and geometry features. Although coagulation activation, as evaluated by one of the parameters used, was slightly higher with the FX60S, it was still within the range seen with other highly biocompatible dialyzers and therefore is not indicative of any appreciable activation of the coagulation system. Thus, the incorporation of various performance-enhancing design features into the new FX class of dialyzers does not result in a deterioration of their biocompatibility profile, which is comparable to that of the classical F series of dialyzers. [source] Combined exposures to anti-androgenic chemicals: steps towards cumulative risk assessmentINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 2 2010A. Kortenkamp Summary There is widespread exposure to anti-androgens, a group of chemicals able to disrupt androgen action in foetal life, with irreversible de-masculinizing consequences. Substances of concern include certain phthalates, pesticides and chemicals used in cosmetics and personal care products. Although people come into contact with several anti-androgens, chemicals risk assessment normally does not take account of the effects of combined exposures. However, a disregard for combination effects may lead to underestimations of risks and for this reason, we have assessed the feasibility of conducting cumulative risk assessment, where the focus is on considering the effects of exposure to multiple chemicals, via multiple routes and pathways. Following recent recommendations by the US National Research Council, we have, for the first time, included phthalates and other anti-androgenic chemicals, a total of 15 substances. On the basis of exposure estimates for the individual chemicals and reference doses for anti-androgenicity, we have used the hazard index approach. We show that the cumulative risks from anti-androgen exposures exceed acceptable levels for people on the upper end of exposure levels. The value obtained for median exposures to the 15 substances can be judged tolerable. However, significant knowledge gaps exist that prevent us from arriving at definitive conclusions. Of greatest concern is an absence of appropriate in vivo toxicity data about large numbers of in vitro androgen receptor antagonists. Knowledge about the effect profiles of these chemicals will lead to higher risk estimates. Our analysis suggests that risk reductions can be achieved by limiting exposures to the plasticizer diethyl hexyl phthalate, the cosmetic ingredients butyl- and propyl paraben, the pesticides vinclozolin, prochloraz and procymidone and bisphenol A. [source] Kinetics of the thermal isomerization of 1,1,2,2-tetramethylcyclopropaneINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL KINETICS, Issue 8 2006David K. Lewis Reaction rates for the structural isomerization of 1,1,2,2-tetramethylcyclopropane to 2,4-dimethyl-2-pentene have been measured over a wide temperature range, 672,750 K in a static reactor and 1000,1120 K in a single-pulse shock tube. The combined data from the two temperature regions give Arrhenius parameters Ea=64.7 (±0.5) kcal/mol and log10(A, s,1) = 15.47 (±0.13). These values lie at the upper end of the ranges of Ea and log A values (62.2,64.7 kcal/mol and 14.82,15.55, respectively) obtained from three previous experimental studies, each of which covered a narrower temperature range. The previously noted trend toward lower Ea values for structural isomerization of methylcyclopropanes as methyl substitution increases extends only through the dimethylcyclopropanes (1,1- and 1,2-); Ea then appears to increase with further methyl substitution. In contrast, the pre-exponential factors for isomerization of cyclopropane and all of the methylcyclopropanes through tetramethylcyclopropane lie within ±0.3 of log10(A, s,1) = 15.2 and show no particular trend with increasing substitution. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 483,488, 2006 [source] The post-fledging period in a tropical bird: patterns of parental care and survivalJOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2010Corey E. Tarwater How environmental conditions affect the timing and extent of parental care is a fundamental question in comparative studies of life histories. The post-fledging period is deemed critical for offspring fitness, yet few studies have examined this period, particularly in tropical birds. Tropical birds are predicted to have extended parental care during the post-fledging period and this period may be key to understanding geographic variation in avian reproductive strategies. We studied a neotropical passerine, the western slaty-antshrike Thamnophilus atrinucha, and predicted greater care and higher survival during the post-fledging period compared to earlier stages. Furthermore, we predicted that duration of post-fledging parental care and survival would be at the upper end of the distribution for Northern Hemisphere passerines. Correspondingly, we observed that provisioning continued for 6,12 weeks after fledging. In addition, provisioning rate was greater after fledging and offspring survival from fledging to independence was 75%, greater than all estimates from north-temperate passerines. Intervals between nesting attempts were longer when the first brood produced successful fledglings compared to nests where offspring died either in the nest or upon fledging. Parents delayed initiating second nests after the first successful brood until fledglings were near independence. Our results indicate that parents provide greater care after fledging and this extended care likely increased offspring survival. Moreover, our findings of extended post-fledging parental care and higher post-fledging survival compared to Northern Hemisphere species have implications for understanding latitudinal variation in reproductive effort and parental investment strategies. [source] Fermentation of enzymatic hydrolysates from olive stones by Pachysolen tannophilusJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Manuel Cuevas Abstract BACKGROUND: Olive stones were pretreated with liquid hot water (LHW or autohydrolysis) at maximum temperatures between 175 and 225 °C (severity factors, logR0, between 2.73 and 4.39) to be subjected (both liquid and solid components) afterwards to enzymatic hydrolysis with cellulases from Trichoderma viride. Ethanol fermentation of hydrolysates was performed with the non-traditional yeast Pachysolen tannophilus ATCC 32691. RESULTS: After the enzymatic step, yields of hemicellulose solubilization reached 100%, while the cellulose was only partially hydrolysed (23%, logR0 = 4.39). The maximum yields in total reducing sugars and acetic acid, at the upper end of the severity range, was close to 0.25 and 0.04 g g,1 dry stone, respectively. During the fermentation stage, the increase in R0 reduced the maximum specific growth rate, biomass productivity, and overall biomass yield. The overall yields of ethanol and xylitol ranged, respectively, from 0.18 to 0.25 g g,1 and from 0.01 to 0.13 g g,1. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate the possibility of producing ethanol from olive stones, making use of the cellulose and hemicellulose fraction of the waste. It was confirmed that the overall yield in xylitol strongly depended on severity factor, while the overall yield in ethanol remained practically constant for all the pretreatment conditions tested. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF CRYSTALLIZED HONEY PREPARED BY A NEW TYPE OF NUCLEIJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2009YUE-WEN CHEN ABSTRACT Good spreadability is a highly desirable quality for crystallized honey used in product applications. In this study, we processed Taiwanese liquid litchi honey into crystallized honey by adding a new nuclei material, namely 0.1% (w/w) glucose powder, instead of the traditional 5,10% (w/w) natural nuclei. Rheological properties of the resulting product were determined during heating and cooling utilizing small amplitude oscillatory shear to assess spreadability. As the product was heated, it exhibited decreased consistency and improved fluidity (evidenced by decreasing storage modulus [G,] and loss modulus [G,] values) and three distinct regions within the G,curve ("softening,""crystalline plateau" and "melting"). As the product was cooled from 55 to 0C, moduli were lower than those obtained during heating, and the product did not exhibit the three G,curve regions across the temperature range. Therefore, we observed incomplete reversible crystallization and rheological properties during temperature migration. Flow properties of crystallized honey in the 0,25C temperature range could be successfully predicted using the Herschel,Bulkley model (R2 > 0.97). However, the product approached Newtonian flow behavior as temperatures neared the upper end of this range. Higher viscosity and lower yield stress were observed at temperatures below 15C. The crystallized honey developed for this study exhibited shear-thinning properties desirable in honey products intended to be spread. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Crystallized honey is traditionally prepared by introducing 5,10% natural nuclei into liquid honey. Our lab developed a new method that replaces the natural nuclei with glucose powder, which, at 0.1% (w/w), produces a good quality creamed honey that, in commercial production, offers the potential for significant production cost advantages. As crystallized honey is used in commercial/consumer applications as a spread, its dynamic rheology is of both academic and industrial interest. In this study, we discuss the physical properties of the crystallized honey developed using glucose powder to help better identify the factors and variables involved in honey spreadability and thus facilitate the development of better honey products with more desirable spreadability profiles. This study also provides a rheological properties and spreadability database for crystallized honey that reflects the range of temperature changes that can be expected to occur during normal product storage and use. [source] One-year neurodevelopmental outcome after moderate newborn hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathyJOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 4 2004G Carli Objectives: To define the 1-year neurodevelopmental outcome for survivors of moderate (Sarnat stage 2) neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) to facilitate appropriate parental counselling. Methods: Hospital-based retrospective review of admissions to a tertiary newborn intensive care unit between 1988 and 2000. All babies admitted for seizures were reviewed and those in whom the probable diagnosis was moderate HIE were identified from chart review. Perinatal variables, number of anticonvulsants, duration of hospital stay and 1-year neurodevelopmental outcome was recorded in survivors. Results: Fifty-three babies who survived probable moderate HIE were identified. Forty-two of these were seen at 1 year of age. Of these, 22 (52%) had normal development and neurological examination and four (9.5%) had mild developmental delay with normal neurological examination. Thirteen babies (31%) had cerebral palsy, 11 of whom also had developmental delay. Two infants (5%) who had been severely impaired at 6 months died before 1 year of age. Overall, 36% of survivors of the neonatal period had significant disability and or had died by 1 year of age. Duration of anticonvulsant treatment and length of hospital stay were significantly related to adverse outcome. Conclusions: These data suggest morbidity rates after moderate HIE in the upper end of the range previously described in the literature. Systematic longer-term follow up of this high-risk group of infants is needed. [source] Anterior versus posterior approach in reconstruction of infected nonunion of the tibia using the vascularized fibular graft: potentialities and limitationsMICROSURGERY, Issue 3 2002Sherif M. Amr M.D. The potentialities, limitations, and technical pitfalls of the vascularized fibular grafting in infected nonunions of the tibia are outlined on the basis of 14 patients approached anteriorly or posteriorly. An infected nonunion of the tibia together with a large exposed area over the shin of the tibia is better approached anteriorly. The anastomosis is placed in an end-to-end or end-to-side fashion onto the anterior tibial vessels. To locate the site of the nonunion, the tibialis anterior muscle should be retracted laterally and the proximal and distal ends of the site of the nonunion debrided up to healthy bleeding bone. All the scarred skin over the anterior tibia should be excised, because it becomes devitalized as a result of the exposure. To cover the exposed area, the fibula has to be harvested with a large skin paddle, incorporating the first septocutaneous branch originating from the peroneal vessels before they gain the upper end of the flexor hallucis longus muscle. A disadvantage of harvesting the free fibula together with a skin paddle is that its pedicle is short. The skin paddle lies at the antimesenteric border of the graft, the site of incising and stripping the periosteum. In addition, it has to be sutured to the skin at the recipient site, so the soft tissues (together with the peroneal vessels), cannot be stripped off the graft to prolong its pedicle. Vein grafts should be resorted to, if the pedicle does not reach a healthy segment of the anterior tibial vessels. Defects with limited exposed areas of skin, especially in questionable patency of the vessels of the leg, require primarily a fibula with a long pedicle that could easily reach the popliteal vessels and are thus better approached posteriorly. In this approach, the site of the nonunion is exposed medial to the flexor digitorum muscle and the proximal and distal ends of the site of the nonunion debrided up to healthy bleeding bone. No attempt should be made to strip the scarred skin off the anterior aspect of the bone lest it should become devitalized. Any exposed bone on the anterior aspect should be left to granulate alone. This occurs readily when stability has been regained at the fracture site after transfer of the free fibula. The popliteal and posterior tibial vessels are exposed, and the microvascular anastomosis placed in an end-to-side fashion onto either of them, depending on the length of the pedicle and the condition of the vessels themselves. To obtain the maximal length of the pedicle of the graft, the proximal osteotomy is placed at the neck of the fibula after decompressing the peroneal nerve. The distal osteotomy is placed as distally as possible. After detaching the fibula from the donor site, the proximal part of the graft is stripped subperiosteally, osteotomized, and discarded. Thus, a relatively long pedicle could be obtained. To facilitate subperiosteal stripping, the free fibula is harvested without a skin paddle. In this way, the use of a vein graft could be avoided. Patients presenting with infected nonunions of the tibia with extensive scarring of the lower extremity, excessively large areas of skin loss, and with questionable patency of the anterior and posterior tibial vessels are not suitable candidates for the free vascularized fibular graft. Although a vein graft could be used between the recipient popliteal and the donor peroneal vessels, its use decreases flow to the graft considerably. These patients are better candidates for the Ilizarov bone transport method with or without free latissimus dorsi transfer. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 22:91,107 2002 [source] Ultra-wideband bandpass filter with a compact two-layered structureMICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 5 2007Xinan Qu Abstract A novel ultra-wideband (UWB) bandpass filter with a compact size is proposed. By using a two-layered substrate configuration and an H-shaped slot on the ground, a vertical-coupled microstrip resonator structure is formed. Three resonant peaks of the proposed structure are extracted around the lower end, the center, and the upper end of the UWB passband. The compact two-layered filter has an overall length of about a half guided wavelength at the center UWB frequency and exhibits promising performance for UWB applications. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49:1049,1051, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22351 [source] Rotational motion of a discretized buckled beamPROCEEDINGS IN APPLIED MATHEMATICS & MECHANICS, Issue 1 2006H. Troger We study a simple discretized model of a vertical cylindrical beam with circular cross-section which is clamped at its lower end and free at its upper end. If the beam is longer than a critical length the initially straight configuration will loose its stability and the beam will buckle due to its own weight. Now the base of the buckled beam is rotated about its vertical axis. Several different families of steady state motions are detected for the undamped system. Their stability is investigated. Moreover it is shown that there is a big difference in the behavior of the discretized model of the beam whether internal damping is included in the model or not. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Effects of Altered Temperature and Precipitation on Desert Protozoa Associated with Biological Soil CrustsTHE JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2006BRIAN J. DARBY ABSTRACT. Biological soil crusts are diverse assemblages of bacteria, cyanobacteria, algae, fungi, lichens, and mosses that cover much of arid land soils. The objective of this study was to quantify protozoa associated with biological soil crusts and test the response of protozoa to increased temperature and precipitation as is predicted by some global climate models. Protozoa were more abundant when associated with cyanobacteria/lichen crusts than with cyanobacteria crusts alone. Amoebae, flagellates, and ciliates originating from the Colorado Plateau desert (cool desert, primarily winter precipitation) declined 50-, 10-, and 100-fold, respectively, when moved in field mesocosms to the Chihuahuan Desert (hot desert, primarily summer rain). However, this was not observed in protozoa collected from the Chihuahuan Desert and moved to the Sonoran desert (hot desert, also summer rain, but warmer than Chihuahuan Desert). Protozoa in culture began to encyst at 37°C. Cysts survived the upper end of daily temperatures (37,55°C), and could be stimulated to excyst if temperatures were reduced to 15°C or lower. Results from this study suggest that cool desert protozoa are influenced negatively by increased summer precipitation during excessive summer temperatures, and that desert protozoa may be adapted to a specific desert's temperature and precipitation regime. [source] High Numbers of Naked Amoebae in the Planktonic Waters of a Mangrove Stand in Southern Florida, USATHE JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2000ANDREW ROGERSON ABSTRACT. This is the first study to examine the abundance of naked amoebae in the water column of a mangrove stand. A total of 37 different morphotypes was noted and at least 13 of these are probably new species. Over a one-year sampling interval, amoebae averaged 35,400 cells liter,1 (range 2,000,104,000) by an indirect enrichment cultivation method. Densities in the upper end of this range arc the highest ever reported for any planktonic habitat. Variation between samples was related to the quantity of suspended aggregates (floes) in the water column emphasizing that amoebae are usually floc-associated. The study also showed that it is essential to disrupt floc material prior to withdrawing sample aliquots for the indirect counting method since several amoebae can occupy the interstices of aggregates. There is concern that indirect enumeration methods that require organisms to be cultured in the laboratory seriously underestimate the true count. A direct counting method using acridine orange staining and epifluorescence microscopy was attempted to assess the possible magnitude of the error associated with indirect counting. While this direct method had limitations, notably the difficulty of unambiguously differentiating between small amoebae and nanoflagellates, the results suggested that the indirect method gave estimates that were close to the true count (within a factor of two). Mangrove waters are rich in heterotrophic protozoa (,3 × 106 liter1) and while the heterotrophic flagellates are by far the dominant group, naked amoebae outnumber ciliates some 20-foid. The ecological consequences of high numbers of amoebae, particularly the common small forms less than 10 ,m in length, need to be examined for these important coastal sites. [source] Staged in situ bypassBRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 4 2000T. A. Ojimba Background: After femoral revascularization, following embolectomy or proximal reconstruction, the need for additional distal revascularization may be unpredictable. This dilemma may be addressed by anastomosing the detached upper end of the long saphenous vein to the femoral arteriotomy, as for in situ bypass, permitting some outflow into proximal vein tributaries. Later, if ischaemia persists, distal arterial flow can be established by closed retrograde saphenous valvulotomy. Methods: Over 12 years this technique was employed in 26 legs in 22 patients, following inflow reconstruction in 15 and femoral embolectomy in seven. Postoperative observation showed persisting distal ischaemia in 14 legs and distal bypass was completed after 1,9 days, using local anaesthesia without femoral re-exposure. One patient died at 15 days and 13 grafts were patent on discharge from hospital. Results: In 12 legs in 11 patients, limb perfusion was deemed adequate after operation. Four patients (five legs) died in hospital and seven were discharged. No further procedure was required in five and the proximal long saphenous vein presumably thrombosed. In two legs the whole long saphenous system had become pulsatile at 7 and 8 months, and a distal bypass was completed. No amputations were required in this series. Conclusion: Staged in situ bypass can avoid prolonged and complex reconstructions in frail patients and facilitates the use of local anaesthesia, where necessary. © 2000 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd [source] The true cause of pyloric stenosis is hyperacidityACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 2 2006Ian Munro Rogers Abstract Pyloric stenosis (PS) has no known cause. A testable theory of cause is proposed, based on the inheritance of a parietal cell mass (PCM) at the upper end of the normal range. It is proposed that, until 3,4 wk of age, the obligatory high fasting gastrins are at maximal levels and not able to be diminished by increasing antral acidity. Hence, rising acidity is not reduced by a lowered gastrin during this time, and very high acidity occurs. Conclusion: Persisting duodenal hyperacidity is created by an inherited high PCM and loss of gastrin control. These two factors produce pyloric stenosis through work hypertrophy from repeated pyloric contraction in response to hyperacidity. [source] The concept of positive health: a review and commentary on its application in oral health researchCOMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 3 2006David Locker Abstract , Although the concept of positive health has been around for more than 60 years, acceptable measures of this construct have yet to emerge. Potential explanations are that there is no consensus on how it is to be defined and its ambiguous status with respect to medical and socioenvironmental models of health. In this paper we review definitions of positive health, the origins of these definitions, the way the concept of positive outcomes has been used in research on the outcomes of oral and orofacial conditions and assess whether the concept of positive health has any merit in terms of applied oral health research. This literature reveals many competing and imprecise definitions, many of which are similar to other constructs, such as well-being. Most are lacking empirical referents or indicators. In examining the literature on oral health we found five distinct, although overlapping, ways in which the concept of positive health has been framed: (i) positive health as the absence of negative health states; (ii) positive health as positively worded items; (iii) the positive outcomes of oral health; (iv) positive oral health as a set of psychological and social attributes, and (v) the positive outcomes of chronic conditions such as oro- and craniofacial differences. Each of these ways can be challenged on conceptual or methodological grounds. For example, the states that comprise the upper end of the negative,positive health continuum have not been defined and health states and determinants of health are often confused. Moreover, the meaning of responses to health status questionnaires and the interpretation of accounts of the illness experience is often unclear. Nevertheless, the notion of positive health, irrespective of its merits and public policy implications, provides a context for methodological and theoretical debate that can only serve to enrich theory and practice with respect to measures of health and quality of life and therapeutic interventions at the individual and population. [source] Spring-retained delayed surgical obturator for total maxillectomy: a technical noteORAL SURGERY, Issue 1-2 2010P.G. Patil Abstract Aim: The aim of this article is to describe a technique to fabricate a spring retained surgical obturator prosthesis for rehabilitation of a patient with total maxillectomy. Material and Methods: The mandibular retention plate was fabricated with the help of hard, round, stainless steel orthodontic wires and heat-polymerizing acrylic resin. The 0.6 mm wire is manipulated to make Adams clasps on right and left mandibular first molars and 1 mm wire to make C clasps on right and left mandibular first premolars. A palatal shaped maxillary obturator plate was fabricated with acrylic resin. Two newly designed springs were fabricated with 0.6 mm orthodontic wire. Lower end of the springs were attached to the mandibular retention plate and upper ends were attached to the maxillary obturator plate. Results: When the appliance was placed in the mouth with the help of the mandibular retention plate, the maxillary obturator plate remains in a floating position in the mouth by spring-action on both sides. The springs used in the appliance were easy to fabricate and required less space in the buccal vestibules with minimum soft tissue irritation. Conclusion: This obturator develops the seal with the dorsum of the tongue during deglutition, thus helping the patient to take liquid food orally. It has proven to be the acceptable and comfortable treatment option for the patients with total maxillectomy, thereby, enhancing the quality of life during the initial healing period. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||