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Common

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	56%
Life Sciences	18%
Humanities and Social Sciences	5%
Chemistry	4%
Earth and Environmental Science	3%
Business, Economics, Finance and Accounting	2%
Psychology	2%
7 Other Domains	10%

Distribution within Medical Sciences

Dermatology	7%
Gastroenterology & Hepatology	5%
Cardiovascular Disease	3%
95 Other Subdomains	72%

Kinds of Common

characteristic common

Terms modified by Common

common adverse effect

common adverse effects

common adverse event

common agent

common agricultural policy

common bile duct ligation

common bile duct stone

common bottlenose dolphin

common cancer

common cancers

common carotid

common carotid artery

common carotid artery occlusion

common carp

common carp cyprinus carpio

common characteristic

common chimpanzee

common chronic

common chronic disease

common clinical feature

common clinical finding

common clinical manifestation

common clinical practice

common clinical presentation

common clinical problem

common clinical scenario

common complex disease

common cutaneous malignancy

common diagnostic procedure

common environmental factor

common femoral artery

common garden experiment

common genetic abnormality

common genetic alteration

common genetic background

common genetic factor

common genetic influence

common genetic mechanism

common genetic risk factor

common genetic variants

common genetic variation

common health problem

common hepatic artery

common male sexual dysfunction

common malformation

common malignancy

common malignancy worldwide

common malignant neoplasm

common malignant tumor

common medical condition

common medical problem

common mental disorders

common mental health problem

common mesenchymal tumor

common misunderstanding

common neurodegenerative disorder

common organic solvent

common organism

common organism isolated

common pathogenic mechanism

common peroneal nerve

common presenting complaints

common presenting symptom

common primary brain tumor

common psychiatric condition

common psychiatric disorder

common psychiatric disorders

common purpose

common reason

common recommendation

common single nucleotide polymorphism

common site

common situation

common skin condition

common skin disease

common skin disorders

common stochastic trend

common structural feature

common structural motif

common structure

common substrate

common subtype

common surgical procedure

common terminology criterioN

common test

common theme

common themes

common therapeutic strategy

common toxicity criterioN

common underlying disease

common underlying mechanism

common variable immunodeficiency

Selected Abstracts

WHY IS NATURAL RECOVERY SO COMMON FOR ADDICTIVE DISORDERS?

ADDICTION, Issue 9 2010
WENDY S. SLUTSKE
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

New value partnerships: the lessons of Denny's/Save the Children partnership for building high-yielding cross-sector alliances

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NONPROFIT & VOLUNTARY SECTOR MARKETING, Issue 3 2001
Shirley Sagawa
While business and nonprofit organisations have long used alliances within their own sectors to address specific needs, increasingly they are turning to cross-sector partnerships that benefit both parties while they serve the common good. In the last decade, marketing alliances between businesses and social sector organisations have become increasingly common as ways for companies to achieve business objectives and for social sector organisations to raise their visibility and attract new resources. The alliance between Denny's and Save the Children provides an example of a noteworthy marketing partnership that shows how a cross-sector alliance can assist a company with a damaged public image to build a new public identity while enabling an international nonprofit organisation to create an ambitious programme for US children. As a new value partnership, a long-term, high yielding alliance between businesses and social sector organisations, this relationship is characterised by several elements: communication, opportunity, mutuality, multiple levels, open-endedness, and new value, forming the acronym COMMON. Copyright © 2001 Henry Stewart Publications [source]

ACUTE REJECTION IS MORE COMMON AND SEVERE IN LIVE DONOR THAN CADAVERIC DONOR KIDNEY TRANSPLANTS

NEPHROLOGY, Issue 1 2002
Johnson Dw
[source]

Susceptibility of Common and Rare Plant Species to the Genetic Consequences of Habitat Fragmentation

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2007
OLIVIER HONNAY
diversidad genética; endogamia; fragmentación de hábitat; sistema reproductivo; tamaño poblacional Abstract:,Small plant populations are more prone to extinction due to the loss of genetic variation through random genetic drift, increased selfing, and mating among related individuals. To date, most researchers dealing with genetic erosion in fragmented plant populations have focused on threatened or rare species. We raise the question whether common plant species are as susceptible to habitat fragmentation as rare species. We conducted a formal meta-analysis of habitat fragmentation studies that reported both population size and population genetic diversity. We estimated the overall weighted mean and variance of the correlation coefficients among four different measures of genetic diversity and plant population size. We then tested whether rarity, mating system, and plant longevity are potential moderators of the relationship between population size and genetic diversity. Mean gene diversity, percent polymorphic loci, and allelic richness across studies were positively and highly significantly correlated with population size, whereas no significant relationship was found between population size and the inbreeding coefficient. Genetic diversity of self-compatible species was less affected by decreasing population size than that of obligate outcrossing and self-compatible but mainly outcrossing species. Longevity did not affect the population genetic response to fragmentation. Our most important finding, however, was that common species were as, or more, susceptible to the population genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation than rare species, even when historically or naturally rare species were excluded from the analysis. These results are dramatic in that many more plant species than previously assumed may be vulnerable to genetic erosion and loss of genetic diversity as a result of ongoing fragmentation processes. This implies that many fragmented habitats have become unable to support plant populations that are large enough to maintain a mutation-drift balance and that occupied habitat fragments have become too isolated to allow sufficient gene flow to enable replenishment of lost alleles. Resumen:,Las poblaciones pequeñas de plantas son más propensas a la extinción debido a la pérdida de variación genética por medio de la deriva génica aleatoria, el incremento de autogamia y la reproducción entre individuos emparentados. A la fecha, la mayoría de los investigadores que trabajan con erosión genética en poblaciones fragmentadas de plantas se han enfocado en las especies amenazadas o raras. Cuestionamos si las especies de plantas comunes son tan susceptibles a la fragmentación del hábitat como las especies raras. Realizamos un meta análisis formal de estudios de fragmentación que reportaron tanto tamaño poblacional como diversidad genética. Estimamos la media general ponderada y la varianza de los coeficientes de correlación entre cuatro medidas de diversidad genética y de tamaño poblacional de las plantas. Posteriormente probamos si la rareza, el sistema reproductivo y la longevidad de la planta son moderadores potenciales de la relación entre el tamaño poblacional y la diversidad genética. La diversidad genética promedio, el porcentaje de loci polimórficos y la riqueza alélica en los estudios tuvieron una correlación positiva y altamente significativa con el tamaño poblacional, mientras que no encontramos relación significativa entre el tamaño poblacional y el coeficiente de endogamia. La diversidad genética de especies auto compatibles fue menos afectada por la reducción en el tamaño poblacional que la de especies exogámicas obligadas y especies auto compatibles, pero principalmente exogámicas. La longevidad no afectó la respuesta genética de la población a la fragmentación. Sin embargo, nuestro hallazgo más importante fue que las especies comunes fueron tan, o más, susceptibles a las consecuencias genéticas de la fragmentación del hábitat que las especies raras, aun cuando las especies histórica o naturalmente raras fueron excluidas del análisis. Estos resultados son dramáticos porque muchas especies más pueden ser vulnerables a la erosión genética y a la pérdida de diversidad genética como consecuencia de los procesos de fragmentación que lo se asumía previamente. Esto implica que muchos hábitats fragmentados han perdido la capacidad para soportar poblaciones de plantas lo suficientemente grandes para mantener un equilibrio mutación-deriva y que los fragmentos de hábitat ocupados están tan aislados que el flujo génico es insuficiente para permitir la reposición de alelos perdidos. [source]

Forage collection, substrate preparation, and diet composition in fungus-growing ants

ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
HENRIK H. DE FINE LICHT
1. Variation and control of nutritional input is an important selective force in the evolution of mutualistic interactions and may significantly affect coevolutionary modifications in partner species. 2. The attine fungus-growing ants are a tribe of more than 230 described species (12 genera) that use a variety of different substrates to manure the symbiotic fungus they cultivate inside the nest. Common ,wisdom' is that the conspicuous leaf-cutting ants primarily use freshly cut plant material, whereas most of the other attine species use dry and partly degraded plant material such as leaf litter and caterpillar frass, but systematic comparative studies of actual resource acquisition across the attine ants have not been done. 3. Here we review 179 literature records of diet composition across the extant genera of fungus-growing ants. The records confirm the dependence of leaf-cutting ants on fresh vegetation but find that flowers, dry plant debris, seeds (husks), and insect frass are used by all genera, whereas other substrates such as nectar and insect carcasses are only used by some. 4. Diet composition was significantly correlated with ant substrate preparation behaviours before adding forage to the fungus garden, indicating that diet composition and farming practices have co-evolved. Neither diet nor preparation behaviours changed when a clade within the paleoattine genus Apterostigma shifted from rearing leucocoprinous fungi to cultivating pterulaceous fungi, but the evolutionary derived transition to yeast growing in the Cyphomyrmex rimosus group, which relies almost exclusively on nectar and insect frass, was associated with specific changes in diet composition. 5. The co-evolutionary transitions in diet composition across the genera of attine ants indicate that fungus-farming insect societies have the possibility to obtain more optimal fungal crops via artificial selection, analogous to documented practice in human subsistence farming. [source]

A Study of 43 Patients with Panayiotopoulos Syndrome, a Common and Benign Childhood Seizure Susceptibility

EPILEPSIA, Issue 1 2003
Christina Lada
Summary: ,Purpose: To determine prevalence, clinical, EEG features, and prognosis of Panayiotopoulos syndrome and to examine the proposition that clinical manifestations are more important than EEG findings. Methods: We analyzed retrospectively the clinical and EEG records of 1,340 children with one or more focal seizures seen in the last 18 years, supplemented with a prospective study from 1998. Panayiotopoulos syndrome was defined by clinical criteria, mainly ictal emesis, irrespective of EEG findings. Results: We analyzed 43 of 90 patients with Panayiotopoulos syndrome who were seizure free >2 years. Girls predominated. Mean age at first seizure was 5 years. Seizures consisted mainly of autonomic manifestations; ictal emesis was often the first symptom, culminating in vomiting in 86%. Of nonautonomic manifestations, lateral eye deviation was the most common; visual symptoms were exceptional. Impairment of consciousness ensued in all seizures, half of which ended with hemi or generalized convulsions. Nearly 46.5% of cases had at least one seizure >30 min, constituting autonomic status epilepticus. Seizures during sleep (84%) were more common than those in wakefulness. EEG showed occipital spikes in 29 patients. Of the other 14 cases, five had extraoccipital abnormalities or brief generalized discharges, and nine had normal awake and sleep EEG. Prognosis was excellent. All 43 children have been free of seizures for ,2 years, 53% having a single seizure, and 47%, an average two to three seizures. Conclusions: Panayiotopoulos syndrome is common and needs wider recognition. EEG shows occipital or extraoccipital abnormalities, is normal in one third of patients, and does not determine clinical manifestations or prognosis, which is excellent despite the high prevalence of lengthy seizures. [source]

Individual Acoustic Variation in Fallow Deer (Dama dama) Common and Harsh Groans: A Source-Filter Theory Perspective

ETHOLOGY, Issue 3 2007
Elisabetta Vannoni
Mammals are able to distinguish conspecifics based on vocal cues, and the acoustic structure of mammal vocalizations is directly affected by the anatomy and action of the vocal apparatus. However, most studies investigating individual patterns in acoustic signals do not consider a vocal production-based perspective. In this study, we used the source-filter model of vocal production as a basis for investigating the acoustic variability of fallow deer groans. Using this approach, we quantified the potential of each acoustic component to carry information about individual identity. We also investigated if cues to individual identity carry over among the two groan types we describe: common and harsh groans. Using discriminant function analysis, we found that variables related to the fundamental frequency contour and the minimum frequencies of the highest formants contributed most to the identification of a given common groan. Common groans were individually distinctive with 36.6% (53.6% with stepwise procedure) of groans assigned to the correct individual. This level of discrimination is approximately six times higher than that predicted by chance. In addition, univariate anovas showed significant inter-individual variation in the minimum formant frequencies when common and harsh groans were combined, suggesting that some information about individuality is shared between groan types. Our results suggest that the sound source and the vocal tract resonances act together to determine groan individuality and that enough variation exists to potentially allow individual recognition based on groans. [source]

Influence of water flow velocity, water depth and colony distance on distribution and foraging patterns of terns in the Wadden Sea

FISHERIES OCEANOGRAPHY, Issue 3 2009
PHILIPP SCHWEMMER
Abstract Surface-feeding seabirds, such as Common (Sterna hirundo) and Arctic Terns (Sterna paradisaea) in the German Wadden Sea, are dependent on biological and physical processes that affect prey availability close to the water surface. We proposed the following four hypotheses: (i) relationships should exist between high water flow velocity and foraging activity of terns, as turbulence should enhance prey availability at the surface; (ii) the areas of highest foraging success should be located within areas of low water depth, due to enhanced biological productivity; (iii) as terns are known to have small foraging radii, the location of their breeding grounds should be related to the location of their foraging grounds; (iv) terns should forage intensely in river estuaries, as these should hold ample food supplies. The time between terns leaving the colony and their first foraging attempt differed significantly among different tidal stages: the time was shortest during flood and ebb tides (i.e., highest water flow velocities). Modelling of a long-term data set revealed the highest probability of foraging activity in conditions of high water currents, in both shallow areas and in areas of around 15,20 m depth. Foraging activity was negatively correlated with distance from colony. The distance to the closest estuary had no significant effect on foraging behaviour. Our findings emphasize the physical,biological coupling in the Wadden Sea and highlight the overall importance of small-scale physical processes in directly influencing prey availability for surface-feeding seabirds. [source]

Effective Methods for the Synthesis of N -Methyl , -Amino Acids from All Twenty Common , -Amino Acids Using 1,3-Oxazolidin-5-ones and 1,3-Oxazinan-6-ones

HELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 11 2006
Andrew
Abstract N -Methyl , -amino acids are generally required for application in the synthesis of potentially bioactive modified peptides and other oligomers. Previous work highlighted the reductive cleavage of 1,3-oxazolidin-5-ones to synthesise N -methyl , -amino acids. Starting from , -amino acids, two approaches were used to prepare the corresponding N -methyl , -amino acids. First, , -amino acids were converted to N -methyl , -amino acids by the so-called ,1,3-oxazolidin-5-one strategy', and these were then homologated by the Arndt,Eistert procedure to afford N -protected N -methyl , -amino acids derived from the 20 common , -amino acids. These compounds were prepared in yields of 23,57% (relative to N -methyl , -amino acid). In a second approach, twelve N -protected , -amino acids could be directly homologated by the Arndt,Eistert procedure, and the resulting , -amino acids were converted to the 1,3-oxazinan-6-ones in 30,45% yield. Finally, reductive cleavage afforded the desired N -methyl , -amino acids in 41,63% yield. One sterically congested , -amino acid, 3-methyl-3-aminobutanoic acid, did give a high yield (95%) of the 1,3-oxazinan-6-one (65), and subsequent reductive cleavage gave the corresponding AIBN-derived N -methyl , -amino acid 61 in 71% yield (Scheme,2). Thus, our protocols allow the ready preparation of all N -methyl , -amino acids derived from the 20 proteinogenic , -amino acids. [source]

Common and distinct neural substrates for the perception of speech rhythm and intonation

HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING, Issue 7 2010
Linjun Zhang
Abstract The present study examines the neural substrates for the perception of speech rhythm and intonation. Subjects listened passively to synthesized speech stimuli that contained no semantic and phonological information, in three conditions: (1) continuous speech stimuli with fixed syllable duration and fundamental frequency in the standard condition, (2) stimuli with varying vocalic durations of syllables in the speech rhythm condition, and (3) stimuli with varying fundamental frequency in the intonation condition. Compared to the standard condition, speech rhythm activated the right middle superior temporal gyrus (mSTG), whereas intonation activated the bilateral superior temporal gyrus and sulcus (STG/STS) and the right posterior STS. Conjunction analysis further revealed that rhythm and intonation activated a common area in the right mSTG but compared to speech rhythm, intonation elicited additional activations in the right anterior STS. Findings from the current study reveal that the right mSTG plays an important role in prosodic processing. Implications of our findings are discussed with respect to neurocognitive theories of auditory processing. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

IT for niche companies: is an ERP system the solution?

INFORMATION SYSTEMS JOURNAL, Issue 1 2007
Kai A Olsen
Abstract., Niche companies are per definition idiosyncratic. They survive in a competitive world by mastering a small market niche, providing what their customers need. This often requires a flexible organization, and the ability to customize products. To be more efficient, many of these companies rely on extensive use of IT, often by installing general Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. These systems have grown from isolated systems that handle planning based on incoming orders and the component structure of the various products, to systems with ambitions to embrace the total functioning of the company including vendor and customer relation management. In this paper, we present four case studies. One company is a part of a large enterprise, but performs niche functions within this enterprise. The other three are small- or medium-sized enterprises. Each of these performs in small niche markets. Common to all is the fact that they encounter problems with the utilization of their ERP systems. The major problem seems to be that the ERP system has an inherent business model that may not conform to the needs of the company. Without a good understanding of the underlying models and the constraints under which the fundamental algorithms operate, it is difficult to use these systems correctly. Even excellent systems may give bad results if they are applied to situations where they are not suited. Further, the monolithic structure of an ERP system, with a rather complicated parameter setting, is often insufficient to mould the system to the needs of a niche company. We discuss these problems based on our four case studies, and offer alternative approaches that may be considered. [source]

Hyperglycemia and glucosamine-induced mesangial cell cycle arrest and hypertrophy: Common or independent mechanisms?

IUBMB LIFE, Issue 7 2006
Elodie Masson
Abstract The Hexosamine Pathway (HP) is one hypothesis proposed to explain glucose toxicity and the alterations observed during the course of diabetic microvascular complication development. Glucosamine is a precursor of UDP-N-Acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc), the main product of the HP that has often been used to mimic its activation. The transfer of a UDP-GlcNAc residue onto proteins (O-GlcNAc modification) represents the final step of the HP and is considered as a major mechanism by which this pathway exerts its signalling effects. While it is well accepted that the HP promotes extracellular matrix accumulation in the context of diabetic nephropathy, its involvement in the perturbations of cell cycle progression and hypertrophy of renal cells has been poorly investigated. Nevertheless, in a growing number of studies, the HP and O-GlcNAc modification are emerging as important regulators of cell cycle progression. This review will focus on the role of glucosamine and O-GlcNAc modification in cell cycle regulation in the context of diabetic nephropathy. Special emphasis will be given into the role of the HP as a potential mediator of the effects of high glucose on the perturbations of renal cell growth. iubmb Life, 58: 381-388, 2006 [source]

Two-dimensional psychophysics in chickens and humans: Comparative aspects of perceptual relativity

JAPANESE PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2008
PETRA HAUF
Abstract:, Whereas the contextual basis of psychophysical responding is well founded, the compound influence of sensory and perceptual frames of reference constitutes a challenging issue in comparative one- and multidimensional psychophysics (e.g., Sarris, 2004, 2006). We refer to previous investigations, which tested the assumption that the chicken's relational choice in the one-dimensional case is systematically altered by context conditions similar to the findings stemming from human participants. In this paper mainly the context-dependent stimulus coding was investigated for the important, but largely neglected, two-dimensional case in humans and chickens. Three strategies were predicted for the generalization of size discriminations, which had been learned in a different color context. In two experiments, which varied in the testing procedure, both species demonstrated profound contextual effects in psychophysics; they differed, however, in the way the information from either dimension was used: Chickens throughout used color as a cue to separate the respective size discriminations and generalizations. Whereas humans predominantly generalized according to size information only or according to absolute stimulus properties, the chickens showed some important species-specific differences. Common and heterogeneous findings of this line of comparative research in multidimensional psychophysics are presented and discussed in various ways. [source]

Bathing Disability in Community-Living Older Persons: Common, Consequential, and Complex

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 11 2004
Aanand D. Naik MD
Objectives: To identify the specific bathing subtasks that are affected in community-living-older persons with bathing disability and to determine the self-reported reasons for bathing disability. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: General community of greater New Haven, Connecticut. Participants: A total of 626 community-living persons, aged 73 and older, who completed a comprehensive assessment, including a detailed evaluation of bathing disability. Measurements: Trained research nurses assessed bathing disability (defined as requiring personal assistance or having difficulty washing and drying the whole body), the specific bathing subtasks that were affected, and the main reasons (up to three) for bathing disability. Results: Disability in bathing was present in 195 (31%) participants; of these, 97 required personal assistance (i.e., dependence), and 98 had difficulty bathing. Participants with bathing disability reported a mean±standard deviation of 4.0±2.4 affected subtasks. The prevalence rate of disability for the eight prespecified bathing subtasks ranged from 25% for taking off clothes to 75% for leaving the bathing position. The majority of participants (59%) provided more than one reason for bathing disability. The most common reasons cited by participants for their bathing disability were balance problems (28%), arthritic complaints (26%), and fall or fear of falling (23%). Conclusion: For community-living older persons, disability in bathing is common, involves multiple subtasks, and is attributable to an array of physical and psychological problems. Preventive and restorative interventions for bathing disability will need to account for the inherent complexity of this essential activity of daily living. [source]

Masked Hypertension: An Increasingly Common but Often Unrecognized Issue in Hypertension Management

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPERTENSION, Issue 7 2010
Debbie L. Cohen MD
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

Why Is Hypertension More Common in African Americans?

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPERTENSION, Issue 1 2001
DPhil, Thomas G. Pickering MD
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

Common sex-linked deleterious alleles in a plant parasitic fungus alter infection success but show no pleiotropic advantage

JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2006
T. GIRAUD
Abstract Microbotryum violaceum is a fungus that causes the sterilizing anther smut disease in Caryophyllaceae. Its diploid teliospores normally produce equal proportions of haploid sporidia of its two mating types. However natural populations contain high frequencies of individuals producing sporidia of only one mating type (,biased strains'). This mating type-ratio bias is caused by deleterious alleles at haploid phase (,haplo-lethals') linked to the mating type locus that can be transmitted only by intra-tetrad selfing. We used experimental inoculations to test some of the hypotheses proposed to explain the maintenance of haplo-lethals. We found a disadvantage of biased strains in infection ability and high intra-tetrad mating rates. Biased strains had no higher competitive ability nor shorter latency and their higher spore production per flower appeared insufficient to compensate their disadvantages. These findings were only consistent with the hypothesis that haplo-lethals are maintained under a metapopulation structure because of high intra-tetrad selfing rates, founder effects and selection at the population level. [source]

Surface wear of incoloy and darvic bands on Atlantic Puffin adults and chicks

JOURNAL OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGY, Issue 2 2006
André R. Breton
ABSTRACT Bands are a common marking method in bird studies and capture-mark-reencounter (CMR) models are often used to analyze banding data. Common to this family of models are two assumptions: marks do not fall off or become unreadable and individuals within groups remain equally detectable. When data fail to meet these assumptions, results of CMR analyses may be biased. In studies of long-lived seabirds exposed to coarse nesting substrates, band wear is especially problematic. We compared surface wear from abrasion against rocks on incoloy and darvic bands applied to a long-lived seabird, the Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica). In 2003 and 2004, surface wear on bands applied to chicks and adults was scored at five colonies in the Gulf of Maine. We used logistic regression to analyze two subsets of these data by fitting the probability of being worn (one or more characters difficult to read or obliterated) to band age, bird age, and band type. In both analyses, an evidence ratio provided exclusive support for the model that included all factors. Immature puffins largely avoid colonies and remain at sea until their second or third summer after hatching. Consequently, probabilities of being worn were delayed on both band types by 4 yr on bands applied to chicks compared to adults. Based on our estimates, 25% and 87% of darvic bands applied to chicks and adults, respectively, were worn after 5 yr. Wear was reduced by 71% and 87% annually on incoloy compared to darvic bands applied to adults and chicks, respectively. To uphold assumptions of CMR models, we recommend incoloy bands over darvic in studies spanning more than about 5 yr of long-lived seabirds exposed to coarse substrates. SINOPSIS Las anillas colocadas en las patas son un método común de marcar aves y se han establecido modelos (recuento de aves marcadas , siglas en inglés CMR) para analizar los datos obtenidos de esta forma. Hay dos postulados que deben aceptarse en estos modelos: que las anillas no se pierden o que se puedan leer y que los individuos marcados y no-marcados tienen la misma probabilidad de ser contados. Cuando los datos no cumplen con las dos condiciones previamente mencionadas el análisis de CMR puede contener sesgo. En estudios de ave marinas que viven por mucho tiempo, el desgaste de las anillas crea problemas. Comparamos el desgaste y daño de anillas de metal (niquel-cromio y acero) y anillas de plástico (policloruro de vinilo) colocadas en individuos de Fratercula arctica. Durante el 2003 y 2004, estudiamos el desgaste y daño de anillas colocadas a pichones y adultos del ave en cinco colonias de estas en el Golfo de Maine. Utilizamos una regresión logística para analizar dos conjuntos de datos sobre la probabilidad de desgaste (uno o más caracteres en la anilla difíciles de leer) a la edad de la anilla (tiempo en la pata del ave), edad del ave y tipo de anilla. Las aves inmaduras, evitan los grupos en las colonias y permanecen en el mar hasta el segundo o tercer verano. Como resultado, la probabilidad de que ambos tipos de anillas hubieran estado desgastadas o dañadas en los juveniles se dilato por unos cuatro años, al ser este grupo comparado con los adultos. El 25% y el 87% de las anillas plásticas colocadas en pichones y adultos, respectivamente, estaban desgastadas a los cinco años. El desgaste en las anillas de metal se redujo en un 71% y 87% anual al compararse con las plásticas colocadas en adultos y pichones, respectivamente. Para cumplir con los postulados de los modelos CMR, recomendamos el uso de anillas de metal en aquellos estudios pautados para más de cinco años particularmente en aves marinas que utilizan o se exponen a sustratos duros. [source]

Common and Private Values of the Firm in Tax Competition

JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ECONOMIC THEORY, Issue 4 2001
David Scoones
We develop a simple model of interregional tax competition to explore how the balance between common and region-specific aspects of a project's value affects the magnitudes of tax breaks offered by governments, when the firm possesses private information on the region-specific values. We examine cases in which the tax applies to both the common and private values and to each component separately. The model predicts that when the common and observable part of the value of a project increases relative to the variance of the region-specific private values, the stringency of competition reduces the equilibrium tax rate. Conversely, if the competing regions are sufficiently different, bidding is less aggressive. One interpretation of the results is that firms that are observed to be large get better tax breaks. The intuition is closely related to the Bertrand model of differentiated product market competition. [source]

A Proline-Threonine Substitution in Codon 351 of ADH1C Is Common in Native Americans

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 12 2002
Michael V. Osier
Background The alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) genes have been repeatedly associated with protection against alcoholism. Until now, only four protein coding variants have been identified (ADH1C Arg271Gln, Ile349Val, ADH1B Arg47His, and Arg369Cys), and only two of these (ADH1C Ile349Val and ADH1B Arg47His) have been routinely tested in association studies with alcoholism. Methods The new ADH1C*351Thr allele was identified by direct sequencing of DNA samples that gave different typing results for the ADH1C Ile349Val polymorphism with different typing protocols. Results A new coding variant has been identified at codon 351 of ADH1C. This allele is found in most Native American populations that we have studied with allele frequencies of the new ADH1C*351Thr allele as high as 26%. Only two instances of this allele have been seen in a large survey of African and Eurasian populations. Conclusions The changes in charge, size, and rotational mobility caused by this amino acid substitution should be significant. Because this new variant codes for a new enzyme form in Native Americans, the kinetics of this enzyme should be studied and considered in studies of the role of ADH1C in the protection against alcoholism in Native Americans. [source]

Can patients at high risk for significant colorectal neoplasms and having normal quantitative faecal occult blood test postpone elective colonoscopy?

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 4 2010
R. HAZAZI
Aliment Pharmacol Ther,31, 523,533 Summary Background, Common reasons for elective screening and surveillance colonoscopy, at predetermined intervals, are family or personal history of colorectal cancer (CRC) or advanced adenoma (AAP). Quantified, human haemoglobin (Hb)-specific, immunochemical faecal occult blood tests (I-FOBT) detect bleeding. Aim, To determine I-FOBT sensitivity for CRC or AAP before elective colonoscopy in patients at high-risk of cancer or advanced adenoma. Methods, Prospective double-blind study of 1000 ambulatory asymptomatic high-risk patients (555 family history of CRC, 445 surveillance for past neoplasm), who prepared three I-FOBTs before elective colonoscopy. I-FOBTs quantified as ngHb/mL of buffer by OC-MICRO instrument and results ,50 ngHb/mL considered positive. Results, At colonoscopy, eight patients had CRC, 64 others had AAP. Sensitivity for CRC and/or AAP was the highest, 65.3% (95% CI 54.3, 76.3), when any of the three I-FOBTs was ,50 ngHb (15.4%), with specificity of 87.5% (95% CI 86.4, 90.5) identifying all CRCs and 62% of AAPs. Conclusions, All cancers or an AAP were detected every third I-FOBT-positive colonoscopy (47/154), so colonoscopy was potentially not needed at this time in 84.6% (846 patients). I-FOBT screening might provide effective supervision of high-risk patients, delaying unnecessary elective colonoscopies. This favourable evaluation needs confirmation and cost,benefit study by risk-group. [source]

Nutrigenomics,new approaches for human nutrition research

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 8 2006
Helen M Roche
Abstract Food intake and nutrient exposure are key environmental factors involved in the pathogenesis and progression of the common polygenic, diet-related diseases. An individual's phenotype represents a complex interaction between the human genome and environmental factors during an individual's lifetime. This review explores the concept that there is a dynamic, two-way interaction between nutrition and the human genome which determines gene expression, the metabolic response and an individual's health status. It addresses the relevance of new high-throughput genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic technologies within human nutrition research. Common, polygenic, diet-related diseases (CVD, obesity, T2DM, etc.) reflect multiple genetic variants interacting with numerous environmental factors, each combination making a relatively small contribution to overall cellular homeostasis, whole body metabolism and health. This review highlights the value of a nutrigenomics-based systems biology approach to understanding human nutrition and identifying new biomarkers of nutrition and health. The challenge will be to develop and apply robust nutritional genomics research initiatives that are sensitive enough to take account of both human genetic heterogeneity and diverse nutrient exposure. If nutrigenomic approaches enhance our understanding of human nutrition at the molecular level, then it may be possible to apply a more targeted and effective personalized nutrition approach to attenuate the effect of risk factors associated with diet-related diseases. Indeed it could be proposed that a personalized nutrition approach may assist in improving the effectiveness of dietary guidelines/recommendations in general. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source]

Retrospective Study: Surgical intervention in the management of severe acute pancreatitis in cats: 8 cases (2003,2007)

JOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue 4 2010
Tolina T. Son DVM
Abstract Objective , To evaluate clinical characteristics and outcomes of cats undergoing surgical intervention in the course of treatment for severe acute pancreatitis. Design , Retrospective observational study from 2003 to 2007 with a median follow-up period of 2.2 years (range 11 d,5.4 y) postoperatively. Setting , Private referral veterinary center. Animals , Eight cats. Interventions , None. Measurements and Main Results , Quantitative data included preoperative physical and clinicopathologic values. Qualitative parameters included preoperative ultrasonographic interpretation, perioperative and intraoperative feeding tube placement, presence of free abdominal fluid, intraoperative closed suction abdominal drain placement, postoperative complications, microbiological culture, and histopathology. Common presenting clinical signs included lethargy, anorexia, and vomiting. Leukocytosis and hyponatremia were present in 5 of 8 cats. Hypokalemia, increased total bilirubin, and hyperglycemia were present in 6 of 8 cats. Elevated alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transferase were present in all cats. Surgery for extrahepatic biliary obstruction was performed in 6 cats, pancreatic abscess in 3 cats, and pancreatic necrosis in 1 cat. Six of the 8 cats survived. Five of the 6 cats that underwent surgery for extrahepatic biliary obstruction and 1 cat that underwent pancreatic necrosectomy survived. All 5 of the cats with extrahepatic biliary obstruction secondary to pancreatitis survived. The 2 nonsurvivors included a cat with a pancreatic abscess and a cat with severe pancreatitis and extrahepatic biliary obstruction secondary to a mass at the gastroduodenal junction. Postoperative complications included progression of diabetes mellitus, septic peritonitis, local gastrostomy tube stoma inflammation, local gastrostomy tube stoma infection, and mild dermal suture reaction. Conclusion , Cats with severe acute pancreatitis and concomitant extrahepatic biliary obstruction, pancreatic necrosis, or pancreatic abscesses may benefit from surgical intervention. Cats with extrahepatic biliary obstruction secondary to severe acute pancreatitis may have a good prognosis. [source]

Editorial: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in Dogs, Less Common Than You Think?

JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2003
Stanley L. Marks BVSc
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

Reanalysis and reforecast of three major European storms of the twentieth century using the ECMWF forecasting system.

METEOROLOGICAL APPLICATIONS, Issue 2 2005
Part II: Ensemble forecasts
In Part II of this study the ECMWF Ensemble Prediction System (EPS) is used to study the probabilistic predictability of three major European storms of the twentieth century. The storms considered are the Dutch storm of 1 February 1953, the Hamburg storm of 17 February 1962, and the British/French storm of October 1987 (Great October storm). Common to all these storms is their severity that caused large loss of life and widespread damage. In Part I of this study it has been found that deterministic predictability of the Dutch and Hamburg storms amount to 48 and 84 hours, respectively. Here, it is shown that the ensemble forecasts supplement the deterministic forecasts. The large number of members in the 48 and 84 hour ensemble forecasts of the Dutch and Hamburg storms, respectively, suggest that at this forecast range and for these storms the sensitivity of the forecasts to analysis and model uncertainties is rather small. From these results, therefore, it is argued that reliable warnings (i.e. low probability for the occurrence of a forecast failure) for the Dutch and Hamburg storms could have been issued 48 and 84 hours, respectively, in advance, had the current ECMWF EPS been available. For the Great October storm it has been found in Part I of this study that short-range and medium-range forecasts of the intensity and track of the storm were very skilful with a high-resolution model of the ECWMF model. The actual timing of the storm, however, was difficult to predict. Here, it is shown that the EPS is capable of predicting large forecast uncertainties associated with the timing of the Great October storm up to 4 days in advance. It is argued that reliable warnings could have been issued at least 96 hours in advance had the ECMWF EPS been available. From the results presented in this study it is concluded that an Ensemble Prediction System is an important component of every early warning system for it allows an a priori quantification of the probability of the occurrence of severe wind storms. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society [source]

Common and distinct mechanisms of different redox-active carcinogens involved in the transformation of mouse JB6P+ cells

MOLECULAR CARCINOGENESIS, Issue 7 2008
Sun Yang
Abstract We transformed JB6P+ cells with prolonged intermittent low-dose UVB radiation or prolonged exposure to low-dose H2O2 or CdCl2. Stable transformation was confirmed by an anchorage-independence assay. The JB6P+ transformants formed more colonies (,six folds) in soft agar as compared to their JB6P+ parent cells and were associated with increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Activating protein-1 (AP-1) is a family of transcription factors that are rapidly activated by elevated intracellular ROS levels, and their composition is important in the process of cellular transformation and/or tumor progression. To investigate if carcinogenesis induced by distinct carcinogens was via similar molecular mechanisms in these transformants, gel mobility shift and immunoblot analyses were utilized to determine the distinct AP-1 compositions. Compared to parent JB6P+ cells, the gain of JunB and Fra-1 in AP-1 DNA binding complexes was markedly increased in all transformed cells, which might contribute to a more proliferative phenotype, while loss of Fra-2 occurred in JB6P+/H2O2 and JB6P+/Cd cells. Differential AP-1 components in the transformants suggested that their transformations might be mediated by distinct transcription signalings with distinct AP-1 dimer compositions. However, all three transformants exhibited increased activation of pathways involved in cell proliferation (ERK/Fra-1/AP-1 and JNK/c- jun/AP-1) and anti-apoptosis (Bcl-xl). The development of the JB6P+ transformants (JB6P+/UVB; JB6P+/H2O2; JB6P+/Cd) provides a unique tool to study the mechanisms that contribute to different redox-active carcinogens in a single model. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Genetic pathways to glioblastomas

NEUROPATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2005
Hiroko Ohgaki
Glioblastomas, the most frequent and malignant human brain tumors, may develop de novo (primary glioblastoma) or by progression from low-grade or anaplastic astrocytoma (secondary glioblastoma). These glioblastoma subtypes constitute distinct disease entities that affect patients of different ages and develop through different genetic pathways. Our recent population-based study in the Canton of Zürich, Switzerland, shows that primary glioblastomas develop in older patients (mean age, 62 years) and typically show LOH on chromosome 10q (69%) and other genetic alterations (EGFR amplification, TP53 mutations, p16INK4a deletion, and PTEN mutations) at frequencies of 24,34%. Secondary glioblastomas develop in younger patients (mean, 45 years) and frequently show TP53 mutations (65%) and LOH 10q (63%). Common to both primary and secondary glioblastoma is LOH on 10q, distal to the PTEN locus; a putative suppressor gene at 10q25-qter may be responsible for the glioblastoma phenotype. Of the TP53 point mutations in secondary glioblastomas, 57% were located in hotspot codons 248 and 273, while in primary glioblastomas, mutations were more widely distributed. Furthermore, G:C,A:T mutations at CpG sites were more frequent in secondary than in primary glioblastomas (56% vs 30%). These data suggest that the TP53 mutations in these glioblastoma subtypes arise through different mechanisms. There is evidence that G:C,A:T transition mutations at CpG sites in the TP53 gene are significantly more frequent in low-grade astrocytomas with promoter methylation of the O6 -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene than in those without methylation. This suggests that, in addition to deamination of 5-methylcytosine (the best known mechanism of formation of, G:C,A:T, transitions, at, CpG, sites),, involvement of alkylating agents that produce O6 -methylguanine or related adducts recognized by MGMT cannot be excluded in the pathway leading to secondary glioblastomas. [source]

A survey of the scope of therapeutic practice by UK optometrists and their attitudes to an extended prescribing role

OPHTHALMIC AND PHYSIOLOGICAL OPTICS, Issue 3 2008
Justin J. Needle
Abstract Purpose:, Recent changes in medicines legislation in the UK have broadened the opportunities for optometrists to use and supply therapeutic drugs. We set out to investigate the current therapeutic practice of UK optometrists and to elicit their views on an extended prescribing role. Methods:, Members of the College of Optometrists were invited via email to take part in an online survey. The survey questions covered four areas: mode of practice, proximity and relationship to other providers of eye care, scope of current therapeutic practice and future plans regarding prescriber training. Results:, Of the 1288 responses received (response rate 24%), over 90% were from optometrists working in community practice. Common, non-sight-threatening conditions were managed frequently or occasionally by between 69 and 96% of respondents. Blepharitis and dry eye were the most common (managed routinely by >70%). In terms of therapeutic agents used, large numbers of optometrists reported that they commonly supplied or recommended over-the-counter (non-prescription) drugs, particularly lubricants and anti-allergic agents. However, fewer respondents supplied antibiotics (only 14% supplying chloramphenicol or fusidic acid frequently). Overall, relatively few respondents (14%) expressed no interest in undertaking further training for extended prescribing, although several barriers were identified, including cost and time taken for training, lack of remuneration and fear of litigation. Conclusion:, Significant numbers of community optometrists are currently managing a range of common ocular conditions using a limited formulary. Enabling optometrists to train as independent prescribers will further develop this role, allowing greater use of their skills and providing patients with quicker access to medicines. [source]

SENSATIONS, SWATCHES, AND SPECKLED HENS

PACIFIC PHILOSOPHICAL QUARTERLY, Issue 4 2003
Jeremy Fantl
Both arguments have been used to show that there is no "Highest Common Factor" between appearances we judge the same , no such thing as "real" sensations. But, we argue, both only impugn the assumption of epistemic certainty regarding introspective reports. [source]

Carotid Sinus Hypersensitivity is Common in Patients Presenting with Hip Fracture and Unexplained Falls

PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 9 2009
M.Sc., VASILEIOS SACHPEKIDIS M.D.
Background:We tried to determine the prevalence of carotid sinus hypersensitivity (CSH) in patients with hip fractures with and without a clear history of an accidental fall. Methods:We studied 51 patients hospitalized for a hip fracture and 51 matched controls from our outpatients department. All patients were subjected to a carotid sinus massage in the supine and upright position. Patients were categorized in accidental (Group A) and unexplained (Group B) fallers. Results:Six of 33 (18.2%) patients in Group A and 12 of 18 (66.7%) patients in Group B (P < 0.001) had a positive response to the carotid sinus massage. Nine controls (17.6%) also demonstrated CSH. Patients in Group B were older (A: 75.5 ± 8.5 years vs B: 80.1 ± 5.9 years, P =0.029) and were more likely to have a history of unexplained falls or syncope in the past (A: 0% vs B: 66.7%, P < 0.0001) than individuals in group A. Vasodepressor/mixed forms accounted for the majority of CSH responses in Group B (75%). When compared with the control group, CSH was still more common in Group B (B: 66.7% vs control: 17.6%, P < 0.0001) but not in Group A (A: 18.2% vs control: 17.6%, P =1.000). Conclusions:The prevalence of CSH is increased in elderly patients with hip fractures, only in those who present with an unexplained fall and report a history of syncope or unexplained falls in the past. The vasodepressor/mixed forms account for the majority of CSH responses in the group of unexplained fallers. [source]