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Selected AbstractsTime-action profile of insulin detemir and NPH insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes from different ethnic groups,DIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 5 2006M. Hompesch Aim:, To evaluate the time-action profiles and the dose,response relationship of the long-acting insulin analogues insulin detemir (IDet) and NPH insulin (NPH) in type 2 diabetic patients belonging to different ethnic groups. Methods:, Forty-eight type 2 diabetic patients belonging to different ethnic groups (three groups of 16 African Americans (AA), 16 Hispanics/Latinos (HL) and 16 Caucasians) participated in this double-blind crossover trial. Each patient took part in six 16-h isoglycaemic glucose clamps (clamp target 7.2 mmol/l) and was randomly allocated to three doses (0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 (I)U/kg) of IDet and NPH, respectively. Results:, IDet and NPH showed comparable pharmacodynamic effects [the area under the glucose infusion rate curve (AUCGIR 0-16 h) (mg/kg)] in the investigated dose range: IDet, 0.3 U/kg, 207 AA, 535 HL, 285 Caucasians; 0.6 U/kg, 1203 AA, 824 HL and 1126 Caucasians; 1.2 U/kg, 1502 AA, 1977 HL and 2269 Caucasians; NPH, 0.3 IU/kg, 733 AA, 1148 HL and 1148 Caucasians; 0.6 IU/kg, 1395 AA, 1976 HL and 1077 Caucasians; 1.2 IU/kg, 2452 AA, 3296 HL and 2455 Caucasians. Both IDet and NPH showed a linear dose,response relationship in all three groups (p = 0.31), without any significant differences in slope (p = 0.71) or intercept (p = 0.51). Comparable results were obtained for pharmacokinetics. Conclusions:, These results confirm a linear dose,response relationship of IDet, without any relevant differences between ethnic groups. This suggests that similar dosing recommendation can be used for IDet in type 2 diabetic patients belonging to different ethnic group. [source] Distinction between coeliac disease and refractory sprue: a simple immunohistochemical methodHISTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2000N Patey-Mariaud de Serre Aims We recently showed that refractory sprue is distinct from coeliac disease, the former being characterized by abnormal intraepithelial T-lymphocytes expressing a cytoplasmic CD3 chain (CD3c), lacking CD3 and CD8 surface expression, and showing TCR, gene rearrangements. To take advantage of the abnormal phenotype of CD3c + CD8 , intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) in refractory sprue we developed a simple method to distinguish coeliac disease from refractory sprue. Methods and results Comparative immunohistochemical studies using anti-CD3 and anti-CD8 antibodies were applied on paraffin-embedded and frozen biopsy specimens in refractory sprue (n = 6), coeliac disease (n = 10), healthy controls (n = 5) and suspected refractory sprue (n = 6). Comparable results were obtained on fixed and frozen biopsy specimens. In four of the six patients with suspected refractory sprue, abnormal CD3c + CD8 , IEL and TCR, gene rearrangements were found, as in refractory sprue; the remaining two patients had normal (CD3 + CD8 +) IEL and no TCR, gene rearrangements. Both patients had coeliac disease, as one failed to comply with a gluten-free diet, while the other was a slow responder. Conclusion This simplified immunostaining method using anti-CD3 and anti-CD8 antibodies on paraffin sections can distinguish active coeliac disease from refractory sprue and should prove useful in clinical practice. [source] Prevalence and longitudinal stability of negative symptoms in healthy participantsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 12 2009Lindsay C. Emmerson Abstract Objective Although negative symptoms are prominent in older patients with schizophrenia, it is unknown whether this pattern is prevalent in healthy participants. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether negative symptoms are present in healthy populations and to determine whether they are linked to illness-related processes or normal aging. Methods A systemic review of 26 studies that have administered negative symptom assessments to healthy participants was conducted. In addition, 213 (age,>,40,years old) healthy participants completed PANSS and SANS ratings at both baseline and 1-year follow-up. One-hundred participants also completed ratings after 3 years. Results Across all reviewed studies, negative symptoms were absent in the majority of participants. Comparable results were found in the current study's large longitudinal evaluation with middle-aged to older adults. Conclusions Taken together, the data suggest that healthy volunteers do not suffer from prominent negative symptoms. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that the greater prevalence and severity of negative symptoms in older patients is not related to normal aging but to illness-related processes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Do Muscle Mass, Muscle Density, Strength, and Physical Function Similarly Influence Risk of Hospitalization in Older Adults?JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 8 2009Peggy Mannen Cawthon PhD OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between strength, function, lean mass, muscle density, and risk of hospitalization. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Two U.S. clinical centers. PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged 70 to 80 (N=3,011) from the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study. MEASUREMENTS: Measurements were of grip strength, knee extension strength, lean mass, walking speed, and chair stand pace. Thigh computed tomography scans assessed muscle area and density (a proxy for muscle fat infiltration). Hospitalizations were confirmed by local review of medical records. Negative binomial regression models estimated incident rate ratios (IRRs) of hospitalization for race- and sex-specific quartiles of each muscle and function parameter separately. Multivariate models adjusted for age, body mass index, health status, and coexisting medical conditions. RESULTS: During an average 4.7 years of follow-up, 1,678 (55.7%) participants experienced one or more hospitalizations. Participants in the lowest quartile of muscle density were more likely to be subsequently hospitalized (multivariate IRR=1.47, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.24,1.73) than those in the highest quartile. Similarly, participants with the weakest grip strength were at greater risk of hospitalization (multivariate IRR=1.52, 95% CI=1.30,1.78, Q1 vs. Q4). Comparable results were seen for knee strength, walking pace, and chair stands pace. Lean mass and muscle area were not associated with risk of hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Weak strength, poor function, and low muscle density, but not muscle size or lean mass, were associated with greater risk of hospitalization. Interventions to reduce the disease burden associated with sarcopenia should focus on increasing muscle strength and improving physical function rather than simply increasing lean mass. [source] Biodegradable poly(D,L -lactide) coating of implants for continuous release of growth factorsJOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 4 2001G. Schmidmaier Abstract Local application of growth factors like insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-,1) from a biodegradable thin layer of poly(D,L -lactide) (PDLLA) coated implants could stimulate fracture healing. A new "cold coating technique" for metallic implants was established to produce a biodegradable coating with a high mechanical stability that provides a continuous release of incorporated growth factors. The properties of this bioactive coating were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Scanning electron microscope analysis revealed a coating thickness of in average 14.8 ,m on titanium and 10.7 ,m on steel wires. Intramedullary implantation and extraction experiments depicted a loss of PDLLA coating from titanium and steel implants of less than 5%. After explantation of the implants, the coating displayed a complete and regular layer without any defects of PDLLA uncovering the metallic surface. Smear tests demonstrate that the coating can be performed under sterile conditions. The PDLLA depicted a reduction of about 8% within 6 weeks in vitro and in vivo. The growth factors were incorporated in a stable form and demonstrated a loss of stability of less than 3% within 42 days and less than 5% within one year. In an elution experiment, 54% IGF-I and 48% TGF-,1 were released within the first 48 h. After 42 days, 76% of IGF-I and 71% of TGF-,1 were detected in the elution fluid by ELISA. Comparable results were obtained in the in vivo experiments after 42 days. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res (Appl Biomater) 58: 449,455, 2001 [source] Rheological properties of three different vitamin D ointments and their clinical perception by patients with mild to moderate psoriasisJOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 2005JP Marty ABSTRACT Background, Ointments, classically used for the treatment of dermatological diseases, are monophasic viscous semisolid formulations. According to the proportion of their compounds, they have physicochemical and organoleptic properties and when applied on skin show a specific behaviour allowing to be spread more or less easily. Objective, To measure in vitro rheological characteristics of three vitamin D derivative ointments prescribed for the treatment of psoriasis, and to compare their viscosity and clinical acceptability when applied on the diseased skin. Methods, Rheological characteristics of tacalcitol 4 µg/g, calcipotriol 50 µg/g and calcitriol 3 µg/g ointments were assessed by measuring the oscillatory viscoelastic parameters and the permanent flow analysis. Clinical acceptability was studied in 20 psoriatic male or female subjects, aged 18 years or older. A survey evaluated the acceptability of calcitriol vs. tacalcitol and calcipotriol. Questions included information about fluidity, spreading capacity and stickiness after application. Results, We demonstrated that viscoelastic parameters were four times higher for ointment tacalcitol than for calcipotriol and calcitriol, corresponding to a higher consistency of ointment tacalcitol compared to calcipotriol and calcitriol showing both similar results; better fluidity was demonstrated by calcitriol than by tacalcitol and calcipotriol. Comparable results were obtained for the quality to be spread. The sensation of stickiness, significantly different between tacalcitol and calcitriol, was not different between calcipotriol and calcitriol. Conclusion, The above results confirm the relationship between rheological in vitro and sensorial in vivo results: variations between different formulations may have an important influence on non-adherence and treatment failure. [source] FGF-2 but not FGF-1 binds fibrin and supports prolonged endothelial cell growthJOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 6 2003A. Sahni Summary., Endothelial cell viability and growth are dependent on both polypeptide growth factors, and integrin-mediated matrix interactions. We have now examined the ability of fibrin-binding and non-binding growth factors to support long-term endothelial cell growth in the presence or absence of the soluble form. Endothelial cells were cultured on a fibrin surface, with or without FGF-1 or FGF-2, and proliferation was determined by 3H-thymidine incorporation. Cells cultured on fibrin with no growth factor showed minimal proliferation up to 96 h. In contrast, when FGF-2 was incorporated into fibrin, proliferation was increased 6.5 ± 0.6-fold, equal to growth on a fibrin surface with FGF-2 continually present in the medium. Thymidine incorporation was similar when cells were cultured on a fibrin surface that had been incubated with FGF-2 and then the growth factor removed (8.6 ± 0.5-fold). In contrast to results with FGF-2, a surface of fibrin exposed to FGF-1 supported minimal growth, whereas growth was comparable to either FGF-1 or FGF-2 present in the medium. Comparable results were observed when proliferation was quantitated by cell counting at times up to 48 h. Binding studies demonstrated no high-affinity interaction of FGF-1 with fibrinogen or fibrin. We conclude that FGF-2 bound to fibrin supports prolonged endothelial cell growth as well as soluble FGF-2, whereas FGF-1 does not bind to fibrin and can support endothelial cell growth only if continually present in soluble form. Fibrin may serve as a matrix reservoir for FGF-2 to support cell growth at sites of injury or thrombosis. [source] Population structure and geographical subdivision of the Leishmania major vector Phlebotomus papatasi as revealed by microsatellite variationMEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 1 2009O. HAMARSHEH Abstract Multi-locus microsatellite typing (MLMT) has been employed to infer the population structure of Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli) (Diptera: Psychodidae) sandflies and assign individuals to populations. Phlebotomus papatasi sandflies were collected from 35 sites in 15 countries. A total of 188 P. papatasi individuals were typed using five microsatellite loci, resulting in 113 different genotypes. Unique microsatellite signatures were observed for some of the populations analysed. Comparable results were obtained when the data were analysed with Bayesian model and distance-based methods. Bayesian statistic-based analyses split the dataset into two distinct genetic clusters, A and B, with further substructuring within each. Population A consisted of five subpopulations representing large numbers of alleles that were correlated with the geographical origins of the sandflies. Cluster B comprised individuals collected in the Middle East and the northern Mediterranean area. The subpopulations B1 and B2 did not, however, show any further correlation to geographical origin. The genetic differentiation between subpopulations was supported by F statistics showing statistically significant (Bonferroni-corrected P < 0.005) values of 0.221 between B2 and B1 and 0.816 between A5 and A4. Identification of the genetic structure of P. papatasi populations is important for understanding the patterns of dispersal of this species and to developing strategies for sandfly control. [source] An analytical survey of the polyphenols of seeds of varieties of grape (Vitis vinifera) cultivated in Greece: implications for exploitation as a source of value-added phytochemicalsPHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS, Issue 1 2005Ramila Guendez Abstract Seed samples from 12 white and 25 red international and Hellenic native grape varieties (Vitis vinifera) were screened for their polyphenolic composition. The polyphenols determined were mainly of low molecular weight, including gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate and the procyanidins B1 and B2. Average values of total content for white and red varieties (376 and 388 mg/100 g seeds, respectively) were very similar. Comparable results were observed with respect to the individual polyphenol content with seeds from red varieties being, in general, slightly richer. The predominant ,avanol monomer in white and red varieties was catechin (which accounted for 50.5 and 49.3%, respectively, of the total content), whilst gallic acid and epigallocatechin were the constituents showing the lowest content, respectively. The data obtained are discussed with regard to the exploitation of grape seeds as a low-cost source of value-added phytochemicals. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Impedance and Fluorescence Quenching Studies on the Binding of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs)-Adsorbed and Solution Rutin with HemoglobinBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 2 2007Yuhua Su Electrochemical quartz crystal impedance (QCI) technique was utilized to monitor in situ the adsorption of rutin (RT) onto a carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-modified gold electrode and to study the binding process of solution hemoglobin (Hb) to RT immobilized on the electrode. Time courses of the QCI parameters including crystal resonant frequency were simultaneously obtained during the RT adsorption and Hb-RT binding. In contrast to the negligible RT adsorption at a bare gold electrode, the modification by CNTs notably enhanced the amount of adsorption, and almost all of the adsorbed RT molecules were found to be electroactive. On the basis of the frequency response from the binding of adsorbed RT to solution Hb and the diminished electroactivity of adsorbed RT after the formation of the electrochemically inactive RT-Hb adduct, the average binding molar ratio of adsorbed RT to Hb was estimated to be 23.9:1, and the association constant (Ka) for the binding was estimated to be 2.87 × 106 (frequency) and 3.92 × 106 (charge) L mol,1, respectively. Comparable results were obtained from fluorescence quenching measurements in mixed solutions containing RT of fixed concentration and Hb of varying concentrations, demonstrating that the interfacial RT here behaved equivalently in the RT-Hb binding activity compared to that in solution. This work may have presented a new and general protocol involving CNTs to study many other electroactive natural antioxidants or drugs that are at the interface or in solution, their binding with proteins or other biomolecules, and changes of their antioxidant activity after the binding. [source] Differences in histopathological and biochemical outcomes in patients with low Gleason score prostate cancerBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2010Hendrik Isbarn Study Type , Diagnosis (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE To test whether the number or percentage of positive biopsy cores can be used to discriminate between patients with prostate cancer of a favourable and less favourable Gleason score (GS) ,3 + 3, as prognostically, not all GS 3 + 3 prostate cancers are the same. PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 1106 consecutive patients with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of ,10 ng/mL and a biopsy GS of ,3 + 3 or 3 + 4 had an open radical prostatectomy. The number of positive biopsy cores (,2 vs ,3) were stratified into low- vs high-risk groups. Subsequently, we stratified patients according to the GS and the percentage of positive biopsy cores (<50% vs ,50%). The pathological stage and the 5-year biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival rates were examined in univariable and multivariable models. RESULTS Based on the number of positive cores, the rate of extraprostatic disease was 11.7% and 23.3%, respectively, in the low-and high-risk GS ,3 + 3 groups (P < 0.001). The 5-year BCR-free survival rates were 95.0%, 77.8%, 81.2% and 66.5% for, respectively, low- and high-risk GS ,3 + 3 and for low- and high-risk GS 3 + 4 patients. Univariable and multivariable intergroup BCR rate differences were statistically significant between low- vs high-risk GS 3 + 3 patients (P < 0.001), but not significant between high-risk GS ,3 + 3 vs low-risk GS 3 + 4 patients (P = 0.6). Comparable results were obtained when comparisons were made according to the percentage of positive biopsy cores. CONCLUSIONS Our results corroborate the finding that not all patients with a biopsy GS of ,3 + 3 prostate cancer have low-risk disease. High-risk GS ,3 + 3 patients have a similar risk profile as more favourable GS 3 + 4 patients. This finding warrants consideration when deciding on treatment. [source] Antiepileptic monotherapy significantly impairs normative scores on common tests of executive functionsACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2009E. Hessen Background,,, Understanding how antiepileptic (AED) monotherapy influences normative test scores is of importance in the clinic for correct interpretation of neuropsychological profiles. Previous studies have primarily reported minor influence on neuropsychological raw scores, and the clinical relevance of these findings is unclear. Aim of the study ,To obtain a clinical valid answer to this question, we analysed changes in T-scores after AED withdrawal in a large group of well-controlled epilepsy patients, for tests previously shown to be sensitive to AED withdrawal. Methods ,We report outcomes on measures of choice reaction time from the California Computerized Assessment Package, on the Controlled Oral Word Association Test and on the Stroop Color-Word Interference Test. Results ,Significantly improved T-scores were revealed after AED withdrawal on five of the six tests of executive functions with mean improvement of 5 T-scores. Comparable results were achieved in the subgroup taking carbamazepine, with a mean improvement of 6.2 T-scores. Conclusion ,The present results suggest that T-scores for computerized tests of choice reaction time and tests of verbal fluency and response inhibition may be significantly impaired as a consequence of AED monotherapy, and that careful interpretation of these scores is required in diagnostic assessment of patients receiving AED monotherapy. [source] Prospective Follow-Up Study of 95 Patients with Edentulous Mandibles Treated According to the Branemark Novum ConceptCLINICAL IMPLANT DENTISTRY AND RELATED RESEARCH, Issue 1 2003Per Engstrand DDS ABSTRACT Background: The long-term predictability reported with the traditional two-staged Brånemark method has led to developments aimed at simplifying the technique and reducing healing time. Results from a pilot study using the Brånemark Novum concept are promising, and it has been shown possible to fabricate and deliver an implant-supported fixed prosthesis to the patient on the day of surgery. Purpose: The objective of this study is to report clinical and radiographic outcomes in a group of patients treated according to the Brånemark Novum concept. Materials and Methods: Ninety-five patients with edentulous mandibles were consecutively included in the study. Three specially designed fixtures were placed in each patient (285 fixtures in total) using drilling templates. The fixtures were immediately splinted with a prefabricated substructure, and fixed prostheses were delivered the same day in 67% of the patients. For the rest, prosthesis delivery ranged from 1 to 40 days (mean 5.6 d). Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed after 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and then annually. The follow-up time was 1 to 5 years (mean 2.5 yr). Results: The cumulative prosthesis survival rate was 99%. Eighteen fixtures (6.3%) failed in 13 patients. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates demonstrated a probability implant survival at 1 year of 95.0% (94 patients), at 3 years of 93.3% (47 patients), and at 5 years of 93.3% (9 patients). The mean bone loss was 0.73 mm between the examinations at 3 months and 1 year, 0.16 mm during the second year, and 0.13 mm annually during years 3 to 5. Conclusions: Comparable results, related to continuous prosthesis stability, were shown for the Novum approach compared with the traditional two-staged procedure. Survival of individual fixtures is lower when immediate loading is applied. [source] Peripheral blood stem cell collection in multiple myeloma: A retrospective analysis of 6 years leukapheresis activity in 109 patients treated at the Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori of MilanJOURNAL OF CLINICAL APHERESIS, Issue 4 2009Paola Coluccia Abstract Double autologous stem cell transplantation is the standard treatment in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients younger than 65 years; therefore, optimization of leukapheresis is crucial. We performed a retrospective analysis of 297 leukaphereses comparing semiautomated (V4.7 in 20% of collections) versus automated (V6.0 in 80%) Caridian (COBE) Spectra versions and analyzing the influence of M-protein on the outcome. Both methods gave comparable collection efficiencies (CE%) (53.4% vs. 55.7% in V6.0 and V4.7, respectively) with similar leukapheresis time and processed volume. Harvest volume was higher in V4.7 (P < 0.0001) with similar contamination of red blood cells (RBCs) (P = 0.77) and platelets (P = 0.09) when compared with V6.0. In patients with higher peripheral white blood cells (WBCs), V6.0 with adjusted harvest volume (<700 mL), achieved similar CD34+ CE% (P = 0.39) and better enrichment of nucleated cells (P < 0.0,002) but higher RBCs (P < 0.0,001) and platelets contamination (P = 0.001), when compared with a larger cycle volume in patients with lower WBCs. In hard to mobilize patients, CD34+ CE% was significantly more efficient with V4.7 than V6.0 (P < 0.0,001). CD34+ CE% was unaffected by serologic M-protein, but platelet CE% was higher in the absence of M-protein (P = 0.0,003), without any reduction in peripheral patients platelets. We, therefore, conclude that in the setting of MM patients with a high WBCs count and/or low percentage of peripheral CD34+ cells, collections with V4.7 or adjusted cycle volume V6.0 gave comparable result in CD34+ CE%. RBCs and platelets contamination is higher if low cycle volume is chosen. In hard to mobilize patients, V4.7 is advisable. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Monocrystalline Cd0.2Zn0.8Te solid solution obtained by self-selecting vapour growthCRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 9 2010A. Szczerbakow Abstract Cd0.2Zn0.8Te monocrystals with the sizes of about 15 mm have been produced by self-selecting vapour growth (SSVG). High degree of structural perfection of monocrystalline Cd0.2Zn0.8Te was achieved. Excellent compositional uniformity was observed as well. To our knowledge, no comparable results are reported for this solid solution. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Current Concepts of Fat Graft Survival: Histology of Aspirated Adipose Tissue and Review of the LiteratureDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 12 2000Boris Sommer MD Background. Controversy remains about the longevity of correction in autologous fat grafts and its relation to adipocyte survival. Reported long-term fat graft survival rates differ widely, depending on harvesting method, means of reinjection, injection site, and evaluation methods. Objective. To demonstrate histologic findings of aspirated adipose tissue and compare the findings to the reports in the literature. Methods. Review of the literature and the histology of transplanted fat 7 years after subcutaneous implantation and trypan blue staining to determine the vitality of defrosted adipocytes. Results. Fat cells survive aspiration with a suction machine or syringe equally well. Use of a liposuction cannula or 14-gauge needle gives comparable results. Local anesthesia or tumescent local anesthesia is recommended for the donor site, preferably with addition of epinephrine. Conclusion. Clinical longevity of correction after autologous fat transfer is determined by the degree of augmentation resulting from the amount of fibrosis induced and the number of viable fat cells. Survival of aspirated fat cell grafts depends mainly on the anatomic site, the mobility and vascularity of the recipient tissue, or underlying causes and diseases, and less on harvesting and reinjection methods. [source] Rapid plant diversity assessment using a pixel nested plot design: A case study in Beaver Meadows, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USADIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS, Issue 4 2007Mohammed A. Kalkhan ABSTRACT Geospatial statistical modelling and thematic maps have recently emerged as effective tools for the management of natural areas at the landscape scale. Traditional methods for the collection of field data pertaining to questions of landscape were developed without consideration for the parameters of these applications. We introduce an alternative field sampling design based on smaller unbiased random plot and subplot locations called the pixel nested plot (PNP). We demonstrate the applicability of the PNP design of 15 m × 15 m to assess patterns of plant diversity and species richness across the landscape at Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), Colorado, USA in a time (cost)-efficient manner for field data collection. Our results produced comparable results to a previous study in the Beaver Meadow study (BMS) area within RMNP, where there was a demonstrated focus of plant diversity. Our study used the smaller PNP sampling design for field data collection which could be linked to geospatial information data and could be used for landscape-scale analyses and assessment applications. In 2003, we established 61 PNP in the eastern region of RMNP. We present a comparison between this approach using a sub-sample of 19 PNP from this data set and 20 of Modified Whittaker nested plots (MWNP) of 20 m × 50 m that were collected in the BMS area. The PNP captured 266 unique plant species while the MWNP captured 275 unique species. Based on a comparison of PNP and MWNP in the Beaver Meadows area, RMNP, the PNP required less time and area sampled to achieve a similar number of species sampled. Using the PNP approach for data collection can facilitate the ecological monitoring of these vulnerable areas at the landscape scale in a time- and therefore cost-effective manner. [source] Perchlorate assessment of the Nakdong and Yeongsan watersheds, Republic of KoreaENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 7 2007Oscar Quiñones Abstract The objective of the present study was to conduct a preliminary assessment for perchlorate in surface water, drinking water, and wastewater treatment plant effluent samples obtained from the Nakdong and Yeongsan watersheds in the Republic of Korea. Samples were analyzed for perchlorate using ion chromatography with suppressed conductivity detection (IC-CD) and/or liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection (LC-MS/MS). Method reporting limits were 5.0 ,g/L for IC-CD and 0.05 ,g/L for LC-MS/MS analysis. At perchlorate levels above 5.0 ,g/L, IC-CD and LC-MS/MS provided comparable results. The levels of perchlorate detected in the samples procured from the Yeongsan watershed were <5.0 ,g/L in each case. However, Nakdong watershed samples contained perchlorate at levels up to 60 ,g/L. The highest concentrations of perchlorate were found in surface water samples, although drinking water contained perchlorate at concentrations up to 35 ,g/L. In a subset of samples analyzed by LC-MS/MS, chlorate and bromate also were detected at concentrations ranging from <0.10 to 44 ,g/L and <0.10 to 2.6 ,g/L, respectively. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first perchlorate assessment reported for water sources in the Republic of Korea. [source] Low-threshold heat response antagonized by capsazepine in chick sensory neurons, which are capsaicin-insensitiveEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 10 2000Antonia Marín-Burgin Abstract The heat-transducing receptor VR1 cloned from rat sensory neurons can be activated by both noxious heat and capsaicin. As the response of sensory neurons to capsaicin is species dependent, it is conceivable that the responses to noxious heat and to capsaicin are transduced by distinct receptors across different species. Therefore, we investigated responses to noxious heat from a capsaicin-insensitive (chick) and a capsaicin-sensitive (rat) species. In chick, whole-cell patch-clamp experiments in isolated dorsal root ganglion neurons revealed two populations of neurons with different thresholds to noxious heat, activated at ,,43 °C and ,,53 °C. In cobalt uptake experiments, the proportion of neurons showing a heat-induced response increased with increasing heat stimuli. Application of capsaicin (1,10 ,m) did not result in inward currents or cobalt uptake. Rat neurons yielded comparable results in heat experiments, but were capsaicin-sensitive. Although chick neurons are insensitive to capsaicin, the competitive capsaicin antagonist capsazepine (1,10 ,m) was effective in blocking heat-induced responses, verified by patch-clamp and cobalt uptake methods. The noncompetitive capsaicin antagonist ruthenium red (10 ,m) reduced to almost nil the proportion of heat-responsive neurons identified with the cobalt uptake method. These findings suggest that chick DRG neurons express a low-threshold heat-transducing receptor with a pharmacological profile distinct from the low-threshold heat receptor VR1 cloned from rat DRG neurons. The data support the idea that there might be heat receptor subtypes with differences in the capsaicin binding site. [source] Fuzzy based fast dynamic programming solution of unit commitment with ramp constraintsEXPERT SYSTEMS, Issue 4 2009S. Patra Abstract: A fast dynamic programming technique based on a fuzzy based unit selection procedure is proposed in this paper for the solution of the unit commitment problem with ramp constraints. The curse of dimensionality of the dynamic programming technique is eliminated by minimizing the number of prospective solution paths to be stored at each stage of the search procedure. Heuristics like priority ordering of the units, unit grouping, fast economic dispatch based on priority ordering, and avoidance of repeated economic dispatch through memory action have been employed to make the algorithm fast. The proposed method produced comparable results with the best performing methods found in the literature. [source] Repetitive elements sequence (REP/ERIC)-PCR based genotyping of clinical and environmental strains of Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 1A reveal existence of limited number of clonal groupsFEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 2 2004Pooja Sachdeva Abstract REP- and ERIC-PCR genotyping were used to assess genetic heterogeneity among 81 strains of Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 1A isolated from India, Germany, France and the USA. Although both gave comparable results, ERIC fingerprints discriminated the strains better. The rep- (REP and ERIC) PCR genotyping showed that strains having different serotypes produced identical rep-profiles indicating their limited genetic diversity. The concatenated dendrogram of REP- and ERIC-PCR fingerprints clustered the biotype 1A strains into two major groups. In each group, majority of the Indian, European and American strains exhibited similarities ranging from 85% to >95%. Similarity of rep-PCR fingerprints amongst strains isolated from widely separated geographical regions revealed existence of a limited number of clonal groups of Y. enterocolitica biotype 1A. The present study failed to reveal unequivocal relationships between rep-PCR genotypes and the source of isolation. However, the clinical serotype O:6,30-6,31 strains formed a tight cluster and the aquatic O:6,30-6,31 strains formed a yet another tight cluster. [source] Comparative assessment of two distributed watershed models with application to a small watershedHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 11 2006Latif Kalin Abstract Distributed watershed models are beneficial tools for the assessment of management practices on runoff and water-induced erosion. This paper evaluates, by application to an experimental watershed, two promising distributed watershed-scale sediment models in detail: the Kinematic Runoff and Erosion (KINEROS-2) model and the Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis (GSSHA) model. The physics behind each model are to some extent similar, though they have different watershed conceptualizations. KINEROS-2 was calibrated using three rainfall events and validated over four separate rainfall events. Parameters estimated by this calibration process were adapted to GSSHA. With these parameters, GSSHA generated larger and retarded flow hydrographs. A 30% reduction in both plane and channel roughness in GSSHA along with the assumption of Green-Ampt conductivity KG-A = Ks, where Ks is the saturated conductivity, resulted in almost identical hydrographs. Sediment parameters not common in both models were calibrated independently of KINEROS-2. A comparative discussion of simulation results is presented. Even though GSSHA's flow component slightly overperformed KINEROS-2, the latter outperformed GSSHA in simulations for sediment transport. In spite of the fact that KINEROS-2 is not geared toward continuous-time simulations, simulations performed with both models over a 1 month period generated comparable results. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A comparison of techniques for hydrograph recession analysisHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 3 2004Joko Sujono Abstract A comparison between commonly used techniques for hydrograph recession analysis, namely the semi-logarithmic plot of a single recession segment, the master recession and a relatively new approach based on wavelet transform was carried out. These methods were applied to a number of flood hydrograph events of two catchments in West Java, Indonesia. The results show that all the methods tested produce reasonable and comparable results. However, problems arise in the semi-logarithmic plot and the master recession, i.e. determining the recession parameter K is not an easy task especially where the plotted data on a semi-logarithmic plot is not a linear but a curved line. On a curved line, the end of direct flow or starting point of baseflow is not clear and it is quite difficult to identify. Hence, the best line as a basis for computing the recession parameter K becomes uncertain. The wavelet transform approach, however, produces promising results and minimizes a number of problems associated with hydrograph recession analysis. The end of direct flow and the location of the baseflow component are easily determined through the wavelet maps. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Application of possibility theory in the life-cycle inventory assessment of biofuelsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 8 2002Raymond R. Tan Abstract Data uncertainty issues have constrained the widespread acceptance of life-cycle analysis (LCA) and related methods. This is particularly important in the LCA of fuels due to the wide range of available feedstocks and processing options. Despite recent attempts at standardization, there remain persistent doubts about the general validity of LCA results, often due to uncertainties about data quality. This paper demonstrates the application of possibility theory as a tool for handling life-cycle inventory data imprecision for the case of the net energy balance of coconut methyl ester (CME) as a biodiesel transport fuel. Results derived using a possibililistic computation are contrasted with those arrived at by probabilistic (Monte Carlo) simulation. The two approaches yield comparable results but possibilistic modelling offers significant advantages with respect to computational efficiency. The net energy balance of CME is estimated to be approximately 36 MJ kg,1, significantly higher than the 28 MJ kg,1 net energy typical of rapeseed oil methyl ester (RME) relevant to the U.K. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Drip loss in pork: influencing factors and relation to further meat quality traitsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 2007K. Fischer Summary The paper deals with some general features of drip loss and the most important factors influencing it. Moreover, it shows some exemplary results of an own investigation. Up to now there is no generally valid definition of drip loss available. Therefore measurement procedures have to be strongly standardized, otherwise they provide no comparable results. Drip loss depends on the shortening of sarcomeres which is regulated by the interaction of muscle temperature and rigour development. Hence, the chilling conditions are highly important. However, the main point is the velocity and the extent of the pH fall after slaughter. All factors influencing the occurrence of quality deviations like PSE, DFD, Acid meat, RSE, PFN will inevitably affect the degree of drip loss too. Under the conditions of an own study, investigating material of a progeny testing station, untypically, one third of the loins with higher-than-average wateriness were red rather than pale, and one third of the loins with higher-than-average brightness were only slightly exudative, which is untypical too. Pork with higher-than-average brightness and low wateriness exhibited, apart from the colour deviation, no crucial disadvantages. It showed only a marginally higher loss during storage, thawing and heating. Pork with higher-than-average drip loss , regardless of dark or pale colour , was predominantly combined with a pH1 less than 6.2, an electrical conductivity 24 h p.m. higher than 5.0 and a loin area higher than 56 cm2. [source] Fluctuating asymmetry as a bio-indicator in isolated populations of the Taita thrush: a Bayesian perspectiveJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 5-6 2002Luc Lens Aim We examined whether developmental instability can be used as a bio-monitoring tool in the endangered Taita thrush (Turdus helleri L.) through the measurement of individual levels of fluctuating asymmetry in tarsus length. Because estimates of the association between developmental instability, stress and fitness derived from traditional regression are biased, we compared parameter estimates obtained from likelihood based analysis with those obtained from a Bayesian latent variable model. Location Taita thrushes were captured and measured in three isolated cloud forest fragments located in the Taita Hills of south-east Kenya. Methods We applied mixed-effects regression with Restricted Maximum Likelihood parameter estimation (performed with SAS version 8.0) and Bayesian latent variable modelling (performed with WINBUGS version 1.3 and CODA version 0.4) to estimate unbiased levels of developmental instability and to model relationships between developmental instability and body condition in 312 Taita thrushes. Results Likelihood and Bayesian analyses yielded highly comparable results. Individual levels of developmental instability were strongly inversely related to body condition in the subpopulation with the lowest average condition. In contrast, both variables were unrelated in two other subpopulations with higher average condition. Such heterogeneity in association was in the direction expected by developmental theory, given that higher condition suggests more benign ambient conditions. The estimated levels of body condition in the three subpopulations did not support their presumed ranking in relation to environmental stress. Developmental instability and body condition are therefore believed to reflect different aspects of individual fitness. Main conclusions Variation in developmental homeostasis, either modelled as observable variable (fluctuating asymmetry) or latent variable (developmental instability), appears a useful indicator of stress effects in the Taita thrush. Because relationships between environmental stress and developmental instability may depend on the extent to which stress-mediated changes in other components of phenotypic variation are correlated, the study of trait asymmetry should preferably be combined with that of other measures of trait variability, such as trait size or organismal condition. [source] Proteomic analysis of RCL2 paraffin-embedded tissuesJOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE, Issue 5b 2008V. Belief Abstract Histopathological diagnosis in most of the world's hospitals is based upon formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Although this standard fixation and embedding procedure keeps the tissue in excellent form for morphological and immunohistological analysis, FFPE is inappropriate for nucleic acids and protein studies. We investigated the potential value of RCL2, a new non-toxic fixative, for sparing proteins preserved in paraffin-embedded tissues. Normal colonic mucosa tissue was fixed in RCL2 prior to paraffin embedding (RCL2P), and then processed for quality and quantity of protein conservation, as compared to frozen and FFPE tissues using complementary proteomic analysis approaches. Using 4 different protein extraction protocols, RCL2P tissue consistently showed the highest protein yield. Similar protein patterns were observed with RCL2P and frozen tissues using mono and bi-dimensional electrophoresis. Moreover, membrane, cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins, as well as phosphorylated proteins, were successfully detected using western-blot. Furthermore, protein patterns observed by mass spectrometry analysis after laser-captured microdissection were found to be identical for frozen and RCL2-fixed tissues. At last, immunohistochemistry using various antibodies showed comparable results between both tissue storage methods. We concluded that RCL2 has great potential for performing both morphological and molecular analyses on the same archival paraffin-embedded tissue sample, and can be a new method for investigating protein biomarkers. [source] Epac1-induced cellular proliferation in prostate cancer cells is mediated by B-Raf/ERK and mTOR signaling cascadesJOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2009Uma Kant Misra Abstract cAMP-dependent, PKA-independent effects on cell proliferation are mediated by cAMP binding to EPAC and activation of Rap signaling. In this report, we employed the analogue 8-CPT-2-O-Me-cAMP to study binding to EPAC and subsequent activation of B-Raf/ERK and mTOR signaling in human cancer cells. This compound significantly stimulated DNA synthesis, protein synthesis, and cellular proliferation of human 1-LN prostate cancer cells. By study of phosphorylation-dependent activation, we demonstrate that EPAC-mediated cellular effects require activation of the B-Raf/ERK and mTOR signaling cascades. RNAi directed against EPAC gene expression as well as inhibitors of ERK, PI 3-kinase, and mTOR were employed to further demonstrate the role of these pathways in regulating prostate cancer cell proliferation. These studies were then extended to several other human prostate cancer cell lines and melanoma cells with comparable results. We conclude that B-Raf/ERK and mTOR signaling play an essential role in cAMP-dependent, but PKA-independent, proliferation of cancer cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 998,1011, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Bayeswatch: an overview of Bayesian statisticsJOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 2 2002Peter C. Austin PhD Abstract Increasingly, clinical research is evaluated on the quality of its statistical analysis. Traditionally, statistical analyses in clinical research have been carried out from a ,frequentist' perspective. The presence of an alternative paradigm , the Bayesian paradigm , has been relatively unknown in clinical research until recently. There is currently a growing interest in the use of Bayesian statistics in health care research. This is due both to a growing realization of the limitations of frequentist methods and to the ability of Bayesian methods explicitly to incorporate prior expert knowledge and belief into the analyses. This is in contrast to frequentist methods, where prior experience and beliefs tend to be incorporated into the analyses in an ad hoc fashion. This paper outlines the frequentist and Bayesian paradigms. Acute myocardial infarction mortality data are then analysed from both a Bayesian and a frequentist perspective. In some analyses, the two methods are seen to produce comparable results; in others, they produce different results. It is noted that in this example, there are clinically relevant questions that are more easily addressed from a Bayesian perspective. Finally, areas in clinical research where Bayesian ideas are increasingly common are highlighted. [source] A combination of HbA1c, fasting glucose and BMI is effective in screening for individuals at risk of future type 2 diabetes: OGTT is not neededJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2006M. NORBERG Abstract. Objective., To identify a screening model that predicts high risk of future type 2 diabetes and is useful in clinical practice. Design and methods., Incident case-referent study nested within a population-based health survey. We compared screening models with three risk criteria and calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values and attributable proportion. We used fasting plasma glucose (FPG) alone or with an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), glycosylated haemoglobin A (HbA1c) (normal range 3.6,5.3%), body mass index (BMI), triglycerides and family history of diabetes (FHD). Setting., Participants in a health survey at all primary care centres (n = 33 336) and subjects with diagnosed type 2 diabetes in primary and hospital care (n = 6088) in Umeå during 1989,2001. Subjects., Each of the 164 subjects who developed clinically diagnosed type 2 diabetes (median time to diagnosis of 5.4 years) and 304 sex- and age-matched referents without diabetes diagnosis. Results., Screening models with at least one criterion present had sensitivities of 0.90,0.96, specificities of 0.43,0.57 and PPVs of 8,9%. Combinations of the criteria, FPG , 6.1 mmol L,1 (capillary plasma), HbA1c , 4.7% and BMI , 27 in men and BMI , 30 in women, had sensitivities, specificities and PPVs of 0.66%, 0.93% and 32%, and 0.52%, 0.97% and 46% respectively. Using FHD as one of three risk criteria showed comparable results. Addition of triglycerides or OGTT did not improve the prediction. Conclusions., The combination of HbA1c, FPG and BMI are effective in screening for individuals at risk of future clinical diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. OGTT or FHD is not necessary. [source] |