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Selected AbstractsInflux of calcium through L-type calcium channels in early postnatal regulation of chloride transporters in the rat hippocampusDEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 13 2009Jennifer G. Bray Abstract During the early postnatal period, GABAB receptor activation facilitates L-type calcium current in rat hippocampus. One developmental process that L-type current may regulate is the change in expression of the K+Cl, co-transporter (KCC2) and N+K+2Cl, co-transporter (NKCC1), which are involved in the maturation of the GABAergic system. The present study investigated the connection between L-type current, GABAB receptors, and expression of chloride transporters during development. The facilitation of L-type current by GABAB receptors is more prominent in the second week of development, with the highest percentage of cells exhibiting facilitation in cultures isolated from 7 day old rats (37.5%). The protein levels of KCC2 and NKCC1 were investigated to determine the developmental timecourse of expression as well as expression following treatment with an L-type channel antagonist and a GABAB receptor agonist. The time course of both chloride transporters in culture mimics that seen in hippocampal tissue isolated from various ages. KCC2 levels increased drastically in the first two postnatal weeks while NKCC1 remained relatively stable, suggesting that the ratio of the chloride transporters is important in mediating the developmental change in chloride reversal potential. Treatment of cultures with the L-type antagonist nimodipine did not affect protein levels of NKCC1, but significantly decreased the upregulation of KCC2 during the first postnatal week. In addition, calcium current facilitation occurs slightly before the large increase in KCC2 expression. These results suggest that the expression of KCC2 is regulated by calcium influx through L-type channels in the early postnatal period in hippocampal neurons. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 2009 [source] Technology-related research in HRD publications: An analysis of content and metaperspectives from 2000 to 2006HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY, Issue 3 2008Rod P. Githens This study explores the presence of technology-related research in HRD, identifies what the research addressed, and analyzes how the research was addressed. We reviewed 1,675 papers in five publications. During the seven-year period examined, 169 articles were technology-related. Through a content analysis, we identified the topics of those articles, methodological approaches, organizational settings represented in the research, the fields of the researchers, and the papers' orientation toward research and practice. In comparison to the total articles in each publication, the highest percentage of technology research was published in conference proceedings. [source] CMV antibody prevalence and seroincidence in plateletpheresis donorsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL APHERESIS, Issue 2 2008Caroline E. Boeke Abstract Objective: To determine the prevalence and seroincidence of CMV seropositivity in plateletpheresis donors of different ages and gender. Methods: CMV antibody serostatus, birthdate, and date of first and most recent donation between the years 1976 and 2006 were retrieved from 222 plateletpheresis donor records at the Johns Hopkins Hospital Donor Center. CMV antibody serostatus was obtained for 183 donors at the most recent donation for which CMV antibody data were available. CMV antibody status and time interval between first and most recent donation were also obtained from 97 repeat plateletpheresis donors who were CMV antibody negative at time of first donation. Results: Overall CMV antibody positivity was 35.5% for 183 donors (mean age = 46.0 years) at time of most recent donation. CMV seropositivity tended to increase with age, being 37.5, 17.9, 37.5, 39.0, and 61.5% for donors aged 20,29 years (n = 8), 30,39 years (n = 39), 40,49 years (n = 64), 50,59 years (n = 59), and 60+ years (n = 13), respectively. Overall CMV seroincidence was 1.6 seroconversions per 100 person years with a rate of 1.4 seroconversions per 100 years for men and 2.3 for women. Conclusion: CMV seroprevalence and seroincidence in this plateletpheresis donor population are relatively low so that a large percentage of donors are likely to be able to provide CMV seronegative platelet components for many years. Our data suggest that targeting groups with lower CMV seroprevalence and seroincidence rates such as young people and possibly men will likely yield the highest percentage of CMV seronegative donors. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Diversity, extinction risk and conservation of Malaysian fishesJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 9 2010V. C. Chong A total of 1951 species of freshwater and marine fishes belonging to 704 genera and 186 families are recorded in Malaysia. Almost half (48%) are currently threatened to some degree, while nearly one third (27%) mostly from the marine and coral habitats require urgent scientific studies to evaluate their status. Freshwater habitats encompass the highest percentage of threatened fish species (87%) followed by estuarine habitats (66%). Of the 32 species of highly threatened (HT) species, 16 are freshwater and 16 are largely marine,euryhaline species. Fish extinctions in Malaysia are confined to two freshwater species, but both freshwater and marine species are being increasingly threatened by largely habitat loss or modification (76%), overfishing (27%) and by-catch (23%). The most important threat to freshwater fishes is habitat modification and overfishing, while 35 species are threatened due to their endemism. Brackish-water, euryhaline and marine fishes are threatened mainly by overfishing, by-catch and habitat modification. Sedimentation (pollution) additionally threatens coral-reef fishes. The study provides recommendations to governments, fish managers, scientists and stakeholders to address the increasing and unabated extinction risks faced by the Malaysian fish fauna. [source] The Vienna classification applied to colorectal adenomasJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 11 2006Carlos A Rubio Abstract Background and Aim:, In 1999, a group of Western and Asian pathologists gathered in Vienna reached consensus regarding the classification of gastrointestinal epithelial neoplasia. In this study, that classification is applied to colorectal adenomas. Methods:, Colorectal adenomas from 1552 patients were histologically classified according to the categories listed in Vienna: category 3, low-grade dysplasia; 4.1, high-grade dysplasia; 4.2, carcinoma in situ; 4.3, suspicious of intramucosal carcinoma; 5.1, intramucosal carcinoma; and 5.2, submucosal carcinoma. The criteria used to diagnose these lesions are described in detail. Adenomas with dysplasia (categories 3 and 4.1) or with carcinoma (categories 4.2, 4.3, 5.1 and 5.2) were analyzed separately. On basis of their configuration, adenomas were classified into tubular, tubulovillous, villous, serrated, microtubular and combined phenotypes (i.e. other than tubulovillous). Results:, The highest percentage of adenomas with carcinoma was found amongst villous adenomas (29.6%), followed by combined adenomas (27.8%). Villous adenoma with carcinoma was the most frequent neoplasia at all ages; combined adenomas with carcinoma were more frequent among younger patients. In elderly patients (,60 years of age) the highest percentage of adenomas with carcinoma was recorded in villous adenomas (28.1%), followed by serrated adenomas (19.2%). Villous adenomas and combined adenomas with carcinoma were more frequent in males. Conclusion:, The Vienna classification of colorectal adenomas seems to be influenced by parameters inherent to the patient such as age and sex and by the histological phenotype of the adenoma. With the recent improvement in medical technology it is possible to laser-microdisect a defined group of neoplastic glands (such as with carcinoma in situ or with intramucosal carcinoma) for specific molecular analysis. This modern technology will permit in future the translation of histological structures into molecular terms. [source] MODULATION OF VERY-LONG CHAIN (C28) HIGHLY UNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS IN PROROCENTRUM MININUM (DINOPHYCEAE) BY SELENIUMJOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 2000A. Place Recently, very-long-chain (C28) highly unsaturated fatty acids (VLC-HUFA) were identified in seven marine dinoflagellate species (Manour et al., Phytochemistry, 1999, 50: 541,548). In general, the proportion of these fatty acids accounted for less than 2.3% of the total fatty acids in these species. As part of a study investigating the modulation of the hemolytic fatty acid 18:5n3, cultures of Prorocentrum mininum were grown in artificial seawater with varying molarities of sodium selenite (0, 1, 10, and 100 nM). Optimal growth was observed at 1 nM with this media. As expected, the level of 18:5n3 was modulated by the selenium in the culture medium (7.0 ± 0.2, 14.5 ± 0.6, 7.4 ± 0.8, and 3.9 ± 0.8% of total fatty acid, respectively), with the highest percentage found at 1 nM. Unexpectedly the level of VLC-HUFA (28:8n3) increased to 7.3 ± 2.8% at 0 nM sodium selenite, while at all other selenite concentrations the VLC-HUFA was less than 1%. A possible biochemical basis for this finding will be discussed. [source] Web searching on the Vivisimo search engineJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 14 2006Sherry Koshman The application of clustering to Web search engine technology is a novel approach that offers structure to the information deluge often faced by Web searchers. Clustering methods have been well studied in research labs; however, real user searching with clustering systems in operational Web environments is not well understood. This article reports on results from a transaction log analysis of Vivisimo.com, which is a Web meta-search engine that dynamically clusters users' search results. A transaction log analysis was conducted on 2-week's worth of data collected from March 28 to April 4 and April 25 to May 2, 2004, representing 100% of site traffic during these periods and 2,029,734 queries overall. The results show that the highest percentage of queries contained two terms. The highest percentage of search sessions contained one query and was less than 1 minute in duration. Almost half of user interactions with clusters consisted of displaying a cluster's result set, and a small percentage of interactions showed cluster tree expansion. Findings show that 11.1% of search sessions were multitasking searches, and there are a broad variety of search topics in multitasking search sessions. Other searching interactions and statistics on repeat users of the search engine are reported. These results provide insights into search characteristics with a cluster-based Web search engine and extend research into Web searching trends. [source] Contribution of the largest events to suspended sediment transport across the USALAND DEGRADATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2010J. C. Gonzalez-Hidalgo Abstract This work analyses the contribution of the largest events to suspended sediment transport on the continental scale. The analysis is based on the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Suspended Sediment and Ancillary database. Data were obtained from 1314 catchments, comprising more than 2,500,000 daily events. The total number of days in the dataset amounts to 10,000 years. Catchments are of different sizes and belong to distinct climatic environments; they are distributed for the analysis according to USA hydrological divisions (HDs). The main objective of the research is to examine the effect of the n -largest event on the total suspended sediment load over recorded periods, and to discuss different behaviour between HDs. To accomplish this, the daily events at each catchment are ranked by magnitude, and then the percentage represented by the n -largest event (e.g. 3-largest, 5-largest, 10-largest, 15-largest, 20-largest, 25-largest) is calculated from the total accumulated load. Results indicate that suspended sediment transported by the 25-largest events represents on average more than 50,per cent of the total load. The California HD, mostly under Mediterranean climatic conditions, accounts for the highest percentage of sediment transport across conterminous USA, whatever n -largest daily events are selected. There, the 3-largest events contribute, on average, 38,per cent of the total sediment load, the 10-largest events represent 61,per cent and the 25-largest events produce more than 76,per cent of the total sediment transport. Overall, the contribution of largest daily events seems not to depend on the climatic conditions in small catchments (<100,km2) and, in addition, the percentage of suspended sediment increases over all HDs, while, at the same time, the catchment size decreases. Finally, we discuss differences between catchments across the USA, according to climatic and historical (i.e. land use) factors. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The responsiveness of the OAB-q among OAB patient subgroups,NEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 2 2007Karin S. Coyne Abstract Aims Although the majority of patients with overactive bladder (OAB) are continent, most patient-reported outcome measures for OAB were designed for patients with urinary incontinence. The overactive bladder questionnaire (OAB-q) was developed to assess symptom bother and HRQL among both continent and incontinent OAB patients; however, the responsiveness of the OAB-q among continent patients has not been evaluated. The purpose of this analysis was to assess the responsiveness of the OAB-q among OAB patient subgroups with a focus on continent patients. Methods Post-hoc analyses were conducted from two 12-week trials of tolterodine for the treatment of OAB. Patients completed the OAB-q and daily bladder diaries (assessing frequency, urgency, and incontinence episodes) at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks. Three patient subgroups were identified on the basis of continence status at all three timepoints: (1) continent; (2) incontinent; and (3) incontinent at baseline and continent by Week 12 (ITC). General linear models were used to compare changes from baseline, and Spearman correlations assessed the association between OAB-q changes and bladder diary changes. Effect sizes were computed separately for each group. Results A total of 262 continent, 552 incontinent, and 397 ITC patients were included in this analysis. Continent patients tended to be younger than incontinent patients, and patients were predominantly female, although continent patients had the highest percentage of male patients in both studies. Compared with continent patients, patients who were incontinent at baseline tended to have greater symptom bother and lower HRQL at baseline. All OAB-q change scores were consistently greatest for the ITC group (12.1,33.9), and greater for continent patients (10.8,28.6) than for incontinent patients (7.6,20.1). All three groups of patients experienced reductions in frequency and urgency episodes, and these changes were significantly correlated with changes in the OAB-q scales. Among all three groups, effect sizes were in the moderate-to-large range for all OAB-q subscales except Social Interaction. Conclusions The OAB-q is highly responsive to change between continent and incontinent patients with OAB, and is a valid tool for measuring treatment outcomes among continent OAB patients. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:196,203, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Measurement of pesticide residues in peppers by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopyPEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 6 2010María-Teresa Sánchez Abstract BACKGROUND: Peppers are a frequent object of food safety alerts in various member states of the European Union owing to the presence in some batches of unauthorised pesticide residues. This study assessed the viability of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) for the measurement of pesticide residues in peppers. Commercially available spectrophotometers using different sample-presentation methods were evaluated for this purpose: a diode-array spectrometer for intact raw peppers and two scanning monochromators fitted with different sample-presentation accessories (transport and spinning modules) for crushed peppers and for dry extract system for infrared analysis (DESIR), respectively. RESULTS: Models developed using partial least squares,discriminant analysis (PLS2-DA) correctly classified between 62 and 68% of samples by presence/absence of pesticides, depending on the instrument used. At model validation, the highest percentage of correctly classified samples,75 and 82% for pesticide-free and pesticide-containing samples respectively,were obtained for intact peppers using the diode-array spectrometer. CONCLUSION: The results obtained confirmed that NIRS technology may be used to provide swift, non-destructive preliminary screening for pesticide residues; suspect samples may then be analysed by other confirmatory analytical methods. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Effects of hatchling body colour and rearing density on body colouration in last-stadium nymphs of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregariaPHYSIOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 1 2007KOUTARO MAENO Abstract The influences of hatchling character and rearing density on body colour at the last-nymphal stadium are investigated for the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria. Hatchlings are divided into five groups based on the darkness of the body colour and reared either under isolated or crowded conditions. Two types of body colour variation at the last-nymphal stadium are separately analysed (i.e. the background colour and black patterns). Under isolated conditions, the background body colour is either greenish or brownish. Most individuals are greenish and the highest percentage of brownish insects is obtained from hatchlings with the darkest body colour. Under crowded conditions, the background colour is yellow or orange and the percentage of yellowish nymphs tends to decrease when they are darker at hatching. The intensity of black patterns differs depending on the body colour at hatching and subsequent rearing density. Most isolated-reared nymphs exhibit few or no black patterns but nymphs with some black patterns also appear, particularly among those that had been dark at hatching. Under crowded conditions, the black patterns become more intense when they are darker at hatching. Therefore, last-stadium nymphs with typical solitarious or gregarious body colouration appear when they have the phase-specific body colouration at hatching as well. The present results demonstrate that both body colour at hatching and rearing density during nymphal development influence body colouration at the last-nymphal stadium. [source] Variation of Apigenin Quantity in Diploid and Tetraploid Chamomilla recutita (L.) RauschertPLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2000vehlíková Abstract: Apigenin, a pharmacologically important flavonoid of the chamomile plant, was analyzed at two ploidy levels during a three-year period. This flavonoid accumulates in the ligulate florets of the anthodium. Higher percentages of apigenin were found in the ligulate florets of a diploid cultivar, in comparison with tetraploid plants. However, when the total apigenin (mg of compound) in the anthodium was evaluated, tetraploid individuals accumulated significantly more flavonoid. Moreover, in contrast to morphological quantitative characteristics of the anthodium, which varied significantly in different years, apigenin percentage in the ligulate florets was constant and not influenced by environmental conditions. Apigenin content was also found to change during inflorescence ontogeny. It represents the highest percentage of dry mass in young developing florets and anthodia of both cultivars. The total apigenin content of the anthodium, however, increases during flowering, although at later stages apigenin forms only a minor part of ligulate floret and anthodium dry mass. [source] Livestock-handling injuries in agriculture: An analysis of Colorado workers' compensation data,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2009David I. Douphrate PhD Abstract Background Previous studies have reported that livestock-handling injuries are among the most severe of agricultural injuries. This study identifies the costs, characteristics, and contributing factors associated with livestock-handling injuries among Colorado dairy farmers, cattle/livestock raisers, and cattle dealers. Methods A 10-year (1997,2006) history of Colorado's workers' compensation claims data was used for analysis. Descriptive analyses of livestock-handling injury claims were performed. Claim cost analysis was also conducted. The agent,host,environment epidemiological model was used to analyze injury event descriptions. Results A total of 1,114 livestock-handling claims were analyzed. Claims associated with milking parlor tasks represented nearly 50% of injuries among dairy workers. Claims associated with riding horseback, sorting/penning cattle, and livestock-handling equipment represented high proportions of livestock-handling injuries among cattle/livestock raisers and cattle dealers. Claims associated with livestock-handling represented the highest percentage of high-cost and high-severity injuries in all three sectors. Conclusions Livestock-handling injuries are a significant problem, more costly, and result in more time off work than other causes of agricultural injuries. There is a strong and compelling need to develop cost-effective interventions to reduce the number of livestock-handling injuries in agriculture. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:391,407, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids among health care workers in a general hospital, ChinaAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2009Min Zhang BM Abstract Objectives To understand current status of occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (BBF), and awareness of knowledge about occupational bloodborne pathogen exposures and universal precaution among hospital-based health care workers (HCWs). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted during April to May 2004 to study incidence of occupational exposure to BBF among 1,144 hospital-based HCWs. Results The total incidence and the average number of episodes exposure to BBF was 66.3/100 HCWs per year and 7.5 per person per year in the past year, respectively. The incidence (per 100/HCWs per year) and the average number of episodes (per HCW per year) of percutaneous injury (PCI), mucous-membrane exposure (MME), and exposure to BBF by damaged skin was 50.3 and 1.8; 34.4 and 1.7; and 37.9 and 4.0, respectively. The leading incidence and the average number of episodes of PCI occurred in delivery room (82.6 and 1.8). The highest percentage of PCI's that occurred during the previous 2 weeks occurred during a surgical operation (22.8%). Of all sharp instruments, the suture needle contributed the highest percentage of PCI's (24.7%) among HCWs in the last 2 weeks. Over two-thirds (68.3%) of respondents were immunized with Hepatitis B vaccine; less than one-half (47%) of HCWs wore gloves while doing procedures on patients. The respondents demonstrated a lack of knowledge regarding transmission of bloodborne diseases and universal precautions. Conclusions Risk for potential exposure to BBF appears high in HCWs, and almost all of episodes are not reported. It is urgent to establish the Guideline for Prevention and Control of Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens among HCWs. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:89,98, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Effect of Docosahexaenoic Acid on Quality of Cryopreserved Boar Semen in Different BreedsREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 3 2010K Kaeoket Contents During the cryopreservation process, the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in the sperm plasma membrane decreases significantly because of lipid peroxidation, which may contribute to sperm loss quality (i.e. fertility) of frozen,thawed semen. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementation of DHA (fish oil) in freezing extender II on frozen,thawed semen quality. Semen from 20 boars of proven motility and morphology, were used in this study. Boar semen was split into four groups, in which the lactose,egg yolk (LEY) extender used to resuspend the centrifuged sperm pellet was supplemented with various levels of fish oil to reach DHA level of 1X (group I, control, no added fish oil), 6X (group II), 12X (group III) and 18X (group IV). Semen solutions were frozen by using a controlled rate freezer. After cryopreservation, frozen semen was thawed and evaluated for progressive motility, viability by using SYBR-14/Ethidiumhomodimer-1 (EthD-1) staining and acrosome integrity by using FITC-PNA/EthD-1 staining. There was a significantly higher (p < 0.001) percentage of progressive motility, viability and acrosome integrity in DHA (fish oil) supplemented groups than control group. Generally, there seemed to be a dose-dependent effect of DHA, with the highest percentage of progressive motility, viability and acrosome integrity in group-III. In conclusion, supplementation of the LEY extender with DHA by adding fish oil was effective for freezing boar semen as it resulted in higher post-thaw plasma membrane integrity and progressive motility. [source] Physiological action of oestradiol on the acrosome reaction in human spermatozoaANDROLOGIA, Issue 3 2008P. Vigil Summary The acrosome is a secretory vesicle located in the sperm head. The acrosome reaction consists in the fusion of the sperm plasma membrane with the external acrosomal membrane. It has been observed that this reaction does not take place in spermatozoa incubated in cervical mucus, hydrogel that contains high concentrations of oestradiol in the peri-ovulatory period. The objective of the present study was to analyse the influence of oestradiol on the acrosome reaction in human spermatozoa to evaluate the possible inhibitory effect of this hormone. Spermatozoa were incubated in progesterone (10.1 nmol l,1); oestradiol plus progesterone (oestradiol at 840 pmol l,1 and progesterone at 10.1 nmol l,1), oestradiol (840 pmol l,1) and control (without steroidal hormones) for 30 min, 60 min, 240 min and 24 h. The acrosome reaction was evaluated by stain with Hoechst 33258 and fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin lectin. Progesterone-incubated spermatozoa showed the highest percentage of acrosome reaction (P < 0.05). Spermatozoa incubated with oestradiol and oestradiol plus progesterone showed the lowest percentage of acrosome reaction. The present study demonstrates the inhibitory role of oestradiol on the acrosome reaction, stimulated by progesterone in human spermatozoa under physiological conditions. [source] Effect of different methods for the induction of spermiation on semen quality in European eelAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 15 2005Juan F Asturiano Abstract Five hormonal treatments with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were tested for the induction of maturation and spermiation in male farmed eels. The main aim was to optimize previously used hormonal treatments to achieve shorter induction treatments, longer spermiation periods and/or higher sperm quality. Fish treated for just 3 weeks (treatment E) or until the onset of spermiation (treatment C) showed the worst results, while the treatment consisting of weekly administration of 1.5 IU hCG g,1 fish (treatment A) induced the highest percentage of spermiating males, the highest number of sperm samples and sperm volumes and densities similar to the rest of the treatments (B: half hormone dosage, or D: biweekly administration). Evaluation of the sperm quality was performed by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), considering the percentage of total motile spermatozoa, the percentage of fast and medium-velocity spermatozoa, as well as different motility parameters. Sperm samples from A-D groups showed between 44% and 54% motile spermatozoa, and between 10% and 15% fast spermatozoa, while samples from E-treated males showed 0% motile cells. No significant differences were found in the spermatozoa straight line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL) or the angular velocity (VAP), neither spermatozoa beating cross frequency (BCF) between A,D groups. [source] Allometry and biomass distribution in replanted mangrove plantations at Gazi Bay, KenyaAQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue S1 2009J. G. Kairo Abstract 1.This study reports above-ground biomass of 5 and 8 years old mangrove plantations in Kenya. Trees with stem diameter greater than 5.0,cm inside 100,m2 sample plots were harvested, and then separated into stems (trunks), branches, leaves and prop roots. 2.Mean above-ground biomass was calculated at 20.25 t dry matter ha,1 for Rhizophora mucronata Lam., 11.7 t dry matter ha,1 for Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh., 6.7 t dry matter ha,1 for Sonneratia alba Sm. and 3.7 t dry matter ha,1 for Ceriops tagal (Perr.) C. B. Robinson. In A. marina and R. mucronata, stems (52.19%) and prop-roots (30.28%), respectively, accounted for the highest proportion of the above-ground dry weight. While in S. alba and C. tagal, branch biomass represented the highest percentage of biomass, 48.20% and 43.62%, respectively. 3.The total above-ground biomass of R. mucronata was best estimated from regression equations using a combination of height and diameter above stilt root as the independent variables. For A. marina, C. tagal and S. alba there was no simple correlation found between the above-ground biomass and tree height or stem diameter. 4.Comparison of the regression models with those developed elsewhere gave different biomass values in these plots, further reinforcing the need for the use of site-specific allometric equations for biomass estimation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Scion genotype controls biomass allocation and root development in grafted grapevineAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF GRAPE AND WINE RESEARCH, Issue 2 2010J.-P. TANDONNET Abstract Background and Aims:, Grafting is used in viticulture worldwide. Rootstocks are known to alter scion development or ,confer vigour' to varying degrees. This work examines scion/rootstock interactions in young grafted grapevines. Its aim was to determine the effects of scion and rootstock genotypes on biomass allocation within the plant. Methods and Results:, Five months after grafting, biomass allocation between the root and the shoot was measured for all the scion/rootstock combinations made between three Vitis genotypes. The scion genotype explained the highest percentage of the non-random variance for biomass allocation within the plant, including biomass allocation to the roots, i.e. it conferred differences in root vigour. In addition, we developed a double-grafted system, in which a single scion was grafted onto two rootstocks, to analyse further scion (or carbon source) effects on root development. Conclusions:, This work provides evidence of conferred root vigour by the scion which does not appear to be related to carbon supply from the shoot. The genotypes studied display varying levels of plasticity in their response to different grafting partners. Significance of the Study:, This work presents detailed analysis of biomass allocation within young grafted vines. In young grafted grapevines, the scion genotype has a major effect on most parameters of development, especially in the root. This aspect of rootstock/scion interactions should be taken into account when selecting rootstocks. A double-grafting system was developed for future research on signalling pathways and exchange mechanisms between scion and rootstock in grafted grapevine. [source] Interspecific Competition and Niche Separation in Primates: A Global AnalysisBIOTROPICA, Issue 3 2009Brian M. Schreier ABSTRACT Primates are an extraordinarily well-known tropical forest, mammalian taxon. We investigated potential modes of niche separation in primates by identifying sympatric species with putatively similar niche characteristics and assessing potential competition using data gleaned from an extensive literature review. We defined competing species-pairs as (a) sympatric species in which (b) the body mass of the larger species was within 30 percent of the smaller species' mass and (c) the species had the same category of diet. A sample of 43 well-studied forests (7,20 per continent) provided 673 pairs of sympatric primate species. Of these, 45 pairs (7%) are potential competitors by our definition. Africa has the largest number of competing pairs (17 pairs), while Asia might have the highest percentage of competitors in each forest site (17%). Niche separation was investigated for each pair by examining them for each of eight possible modes of separation: detailed differences in diets (28% of potential competitors), use of different heights in the forest (25%), use of different types of forest (14%), use of different locations within the forest (11%), use of support branches of different diameters (7%), different ranging behavior (6%), different techniques of prey capture (4%), and differential timing of activity (4%). The use of different heights in the forest is the dominant form of potential separation in Africa (31% of competing species-pairs) and Asia (38%), while detailed differences in diet appears to be the primary mode of niche separation in the Americas (26%) and Madagascar (32%). [source] The Effects of Primates and Squirrels on Seed Survival of a Canopy Tree, Afzelia quanzensis, in Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Kenya,BIOTROPICA, Issue 1 2000Mwangi Gathua ABSTRACT I examined the fate of seeds from ten focal trees of Afzelia quanzensis (Leguminosae), a canopy tree in the Arabuko-Sokoke, Kenya. The study was conducted for one fruiting season, between August 1990 and July 1991. Yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus), Syke's monkeys (Cercopithecus albogularis), sun squirrels (Heliosciurus rufobrachium), and bush squirrels (Paraxerus palliatus) were all observed to interact with A. quanzensis seeds at various stages of pod development. Baboons and squirrels consumed high percentages of seeds when they were still immature, but the seeds were still unavailable to Syke's monkeys at this stage. Baboons bit open the hard green pods and squirrels gnawed through the pods to extract the immature seeds (hereafter referred to as seed predation), but monkeys were unable to open the pods. Upon maturity, the pods opened slightly, revealing red arils that were sought by baboons, monkeys, and squirrels. Monkeys removed the highest percentage of mature seeds from these pods. These mammal dispersers ate the arils from the mature seeds and discarded the viable part that germinates (hereafter referred to as seed dispersal). My data indicate that baboons and squirrels are seed predators while monkeys are seed dispersers of A. quanzensis. [source] A 5-decade analysis of 13,715 carcinoid tumorsCANCER, Issue 4 2003Irvin M. Modlin M.D., Ph.D. Abstract BACKGROUND Carcinoid tumors represent an unusual and complex disease spectrum with protean clinical manifestations. This compilation of several large United States-based databases comprising patients from 1950 to 1999 examines 13,715 carcinoid tumors and provides epidemiologic information regarding the natural history and evolution of the detection and diagnosis of this entity. METHODS The authors evaluated 10,878 carcinoid tumors that were identified by the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) from 1973 to 1999 in addition to 2837 carcinoid tumors that were registered previously by two earlier NCI programs. To the authors' knowledge, this represents the largest current epidemiology series addressing carcinoid tumors to date. RESULTS Specific trends in incidence for carcinoid tumors of certain sites were identified. Among the most recently collected subset of data, sites that demonstrated the greatest incidence of carcinoids were the gastrointestinal tract (67.5%) and the bronchopulmonary system (25.3%). Within the gastrointestinal tract, most carcinoid tumors occurred in the small intestine (41.8%), rectum (27.4%), and stomach (8.7%). For all sites, age-adjusted incidence rates were highest in black males (4.48 per 100,000 population per year). Associated noncarcinoid tumors were frequent in conjunction with small intestinal (29.0%), gastric (20.5%), colonic (20.0%), and appendiceal (18.2%) carcinoids. The highest percentages of nonlocalized lesions were noted for cecal (81.5,83.2%) and pancreatic (71.9,81.3%) carcinoids, whereas the highest percentage of localized disease was found among rectal (81.7%), gastric (67.5%), and bronchopulmonary (65.4%) carcinoids. The best 5-year survival rates were recorded for patients with rectal (88.3%), bronchopulmonary (73.5%), and appendiceal (71.0%) carcinoids; these tumors exhibited invasive growth or metastatic spread in 3.9%, 27.5%, and 38.8% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Carcinoids appear to have increased in overall incidence over the past 30 years; for some sites, this trend has been evident for nearly half a century. Recent marked increases in gastric and rectal carcinoids and a concomitant decrease in appendiceal carcinoid incidence may be due in part to varying rules of registration among the compiled databases examined in this report or to improvements in diagnostic technology; increased awareness of and about carcinoid tumors also may play a significant role. In 12.9% of all patients with carcinoid, distant metastases already were evident at the time of diagnosis; the overall 5-year survival rate for all carcinoid tumors, regardless of site, was 67.2%. These findings bring into question the widely promulgated relative benignity of carcinoid disease. Certain carcinoid tumors, such as those of the rectum, appear to be over-represented among the black and Asian populations within the United States, suggesting the role of genetics in the development of this intriguing disease. Cancer 2003;97:934,59. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11105 [source] Evaluation of a new biodegradable membrane to prevent gingival ingrowth into mandibular bone defects in minipigsCLINICAL ORAL IMPLANTS RESEARCH, Issue 1 2009Daniel S. Thoma Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to test whether a synthetic, biodegradable membrane made of polyethylene glycol (PEG) can prevent soft-tissue ingrowth into alveolar defects. Material and methods: In each of 16 minipigs, three mandibular premolars were bilaterally extracted. Three months later, acute standardized defects (diameter 8 mm, depth 8 mm) were prepared. Four treatment modalities were randomly allocated to the defects: (1) PEG membrane plus collagen sponge, (2) polylactide (PLA) membrane plus collagen sponge, (3) collagen sponge alone, and (4) empty defect. Animals were sacrificed at 10 days (n=5), 21 days (n=5), or 2 months (n=6) after treatment. Qualitative and quantitative histological evaluations of soft-tissue ingrowth and bone regeneration were performed on nondecalcified ground sections. For statistical analysis, the Mann,Whitney,Wilcoxon test, the Kruskal,Wallis, and the paired t -test were applied. P -values were adjusted using the Dunnett,Hsu adjustment. Results: At 10 days, the PEG membrane group showed the least soft-tissue ingrowth (mean value ,0.75 mm; range ,1.35 to ,0.10), followed by the PLA membrane group ,0.18 mm (,0.80 to 0.44), the collagen group 0.04 mm (,0.65 to 0.73), and the empty defects 0.60 mm (,0.08 to 1.29). Statistically significant differences were observed between the PEG membrane group and the empty defects (P<0.05). At 21 days, the highest percentage of newly formed bone was found in the PEG membrane group (mean 28.4%; range 21.6,35.2) compared with 23.7% (16.9,30.5; PLA membrane), 15.2% (8.2,22.2; collagen group), and 21.6% (14.5,28.8; empty defects). Statistically significant differences were only found between the PEG membrane group and the collagen group (P<0.05). At 2 months, the tested parameters revealed no statistically significant differences between the groups. Conclusion: The experimental PEG membrane applied in the present study successfully prevented collapse of the covering soft tissues to a degree similar to the PLA membrane. The combination of a collagen sponge and the PEG membrane showed the least soft-tissue ingrowth at 10 days and promoted more bone formation at 21 days. [source] Optimizing open live-donor nephrectomy , long-term donor outcomeCLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 3 2004M Schostak Abstract:, Introduction:, The technique of laparoscopic or retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy has been increasingly propagated in recent years. The central advantage is supposed to be a reduction of perioperative discomfort. However, there have not been many reports describing the subjective feeling associated with an open donor nephrectomy, particularly with respect to the pain level in the perioperative and long-term course. This retrospective study examines the perioperative pain and morbidity and long-term outcome of living kidney donors from 35 yr of experience at the University Hospital Benjamin Franklin of the Free University of Berlin. Methods:, A total of 102 living kidney donors were asked to fill out a questionnaire. Five epidemiological questions were posed and the rest dealt mainly with lasting subjective and objective surgical impairments. There were also questions relating to the perioperative pain level (VAS/NAS-Score). In addition, basic information was obtained regarding the donor's current health status (physical examination, serum creatinine; sometimes also ultrasound, protein IU, blood pressure), and/or examinations were performed. Results:, The mean age at the time of donation was 45.5 and 55% were women. Donor nephrectomies were left-sided in 78 cases and right-sided in 24. There was a total complication rate of 53%, but serious complications only occurred in two cases (1.9%). A total of 53 donors could be reached. Although 41.5% felt they had a lasting impairment, somatic sequelae like respiratory, abdominal or scar problems were rare, affecting a maximum of only four patients in each case. Fifteen patients reported neurological problems such as sensory disturbances. The mean serum creatinine was 89.9 ,mol/L in female and 114.2 ,mol/L in male donors. Microalbuminuria was found in 22.6% of the donors, hypertension in 35.8%. Persistent pain was reported by 20.7%, its occurrence being permanent in two of the donors and very frequent in one. All the others rarely have pain. The median perioperative VAS/NAS score was 8 on the first day after surgery, 5 after 1 wk and 1 after 1 month. The analgesia was rated as good or very good by 71%. Everyday life was managed as well as before surgery after 2,4 wk by the highest percentage (42%) of patients, but working capacity was only regained after 1,3 months by a comparable percentage (44%). Forty-six percent had a very good and 33% a good feeling after the kidney donation. The relationship to the recipient had intensified in most cases. Ninety-one percent would again decide in favor of a donation. Conclusion:, Donor nephrectomy in an open technique is a safe and reliable procedure with low morbidity. After a median post-operative period of 7 yr, however, 42% of the donors still report general impairment due to the intervention, although concrete somatic problems were only detected in a few cases. Nearly all these patients underwent surgery in a full flank position. Wound-healing impairments were also significantly more frequent with this surgical technique. This positioning should thus be avoided. The post-operative pain level was relatively high, but a marked improvement was achieved in the course of the observation period by optimizing analgesic management. [source] Parsimonious prediction model for the prevalence of dental visitsCOMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 5 2008Hazem Seirawan Abstract,,, Objectives:, To analyze the prevalence of dental visits within the last year in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System or BRFSS (2003) national database by simple sociodemographic factors, and to predict prevalence in States that have not participated in BRFSS 2003. Methods:, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System is a cross-sectional telephone survey conducted by the state-level authorities in the United States and based on a standardized questionnaire to determine the distribution of risk behaviors and health practices among noninstitutionalized adults. A multivariable logistic regression model considers the complex sample design of the BRFSS was used to predict the prevalence of dental visits based on four nonclinic parsimonious variables. Results:, White race, high income (,$35 000), education above high school, and marital status were associated with an annual dental visit with odds ratios of 1.38, 2.09, 1.61, and 1.18, respectively. Utah had the highest percentage (78%) of estimated annual users, while ,Virgin Islands' had the lowest percentage (59%). The model's correct classification rate was 61.5%. Conclusions:, State and local governments, health promotion organizations, insurance companies, and organizations that administer public health programs (such as Medicare and Medicaid in the U.S.) will benefit by applying this model to the available nonclinical databases, and will be able to improve planning of dental health services and required dental workforce. [source] Effect of storage media on human periodontal ligament cell apoptosisDENTAL TRAUMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2008Mónica M. Chamorro However, the mechanisms by which different storage conditions alter the functional status of PDL cells have not been determined. The purpose of the present study was to investigate, in vitro, the level of programed cell death or apoptosis in a population of PDL cells following storage under different conditions. Primary human PDL cells were plated into 24-well-culture plates and allowed to attach for 24 h. Cells were then exposed for 1 h to milk, Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS), Soft Wear contact lens solution or Gatorade at room temperature or on ice. Culture medium was used as a negative control. Apoptosis was evaluated at 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment on quadruplicate samples by using the ST 160 ApopTag Fluorescein Direct In Situ Detection Kit. The total number of cells and the total number of apoptotic cells were counted. The results indicated that at 24 and 72 h, PDL treated with Gatorade and the contact lens solution displayed the highest percentages of apoptotic cells when compared with the other treatment groups at room temperature. Overall, cells treated on ice showed significantly lower levels of apoptosis when compared with treatments at room temperature. In conclusion, the results indicated that apoptosis plays a major role in cell death in cells treated with Gatorade and contact lens solutions in comparison to other storage solutions and that storage on ice can inhibit programed cell death. [source] Multilevel factors affecting tuberculosis diagnosis and initial treatmentJOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 3 2008Wilawan Thongraung BSc Abstract Objectives, The study aims to assess provider adherence to national tuberculosis programme guidelines on diagnosis, initial regimens and dosages, and to examine independent effects of factors at patient, staff and hospital levels influencing adherence. Methods, A review of 383 medical records of new tuberculosis (TB) patients and interviews with related staff were carried out. The study was conducted in 16 public hospitals of seven provinces of southern Thailand. The outcome variables were provider adherence to the guidelines on diagnostic procedure, initial regimen and dosage. Independent variables consisted of patient, staff and hospital factors. Multilevel logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with adherence. Results, The proportions of adherence to the diagnostic procedure, initial regimen and initial dosage prescribed were 70.0%, 100.0% and 57.1%, respectively. Most of diagnosis non-adherence was anti-TB drugs being prescribed for smear-negative patients without prior antibiotic trial (12.5%). The anti-TB drug with the highest percentages of patients receiving non-adhered dosage was ethambutol (33.6%). In contrast to single-level analysis, which showed significant influence of up to five factors, multilevel analysis confirmed only strong effect of male patients receiving better adhered diagnosis and of non-doctors and TB clinics providing better dosage adherence. Conclusions, Adherence to TB diagnostic procedures was not good, and adherence to initial dosage, especially for ethambutol, was poor. TB clinics, the key factor of adherence, should be expanded. Female patients should be reviewed more carefully because they tend to receive poorer diagnosis adherence. [source] HIGH PREVALENCE OF EXTENDED-SPECTRUM ,-LACTAMASES ESCHERICHIA COLI AND VANCOMYCIN-RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCI ISOLATES FROM CHICKEN PRODUCTS.JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 1 2010A PROBLEM OF PUBLIC HEALTH ABSTRACT Twenty-nine chicken products were acquired from different supermarkets in Portugal during September to December 2007 and were analyzed for extended-spectrum ,-lactamases (ESBL) Escherichia coli and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Cefotaxime-resistant E. coli isolates were recovered in 27 of 29 chicken samples representing 93% of the analyzed samples. The highest percentages of resistance (more than 50% of the isolates) were detected for ampicillin, nalidixic acid and tetracycline. VRE isolates were detected in 17 of 29 samples of chicken origin (59%) and were identified as Enterococcus durans (n = 15) and E. faecium (n = 2) with the highest percentages of resistance being detected for erythromycin, tetracycline, ampicillin and ciprofloxacin. Seven E. durans and the two E. faecium isolates recovered from chicken wings, gizzard and skin show gelatinase activity. The high rate of colonization of chicken products by these bacteria supports other studies suggesting that the food chain could be a source of ESBL and VRE colonization in humans representing a public health problem. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The data indicate that chicken products may be contaminated with a high prevalence of extended-spectrum ,-lactamases Escherichia coli and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). It is important to mention that the isolates present a diversity of phenotypes of antimicrobial resistance, and half of the VRE isolates show also gelatinase activity, indicating that these animals may be a reservoir of bacteria showing virulence and increased resistance to antimicrobial agents, raising special concerns about their transmission to humans through the food chain. [source] Chemotherapy with Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Prednisolone (COP) in Cats with Malignant Lymphoma: New Results with an Old ProtocolJOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2002Erik Teske This retrospective study in 61 cats with malignant lymphomas examined the efficacy of a well-established chemotherapy protocol (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone [COP]) in the Netherlands, a country with a low prevalence of feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Twenty-two cats (36.1%) had mediastinal lymphoma, 11 (18.0%) had alimentary lymphoma, 7 (11.5%) had peripheral lymphoma, 8 (13.1%) had nasal lymphoma, and 13 (21.3%) had miscellaneous lymphoma (including renal lymphoma in 2 [3.3%]). Of the 54 cats that were tested, only 4 (7.4%) were FeLV positive. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 46 of the 61 cats (75.4%). The estimated 1- and 2-year disease-free periods (DFPs) in the 46 cats with CR were 51.4 and 37.8%, respectively, whereas the median duration of remission was 251 days. The overall estimated 1-year survival rate in all cats was 48.7%, and the 2-year survival rate was 39.9%, with a median survival of 266 days. The median survival time and the 1-year survival rate for mediastinal lymphoma were 262 days and 49.4%, respectively. Siamese cats had a more favorable prognosis for survival and remission than other breeds. Response to therapy in this study was shown to be a significant prognostic indicator. CR is necessary for long-term survival. Cats that did not achieve CR had little chance of survival for longer than 1 year. Young Siamese cats in this study had a greater tendency to develop mediastinal malignant lymphoma at a young age, and all were FeLV negative. In comparison with results reported in other studies with different combination chemotherapy protocols, these are among the highest percentages of remission and the longest survival rates for cats with malignant lymphoma. [source] Chemical compositions, feed intakes and digestibilities of crop residue based rations in non-lactating Red Sokoto goats in the subhumid zone of NigeriaANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2003Bunmi S. MALAU-ADULI Abstract The present study was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition, intake and digestibility of crop residue based rations by Red Sokoto goats maintained on natural pastures and Digitaria smutsii hay during the dry season of the year. Twenty-eight non-lactating does were blocked for weight and assigned to 7 treatment groups comprising 4 does each in a completely randomized design. Ration A, the conventional concentrate ration, was used as the positive control, Rations B and C were the two crop residue based test rations, while Ration D, the unsupplemented treatment, was used as the negative control. Each of the supplementation rations was fed at 1% and 2% of the doe's body weight. Ration A had the highest crude protein percentage of 17.19% while Rations B and C had 9.54 and 10.38%, respectively. The naturally grazed pastures and Digitaria smutsii hay (Ration D) contained the least protein: 2.76 and 4.75%, respectively. Ration D also had the highest percentages of acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber and lignin (49.14, 74.73 and 9.49% in hay and 50.29, 8.27 and 11.5% in grazed pastures, respectively). Ration A on the other hand, had the lowest percentages of acid detergent fiber (20.00%), neutral detergent fiber (40.01%) and lignin (4.64%). The results indicated that the supplemented group of does had significantly higher (P < 0.05) dry matter and crude protein intakes as well as nutrient digestibilities than the unsupplemented groups. A comparison of the unsupplemented animals with all the other treatment groups revealed that dry matter digestibility improved by a range of 4.1,27.9%, while crude protein digestibility improved by 17.1,42.2%, the highest value being in does on Ration A. It was concluded that goats were able to subsist and make appreciable gains in the long dry season on crop-based diets that compared favorably with the conventional concentrate rations. Of the two tested crop residue based rations, Ration C is a better supplementation package than Ration B. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||