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MH
Selected AbstractsCardiac function during mild hypothermia in pigs: increased inotropy at the expense of diastolic dysfunctionACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2010H. Post Abstract Aim:, The induction of mild hypothermia (MH; 33 °C) has become the guideline therapy to attenuate hypoxic brain injury after out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation. While MH exerts a positive inotropic effect in vitro, MH reduces cardiac output in vivo and is thus discussed critically when severe cardiac dysfunction is present in patients. We thus assessed the effect of MH on the function of the normal heart in an in vivo model closely mimicking the clinical setting. Methods:, Ten anaesthetized, female human-sized pigs were acutely catheterized for measurement of pressure,volume loops (conductance catheter), cardiac output (Swan-Ganz catheter) and for vena cava inferior occlusion. Controlled MH (from 37 to 33 °C) was induced by a vena cava inferior cooling catheter. Results:, With MH, heart rate (HR) and whole body oxygen consumption decreased, while lactate levels remained normal. Cardiac output, left ventricular (LV) volumes, peak systolic and end-diastolic pressure and dP/dtmax did not change significantly. Changes in dP/dtmin and the time constant of isovolumetric relaxation demonstrated impaired active relaxation. In addition, MH prolonged the systolic and shortened the diastolic time interval. Pressure,volume analysis revealed increased end-systolic and end-diastolic stiffness, indicating positive inotropy and reduced end-diastolic distensibility. Positive inotropy was preserved during pacing, while LV end-diastolic pressure increased and diastolic filling was substantially impaired due to delayed LV relaxation. Conclusion:, MH negatively affects diastolic function, which, however, is compensated for by decreased spontaneous HR. Positive inotropy and a decrease in whole body oxygen consumption warrant further studies addressing the potential benefit of MH on the acutely failing heart. [source] Safety of sertindole versus risperidone in schizophrenia: principal results of the sertindole cohort prospective study (SCoP)ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2010S. H. L. Thomas Thomas SHL, Drici MD, Hall GC, Crocq MA, Everitt B, Lader MH, Le Jeunne C, Naber D, Priori S, Sturkenboom M, Thibaut F, Peuskens J, Mittoux A, Tanghřj P, Toumi M, Moore ND, Mann RD. Safety of sertindole versus risperidone in schizophrenia: principal results of the sertindole cohort prospective study (SCoP) Objective:, To explore whether sertindole increases all-cause mortality or cardiac events requiring hospitalization, compared with risperidone. Method:, Multinational randomized, open-label, parallel-group study, with blinded classification of outcomes, in 9858 patients with schizophrenia. Results:, After 14147 person-years, there was no effect of treatment on overall mortality (sertindole 64, risperidone 61 deaths, Hazard Ratio (HR) = 1.12 (90% CI: 0.83, 1.50)) or cardiac events requiring hospitalization [sertindole 10, risperidone 6, HR = 1.73 (95% CI: 0.63, 4.78)]: Of these, four were considered arrhythmia-related (three sertindole, one risperidone). Cardiac mortality was higher with sertindole (Independent Safety Committee (ISC): 31 vs. 12, HR=2.84 (95% CI: 1.45, 5.55), P = 0.0022; Investigators 17 vs. 8, HR=2.13 (95% CI: 0.91, 4.98), P = 0.081). There was no significant difference in completed suicide, but fewer sertindole recipients attempted suicide (ISC: 68 vs. 78, HR=0.93 (95% CI: 0.66, 1.29), P = 0.65; Investigators: 43 vs. 65, HR=0.67 (95% CI: 0.45, 0.99), P = 0.044). Conclusion:, Sertindole did not increase all-cause mortality, but cardiac mortality was higher and suicide attempts may be lower with sertindole. [source] The Attentional Resource Allocation Scale (ARAS): psychometric properties of a composite measure for dissociation and absorption,DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 8 2010R. N. Carleton M.A. Abstract Background: Differences in attentional processes have been linked to the development and maintenance of psychopathology. Shifts in such processes have been described by the constructs Dissociation and Absorption. Dissociation occurs when external and/or internal stimuli are excluded from consciousness due to discrepant, rather than unitary, manifestations of cognitive awareness [Erdelyi MH. 1994: Int J Clin Exp Hypnosis 42:379,390]. In contrast, absorption can be conceptualized by a focus on limited stimuli, to the exclusion of other stimuli, because of unifying, rather than discrepant, manifestations of cognitive awareness. The Dissociative Experiences Scale [DES; Bernstein EM, Putnam FW. 1986: J Nerv Ment Dis 174:727,735] and Tellegen Absorption Scale [TAS; Tellegen A, Atkinson G. 1974: J Abnorm Psychol 83:268,277] are common measures of each construct; however, no factor analyses are available for the TAS and despite accepted overlap, no one has assessed the DES and TAS items simultaneously. Previous research suggests the constructs and factor structures need clarification, possibly including more parsimonious item inclusion [Lyons LC, Crawford HJ. 1997: Person Individ Diff 23:1071,1084]. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factor structure of the DES and TAS and create a psychometrically stable measure of Dissociation and Absorption. Methods: This study included data from an undergraduate (n=841; 76% women) and a community sample (n=233; 86% women) who each completed the DES and TAS. Results: Exploratory factor analyses [Osborne JW (ed). 2008: Best Practices in Quantitative Methods. Los Angeles: Sage Publications Inc.] with all DES and TAS items suggested a 15-item 3-factor solution (i.e., imaginative involvement, dissociative amnesia, attentional dissociation). Confirmatory factor analyses resulted in excellent fit indices for the same solution. Conclusions: The items and factors were conceptualized in line with precedent research as the Attentional Resource Allocation Scale (ARAS). Comprehensive results, implications, and future research directions are discussed. Depression and Anxiety, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Diagnostic utility of the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS-C16 and QIDS-SR16) in the elderlyACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2010P. M. Doraiswamy Doraiswamy PM, Bernstein IH, Rush AJ, Kyutoku Y, Carmody TJ, Macleod L, Venkatraman S, Burks M, Stegman D, Witte B, Trivedi MH. Diagnostic utility of the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS-C16 and QIDS-SR16) in the elderly. Objective:, To evaluate psychometric properties and comparability ability of the Montgomery-Ĺsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) vs. the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology,Clinician-rated (QIDS-C16) and Self-report (QIDS-SR16) scales to detect a current major depressive episode in the elderly. Method:, Community and clinic subjects (age ,60 years) were administered the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) for DSM-IV and three depression scales randomly. Statistics included classical test and Samejima item response theories, factor analyzes, and receiver operating characteristic methods. Results:, In 229 elderly patients (mean age = 73 years, 39% male, 54% current depression), all three scales were unidimensional and with nearly equal Cronbach , reliability (0.85,0.89). Each scale discriminated persons with major depression from the non-depressed, but the QIDS-C16 was slightly more accurate. Conclusion:, All three tests are valid for detecting geriatric major depression with the QIDS-C16 being slightly better. Self-rated QIDS-SR16 is recommended as a screening tool as it is least expensive and least time consuming. [source] Indicators of pretreatment suicidal ideation in adults with major depressive disorderACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2010D. W. Morris Morris DW, Trivedi MH, Husain MM, Fava M, Budhwar N, Wisniewski SR, Miyahara S, Gollan JK, Davis LL, Daly EJ, Rush AJ. Indicators of pretreatment suicidal ideation in adults with major depressive disorder. Objective:, In order to evaluate the presence of treatment emergent suicidal ideation (SI), it becomes necessary to identify those patients with SI at the onset of treatment. The purpose of this report is to identify sociodemographic and clinical features that are associated with SI in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients prior to treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Method:, This multisite study enrolled 265 out-patients with non-psychotic MDD. Sociodemographic and clinical features of participants with and without SI were compared post hoc. Results:, Social phobia, bulimia nervosa, number of past depressive episodes, and race were independently associated with SI by one or more SI measure. Conclusion:, Concurrent social phobia and bulimia nervosa may be potential risk factors for SI in patients with non-psychotic MDD. Additionally, patients with more than one past depressive episode may also be at increased risk of SI. [source] Assessing motivation to quit smoking in people with mental illness: a reviewADDICTION, Issue 5 2009Ranita Siru ABSTRACT Background People with mental health (MH) disorders smoke at higher rates, are more nicotine-dependent and suffer greater morbidity and mortality from smoking-related illnesses than the general population. Helping these people to quit smoking is a public health priority; however, many MH professionals assume that those with mental illness are not motivated to quit. Objectives To use predetermined criteria to identify, review critically and evaluate empirically all English language, peer-reviewed data on motivation to quit smoking in MH populations. Methods A systematic search was conducted and key data on subject characteristics, measures of motivation and other variables abstracted. ,2 analyses were used to compare motivation between MH and general populations, between in-patients and out-patients and between people with depression and people with psychotic disorders. Results Evidence suggests that people with MH disorders are as motivated to quit smoking as the general population, although those with psychotic disorders may be less motivated than individuals with depression. Although readiness to cease smoking was assessed in 14 studies, only two evaluated motivation to quit smoking in in-patient populations. Conclusions People with MH disorders are motivated to quit smoking, although more research is needed looking at in-patient populations. The commonly held false belief that people with MH disorders are not motivated to cease smoking means that opportunities to encourage smoking cessation among this disenfranchised group are being missed. [source] Preparation of Hydroxylamine and O -Methylhydroxylamine Complexes of Manganese and RheniumEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 17 2006Gabriele Albertin Abstract Hydroxylamine and O -methylhydroxylamine complexes [M(NH2OH)(CO)nP5,n]BPh4 and [M(NH2OCH3)(CO)nP5,n]BPh4 [M = Mn, Re; n = 1, 2, 3; P = P(OEt)3, PPh(OEt)2, PPh2OEt] were prepared by allowing hydrides MH(CO)nP5,n to react first with triflic acid and then with an excess of hydroxylamine. Bidentate phosphane and phosphite can also be used to prepare both NH2OH and NH2OCH3 complexes of manganese and rhenium of the [M(NH2OR)(CO)2(P,P)-{P(OEt)3}]BPh4 and [M(NH2OR)(CO)3(P,P)]BPh4 [R = H, CH3; P,P = Ph2POCH2CH2OPPh2, Ph2PO(CH2)3OPPh2, Ph2PN(CH3)CH2CH2N(CH3)PPh2] types with the use of MH(CO)2(P,P){P(OEt)3} and MH(CO)3(P,P) as precursors. The complexes were characterized spectroscopically and by theX-ray crystal-structure determination of [Re(NH2OCH3)(CO)2{PPh(OEt)2}3]BPh4 and [Re(NH2OCH3)(CO)3{Ph2PO(CH2)3OPPh2}]BPh4. Oxidation of the hydroxylamine complexes with Pb(OAc)4 was studied at ,40 °C and led to an unstable compound tentatively characterized as a nitroxyl [M],N(H)=O derivative.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006) [source] Intracellular Ca2+ responses and cell volume regulation upon cholinergic and purinergic stimulation in an immortalized salivary cell lineEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 3 2010Marit H. Aure Aure MH, Rřed A, Kanli Galtung H. Intracellular Ca2+responses and cell volume regulation upon cholinergic and purinergic stimulation in an immortalized salivary cell line. Eur J Oral Sci 2010; 118: 237,244. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Eur J Oral Sci The water channel aquaporin 5 (AQP5) seems to play a key role in salivary fluid secretion and appears to be critical in the cell volume regulation of acinar cells. Recently, the cation channel transient potential vanilloid receptor 4 (TRPV4) was shown to be functionally connected to AQP5 and also to cell volume regulation in salivary glands. We used the Simian virus 40 (SV40) immortalized cell line SMG C10 from the rat submandibular salivary gland to investigate the effect of ATP and the neurotransmitter analogue carbachol on Ca2+ signalling and cell volume regulation, as well as the involvement of TRPV4 in the responses. We used fura-2-AM imaging, cell volume measurements, and western blotting. Both carbachol and ATP increased the concentration of intracellular Ca2+, but no volume changes could be measured. Inhibition of TRPV4 with ruthenium red impaired both ATP- and carbachol-stimulated Ca2+ signals. Peak Ca2+ signalling during hyposmotic exposure was significantly decreased following inhibition of TRPV4, while the cells' ability to volume regulate appeared to be unaffected. These results show that in the SMG C10 cells, simulation of nervous stimulation did not induce cell swelling, although the cells had intact volume regulatory mechanisms. Furthermore, even though Ca2+ signals were not needed for this volume regulation, TRPV4 seems to play a role during ATP and carbachol stimulation. [source] Caries outcomes after orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances: do lingual brackets make a difference?EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 3 2010M. H. Van Der Veen van der Veen MH, Attin R, Schwestka-Polly R, Wiechmann D. Caries outcomes after orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances: do lingual brackets make a difference? Eur J Oral Sci 2010; 118: 298,303.©2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Eur J Oral Sci Orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances is considered a risk factor for the development of white spot caries lesions (WSL). Traditionally, brackets are bonded to the buccal surfaces. Lingual brackets are developing rapidly and have become more readily available. Buccal surfaces are considered to be more caries prone than lingual surfaces. Furthermore, lingual brackets are shaped to fit the morphology of the teeth and seal almost the entire surface. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that lingual brackets result in a lower caries incidence than buccal brackets. We tested this hypothesis using a split-mouth design where subjects were allocated randomly to a group receiving either buccal or lingual brackets on the maxillary teeth and the alternative bracket type in the mandible. The results indicate that buccal surfaces are more prone to WSL development, especially when WSL existed before treatment. The number of WSL that developed or progressed on buccal surfaces was 4.8 times higher than the number of WSL that developed or progressed on lingual surfaces. When measured using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF), the increase in integrated fluorescence loss was 10.6 times higher buccally than lingually. We conclude that lingual brackets make a difference when caries lesion incidence is concerned. [source] Anticlastogenic, antitoxic and sorption effects of humic substances on the mutagen maleic hydrazide tested in leguminous plantsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 3 2004G. Ferrara Summary The potential anticlastogenic and antitoxic effects of a soil humic acid (HA), a peat HA and a peat fulvic acid (FA) on the mutagen maleic hydrazide (MH) have been investigated in two legume species, Vicia faba and Pisum sativum. Both HAs and FA were tested at two different concentrations, 20 and 200 mg l,1, either alone or after 24-hour interaction with 10 mg l,1 of MH before addition to the legume seeds. Anticlastogenicity, i.e. an antimutagenic action defined as the capacity for minimizing chromosome breakages, was evaluated by counting both micronuclei (MN) and aberrant anatelophases (AAT) in root-tip cells. Length and dry weight of the seedling primary root were measured to test the antitoxic activity of HA and FA on MH. The possible occurrence and extent of adsorption or desorption of MH onto or from HA were also investigated. The two species responded differently to the anticlastogenic tests, with V. faba showing a greater number of MN and AAT anomalies than P. sativum. Peat HA and FA exhibited anticlastogenic and antitoxic activities of similar intensity and greater than those of soil HA. The adsorption capacity of both HAs for MH was small, thus suggesting that adsorption is not a major mechanism responsible for the reduction of clastogenicity and antitoxicity of MH by HA. [source] Mild haemophilia: a disease with many faces and many unexpected pitfallsHAEMOPHILIA, Issue 2010K. PEERLINCK Summary., Despite major advances in diagnosis and treatment, the management of patients with mild haemophilia (MH) remains a major challenge. Mild haemophilia is defined by factor levels between 0.05 and 0.40 IU mL,1. The bleeding associated with mild haemophilia is most frequently episodic, occurring during surgery or following trauma. Spontaneous bleeding is rare. Diagnosis is sometimes delayed because of insensitivity of screening clotting assays or discrepancies in factor VIII activity as measured by different assays. The treatment of choice in mild haemophilia A is desmopressin, which typically induces a 2,6-fold increase of factor VIII over baseline. However, desmopressin has its limitations in this setting such as the occurrence of tachyphylaxis and failure to respond in an undetermined proportion of patients. Factors underlying poor biological response or magnitude of response to desmopressin are incompletely understood. Inhibitor development in mild haemophilia is particularly distressing. This complication arises at an older age in this patient group because of infrequent need for factor VIII replacement. Inhibitors in mild haemophilia patients often cross-react with endogenous factor VIII resulting in severe spontaneous bleeding frequently in a postoperative setting. Intensive perioperative use of factor VIII and some specific mutations induce a particularly high risk for inhibitor development, but risk factors are incompletely understood. For reasons of the older age of the patients, treatment of bleeding with bypassing agents may cause major thrombotic complications. Data on therapeutic options for inhibitor eradication in patients with mild haemophilia are particularly scarce. With increased life-expectancy for all haemophilia patients, the group of elderly patients with mild haemophilia requiring major surgery will further increase. Prevention of inhibitors, particularly in this patient group, should be a major topic of interest in both clinic and research. [source] Mental illness, nativity, gender and labor supplyHEALTH ECONOMICS, Issue 4 2010Victoria D. Ojeda Abstract We analyzed the impacts of nativity and mental health (MH) on work by gender for non-elderly adults using the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. We employed two indicators of MH , the K6 scale of Mental Illness (MI) and an indicator for symptoms of Mania or Delusions (M/D). Instrumental variable (IV) models used measures of social support as instruments for MI. Unadjusted work rates were higher for immigrants (vs US-born adults). Regressions show that MI is associated with lower rates of work among US-born males but not immigrant males and females; M/D is associated lower rates of work among US-born males and females, and among immigrant males. Results did not change using IV models for MI. Most persons with MI work, yet symptom severity reduces labor supply among natives especially. Immigrants' labor supply is less affected by MI. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Involving mental health service users in quality assuranceHEALTH EXPECTATIONS, Issue 2 2006Jenny Weinstein BPhil BA(Hons) Msc Abstract Objective, This study compares the process and outcomes of two approaches to engaging mental health (MH) service users in the quality assurance (QA) process. Background, QA plays a significant role in health and care services, including those delivered in the voluntary sector. The importance of actively, rather than passively, involving service users in evaluation and service development has been increasingly recognized during the last decade. Design, This retrospective small-scale study uses document analysis to compare two QA reviews of a MH Day Centre, one that took place in 1998 as a traditional inspection-type event and one that took place in 2000 as a collaborative process with a user-led QA agenda. Setting and participants, The project was undertaken with staff, volunteers and service users in a voluntary sector MH Day Centre. Intervention, The study compares the management, style, evaluation tools and service user responses for the two reviews; it considers staff perspectives and discusses the implications of a collaborative, user-led QA process for service development. Results, The first traditional top,down inspection-type QA event had less ownership from service users and staff and served the main purpose of demonstrating that services met organizational standards. The second review, undertaken collaboratively with a user-led agenda focused on different priorities, evolving a new approach to seeking users' views and achieving a higher response rate. Conclusions, Because both users and staff had participated in most aspects of the second review they were more willing to work together and action plan to improve the service. It is suggested that the process contributed to an evolving ethos of more effective quality improvement and user involvement within the organization. [source] Enhancement of heat transfer in hydrogen storage tank with hydrogen absorbing alloy (optimum fin layout)HEAT TRANSFER - ASIAN RESEARCH (FORMERLY HEAT TRANSFER-JAPANESE RESEARCH), Issue 3 2008Yuichi Mitsutake Abstract Optimization of the fin layout in a metal hydride (MH) bed has been sought to enhance poor heat transmission in a hydrogen storage tank, and to obtain a maximum hydrogen absorption rate with a smaller volume of fins. Two different fin configurations, radial and circular fins, in a vertical cylindrical reactor vessel were tested with a La-Ni-based AB5 type hydrogen storage alloy. A two-dimensional transient heat conduction analysis, coupled with predicted temperature and concentration of absorbed hydrogen in the bed for the exothermic hydride reaction, was used to evaluate enhancement of the hydrogen absorption time. The estimated temperature and concentration agreed within 6 K and 8.5%, respectively, with our experimental results. The effect of thickness and the spacing and shape of fins on the hydrogen absorption time were analytically evaluated, so that the optimum range of the each fin layout was obtained by the trade off between absorption time and reduction in the MH volume due to the volume occupied by fins. The hydrogen absorption time for the recommended layout of circular fins was reduced to approximately one-third of that without fins. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 37(3): 165,183, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20195 [source] Insertion of Molecular Oxygen in Transition-Metal Hydride Bonds, Oxygen-Bond Activation, and Unimolecular Dissociation of Metal Hydroperoxide Intermediates.HELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 3 2008Short Communication Abstract Thermal activation of molecular oxygen is observed for the late-transition-metal cationic complexes [M(H)(OH)]+ with M=Fe, Co, and Ni. Most of the reactions proceed via insertion in a metalhydride bond followed by the dissociation of the resulting metal hydroperoxide intermediate(s) upon losses of O, OH, and H2O. As indicated by labeling studies, the processes for the Ni complex are very specific such that the O-atoms of the neutrals expelled originate almost exclusively from the substrate O2. In comparison to the [M(H)(OH)]+ cations, the ionmolecule reactions of the metal hydride systems [MH]+ (M=Fe, Co, Ni, Pd, and Pt) with dioxygen are rather inefficient, if they occur at all. However, for the solvated complexes [M(H)(H2O)]+ (M=Fe, Co, Ni), the reaction with O2 involving OO bond activation show higher reactivity depending on the transition metal: 60% for the Ni, 16% for the Co, and only 4% for the Fe complex relative to the [Ni(H)(OH)]+/O2 couple. [source] Mutations in RYR1 in malignant hyperthermia and central core disease,HUMAN MUTATION, Issue 10 2006Rachel Robinson Abstract The RYR1 gene encodes the skeletal muscle isoform ryanodine receptor and is fundamental to the process of excitation,contraction coupling and skeletal muscle calcium homeostasis. Mapping to chromosome 19q13.2, the gene comprises 106 exons and encodes a protein of 5,038 amino acids. Mutations in the gene have been found in association with several diseases: the pharmacogenetic disorder, malignant hyperthermia (MH); and three congenital myopathies, including central core disease (CCD), multiminicore disease (MmD), and in an isolated case of a congenital myopathy characterized on histology by cores and rods. The majority of gene mutations reported are missense changes identified in cases of MH and CCD. In vitro analysis has confirmed that alteration of normal calcium homeostasis is a functional consequence of some of these changes. Genotype,phenotype correlation studies performed using data from MH and CCD patients have also suggested that mutations may be associated with a range of disease severity phenotypes. This review aims to summarize the current understanding of RYR1 mutations reported in association with MH and CCD and the present viewpoint on the use of mutation data to aid clinical diagnosis of these conditions. Hum Mutat 27(10), 977,989, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Mobile-initiated network-executed SIP-based handover in IMS over heterogeneous accessesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Issue 9-10 2010Wei-Kuo Chiang Abstract The services of next generation networks are envisioned to be potentially capable of seamless mobility in spite of the heterogeneity in underlying access technologies. It is undoubted that to accomplish seamless services across heterogeneous networking environments gets harder in case of simultaneous mobility. In this article, we propose a mobile-initiated network-executed (MINE) session initial protocol (SIP)-based handover mechanism to facilitate simultaneous mobility in IP multimedia subsystem over heterogeneous accesses. The novelty of the proposed approach is that no changes are required to the existing network infrastructure since handover decision is fully made by the mobile host (MH) and handover execution is performed by a new-added application server called mobility server (MS). When the MH decides to initiate a handover and obtains a new IP address, it will send a SIP Publish message to trigger the MS to carry out the handover execution. With the network-executed design of the MINE, the MS can perform third-party registration for security re-association and third-party call control for session re-establishment in parallel. Moreover, the Master,Slave Determination procedures derived from H.245 are used in the MS to handle fairly the racing conditions resulting from simultaneous mobility such that redundant message flows are eliminated. Mathematical analyses present that the MINE can shorten the handover latency and reduce power consumption, as observed from a comparison with the integrated solution of an optimized macro-mobility mechanism and a receiver-side simultaneous mobility approach. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Reliable and efficient multicast protocol for mobile IP networksINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Issue 7 2008Sang-Jo Yoo Abstract To provide a multicasting service, several multicast protocols for mobile hosts (MHs) have been proposed. However, all of these protocols have faults, such as non-optimal delivery routes and data loss when hosts move to another network, resulting in insecure multicast data transmissions. Thus, this paper presents a new reliable and efficient multicast routing protocol for mobile IP networks. The proposed protocol provides a reliable multicast transmission by compensating the data loss from the previous mobile agent when a MH moves to another network. In addition, an additional function allows for direct connection to the multicast tree according to the status of agents, thereby providing a more efficient and optimal multicast path. The performance of the proposed protocol is confirmed based on simulations under various conditions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A comparative study of the relationship between pension plans and individual savings in Asian countries from an institutional point of viewINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WELFARE, Issue 4 2010Mann Hyung Hur Hur MH. A comparative study of the relationship between pension plans and individual savings in Asian countries from an institutional point of view Int J Soc Welfare 2010: 19: 379,389 © 2009 The Author, Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the International Journal of Social Welfare. This study identifies various saving plans used as alternative pension plans in Asian countries and examines the extent to which these saving plans contribute to their pension schemes. Data were collected from six Asian countries: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. The comparison concentrates on an examination of differences and similarities in individual countries' privately managed pension schemes and saving plans. This study suggests that a pension system does not have to be a privately managed plan to encourage individual savings. A critical point for individual savings was avoiding a defined benefit plan. On the basis of these findings, a typology of relationships between second and third pillars and provident funds and incentive systems for individual savings was developed. [source] Laparoscopic nephropexy: Treatment outcome and quality of lifeINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 1 2004YOSHIYUKI MATSUI Abstract Background:, The recent introduction of laparoscopic procedures has markedly altered urological surgery. Laparoscopic nephropexy has attracted the attention of urologists as a treatment for nephroptosis. Herein, we describe our experiences and quality-of-life outcome of laparoscopic nephropexy and discuss its indications and surgical techniques. Methods:, From May 1998 to February 2002, six female patients, ranging in age from 20 to 64 years (median age 39.8 years), with symptomatic nephroptosis underwent laparoscopic nephropexy. Mean preoperative downward kidney displacement was 2.25 vertebral bodies (range 2,2.5) and all affected kidneys were tilted at orthostasis. One patient underwent nephropexy through the transperitoneal approach and the remaining patients underwent nephropexy through the retroperitoneal approach. To evaluate surgical results, postoperative follow-up interview (pain visual analog scale and the short-form 36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire) and objective examinations were performed. Results:, All procedures were accomplished without complication. Postoperative intravenous pyelography correctly confirmed fixed kidney in both supine and erect positions. All patients reported an improvement of symptoms approximately 1 month after nephropexy and no symptoms have recurred during the follow-up period (range 6.3,50.7 months). On the SF-36, two domains, including role limitations due to emotional problems (RE) and mental health (MH), exhibited significant improvement postoperatively (P = 0.0405 and P = 0.0351, respectively). Conclusions:, Laparoscopic, in particular retroperitoneoscopic, nephropexy yields excellent outcomes and greatly improves general health-related quality of life, particularly mental status, as a minimally invasive treatment for symptomatic nephroptosis. [source] Thermal oxidative degradation kinetics of PP and PP/mg (OH)2 flame-retardant compositesJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 3 2007Xiaolang Chen Abstract The thermal stability and thermal oxidative degradation kinetics of polypropylene (PP) and flame-retardant PP composites filled with untreated and treated magnesium hydroxide (MH) in air were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The effect of the heating rate in dynamic measurements (5°C,30°C/min) on kinetic parameters such as activation energy was also investigated. The Kissinger and Flynn,Wall,Ozawa methods were used to determine the apparent activation energy for the degradation of neat PP and flame-retardant PP composites. The results of TGA showed that the addition of untreated or treated MH improved the thermal oxidative stability of PP in air. The kinetic results showed that the apparent activation energy for degradation of flame-retardant PP composites was much higher than that of neat PP, suggesting that the flame retardant used in this work had a great effect on the mechanisms of pyrolysis and combustion of PP. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1978,1984, 2007 [source] Platelet-rich plasma may prevent titanium-mesh exposure in alveolar ridge augmentation with anorganic bovine boneJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 10 2010Jesús Torres Torres J, Tamimi F, Alkhraisat MH, Manchón Á, Linares R, Prados-Frutos JC, Hernández G, López Cabarcos E. Platelet-rich plasma may prevent titanium-mesh exposure in alveolar ridge augmentation with anorganic bovine bone. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 943,951. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.2010.01615.x. Abstract Objective: Bone augmentation with the titanium-mesh (Ti-mesh) technique is susceptible to a large rate of complications such as morbidity of bone graft donor site, and mesh exposure to the oral cavity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of anorganic bovine bone (ABB) in alveolar bone augmentation with the Ti-mesh technique. In addition, we investigated the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in preventing mesh exposure by using it to cover the Ti-mesh. Patients and Methods: Patients included in the clinical trial were randomly allocated by a blinded assistant into two groups. The 30 patients recruited for this study underwent 43 alveolar bone augmentation with the Ti-mesh technique using ABB as graft material in all of them. In 15 patients, the Ti-meshes were covered with PRP (PRP group) whereas in the other 15 the Ti-meshes were not (control group). After 6 months, patients were called for clinical, radiographic, and histological evaluation, and implant placement surgery. A total of 97 implants were placed in the augmented bone and their evolution was followed up for a period of 24 months. Results: Significant differences were found between the two study groups in terms of complications and bone formation. In the control group, 28.5% of the cases suffered from mesh exposure, while in the PRP group, no exposures were registered. Radiographic analysis revealed that bone augmentation was higher in the PRP group than in the control group. Overall, 97.3% of implants placed in the control group and 100% of those placed in the PRP group were successful during the monitoring period. We suggest that the positive effect of PRP on the Ti-mesh technique is due to its capacity to improve soft tissue healing, thereby protecting the mesh and graft material secured beneath the gingival tissues. Conclusions: Alveolar bone augmentation using ABB alone in the Ti-mesh technique is sufficient for implant rehabilitation. Besides, covering the Ti-meshes with PRP was a determining factor in avoiding mesh exposure. Ti-mesh exposure provoked significant bone loss, but in most cases it did not affect the subsequent placement of implants. [source] CASE REPORT: Efficacy of Hoodia for weight loss: is there evidence to support the efficacy claims?JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 5 2010A. M. Whelan PharmD Summary Increasing rates of adult obesity and its negative health consequences are likely to become an increasing burden to the Canadian health care system. Consumers are looking for treatment options and often try the natural health products that are heavily promoted as safe, fast and effective. In this case report, MH, a 57-year-old overweight female wanted advice regarding whether she should use the natural product Hoodia to help her attain her weight loss goals. A literature search was conducted using Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database and IPA from inception to March 2009. The internet, files of the authors and bibliographies of articles were searched for additional references. No published, peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials examining efficacy of Hoodia were found. Unpublished data from two small trials reported promising results with no adverse events. However, this leaves many unanswered questions regarding the use of Hoodia for weight loss such as the appropriate dose and duration, short and long term safety and use in patients with concomitant diseases. Literature suggests that some commercial products may not actually contain Hoodia at all. Additionally, Hoodia is not yet listed in the Canadian Licensed Natural Health Products Database meaning products sold in Canada may not meet Canadian regulatory standards. Upon discussing this information, MH decided not to use Hoodia, and other evidence-based recommendations were discussed. [source] Effects of the timing of initial feeding on growth and survival of spotted mandarin fish Siniperca scherzeri larvaeJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2009L. Zhang The effects of delayed first feeding on growth and survival of spotted mandarin fish Siniperca scherzeri larvae were examined under controlled conditions. Morphometric characters [yolk-sac volume, oil globule volume, head depth (HD), body depth (BD), eye diameter (ED), musculature height (MH), mouth diameter (MD) and total length (LT)], body mass (M), specific growth rate (SGR) and survival were evaluated under different first-feeding time (2, 3, 4 and 5 days after hatching). Larvae began to feed exogenously at 2 days after hatching (DAH) and the point of no return (PNR) occurred between 5 and 6 DAH at 23° C, range ±1·0° C. The yolk volume of larvae first-fed at 2 days had a significant difference compared with that of larvae first-fed at 3, 4 and 5 days on 3 and 4 DAH. The larvae first-fed at 2 days achieved comparatively better growth performance than that of 3, 4 and 5 days. On 5 DAH, all morphometric characters had significant differences between 2 and 5 days and 2 and 4 days initial feeding, respectively. Total mortality was recorded on 9 DAH for the larvae first-fed at 5 days. On 12 DAH, significant differences were observed between 2 and 4 days and 3 and 4 days initial feeding for all morphometric characters. From 16 DAH to the end of experiment, all growth variables of the larvae first-fed at 2 days were significantly higher than those in other treatments. The SGR (2,9 DAH) first-fed at 2 and 3 days were significantly higher than 4 and 5 day treatments, and the SGR (9,16 DAH) first-fed at 2 days was significantly higher than 3 and 4 day treatments. There was no significant difference, however, of SGR (16,28 DAH) among treatments. Survival rate was significantly higher at 2 days initial feeding (27·42%) when compared with 3 (15·96%) and 4 days (7·92%) initial feeding at the end of experiment. The present study suggests that the first feeding of S. scherzeri larvae should be initiated at 2 days after hatching for achieving good growth and survival. [source] Evaluation of pancreatic secretion after administration of secretin: Application of magnetic resonance imagingJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2001Atsushi Nanashima Abstract Background: To evaluate pancreatic exocrine function, we measured the changes in T2 enhanced hydrograhic intensity on magnetic resonance (MR) images of the pancreas following an injection of secretin, which is representative of the changes in duodenal fluid volume. Methods: The subjects were 10 patients with normal pancreatic function (N > 70% detected by using a pancreatic function diagnostant test) and 12 patients with hypo-function, including those with mild hypo-function (MH, 50,70%, six patients) and severe hypo-function (SH < 50%, six patients). Results: In the N group, T2 enhanced intensity of the pancreas increased to a maximum value (more than 10% compared with baseline) within 5 min of stimulation, then gradually decreased. No significant difference in the response was observed between the head and body of the pancreas. Changes in the MH group were similar to those of the N group. In contrast, significantly lower changes in T2 enhanced intensity were observed in SH group, relative to both the N and MH group (P < 0.05). The amount of secretin-induced increase in duodenal fluid after 16 min was not significantly different among the three groups. Furthermore, an evaluation of the residual pancreatic tissue after a pancreatoduodenectomy was also feasible. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the MR-secretin test is useful for the evaluation of severe pancreatic exocrine dysfunction. The diagnostic test is simple, direct and non-invasive. [source] Use of LC,MS,MS for the rapid, specific and sensitive quality control measurement of carrier in a PET radioligand: [18F]FECNTJOURNAL OF LABELLED COMPOUNDS AND RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS, Issue 13 2005H. Umesha Shetty Abstract In the production of radioligands for imaging low concentrations of target proteins (e.g. receptors or transporters) in human subjects with positron emission tomography, control of specific radioactivity is necessary for efficacy and safety. Such quality control requires a fast method to be available for measuring carrier (non-radioactive ligand) in each batch of radioligand, preceding its release for administration. Measurement is usually achieved with HPLC equipped with an ultraviolet (UV) absorbance detector. However, this method is not easily applicable to radioligands that have low UV extinction coefficients and are produced at high specific radioactivity, such as [18F] (2,-carbomethoxy-3,-(4-chlorophenyl)-8-(2-fluoroethyl)nortropane; [18F]FECNT). Here we describe a fast, specific and sensitive LC,MS,MS method for measuring carrier in [18F]FECNT preparations. Small samples of formulated [18F]FECNT plus an added internal standard (2,-carbomethoxy-3,-(4-chlorophenyl)-8-(n -propyl)nortropane; INTSTD) are rapidly eluted from a short reverse phase HPLC column into an MS probe. Following electrospray ionization, the molecular ions ([MH]+) of FECNT (m/z=326) and INTSTD (m/z=322) are isolated and energized for collision-induced dissociation. The product ions from FECNT (m/z=294) and INTSTD (m/z=290) are monitored selectively. The calibration curve for MS response is linear for FECNT concentrations in the range 2,20 pg/µl and suitable for reproducibly (RSD 5%) and rapidly (<3 min) measuring low concentrations of carrier in [18F]FECNT preparations. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Do collisions inside the collision cell play a relevant role in CID-LIFT experiments?,JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 1 2007Gloriano Moneti Abstract Collision experiments are a valid approach to characterize the ionic species generated by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI). When a time-of-flight analyzer is employed, three different approaches are available for these experiments: the postsource decay (PSD), the LIFT and the MALDI-TOF/TOF. The last two are of particular interest because of the overcoming of the PSD problems related to mass calibration of the product ion spectra. Experiments performed by LIFT on linear or cyclic peptides, in presence or in absence of collision gas in the collision cell, gave evidence of an unexpected behavior: the two spectra were practically superimposable, and in the former case only a few new fragmentation channels were activated with low yield. These results mean that the selected ion exhibits a large amount of internal energy, capable of promoting fragmentation processes in the time window corresponding to the flight time between ion source and the acceleration electrode placed after the collision cell. Experiments performed by varying the plume density show that this internal energy uptake occurs in the expanding plume, through multiple collisions. The LIFT data have been compared with those achieved by collisions of ESI-generated [MH]+ ions of angotensin II performed under ,in-source' conditions and by triple-quadrupole experiments. The obtained results show a strong similarity among the spectra, indicating that the internal energy uptake in a MALDI source is comparable with that of 40-eV ions colliding with Ar in a triple-quadrupole instrument. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Attachment of neutrals during tandem mass spectrometry of sulfonic acid dyes andintermediates in an ion trapJOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 10 2002Adrian Weisz Abstract Several positional isomers of 2-(2-quinolinyl)-1H -indene-1,3(2H)-dione mono- and disulfonic acids prepared as reference materials for development of analytical methods involved in FDA certification of D&C Yellow No. 10 (Quinoline Yellow) were found consistently to show [MH + 14]+ ions when their electrospray- or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-prepared MH+ ions were subjected to collisional activation. The source of these ions was found to be the methanol used as solvent in these procedures which combined with their [MH , H2O]+ ions under chemical ionization conditions. The reaction was found to be sensitive to their isomeric and chemical structures and other examples of this process are reviewed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Zircon U,Pb age and Hf isotope evidence for contrasting origin of bimodal protoliths for ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks from the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling projectJOURNAL OF METAMORPHIC GEOLOGY, Issue 8 2007R.-X. CHEN Abstract A combined study of zircon morphology, U,Pb ages and Hf isotopes as well as whole-rock major and trace elements was carried out for ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) eclogite and felsic gneiss from the main hole (MH) of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling (CCSD) project in the Sulu orogen. The results show contrasting Hf isotope compositions for bimodal UHP metaigneous rocks, pointing to contrasting origins for their protoliths (thus dual-bimodal compositions). The samples of interest were from two continuous core segments from CCSD MH at depths of 734.21,737.16 m (I) and 929.67,932.86 m (II) respectively. Zircon U,Pb dating for four samples from the two core segments yields two groups of ages at 784 ± 17 and 222 ± 3 Ma, respectively, corresponding to protolith formation during supercontinental rifting and metamorphic growth during continental collision. Although the Triassic UHP metamorphism significantly reset the zircon U,Pb system of UHP rocks, the Hf isotope compositions of igneous zircon can be used to trace their protolith origin. Contrasting types of initial Hf isotope ratios are, respectively, correlated with segments I and II, regardless of their lithochemistry. The first type shows positive ,Hf(t) values of 7.8 ± 3.1 to 6.0 ± 3.0, with young Hf model age of 1.03 and 1.11 Ga. The second type exhibits negative ,Hf(t) values of ,6.9 ± 1.6 to ,9.1 ± 1.1, with old Hf model ages of 2.11 and 2.25 Ga. It appears that the UHP rocks from the two segments have protoliths of contrasting origin. Consistent results are also obtained from their trace element compositions suggesting that mid-Neoproterozoic protoliths of bimodal UHP metaigneous rocks formed during supercontinental rifting at the northern margin of the South China Block. Thus, the first type of bimodal magmatism formed by rapid reworking of juvenile crust, whereas the second type of bimodal magmatism was principally generated by rift anatexis of Paleoproterozoic crust. Melting of orogenic lithosphere has potential to bring about bimodal magmatism with contrasting origins. Because arc,continent collision zones are the best place to accumulate both juvenile and ancient crusts, the contrasting types of bimodal magmatism are proposed to occur in an arc,continent collision orogen during the supercontinental rifting, in response to the attempted breakup of the supercontinent Rodinia at c. 780 Ma. [source] MRI Changes in Thrombotic Microangiopathy Secondary to Malignant HypertensionJOURNAL OF NEUROIMAGING, Issue 2 2007Mandeep Garewal MD ABSTRACT Thrombotic microangiopathy with thrombocytopenia and intravascular hemolysis are characteristic of three disorders: malignant hypertension (MH), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and thrombocytopenic thrombotic purpura (TTP). We describe a patient with thrombotic microangiopathy secondary to malignant hypertension that caused extensive bilateral cortical ischemic infarction. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||