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Selected AbstractsFood patterns and socioeconomic indicators of food consumption amongst Inuvialuit in the Canadian ArcticJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 2010E. Erber Abstract Background:, Inuvialuit in the Canadian Arctic have been experiencing a nutrition transition resulting in a decrease in nutrient-dense food consumption, which may, in part, explain this population's increasing chronic disease rates. Because the available literature is limited, the present study aimed to document the extent of this transition by examining current dietary patterns and socioeconomic factors affecting food group consumption. Methods:, This cross-sectional study was conducted in three Inuvialuit communities in the Northwest Territories between 2007 and 2008. A validated food frequency questionnaire determined intake frequency of fruit and vegetables (FV), traditional foods (TF) and non-nutrient-dense foods (NNDF). Socioeconomic status (SES) was assessed by questions on education, ownership of items in working condition used to create a Material Style of Life (MSL) scale and residents in household employed/on income support. Daily intake frequencies were compared by gender and age group using Wilcoxon rank sum test. SES association with food group intake was determined using logistic regression. Results:, The response rate was 65,85%. One hundred and seventy-five participants were female and 55 were male, aged 19,84 years [mean (SD) 44 (14)]. Mean frequencies of FV and TF consumption were 1.6 (1.5) and 1.6 (1.7) times per day, respectively. NNDF were reported 9.2 (3.0) times per day. The highest MSL score (>12) was significantly associated with higher fruit (,0.7 times per day) and higher TF intake (,1.1 times per day) compared with the lowest score (,7). An intermediate MSL score (8,12) was related to higher vegetable consumption (,0.4 times per day). Conclusions:, NNDF were consumed approximately seven times more frequently than TF in the present study, indicating that the dietary transition is well underway amongst Inuvialuit. Participants with higher SES were more likely to consume nutrient-dense foods, suggesting possible cost barriers. [source] Development of a high resolution daily gridded temperature data set (1969,2005) for the Indian regionATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE LETTERS, Issue 4 2009A. K. Srivastava Abstract A high resolution daily gridded temperature data set for the Indian region was developed using temperature data of 395 quality controlled stations for the period 1969,2005. A modified version of the Shepard's angular distance weighting algorithm was used for interpolating the station temperature data into 1° latitude × 1° longitude grids. Using the cross validation, errors were estimated and found less than 0.5 °C. The data set was also compared with another high resolution data set and found comparable. Mean frequency of cold and heat waves, temperature anomalies associated with the monsoon breaks have been presented. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Characterization of freezing of gait subtypes and the response of each to levodopa in Parkinson's diseaseEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 4 2003J. D. Schaafsma To assess the effect of levodopa on distinct freezing of gait (FOG) subtypes in patients with ,off' FOG. Nineteen patients (12 men, mean age 62.0 ± 8.4 years) with Parkinson's disease and clinically significant FOG during ,off' states were videotaped whilst walking 130 m during ,off' and ,on' states. Three independent observers characterized the type, duration, and clinical manifestations and quantified FOG by analyzing the videotapes. Their combined mean scores were used for statistical analysis. The intra-class correlation coefficient assessed inter-observer reliability. Wilcoxon and Friedman tests evaluated differences in mean frequencies of FOG characteristics. During ,off' states, FOG was elicited by turns (63%), starts (23%), walking through narrow spaces (12%) and reaching destinations (9%). These respective values were only 14, 4, 2 and 1% during ,on' states (P < 0.011). Moving forward with very small steps and leg trembling in place were the most common manifestations of FOG; total akinesia was rare. Most FOG episodes took <10 s and tended to be shorter during ,on' states. Levodopa significantly decreased FOG frequency (P < 0.0001) and the number of episodes with akinesia (P < 0.001). Distinction amongst FOG subtypes enables evaluation of distinctive therapeutic response. Levodopa helps in reducing the frequency and duration of ,off'-related FOG. [source] PCR primers for identification of Sirococcus conigenus and S. tsugae, and detection of S. conigenus from symptomatic and asymptomatic red pine shootsFOREST PATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2008D. R. Smith Summary Regions of diversity in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of Sirococcus species were exploited to design primer pairs used in a PCR-based method for the identification of the conifer shoot blight pathogen Sirococcus conigenus and the closely related fungus Sirococcus tsugae. The specificity of each primer pair for the respective fungus, detection limits and utility for detection from host material were confirmed. The S. conigenus primers were then used to detect this pathogen in tissues of symptomatic or apparently healthy red pine shoots collected at six locations in Wisconsin and Michigan and results compared with those obtained using a cultural assay. For needles, bark and wood of symptomatic shoots, the mean frequencies of detection of S. conigenus using the PCR-based methods were consistent (,7.5 out of 10) and always greater than for the cultural assay. Detection from symptomatic shoots using the cultural assay was more frequent from needles than from bark or wood. Both the PCR-based method and the cultural assay detected S. conigenus in similar frequencies from asymptomatic shoots, although less frequently than from symptomatic shoots. The efficiency of the PCR-based method and its utility for direct testing of host material should make it particularly useful in areas where multiple shoot blight pathogens are found. [source] Can Turner syndrome teach us about the pathogenesis of chronic cholestasis?HEPATOLOGY, Issue 5 2004Piotr Milkiewicz The mechanisms that cause the female predominance of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are uncertain, but the X chromosome includes genes involved in immunological tolerance. We assessed the rate of X monosomy in peripheral white blood cells from 100 women with PBC, 50 with chronic hepatitis C, and 50 healthy controls, by fluorescence in-situ hybridisation. Frequency of X monosomy increased with age in all groups, but was significantly higher in women with PBC than in controls (p<0.0001); age-adjusted back-transformed mean frequencies were 0.050 (95% CI 0.046-0.055) in women with PBC, 0.032 (0.028-0.036) in those with chronic hepatitis C, and 0.028 (0.025-0.032) in controls. We suggest that haploinsufficiency for specific X-linked genes leads to female susceptibility to PBC. [source] Comparison of decoupling methods for analyzing pressure fluctuations in gas-fluidized bedsAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2010Yongmin Zhang Abstract Two methods of decoupling pressure fluctuations in fluidized beds by using the incoherent part (IOP) of absolute pressure (AP) and differential pressure (DP) fluctuations are evaluated in this study. Analysis is conducted first to demonstrate their similarities, differences, and drawbacks. Then, amplitudes, power spectral densities, mean frequencies, coherence functions, and filtering indices of the IOP of AP and DP fluctuations are calculated and compared based on experimental data from a two-dimensional fluidized column of FCC particles. Derived bubble sizes are also compared with the sizes of bubbles viewed in the two-dimensional bed. The results demonstrate the similarity of these two methods in filtering out global compression wave components from absolute pressure fluctuations, especially those generated from oscillations of fluidized particles and gas flow rate fluctuations. However, both methods are imperfect. Neither can filter out all the compression wave components and retain all the useful bubble-related wave components. Their amplitudes can be used to characterize global bubble property and quality of gas,solids contacting in bed, but they do not give accurate measurement of bubble sizes. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010 [source] Behavioural responses of dairy cattle to the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, in an open field environmentMEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 1 2006B. A. Mullens Abstract., Individual cows (25 in each of four herds) were monitored 8,10 times weekly for 12 weeks (stable fly season) on a southern California dairy, with 100 observations per cow. The numbers of biting stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae) on the front legs and the frequencies of four fly-repelling behaviours per 2-min observation period [head throws, front leg stamps, skin twitches (panniculus reflex) and tail flicks] were recorded. Fly numbers varied, peaking at 3.0,3.5 flies per leg in week 9 (late May). Weekly herd mean frequencies of fly-repelling behaviours were highly dependent on fly numbers, with a linear regression r2 > 0.8. Head throws and stamps were less frequent than skin twitches and tail flicks. Individual cows differed in numbers of stable flies and behaviours. Behaviours were correlated with flies for individual cows, but at a lower level than were herd means (r = 0.3,0.7). Cows that stamped more within a herd tended to have lower fly counts; other fly-repelling behaviours were less effective. Cows maintained ranks within a herd with regard to fly numbers (r = 0.47), head throws (0.48), leg stamps (0.64), skin twitches (0.69) and tail flicks (0.64). Older cows tended to harbour higher fly numbers and to stamp less relative to younger adult cows. Ratios of leg stamps and head throws to fly numbers dropped significantly through time, suggesting habituation to pain associated with fly biting. Tail flicks were not effective for repelling Stomoxys, but were easiest to quantify and may help in monitoring pest intensity. At this low,moderate fly pressure, no consistent impacts on milk yield were detected, but methods incorporating cow behaviour are recommended for future studies of economic impact. [source] Comparison of diagnostic accuracy for cutaneous malignant melanoma between general dermatology, plastic surgery and pigmented lesion clinicsBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2003J.E. Osborne SummaryBackground Since the 1980s there have been dedicated pigmented lesion clinics (PLCs) in the U.K. Important considerations when comparing the efficacy of the PLC with other referral clinics include diagnostic accuracy. Objectives To compare the false-negative rate of clinical diagnosis (FNR) in the PLC with that in the other clinics of primary referral of malignant melanoma (MM) in the same geographical area. We have previously shown that certain clinical features are risk factors for diagnostic failure of MM. A further aim of this study was to correct for any differences in frequency of these factors in the melanoma populations between clinics and to estimate the false-positive diagnostic rate (FPR) in the PLC. Methods To compare the FNR between clinics, the case notes of all patients presenting with histologically proven cutaneous MM in Leicestershire between 1987 and 1997 were examined retrospectively. A false-negative diagnosis was defined as documentation of another diagnosis and/or evidence in the case notes that the diagnosis was not considered to be MM. The FNR was estimated as the number of false-negative clinical diagnoses/number of true-positive histological diagnoses. To estimate the diagnostic FPR, which was defined as the number of false-positive clinical diagnoses of MM/total number of positive clinical diagnoses, in the PLC, the outcome of 500 consecutive patients attending the PLC was surveyed. Results The case notes of 731 patients were available, of whom approximately two-thirds initially attended the PLC, one-fifth the General Dermatology clinics (D) and the remainder were divided approximately equally (one-twentieth each) between Plastic Surgery clinics (P), other clinics (O) and the surgery of the general practitioner (GP). The last was regarded as the primary referral clinic if the lesion were excised there prior to any referral. The FNR was lowest for the PLC, at 10%, compared with 29% (D), 19% (P), 55% (O) and 54% (GP) (P < 0·0001). Lesions with risk factors for diagnostic failure were under-represented in the PLC (P < 0·0001), the mean frequencies of the risk factors being 20% (PLC), 25% (D), 22% (P), 31% (O) and 30% (GP). Differences were not large but still could partially explain the lower FNR of the PLC. However, when the FNR was estimated for lesions exhibiting each of these risk factors, the PLC was found to have the lowest rate in every case (PLC vs. all clinics combined, P = 0·04 to P < 0·0001). The mean FNR for the risk factors combined was 18% (PLC), 45% (D), 50% (P), 68% (O) and 71% (GP). Also on logistic multivariable analysis of the PLC vs. all the other clinics on FNR and the above factors, the higher FNR of the other clinics retained significance (odds ratio 5·9, P < 0·0001). In the 500 patients surveyed separately in the PLC, the MM pick-up rate on biopsy was 32% and the diagnostic FPR was 41%. Conclusions The FNR of MM was lower in the PLC than in the other clinics, while the pick-up rate for MM on biopsy and the FPR were acceptably low. [source] Optimum multiple tuned mass dampers for structures under the ground acceleration based on the uniform distribution of system parametersEARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 5 2003Chunxiang Li Abstract The five MTMD models, with natural frequencies being uniformly distributed around their mean frequency, have been recently presented by the first author. They are shown to have the near-zero optimum average damping ratio (more precisely, for a given mass ratio there is an upper limit on the total number, beyond which the near-zero optimum average damping ratio occurs). In this paper, the eight new MTMD models (i.e. the UM-MTMD1,UM-MTMD3, US-MTMD1,US-MTMD3, UD-MTMD1 and UD-MTMD2), with the system parameters (mass, stiffness and damping coefficient) being, respectively, uniformly distributed around their average values, have been, for the first time here, proposed to seek for the MTMD models without the near-zero optimum average damping ratio. The structure is represented by the mode-generalized system corresponding to the specific vibration mode that needs to be controlled. Through minimization of the minimum values of the maximum dynamic magnification factors (DMF) of the structure with the eight MTMD models (i.e. through the implementation of Min.Min.Max.DMF), the optimum parameters and values of Min.Min.Max.DMF for these eight MTMD models are investigated to evaluate and compare their control performance. The optimum parameters include the optimum mass spacing, stiffness spacing, damping coefficient spacing, frequency spacing, average damping ratio and tuning frequency ratio. The six MTMD models without the near-zero optimum average damping ratio (i.e. the UM-MTMD1,UM-MTMD3, US-MTMD1, US-MTMD2 and UD-MTMD2) are found through extensive numerical analyses. Likewise, the optimum UM-MTMD3 offers the higher effectiveness and robustness and requires the smaller damping with respect to the rest of the MTMD models in reducing the responses of structures subjected to earthquakes. Additionally, it is interesting to note, by comparing the optimum UM-MTMD3 with the optimum MTMD-1 recently investigated by the first author, that the effectiveness and robustness for the optimum UM-MTMD3 is almost identical to that for the optimum MTMD-1 (without inclusion of the optimum MTMD-1 with the near-zero optimum average damping ratio). Recognizing these performance benefits, it is preferable to employ the optimum UM-MTMD3 or the optimum MTMD-1 without the near-zero optimum average damping ratio, when installing the MTMD for the suppression of undesirable oscillations of structures under earthquakes. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Synchrony of spontaneous calcium activity in mouse neocortex before synaptogenesisEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 4 2007Jean-Claude Platel Abstract Spontaneous calcium activity can be detected in embryonic mouse cortical slices as fluorescence intensity variations, in the presence of a fluorescent calcium indicator. Current methods to detect and quantify these variations depend heavily on experimenters whose judgement may interfere with measurement. In the present work, we developed new software called CalSignal for automatic detection and tracking of cellular bodies and quantification of spontaneous calcium activity on time-series of confocal fluorescence images. Analysis of 28 neocortical slices revealed that 21.0% of detected cells displayed peaks of fluorescence corresponding to spontaneous activity, with a mean frequency of one peak per 4 min. This activity was blocked in the absence of extracellular calcium but was not modified after depletion of calcium stores with thapsigargin or blockade of voltage-gated calcium channels with Ni2+. Further, statistical analysis of calcium activity revealed concomitant activation of distant cells in 24 slices, and the existence of a significant network of synchrony based on such coactivations in 17 slices out of 28. These networks enclosed 84.3% of active cells, scattered throughout the neocortical wall (mean distance between cellular bodies, 111.7 µm). Finally, it was possible to identify specific cells which were synchronously active with more neighbouring cells than others. The identity of these nodal cells remains to be investigated to fully comprehend the role of spontaneous calcium activity, before synaptogenesis, in shaping cortical neurogenesis. [source] Genome-wide amplification and allelotyping of sporadic pituitary adenomas identify novel regions of genetic lossGENES, CHROMOSOMES AND CANCER, Issue 3 2003D. J. Simpson Through the use of a candidate gene approach, several previous studies have identified loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at putative tumor-suppressor gene (TSG) loci in sporadic pituitary tumors. This study reports a genome-wide allelotyping by use of 122 microsatellite markers in a large cohort of tumors, consisting of somatotrophinomas and non-functioning adenomas. Samples were first subject to prior whole genome amplification by primer extension pre-amplification (PEP) to circumvent limitations imposed by insufficient DNA for whole-genome analysis with this number of microsatellite markers. The overall mean frequency of loss in invasive tumors was significantly higher than that in their non-invasive counterparts (7 vs. 3% somatotrophinomas; 6 vs. 3% non-functioning adenomas, respectively). Analysis of the mean frequency of LOH, across all markers to individual chromosomal arms, identified 13 chromosomal arms in somatotrophinomas and 10 in non-functioning tumors, with LOH greater than the 99% upper confidence interval calculated for the rate of overall random allelic loss. In the majority of cases, these losses were more frequent in invasive tumors than in their non-invasive counterparts, suggesting these to be markers of tumor progression. Other regions showed similar frequencies of LOH in both invasive and non-invasive tumors, implying these to be early changes in pituitary tumorigenesis. This genome-wide study also revealed chromosomal regions where losses were frequently associated with an individual marker, for example, chromosome arm 1q (LOH > 30%). In some cases, these losses were subtype-specific and were found at a higher frequency in invasive tumors than in their non-invasive counterparts. Identification of these regions of loss provides the first preliminary evidence for the location of novel putative TSGs involved in pituitary tumorigenesis that are, in some cases, subtype-specific. This investigation provides an unbiased estimate of global aberrations in sporadic pituitary tumors as assessed by LOH analysis. The identification of multiple "hotspots" throughout the genome may be a reflection of an unstable chromatin structure that is susceptible to a deletion or epigenetic-mediated gene-silencing events. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Multi-annual dry episodes in Australian climatic variabilityINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, Issue 12 2009B. G. Hunt Abstract The output from a 10 000-year simulation with the CSIRO Mark 2 coupled global climatic model has been analysed to investigate the occurrence of multi-year dry episodes for three selected regions of Australia, specifically, the northeast, southeast and southwest of the continent. Results are presented for dry episodes lasting for 8 or more years. An episode is defined as a time interval having consecutive negative rainfall anomalies, but not necessarily a major drought, for each year of the episode. The hydrological consequences of such an episode can persist for over a century. Typically about 30 episodes are found over the 10 000 years of the simulation for each of the three regions. There is little synchronicity between the regions in the occurrence of the dry episodes. While there is an El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) influence associated with these episodes, it is not continuous over the duration of an episode. Composites of sea surface temperature anomalies over an episode highlight the limited presence of ENSO events. The occurrence of the dry episodes for all three regions is essentially random, with multi-centennial periods without an episode, and episodes at multi-decadal frequency at other times. Following a discussion of possible mechanistic influences, it is concluded that stochastic forcing is responsible for the occurrence of dry episodes. This implies that there is no predictability associated with the initiation, duration or termination of individual dry episodes. This also suggests that the 2000,2007 dry episodes occurring over much of Australia may not be caused by the greenhouse effect. Such an episode has a return period of between 200 and 300 years based on the mean frequency of occurrence in the present simulation. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Frequency distribution of a Cys430Ser polymorphism in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 (PPARGC1) gene sequence in Chinese and Western pig breedsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 1 2005T. Kunej Summary Identification of major genes, that genetically impact fat tissue formation is important for successful selection of lean animals with good meat quality. Because of its central role in fat cell differentiation and muscle fibre type determination, PPARGC1 is a potential candidate gene affecting fattening traits and pig meat quality. In this study, a T/A substitution at position 1378 (GenBank accession no. AY346131) in the porcine PPARGC1 gene causing a Cys430Ser amino acid substitution at position 430 was genotyped on a total of 239 animals, including 101 from seven Chinese and 138 from six Western pig breeds. Bayesian analysis revealed that the mean frequency of allele T (Cys) was 92.64 ± 4.82% in Chinese pigs, and 45.99 ± 4.13% in Western pigs. The 95% interval of the posterior mean frequency of allele T was 0.82,1.00 in Chinese pigs and 0.38,0.54 in Western pigs, indicating these two groups of pigs diverged at this locus during genetic evolution of the breed. Because marked differences in fat and lean tissue deposition exist between Western and Chinese pig breeds, this Cys430Ser exchange in the PPARGC1 gene deserves further evaluation to determine its phenotypic effect on fattening and carcass traits in commercial pig populations. [source] Eyelid movements in normal human fetusesJOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 6 2003Boris M. Petrikovsky MD Abstract Purpose We undertook this study to investigate the characteristics of blinking activity in healthy human fetuses. Methods Blinking activity was studied sonographically in healthy fetuses between 33 and 42 weeks' menstrual age. Horizontal and coronal sonographic views of the eye were obtained and videotaped. Fetal blinking movements were analyzed by reviewing the videotape in slow motion. Fetal vibroacoustic stimulation was also used when clinically indicated. Results We examined a total of 18 healthy fetuses. Fetal blinking was detected in 89% of cases, with a mean frequency of 6.2 movements per 60-minute observation period. Vibroacoustic stimulation was associated with increased fetal blinking in the 6 fetuses in which it was applied (mean, 15.3 movements per 60-minute observation period). Conclusions Blinking is a normal fetal activity. The increased frequency of blinking activity associated with vibroacoustic stimulation may be considered a part of the normal startle reflex. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 31:299,301, 2003 [source] Frequency spectrum of condylar movement in clinically normal subjects, using an amorphous sensorJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 7 2004H. Ioi summary, The purpose of this study was to determine the properties of the frequency spectrum produced by condylar movements in normal subjects, by the use of an amorphous sensor. The gender-matched sample consisted of white people (17 males and 17 females, aged 25·8 ± 2·5 and 25·5 ± 2·8 years, respectively) who had no subjective or objective symptoms related to temporomandibular joint sounds. Bilateral condylar and jaw movements were recorded simultaneously. The results showed that the mean ± standard deviation (s.d.) for the mean frequency of condylar movement during the opening and closing phases was 45·0 ± 5·2 and 47·0 ± 3·5 Hz, respectively. The mean ± s.d. for the peak frequency of condylar movement during the opening and closing phases was 46·6 ± 8·0 and 49·7 ± 4·5 Hz, respectively. Significant correlations existed between the left and right sides in the mean frequency as well as the peak frequency during the opening phase. However, there were no significant correlations between the left and right sides in the mean frequency or the peak frequency during the closing phase. These results suggest that the frequency spectrum of normal condylar movement can be obtained when using the amorphous sensor. [source] A clinical diagnosis of diurnal (non-sleep) bruxism in denture wearersJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 6 2000K. Piquero The purpose of this study was to establish a clinical method for diagnosing diurnal bruxism in denture wearers by recording masseter and anterior temporal electromygraph (EMG) activity. Seven suspected bruxists and five normal patients who wore complete dentures and/or distal extension base removable partial dentures were selected for participation. EMG activity in both the masseter and the anterior temporal muscles was recorded bilaterally during silent reading (10 min), maximal voluntary clenching (MVC), tapping in centric occlusion, lateral movements, chewing and swallowing. No significant differences of EMG activity were found between the groups during tapping, lateral movement, chewing and swallowing (P>0·05). However, during 10 min of silent reading, a significant difference was found between the groups when comparing masseter muscle activity (P<0·05). A threshold of 10% of MVC of at least 3-s duration was used to define an individual bruxism event. When the muscle activity recorded during silent reading was further analysed using these criteria, the control group displayed no bruxing activity while the suspected bruxist group displayed a mean frequency of six bruxism events (range 2,10). It was concluded that: (a) masseter muscle activity recorded during 10 min of silent reading showed significant difference between the groups; (b) the criteria selected in this study for the detection of sleep bruxism can also be used to assess diurnal bruxism; and (c) it is possible to diagnose diurnal bruxism in denture wearers by measuring the masseter EMG activity during 10 min of silent reading. [source] Clinical trial: effects of botulinum toxin on levator ani syndrome , a double-blind, placebo-controlled studyALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 9 2009S. S. C. RAO Summary Background, Levator ani syndrome is characterized by anorectal discomfort/pain, treatment of which is unsatisfactory. We hypothesized that Botulinum toxin relieves spasm and improves symptoms. Aim, To perform a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study to examine the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin in patients with levator ani syndrome. Methods, Twelve patients with levator ani syndrome (,1 year) received anal intra sphincteric injections of 100 units of botulinum toxin A and placebo at 90-day intervals using EMG guidance. Daily frequency, severity, duration and intensity of pain (VAS) were recorded. Anorectal manometry, balloon expulsion and pudendal nerve latency tests were performed to examine the physiological changes and adverse effects. Results, Seven patients (male/female = 4/3) completed the study and three had incomplete data, but all 10 underwent in an ITT analysis; two others dropped out. After administration of botulinum toxin, the mean frequency, intensity and duration of pain were unchanged (P = 0.31) compared with baseline. The 90-day mean VAS pain score was 6.79 ± 0.27 vs. baseline score of 7.08 ± 0.29 (P = 0.25). Anal sphincter pressures, rectal sensory thresholds, pudendal nerve latency and balloon expulsion times were unchanged after drug or placebo administration. Conclusions, Injection of botulinum toxin into anal sphincter is safe, but it does not improve anorectal pain in levator ani syndrome. [source] Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors does not affect the frequency, growth, or histologic characteristics of colon adenomasALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 7 2007M. SINGH Summary Background, The clinical significance of the trophic effects of long-term proton pump inhibitors (PPI)-related hypergastrinemia on colon polyps remains unknown. Aim, To study the frequency, growth, and histology of colon polyps in patients on chronic PPI therapy (cases), compared to those not receiving acid suppression (controls). Methods, Medical records of 2868 consecutive patients who underwent two or more colonoscopies, performed 3 or more months apart were reviewed. Cases (116) that used PPIs between the two colonoscopies were then compared to controls (194). Results, Demographics and risk factors for colon cancer were comparable between the two groups. At baseline the mean frequency and size of adenomatous polyps were similar in cases and controls (P > 0.05) and at follow-up, these were 0.89 and 1.18 (P > 0.05; 95% CI of ,0.08 to 0.66) and 4.09 mm and 4.00 mm (P > 0.05; 95% CI ,2.29 to 2.11), respectively with no significant change. However, control group had a higher mean frequency and size of hyperplastic polyps at baseline as well as at follow-up colonoscopy (P < 0.05). Conclusions, The long-term use of PPI does not influence the frequency, growth, or histology of adenomatous polyps, but is associated with a reduction in both baseline and interval development of hyperplastic polyps. [source] High-significance Sunyaev,Zel'dovich measurement: Abell 1914 seen with the Arcminute Microkelvin Imager,MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY: LETTERS (ELECTRONIC), Issue 1 2006AMI Collaboration ABSTRACT We report the first detection of a Sunyaev,Zel'dovich (S,Z) decrement using the Arcminute Microkelvin Imager (AMI). We have made commissioning observations towards the cluster of galaxies A1914 and detected the S,Z effect with a significance of 17, in a uv -tapered map at a mean frequency of 15.75 GHz. The integrated S,Z flux density of ,8.6 ± 0.5 mJy is consistent with a simple X-ray derived model for the intracluster gas. We find that the spectrum of the decrement, measured in the six channels between 13.5,18 GHz, fits well to that expected for the S,Z effect. The sensitivity of the telescope is consistent with the figures used in our simulations of cluster surveys with AMI. [source] Factors affecting adventitious regeneration from in vitro leaf explants of ,Improved French' plum, the most important dried plum cultivar in the USAANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2010C. Petri An adventitious shoot regeneration protocol from in vitro leaves of the most important dried plum cultivar in the USA, ,Improved French', has been established. Factors affecting regeneration were studied in order to optimise regeneration. The proliferation medium in which the shoots, used as the source of leaf explants, were cultured had a strong influence on subsequent regeneration. Shoot regeneration was observed at a mean frequency of 52% when a Murashige-based and Skoog-based shoot culture medium with 3 ,M N6 -benzylaminopurine and 0.25 ,M indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) was employed compared with shoot regeneration frequencies of less than 5% for a Quoirin-based and Lepoivre-based shoot culture medium, with 8.9 ,M N6 -benzylaminopurine and 0.49 ,M IBA. The shoot regeneration medium contained ,-naphthaleneacetic acid at 2.0,6.0 ,M and thidiazuron at 4.5,15.0 ,M. 2,4 Dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid at 9.0 ,M was included in the medium but only for the first 4 days of culture. Shoot regeneration frequencies were positively related to thidiazuron concentration and significantly greater (P < 0.05) for 9,15 ,M thidiazuron than for the media with 4.5 ,M thidiazuron. Leaf explants, incubated in a 16-h-light/8-h-dark photoperiod or in the dark for 1 week followed by exposure to light, showed significantly more organogenic activity (P < 0.01) than was observed for leaves cultured in the dark for 2 or 3 weeks before they were transferred to the light. The utilisation of Bacto agar (0.7%) as the gelling agent increased organogenesis compared with media gelled with TC Agar (0.7%), or an agar,gellan gum blend (AgargelÔ) (0.45%). The addition of the ethylene inhibitor silver thiosulphate at 60,120 ,M also improved organogenesis. When all the studied factors were optimised, a regeneration rate of 65% was achieved. Rooting frequency of regenerated shoots was significantly increased (P < 0.05) by the use of full-strength Murashige and Skoog salts (40%) or 100 mg L,1 phloroglucinol (53%) to the rooting medium. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||