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Kinds of Percentage Terms modified by Percentage Selected AbstractsOUTCOME AFTER CYTOREDUCTIVE NEPHRECTOMY FOR METASTATIC RENAL CELL CARCINOMA IS PREDICTED BY FRACTIONAL PERCENTAGE OF TUMOUR VOLUME REMOVEDBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 7 2008Magdi Kirollos No abstract is available for this article. [source] Matching motivation enhancement treatment to client motivation: re-examining the Project MATCH motivation matching hypothesisADDICTION, Issue 8 2010Katie Witkiewitz ABSTRACT Aims The current study was designed to re-examine the motivation matching hypothesis from Project MATCH using growth mixture modeling, an analytical technique that models variation in individual drinking patterns. Design, setting and participants Secondary data analyses of data from Project MATCH (n = 1726), a large multi-site alcoholism treatment-matching study. Measurements Percentage of drinking days was the primary outcome measure, assessed from 1 month to 12 months following treatment. Treatment assignment, alcohol dependence symptoms and baseline percentage of drinking days were included as covariates. Findings The results provided support for the motivation matching hypothesis in the out-patient sample and among females in the aftercare sample: the majority of individuals with lower baseline motivation had better outcomes if assigned to motivation enhancement treatment (MET) compared to those assigned to cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT). In the aftercare sample there was a moderating effect of gender and alcohol dependence severity, whereby males with lower baseline motivation and greater alcohol dependence drank more frequently if assigned to MET compared to those assigned to CBT. Conclusions Results from the current study lend partial support to the motivation-matching hypothesis and also demonstrated the importance of moderating influences on treatment matching effectiveness. Based upon these findings, individuals with low baseline motivation in out-patient settings and males with low levels of alcohol dependence or females in aftercare settings may benefit more from motivational enhancement techniques than from cognitive,behavioral techniques. [source] Body composition in young Standardbreds in training: relationships to body condition score, physiological and locomotor variables during exerciseEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue S36 2006C. LELEU Summary Reasons for performing study: Body composition is an essential factor in athletic performance of human sprinters and long distance runners. However, in horses, many questions remain concerning relationships between body composition and performance in the different equine activities. Objectives: To determine relationships between body composition, body score, physiological and locomotor variables in a population of young Standardbreds in training. Methods: Twenty-four 2-year-old Standardbreds were studied, body condition on a scale 0,5 and bodyweight recorded, and height at withers measured. Percentage of fat (%F), fat mass (FM) and fat free mass (FFM) were estimated echographically. During a standardised exercise test on the track, velocity, heart rate, respiratory frequency and blood lactate concentrations were measured. V4 and V200 (velocity for a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol/1 and velocity of 200 beats/min) calculated. Basic gait variables were measured at 3 different speeds with an accelerometric device. Results: Body composition variables: %F and FM were significantly related to body condition score and physiological variables. Body score was highly correlated to %F (r=0.64) and FM (r = 0.71). V4 was negatively correlated to %V (r=-0.59) and FM (r = -0.60), P<0.05. V200 was also negatively related to %F and FM, (r=-0.39 and r = -0.37, respectively, P<0.1). No relationships were found between body composition and gait characteristics. Conclusions: Body composition was closely related to indirect measurements of aerobic capacity, which is a major factor of athletic performance in middle distance running horses. Potential relevance: As in human athletes, trainers should take special note to evaluate optimal bodyweight and body composition of race horses to optimise performance. [source] Haemodialysis induces mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosisEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 12 2007D. S. C. Raj Abstract Background Mitochondria play a crucial role in the regulation of the endogenous pathways of apoptosis activated by oxidant stress. Nuclear factor-,B (NF-,B) is a central integration site for pro-inflammatory signals and oxidative stress. Materials and methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from eight end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients before haemodialysis (Pre-HD) and during the last 10 min of HD (End-HD). A new polysulfone membrane (F70, Fresenius) was used for dialysis. Intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial redox potential (,,m) and PBMC apoptosis were determined by flow-cytometry. Results Plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) (24·9 ± 7·0 vs. 17·4 ± 5·5 pg dL,1, P < 0·05), IL-6 soluble receptor (52·2 ± 4·9 vs. 37·6 ± 3·2 ng dL,1, P < 0·02) and IL-6 gp130 (405·7 ± 41·0 vs. 235·1 ± 38·4 ng dL,1, P < 0·02) were higher end-HD compared to pre-HD. IL-6 secretion by the isolated PBMC (24·0 ± 2·3 vs. 19·3 ± 3·5 pg dL,1, P < 0·02) increased end-HD. Percentage of lymphocytes exhibiting collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential (43·4 ± 4·6% vs. 32·6 ± 2·9%, P < 0·01), apoptosis (33·4 ± 7·1% vs. 23·7 ± 7·7%, P < 0·01), and generation of superoxide (20·7 ± 5·2% vs. 12·5 ± 2·9%, P < 0·02) and hydrogen peroxide (51·1 ± 7·8% vs.38·2 ± 5·9%, P < 0·04) were higher at end-HD than pre-HD. NF-,B activation (3144·1 ± 208·1 vs. 2033·4 ± 454·6 pg well,1, P < 0·02), expression of B-cell lymphoma protein-2 (6494·6 ± 1461 vs. 3501·5 ± 796·5 ng mL,1, P < 0·03) and heat shock protein-70 (9·81 ± 1·47 vs. 6·38 ± 1·0 ng mL,1, P < 0·05) increased during HD. Conclusions Intra-dialytic activation of cytokines, together with impaired mitochondrial function, promotes generation of ROS culminating in augmented PBMC apoptosis. There is concomitant activation of pathways aimed at attenuation of cell stress and apoptosis during HD. [source] Rain-gauge network evaluation and augmentation using geostatisticsHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 14 2008Ke-Sheng Cheng Abstract Rain-gauge networks are often used to provide estimates of area average rainfall or point rainfalls at ungauged locations. The level of accuracy a network can achieve depends on the total number and locations of gauges in the network. A geostatistical approach for evaluation and augmentation of an existing rain-gauge network is proposed in this study. Through variogram analysis, hourly rainfalls are shown to have higher spatial variability than annual rainfalls, with hourly Mei-Yu rainfalls having the highest spatial variability. A criterion using ordinary kriging variance is proposed to assess the accuracy of rainfall estimation using the acceptance probability defined as the probability that estimation error falls within a desired range. Based on the criterion, the percentage of the total area with acceptable accuracy Ap under certain network configuration can be calculated. A sequential algorithm is also proposed to prioritize rain-gauges of the existing network, identify the base network, and relocate non-base gauges. Percentage of the total area with acceptable accuracy is mostly contributed by the base network. In contrast, non-base gauges provide little contribution to Ap and are subject to removal or relocation. Using a case study in northern Taiwan, the proposed approach demonstrates that the identified base network which comprises of approximately two-thirds of the total rain-gauges can achieve almost the same level of performance (expressed in terms of percentage of the total area with acceptable accuracy) as the complete network for hourly Mei-Yu rainfall estimation. The percentage of area with acceptable accuracy can be raised from 56% to 88% using an augmented network. A threshold value for the percentage of area with acceptable accuracy is also recommended to help determine the number of non-base gauges which need to be relocated. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Sealing capacity of a photochromatic flowable composite as protective base in nonvital dental bleachingINTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 3 2006C. Llena Abstract Aim, To evaluate microleakage of a flowable composite used as a protective isolating base, applied with different adhesive systems. Methodology, Seventy root-filled teeth were divided into seven groups. A flowable composite base (Tetric Flow Chroma) was used with three adhesive techniques (Syntac, Excite, Excite DCS; in the three cases with and without acid etching) and in a control group without dentine conditioning or adhesive placement. A 30% hydrogen peroxide solution was applied for 24 h in the pulp chambers, followed by the placement of a dye (silver nitrate) for 4 h. Each tooth was sectioned longitudinally, and examined under 4× magnification to assess the tooth/restoration dye leakage following a four-degree scale. Percentage of dye penetration was registered. Statistical analysis was made through the Tukey and Mann,Whitney U -tests. Results, Maximum leakage (100% of specimens) was recorded in the control group without an adhesive system. In the groups subjected to acid etching, the percentage of leakage corresponded to Excite DSC (10%), followed by Syntac (20%) and Excite (30%). In the groups in which only an adhesive system was used, 50% of the teeth demonstrated dye leakage. Statistically significant differences in terms of leakage were observed between the control group and the experimental groups (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences among the experimental groups, but comparing the leakage percentages obtained between the groups in which the teeth were subjected to prior acid etching, and those in which no etching was carried out, observed differences were significant (P = 0.04). Conclusions, There were no significant differences between the adhesive systems in terms of leakage. Acid etching significantly reduced leakage. [source] Percentage of filled canal area in mandibular molars after conventional root-canal instrumentation and after a noninstrumentation technique (NIT)INTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 9 2003C. N. Ardila Abstract Aim, To compare the percentage of filled canal area in mandibular molar roots after using conventional root-canal hand instrumentation or after a noninstrumentation technique (NIT). Methodology, Forty mandibular molars were used shortly after extraction. The root canals of 20 molars in the manual group were conventionally prepared using hand instruments and then filled with warm vertical compaction of gutta-percha. The 20 teeth in the second group were cleaned and obturated by NIT. In each case, the entire molar, including the crown and the roots, was embedded in an acrylic resin cylinder before NIT. Horizontal sections were cut at 2, 4, 6 and 8 mm from the apex. Images of the sections were taken using a microscope at ×40 magnification and a digital camera; the images were scanned as Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) images into a PC. The cross-sectional area of the canal with the filling materials was measured using an image analysis programme. The percentage of filled area was calculated. The difference in the percentage of filled canal area between the two groups was analysed using a Student's t -test. Results, At all levels, 93,100% of the canal area was filled in both groups. No significant difference was found between the manual technique and the NIT technique at any level (P > 0.05). Conclusions, Within the limitations of this study, following the cleaning and filling of root canals using NIT, the percentage of filled root canal was similar to that using warm vertical compaction of gutta-percha after conventional root-canal instrumentation. [source] Estimating Trends with Percentage of Smoothness Chosen by the UserINTERNATIONAL STATISTICAL REVIEW, Issue 2 2008Victor M. Guerrero Summary This work presents a method for estimating trends of economic time series that allows the user to fix at the outset the desired percentage of smoothness for the trend. The calculations are based on the Hodrick-Prescott (HP) filter usually employed in business cycle analysis. The situation considered here is not related to that kind of analysis, but with describing the dynamic behaviour of the series by way of a smooth curve. To apply the filter, the user has to specify a smoothing constant that determines the dynamic behaviour of the trend. A new method that formalizes the concept of trend smoothness is proposed here to choose that constant. Smoothness of the trend is measured in percentage terms with the aid of an index related to the underlying statistical model of the HP filter. Empirical illustrations are provided using data on Mexico's GDP. Résumé Ce travail présente un méthode pour estimer les tendances des séries de temps économiques qui permet à l'usager fixer dès début le pourcentage désiré de douceur pour la tendance. Les calculs ont fondement en le filtre de Hodrick et Prescott que s'emploie généralement dans l'analyse de cycles économiques. La situation ici considéré n'a pas relation avec ce type d'analyse, mais comment la description du comportement dynamique des séries avec une courbe douce. Pour appliquer le filtre, l'usager a besoin de spécifier une constante de douceur que détermine le comportement dynamique de la tendance. Un nouveau méthode que formalise le concept de douceur de la tendance est ici proposé pour choisir la constante. La douceur de la tendance est mesuré en termes de pourcentage avec l'aide d'un index rapporté avec le modèle statistique après le filtre. Quelques illustrations empiriques sont munies avec données de l'économie mexicaine. [source] Evaluation of the nano-oligosaccharide factor lipido-colloid matrix in the local management of venous leg ulcers: results of a randomised, controlled trialINTERNATIONAL WOUND JOURNAL, Issue 2 2008Jean-Luc Schmutz Abstract The nano-oligosaccharide factor (NOSF) is a new compound aiming to promote wound closure mainly through inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. This factor is incorporated within a lipido-colloid matrix (Techonology Lipido-Colloid-NOSF matrix) and locally released in the wound. The objective of this study was to document the performance (non inferiority or superiority) of the NOSF relative to the Promogran® matrix (oxidised regenerated cellulose, ORC) effect in the local management of venous leg ulcers (VLUs). This was a 12-week, open, two-arm, multicentre, randomised study. Patients were selected if the area of their VLU [ankle brachial pressure index ,0·80] ranged from 5 to 25 cm2 with a duration ,3 months. Ulcers had to be free from necrotic tissue. In addition to receiving compression bandage therapy, patients were randomly allocated to either NOSF matrix or ORC treatment for 12 weeks. The VLUs were assessed on a weekly basis and wound tracings were recorded. Percentage wound relative reduction (%RR) was the primary efficacy criterion. Secondary objectives were wound absolute reduction (AR), healing rate (HR) and % of wounds with ,40% reduction compared with baseline. A total of 117 patients were included (57 NOSF matrix and 60 ORC). Mean population age was 71·3 ± 13·5 years, body mass index was ,30 kg/m2 in 39·3% and 15·4% were diabetics. Fifty-six per cent of the VLUs were present for >6 months, 61% were recurrent and 68% were stagnating despite appropriate care. Mean wound area at baseline was 11·2 ± 7·4 cm2. At the last evaluation, mean difference between the groups for %RR was 33·6 ± 15·0% in favour of NOSF matrix with a unilateral 95% confidence interval (CI) lower limit of 8·6% not including the null value. Therefore, a superiority of NOSF matrix effect compared with ORC was concluded (P = 0·0059 for superiority test). The median of the wound area reduction was 61·1% and 7·7% in the NOSF matrix and control groups, respectively (per-protocol analysis), or 54·4% versus 12·9% in intent-to-treat analysis (p = 0·0286). Median AR was 4·2 cm2 in the NOSF group and 1·0 cm2 with ORC (P = 0·01). Median HR was ,0·056 and ,0·015 cm2/day in NOSF and ORC groups, respectively (P = 0·029). By logistic regression, the NOSF versus control odds ratio to reach 40% area reduction was 2·4 (95% CI: 1·1,5·3; P = 0·026). In the oldest and largest VLUs, a strong promotion of healing effect was particularly observed in the NOSF matrix group compared with the control group. NOSF matrix is a very promising option for the local management of chronic wounds, especially for VLUs with poor healing prognosis. [source] Physician Recognition of Cognitive Impairment: Evaluating the Need for ImprovementJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 7 2004Joshua Chodosh MD Objectives: To assess physician recognition of dementia and cognitive impairment, compare recognition with documentation, and identify physician and patient factors associated with recognition. Design: Survey of physicians and review of medical records. Setting: Health maintenance organization in southern California. Participants: Seven hundred twenty-nine physicians who provided care for women participating in a cohort study of memory (Women's Memory Study). Measurements: Percentage of patients with dementia or cognitive impairment (using the Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status supplemented by the Telephone Dementia Questionnaire) recognized by physicians. Relationship between physician recognition and patient characteristics and physician demographics, practice characteristics, training, knowledge, and attitudes about dementia. Results: Physicians (n=365) correctly identified 81% of patients with dementia and 44% of patients with cognitive impairment without definite dementia. Medical records documented cognitive impairment in 83% of patients with dementia and 26% of patients with cognitive impairment without definite dementia. In a multivariable model, physicians with geriatric credentials (defined as geriatric fellowship experience and/or the certificate of added qualifications) recognized cognitive impairment more often than did those without (risk ratio (RR)=1.56, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.04,1.66). Physicians were more likely to recognize cognitive impairment in patients with a history of depression treatment (RR=1.3, 95% CI=1.03,1.45) or stroke (RR=1.37, 95% CI=1.04,1.45) and less likely to recognize impairment in patients with cognitive impairment without definite dementia than in those with dementia (RR=0.46, 95% CI=0.23,0.72) and in patients with a prior hospitalization for myocardial infarction (RR=0.37, 95% CI=0.09,0.88) or cancer (RR=0.49, 95% CI=0.18,0.90). Conclusion: Medical record documentation reflects physician recognition of dementia, yet physicians are aware of, but have not documented, many patients with milder cognitive impairment. Physicians are unaware of cognitive impairment in more than 40% of their cognitively impaired patients. Additional geriatrics training may promote recognition, but systems solutions are needed to improve recognition critical to provision of emerging therapies for early dementia. [source] An Intervention to Increase Fluid Intake in Nursing Home Residents: Prompting and Preference ComplianceJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 7 2001Sandra F. Simmons PhD OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a three-phase, behavioral intervention to improve fluid intake in nursing home (NH) residents. DESIGN: Controlled clinical intervention trial. SETTING: Two community NHs. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-three incontinent NH residents. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomized into intervention and control groups. The intervention consisted of three phases for a total of 32 weeks: (1) 16 weeks of four verbal prompts to drink per day, in between meals; (2) 8 weeks of eight verbal prompts per day, in between meals; and (3) 8 weeks of eight verbal prompts per day, in between meals, plus compliance with participant beverage preferences. MEASUREMENTS: Between-meal fluid intake was measured in ounces by research staff during all three phases of the intervention. Percentage of fluids consumed during meals was also estimated by research staff for a total of nine meals per participant (3 consecutive days) at baseline and at 8 and 32 weeks into the intervention. Serum osmolality, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine values were obtained for all participants in one of the two sites at the same three time points. RESULTS: The majority (78%) of participants increased their fluid intake between meals in response to the increase in verbal prompts (phase 1 to 2). A subset of residents (21%), however, only increased their fluid intake in response to beverage preference compliance (phase 3). There was a significant reduction in the proportion of intervention participants who had laboratory values indicative of dehydration compared with the control participants. Cognitive and nutritional status were predictive of residents' responsiveness to the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: A behavioral intervention that consists of verbal prompts and beverage preference compliance was effective in increasing fluid intake among most of a sample of incontinent NH residents. Verbal prompting alone was effective in improving fluid intake in the more cognitively impaired residents, whereas preference compliance was needed to increase fluid intake among less cognitively impaired NH residents. [source] Effect of supplemental Bacillus cultures on rumen fermentation and milk yield in Chinese Holstein cowsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 4 2010G. H. Qiao Summary Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of supplemental 100 g/day of live Bacillus cultures (2 × 1011 cell of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis) on rumen fermentation as well as milk yield and composition in Chinese Holstein cows. In experiment 1, investigating 3 × 10 cows, milk yield and milk protein were increased by using B. licheniformis (p < 0.05) in comparison with an unsupplemented group and the B. subtilis group. Body weight was not significantly affected by Bacillus culture supplementation (p > 0.05). Percentage of milk fat and lactose was not significantly different between treatments (p > 0.05). But milk protein increased with B. licheniformis supplementation (p < 0.05). In experiment 2, carried out with three non-lactating ruminally and duodenally fistulated cows, results showed that B. licheniformis supplementation increased microbial crude protein flow into duodenum (p < 0.05) and decreased the ammonia nitrogen concentration in ruminal fluid at 0.5 h, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h after morning feeding (p < 0.05). Bacillus licheniformis supplementation increased total VFA and acetate concentration in ruminal fluid at 0.5 h, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h after morning feeding (p < 0.05). Bacillus subtilis had no significant effect on rumen fermentation characteristics, duodenal microbial N flow and ruminal apparent nutrient digestibility (p > 0.05). Bacillus licheniformis increased ruminal apparent nutrient digestibility of neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, and organic matter (p < 0.05). [source] In situ rumen degradation and in vitro gas production of some selected grains from TurkeyJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 9-10 2002H. D. Umucalilar Summary An investigation of the dry matter degradability (DMD) and effective dry matter degradability (EDDM) was performed for barley, wheat, rye, corn, triticale and oat samples, using the Nylon-bag technique. Gas production (GP), metabolizable energy (ME) and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) were also studied by using Hohenheim gas test. The DM from barley, wheat, rye and triticale was digested rapidly in the rumen, and, at the 48 h of incubation, degradability was found to be approximately about 80%. The higher degradability observed for these grains than for oats and corn was attributable to the structure of these grains. In contrast, DM of corn and oats was degraded very slowly and reached 66.7 and 66.5 at 48 h, respectively. Effective degradability values of barley, wheat, rye, corn, triticale and oats were determined to be 61.4, 69.0, 64.0, 41.7, 66.7 and 58.6% in 5% rumen outflow rate, respectively. At the end of the 48 h incubation, total gas productions in barley, wheat, rye, corn, triticale and oats were estimated to be 83.6, 87.2, 87.5, 83.5, 85.8 and 63.9 ml/200 mg DM, respectively. The mean ME values of these grains calculated from cumulative gas amount at 24 h incubation were 11.8, 12.1, 12.3, 10.9, 12.4 and 10.2 MJ/kg DM, respectively. In vitro digestible organic matter of barley, wheat, rye, corn, triticale and oats were estimated to be 85.0, 87.3, 88.2, 79.5, 89.0 and 72.6%. Percentage overall EDDM (k=5%) of barley, wheat, rye, triticale and oats was positively correlated with in vitro GP at 6 h, cumulative GP at 24 h and total GP at 48 h (p<0.05). As a result, in situ dry matter degradation of grains showed great differences depending on the chemical compositions. In situ EDDM of grains may be predicted from in vitro gas production parameters. [source] Protein profile study in European eel (Anguilla anguilla) seminal plasma and its correlation with sperm qualityJOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 5 2010D. S. Peñaranda Summary Along with sperm quality parameters, the protein profile of European eel seminal plasma was analyzed during induced spermiation (n = 56 samples). Motility, Percentage of live cells, spermatozoa head morphometry and concentration showed low values during the initial weeks of spermiation and maintained high levels throughout the rest of the experiment. The protein profile gradient by SDS-PAGE (4,15%) registered four important electrophoretic bands around 80, 40, 26 and 12 KDa. Three of them showed significant differences in concentration during treatment (80, 40 and 12 KDa), and all of them showed the highest value on the 8th week. Both 80 and 12 KDa bands increased until the 8th week, followed by a progressive decline. One possible explanation for these profiles is that, in the first weeks of treatment, proteins originated from blood plasma are accumulated in the seminal plasma, and from the 8th week some of these proteins are incorporated into the spermatic membranes. The 40 KDa protein band also increased during the first 8 weeks, but maintained high concentrations in the seminal plasma for the rest of the experiment. One result confirms the theory that the presence of proteins in the seminal plasma having a molecular weight lower than 50 KDa increased spermatozoa motility, since the 40 KDa band displayed significantly higher values coinciding with the high percentages of spermatozoa motility. Seminal plasma proteins seem to have an important role in spermatogenesis and spermatozoa movement, but further studies are necessary to discover the identity of these proteins and their precise functions. [source] TLR2 Arg753Gly, TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile gene polymorphisms are not associated with chronic periodontitis in a Turkish populationJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 7 2007Afig Berdeli Abstract Aim: Toll-like receptor (TLR) gene polymorphisms could affect the host's ability to respond to microbial pathogens. In this case,control study, the association of TLR2 and TLR4 gene polymorphisms with chronic periodontitis (CP) was investigated. Materials and Methods: Genomic DNA was obtained from the peripheral blood of 83 patients with CP and 106 periodontally healthy subjects. The TLR2 Arg753Gly, Arg677Trp and TLR4 Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile gene polymorphisms were genotyped by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The data were analysed by a ,2 test, logistic regression analysis and the Mann,Whitney U test. Results: The 753Gln allele was found in 6.1% of the CP patients as compared with 6.6% in the control group (p>0.05). The frequency of the 299Gly and 399Ile allele was 2.4% and 1.8% in CP patients. For the healthy subjects, the frequency was 2.8% for the 299Gly and 2.5% for the 399Ile allele (p>0.05). None of the CP patients or healthy subjects showed homozygosity for the TLR2 and TLR4 alleles. Percentage of sites with bleeding on probing and plaque were significantly higher in 299Gly-positive patients compared with 299Gly-negative patients (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results showed that the TLR2 and TLR4 gene polymorphisms studied are not associated with susceptibility to CP in Turkish patients. [source] Determinants of prescribing patterns for type II diabetes at Primary Care Trust levelJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 4 2004D. C. E. F. Lloyd BA (Hons) MSc Dip Epidem Summary Objective:, To estimate the effect of demography, deprivation and ethnicity on variations in prescribing of oral antidiabetics at the Primary Care Trust level. Design:, Cross-sectional survey. Setting:, All Primary Care Trusts in England. Main outcome measures:, Percentage of variance explained. Results:, A model using measures of demography, ethnicity, deprivation and use of thiazolidinediones explained 59% of the variation in cost per registered patient although individual variables explained far less. Conclusions:, This study shows the importance of using a multivariate approach in modelling the drivers of cost. The high use of thiazolidinediones is of concern in the light of NICE guidance. [source] Impact of shade on the spatial distribution of Sahlbergella singularis in traditional cocoa agroforestsAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Régis Babin 1Shade management is commonly considered to be an effective pest management strategy for cocoa mirids, yet shade management recommendations are not based on extensive knowledge of the mirid ecology in traditional cocoa agroforests. 2The main objectives of the present study were an assessment of the impact of shade on the spatial distribution of mirid populations and thus the evaluation of shade management strategies. 3Mirid densities were measured and shade was characterized for three plots located in three different agroecological zones in the Centre region of Cameroon. Mirid densities generally followed a negative binomial law. Geostatistical procedures were used to characterize spatial distribution of mirid density. Light conditions were assessed using hemispherical photography. 4Populations of Sahlbergella singularis were highly aggregated in the plots. Semivariance analysis and kriging visualized the spatial dependence of mirid densities. Clearly distinguishable mirid pockets of 20,30 adjacent infested cocoa trees were identified in two of the three plots. 5The high diversity of shade tree species and the large variability in density and size of shade trees resulted in a considerable heterogeneity of plot light conditions. Percentage transmitted light varied in the range 9.4,80.1% in the most heterogeneous plot. 6For two of the three plots, mirid pockets were aggregated in those areas where light transmission was highest. In the third plot, relatively high mirid densities and the presence of an alternative host resulted in a more homogeneous distribution. The importance of these findings for improved mirid control is discussed. [source] Percentage of Body Recovered and Its Effect on Identification Rates and Cause and Manner of Death Determination,JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 3 2007Debra A. Komar Ph.D. ABSTRACT: Anthropologists frequently encounter cases in which only partial human remains are recovered. This study reports how the percentage of the body recovered affects identification (ID) rates and cause and manner of death determination. A total of 773 cases involving anthropology consults were drawn from the New Mexico medical examiner's office (1974,2006). Results indicate a significant correlation between body percent recovered and ID rates, which ranged from 89% for complete bodies to 56% when less than half the body was present. Similar patterns were evident in cause/manner determination, which were the highest (83% and 79%, respectively) in complete bodies but declined to 40% when less than half the body was found. The absence of a skull also negatively impacted ID and ruling rates. Findings are compared with general autopsy ID rates (94,96%) and cause/manner determination rates (96,99%) as well as prior published rates for individual casework and mass death events. [source] Molecular Tagging and Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci for Lint Percentage and Morphological Marker Genes in Upland CottonJOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2006Wang-Zhen Guo Abstract Using 219 F2 individuals developed by crossing the genetic standard line TM-1 and the multiple dominant marker line T586 in Gossypium hirsutum L., a genetic linkage map with 19 linkage groups was constructed based on simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Compared with our tetraploid backboned molecular genetic map from a(TM-1 × Hai 7124) × TM-1 BC1 population, 17 of the 19 linkage groups were combined and anchored to 12 chromosomes (sub-genomes). Of these groups, four morphological marker genes in T586 had been mapped into the molecular linkage map. Meanwhile, three quantitative trait loci for lint percentage were tagged and mapped separately on the A03 linkage group and chromosome 6. (Managing editor: Li-Hui Zhao) [source] Association of spinal cord compression seen on magnetic resonance imaging with clinical outcome in 67 dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusionJOURNAL OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE, Issue 11 2006V. Penning Objectives: To determine whether there is an association between the degree of transverse spinal cord compression detected by magnetic resonance imaging following thoracolumbar Hansen type 1 intervertebral disc disease in dogs and their presenting and postsurgical neurological status. Methods: Medical records of 67 dogs with surgically confirmed Hansen type 1 intervertebral disc disease (2000 to 2004) were reviewed to obtain the rate of onset of disease, duration of clinical signs and presurgical and postsurgical neurological grade. Percentage of spinal cord compression was determined on transverse T2-weighted magnetic resonance images. Linear regression was used to examine the association between spinal cord compression and each of the above variables. Chi-squared tests were used to examine associations among postsurgical outcome and presurgical variables. Results: Eighty-five per cent (57 of 67) of dogs were chondrodystrophoid. Mean spinal cord compression was 53 per cent (sd=219·7, range 14·3 to 84·9 per cent). There was no association between the degree of spinal cord compression and the neurological grade at presentation, rate of onset of disease, duration of clinical signs or postsurgical outcome, with no difference between chondrodystrophoid and non-chondrodystrophoid dogs. Clinical Significance: The degree of spinal cord compression documented with magnetic resonance imaging in dogs with thoracolumbar Hansen type 1 intervertebral disc disease was not associated with the severity of neurological signs and was not a prognostic indicator in this study. [source] Clinical trial: lansoprazole 15 or 30 mg once daily vs. placebo for treatment of frequent nighttime heartburn in self-treating subjectsALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 5 2009D. A. PEURA Summary Background, Frequent nighttime heartburn is common. Lansoprazole 15 mg is indicated for treatment of heartburn and other gastro-oesophageal reflux disease-related symptoms. Aim, To evaluate the efficacy and safety of lansoprazole in self-treating subjects with frequent nocturnal heartburn. Methods, A total of 864 subjects with heartburn on ,2 days/week over the past month were randomized to double-blind treatment with lansoprazole 15 or 30 mg or placebo each morning. Endpoints were percentage of nighttimes without heartburn (primary), percentage of 24-h days without heartburn and percentage of subjects without heartburn on day 1. Results, Mean percentage of nighttimes without heartburn was significantly greater with lansoprazole 15 mg (61.3%) or lansoprazole 30 mg (61.7%) vs. placebo (47.8%) over 14 days (P < 0.0001 vs. placebo for both doses). Percentage of 24-h days without heartburn and percentage of subjects without heartburn on day 1 were significantly greater with lansoprazole 15 or 30 mg vs. placebo. Conclusions, Both lansoprazole 15 and 30 mg were highly effective and well tolerated in reducing symptoms in subjects with frequent nighttime heartburn. The benefit of therapy on 24-h heartburn and nighttime heartburn on day 1 of treatment was also evident. Lansoprazole 15 mg is a suitable choice for management of frequent nighttime heartburn. [source] Serum Amyloid A and Haptoglobin Concentrations and Liver Fat Percentage in Lactating Dairy Cows with Abomasal DisplacementJOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2010H. Guzelbektes Background: There has been increased interest in measuring the serum concentration of acute phase reactants such as serum amyloid A [SAA] and haptoglobin [haptoglobin] in periparturient cattle in order to provide a method for detecting the presence of inflammation or bacterial infection. Objectives: To determine whether [SAA] and [haptoglobin] are increased in cows with displaced abomasum as compared with healthy dairy cows. Animals: Fifty-four adult dairy cows in early lactation that had left displaced abomasum (LDA, n = 34), right displaced abomasum or abomasal volvulus (RDA/AV, n = 11), or were healthy on physical examination (control, n = 9). Materials and Methods: Inflammatory diseases or bacterial infections such as mastitis, metritis, or pneumonia were not clinically apparent in any animal. Jugular venous blood was obtained from all cows and analyzed. Liver samples were obtained by biopsy in cattle with abomasal displacement. Results: [SAA] and [haptoglobin] concentrations were increased in cows with LDA or RDA/AV as compared with healthy controls. Cows with displaced abomasum had mild to moderate hepatic lipidosis, based on liver fat percentages of 9.3 ± 5.3% (mean ± SD, LDA) and 10.8 ± 7.7% (RDA/AV). [SAA] and [haptoglobin] were most strongly associated with liver fat percentage, rs=+0.55 (P < .0001) and rs=+0.42 (P= .0041), respectively. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: An increase in [SAA] or [haptoglobin] in postparturient dairy cows with LDA or RDA/AV is not specific for inflammation or bacterial infection. An increase in [SAA] or [haptoglobin] may indicate the presence of hepatic lipidosis in cattle with abomasal displacement. [source] Oral budesonide for maintenance of remission of Crohn's disease: a pooled safety analysisALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 6 2009G. R. LICHTENSTEIN Summary Background, Budesonide exhibits similar efficacy to systemic glucocorticosteroids (GCSs) in Crohn's disease (CD), but with fewer adverse events (AEs). Aim, To evaluate budesonide's safety profile in CD patients, in particular, incidences of clinically important AEs known to be associated with systemic GCSs. Methods, Five 1-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluating budesonide for mild-to-moderate CD were pooled for analysis. Results, The highest incidence rates of AEs were gastrointestinal- and endocrine systems-related in both groups (budesonide 6 mg/day, n = 208; placebo, n = 209). Incidence rates were similar, except for higher incidence of endocrine disorders in budesonide versus placebo patients (P = 0.0042) caused by a higher overall occurrence of cutaneous GCS symptoms (P = 0.0036) in the budesonide group; differences in individual symptoms were nonsignificant. Percentage of patients with normal adrenal function was significantly lower at 13 weeks (three of five studies), but not at 52 weeks (two studies) in the budesonide versus placebo groups. Occurrence of clinically important or serious AEs associated with systemic GCSs, including sepsis, cataracts, adrenal insufficiency was rare and similar between groups. Conclusions, Budesonide treatment for up to 1 year is well-tolerated in CD patients, with an AE profile similar to placebo and only rare occurrences of clinically important AEs associated with systemic GCSs. [source] Influence of body condition and forage type on prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in grazing beef cowsLETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009M.L. Looper Abstract Aim:, To determine the influence of body condition (BC) and forage type on the prevalence of faecal shedding of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella from beef cows. Methods and Results:, Thin or moderately conditioned cows (n = 115) were randomly assigned to graze either common bermudagrass (n = 3 pastures) or toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue (n = 3 pastures) for 62 days. Faecal samples were collected on day 0, 30 and 62. Overall percentage of faecal samples positive for E. coli O157:H7 was 2·6% and 2·0% for Salmonella. Percentage of cows positive for both E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella on at least one occasion was 6·1%. BC, forage type or the interaction did not influence the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 or Salmonella in the faeces of cows. Conclusions:, BC at initiation of the grazing period or loss of BC in moderate conditioned cows during the grazing period did not influence faecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 or Salmonella. Consumption of either forage type did not influence faecal shedding of either E. coli O157:H7 or Salmonella in beef cows of thin or moderate BC. Significance and Impact of the Study:, Change in BC that typically occurs during the normal production cycle in grazing cows did not influence faecal shedding of pathogenic bacteria regardless of forage type. [source] Reliability of dynamometric passive properties of the pelvic floor muscles in postmenopausal women with stress urinary incontinenceNEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 8 2008Mélanie Morin Abstract The passive properties of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) might play a role in stress urinary incontinence (SUI) pathophysiology. Aim To investigate the test,retest reliability of the dynamometric passive properties of the PFM in postmenopausal SUI women. Methods Thirty-two SUI postmenopausal women were convened to two sessions 2 weeks apart. In each session, the measurements were repeated twice. The pelvic floor musculature was evaluated in four different conditions: (1) forces recorded at minimal aperture (initial passive resistance); (2) passive resistance at maximal aperture; (3) five lengthening and shortening cycles (Forces and passive elastic stiffness (PES) were evaluated at different vaginal apertures. Hysteresis was also calculated.); (4) Percentage of passive resistance loss after 1 min of sustained stretching was computed. The generalizability theory was used to calculate two reliability estimates, the dependability indices (,) and the standard error of measurement (SEM), for one session involving one measurement or the mean of two measurements. Results Overall, the reliability of the passive properties was good with indices of dependability of 0.75,0.93. The SEMs for forces and PES were 0.24,0.67 N and 0.03,0.10 N/mm, respectively, for mean, maximal and 20-mm apertures, representing an error between 13% and 23%. Passive forces at minimal aperture showed lower reliability (,,=,0.51,0.57) compared with other vaginal openings. The aperture at a common force of 0.5 N was the only parameter demonstrating a poor reliability (,,=,0.35). Conclusion This new approach for assessing PFM passive properties showed enough reliability for highly recommending its inclusion in the PFM assessment of SUI postmenopausal women. Neurourol. Urodynam. 27:819,825, 2008, © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Postmarketing drug dosage changes of 499 FDA-approved new molecular entities, 1980,1999,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 6 2002James Cross MS Abstract Purpose Risks and benefits of marketed drugs can be improved by changing their labels to optimize dosage regimens for indicated populations. Such postmarketing label changes may reflect the quality of pre-marketing development, regulatory review, and postmarketing surveillance. We documented dosage changes of FDA-approved new molecular entities (NMEs), and investigated trends over time and across therapeutic groups, on the premise that improved drug development methods have yielded fewer postmarketing label changes over time. Methods We compiled a list of NMEs approved by FDA from 1 January 1980 to 31 December 1999 using FDA's website, Freedom of Information Act request, and PhRMA (Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America) database. Original labeled dosages and indicated patient populations were tracked in labels in the Physician's Desk Reference®. Time and covariate-adjusted risks for dosage changes by 5-year epoch and therapeutic groups were estimated by survival analysis. Results Of 499 NMEs, 354 (71%) were evaluable. Dosage changes in indicated populations occurred in 73 NMEs (21%). A total of 58 (79%) were safety-motivated, net dosage decreases. Percentage of NMEs with changes by therapeutic group ranged from 27.3% for neuropharmacologic drugs to 13.6% for miscellaneous drugs. Median time to change following approval fell from 6.5 years (1980,1984) to 2.0 years (1995,1999). Contrary to our premise, 1995,1999 NMEs were 3.15 times more likely to change in comparison to 1980,1984 NMEs (p,=,0.008, Cox analysis). Conclusions Dosages of one in five NMEs changed, four in five changes were safety reductions. Increasing frequency of changes, independent of therapeutic group, may reflect intensified postmarketing surveillance and underscores the need to improve pre-marketing optimization of dosage and indicated population. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Association of maturation, sex, and body fat in cardiorespiratory fitnessAMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2002Jorge Mota The aims of this cross-sectional study were 1) to estimate changes in body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness across stages of pubertal maturation, and 2) to describe the relationship between maturity status and body fatness, regional fat distribution, and cardiorespiratory fitness. The sample consisted of 494 children (254 males, 240 females), 8,16 years of age. Height and weight were measured with standard anthropometric methods. Percentage of fat (%F) was estimated from two skinfold thicknesses and regional fat distribution was estimated by the ratio of the subscapular to the triceps skinfold (S/T ratio). Biological maturity was based on self-assessment of breast stages in females and pubic hair stages in males. A maximal multistage 20-m shuttle run was used to predict maximal aerobic capacity from maximal aerobic speed. Both VO2max and 20SRT-time were used as indicators of cardiorespiratory fitness. ANCOVA with age as the covariate was used. There were significant differences among girls across pubertal stages. Among boys, only weight and height differed significantly by stage of maturity. When adjusted for maturity status, cardiorespiratory fitness expressed either as VO2/kg body mass or 20SRT-time was inversely associated with %F in both sexes. This suggests that sexual maturity status alone accounts for a small portion of the variance in aerobic fitness. Height, %F and the S/T ratio were also significantly associated with VO2/kg body mass and 20SRT-time. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 14:707,712, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Modeling and Managing the Percentage of Satisfied Customers in Hidden and Revealed Waiting Line SystemsPRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2006Chester Chambers We perform an analysis of various queueing systems with an emphasis on estimating a single performance metric. This metric is defined to be the percentage of customers whose actual waiting time was less than their individual waiting time threshold. We label this metric the Percentage of Satisfied Customers (PSC.) This threshold is a reflection of the customers' expectation of a reasonable waiting time in the system given its current state. Cases in which no system state information is available to the customer are referred to as "hidden queues." For such systems, the waiting time threshold is independent of the length of the waiting line, and it is randomly drawn from a distribution of threshold values for the customer population. The literature generally assumes that such thresholds are exponentially distributed. For these cases, we derive closed form expressions for our performance metric for a variety of possible service time distributions. We also relax this assumption for cases where service times are exponential and derive closed form results for a large class of threshold distributions. We analyze such queues for both single and multi-server systems. We refer to cases in which customers may observe the length of the line as "revealed" queues." We perform a parallel analysis for both single and multi-server revealed queues. The chief distinction is that for these cases, customers may develop threshold values that are dependent upon the number of customers in the system upon their arrival. The new perspective this paper brings to the modeling of the performance of waiting line systems allows us to rethink and suggest ways to enhance the effectiveness of various managerial options for improving the service quality and customer satisfaction of waiting line systems. We conclude with many useful insights on ways to improve customer satisfaction in waiting line situations that follow directly from our analysis. [source] Germination and Initial Root Growth of Four Legumes as Affected by Landfill Biogas AtmosphereRESTORATION ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2000L. Marchiol The most important problem in the restoration of closed landfills is the production of toxic gases by decomposition of refuse. Such gases affect the root system of plants growing on these sites. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects induced by landfill biogas contamination on germination and initial root growth of Vicia villosa (hairy vetch), Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil), Trifolium pratense (red clover), and Trifolium repens (white clover). In laboratory conditions, simulated landfill and control gas were supplied to the seedlings. The composition of the simulated landfill gas used was: 16% O2, 8% CO2, 3% CH4, and 73% N2; a control gas was also tested (21% O2, 0. 035% CO2, and 78% N2). Percentage of germinated seeds was determined after 6 and 12 days from the starting date; at the same time qualitative assays of metabolic root functionality were also performed by using an agar technique in order to visualize changes in rhizosphere pH. At the end of the experiment, the length of the primary and secondary root was measured. Germination after 6 days was affected by the gas treatment; the landfill biogas caused a delay in germination with respect to the control in seeds of V. villosa and L. corniculatus. Root fresh weight and dry weight were significantly decreased by biogas treatment in V. villosa and T. repens. In contrast, root dry weight was higher in gas treated L. corniculatus and T. pratense compared to control seedlings. Total root system was significantly higher in treated T. pratense. The qualitative assay suggests, with the exception of T. pratense, a metabolic adjustment of the treated seedlings. Key words: restoration, landfill biogas, legumes. [source] Maternal and Neonatal Lymphocyte Subpopulations at Delivery and 3 Days Postpartum: Increased Coexpression of CD45 IsoformsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2004Emilia Juretic Problem:, Huge physiologic changes during parturition involve immune cells. Alterations in maternal and neonatal lymphocytes postpartum might ascertain the subpopulations that are most affected and may possibly be of importance in the process. Method of study:, Peripheral blood was taken from 20 healthy women at vaginal delivery and 3 days later, concomitantly with cord and peripheral blood from their newborns. Lymphocyte immunophenotyping was done by three-color flow-cytometry. Results:, Maternal T helper cells were decreased and natural killer (NK) cells were significantly increased during labor. Percentage of CD4+ and percentage and absolute count of CD8+ cells coexpressing CD45RA and CD45RO antigens were higher than 3 days later. In cord blood NK cells were considerably increased and more CD4+ cells expressed CD45RO antigen. Conclusion:, Coexpression of CD45RA and CD45RO molecules indicates activation of maternal CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes. NK cells increase suggests their possible association with parturition processes. Lymphocyte subsets in cord blood correspond to maternal subsets to some extent. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||