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Probable
Terms modified by Probable Selected AbstractsCHANGE OF DIAGNOSES IN PROBABLE AND POSSIBLE MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT: THE ITALIAN LONGITUDINAL STUDY ON AGINGJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 9 2007Vincenzo Solfrizzi MD No abstract is available for this article. [source] Synergistic Effects of Subsistence Hunting and Habitat Fragmentation on Amazonian Forest VertebratesCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2001Carlos A. Peres These effects are likely to be considerably aggravated by forest fragmentation because fragments are more accessible to hunters, allow no (or very low rates of ,) recolonization from nonharvested source populations, and may provide a lower-quality resource base for the frugivore-granivore vertebrate fauna. I examined the likelihood of midsized to large-bodied bird and mammal populations persisting in Amazonian forest fragments of variable sizes whenever they continue to be harvested by subsistence hunters in the aftermath of isolation. I used data from a comprehensive compilation of game-harvest studies throughout Neotropical forests to estimate the degree to which different species and populations have been overharvested and then calculated the range of minimum forest areas required to maintain a sustainable harvest. The size distribution of 5564 Amazonian forest fragments,estimated from Landsat images of six regions of southern and eastern Brazilian Amazonia,clearly shows that these are predominantly small and rarely exceed 10 ha, suggesting that persistent overhunting is likely to drive most midsized to large vertebrate populations to local extinction in fragmented forest landscapes. Although experimental studies on this negative synergism remain largely unavailable, the prospect that increasingly fragmented Neotropical forest regions can retain their full assemblages of avian and mammalian species is unlikely. Resumen: La cacería de subsistencia tiene efectos negativos profundos sobre la diversidad de especies, la biomasa y estructura de las comunidades de vertebrados en bosques de la Amazonía que de otra forma están poco perturbadas. Estos efectos se agravan considerablemente por la fragmentación del bosque porque los fragmentos son más accesibles a los cazadores, no permiten la recolonización por poblaciones no cazadas o disminuyen las tasas de recolonizacíon y pueden proporcionar una base de recursos de menor calidad para la fauna de vertebrados frugívoro-granívoros. Examiné la posibilidad de persistencia de poblaciones de aves y mamíferos medianos a grandes en fragmentos de bosque de tamaño variable si continúan sujetos a la cacería de subsistencia como una consecuencia del aislamiento. Utilicé datos de una compilación extensiva de estudios de cacería en bosques neotropicales para estimar el grado en que diferentes especies y poblaciones han sido sobre explotadas y calculé el área de bosque minima requerida para mantener una cosecha sostensible. La distribucíon de tamaños de 5564 fragmentos de bosque amazónica, estimado a partir de imágues de Landsat de seis regiones del sur y del esté de la Amazonía brasileña indica claramente que estos fragmentós son principalmente pegueños y que rara vez exceden las lolta, lo que sugiere que la sobre cacería persistente probablemente lleve a la extincíon local de poblaciones de vertebrados de tamaño mediano a grande en paisajes boscosos fragmentados. Aunque estudios experimentales de este sinergismo negativo no están disponibles, la perspectiva de que las regiones neotropicales cada vez más fragmentadas, puedan retener las comunidades completas de aves y mamíferos poco es probable. [source] FS06.7 The new fragrance mix II , test results of a multicentre European StudyCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 3 2004Peter Frosch A new fragrance mix (FM II) with 6 frequently used chemicals was evaluated in consecutive patients patch tested in 6 dermatological centres in Europe. 28% FM II contained 5% Lyral, 1% citral, 5% farnesol, 5% coumarin, 1% citronellol and 10% alpha-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde (AHCA); in 14% FM II the single constituents' concentrations was lowered to 50% and in 2.8% FM II to 10%. Each patient was classified regarding a history of adverse reactions to fragrances: certain, probable, questionable and none. The frequency of positive reactions to the currently used 8% fragrance mix (FM I) and the new mix in 1703 patients was as follows: FM I, 6.6%; 2.8% FM II, 1.3%; 14% FM II, 2.9%; 28% FM II, 4.1%. The number of doubtful/irritant reactions was 7.2% for FM I and ranged from 1.8% to 10.6% for FM II. 8.7% of tested patients had a certain fragrance history. Of these 25.2% were positive to FM I, reactivity to FM II was dose-dependent and ranged from 8.1% to 17.6% in this subgroup. Comparing 2 groups of history , certain and none , values for sensitivity (sens) and specificity (spec) were calculated. Sens: FM I, 27.2%; 2.8% FM II, 8.7%; 14% FM II, 15.9%; 28% FM II, 21.5%. Spec: FM I, 96.3%; 2.8% FM II, 99.5%; 14% FM II, 98.7%; 28% FM II, 97.9%. 31/70 (44.3%) patients positive to 28% FM II were negative to FM I. In the group of patients with a certain history a total of 6 patients was found reacting only to FM II. Simultaneous break-down testing with the single constituents produced positive reactions in 54.3% for 28% FM II and 48% for 14% FM II. Lyral was the dominating single constituent with positive reactions (37.1% for 28% FM II, 36% for 14% FM II), followed by citral, farnesol, citronellol, AHCA and coumarin. Chemical analysis for the 6 constituents of FM II was performed on 25 products used by 12 patients being patch test positive to FM II. Lyral was detected in 76% of these products, citral in 16% and AHCA in 8%. In conclusion, the new FM II detects additional patients with contact allergy to fragrances missed by the currently used FM I. The medium concentration, 14% FM II, is probably the most useful one for diagnostic screening. [source] Heat shock protein translocation and expression response is attenuated in response to repeated eccentric exerciseACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 3 2009K. Vissing Abstract Aim:, This study hypothesized that heat shock protein (HSP) translocation and upregulation is more probable to occur after eccentric exercise than after concentric exercise or repeated eccentric exercise. Methods:, Fourteen young, healthy, untrained male subjects completed two bench-stepping exercise bouts with 8 weeks between bouts, and were compared with a control group (n = 6). Muscle biopsies collected from m. vastus lateralis of both legs prior to and at 3 h, 24 h and 7 days after exercise were quantified for mRNA levels and/or for HSP27, ,,-crystallin and inducible HSP70 content in cytosolic and cytoskeletal protein fractions. Results:, The first bout of exercise reduced muscle strength and increased muscle soreness predominantly in the eccentric leg (P < 0.05). These responses were attenuated after the repeated eccentric exercise bout (P < 0.05), suggesting a repeated bout adaptation. Increases in inducible HSP70 and HSP27 protein content in cytoskeletal fractions were observed exclusively after eccentric exercise (P < 0.05). For HSP27, an approx. 10-fold upregulation after first-bout eccentric exercise was attenuated to a an approximately fourfold upregulation after the repeated eccentric exercise bout. mRNA levels for HSP70, HSP27 and ,,-crystallin were upregulated within approximately two to fourfold ranges at time points 3 and 24 h post-exercise (P < 0.05). This upregulation was induced exclusively by eccentric exercise but with a tendency to attenuated expression 3 h after the repeated eccentric exercise bout. Conclusion:, Our results show that HSP translocation and expression responses are induced by muscle damaging exercise, and suggest that such HSP responses are closely related to the extent of muscle damage. [source] Investigation of growth kinetics and morphology of sodium fluorosilicate ice-analogue crystals in solutions and gelsCRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 12 2007M. J. Krasi Abstract The effect of growth method (solution or gel growth) and growth conditions on the morphology of ice analogue crystals (sodium fluorosilicate) has been studied. Many habits typical for atmospheric ice crystals (hexagonal columns, plates, different types of stars or dendrites) were obtained during experiments. The dependence of growth rate of basal and prism faces of columnar crystals on supersaturation was measured for crystals growing by evaporation of solvent. The experiments establish evaporation rate and growth rate ranges at which appearance of certain types of crystals is most probable. The experiments have also shown that good quality sodium fluorosilicate crystals can be obtained in TMS gel. These crystals were significantly bigger than those obtained in solution. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology diagnosis of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas is highly predictive of pancreatic neoplasiaDIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 7 2006Robert E. Emerson M.D. Abstract Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) have been considered difficult to diagnose by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. We identified 57 cases diagnosed as IPMN or consistent with IPMN by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided FNA over a 9-yr period. Histologic follow-up was available for 20 patients (35%). Pancreatic neoplasia was demonstrated in 18 of these cases (90%). The histologic diagnoses were IPMN (16 cases), pancreatic intraductal neoplasia (grade 1b, 1 case), invasive mucin-producing adenocarcinoma (1 case), and chronic pancreatitis with a pseudocyst (2 cases). Sixty-two cases of IPMN without coexisting adenocarcinoma were diagnosed by histology during this time period. Of these, 35 (56%) had a preceding EUS-guided FNA. The diagnosis made by EUS-guided FNA in these 35 cases was negative or nondiagnostic (6 cases), benign cyst (1 case), chronic pancreatitis (2 cases), atypical ductal cells (2 cases), adenocarcinoma or suspicious for adenocarcinoma (3 cases), consistent with mucinous cystic neoplasm (4 cases), and IPMN or consistent with IPMN (16 cases). An EUS FNA diagnosis of probable or definite neoplasia was, therefore, made in 71% of cases of histologically proven IPMN. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006;34:457,462. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Gut content analysis and a new feeding group classification of termitesECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2001S. E. Donovan Summary 1. Gut content analysis of termites was undertaken using microscopical techniques. The 46 study species covered the entire range of taxonomic and feeding forms within the Order. 2. Inter-specific gut contents data were analysed using principal components analysis, placing species along a clear humification gradient based on variations in the amount of silica and plant tissue fragments in the gut. 3. Redundancy analysis was used to find morphological correlates of the observed variation in gut contents. A total of 22 morphological characters (out of 45 candidate characters) were correlated significantly with the gut contents. 4. Three of the 22 significantly correlated characters unambiguously defined feeding groups, which were designated groups I to IV in increasing order of humification of the feeding substrate. Group I contains lower termite dead wood and grass-feeders; group II contains Termitidae with a range of feeding habits including dead wood, grass, leaf litter, and micro-epiphytes; group III contains Termitidae feeding in the organic rich upper layers of the soil; group IV contains the true soil-feeders (again all Termitidae), ingesting apparently mineral soil. These groupings were generally supported statistically in a canonical covariance analysis, although group II apparently represents termite species with a rather wide range of feeding habits. 5. Using existing hypotheses of termite phylogenetic relationships, it seems probable that group I feeders are phylogenetically basal, and that the other groupings have arisen independently on a number of occasions. Soil-feeding (i.e. group III and group IV feeding) may have evolved due to the co-option of faecal material as a fungal substrate by Macrotermitinae-like ancestral forms. As a consequence, these forms would have been constrained to build nest structures from soil and would therefore have passed at least some soil through their guts. [source] Effects of dietary esfenvalerate exposures on three aquatic insect species representing different functional feeding groupsENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 8 2008Katherine R. Palmquist Abstract Given the chemical properties of synthetic pyrethroids, it is probable that compounds, including esfenvalerate, that enter surface waters may become incorporated into aquatic insect food sources. We examined the effect of dietary esfenvalerate uptake in aquatic insects representing different functional feeding groups. We used three field-collected aquatic insect species: A grazing scraper, Cinygmula reticulata McDunnough (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae); an omnivorous filter feeder, Brachycentrus americanus Banks (Trichoptera: Brachycentridae); and a predator, Hesperoperla pacifica Banks (Plecoptera: Perlidae). Laboratory-cultured algae were preexposed for 24 h to esfenvalerate concentrations of 0, 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1 ,g/L and provided to two C. reticulata age classes (small and final-instar nymphs). Reduction in small nymph growth was observed following three weeks of feeding on algae exposed to 0.05 and 0.1 ,g/L of esfenvalerate, and the highest dietary exposure reduced egg production in final-instar nymphs. The diet for B. americanus and H. pacifica consisted of dead third-instar Chironomus tentans larvae preexposed for 24 h to esfenvalerate concentrations ranging between 0.1 and 1.0 ,g/L. Consumption of larvae exposed to 0.5 to 1.0 ,g/L of esfenvalerate caused case abandonment and mortality in B. americanus caddisfly larvae. Although H. pacifica nymphs readily consumed esfenvalerate-exposed larvae, no adverse effects were observed during the present study. Furthermore, no evidence of esfenvalerate-induced feeding deterrence was found in any of the species tested, suggesting that aquatic insects may not be able to distinguish between pyrethroid-contaminated and uncontaminated food sources. These findings indicate that feeding deterrence is not a factor in regulating aquatic insect dietary exposures to synthetic pyrethroids. [source] Management issues for women with epilepsy,Focus on pregnancy (an evidence-based review): II.EPILEPSIA, Issue 5 2009Teratogenesis, perinatal outcomes Summary A committee assembled by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) reassessed the evidence related to the care of women with epilepsy (WWE) during pregnancy, including antiepileptic drug (AED) teratogenicity and adverse perinatal outcomes. It is highly probable that intrauterine first-trimester valproate (VPA) exposure has higher risk of major congenital malformations (MCMs) compared to carbamazepine (CBZ), and possibly compared to phenytoin (PHT) or lamotrigine (LTG). It is probable that VPA as part of polytherapy and possible that VPA as monotherapy contribute to the development of MCMs. AED polytherapy probably contributes to the development of MCMs and reduced cognitive outcomes compared to monotherapy. Intrauterine exposure to VPA monotherapy probably reduces cognitive outcomes and monotherapy exposure to PHT or phenobarbital (PB) possibly reduces cognitive outcomes. Neonates of WWE taking AEDs probably have an increased risk of being small for gestational age and possibly have an increased risk of a 1-minute Apgar score of <7. If possible, avoidance of VPA and AED polytherapy during the first trimester of pregnancy should be considered to decrease the risk of MCMs. If possible, avoidance of VPA and AED polytherapy throughout pregnancy should be considered and avoidance of PHT and PB throughout pregnancy may be considered to prevent reduced cognitive outcomes. [source] Guardians and handlers: the role of bar staff in preventing and managing aggressionADDICTION, Issue 6 2005Kathryn Graham ABSTRACT Aims To identify good and bad behaviors by bar staff in aggressive incidents, the extent these behaviors apparently reflect aggressive intent, and the association of aggressive staff behavior with level of aggression by patrons. Design, setting and participants Data on staff behavior in incidents of aggression were collected by 148 trained observers in bars and clubs on Friday and Saturday night between midnight and 2 a.m. in Toronto, Canada. Behaviors of 809 staff involved in 417 incidents at 74 different bars/clubs were analysed using descriptive statistics and three-level hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) analyses. Measurements Observers' ratings of 28 staff behaviors were used to construct two scales that measured escalating/aggressive aspects of staff behavior. Apparent intent level for bar staff was dichotomized into (1) no aggressive intent versus (2) probable or definite aggressive intent. Five levels of patron aggression were defined: no aggression, non-physical, minor physical, moderate physical and severe physical. Findings The most common aggressive behaviors of staff were identified. Staff were most aggressive when patrons were either non-aggressive or highly aggressive and staff were least aggressive when patrons exhibited non-physical aggression or minor physical aggression. Taking apparent intent into consideration decreased staff aggression scores for incidents in which patrons were highly aggressive indicating that some aggression by staff in these instances had non-aggressive intent (e.g. to prevent injury); however, apparent intent had little effect on staff aggression scores in incidents with non-aggressive patrons. Conclusion Although there is potential for staff to act as guardians or handlers, they often themselves became offenders when they responded to barroom problems. The practical implications are different for staff aggression with nonaggressive patrons versus with aggressive patrons. [source] Childhood Epilepsy Due to Neurocysticercosis: A Comparative StudyEPILEPSIA, Issue 11 2001Lisiane S. Ferreira Summary: ,Purpose: To assess the clinical profile of pediatric patients with epilepsy and neurocysticercosis (NC), and compare them with a group of pediatric patients with benign partial epilepsy to determine clinical differences, response to treatment, and prognosis. Methods: We studied 28 patients (16 girls) with probable or definitive diagnosis of NC and epilepsy and 32 patients (16 girls) with partial benign epilepsy (BE). All patients had normal neurologic examination. We compared NC and BE patients looking for differences in demographics (age at first seizure, gender, family history); clinical presentation (type, frequency, duration, and total number of seizures, duration of epilepsy, status epilepticus, cluster, and postictal deficit); treatment [duration, number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), maximal dose, drug association, number of seizure-free patients, time to obtain control and recurrence after medication discontinuation]; complementary examinations (the first and the last EEG). Results: The mean follow-up was 5.4 years for the 28 NC patients and 4.6 years for the 32 BE patients (p = 0.98). We did not find statistical differences between NC and BE in gender, family history, types of seizures, frequency and length of seizures, previous status epilepticus, seizure clustering, and presence of postictal deficits. However, we found that NC compared with BE patients had significant longer AED treatment, more seizures after AED introduction, tried more AEDs and at maximal dose, and in 20%, required polytherapy. The recurrence rate in NC was 54.4% and this was not significantly associated with number of lesions and disease activity seen on CT scans or the presence of EEG abnormalities. Conclusions: NC presents with a mild form of epilepsy in terms of seizure severity; however, it is more challenging in regard to drug management and has a less favorable long-term prognosis in terms of seizure remission. The number of lesions or disease activity seen on computed tomography (CT) as well as EEG abnormalities have no prognostic value in childhood epilepsy due to NC. [source] Stability Constants and Dissociation Rates of the EDTMP Complexes of Samarium(III) and Yttrium(III)EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 30 2008Ferenc Krisztián Kálmán Abstract The stability constants of Sm(EDTMP) (log,KML = 20.71) and Y(EDTMP) (log,KML = 19.19) were determined by a competition reaction between the Ln3+ ion (Ln3+ = Sm3+ or Y3+) and Cu2+ for the EDTMP ligand by spectrophotometry at pH , 10, in the presence of an excess amount of citrate (0.15 M NaCl, 25 °C). For determining the stability constants of Cu(EDTMP) (log,KML = 19.36) and Ca(EDTMP) (log,KML = 8.71) pH,potentiometry was used. In the pH range 4,9 the EDTMP complexes are present in the form of nonprotonated and mono-, di- and triprotonated species. The Ca2+ ion forms a dinuclear complex with Ln(EDTMP). In a simplified blood plasma model consisting of Sm3+, Ca2+ and Zn2+ metal ions, EDTMP, citrate, cysteine and histidine ligands, Sm3+ is practically present in the form of [Sm(HEDTMP)Ca]2,, whereas Zn2+ predominantly forms [Zn(HEDTMP)]5, and [Zn(H2EDTMP)]4, complexes. For studying the dissociation rates of the complexes, the kinetics of the metal exchange (transmetallation) reactions between the Ln(EDTMP) complexes and Cu2+,citrate were investigated in the pH range 7,9 by the stopped-flow method. The rates of the exchange reactions are independent of the Cu2+ concentration and increase with the H+ concentration. The rate constants, characterizing the proton-assisted dissociation of the Ln(EDTMP) complexes, are several orders of magnitude higher than those of the similar Ln(EDTA) complexes, because the protonation constants of Ln(EDTMP) are high and the protonated Ln(HEDTMP) and Ln(H2EDTMP) species are present in higher concentration. The half-times of dissociation of Sm(EDTMP) and Y(EDTMP) at pH = 7.4 and 25 °C are 4.9 and 7.5 s, respectively. These relatively short dissociation half-time values do not predict the deposition of Ln3+ ions in bones in the form of intact Ln(EDTMP) complexes. It is more probable that sorption of the EDTMP ligand and Sm3+ or Y3+ ions occurs independently after the dissociation of complexes.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008) [source] Clinical features associated with medically unexplained stroke-like symptoms presenting to an acute stroke unitEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 2 2005F. S. Nazir In many areas of secondary care, symptoms unexplained by disease account for around one-third of all patients seen. We sought to investigate patients presenting with medically unexplained stroke-like symptoms to identify distinguishing features which may help to identify a non-organic aetiology. Patients given a discharge diagnosis of medically unexplained stroke-like symptoms over the preceding 11 years were identified retrospectively from a prospectively completed stroke unit database. Age- and sex-matched controls with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke or transient ischaemic attack were also identified. Clinical features on presentation, ischaemic risk factors, alcohol history, marital status and history of depression or anxiety were examined. Previous or subsequent admissions with medically unexplained syndromes were also examined via record linkage with hospital discharge records. A medically unexplained syndrome was assumed to be present if an International Classification of Diseases 9 discharge code for one or more of the thirteen conditions forming recognized functional syndromes was given. Logistic regression was applied to determine predictors of non-organicity. One hundred and five patients and controls, 1.6% of all stroke unit admissions were identified, 62% (65 patients) were females. Mean age was 50.3 ± 14.9. Compared with age- and sex-matched controls patients with medically unexplained stroke-like symptoms were significantly more probable to have a headache at presentation (47% vs. 26%, P = 0.0004), have a diagnosis of one or more additional medically unexplained syndromes (24% vs. 11%, P = 0.007) but significantly less probable to present with symptoms of vertebrobasilar dysfunction (32% vs. 61%, P < 0.0001). A history of anxiety or depression, as recorded in the notes, was not found to be associated with a medically unexplained presentation. Medically unexplained stroke-like presentations are common (1.6% of all stroke presentations), they are most strongly predicted by the presence of other functional somatic syndromes, headache and the absence of symptoms of vertebrobasilar dysfunction. [source] Clinical and genetic features of human prion diseases in Catalonia: 1993,2002EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 10 2004R. Sanchez-Valle We describe the clinical and genetic characteristics of the 85 definite or probable human prion diseases cases died between January 1993 and December 2002 in Catalonia (an autonomous community of Spain, 6 million population). Seventy-three (86%) cases were sporadic Creutzfeld-Jakob diseases (sCJD) (49 definite, 24 probable), with a median age at onset of 66 years. The clinical presentation was dementia in 29 cases, ataxia in 14 and visual symptoms in five. The median survival was 3 months. The 14-3-3 assay was positive in 93% cases, 62% presented periodic sharp wave complexes (PSWC) in EEG but only 18% the typical signs on MRI. Forty-eight sCJD were studied for codon 129 PRNP polymorphism: 69% were methionine/methionine (M/M), 14.5% valine/valine (V/V) and 16.5% M/V. Six out of seven V/V cases did not present PSWC and in two survival was longer than 20 months. Eleven cases (13%) were genetic: five familial fatal insomnia and six familial CJD (fCJD). Up to four (67%) fCJD lacked family history of disease, two presented seizures early at onset and one neurosensorial deafness. The only iatrogenic case was related to a dura mater graft. No case of variant CJD was registered. The study confirms in our population the consistent pattern reported worldwide on human prion diseases. Atypical features were seen more frequently in sporadic 129 V/V CJD and fCJD cases. [source] Larval and adult brains,EVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 5 2005Claus Nielsen Summary Apical organs are a well-known structure in almost all ciliated eumetazoan larvae, although their function is poorly known. A review of the literature indicates that this small ganglion is the "brain" of the early larva, and it seems probable that it represents the brain of the ancestral, holopelagic ancestor of all eumetazoans, the gastraea. This early brain is lost before or at metamorphosis in all groups. Protostomes (excluding phoronids and brachiopods) appear to have brains of dual origin. Their larvae develop a pair of cephalic ganglia at the episphere lateral to the apical organ, and these two ganglia become an important part of the adult brain. The episphere and the cerebral ganglia show Otx expression, whereas Hox gene expression has not been seen in this part of the brain. A ventral nervous system develops around the blastopore, which becomes divided into mouth and anus by fusion of the lateral blastopore lips. The circumblastoporal nerve ring becomes differentiated into a nerve ring around the mouth, becoming part of the adult brain, a pair of ventral nerve cords, in some cases differentiated into a chain of ganglia, and a ring around the anus. This part of the nervous system appears to be homologous with the oral nerve ring of cnidarians. This interpretation is supported by the expression of Hox genes around the cnidarian mouth and in the ventral nervous system of the protostomes. The development of phoronids, brachiopods, echinoderms, and enteropneusts does not lead to the formation of an episphere or to differentiation of cerebral ganglia. In general, a well-defined brain is lacking, and Hox genes are generally not expressed in the larval organs, although this has not been well studied. [source] Diversity and distribution of pigmented heterotrophic bacteria in marine environmentsFEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Hailian Du Abstract A systematic investigation of marine pigmented heterotrophic bacteria (PHB) based on the cultivation method and sequencing analysis of 16S rRNA genes was conducted in Chinese coastal and shelf waters and the Pacific Ocean. Both the abundance of PHB and the ratio of PHB to CFU decreased along trophic gradients from coastal to oceanic waters, with the highest values of 9.9 × 103 cell mL,1 and 39.6%, respectively, in the Yangtze River Estuary. In contrast to the total heterotrophic bacteria (TB) and CFU, which were present in the whole water column, PHB were primarily confined to the euphotic zone, with the highest abundance of PHB and ratio of PHB to CFU occurring in surface water. In total, 247 pigmented isolates were obtained during this study, and the phylogenetic analysis showed a wide genetic diversity covering 25 genera of six phylogenetic classes: Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacilli, Flavobacteria and Sphingobacteria. PHB belonging to Alphaproteobacteria, Flavobacteria and Sphingobacteria were obtained mainly from the South China Sea and East China Sea; PHB from the Pacific Ocean water were predominantly affiliated with Gammaproteobacteria, and most isolates from the Yangtze River Estuary fell into the classes Actinobacteria and Bacilli. The isolates exhibited various colours (e.g. golden, yellow, red, pink and orange), with genus or species specificity. Furthermore, the pigment of PHB cells absorbed light mainly in the wavelength range between 450 and 550 nm. In conclusion, our work has revealed that PHB with broad genetic diversity are widely distributed in the marine environment, and may account for up to 39.6% of culturable bacteria, equivalent to 1.4% of the total microbial community. This value might even be underestimated because it is probable that not all pigmented bacteria were isolated. Their abundance and genetic distribution are heavily influenced by environmental properties, such as light and nutrition, suggesting that they have important roles in the marine ecosystem, especially in the absorption of visible light. [source] Interactions between salivary Bifidobacterium adolescentis and other oral bacteria: in vitro coaggregation and coadhesion assaysFEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 2 2008Seiji Nagaoka Abstract Coaggregation assays were performed to investigate interactions between oral Bifidobacterium adolescentis and other oral bacterial species. Bifidobacterium adolescentis OLB6410 isolated from the saliva of healthy humans did not coaggregate with Actinomyces naeslundii JCM8350, Streptococcus mitis OLS3293, Streptococcus sanguinis JCM5708, Veillonella parvula ATCC17745 or Porphyromonas gingivalis OB7124, but it did coaggregate with Fusobacterium nucleatum JCM8532. Subsequent examination of biofilm formation on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite discs using FISH revealed that B. adolescentis OLB6410 could not directly adhere to the coated discs. It did, however, adhere to biofilms of A. naeslundii, V. parvula, and F. nucleatum, although it did not coaggregate with A. naeslundii nor with V. parvula. These results suggest that the adhesion of B. adolescentis to tooth surfaces is mediated by other oral bacteria. Heat- or proteinase K-treated F. nucleatum could not coaggregate with B. adolescentis. Similarly, the coaggregation and coadhesion of proteinase K-treated B. adolescentis were strongly inhibited. It is therefore probable that proteinaceous factors on the cellular surface of B. adolescentis and F. nucleatum are involved in their interaction. The data presented in this study add to our understanding of bifidobacterial colonization in the human oral cavity. [source] Domestic Violence and Out-of-hospital ProvidersA Potential Resource to Protect Battered WomenACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 3 2000M. Elaine Husni MD Abstract Objective: The primary objective was to determine the prevalence of domestic violence (DV) in a subset of women presenting to the Boston emergency medical services (EMS) system and to evaluate documentation. A secondary objective was to determine the rate of refusal of transport to the hospital for DV-positive patients, compared with the general population. Methods: A retrospective chart review of ambulance run sheets from a nonconsecutive, convenience sample between July and December 1995 was performed. Women presenting with injury, obstetric/gynecologic complaints, or psychiatric complaints were included. Records were reviewed, and labeled as positive, probable, suggestive, or negative for DV, based on a previously used classification system. A weighted kappa test was performed, and data were analyzed using chi-square and t-test. Results: Among 1,251 charts reviewed, 876 met criteria for inclusion. The percentage of positive cases was 5.4% (95% CI = 3.9% to 6.9%), probable 10.8% (8.8% to 12.9%), suggestive 2.6% (1.6% to 3.7%), and negative 81.2% (78.6% to 83.6%). Among DV-positive patients, the refusal to transport rate was 23.4% (11.3% to 35.5%), compared with a 7.1% (5.8% to 9.3%) rate for the entire study population (n= 876), and 4.7% for the general Boston EMS population during the same year. More DV patients presented during the night shift compared with other shifts. Conclusions: Domestic violence is common in this high-risk population. A substantial proportion of women in this population refuse transport to the hospital. Out-of-hospital personnel should be trained with the tools to identify and document DV, assess patient safety, offer timely resources, and empower victims to make choices. [source] Non-uniqueness with refraction inversion , the Mt Bulga shear zoneGEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING, Issue 4 2010Derecke Palmer ABSTRACT The tau-p inversion algorithm is widely employed to generate starting models with many computer programs that implement refraction tomography. However, this algorithm can frequently fail to detect even major lateral variations in seismic velocities, such as a 50 m wide shear zone, which is the subject of this study. By contrast, the shear zone is successfully defined with the inversion algorithms of the generalized reciprocal method. The shear zone is confirmed with a 2D analysis of the head wave amplitudes, a spectral analysis of the refraction convolution section and with numerous closely spaced orthogonal seismic profiles recorded for a later 3D refraction investigation. Further improvements in resolution, which facilitate the recognition of additional zones with moderate reductions in seismic velocity, are achieved with a novel application of the Hilbert transform to the refractor velocity analysis algorithm. However, the improved resolution also requires the use of a lower average vertical seismic velocity, which accommodates a velocity reversal in the weathering. The lower seismic velocity is derived with the generalized reciprocal method, whereas most refraction tomography programs assume vertical velocity gradients as the default. Although all of the tomograms are consistent with the traveltime data, the resolution of each tomogram is comparable only with that of the starting model. Therefore, it is essential to employ inversion algorithms that can generate detailed starting models, where detailed lateral resolution is the objective. Non-uniqueness can often be readily resolved with head wave amplitudes, attribute processing of the refraction convolution section and additional seismic traverses, prior to the acquisition of any borehole data. It is concluded that, unless specific measures are taken to address non-uniqueness, the production of a single refraction tomogram that fits the traveltime data to sufficient accuracy does not necessarily demonstrate that the result is either correct, or even the most probable. [source] Diabetes hyperglycemia and recovery from strokeGERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1-2 2001Christopher S Gray Strokeis a major cause of death and severe disability in older people. Despite the burden of disease, there is still no safe, simple and proven medical therapy for the treatment of acute stroke. Advances in acute stroke treatment have been either consistently disappointing (neuroprotective therapy) or fraught with controversy regarding risk/benefit (thrombolysis), and attention is once again being directed towards physiological variables that may influence outcome. Both insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus are major risk factors for stroke. Diabetes mellitus has also been shown to be associated with increased mortality and reduced functional outcome after stroke. Hyperglycemia is a frequent finding following stroke and may reflect the metabolic stress of the acute event, so-called stress hyperglycemia, and/or underlying impaired glucose metabolism. Several large clinical studies have now demonstrated a positive association between a raised blood glucose and poor outcome from stroke; greater mortality and reduced functional recovery. What is not clear is to what extent hyperglycemia is a ,normal' physiological response to stroke or whether hyperglycemia per se increases cerebral damage in the acute phase. There are many potential mechanisms by which hyperglycemia can exert a harmful effect upon cerebral tissue and it is probable that an important relationship exists, not only between glucose and stroke outcome, but also between insulin and neuroprotection. It remains to be determined whether lowering and maintaining ,normal' glucose levels in the immediate aftermath of stroke, combined with the administration of insulin as an acute treatment, can modify this outcome. [source] In vivo recovery of factor VIII and factor IX: intra- and interindividual variance in a clinical settingHAEMOPHILIA, Issue 1 2007S. BJÖRKMAN Summary., In vivo recovery (IVR) is traditionally used as a parameter to characterize the pharmacokinetic properties of coagulation factors. It has also been suggested that dosing of factor VIII (FVIII) and factor IX (FIX) can be adjusted according to the need of the individual patient, based on an individually determined IVR value. This approach, however, requires that the individual IVR value is more reliably representative for the patient than the mean value in the population, i.e. that there is less variance within than between the individuals. The aim of this investigation was to compare intra- and interindividual variance in IVR (as U dL,1 per U kg,1) for FVIII and plasma-derived FIX in a cohort of non-bleeding patients with haemophilia. The data were collected retrospectively from six clinical studies, yielding 297 IVR determinations in 50 patients with haemophilia A and 93 determinations in 13 patients with haemophilia B. For FVIII, the mean variance within patients exceeded the between-patient variance. Thus, an individually determined IVR value is apparently no more informative than an average, or population, value for the dosing of FVIII. There was no apparent relationship between IVR and age of the patient (1.5,67 years). For FIX, the mean variance within patients was lower than the between-patient variance, and there was a significant positive relationship between IVR and age (13,69 years). From these data, it seems probable that using an individual IVR confers little advantage in comparison to using an age-specific population mean value. Dose tailoring of coagulation factor treatment has been applied successfully after determination of the entire single-dose curve of FVIII:C or FIX:C in the patient and calculation of the relevant pharmacokinetic parameters. However, the findings presented here do not support the assumption that dosing of FVIII or FIX can be individualized on the basis of a clinically determined IVR value. [source] Assessment of the carrier status by pedigree analysis in some families from IndiaHAEMOPHILIA, Issue 5 2002M. Singh Summary., Pedigree analysis is an important tool to assess the carrier status of the females in the families of haemophiliac patients. A study was conducted on 85 families, of which 75 were of haemophilia type A and 10 of haemophilia type B. The probability values of the females being carriers were calculated by the Bayesian method. The results revealed that 45 mothers were genetic obligate carriers and the remaining 40 probable, hence the transmission was of familial nature in 45 families, whereas the remaining 40 were categorized as isolated cases. The probability values of 425 females were calculated and a wide range of probability values ranging from 0.0295 to 1 was observed. [source] Why health expectations and hopes are different: the development of a conceptual modelHEALTH EXPECTATIONS, Issue 4 2009Karen K. Leung BA (Hons) Abstract Background, In the literature, ,hope' has often been thought of as an ideal expectation. However, we believe the classification of hope as a type of expectation is problematic. Although both hopes and expectations are future-oriented cognitions, expectations are distinct in that they are an individual's probability-driven assessment of the most likely outcomes, while hopes are an assessment of the most desirable , but not necessarily the most probable , outcomes. Aim, This paper presents a conceptual model of the factors that may serve as common antecedents of hopes and expectations, and a mechanism that may mediate their differentiation. Method, Ovid Healthstar and PsycINFO database searches from January 1967 to October 2008 were conducted. An integrative literature review, synthesis and conceptual model development were carried out. Outcome, Our model envisages the differentiation of hope from expectation as a dynamic, longitudinal process consisting of three phases: appraisal of possible outcomes, cognitive analysis for achieving hopes and goal pursuit. Key variables such as temporal proximity, controllability, external resources, goals, affect, agency and pathways may moderate the extent of divergence by influencing the perceived probability of achieving desired outcomes. Conclusion, Hopes and expectations are distinct, but linked, constructs. This preliminary conceptual model presents how hopes and expectations develop, become differentiated and how social-cognitive factors may moderate this relationship. A better understanding of hopes and expectations may assist health professionals in communicating illness-related expectations while maintaining the integrity of patient hopes. [source] Telithromycin-associated hepatotoxicity: Clinical spectrum and causality assessment of 42 cases,HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Allen D. Brinker Telithromycin is the first of a new class of ketolide antibiotics with increased activity against penicillin-resistant and erythromycin-resistant pneumococci. This agent received approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004 for treatment of upper and lower respiratory infections. Following market introduction, spontaneous reports of telithromycin-associated hepatotoxicity, including frank liver failure, were received. To address these reports, an ad hoc group with expertise in spontaneous adverse events reporting and experience in evaluating drug-induced liver injury was formed, including members of the FDA, other federal agencies, and academia. The primary objective of this group was to adjudicate case reports of hepatic toxicity for causal attribution to telithromycin. After an initial screening of all cases of liver injury associated with telithromycin reported to FDA as of April 2006 by one of the authors, 42 cases were comprehensively reviewed and adjudicated. Five cases included a severe outcome of either death (n = 4) or liver transplantation (n = 1); more than half were considered highly likely or probable in their causal association with telithromycin. Typical clinical features were: short latency (median, 10 days) and abrupt onset of fever, abdominal pain, and jaundice, sometimes with the presence of ascites even in cases that resolved. Concurrence in assignment of causality increased after agreement on definitions of categories and interactive discussions. Conclusion: Telithromycin is a rare cause of drug-induced liver injury that may have a distinctive clinical signature and associated high mortality rate. Consensus for attribution of liver injury to a selected drug exposure by individual experts can be aided by careful definition of terminology and discussion. (HEPATOLOGY 2009;49:250-257.) [source] Development of autoimmune hepatitis in patients with typical primary biliary cirrhosis,HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Raoul Poupon Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC),autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) overlap syndrome is a clinical entity characterized by the occurence of both conditions at the same time in the same patient. In addition to PBC-AIH overlap syndrome, transitions from one autoimmune disease to another have been reported, but no systematic series have been published. We report a series of 12 patients with consecutive occurrence of PBC and AIH (i.e., PBC followed by AIH). Among 282 PBC patients, 39 were identified who fulfilled criteria for probable or definitive AIH. AIH developed in 12 patients (4.3%). The baseline characteristics of the patients were similar to those of patients with classical PBC. Time elapsed between the diagnosis of PBC and the diagnosis of AIH varied from 6 months to 13 years. Patients with multiple flares of hepatitis at the time of diagnosis of AIH had cirrhosis on liver biopsy. Ten patients were given prednisone ± azathioprine; short-term as well as sustained remissions were obtained in 8 of these, while two had multiple relapses and eventually died 8 and 7 years after diagnosis of AIH. In conclusion, the development of superimposed AIH could not be predicted from baseline characteristics and initial response to UDCA therapy. If not detected early, superimposed AIH can result in rapid progression toward cirrhosis and liver failure in PBC patients. (HEPATOLOGY 2006;44:85,90.) [source] Cardiac side effects of psychiatric drugs,HUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue S1 2008Paul Mackin Abstract This review describes the common effects of psychotropic drugs on the cardiovascular system and offers guidance for practical management. Selected reports from the literature describing common side effects associated with psychotropic drugs are reviewed, and suggestions for further reading are given throughout the text. Orthostatic hypotension is the most common adverse autonomic side effect of antipsychotic drugs. Among the atypical antipsychotics the risk of orthostatic hypotension is highest with clozapine and among the conventional drugs the risk is highest with low potency agents. Rarely, orthostatic hypotension may result in neurocardiogenic syncope. QTc prolongation can occur with all antipsychotics but an increased risk is seen with pimozide, thioridazine, sertindole and zotepine. QTc prolongation is a marker of arrhythmic risk. Torsade de pointe, a specific arrhythmia, may lead to syncope, dizziness or ventricular fibrillation and sudden death. Heart muscle disease presents most commonly in the elderly as chronic heart failure, but myocarditis and cardiomyopathy, although relatively rare, are devastating, but potentially reversible complications of psychotropic drug therapy have been particularly linked to clozapine treatment. Patients with severe mental illness (SMI) are a ,high risk' population with regard to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is probable that many patients accumulate an excess of ,traditional' risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease, but other mechanisms including psychotropic drugs may also be influential in increasing risk in this vulnerable group. These risks need to be seen in the context of the undoubted therapeutic efficacy of the psychotropic armamentarium and the relief that these drugs bring to those suffering from mental disorder. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Synovial mast cells: role in acute and chronic arthritisIMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 1 2007Peter A. Nigrovic Summary:, Mast cells reside in the normal synovium and increase strikingly in number in rheumatoid arthritis and other joint diseases. Given the broad spectrum of activity of this lineage, it has for decades been considered probable that mast cells are involved in the pathophysiology of synovitis. Recent work in murine arthritis has substantiated this suspicion, showing that mast cells can contribute importantly to the initiation of inflammatory arthritis. However, the role of the greatly expanded population of synovial mast cells in established arthritis remains unknown. Here we review the current understanding of mast cell function in acute arthritis and consider the potentially important influence of this cell on key processes within the chronically inflamed synovium, including leukocyte recruitment and activation, fibroblast proliferation, angiogenesis, matrix remodeling, and injury to collagen and bone. We also consider recent evidence supporting an immunomodulatory or anti-inflammatory role for mast cells as well as pharmacologic approaches to the mast cell as a therapeutic target in inflammatory arthritis. [source] Prevalence of yeasts in saliva and root canals of teeth associated with apical periodontitisINTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 4 2002M. W. Egan Abstract Egan MW, Spratt DA, Ng Y-L, Lam JM, Moles DR, Gulabivala K. Prevalence of yeasts in saliva and root canals of teeth associated with apical periodontitis. International Endodontic Journal, 35, 321,329, 2002. Aims To determine: (i) the relative prevalence and diversity of yeasts in salivary and root canal samples from the same patients; and (ii) the clinical factors associated with their presence in saliva and root canals. Methodology Sixty root canal samples from teeth associated apical periodontitis and the corresponding whole unstimulated saliva samples were obtained from 55 patients. The medical history including antibiotic therapy and clinical/radiographic data on the teeth were recorded. The samples were serially diluted and cultured on yeast & fungi-selective sabouraud dextrose agar. Isolates were characterized and speciated by the germ tube formation test, hyphal morphology and a commercial biochemical test kit (Rapid ID32C® system). Results Twenty-three yeast isolates were recovered from 19 saliva samples and eight isolates from six root canal samples. Candida albicans (17/23 & 3/8) and Rodotorula mucilaginosa (2/23 & 4/8) were the most prevalent isolates from saliva and root canal samples. It was significantly (13.8 times) more probable that yeasts would be recovered from root canals when they were also present in the saliva (P = 0.021). The effect of coronal restoration leakage (P = 0.08) and previous root canal treatment (P = 0.123) were equivocal. The history of antibiotic therapy had no association with the presence of yeasts in saliva (OR = 1.1). Conclusions Yeasts occurred relatively infrequently (10%) in root canals. Their presence in root canals was significantly associated with their presence in saliva. The role of yeasts in the initiation and perpetuation of periapical disease remains to be determined. [source] Nicotine induces cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in a variety of human cancer cell linesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 1 2009Piyali Dasgupta Abstract Cigarette smoking is strongly correlated with the onset of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nicotine, an active component of cigarettes, has been found to induce proliferation of lung cancer cell lines. In addition, nicotine can induce angiogenesis and confer resistance to apoptosis. All these events are mediated through the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on lung cancer cells. In this study, we demonstrate that nicotine can promote anchorage-independent growth in NSCLCs. In addition, nicotine also induces morphological changes characteristic of a migratory, invasive phenotype in NSCLCs on collagen gel. These morphological changes were similar to those induced by the promigratory growth factor VEGF. The proinvasive effects of nicotine were mediated by ,7-nAChRs on NSCLCs. RT-PCR analysis showed that the ,7-nAChRs were also expressed on human breast cancer and pancreatic cancer cell lines. Nicotine was found to promote proliferation and invasion in human breast cancer. The proinvasive effects of nicotine were mediated via a nAChR, Src and calcium-dependent signaling pathway in breast cancer cells. In a similar fashion, nicotine could also induce proliferation and invasion of Aspc1 pancreatic cancer cells. Most importantly, nicotine could induce changes in gene expression consistent with epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), characterized by reduction of epithelial markers like E-cadherin expression, ZO-1 staining and concomitant increase in levels of mesenchymal proteins like vimentin and fibronectin in human breast and lung cancer cells. Therefore, it is probable that the ability of nicotine to induce invasion and EMT may contribute to the progression of breast and lung cancers. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The role of diet and nutrition in cervical carcinogenesis: A review of recent evidenceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 4 2005Reina García-Closas Abstract Our objective was to provide an update on recent epidemiologic evidence about the role of diet and nutrition on the risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) persistence and cervical neoplasia, taking HPV into account. We conducted a systematic review and qualitative classification of all observational studies controlling for HPV infection published between March 1995 and November 2003 and of all randomized clinical trials published between January 1991 and November 2003. Scientific evidence was classified as convincing, probable, possible or insufficient, as used in a previous study on diet and cancer. Thirty-three studies were eligible for this review (10 clinical trials, 8 observational prospective studies and 15 case-control studies). The few studies on HPV persistence showed a possible protective effect of fruits, vegetables, vitamins C and E, beta- and alpha-carotene, lycopene, luterin/zeaxanthin and cryptoxanthin. Evidence for a protective effect of cervical neoplasia was probable for folate, retinol and vitamin E and possible for vegetables, vitamins C and B12, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein/zeaxanthin and cryptoxanthin. Evidence for an increased risk of cervical neoplasia associated with high blood homocysteine was probable. Results did not differ between studies looking at preneoplastic and invasive lesions or between retrospective and prospective studies. The available evidence for an association between diet and nutritional status and cervical carcinogenesis taking HPV infection into account is not yet convincing. Large cohort studies are needed to adequately assess the role of foods and nutrients in cervical HPV carcinogenesis. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. 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