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1. Right-wing students spray tear gas at South African leader. [1992]

  • Vergnani, L.
  • Chronicle of Higher Education. 3/18/92, Vol. 38 Issue 28, pA50. 1/7p.
Subjects
DE Klerk, F. W., 1936-
Abstract
Reveals that right-wing students at the University of the Orange Free State sprayed tear gas at South African President F.W. de Klerk following his visit to a campus gathering. Mr. de Klerk was unharmed, but Kobie Coetzee, minister of justice, suffered cracked ribs as panicked students attempted to flee the scene. De Klerk's campaign for a Yes vote in the referendum on reform; Comments from Coenraad Jonker, president of the student council.

2. Broadcasting Watchdog Says `Yes' to E-tailers. [2000]

  • Ellison, Sarah
  • Wall Street Journal - Eastern Edition. 03/06/2000, Vol. 235 Issue 46, pA27A. 0p.
Subjects
TELEVISION advertising, INTERNET industry, and INSTRUCTIONAL materials industry
Abstract
Reports on the decision of Conseil Superieur de l' Audiovisuel (CSA), a broadcasting regulator in France, to allow television advertising for electronic commerce companies. Opposition of Culture Minister Catherine Trautmann to the decision; Benefit of the decision for Internet start-ups; Estimated spending of Internet advertisers in France in 1999.

3. Hospital prescribing errors: epidemiological assessment of predictors. [2002]

  • Fijn, R, Van den Bemt, P. M. L. A, Chow, M, De Blaey, C. J, De Jong-Van den Berg, L. T. W, and Brouwers, J. R. B. J
  • British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. Mar2002, Vol. 53 Issue 3, p326-331. 6p. 2 Charts.
Subjects
RATINGS of hospitals and MEDICATION errors
Abstract
Aims To demonstrate an epidemiological method to assess predictors of prescribing errors. Methods A retrospective case-control study, comparing prescriptions with and without errors. Results Only prescriber and drug characteristics were associated with errors. Prescriber characteristics were medical specialty (e.g. orthopaedics: OR: 3.4, 95% CI 2.1, 5.4) and prescriber status (e.g. verbal orders transcribed by nursing staff: OR: 2.5, 95% CI 1.8, 3.6). Drug characteristics were dosage form (e.g. inhalation devices: OR: 4.1, 95% CI 2.6, 6.6), therapeutic area (e.g. gastrointestinal tract: OR: 1.7, 95% CI 1.2, 2.4) and continuation of preadmission treatment (Yes: OR: 1.7, 95% CI 1.3, 2.3). Conclusions Other hospitals could use our epidemiological framework to identify their own error predictors. Our findings suggest a focus on specific prescribers, dosage forms and therapeutic areas. We also found that prescriptions originating from general practitioners involved errors and therefore, these should be checked when patients are hospitalized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

4. The effect of culture preservation techniques on patulin and citrinin production by Penicillium expansum Link. [2002]

  • Santos, I.M., Abrunhosa, L., Venâncio, A., and Lima, N.
  • Letters in Applied Microbiology. Oct2002, Vol. 35 Issue 4, p272-275. 5p.
Subjects
APPLE blue mold and MYCOTOXINS
Abstract
Aims: To study the influence of culture preservation methods and culture conditions on the production of the mycotoxins patulin and citrinin by Penicillium expansum . Methods and results: Ten strains of Penicillium expansum were preserved using subculture and maintenance at 4 °C, mineral oil, drying on silica gel and freeze-drying. Patulin and citrinin production was assessed on yeast extract sucrose agar (YES) and grape juice agar (GJ), using TLC before and after 0·5, 2–3, 6 and 12 months preservation. Citrinin was detected in all cultures for all preservation techniques on YES. The patulin profiles obtained differed with strain and culture media used. Conclusions: Citrinin production seems to be a stable character for the tested strains. There is a tendency for patulin detection with time apparently more consistent for silica gel storage and freeze-drying, especially when the strains are grown on GJ. Significance and Impact of the Study: Variability in the profiles of the mycotoxins tested seems to be more strain-specific than dependent on the preservation technique used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

5. Development of a 500-Hz Masking-Level Difference Protocol for Clinic Use. [2003]

  • Wilson, Richard H., Moncrieff, Deborah W., Townsend, Elizabeth A., and Pillion, Amanda L.
  • Journal of the American Academy of Audiology. Jan2003, Vol. 14 Issue 1, p1-8. 8p. 1 Chart, 2 Graphs.
Subjects
AUDITORY evoked response, AUDITORY perception, HEARING, and COMPACT discs
Abstract
The purpose of this series of experiments was to develop a simple, 500-Hz masking-level difference (MLD) protocol that could be implemented easily in the clinic to assess auditory perceptual abilities using an audio compact disc. Five, 300-ms tones with 250-ms intertone intervals were embedded in 3-s bursts of 200-800 Hz noise presented at 42.2-dB pressure-spectrum level with 4-5 s interstimulus intervals. The homophasic and antiphasic conditions were interleaved with the signal-to noise ratios decreasing in 2-dB steps. A single-interval, "yes/no" response task was used. Three experiments were performed on 24-28 listeners with normal hearing. The mean SoNo thresholds (58.1- to 59.5-dB SPL) and the mean SπNo thresholds (45.1- to 46.0-dB SPL) produced ∼13-dB MLDs. Experiment 3 included a SoNπ condition that had a mean threshold of 48.8-dB SPL and a 10.0-dB MLD. The mean test, retest of the SoNo and SπNo thresholds on 15 listeners was <0.5 dB. Over the three experiments, 95% of the listeners had SπNo MLDs that were ≥10 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

6. Predicting yield loss in maize fields and developing decision support for post-emergence herbicide applications. [2003]

  • Lemieux, C., Vallée, L., and Vanasse, A.
  • Weed Research. Oct2003, Vol. 43 Issue 5, p323. 10p.
Subjects
HERBICIDES, CORN, WEEDS, and CROP yields
Abstract
Summary This work was initiated to integrate an image analysis system and a prediction equation to support decisions for post-emergence herbicide applications under field conditions. Data were collected from 1999 to 2001 in 32 commercial fields to obtain weed cover data at the three to four leaf stage of maize (Zea mays L.), and crop yield at maturity. Relative crop yield was predicted using a non-linear sigmoidal equation with relative weed cover as the predictor variable (P < 0.0001; R [sup 2] = 0.39). The decision procedure consists of using the equation within the limits of a yield loss threshold that represents the loss one is willing to tolerate. The tolerance threshold (TT) allows determination of a weed threshold (WT). The procedure considers the variability around the prediction equation by setting the WT at the intersection between the lower 95% confidence interval of the prediction line and the TT. It also considers the variability around the weed cover estimate. For a given field, the decision is made by comparing the average weed cover corrected for sampling error, to the WT. We tested the performance of the decision procedure and found it could lead to a saving of 25% of herbicide use. We also computed a probability table showing the chances of getting relative yield above or below the TT. We suggest using the probability table in combination with the decision procedure to manage risks. The proposed approach does not offer a set ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer but rather provides a framework to support decisions by producers who ultimately must manage the risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

7. Safety assessment and potential of Cecidophyes rouhollahi (Acari, Eriophyidae) for biological control of Galium spurium (Rubiaceae) in North America. [2004]

  • Sobhian, R., McClay, A., Hasan, S., Peterschmitt, M., and Hughes, R. B.
  • Journal of Applied Entomology. May2004, Vol. 128 Issue 4, p258-266. 9p.
Subjects
RUBIACEAE, WEEDS, PLANT viruses, SEED industry, and ERIOPHYIDAE
Abstract
Galium spurium L. (Rubiaceae), native to Europe, is an increasingly serious annual weed of cultivated crops in the prairie provinces of Canada. The gall mite Cecidophyes rouhollahi Craemer (Acari, Eriophyidae), originally found on the related plant species Galium aparine L. in southern France, was evaluated as a potential biological control agent for G. spurium. In greenhouse tests, C. rouhollahi caused severe stunting and complete prevention of seed production by G. spurium. Host specificity tests showed that C. rouhollahi developed only on three closely related annual Galium species in the Kolgyda section. No native North American Galium species were attacked, with the exception of G. aparine. A review of available information on G. aparine suggests that it is probably an introduced species in North America. It has been reported that a related gall mite attacking G. aparine might be associated with a plant virus. A series of tests on a greenhouse colony of G. spurium infested with C. rouhollahi showed no evidence of viral infection. On the basis of these results, C. rouhollahi has been approved for field release against G. spurium in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

8. Rapid signalling pathway activation by androgens in epithelial and stromal cells [2004]

  • Castoria, Gabriella, Lombardi, Maria, Barone, Maria Vittoria, Bilancio, Antonio, Di Domenico, Marina, De Falco, Antonietta, Varricchio, Lilian, Bottero, Daniela, Nanayakkara, Merlin, Migliaccio, Antimo, and Auricchio, Ferdinando
  • Steroids. Aug2004, Vol. 69 Issue 8/9, p517-522. 6p.
Subjects
PROSTATE cancer, EPITHELIAL cells, ESTROGEN, and STEROLS
Abstract
Estradiol rapidly activates Src as well as the Src-dependent pathway in human mammary cancer-derived MCF-7 cells, in human prostate cancer-derived LNCaP cells and in Cos cells transiently expressing hERs [EMBO J. 15 (1996) 1292; EMBO J. 17 (1998) 2008]. In addition, estradiol immediately stimulates, yes, an ubiquitous member of the Src kinase family, in human colon carcinoma-derived Caco-2 cells [Cancer Res. 56 (1996) 4516]. Progestins and androgens activate the same pathway in human mammary and prostate cancer-derived cells [EMBO J. 17 (1998) 2008; EMBO J. 19 (2000) 5406]. We observed that estradiol also stimulates the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway in MCF-7 cells [EMBO J. 20 (2001) 6050]. In these cells, activation of the Src- and the PI3 K-dependent pathways is simultaneous and mediated by direct interactions of the two kinases with ERα. The signalling pathway activation by sex-steroid hormones leads to DNA synthesis and cell growth in human mammary and prostate cancer-derived cells [EMBO J. 19 (2000) 5406; EMBO J. 20 (2001) 6050; EMBO J. 18 (1999) 2500]. Furthermore, androgen stimulation of NIH3T3 fibroblasts activates the same pathways triggered by this hormone in LNCaP cells and promotes the S-phase entry or cytoskeleton changes in these cells [J. Cell Biol. 161 (2003) 547]. All the described effects are rapid and require classic steroid receptors, but, surprisingly, not their transcriptional activity. Indeed, a transcriptionally inactive mutant of hER mediates the estrogen-stimulated DNA synthesis of NIH3T3 fibroblasts [EMBO J. 18 (1999) 2500]. Furthermore, AR in NIH3T3 cells does not enter nuclei and is unable to respond to the hormone with transcription stimulation, whereas it activates signaling pathways and triggers important biological responses.Signaling pathway activation by steroids has also been described by other groups under different experimental conditions and/or in different cell types. In these cells, steroid stimulation triggers various effects, such as neuroprotection, vasorelaxation or bone protection [J. Neurosci. Res. 60 (2000) 321; Nature 407 (2000) 538; J. Cell Biochem. 76 (1999) 206]. Analysis of the mechanisms responsible for the hormone-dependent and steroid receptor-mediated pathway activation in epithelial as well as stromal cells reveals immediate association of steroid receptors with extranuclear signaling effectors [EMBO J. 17 (1998) 2008; Cancer Res. 56 (1996) 4516; EMBO J. 19 (2000) 5406; EMBO J. 20 (2001) 6050; J. Cell Biol. 161 (2003) 547]. These results further highlight the central role of the hormone-regulated protein–protein interactions in the steroid action. They also offer the possibility of interfering with important activities of hormones, such as proliferation or survival, cytoskeleton changes as well as invasiveness and vasorelaxation, without affecting the steroid effects that depend on receptor transcriptional activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

9. RealNet: a neural network architecture for real-time systems scheduling. [2004]

  • Domínguez, E., Jerez, J., Llopis, L., and Morante, A.
  • Neural Computing & Applications. 2004, Vol. 13 Issue 4, p281-287. 7p. 5 Charts, 4 Graphs.
Subjects
ARTIFICIAL neural networks, COMPUTER architecture, EMBEDDED computer systems, PRODUCTION scheduling, and ESTIMATION theory
Abstract
Real-time embedded systems are spreading to more and more new fields and their scope and complexity have grown dramatically in the last few years. Nowadays, real-time embedded computers or controllers can be found everywhere, both in very simple devices used in everyday life and in professional environments. Real-time embedded systems have to take into account robustness, safety and timeliness. The most-used schedulability analysis is the worst-case response time proposed by Joseph and Pandya (Comput J 29:390-395,1986). This test provides a bivaluated response (yes/no) indicating whether the processes will meet their corresponding deadlines or not. Nevertheless, sometimes the real-time designer might want to know, more exactly, the probability of the processes meeting their deadlines, in order to assess the risk of a failed scheduling depending on critical requirements of the processes. This paper presents RealNet, a neural network architecture that will generate schedules from timing requirements of a real-time system. The RealNet simulator will provide the designer, after iterating and averaging over some trials, an estimation of the probability that the system will not meet the deadlines. Moreover, the knowledge of the critical processes in these schedules will allow the designer to decide whether changes in the implementation are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

10. Analyse et interprétation du questionnaire de la Société française de médecine du sport pour la détection de signes précoces de surentraînement : étude multicentrique 1 [1] Ont participé à la mise au point de ce questionnaire de détection du surentraînement, dans le cadre du groupe de travail de la Société française de médecine du sport : (G. Bernardié, X. Bigard, V. Bricout, F. Brue, J.F. Brun, J.C. Chatard, V. Chate, F. Depiesse, Y. Desmarais, A. Favre-Juvin, P. Flore, J.P. Fouillot, J. Giordan, C.Y. Guézennec, M. Guinot, E. Jousselin, N. Koulman, G. Lac, P. Legros, F. Limas, F. Maso, J. Médelli, N. Paruit, D. Rivière, P. Rochcongar, V. Rousseaux-Blanchi, B. Serrurier). [2005]

  • Maso, F., Lac, G., and Brun, J.F.
  • Science & Sports. Feb2005, Vol. 20 Issue 1, p12-20. 9p.
Subjects
ATHLETES, FATIGUE (Physiology), PHYSICAL education, QUESTIONNAIRES, and SPORTS medicine
Abstract
Abstract: Objective. – The group of consensus of the French Society of Sport Medicine prepared a questionnaire in order to detect early stage of overtraining. This questionnaire includes 54 items which the subjects have to answer by “yes” or by “not”. A score is then established by summing the “yes”. Taking into account the formulation of the questions, this score will increase with the training load. The aim of our study is to propose a score of overtraining, and also to highlight the importance of some items or groups of items. Methods. – Our population consisted of French sportsmen of both sexes, from different geographical origins, age, sporting practice and level. A multicentric analysis was carried out on the basis of 1984 collected questionnaires. We analysed the evolution of the percentage of subjects, the weight of various parameters (age, overtraining) and the evolution of the frequency of each item as a function of the score. Results. – A score of 20 was proposed as an overtraining state threshold, which has to be confirmed on the basis of correlations with biological indices, in particular with a state of clinically established overtraining. Sixteen items present a linear evolution traducing an increase of tiredness according to the overload. Six items have a logarithmic increase, traducing a kind of “background noise”. The others items (N =32) presenting a non-linear increase are sign of a decompensation phenomenon. Conclusion. – This analysis by item make possible an improve of the questionnaire, by selecting items groups which may give an orientation on the type of tiredness. It also confirms the usefulness of this questionnaire as a tool for the follow-up of the training state of sportsmen, a score equal to or higher than 20 constituting the overtraining threshold. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

11. Patulin-producing molds in corn silage and high moisture corn and effects of patulin on fermentation by ruminal microbes in continuous culture [2005]

  • Tapia, M.O., Stern, M.D., Soraci, A.L., Meronuck, R., Olson, W., Gold, S., Koski-Hulbert, R.L., and Murphy, M.J.
  • Animal Feed Science & Technology. Apr2005, Vol. 119 Issue 3/4, p247-258. 12p.
Subjects
SILAGE, CORN, PENICILLIN, BACTERIA, and PHYSIOLOGICAL effect of patulin
Abstract
Abstract: The objectives were to investigate the presence of patulin-producing Penicillium sp. in corn silage and high moisture corn as well as adverse effects of patulin on microbial fermentation in continuous culture fermenters. Eighty-three samples of corn silage or high moisture corn were cultured to determine the presence of molds. Penicillium sp. were isolated from 0.82 of samples. Of these Penicillium sp. isolates, 0.03 produced patulin on yeast extract sucrose and potato dextrose agar. The patulin-producing isolates belonged to the P. viridicatum group. The other molds identified were: Mucor sp. (0.45), Aspergillus sp. (0.41), and Fusarium sp. (0.25). Eight single-flow continuous culture fermenters were used to study effects of patulin on fermentation by ruminal microbes. Two 1-l fermenters were supplemented with 0, 10, 20 or 40mg of patulin every 12h for three consecutive days. Increasing patulin reduced neutral detergent and acid detergent fiber digestibility at a decreasing rate (linear, P<0.01; quadratic, P<0.05). True digestion of organic matter and total non-structural carbohydrates decreased linearly (P<0.05) as patulin concentration increased. Crude protein digestion and bacterial N flows decreased linearly (P<0.05). Conversely, there was a linear increase (P<0.05) in ammonia nitrogen with increased patulin. Total, ammonia and non-ammonia N flows were not affected by patulin. Efficiency of microbial protein synthesis was not affected by patulin but there was a linear decreased (P<0.05) in the efficiency of N utilization. Increasing patulin levels caused a linear decrease (P<0.001) of total volatile fatty acid concentration and a quadratic decrease of acetate and propionate molar proportions (P<0.05). Ten and 20mg/l of patulin produced a decrease in acetate proportion and an increase in propionate proportion. Lactate concentration (mmol/l) increase from 0.0 to 216.5mmol/l (linear, P<0.05) with increasing patulin concentration. Penicillium sp. molds are common contaminants of corn silage and high moisture corn and they produce patulin that can adversely affect fermentation by ruminal microbes. Alterations in microbial digestion of dry matter, and production of microbial end products, impact the production and/or health of ruminants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

12. Solution of the Skyrme–Hartree–Fock–Bogolyubov equations in the Cartesian deformed harmonic-oscillator basis. (V) HFODD(v2.08k) [2005]

  • Dobaczewski, J. and Olbratowski, P.
  • Computer Physics Communications. May2005, Vol. 167 Issue 3, p214-216. 3p.
Subjects
SKYRME model, CARTESIAN linguistics, HARMONIC oscillators, and COMPUTER programming
Abstract
Abstract: We describe the new version (v2.08k) of the code HFODD which solves the nuclear Skyrme–Hartree–Fock or Skyrme–Hartree–Fock–Bogolyubov problem by using the Cartesian deformed harmonic-oscillator basis. Similarly as in the previous version (v2.08i), all symmetries can be broken, which allows for calculations with angular frequency and angular momentum tilted with respect to the mass distribution. In the new version, three minor errors have been corrected. New Version Program Summary: Title of program: HFODD; version: 2.08k Catalogue number: ADVA Catalogue number of previous version: ADTO (Comput. Phys. Comm. 158 (2004) 158) Program summary URL: http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/ADVA Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen''s University of Belfast, N. Ireland Does the new version supersede the previous one: yes Computers on which this or another recent version has been tested: SG Power Challenge L, Pentium-II, Pentium-III, AMD-Athlon Operating systems under which the program has been tested: UNIX, LINUX, Windows-2000 Programming language used: Fortran Memory required to execute with typical data: 10M words No. of bits in a word: 64 No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 52 631 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 266 885 Distribution format:tar.gz Nature of physical problem: The nuclear mean-field and an analysis of its symmetries in realistic cases are the main ingredients of a description of nuclear states. Within the Local Density Approximation, or for a zero-range velocity-dependent Skyrme interaction, the nuclear mean-field is local and velocity dependent. The locality allows for an effective and fast solution of the self-consistent Hartree–Fock equations, even for heavy nuclei, and for various nucleonic (n-particle n-hole) configurations, deformations, excitation energies, or angular momenta. Similar Local Density Approximation in the particle–particle channel, which is equivalent to using a zero-range interaction, allows for a simple implementation of pairing effects within the Hartree–Fock–Bogolyubov method. Solution method: The program uses the Cartesian harmonic-oscillator basis to expand single-particle or single-quasiparticle wave functions of neutrons and protons interacting by means of the Skyrme effective interaction and zero-range pairing interaction. The expansion coefficients are determined by the iterative diagonalization of the mean field Hamiltonians or Routhians which depend non-linearly on the local neutron and proton densities. Suitable constrains are used to obtain states corresponding to a given configuration, deformation or angular momentum. The method of solution has been presented in [J. Dobaczewski, J. Dudek, Comput. Phys. Comm. 102 (1997) 166]. Summary of revisions: 1. Incorrect value of the “” force parameter for SLY5 has been corrected. 2. Opening of an empty file “FILREC” for IWRIRE=−1 has been removed. 3. Call to subroutine “OLSTOR” has been moved before that to “SPZERO”. In this way, correct data transferred to “FLISIG”, “FLISIM”, “FLISIQ” or “FLISIZ” allow for a correct determination of the candidate states for diabatic blocking. These corrections pertain to the user interface of the code and do not affect results performed for forces other than SLY5. Restrictions on the complexity of the problem: The main restriction is the CPU time required for calculations of heavy deformed nuclei and for a given precision required. Pairing correlations are only included for even–even nuclei and conserved simplex symmetry. Unusual features: The user must have access to the NAGLIB subroutine F02AXE or to the LAPACK subroutines ZHPEV or ZHPEVX, which diagonalize complex Hermitian matrices, or provide another subroutine which can perform such a task. The LAPACK subroutines ZHPEV and ZHPEVX can be obtained from the Netlib Repository at University of Tennessee, Knoxville: http://netlib2.cs.utk.edu/cgi-bin/netlibfiles.pl?filename=/lapack/complex16/zhpev.f and http://netlib2.cs.utk.edu/cgi-bin/netlibfiles.pl?filename=/lapack/complex16/zhpevx.f, respectively. The code is written in single-precision for use on a 64-bit processor. The compiler option -r8 or +autodblpad (or equivalent) has to be used to promote all real and complex single-precision floating-point items to double precision when the code is used on a 32-bit machine. Typical running time: One Hartree–Fock iteration for the superdeformed, rotating, parity conserving state of 152 66Dy86 takes about six seconds on the AMD-Athlon 1600+ processor. Starting from the Woods–Saxon wave functions, about fifty iterations are required to obtain the energy converged within the precision of about 0.1 keV. In the case when every value of the angular velocity is converged separately, the complete superdeformed band with precisely determined dynamical moments can be obtained within forty minutes of CPU on the AMD-Athlon 1600+ processor. This time can be often reduced by a factor of three when a self-consistent solution for a given rotational frequency is used as a starting point for a neighboring rotational frequency. Additional comments: The actual output files obtained during user''s test runs may differ from those provided in the distribution file. The differences may occur because various compilers may produce different results in the following aspects: [(a)] The initial Nilsson spectrum (the starting point of each run) is Kramers degenerate, and thus the diagonalization routine may return the degenerate states in arbitrary order and in arbitrary mixture. For an odd number of particles, one of these states becomes occupied, and the other one is left empty. Therefore, starting points of such runs can widely vary from compiler to compiler, and these differences cannot be controlled. [(b)] For axial shapes, two quadrupole moments (with respect to two different axes) become very small and their values reflect only a numerical noise. However, depending on which of these two moments is smaller, the intrinsic-frame Euler axes will differ, most often by 180 degrees. Hence, signs of some moments and angular momenta may vary from compiler to compiler, and these differences cannot be controlled. These differences are insignificant. The final energies do not depend on them, although the intermediate results can. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

13. CSK negatively regulates nerve growth factor induced neural differentiation and augments AKT kinase activity [2005]

  • Dey, Nandini, Howell, Brian W., De, Pradip K., and Durden, Donald L.
  • Experimental Cell Research. Jul2005, Vol. 307 Issue 1, p1-14. 14p.
Subjects
CYTOKINES, GROWTH factors, CHEMICAL reactions, and PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA
Abstract
Abstract: Src family kinases are involved in transducing growth factor signals for cellular differentiation and proliferation in a variety of cell types. The activity of all Src family kinases (SFKs) is controlled by phosphorylation at their C-terminal 527-tyrosine residue by C-terminal SRC kinase, CSK. There is a paucity of information regarding the role of CSK and/or specific Src family kinases in neuronal differentiation. Pretreatment of PC12 cells with the Src family kinase inhibitor, PP1, blocked NGF-induced activation of SFKs and obliterated neurite outgrowth. To confirm a role for CSK and specific isoforms of SFKs in neuronal differentiation, we overexpressed active and catalytically dead CSK in the rat pheochromocytoma cell line, PC12. CSK overexpression caused a profound inhibition of NGF-induced activation of FYN, YES, RAS, and ERK and inhibited neurite outgrowth, NGF-stimulated integrin-directed migration and blocked the NGF-induced conversion of GDP–RAC to its GTP-bound active state. CSK overexpression markedly augmented the activation state of AKT following NGF stimulation. In contrast, kinase-dead CSK augmented the activation of FYN, RAS, and ERK and increased neurite outgrowth. These data suggest a distinct requirement for CSK in the regulation of NGF/TrkA activation of RAS, RAC, ERK, and AKT via the differential control of SFKs in the orchestration of neuronal differentiation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

14. Can psychiatrists prevent suicide? Yes, in collaboration. [2005]

  • Lesage, Alain D.
  • Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Aug2005, Vol. 50 Issue 9, p507-508. 2p.
Subjects
SUICIDE prevention, MENTAL health services, SUICIDE, MEDICAL care, PSYCHIATRISTS, MENTAL health personnel, MENTAL depression, INTERPROFESSIONAL relations, PSYCHIATRY, and PSYCHOLOGICAL aspects
Abstract
This article examines the role of psychiatrists in preventing suicide in Australia. It is noted that psychiatrists can help both in populations and in their patients but they cannot do it alone. It is recommended that primary care physicians need more training and education so that they can detect, engage in treatment and treat in collaboration patients with depression and substance abuse. Here again, psychiatrists can play a role through shared care models. Second, insufficient coordination between psychiatric services and addiction services was found in more than one-third of cases.

15. Nécessité d'approches alternatives dans les stratégies d'évaluation des nouveaux antibiotiques antibactériens [2005]

  • Trémolières, F., Garraffo, R., and Lortholary, O.
  • Medecine & Maladies Infectieuses. Aug2005 Supplement 3, Vol. 35, pS229-S235. 0p.
Subjects
ANTIBIOTICS, MOLECULES, PHARMACEUTICAL industry, SCIENCE, and CLINICAL trials
Abstract
Abstract: The golden age of antibacterial antibiotics extend from year 1941 to the 1990s decade. At that time, something like an earth quake occurred: from the thirty molecules or so whose development was being achieved or was already marketed, only three were put on the French market, and faced the greatest difficulties to be prescribed by practicians, because: [-] the knights of good practice want a strict limitation of their use to precise indications; [-] the pharmaceutical companies find that the return on investment is almost impossible; [-] the prescribers are stunned by the inconsistency between the MAs, the advances in science and the health economic authorities advices which claim that these products are not very interesting; [-] the research for new antibiotics is stalling; [-] thus, for the first time in 60 years, an iconoclastic question arises: do we need new antibiotics? However, while the debate is raging, many of us think “yes we do”, as it is a duty to anticipate today the consequences of tomorrow''s bacterial resistances. This paper presents three types of propositions to optimise the development of future molecules: [-] sharpening of the data concerning preclinical security for a better predicting both the activity and the toxicity; [-] improvement in performances and organization of clinical trials, which implicates to reconsider some of the present methodological rules; [-] inclusion in the evaluation data of some relevant and new features measuring the anti-bacterial activity while taking into account the present and future bacterial resistances. The development of new concepts to develop new drugs which would be active against tomorrow''s bacteria compels us to manage in a new fashion today''s systems, which have reached their own limits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

16. Outcome of salvage radiotherapy for biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy with or without hormonal therapy [2005]

  • Cheung, Rex, Kamat, Ashish M., de Crevoisier, Renaud, Allen, Pamela K., Lee, Andrew K., Tucker, Susan L., Pisters, Louis, Babaian, Richard J., and Kuban, Deborah
  • International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics. Sep2005, Vol. 63 Issue 1, p134-140. 7p.
Subjects
RADIOGRAPHY, MEDICAL radiology, PROSTATECTOMY, and THERAPEUTICS
Abstract
Background: This study analyzed the outcome of salvage radiotherapy for biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy (RP). By comparing the outcomes for patients who received RT alone and for those who received combined RT and hormonal therapy, we assessed the potential benefits of hormonal therapy. Patients and Methods: This cohort was comprised of 101 patients who received salvage RT between 1990 and 2001 for biochemical failure after RP. Fifty-nine of these patients also received hormone. Margin status (positive vs. negative), extracapsular extension (yes vs. no), seminal vesicle involvement (yes vs. no), pathologic stage, Gleason score, pre-RP PSA, post-RP PSA, pre-RT PSA, hormonal use, radiotherapy dose and technique, RP at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, and time from RP to salvage RT were analyzed. Statistically significant variables were used to construct prognostic groups. Results: Independent prognostic factors for the RT-alone group were margin status and pre-RT PSA. RP at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center was marginally significant (p = 0.06) in multivariate analysis. Pre-RT PSA was the only significant prognostic factor for the combined-therapy group. We used a combination of margin status and pre-RT PSA to construct a prognostic model for response to the salvage treatment based on the RT group. We identified the favorable group as those patients with positive margin and pre-RT PSA ≤0.5 ng/mL vs. the unfavorable group as otherwise. This stratification separates patients into clinically meaningful groups. The 5-year PSA control probabilities for the favorable vs. the unfavorable group were 83.7% vs. 61.7% with radiotherapy alone (p = 0.03). Androgen ablation seemed to be most beneficial in the unfavorable group. Conclusion: After prostatectomy, favorable-group patients may fare well with salvage radiotherapy alone. These patients may be spared the toxicity of androgen ablation. The other patients may benefit most from a combined approach with hormonal treatment. We further suggest that salvage radiotherapy should be given early when the PSA is still low. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

17. Risk factors for stillbirth and foetal mummification in four Brazilian swine herds [2005]

  • Borges, Vladimir F., Bernardi, Mari L., Bortolozzo, Fernando P., and Wentz, Ivo
  • Preventive Veterinary Medicine. Sep2005, Vol. 70 Issue 3/4, p165-176. 12p.
Subjects
STILLBIRTH, PHYSICAL diagnosis, REPRODUCTION, and FETAL death
Abstract
Abstract: The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors of stillbirth and foetal mummification in 565 farrowings of four commercial pig farms in Brazil. Stillborn piglets were observed in 31.3% of the litters and the stillborn risk was 5.6%. Mummified foetuses occurred in 42.1% of the litters and the mummification risk was 3.4%. The potential risk factors were included in multivariable logistic regression models as categories: herd (1–4); parity (1, 2–5 and >5); litter size (<10, 10–12 and >12 piglets); farrowing length (≤3 or >3h); presence of mummified foetuses (yes or no); farrowing induction (yes or no); use of oxytocin (yes or no); use of vaginal palpation (yes or no); body condition score (<3, 3 and ≥4), and placental production index (PPI) (≤5 or >5) which was measured as the ratio of total foetal weight to total placental weight. Duration of farrowing and use of farrowing induction, oxytocin or vaginal palpation were not included in the model that investigated the risk factors of foetal mummification. Two models were used to investigate the risk factors of stillbirth, one with and the other without the inclusion of farrowing length. When compared to sows of parity 2–5, sows of parity >5 had 1.7- and 1.6-times higher odds (P <0.05) for stillbirth in the models with and without the inclusion of farrowing length, respectively. In both models, sows with more than 12piglets/litter had 3.6-times higher odds of stillbirth occurrence compared to sows with less than 10 piglets (P <0.05). Sows with prolonged farrowing (>3h) had 2.0-times higher odds of stillbirth occurrence than sows with short farrowing (P <0.05). Sows with more than 12piglets/litter had 14.5-times higher odds of mummification compared to sows with less than 10 piglets (P <0.05). Sows of parities 1 and >5 had 3.5- and 2.0-times, respectively, higher odds of mummification in comparison to sows of parity 2–5 (P <0.05). Sows with low PPI had 1.7-times higher odds of mummification compared to those with high PPI (P <0.05). A large litter, a high-parity and a prolonged farrowing increased the risk of stillbirth. The probability of having a mummified foetus was increased in very young and older sows, when having a large litter and a litter with a less efficient placenta. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

18. Alu insertion polymorphisms in Native Americans and related Asian populations. [2006]

  • Battilana, Jaqueline, Fagundes, Nelson J. R., Heller, Ana H., Goldani, Angela, Freitas, Loreta B., Tarazona-Santos, Eduardo, Munkhbat, Batmunkh, Munkhtuvshin, Namid, Krylov, Mlu, Benevolenskaia, Lidia, Arnett, Frank C., Batzer, Mark A., Deininger, Prescott L., Salzano, Francisco M., and Bonatto, Sandro L.
  • Annals of Human Biology. Mar/Apr2006, Vol. 33 Issue 2, p142-160. 19p. 1 Diagram, 2 Charts, 2 Graphs, 1 Map.
Subjects
GENETIC polymorphisms, HUMAN population genetics, HUMAN evolution, GENETICS, POPULATION, ASIANS, and NATIVE Americans
Abstract
Background : Alu insertions provide useful markers for the study of inter-population affinities and historical processes, but data on these systems are not numerous in Native Americans and related populations. Aim : The study aimed to answer the following questions: (a) do the population relationships found agree with ethnic, historical and geographical data? and (b) what can heterozygote levels and associated results inform us about the events that led to the colonization of the New World? Subjects and methods : Twelve Alu insertion polymorphisms were studied in 330 individuals belonging to South American Native, Siberian and Mongolian populations. These data were integrated with those from 526 persons, to ascertain the relationships between Asian, Northern Arctic and Amerindian populations. Results : A decreasing trend concerning heterozygosities and amount of gene flow was observed in the three sets, in the order indicated above. Most results indicated the validity of these subdivisions. However, no clear structure could be observed within South American Natives, indicating the importance of dispersive (genetic drift, founder effects) factors in their differentiation. Conclusions : The answers to the questions are: (a) yes; and (b) an initial moderate bottleneck, intensified by more recent historical events (isolation and inbreeding), can explain the current Amerindian pattern of diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

19. Transparence des résultats en Assistance médicale à la procréation : oui [2006]

  • Pouly, J.-L.
  • Gynecologie Obstetrique & Fertilite. May2006, Vol. 34 Issue 5, p432-433. 2p.

20. Efficacy and Safety of Two Dosing Regimens of Tadalafil and Patterns of Sexual Activity in Men with Diabetes Mellitus and Erectile Dysfunction: Scheduled Use vs. On-Demand Regimen Evaluation (SURE) Study in 14 European Countries. [2006]

  • Buvat, Jacques, Van Ahlen, Hermann, Schmitt, Henry, Chan, Melanie, Kuepfer, Christine, and Varanese, Lucio
  • Journal of Sexual Medicine. May2006, Vol. 3 Issue 3, p512-520. 9p. 3 Charts, 2 Graphs.
Subjects
IMPOTENCE, DIABETES complications, DRUG dosage, MEN'S health, and DRUG efficacy
Abstract
Aim. The aim of this article is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 20-mg tadalafil taken on demand or three times per week and its effect on the sexual activity of patients with diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction (ED). Methods. The scheduled use vs. on-demand regimen evaluation (SURE) was a randomized, crossover, open-label study with 4,262 patients in 14 European countries. The efficacy measures for the 762 patients with diabetes and ED included changes from baseline in the erectile function (EF) domain of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and the proportion of “yes” responses to patient Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) questions 2 (SEP2) and 3 (SEP3). The treatment satisfaction was measured with responses to SEP question 4 (SEP4) and SEP question 5 (SEP5), and sexual attempts data were collected. Patient preference for either regimen was determined by the treatment preference question (TPQ). Results. At end point on both regimens, the mean IIEF EF domain score was 22, and >40% of the patients had a normal EF domain score (≥26). The proportion of “yes” responses was ≥73% for SEP2 (penetration), ≥58% for SEP3 (successful intercourse), >46% for SEP4 (hardness of erection), and ≥45% for SEP5 (overall satisfaction). Efficacy was maintained up to 36 hours post-dosing. More than 70% of sexual attempts while on the three-times-per-week regimen and approximately 50% of the attempts on the on-demand treatment occurred >4 hours post-dosing. Tadalafil was well tolerated, with dyspepsia and headache as the most frequent adverse events reported. Treatment preference was 57.2% for on demand and 42.8% for three times per week. Conclusions. Tadalafil, when taken on demand or three times per week, is efficacious and safe in men with diabetes and ED. Buvat J, van Ahlen H, Schmitt H, Chan M, Kuepfer C, and Varanese L. Efficacy and safety of two dosing regimens of tadalafil and patterns of sexual activity in men with diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction: Scheduled use vs. on-demand regimen evaluation (SURE) study in 14 European countries. J Sex Med 2006;3:512–520. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

21. Mise en évidence de deux types de dépression bipolaire à l'aide d'une approche dimensionnelle. Implication thérapeutique [2006]

  • Henry, C., M'Baïlara, K., Poinsot, R., Desage, A., and Antoniol, B.
  • Annales Medico Psychologiques. Jun2006, Vol. 164 Issue 4, p314-321. 8p.
Subjects
BIPOLAR disorder, MENTAL depression, DEPRESSED persons, ANTIPSYCHOTIC agents, and MENTAL health
Abstract
Abstract: Introduction: Although depressive moods are recognised as a very broad condition, there is still only one definition in international classifications for describing a major depressive episode (MDE). However, there is currently some controversy surround the treatment of depressive states. This includes SSRIs and suicide in adolescents, and more specifically in bipolar disorders where some depressions are made worse by antidepressants. New data has suggested that depressive states in BP patients can be improved by atypical antipsychotics. Aim: We aimed to assess 1) whether it is possible to distinguish different forms of bipolar depression using a dimensional approach, and 2) if, yes, whether there are different patterns of treatment response. Method: We characterised 60 bipolar patients with a Major Depressive Episode (DSM-IV) using a new tool (MATHYS: Multidimensional Assessment of Thymic States) assessing five fundamental dimensions (emotional reactivity, cognitive speed, psycho-motricity, motivation and senses perception) of mood states (full description elsewhere). Results: A cluster analysis using the items of the dimensional scale revealed two types of depressive states. One group (G1; N =38), which had a low score, is characterised by an inhibition in all dimensions, whereas the other group (G2; N =22) is characterised by an over-activation. Emotional reactivity is a useful dimension for discriminating these two types of depression (G1: hyporeactivity; G2: hyperreactivity) whereas sadness is not. A lower score on the MAThyS scale at day 1 was associated with a good response to antidepressant treatment, whereas higher scores were linked to a good response to a mood stabilizers alone or in combination with an antipsychotic. Conclusion: Bipolar depressive states are not homogeneous and this heterogeneity can explain various patterns of treatment response. A dimensional approach could be useful for discriminating the different forms of bipolar depression and to help manage treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

22. Effect of pH on ochratoxin A production by Aspergillus niger aggregate species. [2006]

  • Esteban, A., Abarca, M. L., Bragulat, M. R., and Cabañes, F. J.
  • Food Additives & Contaminants. Jun2006, Vol. 23 Issue 6, p616-622. 7p. 3 Charts, 1 Graph.
Subjects
HYDROGEN-ion concentration, ASPERGILLUS niger, OCHRATOXINS, MYCOTOXINS, SUCROSE, RECOMBINANT DNA, FOOD contamination, INDUSTRIAL contamination, and ACIDITY function
Abstract
The effect of pH (2–10) on growth and ochratoxin A (OTA) production by 12 Aspergillus niger aggregate strains was studied in two culture media: Czapek yeast autolysate agar (CYA) and yeast extract sucrose agar (YES), over 30 days. The strains were selected to include different sources, different reported abilities to produce OTA and different ITS-5.8S rDNA RFLP patterns. YES was a better culture medium than CYA for OTA production. In this medium, OTA was produced from pH 2 or 3 to 10 depending on the strain. The results show the ability of A. niger aggregate strains not only to grow, but also to produce OTA over a wide pH range. The results will lead to a better understanding of the role of A. niger aggregate strains in the OTA contamination of several food commodities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

23. Incorrect use of thromboprophylaxis for venous thromboembolism in medical and surgical patients: results of a multicentric, observational and cross-sectional study in Brazil. [2006]

  • Deheinzelin, D., Braga, A. L., Martins, L. C., Martins, M. A., Hernandez, A., Yoshida, W. B., Maffei, F., Monachini, M., Calderaro, D., Campos Jr., W., Sguizzatto, G. T., and Caramelli, B.
  • Journal of Thrombosis & Haemostasis. Jun2006, Vol. 4 Issue 6, p1266-1270. 5p. 3 Charts, 2 Graphs.
Subjects
THROMBOEMBOLISM, DISEASE risk factors, THERAPEUTICS, DRUG utilization, PHARMACODYNAMICS, MEDICAL screening, and MEDICAL records
Abstract
Objectives: Although effective strategies for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) are widely available, a significant number of patients still develop VTE because appropriate thromboprophylaxis is not correctly prescribed. We conducted this study to estimate the risk profile for VTE and the employment of adequate thromboprophylaxis procedures in patients admitted to hospitals in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: Four hospitals were included in this study. Data on risk factors for VTE and prescription of pharmacological and non-pharmacological thromboprophylaxis were collected from 1454 randomly chosen patients (589 surgical and 865 clinical). Case report forms were filled according to medical and nursing records. Physicians were unaware of the survey. Three risk assessment models were used: American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) Guidelines, Caprini score, and the International Union of Angiololy Consensus Statement (IUAS). The ACCP score classifies VTE risk in surgical patients and the others classify VTE risk in surgical and clinical patients. Contingency tables were built presenting the joined distribution of the risk score and the prescription of any pharmacological and non-pharmacological thromboprophylaxis (yes or no). Results: According to the Caprini score, 29% of the patients with the highest risk for VTE were not prescribed any thromboprophylaxis. Considering the patients under moderate, high or highest risk who should be receiving prophylaxis, 37% and 29% were not prescribed thromboprophylaxis according to ACCP (surgical patients) and IUAS risk scores, respectively. In contrast, 27% and 42% of the patients at low risk of VTE, according to Caprini and IUAS scores, respectively, had thromboprophylaxis prescribed. Conclusion: Despite the existence of several guidelines, this study demonstrates that adequate thromboprophylaxis is not correctly prescribed: high-risk patients are under-treated and low-risk patients are over-treated. This condition must be changed to insure that patients receive adequate treatment for the prevention of thromboembolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

24. À propos des limites de l'expertise psychiatrique pénale des victimes [2007]

  • Casanova, A.
  • Annales Medico Psychologiques. Jan2007, Vol. 165 Issue 1, p37-41. 5p.
Subjects
ETHICS, PSYCHIATRISTS, MENTAL health personnel, PSYCHIATRY, and PSYCHOTHERAPISTS
Abstract
Abstract: In legal proceedings the expert witness testimony may be considered a medical act only if the expert conducts his clinical observations within the limits established by the medical code of ethics. This will then allow the psychiatrist to help the judge reach a more informed legal decision. The difficulty inherent in this process is for the expert to give an exact answer (“yes” or “no”) to the questions formulated in order for the judge to arrive at an accurate decision. To better understand the evidence presented, the judge may ask empirical questions that require the expert witness to give testimony going beyond the information directly gathered through clinical observations. It is the expert witness'' responsibility to determine what amount of interpretation of material drawn from a clinical observation is appropriate to help the judge make a legal decision. This requires defining legal standards such as credibility, truth, and suggestibility. One must also recognize that the clinical observation of a victim is often the person''s first contact with a psychiatrist. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

25. Correction: five-year predictors of physical activity decline among adults in low-income communities: a prospective study. [2007]

  • Weiss, Deborah R., O'Loughlin, Jennifer L., Platt, Robert W., and Paradis, Gilles
  • International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity. 2007, Vol. 4, p23-2. 2p. 1 Chart.
Subjects
PHYSICAL education
Abstract
After publication it was brought to our attention that the information for one of the variables in Table 1 was incorrect (Weiss, O'Loughlin et al. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2007, 4:2). The variable in question is "Use of a neighborhood facility for activity". In the first column, the first row should read "yes", and the second row, "no". In the second column, the first row should read 25.8 (41) and the second row, 41.3 (152). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

26. Donor oocyte dysmorphisms and their influence on fertilization and embryo quality. [2007]

  • Ten, Jorge, Mendiola, Jaime, Vioque, Jesús, De Juan, Joaquín, and Bernabeu, Rafael
  • Reproductive BioMedicine Online (Reproductive Healthcare Limited). Jan2007, Vol. 14 Issue 1, p40-48. 9p.
Subjects
FERTILIZATION (Biology), HUMAN embryos, HUMAN artificial insemination, OVUM, CYTOPLASM, GONADOTROPIN, and HUMAN embryology
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify predictors of fertilization rate (FR) and embryo quality (EQ) in 126 donor women who underwent 160 intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. Main outcome measures were oocyte dysmorphisms (OD) [perivitelline space (normal/large), perivitelline debris (no/yes), oocyte shape (spherical/non-spherical), zona pellucida (normal/abnormal), first polar body morphology (normal/fragmented or irregular), cytoplasmic granularity (normal/excessive), cytoplasmic vacuoles (no/yes) and colour of cytoplasm (normal/dark)l, semen source (ejaculated or testicular), donor age, number of days of stimulation, plasma oestradiol concentration (pg/ml) on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin administration, FR and day 2 EQ. No significant predictors of fertilization were identified. However, the presence of a dark cytoplasm decreased by 83% the likelihood of obtaining good quality embryos (OR = O. 17; 95% CI: 0.044-0.74). Oocytes with a larger than normal perivitelline space were associated with 1.8 times higher chance of having good quality embryos (OR = 1.80; 95% CI: 1.15-2.80). Patients and ovarian stimulation characteristics evaluated here did not affect FR and EQ. ICSI technique may guarantee good FR in spite of OD; however, certain cytoplasmic anomalies at the oocyte level, such as a dark cytoplasm, could compromise subsequent embryo development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

27. La prémédication par l'hydroxyzine ne modifie pas les variations du BIS induites par l'administration d'étomidate [2007]

  • Lallemand, M.-A., Lentschener, C., Roche, K., Grabar, S., Bonnichon, P., and Ozier, Y.
  • Annales Francaises d'Anesthesie & de Reanimation. Mar2007, Vol. 26 Issue 3, p202-206. 5p.
Subjects
ANESTHESIA, PLACEBOS, ETOMIDATE, and HEART beat
Abstract
Abstract: Objective: Various drugs including hydroxyzine are preoperatively administered to facilitate the induction of general anaesthesia. We investigated the effect of hydroxyzine premedication on BIS-based etomidate induction of general anaesthesia. Patients and methods: Sixty-seven ASA I–II consecutive patients were randomly allocated to receive oral hydroxyzine 1.5 mg/kg or placebo, 90 min prior to inducing general anaesthesia using intravenous etomidate alone 0.3 mg/kg. BIS values were continuously recorded. The times for the BIS to decrease to 50 and to loss of eyelid reflex; the evolution of arterial pressure and heart rate; and myoclonia rate and grade were investigated and compared. Results: The results for the hydroxyzine and placebo groups were similar with respect to: a) time [median (range) (seconds)] to a BIS decrease to 50 [100 (21–266) versus 113 (30–510), P =0.1] and to loss of eyelid reflex [83 (21–210) versus 97 (30–300), P =0.1]; b) myoclonia frequency (yes/no) (9/26 versus 4/28, P =0.2) and grade (P =0.3); the evolution of mean arterial pressure and heart rate (P =0.3). Conclusion: Oral weight-related hydroxyzine premedication does not alter BIS-based etomidate induction of GA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

28. Type 2 diabetic patients attending a nurse educator have improved metabolic control [2007]

  • Scain, Suzana F., dos Santos, Beatriz L., Friedman, Rogério, and Gross, Jorge L.
  • Diabetes Research & Clinical Practice. Sep2007, Vol. 77 Issue 3, p399-404. 6p.
Subjects
PATIENTS, MEDICAL education, NURSING, and INTERNAL medicine
Abstract
Abstract: To investigate if routine education by nurses is associated with improved metabolic control in type 2 diabetic (DM2) outpatients, we randomly selected 143 patients (81 women), not using insulin, at the Endocrine or Internal Medicine clinics, to be interviewed and submitted to a clinical and laboratory evaluation. Age was 59.1±10.1 years; duration of DM2 7.5±6.3 years; BMI 29.7±5.2kg/m2. Patients were grouped according to HbA1c (<7.0% or ≥7.0%). Age, gender, DM2 duration, BMI, and lipid profile were not different. Patients with HbA1c ≥7.0% (n =49) were more likely to be taking oral agents, and to be treated by internists rather than endocrinologists (P =0.04). Nurse education was associated with a greater proportion of patients with HbA1c <7.0%, especially among those attending the Internal Medicine clinic. In logistic regression, education by nurses remained associated to HbA1c <7.0% (OR: 3.29, P =0.005), after controlling for use of oral agents (OR 0.067, P =0.01), attending the Endocrine clinic (OR 4.11, P =0.002), self-reported adherence to diet (“yes” or “no”), known DM duration, and instruction level (NS). Nurse education contributes significantly and independently for better metabolic control in DM2 outpatients in a teaching hospital. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

29. Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Listeria Species on Dairy Farms. [2007]

  • Vilar, M. J., Yus, E., Sanjudn, M. L., Diéguez, F. J., and Rodríguez-Otero, J. L.
  • Journal of Dairy Science. Nov2007, Vol. 90 Issue 11, p5083-5088. 6p. 4 Charts.
Subjects
LISTERIA, MILK quality, DAIRY farms, DAIRY cattle, and SILAGE
Abstract
This cross-sectional study determined the prevalence of Listeria spp. in bulk-tank milk on dairy farms in the region of Galicia in northwest Spain. The aim was to identify management practices associated with the presence ofListeria spp. and possible effects on milk hygienic quality. A total of 98 farms was randomly selected on the basis of an expected prevalence of 6.5% for Listeria monocytogenes from 20,107 dairy farms in the region. Bulk-tank milk samples were obtained from 98 farms, fecal samples from lactating cows from 97 farms, and silage samples from 83 farms. Listeria monocytogenes was detected in 6.1, 9.3, and 6.0% of these samples, respectively. Statistical analyses confirmed the relationship between low silage quality (as indicated by high pH) and presence ofListeria spp. in silage (29.5 vs. 6.2% for pH above or below 4.5, respectively). Only milking system [tie-stall systems (28.6%) vs. parlor milking (10%)] and inadequately controlled milking order [yes (32.0%) vs. no (10.7%)] had statistically significant effects on management practices for increasing the risk of Listeria contamination of bulk-tank milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

30. A SIMPLE ALGORITHM BASED ON FLUCTUATIONS TO PLAY THE MARKET. [2007]

  • Gil, L.
  • Fluctuation & Noise Letters. Dec2007, Vol. 7 Issue 4, pL405-L418. 14p. 2 Charts, 12 Graphs.
Subjects
ENZYMES, WIENER processes, FLUCTUATIONS (Physics), MONETARY systems, and DOW Jones averages
Abstract
In Biology, all motor enzymes operate on the same principle: they trap favourable brownian fluctuations in order to generate directed forces and to move. Whether it is possible or not to copy one such strategy to play the market was the starting point of our investigations. We found the answer is yes! In this paper we describe one such strategy and appraise its performance with historical data from the European Monetary System (EMS), the US Dow Jones, the german Dax and the french Cac40. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

31. Relevance of Basic Research to Clinical Data: Good Answers, Wrong Questions! [2008]

  • Ben-Ari, Yehezkel and Holmes, Gregory L.
  • Epilepsy Currents. Jan2008, Vol. 8 Issue 1, p19-22. 4p. 1 Black and White Photograph.
Subjects
SPASMS, SEIZURES (Medicine), EPILEPSY, MUSCLE cramps, BRAIN diseases, and DEVELOPMENTAL disabilities
Abstract
Do early seizures beget seizures later in life? Clinical data and experimental observations seem to answer that question differently, with a no and a yes, respectively, which may stem from an inadequate readout of what experimental data actually do tell us and a possible simplification of what clinical data indicate. Using specific experimental examples, it is possible to show that in the developing brain, seizures do produce long-lasting alterations of neuronal excitability, although ongoing seizures are not observed in adults. The findings suggest that the long-lasting changes in developmental programs and network activity that seizures induce do not necessarily lead to epilepsy, unless other events that remain to be identified occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

32. Oui, il faut opérer les patientes qui ont des lésions d’endométriose infiltrante ! « Préférez l’optimisme de la volonté au pessimisme de l’intelligence ! ». [2008]

  • Canis, M., Matsuzaki, S., Jardon, K., Rivoire, C., Cotte, B., Tamburro, S., Botchorishvili, R., Rabischong, B., Pouly, J.-L., and Mage, G.
  • Gynecologie Obstetrique & Fertilite. Feb2008, Vol. 36 Issue 2, p218-221. 4p.

33. Derivatives of (modified) Fredholm determinants and stability of standing and traveling waves [2008]

  • Gesztesy, Fritz, Latushkin, Yuri, and Zumbrun, Kevin
  • Journal de Mathematiques Pures et Appliquees. Aug2008, Vol. 90 Issue 2, p160-200. 41p.
Subjects
DETERMINANTS (Mathematics), TRAVELING wave antennas, FREDHOLM equations, and MATHEMATICAL analysis
Abstract
Abstract: Continuing a line of investigation initiated in [F. Gesztesy, Y. Latushkin, K.A. Makarov, Evans functions, Jost functions, and Fredholm determinants, Arch. Rat. Mech. Anal. 186 (2007) 361–421] exploring the connections between Jost and Evans functions and (modified) Fredholm determinants of Birman–Schwinger type integral operators, we here examine the stability index, or sign of the first nonvanishing derivative at frequency zero of the characteristic determinant, an object that has found considerable use in the study by Evans function techniques of stability of standing and traveling wave solutions of partial differential equations (PDE) in one dimension. This leads us to the derivation of general perturbation expansions for analytically-varying modified Fredholm determinants of abstract operators. Our main conclusion, similarly in the analysis of the determinant itself, is that the derivative of the characteristic Fredholm determinant may be efficiently computed from first principles for integral operators with semi-separable integral kernels, which include in particular the general one-dimensional case, and for sums thereof, which appears to offer applications in the multi-dimensional case. A second main result is to show that the multi-dimensional characteristic Fredholm determinant is the renormalized limit of a sequence of Evans functions defined in [G.J. Lord, D. Peterhof, B. Sandstede, A. Scheel, Numerical computation of solitary waves in infinite cylindrical domains, SIAM J. Numer. Anal. 37 (2000) 1420–1454] on successive Galerkin subspaces, giving a natural extension of the one-dimensional results of [F. Gesztesy, Y. Latushkin, K.A. Makarov, Evans functions, Jost functions, and Fredholm determinants, Arch. Rat. Mech. Anal. 186 (2007) 361–421] and answering a question of [J. Niesen, Evans function calculations for a two-dimensional system, presented talk, SIAM Conference on Applications of Dynamical Systems, Snowbird, UT, USA, May 2007] whether this sequence might possibly converge (in general, no, but with renormalization, yes). Convergence is useful in practice for numerical error control and acceleration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

34. Persuasive Trash Cans: Activation of Littering Norms by Design. [2008]

  • de Kort, Yvonne A. W., McCalley, L. Teddy, and Midden, Cees J. H.
  • Environment & Behavior. Nov2008, Vol. 40 Issue 6, p870-891. 22p. 3 Diagrams, 3 Charts, 2 Graphs.
Subjects
LITTER (Trash), WASTE management, BEHAVIOR, SOCIAL norms, ENVIRONMENTAL responsibility, ENVIRONMENTALISM, ENVIRONMENTAL sociology, SURVEYS, and PSYCHOLOGY
Abstract
Two studies tested littering norm activation by trash can design. The first was a scenario study using a 4 (norm type: social injunctive vs. social descriptive vs. personal vs. control) × 2 (activation type: explicit vs. implicit activation) between-group design, with judgments of a litterer as the dependent variable. Explicit norm activation was more effective than implicit activation. A field study subsequently tested the effect of personal norm activation on actual littering behavior, following a 2 (explicit activation: no vs. yes) × 2 (Implicit activation: no vs. yes) between-group design. Here, both explicit activation through a verbal prompt and implicit activation through design had significant effects, reducing the amount of litter by 50%. A post hoc survey revealed significant effects of age and gender on the personal norm against littering. These findings helped explain the absence of norm activation effects in the youngest age group as found in the field study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

35. Comparison of Steroid Hormone Concentrations in Domestic and Hospital Wastewater Treatment Plants. [2008]

  • Pauwels, B., Noppe, H., De Brabander, H., and Verstraete, W.
  • Journal of Environmental Engineering. Nov2008, Vol. 134 Issue 11, p933-936. 4p. 2 Charts.
Subjects
SEWAGE disposal plants, HOSPITALS, SEWAGE purification, REFUSE disposal facilities, STEROIDS, HORMONES, ENVIRONMENTAL impact charges, WATER quality management, and WATER utilities
Abstract
Influent and effluent samples originating from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) (treating hospital wastewater and domestic wastewater, Belgium) have been analyzed in order to estimate their steroid hormone content. The natural estrogens estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), and the synthetic 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) together with other steroid hormones progesterone (P) and testosterone (T) metabolites were detected in these samples. The hormone concentrations in both the hospital and the domestic WWTP samples were not significantly different and ranged from <0.2 ng EE2/L to 114 ng EE2/L, from <0.2 ng E1/L to 58 ng E1/L and from <0.2 ng P/L to >100 ng P/L. E2 was detected once at a concentration of 17 ng/L. In the domestic WWTP which comprises a conventional activated sludge treatment in parallel with a membrane bioreactor, no differences in estrogen removal efficiency could be observed for both treatments. In comparison to chemical analysis data, the Yeast Estrogen Screen (YES) appears to underestimate the influent estrogen concentrations, probably due to influent toxicity for the YES. Effluent estrogen concentrations, on the other hand, were overestimated by the YES test, probably due to the presence of other estrogenic compounds in the effluent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

36. Is right ventricular function the one that matters in ARDS patients? Definitely yes. [2009]

  • Vieillard-Baron, Antoine
  • Intensive Care Medicine. Jan2009, Vol. 35 Issue 1, p4-6. 3p.
Subjects
RIGHT heart ventricle diseases, ADULT respiratory distress syndrome, and PATIENTS
Abstract
The article introduces the report "Incidence and prognostic value of right ventricular failure in acute respiratory distress syndrome," by D. Osman, X. Monnet, N. Anguel, and J.-L. Teboul which appears in the current issue.

37. Quassinoid constituents of Quassia amara L. leaf herbal tea. Impact on its antimalarial activity and cytotoxicity [2009]

  • Houël, Emeline, Bertani, Stéphane, Bourdy, Geneviève, Deharo, Eric, Jullian, Valérie, Valentin, Alexis, Chevalley, Séverine, and Stien, Didier
  • Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Oct2009, Vol. 126 Issue 1, p114-118. 5p.
Subjects
QUASSIA, HERBAL teas, ANTIMALARIALS, MALARIA treatment, PLANT extracts, DICHLOROMETHANE, and CELL-mediated cytotoxicity
Abstract
Abstract: Aim of the study: Our objective was to assess whether it could be contemplated to recommend Quassia amara young leaf tea for treatment against malaria, and if yes, set up a standard protocol for preparing the herbal tea. Materials and methods: The leaf tea was extracted with methylene chloride and the organic extract was fractionated with HPLC. Pure compounds were characterized and their in vitro cytotoxicity and antiplasmodial activity was determined. Results and discussion: We discovered that antimalarial Quassia amara young leaf tea contains several quassinoids: simalikalactone D (SkD, 1), picrasin B (2), picrasin H (3), neoquassin (4), quassin (5), picrasin I (6) and picrasin J (7). These last two compounds are new. In addition, our experiments demonstrate that both biological activity and cytotoxicity of the remedy may be attributed solely to the presence of SkD. Conclusion: In conclusion, this preparation should not be recommended for treatment of malaria until a clinical study in humans is performed with SkD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

38. Chemical and Biological Characterization of Estrogenicity in Effluents from WWTPs in Ria de Aveiro (NW Portugal). [2010]

  • Sousa, Ana, Schönenberger, René, Jonkers, Niels, Suter, Marc J.-F., Tanabe, Shinsuke, and Barroso, Carlos M.
  • Archives of Environmental Contamination & Toxicology. Jan2010, Vol. 58 Issue 1, p1-8. 8p. 3 Charts, 1 Map.
Subjects
Wastewater treatment, Sewage purification, Sewage disposal plants, Yeast-free diet, Leavening agents, and Fire assay
Abstract
Effluents from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are responsible for the input of estrogenic contaminants into aquatic ecosystems, leading to widespread effects in wildlife. In the present work, levels of estrone (E1), 17α- and 17β-estradiol (E2), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), bisphenol A (BPA), and nonylphenol (NP) were quantified in effluents from WWTPs located in Ria de Aveiro (NW Portugal), as well as in the final effluent discharged into the Atlantic Ocean through the S. Jacinto submarine outfall. Reference sites, located at the entrance of the estuarine system and at the seaside, were also included. Samples were collected under summer (June 2005) and winter (February 2006) conditions. For the summer survey samples, estrogenicity and androgenicity were evaluated using the yeast estrogen screen (YES) and the yeast androgen screen (YAS) assay. Estrone levels varied from 0.5 to 85 ng/L in the summer survey and between L in winter; estradiol levels ranged from L in summer and were always L up to 2,350 ng/L in summer and from 10 to 2,410 ng/L in winter; BPA levels varied from 2.8 to 897 ng/L in summer and from 2.6 up to 316 ng/L in winter. Biological assays disclosed estrogenic levels at reference sites lower than the ones reported to pose risk for wildlife. However, the S. Jacinto outfall effluent released high concentrations of NP and BPA into the marine environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

39. P03-60 - Infant trauma and psychopathology in paranoid schizophrenia [2010]

  • Henry, M., Diaz-Mesa, E., Morera-Fumero, A.L., Garcia-Hernandez, A., Fernandez-Lopez, L., Yelmo, S., Trujillo, F., Monzon, J., Barrau, V., and Gracia-Marco, R.
  • European Psychiatry. Jan2010 Supplement 1, Vol. 25, p1182-1182. 1p.
Subjects
PEOPLE with paranoid schizophrenia, PATHOLOGICAL psychology, PSYCHOLOGICAL stress, PSYCHIATRIC hospital care, HOSTILITY, and SYMPTOMS
Abstract
Background: Stress and trauma have been reported as leading contributing factors in schizophrenia. And certainly child abuse (neglect, emotional, physical and sexual abuse among others) has a lasting negative impact, which is well established in literature. Objectives: To consider the presence of infant trauma and its relationship with psychopathology in paranoid schizophrenics.Methods. 37 patients (mean age 29±6.3; years from onset 9.20±4.7), meeting DSM IV paranoid schizophrenia criteria, undergoing treatment in a university hospital are studied. The PANSS is administered in order to rate psychopathology. Results: 27 patients had infant trauma (55.8%). Main traumas are: sexual abuse (12.8%), child abuse (7.7%), both sexual and child abuse (5.18%), parental separation (7.7%), extra-rigid parents (2.6%), alcoholic parents (18.2%), child abuse and mother''s death in childhood (2.6%). Infant trauma and psychopathology showed a significant relationship concerning Hostility (No 1.75±1.209, Yes 2.26±1.759), Unnatural Movements and Posture (No 1.55±0.945, Yes 1.16±0.545), Depression (No 1.25±0.550, Yes 1.74±1.284) and Preoccupation (No 2.75±1.410, Yes 3.26±1.996). Conclusions: Infant trauma is common in paranoid schizophrenia and our findings give some evidence to a relationship with psychopathology, especially with dimensions as Hostility, Unnatural Movements and Posture, Depression and Preoccupation. Despite sample size, a high proportion (55.8%) of the patients presented infant trauma and future research is needed in order to open new avenues in this field, particularly studies concerning infant trauma and symptomatology specificity will be greatly appreciated as well as the plausible link to personality traits and personality disorders. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

40. Ageratum conyzoides essential oil as aflatoxin suppressor of Aspergillus flavus [2010]

  • Nogueira, Juliana H.C., Gonçalez, Edlayne, Galleti, Silvia R., Facanali, Roseane, Marques, Márcia O.M., and Felício, Joana D.
  • International Journal of Food Microbiology. Jan2010, Vol. 137 Issue 1, p55-60. 6p.
Subjects
AGERATUM conyzoides, ESSENTIAL oils, AFLATOXINS, ASPERGILLUS flavus, CARCINOGENICITY, YEAST extract, TRANSMISSION electron microscopy, and ULTRASTRUCTURE of bacteria
Abstract
Abstract: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a highly toxic and carcinogenic metabolite produced by Aspergillus species on food and agricultural commodities. Inhibitory effects of essential oil of Ageratum conyzoides, on the mycelial growth and aflatoxin B1 production by Aspergillus flavus were studied. Cultures were incubated in yeast extract-sucrose (YES) broth for days at 25°C at the following different concentrations of the essential oil (from 0.0 to 30μg/mL). The essential oil inhibited fungal growth to different extents depending on the concentration, and completely inhibited aflatoxin production at concentrations above 0.10µg/mL. The analysis of the oil by GC/MS showed that its main components are precocene II (46.35%), precocene I (42.78%), cumarine (5.01%) and Trans-caryophyllene (3.02%). Comparison by transmission electron microscopy of the fungal cells, control and those incubated with different concentrations of essential oil, showed ultra-structural changes which were concentration dependent of the essential oil of A. conyzoides. Such ultra-structural changes were more evident in the endomembrane system, affecting mainly the mitochondria. Degradation was also observed in both surrounding fibrils. The ability to inhibit aflatoxin production as a new biological activity of A.conyzoides L. indicates that it may be considered as a useful tool for a better understanding of the complex pathway of aflatoxin biosynthesis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

41. Directed Forgetting: Comparing Pictures and Words. [2010]

  • Quinlan, Chelsea K., Taylor, Tracy L., and Fawcett, Jonathan M.
  • Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology. Mar2010, Vol. 64 Issue 1, p41-46. 6p.
Subjects
FACE perception, MEMORY, NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL tests, PICTURES, AVERSIVE stimuli, and PROBABILITY theory
Abstract
The authors investigated directed forgetting as a function of the stimulus type (picture, word) presented at study and test. In an item-method directed forgetting task, study items were presented 1 at a time, each followed with equal probability by an instruction to remember or forget. Participants exhibited greater yes-no recognition of remember than forget items for each of the 4 study-test conditions (picture-picture, picture-word, word-word, word-picture). However, this difference was significantly smaller when pictures were studied than when words were studied. This finding demonstrates that the magnitude of the directed forgetting effect can be reduced by high item memorability, such as when the picture superiority effect is operating. This suggests caution in using pictures at study when the goal of an experiment is to examine potential group differences in the magnitude of the directed forgetting effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

42. PROCESSING, PRODUCTS, AND FOOD SAFETY Soybean, palm kernel, and animal-vegetable oils and vitamin E supplementation effect on lipid oxidation stability of sous vide chicken meat. [2010]

  • Narciso-Gaytán, C., Shin, D., Sams, A. R., Bailey, C. A., Miller, R. K., Smith, S. B., Leyva-Ovalle, O. R., and Sánchez-Plata, M. X.
  • Poultry Science. Apr2010, Vol. 89 Issue 4, p721-728. 8p.
Subjects
CHICKEN as food, ANIMAL products, VITAMIN E content of food, SOUS-vide cooking, PRECOOKED meat, OXIDATION, LIPID metabolism, MARKETING, and SAFETY
Abstract
There is an increasing demand in precooked chicken meat products for restaurants and catering services. Because cooked chicken meat develops lipid oxidation relatively fast, sous vide chicken meat was studied to assess its shelf-life. Six hundred Cobb x Ross broilers were fed for 6 wk with a basal cornsoybean meal diet including soybean, palm kernel, or animal-vegetable oil, each supplemented with 33 or 200 mg/kg of DL-a-tocopheryl acetate. Broilers were randomly assigned into 6 treatments and 4 repetitions with 25 birds each. Boneless breast or thigh muscle pieces were dissected into 5 x 5 x 5 cm cubes, vacuumpacked, cooked in water bath (until 74°C internal temperature), chilled, and stored at 4°C for 1, 5, 10, 25, and 40 d. For each storage day, each pouch contained 3 pieces of meat, either breast or thigh. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances analysis, to quantify malonaldehyde (MDA) values, was conducted to estimate the lipid oxidation development. Nonheme iron values of cooked meat were analyzed. Fatty acid methyl esters analysis was performed in chicken muscle to determine its fatty acid composition. There was no interaction between dietary fat and vitamin E level in all of the variables studied except in nonheme iron. Dietary fat significantly influenced the fatty acid composition of the muscle (P < 0.01), but it did not affect the MDA values, regardless of differences in the muscle fatty acid composition between treatments. Supplementation of the high level of vitamin E significantly reduced l;he MDA values in both breast and thigh meat (P < 0.01). The maximum MDA values were observed at d 40 of storage in thigh and breast meat in animal-vegetable and soybean oil treatments with the low levels of vitamin E, 0.91 and 0.70 mg/kg, respectively. Nonheme iron values in thigh meat differed between treatments at 1 or 25 d of storage but not in breast meat. In conclusion, refrigerated sous vide chicken meat has a prolonged shelf-life, which is enhanced by dietary supranutritional supplementation of vitamin E. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

43. The frequency of headache in Turkish patients with psychiatric disorders. [2010]

  • Koçer, Emel, De¤irmenci, Y›ld›z, Koçer, Abdulkadir, and Atao¤lu, Ahmet
  • Yeni Symposium. 2010, Vol. 48 Issue 2, p132-138. 7p. 3 Charts.
Subjects
HEADACHE, TURKS, DISEASE prevalence, PSYCHIATRY, ANXIETY, MENTAL depression, COMORBIDITY, and HEALTH
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of headache in psychiatry clinics. Method: Three hundred and seventy two consecutive patients aged between 18 and 82 (Mean: 36.4±13.2) years were interviewed with a semi-structured interview form. All patients were asked whether they had headache or not. If they answered 'yes, the differential diagnosis of headache was made. Findings: Two-hundred and fifty- two patients (67.7%) did not complain any kind of headache. Migraine (13.7%, n=51) and tension type headaches (12.6%, n=47) were the most commonly seen headaches in psychiatry outpatient clinics. The frequency of migraine in subjects with anxiety disorder was higher than that in subjects with other psychiatric conditions including major depression. The frequency of tension type headache was higher in subjects with anxiety disorder in comparison to other psychiatric disorders, too. We found a statistically significant positive relationship between anxiety disorder or depression, and headache disorders (p<0.00). The tension type or chronic daily headache was seen at later ages but migraine in younger ages (p<0.00). The prevalence of migraine was similar in psychiatry clinics and in the general population of Turkey previously reported. The similar frequency of headache in psychiatry clinics is probably due to a comorbidity with psychiatric diseases. Discussion and Conclusion: We concluded that it was important to ask standard questions about headache in the course of the anamnesis in patients with major depression and anxiety disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

44. Comparison of Five in Vitro Bioassays to Measure Estrogenic Activity in Environmental Waters. [2010]

  • LEUSCH, FREDERIC D. L., DE JAGER, CHRISTIAAN, LEVI, YVES, LIM, RICHARD, PUIJKER, LEO, SACHER, FRANK, TREMBLAY, LOUIS A., WILSON, VICKIE S., and CHAPMAN, HEATHER F.
  • Environmental Science & Technology. 5/15/2010, Vol. 44 Issue 10, p3853-3860. 8p.
Subjects
BIOLOGICAL assay, ENVIRONMENTAL monitoring, XENOESTROGENS, WATER pollution measurement, ANALYTICAL chemistry techniques, WATER quality monitoring, IN vitro toxicity testing, and EVALUATION
Abstract
Bioassays are well established in the pharmaceutical industry and single compound analysis, but there is still uncertainty about their usefulness in environmental monitoring. We compared the responses of five bioassays designed to measure estrogenic activity (the yeast estrogen screen, ER-CALUX, MELN, T47D-KBluc, and E-SCREEN assays) and chemical analysis on extracts from four different water sources (groundwater, raw sewage, treated sewage, and river water). All five bioassays displayed similar trends and there was good agreement with analytical chemistry results. The data from the ER-CALUX and E-SCREEN bioassays were robust and predictable, and well-correlated with predictions from chemical analysis. The T47D-KBluc appeared likewise promising, but with a more limited sample size it was less compelling. The YES assay was less sensitive than the other assays by an order of magnitude, which resulted in a larger number of nondetects. The MELN assay was less predictable, although the possibility that this was due to laboratory-specific difficulties cannot be discounted. With standardized bioassay data analysis and consistency of operating protocols, bioanalytical tools are a promising advance in the development of a tiered approach to environmental water quality monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

45. Phase I and pharmacological study of the broad-spectrum tyrosine kinase inhibitor JNJ-26483327 in patients with advanced solid tumours. [2010]

  • Konings, I. R. H. M., de Jonge, M. J. A., Burger, H., van der Gaast, A., van Beijsterveldt, L. E. C., Winkler, H., Verweij, J., Yuan, Z., Hellemans, P., and Eskens, F. A. L. M.
  • British Journal of Cancer. 9/28/2010, Vol. 103 Issue 7, p987-992. 6p. 1 Black and White Photograph, 4 Charts, 1 Graph.
Subjects
PROTEIN-tyrosine kinase inhibitors, GENE transfection, EPIDERMAL growth factor, ENDOTHELIAL growth factors, TUMORS, PHARMACOKINETICS, and PATIENTS
Abstract
Background: JNJ-26483327 is an oral, potent, multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, inhibiting kinases of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-1, -2 and -4, rearranged during transfection (RET) receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-3 and Src family (Lyn, Fyn, Yes) at low nanomolar concentrations. This phase I, accelerated titration study assessed maximum tolerated dose, safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects of JNJ-26483327.Methods: Nineteen patients with advanced cancers received JNJ-26483327 continuous twice daily (BID) in escalating dose cohorts ranging from 100 to 2100 mg. Pharmacodynamic effects were assessed in paired skin biopsies and blood.Results: JNJ-26483327 was well tolerated in doses up to 1500 mg BID, with target-inhibition-related toxicity such as diarrhoea and skin rash, and other common reported toxicities being nausea, vomiting, anorexia and fatigue. At 2100 mg, two episodes of dose-limiting toxicity were observed, consisting of grade 3 anorexia and a combination of grade 3 anorexia and fatigue, respectively. Pharmacokinetics were dose proportional up to 1500 mg in which plasma levels were obtained showing anti-tumour activity in xenograft mouse models. Pharmacodynamic analysis did not show a substantial effect on expression of Ki-67, p27(kip1), phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase, phosphorylated Akt and EGFR, and serum levels of sVEGFR-2, VEGF-C and VEGF-D remained unchanged. Stable disease was noted in six patients (32%).Conclusion: JNJ-26483327 is well tolerated and shows a predictable pharmacokinetic profile; the recommended dose for further studies is 1500 mg BID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

46. A mini-nutritional assessment of older Poles in relation to the food intake model and food intake variety. [2010]

  • Niedźwiedzka, E. and Wądołowska, L.
  • Advances in Medical Sciences (De Gruyter Open). 2010, Vol. 55 Issue 2, p172-178. 7p. 3 Charts.
Subjects
NUTRITIONAL assessment, FOOD consumption, INGESTION, OLDER people physiology, and POLISH people
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of the research was to conduct a mini-nutritional assessment in relation to the food intake model and food intake variety for Polish older persons.Material and Methods: The research included 420 people aged 65+. Using the food consumption frequency method (by a FIVeQ questionnaire), the weekly intake of 63 groups of products was assessed (yes, no). Food intake variety was assessed with the use of food intake variety index (FIVeI), which was calculated as the total number of products eaten per week in the amounts exceeding trace quantities. Four models of food intake were established: "ordinary" (S1), "rich varied" (S2), "ordinary with a tendency to vary" (S3) and "moderate connoisseur" (S4). The risk of malnutrition or the incidence of malnutrition was determined based on the questionnaire of the mini nutritional assessment (MNA).Results: The good nutritional status of Polish older persons was affected by better results obtained in three parts of the questionnaire: "global evaluation" (MNA-2), "assessment of dietetic habits" (MNA-3) and "subjective assessment of self-perceived quality of health and nutrition" (MNA-4). It confirms the significance of those parts of the questionnaire in detecting malnutrition or the risk of malnutrition in older persons and suggests a lower share of the MNA-1 part which concerns anthropometric indicators. It was found that S2 and S3 persons were characterized by a greater food intake variety index (the median of 36 and 34 products eaten per week, respectively) and more often by a good nutritional status (88% and 79%, respectively) in comparison to S4 and S1 persons, who had a lower food intake variety index (the median of 4 and 30 products eaten per week, respectively) and more often occurring malnutrition (17% and 1% respectively) or a risk of malnutrition (17% and 30%, respectively).Conclusion: To conclude, a larger variety of food intake favoured better nutritional status of older persons, while a lower food intake variety increased the risk of malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

47. A kinase cascade leading to Rab11-FIP5 controls transcytosis of the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor. [2010]

  • Tao Su, Bryant, David M., Luton, Frédéric, Vergés, Marcel, Ulrich, Scott M., Hansen, Kirk C., Datta, Anirban, Eastburn, Dennis J., Burlingame, Alma L., Shokat, Kevan M., and Mostov, Keith E.
  • Nature Cell Biology. Dec2010, Vol. 12 Issue 12, p1143-1153. 11p. 2 Color Photographs, 1 Black and White Photograph, 1 Diagram, 1 Chart, 10 Graphs.
Subjects
PROTEIN kinases, POLYMERS, IMMUNOGLOBULIN A, IGA glomerulonephritis, and EPIDERMAL growth factor
Abstract
Polymeric immunoglobulin A (pIgA) transcytosis, mediated by the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR), is a central component of mucosal immunity and a model for regulation of polarized epithelial membrane traffic. Binding of pIgA to pIgR stimulates transcytosis in a process requiring Yes, a Src family tyrosine kinase (SFK). We show that Yes directly phosphorylates EGF receptor (EGFR) on liver endosomes. Injection of pIgA into rats induced EGFR phosphorylation. Similarly, in MDCK cells, pIgA treatment significantly increased phosphorylation of EGFR on various sites, subsequently activating extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK). Furthermore, we find that the Rab11 effector Rab11-FIP5 is a substrate of ERK. Knocking down Yes or Rab11-FIP5, or inhibition of the Yes-EGFR-ERK cascade, decreased pIgA-pIgR transcytosis. Finally, we demonstrate that Rab11-FIP5 phosphorylation by ERK controls Rab11a endosome distribution and pIgA-pIgR transcytosis. Our results reveal a novel Yes-EGFR-ERK-FIP5 signalling network for regulation of pIgA-pIgR transcytosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

48. Influence of the calibration on experimental UV index at a midlatitude site, Granada (Spain). [2011]

  • Antón, M., Gil, J. E., Cazorla, A., J. Fernandez-Gálvez, Vilaplana, J. M., Olmo, F. J., and Alados-Arboledas, L.
  • Atmospheric Measurement Techniques. 2011, Vol. 4 Issue 3, p499-507. 9p. 1 Chart, 6 Graphs.
Subjects
RADIOMETERS, ULTRAVIOLET spectrometry, CALIBRATION, and DEVIATION (Statistics)
Abstract
The article presents a study on the influence of using one-step and two-steps method on the experimental ultraviolet index (UVI) measured by a YES UVB-1 radiometer located in Granada, Spain for 2006-2009. Also, the study analyzes the deviation from the UVI values taken from the application of the calibration factors. Based on results, absolute mean differences between measured and modeled UVI data of the methods indicate an excellent performance for obtaining UVI data.

49. Temperature and incubation time effects on growth and ochratoxin A production by Aspergillus sclerotioniger and Aspergillus lacticoffeatus on culture media. [2011]

  • Alborch, L., Bragulat, M.R., Abarca, M.L., and Cabañes, F.J.
  • Letters in Applied Microbiology. Mar2011, Vol. 52 Issue 3, p208-212. 5p.
Subjects
OCHRATOXINS, MICROBIAL growth, ASPERGILLUS, CULTURE media (Biology), MICROBIAL cultures, SUCROSE, and YEAST
Abstract
As there is no knowledge of the influence of abiotic factors on the two new ochratoxin A (OTA)-producing species Aspergillus sclerotioniger and Aspergillus lacticoffeatus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of temperature and incubation time on growth and OTA production by these species on culture media. The study was carried out on yeast extract sucrose agar (YES) and Czapek yeast extract agar (CYA) incubated at ten different temperatures from 5 to 50°C (at 5°C intervals). Growth assessment and OTA production were determined after 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 days of incubation at each temperature. Aspergillus sclerotioniger grew from 10 to 35°C; OTA was detected from 10 to 35°C and the highest concentration was achieved at 15°C in CYA. Aspergillus lacticoffeatus grew from 10 to 45°C; OTA was detected from 15 to 45°C, and the maximum concentration was produced after 5 days at 25°C in YES. The studied species can produce OTA over a wide range of temperatures and significant amounts can be produced in only 5 days. This is the first report on the influence of ecophysiological factors on these two ochratoxigenic species. The pattern of effects of temperature on growth and OTA production by A. sclerotioniger and A. lacticoffeatus was similar to those reported for the closely related species Aspergillus carbonarius and Aspergillus niger, respectively. The two new OTA-producing species have both been isolated from coffee beans, and the closely related ochratoxigenic species of section Nigri, A. carbonarius and A. niger are important sources of OTA in this substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

50. Chemotherapy in elderly small-cell lung cancer patients: yes we can, but should we do it? [2011]

  • Janssen-Heijnen, M. L. G., Maas, H. A. A. M., van de Schans, S. A. M., Coebergh, J. W. W., and Groen, H. J. M.
  • Annals of Oncology. Apr2011, Vol. 22 Issue 4, p821-826. 6p. 4 Charts, 1 Graph.
Subjects
CANCER treatment, SMALL cell lung cancer, OLDER patients, CANCER chemotherapy, POPULATION health, and DRUG toxicity
Abstract
Background: Twenty percent of all newly diagnosed patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) are >75 years. Elderly patients may show more toxicity due to co-morbidity. We evaluated motives for adherence to treatment guidelines, completion of treatment and toxicity.Patients and methods: Population-based data from patients aged ≥75 years and diagnosed with SCLC in 1997–2004 in The Netherlands were used (368 limited disease and 577 extensive disease). Additional data on co-morbidity (Adult Co-morbidity Evaluation 27), World Health Organisation performance status (PS), treatment, motive for no chemotherapy, adaptations and underlying motive and grade 3 or 4 toxicity were gathered from the medical records.Results: Forty-eight percent did not receive chemotherapy. The most common motives were refusal by the patient or family, short life expectancy or a combination of high age, co-morbidity and poor PS. Although only relatively fit elderly were selected for chemotherapy, 60%–75% developed serious toxicity, and two-thirds of all patients could not complete the full chemotherapy.Conclusions: We hypothesise that a better selection by proper geriatric assessments is needed to achieve a more favourable balance between benefit and harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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