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PubMed1999

In vitro secretion of digestive phospholipase A(2) by midguts isolated from tobacco hornworms, manduca sexta

We report on secretion of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) by in vitro preparations of midguts isolated from tobacco hornworms, Manduca sexta. This enzyme is responsible for hydrolysis of fatty acids from the sn-2 position of phospholipids, a necessary step in fatty acid absorption. The in vitro midgut preparations are competent to secrete PLA(2) into incubation buffer. Secretion began within the first 30 min of incubation and increased to a maximum at 8 h. We selected 2 h incubations because substantial loss of tissue integrity was observed after 8 h incubations. Using 2 h incubations, we recorded increased secretion of digestive PLA(2) from midguts incubated in buffer amended with diet or with yeast as a component of the diet. We also recorded small increases in secretion of PLA(2) from midguts incubated in buffer amended with a specific phospholipid, phosphatidylcholine. Midguts incubated in buffer amended with increased concentrations of phospholipid did not yield higher levels of PLA(2) activity. Lepidopteran midguts can be divided into three regions, and we recorded the highest secretion of PLA(2) from the middle region and lowest secretion from the anterior region. Because isolated midguts responded to food chemicals with increased secretion of digestive PLA(2), we suggest that secretion of digestive enzymes in tobacco hornworms is regulated by a prandial and/or paracrine mechanism, as suggested for digestive proteases in other insect species. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 42:179-187, 1999.Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Medical treatment of dementia patients at the end of life: can the law accommodate the personal identity and welfare problems?

This article considers whether two significant philosophical objections to autonomy-based legal approaches to decision-making for incompetent individuals could be accommodated by the law. These philosophical objections are known as the personal identity and welfare problems. The article first sets out the autonomy-based approaches and their objections. Next, the present legal position is briefly canvassed in a comparative vein. Finally, the article suggests how the personal identity and welfare problems might be accommodated were legislators minded to do so, by proposing specific statutory amendments to the recent English legislation on advance decisions and evaluating their viability, particularly in light of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Advance Directives↗
PubMed2003

Toxic effects of polychlorinated biphenyl bioaccumulation in sea urchins exposed to contaminated sediments.

The uptake patterns and toxicity of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in the white sea urchin, Lytechinus pictus, on exposure to contaminated sediments were investigated. First-order modeling of uptake of the 10 most abundant PCB congeners or domains (containing more than one coeluting congener) by L. pictus indicated that a 35-d exposure was insufficient to reach steady state. Bioaccumulation of PCBs in sea urchins exhibited substantial difference between field and amended sediments, suggesting that caution must be exercised in sample preparation. Some evidence was observed of dependence of measured biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) on K(ow), indicating that equilibrium partitioning of PCBs may not always be achieved between biota lipid, sediment organic carbon, and water. Survival of L. pictus was unaffected by exposure to field and amended sediments with PCB concentrations varying more than three orders of magnitude. The growth measures (diameter, wt, and gonad wt) were significantly reduced in L. pictus exposed to San Diego Bay ([SDB]; San Diego, CA, USA) sediment, whereas they were relatively unaffected after exposure to amended sediments (with much higher PCB concentrations than SDB sediment) prepared from a New Bedford Harbor (MA, USA) sediment. The toxic effects as measured by the growth rates in L. pictus were likely attributable to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which were elevated in SDB sediment (7.3 microg/g), rather than PCBs.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Education, philosophy and academic practice: nursing studies in the posthistorical university.

This paper is an amended and abridged version of a seminar given at the NET/NEP 1st Nurse Education International Conference in Vancouver, Canada. The topic of the paper arose from our growing concerns about the state of nurse education and its position in the university at the start of the twenty-first century. We share the fears expressed by Readings that the university has lost its way and is increasingly driven by a business agenda and a quest for ever-greater efficiency. Our biggest concern is with the impact that the so-called 'posthistorical university' is having on the study of nursing, particularly the growing pressure on nurse academics to focus their attention and energy on output at the expense of process, and on research at the expense of practice and practitioner development. We suggest that the solution might lie with Jean-Francois Lyotard's notion of postmodern philosophy as a way of opening up debate and, in his words, saving the honour of thinking.

Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate↗
PubMed2002

Mitigation of chlorpyrifos runoff using constructed wetlands.

Constructed wetlands have been proposed as a potential best management practice (BMP) to mitigate effects of pesticide-associated agricultural runoff. Wetland mesocosms (14 m x 59-73 m) were amended with chlorpyrifos to simulate a storm runoff event at concentrations of 73, 147 and 733 microg/l. Water, sediment and plant samples collected weekly for 12 weeks indicated that chlorpyrifos rapidly sorbed to sediment and plant material, with approximately 47-65% of measured chlorpyrifos mass retained within the first 30-36 m of wetland mesocosms. Of the measured mass, approximately 55% and 25% were retained by sediments and plants, respectively. A field-scale evaluation of a constructed wetland's mitigation capability was performed in the Lourens River watershed of Cape Town, South Africa. Results indicate that the wetland was able to retain and considerably decrease the concentration (and hence toxicity) of chlorpyrifos and suspended sediment entering the receiving waterbody (Lourens River). This research provides fundamental answers concerning constructed wetland capabilities that are necessary for constructing field-scale systems within agricultural watersheds.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2003

Soil column evaluation of factors controlling biodegradation of DNT in the vadose zone.

High concentrations of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) and 2,6-dinitrotoluene (2,6-DNT) are present in vadose zone soils at many facilities where explosives manufacturing has taken place. Both DNT isomers can be biodegraded under aerobic conditions, but rates of intrinsic biodegradation observed in vadose zone soils are not appreciable. Studies presented herein demonstrate that nutrient limitations control the onset of rapid 2,4-DNT biodegradation in such soils. In column studies conducted at field capacity, high levels of 2,4-DNT biodegradation were rapidly stimulated by the addition of a complete mineral medium but not by bicarbonate-buffered distilled deionized water or by phosphate-amended tap water. Biodegradation of 2,6-DNT was not observed under any conditions. Microcosm studies using a DNT-degrading culture from column effluent suggest that, after the onset of 2,4-DNT degradation, nitrite evolution will eventually control the extent of degradation achieved by two mechanisms. First, high levels of nitrite (40 mM) were found to strongly inhibit 2,4-DNT degradation. Second, nitrite production reduces the solution pH, and at pH levels below 6.0, 2,4-DNT degradation slows rapidly. Under conditions evaluated in laboratory-scale studies, 2,4-DNT biodegradation enhanced the rate of contaminant loss from the vadose zone by a factor of 10 when compared to the washout due to leaching.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2002

Effects of pig slurry application on soils and soil humic acids.

The effect of three annually consecutive additions of pig slurry at two rates (90 and 150 m3 x ha(-1) x year(-1) on soils and soil humic acids (HAs) was investigated in a field experiment under semiarid conditions. Soils and pig slurries were analyzed by standard methods. The HAs were isolated from soils and pig slurry by a conventional procedure based on alkaline extraction, acidic precipitation to pH 1, purification by repeated alkaline dissolutions and acidic precipitations, water washing, dialysis, and final freeze-drying. The HAs obtained were analyzed for elemental (C, H, N, S, and O) and acidic functional group (carboxylic and phenolic) composition, and by UV-vis, FT-IR, fluorescence, and ESR spectroscopies. With respect to the control soil, the pig slurry amended soils had greater pH and electrical conductivity, slightly larger total N content, and smaller values of C/N ratio. A decrease of total organic C was observed only in soils amended for 2 and 3 years at the higher slurry rate. With respect to control soil HA, pig slurry HA was characterized by larger contents of S- and N-containing groups, smaller acidic functional group and organic free radical contents, a prevalent aliphatic character, extended molecular heterogeneity, and smaller aromatic polycondensation and humification degrees. Amendment with pig slurry HA determines a number of modifications in soil HAs, including increase of C, S, and COOH contents, C/N ratios, and aliphaticity and decrease of extraction yields and N, O, phenolic OH, and organic free radical contents. These effects are generally more evident after the first year of slurry application and tend to disappear with increasing number of treatments. Most probably, over the years the slightly humified slurry HA is mineralized through extended microbial oxidation, whereas only the most recalcitrant components, such as S-containing, phenolic, and aliphatic structures, are partially accumulated by incorporation into soil HA.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

The risk of domestic violence and women with HIV infection: implications for partner notification, public policy, and the law.

Partner notification has emerged as an important strategy in the fight against acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and states have now adopted a plethora of laws that encourage or mandate notification, often without the patient's consent. As human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection continues to spread among women, the future development of AIDS control strategies and public health laws must be shaped by concern for the safety and autonomy of patients who face a risk of domestic violence. Three distinct recommendations flow from this premise. First, all HIV-infected women should be assessed for the risk of domestic violence and offered appropriate interventions. Second, where a risk of abuse is indicated, partners should never be notified without the patient's consent. State laws that presently permit involuntary notification should be repealed or amended. Third, laws that punish a patient's refusal to notify partners should also be modified or repealed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1980

Rogers v. Okin.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Civil Rights↗
PubMed2003

The importance of reaching lipid targets: statins and the prevention of atherosclerosis.

To help prevent the development of coronary heart disease (CHD), the European and NCEP guidelines have recommended target cholesterol levels for all individuals. Lifestyle changes are advocated for individuals not achieving these targets. Intervention with lipid-modifying agents may be required for patients at high risk of a cardiovascular event and statins are generally recognised as first-line therapy. Unfortunately, large numbers of patients at risk of cardiovascular events are not being treated to the guideline targets. Primary care physicians are in a good position to improve lipid management by assessing risk factors, implementing lipid management strategies, monitoring whether targets are being reached and amending treatment appropriately. Furthermore, by educating and motivating patients,primary care physicians may improve compliance with lifestyle changes and medication. These approaches may help more patients to achieve recommended lipid levels and prevent the development of cardiovascular disease.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Estimation of incapacity to work in medico-legal opinions given by clinicians and forensic medicine specialists from the Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice--comparative analysis].

After amending the rules obligatory for decision making about the incapacity to work and social insurance in district courts observed in the practice of the Department of Forensic Medicine Medical University of Silesia, Katowice. Our Department is usually appointed for a second opinion in legal pension proceedings. In the first place courts appoint physicians being experts in particular fields of clinical medicine. Irrespective of all differences in the accepted conclusion a comparative analysis of medico-legal opinions given by forensic medicine specialists or groups of experts from the Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, showed flaws in the way opinions were handed down by individual experts relating to the lack of the state of general health estimation in people contesting for pensions as well as ignorance of the obligatory rules and procedures when deciding about incapacity to work in pension proceedings. It is known that physicians appointed by the court establish only whether the examined person can work or not, but do not give any information about the character of incapacity and do not consider the possibility of therapeutic rehabilitation within the extent of the pension prevention by the Social Insurance Department nor a chance to change ones profession due to the incapacity to work in the present occupation. While presenting their opinions, physicians very often suggest the need of additional opinions given by other physicians being experts in particular fields of clinical medicine. On the basis of the above mentioned remarks the authors show the necessity for greater control over all medico legal opinions and by the court decision making process as well as the verification of experts qualifications taking into consideration of economy and the need to make the proceedings shorter.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed2001

Diurnal fluxes and the isotopomer ratios of N(2)O in a temperate grassland following urine amendment.

There is an urgent need to provide an accurate, up-to-date estimate of N(2)O fluxes in order that national policies can be developed to reduce emissions of N(2)O from soils. There are only limited data on temporal and diurnal patterns of N(2)O fluxes to the atmosphere, mainly due to constraints in the measurement techniques. In this paper we present the first terrestrial source values of N(2)O isotopomers and have measured and quantified the temporal and diurnal variability in N(2)O fluxes following urine addition to a grassland system in the UK. The experiment was carried out over a 2-week period on an artificially drained grassland system at the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER), North Wyke, UK. Duplicate samples of urine, each of 2 L, were collected from dairy cows and applied to chambers (of area 0.16 m(2)). The N(2)O diurnal fluxes from urine and control (no urine) plots were measured by an automatic closed chamber technique. The isotopomers of N(2)O were obtained by analysing the gas samples collected during a peak emission phase. Soil and meteorological data were also collected. The results showed strong diurnal variations in N(2)O fluxes with minimum fluxes generally occurring between 7:00 and 14:00 hrs. The total cumulative flux of N(2)O for the whole experimental period was higher by a factor of >2 compared with estimates based on the daytime (between 10.00-16.00 hrs) measurements only. Therefore, measurements of N(2)O fluxes based on daily single exposure and expressed on a 24-h basis could impose a considerable bias and inaccuracy to the emission estimates, depending on when it was taken. The measured site preference values (difference between the centre (delta(15)Nalpha) and the end (delta(15)Nbeta) N atom of the N(2)O molecule) for soil-emitted N(2)O measured during our study were always lower than the tropospheric value. This work confirms that the enhanced tropospheric N(2)O site preference value could be the result of the back injection from the stratosphere. The intramolecular isotope ratios of nitrogen (delta(15)N) and oxygen (delta(18)O) and the site preference of the emitted N(2)O indicated that there was a shift of processes during the measurement period.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1989

Results of intensive therapy in children with localized alveolar extremity rhabdomyosarcoma: a report from the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study.

Preliminary analyses of treatment results and prognostic factors from the first Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS I) suggested that alveolar histology and extremity site were among factors associated with an adverse outcome in clinical group I patients whose tumors had been completely resected. A high incidence of alveolar histology among the extremity tumors compounded the problem. These findings prompted an amendment to IRS II shortly after the study opened. Therapy for patients with alveolar extremity tumors in groups I and II was changed to more intensive repetitive pulse vincristine, dactinomycin, and cyclophosphamide (VAC) for 2 years. The outcome of 44 patients who received intensive therapy on IRS II is compared with a control series of 30 patients who were treated on IRS I. The control patients received standard VAC therapy for 2 years or VA for 1 year. Half of group I control patients received local radiotherapy, whereas none was given to group I intensive therapy patients. In both studies group II patients received radiotherapy to the primary tumor site and to identified positive regional lymph nodes. Compared with the control group, patients given more intensive therapy had a longer disease-free survival (DFS) (69% v 43% at 3 years), but this was of marginal significance (P = .06). The overall survival difference (77% v 57% at 3 years) was not significant (P = .23). Despite the limited statistical evidence, there is some indication that intensive therapy improved the prognosis of children with localized alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS).

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed2001

Leaf ureide degradation and N(2) fixation tolerance to water deficit in soybean.

Accumulation of ureides in leaves is associated with the sensitivity of N(2) fixation in soybean to soil water deficit. Consequently, ureide degradation in leaves may be a key to increasing soybean tolerance to dry soils. Previous research indicated that allantoic acid degradation is catalysed by different enzymes in cultivars Maple Arrow and Williams. The enzyme found in Williams requires manganese as a cofactor. The first objective of this study was to determine if the two degradation pathways were associated with differences in N(2) sensitivity to soil water deficits. N(2) fixation of Williams grown on low-Mn soil was sensitive to stress, but it was relatively tolerant when grown on soil amended with Mn. N(2) fixation in Maple Arrow was relatively tolerant of soil drying regardless of the Mn treatment. The second objective of this study was to expand the study of the degradation pathway to nine additional genotypes. Based on ureide degradation in the presence and absence of Mn, these genotypes also segregated for the two degradation pathways. Those genotypes with the Mn-dependent pathway tended to have drought-sensitive N(2) fixation, but there was one exception. The genotypes not requiring Mn for ureide degradation were drought-tolerant except for one genotype. These results demonstrated the possibility for increasing N(2) fixation tolerance to soil water deficits in soybean by selection of lines with high ureide degradation rates, which were commonly associated with the Mn-independent pathway.

Allantoin↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Adaptation and validation in the French language of the International Score of Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy].

The International Prostate Symptom Score, which was proposed during the First Consultation on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in June 1991, was culturally adapted and linguistically validated in French. In a first step, the English version, adapted from the questionnaire developed by the American Urological Association, was translated into French. In a second step, the French version was submitted to a multidisciplinary group who made linguistic improvements. In a third step, the refined version was tested in 30 persons and amended. Finally, the questionnaire was submitted to a linguistic validation study in a representative sample of 100 men aged 65 to 80. The use of this index will allow standardized measurements of urinary symptoms status in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Plant community responses to resource availability and heterogeneity during restoration.

Availability and heterogeneity of resources have a strong influence on plant community structure in undisturbed systems, as well as those recovering from disturbance. Less is known about the role of resource availability and heterogeneity in restored communities, although restoration provides a valuable opportunity to test our understanding of factors that influence plant community assembly. We altered soil nitrogen (N) availability and soil depth during a prairie restoration to determine if the availability and/or heterogeneity of soil resources influenced plant community composition in restored grassland communities. Plant community responses to three levels of N availability (ambient, enriched by fertilization, and reduced by carbon amendment) and two levels of soil depth (deep and shallow) were evaluated. In addition, we evaluated plant community responses to four whole plot heterogeneity treatments created from the six possible combinations of soil N availability and soil depth. The soil depth treatment had little influence on community structure during the first 3 years of restoration. Total diversity and richness declined over time under annual N enrichment, whereas diversity was maintained and richness increased over time in soil with reduced N availability. Non-native species establishment was lowest in reduced-N soil in the initial year, but their presence was negligible in all of the soil N treatments by the second year of restoration. Panicum virgatum, a native perennial C(4) grass, was the dominant species in all soil N treatments by year three, but the magnitude of its dominance was lowest in the reduced-N soil and highest in enriched-N soil. Consequently, the relative cover of P. virgatum was strongly correlated with community dominance and inversely related to diversity. The differential growth response of P. virgatum to soil N availability led to a higher degree of community similarity to native prairie in the reduced-N treatment than in the enriched-N treatment. There were no differences in plant community structure among the four whole plot-level heterogeneity treatments, which all exhibited the same degree of similarity to native prairie. Diversity and community heterogeneity in the whole-plot treatments appeared to be regulated by the dominant species' effect on light availability, rather than soil N heterogeneity per se. Our results indicate that a strong differential response of a dominant species to resource availability in a restored community can regulate community structure, diversity, and similarity to the native (or target) community, but the importance of resource heterogeneity in restoring diversity may be dampened in systems where a dominant species can successfully establish across a range of resource availability.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗
PubMed2000

An audit of patients who have received imiquimod cream 5% for the treatment of anogenital warts.

With the licensing of the new drug Imiquimod cream 5% (Aldara 3M Health Care) for the treatment of anogenital warts and its inclusion into clinic guidelines, a case note review audit was performed of its use. The treatment of 52 patients was audited. Results showed that clinic guidelines were being followed and that patient outcomes in terms of clearance were at least as good as the quoted rates in the literature. Significant issues included firstly patient education-especially for those who had previously received ablative therapy. Secondly the length of time that therapy would be continued before a patient was deemed to be a non-responder to Imiquimod cream 5%, and if this was the case should the frequency of application be amended from the manufacturer's recommended regime of 3 times a week.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Double-contrast arthrography of the knee: a digital technique study].

From October 1989, in our Radiology Department, digital radiographic techniques have been applied to double-contrast arthrography of the knee. In this preliminary work we examine the diagnostic contribution of computed radiography to arthrographic findings by comparing image quality of conventional and digital radiographs using a dedicated Philips unit. The digital unit is compatible with all the extant radiographic equipment in our department and automatically supplies two images, the first one resembling a conventional radiograph, the second one characterized by a broader exposure range that allows a clear visualization of soft tissues. To obtain high-quality radiographs the processing curves of the system were modified, in particular by shifting the curve leftward, thus reducing its slope, and by amending the parameters related to spatial frequencies. The changes in the reading curves made these images more useful: they were more homogeneous and allowed a better evaluation of fine details. Relative to the second type of images, characterized by both edge enhancement and a broader recording range, it was enough to shift the curve along the X-axis to compensate for a moderate image overexposure. Keeping in mind that the aim of this preliminary work was not compare the two techniques from a diagnostic point of view, in the authors' opinion the two yield similar information for the diagnostic evaluation of meniscal traumas. On the contrary, if the same principles are applied to the evaluation of capsulo-ligamentous components, digital arthrography appears to be more accurate than the conventional technique, the latter being deceptive especially in the evaluation of cruciate ligaments.

Arthrography↗