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Floyd James K, Smith BE, Robinson MN, Thomas Tobin CS, Bulles KF, Barkin JL. Factors Associated with Postpartum Maternal Functioning in Black Women: A Secondary Analysis. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12020647. [PMID: 36675575 PMCID: PMC9862142 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12020647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In the United States, 29−44% of Black women experience postpartum depressive symptoms (PDS), yet few are properly identified and/or connected to mental care services. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to examine the relationship between maternal functioning and clinical variables (PDS, maternal−infant attachment), racial variable (Black racial identity types—low race salience, assimilated and miseducated, self-hating, anti-White, multiculturalist, and conflicted), and sociodemographic characteristics (relationship status, education, insurance, childbirth type). A total of 116 women living in the southern United States were included in the analysis. Multivariate analyses revealed that Black racial identity (p = 0.02), PDS (p < 0.0001), maternal−infant attachment (p < 0.0001), and educational level (p = 0.03) were independently associated with maternal functioning. This work provides new evidence regarding the role of various clinical and racial factors on Black postpartum women’s adjustment to motherhood. This analysis also adds to the growing body of evidence of reliability for the BIMF in Black postpartum women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kortney Floyd James
- National Clinician Scholars Program, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Betsy E. Smith
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA 31207, USA
| | - Millicent N. Robinson
- School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA
| | - Courtney S. Thomas Tobin
- Los Angeles Jonathan and Karin Fielding School of Public Health, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Kelby F. Bulles
- School of Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Mercer University, Macon, GA 31207, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Barkin
- School of Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Mercer University, Macon, GA 31207, USA
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Kondracki AJ, Reddick B, Smith BE, Geller PA, Callands T, Barkin JL. Sociodemographic disparities in preterm birth and low birthweight in the State of Georgia: Results from the 2017-2018 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System. J Rural Health 2023; 39:91-104. [PMID: 35504850 DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To update the overall prevalence of preterm birth (PTB) (<37 weeks gestation) and low birthweight (LBW) (<2,500 g) in the State of Georgia, including rural and urban counties. METHODS A sample was drawn from the 2017-2018 Georgia Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). In the complete-case data of singleton births (n=1,258), we estimated the weighted percentage prevalence of PTB, LBW, early/late PTB, and moderately/very LBW subcategories in association with maternal sociodemographic characteristics, and the prevalence stratified by rural/urban county of residence. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) of PTB and LBW adjusting for selected covariates. Logistic regression results from multiple imputation by chained equations (MICE) were used for comparison. FINDINGS The overall rate for PTB was 9.3% and 6.8% for LBW and among them, 2.3% were early PTB, 7.0% were late PTB, 5.4% were moderately LBW (MLBW), and 1.3% were very LBW (VLBW). Non-Hispanic Black women had the highest prevalence of PTB, LBW, early PTB, MLBW, and VLBW, as well as PTB and LBW in urban counties and LBW in rural counties. The odds of PTB (aOR 1.38; 95% CI: 0.81, 2.35) and LBW (aOR 2.68; 95% CI: 1.32, 5.43) were also higher among non-Hispanic Black relative to non-Hispanic White women and among women who received adequate-plus prenatal care compared to inadequate prenatal care. CONCLUSIONS Socioeconomic and health disparities created by disadvantage should be a focus of state policy to improve neonatal outcomes in the State of Georgia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Kondracki
- Department of Community Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah and Macon, Georgia, USA
| | - Bonzo Reddick
- Department of Community Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah and Macon, Georgia, USA
| | - Betsy E Smith
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, Georgia, USA
| | - Pamela A Geller
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Drexel University College of Arts and Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tamora Callands
- Department of Health Promotion & Behavior College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Jennifer L Barkin
- Department of Community Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah and Macon, Georgia, USA
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Bridges LC, Shillinglaw JP, Smith BE, Vazquez de Santos MG, Parker JC, Vaughn DM. Augmentation of the Esophageal Sphincter Using LINX. Am Surg 2022; 88:2170-2175. [PMID: 35593894 DOI: 10.1177/00031348221093800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the retrograde flow of gastric contents into the distal esophagus and may be treated medically or surgically. Magnetic sphincter augmentation surgery using LINX has recently demonstrated comparable results to Nissen fundoplication. We aimed to evaluate preoperative patient risk factors that were associated with LINX removal rates or postoperative EGD with dilation rates (POEGDD). This is a single institution retrospective review of patients undergoing LINX between 2015 and 2021. One hundred and twelve patients were reviewed, 106 included within the study; those excluded had prior foregut surgery or device fracture. Variables including age, sex, BMI, size of device, DeMeester score, manometry, GERD Health-Related Quality of Life (GERD HRQL) questionnaires, POEGDD, and removal rates were recorded. Comparing removal and dilation status, the chi-square or Fisher's exact test and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze categorical and continuous variables, respectively. A P < .05 was considered to be statistically significant. Eleven LINX devices were removed (10%); of these, 9 (81%) underwent POEGDD (P = .0023). There was no difference in DeMeester scores, size of device, or BMI in patients requiring LINX removal compared to those not removed or POEGDD rates. Patients who required LINX removal had higher GERD HRQL scores both preoperatively (median 34 vs 28) and postoperatively at all visits compared to those patients who did not undergo removal (P = .032). Manometry and DeMeester scores were not associated with LINX removal suggesting a less invasive GERD HRQL questionnaire may be a better predictor of patients who will succeed with LINX surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Betsy E Smith
- Internal Medicine and Community Medicine, 5225Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon GA, USA
| | - Maria G Vazquez de Santos
- Department of Surgery, Atrium Health Navicent, Macon Georgia, 12241Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon GA, USA
| | - James C Parker
- Department of Surgery, 14414Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Danny M Vaughn
- Department of Surgery, Atrium Health Navicent, Macon Georgia, 12241Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon GA, USA.,Department of Minimally Invasive Surgery, 417871Atrium Health Navicent, Macon GA, USA
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Hubbard JA, Hoffman MA, Ellis SE, Sobolesky PM, Smith BE, Suhandynata RT, Sones EG, Sanford SK, Umlauf A, Huestis MA, Grelotti DJ, Grant I, Marcotte TD, Fitzgerald RL. Biomarkers of Recent Cannabis Use in Blood, Oral Fluid and Breath. J Anal Toxicol 2021; 45:820-828. [PMID: 34185831 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkab080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Proving driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC) is difficult. Establishing a biomarker of recent use to supplement behavioral observations may be a useful alternative strategy. We determined whether cannabinoid concentrations in blood, oral fluid (OF), or breath could identify use within 3h, likely the period of greatest impairment. In a randomized trial, 191 frequent (≥4/week) and occasional (<4/week) cannabis users smoked one cannabis (placebo [0.02%], 5.9% or 13.4% THC) cigarette ad libitum. Blood, OF and breath samples were collected prior to and up to 6h after smoking. Samples were analyzed for 10 cannabinoids in OF, 8 in blood, and THC in breath. Frequent users had more residual THC in blood and were categorized as "recently used" prior to smoking; this did not occur in OF. Per se limits ranging from undetectable to 5 ng/mL THC in blood offered limited usefulness as biomarkers of recent use. Cannabinol (CBN, cutoff=1 ng/mL) in blood offered 100% specificity but only 31.4% sensitivity, resulting in 100% PPV and 94.0% NPV at 4.3% prevalence; but CBN may vary by cannabis chemovar. A 10 ng/mL THC cutoff in OF exhibited the overall highest performance to detect use within 3h (99.7% specificity, 82.4% sensitivity, 92.5% PPV, 99.2% NPV) but was still detectable in 23.2% of participants ~4.4h post smoking limiting specificity at later time points. OF THC may be a helpful indicator of recent cannabis intake, but this does not equate to impairment. Behavioral assessment of impairment is still required to determine DUIC. This study only involved cannabis inhalation and additional research evaluating alternative routes of ingestion (i.e., oral) is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Hubbard
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 150, San Diego, CA 92121 USA
| | - M A Hoffman
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 150, San Diego, CA 92121 USA
| | - S E Ellis
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92092 USA.,Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92092 USA
| | - P M Sobolesky
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 150, San Diego, CA 92121 USA
| | - B E Smith
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 150, San Diego, CA 92121 USA
| | - R T Suhandynata
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 150, San Diego, CA 92121 USA
| | - E G Sones
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 220 Dickinson, MC #8231, San Diego, CA 92103 USA
| | - S K Sanford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 220 Dickinson, MC #8231, San Diego, CA 92103 USA
| | - A Umlauf
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 220 Dickinson, MC #8231, San Diego, CA 92103 USA
| | - M A Huestis
- Institute for Emerging Health Professions, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107 USA
| | - D J Grelotti
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 220 Dickinson, MC #8231, San Diego, CA 92103 USA
| | - I Grant
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 220 Dickinson, MC #8231, San Diego, CA 92103 USA
| | - T D Marcotte
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 220 Dickinson, MC #8231, San Diego, CA 92103 USA
| | - R L Fitzgerald
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 150, San Diego, CA 92121 USA
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Smith BE, Miles TP, Elkins J, Barkin JL, Ebell MH, Ezeamama AE. The Impact of Stressful Life Events on the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes in U.S. Adults From the Health and Retirement Study. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2020; 75:640-649. [PMID: 29635530 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gby040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We evaluated the association between cumulative stressful life events (SLE) and type of stress (lifetime vs recent) and incident diabetes (Type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM]) in middle-aged U.S. adults. METHODS Data from the 2006-2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were analyzed (n = 7,956). Stress-related differences in age at T2DM diagnosis were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS The adjusted risk of T2DM significantly increased by 6% per unit increase in cumulative SLE (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03, 1.11), by 5% per unit increase in lifetime stress (95% CI = 1.00, 1.09), and by 23% per unit increase in recent stress (95% CI = 1.12, 1.36). Each level of cumulative SLE (1, 2, 3, and ≥4 events) and recent stress (1 and ≥2 events) compared to no stress was significantly associated with an increased risk of T2DM. Each level of lifetime stress compared to no stress was significantly associated with an elevated risk of T2DM except for 3 events. DISCUSSION Cumulative SLE and type of stress were associated with incident T2DM in middle-aged adults. Reducing the direct effect of stress with management interventions may reduce the indirect effect of developing T2DM and warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betsy E Smith
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, Georgia
| | - Toni P Miles
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, The University of Georgia, Athens
| | | | - Jennifer L Barkin
- Department of Community Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, Georgia
| | - Mark H Ebell
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, The University of Georgia, Athens
| | - Amara E Ezeamama
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing
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Bridges LC, Honaker MD, Smith BE, Montgomery A. Insurance Status in Rectal Cancer is Associated With Age at Diagnosis and May be Associated With Overall Survival. Am Surg 2020; 87:105-108. [PMID: 32833496 DOI: 10.1177/0003134820942161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are approximately 44 180 new cases of rectal cancer diagnosed annually. While surgical resection remains the standard of care for definitive treatment, neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NCRT) has significantly reduced recurrence rates postoperatively. NCRT is indicated for T3/T4 tumors, and relative indications include patients with T1/T2 lesions with clinically positive nodes. While this remains the standard of care, all patients may not receive equal treatment for their rectal cancer depending on various healthcare disparities. We aimed to discover how insurance status affected rectal cancer patients' time of diagnosis to treatment, age of diagnosis, and overall vitality. METHODS A single-center retrospective chart and cancer registry review was performed for all patients diagnosed with rectal cancer of any stage between 2011 and 2018. A total of 94 rectal cancer patients were included in the analysis. Age, race, sex, insurance status, vitality, and grade were assessed. Time in days of diagnosis to the time of first treatment (neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiation) was measured. Continuous variables were reported as means and SDs or medians and interquartile ranges and were analyzed with the unpaired t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test. Categorical variables were reported as frequencies and percentages and were analyzed with Fisher's exact test. Statistical significance was determined with a P < .05. All analyses were conducted using SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). RESULTS Total race breakdown was as follows: white (61%), African-American (30%), and other (3%). There was no statistically significant difference in diagnosis time to first treatment in the uninsured versus insured groups (P = .9). There was a statistically significant difference in the age of diagnosis with insured mean age of 60.9 years and uninsured mean age of 52.4 years (P = .0080). There was no statistically significant difference in survival between the 2 groups (P = .54). For those who went onto have surgery, there was no difference in the median number of lymph nodes harvested between the 2 groups (P = .73). CONCLUSION Insurance status did not affect timing to treatment or survival. Uninsured patients had a younger age of diagnosis by approximately 8 years on average. Uninsured patients received the same quality surgeries as uninsured patients in regard to lymph node harvests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey C Bridges
- 5223Department of Surgery, Medical Center Navicent Health, Macon, GA, USA
| | - Michael D Honaker
- 5225Department of Surgical Oncology and Colorectal Surger, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA, USA
| | - Betsy E Smith
- 5225Internal Medicine and Community Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA, USA
| | - Anne Montgomery
- 5225Department of Biostatistics, Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center, Mercer University School of Medicine, Mercer University, Macon, GA, USA
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Nolan HR, Smith BE, Honaker MD. Operative time and length of stay is similar between robotic assisted and laparoscopic colon and rectal resections. J Robot Surg 2018; 12:659-664. [PMID: 29594757 DOI: 10.1007/s11701-018-0798-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Robotic-assisted surgery is increasingly being utilized for colorectal surgery. Data are scarce and contradictory when outcomes are compared between robotic and laparoscopic surgery. All patients undergoing minimally invasive colorectal surgery were compared from 2011 to 2016. Outcomes between the two groups were statistically analyzed. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. 185 patients underwent laparoscopic resection and 70 underwent robotic resection. Demographics, ASA score, and BMI were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in median length of stay between laparoscopic and robotic colon (both 4 days; p = 0.5) and rectal (6 vs 4.5 days; p = 0.2) resections. Median operative times were also similar between the two approaches for colon (150.5 vs 169.5 min, p = 0.2) and rectal (197.0 vs 231.5 min, p = 0.9) resections. There was also no difference in operative time between the two approaches for right (median = 137 vs 130.5 min; p = 0.9) and left (median = 162.0 vs 170.5 min; p = 0.6) colectomies. Robotic surgery results in similar operative times and length of stay as laparoscopic surgery for patients undergoing colon and rectal resections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather R Nolan
- Department of Surgery, The Medical Center of Central Georgia, Navicent Health, Mercer University School of Medicine, 800 1st St Suite 240, Macon, GA, 31220, USA
| | - Betsy E Smith
- Department of Surgery, The Medical Center of Central Georgia, Navicent Health, Mercer University School of Medicine, 800 1st St Suite 240, Macon, GA, 31220, USA
| | - Michael D Honaker
- Department of Surgery, The Medical Center of Central Georgia, Navicent Health, Mercer University School of Medicine, 800 1st St Suite 240, Macon, GA, 31220, USA.
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Orr SE, Barnes MC, George HS, Joshee L, Jeon B, Scircle A, Black O, Cizdziel J, Smith BE, Bridges CC. Exposure to mixtures of mercury, cadmium, lead, and arsenic alters the disposition of single metals in tissues of Wistar rats. J Toxicol Environ Health A 2018; 81:1246-1256. [PMID: 30507365 PMCID: PMC6546563 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2018.1551164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Humans throughout the world are exposed regularly to mixtures of environmental toxicants. Four of the most common heavy metal toxicants in the environment are mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As). Numerous studies have assessed the effects and disposition of individual metals in organ systems; however, humans are usually exposed to mixtures of toxicants or metals rather than to a single toxicant. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to test the hypothesis that exposure to a mixture of toxic heavy metals alters the disposition of single metals in target organs. Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were exposed to Hg, Cd, Pb, or As as a single metal or as a mixture of metals. Rats were injected intravenously for three days, following which kidneys, liver, brain, and blood were harvested. Samples were analyzed for content of Hg, Cd, Pb, and As via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. In general, exposure to a mixture of metals reduced accumulation of single metals in target organs. Interestingly, exposure to mixtures of metals with Pb and/or As increased the concentration of these metals specifically in the liver. The findings from this study indicate that exposure to mixtures of toxic heavy metals may alter significantly the distribution and accumulation of these metals in target organs and tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Orr
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA USA
| | - Mary C. Barnes
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA USA
| | - Hannah S. George
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA USA
| | - Lucy Joshee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA USA
| | - Byunggwon Jeon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS USA
| | - Austin Scircle
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS USA
| | - Oscar Black
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS USA
| | - James Cizdziel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS USA
| | - Betsy E. Smith
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA USA
| | - Christy C. Bridges
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA USA
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Hang MTH, Smith BE, Keck C, Keshavarzian A, Sedghi S. Increasing efficacy and reducing side effects in treatment of chronic anal fissures: A study of topical diazepam therapy. Medicine (Baltimore) 2017; 96:e6853. [PMID: 28514300 PMCID: PMC5440137 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000006853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This is a single institution nonexperimental study intended to analyze the therapeutic efficacy of topical diazepam in treating symptoms of chronic anal fissures.Anal fissures are a common cause of anal pain. Conventional treatments include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, topical creams, such as nitroglycerin and nifedipine, and surgery. However, these treatments are usually suboptimally efficacious or have deterring side effects.Patients at an outpatient community center with a diagnosis of a chronic anal fissure were prescribed either topical 2% (n = 19) or 4% (n = 18) diazepam cream between January 2013 and February 2015. We retrospectively analyzed their responses to treatment.All 19 patients using 2% diazepam cream experienced a positive response in pain, whereas 47.4% experienced a complete response, with a numerical rating scale (NRS) score of 0 (0-10). Eighty-eight percent of patients using 4% dose had a positive response in pain, whereas 23.5% experienced a complete response. Ninety-four percent of patients using 2% dose had a positive response in anal bleeding, whereas 68.8% experienced a complete response with an anal bleeding score (ABS) of 2 (2-9). Ninety-four percent of patients using 4% dose had a positive response in anal bleeding, whereas 64.7% experienced a complete response. Only 1 patient reported a side effect from diazepam cream-perianal pruritus.Both 2% and 4% topical diazepam provided significant pain and bleeding relief from chronic anal fissures that were refractory to conventional therapies. There were insignificant differences when assessing independent comparisons for pain and bleeding between the doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh Tuan H. Hang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA
| | - Betsy E. Smith
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA
| | - Carson Keck
- Division of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Ali Keshavarzian
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Shahriar Sedghi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA
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Tam JC, Link JS, Large SI, Bogstad B, Bundy A, Cook AM, Dingsør GE, Dolgov AV, Howell D, Kempf A, Pinnegar JK, Rindorf A, Schückel S, Sell AF, Smith BE. A trans-Atlantic examination of haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus food habits. J Fish Biol 2016; 88:2203-2218. [PMID: 27145075 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The food habits of Melanogrammus aeglefinus were explored and contrasted across multiple north-eastern and north-western Atlantic Ocean ecosystems, using databases that span multiple decades. The results show that among all ecosystems, echinoderms are a consistent part of M. aeglefinus diet, but patterns emerge regarding where and when M. aeglefinus primarily eat fishes v. echinoderms. Melanogrammus aeglefinus does not regularly exhibit the increase in piscivory with ontogeny that other gadoids often show, and in several ecosystems there is a lower occurrence of piscivory. There is an apparent inverse relationship between the consumption of fishes and echinoderms in M. aeglefinus over time, where certain years show high levels of one prey item and low levels of the other. This apparent binary choice can be viewed as part of a gradient of prey options, contingent upon a suite of factors external to M. aeglefinus dynamics. The energetic consequences of this prey choice are discussed, noting that in some instances it may not be a choice at all.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Tam
- NOAA-Fisheries, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, U.S.A
| | - J S Link
- NOAA-Fisheries, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, U.S.A
| | - S I Large
- NOAA-Fisheries, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, U.S.A
- International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES), Copenhagen, V 1553, Denmark
| | - B Bogstad
- Institute of Marine Research (IMR), 5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - A Bundy
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, NS, B2Y 4A2, Canada
| | - A M Cook
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, NS, B2Y 4A2, Canada
| | - G E Dingsør
- Institute of Marine Research (IMR), 5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - A V Dolgov
- Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography (PINRO), 6, Knipovich-Street, Murmansk, 183038, Russia
| | - D Howell
- Institute of Marine Research (IMR), 5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - A Kempf
- Thünen Institute of Sea Fisheries, Palmaille 9, 22767, Hamburg, Germany
| | - J K Pinnegar
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, U.K
| | - A Rindorf
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Charlottenlund Slot, DK-2920, Charlottenlund, Denmark
| | - S Schückel
- BioConsult Schuchardt & Scholle GbR, Reeder-Bischoff-Str. 54, 28757, Bremen, Germany
| | - A F Sell
- Thünen Institute of Sea Fisheries, Palmaille 9, 22767, Hamburg, Germany
| | - B E Smith
- NOAA-Fisheries, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, U.S.A
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McDermott SP, Bransome NC, Sutton SE, Smith BE, Link JS, Miller TJ. Quantifying alosine prey in the diets of marine piscivores in the Gulf of Maine. J Fish Biol 2015; 86:1811-1829. [PMID: 25943427 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The objectives of this work were to quantify the spatial and temporal distribution of the occurrence of anadromous fishes (alewife Alosa pseudoharengus, blueback herring Alosa aestivalis and American shad Alosa sapidissima) in the stomachs of demersal fishes in coastal waters of the north-west Atlantic Ocean. Results show that anadromous fishes were detectable and quantifiable in the diets of common marine piscivores for every season sampled. Even though anadromous fishes were not the most abundant prey, they accounted for c. 5-10% of the diet by mass for several marine piscivores. Statistical comparisons of these data with fish diet data from a broad-scale survey of the north-west Atlantic Ocean indicate that the frequency of this trophic interaction was significantly higher within spatially and temporally focused sampling areas of this study than in the broad-scale survey. Odds ratios of anadromous predation were as much as 460 times higher in the targeted sampling as compared with the broad-scale sampling. Analyses indicate that anadromous prey consumption was more concentrated in the near-coastal waters compared with consumption of a similar, but more widely distributed species, the Atlantic herring Clupea harengus. In the context of ecosystem-based fisheries management, the results suggest that even low-frequency feeding events may be locally important, and should be incorporated into ecosystem models.
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Affiliation(s)
- S P McDermott
- Greater Atlantic Regional Office, National Marine Fisheries Service, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, U.S.A
| | - N C Bransome
- Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, P. O. Box 38, Solomons, MD 20688, U.S.A
| | - S E Sutton
- Northeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, U.S.A
| | - B E Smith
- Northeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, U.S.A
| | - J S Link
- Northeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, U.S.A
| | - T J Miller
- Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, P. O. Box 38, Solomons, MD 20688, U.S.A
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12
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Abstract
BACKGROUND There are numerous techniques which attempt to quantify inotropy (or myocardial contractility). None has yet found general acceptance in anaesthesia and critical care as a practical method. We report a novel approach to the determination of inotropy as a bedside procedure which could identify low inotropy states in patients with clinical heart failure. METHODS We estimated the potential and kinetic energy delivered by the left ventricle using continuous-wave Doppler ultrasound (ultrasonic cardiac output monitor, Uscom, Sydney, Australia) and data available at the point of care. A formula to calculate effective inotropy [Smith-Madigan inotropy index (SMII)] was tested against historical haemodynamic data for 250 control subjects (ASA I patients from preoperative clinic) and 83 patients with acute left ventricular failure (LVF) of New York Heart Association Grade 4 (LVF group). The ratio of potential to kinetic energy (PKR) was investigated as a measure of arterial impedance. RESULTS Significant differences were found between the control and LVF groups for cardiac index, mean (range)=3.37 (2.84-5.32) vs 1.84 (1.43-2.26) litre min(-1) m(-2); stroke volume index (SVI), 49.2 (39-55) vs 34.3 (23-37) ml m(-2); systemic vascular resistance, 893 (644-1242) vs 1960 (1744-4048) dyn s cm(-5); SMII, 1.78 (1.35-2.24) vs 0.73 (0.43-0.97) W m(-2); and PKR, 29:1 (24-35:1) vs 124:1 (96-174:1), P<0.001 in each case. Normal ranges were calculated for SMII and PKR as mean (+/-1.96) standard deviations, yielding 1.6-2.2 W m(-2) for SMII, and 25-34:1 for PKR. CONCLUSION The method clearly identified the two clinical groups with no overlap of data points. The discriminant power of SMII and PKR may offer valuable diagnostic methods and monitoring tools in anaesthesia and critical care. This is the first report of normal ranges for SMII and PKR.
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Affiliation(s)
- B E Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW 2795, Australia
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Rowland SJ, Jones D, Scarlett AG, West CE, Hin LP, Boberek M, Tonkin A, Smith BE, Whitby C. Synthesis and toxicity of some metabolites of the microbial degradation of synthetic naphthenic acids. Sci Total Environ 2011; 409:2936-2941. [PMID: 21546061 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2011] [Revised: 04/05/2011] [Accepted: 04/07/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Some ill-defined carboxylic acids, termed 'naphthenic acids' (NA), are best known as important constituents of the >720billionlitres of process-affected water associated with the expanding oil sands industries. Other NA are components of some immature and biodegraded crude oils and these may enter the environment via produced water discharges from oil production platforms. Yet others are used as biocides and in the manufacture of steel radial tyres and these may also enter the environment through disposal and/or weathering. The environmental fate of NA, including the mechanisms of biodegradation, therefore needs to be better understood. In order to better elucidate such mechanisms, previously we studied the biodegradation in the laboratory of some alkylcyclohexylbutanoic synthetic NA. However, we could only tentatively identify the metabolites produced. In the present study we report the synthesis and characterisation of six alkylcyclohexylethanoic NA. Each was characterised by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS; trimethylsilyl esters) and we show by co-chromatography that these were indeed the metabolites. Also, a preferential degradation of the trans- isomers was revealed. Assessment of the toxicity of the synthetic NA (Microtox assay), revealed that the relative toxicity of the alkylcyclohexylbutanoic acids was reduced by biotransformation to the alkylcyclohexylethanoic acids, as observed recently for the corresponding aromatic acids. Very recent studies have shown that at least one commercial NA mixture contains cyclohexylbutanoic and alkylcyclohexylethanoic acids, suggesting that the biotransformation of the acids studied herein may be quite relevant to the environmental fate of such acids. A similar study of the acid extractables of one oil sands process-affected water sample suggests that the synthetic acids may be less good 'models' for oil sands NA. The consortia of microbes present in oil sands process-affected water may also be different to those used herein. However, the heterogeneity of oil sands process water is well-known and further detailed studies will need to be made in order to establish whether degradation of oil sands NA proceeds by beta oxidation as observed for the acids herein, or whether the oil sands acids are more resistant to bioremediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Rowland
- Petroleum & Environmental Geochemistry Group, Biogeochemistry Research Centre, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL48AA, UK.
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Glenzer SH, MacGowan BJ, Meezan NB, Adams PA, Alfonso JB, Alger ET, Alherz Z, Alvarez LF, Alvarez SS, Amick PV, Andersson KS, Andrews SD, Antonini GJ, Arnold PA, Atkinson DP, Auyang L, Azevedo SG, Balaoing BNM, Baltz JA, Barbosa F, Bardsley GW, Barker DA, Barnes AI, Baron A, Beeler RG, Beeman BV, Belk LR, Bell JC, Bell PM, Berger RL, Bergonia MA, Bernardez LJ, Berzins LV, Bettenhausen RC, Bezerides L, Bhandarkar SD, Bishop CL, Bond EJ, Bopp DR, Borgman JA, Bower JR, Bowers GA, Bowers MW, Boyle DT, Bradley DK, Bragg JL, Braucht J, Brinkerhoff DL, Browning DF, Brunton GK, Burkhart SC, Burns SR, Burns KE, Burr B, Burrows LM, Butlin RK, Cahayag NJ, Callahan DA, Cardinale PS, Carey RW, Carlson JW, Casey AD, Castro C, Celeste JR, Chakicherla AY, Chambers FW, Chan C, Chandrasekaran H, Chang C, Chapman RF, Charron K, Chen Y, Christensen MJ, Churby AJ, Clancy TJ, Cline BD, Clowdus LC, Cocherell DG, Coffield FE, Cohen SJ, Costa RL, Cox JR, Curnow GM, Dailey MJ, Danforth PM, Darbee R, Datte PS, Davis JA, Deis GA, Demaret RD, Dewald EL, Di Nicola P, Di Nicola JM, Divol L, Dixit S, Dobson DB, Doppner T, Driscoll JD, Dugorepec J, Duncan JJ, Dupuy PC, Dzenitis EG, Eckart MJ, Edson SL, Edwards GJ, Edwards MJ, Edwards OD, Edwards PW, Ellefson JC, Ellerbee CH, Erbert GV, Estes CM, Fabyan WJ, Fallejo RN, Fedorov M, Felker B, Fink JT, Finney MD, Finnie LF, Fischer MJ, Fisher JM, Fishler BT, Florio JW, Forsman A, Foxworthy CB, Franks RM, Frazier T, Frieder G, Fung T, Gawinski GN, Gibson CR, Giraldez E, Glenn SM, Golick BP, Gonzales H, Gonzales SA, Gonzalez MJ, Griffin KL, Grippen J, Gross SM, Gschweng PH, Gururangan G, Gu K, Haan SW, Hahn SR, Haid BJ, Hamblen JE, Hammel BA, Hamza AV, Hardy DL, Hart DR, Hartley RG, Haynam CA, Heestand GM, Hermann MR, Hermes GL, Hey DS, Hibbard RL, Hicks DG, Hinkel DE, Hipple DL, Hitchcock JD, Hodtwalker DL, Holder JP, Hollis JD, Holtmeier GM, Huber SR, Huey AW, Hulsey DN, Hunter SL, Huppler TR, Hutton MS, Izumi N, Jackson JL, Jackson MA, Jancaitis KS, Jedlovec DR, Johnson B, Johnson MC, Johnson T, Johnston MP, Jones OS, Kalantar DH, Kamperschroer JH, Kauffman RL, Keating GA, Kegelmeyer LM, Kenitzer SL, Kimbrough JR, King K, Kirkwood RK, Klingmann JL, Knittel KM, Kohut TR, Koka KG, Kramer SW, Krammen JE, Krauter KG, Krauter GW, Krieger EK, Kroll JJ, La Fortune KN, Lagin LJ, Lakamsani VK, Landen OL, Lane SW, Langdon AB, Langer SH, Lao N, Larson DW, Latray D, Lau GT, Le Pape S, Lechleiter BL, Lee Y, Lee TL, Li J, Liebman JA, Lindl JD, Locke SF, Loey HK, London RA, Lopez FJ, Lord DM, Lowe-Webb RR, Lown JG, Ludwigsen AP, Lum NW, Lyons RR, Ma T, MacKinnon AJ, Magat MD, Maloy DT, Malsbury TN, Markham G, Marquez RM, Marsh AA, Marshall CD, Marshall SR, Maslennikov IL, Mathisen DG, Mauger GJ, Mauvais MY, McBride JA, McCarville T, McCloud JB, McGrew A, McHale B, MacPhee AG, Meeker JF, Merill JS, Mertens EP, Michel PA, Miller MG, Mills T, Milovich JL, Miramontes R, Montesanti RC, Montoya MM, Moody J, Moody JD, Moreno KA, Morris J, Morriston KM, Nelson JR, Neto M, Neumann JD, Ng E, Ngo QM, Olejniczak BL, Olson RE, Orsi NL, Owens MW, Padilla EH, Pannell TM, Parham TG, Patterson RW, Pavel G, Prasad RR, Pendlton D, Penko FA, Pepmeier BL, Petersen DE, Phillips TW, Pigg D, Piston KW, Pletcher KD, Powell CL, Radousky HB, Raimondi BS, Ralph JE, Rampke RL, Reed RK, Reid WA, Rekow VV, Reynolds JL, Rhodes JJ, Richardson MJ, Rinnert RJ, Riordan BP, Rivenes AS, Rivera AT, Roberts CJ, Robinson JA, Robinson RB, Robison SR, Rodriguez OR, Rogers SP, Rosen MD, Ross GF, Runkel M, Runtal AS, Sacks RA, Sailors SF, Salmon JT, Salmonson JD, Saunders RL, Schaffer JR, Schindler TM, Schmitt MJ, Schneider MB, Segraves KS, Shaw MJ, Sheldrick ME, Shelton RT, Shiflett MK, Shiromizu SJ, Shor M, Silva LL, Silva SA, Skulina KM, Smauley DA, Smith BE, Smith LK, Solomon AL, Sommer S, Soto JG, Spafford NI, Speck DE, Springer PT, Stadermann M, Stanley F, Stone TG, Stout EA, Stratton PL, Strausser RJ, Suter LJ, Sweet W, Swisher MF, Tappero JD, Tassano JB, Taylor JS, Tekle EA, Thai C, Thomas CA, Thomas A, Throop AL, Tietbohl GL, Tillman JM, Town RPJ, Townsend SL, Tribbey KL, Trummer D, Truong J, Vaher J, Valadez M, Van Arsdall P, Van Prooyen AJ, Vergel de Dios EO, Vergino MD, Vernon SP, Vickers JL, Villanueva GT, Vitalich MA, Vonhof SA, Wade FE, Wallace RJ, Warren CT, Warrick AL, Watkins J, Weaver S, Wegner PJ, Weingart MA, Wen J, White KS, Whitman PK, Widmann K, Widmayer CC, Wilhelmsen K, Williams EA, Williams WH, Willis L, Wilson EF, Wilson BA, Witte MC, Work K, Yang PS, Young BK, Youngblood KP, Zacharias RA, Zaleski T, Zapata PG, Zhang H, Zielinski JS, Kline JL, Kyrala GA, Niemann C, Kilkenny JD, Nikroo A, Van Wonterghem BM, Atherton LJ, Moses EI. Demonstration of ignition radiation temperatures in indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion hohlraums. Phys Rev Lett 2011; 106:085004. [PMID: 21405580 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.106.085004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate the hohlraum radiation temperature and symmetry required for ignition-scale inertial confinement fusion capsule implosions. Cryogenic gas-filled hohlraums with 2.2 mm-diameter capsules are heated with unprecedented laser energies of 1.2 MJ delivered by 192 ultraviolet laser beams on the National Ignition Facility. Laser backscatter measurements show that these hohlraums absorb 87% to 91% of the incident laser power resulting in peak radiation temperatures of T(RAD)=300 eV and a symmetric implosion to a 100 μm diameter hot core.
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Affiliation(s)
- S H Glenzer
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
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Bundy A, Link JS, Smith BE, Cook AM. You are what you eat, whenever or wherever you eat it: an integrative analysis of fish food habits in Canadian and U.S.A. waters. J Fish Biol 2011; 78:514-539. [PMID: 21284632 DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02868.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The degree to which fish diet differs by season and area, particularly over broad scales, was examined for the first time in temperate, contiguous north-west Atlantic Ocean waters by comparing food habit data for 10 species of fishes collected concurrently during the spring and autumn surveys in the U.S.A. (Gulf of Maine proper and Georges Bank) and in the summer survey in Canada (western Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy). For most species, there was a general concurrence among the three seasons and four areas: summer diets had the same dominant prey items as spring and autumn diets. Although a suite of multivariate analyses did elucidate some differences in specific proportions of the diet for these species across seasons and areas, the main prey did not substantially change for most of these species. These results suggest that there are (1) minimal differences in diet across season for these species at these taxonomic resolutions, (2) there are minimal differences in diet geographically for these species and (3) differences across species, as expected, are important. Many fisheries ecosystem and multispecies models are dependent on food habit data, where resolving seasonal and spatial differences in diet remains an important consideration; however, the present work implies that amalgamated estimates of diet from seasonal surveys may be a reasonable approach when no finer seasonal resolution exists, as long as due diligence is exercised.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bundy
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Death certificates are an invaluable source of statistical and medical information, as well as important legal documents. However, few physicians receive formal training on how to accurately complete them. PURPOSE To determine if a simple intervention can improve the accuracy of death certificate completion by medical students. METHODS Participants included all third year medical students undergoing their core Internal Medicine rotation at Mercer University School of Medicine at the Medical Center of Central Georgia. Participation was voluntary and participants completed an approved informed consent. Students were presented a tutorial from the National Association of Medical Examiners website. They were asked to complete a death certificate both before and after the tutorial along with subjective questionnaires. The primary outcome measurement was the difference in scores pre- and post-tutorial. RESULTS The mean score before the tutorial was 11.75 (+/-3.20) and the mean score post-tutorial was 18.85 (+/-2.56), indicating an increase in scores. The mean difference in pre- and post-tutorial scores was significant (t = 20.39, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS We found that using a tutorial to teach students how to correctly complete a death certificate was effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adil T Degani
- Department of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA.
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Goodman BP, Bosch EP, Ross MA, Hoffman-Snyder C, Dodick DD, Smith BE. Clinical and electrodiagnostic findings in copper deficiency myeloneuropathy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2009; 80:524-7. [PMID: 18495738 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.2008.144683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Copper deficiency is an increasingly recognised cause of neurological impairment. This retrospective review highlights clinical and electrodiagnostic findings in patients diagnosed at our institution with copper deficiency. METHODS Clinical, radiographic and electrodiagnostic findings were reviewed in patients with evidence of copper deficiency. Patients with other potential causes of myelopathy or neuropathy were excluded. RESULTS The predominant clinical feature in all six patients was a sensory ataxia, resulting in marked gait unsteadiness. Nerve conduction studies and needle EMG were performed in all patients and revealed a mild to moderate distal, axonal, sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy. Median and tibial somatosensory evoked potentials were abnormal in all five patients in which it was performed, showing impaired conduction in central or proximal peripheral somatosensory pathways. CONCLUSIONS This pattern of electrodiagnostic findings suggests that impairment in somatosensory pathways demonstrated by somatosensory evoked potential testing is the main cause of the sensory ataxia in patients with copper deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- B P Goodman
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA.
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Smith BE, Rowland SJ. A derivatisation and liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation multistage mass spectrometry method for the characterisation of naphthenic acids. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 2008; 22:3909-3927. [PMID: 18988206 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.3806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Naphthenic acids (NAs) are partially uncharacterised complex mixtures of carboxylic acids, resulting from the microbial oxidation of petroleum hydrocarbons. They are associated with the fouling of pipelines and process equipment in oil production and with corrosion in oil refineries. As by-products of the rapidly expanding oil (tar) sands industries, NAs are also pollutants and have proved to be toxic to a range of organisms. They also have important beneficial uses as fungicides, tyre additives and, paradoxically, also in the manufacture of corrosion inhibitors. These features make the characterisation of NAs an important goal for analytical chemists. Here we describe the synthesis of amide derivatives of NAs for characterisation by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation multistage mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS(n)). The method was applied to commercially available carboxylic acids, novel synthetic NAs, commercial NAs refined from crude oils, crude oil NAs and Athabasca oil sands NAs. In addition to confirming the number of alicyclic rings and length of alkyl side chain substituents (confirming information from existing methods), the MS(n) results provided further structural information. Most important of these was the finding that bi- to polycyclic acids containing ethanoate side chains, in addition to alkyl substituents, were widespread amongst the oil and oil sands NAs. The latter NAs are known end members of the beta-oxidation of NAs with even carbon number alkanoate chains. Since such NA mixtures are toxic, they should be targets for bioremediation. Bioremediation of NAs can also be monitored better by application of the methods described herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- B E Smith
- School of Earth, Ocean & Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
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Abraham J, Abreu P, Aglietta M, Aguirre C, Allard D, Allekotte I, Allen J, Allison P, Alvarez-Muñiz J, Ambrosio M, Anchordoqui L, Andringa S, Anzalone A, Aramo C, Argirò S, Arisaka K, Armengaud E, Arneodo F, Arqueros F, Asch T, Asorey H, Assis P, Atulugama BS, Aublin J, Ave M, Avila G, Bäcker T, Badagnani D, Barbosa AF, Barnhill D, Barroso SLC, Baughman B, Bauleo P, Beatty JJ, Beau T, Becker BR, Becker KH, Bellido JA, Benzvi S, Berat C, Bergmann T, Bernardini P, Bertou X, Biermann PL, Billoir P, Blanch-Bigas O, Blanco F, Blasi P, Bleve C, Blümer H, Bohácová M, Bonifazi C, Bonino R, Brack J, Brogueira P, Brown WC, Buchholz P, Bueno A, Burton RE, Busca NG, Caballero-Mora KS, Cai B, Camin DV, Caramete L, Caruso R, Carvalho W, Castellina A, Catalano O, Cataldi G, Cazon L, Cester R, Chauvin J, Chiavassa A, Chinellato JA, Chou A, Chudoba J, Chye J, Clark PDJ, Clay RW, Colombo E, Conceição R, Connolly B, Contreras F, Coppens J, Cordier A, Cotti U, Coutu S, Covault CE, Creusot A, Criss A, Cronin J, Curutiu A, Dagoret-Campagne S, Daumiller K, Dawson BR, de Almeida RM, De Donato C, de Jong SJ, De La Vega G, Junior WJMDM, Neto JRTDM, De Mitri I, de Souza V, Del Peral L, Deligny O, Della Selva A, Fratte CD, Dembinski H, Di Giulio C, Diaz JC, Diep PN, Dobrigkeit C, D'Olivo JC, Dong PN, Dornic D, Dorofeev A, Dos Anjos JC, Dova MT, D'Urso D, Dutan I, Duvernois MA, Engel R, Epele L, Erdmann M, Escobar CO, Etchegoyen A, Luis PFS, Falcke H, Farrar G, Fauth AC, Fazzini N, Ferrer F, Ferrero A, Fick B, Filevich A, Filipcic A, Fleck I, Fracchiolla CE, Fulgione W, García B, Gámez DG, Garcia-Pinto D, Garrido X, Geenen H, Gelmini G, Gemmeke H, Ghia PL, Giller M, Glass H, Gold MS, Golup G, Albarracin FG, Berisso MG, Gonçalves P, do Amaral MG, Gonzalez D, Gonzalez JG, González M, Góra D, Gorgi A, Gouffon P, Grassi V, Grillo AF, Grunfeld C, Guardincerri Y, Guarino F, Guedes GP, Gutiérrez J, Hague JD, Halenka V, Hamilton JC, Hansen P, Harari D, Harmsma S, Harton JL, Haungs A, Hauschildt T, Healy MD, Hebbeker T, Hebrero G, Heck D, Hojvat C, Holmes VC, Homola P, Hörandel JR, Horneffer A, Hrabovský M, Huege T, Hussain M, Iarlori M, Insolia A, Ionita F, Italiano A, Kaducak M, Kampert KH, Karova T, Kasper P, Kégl B, Keilhauer B, Kemp E, Kieckhafer RM, Klages HO, Kleifges M, Kleinfeller J, Knapik R, Knapp J, Koang DH, Krieger A, Krömer O, Kuempel D, Kunka N, Kusenko A, La Rosa G, Lachaud C, Lago BL, Lebrun D, Lebrun P, Lee J, de Oliveira MAL, Letessier-Selvon A, Leuthold M, Lhenry-Yvon I, López R, Agüera AL, Bahilo JL, Lucero A, García RL, Maccarone MC, Macolino C, Maldera S, Mancarella G, Manceñido ME, Mandat D, Mantsch P, Mariazzi AG, Maris IC, Falcon HRM, Martello D, Martínez J, Bravo OM, Mathes HJ, Matthews J, Matthews JAJ, Matthiae G, Maurizio D, Mazur PO, McCauley T, McEwen M, McNeil RR, Medina MC, Medina-Tanco G, Melo D, Menichetti E, Menschikov A, Meurer C, Meyhandan R, Micheletti MI, Miele G, Miller W, Mollerach S, Monasor M, Ragaigne DM, Montanet F, Morales B, Morello C, Moreno JC, Morris C, Mostafá M, Muller MA, Mussa R, Navarra G, Navarro JL, Navas S, Necesal P, Nellen L, Newman-Holmes C, Newton D, Nhung PT, Nierstenhoefer N, Nitz D, Nosek D, Nozka L, Oehlschläger J, Ohnuki T, Olinto A, Olmos-Gilbaja VM, Ortiz M, Ortolani F, Ostapchenko S, Otero L, Pacheco N, Selmi-Dei DP, Palatka M, Pallotta J, Parente G, Parizot E, Parlati S, Pastor S, Patel M, Paul T, Pavlidou V, Payet K, Pech M, Pekala J, Pelayo R, Pepe IM, Perrone L, Pesce R, Petrera S, Petrinca P, Petrov Y, Pichel A, Piegaia R, Pierog T, Pimenta M, Pinto T, Pirronello V, Pisanti O, Platino M, Pochon J, Privitera P, Prouza M, Quel EJ, Rautenberg J, Redondo A, Reucroft S, Revenu B, Rezende FAS, Ridky J, Riggi S, Risse M, Rivière C, Rizi V, Roberts M, Robledo C, Rodriguez G, Martino JR, Rojo JR, Rodriguez-Cabo I, Rodríguez-Frías MD, Ros G, Rosado J, Roth M, Rouillé-d'Orfeuil B, Roulet E, Rovero AC, Salamida F, Salazar H, Salina G, Sánchez F, Santander M, Santo CE, Santos EM, Sarazin F, Sarkar S, Sato R, Scherini V, Schieler H, Schmidt A, Schmidt F, Schmidt T, Scholten O, Schovánek P, Schroeder F, Schulte S, Schüssler F, Sciutto SJ, Scuderi M, Segreto A, Semikoz D, Settimo M, Shellard RC, Sidelnik I, Siffert BB, Sigl G, Grande NSD, Smiałkowski A, Smída R, Smith AGK, Smith BE, Snow GR, Sokolsky P, Sommers P, Sorokin J, Spinka H, Squartini R, Strazzeri E, Stutz A, Suarez F, Suomijärvi T, Supanitsky AD, Sutherland MS, Swain J, Szadkowski Z, Takahashi J, Tamashiro A, Tamburro A, Tarutina T, Taşcău O, Tcaciuc R, Thao NT, Thomas D, Ticona R, Tiffenberg J, Timmermans C, Tkaczyk W, Peixoto CJT, Tomé B, Tonachini A, Torres I, Travnicek P, Tripathi A, Tristram G, Tscherniakhovski D, Tuci V, Tueros M, Tunnicliffe V, Ulrich R, Unger M, Urban M, Galicia JFV, Valiño I, Valore L, van den Berg AM, van Elewyck V, Vázquez RA, Veberic D, Veiga A, Velarde A, Venters T, Verzi V, Videla M, Villaseñor L, Vorobiov S, Voyvodic L, Wahlberg H, Wahrlich P, Wainberg O, Walker P, Warner D, Watson AA, Westerhoff S, Wieczorek G, Wiencke L, Wilczyńska B, Wilczyński H, Wileman C, Winnick MG, Wu H, Wundheiler B, Yamamoto T, Younk P, Zas E, Zavrtanik D, Zavrtanik M, Zaw I, Zepeda A, Ziolkowski M. Observation of the suppression of the flux of cosmic rays above 4 x 10 (19) eV. Phys Rev Lett 2008; 101:061101. [PMID: 18764444 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.101.061101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The energy spectrum of cosmic rays above 2.5 x 10;{18} eV, derived from 20,000 events recorded at the Pierre Auger Observatory, is described. The spectral index gamma of the particle flux, J proportional, variantE;{-gamma}, at energies between 4 x 10;{18} eV and 4 x 10;{19} eV is 2.69+/-0.02(stat)+/-0.06(syst), steepening to 4.2+/-0.4(stat)+/-0.06(syst) at higher energies. The hypothesis of a single power law is rejected with a significance greater than 6 standard deviations. The data are consistent with the prediction by Greisen and by Zatsepin and Kuz'min.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Abraham
- Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, FR-Mendoza, Argentina
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Abraham J, Abreu P, Aglietta M, Aguirre C, Allard D, Allekotte I, Allen J, Allison P, Alvarez-Muñiz J, Ambrosio M, Anchordoqui L, Andringa S, Anzalone A, Aramo C, Argirò S, Arisaka K, Armengaud E, Arneodo F, Arqueros F, Asch T, Asorey H, Assis P, Atulugama BS, Aublin J, Ave M, Avila G, Bäcker T, Badagnani D, Barbosa AF, Barnhill D, Barroso SLC, Bauleo P, Beatty JJ, Beau T, Becker BR, Becker KH, Bellido JA, BenZvi S, Berat C, Bergmann T, Bernardini P, Bertou X, Biermann PL, Billoir P, Blanch-Bigas O, Blanco F, Blasi P, Bleve C, Blümer H, Bohácová M, Bonifazi C, Bonino R, Boratav M, Brack J, Brogueira P, Brown WC, Buchholz P, Bueno A, Burton RE, Busca NG, Caballero-Mora KS, Cai B, Camin DV, Caramete L, Caruso R, Carvalho W, Castellina A, Catalano O, Cataldi G, Cazon L, Cester R, Chauvin J, Chiavassa A, Chinellato JA, Chou A, Chye J, Clark PDJ, Clay RW, Colombo E, Conceição R, Connolly B, Contreras F, Coppens J, Cordier A, Cotti U, Coutu S, Covault CE, Creusot A, Criss A, Cronin J, Curutiu A, Dagoret-Campagne S, Daumiller K, Dawson BR, de Almeida RM, De Donato C, de Jong SJ, De La Vega G, de Mello Junior WJM, de Mello Neto JRT, DeMitri I, de Souza V, del Peral L, Deligny O, Della Selva A, Delle Fratte C, Dembinski H, Di Giulio C, Diaz JC, Dobrigkeit C, D'Olivo JC, Dornic D, Dorofeev A, dos Anjos JC, Dova MT, D'Urso D, Dutan I, DuVernois MA, Engel R, Epele L, Erdmann M, Escobar CO, Etchegoyen A, Facal San Luis P, Falcke H, Farrar G, Fauth AC, Fazzini N, Ferrer F, Ferry S, Fick B, Filevich A, Filipcic A, Fleck I, Fonte R, Fracchiolla CE, Fulgione W, García B, García Gámez D, Garcia-Pinto D, Garrido X, Geenen H, Gelmini G, Gemmeke H, Ghia PL, Giller M, Glass H, Gold MS, Golup G, Gomez Albarracin F, Gómez Berisso M, Gómez Herrero R, Gonçalves P, Gonçalves do Amaral M, Gonzalez D, Gonzalez JG, González M, Góra D, Gorgi A, Gouffon P, Grassi V, Grillo AF, Grunfeld C, Guardincerri Y, Guarino F, Guedes GP, Gutiérrez J, Hague JD, Hamilton JC, Hansen P, Harari D, Harmsma S, Harton JL, Haungs A, Hauschildt T, Healy MD, Hebbeker T, Hebrero G, Heck D, Hojvat C, Holmes VC, Homola P, Hörandel J, Horneffer A, Horvat M, Hrabovský M, Huege T, Hussain M, Iarlori M, Insolia A, Ionita F, Italiano A, Kaducak M, Kampert KH, Karova T, Kégl B, Keilhauer B, Kemp E, Kieckhafer RM, Klages HO, Kleifges M, Kleinfeller J, Knapik R, Knapp J, Koang DH, Krieger A, Krömer O, Kuempel D, Kunka N, Kusenko A, La Rosa G, Lachaud C, Lago BL, Lebrun D, Lebrun P, Lee J, Leigui de Oliveira MA, Letessier-Selvon A, Leuthold M, Lhenry-Yvon I, López R, Lopez Agüera A, Lozano Bahilo J, Luna García R, Maccarone MC, Macolino C, Maldera S, Mancarella G, Manceñido ME, Mandat D, Mantsch P, Mariazzi AG, Maris IC, Marquez Falcon HR, Martello D, Martínez J, Martínez Bravo O, Mathes HJ, Matthews J, Matthews JAJ, Matthiae G, Maurizio D, Mazur PO, McCauley T, McEwen M, McNeil RR, Medina MC, Medina-Tanco G, Meli A, Melo D, Menichetti E, Menschikov A, Meurer C, Meyhandan R, Micheletti MI, Miele G, Miller W, Mollerach S, Monasor M, Monnier Ragaigne D, Montanet F, Morales B, Morello C, Moreno JC, Morris C, Mostafá M, Muller MA, Mussa R, Navarra G, Navarro JL, Navas S, Necesal P, Nellen L, Newman-Holmes C, Newton D, Nguyen Thi T, Nierstenhoefer N, Nitz D, Nosek D, Nozka L, Oehlschläger J, Ohnuki T, Olinto A, Olmos-Gilbaja VM, Ortiz M, Ortolani F, Ostapchenko S, Otero L, Pacheco N, Pakk Selmi-Dei D, Palatka M, Pallotta J, Parente G, Parizot E, Parlati S, Pastor S, Patel M, Paul T, Pavlidou V, Payet K, Pech M, Pekala J, Pelayo R, Pepe IM, Perrone L, Petrera S, Petrinca P, Petrov Y, Pham Ngoc D, Pham Ngoc D, Pham Thi TN, Pichel A, Piegaia R, Pierog T, Pimenta M, Pinto T, Pirronello V, Pisanti O, Platino M, Pochon J, Privitera P, Prouza M, Quel EJ, Rautenberg J, Redondo A, Reucroft S, Revenu B, Rezende FAS, Ridky J, Riggi S, Risse M, Rivière C, Rizi V, Roberts M, Robledo C, Rodriguez G, Rodríguez Frías D, Rodriguez Martino J, Rodriguez Rojo J, Rodriguez-Cabo I, Ros G, Rosado J, Roth M, Rouillé-d'Orfeuil B, Roulet E, Rovero AC, Salamida F, Salazar H, Salina G, Sánchez F, Santander M, Santo CE, Santos EM, Sarazin F, Sarkar S, Sato R, Scherini V, Schieler H, Schmidt A, Schmidt F, Schmidt T, Scholten O, Schovánek P, Schüssler F, Sciutto SJ, Scuderi M, Segreto A, Semikoz D, Settimo M, Shellard RC, Sidelnik I, Siffert BB, Sigl G, Smetniansky De Grande N, Smiałkowski A, Smída R, Smith AGK, Smith BE, Snow GR, Sokolsky P, Sommers P, Sorokin J, Spinka H, Squartini R, Strazzeri E, Stutz A, Suarez F, Suomijärvi T, Supanitsky AD, Sutherland MS, Swain J, Szadkowski Z, Takahashi J, Tamashiro A, Tamburro A, Taşcău O, Tcaciuc R, Thomas D, Ticona R, Tiffenberg J, Timmermans C, Tkaczyk W, Todero Peixoto CJ, Tomé B, Tonachini A, Torres I, Torresi D, Travnicek P, Tripathi A, Tristram G, Tscherniakhovski D, Tueros M, Tunnicliffe V, Ulrich R, Unger M, Urban M, Valdés Galicia JF, Valiño I, Valore L, van den Berg AM, van Elewyck V, Vázquez RA, Veberic D, Veiga A, Velarde A, Venters T, Verzi V, Videla M, Villaseñor L, Vorobiov S, Voyvodic L, Wahlberg H, Wainberg O, Walker P, Warner D, Watson AA, Westerhoff S, Wieczorek G, Wiencke L, Wilczyńska B, Wilczyński H, Wileman C, Winnick MG, Wu H, Wundheiler B, Yamamoto T, Younk P, Zas E, Zavrtanik D, Zavrtanik M, Zech A, Zepeda A, Ziolkowski M. Upper limit on the diffuse flux of ultrahigh energy tau neutrinos from the Pierre Auger Observatory. Phys Rev Lett 2008; 100:211101. [PMID: 18518595 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.100.211101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2007] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The surface detector array of the Pierre Auger Observatory is sensitive to Earth-skimming tau neutrinos that interact in Earth's crust. Tau leptons from nu(tau) charged-current interactions can emerge and decay in the atmosphere to produce a nearly horizontal shower with a significant electromagnetic component. The data collected between 1 January 2004 and 31 August 2007 are used to place an upper limit on the diffuse flux of nu(tau) at EeV energies. Assuming an E(nu)(-2) differential energy spectrum the limit set at 90% C.L. is E(nu)(2)dN(nu)(tau)/dE(nu)<1.3 x 10(-7) GeV cm(-2) s(-1) sr(-1) in the energy range 2 x 10(17) eV< E(nu)< 2 x 10(19) eV.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Abraham
- Centro de Investigaciones en Laseres y Aplicaciones, CITEFA and CONICET, Argentina
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Julka K, Smith BE, Paris DC, Patel RM, Dane FC. DAILY, MONTHLY AND SEASONAL VARIATION OF IN-HOSPITAL RESUSCITATION FREQUENCY AND OUTCOME. Chest 2007. [DOI: 10.1378/chest.132.4_meetingabstracts.543c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
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Jones-Crawford JL, Parish DC, Smith BE, Dane FC. Resuscitation in the hospital: circadian variation of cardiopulmonary arrest. Am J Med 2007; 120:158-64. [PMID: 17275457 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2006.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2005] [Revised: 05/26/2006] [Accepted: 06/08/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Over 25 reports have found outpatient frequency of sudden cardiac death peaks between 6 am and noon; few studies, with inconsistent results, have examined circadian variation of death in hospitalized patients. This study assesses circadian variation in cardiopulmonary arrest of in-hospital patients across patient, hospital, and event variables and its effect on survival to discharge. METHODS A retrospective, single institution registry included all admissions to the Medical Center of Central Georgia in which resuscitation was attempted between January 1987 and December 2000. The registry included 4692 admissions; only the first attempt was reported. Analyses of 1-, 2-, 4-, and 8-hour intervals were performed; 1- and 4-hour intervals are presented. RESULTS Significant circadian variation was found at 1 hour (P=.01), but not at 4-hour intervals. Significant circadian variation was found for initial rhythms that were perfusing (P=.03) and asystole (P=.01). A significantly higher percentage of unwitnessed events were found as asystole during the overnight hours (P=.002). Using simple logistic regression, time in 4-hour intervals and rhythm were each significantly related to patient survival until hospital discharge (P=.003 and P <.0001). In multivariate analysis, only rhythm remained significant. CONCLUSIONS Circadian variation of cardiopulmonary arrest in this hospital has several temporal versions and is related to survival. Late night variation in witnessed events and rhythm suggests a delay between onset of clinical death and discovery, which contributes to poorer outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Jones-Crawford
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine/Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon, Ga, USA
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Fountas KN, Kapsalaki EZ, Smith BE, Nikolakakos LG, Richardson CH, Smisson HF, Robinson JS, Parish DC. Interobservational variation in determining fusion rates in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion procedures. Eur Spine J 2007; 16:39-45. [PMID: 16799781 PMCID: PMC2198888 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-006-0116-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2005] [Revised: 02/07/2006] [Accepted: 03/16/2006] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The fusion rate represents one of the most commonly used criteria for evaluating the efficacy of spinal surgical techniques and the effectiveness of newly developed instrumentation and spinal implants. Reported fusion rates are not frequently supported by adequate information regarding by whom and how fusion was defined. In our prospective study we examined the fusion rate in patients undergoing first time anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for degenerative disease. Separate, well-defined radiographic fusion criteria were used and the 12-month post-operative X-rays were reviewed independently by a neurosurgeon, a neuroradiologist and an orthopedic surgeon, who were not involved in the patients' management. The observed fusion rates were 77.3, 87.8 and 84.7% respectively. Statistical analysis demonstrated concordance rates of 87.8, 91 and 91.4% and Kappa coefficients of 0.585, 0.620 and 0.723 for each pair of evaluators. Another set of ratings of the same radiographs, by the same interviewers, was obtained 6 weeks after the initial one. The reported fusion rates were 78.2% for the neurosurgeon, 87.4% for the orthopedic surgeon, and 86.1% for the neuroradiologist. Statistical analysis demonstrated intra-observer concordance rates of 98.7, 92.2 and 97.9% respectively, while the Kappa coefficients were 0.963, 0.677 and 0.907 for each reviewer. Our findings confirm the necessity of defining and describing criteria for fusion whenever this rate is reported in clinical series. The lack of widely accepted, well-defined criteria makes comparison of these results difficult. The development of a well organized, prospective clinical study in which fusion and outcome will be assessed by both clinical and radiographic parameters could significantly contribute to a more accurate evaluation of overall outcome of cervical spinal procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kostas N Fountas
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Medical Center of Central Georgia, Mercer University, School of Medicine, 840 Pine St. Ste. 880, Macon, GA 31201, USA.
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Goodman BP, Chong BW, Patel AC, Fletcher GP, Smith BE. Copper deficiency myeloneuropathy resembling B12 deficiency: partial resolution of MR imaging findings with copper supplementation. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2006; 27:2112-4. [PMID: 17110677 PMCID: PMC7977229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Copper deficiency has been associated with a clinical syndrome, myeloneuropathy. Radiographic changes resembling B(12) deficiency in the cervical spinal cord have been described. We present a case of copper deficiency myeloneuropathy, with cervical MR imaging findings resembling B(12) deficiency, which partially reversed following copper supplementation. This is, to our knowledge, the first described case of radiographic improvement with copper supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- B P Goodman
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA.
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Grocott HP, Sato Y, Homi HM, Smith BE. The influence of xenon, nitrous oxide and nitrogen on gas bubble expansion during cardiopulmonary bypass. Eur J Anaesthesiol 2005; 22:353-8. [PMID: 15918383 DOI: 10.1017/s0265021505000608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Xenon may have favourable applications in the setting of cardiac surgery. Its advantages include a desirable haemodynamic profile as well as potential cardiac and neuroprotective properties. However, its low solubility may lead to enhanced diffusion into enclosed gas spaces. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of xenon (Xe), nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitrogen (N2) on gas bubble size during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS Rats were randomized to receive 70% Xe, 26% oxygen (O2), 4% carbon dioxide (CO2) (xenon group); 70% N2O, 26% O2, 4% CO2 (nitrous oxide group) or 70% N2, 26% O2, 4% CO2 (nitrogen group) during 90 min of normothermic CPB. Small gas bubbles (300-500 microL; n = 12 per group) were injected into a bubble chamber on the venous side of the bypass circuit. After 10 min of equilibration, they were removed for volumetric analysis. RESULTS The increase in bubble size was 2 +/- 2% with nitrogen, 17 +/- 6% with xenon (P = 0.0192 vs. nitrogen) and 63 +/- 23% with nitrous oxide (P = 0.0001 vs. nitrogen). The nitrous oxide group had significantly increased bubble size compared to the xenon group (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS During CPB, xenon anaesthesia produced a small increase in gas bubble size compared to nitrogen. Nitrous oxide resulted in significantly larger bubbles compared to both nitrogen and xenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- H P Grocott
- Duke University Medical Center, Division of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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Dodd FE, Hasnain SS, Abraham ZH, Eady RR, Smith BE. Structures of a blue-copper nitrite reductase and its substrate-bound complex. Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr 2005; 53:406-18. [PMID: 15299906 DOI: 10.1107/s0907444997002667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Copper-containing nitrite reductases (NiR's) have been conveniently subdivided into blue and green NiR's which are thought to be redox partners of azurins and pseudo-azurins, respectively. Crystal structures of two green NiR's have recently been determined. Alcaligenes xylosoxidans has been shown to have a blue-copper nitrite reductase (AxNiR) and two azurins with 67% homology both of which donate electrons to it effectively. The first crystal structure of a blue NiR (AxNiR) in its oxidized and nitrite-bound forms, with particular emphasis to the Cu sites, is presented. The Cu-Smet distance is the same as those in the green NiR's. Thus, the length of this interaction is unlikely to be responsible for differences in colour. Crystallographic data presented here taken together with structural data of other single Cu type-1 proteins and their mutants suggest that the displacement of Cu from the strong ligand plane is perhaps the cause for the differences in colour observed for otherwise 'classical' blue Cu centre. Nitrite is observed binding to the catalytic Cu in a bidentate fashion displacing the water molecule, offering a neat rationalization for the XAFS observation that the type-2 Cu-ligand distances increase on nitrite binding as a result of increased coordination. These results are discussed in terms of enzyme mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- F E Dodd
- Molecular Biophysics Group, Synchrotron Radiation Department, CCLRC Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington, England
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Touyz LZG, Lamontagne P, Smith BE. Pain and anxiety reduction using a manual stimulation distraction device when administering local analgesia oro-dental injections: a multi-center clinical investigation. J Clin Dent 2004; 15:88-92. [PMID: 15688965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was designed to assess the effects of a manual stimulating distraction device (Isoflex referred to as Manual Stimulation Distraction Device or MSDD) for reducing pain and anxiety experienced with standard dental local anesthetic injections. Additionally, the memory recall effects on injection pain and anxiety were also explored. METHODOLOGY Patients from different dental clinics were identified by their practitioners as requiring dental procedures under local anesthesia, in the same area on both sides of the mouth. A local anesthetic solution was injected on either the left or right side at different times by random selection; one side using MSDD, while the opposite side used a solution without MSDD. Each patient acted as his or her own symmetrical split-mouth control. The same dentist administered both injections, using identical technique and equipment for each side. Forty-six patients used the MSDD first with the injection, while 54 used MSDD second when they received the injection. Using 10-point visual analogue nominal and ordinal scales, pain and stress were recorded by the patient each time after receiving the injection. The results were pooled and subjected to statistical analysis. Student's paired t-test was employed to test for significant differences in pain and anxiety (stress) when injections were administered with and without MSDD. RESULTS Results showed significant reductions in perceived pain and stress from local analgesia injections (p < 0.001) when MSDD was used. There was no correlation of pain reduction with age, gender, upper or lower jaw, with or without MSDD. There was a trend for pain and stress to be scored higher for those subjects who had a lower period since the first injection (POFI) scores. This was attributed to recent memory of pain, as POFI scores over one week were significantly lower (p < 0.05). Stress reduction for POFI scores greater than one week proved to be non-significant (p = 0.099). CONCLUSION In this study, MSDD was effective at reducing pain and stress experienced with local regional analgesic injections.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Z G Touyz
- Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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Caviness JN, Smith BE, Clarke Stevens J, Adler CH, Caselli RJ, Hentz JG, Manfred MS, Muenter D. Motor unit number estimates in idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2002; 8:161-4. [PMID: 12039425 DOI: 10.1016/s1353-8020(01)00007-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We previously reported changes in motor unit morphology in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) using subjective and computerized quantitative electromyography. Now, we present data on motor unit number estimates (MUNE) to address the hypothesis of motor neuron dropout in PD. Twenty patients with PD and 20 age-matched control subjects were screened by clinical criteria and nerve conduction studies to exclude those with neuropathy. Motor unit number estimates in the extensor digitorum brevis and hypothenar group were assessed by three different MUNE techniques. The MUNE technique types included (1) the statistical method developed by Daube, (2) a threshold method, and (3) an F-wave method. The overall multivariate comparison for the six MUNE measurements was significantly lower for the patients than the controls (P=0.02). The only significant difference in the individual measures was found in the threshold MUNE method of the hypothenar group (P<0.05). These results are consistent with those of our previous work, and both support the hypothesis that mild motor neuron dropout occurs in idiopathic PD. However, MUNE methods characteristically have large standard deviations which make it difficult to detect small changes. Progress in decreasing the variance of MUNEs will facilitate their use in detecting small motor unit number changes in neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- J N Caviness
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, 13400 East Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA.
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Benz GW, Smith BE, Bullard SA. Kroeyerina deetsorum n. sp. (Copepoda: Kroyeriidae) from the olfactory sacs of Atlantic sharpnose sharks (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) captured in the Gulf of Mexico and northwestern Atlantic and first report of copepodids representing Kroyeriidae. J Parasitol 2001; 87:1279-90. [PMID: 11780811 DOI: 10.1645/0022-3395(2001)087[1279:kdnsck]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Kroeyerina deetsorum n. sp. (Copepoda: Kroyeriidae) is described from female and male specimens collected from the olfactory sacs of Atlantic sharpnose sharks, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae (Richardson, 1836), captured in the Gulf of Mexico and northwestern Atlantic. Kroeyerina deetsorum is easily distinguished from known congeners by the extremely small size of its adults (i.e., females about 1.2 mm total length and males about 1.0 mm total length). Kroeyerina deetsorum is also distinguished from its congeners by possessing a subquadrate rostrum without lobes or upturned horns. It is suspected that K. deetsorum belongs to a clade within Kroeyerina whose members only infect sharks. This report also provides first descriptions of a nauplius representing Kroeyerina and copepodids representing Kroyeriidae. The early-stage copepodid of K. deetsorum lacks a frontal organ and frontal filament and uses its chelate antennae to attach to its host.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W Benz
- Tennessee Aquarium and Southeast Aquatic Research Institute, Chattanooga 37401-2048, USA
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Smith BE. Too sick to work, too young to die. South Expos 2001; 12:19-29. [PMID: 11635996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
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Abstract
A survey was done of employees who were identified as frequent computer users. Although 29.6% of the employees reported hand paresthesias, only 27 employees (10.5%) met clinical criteria for carpal tunnel syndrome, and in 9 (3.5%) the syndrome was confirmed by nerve conduction studies. Affected and unaffected employees had similar occupations, years using a computer, and time using the computer during the day. The frequency of carpal tunnel syndrome in computer users is similar to that in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Stevens
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to describe changes in articulation and velopharyngeal function following maxillary distraction osteogenesis. DESIGN This is a descriptive, post hoc clinical report comparing the performance of patients before and after maxillary distraction. The independent variable was maxillary distraction while the dependent variables were resonance, articulation errors, and velopharyngeal function. SETTING The data were collected at a tertiary health care center in Chicago. PATIENTS The data from pre- and postoperative evaluations of 18 maxillary distraction patients were used. OUTCOME MEASURES The outcome measures were severity of hypernasality and hyponasality, velopharyngeal orifice size as estimated using the pressure-flow technique, and number and type of articulation errors. RESULTS At the long-term follow-up, 16.7% exhibited a significant increase in hypernasality. Seventy-five percent of patients with preoperative hyponasality experienced improved nasal resonance. Articulation improved in 67% of patients by the 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS In a predominately cleft palate population, the risk for velopharyngeal insufficiency following maxillary distraction is similar to the risk observed in Le Fort I maxillary advancement. Patients being considered for maxillary distraction surgery should receive pre- and postoperative speech evaluations and be counseled about risks for changes in their speech.
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Affiliation(s)
- T W Guyette
- Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-1881, USA.
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Guyette TW, Polley JW, Figueroa A, Botts J, Smith BE. Changes in speech following unilateral mandibular distraction osteogenesis in patients with hemifacial microsomia. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 2001; 38:179-84. [PMID: 11294546 DOI: 10.1597/1545-1569_2001_038_0179_cisfum_2.0.co_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to describe changes in articulation, resonance, and velopharyngeal function following mandibular distraction osteogenesis. DESIGN This is a descriptive, post hoc study comparing the performance of patients on measures of articulation, resonance, and velopharyngeal function before and after mandibular distraction. SETTING The data were collected at a tertiary health care center located in Chicago. PATIENTS The clinical data from preoperative and postoperative evaluations of seven mandibular distraction patients were used. OUTCOME MEASURES The outcome measures were number of articulation errors, severity of hypernasality and audible nasal emission, and velopharyngeal orifice size as estimated using the pressure-flow technique. RESULTS Immediately after distraction, 28% (2/7) experienced a temporary deterioration in articulation and 42% (3/7) experienced a deterioration in nasal resonance. But by the long-term follow-up evaluation, all had returned to their preoperative levels. Pressure-flow test results generally support the perceptual findings. CONCLUSIONS Patients being considered for mandibular distraction surgery should receive preoperative and postoperative speech evaluations and be counseled about risks for changes in their speech following surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- T W Guyette
- Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Marquette University and The Craniofacial Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201, USA
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Miller RW, Eady RR, Fairhurst SA, Gormal CA, Smith BE. Transition state complexes of the Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase proteins. Spectroscopic properties of aluminium fluoride-stabilized and beryllium fluoride-stabilized MgADP complexes reveal conformational differences of the Fe protein. Eur J Biochem 2001; 268:809-18. [PMID: 11168422 DOI: 10.1046/j.1432-1327.2001.01941.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Stable inactive 2 : 1 complexes of the Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase components (Kp2/Kp1) were prepared with ADP or the fluorescent ADP analogue, 2'(3')-O-[N-methylanthraniloyl] ADP and AlF(4)(-) or BeF(3)(-) ions. By analogy with published crystallographic data [Schindelin et al. (1997) Nature 387, 370-376)], we suggest that the metal fluoride ions replaced phosphate at the two ATP-binding sites of the iron protein, Kp2. The beryllium (BeF(x)) and aluminium (AlF(4)(-)) containing complexes are proposed to correspond to the ATP-bound state and the hydrolytic transition states, respectively, by analogy with the equivalent complexes of myosin [Fisher et al. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 8960-8972]. (31)P NMR spectroscopy showed that during the initial stages of complex formation, MgADP bound to the complexed Kp2 in a manner similar to that reported for isolated Kp2. This process was followed by a second step that caused broadening of the (31)P NMR signals and, in the case of the AlF4- complex, slow hydrolysis of some of the excess ADP to AMP and inorganic phosphate. The purified BeFx complex contained 3.8 +/- 0.1 MgADP per mol Kp1. With the AlF(4)(-) complex, MgAMP and adenosine (from MgAMP hydrolysis) replaced part of the bound MgADP although four AlF(4)(-) ions were retained, demonstrating that full occupancy by MgADP is not required for the stability of the complex. The fluorescence emission maximum of 2'(3')-O-[N-methylanthraniloyl] ADP was blue-shifted by 6-8 nm in both metal fluoride complexes and polarization was 6-9 times that of the free analogue. The fluorescence yield of bound 2'(3')-O-[N-methylanthraniloyl] ADP was enhanced by 40% in the AlF(4)(-) complex relative to the solvent but no increase in fluorescence was observed in the BeFx complex. Resonance energy transfer from conserved tyrosine residues located in proximity to the Kp2 nucleotide-binding pocket was marked in the AlF(4)(-) complex but minimal in the BeFx fluoride complex, illustrating a clear conformational difference in the Fe protein of the two complexes. Our data indicate that complex formation during the nitrogenase catalytic cycle is a multistep process involving at least four conformational states of Kp2: similar to the free Fe protein; as initially complexed with detectable (31)P NMR; as detected in mature complexes with no detectable (31)P NMR; in the AlF(4)(-) complex in which an altered tyrosine interaction permits resonance energy transfer with 2'(3')-O-[N-methylanthraniloyl] ADP.
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Affiliation(s)
- R W Miller
- Ecovale Research, Harrisville, New Hampshire, USA
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Halamek LP, Kaegi DM, Gaba DM, Sowb YA, Smith BC, Smith BE, Howard SK. Time for a new paradigm in pediatric medical education: teaching neonatal resuscitation in a simulated delivery room environment. Pediatrics 2000; 106:E45. [PMID: 11015540 DOI: 10.1542/peds.106.4.e45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Acquisition and maintenance of the skills necessary for successful resuscitation of the neonate are typically accomplished by a combination of completion of standardized training courses using textbooks, videotape, and manikins together with active participation in the resuscitation of human neonates in the real delivery room. We developed a simulation-based training program in neonatal resuscitation (NeoSim) to bridge the gap between textbook and real life and to assess trainee satisfaction with the elements of this program. METHODS Thirty-eight subjects (physicians and nurses) participated in 1 of 9 full-day NeoSim programs combining didactic instruction with active, hands-on participation in intensive scenarios involving life-like neonatal and maternal manikins and real medical equipment. Subjects were asked to complete an extensive evaluation of all elements of the program on its conclusion. RESULTS The subjects expressed high levels of satisfaction with nearly all aspects of this novel program. Responses to open-ended questions were especially enthusiastic in describing the realistic nature of simulation-based training. The major limitation of the program was the lack of fidelity of the neonatal manikin to a human neonate. CONCLUSION Realistic simulation-based training in neonatal resuscitation is possible using current technology, is well received by trainees, and offers benefits not inherent in traditional paradigms of medical education.
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Affiliation(s)
- L P Halamek
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94304, USA.
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Abstract
We studied motor unit changes in 20 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 20 age-matched control subjects to look for evidence of motorneuron degeneration in sporadic idiopathic PD. Patients and control subjects were screened by clinical criteria and nerve conduction studies to exclude those with peripheral neuropathic processes. Changes in motor unit morphology were investigated with subjective and computerized quantitative electromyography (QEMG) of the anterior tibialis (AT) and first dorsal interosseous. Multivariate comparisons showed a significant difference in the QEMG analysis for motor unit enlargement in patients with PD versus control subjects. Some of the univariate comparisons for both the subjective and QEMG analyses of the AT were also significant. These results demonstrate that motorneuron drop-out with reinnervation occurs in sporadic idiopathic PD. In summary, our findings provide evidence that clinically silent motorneuron disease occurs in typical cases of sporadic idiopathic PD, suggesting that it may be a normal part of the pathologic picture of PD. Any hypothesis concerning the pathogenic mechanism of PD would need to take into account such a finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- J N Caviness
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, Arizona 85259, USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigated the effect of velopharyngeal insufficiency on aerodynamic measures of laryngeal function in children with cleft palate. DESIGN Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance. The independent variable was velopharyngeal closure, and the dependent variables were laryngeal resistance, laryngeal airflow, and transglottal pressure. Age and gender were covariates. SETTING The data were collected at The Craniofacial Center, University of Illinois, a tertiary health care center located in Chicago. PATIENTS Thirty-six children with cleft palate were recruited from among the patients at The Craniofacial Center. Ten children with velopharyngeal areas >5 mm2 during oral speech were placed in the incomplete closure group, while 26 children with areas <1 mm2 were placed in the complete closure group. OUTCOME MEASURES The three dependent variables (transglottal pressure, transglottal airflow, and laryngeal resistance) were measured. RESULTS Laryngeal resistance and transglottal pressure were significantly higher, and transglottal airflow was significantly lower in the group with complete closure. CONCLUSIONS In summary, cleft palate patients with complete velopharyngeal closure exhibited higher laryngeal resistances than those with incomplete closure.
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Affiliation(s)
- T W Guyette
- Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201, USA
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Abstract
To determine the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), screening evaluations were performed in 244 consecutive patients with sensory symptoms in the hand and unequivocal slowing of median nerve conduction at the wrist. This yielded 100 patients thought to have no explanation other than CTS for their upper limb complaints. These patients completed a hand symptom diagram (HSD) and questionnaire (HSQ) about their symptoms. CTS symptoms were most commonly reported in median and ulnar digits, followed by median digits only and a glove distribution. Unusual sensory patterns were reported by some patients. Based on the HSQ, paresthesias or pain proximal to the wrist occurred in 36.5% of hands. The usefulness of the HSD and HSQ for diagnosis was determined by asking three physicians, blinded to the diagnosis, to rate the likelihood of CTS in the patients with CTS and in 50 patients with other causes of upper extremity paresthesia. The sensitivities of the instruments ranged from 54.1% to 85.5%. Combining the HSD and HSQ ratings increased the range of sensitivities to 79.3% to 93.7%.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Stevens
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, 13400 East Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
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Mayer SM, Lawson DM, Gormal CA, Roe SM, Smith BE. New insights into structure-function relationships in nitrogenase: A 1.6 A resolution X-ray crystallographic study of Klebsiella pneumoniae MoFe-protein. J Mol Biol 1999; 292:871-91. [PMID: 10525412 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.1999.3107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The X-ray crystal structure of Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase component 1 (Kp1) has been determined and refined to a resolution of 1.6 A, the highest resolution reported for any nitrogenase structure. Models derived from three 1.6 A resolution X-ray data sets are described; two represent distinct oxidation states, whilst the third appears to be a mixture of both oxidized and reduced states (or perhaps an intermediate state). The structures of the protein and the iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMoco) appear to be largely unaffected by the redox status, although the movement of Ser beta90 and a surface helix in the beta subunit may be of functional significance. By contrast, the 8Fe-7S P-cluster undergoes discrete conformational changes involving the movement of two iron atoms. Comparisons with known component 1 structures reveal subtle differences in the FeMoco environment, which could account for the lower midpoint potential of this cluster in Kp1. Furthermore, a non-proline- cis peptide bond has been identified in the alpha subunit that may have a functional role. It is within 10 A of the FeMoco and may have been overlooked in other component 1 models. Finally, metal-metal and metal-sulphur distances within the metal clusters agree well with values derived from EXAFS studies, although they are generally longer than the values reported for the closely related protein from Azotobacter vinelandii. A number of bonds between the clusters and their ligands are distinctly longer than the EXAFS values, in particular, those involving the molybdenum atom of the FeMoco.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Mayer
- John Innes Centre, Nitrogen Fixation Laboratory, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
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Strange RW, Murphy LM, Dodd FE, Abraham ZH, Eady RR, Smith BE, Hasnain SS. Structural and kinetic evidence for an ordered mechanism of copper nitrite reductase. J Mol Biol 1999; 287:1001-9. [PMID: 10222206 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.1999.2648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The crystallographic structures of several copper-containing nitrite reductases are now available. Despite this wealth of structural data, no definitive information is available as to whether the reaction proceeds by an ordered mechanism where nitrite binds to the oxidised type 2 site, followed by an internal electron transfer from the type 1 Cu, or whether binding occurs to the reduced type 2 Cu centre, or a random mechanism operates. We present here the first structural information on both types of Cu centres for the reduced form of NiR from Alcaligenes xylosoxidans (AxNiR) using X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The reduced type 2 Cu site EXAFS shows striking similarity to the EXAFS data for reduced bovine superoxide dismutase (Cu2Zn2 SOD), providing strong evidence for the loss of the water molecule from the catalytic Cu site in NiR on reduction resulting in a tri-coordinate Cu site similar to that in Cu2Zn2 SOD. The reduced type 2 Cu site of AxNiR is shown to be unable to bind inhibitory ligands such as azide, and to react very sluggishly with nitrite leading to only a slow re-oxidation of the the type 1 centre. These observations provide strong evidence that turnover of AxNiR proceeds by an ordered mechanism in which nitrite binds to the oxidised type 2 Cu centres before electron transfer from the reduced type 1 centre occurs. We propose that the two links between the Cu sites of AxNiR, namely His129-Cys130 and His89-Asp92-His94 are utilised for electron transfer and for communicating the status of the type 2 Cu site, respectively. Nitrite binding at type 2 Cu is sensed by the proton abstracting group Asp92 and the type 2 Cu ligand His94, and relayed to the type 1 Cu site via His89 thus triggering an internal electron transfer. The similarity of the type 2 Cu NiR catalytic site to the reduced Cu site of SOD is examined in some detail together with the biochemical evidence for the SOD activity of AxNiR.
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Affiliation(s)
- R W Strange
- CCLRC Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 4AD, UK
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Grossman JG, Hasnain SS, Yousafzai FK, Smith BE, Eady RR, Schindelin H, Kisker C, Howard JG, Tsuruta H, Muller J, Rees DC. Comparing crystallographic and solution structures of nitrogenase complexes. Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr 1999; 55:727-8. [PMID: 10336305 DOI: 10.1107/s0907444999003856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J G Grossman
- CLRC Daresbury Laboratory, Synchrotron Radiation Department, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 4AD, England
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Fahs PS, Smith BE, Atav AS, Britten MX, Collins MS, Morgan LC, Spencer GA. Integrative research review of risk behaviors among adolescents in rural, suburban, and urban areas. J Adolesc Health 1999; 24:230-43. [PMID: 10227342 DOI: 10.1016/s1054-139x(98)00123-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this integrative review was to describe the state of the science regarding adolescent risk behaviors, with particular emphasis on comparisons among rural, urban, and suburban populations. METHOD The review was done at two levels, moving from the major national survey studies which included data collected in the late 1980s up to 1993, to more focused topical areas including studies with data collection and publication between 1990 and 1996 within each identified category of adolescent health issues. A total of 137 published works across several disciplines were reviewed. Suggestions for clinical practice were drawn from the significant research findings. In addition, risk behaviors were compared to national baseline data and objectives. RESULTS The level of research in this topic area was primarily descriptive. Currently, only a small portion of the national objectives for decreasing adolescent risk behaviors have been met. Successful intervention programs, although few in number, usually included not only topical education but also adolescent interaction with peers and support systems to raise awareness and change behaviors. CONCLUSIONS The risk behaviors for the adolescent population as a whole have been well described. Education alone is not sufficient to change behaviors. Objective outcomes must be identified and health care providers need to use research findings in their practice with adolescents. It is time to intervene with developmentally and culturally appropriate strategies. There was a large gap in the literature regarding risk behaviors and protective factors for rural adolescents. The few studies that included subjects from rural settings indicated that the view that rural adolescents are engaged in fewer or less severe risk behaviors is misleading.
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Affiliation(s)
- P S Fahs
- Decker School of Nursing, Binghamton University, State University of New York, 13902-6000, USA
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Ferretti S, Grossmann JG, Hasnain SS, Eady RR, Smith BE. Biochemical characterization and solution structure of nitrous oxide reductase from Alcaligenes xylosoxidans (NCIMB 11015). Eur J Biochem 1999; 259:651-9. [PMID: 10092849 DOI: 10.1046/j.1432-1327.1999.00082.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide reductase (N2OR) is the terminal enzyme involved in denitrification by microbes. No three-dimensional structural information has been published for this enzyme. We have isolated and characterised N2OR from Alcaligenes xylosoxidans (AxN2OR) as a homodimer of M(r) 134,000 containing seven to eight copper atoms per dimer. Comparison of sequence and compositional data with other N2ORs suggests that AxN2OR is typical and can be expected to have similar domain folding and subunit structure to other members of this family of enzymes. We present synchrotron X-ray-scattering data, analysed using a model-independent method for shape restoration, which gave a approximately 20 A resolution structure of the enzyme in solution, providing a glimpse of the structure of any N2OR and shedding light on the molecular architecture of the molecule. The specific activity of AxN2OR was approximately 6 mumol of N2O reduced.min-1. (mg of protein)-1; N2OR activity showed both base and temperature activation. The visible spectrum exhibited an absorption maximum at 550 nm with a shoulder at 635 nm. On oxidation with K3Fe(CN)6, the absorption maximum shifted to 540 nm and a new shoulder at 480 nm appeared. Reduction under anaerobic conditions resulted in the formation of an inactive blue form of the enzyme with a broad absorption maximum at 650 nm. As isolated, the enzyme shows an almost featureless EPR spectrum, which changes on oxidation to give an almost completely resolved seven-line hyperfine signal in the gII region, g = 2.18, with AII = 40 G, consistent with the enzyme being partially reduced as isolated. Both the optical and EPR spectra of the oxidized enzyme are characteristic of the presence of a CuA centre.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ferretti
- Nitrogen Fixation Laboratory, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
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Abstract
Safety in spinal anesthesia for cesarean section is achieved by strict adherence to the cardinal principles of proper evaluation and selection of patients, the use of prophylactic vasopressors, preanesthetic establishment of a reliable intravenous channel, small doses of the local anesthetic, close monitoring and maintenance of systolic blood pressure above 100 mm. Hg, and avoidance of ergot compounds in the presence of vasopressors.
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Miller RW, Eady RR, Gormal C, Fairhurst SA, Smith BE. Nucleotide binding by the nitrogenase Fe protein: a 31P NMR study of ADP and ATP interactions with the Fe protein of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Biochem J 1998; 334 ( Pt 3):601-7. [PMID: 9729468 PMCID: PMC1219729 DOI: 10.1042/bj3340601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Investigation of the interaction of MgADP- and MgATP2- with the Fe protein of Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase by 31P NMR showed that the adenine nucleotides are reversibly bound in slow exchange with free nucleotides. Dissociation of the MgADP--Fe protein complex was slow enough to enable its isolation by gel filtration, thus permitting the assignment of resonances to bound nucleotides. Spectra of ADP bound to Kp2 were similar to spectra of ADP bound to the myosin motor domain. Oxidative inactivation of a Kp2-MgADP- complex with excess ferricyanide ion eliminated exchange between bound and free ADP, indicating that the intact iron sulphur cluster, located 20 A from the binding sites, is required for the reversible binding of MgADP-. A change in conformation on controlled oxidation of Kp2 with indigocarmine increased the chemical shift of the beta phosphate resonance of bound MgADP-. Both oxidized and reduced conformers were observed transiently in the absence of dithionite. The 31P resonances of both the beta and gamma phosphates of bound MgATP2- indicated major changes in environment and labilization of both groups on binding to the Fe protein. Highly purified Kp2 slowly hydrolysed ATP, resulting in mixtures of bound nucleotides. Partial occupation of Kp2 MgATP2--binding sites (N=1.9+/-0.2, Kd=145 microM) in concentrated protein solutions was demonstrated by flow dialysis. Scatchard plots of data for bound and free ligand obtained after equilibration with Kp2 were linear and no co-operative interactions were detected. We conclude that MgADP- stabilizes the oxidized Fe protein conformer and this conformation in turn triggers the dissociation of the Fe protein from the MoFe protein in the rate-limiting step of the overall process of dinitrogen reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- R W Miller
- The Nitrogen Fixation Laboratory, John Innes Centre, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UH, U.K.
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Gaba DM, Howard SK, Flanagan B, Smith BE, Fish KJ, Botney R. Assessment of clinical performance during simulated crises using both technical and behavioral ratings. Anesthesiology 1998; 89:8-18. [PMID: 9667288 DOI: 10.1097/00000542-199807000-00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 382] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Techniques are needed to assess anesthesiologists' performance when responding to critical events. Patient simulators allow presentation of similar crisis situations to different clinicians. This study evaluated ratings of performance, and the interrater variability of the ratings, made by multiple independent observers viewing videotapes of simulated crises. METHODS Raters scored the videotapes of 14 different teams that were managing two scenarios: malignant hyperthermia (MH) and cardiac arrest. Technical performance and crisis management behaviors were rated. Technical ratings could range from 0.0 to 1.0 based on scenario-specific checklists of appropriate actions. Ratings of 12 crisis management behaviors were made using a five-point ordinal scale. Several statistical assessments of interrater variability were applied. RESULTS Technical ratings were high for most teams in both scenarios (0.78 +/- 0.08 for MH, 0.83 +/- 0.06 for cardiac arrest). Ratings of crisis management behavior varied, with some teams rated as minimally acceptable or poor (28% for MH, 14% for cardiac arrest). The agreement between raters was fair to excellent, depending on the item rated and the statistical test used. CONCLUSIONS Both technical and behavioral performance can be assessed from videotapes of simulations. The behavioral rating system can be improved; one particular difficulty was aggregating a single rating for a behavior that fluctuated over time. These performance assessment tools might be useful for educational research or for tracking a resident's progress. The rating system needs more refinement before it can be used to assess clinical competence for residency graduation or board certification.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Gaba
- Anesthesiology Service, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, California 94304, USA.
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Abstract
This paper describes an informal but systematic method for how to test and verify a knowledge-based system in a large open-ended medical target domain. The system used is Guardian, an intelligent system for monitoring and diagnosis of post-cardiac surgery patients in an intensive-care unit. The knowledge base is tested and verified by running the system on a series of realistic test scenarios, both with an embedded simulator and with an external simulation system. The same scenarios are presented to human test subjects, making it possible to compare and analyze the performance of the knowledge-based system with that of human physicians. The use of simulators instead of clinical data also means that it is possible to test crucial scenarios which occur seldom in medical practice. Our results show that a system like Guardian might indeed be useful in medical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Larsson
- Knowledge Systems Laboratory, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA.
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Portugal LG, Mehta RH, Smith BE, Sabnani JB, Matava MJ. Objective assessment of the breathe-right device during exercise in adult males. Am J Rhinol 1997; 11:393-7. [PMID: 9768322 DOI: 10.2500/105065897781286061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In order to improve nasal breathing during competition, many athletes recently have been wearing a spring-loaded, external nasal dilator referred to as the Breathe-Right device (BRD). Although there are many subjective claims that this device improves breathing during exercise, there are currently no controlled studies documenting its efficacy. To determine objectively whether the device improves the nasal airway, 20 subjects (10 Caucasian and 10 African-American) were studied during rest and after 15 minutes of exercise using anterior rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry to measure changes in airway resistance and minimal cross-sectional area, respectively. We found that the BRD exerts its main effect in the region of the nasal valve improving the airway an overall 21% in our group of subjects. This anatomic improvement in nasal airway resulted in an overall 27% reduction in nasal resistance in the Caucasian group. However, in the African-American group, a wider range of resistance changes was observed with application of the BRD with significant improvement in nasal resistance in some subjects but paradoxical worsening in others. In the African-American group as a whole, no significant change in nasal resistance occurred with application of the BRD. These measured differences are likely due to variations in nasal anatomy that exist not only between races but also between individuals within a given race. In addition, this study confirms the well known decongestant effects of exercise providing anatomic data with acoustic rhinometry not previously documented in the literature. Overall improvement in nasal airway seen with application of the BRD occurred independent of these exercise-related decongestant effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- L G Portugal
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, USA
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Abraham ZH, Smith BE, Howes BD, Lowe DJ, Eady RR. pH-dependence for binding a single nitrite ion to each type-2 copper centre in the copper-containing nitrite reductase of Alcaligenes xylosoxidans. Biochem J 1997; 324 ( Pt 2):511-6. [PMID: 9182711 PMCID: PMC1218459 DOI: 10.1042/bj3240511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The first quantitative characterization of the interaction of NO2(-) with the Cu-containing dissimilatory nitrite reductase (NiR) of Alcaligenes xylosoxidans using steady-state kinetics, equilibrium gel filtration and EPR spectroscopy is described. Each molecule of this protein consists of three equivalent subunits, each containing a type-1 Cu atom and also a type-2 Cu atom at each subunit interface. Enzyme activity increased in a biphasic manner with decreasing pH, having an optimum at pH 5.2 and a plateau between pH 6.1 and 5.8. Equilibrium gel filtration showed that binding of NO2(-) to the oxidized NiR was also pH-dependent. At pH 7.5, no binding was detectable, but binding was detectable at lower pH values. At pH 5.2, the concentration-dependence for binding of NO2(-) to the enzyme showed that approx. 4.1 NO2(-) ions bound per trimeric NiR molecule. Unexpectedly, NiR deficient in type-2 Cu centres bound 1.3 NO2(-) ions per trimer. When corrected for this binding, a value of 3 NO2(-) ions bound per trimer of NiR, equivalent to the type-2 Cu content. The NO2(-)-induced changes in the EPR parameters of the type-2 Cu centre of the oxidized enzyme showed a similar pH-dependence to that of the activity. Binding constants for NO2(-) at a single type of site, after allowing for the non-specifically bound NO2(-), were 350+/-35 microM (mean+/-S.E.M.) at pH 7.5 and <30 microM at pH 5.2. The apparent Km for NO2(-) with saturating concentrations of dithionite as reductant was 35 microM at pH 7.5, which is 10-fold tighter than for the oxidized enzyme, and is compatible with an ordered mechanism in which the enzyme is reduced before NO2(-) binds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z H Abraham
- Nitrogen Fixation Laboratory, John Innes Centre, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UH, U.K
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Abstract
MgADP- reacted with the nitrogenase molybdenum-iron (MoFe) protein of Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp1) over a period of 2 h to yield a stable, catalytically active conjugate. The isolated protein exhibited a new, broad 31P NMR resonance at -1 p.p.m. lacking phosphorus J coupling. The adenine ring of [8-14C]ADP remained associated with the conjugate. A covalently bound nucleotide was identified as AMP by NMR and TLC. Extended dialysis of Kp1 against MgADP- resulted in further AMP binding at the protein surface. ADP was initially bound tightly to Kp1 at a site distinct from the AMP sites. ATP did not replace ADP. The time course of the formation of the Kp1-AMP was altered by the nitrogenase iron protein (Kp2) and was dependent on redox potential. Kp1-AMP was stable to concentration and oxidation with ferricyanide ion at -350 mV. Slow hydrolysis of Kp1-AMP over a period of 6 h yielded AMP and unaltered Kp1. The adenine ring of ADP exchanged with adenine of MgATP2- during reductant-limited turnover of nitrogenase under N2, indicating reversibility of ATP hydrolysis at 15 degrees C. [32P]Pi exchanged with the terminal phosphate group of both ADP and ATP on incubation with Kp1. 32P exchange and the catalytic activity of Kp1 were inhibited by a 20-fold molar excess of the lysine-modifying reagent, o-phthalaldehyde (OPT). Preincubation with MgADP- protected against OPT inactivation. Two potentially reactive lysine residues on the alpha chain of the MoFe protein near a putative hydrophobic docking site for the nitrogenase Fe protein are proposed as sites of OPT and nucleotide binding. Azotobacter vinelandii MoFe protein (Av1) also formed an AMP adduct but Kp2 did not. Catalase did not interact with ADP. The reactions of the nitrogenase MoFe protein with adenine nucleotides have no counterpart in known protein-nucleotide interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- R W Miller
- The Nitrogen Fixation Laboratory, The Joseph Chatt Building, John Innes Centre, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UH, U.K
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