Maternal Exposure to Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) or Diethylstilbestrol (DES) Leads to Long-Term Changes in Hypothalamic Gene Expression and Sexual Behavior

Xenobiotic exposure during pregnancy and lactation has been linked to perinatal changes in male reproductive outcomes and other endocrine parameters. This pilot study wished to assess whether brief maternal exposure of rats to xenobiotics dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or diethylstilbestrol (DES) might also cause long-term changes in hypothalamic gene expression or in reproductive behavior of the resulting offspring. Time-mated female Sprague Dawley rats were given either DBP (500 mg/kg body weight, every second day from GD14.5 to PND6), DES (125 µg/kg body weight at GD14.5 and GD16.5 only), or vehicle (n = 8–12 per group) and mild endocrine disruption was confirmed by monitoring postnatal anogenital distance. Hypothalamic RNA from male and female offspring at PND10, PND24 and PND90 was analyzed by qRT-PCR for expression of aromatase, oxytocin, vasopressin, ER-alpha, ER-beta, kisspeptin, and GnRH genes. Reproductive behavior was monitored in male and female offspring from PND60 to PND90. Particularly, DES treatment led to significant changes in hypothalamic gene expression, which for the oxytocin gene was still evident at PND90, as well as in sexual behavior. In conclusion, maternal xenobiotic exposure may not only alter endocrine systems in offspring but, by impacting on brain development at a critical time, can have long-term effects on male or female sexual behavior.     

Relative effects of cultivar, heat-treatment and sucrose content on the sensory properties of blackcurrant juice

The effects of processing treatments (heat, sucrose addition) on the sensory quality of blackcurrant juices prepared from two genetically diverse cultivars (Ben Lomond and Ben Alder) were examined using sensory profiling. Sucrose level had the largest effect on the sensory profile, with heating and cultivar having smaller but still significant effects. Some interaction between sucrose level and heating of the juices was observed in the sensory profile. The results indicate that selection of preferred genotypes remains an important breeding objective in blackcurrant improvement programmes, since the sensory attributes associated with genotype persist, despite processing effects, in the extracted juice.     

An appraisal of the Great Lakes advanced hydrologic prediction system

Great Lakes water level forecasts are used to inform decisions ranging from personal choices of recreational activities to corporate evaluations of alternative cargo transport options. For effective decision-making it is important that these model-based forecasts include an accurate expression of the forecast uncertainty, as well as information regarding the model forecasting skill. We provide an assessment of water level forecasts from 1997 through 2009 that were made using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) Advanced Hydrologic Prediction System (AHPS). A visual comparison between observed and forecast water levels suggests that AHPS generally captures seasonal and inter-annual patterns. A more quantitative assessment based on the percentage of observations within 90% prediction intervals, however, indicates that AHPS generally underestimates the observed variability of Great Lakes water levels. This assessment provides a benchmark for forecast performance against which alternative model structures (including future evolutions of AHPS) can be tested, and a basis to identify and prioritize the implementation of those alternatives. Including a calibrated model error term into the AHPS framework, to accommodate the underestimated variability, is a priority for short-term development and research, and represents one step toward more accurately quantifying forecast uncertainty. Our results also underscore the importance of storing historical forecasts and the data from which they were derived to serve as a basis for assessing model performance and prioritizing future model improvements.     

Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in air and soil on a rural-urban transect across a major UK conurbation

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in air (using PUF disk passive samplers) and soil samples taken at approximately monthly intervals over 1 year at 10 locations on a transect across the West Midlands of the UK. Concentrations in air are consistent with those detected elsewhere in Europe and the Great Lakes basin. Concentrations in soil fall within the range reported for rural woodland and grassland soils in the UK and Norway. In both air and soil, concentrations clearly decrease with increasing distance from the city center, supporting the existence of an urban "pulse", indicating the West Midlands conurbation to be a source of PBDEs to the wider environment. Examination of seasonal trends revealed no evidence of a "spring pulse" in concentrations in air, with no summer peak in concentrations in air observed for 70% of sites. The PBDE congener pattern in air differs from that in soil, with ratios of congeners 47:99 higher in air than in soil. It is hypothesized that PBDEs volatilize from treated products indoors, before ventilating outdoors, where congener 99 undergoes preferential atmospheric deposition and accumulation in soil.     

Pain assessment and management in older adults: Conceptual issues and clinical challenges.

This article reviews clinical pain assessment and psychological pain management in older persons through the lens of a Communications Model of Pain (Craig, in press; Hadjistavropoulos & Craig, 2002; Hadjistavropoulos, Craig, & Fuchs-Lacelle, 2004; Prkachin & Craig, 1995). The Communications Model of Pain has the advantage of drawing attention to a variety of important factors that come into play when selecting assessment instruments and when making decisions concerning intervention. The authors examine a variety of assessment methodologies (including both self-report and observational approaches) that are suitable for older persons with and without dementia. The authors also review psychosocial pain management methods (e.g., cognitive behavior therapy and applications of behavioral approaches within long-term care facilities) that have potential applications with older persons. The role of psychological service providers is emphasized. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Thin-film interference effects on the efficiency of a normal-incidence grating in the 100-350-A wavelength region

Thin-film interference effects were observed in the normal-incidence efficiency of a 2400-groove/mm replica grating. The efficiency was measured in the 100-350-A wavelength range and had an oscillatory behavior that resulted from the presence of a thin SiO(2) coating. The thicknesses of the SiO(2) and the underlying oxidized aluminum layers were inferred from computer modeling of the zero-order efficiency. The efficiencies in the diffracted orders were calculated with the modified integral approach and accounting for the multilayer coating and the groove profile derived from atomic force microscopy. The calculated and measured efficiencies were in good agreement.     

Mapping sky and surface luminance distribution using a flux mapper

A prototype, all-sky flux mapper has been developed at the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI). The flux mapper is a video system which provides a rapid, real time processing of daylightning luminance data. The system uses an orthographic-projection fish-eye lens to project the entire image of a 180° field onto a vidicon target. The signal is then digitized and may be plotted as equal brightness comtours or recorded on tape for later analysis. The system has great potential for use in delineating illuminance distribution of the sky and of interior spaces.     

Informed consent: how much information is enough?

BACKGROUND: Recent judicial decisions involving informed consent have led to some medical practitioners altering the way they obtain consent. The aim of this study was to determine the degree to which patients understood the risks associated with a surgical procedure after giving routine consent and whether providing additional detailed verbal and/or written information improved their understanding. It was further determined whether the provision of more extensive information altered patients' anxiety levels. METHODS: Patients undergoing femoral popliteal bypass or carotid surgery were randomized to obtain either routine consent only or routine consent with verbal or written or verbal and written consent. Patients undertook a pre-operative risk and complication questionnaire, a pre- and postoperative anxiety and depression evaluation and a follow-up questionnaire 6 weeks after discharge. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were included in the trial. The comprehension questionnaire resulted in a correct percentage response of 48% for the routine information only, 59% with added verbal information, 59% with added written information and 55% with added written and verbal information. Twenty-five per cent of patients stated that they had a poor understanding of the risks and complications of the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Additional written or verbal information did not improve a patient's understanding of risks and complications of the procedure. It also did not improve patients' perceived understanding of the operation or its complications. Patients' anxiety levels were unaltered by the increase in the information they were given. The information provided to patients should be simple, easy to understand and list any possible major complications to enable the patient to determine whether to undergo or decline a procedure.