Is Hypertension Beneficial to the Conventional Hemodialysis Patient?

Hypertension is common in the conventional hemodialysis population. While hypertension in the general population has been shown to reduce survival, the issue is less clear in the dialysis population. This review focuses on recent studies showing a favorable outcome in hypertensive hemodialysis patients compared to those with lower blood pressure. Possible explanations for this paradoxical relationship are examined and practical suggestions given for the management of hypertension in the hemodialysis patient.     

Single gene and gene interaction effects on fertilization and embryonic survival rates in cattle

Decrease in fertility and conception rates is a major cause of economic loss and cow culling in dairy herds. Conception rate is the product of fertilization rate and embryonic survival rate. Identification of genetic factors that cause the death of embryos is the first step in eliminating this problem from the population and thereby increasing reproductive efficiency. A candidate pathway approach was used to identify candidate genes affecting fertilization and embryo survival rates using an in vitro fertilization experimental system. A total of 7,413 in vitro fertilizations were performed using oocytes from 504 ovaries and semen samples from 10 different bulls. Fertilization rate was calculated as the number of cleaved embryos 48 h postfertilization out of the total number of oocytes exposed to sperm. Survival rate of embryos was calculated as the number of blastocysts on d 7 of development out of the number of total embryos cultured. All ovaries were genotyped for 8 genes in the POU1F1 signaling pathway. Single-gene analysis revealed significant associations of GHR, PRLR, STAT5A, and UTMP with survival rate and of POU1F1, GHR, STAT5A, and OPN with fertilization rate. To further characterize the contribution of the entire integrated POU1F1 pathway to fertilization and early embryonic survival, a model selection procedure was applied. Comparisons among the different models showed that interactions between adjacent genes in the pathway revealed a significant contribution to the variation in fertility traits compared with other models that analyzed only bull information or only genes without interactions. Moreover, some genes that were not significant in the single-gene analysis showed significant effects in the interaction analysis. Thus, we propose that single genes as well as an entire pathway can be used in selection programs to improve reproduction performance in dairy cattle.     

信息异化现象研究综述

目前,信息异化问题是一个新问题,也是一个被深入研究的问题。该文阐释了信息异化的内涵和本质,并从主体的情感、认知与行为三个方面的新视角出发,对诸多信息异化现象进行了归类与分析。     

Use and misuse of the consolidated standards of reporting trials (CONSORT) guidelines to assess research findings: Comment on Coyne, Stefanek, and Palmer (2007).

Comments on the article titled Psychotherapy and survival in cancer: The conflict between hope and evidence by J. C. Coyne, M. Stefanek, and S. C. Palmer (see record 2007-06095-001).The basic principles underlying randomized clinical trials have been known for more than 50 years. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines, published in 1996 and based on those principles, are a valuable guide to what needs to be reported from any trial within word-limit constraints, but they do not provide guidelines to the decisions that have to be made to generate a trial with credible results. Using these guidelines as do J. C. Coyne, M. Stefanek, and S. C. Palmer (2007) is a misinterpretation of their purpose. Furthermore, Coyne et al. misrepresented the methods and findings of studies of the effects of psychosocial intervention on cancer survival. These errors are systematically reviewed. The results of these questionable analyses led Coyne et al. to recommend stopping research in an area that may be highly productive. Recent developments in the field are summarized. It is a mistaken and dangerous conclusion to declare this or other areas of scientific research off limits. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Application of the accelerated shelf life testing method (ASLT) to study the survival rates of freeze‐dried Lactococcus starter cultures

The survival rates of two freeze‐dried strains, Lactococcus lactis var diacetylactis and Lactococcus lactis var lactis, were evaluated using the Accelerated Shelf Life Testing (ASLT) method. The strains were initially isolated from a brand of a Tunisian fermented milk product. Lactococcus cell survival observed at higher temperatures was used to extrapolate to shelf life at a lower storage temperature of 4 °C. The apparent kinetics of the survival rate loss were estimated and the effect of storage temperature was quantified by determining the inactivation energies for various samples. The work has shown an overall higher survival rate of the strain Lactococcus lactis var diacetylactis. An average half‐life of a strain maintained at 25 °C was equal to about 7 days as compared with about 43 days at 4 °C. The addition of lyoprotectants such glycerol, saccharose and calcium carbonate to the drying medium, improved the survival of such bacteria. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

应急通信网络抗毁性分析

针对当前自然灾害频发的现状和电力应急通信实际需求,在电力应急通信网络需求分析的基础上,提出了电力系统应对灾害的应急通信网络总体结构框架,设计了基于WiMAX和应急通信车等无线通信方式的网省电力公司与地、市级电力公司（变电站）之间的应急通信网络。利用评价模型对该网络的抗毁性能进行分析,同时探讨了该应急通信网络在实际应用中可能出现的问题,并计算了该网络在实际应用中的抗毁性误差。     

论当代中国城市文学中底层人物的生存诉求

在中国社会转型时期,城市文学异军突起,开拓了一片与传统文学异质的视域。城市文学塑造了一批底层人物形象,作家通过对底层人物艰难生存的描绘,突出底层人物诉求的失语性与不稳定性,传达出作家各自对＂城和人＂关系的思考。     

Evaluation of Listeria innocua as a suitable indicator for replacing Listeria monocytogenes during ripening of Camembert cheese

The suitability of Listeria innocua for use as an indicator for replacing Listeria monocytogenes during the cheese-making and ripening of Camembert cheese was evaluated. Pasteurized whole milk inoculated with either L. innocua or L. monocytogenes was used to make Camembert cheese, which were ripened in three stages. All cheese was ripened in three stages: room temperature (∼20 °C) and relative humidity of 60% for 36 h; 12 °C and relative humidity of 93% for 2 weeks; and 7 °C and relative humidity of 85% for 3 weeks. Results showed that population values of L. innocua and L. monocytogenes on day 1 were 7.16 and 6.11 log₁₀ CFU/g, respectively, which declined to 6.54 and 5.45 log₁₀ CFU/g, respectively, during subsequent 20 days. Thereafter, L. innocua and L. monocytogenes populations increased to 7.38 and 6.06 log₁₀ CFU/g on day 35 of ripening, respectively. During ripening, surface and interior of cheeses were analysed for populations of L. innocua and L. monocytogenes , respectively. The data were collected on day 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 of ripening. Generally, the growth of L. innocua and L. monocytogenes is faster in surface than in centre. Top centre, bottom centre and bottom surface locations had similar population values during ripening. There were no significant differences ( P  > 0.05) between batch and section of cheese. The ripening time and locations had significant effect ( P  < 0.05) on the survival and growth of L. innocua and L. monocytogenes . The trends of survival and growth of L. innocua and L. monocytogenes were similar. These results indicated that L. innocua can be considered as an indicator for L. monocytogenes during ripening of Camembert cheese.     

Effects of Water Activity in Model Systems on High-Pressure Inactivation of Escherichia coli

The objectives of the study were to measure the effect of water activity (a _w) and to quantitatively evaluate the effect of the selected humectants under high-pressure processing (HPP) in combination with processing parameters such as treatment time, temperature, and pressure on the inactivation of Escherichia coli K12 in solid and liquid model systems. Glycerol was used in liquid and solid models to vary a _w at 0.90, 0.95, and 0.99 levels. The model systems samples and transmitting media were preconditioned to initial temperatures of 4 and 20 °C to compensate for adiabatic heating upon compression to ensure that HPP treatments at 400 and 600 MPa were performed at final temperatures not higher than 40 °C. Decrease of a _w from 0.99 to 0.90 in glycerol-based models caused considerably less inactivation of E. coli K12 at tested pressures and temperatures. Effect of different humectants at a _w 0.95 and 0.99 on the inactivation of E. coli K12 was studied comparing glycerol, fructose, sodium chloride, and sorbitol. Among four types of solutes tested in the study, sodium chloride appeared the least protective, with glycerol and fructose being approximately equal, and sorbitol showed the most protective effects on inactivation of E. coli K12. The obtained data of E. coli K12 inactivation by HPP at varied a _w levels in different solutes demonstrated similar effects of a _w on microbial inactivation by thermal treatments. The results must be taken into account when HP preservation process and foods are developed. Mention of trade names and commercial products in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Center for Food Safety and Technology.     

基于URWPGSim2D仿真平台的生存挑战策略

为在短时间赢得对抗性比赛,提出基于国际水中机器人大赛生存挑战项目之 URWPGSim2D 仿真平台的生存挑战策略.根据大赛规则,提出并设计障碍物隔离策略,利用障碍物躲避对手,并经过实验和比赛验证.结果表明:该策略能有效躲避对方攻击,为其他对抗类比赛在障碍物的处理上提供参考.