Long-term impacts of forest harvesting related soil disturbance on log product yields and economic potential in a New Zealand forest

Abstract

Idiopathic recurrent neuroretinitis: effects of long-term immunosuppression.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of long-term immunosuppressive therapy in patients with recurrent idiopathic neuroretinitis. METHODS: A retrospective review of 30 patients with recurrent idiopathic neuroretinitis identified 7 who received ongoing immunosuppression with prednisone and/or azathioprine for whom adequate follow-up information was available. We calculated the number of attacks per unit of time for each patient before and after treatment to derive mean attack rates for the group. RESULTS: For the entire group, we found a rate of 0.58 attacks per year prior to the initiation of immunosuppressive treatment, which decreased to 0.16 attacks per year following immunosuppression. This represents a reduction in the attack rate of 0.41, or a 72% decrease in attack frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests a possible role for long-term immunosuppressive treatment in patients with recurrent idiopathic neuroretinitis. A longer follow-up interval, more standardized treatment regimens, and additional outcome measures might reveal a greater benefit of treatment.

Long-term treatment of hypertension in man by an orally active angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.

1. Captopril or SQ 14 225, administered orally twice a day, reduced the blood pressure of hypertensive patients whatever their clinical diagnosis and even when their plasma renin activity was 'normal' or low. 2. Long-term administration of captopril, either alone or together with diuretics, provides a powerful new tool with which to treat ambulatory hypertensive patients. 3. The renin system may play an important role in maintaining blood pressure in a majority of hypertensive patients.

Pretransplant pulmonary hypertension and long-term allograft right ventricular function.

Background: Graft right ventricular (RV) function is compromised directly posttransplant, especially in heart transplantation (HTx) recipients with pretransplant pulmonary hypertension (PH). Graft RV size and systolic function, and the effect of the recipient's pulmonary haemodynamics on the graft extracellular matrix are not well characterised in the patients long-term after HTx. Aim: Comparison of RV size and systolic function in HTx recipients' long-term posttransplant stratified by the presence of pretransplant PH. Methods: HTx survivors >/=2 years posttransplant were divided into group I without pretransplant PH (pulmonary vascular resistance, PVR <2.5Wood units, n=37) and group II with PH (PVR >/=2.5Wood units, n=16). RV size and systolic function were measured using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). The collagen content was assessed in septal endomyocardial biopsies obtained at HTx and at study inclusion. Results: Mean posttransplant follow-up was 5.2+/-2.9 years (group I) and 4.9+/-2.2 years (group II) (p=0.70). PVR was 1.5+/-0.6 vs 4.1+/-1.7Wood units pretransplant (p<0.001), and 1.2+/-0.5 vs 1.3+/-0.5Wood units at study inclusion (p=0.43). Allograft RV size and systolic function were similar in both groups (p always >/=0.07). Collagen content at transplantation and at follow-up were not different (p always >/=0.60). Conclusion: Posttransplant normalisation of pretransplant PH is associated with normal graft RV function long-term after HTx.

Persistence of Increased Eotaxin-1 (CCL11) Level in Tears of Patients Wearing Contact Lenses: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study.

BACKGROUND: Eotaxin-1 (CCL11) is a potent eosinophil chemotactic and activating peptide that may be implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic allergic eye disease and has been associated with the wearing of contact lenses (CL) in patients with contact lens papillary conjunctivitis (CLPC). The purpose of this study was to study eotaxin-1 expression in the tears of long-term CL wearers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Tears were collected with glass capillaries from 15 patients (2 male, 13 female) with various degree of CLPC at 2-year intervals. CLPC severity was graded from 0 to 4 with reference to standard slit-lamp photographs of the superior tarsal conjunctiva. The eotaxin-1 level in the tears was measured by an ELISA, using mouse anti-human eotaxin monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS: The mean age was 32.5 ± 13.3 years (range: 17 - 69 years). The mean interval between the tear collections was 30 ± 4.8 months. The mean concentration of eotaxin was 2150 ± 477 pg/mL and 2486 ± 810 pg/mL for the first and second series, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant (paired Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis, p = 0.803). The mean score of papilla grade was 1.26 ± 0.18 for the first sample and 1.40 ± 0.19 two years later. There was no significant difference of grading between the two time periods (paired Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis, p = 0.751). CONCLUSIONS: the eotaxin-1 level remains up-regulated over a long time period in patients wearing CL, most of them with chronic CLPC. Eotaxin may play a role in the pathogenesis of contact lens intolerance.

Long term retention of retigabine in a cohort of people with drug resistant epilepsy.

PURPOSE: To assess the utility of retigabine (RTG) for epilepsy in clinical practice at a single UK tertiary centre. METHODS: We identified all individuals who were offered RTG from April 2011 to May 2013. We collected demographics, seizure types, previous and current antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), starting and maximum attained daily dose of RTG, clinical benefits, side effects, and reason to discontinue RTG from in- and outpatient encounters until February 28, 2014. RESULTS: 145 people who had failed a median of 11 AEDs took at least one dose of RTG. One year retention was 32% and decreased following the safety alert by the US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2013. None became seizure free. 34 people (24%) reported a benefit that was ongoing at last assessment in five (3%). The most relevant benefit was the significant reduction or cessation of drop attacks or seizure-related falls in four women, this persisted at last assessment in two. The presence of simple partial seizures was associated with longer retention, as was a higher attained dose of RTG. Adverse effects were seen in 74% and largely CNS-related or nonspecific and affected the genitourinary system in 13%. CONCLUSION: Retention of RTG was less favourable compared to data from open label extension studies of the regulatory trials. In comparison with historical data on similar retention audits retention of RTG at one year appears to be less than lamotrigine, topiramate, levetiracetam, pregabalin, zonisamide, and lacosamide, and slightly higher than gabapentin.

Field Instrumentation, Testing, and Long-Term Monitoring of High-Mast Lighting Towers in the State of Iowa, TR-518, 2006

As a result of the collapse of a 140 foot high-mast lighting tower in Sioux City, Iowa in November of 2003, a thorough investigation into the behavior and design of these tall, yet relatively flexible structures was undertaken. Extensive work regarding the root cause of this failure was carried out by Robert Dexter of The University of Minnesota. Furthermore, a statewide inspection of all the high-mast towers in Iowa revealed fatigue cracks and loose anchor bolts on other existing structures. The current study was proposed to examine the static and dynamic behavior of a variety of towers in the State of Iowa utilizing field testing, specifically long-term monitoring and load testing. This report presents the results and conclusions from this project. The field work for this project was divided into two phases. Phase 1 of the project was conducted in October 2004 and focused on the dynamic properties of ten different towers in Clear Lake, Ames, and Des Moines, Iowa. Of those ten, two were also instrumented to obtain stress distributions at various details and were included in a 12 month long-term monitoring study. Phase 2 of this investigation was conducted in May of 2005, in Sioux City, Iowa, and focused on determining the static and dynamic behavior of a tower similar to the one that collapsed in November 2003. Identical tests were performed on a similar tower which was retrofitted with a more substantial replacement bottom section in order to assess the effect of the retrofit. A third tower with different details was dynamically load tested to determine its dynamic characteristics, similar to the Phase 1 testing. Based on the dynamic load tests, the modal frequencies of the towers fall within the same range. Also, the damping ratios are significantly lower in the higher modes than the values suggested in the AASHTO and CAN/CSA specifications. The comparatively higher damping ratios in the first mode may be due to aerodynamic damping. These low damping ratios in combination with poor fatigue details contribute to the accumulation of a large number of damage-causing cycles. As predicted, the stresses in the original Sioux City tower are much greater than the stresses in the retrofitted towers at Sioux City. Additionally, it was found that poor installation practices which often lead to loose anchor bolts and out-of-level leveling nuts can cause high localized stresses in the towers, which can accelerate fatigue damage.

Field Instrumentation, Testing, and Long-Term Monitoring of High-Mast Lighting Tower No. 1 at the I-35/US 18 Interchange Near Clear Lake in the State of Iowa Phase 3, TR-562, 2009

The current study was initiated to quantify the stresses induced in critical details on the reinforcing jacket and the tower itself through the use of field instrumentation, load testing, and long-term monitoring. Strain gages were installed on the both the tower and the reinforcing jacket. Additional strain gages were installed on two anchor rods. Tests were conducted with and without the reinforcing jacket installed. Data were collected from all strain gages during static load testing and were used to study the stress distribution of the tower caused by known loads, both with and without the reinforcing jacket. The tower was tested dynamically by first applying a static load, and then quickly releasing the load causing the tower to vibrate freely. Furthermore, the tower was monitored over a period of over 1 year to obtain stress range histograms at the critical details to be used for a fatigue evaluation. Also during the long-term monitoring, triggered time-history data were recorded to study the wind loading phenomena that excite the tower.

Natural development of stand structure in peatland Scots pine following drainage : results based on long-term monitoring of permanent sample plots

Abstract

Pronostic à long terme des patients ayant bénéficié d'une thrombolyse au stade aigu de l'infarctus du myocarde [Long-term prognosis for patients undergoing thrombolysis during the acute phase of myocardial infarction]

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyse the long-term mortality and morbidity of a group of patients undergoing thrombolysis during the acute phase of myocardial infarction and to determine the factors influencing the prognosis. One hundred and seventy five patients (149 mean and 26 women, mean age: 54 years) were included in a randomized study, comparing the efficacy of 2 thrombolytic substances administered during the acute phase of myocardial infarction. A standard questionnaire was sent to the various attending physicians to follow-up of these 175 patients. RESULTS: The hospital mortality was 5% (9 patients) and 14 patients (9%) died after a mean follow-up of 4.3 +/- 2.1 years. The 5-year actuarial survival was 81%. Fourteen patients (8%) were lost to follow-up and 49 patients (32%) underwent surgical or percutaneous revascularization during follow-up. Revascularized patients had a significantly better survival than non-revascularized patients. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction of patients who died was lower (48% versus 71%) than that of survivors. Patients with an ejection fraction < 40% also had a significantly lower survival (p = 0.01). Patency of the vessel after thrombolysis was associated with a slightly better survival; this difference was not significant. The ejection fraction at 6 month was also significantly higher (60 +/- 10% versus 49 +/- 11%) for patients with a patent artery. Three risk factors for death or reinfarction were identified: age > 65 years at the time of infarction, disease in more than one coronary vessel and absence of angina pectoris before infarction. The probability of a coronary accident varied from 2 to 88% according to the number of risk factors present. At the time of follow-up, 60% of patients presented hypercholesterolaemia versus only 7% before infarction 73% of patients received anticoagulant or antiaggregant treatment and 81% of patients were asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: The mortality and the acute and long-term morbidity of myocardial infarction remain high, as only 34% of our patients did not develop any events during follow-up, despite serious medical management and follow-up. The ejection fraction has an important prognostic value. Patient management should take the abovementioned risk factors into account.

Phosphorus status of diverse soils in Finland as influenced by long-term P fertilisation 1

Selostus: Pitkäaikaisen fosforilannoituksen vaikutus Suomen peltojen fosforitilaan. 1. Maan luontainen ja aikaisemmin kertynyt fosfori 24 koepaikalla

Tissue homing and persistence of defined antigen-specific CD8+ tumor-reactive T-cell clones in long-term melanoma survivors.

Tumor antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) play a major role in the adaptive immune response to cancers. This CTL response is often insufficient because of functional impairment, tumor escape mechanisms, or inhibitory tumor microenvironment. However, little is known about the fate of given tumor-specific CTL clones in cancer patients. Studies in patients with favorable outcomes may be very informative. In this longitudinal study, we tracked, quantified, and characterized functionally defined antigen-specific T-cell clones ex vivo, in peripheral blood and at tumor sites, in two long-term melanoma survivors. MAGE-A10-specific CD8+ T-cell clones with high avidity to antigenic peptide and tumor lytic capabilities persisted in peripheral blood over more than 10 years, with quantitative variations correlating with the clinical course. These clones were also found in emerging metastases, and, in one patient, circulating clonal T cells displayed a fully differentiated effector phenotype at the time of relapse. Longevity, tumor homing, differentiation phenotype, and quantitative adaptation to the disease phases suggest the contribution of the tracked tumor-reactive clones in the tumor control of these long-term metastatic survivor patients. Focusing research on patients with favorable outcomes may help to identify parameters that are crucial for an efficient antitumor response and to optimize cancer immunotherapy.

Iowa State Profile Tool: An Assessment of Iowa's Long-Term Support System, March 31, 2009

The Iowa State Profile Tool is a comprehensive, high-level assessment of Iowa’s progress toward a balanced long-term care system – a system that relies less on institutional services and provides greater opportunities for the in-home and community-based services that most people prefer. This report includes long-term support for people of all ages and disability types and is based on a variety of state and federal data sources and interviews with public and private leaders in Iowa’s long-term care system.