bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Larger Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference Are Associated with Lower Mortality in Chinese Long‐Term Care Facility Residents
Authors: Lin Wen‐Yuan , Albu Jeanine , Liu Chiu‐Shong , Huang Hui‐Ying , Pi‐Sunyer F. Xavier , Li Chia‐Ing , Li Tsai‐Chung , Lin Cheng‐Chieh , Huang Kuo‐Chin
Published: November 2010

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) and all‐cause mortality of Chinese residents in long‐term care facilities in Taiwan.

DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

SETTING: Eight long‐term care facilities in Taiwan.

PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred fifty‐four residents aged 60 and older (median 78.4, range 60–101; 156 men, 198 women) were recruited during the study period.

MEASUREMENTS: Anthropometrics and metabolic parameters were measured at baseline. Mean BMI was 21.7±4.2 kg/m2 (range 11.6–35.3 kg/m2, and mean WC was 82.4±10.9 cm (range 55.0–124.0 cm). Mortality data were from the Department of Health in Taiwan.

RESULTS: There were 219 deaths during the 5 years of follow‐up. After adjusting for age, sex, albumin, Karnofsky performance status scale, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, subjects in the highest quartile of BMI (27.3± 2.8 kg/m2) and WC (96.7±7.4 cm) had a significantly lower mortality rate than did subjects in the lowest quartile (BMI, 16.7±1.7 kg/m2; WC, 69.6±4.2 cm). After further stratification according to central obesity status, the subjects in the two highest BMI quartiles had a lower mortality rate than those in the lowest BMI quartile but only in the central obesity group (≥90 cm in men or ≥80 cm in women). The adjusted relative risk for all‐cause mortality in the highest versus lowest BMI quartile was 0.17 (95% confidence interval=0.05–0.57).

CONCLUSION: BMI and WC were negative predictors for all‐cause mortality in older Chinese adults living in long‐term care facilities. Participants with higher WC and BMI had lower all‐cause mortality.
Calibration of self‐reported oral health to clinically determined standards
Authors: Liu Honghu , Maida Carl A. , Spolsky Vladimir W. , Shen Jie , Li Helen , Zhou Xiaomeng , Marcus Marvin
Published: November 2010

Liu H, Maida CA, Spolsky VW, Shen J, Li H, Zhou X, Marcus M. Calibration of self‐reported oral health to clinically determined standards. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2010; 38: 527–539. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Abstract – Objective:  Self‐report of oral health is an inexpensive approach to assessing an individual’s oral health status, but it is heavily influenced by personal views and usually differs from that of clinically determined oral health status. To assist researchers and clinicians in estimating oral health self‐report, we summarize clinically determined oral health measures that can objectively measure oral health and evaluate the discrepancies between self‐reported and clinically determined oral health status. We test hypotheses of trends across covariates, thereby creating optimal calibration models and tools that can adjust self‐reported oral health to clinically determined standards.

Methods:  Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data, we examined the discrepancy between self‐reported and clinically determined oral health. We evaluated the relationship between the degree of this discrepancy and possible factors contributing to this discrepancy, such as patient characteristics and general health condition. We used a regression approach to develop calibration models for self‐reported oral health.

Results:  The relationship between self‐reported and clinically determined oral health is complex. Generally, there is a discrepancy between the two that can best be calibrated by a model that includes general health condition, number of times a person has received health care, gender, age, education, and income.

Conclusion:  The model we developed can be used to calibrate and adjust self‐reported oral health status to that of clinically determined standards and for oral health screening of large populations in federal, state, and local programs, enabling great savings in resources used in dental care.
Verisimilitude in the Conclusion of Albert Camus’s L’étranger
Authors: Scherr Arthur
Published: November 2010

In discussing the historical accuracy and verisimilitude of Camus’s L’étranger, critics disagree whether the death sentence the court imposes on Meursault for killing an Arab realistically depicts the French‐Algerian legal process. Most studies, such as Conor Cruise O’Brien’s brief classic, and works by English Showalter and Patrick McCarthy, consider this aspect of the roman the most unrealistic and ahistorical, since racial discrimination against Arabs in the Francophone world was such that no white colon would be convicted for shooting an Arab armed with a knife, and counsel’s demands for a “not guilty” verdict based on self‐defense would have convinced a jury. Critics have not sufficiently addressed whether the novel itself indicates that Meursault/Camus regarded the death sentence for killing an Arab as uncommon or not in accord with verisimilitude. That Meursault shows no remorse for killing an Arab in cold blood suggests he shares the racial prejudices of his people. Moreover, in the course of his arrest and trial the legal authorities initially pay little attention to his case. Apparently believing that he will be released, perhaps even without trial, he thinks he does not need a lawyer. After he is imprisoned, his conduct toward the Arab prisoners, the legal authorities, his defense attorney, and his paramour, Marie, indicate that he expects to be found “not guilty.” Even the Arabs in jail with him find the presence of a white pied‐noir in prison anomalous. In these ways, Camus subtly suggests cognizance of the racist historical context in which L’étranger takes place. Indeed, the judicial system turns on Meursault only after he admits to the examining magistrate that he is an atheist and the authorities learn that he had not wept at his mother’s funeral and was in other ways seemingly indifferent to her death. Thus, Camus attempts to preserve some semblance of historical authenticity.
Phenotypes of atopic dermatitis
Authors: Pugliarello Silvia , Cozzi Alessandra , Gisondi Paolo , Girolomoni Giampiero
Published: November 2010

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common disease affecting both children and adults. AD develops from a complex interplay between environmental, genetic, immunologic and biochemical factors. Genetic factors predispose atopic subjects to mount exaggerated Th2 responses and to a poorly efficient epidermal barrier, which may be sufficient to initiate inflammation in the skin and may favor allergic sensitization. Thus AD can present with different clinical pheno‐types. AD is classically distinguished into an intrinsic and extrinsic form, which are clinically identical but the former lacks high level specific IgE and is not associated with respiratory atopy. Although in many cases AD presents with monotonous eczematous lesions on the face, neck and skin folds, it may also present with other features. Very common is nummular eczema, which in many instances may be the dominant expression of AD. In other patients, AD affects limited areas (periorificial eczema, nipple eczema, cheilitis, hand eczema) or its main presentation is with excoriated papules and nodules (atopic prurigo). In conclusion, AD is a multifaceted disease affecting patients with epidermal barrier dysfunction and dry and sensitive skin. The recognition of the less common AD phenotypes is essential for proper patient management.
Fisetin, a Dietary Flavonoid, Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis through Activation of p53 and Inhibition of NF‐Kappa B Pathways in Bladder Cancer Cells
Authors: Li Jing , Cheng Yongyi , Qu Weixing , Sun Yi , Wang Zhiping , Wang Hanzhang , Tian Binqiang
Published: November 2010

Abstract:  There is an obvious urgent need to find effective and safe therapies to prevent both recurrence and progression of bladder cancer. In the present study, we report that fisetin‐induced apoptosis in human bladder cancer is mediated via modulation of two related pathways: up‐regulation of p53 and down‐regulation of NF‐kappa B activity, causing a change in the ratio of pro‐ and anti‐apoptotic proteins. The results showed that fisetin inhibited the proliferation of T24 and EJ cells by inducing apoptosis and blocking cell cycle progression in the G0/G1 phase. Western blot assay showed that fisetin significantly increases the expression of p53 and p21 proteins, and decreases the levels of cyclin D1, cyclin A, CDK4 and CDK2, thereby contributing to cell cycle arrest. In addition, fisetin increased the expression of Bax and Bak but decreased the levels of Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL and subsequently triggered mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Our study suggests that the activation of p53 and inhibition of the NF‐kappa B system may play important roles in the fisetin‐induced apoptosis in bladder cancer cells.
OHMIC THAWING OF FROZEN BEEF CUTS
Authors: BOZKURT HAYRIYE , İÇIER FILIZ
Published: November 2010

In this study, the application of ohmic heating to thaw the frozen beef cut samples was investigated. The center temperature of different sample sizes of beef cuts (2.5 cm × 2.5 cm × 5 cm; 2.5 cm × 5 cm × 5 cm; 3: 5 cm × 5 cm ×  5 cm) was aimed to reach +10C from −18C. The ohmic thawing was performed by the application of different voltage gradients (10, 20 and 30 V/cm), whereas the conventional thawing was performed at controlled conditions (25C, 95% RH). The effects of sample size, thawing method and voltage gradient on thawing time, drip loss, color, temperature homogeneity and EUR were investigated. Significant differences were found between thawing methods in terms of the temperature homogeneity, the thawing time and the thawing loss (P < 0.05). The results indicated that as the voltage gradient increased, the thawing time decreased, while the thawing loss remained unchanged. There was a decrease in the EUR (47–70%) with the increase in the sample size and the voltage gradient applied during ohmic thawing.

The results of this study will provide valuable data for the design of the industrial ohmic thawing systems and give useful insights to further studies on this subject.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

In meat processing, especially in thawing, there are several problems regarding the nonhomogeneities during thermal treatments due to heterogeneous structure of the sample, and the high energy consumption of conventional heating methods. To overcome all these problems, researchers focused on the alternative methods to replace or complement the traditional thawing process of meat products. Ohmic processing is used in a wide range of applications such as preheating, blanching, pasteurization, sterilization and extraction of food products. Although it has an approved technology for liquids and has industrial applications, there was no industrial application of ohmic technology in meat processing. In recent years, the researches on the usage of ohmic technologies in meat processing have been increased. This study focused on the applicability of ohmic thawing procedures for beef cuts with different sizes in terms of appropriate thawing attributes and energy utilization percentage.

Results from this study will give important information to academic studies and industrial applications for the design of ohmic thawing systems for meat products. The main items required for system considerations were also discussed.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of DNAPL Dissolution Processes in a Laboratory Aquifer Model
Authors: Clement T. Prabhakar , Kim Yong‐Cheol , Gautam Tirtha R. , Lee Kang‐Kun
Published: November 2010

Results of a laboratory experiment used for quantifying the dissolution characteristics of a trichloroethene dense non‐aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) source entrapped in a three‐dimensional saturated sand tank model are presented. A numerical framework was developed to model the experimental results. In the numerical model, the transient NAPL dissolution processes were described using a modified version of a published dissolution model; the resulting transport equations were solved by the RT3D code. The modeling framework has been shown to be capable of simulating the observed results. Further, the modeling analysis identified three critical model parameters. A detailed sensitivity analysis was completed to study the effects of uncertainties associated with the model parameters. The integrated NAPL coupled contaminant transport model described in this work is a useful tool for forecasting the behavior of ground water plumes evolving from entrapped DNAPL sources.
Changes in the Composition of the Bacterial Flora on Tray‐Packaged Pork during Chilled Storage Analyzed by PCR‐DGGE and Real‐Time PCR
Authors: Jiang Yun , Gao Feng , Xu XingLian , Ye KePing , Zhou GuangHong
Published: November 2010

Abstract:  In this study, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was used to investigate the changes in the composition of the bacterial population of tray‐packaged pork during chilled storage. Relative quantitative real‐time PCR was further used to evaluate the predominant spoilage bacteria obtained from DGGE analysis for their relative amount to the total bacteria in meat samples. DGGE analysis of the V3 and V6‐V8 regions of the 16S rRNA gene showed that Pseudomonas were the predominant bacterial species at the end of the monitoring period. Real‐time PCR expressed as the ΔΔCT method showed that the average 2−ΔΔCT values increased continually during the storage period from less than 0.001 at day 0 to 4.438 at the end of the monitoring, which indicated that the proportions of Pseudomonas within the total bacteria in meat samples increased. Both methods confirmed that Pseudomonas was the predominant spoilage bacteria.

Practical Application:  This study uses new techniques to identify bacteria in fresh retail pork and to follow changes in the bacterial population during 12 d refrigerated storage. Pseudomonads were found to increase with storage time, becoming the dominant flora after 12 d.
Essential Oils as Biopreservatives: Different Methods for the Technological Application in Lettuce Leaves
Authors: Ponce Alejandra , Roura Sara I. , Moreira María del R.
Published: November 2010

Abstract: Investigations were carried out to assess the efficiency of 3 essential oils, clove, tea tree, and rosemary, as natural preservatives during the postharvest of lettuce leaves. The effect of different concentration (1 and 0.5 MIC) of plant essential oils applied in 3 forms (spray, immersion, and capsules) was studied on lettuce leaves. The evolution of different microbial populations was evaluated during refrigerated storage. The application forms of the biopreservatives were shown to be an important factor in determining the effectiveness of the essential oils. Clove and tea tree essential oils at 1 MIC and applied embedded in lactose capsules presented a significant inhibition on mesophilic, psicrotrophic, and coliforms populations, while rosemary in none of the 3 technological applications forms exerted inhibitory effect on all microbial populations evaluated. Essential oils (at 0.5 MIC) applied by spray, immersion, and embedded in lactose capsules exerted lower inhibitory effects, with respect to 1 MIC, on the different microbial populations present on lettuce leaves. At the end of the storage (7 d), lettuce samples treated with tea tree, clove, and rosemary (at 1 and 0.5 MIC) by spray were the only organoleptically acceptable. It is concluded that clove and tea tree essential oils can control different microbial population present in lettuce.

Practical Application: The exploration of naturally occurring antimicrobials in food preservation receives increasing attention due to consumer awareness of natural food products. Biopreservatives are useful in extending the shelf life of foods, reducing or eliminating pathogenic bacteria and increasing overall quality of food products. The effectiveness of essential oil application in foods is the result of factor associations such as applications forms, concentration applied, the way of action, storage temperatures. The application methods (spray, immersion, and embedded in lactose capsules) and the concentration of essential oils have been shown to be important factors in determining the effectiveness of these biopreservatives. The oil concentrations required to produce a certain level of inhibition in actual foods could be questionable due to the organoleptic impact. However, these novel natural preservatives in combination with other factors in obstacle technologies are an alternative to control the pathogen growth minimizing undesirable changes in organoleptic characteristics.
Sources of drug information for patients with chronic conditions in Alexandria, Egypt
Authors: Amin Mohamed E K , Chewning Betty A , Wahdan Ashraf M H
Published: November 2010

Objectives

This study sought to identify patients' perceived drug knowledge, need for more information and drug information sources, and how they varied by patient characteristics, particularly education level.

Methods

A convenience sample of 366 adult patients was interviewed when leaving 20 Egyptian pharmacies after collecting a dispensed prescription. Patients were asked about their (1) perceived knowledge of their drugs' purpose, (2) use of package inserts (PIs) to learn about side effects, contraindications and drug interactions, (3) perceived need to know more about their drugs and (4) general sources of drug information beyond healthcare providers.

Key findings

More than 30% of the patients reported that they did not know the purpose of at least one of their drugs and only read PIs selectively. Whereas 36% read about drug interactions, more reported reading about side effects (65%) and contraindications (60%) in PIs. Sixty-nine per cent of patients reported that they needed more information about their drugs. This was true for 86.8% of patients with limited education compared to 48.5% of university graduates. University graduates reported using PI topics, newspapers, internet, TV and family and friends as sources of drug information at significantly higher rates than did patients with lower levels of education.

Conclusion

There is a need for healthcare professionals to evaluate patient comprehension and needs for drug information, especially for patients with less schooling. Healthcare providers should also consider other information sources that a patient is using.
Sintering Mechanisms of Cobalt-Doped Ceria and Zirconia Electrolytes in Intermediate-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Mori Masashi , Wang Zhenwei , Itoh Takanori
Published: November 2010

Ce 0.9 Gd 0.1 O 1.95 (CGO) and (ZrO2)0.89(Sc2O3)0.1(CeO2)0.01 (ScSZ) have been proposed as possible alternative electrolytes in intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). In this study, the mechanisms of densely sintering Co-doped CGO and ScSZ electrolytes during the SOFC fabrication process were investigated using synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SR-XRD) analysis. The addition of CoO enhanced the sintering characteristics of both CGO and ScSZ. Based on the results of the SR-XRD analysis, it was found that CGO and CoO did not form a solid solution after heat treatment at 1200°C for 10 h. On the other hand, the solubility limit of Co in ScSZ was estimated to be ≤3 mol % after firing at 1400°C, and Co doping accelerated the conversion of the two phases of the fluorite structures with cubic and rhombohedral phases into a single cubic phase. Because no significant densification of the Co-doped ScSZ samples was observed before and after the phase change and Co diffusion, it suggests that these reaction sintering processes should not be strongly related to densification. From the results of scanning electron microscopy, Co doping suggests to assist the densification of the ScSZ samples through liquid phase sintering, similar to Co-doped CGO.
Modeling of Free Convection Heat Transfer to a Supercritical Fluid in a Square Enclosure by the Lattice Boltzmann Method
Authors: Varmazyar Mostafa , Bazargan Majid
Published: November 2010

During the last decade, a number of numerical computations based on the finite volume approach have been reported, studying various aspects of heat transfer near the critical point. In this paper, a lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) has been developed to simulate laminar free convection heat transfer to a supercritical fluid in a square enclosure. The LBM is an ideal mesoscopic approach to solve nonlinear macroscopic conservation equations due to its simplicity and capability of parallelization. The lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) represents the minimal form of the Boltzmann kinetic equation. The LBE is a very elegant and simple equation, for a discrete density distribution function, and is the basis of the LBM. For the mass and momentum equations, a LBM is used while the heat equation is solved numerically by a finite volume scheme. In this study, interparticle forces are taken into account for nonideal gases in order to simulate the velocity profile more accurately. The laminar free convection cavity flow has been extensively used as a benchmark test to evaluate the accuracy of the numerical code. It is found that the numerical results of this study are in good agreement with the experimental and numerical results reported in the literature. The results of the LBM-FVM (finite volume method) combination are found to be in excellent agreement with the FVM-FVM combination for the Navier–Stokes and heat transfer equations.
Mixed Convective Heat Transfer Past a Heated Square Porous Cylinder in a Horizontal Channel With Varying Channel Height
Authors: Wu Horng-Wen , Wang Ren-Hung
Published: November 2010

The laminar mixed convection flow across the porous square cylinder with the heated cylinder bottom at the axis in the channel has been carried out numerically in this paper using a semi-implicit projection finite element method. The governing equations with the Brinkman–Forcheimer-extended Darcy model for the region of square porous cylinder were solved. The parameter studies including Grashof number, Darcy number, and channel-to-cylinder height ratio on heat transfer performance have been explored in detail. The results indicate that the heat transfer is augmented as the Darcy number and channel-to-cylinder height ratio increase. The buoyancy effect on the local Nusselt number is clearer for B/H=0.1 than for B/H=0.3 and B/H=0.5.
Effects of Mn and Fe Levels on
Bacillus subtilis
Spore Resistance and Effects of Mn
2+
, Other Divalent Cations, Orthophosphate, and Dipicolinic Acid on Protein Resistance to Ionizing Radiation
Authors: Granger Amanda C. , Gaidamakova Elena K. , Matrosova Vera Y. , Daly Michael J. , Setlow Peter
Published: November 2010

Spores of
Bacillus subtilis
strains with (wild type) or without (α
−
β
−
) most DNA-binding α/β-type small, acid-soluble proteins (SASP) were prepared in medium with additional MnCl
2
concentrations of 0.3 μM to 1 mM. These haploid spores had Mn levels that varied up to 180-fold and Mn/Fe ratios that varied up to 300-fold. However, the resistance of these spores to desiccation, wet heat, dry heat, and in particular ionizing radiation was unaffected by their level of Mn or their Mn/Fe ratio; this was also the case for wild-type spore resistance to hydrogen peroxide (H
2
O
2
). However, α
−
β
−
spores were more sensitive to H
2
O
2
when they had high Mn levels and a high Mn/Fe ratio. These results suggest that Mn levels alone are not essential for wild-type bacterial spores' extreme resistance properties, in particular ionizing radiation, although high Mn levels sensitize α
−
β
−
spores to H
2
O
2
, probably by repressing expression of the auxiliary DNA-protective protein MrgA. Notably, Mn
2+
complexed with the abundant spore molecule dipicolinic acid (DPA) with or without inorganic phosphate was very effective at protecting a restriction enzyme against ionizing radiation
in vitro
, and Ca
2+
complexed with DPA and phosphate was also very effective in this regard. These latter data suggest that protein protection in spores against treatments such as ionizing radiation that generate reactive oxygen species may be due in part to the spores' high levels of DPA conjugated to divalent metal ions, predominantly Ca
2+
, much like high levels of Mn
2+
complexed with small molecules protect the bacterium
Deinococcus radiodurans
against ionizing radiation.
Silencing calcineurin A subunit reduces SERCA2 expression in cardiac myocytes
Authors: Prasad Anand Mohan , Inesi Giuseppe
Published: November 2010

Resting intracellular Ca2+can be raised, in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes, by exposure to very low concentration of thapsigargin (TG). Such a Ca2+rise yields calcineurin (CN) activation demonstrated by increased expression of transfected luciferase cDNA under control of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) promoter and increased translocation of NFAT to nuclei. We found that exposure of cardiac myocytes to TG is followed by increase of sarcroplasmic reticulum Ca2+transport ATPase (SERCA2) expression, which is further increased when CN inactivation by CAMKII (calmodulin-dependent kinase) is prevented with KN93 (CAMKII inhibitor). On the other hand, SERCA2 expression is reduced by CN inhibition with cyclosporine. We have now induced calcineurin A (CNA) α- or β-subunit gene silencing with small interfering RNA (siRNA) and observed strong interference with expression of SERCA2, both in control myocytes and following exposure to TG. Such interference is also obtained following NFAT displacement from CN with 9,10-dihydro-9,10[1′,2′]-benzenoanthracene-1,4-dione (INCA-6). We have also observed analogous effects on expression of phospholamban (PLB) and Na+/Ca2+exchanger (NCX). Pertinent to these findings, we have identified, by in-silico analysis, NFAT binding sites in SERCA2, PLB, and NCX1 promoters. Our experiments indicate that activation of the calcineurin-NFAT pathway by rise of resting cytosolic Ca2+elevates transcription/expression of SERCA2, PLB, and NCX1, providing a homeostatic mechanism for long-term control of cytosolic Ca2+.
Comparative analysis of telmisartan and olmesartan on cardiac function in the transgenic (mRen2)27 rat
Authors: DeMarco Vincent G. , Johnson Megan S. , Habibi Javad , Pulakat Lakshmi , Gul Rukhsana , Hayden Melvin R. , Tilmon Roger D. , Dellsperger Kevin C. , Winer Nathaniel , Whaley-Connell Adam T. , Sowers James R.
Published: November 2010

Telmisartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker, may have unique benefits as it possesses partial peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ agonist activity in addition to antihypertensive effects. In this study, we test whether treatment with telmisartan ameliorates cardiovascular abnormalities to a greater extent than olmesartan, which has little PPAR-γ activity. The hypertensive rodent model of tissue renin-angiotensin system activation, transgenic (mRen2)27 (Ren2) rats and their littermate Sprague-Dawley controls were used. Rats were treated with telmisartan (2 mg·kg−1·day−1), olmesartan (2.5 mg·kg−1·day−1), or vehicle via drinking water for 3 wk; these doses achieved similar blood pressure control, as measured by telemetry. Ren2 rats displayed impaired diastolic and systolic function using left ventricular (LV) pressure-volume (P-V) analysis. Load-independent diastolic indexes, including the time constant of isovolumic relaxation and the slope of the end-diastolic P-V relationship, as well as systolic indexes, including preload recruitable stroke work, the dP/d tmax-end-diastolic volume (EDV) relationship, and the P-V area-EDV relationship, were elevated in Ren2 rats compared with Sprague-Dawley controls ( P < 0.05). The Ren2 myocardium exhibited parallel increases in the oxidant markers NADPH oxidase and 3-nitrotyrosine. The increase in the prohypertrophic protein Jak2 in Ren2 rats was associated with cardiac structural abnormalities using light microscopic and ultrastructural analysis, which included interstitial fibrosis, cardiomyocyte and LV hypertrophy, and mitochondrial derangements. Both angiotensin receptor blockers attenuate these abnormalities to a similar extent. Our data suggest that the beneficial effect of telmisartan and olmesartan on cardiac structure and function may be predominantly pressor-related or angiotensin type 1 receptor dependent in this model of renin-angiotensin system activation.
Three days after a single exposure to ozone, the mechanism of airway hyperreactivity is dependent on substance P and nerve growth factor
Authors: Verhein Kirsten C. , Hazari Mehdi S. , Moulton Bart C. , Jacoby Isabella W. , Jacoby David B. , Fryer Allison D.
Published: November 2010

Ozone causes persistent airway hyperreactivity in humans and animals. One day after ozone exposure, airway hyperreactivity is mediated by release of eosinophil major basic protein that inhibits neuronal M2muscarinic receptors, resulting in increased acetylcholine release and increased smooth muscle contraction in guinea pigs. Three days after ozone, IL-1β, not eosinophils, mediates ozone-induced airway hyperreactivity, but the mechanism at this time point is largely unknown. IL-1β increases NGF and the tachykinin substance P, both of which are involved in neural plasticity. These experiments were designed to test whether there is a role for NGF and tachykinins in sustained airway hyperreactivity following a single ozone exposure. Guinea pigs were exposed to filtered air or ozone (2 parts per million, 4 h). In anesthetized and vagotomized animals, ozone potentiated vagally mediated airway hyperreactivity 24 h later, an effect that was sustained over 3 days. Pretreatment with antibody to NGF completely prevented ozone-induced airway hyperreactivity 3 days, but not 1 day, after ozone and significantly reduced the number of substance P-positive airway nerve bundles. Three days after ozone, NK1and NK2receptor antagonists also blocked this sustained hyperreactivity. Although the effect of inhibiting NK2receptors was independent of ozone, the NK1receptor antagonist selectively blocked vagal hyperreactivity 3 days after ozone. These data confirm mechanisms of ozone-induced airway hyperreactivity change over time and demonstrate 3 days after ozone that there is an NGF-mediated role for substance P, or another NK1receptor agonist, that enhances acetylcholine release and was not present 1 day after ozone.
Relation Between Right Ventricular Function and Increased Right Ventricular [
18
F]Fluorodeoxyglucose Accumulation in Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Mielniczuk Lisa M. , Birnie David , Ziadi Maria C. , deKemp Robert A. , DaSilva Jean N. , Burwash Ian , Tang Anthony T. , Davies Ross A. , Haddad Haissam , Guo Ann , Aung May , Williams Kathryn , Ukkonen Heikki , Beanlands Rob S.B.
Published: November 2010

Background—

Left heart failure is characterized by alterations in metabolic substrate utilization, and metabolic modulation may be a future strategy in the management of heart failure. Little is known about cardiac metabolism in the right ventricle and how it relates to other measures of right ventricular (RV) function. This study was designed to measure glucose metabolism in the right ventricle, as estimated by [
18
F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography imaging and to determine the relation between RV function and FDG uptake in patients with heart failure.

Methods and Results—

A total of 68 patients underwent cardiac [
18
F]FDG positron emission tomography scanning with measurement of RV FDG uptake as a standardized uptake value. Perfusion imaging was acquired at rest with rubidium-82 or [
13
N]ammonia. RV function was determined by equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography. Relative RV FDG uptake was determined as the ratio of RV to LV standardized uptake value. Fifty-five percent of these patients had ischemic cardiomyopathy. The mean LV and RV ejection fractions were 21±7% and 35±10%, respectively. There was a correlation between RV ejection fraction and the ratio of RV to LV FDG uptake whether the entire LV myocardium (
r
=−0.40,
P
<0.001) or LV free wall (
r
=−0.43,
P
<0.001) was used. This relation persisted in the subgroup with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (
r
=−0.37,
P
=0.04). RV FDG uptake was weakly related to increased RV systolic pressure but not related to LV size, function, or FDG uptake. The correlation between RV ejection fraction and RV/LV FDG was maintained after partial-volume correction (
r
=−0.68,
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

RV dysfunction is associated with an increase in RV FDG uptake, the magnitude of which may be correlated with severity.
Islamic Law and Muslim Governance in Northern Nigeria: Crimes against Life, Limb and Property in Shari'a Judicial Practice
Authors: Weimann Gunnar
Published: November 2010

A decade ago, twelve northern Nigerian states introduced Islamic criminal legislation. Many governors of these states supported the move only with reluctance. They were caught between popular demands for the introduction of the shari'a and the exigencies of their office, established by the Nigerian Constitution. Their situation may be compared to that of the colonial period emirs whose legitimacy was closely linked to the imple mentation of Islamic criminal law, but who were forced to implement British orders containing its application. In this article, I analyse the judicial practice of modern shari'a courts with regard to crimes against life, limb and property, a major concern for northern Nigerian Muslims in the past and at present. I conclude that because both the emirs and the governors have been unable to find lasting solutions to the problem of reconciling the two legal systems, they have opted for delaying tactics.
Punishing the Guilty, Not Punishing the Innocent
Authors: Lippke Richard
Published: November 2010

Discussion in this paper focuses on how strongly we should prefer non-punishment of persons guilty of serious crimes to punishment of persons innocent of them. William Blackstone's version of that preference, expressed as a ten to one ratio, is first shown to be untenable on standard accounts of legal punishment's justifying aims. Somewhat weaker versions of that ratio also appear suspect. More to the point, Blackstone's adage obscures the crucial way in which there are risks to be assessed in setting up a criminal justice system – the risk that it will not be eff ective enough at apprehending and punishing serious off enders, as well as the risk that it will expose innocent persons to harsh punishment. I urge a balancing of such risks, and argue that the salient features of many contemporary criminal justice systems can be plausibly interpreted as attempting to achieve and maintain such a balance. We do not grant criminal defendants a presumption of innocence that the state must overcome with proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in order to institutionally express a strong degree of preference for non-punishment of the guilty to punishment of the innocent. Instead, we do so in order to ensure that institutions of legal punishment have suffi cient scope while preserving their ability to accurately sort the guilty from the innocent.
A Kantian Defense of Prudential Suicide
Authors: Cholbi Michael
Published: November 2010

Kant's claim that the rational will has absolute value or dignity appears to render any prudential suicide morally impermissible. Although the previous appeals of Kantians (e. g., David Velleman) to the notion that pain or mental anguish can compromise dignity and justify prudential suicide are unsuccessful, these appeals suggest three constraints that an adequate Kantian defense of prudential suicide must meet. Here I off er an account that meets these constraints. Central to this account is the contention that some suicidal agents, because they are unable to fashion a rational conception of their own happiness, are diminished with respect to their dignity of humanity, and as a result, lack the pricelessness that makes prudential suicide wrong on a Kantian view.
On the Non-instrumental Value of Basic Rights
Authors: Cruft Rowan
Published: November 2010

Basic rights are often of great instrumental value in securing protection for important human needs and interests. The first two sections of this paper defend the thesis that basic rights are also valuable independently of their instrumental role. Taking my cue from Frances Kamm's suggestion that basic rights reflect or express human worth, in the third, fourth and fifth sections I develop the proposal that the non-instrumental value of basic rights derives from their constitutive role in a universal form of community or fellowship. The importance of basic rights' instrumental role is reaffi rmed in the final section of the paper, which builds on the earlier sections to offer a 'mixed' theory according to which basic rights have both instrumental and non-instrumental value.
Performance Stress and the Very Young Musician
Authors: Boucher Hélène , Ryan Charlene A.
Published: November 2010

Performance anxiety is a common experience among musicians. Recent studies have found it to be an issue not only for adult performers but also for developing musicians as early as third grade. The question as to its developed or innate nature led to the present inquiry pertaining to young children’s responses to performance situations. Sixty-six 3- and 4-year-olds taking group music lessons that culminated in two concerts served as participants. Self-report of anticipatory anxiety, cortisol secretion, and observation of anxious behaviors were the primary measures. Results indicated that young children did experience anxiety with respect to music performances and that responses seemed to have both innate and developed components. Children with prior performing experience reported less anticipatory anxiety, but had higher cortisol levels, than those without prior experience. Additionally, performance location seemed to play a role in children’s anxiety responses. Those who were familiar with their performance environment responded with less anxiety than those who were not. Overall, second performances within a short time frame elicited much lower anxiety responses than initial performances. Findings pertaining to performance location and second performances appear to have direct pedagogical implications, which may help to reduce performance stress in young children.
Telegrams to Washington
Authors: Leckrone J. Wesley , Gollob Justin
Published: November 2010

This article argues that state legislative memorials to Congress are an underutilized tool in the study of federalism. A data set composed of the 4,119 memorials submitted to Congress from 1987 to 2006 was constructed to study the evolution of state priorities in intergovernmental policy and to examine attitudes toward state–federal relations. Analysis shows that memorials have been used by every state legislature to send substantive policy signals to Washington across a wide range of issues. The article concludes that the inclusion of memorials into the study of intergovernmental relations provides researchers rich insight into unexplored issues critical to our understanding of federalism.
Environmental scanning: An application of information literacy skills at the workplace
Authors: Xue Zhang  , Majid Shaheen , Foo Schubert
Published: November 2010

The business environment is increasingly becoming uncertain and complex. Environmental scanning is a systematic way for organizations to detect changes, and hence formulate adaptive strategies for coping with uncertainties. Information literacy skills are required to conduct effective and efficient environmental scanning activities as it is an information intensive process. Moreover, the development of information technology and telecommunication provides various channels and applications for accessing, processing and distributing information, which also proposes higher requirements of information literacy skills for dealing with environmental information. However, despite the number of studies undertaken to investigate the role of information literacy at the workplace, few have integrated information literacy skills with a specific business management activity or have tried to evaluate the impact of information literacy on real business applications. This paper provides an overview of environmental scanning and information literacy skills. A refined model, showing the relationship between environmental uncertainty, information literacy skills and environmental scanning, is also presented.
Incubation Push or Business Pull? Investigating the Geography of U.S. Business Incubators
Authors: Haifeng Qian  , Haynes Kingsley E. , Riggle James D.
Published: November 2010

The primary purposes of this article are to present new data on the geographic distribution of U.S. business incubators and to explore the geographically bounded factors that influence the location of business incubators. The authors’ data show that U.S. business incubators are unevenly distributed across urban/rural divisions, states, and counties. Factor analysis identifies three common factors from 28 demographic, social, and economic variables drawn from publicly available data at the county level. These factors include agglomeration, welfare, and business/entrepreneurship. The results of binomial logistic regressions suggest that incubators are more likely to be found in counties with high levels of agglomeration but low levels of existing business development. Our findings suggest support for the incubation push hypothesis over the business pull hypothesis on the location of business incubators based on the regional configuration of incubator presence.
Toxicological evaluation of an antilithiatic polyherbal Siddha formulation-Sirupeellai Samoola Kudineer in experimental rats
Authors: Gayathri V. , Muthulakshmi V. , Chandronitha C. , Vasanthkumar M. , Ramakrishnan G. , Ananthi S. , Kuruvilla Sarah , Vasanthi Hannah R
Published: November 2010

Sirupeellai samoola kudineer (SK), a polyherbal decoction, has been used in Siddha system of medicine for the management of Urolithiasis. Since, there exists no documentation of preclinical toxicological evaluation of SK earlier, in the present study, acute and subacute toxicity of SK was assessed in Sprague Dawley rats as per OECD guideline 423 and 407, respectively. In the acute toxicity study, SK did not produce any toxic signs at a dose level of 50 ml/kg b.wt/p.o. Three doses of SK (4.5, 9.0, 18.0 ml/kg b.wt) were administered and observed for various behavioral, physiological, biochemical, and haematological changes for 28 days in the subacute toxicity study. Low and mid dose of SK (4.5 and 9.0 ml/kg b.wt) did not exhibit any significant physiological and haematological alterations. Whereas, high dose (18.0 ml/kg bw) treatment exhibited significant changes in creatinine, gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and acid phosphatase (ACP) levels in serum. Further, histopathological examinations of brain, heart, liver, kidney and sex organs revealed normal architecture signifying no morphological changes upto a dose of 9.0 ml/kg. However, 18.0 ml/kg of SK administration showed few histopathological changes as compared to the control. Based on these results, it can be concluded that Sirupeellai samoola kudineer is safe and non-toxic upto 9.0 ml/kg for 28 days in experimental rats.
Permanent deficits in brain functions caused by long-term ketamine treatment in mice
Authors: Sun L , Lam WP , Wong YW , Lam LH , Tang HC , Wai MS , Mak YT , Pan F , Yew DT
Published: November 2010

Ketamine, an injectable anesthetic, is also a popular recreational drug used by young adults worldwide. Ketamine is a non-competitive antagonist of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor, which plays important roles in synaptic plasticity and neuronal learning. Most previous studies have examined the immediate and short-term effects of ketamine, which include learning and cognitive deficits plus impairment of working memory, whereas little is known about the long-term effects of repeated ketamine injections of common or usual recreational doses. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the deficits in brain functions with behavioral tests, including wire hang, hot plate and water maze tests, plus examine prefrontal cortex apoptotic markers, including Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3, in mice treated with 6 months of daily ketamine administration. In our study, following 6 months of ketamine injection, mice showed significant deterioration in neuromuscular strength and nociception 4 hours post-dose, but learning and working memory were not affected nor was there significant apoptosis in the prefrontal cortex. Our research revealed the important clinical finding that long-term ketamine abuse with usual recreational doses can detrimentally affect neuromuscular strength and nociception as part of measurable, stable and persistent deficits in brain function.
Teucrium polium reversed the MCD diet-induced liver injury in rats
Authors: Amini Rahim , Yazdanparast Razieh , Aghazadeh Safiyeh , Ghaffari Seyed H
Published: November 2010

In the present study, we evaluated the ability of Teucrium polium ethyl acetate fraction, with high antioxidant activity, in the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in rats and its possible effect on factors involved in pathogenesis of the disease. To induce NASH, a methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet was given to N-Mary rats for 8 weeks. After NASH development, MCD-fed rats were divided into 2 groups: NASH group that received MCD diet and NASH + T group which was fed MCD diet plus ethyl acetate fraction of T. polium orally for 3 weeks. Histopathological evaluations revealed that treatment with the extract has abated the severity of NASH among the MCD-fed rats. In addition, the fraction reduced the elevated levels of hepatic tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) gene expression and also the elevated level of malondialdehyde (MDA). In addition, the extract increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and enhanced the level of hepatic glutathione (GSH). Moreover, the fraction treatments lowered caspase-3 level and the phosphorylated form of C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and augmented the phosphrylated level of extracellular regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2). These results indicate that the ethyl acetate fraction of T. poium effectively reversed NASH, mainly due to its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Post injury multiple organ failure
Authors: Dewar David C , Butcher Nerida E , King Kate L , Balogh Zsolt J
Published: November 2010

The understanding of post injury multiple organ failure (MOF) has evolved considerably since it was first described more than 30 years ago. Improved trauma care has decreased the mortality of single organ injury, although these patients may go on to MOF. There has been significant investigation in both the basic science and clinical understanding of MOF. This research has altered management strategies thereby decreasing the incidence and mortality related to MOF. Despite this MOF remains the greatest contributor to late trauma death and morbidity. This review defines essential terminology, examines the historical perspective of MOF, describes common scoring systems, describes the changes in epidemiology, discusses the aetiology and pathophysiology, reviews current prevention, resuscitation and treatment strategies and provides future direction for research.