bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Impedance Matching of Femoral‐Popliteal Arterial Grafts: A Theoretical Study
Authors: Hirayama Hirohumi , Nishimura Toshihiro , Fukuyama Yuzo
Published: July 2010

Abstract: We have proposed a mathematical method to investigate the matching conditions for an arterial graft in the femoral‐popliteal region from a mechanical standpoint. Pulsatory blood flow, arterial wall motions, and conservation law are expressed by linear dynamical equations based on strict mechanical and constitutional considerations. To express the physiological blood flow in an actual arterial system, the tethering effects from the surrounding tissue and wall tensions were incorporated. The physiological parameters of arterial wall and tethering were utilized from reported experimental data. By complex analysis, mathematical expressions for the local impedance and reflection coefficient were obtained. They include not only blood properties such as viscosity and density, but also arterial properties including elastic modulus, radius, Poisson ratio, wall thickness, wall tension, frequency, and tethering effects from surrounding tissue. A matching condition was defined for minimizing the local impedance and reflection coefficient. The biophysical background was to reduce any mechanical mismatches, thus minimizing the disturbance of the flow velocity profile and shear stress distribution within the artery. Impedance matching in turn diminishes the negative factors for graft substitution represented by intimal hyperplasia and thrombosis. The calculated impedance and reflection coefficient inversed parabolically to functions of the resistance of the host artery, and there was one host arterial resistance that minimized the impedance and reflection coefficient. The present analysis revealed that for matching host artery with an elevated resistance, the dynamic elastic modulus of the wall of the graft that minimizes the impedance and reflection coefficient was increased. This indicates that for a host artery with a high resistance, an impedance matched stiff wall graft is preferable. For a large radius and a compliant host artery on the other hand, a large compliant graft should be linked. The present theoretical matching conditions will prevent anastomotic hyperplasia and thrombosis in graft substitution.
Mechanical Damage of Red Blood Cells by Rotary Blood Pumps: Selective Destruction of Aged Red Blood Cells and Subhemolytic Trauma
Authors: Sakota Daisuke , Sakamoto Ryuki , Sobajima Hideo , Yokoyama Naoyuki , Waguri Satoshi , Ohuchi Katsuhiro , Takatani Setsuo
Published: July 2010

In this study, mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) were measured to quantify RBC damage by rotary blood pumps.

Six‐hour hemolysis tests were conducted with a Bio‐pump BPX‐80, a Sarns 15200 roller pump, and a prototype mag‐lev centrifugal pump (MedTech Heart) using fresh porcine blood circulated at 5 L/min against a 100 mm Hg head pressure. The temperature of the test and noncirculated control blood was maintained at 37°C. The normalized index of hemolysis (NIH) of each pump was determined by measuring the plasma‐free hemoglobin level. The MCV was measured with a Coulter counter, and MCHC was derived from total hemoglobin and hematocrit. MCH was derived from MCV and MCHC.

A multivariance statistical analysis (ANOVA) revealed statistically significant differences (n = 15, P < 0.05) in MCV, MCHC, and MCH between the blood sheared by the rotary blood pumps and the nonsheared control blood. Normalized to the control blood, the Bio‐pump BPX‐80 showed an MCV of 1.04 ± 0.03, an MCHC of 0.95 ± 0.04, and an MCH of 0.98 ± 0.02; the mag‐lev MedTech Heart had an MCV of 1.02 ± 0.02, an MCHC of 0.97 ± 0.02, and an MCH of 0.99 ± 0.01; and the roller pump exhibited an MCV of 1.03 ± 0.03, an MCHC of 0.96 ± 0.03, and an MCH of 0.99 ± 0.01. Per 0.01 increase in NIH, the BPX‐80 showed a normalized MCV change of +10.1% and a normalized MCHC change of −14.0%; the MedTech Heart demonstrated a +6.9% MCV and −9.5% MCHC change; and the roller pump had a +0.5% MCV and −0.6% MCHC change.

Due to shear in the pump circuits, the RBC increased while the MCHC decreased. The likely mechanism is that older RBCs with smaller size and higher hemoglobin concentration were destroyed fast by the shear, leaving younger RBCs with larger size and lower hemoglobin concentration. Subhemolytic trauma caused the intracellular hemoglobin to decrease due to gradual hemoglobin leakage through the micropores formed in the thinned membrane.

In conclusion, the rate of change in MCV and MCHC with respect to NIH change provides useful information relating to selective destruction of RBCs, while the MCH level reflects subhemolytic damage.
The Hemodynamic Behavior of Arterial Anastomosis Using Fibrin Sealant: Experimental Study in Swine
Authors: Rocha Eduardo A.V. , De Souza Cláudio
Published: July 2010

The wide use of biological sealants as a reinforcement for arterial sutures and the small experimental base in literature motivated this study. Our aim was to evaluate the flow, tear pressure, and the need of reinforcement stitches in sutured arteries after a cross‐section. This research project complied with the Helsinki convention. The Tissucol (Baxter) fibrin sealant was used in all experiments. The femoral and carotid arteries of 17 swine from the same breed (weighing from 15 to 20 kg) were cross‐sectioned after heparinization and subjected to anastomoses using a single continuous plane of 7‐0 prolene. We worked with 68 artery samples, 34 in the treatment group and 34 in the control group. For each animal, one carotid and one femoral artery randomly received fibrin sealant with the contralateral side being used as a control. The need and the number of reinforcement stitches were recorded. Ten minutes after protamine infusion, the animals were sacrificed and the arteries were catheterized respecting 1 cm proximal and distal. The arteries were measured and placed on a flow meter to evaluate the flow rate of 10 mL of 0.9% NaCl in a 50 cm high column. The arteries were then subjected to air infusion at increasingly higher pressures (stepwise increases of 25 mm Hg), the grafts were dipped in 0.9% NaCl solution, the first air leakage was observed, and the tear pressure recorded. Data was analyzed with EpiInfo 6 data manager. The external diameters and thickness of the arteries were similar in both the treatment and control group. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the tear pressure (P = 0.329), flow rate (P = 0.943), and the number of samples with a tear pressure above 200 mm Hg. However, the sealant reduced the number of reinforcement stitches necessary (P =  0.029). We conclude that fibrin sealant reduces the need of additional stitches; however, it does not change the tear pressure nor significantly reduces the flow.
Nitric Oxide in Conjunction With Milrinone Better Stabilized Pulmonary Hemodynamics After Fontan Procedure
Authors: Cai Jiming , Su Zhaokang , Shi Zhenying , Zhou Yanping , Xu Zhiwei , Liu Jinfen , Chen Ling , Xu Zhuoming , Yu Xiaoqing , Ding Wenxiang , Yang Yanmin
Published: July 2010

Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) has been used for patients with increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) shortly after Fontan operation, but repeat deterioration of PVR during or shortly after its withdrawal remains a major concern. Milrinone, a phosphodiesterase type 3 (PDE3) inhibitor, can also reduce PVR for postoperative patients with pulmonary hypertension. We hypothesized that iNO, in conjunction with milrinone, can provide additive benefits for pulmonary hemodynamics and reduce the occurrence of iNO withdrawal failure/rebound. Thirty‐one patients with marked elevation of transpulmonary pressure gradient (TPG, >10 mm Hg) or central venous pressure (CVP, >15 mm Hg) after modified fenestrated Fontan operation were prospectively randomized into two groups, that is, group iNO (iNO at ∼10 ppm, n = 15) and group iNO + Mil (iNO at ∼10 ppm and milrinone at 0.5 µg/kg/min, n = 16). Hemodynamics, arterial blood oxygenation, and occurrence of withdrawal failure/rebound were compared between the two groups. Combined application of iNO and milrinone resulted in (i) more significant decrement of CVP (19.6 ± 3.5% in group iNO + Mil vs. 15.2 ± 4.6% in group iNO, P < 0.05) and TPG (18.2 ± 4.8% in group iNO + Mil vs. 15.3 ± 2.6% in group iNO, P < 0.05), (ii) more significant increment of systolic systemic arterial pressure (8.7 ± 2.7% in group iNO + Mil vs. 5.2 ± 3.1% in group iNO, P < 0.05), and (iii) more significant improvement of arterial oxygen saturation (9.3 ± 3.2% in group iNO + Mil vs. 6.8 ± 2.8% in group iNO, P < 0.01). Occurrence of iNO withdrawal failure during its weaning or rebound after its discontinuation was significantly lower in group iNO + Mil. The combined use of iNO and milrinone provided additive benefits as compared with exclusive use of iNO for patients with elevated PVR after Fontan procedure.
Optimal Positive End‐Expiratory Pressure During Pumpless Extracorporeal Lung Membrane Support
Authors: Jungebluth Philipp , Iglesias Manuela , Go Tetsuhiko , Sibila Oriol , Macchiarini Paolo
Published: July 2010

The aim of this study was to determine the optimal positive end‐expiratory pressure (PEEP) required during extracorporeal lung membrane support (interventional lung assist [iLA]; Novalung GmbH, Hechingen, Germany). Twenty healthy pigs were initially (4 h) mechanically ventilated with a tidal volume (VT) of 10 mL/Kg, respiratory rate (RR) of 20 breaths/min, PEEP of 5 cm H2O, and fraction of inspired O2 (FiO2) of 1.0. Thereafter, the iLAs were placed arteriovenously transfemorally and settings reduced to reach near static ventilation (VT ≤ 2 mL/Kg, RR 4 breaths/min, PEEP of 5, FiO2 1.0). Then, animals were assigned to four study groups evaluating 5 cm H2O increasing levels of PEEP for 8 h. Gas exchanges with PEEP ≤ 10 cm H2O were significantly worse than those with PEEP > 12 cm H2O, and this without hemodynamical imbalance. This study suggests that the iLA may provide adequate gas exchange during static ventilation only with PEEP levels > 10 cm H2O, and this without pulmonary or systemic hemodynamic imbalance.
Venous Pressure Regulation During Pulsatile Extracorporeal Life Support
Authors: Choi Seong Wook , Nam Kyoung Won
Published: July 2010

During the use of pulsatile extracorporeal life support (pulsatile‐ECLS), the patient's venous pressure near the inlet venous catheter tip must be monitored to maintain sufficient blood flow and to prevent vein collapse. However, direct measurement of the venous pressure and the estimate of suction using measured blood inflow and prepump pressure are not practical because of setup difficulties during emergency treatments and in cardiovascular operations. In this article, we describe a new method for estimating the venous pressure that can be implemented in the controller of the pulsatile‐ECLS system, the T‐PLS. It uses real‐time measurement of the electric current and actuator motion. The current waveform of the T‐PLS is used to determine the outflow amount and the volume remaining in the pulsatile pumps. Previously measured values of the pulsatile‐ECLS compliance and the hemodynamic resistance along the inflow path are used to evaluate venous pressure with estimated blood flow. Estimated prepump pressure, inflow, and venous pressure were compared to the measured data in a series of in vitro experiments. The estimated venous pressure was used to avoid vein collapse and to increase the reliability in animal experiments.
Nitrogen Fixation in Preserved, Reforested, Naturally Regenerated and Impaired Mangroves as an Indicator of Functional Restoration in Mangroves in an Arid Region of Mexico
Authors: Vovides Alejandra G. , Bashan Yoav , López‐Portillo Jorge A. , Guevara Roger
Published: July 2010

Although several damaged mangrove ecosystems have been restored worldwide, so far, it has not been established whether a restored mangrove system regains all the functional properties of preserved mangroves. This study measured nitrogen fixation as an indicator of whether disturbed mangroves that were reforested or naturally regenerated fully recovered from this disturbance at a functional level. Rates of nitrogen fixation were measured for one year in impaired, preserved, reforested, and naturally regenerated mangroves dominated by the black mangrove (Avicennia germinans). There was no significant difference in rates of nitrogen fixation among preserved and adjacent reforested and naturally regenerated mangroves, but a significant reduction occurred in an impaired mangrove. Nitrogen fixation was mainly controlled by pH, salinity, and temperature. The highest rates of nitrogen fixation occurred in summer at pH values less than 6.4, whereas the impaired mangrove had higher pH and salinity and had very low nitrogen fixation activity. These results suggest that nitrogen fixation can be used as an ecological indicator of the success of reforestation and as a sensitive measure of perturbations in mangroves.
Glutamate and astrocytes—Key players in human mesial temporal lobe epilepsy?
Authors: Eid Tore , Williamson Anne , Lee Tih‐Shih W , Petroff Ognen A , De Lanerolle Nihal C
Published: July 2010

Summary

Approximately one‐third of all patients with epilepsy continue to suffer from seizures even after appropriate treatment with antiepileptic drugs. Medically refractory epilepsies are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, and more efficacious therapies against these disorders are clearly needed. However, the discovery of better therapies has been lagging due to an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of epilepsy (epileptogensis) and seizures (ictogenesis) in humans. An increasing number of studies have suggested that an abnormal amplification of glutamatergic activity—often referred to as the “glutamate hypothesis”—is involved in the pathophysiology of seizures and certain types of medically refractory epilepsies. For example, elevated levels of extracellular glutamate in hyperexcitable areas of the brain, up‐regulation of glutamate receptors, and loss of the glutamate‐metabolizing enzyme, glutamine synthetase (GS), have all been reported in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). Moreover, it appears that glial cells, particularly the astrocyte, may play a key role in the glutamate overflow in MTLE. Proliferation of astrocytes is a hallmark of the epileptogenic focus in MTLE, and the proliferated cells are characterized by several unique features that are permissive for the excessive accumulation and release of astrocytic glutamate. Here, we assess recent data regarding the glutamate excess in epilepsy, review the role of glutamine synthetase, and discuss the implications of astrocytes in the pathophysiology of MTLE.
Irreversible Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in Alcoholic Rats Without Chronic Pancreatitis After Alcohol Withdrawal
Authors: Li Jing , Zhou Chao , Wang Rui , Liu Rui , Huang Zhiyin , Tang Chengwei
Published: July 2010

Background:  Long‐term alcohol consumption alone did not cause chronic pancreatitis (CP) but impaired exocrine pancreatic function. This study is to explore the reversibility of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in the abstinent rats and its mechanism.

Methods:  Forty‐eight healthy male Wistar rats were divided randomly into 4 groups: 6‐month control, 6‐month ethanol, 9‐month control, and 9‐month ethanol + withdrawal. Morphological changes of pancreatic acinar cells were observed. Pancreatic amylase and lipase were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Free fatty acid (FFA) in rat intestinal chyme was measured. Cholecystokinin (CCK) levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. The expression of CCK‐A receptors was quantitatively analyzed by Western blot.

Results:  Alcohol‐induced ultramicrostructure changes of pancreatic acinar cells, including lipid droplets, myelinoid inclusion bodies, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulums, and diminished zymogen granules, were not attenuated after alcohol abstinence. The outputs of amylase and lipase, FFA content in intestinal chyme, and the intestinal and the pancreatic CCK levels in rats were reduced after chronic alcohol intake and were still lower than the control after cessation of alcohol use. Chronic ethanol intake or abstinence did not induce any change in the expression of CCK‐A receptors.

Conclusions:  Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was irreversible in alcoholic rats without CP after alcohol withdrawal. It may be attributed to reduced pancreatic CCK, long‐standing fatty infiltration, ultramicrostructure injuries in pancreatic acinar cells, and aging.
Measurement of Serum, Liver, and Brain Cytokine Induction, Thiamine Levels, and Hepatopathology in Rats Exposed to a 4‐Day Alcohol Binge Protocol
Authors: Zahr Natalie M. , Luong Richard , Sullivan Edith V. , Pfefferbaum Adolf
Published: July 2010

Background:  In rodent and human studies, ethanol (EtOH) exposure is associated with elevated brain levels of the magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) signal representing choline‐containing compounds (Cho). One interpretation of elevated brain Cho is that it is a marker of neuroinflammation, and some evidence suggests that EtOH exposure promotes neuroinflammation. This study aimed to determine whether binge EtOH exposure (intragastric 3 g/kg 25% EtOH every 8 hours for 4 days) would induce the expression of certain cytokines in blood, liver, or brain, thereby supporting the neuroinflammation hypothesis of elevated Cho.

Methods:  Ten of 18 wild‐type male Wistar rats (∼322 g at baseline) were exposed to EtOH and attained average blood alcohol levels of ∼315 mg/dl across 4 days. Blood for cytokine immunoassays was collected at baseline, after 5 doses of EtOH (binge), and immediately preceding euthanasia either 4 or 24 hours after the last dose of EtOH. Blood was additionally assayed for the levels of thiamine and liver enzymes; liver histopathology was performed postmortem; and tissue from liver and 6 brain regions was assayed for the potential induction of 7 cytokines.

Results:  There were no group effects on the levels of thiamine or its phosphate derivatives, thiamine monophosphate or thiamine diphosphate. ANOVAs of liver enzyme levels indicated that only alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were higher in the EtOH group than in control group at binge; ALP elevations, however, are difficult to explain in the absence of changes in the levels of additional liver enzymes. Postmortem liver pathology provided evidence for minimal microvesicular lipidosis and portocentric fibrosis in the EtOH group. Group effects on the levels of the measured cytokines in the blood (TNF‐α, IFN‐γ, IL‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐13, and GRO/CXCL1) were not significant. Similarly, postmortem evaluation of liver cytokines did not reveal group effects. Postmortem evaluation of the 7 cytokines in 6 brain regions (anterior cerebellar vermis, cingulate cortex, frontal cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, striatum) also failed to identify group effects.

Conclusions:  A single 4‐day bout of binge EtOH exposure alone was insufficient to induce the expression of 7 cytokines in blood, liver, or 6 brain regions of wild‐type Wistar rats. Alternative interpretations for elevations in brain Cho in response to a 4‐day binge EtOH treatment are therefore necessary and may include induction of cytokines not measured herein or other noninflammatory mechanisms.
Book Review
Authors: Reed Nancy V. , Rhame Frank S.
Published: July 2010

AIDS and the Allied Health Professions. Joyce W. Hopp and Elizabeth A. Rodgers
The Minos and the Socratic Examination of Law
Authors: Lutz Mark J.
Published: July 2010

The Minos is said to initiate the natural law tradition because it claims that an unjust law is not truly a law. But the dialogue also shows that reason cannot recognize that a given statute, as such, is a law. Along with this criticism of law, the Minos shows why the Socratic inquiry into law must consider whether divine law is based on a kind of knowledge through which law can be recognized as authoritative. Thanks to the Minos, we see that Plato's Laws begins by examining the kind of knowledge that underlies divine law and that throughout the dialogue the Athenian Stranger is testing whether human reason can know and establish divine law. In the end, the Minos and Laws establish a once influential but now neglected Socratic tradition of inquiry into law.
Unpacking LogM: Toward a More General Theory of Party System Density
Authors: Lowery David , Otjes Simon , Gherghina Sergiu , Van Witteloostuijn Arjen , Peli Gabor , Brasher Holly
Published: July 2010

The standard model of political party system density combines two traditions to explain why some countries have more political parties than others, one tradition that emphasizes social cleavages and another that emphasizes electoral institutions, especially district magnitude. Despite its considerable success, there are several reasons to be less than fully satisfied with the standard model. We examine two of these problems associated with the scope of strategic voting and the functional form of the specification used to test the model. In doing so, we contrast the standard interpretation with an organizational ecology model that accounts for what the standard model did so well, but also accounts for important anomalies it ignores. We reexamine some of the key analyses that have been used to test the standard model to assess the severity of its limitations and the utility of the rival organizational ecology account.
Inequality and the Dynamics of Public Opinion: The Self‐Reinforcing Link Between Economic Inequality and Mass Preferences
Authors: Kelly Nathan J. , Enns Peter K.
Published: July 2010

This article assesses the influence of income inequality on the public's policy mood. Recent work has produced divergent perspectives on the relationship between inequality, public opinion, and government redistribution. One group of scholars suggests that unequal representation of different income groups reproduces inequality as politicians respond to the preferences of the rich. Another group of scholars pays relatively little attention to distributional outcomes but shows that government is generally just as responsive to the poor as to the rich. Utilizing theoretical insights from comparative political economy and time‐series data from 1952 to 2006, supplemented with cross‐sectional analysis where appropriate, we show that economic inequality is, in fact, self‐reinforcing, but that this is fully consistent with the idea that government tends to respond equally to rich and poor in its policy enactments.
Decomposing the Moral Community: Religious Contexts and Teen Childbearing
Authors: Ovadia Seth , Moore Laura M.
Published: July 2010

Teen birth rates vary widely across counties in the United States. in this study, we examine whether the religious composition of a county is correlated with the rate of teen childbearing using both a traditional moral communities approach and a “decomposed” version of that framework. Utilizing 2000 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States Census Bureau, and the Religious Congregation and Membership Survey, we find that the total percentage of religious adherents in a county is not significantly correlated with the teen birth rate. However, when we decompose the Christian population into major denominational groupings, we find the percentage of evangelical Protestants in a county is positively associated with the teen birth rate while the percentage of Catholics is negatively associated with teen childbearing. Possible explanations for the association between religious context and teen birth rates are discussed, as well as their policy and research implications.
Relationship between Cycle Length of Typical Atrial Flutter and Double Potential Interval after Achievement of Complete Isthmus Block
Authors: DEREJKO PAWEŁ , BODALSKI ROBERT , SZUMOWSKI ŁUKASZ J. , KOZŁOWSKI DARIUSZ , URBANEK PIOTR , ORCZYKOWSKI MICHAŁ , ZAKRZEWSKA‐KOPERSKA JOANNA , KĘPSKI ROMAN , CHOJNOWSKA LIDIA , POLAŃSKA MAGDALENA , SZUFLADOWICZ EWA , WÓJCIK ANNA , SACHER FRÉDÉRIC , HAÏSSAGUERRE MICHEL , WALCZAK FRANCISZEK
Published: July 2010

Background:
 There is some disagreement concerning the minimal value of the interval between components of double potentials (DPs interval) that allows distinguishing complete and incomplete block in the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI).

Objectives:
 To assess clinical utility of the relationship between atrial flutter cycle length (AFL CL) and the DPs interval.

Methods:
 Ablation of the CTI was performed in 87 patients during AFL (245 ± 40 ms). Subsequently, DPs were recorded during proximal coronary sinus pacing at sites close to a gap in the ablation line and after achievement of complete isthmus block.

Results:
 We noted strong correlation between AFL CL and the DPs interval after achievement of isthmus block (r = 0.73). The mean DPs interval was 95.3 ± 18.3 ms (range 60–136 ms) and 123.3 ± 24.3 ms (range 87–211 ms) during incomplete and complete isthmus block, respectively (P < 0.001). When expressed as a percentage of AFL CL, this interval was 35.7 ± 3.5% AFL CL (range 28–40.2%) and 50.4 ± 6.9% AFL CL (range 39–72%) during incomplete and complete isthmus block, respectively (P < 0.001). A cutoff value of 40% of AFL CL identified CTI block with 96.7% sensitivity and 100% specificity.

Conclusions:
 The interval between DPs after achievement of block in the CTI correlates with AFL CL. The DPs interval expressed as a percentage of AFL CL allows better distinguishing between complete and incomplete isthmus block compared to standard method based on milliseconds. The DPs interval below 40% of AFL CL indicates sites close to a gap in the ablation line. (PACE 2010; 33:1518–1527)
Gene expression demonstrates increased resilience toward harmful inflammatory stimuli in the proliferating epidermis of human skin wounds
Authors: Markus Roupé K. , Alberius Per , Schmidtchen Artur , Sørensen Ole E.
Published: July 2010

Please cite this paper as: Gene expression demonstrates increased resilience toward harmful inflammatory stimuli in the proliferating epidermis of human skin wounds. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: e329–e332.

Abstract:  We examined the epidermal gene expression during the proliferative phase of wound healing. Matrix metalloproteases were the group of proteases most prominently up‐regulated in skin wounds, whereas serine protease inhibitors were the most strongly up‐regulated protease inhibitors. Furthermore, we found down‐regulation of genes involved in the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis. This together with the up‐regulation of inhibitors of leukocyte serine proteases likely represents a protective step to ensure survival of keratinocytes in the inflammatory wound environment. The down‐regulation of proapoptotic genes in the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis was not accompanied by a down‐regulation of receptors indicating that the keratinocytes in skin wounds did not become less responsive to external stimuli. Examining the transcription factor binding sites in the promoters of the most differentially expressed genes between normal skin and skin wounds a significant overrepresentation of binding sites were found for STAT‐5, SRY and members of the FOXO‐family of transcription factors.
Do elite athletes experience low back, pelvic girdle and pelvic floor complaints during and after pregnancy?
Authors: Bø K. , Backe‐Hansen K. L.
Published: July 2010

The aim of the present investigation was to study prevalence of low back pain, pelvic girdle pain (PGP) and pelvic floor disorders during pregnancy and after childbirth in elite athletes. A postal questionnaire was sent to all elite athletes who had given birth registered with The Norwegian Olympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (n=40). Eighty age‐matched women served as the control group. The response rates were 77.5% and 57.5% in the elite athletes and control groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of low back and PGP, urinary or fecal incontinence among elite athletes and controls at any time point. The prevalence of low back pain without radiation to the leg in elite athletes was 25.8%, 18.5%, 9.7% and 29% the year before pregnancy, during pregnancy, 6 weeks postpartum and at the time of completing the questionnaire, respectively. The prevalence of PGP was 0, 29.6%, 12.9% and 19.4%. Prevalence of stress urinary incontinence was 12.9%, 18.5%, 29% and 35.5%. None of the elite athletes had fecal incontinence at any time point. There were no differences in mode of delivery or birthweight between elite athletes and controls. The elite athletes had a significantly lower body mass index at 6 weeks postpartum and at present compared with the control group.
The effect of platelet‐rich plasma on the neovascularization of surgically created equine superficial digital flexor tendon lesions
Authors: Bosch G. , Moleman M. , Barneveld A. , van Weeren P. R. , van Schie H. T. M.
Published: July 2010

The repair process of tendon injuries, which are common in both human and equine athletes, is slow and the quality of the repair tissue is often inferior to the original tendon tissue, which frequently leads to re‐injury. The relatively poor vascularization of tendons is considered to be one of the reasons for their limited healing potential. Recently, platelet‐rich plasma (PRP), an autologous concentrate of platelets, rich in growth factors, has been shown to enhance the repair process of injured tendons. This effect has been ascribed to the high levels of growth factors in PRP, several of which are known to be involved in tendon repair. Among many other growth factors, the vascular endothelial growth factor, a powerful stimulator of angiogenesis, is abundantly present in PRP, suggesting that enhancement of neovascularization might be one of the working mechanisms. In this study, the effect of PRP on neovascularization was studied in experimentally induced tendon injuries using color Doppler ultrasonography and immunological staining of Factor VIII. PRP induced significantly more neovascularization than the placebo treatment until at least 23 weeks after treatment, as detected by both Doppler ultrasonography and Factor VIII staining. Neovascularization might be one of the explanations for the long‐lasting effect of a single intratendinous treatment with PRP.
Eag 1, Eag 2 and Kcnn3 gene brain expression of isolated reared rats
Authors: Martin S. , Lino‐de‐Oliveira C. , Joca S. R. L. , Weffort de Oliveira R. , Echeverry M. B. , Da Silva C. A. , Pardo L. , Stühmer W. , Bel E. D.
Published: July 2010

The Eag1 and Eag2, voltage‐dependent potassium channels, and the small‐conductance calcium‐activated potassium channel (Kcnn3) are highly expressed in limbic regions of the brain, where their function is still unknown. Eag1 co‐localizes with tyrosine hydroxilase enzyme in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. Kcnn3 deficiency leads to enhanced serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission accompanied by distinct alterations in emotional behaviors. As exposure to stress is able to change the expression and function of several ion channels, suggesting that they might be involved in the consequences of stress, we aimed at investigating Eag 1, Eag2 and Kcnn3 mRNA expression in the brains of rats submitted to isolation rearing. As the long‐lasting alterations in emotional and behavioral regulation after stress have been related to changes in serotonergic neurotransmission, expressions of serotonin Htr1a and Htr2a receptors in male Wistar rats' brain were also investigated. Rats were reared in isolation or in groups of five for nine weeks after weaning. Isolated and socially reared rats were tested for exploratory activity in the open field test for 5 min and brains were processed for reverse‐transcription coupled to quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Isolated reared rats showed decreased exploratory activity in the open field. Compared to socially reared rats, isolated rats showed reduced Htr2a mRNA expression in the striatum and brainstem and reduced Eag2 mRNA expression in all examined regions except cerebellum. To our knowledge, this is the first work to show that isolation rearing can change Eag2 gene expression in the brain. The involvement of this channel in stress‐related behaviors is discussed.
Neurodevelopment of children born very preterm and free of severe disabilities: the Nord‐Pas de Calais Epipage cohort study
Authors: Charkaluk ML , Truffert P , Fily A , Ancel PY , Pierrat V ,   Epipage study group
Published: July 2010

Aim:  To describe the development of very preterm children free of cerebral palsy or severe sensory impairment in the domains of gross and fine motor functions, language and sociability at a corrected age of 2 years; to identify factors associated with performances in each domain.

Methods:  A total of 347 children born in 1997 before 33 weeks of gestation, part of the EPIPAGE population‐based cohort study, had their psychomotor development assessed with the Brunet‐Lezine scale.

Results:  The study population had a mean gestational age of 30.1 ± 2.0 weeks. Lower developmental quotients (DQ) were observed in the study group compared to the reference sample (96 ± 13 vs 104 ± 8, p < 0.01). Fine motor function, language and sociability were all affected with a p value <0.01. Multivariate analysis showed that duration of intubation and parents’ educational and occupational levels were the only variables significantly related to each developmental domain (p < 0.01).

Conclusions:  Children very preterm and free of severe disabilities had mild delays in multiple areas of development. The mechanisms by which neonatal factors played a role need further investigation. However socioeconomic status had a great impact on development and our results underline the need for improved support of socioeconomically disadvantaged parents after a preterm birth.
The effect of high ambient temperature on Ca, P and Mg balance and bone turnover in high‐yielding dairy cows
Authors: KAMIYA Yuko , KAMIYA Mitsuru , TANAKA Masahito
Published: July 2010

We investigated the effect of heat stress on Ca, P and Mg balance and bone turnover in lactating cows. In a 2 × 2 crossover design, four multiparous lactating Holstein cows were kept in a chamber and subjected to a constant moderate (18°C) ambient temperature (MT) or high (28°C) ambient temperature (HT). The cows were fed total mixed ration (Ca, 0.7%; P, 0.4%; Mg, 0.2%) ad libitum. The milk yield under HT (35.4 kg/day) tended to be lower (P < 0.10) than that under MT (43.2 kg/day). The concentrations of milk P (P < 0.05) and Mg (P < 0.01) were significantly lower under HT than MT. The Ca, P and Mg intake (P < 0.10); Ca (P < 0.10), P, and Mg (P < 0.05) secretion into milk; and Ca (P < 0.05), P (P < 0.01), and Mg (P < 0.05) absorption in the intestine were lower under HT than MT. The plasma osteocalcin, a marker of bone turnover, was significantly lower (P < 0.05) under HT than MT. Heat stress did not affect plasma C‐telopeptide of collagen type I, a bone resorption marker, and plasma parathyroid hormone concentration.
Calf production from vitrified bovine sexed embryos following in‐straw dilution
Authors: AKIYAMA Kiyoshi , KOBAYASHI Jun , SATO Yoshimasa , SATA Ryuichi , OHASHI Megumi , SASAKI Emi , ODA Yorimasa , OGAWA Yoshio , UEDA Shuji , NABENISHI Hisashi , MATOBA Satoko
Published: July 2010

The objective of this study was to develop an in‐straw dilution method suitable for direct transfer of vitrified bovine sexed embryos. Embryo sexing was performed by molecular diagnosis. Several sexed and vitrified‐warmed embryos were transferred after evaluation of morphologically embryonic survival at warming and in‐straw dilution (Evaluation group). The other embryos were immediately directly transferred to recipients without first being expelled from the straws after in‐straw dilution (Non‐evaluation group). The pregnancy rates of vitrified sexed embryos were 38.7% and 34.8% in the Evaluation group and Non‐evaluation group, respectively, which were not significantly different. The viability of lower quality embryos before vitrification tended to be lower (P = 0.087) than that of the higher quality embryos regardless of evaluating embryos after warming and in‐straw dilution. The abortion rates were similar, and there was no difference between the two groups (13.9% and 12.5%, respectively). These results demonstrate that vitrified bovine sexed embryos can be vitrified and diluted by the in‐straw method and that the vitrified and warmed sexed embryos can develop to term.
Molecular cloning, chromosomal localization and expression pattern of porcine ADP‐ribosylation factor(Arf) gene family
Authors: ZHANG Rongrong , LEI Ting , QI Yanmei , LEI Peng , CHEN Zhilong , CHEN Xiaodong , YANG Zaiqing
Published: July 2010

Adenosine diphosphate‐ribosylation factors (Arfs) are a family of guanosine triphosphate‐binding proteins involved in fundamental biological processes including secretion, endocytosis, phagocytosis, cytokinesis, cell adhesion and tumor cell invasion. We report here the molecular cloning, chromosome localization and expression analysis of porcine Arf1–6, of which Arf1–3 (Class I) have >93% similarity to each other and encode nearly similar proteins with 181 amino acids in length. Arf4 and Arf5 (Class II) are 78–81% homologous to Class I Arfs and both encode a protein of 180 amino acids, Arf6 (Class III) shows 64–68% homology to the other Arfs and encodes 175 amino acids. With radiation hybrid mapping, porcine Arf1–6 are assigned to chromosomes 14q21‐q22, 12p14, 5p12‐q11, 13q21.1, 18q24, 1q21‐q27, respectively. Moreover, real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR assays show that porcine Arf1‐6 are ubiquitous in all tissues examined, with the highest levels in the kidney and stomach and the lowest in muscle and the heart. This is the first report of molecular characterization of the Arf gene family in pigs.
Neuroendocrine mechanism of seasonal reproduction in birds and mammals
Authors: YOSHIMURA Takashi
Published: July 2010

In temperate zones, animals use changes in day length as a calendar to time their breeding season. However, the photoreceptive and neuroendocrine mechanisms of seasonal reproduction are considered to differ markedly between birds and mammals. This can be understood from the fact that the eye is the only photoreceptive organ, and melatonin mediates the photoperiodic information in mammals, whereas in birds, photoperiodic information is directly received by the deep brain photoreceptors and melatonin is not involved in seasonal reproduction. Recent molecular and functional genomics analysis uncovered the gene cascade regulating seasonal reproduction in birds and mammals. Long day‐induced thyroid stimulating hormone in the pars tuberalis of the pituitary gland regulates thyroid hormone catabolism within the mediobasal hypothalamus. Further, this local thyroid hormone catabolism appears to regulate seasonal gonadotropin‐releasing hormone secretion. These findings suggest that although the light input pathway is different between birds and mammals (i.e. light or melatonin), the core mechanisms are conserved in these vertebrates.
Antecedents of Trust across Foci: A Comparative Study of Turkey and China
Authors: Wasti Syeda Arzu , Tan Hwee Hoon , Erdil Selin Eser
Published: July 2010

Instead of importing Western models of intelpersonal trust, we adopted a qualitative approach to understand trust relationships from indigenous cultures' perspectives. We examined trust relationships directed at diilerent foci in the organization (supervisor, peer, and subordinate) in two different countries, Turkey and China. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 Turkish and 30 Chinese employees working for a variety of large-scale organizations located in Istanbul, Turkey and Shenzhen, China. We report the content analysis of trust-building critical incidents narrated by the respondents. While the general antecedents of Ability, Benevolence, and Integrity were found to exist in both countries. Benevolence, with its culture-specific manifestations, played a very important role in trust-building across multiple foci in both countries. We also found that trust relationships in these two contexts tended to go beyond the professional domain, and to involve sharing of personal time, information, and space. Drawing on this evidence, we propose a trust-building process that is more affective in nature and which straddles both work and non-work domains.
Demographic Trends in the United States: A Review of Research in the 2000s
Authors: Cherlin Andrew J.
Published: July 2010

Demographic trends in the 2000s showed the continuing separation of family and household because of factors such as childbearing among single parents, the dissolution of cohabiting unions, divorce, repartnering, and remarriage. The transnational families of many immigrants also displayed this separation, as families extended across borders. In addition, demographers demonstrated during the decade that trends such as marriage and divorce were diverging according to education. Moreover, demographic trends in the age structure of the population showed that a large increase in the elderly population will occur in the 2010s. Overall, demographic trends produced an increased complexity of family life and a more ambiguous and fluid set of categories than demographers are accustomed to measuring.
Filling the Glass: Gender Perspectives on Families
Authors: Ferree Myra Marx
Published: July 2010

The challenge feminist scholarship posed to family studies has been largely met through the incorporation of research on gender dynamics within families and intersectional differences among them. Despite growing attention to gender as performance and power in more diverse families, the more difficult work of understanding the dynamics of change among institutions including the family and using intersectional analyses to unpack relationships of power is only beginning. Reviewing the contributions researchers have made in these areas over the last decade and applying the idea of circuits to the study of care work, this article points to promising practices for both improving research on gender and families and contributing to the slow drip of institutional change.
Critical Race Theories, Colorism, and the Decade's Research on Families of Color
Authors: Burton Linda M. , Bonilla‐Silva Eduardo , Ray Victor , Buckelew Rose , Hordge Freeman Elizabeth
Published: July 2010

In the millennium's inaugural decade, 2 interrelated trends influenced research on America's families of color: the need for new knowledge about America's growing ethnic/racial minority and immigrant populations and conceptual advances in critical race theories and perspectives on colorism. Three substantive areas reflecting researchers' interests in these trends emerged as the most frequently studied topics about families of color: inequality and socioeconomic mobility within and across families, interracial romantic pairings, and the racial socialization of children. In this review, we synthesize and critique the decade's scholarly literature on these topics. We devote special attention to advances in knowledge made by family‐relevant research that incorporated ways of thinking from critical race theories and the conceptual discourse on colorism.
Socioeconomic Status, Family Processes,and Individual Development
Authors: Conger Rand D. , Conger Katherine J. , Martin Monica J.
Published: July 2010

Research during the past decade shows that social class or socioeconomic status (SES) is related to satisfaction and stability in romantic unions, the quality of parent‐child relationships, and a range of developmental outcomes for adults and children. This review focuses on evidence regarding potential mechanisms proposed to account for these associations. Research findings reported during the past decade demonstrate support for an interactionist model of the relationship between SES and family life, which incorporates assumptions from both the social causation and social selection perspectives. This review concludes with recommendations for future research on SES, family processes, and individual development in terms of important theoretical and methodological issues yet to be addressed.
Work and Family Research in the First Decade of the 21st Century
Authors: Bianchi Suzanne M. , Milkie Melissa A.
Published: July 2010

Scholarship on work and family topics expanded in scope and coverage during the 2000–2010 decade, spurred by an increased diversity of workplaces and of families, by methodological innovations, and by the growth of communities of scholars focused on the work‐family nexus. We discuss these developments as the backdrop for emergent work‐family research on six central topics: (a) gender, time, and the division of labor in the home; (b) paid work: too much or too little; (c) maternal employment and child outcomes; (d) work‐family conflict; (e) work, family, stress, and health; and (f) work‐family policy. We conclude with a discussion of trends important for research and suggestions about future directions in the work‐family arena.
Inhibition of Pulmonary Surfactants Synthesis during N‐Methyl‐d‐Aspartate‐Induced Lung Injury
Authors: Shen Li , Li Lian , She Hua , Yue Shaojie , Li Chen , Luo Ziqiang
Published: July 2010

Abstract:  N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors are ionotropic glutamate receptors widely distributed in the central nervous system, and have been extensively investigated for their roles in embryonic development, synaptic plasticity and neuroexcitoxicity. Their functions in the peripheral nervous system and non‐neural tissues have caught much attention recently. Over‐activation of NMDA receptors induces excitotoxic lung injury. But the endogenous cell types in the lungs that express NMDA receptors remains elusive and the molecular mechanism underlies NMDA‐induced lung injury has not been fully characterized. In this work, we reported that functional NMDA receptors were expressed in alveolar type II cells in the lungs. Over‐activation of these receptors led to down‐regulation of pulmonary surfactants synthesis. We further demonstrated that decreased cellular choline‐phosphate cytidylyltransferase alpha expression induced by NMDA treatment accounted for the decreased pulmonary surfactants synthesis. Our results provided important clues for treatment of glutamate lung injury by modulating pulmonary surfactants system.
Observational constraints on supermassive dark stars
Authors: Zackrisson Erik , Scott Pat , Rydberg Claes-Erik , Iocco Fabio , Sivertsson Sofia , Östlin Göran , Mellema Garrelt , Iliev Ilian T. , Shapiro Paul R.
Published: July 2010

Some of the first stars could be cooler and more massive than standard stellar models would suggest, due to the effects of dark matter annihilation in their cores. It has recently been argued that such objects may attain masses in the 104–107 M⊙ range and that such supermassive dark stars should be within reach of the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope. Notwithstanding theoretical difficulties with this proposal, we argue here that some of these objects should also be readily detectable with both the Hubble Space Telescope and ground-based 8–10 m class telescopes. Existing survey data already place strong constraints on 107 M⊙ dark stars at z ≈ 10. We show that such objects must be exceedingly rare or short lived to have avoided detection.