bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deletion of EP4 on Bone Marrow–Derived Cells Enhances Inflammation and Angiotensin II–Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Formation
Authors: Tang Eva H.C. , Shvartz Eugenia , Shimizu Koichi , Rocha Viviane Z. , Zheng Chunyu , Fukuda Daiju , Shi Guo-Ping , Sukhova Galina , Libby Peter
Published: November 2010

Objective—

To examine whether a lack of prostaglandin E receptor 4 (EP4) on bone marrow–derived cells would increase local inflammation and enhance the formation of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in vivo.

Methods and Results—

Prostaglandin E
2
(PGE
2
) through activation of EP4, can mute inflammation. Hypercholesterolemic low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLR
−/−
) mice transplanted with either EP4
+/+
(EP4
+/+
/LDLR
−/−
) or EP4
−/−
(EP4
−/−
/LDLR
−/−
) bone marrow received infusions of angiotensin II to induce AAA. Deficiency of EP4 on bone marrow–derived cells increased the incidence (50% of male EP4
+/+
/LDLR
−/−
mice versus 88.9% of male EP4
−/−
/LDLR
−/−
mice developed AAA; and 22% of female EP4
+/+
/LDLR
−/−
mice versus 83.3% of female EP4
−/−
/LDLR
−/−
mice developed AAA) and severity of AAA, increased monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (2.72-fold in males and 1.64-fold in females), and enhanced infiltration of macrophages (3.8-fold in males and 2.44-fold in females) and T cells (1.88-fold in males and 1.66-fold in females) into AAA lesions. Lack of EP4 on bone marrow–derived cells augmented elastin fragmentation, increased apoptotic markers, and decreased smooth muscle cell accumulation within AAA lesions.

Conclusion—

Deficiency of EP4 on bone marrow–derived cells boosted inflammation and AAA formation induced by angiotensin II in hyperlipidemic mice. This study affirms the pathophysiologic importance of PGE
2
signaling through EP4 as an endogenous anti-inflammatory pathway involved in experimental aneurysm formation.
Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor-γ Mediates Pioglitazone-Reduced Vascular Lesion Formation
Authors: Hamblin Milton , Chang Lin , Zhang Hengmin , Yang Kun , Zhang Jifeng , Chen Y. Eugene
Published: November 2010

Objective—

Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) has been reported to decrease vascular lesion formation. However, the critical role of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) PPARγ in vascular lesion formation following transplantation is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the role of VSMC PPARγ-mediated signaling in transplantation-associated vascular lesion formation.

Methods and Results—

Carotid arteries from smooth muscle cell-selective PPARγ knockout (SMPG KO) and wild-type mice were transplanted to CBA/CaJ recipient mice. The recipient mice received a control diet or pioglitazone-containing diet. Pioglitazone reduced vascular lesion formation in transplanted wild-type, but not in SMPG KO carotid arteries. Histological analysis suggested that PPARγ attenuates vascular lesion formation through antiinflammatory signaling, as evidenced by the increase of intimal inflammatory cells and tumor necrosis factor-α expression in SMPG KO allografts. Intravital microscopy revealed increased inflammatory cell rolling and attachment to endothelial cells in small blood vessels of SMPG KO mice following cytokine stimulation. SMPG KO mice, as shown by Western blotting, have elevated vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry demonstrated SMPG KO allografts have increased VCAM-1.

Conclusion—

Loss of PPARγ in VSMC promotes transplantation-associated vascular lesion formation through increased VCAM-1 expression. VSMC PPARγ also mediates pioglitazone-reduced vascular lesion formation.
Myocyte Turnover in the Aging Human Heart
Authors: Kajstura Jan , Gurusamy Narasimman , Ogórek Barbara , Goichberg Polina , Clavo-Rondon Carlos , Hosoda Toru , D'Amario Domenico , Bardelli Silvana , Beltrami Antonio P. , Cesselli Daniela , Bussani Rossana , del Monte Federica , Quaini Federico , Rota Marcello , Beltrami Carlo A. , Buchholz Bruce A. , Leri Annarosa , Anversa Piero
Published: November 2010

RETRACTION

This article has been retracted:

Circ Res
. 2018;123:e00. DOI: 10.1161/RES.0000000000000247
Accuracy of Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging for the Detection of Arteriovenous Shunting in Vascular Malformations of the Brain
Authors: Jagadeesan Bharathi D. , Delgado Almandoz Josser E. , Moran Christopher J. , Benzinger Tammie L.S.
Published: November 2010

Background and Purpose—

To determine the accuracy of susceptibility-weighted MRI (SWI) for the detection of arteriovenous shunting (AVS) in vascular malformations of the brain (BVM).

Methods—

We retrospectively identified 60 patients who had been evaluated for known or suspected BVM by both SWI and digital subtraction angiography, without intervening treatment, during a 3-year period. SWI images were retrospectively assessed by 2 independent reviewers for the presence of AVS as determined by the presence of signal hyperintensity within a venous structure in the vicinity of the BVM. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus among a panel of 3 neuroradiologists. Accuracy parameters of SWI for the detection of AVS were calculated using digital subtraction angiography as the reference standard.

Results—

A total of 80 BVM were identified in the 60 patients included in our study. Of the 29 BVM with AVS on digital subtraction angiography, 14 were untreated arteriovenous malformations, 10 were previously treated arteriovenous malformations, and 5 were untreated dural arteriovenous fistulas. Overall, SWI was 93% sensitive and 98% specific for the detection of AVS in BVM, with excellent interobserver agreement (κ=0.94). In the 14 previously treated arteriovenous malformations, SWI was 100% sensitive and specific for the detection of AVS. In the 28 BVM associated with intracerebral hemorrhage, SWI was 100% sensitive and 96% specific for the detection of AVS.

Conclusions—

SWI is accurate for the detection of arteriovenous shunting in vascular malformations of the brain and, for some patients, SWI may offer a noninvasive alternative to angiography in screening for or follow-up of treated BVM.
Immunodepression After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Sarrafzadeh Asita , Schlenk Florian , Meisel Andreas , Dreier Jens , Vajkoczy Peter , Meisel Christian
Published: November 2010

Background and Purpose—

Immunodepression after stroke is associated with complications like high infection rate, but its role in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is unclear. This pilot study aimed to assess the presence of immunodepression and its association with infections after aSAH.

Methods—

Sixteen aSAH patients were enrolled in a prospective study on immune function in a single institution. Detailed immune monitoring (peripheral blood leukocyte subsets, monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR expression, ex vivo lipopolysaccharide-induced monocytic, Concanavalin A-induced lymphocytic cytokine secretion) was performed until day 10 after aSAH. Occurrence of infection was assessed within 14 days after aSAH.

Results—

Sixteen consecutive aSAH patients (53.1±10.2 years; mean±SD) met the inclusion criteria, classified as asymptomatic (World Federation of Neurological Surgeons; median, 1; quartile, 1–1; n=7) and symptomatic (median, 4; quartile, 3–5; n=9), all presenting with acute neurological deficits, and 5 of these had additional delayed cerebral ischemia. T-lymphopenia, impaired ex vivo lymphocytic/monocytic cytokine secretion, and decreased monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR expression occurred over all World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grades but persisted beyond day 3 only in symptomatic patients. Pneumonia (67%;
P
=0.011) was more frequent in symptomatic patients. Already at day 1, patients with pneumonia showed significantly lower T-cell counts and mitogen-induced interferon-γ production compared to patients without infections.

Conclusions—

A pronounced SAH-induced immunodepression was observed early after aSAH but persisted only in symptomatic patients. Immunodepression was associated with a high incidence of pneumonia. Early diagnosis of immunodepression might allow targeted treatment to prevent infectious complications after aSAH.
From food to fuel
Authors: Lynch Meghan
Published: November 2010

Objective: An investigation of the discussion surrounding the relationship between food and exercise in one community of photography-based food blogs that past research has identified as exhibiting characteristics of dietary restraint.

Design: Forty-five blogs written by young adult women belonging to a food-blogging community were selected for study. All selected blogs had been publicly posted online.

Method: Using a qualitative approach of constant comparative analysis, two months of entries from food blogs created by young women were analyzed and coded for entries discussing food before, during and after exercise.

Results: Analysis revealed that bloggers discussed three themes, mainly prior to and following exercise: food as fuel, food restricted and worked off through exercise, and food intake as justified by exercise.

Conclusion: These findings provide insight into how a community of food bloggers views the relationship between food and exercise, suggest ways that women practising dietary restraint perceive food and exercise, and encourage further research on food blogging.
A study of psychological symptoms, family function, marital and life satisfactions of polygamous and monogamous women: The Palestinian case
Authors: Al-Krenawi Alean
Published: November 2010

Background: Polygamy is defined as a marriage in which a spouse of either gender has more than one mate at the same time. Polygamy is considered a valid form of marriage in many countries and communities around the globe.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to examine the psychological symptoms, family function, marital satisfaction, life satisfaction and the degree of agreement with the practice of polygamy among ‘senior wives’ – the first wife in the polygamous marriage – and women in monogamous marriages in the West Bank, Palestine.

Method: A convenience sample of 309 women, 187 from polygamous and 122 from monogamous families, participated in this study. All women from polygamous families were senior wives. The following instruments were deployed: the McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD), the ENRICH marital satisfaction questionnaire, the SCL-90 mental health symptoms checklist, the Rosenberg self-esteem (SE) scale, the Diener et al. (1985), a life satisfaction scale, and a basic socio-demographic scale, including the degree of agreement of the practice of polygamy.

Results: The findings revealed significant differences between senior wives in polygamous marriages and wives in monogamous marriages with regard to family functioning, marital satisfaction, self-esteem and life satisfaction. Likewise, many of the mental health symptoms were different. Particularly noteworthy were somatization, depression, hostility psychotism and the General Severity Index (a global index of distress). More women in polygamous marriages agreed with the practice of polygamy than their monogamous counterparts.

Conclusion: Practitioners and policy makers need to be aware of the consequences of polygamy on first wives and on society as whole.
Proteases of an Early Colonizer Can Hinder Streptococcus mutans Colonization in vitro
Authors: Wang B.-Y. , Deutch A. , Hong J. , Kuramitsu H.K.
Published: November 2010

Streptococcus mutans is the primary cariogen that produces several virulence factors that are modulated by a competence-stimulating peptide (CSP) signaling system. In this study, we sought to determine if proteases produced by early dental plaque colonizers such as Streptococcus gordonii interfere with the subsequent colonization of S. mutans BM71 on the existing streptococcal biofilms. We demonstrated that S. mutans BM71 colonized much less efficiently in vitro on streptococcal biofilms than on Actinomyces naeslundii biofilms. Several oral streptococci, relative to A. naeslundii, produced proteases that inactivated the S. mutans CSP. We further demonstrated that cell protein extracts from S. gordonii, but not from A. naeslundii, interfered with S. mutans BM71 colonization. In addition, S. mutans BM71 colonized more efficiently on the sgc protease knockout mutant of S. gordonii than on the parent biofilms. In conclusion, proteases of early colonizers can interfere with subsequent colonization by S. mutans in vitro.
The Accidental Practitioner
Authors: Ward Joseph J.
Published: November 2010

Just as psychology, psychiatry, and philosophy have influenced the field of literary studies, literature provides insight about the theories and practices of its sister disciplines. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how literary works of Kurt Vonnegut illuminate principles of the influential branch of psychotherapy known as rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). This article traces the similar philosophies and shared beliefs of Vonnegut and REBT’s founder, Albert Ellis, and details how Ellis’s REBT is illustrated in selected works of Vonnegut: Slaughterhouse-Five and Breakfast of Champions. The article concludes by suggesting that Vonnegut’s works—and the principles of REBT that they illuminate—provide a much needed guide for living in an irrational, often absurd, world.
US Metropolitan Spatial Structure and Labour Accessibility
Authors: Matsuo Miwa
Published: November 2010

Metropolitan areas vary widely in employment distribution and labour accessibility. Comparing four US metropolitan areas–Atlanta, Boston, Phoenix and Washington, DC—it is found that Atlanta and Washington, DC suffer from low labour accessibility compared with Boston and Phoenix. Moreover, large suburban employment centres in Atlanta and Washington, DC suffer from even lower accessibility than other employment centres within the same metropolitan areas or their counterparts in Boston and Phoenix. Their low labour accessibility is mainly explained by slower commuting speeds. Even though their residential and employment densities are modest, congestion in these employment centres is severe enough to undermine accessibility. The results raise questions about the effectiveness of creating large sub-centres in metropolitan areas, particularly creating auto-oriented edge-city-style employment centres at highway nodes.
Lifetime Income and Housing Affordability in Singapore
Authors: Abeysinghe Tilak , Gu Jiaying
Published: November 2010

Most commonly used measures of housing affordability are essentially short-run indicators that compare current income with house prices or housing costs. Despite the emphasis in the literature on the importance of long-term affordability, researchers have not developed measures of lifetime income because of data constraints. Many developed countries publish annually household income by age of household heads. Using these data for Singapore, the paper presents a methodology to compute lifetime income from predicted annual household earnings over the working life for each birth cohort in the dataset. The lifetime income of Singapore households by three income quantiles sheds new light on widening income gaps. The affordability index, defined as the ratio of lifetime income to house price, reveals informative trends and cycles in housing affordability in both the public and the private sectors. The paper argues that residential property price escalations need to be avoided.
Fiscal Effects of Reforming Local Constitutions
Authors: Blume Lorenz , Döring Thomas , Voigt Stefan
Published: November 2010

Most German states amended their local constitutions during the 1990s and now allow for the direct election of mayors, initiatives and referendums, and vote aggregation, as well as vote splitting. In this paper, it is asked whether these reforms had any effects on local fiscal policies. It is shown that the direct election of mayors led to lower government spending, whereas the introduction of direct democratic elements led to higher expenditures. The empirical results concerning direct democracy are substantially different from findings in relation to both Switzerland and the US. It is argued that this difference may be due to a lack of fiscal referendums in Germany.
Selection and socialization of drinking among young adult dating, cohabiting, and married partners
Authors: Wiersma Jacquelyn D. , Fischer Judith L. , Harrington Cleveland H. , Reifman Alan , Harris Kitty S.
Published: November 2010

This study examines associations among adolescent drinking, young adult drinking, and romantic partner drinking through selection and socialization processes in young adult dating, cohabiting, and marital relationships. Hierarchical regression analyses, using data from The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health ( n = 1132), demonstrated significant selection and socialization effects for young adult romantic partner drinking. Moderating effects indicated that romantic partner drinking significantly predicted young adult drinking within dating and cohabiting relationships, but not within married relationships. Both young adult women and men had positive associations between their own and partners' drinking, but this association was significantly stronger for males. Continuing to study the effects of romantic partners on risky behaviors during adolescence and young adults is warranted.
Clinical practice with anti-dementia drugs: a revised (second) consensus statement from the British Association for Psychopharmacology
Authors: O’Brien John T , Burns Alistair
Published: November 2010

The British Association for Psychopharmacology (BAP) coordinated a meeting of experts to review and revise its first (2006) Guidelines for clinical practice with anti-dementia drugs. As before, levels of evidence were rated using accepted standards which were then translated into grades of recommendation A to D, with A having the strongest evidence base (from randomized controlled trials) and D the weakest (case studies or expert opinion). Current clinical diagnostic criteria for dementia have sufficient accuracy to be applied in clinical practice (B) and brain imaging can improve diagnostic accuracy (B). Cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine) are effective for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease (A) and memantine for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease (A). Until further evidence is available other drugs, including statins, anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin E and Ginkgo biloba, cannot be recommended either for the treatment or prevention of Alzheimer’s disease (A). Neither cholinesterase inhibitors nor memantine are effective in those with mild cognitive impairment (A). Cholinesterase inhibitors are not effective in frontotemporal dementia and may cause agitation (A), though selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may help behavioural (but not cognitive) features (B). Cholinesterase inhibitors should be used for the treatment of people with Lewy body dementias (Parkinson’s disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)), especially for neuropsychiatric symptoms (A). Cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine can produce cognitive improvements in DLB (A). There is no clear evidence that any intervention can prevent or delay the onset of dementia. Although the consensus statement focuses on medication, psychological interventions can be effective in addition to pharmacotherapy, both for cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms. Many novel pharmacological approaches involving strategies to reduce amyloid and/or tau deposition are in progress. Although results of pivotal studies are awaited, results to date have been equivocal and no disease-modifying agents are either licensed or can be currently recommended for clinical use.
Effect of antipsychotics on spontaneous hyperactivity and hypersensitivity to MK-801-induced hyperactivity in rats prenatally exposed to methylazoxymethanol
Authors: Pen Gwenaëlle Le , Jay Thérèse M , Krebs Marie-Odile
Published: November 2010

Exposure to methylazoxymethanol (MAM) at embryonic day 17 (E17) in the rat has been proposed to be a promising model for schizophrenia that mimics behavioural abnormalities and deficits in prefrontal cortex (PFC) networks. In this study, we investigated for the first time the effects of antipsychotics on abnormal behaviours observed in prenatally MAM-exposed rats. We first examined spontaneous and MK-801-induced locomotor activity in an open field in adult E17 MAM- or saline-exposed rats. Then, the effect of single injections of haloperidol, clozapine and risperidone was investigated in MAM- or sham-exposed rats on spontaneous and MK-801 (0.05 mg/kg)-induced hyperactivity. Risperidone more selectively counteracted the spontaneous hyperactivity in MAM than in sham rats, while haloperidol and clozapine induced similar effects on spontaneous locomotion in both groups. The main result of this study is that all the tested antipsychotics were more effective in attenuating the MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion in MAM than in sham rats. These findings further support the validity of E17 MAM exposure as a model for schizophrenia and add to its heuristic value in screening therapies for schizophrenia.
PD168077, a D4receptor agonist, reverses object recognition deficits in rats: potential role for D4receptor mechanisms in improving cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia
Authors: Sood Pooja , Idris Nagi F , Cole Susan , Grayson Ben , Neill Joanna C , Young Andrew MJ
Published: November 2010

This study investigated the effects of the dopamine D4receptor agonist, PD168077, on recognition memory using a novel object recognition task, which detects disruption and improvement of recognition memory in rats by measuring their ability to discriminate between familiar and novel objects. When acquisition and test were 6 h apart (experiment 1), control rats failed to discriminate between familiar and novel objects at test. Rats given low doses of PD168077 (0.3; 1.0 mg/kg) also failed to discriminate between the objects, while rats given higher doses (3.0; 10.0 mg/kg) explored the novel object more than the familiar object, indicating retained memory of the familiar object. Thus, at higher doses, PD168077 improved recognition memory in rats. Experiment 2 tested whether PD168077 would attenuate deficits in novel object recognition induced by sub-chronic phencyclidine. Testing was 1 min after acquisition, such that vehicle pre-treated rats differentiated between the novel and familiar objects: however, sub-chronic phencyclidine-treated rats failed to discriminate between the two, indicating disruption of recognition memory. PD168077 (10 mg/kg) restored the ability of phencyclidine-treated rats to differentiate between the novel and familiar objects, indicating improved recognition memory. The results suggest that D4receptor activation can improve cognitive dysfunction in an animal model relevant to schizophrenia.
Correlation of rat cortical Fas-associated death domain (FADD) protein phosphorylation with the severity of spontaneous morphine abstinence syndrome: role of α2-adrenoceptors and extracellular signal-regulated kinases
Authors: Ramos-Miguel Alfredo , Miralles Antonio , García-Sevilla Jesús A
Published: November 2010

Fas-associated death domain (FADD) phosphorylation was recently implicated in opiate-induced neuroplasticity. To further explore the role of FADD in the mechanisms of morphine-induced physical dependence, the regulation of cortical p-FADD (and their interactions with α2-adrenoceptors and other signalling pathways) was assessed during spontaneous opiate withdrawal (SW) in morphine-dependent rats (10–100 mg/kg for 6 days). The main results indicated that oligomeric p-FADD in the cerebral cortex mirrored the time course of morphine SW (12–96 h), which resulted in a striking correlation between p-FADD and the intensity (behavioural scores) of morphine abstinence (Spearman correlation coefficient: 0.59, n = 39, p < 0.0001). The inactivation of brain α2-adrenoceptors (EEDQ at SW 12 h) further enhanced morphine abstinence intensity and cortical p-FADD content at SW 24 h. The disruption of ERK1/2 signalling (SL 327 at SW 4 h and SW 8 h) did not alter morphine abstinence at SW 12 h, but it attenuated the behavioural syndrome at SW 24 h. This inhibition of ERK1/2, however, did not prevent the up-regulation of oligomeric p-FADD at SW 12 h and 24 h. These data indicate that cortical oligomeric p-FADD, mainly through an interaction with inhibitory α2-adrenoceptors, plays a functional role in the behavioural expression of morphine abstinence in rats.
How Long and How Well
Authors: Kozminski Michael A. , Neumann Peter J. , Nadler Eric S. , Jankovic Aleksandra , Ubel Peter A.
Published: November 2010

Objective. To determine how oncologists value quality-enhancing v. life-prolonging outcomes attributable to chemotherapy. Methods. The authors surveyed a random sample of 1379 US medical oncologists (members of the American Society of Clinical Oncology), presenting them with 2 scenarios involving a hypothetical new chemotherapy drug. Given their responses, the authors derived the implicit cost-effectiveness ratios each physician attributed to quality-enhancing and life-prolonging chemotherapies. Results. The authors received responses from 58% of the oncologists surveyed. On average, the responses implied that oncologists were willing to prescribe treatments that cost $245,972 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY; SD $243,663 per QALY) in life-prolonging situations v. only $119,082 per QALY (SD $197,048 per QALY) for treatments that improve quality of life but do not prolong survival (P < 0.001). This difference did not depend on age, gender, percentage of time in clinical work, or self-reported preparedness to use and interpret cost-effectiveness information (P > 0.05 for all specifications). Differences across these situations persisted even among those who considered themselves to be “well-prepared” to make cost-effectiveness decisions. Conclusion. Cost-effectiveness thresholds for oncologists vary widely for life-prolonging chemotherapy compared to treatments that only enhance quality of life. This difference suggests that oncologists value length of survival more highly than quality of life when making chemotherapy decisions.
Nonprofit Commercial Revenue
Authors: Kerlin Janelle A. , Pollak Tom H.
Published: November 2010

This article examines whether there has been an increase in nonprofit commercial revenue and if so whether declines in government grants and private contributions were behind the rise. A number of nonprofit scholars have held that nonprofit commercial activity increased significantly during the 1980s and 1990s. Following on resource dependency theory, they suggest that nonprofits use commercial income as a replacement for lost government grant and private revenue. However, authors for and against this thesis have provided little empirical evidence to test these claims. This study uses the Internal Revenue Services’ Statistics of Income database to track sources of revenue for charitable nonprofit organizations from 1982 to 2002. Trend and panel analysis show that although there was a large increase in commercial revenue, there is little evidence the increase was associated with declines in government grants and private contributions. Findings point to institutional theory and have important implications for policymakers and nonprofit practitioners.
Generating sociability to drive science: Patient advocacy organizations and genetics research
Authors: Panofsky Aaron
Published: November 2010

This paper examines how patient advocacy organizations (PAOs) representing those with rare genetic disorders drive research to their concerns. The rarity of the diseases produces a basic condition of marginalization: small numbers of widely distributed disease sufferers. The lack of promise of an eventual market makes it difficult to attract the economic and biological resources necessary for sustained research. My analysis relies mainly on 21 interviews with leaders from nine PAOs and scientists involved with them, and seeks to understand how PAOs try to attract and influence scientific research. Using a comparative framework, I find that the five main mechanisms emphasized in the literature — economic resources, social movement-style mobilization, moving early, lay expertise, and organizational controls — cannot fully explain the differences in strategies and relationships among members of my PAO sample. I propose instead to show how ‘sociability’ — forging close relationships with scientists and orchestrating relationships among them — enables PAOs to drive research to their concerns. I show how the strategic manipulation of sociability can give PAOs substantial influence over the research process. However, the forms of sociability that yield the greatest effects are difficult to achieve, and most forms of relationship-building offer PAOs much less influence on research.
Gas emissions from biodegradable waste in United Kingdom landfills
Authors: Donovan Sally Maree , Jilang Pan  , Bateson Thomas , Gronow Jan R , Voulvoulis Nikolaos
Published: November 2010

The aim of this research was to predict the effect that the biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) diversion targets in the European Union landfill directive (99/31/EC) would have on landfill gas emissions. This is important for continued mitigation of these emissions. Work was undertaken in three stages using the GasSim model (v1.03) developed by the Environment Agency (England and Wales). The first stage considered the contribution to gas emissions made by each biodegradable component of the waste stream. The second stage considered how gas emissions from a landfill accepting biodegradable wastes with reduced biodegradable content would be affected. The third stage looked at the contribution to gas emissions from real samples of biologically pretreated BMW. For the first two stages, data on the waste components were available in the model. For the third stage samples were obtained from four different biological treatment facilities and the required parameters determined experimentally. The results of stage 1 indicated that in the first 15 years of the landfill the putrescible fraction makes the most significant contribution, after which paper/card becomes the most significant. The second stage found that biodegradability must be reduced by at least 60% to achieve a reduction in overall methane generation. The third stage found that emissions from samples of biologically pretreated BMW would result in a significant reduction in gas emissions over untreated waste, particularly in the early stage of the landfill lifetime; however, low level emissions would continue to occur for the long term.
Effect of ELF electric field on some on biochemistry characters in the rat serum
Authors: Coskun Ozlem , Comlekci Selcuk
Published: November 2010

The present study has investigated the potential effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) electric field exposure on plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels of adult male rats. Sixty rats have been divided into three independent groups randomly, 20 of which arranged as controls (without exposure to 50 Hz electric field), 20 of which have been exposed to a 50 Hz electric field for 10 days and 20 of which have been exposed to a 50-Hz electric field for 30 days. Levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride in plasma samples have been measured. Total cholesterol concentration of the plasma in group 2 with short-term exposure and group 3 with long-term exposure to 50 Hz EF (65.33 ± 15.31 mg/dL and 59.55 ± 15.01 mg/dL, respectively) has showed significant decrease when compared with control groups (70.44 ± 19.60 mg/dL). Also, plasma triglyceride showed similar changes (control: 84.44 ± 16.79 mg/dL, 67.33 ± 15.63 and 51.53 ± 14.17 mg/dL in group 1 and 2, respectively). Fifty Hz electric field may decrease plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in rodents significantly, especially with long-term exposure.
Neuropsychiatric disorders and risk factors in carbon monoxide intoxication
Authors: Katirci Yavuz , Kandiş Hayati , Aslan Şahin , Kirpinar İsmet
Published: November 2010

Neuropsychiatric sequelae may be observed in the late phases of carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication. Establishing a link between CO-related neuropsychiatric disorders and associated risk factors may decrease morbidity and mortality by means of appropriate treatment and counseling. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between neuropsychiatric outcomes of CO intoxication and demographic and clinical variables. Thirty patients who presented with CO intoxication and had no known neuropsychiatric disease, and 30 healthy controls were included. Physical examinations and laboratory tests were performed. Following the 1st therapy, they underwent mental and psychiatric tests 5 times (the time of discharge, during the 1st week, and during the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months). They underwent cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the end of the 1st month. They were evaluated by cognitive function tests at the 6th month. Lesions relevant to CO intoxication were detected in 46.7% of the patients via cranial computed tomography and in 13.3% via MRI. Evaluation of psychiatric tests revealed a clear decrease in cognitive functions, such as immediate memory, learning, reaching the criterion, spontaneous recall, attention, visual memory, and logical memory. It was found that the patients had anxiety within the 1st month, and the frequency of anxiety reached to the value of the control group by the end of the 6th month. In conclusion, we suggested that CO intoxication might lead to neuropsychiatric disorders. Our results emphasized that in addition to standard treatment, neuropsychiatric evaluation should also be performed in patients with CO intoxication.
Linking Industry and Occupation Clusters in Regional Economic Development
Authors: Nolan Christine , Morrison Ed , Kumar Indraneel , Galloway Hamilton , Cordes Sam
Published: November 2010

Research to date suggests that occupation clusters may be at least as important as industry clusters in driving regional competitive advantage. A nationwide mapping of occupation clusters, with data available for every U.S. county and the capability to aggregate counties to a regional level, serves as a powerful complement to an understanding of industry clusters, the major focus of a previous EDA-funded project conducted by partners in this research team. This paper explains the importance of occupation cluster analysis, how 15 different occupation clusters were developed as part of this study, the results and products from the analysis, and the applications and implications of using occupation cluster analysis at the local and regional levels.
Combined Arms during the Hundred Days Campaign, August—November 1918
Authors: Boff Jonathan
Published: November 2010

This paper examines British combined arms tactics in the last three months of 1918, via a case study of Third Army. It argues that, although some formations were capable of using sophisticated combined arms tactics well, others were not, and the application of such methods remained more diverse than some recent research has suggested. The diversity of approach was rooted not only in objective external factors, but also in the fact that pre-war regular officers continued to dominate the army of 1918. Their culture, rooted in the attitudes of the nineteenth century or even earlier, militated against the coherent dissemination and application of a single doctrine.
Hoop inequalities: Race, class and family structure background and the odds of playing in the National Basketball Association
Authors: Dubrow Joshua Kjerulf , adams jimi
Published: November 2010

The popular image of the African American National Basketball Association (NBA) player as rising from the ‘ghetto’ to international fame and fortune misleads academics and publics alike. This false image is fueled, in part, by critical shortcomings in empirical research on the relationship between race, sport, and occupational mobility: these studies have not adequately examined differences in social class and family structure backgrounds across, and especially within, racial groups. To address this problem, we empirically investigate how the intersection of race, social class and family structure background influences entry into the NBA. Information on social class and family structure background for a subpopulation of NBA players ( N = 155) comes from 245 articles published in local, regional and national newspapers between 1994 and 2004. We find that, after accounting for methodological problems common in newspaper data, most NBA players come from relatively advantaged social origins and African Americans from disadvantaged social origins have lower odds of being in the NBA than African American and white players from relatively advantaged origins. A discussion of the implications of these findings for academics and publics concludes the article.
The Performance of Technical Information Transfer in New Product Development
Authors: Antaki Marc , Schiffauerova Andrea , Thomson Vince
Published: November 2010

The performance of new product development (NPD) is greatly affected by communication strategy and the information technology tools used to support the strategy. A number of users of NPD processes claim that an adequate communication strategy decreases their product cycle time and cost. However, the problem with evaluating the impact of information transfer is that no one has ever specifically measured how performant communication strategies are, or how effective information transfer tools are. For this purpose, a model was developed to evaluate communication strategies, and a set of communication measurement tools was identified to gauge the efficiency of information transfer. This study examines communication within NPD processes at three companies and measures how well information was transmitted, stored, and retrieved. The results indicate that a shorter, more efficient communication process reduces time and effort, and that a shift toward formal methods and passive information tools (computer-based systems) results in more effective and easier coordination as well as better integration.
The efficacy of natalizumab in patients with multiple sclerosis according to level of disability: results of an observational study
Authors: Fernández Oscar , Alvarenga Marcos Papais , Guerrero Miguel , León Antonio , Alonso Ana , López-Madrona Jose Carlos , Leyva Laura , Oliver Begoña , de Ramón Enrique , Luque Gloria , Fernández Victoria
Published: November 2010

Background: Little is known about how the level of disability at the start of treatment with natalizumab affects its efficacy.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of natalizumab on relapses in patients with different levels of baseline disability associated with MS.

Methods: This single-centre observational study collected demographic data for patients followed prospectively and who were scheduled to start natalizumab therapy due to the presence of disease activity. The annualized relapse rate (ARR) and Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale scores were analysed for the previous year, on starting treatment (baseline) and 1 year after starting therapy.

Results: Seventy-seven patients (mean age: 39.0 years, mean disease duration: 12.4 years) were included. The difference between ARR before and after starting treatment was 0.92 for baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale ≤3.5 ( p < 0.0005), 0.70 for Expanded Disability Status Scale 4.0–6.0 ( p < 0.007) and 0.57 for Expanded Disability Status Scale ≥6 ( p = 0.386). Expanded Disability Status Scale did not vary during the study. One patient discontinued treatment due to an adverse event and nine patients discontinued due to positive anti-natalizumab antibodies.

Conclusions: The findings support the efficacy of natalizumab in reducing ARR in the year after starting treatment in patients with baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale ≤6.
Exceptionalism in American foreign policy: Is it exceptional?
Authors: Holsti K. J.
Published: November 2010

This article argues that exceptionalism is a type of foreign policy not exclusive to the United States. It examines other historical cases, including post-Revolutionary France and the Soviet Union. The three cases are comparable in terms of their main characteristics, which include claims of exemptions from the ordinary rules of international relations, messianic missions to ‘liberate’ others, and perceptions of universalized threats. The article also explores the historical and normative foundations of exceptionalist foreign policy claims and practices. All three cases demonstrate the assumptions of social and political superiority that underlie these normative bases. The article concludes with some observations about the incompatibility of exceptionalist foreign policies with the Westphalian foundations of the international order.
States and markets in global environmental governance: The role of tipping points in international regime formation
Authors: Vormedal Irja
Published: November 2010

This article develops a model for analysing international regime formation in the environmental domain. It is argued that current approaches to understanding how regimes emerge and develop are too narrow, and fail to account for the dynamic interplay between states and markets which induce the emergence of ‘tipping points’ leading to more extensive and stringent international institutions. The article demonstrates the central role of tipping points in regime formation using the example of international climate change.
Saved from pain or saved through pain? Modernity, instrumentalization and the religious use of pain as a body technique
Authors: Shilling Chris , Mellor Philip A.
Published: November 2010

Contemporary sociology mirrors Western society in its general aversion and sensitivity to pain, and in its view of pain as an unproductive threat to cultures and identities. This highlights the deconstructive capacities of pain, and marginalizes collectively authorized practices that embrace it as constitutive of cultural meanings and social relationships. After exploring the particularity of this Western orientation to pain — by situating it against processes of instrumentalization and medicalization, and within a broader context of other social developments conducive to a heightening of affect control — this article builds on Mauss’s analysis of ‘body techniques’ in suggesting that the cultural, physiological and psychological dimensions of pain can be combined in various ways. In examining this point further, we then compare contrasting religious engagements with pain as a way of detailing how it can be positively productive of cultural meanings and identities, and conclude by using these comparisons to illuminate the relationship between the current Western approach to pain and the Christian traditions that shaped the West historically.
Numerical simulation of heat transfer through hollow bricks in the vertical direction
Authors: Svoboda Zbynek , Kubr Marek
Published: November 2010

This article focuses on the numerical modeling of the heat transfer in vertical cavities with small cross-sectional areas in hollow bricks heated from below by means of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. The major aim is to specify the ratios between the equivalent thermal conductivities in vertical and horizontal directions (λ eq,v/λeq,h) for various types of hollow brick masonry. These ratios are not given by brick producers, though they are very important when assessing certain types of thermal bridges. This article presents the governing equations for CFD analysis, together with the main assumptions and boundary conditions. The validation of the FLOVENT CFD commercial code is also discussed, as are the effects of calculation mesh refinement. The results of the first analysis — vertical heat transfer in a single high cavity — show a strong influence of the cross-sectional area of the cavity on the natural convection. While the convective heat transfer for the heat flow in the downward direction is negligible for all considered cross-sectional areas, the natural upward convection disappears only for very high and narrow cavities. Such effects can also be seen in the results of the calculation of the ratio between the equivalent thermal conductivities in the vertical and horizontal directions for the model masonry or for actually produced hollow brick masonry. This ratio is smaller than 1.0 for downward heat flow and between 1.0 and 1.5 for upward heat flow in bricks with a small number of large cavities. By contrast, bricks with a large number of small cavities show almost the same ratio for both vertical directions of heat flow (from 2.2 to 2.7 depending on the actual honeycomb structure).
Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 regulates suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 expression in Burkholderia pseudomallei-infected mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7
Authors: Pudla Matsayapan , Kananurak Anchasa , Limposuwan Kornkaew , Sirisinha Stitaya , Utaisincharoen Pongsak
Published: November 2010

Burkholderia pseudomallei, a causative agent of melioidosis, is a facultative intracellular Gram-negative bacterium that can survive and multiply inside the macrophages. Toll-like receptors are one class of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that have been documented to play significant role in B. pseudomallei infection. In the present study, we investigated a potential role of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 and 2 (NOD1 and NOD2), cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptors, in B. pseudomallei-infected mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Both live and heat-killed B. pseudomallei were able to up-regulate NOD1 and NOD2 expression in a time-dependent manner. Marked reduction of a negative regulator, suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), expression was observed only in B. pseudomallei-infected NOD2-depleted macrophages and not in NOD1-depleted macrophages. The decrease in SOCS3 expression also led to an increase in IFN-γ responsiveness as judged by an enhanced STAT-1 phosphorylation on tyrosine 701 in the B. pseudomallei-infected macrophages. Together, these results suggested that, in addition to using other PRRs to evade macrophage defense, B. pseudomallei may also use NOD2 to regulate a negative regulator like SOCS3.
The impact of LABA+ICS fixed combinations on morbidity and economic burden of COPD in Italy: a six-year observational study
Authors: Dal Negro Roberto , Bonadiman Luca , Tognella Silvia , Micheletto Claudio , Turco Paola
Published: November 2010

Background: In Italy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has progressively received increasing attention in the last decade, and its impact has been investigated extensively in both clinical and pharmacoeconomic terms.

Methods: In 2004, the national health authorities stated the appropriateness of long-acting β2 agonists (LABA) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) fixed combinations for treating COPD, even though this pharmaceutical option was limited to the severe and very severe stages of the disease (forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1] <50% predicted). The effectiveness in primary care of this official recommendation has been investigated in 1125 COPD patients together with the appropriateness of the therapeutic approach to the disease.

Results and conclusions: Clinical and economic outcomes were monitored over the 3 years before (2001–2003) and the 3 years following this recommendation (2004–2006), and statistically compared ( t-test). In general, the overall impact of COPD changed progressively after the pronunciation of the public health authorities. In particular, since the point when LABA/ICS fixed combinations were officially recommended, both morbidity of COPD and the corresponding consumption of healthcare resources have progressively lowered. Moreover, the appropriateness of the pharmaceutical approach increased in the same period, thus emphasizing the importance of the optimization of therapeutic strategies in reducing the long-term impact of the disease.