bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glomerular Expression of Kidney Injury Molecule-1 and Podocytopenia in Diabetic Glomerulopathy
Authors: Zhao Xueying , Zhang Yuanyuan , Li Lingyun , Mann David , Imig John D. , Emmett Nerimiah , Gibbons Gary , Jin Li-Ming
Published: August 2011

Background/Aims: Studies have shown that kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) is upregulated in damaged renal proximal tubules. In this study, we examined KIM-1 expression in glomerular epithelial cells in diabetic glomerulopathy. Methods: Renal histology, immunostaining and Western blot for protein level, and real-time PCR for mRNA expression of KIM-1 and podocyte markers were evaluated in untreated or losartan-treated Zucker lean (Fa/+) and Zucker diabetic fatty (Fa/Fa) rats. Results: The diabetic rats showed an increased glomerular expression of KIM-1. KIM-1 staining was localized primarily in the hyperplastic parietal epithelium of Bowman’s capsule in the early stages of diabetes with subsequent increase in KIM-1-positive cells in the glomerular tuft in the more advanced stages. The increase in glomerular KIM-1 was associated with a decrease in podocytes in Fa/Fa rats. Antiproteinuric treatment with losartan attenuated podocytopenia and decreased renal expression of KIM-1 in treated diabetic rats. In an in vitro study, albumin overload increased KIM-1 protein in the primary cultures of rat glomerular epithelial cells. Conclusion: These results show that glomerular KIM-1 expression was increased, in proportion to the extent of proteinuria and podocytopenia in the diabetic animals, supporting that KIM-1 could be used as a potential biomarker for glomerular injury in proteinuric kidney disease.
Immunological and Microbiologic Changes during Caries Development in Young Children
Authors: Parisotto T.M. , King W.F. , Duque C. , Mattos-Graner R.O. , Steiner-Oliveira C. , Nobre-dos-Santos M. , Smith D.J.
Published: August 2011

We explored the association between caries development, colonization with caries-associated microflora, and immunity as children begin the transition to mixed dentition. Forty children received dental examinations at 3–4 years of age, repeated a year later. Children were grouped into caries-free (n = 23; CF) and caries-active (n = 17; CA ≧3 new lesions on follow-up). Salivary IgA and IgA antibody to Streptococcus mutans virulence epitopes were measured by Luminex assay. Mutans streptococci (MS), lactobacilli and total microorganisms were enumerated on selective media from plaque samples. There was no significant difference in baseline levels of MS or lactobacilli between CF and CA groups. However, both MS and lactobacilli levels were higher at follow-up in the CA group. Furthermore, children with detectable lactobacilli at baseline had significantly higher caries risk. Salivary IgA concentrations increased significantly in both groups during the study. Both CF and CA groups also displayed significant increases in salivary IgA antibody levels to glucosyltransferase, glucan-binding protein (Gbp) and antigen I/II salivary binding region. CF antibody levels to seven peptides associated with domains of biological importance increased at follow-up, in contrast to increases to only three peptides in CA saliva samples. Multivariate modeling showed that a lower baseline level of salivary IgA anti-GbpB was associated with higher caries risk. These data indicate that MS and lactobacilli are associated with caries in this population, that the secretory immune system is undergoing significant maturation during this period, and that the breadth of mucosal IgA response to epitopes of S. mutans virulence components may influence the degree to which these cariogenic microorganisms can cause disease.
Formal Analysis, Hardness, and Algorithms for Extracting Internal Structure of Test-Based Problems
Authors: Jaśkowski Wojciech , Krawiec Krzysztof
Published: August 2011

Problems in which some elementary entities interact with each other are common in computational intelligence. This scenario, typical for coevolving artificial life agents, learning strategies for games, and machine learning from examples, can be formalized as a test-based problem and conveniently embedded in the common conceptual framework of coevolution. In test-based problems, candidate solutions are evaluated on a number of test cases (agents, opponents, examples). It has been recently shown that every test of such problem can be regarded as a separate objective, and the whole problem as multi-objective optimization. Research on reducing the number of such objectives while preserving the relations between candidate solutions and tests led to the notions of underlying objectives and internal problem structure, which can be formalized as a coordinate system that spatially arranges candidate solutions and tests. The coordinate system that spans the minimal number of axes determines the so-called dimension of a problem and, being an inherent property of every problem, is of particular interest. In this study, we investigate in-depth the formalism of a coordinate system and its properties, relate them to properties of partially ordered sets, and design an exact algorithm for finding a minimal coordinate system. We also prove that this problem is NP-hard and come up with a heuristic which is superior to the best algorithm proposed so far. Finally, we apply the algorithms to three abstract problems and demonstrate that the dimension of the problem is typically much lower than the number of tests, and for some problems converges to the intrinsic parameter of the problem–its a priori dimension.
Reproducibility by Climate Models of Cloud Radiative Forcing Associated with Tropical Convection
Authors: Ichikawa Hiroki , Masunaga Hirohiko , Tsushima Yoko , Kanzawa Hiroshi
Published: August 2011

In this study, cloud radiative forcing (CRF) associated with convective activity over tropical oceans is analyzed for monthly mean data from twentieth-century simulations of 18 climate models participating in phase 3 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3) in comparison with observational and reanalysis data. The analysis is focused on the warm oceanic regions with sea surface temperatures (SSTs) above 27°C to exclude the regions with cold SSTs typically covered by low stratus clouds. CRF is evaluated for different regimes sorted by pressure-coordinated vertical motion at 500 hPa (ω500) as an index of large-scale circulation. The warm oceanic regions cover the regime of vertical motion ranging from strong ascent to weak descent. The most notable feature found in this study is a systematic underestimation by most models of the ratio of longwave cloud radiative forcing (LWCRF) to shortwave cloud radiative forcing (SWCRF) over the weak vertical motion regime defined as −10 < ω500 < 20 hPa day−1. The underestimation of the ratio corresponds to the underestimation of LWCRF and the overestimation of SWCRF. Clouds in models seem to be lower in the amount of high clouds but more reflective than those in the observations in this regime.

In the weak vertical motion regime, the lower free troposphere is dry. In the large-scale environment condition, the reproducibility of LWCRF is high in models adopting the scheme where the relative humidity–based suppression for deep convection occurrence is implemented. Models adopting the Zhang and McFarlane scheme show good performance without such a suppression mechanism.
The responsibility principle. Contradictions of priority-setting in Swedish healthcare
Authors: Schirmer Werner , Michailakis Dimitris
Published: August 2011

Medical priority-setting has been discussed heatedly in Sweden since the 1990s. While criteria such as medical need, solidarity and cost-effectiveness were established long ago, they failed to give clear directives to decision-makers on how to apportion priority. The notion of individual responsibility for one’s health was suggested as one solution out of the impasse. According to the responsibility principle, anyone who fails to live up to the norms of a healthy lifestyle can legitimately be given lower priority. Although the principle is gaining support, its effectiveness is being hampered by structural problems. We have analysed official reports and pertinent fora of the Swedish debate on priority-setting from the period 1990–2009 and have examined the responsibility principle using a Luhmannian framework. Unlike common criticism emphasizing difficulties of assessing whether individuals can actually be held accountable for their lifestyle, we found that the responsibility principle fails in its current form because it unifies two incompatible logics deeply rooted in the functionally differentiated structure of society: those of medical reasoning (connecting health condition with lifestyle) and political expediency (attributing responsibility). We conclude that future policy-making cannot simply overlook this conflict, but has to acknowledge its presence and constructively utilize its potential.
Employment status, inflation and suicidal behaviour: An analysis of a stratified sample in Italy
Authors: Solano Paola , Pizzorno Enrico , Gallina Anna M. , Mattei Chiara , Gabrielli Filippo , Kayman Joshua
Published: August 2011

Background:

There is abundant empirical evidence of a surplus risk of suicide among the unemployed, although few studies have investigated the influence of economic downturns on suicidal behaviours in an employment status-stratified sample.

Aims:

We investigated how economic inflation affected suicidal behaviours according to employment status in Italy from 2001 to 2008.

Methods:

Data concerning economically active people were provided by the Italian Institute for Statistical Analysis and by the International Monetary Fund. The association between inflation and completed versus attempted suicide with respect to employment status was investigated in every year and quarter-year of the study time frame. We considered three occupational categories: employed, unemployed who were previously employed and unemployed who had never worked.

Results:

The unemployed are at higher suicide risk than the employed. Among the PE, a significant association between inflation and suicide attempt was found, whereas no association was reported concerning completed suicides. No association was found between completed and attempted suicides among the employed, the NE and inflation. Completed suicide in females is significantly associated with unemployment in every quarter-year.

Conclusion:

The reported vulnerability to suicidal behaviours among the PE as inflation rises underlines the need of effective support strategies for both genders in times of economic downturns.
Monitoring the resin infusion manufacturing process under industrial environment using distributed sensors
Authors: Wang P. , Molimard J. , Drapier S. , Vautrin A. , Minni J.C.
Published: August 2011

A novel direct approach to detect the resin flow front during the Liquid Resin Infusion process under industrial environment is proposed. To detect the resin front accurately and verify the results, which are deduced from indirect micro-thermocouples measurements, optical fiber sensors based on Fresnel reflection are utilized. It is expected that the results derived from both techniques will lead to an improvement of our understanding of the resin flow and in particular prove that micro-thermocouples can be used as sensors as routine technique under our experimental conditions. Moreover, comparisons with numerical simulations are carried out and experimental and simulated mold filling times are successfully compared.
Change in damage tolerance characteristics of sandwich structure with a Thermal Protection System (TPS)
Authors: Nettles Alan Tate , Jackson Justin R. , Hodge Andrew J.
Published: August 2011

Most composite damage tolerance assessments are made on bare laminates where the impactor comes into direct contact with the outermost ply. However, structures such as those used on launch vehicles are often covered with a thermal protection system (TPS) during the majority of the life of the part. This TPS covering may change the impact characteristics of the laminate rendering damage tolerance testing on bare laminates irrelevant to the part. This study examines the composite interstage structure of the ARES I launch vehicle which is scheduled to be covered with a sprayable foam TPS after manufacture. Damage tolerance testing is performed on bare sandwich structure and sandwich structure covered with the TPS selected for use on the ARES I composite interstage. Instrumented impact, infrared thermography, visual, cross-sectional and compression after impact CAI data are compared. Results show that the TPS covering does change most of the impact characteristics of the sandwich structure. It was found that the TPS created a larger damage zone as detected by IRT, however the TPS covered specimens possessed a higher residual compression strength for a given impact energy and damage size. These results are attempted to be explained by the different damage morphology that occurs between the bare and TPS covered specimens.
A Reform Less Ordinary? Historical Institutionalism, Punctuated Equilibrium, and Mental Health Care Privatization
Authors: Zehavi Amos
Published: August 2011

Theories of policy and institutional reform are of major interest to numerous disciplines in the social sciences. The main question motivating this study is under what circumstances is dramatic reform possible. It is argued that theories of reform formulated within two central heuristic frameworks—historical institutionalism and punctuated equilibrium—fail to satisfactorily explain reform dynamics in small policy domains, which are characterized by having program constituencies with little political clout. In small policy domains, dramatic reform is facilitated by the political weakness of the opposition. Policy makers are able to pursue reform successfully in small domains without resorting to obfuscation strategies or reliance on slow-moving institutional mechanisms. This argument is illustrated in a study of mental health care privatization in two American states: Massachusetts and Texas.
Evaluation of domestic Energy Performance Certificates in use
Authors: Watts Christabel , Jentsch Mark F , James Patrick AB
Published: August 2011

Since October 2008, Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) have been a mandatory requirement for all dwellings sold or rented in England and Wales. Having now been in place for some time, it is of interest to assess the scheme’s impact and effectiveness. This paper presents the results of a questionnaire survey, targeted at almost 2000 homeowners in Southampton on the South coast of England, who bought their home within the first year of the scheme’s introduction. The survey had a response rate of 17% and established homeowner awareness of EPCs, but highlighted that they had little impact on decision-making or price negotiation. Where retrofitting measures have been undertaken, results are inconclusive as to whether retrofitting was done as a result of EPCs. Energy efficiency was not found to be a priority for homebuyers.

Practical applications: The survey presented in this paper highlights that further refinement of EPCs and the certification process appear to be needed, in order for the scheme to become a widespread success in the domestic sector. Whilst there is an awareness of the scheme in general, there appears to be limited recognition of its potential. This poses a challenge for the building industry and certification bodies, which need to seek ways to better communicate the benefits of the scheme, in order to instigate the refurbishment works that are required to meet the national carbon emissions reduction targets in the UK.
Absence of haemodynamic refractory effects in patients with migraine without aura – an interictal fMRI study
Authors: Descamps Benedicte , Vandemaele Pieter , Reyngoudt Harmen , Deblaere Karel , Leybaert Luc , Paemeleire Koen , Achten Eric
Published: August 2011

Background: In healthy controls, haemodynamic refractory effects are observed with blood-oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI): the haemodynamic response function (HRF) to the second stimulus in a pair of stimuli with short interstimulus interval (ISI) shows a decreased amplitude and an increased time-to-peak. We hypothesize that there may be interictal haemodynamic abnormalities in migraineurs.

Methods: An event-related fMRI design with paired face stimuli and varying ISIs was used to measure interictal HRFs in the face recognition area of patients with migraine without aura (MwoA) and controls. Net responses to the second stimulus in a pair were calculated and averaged per participant. Several characterizing parameters of the net responses were quantified and examined within each group.

Results: Refractory effects were not observed in our patient group. There are no changes in the net responses compared with the reference situation in patients, irrespective of the ISI, whereas in controls all HRF parameters are decreased or delayed for an ISI of 1 second.

Conclusion: This is the first fMRI study investigating the haemodynamic refractory effects in MwoA patients. Unlike in controls, these effects are not observed in migraineurs. Although currently unclear, it is tempting to speculate that this observation reflects the neurovascular correlate of lack of habituation measured with evoked potentials in migraineurs.
Continued Significant Effect of Physical Training as Treatment for Overuse Injury
Authors: Hölmich Per , Nyvold Per , Larsen Klaus
Published: August 2011

Background: The treatment of exercise-related injuries is often a problem, and recurrent injuries are common. Two recent systematic reviews found only one high-quality paper on the treatment of long-standing groin pain. In this randomized clinical trial, a training program including strength training resulted in a return of 79% of the athletes to the previous level of sport without any groin pain. The long-term effect of this exercise program was evaluated.

Hypothesis: The effect of the exercise program for adductor-related groin pain is long lasting.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods: Forty-seven (80%) of the 59 original participants of the study agreed to participate in this 8- to 12-year follow-up. They were all interviewed and examined using a standardized and reproducible protocol, identical to the one used in the original trial. The investigating physician (P.N.) was not involved in the original study and was unaware of the original treatment allocation.

Results: A significant effect of the active training treatment still existed for the whole group ( P = .047) and even more for the subgroup of 39 (83%) soccer players ( P = .012). No significant differences were found regarding age, present sports activity, reasons for activity reduction, or time to follow-up.

Conclusion: The beneficial short-term effect of the exercise program used in the primary randomized clinical trial for treating long-standing adductor-related groin pain in athletes was found to be lasting, both for the whole group and even more for the large subgroup of soccer players. This is the first time an exercise treatment for overuse injuries to the musculoskeletal system has been shown to have a long-lasting effect (8-12 years).
Assessment of gas cooling capabilities of compressed air foam systems in fuel- and ventilation-controlled compartment fires
Authors: Zhang Jianping , Delichatsios Michael , O’ Neill Alan
Published: August 2011

This article studies the cooling capabilities of the compressed air foam system (CAFS) in fuel- and ventilation-controlled compartment fires. Tests were conducted with the CAFS and the traditional suppression agent, water mist. Tests were video recorded and the development of temperature inside the units was recorded using thermocouples, based on which a comparative analysis between the results by the CAFS and water mist is conducted. Results indicate that (1) the CAFS is more efficient in fuel-controlled fires, whereas for ventilation-controlled fires there is no noticeable difference between the two agents and (2) the CAFS does not contribute to or cause backdraft in ventilation-controlled experiments.
Brain-Lung-Thyroid Disease
Authors: Ferrara Joseph M. , Adam Octavian R. , Kirwin Susan M. , Houghton David J. , Shepherd Casey , Vinette Kathy M. B. , Litvan Irene
Published: August 2011

Brain-lung-thyroid disease is a rare familial disorder caused by mutations in thyroid transcription factor 1, a gene that regulates neuronal migration. We report the clinical features of ten patients from a single family with a novel gene mutation, including observations regarding treatment. Neurologic features of the kindred included developmental delay, learning difficulties, psychosis, chorea, and dystonia. Three patients had a history of seizure, which has not been previously reported in genetically confirmed cases. Low-dose dopamine-receptor blocking drugs were poorly tolerated in 2 patients who received this therapy, levodopa improved chorea in 3 of 4 children, and diazepam was markedly effective in a single adult patient. Chorea related to brain-lung-thyroid disease appears to respond paradoxically to antidopaminergic drugs. The unusual therapeutic response seen in our patients and others may help elucidate how disease-related migratory deficits affect neural pathways associated with motor control.
Knowledge, Misconceptions, and Future Intentions Towards Breastfeeding Among Female University Students in Kuwait
Authors: Ebrahim Bader , Al-Enezi Hadeel , Al-Turki Mohammed , Al-Turki Ali , Al-Rabah Fatma , Hammoud Majeda S. , Al-Taiar Abdullah
Published: August 2011

A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted on female university students (N = 1106) to explore their knowledge and misconceptions on breastfeeding. Most participants recognized the benefits of breastfeeding, but only a few were aware of the recommendation for exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life. Misconceptions were common; 66%, 60%, and 55% of participants thought mothers should temporarily stop breastfeeding if they had a fever, skin rash, or sore throat, respectively. Approximately 20% thought mothers should stop breastfeeding if the child had diarrhea, vomiting, or skin rash. Support of breastfeeding in public places was low, but 38% supported breastfeeding in female prayer rooms in public places. Efforts should be made to correct common misconceptions on breastfeeding and increase the support of breastfeeding in public places among university students. Female prayer rooms that exist in all public places in Kuwait can be used to promote breastfeeding in public places in Kuwait.
Dreaded “Otherness”
Authors: Fahs Breanne
Published: August 2011

Research on bodies and sexualities has long debated ideas about choice, agency, and power, particularly as women conform to, or rebel against, traditional social scripts about femininity and heterosexuality. In this study, I have used responses from 34 college women who completed an extra credit assignment in a women’s studies class that asked them to reject social norms and grow out their leg and underarm hair for a period of 10 weeks. Responses reveal that women confronted direct and anticipated homophobia and heterosexism from others as well as hostility for rejecting traditional norms of femininity. Heterosexual women regularly encountered demands that they acquire permission to grow body hair from their male partners, while queer and bisexual women expressed reluctance about further “outing” themselves via their body hair. I consider implications for linking sexual identity discrimination and body hair practices, and for imagining bodies as sites of resistance inside and outside of pedagogical settings.
Diagnosing Criterion-Level Effects on Memory
Authors: Vaughn Kalif E. , Rawson Katherine A.
Published: August 2011

Previous research has shown that increasing the criterion level (i.e., the number of times an item must be correctly retrieved during practice) improves subsequent memory, but which specific components of memory does increased criterion level enhance? In two experiments, we examined the extent to which the criterion level affects associative memory, target memory, and cue memory. Participants studied Lithuanian-English word pairs via cued recall with restudy until items were correctly recalled one to five times. In Experiment 1, participants took one of four recall tests and one of three recognition tests after a 2-day delay. In Experiment 2, participants took only recognition tests after a 1-week delay. In both experiments, increasing the criterion level enhanced associative memory, as indicated by enhanced performance on forward and backward cued-recall tests and on tests of associative recognition. An increased criterion level also improved target memory, as indicated by enhanced free recall and recognition of targets, and improved cue memory, as indicated by enhanced free recall and recognition of cues.
The history of Italian psychiatry during Fascism
Authors: Piazzi Andrea , Testa Luana , Del Missier Giovanni , Dario Mariopaolo , Stocco Ester
Published: August 2011

Specific features characterized Italian psychiatry during Fascism (1922—45), distinguishing it from Nazi psychiatry and giving rise to different operational outcomes, so we have investigated the state of Italian psychiatry during this period. We review the historical situation that preceded it and describe the social and health policies that Fascism introduced following new legislative and regulatory acts. We examine the preventive and therapeutic role played by psychiatry (the electric shock was an Italian invention) and, thanks to the Enciclopedia Italiana published during those years, we are able to highlight psychiatry’s relationship to psychology, psychoanalysis, philosophy and religion. The shortcomings of Italian psychiatric research and practice are also seen in terms of what the State failed to do rather than what it did.
Simultaneous presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis in mother and son
Authors: Lin F , Zhang C , Zhang D , Wu X , Zhu C , Jiang G
Published: August 2011

The pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been attributed to complex interactions between genetic, hormonal and environmental factors. The influence of a genetic predisposition to SLE is supported by family aggregation and a high concordance rate in monozygotic twins. Here we present a rare case of simultaneous presentation of SLE and lupus nephritis in a mother and son. Both patients had nephrotic-range proteinuria, and the renal pathological classifications of the son and his mother were Class IV-G (A) and Class III (A/C), respectively, according to the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) 2003 classification of lupus nephritis. Apart from the renal involvement, both patients had leucopenia and anemia, and the mother also had typical cutaneous lesions and secondary Sjögren’s syndrome. This case supports the genetic role in the etiology of SLE, and displayed different clinical presentations and disease severity in familial SLE patients of different gender and age.
State of the Science of Cardioprotection: Challenges and Opportunities— Proceedings of the 2010 NHLBI Workshop on Cardioprotection
Authors: Kloner Robert A. , Schwartz Longacre Lisa
Published: August 2011

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute convened a Workshop on September 20-21, 2010, “New Horizons in Cardioprotection,” to identify future research directions for cardioprotection against ischemia and reperfusion injury. Since the early 1970s, there has been evidence that the size of a myocardial infarction could be altered by various interventions. Early coronary artery reperfusion has been an intervention that consistently reduces myocardial infarct size in animal models as well as humans. Most cardiologists agree that the best way to treat acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is to reperfuse the infarct artery as soon as possible and to keep the infarct artery patent. In general, stenting is superior to angioplasty, which is superior to thrombolysis. There is no accepted adjunctive therapy to acutely limit myocardial infarct size along with reperfusion that is routinely used in clinical practice. In the Kloner experimental laboratory, some adjunctive therapies have reproducibly limited infarct size (regional hypothermia, preconditioning, cariporide, combinations of the above, remote preconditioning, certain adenosine agonists, and late sodium current blockade). In clinical trials, a host of pharmacologic adjunctive therapies have failed to either reduce infarct size or improve clinical outcome. Potential reasons for the failure of these trials are discussed. However, some adjunctive therapies have shown promise in data subanalyses or subpopulations of clinical trials (adenosine, therapeutic hypothermia, and hyperoxemic reperfusion) or in small clinical trials (atrial natriuretic peptide, ischemic postconditioning, and cyclosporine, the mitochondrial permeability transition pore inhibitor). A recent clinical trial with remote conditioning induced by repetitive inflation of a brachial artery cuff begun prior to hospitalization showed promise in improving myocardial salvage and there are several reports in the cardiothoracic literature, suggesting that remote preconditioning protects hearts during surgery. Thus, in 2011, there is hope that applying some of the body’s own conditioning mechanisms may provide protection against ischemic damage.
The Role of Comorbidities in Cardioprotection
Authors: Sack Michael N. , Murphy Elizabeth
Published: August 2011

Cardioprotective strategies such as pre- and postconditioning result in a robust reduction in infarct size in young, healthy male animals. However, there are data suggesting that the protection is diminished in animals with comorbidities such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes. It is important to understand at a mechanistic level the reasons for these differences. The effects of sex and diseases need to be considered in design of cardioprotective interventions in animal studies and clinical trials.
Perconditioning and Postconditioning: Current Knowledge, Knowledge Gaps, Barriers to Adoption, and Future Directions
Authors: Vinten-Johansen Jakob , Shi Weiwei
Published: August 2011

The broad definition of “conditioning” is the application of a series of alternating intervals of brief ischemia (hypoxia) and reperfusion (reoxygenation) applied in the setting of prolonged ischemia causing myocardial infarction. While the conditioning stimulus is applied before the major (index) ischemic event in ischemic preconditioning, it is applied during the event in perconditioning, and applied after the event (reperfusion) in postconditioning. Studies on perconditioning have only recently demonstrated a reduction in infarct size by remote ischemia applied during transport of heart attack victims to the hospital before percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). The “conditioning” paradigm has been extended to include remote perconditioning and remote postconditioning. However, the biology of perconditioning is virtually unknown. Postconditioning has enjoyed enthusiastic attention from scientists that have done much to demonstrate that the model of triggers, mediators, and effectors used in preconditioning may also apply to postconditioning, with the addition and important contribution of physiological mechanisms resulting in cardioprotection, including gradual normalization of tissue pH, reduction in generation of reactive oxygen species, and avoidance of hypercontracture. This same schema has not been confirmed in perconditioning. However, the unknowns in both conditioning paradigms far outweigh the knowns. Why postconditioning does not exert cardioprotection in experimental models of comorbidities and aging, yet reduces postischemic injury and contractile dysfunction in older patients with multiple comorbidities is a conundrum for which no answers are forthcoming. The optimal algorithm is unknown, as is the interrelationship between the many molecular, cellular, and physiological pathways that purportedly “mediate” or “trigger” the conditioning responses. Whether there are common pathways engaged in all 3 forms of conditioning, and what nuances separate one form of conditioning from another are unanswered questions. Yet, the translational potential of per- and postconditioning will drive further experimental work and clinical trials, which will ask unprecedented cooperation and information sharing between basic and clinician scientists, and creative developments from industry.
A novel method of designing stable feedback controllers for local control of sound
Authors: Tseng Wen-Kung , Rafaely Boaz , Elliott Steve
Published: August 2011

This paper investigates the performance and stability of a virtual microphone feedback controller for local control of sound through theoretical analysis, simulations and real-time implementation. In real-time implementation of practical systems we usually need to measure the frequency response of the controller before the controller is implemented, in order to ensure that the expected performance is achieved. If an unstable controller is used, we will not be able to measure the frequency response of the controller, which will make the implementation and maintenance of the controller more difficult. Therefore a novel method to design a stable feedback controller for a local control system is presented in this paper. The local control system is designed to attenuate a broadband disturbance at a point near the listener's ear, i.e. the virtual microphone, rather than at the control microphone, i.e. the physical microphone. The results showed that if a good performance was to be achieved the controller would be unstable. This is because the magnitude of the response of the virtual plant is lower than that of the physical plant. The feedback controller in this work is designed to minimize the noise at the virtual microphone, with a virtual plant response used in the performance objective. However the physical plant is used in the stability constraint. Therefore there is a trade-off between the performance and controller stability. The main contributions of the paper are to propose a novel method to design a stable feedback controller and analyze the performance and stability of a virtual microphone feedback controller for the local control of sound through simulations and real-time implementation.
Extraction of bromelain from pineapple peels
Authors: Ketnawa S. , Chaiwut P. , Rawdkuen S.
Published: August 2011

Large amount of pineapple peels (by-products) is left over after processing and they are a potential source for bromelain extraction. Distilled water (DI), DI containing cysteine and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (DI-CE), sodium phosphate buffer pH 7.0 (PB) and PB containing cysteine and EDTA (PB-CE) were used as extractants for bromelain from the pineapple peels. The highest bromelain activity was obtained when it was extracted with PB-CE (867 and 1032 units for Nang Lae and Phu Lae cultv, respectively). The PB could maintain the pH of the extract (pH 5.1—5.7) when compared with others. Under sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the extract showed protein bands in the range 24—28 kDa. The protein band with a molecular weight of ∼28 kDa exposed the clear zone on blue background under the casein-substrate gel electrophoresis. The effects of the bromelain extract on the protein patterns of beef, chicken and squid muscles were also determined. Trichloroacetic acid soluble peptide content of all the treated muscles increased when the amount of bromelain extract increased. Decrease in myosin heavy chains and actin was observed in all the muscle types when bromelain extract was used. The best extractant for bromelain from pineapple peels was PB-CE. Moreover, bromelain extract could be used as a muscle food tenderizing agent in food industries.
Increased risk of multiple sclerosis among women with migraine in the Nurses’ Health Study II
Authors: Kister Ilya , Munger Kassandra L , Herbert Joseph , Ascherio Alberto
Published: August 2011

Background: The prospective Nurses’ Health Study II (NHS-II), which enrolled over 116,000 female nurses, provides a unique opportunity to test the hypothesis of whether migraine is associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to explore the temporal aspects of the interrelationship.

Objectives: To calculate relative risk of MS among NHS-II participants with and without migraine and to estimate odds ratio (OR) of being diagnosed with migraine in women with and without pre-existing MS.

Methods: Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of being diagnosed with MS in women with and without pre-existing migraine adjusted for potential confounders. Multivariate adjusted ORs of being diagnosed with migraine in women with and without pre-existing MS were estimated using logistic regression.

Results: The prevalence of migraine in women with MS at baseline (26%, p = 0.11) and those diagnosed with MS after enrolment (29%, p < 0.0001) was higher than in the non-MS cases (21%). The relative risk of developing MS in migraineurs was 1.39 times higher than in non-migraineurs (95% CI 1.10–1.77, p = 0.008). The absolute risk of developing MS in women migraineurs over a 15-year follow-up was 0.47% and among non-migraineurs 0.32%. The odds of being diagnosed with migraine was higher in women with pre-existing MS compared with those without MS, but did not reach statistical significance (OR = 1.57, 95% CI 0.97–2.52; p = 0.06).

Conclusions: Using a large, cohort of women-nurses, history of migraine was associated with an increased risk of MS. However, the difference in absolute risk of MS in migraineurs and non-migraineurs was small.
Effect of Fuels on Cooking Fume Emissions
Authors: To W.M. , Yeung L.L.
Published: August 2011

Emissions of cooking fumes across a wide range of settings were investigated for two commonly used fuels in Hong Kong – town gas and electricity. The effect of cooking process on the emissions of fumes was controlled by repeating cooking processes using these two fuels. The measurement results showed that the cooking process and energy source could have an effect on the concentrations of PM10 and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) in kitchens and the concentrations of extractable organic material in kitchen exhausts. Gas cooking produced higher concentrations of PM10, TVOC and extractable organic material than electric cooking for stir frying, pan frying and deep frying in the domestic kitchens but inclusive results were obtained for deep frying, griddle frying and char-broiling in the commercial kitchens. Paired-sample t-tests revealed that the concentrations of TVOC generated from gas cooking were significantly higher than those generated from electric cooking at the 5% level, but not for PM10 when measurements in the domestic and commercial environments were combined. Analyses of variance indicated that the emissions of extractable organic material depended significantly on the cooking fuel and the cooking process in domestic kitchens and commercial kitchens.
Medication adherence assessment in a clinical trial with centralized follow-up and direct-to-patient drug shipments
Authors: Warren Stuart R , Raisch Dennis W , Campbell Heather M , Guarino Peter D , Kaufman James S , Petrokaitis Elizabeth , Goldfarb David S , Gaziano J Michael , Jamison Rex L ,   Veterans Affairs Site Investigators
Published: August 2011

Background

Assessment of adherence to study medications is a common challenge in clinical research. Counting unused study medication is the predominant method by which adherence is assessed in outpatient clinical trials but it has limitations that include questionable validity and burdens on research personnel.

Purpose

To compare capsule counts, patient questionnaire responses, and plasma drug levels as methods of determining adherence in a clinical trial that had 2056 participants and used centralized drug distribution and patient follow-up.

Methods

Capsule counts from study medication bottles returned by participants and responses to questions regarding adherence during quarterly telephone interviews were averaged and compared. Both measures were compared to plasma drug levels obtained at the 3-month study visit of patients in the treatment group. Counts and questionnaire responses were converted to adherence rates (doses taken divided by days elapsed) and were categorized by stringent (≥85.7%) and liberal (≥71.4%) definitions. We calculated the prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa to assess agreement between the two measures.

Results

Using a pre-paid mailer, participants returned 76.0% of study medication bottles to the central pharmacy. Both capsule counts and questionnaire responses were available for 65.8% of participants and were used to assess adherence. Capsule counts identified more patients who were under-adherent (18.8% by the stringent definition and 7.5% by the liberal definition) than self-reports did (10.4% by the stringent definition and 2.1% by the liberal definition). The prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa was 0.58 (stringent) and 0.83 (liberal), indicating fair and very good agreement, respectively. Both measures were also in agreement with plasma drug levels determined at the 3-month visit (capsule counts: p = 0.005 for the stringent and p = 0.003 for the liberal definition; questionnaire: p = 0.002 for both adherence definitions).

Limitations

Inconsistent bottle returns and incomplete notations of medication start and stop dates resulted in missing data but exploratory missing data analyses showed no reason to believe that the missing data resulted in systematic bias.

Conclusions

Depending upon the definition of adherence, there was fair to very good agreement between questionnaire results and capsule counts among returned study bottles, confirmed by plasma drug levels. We conclude that a self-report of medication adherence is potentially comparable to capsule counts as a method of assessing adherence in a clinical trial, if a relatively low adherence threshold is acceptable, but adherence should be confirmed by other measures if a high adherence threshold is required.
Allele-specific transcriptional elongation regulates monoallelic expression of the IGF2BP1 gene
Authors: Thomas Brandon J , Rubio Eric D , Krumm Niklas , Broin Pilib Ó , Bomsztyk Karol , Welcsh Piri , Greally John M , Golden Aaron A , Krumm Anton
Published: August 2011

Background

Random monoallelic expression contributes to phenotypic variation of cells and organisms. However, the epigenetic mechanisms by which individual alleles are randomly selected for expression are not known. Taking cues from chromatin signatures at imprinted gene loci such as the insulin-like growth factor 2 gene 2 (IGF2), we evaluated the contribution of CTCF, a zinc finger protein required for parent-of-origin-specific expression of the IGF2 gene, as well as a role for allele-specific association with DNA methylation, histone modification and RNA polymerase II.

Results

Using array-based chromatin immunoprecipitation, we identified 293 genomic loci that are associated with both CTCF and histone H3 trimethylated at lysine 9 (H3K9me3). A comparison of their genomic positions with those of previously published monoallelically expressed genes revealed no significant overlap between allele-specifically expressed genes and colocalized CTCF/H3K9me3. To analyze the contributions of CTCF and H3K9me3 to gene regulation in more detail, we focused on the monoallelically expressed IGF2BP1 gene. In vitro binding assays using the CTCF target motif at the IGF2BP1 gene, as well as allele-specific analysis of cytosine methylation and CTCF binding, revealed that CTCF does not regulate mono- or biallelic IGF2BP1 expression. Surprisingly, we found that RNA polymerase II is detected on both the maternal and paternal alleles in B lymphoblasts that express IGF2BP1 primarily from one allele. Thus, allele-specific control of RNA polymerase II elongation regulates the allelic bias of IGF2BP1 gene expression.

Conclusions

Colocalization of CTCF and H3K9me3 does not represent a reliable chromatin signature indicative of monoallelic expression. Moreover, association of individual alleles with both active (H3K4me3) and silent (H3K27me3) chromatin modifications (allelic bivalent chromatin) or with RNA polymerase II also fails to identify monoallelically expressed gene loci. The selection of individual alleles for expression occurs in part during transcription elongation.
Type of Dietary Fat Is Associated with the 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Increment in Response to Vitamin D Supplementation
Authors: Niramitmahapanya Sathit , Harris Susan S. , Dawson-Hughes Bess
Published: August 2011

Context:

Mono- and polyunsaturated fats may have opposing effects on vitamin D absorption.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to determine whether intakes of different dietary fats are associated with the increase in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) after supplementation with vitamin D3.

Design, Setting, and Participants:

This analysis was conducted in the active treatment arm of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of vitamin D and calcium supplementation to prevent bone loss and fracture. Subjects included 152 healthy men and women age 65 and older who were assigned to 700 IU/d vitamin D3 and 500 mg/d calcium. Intakes of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and saturated fatty acids (SFA) were estimated by food frequency questionnaire.

Main Outcome Measure:

The change in plasma 25OHD during 2 yr vitamin D and calcium supplementation was assessed.

Results:

The change in plasma 25OHD (nanograms per milliliter) during vitamin D supplementation was positively associated with MUFA, (β = 0.94; P = 0.016), negatively associated with PUFA, (β = −0.93; P = 0.038), and positively associated with the MUFA/PUFA ratio (β = 6.46; P = 0.014).

Conclusion:

The fat composition of the diet may influence the 25OHD response to supplemental vitamin D3. Diets rich in MUFA may improve and those rich in PUFA may reduce the effectiveness of vitamin D3 supplements in healthy older adults. More studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Comparing the treatment response of great saphenous and small saphenous vein incompetence following surgery and endovenous laser ablation: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Carradice D , Samuel N , Wallace T , Mazari F A K , Hatfield J , Chetter I
Published: August 2011

Objective

Many venous trials mix patients with great saphenous vein (GSV) and small saphenous vein (SSV) diseases. There is no evidence that both respond similarly to treatment and our aim was to test this assumption.

Method

This cohort study compares patients with isolated GSV and SSV incompetence following treatment with open surgical ligation or endovenous laser ablation (EVLA). Outcomes included: quality of life (QoL; Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire [AVVQ]; Short Form 36 [SF36]; Euroqol [EQ5D]; and Venous Clinical Severity Score [VCSS]).

Results

A total of 370 patients with no differences in baseline QoL, underwent treatment. Despite equivalent morbidity, SSV sufferers had a lower VCSS ( P < 0.001). Following surgery, SSV patients scored higher (worse) on AVVQ ( P = 0.045) than GSV sufferers, but lower (better) following EVLA ( P = 0.042).

Conclusion

The morbidity associated with SSV incompetence is greater than suggested by its clinical severity and responds differently following treatment to that of the GSV. Trials should consider patients with GSV and SSV reflux separately. EVLA may offer additional benefits to SSV sufferers.
Analyzing Two-Color Babylon
Authors: Goadrich Mark , Schlatter Mark
Published: August 2011

We examine the impartial combinatorial game Babylon. We abstract the game so that it is suitable to combinatorial analysis, and present a full characterization and strategies for the cases with odd number of tokens and only two colors. We also demonstrate partial results on games with even tokens with two colors, an initial extension to three colors, and offer directions for future work.