bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum 25‐Hydroxyvitamin D, Transitions Between Frailty States, and Mortality in Older Adults: The Invecchiare in Chianti Study
Authors: Shardell Michelle , D'Adamo Christopher , Alley Dawn E. , Miller Ram R. , Hicks Gregory E. , Milaneschi Yuri , Semba Richard D. , Cherubini Antonio , Bandinelli Stefania , Ferrucci Luigi
Published: January 2012

Objectives

To assess whether serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations relate to transitions between the states of robustness, prefrailty, and frailty and to mortality in older adults.

Design

The Invecchiare in Chianti (InCHIANTI) Study, a prospective cohort study.

Setting

Tuscany, Italy.

Participants

Adults aged 65 and older (N = 1,155).

Measurements

Serum 25(OH)D concentrations measured at baseline; frailty state (robust, prefrail, frail) assessed at baseline and 3 and 6 years after enrollment; and vital status determined 3 and 6 years after enrollment.

Results

The median (interquartile range) 25(OH)D concentration was 16.0 ng/mL (10.4–25.6 ng/mL; multiply by 2.496 to convert to nmol/L). Prefrail participants with 25(OH)D levels less than 20 ng/mL were 8.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.5–15.2%) more likely to die, 3.0% (95% CI = −5.6–14.6%) more likely to become frail, and 7.7% (95% CI = −3.5–18.7%) less likely to become robust than prefrail participants with 25(OH)D levels of 20 ng/mL or more. In prefrail participants, each 5‐ng/mL decrement of continuous 25(OH)D was associated with 1.46 times higher odds of dying (95% CI = 1.18–2.07) and 1.13 higher odds of incident frailty (95% CI = 0.90–1.39) than with recovery of robustness. Transitions from robustness or frailty were not associated with 25(OH)D levels.

Conclusion

Results provide evidence that prefrailty is an “at risk” state from which older adults with high 25(OH)D levels are more likely to recover than to decline, but high 25(OH)D levels were not associated with recovery from frailty. Thus, 25(OH)D levels should be investigated as a potential therapy to treat prefrailty and prevent further decline.
Aggregate Implications of Heterogeneous Households in a Sticky‐Price Model
Authors: LEE JAE WON
Published: January 2012

This paper analyzes the role of heterogeneous households in propagating shocks over the business cycle by generalizing a basic sticky‐price model to allow for imperfect risk sharing between households that differ in labor incomes. I show that imperfectly insured household consumption distorts household incentive to supply labor hours through an idiosyncratic income effect, which in turn generates strategic complementarities in price setting and thus amplifies business cycle fluctuations. This mechanism diminishes the role of nominal rigidities and makes sticky‐price models more consistent with microeconomic evidence on the frequency of price changes.
Do Large Banks Have Lower Costs? New Estimates of Returns to Scale for U.S. Banks
Authors: WHEELOCK DAVID C. , WILSON PAUL W.
Published: January 2012

This paper presents new, fully nonparametric estimates of ray‐scale and expansion‐path scale economies for U.S. banks based on a model of bank costs. Unlike prior studies that use models with restrictive parametric assumptions or limited samples, our methodology uses local polynomial estimators and data on all U.S. banks over the period 1984–2006. Our estimates indicate that as recently as 2006, most U.S. banks faced increasing returns to scale, suggesting that scale economies are a plausible (but not necessarily only) reason for the growth in average bank size and that the tendency toward increasing scale is likely to continue unless checked by government intervention.
Flexible Prices and the Business Cycle
Authors: COLLARD FABRICE , DELLAS HARRIS
Published: January 2012

Business cycles models with flexible prices face two major empirical challenges. One regards observed output dynamics: the positive, short run, autocorrelation in GNP growth, and the hump‐shaped, trend‐reverting output response to transitory shocks (Cogley and Nason 1995). The other regards the alleged persistent decline in employment following a positive technology shock (Galí 1999). No determinate model with flexible prices has so far been able to address all of the Cogley Nason–Galí challenges. We show that the standard RBC model can do so if it contains a signal extraction problem involving permanent and temporary supply shocks.
Estimating Probabilities of Recession in Real Time Using GDP and GDI
Authors: NALEWAIK JEREMY J.
Published: January 2012

This work estimates Markov switching models on real‐time data and shows that the growth rate of gross domestic income (GDI), deflated by the gross domestic product (GDP) deflator, has done a better job recognizing the start of recessions than has the growth rate of real GDP. This result suggests that placing an increased focus on GDI may be useful in assessing the current state of the economy. In addition, the paper shows that the definition of a low‐growth phase in the Markov switching models changed considerably from 1978 to 2005. The models increasingly came to define this phase as an extended period of around zero rather than negative growth, diverging somewhat from the traditional definition of a recession.
Post‐Secular Turkey
Authors: GÖLE NILÜFER
Published: January 2012

For 500 years the West was on the rise, culminating in Globalizaiton 1.0—the open system of trade, information flows and the spread of technology on the terms and in the image of the West. The benefits of that system over the last 30 years have led to the rise of the emerging economies. As a result we are entering the new era of Globalization 2.0 characterized by new forms of non‐Western modernity and the interdependence of plural identities. The advent of this new era has been hastened by the fiscal and financial crisis in Europe and the United States.

Turkey, with its Islamic‐oriented democracy that has become a template for the liberated peoples of the Arab Spring, and China, with its effective neo‐Confucian form of governance, are the most sharply defined new players in this multi‐polar and multi‐dimensional world.

In this section, one of Turkey's most insightful sociologists examines the post‐secular transformation of that nation. One of China's more provocative philosophers proposes a hybrid model that combines what has been learned from the experience of Western and Chinese governance in a way that “enhances democracy” in both systems.
Globalization 2.0
Authors: LI ERIC X.
Published: January 2012

For 500 years the West was on the rise, culminating in Globalizaiton 1.0—the open system of trade, information flows and the spread of technology on the terms and in the image of the West. The benefits of that system over the last 30 years have led to the rise of the emerging economies. As a result we are entering the new era of Globalization 2.0 characterized by new forms of non‐Western modernity and the interdependence of plural identities. The advent of this new era has been hastened by the fiscal and financial crisis in Europe and the United States.

Turkey, with its Islamic‐oriented democracy that has become a template for the liberated peoples of the Arab Spring, and China, with its effective neo‐Confucian form of governance, are the most sharply defined new players in this multi‐polar and multi‐dimensional world.

In this section, one of Turkey's most insightful sociologists examines the post‐secular transformation of that nation. One of China's more provocative philosophers proposes a hybrid model that combines what has been learned from the experience of Western and Chinese governance in a way that “enhances democracy” in both systems.
The G20 Is the Key Forum for Adjusting Global Power Shift
Authors: KISSINGER HENRY
Published: January 2012

For 500 years the West was on the rise, culminating in Globalizaiton 1.0—the open system of trade, information flows and the spread of technology on the terms and in the image of the West. The benefits of that system over the last 30 years have led to the rise of the emerging economies. As a result we are entering the new era of Globalization 2.0 characterized by new forms of non‐Western modernity and the interdependence of plural identities. The advent of this new era has been hastened by the fiscal and financial crisis in Europe and the United States.

Turkey, with its Islamic‐oriented democracy that has become a template for the liberated peoples of the Arab Spring, and China, with its effective neo‐Confucian form of governance, are the most sharply defined new players in this multi‐polar and multi‐dimensional world.

In this section, one of Turkey's most insightful sociologists examines the post‐secular transformation of that nation. One of China's more provocative philosophers proposes a hybrid model that combines what has been learned from the experience of Western and Chinese governance in a way that “enhances democracy” in both systems.
Which Types of Environmental Management Systems Are Related to Greater Environmental Improvements?
Authors: Darnall Nicole , Kim Younsung
Published: January 2012

While there is little empirical evidence to demonstrate which types of environmental management systems (EMSs) are associated with greater environmental improvements, governments worldwide are encouraging facilities to adopt them. This research compares the environmental performance of facilities that adopt ISO 14001–certified EMSs, complete (noncertified) EMSs, and incomplete EMSs across multiple environmental media. The authors analyze these relationships for manufacturing facilities in seven countries using a two‐stage model to control for selection bias. Findings indicate that the adoption of all types of EMSs is related to improved environmental performance in an international setting. However, ISO 14001–certified EMSs are associated with environmental improvements to a broader array of environmental media. These findings offer important implications about which types of EMSs have greater promise as voluntary environmental governance tools.
Intramyocardial Hemorrhage after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Edris Ahmad , Patel Pranav M. , Krishnam Mayil S. , Sengupta Partho P.
Published: January 2012

(Echocardiography 2012;29:E50‐E51)
Misdiagnosis of Aorta‐Right Atrial Tunnel
Authors: Hu Bo , Zhou Qing , Guo Rui‐qiang
Published: January 2012

First reported by Coto in 1980, aorta‐right atrial tunnel (ARAT) is a rare congenital vascular connection between the aortic root and RA. The case report presents a 38‐year‐old male patient with ARAT. Echocardiography showed a tunnel‐like structure which appeared to be a connection between the left coronary sinus and the left atrium although the tunnel was connected to the right atrium. The misdiagnosis may be explained that the images were overlaid and abnormal color flow signal was not detected in RA because of the failure to detect color flow spectrum at the outlet of superior vena cava (SVC). We have discussed the diagnostic experience of the rare congenital cardiac anomaly in echocardiography: (1) carefully detect the origin and termination of abnormal tunnel structure; (2) the outlet of SVC into RA should be detected for possible artery flow spectrum and color flow signal into RA; (3) transesophageal echocardiography should be performed for identifying the diagnosis of ARAT if it is necessary. (Echocardiography 2012;29:E43‐E44)
Adapting to Changes in Design Requirements Using Set‐Based Design
Authors: McKENNEY THOMAS A. , KEMINK LAUREN F. , SINGER DAVID J.
Published: January 2012

Ship design is a highly intensive and complex process mainly due to the large number of components and competing requirements. With advancement in technology, design, and evaluation processes, more emphasis has been placed on obtaining not just a feasible design, but also an optimal one. Advanced design methods such as set‐based design (SBD) can provide a structured approach to evaluating the design space in order to make accurate and informed decisions toward a more globally optimal design. This paper presents the general application of the SBD process for US Naval vessels as well as a specialized focus on changes in design requirements. Specifically, the two main objectives are an evaluation of how delaying decisions using SBD could cause higher adaptability to changes later in the design process and development of a tradeoff space for evaluating reduced sets. A design experiment that simulated cycles of the SBD process was developed and implemented to provide insight into this objective. The different stages of the experiment included determining intersections between design components in the design space, narrowing variable sets to eliminate infeasible regions, and evaluating the effects of changing design requirements.
Set‐Based Design and the Ship to Shore Connector
Authors: MEBANE WALTER L. , CARLSON CRAIG M. , DOWD CHRIS , SINGER DAVID J. , BUCKLEY MICHAEL E.
Published: January 2012

The Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), a replacement for the Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC), is the first government‐led design of a ship in over 15 years. This paper will discuss the changes that a government‐led design presents to the design approach, including schedule, organization structure, and design methodology. While presenting challenges, a government‐led design also afforded the opportunity to implement a new technique for assessing various systems and ship alternatives, set‐based design (SBD). The necessity for implementing SBD was the desire to design SSC from a blank sheet of paper and the need for a replacement craft in a short time frame. That is, the LCACs need to be replaced and consequently the preliminary design phase of the SSC program will only be 12 months. This paper will describe SBD and how it was applied to the SSC, the challenges that the program faced, and an assessment of the new methodology, along with recommendations that future design programs should consider when adopting this approach.
Desmoplastic trichoepithelioma with perineural involvement: a series of seven cases
Authors: Jedrych Jaroslaw , Leffell David , McNiff Jennifer M.
Published: January 2012

Desmoplastic trichoepithelioma (DTE) is a benign follicular tumor occurring most commonly within facial skin of young and middle‐aged women, morphologically characterized by a superficial dermal proliferation of basaloid cells growing in narrow strands embedded in a desmoplastic stroma associated with small keratinizing cysts. DTE must be distinguished from other benign epithelial proliferations such as syringoma, microcystic adnexal carcinoma and infiltrating basal cell carcinoma. Among morphological features useful in that distinction, perineural involvement is considered a feature indicative of malignancy. We present a series of seven DTEs with otherwise typical presentation and morphology, nevertheless showing epithelium present in the perineural spaces of adjacent small dermal nerves. Patients ranged in age from 14 to 66 years (mean 44 years). All seven tumors were restricted to dermis, showed strands of basaloid epithelium in desmoplastic stroma and contained CK20‐positive cells. Additionally, five of five examined tumors displayed diffuse expression of p75 neurotrophin receptor. Five patients were followed up clinically (follow‐up time range: 2 months–4 years). No tumor recurrence was observed in any of these patients. We postulate that perineural involvement is an unusual feature of DTE that should not be equated with malignancy or lead to unnecessary over‐treatment.

Jedrych J, Leffell D, McNiff JM. Desmoplastic trichoepithelioma with perineural involvement: a series of seven cases.
Hair‐inducing ability of human dermal papilla cells cultured under Wnt/β‐catenin signalling activation
Authors: Soma Tsutomu , Fujiwara Shigeyoshi , Shirakata Yuji , Hashimoto Koji , Kishimoto Jiro
Published: January 2012

Abstract:  It is well known that dermal papilla cells (DPCs) play crucial roles in hair follicle induction. In this study, we examined whether Wnt/β‐catenin activation results in maintenance of the hair‐inducing ability of human DPCs. Expression of DPC marker genes was maintained under Wnt/β‐catenin signalling stimulation by GSK‐3β inhibition. Furthermore, human DPCs showed constant hair induction when transplanted with murine epidermal cell fraction. Alu‐positive human DPCs were essentially detected adjacent to the reconstructing epidermal structure positive for P‐cadherin immunoreactivity. The transplanted human DPCs were abundant in the surrounding dermal sheath portion of the fully regenerated hair follicles. These results support the importance of Wnt/β‐catenin signalling in hair follicle induction. This study may provide valuable information to establish a culture method of human DPCs for cell‐based therapy.
Vaspin – a link of obesity and psoriasis?
Authors: Saalbach Anja , Vester Katharina , Rall Kathrin , Tremel Jenny , Anderegg Ulf , Beck‐Sickinger Annette G. , Blüher Matthias , Simon Jan C.
Published: January 2012

Abstract:  Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease often associated with obesity. The anti‐inflammatory adipokine vaspin, a suggested serine proteinase inhibitor of the serpin family, is discussed as a new link between inflammation and obesity. Here, we demonstrate that – different from healthy controls – vaspin serum levels in patients with psoriasis were body mass index independent. Moreover, we could identify keratinocytes as the major source of vaspin in skin. Vaspin expression in lesional psoriatic skin was reduced compared with uninvolved skin as shown by immunohistochemistry and RT‐PCR. In aggregate, we report on the cellular source of vaspin in skin and its expression in psoriasis.
Rabankyrin‐5 Interacts with EHD1 and Vps26 to Regulate Endocytic Trafficking and Retromer Function
Authors: Zhang Jing , Reiling Calliste , Reinecke James B. , Prislan Iztok , Marky Luis A. , Sorgen Paul L. , Naslavsky Naava , Caplan Steve
Published: January 2012

Rabankyrin‐5 (Rank‐5) has been implicated as an effector of the small GTPase Rab5 and plays an important role in macropinocytosis. We have now identified Rank‐5 as an interaction partner for the recycling regulatory protein, Eps15 homology domain 1 (EHD1). We have demonstrated this interaction by glutathione S‐transferase‐pulldown, yeast two‐hybrid assay, isothermal calorimetry and co‐immunoprecipitation, and found that the binding occurs between the EH domain of EHD1 and the NPFED motif of Rank‐5. Similar to EHD1, we found that Rank‐5 colocalizes and interacts with components of the retromer complex such as vacuolar protein sorting 26 (Vps26), suggesting a role for Rank‐5 in retromer‐based transport. Indeed, depletion of Rank‐5 causes mislocalization of Vps26 and affects both the retrieval of mannose 6‐phosphate receptor transport to the Golgi from endosomes and biosynthetic transport. Moreover, Rank‐5 is required for normal retromer distribution, as overexpression of a wild‐type Rank‐5‐small interfering RNA‐resistant construct rescues retromer mislocalization. Finally, we show that depletion of either Rank‐5 or EHD1 impairs secretion of vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein. Overall, our data identify a new interaction between Rank‐5 and EHD1, and novel endocytic regulatory roles that include retromer‐based transport and secretion.
Undernutrition in Nepalese children: a biochemical and haematological study
Authors: Ghosh Arijit , Chowdhury Sutanu Dutta , Ghosh Tusharkanti
Published: January 2012

Aim:  This study was undertaken to assess the nutritional status of 6–10 years old Nepalese children by measuring some haematological and biochemical parameters.

Methods:  Nutritional status was assessed by height‐for‐age z‐score. Total count of red blood corpuscles (TC of RBC), packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were measured. Biochemical parameters such as serum iron, total iron‐binding capacity (TIBC), serum ferritin, serum transferrin, transferrin saturation (TS) and serum albumin were also measured. Serum folate and vitamin B12 were measured in well‐nourished and undernourished children.

Results:  TC of RBC, serum iron, serum ferritin, TS and serum albumin of stunted children were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of well‐nourished children. MCV, MCH, TIBC and serum transferrin of stunted children were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of well‐nourished children. Serum folate and vitamin B12 values of stunted children were significantly lower (p < 0.001) than that of well‐nourished children.

Conclusion:  A mild iron deficiency was found in stunted Nepalese children. The serum ferritin has been identified as a sensitive marker for measurement of iron status in surveyed children. A deficiency of serum protein, serum folate and vitamin B12 was also found in the undernourished Nepalese children.
Natural Products as Sources of New Fungicides: Synthesis and Antifungal Activity of Zopfiellin Analogues
Authors: Musso Loana , Dallavalle Sabrina , Farina Gandolfina , Burrone Elio
Published: January 2012

The synthesis of a series of cyclooctadiene anhydrides, analogues of the natural compound zopfiellin, was performed to assay their in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity on a set of plant pathogenic fungi. Most of the synthesized compounds possessed a broad spectrum of activity. In particular, the anhydrides 2 and 5a were very effective against the Oomycete diseases such as Phytophthora infestans and Pythium ultimum, reaching a level of activity well comparable with that of commercial fungicides in use. Preliminary in vivo evaluation of their protectant activity is also reported.
Benefits of Early Tracheostomy in Ventilated Stroke Patients? Current Evidence and Study Protocol of the Randomized Pilot Trial SETPOINT (Stroke-Related Early Tracheostomy Vs. Prolonged Orotracheal Intubation in Neurocritical Care Trial)
Authors: Bösel Julian , Schiller Petra , Hacke Werner , Steiner Thorsten
Published: January 2012

Rationale

Ventilated intensive care patients with ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes have a poor prognosis. Early tracheostomy has led to advantages in selected groups of non-cerebrovascular intensive care patients, including shorter ventilation time, shorter intensive care unit length of stay, and reduced complications. It is completely unclear whether ventilated stroke patients might benefit from early tracheostomy, too.

Aim

Stroke-related Early Tracheostomy vs. Prolonged Orotracheal Intubation in Neurocritical care Trial (SETPOINT) is a pilot trial aiming to investigate the safety, feasibility, and potential benefits of early tracheostomy vs. prolonged intubation (and possibly late tracheostomy) in patients with severe ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, or subarachnoid hemorrhage. The primary objective is to compare early tracheostomy and prolonged intubation with respect to the intensive care unit – length of stay and the time until the start of rehabilitation in these patients.

Design

SETPOINT is a prospective, randomized, controlled, outcome observer-blinded, monocenter trial. Patients with severe ischemic stroke, intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage requiring intubation and ventilation are eligible. After passing predefined criteria, enrolled patients are randomized to either percutaneous tracheostomy within the first three-days from intubation or to weaning/extubation attempts or percutaneous tracheostomy between days 7 and 14 from intubation (n = 30 per group).

Study outcomes

The primary end-point is the intensive care unit length of stay. Secondary end-points are functional outcome and mortality at discharge and after six-months, duration to transferability, duration of ventilation, duration and quality of weaning from respirator, need of analgesia and sedation, procedure-related complications, frequency of pneumonia and sepsis, and costs of treatment.

Discussion

To clarify the potential benefit of early tracheostomy in critical care ventilated stroke patients, a randomized multicenter trial in a larger patient population is clearly needed. If this monocentric pilot gives promising safety, feasibility, and benefit results, such a multicenter trial will be planned. The results will have a relevant direct impact on the critical care of stroke.
The King is Dead (Warfarin): Direct Thrombin and Factor Xa Inhibitors: The Next Diadochian War?
Authors: Diener Hans-Christoph , Eikelboom John , Granger Christopher B. , Hacke Werner
Published: January 2012

Atrial fibrillation is an important risk factor for stroke. New drugs for oral anticoagulation that do not exhibit the limitations of vitamin K antagonists like warfarin are under investigation. These include direct factor Xa inhibitors and direct thrombin-inhibitors. Recent studies provide promising results for apixaban, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban, including higher efficacy and significantly lower incidences of intracranial bleeds compared with warfarin. The new oral anticoagulants substances show similar results in secondary as in primary stroke prevention in patients with AF and will on the long run replace warfarin.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Statins in Experimental Stroke
Authors: Baryan Hardaman K. , Allan Stuart M. , Vail Andy , Smith Craig J.
Published: January 2012

Background and purpose

Statins are postulated as candidate drugs for the treatment of acute stroke. The aim of this study was to critically appraise the evidence for the efficacy of statins administered after the onset of experimental focal cerebral ischemia.

Methods

We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies reporting the efficacy of any statin administered following middle cerebral artery occlusion. The primary outcome measure was infarct volume. Assessment of study quality and range of evidence were undertaken, and prespecified sub-group analyses were performed.

Results

Eighteen published studies describing outcome in 472 animals were identified. Statins reduced infarct volume by 11·2% (95% confidence interval 8·1% to 14·3%, P < 0·001) and improved the neurological severity score by 0·7 points (95% confidence interval 0·4 to 1·1, P < 0·0001). Efficacy was evident up to three-hours post-middle cerebral artery occlusion. Median study quality score was 7 of 13 (interquartile range, 4 to 11). No studies tested efficacy in aged, female, or hypertensive animals; or in species other than rodents.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that statins administered after middle cerebral artery occlusion have modest efficacy. Effects of potential sources of bias are considered likely to reduce the estimated effect from this review.
Higher Carotid Intima Media Thickness Predicts Extracranial Vascular Events and Not Stroke Recurrence among Transient Ischemic Attack Patients
Authors: Purroy Francisco , Montserrat Josep , Begué Robert , Gil Maria Isabel , Quílez Alejandro , Sanahuja Jordi , Brieva Luis , Pardina Marina , Piñol-Ripoll Gerard
Published: January 2012

Background

Increased common carotid artery intima-media thickness has been associated with an increased risk of vascular ischemic events. We investigated the relationship between common carotid artery intima-media thickness and extracranial vascular events (coronary heart disease and peripheral arterial disease) or stroke recurrence in a cohort of transient ischemic attack patients from the REGITELL registry.

Methods

High-resolution B-mode ultrasonographic measurements of the common carotid artery intima-media thickness were performed in a series of 283 consecutive transient ischemic attack patients. Clinical, neuroimaging, ultrasonographic, and etiological data were collected. Patients were followed prospectively for six-months or more. Extracranial vascular events and stroke recurrence were recorded.

Results

Fifteen extracranial vascular events (12 coronary heart disease and three peripheral arterial disease) and 29 recurrent strokes occurred during a median follow-up period of 12·3 months. Patients who experienced extracranial vascular events had significantly ( P < 0·001) higher common carotid artery intima-media thickness values (1·087 (standard deviation 0·189) mm) than subjects who were free of extracranial vascular events (0·887 (standard deviation 0·195) mm). Nevertheless, common carotid artery intima-media thickness was not found to correlate with stroke recurrence. Cox proportional hazards multivariate analyses identified hypercholesterolemia (hazard ratio 6·87, 95% confidence interval: 1·93–24·39, P = 0·003) and common carotid artery intima-media thickness >0·939 mm (hazard ratio 8·90, 95% confidence interval: 2·00–39·49, P = 0·004) as independent predictors of extracranial vascular events after transient ischemic attack. Almost one of every three patients with hypercholesterolemia and high common carotid artery intima-media thickness had extracranial vascular events.

Conclusions

An elevated common carotid artery intima-media thickness value was associated with a higher long-term risk of extracranial vascular events but no with stroke recurrence. Hypercholesterolemia was the main risk factor for extracranial vascular events. The combination of hypercholesterolemia and common carotid artery intima-media thickness >0·939 mm justify the establishment of aggressive therapies and the study of subclinical coronary heart disease and peripheral arterial disease.
Burden of Stroke in Malaysia
Authors: Loo Keat Wei , Gan Siew Hua
Published: January 2012

Stroke is one of the top five leading causes of death and one of the top 10 causes for hospitalization in Malaysia. Stroke is also in the top five diseases with the greatest burden of disease, based on disability-adjusted life years. However, prospective studies on stroke in Malaysia are limited. To date, neither the prevalence of stroke nor its incidence nationally has been recorded. Hypertension is the major risk factor for stroke. The mean age of stroke patients in Malaysia is between 54·5 and 62·6 years. Traditional medicine is commonly practiced. With the increasing number of stroke cases annually, more government and nongovernment organizations should be involved in primary and secondary prevention strategies.
Mechanism and Efficiency of Cell Death of Type II Photosensitizers: Effect of Zinc Chelation†
Authors: Pavani Christiane , Iamamoto Yassuko , Baptista Maurício S.
Published: January 2012

A series of meso‐substituted tetra‐cationic porphyrins, which have methyl and octyl substituents, was studied in order to understand the effect of zinc chelation and photosensitizer subcellular localization in the mechanism of cell death. Zinc chelation does not change the photophysical properties of the photosensitizers (all molecules studied are type II photosensitizers) but affects considerably the interaction of the porphyrins with membranes, reducing mitochondrial accumulation. The total amount of intracellular reactive species induced by treating cells with photosensitizer and light is similar for zinc‐chelated and free‐base porphyrins that have the same alkyl substituent. Zinc‐chelated porphyrins, which are poorly accumulated in mitochondria, show higher efficiency of cell death with features of apoptosis (higher MTT response compared with trypan blue staining, specific acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, stronger cytochrome c release and larger sub‐G1 cell population), whereas nonchelated porphyrins, which are considerably more concentrated in mitochondria, triggered mainly necrotic cell death. We hypothesized that zinc‐chelation protects the photoinduced properties of the porphyrins in the mitochondrial environment.
Analysis of polymorphisms of TNF‐α, LT‐α, IL‐10, IL‐12 and CTLA‐4 in patients with warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
Authors: D’ABRONZO L. S. , BARROS M. M. O. , BORDIN J. O. , FIGUEIREDO M. S.
Published: January 2012

Introduction:  Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) is defined as the increased destruction of red blood cells (RBCs) in the presence of anti‐RBC autoantibodies and/or complement. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial and includes changes in mechanisms of cytokine production and functionality. A number of recent studies have implicated cytokines polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of polymorphisms of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), lymphotoxin‐α (LT‐α), interleukin 10 (IL‐10), interleukin 12 (IL‐12) and cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4) in patients with AIHA in comparison with healthy individuals.

Methods:  The study population consisted of 17 patients with AIHA and 40 healthy controls. The polymorphisms for TNF‐α−308, LT‐α +252, IL‐10 −592, IL‐12 +1188 and CTLA‐4 +49 were examined by polymerase chain reaction followed by specific restriction enzyme digestion.

Results:  There was no significant difference in the phenotypic distributions of polymorphisms of the TNF‐α, IL‐10, IL‐12 and CTLA‐4 between the patients and controls. Compared with healthy controls, patients with AIHA had a significant higher frequency of LT‐α (+252) AG phenotype (41%vs. 13%; P = 0.032).

Conclusion:  In this study, no significant differences on the frequency of TNF‐α, IL‐10, IL‐12 and CTLA‐4 polymorphisms between patients with AIHA and controls was found, suggesting that the targeted polymorphisms do not influence on the emergence and evolution of the disease. However, the LT‐α +252 polymorphism might have an effect for AIHAI development, suggesting that further studies are necessary to clear up this question.
Family‐Based Interventions for Child and Adolescent Disorders
Authors: Kaslow Nadine J. , Broth Michelle Robbins , Smith Chaundrissa Oyeshiku , Collins Marietta H.
Published: January 2012

Emotional and behavioral symptoms and disorders are prevalent in children and adolescents. There has been a burgeoning literature supporting evidence‐based treatments for these disorders. Increasingly, family‐based interventions have been gaining prominence and demonstrating effectiveness for myriad childhood and adolescent disorders. This article presents the current evidence in support of family‐based interventions for mood, anxiety, attention‐deficit hyperactivity, disruptive behavior, pervasive developmental particularly autism spectrum, and eating disorders. This review details recent data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and promising interventions not yet examined using a randomized controlled methodology. It highlights the evidence base supporting various specific family‐based interventions, some of which are disorder dependent. A practitioner perspective is then offered with regard to recommendations for future practice and training. The article closes with a summary and directions for future research.
Opportunity Nox: The Future of NADPH Oxidases as Therapeutic Targets in Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Streeter Jennifer , Thiel William , Brieger Kate , Miller, Jr. Francis J.
Published: January 2012

Over 40 years ago, NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) oxidase 2 (Nox2) was discovered in phagocytes and found to be essential in innate immunity. More than 20 years passed before additional Nox isoforms were discovered; and since then, studies have revealed that several of these isoforms (Nox1, Nox2, Nox4, and Nox5) are found in human cardiac and vascular cells and contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Recently, major efforts have focused on identifying inhibitors capable of ameliorating Nox‐mediated CVD. In this review, we briefly discuss the role of each Nox isoform in CVD, identify steps in Nox signaling that will serve as potential targets for the design of therapeutics, and highlight innovative strategies likely to yield effective Nox inhibitors within the next decade.
The United Nations and Human Development: From Ideology to Global Policies
Authors: Thérien Jean‐Philippe
Published: January 2012

Building on the work of the United Nations Intellectual History Project, this article argues that the ideology of human development has now become the driving normative force behind the global policies supported by the UN in the area of development. The first part focuses on the UN’s official discourse of the past two decades, and shows how it has been influenced by the concept of human development. The second section examines a set of global policies that illustrate how the UN has sought to put the principles of human development into practice. The article concludes that while human development ideology has represented for twenty years the most credible critique of mainstream development policies, its impact – like that of the UN in world affairs – remains nonetheless limited.

Policy Implications

 Human development currently represents the most credible alternative to mainstream development thinking and the most effective approach to fostering global justice.

 The UN must provide greater leadership in showing that the future of global order will depend on the future of human development.

 The UN should be far more pro‐active in identifying and fighting against the national and international factors that impede human development.

 The coherence of global policies affecting human development needs to be strengthened.

 The UN must cooperate much more closely with like‐minded social forces to effectually promote human development.
Validation of a new point‐of‐care assay for determination of β‐carotene concentration in bovine whole blood and plasma
Authors: Raila Jens , Enjalbert Francis , Mothes Ralf , Hurtienne Andrea , Schweigert Florian J.
Published: January 2012

Background

β‐Carotene is an important precursor of vitamin A, and is associated with bovine fertility. β‐Carotene concentrations in plasma are used to optimize β‐carotene supplementation in cattle, but measurement requires specialized equipment to separate plasma and extract and measure β‐carotene, either using spectrophotometry or high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Objective

The objective of this study was to validate a new 2‐step point‐of‐care (POC) assay for measuring β‐carotene in whole blood and plasma.

Methods

β‐carotene concentrations in plasma from 166 cows were measured using HPLC and compared with results obtained using a POC assay, the iCheck‐iEx‐Carotene test kit. Whole blood samples from 23 of these cattle were also evaluated using the POC assay and compared with HPLC‐plasma results from the same 23 animals. The POC assay includes an extraction vial (iEx Carotene) and hand‐held photometer (iCheck Carotene).

Results

Concentrations of β‐carotene in plasma measured using the POC assay ranged from 0.40 to 15.84 mg/L (n = 166). No differences were observed between methods for assay of plasma (mean ± SD; n = 166): HPLC‐plasma 4.23 ± 2.35 mg/L; POC‐plasma 4.49 ± 2.36 mg/L. Similar good agreement was found when plasma analyzed using HPLC was compared with whole blood analyzed using the POC system (n = 23): HPLC‐plasma 3.46 ± 2.12 mg/L; POC‐whole blood 3.67 ± 2.29 mg/L.

Conclusions

Concentrations of β‐carotene can be measured in blood and plasma from cattle easily and rapidly using a POC assay, and results are comparable to those obtained by the highly sophisticated HPLC method. Immediate feedback regarding β‐carotene deficiency facilitates rapid and appropriate optimization of β‐carotene supplementation in feed.
Chondritic micrometeorites from the Transantarctic Mountains
Authors: Van GINNEKEN Matthias , FOLCO Luigi , CORDIER Carole , ROCHETTE Pierre
Published: January 2012

Abstract– On the basis of morphological and petrographic characteristics, eight “giant” unmelted micrometeorites in the 300–1100 μm size range were selected from the Transantarctic Mountain micrometeorite collection, Victoria Land, Antarctica. Mineralogical and geochemical data obtained by means of scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalyses, and synchrotron X‐ray diffraction allow their classification as chondritic micrometeorites. The large size of the micrometeorites increases considerably the amount of mineralogical and geochemical information compared to micrometeorites in smaller size fractions, therefore allowing a better definition of their parent material. A large variety of material is observed: five micrometeorites are related to unequilibrated and equilibrated ordinary chondrite, one to CV chondrite, one to CM chondrite, and one to CI chondrite parent materials. Besides reporting the first occurrence of a CV‐like micrometeorite, our study shows that the abundance of chondritic material supports observations from recent studies on cosmic spherules that a large part of the micrometeorite flux in this size range is of asteroidal origin.
Automated searching of Stardust interstellar foils
Authors: OGLIORE Ryan C. , FLOSS Christine , STADERMANN Frank J. , KEARSLEY A. T. , LEITNER Jan , STROUD Rhonda M. , WESTPHAL Andrew J.
Published: January 2012

Abstract– The Al foils lining the aerogel tiles of the Stardust interstellar tray represent approximately 13% of the total collecting area, about 15,300 mm2. Although the flux is poorly constrained, fewer than 100 impacts are expected in all the Al foils on the collector, and most of these are likely to be less than 1 μm in diameter. Secondary electron (SE) images of the foils at a resolution of approximately 50 nm per pixel are being collected during the Stardust Interstellar Preliminary Examination, resulting in more than two million images that will eventually need to be searched for impact craters. The unknown and complicated nature of 3‐dimensional interstellar tracks in aerogel necessitated the use of a massively distributed human search to locate only a few interstellar tracks. The 2‐dimensional nature of the SE images makes the problem of searching for craters tractable for algorithmic approaches. Using templates of craters from cometary impacts into Stardust foils, we present a computer algorithm for the identification of impact craters in the Stardust interstellar foils using normalized cross‐correlation and template matching. We address the speed, sensitivity, and false‐positive rate of the algorithm. The search algorithm can be adapted for use in other applications. The program is freely available for download at http://jake.ssl.berkeley.edu:8000/groups/westphalgroup/wiki/14e52/ISPE_SEM_Crater_Search.html.
The Tookoonooka marine impact horizon, Australia: Sedimentary and petrologic evidence
Authors: BRON Katherine A. , GOSTIN Victor
Published: January 2012

Abstract– Ejecta from the large subsurface Tookoonooka impact structure have been found in the Lower Cretaceous strata of the extensive Eromanga Basin of central Australia. Observations from 31 wells spanning 400,000 km2 of the basin provide compelling evidence for the presence of a marine impact horizon of regional extent. Drill core was examined to determine the sedimentary context of the Tookoonooka impact event, the presence of ejecta, and the nature of the impact horizon. The base of the Wyandra Sandstone Member of the Cadna‐owie Formation is an unconformity commonly overlain by very poorly sorted sediment with imbricated pebbles, exotic clasts, and occasional boulders. The basal Wyandra Sandstone Member is bimodal: a fine sand mode reflects an ambient sediment contribution and a coarse mode is interpreted to be impact‐derived. Wells Thargomindah‐1 and Eromanga‐1, within four crater radii of Tookoonooka, contain distinctive clast‐supported breccia‐conglomerate beds at the base of the Wyandra Sandstone Member. Clasts in these beds include altered accretionary and melt impactoclasts, as well as lithic and mineral grains corresponding to the Tookoonooka target rock sequence, including basement. Petrographic evidence includes shock metamorphosed quartz and lithic grains with planar deformation features. These breccia‐conglomerates are in stark contrast to the underlying, laterally persistent, unimodal Cadna‐owie sediments and overlying shales deposited in an epeiric sea. The base of the Wyandra Sandstone Member is therefore interpreted to be the Tookoonooka impact horizon. The timing of the impact event is confirmed to be the Barremian‐Aptian boundary, at 125 ± 1 Ma. The Wyandra Sandstone Member preserves both impact ejecta and postimpact marine sediments.
Risk factors for type 2 diabetes: Lessons learned from Japanese Americans in Seattle
Authors: Fujimoto Wilfred Y , Boyko Edward J , Hayashi Tomoshige , Kahn Steven E , Leonetti Donna L , McNeely Marguerite J , Shuman William P
Published: January 2012

Migrant Japanese populations in both the USA and Brazil have for a long time shown a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes than native Japanese, suggesting an interaction of lifestyle and genetic predisposition in the etiology of type 2 diabetes. The overall objective of the Seattle Japanese American Community Diabetes Study was to learn more about the etiology and pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes in Japanese Americans. This metabolically based epidemiological study included extensive assessments of insulin sensitivity, insulin response, and adiposity with the latter including measurements of body fat distribution by both anthropometry and computed tomography. Because of this, the importance of visceral adiposity as a risk factor for abnormal glucose tolerance, hypertension, coronary heart disease and the metabolic syndrome was shown. In conjunction with an examination of diet and physical activity patterns, the result was a clearer understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes in Japanese Americans. We propose that a lifestyle that fosters increased weight gain, especially in the visceral adipose depot, promotes the development of insulin resistance, which in turn exposes an underlying reduced β‐cell reserve in susceptible individuals, resulting in glucose intolerance and, eventually in many, the development of diabetes. We have shown that it might be possible to delay or prevent the development of diabetes through dietary and exercise interventions in individuals identified as having impaired glucose tolerance. The lessons learned from studying migrant Japanese in Seattle might in many ways be applicable to other populations of Asian origin. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2012.00195.x, 2012)
Undisciplined beginnings, academic success, and discursive psychology
Authors: Billig Michael
Published: January 2012

This paper reflects on the conditions under which Discourse and social psychology, Common knowledge, and the author's Arguing and thinking were written. These books, which were independently conceived, were not specifically written as contributions to ‘discursive psychology’, for discursive psychology did not exist at that time. Their authors were rejecting conventional approaches to doing psychological research. The paper discusses what it takes for a new academic movement, such as discursive psychology, to be successfully established in the current climate of ‘academic capitalism’. Two requirements are particularly mentioned: the necessity for a label and the necessity for adherents to be recruited. Of the three books, only Discourse and social psychology was outwardly recruiting its readers to a new way of doing social psychology. Arguing and thinking, with its celebration of ancient rhetoric, was much more ambiguous in its aims. It was turning away from present usefulness towards the past. By claiming to be ‘an antiquarian psychologist’ the author was rejecting disciplinary thinking. The paper also considers the intellectual costs of establishing a new specialism or sub‐discipline. The ‘first generation’ may have freedom, but success can bring about a narrowing of perspectives and the development of orthodoxies for subsequent academic generations. This applies as much to the development of experimental social psychology as to discursive psychology. These processes are particular enhanced in the present socio‐economic situation of contemporary universities, which make it more difficult for young academics to become, in the words of William James, ‘undisciplinables’.