bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rosiglitazone selectively inhibits KATP channels by acting on the KIR6 subunit
Authors: Yu Lei , Jin Xin , Cui Ningren , Wu Yang , Shi Zhenda , Zhu Daling , Jiang Chun
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Rosiglitazone is an anti‐diabetic drug acting as an insulin sensitizer. We recently found that rosiglitazone also inhibits the vascular isoform of ATP‐sensitive K+ channels and compromises vasodilatory effects of β‐adrenoceptor activation and pinacidil. As its potency for the channel inhibition is in the micromolar range, rosiglitazone may be used as an effective KATP channel inhibitor for research and therapeutic purposes. Therefore, we performed experiments to determine whether other isoforms of KATP channels are also sensitive to rosiglitazone and what their sensitivities are.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

KIR6.1/SUR2B, KIR6.2/SUR1, KIR6.2/SUR2A, KIR6.2/SUR2B and KIR6.2ΔC36 channels were expressed in HEK293 cells and were studied using patch‐clamp techniques.

KEY RESULTS

Rosiglitazone inhibited all isoforms of KATP channels in excised patches and in the whole‐cell configuration. Its IC50 was 10 µmol·L−1 for the KIR6.1/SUR2B channel and ∼45 µmol·L−1 for KIR6.2/SURx channels. Rosiglitazone also inhibited KIR6.2ΔC36 channels in the absence of the sulphonylurea receptor (SUR) subunit, with potency (IC50= 45 µmol·L−1) almost identical to that for KIR6.2/SURx channels. Single‐channel kinetic analysis showed that the channel inhibition was mediated by augmentation of the long‐lasting closures without affecting the channel open state and unitary conductance. In contrast, rosiglitazone had no effect on KIR1.1, KIR2.1 and KIR4.1 channels, suggesting that the channel inhibitory effect is selective for KIR6.x channels.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These results suggest a novel KATP channel inhibitor that acts on the pore‐forming KIR6.x subunit, affecting the channel gating.

LINKED ARTICLE

This article is commented on by Dart, pp. 23–25 of this issue. To view this commentary visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2012.01990.x
Morphology and sedimentary architecture of a beach‐ridge system (Anholt, the Kattegat sea): a record of punctuated coastal progradation and sea‐level change over the past ∼1000 years
Authors: Clemmensen Lars B. , Nielsen Lars , Bendixen Mette , Murray Andrew
Published: March 2012

Flakket on the island of Anholt in Denmark is a cuspate foreland facing the microtidal Kattegat sea. It is composed of a number of beach ridges typically covered by dune sand and separated by swales and wetlands. OSL dating indicates that the evolution of Flakket began c. AD 1000. Foreland growth was punctuated by a major episode of coastal reorganization leading to coastal retreat c. AD 1800. Coastal retreat led to the formation of an erosion surface that separates older and higher‐lying beach‐ridge and swale deposits from younger and lower‐lying deposits. The palaeo‐sea level is deduced from the architecture of the deposits, and interpretation of ground‐penetrating radar data and geomophological observations indicates that relative sea level was about 1.90±0.25 m above present sea level c. AD 1000, but about 0.00±0.25 m relative to present sea level c. AD 1830 and c. AD 1870. Anholt is situated at the margin of the uplifted Fennoscandian area; assuming uplift to be about 1.2 mm a−1 it follows that absolute sea level was about +0.70±0.25 m at AD 1000, but around −0.22±0.25 m at AD 1830 and around −0.17±0.25 m at AD 1870. Within the uncertainties of the age control, the sea‐level indicators mapped by ground‐penetrating radar reflections and the variability of estimates of uplift found in the literature, the result obtained for AD 1000 is consistent with findings from the Stockholm area in Sweden and with a recently published global sea‐level curve.
Life Cycle Environmental and Cost Impacts of Using an Algal Turf Scrubber to Treat Dairy Wastewater
Authors: Higgins Brendan T. , Kendall Alissa
Published: March 2012

Using algae to simultaneously treat wastewater and produce energy products has potential environmental and economic benefits. This study evaluates the life cycle energy, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, eutrophication potential, and cost impacts of incorporating an algal turf scrubber (ATS) into a treatment process for dairy wastewater. A life cycle inventory and cost model was developed to simulate an ATS treatment system where harvested algae would be used to generate biogas for process heat and electricity generation.

Modeling results show that using an ATS significantly reduces eutrophication impacts by reducing chemical oxygen demand, nitrogen, and phosphorus in the wastewater. With low water recirculation rates through the ATS and high algae productivity, inclusion of the ATS results in net energy displacement and a reduction of GHG emissions compared to a system with no ATS. However, if high water recirculation rates are used or if algae biosolids from the digester are dried, the system results in a net increase in energy consumption and GHG emissions.

The life cycle treatment cost was estimated to be $1.42 USD per cubic meter of treated wastewater. At this cost, using an ATS would only be cost effective for dairies if they received monetary credits for improved water quality on the order of $3.83 per kilogram of nitrogen and $9.57 per kilogram of phosphorus through, for example, nutrient trading programs.
Oculomotor Exploration of Impossible Figures in Early Infancy
Authors: Shuwairi Sarah M. , Johnson Scott P.
Published: March 2012

Previous studies have revealed that young infants can distinguish between displays of possible or impossible figures, which may require detection of inconsistent depth relations among local line junctions that disrupt global object configurations. Here, we used an eye‐tracking paradigm to record eye movements in young infants during an object discrimination task with matched pairs of possible and impossible figures. Our goal was to identify differential patterns of oculomotor activity as infants viewed pictures of possible and impossible objects. We predicted that infants would actively attend to specific pictorial depth cues that denote shape (e.g., T‐junctions), and in the context of an impossible figure that they would fixate to a greater extent in anomalous regions of the display relative to other parts. By the age of 4 months, infants fixated reliably longer overall on displays of impossible versus possible cubes, specifically within the critical region where the incompatible lines and irreconcilable depth relations were located, implying an early capacity for selective attention to critical line junction information and integration of local depth cues necessary to perceive object coherence.
A Review of Risk Perceptions and Other Factors that Influence Flood Mitigation Behavior
Authors: Bubeck P. , Botzen W. J. W. , Aerts J. C. J. H.
Published: March 2012

In flood risk management, a shift can be observed toward more integrated approaches that increasingly address the role of private households in implementing flood damage mitigation measures. This has resulted in a growing number of studies into the supposed positive relationship between individual flood risk perceptions and mitigation behavior. Our literature review shows, however, that, actually, this relationship is hardly observed in empirical studies. Two arguments are provided as an explanation. First, on the basis of protection motivation theory, a theoretical framework is discussed suggesting that individuals’ high‐risk perceptions need to be accompanied by coping appraisal to result in a protective response. Second, it is pointed out that possible feedback from already‐adopted mitigation measures on risk perceptions has hardly been considered by current studies. In addition, we also provide a review of factors that drive precautionary behavior other than risk perceptions. It is found that factors such as coping appraisal are consistently related to mitigation behavior. We conclude, therefore, that the current focus on risk perceptions as a means to explain and promote private flood mitigation behavior is not supported on either theoretical or empirical grounds.
Vegetation Dynamics as a Tool for Detecting Clandestine Graves
Authors: Caccianiga Marco , Bottacin Stefania , Cattaneo Cristina
Published: March 2012

Abstract: The burial of a body can affect plant communities through mechanical disturbance and nutrient balance alteration. We performed an experimental trial using five swine carcasses buried in an open site in Italy. Vegetation dynamics was monitored recording monthly every plant individual on a regular sampling grid during 1 year on the graves, on an empty control grave, and on an undisturbed plot. Plant species composition and cover were significantly different between the disturbed and the undisturbed plots. Disturbed plots showed the increase in ruderal species and the reduction in stress‐tolerant ones. Graves and the control grave could not be distinguished from each other. Disturbance was the main factor affecting plant cover, while the presence of a buried body did not affect vegetation dynamics. However, disturbance could be easily detected; the functional approach seems promising for the identification of dynamic patterns to be used in different biogeographic and ecological contexts.
A case-control study of interleukin-12 1188A/C polymorphism in obsessive-compulsive disorder in Chinese population
Authors: Liu Shiguo , Liu Yanhui , Yin Yingying , Zhang Xinhua , Ma Xu
Published: March 2012

Objective: Previous studies indicated that the levels of serum interleukin (IL)-12 at baseline were elevated in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients compared with control subjects, suggesting that IL-12 maybe involved in the etiopathogenesis of OCD. Therefore, we study the relationship between 1188A/C polymorphism of IL-12(rs3212227) and OCD in Chinese Han population.

Methods: We genotyped 194 OCD patients and 322 healthy individuals by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), then analyzed the data using case-control association test.

Results: No significant differences were found in 1188A/C genotypic and allelic frequencies between OCD cases and controls (X2 = 2.12, df = 2, P = 0.35 by genotype; X2 = 0.005, df = 1, P = 0.94 by allele).

Conclusions: Our results suggested that there may be lack of an association between OCD and IL-12 1188A/C polymorphism in Chinese Han population.
Sinus node dysfunction due to psychotropic agents' combination
Authors: Simkó József , Nagy Gabriella , Dózsa Anikó , Lörincz István
Published: March 2012

Background:Although sinus node dysfunction is primarily related to degenerative fibrosis of nodal tissue in the elderly, it may occur at any age secondary to other cardiac abnormalities or extrinsic causes. Pharmacologic agents including psychotropic drug therapy may also play a role.

Method:We present the case of a 53-year-old woman with bipolar affective disorder in whom antipsychotic agents were suspected of inducing sinus node dysfunction.

Result:The combination of psychotropic agents including lithium, quetiapine and carbamazepine (first occasion) or escitalopram (second occasion) has been implicated as a cause for sinus node dysfunction.

Conclusion:Patients with severe mental illness usually require long-term psychotropic drug therapy, often in combination. This may enhance efficacy but also involves an increased risk of adverse effects including cardiotoxicity.
The Bar Sinister: Does Handlebar Level Damage the Pelvic Floor in Female Cyclists?
Authors: Partin Sarah N. , Connell Kathleen A. , Schrader Steven , LaCombe Julie , Lowe Brian , Sweeney Anne , Reutman Susan , Wang Andrea , Toennis Christine , Melman Arnold , Mikhail Madgy , Guess Marsha K.
Published: March 2012

Introduction

Cycling is associated with genital neuropathies and erectile dysfunction in males. Women riders also have decreased genital sensation; however, sparse information exists addressing the effects of modifiable risks on neurological injuries in females.

Aim

This study assesses the effects of bicycle setup and cyclists’ attributes on GS and saddle pressures among female cyclists.

Methods

Previously, we compared genital sensation in competitive female cyclists (N = 48) to that of female runners (N = 22). The current study is a subanalysis of the 48 cyclists from the original study group. Nonpregnant, premenopausal women who rode at least 10 miles per week, 4 weeks per month were eligible for participation.

Main Outcome Measures

Genital sensation was measured in microns using biosthesiometry measures of vibratory thresholds (VTs). Perineal and total saddle pressures were determined using a specialized pressure map and recorded in kilopascals (kPA).

Results

Handlebars positioned lower than the saddle correlated with increased perineum saddle pressures and decreased anterior vaginal and left labial genital sensation (P < 0.05, P < 0.02, P < 0.03, respectively). Low handlebars were not associated with total saddle pressures or altered genital sensation in other areas. After adjusting for age and saddle type, low handlebars were associated with a 3.47-kPA increase in mean perineum saddle pressures (P < 0.04) and a 0.86-micron increase in anterior vagina VT (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Handlebars positioned lower than the saddle were significantly associated with increased perineum saddle pressures and decreased genital sensation in female cyclists. Modifying bicycle setup may help alleviate neuropathies in females. Additional research is warranted to further assess the extent of the associations.
ACCUMULATION OF 5‐HYDROXYMETHYL‐2‐FURFURAL DURING TOASTING OF WHITE BREAD SLICES
Authors: KIRIT AYSE BASAK , ERDOGDU FERRUH , OZDEMIR YUKSEL
Published: March 2012

The chemical reactions involved in a toasting process are mainly Maillard reaction (MR) and caramelization. A possible mutagen, 5‐hydroxymethyl‐2‐furfural (HMF), is an intermediate product of MR and is also formed with caramelization from the degradation of sugars at high temperatures. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the relationship between HMF formation and temperature evolution during toasting of bread slices. For this purpose, bread slices were toasted up to 250 s in a double‐slot toaster, and HMF determination in crust and crumb sections was performed with a high‐pressure liquid chromatography method. Center and surface temperatures of the slices were recorded using thermocouples and an infrared camera. Significant HMF accumulation and distribution through a slice were determined during toasting. Knowing the relationship of HMF formation with temperature evolution is significant to control toasting and for further design and optimization studies.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Bread is the most popular food in the world, and its nutritive value is reduced significantly during toasting. Toasting, occupying a major segment of the food industry, is preferred due to the easier digestion and increased flavor and edibility compared with fresh bread, especially after staling starts. Maillard reaction and caramelization take place during toasting of bread slices, and this results in formation and accumulation of potent odorants and high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. 5‐hydroxymethyl‐2‐furfural (HMF) is one of the possible mutagens, and knowing the relationship of HMF formation with temperature evolution is significant to control toasting and for further design and optimization studies.
Integrating Multi‐Sensor Remote Sensing Data for Land Use/Cover Mapping in a Tropical Mountainous Area in Northern Thailand
Authors: WANG YI‐CHEN , FENG CHEN‐CHIEH , VU DUC HUAN
Published: March 2012

Accurate mapping of land use/cover conditions provides essential information for managing natural resources and is critical for further examination of land use/cover change and its subsequent impacts on the environment. Remote sensing offers a means of acquiring land use/cover data in a timely manner, with optical remote sensing images commonly being used in land use/cover related studies. The persistent cloud cover during the rainy season in Southeast Asia, however, presents a challenge for using optical images in land use/cover mapping. Integrating multi‐sensor images of different spectral domains is thus desirable because more information can be extracted to improve the mapping accuracy. The purpose of this study is to assess the potential of using multi‐sensor data sets for land use/cover mapping in a tropical mountainous area in northern Thailand. Optical data from Landsat Thematic Mapper, radar images from Advanced Land Observing Satellite/Phased Array type L‐band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR), and topographical data were used, providing complementary information on land use/cover. Classification and accuracy assessment were conducted for 12 different combinations of the data sets. The results suggested that short crop mapping using multi‐temporal Phased Array type L‐band Synthetic Aperture Radar images offered insights into the distributions of crop and paddy fields. Because of the mountainous environment of the study area, combining topographic data of elevation and slope into the classification greatly reduced the confusion between different land use/cover types. Improvement of classification accuracy was evident especially in separating evergreen and deciduous forests from other vegetation types and discriminating urban village and the fallow field classes.
Bacterial and Virus‐Like Particle Abundances in Purged and Unpurged Groundwater Depth Profiles
Authors: Roudnew Ben , Seymour Justin R. , Jeffries Thomas C. , Lavery Trish J. , Smith Renee J. , Mitchell James G.
Published: March 2012

Bacteria and viruses are ubiquitous in subterranean aquatic habitats. Bacterial abundance is known to vary with depth in aquifers; however, whether viral abundance varies with depth is less well known. Here we use flow cytometry (FCM) to enumerate bacteria and virus‐like particles (VLP) from groundwater depth profiles. Groundwater samples were obtained from a set of nested piezometers from depths of 15, 30, 45, 60, 80, and 90 m and bacteria and VLP abundances were determined in purged aquifer water and unpurged water at each slot depth. Mean bacterial abundance (cells / mL) was not significantly different in unpurged water (3.2 × 105) compared to purged water (1.4 × 105); however, mean VLP abundance (particles / mL) was significantly greater in unpurged water (4.4 × 105) compared to purged water (2.3 × 105). Purged water was used to investigate the aquifer depth profile and bacterial and VLP abundances were observed to vary significantly between depths. The virus‐bacteria ratio was determined and was observed to steadily increase with depth. Overall, our data indicate the dynamic nature of bacterial and viral abundances in subsurface environments which should be considered when designing groundwater microbial sampling methodologies.
Upstream Transcription Factor 1 (USF1) Polymorphisms Associate with Alzheimer's Disease‐related Neuropathological Lesions: Tampere Autopsy Study
Authors: Isotalo Karita , Kok Eloise Helena , Luoto Teemu M , Haikonen Satu , Haapasalo Hannu , Lehtimäki Terho , Karhunen Pekka J
Published: March 2012

The apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene associates with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cholesterol levels. Upstream transcription factor 1 (USF1) regulates lipid metabolism genes, including APOE, and the AD Aβ‐precursor protein. We investigated associations between 6 haplotype‐tagging USF1 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (and haplotypes) and AD‐related neuropathological lesions [senile plaques (SP), neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) ] in an autopsy series comprising 603 cases (ages 0–97, mean 62 years, 215 women) that died out‐of‐hospital. In age‐ and APOE‐adjusted analyses, the minor G‐allele of rs2774276, previously linked to elevated cholesterol, associated with late‐stage burnt out SP among women and early non‐neuritic SP among men. The G‐allele of the previously unreported rs10908821 showed significant risk of having SP, especially neuritic and burnt out SP, among women but not men. USF1 haplotype GCGCAC carriers (risk alleles of rs2774276 and rs10908821) associated with SP risk, especially neuritic and late‐stage burnt out SP, among women but not men. Younger CCGCAC carriers (risk allele of rs2774276 and protective of rs10908821) were more likely to have non‐neuritic and diffuse SP. Conversely, USF1 CCGCAC haplotype carriers had lower NFT prevalence among 65+ year‐olds. These results suggest USF1 has an independent but gender‐ and age‐associated effect on AD‐related brain lesion development.
Antagonistic Effect of the Ainu‐Selected Traditional Beneficial Plants on the Transformation of an Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor
Authors: Nishiumi Shin , Hosokawa Keizo , Anetai Masaki , Shibata Toshiro , Mukai Rie , Yoshida Ken‐ichi , Ashida Hitoshi
Published: March 2012

Abstract:  Transformation of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is the initial step to express the multiple toxicity of halogenated and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HAHs and PAHs) including dioxins. Therefore, it has been suggested that suppression of the transformation induced by HAHs and PAHs leads to reduce their toxicological effects. In this study, the antagonistic effect of 110 indigenous plants (192 plant parts) used as medicine and/or food by the Ainu on the 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD)‐induced AhR transformation was investigated. Of these, a stalk of Aralia elata (Miq.) Seemann and a bark of Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr. var. japonica Maxim. exhibited the strong antagonistic effect in a dose‐dependent manner. An antioxidative activity and polyphenol content were also measured, and the strong correlation (r= 0.96) between these two parameters could be confirmed. However, correlation coefficients of the antagonistic effect of 192 extracts compared to their antioxidative activity and polyphenol content were 0.17 and 0.20, respectively. These results suggest that the Ainu‐selected traditional beneficial plants are useful source for findings of novel AhR antagonists, and the antagonistic activity of these plants may be independent on their antioxidative activity and polyphenol content.

Practical Application:  Our findings lead to discovery of the valuable plants used by the Ainu and the novel active compounds useful for human's life, and furthermore, may contribute to the development of new medicines and functional foods.
Identification of a Gamma‐irradiated Ingredient (Garlic Powder) in Korean Barbeque Sauce by Thermoluminescence Analysis
Authors: Ahn Jae‐Jun , Akram Kashif , Lee Jeongeun , Kim Kyong‐Su , Kwon Joong‐Ho
Published: March 2012

Abstract:  Thermoluminescence (TL) analysis was applied to identify gamma‐irradiated garlic powder in Korean barbeque sauce before and after pasteurization (85 °C, 30 min), when blended in different ratios (1%, 3%, and 5%). The sauce sample with nonirradiated garlic powder gave a background glow curve. However, the sample blended with irradiated ingredient (1 and 10 kGy) showed typical TL glow curves at temperatures of 150 to 200 °C. The identification properties of sauce samples were more influenced by blending ratios than by irradiation doses, showing that 3% and 5% added samples produced glow curves at 150 to 250 °C. After pasteurization of the samples containing the irradiated ingredient, TL glow intensity decreased but did not change its shape or temperature range. As a result, the pasteurization of  Barbeque sauces containing irradiated ingredients had reduced TL glow intensity, but the shape and temperature range of glow curve were still able to provide information required for confirming irradiation treatment.

Practical Application:  To monitor the irradiated food in international market, thermoluminescence (TL) analysis is considered most promising identification technique because of its sensitivity and long‐term stability. In this study the applicability of TL analysis to detect an irradiated ingredient (garlic powder) added in low quantity to a food matrix (sauce) was investigated. The effect of processing (pasteurization) on TL results was also evaluated.
The Historical, Jurisprudential, and Empirical Wisdom of Parental Responsibility Laws
Authors: Brank Eve M. , Scott Leroy
Published: March 2012

The parent‐child relationship is woven deep within historical and contemporary culture, but strong retributive ideals have led to blaming parents because of their presumed vicarious role in juvenile crime. The current article will discuss the history, forms, legal challenges, and empirical research related to parental involvement laws in the United States. The parent‐child relationship provides the historical framework behind the separate juvenile justice parens patriae system; however, with the juvenile justice system not as successful as originally imagined, blame has shifted to the parents. We examine the potential constitutional implications of enacting and enforcing parental involvement statutes and ordinances and also the potential efficacy of parental involvement laws in reducing juvenile delinquency. In addition, we propose empirical research to test the underlying assumptions about blame made by parental involvement laws.
Immigrants’ National Identification: Meanings, Determinants, and Consequences
Authors: Verkuyten Maykel , Martinovic Borja
Published: March 2012

This article provides a social psychological analysis of immigrants’ identification with the country of settlement, that is, their host national identification. We first discuss national (dis)identification in relation to dual identity and religion. Subsequently and drawing on acculturation research and the social identity perspective, we discuss four conditions that can stimulate or hinder the development of national identification: sociostructural circumstances, perceived discrimination, identity undermining, and in‐group norms. Furthermore, we underline the relevance of studying two largely unexplored yet important consequences of immigrants’ national identification: the evaluations of other minority groups and political involvement. We conclude by recognizing the value of a dual identity and by proposing a number of policies that might facilitate its development. We also discuss the obstacles toward the creation of a harmonious dual identity. These obstacles are related to the way in which the national category is defined and to the four conditions mentioned.
Racial Bias in Policing: Why We Know Less Than We Should
Authors: Atiba Goff Phillip , Barsamian Kahn Kimberly
Published: March 2012

There is a shocking dearth of scientific certainty about how to assess racial bias in policing. Specifically lacking is an examination of the causal relationship between officer psychological attitudes and their interactions with minority suspects. Do officer racial attitudes lead to more racially biased police behavior? Why do we, as psychologists and scientists, know less than we should about psychological attitudes and their effects on police behavior in the field? To answer this question, we first review what researchers have learned given the available types of existing data: crime data, officer data, and public opinion data. Next, we discuss how insufficient access and lack of rigorous design have detracted from thorough research on racial bias in policing. Finally, we detail how new opportunities for social scientists have the potential to overcome these barriers and conduct rigorous psychological research on equity in policing.
Recent developments in our understanding of the antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: De GROOT P. G. , MEIJERS J. C. M. , URBANUS R. T.
Published: March 2012

The antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disease that manifests clinically as recurrent thrombotic complications or foetal losses and serologically with elevated levels of antiphospholipid antibodies in the plasmas of these patients. The term ‘antiphospholipid syndrome’ is confusing, because the auto‐antibodies are not directed against phospholipids but towards a plasma protein, β2‐glycoprotein I. For many years, the reason why auto‐antibodies against β2‐glycoprotein I were pro‐thrombotic was unclear, because β2‐glycoprotein I seems to be an obsolete protein in our circulation. Human and mice deficient in this protein do not express a clear phenotype. Recent studies on the structure and function of β2‐glycoprotein I have provided novel insights into the importance of this protein in physiology and its role in the pathology of the antiphospholipid syndrome.
Agreement Between Community Pharmacy and Ambulatory and Home Blood Pressure Measurement Methods to Assess the Effectiveness of Antihypertensive Treatment: The MEPAFAR Study
Authors: Sabater‐Hernández Daniel , De La Sierra Alejandro , Sánchez‐Villegas Pablo , Santana‐Pérez Fidelina M. , Merino‐Barber Luisa , Faus María J. ,   on behalf of the MEPAFAR Study Workgroup
Published: March 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012;14:236–244. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The usefulness of the community pharmacy blood pressure (CPBP) method in the diagnosis or treatment of hypertension has not been adequately addressed in controlled studies. The authors’ aim was to assess the agreement between awake ambulatory blood pressure (ABP), home blood pressure (HBP), and CPBP in treated hypertensive patients. This was a cross‐sectional study carried out in 169 patients in which blood pressure (BP) was measured at the pharmacy (4 visits), at home (4 days), and by 24‐hour ABP monitoring. Lin correlation‐concordance coefficient (CCC) and Bland‐Altman plots were used to evaluate quantitative agreement. The qualitative agreement to establish the degree of BP control was evaluated using κ coefficient. The agreement was acceptable between HBP and CPBP (CCC=0.80 for systolic BP [SBP] and 0.80 for diastolic BP [DBP]; κ=0.62) and moderate between awake ABP and CPBP (CCC=0.74/0.67, respectively; κ=0.56). The Bland‐Altman plots also showed lowest mean differences (0.5/0.3 for SBP and DBP, respectively) for the comparison between CPBP and HBP. The CPBP has a better agreement with HBP than with awake ABP. Thus, the CPBP measurement method could be a good alternative to HBP monitoring, whereas it cannot be used as a screening test to assess the degree of BP control by awake ABP.
Evaluation of Blood Pressure Measurement and Agreement in an Academic Health Sciences Center
Authors: Minor Deborah S. , Butler Kenneth R. , Artman Katherine L. , Adair Cathy , Wang Wanmei , McNair Valerie , Wofford Marion R. , Griswold Michael
Published: March 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012;14:222–227. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The authors assessed the process of blood pressure (BP) measurement and level of adherence to recommended procedures at representative sites throughout a large academic health sciences center. A casual observer assessed the setting and observed the process, noting the equipment, technique, and BP recorded by site personnel. A trained observer then repeated the patient’s BP measurement following American Heart Association recommendations. Significant biases were observed between measurements by site personnel and the trained observer. Site personnel reported on average an increased systolic BP (SBP) of 5.66 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.09–8.23; P<.001) and a decreased diastolic BP (DBP) of −2.96 mm Hg (95% CI, −5.05 to −0.87; P=.005). Overall, 41% of patients had a ≥10‐mm Hg difference in SBP between measurements. Similarly, 54% had differences of ≥5 mm Hg in DBP between measurements. Inaccurate BP measurement and poor technique may lead to misclassification, misdiagnosis, and inappropriate medical decisions. Concordance of measured SBP between our site personnel and trained observer was less than optimal. Several areas for improvement were identified. Routine calibration and use of system‐wide standardized equipment, establishment of BP measurement protocols, and periodic technique and equipment recertification can be addressed in future quality initiatives.
Improvement of Arterial Stiffness by Reducing Oxidative Stress Damage in Elderly Hypertensive Patients After 6 Months of Atorvastatin Therapy
Authors: Wang Junhong , Xu Jian , Zhou Chuanwei , Zhang Ying , Xu Di , Guo Yan , Yang Zhijian
Published: March 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012;14:245–249. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Atorvastatin is postulated to improve arterial stiffness in patients with diabetes mellitus or hypercholesterolemia; however, in elderly hypertensive patients, its effect on arterial stiffness and the possible mechanisms are unknown. A total of 73 elderly hypertensive patients were enrolled to receive atorvastatin for 6 months. Brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and circulating biomarkers were measured before and after the intervention. After 6 months of treatment, the patients experienced a 19.66% reduction in low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.90±0.58 vs 2.33±0.56 mmol/L, P<.01) and a 10.63% reduction in baPWV (2100.89±513.21 vs 1877.56±432.06 cm/s, P=.01). In addition, a 21.79% reduction in circulating N‐(epsilon)‐carboxymethyl‐lysine and a 20% reduction in Von Willebrand factor level were observed after treatment. Meanwhile, the activity of copper/zinc‐containing superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) was increased by 26.64% (5.04±1.01 vs 6.87±1.83 U/L, P<.001). Correlation analysis demonstrated that the increase of Cu/Zn SOD activity was related to the reductions of arterial stiffness (r=−0.340, P=.003). Taken together, these findings suggest that atorvastatin can improve arterial stiffness possibly by reducing oxidative stress levels in elderly hypertensive patients.
Class and the Service Encounter: New Approaches to Inequality in the Service Work‐place
Authors: Hanser Amy
Published: March 2012

In recent decades, scholars of service work have generated many new insights about the organization of work, but in the process one of the traditional concerns of industrial sociology – class – became relatively marginal. However, recent studies of interactive service work have begun to reconceptualize the service encounter as an important site where class‐based entitlements and interactive expectations are created. These analyses attempt to make linkages between the “status” encounters in service interactions and the larger, socio‐economic inequalities associated with class. The renewed interest in class in the (service) workplace may be attributable in part to the growing influence of Bourdieu in North American sociology as well as a burgeoning literature on consumers and consumption, allowing for new approaches that consider service worker‐customer interactions as integral to the construction of classed cultures of consumption and entitlement.
Imprisoned Fathers and Their Family Relationships: A 40‐Year Review From a Multi‐Theory View
Authors: Justin Dyer W. , Pleck Joseph H. , McBride Brent A.
Published: March 2012

This article reviews the literature on family relationships of incarcerated fathers, examining the literature's topics, samples, and theories. Nineteen studies were identified that treated fatherhood as a primary construct, with 20 relating indirectly to fatherhood. Various theories were represented in the literature, yet with a general lack of studies theoretically building on one another. This article synthesizes the research and theoretical work, situating it in identity theory, family process theory, and ecological systems theory, thereby providing needed structure for advancing theoretical models. Situating the research thus provides a more comprehensive view of a father's incarceration and provides guidance to future research.
Molecular Epidemiology ofCryptosporidiumandGiardiain Humans on Prince Edward Island, Canada: Evidence of Zoonotic Transmission From Cattle
Authors: Budu‐Amoako E. , Greenwood S. J. , Dixon B. R. , Sweet L. , Ang L. , Barkema H. W. , McClure J. T.
Published: March 2012

To determine the zoonotic potential ofCryptosporidiumandGiardiain Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, 658 human faecal specimens were screened that were submitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital diagnostic laboratory. Overall, 143 (22%) samples wereCryptosporidiumpositive, while three (0.5%) were positive forGiardia. Successful genotyping of 25Cryptosporidiumisolates by sequence analysis of the HSP70 gene revealed that 28 and 72% wereC. hominisandC. parvum,respectively.Cryptosporidiumisolates from humans and previously genotypedC. parvumfrom beef cattle were subtyped by sequence analysis of the GP60 gene. Subtyping identified three subtypes belonging to the family IIa. All three subtypes IIaA16G2RI (55%), IIaA16G3RI (22%) and IIaA15G2RI (22%) were found in the animal isolates, while two of the subtypes found in the animals, IIaA16G2RI (80%) and IIaA15G2RI (20%), were also identified in the human isolates.Cryptosporidiuminfection in humans peaked in April–June. Molecular epidemiological analysis of the human data showed aC. parvumpeak in the spring and a relatively smaller peak forC. hominisin July–September. The majority (57%) of humanCryptosporidiumisolates were found in children between 5 and 10 years of age. All threeGiardiaisolates were identified asG. duodenalisassemblage A. The overallCryptosporidiumprevalence in our human samples was high relative to other studies, but because the samples were submitted to a hospital diagnostic laboratory, the results may not be representative of the general population. Further, the presence of the same zoonoticC. parvumsubtypes in cattle and human isolates implies that transmission is largely zoonotic and cattle may be a source of sporadic human infections on PEI. The presence ofGiardiain people on PEI is rare, and the assemblage A found in humans might originate from humans, livestock or other domestic or wild animals.
A Randomized Trial Investigating the Efficacy and Safety of Water Soluble Micellar Paclitaxel (Paccal Vet) for Treatment of Nonresectable Grade 2 or 3 Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs
Authors: Vail D.M. , von Euler H. , Rusk A.W. , Barber L. , Clifford C. , Elmslie R. , Fulton L. , Hirschberger J. , Klein M. , London C. , Martano M. , McNiel E.A. , Morris J.S. , Northrup N. , Phillips B. , Polton G. , Post G. , Rosenberg M. , Ruslander D. , Sahora A. , Siegel S. , Thamm D. , Westberg S. , Winter J. , Khanna C.
Published: March 2012

Background

Effective treatments for dogs with advanced stage mast cell tumors (MCT) remain a pressing need. A micellar formulation of paclitaxel (paclitaxel [micellar]) has shown promise in early‐phase studies.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The objective was to demonstrate greater activity for paclitaxel (micellar) compared with lomustine. The null hypothesis was μp = μL (ie, proportion of responders for the paclitaxel [micellar] and lomustine groups, respectively).

Animals

Two hundred and fifty‐two dogs with advanced stage nonresectable grade 2 or 3 MCT.

Methods

Prospective multicenter randomized double‐blind positive‐controlled clinical trial. The primary endpoint was confirmed overall response rate (CORR) at 14 weeks. A secondary endpoint, biologic observed response rate (BORR), also was calculated. Safety was assessed by the characterization and grading of adverse events (AE).

Results

Overall CORR (7% versus 1%; P = .048) and BORR (23% versus 10%; P = .012) were greater for paclitaxel (micellar) compared with lomustine. Paclitaxel (micellar)‐treated dogs were 6.5 times more likely to have a confirmed response and 3.1 times more likely to experience a biologic observed response. The majority of AE with paclitaxel (micellar) were transient and clinically manageable. Twenty‐seven dogs (33%) receiving lomustine were discontinued because of hepatopathy compared with 3 dogs (2%) receiving paclitaxel (micellar) (P < .0001; odds ratio 26.7).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Paclitaxel (micellar)'s activity and safety profile are superior to lomustine. The addition of an active and novel taxane to the veterinary armamentarium could fill a substantial need and, as its mechanism of action and AE profile do not overlap with currently available TKI, its availability could lead to effective combination protocols.
The Flow and Fracture of Advanced Glasses — an Overview
Authors: Rouxel Tanguy , Brow Richard K.
Published: March 2012

Editors' note: On appropriate occasions, the International Journal of Applied Glass Science will engage the services of Guest Editors to help focus on topics of special interest to the international glass community. In this inaugural issue of this initiative, Professors Tanguy Rouxel and Richard Brow have accomplished just that in their overview of the subject “Flow and Fracture of Advanced Glasses.” An introduction to this material and brief biographical sketches are given below. Our sincere thanks are extended to them for their help and cooperation throughout this undertaking, and especially the authors who contributed so much of their time, energy, and talents to making this special issue possible.
Investigation of the neuroanatomical substrates of reward seeking following protracted abstinence in mice
Authors: Madsen Heather B. , Brown Robyn M. , Short Jennifer L. , Lawrence Andrew J.
Published: March 2012

Key points

Persistent vulnerability to relapse represents a major challenge in the treatment of drug addiction. The brain circuitry that underlies relapse‐like behaviour can be investigated using animal models.

This study compared the brains of mice that had relapsed to morphine with mice that had relapsed to sucrose following abstinence. We found that while some brain regions were implicated in both drug and food seeking, other specific parts of the brain were activated for either sucrose or morphine relapse.

Common regions included those with established involvement in reward and relapse‐like behaviour. In addition we found some regions not previously linked to these behaviours.

Overall, while our findings support existing literature regarding relapse‐like behaviour in rats, we have additionally identified brain regions outside this established circuitry which are worthy of further investigation.

Abstract  Persistent vulnerability to relapse represents a major challenge in the treatment of drug addiction. The brain circuitry that underlies relapse‐like behaviour can be investigated using animal models of drug seeking. As yet there have been no comprehensive brain mapping studies that have specifically examined the neuroanatomical substrates of cue‐induced opiate seeking following abstinence in a mouse operant paradigm. The aim of this study was to compare the brain regions involved in sucrose vs. morphine seeking following protracted abstinence in mice. Male CD1 mice were trained to respond for either sucrose (10% w/v) or intravenous morphine (0.1 mg kg−1 per infusion) in an operant paradigm in the presence of a discrete cue. Once stable responding was established, mice were subjected to abstinence in their home cages for 3 weeks and then perfused for tissue collection, or returned to the operant chambers to assess cue‐induced reward seeking before being perfused for tissue collection. Brain tissue was processed for Fos immunohistochemistry and Fos expression was quantified in a range of brain nuclei. We identified unique patterns of neuronal activation for sucrose and morphine seeking mice as well as some overlap. Structures activated in both ‘relapse’ groups included the anterior cingulate and orbitofrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens shell, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, substantia nigra pars compacta, ventral tegmental area, hippocampus, periaqueductal grey, locus coeruleus and lateral habenula. Structures that were more activated in morphine seeking mice included the nucleus accumbens core, basolateral amygdala, substantia nigra pars reticulata, and the central nucleus of the amygdala. The dorsal raphe was the only structure examined that was specifically activated in sucrose seeking mice. Overall our findings support a cortico‐striatal limbic circuit driving opiate seeking, and we have identified some additional circuitry potentially relevant to reward seeking following abstinence.
Myostatin inhibition induces muscle fibre hypertrophy prior to satellite cell activation
Authors: Wang Qian , McPherron Alexandra C.
Published: March 2012

Key points 

There is disagreement about whether muscle hypertrophy requires the activation and fusion of satellite cells, the quiescent muscle stem cells, to the multinucleated post‐mitotic muscle fibre.

Although the growth factor myostatin is clearly a negative regulator of muscle size, previous studies regarding its role in maintaining satellite cell quiescence have yielded conflicting results.

We injected mice with a myostatin inhibitor and the DNA labelling agent bromodeoxyuridine to label proliferating cells and found that a small number of satellite cells are activated after the onset of hypertrophy.

We also found that myostatin null mice are not resistant to age‐related muscle mass or satellite cell loss.

Our results suggest that myostatin inhibition in adult mice causes hypertrophy mainly by acting on myofibres rather than satellite cells, which results in an increase in the cytoplasmic volume to DNA ratio.
Real-Time Execution of a High Fidelity Aero-Thermodynamic Turbofan Engine Simulation
Authors: Fuksman Igor , Sirica Steven
Published: March 2012

In the past, a typical way of executing simulations in a real-time environment had been to use transfer function models, state-variable models, or reduced-order aero-thermodynamic models. These models are typically not as accurate as the conventional full-fidelity aero-thermodynamic simulations used as a basis for the generation of real-time models. Also, there is a cost associated with the creation and maintenance of these derived real-time models. The ultimate goal is to use the high fidelity aero-thermodynamic simulation as the real-time model. However, execution of the high fidelity aero-thermodynamic simulation in a real-time environment is a challenging objective since accuracy of the simulation cannot be sacrificed to optimize execution speed, yet execution speed still has to be limited by some means to fit into real-time constraint. This paper discusses the methodology used to resolve this challenge, thereby enabling use of a contemporary turbofan engine high fidelity aero-thermodynamic simulation in real-time environments. This publication reflects the work that was initially presented at the ASME Turbo Expo 2011 (Fuksman and Sirica, 2011, “Real-Time Execution of a High Fidelity Aero-Thermodynamic Turbofan Engine Simulation,” ASME Turbo Expo, Jun. 6-10, Vancouver, Canada, Paper No. GT2011-46661).
Likelihood-Based Approach to Multidisciplinary Analysis Under Uncertainty
Authors: Sankararaman Shankar , Mahadevan Sankaran
Published: March 2012

This paper proposes a new methodology for uncertainty quantification in systems that require multidisciplinary iterative analysis between two or more coupled component models. This methodology is based on computing the probability of satisfying the interdisciplinary compatibility equations, conditioned on specific values of the coupling (or feedback) variables, and this information is used to estimate the probability distributions of the coupling variables. The estimation of the coupling variables is analogous to likelihood-based parameter estimation in statistics and thus leads to the proposed likelihood approach for multidisciplinary analysis (LAMDA). Using the distributions of the feedback variables, the coupling can be removed in any one direction without loss of generality, while still preserving the mathematical relationship between the coupling variables. The calculation of the probability distributions of the coupling variables is theoretically exact and does not require a fully coupled system analysis. The proposed method is illustrated using a mathematical example and an aerospace system application—a fire detection satellite.