bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When climate science became climate politics: British media representations of climate change in 1988
Authors: Jaspal Rusi , Nerlich Brigitte
Published: April 2012

Climate change has become a pressing environmental concern for scientists, social commentators and politicians. Previous social science research has explored media representations of climate change in various temporal and geographical contexts. Through the lens of Social Representations Theory, this article provides a detailed qualitative thematic analysis of media representations of climate change in the 1988 British broadsheet press, given that this year constitutes an important juncture in this transition of climate change from the domain of science to that of the socio-political sphere. The following themes are outlined: (i) “Climate change: a multi-faceted threat”; (ii) “Collectivisation of threat”; (iii) “Climate change and the attribution of blame”; and (iv) “Speculative solutions to a complex socio-environmental problem.” The article provides detailed empirical insights into the “starting-point” for present-day disputes concerning climate change and lays the theoretical foundations for tracking the continuities and discontinuities characterising social representations of climate change in the future.
Determinants of Community Capacity Influencing Residents’ Health Status in Seoul, South Korea
Authors: Jung Minsoo , Rhee Hyun Sill
Published: April 2012

The effect of community capacity on health was evaluated by assessing the community via a questionnaire that included a capacity index in the social capital scale. The impact of the length of residence and the size and solidarity of networking on community capacity was also explored. The authors used logistic regression models controlling for sociodemographic factors and health behaviors among 1019 residents. The results indicate that lower community identity and social trust all led to statistically poor health levels. The manner in which members perceive their community was determined by cohesion, participation, length of residence, and the extent and strength of a member’s network. Partnerships among and the subsequent organization of public resources by community members helped solidify the sense of community. With enhanced levels of sense of community, the collective level of health among residents can be readily and effectively improved.
Mother-Daughter Correlation of Central Obesity and Other Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factors
Authors: Heidari Zahra , Hosseinpanah Farhad , Barzin Maryam , Safarkhani Maryam , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: April 2012

This study aimed to investigate the mother-daughter correlation for central obesity and other noncommunicable disease risk factors. The authors used metabolic and anthropometric data from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, enrolling 1041 mother-daughter pairs for the current study. Three age strata were defined: 3 to 9 years for childhood (146 mother-daughter pairs), 10 to 17 years for adolescence (395 mother-daughter pairs), and 18 to 25 years for early adulthood (500 mother-daughter pairs). Familial associations for central obesity and other noncommunicable disease risk factors were assessed. The prevalence of central obesity was 44.7% in mothers and 11.2% in daughters (6.2% in the 3-9, 19.2% in the 10-17, and 6.4% in the 18-25 years groups). Mothers with central obesity were more likely than nonobese mothers to have daughters with central obesity (10.5% and 1.7%, respectively; P = .0001). Central obesity indices among daughters were positively correlated with those of their mothers in all 3 age strata. Correlations for other noncommunicable disease risk factors were analyzed before and after adjusting the risk factor levels for mothers’ and daughters’ waist circumferences (WCs) within each group to determine whether risk factor correlations were, in part, a result of the central obesity correlations. After the non-communicable disease risk factor levels of participants were adjusted for their WCs, the mother-daughter correlations remained significant. The consistent association of central obesity between mothers and daughters may indicate the key role that could be played by the mother in the primary prevention of central obesity, particularly in high-risk families.
Levels of Satisfaction and Factors Influencing Satisfaction for Medical Premarital Examinations in Hubei, Middle China
Authors: Wang Peigang , Fang Min , Wang Xiao , VanderWeele Tyler J.
Published: April 2012

Background. When the mandatory premarital examination requirement in China was cancelled in 2003, the rate of participation dropped sharply. This study examined the levels of exam satisfaction and the factors influencing satisfaction in the Hubei Province. Methods. Graduate students administered 650 questionnaires, and 633 questionnaires were returned. Regression analysis was used to analyze satisfaction. Results. The study found high levels of satisfaction, even though the exam participation rate was only 34.8%. A regression model for satisfaction showed that the most important objective factors were female sex ( P < .05), specific city ( P < .05), and level of education ( P < .01); 2 important subjective variables were the level of understanding of the premarital examination ( P < .01) and satisfaction with medical services of the premarital examination ( P < .01). Conclusions. Satisfaction with the premarital examination might be increased by efforts to increase the level of understanding of the premarital examination and to improve medical services.
Four Supportive Pillars in Career Exploration and Development for Adolescents with LD and EBD
Authors: Trainor Audrey A. , Smith Shane Anthony , Kim Sunyoung
Published: April 2012

In addition to typical career development and vocational programs in general education, providing school-based programs that are directly linked to employment and career development for youth with learning and emotional and behavioral disabilities is a legally mandated service in special education. Several broad research-based strategies are common to successful career development, vocational, and transition education programs: implementing career assessments, providing extracurricular and early work experiences, developing social capital, and providing opportunities for students’ self-determination. Tips and resources for each of these strategies are provided.
Alliance Portfolios and Innovation Performance
Authors: Faems Dries , Janssens Maddy , Neyens Inge
Published: April 2012

Whereas existing alliance portfolio studies mainly focus on the structure or management of alliance portfolios, we conceptually explore the connections between them. In particular, we formulate propositions, arguing that the formalization, centralization, and customization of alliance portfolio management moderate the relationship between the structural characteristics of alliance portfolios (i.e., alliance portfolio size and alliance portfolio heterogeneity) and innovation performance. Based on this assessment, we identify different alliance portfolio management bundles for different alliance portfolio structures and formulate interesting avenues for future research.
Positive Organizational Behavior
Authors: French Sandra L. , Holden Tracey Quigley
Published: April 2012

Most communication research on bad news messages focuses on crisis communication, where attention is often limited to image repair strategies. The authors argue that a key indicator of an organization’s effectiveness in communicating “bad news” messages is its organizational culture. Developing an organizational culture that values positive organizational behavior can transform the way that “bad news” messages are crafted and received in the workplace. In this article, the authors demonstrate how organizational leadership and practice from the positive organizational behavior perspective can assist with communicating “bad news” messages, particularly during organizational crises.
Introducing Plain Language Principles to Business Communication Students
Authors: Greer Rachelle R.
Published: April 2012

In response to current federal mandates requiring selected businesses and government agencies to use plain language (PL) when reporting information to the public, this article advocates the introduction of PL principles into current business communication curricula. Despite recent PL mandates and advances, many current business textbooks and curricula omit PL principles. Students must become familiar with PL principles in their business communication courses in order to apply PL effectively in the workplace. To accomplish this goal, the author focuses on defining PL, outlining the history and recent developments of PL, and listing the resources and exercises instructors can use to incorporate PL principles into business communication courses.
Distinguishing Comorbidity and Successful Management of Adult ADHD
Authors: Kooij J. J. Sandra , Huss Michael , Asherson Philip , Akehurst Ron , Beusterien Kathleen , French Alexis , Sasané Rahul , Hodgkins Paul
Published: April 2012

Objective: Given high rates of comorbidity, lack of awareness and global acceptance, and varying guidelines for its management, adult ADHD may be an especially difficult condition to diagnose and treat. The objective of this review was to explore and characterize similarities and differences among comorbidities associated with adult ADHD. Method: A review of the literature over the past 10 years was performed using Ovid. Results: A myriad of comorbid conditions such as impulse-control/personality, anxiety, mood, substance use, learning, and sleep disorders overlap with adult ADHD. Furthermore, a number of such conditions have symptoms that can mimic those of ADHD, including hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention, and disruption of circadian rhythms, adding to the complexity of recognition and diagnosis of ADHD in adults. Extensive research shows that adults with ADHD appear to benefit from treatment with stimulant medications in similar ways as children, including significant improvements on driving performance. However, fear surrounding the abuse of stimulants is an important issue. Nevertheless, evidence suggests that children with ADHD who are treated with stimulant medication are less likely to develop a substance use disorder in adolescence and adulthood. Conclusion: There are a wide range of comorbidities with adult ADHD with many having overlapping symptoms. The benefits observed with ADHD treatment, however, emphasize the importance of recognition and treatment of adult ADHD.
ADHD and Nicotine Use in Schizophrenia or Asperger Syndrome
Authors: Hallerbäck Maria Unenge , Lugnegård Tove , Gillberg Christopher
Published: April 2012

Objective: To examine ADHD prevalence, rating scales, and relationship to nicotine use in adults with schizophrenia or Asperger syndrome. Method: Ninety-five individuals, 41 with schizophrenia and 54 with Asperger syndrome, were included. Self-rating of adult ADHD symptoms with the Wender–Reimherr Adult Attention Deficit Diagnostic Rating Scale (WRAADDS), parent rating of proband’s ADHD childhood and adult life symptoms using the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Questionnaire (SNAP), and report of clinical ADHD diagnosis were included as ADHD measures. Nicotine use data were compared with data from a population sample. Results: In all, 10% of the schizophrenia group and 30% of the Asperger syndrome group had a clinical ADHD diagnosis. Nicotine dependency in the whole sample was closely linked to ADHD. Conclusion: The prevalence of comorbid ADHD was high in schizophrenia and Asperger syndrome. The WRAADDS self-rating scale for ADHD can be one useful tool for assessing comorbid ADHD in these patient groups.
The Prevalence and Characteristics of Police Practitioner–Researcher Partnerships
Authors: Rojek Jeff , Smith Hayden P. , Alpert Geoffrey P.
Published: April 2012

Consistent with the current models of governance in public sector organizations, there have been an increasing number of advocates within the law enforcement community calling for agencies to participate in partnerships with researchers. Despite this support, little is known about the prevalence of police practitioner–researcher partnerships, nor has there been any examination into which agencies participate in partnerships with researchers or the reasons why agencies do not participate. The present study addresses these gaps in knowledge by reporting on findings from a national survey of law enforcement agencies on research partnership participation. The results reveal nearly one third of responding agencies reported they had participated in a research partnership within the last 5 years. The most common reason provided for not participating in these relationships was a lack of funding resources. Discussion on the future expansion of police practitioner–researcher partnerships in light of these findings is provided
Of camps, gulags and extraordinary renditions: Infrastructural violence in Romania
Authors: O’Neill Bruce
Published: April 2012

From fascist prisons to Communist-era gulags, Romania does not simply have a history of torture, but also an existing infrastructure conducive to its practice. Romania, human rights organizations have made clear, hosted a number of ‘secret detention centers’ used by the US government in its program of ‘extraordinary rendition’, whereby intelligence agents illegally rendered, detained and tortured suspected terrorists. Both Romania’s gulags and its secret detention centers call to mind Giorgio Agamben’s notion of ‘the camp’ – an extra-juridical space where human life is reduced to its bare form – which is why this article pivots on a historical comparison between the two. While both gulags and extraordinary rendition share material infrastructure, and both were organized around the production and management of ‘bare life’, this article shows that rendition operates through a very different spatial logic than a gulag. As a result, survivors of these different spatial iterations of ‘the camp’ offer qualitatively different accounts of bare life. This observation allows ethnographers to extend Agamben’s analytical reach by spatially contextualizing the form, relations and kinds of violence taking shape inside ‘camps’, allowing theorists to think about bare life as a historically specific phenomenon.
There is no more room: Cemeteries, personhood, and bare death
Authors: O’Neill Kevin Lewis
Published: April 2012

This article addresses the practice of disinterment in Guatemala City’s public cemetery. The city has grown too fast and too many people have been killed. The cemetery is now at its limits. There is no more room. This problem of space has meant a reimagining of liberal ideals in the midst of a neoliberal moment, making the cemetery’s disinterment policy ever more aggressive. And while disinterment has always been policy, it is the pace of disinterment today that is exceptional. Once a loved one fails to pay the cemetery dues, the body is disinterred. This event does not erase a corpse’s personhood so much as reconstitute it just enough to announce that the corpse no longer belongs. It is this concomitant reconstruction of personhood and of not-belonging (of exile, of marginality, of trash) that echoes key aspects of Guatemalan citizenship today. This is how and why the disinterred corpse both affirms and denies the liberal virtues of order and progress, of purity and danger, of security and space, with a harried, free market exchange of death for more death, of one body for another.
Competing Paradigms? The Use of DNA Powers in Youth Justice
Authors: Campbell Liz , Lynch Nessa
Published: April 2012

DNA is an important tool for criminal investigations and prosecutions. There has been considerable comment on its collection and retention from adult suspects and convicted persons, but little analysis of the particular situation of young people in the youth justice system. This article considers the competing paradigms at play when young persons’ DNA is collected and stored. The tensions between expanded DNA powers and norms of youth justice such as reintegration and best interests are considered as well as the implications for young persons’ rights.
Some Observations on Fort and Winfree “Nash Conjectures and Talent Supply in Sports League Modeling
Authors: Szymanski Stefan
Published: April 2012

In a recent comment, Fort and Winfree claimed to clear up some confusion about the implications of contest theory and the game theoretic approach to modeling contests, following the earlier work of Szymanski and Kesenne. Among other things they claimed to show that the invariance principle can still survive in the game theoretic interpretation. This note shows that the approach they suggest was already fully and explicitly adopted in the works cited above and that the invariance principle cannot hold for any plausible contest success function.
The Triple Articulation of Media Technologies in Audiovisual Media Consumption
Authors: Courtois Cédric , Verdegem Pieter , De Marez Lieven
Published: April 2012

This article departs from the concept of “double articulation” within domestication theory, which views media as both objects and texts. Unfortunately, its empirical application has been problematic because researchers tend to concentrate on the contextual, losing sight of specific meanings of objects and texts. Therefore, we subscribe to the concept of “triple articulation,” viewing the immediate sociospatial context of consumption as a specific articulation. Still, the practical relevance of this concept has been questioned. Therefore, we develop and test a methodology that explicitly incorporates this triple articulation in the field of convergent audiovisual media consumption. The results indicate that audiovisual media technologies are meaningfully articulated as objects, texts, and contexts. Moreover, the devised method, which allows the uncovering of articulation interactions, points out that each articulation is able to contribute independently to consumption meanings. Hence, the variation within objects, texts, and contexts raises questions about what we consider “television.”
Arts-Based Critical Inquiry in Nursing and Interdisciplinary Professional Education
Authors: MacDonnell Judith A. , Macdonald Geraldine (Jody)
Published: April 2012

In this article, transformative educators are encouraged to use an arts-based critical inquiry approach within their diversity-sensitive teaching practice. Using a Socratic dialogue, the authors describe how guided imagery, images, narratives, and poetry have been useful in developing transformative insights in relation to spiritual/ecological values, sexual orientation, and culture in the context of nursing and interdisciplinary professional education. Arts-based approaches that incorporate constructivist dimensions can potentially stimulate critical inquiry in educational settings that can spark the thoughtful dialogue and passion needed for practitioners to engage in emancipatory practices for social change. The underlying adult learning theoretical frameworks for this teaching and learning dialogue are transformative learning and unlearning. Innovative arts-based and experiential approaches to diversity-sensitive teaching nurture the dynamic engagement and individual and collective reflection that fosters interpersonal understanding and hope for meaningful community connections and social change.
The Global Programme on Health Promotion Effectiveness (GPHPE): a bold concept with few resources
Authors: McQueen David V
Published: April 2012

This paper describes the past ten years of the International Union for Health Promotion and Education’s (IUHPE) flagship programme on health promotion effectiveness. It examines the context in which the programme developed and the organization of the programme to carry out its goals. The paper takes a critical look at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and difficulties of conducting such a broad programme within a global membership-based non-governmental organization (NGO). It also discusses how the field of evidence gathering has developed in relationship to the project and what changes have emerged since the early years. Lack of resources, both in terms of contributors and financial support, is identified as the key problem in sustaining an NGO effort to examine effectiveness.
Temporal Changes in Collagen Cross-Links in Spontaneous Articular Cartilage Repair
Authors: Terajima Masahiko , Damle Sheela , Penmatsa Madhuri , West Paul , Bostrom Mathias , Hidaka Chisa , Yamauchi Mitsuo , Pleshko Nancy
Published: April 2012

Objective:

Little is known about how the biochemical properties of collagen change during tissue regeneration following cartilage damage. In the current study, temporal changes in cartilage repair tissue biochemistry were assessed in a rabbit osteochondral defect.

Design:

Bilateral full-thickness 3-mm osteochondral trochlear groove defects were created in 54 adult male skeletally mature New Zealand white rabbits, and tissue repair was monitored over 16 weeks. Collagen content, cross-links, lysyl hydroxylation, gene expression, histological grading, and Fourier transform infrared analyses were performed at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 weeks.

Results:

Defect fill occurred at ~4 weeks postinjury; however, histological grading showed that the repair tissue never became normal, primarily due to the presence of fibrocartilage. Gene expression levels of Col1a1 and Col IIaI were higher in the defect compared with adjacent regions. Collagen content in the repair tissue reached the level of normal cartilage at 6 weeks, but it took 12 weeks for the extent of lysine hydroxylation to return to normal. Divalent immature cross-links markedly increased in the early stages of repair. Though the levels gradually diminished thereafter, they never returned to the normal levels. The mature cross-link, pyridinoline, gradually increased with time and nearly reached normal levels by week 16. Infrared imaging data of protein content paralleled the biochemical data. However, collagen maturity, a parameter previously shown to reflect collagen cross-link ratios in bone, did not correlate with the biochemical determination of cross-links in the repair tissue.

Conclusion:

Collagen biochemical data could provide markers for clinical monitoring in a healing defect.
Prognostic Value of Perioperative Near-Infrared Spectroscopy During Neonatal and Infant Congenital Heart Surgery for Adverse In-Hospital Clinical Events
Authors: Dodge-Khatami Jannika , Gottschalk Urda , Eulenburg Christine , Wendt Ulrike , Schnegg Clivia , Rebel Marcus , Reichenspurner Hermann , Dodge-Khatami Ali
Published: April 2012

Background: Perioperative monitoring with multisite near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for congenital cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass may aid in predicting adverse clinical outcomes. Methods: Forty-one consecutive neonates and infants undergoing bypass were monitored with right + left cerebral and renal NIRS. Near-infrared spectroscopy and lactate were measured at 20 time points, from baseline 1 day preoperatively, during bypass and modified ultrafiltration (MUF; 10 minutes), until 24 hours postoperatively. Adverse events were extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)/death, prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) or length of hospital stay. Results: Perioperative mean renal NIRS remained higher than baseline (n = 41) as did cerebral NIRS in all undergoing biventricular repair. During bypass (n = 41), mean right and left cerebral NIRS were equal. During MUF, cerebral and renal NIRS values increased ( P < .001). Cerebral NIRS and lactate inversely correlated during the first six postoperative hours. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation /death occurred in four patients, correlating with cerebral and renal NIRS below 45% ( P = .030) and 40% ( P = .019) at anytime, respectively, and with mean lactate levels >9.3 mmol/L in the first postoperative 24 hours ( P < .001). Among survivors, renal NIRS below 30% at any time predicted a longer ICU stay. Conclusions: At bypass conclusion, 10 minutes of MUF does not adversely affect cerebral or renal NIRS. Left and right cerebral NIRS are equal, so that biparietal cerebral NIRS monitoring is probably not warranted. Perioperative cerebral and renal NIRS readings, respectively, below 45% and 40% correlate with ECMO/death and renal NIRS below 30% with prolonged ICU stay. Cerebral NIRS and lactate levels showed a strong inverse correlation during the first six postoperative hours.
Fontan Operation for Patients With Complex Anatomy: The Intra-Atrial Conduit Technique
Authors: Iacona Gabriele M. , Giamberti Alessandro , Abella Raul F. , Muñoz Julio Agredo , Mendieta Saul Garcia , Pomé Giuseppe , Frigiola Alessandro
Published: April 2012

The extracardiac conduit type of total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) is the most common variation of the modified Fontan operation in current use. For patients with some forms of complex anatomy (eg, dextrocardia in situs solitus or asplenia syndrome), we have adopted a different technique: interposition of an intra-atrial conduit between the inferior vena cava (IVC) and the superior vena cava–right pulmonary artery (SVC-RPA) connection. We report our experience with six patients.
Classical Windsock Deformity of Ruptured Sinus of Valsalva Seen in Transesophageal Echocardiography
Authors: Gandhi Sanjay , Asija Ashish , Chahal Ashok , Singh Karampalc , Malhotra Naveen , Lohchab Shamsher Singh
Published: April 2012

A 25-year-old male patient found to have ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm with subpulmonic ventricular septal defect was repaired successfully. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography images showed classical windsock deformity.
The Switch Back Ross Operation: Report of Two Cases With Good Medium-to-Long-Term Follow-Up
Authors: Vicente Walter , Ferreira Cesar Augusto , Klamt Jyrson Guilherme , Manso Paulo Henrique , Filho Oswaldo Cesar Almeida , Carlotti Ana Paula , Arantes Lidiane , Haddad Jorge
Published: April 2012

Submitted July 20, 2011; Accepted October 6, 2011. Neoaortic root dilatation and neoaortic valve regurgitation following the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries may ultimately require neoaortic root and/or neoaortic valve surgery. The ideal surgical approach to these lesions remains debatable. Hazekamp et al, in 1997, introduced the replacement of the neoaortic root by the neopulmonary autograft and named this procedure the switch back Ross operation. We report two patients who were successfully treated at our institution with the switch back Ross operation, with good results at, respectively, four- and five-year follow-up.
Concordant Ventriculoarterial Connections With Parallel Arterial Trunks, Divided Left Atrium, and Juxtaposed Atrial Appendages
Authors: Talwar Sachin , Nair Vinitha Vishambaran , Choudhary Shiv Kumar , Gulati Gurpreet Singh , Anderson Robert H. , Airan Balram
Published: April 2012

We describe a patient with concordant ventriculoarterial connections with parallel arterial trunks, divided left atrium (cor triatriatum sinister), ventricular septal defect, bilateral superior caval veins, and juxtaposed atrial appendages. The aorta was anterior and left sided. We discuss the morphological features of this rare condition, and the diagnostic dilemma it produced.
Anomalous Origin of the Right Coronary Artery From the Pulmonary Artery: Unusual Presentation in an Adult
Authors: Altarabsheh Salah Eldien , Phillips Sabrina D. , Oliver William C. , Burkhart Harold M.
Published: April 2012

We report an anomalous right coronary artery origin from the pulmonary artery presenting in an adult patient.
A Rare Coronary Collateral in Pulmonary Atresia and Intact Septum With Coronary Sinusoids
Authors: Forsha Daniel , Rhodes John F. , Williams Derek A. , Lodge Andrew J. , Li Jennifer S.
Published: April 2012

A neonate with pulmonary atresia and intract ventricular septum, ventriculocoronary sinusoids, bilateral coronary ostial atresia, and a rare collateral vessel between the descending thoracic aorta and the coronary system is described. The clinical course in this infant included extracorporeal life support and coil occlusion of the collateral in order to manage multiple ischemic events.
Successful Bridge to Transplant Using the TandemHeart® Left Ventricular Assist Device in a Pediatric Patient
Authors: Russell Hyde M. , Kulat Bradley , Zingle Neale , Backer Carl L.
Published: April 2012

A nine-year-old girl ( 23 kg) was successfully bridged to heart transplantation with the TandemHeart® centrifugal pump for 10 days. Although this cardiac assist device has been used in adults for short-term mechanical support, its use in the pediatric population has not been widely reported. The TandemHeart® was easy to implant, achieved appropriate flows in this pediatric patient, and allowed for extubation and ambulation while awaiting a donor heart.
The Fontan Connections: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Said Sameh M. , Burkhart Harold M. , Dearani Joseph A.
Published: April 2012

The Fontan procedure is now considered the final common pathway for patients with anatomical or functional single ventricle. These patients initially have their systemic and pulmonary circulations in parallel, supported by one functional ventricular chamber. The ultimate goal with this procedure is to separate the two circulations, to prevent mixing of venous and arterial blood, and to provide adequate tissue oxygenation. The objective of this article is to review the Fontan procedure with its various modifications and refinements since its introduction to clinical practice in 1971, by Fontan and Baudet.
Extracardiac Fontan With Direct Cavopulmonary Connections: Midterm Results
Authors: Liu Jinfen , Hong Haifa , Zhu Zhongqun , Lu Yanan , Chen Huiwen
Published: April 2012

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the midterm results following direct superior and inferior cavopulmonary connections (DCPC) to create Fontan circulation in patients with functionally univentricular hearts. Methods: Retrospective review of patients operated between January 2005 and May 2011. Results: The 25 consecutive patients who underwent this type of operation were retrospectively reviewed. There were 15 (60%) males and ten (40%) females, with median age of 73 months (range: 16-150 months) and median weight of 25 kg (range: 11-46 kg). Aortic cross-clamping used in ten patients, with median cross-clamp time of 40 minutes (range: 23-99) and median cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time of 135 minutes (range: 76-179 minutes). The remaining 15 patients were operated without aortic cross-clamping. Their median CPB time was 112 minutes (range: 82-139 minutes). Fenestration was performed in 15 cases. Associated intracardiac procedures were performed on ten patients. The follow-up period ranged from two months to six years. Operative mortality and late mortality after discharge were zero. Major postoperative complications included supraventricular tachycardia in one patient, oliguria and peritoneal dialysis in one patient, chest drainage persisting more than seven days in five patients (20%). One patient developed sinus bradycardia in association with sinus pauses two months after discharge. One patient developed pericardial effusion one month after discharge. Conclusions: Direct superior and inferior cavopulmonary connections to create Fontan circulation in appropriately selected patients with functionally univentricular hearts can be performed with low risk and a low rate of reintervention. The midterm results are favorable.
PRMT1 interacts with AML1-ETO to promote its transcriptional activation and progenitor cell proliferative potential
Authors: Shia Wei-Jong , Okumura Akiko J. , Yan Ming , Sarkeshik Ali , Lo Miao-Chia , Matsuura Shinobu , Komeno Yukiko , Zhao Xinyang , Nimer Stephen D. , Yates John R. , Zhang Dong-Er
Published: April 2012

Fusion protein AML1-ETO, resulting from t(8;21) translocation, is highly related to leukemia development. It has been reported that full-length AML1-ETO blocks AML1 function and requires additional mutagenic events to promote leukemia. We have previously shown that the expression of AE9a, a splice isoform of AML1-ETO, can rapidly cause leukemia in mice. To understand how AML1-ETO is involved in leukemia development, we took advantage of our AE9a leukemia model and sought to identify its interacting proteins from primary leukemic cells. Here, we report the discovery of a novel AE9a binding partner PRMT1 (protein arginine methyltransferase 1). PRMT1 not only interacts with but also weakly methylates arginine 142 of AE9a. Knockdown of PRMT1 affects expression of a specific group of AE9a-activated genes. We also show that AE9a recruits PRMT1 to promoters of AE9a-activated genes, resulting in enrichment of H4 arginine 3 methylation, H3 Lys9/14 acetylation, and transcription activation. More importantly, knockdown of PRMT1 suppresses the self-renewal capability of AE9a, suggesting a potential role of PRMT1 in regulating leukemia development.
Connexin-43 in the osteogenic BM niche regulates its cellular composition and the bidirectional traffic of hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors
Authors: Gonzalez-Nieto Daniel , Li Lina , Kohler Anja , Ghiaur Gabriel , Ishikawa Eri , Sengupta Amitava , Madhu Malav , Arnett Jorden L. , Santho Rebecca A. , Dunn Susan K. , Fishman Glenn I. , Gutstein David E. , Civitelli Roberto , Barrio Luis C. , Gunzer Matthias , Cancelas Jose A.
Published: April 2012

Connexin-43 (Cx43), a gap junction protein involved in control of cell proliferation, differentiation and migration, has been suggested to have a role in hematopoiesis. Cx43 is highly expressed in osteoblasts and osteogenic progenitors (OB/P). To elucidate the biologic function of Cx43 in the hematopoietic microenvironment (HM) and its influence in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) activity, we studied the hematopoietic function in an in vivo model of constitutive deficiency of Cx43 in OB/P. The deficiency of Cx43 in OB/P cells does not impair the steady state hematopoiesis, but disrupts the directional trafficking of HSC/progenitors (Ps) between the bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB). OB/P Cx43 is a crucial positive regulator of transstromal migration and homing of both HSCs and progenitors in an irradiated microenvironment. However, OB/P Cx43 deficiency in nonmyeloablated animals does not result in a homing defect but induces increased endosteal lodging and decreased mobilization of HSC/Ps associated with proliferation and expansion of Cxcl12-secreting mesenchymal/osteolineage cells in the BM HM in vivo. Cx43 controls the cellular content of the BM osteogenic microenvironment and is required for homing of HSC/Ps in myeloablated animals.
Heme-regulated eIF2α kinase activated Atf4 signaling pathway in oxidative stress and erythropoiesis
Authors: Suragani Rajasekhar N. V. S. , Zachariah Roshini S. , Velazquez Jason G. , Liu Sijin , Sun Chiao-Wang , Townes Tim M. , Chen Jane-Jane
Published: April 2012

Heme-regulated eIF2α kinase (Hri) is necessary for balanced synthesis of heme and globin. In addition, Hri deficiency exacerbates the phenotypic severity of β-thalassemia intermedia in mice. Activation of Hri during heme deficiency and in β-thalassemia increases eIF2α phosphorylation and inhibits globin translation. Under endoplasmic reticulum stress and nutrient starvation, eIF2α phosphorylation also induces the Atf4 signaling pathway to mitigate stress. Although the function of Hri in regulating globin translation is well established, its role in Atf4 signaling in erythroid precursors is not known. Here, we report the role of the Hri-activated Atf4 signaling pathway in reducing oxidative stress and in promoting erythroid differentiation during erythropoiesis. On acute oxidative stress, Hri−/− erythroblasts suffered from increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis. During chronic iron deficiency in vivo, Hri is necessary both to reduce oxidative stress and to promote erythroid differentiation. Hri−/− mice developed ineffective erythropoiesis during iron deficiency with inhibition of differentiation at the basophilic erythroblast stage. This inhibition is recapitulated during ex vivo differentiation of Hri−/− fetal liver erythroid progenitors. Importantly, the Hri-eIF2αP-Atf4 pathway was activated and required for erythroid differentiation. We further demonstrate the potential of modulating Hri-eIF2αP-Atf4 signaling with chemical compounds as pharmaceutical therapies for β-thalassemia.
Effects of induction and maintenance plus long-term bisphosphonates on bone disease in patients with multiple myeloma: the Medical Research Council Myeloma IX Trial
Authors: Morgan Gareth J. , Davies Faith E. , Gregory Walter M. , Szubert Alex J. , Bell Sue E. , Drayson Mark T. , Owen Roger G. , Ashcroft A. John , Jackson Graham H. , Child J. Anthony
Published: April 2012

The Medical Research Council Myeloma IX Trial (ISRCTNG8454111) examined traditional and thalidomide-based induction and maintenance regimens and IV zoledronic acid (ZOL) and oral clodronate (CLO) in 1960 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Overall survival (OS) and skeletal-related event (SRE) data have been reported for the overall trial population. The present analysis investigated optimal therapy regimens for different patient populations in Myeloma IX. Patients were assigned to intensive or nonintensive treatment pathways and randomized to induction cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (CVAD) versus cyclophosphamide, thalidomide, and dexamethasone (CTD; intensive) or melphalan and prednisolone versus attenuated oral CTD (CTDa; nonintensive). Patients were also randomized to ZOL or CLO. In the nonintensive pathway, CTDa produced better responses and lower SRE rates than melphalan and prednisolone. ZOL improved OS compared with CLO independently of sex, stage, or myeloma subtype, most profoundly in patients with baseline bone disease or other SREs. In patients treated for ≥ 2 years, ZOL improved OS compared with CLO from randomization (median not reached for either; P = .02) and also from first on-study disease progression (median, 34 months for ZOL vs 27 months for CLO; P = .03). Thalidomide-containing regimens had better efficacy than traditional regimens, and ZOL demonstrated greater benefits than CLO.
Bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone is superior to thalidomide-dexamethasone as consolidation therapy after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
Authors: Cavo Michele , Pantani Lucia , Petrucci Maria Teresa , Patriarca Francesca , Zamagni Elena , Donnarumma Daniela , Crippa Claudia , Boccadoro Mario , Perrone Giulia , Falcone Antonietta , Nozzoli Chiara , Zambello Renato , Masini Luciano , Furlan Anna , Brioli Annamaria , Derudas Daniele , Ballanti Stelvio , Dessanti Maria Laura , De Stefano Valerio , Carella Angelo Michele , Marcatti Magda , Nozza Andrea , Ferrara Felicetto , Callea Vincenzo , Califano Catello , Pezzi Annalisa , Baraldi Anna , Grasso Mariella , Musto Pellegrino , Palumbo Antonio
Published: April 2012

In a randomized, phase 3 study, superior complete/near-complete response (CR/nCR) rates and extended progression-free survival were demonstrated with bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone (VTD) versus thalidomide-dexamethasone (TD) as induction therapy before, and consolidation after, double autologous stem cell transplantation for newly diagnosed myeloma patients (intention-to-treat analysis; VTD, n = 236; TD, n = 238). This per-protocol analysis (VTD, n = 160; TD, n = 161) specifically assessed the efficacy and safety of consolidation with VTD or TD. Before starting consolidation, CR/nCR rates were not significantly different in the VTD (63.1%) and TD arms (54.7%). After consolidation, CR (60.6% vs 46.6%) and CR/nCR (73.1% vs 60.9%) rates were significantly higher for VTD-treated versus TD-treated patients. VTD consolidation significantly increased CR and CR/nCR rates, but TD did not (McNemar test). With a median follow-up of 30.4 months from start of consolidation, 3-year progression-free survival was significantly longer for the VTD group (60% vs 48% for TD). Grade 2 or 3 peripheral neuropathy (8.1% vs 2.4%) was more frequent with VTD (grade 3, 0.6%) versus TD consolidation. The superior efficacy of VTD versus TD as induction was retained despite readministration as consolidation therapy after double autologous transplantation. VTD consolidation therapy significantly contributed to improved clinical outcomes observed for patients randomly assigned to the VTD arm of the study. The study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01134484.
Facile synthesis of superhydrophobic surface of ZnO nanoflakes: chemical coating and UV-induced wettability conversion
Authors: Yao Lujun , Zheng Maojun , Li Changli , Ma Li , Shen Wenzhong
Published: April 2012

This work reports an oriented growth process of two-dimensional (2D) ZnO nanoflakes on aluminum substrate through a low temperature hydrothermal technique and proposes the preliminary growth mechanism. A bionic superhydrophobic surface with excellent corrosion protection over a wide pH range in both acidic and alkaline solutions was constructed by a chemical coating treatment with stearic acid (SA) molecules on ZnO nanoflakes. It is found that the superhydrophobic surface of ZnO nanoflake arrays shows a maximum water contact angle (CA) of 157° and a low sliding angle of 8°, and it can be reversibly switched to its initial superhydrophilic state under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, which is due to the UV-induced decomposition of the coated SA molecules. This study is significant for simple and inexpensive building of large-scale 2D ZnO nanoflake arrays with special wettability which can extend the applications of ZnO films to many other important fields.
Apolipoprotein epsilon 3 alleles are associated with indicators of neuronal resilience
Authors: Aboud Orwa , Mrak Robert E , Boop Frederick , Griffin Sue T
Published: April 2012

Background

Epilepsy is associated with precocious development of Alzheimer-type neuropathological changes, including appearance of senile plaques, neuronal loss and glial activation. As inheritance of APOE ε4 allele(s) is reported to favor this outcome, we sought to investigate neuronal and glial responses that differ according to APOE genotype. With an eye toward defining ways in which APOE ε3 alleles may foster neuronal well-being in epilepsy and/or APOE ε4 alleles exacerbate neuronal decline, neuronal and glial characteristics were studied in temporal lobectomy specimens from epilepsy patients of either APOE ε4,4 or APOE ε3,3 genotype.

Methods

Tissue and/or cellular expressions of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α), apolipoprotein E (ApoE), amyloid β (Aβ) precursor protein (βAPP), synaptophysin, phosphorylated tau, and Aβ were determined in frozen and paraffin-embedded tissues from 52 APOE ε3,3 and 7 APOE ε4,4 (0.25 to 71 years) epilepsy patients, and 5 neurologically normal patients using Western blot, RT-PCR, and fluorescence immunohistochemistry.

Results

Tissue levels of IL-1α were elevated in patients of both APOE ε3,3 and APOE ε4,4 genotypes, and this elevation was apparent as an increase in the number of activated microglia per neuron (APOE ε3,3 vs APOE ε4,4 = 3.7 ± 1.2 vs 1.5 ± 0.4; P < 0.05). This, together with increases in βAPP and ApoE, was associated with apparent neuronal sparing in that APOE ε4,4 genotype was associated with smaller neuron size (APOE ε4,4 vs APOE ε3,3 = 173 ± 27 vs 356 ± 45; P ≤ 0.01) and greater DNA damage (APOE ε4,4 vs APOE ε3,3 = 67 ± 10 vs 39 ± 2; P = 0.01). 3) Aβ plaques were noted at early ages in our epilepsy patients, regardless of APOE genotype (APOE ε4,4 age 10; APOE ε3,3 age 17).

Conclusions

Our findings of neuronal and glial events, which correlate with lesser neuronal DNA damage and larger, more robust neurons in epilepsy patients of APOE ε3,3 genotype compared to APOE ε4,4 genotype carriers, are consistent with the idea that the APOE ε3,3 genotype better protects neurons subjected to the hyperexcitability of epilepsy and thus confers less risk of AD (Alzheimer's disease).

Please see related article: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/10/36
Polycystic liver disease presenting with an exudative pleural effusion: a case report
Authors: Woolnough Kerry , Palejwala Altav , Bramall Simon
Published: April 2012

Introduction

Polycystic liver disease is asymptomatic in 95% of patients. In the remaining 5% it causes symptoms due to the local mass effect of the polycystic liver. We describe the case of a patient who presented with symptoms of a pleural effusion and was also found to have polycystic liver disease. The effusion recurred despite repeated efforts at drainage and only resolved following surgical debridement of the cystic liver.

Case presentation

A 50-year-old Caucasian woman presented with a two-week history of increasing dyspnoea. An examination revealed a large right pleural effusion and gross hepatomegaly. An ultrasound confirmed a large polycystic liver and diagnostic thoracocentesis revealed an exudate, which was sterile to culture. The pleural effusion proved refractory to drainage and our patient underwent surgery to deroof the main hepatic cysts in an attempt to reduce the pressure on her right diaphragm. The histology was compatible with that of polycystic liver disease. No evidence of malignancy was found. After surgery, our patient had no recurrence of her effusion and, to date, has remained asymptomatic from her polycystic liver disease.

Conclusion

The case in this report illustrates that an exudative pleural effusion is a rare complication of polycystic liver disease. We feel that the mechanical effects of a large polycystic liver, and subsequent disruption of sub-diaphragmatic capillaries, resulted in a persistent exudative pleural effusion. Thus, surgical debulking of the hepatic cysts is required to manage these effusions.
Loss of PPARγ expression by fibroblasts enhances dermal wound closure
Authors: Sha Wei , Thompson Katherine , South Jennifer , Baron Murray , Leask Andrew
Published: April 2012

Background

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ may be a key regulator of connective tissue deposition and remodeling in vivo. PPARγ expression is reduced in dermal fibroblasts isolated from fibrotic areas of scleroderma patients; PPARγ agonists suppress the persistent fibrotic phenotype of this cell type. Previously, we showed that loss of PPARγ expression in fibroblasts resulted in enhanced bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis. However, whether loss of PPARγ expression in skin fibroblasts affects cutaneous tissue repair or homeostasis is unknown.

Results

Mice deleted for PPARγ in skin fibroblasts show an enhanced rate of dermal wound closure, concomitant with elevated phosphorylation of Smad3, Akt and ERK, and increased expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), collagen, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and CCN2. Conversely, dermal homeostasis was not appreciably affected by loss of PPARγ expression.

Conclusion

PPARγ expression by fibroblasts suppresses cutaneous tissue repair. In the future, direct PPARγ antagonists and agonists might be of clinical benefit in controlling chronic wounds or scarring, respectively.