bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intravenous thrombolysis in stroke patients with hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign
Authors: Georgiadis D. , Wirz F. , Von Büdingen H‐C. , Valko P. , Hund‐Georgiadis M. , Nedeltchev K. , Rousson V. , Baumgartner R. W.
Published: December 2008

Background and purpose:  We assessed the safety and efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in acute stroke patients with hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign (HMCAS).

Patients and methods:  Data from consecutive patients with acute (within 6 h of symptom onset) ischaemic stroke admitted between January 1999 and November 2007, in whom HMCAS was diagnosed on admission CT scan was retrospectively analysed. Seventy‐one patients, admitted within the 3‐h window, were treated with IVT, whilst further 42, admitted 3–6 h after symptom onset, were not. At 3‐month clinical follow‐up, outcome, mortality at 3 months and incidence of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage were evaluated.

Results:  The two groups were comparable concerning age, stroke risk factors, prior antithrombotic treatment and NIHSS scores on admission. Good outcome (mRS score ≤ 1) was observed in 12/71 (17%) patients who were treated with IVT and in 1/42 (2%) patients who were not (P = 0.02). IVT treatment was identified as independent predictor of good outcome (P = 0.05). Mortality was 20% in patients treated with IVT and 12% in remaining patients (P = 0.3). Symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage occurred in 1 patient of each group (2%).

Conclusions:  These findings suggest that IVT in patients with HMCAS results in significantly better outcome, without significantly influencing mortality.
Neuromyelitis optica‐IgG in idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disorders amongst Hong Kong Chinese
Authors: Chan K. H. , Ramsden D. B. , Yu Y. L. , Kwok K. H. H. , Chu A. C. Y. , Ho P. W. L. , Kwan J. S. C. , Lee R. , Lim E. , Kung M. H. W. , Ho S. L.
Published: December 2008

Background:  Idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disorders (IIDD) affect the central nervous system. In classical multiple sclerosis (CMS), brain, optic nerves [optic neuritis (ON)] and spinal cord [acute transverse myelitis (ATM)] are affected. In neuromyelitis optica (NMO), optic nerves and spinal cord are predominantly affected. NMO‐IgG, an autoantibody targeting aquaporin‐4, is a marker for NMO. We studied the frequency and clinical relevance of NMO‐IgG seropositivity in IIDD patients.

Methods:  Neuromyelitis optica‐IgG was detected by indirect immunofluorescence using primate cerebellum.

Results:  Neuromyelitis optica‐IgG was detected in six of 10 NMO patients (60%), six of 10 idiopathic relapsing transverse myelitis (IRTM) patients (60%), two of nine idiopathic relapsing ON patients (22%), one of 11 patients (9%) having single ON attack, one of 30 CMS patients (3%), and none of patients having single ATM attack or controls. Comparing NMO‐IgG seropositive (n = 12) with NMO‐IgG seronegative (n = 8) patients having NMO or IRTM, NMO‐IgG seropositivity was associated with a higher relapse rate in first 2 years, 1.5 and 0.6 attacks/year for seropositive and seronegative groups respectively (P = 0.006), and non‐significant trend towards more severe ON and myelitis with poorer clinical outcome.

Conclusion:  Neuromyelitis optica ‐IgG facilitates diagnosis of NMO spectrum disorders. NMO‐IgG seropositivity is associated with higher relapse rate in first 2 years.
Glycogen storage disease type II (Pompe disease) – influence of enzyme replacement therapy in adults
Authors: Merk T. , Wibmer T. , Schumann C. , Krüger S.
Published: December 2008

Background:  Pompe disease (Glycogen storage disorder type II) is an inherited disease because of a lack or reduced activity of the enzyme α‐1,4‐glucosidase (acid maltase). Since 2006, an intravenous enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with Myozyme™ (Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, MA, USA) is available.

Methods:  Four adult patients aged between 39 and 68 years received ERT over a period of 6 months. Clinical and functional parameters were registered longitudinally.

Results:  In three patients, a considerable improvement of symptoms could be noticed, patients with pre‐existing respiratory insufficiency seemed to profit most. In all patients, a continuous decrease of initially raised laboratory parameters (creatine kinase, lactic dehydrogenase, transaminases) was striking.

Conclusions:  Enzyme replacement therapy seems to be a long‐term effective therapy in adult patients with Pompe disease. Whether all patients will profit from an improvement of symptoms or at least a stabilisation of the otherwise progressive disease is currently not definitively clear.
Correlation of anatomy and function in medulla oblongata infarction
Authors: Eggers C. , Fink G. R. , Möller‐Hartmann W. , Nowak D. A.
Published: December 2008

Background:  A presentation of all aspects of the dorsolateral medulla oblongata syndrome is clinically very rare to find. In most cases patients present with fragmentary symptoms, e.g. ipsilateral axial lateropulsion, nystagmus, dysarthria, dysphagia or hemiataxia. However, the clinical presentation and lesion anatomy at the level of the medulla oblongata is still unsatisfactory. The aim of this study was to correlate the functional deficit with structural MRI‐data.

Methods:  We included thirteen patients (eight male, five female, mean age 65.5) with medulla oblongata infarction with clinically predominant ipsilateral axial lateropulsion and correlated clinical with structural deficits.

Results:  Magnetic resonance imaging lesion mapping demonstrated ipsilateral axial lateropulsion to result from lesions of the spinocerebellar tract, the inferior cerebellar peduncle or the inferior vestibular nucleus. Nystagmus was associated with lesions of the inferior vestibular nucleus, dissociated sensory loss with the spinothalamic tract and hemiataxia with the spinocerebellar tract.

Conclusions:  Correlating dysfunction and lesion anatomy is a promising approach to enhance our knowledge on medulla oblongata topography.
Changes in striatal dopamine D2 receptor binding in pre‐clinical Huntington’s disease
Authors: Van Oostrom J.C.H. , Dekker M. , Willemsen A.T.M. , De Jong B.M. , Roos R.A.C. , Leenders K.L.
Published: December 2008

Background:  Carriers of the Huntington disease (HD) mutation develop a progressive neurodegenerative disorder after a pre‐clinical phase. We examined the value of 11C‐raclopride PET (RAC) as a biomarker for pre‐clinical HD pathophysiology.

Methods:  In a prospective cohort study with clinical and neuropsychological assessment we collected complete RAC data in 18 pre‐clinical mutation carriers (HD‐PMC) and 11 controls. Follow‐up was 2 years. We calculated striatal RAC binding potential (BP) to measure dopamine D2 receptor availability.

Results:  No HD‐PMC had overt neuropsychological dysfunction. RAC‐BP in putamen was abnormal in up to 44% of HD‐PMC. The rate of RAC‐BP decline (2.6% per year) was not significantly higher than in controls. Follow‐up putaminal BP correlated weakly with predicted distance to onset of clinical HD (P = 0.034), but the rate of decline did not. Three HD‐PMC developed motor abnormalities suspect for HD but did not show an increased rate of decline of putaminal BP.

Conclusions:  Many HD‐PMC have striatal abnormalities but we found no clearly increased rate of D2 receptor changes around the onset of clinical HD. A longer follow‐up of the present study cohort is needed to establish the value of RAC‐BP in assessing the risk of clinical conversion from striatal D2 binding data.
Clinical study and PLA2G6 mutation screening analysis in Chinese patients with infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy
Authors: Wu Y. , Jiang Y. , Gao Z. , Wang J. , Yuan Y. , Xiong H. , Chang X. , Bao X. , Zhang Y. , Xiao J. , Wu X.
Published: December 2008

Background and purpose:  Infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD) is a rare autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder. The most typical neuropathological finding of this disease is axonal swelling. Before the identification of associated mutations in PLA2G6‐encoding iPLA2‐VIA (cytosolic Ca2+‐independent phospholipids A2, group VIA) in 2006, neuropathological evidence was critical for definitive diagnosis. Only five genetic studies in INAD patients have been published worldwide, wherein 44 mutations were reported. To define the clinical and genetic characteristics of Chinese patients with INAD, 10 cases were analyzed.

Methods:  For 10 cases of INAD, extensive clinical investigations, neuropathological examination, and mutation screening in PLA2G6 were performed.

Results:  All cases displayed typical clinical features. Axonal swelling was found in skin or sural nerve biopsy specimens in three cases. Twelve PLA2G6 mutations were identified, nine of which were novel. These novel mutations include six missense, one abolishing the normal start codon, one nonsense, and one splice‐site mutation.

Conclusions:  The nine novel mutations identified in this study suggest the uniqueness of the PLA2G6 mutation spectrum in Chinese patients, and greatly extends the spectrum of known mutations in INAD patients. In addition to pathological evidence, genetic analysis can inform definitive diagnosis of INAD.
Why Do Employers Give Discretion? Family Versus Performance Concerns
Authors: ORTEGA JAIME
Published: December 2008

Using a large data set of Western European employees, I examine two sets of reasons behind employers’ decisions to give discretion: performance concerns (firms give discretion in order to improve performance) and family concerns (firms wish to improve the employees’ work–family balance). I find more support for the former than for the latter. Discretion is positively related to the use of “high‐performance” work practices and to employee position and ability, and is smaller in larger establishments, which suggests that loss of control matters to employers. Evidence about family concerns is less compelling. Female participation in the labor force has a positive effect on discretion over work schedules, but women have less discretion than men, and employees with small children do not have more discretion than other employees. Large and governmental organizations, which are expected to care more about work–family balance, do not offer more discretion over work schedules than other types of organizations.
Flexible Daily Work Schedules in U.S. Jobs: Formal Introductions Needed?
Authors: GOLDEN LONNIE
Published: December 2008

The incidence of flexible daily starting and ending times of work presumably reflects the various underlying motivations of employers to offer them either as a formal workplace program or on a more selective basis. Access to scheduling flexibility is greater for managerial and professional, long hours, private sector, salaried and nonunion jobs, and for parents and men. This advantage is gained primarily through means other than a formal flexi‐time plan. Implementation of more formal programs would likely promote more equity in access.
Job Disamenities, Job Satisfaction, Quit Intentions, and Actual Separations: Putting the Pieces Together
Authors: BÖCKERMAN PETRI , ILMAKUNNAS PEKKA
Published: December 2008

We analyze the role of adverse working conditions in the determination of employees’ quit behavior. Our data contain both detailed information on perceived job disamenities, job satisfaction, and quit intentions from a cross‐section survey, and information on employees’ actual job switches from longitudinal register data that can be linked to the survey. We show that job dissatisfaction that arises in adverse working conditions is related to job search and this in turn is related to actual job switches.
Family‐Friendly Practices and Worker Representation in Germany
Authors: HEYWOOD JOHN S. , JIRJAHN UWE
Published: December 2008

The determinants of three employer‐provided family‐friendly work practices are estimated for German establishments. The presence of a works council stands as a positive determinant of all three practices. When works councils exist in the presence of collective bargaining, their influence tends to reflect the demographics of the workplace. The role of the works council becomes larger when the share of women increases and the share of part‐timers decreases. We suggest this is consistent with the voice role of works councils.
The ECB Governing Council in an Enlarged Euro Area*
Authors: BÉNASSY‐QUÉRÉ AGNÈS , TURKISCH EDOUARD
Published: December 2008

We study the impact of rotating votes in the ECB Governing Council after EMU enlargement, based on national and euro‐wide Taylor rules and on a convergence assumption. We find that the rotation system yields monetary policy decisions that are close both to full centralization and to a voting rule without rotations.
Bringing Macroeconomics into the EU Budget Debate: Why and How?
Authors: DULLIEN SEBASTIAN , SCHWARZER DANIELA
Published: December 2008

The EMU has been designed without an instrument for automatic fiscal stabilization on the European level. This article highlights the seriousness of this lacuna by new empirical data, which suggest that fiscal stabilization at the national level has also worked insufficiently. This situation will hamper the EU's efforts to achieve the targets set by the Lisbon Agenda: recent theoretical contributions suggest that a positive macroeconomic environment is a prerequisite for productivity growth and structural reform which form the centrepiece of the Agenda. There are thus strong economic arguments for rethinking the set‐up for fiscal stabilization policies in the EMU. We suggest three remedies for the underperformance of the automatic stabilizers: making EU expenditure sensitive to the cyclical situation of the recipient country, introducing an EU corporate tax upon the upcoming revision of the EU budget before 2013 and/or setting up a European unemployment scheme.
All modes lead to home: assessing the state of the remittance art
Authors: YUJUICO EMMANUEL
Published: December 2008

The art of sending remittances overlaps with migration, technological innovation and marketing – three of globalization's driving forces. All things being equal, the role of innovation with regard to remittances is to reduce transaction costs in making these transfers. Yet, other aspects of the marketing mix come into play apart from the price of sending remittances such as product user‐friendliness, the location of senders and beneficiaries, and the promotion of these technologies. In this article, I assess the state of the remittance art in terms of meeting the needs of remittance senders and beneficiaries and future directions that this domain may take due to further diffusion of innovations. Remittance technologies represent a promising direction in which cutting edge technology is harnessed to focus on developing world concerns. By enlisting the talents of the world's foremost product and service designers, private sector initiatives such as these can play a role in helping ease poverty's penalties.
Transnational childrearing and the preservation of transnational identity in Brazzaville, Congo
Authors: WHITEHOUSE BRUCE
Published: December 2008

Drawing on ethnographic research conducted at two ends of an intra‐Africa migration flow (Mali and the Republic of Congo), in this article I examine the role of childrearing practices in the maintenance of transnationalism. I consider different approaches to transnational childrearing by migrant parents and their reasons for adopting them, and delineate three common modes. The most widespread and socially validated approach is to send children home from Congo to their parents’ places of origin, where child fostering is widespread, to be raised by relatives for long periods; this approach increases the durability of transnational ties. I use childrearing approaches as an analytical lens to demonstrate the complementarity of multiple forms of domestic organization, mobility and settlement in the inter‐generational production and transmission of durable transnational identities. By arguing for greater focus on phenomena such as transnational childrearing, I seek to promote a broader conceptualization of transnationalism.
Migration networks and policy impacts: insights from Romanian–Spanish migrations
Authors: ELRICK TIM , CIOBANU OANA
Published: December 2008

Migration networks are now generally recognized as a means of adapting to or circumventing states’ migration policies, but little research has been carried out on quite how they work. In this article, we analyse migrant networks between Romanian and Spain over the last 20 years. We contrast two villages to reveal how different reactions to policy changes depend on the level of development of migration networks. Among these policy changes are regularizations of irregular migrants in Spain, the visa‐free entry of Romanians into Schengen countries enacted in 2002, EU enlargements in 2004 and 2007, and a bilateral agreement on labour recruitment between Romania and Spain. We conclude that networks can help migrants circumvent restrictive policies, foster the effective take‐up of permissive policies or even impede them, depending on the development of the migration networks of the communities.
Nurses’ codes of ethics in practice and education: a review of the literature
Authors: Numminen Olivia , Van Der Arend Arie , Leino‐Kilpi Helena
Published: December 2008

The purpose of this review was to provide an overview of the empirical literature on nurses’ codes of ethics in practice and education covering the time from 1980 to August 2007. The focus was on methodological issues, main domains of interest and findings of the studies. The aim of the review was to identify knowledge gaps and to provide recommendations for further research. Research on the codes of ethics in nursing is scarce. The main domains of interest were education, nurses’ knowledge and use of the codes, the content and functions of the codes, and moral behaviour and values related to the codes. Education of the codes was important, and it had a positive impact on students’ moral behaviour measured by an instrument based on the codes. Nurses’ knowledge and use of the codes was deficient. Nurses’ practice was guided by environmental contexts and personal experiences rather than the codes. However, nurses’ values espoused those of the codes. The nurse–patient relationship was the best known aspect of the codes. Methodological diversity, a small number of studies focusing on several domains of interest warrants care in the interpretation of the findings. Further research should focus particularly on the education of the codes, covering the realization of the teaching process, evaluation of outcomes and organization of education. Cooperation between theoretical education and clinical practice should be explored. Research of the meaning of the codes and their functions for nurses, nurses’ moral behaviour and professional values is needed. Research should cover all levels and areas of nursing and reach beyond the nurse–patient relationship to relationships with colleagues, other health professions, organizations and the society. The use of more varied methodological approaches is suggested.
Conservation biogeography of ecologically interacting species: the case of the Iberian lynx and the European rabbit
Authors: Real Raimundo , Barbosa A. Márcia , Rodríguez Alejandro , García Francisco J. , Vargas J. Mario , Palomo L. Javier , Delibes Miguel
Published: December 2008

Aim  To relate the recent Iberian lynx decline to changes in the distribution of the European rabbit after the haemorrhagic disease outbreak of 1989. As Iberian rabbits evolved in two geographically separated lineages, being the recent lynx range practically restricted to the southwestern lineage, we also test if differential range dynamics exists for these lineages, with the consequent implications for lynx conservation and reintroduction planning.

Location  The Iberian Peninsula.

Methods  We modelled environmental favourability for the lynx based on its distribution before 1989, and for the rabbit using distribution data collected primarily after 1989, and validated them using independent abundance data. We compared both models and combined them in a lynx occurrence forecast. We correlated the prevalence of southwestern rabbit lineage with the environmental favourability for the rabbit.

Results  The environmental lynx model correlated with past lynx abundance data, but did not reflect its recent strong range contraction. The rabbit model correlated with recent rabbit abundance, but was negatively correlated with the environmental model for the lynx. The combination of both models forecasted lynx occurrence in a few separated nuclei, which encompass all recent lynx records. The prevalence of rabbit's southwestern lineage correlated negatively with favourability for the rabbit.

Main conclusions  The region to which the lynx became confined before 1989 is currently less favourable for rabbits, whereas more favourable areas remain outside lynx reach. This differential favourability correlates with rabbit phylogeographical structure, suggesting that the southwestern lineage is facing more unfavourable conditions or is less resilient to recent diseases. The loss of concordance between lynx distribution and the whole rabbit phylogeographical structure has prevented lynx persistence in northeastern rabbit lineage areas, which should be considered in lynx reintroduction planning. Similar conservation problems could affect other ecologically interacting species whose distributions’ overlapping has sharply diminished.
Beta diversity and taxonomic sufficiency: Do higher‐level taxa reflect heterogeneity in species composition?
Authors: Terlizzi Antonio , Anderson Marti J. , Bevilacqua Stanislao , Fraschetti Simonetta , Włodarska‐Kowalczuk Maria , Ellingsen Kari E.
Published: December 2008

Aim  Virtually all studies exploring the use of taxonomic surrogates in assessing patterns of diversity have focused on clear shifts in the location of samples in multivariate space. The potential use of coarser levels of taxonomic resolution to detect patterns of variability in multivariate space, corresponding to β‐diversity in the case of presence/absence data, remains unexplored. Here we considered five ecological data sets of highly diverse marine molluscan assemblages to test the hypothesis that patterns in compositional heterogeneity would be maintained at coarser levels of taxonomic resolution.

Location  Italy, Norway, New Zealand and the Arctic.

Methods  We used multivariate dispersion based on the Jaccard resemblance measure of presence/absence data as a measure of β‐diversity to test the null hypothesis that patterns of heterogeneity in species composition for molluscs would be maintained at coarser levels of taxonomic resolution. Tests to compare β‐diversities among groups (based on distances to centroids and using 9999 permutations) were carried out separately for each of five data sets at the species level and then for each of genus, family, order and class levels.

Results  Differences in multivariate dispersion at the species level (heterogeneity in the identities of species) were maintained for genera and for families, but not at coarser levels of taxonomic resolution (order or class). These results were consistent across all data sets, despite differences in their spatial scale and extent, geographical location, environmental and habitat features (benthic soft sediments, rocky reefs or kelp holdfasts).

Main conclusions  These results suggest that either genera or families may be used as effective taxonomic surrogates to detect spatial differences in β‐diversity for molluscs. The use of surrogates can provide considerable sampling efficiencies for biodiversity assessments. We consider, however, that a degree of caution and more work is needed, as heterogeneity at the species level may not be reflected by taxonomic surrogates at smaller spatial scales.
Variability and reproducibility of hepatic FDG uptake measured as SUV as well as tissue‐to‐blood background ratio using positron emission tomography in healthy humans
Authors: Kanstrup Inge‐Lis , Klausen Thomas Levin , Bojsen‐Møller Jens , Magnusson Peter , Zerahn Bo
Published: December 2008

Introduction:  To investigate variability and reproducibility of hepatic [18F]‐2‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose (FDG) uptake in healthy individuals.

Methods:  Static images were obtained 70 min after the injection of 160 MBq FDG in six healthy subjects at two occasions with 13 days’ interval. FDG uptake was adjusted for tissue‐to‐blood background ratio (T/B), or measured as standardized uptake value (SUV). Small regions of interest (ROIs) of 10 cm3 in two different hepatic regions were analysed as well as the total liver.

Results:  Mean SUV was 1·16 ± 0·15 and mean T/B corrected values was 1·87 ± 0·17. The maximal values were 2·70 (SUV) and 4·67 (T/B). Reproducibility was 6·7% for the mean SUV and 0·2% for the max SUV values. The corresponding figures for the T/B corrected mean values were 6·4% and for the max T/B values 13·0%. In general, the small ROIs had a comparable or even lower CV% for SUV values, but a higher CV% for T/B corrected values.

Conclusions:  In normal subjects hepatic FDG‐uptake is high and homogeneous with a low CV% between days. T/B corrected values are largely comparable to SUV values but not superior, probably due to the standardization of procedures and homogeneity of the subjects. The T/B corrected method is theoretically superior in a more inhomogeneous population or when using different scanners and is shown here to be easy to apply. Small ROIs of 10 cm3 are representative with respect to mean FDG uptake in the total liver and reproducibility, but do not identify the max FDG uptake.
Reducing Risk Through Real Options in Systems Design: The Case of Architecting a Maritime Domain Protection System
Authors: Buurman Joost , Zhang Stephen , Babovic Vladan
Published: December 2008

Complex engineering systems are usually designed to last for many years. Such systems will face many uncertainties in the future. Hence the design and deployment of these systems should not be based on a single scenario, but should incorporate flexibility. Flexibility can be incorporated in system architectures in the form of options that can be exercised in the future when new information is available. Incorporating flexibility comes, however, at a cost. To evaluate if this cost is worth the investment a real options analysis can be carried out. This approach is demonstrated through analysis of a case study of a previously developed static system‐of‐systems for maritime domain protection in the Straits of Malacca. This article presents a framework for dynamic strategic planning of engineering systems using real options analysis and demonstrates that flexibility adds considerable value over a static design. In addition to this it is shown that Monte Carlo analysis and genetic algorithms can be successfully combined to find solutions in a case with a very large number of possible futures and system designs.
Characterizing the Risk of Infection from Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Commercial Passenger Aircraft Using Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment
Authors: Jones Rachael M. , Masago Yoshifumi , Bartrand Timothy , Haas Charles N. , Nicas Mark , Rose Joan B.
Published: December 2008

Quantitative microbial risk assessment was used to predict the likelihood and spatial organization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) transmission in a commercial aircraft. Passenger exposure was predicted via a multizone Markov model in four scenarios: seated or moving infectious passengers and with or without filtration of recirculated cabin air. The traditional exponential (k = 1) and a new exponential (k = 0.0218) dose‐response function were used to compute infection risk. Emission variability was included by Monte Carlo simulation. Infection risks were higher nearer and aft of the source; steady state airborne concentration levels were not attained. Expected incidence was low to moderate, with the central 95% ranging from 10−6 to 10−1 per 169 passengers in the four scenarios. Emission rates used were low compared to measurements from active TB patients in wards, thus a “superspreader” emitting 44 quanta/h could produce 6.2 cases or more under these scenarios. Use of respiratory protection by the infectious source and/or susceptible passengers reduced infection incidence up to one order of magnitude.
The Politics of Citizenship and Difference in Sri Lankan Schools
Authors: Sørensen Birgitte Refslund
Published: December 2008

This article explores the formation of citizenship in Tamil‐medium minority schools in Sri Lanka. It is argued that although the new curriculum aims to construct an inclusive notion of national citizenship, the influence of politics on education in reality creates dominant experiences of discrimination and marginalization. I argue, however, that in the more resourceful communities, social networks are effectively put to work to generate an alternative authoritative notion of peripheral citizenship. [citizenship, minorities, education, Sri Lanka]
Mango Fufu Kimchi Yucca: The Depoliticization of “Diversity” in Washington, D.C. Discourse
Authors: MODAN GABRIELLA
Published: December 2008

The rise of the commodified city has encouraged new attention to the symbolic systems that structure our understandings of difference and inequality in urban areas. This paper analyzes one of those systems, namely discourse. I examine how the term diversity has developed multiple meanings over the past 10 years in Mt. Pleasant, a gentrifying neighborhood in Washington, DC, and I trace these developments and their connections with changes in the local economy, politics, and demographics. In the mid‐1990s, diversity indexed community discourses about social justice and equal opportunity. Later, diversity began to signify a commodified resource. As real estate prices drastically rose, the term's meaning became associated with the “lifestylization” of urban space: Diversity has come to reference stimulating cultural experience, and is used to promote commercial investment in the neighborhood and sell upmarket real estate. Analyzing such shifts in discourse illuminates the micro‐mechanics of how local visions of multicultural urban spaces can lose their focus on justice and equality.
The Structuring of Feeling in Ghanaian Transnational Families
Authors: COE CATI
Published: December 2008

Studies exploring the emotional experiences of members of transnational families have often highlighted the emotional suffering of mothers and children separated from one another as a result of transnational migration. Taking Ghana as a case example, this paper complicates this picture by showing how parents and children in Ghanaian transnational families have different emotional responses to their separation, in which the parents express less suffering over the situation than their children. Their different discourses about the goals for parent‐child relationships and their sense of agency in achieving these goals affect their expression of emotions. This paper argues that we need to pay attention to the ideologies and sense of agency of social actors in different social positions in order to understand the ways that transnational migration structures feelings.
Schizophrenia and physical health problems
Authors: Von Hausswolff‐Juhlin Y. , Bjartveit M. , Lindström E. , Jones P.
Published: December 2008

Objective:  To estimate the prevalence of physical health problems in patients with schizophrenia, and to appraise the impact on mortality rates and quality of life (QoL) in such patients.

Method:  A selective review of clinical articles relating to physical health such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and QoL. In addition, current guidelines and recommendations for the monitoring of physical health in schizophrenia were reviewed.

Results:  Cardiovascular events contribute most strongly to the excess mortality observed in schizophrenia. Other factors that contribute significantly include obesity, metabolic aberrations, smoking, alcohol, lack of exercise and poor diet – all of which might be targets for health promoting activities.

Conclusion:  Physical health problems in patients with schizophrenia are common, and contribute to the excess mortality rate, as well as decreasing QoL. Many adverse physical factors are malleable in such patients, and physical benefit may be gained by following practical guidelines for their monitoring and improvement.
Are culture‐expanded autogenous bone cells a clinically reliable option for sinus grafting?
Authors: Fuerst Gabor , Strbac Georg D. , Vasak Christoph , Tangl Stefan , Leber Johanna , Gahleitner Andre , Gruber Reinhard , Watzek Georg
Published: December 2008

Objectives: This prospective clinical study was designed to examine the healing process during the first 12 months after sinus grafting (SG) with autogenous culture‐expanded bone cells (ABC) and bovine bone mineral (BBM) histomorphometrically and radiologically.

Material and methods: Twenty‐two sinuses of 12 patients (mean age 56.2±9.3 years) were grafted. Four weeks before, SG bone biopsies were obtained with a trephine burr and the bone cells were isolated and expanded. Every sinus was grafted with BBM and ABC. After 6 months, a biopsy was taken from each sinus and implants (n=82) were placed. These were uncovered after another 6 months and fitted with dentures. The percent newly formed bone (NB) and the NB‐to‐BBM contact area were determined on undecalcified histologic sections. The sinus graft volume was evaluated by dental CT after SG (CT 1), after implant placement (CT 2) and after implant uncovery (CT 3).

Results: Postoperative healing was uneventful. The NB was 17.9±4.6% and the contact area 26.8±13.1%. The graft volume (in mm3) was 2218.4±660.9 at the time of CT 1, 1694±470.4 at the time of CT 2 and 1347.9±376.3 at the time of CT 3 (P<.01). Three implants were lost after uncovery. Reimplantation and prosthodontic rehabilitation were successful throughout.

Conclusions: These results suggest that SG with ABC and BBM in a clinical setting provides a bony implant site which permits implant placement and will tolerate functional loading.
Effects of Simvastatin on bone healing around titanium implants in osteoporotic rats
Authors: Du Zhibin , Chen Jiang , Yan Fuhua , Xiao Yin
Published: December 2008

Objectives: Osteoporosis is known to impair the process of implant osseointegration. The recent discovery that statins (HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors) act as bone anabolic agents suggests that statins can be used as potential agents in the treatment of osteoporosis. Therefore, we hypothesized that statins will promote osteogenesis around titanium implants in subjects with osteoporosis.

Material and methods: Fifty‐four female Sprague Dawley rats, aged 3 months old, were randomly divided into three groups: Sham‐operated group (SHAM; n=18), ovariectomized group (OVX; n=18), and ovariectomized with Simvastatin treatment group (OVX+SIM; n=18). Fifty‐six days after being ovariectomized (OVX), screw‐shaped titanium implants were inserted into the tibiae. Simvastatin was administered orally at 5 mg/kg each day after the placement of the implant in the OVX+SIM group. The animals were sacrificed at either 28 or 84 days after implantation and the undecalcified tissue sections were obtained. Bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) and bone area (BA) within the limits of implant threads were measured around the cortical (zone A) and cancellous (zone B) bone regions. Furthermore, bone density (BD) of zone B in a 500 μm wide zone lateral to the implants was also measured.

Results: There were no significant differences in BIC and BA measurements in zone A in any of the three groups at either 28 or 84 days after implantation (P>0.05). By contrast, in zone B, significant differences in the measurement of BIC, BA, and BD were observed at 28 and 84 days between all three groups. Bone healing decreased with lower BIC, BA, and BD around implant in OVX group compared with other two groups, and Simvastatin reversed the negative effect of OVX on bone healing around implants with the improvement of BIC, BA, and BD in zone B.

Conclusion: Osteoporosis can significantly influence bone healing in the cancellous bone around titanium implants and Simvastatin was shown to significantly improve the osseointegration of pure titanium implants in osteoporotic rats.
COMT Val158Met and cognition: main effects and interaction with educational attainment
Authors: Enoch M.‐A. , Waheed J. F. , Harris C. R. , Albaugh B. , Goldman D.
Published: December 2008

Studies in children have shown that the genetic influence on cognition is positively correlated with socioeconomic status. Catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met, a common, functional polymorphism, has been implicated in executive cognition and working memory. Imaging studies have shown that the variant Met allele is associated with more efficient prefrontal cortical processing and better attention but also emotional vulnerability to stress. We hypothesized that COMT Val158Met genotype would interact with years of education (yrs ed), one indicator of socioeconomic adversity, to predict cognitive task performance. We therefore administered the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale‐Revised (WAIS‐R) to 328 community‐derived, genotyped, Plains American Indians (mean yrs ed = 12; range = 5–18). We found significant genotypic effects on WAIS‐R measures of long‐term memory, working memory and attention. The Met allele was associated with improved performance in the Information and Picture Completion subscales; Met/Met homozygotes performed the best. COMT genotype interacted with yrs ed to influence Information and Block Design scores: Met allele carriers’ scores improved markedly with increasing yrs ed, whereas the scores of Val/Val individuals were only marginally influenced by yrs ed. There was a crossover of effects at 11–12 yrs ed: in the less educated group, Met allele carriers actually performed worse than Val/Val individuals perhaps because of emotional vulnerability to educational adversity, but in the better educated group, Met allele carriers excelled. Our study in Plains American Indians has shown that COMT Val158Met influences several aspects of cognition and some of its effects are moderated by educational adversity.
Validating the waist‐height ratio and developing centiles for use amongst children and adolescents
Authors: Nambiar Smita , Truby Helen , Abbott Rebecca A , Davies Peter S.W.
Published: December 2008

Aim: To assess the statistical validity of the waist‐height ratio (WHtR) as an appropriate method of adjusting waist circumference (WC) for height in children and adolescents.

Introduction: Recently, WHtR has been proposed to be of greater value than body mass index (BMI), in predicting obesity‐related cardiovascular co‐morbidities in children. This index, however, is yet to be extensively validated within the paediatric population.

Methods: Height and WC in centimetres, were measured in 3597 children from grades 1 (5–7 years), 5 (9–11 years) and 10 (15–17 years). Log regression analyses using WC and height were performed to determine appropriate powers (p) to raise height, to completely adjust the index for height, by sex and grade. Correlations between WHtR and height were assessed.

Results: Statistically, the WHtR is only valid for use among grade 1 boys and girls (p = 1.09 [95%CI 0.95–1.23] and p = 1.07 [95%CI 0.92–1.22], respectively) and grade 10 girls p = 0.85 (95%CI 0.62–1.08). However, the error (0.25%–1.85%), associated with the use of this index, in all ages and both sexes is clinically and biologically acceptable.

Conclusion: The WHtR is a clinically and biologically valid index to use among Australian children and adolescents.
THE FRAIL AGED LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEIR CARERS: A SURVEY OF CHINESE, GREEK AND ANGLO AUSTRALIANS
Authors: Legge V. , Westbrook M. T.
Published: December 2008

A survey was conducted of Greek (N = 27), Chinese (N = 21) and Anglo Australian (N = 26) carers of frail aged people living in the community. The health and dependency status of the aged groups were similar as were many of the experiences of the carers, e.g. stress experienced, appreciation of community services used. Anglo Australian carers were less likely to reside with the aged and seemed more attuned to eventual nursing home placement. Greek carers used fewer services, were least likely to have considered placement and emphasised their duty to care. Chinese carers were those most likely to use services and appreciate their potential for maintaining the aged in the community.

Mary Westbrook is Associate Professor in Psychology and Dr Varoe Legge is Senior Lecturer in Sociology in the Department of Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney. In this capacity they are involved in the education of practitioners in ten health professions. They are currently researching attitudes toward physical disability and rehabilitation in six Australian communities.
Psychosocial Factors for Successful Ageing
Authors: Yoon G.
Published: December 2008

This paper aims to present the major psychological factors for successful ageing and mental health in old age. In particular, ways of maintaining and enhancing high quality of life in late adulthood are discussed. The major factors are: (1) physical health; (2) personal income and financial stability; (3) family dynamics and cohesiveness; (4) social support networks; (5) meaning of life ‐ goal setting and subjective evaluation; (6) maintenance of optimal level of cognitive functioning; (7) personal control and prevention of depression; (8) diversity of stress‐coping strategies; (9) mastery of bereavement and widowhood; (10) self‐justification mechanism of negative life outcomes. In order to check generality andlor universality across various cultures, the cross‐cultural approach was adopted.
Rehabilitation in the Community: the Role of Day Hospitals and Day Therapy Centres in Victoria
Authors: Butler A. , Russell H.
Published: December 2008

This paper reports on a 1994 survey of day hospitals and day therapy centres in Victoria. It examines the relative availability of these types of facilities in different Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) regions; attendance patterns and staffing; client characteristics and outcomes; and operational issues. Particular attention is paid to the differences found in the survey between metropolitan day hospitals, regional day hospitals and day therapy centres in relation to size, client profile, length of stay and mode of operation.

Alex Butler and Heather Russell are research fellows at the Aged Care Research Group, Lincoln Gerontology Centre, La Trobe University The Aged Care Research Group is the Evaluation Unit for the Aged Care Assessment Team program in Victoria.
Membrane compartments and purinergic signalling: occurrence and function of P2X receptors in lung
Authors: Barth Kathrin , Kasper Michael
Published: December 2008

P2X receptors are cation‐selective ion channels activated by extracellular ATP. They form homo‐ and heterotrimeric complexes that differ in their functional properties and subcellular localization. These membrane ion channels are also expressed in pulmonary epithelial cells. Recent work indicates that alveolar epithelial type I cells selectively express P2X4and P2X7receptor subtypes in addition to a large number of other ion channels present in the alveolar epithelium. Up‐ or downregulation of their expression is associated with several disease states. This minireview analyses the role of P2X receptors and of extracellular ATP and adenosine in lung disease, the relationship of P2X receptors to other ion channels in the alveolar epithelium and their distribution in lipid rafts/caveolae.
The Ontogenetic Expression Pattern of Type 5 Phosphodiesterase Correlates with Androgen Receptor Expression in Rat Corpora Cavernosa
Authors: Carosa Eleonora , Rossi Simona , Giansante Nadia , Gravina Giovanni Luca , Castri Alessandra , Dolci Susanna , Botti Flavia , Morelli Annamaria , Di Luigi Luigi , Pepe Mario , Lenzi Andrea , Jannini Emmanuele A.
Published: December 2008

Introduction

The mechanisms controlling erection in animals and in humans are mainly age-dependent. However, the ontogenesis of the biochemical machinery of erection is largely unknown.

Aim

The aim of this article was to study the expression pattern of androgen receptor (AR) and the major cyclic guanosine monophosphate-hydrolyzing enzyme present in the corpora cavernosa, type 5 phosphodiesterase (PDE5), in the rat penis during development.

Methods

AR and PDE5 expression was tested on ribonucleic acids (RNAs) and proteins extracted from the whole penis or from primary cultures of smooth muscle cells obtained from the corpora cavernosa of 3- (rCC3), 20- (rCC20), and 60- (rCC60) day-old rats. Rat corpus cavernosum cells were characterized by immunocytochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Main Outcome Measures

Expression of PDE5 and AR messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein have been measured by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.

Results

A significant increase in PDE5 mRNA expression was observed with RT-PCR from prepuberty to adulthood (0.5 ± 0.06 vs. 1.6 ± 0.046 arbitrary units [a.u.]P = 0.049). This age-dependent increase was mirrored by the increase in PDE5 protein expression found when comparing neonatal to adult corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (1.5 ± 0.26 vs. 4.9 ± 0.59 a.u. P = 0.0038) and the further 1.6-fold increase from rCC20 to rCC60 (4.9 ± 0.59 vs. 8.0 ± 0.8 a.u. P = 0.0024). This is the first demonstration of the ontogenetic profile of PDE5 expression in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. As it has been demonstrated that androgens control PDE5 expression and that PDE5 inhibitors need an optimal androgenic milieu to act perfectly on erection, the expression of AR protein in rat corpus cavernosum cells was then tested by Western blot. A 7.0-fold increase was observed in primary cultured cells from 3 to 60 days old (1.4 ± 0.38 vs. 9.8 ± 1.3 a.u. P = 0.0052).

Conclusion

The increase in ARs during rat penile development parallels that of PDE5 RNA and protein, thus suggesting a positive effect of androgens on PDE5 expression.
Termite (Insecta: Isoptera) Species Composition in a Primary Rain Forest and Agroforests in Central Amazonia
Authors: Ackerman Ilse L. , Constantino Reginaldo , Gauch, Jr Hugh G. , Lehmann Johannes , Riha Susan J. , Fernandes Erick C. M.
Published: December 2008

Termites play important roles in organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, and soil structure in tropical rain forests. When forests are replaced by agriculture, termite species richness, abundance, and function often decline. We compared the termite assemblage of a primary forest site with that of a low plant diversity, palm‐based agroforest (five plant species) and a high plant diversity, home‐garden agroforest (10 plant species) using a rapid biodiversity assessment protocol. In comparing the primary forest termite species composition to previously published studies, we found soil feeders and the Apicotermitinae to be more dominant than previously reported in Amazonia. Thirty percent of the species belonged to the Apicotermitinae, and an unusually high percentage (57%) of species were soil feeders. Unexpectedly, the palm‐based agroforest, despite its lower plant diversity, was closer to primary forest in termite species composition, rate of species accumulation, and proportions of species in taxonomic and functional classes than was the home‐garden agroforest. This suggests that particular plant attributes may better determine the termite assemblage than plant diversity alone in these agroecosystems. Unlike other agroecosystems reported in the literature, Apicotermitinae and soil feeders were proportionally more abundant in these agroforests than in primary forest. The ability of agroforests to support populations of soil feeders has a potentially positive effect on soil fertility in these agroecosystems; insomuch as feeding guild is a proxy for function, these closed‐canopy agroforests may be able to sustain the same termite‐mediated functions as primary forest.