bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN, NITROGEN AND ARGON PELLETS WITH THE MOSCOW-JÜLICH PELLET TARGET
Authors: BÜSCHER M. , BOUKHAROV A. , SEMENOV A. , GERASIMOV A. , CHERNETSKY V. , FEDORETS P.
Published: April 2009

Targets of frozen droplets ("pellets") from various liquefiable gases like H 2, D 2, N 2, Ne , Ar , Kr and Xe are very promising for high luminosity experiments with a 4π detector geometry at storage-rings. High effective target densities (> 1015 atoms / cm 2), a small target size (⊘ ≈ 20–30 μ m ), a low gas load and a narrow pellet beam are the main advantages of such targets.

Pioneering work on pellet targets has been made at Uppsala, Sweden.1 A next generation target has been built at the IKP of FZJ in collaboration with two institutes (ITEP and MPEI) from Moscow, Russia. It is a prototype for the future pellet target at the PANDA experiment at FAIR/HESR (supported by INTAS 06-1000012-8787, 2007/08) and makes use of a new cooling and liquefaction method, based on cryogenic liquids instead of cooling machines.2 The main advantages of this method are the vibration-free cooling and the possibility for cryogenic jet production from various gases in a wide range of temperatures. Different regimes of pellet production from H 2, N 2 and Ar have been observed and their parameters have been measured.3 For the first time, mono-disperse and satellite-free droplet production was achieved for cryogenic liquids from H 2, N 2 and Ar .
THE POLARIZED INTERNAL GAS TARGET OF ANKE AT COSY
Authors: GRIGORYEV K. , MIKIRTYTCHIANTS M. , VASILYEV A. , ENGELS R. , KACHARAVA A. , LORENTZ B. , PRASUHN D. , RATHMANN F. , SARKADI J. , SEYFARTH H. , STRÖHER H. , KLEHR F. , CHILADZE D. , SCHIECK H. PAETZ GEN. , STEFFENS E.
Published: April 2009

A first storage cell for the Polarized Internal gas Target (PIT) of the ANKE facility at COSY was produced from a Teflon-coated pure Aluminum foil and successfully used in the double polarized experiment with a 1.2 GeV polarized deuteron beam carried out at the COSY accelerator in January 2007. Prior to this experiment, the minimum possible cross section of the storage-cell beam tube at the interaction point at ANKE was determined, based on the COSY beam profile at different beam formation stages. Electron cooling combined with stacking and stochastic cooling have been studied as well. Experiments with N2 gas in the storage cell to simulate the background produced by beam interaction with the aluminum cell walls were performed. The analysis of the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] reactions showed that events from the extended target can be clearly identified in the ANKE detector system. Taking into account the known intensity of the Atomic Beam Source (ABS), the expected target density in the experiment with a storage-cell beam tube of 15hor × 20vert × 390long mm3 and a 130 mm long feeding tube with 15 mm diameter reach values of 3.2 × 1013 at/cm2. The polarization, measured by the np → dπ0 reaction with the storage-cell, was 0.75 ± 0.06.
PREPARATION AND MANIPULATION OF W-CLASS ENTANGLED STATES: APPLICATIONS TO QUANTUM-INFORMATION PROCESSING
Authors: WANG XIN-WEN
Published: April 2009

We propose a cavity-quantum-electrodynamics scheme for one-step generation of the special configuration of W-class state [Formula: see text] which can implement deterministic teleportation, superdense coding, quantum-information splitting, and phase-covariant telecloning. We also present a method for one-step realization of a nontrivial unitary transformation [Formula: see text] which can transform a standard W state into a fully separable state. The [Formula: see text] operation plays a key role in recently proposed quantum-information processing tasks. Both the schemes are robust against decoherence. In addition, they can endure the error of controlling the interaction time between atoms and cavity. Our ideas can also be generalized to other systems.
TELEPORTATION OF THE MULTIPARTITE ENTANGLED STATES IN CONTINUOUS VARIABLE
Authors: QIAO MIAN , SUN YONG , XIA YUN JIE
Published: April 2009

We propose a quantum teleportation scheme for tripartite entangled coherent state (ECS) in continuous variable by adopting disentanglement method. Our scheme is feasible and economical in the sense that we only need linear optical devices such as beam splitters, phase shifters and photo detectors and employ bipartite maximally ECS as quantum channel. We also generalize the tripartite scheme into multipartite case and calculate the minimum average fidelity for the schemes in tripartite and multipartite cases.
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT DZYALOSHINSKII–MORIYA INTERACTIONS ON ENTANGLEMENT IN THE HEISENBERG XYZ CHAIN
Authors: LI DA-CHUANG , CAO ZHUO-LIANG
Published: April 2009

In this paper, we study the thermal entanglement in a two-qubit Heisenberg XYZ system with different Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya (DM) couplings. We show that different DM coupling parameters have different influences on the entanglement and the critical temperature. In addition, we find that when Ji (i-component spin coupling interaction) is the largest spin coupling coefficient, Di (i-component DM interaction) is the most efficient DM control parameter, which can be obtained by adjusting the direction of DM interaction.
HELICITY ENTANGLEMENT OF MOVING BODIES
Authors: ZHANG HONGBAO , SHAO SHUXIN , HE SONG
Published: April 2009

We investigate the Lorentz transformation of the reduced helicity density matrix for a pair of massive spin 1/2 particles. The corresponding Wootters concurrence shows no invariant meaning, which implies that we can generate helicity entanglement simply by the transformation from one reference frame to another. The difference between the helicity and spin case is also discussed.
QDs-CAVITY APPROACH TO TELEPORTATION OF MULTIPARTITE GHZ-LIKE ENTANGLED STATE
Authors: HU KE-XIANG , JIN BAI-QI
Published: April 2009

We study the teleportation of the entangled state in quantum dots system coupled by a single-mode cavity field. By the use of the single-photon detection, spin measurement and Faraday rotation in QDs-cavity system, we perform a teleportation of tripartite GHZ-Like state encoded in the electron spins of a three-quantum-dot system. The success probability of the scheme can reach unity if the cavities are switchable to choice the appropriate Faraday rotation angle. The scheme of the teleportation can be easily generalized to an N-quantum-dot system.
MAX-RELATIVE ENTROPY OF ENTANGLEMENT, ALIAS LOG ROBUSTNESS
Authors: DATTA NILANJANA
Published: April 2009

Properties of the max-relative entropy of entanglement, defined in Ref. 10, are investigated, and its significance as an upper bound to the one-shot rate for perfect entanglement dilution, under a particular class of quantum operations, is discussed. It is shown that it is in fact equal to another known entanglement monotone, namely the log robustness, defined in Ref. 7. It is known that the latter is not asymptotically continuous and it is not known whether it is weakly additive. However, by suitably modifying the max-relative entropy of entanglement we obtain a quantity which is seen to satisfy both these properties. In fact, the modified quantity is shown to be equal to the regularized relative entropy of entanglement.
DOUBLING THE CAPACITY OF QUANTUM KEY DISTRIBUTION BY USING BOTH POLARIZATION AND DIFFERENTIAL PHASE SHIFT
Authors: WANG WAN-YING , WANG CHUAN , LONG GUI-LU
Published: April 2009

Using differential phase shift and photon polarization, we propose two quantum key distribution schemes, i.e. a double-coding BB84 protocol and a double-coding BBM92 protocol. The information capacity of these protocols is twice of the original protocols and their security is ensured by the use of detection time slots, random choice of bases and quantum entanglement. These double-coding protocols are feasible with present technology.
Involvement of SIK2/TORC2 signaling cascade in the regulation of insulin-induced PGC-1α and UCP-1 gene expression in brown adipocytes
Authors: Muraoka Masaaki , Fukushima Aiko , Viengchareun Say , Lombès Marc , Kishi Fukuko , Miyauchi Akira , Kanematsu Mariko , Doi Junko , Kajimura Junko , Nakai Ryo , Uebi Tatsuya , Okamoto Mitsuhiro , Takemori Hiroshi
Published: April 2009

Salt-inducible kinase 2 (SIK2) is expressed abundantly in adipose tissues and represses cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB)-mediated gene expression by phosphorylating the coactivator transducer of regulated CREB activity (TORC2). Phosphorylation at Ser587 of SIK2 diminishes its TORC2 phosphorylation activity. In 3T3-L1 white adipocytes, SIK2 downregulates lipogenic gene in response to nutritional stresses. To investigate the impact of SIK2 on the function of brown adipose tissue (BAT), we used T37i brown adipocytes, mice with diet-induced obesity, and SIK2 mutant (S587A) transgenic mice. When T37i adipocytes were treated with insulin, the levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-coactivator-1α ( PGC-1α) and uncoupling protein-1 ( UCP-1) mRNA were increased, and the induction was inhibited by overexpression of SIK2 (S587A) mutant or dominant-negative CREB. Insulin enhanced SIK2 phosphorylation at Ser587, which was accompanied by decrease in phospho-TORC2. Similarly, the decrease in the level of SIK2 phosphorylation at Ser587 was observed in the BAT of mice with diet-induced obesity, which was negatively correlated with TORC2 phosphorylation. To confirm the negative correlation between SIK2 phosphorylation at Ser587 and TORC2 phosphorylation in BAT, SIK2 mutant (S587A) was overexpressed in adipose tissues by using the adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein 2 promoter. The expression of recombinant SIK2 (S587A) was restricted to BAT, and the levels of phospho-TORC2 were elevated in BAT of transgenic mice. Male transgenic mice developed high-fat diet-induced obesity, and their BAT expressed low levels of PGC-1α and UCP-1 mRNA, suggesting that SIK2-TORC2 cascade may be important for the regulation of PGC-1α and UCP-1 gene expression in insulin signaling in BAT.
Algebraic Polynomials with Random Coefficients with Binomial and Geometric Progressions
Authors: Farahmand K. , Sambandham M.
Published: April 2009

The expected number of real zeros of an algebraic polynomial
ao + a1x + a2x2 + ⋯+anxn with random coefficient
aj, j = 0, 1, 2, …, n is known. The distribution of the
coefficients is often assumed to be identical albeit allowed to
have different classes of distributions. For the nonidentical case,
there has been much interest where the variance of the jth coefficient
is . It is shown that this class
of polynomials has significantly more zeros than the classical
algebraic polynomials with identical coefficients. However,
in the case of nonidentically distributed coefficients it is
analytically necessary to assume that the means
of coefficients are zero. In this work we
study a case when the moments of the coefficients have both
binomial and geometric progression elements. That is we assume and . We show how the above expected number of real zeros is
dependent on values of σ2 and μ in various cases.
Survival in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumours: A Comparison between Sporadic and Neurofibromatosis Type 1-Associated Tumours
Authors: Porter D. E. , Prasad V. , Foster L. , Dall G. F. , Birch R. , Grimer R. J.
Published: April 2009

We studied 123 patients with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNSTs) between 1979 and 2002. However, 90 occurred sporadically whereas 33 were associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and we used Cox's proportional hazards model to identify independent prognostic factors. A 5-year survival for 110 nonmetastatic patients was 54%; (33% NF1 and 63% sporadic ). Tumour stage and site were significant prognostic indicators after univariate analysis. After multivariate analysis, however, only NF1 () and tumour volume more than 200 m () remained independent predictors of poor outcome. We recommend that NF1 be taken into account during MPNST staging. As the survival rate in the NF group was dependant on tumour volume, routine screening of these patients with FDG PET and/or MRI may be warranted, thereby staging and controlling them at the earliest possible opportunity.
Solution of the Porous Media Equation by a Compact Finite Difference Method
Authors: Sari Murat
Published: April 2009

Accurate solutions of the porous media equation that usually occurs in nonlinear problems of heat and mass transfer and in biological systems are obtained using a compact finite difference method in space and a low‐storage total variation diminishing third‐order Runge‐Kutta scheme in time. In the calculation of the numerical derivatives, only a tridiagonal band matrix algorithm is encountered. Therefore, this scheme causes to less accumulation of numerical errors and less use of storage space. The computed results obtained by this way have been compared with the exact solutions to show the accuracy of the method. The approximate solutions to the equation have been computed without transforming the equation and without using linearization. Comparisons indicate that there is a very good agreement between the numerical solutions and the exact solutions in terms of accuracy. This method is seen to be a very good alternative method to some existing techniques for such realistic problems.
Bouveret's Syndrome: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Doycheva Iliana , Limaye Alpna , Suman Amitabh , Forsmark Christopher E. , Sultan Shahnaz
Published: April 2009

Bouveret's syndrome is defined as gastric outlet obstruction caused by duodenal impaction of a large gallstone which passes into the duodenal bulb through a cholecystogastric or cholecystoduodenal fistula. Initial attempts at endoscopic retrieval with or without mechanical or extracorporeal lithotripsy should be performed as first-line treatment, though success rates with endoscopic treatment are variable. We describe a case of Bouveret's Syndrome in an elderly patient that was successfully treated with endoscopic extraction combined with mechanical lithotripsy, and review the literature on this uncommon condition.
In-vitro evaluation of anti-factor IXa aptamer on thrombin generation, clotting time, and viscoelastometry
Authors: Tanaka Kenichi , Szlam Fania , Rusconi Christopher , Levy Jerrold
Published: April 2009

The REG1 system consists of factor IXa inhibitor, RB006, an ap-tamer-based anticoagulant and its antidote, RB007. The optimal use of RB006 can be facilitated by understanding its effect on the formation of thrombin and fibrin, and other standard tests of coagulation. Blood from consented volunteers was drawn into 3.2% citrate (9:1 v/v) and either used immediately or centrifuged to obtain platelet-poor plasma. Increasing concentrations of ap-tamer (6–24 μg/ml) alone or in combination with heparin (0.1 U/ml) or lepirudin (0.2 μg/ml) were added to blood and plasma samples. Activated clotting times (ACT+, low range-ACT), thrombelastometry (ROTEM™) or thrombelastography (TEG®) were performed in recalcified whole blood samples. Thrombin generation, prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) were performed in plasma samples. To some samples the antidote RB007 was added to neutralise the anticoagulation activity of RB006. In all experiment the ratio of RB006 to RB007 was kept 1:2. RB006 dose-dependently prolonged aPTT and low range-ACT, but, as expected, had no effect on PT. RB006 prolonged the lag time and decreased the peak of Actin-triggered thrombin generation. Thrombin-activated TEG demonstrated that RB006 decreases the rate of clot formation. These effects were potentiated when RB006 was combined with heparin or lepirudin. In all experiments RB007 reversed the effects of RB006 back to baseline. In conclusion, RB006 inhibits thrombin generation and clot formation in a concentration-dependent manner. It is feasible to monitor RB006 and its reversal with RB007 using aPTT, low range-ACT, and thrombin-activated TEG.
Talin-dependent integrin signalling in vivo
Authors: Petrich Brian
Published: April 2009

Integrins are heterodimeric adhesion receptors essential for metazoan life. In addition to mediating cell-extracellular matrix and cell-cell interactions, integrins are bona fide signalling receptors in that they transmit information in both directions across the plasma membrane. The affinity of integrins for extracellular ligands is regulated through a process termed integrin activation or “inside-out signalling”. On the other hand, ligand binding to integrins can induce the recruitment and activation of a number of enzymes and adaptors such as pp125FAK and Src family kinases, to initiate “outside-in signalling”. Intensive investigation into the mechanisms of integrin signalling has revealed many of the key players; amongst these, one of the most important is talin. Our understanding of how many of these molecules interact is now understood at the atomic level thanks to detailed structural studies. Indeed structural information and model cell systems have provided unique opportunities to dissect the molecular mechanisms of many aspects of integrin signalling. Recent studies have begun testing the biological significance of these mechanisms using in-vivo models, particular genetically modified mice. The generation and characterisation of in-vivo models to study integrin signalling has provided valuable information into the functional significance of integrin signalling in fundamental physiological processes as well as within the context of human disease. Here, I will review recent insights that have been gained into integrin signalling through the use of genetically modified mice focusing on integrin αIIbβ3 (GPIIb-IIIa) and the regulation of its function in haemostasis and thrombosis.
Regulation of urokinase receptor function and pericellular proteolysis by the integrin α5β1
Authors: Bass Rosemary , Ellis Vincent
Published: April 2009

Interactions between the uPA receptor (uPAR) and various inte-grins, including α5β1, are known to modulate integrin-dependent cell adhesion, and we have shown that the integrin-associated tetraspanin protein CD82 down-regulates uPAR-dependent plasminogen activation by affecting α5β1 cellular localisation. Here we have investigated whether overexpression of α5β1 directly affects uPAR-dependent pericellular proteolysis. CHO cells overexpressing α5β1 were found to activate plasminogen at a rate up to 18-fold faster than B2CHO cells which are α5-deficient. This effect was dependent on the activation state of α5β1, as it was maximal in the presence of Mn2+. To determine the role of uPAR-α5β1 interactions in this effect, we determined the adhesion of these cells to immobilised soluble uPAR (suPAR). Neither cell-type was found to adhere to suPAR, but both cell types were found to adhere to an anti-uPAR monoclonal antibody in a uPAR- and integrin-dependent manner. This adhesion was 10-fold greater in the absence of α5β1, possibly implicating the involvement of non-α5-integrins. Soluble forms of the various components were used to investigate the molecular basis of these effects, but no direct interactions could be demonstrated between α5β1 and either uPAR, uPA or uPA-uPAR complex. This suggests that assembly of these components on the plasma membrane is required to influence uPAR function, increasing uPAR-dependent pericellular proteolysis and decreasing uPAR-dependent cell adhesion. These interactions may be modified by other integrins, suggesting a complex interplay between uPAR and integrins on the cell surface with the potential to regulate invasive cell migration.
Coagulation factor XIII serves as protein disulfide isomerase
Authors: Bagoly Zsuzsa , Sheptovitsky Vera , Dardik Rima , Lahav Judith , Karniel Eli , Inbal Aida
Published: April 2009

Tissue transglutaminase was reported to act as protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). We studied whether plasma transglutaminase – coagulation factor XIII (FXIII) – has PDI activity as well. PDI activity was measured by determining the ability to renature reduced-denatured RNase (rdRNase). We found that FXIII can re-nature rdRNase, with efficiency comparable to commercial PDI. This PDI activity was inhibited by bacitracin. Like tissue transglu-taminase, FXIII-mediated PDI activity is independent of its transglutaminase activity and is located on the A subunit. Surface-associated PDI has been previously shown to catalyse two distinct functions: transnitrosation with subsequent release of intracellular nitric oxide and disulfide bond rearrangement during platelet integrin ligation. Our results imply that FXIII-PDI activity may have a role in platelet function.
Gender differences in stroke risk of atrial fibrillation patients on oral anticoagulant treatment
Authors: Antonucci Emilia , Grifoni Elisa , Abbate Rosanna , Gensini Gian Franco , Prisco Domenico , Poli Daniela
Published: April 2009

The efficacy of adjusted-dose oral anticoagulant treatment (OAT) in the prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF) is well documented. Available data show that AF patients are widely heterogeneous in terms of ischaemic stroke risk. The role of female gender as a predictor of stroke risk is inconsistent, in particular it is unclear if warfarin treatment is able to prevent stroke equally in both sexes. We performed a prospective study on 780 AF patients on OAT, followed by an Anticoagulation Clinic, to evaluate if female gender is a risk factor for stroke among patients on OAT and if the quality of anticoagulation is different between genders. No difference was found in relation to the quality of anticoagulation between genders (p=0.5). During follow-up 33 patients had major bleedings (rate 1.37x100 pt/yrs) but no difference was found between genders in bleeding risk. Forty patients had ischaemic events [rate 1.66x100 pt/yrs; males rate 1.2 x100 pt/yrs; females rate 2.43x100 pt/yrs; p=0.042; relative risk (RR) of females vs. males 2.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3–3.1); p= 0.004]. The higher rate of ischaemic events in females with respect to males was confirmed at Cox regression analysis after correction for age (p=0.009). In addition, strokes occurring in females were more disabling, and RR for severe and fatal stroke, defined according to Modified Rankin scale, of females vs. males was 3.1 (95% CI 1.3–6.5; p=0.001). In conclusion, our data show a higher risk of stroke in anticoagulated AF females with respect to males, despite a similar quality of anticoagulation.
Plasma elimination kinetics for factor VII are independent of its activation to factor VIIa and complex formation with plasma inhibitors
Authors: Elm Torben , Ezban Mirella , Krogh Thomas , Karpf Ditte , Steinø Anne , Olsen Eva , Sørensen Brit , Petersen Lars
Published: April 2009

The mechanism for the elimination of factor VII (FVII) from the circulation is unknown, just as it is unclear how activation of FVII to FVIIa and subsequent complex formation with antithrombin III (AT) or α2-macroglobulin (α2M) affects clearance. The possibility that the clearance mechanism involves activation and inhibitor complex formation as obligatory intermediate reactions is examined in this study. Human and murine sera were spiked with human FVIIa in the absence and presence of heparin and analysed for complex formation. Complex formation in vivo was studied after intravenous injection of 125I-VIIa in mice; and the pharmacokinetics (PK) of human and murine FVIIa was studied in normal mice. Furthermore, comparative PK studies were performed with FVII, FVIIa, active site blocked FVIIa and a preformed FVIIa-AT complex in normal and α2M-deficient mice. The data demonstrated that FVIIa-AT complexes and to a much lesser extent FVIIa-α2M-complexes accumulated in vivo after FVIIa administration. FVIIa-AT accounted for about 50% of total FVIIa antigen left in the circulation after 3 hours. All FVII derivatives studied including FVII, FVIIa and FVIIa-AT were cleared with similar rates suggesting an elimination kinetics which is unaffected by FVII activation and subsequent inactivation by plasma inhibitors.
Neutrophils launch monocyte extravasation by release of granule proteins
Authors: Zernecke Alma , Weber Christian , Soehnlein Oliver
Published: April 2009

During their journey from the blood stream to sites of inflammation polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) release a wide panoply of granule proteins. Shortly after the PMN efflux, the extravasation of monocytes sets in and recent research provides evidence that the release of PMN granule proteins and monocyte extravasation are causally interrelated. Granule proteins seeded on the endothelium by adherent PMN allow direct activation and subsequent adhesion of monocytes. In addition, PMN granule components enhance the endothelial expression of cell adhesion molecules, efficiently supporting the arrest of monocytes at inflamed vessels. Moreover, granule proteins contribute to the fine tuning of the local chemokine network. Proteolytic modification of chemokines as well as enhancement of local chemokine synthesis lead to increased monocyte extravasation. Finally, PMN granule proteins exert direct chemotactic effects, a mechanism which is of special importance in the early recruitment of inflammatory monocytes. Hence, granule proteins modify the monocyte extravasation cascade in a multifaceted manner ensuring the efficiency of these mechanisms.
Trends in prevalence of deep venous thrombosis among hospitalised patients in an Asian institution
Authors: Lee Lai Heng , Ng Heng Joo
Published: April 2009

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has long been considered a disease of secondary importance among Asians because of its perceived low prevalence. We studied the prevalence and patterns of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) among hospitalised patients in our tertiary referral centre. Primary and secondary DVT prevalence among hospitalised patients was 0.453%, a significant rise from reported rates of 0.079% and 0.158% in 1989–1990 and 1996–1997, respectively. Malignancies and orthopaedic surgery were the most common risk factors for DVT. Further comparisons with the two earlier Singaporean studies showed no changes in the gender and ethnic background of patients but a higher proportion of elderly patients (>80 years) was recorded in the current study (11.7% vs. 7.0%, p = 0.04). Statistically significant increases were found in all medical and surgical disciplines except among obstetrics and gynaecology patients. Orthopaedic patients had the highest increase in DVT rates between the 1989–1990 and 2002–2003 periods (0.082% vs. 0.96%, p<0.01). Doppler ultrasound scans performed increased from approximately one per 100 admissions in 1996–1997 to one per 30 admissions in 2002–2003. The significant increase in period prevalence of DVT among hospitalised patients in Singapore could be accounted by methodologic differences between comparative studies, an increase in proportion of elderly patients and most importantly, a possible shift in perception of the importance of VTE among Asians, resulting in a higher index of suspicion and lower threshold for performing diagnostic tests.
Fibrinogen gamma gene 3’-end polymorphisms and risk of venous thromboembolism in the African-American and Caucasian population
Authors: Willige Shirley Uitte de , Pyle Meridith , Vos Hans , de Visser Marieke , Lally Cathy , Dowling Nicole , Hooper W. Craig , Bertina Rogier , Austin Harland
Published: April 2009

Genetic determinants of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the African-American population are poorly characterised. It was recently shown that fibrinogen gamma gene (FGG) polymorphisms 10034C>T and 9340T>C influence VTE risk in the Caucasian population. In the African-American population these polymorphisms are common, with allele frequencies above 25%. Here we evaluated whether these and other FGG 3’-end polymorphisms were associated with VTE risk in the African-American population and aimed to replicate the association in the Caucasian population. We examined 557 Caucasian patients and 678 Caucasian controls, and 537 African-American patients and 586 African-American controls from the ‘Genetic Attributes and Thrombosis Epidemiology’ (GATE) study. In the African-American population, 10034C>T and 9340T>C marginally influenced VTE-risk, with a 20% increase in risk for 10034TT carriers and a 20% reduction in risk for 9340CC carriers. In the Caucasian population, 10034TT was associated with a 1.7-fold increase in risk, which increased to 2.1-fold for idiopathic VTE patients. 9340CC significantly reduced VTE risk approximately two-fold. In conclusion, both FGG polymorphisms 10034C>T and 9340T>C influence VTE-risk, with the strongest effects observed in the Caucasian population, confirming previous data on these polymorphisms in this population.
Venous thromboembolism in nonagenarians
Authors: Vasco Beatriz , Villalba Joan Carles , Lopez-Jimenez Luciano , Falga Conxita , Montes Julio , Trujillo-Santos Javier , Monreal Manuel ,   for the RIETE Investigators
Published: April 2009

The balance between the efficacy and safety of anticoagulant therapy in patients aged ≥90 years with venous thromboembolism (VTE) is uncertain. RIETE is an ongoing, prospective registry of consecutive patients with acute, objectively confirmed, symptomatic VTE. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of anticoagulant therapy during the first three months in all patients aged ≥90 years. In addition, we tried to identify those at a higher risk for VTE. Of 21,873 patients enrolled from March 2001 to February 2008, 610 (2.8%) were aged ≥90 years. Of these, 307 (50%) presented with pulmonary embolism (PE), 240 (39%) had immobility ≥4 days, and 271 (44%) had abnormal creatinine levels. During the first three months of therapy, 140 patients aged ≥90 years (23%) died. Of these, 45 (32%) died of PE (34 of the initial episode, 11 of recurrent PE), 18 (13%) had fatal bleeding. Recent im-mobility ≥4 days was the most common risk factor for VTE (240 of 610 patients, 39%), but only 54 of them (22%) had received thromboprophylaxis. The most frequent causes for immobility were senile dementia, acute infection, trauma or decompen-sated heart failure. The duration of immobility was <4 weeks in 126 patients (52%), and most of them were bedridden at home. In conclusion, one in every four VTE patients aged ≥90 years died during the first three months of therapy. Of these, one in every three died of PE, one in every eight had fatal bleeding. Identifying at-risk patients may help to prevent some of these deaths.
Novel aspects in the regulation of the leukocyte adhesion cascade
Authors: Chavakis Emmanouil , Choi Eun , Chavakis Triantafyllos
Published: April 2009

Leukocyte recruitment plays a major role in the immune response to infectious pathogens and during inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. The process of leukocyte extravasation from the blood into the inflamed tissue requires a complex cascade of adhesive events between the leukocytes and the endothelium including leukocyte rolling, adhesion and transendothelial migration. Leukocyte-endothelial interactions are mediated by tightly regulated binding interactions between adhesion receptors on both cells. In this regard, leukocyte adhesion onto the endothelium is governed by leukocyte integrins and their endothelial counter-receptors of the immunoglobulin superfamily. The present review will focus on novel aspects with respect to the modulation of the leukocyte adhesion cascade.
Multislice Computed Tomography in the Exclusion of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Presurgical Valve Disease
Authors: Bettencourt Nuno , Rocha João , Carvalho Mónica , Leite Daniel , Toschke Andre Michael , Melica Bruno , Santos Lino , Rodrigues Alberto , Gonçalves Manuel , Braga Pedro , Teixeira Madalena , Simões Lino , Rajagopalan Sanjay , Gama Vasco
Published: April 2009

Background—

Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) has shown high negative predictive value in ruling out obstructive coronary artery disease. Preliminary studies in patients with valvular heart disease (VHD) have demonstrated the potential of MSCT angiography (CTA) in such patients, precluding need for invasive angiography (XA). However, larger prospectively designed studies, including patients with atrial fibrillation and incorporating dose reduction algorithms, are needed.

Methods and Results—

To evaluate the clinical utility of 64-slice CT in the preoperative assessment in patients with VHD, we prospectively studied 452 consecutive patients undergoing routine cardiac catheterization for eligibility. Two hundred thirty-seven patients underwent both MSCT and XA. Segment-based, vessel-based, and patient-based agreement between CTA and XA was estimated assuming that “nonevaluable” segments were positive for significant coronary stenosis. In a patient-based analysis, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values of CTA were 95%, 89%, 66%, and 99%, respectively; in vessel-based analysis, 90%, 92%, 48%, and 99%, respectively; and in segment-based analysis, 89%, 97%, 38%, and 100%, respectively. No significant differences were found between patients with or without atrial fibrillation. A CAC value of 390 was the best cutoff for the identification of patients with positive or inconclusive CTA (which would not be exempted from XA in the clinical setting).

Conclusions—

In the preoperative assessment of patients with predominant VHD, the diagnostic accuracy of 64-slice CTA for ruling out the presence of significant coronary artery disease is very good even when including patients with irregular heart rhythm. Using this approach, CAC quantification before CTA can be successfully used to identify patients who should be referred directly to XA, sparing unnecessary exposure to radiation.
Comparison of Drug-Eluting Stents and Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery for the Treatment of Multivessel Coronary Disease
Authors: Li Yan , Zheng Zhe , Xu Bo , Zhang Shiju , Li Wei , Gao Runlin , Hu Shengshou
Published: April 2009

Background—

Numerous studies have compared the outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery and coronary stenting for the treatment of multivessel coronary disease. In 2003, drug-eluting stents were introduced with the hope of reducing restenosis. However, limited information exists on the comparison of drug-eluting stents and CABG surgery. The long-term outcome of drug-eluting stents compared with that of CABG surgery is also unclear.

Methods and Results—

We identified 3720 consecutive patients with multivessel disease who underwent isolated CABG surgery or received drug-eluting stents between April 1, 2004, and December 31, 2005, and we compared safety (total mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke) and efficacy (target-vessel revascularization) during a 3-year follow-up. These outcomes were compared after adjustment for differences in baseline risk factors. Patients who underwent CABG (n=1886) were older and had more comorbidities than patients who received drug-eluting stents (n=1834). Patients receiving drug-eluting stents had considerably higher 3-year rates of target-vessel revascularization. Drug-eluting stents were also associated with higher rates of death (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.07 to 2.47) and myocardial infarction (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.15 to 2.44). The risk adjusted rate of stroke was similar in the 2 groups (hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.69 to 1.51).

Conclusions—

In a cohort of patients with multivessel disease, CABG was associated with lower rates of death, myocardial infarction, and target-vessel revascularization than drug-eluting stents.
Statin Adherence and Risk of Accidents
Authors: Dormuth Colin R. , Patrick Amanda R. , Shrank William H. , Wright James M. , Glynn Robert J. , Sutherland Jenny , Brookhart M. Alan
Published: April 2009

Background—

Bias in studies of preventive medications can occur when healthier patients are more likely to initiate and adhere to therapy than less healthy patients. We sought evidence of this bias by examining associations between statin exposure and various outcomes that should not be causally affected by statin exposure, such as workplace and motor vehicle accidents.

Methods and Results—

We conducted a prospective cohort study of statin patients using data from British Columbia, Canada, a multiethnic society with a population of 4.3 million people. Study subjects were 141 086 patients who initiated statins for primary prevention. We examined the association between adherence and multiple outcomes such as accidents and screening procedures using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. The study population was 49% female and had an average age of 61 years. The results from our multivariable-adjusted models showed that more adherent patients were less likely to have accidents than less adherent patients. This effect was greatest for motor vehicle accidents (hazard ratio, 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.72 to 0.79) and workplace accidents (hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.74 to 0.81). More adherent patients had a greater likelihood of using screening services (hazard ratio, 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.15 to 1.20) and a lower likelihood of developing other diseases likely to be unrelated to a biological affect of a statin (hazard ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.86 to 0.89).

Conclusions—

Our study contributes compelling evidence that patients who adhere to statins are systematically more health seeking than comparable patients who do not remain adherent. Caution is warranted when interpreting analyses that attribute surprising protective effects to preventive medications.
Microarray Identifies Extensive Downregulation of Noncollagen Extracellular Matrix and Profibrotic Growth Factor Genes in Chronic Isolated Mitral Regurgitation in the Dog
Authors: Zheng Junying , Chen Yuanwen , Pat Betty , Dell'Italia Louis A. , Tillson Michael , Dillon A. Ray , Powell Pamela C. , Shi Ke , Shah Neil , Denney Thomas , Husain Ahsan , Dell'Italia Louis J.
Published: April 2009

Background—

The volume overload of isolated mitral regurgitation (MR) in the dog results in left ventricular (LV) dilatation and interstitial collagen loss. To better understand the mechanism of collagen loss, we performed a gene array and overlaid regulated genes into ingenuity pathway analysis.

Methods and Results—

Gene arrays from LV tissue were compared in 4 dogs before and 4 months after MR. Cine-magnetic resonance–derived LV end-diastolic volume increased 2-fold (
P
=0.005), and LV ejection fraction increased from 41% to 53% (
P
<0.007). LV interstitial collagen decreased 40% (
P
<0.05) compared with controls, and replacement collagen was in short strands and in disarray. Ingenuity pathway analysis identified Marfan syndrome, aneurysm formation, LV dilatation, and myocardial infarction, all of which have extracellular matrix protein defects and/or degradation. Matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -9 mRNA increased 5- (
P
=0.01) and 10-fold (
P
=0.003), whereas collagen I did not change and collagen III mRNA increased 1.5-fold (
P
=0.02). However, noncollagen genes important in extracellular matrix structure were significantly downregulated, including decorin, fibulin 1, and fibrillin 1. In addition, connective tissue growth factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor were downregulated, along with multiple genes in the transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway, resulting in decreased LV transforming growth factor-β1 activity (
P
=0.03).

Conclusions—

LV collagen loss in isolated, compensated MR is chiefly due to posttranslational processing and degradation. The downregulation of multiple noncollagen genes important in global extracellular matrix structure, coupled with decreased expression of multiple profibrotic factors, explains the failure to replace interstitial collagen in the MR heart.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Stimulation During Adrenal Vein Sampling for Identifying Surgically Curable Subtypes of Primary Aldosteronism
Authors: Seccia Teresa M. , Miotto Diego , De Toni Renzo , Pitter Gisella , Mantero Franco , Pessina Achille C. , Rossi Gian Paolo
Published: April 2009

Adrenocorticotropic hormone administration was proposed to overcome the biases associated with pulsatile aldosterone secretion during adrenal venous sampling, but the usefulness of different protocols of stimulation was never systematically assessed. We, therefore, compared the effects of a high dose (HD; 250 μg IV as a bolus), a very low dose (VLD; 250 pg IV), and an intermediate dose (ID; 50 μg/h) of adrenocorticotropic hormone on the selectivity index (SI) and the lateralization index in primary aldosteronism patients, using the diagnosis of aldosterone-producing adenoma, based on pathology and follow-up data, as a reference. The HD (n=47) significantly increased plasma cortisol concentration in infrarenal inferior vena cava (+79%) blood and the SI on both sides (SI
RIGHT
+113% and SI
LEFT
+131%), as compared with baseline values. The ID (n=14) also markedly increased both plasma cortisol concentration inferior vena cava (+93%) and the SI (SI
RIGHT
+690% and SI
LEFT
+410%); the very low dose (n=6) had no effect on either the plasma cortisol concentration or SI. In the patients with unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma, the increase of selectivity with the HD and ID was counterbalanced by a confounding effect on the correct identification of the aldosterone-producing adenoma side, which was attributed to the wrong side in 3.0% and 12.5% with HD and ID, respectively. In conclusion, the HD and the ID, but not the very low dose, adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation protocol facilitated the ascertainment of selectivity of adrenal vein catheterization. However, this favorable effect was overridden by a confounding effect on the identification of lateralized aldosterone excess to the aldosterone-producing adenoma side. Hence, we do not recommend adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation.
How Smart and Tough are Democracies? Reassessing Theories of Democratic Victory in War
Authors: Downes Alexander B.
Published: April 2009

Proponents of the selection effects argument claim that because democratic leaders run a higher risk of losing office than autocratic leaders if they fail to win wars, they are more careful than their authoritarian counterparts in choosing which wars to initiate. The robust marketplace of ideas in democracies also weeds out self-serving or ill-conceived policies and allows democratic leaders to better estimate the chances of victory. Democracies, according to this logic, tend to pick on weak or vulnerable opponents and thus win a disproportionate number of the wars they start. Both quantitative and qualitative evidence, however, challenges this conclusion. The statistical correlation between democracy and victory is not robust to reasonable alternative choices for analyzing the data. In particular, including draws as a war outcome renders statistically insignificant the finding that democratic initiators and targets are more likely to win. In addition, democratic leaders who initiate wars should be optimistic that they will win, but process tracing of the decision by Lyndon Johnson's administration to escalate the Vietnam War (one of these omitted draws) reveals that top officials knew at the time that escalation promised a costly, protracted stalemate, yet they chose to fight anyway. Moreover, domestic politics, if anything, contributed to Johnson's decision to fight in Vietnam despite the poor odds of victory because he believed that pulling out would spark a backlash and destroy his Great Society legislative program. The results of this combined analysis raise doubts about the democracy and victory thesis, and should prompt interest in other explanatory variables for military effectiveness.
An Exploration of Relationships Among the Responses to Natural Scenes
Authors: Han Ke-Tsung
Published: April 2009

This study argues that although scenic beauty, preference, and restoration are correlated due to their functional significance over evolution, they still can be distinguished from one another within natural landscapes. A total of 274 undergraduate students reported their responses with scenic beauty, preference, and restoration as the target variables while viewing 48 landscape slides of six biomes. In addition, a group of three judges evaluated three physical features presented in the landscape slides as controlling and descriptor variables, described as “complexity,” “openness,” and “water features.” Statistical analyses showed that (a) the three target variables were all significantly and highly ( rs > 0.94, p < 0.05) correlated; (b) the only mediated relationship among the target variables was preference mediating scenic beauty and restoration; and (c) scenic beauty and preference versus restoration could be distinguished from each other with respect to the types of natural landscapes and the three physical features.
Military Psychology in the Israel Defense Forces
Authors: Ben-Shalom Uzi , Fox Shaul
Published: April 2009

The current article describes the development of military psychology in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Based on mixed methodology, including in-depth interviews and secondary analyses, continuities and discontinuities in the work of military psychologists are presented. Four phases of development are identified: “establishment of the military” (1947-1966), “decentralization” (1967-1982), “the small wars era” (1982-1999), and “expanded scope” (2000-present). Each phase generated a distinct military psychologist identity: “social scientist,” “field practitioner,” “organizational development expert,” and “operational behavioral scientist.” These identities are amassed cumulatively, so that new identities do not contradict previous ones. The four phases of development are compared according to several dimensions. Significant discontinuities include a change in theoretical perspectives, gender composition, and research methodology. Working style during conflict is notably continuous, characterized by bottom-up initiatives. Possible sources leading to the paradigmatic shifts are presented, and an “evolution model” of synthesis is suggested. This model stresses the social challenges facing the IDF and its relevant psychological practices.
The City as National Resource
Authors: Light Jennifer S.
Published: April 2009

This article argues that the conservation movement provided a conceptual and organizational model for New Deal—era urban professionals eager to motivate federal and local investments in city improvement. During a period when research and policy for the scientific management of natural resources attracted broad support, city planners and real estate appraisers seeking professional legitimacy in a nation recently recognized to be urban saw in conservation new possibilities for articulating the urgency of their professional goals. Focusing on efforts by the National Resources Planning Board, Home Owners Loan Corporation, and Federal Housing Administration to transform ecological theories of cities from the social sciences into a national movement for urban community conservation offers insights into the impact of Americans' enduring preference for nature over cities on urban history during the New Deal.
Linear Planning and the Automobile
Authors: Coronado José M. , Rodríguez F. Javier , Ureña José M.
Published: April 2009

Hilarión González del Castillo (HGC) has made a place for himself in the history of urbanism as propagandist for the Linear City and theoretical town planner. The appearance of the first motorway projects in Spain at the end of the 1920s, inspired him to propose a colonising motorway, that would take advantage of the infrastructure for the construction of linear cities. HGC's proposal had influence in the draft of some of the first Spanish motorways but has practically disappeared until the present. While few town planners of the age considered the role of the automobile (Le Corbusier, Benton Mackaye), HGC explained the relation of the motorways with the environment, spotting conflicts that passed unnoticed by the highway engineers. From this, the proposal evolved into an attempt to resolve the conflict between the intercity traffic and the urban activities situated on the margins of the motorway.