bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reorganization of multidigit physiological tremors after repetitive contractions of a single finger
Authors: Hwang Ing-Shiou , Yang Zong-Ru , Huang Chien-Ting , Guo Mei-Chun
Published: January 2009

In light of the interplay among physiological finger tremors, this study was undertaken to investigate the transfer effect of fatigue on coordinative strategies of multiple fingers. Fourteen volunteers performed prolonged position tracking with a loaded middle finger while measures of neuromuscular function, including electromyographic activities of the extensor digitorum (ED)/flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) and physiological tremors of the index, middle, ring, and little fingers, were monitored. The subjects exhibited inferior tracking congruence and an increase in ED activity at the end of the tracking. Fatigue spread was manifested in a remarkable increase in tremor across fingers, in association with enhanced involuntary tremor coupling among fingers that was topologically organized in relation to the distance of the digits from the middle finger. Principal component analysis suggested that an enhanced 8- to 12-Hz central rhythm contributed primarily to the tremor restructure following fatigue spread. The observed tremor reorganization validated the hypothesis that the effect of fatigue was not limited to the instructed finger and that fatigue functionally decreased independence of the digits. The spreading of fatigue weakens neural inputs that diverge to motor units acting on various digits because of fatigue-related enhancement of common drive at the supraspinal level.
Cerebral sympathetic nerve activity has a major regulatory role in the cerebral circulation in REM sleep
Authors: Cassaglia Priscila A. , Griffiths Robert I. , Walker Adrian M.
Published: January 2009

Sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) in neurons projecting to skeletal muscle blood vessels increases during rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, substantially exceeding SNA of non-REM (NREM) sleep and quiet wakefulness (QW). Similar SNA increases to cerebral blood vessels may regulate the cerebral circulation in REM sleep, but this is unknown. We hypothesized that cerebral SNA increases during phasic REM sleep, constricting cerebral vessels as a protective mechanism against cerebral hyperperfusion during the large arterial pressure surges that characterize this sleep state. We tested this hypothesis using a newly developed model to continuously record SNA in the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) before, during, and after arterial pressure surges occurring during REM in spontaneously sleeping lambs. Arterial pressure (AP), intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral vascular resistance [CVR = (AP − ICP)/CBF], and SNA from the SCG were recorded in lambs ( n = 5) undergoing spontaneous sleep-wake cycles. In REM sleep, CBF was greatest (REM > QW = NREM, P < 0.05) and CVR was least (REM < QW = NREM, P < 0.05). SNA in the SCG did not change from QW to NREM sleep but increased during tonic REM sleep, with a further increase during phasic REM sleep (phasic REM > tonic REM > QW = NREM, P < 0.05). Coherent averaging revealed that SNA increases preceded AP surges in phasic REM sleep by 12 s ( P < 0.05). We report the first recordings of cerebral SNA during natural sleep-wake cycles. SNA increases markedly during tonic REM sleep, and further in phasic REM sleep. As SNA increases precede AP surges, they may serve to protect the brain against potentially damaging intravascular pressure changes or hyperperfusion in REM sleep.
An improved simple method of mouse lung intubation
Authors: MacDonald Kelvin D. , Chang Herng-Yu Sucie , Mitzner Wayne
Published: January 2009

Given the ubiquitous use of mice to study lung disease, it is curious that more investigators do not use repeated intubation to study mechanical and cellular changes in individual mice. One of the reasons for this limited use of intubation is that it is relatively difficult, despite there being several published studies that describe ways to achieve it. In this paper, we describe a complete procedure, including novel approaches that simplify this intubation, so that it can be routinely accomplished with relatively little training. The technique can also be set up with relatively little expense and expertise. This should make it possible for any laboratory to routinely carry out this intubation, thereby allowing longitudinal studies in individual mice and potentially increasing the statistical power by using each mouse as its own control.
Endothelial-Specific Expression of Mitochondrial Thioredoxin Promotes Ischemia-Mediated Arteriogenesis and Angiogenesis
Authors: Dai Shengchuan , He Yun , Zhang Haifeng , Yu Luyang , Wan Ting , Xu Zhe , Jones Dennis , Chen Hong , Min Wang
Published: January 2009

Objective—

Thioredoxin-2 (Trx2), a major antioxidant protein in mitochondria, enhances nitric oxide bioavailability and inhibits ASK1-dependent apoptosis in endothelial cells (ECs). However, the in vivo role of Trx2 in angiogenesis has not been defined. Here we used EC-specific transgenesis of Trx2 (Trx2-TG) in mice to determine the in vivo function of Trx2 in arteriogenesis and angiogenesis.

Methods and Results—

In a femoral artery ligation model, Trx2-TG mice had enhanced capacity in limb perfusion recovery and ischemic reserve capacity compared to the nontransgenic littermates. Ischemia-initiated arteriogenesis in the upper limb was augmented in Trx2-TG mice. Trx2-TG mice also showed significantly enhanced capillary formation and maturation in the lower limb. In nontransgenic limb, ischemia specifically induced a downregulation of Trx2 protein, leading to increased oxidative stress, ASK1 activation, and EC apoptosis. In contrast, Trx2-TG maintained a constitutive level of Trx2, reducing the ischemia-induced deleterious responses. We then defined the mechanism by which Trx2 increases angiogenesis using ECs isolated from Trx2-TG mice. Trx2-TG ECs showed increased NO and NO-dependent migration. In addition, these cells were more resistant to oxidative stress–induced activation of ASK1 signaling and apoptosis. Moreover, Trx2-augmented EC survival is NO-independent. To define the relative contributions of Trx2-increased NO and Trx2-reduced ASK1 apoptotic activity to angiogenesis in vivo, we examined Trx2 effects on ischemia-induced angiogenesis in eNOS-deficient mice. The eNOS deletion caused severe impairment in the functional flow recovery in response to ischemia. Trx2 expression in eNOS-KO mice still dramatically inhibited ischemia-induced ASK1 and EC apoptosis, leading to an enhanced functional flow recovery.

Conclusion—

These in vivo and in vitro data support that Trx2 maintains EC function by two parallel pathways—scavenging ROS to increase NO bioavailability and inhibiting ASK1 activity to enhance EC survival, facilitating ischemia-mediated arteriogenesis and angiogenesis.
Antiplatelet Actions of Statins and Fibrates Are Mediated by PPARs
Authors: Ali Ferhana Y. , Armstrong Paul C.J. , Dhanji Al-Rehan A. , Tucker Arthur T. , Paul-Clark Mark J. , Mitchell Jane A. , Warner Timothy D.
Published: January 2009

Objectives—Statins and fibrates are hypolipidemic drugs which decrease cardiac events in individuals without raised levels of cholesterol. These drugs inhibit platelet function, but the mechanisms by which this pleiotropic effect is exerted are not known.

Methods and Results—We used a range of approaches to show statins inhibit human platelet activation in vitro while engaging PPARα and PPARγ. The effects of simvastatin were prevented by the PPARγ antagonist GW9662 or the PPARα antagonist GW6471. In a small-scale human study fluvastatin activated PPARα and PPARγ in platelets and reduced aggregation in response to arachidonic acid ex vivo. The effects of fenofibrate were prevented by PPARα antagonism with GW6471. Fenofibrate increased bleeding time in wild-type, but not in PPARα−/−mice. The inhibitory effect of fenofibrate, but not simvastatin, on aggregation was prevented by deletion of PPARα in murine platelets. PKCα, which influences platelet activation, associated and immune-precipitated with PPARγ in platelets stimulated with statins and with PPARα in platelets stimulated with fenofibrate.

Conclusions—This study is the first to provide a unifying explanation of how fibrates and statins reduce thrombotic and cardiovascular risk. Our findings that PPARs associate with PKCα in platelets also provide a mechanism by which these effects are mediated.
Mechanisms Underlying the Formation and Dynamics of Subcellular Calcium Alternans in the Intact Rat Heart
Authors: Aistrup Gary L. , Shiferaw Yohannes , Kapur Sunil , Kadish Alan H. , Wasserstrom J. Andrew
Published: January 2009

Optical mapping of intact cardiac tissue reveals that, in some cases, intracellular calcium (Ca) release can alternate from one beat to the next in a large-small-large sequence, also referred to as Ca transient (CaT) alternans. CaT alternans can also become spatially phase-mismatched within a single cell, when one part of the cell alternates in a large-small-large sequence, whereas a different part alternates in a small-large-small sequence, a phenomenon known as subcellular discordant alternans. The mechanisms for the formation and spatiotemporal evolution of these phase-mismatched patterns are not known. We used confocal Ca imaging to measure CaT alternans at the sarcomeric level within individual myocytes in the intact rat heart. After a sudden change in cycle length (CL), 2 distinct spatial patterns of CaT alternans emerge. CaTs can form spatially phase-mismatched alternans patterns after the first few beats following the change in CL. The phase mismatch persists for many beats, after which it gradually becomes phase matched via the movement of nodes, which are junctures between phase-mismatched cell regions. In other examples, phase-matched alternans gradually become phase-mismatched, via the formation and movement of nodes. In these examples, we observed large beat-to-beat variations in the cell activation times, despite constant CL pacing. Using computer simulations, we explored the underlying mechanisms for these dynamical phenomena. Our results show how heterogeneity at the sarcomeric level, in conjunction with the dynamics of Ca cycling and membrane voltage, can lead to complex spatiotemporal phenomena within myocytes of the intact heart.
Can a Subset of Intracerebral Hemorrhage Patients Benefit From Hemostatic Therapy With Recombinant Activated Factor VII?
Authors: Mayer Stephan A. , Davis Stephen M. , Skolnick Brett E. , Brun Nikolai C. , Begtrup Kamilla , Broderick Joseph P. , Diringer Michael N. , Steiner Thorsten
Published: January 2009

Background and Purpose—

In the Factor Seven for Acute Hemorrhagic Stroke (FAST) trial, 80 μg/kg of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) significantly reduced intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) expansion when given within 4 hours of onset. However, in contrast to an earlier Phase 2b study, rFVIIa did not improve survival or functional outcome. In this exploratory analysis, we hypothesized that earlier treatment and exclusion of patients with a poor prognosis at baseline might enhance the benefit of rFVIIa treatment.

Methods—

Using the FAST data set, the impact of rFVIIa (80 μg/kg) on poor outcome at 3 months (modified Rankin Score of 5 or 6) was systematically evaluated within subgroups using clinically meaningful cut points in onset-to-treatment time, age, and baseline ICH and intraventricular hemorrhage volume. The effect of treatment on outcome was analyzed using logistic regression, and ICH volume was analyzed with linear mixed models.

Results—

A subgroup (n=160, 19% of the FAST population) was identified comprising patients ≤70 years with baseline ICH volume <60 mL, intraventricular hemorrhage volume <5 mL, and time from onset-to-treatment ≤2.5 hours. The adjusted ORs for poor outcome with rFVIIa treatment was 0.28 (95% CI, 0.08 to 1.06), whereas the reduction in ICH growth was almost doubled (7.3±3.2 versus 3.8±1.5 mL,
P
=0.02). The improved effect was confirmed in an analysis of similar Phase 2 patients.

Conclusions—

A prospective trial would be needed to determine whether younger patients with ICH without extensive bleeding at baseline can benefit from 80 μg/kg of rFVIIa given within 2.5 hours of symptom onset.
Associations Between Diffusion and Perfusion Parameters,
N
-Acetyl Aspartate, and Lactate in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Cvoro Vera , Wardlaw Joanna M. , Marshall Ian , Armitage Paul A. , Rivers Carly S. , Bastin Mark E. , Carpenter Trevor K. , Wartolowska Karolina , Farrall Andrew J. , Dennis Martin S.
Published: January 2009

Background and Purpose—

In acute ischemic stroke, the amount of neuronal damage in hyperintense areas on MR diffusion imaging (DWI) is unclear. We used spectroscopic imaging to measure
N
-acetyl aspartate (NAA, a marker of normal neurons) and lactate (a marker of ischemia) to compare with diffusion and perfusion values in the diffusion lesion in acute ischemic stroke.

Methods—

We recruited patients with acute ischemic stroke prospectively and performed MR diffusion weighted (DWI), perfusion, and spectroscopic imaging. We coregistered the images, outlined the visible diffusion lesion, and extracted metabolite, perfusion, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values from the diffusion lesion.

Results—

42 patients were imaged, from 1.5 to 24 hours after stroke. In the DWI lesion, although NAA was reduced, there was no correlation between NAA and ADC or perfusion values. However, raised lactate correlated with reduced ADC (Spearman ρ=0.32,
P
=0.04) and prolonged mean transit time (MTT, ρ=0.31,
P
=0.04). Increasing DWI lesion size was associated with lower NAA and higher lactate (ρ=−0.44,
P
=0.003; ρ=0.49,
P
=0.001 respectively); NAA fell with increasing times to imaging (ρ=−0.3,
P
=0.03), but lactate did not change.

Conclusion—

Although larger confirmatory studies are needed, the correlation of ADC and MTT with lactate but not NAA suggests that ADC and MTT are better markers of the presence of ischemia than of cumulative neuronal loss. Further studies should define more precisely the rate of neuronal loss and relationship to diffusion and perfusion parameters with respect to the depth and duration of ischemia.
Stroke in Fabry Disease Frequently Occurs Before Diagnosis and in the Absence of Other Clinical Events
Authors: Sims Katherine , Politei Juan , Banikazemi Maryam , Lee Philip
Published: January 2009

Background and Purpose—

Stroke is a common and serious clinical manifestation of Fabry disease, an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency of α-galactosidase A activity. This study was undertaken to better understand the natural history of cerebrovascular manifestations of Fabry disease.

Methods—

Data from 2446 patients in the Fabry Registry were analyzed to identify clinical characteristics of patients experiencing stroke during the natural history period (ie, before enzyme replacement therapy).

Results—

A total of 138 patients (86 of 1243 males [6.9%] and 52 of 1203 females [4.3%]) experienced strokes. Median age at first stroke was 39.0 years in males and 45.7 years in females. Most patients (70.9% of males and 76.9% of females) had not experienced renal or cardiac events before their first stroke. Fifty percent of males and 38.3% of females experienced their first stroke before being diagnosed with Fabry disease. Thirty patients (21 males and 9 females) had strokes at age <30 years. Most patients (86.8%) had ischemic strokes, but 16.9% of males and 6.9% of females had hemorrhagic strokes, among those for whom stroke type was reported. At the most recently available follow-up examination after their first stroke, 60% of males and 25.5% of females exhibited stage 3 to 5 chronic kidney disease and 66.1% of males and 59.5% of females had left ventricular hypertrophy.

Conclusions—

All patients with Fabry disease, regardless of age or gender, should be monitored for possible cerebrovascular complications, as stroke can occur in the absence of other key signs of the disease.
MRI Identification of White Matter Reorganization Enhanced by Erythropoietin Treatment in a Rat Model of Focal Ischemia
Authors: Li Lian , Jiang Quan , Ding Guangliang , Zhang Li , Zhang Zheng Gang , Li Qingjiang , Panda Swayamprava , Kapke Alissa , Lu Mei , Ewing James R. , Chopp Michael
Published: January 2009

Background and Purpose—

The objectives of the present study were to: (1) noninvasively identify white matter reorganization and monitor its progress within 6 weeks after the onset of stroke; and (2) quantitatively investigate the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin treatment on this structural change using in vivo measurement of diffusion anisotropy.

Methods—

Male Wistar rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion and treated with recombinant human erythropoietin intraperitoneally at a dose of 5000 U/kg of body weight (n=11) or the same volume of saline (n=7) daily for 7 days starting 24 hours after middle cerebral artery occlusion. MRI measurements of T2- and diffusion-weighted images and cerebral blood flow were performed and neurological severity score was assessed at 1 day and weekly for 6 weeks after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Luxol fast blue and Bielschowsky staining were used to demonstrate myelin and axons, respectively.

Results—

White matter reorganization occurred along the ischemic lesion boundary after stroke. The region of white matter reorganization seen on the tissue slice coincided with the elevated area on the fractional anisotropy map, which can be accurately identified. The increase in elevated fractional anisotropy pixels corresponded with progress of white matter reorganization and was associated with improvement of neurological function. Treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin after stroke significantly enhanced white matter reorganization, restored local cerebral blood flow, and expedited functional recovery.

Conclusions—

White matter reorganization can be detected by fractional anisotropy. Elevated fractional anisotropy pixels may be a good MRI index to stage white matter remodeling and predict functional outcome.
ABCD2 Scores and Prediction of Noncerebrovascular Diagnoses in an Outpatient Population
Authors: Quinn Terence J. , Cameron Alan C. , Dawson Jesse , Lees Kennedy R. , Walters Matthew R.
Published: January 2009

Background and Purpose—

Among patients with transient ischemic attack, the ABCD2 score predicts short-term stroke risk. Use of the ABCD2 score assumes the underlying diagnosis to be transient ischemic attack; however, most transient ischemic attack services assess a variety of diagnoses. We hypothesized that patients with low ABCD2 score predominantly have noncerebrovascular diagnoses.

Methods—

Our transient ischemic attack clinics assess all suspected cerebrovascular events referred. Comprehensive clinical and investigation details are prospectively recorded. We collated data for patients seen between August 1992 and January 2005 inclusive. We calculated ABCD2 scores and compared proportions of noncerebrovascular diagnoses for each ABCD2 grade using χ
2
analysis. We ran similar analyses for atrial fibrillation, vascular lesions on brain imaging, and carotid stenosis. We calculated positive predictive value of low (0 to 1) ABCD2 score for noncerebrovascular diagnosis and described properties of ABCD2 as a diagnostic tool using receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results—

We derived ABCD2 scores for 3646 patients of whom 1769 had a noncerebrovascular diagnosis. There was a positive association between increasing ABCD2 score and cerebrovascular diagnosis (
P
<0.001). Higher ABCD2 score was associated with vascular lesions on brain imaging (
P
<0.001) and moderate–severe carotid disease (
P
<0.001) but not atrial fibrillation (
P
=0.097). The positive predictive value of low ABCD score was 0.81 for noncerebrovascular diagnosis and 0.93 for negative imaging. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggested reasonable accuracy (area under the curve, 0.745).

Conclusion—

For low scores, ABCD2 may assist in selecting out noncerebrovascular diagnoses. However, this approach will potentially misclassify many true transient ischemic attacks. Further refinement would be needed before clinical application.
Relationship between Peripheral Arterial Disease and Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Maksimovic Milos , Vlajinac Hristina , Radak Djordje , Marinkovic Jelena , Jorga Jagoda
Published: January 2009

The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among 388 patients with peripheral arterial disease, to determine the relationship between the number of metabolic syndrome components (metabolic syndrome score) and the degree of established and some of the emerging vascular risk factors, and to estimate whether there was any relationship of metabolic syndrome score and other vascular risk factors with the severity of peripheral arterial disease clinical manifestations. Metabolic syndrome was present in 59.8% of the patients with peripheral arterial disease. All metabolic syndrome components were significantly related to metabolic syndrome score. The same was true for the body weight, body mass index, percentage of body fat, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, uric acid, and percentage of patients with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. The metabolic syndrome score was also significantly, but inversely, related to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and smoking. The degree of peripheral arterial disease clinical manifestations was not related to metabolic syndrome score, but gangrene was significantly positively associated with increased fasting glucose, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and lower education.
Review Essay: Sociology as a Political Project
Authors: Yoshida Kei
Published: January 2009

In his book, The New Sociological Imagination, Steve Fuller criticizes what he calls “bioliberalism.” According to him, the social sciences are challenged on two sides: humanistic and biological. In particular, Fuller finds the biological challenge serious. Fuller tries to reinvent sociology as a socialist project to counterattack bioliberalism as the biggest threat to the social sciences. First, the author will examine Fuller's argument against bioliberalism, referring to the so-called “liberal eugenics.” Then the author will criticize him. By reinventing sociology as a socialist project, Fuller seems to ignore the relation between value-freedom and education. One of the reasons Max Weber argued for value-freedom was to prevent sociology teachers from imposing their particular views on their students. We must consider this problem of teaching undergraduates sociology and other subjects in a better way if we are to have better social institutions.
Everyone Wants In
Authors: Benson Erica J.
Published: January 2009

The regional, social, and stylistic distributions of want + prepositional adverb (e.g., I can move if you want by) are poorly understood in spite of a long history of documentation and the inclusion of one form— want off—in major dialectology projects . This article investigates the acceptability of a range of forms of want + prepositional adverb in the United States and finds a wider than expected regional distribution, differences in the acceptability of different forms, and in the dialect area that boasts the greatest concentration of use—the Midland—little variation across social variables yet greater variation across styles. The author argues that the findings support the use of acceptability judgments in the study of morpho-syntactic features; indicate change from below in progress with the spread of want + prepositional adverb from the Midland; give additional evidence for an independent Midland dialect area; and call into question current assumptions about the relationship between social and stylistic variation.
A Quasi-Experimental Evaluation of Thinking for a Change
Authors: Lowenkamp Christopher T. , Hubbard Dana , Makarios Matthew D. , Latessa Edward J.
Published: January 2009

Due to the popularity of cognitive behavioral interventions, programs that follow this model are often assumed to be effective. Yet evaluations of specific programs have been slow in coming. The current investigation seeks to bridge this gap by evaluating the effectiveness of Thinking for a Change (TFAC), a widely used cognitive behavioral curriculum for offenders. Furthermore, this evaluation provides a “real-world” test of TFAC, because it was implemented by line staff in a community corrections agency as opposed to being a pilot project implemented by program developers. The results of the analyses indicate that offenders participating in the TFAC program had a significantly lower recidivism rate than similar offenders that were not exposed to the program.
Cumulative Effects of In Utero Administration of Mixtures of “Antiandrogens” on Male Rat Reproductive Development
Authors: Rider Cynthia V. , Wilson Vickie S. , Howdeshell Kembra L. , Hotchkiss Andrew K. , Furr Johnathan R. , Lambright Christy R. , Earl Gray L.
Published: January 2009

Although risk assessments are typically conducted on a chemical-by-chemical basis, the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) required the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to consider cumulative risk of chemicals that act via a common mechanism of toxicity. To this end, we are conducting studies with mixtures to provide a framework for assessing the cumulative effects of “antiandrogenic” chemicals. Rats were dosed during pregnancy with antiandrogens singly or in pairs at dosage levels equivalent to about one half of the ED50 for hypospadias or epididymal agenesis. The pairs include: AR antagonists (vinclozolin plus procymidone), phthalate esters (DBP plus BBP and DEHP plus DBP), a phthalate ester plus an AR antagonist (DBP plus procymidone), and linuron plus BBP. We predicted that each chemical by itself would induce few malformations; however, by mixing any two chemicals together, about 50% of the males would be malformed. All binary combinations produced cumulative, dose-additive effects on the androgen-dependent tissues. We also conducted a mixture study combining seven “antiandrogens” together. These chemicals elicit antiandrogenic effects at two different sites in the androgen signaling pathway (i.e., AR antagonist or inhibition of androgen synthesis). In this study, the complex mixture behaved in a dose-additive manner. Our results indicate that compounds that act by disparate mechanisms of toxicity display cumulative, dose-additive effects when present in combination.
Parent-Child Communication and Parental Involvement in Latino Adolescents
Authors: Davidson Tatiana M. , Cardemil Esteban V.
Published: January 2009

This study examines the associations among parent-child relationship characteristics, acculturation and enculturation, and child externalizing symptoms in a sample of 40 Latino parent-adolescent dyads. Specifically, the associations between parent-child relationship characteristics (i.e., communication and parental involvement) and adolescents' externalizing symptoms are examined. Also examined is whether the relationship between these two aspects of the parent-child relationship and adolescent functioning would be moderated by acculturation and enculturation differences between parents and their children. Significant relationships are found among parent-child communication, parental involvement, and child externalizing behaviors; however, neither the acculturation nor enculturation gap moderates these associations.
Research With Latino Early Adolescents
Authors: Umaña-Taylor Adriana J.
Published: January 2009

This article reflects on the state of the literature with respect to Latino early adolescents. An overview of the studies included in the special issue is provided and their unique contributions to the field are discussed. The article closes with directions for future research on Latino early adolescents, which include utilizing assessments from multiple informants, accounting for the diverse demographic characteristics of Latinos (e.g., linguistic, socioeconomic, and geographic diversity), and focusing more prominently on resilience and how Latino adolescents' culturally related strengths may minimize the negative effects of commonly experienced stressors.
Four Types of Gypsum Plaster Boards and their Thermophysical Properties Under Fire Condition
Authors: Wakili K. Ghazi , Hugi E.
Published: January 2009

Four different commercially available gypsum plaster boards are investigated experimentally at fire temperatures with respect to their thermophysical properties i.e., thermal conductivity, effective heat capacity and density. It is shown that depending on different ingredients (carbonates) different endothermic reactions occur between room temperature and 900°C. These reactions strongly influence the temperature dependence of the mentioned properties which in turn affect the response of the material to fire. Based on these experimental results the thermal reaction of a gypsum-protected steel column in fire is modeled for the four types of gypsum. The results of numerical simulations demonstrate clearly the advantages caused by certain ingredients of the chemical composition of gypsum plaster boards.
Fire Following Earthquake, Intra-structure Ignition Modeling
Authors: Zolfaghari M.R. , Peyghaleh E. , Nasirzadeh G.
Published: January 2009

The main factor which makes fires following earthquakes (FFE) different from other built environment fires is the ignition process. Ignitions following earthquake (IFE) is directly related to built environment and how buildings respond to strong ground motions and other seismic-related hazards. The ignition models used in many FFE hazard models are based on statistical correlation between extent of built environment and strong ground motion parameters. Damage pattern seen in recent FFE cases reveal that most of fires during past earthquakes started from inside buildings. Intra-structure IFE depends on many factors, the most important one is strong ground motion and how it shakes buildings and their contents. Various kinds of ignitions can be generated as the results of damage to structural elements, nonstructural elements and contents of a building. For example ignitions caused by nonstructural elements (e.g., utility networks) are more related to overall building damage state and degrees of differential displacement, while ignitions caused by contents (e.g., stove, TV) are more controlled by the maximum response acceleration felt at each storey. This paper proposes an analytical approach to model probabilistic IFE. Factors controlling IFE such as strong ground motion, building vulnerability, content overturning, utility breakage, etc., are modeled probabilistically in order to estimate the overall ignition probability inside a building. This paper tries to provide an analytical approach towards modeling sources of intra-structure ignitions and their associated uncertainties. The approach is introduced as an alternative solution to the statistical ignition model currently used in many FFE hazard models. However, detailed studies towards quantification and calibration of probability functions used in this study are beyond the scope of this paper and require further statistical data and investigation. A computer program has been also designed and developed in this research which models ignitions following earthquakes for building stock. This analytical tool is well designed inside an open-source GIS platform which provides powerful spatial analyses as well as effective visualization capabilities. This paper also presents the preliminary results for a probabilistic ignition following scenario earthquake for one of the city district in Tehran. The results are also compared to those derived using the HAZUS ignition model.
Modeling Heat Transfer for Heat-resistant Fabrics Considering Pyrolysis Effect under an External Heat Flux
Authors: Zhu Fang-Long , Zhang Wei-Yuan
Published: January 2009

In the paper, a heat-transfer model considering thermal degradation of heat-resistant fabrics when subjected to the radiant heat flux has been proposed. The model incorporates the heat-induced changes in fabric thermo physical properties. The new model has been validated by experimental data from modified Radiant Protective Performance (RPP) tests of heat-resistant fabrics. Comparisons with experimental data show that the predictions of mass loss rates, temperature profiles within the charring material and skin simulant, and time to 2nd skin burn are in reasonably good agreement with the experiments. Results of the numerical model contribute to a better understanding of the heat transfer process within heat-resistant fabrics under high heat flux conditions, and also to establish a systematic method for analyzing heat transfer in other fibrous materials applications.
Violence Against General Practitioners in Turkey
Authors: Aydin Berna , Kartal Mehtap , Midik Ozlem , Buyukakkus Alper
Published: January 2009

We aimed to determine the violence against general practitioners (GPs) through their suggestions on its cause and prevention. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study based on self-administered questionnaire answered by a convenience study population consisting of 522 GPs between November and December 2006. Of the participating GPs, 82.8% reported that they experienced violence. They reported 1,020 events, and verbal form was the most common form (89.3%). Verbal and sexual violence were seen more frequently among women, whereas physical and economic violence were more frequent with men. Perpetrators were patients and/or their relatives in 91.1% of the events. However, they were colleagues and superiors in 67.9% of the economic and sexual violence events. Violence against GPs warrants more attention. For its prevention, there is a need of continuous professional, administrative, and legal support from the government along with systematic, coordinated implementations independent from daily political concerns.
Circulating osteoprotegerin levels are elevated and correlated with antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Kwok SK , Shin YJ , Kim HJ , Kim HS , Kim JY , Yoo SA , Choi JJ , Kim WU , Cho CS
Published: January 2009

Patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) have an increased risk for the development of thrombotic complications. Recent studies indicate that osteoprotegerin (OPG) acts as an important molecule in the development of vascular diseases. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between serum OPG levels and APS manifestations in patients with SLE. Seventy-nine patients with SLE and ninety-two healthy controls, matched for age and sex, were included in this study. Serum levels of OPG, monocyte chemoattractant protein(MCP)-1 and soluble E-selectin were determined by ELISA. At the time of serum sampling, various clinical and laboratory parameters were assessed. We found that serum levels of OPG were significantly higher in patients with SLE than in healthy controls (1236 ± 82 vs 967 ± 37 pg/mL, P = 0.003). Particularly, serum OPG levels were significantly higher in SLE patients with APS than those without (1615 ± 191 vs 1171 ± 91 pg/mL, P = 0.006). Serum OPG levels correlated with titres of IgG anti-cardiolipin antibody ( P = 0.026) and anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibody ( P < 0.001). Moreover, serum OPG also correlated with serum levels of sE-selectin ( P = 0.002), which is an endothelial cell activation marker, and MCP-1 ( P = 0.003), a well known chemokine implicated in thrombogenesis. Collectively, serum OPG levels were increased in SLE patients with APS and correlated with titres of antiphospholipid antibodies, suggesting that OPG might be linked to the development of APS.
Complementary or alternative therapy use and health status in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Alvarez-Nemegyei J , Bautista-Botello A
Published: January 2009

Despite their unproven efficacy and safety concerns, complementary and alternative therapies (CAT) are used by a high proportion of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A prospective survey of past and present CAT use was done on 192 patients (36.5 ± 12.7 years; 106 ± 85 months of disease duration; 94% women) with an SLE diagnosis according to ACR criteria. Quality of life [Short Form 36 (SF-36)] and cumulated damage (SLICC/ACR) were compared between CAT users and non-users. In all, 103 (53.6%; 95% CI: 46.8–60.9) patients were CAT users (median: two remedies/patient): two (1%) in the alternative mode (CAT instead of allopathic treatment); 101 (52.6%) in the complementary mode (CAT in addition to allopathic treatment). A univariate analysis showed CAT users to have higher cumulated damage ( P = 0.01) levels, as well as lower physical function ( P = 0.05), social function ( P = 0.05) and bodily pain ( P = 0.02) domain scores in the SF-36 survey. After adjustment for disease duration with a linear model, only differences in bodily pain ( P = 0.04) and cumulated damage ( P = 0.05) remained statistically significant. CAT use is apparently associated with lower health status in patients with SLE from Yucatan, Mexico. Because the study was cross-sectional, more research is needed to define the directionality of this association.
Squamous Metaplasia on the Breast Implant Capsule
Authors: Alikhan Mir Basharath , Nassar Aziza , Mansoor Ibrahim
Published: January 2009

The development of squamous metaplasia or carcinoma is a rare occurrence in the setting of a ruptured or leaking silicone breast implant capsule. However, the oncogenic process in such a context is yet another intriguing example of how chronic inflammation plays an integral role in the tumorigenic process. Recent papers have shed light on how inflammation involving M2-tpe macrophages, lymphocytes, and other inflammatory cells at first provide the cytokines necessary to fend off an inciting foreign-body attack such as silicone from a ruptured or leaking implant. Although such a response is beneficial in keeping infection or foreign material in check, there are instances when the response may be exaggerated. It is thought that the extent and length of the response, the balance between pro-inflammatory/ anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory/pro-apoptotic, as well as genetic factors play important roles in determining the final result of an inflammatory insult.
RET/PTC Rearrangement Occurring in Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma
Authors: Flavin Richard , Jackl Gerhard , Finn Stephen , Smyth Paul , Ring Martina , O'Regan Esther , Cahill Susanne , Unger Kristian , Denning Karen , Jinghuan Li  , Aherne Sinead , Tallini Giovanni , Gaffney Eoin , O'Leary J.J. , Zitzelsberger Horst , Sheils Orla
Published: January 2009

RET/PTC rearrangements are initiating events in the development of a significant proportion of papillary thyroid carcinomas. Activated RET/PTC mutations are thought to be restricted to thyroid disease, but this study proposes that these events may also occur in nonthyroid tumors. A total of 57 nonthyroid papillary tumors were examined for RET/PTC rearrangements using interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization, Taqman reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry. Taqman single nucleotide polymorphism detection was used to analyze for expression of mutated BRAF T1799A. In all, 20% (3/15) of primary peritoneal carcinoma had detectable RET/PTC1 rearrangements by all 3 methodologies. A further case of similar histotype had an alternate RET/ PTC rearrangement. No RET/PTC1 rearrangements were detected in the remaining tumor cohort. All 57 tumors were homozygous for wild-type BRAF. The results indicate that RET/PTC rearrangements occur in a small subset of nonthyroid papillary tumors. These rearrangements may not be directly implicated in tumor growth; rather representing “passenger” mutations reflecting RET instability in secondary tumor subclones.
Correlation Between Thymidylate Synthase Protein Expression and Gene Polymorphism with Clinicopathological Parameters in Colorectal Carcinoma
Authors: Moreira Luciana R. , Almeida Schenka André , Latuff Filho Paulo , Nascimento Helvia , Passos Lima Carmen Silvia , Silva Trevisan Miriam Aparecida , Vassallo José
Published: January 2009

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) represents the basis of chemotherapy for colorectal carcinoma, inhibiting thymidylate synthase (TS), an essential enzyme for DNA replication. Previous studies have associated high TS protein expression by tumor cells with poor outcome of patients with colorectal carcinoma, but others have refuted these findings. In view of the potential role of TS as predictive parameter and the lack of consensus in the literature, the present study compared 2 methods: protein expression and gene polymorphism, correlating them with clinicopathological findings. Immunohistochemical detection of TS in tumor cells and detection of gene polymorphism in the blood were performed in 32 patients with colorectal carcinoma treated with 5-FU. No correlation was found between TS protein expression and gene polymorphism. Neither method correlated with survival, tumor staging, and tumor histological grading. This result possibly reflects a complex tumor response to 5-FU therapy, where TS is just one of the involved proteins.
Once Daily Enoxaparin for Outpatient Treatment of Acute Venous Thromboembolism: A Case-control Study
Authors: Hacobian Melkon , Shetty Ranjith , Niles Clyde Matthew , Gerhard-Herman Marie , Vallurupalli Neelima , Baroletti Steven , McKean Sylvia C. , Sonis Jonathan , Parasuraman Sudha , Kosowsky Joshua M. , Goldhaber Samuel Z.
Published: January 2009

We studied the efficacy and safety of an investigational enoxaparin regimen, 1.5 mg/kg once daily, as a bridge to warfarin for the outpatient treatment of acute venous thromboembolism. We undertook a case-control design. We enrolled 40 acute venous thromboembolism cases prospectively and matched them by age, gender, and location of venous thromboembolism to 80 previously treated controls. All controls had received enoxaparin 1 mg/kg twice daily. The primary end point was recurrent venous thromboembolism. We followed the cases for 30 days. We discontinued enoxaparin after we achieved the target international normalized ratio between 2.0 and 3.0. One case (2.9%) and three controls (3.8%) had recurrent venous thromboembolic events (P = 1.00). There were no major bleeding complications in the case group, compared to 3 (3.8%) in the control group (P = .55). Once daily enoxaparin, 1.5 mg/kg, as a bridge to warfarin was as effective with a similar safety profile as twice daily enoxaparin, 1mg/kg, for initial treatment of acute venous thromboembolism in the outpatient setting. This case-control study provides the rationale for undertaking a randomized controlled trial comparing enoxaparin 1.5 mg/kg once daily versus enoxaparin 1.0 mg/kg twice daily as a bridge to warfarin in outpatients with acute venous thromboembolism.
Vibration Control of a Structure and a Rotor Using One-sided Magnetic Actuator and a Digital Proportional-derivative Control
Authors: Nandi A. , Neogy S. , Irretier H.
Published: January 2009

The present work aims at vibration control of a structure/rotor using a one-sided magnetic actuator. For such an actuator, the actuator force is a nonlinear function of current through the coil of the actuator and the gap between the actuator and the structure/rotor. Though the actuator introduces sufficient nonlinearity to the system, it has the advantage that, for applying force in a direction, this actuator needs to be placed in only one side of the structure/rotor. For vibration control of the structure/rotor, a simple digital proportional derivative (PD) control technique is suggested here. It is considered that the displacement signal from the sensor is sampled at specific instants of time and a series of discrete values of displacement is made available to the digital controller. The controller processes the above values of displacement to compute the values of control current that produces the values of appropriate control force at the corresponding instants. The input current to the actuator is kept constant between two consecutive sampling instants. The response of the controlled system (the structure/rotor along with the digital controller) is computed using standard time-marching algorithms (with time steps much smaller than the sampling interval). The effect of the sampling interval in the response pattern is observed for a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system, a finite element model of a beam and a four degree-of-freedom model of a rotor.
Instabilities in a MEMS Gyroscope Subjected to Angular Rate Fluctuations
Authors: Asokanthan S.F. , Wang T.
Published: January 2009

Instabilities in a vibrating MEMS gyroscope that is subject to periodic fluctuations in input angular rates are investigated. For the purpose of acquiring stability conditions, when the angular rate input is subject to small intensity periodic fluctuations, dynamic behavior of periodically perturbed linear gyroscopic systems is studied in detail. An asymptotic approach based on the method of averaging has been employed for this purpose, and closed-form conditions for the onset of instability due to parametric resonances have been obtained. A numerical approach based on the Floquet-Lyapunov theory is employed for validating the analytical stability predictions. Furthermore, for characterizing the effect due to change in angular rate input, an in-depth natural frequency analysis has been performed. Stability predictions have been illustrated via stability diagrams in the excitation amplitude-frequency space. Based on these results, the dangerous critical frequencies can be avoided during the design process.
Study of Exponential Decay and Exact Solution of Evolution System via Energy Perturbation and Decomposition Methods
Authors: Najafi M.
Published: January 2009

Energy functional and Adomian Decomposition Methods (ADM) are employed, respectively, in order to investigate the stability of a system of connected wave equations in parallel via internal feedback controllers. Numerical computations have also been attempted for confirmation purposes.
Performing Silence
Authors: Bhattacharya Himika
Published: January 2009

This article presents two different ways of understanding silence, through a discussion of women's narratives of violence from Lahaul, India. Here I illustrate how feminist ethnography works its way into re-conceptualizing silence as a tool women use to resist existing patriarchal discourses of honor, tribe and nation.
Fragments and Interruptions
Authors: Hegde Radha S.
Published: January 2009

The ethnography of violence presents dilemmas that are at once ethical, corporal, intellectual, and political. Drawing on fieldwork experiences from the study of mothers and female infanticide in south India, this essay elaborates on one ethnographic encounter that both informed the representational process and talked back to its normative assumptions. The dynamics of the encounter are used as a point of departure to reflect on gendered violence, the limits of feminist ethnography, and the admissibility of fragments as evidence of subaltern subjectivity.