bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virtual Rehabilitation in an Activity Centre for Community-Dwelling Persons with Stroke
Authors: Broeren Jurgen , Claesson Lisbeth , Goude Daniel , Rydmark Martin , Sunnerhagen Katharina S.
Published: August 2008

Background: The main purpose of this study was to place a virtual reality (VR) system, designed to assess and to promote motor performance in the affected upper extremity in subjects after stroke, in a nonhospital environment. We also wanted to investigate if playing computer games resulted in improved motor function in persons with prior stroke. Methods: The intervention involved 11 patients after stroke who received extra rehabilitation by training on a computer 3 times a week during a 4-week period. The control group involved 11 patients after stroke who continued their previous rehabilitation (no extra computer training) during this period. The mean age of all was 68 years (range = 47–85) and the average time after stroke 66 months (range = 15–140). The VR training consisted of challenging games, which provided a range of difficulty levels that allow practice to be fun and motivating. An additional group of 11 right-handed aged matched individuals without history of neurological or psychiatric illnesses served as reference subjects. Results: All the participants reported that they were novel computer game players. After an initial introduction they learned to use the VR system quickly. The treatment group demonstrated improvements in motor outcome for the trained upper extremity, but this was not detected in real-life activities. Conclusions: The results of this research suggest the usefulness of computer games in training motor performance. VR can be used beneficially not only by younger participants but also by older persons to enhance their motor performance after stroke.
Patient and Caregiver Perspectives of Quality of Life in Dementia
Authors: Hurt Catherine , Bhattacharyya Sarmishtha , Burns Alistair , Camus Vincent , Liperoti Rossella , Marriott Anna , Nobili Flavio , Robert Philippe , Tsolaki Magda , Vellas Bruno , Verhey Frans , Byrne Eleanor Jane
Published: August 2008

Background/Aims: Behavioural and psychological symptoms have a high prevalence amongst patients with dementia and can be a significant source of distress to both patients and carers. The present study explored the relationships between quality of life and behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD) from both patient and carer perspectives. Contextual factors surrounding the occurrence of BPSD were explored. Methods: Forty-six patients and 116 carers completed questionnaire measures of BPSD and quality of life. Results: BPSD were negatively associated with both patient and carer ratings of patient quality of life. The symptoms related to lower quality of life differed between patient and carer ratings: depression and irritability were found to predict lower carer ratings of quality of life, whilst delusions and apathy indicated lower patient ratings. Carers were found to be poor at identifying antecedents and consequences of BPSD. Conclusions: The presence of BPSD is associated with lower quality of life in dementia. Interventions designed to improve the quality of life for patients should focus on the BPSD specifically associated with the patient’s rating of quality of life. Information regarding the role of contextual factors in behaviour management should be made available to carers.
Early-Onset Dementia Is Associated with Higher Mortality
Authors: Koedam Esther L.G.E. , Pijnenburg Yolande A.L. , Deeg Dorly J.H. , Baak Merel M.E. , van der Vlies Annelies E. , Scheltens Philip , van der Flier Wiesje M.
Published: August 2008

Background/Aims: Our objective was to compare the mortality risks of patients with early- and late-onset dementia with non-demented controls of the same age range and to analyse the mortality risks in subtypes of dementia. Methods: We included 1,203 subjects from our memory clinic. Patients with dementia were subdivided into 2 groups, with early- (<65 years) or late-onset dementia (≧65 years), and compared with non-demented controls of the same age range. We used Cox proportional hazard models to estimate mortality risks. Results: When compared to non-demented controls of the same age range, the patients with early-onset dementia had a strongly elevated mortality risk [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) = 43.3 (3.1–600.4)], while those with late-onset dementia had a moderately increased mortality risk compared to older controls [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) = 3.4 (1.8–6.2)]. An additional analysis showed that, adjusted for age, Alzheimer’s disease seemed to have the most benign course, with a fourfold increased mortality risk. Dementia with Lewy bodies and vascular dementia (frequently seen at older age) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration and ‘other dementias’ (often found at younger age) had a six- to eightfold increased mortality risk. Conclusion: Dementia is a risk factor for death. Especially in young patients the impact of dementia on mortality is high.
Diagnostic Capacity of 64-Slice Multidetector Computed Tomography for Acute Coronary Syndrome in Patients Presenting with Acute Chest Pain
Authors: Ueno Koji , Anzai Toshihisa , Jinzaki Masahiro , Yamada Minoru , Kohno Takashi , Kawamura Akio , Yoshikawa Tsutomu , Kuribayashi Sachio , Ogawa Satoshi
Published: August 2008

Background/Aims: Early evaluations of patients presenting with acute chest pain remain difficult. We examined the diagnostic capacity of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients presenting with acute chest pain. Methods/Results: We examined 36 consecutive patients presenting with acute chest pain with neither diagnostic ECG changes nor elevated biomarkers. 64-slice MDCT was performed, and we evaluated the presenceof significant coronaryartery stenosis (>50% reduction in lumen diameter). Significant stenosis was detected in 15 patients by MDCT. Among them, 11 patients were diagnosed as having ACS based on the findings of coronary angiography or myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (positive predictive value 73%). All 21 patients without significant stenosis by MDCT, except only one, were regarded as not having ACS (negative predictive value 95%). Sensitivity and specificity were 92 and 83%, respectively. In patients without a history of coronary artery disease (CAD), both the specificity and positive predictive value improved to 100% (sensitivity 90%; negative predictive value 95%). In patients with neither a history of CAD nor coronary calcification, the diagnostic accuracy of MDCT was 100%. Conclusions: MDCT has high diagnostic capacity for the early evaluation of ACS, especially in patients without a history of CAD or coronary calcification.
Sanguinarine, a Benzophenanthridine Alkaloid, Induces Apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 Human Breast Carcinoma Cells through a Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Mitochondrial Pathway
Authors: Choi Woo Young , Kim Gi-Young , Lee Won Ho , Choi Yung Hyun
Published: August 2008

Background: Sanguinarine is a benzophenanthridine alkaloid that is known to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer properties. In this study, we examined the effects of this compound on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the association of these effects with apoptotic tumor cell death using a human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cell line. Methods: Cytotoxicity was evaluated by trypan blue exclusion methods. Apoptosis was detected using DAPI staining, agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometer. The expression levels of proteins were determined by Western blot analyses and caspase activities were measured using colorimetric assays. The ROS production and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, ΔΨm) changes were measured fluorimetrically. Results: The results of this study demonstrate that sanguinarine mediates ROS production, and that this mediation is followed by a decrease in MMP, the release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and downregulation of antiapoptosis factor XIAP and cIAP-1. Sanguinarine also promoted the activation of caspase-8 and truncation of Bid (tBid). Moreover, the quenching of ROS generation by N-acetyl-L-cysteine administration, a scavenger of ROS, reversed the sanguinarine-induced apoptosis effects via inhibition of ROS production, MMP collapse, tBid expression and the subsequent activation of caspases. These observations clearly indicate that ROS are involved in the early molecular events in the sanguinarine-induced apoptotic pathway. Conclusion: Our data imply that sanguinarine-induced ROS are key mediators of MMP collapse, which leads to the release of cytochrome c followed by caspase activation, culminating in apoptosis.
Cohort Changes in Cognitive Function among Danish Centenarians
Authors: Engberg Henriette , Christensen Kaare , Andersen-Ranberg Karen , Jeune Bernard
Published: August 2008

Background/Aim: The objective was to examine cohort changes in cognitive function in 2 cohorts of centenarians born 10 years apart. Methods: The Longitudinal Study of Danish Centenarians comprises all Danes reaching the age of 100 in the period April 1, 1995 through May 31, 1996. A total of 207 out of 276 persons participated (75%). The Danish 1905 Cohort Survey includes all individuals born in 1905. In total, 225 out of 364 persons who reached the age of 100 in the cohort participated in the most recent 2005 follow-up (62%). In both cohorts, cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination. Results: There were no significant differences in cognitive score between the two centenarian birth cohorts. However, modest tendencies were seen towards better cognitive functioning for the centenarians in the 1905 cohort living at home compared to the home-dwelling ones in the 1895 cohort and worse cognitive performance for the centenarians in the 1905 group living in nursing homes compared to the nursing home dwellers in the 1895 cohort. Conclusion: The increasing number of centenarians may not entail larger proportions of cognitively impaired individuals in this extreme age group.
Is Gender Crucial for Cardiovascular Adjustments Induced by Exercise Training in Female Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats?
Authors: Coimbra Rosemeire , Sanchez Lylian S. , Potenza Janaina M. , Rossoni Luciana V. , Amaral Sandra Lia , Michelini Lisete C.
Published: August 2008

Evidence of mild hypertension in women and female rats and our preliminary observation showing that training is not effective to reduce pressure in female as it does in male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) prompt us to investigate the effects of gender on hemodynamic pattern and microcirculatory changes induced by exercise training. Female SHR and normotensive controls (Wistar-Kyoto rats) were submitted to training (55% VO
2
peak; 3 months) or kept sedentary and instrumented for pressure and hindlimb flow measurements at rest and during exercise. Heart, kidney, and skeletal muscles (locomotor/nonlocomotor) were processed for morphometric analysis of arterioles, capillaries, and venules. High pressure in female SHR was accompanied by an increased arteriolar wall:lumen ratio in the kidney (+30%;
P
<0.01) but an unchanged ratio in the skeletal muscles and myocardium. Female SHR submitted to training did not exhibit further changes on the arteriolar wall:lumen ratio and pressure, showing additionally increased hindlimb resistance at rest (+29%;
P
<0.05). On the other hand, female SHR submitted to training exhibited increased capillary and venular densities in locomotor muscles (+50% and 2.3-fold versus sedentary SHR, respectively) and normalized hindlimb flow during exercise hyperemia. Left ventricle pressure and weight were higher in SHR versus WKY rats, but heart performance (positive dP/dt
max
and negative dP/dt
max
) was not changed by hypertension or training, suggesting a compensated heart function in female SHR. In conclusion, the absence of training-induced structural changes on skeletal muscle and myocardium arterioles differed from changes observed previously in male SHR, suggesting a gender effect. This effect might contribute to the lack of pressure fall in trained female SHRs.
Chinese Women Entering New England: Chinese Exclusion Act Case Files, Boston, 1911–1925
Authors: Lo Shauna
Published: August 2008

Chinese women who sought entry to the United States during the Chinese Exclusion Act (1882–1943) faced unique challenges. As case files (1911–25) from the Boston Immigration Office reveal, however, they became adept transnational migrants, overcoming great obstacles and adopting innovative strategies to reach their destinations in the Northeast.
The Oreades Hear Emerson in Worcester
Authors: Ljungquist Kent P.
Published: August 2008

In Martha Burt Wright's and Anna M. Bancroft's history of the Oread Collegiate Institute, founded by the educational reformer Eli Thayer in 1849, passages from the correspondence of Bernette Hill establish the topic of Ralph Waldo Emerson's 31 January 1856 Worcester lecture as “Beauty.”
Miriam and St Hippolytus
Authors: Jacobson Howard
Published: August 2008

A conjecture in Hippolytus, Refutatio omnium haeresium 5.8.2
Storms and Lightning Activity in Greece during the Warm Periods of 2003–06
Authors: Mazarakis N. , Kotroni V. , Lagouvardos K. , Argiriou A. A.
Published: August 2008

Lightning activity over Greece during the warm season (May–September) of the years 2003–06 is investigated in relation to the synoptic meteorological conditions that prevailed in the region. The study is based on the use of cloud-to-ground lightning activity data from the Met Office Arrival Time Difference system and upper-air analyses from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. Analysis of the spatial variability of lightning shows that the highest “relative” flash densities are observed in northern and western Greece and in central and western Peloponnissos. The relative flash density is correlated with elevation: it increases with elevation along the slopes of terrain features. The study of the synoptic patterns related to lightning is based on the analysis of 60 active days and 60 inactive days in terms of lightning activity over Greece. The days with high lightning activity are characterized by a short-wave trough at the 500-hPa level over the Ionian Sea. On the other hand, during the days with no lightning, a northwest flow prevails over Greece. It was also found that high lightning activity is related to high values of absolute vorticity, equivalent potential temperature, and convective available potential energy.
External Influences on Nocturnal Thermally Driven Flows in a Deep Valley
Authors: Schmidli Juerg , Poulos Gregory S. , Daniels Megan H. , Chow Fotini K.
Published: August 2008

The dynamics that govern the evolution of nighttime flows in a deep valley, California’s Owens Valley, are analyzed. Measurements from the Terrain-Induced Rotor Experiment (T-REX) reveal a pronounced valley-wind system with often nonclassical flow evolution. Two cases with a weak high pressure ridge over the study area but very different valley flow evolution are presented. The first event is characterized by the appearance of a layer of southerly flow after midnight local time, sandwiched between a thermally driven low-level downvalley (northerly) flow and a synoptic northwesterly flow aloft. The second event is characterized by an unusually strong and deep downvalley jet, exceeding 15 m s−1. The analysis is based on the T-REX measurement data and the output of high-resolution large-eddy simulations using the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS). Using horizontal grid spacings of 1 km and 350 m, ARPS reproduces the observed flow features for these two cases very well. It is found that the low-level along-valley forcing of the valley wind is the result of a superposition of the local thermal forcing and a midlevel (2–2.5 km MSL) along-valley pressure forcing. The analysis shows that the large difference in valley flow evolution derives primarily from differences in the midlevel pressure forcing, and that the Owens Valley is particularly susceptible to these midlevel external influences because of its specific geometry. The results demonstrate the delicate interplay of forces that can combine to determine the valley flow structure on any given night.
Ocean Water Clarity and the Ocean General Circulation in a Coupled Climate Model
Authors: Gnanadesikan Anand , Anderson Whit G.
Published: August 2008

Ocean water clarity affects the distribution of shortwave heating in the water column. In a one-dimensional time-mean sense, increased clarity would be expected to cool the surface and heat subsurface depths as shortwave radiation penetrates deeper into the water column. However, wind-driven upwelling, boundary currents, and the seasonal cycle of mixing can bring water heated at depth back to the surface. This warms the equator and cools the subtropics throughout the year while reducing the amplitude of the seasonal cycle of temperature in polar regions. This paper examines how these changes propagate through the climate system in a coupled model with an isopycnal ocean component focusing on the different impacts associated with removing shading from different regions. Increasing shortwave penetration along the equator causes warming to the south of the equator. Increasing it in the relatively clear gyres off the equator causes the Hadley cells to strengthen and the subtropical gyres to shift equatorward. Increasing shortwave penetration in the less clear regions overlying the oxygen minimum zones causes the cold tongue to warm and the Walker circulation to weaken. Increasing shortwave penetration in the high-latitude Southern Ocean causes an increase in the formation of mode water from subtropical water. The results suggest that more attention be paid to the processes distributing heat below the mixed layer.
The colour flows back: Intention and interpretation in literature and in everyday action
Authors: Tanney Julia
Published: August 2008

The notion of the author's intention is logically tied to the interpretation we give to her work, as the notion of the agent's intention is logically tied to the interpretation we give to her action. When we find a discrepancy between what the author or agent says and the meaning we find in her work or the sense we make of what she does, this does not show that the intention is irrelevant in determining this meaning or sense. As Frank Cioffi has argued, we are rather favouring one criterion of intention over another. Taking a close look at the early criticism surrounding The Turn of the Screw I draw attention to this phenomenon — much discussed by Wittgenstein — of favouring one criterion of intention over another. Because Wittgenstein's views, though mentioned frequently, are still ill-understood, I go on to tease out the philosophical assumptions that lurk in the background of disputes about the relevance of intention for interpretation.
Information management challenges for the professional accountant in business
Authors: Oades Caroline
Published: August 2008

Information professionals have fundamental skills that — if harnessed optimally — have the potential to be of significant value to professional accountants working in business. The accounting profession is grappling with issues emerging from a changing external environment. The roles, responsibilities and priorities of those with a finance function — especially those in business — are evolving, bringing about shifts in information needs. The opportunity for information professionals is to assert and demonstrate the relevance and value of their skill set to the emerging, more strategic finance function. This article provides an overview of the developments impacting accountants in business to highlight potential opportunities for information professionals.
Examining the Impact of Sex Offender Residence Restrictions on Housing Availability
Authors: Zgoba Kristen M. , Levenson Jill , McKee Tracy
Published: August 2008

This study explores the potential impact of residence restrictions on housing availability for registered sex offenders in Camden County, New Jersey ( N = 211). The proportion of registered sex offenders who live within typical exclusionary zones of 1,000 and 2,500 ft of schools, day care centers, churches, and parks is determined using the Geographical Information System mapping technology. The majority of sex offenders live within 2,500 ft of schools (71%) and day care centers (80%), and 88% live within 2,500 ft of any of four hot spots. Comparatively, 80% of nonoffending citizens live within 2,500 ft of such places. Offenders of adult victims live significantly closer to schools compared to those with child victims. The results suggest that a majority of sex offenders would be unable to live in their current homes if residence restrictions were in place, and that few options for housing exist outside of common buffer zones.
Using a Modified Neurolinguistic Programming Swish Pattern With Couple Parasuicide and Suicide Survivors
Authors: Juhnke Gerald A. , Coll Kenneth M. , Sunich Michael F. , Kent Ronda R.
Published: August 2008

Given the frequency of suicides and parasuicides and the often comorbid negatively experienced effects of these behaviors, it is likely that the vast majority of couples, marriage, and family counselors will at one time or another encounter couples who survive family members' parasuicides or suicides. This article succinctly describes a modified neurolinguistic programming technique the authors have found helpful with their surviving couples. The technique is based on their collective couples, marriage, and family counseling experiences and presents a strength-based perspective.
Undergraduate Women Who Have Gambled in Casinos: Are They at Risk?
Authors: Blinn‐Pike Lynn , Worthy Sheri Lokken
Published: August 2008

The aim of this study is to describe female undergraduates who have gambled in casinos compared with their peers who have never participated in casino gambling or gambling in any form. Pathological gambling has been linked to financial problems, marital stress, lost time at work and school, depression, and even suicide. Female students (n = 179, mean age 21.64) from a southeastern university are questioned about their gambling behaviors, sensation‐seeking traits, and alcohol consumption. Female college students who have participated in casino gambling have higher sensation‐seeking scores, higher scores on a measure of gambling severity, consumed alcohol on more occasions over the past 30 days, and have binge drunk more frequently than their peers. Implications are presented for gambling prevention and research.
Grid-Enabled Workflow Management System Based On BPEL
Authors: Ma Ru-Yue , Wu Yong-Wei , Meng Xiang-Xu , Liu Shi-Jun , Li Pan
Published: August 2008

A grid-enabled workflow management system provides a set of tools to facilitate building high-level grid application services by orchestrating low-level grid services. BPEL (Business Process Execution Language) is the de facto standard in the Web service community. The purpose of this paper is to design and implement a workflow management system based on BPEL in a grid environment. The approach to integrating BPEL with WSRF (Web Services Resource Framework), is to put forward a simple cluster model of BPEL engines and application component oriented workflow defining respectively to satisfy the specific requirements in a grid environment, such as stateful interactions, dynamic service binding, high throughput and scalability, and friendly workflow defining. Finally, a prototype of a workflow system implemented in ChinaGrid Supporting Platform (CGSP) is also given.
`Breaking the Cycle'
Authors: Breheny Mary , Stephens Christine
Published: August 2008

Intergenerational explanations are widely available to account for poor health and social outcomes such as those associated with teenage motherhood. Within these explanations, medical journals represent authoritative voices that shape understandings of disadvantage. Teenage motherhood was understood through the metaphor of a `cycle of disadvantage' within this medical literature. Disadvantage is constructed as the result of poor individual choice or family deviance, and the role of the individual and the family in transmitting disadvantage is highlighted. Suggestions for health interventions consequently focus on identifying deviant individuals and families, rather than on ways to address the social context of disadvantage.
The Effectiveness of a Hope Intervention in Coping with Cold Pressor Pain
Authors: Berg Carla J. , Snyder C.R. , Hamilton Nancy
Published: August 2008

Hope has been correlated with greater pain tolerance and thresholds and less reported pain severity. The present study investigated the effectiveness of a brief hope-based intervention involving guided imagery and skills instruction aimed at enhancing pain coping skills among university students performing the cold pressor task. The intervention resulted in increased hope among females and increased pain tolerance in all participants. The intervention did not affect pain threshold and resulted in marginally increased pain severity. Thus, this intervention facilitates better pain tolerance without necessarily changing the experience of the pain. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Recruiting and retaining pregnant women from a community health center at the US—Mexico border for the Mothers and Youth Access clinical trial
Authors: Ramos-Gomez Francisco , Chung Lisa H , Gonzalez Beristain Rocio , Santo William , Jue Bonnie , Weintraub Jane , Gansky Stuart
Published: August 2008

Background Recruitment and retention in clinical trials of minorities is low, particularly in rural underserved populations. This has slowed progress in addressing racial/ethnic disparities in oral health.

Purpose To describe factors associated with successful recruitment, and identify predictors of continued retention of pregnant women attending a community health center into a randomized controlled clinical trial to prevent early childhood caries.

Methods The Mothers and Youth Access (MAYA) Trial recruited women in the second trimester of pregnancy. At baseline, consenting women completed an oral health questionnaire and received a dental exam and oral health counseling. Four months postpartum, women returned with their babies for randomization with follow up at 9-, 12-, 18-, 24-, 30-, and 36-month postpartum visits. To assess predictors of retention, data about respondents' demographics, and oral health-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors were obtained by questionnaire and analyzed by logistic and discrete time-to-event regression analyses.

Results Of 556 predominantly Mexican-American women recruited at baseline, 195 (35%) were excluded after baseline for not meeting inclusion criteria; 361 (65%) continued to randomization. Factors such as race/ethnicity, annual household income, household composition, oral health-related knowledge and behaviors significantly related to retention until randomization. In multivariable models, women reporting a higher annual household income were less likely to be lost to attrition before randomization (odds ratio = 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60—0.89); while Mexican/Mexican-American women were less likely to be lost beyond randomization (hazard ratio = 0.53, 95% CI 0.26—1.08).

Limitations Factors not measured at baseline may have been important in predicting attrition. The MAYA Trial is expected to finish by November 2008; therefore, complete results for total retention may differ from those reported here.

Conclusions Recruitment and retention efforts for pregnant Hispanic women should place heavy emphasis on culture as ethnicity remained the only borderline significant predictor in postrandomization retention. Clinical Trials 2008; 5: 336—346. http://ctj.sagepub.com
Early participant attrition from clinical trials: role of trial design and logistics
Authors: Siddiqi Azfar-e-Alam , Sikorskii Alla , Given Charles W , Given Barbara
Published: August 2008

Background Participant attrition from randomized controlled trials reduces the statistical power of the study and can potentially introduce bias. Early identification of potential causes of attrition can help reduce patient attrition. We performed secondary analyses of two trials involving cancer patients.

Purpose To identify predictors of attrition during two early phases, i.e., from consent to screening (Phase-1), and from screening to intake interview (Phase-2) in two clinical trials.

Methods Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were asked to enroll in one of two clinical trials. In each trial the benefits of a cognitive behavioral intervention were compared with a psycho-educational intervention to assist patients to manage cancer and treatment-related symptoms. Following consent patients were screened for their symptoms' severity to determine their eligibility.

Results Of the 885 consenters 785 completed screening and of the 782 eligible for participation, 713 completed intake interview. In the first phase, longer delays between consent and first contact attempt, lower levels of patient education, minority race, and prolonged duration of screening increased the likelihood of dropping out with a significantly stronger effect on minorities than white patients. In the second phase, low education, being a minority, longer screening delays, and impact of symptom severity on enjoyment of life significantly increased probability of attrition.

Limitations Participant reported causes of attrition were not modeled; however, exclusion of patients who died during the time period of this research meant that most patients leaving the study made a conscious decision to do so.

Conclusions To assure preservation of external validity, the time between consent and randomization into the arms of a trial must be held to a minimum. Delays between contacts and run in time, that may include screening patients to assure they will benefit from a trial, must be balanced against rates of attrition. Compressing intervals between contacts is particularly important to retain minorities. Clinical Trials 2008; 5: 328—335. http://ctjsagepub.com
Technologies of memory: Key issues and critical perspectives
Authors: Van House Nancy , Churchill Elizabeth F.
Published: August 2008

Past, present and emerging technologies of memory are important concerns for memory studies. What is remembered individually and collectively depends in part on technologies of memory and socio-technical practices, which are changing radically. We identify specific concerns about developments in digital memory capture, storage and retrieval. Decisions are being made now that may have far-reaching consequences. Systems are being designed based on models and metaphors in which human memory works much like the computer. We bring to this discussion a critical perspective from science and technology studies (STS) and a grounding in human—computer interaction (HCI) and computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW). We argue that, while these developments are significant for memory studies research, even more important is the need for memory studies to remind and inspire designers of what is possible and useful, and help expand the understanding of human memory on which these systems are based.
Temporary Ectopic Digital Implantation: A Clinical Series of Eight Digits
Authors: BAKHACH J. , KATRANA F. , PANCONI B. , BAUDET J. , GUIMBERTEAU J. C.
Published: August 2008

This paper reports our experience with temporary ectopic digital implantation. Four patients suffered 12 digital amputations with large defect over the proximal stumps. Only 8 digits were suitable for microsurgical salvage but the local conditions made direct replantation impossible. In our first patient, the two digits were ectopically implanted onto the foot, while in the second patient the four amputated digits were implanted onto the opposite forearm. After stump reconstruction, the digits were microsurgically transferred to the hand, restoring a functional pinch. One digit suffered a venous congestion and necrosis in the ectopic site caused by a haematoma and another experienced a no-reflow phenomenon. In conclusion, temporary ectopic implantation remains a procedure that can be used to salvage amputated digits.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Patient-Oriented Hand Rehabilitation Programme
Authors: HARTH A. , GERMANN G. , JESTER A.
Published: August 2008

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a patient-oriented, hand rehabilitation programme compared to a standard programme regarding functional outcomes, return to work, patient satisfaction and costs. Patients were recruited in two consecutive cohorts. One cohort received the standard treatment programme ( n = 75) and the other a programme based on principles of patient orientation ( n = 75). Data were collected at the beginning and end of rehabilitation and 6 months after discharge. Clinical variables included range of motion, grip and pinch strength. Self-reported measures included pain, upper extremity functioning, health status, satisfaction and job situation. Analysis of variance for repeated measurements was used to calculate the main effects. The patient-oriented group showed more favourable results with respect to DASH scores ( P <.05), pain ( P <.001) and patient satisfaction ( P <.0001). More patients returned to their former jobs and time off sick was reduced. We concluded that the patient-oriented approach was more effective and cost-saving.
CCL25 increases thymopoiesis after androgen withdrawal
Authors: Williams Kirsten M. , Lucas Philip J. , Bare Catherine V. , Wang Jiun , Chu Yu-Waye , Tayler Ezekiel , Kapoor Veena , Gress Ronald E.
Published: August 2008

Although studies have demonstrated that androgen withdrawal increases thymic size, molecular mechanisms underlying this expansion remain largely unknown. We show that decreased androgen signaling leads to enhanced immigration of bone marrow T-cell precursors, as manifested by both an early increase of early thymic progenitors (ETP) and improved uptake of adoptively transferred quantified precursors into congenic castrated hosts. We provide evidence that the ETP niche is enhanced after androgen withdrawal by proliferation of UEA+ thymic epithelial cells (TEC) and increased TEC production of CCL25, a ligand critical for ETP entry. Moreover, the greatest increase in CCL25 production is by UEA+ TEC, linking function of this subset with the increase in ETP immigration. Furthermore, blockade of CCL25 abrogated the effects of castration by impairing ETP entry, retarding immature thymocyte development, limiting increase of thymic size, and impairing increase of thymopoiesis. Taken together, these findings describe a cohesive mechanism underlying increased thymic productivity after androgen withdrawal.
Red cell life span heterogeneity in hematologically normal people is sufficient to alter HbA1c
Authors: Cohen Robert M. , Franco Robert S. , Khera Paramjit K. , Smith Eric P. , Lindsell Christopher J. , Ciraolo Peter J. , Palascak Mary B. , Joiner Clinton H.
Published: August 2008

Although red blood cell (RBC) life span is a known determinant of percentage hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), its variation has been considered insufficient to affect clinical decisions in hematologically normal persons. However, an unexplained discordance between HbA1c and other measures of glycemic control can be observed that could be, in part, the result of differences in RBC life span. To explore the hypothesis that variation in RBC life span could alter measured HbA1c sufficiently to explain some of this discordance, we determined RBC life span using a biotin label in 6 people with diabetes and 6 nondiabetic controls. Mean RBC age was calculated from the RBC survival curve for all circulating RBCs and for labeled RBCs at multiple time points as they aged. In addition, HbA1c in magnetically isolated labeled RBCs and in isolated transferrin receptor-positivereticulocytes was used to determine the in vivo synthetic rate of HbA1c. The mean age of circulating RBCs ranged from 39 to 56 days in diabetic subjects and 38 to 60 days in nondiabetic controls. HbA1c synthesis was linear and correlated with mean whole blood HbA1c (R2 = 0.91). The observed variation in RBC survival was large enough to cause clinically important differences in HbA1c for a given mean blood glucose.
The earliest settlers' antiquity and evolutionary history of Indian populations: evidence from M2 mtDNA lineage
Authors: Kumar Satish , Padmanabham PBSV , Ravuri Rajasekhara R , Uttaravalli Kiran , Koneru Padmaja , Mukherjee P Aditi , Das B , Kotal M , Xaviour D , Saheb SY , Rao VR
Published: August 2008

Background

The "out of Africa" model postulating single "southern route" dispersal posits arrival of "Anatomically Modern Human" to Indian subcontinent around 66–70 thousand years before present (kyBP). However the contributions and legacy of these earliest settlers in contemporary Indian populations, owing to the complex past population dynamics and later migrations has been an issue of controversy. The high frequency of mitochondrial lineage "M2" consistent with its greater age and distribution suggests that it may represent the phylogenetic signature of earliest settlers. Accordingly, we attempted to re-evaluate the impact and contribution of earliest settlers in shaping the genetic diversity and structure of contemporary Indian populations; using our newly sequenced 72 and 4 published complete mitochondrial genomes of this lineage.

Results

The M2 lineage, harbouring two deep rooting subclades M2a and M2b encompasses approximately one tenth of the mtDNA pool of studied tribes. The phylogeographic spread and diversity indices of M2 and its subclades among the tribes of different geographic regions and linguistic phyla were investigated in detail. Further the reconstructed demographic history of M2 lineage as a surrogate of earliest settlers' component revealed that the demographic events with pronounced regional variations had played pivotal role in shaping the complex net of populations phylogenetic relationship in Indian subcontinent.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that tribes of southern and eastern region along with Dravidian and Austro-Asiatic speakers of central India are the modern representatives of earliest settlers of subcontinent. The Last Glacial Maximum aridity and post LGM population growth mechanised some sort of homogeneity and redistribution of earliest settlers' component in India. The demic diffusion of agriculture and associated technologies around 3 kyBP, which might have marginalized hunter-gatherer, is coincidental with the decline of earliest settlers' population during this period.
Duplications and functional divergence of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase genes in plants
Authors: Georgelis Nikolaos , Braun Edward L , Hannah L Curtis
Published: August 2008

Background

ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase), which catalyses a rate limiting step in starch synthesis, is a heterotetramer comprised of two identical large and two identical small subunits in plants. Although the large and small subunits are equally sensitive to activity-altering amino acid changes when expressed in a bacterial system, the overall rate of non-synonymous evolution is ~2.7-fold greater for the large subunit than for the small subunit. Herein, we examine the basis for their different rates of evolution, the number of duplications in both large and small subunit genes and document changes in the patterns of AGPase evolution over time.

Results

We found that the first duplication in the AGPase large subunit family occurred early in the history of land plants, while the earliest small subunit duplication occurred after the divergence of monocots and eudicots. The large subunit also had a larger number of gene duplications than did the small subunit. The ancient duplications in the large subunit family raise concern about the saturation of synonymous substitutions, but estimates of the absolute rate of AGPase evolution were highly correlated with estimates of ω (the non-synonymous to synonymous rate ratio). Both subunits showed evidence for positive selection and relaxation of purifying selection after duplication, but these phenomena could not explain the different evolutionary rates of the two subunits. Instead, evolutionary constraints appear to be permanently relaxed for the large subunit relative to the small subunit. Both subunits exhibit branch-specific patterns of rate variation among sites.

Conclusion

These analyses indicate that the higher evolutionary rate of the plant AGPase large subunit reflects permanent relaxation of constraints relative to the small subunit and they show that the large subunit genes have undergone more gene duplications than small subunit genes. Candidate sites potentially responsible for functional divergence within each of the AGPase subunits were investigated by examining branch-specific patterns of rate variation. We discuss the phenotypes of mutants that alter some candidate sites and strategies for examining candidate sites of presently unknown function.
The genomic distribution of intraspecific and interspecific sequence divergence of human segmental duplications relative to human/chimpanzee chromosomal rearrangements
Authors: Marques-Bonet Tomàs , Cheng Ze , She Xinwei , Eichler Evan E , Navarro Arcadi
Published: August 2008

Background

It has been suggested that chromosomal rearrangements harbor the molecular footprint of the biological phenomena which they induce, in the form, for instance, of changes in the sequence divergence rates of linked genes. So far, all the studies of these potential associations have focused on the relationship between structural changes and the rates of evolution of single-copy DNA and have tried to exclude segmental duplications (SDs). This is paradoxical, since SDs are one of the primary forces driving the evolution of structure and function in our genomes and have been linked not only with novel genes acquiring new functions, but also with overall higher DNA sequence divergence and major chromosomal rearrangements.

Results

Here we take the opposite view and focus on SDs. We analyze several of the features of SDs, including the rates of intraspecific divergence between paralogous copies of human SDs and of interspecific divergence between human SDs and chimpanzee DNA. We study how divergence measures relate to chromosomal rearrangements, while considering other factors that affect evolutionary rates in single copy DNA.

Conclusion

We find that interspecific SD divergence behaves similarly to divergence of single-copy DNA. In contrast, old and recent paralogous copies of SDs do present different patterns of intraspecific divergence. Also, we show that some relatively recent SDs accumulate in regions that carry inversions in sister lineages.
Methylprednisolone inhibits interleukin-17 and interferon-gamma expression by both naive and primed T cells
Authors: Momčilović Miljana , Miljković Željka , Popadić Dušan , Marković Miloš , Savić Emina , Ramić Zorica , Miljković Djordje , Mostarica-Stojković Marija
Published: August 2008

Background

Interleukin-17 (IL-17)-producing cells are increasingly considered to be the major pathogenic population in various autoimmune disorders. The effects of glucocorticoids, widely used as therapeutics for inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, on IL-17 generation have not been thoroughly investigated so far. Therefore, we have explored the influence of methylprednisolone (MP) on IL-17 expression in rat lymphocytes, and compared it to the effect of the drug on interferon (IFN)-γ.

Results

Production of IL-17 in mitogen-stimulated lymph node cells (LNC) from non-treated rats, as well as in myelin basic protein (MBP)-stimulated draining LNC from rats immunized with spinal cord homogenate and complete Freund's adjuvant was significantly reduced by MP. The reduction was dose-dependent, sustained through the follow-up period of 48 hours, and was not achieved through anti-proliferative effect. Additionally, MP inhibited IL-17 production in purified T cells as well, but to less extent than in LNC. In its influence on IL-17 production MP inhibited Ror-γT transcription factor expression, as well as Jun phosphorylation, but not ERK or p38 activation in mitogen-stimulated LNC. Importantly, MP collaborated with IFN-γ in inhibiting IL-17 generation in LNC.

Conclusion

The observed difference in the effect of MP on IL-17 and IFN-γ could be important for the understanding of the variability in the efficiency of glucocorticoids in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Roles of PI3K and JAK pathways in viability of retinal ganglion cells after acute elevation of intraocular pressure in rats with different autoimmune backgrounds
Authors: Huang Yao , Li Zhiwei , Wang Ningli , van Rooijen Nico , Cui Qi
Published: August 2008

Background

We recently showed that whereas inhibition of PI3K/akt or JAK/STAT pathway promoted retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival after optic nerve (ON) injury in Fischer 344 (F344) rats, the same inhibition resulted in aggravated RGC loss after acute intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation in Sprague Dawley (SPD) rats. In addition, the responses of macrophages to ON injury and acute IOP elevation were different between F344 and Lewis rats, i.e., different autoimmune profiles. Using an acute IOP elevation paradigm in this study, we investigated 1) whether autoimmune background influences PI3K/akt and JAK/STAT functions by examining the effect of PI3K/akt and JAK/STAT pathway inhibition on RGC survival in F344 and Lewis rats, and 2) whether differential actions of macrophages occur in PI3K/akt and JAK/STAT pathways-dependent modulation of RGC survival. IOP elevation was performed at 110 mmHg for 2 hours. PI3K/akt and JAK/STAT pathway inhibitors were applied intravitreally to block their respective pathway signaling transduction. Because macrophage invasion was seen in the eye after the pathway inhibition, to examine the role of these pathways independent of macrophages, macrophages in the retina were removed by intravitreal application of clodronate liposomes. Viable RGCs were retrogradely labelled by FluoroGold 40 hours before animal sacrifice.

Results

Similar to what was previously observed, significantly more RGCs were lost in Lewis than F344 rats 3 weeks after acute IOP elevation. As in SPD rats, inhibition of the PI3K/akt or JAK/STAT pathway increased the loss of RGCs in both F344 and Lewis rats. Removal of macrophages in the eye by clodronate liposomes reduced RGC loss due to pathway inhibition in both strains.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that following acute IOP elevation 1) PI3K/akt and JAK/STAT pathways mediate RGC survival in both F344 and Lewis rats, 2) autoimmune responses do not influence the functions of these two pathways, and 3) PI3K/akt and JAK/STAT pathway inhibition-dependent activation of macrophages is detrimental to RGCs.