bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Response Inhibition in Borderline Personality Disorder: Performance in a Go/Nogo Task
Authors: Rentrop Mirjam , Backenstrass Matthias , Jaentsch Britta , Kaiser Stefan , Roth Alexander , Unger Joerg , Weisbrod Matthias , Renneberg Babette
Published: November 2007

Background: Borderline personality disorder is associated with subtle neuropsychological deficits. A potential impairment of response inhibition is of major interest, since it could be related to impulsivity as a clinical feature of borderline personality disorder. Sampling and Methods: Response inhibition was studied in an auditory Go/Nogo paradigm in a sample of 20 female inpatients with borderline personality disorder and 18 healthy controls. The main measures of interest were general task performance, errors and reaction times. Results: Patients with borderline personality disorder performed worse in the Nogo task but not in the Go task. In the Nogo task, when response inhibition was essential, patients made more errors of commission, revealing problems to inhibit a prepotent response. Additionally, the borderline group was characterized by significantly shorter reaction times in both tasks compared to the nonclinical control group. The results for errors of commission in the Nogo task remained significant even after controlling for reaction time. Conclusions: The present results suggest a double impairment on this response inhibition task. First, borderline personality disorder patients have inadequately fast reaction times and a speed-accuracy tradeoff. Second, they show a genuine deficit of response inhibition. These results are discussed in the context of the conflicting literature on response inhibition and executive control in borderline personality disorder.
Psychopathology and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test Performance in Male Schizophrenic Patients: Influence of Dual Diagnosis
Authors: Rodriguez-Jimenez R. , Aragües M. , Jimenez-Arriero M.A. , Ponce G. , Martinez I. , Hoenicka J. , Rubio G. , Palomo T.
Published: November 2007

Background: Different neuropsychological studies have shown schizophrenic patients to have executive function deficits, as illustrated by their performance in neuropsychological tasks such as the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST); certain studies have described a relationship between these deficits and negative symptoms. Schizophrenic patients also exhibit a high lifetime prevalence (40–50%) of comorbid substance use disorders (SUDs). However, little attention has been paid to this comorbidity (dual diagnosis) in studies associating executive functions and negative symptoms. Sampling and Methods: Our objective is to investigate the relationship between performance in the WCST and psychopathology as measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) in a sample of 65 male schizophrenic patients with a history of SUDs (Sch SUD+) and in a sample of 48 male schizophrenic patients without such history (Sch SUD–). Results: In the Sch SUD– group, patients who completed 4 or more categories in the WCST (‘good performers’) obtained a mean score of 21.2 ± 8.8 on the negative subscale of the PANSS, compared with a mean score of 27.8 ± 8.6 in those who completed 3 or less (‘poor performers’); these differences were statistically significant (p = 0.015). In the Sch SUD+ group, however, no association was found between WCST performance and the PANSS negative subscale score. Conclusions: The presence of a history of comorbid SUDs should be taken into consideration in studies investigating executive functions and negative symptoms in schizophrenia.
Vascular Risk Factors in Mild Cognitive Impairment Subtypes
Authors: Mariani E. , Monastero R. , Ercolani S. , Mangialasche F. , Caputo M. , Feliziani F.T. , Vitale D.F. , Senin U. , Mecocci P.
Published: November 2007

Background and Aim: To investigate the role of vascular risk factors in different subtypes of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in a multicentric, clinic-based, cross-sectional study. Methods: Two-hundred and seven subjects with MCI were included in the study: 33 with single non-memory MCI (snmMCI), 42 with multiple-domain amnestic MCI (mdMCI-a) and 132 with amnestic MCI (aMCI). Several clinical vascular risk factors and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain lesions were evaluated. Results: snmMCI showed a higher frequency of ischaemic heart disease and of transient ischaemic attack (TIA)/stroke, a higher Hachinski ischaemic score and a higher frequency of white-matter lesions on MRI compared to aMCI. Subjects with mdMCI-a showed clinical characteristics similar to aMCI, except for a higher frequency of a history of TIA/stroke. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that snmMCI may be considered a vascular cognitive disorder.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Cytokine Levels (TNF-α, IL-2 and IFN-γ) in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid of Smear-Negative Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients
Authors: Küpeli Elif , Karnak Demet , Beder Sumru , Kayacan Oya , Tutkak Hüseyin
Published: November 2007

Background: The determination of cytokine concentrations in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) may contribute to the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) since cytokines have been ascribed an important role in TB pathogenesis. Objective: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-2 levels in serum and BALF of smear-negative pulmonary TB patients. Method: BALF was obtained from the affected lobe in patients with smear-negative TB or other pulmonary diseases (OPD), and from the right middle lobe in healthy controls. ELISA and a nephelometric method were used to detect cytokine and albumin levels. Results: TNF-α levels in BALF were significantly elevated in the TB group (n = 15) compared with the OPD patients (n = 40) and controls (n = 17; p < 0.001). Although these three cytokines correlated well with each other in BALF (p < 0.0001, and r ≧ 0.7, respectively), BALF IL-2 and IFN-γ levels were not significantly different among the groups (p > 0.05). BALF TNF-α or IFN-γ levels were significantly higher in patients with cavitary disease (n = 11) versus those without (n = 61; p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found between cavitary (n = 7) and non-cavitary TB in cytokine levels (p > 0.05). Neither gender nor smoking status showed any statistical differences in cytokines in the groups (p > 0.05). Sensitivity and specificity of BALF TNF-α were found to be 73 and 76%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values for BALF TNF-α were 44 and 91%, respectively. Conclusion: In cases of smear-negative TB, BALF TNF-α can be a useful tool to identify healthy subjects rather than smear-negative TB patients.
Peripheral Circadian Clock Rhythmicity Is Retained in the Absence of Adrenergic Signaling
Authors: Reilly Dermot F. , Curtis Anne M. , Cheng Yan , Westgate Elizabeth J. , Rudic Radu D. , Paschos Georgios , Morris Jacqueline , Ouyang Ming , Thomas Steven A. , FitzGerald Garret A.
Published: November 2007

Objective—

The incidence of heart attack and stroke undergo diurnal variation. Molecular clocks have been described in the heart and the vasculature; however it is largely unknown how the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) entrains these peripheral oscillators.

Methods and Results—

Norepinephrine and epinephrine, added to aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) in vitro, altered Per1, E4bp4, and dbp expression and altered the observed oscillations in clock gene expression. However, oscillations of Per1, E4bp4, dbp, and Per2 were preserved ex vivo in the aorta, heart, and liver harvested from dopamine β-hydroxylase knockout mice (
Dbh
−/−
) that cannot synthesize either norepinephrine or epinephrine. Furthermore, clock gene oscillations in heart, liver, and white adipose tissue phase shifted identically in
Dbh
−/−
mice and in
Dbh
+/−
controls in response to daytime restriction of feeding. Oscillation of clock genes was similarly preserved ex vivo in tissues from
Dbh
+/−
and
Dbh
−/−
chronically treated with both propranolol and terazosin, thus excluding compensation by dopamine in
Dbh
−/−
mice.

Conclusions—

Although adrenergic signaling can influence circadian timing in vitro, peripheral circadian rhythmicity is retained despite its ablation in vivo.
Dominant-Negative Hsp90 Reduces VEGF-Stimulated Nitric Oxide Release and Migration in Endothelial Cells
Authors: Miao Robert Q. , Fontana Jason , Fulton David , Lin Michelle I. , Harrison Kenneth D. , Sessa William C.
Published: November 2007

Objectives—

Heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90) coordinates the regulation of diverse signaling proteins. We try to develop a new tool to explore the regulatory functions of Hsp90 in endothelial cells (ECs) instead of the existing chemical approaches.

Methods and Results—

We designed a dominant-negative Hsp90 construct by site-direct mutagenesis of residue Asp-88 to Asn (D88N-Hsp90) based on the structure of the ATP/ADP-binding site. Recombinant wild-type Hsp90 protein binds ATP-Sepharose beads in manner inhibited by ATP or 17-AAG, a specific inhibitor for Hsp90, however the binding activity of D88N-Hsp90 was markedly reduced and the inhibitory effects of ATP or 17-AAG were negligible. The dimerization between endogenous Hsp90α and exogenous HA-Hsp90β was confirmed by immunoprecipitation, however the association between eNOS and D88N-Hsp90 was less than WT-Hsp90. Furthermore, adenoviral transduction of bovine aortic ECs with D88N-Hsp90 suppressed VEGF-induced phosphorylation of Akt, eNOS, and NO release and the inhibitory effect was blocked by okadaic acid. Moreover, D88N-Hsp90 abolished VEGF-stimulated Rac activation and suppressed VEGF-induced stress fiber formation. Transduction with D88N-Hsp90 decreased growth medium mediated migration of wild-type ECs, but not Akt1(−/−) ECs suggesting that Akt is key target of Hsp90.

Conclusions—

Our data demonstrate that dominant-negative Hsp90 modulates endothelial cell mobility mainly through PP2A-mediated dephosphorylation of Akt and Rac activation.
Nitric Oxide Modulates Chromatin Folding in Human Endothelial Cells via Protein Phosphatase 2A Activation and Class II Histone Deacetylases Nuclear Shuttling
Authors: Illi Barbara , Russo Claudio Dello , Colussi Claudia , Rosati Jessica , Pallaoro Michele , Spallotta Francesco , Rotili Dante , Valente Sergio , Ragone Gianluca , Martelli Fabio , Biglioli Paolo , Steinkuhler Christian , Gallinari Paola , Mai Antonello , Capogrossi Maurizio C. , Gaetano Carlo
Published: November 2007

Nitric oxide (NO) modulates important endothelial cell (EC) functions and gene expression by a molecular mechanism which is still poorly characterized. Here we show that in human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs) NO inhibited serum-induced histone acetylation and enhanced histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity. By immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses it was found that NO induced class II HDAC4 and 5 nuclear shuttling and that class II HDACs selective inhibitor MC1568 rescued serum-dependent histone acetylation above control level in NO-treated HUVECs. In contrast, class I HDACs inhibitor MS27–275 had no effect, indicating a specific role for class II HDACs in NO-dependent histone deacetylation. In addition, it was found that NO ability to induce HDAC4 and HDAC5 nuclear shuttling involved the activation of the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). In fact, HDAC4 nuclear translocation was impaired in ECs expressing small-t antigen and exposed to NO. Finally, in cells engineered to express a HDAC4-Flag fusion protein, NO induced the formation of a macromolecular complex including HDAC4, HDAC3, HDAC5, and an active PP2A. The present results show that NO-dependent PP2A activation plays a key role in class II HDACs nuclear translocation.
CIB1 Regulates Endothelial Cells and Ischemia-Induced Pathological and Adaptive Angiogenesis
Authors: Zayed Mohamed A. , Yuan Weiping , Leisner Tina M. , Chalothorn Dan , McFadden Andrew W. , Schaller Michael D. , Hartnett M. Elizabeth , Faber James E. , Parise Leslie V.
Published: November 2007

Pathological angiogenesis contributes to various ocular, malignant, and inflammatory disorders, emphasizing the need to understand this process on a molecular level. CIB1 (calcium- and integrin-binding protein), a 22-kDa EF-hand–containing protein, modulates the activity of p21-activated kinase 1 in fibroblasts. Because p21-activated kinase 1 also contributes to endothelial cell function, we hypothesized that CIB1 may have a role in angiogenesis. We found that endothelial cells depleted of CIB1 by either short hairpin RNA or homologous recombination have reduced migration, proliferation, and tubule formation. Moreover, loss of CIB1 in these cells decreases p21-activated kinase 1 activation, downstream extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activation, and matrix metalloproteinase 2 expression, all of which are known to contribute to angiogenesis. Consistent with these findings, tissues derived from CIB1-deficient (CIB1
−/−
) mice have reduced growth factor–induced microvessel sprouting in ex vivo organ cultures and in vivo Matrigel plugs. Furthermore, in response to ischemia, CIB1
−/−
mice demonstrate decreased pathological retinal and adaptive hindlimb angiogenesis. Ischemic CIB1
−/−
hindlimbs also demonstrate increased tissue damage and significantly reduced p21-activated kinase 1 activation. These data therefore reveal a critical role for CIB1 in ischemia-induced pathological and adaptive angiogenesis.
Förster Transfer Recovery Reveals That Phospholamban Exchanges Slowly From Pentamers but Rapidly From the SERCA Regulatory Complex
Authors: Robia Seth L. , Campbell Kenneth S. , Kelly Eileen M. , Hou Zhanjia , Winters Deborah L. , Thomas David D.
Published: November 2007

Phospholamban (PLB) or the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca
2+
–ATPase (SERCA) were fused to cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) and coexpressed with PLB fused to yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). The expressed fluorescently tagged proteins were imaged using epifluorescence and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. YFP fluorescence was selectively bleached by a focused laser beam. CFP fluorescence at the targeted site increased after YFP photobleaching, indicating fluorescence resonance energy transfer between CFP-SERCA/CFP-PLB and YFP-PLB. The increased donor fluorescence relaxed back toward baseline as a result of donor diffusion and exchange of bleached YFP-PLB for unbleached YFP-PLB, which restored fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Requenching of CFP donors, termed Förster transfer recovery (FTR), was quantified as an index of the rate of PLB subunit exchange from the PLB:SERCA and PLB:PLB membrane complexes. PLB subunit exchange from the PLB:SERCA regulatory complex was rapid, showing diffusion-limited FTR (τ=1.4 second). Conversely, PLB:PLB oligomeric complexes were found to be stable on a much longer time scale. Despite free lateral diffusion in the membrane, they showed no FTR over 80 seconds. Mutation of PLB position 40 from isoleucine to alanine (I40A-PLB) did not abolish PLB:PLB energy transfer, but destabilization of the PLB:PLB complex was apparent from an increased FTR rate (τ=8.4 seconds). Oligomers of I40A-PLB were stabilized by oxidative crosslinking of transmembrane cysteines with diamide. We conclude that PLB exchanges rapidly from its regulatory complex with the SERCA pump, whereas subunit exchange from the PLB oligomeric complex is slow and does not occur on the time scale of the cardiac cycle.
Delayed Postischemic Treatment With Fluvastatin Improved Cognitive Impairment After Stroke in Rats
Authors: Shimamura Munehisa , Sato Naoyuki , Sata Masataka , Kurinami Hitomi , Takeuchi Daisuke , Wakayama Kouji , Hayashi Takuya , Iida Hidehiro , Morishita Ryuichi
Published: November 2007

Background and Purposes—

Recent clinical evidences indicate that statins may have beneficial effects on the functional recovery after ischemic stroke. However, the effect of delayed postischemic treatment with statins is still unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of fluvastatin in the chronic stage of cerebral infarction in a rat model.

Methods—

Rats exposed to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion were treated for 3 months with fluvastatin beginning from 7 days after stroke. MRI, behavioral analysis, and immunohistochemistry were performed.

Results—

Two months of treatment with fluvastatin showed the significant recovery in spatial learning without the decrease in serum total cholesterol level and worsening of infarction. Microangiography showed a significant increase in capillary density in the peri-infarct region in fluvastatin-treated rats after 3 months of treatment. Consistently, BrdU/CD31-positive cells were significantly increased in fluvastatin-treated rats after 7 days of treatment. MAP1B-positive neurites were also increased in the peri-infarct region in fluvastatin-treated rats. In addition, rats treated with fluvastatin showed the reduction of superoxide anion after 7 days of treatment and the reduction of Aβ deposits in the thalamic nuclei after 3 months of treatment.

Conclusions—

Thus, delayed postischemic administration of fluvastatin had beneficial effects on the recovery of cognitive function without affecting the infarction size after ischemic stroke. Pleiotropic effects of fluvastatin, such as angiogenesis, neuritogenesis, and inhibition of superoxide production and Aβ deposition, might be associated with a favorable outcome.
Antithrombin Reduces Ischemic Volume, Ameliorates Neurologic Deficits, and Prolongs Animal Survival in Both Transient and Permanent Focal Ischemia
Authors: Cuomo Ornella , Pignataro Giuseppe , Gala Rosaria , Scorziello Antonella , Gravino Elvira , Piazza Ornella , Tufano Rosalba , Di Renzo Gianfranco , Annunziato Lucio
Published: November 2007

Background and Purpose—Antithrombin (AT), a glycoprotein belonging to the serpin family, blocks thrombin formation and activity at several steps. Thrombin, beside its relevant role in the coagulation cascade, exerts neurodetrimental effects through the activation of a family of protease-activated receptors, which can be implicated in stroke pathophysiology. The aims of the present study were to evaluate whether AT could reduce brain damage, ameliorate neurologic deficits, and prolong animal survival.

Methods—Two different doses of AT (10 and 30 IU/kg IP) were administered 3 hours, 6 hours, or 3 and 6 hours after an ischemic insult to mice and rats subjected to either transient or permanent focal ischemia. Ischemic volume was evaluated 24 hours or 7 days after the ischemic insult. Neurologic deficits were also scored.

Results—In mice, 10 or 30 IU/kg AT administered twice, at 3 and 6 hours after transient ischemia, and 30 IU/kg AT administered 3 hours only after transient ischemia substantially reduced total ischemic volume, significantly improved neurologic deficits evaluated 24 hours after the insult, and prolonged animal survival. In rats, the same doses given at the same time intervals significantly reduced ischemic volume, evaluated 24 hours after permanent ischemia.

Conclusions—These results indicate that AT remarkably reduces infarct volume, ameliorates neurologic deficit scores, and prolongs animal survival in 2 rodent models of brain ischemia. Taken together, our data suggest that AT, delivered via systemic administration, an easily achievable route of administration and in a clinically useful time window, could represent a new therapeutic strategy to be validated for the clinical treatment of human stroke.
Hydrometeorological Analysis of the 29 August 2003 Flash Flood in the Eastern Italian Alps
Authors: Borga Marco , Boscolo Paolo , Zanon Francesco , Sangati Marco
Published: November 2007

The 29 August 2003 storm on the upper Tagliamento River basin in the eastern Italian Alps is examined as a prototype for organized convective systems that dominate the upper tail of the precipitation frequency distribution and are likely responsible for the majority of flash flood peaks in this area. The availability of high-resolution rainfall estimates from radar observations and rain gauge networks, together with flood response observations derived from stream gauge data and post-event surveys, provides the opportunity to study the hydrometeorological and hydrological mechanisms associated with this extreme storm and the associated flood. The flood occurred at the end of a climatic anomaly of prolonged drought and warm conditions over Europe and the Mediterranean region. A characteristic of the event is its organization in well-defined banded structures, some of which persisted in the same locations for the duration of the event. The steadiness of these rainbands led to highly variable precipitation accumulations and, associated with orographic enhancement, played a central role in the space–time organization of the storm. Two dominant controls on extreme flood response are recognized and analyzed: steadiness of convective bands and dry antecedent soil moisture conditions.
Small-Scale Spatial Gradients in Climatological Precipitation on the Olympic Peninsula
Authors: Anders Alison M. , Roe Gerard H. , Durran Dale R. , Minder Justin R.
Published: November 2007

Persistent, 10-km-scale gradients in climatological precipitation tied to topography are documented with a finescale rain and snow gauge network in the Matheny Ridge area of the Olympic Mountains of Washington State. Precipitation totals are 50% higher on top of an ∼800-m-high ridge relative to valleys on either side, 10 km distant. Operational fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5) runs on a 4-km grid produce similar precipitation patterns with enhanced precipitation over high topography for 6 water years.

The performance of the MM5 is compared to the gauge data for 3 wet seasons and for 10 large precipitation events. The cumulative MM5 precipitation forecasts for all seasons and for the sum of all 10 large events compare well with the precipitation measured by the gauges, although some of the individual events are significantly over- or underforecast. This suggests that the MM5 is reproducing the precipitation climatology in the vicinity of the gauges, but that errors for individual events may arise due to inaccurate specification of the incident flow.

A computationally simple model of orographic precipitation is shown to reproduce the major features of the event precipitation pattern on the windward side of the range. This simple model can be coupled to landscape evolution models to examine the impact of long-term spatial variability in precipitation on the evolution of topography over thousands to millions of years.
Calibration of LaD Model in the Northeast United States Using Observed Annual Streamflow
Authors: Xia Y.
Published: November 2007

Calibration of land surface models improves simulations of surface water and energy fluxes and provides important information for water resources management. However, most calibration studies focus on local sites and/or small catchments because of computational limitations, lack of atmospheric forcing data, and lack of observed water and energy fluxes. Even though a well-established streamflow gauge network exists, its data are not well suited to the calibration of land surface models in cold regions because of large systematic precipitation biases. This study provides a newly developed method to adjust systematic precipitation biases arising from gauge undercatch (e.g., wind blowing, wetting loss, and evaporation loss). The new method estimates model parameter and precipitation errors simultaneously through the use of observed annual streamflow in the northeastern United States. The results show that this method improves streamflow simulations and gives a reasonable estimate for systematic precipitation bias. In addition, the impacts of model parameter errors on the calibration of the Land Dynamics (LaD) model and on the estimation of systematic precipitation biases are investigated in the northeastern United States.
Trends in Land Evapotranspiration over Canada for the Period 1960–2000 Based on In Situ Climate Observations and a Land Surface Model
Authors: Fernandes Richard , Korolevych Vladimir , Wang Shusen
Published: November 2007

An assessment of annual trends in actual evapotranspiration (AET) and associated meteorological inputs is performed at 101 locations across Canada with available long-term hourly surface climate observations to determine if AET in Canada is increasing in relation to observed increases in air temperature. AET was estimated for the dominant land cover class, with representative soil and leaf area index conditions, within a 50 km × 50 km window around each location for the period 1960–2000. The Ecological Assimilation of Land and Climate Observations (EALCO) land surface model, which simulates coupled carbon, energy, and water cycles, was applied to estimate AET on a half-hourly basis at each location using in situ meteorological measurements and ambient atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Increases in annual AET, of up to 0.73% yr−1, were identified at 81 locations, and decreases, of up to 0.25% yr−1, were found at the remaining 20 stations. Statistically significant increasing trends were detected in 35% of the locations with the majority corresponding to Atlantic and Pacific coastal regions. Increasing trends were generally related to increasing temperature and total downwelling surface radiation trends in eastern Canada and increasing temperature, surface radiation, and precipitation trends in western Canada. In sharp contrast to other studies based on simpler AET models, annual AET trends in the prairie climate zone were mixed in terms of increases and decreases with no locations showing statistically significant trends. Future studies focused on scaling AET model estimates to subbasins or basins are required both to account for this spatial variability in soil conditions and to permit water budget closure validation.
Multidecadal High-Resolution Hydrologic Modeling of the Arkansas–Red River Basin
Authors: Sharif Hatim O. , Crow W. , Miller N. L. , Wood E. F.
Published: November 2007

Land surface heterogeneity and its effects on surface processes have been a concern to hydrologists and climate scientists for the past several decades. The contrast between the fine spatial scales at which heterogeneity is significant (1 km and finer) and the coarser scales at which most climate simulations with land surface models are generated (hundreds of kilometers) remains a challenge, especially when incorporating land surface and subsurface lateral fluxes of mass. In this study, long-term observational land surface forcings and derived solar radiation were used to force high-resolution land surface model simulations over the Arkansas–Red River basin in the Southern Great Plains region of the United States. The most unique aspect of these simulations is the fine space (1 km2) and time (hourly) resolutions within the model relative to the total simulation period (51 yr) and domain size (575 000 km2). Runoff simulations were validated at the subbasin scale (600–10 000 km2) and were found to be in good agreement with observed discharge from several unregulated subbasins within the system. A hydroclimatological approach was used to assess simulated annual evapotranspiration for all subbasins. Simulated evapotranspiration values at the subbasin scale agree well with predictions from a simple one-parameter empirical model developed in this study according to Budyko’s concept of “geographical zonality.” The empirical model was further extended to predict runoff and evapotranspiration sensitivity to precipitation variability, and good agreement with computed statistics was also found. Both the empirical model and simulation results demonstrate that precipitation variability was amplified in the simulated runoff. The finescale at which the study is performed allows analysis of various aspects of the hydrologic cycle in the system including general trends in precipitation, runoff, and evapotranspiration, their spatial distribution, and the relationship between precipitation anomalies and runoff and soil water storage anomalies at the subbasin scale.
A Comparison of the Noah and OSU Land Surface Models in the ECPC Seasonal Forecast Model
Authors: De Haan Laurel L. , Kanamitsu Masao , Lu Cheng-Hsuan , Roads John O.
Published: November 2007

The Noah land surface model (LSM) has recently been implemented into the Experimental Climate Prediction Center’s (ECPC’s) global Seasonal Forecast Model (SFM). Its performance is compared to the older ECPC SFM with the Oregon State University (OSU) LSM using two sets of 10-member 50-yr Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP) runs. The climatological biases of several fields tend to increase with the Noah LSM. The differences in near-surface temperature bias are traced to changes in the energy budget. In addition to climatology, the variability and skill (anomaly correlation with observations) of the two ensembles are considered. Unlike the climatology, the near-surface temperature skill of the ECPC SFM generally improves with the Noah LSM. Other climatological fields, such as precipitation, show little change in skill.

While the global results are mixed, there are however significant regional improvements over Africa both in terms of climatological bias and skill. In the central African Congo River basin, the Noah LSM removed a warm-dry bias and improved upon the near-surface temperature skill of the OSU LSM. In the African Sahel, the Noah LSM greatly enhanced the climatology, variability, and skill of the ECPC SFM as well as improving the location of the African easterly jet.
A Monte Carlo Assessment of Uncertainties in Heavy Precipitation Frequency Variations
Authors: Kunkel Kenneth E. , Karl Thomas R. , Easterling David R.
Published: November 2007

A Monte Carlo analysis was used to assess the effects of missing data and limited station density on the uncertainties in the temporal variations of U.S. heavy precipitation event frequencies observed for 1895–2004 using data from the U.S. Cooperative Observer Network (COOP). Based on the actual availability of long-term station data, the effects of limited spatial density were found to be of greater importance than those of missing data. The Monte Carlo simulations indicate that there is a high degree of statistical confidence that the recent elevated frequencies in the United States are the highest in the COOP record since 1895, at least for event definitions using return periods of 5 yr or shorter. There is also high confidence that elevated frequencies seen early in the record are higher than those measured in the 1920s and 1930s, and are not simply an artifact of the limited spatial sampling. The statistically significant shift from high to low values in the early portion of the record, a reflection of natural variability, should not be ignored when interpreting the elevated levels of the most recent decades. Nevertheless, it does appear that the recent elevated levels exceed the variations seen in the earlier part of the record since 1895. The confidence in these statements decreases as the return period increases because of the diminishing number of events in the sample. When a linear trend is fit to the entire 1895–2004 period, the trends are positive and different from zero with a high level of statistical confidence for all return periods from 1 to 20 yr.
The Weight of the Past
Authors: Ziltener Patrick , Mueller Hans-Peter
Published: November 2007

Twenty years ago, Lenski and Nolan published a seminal article in which they established empirical links between modern development and traditional technology in developing countries. This analysis is expanded in two ways: by improving the indicators of traditional technologies, and by introducing a second dimension of structural complexity, the socio-political differentiation of traditional societies. Though two indices measure functionally related aspects, they have distinct impacts on the socio-economic development of the 65 non-western countries analyzed in this article. Since traditional socio-political differentiation explains modern development better than traditional technology, we suggest significant revisions, and a new interpretation of Lenski and Nolan's results.
An Exploratory Study of Puerto Rican MSM Drug Users
Authors: Finlinson H. Ann , Colón Héctor M. , Robles Rafaela R. , Soto Mayra
Published: November 2007

Research suggests that sexual silence, family loyalty, and homophobia foster health-compromising behaviors among adult Latino gay males, but little is known about the effect of these sociocultural factors on the lives of Latino children and young teens characterized by gender nonconformity and homosexual orientation. This exploratory study of Puerto Rican men who have sex with men (MSM) used multisession qualitative interviews to examine early life experiences related to gender identity and homosexual orientation, and the place of drug use and risky sexual behavior in sexual identity formation. Gay male and transsexual female participants described at least one sympathetic family member, usually a female, who accepted cross-gender behavior and/or homosexual orientation. Half of the participants experienced unwanted sex as minors, and all were subjected to bullying by schoolmates. As pubescent youth, participants frequented adult gay venues where they were exposed to high-risk sexual and drug-related behaviors. Interventions for sexually questioning and gay/transsexual Puerto Rican youth are proposed.
Teaching Sociology in Military Educational Institutions of Russia
Authors: Obraztsov Igor V.
Published: November 2007

This article examines the periods of military sociology in Russia. The Russian State system of periods of the military sociology had an effect on the evolution of sociology as a science and as an educational discipline in Russia. These periods include a pre-revolutionary period, a post-revolutionary period, soviet I, soviet II, and a modern period.
Modelling lung and tissue diffusion using a membrane oxygenator circuit
Authors: Dunningham H. , Borland C. , Bottrill F. , Vuylsteke A. , Gordon D.
Published: November 2007

A simple model lung has been designed using a membrane oxygenator circuit comprising two membrane oxygenators primed with one to two litres of equine blood, giving reproducible results over several hours. Normoxia and normocapnia were achieved consistently over the duration of the test with a blood flow of 2.5 l/min, oxygenator ventilation gas flow of 5 l/min air with 0.3 l/min O2 and deoxygenator ventilation gas flow of 5 l/min 5% CO2 in N2 with 0.2 l/min CO 2. The measured PaO2 was 81.3 (SD 3.35 mmHg), PvO2 38.3 (SD 1.38 mmHg), PvCO2 60.6 (SD 1.13 mmHg) and PaCO2 36.1 (SD 0.69 mmHg). MO2 and MCO2 were 116 ml/min and 169 ml/min, respectively. An increasing linear relationship was observed for FiO2 and the corresponding PaO2 and, similarly, with FiCO2 and PvCO2, providing reference ranges for this model. Perfusion (2007) 22, 231—238.
Evaluation of an alternative S100b assay for use in cardiac surgery: relationship with microemboli and neuropsychological outcome
Authors: Whitaker D.C. , Green A.J.E. , Stygall J. , Harrison M.J.G. , Newman S.P.
Published: November 2007

Introduction. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between S100b release, neuropsychological outcome and cerebral microemboli. Peri-operative assay of the astroglial cell protein S100b has been used as a marker of cerebral damage after cardiac surgery but potential assay cross-reactivity has limited its specificity. The present study uses an alternative enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay (ELISA) for serum S100b that has documented sensitivity and specificity data in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods. Fifty-five consecutive patients undergoing routine CABG surgery received serial venous S100b sampling at five time points: i) Pre-operative, ii) At the end of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), iii) 6 hrs, iv) 24 hrs and v) 48 hrs post skin closure. A previously described sandwich ELISA with monoclonal anti- S100b was used. This assay has a lower limit of detection of 0.04 μ g/L and < 0.006% reactivity with S100a at a concentration of 100 μg/L S100a. Cerebral microemboli during surgery were recorded by transcranial Doppler monitor over the right middle cerebral artery. Evidence of cerebral impairment was obtained by comparing patients' performance in a neuropsychological battery of 9 tests administered 6—8 weeks post-operatively with their pre-operative scores. Results. There was a significant increase in S100b only at the end of bypass (mean 0.30 μg/L, SD ± 0.33 and range .00 to 1.57). S100b levels at the end of bypass did not correlate with neuropsychological outcome or microemboli counts. Conclusions. The low levels of S100b detected using the present assay, despite its high sensitivity and despite the routine use of cardiotomy suction, suggest that the assay may have higher specificity for cerebral S100b than previously used assays. There was no evidence that this assay is related to neuropsychological change or cerebral microemboli in cardiac surgery. Perfusion (2007) 22, 267—272.
Inhibition of thrombocyte aggregation during extracorporeal lung assist: a case report
Authors: Philipp Alois , Müller Thomas , Bein Thomas , Foltan Maik , Schmid Franz-Xaver , Birnbaum Dietrich , Schmid Christof
Published: November 2007

Disclaimer: All authors declare that there are no beneficial arrangements with NovaLung® GmbH, Hechingen, Germany

In extracorporeal lung assist, membrane oxygenators are used to improve gas exchange. Accumulations on the membranes of coagulation end products can increase resistance to blood flow and diffusion distance. Thus, functioning of the system can be impaired and, in extreme cases, lead to malfunction which may necessitate change out of the oxygenator. We describe a method that complements conventional continuous heparinisation with the administration of acetylsalicylic acid to inhibit thrombocyte aggregation. Perfusion (2007) 22, 293—298.
Using computational fluid dynamics to evaluate a novel venous cannula (Smart canula ®) for use in cardiopulmonary bypass operating procedures
Authors: Jegger D. , Sundaram S. , Shah K. , Mallabiabarrena I. , Mucciolo G. , von Segesser L.K.
Published: November 2007

Peripheral access cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is initiated with percutaneous cannulae (CTRL) and venous drainage is often impeded due to smaller vessel and cannula size. A new cannula (Smartcanula ®, SC) was developed which can change shape in situ and, therefore, may improve venous drainage. Its performance was evaluated using a 2-D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model.

The Navier-Stokes equations could be simplified due to the fact that we use a steady state and a 2-dimensional system while the equation of continuity (ρ constant) was also simplified. We compared the results of the SC to the CTRL using CFDRC® (Version 6.6, CFDRC research corporation, Huntsville, USA) at two preloads (300 and 700 Pa).

The SC's mass flow rate outperformed the CTRL by 12.1% and 12.2% at a pressures of 300 and 700 Pa, respectively. At 700 Pa, a pressure gradient of 50% was measured for the CTRL and 11% for the SC. The mean velocity at the 700 Pa for the CTRL was 1.0 m.s-1 at exit while the SC showed an exit velocity of 1.3 m.s-1. Shear rates inside the cannulae were similar between the two cannulae.

In conclusion, the prototype shows greater mass flow rates compared to the classic cannula; thus, it is more efficient. This is also advocated by a better pressure gradient and higher average velocities. By reducing cannula-tip surface area or increasing hole surface area, greater flow rates are achieved. Perfusion (2007) 22, 257—265.
Off-pump cardiac surgery abolishes complement activation
Authors: Hoel Tom N. , Videm Vibeke , Mollnes Tom E. , Saatvedt Kjell , Brosstad Frank , Fiane Arnt E. , Fosse Erik , Svennevig Jan L.
Published: November 2007

Background. This prospective randomized study compared the inflammatory response in patients undergoing elective on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Patients and methods. Forty-four patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting were recruited with 22 patients randomized to on-pump heart surgery and 22 patients to off-pump coronary bypass surgery. Plasma levels of C3bc, the terminal SC5b-9 complement complex, myeloperoxidase, β -thromboglobulin and prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 were measured before the operation, intraoperatively, at termination of the operation, and two hours post-operatively. Results. Complement was markedly activated in the on-pump group as indicated by a significant increase in C3bc and SC5b-9 (p < 0.001 for both), whereas no complement activation was seen in the off-pump group (p = 0.001 between the groups). In contrast, both groups showed significant activation of neutrophils, platelets and coagulation, as indicated by an early increase in myeloperoxidase and a post-operative increase in β-thromboglobulin and F1 + 2, respectively. Notably, there were no inter-group differences with regard to neutrophil and platelet activation, whereas coagulation activation was more pronounced in the off-pump group (p < 0.01). Conclusions. Off-pump surgery completely eliminated the heart-lung machine-induced complement activation. Neutrophils and platelets were equally activated in both groups, whereas coagulation was enhanced post-operatively in the off-pump group. Perfusion (2007) 22, 251—256.
Development of a Chinese version of the Modified Barthel Index — validity and reliability
Authors: Leung Sharron O.C. , Chan Chetwyn C.H. , Shah Surya
Published: November 2007

Objective: To establish the structural validity of the Chinese version of the Modified Barthel Index and to estimate its inter-rater reliability for use with patients who have had a stroke.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: A regional general hospital and a day hospital in Hong Kong.

Subjects: One hundred and sixteen older people who had had a stroke (mean age 76.0; SD 7.6) were involved in the establishment of evidence of the structural validity and item quality. Another 15 older people with stroke (mean age 78.0; SD 7.1) participated in estimating the reliability of the instrument.

Methods and results: The Modified Barthel Index was translated into Chinese. Factor analyses revealed a two-factor structure that explained 75.7% of the total variance. Factor 1 was found to consist of eight items relating to patients' functional performance. Factor 2 consisted of the two items that focused on patients' `physiological needs'. The test—retest reliability of the Chinese version at the item level was comparable with that of the original version, with kappa statistics ranging from 0.63 to 1.00 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The Chinese version of the Modified Barthel Index (MBI-C) seems to be valid and reliable for use with older people with stroke. Changes were made to the item content and the rating criteria that were specific to Chinese culture. The structural validity and the reliability of the Chinese version were shown to be robust across the original and Chinese groups.
Route learning in amnesia: a comparison of trial-and-error and errorless learning in patients with the Korsakoff syndrome
Authors: Kessels Roy P.C. , van Loon Eke , Wester Arie J.
Published: November 2007

Objective: To examine the errorless learning approach using a procedural memory task (i.e. learning of actual routes) in patients with amnesia, as compared to trial-and-error learning.

Design: Counterbalanced self-controlled cases series.

Setting: Psychiatric hospital (Korsakoff clinic).

Subjects: A convenience sample of 10 patients with the Korsakoff amnestic syndrome.

Intervention: All patients learned a route in four sessions on separate days using an errorless approach and a different route using trial-and-error.

Main measures: Error rate was scored during route learning and standard neuro-psychological tests were administered (i.e. subtest route recall of the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) and the Dutch version of the California Verbal Learning Test (VLGT)).

Results: A significant learning effect was found in the trial-and-error condition over consecutive sessions (P = 0.006), but no performance difference was found between errorless and trial-and-error learning of the routes. VLGT performance was significantly correlated with a trial-and-error advantage (P < 0.05); no significant correlation was found between the RBMT subtest and the learning conditions.

Conclusion: Errorless learning was no more successful than trial-and-error learning of a procedural spatial task in patients with the Korsakoff syndrome (severe amnesia).
The rate and extent of improvement with therapy from the different types of aphasia in the first year after stroke
Authors: Bakheit A.M.O. , Shaw S. , Carrington S. , Griffiths S.
Published: November 2007

Objective: To examine the rate and extent of improvement from the different types of aphasia in the first year after stroke.

Design: A prospective longitudinal study.

Setting: A specialist stroke unit.

Participants: Seventy-five aphasic patients with first-ever stroke.

Intervention: The type of aphasia was classified according to the criteria of the Western Aphasia Battery. The Western Aphasia Battery aphasia quotient was used to measure the initial severity and the rate and extent of improvement from aphasia. Assessments were made at baseline and 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks later.

Results: The median percentage increase in the Western Aphasia Battery aphasia quotient was statistically higher in patients with Broca's aphasia than in the other groups at all weeks. Patients with Wernicke's aphasia had a significantly greater median percentage increase in their aphasia quotient than those with conduction and anomic aphasia at weeks 12 and 24, but less than patients with global aphasia at week 24.

Conclusions: Patients with Broca's aphasia appear to have the best prognosis for improvement of language function in the first year of stroke. The extent of improvement in patients with global aphasia is better than that of patients with Wernicke's aphasia.
A prospective, randomized, parallel group, controlled study of the effect of intensity of speech and language therapy on early recovery from poststroke aphasia
Authors: Bakheit A.M.O. , Shaw S. , Barrett L. , Wood J. , Carrington S. , Griffiths S. , Searle K. , Koutsi F.
Published: November 2007

Objective: To examine whether the amount of speech and language therapy influences the recovery from poststroke aphasia.

Setting: A hospital stroke unit and community.

Design: A prospective, randomized controlled trial.

Intervention: Aphasic stroke patients were randomly allocated to receive 5 hours (intensive therapy group, n=51) or 2 hours (standard therapy group) of speech and language therapy per week for 12 consecutive weeks starting as soon as practicable after the stroke. Another 19 patients were recruited for 2 hours per week of therapy and were treated by National Health Service (NHS) staff (NHS group).

Outcome measure and assessment: The Western Aphasia Battery. Assessments were made blind to randomization at baseline and 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks after the start of therapy. Data were analysed by intention to treat.

Results: The mean (SD) Western Aphasia Battery score at week 12 for the intensive, standard and NHS groups was 70.3 (26.9), 66.2 (26.2) and 58.1 (33.7), respectively. There was no treatment effect of intensive therapy (P > 0.05), but there was a statistically significant difference between the standard study and the NHS groups (P = 0.002 at week 12 and 0.01 at week 24).

Conclusions: Intensive speech and language therapy (as delivered in this study) did not improve the language impairment significantly more than the `standard' therapy which averaged 1.6 hours/week. The improvement in aphasia was least in patients who were in the NHS group. These patients received 0.57 (0.49) hours of therapy per week.