bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intracranial angioplasty and stent placement for direct cerebral revascularization of nonacute intracranial occlusions and near occlusions
Authors: Kole Max , Amin Beejal , Marin Horia , Russman Andrew , Sanders William
Published: February 2009

Object

The authors reviewed their experience in 7 cases of nonacute intracranial occlusions and near occlusions in which the patients underwent intracranial angioplasty and stent implantation for direct cerebral revascularization.

Methods

Between 2005 and 2008, 4 men and 3 women underwent direct cerebral revascularization of nonacute intracerebral occlusions or near occlusions. Five patients had chronic angiographically documented occlusion and 2 patients had chronic angiographically documented near occlusions. The locations of the treated vessels included 2 supraclinoid internal carotid arteries, 4 middle cerebral arteries, and 1 vertebral artery. Prior to intervention, all patients were symptomatic and experienced strokes ipsilateral to their occlusions. In addition, all patients had clinical or radiographic evidence of ongoing hemodynamic compromise. Five patients underwent successful intracranial angioplasty and stent placement and 2 patients underwent successful intracranial balloon angioplasty alone. The mean time from documented vessel occlusion to treatment was 35 days. All patients had successful revascularization determined using the Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) scale: TICI Score 3, 2b, and 2a in 4, 2, and 1 patient, respectively, and the mean residual stenosis was 38%.

Results

After uneventful technical procedures, 1 patient suffered a perforator vessel stroke and 1 patient suffered a fatal hemorrhage. Mean modified Rankin Scale score of 2 (range 1–5) and mean Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 4 (range 1–6) were achieved during a mean clinical follow-up period of 399 days (range 1–840 days). Asymptomatic restenosis was documented in 4 patients, 1 underwent bypass retreatment, and 1 patient received repeated balloon angioplasty.

Conclusions

Combined intracranial angioplasty and stent placement is a potential treatment option in selected patients for the direct revascularization of nonacute intracranial occlusions and near occlusions. Whether this represents a substantial risk reduction compared with the best medical therapy or a long-lasting treatment option is unknown.
Introduction: Endovascular approaches to cerebral ischemia
Authors: Dumont Aaron S. , Evans Avery J.
Published: February 2009

Thetreatment of stroke has rapidly evolved over the past decade, particularly as data concerning the natural history have emerged and endovascular treatment options have matured. Therapies for acute stroke have expanded as intraarterial thrombolysis and mechanical clot retrieval have been validated. Furthermore, angioplasty and stenting of intra- and extracranial vessels have evolved with the development of new devices coupled with increasing operator experience. Endovascular therapy is now a widely accepted treatment option for cerebral ischemia in many clinical situations.
Endovascular management of acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Gandhi Chirag D. , Christiano Lana D. , Prestigiacomo Charles J.
Published: February 2009

The management of stroke has progressed significantly over the past 2 decades due to successful treatment protocols including intravenous and intraarterial options. The intravenous administration of tissue plasminogen activator within an established treatment window has been proven in large, well-designed studies. The evolution of endovascular strategies for acute stroke has been prompted by the limits of the intravenous treatment, as well as by the desire to demonstrate improved recanalization rates and improved long-term outcomes. The interventional treatment options available today are the intraarterial administration of tissue plasminogen activator and newer antiplatelet agents, mechanical thrombectomy with the MERCI device and the Penumbra system, and intracranial angioplasty and stent placement. In this review the authors outline the major studies that have defined the current field of acute stroke management and discuss the basic treatment paradigms that are commonly used today.
Discrete cerebral hypothermia in the management of traumatic brain injury: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Harris Odette A. , Muh Carrie R. , Surles Monique C. , Pan Yi , Rozycki Grace , Macleod Jana , Easley Kirk
Published: February 2009

Object

Hypothermia has been extensively evaluated in the management of traumatic brain injury (TBI), but no consensus as to its effectiveness has yet been reached. Explanatory hypotheses include a possible confounding effect of the neuroprotective benefits by adverse systemic effects. To minimize the systemic effects, the authors evaluated a selective cerebral cooling system, the CoolSystem Discrete Cerebral Hypothermia System (a “cooling cap”), in the management of TBI.

Methods

A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted at Grady Memorial Hospital, a Level I trauma center. Adults admitted with severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score ≤ 8) were eligible. Patients assigned to the treatment group received the cooling cap, while those in the control group did not. Patients in the treatment group were treated with selective cerebral hypothermia for 24 hours, then rewarmed over 24 hours. Their intracranial and bladder temperatures, cranial-bladder temperature gradient, Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores, and mortality rates were evaluated. The primary outcome was to establish a cranial-bladder temperature gradient in those patients with the cooling cap. The secondary outcomes were mortality and morbidity per GOS and FIM scores.

Results

The cohort comprised 25 patients (12 in the treatment group, 13 controls). There was no significant intergroup difference in demographic data or median GCS score at enrollment (treatment group 3.0, controls 3.0; p = 0.7). After the third hour of the study, the mean intracranial temperature of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the controls at all time points except Hours 4 (p = 0.08) and 6 (p = 0.08). However, the target intracranial temperature of 33°C was achieved in only 2 patients in the treatment group. The mean intracranial-bladder temperature gradient was not significant for the treatment group (p = 0.07) or the controls (p = 0.67). Six (50.0%) of 12 patients in the treatment group and 4 (30.8%) of 13 in the control group died (p = 0.43). The medians of the maximum change in GOS and FIM scores during the study period (28 days) for both groups were 0. There was no significant difference in complications between the groups (p value range 0.20–1.0).

Conclusions

The cooling cap was not effective in establishing a statistically significant cranial-bladder temperature gradient or in reaching the target intracranial temperature in the majority of patients. No significant difference was achieved in mortality or morbidity between the 2 groups. As the technology currently stands, the Discrete Cerebral Hypothermia System cooling cap is not beneficial for the management of TBI. Further refinement of the equipment available for the delivery of selective cranial cooling will be needed before any definite conclusions regarding the efficacy of discrete cerebral hypothermia can be reached.
Lumboperitoneal shunt placement using computed tomography and fluoroscopy in conscious patients
Authors: Nakajima Madoka , Bando Kuniaki , Miyajima Masakazu , Arai Hajime
Published: February 2009

The authors have developed a minimally invasive lumboperitoneal shunt placement procedure conducted after administration of a local anesthetic. The procedure involves placing a guide wire and a peel-away sheath under fluoroscopic and CT guidance. Between June 2004 and August 2006, 40 patients (21 men and 19 women; mean age 72.5 years [range 33–86 years]) underwent surgery. A Codman Hakim programmable valve system (82–3844, Codman & Shurtleff, Inc.) was used for the procedure. The mean operating time was 53 minutes, and 7 patients (17.5%) developed shunt dysfunction complications. These complications comprised an infected shunt valve in 2 patients, postoperative lower-limb pain in 1 patient, and shunt obstruction (caused by debris and hemorrhage) at the ventral and lumbar ends in 2 patients each. This procedure is less invasive than conventional lumboperitoneal shunt insertion and could be performed as an outpatient surgery for treatment of idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus.
Extended intracranial applications for ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx): mycotic and dissecting aneurysms
Authors: La Barge Donald V. , Ng Perry P. , Stevens Edwin A. , Friedline Nathan K. , Kestle John R. , Schmidt Richard H.
Published: February 2009

The authors describe the off-label use of Onyx for embolization of fusiform mycotic and dissecting intracranial aneurysms based on their experience with 3 patients treated at the University of Utah Hospital from 2006 through 2007.

Technical success in occluding the parent artery/aneurysm was achieved in all patients. There were no complications. The authors conclude that Onyx can be used to achieve occlusion of fusiform mycotic and dissecting intracranial aneurysms in conjunction with parent artery occlusion.
A Leader on Both Sides of the Border: The Amir Fa'our al-Fa'our Between Syria and Mandatory Palestine
Authors: ‘Abbasi Mustafa , Seltenreich Yair
Published: February 2009

In the decades preceding 1948, the Bedouin Amirs of the Fa‘our family, leaders of the Fadil tribe, were dominant figures in the area of the meeting point of the borders of Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. After World War I, two mandatory powers divided control over the Fadil tribe habitat, forcing Amir Fa‘our al-Fa‘our to deal with new and serious problems necessitating new processes of adaptation. These were territorial, as tribal lands were now under different mandates; political, in dealing with conflicting British, French, Syrian, Lebanese, and Zionist goals; and personal, as debt became a decisive factor in decision-making. This article investigates the Fa‘our family sources of power from the end of Ottoman rule and the ways in which new problems were dealt with during mandatory control.
Challenging Core Immorality in Palestine: Philosophical Reflections on the Anti-Apartheid Struggle and the Current ‘Boycott of Israel’ Debate
Authors: Ben-Dor Oren
Published: February 2009

This article explores the complexities involved in calling for a boycott to be imposed on Israel. It distinguishes core immorality that justifies boycotting a state and indirect reasons for a boycott. The core Apartheid immorality in Palestine–encapsulated in the notion of a Jewish state – is argued to be inequality of stake in the political community. This core immorality is the past, present and future operative cause of multi-layered, and temporally related, manifestations of immorality, namely occupation, dispossession and discrimination. Not only a boycott that is phrased too narrowly, but also a sincere but socially premature boycott can entrench core immorality. Inspired by John Rawls's political philosophy, but also seeking to extend his vision, the argument here defends an analogy between civil disobedience and a boycott. Both rely on the likelihood of success in bringing about social and moral transformation. This transformative potential is canvassed in relation to Israel.
The Palestinians in Israel and the 2006 Knesset Elections: Political and Ideological Implications of Election Boycott
Authors: Ghanem As‘ad , Mustafa Muhannad
Published: February 2009

The percentage of those boycotting in the last Israeli elections forms, from our perspective, the most important general development in Israeli politics, and specifically in the political behaviour of the Palestinians in Israel. This article is an in depth analysis of the meaning of this development and its meanings for the Palestinians in Israel and their future. We believe it is important to present this study as an introduction to the situation of the indigenous Palestinian community in Israel,and their tendency to rethink their present and future political options.Our conclusions may contradict the claim which has been and is being presented by Israeli and Palestinian researchers that the Palestinians in Israel have decided their future as Israeli citizens a long time ago.
Missouri Zion, MissouriIntifada: Mormonism, Zionism and the Palestine Conflict
Authors: Stott Graham St. John
Published: February 2009

The roots of Palestinian-Israeli conflict are often thought to be essentially religious or nationalistic,but such accounts miss the juridical nature of the conflict's origins. The potential for conflict in diff erent understandings of law can be seen in a parallel to the Zionist immigration to Palestine: the Mormon movement to western Missouri. In Jackson County those who had come earlier to the frontier reacted violently to the Mormon threat to pre-emptive rights. In Palestine too, it is argued,the violence followed from differing concepts of legitimate land use, with (as in Missouri) one side relying on title and the other on custom.
Computer Simulation of Coronary Flow Waveforms during Caval Occlusion
Authors: Neglia D. , Ferrari G. , Bernini F. , Micalizzi M. , L’Abbate A , Trivella M. G. , De Lazzari C.
Published: February 2009

Objectives: Mathematical modeling of the cardiovascular system is a powerful tool to extract physiologically relevant information from multi-parametric experiments. The purpose of the present work was to reproduce by means of a computer simulator, systemic and coronary measurements obtained by in vivo experiments in the pig.

Methods: We monitored in anesthetized open-chest pig the phasic blood flow of the left descending coronary artery, aortic pressure, left ventricular pressure and volume. Data were acquired before, during, and after caval occlusion.

Inside the software simulator (CARDIOSIM©) of the cardiovascular system, coronary circulation was modeled in three parallel branching sections. Both systemic and pulmonary circulations were simulated using a lumped parameter mathematical model. Variable elastance model reproduced Starling’s law of the heart.

Results: Different left ventricular pressure-volume loops during experimental caval occlusion and simulated cardiac loops are presented. The sequence of coronary flow-aortic pressure loops obtained in vivo during caval occlusion together with the simulated loops reproduced by the software simulator are reported. Finally experimental and simulated instantaneous coronary blood flow waveforms are shown.

Conclusions: The lumped parameter model of the coronary circulation, together with the cardiovascular system model, is capable of reproducing the changes during caval occlusion, with the profound shape deformation of the flow signal observed during the in vivo experiment. In perspectives, the results of the present model could offer new tool for studying the role of the different determinants of myocardial perfusion, by using the coronary loop shape as a “sensor” of ventricular mechanics in various physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
Executive functions and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia
Authors: Bhatia T , Garg K , Pogue-Geile M , Nimgaonkar VL , Deshpande SN
Published: February 2009

Background:

Cognitive impairment is said to be a core feature of schizophrenia. Executive function is an important cognitive domain.

Aim:

This study was undertaken to assess cognitive impairment among Indian patients with schizophrenia (Sz) or schizoaffective disorder (SzA), compared with their parents and unaffected individuals (controls).

Settings and Design:

Executive functions as measured by Trail-making Test (TMT), of patients and their parents were compared with controls. The patients were recruited from the Outpatients' Department (OPD) of a government hospital.

Materials and Methods:

Patients diagnosed as Sz or SzA (n=172) and their parents (n=196: families n=132, 119 fathers and 77 mothers) participated. We also included 120 persons with no history of psychiatric illness. Cognitive function was assessed with the TMT. The Information Score of the Post Graduate Institute Battery of Brain Dysfunction test, developed in India for Indian subjects was used as a proxy for general fixed knowledge.

Statistical Analysis:

Logistic and linear regression was used to compare cognitive deficits of cases, parents and controls.

Results:

Cases and their parents took significantly more time than controls on Part B of the TMT. There were no statistically significant differences between cases and parents on any of the TMT parameters. Using regression analysis, the most significant correlates of all TMT parameters among cases were with occurrence of auditory hallucinations and current age.

Conclusion:

Cases, as well as their parents showed more cognitive impairment than controls on the TMT.
Telmisartan in daily clinical practice
Authors: Bergovac M , Knežević A , Plavec D , Trkulja V
Published: February 2009

Background:

Telmisartan provides effective treatment of hypertension in a broad spectrum of patients.

Aims:

To evaluate factors affecting the efficacy of telmisartan in daily clinical practice.

Setting and Design:

Prospective practice-based 12-week uncontrolled cohort study.

Materials and Methods:

Consecutive incident/prevalent outpatients with mild to moderate essential hypertension were started on telmisartan 40 mg/day with optional up-titration to 80 mg/day in order to achieve seated systolic (SSBP) and diastolic (SDBP) blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg. Intent-to-treat (ITT, N=282) and per protocol (PP, N=275) efficacy assessment was based on SSBP/SDBP reduction and delivered doses.

Results:

SSBP/SDBP decreased (165.2±13.1 / 98.3±6.7 mm Hg to 137.9±13.2 / 82.6±7.3 mm Hg), whilst telmisartan was up-titrated in 40.5% of patients during the study. Multivariate (practically identical ITT and PP) analysis indicated poorer response in obese vs. non-obese patients: lesser SDBP reduction (by around 2.2-2.3 mm Hg, P <0.05) with higher odds of dose up-titration (odds ratio, OR around 1.90, P <0.05); and better response in: a) patients started on telmisartan monotherapy than when added to a preexisting treatment: greater SSBP/SDBP reduction (by around 4.0 and 3.0 mm Hg, respectively, P <0.05) with comparable odds of up-titration; b) diabetics vs. non-diabetics: greater SDBP reduction (by around 3.6-3.7 mm Hg, P <0.05) with comparable odds of up-titration; c) men vs. women: slightly greater SDBP reduction (by around 1.2 mm Hg, 0.05P <0.1) with lower odds of up-titration (OR around 0.51, P <0.05).

Conclusion:

Previous unsuccessful treatment, obesity, diabetes and gender should be considered in order to optimize the use of telmisartan for mild to moderate essential hypertension in daily clinical practice.
Detection rate of prostate cancer using prostate specific antigen in patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms
Authors: Chavan PR , Chavan SV , Chavan NR , Trivedi VD
Published: February 2009

Background:

Need for undertaking prostate biopsies for detection of prostate cancer is often decided on the basis of serum levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA).

Aim:

To evaluate the case detection rate of prostate cancer among patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) on the basis of PSA levels and to assess the scope of prostate biopsy in these patients.

Setting and Design:

A retrospective study from a tertiary care center.

Materials and Methods:

The clinical and histopathological data of 922 patients presenting with LUTS in the last five years was obtained from the medical record section. They had been screened for prostate cancer using PSA and /or digital rectal examination examination followed by confirmation with prostate biopsy.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Detection rate and receiver operating characteristic curve were performed using SPSS 16 and Medcalc softwares.

Results:

The detection rate of prostate cancer according to the PSA levels was 0.6%, 2.3%, 2.5%, 34.1% and 54.9% in the PSA range of 0-4, 4-10, 10-20, 20-50 and <50 ng/ml, respectively. Maximum prostate cancer cases were detected beyond a PSA value of 20 ng/ml whereas no significant difference in the detection rate was observed in the PSA range of 0-4, 4-10 and 10-20 ng/ml.

Conclusion:

A low detection rate of prostate cancer observed in the PSA range of 4-20 ng/ml in LUTS patients indicates the need for use of higher cutoff values of PSA in such cases. Therefore we recommend a cutoff of 20 ng/ml of PSA for evaluation of detection rate of prostate cancer among patients presenting with LUTS.
An autopsy study of maternal mortality
Authors: Panchabhai TS , Patil PD , Shah DR , Joshi AS
Published: February 2009

Background:

An audit of autopsies of maternal deaths is important for the establishment of accurate cause of maternal deaths and to determine the contribution of various etiologies responsible in a given community.

Aim:

To study the causes of maternal deaths as determined by a pathological autopsy.

Settings and Design:

A retrospective study of all the cases of maternal deaths that underwent a pathological autopsy in a tertiary healthcare center from January 1998 to December 2006.

Materials and Methods:

The autopsy records with clinical notes were retrieved; gross and histopathology specimens and slides were studied to establish the accurate cause of maternal deaths. The variables like age (years), stay in the hospital, gravidity, trimester of pregnancy and method of delivery were used to classify and analyze the data from the autopsies. The causes of maternal deaths were divided in to direct and indirect; each being classified into subgroups based on the most evident pathology on autopsy.

Results:

The Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) over a nine-year period (1998-2006) was 827/100000 live births (471 maternal deaths against 56944 live births). An autopsy was performed in 277 cases (58.8%). In the autopsy group, the most common causes of maternal mortality were pre-ecclampsia/ecclampsia (40 of 277, 14.44%) and hemorrhage (32 of 277; 11.55%); However, indirect causes like infectious diseases (27 of 277; 9.75%) and cardiac (27 of 277; 9.75%) disease also contributed to maternal deaths.

Conclusion:

Indirect causes like rheumatic heart disease and infections like tuberculosis, malaria or leptospirosis and nutritional anemia are still major causes of maternal mortality in developing countries like India. Intensive efforts need to be taken in these areas to reduce the maternal mortality in developing countries like India.
Comparison of internal sphincterotomy with topical diltiazem for post-hemorrhoidectomy pain relief
Authors: Chauhan A , Tiwari S , Mishra VK , Bhatia PK
Published: February 2009

Aim:

To assess the efficacy of internal sphincterotomy compared with application of topical 2% Diltiazem ointment after hemorrhoidectomy for pain relief.

Settings and Design:

Prospective randomized study.

Materials and Methods:

In an 18-month period, 108 subjects with uncomplicated Grade 3/ 4 hemorrhoids were enrolled in the study and were randomized into two equal groups: Subjects in Group A underwent internal sphincterotomy at time of primary surgery while those in Group B received 1 g of 2% Diltiazem ointment locally, thrice daily for seven days. Postoperative pain perception was measured using visual analog score (VAS) and on the basis of number of analgesic tablets (Tab tramadol 50 mg) required in each group. Time to discharge, time to return to work and incidence of complications measured and compared.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Statistical techniques applied were Student T test, Chi-square and Fisher's Exact Test.

Results:

There were 102 analyzable subjects (Group A: 50 and Group B: 52). The mean VAS score was significantly less in the internal sphincterotomy group from the fourth postoperative day onwards compared to topical Diltiazem (2.23 vs. 3.72; P =0.031). Similarly, the mean requirement of analgesic tablets [10.54 vs. 15.40; P =0.01] was much lower in Group A. There was no significant difference in terms of time to discharge and time to return to work between the two groups. The incidence of complications was more with the internal sphincterotomy group (11.5% vs. 3 %; P =0.488).

Conclusions:

In patients undergoing hemorrhoidectomy, addition of surgical internal sphincterotomy results in lesser pain in the postoperative period as compared to those receiving topical application of Diltiazem.
What does doodling do?
Authors: Andrade Jackie
Published: February 2009

Doodling is a way of passing the time when bored by a lecture or telephone call. Does it improve or hinder attention to the primary task? To answer this question, 40 participants monitored a monotonous mock telephone message for the names of people coming to a party. Half of the group was randomly assigned to a ‘doodling’ condition where they shaded printed shapes while listening to the telephone call. The doodling group performed better on the monitoring task and recalled 29% more information on a surprise memory test. Unlike many dual task situations, doodling while working can be beneficial. Future research could test whether doodling aids cognitive performance by reducing daydreaming. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Materials Fabricated by Micro‐ and Nanoparticle Assembly – The Challenging Path from Science to Engineering
Authors: Velev Orlin D. , Gupta Shalini
Published: February 2009

We classify the strategies for colloidal assembly and review the diverse potential applications of micro‐ and nanoparticle structures in materials and device prototypes. The useful properties of the particle assemblies, such as high surface‐to‐volume ratio, periodicity at mesoscale, large packing density, and long‐range ordering, can be harnessed in optical, electronic, and biosensing devices. We discuss the present and future trends in the colloidal‐ assembly field, focusing on the challenges of developing fabrication procedures that are rapid and efficiently controlled. We speculate on how the issues of scalability, control, and precision could be addressed, and how the functionality of the assemblies can be increased to better match the needs of technology.
Molecular (SNP) analyses of overlapping hemizygous deletions of 10q25.3 to 10qter in four patients: Evidence for HMX2 and HMX3 as candidate genes in hearing and vestibular function
Authors: Miller Nathaniel D. , Nance Melonie A. , Wohler Elizabeth S. , Hoover‐Fong Julie E. , Lisi Emily , Thomas George H. , Pevsner Jonathan
Published: February 2009

We report on the analyses of four unrelated patients with de novo, overlapping, hemizygous deletions of the long arm of chromosome 10. These include two small terminal deletions (10q26.2 to 10qter), a larger terminal deletion (10q26.12 to 10qter), and an interstitial deletion (10q25.3q26.13). Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) studies (Illumina 550 K) established that these deletions resulted in the hemizygous loss of ∼6.1, ∼6.1, ∼12.5, and ∼7.0 Mb respectively. Additionally, these data establish that Patients 1, 2, and 3 share common, distal, hemizygous deleted regions of 6.09 Mb containing 37 RefSeq genes. Patients 3 and 4 share a 2.52 Mb deleted region corresponding to the proximal deleted region of Patient 3 and the distal deleted region of Patient 4. This common, hemizygous region contains 20 RefSeq genes including two H6 family homeobox genes (HMX2 and HMX3). Based on previous reports that Hmx2/Hmx3 knockout mice have vestibular anomalies, we propose that hemizygous deletions of HMX2 and HMX3 are responsible for the inner ear malformations observed from CT images, vestibular dysfunction, and congenital sensorineural hearing loss found in Patients 3 and 4. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Total Synthesis of Sporolide B
Authors: Nicolaou K. C. , Tang Yefeng , Wang Jianhua
Published: February 2009

Aus dem Meer gefischt: Die erste Totalsynthese des hoch oxygenierten marinen Naturstoffs Sporolid B gelang mithilfe einer konvergenten Strategie. Als Schlüsselschritte sind eine rutheniumkatalysierte [2+2+2]‐Cycloaddition, die das Indensystem aufbaut, und eine thermische Diels‐Alder‐Reaktion beim Ringschluss zum Makrocyclus hervorzuheben (siehe Schema).

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Effects of 2.5‐hour sumo training on serum opsonic activity
Authors: Kojima Arata , Umeda Takashi , Saito Kazuo , Ookubo Yoshikazu , Sato Junya , Nakaji Shigeyuki , Matsuzaka Masashi , Yaegaki Makoto , Ohnishi Motoki , Miyazawa Maki , Takahashi Ippei
Published: February 2009

Sumo is a traditional Japanese sport, but the effect of actual daily training on neutrophil function is unknown. We evaluated the effect of sumo training on serum opsonic activity (SOA), which is one of the main neutrophil‐related functions. Seventeen male university sumo wrestlers participated in the study. Changes in anthropometric parameters, concentrations of serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA and IgM), complements (C3 and C4), myogenic enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase, asparate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and creatine kinase), white blood cell/neutrophil counts and SOA were measured immediately before and after actual daily training for 2.5 h. Compared with the pre‐values, immunoglobulins and complements, myogenic enzymes and white blood cell/neutrophil counts significantly increased (p <0.01 for all). As for SOA, the values of the peak height and the area under the curve significantly increased after the training when assessed using lucigenin as a chemiluminigenic probe (p <0.01 for all), but showed no significant change when luminol was used as the chemiluminigenic probe. In conclusion, daily actual sumo training for 2.5 h increases SOA, thus possibly activating the reactive oxygen species production of neutrophils. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous determination of isoniazid and p‐aminosalicylic acid by capillary electrophoresis using chemiluminescence detection
Authors: Zhang Xinfeng , Xuan Yuelan , Sun Aimin , Lv Yi , Hou Xiandeng
Published: February 2009

It was found that isoniazid (ISO) or p‐aminosalicylic acid (PAS) could enhance the chemiluminescence (CL) emission from Cu (II)‐luminol‐hydrogen peroxide system, and the increased chemiluminescence signals were proportional to their concentrations, respectively. Based on this phenomenon, a chemiluminescence method coupled to capillary electrophoresis (CE) was established for simultaneous determination of ISO and PAS. The CE conditions including running buffer and running voltage were investigated in detail. The effects of the pH of H2O2 solution and the concentrations of luminol, H2O2 and Cu (II) on the CL signal were also investigated carefully. Under the optimized conditions, the analysis could be accomplished within 10 min, with the limits of detection of 0.3 µg mL–1 for ISO and 1.1 µg mL–1 for PAS, corresponding to 7.2 and 26.4 pg per injection (24 nL), respectively. Finally, the method was validated by determining the two analytes in pharmaceutical preparation and spiked human serum samples. The results of pharmaceutical tablet analysis were in good agreement with the labeled amounts. The recoveries for ISO and PAS in human serum were in the range of 92–104% and 90–113%, respectively. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neuroscience, moral reasoning, and the law
Authors: Knabb Joshua J. , Welsh Robert K. , Ziebell Joseph G. , Reimer Kevin S.
Published: February 2009

Modern advancements in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology have given neuroscientists the opportunity to more fully appreciate the brain's contribution to human behavior and decision making. Morality and moral reasoning are relative newcomers to the growing literature on decision neuroscience. With recent attention given to the salience of moral factors (e.g. moral emotions, moral reasoning) in the process of decision making, neuroscientists have begun to offer helpful frameworks for understanding the interplay between the brain, morality, and human decision making. These frameworks are relatively unfamiliar to the community of forensic psychologists, despite the fact that they offer an improved understanding of judicial decision making from a biological perspective. This article presents a framework reviewing how event–feature–emotion complexes (EFEC) are relevant to jurors and understanding complex criminal behavior. Future directions regarding converging fields of neuroscience and legal decision making are considered. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Light‐Induced Deformation of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals on a Water Surface
Authors: Okano Kunihiko , Shinohara Masato , Yamashita Takashi
Published: February 2009

Photodeformation: Azobenzene derivatives showing a room‐temperature liquid crystal (LC) phase exhibit photoinduced deformation on a water surface. While a droplet of a LC sample floating on the surface expands upon UV irradiation, a LC sample containing a solvent is condensed towards the center of the illuminated regions (see figure).

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Characterization of mouse IFT complex B
Authors: Follit John A. , Xu Fenghui , Keady Brian T. , Pazour Gregory J.
Published: February 2009

The primary cilium plays a key role in the development of mammals and in the maintenance of health. Primary cilia are assembled and maintained by the process of intraflagellar transport (IFT). In this work, we characterize mouse IFT complex B by identifying all of the mammalian orthologues of complex B and B‐associated proteins previously identified in Chlamydomonas and Caenorhabditis and also identify a new component (IFT25/Hspb11) of complex B by database analysis. We tagged each of these proteins with the FLAG epitope and show that all except IFT172 and IFT20 localize to cilia and the peri‐basal body or centrosomal region at the base of cilia. All of the proteins except IFT172 immunoprecipitate IFT88 indicating that they are co‐assembled into a complex. IFT20 is the only complex B protein that localizes to the Golgi apparatus. However, overexpression of IFT54/Traf3ip1, the mouse orthologue of Dyf‐11/Elipsa, displaces IFT20 from the Golgi apparatus. IFT54 does not localize to the Golgi complex nor does it interact with GMAP210, which is the protein that anchors IFT20 to the Golgi apparatus. This suggests that IFT54s effect on IFT20 is a dominant negative phenotype caused by its overexpression. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of delirium and recall on the level of distress in patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers
Authors: Bruera Eduardo , Bush Shirley H. , Willey Jie , Paraskevopoulos Timotheos , Li Zhijun , Palmer J. Lynn , Cohen Marlene Z. , Sivesind Debra , Elsayem Ahmed
Published: February 2009

BACKGROUND:

Delirium has been the most frequent neuropsychiatric complication in patients with advanced cancer. This exploratory study aimed to determine the proportion of patients who were able to recall their experience of delirium and the level of distress experienced by patients, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

METHODS:

Patients with advanced cancer who had completely recovered from an acute delirium episode, had Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale score <13, and had a family caregiver present during the delirium were studied. Patients were given the Delirium Experience Questionnaire. Patients' and family caregivers' demographics, and the frequency and distress associated with different delirium symptoms were also collected. Bedside nurses and palliative care specialists reported the frequency of recalled delirium symptoms and their distress score.

RESULTS:

A total of 99 patient/family caregiver dyads participated in the study. The main identified causes for delirium were opioids, infection, brain metastases, hypercalcemia, and dehydration. There were 73 patients (74%) who remembered the episode of being delirious, with 59 of 73 patients (81%) reporting the experience as distressing (median distress level of 3). The median overall delirium distress score was higher in family caregivers (median, 3; 25%‐75% quartile, 2‐4) than in patients (median, 2; 25%‐75% quartile, 0‐3) (P= .0004). Bedside nurses and palliative care specialists expressed low median overall delirium distress scores (median, 0; 25%‐75% quartile 0‐1).

CONCLUSIONS:

The majority of patients with advanced cancer recalled their experience of delirium, causing moderate to severe distress in both patients and family caregivers. Appropriate interventions to reduce this distress are needed. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Fluid–structure interaction analysis of a patient‐specific right coronary artery with physiological velocity and pressure waveforms
Authors: Torii Ryo , Wood Nigel B. , Hadjiloizou Nearchos , Dowsey Andrew W. , Wright Andrew R. , Hughes Alun D. , Davies Justin , Francis Darrel P. , Mayet Jamil , Yang Guang‐Zhong , Thom Simon A. McG. , Xu X. Yun
Published: February 2009

Coupled fluid–structure interaction (FSI) analysis of the human right coronary artery (RCA) has been carried out to investigate the effects of wall compliance on coronary hemodynamics. A 3‐D model of a stenosed RCA was reconstructed based on multislice computerized tomography images. A velocity waveform in the proximal RCA and a pressure waveform in the distal RCA of a patient with a severe stenosis were acquired with a catheter delivered wire probe and applied as boundary conditions. The arterial wall was modeled as a Mooney–Rivlin hyperelastic material. The predicted maximum wall displacement (3.85 mm) was comparable with the vessel diameter (∼4 mm), but the diameter variation was much smaller, 0.134 mm at the stenosis and 0.486 mm in the distal region. Comparison of the computational results between the FSI and rigid‐wall models showed that the instantaneous wall shear stress (WSS) distributions were affected by diameter variation in the arterial wall; increasing systolic blood pressure dilated the vessel and consequently lowered WSS, whereas the opposite occurred when pressure started to decrease. However, the effects of wall compliance on time‐averaged WSS (TAWSS) and oscillatory shear index (OSI) were insignificant (4.5 and 2.7% difference in maximum TAWSS and OSI, respectively). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
WS‐Naming: location migration, replication, and failure transparency support for Web Services
Authors: Grimshaw Andrew , Morgan Mark , Sarnowska Karolina
Published: February 2009

Naming transparencies, i.e. abstracting the name and binding of the entity being used from the endpoints that are actually doing the work, are used in distributed systems to simplify application development by hiding the complexity of the environment. In this paper, we demonstrate how to apply traditional distributed systems naming and binding techniques in the Web Services realm. Specifically, we show how the WS‐Naming profile on WS‐Addressing Endpoint References can be used for identity, transparent failover, replication, and migration. We begin with a discussion of the traditional distributed systems transparencies. We then present four detailed use cases. Next, we provide a brief background on both WS‐Addressing and WS‐Naming. Finally, we show how WS‐Naming can be used to provide transparent implementations of our use cases. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modified Chebyshev lowpass filters
Authors: Roy S. C. Dutta
Published: February 2009

Simple modifications are proposed for the normal as well as the inverse Chebyshev filter (ICF) for facilitating doubly terminated LC ladder realization, and consequently cascaded active‐RC implementations, for all specifications. The resulting filters are compared with two recently proposed solutions, as well as the competing conventional ones in terms of cutoff slope and the Q of the complex poles. The advantages of the modified filters are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptivity in drug discovery and development
Authors: Bretz Frank , Branson Michael , Burman Carl‐Fredrik , Chuang‐Stein Christy , Coffey Christopher S.
Published: February 2009

The development of novel drugs is becoming increasingly challenging, inefficient, and costly, as acknowledged by all major stakeholders of pharmaceutical products. Adaptive designs have attracted considerable attention in recent years, as they promise an increase in efficiency of the drug development process by making better use of the observed data. The key idea of adaptive designs is to use data accumulating from an ongoing experiment to decide on how to modify certain design aspects and better address the question(s) of interest and/or adjust for incorrect assumptions. When planned carefully and applied in appropriate situations, a number of adaptive designs allow for scientifically sound conclusions: early stopping either for futility or for success, sample size reassessment, treatment selection, etc. Most of the current discussions regarding adaptive designs, focus however, on clinical trial applications in the (late) development phase of a novel drug. The aim of this review is to broaden this perspective and to demonstrate that adaptivity is a fundamentally important concept that can be applied to many different stages of drug discovery and development. We review the major statistical methods available for planning and analyzing adaptive designs and then move through the drug discovery and development process and identify possible opportunities for adaptivity. To illustrate the ideas, we refer to examples and case studies from the literature, where available. A brief discussion about regulatory perspectives, operational aspects, and some potential hurdles is also given. Drug Dev Res 70, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Progress toward the development of a viable BACE‐1 inhibitor
Authors: Stachel Shawn J.
Published: February 2009

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive formation of insoluble amyloid plaque and fibrillary tangles. Plaques are extracellular constructs consisting primarily of Aβ42 derived from the catabolism of β‐amyloid precursor protein (APP). β‐Secretase (BACE‐1) is the enzyme responsible for the initiatory cleavage event in APP catabolism. The central role of BACE‐1 in the production of Aβ42 has made it an attractive target for drug development. However, the development of BACE‐1 inhibitors has been hampered by difficulty in identifying inhibitors with acceptable pharmacokinetic and CNS penetration properties. The maturation of the BACE‐1 drug discovery effort from typical peptidomimetic inhibitors to more novel structural classes is reviewed. Drug Dev Res 70, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
5‐HT6antagonists as potential treatment for cognitive dysfunction
Authors: Liu Kevin G. , Robichaud Albert J.
Published: February 2009

Among the potential therapeutic targets for the development of cognitive enhancers for AD and schizophrenia, the 5‐HT6receptor is of especial interest based on its localization, pharmacology, and recent behavioral data showing that 5‐HT6receptor blockade improves cognition in a number of rodent behavioral models. It is localized almost exclusively in the CNS, in areas important for learning and memory, while atypical antipsychotics and tricyclic antidepressants bind with high affinity to this target. 5‐HT6receptor antagonism enhances neurotransmission at cholinergic and glutamatergic neurons, as well as in other pathways. 5‐HT6antagonist medicinal chemistry and potential therapeutic applications for treatment of cognitive dysfunction is broadly reviewed. Drug Dev Res 70, 2009 © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neural protein Olig2 acts upstream of the transcriptional regulator sim1 to specify diencephalic dopaminergic neurons
Authors: Borodovsky Nataliya , Ponomaryov Tatyana , Frenkel Shani , Levkowitz Gil
Published: February 2009

Neural factors are expressed in neural progenitors and regulate neurogenesis and gliogenesis. Recent studies suggested that these factors are also involved in determining specific neuronal fates by regulating the expression of their target genes, thereby creating transcriptional codes for neuronal subtype specification. In the present study, we show that in the zebrafish the neural gene Olig2 and the transcriptional regulator Sim1 are co‐expressed in a subset of diencephalic progenitors destined towards the dopaminergic (DA) neuronal fate. While sim1 mRNA is also detected in mature DA neurons, the expression of olig2 is extinguished prior to terminal DA differentiation. Loss of function of either Olig2 or Sim1 leads to impaired DA development. Finally, Olig2 regulates the expression of Sim1 and gain of function of Sim1 rescues the deficits in DA differentiation caused by targeted knockdown of Olig2. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that commitment of basal diencephalic DA neurons is regulated by the combined action of the neural protein Olig2 and its downstream neuronal specific effector Sim1. Developmental Dynamics 238:826–834, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Zebrafish cdx1b regulates differentiation of various intestinal cell lineages
Authors: Chen Yi‐Hua , Lu Yu‐Fen , Ko Ting‐Yi , Tsai Ming‐Yuan , Lin Che Yi , Lin Chia‐Chi , Hwang Sheng‐Ping L.
Published: February 2009

Both antisense morpholino oligonucleotide (MO)‐mediated knockdown and overexpression experiments were performed to analyze zebrafish cdx1b's function in intestinal cell differentiation. Substantial reductions in goblet cell numbers were detected in intestines of 102‐ and 120‐hours post‐fertilization (hpf) cdx1b MO‐injected embryos (morphants) compared to cdx1b‐4‐base mismatched (4mm)‐MO‐injected and wild type embryos. A significant decrease in enteroendocrine cell numbers was also observed in intestines of 96‐hpf cdx1b morphants. Furthermore, ectopic cdx1b expression caused notable increases in respective cell numbers of enteroendocrine and goblet cells in intestines of 96‐ and 98‐hpf injected embryos. Decreased PepT1 expression was detected in enterocytes of intestines in cdx1b morphants from 80 to 102 hr of development. In addition, increased cell proliferation was detected in intestines of cdx1b morphants. Overall, our results suggest that zebrafish cdx1b plays important roles in regulating intestinal cell proliferation and the differentiation of various intestinal cell lineages. Developmental Dynamics 238:1021–1032, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
olig1expression identifies developing oligodendrocytes in zebrafish and requires hedgehog and notch signaling
Authors: Schebesta Michael , Serluca Fabrizio C.
Published: February 2009

Myelin, the isolating sheath around large diameter axons, is formed in the central nervous system (CNS) by oligodendrocytes. We isolated the zebrafish ortholog ofolig1, a bHLH transcription factor, and describe the origin and development of oligodendrocytes in the zebrafish brain.Olig1:mem‐eGFP transgenic animals demonstrate the highly dynamic nature of oligodendrocyte membrane processes, providing a tool for studying in vivo oligodendrocyte development. Formation of oligodendrocytes and initiation ofolig1expression are under the control of long‐range hedgehog and notch signaling while maintenance ofolig1expression only depends on hedgehog. Over‐expression ofolig1did not affect myelin formation in the brain and combined over‐expression ofolig1andolig2could not rescue loss of hedgehog signaling, indicating that critical factors other thanolig1andolig2are necessary. Lastly, knockdown of Olig1 in an Olig2‐sensitized background did result in defects in CNS myelination, indicating a functional overlap between Olig1 and Olig2 proteins. Developmental Dynamics 238:887–898, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.