bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationship between walking speed and changes in cardiovascular risk factors during a 12-day walking tour to Santiago de Compostela: a cohort study
Authors: Bemelmans Remy H H , Blommaert Paulus P , Wassink Annemarie M J , Coll Blai , Spiering Wilko , van der Graaf Yolanda , Visseren Frank L J
Published: May 2012

Objectives

Physical exercise has beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors. Knowledge about the effect of exercise intensity, specifically walking speed, on cardiovascular risk factors is limited. We report the relationship between walking speed and changes in cardiovascular risk factors in participants of a 12-day walking tour to Santiago de Compostela.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Single-centre study with healthy middle-aged volunteers.

Participants

Healthy middle-aged men (n=15) and women (n=14). Subjects using lipid-lowering medication were excluded.

Intervention

Participants walked 281±10 km of the classical route to Santiago de Compostela in 12 days in 2009.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Walking speed was recorded and blood pressure, weight, waist circumference, lipids and glucose were measured every other day. Changes in risk factors were compared between gender-pooled groups with faster and slower walking speed. Second, the relationship between walking speed and changes in risk factors was quantified using a linear mixed effects model.

Results

In the faster walking speed (4.6±0.2 km/h) group, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) increased more than in the slower walking speed (4.1±0.2 km/h) group (difference in change between groups: 0.20; 95% CI −0.02 to 0.42 mmol/l), while low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and total cholesterol decreased more in the slower walking speed group (differences in changes between groups: LDL-c: −0.50; 95% CI −0.88 to −0.12 mmol/l and total cholesterol: −0.75; 95% CI −1.19 to −0.31 mmol/l). A 1 km/h higher walking speed was related to an increase in HDL-c (0.24; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.30 mmol/l), LDL-c (0.18; 95% CI −0.16 to 0.42 mmol/l) and total cholesterol (0.36; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.60 mmol/l), adjusted for age, gender, smoking, body mass index and heart rate, during the whole walking tour.

Conclusions

Walking the same distance faster improves HDL-c more, while LDL-c and total cholesterol decrease more with lower walking speed independent of changes in body weight in healthy middle-aged subjects.
EXPLICIT DETERMINATION OF CERTAIN MINIMAL ABELIAN CODES AND THEIR MINIMUM DISTANCES
Authors: Grover Pooja , Bhandari Ashwani K.
Published: May 2012

In this paper minimal codes for several classes of non-cyclic abelian groups have been constructed by explicitly determining a complete set of primitive idempotents in the corresponding group algebras. Some classes of non-p-groups have also been considered. The minimum distances of such abelian codes have been discussed and compared to the minimum distances of cyclic codes of same lengths and dimensions over the same field.
PARAMETER AND INTERACTION STUDY OF EDGE CRACK PROBLEM USING MESHFREE METHOD
Authors: SHARMA KAMAL , BHASIN VIVEK , SINGH I. V. , MISHRA B. K. , VAZE K. K.
Published: May 2012

In this work, element free Galerkin method (EFGM) has been used to obtain the solution of edge crack problem under mechanical loads as it provides a versatile technique to model static as well as moving crack problems without any requirement of remeshing. At first, some techniques are presented for enriching the EFG approximations near the crack tip such as extrinsic and intrinsic enrichment. Extrinsic enrichment involves the addition of solution form to the trial function, whereas the EFG basis is expanded to include few terms from crack tip solution in intrinsic enrichment. Apart from enrichment techniques, four basic techniques of smoothing meshless approximations near nonconvex boundaries are also presented such as diffraction, transparency, see through and wedge model. These techniques are then used for the parameteric analysis of an edge crack problem under mode-1 loading and results obtained using different approaches are compared with each other as well as with exact solution. Among these techniques, the extrinsic PU enrichment technique was found to be more accurate as compared to other approaches. Extrinsic PU enrichment technique has also been used for the analysis of a shear edge crack problem. In all these techniques, the value of mode-1 stress intensity factor and mode-2 stress intensity factor has been evaluated by interaction integral approach. Effect of crack orientation is also studied for different cases.
Osteopontin is an endogenous modulator of the constitutively activated phenotype of pulmonary adventitial fibroblasts in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Anwar Adil , Li Min , Frid Maria G. , Kumar Binod , Gerasimovskaya Evgenia V. , Riddle Suzette R. , McKeon B. Alexandre , Thukaram Roopa , Meyrick Barbara O. , Fini Mehdi A. , Stenmark Kurt R.
Published: May 2012

Increased cell proliferation and migration, of several cell types are key components of vascular remodeling observed in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Our previous data demonstrate that adventitial fibroblasts isolated from pulmonary arteries of chronically hypoxic hypertensive calves (termed PH-Fibs) exhibit a “constitutively activated” phenotype characterized by high proliferative and migratory potential. Osteopontin (OPN) has been shown to promote several cellular activities including growth and migration in cancer cells. We thus tested the hypothesis that elevated OPN expression confers the “activated” highly proproliferative and promigratory/invasive phenotype of PH-Fibs. Our results demonstrate that, both in vivo and ex vivo, PH-Fibs exhibited increased expression of OPN, as well as its cognate receptors, αVβ3 and CD44, compared with control fibroblasts (CO-Fibs). Augmented OPN expression in PH-Fibs corresponded to their high proliferative, migratory, and invasive properties and constitutive activation of ERK1/2 and AKT signaling. OPN silencing via small interfering RNA or sequestering OPN production by specific antibodies led to decreased proliferation, migration, invasion, and attenuated ERK1/2, AKT phosphorylation in PH-Fibs. Furthermore, increasing OPN levels in CO-Fibs via recombinant OPN resulted in significant increases in their proliferative, migratory, and invasive capabilities to the levels resembling those of PH-Fibs. Thus our data suggest OPN as an essential contributor to the activated (highly proliferative, migratory, and proinvasive) phenotype of pulmonary adventitial fibroblasts in hypoxic PH.
Therapeutic hypercapnia prevents bleomycin-induced pulmonary hypertension in neonatal rats by limiting macrophage-derived tumor necrosis factor-α
Authors: Sewing A. Charlotte P. , Kantores Crystal , Ivanovska Julijana , Lee Alvin H. , Masood Azhar , Jain Amish , McNamara Patrick J. , Tanswell A. Keith , Jankov Robert P.
Published: May 2012

Bleomycin-induced lung injury is characterized in the neonatal rat by inflammation, arrested lung growth, and pulmonary hypertension (PHT), as observed in human infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Inhalation of CO2 (therapeutic hypercapnia) has been described to limit cytokine production and to have anti-inflammatory effects on the injured lung; we therefore hypothesized that therapeutic hypercapnia would prevent bleomycin-induced lung injury. Spontaneously breathing rat pups were treated with bleomycin (1 mg/kg/d ip) or saline vehicle from postnatal days 1–14 while being continuously exposed to 5% CO2 (PaCO2 elevated by 15–20 mmHg), 7% CO2 (PaCO2 elevated by 35 mmHg), or normocapnia. Bleomycin-treated animals exposed to 7%, but not 5%, CO2, had significantly attenuated lung tissue macrophage influx and PHT, as evidenced by normalized pulmonary vascular resistance and right ventricular systolic function, decreased right ventricular hypertrophy, and attenuated remodeling of pulmonary resistance arteries. The level of CO2 neither prevented increased tissue neutrophil influx nor led to improvements in decreased lung weight, septal thinning, impaired alveolarization, or decreased numbers of peripheral arteries. Bleomycin led to increased expression and content of lung tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, which was found to colocalize with tissue macrophages and to be attenuated by exposure to 7% CO2. Inhibition of TNF-α signaling with the soluble TNF-2 receptor etanercept (0.4 mg/kg ip from days 1–14 on alternate days) prevented bleomycin-induced PHT without decreasing tissue macrophages and, similar to CO2, had no effect on arrested alveolar development. Our findings are consistent with a preventive effect of therapeutic hypercapnia with 7% CO2 on bleomycin-induced PHT via attenuation of macrophage-derived TNF-α. Neither tissue macrophages nor TNF-α appeared to contribute to arrested lung development induced by bleomycin. That 7% CO2 normalized pulmonary vascular resistance and right ventricular function without improving inhibited airway and vascular development suggests that vascular hypoplasia does not contribute significantly to functional changes of PHT in this model.
Metropolitan USA: Evidence from the 2010 Census
Authors: Short John Rennie
Published: May 2012

I will review the major changes in the distribution of the metropolitan population of the United States (US), as revealed by the 2010 data recently released by the US Census. These data allow us to track recent changes and provide the basis for a discussion of longer-term trends identified in previous studies of US cities (Short 2006, 2007) and the city suburban nexus (Hanlon et al. 2010). In brief summary, the paper will show the continuing metropolitanization and suburbanization of the US population. A more nuanced picture will reveal evidence of stress in suburban areas and population resurgence in selected central city areas. Overall, the story is one of a profound revalorization and a major respatialization of the US metropolis.
Emergency Department Discharge Instructions: Lessons Learned through Developing New Patient Education Materials
Authors: McCarthy Danielle M. , Engel Kirsten G. , Buckley Barbara A. , Forth Victoria E. , Schmidt Michael J. , Adams James G. , Baker David W.
Published: May 2012

Our multidisciplinary team developed a new set of discharge instructions for five common emergency department diagnoses using recommended tools for creating literacy-appropriate and patient-centered education materials. We found that the recommended tools for document creation were essential in constructing the new instructions. However, while the tools were necessary, they were not sufficient. This paper describes the insights gained and lessons learned in this document creation process.
An Investigation into the Response of GFRP-Reinforced Glue-Laminated Tudor Arches
Authors: Alshurafa S. , Alhayek H. , Taheri F.
Published: May 2012

This paper presents the results of an experimental and computational investigation tailored to examine the response of glass fiber-reinforced-plastic-(GFRP-) reinforced glue-laminated curved beams and arches. The main objective was to ascertain the viability of GFRP as an effective reinforcement for enhancing the load carrying capacity and stiffness of such curved structures. The study included optimization of the length and thickness of the GFRP reinforcement. In doing so, first a parametric finite element study was conducted to evaluate the influence of unidirectional GFRP reinforcement applied onto the arch using eleven possible configurations and different thicknesses. Subsequently, an experimental investigation was conducted to verify the results established by the finite element method as well as the integrity of actual GFRP-reinforced glue-laminated curved structures. The results indicate that GFRP can be considered as an effective and economically viable solution for strengthening and stiffening glulam arches, without adding any appreciable weight to the structure.
Thermaly Active Structures for Shape Morphing Applications
Authors: L'Hostis Gildas , Buet-Gautier Karine , Durand Bernard
Published: May 2012

For shape morphing application, thermal activation coupling to a bimetallic strip effect can be a substitute for classical actuators, piezoelectrical or shape memory alloys. The controlled behaviour of composite material (CBCM) is a thermaly activated composite material. The thermal activation is made thanks to carbon yarns which are connected to a power supply. If the anisotropy of the structure is well organized, the desired deformation is reached when the temperature within the composite is rising. To obtain a CBCM morphing composite structure, it is necessary to design a specific structure. The aim of this work is to show that it is possible to adapt the CBCM principle in order to transform any kind of classical composite structure to an active structure. The first part of this work consists in presenting the experimental results for two examples of composite beams. The second part is about the active structure FEM modeling and the development of adapted tools for this particular design.
Pose Space Surface Manipulation
Authors: Yoshiyasu Yusuke , Yamazaki Nobutoshi
Published: May 2012

Example-based mesh deformation techniques produce natural and realistic shapes by learning the space of deformations from examples. However, skeleton-based methods cannot manipulate a global mesh structure naturally, whereas the mesh-based approaches based on a translational control do not allow the user to edit a local mesh structure intuitively. This paper presents an example-driven mesh editing framework that achieves both global and local pose manipulations. The proposed system is built with a surface deformation method based on a two-step linear optimization technique and achieves direct manipulations of a model surface using translational and rotational controls. With the translational control, the user can create a model in natural poses easily. The rotational control can adjust the local pose intuitively by bending and twisting. We encode example deformations with a rotation-invariant mesh representation which handles large rotations in examples. To incorporate example deformations, we infer a pose from the handle translations/rotations and perform pose space interpolation, thereby avoiding involved nonlinear optimization. With the two-step linear approach combined with the proposed multiresolution deformation method, we can edit models at interactive rates without losing important deformation effects such as muscle bulging.
Microbial Profiles of Rhizosphere and Bulk Soil Microbial Communities of Biofuel Crops Switchgrass (Panicum virgatumL.) and Jatropha (Jatropha curcasL.)
Authors: Chaudhary Doongar R. , Saxena Jyotisna , Lorenz Nicola , Dick Linda K. , Dick Richard P.
Published: May 2012

The production of biofuels from the low-input energy crops, switchgrass (Panicum virgatumL.) and jatropha (Jatropha curcasL.), is a sustainable approach that can provide more usable energy and environmental benefits than food-based biofuels. Plant rhizosphere affects the microbial community structure due to variations in root exudation rates and residue chemistry. The objective of this investigation was to determine the profiles of microbial communities associated with rhizosphere and bulk soils of switchgrass or jatropha using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis and length heterogeneity PCR (LH-PCR). Switchgrass soil contained a significantly (P<0.05) higher abundance of Gram-positive (i14:0, i15:0, a15:0), Gram-negative (16:1ω5c, 16:1ω7c, 18:1ω5c), and saturated (14:0, 15:0) PLFAs compared to jatropha soil, whereas jatropha had a higher abundance of fungal (18:2ω6, 9c), 18:1ω9c, 20:1ω9c, and 18:0 PLFAs compared to switchgrass soil. Irrespective of plant type, rhizosphere soil contained a significantly (P<0.05) higher abundance of saturated PLFAs (16:0, 18:0, 20:0), actinomycetes (10Me17:0), and fungal (18:2ω6, 9c) PLFAs compared to bulk soil; whereas bulk soil had higher abundance of saturated (14:0), Gram-negative (16:1ω9c, 16:1ω5c, 16:1ω7c), and 18:1ω9c PLFAs compared to rhizosphere soil. Multivariate principle component analysis of PLFAs and LH-PCR percent relative peak areas successfully differentiated the microbial communities of rhizosphere and bulk soils of switchgrass and jatropha.
Dietary Carcinogen 2-Amino-1-Methyl-6-Phenylimidazo[4,5-b]Pyridine–Induced Prostate Carcinogenesis in CYP1A-Humanized Mice
Authors: Li Guangxun , Wang Hong , Liu Anna B. , Cheung Connie , Reuhl Kenneth R. , Bosland Maarten C. , Yang Chung S.
Published: May 2012

To develop a relevant mouse model for prostate cancer prevention research, we administered a dietary carcinogen, 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), to CYP1A-humanized mice. In comparison with mouse Cyp1a2, human CYP1A2 preferentially activates PhIP to a proximate carcinogen. Following a single oral dose of PhIP (200 mg/kg body weight), we observed inflammation, atrophy of acini, low-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN; after 20 weeks), and high-grade PIN (HgPIN; after 30 to 50 weeks) in dorsolateral, ventral, and coagulating anterior prostate glands of these mice. These lesions were androgen receptor positive and featured the loss of expression of the basal cell marker p63 and the tumor suppressor PTEN. Similar to human prostate carcinogenesis, glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) expression was lost or partially lost in HgPIN. E-Cadherin expression was also lost in HgPIN. The expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 was elevated, possibly to enhance promoter hypermethylation for the silencing of GSTP1 and E-cadherin. Prostate carcinogenesis was promoted by a high-fat stress diet, resulting in HgPIN that developed earlier and in advanced lesions displayed features consistent with carcinoma in situ. This dietary carcinogen-induced prostate cancer model, recapitulating important features of early human prostate carcinogenesis, constitutes a new experimental system for prostate cancer research. Cancer Prev Res; 5(7); 963–72. ©2012 AACR.
Antithrombotic Potential of Blockers of Store-Operated Calcium Channels in Platelets
Authors: van Kruchten Roger , Braun Attila , Feijge Marion A. H. , Kuijpers Marijke J. E. , Rivera-Galdos Ronmy , Kraft Peter , Stoll Guido , Kleinschnitz Christoph , Bevers Edouard M. , Nieswandt Bernhard , Heemskerk Johan W. M.
Published: May 2012

Objective—

Platelet Orai1 channels mediate store-operated Ca
2+
entry (SOCE), which is required for procoagulant activity and arterial thrombus formation. Pharmacological blockage of these channels may provide a novel way of antithrombotic therapy. Therefore, the thromboprotective effect of SOCE blockers directed against platelet Orai1 is determined.

Methods and Results—

Candidate inhibitors were screened for their effects on SOCE in washed human platelets. Tested antagonists included the known compounds, SKF96365, 2-aminoethyl diphenylborate, and MRS1845 and the novel compounds, Synta66 and GSK-7975A. The potency of SOCE inhibition was in the order of Synta66>2-aminoethyl diphenylborate>GSK-7975A>SKF96365>MRS1845. The specificity of the first 3 compounds was verified with platelets from Orai1-deficient mice. Inhibitory activity on procoagulant activity and high-shear thrombus formation was assessed in plasma and whole blood. In the presence of plasma, all 3 compounds suppressed platelet responses and restrained thrombus formation under flow. Using a murine stroke model, arterial thrombus formation was provoked in vivo by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Postoperative administration of 2-aminoethyl diphenylborate markedly diminished brain infarct size.

Conclusion—

Plasma-soluble SOCE blockers such as 2-aminoethyl diphenylborate suppress platelet-dependent coagulation and thrombus formation. The platelet Orai1 channel is a novel target for preventing thrombotic events causing brain infarction.
Toll-Like Receptor 4 Deficiency Decreases Atherosclerosis But Does Not Protect Against Inflammation in Obese Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor–Deficient Mice
Authors: Ding Yilei , Subramanian Savitha , Montes Vince N. , Goodspeed Leela , Wang Shari , Han ChangYeop , Teresa Antonio Sta. , Kim Jinkyu , O’Brien Kevin D. , Chait Alan
Published: May 2012

Objective—

Obesity is associated with insulin resistance, chronic low-grade inflammation, and atherosclerosis. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) participates in the cross talk between inflammation and insulin resistance, being activated by both lipopolysaccharide and saturated fatty acids. The present study was undertaken to determine whether TLR4 deficiency has a protective role in inflammation, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis induced by a diabetogenic diet.

Methods and Results—

TLR4 and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor double knockout mice and LDL receptor–deficient mice were fed either a normal chow or a diabetogenic diet for 24 weeks. TLR4 and LDL receptor double knockout mice fed a diabetogenic diet showed improved plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels but developed obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and glucose intolerance equivalent to obese LDL receptor–deficient mice. Adipocyte hypertrophy, macrophage accumulation, and local inflammation were not attenuated in intraabdominal adipose tissue in TLR4 and LDL receptor double knockout mice. However, TLR4 deficiency led to markedly decreased atherosclerosis in obese TLR4 and LDL receptor double knockout mice. Compensatory upregulation of TLR2 expression was observed both in obese TLR4-deficient mice and in palmitate-treated TLR4-silenced 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Conclusions—

TLR4 deficiency decreases atherosclerosis without affecting obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance in LDL receptor–deficient mice. Alternative pathways may be responsible for adipose tissue macrophage infiltration and insulin resistance that occurs in obesity.
Leptin Potentiates Endothelium-Dependent Relaxation by Inducing Endothelial Expression of Neuronal NO Synthase
Authors: Benkhoff Sebastian , Loot Annemarieke E. , Pierson Ina , Sturza Adrian , Kohlstedt Karin , Fleming Ingrid , Shimokawa Hiroaki , Grisk Olaf , Brandes Ralf P. , Schröder Katrin
Published: May 2012

Objective—

Obesity is associated with hyperleptinemia but it is not clear whether leptin protects vascular function or promotes dysfunction. We therefore studied the consequences of hyperleptinemia in lean mice.

Methods and Results—

Wild-type and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS)
−/−
mice were infused with leptin (0.4 mg/kg per day, 7 days), and endothelium-dependent relaxation was studied in aortic segments. Leptin had no effect on acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation in normal wild-type mice but restored endothelium-dependent relaxation in wild-type mice treated with angiotensin II (0.7 mg/kg per day, 7 days) to induce endothelial dysfunction. Leptin also sensitized aortae from eNOS
−/−
mice to acetylcholine, an effect blocked by neuronal NOS (nNOS) inhibition and not observed in eNOS-nNOS double
−/−
mice. Consistent with these findings, leptin induced nNOS expression in murine and human vessels and human endothelial but not smooth muscle cells. Aortic nNOS expression was also induced in mice by a high-fat diet. Mechanistically, leptin increased endothelial Janus kinase 2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 phosphorylation, and inhibition of Janus kinase 2 prevented nNOS induction in cultured cells and leptin-induced relaxations in eNOS
−/−
mice.

Conclusion—

Leptin induces endothelial nNOS expression, which compensates, in part, for a lack of NO production by eNOS to maintain endothelium-dependent relaxation.
Advance Directives in Community Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Dunlay Shannon M. , Swetz Keith M. , Mueller Paul S. , Roger Véronique L.
Published: May 2012

Background—

Although it is recommended that all patients with heart failure (HF) have advance directives (AD) in place before the end of life is imminent, the use of AD in HF has not been well studied.

Methods and Results—

We enrolled consecutive Olmsted County residents presenting with HF from October 2007 through October 2011 into a longitudinal study. Information from AD completed before enrollment and hospitalizations in the month before death were abstracted. Among 608 patients (mean age, 74.0 years; 54.9% men; 65.3%; New York Heart Association functional class 3 or 4), 164 (27.0%) patients died after a mean follow-up of 1.8 years. At enrollment, only 249 (41.0%) patients had an AD. Although most AD appointed a proxy decision-maker (90.4%), less than half addressed wishes regarding use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (41.4%), mechanical ventilation (38.6%), or hemodialysis (10.0%) at the end of life. The independent predictors of AD completion were older age (adjusted odds ratio [OR] per 10-year increase, 1.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.51–2.20), malignancy (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.05–2.37), and renal dysfunction (OR for estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min 1.55; 95% CI, 1.05–2.29). At the end of life, patients with AD specifying limits in the aggressiveness of care less frequently received mechanical ventilation (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.07–0.88), with a trend toward decreased intensive care unit admission (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.16–1.29).

Conclusions—

Despite a high mortality rate, over half of patients with HF do not have an AD, and existing AD fail to address important end-of-life medical decisions.
Ventricular Assist Device Implantation Corrects Myocardial Lipotoxicity, Reverses Insulin Resistance, and Normalizes Cardiac Metabolism in Patients With Advanced Heart Failure
Authors: Chokshi Aalap , Drosatos Konstantinos , Cheema Faisal H. , Ji Ruiping , Khawaja Tuba , Yu Shuiqing , Kato Tomoko , Khan Raffay , Takayama Hiroo , Knöll Ralph , Milting Hendrik , Chung Christine S. , Jorde Ulrich , Naka Yoshifumi , Mancini Donna M. , Goldberg Ira J. , Schulze P. Christian
Published: May 2012

Background—

Heart failure is associated with impaired myocardial metabolism with a shift from fatty acids to glucose use for ATP generation. We hypothesized that cardiac accumulation of toxic lipid intermediates inhibits insulin signaling in advanced heart failure and that mechanical unloading of the failing myocardium corrects impaired cardiac metabolism.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed the myocardium and serum of 61 patients with heart failure (body mass index, 26.5±5.1 kg/m
2
; age, 51±12 years) obtained during left ventricular assist device implantation and at explantation (mean duration, 185±156 days) and from 9 control subjects. Systemic insulin resistance in heart failure was accompanied by decreased myocardial triglyceride and overall fatty acid content but increased toxic lipid intermediates, diacylglycerol, and ceramide. Increased membrane localization of protein kinase C isoforms, inhibitors of insulin signaling, and decreased activity of insulin signaling molecules Akt and Foxo were detectable in heart failure compared with control subjects. Left ventricular assist device implantation improved whole-body insulin resistance (homeostatic model of analysis–insulin resistance, 4.5±0.6–3.2±0.5;
P
<0.05) and decreased myocardial levels of diacylglycerol and ceramide, whereas triglyceride and fatty acid content remained unchanged. Improved activation of the insulin/phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/Akt signaling cascade after left ventricular assist device implantation was confirmed by increased phosphorylation of Akt and Foxo, which was accompanied by decreased membrane localization of protein kinase C isoforms after left ventricular assist device implantation.

Conclusions—

Mechanical unloading after left ventricular assist device implantation corrects systemic and local metabolic derangements in advanced heart failure, leading to reduced myocardial levels of toxic lipid intermediates and improved cardiac insulin signaling.
Distributional Impact of Brain Microbleeds on Global Cognitive Function in Adults Without Neurological Disorder
Authors: Yakushiji Yusuke , Noguchi Tomoyuki , Hara Megumi , Nishihara Masashi , Eriguchi Makoto , Nanri Yusuke , Nishiyama Masanori , Hirotsu Tatsumi , Nakajima Junko , Kuroda Yasuo , Hara Hideo
Published: May 2012

Background and Purpose—

Brain microbleeds (MBs) are considered to be associated with cognitive decline and can be pathologically and topographically classified as cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related (located in lobar regions) and hypertensive microangiopathy-related (located in deep regions). We examined whether different effects on global cognitive function might be seen with different distributions of MBs.

Methods—

A total of 1279 adults without neurological disorders were studied prospectively. Subjects were divided into 4 groups: without-MBs group; lobar group; deep group; and with in both areas (diffuse group). The Mini-Mental State Examination was administered to determine global cognitive functions, with scores <27 regarded as subnormal.

Results—

MBs were detected in 98 subjects (8%): 36 subjects (3%) classified as lobar group, 48 subjects (4%) as deep group, and 14 subjects (1%) as diffuse group. Subnormal scores were found in 76 subjects (5.9%), associated with age, education, hypertension, severe white matter hyperintensities, and distribution and number of MBs. In the final model of logistic regression analysis, the deep group (OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.14–6.79) was associated with subnormal scores, whereas the lobar group (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.17–3.44) was not. Trend for the diffuse group did not reach the level of significance (OR, 5.01; 95% CI, 0.88–28.41). These trends were also seen in analysis using another cut-off point for subnormal score. Scores for total Mini-Mental State Examination and attention and calculation were significantly lower in the deep group and the diffuse groups compared with the without-MBs group.

Conclusions—

This Japanese cross-sectional study demonstrated that MB-related global cognitive dysfunction seems to occur based on hypertensive pathogenesis rather than on cerebral amyloid angiopathy.
Increased Carotid and Brachial Intima–Media Thickness is Related to Diffuse Coronary Involvement Rather Than Focal Lesions
Authors: Çanga Aytun , Kocaman Sinan Altan , Durakoğlugil Murtaza Emre , Çetin Mustafa , Erdoğan Turan , Çiçek Yüksel , Şatıroglu Ömer
Published: May 2012

We evaluated whether an increased carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT) and brachial artery IMT (bIMT) are related to diffuse coronary involvement rather than focal lesions. Patients (n = 88) with at least 1 significant lesion of the main epicardial coronary arteries (≥50%) were included in the present study. We used a novel score based on length and mean narrowing of all lesions in order to predict diffuse coronary involvement. Both cIMT and bIMT were higher in patients with long coronary lesion than focal lesion ( P < .001). The patients with long coronary lesion had a higher rate of total coronary involvement than patients with focal lesion ( P < .001). The cIMT had a higher correlation with total atherosclerotic burden in the coronary vasculature ( r = .495, P < .001) and the longest lesion length ( r = .489, P < .001) than cardiovascular risk factor score ( r = .453, P < .001 and r = .324, P = .012, respectively). These findings may be valuable for clarifying the prognostic value of IMT measurements.
Children’s Behavior Problems in the United States and Great Britain
Authors: Parcel Toby L. , Campbell Lori Ann , Zhong Wenxuan
Published: May 2012

We analyze the effects of family capital on child behavior problems in the United States and Great Britain by comparing a longitudinal survey sample of 5- to 13-year-old children from the 1994 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth ( N = 3,864) with a similar sample of children from the 1991 National Child Development Study “British Child” ( N = 1,430). Findings suggest that in both societies, male children, those with health problems, and those whose mothers are divorced are at increased risk for behavior problems, while those with stronger home environments are at reduced risk. Family structure effects are more pervasive in Great Britain than in the United States, although some of these findings are a function of our racially diverse U.S. sample. We conclude that parents are important in both societies in promoting child social adjustment, and evidence that the more developed welfare state in Great Britain may substitute for capital at home is weak.
The Occupational Identity of In-Service Secondary Music Educators
Authors: Russell Joshua A.
Published: May 2012

In order to explore the factors that inform the occupational identity development of in-service music educators and to compare the identities of in-service teachers with those of preservice music educators as examined in previous research, the purposes of this study were to examine the reported occupational identity of in-service secondary music educators and identify the interpersonal interactions and activities that help form occupational identity. A stratified random sample of secondary music teachers ( N = 300) completed a questionnaire based on previous research. Participants reported a majority of integrated (view of self and perceived view of others) professional roles, although participants believed themselves to be musicians more than they felt others believed them to be. Participants reported positive interactions with music students and other music educators and that directing ensembles and attending music conferences were the most positive experiences. Participants who reported positive relationships with other music educators and music students were likely to develop an educator identity. External musician identity was predicted by relationships with other teachers as well as with students outside of music. Participants with positive administration relationships were less likely to exhibit an internal musician identity. As teachers move from preservice to in-service, their musician identities may transform from being relatively integrated to becoming more differentiated.
Diversity in Teacher Education and Special Education
Authors: Cochran-Smith Marilyn , Dudley-Marling Curt
Published: May 2012

This article explores the enduring fissure between general and special teacher education by focusing directly on the issues that divide these two fields. In the first part of the article, the authors describe their individual and shared positionalities as scholars and practitioners. Then the article examines differences in the disciplinary traditions that influence the work of general teacher educators and special teacher educators as well as issues related to deficit perspectives and access to the general curriculum. The authors suggest that the lack of a common underpinning is the central cross-cutting reason for the continued deep division between the diversity communities in the two fields. Despite this deep divide, the article argues that it is imperative to find collaborative spaces that have the potential to unite the diversity communities and build new synergies in general teacher education and special teacher education.
Variation in Prescribing Patterns and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Intravenous Busulfan in Pediatric Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients
Authors: McCune Jeannine S. , Baker K. Scott , Blough David K. , Gamis Alan , Bemer Meagan J. , Kelton‐Rehkopf Megan C. , Winter Laura , Barrett Jeffrey S.
Published: May 2012

Personalizing intravenous (IV) busulfan doses in children using therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is an integral component of hematopoietic cell transplant. The authors sought to characterize initial dosing and TDM of IV busulfan, along with factors associated with busulfan clearance, in 729 children who underwent busulfan TDM from December 2005 to December 2008. The initial IV busulfan dose in children weighing ≤12 kg ranged 4.8‐fold, with only 19% prescribed the package insert dose of 1.1 mg/kg. In those children weighing >12 kg, the initial dose ranged 5.4‐fold, and 79% were prescribed the package insert dose. The initial busulfan dose achieved the target exposure in only 24.3% of children. A wide range of busulfan exposures were targeted for children with the same disease (eg, 39 target busulfan exposures for the 264 children diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia). Considerable heterogeneity exists regarding when TDM is conducted and the number of pharmacokinetic samples obtained. Busulfan clearance varied by age and dosing frequency but not by underlying disease. The authors— group is currently evaluating how using population pharmacokinetics to optimize initial busulfan dose and TDM (eg, limited sampling schedule in conjunction with maximum a posteriori Bayesian estimation) may affect clinical outcomes in children.
Sleep Apnea in Children with Laryngomalacia
Authors: Digoy G. Paul , Shukry Mohanad , Stoner Julie A.
Published: May 2012

Objective

The authors study the contribution of laryngomalacia to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in children older than 12 months. The clinical and polysomnographic outcomes in patients with OSAS who underwent a supraglottoplasty were also studied.

Setting

Tertiary care children’s hospital.

Study Design

A case series with chart review.

Subjects and Methods

A review of consecutive pediatric patients diagnosed with both OSAS and state‐dependant laryngomalacia (SDL) between 2005 and 2008. The diagnosis of SDL was made via laryngoscopy under light general anesthesia (sleep endoscopy). All subjects underwent a supraglottoplasty.

Results

A total of 43 patients met inclusion criteria, and 36 patients had complete pre‐ and postoperative data available for review. The apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) score decreased following supraglottoplasty for 33 (92%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 78%‐98%) of the 36 patients. The mean (SD) change in AHI score (calculated as the postoperative minus the preoperative measure) was −9.2 (11.2), representing a statistically significant reduction (95% CI, −13.0 to −5.5; P <. 0001). The mean (SD) preoperative AHI was 13.3 (12.9). The minimum oxygen saturation increased following supraglottoplasty for 21 (58%; 95% CI, 41%‐74%). The mean (SD) change in the minimum oxygen saturation was 3.5 (8.3), which was a statistically significant increase (95% CI, 0.7‐6.3; P =. 015).

Conclusion

Laryngomalacia may contribute significantly to OSAS in some children who are 12 months and older. Sleep endoscopy appears to be an effective method in the diagnosis of SDL. When present, a supraglottoplasty can be an effective procedure and may significantly improve symptoms of OSAS.
Effects of sling and voluntary constraint during constraint-induced movement therapy for the arm after stroke: a randomized, prospective, single-centre, blinded observer rated study
Authors: Krawczyk Maciej , Sidaway Marta , Radwańska Anna , Zaborska Joanna , Ujma Renata , Członkowska Anna
Published: May 2012

Objective:

To determine whether a combination of constraint-induced movement therapy and physiotherapy in stroke patients using different constraint regimens (sling versus voluntary constraint) changes or reduces motor deficits, the amount of functional use of the arm and whether the effects of treatment continue after 12 months.

Design:

Forty-seven stroke patients were stratified and randomly divided into intensive physiotherapy programmes focused on regaining arm functions.

Setting:

Neurorehabilitation Unit of IInd Department of Neurology at Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw.

Subject:

Patients were randomly allocated to: the sling-constraint group ( n = 24) or to the voluntary-constraint group ( n = 23).

Interventions:

Massed practice with the paretic arm (5 hours/day for 15 consecutive working days). Sling-constraint group had their arm immobilized in a hemi-sling during therapy. In addition, individual, 1-hour physiotherapy sessions were conducted in both groups.

Main measures:

Rivermead Motor Assessment (RMA) Arm scale, (0–15), Motor Activity Log – Quality of Movement (MAL-QOM) (0–5 for 30 daily tasks).

Results:

There was no significant difference between groups after therapy (MAL-QOM mean change for sling group 0.78, SD = 0.46 and for voluntary-constraint group 0.84, SD = 0.48; P = 0.687). All treated patients retained mean gains in real-world arm use (MAL-QOM) mean scores after 12 months follow-up compared with posttreatment values but there was no significant difference between groups (comparison of estimated mean change of MAL-QOM stated 0.23. 95% confidence interval = −0.04–0.50).

Conclusion:

Voluntary activity constraint in the intact arm is equivalent to sling, standard constraint during massed practice of paretic arm.
Effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on evaluation of emotional images
Authors: Ballard Michael E , Bedi Gillinder , de Wit Harriet
Published: May 2012

There is growing evidence that drugs of abuse alter processing of emotional information in ways that could be attractive to users. Our recent report that Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) diminishes amygdalar activation in response to threat-related faces suggests that THC may modify evaluation of emotionally-salient, particularly negative or threatening, stimuli. In this study, we examined the effects of acute THC on evaluation of emotional images. Healthy volunteers received two doses of THC (7.5 and 15 mg; p.o.) and placebo across separate sessions before performing tasks assessing facial emotion recognition and emotional responses to pictures of emotional scenes. THC significantly impaired recognition of facial fear and anger, but it only marginally impaired recognition of sadness and happiness. The drug did not consistently affect ratings of emotional scenes. THC’s effects on emotional evaluation were not clearly related to its mood-altering effects. These results support our previous work, and show that THC reduces perception of facial threat. Nevertheless, THC does not appear to positively bias evaluation of emotional stimuli in general.
Robotic load balancing for mobility-on-demand systems
Authors: Pavone Marco , Smith Stephen L , Frazzoli Emilio , Rus Daniela
Published: May 2012

In this paper we develop methods for maximizing the throughput of a mobility-on-demand urban transportation system. We consider a finite group of shared vehicles, located at a set of stations. Users arrive at the stations, pickup vehicles, and drive (or are driven) to their destination station where they drop-off the vehicle. When some origins and destinations are more popular than others, the system will inevitably become out of balance: vehicles will build up at some stations, and become depleted at others. We propose a robotic solution to this rebalancing problem that involves empty robotic vehicles autonomously driving between stations. Specifically, we utilize a fluid model for the customers and vehicles in the system. Then, we develop a rebalancing policy that lets every station reach an equilibrium in which there are excess vehicles and no waiting customers and that minimizes the number of robotic vehicles performing rebalancing trips. We show that the optimal rebalancing policy can be found as the solution to a linear program. We use this solution to develop a real-time rebalancing policy which can operate in highly variable environments. Finally, we verify policy performance in a simulated mobility-on-demand environment and in hardware experiments.
Shortest paths for finned, winged, legged, and wheeled vehicles with side-looking sensors
Authors: Salaris Paolo , Pallottino Lucia , Bicchi Antonio
Published: May 2012

Sensor-guided robotic locomotion in different media often takes inspiration from natural examples, e.g. from fishes, birds, and humans for underwater, aerial, or walking robots, respectively. Interestingly, several naturalistic observations show that even very different species exhibit some similarities in their locomotion patterns: a notable one perhaps being the spiraling nature of paths that in some cases can be observed in sensory-guided tasks. As often conjectured in naturalistic studies, a common optimality principle may underpin such motion behaviors. We show in a robotics framework that spiraling motions appear in the solution of the problem of minimum path length. In particular, we study optimal paths for a simple model of finned, winged, and legged robotic vehicles, under different constraints on the field-of-view of the available sensory inputs. After showing that logarithmic spirals are indeed extremals of a sensory-constrained shortest-path problem, we provide a complete synthesis of the optimal control for different robotic vehicles. Application of these results to robotics can reduce the length of paths to be followed by underwater, aerial, or legged robots to reach targets in their environment. The work also provides some interesting, although preliminary, insights into how sensory field-of-view limitations may influence motion patterns in natural systems.
Suture-Only Fixation Technique Leads to a Higher Degree of Extrusion Than Bony Fixation in Meniscal Allograft Transplantation
Authors: Abat Ferran , Gelber Pablo Eduardo , Erquicia Juan Ignacio , Pelfort Xavier , Gonzalez-Lucena Gemma , Monllau Juan Carlos
Published: May 2012

Background:

Most of the published series of transplanted menisci have consistently shown some degree of allograft extrusion. The speculation is that this meniscal extrusion may be caused by the soft tissue technique used to fix the allograft.

Hypothesis:

The percentage of extruded meniscal graft would be higher if the allograft were only fixed with sutures rather than with associated bony fixation.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

We performed a prospective series of 88 meniscal allograft transplantations. Thirty-three of the grafts were fixed with the suture-only technique (group A). The remaining 55 cases were performed with the bone plug method (group B). All patients were studied with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at a minimum 3 years’ follow-up to determine the degree of meniscal extrusion. The time between surgery and MRI evaluation was 40 months (range, 36-48 months) in both groups. Meniscal extrusion was measured on coronal MRI. The percentage of the meniscal body width that was extruded was calculated. The average percentage of extrusion for each group was compared. The Lysholm score was analyzed in relation to the fixation method and degree of meniscal extrusion. Tears of the allograft that required surgical intervention were also reported.

Results:

The average percentage of meniscal tissue extruded in group A was 36.3% ± 13.7% without differences between the medial (35.9% ± 18.1%) and lateral (38.3% ± 14.4%) compartments ( P = .84). Group B had a mean 28.13% ± 12.2% of the meniscal body extruded without differences between the medial (25.8% ± 16.2%) and lateral (30.14% ± 13.5%) compartments. A higher percentage of extruded meniscal tissue was found in group A than in group B ( P < .001). No association between the degree of meniscal extrusion and the functional score was observed ( P = .4). Graft tears were observed in 21.4% of the cases in group A and in 7.3% of the cases in group B ( P = .09).

Conclusion:

A meniscal allograft fixed with the suture-only technique showed a significantly higher degree of extruded meniscal body than that fixed with the bony fixation method, with no influence on the functional outcome. There was also a considerably higher rate of graft tears observed in those menisci fixed only with sutures, although this difference was not statistically significant with the numbers available.