bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Evolving Field of Stroke Prevention in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Ezekowitz Michael D. , Aikens Timothy H. , Brown Annamarie , Ellis Zack
Published: September 2010

Vitamin K antagonists have been the standard in stroke prophylaxis in patients with atrial fibrillation for decades, but several limitations make it difficult for patients to tolerate chronic anticoagulation treatment. New drugs are under evaluation in clinical trials, including direct thrombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors. Antiplatelet agents such as clopidogrel and aspirin are alternatives to warfarin for stroke prevention but have proven less efficacious in trials. The only drug to have completed a Phase III trial successfully thus far is dabigatran. The 150-mg twice-a-day dose was superior to warfarin in efficacy and similar for major bleeding, whereas the 110-mg twice-a-day dose was noninferior for efficacy and reduced major bleeding. Both doses reduced intracranial hemorrhages substantially compared with warfarin. Dabigatran-assigned patients had a higher incidence of discontinuation due to gastrointestinal symptoms. Clinically apparent myocardial infarction rates were slightly higher in the dabigatran groups than the warfarin group. Dabigatran is the first agent to show superiority over warfarin for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation, raising the standard for newer agents.
Ingenuity, Peanut Butter, and a Little Green Leaf
Authors: Simms J.T.
Published: September 2010

The World Policy Journal, in partnership with Africa Rural Connect, a program of the National Peace Corps Association, supporting returned Peace Corps volunteers and the Peace Corps community, conducted the first contest in the 27-year history of our magazine. Readers and followers of WPJ and the Peace Corps were invited to submit their solutions to the critical problem of food security in Africa. The finalists were reviewed by a panel of five judges, and the winning entries are published here. Four runners-up are published on our website: www.worldpolicy.org
Isolated Endarterectomy of Femoral Bifurcation in Critical Limb Ischemia: Is Restoration of Inline Flow Essential?
Authors: Desai Mital , Tsui Janice , Davis Meryl , Myint Fiona , Wilson Alan , Baker Daryll M. , Hamilton George
Published: September 2010

This retrospective study reviews clinical outcomes of isolated common femoral endarterectomy (CFE) for critical limb ischemia (CLI), in particular whether poor runoff and inability to restore inline flow has negative impact. In 30 patients, runoff was assessed on preoperative angiograms and categorized into groups based on Society of Vascular Surgery criteria. Data were evaluated using Cox Regression survival analysis. Freedom from secondary revascularization was not affected by runoff score (hazard ratio for compromised and poor groups being 1.8 (95% CI 0.16 to 20.8) and 1.47 (95% CI 0.09 to 24.3), respectively; P = .894). Distal inline flow was not achieved in 25 (83%) patients, but this was not associated with significantly worse outcome (P = .295, log-rank test). In conclusion, CFE can be performed in CLI with high technical success and there is no significant effect of runoff score on recurrence of symptoms. Limb salvage can be achieved even if options to restore inline flow are limited.
World Heritage Site—Is It an Effective Brand Name?
Authors: Poria Yaniv , Reichel Arie , Cohen Raviv
Published: September 2010

Is the designation World Heritage Site (WHS) effective? Does it yield high net brand equity? The five research objectives in the present study seek to explore awareness of the designation/logo, the meanings attached to the designation, the effects of the designation on tourists’ intended future behaviors, the relationship between number of WHSs and a country’s image, and the relationship between perception of a site as part of the world heritage and tourist behaviors. The postpositivistic research began with an exploratory stage followed by structured questionnaires focusing on a Christian heritage site in Israel. The findings indicate only moderate awareness of the designation/logo barely affecting behaviors. However, the cumulative effect of WHS designations is positively related to willingness to revisit a particular country. In addition, the findings highlight the significance of the experientially based approach to the management of heritage sites.
Mitigating effects of the adoptive caregiving environment on inattention/overactivity in children adopted from Romanian orphanages
Authors: Audet Karyn , Le Mare Lucy
Published: September 2010

We examined inattention/overactivity (I/O) over time and in relation to caregiving in three matched groups: (1) Romanian Orphans (RO) with a minimum of eight months’ deprivation prior to adoption, (2) Early Adopted (EA) children adopted from Romania prior to age four months, and (3) Canadian Born (CB) non-adopted children. Comparisons among groups at 4.5, 10.5, and 17 years of age revealed significantly greater I/O in the Romanian Orphan than Canadian Born group at all ages, and greater than the Early Adopted group at ages 4.5 and 10.5. Canadian Born and Early Adopted groups did not differ. Rates of borderline clinical I/O among Romanian Orphans were significantly higher than rates found in the general population; Canadian Born and Early Adopted groups did not differ from the general population. Among Romanian Orphans, I/O was positively related to duration of deprivation; this association did not attenuate over time. Regressions indicated that I/O at age 10.5 was negatively related to warmth and stimulation in the adoptive home and attachment, after accounting for duration of deprivation and age 4.5 I/O. Authoritarian parenting was positively predictive of I/O in children with minimal deprivation and negatively predictive in children with extensive deprivation. Attachment was negatively predictive of I/O in children with less than 19 months’ deprivation but unrelated to I/O in those with more than 19 months’ deprivation.
Artificial nutrition and hydration for patients with advanced dementia: perspectives from medical practitioners in the Netherlands and Australia
Authors: Buiting Hilde M , Clayton Josephine M , Butow Phyllis N , van Delden Johannes JM , van der Heide Agnes
Published: September 2010

The appropriate use of artificial nutrition or hydration (ANH) for patients with advanced dementia continues to be a subject of debate. We investigated opinions of Dutch and Australian doctors about the use of ANH in patients with advanced dementia. We interviewed 15 Dutch doctors and 16 Australian doctors who care for patients with advanced dementia. We transcribed and analysed the interviews and held consensus meetings about the interpretation. We found that Dutch and Australian doctors use similar medical considerations when they decide about the use of ANH. In general, they are reluctant to start ANH. Disparities between the Dutch and Australian doctors are related to the process of decision-making: Dutch doctors seem to put more emphasis on a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s actual situation, whereas Australian doctors are more inclined to use scientific evidence and advance directives. Furthermore, Dutch doctors take the primary responsibility themselves whereas Australian general practitioners seem to be more inclined to leave the decision to the family. It seems that Dutch and Australian doctors use somewhat different care approaches for patients with advanced dementia. Combining the Dutch comprehensive approach and the Australian analytic approach may serve the interest of patients and their families best.
Unifying geometric, probabilistic, and potential field approaches to multi-robot deployment
Authors: Schwager Mac , Rus Daniela , Slotine Jean-Jacques
Published: September 2010

This paper unifies and extends several different existing strategies for deploying groups of robots in an environment. A cost function is proposed that can be specialized to represent widely different multi-robot deployment tasks. It is shown that geometric and probabilistic deployment strategies that were previously seen as distinct are in fact related through this cost function, and differ only in the value of a single parameter. These strategies are also related to potential field-based controllers through the same cost function, though the relationship is not as simple. Distributed controllers are then obtained from the gradient of the cost function and are proved to converge to a local minimum of the cost function. Three special cases are derived as examples: a Voronoi-based coverage control task, a probabilistic minimum variance task, and a task using artificial potential fields. The performance of the three different controllers are compared in simulation. A result is also proved linking multi-robot deployment to non-convex optimization problems, and multi-robot consensus (i.e. all robots moving to the same point) to convex optimization problems, which implies that multi-robot deployment is inherently more difficult than multi-robot consensus.
In Parents’ Voices
Authors: Starr Elizabeth M. , Foy Janis B.
Published: September 2010

Parents of 144 children with autism spectrum disorders were surveyed regarding their perceptions of and satisfaction with the education their children were receiving. This article focuses on an analysis of the parents’ responses to the open-ended questions of this survey. Overall themes that emerged repeatedly across all questions concerned the ability of school personnel to effectively manage children’s behavior, teacher education and understanding of the disability, and effective communication and collaboration between parents and school. The implications for future research and practice emerging from these findings are discussed.
Individualized Positive Behavior Support in School Settings
Authors: Goh Ailsa E. , Bambara Linda M.
Published: September 2010

This meta-analysis examined school-based intervention research based on functional behavioral assessment (FBA) to determine the effectiveness of key individualized positive behavior support (IPBS) practices in school settings. In all, 83 studies representing 145 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Intervention, maintenance, and generalization effects were measured by computing the percentage of nonoverlapping data points (PND). Overall, FBA-based interventions were found to be equally effective across diverse student populations and educational settings, including inclusive classrooms. In terms of key IPBS practices, results indicated that team decision making during intervention planning led to significantly larger PNDs. Descriptive analysis revealed that there has been an increase in the use of IPBS practices in school-based FBA-based intervention research; however, some deficiencies were noted. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Acute inhalation toxicity of silver nanoparticles
Authors: Jae Hyuck Sung  , Jun Ho Ji  , Kyung Seuk Song  , Ji Hyun Lee  , Kyung Hee Choi  , Sang Hee Lee  , Il Je Yu
Published: September 2010

The acute inhalation toxicity of silver nanoparticles was studied in Sprague-Dawley rats. Seven-week-old rats, weighing approximately 218 g (males) and 153 g (females), were divided into four groups (five rats in each group): fresh-air control, low-dose (0.94 × 106 particle/cm3, 76 µg/m3), middle-dose (1.64 × 106 particle/ cm3, 135 µg/m 3), and high-dose (3.08 × 106 particle/cm3, 750 µg/m3). The animals were then exposed to silver nanoparticles (average diameter 18-20 nm) for 4 hours in a whole-body inhalation chamber. The experiment was conducted following Organization Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) test guideline 403 with the application of good laboratory practice (GLP). In addition to mortality and clinical observations, the body weights, food consumption, and pulmonary function tests were recorded weekly. At the end of the study, the rats were subjected to a full necropsy, and the organ weights measured. The lung function was also measured twice per week after the initial 4-hour exposure. No significant body weight changes or clinical changes were found during the 2-week observation period. The lung function tests also indicated no significant difference between the fresh air control and the exposed groups. Thus, LC50 silver nanoparticles are suggested for higher than 3.1 × 106 particles/cm3 (750 µg/m3).
Genotoxic effect of occupational exposure to cadmium
Authors: Abrahim Khadiga S , Abdel-Gawad Nadia B , Mahmoud Amal M , El-Gowaily Mohamed M , Emara Ahmed M , Hwaihy Mohamed M
Published: September 2010

Many studies proved the genotoxic effect of cadmium (Cd) exposure and highlighted the importance of the cytogenetic studies as a sensitive and effective means for early detection of Cd-induced mutagenicity. The relationship between occupational exposure to Cd and increased risk of cancer, particularly lung cancer, has been explored in number of epidemiological studies. The aim of this study is to assess the role of chromosomal abnormalities and sister chromatid exchange as sensitive indicators for the genotoxicity of occupational exposure to Cd. Cytogenetic studies was done for 40 workers (27 smokers and 13 non-smokers) exposed to Cd dust and fumes with 40 control subjects (28 smokers and 12 non-smokers) not exposed to Cd before. Both exposed and control groups were similar in age and other sociodemographic factors. Clinical examination, laboratory investigation including urinary and blood Cd, cytogenic analysis for detection of chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchange and environmental study of the work places were done. Statistical analysis of cytogenetic studies revealed the presence of significant elevation of chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges of the exposed group. Urinary and blood Cd of the exposed group were significantly higher than that of the control group. These abnormalities were not significantly affected with age, duration of exposure, smoking habits, blood and urinary Cd. In conclusion, the study adds more proof that Cd exposure has a genotoxic effect and highlighted the importance of using cytogenetic studies as a sensitive and effective means for early detection of Cd-induced mutagenicity
Adverse effects of exposure to low doses of chlorpyrifos in lactating rats
Authors: Mansour Sameeh A , Mossa Abdel-Tawab H
Published: September 2010

This study was conducted to shed light on the effect of exposure of lactating rat to chlorpyrifos (CPF). CPF was orally administered to lactating rats at 0.01 mg kg-1 b.wt. (acceptable daily intake, ADI), 1.00 mg kg-1 b.wt. (no observed adverse effects level, NOAEL) and 1.35 mg kg-1 b.wt. (1/100 LD 50) from postnatal day 1 (PN1) until day 20 (PN20) after delivery. Results indicated decreases in body weight and increases in relative liver and kidney weights of exposed dams. Significant damage to liver was observed via increased plasma levels of aminotransferases (aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)) lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and γ-glutamyle transferase (γ-GT) in a dose-dependent manner. At two high doses of CPF (1.00 and 1.35 mg kg-1 b.wt.), the lactating mothers showed significant decrease in the activity of cholinesterase (ChE). Lipid peroxidation was significantly increased, while glutathione s-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly decreased compared to control. At high dose of CPF (1.35 mg kg-1 b.wt.), total protein and uric acid levels were significantly increased. CPF caused dose-related histopathological changes in liver and kidney of the CPF-treated dams.
Evaluation of a Mid-Infrared Analyzer for the Determination of the Macronutrient Composition of Human Milk
Authors: Casadio Ylenia S. , Williams Tracey M. , Lai Ching T. , Olsson Sofia E. , Hepworth Anna R. , Hartmann Peter E.
Published: September 2010

A mid-infrared human milk analyzer (HMA) is designed to measure the macronutrients in human milk over a wide range of concentrations. Human milk samples (N = 30, 4 different dilutions each) were used to compare the macronutrient levels determined by the HMA to those derived from traditional laboratory methods. There was a small but statistically significant difference in the levels of fat, protein, lactose, total solids, and energy for all samples. These differences were consistent with subtle differences in the chemical principles governing the assays. For higher macronutrient levels, a trend to greater differences between the HMA and the laboratory method was seen, particularly in samples with high fat concentration. The intra-assay variation for the HMA for all macronutrients was less than 4%. It is concluded that that with appropriate sample preparation, the mid-infrared HMA can provide a practical measurement of macronutrients in human milk. J Hum Lact. 26(4):376-383.
Managerial control and workplace regimes: an introduction
Authors: Thompson Paul , van den Broek Diane
Published: September 2010

Managerial control and its wider setting in workplace and societal regimes has been an important feature of debates in Work, Employment and Society since its inception, providing some of its most highly cited articles. This Introduction to the first e-special seeks to present 10 key and diverse articles, situating them in the context of debates inside and beyond the journal. Core themes and contentious issues are identified and particular attention is paid to the nature of normative controls. After a period in the 1990s when the control debate dipped, it is argued that there are positive signs that more recent articles are rediscovering the broader focus on workplace regimes that was characteristic of earlier, classic contributions.
Overcoming knowledge stickiness in scientific knowledge transfer
Authors: Blackman Deborah , Benson Angela M.
Published: September 2010

This paper explores the transfer and dissemination of knowledge between scientists, the volunteers who collect the knowledge and the communities which learn from it in order to implement change. The role of knowledge “stickiness” in the reduction of knowledge transfer is outlined. The characteristics of the knowledge and the situation combine to develop a range of factors, “stickiness predictors,” which can deter knowledge transfer. These stickiness predictors are used to analyse data gathered from three qualitative cases, which were developed from both participant observation and semi-structured interviews studying the interactions between the scientists, volunteers and organisations. A reconsideration of the way that knowledge and knowledge transfer are being conceptualised by scientists is proposed, in order to enable “stickiness” factors to be recognised and managed, thereby increasing the potential for scientific literacy. A move towards a more broadly constituted community of practice is proposed.
The Marginalization of Political Philosophy and Its Effects on the Rest of the Discipline
Authors: Kasza Gregory J.
Published: September 2010

Political philosophy has a unique role to play in political science. It focuses attention on the big ontological, epistemological, and normative questions that constitute the foundation of the scholarly enterprise. Due to the reification of subfield boundaries, the assault from hard science, the inward-looking perspective of many political philosophers, and political wrangles within political philosophy, it has ceased to play its distinctive role very well in recent years. As illustrated by the recent debate over methodology, the result is that the rest of the discipline has lost political philosophy’s vital contribution to our common intellectual life.
The Cost of Convenience
Authors: Bennion Elizabeth A. , Nickerson David W.
Published: September 2010

Lower transaction costs have shifted voter registration activities online and away from traditional modes of outreach. Downloading forms may impose higher transaction costs than traditional outreach for some people and thereby decrease electoral participation. A randomized, controlled experiment tested this hypothesis by encouraging treatment participants via e-mail to use online voter registration tools. The treatment group was 0.3 percentage points less likely to be registered to vote after the election. A follow-up experiment sent reminders via text message to randomly selected people who had downloaded registration forms. The treatment increased rates of registration by 4 percentage points, suggesting that reminders can ameliorate many of the negative effects of directing people to downloadable online registration forms.
Auditory Brainstem Circuits That Mediate the Middle Ear Muscle Reflex
Authors: Mukerji Sudeep , Windsor Alanna Marie , Lee Daniel J.
Published: September 2010

The middle ear muscle (MEM) reflex is one of two major descending systems to the auditory periphery. There are two middle ear muscles (MEMs): the stapedius and the tensor tympani. In man, the stapedius contracts in response to intense low frequency acoustic stimuli, exerting forces perpendicular to the stapes superstructure, increasing middle ear impedance and attenuating the intensity of sound energy reaching the inner ear (cochlea). The tensor tympani is believed to contract in response to self-generated noise (chewing, swallowing) and nonauditory stimuli. The MEM reflex pathways begin with sound presented to the ear. Transduction of sound occurs in the cochlea, resulting in an action potential that is transmitted along the auditory nerve to the cochlear nucleus in the brainstem (the first relay station for all ascending sound information originating in the ear). Unknown interneurons in the ventral cochlear nucleus project either directly or indirectly to MEM motoneurons located elsewhere in the brainstem. Motoneurons provide efferent innervation to the MEMs. Although the ascending and descending limbs of these reflex pathways have been well characterized, the identity of the reflex interneurons is not known, as are the source of modulatory inputs to these pathways. The aim of this article is to (a) provide an overview of MEM reflex anatomy and physiology, (b) present new data on MEM reflex anatomy and physiology from our laboratory and others, and (c) describe the clinical implications of our research.
Testing convergence via code-switching: priming and the structure of variable subject expression
Authors: Torres Cacoullos Rena , Travis Catherine E.
Published: September 2010

In this study, we test the hypothesis that code-switching promotes grammatical convergence by investigating Spanish first-person singular subject ( yo ‘I’) expression in bilingual conversations of New Mexican speakers of Spanish and English. We find that variable yo expression in New Mexican Spanish follows the same grammatical patterning as has been identified for non-contact varieties, and that this is the case regardless of the degree of bilingualism of the speakers. We observe a slightly higher rate of subject expression in the presence of code-switching; however, this is found to be attributable not to the code-switching per se, but to the presence of an English expressed first-person singular subject ( I) in the preceding discourse. We interpret this as a cross-linguistic priming effect, and note that the presence of I increases the proportion of first singular subjects that occur in the context where the previous coreferential subject was expressed (be that Spanish yo or English I), an environment that favors yo expression. We conclude that, despite prolonged contact, the data do not support Spanish convergence with English in this variety, nor code-switching as a mechanism of language change. Instead, multivariate analyses indicate that cross-linguistic priming may play a role in ostensible contact-induced change by modestly raising the rate of a superficially similar construction, without accompanying changes in language-particular grammatical patterns.
‘We’ve had a wonderful, wonderful thing’: Formulaic interaction when an expert has dementia
Authors: Wray Alison
Published: September 2010

This study describes how the participants in a singers’ master class weekend collaborated with their teacher, an internationally renowned former opera singer in her mid-80s, to compensate for the difficulties in communication caused by her dementia. The workshop’s success was due to the teacher’s professionalism and personal dignity; the high esteem and affection in which she was held by the participants; the shared assumption that she had information to impart; her unimpaired musical abilities; the scope for singing, text recitation and gesture to convey complex ideas; and the legitimate formulaicity of the teaching activity. The nature and role of her predominantly formulaic language is examined from the perspective of its function in the very specific context of her teaching, with reference to features from Orange’s (2001) strategy framework for communicating successfully with people with dementia.
Morphological Changes of the Human Purkinje Cells and Deposition of Neuritic Plaques and Neurofibrillary Tangles on the Cerebellar Cortex of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Mavroudis Ioannis A. , Fotiou Dimitrios F. , Adipepe Luc F. , Manani Marina G. , Njau Samuel D. , Psaroulis Dimitrios , Costa Vasiliki G. , Baloyannis Stavros J.
Published: September 2010

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by progressive decline in memory and in social performance. The morphological hallmarks of the disease are neuronal loss, loss of dendritic spines, neurofibrillary degeneration and neuritic plaques mainly in the hippocampus and the cortex of the cerebral hemispheres. This study is based on the morphological analysis of the cerebellar cortices of eight brains, 4 patients suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and 4 normal controls, by Golgi method, as well as Nissl, Gallyas’, Bielschowsky’s, Methenamine Silver staining and Congo red methods. Although typical neuritic plaques were not seen in the cerebellar cortex and the diffuse plaques found in the cerebellum in far smaller proportion than plaques in the prefrontal and parietal cortices of the same cases, Golgi impregnation technique revealed a loss of Purkinje cells and a marked decrease in the density of dendritic arborization.
Efficacy of Different Hemostatic Devices for Severe Liver Bleeding: A Randomized Controlled Animal Study
Authors: Takács Ildikó , Wegmann Jürgen , Horváth Szabolcs , Ferencz Andrea , Ferencz Sándor , Jávor Szaniszló , Odermatt Erich , Rõth Elisabeth , Weber György
Published: September 2010

Background. Correct hemostasis in liver surgery is hard to achieve because of the oozing bleeding. The aim of this study was to compare the potential benefits of a new compress to the 2 commercial hemostatic compresses. Methods. Collagen- and cellulose-based hemostatics were investigated. A standardized resection was treated by applying different hemostatics in a randomized order, and bleeding times were measured. Macroscopic evaluation of the liver and tissue sampling for histological investigations were carried out after 21 days. Results . The bleeding times of bovine collagen (BoCo), protein-coated equine collagen (PECo), and oxidized cellulose (OxCe) were 140 ± 88, 243 ± 140 ( P = .005 vs BoCo), and 352 ± 70 s ( P < .001 vs BoCo), respectively. Microscopic evaluation of the PECo presented fibrosis and significant inflammation in the implantation zone, whereas BoCo and OxCe caused only fibrosis in the wound area. Conclusion. BoCo showed significantly better hemostatic effect than PECo and OxCe.
Left Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm in Children Following Subaortic Muscular Resection
Authors: Belli Emre , Basaran Murat
Published: September 2010

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is an extremely rare cardiac complication, especially in early childhood. This potentially catastrophic complication may develop following cardiac operations for left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Surgical repair is indicated when the complication is detected. This article presents 2 cases of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm development following subaortic muscular resection.
Report From The International Society for Nomenclature of Paediatric and Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Giroud Jorge M. , Jacobs Jeffrey P. , Spicer Diane , Backer Carl , Martin Gerard R. , Franklin Rodney C. G. , Béland Marie J. , Krogmann Otto N. , Aiello Vera D. , Colan Steven D. , Everett Allen D. , William Gaynor J. , Kurosawa Hiromi , Maruszewski Bohdan , Stellin Giovanni , Tchervenkov Christo I. , Walters Henry L. , Weinberg Paul , Anderson Robert H. , Elliott Martin J.
Published: September 2010

Tremendous progress has been made in the field of pediatric heart disease over the past 30 years. Although survival after heart surgery in children has improved dramatically, complications still occur, and optimization of outcomes for all patients remains a challenge. To improve outcomes, collaborative efforts are required and ultimately depend on the possibility of using a common language when discussing pediatric and congenital heart disease. Such a universal language has been developed and named the International Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Code (IPCCC). To make the IPCCC more universally understood, efforts are under way to link the IPCCC to pictures and videos. The Archiving Working Group is an organization composed of leaders within the international pediatric cardiac medical community and part of the International Society for Nomenclature of Paediatric and Congenital Heart Disease ( www.ipccc.net ). Its purpose is to illustrate, with representative images of all types and formats, the pertinent aspects of cardiac diseases that affect neonates, infants, children, and adults with congenital heart disease, using the codes and definitions associated with the IPCCC as the organizational backbone. The Archiving Working Group certifies and links images and videos to the appropriate term and definition in the IPCCC. These images and videos are then displayed in an electronic format on the Internet. The purpose of this publication is to report the recent progress made by the Archiving Working Group in establishing an Internet-based, image encyclopedia that is based on the standards of the IPCCC.
Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery in South America
Authors: Sandoval Nestor , Kreutzer Christian , Jatene Marcelo , Sessa Thomas Di , Novick William , Jacobs Jeffrey Phillip , Bernier Pierre-Luc , Tchervenkov Christo I
Published: September 2010

Very little information is available about the epidemiology of congenital heart disease in developing parts of the world, including South America. This article describes the incidence of congenital cardiac disease, the different treatment rates among countries, and future solutions for achieving improved coverage for the children with cardiac diseases in South America. An incidence of congenital cardiac disease of 8 per 1000 live births appears to be a fair approximation for the population of the world and also the population in South America. Nevertheless, a wide variation exists in the observed incidence of congenital cardiac disease in South American countries, which can be partly explained by inequalities in the access to diagnosis, differences in the diagnostic criteria, and true regional variations. It is estimated that 58,718 children are born yearly with congenital heart disease in South America. Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina have the highest number, followed by Peru, Venezuela, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Guyana. It is also estimated that in South America, 24,081 children per year with a new diagnosis of congenital cardiac disease do not receive any treatment. This paper provides strategies for improving the access to and quality of pediatric cardiac surgery in South America.
Expression level and differential JAK2-V617F–binding of the adaptor protein Lnk regulates JAK2-mediated signals in myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Baran-Marszak Fanny , Magdoud Hajer , Desterke Christophe , Alvarado Anabell , Roger Claudine , Harel Stéphanie , Mazoyer Elizabeth , Cassinat Bruno , Chevret Sylvie , Tonetti Carole , Giraudier Stéphane , Fenaux Pierre , Cymbalista Florence , Varin-Blank Nadine , Le Bousse-Kerdilès Marie-Caroline , Kiladjian Jean-Jacques , Velazquez Laura
Published: September 2010

Activating mutations in signaling molecules, such as JAK2-V617F, have been associated with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Mice lacking the inhibitory adaptor protein Lnk display deregulation of thrombopoietin/thrombopoietin receptor signaling pathways and exhibit similar myeloproliferative characteristics to those found in MPN patients, suggesting a role for Lnk in the molecular pathogenesis of these diseases. Here, we showed that LNK levels are up-regulated and correlate with an increase in the JAK2-V617F mutant allele burden in MPN patients. Using megakaryocytic cells, we demonstrated that Lnk expression is regulated by the TPO-signaling pathway, thus indicating an important negative control loop in these cells. Analysis of platelets derived from MPN patients and megakaryocytic cell lines showed that Lnk can interact with JAK2-WT and V617F through its SH2 domain, but also through an unrevealed JAK2-binding site within its N-terminal region. In addition, the presence of the V617F mutation causes a tighter association with Lnk. Finally, we found that the expression level of the Lnk protein can modulate JAK2-V617F–dependent cell proliferation and that its different domains contribute to the inhibition of multilineage and megakaryocytic progenitor cell growth in vitro. Together, our results indicate that changes in Lnk expression and JAK2-V617F–binding regulate JAK2-mediated signals in MPNs.
Critical roles for Rac GTPases in T-cell migration to and within lymph nodes
Authors: Faroudi Mustapha , Hons Miroslav , Zachacz Agnieszka , Dumont Celine , Lyck Ruth , Stein Jens V. , Tybulewicz Victor L. J.
Published: September 2010

Naive T cells continuously recirculate between secondary lymphoid tissue via the blood and lymphatic systems, a process that maximizes the chances of an encounter between a T cell and its cognate antigen. This recirculation depends on signals from chemokine receptors, integrins, and the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor. The authors of previous studies in other cell types have shown that Rac GTPases transduce signals leading to cell migration and adhesion; however, their roles in T cells are unknown. By using both 3-dimensional intravital and in vitro approaches, we show that Rac1- and Rac2-deficient T cells have multiple defects in this recirculation process. Rac-deficient T cells home very inefficiently to lymph nodes and the white pulp of the spleen, show reduced interstitial migration within lymph node parenchyma, and are defective in egress from lymph nodes. These mutant T cells show defective chemokine-induced chemotaxis, chemokinesis, and adhesion to integrin ligands. They have reduced lateral motility on endothelial cells and transmigrate in-efficiently. These multiple defects stem from critical roles for Rac1 and Rac2 in transducing chemokine and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 signals leading to motility and adhesion.
High expression levels of B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) by dendritic cells correlate with HIV-related B-cell disease progression in humans
Authors: Fontaine Julie , Chagnon-Choquet Josiane , Valcke Han Sang , Poudrier Johanne , Roger Michel ,   the Montreal Primary HIV Infection and Long-Term Non-Progressor Study Groups
Published: September 2010

In view of assessing the possible contribution of dendritic cells (DCs) to HIV-related B-cell disorders, we have longitudinally measured B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) surface expression by myeloid DCs (mDCs) and concentrations of B-cell growth factors in the blood of subjects undergoing primary HIV infection with different rates of disease progression. We report that BLyS surface expression by mature mDCs and precursors as well as blood levels of BLyS, a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-10 increased above normal levels in both rapid and normal HIV progressors as quickly as in the acute phase of infection and persisting throughout the course of disease despite successful therapy. Consequently, hyperglobulinemia and high blood levels of circulating activated mature B cells and precursor/activated marginal zone (MZ)–like B cells were found throughout follow-up for both rapid and normal progressors. In contrast, mDC cell-surface expression of BLyS as well as blood levels of BLyS, immunoglobulin, activated mature B cells, and precursor/activated MZ-like B cells in aviremic slow progressors were similar to those observed in healthy donors. Interestingly, the levels of mature MZ B cells were significantly reduced in slow progressors. Our results suggest that DCs might modulate the outcome of the HIV-related B-cell disease progression through the expression of BLyS.
Inferring nonneutral evolution from contrasting patterns of polymorphisms and divergences in different protein coding regions of enterovirus 71 circulating in Taiwan during 1998-2003
Authors: Wang Hurng-Yi , Tsao Kuo-Chien , Hsieh Chia-Hung , Huang Li-Min , Lin Tzou-Yien , Chen Guang-Wu , Shih Shin-Ru , Chang Luan-Yin
Published: September 2010

Background

Enterovirus (EV) 71 is one of the common causative agents for hand, foot, and, mouth disease (HFMD). In recent years, the virus caused several outbreaks with high numbers of deaths and severe neurological complications. Despite the importance of these epidemics, several aspects of the evolutionary and epidemiological dynamics, including viral nucleotide variations within and between different outbreaks, rates of change in immune-related structural regions vs. non-structural regions, and forces driving the evolution of EV71, are still not clear.

Results

We sequenced four genomic segments, i.e., the 5' untranslated region (UTR), VP1, 2A, and 3C, of 395 EV71 viral strains collected from 1998 to 2003 in Taiwan. The phylogenies derived from different genomic segments revealed different relationships, indicating frequent sequence recombinations as previously noted. In addition to simple recombinations, exchanges of the P1 domain between different species/genotypes of human enterovirus species (HEV)-A were repeatedly observed. Contrasting patterns of polymorphisms and divergences were found between structural (VP1) and non-structural segments (2A and 3C), i.e., the former was less polymorphic within an outbreak but more divergent between different HEV-A species than the latter two. Our computer simulation demonstrated a significant excess of amino acid replacements in the VP1 region implying its possible role in adaptive evolution. Between different epidemic seasons, we observed high viral diversity in the epidemic peaks followed by severe reductions in diversity. Viruses sampled in successive epidemic seasons were not sister to each other, indicating that the annual outbreaks of EV71 were due to genetically distinct lineages.

Conclusions

Based on observations of accelerated amino acid changes and frequent exchanges of the P1 domain, we propose that positive selection and subsequent frequent domain shuffling are two important mechanisms for generating new genotypes of HEV-A. Our viral dynamics analysis suggested that the importation of EV71 from surrounding areas likely contributes to local EV71 outbreaks.
Using single cell cultivation system for on-chip monitoring of the interdivision timer in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cell cycle
Authors: Matsumura Kazunori , Yagi Toshiki , Hattori Akihiro , Soloviev Mikhail , Yasuda Kenji
Published: September 2010

Regulation of cell cycle progression in changing environments is vital for cell survival and maintenance, and different regulation mechanisms based on cell size and cell cycle time have been proposed. To determine the mechanism of cell cycle regulation in the unicellular green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, we developed an on-chip single-cell cultivation system that allows for the strict control of the extracellular environment. We divided the Chlamydomonas cell cycle into interdivision and division phases on the basis of changes in cell size and found that, regardless of the amount of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and the extent of illumination, the length of the interdivision phase was inversely proportional to the rate of increase of cell volume. Their product remains constant indicating the existence of an 'interdivision timer'. The length of the division phase, in contrast, remained nearly constant. Cells cultivated under light-dark-light conditions did not divide unless they had grown to twice their initial volume during the first light period. This indicates the existence of a 'commitment sizer'. The ratio of the cell volume at the beginning of the division phase to the initial cell volume determined the number of daughter cells, indicating the existence of a 'mitotic sizer'.
Introduction
Authors: Robbins Joel , Engelke Matthew
Published: September 2010

The last decade has seen a remarkable increase in interest in Christianity among scholars in the social sciences and humanities and among public intellectuals. This attention to Christianity has followed on its recent growth, especially in the global South, and its increasing public political role in many parts of the world. The primary object of this volume is to initiate a dialogue between two emerging intellectual discourses that have been important to the new prominence of Christianity as a topic of scholarly discussion. One of these discourses is being constructed primarily by historians, anthropologists, theologians, and popular Christian writers and has taken shape around notions such as “world Christianity” and “global Christianity.” This discourse holds that w hile Christianity has always been global in its ambitions and self-conceptions, there is something about its recent growth, particularly in the global South, that is transforming it in important ways. The second discourse is primarily philosophical and has moved to make Christian categories and materials central to its projects of philosophical and cultural critique-projects once thought to be firmly rooted in secularist (and largely atheist) assumptions. Our contention is that these emerging discourses could benefit from some cross-fertilization. “Global Christianity, Global Critique” is an attempt to start a conversation toward this end, bringing together essays by social scientists who study existing Christian communities and those by theologians, philosophers, and historians of religion who have been reconsidering the critical potential of Christianity.
2,1,3-Benzothiadiazole Dimers: Preparation, Structure, and Transannular Electronic Interactions of syn- and anti-[2.2](4,7)Benzothiadiazolophanes
Authors: Watanabe Motonori , Goto Kenta , Fujitsuka Mamoru , Tojo Sachiko , Majima Tetsuro , Shinmyozu Teruo
Published: September 2010

The cyclophanes comprised of two 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole (BTD) rings, anti- and syn-[2.2](4,7)benzothiadiazolophanes (anti-1 and syn-1), were prepared for the first time. The differences of the physical properties in the overlapping mode of the π-systems are clearly observed, and syn-1 shows much more significant transannular π-electronic interactions than anti-1 especially in the redox properties and the stability of the radical anion species.
Crystal Structure, Solubility, and Mutarotation of the Rare Monosaccharide d-Psicose
Authors: Fukada Kazuhiro , Ishii Tomohiko , Tanaka Katsushi , Yamaji Masatsugu , Yamaoka Yuya , Kobashi Ken-ichi , Izumori Ken
Published: September 2010

X-ray crystal analysis for d-psicose (C3-position epimer of d-fructose) crystallized from aqueous solution was successfully performed for the first time. It was confirmed that d-psicose crystallized solely as β-d-pyranose with 1C (1C4 (d)) conformation. The crystal system (orthorhombic), space group (#19, P212121), and number of molecules per unit cell (Z = 4) are the same as those for β-d-fructopyranose, α-l-sorbopyranose, and α-d-tagatopyranose. Solubility of d-psicose at 25 °C was 291 g per 100 g water. Mutarotation was further investigated recording the time course of specific rotation [α] at 589 nm after the dissolution of d-psicose in water. It is thought that [α] for β-d-psicopyranose in water may be ca. −85 deg dm−1 g−1 cm3. The time course of absorbance at 280 nm after the dissolution of d-psicose was also measured to see the development of open-chain carbonyl-form in the solution, and the first-order kinetic behavior with the rate constant k = 4.44 ms−1 was confirmed. Assuming the equilibrium content of carbonyl-form of d-psicose as 0.2%, the molar absorption coefficient, ε, for the carbonyl-form was estimated to be 160 cm−1 M−1.
Patients’ opinions of health care providers for supporting choice and quality improvement
Authors: Trigg Lisa
Published: September 2010

Patients are increasingly using the internet to access information on health care and services, as well as writing reviews of their own experiences. With patient choice increasing in many health systems, payers, purchasers and providers are attempting to take control of this trend by designing and managing their own patient opinion websites. This essay identifies and explores three aspects of online reviews of health care: the role of patients as judges of health care quality; the motivation behind patients posting reviews; and patients’ use of such information. It then discusses how useful patient opinion websites might be in supporting patient choice in health care markets and in expanding voice channels for quality improvement.
Mitigating DoS Using Handlers for Global SOA
Authors: Shah Deven , Mangal Ashish , Agarwal Mayank , Mehra Mahendra , Patel Dhiren
Published: September 2010

Global SOA requires a dynamic and ubiquitous security which cannot be provided by the SOA due to its static and pre-configured nature. Security is the major barrier for migrating SOA from intra-enterprise to the web. In this paper we are defining the security risk associated with the Global SOA and proposing the handler mechanism to prevent Denial of Service attack in a Global SOA environment. Our method emphasizes on the DoS attack on Web Services and suggests counter measures through the use of dynamic handlers.
Impact of Semantic Interoperability in Enterprise Computing: A Report on the Use of Inter Enterprise Computing in An Actual Commercial Environment
Authors: Asha K. , Devi T.
Published: September 2010

While the complex enterprise computing environment continually evolves, technical resources are becoming more limited. More complicated systems demand more time invested in monitoring and system management. Standards for Business to business integration help to facilitate the interoperability between organizations. These standards, often called e-business frameworks, guide integration by specifying the details for business processes, business documents and secure messaging. The essential attribute of Semantic Interoperability is that the computer system receiving the information is able to use it properly in computation, without human intervention. With emerging trends in business many new tools and technologies have evolved that help e-Business develop. Extensible Mark-up Language is used in modern e-business frameworks. This framework analyses the many partially competing and overlapping e-business frameworks how they differ in support for business processes, documents and secure messaging. This paper provides the role models of how the technology can be deploy, exploit, and develop successful case studies.