bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of helium breathing on intercostal and quadriceps muscle blood flow during exercise in COPD patients
Authors: Vogiatzis Ioannis , Habazettl Helmut , Aliverti Andrea , Athanasopoulos Dimitris , Louvaris Zafeiris , LoMauro Antonella , Wagner Harrieth , Roussos Charis , Wagner Peter D. , Zakynthinos Spyros
Published: March 2011

Emerging evidence indicates that, besides dyspnea relief, an improvement in locomotor muscle oxygen delivery may also contribute to enhanced exercise tolerance following normoxic heliox (replacement of inspired nitrogen by helium) administration in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Whether blood flow redistribution from intercostal to locomotor muscles contributes to this improvement currently remains unknown. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to investigate whether such redistribution plays a role in improving locomotor muscle oxygen delivery while breathing heliox at near-maximal [75% peak work rate (WRpeak)], maximal (100%WRpeak), and supramaximal (115%WRpeak) exercise in COPD. Intercostal and vastus lateralis muscle perfusion was measured in 10 COPD patients (FEV1 = 50.5 ± 5.5% predicted) by near-infrared spectroscopy using indocyanine green dye. Patients undertook exercise tests at 75 and 100%WRpeak breathing either air or heliox and at 115%WRpeak breathing heliox only. Patients did not exhibit exercise-induced hyperinflation. Normoxic heliox reduced respiratory muscle work and relieved dyspnea across all exercise intensities. During near-maximal exercise, quadriceps and intercostal muscle blood flows were greater, while breathing normoxic heliox compared with air (35.8 ± 7.0 vs. 29.0 ± 6.5 and 6.0 ± 1.3 vs. 4.9 ± 1.2 ml·min−1·100 g−1, respectively; P < 0.05; mean ± SE). In addition, compared with air, normoxic heliox administration increased arterial oxygen content, as well as oxygen delivery to quadriceps and intercostal muscles (from 47 ± 9 to 60 ± 12, and from 8 ± 1 to 13 ± 3 mlO2·min−1·100 g−1, respectively; P < 0.05). In contrast, normoxic heliox had neither an effect on systemic nor an effect on quadriceps or intercostal muscle blood flow and oxygen delivery during maximal or supramaximal exercise. Since intercostal muscle blood flow did not decrease by normoxic heliox administration, blood flow redistribution from intercostal to locomotor muscles does not represent a likely mechanism of improvement in locomotor muscle oxygen delivery. Our findings might not be applicable to patients who hyperinflate during exercise.
A Hybrid Method for Monotone Variational Inequalities Involving Pseudocontractions
Authors: Yao Yonghong , Marino Giuseppe , Liou Yeong-Cheng
Published: March 2011

We use strongly pseudocontraction to regularize the following ill-posed monotone variational inequality: finding a point "Equation missing" with the property "Equation missing" such that "Equation missing", "Equation missing" where "Equation missing", "Equation missing" are two pseudocontractive self-mappings of a closed convex subset "Equation missing" of a Hilbert space with the set of fixed points "Equation missing". Assume the solution set "Equation missing" of (VI) is nonempty. In this paper, we introduce one implicit scheme which can be used to find an element "Equation missing". Our results improve and extend a recent result of (Lu et al. 2009).
Quantitative Accuracy of Low-Count SPECT Imaging in Phantom and In Vivo Mouse Studies
Authors: Finucane Ciara M. , Murray Iain , Sosabowski Jane K. , Foster Julie M. , Mather Stephen J.
Published: March 2011

We investigated the accuracy of a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system in quantifying a wide range of radioactivity concentrations using different scan times in both phantom and animal models. A phantom containing various amounts of In-111 or Tc-99m was imaged until the activity had decayed close to background levels. Scans were acquired for different durations, employing different collimator pinhole sizes. VOI analysis was performed to quantify uptake in the images and the values compared to the true activity. The phantom results were then validated in tumour-bearing mice. The use of an appropriate calibration phantom and disabling of a background subtraction feature meant that absolute errors were within 12% of the true activity. Furthermore, a comparison of in vivo imaging and biodistribution studies in mice showed a correlation of 0.99 for activities over the 200 kBq to 5 MBq range. We conclude that the quantitative information provided by the NanoSPECT camera is accurate and allows replacement of dissection studies for assessment of radiotracer biodistribution in mouse models.
Dual-Frequency Decoupling Networks for Compact Antenna Arrays
Authors: Coetzee Jacob Carl
Published: March 2011

Decoupling networks can alleviate the effects of mutual coupling in antenna arrays. Conventional decoupling networks can provide decoupled and matched ports at a single frequency. This paper describes dual-frequency decoupling which is achieved by using a network of series or parallel resonant circuits instead of single reactive elements.
Strong Convergence Theorems for Lipschitzian Demicontraction Semigroups in Banach Spaces
Authors: Chang Shih-sen , Cho YeolJe , Lee HWJoseph , Chan ChiKin
Published: March 2011

The purpose of this paper is to introduce and study the strong convergence problem of the explicit iteration process for a Lipschitzian and demicontraction semigroups in arbitrary Banach spaces. The main results presented in this paper not only extend and improve some recent results announced by many authors, but also give an affirmative answer for the open questions raised by Suzuki (2003) and Xu (2005).
On Reducing Communication Energy Using Cross-Sensor Coding Technique
Authors: Nguyen Kien , Nguyen Thinh , Cheung Sen-Ching
Published: March 2011

This paper addresses the uneven communication energy problem in data gathering sensor networks where the nodes closer to the sink tend to consume more energy than those of the farther nodes. Consequently, the lifetime of a network is significantly shortened. We propose a cross-sensor coding technique using On-Off keying which exploits (a) the tradeoff between delay and energy consumption and (b) the network topology in order to alleviate the problem of unequal energy consumption. We formulate our coding problem as an integer linear programming problem and show how to construct a number of codes based on different criteria. We show that the proposed technique can extend the lifetime of a small sensor network.
Imaging the Visual Pathway in Neuromyelitis Optica
Authors: Pfueller Caspar F. , Paul Friedemann
Published: March 2011

The focus of this paper is to summarize the current knowledge on visual pathway damage in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical coherence tomography (OCT).
New Insights on the Emergence of Classes Model
Authors: Poza David J. , Villafáñez Félix A. , Pajares Javier , López-Paredes Adolfo , Hernández Cesáreo
Published: March 2011

We show the results of a detailed replication of the Emergence of Classes Model Axtell et al. (2004). We study the effect of possible biases on the original proposal and we find additional results and conclusions. We also explore the effects of minor changes on the decision rules that agents play.
Is Guideline Adherence the Key to Increased Survival in Patients with Breast Cancer?
Authors: Hoffmann Falk , Andersohn Frank
Published: March 2011

Recently, Varga et al. reported in an observational study that guideline adherence could prevent 56.3–78.9% of all deaths in patients with early onset breast cancer [Oncology 2010;78:189–195]. This would mean that nearly all deaths due to breast cancer can be avoided by guideline-adherent treatment. We argue that some methodological issues like immortal time bias or healthy adherer bias may have contributed to these implausible findings. However, the non-transparent reporting of the methods, especially regarding the operationalization of guideline adherence, hampers critical assessment of this study.
Revisiting Acrania: Same Phenotype, Different Aetiologies
Authors: Gorgal Rosário , Ramalho Carla , Brandão Otília , Matias Alexandra , Montenegro Nuno
Published: March 2011

Objective: To evaluate the contribution of prenatal and postmortem examinations in establishing the aetiology of acrania. Methods: Retrospective evaluation of 14 cases of acrania managed through elective termination of pregnancy. Results: The median maternal age was 30 years (range 18–40) and median gestational age at diagnosis was 13 weeks (range 12–15). One mother had epilepsy and was taking anticonvulsants and another had uncontrolled type II diabetes mellitus. Only 3 women were using folic acid at conception. Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 3 of 8 cases analyzed. Unilateral anopthalmia, cervical rachischisis, midline facial and limb defects coexisted with acrania in 4 cases. Acrania with craniofacial dysmorphism and asymmetrical finger amputation were observed in a case of amniotic band syndrome. A previous history of anencephaly was documented in 1 case. Conclusion: Acrania is a characteristic phenotypic expression of a variety of different aetiologies. Investigation with cytogenetic studies and postmortem are essential to provide a definitive answer. This will provide a better understanding of the underlying aetiology and help establish the recurrence risk for future pregnancies.
Imaging of Fetal Cytomegalovirus Infection
Authors: Malinger Gustavo , Lev Dorit , Lerman-Sagie Tally
Published: March 2011

Fetuses with congenital cytomegalovirus infection may remain asymptomatic or present with a wide range of brain pathologies. These findings are not always obvious but may on some occasions be demonstrated by ultrasound and MRI, they include ventriculomegaly, microcephaly, increased periventricular echogenicity, calcifications, periventricular pseudocysts, intraventricular synechia, malformations of cortical development, cerebellar lesions and T2 abnormal temporal signals. The purpose of this mini-review is to describe US and MRI findings characteristic of congenital cytomegalovirus infection, with particular emphasis on their time of appearance, frequency and specificity.
Gene Expression Profiles of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Survival Prediction and New Biomarkers
Authors: Välk Kristjan , Vooder Tõnu , Kolde Raivo , Reintam Mari-Ann , Petzold Cathleen , Vilo Jaak , Metspalu Andres
Published: March 2011

Objectives: Despite the well-defined histological types of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a given stage is often associated with wide-ranging survival rates and treatment outcomes. This disparity has led to an increased demand for the discovery and identification of new informative biomarkers. Methods: In the current study, we screened 81 NSCLC samples using Illumina® whole-genome gene expression microarrays in an effort to identify differentially expressed genes and new NSCLC biomarkers. Results: We identified novel genes whose expression was upregulated in NSCLC, including SPAG5, POLH, KIF23, and RAD54L, which are associated with mitotic spindle formation, DNA repair, chromosome segregation, and dsDNA break repair, respectively. We also identified several novel genes whose expression was downregulated in NSCLC, including SGCG, NLRC4, MMRN1, and SFTPD, which are involved in extracellular matrix formation, apoptosis, blood vessel leakage, and inflammation, respectively. We found a significant correlation between RNA degradation and survival in adenocarcinoma cases. Conclusions: Even though the follow-up time was too limited to draw final conclusions, we were able to show better prediction p values in a group selection based on molecular profiles compared to histology. The current study also uncovered new candidate biomarker genes that are likely to be involved in diverse processes associated with NSCLC development.
Contribution of Ductus Venosus Doppler in First-Trimester Screening for Major Cardiac Defects
Authors: Chelemen Teodora , Syngelaki Argyro , Maiz Nerea , Allan Lindsey , Nicolaides Kypros H.
Published: March 2011

Objective: To determine whether assessment of ductus venosus flow at 11–13 weeks’ gestation improves the detection rate of cardiac defects achieved by screening with nuchal translucency (NT) thickness. Methods: Prospective first-trimester screening for aneuploidies, including measurement of fetal NT and assessment of ductus venosus flow. The performance of different combinations of increased fetal NT and abnormal blood flow in the ductus venosus in screening for major cardiac defects was examined. Results: The study population of euploid fetuses included 85 cases with major cardiac defects and 40,905 with no cardiac defects. The fetal NT was above the 95th and above the 99th centile in 30 (35.3%) and 18 (21.2%) of the fetuses with cardiac defects, respectively, and in 1,956 (4.8%) and 290 (0.7%) of those without cardiac defects, respectively. Reversed a-wave was observed in 24 (28.2%) of the fetuses with cardiac defects and in 856 (2.1%) of those with no cardiac defects. Specialist fetal echocardiography for cases with NT above the 99th centile and those with reversed a-wave, irrespective of NT, would detect 38.8% of major cardiac defects at an overall false- positive rate of 2.7%. Conclusions: Assessment of ductus venosus flow improves the performance of NT screening for cardiac defects.
Implication of the Examining Pathologist to Meet the Oncologic Standard of Lymph Node Count after Laparoscopic Lymphadenectomy
Authors: Lanowska Malgorzata , Vasiljeva Jekaterina , Chiantera Vito , Marnitz Simone , Schneider Achim , Rudolph Birgit , Köhler Christhardt
Published: March 2011

Objective: The lymph node number as benchmark in oncologic operations depends on the patient’s anatomy, surgeon’s skill and pathologist’s accuracy. The influence of the pathologist is barely evaluated. Methods: A retrospective analysis of lymph node numbers after 700 laparoscopic lymphadenectomies in correlation to the examining pathologists was done. Three surgeons from the same department performed all operations at 2 campi, where 2 separate pathology institutions exist. Lymph node specimens were assigned randomly to any of the 62 involved pathologists. Results: The mean number of lymph nodes was equal for all surgeons. Lymph node specimens were analyzed in the pathology institute of campus I and II in 416 and 284 cases, respectively. The mean number of lymph nodes following pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy was 36 at campus II and 30 at campus I (p < 0.0001). There was also a significant difference for pelvic (19.9 vs. 17.7; p < 0.0001) and para-aortic lymph node counts (16.2 vs. 14.1; p < 0.01) between both pathology institutes. At campus II, 22.6% of lymph node counts did not meet the oncologic standard for pelvic and 16.7% did not meet the standard for para-aortic lymph nodes. Moreover, at campus I, 35.5 and 20.8% of pathologists described less than the oncologic limit of pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes, respectively. Conclusion: The number of removed lymph nodes is not an absolute parameter for surgical radicality. Interdisciplinary cooperation with pathologists is mandatory to meet oncologic standards.
Risk of Macrovascular Complications in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Endothelial Microparticle Profiles
Authors: Jung Keun-Hwa , Chu Kon , Lee Soon-Tae , Bahn Jae-Jun , Kim Jin-Hee , Kim Manho , Lee Sang Kun , Roh Jae-Kyu
Published: March 2011

Background: While the adverse impact of diabetes on microvessels is well known, the risks of macroangiopathy are less well recognized. Here, we determine the differential risk and endothelial microparticle (EMP) profile of vascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: Macroangiopathy was evaluated for cerebrovascular disease, coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease; microangiopathy was evaluated for retinopathy, nephropathy and peripheral neuropathy. Clinical and laboratory factors were compared among 149 patients with no vascular complications or with microangiopathic and/or macroangiopathic complications. EMPs were also examined by flow cytometry using CD31, CD42b, annexin V (AV), and CD62E antibodies in the peripheral blood of patients. Results: Diabetes of long duration, an elevated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and concomitant hypertension were significantly associated with the occurrence of vascular complications. Dyslipidemia and a high body mass index were significantly associated with macroangiopathy, while diabetes of long duration and a high concentration of HbA1c were associated with microangiopathy. The EMP (CD31+/CD42b–, CD31+/AV+) levels were higher in patients with macroangiopathy than in patients with microangiopathy and no complications. The EMP level was also independently associated with macroangiopathy in diabetic patients. Conclusions: Microangiopathy and macroangiopathy in diabetic patients appear to have a different pathophysiological basis. The measurement of EMP would be helpful to differentiate the risk of diabetic vascular complications.
Cerebral Network Disruption as a Possible Mechanism for Impaired Recovery after Acute Pontine Stroke
Authors: Förster Alex , Griebe Martin , Ottomeyer Caroline , Rossmanith Christina , Gass Achim , Kern Rolf , Hennerici Michael G. , Szabo Kristina
Published: March 2011

Background: Recovery from stroke is presumed to be a function of a widespread cerebral network. Chronic white matter lesions (WML) have been proposed to be a predictor of poor outcome after acute stroke. We tested the hypothesis that the extent of WML has an effect on functional recovery in acute pontine stroke by disrupting the integrity of the supratentorial cerebral network. Methods: Seventeen patients with acute unilateral pontine stroke who had received a standardized stroke workup and additional diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were studied. After grading the extent of WML according to the Fazekas scale and semiautomated lesion volume calculation, we compared patients with acute pontine infarction and advanced WML to those with absent or minimal WML regarding baseline characteristics, stroke subtype and clinical outcome. In addition, we used tract-based spatial statistics for voxel-wise analysis of the DTI-derived parameter fractional anisotropy in the white matter tracts. Results: The volume of WML ranged between 0.1 and 42.1 cm3 (mean = 15.9) and was graded as follows: 0 in 5.9%, 1 in 35.3%, 2 in 41.2% and 3 in 17.6%. Both patients with Fazekas grades 2–3 (p = 0.014) as well as those with larger WML volumes (p = 0.037) had severer functional deficits at the 3-month follow-up. White matter tracts displaying a significant decrease in fractional anisotropy values were the corpus callosum, the anterior thalamic radiation and the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus. Conclusions: Chronic WML contribute to a less favorable clinical outcome after pontine stroke depending on (1) the extent of pre-existing WML and (2) the degree of disruption of cerebral connectivity as indicated by reduced tissue integrity in the white matter not affected by WML as detected by DTI and tract-based spatial statistics.
Clinical Characteristics and Long-Term Prognosis of Vasospastic Angina Patients Who Survived Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Takagi Yusuke , Yasuda Satoshi , Tsunoda Ryusuke , Ogata Yasuhiro , Seki Atsushi , Sumiyoshi Tetsuya , Matsui Motoyuki , Goto Toshikazu , Tanabe Yasuhiko , Sueda Shozo , Sato Toshiaki , Ogawa Satoshi , Kubo Norifumi , Momomura Shin-ichi , Ogawa Hisao , Shimokawa Hiroaki
Published: March 2011

Background—

Coronary artery spasm plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic heart disease; however, its role in sudden cardiac death remains to be fully elucidated. We examined the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with vasospastic angina (VSA) in our nationwide multicenter registry by the Japanese Coronary Spasm Association.

Methods and Results—

Between September 2007 and December 2008, 1429 patients with VSA (male/female, 1090/339; median, 66 years) were identified. They were characterized by a high prevalence of smoking and included 35 patients who survived out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The OHCA survivors, as compared with the remaining 1394 non-OHCA patients, were characterized by younger age (median, 58 versus 66 years;
P
<0.001) and higher incidence of left anterior descending coronary artery spasm (72% versus 53%,
P
<0.05). In the OHCA survivors, 14 patients underwent implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation while intensively treated with calcium channel blockers. Survival rate free from major adverse cardiac events was significantly lower in the OHCA survivors compared with the non-OHCA patients (72% versus 92% at 5 years,
P
<0.001), including appropriate ICD shocks for ventricular fibrillation in 2 patients. Multivariable analysis revealed that OHCA events were significantly correlated with major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio, 3.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.39 to 7.61;
P
<0.01).

Conclusions—

These results from the largest vasospastic angina cohort indicate that vasospasm patients who survived OHCA are high-risk population. Further studies are needed to determine whether implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy improves patient prognosis.
SERCA2a Gene Transfer Decreases Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Leak and Reduces Ventricular Arrhythmias in a Model of Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Lyon Alexander R. , Bannister Mark L. , Collins Tom , Pearce Emma , Sepehripour Amir H. , Dubb Sukhpreet S. , Garcia Edwin , O'Gara Peter , Liang Lifan , Kohlbrenner Erik , Hajjar Roger J. , Peters Nicholas S. , Poole-Wilson Philip A. , Macleod Ken T. , Harding Sian E.
Published: March 2011

Background—

Sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) gene therapy improves mechanical function in heart failure and is under evaluation in a clinical trial. A critical question is whether SERCA2a gene therapy predisposes to increased sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium (SR Ca
2+
) leak, cellular triggered activity, and ventricular arrhythmias in the failing heart.

Methods and Results—

We studied the influence of SERCA2a gene therapy on ventricular arrhythmogenesis in a rat chronic heart failure model. ECG telemetry studies revealed a significant antiarrhythmic effect of SERCA2a gene therapy with reduction of both spontaneous and catecholamine-induced arrhythmias in vivo. SERCA2a gene therapy also reduced susceptibility to reentry arrhythmias in ex vivo programmed electrical stimulation studies. Subcellular Ca
2+
homeostasis and spontaneous SR Ca
2+
leak characteristics were measured in failing cardiomyocytes transfected in vivo with a novel AAV9.SERCA2a vector. SR Ca
2+
leak was reduced after SERCA2a gene therapy, with reversal of the greater spark mass observed in the failing myocytes, despite normalization of SR Ca
2+
load. SERCA2a reduced ryanodine receptor phosphorylation, thereby resetting SR Ca
2+
leak threshold, leading to reduced triggered activity in vitro. Both indirect effects of reverse remodeling and direct SERCA2a effects appear to underlie the antiarrhythmic action.

Conclusions—

SERCA2a gene therapy stabilizes SR Ca
2+
load, reduces ryanodine receptor phosphorylation and decreases SR Ca
2+
leak, and reduces cellular triggered activity in vitro and spontaneous and catecholamine-induced ventricular arrhythmias in vivo in failing hearts. SERCA2a gene therapy did not therefore predispose to arrhythmias and may represent a novel antiarrhythmic strategy in heart failure.
Catecholamine-Independent Heart Rate Increases Require Ca
2+
/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II
Authors: Gao Zhan , Singh Madhu V. , Hall Duane D. , Koval Olha M. , Luczak Elizabeth D. , Joiner Mei-ling A. , Chen Biyi , Wu Yuejin , Chaudhary Ashok K. , Martins James B. , Hund Thomas J. , Mohler Peter J. , Song Long-Sheng , Anderson Mark E.
Published: March 2011

Background—

Catecholamines increase heart rate by augmenting the cAMP-responsive hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 4 pacemaker current (
I
f
) and by promoting inward Na
+
/Ca
2+
exchanger current (
I
NCX
) by a “Ca
2+
clock” mechanism in sinoatrial nodal cells (SANCs). The importance, identity, and function of signals that connect
I
f
and Ca
2+
clock mechanisms are uncertain and controversial, but the multifunctional Ca
2+
/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is required for physiological heart rate responses to β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) stimulation. The aim of this study was to measure the contribution of the Ca
2+
clock and CaMKII to cardiac pacing independent of β-AR agonist stimulation.

Methods and Results—

We used the L-type Ca
2+
channel agonist Bay K8644 (BayK) to activate the SANC Ca
2+
clock. BayK and isoproterenol were similarly effective in increasing rates in SANCs and Langendorff-perfused hearts from wild-type control mice. In contrast, SANCs and isolated hearts from mice with CaMKII inhibition by transgenic expression of an inhibitory peptide (AC3-I) were resistant to rate increases by BayK. BayK only activated CaMKII in control SANCs but increased L-type Ca
2+
current (
I
Ca
) equally in all SANCs, indicating that increasing
I
Ca
was insufficient and suggesting that CaMKII activation was required for heart rate increases by BayK. BayK did not increase
I
f
or protein kinase A-dependent phosphorylation of phospholamban (at Ser16), indicating that increased SANC Ca
2+
by BayK did not augment cAMP/protein kinase A signaling at these targets. Late-diastolic intracellular Ca
2+
release and
I
NCX
were significantly reduced in AC3-I SANCs, and the response to BayK was eliminated by ryanodine in all groups.

Conclusions—

The Ca
2+
clock is capable of supporting physiological fight-or-flight responses, independent of β-AR stimulation or
I
f
increases. Complete Ca
2+
clock and β-AR stimulation responses require CaMKII.
High-Resolution Identity by Descent Mapping Uncovers the Genetic Basis for Blood Pressure Differences Between Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat Lines
Authors: Bell Rebecca , Herring Stacy M. , Gokul Nisha , Monita Monique , Grove Megan L. , Boerwinkle Eric , Doris Peter A.
Published: March 2011

Background—

The recent development of a large panel of genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) provides the opportunity to examine genetic relationships between distinct SHR lines that share hypertension but differ in their susceptibility to hypertensive end-organ disease.

Methods and Results—

We compared genotypes at nearly 10 000 SNPs obtained for the hypertension end-organ injury-susceptible spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR)-A3 (SHRSP, SHR-stroke prone) line and the injury-resistant SHR-B2 line. This revealed that that the 2 lines were genetically identical by descent (IBD) across 86.6% of the genome. Areas of the genome that were not IBD were distributed across 19 of the 20 autosomes and the X chromosome. A block structure of non-IBD comprising a total of 121 haplotype blocks was formed by clustering of SNPs inherited from different ancestors. To test the null hypothesis that distinct SHR lines share a common set of hypertension susceptibility alleles, we compared blood pressure in adult SHR animals from both lines and their F1 and F2 progeny using telemetry. In 16- to 18-week-old animals fed a normal diet, systolic blood pressure (SBP, mm Hg) in SHR-A3 was 205.7±3.86 (mean±SEM, n=26), whereas in similar SHR-B2 animals, SBP was 186.7±2.53 (n=20). In F1 and F2 animals, SBP was 188.2±4.23 (n=19) and 185.6±1.1 (n=211), respectively (
P
<10
−6
, ANOVA). To identify non-IBD haplotype blocks contributing to blood pressure differences between these SHR lines, we developed a high-throughput SNP genotyping system to genotype SNPs marking non-IBD blocks. We mapped a single non-IBD block on chromosome 17 extending over <10 Mb, at which SHR-A3 alleles significantly elevate blood pressure compared with SHR-B2.

Conclusions—

Thus hypertension in SHR-A3 and -B2 appears to arise from an overlapping set of susceptibility alleles, with SHR-A3 possessing an additional hypertension locus that contributes to further increase blood pressure.
A Complex Double Deletion in
LMNA
Underlies Progressive Cardiac Conduction Disease, Atrial Arrhythmias, and Sudden Death
Authors: Marsman Roos F. , Bardai Abdennasser , Postma Alex V. , Res Jan C.J. , Koopmann Tamara T. , Beekman Leander , van der Wal Allard C. , Pinto Yigal M. , Lekanne Deprez Ronald H. , Wilde Arthur A.M. , Jordaens Luc J. , Bezzina Connie R.
Published: March 2011

Background—

Cardiac conduction disease is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by defects in electrical impulse generation and conduction and is associated with sudden cardiac death.

Methods and Results—

We studied a 4-generation family with autosomal dominant progressive cardiac conduction disease, including atrioventricular conduction block and sinus bradycardia, atrial arrhythmias, and sudden death. Genome-wide linkage analysis mapped the disease locus to chromosome 1p22-q21. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification analysis of the
LMNA
gene, which encodes the nuclear-envelope protein lamin A/C, revealed a novel gene rearrangement involving a 24-bp inversion flanked by a 3.8-kb deletion upstream and a 7.8-kb deletion downstream. The presence of short inverted sequence homologies at the breakpoint junctions suggested a mutational event involving serial replication slippage in
trans
during DNA replication.

Conclusions—

We identified for the first time a complex
LMNA
gene rearrangement involving a double deletion in a 4-generation Dutch family with progressive conduction system disease. Our findings underscore the fact that if conventional polymerase chain reaction–based direct sequencing approaches for
LMNA
analysis are negative in suggestive pedigrees, mutation detection techniques capable of detecting gross genomic lesions involving deletions and insertions should be considered.
State-assisted integration, but not for all: Norwegian welfare services and labour migration from the new EU member states
Authors: Valenta Marko , Strabac Zan
Published: March 2011

In the last decade, the labour migrant population, especially from East European countries, has significantly increased in Scandinavia. Among the Scandinavian countries, Norway stands as the largest recipient of labour migrants from new European Union (EU) countries. This article focuses on the reception conditions for labour migrants from new EU member states during the period 2004—2009. The article also explores, contextualizes and relates the perspectives of the service providers to the Nordic welfare system, including, for example, eliciting their views on whether and why they think there is a need for a recalibration of existing practice and policies.
Differential TRPV1 and TRPV2 Channel Expression in Dental Pulp
Authors: Gibbs J.L. , Melnyk J.L. , Basbaum A.I.
Published: March 2011

Hypersensitivity to thermal and mechanical stimuli can occur in painful pulpitis. To explore the neuro-anatomical basis of heat and mechanical sensitivity, we evaluated expression of TRPV1 (heat) and TRPV2 (heat/mechanical) channels in the cell bodies and terminal arborizations of neurons that innervate the dental pulp (DP) and periodontal tissues (PDL). We report that ~50% of trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons retrogradely labeled from the DP express TRPV2, and this was significantly greater than the general expression of this channel in the TG (15%) and slightly more than what is expressed in the PDL by retrograde labeling (40%). The TRPV1 receptor, however, was less prevalent in neurons innervating the DP than their general expression in the TG (17% vs. 26%) and was more extensively expressed in neurons innervating the PDL (26%). Co-labeling studies showed that 70% of neurons that innervate the DP are myelinated. Approximately 1/3 of the retrogradely labeled neurons from the DP were calcitonin-gene-related-peptide-positive (peptide-expressing), but very few expressed the IB4 marker of non-peptidergic unmyelinated afferents. These findings suggest that the DP has a unique neurochemical innervation with regard to TRP receptor expression, which has significant implications for the mechanisms contributing to odontogenic pain and management strategies.
Teachers as Society-Involved “Organic Intellectuals”: Training Teachers in a Political Context
Authors: Yogev Esther , Michaeli Nir
Published: March 2011

This article presents a new model for teacher training in which teachers are encouraged to become intellectuals involved in the community. Involved intellectual teachers are those whose professional identity leans on robust intellectual self-esteem, a culture of actively caring about other people, awareness of social activism, and commitment to public activity. This article describes the training model from its theoretical and applicatory aspects and comprises four main parts. The first part presents the Israeli social, cultural, and educational contexts in which teacher training takes place and their effects on forming the professional identity of graduates. The second part presents a theoretical outline of the characteristics of educators acting as involved intellectuals while applying the ideas of Antonio Gramsci as a basis to validate teacher training, which intensifies the sense of professional efficacy in teacher trainees. The third part presents the model and its organizational policy. The fourth part presents several findings of the study attending the program. The authors offer insights and conclusions emerging from the initial studies attending the application of the training model.
Utilizing Behavioral Interventions to Improve Supervision Outcomes in Community-Based Corrections
Authors: Wodahl Eric J. , Garland Brett , Culhane Scott E. , McCarty William P.
Published: March 2011

The number of offenders supervised in the community has grown significantly over the past few decades, whereas successful completions of probation and parole terms have been declining during the same time period. The current study examines the impact of rewards and sanctions on offenders in an Intensive Supervision Program (ISP). Data were collected on a random sample of 283 offenders who participated in an ISP between 2000 and 2003. Agency records, including supervision notes, violation reports, and other offender-related correspondence, were used to track offenders’ sanction and reward histories during their participation in the program. Controlling for a number of variables, the study found that the use of both sanctions and rewards led to higher success rates. Administering rewards in proportionally higher numbers than sanctions produced the best results, especially when a ratio of four or more rewards for every sanction was achieved. Correctional administrators are encouraged to identify ideological obstacles that may impede the application of behavioral techniques and to carefully train and guide line staff in the use of sanctions and rewards.
“We Are the State”: An Entrepreneurial Mission to Serve the People in Harbin, Northeast China
Authors: Mun Young Cho
Published: March 2011

How can we explain market actors’ desire to use the state as a model for their entrepreneurial efforts? This article examines the varied and uneven ways in which the state is mimicked and appropriated by China’s market actors in the health care sector. A massage franchiser, which doubles as a job-training center in Harbin, serves as an ethnographic instance. By invoking a scene where the persistent appeal to the state is bound up with volatile market activities, this article intends to disrupt the prevailing notions of the state-market binary. The murky encounter between “the state” and “the market” does more than merely reflect the persistent power of the so-called “authoritarian” state. By examining how the state-market complex is made and also severed by market participants who appeared at first to represent “the state,” this article underlines the precarious and patchy nature of state centrality.
Phonological development in children learning Finnish: A review
Authors: Saaristo-Helin Katri , Kunnari Sari , Savinainen-Makkonen Tuula
Published: March 2011

The language to which children are exposed has been shown to have a direct effect on their early phonological development. Despite a growing body of data from cross-linguistic studies and studies on phonological development in various language environments, English still often serves as a benchmark for comparative studies. This article reviews general trends in phonological development and compares them with the latest studies on children acquiring Finnish. The main goal is to explore the course and timing of the development in children acquiring Finnish by bringing together recent research from phonemic inventories and phonotactics, including word length acquisition. Key developmental steps of phonological development are identified and directions for future research are recommended.
Making Intangibles “Tangible” in Tests of Resource-Based Theory
Authors: Molloy Janice C. , Chadwick Clint , Ployhart Robert E. , Golden Simon J.
Published: March 2011

The authors identify theoretical disconnects among resource-based theory (RBT), conceptualizations of intangible resources (intangibles), and measures of intangibles. Specifically, the authors’ survey of 186 recent empirical tests of RBT suggests that measures of intangibles are often assigned with little theoretical conceptualization of the intangible construct or connection with RBT. This lack of theoretical justification undermines confidence in measures and empirical findings, leaves central RBT questions unaddressed, and constricts the usefulness of RBT. Furthermore, their survey suggests that the dominant approach to measuring intangibles is mechanical and unidisciplinary (i.e., rooted in either economics or psychology). The authors argue that the challenge of measuring intangibles is primarily theoretical. Thus, mechanical and unidisciplinary approaches are problematic for they sustain theoretical disconnects among RBT and intangible conceptualizations and measures. Moreover, a multidisciplinary construct validation approach is required to remedy the respective deficiencies of economic and psychological approaches and integrate their complementary strengths. The authors present such an approach, which they call the multidisciplinary assessment process (MAP). The MAP guides scholars in creating theories of intangibles that are specific to their RBT study. These theories are the focal point of the MAP and clarify what, specifically, the intangible is and how firms use the intangible to create and appropriate economic value. In turn, these theories inform the measurement and validation steps of the MAP, so that intangibles are assessed with greater credibility.
How Does Early Detection by Screening Affect Disease Progression?
Authors: Wever Elisabeth M. , Draisma Gerrit , Heijnsdijk Eveline A. M. , de Koning Harry J.
Published: March 2011

Background. Simulation models are essential tools for estimating benefits of cancer screening programs. Such models include a screening-effect model that represents how early detection by screening followed by treatment affects disease-specific survival. Two commonly used screening-effect models are the stage-shift model, where mortality benefits are explained by the shift to more favorable stages, and the cure model, where early detection enhances the chances of cure from disease. Objective. This article describes commonly used screening-effect models and analyses their predicted mortality benefit in a model for prostate cancer screening. Method. The MISCAN simulation model was used to predict the reduction of prostate cancer mortality in the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) Rotterdam. The screening-effect models were included in the model. For each model the predictions of prostate cancer mortality reduction were calculated. The study compared 4 screening-effect models, which are versions of the stage-shift model or the cure model. Results. The stage-shift models predicted, after a follow-up of 9 years, reductions in prostate cancer mortality varying from 38% to 63% for ERSPC-Rotterdam compared with a 27% reduction observed in the ERSPC. The cure models predicted reductions in prostate cancer mortality varying from 21% to 27%. Conclusions. The differences in predicted mortality reductions show the importance of validating models to observed trial mortality data. The stage-shift models considerably overestimated the mortality reduction. Therefore, the stage-shift models should be used with care, especially when modeling the effect of screening for cancers with long lead times, such as prostate cancer.
The Personal Selling Ethics Scale: Revisions and Expansions for Teaching Sales Ethics
Authors: Donoho Casey , Heinze Timothy
Published: March 2011

The field of sales draws a large number of marketing graduates. Sales curricula used within today’s marketing programs should include rigorous discussions of sales ethics. The Personal Selling Ethics Scale (PSE) provides an analytical tool for assessing and discussing students’ ethical sales sensitivities. However, since the scale fails to address many ethical issues within the personal selling process, it should be revised. The current research assessed the PSE’s content validity via a content analysis of today’s university sales texts, popular press sales books, and codes of ethics. Results of the content analysis were used to develop a revised scale (PSE-2) that includes new scenarios suggested by the literature search. A sample of 669 students was used to replicate the original study and test the revised PSE-2 and its new ethical scenarios. The updated scale offers marketing educators an effective tool by which to enhance sales ethics discussions.
Resource constrained multirobot task allocation based on leader–follower coalition methodology
Authors: Chen Jian , Sun Dong
Published: March 2011

This paper investigates the multirobot task allocation problem for a group of heterogeneous mobile robots with consideration of resource constraints. The robots and tasks are characterized by resources as required by task execution. Since each individual robot may not have sufficient resources to accomplish the assigned task alone, the robots must form coalitions to meet task-imposed resource constraints in task execution. A leader–follower based coalition methodology is developed in this paper, with detailed discussions on leader selection, preliminary coalition forming, coalition evaluation and submission procedures. When the tasks are assigned online and only one task is assigned at each time, the proposed leader–follower coalition method can maximize coalition utility for every assigned task, which further ensures greedy optimal solution for the resource constrained task allocation problem. Simulations and experiments performed on a group of mobile robots demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Influences of Marriage, Motherhood, and Other Life Events on Australian Women’s Employment Aspirations
Authors: Johnstone Melissa , Lucke Jayne , Lee Christina
Published: March 2011

The study contributes to the understandings of how women negotiate work and family over the life course by investigating what factors impact young women’s aspirations for full time, part-time, and other forms of work. Using data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH) with its nationally representative sample of Australian women, the authors examine how women moving from their 20s to early 30s change their aspirations for employment (at the age of 35) after significant life events and changes, including the birth of a child. Multinomial logistic regression analyses across two transition periods ( N = 7,505 and N = 7,584) showed that changes in employment aspirations co-occurred with movement into marriage or stable relationships and with changes in aspirations for family size. As young women become mothers, or move into situations in which motherhood is likely, many adjusted their employment aspirations away from full-time employment and toward part-time work. The findings suggest a growing awareness of the practical difficulties of balancing paid work and family roles within the current context of work and family policy and practice in Australia. Women’s choices are not free of constraints; rather, younger generations of women negotiate work and family life by adjusting and changing their own aspirations within the context and circumstances of their lives.
Self-Silencing, Emotional Awareness, and Eating Behaviors in College Women
Authors: Shouse Sarah H. , Nilsson Johanna
Published: March 2011

Self-silencing (or the suppression of expressing one’s thoughts, feelings, and needs) can have a negative impact on the mental health of women, from depression to disordered eating behaviors. The authors examined the relationship between self-silencing and disordered eating as well as intuitive eating. The authors also explored whether emotional awareness would moderate these relationships because conflicts over expressiveness are associated with emotional problems and eating disorders. The sample comprised 140 college women (52% White; 36% Black) under the age of 24 from a midwestern urban university. Their results revealed that emotional awareness moderated the relationships between self-silencing and disordered eating and intuitive eating. Specifically, when there were lower levels of emotional awareness, self-silencing with disordered eating and intuitive eating were unrelated; however, with higher levels of emotional awareness together with more self-silencing, participants presented with more disordered eating and less intuitive eating. The findings highlight the importance of supporting women’s emotional awareness in conjunction with their expressiveness of thoughts, feelings, and needs to increase intuitive eating and decrease disordered eating.
Evaluation of dry solid waste recycling from municipal solid waste: case of Mashhad city, Iran
Authors: Farzadkia Mahdi , Jorfi Sahand , Akbari Hamideh , Ghasemi Mehdi
Published: March 2011

The recycling for recovery and reuse of material and energy resources undoubtedly provides a substantial alternative supply of raw materials and reduces the dependence on virgin feedstock. The main objective of this study was to assess the potential of dry municipal solid waste recycling in Mashhad city, Iran. Several questionnaires were prepared and distributed among various branches of the municipality, related organizations and people. The total amount of solid waste generated in Mashhad in 2008 was 594 800 tons with per capita solid waste generation rate of 0.609 kg person−1 day−1. Environmental educational programmes via mass media and direct education of civilians were implemented to publicize the advantages and necessity of recycling. The amount of recycled dry solid waste was increased from 2.42% of total dry solid waste (2588.36 ton year−1) in 1999 to 7.22% (10 165 ton year−1) in 2008. The most important fractions of recycled dry solid waste in Mashhad included paper and board (51.33%), stale bread (14.59%), glass (9.73%), ferrous metals (9.73%), plastic (9.73%), polyethylene terephthalate (2.62%) and non-ferrous metals (0.97%). It can be concluded that unfortunately the potential of dry solid waste recycling in Mashhad has not been considered properly and there is a great effort to be made in order to achieve the desired conditions of recycling.