bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carriage of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus by veterinarians in Australia
Authors: Jordan D , Simon J , Fury S , Moss S , Giffard P , Maiwald M , Southwell P , Barton MD , Axon JE , Morris SG , Trott DJ
Published: April 2011

Objective  To estimate the prevalence of carriage of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among Australian veterinarians.

Methods  Individuals attending veterinary conferences in Australia in 2009 were recruited to provide nasal swabs and complete a questionnaire about their professional activities. Swabs were processed by standard methods for detecting MRSA and questionnaire responses were used to group veterinarians according to their areas of major work emphasis (species and practice type). Prevalence was estimated for each of these grouping and contingency tables and regression tree analysis used to explain the variation in MRSA carriage.

Results  Among the 771 respondents ‘industry and government veterinarians’ (controls) had the lowest prevalence of MRSA carriage at 0.9%. Veterinarians with horses as a major area of work emphasis had a prevalence of 11.8% (13‐fold that of controls) and those whose only major emphasis was horses had a prevalence of 21.4% (23‐fold that of controls). Veterinarians with dogs and cats as a major activity had a 4.9% prevalence (5‐fold that of controls). Prevalence rates for other major activities (pigs, dairy and beef cattle, avian and wildlife) were also increased, but were estimated from smaller numbers of respondents. Regression tree analysis clearly isolated equine veterinarians and dog and cat practitioners as groups at increased risk of carriage of MRSA.

Conclusion  Carriage of MRSA is a notable occupational health issue for veterinarians in clinical practice in Australia, particularly those who work with horses.
In this issue – May 2011
Authors: Jackson AE
Published: April 2011

Computer simulations of resistance to monepantel · Typing fowl adenoviruses in field cases of inclusion body hepatitis · Skin fold flaps for large lumbosacral wounds in dogs · Colic after swimming training in racehorses · Columbid herpesvirus‐1 in birds of prey
Expression of human endogenous retrovirus K is stimulated by ultraviolet radiation in melanoma
Authors: Schanab Oliver , Humer Johannes , Gleiss Andreas , Mikula Mario , Sturlan Sanda , Grunt Susanne , Okamoto Ichiro , Muster Thomas , Pehamberger Hubert , Waltenberger Andrea
Published: April 2011

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) represent a cellular reservoir of potentially pathogenic retroviral genes. A growing body of evidence indicates that the activation of endogenous retroviral sequences might be involved in the transformation of melanocytes. In this study, we investigated the effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on the expression of human endogenous retrovirus type K (HERV‐K) in melanoma cells and non‐melanoma cells in vitro. Solely in melanoma cell lines, irradiation with UVB (200 mJ/cm2) resulted in a significant transcriptional activation of the retroviral pol gene as well as in an enhanced expression of the retroviral envelope protein (env). In addition, UVB treatment induced the production of retroviral particles in the supernatants of melanoma cell lines. These data indicate that HERV‐K expression can be activated by UVB irradiation and suggest an involvement of HERV‐K in UVR‐related melanoma pathogenesis.
Muscarinic Receptor Binding of Imidafenacin in the Human Bladder Mucosa and Detrusor and Parotid Gland
Authors: SEKI Masanao , OGODA Masaki , KURAOKA Shiori , OTSUKA Atsushi , OZONO Seiichiro , TAKEDA Masayuki , MASUYAMA Keisuke , ARAKI Isao , YAMADA Shizuo
Published: April 2011

Objectives: The current study aimed to characterize comparatively the binding of imidafenacin to muscarinic receptors in the human bladder mucosa and detrusor muscle and parotid gland.

Methods: The muscarinic receptor in homogenates of human tissues (bladder mucosa and detrusor muscle and parotid gland) was measured using a radioligand binding assay with [N‐methyl‐3H]scopolamine methyl chloride ([3H]NMS).

Results: Imidafenacin competed with [3H]NMS for binding sites in the bladder mucosa and detrusor muscle and parotid gland, and its affinity was significantly (2.6–8.7 times) higher than that of oxybutynin. Also, the affinity of imidafenacin for muscarinic receptors was approximately two‐fold higher in the parotid gland than bladder tissue. The affinity of imidafenacin in the mucosa was similar to that in the detrusor muscle, suggesting that this agent exhibits therapeutic effects by blocking muscarinic receptors in the mucosa as well as detrusor muscle. Scatchard analysis revealed that imidafenacin increased significantly (approximately four‐fold) Kd values for [3H]NMS binding in the human detrusor muscle and parotid gland, with little effect on Bmax values. This observation indicates that imidafenacin binds to the muscarinic receptors in human tissues in a competitive and reversible manner.

Conclusion: Imidafenacin binds to muscarinic receptors in the human bladder mucosa and detrusor muscle and parotid gland with high affinity. This agent was considered to exhibit therapeutic effects on the lower urinary tract symptoms due to an overactive bladder by blocking muscarinic receptors in the urothelium as well as detrusor muscle.
Trading Behavior, Performance, and Stock Preference of Foreigners, Local Institutions, and Individual Investors: Evidence from the Korean Stock Market*
Authors: Bae Sung C. , Min Jae Hoon , Jung Sunbong
Published: April 2011

We examine the trading behavior and performance of foreigners, local institutions, and individual investors in the Korean stock market. The key research issue is whether the commonly‐documented information disadvantage of foreign investors translates into their underperformance relative to local institutional and individual investors. Our results show the opposite, that the stocks foreigners buy significantly outperform the stocks they sell in terms of both stock returns and operating profitability, leading to the significant outperformance of foreigners’ trading strategies over those of local investors. Our results provide strong evidence that the superior performance of foreigners is attributed to their ability to discern between company stocks with good versus bad, at least short‐term, prospects. Our findings on the trading behavior of investors in the Korean market are, in general, consistent with those for other markets documented in the published literature. Foreigners behave like short‐term momentum traders pursuing a growth strategy. Local institutions also trade like momentum traders but tend to buy value stocks. In contrast, individual investors trade like contrarians who buy past losers and sell past winners. Our findings show that foreigners prefer large‐cap stocks with high dividends. In sharp contrast, individual investors have a strong preference for small‐cap, high‐leverage, low dividend paying stocks, whereas local institutions tend to buy small‐cap, low leveraged stocks.
Dividend Policy and Elimination of Double Taxation of Dividends*
Authors: Kao Lanfeng , Chen Anlin
Published: April 2011

Taiwan eliminated double taxation of dividends in 1999, and allowed firms to repurchase stocks from July 2000. Taiwanese firms tend to pay dividends as opposed to repurchasing stock, even with zero tax on capital gains, and firms pay larger dividends after the elimination of double taxation of dividends. The relation between dividends and director ownership has been reinforced by the elimination of double taxation of dividends. The relation between dividends and the elimination of double taxation of dividends has also been reinforced by director ownership as stockholders receive more tax credits from dividends following the elimination of double taxation of dividends and directors act to protect stockholders’ interests.
Physical activity during leisure time and quality of life in a Spanish cohort: SUN (Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra) Project
Authors: Sanchez-Villegas Almudena , Ara Ignacio , Dierssen Trinidad , de la Fuente Carmen , Ruano Cristina , Martínez-González Miguel A
Published: April 2011

Background

Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) has been associated with better mental and physical health particularly in cross-sectional studies.

Purpose

To longitudinally assess the association between LTPA, changes in LTPA and health-related quality of life (HRQL).

Methods

Cross-sectional and prospective analysis of the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra Project, a dynamic cohort study. Information is gathered through mailed questionnaires biannually since 1999. A validated LTPA questionnaire was used to assess LTPA level at baseline. Changes in LTPA were ascertained at 2 and 4 years of follow-up. HRQL was assessed at 4 and 8 years of follow-up with a validated Spanish version of the SF-36 Health Survey. Multivariate regression coefficients, means and their 95% CIs for each of the eight domains of the SF-36 according to quintiles of baseline LTPA and changes in LTPA over time were calculated using generalised linear models.

Results

At 4 years of follow-up, mean scores for upper quintiles of LTPA (second to highest quintile) of physical functioning, general health, vitality, social functioning and mental health were significantly higher than the mean score obtained for participants with the lowest level of LTPA (first quintile). In general, and independent of previous scores in SF-36 survey, the maintenance or the increase in LTPA levels during follow-up was associated with better scores in HRQL after 8 years of follow-up, especially for mental domains.

Conclusion

These findings provide support for an association between LTPA, long-term changes in LTPA and several aspects of HRQL (especially in relation to mental domains) extending previous cross-sectional findings.
RESOURCE ALLOCATION STRATEGIES FOR CONSTRUCTIVE IN-NETWORK STREAM PROCESSING
Authors: BENOIT ANNE , REHN-SONIGO VERONIKA , ROBERT YVES , CASANOVA HENRI
Published: April 2011

In this paper we consider the operator mapping problem for in-network stream processing applications. In-network stream processing consists in applying a tree of operators in steady-state to multiple data objects that are continually updated at various locations on a network. Examples of in-network stream processing include the processing of data in a sensor network, or of continuous queries on distributed relational databases. We study the operator mapping problem in a "constructive" scenario, i.e., a scenario in which one builds a platform dedicated to the application by purchasing processing servers with various costs and capabilities. The objective is to minimize the cost of the platform while ensuring that the application achieves a minimum steady-state throughput. The first contribution of this paper is the formalization of a set of relevant operator-placement problems, and a proof that even simple versions of the problem are NP-complete. Our second contribution is the design of several polynomial time heuristics, which are evaluated via extensive simulations and compared to theoretical bounds for optimal solutions.
UNIFORM SCATTERING OF AUTONOMOUS MOBILE ROBOTS IN A GRID
Authors: BARRIÈRE LALI , FLOCCHINI PAOLA , MESA-BARRAMEDA EDUARDO , SANTORO NICOLA
Published: April 2011

We consider the uniform scattering problem for a set of autonomous mobile robots deployed in a grid network: starting from an arbitrary placement in the grid, using purely localized computations, the robots must move so to reach in finite time a state of static equilibrium in which they cover uniformly the grid. The theoretical quest is on determining the minimal capabilities needed by the robots to solve the problem. We prove that uniform scattering is indeed possible even for very weak robots. The proof is constructive. We present a provably correct protocol for uniform self-deployment in a grid. The protocol is fully localized, collision-free, and it makes minimal assumptions; in particular: (1) it does not require any direct or explicit communication between robots; (2) it makes no assumption on robots synchronization or timing, hence the robots can be fully asynchronous in all their actions; (3) it requires only a limited visibility range; (4) it uses at each robot only a constant size memory, hence computationally the robots can be simple Finite-State Machines; (5) it does not need a global localization system but only orientation in the grid (e.g., a compass); (6) it does not require identifiers, hence the robots can be anonymous and totally identical.
BINARY MORPHISMS WITH STABLE SUFFIX COMPLEXITY
Authors: HOLUB ŠTĚPÁN
Published: April 2011

Let g, h : {a, b}* → {a, b}* be marked morphisms of words. A pair (g1, h1) of marked morphisms {a, b}* → {a, b}* is called a successor of (g, h) if g ◦ g1(a) = h ◦ h1(a) and g ◦ g1(b) = h ◦ h1(b) and the images of g1and h1are shortest possible. Successors play an important role in studying the Post Correspondence Problem. Typically, they are simpler than the original morphisms, measured by the number of suffixes of their images (called the suffix complexity). In some cases, however, the suffix complexity is stable – it does not decrease. In this paper we give a full characterization of binary morphisms with stable suffix complexity.
A PEALD Tunnel Dielectric for Three-Dimensional Non-Volatile Charge-Trapping Technology
Authors: Cacciato A. , Breuil L. , Dekker H. , Zahid M. , Kar G. S. , Everaert J.L. , Schoofs G. , Shi X. , Van den bosch G. , Jurczak M. , Debusschere I. , Van Houdt J. , Cockburn Andrew , Date Lucien , Xa Li-Qun , Le Maggie , Lee Won
Published: April 2011

In this paper we compare a novel plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) oxide with more conventional HTO and ISSG oxides. We show that, remarkably for a deposited oxide, the oxide quality is, both in terms of field-to-breakdown and SILC generation, comparable to that of ISSG thermal oxide. Finally, we show that data retention of SONOS stack with PEALD is significantly better than for stacks with ISSG tunnel oxide. PEALD oxide is, therefore, a promising choice for 3D non-volatile flash technologies.
Case Series of Post-Thrombolysis Patients Undergoing Hemicraniectomy for Malignant Anterior Circulation Ischaemic Stroke
Authors: Williams A. , Sittampalam M. , Barua N. , Mohd Nor A.
Published: April 2011

While ischaemic stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability, there have been recent advancements in treatment modalities including thrombolysis and decompressive hemicraniectomy. A retrospective review of patients treated in our NHS teaching hospital, in Plymouth (UK), over a 2 year period identified 17 thrombolysed patients, of whom two had undergone subsequent decompressive hemicraniectomy. These were non-dominant hemisphere strokes in young patients, aged 51 and 57. Initial NIHSS scores were 16 and 17, and they received thrombolysis at 2 hrs 42 min and 5 hrs 10 min post onset of symptoms respectively. CT imaging demonstrated cerebral swelling with significant midline shift in both cases, and decompressive hemicraniectomy was undertaken at 29 hrs 8 min and 27 hrs 30 min post-thrombolysis. We found no significant intra-operative complications attributable to prior use of thrombolytics. Both patients have had acceptable psychological and physical outcomes, with Barthel Index scores of 40 and 25, and MMSE scores of 29/30 and 27/30. We conclude that the use of thrombolytic therapy does not contra-indicate subsequent decompressive hemicraniectomy in well selected patients with non-dominant hemisphere strokes. More research in this field is required to elucidate factors which would facilitate recognition of stroke patients who will benefit most from aggressive medical and neurosurgical intervention.
Genetic Variance inUncoupling Protein 2in Relation to Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, and Related Metabolic Traits: Focus on the Functional −866G>A Promoter Variant (rs659366)
Authors: Dalgaard Louise T.
Published: April 2011

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are mitochondrial proteins able to dissipate the proton gradient of the inner mitochondrial membrane when activated. This decreases ATP-generation through oxidation of fuels and may theoretically decrease energy expenditure leading to obesity. Evidence fromUcp(−/−)mice revealed a role of UCP2 in the pancreaticβ-cell, becauseβ-cells without UCP2 had increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Thus, from being a candidate gene for obesity UCP2 became a valid candidate gene for type 2 diabetes mellitus. This prompted a series of studies of the human UCP2 and UCP3 genes with respect to obesity and diabetes. Of special interest was a promoter variant of UCP2 situated 866bp upstream of transcription initiation (−866G>A, rs659366). This variant changes promoter activity and has been associated with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes in several, although not all, studies. The aim of the current paper is to summarize current evidence of association of UCP2 genetic variation with obesity and type 2 diabetes, with focus on the −866G>A polymorphism.
Fly Ash and Composted Biosolids as a Source of Fe for Hybrid Poplar: A Greenhouse Study
Authors: Lombard Kevin , O'Neill Mick , Ulery April , Mexal John , Onken Blake , Forster-Cox Sue , Sammis Ted
Published: April 2011

Soils of northwest New Mexico have an elevated pH and CaCO3content that reduces Fe solubility, causes chlorosis, and reduces crop yields. Could biosolids and fly ash, enriched with Fe, provide safe alternatives to expensive Fe EDDHA (sodium ferric ethylenediamine di-(o-hydroxyphenyl-acetate)) fertilizers applied toPopulushybrid plots? Hybrid OP-367 was cultivated on a Doak sandy loam soil amended with composted biosolids or fly ash at three agricultural rates. Fly ash and Fe EDDHA treatments received urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), biosolids, enriched with N, did not. Both amendments improved soil and plant Fe. Heavy metals were below EPA regulations, but high B levels were noted in leaves of trees treated at the highest fly ash rate. pH increased in fly ash soil while salinity increased in biosolids-treated soil. Chlorosis rankings improved in poplars amended with both byproducts, although composted biosolids offered the most potential at improving Fe/tree growth cheaply without the need for synthetic inputs.
Electrodeposition and Characterization of Nanocrystalline Ni-Fe Alloys
Authors: Abdel-Karim R. , Reda Y. , Muhammed M. , El-Raghy S. , Shoeib M. , Ahmed H.
Published: April 2011

Nanocrystalline Ni-Fe deposits with different composition and grain sizes were fabricated by electrodeposition. Deposits with iron contents in the range from 7 to 31% were obtained by changing the Ni2+/Fe2+mass ratio in the electrolyte. The deposits were found to be nanocrystalline with average grain size in the range 20–30 nm. The surface morphology was found to be dependent on Ni2+/Fe2+mass ratio as well as electroplating time. The grains size decreased with increasing the iron content, especially in case of short time electroplating. Increasing the electroplating time had no significant effect on grain size. The microhardness of the materials followed the regular Hall-Petch relationship with a maximum value (762 Hv) when applying Ni2+/Fe2+mass ratio equal to 9.8.
Fe-Doped TiO2Nanoparticles Produced via MOCVD: Synthesis, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Othman Siti Hajar , Abdul Rashid Suraya , Mohd Ghazi Tinia Idaty , Abdullah Norhafizah
Published: April 2011

Iron (Fe)-doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were produced via the metallorganic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) method at 700∘C. Different amounts of ferrocene as the Fe dopant source (0.001–0.05 g) were introduced inside the reactor together with the titanium precursor in order to synthesize different Fe dopant concentrations of TiO2nanoparticles. Nitrogen (N2) adsorption results showed that increasing the Fe dopant concentration caused a slight increase in the surface area of the nanoparticles due to the decrease in nanoparticle size. The UV-diffuse reflectance spectra demonstrated an absorption shift in Fe-doped TiO2nanoparticles to longer wavelengths, thus showing an enhancement of the absorption in the visible spectrum. Bandgap energy values determined from the UV-diffuse reflectance spectra data decreased with an increase in the Fe dopant concentrations. The photocatalytic activity of Fe-doped TiO2nanoparticles was investigated via degradation of methylene blue under UV and fluorescent light. It was found that Fe doping reduced the photocatalytic activity of the samples. Based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results, it is believed that this is due to the unfavourable location of Fe3+inside the interior matrix of the TiO2nanoparticles rather than on the exterior surface, which would affect photocatalytic behaviour.
An Energy-Aware Middleware for Integrating Wireless Sensor Networks and the Internet
Authors: Domingues Jeisa , Damaso Antonio , Nascimento Rilter , Rosa Nelson
Published: April 2011

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have great potential for many distributed applications in different scenarios. As they grow in popularity and importance, it becomes increasingly desirable and necessary to share their data over the Internet. This paper presents an energy-aware middleware that focuses on integrating the Internet and WSNs at service level by providing transparency of access, location, and technology. In particular, it describes and evaluates the implemented strategies to reduce the energy consumption, which are essential for prolonging the WSN lifetime.
Optimal Control of HIV Dynamic Using Embedding Method
Authors: Zarei H. , Kamyad A. V. , Farahi M. H.
Published: April 2011

This present study proposes an optimal control problem, with the final goal of implementing an optimal treatment protocol which could maximize the survival time of patients and minimize the cost of drug utilizing a system of ordinary differential equations which describes the interaction of the immune system with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Optimal control problem transfers into a modified problem in measure space using an embedding method in which the existence of optimal solution is guaranteed by compactness of the space. Then the metamorphosed problem is approximated by a linear programming (LP) problem, and by solving this LP problem a suboptimal piecewise constant control function, which is more practical from the clinical viewpoint, is achieved. The comparison between the immune system dynamics in treated and untreated patients is introduced. Finally, the relationships between the healthy cells and virus are shown.
TopoToolbox: Using Sensor Topography to Calculate Psychologically Meaningful Measures from Event-Related EEG/MEG
Authors: Tian Xing , Poeppel David , Huber David E.
Published: April 2011

The open-source toolbox “TopoToolbox” is a suite of functions that use sensor topography to calculate psychologically meaningful measures (similarity, magnitude, and timing) from multisensor event-related EEG and MEG data. Using a GUI and data visualization, TopoToolbox can be used to calculate and test the topographic similarity between different conditions (Tian and Huber, 2008). This topographic similarity indicates whether different conditions involve a different distribution of underlying neural sources. Furthermore, this similarity calculation can be applied at different time points to discover when a response pattern emerges (Tian and Poeppel, 2010). Because the topographic patterns are obtained separately for each individual, these patterns are used to produce reliable measures of response magnitude that can be compared across individuals using conventional statistics (Davelaar et al. Submitted and Huber et al., 2008). TopoToolbox can be freely downloaded. It runs under MATLAB (The MathWorks, Inc.) and supports user-defined data structure as well as standard EEG/MEG data import using EEGLAB (Delorme and Makeig, 2004).
CFD‐Guided Development of Test Rigs for Studying Erosion and Large‐Particle Damage of Thermal Barrier Coatings
Authors: Kuczmarski Maria A. , Miller Robert A. , Zhu Dongming
Published: April 2011

Burner rigs are routinely used to qualify materials for gas turbine applications. The most useful rig tests are those that can replicate, often in an accelerated manner, the degradation that materials experience in the engine. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can be used to accelerate the successful development and continuous improvement of combustion burner rigs for meaningful materials testing. Rig development is typically an iterative process of making incremental modifications to improve the rig performance for testing requirements. Application of CFD allows many of these iterations to be done computationally before hardware is built or modified, reducing overall testing costs and time, and it can provide an improved understanding of how these rigs operate. This paper describes the use of CFD to develop burner test rigs for studying erosion and large‐particle damage of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) used to protect turbine blades from high heat fluxes in combustion engines. The steps used in this study—determining the questions that need to be answered regarding the test rig performance, developing and validating the model, and using it to predict rig performance—can be applied to the efficient development of other test rigs.
Hyperaesthesia Following Genital Herpes: A Case Report
Authors: Ooi Catriona , Zawar Vijay
Published: April 2011

We report an adult female patient who presented with sacral radiculopathy as incapacitating dysthesias following primary genital herpes simplex, which later recurred. Despite use of systemic antiviral treatment, the painful syndrome in our patient persisted. The success in treatment was seen only after the addition of amitriptyline hydrochloride. The case is being presented here for its rare manifestation and novel use of amitriptyline hydrochloride.
Helminth Parasites and the Modulation of Joint Inflammation
Authors: Matisz Chelsea E. , McDougall Jason J. , Sharkey Keith A. , McKay Derek M.
Published: April 2011

There is an urgent need to develop better therapeutics for autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, of which musculoskeletal disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis are particularly prevalent and debilitating. Helminth parasites are accomplished masters at modifying their hosts' immune activity, and so attention has focused on rodent-helminth model systems to uncover the workings of the mammalian immune response to metazoan parasites, with the hope of revealing molecules and/or mechanisms that can be translated into better treatments for human autoimmune and idiopathic disorders. Substantial proof-of-principal data supporting the concept that infection with helminth parasites can reduce the severity of concomitant disease has been amassed from models of mucosal inflammation. Indeed, infection with helminth parasites has been tried as a therapy in inflammatory bowel disease, and there are case reports relating to other conditions (e.g., autism); however, the impact of infection with parasitic helminths on musculoskeletal diseases has not been extensively studied. Here, we present the view that such a strategy should be applied to the amelioration of joint inflammation and review the literature that supports this contention.
Low Level of Optimism Predicts Initiation of Psychotherapy for Depression: Results from the Finnish Public Sector Study
Authors: Karlsson Hasse , Kronström Kim , Nabi Hermann , Oksanen Tuula , Salo Paula , Virtanen Marianna , Suominen Sakari , Kivimäki Mika , Vahtera Jussi
Published: April 2011

Background: The patient’s personality may be one of the many factors that contribute to the decision to initiate a certain treatment for depression. The aim of this study was to examine whether dispositional optimism and pessimism play a role in the initiation of psychotherapy as the treatment for new-onset depression in previously nondepressed public sector employees. Methods: This prospective observational cohort study included 38,717 (mean age: 45 years; 76% female) public sector employees who responded to a survey in 1997, 2000–2001 and/or 2004 and had no history of depression at cohort entry. Dispositional optimism and pessimism were assessed via the revised Life Orientation Test and linked to individual records of indicators of depression onset in comprehensive national health registers, and of long-term psychotherapy for depression in particular. Results: During a mean follow-up of 4.0 years, 1,616 (4%) incident cases of depression were observed. Of them, 79 started long-term, state-subsidized psychotherapy for depression. A 1-unit increase in mean optimism score was associated with a 38% lower likelihood of initiating psychotherapy as a treatment for depression and a 32% lower likelihood of depressive disorder in general during follow-up. Pessimism score was not associated with initiation of psychotherapy for depression, but a 1-unit increase in pessimism score was associated with a 28% increase in the likelihood of depressive disorder. These findings were robust to adjustments for demographics, health risk behaviors and somatic diseases at baseline. Conclusion: This study suggests that although both low optimism and high pessimism increase the risk for depression, only low optimism influences the initiation of psychotherapy as a treatment modality for depression. This could imply that depressed patients with low optimism should receive more attention in the beginning of the depressive episode than patients with high optimism.
Association between the Ratio of Triglycerides to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Chronic Kidney Disease in Korean Adults: The 2005 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Kang Hee-Taik , Shim Jae-Yong , Lee Yong-Jae , Lee Jung-Eun , Linton John A. , Kim Jong-Koo , Lee Hye-Ree
Published: April 2011

Background: The ratio of triglycerides (TG, mg/dl) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, mg/dl) is a reliable indicator of insulin resistance and atherosclerotic diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between TG/HDL-C and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a nationally representative sample of Korean adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 5,503 subjects (≧19 years of age) who participated in the 2005 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) below 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 as calculated by the abbreviated formula from the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study. Results: The overall prevalence of CKD in our sample was 9.0%. eGFR was negatively correlated with logarithm-transformed TG/HDL-C in Pearson’s correlation. The prevalence of CKD in increasing TG/HDL-C quintiles was 4.4, 6.6, 9.5, 11.9, and 12.8%. In comparison with the lowest quintile of TG/HDL-C (<1.38), the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for CKD in the highest quintile of TG/HDL-C (≧4.50) was 2.15 (1.38–3.37), after adjustment for multiple covariates (p value for trend = 0.036). Conclusions: TG/HDL-C was independently associated with increased prevalence of CKD in a sample of Korean adults.
Matrix Composition and Mechanics of Decellularized Lung Scaffolds
Authors: Petersen Thomas H. , Calle Elizabeth A. , Colehour Maegen B. , Niklason Laura E.
Published: April 2011

The utility of decellularized native tissues for tissue engineering has been widely demonstrated. Here, we examine the production of decellularized lung scaffolds from native rodent lung using two different techniques, principally defined by use of either the detergent 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS) or sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). All viable cellular material is removed, including at least 99% of DNA. Histochemical staining and mechanical testing indicate that collagen and elastin are retained in the decellularized matrices with CHAPS-based decellularization, while SDS-based decellularization leads to loss of collagen and decline in mechanical strength. Quantitative assays confirm that most collagen is retained with CHAPS treatment but that about 80% of collagen is lost with SDS treatment. In contrast, for both detergent methods, at least 60% of elastin content is lost along with about 95% of native proteoglycan content. Mechanical testing of the decellularized scaffolds indicates that they are mechanically similar to native lung using CHAPS decellularization, including retained tensile strength and elastic behavior, demonstrating the importance of collagen and elastin in lung mechanics. With SDS decellularization, the mechanical integrity of scaffolds is significantly diminished with some loss of elastic function as well. Finally, a simple theoretical model of peripheral lung matrix mechanics is consonant with our experimental findings. This work demonstrates the feasibility of producing a decellularized lung scaffold that can be used to study lung matrix biology and mechanics, independent of the effects of cellular components.
New Evidence of a Dihydropyridine-Activated Cationic Channel in the MDCK Cell Line
Authors: Melendez E. , Bidet M. , Reyes J.L. , Martial S. , Barbier O. , Tauc M. , Sanchez E. , Poujeol P.
Published: April 2011

Newborn rat distal cells express an apical Ca2+ channel activated by dihydropyridine drugs. Similarly, in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, nifedipine increased Ca2+i in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 = 4 µM) in fura-2-loaded cells. Response to nifedipine was abolished by EGTA, suggesting that it depends on extracellular calcium. Ca2+ channel antagonist isradipine and agonist BayK8644 increased Ca2+i indicating that this effect is related to the dihydropyridine group. Diltiazem (20 µM) and gadolinium (200 µM) decreased the nifedipine effect (62 and 43%, respectively). Lanthanum (100 µM) did not change the response. Valinomycin clamping of the membrane potential did not modify nifedipine-induced increment, indicating that it was unrelated to potassium fluxes. We performed whole cell clamp experiments in MDCK cells maintained at –50 mV with perfusion solution containing 10 mM CaCl2. Nifedipine (20 µM) induced an increase in current (1.2 ± 0.3 nA), which was partially inhibited by Gd3+. No significant current was induced by nifedipine in the presence of 0.5 mM EGTA. To determine the effects of nifedipine on the membrane potential, we performed oxonol fluorescence experiments. The addition of nifedipine or Bay K8644 induced depolarization, highly dependent on external sodium. Nifedipine (20 µM) induced depolarization of 6.9 ± 0.8 mV (n = 21). EC50 to nifedipine was in the 10 µM range. We conclude that MDCK cells exhibit a dihydropyridine-activated cationic channel.
Coronary Artery Calcification Progression Is Associated with Arterial Stiffness and Cardiac Repolarization Deterioration in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Di Iorio Biagio , Nargi Onorio , Cucciniello Emanuele , Bellizzi Vincenzo , Torraca Serena , Russo Domenico , Bellasi Antonio ,   on behalf of the INDEPENDENT study investigators
Published: April 2011

Background/Aims: Evidence suggests that vascular calcification (VC) portends poor cardiovascular (CV) prognosis in patients undergoing maintenance dialysis (CKD-5). Nonetheless, how VC might predispose to CV mortality still remains to be clarified. Herein, we report on the association between coronary artery calcification (CAC) progression and changes in cardiac repolarization as well as arterial stiffness. Methods: 132 patients new to dialysis were identified. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected at study entry and during the 12-month follow-up. CAC, 12-lead ECG and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were assessed at baseline and study completion. Uni- and multivariable analyses were applied to detect factors associated with worsening of cardiac repolarization (QTd) and arterial stiffness (PWV). Results: Uni- and multivariable analyses revealed that CAC progression was associated with a significant increase in both QTd and PWV. Every 20-unit increase in the CAC score corresponded to a significant 23% (95% CI 1.12–1.27; p < 0.001) and 32% (95% CI 1.09–1.37; p < 0.01) increase in the risk of experiencing a 1-m/s increase in PWV and 1 ms in QTd, respectively. Conclusion: VC is a marker of vasculopathy and appears to be associated with cardiac repolarization and arterial stiffness abnormalities in CKD-5 patients.
Cognitive Impairment in Mild General Paresis of the Insane: AD-Like Pattern
Authors: Wang Jianhong , Guo Qihao , Zhou Pingyu , Zhang Jun , Zhao Qianhua , Hong Zhen
Published: April 2011

Background/Aims: We investigated the clinical and cognitive features of patients with mild general paresis of the insane (GPI) in comparison to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients, mild frontotemporal dementia (FTD) patients and normal elderly individuals. Methods: Twelve patients with mild GPI, 24 patients with mild AD, 11 patients with mild FTD and 36 healthy subjects participated in the current study. A comprehensive neuropsychological battery was used to assess memory, language, attention, executive function, visuospatial ability, etc. In addition, cranial MRI were also obtained from the 3 patient groups. Results: Mild GPI showed a similar pattern of cognitive impairments in memory, language and executive function to mild AD, but a mixed pattern of dissimilarities to mild FTD. Mild GPI patients had more complaints and positive signs in the nervous system than mild AD patients, and cranial MRI results showed that mild GPI patients usually had atrophy of the medial temporal lobe. Conclusion: There is an overall decline in cognitive functions of mild GPI patients, which is comparable to that in AD patients, suggesting that there is a wide range of structural changes in the brains of mild GPI patients as well. However, further studies are needed to verify whether these structural changes are similar to those in AD.
Urinary Heme Oxygenase-1 as a Sensitive Indicator of Tubulointerstitial Inflammatory Damage in Various Renal Diseases
Authors: Yokoyama Tadafumi , Shimizu Masaki , Ohta Kazuhide , Yuno Tomoji , Okajima Michiko , Wada Taizo , Toma Tomoko , Koizumi Shoichi , Yachie Akihiro
Published: April 2011

Background/Aims: In oxidative stress, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) plays a pivotal role in maintaining renal function and protecting renal structure, especially in renal tubular epithelial cells. We examined urinary HO-1 (uHO-1) levels to assess whether uHO-1 acts as a sensitive biomarker for detecting tubulointerstitial inflammatory damage in renal diseases. Methods: Immunohistochemical analyses and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for uHO-1 were performed using 61 urine samples (supernatants and sediment lysates) from healthy children and renal disease patients. Results: Proximal and distal epithelial cells showed higher uHO-1 levels than squamous and urothelial cells. Inflammatory renal disease patients had higher uHO-1 levels than noninflammatory renal disease patients and controls. In IgA nephropathy, patients with interstitial cellular infiltration showed higher uHO-1 levels than those without it. Among patients with increased urinary β2-microglobulin or N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase levels, uHO-1 levels increased only in those with renal disease and tubulointerstitial inflammatory damage. uHO-1 levels positively correlated with urinary interleukin-6 in inflammatory renal disease patients. Conclusions: These results indicate that uHO-1 is a potentially useful, novel, and noninvasive biomarker for evaluating the degree of tubulointerstitial inflammatory damage in renal disease.
Islamic Banking in Kazakhstan Law
Authors: Maggs Peter B.
Published: April 2011

Kazakhstan has adopted legislation designed to facilitate Islamic banking, and at least one Islamic bank has started operations in Kazakhstan. Islamic banking is based upon traditional Islamic law, which forbids the taking of interest, the making of profit without risk, and profiting from "sinful" businesses such as pornography. The legislation in Kazakhstan forbids such activities for Islamic banks and also requires each Islamic bank to have an independent "Council on the principles of Islamic finance" to rule on bank policies and specific transactions. Islamic banking practices use complex combinations of transactions, each permitted by Islamic law, to mimic common conventional banking transactions, such as loans bearing fixed interest rates and repayable on a fixed date. Stable income and manageable principal obligations from credit-worthy borrowers can ensure that a bank will receive high ratings from leading international credit rating agencies and, thus, can satisfy the requirements of Kazakhstan's bank regulators.

The formal difference between Islamic banking transactions and the conventional transactions that they mimic could lead to differing treatment for taxation. To provide a level playing field, Kazakhstan has amended its Tax Code to provide for equal treatment of economically equivalent Islamic and conventional banking transactions. Adjustments have also been made to bankruptcy legislation, reflecting the unavailability of deposit insurance for Islamic banks and the special nature of investment deposits in Islamic banks.

There are controversies among Islamic law scholars as to whether or not various practices used to mimic conventional banking transactions are unlawful because they violate the spirit of Islamic law. This creates what is called "Sharia risk", the risk that a transaction will be found unlawful after it has been concluded, with consequences highly unfavorable for a party.
Nationalism and Politics of the Past: The Cases of Kosovo and Abkhazia
Authors: Harzl Benedikt C.
Published: April 2011

Both Kosovo and Abkhazia have been riven by violent conflicts which developed to full-scale wars in the 1990s. The central cause to both conflicts was the emergence of strong nationalist movements on all participating sides with a program calling not only for ethnic dominance of one group, but for ethnic homogeneity as such. This article will focus on the symbolic aspect in both cases through which fears, loyalties as well as mass hostilities were produced and reproduced by invoking past historical events. The aim of this article is to provide the reader with evidence that ethnic conflicts—and the humaniarian catastrophes which they cause—are not natural disasters but, rather, man-made and follow the mechanism of politicizing the present through lenses of the past.
Steinernema phyllophagae n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), a new entomopathogenic nematode from Florida, USA
Authors: Buss Eileen , Nguyen Khuong
Published: April 2011

A new species of entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema phyllophagae n. sp., was isolated from a white grub (Phyllophaga sp.) in a live oak (Quercus virginiana) nursery. The new species is characterised by morphometrics of the infective Sjuvenile (IJ) with body length 1289 (1133-1395) μm, distance from anterior end to the excretory pore 99 (84-120) μm, tail 89 (77-109) μm, ratio a = 31 (27.6-35.5), H% = 57 (51-60) and E% = 110 (70-139). The pattern of the lateral field of IJ of the new species is 2, 5, 6, 8, 6, 2. The male of the first generation can be recognised by the length and shape of the spicule and gubernaculum, position of the excretory pore, D% = 75 (68-80), and GS% = 71 (61-77). The female can be recognised by the vulva having low epiptygma and by the presence of several papilla-like structures near the tail tip. Steinernema phyllophagae n. sp. differs further from other species of Steinernema by characteristics of ITS and D2D3 regions of rDNA.
Free-living dorylaimid nematodes from nature reserves in Costa Rica. The genus Oriverutus Siddiqi, 1971 – species with simple uterus
Authors: Liébanas Gracia , Peña-Santiago Reyes
Published: April 2011

Three Costa Rican species with a simple uterus, two new and one known, belonging to the genus Oriverutus are described. Descriptions, measurements and illustrations are provided. A detailed study of O. asaccatus, including SEM pictures, is presented and its diagnosis emended; O. sturhani is regarded as its junior synonym. Oriverutus costaricensis sp. n. is distinguished by its body 1.07-1.24 mm long, lip region offset by constriction and 14-15 μm broad, odontostyle 23.5-24 μm long, neck 277-353 μm long, pharyngeal-expansion 125-179 μm long or 45-51% of total neck length, cardia asymmetrical, a dorsal cell mass present at level of pharyngo-intestinal junction, female genital system amphidelphic, V = 45-48, tail conical and slightly bent dorsad at the end (42-43 μm long, c = 25-29, c′ = 1.7-1.8), and males unknown. Oriverutus hemihystera sp. n. is characterised by its body 0.92-1.17 mm long, lip region offset by shallow depression or almost continuous and 10-11.5 μm broad, odontostyle 22-24 μm long, neck 280-330 μm long, pharyngeal expansion 115-138 μm long or 41-43% of total neck length, female genital system amphidelphic but anterior genital branch reduced, V = 43-45, tail conical and slightly bent dorsad at the end (62-65 μm long, c = 15-18, c′ = 3.1-3.4), and males unknown.
Estimation of partial resistance in potato genotypes against Meloidogyne chitwoodi
Authors: Been Thomas , Schomaker Corrie , Norshie Patrick
Published: April 2011

Three new potato genotypes, designated AR 04-4107, AR 04-4096 and AR 04-4098, with resistance towards Meloidogyne chitwoodi, and the susceptible cv. Désirée were grown at a range of population densities of M. chitwoodi in a climate-controlled glasshouse in order to establish the presence and degree of partial resistance. Tuber parts of about 12 g were planted at densities (Pi) of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 and 256 second-stage juveniles (J2) (g dry soil)−1. The plants were allowed to grow for a period of 105 days. Tomato cv. Moneymaker was included and inoculated at Pi = 2 J2 (g soil)−1 to verify the quality of the inoculum by measuring the multiplication rate. Plant height was measured weekly over 11 weeks. At harvest, fresh shoot, root and tuber weights, and number of tubers were measured to express yield. Final population densities (Pf) were calculated as the total number of nematodes found in soil and roots. Tubers were scored for visible symptoms and a root-knot index was calculated. The relation between pre-plant population densities (Pi) and nematode densities at harvest (Pf) was fitted using R. The multiplication rate a of M. chitwoodi on AR 04-4107, AR 04-4096, AR 04-4098 and cv. Désirée was 0.55, 0.27, 0.91 and 32, respectively. Partial resistance rsa of AR 04-4107, AR 04-4096 and AR 04-4098 was 1.7%, 0.8% and 2.8%, respectively. Partial resistance expressed as rsM was 0.2%, 0.2% and 0.1%, respectively. It can be concluded that AR 04-4107, AR 04-4096 and AR 04-4098 are strongly partially resistant to M. chitwoodi. Also, the population dynamics curves run almost parallel between both the tested genotypes and the reference cultivar, indicating that a simple and cheap partial resistance test is feasible. When tuber yields were fitted to the Seinhorst model for yield reduction, cv. Désirée showed a minimum yield (m) of 0.86, while all three resistant genotypes suffered no yields losses at all (m = 1), which indicates that the observed resistance was associated with tolerance. As a result of the remarkably high partial resistance, quality damage was low compared with cv. Désirée. The root-knot index, which takes into account internal quality damage of the potato tuber, was below 10 for all genotypes with partial resistance, the lower damage threshold used for industrial processing of consumption potatoes. Visible symptoms on the tuber skin were absent up to densities of 32 J2 (g soil)−1 for genotypes AR 04-4098 and AR 04-4096 and 2 J2 (g soil)−1 for AR 04-4107, and significantly reduced at higher densities when compared with the susceptible cv. Désirée. However, when tuber peels were investigated, egg masses were detected in tubers at almost all initial population densities.