bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coronary Artery Superoxide Production and Nox Isoform Expression in Human Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Guzik Tomasz J. , Sadowski Jerzy , Guzik Bartlomiej , Jopek Andrew , Kapelak Boguslaw , Przybyłowski Piotr , Wierzbicki Karol , Korbut Ryszard , Harrison David G. , Channon Keith M.
Published: November 2005

Background—

Oxidative stress plays important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to determine the sources and selected molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress in CAD.

Methods and Results—

We examined basal and NAD(P)H oxidase-mediated superoxide (O
2
·
−
) production using lucigenin chemiluminescence, ferricytochrome c and dihydroethidium fluorescence in human coronary arteries from 19 CAD and 17 non-CAD patients undergoing heart transplantation. NAD(P)H oxidase subunits and xanthine oxidase expression were measured. Superoxide production was greater in coronary arteries from patients with CAD, even in vessels without overt atherosclerotic plaques, and was doubled within branching points of coronary arteries. Studies using pharmacological inhibitors and specific substrates showed that NAD(P)H oxidases (60%) and xanthine oxidase (25%) are primary sources of O
2
·
−
in CAD. Losartan significantly inhibited superoxide production in coronary arteries. NAD(P)H oxidase activity and protein levels of the NADPH oxidase subunits p22phox,
p67
phox
, and
p47
phox
were significantly increased in CAD, as were mRNA levels for p22phox and nox2, and no NAD(P)H oxidase subunit mRNA levels correlated with NAD(P)H oxidase activity in vessels from individual patients. Activity and protein expression of xanthine oxidase were increased in CAD, whereas xanthine dehydrogenase levels were not changed.

Conclusions—

Increased expression and activity of NAD(P)H oxidase subunits and xanthine oxidase, in part mediated through angiotensin II and PKC-dependent pathways, are important mechanisms underlying increased oxidative stress in human coronary artery disease.
Nuclear Targeting of Akt Enhances Ventricular Function and Myocyte Contractility
Authors: Rota Marcello , Boni Alessandro , Urbanek Konrad , Padin-Iruegas Maria Elena , Kajstura Tymoteusz J. , Fiore Giuseppe , Kubo Hajime , Sonnenblick Edmund H. , Musso Ezio , Houser Steve R. , Leri Annarosa , Sussman Mark A. , Anversa Piero
Published: November 2005

Cytoplasmic overexpression of Akt in the heart results in a myopathy characterized by organ and myocyte hypertrophy. Conversely, nuclear-targeted Akt does not lead to cardiac hypertrophy, but the cellular basis of this distinct heart phenotype remains to be determined. Similarly, whether nuclear-targeted Akt affects ventricular performance and mechanics, calcium metabolism, and electrical properties of myocytes is unknown. Moreover, whether the expression and state of phosphorylation of regulatory proteins implicated in calcium cycling and myocyte contractility are altered in nuclear-targeted Akt has not been established. We report that nuclear overexpression of Akt does not modify cardiac size and shape but results in an increased number of cardiomyocytes, which are smaller in volume. Additionally, the heart possesses enhanced systolic and diastolic function, which is paralleled by increased myocyte performance. Myocyte shortening and velocity of shortening and relengthening are increased in transgenic mice and are coupled with a more efficient reuptake of calcium by the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). This process increases calcium loading of the SR during relengthening. The enhanced SR function appears to be mediated by an increase in SR Ca
2+
-ATPase2a activity sustained by a higher degree of phosphorylation of phospholamban. This posttranslational modification was associated with an increase in phospho–protein kinase A and a decrease in protein phosphatase-1. Together, these observations provide a plausible biochemical mechanism for the potentiation of myocyte and ventricular function in Akt transgenic mice. Therefore, nuclear-targeted Akt in myocytes may have important implications for the diseased heart.
Phospholipase C ε Modulates β-Adrenergic Receptor– Dependent Cardiac Contraction and Inhibits Cardiac Hypertrophy
Authors: Wang Huan , Oestreich Emily A. , Maekawa Naoya , Bullard Tara A. , Vikstrom Karen L. , Dirksen Robert T. , Kelley Grant G. , Blaxall Burns C. , Smrcka Alan V.
Published: November 2005

Phospholipase C (PLC) ε is a recently identified enzyme regulated by a wide range of molecules including Ras family small GTPases, Rho A, Gα12/13, and Gβγ with primary sites of expression in the heart and lung. In a screen for human signal transduction genes altered during heart failure, we found that PLCε mRNA is upregulated. Two murine models of cardiac hypertrophy confirmed upregulation of PLCε protein expression or PLCε RNA. To identify a role for PLCε in cardiac function and pathology, a PLCε-deficient mouse strain was created. Echocardiography indicated PLCε−/−mice had decreased cardiac function, and direct measurements of left ventricular contraction demonstrated that PLCε−/−mice had a decreased contractile response to acute isoproterenol administration. Cardiac myocytes isolated from PLCε−/−mice had decreased β-adrenergic receptor (βAR)-dependent increases in Ca2+transient amplitudes, likely accounting for the contractile deficiency in vivo. This defect appears to be independent from the ability of the βAR system to produce cAMP and regulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+pool size. To address the significance of these functional deficits to cardiac pathology, PLCε−/−mice were subjected to a chronic isoproterenol model of hypertrophic stress. PLCε−/−mice were more susceptible than wild-type littermates to development of hypertrophy than wild-type littermates. Together, these data suggest a novel PLC-dependent component of βAR signaling in cardiac myocytes responsible for maintenance of maximal contractile reserve and loss of PLCε signaling sensitizes the heart to development of hypertrophy in response to chronic cardiac stress.
Carbon Monoxide From Heme Oxygenase-2 Is a Tonic Regulator Against NO-Dependent Vasodilatation in the Adult Rat Cerebral Microcirculation
Authors: Ishikawa Mami , Kajimura Mayumi , Adachi Takeshi , Maruyama Kayo , Makino Nobuya , Goda Nobuhito , Yamaguchi Tokio , Sekizuka Eiichi , Suematsu Makoto
Published: November 2005

Although the brain generates NO and carbon monoxide (CO), it is unknown how these gases and their enzyme systems interact with each other to regulate cerebrovascular function. We examined whether CO produced by heme oxygenase (HO) modulates generation and action of constitutive NO in the rat pial microcirculation. Immunohistochemical analyses indicated that HO-2 occurred in neurons and arachnoid trabecular cells, where NO synthase 1 (NOS1) was detectable, and also in vascular endothelium–expressing NOS3, suggesting colocalization of CO- and NO-generating sites. Intravital microscopy using a closed cranial window preparation revealed that blockade of the HO activity by zinc protoporphyrin IX significantly dilates arterioles. This vasodilatation depended on local NOS activities and was abolished by CO supplementation, suggesting that the gas derived from HO-2 tonically regulates NO-mediated vasodilatory response. Bioimaging of NO by laser-confocal microfluorography of diaminofluorescein indicated detectable amounts of NO at the microvascular wall, the subdural mesothelial cells, and arachnoid trabecular cells, which express NOS in and around the pial microvasculature. On CO inhibition by the HO inhibitor, regional NO formation was augmented in these cells. Such a pattern of accelerated NO formation depended on NOS activities and was again attenuated by the local CO supplementation. Studies using cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells suggested that the inhibitory action of CO on NOS could result from the photo-reversible gas binding to the prosthetic heme. Collectively, CO derived from HO-2 appears to serve as a tonic vasoregulator antagonizing NO-mediated vasodilatation in the rat cerebral microcirculation.
The Effect of Superoxide Anion on Autoregulation of Cerebral Blood Flow
Authors: Zagorac Drazen , Yamaura Ken , Zhang Cindy , Roman Richard J. , Harder David R.
Published: November 2005

Background and Purpose—

Recent studies have suggested that autoregulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) is impaired after traumatic and ischemic brain injury. Given that the levels of superoxide anion (O
2
·
−
) are increased in these conditions, we postulate that O
2
·
−
contributes to the impairment of CBF autoregulation.

Methods—

CBF was monitored with laser Doppler flowmetry during increases in blood pressure.

Results—

During the control period, CBF was well autoregulated after the increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) from 98±3 to 140±6 mm Hg. The autoregulation index (AI; ΔCBF/ΔMAP) averaged 0.25±0.02 (n=6). O
2
·
−
in the brain was then increased by subdural perfusion of xanthine/xanthine oxidase (different concentrations) and catalase. Low concentrations of O
2
·
−
decreased basal CBF by 10±1.6% but had no effect on autoregulation (AI, 0.19±0.02; n=6). Higher concentrations of O
2
·
−
(0.2 mmol/L xanthine and either 3 or 20 mU xanthine oxidase) increased basal CBF by 30±2% and 42±4%, respectively, and impaired autoregulation of CBF (AI, 0.55±0.03 and 0.76±0.02; n=6). Inclusion of superoxide dismutase in the O
2
·
−
-generating system restored autoregulation (AI, 0.28±0.05; n=6). Neither inhibition of NO synthase nor the addition of deferioxamine had any effect on the ability of higher concentrations of O
2
·
−
to impair autoregulation of CBF (AI, 0.65±0.07 and 0.72±0.05 respectively; n=6). O
2
·
−
also increased the activity of K
Ca
channels in cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs; n=8).

Conclusion—

These results suggest that O
2
·
−
increases basal CBF and impairs autoregulation of CBF, likely through the activation of K
Ca
channels in cerebral VSMCs.
Out of Flatland: Deconstruction Revisited
Authors: Argyros Alex
Published: November 2005

This paper seeks to reevaluate deconstruction. The strength of deconstruction lies in its description of human knowledge as a process of decoding. However, deconstruction fails to provide any basis for non-contingent value judgments because the codes it investigates are assumed to exist on the same integrative level. Using J.T. Fraser's hierarchical theory of time, it is possible to salvage the liberating energy of deconstruction while providing it with sufficient foundation to allow it to claim that something is better than something else.
Regarding Homer/Homer Regarding: Odysseus' Scar, Time, and the Origins of Subjectivity in Myth
Authors: Geroux Robert
Published: November 2005

As the historian Martin Jay and others have pointed out, continental thinkers in the twentieth century have been especially critical of the "scopic regime" of modernity: for Sartre, reflexivity emerges under the imaginary gaze of the other, for Hannah Arendt, the rise of the totalitarian "social" means the disappearance of the private, and for Foucault, the quintessentially modern way of seeing is surveillance, which is intimately and inextricably tied to punishment. These critiques imply a predmodern understanding of subjectivity free from the Cartesian grid and Baconian "prevision and control." What I argue for instead is the existence of a totalizing scopic regime present in one of the foundational and consitutive texts of the western tradition, Homer's Odyssey. I do this by way of revisiting and extending Erich Auerbach's wellknown exegesis of a passage from Odyssey 19, wherein the perfect tense and the present are temporally collapsed. Auerbach notes that this collapse - which occurs as a result of the discovery of a scar on Odysseus' body by his nurse Eurykleia - is not a "flashback" like what occurs in modern narratives, but an especially powerful example of a narrative gaze that seeks to expose and illuminate everything, for the sake of rendering a story that is complete and encompassing. I argue that this suggests a tension, and a constitutive moment whereby subjectivity emerges, not in a moment of awareness of the "gaze of the other" (Sartre), but rather as an attempt to "privatize" one's own story against the totalizing power of a narrator. Consciousness of a punctual "present" here means an effort to carve out a subjective space against the narrative power of one who would collapse such distinctions. I conclude with the stor y of Prometheus as a counter-myth, one which points forward to the theologically-important construction of consciousness-as-rebellion.
The Dramatics of Time
Authors: Crittenden Cole
Published: November 2005

Art has as many definitions as it has practitioners, but one function of art is to help us understand the human experience, regardless of how our definitions of that experience differ. And since time is experience, art is particularly well-suited to treat it. Along with space, time, as a basic category of human experience, is, therefore, a basic category of artistic inquiry. Space is the primary focus of the visual arts, whereas music is an art form in time. Literature, however, always deals with both, and nowhere is this more apparent than in drama, where the time and space of the literary text are realized in the real time and real space of the performed text. Yet despite the widespread interest in time in much twentieth-century literary theory, the unique potential for the investigation of experiential time in drama has gone largely ignored. The purpose of this article is to address that curious absence, first by looking at the ways existing theories approach literary time (and largely fail to approach dramatic time), and then by discussing the generic and performative characteristics of drama (especially Russian drama, since that is the tradition with which I am most familiar) that make it in many ways the ideal art form in which to investigate time.
Consolidation of Arbitral and Court Proceedings in Investment Disputes
Authors: Crivellaro Antonio
Published: November 2005

This contribution focuses on consolidation between arbitration and court proceedings in investment (or "investor-to-State") disputes, which are usually referred to arbitration pursuant to the forum selection clauses of the relevant Bilateral Investment Treaties ("BITS"). Before addressing consolidation in investment disputes, the experience gained in the same matter in international commercial arbitration will be considered. After a preliminary analysis, comparative observations will follow.
Towards Integrated Coastal Area Management: A Case Study in Co-operative Governance in South Africa and Australia
Authors: Glazewski Jan , Haward Marcus
Published: November 2005

In Australia and South Africa an ecologically diverse coastline is the focal point for virtually the whole spectrum of human activities. A key to coastal area management in both polities is "co-operative governance", that provides a solution to the dilemmas arising from divided jurisdiction and overlapping or competing claims for responsibility between different units of government. This paper examines the respective roles of national, sub-national and local government in coastal area management in South Africa and Australia focusing on legal and political factors supporting co-operative governance of the coastal area.
Nicholas Bhengu — The Impact of an African Pentecostal on South African Society
Authors: Balcomb Anthony
Published: November 2005

Nicholas Bhekinkosi Bhengu was founder and leader of the Back to God Crusade in South Africa. This movement started in the mid-1950s and became affiliated with the Assemblies of God in South Africa. But Bhengu's influence went far beyond the confines of the movement he started. His revivals impacted South African society in a profound way and he became internationally recognized as a powerful force for change in South Africa. Controversially, however, he did not enter into the political arena as such, even though he was at one stage of his life a member of the Communist Party of South Africa and even later on in his career continued to affirm the policies of this party. Though apparently apolitical his message had profound political consequences. For example he did much to promote the self-confidence and dignity of his people (despite the dehumanising influences of apartheid which he openly denounced), he insisted on reconciliation between the so-called 'red' people and the so-called 'school' people amongst South African black Africans, and he politely but veryfirmly rejected the standards imposed by white society on blacks. There were also very specific reasons — both theological, philosophical, and pragmatic — why he chose not to become a political activist. His is therefore a very significant case study of the socio-political influences of a ministry that was not overtly political.
Modern Pentecostalism as an Urban Phenomenon: The Case of the Family of God Church in Zimbabwe
Authors: Togarasei Lovemore
Published: November 2005

The past twenty to thirty years in the history of Zimbabwean Christianity have witnessed the emergence of a new breed of Pentecostalism that tends to attract the middle and upper classes urban residents. This paper presentsfindings from a case study of one such movement, the Family of God church. It describes and analyses the origins, growth and development of this church as an urban modern Pentecostal movement. Thefirst section of the paper discusses the origins and development of the church focusing on the life of the founder. The second section focuses on the teaching and practices of the church. The church's doctrines and practices are here analysed tofind out the extent to which these have been influenced by the socio-political and economic challenges in the urban areas. The paper concludes that the modern Pentecostal movement is meant to address urban needs.
Créolité and Theology: A Theology of Créolité in the French West Indies
Authors: Chanson Philippe
Published: November 2005

Adopting 'Négritude', the Negro cultural and spiritual values of Aimé Césaire, the recent emergence of 'Créolité' (French for Creolity or Creoleness), the Creole movement led by brilliant French West Indies intellectuals, can no longer be ignored by a Creole Christianity that is much too far removed from its own culture. Créolité and theology must, however, come to terms with a difficult inheritance — that of the past colonial slavery to which the church was an accessory. The Créolité movement, by intercepting and reinterpreting the whole of the Christian theological vocabulary and its Bible-based concepts, has overcome this obstacle in a truly remarkable way. Theological thought must now, however, take note of this and seek a dialogue. Given that their aims are ultimately identical this could only be fruitful and would enable a genuine Creole theology to become a reality.
Interferon-γ-stimulated marrow stromal cells: a new type of nonhematopoietic antigen-presenting cell
Authors: Stagg John , Pommey Sandra , Eliopoulos Nicoletta , Galipeau Jacques
Published: November 2005

Several studies have demonstrated that marrow stromal cells (MSCs) can suppress allogeneic T-cell responses. However, the effect of MSCs on syngeneic immune responses has been largely overlooked. We describe here that primary MSCs derived from C57BL/6 mice behave as conditional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and can induce antigen-specific protective immunity. Interferon gamma (IFNγ)-treated C57BL/6 MSCs, but not unstimulated MSCs, cocultured with ovalbumin-specific major histocompatibility (MHC) class II-restricted hybridomas in the presence of soluble ovalbumin-induced significant production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in an antigen dose-dependent manner (P < .005). IFNγ-treated MSCs could further activate in vitro ovalbumin-specific primary transgenic CD4+ T cells. C57BL/6 MSCs, however, were unable to induce antigen cross-presentation via the MHC class I pathway. When syngeneic mice were immunized intraperitoneally with ovalbumin-pulsed IFNγ-treated MSCs, they developed antigen-specific cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and became fully protected (10 of 10 mice) against ovalbumin-expressing E.G7 tumors. Human MSCs were also studied for antigen-presenting functions. IFNγ-treated DR1-positive human MSCs, but not unstimulated human MSCs, induced significant production of IL-2 when cocultured with DR1-restricted influenza-specific humanized T-cell hybridomas in the presence of purified influenza matrix protein 1. Taken together, our data strongly suggest that MSCs behave as conditional APCs in syngeneic immune responses. (Blood. 2006;107:2570-2577)
Neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes exhibit diverse behaviors in transendothelial and subendothelial migrations under coculture with smooth muscle cells in disturbed flow
Authors: Chen Cheng-Nan , Chang Shun-Fu , Lee Pei-Ling , Chang Kyle , Chen Li-Jing , Usami Shunichi , Chien Shu , Chiu Jeng-Jiann
Published: November 2005

Atherosclerosis develops at regions of the arterial tree exposed to disturbed flow. The early stage of atherogenesis involves the adhesion of leukocytes (white blood cells [WBCs]) to and their transmigration across endothelial cells (ECs), which are located in close proximity to smooth muscle cells (SMCs). We investigated the effects of EC/SMC coculture and disturbed flow on the adhesion and transmigration of 3 types of WBCs (neutrophils, peripheral blood lymphocytes [PBLs], and monocytes) using our vertical-step flow (VSF) chamber, in which ECs were cocultured with SMCs in collagen gels. Such coculture significantly increased the adhesion and transmigration of neutrophils, PBLs, and monocytes under VSF, particularly in the reattachment area, where the rolling velocity of WBCs and their transmigration time were decreased, as compared with the other areas. Neutrophils, PBLs, and monocytes showed different subendothelial migration patterns under VSF. Their movements were more random and shorter in distance in the reattachment area. Coculture of ECs and SMCs induced their expressions of adhesion molecules and chemokines, which contributed to the increased WBC adhesion and transmigration. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms of WBC interaction with the vessel wall (composed of ECs and SMCs) under the complex flow environments found in regions of prevalence for atherogenesis.
The Polycomb group gene Ezh2 prevents hematopoietic stem cell exhaustion
Authors: Kamminga Leonie M. , Bystrykh Leonid V. , de Boer Aletta , Houwer Sita , Douma José , Weersing Ellen , Dontje Bert , de Haan Gerald
Published: November 2005

The molecular mechanism responsible for a decline of stem cell functioning after replicative stress remains unknown. We used mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to identify genes involved in the process of cellular aging. In proliferating and senescent MEFs one of the most differentially expressed transcripts was Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (Ezh2), a Polycomb group protein (PcG) involved in histone methylation and deacetylation. Retroviral overexpression of Ezh2 in MEFs resulted in bypassing of the senescence program. More importantly, whereas normal HSCs were rapidly exhausted after serial transplantations, overexpression of Ezh2 completely conserved long-term repopulating potential. Animals that were reconstituted with 3 times serially transplanted control bone marrow cells all died due to hematopoietic failure. In contrast, similarly transplanted Ezh2-overexpressing stem cells restored stem cell quality to normal levels. In a “genetic genomics” screen, we identified novel putative Ezh2 target or partner stem cell genes that are associated with chromatin modification. Our data suggest that stabilization of the chromatin structure preserves HSC potential after replicative stress.
Principal component analysis for predicting transcription-factor binding motifs from array-derived data
Authors: Liu Yunlong , Vincenti Matthew P , Yokota Hiroki
Published: November 2005

Background

The responses to interleukin 1 (IL-1) in human chondrocytes constitute a complex regulatory mechanism, where multiple transcription factors interact combinatorially to transcription-factor binding motifs (TFBMs). In order to select a critical set of TFBMs from genomic DNA information and an array-derived data, an efficient algorithm to solve a combinatorial optimization problem is required. Although computational approaches based on evolutionary algorithms are commonly employed, an analytical algorithm would be useful to predict TFBMs at nearly no computational cost and evaluate varying modelling conditions. Singular value decomposition (SVD) is a powerful method to derive primary components of a given matrix. Applying SVD to a promoter matrix defined from regulatory DNA sequences, we derived a novel method to predict the critical set of TFBMs.

Results

The promoter matrix was defined to establish a quantitative relationship between the IL-1-driven mRNA alteration and genomic DNA sequences of the IL-1 responsive genes. The matrix was decomposed with SVD, and the effects of 8 potential TFBMs (5'-CAGGC-3', 5'-CGCCC-3', 5'-CCGCC-3', 5'-ATGGG-3', 5'-GGGAA-3', 5'-CGTCC-3', 5'-AAAGG-3', and 5'-ACCCA-3') were predicted from a pool of 512 random DNA sequences. The prediction included matches to the core binding motifs of biologically known TFBMs such as AP2, SP1, EGR1, KROX, GC-BOX, ABI4, ETF, E2F, SRF, STAT, IK-1, PPARγ, STAF, ROAZ, and NFκB, and their significance was evaluated numerically using Monte Carlo simulation and genetic algorithm.

Conclusion

The described SVD-based prediction is an analytical method to provide a set of potential TFBMs involved in transcriptional regulation. The results would be useful to evaluate analytically a contribution of individual DNA sequences.
A gap between acceptance and knowledge of herbal remedies by physicians: The need for educational intervention
Authors: Clement Yuri N , Williams Arlene F , Khan Kristi , Bernard Tricia , Bhola Savrina , Fortuné Maurice , Medupe Oneil , Nagee Kerry , Seaforth Compton E
Published: November 2005

Background

The unprecedented global increase in the use of herbal remedies is set to continue apace well into the foreseeable future. This raises important public health concerns, especially as it relates to safety issues including adverse effects and herb-drug interactions. Most Western-trained physicians are ignorant of the risks and benefits of this healthcare modality and assessment of acceptance and knowledge would identify appropriate intervention strategies to improve physician-patient communication in this area.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was done using an interviewer-administered pilot tested de novo questionnaire at six public hospitals in Trinidad between May–July 2004. The questionnaire utilized weighed questions to quantify acceptance (maximum score = 14 points) and knowledge (maximum score = 52 points). Acceptance and knowledge scores were analyzed using the ANOVA and Tukey's tests.

Results

Of 192 physicians interviewed, most (60.4%) believed that herbal remedies were beneficial to health. Respondents had relatively high acceptance levels (mean = 5.69 ± 0.29 points or 40% of total possible score) and poor knowledge (mean = 7.77 ± 0.56 points or 15% of total possible score). Seventy-eight physicians (40.6%) admitted having used herbs in the past, and 60 of these (76.9%) were satisfied with the outcome. Although 52 physicians (27.1%) recommended the use of herbs to their patients only 29 (15.1%) were able to identify at least one known herb-drug interaction.

Conclusion

The use of herbal remedies is relatively high in Trinidad, as throughout the world, and most patients self-medicate with or without the knowledge of their attending physician. Surprisingly, we demonstrated relatively high acceptance levels and use of herbs among physicians in Trinidad. This interesting scenario of high acceptance levels and poor knowledge creates a situation that demands urgent intervention. We recommend educational intervention to narrow the gap between acceptance and knowledge so that physicians would be adequately equipped to communicate with their patients on this modality. The integration of herbal medicine into the curriculum of medical schools, continuing education programs and the availability of reputable pharmacopoeias for referencing at public health institutions are useful instruments that can be used to close this gap and promote improved physician-patient communication.
A 6-months assessment of the alcohol-related clinical burden at emergency rooms (ERs) in 11 acute care hospitals of an urban area in Germany
Authors: Baune Bernhard T , Mikolajczyk Rafael T , Reymann Gerhard , Duesterhaus Annette , Fleck Susanne , Kratz Hildegard , Sundermann Ulrike
Published: November 2005

Background

The purpose of the study was to identify and to profile alcohol-related attendances to emergency rooms (ERs) of 11 hospitals of various medical specialties covering a large urban population, to assess risk factors associated with short-stay cases, repeat attendances and higher degree of alcohol consumption and to estimate their impact on the alcohol-related burden at ERs.

Methods

A 6-months study was carried out to obtain clinical and administrative data on single and multiple attendances at ERs in 11 governmental acute hospitals in a large city in Germany. All alcohol-related attendances at ERs of study hospitals were eligible. A broad definition of alcohol-related attendances independently from alcohol diagnosis and various demographic, clinical and administrative measures were used. Odds ratios for the associations of these measures with duration of stay, repeat attendances and higher degrees of alcohol consumption were derived from multivariate binomial and multinomial logistic regression models.

Results

1,748 patients with symptoms of alcohol consumption or withdrawal (inclusion rate 83.8%) yielded 2,372 attendances (3% of all medical admissions), and resulted in 12,629 inpatient-days. These patients accounted for 10.7 cases per 1,000 inhabitants. The average duration of inpatient stay was 10 days. 1,451 of all patients (83%) presented once, whereas the median of repeat attendances was three for the remaining 297 patients. Short-stay cases (<24 hours) were significantly linked with male gender, alcohol misuse, trauma (or suspicion of a trauma) and medical specialties. Increased levels of alcohol consumption at first attendance were significantly associated with repeat attendances in due course. In a multinomial logistic regression model higher degrees of alcohol consumption were significantly associated with male gender, trauma, short-stays, attendance outside regular working time, and with repeat attendances and self-discharge.

Conclusion

Apart from demographic factors, the alcohol-related clinical burden is largely determined by short-stay cases, repeat attendances and cases with higher levels of alcohol consumption at first attendance varying across medical specialties. These findings could be relevant for the planning of anti-alcoholic interventions at ERs.
Comment on and reply to "Analysis of variation of amplitudes in cell cycle gene expression" by Liu, Gaido and Wolfinger: On the analysis of gene expression during the normal, eukaryotic, cell cycle
Authors: Cooper Stephen
Published: November 2005

Background

The paper of Liu, Gaido and Wolfinger on gene expression during the division cycle of HeLa cells using the data of Whitfield et al. are discussed in order to see whether their analysis is related to gene expression during the division cycle.

Results

The results of Liu, Gaido and Wolfinger demonstrate that different inhibition methods proposed to "synchronize" cells lead to different levels of gene expression. This result, in and of itself, should be taken as evidence that the original work of Whitfield et al. is flawed and should not be used to support the notion that the cells studied were synchronized or that the microarray analyses identify cell-cycle-regulated genes. Furthermore, the DNA content evidence presented by Whitfield et al. supports the proposal that the cells described as 'synchronized' are not synchronized. A comparison of the gene expression amplitudes from two different experiments indicates that the results are not reproducible.

Conclusion

It is concluded that the analysis of Liu, Gaido, and Wolfinger is problematic because their work assumes that the cells they analyze are or were synchronized. The very fact that different inhibition methods lead to different degrees of gene expression should be taken as additional evidence that the experiments should be viewed skeptically rather than accepted as an approach to understanding gene expression during the cell cycle.
Review of the twelfth West Coast retrovirus meeting
Authors: Barry Sheila M , Melar Marta , Gallay Philippe , Hope Thomas J
Published: November 2005

Every year the Cancer Research Institute from University of California at Irvine organizes the West Coast Retrovirus Meeting where participants have a chance to discuss the latest progress in understanding the pathology of retroviruses. The 12th meeting was held at the Hyatt Regency Suites in Palm Springs, California from October 6th to October 9th 2005, with the major focus on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pathogenesis. Philippe Gallay from The Scripps Research Institute and Thomas J. Hope from Northwestern University organized the meeting, which covered all the steps involved in the lifecycle of retroviruses with an emphasis on virus:host interactions. The trend in research appeared to be on the restriction of viral infection, both by the endogenous, cellular restriction factors, as well as by the potential antimicrobial compounds of known or unknown mechanisms. Additionally, new stories on the inevitable feedback from the host immune system were presented as well. HIV still represents a challenge that an army of motivated people has been working on for over 20 years. And yet, the field has not reached the plateau in knowledge nor enthusiasm, which was proven again in October 2005 in Palm Springs.
Formalin Injection Causes a Coordinated Spinal Cord CO/NO-cGMP Signaling System Response
Authors: Shi Xiaoyou , Li Xiangqi , Clark J David
Published: November 2005

Background:

The CO/NO-cGMP signalling system participates in the regulation of many physiological processes. The roles this system plays in spinal cord nociceptive signalling are particularly important. While individual components have been examined in isolation, little study has been dedicated to understanding the regulation and functioning of the system as a whole.

Results:

In these studies we examined the time course of expression of 13 genes coding for components of this system including isoforms of the heme oxygenase (HO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), cGMP dependent protein kinase (PKG) and phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzyme systems. Of the 13 genes studied, 11 had spinal cord mRNA levels elevated at one or more time points up to 48 hours after hindpaw formalin injection. Of the 11 with elevated mRNA, 8 had elevated protein levels 48 hours after formalin injection when mechanical allodynia was maximal. No component had an increased protein level which did not have an increased mRNA level at one or more time points. Injection of morphine 10 mg/kg prior to formalin completely abolished the acute nociceptive behaviours, but did not alter the degree of sensitivity which developed in the formalin treated hind paws during the subsequent 48 hours. Morphine treatment did, however, eliminate formalin induced increases in enzyme protein levels.

Conclusion:

Our results indicate that the expression of the components of the CO/NO-cGMP signalling system seems to be coordinated in such a way that a generalized multi-level enhancement rather than a tightly limited step specific response occurs with noxious stimulation. Furthermore, the analgesic morphine administered prior to noxious stimulation can prevent long-term changes in gene expression though not necessarily nociceptive sensitisation.
Chain-preserving deletion procedure in cloze: a discoursal perspective
Authors: Dastjerdi Hossein Vahid , Talebinezhad Mohammad Reza
Published: November 2005

It is said that one important aspect of education is the production of coherent discourse (Halliday and Hasan, 1985). This is the speaker’s or the writer’s ability to organize relevant meanings in relation to each other, and this in turn requires the establishment of ‘chain interaction’ - relations between components of a message - in a text. The more chain interactions we have in a text, the more coherent and, as a result, the more comprehensible it will be. Based on the above argument, the present study aims at investigating the effects of chain interaction impairment which may cost the test-takers’ comprehension of texts - itself being an object of measurement in cloze (Alderson, 1983; Francis, 1999) - and account for their low performance. It also aims at suggesting ‘chain-preserving deletion’ (CPD) as a pedagogical procedure.
Aiming for positive washback: a case study of international teaching assistants
Authors: Saif Shahrzad
Published: November 2005

The aim of this study is to explore the possibility of creating positive washback by focusing on factors in the background of the test development process and anticipating the conditions most likely to lead to positive wash-back. The article reports on a multiphase empirical study investigating the washback effects of a needs-based test of spoken language proficiency on the content, teaching, classroom activities and learning outcomes of the ITA (international teaching assistants) training program linked to it. As such, the conceptual framework underlying the study differs from previous models in that it includes the processes before test development and test design as two main components of washback investigation. The analysis of the data - collected from different stakeholders through interviews, observations and test administration at different intervals before, during and after the training program - suggests a positive relationship between the test and the immediate teaching and learning outcomes. There is, however, no evidence linking the test to the policy or educational changes at an institutional level.
Learning to Respect a Patient’s Spiritual Needs Concerning an Unknown Infectious Disease
Authors: Tzeng Huey-Ming , Yin Chang-Yi
Published: November 2005

This article aims to help readers to learn about health care related cultural and religious beliefs and spiritual needs in Chinese communities. The recall diary of a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-infected intern working in Hoping Hospital in Taiwan during the 2003 SARS epidemic is presented and used to assist in understanding one patient’s spiritual activities when personally confronted with this newly emerging infectious disease. The article also gives an overview of the 2003 SARS epidemic in Taiwan, and discusses people’s general perceptions towards infectious diseases, their coping strategies concerning disease, and their spiritual beliefs, the psychological impact of the 2003 SARS outbreak in Chinese communities, Chinese myths about infectious disease, and the religious activities of a SARS-infected intern in Taiwan. Recommendations are given on how to achieve quality holistic nursing care.
How Nursing Ethics as a Subject Changes: An analysis of the first 11 years of publication of the journal Nursing Ethics
Authors: Tschudin Verena
Published: November 2005

By analysing the first, second, 10th and 11th years of publication (i.e. volumes 1, 2, 10, 11) of Nursing Ethics, I will show the significant visible trends in the articles and draw some conclusions. The trends are visible at various levels: from simple analysis of an issue, or a comment on a situation in the early years, to in-depth philosophical and research studies; and from short statements to much longer articles. The ethical approaches used go from either none or unquestioned assumptions to several approaches used in any one study. This corresponds to the general postmodern trend in society. The interpretation made of these trends is of a kind of protest at nurses and nursing being devalued. Although this is expressed negatively, the positive message conveyed is that nurses are now taking their professional life into their own hands, vigorously and more daringly than a decade ago.
Frequency and Prediction of Abnormal Findings on Neuroimaging of Infants with Bulging Anterior Fontanelles
Authors: Tu Yi‐Fang , Chuang Hung‐Yi , Huang Chao‐Ching , Chuang Chia‐Chang , Wang Shih‐Min , Tsai Ming‐Che , Chi Chin‐Hsien , Chuang Ming‐Che
Published: November 2005

Objectives: This study sought to determine the frequency of clinically significant abnormal findings on neuroimaging using neurosonography (NS) in infants with bulging anterior fontanelles (BAFs) and to identify infants at high or low risk for clinically significant abnormal findings on neuroimaging. Methods: NS was performed in 45 consecutive infants with BAFs brought to the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital. NS reports were categorized as normal, clinically insignificant abnormal, or clinically significant abnormal. For each patient, demographic data, laboratory test results, and clinical diagnosis and outcome were obtained for analysis. Results: Eighteen febrile and 27 nonfebrile infants with BAFs were evaluated. Clinically significant abnormal findings on NS were noted in 16 of 45 patients (36%), five of whom were febrile and 11 of whom were nonfebrile. Brain edema resulting from infection was the most common finding on NS. Univariate analysis indicated that age younger than two months in febrile patients and abnormal findings on neurologic examination in nonfebrile patients were significant clinical predictors for clinically significant abnormal findings on NS in infants with BAFs. Patients presenting with either of these clinical predictors were identified as high risk for abnormal findings on NS. Of the high‐risk patients, 15 of 17 patients (88%) had clinically significant abnormal findings on NS, compared with one of 28 patients (4%) in the low‐risk group. Conclusions: This study shows a 36% prevalence of clinically significant abnormal findings on NS in infants with BAFs. Emergent neuroimaging should be considered for infants who meet high‐risk criteria: 1) febrile children younger than two months or 2) nonfebrile children with abnormal findings on neurologic examination.
The Paradox of the Nested Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Sacchetti Alfred , Baren Jill , Carraccio Carol
Published: November 2005

Objectives: Nested pediatric emergency departments (nPEDs) are defined as dedicated treatment areas operating during peak pediatric hours within general emergency departments (EDs). This study examined three staffing models for nPEDs and their impact on pediatric encounters. Methods: Three models were applied to children younger than 37 months presenting to the ED of an urban community hospital over one year. In the nPED, physicians cared only for nPED patients. In the restricted (rPED) model, physicians cared only for pediatric patients presenting outside nPED hours. In the total ED (tED) model, physicians treated all pediatric patients regardless of time. Full‐time equivalent pediatric encounters, potential neonatal lumbar punctures, and illness severity were determined for all models. Statistical analysis was performed by analysis of variance and chi‐square test. Results: For the 3,389 eligible ED visits, the number of annual patient encounters per full‐time equivalent was 1,236 for the nPED, 805 for the tED, and 336 for the rPED (p < 0.001). Physicians practicing only in the nPED treated 3.7 times the number of children younger than 37 months than did physicians in the rPED model and 1.5 times the number than did physicians in the tED model. Spending 10% of total practice hours in the nPED would increase pediatric encounters 26% for rPED physicians, while practicing 25% of time in the nPED would increase pediatric encounters 67% and equate to 45% of nPED encounters. An nPED physician could expect to perform 17 neonatal lumbar punctures, compared with ten for a tED physician and four for an rPED physician (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in severity of illness for the three models. Conclusions: Physicians practicing in facilities that include an nPED must dedicate some portion of their practice to the nPED to maintain equivalent pediatric encounters.
Assessment of a New Method to Distinguish Esophageal from Tracheal Intubation by Measuring the Endotracheal Cuff Pressure in a Porcine Model
Authors: Hsu Chien‐Chin , Lee Wei‐Jing , Wu Yen‐Liang , Guo How‐Ran , Lin Hung‐Jung
Published: November 2005

Objectives: With the knowledge of differences in anatomic structures between the trachea and the esophagus, the authors conducted an animal study to evaluate the usefulness of endotracheal cuff pressure in distinguishing endotracheal and esophageal intubations. Methods: Six swine were anesthetized and endotracheally intubated with 7.5‐mm cuffed endotracheal tubes. The intubations were confirmed by fiber‐optic bronchoscopy. Each pilot balloon was connected to a 10‐mL syringe and a manometer via a three‐way stopcock. The cuff pressures were measured for each 1‐mL incremental filling of air (1–10 mL). After removal of the endotracheal tubes, each swine was then intubated with the same endotracheal tubes into its esophagus. The cuff pressures of the esophageal intubation were measured with the same procedure. The cuff pressures and the pressure–volume relationships in both intubations were compared. Results: The cuff pressure increased significantly in the esophageal intubation in comparison with the endotracheal intubation in all the comparisons from 1 mL to 10 mL (p = 0.028 for all Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests). The slope of the pressure–volume curve of the cuff pressure was also significantly higher in the esophageal intubation during the inflation of the cuff on average (0.047 vs. 0.032 cm H2O/mL; p = 0.001), particularly in the first 5 mL of air inflation. Conclusions: The cuff pressure in the esophageal intubation was significantly higher than that in the endotracheal intubation under the same inflated volume from 1 to 10 mL. This may provide the basis for an adjunctive, simple, rapid, and reliable method to verify endotracheal intubation.