bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poverty Mapping with Aggregate Census Data: What is the Loss in Precision?
Authors: Minot Nicholas , Baulch Bob
Published: January 2005

Spatially disaggregated maps of the incidence of poverty can be constructed by combining household survey data and census data. In some countries (notably China and India), national statistics agencies are reluctant, for reasons of confidentiality, to release household‐level census data, but they are generally more willing to release aggregated census data, such as village‐ or district‐level means. This paper examines the loss in precision associated with using aggregated census data instead of household‐level data to generate poverty estimates. The authors show analytically that using aggregated census data will result in poverty rates that are biased downward (upward) if the rate is below (above) 50%, and that the bias approaches zero as the poverty rate approaches zero, 50%, and 100%. Using data from Vietnam, it is found that the mean absolute error in estimating district‐level poverty rates is 2.5 percentage points if the census data are aggregated to the enumeration‐area level means, and 3–4 percentage points if the data are aggregated to commune or district level. Finally, the authors propose a method for reducing the error using variances calculated from the census. When this approach is applied to the Vietnam data, this method can cut the size of the aggregation errors by around 75%.
Income Inequality in Rural China: Regression‐based Decomposition Using Household Data
Authors: Wan Guanghua , Zhou Zhangyue
Published: January 2005

A considerable literature exists on the measurement of income inequality in China and its increasing trend. Much less is known about the driving forces of this trend and their quantitative contributions. Conventional decompositions, by factor components or by population subgroups, provide only limited information on the determinants of income inequality. This paper represents an early attempt to apply the regression‐based decomposition framework to the study of inequality accounting in rural China, using household‐level data. It is found that geography has been the dominant factor but is becoming less important in explaining total inequality. Capital input emerges as a most significant determinant of income inequality. Farming structure is more important than labor and other inputs in contributing to income inequality across households.
Conceptions of Parenting in Different Cultural Communities: The Case of West African Nso and Northern German Women
Authors: Keller Heidi , Voelker Susanne , Yovsi Relindis Dzeaye
Published: January 2005

The present study compares conceptions about parenting in two cultural communities that may be expected to hold different views on parent–child relationships. Sociodemographically diverse samples of 46 Northern German and 39 West African Nso women evaluated parenting behavior observed in 10 Nso and 10 German videotaped mother–infant interaction sequences. The individual evaluations were assessed in group contexts. The statements were analyzed with respect to their reference to parenting systems and interaction mechanisms as conceptualized in the component model of parenting. As expected, the Nso respondents addressed primary care, body contact and body stimulation more often than the German respondents who focused more on face‐to‐face communication and exclusive attention. Contrary to our expectations, distress regulation was addressed more often by the German respondents. Quantitative analyses are combined with the qualitative elaboration of the respondents’ evaluative comments. The identified ideas about parenting are discussed as reflecting the conscious nature of parenting as a shared cultural activity and related to cultural goals.
Late Hemodynamic Changes During a Negative Passive Head‐up Tilt Predict the Symptomatic Outcome to a Nitroglycerin Sensitized Tilt
Authors: BELLARD ELISABETH , FORTRAT JACQUES‐OLIVIER , SCHANG DANIEL , DUPUIS JEAN‐MARC , VICTOR JACQUES , LEFTHÉRIOTIS GEORGES
Published: January 2005

Background: Sublingual nitroglycerin is advocated to sensitize the passive 70° head‐upright tilt test (HUTT) of patients with unexplained syncope. We hypothesized that a detailed analysis of hemodynamic responses recorded during a negative HUTT could predict the outcome to a subsequent nitroglycerin sensitized HUTT (NTG‐HUTT).

Methods: Thirty‐two patients (46 ± 3 years, 17 males) with recurrent unexplained syncope but a negative HUTT were included. Heart rate, arterial blood pressure, and central hemodynamics assessed by transthoracic impedance (preejection and rapid left ventricular ejection time, slow ejection time, peak amplitude of first derivative, and cardiac index) were recorded during supine rest and 45 minutes HUTT. Changes from supine rest of the variables were retrospectively compared between patients with a negative (n = 15, NTG‐HUTT(−)) and positive (n = 17, NTG‐HUTT(+)) outcome to 10 minutes subsequent NTG‐HUTT.

Result: Significant differences between groups were observed during the 15th–20th minutes (Italian protocol) and during the last 5 minutes of passive HUTT (Westminster protocol). The combination of cutoff values, determined by receiver operating curves, on hemodynamic variables changes during the last 5 minutes predicted the outcome to a NTG‐HUTT with a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 87%. The cutoff values determined during 15th–20th minutes gave an attractive sensitivity (85%) but a too weak specificity (53%) to shorten the 45 minutes passive HUTT at 20 minutes.

Conclusion: Outcome to a NTG‐HUTT can be reliably predicted by selected criteria determined from multiple hemodynamic variables recorded during a passive 70° HUTT.
Transxyphoid Approach to Retrieval of Retained Pacemaker Leads Using Laser Sheath
Authors: KHITIN LEV , KIM KENNETH , KRATZ JOHN
Published: January 2005

The problem of retained intracardiac foreign bodies remains a concern, particularly in symptomatic patients with endocarditis. This report describes a recently applied technique using transxyphoid application of the Spectranetics Laser Sheath (SLS) for retrieval of a retained right atrial (RA) pacemaker lead. This approach represents modification of the Byrd's technique.
Unusual Features of an Idiopathic Ventricular Tachycardia Arising from the Left Ventricular Outflow Tract
Authors: HSU JEN‐TE , LIN KUO‐HUNG , LUQMAN NAZAR , SUNG RUEY J. , KUO CHI‐TAI
Published: January 2005

We encountered a 40‐year‐old man with recurrent symptomatic palpitations manifested as monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) of a right bundle branch block (RBBB) pattern with an inferior frontal axis. Physical examination, chest roentgenogram, and echocardiogram were unremarkable. The VT could be provoked by treadmill exercise testing. Electrophysiologic study revealed that the VT could be reproducibly initiated with either atrial or ventricular pacing at cycle lengths between 500 and 400 ms. With overdrive ventricular pacing, the VT could be terminated. Of note was the observation that intravenous adenosine was not effective, but intravenous verapamil could interrupt the VT. The VT was pace mapped to be arising from a site at the left ventricular outlet tract (LVOT). Notably, during pace mapping, the pacing spike was immediately followed by the beginning of the paced QRS complex, and during VT, there was no time delay between the earliest local activation and the onset of QRS complex. Furthermore, there was no mid‐diastolic activity or Purkinje potential that could be recorded during sinus rhythm and VT. Subsequently, the VT was successfully ablated with radiofrequency energy as guided by pace mapping. In summary, an idiopathic VT arising from the LVOT was found to be cycle lengths‐ and catecholamine‐dependent, adenosine‐insensitive but verapamil responsive. These unusual features suggest that either microreentry or triggered activity could be the underlying mechanism.
Determinants and Prognostic Significance of Immediate Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence Following Cardioversion in Patients Undergoing Pulmonary Vein Isolation
Authors: HUSSER DANIELA , BOLLMANN ANDREAS , KANG STEVEN , STRIDH MARTIN , SORNMO LEIF , OLSSON S. BERTIL , BHANDARI ANIL K. , CANNOM DAVID S.
Published: January 2005

Background: Immediate recurrence of atrial fibrillation (IRAF) occurs frequently after electrical cardioversion, its electrophysiological determinants and prognostic significance have, however, not been studied in detail. This study aimed to explore (1) the association of IRAF with clinical characteristics, pulmonary vein (PV) arrhythmogenicity as well as atrial electrophysiologic properties and (2) the prognostic significance of IRAF for outcome of PV isolation for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods and Results: The subjects of this study were 41 consecutive patients (30 males, 11 females) who underwent PV isolation for drug‐refractory AF. Following successful initial cardioversion, 19 patients (46%) had IRAF within 2 minutes. Coupling intervals of AF reinitiating beats arising from PVs were shorter (386 ± 39 vs 490 ± 136 ms, P = 0.008) and prematurity indices (0.38 ± 0.06 vs 0.51 ± 0.12, P = 0.01) smaller than those of premature beats not initiating AF. Patients with IRAF had more frequently AF duration <1 month, a longer P‐wave duration, and a longer mid coronary sinus AF cycle length. Multivariate regression analysis revealed coronary sinus AF cycle length (β= 0.186, P = 0.049), which was closely correlated with conduction time along the coronary sinus (R = 0.716, P = 0.003) to be independently associated with IRAF. While early AF recurrence rate (within the first 5 days) following the procedure was higher in the IRAF group (53 vs 18%, P = 0.02), outcome was not different between the two groups thereafter.

Conclusions: (1) IRAF is common in patients undergoing PV isolation for AF, (2) is initiated by premature atrial beats with short coupling intervals, and (3) seems to be associated with conduction disturbances along the coronary sinus. It reflects susceptibility of arrhythmia recurrence within the first 5 days after the procedure, but not thereafter.
Noninvasive Assessment of Acute Changes in Atrial Electrophysiology After Cardioversion by Signal‐Averaged P‐Wave Electrocardiography
Authors: ELESBER AHMAD A. , ROSALES ANA GABRIELA , SHEN WIN‐KUANG , MALOUF JOSEPH F. , HODGE DAVID O. , AMMASH NASER M. , CHANDRASEKARAN KRISHNASWAMY , GERSH BERNARD J. , HAMMILL STEPHEN C. , FRIEDMAN PAUL A.
Published: January 2005

Background: Atrial remodeling secondary to atrial fibrillation (AF) may be important in the arrhythmogenic process. Unfortunately, the study of electrophysiologic remodeling in humans has been limited by the invasive nature of most tests of electrophysiologic characteristics. We sought to determine whether changes in atrial electrophysiology occur acutely (within the first hour) after cardioversion and whether these changes could be detected noninvasively by measuring the signal‐averaged P‐wave.

Methods: The filtered P‐wave duration (FPD) was measured by signal‐averaged electrocardiography (ECG) at 20 and 60 minutes after cardioversion in 46 patients with AF, and the difference between the two values was calculated. The root‐mean‐square voltage of the terminal 40 ms of the signal‐averaged P‐wave at 20 and 60 minutes and the difference between them were also determined.

Results: The FPD at 20 minutes was significantly different from that at 60 minutes (153.0 ± 19.1 vs 159.7 ± 24.8 ms; P = 0.02). In a univariate linear regression model, none of the clinical variables studied was significantly associated with the change in FPD. The root‐mean‐square voltage at 20 minutes was not significantly different from that at 60 minutes (5.8 ± 3.0 vs 5.5 ± 2.7; P = 0.14).

Conclusions: We conclude that significant changes in atrial electrophysiology occur within the first hour after cardioversion of AF. These changes can be detected by measuring the FPD.
School Nursing: Not Just Band‐Aids Any More!
Authors: Broussard Lisa
Published: January 2005

ISSUES AND PURPOSE . School nursing has changed dramatically over the past 25 years. The complex social and physical needs of children require an expanded role with advanced knowledge and skills. The school nurse functions as health promoter, health educator, collaborator, and researcher. Issues related to advanced practice and policy development also affect school nursing practice.

CONCLUSIONS/PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS . The current emphasis on educational accountability and improvement of standardized test scores has mandated close examination of resource allocation. There is a need to appreciate an expanded role for the school nurse, as the provision of healthcare services in the school will afford children an increased capacity to learn, thus improving school performance.
Tramadol: does it have a role in emergency medicine?
Authors: Close Benjamin R
Published: January 2005

Tramadol is a synthetic analgesic new to the Australasian market where its use is rapidly increasing. It is used extensively overseas, particularly in Europe where it has been popular since its introduction in Germany in the late 1970s. Tramadol has a dual mechanism of action: weak mu opioid receptor agonist and a reuptake inhibitor of serotonin and noradrenaline. Thus, it has distinct advantages and disadvantages compared to other available analgesics. Its use is advocated in a variety of acute and chronic pain states as well as some non‐analgesic applications. The use of tramadol in an emergency setting is not well studied, with most published trials assessing its efficacy and tolerability in postoperative or dental models. This literature review concludes that tramadol does not offer any particular benefits over existing analgesics for the majority of emergency pain relief situations.
Excitatory purinergic neurotransmission in smooth muscle of guniea‐pig taenia caeci
Authors: Zhang Yong , Paterson William G.
Published: January 2005

Non‐adrenergic, non‐cholinergic (NANC) inhibitory neurotransmission has been an area of intense interest in gut motor physiology, whereas excitatory NANC neurotransmission has received less attention. In order to further explore excitatory NANC neurotransmission, we performed conventional intracellular recordings from guinea‐pig taenia caeci smooth muscle. Tissue was perfused with oxygenated Krebs solution at 35°C and nerve responses evoked by either oral or aboral nerve stimulation (NS) (4 square wave pulses, 0.3 ms duration, 20 Hz). Electrical activity was characterized by slow waves upon which one to three action potentials were superimposed. Oral NS evoked an inhibitory junction potential (IJP) at either the valley or peak of the slow wave. Application of nifedipine (1 μm) abolished slow waves and action potentials, but membrane potential flunctuations (1–3 mV) and IJPs remained unaffected. Concomitant application of apamin (300 nm), a small‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channel blocker, converted the IJP to an EJP that was followed by slow IJP. Further administration of NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME, 200 μm), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, abolished the slow IJP without affecting the EJP, implying that the slow IJP is due to nitrergic innervation. The EJP was abolished by tetrodotoxin (1 μm), but was not significantly affected by atropine (3 μm) and guanethidine (3 μm) or hexamethonium (500 μm). Substance P (SP, 1 μm) desensitization caused slight attenuation of the EJP, but the EJP was abolished by desensitization with α,β‐methylene ATP (50 μm), a P2 purinoceptor agonist that is more potent than ATP at the P2X receptor subtype, suramin (100 μm), a non‐selective P2 purinoceptor antagonist, and pyridoxal‐phosphate‐6‐azophenyl‐2′,4′‐disulphonic acid (PPADS, 100 μm), a selective P2X purinoceptor antagonist. In contrast, the EJP was unaffected by MRS‐2179 (2 μm), a selective P2Y1 receptor antagonist. Aboral NS evoked an apamin‐ and l‐NAME‐sensitive IJP, but virtually no NANC EJP. These data suggest the presence of polarized excitatory purinergic neurotransmission in guinea‐pig taenia caeci, which appears to be mediated by P2X purinoceptors, most likely the P2X1 subtype.
Stimulation of non‐classical receptive field enhances orientation selectivity in the cat
Authors: Chen Gang , Dan Yang , Li Chao‐Yi
Published: January 2005

We have investigated how the nonclassical receptive field (nCRF) affects dynamic orientation selectivity of cells in the primary visual cortex (V1) in anaesthetized and paralysed cats using the reverse correlation method. We found that tuning to the orientation of the test stimulus depends on the size of the stimulation area. A significant sharpening of orientation tuning was induced by nCRF stimulation, with the magnitude of the effect increasing with the size of stimulation. The effect of the nCRF on the temporal dynamics of orientation tuning was also investigated by examining the tuning over a range of delays from stimulus onset. We found small but detectable changes in both the preferred orientation and the bandwidth of tuning over time when the classical receptive field (CRF) was stimulated alone. Stimulation in nCRF significantly increased the magnitude of these temporal changes. Thus, nCRF stimulation not only enhances the overall orientation selectivity, but also enriches the temporal dynamics of cortical neurones, which may increase the computational power of the visual cortex in information processing.
Thermosensitivity of the two‐pore domain K+ channels TREK‐2 and TRAAK
Authors: Kang Dawon , Choe Changyong , Kim Donghee
Published: January 2005

TREK‐1, TREK‐2 and TRAAK are members of the two‐pore domain K+ (K2P) channel family and are activated by membrane stretch and free fatty acids. TREK‐1 has been shown to be sensitive to temperature in expression systems. We studied the temperature‐sensitivity of TREK‐2 and TRAAK in COS‐7 cells and in neuronal cells. In transfected COS‐7 cells, TREK‐2 and TRAAK whole‐cell currents increased ∼20‐fold as the bath temperature was raised from 24°C to 42°C. Similarly, in cell‐attached patches of COS‐7 cells, channel activity was very low, but increased progressively as the bath temperature was raised from 24°C to 42°C. The thresholds for activation of TREK‐2 and TRAAK were ∼25°C and ∼31°C, respectively. Other K2P channels such as TASK‐3 and TRESK‐2 were not significantly affected by an increase in temperature from 24°C to 37°C. When the C‐terminus of TREK‐2 was replaced with that of TASK‐3, its sensitivity to free fatty acids and protons was abolished, but the mutant could still be activated by heat. At 37°C, TREK‐1, TREK‐2 and TRAAK were sensitive to arachidonic acid, pH and membrane stretch in both cell‐attached and inside‐out patches. In cerebellar granule and dorsal root ganglion neurones, TREK‐1, TREK‐2 and TRAAK were generally inactive in the cell‐attached state at 24°C, but became very active at 37°C. In cell‐attached patches of ventricular myocytes, TREK‐1 was also normally closed at 24°C, but was active at 37°C. These results show that TREK‐2 and TRAAK are also temperature‐sensitive channels, are active at physiological body temperature, and therefore would contribute to the background K+ conductance and regulate cell excitability in response to various physical and chemical stimuli.
Prenatal cocaine exposure increases heart susceptibility to ischaemia–reperfusion injury in adult male but not female rats
Authors: Bae Soochan , Gilbert Raymond D. , Ducsay Charles A. , Zhang Lubo
Published: January 2005

The present study tested the hypothesis that prenatal cocaine exposure differentially regulates heart susceptibility to ischaemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury in adult offspring male and female rats. Pregnant rats were administered intraperitoneally either saline or cocaine (15 mg kg−1) twice daily from day 15 to day 21 of gestational age. There were no differences in maternal weight gain and birth weight between the two groups. Hearts were isolated from 2‐month‐old male and female offspring and were subjected to I/R (25 min/60 min) in a Langendorff preparation. Preischaemic values of left ventricular (LV) function were the same between the saline control and cocaine‐treated hearts for both male and female rats. Prenatal cocaine exposure significantly increased I/R‐induced myocardial apoptosis and infarct size, and significantly attenuated the postischaemic recovery of LV function in adult male offspring. In contrast, cocaine did not affect I/R‐induced injury and postischaemic recovery of LV function in the female hearts. There was a significant decrease in PKCɛ and phospho‐PKCɛ levels in LV in the male, but not female, offspring exposed to cocaine before birth. These results suggest that prenatal cocaine exposure causes a sex‐specific increase in heart susceptibility to I/R injury in adult male offspring, and the decreased PKCɛ gene expression in the male heart may play an important role.
Adhesion at the Wavy Contact Interface Between Two Elastic Bodies
Authors: Adams George G.
Published: January 2005

The plane strain elastic contact of two bodies with a wavy contact interface is investigated. The effect of adhesion is accounted for by using the Maugis model. This periodic mixed boundary value problem is solved using integral transform techniques. Results are obtained for the extent of the contact region as a function of the dimensionless applied pressure and for various values of the dimensionless adhesive stress and peak-to-valley height. These contact length versus applied pressure curves are characterized by discontinuities and hysteresis. A finite contact region exists at zero load, with further loading causing one or more jumps into a complete contact configuration. Unloading is also characterized by one or more jumps before pull-off occurs suddenly with a finite contact length and tensile pressure loading.
Informed consent in the Pakistani milieu: the physician’s perspective
Authors: Jafarey A M , Farooqui A
Published: January 2005

Informed consent enjoys an unassailable position in both clinical and research situations as a safeguard of patients’ rights. Keeping the patient involved in the decision making process is easier when there is direct communication with the individual. The Pakistani milieu offers challenges to this process because crucial decision making is often done by family members or is left entirely up to the attending physician. There seems to be a general acceptance of this shifting of focus from the individual to other players. This also raises certain ethical dilemmas for physicians who may feel uncomfortable with communication which excludes the patient or in accepting a paternalistic primary decision making role. The objective of this informal qualitative study was to ascertain physicians’ perceptions regarding the process of information delivery to the patient in the Pakistani context and the various influences acting upon it.
NITROXYL (HNO): Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology
Authors: Fukuto Jon M. , Switzer Christopher H. , Miranda Katrina M. , Wink David A.
Published: January 2005

▪ Abstract  Recent discoveries of novel and potentially important biological activity have spurred interest in the chemistry and biochemistry of nitroxyl (HNO). It has become clear that, among all the nitrogen oxides, HNO is unique in its chemistry and biology. Currently, the intimate chemical details of the biological actions of HNO are not well understood. Moreover, many of the previously accepted chemical properties of HNO have been recently revised, thus requiring reevaluation of possible mechanisms of biological action. Herein, we review these developments in HNO chemistry and biology.
Regulation of hyaluronan synthase-2 expression in human intestinal mesenchymal cells: mechanisms of interleukin-1β-mediated induction
Authors: Ducale Ashley E. , Ward Susan I. , Dechert Tracey , Yager Dorne R.
Published: January 2005

Elevated levels of hyaluronan are associated with numerous inflammatory diseases including inflammatory bowel disease. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a cause and effect relationship might exist among proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, or transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and hyaluronan expression in human JDMC and, if so, to identify possible mechanisms involved in the induction of hyaluronan expression. TGF-β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ had little or no effect on hyaluronan production by these cells. Treatment with IL-1β induced an approximate 30-fold increase in the levels of hyaluronan in the medium of human jejunum-derived mesenchymal cells. Ribonuclease protection analysis revealed that steady-state transcript levels for hyaluronan synthase (HAS)2 were present at very low levels in untreated cells but increased as much as 18-fold in the presence of IL-1β. HAS3 transcript levels were also increased slightly by exposure of these cells to IL-1β. Expression of HAS1 transcripts was not detected under any condition in these cells. IL-1β induction of hyaluronan expression was inhibited in cells transfected with short interfering RNA corresponding to HAS2 transcripts. Inhibitors of the p38 and ERK1/2 mitogen-activated pathways but not JNK/SAPK blocked the IL-1β-mediated induction of hyaluronan expression and the increase in HAS2 transcript expression. These results suggest that IL-1β induction of HAS2 expression involves multiple signaling pathways that act in concert, thus leading to an increase in expression of hyaluronan by jejunum-derived mesenchymal cells.
Impaired febrile responses to immune challenge in mice deficient in microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1
Authors: Saha Sipra , Engström Linda , Mackerlova Ludmila , Jakobsson Per-Johan , Blomqvist Anders
Published: January 2005

Fever is a common, centrally elicited sign of inflammatory and infectious processes and is known to be induced by the action of PGE2on its specific receptors in the thermogenic region of the hypothalamus. In the present work, using genetically modified mice, we examined the role of the inducible terminal PGE2-synthesizing enzyme microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) for the generation of immune-elicited fever. Animals with a deletion of the Ptges gene, which encodes mPGES-1, or their wild-type littermates were given either a subcutaneous injection of turpentine—a model for aseptic cytokine-induced pyresis—or an intraperitoneal injection of interleukin-1β. While both procedures resulted in typical febrile responses in wild-type animals, these responses were strongly impaired in the mPGES-1 mutant mice. In contrast, both genotypes showed psychogenic stress-induced hyperthermia and displayed normal diurnal temperature variations. Both wild-type and mPGES-1 mutant mice also showed strongly reduced motor activity following turpentine injection. Taken together with previous observations on mPGES-1 induction in the brain vasculature during various inflammatory conditions and its role in endotoxin-induced pyresis, the present findings indicate that central PGE2synthesis by mPGES-1 is a general and critical mechanism for fever during infectious and inflammatory conditions that is distinct from the mechanism(s) underlying the circadian temperature regulation and stress-induced hyperthermia, as well as the inflammation-induced activity depression.
Airway resistance due to alveolar gas compression measured by barometric plethysmography in mice
Authors: Lai-Fook Stephen J. , Lai Yih-Loong
Published: January 2005

We developed a method for measuring airway resistance (Raw) in mice that does not require a measurement of airway flow. An analysis of Rawinduced by alveolar gas compression showed the following relationship for an animal breathing spontaneously in a closed box: Raw= AbtVb/[Vt(Ve+ 0.5Vt)]. Here Abtis the area under the box pressure-time curve during inspiration or expiration, Vbis box volume, Vtis tidal volume, and Veis functional residual capacity (FRC). In anesthetized and conscious unrestrained mice, from experiments with both room temperature box air and body temperature humidified box air, the contributions of gas compression to the box pressure amplitude were 15 and 31% of those due to the temperature-humidity difference between box and alveolar gas. We corrected the measured Abtand Vtfor temperature-humidity and gas compression effects, respectively, using a sinusoidal analysis. In anesthetized mice, Rawaveraged 4.3 cmH2O·ml−1·s, fourfold greater than pulmonary resistance measured by conventional methods. In conscious mice with an assumed FRC equal to that measured in the anesthetized mice, the corrected Rawat room temperature averaged 1.9 cmH2O·ml−1·s. In both conscious mice and anesthetized mice, exposure to aerosolized methacholine with room temperature box air significantly increased Rawby around eightfold. Here we assumed that in the conscious mice both Vtand FRC remained constant. In both conscious and anesthetized mice, body temperature humidified box air reduced the methacholine-induced increase in Rawobserved at room temperature. The method using the increase in Abtwith bronchoconstriction provides a conservative estimate for the increase in Rawin conscious mice.
Weight loading young chicks inhibits bone elongation and promotes growth plate ossification and vascularization
Authors: Reich A. , Jaffe N. , Tong A. , Lavelin I. , Genina O. , Pines M. , Sklan D. , Nussinovitch A. , Monsonego-Ornan E.
Published: January 2005

The mechanical stimuli resulting from weight loading play an important role in mature bone remodeling. However, the effect of weight loading on the developmental process in young bones is less well understood. In this work, chicks were loaded with bags weighing 10% of their body weight during their rapid growth phase. The increased load reduced the length and diameter of the long bones. The average width of the bag-loaded group's growth plates was 75 ± 4% that of the controls, and the plates showed increased mineralization. Northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization, and longitudinal cell counting of mechanically loaded growth plates showed narrowed expression zones of collagen types II and X compared with controls, with no differences between the relative proportions of those areas. An increase in osteopontin (OPN) expression with loading was most pronounced at the bone-cartilage interface. This extended expression overlapped with tartarate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and with the front of the mineralized matrix in the chondro-osseous junction. Moreover, weight loading enhanced the penetration of blood vessels into the growth plates and enhanced the gene expression of the matrix metalloproteinases MMP9 and MMP13 in those growth plates. On the basis of these results, we speculate that the mechanical strain on the chondrocytes in the growth plate causes overexpression of OPN, MMP9, and MMP13. The MMPs enable penetration of the blood vessels, which carry osteoclasts and osteoblasts. OPN recruits the osteoclasts to the cartilage-bone border, thus accelerating cartilage resorption in this zone and subsequent ossification which, in turn, contributes to the observed phenotype of narrower growth plate and shorter bones.
Effects of resistance training on myosin function studied by the in vitro motility assay in young and older men
Authors: Canepari M. , Rossi R. , Pellegrino M. A. , Orrell R. W. , Cobbold M. , Harridge S. , Bottinelli R.
Published: January 2005

It is generally believed that the maximum shortening velocity ( Vo) of a skeletal muscle fiber type does not vary unless a change in myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform composition occurs. However, recent findings have shown that Voof a given fiber type can change after training, suggesting the hypothesis that the function of myosin can vary without a change in isoform. The present study addressed the latter hypothesis by studying the function of isolated myosin isoforms by the use of the in vitro motility assay (IVMA) technique. Four young (age 23–29 yr, YO) and four elderly men (age 68–82 yr, EL) underwent a 12-wk progressive resistance training program of the knee extensor muscles and to one pre- and one posttraining biopsy of the vastus lateralis muscle. The significant increase in one-repetition maximum posttraining in both YO and EL indicated that training was effective. After training, MHC isoform composition showed a shift from MHC2Xtoward MHC2Ain YO and no shift in EL. The velocity of sliding ( Vf) of actin filaments on pure myosin isoforms extracted from single fibers was studied in IVMA. One hundred sixty IVMA samples were prepared from 480 single fibers, and at least 50 filaments were analyzed in each experiment. Whereas no training-induced change was observed in Vfof myosin isoform 1 either in YO or in EL, a significant increase in Vfof myosin isoform 2A after training was observed in both YO (18%) and EL (19%). The results indicate that resistance training can change the velocity of the myosin molecule.
Neutrophil inhibition with L-selectin-directed MAb improves or worsens survival dependent on the route but not severity of infection in a rat sepsis model
Authors: Haley Michael , Parent Chantal , Cui Xizhong , Kalil Andre , Fitz Yvonne , Correa-Araujo Rosaly , Natanson Charles , Danner Robert L. , Banks Steven M. , Eichacker Peter Q.
Published: January 2005

Both route and severity of infection may influence immunomodulator agents in sepsis. We studied the effect of each variable on HRL-3, an L-selectin-directed MAb that inhibits neutrophil function, in a rat sepsis model. Animals ( n = 800) were randomized to be treated with either HRL-3 or placebo and to receive Escherichia coli either intravenously (IV) or intrabronchially (IB) in doses producing low or high mortality rates. Animals received antibiotics and were observed for 168 h. Route but not dose of E. coli altered the effects HRL-3 on mortality rate (mean hazards ratio ± SE). With IV E. coli, compared with control, HRL-3 was beneficial and reduced the hazards ratio both early (0 to 6 h; −0.75 ± 0.23) and late (6 to 168 h; −0.72 ± 0.36) ( P = 0.001 and 0.04, respectively, over all E. coli doses). In contrast, with IB E. coli HRL-3 reduced the hazards ratio early (−1.1 ± 0.36) but worsened it late (0.87 ± 0.23) ( P = 0.002 for both effects over all E. coli doses) in patterns significantly different from IV E. coli ( P < 0.0001). Compared with control, although HRL-3 did not alter lung neutrophil numbers or injury score at 6 or 168 h with IV E. coli ( P = ns for all), it reduced both early and increased them late with IB E. coli ( P ≤ 0.05 for all comparing 6 with 168 h). Thus immunomodulators inhibiting neutrophil function, although potentially beneficial with sepsis due to intravascular infection, may be harmful with extravascular infection regardless of severity.
Comparison of three strong ion models used for quantifying the acid-base status of human plasma with special emphasis on the plasma weak acids
Authors: Anstey Chris M.
Published: January 2005

Currently, three strong ion models exist for the determination of plasma pH. Mathematically, they vary in their treatment of weak acids, and this study was designed to determine whether any significant differences exist in the simulated performance of these models. The models were subjected to a “metabolic” stress either in the form of variable strong ion difference and fixed weak acid effect, or vice versa, and compared over the range 25 ≤ Pco2≤ 135 Torr. The predictive equations for each model were iteratively solved for pH at each Pco2step, and the results were plotted as a series of log(Pco2)-pH titration curves. The results were analyzed for linearity by using ordinary least squares regression and for collinearity by using correlation. In every case, the results revealed a linear relationship between log(Pco2) and pH over the range 6.8 ≤ pH ≤ 7.8, and no significant difference between the curve predictions under metabolic stress. The curves were statistically collinear. Ultimately, their clinical utility will be determined both by acceptance of the strong ion framework for describing acid-base physiology and by the ease of measurement of the independent model parameters.
Effect of Plasmapheresis on Serum Beta-Endorphin Levels
Authors: Bender Tamás , Polner Kálmán , Barna István , Géher Pál , Bőke Mária , Haris Ágnes
Published: January 2005

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of plasmapheresis on serum β-endorphin (BE) levels. Method: The serum BE levels of 12 patients with various autoimmune or hematological disorders were monitored during plasmapheresis therapy. Results: BE levels increased after the initial session in 8 of 12 patients; in the remaining 4 patients no change (n = 2) or a decline (n = 2) in BE levels was found. However, no further changes were observed during subsequent therapy. During the last session, an elevation in the BE level was detected in 5 patients, with no change in 1 and a decrease in BE level in another 5 patients. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that although plasmapheresis results in an elevation in serum BE levels initially, this change does not persist during subsequent sessions.
Transcriptional Control of COX-2 via C/EBPβ
Authors: Wu Kenneth K. , Liou Jun-Yang , Cieslik Katarzyna
Published: January 2005

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a highly inducible enzyme exerting diverse actions on cell functions, including proliferation, migration, and DNA damage. Enhanced COX-2 expression may be protective, but excessive expression may be harmful, causing inflammation, atheromatous plaque instability, and intimal hyperplasia. COX-2 transcriptional activation by proinflammatory mediators has been extensively characterized. In this review, the role of C/EBP in regulating COX-2 transcription is highlighted. Recent advances in control of COX-2 transcription by aspirin and salicylate and by a cell cycle-dependent endogenous mechanism are described. The recent progress sheds light on the pathophysiological mechanisms of COX-2 and new transcription-based strategy for controlling COX-2 overexpression and COX-2–mediated cardiovascular diseases.
Disorders of Sleep and Wake in Patients After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Schuiling Wouter J. , Rinkel Gabriël J.E. , Walchenbach Rob , de Weerd Al W.
Published: January 2005

Background and Purpose—

To determine the frequency and severity of disorders of sleep and wake and their relation to the quality of life (QoL) in patients who have survived an episode of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Methods—

In a prospectively collected, consecutive series of 89 patients, 83 patients completed validated and frequently used questionnaires for the assessment of disorders of sleep and wake (SDL and Epworth Sleepiness Score) at least 1 year (range, 1 to 3.4 years) after the SAH. We used the modified Rankin scale for functional outcome and Short Form 36 (SF-36) to assess QoL. We related the occurrence of severe problems with sleep (insomnia or excessive daytime sleepiness score or both ≥3 on SDL) to functional outcome and to the QoL scores and compared the latter scores with data from a Dutch reference population. In a subset of 20 patients with severe problems with sleep, we performed polysomnographic and actigraphic studies at home during 48 hours.

Results—

Twenty eight (34%) patients had severe problems with sleep. Frequently reported problems are initiating (25%) or maintaining (31%) sleep, difficulty returning (28%) asleep, tiredness (31%), and excessive sleepiness during the day (6%). QoL was considerably reduced in patients with severe problems with sleep. During the sleep monitoring studies, severe sleep fragmentation, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome/periodic limb movement disorder, or a combination of these disorders of sleep and wake occurred in 19 of 20 patients.

Conclusion—

Many patients who have survived an episode of SAH have disorders of sleep and wake, which are related to the QoL.
Depression Among Caregivers of Stroke Survivors
Authors: Berg Anu , Palomäki Heikki , Lönnqvist Jouko , Lehtihalmes Matti , Kaste Markku
Published: January 2005

Background and Purpose—

We aimed to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms among caregivers of stroke survivors and to determine which patient- or stroke-related factors are associated with and can be used to predict caregiver depression during an 18-month follow-up after stroke.

Methods—

We examined 98 caregivers of 100 consecutive patients experiencing their first ischemic stroke in Helsinki University Central Hospital. The caregivers were interviewed at the acute phase and at 6 months and 18 months. Depression was assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory. The neurological, functional, cognitive, and emotional status of the patients was assessed 5× during the follow-up with a comprehensive test battery.

Results—

A total of 30% to 33% of all caregivers were depressed during the follow-up; the rates were higher than those of the patients. At the acute phase, caregiver depression was associated with stroke severity and older age of the patient, and at 18 months the older age of the patient was associated with depression of the spouses. In later follow-up, caregiver depression was best predicted by the caregiver’s depression at acute phase.

Conclusions—

Identifying those caregivers at highest risk for poor emotional outcome in follow-up requires not only assessment of patient-related factors but also interview of the caregiver during the early poststroke period.
Motor Impairment and Recovery in the Upper Limb After Stroke
Authors: Carey Leeanne M. , Abbott David F. , Egan Gary F. , Bernhardt Julie , Donnan Geoffrey A.
Published: January 2005

Background and Purpose—

Motor recovery after stroke is associated with cerebral reorganization. However, few studies have investigated the relationship directly, and findings are equivocal. We therefore aimed to characterize the relationship between motor impairment, motor recovery, and task-related changes in regional cerebral blood flow (ΔrCBF) longitudinally.

Methods—

We obtained a profile of motor impairment and recovery in the upper limb and conducted positron emission tomography motor activation studies using a simple finger-tapping task in 9 stroke patients 2 to 7 weeks after stroke and 6 months later. For correlation analysis, mean images of task-related ΔrCBF for each individual were linearly regressed with motor impairment scores. Motor recovery was correlated with longitudinal ΔrCBF images.

Results—

Patients (7 males; 72.0±9.8 years) demonstrated a wide range of impairment severity and variable recovery. Upper-limb motor function was linearly correlated with task-related ΔrCBF. Importantly, sites of correlated ΔrCBF differed over time. Subacutely correlated ΔrCBF was observed in supplementary motor area (SMA), bilateral cingulate, and contralesional insula with a small area in ipsilesional primary sensorimotor cortex (SM1). Conversely, at the 6-month study, correlated ΔrCBF was primarily in ipsilesional SM1, extending to the cingulate gyrus. Better motor recovery was correlated with reduction in contralesional activity and increase in ipsilesional SM1.

Conclusions—

Upper-limb motor function and recovery are correlated with ΔrCBF in SMA, cingulate, insula, and SM1, highlighting the role of these areas in the recovery process. The dynamic nature of the relationship suggests ongoing adaptation within motor networks.
Decline in Physical Performance Among Women With a Recent Transient Ischemic Attack or Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kernan Walter N. , Viscoli Catherine M. , Brass Lawrence M. , Gill Thomas M. , Sarrel Philip M. , Horwitz Ralph I.
Published: January 2005

Background and Purpose—

Physical performance for walking, reaching, turning, and other common tasks is a major determinant of functional independence after stroke. Current strategies to preserve physical performance focus on prevention of recurrent stroke. Loss of physical performance, however, may occur in the absence of recurrence. To examine this possibility, we measured change in physical performance, independent of subsequent stroke, among women with a recent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Methods—

Among 664 postmenopausal women who participated in a clinical trial of estrogen therapy after stroke or TIA, we administered the Physical Performance Test (PPT) at baseline (mean 58 days from the cerebrovascular event) and annually. Women who died or had a stroke during follow-up were censored. Decline or improvement in physical performance was defined as a change in the PPT score from baseline of at least 3 points. Sustained decline or improvement was defined as 2 consecutive years during which the score had declined or improved, respectively, relative to the baseline score.

Results—

With each year of follow-up, a smaller proportion of the cohort demonstrated improvement (16% in year 1, 6% in year 5) and a larger proportion demonstrated decline (15% in year 1, 35% in year 5). In an analysis restricted to 259 women with 3 years of follow-up, 46 (18%) experienced a nonsustained decline in physical performance, and 39 (15%) experienced a sustained decline.

Conclusions—

Decline in physical performance is common after an ischemic stroke or TIA even in the absence of a recurrent neurological event. Our findings suggest that specific interventions to maintain and improve physical performance may be important for reducing long-term disability.
Let’s Pretend!
Authors: Tollefsen Deborah
Published: January 2005

According to many, joint intentional action must be understood in terms of joint intentions. Most accounts of joint intention appeal to a set of sophisticated individual intentional states. The author argues that standard accounts of joint intention exclude the possibility of joint action in young children because they presuppose that the participants have a robust theory of mind, something young children lack. But young children do engage in joint action. The author offers a revision of Michael Bratman’s analysis of joint intention that reflects the socio-cognitive abilities young children do have. This revision makes sense of joint action among young children and equally well explains simple joint actions involving adults.
Book Review: What’s So Social about Social Knowledge?
Authors: Schmaus Warren
Published: January 2005

Although Longino and Solomon are interested in what social conditions will produce better science, neither philosopher has provided a sufficient analysis of the social character of science. For instance, neither considers the social character of discovery as well as that of justification, or that an individual scientist’s social status and social relations may be important for understanding her role in both processes. The contributors to Schmitt’s volume are interested in whether the terms that refer to social entities can be reduced to or eliminated in favor of terms referring to individuals. Their analyses, which proceed largely by testing their intuitions against imaginary examples, could benefit from paying more attention to actual social science and real-world social problems. Ideally, these social metaphysicians should be engaged with philosophers of science in a joint effort to investigate whether a social account of scientific knowledge can explain something that an individualist account leaves out.
Calls to an Inner-City Hospital Breastfeeding Telephone Support Line
Authors: Chamberlain Laura Beth , Merewood Anne , Malone Kirsten L. , Cimo Sabrina , Philipp Barbara L.
Published: January 2005

Support for breastfeeding mothers after they leave the hospital is often inadequate in lowincome, inner-city areas where few resources are available. In becoming a Baby-Friendly Hospital, inner-city Boston Medical Center established a breastfeeding telephone support line to overcome this discrepancy. Records of support line calls for the first 5 years of operation were reviewed to record the level of need and determine reasons for use. A total of 1959 calls for 2482 reasons were received between January 1999 and December 2003. The most common reason for calling was “need help obtaining a breast pump” or “need information about breast pumps” (44%; 1096/2482), followed by “breast issue” (7%; 181/2482) and “milk supply question” (7%; 167/2482). The results indicate that inner-citywomen seek breastfeeding support and demonstrate a substantial need for breast pumps. These findings suggest that the lack of breast pumps may be a barrier to continued breastfeeding for inner-city breastfeeding women.