bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Self-adaptive Framework for Modular Robots in a Dynamic Environment: Theory and Applications
Authors: Yu Chih-Han , Nagpal Radhika
Published: October 2010

Biological systems achieve amazing adaptive behavior with local agents that perform simple sensing and actions. This has recently inspired the control strategies and design principles of modular robots. In this paper, we introduce a distributed control framework through which modular robots can achieve various self-adaptive tasks. By self-adaptive tasks, we imply tasks where the modular robot uses its distributed sensors to solve tasks and cope with environment changes. We show that modular robot self-adaptive tasks can be formulated as distributed constraint maintenance on a networked multi-agent system such that performing collective self-adaption can be simplified as satisfying local constraints. This formulation allows us to propose a control framework based on a class of multi-agent algorithms called distributed consensus. We further generalize this framework to capture a wide range of sensor—actuator networks in different distributed robotic systems. We prove various theoretical properties of the framework, including its scalability to network diameter and the number of modules. Based on our theoretical understanding, we demonstrate this framework with various tasks, including (1) self-adaptive structures that maintain their shapes in changing environments, (2) an adaptive column that can adapt to external force, and (3) a modular gripper that can manipulate fragile objects. This work provides a deep understanding of the theoretical properties of distributed consensus-type control and its applications to modular robots.
Bone-Invasive Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Cats
Authors: Martin C. K. , Tannehill-Gregg S. H. , Wolfe T. D. , Rosol T. J.
Published: October 2010

Feline oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common oral tumor in cats. There is no effective treatment, and the average duration of survival after diagnosis is only 2 months. Feline OSCC is frequently associated with osteolysis; however, the mechanisms responsible are unknown. The objective of this study was to characterize the epidemiology and pathology of bone-invasive OSCC in cats and to determine the expression of select bone resorption agonists. In sum, 451 cases of feline OSCC were evaluated. There was no sex or breed predisposition, although there were more intact cats in the OSCC group compared to the control group. Gingiva was the most common site, followed by the sublingual region and tongue. Cats with lingual OSCC were younger (mean, 11.9 years) compared to cats with gingival OSCC (mean, 13.6 years). In addition to osteolysis, there was periosteal new bone formation, osseous metaplasia of tumor stroma, and direct apposition of OSCC to fragments of bone, suggestive of bone-binding behavior. Eighty-two cases were selected for immunohistochemical detection of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP). Specimens with osteolysis had increased PTHrP expression and nuclear localization, compared to OSCC without osteolysis. Thirty-eight biopsies of OSCC with osteolysis were evaluated for tumor necrosis factor α expression, and only 4 biopsies had such expression in a small proportion of tumor cells. Increased tumor expression of PTHrP and increased localization of PTHrP to the nucleus were associated with osteolysis and may play an important role in bone resorption and tumor invasion in cats with OSCC.
Outcome of Type II Superior Labral Anterior Posterior Repairs in Elite Overhead Athletes
Authors: Neri Brian R. , ElAttrache Neal S. , Owsley Kevin C. , Mohr Karen , Yocum Lewis A.
Published: October 2010

Background: There are conflicting reports in the literature regarding the outcome of superior labral anterior posterior (SLAP) repairs in overhead athletes and a paucity of data demonstrating ability to return to prior level of competition.

Hypothesis: Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic shoulder and elbow score provides more accurate assessment of shoulder function and ability to return to previous level of athletic competition after SLAP lesion repair than does the conventional American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scoring system.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: Twenty-three elite (collegiate or professional) overhead athletes who were more than 1-year status postarthroscopic repair of type II SLAP lesions were evaluated using both the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic shoulder and elbow score and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score. P values were computed using the analysis of variance model. Postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic scores from subjects were compared with control values obtained from a healthy athletic cohort; the relationship between the scores was investigated using the linear regression model and assessed using Pearson correlations.

Results: At a mean 38-month follow-up, 13 athletes were playing pain free at the time of the questionnaire administration, 6 were playing with pain, and 4 were not playing because of pain. Regarding American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, 22 athletes (96%) had good-excellent scores, whereas 1 (4%) had a fair score. The Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic scores revealed 9 excellent (39%), 3 good (13%), 4 fair (17%), and 7 poor (30%) results for the same study group. Of the 23 patients, 13 (57%) had returned to their pain-free preinjury levels of competition at final follow-up. The inability to return to this level of competition correlated with the presence of a partial-thickness rotator cuff tear ( P = .0059). The Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic demonstrated better overall accuracy (85%) than did the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (70%) in evaluating return to pain-free preinjury levels.

Conclusion: Return to preinjury level of competition for elite overhead athletes after type II SLAP lesion repairs was 57%, despite high American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores. Return to play status correlated with the presence of a partial-thickness rotator cuff tear. The Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic score, designed specifically for the evaluation of the overhead athlete, was a more accurate assessment tool than was the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons in this population of elite overhead athletes with SLAP tears.
Implementing Natural Hazard Mitigation Provisions: Exploring the Role That Individual Land Use Planners Can Play
Authors: Stevens Mark
Published: October 2010

This article makes a case for why natural hazard mitigation planning researchers should extend their focus beyond planning agencies to individual planners and the influence they can have on fostering hazard mitigation in new development projects. Building on existing literature and personal interview data, the author explores particular facets of the current status of land use planning practice that can be expected to provide room for planners to exercise discretion to promote hazard mitigation. The author then proposes hypotheses regarding the level of discretion associated with a set of land use tools and identifies directions for future research.
Teaching Teachers to Use Prompts, Opportunities to Respond, and Specific Praise
Authors: Simonsen Brandi , Myers Diane , DeLuca Carla
Published: October 2010

Classroom management skills are critical for teachers. Yet teachers receive little training in classroom management, and empirical research on teacher training in classroom management is lacking. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of explicit training and performance feedback on teachers’ implementation of three classroom management skills: prompts for social behavior, academic opportunities to respond, and specific praise. Researchers used a multiple baseline design, introducing training and then performance feedback in a staggered fashion across the three teacher behaviors. Results indicate that there was not a functional relationship between explicit training and teacher behavior; however, introducing performance feedback following training was functionally related to an increase in the level, trend, or stability of teachers’ use of each skill.
Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions of Field Experiences in Inclusive Preschool Settings: Implications for Personnel Preparation
Authors: Hanline Mary Frances
Published: October 2010

The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify events in the field experiences of Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) preservice teachers that were perceived by the preservice teachers as influencing their thinking in relation to ECSE practices. The preservice teachers’ weekly reflective journals, university supervisor observation notes, and preservice teachers’ overall evaluations of the field experience were analyzed. Comments were coded into one of the five direct services strands or one of the indirect supports strands of the Division of Early Childhood (DEC) recommended practices in early intervention/ECSE: assessment, child-focused practices, family-based practices, interdisciplinary models, technology applications, personnel preparation, and policy, procedures, and systems change. The majority of data were coded into the strand of child-focused practices. The strand that received the second largest number of codings was assessment; family-based practices had the third highest number of codings. Findings are discussed in relation to structuring ECSE practicum experiences to result in the desired outcomes.
Stem cell transplantation: progress in Asia
Authors: Sun L.
Published: October 2010

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with multiorgan involvement and high mortality, which was reduced because of the most widely and classically used immunosuppressive therapies. However, some patients continue to have significant mortality. So a shift in the approach to the treatment of SLE is needed. In the past decade, most transplants have been performed in the treatment of SLE with allogeneic or autologous hematopoietic stem cells and currently emerging mesenchymal stem cells. There are some important differences between the two procedures.
Health-related quality of life of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Asia: how can this be improved?
Authors: Thumboo J. , Fong K-Y.
Published: October 2010

The multicultural and multilinguistic landscape in Asia poses interesting challenges in the assessment and improvement of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in Asian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This article highlights some of these challenges and addresses the issue of how to improve HRQoL of these patients by: (1) framing important concepts in HRQoL in relation to the chronic relapsing nature and multisystem involvement in this condition; (2) discussing ways to improve measurement of HRQoL of SLE patients in Asia by reviewing existing HRQoL instruments (both generic (i.e. the SF-36) and disease-specific (i.e. the L-QoL, LupusQoL, SLEQoL and SLE Symptom Checklist)) and item banking; and (3) discussing approaches to improving HRQoL in SLE.
Major gastrointestinal manifestations in lupus patients in Asia: lupus enteritis, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, and protein-losing gastroenteropathy
Authors: Chng HH , Tan BE , Teh CL , Lian TY
Published: October 2010

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and may be due to the disease itself, side-effects of medications, or non-SLE causes. However, GI manifestations of lupus attract far less attention than the other major organ involvements, are infrequently reviewed and rarely documented in published lupus databases or cohort studies including those from countries in Asia. According to three reports from two countries in Asia, the cumulative prevalence of SLE GI manifestations range from 3.8% to 18%. In this review, we focus on three major GI manifestations in patients from Asian countries: lupus enteritis, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, and protein-losing gastroenteropathy, for which early recognition improves outcome and reduces morbidity and mortality.
Do Asian patients have worse lupus?
Authors: Mok MY , Li WL
Published: October 2010

The predisposition to and clinical phenotype of systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, are affected by genetic and environmental factors. This article aims to examine whether Asians have worse lupus by reviewing the literature on genetic predisposition and clinical outcomes, including major organ involvement, damage score and mortality in Asian populations compared with other ethnicities. A number of lupus nephritis susceptibility genes have been identified in Asians and White patients, with further variations among different Asian populations. Meta-analysis studies on various Fcγ receptor subtypes revealed that FcγRIIIA-F158 allele, which is associated with low binding affinity to IgG1 and IgG3, predisposed to lupus nephritis in Asian patients. Asian patients were reported to have higher rates of lupus nephritis-associated autoantibodies, lupus nephritis and more active glomerulonephritis compared with White patients. Renal outcome and the level of immunosuppressant use in Asians were comparable to Afro-American Blacks in some studies. Asians were also found to have higher overall damage scores compared with Whites. The difference in mortality between Asian patients and other ethnicities in different geographical regions was found to vary depending on socioeconomic factors such as access to health care. Poverty, education level, cultural and behavioural factors are confounders to ethnicity in determining clinical outcome of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Civilizing Peacebuilding: Transitional Justice, Civil Society and the Liberal Paradigm
Authors: Andrieu Kora
Published: October 2010

In spite of recurrent calls for a more locally rooted approach to the building of ‘local capacities’, peace operations today are still largely under the influence of US hegemony and neoliberal values. Their aim is to transform war-torn societies along liberal lines, in both the political and the economic spheres. To achieve this, it is argued that the international community must begin by acting illiberally: rebuilding the structures of the state in order to give it the capacity to monopolize legitimate violence and manage the societal conflicts that are the unfortunate by-products of democracy and the free market. Leaders and ‘high politics’ are the central targets, as it is hoped that the rest of society will be affected in turn. However, this kind of social engineering from the top down can be counterproductive for the peace process and the nature of transition. Civil society should not be a secondary target: it should be the primary one. The Weberian approach to peace operations focuses too much on objective sources of legitimacy at the expense of those rooted in local, subjective perceptions of society. Since transitional justice has recently become part of the liberal peacebuilding ‘package’, integrated into a broad, positive definition of peace itself, transitional justice too should focus on civil society first. Building upon Habermas’s notion of communicative action and Putnam’s definition of social capital, this article will formulate the basis of a new approach to peace operations, one that would aim less at the rebuilding of state institutions and more at the reconstruction of social relations and unfettered dialogue between communities.
Teaching Young Children How to Sing: One School’s Experience
Authors: Kenney Susan
Published: October 2010

In many schools, classroom teachers are responsible for the music experiences of young children. Children may learn songs, but may not learn how to sing. This article outlines simple teaching strategies to help young children develop listening and vocal habits leading to beautiful singing. The article discusses how the kindergarten classes at one elementary school succeeded, and includes recordings of children’s singing.
Ethical Practice in Sex Offender Assessment
Authors: Vess James
Published: October 2010

The current generation of community protection laws represents a shift in priorities that may see the individual rights of sex offenders compromised for the goal of public safety. At the center of many judicial decisions under these laws are the risk assessment reports provided by mental health practitioners. The widespread enactment of laws allowing for additional sanctions for sex offenders, and a burgeoning research literature regarding the methods used to assess risk have served to heighten rather than resolve the ethical concerns associated with professional practice in this area. This article examines ethical issues inherent in the use of two assessment methods commonly used with sex offenders in the correctional context, focusing on actuarial measures and polygraph tests. Properly conducted and adequately reported actuarial findings are considered to provide useful information of sufficient accuracy to inform rather than mislead judicial decision makers, although careful consideration must be given to the limitations of current measures in each individual case. Despite its increasing use, polygraph testing is considered controversial, with little consensus regarding its accuracy or appropriate applications. On the basis of the current state of the professional literature regarding the polygraph, its use with sex offenders raises unresolved ethical concerns.
The Ethics of Care and Treatment of Sex Offenders
Authors: Ward Tony , Salmon Karen
Published: October 2010

The ethics of care acknowledges the importance of establishing and maintaining practices that help people to meet their needs, develop and protect basic capabilities for problem solving, emotional functioning, and social interaction, and avoid pain and suffering. In this article, we explore the contribution an ethics of care perspective can make to work with sex offenders. First, we briefly describe five classes of ethical problems evident in work with sex offenders. Second, the concept of care is defined and a justification for a version of care theory provided. Third, we apply the care ethical theory to ethical issues with sex offenders and demonstrate its value in responding to the five classes of problems outlined earlier.
Effect of Diet Saturation on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Fat Quality of Heavy Pigs
Authors: Olivares A. , Daza A. , Rey A.I. , López-Bote C.J.
Published: October 2010

Twenty-four castrated male (Duroc × Large Withe × Landrace) with an average weight of 69.4 kg were randomly distributed and located in individual cages and given the experimental diets. Diets were provided ad libitum and were formulated containing three levels of palm oil and hydropalm (hydrogenated palm stearine): 4% and 0% (low saturation), 2% and 2% (moderate saturation) and 0% and 4% (high saturation). Pigs were slaughtered at a local slaughterhouse with an average weight of 129.1 kg. The dietary treatment had no significant influence on growth performances and carcass characteristics. The diet saturation led to an increase of C18:0 and ΣSFA (saturated fatty acids) proportions and to a reduction of C18:1 n-9, C18:2 n-6 and ΣPUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) proportions and in subcutaneous backfat outer and inner layers. The dietary treatment affected significantly the melting point of subcutaneous backfat outer layer but had no significant influence on the melting point of the subcutaneous backfat inner layer. However, a linear effect of C18:0 proportion of subcutaneous backfat outer and inner layers on the melting point was observed. Dietary treatment had no significant effect on the main fatty acids pattern of intramuscular neutral and polar lipids from Longissimus dorsi muscle. In neutral lipids of liver a dietary influence (p < 0.05), but not a clear dose-response relationship, was observed for C16:0, C18:1 n-9, ΣSFA and ΣPUFA fatty acids, whereas in polar lipids the dietary treatment had no significant effect on the main fatty acids proportions. No effect of diet saturation was found on rheological properties of fat except for the hardness. The hardness was higher in the pigs that received the diet with 0% of palm oil and 4% hydropalm than in those given the diet with 4% of palm oil and 0% hydropalm.
Screening Filamentous Tropical Fungi for their Nutritional Potential as Sources of Crude Proteins, Lipids and Minerals
Authors: Carvalho S.A. , Coelho J.V. , Takahashi J.A.
Published: October 2010

The use of fungal and yeast biomass in foodstuff, either as supplements or as major ingredients in formulations is an area of growing interest for the modern food industry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional potential of biomasses obtained from filamentous fungi Penicillium sclerotiorum, Penicillium janthinellum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Syncephalastrum racemosum. Biomasses presented 26-37% of total proteins, 1.7-3.5% of lipids and 4.6-9.1% of ashes. The humidity level reached 75-83%. Ashes were screened for minerals contents with a special outcome for S. racemosum biomass that presented 3438 mg/100 g (dw) of magnesium. Fatty acids present in the biomasses were screened and the palmitic (C16:0), estearic (C18:0), elaidic (18:1n9-t), oleic (18:1n9-c), linolelaidic (C18:2n6-t), linoleic (C18:2n6-c) and γ-linolenic (C18:3n6) acids were found to be the most abundant, from a total of 88-90% of identified fatty acids. Overall data indicate that the filamentous fungi studied have good nutritional properties, possessing a combination of good level of proteins, low level of fat, and presence of essential fatty acids, including omega-3 derivatives, along with the presence of Ca, Mg, Zn and Fe.
Ethics and Moral Development: Core Ingredients of a Compliance Culture
Authors: Rowe Jimmy , Kellam Charles
Published: October 2010

This article creates a menu that fuses two ingredients, ethics and moral development, to make a successful compliance culture in home care agencies. The fusion of these ingredients underscores the need for home health care leaders to give due diligence in their efforts to achieve maximum organizational accountability to create the type of compliance culture that can combat corporate fraud and abuse.
OASIS Update
Authors: Niewenhous Susan S.
Published: October 2010

It appears that home care staff has achieved a level of comfort with OASIS-C. The July release of the Q&As revealed a shorter list of questions, and some of those were questions that do not have concrete answers. Clinicians are honing in on some of the finer points of the data set in areas where professional judgment must be used to determine the best answer.
Fall Risk Assessments in Home Care: OASIS-C Expectations
Authors: Anemaet Wendy K. , Krulish Linda H.
Published: October 2010

The revised version of the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS-C) contains many changes to the data set including the addition of process measure items, which looks at specific evidence-based practices agencies have in place to address high-risk, high-volume, problem-prone areas. One of these process measure areas, namely, falls prevention, addresses agencies’ processes for assessing fall risk and implementing steps to reduce and prevent falls. This article identifies problems regarding home care falls, details the item in the data set pertaining to fall risk assessment, describes several possible falls risk assessments that can be used, and explores strategies to meet the OASIS-C process measure item for multifactor fall risk assessment. Tests that are multifactorial, along with other more specific focused risk-assessment tools are described.
Collective Bargaining and Job Benefits: The Case of Florida Deputy Sheriffs
Authors: Doerner William M. , Doerner William G.
Published: October 2010

In 2003, the Florida Supreme Court lifted the ban that prohibited sheriff deputies from engaging in collective bargaining. Borrowing data from the Criminal Justice Agency Profile, an annual census of Florida law enforcement agencies, this study asks two questions. First, what impact does the decision have on job benefits? Second, would restricting analysis to agencies with 100+ sworn members alter the findings? Fixed-effects panel data analyses reveal a noteworthy effect on starting salaries. Focusing on just larger agencies leads to a dramatic underestimation of the decision’s impact. The timeliness of this study is appraised in light of pending federal legislation.
Government policy on women offenders: Labour’s legacy and the Coalition’s challenge
Authors: Hedderman Carol
Published: October 2010

After 13 years of a majority Labour government, a minority Conservative government was elected in the UK in May 2010. Within weeks, the Conservatives had created a Coalition government with the Liberal Democrats. In developing its policies on a range of social issues, the new administration will need to take account of what its immediate predecessor achieved and the lessons that Labour failed to take from its forerunners. In relation to women offenders, such an analysis shows that, while towards the end of its third and last term, Labour began to deal more effectively with the social exclusion needs of women offenders, through a range of community-based initiatives, its approach to diverting women towards such assistance and away from custody was, at best, half-hearted. The result is that more women than ever are being remanded and sentenced to custody. This came as a surprise only to those who had not noticed that this approach had also failed in the 1980s and 1990s. The Coalition might like to take note.
Literary geography and the short story: setting and narrative style
Authors: Hones Sheila
Published: October 2010

This article deals with setting and narrative style in the literary geography of short fiction. In its first section it reviews four commentaries on geographies of the short story. In its second section it makes a close reading of Alice Walker’s one-page story ‘Petunias’ in which it argues that for the story to happen readers must contribute to the event not only a high level of participatory engagement but also a willingness to exercise a particular kind of spatial knowledge.
Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy has a potential role in pancreatic carcinoma
Authors: van Tienhoven Geertjan , Gouma Dirk J. , Richel Dick J.
Published: October 2010

Pancreatic cancer has an extremely poor prognosis, only a small minority of patients undergo a resection with curative intent. Chemotherapy and/or radiochemotherapy may improve this by prolonging survival or disease-free interval and improving resectability and the proportion of microscopically complete (R0) resections. With regard to prolonging survival, both in the postoperative adjuvant setting and in locally advanced disease, chemotherapy has a positive but limited effect on survival and may be considered standard. The role of postoperative adjuvant radiochemotherapy remains debatable. For improving resectability/proportion of R0 resections, many studies suggest that the proportion of patients undergoing a resection during exploration and the proportion of R0 resections increase after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy. This may improve the prognosis of patients with a resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic carcinoma. The effect of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy, if any, is modest. The search for better combinations, including targeted therapy, must continue. The interpretation of single-arm studies is hampered by (selection) biases. The reporting of pathology and study endpoints should be internationally standardized. To avoid biases in studies of patients with (borderline) resectable tumours, prospective parallel registration of all patients referred for surgery would help. Ultimately, randomized controlled phase III trials should establish the role of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy. Thus, neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy has a potential benefit in resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer, but better combinations are warranted.
Lumbo-Pelvic-Hip Complex Pain in a Competitive Basketball Player
Authors: Reiman Michael P. , Cox Kara D. , Jones Kay S. , Byrd J. W.
Published: October 2010

Establishing the cause of lumbo-pelvic-hip complex pain is a challenge for many clinicians. This case report describes the mechanism of injury, diagnostic process, surgical management, and rehabilitation of a female high school basketball athlete who sustained an injury when falling on her right side. Diagnostics included clinical examination, radiography of the spine and hip joint, magnetic resonance imaging arthrogram, 3-dimensional computed tomography scan, and computed tomography of the hip joint. A systematic multidisciplinary clinical approach resulted in the patient’s return to previous functional levels.
Allograft Versus Autograft Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Kaeding Christopher C. , Aros Brian , Pedroza Angela , Pifel Eric , Amendola Annunziato , Andrish Jack T. , Dunn Warren R. , Marx Robert G. , McCarty Eric C. , Parker Richard D. , Wright Rick W. , Spindler Kurt P.
Published: October 2010

Background:

Tearing an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft is a devastating occurrence after ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Identifying and understanding the independent predictors of ACLR graft failure is important for surgical planning, patient counseling, and efforts to decrease the risk of graft failure.

Hypothesis:

Patient and surgical variables will predict graft failure after ACLR.

Study Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Methods:

A multicenter group initiated a cohort study in 2002 to identify predictors of ACLR outcomes, including graft failure. First, to control for confounders, a single surgeon’s data (n = 281 ACLRs) were used to develop a multivariable regression model for ACLR graft failure. Evaluated variables were graft type (autograft vs allograft), sex, age, body mass index, activity at index injury, presence of a meniscus tear, and primary versus revision reconstruction. Second, the model was validated with the rest of the multicenter study’s data (n = 645 ACLRs) to evaluate the generalizability of the model.

Results:

Patient age and ACL graft type were significant predictors of graft failure for all study surgeons. Patients in the age group of 10 to 19 years had the highest percentage of graft failures. The odds of graft rupture with an allograft reconstruction are 4 times higher than those of autograft reconstructions. For each 10-year decrease in age, the odds of graft rupture increase 2.3 times.

Conclusion:

There is an increased risk of ACL graft rupture in patients who have undergone allograft reconstruction. Younger patients also have an increased risk of ACL graft failure.

Clinical Relevance:

Given these risks for ACL graft rupture, allograft ACLRs should be performed with caution in the younger patient population.
A Person by Situation Account of Motivated System Defense
Authors: Banfield Jillian C. , Kay Aaron C. , Cutright Keisha M. , Wu Eugenia C. , Fitzsimons Gavan J.
Published: October 2010

Three studies demonstrate how individual differences in confidence in the sociopolitical system interact with threats that engage the system justification motive to produce system defense. Following threat, participants low, but not high, in system confidence increasingly defended the system, by rejecting system change (Study 1) and preferring domestic over international products (Studies 2 and 3). These findings contribute to the literature on system justification theory in two ways: First, they expand scholars' understanding of when and for whom system-level threats instigate motivational processes of system defense, and, second, they demonstrate that the system justification motive is not merely another example of worldview verification phenomena but instead involves a specific goal to defend the status quo.
Aberrant global methylation patterns affect the molecular pathogenesis and prognosis of multiple myeloma
Authors: Walker Brian A. , Wardell Christopher P. , Chiecchio Laura , Smith Emma M. , Boyd Kevin D. , Neri Antonino , Davies Faith E. , Ross Fiona M. , Morgan Gareth J.
Published: October 2010

We used genome-wide methylation microarrays to analyze differences in CpG methylation patterns in cells relevant to the pathogenesis of myeloma plasma cells (B cells, normal plasma cells, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance [MGUS], presentation myeloma, and plasma cell leukemia). We show that methylation patterns in these cell types are capable of distinguishing nonmalignant from malignant cells and the main reason for this difference is hypomethylation of the genome at the transition from MGUS to presentation myeloma. In addition, gene-specific hypermethylation was evident at the myeloma stage. Differential methylation was also evident at the transition from myeloma to plasma cell leukemia with remethylation of the genome, particularly of genes involved in cell–cell signaling and cell adhesion, which may contribute to independence from the bone marrow microenvironment. There was a high degree of methylation variability within presentation myeloma samples, which was associated with cytogenetic differences between samples. More specifically, we found methylation subgroups were defined by translocations and hyperdiploidy, with t(4;14) myeloma having the greatest impact on DNA methylation. Two groups of hyperdiploid samples were identified, on the basis of unsupervised clustering, which had an impact on overall survival. Overall, DNA methylation changes significantly during disease progression and between cytogenetic subgroups.
Second-hand smoke exposure and the factors associated with avoidance behavior among the mothers of pre-school children: a school-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Lin Pi-Li , Huang Hsiao-Ling , Lu Kuei-Yun , Chen Ted , Lin Wei-Ting , Lee Chien-Hung , Hsu Hsiang-Ming
Published: October 2010

Background

Second-hand Smoke (SHS) exposure is a significant public health problem that may be responsible for serious health hazards for child. This study aimed to examine the exposure status of SHS and the factors associated with SHS avoidance behavior among the mothers of pre-school children.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was used to obtain a sample of the mothers of pre-school children (n = 1,020) in 30 registered kindergartens in eastern Taiwan. Overall, 919 (a response rate of 90%) completed the questionnaires. Regression models were used to identify factors with respect to the avoidance behavior of SHS.

Results

The prevalence of exposure to SHS was 70% and 50% for the mothers and their children, respectively. After adjusting for other variables, mothers who were current smokers (β = -0.260, p < 0.001), had spouses who smoked (β = -0.060, p < 0.05), SHS exposure (β = -0.138, p < 0.001), and/or children with exposure to SHS (β = -0.084, p < 0.05) were found to be less likely to avoid SHS, whereas mothers with a high knowledge score about SHS (β = 0.082, p < 0.01), positive attitudes (β = 0.274, p < 0.001) and a high self-efficacy level in regard to the avoidance of SHS (β = 0.397, p < 0.001) were observed to be more likely to avoid SHS. Regression analyses confirmed that the significantly factors associated with the avoidance behavior of SHS were self-efficacy, being a current smoker, and the attitude toward the avoidance of SHS to be that of 55.5% of the total variance explained (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The high prevalence rate of exposure to SHS for mothers and their children suggests that a well-designed future intervention program should be implemented in regard to pre-school children's mothers in order to prevent these mothers and their children from SHS exposure hazards, more particularly, to strengthen the knowledge base, to enhance self-efficacy and to foster a more positive attitude toward the avoidance of SHS in the mothers.
Clinically Relevant Progestins Regulate Neurogenic and Neuroprotective Responses in Vitro and in Vivo
Authors: Liu Lifei , Zhao Liqin , She Hongyun , Chen Shuhua , Wang Jun Ming , Wong Charisse , McClure Kelsey , Sitruk-Ware Regine , Brinton Roberta Diaz
Published: October 2010

Previously, we demonstrated that progesterone (P4) promoted adult rat neural progenitor cell (rNPC) proliferation with concomitant regulation of cell-cycle gene expression via the P4 receptor membrane component/ERK pathway. Here, we report the efficacy of seven clinically relevant progestins alone or in combination with 17β-estradiol (E2) on adult rNPC proliferation and hippocampal cell viability in vitro and in vivo. In vitro analyses indicated that P4, norgestimate, Nestorone, norethynodrel, norethindrone, and levonorgestrel (LNG) significantly increased in rNPC proliferation, whereas norethindrone acetate was without effect, and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) inhibited rNPC proliferation. Proliferative progestins in vitro were also neuroprotective. Acute in vivo exposure to P4 and Nestorone significantly increased proliferating cell nuclear antigen and cell division cycle 2 expression and total number of hippocampal 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive cells, whereas LNG and MPA were without effect. Mechanistically, neurogenic progestins required activation of MAPK to promote proliferation. P4, Nestorone, and LNG significantly increased ATP synthase subunit α (complex V, subunit α) expression, whereas MPA was without effect. In combination with E2, P4, Nestorone, LNG, and MPA significantly increased BrdU incorporation. However, BrdU incorporation induced by E2 plus LNG or MPA was paralleled by a significant increase in apoptosis. A rise in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio paralleled apoptosis induced by LNG and MPA. With the exception of P4, clinical progestins antagonized E2-induced rise in complex V, subunit α. These preclinical translational findings indicate that the neurogenic response to clinical progestins varies dramatically. Progestin impact on the regenerative capacity of the brain has clinical implications for contraceptive and hormone therapy formulations prescribed for pre- and postmenopausal women.
Estrogen-Induced Apoptosis of Breast Epithelial Cells Is Blocked by NO/cGMP and Mediated by Extranuclear Estrogen Receptors
Authors: Kastrati Irida , Edirisinghe Praneeth D. , Wijewickrama Gihani T. , Thatcher Gregory R. J.
Published: October 2010

Estrogen action, via both nuclear and extranuclear estrogen receptors (ERs), induces a variety of cellular signals that are prosurvival or proliferative, whereas nitric oxide (NO) can inhibit apoptosis via caspase S-nitrosylation and via activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase to produce cGMP. The action of 17β-estradiol (E2) at ER is known to elicit NO signaling via activation of NO synthase (NOS) in many tissues. The MCF-10A nontumorigenic, mammary epithelial cell line is genetically stable and insensitive to estrogenic proliferation. In this cell line, estrogens or NOS inhibitors alone had no significant effect, whereas in combination, apoptosis was induced rapidly in the absence of serum; the presence of inducible NOS was confirmed by proteomic analysis. The application of pharmacological agents determined that apoptosis was dependent upon NO/cGMP signaling via cyclic GMP (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase and could be replicated by inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/serine-threonine kinase pathway prior to addition of E2. Apoptosis was confirmed by nuclear staining and increased caspase-3 activity in E2 + NOS inhibitor-treated cells. Apoptosis was partially inhibited by a pure ER antagonist and replicated by agonists selective for extranuclear ER. Cells were rescued from E2-induced apoptosis after NOS blockade, by NO-donors and cGMP pathway agonists; preincubation with NO donors was required. The NOS and ER status of breast cancer tissues is significant in etiology, prognosis, and therapy. In this study, apoptosis of preneoplastic mammary epithelial cells was triggered by estrogens via a rapid, extranuclear ER-mediated response, after removal of an antiapoptotic NO/cGMP/cGMP-dependent protein kinase signal.
Formulation and evaluation of primaquine phosphate taste-masked rapidly disintegrating tablet
Authors: Shah Punit P , Mashru Rajashree C
Published: October 2010

This work investigates the complete bitter-taste-masking of primaquine phosphate (PRM) using a solid dispersion with mono ammonium glycyrrhyzinate pentahydrate (GLY). This work also describes the preparation of rapidly disintegrating tablets (RDTs) of PRM by a direct compression method using superdisintegrant, croscarmellose sodium. A solid dispersion was prepared by the solvent evaporation method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were performed to identify the physicochemical interaction between drug and carrier, hence its effect on dissolution. In-vitro drug release studies were performed for RDTs at both pH 1.2 and 6.8. Bitterness score was evaluated using a human gustatory sensation test. FTIR spectroscopy and DSC showed no interaction of PRM in GLY solid dispersion. RDTs prepared from solid dispersion showed complete bitter-taste-masking of PRM. RDTs containing solid dispersion exhibited a better dissolution profile, at both pH 1.2 and 6.8, than pure PRM. Thus, the solid dispersion technique can be successfully used for complete bitter taste masking of PRM.
Delivery of daunorubicin to cancer cells with decreased toxicity by association with a lipidic nanoemulsion that binds to LDL receptors
Authors: Teixeira Raquel S , Valduga Claudete J , Benvenutti Luis A , Schreier Shirley , Maranhão Raul C
Published: October 2010

A lipidic nanoemulsion termed LDE concentrates in neoplastic cells after injection into the bloodstream and thus can be used as a drug carrier to tumour sites. The chemotherapeutic agent daunorubicin associates poorly with LDE; the aim of this study was to clarify whether the derivatization of daunorubicin by the attachment of an oleyl group increases the association with LDE, and to test the cytotoxicity and animal toxicity of the new preparation. The association of oleyldaunorubicin (oDNR) to LDE showed high yield (93 ± 2% and 84 ± 4% at 1:10 and 1:5 drug:lipid mass, respectively) and was stable for at least 20 days. Association with oDNR increased the LDE particle diameter from 42 ± 4 nm to 75 ± 6 nm. Cytotoxicity of LDE-oDNR was reduced two-fold in HL-60 and K-562 cell lines, fourteen-fold in B16 cells and nine-fold in L1210 cells when compared with commercial daunorubicin. When tested in mice, LDE-oDNR showed remarkable reduced toxicity (maximum tolerated dose > 253 μmol kg−1, compared with <3 μmol kg−1 for commercial daunorubicin). At high doses, the cardiac tissue of LDE-oDNR-treated animals had much smaller structural lesions than with commercial daunorubicin. LDE-oDNR is therefore a promising new preparation that may offer superior tolerability compared with commercial daunorubicin.
Pharmacokinetic differentiation of drug candidates using system analysis and physiological-based modelling. Comparison of C.E.R.A. and erythropoietin
Authors: Veng-Pedersen Peter , Freise Kevin J , Schmidt Robert L , Widness John A
Published: October 2010

Evaluation of the pharmacokinetics (PKs) in a proper physiological context is paramount to elucidate the factors that may improve a drug's PK properties. Using modern system analysis-based physiological modelling principles, this work applies a novel kinetic analysis framework to a PK comparison of two erythropoietically active drugs, C.E.R.A. (continuous erythropoietin receptor activator) and recombinant human erythropoietin (Epo), aimed at elucidating the main factors responsible for the substantial PK differences seen. The evaluation according to the new model is compared with a compartmental model analysis. Sheep (n = 7 for Epo; n = 8 for C.E.R.A.) received intravenous bolus injections of Epo and C.E.R.A. Baseline and 20–30 blood samples per injection were assayed by radioimmunoassay. Fundamental physiologically based PK building block principles were introduced, proceeding to the construction of a general PK model and several sub-models from which a final PK model was selected based on information theoretical principles. The compartmental comparison analysis use a two-compartment model with central Michaelis-Menten elimination. Several lines of evidence support the hypothesis that the desirable slow elimination of C.E.R.A. relative to Epo is mainly caused by a smaller recirculation extraction fraction, which appears more influential on the elimination kinetics than the mean circulation transit time. The compartmental analysis demonstrates large differences in several PK parameters that contribute to C.E.R.A.'s slower elimination, consistent with the recirculation model analysis. It is hypothesized that C.E.R.A.'s smaller recirculatory extraction fraction is due to a reduced receptor-mediated elimination, consistent with in-vitro measurements where C.E.R.A. shows Epo-receptor binding with a lower association constant and a larger dissociation constant.
Bis(α-furancarboxylato)oxovanadium(IV) prevents and improves dexamethasone-induced insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes
Authors: Zuo Yi-Qing , Liu Wei-Ping , Niu Yan-Fen , Tian Chang-Fu , Xie Ming-Jin , Chen Xi-Zhu , Li Ling
Published: October 2010

Previous studies showed that bis(α-furancarboxylato)oxovanadium(IV) (BFOV), an orally active antidiabetic organic vanadium complex, could improve insulin resistance in animals with type 2 diabetes. The present study has been carried out to evaluate the effects of BFOV on insulin-resistant glucose metabolism using dexamethasone-treated 3T3-L1 adipocytes as an in-vitro model of insulin resistance. The results showed that BFOV, similar to vanadyl sulfate and rosiglitazone, caused a concentration-dependent increase in glucose consumption by insulin-resistant adipocytes. Moreover, BFOV enhanced the action of insulin and completely prevented the development of insulin resistance induced by dexamethasone, leading to glucose consumption equal to that by normal cells. In addition, dexamethasone reduced the mRNA expression of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, while BFOV normalized the expression of IRS-1 and GLUT4. These findings suggest that BFOV prevents and improves dexamethasone-induced insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by enhancing expression of IRS-1 and GLUT4 mRNA.
Astaxanthin, a dietary carotenoid, protects retinal cells against oxidative stress in-vitro and in mice in-vivo
Authors: Nakajima Yoshimi , Inokuchi Yuta , Shimazawa Masamitsu , Otsubo Kazumasa , Ishibashi Takashi , Hara Hideaki
Published: October 2010

We have investigated whether astaxanthin exerted neuroprotective effects in retinal ganglion cells in-vitro and in-vivo. In-vitro, retinal damage was induced by 24-h hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) exposure or serum deprivation, and cell viability was measured using a WST assay. In cultured retinal ganglion cells (RGC-5, a rat ganglion cell-line transformed using E1A virus), astaxanthin inhibited the neurotoxicity induced by H2O2 or serum deprivation, and reduced the intracellular oxidation induced by various reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, astaxanthin decreased the radical generation induced by serum deprivation in RGC-5. In mice in-vivo, astaxanthin (100 mg kg−1, p.o., four times) reduced the retinal damage (a decrease in retinal ganglion cells and in thickness of inner plexiform layer) induced by intravitreal N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) injection. Furthermore, astaxanthin reduced the expressions of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE)-modified protein (indicator of lipid peroxidation) and 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG; indicator of oxidative DNA damage). These findings indicated that astaxanthin had neuroprotective effects against retinal damage in-vitro and in-vivo, and that its protective effects may have been partly mediated via its antioxidant effects.