bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Situ Swelling Behavior of Chitosan-Polygalacturonic Acid/Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposites in Cell Culture Media
Authors: Khanna Rohit , Katti Kalpana S. , Katti Dinesh R.
Published: June 2010

The molecular and mechanical characteristics of in situ degradation behavior of chitosan-polygalacturonic acid/hydroxyapatite (Chi-PgA-HAP) nanocomposite films is investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and modulus mapping techniques for up to 48 days of soaking in cell culture media. The surface molecular structure of media-soaked samples changes over the course of 48 days of soaking, as indicated by significant changes in phosphate vibrations (1200–900 ) indicating apatite formation. Chitosan-Polygalacturonic acid polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) govern structural integrity of Chi-PgA-HAP nanocomposites and FTIR spectra indicate that PECs remain intact until 48 days of soaking. In situ AFM experiments on media-soaked samples indicate that soaking results in a change in topography and swelling proceeds differently at the initial soaking periods of about 8 days than for longer soaking. In situ modulus mapping experiments are done on soaked samples by probing 1–3 nm of surface indicating elastic moduli of 4 GPa resulting from proteins adsorbed on Chi-PgA-HAP nanocomposites. The elastic modulus decreases by 2 GPa over a long exposure to cell culture media (48 days). Thus, as water enters the Chi-PgA-HAP sample, surface molecular interactions in Chi-PgA-HAP structure occur that result in swelling, causing small changes in nanoscale mechanical properties.
Various Terpenoids Derived from Herbal and Dietary Plants Function as PPAR Modulators and Regulate Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism
Authors: Goto Tsuyoshi , Takahashi Nobuyuki , Hirai Shizuka , Kawada Teruo
Published: June 2010

Several herbal plants improve medical conditions. Such plants contain many bioactive phytochemicals. Terpenoids (also called “isoprenoids”) constitute one of the largest families of natural products accounting for more than 40,000 individual compounds of both primary and secondary metabolisms. In particular, terpenoids are contained in many herbal plants, and several terpenoids have been shown to be available for pharmaceutical applications, for example, artemisinin and taxol as malaria and cancer medicines, respectively. Various terpenoids are contained in many plants for not only herbal use but also dietary use. In this paper, we describe several bioactive terpenoids contained in herbal or dietary plants, which can modulate the activities of ligand-dependent transcription factors, namely, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). Because PPARs are dietary lipid sensors that control energy homeostasis, daily eating of these terpenoids might be useful for the management for obesity-induced metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular diseases.
Bispectral Index Changes during Acute Brainstem TIA/Ischemia
Authors: Bleeker Chris P. , Smits Bart , Vos Pieter E. , Mourisse Jo M. J.
Published: June 2010

We describe a 76-year-old patient who suffered a brainstem TIA just before being anesthetised for cardiac surgery. The TIA was registered on BIS and resulted in a drop in BIS to a value of 60. When consciousness returned spontaneously, the BIS increased to 85. The relative use of the BIS during an operation is discussed. We believe that the lack of input from the brainstem to the frontal cortex resulted in the reduced cortical electrical activity as registered with the BIS.
Decision Fusion for Structural Damage Detection: Numerical and Experimental Studies
Authors: Chen Yong , Tian Senyuan , Sun Bingnan
Published: June 2010

This paper describes a decision fusion strategy that can integrate multiple individual damage detection measures to form a new measure, and the new measure has higher probability of correct detection than any individual measure. The method to compute the probability of correct selection is presented to measure the system performance of the fusion system that includes the presented fusion strategy. And parametric sensitive studies on system performance are also conducted. The superiority of the fusion strategy herein is that it can be extended to deal with the multiresolution subdecision or blind adaptive detection, and corresponding methodologies are also provided. Finally, an experimental setup was fabricated, whereby the vibration properties of damaged and undamaged structures were measured. The experimental results with the undamaged structural model provide information for producing an improved theoretical and numerical model via model updating techniques. Three existing vibration-based damage detection methods with varied resolutions were utilized to identify the damage that occurred in the structure, based on the experimental results. Then the decision fusion strategy was implemented to join the subdecisions from these three methods. The fused results are shown to be superior to those from single method.
Proposing Low-Similarity Peptide Vaccines againstMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Lucchese Guglielmo , Stufano Angela , Kanduc Darja
Published: June 2010

Using the currently available proteome databases and based on the concept that a rare sequence is a potential epitope, epitopic sequences derived fromMycobacterium tuberculosiswere examined for similarity score to the proteins of the host in which the epitopes were defined. We found that: (i) most of the bacterial linear determinants had peptide fragment(s) that were rarely found in the host proteins and (ii) the relationship between low similarity and epitope definition appears potentially applicable to T-cell determinants. The data confirmed the hypothesis that low-sequence similarity shapes or determines the epitope definition at the molecular level and provides a potential tool for designing new approaches to prevent, diagnose, and treat tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.
Postoperative Cardiac Arrest after Heart Surgery: Does Extracorporeal Perfusion Support a Paradigm Change in Management?
Authors: Gologorsky Edward , Macedo Francisco Igor B. , Carvalho Enisa M. , Gologorsky Angela , Ricci Marco , Salerno Tomas A.
Published: June 2010

Early institution of extracorporeal perfusion support (ECPS) may improve survival after cardiac arrest. Two patients sustained unexpected cardiac arrest in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) following cardiac interventions. ECPS was initiated due to failure to restore hemodynamics after prolonged (over 60 minutes) advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) protocol-guided cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Despite relatively late institution of ECPS, both patients survived with preserved neurological function. This communication focuses on the utility of ECPS in the ICU as a part of resuscitative efforts.
A Novel Nanoparticulate Formulation of Arsenic Trioxide with Enhanced Therapeutic Efficacy in a Murine Model of Breast Cancer
Authors: Ahn Richard W. , Chen Feng , Chen Haimei , Stern Stephan T. , Clogston Jeffrey D. , Patri Anil K. , Raja Meera R. , Swindell Elden P. , Parimi Vamsi , Cryns Vincent L. , O'Halloran Thomas V.
Published: June 2010

Purpose: The clinical success of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) in hematologic malignancies has not been replicated in solid tumors due to poor pharmacokinetics and dose-limiting toxicity. We have developed a novel nanoparticulate formulation of As2O3 encapsulated in liposomal vesicles or “nanobins” [(NB(Ni,As)] to overcome these hurdles. We postulated that nanobin encapsulation of As2O3 would improve its therapeutic index against clinically aggressive solid tumors, such as triple-negative breast carcinomas.

Experimental Design: The cytotoxicity of NB(Ni,As), the empty nanobin, and free As2O3 was evaluated against a panel of human breast cancer cell lines. The plasma pharmacokinetics of NB(Ni,As) and free As2O3 were compared in rats to measure drug exposure. In addition, the antitumor activity of these agents was evaluated in an orthotopic model of human triple-negative breast cancer.

Results: The NB(Ni,As) agent was much less cytotoxic in vitro than free As2O3 against a panel of human breast cancer cell lines. In contrast, NB(Ni,As) dramatically potentiated the therapeutic efficacy of As2O3 in vivo in an orthotopic model of triple-negative breast cancer. Reduced plasma clearance, enhanced tumor uptake, and induction of tumor cell apoptosis were observed for NB(Ni,As).

Conclusions: Nanobin encapsulation of As2O3 improves the pharmacokinetics and antitumor efficacy of this cytotoxic agent in vivo. Our findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of this nanoscale agent and provide a foundation for future clinical studies in breast cancer and other solid tumors. Clin Cancer Res; 16(14); 3607–17. ©2010 AACR.
Two Good Choices to Prevent Breast Cancer: Great Taste, Less Filling
Authors: Hortobagyi Gabriel N. , Brown Powel H.
Published: June 2010

An important report in this issue of the journal by Vogel et al. (beginning on p. 696) discloses long-term follow-up data of the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR) showing persisting strong effects of both drugs in preventing invasive and noninvasive breast cancer after drugs were stopped in 2006. In addition, safety improved with longer follow-up (median of 81 months versus 47 months for the initial report). For 12 years, the public has avoided Food and Drug Administration–approved tamoxifen or raloxifene for breast cancer risk reduction; it is time to reemphasize the great preventive benefit of these agents to the public. Cancer Prev Res; 3(6); 681–5. ©2010 AACR.
Pharmacologic Neuroimaging of the Ontogeny of Dopamine Receptor Function
Authors: Chen Y. Iris , Choi Ji-Kyung , Xu Haibo , Ren Jiaqian , Andersen Susan L. , Jenkins Bruce G.
Published: June 2010

Characterization of the ontogeny of the cerebral dopaminergic system is crucial for gaining a greater understanding of normal brain development and its alterations in response to drugs of abuse or conditions such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Pharmacological MRI (phMRI) was used to determine the response to dopamine transporter (DAT) blockers cocaine and methylphenidate (MPH), the dopamine releaser D-amphetamine (AMPH), the selective D1 agonist dihydrexidine, and the D2/D3 agonist quinpirole in young (<30 days old) and adult (>60 days old) rats. In adult rats, cocaine (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) or MPH (2 mg/kg) induced primarily positive cerebral blood volume (rCBV) changes in the dopaminergic circuitry, but negative rCBV changes in the young animals. Microdialysis measurements in the striatum showed that young rats have a smaller increase in extracellular dopamine in response to cocaine than adults. The young rats showed little rCBV response to the selective D1 agonist dihydrexidine in contrast to robust rCBV increases observed in the adults, whereas there was a similar negative rCBV response in the young and adult rats to the D2 agonist quinpirole. We also performed a meta-analysis of literature data on the development of D1 and D2 receptors and the DAT. These data suggest a predominance of D2-like over D1-like function between 20 and 30 days of age. These combined results suggested that the dopamine D1 receptor is functionally inhibited at young age.
Phosphatidylserine Containing ω–3 Fatty Acids May Improve Memory Abilities in Non-Demented Elderly with Memory Complaints: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Vakhapova Veronika , Cohen Tzafra , Richter Yael , Herzog Yael , Korczyn Amos D.
Published: June 2010

Background: Phosphatidylserine (PS) may have beneficial effects on cognitive functions. We evaluated the efficacy of a novel preparation of PS containing ω–3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids attached to its backbone (PS-DHA) in non-demented elderly with memory complaints. Methods: 157 participants were randomized to receive either PS-DHA or placebo for 15 weeks. Efficacy measures, assessed at baseline and endpoint, included the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Rey Complex Figure Test, and a computerized cognitive battery. Clinicians’ Global Impression of Change was assessed following 7 and 15 weeks of treatment. Results: 131 participants completed the study although 9 were excluded from the efficacy analysis due to protocol violation. At endpoint, verbal immediate recall was significantly improved in the PS-DHA group compared to the placebo group. Post-hoc analysis revealed that a subset of participants with relatively good cognitive performance at baseline had significant treatment-associated improvements in immediate and delayed verbal recall, learning abilities, and time to copy complex figure. These favorable results were further supported by responder analysis. Conclusions: The results indicate that PS-DHA may improve cognitive performance in non-demented elderly with memory complaints. Post-hoc analysis of subgroups suggests that participants with higher baseline cognitive status were most likely to respond to PS-DHA. The results of this exploratory study should be followed up by additional studies aimed at confirming the present tentative conclusions.
Utilization Patterns of Ambulatory Medical Care before and after the Diagnosis of Dementia in Germany – Results of a Case-Control Study
Authors: Eisele Marion , van den Bussche Hendrik , Koller Daniela , Wiese Birgitt , Kaduszkiewicz Hanna , Maier Wolfgang , Glaeske Gerd , Steinmann Susanne , Wegscheider Karl , Schön Gerhard
Published: June 2010

Aims: To analyze how the diagnosis of dementia changes the utilization of the ambulatory medical care services in the German statutory health insurance. Methods: In this case-control study, claims data of 1,848 insurants aged ≧65 years with incident dementia and 7,392 matched controls were compared regarding their utilization of ambulatory medical care services. Results: We found an increase in the utilization of ambulatory medical care services by demented patients of 50% in the year before and of 40% in the year after the incidence, predominantly in primary care and neurology/psychiatry settings. A negative interaction effect of age and gender (p ≤ 0.000) was found regarding the number of visited physicians. Conclusion: Service utilization by demented patients increases already within the year before the first diagnosis and stays on a relatively high level within the year after. Especially (female) patients aged 80 years and older at dementia onset ought to be observed to prevent a possible undersupply.
Nationwide Population-Based Epidemiological Study of Myasthenia Gravis in Taiwan
Authors: Lai Chien-Hsu , Tseng Hung-Fu
Published: June 2010

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the epidemiology and medical expenses of myasthenia gravis (MG) in Taiwan. Methods: Cases of MG were identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database with corresponding codes of the International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision (ICD-9), from January 2000 to December 2007. Age- and sex-specific incidences were estimated by dividing the incidence number by population data obtained from the Department of Statistics, Ministry of the Interior. Results: During the study period, 5,211 cases were identified. The incidence ratio of males to females was 0.68. The average annual incidence rate was 2.1/100,000. MG occurred in all age groups with a higher incidence in older individuals and the lowest incidence in the 10- to 14-year-olds for both sexes. Among the 5,211 cases, 615 (12%) had a neoplasm of the thymus. The prevalence increased steadily during the study period from 8.4/100,000 in 2000 to 14.0/ 100,000 in 2007. Conclusions: This is the first population-based epidemiological study of MG in Taiwan. The incidence rate and prevalence were higher than in most published studies, especially in old age groups.
Low Incidence of Post-Lumbar Puncture Headache in 1,089 Consecutive Memory Clinic Patients
Authors: Zetterberg Henrik , Tullhög Kristian , Hansson Oskar , Minthon Lennart , Londos Elisabet , Blennow Kaj
Published: June 2010

Aim: To examine the incidence of post-lumbar puncture headache (PLPH) in patients admitted for cognitive disturbances. Methods: The incidence of PLPH and other general (subdural hematoma, meningitis, encephalitis) or local (local pain, spinal hematoma, local infection) complications was evaluated in 1,089 consecutive patients (aged 23–89 years) who underwent lumbar puncture as a part of the routine diagnostic evaluation between February 2001 and March 2007 at a specialized memory clinic. Results: 28 (2.6%) of the patients reported PLPH of mild severity. No other local or general complications occurred. Conclusions: The incidence of PLPH in patients with cognitive disturbances is low and CSF analyses can thus be part of the diagnostic work-up at memory clinics.
Beneficial Effect of Dietary Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate on Skin via Enhancement of Antioxidant Capacity in Both Blood and Skin
Authors: Jeon H.Y. , Kim J.K. , Seo D.B. , Cho S.Y. , Lee S.J.
Published: June 2010

Background/Aims: Dietary antioxidants exert a photoprotective effect against UV radiation. However, the mechanism underlying the beneficial effects on skin of orally administered antioxidant is not very clear. The present study aimed to investigate the UVB-induced total antioxidant capacity (TAC) perturbation both in skin and blood and to study the beneficial mechanism of action of dietary epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Method: Female HWY/Slc hairless rats were exposed to UVB radiation for 4 weeks and skin and blood TAC were measured at weeks 0, 2, and 4. The correlation between skin and blood TAC was assessed using Pearson’s correlation analysis. To investigate the effect of dietary EGCG, female HWY/Slc hairless rats were fed EGCG and exposed to UVB radiation. At the end of the 8-week experimental period, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and epidermal thickness were measured to assess skin damage, and TAC was analyzed in both skin and blood. Results: UVB radiation significantly decreased skin and blood TAC, and there was a significant correlation between skin and blood TAC. Dietary EGCG significantly prevented UVB-induced adverse effects on epidermal thickness and TEWL, and the UVB-induced decrease in TAC recovered in both skin and blood. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that there is a close relationship between skin and blood TAC and the beneficial effect of oral antioxidants on skin may possibly be mediated through significant enhancement of blood TAC.
Extraintestinal Crohn’s Disease Mimicking Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease: A Histopathological Approach
Authors: Dettmer M. , Hegemann I. , Hegemann S.C.A.
Published: June 2010

Patients with autoimmune inner ear disease develop rapidly progressive sensorineural hearing loss over a period of several weeks or months, often accompanied by vestibular loss. This disease can occur as a distinct clinical entity or in association with an underlying autoimmune disorder. Treatment comprises immunosuppression by corticosteroids, cytostatic drugs or tumor necrosis factor-α antagonists. We report histopathological and immunohistochemical findings of the inner ear of a patient with a granulomatous inner ear disease suffering from Crohn’s disease that was nonresponsive to treatment and who underwent surgery for bilateral cochlear implants.
Rationale and Design of a Randomized Clinical Comparison of Everolimus-Eluting (Xience V/Promus) and Sirolimus-Eluting (Cypher Select+) Coronary Stents in Unselected Patients with Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Jensen Lisette Okkels , Thayssen Per , Tilsted Hans Henrik , Ravkilde Jan , Junker Anders , Hansen Henrik Steen , Hansen Knud Nørregaard , Pedersen Knud Erik , Sørensen Henrik Toft , Thuesen Leif , Lassen Jens Flensted ,   for the Scandinavian Organization for Randomized Trials with Clinical Outcome SORT OUT IV investigators
Published: June 2010

Background: The sirolimus-eluting stent has demonstrated the least amount of late lumen loss among previously released drug-eluting stents, but its safety and efficacy has not been compared head-to-head with the everolimus-eluting stent. Method: The Scandinavian Organization for Randomized Trials with Clinical Outcome (SORT OUT) IV trial was designed as a prospective, multi-center, open-label, all-comer, two-arm, randomized, non-inferiority study comparing the everolimus-eluting stent with the sirolimus-eluting stent in the treatment of atherosclerotic coronary artery lesions. Based on a non-inferiority design, power calculations estimated a needed enrolment of 2,678 patients. The primary endpoint is a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis or target vessel revascularization after 9 months. Data on clinical events and mortality for all randomized patients will be obtained from national databases at 9 months. No clinical follow-up examination is scheduled. Conclusion: The SORT OUT IV trial will directly compare clinically relevant differences in efficacy and safety in two drug-eluting stents: a first-generation sirolimus-eluting stent versus a second-generation everolimus-eluting stent. The study makes use of clinical endpoints routinely collected in computerized healthcare registries, allowing complete follow-up of a large, well-defined population without scheduled angiographic examinations.
Inducing Ocular Allergy with β-Lactoglobulin: A New Experimental Model
Authors: Sari Ayca , Dinc Erdem , Yilmaz Banu Coskun , Adiguzel Ufuk , Oztuna Sinem , Tasdelen Bahar
Published: June 2010

Purpose: To develop a new experimental ocular allergy animal model induced by β-lactoglobulin (BLG), a major cow’s milk allergen, and to discuss the clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings. Methods: Forty Balb/c mice were randomized and separated into groups of 10. Groups were determined according to the different concentrations of BLG drops used. Study groups were immunized with 2.5, 5 or 10 mg/ml topical BLG (groups 2, 3 and 4, respectively) following intraperitoneal injection for the systemic immunization. The control group (group 1) was immunized with aluminium hydroxide (alum) alone within the same intervals. After ocular challenge, all the animals were evaluated clinically, histopathologically (mast cell and eosinophil infiltration) and immunhistochemically in terms of both T helper type 1- (IFNγ, TNFα) and T helper type 2- (IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10) specific cytokines. Results: Both clinical and immunohistochemical findings showed that an allergic conjunctivitis was induced in all study groups, with an optimized dosage of topical 5 mg/ml BLG. The conjunctivitis was associated with both Th1 and Th2 response, with a slight predominance of Th1 reaction. Conclusion: We describe a new murine model of acute allergic conjunctivitis induced by BLG. We believe that this new preliminary model has the immune parameters of the late phase of acute allergic conjunctivitis and it provides an alternative means for studying the pathogenesis and future treatments of ocular allergy. Our results should be enhanced with more detailed cellular and humoral parameters.
Isolation and Characterization of Fetus Human Retinal Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Xiaozhuang Zhang , Xianqiong Luo , Jingbo Jiang , Shuiqing Huang , Jie Yan , Yunbin Chen
Published: June 2010

Purpose: To isolate and characterize primary fetus retinal microvascular endothelial cells (RMECs) in order to facilitate the study of their properties in vitro. Methods: Human RMECs were isolated from abortive fetuses whose gestational ages were between 20 and 28 weeks by mechanical morcel and trypsin-collagenase digestion, plated on fibronectin-coated wells and purified gradually in high-selective condition. The RMECs were characterized for expression and localization of endothelial cell markers by indirect immunocytochemical staining of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and CD34, the distribution of cell markers was observed by confocal immunofluorescence microscope. The ability of these cells to form capillary-like networks was assessed subsequently. Cobalt dichloride (CoCl2) was used to simulate hypoxia in the culture condition and Western blot was used to detect the alternation of VEGF protein level under normoxia and hypoxia. Results: Isolation of fetus RMECs has been very difficult and primary culture of these special premature RMECs has not been previously reported due to many reasons. Here we established a simple and convenient method for the primary culture of fetus human RMECs. Our results show that delicate RMECs could be obtained readily and grow very fast, and the purity of RMECs was up to 95% demonstrated by specific staining for vWF in the cytoplasm. Our research also indicates that nearly 100% of cells could express CD34. The cells were successfully passaged and maintained in culture for 5–7 passages without a significant loss in expression of endothelia cell markers. The fetus RMECs formed capillary-like networks on the Matrigel well. Expression of VEGF protein increased significantly under hypoxia. Conclusions: Pure fetus RMECs could be obtained rapidly and easily by our method.Fetus RMECs have some specific properties. Hypoxia could induce expression of VEGF. Cell properties related with age of the donors should be considered while studying in vitro, especially in some age-specific diseases such as retinopathy of prematurity and diabetic retinopathy.
Association of Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Duration of Untreated Psychosis in First-Episode Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Rizos E.N. , Michalopoulou P.G. , Siafakas N. , Stefanis N. , Douzenis A. , Rontos I. , Laskos E. , Kastania A. , Zoumpourlis V. , Lykouras L.
Published: June 2010

Background/Aims: The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in serum and the central nervous system are altered in patients with schizophrenia, suggesting that changes in the expression of BDNF might contribute to the disease pathophysiology. Long duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) has been associated with poorer prognosis in patients with schizophrenia. Such a relationship of untreated psychosis to outcome may indicate a neurodegenerative process and may have important implications for understanding the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Methods: In this study, we investigated the association between serum BDNF levels and DUP in a sample of drug-naïve patients in their first episode of schizophrenia (FEP). We investigated serum BDNF levels in a sample of 37 drug-naïve FEP patients and 21 matched healthy subjects. Results: The serum BDNF level in the sample of FEP was significantly reduced compared to the healthy subjects (18.87 ± 8.23 vs. 29.2 ± 7.73 ng/ml, t = 4.76, d.f. = 57, p = 0.01). A negative correlation was found between serum BDNF levels and DUP in the group of patients (r = –0.346, p = 0.036). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that low serum BDNF levels at the onset of schizophrenia were associated with a long DUP and this could reflect an acute neurodegenerative reaction during the untreated phase of psychosis.
Chromogranin B in Heart Failure
Authors: Røsjø Helge , Husberg Cathrine , Dahl Mai Britt , Stridsberg Mats , Sjaastad Ivar , Finsen Alexandra Vanessa , Carlson Cathrine Rein , Øie Erik , Omland Torbjørn , Christensen Geir
Published: June 2010

Background—

Chromogranin B (CgB) is a member of the granin protein family. Because CgB is often colocalized with chromogranin A (CgA), a recently discovered cardiac biomarker, we hypothesized that CgB is regulated during heart failure (HF) development.

Methods and Results—

CgB regulation was investigated in patients with chronic HF and in a post–myocardial infarction HF mouse model. Animals were phenotypically characterized by echocardiography and euthanized 1 week after myocardial infarction. CgB mRNA levels were 5.2-fold increased in the noninfarcted part of the left ventricle of HF animals compared with sham-operated animals (
P
<0.001). CgB mRNA level in HF animals correlated closely with animal lung weight (
r
=0.74,
P
=0.04) but not with CgA mRNA levels (
r
=0.20,
P
=0.61). CgB protein levels were markedly increased in both the noninfarcted (110%) and the infarcted part of the left ventricle (70%) but unaltered in other tissues investigated. Myocardial CgB immunoreactivity was confined to cardiomyocytes. Norepinephrine, angiotensin II, and transforming growth factor-β increased CgB gene expression in cardiomyocytes. Circulating CgB levels were increased in HF animals (median levels in HF animals versus sham, 1.23 [interquartile range, 1.03 to 1.93] versus 0.98 [0.90 to 1.04] nmol/L;
P
=0.003) and in HF patients (HF patients versus control, 1.66 [1.48 to 1.85] versus 1.47 [1.39 to 1.58] nmol/L;
P
=0.007), with levels increasing in proportion to New York Heart Association functional class (
P
=0.03 for trend). Circulating CgB levels were only modestly correlated with CgA (
r
=0.31,
P
=0.009) and B-type natriuretic peptide levels (
r
=0.27,
P
=0.014).

Conclusions—

CgB production is increased and regulated in proportion to disease severity in the left ventricle and circulation during HF development.
Action Perception in Individuals with Congenital Blindness or Deafness: How Does the Loss of a Sensory Modality from Birth Affect Perception-induced Motor Facilitation?
Authors: Alaerts Kaat , Swinnen Stephan P. , Wenderoth Nicole
Published: June 2010

Seeing or hearing manual actions activates the mirror neuron system, that is, specialized neurons within motor areas which fire when an action is performed but also when it is passively perceived. Using TMS, it was shown that motor cortex of typically developed subjects becomes facilitated not only from seeing others' actions, but also from merely hearing action-related sounds. In the present study, TMS was used for the first time to explore the “auditory” and “visual” responsiveness of motor cortex in individuals with congenital blindness or deafness. TMS was applied over left primary motor cortex (M1) to measure cortico-motor facilitation while subjects passively perceived manual actions (either visually or aurally). Although largely unexpected, congenitally blind or deaf subjects displayed substantially lower resonant motor facilitation upon action perception compared to seeing/hearing control subjects. Moreover, muscle-specific changes in cortico-motor excitability within M1 appeared to be absent in individuals with profound blindness or deafness. Overall, these findings strongly argue against the hypothesis that an increased reliance on the remaining sensory modality in blind or deaf subjects is accompanied by an increased responsiveness of the “auditory” or “visual” perceptual–motor “mirror” system, respectively. Moreover, the apparent lack of resonant motor facilitation for the blind and deaf subjects may challenge the hypothesis of a unitary mirror system underlying human action recognition and may suggest that action perception in blind and deaf subjects engages a mode of action processing that is different from the human action recognition system recruited in typically developed subjects.
An fMRI Investigation of Attributing Negative Social Treatment to Racial Discrimination
Authors: Masten Carrie L. , Telzer Eva H. , Eisenberger Naomi I.
Published: June 2010

We used fMRI to examine the neural responses that occur during experiences of perceived racial discrimination. Previous neuroimaging studies have focused exclusively on the processes underlying racial bias from the perpetrator's perspective and have yet to examine the processes that occur when individuals are being discriminated against. To extend this work, we examined the neural correlates associated with attributing negative social treatment to racial discrimination to explore the cognitive and affective processes that occur as discrimination is being experienced. To do this, we scanned Black participants while they were ostensibly excluded by Whites and then measured distress levels and race-based attributions for exclusion. In response to being socially excluded by Whites, Black participants who appeared to be more distressed showed greater social pain-related neural activity and reduced emotion regulatory neural activity. In addition, those who attributed exclusion to racial discrimination displayed less social pain-related and more emotion regulatory neural activity. The potential negative impact that frequent negative social treatment and discrimination-related distress regulation might have on individuals' long-term mental and physical health is discussed.
Category Training Induces Cross-modal Object Representations in the Adult Human Brain
Authors: van der Linden Marieke , van Turennout Miranda , Fernández Guillén
Published: June 2010

The formation of cross-modal object representations was investigated using a novel paradigm that was previously successful in establishing unimodal visual category learning in monkeys and humans. The stimulus set consisted of six categories of bird shapes and sounds that were morphed to create different exemplars of each category. Subjects learned new cross-modal bird categories using a one-back task. Over time, the subjects became faster and more accurate in categorizing the birds. After 3 days of training, subjects were scanned while passively viewing and listening to trained and novel bird types. Stimulus blocks consisted of bird sounds only, bird pictures only, matching pictures and sounds (cross-modal congruent), and mismatching pictures and sounds (cross-modal incongruent). fMRI data showed unimodal and cross-modal training effects in the right fusiform gyrus. In addition, the left STS showed cross-modal training effects in the absence of unimodal training effects. Importantly, for both the right fusiform gyrus and the left STS, the newly formed cross-modal representation was specific for the trained categories. Learning did not generalize to incongruent combinations of learned sounds and shapes; their response did not differ from the response to novel cross-modal bird types. Moreover, responses were larger for congruent than for incongruent cross-modal bird types in the right fusiform gyrus and STS, providing further evidence that categorization training induced the formation of meaningful cross-modal object representations.
Sleep Leads to Changes in the Emotional Memory Trace: Evidence from fMRI
Authors: Payne Jessica D. , Kensinger Elizabeth A.
Published: June 2010

After information is encoded into memory, it undergoes an off-line period of consolidation that may occur optimally during sleep. The consolidation process not only solidifies memories but also changes them in useful and adaptive ways. Here, we provide evidence for a shift in the neural structures used to retrieve emotional memories after a night of sleep compared to a day of wakefulness. Although the hippocampus was activated during successful retrieval of negative objects regardless of whether participants slept during a delay, sleep led to a shift from engagement of a diffuse memory retrieval network—including widespread activity in the lateral prefrontal and parietal cortices—to a more refined network of regions—including the amygdala and ventromedial pFC. Effective connectivity analyses revealed stronger connections among limbic regions after sleep versus wake. Although circadian effects may have contributed to these findings, our data strongly suggest that a night of sleep is sufficient to evoke qualitative changes in the emotional memory retrieval network.
Lesion of Primary Visual Cortex in Monkey Impairs the Inhibitory but Not the Facilitatory Cueing Effect on Saccade
Authors: Ikeda Takuro , Yoshida Masatoshi , Isa Tadashi
Published: June 2010

Prior visual stimulus presentation induces immediate facilitation and subsequent inhibition of orienting to an ensuing target at the same location. Recent studies revealed that the superior colliculus (SC) is involved in these facilitatory and inhibitory cueing effects on saccade; however, as the SC receives inputs both directly from the retina (retino-tectal pathway) and indirectly from visual cortices (geniculostriate pathway), it is unclear which visual pathway contributes to the effects. We investigated this issue using monkeys with lesions in the primary visual cortex (V1), thus depriving the SC of the geniculostriate pathway and leaving the retino-tectal pathway intact. We found that the inhibitory cueing effect was selectively impaired and the facilitatory cueing effect was spared after V1 lesions. The results suggest that the geniculostriate and the retino-tectal pathways are differentially involved in the generation of cueing effects on saccade: The former is critically involved in the inhibitory effect whereas the latter alone can induce the facilitatory effect. The results provide the first direct evidence for the involvement of the geniculostriate pathway in the inhibitory cueing effect and further imply that the more recent evolution of the geniculostriate pathway in higher mammals improves the efficiency of visual search by inhibiting orienting to a previously attended location.
The Reform Ideas of Shaykh 'Abdallāh Sālih al-Farsī and the Transformation of Marital Practices among Digo Muslims of Kenya
Authors: Mraja Mohamed
Published: June 2010

This essay examines the reformist ideas of Shaykh 'Abdallāh Sālih al-Farsī (1912-1982) on the institution of marriage in Muslim East Africa as expressed in his work Ndoa-Talaka na Maamrisho Yake (“Marriage-Divorce and Governing Regulations”). Unlike earlier scholars who mention al-Farsī's reformist ideas without detailing the specifics, I attempt to relate al-Farsī's reform agenda to the transformation of the marital practices of the Digo Muslims of the southern Kenyan coast. Although al-Farsī did not depart radically from the predominantly Shāfi'ī law, he did attempt to use Islamic normative teachings to transform prevailing practices which he regarded as antithetical to the spirit of the law.
The Borders of Colonial Encounter: The Case of Israel’s Wall
Authors: Sa’di Ahmad H.
Published: June 2010

Although Israel’s constructed wall in the West Bank has been discussed in a voluminous literature, some basic questions have largely remained unanswered. This paper tackles two such questions: Firstly, what is the relationship between Zionism and the conception of the wall? This question follows an assumption that the wall’s idea is neither new, nor was it solely triggered by immediate security considerations. Secondly, why do European countries (in addition to the U.S.) oppose the imposition of sanctions against Israel for breaching international law by building the wall? A post-colonial perspective has been employed to discuss the role that borders (particularly hard ones) have assumed in the colonial encounter in the stages of expansive and contraction colonialism. Moreover, through this perspective, the common experience of Israel and the European colonial heritage with regard boundaries is considered.
Sultān Walad’s Understanding of Sufism: Between Populism and Theosophy
Authors: Küçük Hülya
Published: June 2010

Sultān Walad’s name is associated with the establishment and organisation of Mawlawism. As such, he is regarded as the Second Pīr/Patron Saint of Mawlawism. After the death of Čelebi Husām al-Dīn, Sultān Walad agreed to succeed to the leadership and in this way established the status of Čelebism in Mawlawism. Sultān Walad, a man of reason, pursued the example of his father without much enthusiasm. He presented his father’s teachings to the people in a didactic manner. Along with his father, he was a devoted disciple of Shams of Tabrīz. Consequently, he could have been as exuberant and vivacious as Shams; however, he chose not to be. Instead, he became a man of reason probing to unite the inner and outer worlds and avoiding extremist mystical ideas. He did not want to talk about delicate mystical matters, passing over these kinds of matters in sentences like, “The pen wrote this far, and then it broke;” “For the wise, a sign is sufficient” and “There are many secrets hidden in this. But it is not allowed to utter them.” This is to be seen in his Maārif and Intihā-nāma, his works contain his sermons and counsels respectively.
The Intellectual Property Rights Regime and Emerging Institutional Framework of Scientific Research: Responses from Plant Molecular Biologists in India
Authors: Ejnavarzala Haribabu , Mallick Sambit
Published: June 2010

The Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) regime has brought about a new set of interests, meanings, values, norms, etc. that have a potential to influence the practices of the scientific community in India. The research community in plant molecular biology, which is no exception to this, seems to be increasingly influenced by considerations of the potential of research for attaining patents. In the light of this, we attempt to capture the emerging institutional framework of scientific research that is contingent upon the protocols of the IPRs and changing scientific practices. Particular attention is paid to the views of scientists in India engaged in research in plant molecular biology on genetic engineering, agro-climatic specificities (as well as transgenics) and the changing relationship between scientists and boundary organisations. This new regime is marked by the advent of the customer‐funder‐policymaker nexus as a prominent element in science forcing the plant molecular biologists to (re-)negotiate scientific boundaries. The commodification of scientific research alters the idealised identities of science and scientific community. The disciplines that can contribute to map different dimensions of the problem should collaborate to identify a shared perspective and suggest workable or deliverable solutions.
How are Suicide Bombers Analysed in Mental Health Discourse? A Critical Anthropological Reading
Authors: Aggarwal Neil K.
Published: June 2010

This paper complicates the notion of the suicide bomber as represented in mental health literature. Most authors apply Western psychiatric concepts to understand suicide bombers without accounting for value differences around life and death or terrorism and martyrdom. Accordingly, these researchers replicate arguments to explain individual behaviour from a particular epistemological perspective. In contrast, critical approaches to this literature can expose the worldviews of the analysers and the analysed to devise sounder interpretations. This paper scrutinises mental health discourse on suicide bombing to ask: (1) What do we learn about the authors of suicide bombers in these articles? (2) How do their analyses demonstrate the relationship between knowledge and power? These conclusions can enable researchers to reduce biases and devise behavioural models that more accurately reflect the realities of their subjects.
Calculated, Passionate, Pious Extremism:Beyond a Rational Choice Theory of Suicide Terrorism
Authors: Tosini Domenico
Published: June 2010

This article proposes a theoretical framework to identify the main ideal types of motivations underlying voluntary suicide missions in terrorist campaigns, with special reference to Sunni extremists, such as Al-Qaeda and its allies. Based on empirical evidence from several suicide missions, the paper argues for conceptualising a specific kind of rationality qualitatively different from a calculation of costs and benefits and in addition to the complex constellation of affectual orientations driving militants. On one hand, martyrdom videos and biographical information on suicide attackers, as well as interviews with would-be suicide bombers, make it plausible to hypothesise not only a type of instrumental rationality in which suicide missions are viewed as adequate means for both egoistic and altruistic goals, but also affects and feeling states, such as outrage and humiliation, that create a desire for revenge. On the other hand, militants’ frequent references to a series of absolute values support the theory of an axiological rationality of suicide terrorism, meant as a disposition to conform unconditionally one’s action to certain moral duties and normative expectations regardless of their consequences. From this perspective, success in recruiting and inspiring suicide bombers, demonstrated by Al-Qaeda’s propagandistic call for jihad and martyrdom in defence of Islam and oppressed Muslim countries, cannot be explained only by militants’ search for social consideration or by their cognitive view of a strategic use of suicide bombings. Such responsive participation in suicide missions is also based on a wide set of emotions and militants’ adhesion to superior principles requiring ultimate sacrifice and indifference to other costs.
Suicide Bombers of Sri Lanka
Authors: Somasundaram Daya
Published: June 2010

The phenomena of suicide bombers in Sri Lanka share some similarities with but also have some marked differences with what is seen in other parts of world today. Increasing discrimination, state humiliation and violence against the minority Tamils brought out a militancy and the phenomena of suicide bombers. The underlying socio-political and economical factors in the North and East of Sri Lanka that caused the militancy at the onset are examined. Some of these factors that were the cause of or consequent to the conflict include: extrajudicial killing of one or both parents or relations by the state; separations, destruction of home and belongings during the war; displacement; lack of adequate or nutritious food; ill health; economic difficulties; lack of access to education; not seeing any avenues for future employment and advancement; social and political oppression; and facing harassment, detention and death. At the same time, the Tamil militants have used various psychological methods to entice youth, children and women to join and become suicide bombers. Public displays of war paraphernalia, posters of fallen heroes, speeches and video, particularly in schools and community gatherings, heroic songs and stories, public funeral rites and annual remembrance ceremonies draw out feelings of patriotism and create a martyr cult. The religio-cultural context of the Tamils has provided meaning and symbols for the creation and maintenance of this cult, while the LTTE has provided the organisational capacity to train and indoctrinate a special elite as suicide bombers. Whether the crushing of the LTTE militarily by the state brings to an end the phenomena of suicide bombers or whether it will re-emerge in other forms if underlying grievances are not resolved remains to be seen.
Relative Deprivation and Palestinian Suicide Bombings
Authors: Sayre Edward A.
Published: June 2010

This paper applies the concept of relative deprivation to the study of Palestinian suicide bombings. While earlier work by Krueger and Maleckova (2003) indicates that the absolute well-being of those who support terrorism is higher than the general population in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, it is not clear if changes in the relative well-being of Palestinians could have influenced suicide bombings. This paper uses three reference groups, namely earlier generations of youth, as well as Israelis and Palestinians residing in different areas, to understand whether relative deprivation helps explain the phenomenon of suicide bombings. This paper finds some support for relative deprivation influencing the rate and timing of suicide bombings.
Suicide Bombings: Homicidal Killing or a Weapon of War?
Authors: Hassan Riaz
Published: June 2010

After an overview of the explanatory schemas of suicide bombing, the fastest growing form of terrorism in the world, this paper addresses a neglected but important question of whether the casualties of suicide bombings are homicidal killing or a weapon of war. The paper critically examines the distinction between war and terrorism and argues that both kill civilians and insert the coerciveness of precaution in the daily rhythm of social life. Using evidence from ethnographic studies on the nature of war and homicide, the paper concludes that suicide bombing attacks, because of the principle of substitutability which characterise war killing, could be regarded as a weapon of war. However, given that they are characterised by the wilful killing of civilians they could be regarded as ‘War Crimes’ under the Fourth Geneva Convention.