bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systemic inflammation, heart rate variability and air pollution in a cohort of senior adults
Authors: Luttmann-Gibson Heike , Suh Helen H , Coull Brent A , Dockery Douglas W , Sarnat Stefanie Ebelt , Schwartz Joel , Stone Peter H , Gold Diane R
Published: June 2010

Objectives

Short-term elevation of ambient particulate air pollution has been associated with autonomic dysfunction and increased systemic inflammation, but the interconnections between these pathways are not well understood. We examined the association between inflammation and autonomic dysfunction and effect modification of inflammation on the association between air pollution and heart rate variability (HRV) in elderly subjects.

Methods

25 elderly subjects in Steubenville, Ohio, were followed up to 24 times with repeated 30-min ECG Holter monitoring (545 observations). C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble inter-cellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1), and white blood cell and platelet counts were measured in peripheral blood samples collected in the first month of the study. Increased systemic inflammation was defined for subjects within the upper 20% of the distribution for each marker. A central ambient monitoring station provided daily fine particle (PM2.5) and sulphate (SO42−) data. Linear mixed models were used to identify associations between inflammatory markers and HRV and to assess effect modification of the association between air pollution and HRV due to inflammatory status.

Results

A 5.8 mg/l elevation in CRP was associated with decreases of between −8% and –33% for time and frequency domain HRV outcomes. A 5.1 μg/m3increase in SO42−on the day before the health assessment was associated with a decrease of −6.7% in the SD of normal RR intervals (SDNN) (95% CI −11.8% to −1.3%) in subjects with elevated CRP, but not in subjects with lower CRP (p value interaction=0.04), with similar findings for PM2.5.

Conclusions

Increased systemic inflammation is associated with autonomic dysfunction in the elderly. Air pollution effects on reduced SDNN are stronger in subjects with elevated systemic inflammation.
Long-term effects of mechanized stump treatment against Heterobasidion annosum root rot in Picea abies
Authors: Oliva Jonàs , Thor Magnus , Stenlid Jan
Published: June 2010

Airborne Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. sensu lato infections can be controlled by winter thinning or by mechanically spreading urea or Phlebiopsis gigantea (Fr.) Jülich spores on stump surfaces during summer thinning operations. The long-term outcomes of these control methods when applied as part of the conventional forest operations are unclear. We studied the rot incidence and population structure of H. annosum in plots of Picea abies (L.) Karst. thinned in winter or thinned in summer with and without treatment of the stumps. Plots were distributed among 11 stands in Sweden representing two different land use histories: forest and agricultural. After 13 years, the effect of stump treatment on rot incidence was only evident in stands on former agricultural land. In stands planted on former forest land with higher levels of preexisting rot than on former agricultural land, the expansion of preexisting genets of H. annosum might have masked the effects of stump protection. In former forest land, unprotected summer plots showed a greater diversity of H. annosum genotypes and a smaller number of trees infected by each genet than in protected plots, suggesting that protection treatments prevented the establishment of new genets, which may result in a reduced rot incidence in the future.
Optimization of irregular-grid cellular automata and application in risk management of wind damage in forest planning
Authors: Zeng Hongcheng , Pukkala Timo , Peltola Heli , Kellomäki Seppo
Published: June 2010

This study demonstrated how cellular automata, using irregular grids, can be used to minimize the risk of wind damage in forest management planning. The development of a forest in central Finland was simulated for a 30-year period with three subplanning periods. A forest growth and yield model in association with a mechanistic wind damage model was applied to simulate forest growth and to calculate the length of stand edges at risk. Irregular cellular automata were utilized to optimize the harvest schedules for reducing the risk and maintaining a sustainable harvest level. The cellular automata produced rational results, i.e., new clearcuts were often placed next to open gaps, thereby, reducing the amount of vulnerable stand edges. The algorithms of the cellular automata rapidly converged and optimized the harvest schedules in an efficient way, especially when risk minimization was the only objective. In a planning problem that included even-flow timber harvesting objectives (harvest level equal to the total timber growth), the targets were almost achieved. Although the cellular automaton had slightly larger deviations of harvesting from the targets compared with other tested heuristic approaches (simulated annealing, tabu search, and genetic algorithms), it had the best performance when minimizing the expected wind damage.
Investigating the influence of climate, site, location, and treatment factors on damage to young lodgepole pine in southern British Columbia
Authors: Heineman Jean L. , Sachs Donald L. , Mather W. Jean , Simard Suzanne W.
Published: June 2010

Lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) has been extensively planted throughout interior British Columbia, and as a result may be particularly susceptible to climate-induced changes in the range and severity of common damaging agents. We quantified the presence of 14 damaging agents in sixty-six 15- to 30-year-old pine stands. Hard pine stem rusts, primarily western gall rust, were present on every site. We used logistic regression to predict individual agent presence from climatic, location, site, and treatment factors and calculated odds ratios to evaluate whether risk to lodgepole pine increases or decreases as these factors change. Risk of damage from serious agents (stem disease, root disease, and mountain pine beetle) increased with increasing latitude; however, in several of these models, risk also increased as temperature of the coldest month got warmer. We also found evidence that increasing risk of damage from agents that are currently less serious (sequoia pitch moth, pine needle cast, and pine terminal weevil) was associated with warming and (or) increasingly dry climatic conditions. Given the predominance of lodgepole pine in northerly ecosystems and the prediction that climate change effects will increase with latitude, our results suggest the need to consider potential increases in damage from diseases and insects during silviculture planning and timber supply prediction.
Changes in community structure of ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with Pinus montezumae across a volcanic soil chronosequence at Sierra Chichinautzin, Mexico
Authors: Reverchon Frédérique , Ortega-Larrocea María del Pilar , Pérez-Moreno Jesús , Peña-Ramírez Víctor Manuel , Siebe Christina
Published: June 2010

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) communities of Pinus montezumae Lamb. var. montezumae were studied across a volcanic soil chronosequence at Sierra del Chichinautzin, Mexico, to investigate differences in community structure at sites with different soil quality. Study sites were located on volcanic soils of different ages. Both aboveground and belowground fungal communities were compared for 3 years. Species abundance, richness, and diversity were compared among sites. Significant differences were found among the three sites for sporocarp abundance and biomass but not for total ECM root tips. The more diverse sporocarp community was found at the youngest, less fertile site. Dominant species at the sporocarp and ECM morphotype levels differed across the chronosequence. The largest proportion of sporocarp species was site-exclusive, which suggests that aboveground communities depend upon soil conditions. Contrarily, 85% of ECM morphotypes were present at least at two sites. The poor correspondence between the aboveground and belowground views of the ECM fungal community may be due to differences in sampling methodology and level of identification. Inocybe and Laccaria species were abundant fruiters at all sites, and as multisite fungi, they may be tested for inoculum efficiency to be used in reforestation programs in the surroundings of Mexico City.
Evaluation of two risk mitigation strategies for dealing with fire-related uncertainty in timber supply modelling
Authors: Savage David W. , Martell David L. , Wotton B. Mike
Published: June 2010

We embedded a linear programming timber harvest scheduling model into an aspatial stochastic simulation model of a flammable forest to evaluate two fire risk mitigation strategies. The harvest scheduling model is solved repeatedly to produce harvest schedules within a rolling planning horizon framework. The risk mitigation strategies we examined were (1) whether or not to account for fire in the planning model and (2) replanning interval. We evaluated those strategies under four representative fire regimes. We found that accounting for fire in the planning model reduced the harvest volume variability as fire activity increased (i.e., for average annual burn fractions ≥0.45%), but replanning intervals over a range of 1 to 10 years had little impact on harvest volume variability. We also developed a risk analysis decision-making aid that forest managers can use to help deal with fire-related uncertainty. Our results suggest that risk-averse forest managers should account for fire while planning, especially when burn fractions exceed 0.45%.
“Recalcitrant understory layers” revisited: arrested succession and the long life-spans of clonal mid-successional species
Authors: Young Truman P. , Peffer Emily
Published: June 2010

In their recent review of arrested succession, Royo and Carson ( A.A. Royo and W.P. Carson. 2006. Can. J. For. Res. 36: 1345–1362 ) demonstrate that “recalcitrant understory layers” are widespread and pervasive modifiers of ecosystems and disruptors of forest regeneration. They rightly point out that many plant species associated with arrested succession are characterized by rapid vegetative spread. Extending their review, we point out that most of such species are clonal or thicket-forming and suggest that an additional reason why these plants so effectively suppress succession for extended periods is their long life-spans.
Production ecology ofThuja occidentalis
Authors: Hofmeyer Philip V. , Seymour Robert S. , Kenefic Laura S.
Published: June 2010

Equations to predict branch and tree leaf area, foliar mass, and stemwood volume were developed from 25 destructively sampled northern white-cedar ( Thuja occidentalis L.) trees, a species whose production ecology has not been studied. Resulting models were applied to a large sample of 296 cored trees from 60 sites stratified across a soil gradient throughout northern Maine. Nonlinear regression analysis was used to assess alternative forms of the relationship between volume increment (VINC) and projected leaf area (PLA); analysis of covariance was used compare stemwood growth efficiency (GE) among soil-site classes, light exposure classes, and the presence of decay. Stem volume was estimated with Honer’s equation ( T.G. Honer. 1967. Forest Management Research and Services Institute ) with refitted parameters. PLA was best predicted with Maguire and Bennett’s nonlinear model ( D.A. Maguire and W.S. Bennett. 1996. Can. J. For. Res. 26: 1991–2005 ) using sapwood area or crown length and the ratio of tree height to diameter at breast height. A sigmoid model form captured the relationship between VINC and PLA more precisely and with less bias than the simple power function; this implies that the relationship between GE and PLA reaches a peak rather than decreases monotonically. At PLAs >50 m2, GE gradually declined with increasing crown size and was significantly influenced by site and light exposure. With PLA, site, and light held constant, decayed trees had a significantly lower (by 11%) GE than sound stems, a finding not previously reported for other tree species.
Using error-in-variable regression to predict tree diameter and crown width from remotely sensed imagery
Authors: Zhang Wenhua , Ke Yinghai , Quackenbush Lindi J. , Zhang Lianjun
Published: June 2010

Automated individual tree detection and delineation from high spatial resolution imagery provides good opportunities for forest inventory at a large scale. However, the accuracy of delineated crown size compared with ground measurements may not be sufficient. Thus, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression is no longer an appropriate approach to estimating and predicting variables from the delineated tree crown because both response variable and regressor are subject to measurement errors. In this study, we describe the functional and structural relationships between field-measured tree variables (i.e., tree diameter and crown width) and delineated tree crown width from remotely sensed imagery. We investigated the performance of OLS and three error-in-variable regression techniques including maximum likelihood estimator (MLE), major axis (MA) regression, and reduced major axis (RMA) regression using field-measured data and simulated data under different conditions. Our results indicated that MLE was desirable for estimating unbiased model coefficients. However, the adjustment assumption of the MLE model should be checked for predicting tree variables from remotely sensed imagery. When the assumption holds, the MLE model performed better for predicting the response variables than did the OLS model. Otherwise, the MLE model produced biased predictions for the response variables.
AN EFFICIENT WEB-BASED WRAPPER AND ANNOTATOR FOR TABULAR DATA
Authors: AMIN MOHAMMAD SHAFKAT , JAMIL HASAN
Published: June 2010

In the last few years, several works in the literature have addressed the problem of data extraction from web pages. The importance of this problem derives from the fact that, once extracted, data can be handled in a way similar to instances of a traditional database, which in turn can facilitate application of web data integration and various other domain specific problems. In this paper, we propose a novel table extraction technique that works on web pages generated dynamically from a back-end database. The proposed system can automatically discover table structure by relevant pattern mining from web pages in an efficient way, and can generate regular expression for the extraction process. Moreover, the proposed system can assign intuitive column names to the columns of the extracted table by leveraging Wikipedia knowledge base for the purpose of table annotation. To improve accuracy of the assignment, we exploit the structural homogeneity of the column values and their co-location information to weed out less likely candidates. This approach requires no human intervention and experimental results have shown its accuracy to be promising. Moreover, the wrapper generation algorithm works in linear time.
USING CONTEXTUAL INFORMATION TO CLARIFY CROSS-SPECIES GENE NORMALIZATION AMBIGUITY
Authors: TSAI RICHARD TZONG-HAN , LAI PO-TING
Published: June 2010

The goal of Gene Normalization (GN) is to identify the unique database IDs of genes and proteins mentioned in biomedical literature. A major difficulty in GN comes from the ambiguity of gene names. That is, the same gene name can refer to different database IDs depending on the species in question. In this paper, we introduce a method to exploit contextual information in an abstract, like tissue type, chromosome location, etc., to tackle this problem. Using this technique, we have been able to improve system performance (F-score) by 14.3% on the BioCreAtIvE-II GN task test set. We also examined our method on a full-text dataset with cross-species genes. The experimental results show a promising performance (AUC) of 42.94%. Our experimental results also show that with full text, versus abstract only, the system performance was 12.24% higher.
PROOF SCORE APPROACH TO ANALYSIS OF ELECTRONIC COMMERCE PROTOCOLS
Authors: OGATA KAZUHIRO , FUTATSUGI KOKICHI
Published: June 2010

Proof scores are documents of comprehensible plans to prove theorems. The proof score approach to systems analysis is a method in which proof scores are used to verify that systems enjoy properties (or analyze systems). In this paper, we describe a way to analyze electronic commerce protocols with the proof score approach, which has been developed and refined through several case studies conducted.
SLAM ESTIMATION IN DYNAMIC OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS
Authors: LU ZHEYUAN , HU ZHENCHENG , UCHIMURA KEIICHI
Published: June 2010

This paper describes and compares three different approaches to estimate simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) in dynamic outdoor environments. SLAM has been intensively researched in recent years in the field of robotics and intelligent vehicles, many approaches have been proposed including occupancy grid mapping method (Bayesian, Dempster-Shafer and Fuzzy Logic), Localization estimation method (edge or point features based direct scan matching techniques, probabilistic likelihood, EKF, particle filter). In this paper, a number of promising approaches and recent developments in this literature have been reviewed firstly in this paper. However, SLAM estimation in dynamic outdoor environments has been a difficult task since numerous moving objects exist which may cause bias in feature selection problem. In this paper, we proposed a possibilistic SLAM with RANSAC approach and implemented with three different matching algorithms. Real outdoor experimental result shows the effectiveness and efficiency of our approach.
Toll-like receptor-4 genotype influences the survival of cystic fibrosis mice
Authors: Canale-Zambrano Juan C. , Auger Meagan L. , Haston Christina K.
Published: June 2010

Toll-like receptor (Tlr) 4 is a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor that contributes to the regulation of intestinal cell homeostasis, a condition that is altered in the intestines of cystic fibrosis mice. Herein, we assessed whether Tlr4 genotype influences cystic fibrosis intestinal disease by producing and phenotyping 12-wk (adult)- and 4-day (neonate)-old mice derived from BALB cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, Cftr+/tm1Uncand C.C3- Tlr4Lps-d/J ( Tlr4−/−), progenitors. Intestinal disease was assayed through mouse survival, crypt-villus axis (CVA) length, cell proliferation, bacterial load, bacterial classification, inflammatory cell infiltrate, and mucus content measures. Of the 77 Cftr−/−(CF) mice produced, only one Cftr/ Tlr4 double-mutant mouse lived to the age of 12 wk while the majority of the remainder succumbed at ∼4 days of age. The survival of CF Tlr4+/−mice exceeded that of both CF Tlr4+/+and Cftr/ Tlr4 double-mutant mice. Adult CF mice presented increased Tlr4 expression, CVA length, crypt cell proliferation, and bacterial load relative to non-CF mice, but no differences were detected in Tlr4+/−compared with Tlr4+/+CF mice. The double-mutant neonates did not differ from Tlr4+/+or Tlr4+/−CF mice by intestinal CVA length or bacterial load, but fewer Tlr4+/−CF neonates presented with luminal mucus obstruction in the distal ileum, and the intestinal mast cell increase of CF mice was not evident in double-mutant neonates. We conclude that Tlr4 deficiency reduces the survival, but does not alter the intestinal phenotypes, of extended CVA or increased bacterial load in BALB CF mice.
Postnatal development of myenteric neurochemical phenotype and impact on neuromuscular transmission in the rat colon
Authors: de Vries P. , Soret R. , Suply E. , Heloury Y. , Neunlist M.
Published: June 2010

Profound changes in intestinal motility occur during the postnatal period, but the involvement of the enteric nervous system (ENS), a key regulator of gastrointestinal (GI) motility, in these modifications remains largely unknown. We therefore investigated the postnatal development of the ENS phenotype and determined its functional repercussion on the neuromuscular transmission in the rat colon. Sprague-Dawley rats were euthanized at postnatal day (P) 1, P3, P5, P7, P14, P21, and P36. Whole mounts of colonic myenteric plexus were stained with antibodies against choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and HuC/D. Colonic contractile response induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS) was investigated in organ chambers in absence or presence of N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) and/or atropine. In vivo motility was assessed by measurement of the colonic bead latency time. Randomly occurring ex vivo contractions appeared starting at P5. Starting at P14, rhythmic phasic contractions occurred whose frequency and amplitude increased over time. In vivo, bead latency was significantly reduced between P14 and P21. Ex vivo, EFS-induced contractile responses increased significantly over time and were significantly reduced by atropine starting at P14 but were sensitive to l-NAME only after P21. The proportion of ChAT-immunoreactive (IR) neurons increased time dependently starting at P14. The proportion of nNOS-IR neurons increased as early as P5 compared with P1 but did not change afterward. Our data support a key role for cholinergic myenteric pathways in the development of postnatal motility and further identify them as putative therapeutic target for the treatment of GI motility disorders in the newborn.
Functional Mapping of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases in Myxoid Liposarcoma
Authors: Negri Tiziana , Virdis Emanuela , Brich Silvia , Bozzi Fabio , Tamborini Elena , Tarantino Eva , Jocollè Genny , Cassinelli Giuliana , Grosso Federica , Sanfilippo Roberta , Casalini Patrizia , Greco Angela , Pierotti Marco A. , Pilotti Silvana
Published: June 2010

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) and their downstream signaling activation profile in myxoid liposarcomas (MLS) by investigating 14 molecularly profiled tumors: 7 naive and 7 treated with conventional chemotherapy/radiotherapy or the new drug trabectedin.

Experimental Design: Frozen and matched formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded material from surgical specimens were analyzed using biochemical, molecular, and molecular/cytogenetic approaches, complemented by immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy.

Results: In the absence of any RTK and downstream effector deregulation, the naive cases revealed epidermal growth factor receptor, platelet-derived growth factor receptor B, RET, and MET activation sustained by autocrine/paracrine loops, and RTK cross-talk as a result of heterodimerization. Interestingly, RET and MET activation seems to play a major role in the pathogenesis of MLS by involving different targets through different mechanisms. RET activation (which may activate MET) involves the tumoral vascular component by means of RET/MET cross-talk and VEGFA (vascular endothelial growth factor A)/GFRα3 (glial cell–derived neurotrophic factor family receptor α3)/artemin–mediated signaling as revealed by VEGF receptor 2/RET coimmunoprecipitation. MET activation involves the cellular tumor component by means of a direct ligand-dependent loop and indirect GFRα3 (RET coreceptor)/artemin–mediated signaling. About downstream signaling, the association of AKT activation with the round cell variant is interesting. No relevant changes in the original RTK activation profiles were observed in the posttreatment cases, a finding that is in keeping with the nontargeted treatments used.

Conclusions: These findings highlight the particular cell-specific activation profile of RET/GFRα3 and MET in MLS, and the close correlation between AKT activation and the round cell variant, thus opening up new therapeutic perspectives for MET/AKT inhibitors and antagonistic small molecules binding GFRα3. Clin Cancer Res; 16(14); 3581–93. ©2010 AACR.
Analysis of Oestrogen Regulation of Alpha-, Beta- and Gamma-Secretase Gene and Protein Expression in Cultured Human Neuronal and Glial Cells
Authors: Csöregh Nord Linda , Sundqvist Johanna , Andersson Eva , Fried Gabriel
Published: June 2010

Background: A key event in Alzheimer’s disease pathology is the proteolytic processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP), whereby β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide is produced. Oestrogen is acknowledged to influence cognitive function and has been shown to regulate the secretory metabolism of APP and decrease the production of Aβ, thereby protecting the brain from neurodegeneration. The mechanism for this effect is unknown. Objective: To investigate possible oestrogen regulation of the expression of the APP processing enzymes at the gene and/or protein level. Methods: The effects of oestrogen on gene and protein expression of α- (TACE and ADAM10), β- (BACE) and γ- (presenilin 1) secretases in cultured human fetal neurons and glial cells were studied. The RNase protection assay, gene expression microarray analysis and relative quantitative real-time PCR were used to analyse gene expression, while the protein expression and cellular localization of the secretases were studied by immunoblot and confocal microscopy. Results: Oestrogen is involved in the regulation of the gene expression of TACE and presenilin 1. Most importantly, BACE protein expression was downregulated by oestrogen treatment in mixed neuronal/glial cell cultures. Our results also show the cellular localization of the secretases in human neurons and glial cells, which has been thoroughly discussed in the light of the localization of APP processing. Conclusion: Our results indicate that oestrogen may affect APP processing directly by regulating the expression of the involved enzymes.
Chondrocyte Rather Than Osteoblast Conversion of Vascular Cells Underlies Medial Calcification in Uremic Rats
Authors: Neven Ellen , Persy Veerle , Dauwe Simonne , De Schutter Tineke , De Broe Marc E. , D'Haese Patrick C.
Published: June 2010

Objective—To investigate cell biological changes in calcified aortas of rats that experienced chronic renal failure.

Methods and Results—Vascular smooth muscle cells have the potential to transdifferentiate to either chondrocytes or osteoblasts, depending on the molecular pathways that are stimulated. Uremia-related medial calcification was induced by feeding rats an adenine low-protein diet for 4 weeks. Aortic calcification was evaluated biochemically and histochemically and with in vivo micro–computed tomographic scanning. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were applied to analyze the time-dependent aortic expression of molecules involved in the segregation between the chondrocyte versus osteoblast differentiation pathway. After 4 weeks, 85% of the uremic rats had developed distinct aortic medial calcification, which increased to severely calcified lesions during further follow-up. The calcification process was accompanied by a significant time-dependent increase in the expression of the chondrocyte-specific markers sex determining region Y-box 9 (sox9), collagen II, and aggrecan and a nonsignificant trend toward enhanced core binding factor alpha 1 (cbfa1), and collagen I. The expression of the osteoblast marker osterix and both lipoprotein receptor–related protein 6 and β-catenin, molecules of the wingless-type MMTV integration site family member (Wnt)/β-catenin pathway induced during osteoblast differentiation, was suppressed.

Conclusion—In the aorta of uremic rats, medial smooth muscle cells acquire a chondrocyte rather than osteoblast phenotype during the calcification process.
Cardiomyogenesis in the Adult Human Heart
Authors: Kajstura Jan , Urbanek Konrad , Perl Shira , Hosoda Toru , Zheng Hanqiao , Ogórek Barbara , Ferreira-Martins João , Goichberg Polina , Rondon-Clavo Carlos , Sanada Fumihiro , D'Amario Domenico , Rota Marcello , del Monte Federica , Orlic Donald , Tisdale John , Leri Annarosa , Anversa Piero
Published: June 2010

RETRACTION

This article has been retracted:

Circ Res
. 2018;123:e00. DOI: 10.1161/RES.0000000000000246
Retinal Microvascular Abnormalities and Risk of Lacunar Stroke
Authors: Yatsuya Hiroshi , Folsom Aaron R. , Wong Tien Y. , Klein Ronald , Klein Barbara E. K. , Sharrett A. Richey
Published: June 2010

Background and Purpose—

The retinal microvasculature reflects cumulative small-vessel damage from hypertension and other vascular processes. No study has prospectively examined retinal findings in relation to the incidence of clinical lacunar stroke in comparison with other ischemic stroke subtypes.

Methods—

In 10 496 adults initially free of stroke, we related retinal findings imaged during 1993 to 1995 with the incidence of hospitalized ischemic strokes through 2005.

Results—

During a median of 11.2 years of follow-up, 338 incident ischemic strokes occurred (66 lacunar, 192 nonlacunar thrombotic, and 80 cardioembolic). Generalized arteriolar narrowing as measured by the central retinal arteriole equivalent was associated with an increased incidence of lacunar stroke (multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio [HR] per 1-SD decrement of central retinal arteriole equivalent=1.67; 95% CI, 1.23–2.26) but was not associated with other ischemic stroke subtypes. Generalized venular widening as measured by the central retinal venule equivalent was also positively associated with only lacunar stroke (multivariate-adjusted HR per 1-SD increment=1.44; 95% CI, 1.09–1.91). Retinal microvascular abnormalities were positively associated with lacunar stroke incidence (HR for focal arteriolar narrowing=2.22; 95% CI, 1.11=4.48; for arteriovenous nicking, HR=2.38; 95% CI, 1.20–4.71), whereas retinopathy signs (microaneurysms, retinal hemorrhages, and others) were positively associated with nonlacunar thrombotic (HR=2.41; 95% CI, 1.47–3.95) and cardioembolic (HR=2.25; 95% CI, 1.09–4.65) stroke incidence.

Conclusions—

A narrower central retinal arteriole equivalent, wider central retinal venule equivalent, focal arteriolar narrowing, and arteriovenous nicking were predictive of lacunar stroke. Retinal imaging is useful in understanding the pathophysiology and mechanisms of cerebral small-vessel disease.
The “Golden Hour” and Acute Brain Ischemia
Authors: Saver Jeffrey L. , Smith Eric E. , Fonarow Gregg C. , Reeves Mathew J. , Zhao Xin , Olson DaiWai M. , Schwamm Lee H.
Published: June 2010

Background and Purpose—

The benefit of intravenous thrombolytic therapy in acute brain ischemia is strongly time dependent.

Methods—

The Get With the Guidelines–Stroke database was analyzed to characterize ischemic stroke patients arriving at hospital Emergency Departments within 60 minutes of the last known well time from April 1, 2003, to December 30, 2007.

Results—

During the 4.75-year study period, among 253 148 ischemic stroke patients arriving directly by ambulance or private vehicle at 905 hospital Emergency Departments, 106 924 (42.2%) had documented, exact last known well times. Onset to door time was ≤60 minutes in 30 220 (28.3%), 61 to 180 minutes in 33 858 (31.7%), and >180 minutes in 42 846 (40.1%). Features most strongly distinguishing the patients arriving at ≤60, 61 to 180, and >180 minutes were greater stroke severity (median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, 8.0 vs 6.0 vs 4.0,
P
<0.0001) and more frequent arrival by ambulance (79.0%. vs 72.2% vs 55.0%,
P
<0.0001). Compared with patients arriving at 61 to 180 minute, “golden hour” patients received intravenous thrombolytic therapy more frequently (27.1% vs 12.9%; odds ratio=2.51; 95% CI, 2.41–2.61;
P
<0.0001), but door-to-needle time was longer (mean, 90.6 vs 76.7 minutes,
P
<0.0001). A door-to-needle time of ≤60 minutes was achieved in 18.3% of golden hour patients.

Conclusions—

At Get With the Guidelines-Stroke hospital Emergency Departments, more than one quarter of patients with documented onset time and at least one eighth of all ischemic stroke patients arrived within 1 hour of onset, where they received thrombolytic therapy more frequently but more slowly than late arrivers. These findings support public health initiates to increase early presentation and shorten door-to-needle times in patients arriving within the golden hour.
Differences in Pediatric Drug Information Sources Used by General Versus Subspecialist Pediatricians
Authors: Yoon Esther Y. , Clark Sarah J. , Gorman Richard , Nelson Sheryl , O'Connor Karen G. , Freed Gary L.
Published: June 2010

Objective. To describe pediatric labeling information needs and sources of general and subspecialist pediatricians. Study design. Self-administered questionnaire of Fellows of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Results. The response rate was 48%. Top sources used by pediatricians to obtain pediatric labeling information were journals (86%), pediatric dosage books (84%), AAP News (77%), drug representatives (65%), and PDA-based databases (35%). Generalists were more likely than subspecialists to use AAP News (82% vs 60%; P < .001) and drug representatives (72% vs 41%; P < .001) to obtain prescribing information. Both groups reported that it was most important to have additional prescribing information for mental health and cardiovascular medications. Conclusions. Despite differences in the methods used to obtain pediatric labeling information, generalist and subspecialist pediatricians both prioritized mental health and cardiovascular medications as needing additional prescribing information. Interventions to effectively disseminate new or revised pediatric labeling information to pediatricians should consider using methods identified in this study.
Bleeding at Circumcision: Patient or Operator Issue?
Authors: Feinberg Arthur N. , Brust Rita A. , Walker Travis A.
Published: June 2010

Objective. The goal of this study is to define precisely bleeding after circumcision and to determine whether patient-related variables or experience of the operator is associated with subsequent bleeding. Methods. This is a prospective cohort study of 537 consecutive Gomco circumcisions. The authors defined bleeding and operator experience, both current and long term, and sought to correlate them. They selected patient variables (age, weight, gestational age, APGAR scores, and demographic data) to determine if there were associations with subsequent bleeding. Results. There were 24 bleeds out of 537 Gomco procedures (4.47%). In comparing bleeders with nonbleeders, there was no significant association between long-term operator experience and subsequent bleeding ( P = .609). However, bleeding was significantly associated with less current operator experience ( P = .014). The authors were unable to detect any patient-related variables or demographics associated with subsequent bleeding. Conclusions. Regarding postcircumcision bleeding, current operator experience appears to be a more important factor than long-term experience or patient-related variables.
Do Pediatric Chief Residents Recognize Details of Prepubertal Male Genital Anatomy
Authors: Donaruma-Kwoh Marcella M. , Tran Xuan G. , Giardino Angelo P.
Published: June 2010

This study evaluates how well pediatric chief residents can label anatomic structures, recognize circumcision, and discern abnormal anatomy on three photographs of male pre-pubertal genitalia. Additionally, this study explored aspects of pediatric training in sexual abuse and clinical practice issues regarding routine genital examination of a male patient. We asked respondents to identify anatomic structures, recognize circumcision, and assign a Tanner stage to pre-pubertal male genitalia and to recognize an abnormal finding. 92.7% of chief residents were able to correctly identify basic structures on the photo of a circumcised pre-pubertal male. Only 22% correctly recognized the abnormal example as hypospadias. Basic recognition of anatomic structures and circumcision did not achieve 100% accuracy, while an abnormal condition was missed by the majority of respondents. These data suggest a need to address education about the male genital exam in greater detail during pediatric residency training.
Post Hoc Analysis: Early Changes in ADHD-RS Items Predict Longer Term Response to Atomoxetine in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Block Stan L. , Williams David , Donnelly Craig L. , Dunn David W. , Saylor Keith E. , Ruberg Stephen J.
Published: June 2010

Data from 5 atomoxetine trials in pediatric outpatients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were divided into training and validation data sets to develop models predicting atomoxetine treatment response, using changes in individual ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS) items early in treatment. Treatment response was predicted after 1 week by a ≥1-point score decrease in ADHD-RS item 15 (“easily distracted;” positive predictive values [PPVs]: 84.9%, 74.3%, and 73.3%; negative predictive values [NPVs]: 52.6%, 50.5%, and 46.3%; training and 2 validation data sets, respectively); after 2 to 3 weeks, by a ≥1-point score decrease in ADHD-RS item 1 (“fails to give close attention or makes careless mistakes;” PPV = 77.7% and 77.9%) and by the absence of a ≥1-point score decrease on ADHD-RS items 1 and 10 (“on the go;” NPV = 72.2% and 77.5%), or by the combination of items 1 and 10 (PPVs: 75.1% and 75.4%; NPVs: 72.2% and 77.5%; training and validation data sets, respectively).
Parents’ Healthy Weight Perceptions and Preferences Regarding Obesity Counseling in Preschoolers: Pediatricians Matter
Authors: Hernandez Raquel G. , Cheng Tina L. , Serwint Janet R.
Published: June 2010

Objective: To compare parental report of child body image with perceived healthy weight body image in preschoolers and describe weight-counseling preferences. Methods: Parents seeking well-child care were interviewed and asked to select images resembling: ( a) their own child’s current weight, ( b) a healthy weight preschooler, and ( c) friend and family report of a healthy weight preschooler. Those indicating that their overweight or obese child resembled a healthy weight image were considered to misclassify child weight. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of misclassification and card-sorting exercises explored weight-counseling preferences. Results: Of the 150 preschoolers in our sample, 32.7% (n = 49) were overweight or obese with misclassification occurring in 71.4% of parents (n = 35). Absence of pediatrician comment on child weight strongly predicted misclassification (odds ratio, 12.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.74-87.2). Pediatricians were highly valued weight advisors. Conclusions: Weight-focused advice from pediatricians matters to parents and may promote parental identification of early childhood weight risks.
Clinical Results From a Randomized, Double-Blind, Dose-Ranging Study of Pantoprazole in Children Aged 1 Through 5 Years With Symptomatic Histologic or Erosive Esophagitis
Authors: Baker Robert , Tsou V.Marc , Tung John , Sestini Baker Susan , Huihua Li  , Wenjin Wang  , Rath Natalie , Maguire Mary K. , Comer Gail M.
Published: June 2010

In an 8-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study, we evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of pantoprazole (0.3mg/kg [low dose (LD)], 0.6 mg/kg [medium dose (MD)], and 1.2 mg/kg [high dose (HD)]) for delayed-release oral suspension (granules) in patients 1 to 5 years with documented symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and endoscopic evidence of reflux-related erosive esophagitis (EE) or histologic esophagitis (HE) consistent with GERD. Patients with HE were randomly assigned to LD, MD, or HD, and patients with EE, to MD or HD. A daily eDiary captured 5 individual GERD symptoms. A total of 60 patients (56 HE, 4 EE) were randomized. Mean weekly GERD symptom score (WGSS, sum of weekly mean frequency scores for 5 individual GERD symptoms) for the modified intention-to-treat HE population at the final week was improved with LD ( P < .001), MD ( P = .063), and HD ( P < 0.001) (paired t-tests). Patients with EE were healed at week 8. Adverse event incidences did not increase with dose.
Newborn Adiposity by Body Mass Index Predicts Childhood Overweight
Authors: Winter Jonathan David , Langenberg Patricia , Krugman Scott D.
Published: June 2010

Objective: To evaluate the association between adiposity at birth and in infancy with overweight at age 5 years. This study hypothesizes that adiposity at birth as approximated by body mass index (BMI) predicts childhood fatness. Methods: Anthropomorphic data from birth to 5 years were used to calculate BMI percentiles. Multiple logistic regression assessed the association between BMI percentile ≥85% at 2 weeks and BMI percentile ≥85% at 6, 12, 36, and 60 months. Results: Elevated BMI at age 2 weeks ≥85th percentile was associated with significant increases in risk of overweight at 6, 12, 36, and 60 months of age. Infants with a BMI at age 2 weeks ≥85th percentile had an adjusted odds ratio of 3.42 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.79, 6.50) and an adjusted risk ratio of 2.12 (95% CI = 1.71, 2.61) of being overweight at 60 months of age. Conclusions: Adiposity at birth as approximated by BMI is a significant predictor of overweight at 5 years.
Gender, development, and HIV/AIDS: Implications for child mortality in less industrialized countries
Authors: Scanlan Stephen J.
Published: June 2010

This article examines child well-being in less industrialized societies through a gender and development perspective. Using a quantitative, cross-national analysis of data from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) among other sources, I find that child HIV/AIDS infections and adult female prevalence of the disease increase child mortality while female empowerment and gender equality decrease its prevalence. In addition, an interaction between female empowerment and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the adult population also reduces child mortality, revealing the significance of gender for where the disease is more concentrated. Findings are net of controls for economic development, population pressure, democratization, economic globalization, child health, child hunger, and region. The global realities of HIV/AIDS reveal the need for increasingly undertaking cross-national analysis of the disease and issues of gender, development, and women’s contributions to human security.
Do environmental characteristics influence foreign direct investment growth? A cross-national study, 1990-2000
Authors: Dick Christopher
Published: June 2010

The author engages several theoretical traditions in both economics and sociology to examine the impacts of levels of environmental efficiency and environmental institutions on foreign investment location in less-developed countries. Results from static score design panel OLS models of 52 countries provide mixed results. Less-developed countries with higher levels of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of gross domestic product attract higher levels of foreign investment, whereas less-developed countries with environmental ministries attract lower levels of foreign investment. Other independent variables - including sulfur dioxide emissions per unit of GDP, environmental treaty ratification, and environmental INGO presence/rate - show no statistically significant relationship with foreign investment location. The results underscore the continuing importance of the pollution havens hypothesis as well as the need for further research.
Study of PP/PS Interpolymer Foam Rod Extrusion; Surface and Cell Wall Quality
Authors: Lee Shau-Tarng
Published: June 2010

PP/PS interpolymer foam was tested in the rod extrusion process while using chemical blowing agents (CBA) and carbon dioxide physical blowing agent (PBA), respectively. Foam density decreases as blowing agent level increases. After it dips to a minimum, the foam density curve goes up. Although both CBA and PBA show the similar density curve dipping, the nature and the magnitude of change seem quite different. Gas loss induced melt fracture and plasticizing effects seem plausible in describing the dip phenomenon. In addition, SEM was taken to investigate cell wall and strut morphology, in which cell wall porosity increases as carbon dioxide increases. Cell wall opening mechanism appeared to qualitatively correlate with the secondary nucleation in carbon dioxide foaming.
Gas Diffusivity Through EPS Foams
Authors: Kannan Pravin , Biernacki Joseph J. , Visco Donald P. , Dunne Jordan , Mether Adrian , Kirby David
Published: June 2010

A simple multiscale model was developed and used to predict gas diffusivities through expanded polystyrene foam at near standard temperature and pressure conditions. The technique involves measuring gas diffusivities at various length scales then combining them using an electrical analogy for parallel resistances to construct an effective property. A commonly used experimental technique, the continuous flow method, was used to obtain diffusivity data for argon through polystyrene films and foams. Although a simple Fickian mathematical model was able to predict diffusivities through films, a simple ‘coarse’ multiscale model that accounts for the morphological features was developed for the foam.
On fidelity and model selection for discrete event simulation
Authors: Kim Hansoo , McGinnis Leon F , Zhou Chen
Published: June 2010

In simulation, perhaps the most common use of the term ‘fidelity’ refers to the faithfulness with which model behavior reflects modeled system behavior. While there have been studies of fidelity seeking absolute and quantitative measures, there is not yet a consensus on a workable fidelity metric. We propose a formal modeling framework for comparing discrete event system simulation models in terms of fidelity, using a relative fidelity indicator. Based on the framework, we consider the possibility that the higher fidelity simulation models can also be more productive, even though they are more expensive to develop and use, since they can be used to achieve multiple objectives. First, we propose a formal simulation modeling framework within which the fidelity of simulation models can be discussed. With this framework and a simple example, we then define a relative fidelity indicator that provides a systematic way of comparing the fidelity of two simulation models. The relative fidelity indicator focuses on the most important characteristics in simulation studies: the input and output interfaces and the variables used for specifying a real-world system and simulation models. It does not require any special modeling formalism for model comparison. Based on the relative fidelity indicator and simulation modeling framework, we state the optimum simulation model selection problem to achieve given simulation objectives. Under a practical assumption, we analyze the simulation model selection problem and derive properties related to simulation modeling and the fidelity of simulation models.
Gang scheduling in a two-cluster system implementing migrations and periodic feedback
Authors: Papazachos Zafeirios C , Karatza Helen D
Published: June 2010

In order to maximize the efficiency of a complex distributed system such as a grid, a proper scheduling algorithm is necessary. The scheduling algorithm is responsible for allocating the available system resources to the existing jobs. In this paper, we consider scheduling gangs in a multi-cluster system in the presence of critical jobs which arrive in a sporadic manner. We examine an adaptive grid scheduler with periodic feedback which allocates the existing jobs to the available clusters. A migration scheme is implemented in order to alleviate the impact of critical sporadic jobs on the performance of gang scheduling. A simulation model is used to provide results on the performance of the system.