bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anatomical and neurohistological observations on the heart of the spiny lizard, Uromastix hardwickii
Authors: Shaad F.U. , Qayyum M.A.
Published: July 2008

Anatomy, histology and innervation of the heart of spiny lizard, U. hardwickii have been described. The heart is typically reptilian and comprises four chambers: sinus venosus, two atria and a ventricle. The sinus venosus is a small, thin-walled chamber present on the dorsal side of right atrium. The sinuatrial opening is protected by a pair of valves. The auriculoventricular opening is also protected by a pair of muscular valves. The presence of a cardiac conducting system is reaffirmed. The conducting system comprises sinuatrial and atrioventricular nodes. The sinuatrial node is present at the sinuatrial junction very close to the interauricular septum. The atrioventricular node is quite conspicuous and located at the caudal end of the interauricular septum. The atrioventricular bundle is absent. There is present an atrioventricular cushion which serves the purpose of atrioventricular bundle. The heart is richly innervated, as is evident by the presence of a large number of nerve fibres and ganglion cells at the different levels of the heart. Both the nodes and the atrioventricular cushion are supplied by the fine nerve fibres, but ganglion cells could not be found in any one of these components. The myogenic theory of conduction systems is supported.
Autoradiographic study of chick limb cartilage in vivo and in vitro and its response to mitomycin C (MMC)
Authors: Singh Shamer , Sinha D.N. , Prasad G.C.
Published: July 2008

Effect of mitomycin C on mucopolysaccharide synthesis by the cartilage cells of chick limb bud (5–9 days old) was investigated both in vivo and in vitro by the uptake study of 35S. Control specimens (both in vivo and in vitro) showed higher concentration of silver grains, mostly intercellular, in the initial stages. Hypertrophy of cartilage cells at later stages reduced the matrix, leading to a corresponding decrease in the accumulation of silver grains. In the treated groups, both in vivo and in vitro, the silver grains were found to be less in number during the initial stage of growth than in the corresponding controls, due to the suppressive effect of the mitomycin C. However, during the later period of growth, uptake of 35S was more in the matrix of treated specimens, which was apparently not reduced due to lack of hypertrophy of cartilage cells. The mechanism of the suppressive effect of mitomycin C seems similar in vivo and in vitro.
A note on the Mulder-Landsmeer phenomenon
Authors: Srinivasan H.
Published: July 2008

Mulder-Landsmeer phenomenon (inability to actively straighten the interphalangeal joints fully when the metacarpophalangeal joint of a finger is passively held in maximal hyperextension) was confirmed in the normally hypermobile South Indian fingers. A powerful but limited de-extension of the proximal phalanx was noticed, in normal fingers, during completion of interphalangeal extension when the metacarpophalangeal joint was passively held in maximal hyperextension. This de-extension was absent in fingers with total intrinsic paralysis and also in those with interosseous paralysis only, suggesting that interosseous muscles were responsible for this. It is suggested that the lumbrical muscle may be inherently incapable of completing interphalangeal extension, irrespective of the posture of the metacarpophalangeal joint; alternatively, this muscle may be rendered ineffective because of the distal migration of its origin caused by the distal excursion of the tendon of flexor digitorum profundus when the metacarpophalangeal joint is maximally hyperextended and the interphalangeal joints are straightened.
Thrombin generation assays are superior to traditional tests in assessing anticoagulation reversal in vitro
Authors: Gatt Alex , van Veen Joost J. , Woolley Anita M. , Kitchen Steve , Cooper Peter , Makris Michael
Published: July 2008

Even though new anticoagulants are being devised with the notion that they do not require regular monitoring, when bleeding occurs, it is important to have an antidote and a reliable test to confirm whether the anticoagulant effects are persisting. We examined the effects of five heparinoids, unfractionated heparin (UFH), tinzaparin, enoxaparin, danaparoid and fondaparinux on the traditional APTT and anti-Xa assays as well as on the calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT). We also studied the ability of protamine sulphate (PS), NovoSeven®, FEIBA® and FFP to reverse maximum anticoagulation induced by the different heparinoids. The CAT was the only test to detect the coagulopathy of all the anticoagulants. PS produced complete reversal of UFH, and this could be monitored with all three tests. Tinzaparin can also be completely neutralised in vitro with high doses of PS, but the maximum enoxaparin reversal achieved with PS is only approximately 60%. Fondaparinux does not significantly affect the APTT and PS has no significant effect on its reversal. Only NovoSeven was able to correct the fondaparinux induced CAT abnormalities whilst having no effect on the anti-Xa level. None of the reversal agents was very effective in danaparoid spiked plasma but NovoSeven, at high dose, increased the ETP by 40% and reduced the anti-Xa level from 0.93 to 0.78 IU/ml. We conclude that the CAT is superior to the traditional coagulation tests in that it not only detects the coagulopathy of all the he-parinoids but can be also be used to monitor their reversal.
Thrombolysis effect of a novel targeted microbubble with low-frequency ultrasound in vivo
Authors: Wang Bing , Wang Li , Zhou Xiao-Bo , Liu Ya-Min , Wang Mei , Qin Hao , Wang Chong-Bao , Liu Ju , Yu Xiao-Jiang , Zang Wei-Jin
Published: July 2008

Clot-targeted microbubbles (TMB) were developed based on oligopeptide specific to the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor on active platelets. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the thrombolysis effect of this TMB in both intraarterial and intravenous application and compare the clot lysis efficiency of the TMB and untargeted microbubbles(UTMB) in presence of external low frequency ultrasound (LFUS) (800kHz, 2.4w/cm2, pulse-wave). An acute arterial occlusion model was induced in rabbits by blocking the common carotid artery with an autogenous clot. Animals were randomized to five groups to receive the following treatment: 1) intra-arterial TMB and LFUS (IA TMB/LFUS); 2) intravenous TMB and LFUS (IV TMB/LFUS); 3) intravenous untargeted-microbubbles and LFUS (IV UTMB/LFUS);4) LFUS only; 5) intra-arterial normal saline (NS) control. Declotting score and a variation of thrombolysis-in-myocardial-infarction (TIMI) flow scale were applied to assess clot clearance and flow restore according to the angiogram. IA TMB/LFUS treatment produced highest declotting score (3.5 ± 0.53) and success rate (100%).IV TMB/LFUS treatment produced a higher declotting score (1.95 ± 1.12) than LFUS treatment (0.53 ± 0.38) (P=0.026).and higher TIMI (1.94 ± 0.62 vs.0.47 ± 0.44, P=0.020).When administrated intravenously, TMB/LFUS created a higher declotting score (1.95 ± 1.12) than that of UTMB/LFUS (0.61 ± 0.43) (P=0.033).The superiority was observed in TIMI also (1.94 ± 0.62 vs.0.72 ± 0.25, P=0.041).The results demonstrate that either intra-arterial or intravenous TMB is effective in clearing clot in-vivo model. The TMB showed advantage over UTMB in systemic administration.
L-Asparaginase and the effect of age on coagulation and fibrinolysis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Hop Wim C. J. , van Kessel-Bakvis Carla , Stigter Rolinda , Pieters Rob , Appel Inge M.
Published: July 2008

Alterations in haemostasis are frequently observed in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It was the objective of this study to analyse age-related disturbances in coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters during the induction phase of the anti-leukemic treatment. Sixty-four children were classified by age into three groups (1–5, 6–10, 11–16 years), and studied during induction treatment of ALL including four weeks of dexamethasone, followed by two weeks tapering of dexamethasone during which 6,000 IU/m2 native L-Asparaginase (total 4 doses) was administered intravenously twice weekly. Blood samples were collected immediately before each L-Asparaginase infusion to analyze procoagulant (fibrinogen, factor [F] II, FV, FVII, F IX, F X) and anticoagulant factors (antithrombin [AT], protein C, protein S), parameters of thrombin generation (F1+2, TAT) and fibrinolysis (α2-antiplasmin, plasminogen, PA P , D-dimer). Children were in a hypercoagulable state after four weeks of dexamethasone due to upregulation of coagulation parameters. Upregulation was highest in the two youngest age groups. During L-Asparaginase treatment the 11– to 16-year- olds showed lower values in procoagulant and, even more, in anticoagulant factor levels compared to the younger children. Activation markers of thrombin generation and fibrinolysis did not change over time during the study period. Decreased synthesis of α2-antiplasmin and plasminogen during L-Asparaginase treatment resulted in less potential of clot lysis by plasmin in children older than 11 years of age. In conclusion, a more severe decline of anticoagulant and fibrinolytic parameters in children between 11 and 16 years of age underline that these children are at higher risk of thrombosis during ALL induction treatment.
Inhibitors and activation markers of the haemostatic system during hormone therapy: A comparative study of oral estradiol (2 mg)/ dydrogesterone and estradiol (2 mg)/ trimegestone
Authors: Brosnan Jeanette , Bonnar John , Conard Jacqueline , Kluft Cornelius , Hellgren Margareta , Norris Lucy A.
Published: July 2008

Epidemiological studies have shown that hormone therapy (HT) increases the risk of venous thromboembolism in post menopausal women. The mechanism of this increased risk is unknown; however, activation of the haemostatic system is known to contribute to the pathogenesis of venous thromboembolism. In post-menopausal women the estrogen /progestogen composition of the HT can influence the level of haemostatic activation. It was the objective of this study to compare changes in inhibitors and activation markers of the haemostatic system in healthy post-menopausal women taking estradiol (2 mg) combined with dydrogesterone or a new progestin, trimegestone. A multicentre study of 186 women randomised to six months therapy with either estradiol (2 mg) +trimegestone (0.5 mg) or estradiol (2 mg) +dydrogesterone (10 mg) was performed. Antithrombin and protein S activity was decreased and activated protein C (APC) resistance, D-dimer and prothrombin fragment 1.2, were increased in both groups on treatment. Protein C activity was decreased and plasmin-antiplasmin complex was increased in the trimegestone group only. The increase in plasmin-antiplasmin complex and D-dimer was greater after six cycles of treatment in the trimegestone group compared with the dydro-gesterone group. In conclusion, decreased levels of inhibitors of blood coagulation and increased thrombin production were found in both groups however a greater increase in the levels of plasmin-antiplasmin complex and D-dimer was found in the tri-megestone group. This suggests an enhanced fibrinolytic response in this group. Further studies are required to determine the significance of this finding with respect to venous thrombosis risk.
Elevated plasma fibronectin levels associated with venous thromboembolism
Authors: Pecheniuk Natalie M. , Elias Darlene J. , Deguchi Hiroshi , Averell Patricia M. , Griffin John H.
Published: July 2008

Elevated plasma fibronectin levels occur in various clinical states including arterial disease. Increasing evidence suggests that atherothrombosis and venous thromboembolism (VTE) share common risk factors. To assess the hypothesis that high plasma fibronectin levels are associated with VTE, we compared plasma fibronectin levels in the Scripps Venous Thrombosis Registry for 113VTE cases vs. age and sex matched controls. VTE cases had significantly higher mean fibronectin concentration compared to controls (127% vs. 103%, p<0.0001); the difference was greater for idiopathic VTE cases compared to secondary VTE cases (133% vs. 120%, respectively). Using a cut-off of >90% of the control values, the odds ratio (OR) for association of VTE for fibronectin plasma levels above the 90th percentile were 9.37 (95% CI 2.73–32.2; p<0.001) and this OR remained significant after adjustment for sex, age, body mass index (BMI), factor V Leiden and prothrombin nt20210A (OR 7.60,95% CI 2.14–27.0; p=0.002). In particular, the OR was statistically significant for idiopathic VTE before and after these statistical adjustments. For the total male cohort, the OR was significant before and after statistical adjustments and was not significant for the total female cohort. In summary, our results suggest that elevated plasma fibronectin levels are associated with VTE especially in males, and extend the potential association between biomarkers and risk factors for arterial atherothrombosis and VTE.
Surgical evaluation of a recombinant factor VIII prepared using a plasma/albumin-free method: Efficacy and safety of Advate in previously treated patients
Authors: Shapiro Amy , Berntorp Erik , Pabinger Ingrid , Tarantino Michael , Retzios Antonio , Schroth Phillip , Ewenstein Bruce , Négrier Claude
Published: July 2008

Evaluation of factor F(V)III replacement in patients with haemophilia A undergoing surgery is critical for FVIII concentrates, yet large scale, multi-center prospective studies, particularly using continuous infusion, are generally lacking for new products. This study evaluated efficacy and safety of a newly developed recombinant FVIII (rAHF-PFM) administered by bolus or continuous infusion in haemophilia A patients undergoing surgery. Subjects ≥5 years of age with baseline FVIII:C ≤2%, and ≥150 prior FVIII exposure days were included in this prospective, international, open-label, uncontrolled clinical trial. rAHFPFM was administered perioperatively by bolus infusion (BI) or continuous infusion (CI) according to the standard use at the center to prevent bleeding complication. Both the surgeon and haematologist rated efficacy during hospitalization. Fifty-eight subjects underwent 65 surgical procedures (22 major haemor rhagic risk; 35 minor, 8 dental procedures). Bolus infusion was used exclusively in 47 procedures and continuous infusion, with or without supplemental bolus infusions, in 18.Haemostatic efficacy was assessed as excellent or good for 100% of intraoperative ratings (17 CI, 44 BI, 61 total procedures), and 100% of postoperative ratings performed at time of discharge (18 CI, 44 BI, 62 total procedures). Median total consumption of rAHF-PFM during hospitalization was 822 IU/kg/surgery with CI and 910 IU/kg/surgery with BI. Overall rAHF-PFM was well tolerated, and FVIII inhibitors were not detected. In conclusion, rAHF-PFM administered via continuous infusion or bolus injections is safe, non-immunogenic, and effective for perioperative hemostatic management in previously treated haemophilia A patients.
Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 inhibits cell surface associated tissue plasminogen activator in vitro
Authors: Lobov Sergei , Croucher David R. , Saunders Darren N. , Ranson Marie
Published: July 2008

Regulation of cellular plasminogen activation is necessary for maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Despite increasing evidence for co-expression of tissue type plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-2 (PAI-2;SERPINB2) under patho/physiological conditions, the inhibition of cell-bound tPAmediated plasminogen activation by PAI-2 has not been addressed. Here we show that PAI-2 can inhibit cell-bound tPA activity in vitro and thus prevent plasmin formation. We also examined the potential involvement in this inhibition of the annexin II heterotetramer (AIIt), one of the many well characterized cell-surface co/receptors for tPA and plasminogen that efficiently promotes plasminogen activation. This receptor was of interest because AIIt has also been shown to directly bind PAI-2. Characterization of these potential interactions using purified protein systems revealed that PAI-2 directly bound AIIt via the p11 (S100A10) subunit. However, PAI-2 prevented AIIt/tPA-mediated plasminogen activation by its classic serpin inhibitory activity rather than through competition with tPA/plasminogen for binding. Further analysis showed that PAI-2 inhibited cell bound tPA-induced plasmin activity in both an AIIt-dependent and -independent manner. These data open new possibilities for further investigations regarding the regulation of cellular plasmin generation in vivo, especially in tissues where PAI-2 and tPA may be co-expressed.
Adiponectin inhibits tissue factor expression and enhances tissue factor pathway inhibitor expression in human endothelial cells
Authors: Chen Yi-Jian , Zhang Li-Qun , Wang Guang-Ping , Zeng Hui , Lü Ben , Shen Xu-Liang , Jiang Zhi-Ping , Chen Fang-Ping
Published: July 2008

Tissue factor (TF) plays a pivotal role in thrombus formation and atherogenesis in acute coronary syndrome. Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is a specific physiological inhibitor of TF/ FVIIa complex that regulates TF-induced coagulation. Adiponectin (Adp) is an adipocyte-specific adipocytokine with anti-atherogenic and anti-diabetic properties. Adp inhibits inflammatory cytokine and adhesion molecules expression, and it can prevent endothelial dysfunction. In this study, we investigated the effects of Adp on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced expression of TF and TFPI in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HU-VECs), and the signaling transduction pathways involved. It was found that Adp significantly inhibited both TF protein expression and activity in TNF-α-stimulated HUVECs. In the meanwhile, it increased TFPI protein expression and activity for about two folds. Adp also inhibited TF mRNA expression induced by TNF-α, but had no effect on TFPI mRNA expression. The inhibitory effect of Adp onTNF-α-inducedTF expression was prevented by pretreatment with Rp-cAMPs, a PKA inhibitor. Adp increased intracellular cAMP content and PKA activity levels in a dose-dependent manner. Phosphorylation of IκB-α was decreased by Adp, but phosphorylation of p44/42MAPK, SAPK/ JNK, and p38MAPK were not affected. These results suggested that Adp inhibits TF expression through inhibition of a PKA dependent nuclear factor- κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. It was also found that adiponectin promoted Akt and AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation. The inhibitory effect of Adp on TNF-α-induced TF synthesis was abrogated in part by pretreatment with the PI3kinase inhibitor LY 294002, suggesting that Akt activation might inhibit TF expression induced by TNF-α. The inhibitory effect of Adp is almost completely abrogated by inhibition of both the cAMP/PKA pathway and PI3K/Akt pathway. In conclusion, our data indicated that inhibition of NF-κB through stabilization of IκB-α and activation of Akt phosphorylation may mediate the inhibitory effect of Adp on TF expression; but the enhancement effect of Adp on the TFPI production might occur via translational rather than transcriptional regulation.
Transendothelial migration drives dissociation of plateletmonocyte complexes
Authors: Martins Paula A. , Mol Anita , Hordijk Peter L. , Zwaginga Jaap , van Gils Janine M.
Published: July 2008

Monocytes and platelets are both crucially involved in atherogenesis. Importantly, activated platelets bound to circulating monocytes increase adhesion of the monocytes and thus mediate colocalization of both cell types at the vessel wall. We examined the fate of the platelets upon migration of these potentially pro-atherogenic platelet-monocyte complexes (PMC) across activated endothelium. Platelet-monocyte complex migration was studied both quantitatively by means of Transwell filters coated with endothelial cells, as well as qualitatively with different imaging techniques, and in the absence or presence of flow. Upon PMC transendothelial migration, platelets relocate with monocytic P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) to the rear of the monocyte, detach,and remain at the endothelial surface. Platelet dissociation appeared not to be due to reduced PSGL-1 expression or reduced platelet-binding capacity of the migrated monocytes. In addition, different endothelial matrix proteins with different platelet-binding capacities coated on the Transwell filter, instead of endothelial cells, did not affect PMC dissociation. In contrast, lowering the mechanical stress that PMC experience during transmigration prevented dissociation of platelets. In conclusion, PMC dissociate during transendothelial migration as a result of monocytic PSGL-1 redistribution and mechanical stress. PMC-mediated deposition of activated platelets at sites of vascular inflammation is likely relevant for cardiovascular disease progression or vascular regeneration.
Characterization of a novel mutation in the von Willebrand factor propeptide in a distinct subtype of recessive von Willebrand disease
Authors: Lanke Elsa , Kristoffersson Ann-Charlotte , Philips Malou , Holmberg Lars , Lethagen Stefan
Published: July 2008

vonWillebrand factor (VWF) is a plasma protein that consists of a series of multimers of which the high-molecular-weight VWF multimers are the most potent in platelet adhesion and aggre-gation. The propeptide of theVWF (VWFpp) is known to be essential in the process of multimer assembly. Genetic studies were performed in a patient with a phenotype of vonWillebrand disease (VWD) characterized by very low plasma factorVIII and VWF levels and a VWF consisting of only a dimeric band and total absence of all multimers in plasma. The patient was found to be homozygous for the novel C570S mutation, caused by a 1709G>C transition in exon 14 of theVWF gene coding for the propeptide. Three asymptomatic relatives were found to be heterozygous. In-vitro mutagenesis and expression in COS-7 cells confirmed the detrimental effect of the mutation on VWF multimerization. Our findings show that the C570S mutation in the VWFpp abolishes multimerization of VWF. The mutation probably disrupts the normal configuration of the VWFpp, which is essential for correct orientation of the protomers and ultimately multimerization. The mutant amino acid is located in a region that is highly conserved across several species which underlines its critical role. This variant constitutes a distinct subtype of recessive 2AVWD with the exclusive presence of the dimeric form of VWF in plasma.
Recurrent venous thromboembolism after pregnancy-associated versus unprovoked thromboembolism
Authors: H.White Richard , Chan Wee-Shian , Zhou Hong , Ginsberg Jeffrey S.
Published: July 2008

It is not known whether women who develop venous throm-boembolism (VTE) during pregnancy have a higher or lower incidence of recurrent VTE than women with unprovokedVTE. The aim of the study was to compare the risk of recurrent VTE among women with pregnancy-associated VTE to women with unprovoked VTE. Hospital discharge data identified women age 18–46 years old with pregnancy-associated or unprovoked index VTE between 1994 and 2005. Risk of recurrent VTE was compared between six and 60 months after the index event using both age-matched comparison of disease-free survival and proportional hazard modelling, adjusting for age and other risk factors. The Kaplan-Meier incidence of recurrent VTE in 1085 women with pregnancy-associatedVTE was 5.8% versus 10.4% in 7625 women with unprovoked VTE (p=0.02). Twelve of 34 (35%) recurrent events in the pregnancy-associated group occurred during a subsequent pregnancy compared with 29 of 331 (8.7%) events in the unprovoked group (p<0.001).In the risk-adjusted multivariate model, women with pregnancy-associated VTE had a significantly lower risk of recurrent VTE (HR = 0.6, 95%CI=0.4–0.9). Overall, the incidence of recurrentVTE during subsequent pregnancies was higher in the pregnancy group, 21 of 465 (4.5%), than in the unprovoked group, 37 of 1353 (2.7%, RR=1.7, CI:1.0–2.8). Compared to women with unprovoked VTE, women with pregnancy-associated VTE had a significantly lower long-term risk of recurrent VTE but a higher risk of recurrent VTE during a subsequent pregnancy. These findings should be considered when decisions are made about VTE prophylaxis in women with a history of pregnancy-associated VTE.
More than one intracellular processing bottleneck delays the secretion of coagulation factor VII
Authors: Kristensen Claus , Steenstrup Thomas D. , Bolt Gert
Published: July 2008

Coagulation factorVII (FVII) is a vitamin K-dependent glycoprotein that undergoes extensive post-translational modification prior to secretion. Secretion of FVII proteins from producer cells is a slow process. To identify bottlenecks for the transport of FVII through the secretory pathway of FVII-producing cells, we analysed the processing of intracellular FVII by pulse-chase of FVII producing CHO cells followed by radioimmuno precipitation, SDS-PAGE, and autoradiography. FVII was coprecipitated with GRP78 and vice versa for at least three hours after synthesis of the labelled FVII, suggesting that nascent FVII is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Judged from barium citrate precipitation assay, gamma-carboxylation of the pulse-labelled FVII was a slow process requiring several hours and seemed to be the most important bottleneck in the intracellular processing of FVII. Nevertheless, FVII was not released from the cells immediately after gamma-carboxylation. Gamma-carboxylated FVII accumulated in the cells and migrated as a band with reduced mobility compared to uncarboxylated FVII. This shift in migration was caused by N-glycan processing in the Golgi complex. Thus, the release of FVII from producer cells is delayed by at least two bottlenecks. The major bottleneck appears to be gamma-carboxylation, which determines the rate of transport of FVII out of the ER. Another bottleneck retains FVII in the cells after processing of the N-glycans into complex chains. Cells with an intact gamma-carboxylation machinery appear to posses mechanisms that protect nascent FVII from intracellular degradation and keep FVII in the ER until it is gamma-carboxylated.
Incidence and causes of new-onset dyspnea in 3,719 patients treated with clopidogrel and aspirin combination after coronary stenting
Authors: Pokov Ilya , Kuliczkowski Wiktor , Vahabi Javad , Atar Dan , Serebruany Victor
Published: July 2008

The experimental oral antiplatelet agent AZD6140 causes dyspnea in randomized trials. Whether clopidogrel may also cause dyspnea remains controversial. We sought to define the incidence and causes of dyspnea in a large post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) cohort based on open-labeled consecutive registry analysis of in-hospital charts and discharge diagnoses. Data were collected at six-month follow-up by means of telephone interviews or returned questionnaires during outpatient visits. Patients undergoing coronary stent implantation were loaded with 600 mg clopidogrel followed by 75 mg/daily in combination with 75–325 mg of aspirin daily for at least six months. Data from 3,719 patients were analyzed. Dyspnea was diagnosed in 157 (4.2%) patients caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n=43 or 27% of the dyspnea group), heart failure (n=30 or 19%), cancer (n=22 or 14%), pneumonia (n=17 or 11%); asthma (n=8 or 5%), pulmonary hypertension (n=8 or 5%);pericarditis (n=5 or 3%);cardiac arrhythmias (n=4 or 2.5%); pleural effusion (n=1), pulmonary embolism (n=1), anxiety (n=1), or unknown (n=17,or 11%).The incidence of dyspnea at six months in a post-stent cohort treated with aspirin and clopidogrel is low (4.2%). The majority of patients with dyspnea (140/157) exhibit a distinct underlying disease or condition, in contrast to only 17 patients (0.45% of total cohort) in whom the pathogenesis of dyspnea remained unidentified. These data closely match the frequency of dyspnea that was observed in the CAPRIE trial, suggesting that therapy with clopidogrel, and/or aspirin holds very small (if any) risk for dyspnea.
Cherchez les femmes: Were the yahad Celibates?
Authors: Regev Eyal
Published: July 2008

This article challenges the consensual view that the yahad were a celibate group by raising the following arguments: (1) The silence of the Community Rule regarding women and family cannot attest to celibacy, since there are no passages in the scrolls which refer to celibacy; (2) The passage in CD 7:3–10 should not be regarded as alluding to the celibacy of the yahad; (3) Comparisons with early-modern sects attest to the centrality of celibacy in the group ideology, hence it is impossible that celibacy was self-understood; (4) 4Q502 Ritual of Marriage mentions marriage, reproduction and children, and bears several lexical affinities with 1QS and other compositions of the yahad. Therefore, it should be related to the yahad. Consequently, the sweeping identification of the yahad with the (mainly celibate) Essenes seems problematic.
B'ym (Isa 11:15) = (Bīt-)Bahiān: Resolving an Ancient Crux
Authors: Demsky Aaron
Published: July 2008

Ba'yâm in Isaiah 11:15 is the Hebrew form of the dynastic eponym Bahiān, and refers in Isaiah to the head waters of the river Habur, also called the river Gozan.
PROCLAIMING THE CRUCIFIED CHRIST IN A BROKEN WORLD: An Asian Perspective
Authors: Chandrakantan A.J.V.
Published: July 2008

This article originally delivered as a keynote address at the IAMS Tenth International Conference in Hammanskraal, South Africa, is a passionate call to attend to the atrocities being committed against Tamils in the "broken world" of contemporary Sri Lanka. As the author puts it: "Disbelief and forgetfulness are the weapons of those who are opposed to humanity therefore to God. Forgetfulness is the antidote to truth and truthfulness of memory. Looking at this indescribable suffering of the innocent I have often felt that we all live in a world that has become unresponsive to the cries of the poor and under privileged. Such an attitude calls for solidarity among the victims and the oppressed. We also live in a world where a common agenda seems to unite all those who have chosen to be the enemies of humanity. It is our duty to fight this mute silence of the world with the power of the WORD. We should allow the word of Truth about the poor and innocent about voiceless women, men and children, to seek refuge and self-exile. Let us speak this word to the powers that be. All that we carry with us now is the memory of our life and that of the death of our fellow Tamils."
The Gratuitiousness of the Presence of Christ in the Broken World of Latin America
Authors: Suess Paulo
Published: July 2008

In this plenary presentation from the Tenth IAMS Conference in Hammanskraal, South Africa, IAMS (then) vice-president Paulo Suess speaks about the importance of gratuitousness, proximity and universality in developing a Latin American missiology that is not just for the poor and indigenous, but with them as well. As he puts it: "From any point of the world we may access the network of gratuitousness and sharing, that questions accumulation, to the network of proximity, that challenges indifference and exclusion, and to the network of universality, that contests restrictive globalization. To transform the world of exclusion and poverty, and to incorporate the option for the protagonism of the poor in Christian communities and in society, the paschal experience--the experience of Jesus Christ crucified and living in the poor--lends wings to our imagination and sandals to the reasons of our hope."
Changing the Borders of Our Minds
Authors: Mayotte Judy
Published: July 2008

This article, originally delivered as a keynote address at the 1999 Chicago World Mission Institute, points to personal and communal transformation as the key to societal change, particularly in regard to the world's refugees and displaced people. We must, in other words, "change the borders of our minds." As the article's last paragraph expresses it: As we approach the twenty-first century, we can change the way we think and act. We can change the borders of our minds and move toward creating a peace that can take root and flourish in our homes, in our communities, and throughout our world. We can effect change if we envision and believe that we do belong to one another, if we are willing to act with justice; and if we see that, in the words of the poet Archibald MacLeish, "we are brothers (and sisters), riders on the earth together."
CONFORMITY, NONCONFORMITY, AND CRITICAL SOLIDARITY: The Church-State Issue and the Use of the Bible
Authors: Nissen Johannes
Published: July 2008

The focus of this article is on the church-state issue, particularly in relation to the use of the Bible. The article has three parts. The first introductory part identifies four contemporary challenges: the attitude of Christians toward asylum-seekers and refugees, the question of civil disobedience, the role of the church in nation-building and the problem of nationalism and identity. Then follows some notes on the question of definition and methodology. The way we define the "state" influences our selection of relevant biblical texts. Any use of the Bible must face the risk of "proof texting." The second part offers some historical comments on selected texts. This includes the traditional "state" texts as well as other texts that reveal a critical perspective on the power issue. The third part points at a number of hermeneutical problems: (1) diversity and unity in the New Testament; (2) various levels of authority; (3) selective Bible reading and the method of correlation; (4) three different ways of perceiving the church-state issue: assimilation, alienation and critical solidarity. Both formation and malformation can be the result of the encounter of the churches with the public world. The article concludes with some reflections on the search for a just society in the biblical tradition.
Die Pashto-Sprecher Des Karakorum
Authors: Weinreich Matthias
Published: July 2008

Der nachfolgende Beitrag entstand im Ergebnis von Feldforschungsaktivitäten, die ich in den Jahren 1993-1995 im Rahmen des DFG Schwerpunktprogramms "Kulturraum Karakorum" und mit der Gewährung einer Sachbeihilfe seitens der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft wahrnehmen konnte. Ich möchte an dieser Stelle der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft sowie den am Programm beteiligten Kollegen Prof. Dr. Manfred Lorenz, Prof. Dr. Horst Grienig, Prof. Dr. Hermann Kreutzmann, Dr. Jens-Peter Jakobsen, Herrn Reinhard Fischer, Dr. Wolfgang Holzwarth und Dr. Erhard Bauer für die mir erwiesene Hilfe und Unterstützung danken.
Typology of the Trading Companies Owned By the Merchants of New Julfa
Authors: Khachikian Shushanik
Published: July 2008

I would like to express my gratitude to my colleague and friend Arline Abdolion for sponsoring my trip to the Second Biennial Conference on Iranian Studies (Bethesda, Maryland, May 22-24, 1998), at which this paper was presented The questions discussed in it were first raised in my monograph "The Armenian Merchants of New Julfa and Their Commercial and Economic Ties with Russia In the XVII-XVIII Centuriea" (in Armenian, published in Yerevan In 1988).
Some Mazandarani Materials From Firuzkuh
Authors: Voskanian Vardan
Published: July 2008

These texts, some samples of which are presented below, I noted down during January-February, 1998 from Ali Namavar (28 years old), who perfectly knew his mother tongue. These materials-stories, songs etc. reflect the dialect of Firuzkuh small town. Firuzkuhi according to my informant, has no great differences with the other dialects of Mazandarāni. Mazandarāni (in native language - māzerunī) is one of the Caspian dialects being akin, to Gilaki, Semnani, Tališi, Gurani, etc. Like the other dialects of the Caspian group, Mazandarani also is represented as yet with a restricted number of recorded materials. This dialect (Firuzkuhi), in spite of the large Persian (South-Western) influence more notable in the phonetic and lexical systems, in most cases has preserved its own North-West Iranian linguistic characteristics and therefore is interesting from the comparative-historical point of view.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Social Support in Female Victims of Sexual Assault
Authors: Billette Valérie , Guay Stéphane , Marchand André
Published: July 2008

The goal of this study is to enhance the efficacy of CBT with victims of sexual assault suffering from PTSD by getting the spouse involved. Thus, in addition to attempting to reduce PTSD symptoms, the therapy focuses on improving the support offered by the spouse and favors management of the impact of the traumatic event within the couple. A single-case, multiple-baseline across-subjects design is used. Three victims of sexual assault with a diagnosis of PTSD participated in the study. Results at posttreatment and at 3-month follow-up are promising. None of the participants presents a diagnosis of PTSD, and all report a significant improvement in their satisfaction with the support received from their spouses.
Understanding Clinical Anger and Violence
Authors: Gardner Frank L. , Moore Zella E.
Published: July 2008

Although anger is a primary emotion and holds clear functional necessities, the presence of anger and its behavioral manifestations of aggression/violence can have serious emotional, health, and social consequences. Despite such consequences, the construct of clinical anger has to date suffered from few theoretical and treatment advancements and has received insufficient research attention. Thus, the purpose of this article is to introduce the Anger Avoidance Model, which is a new conceptualization of clinical anger and its behavioral manifestations. The Anger Avoidance Model suggests that among anger patients, a chronic early aversive history leads to information processing biases and emotion regulation deficits, which in turn result in intense efforts to avoid the experience of anger. This avoidance takes the form of hostile rumination (cognitive avoidance) and aggressive and violent behavior (behavioral avoidance). This model holds clear implications for research and treatment of this challenging clinical phenomenon.
Effects of an Informational Brochure, Lottery-Based Financial Incentive, and Public Posting on Absenteeism of Direct-Care Human Services Employees
Authors: Luiselli James K. , DiGennaro Reed Florence D. , Christian Walter P. , Markowski Andrea , Rue Hanna C. , St. Amand CarrieAnne , Ryan Chad J.
Published: July 2008

Chronic absenteeism is a problem encountered by many human services organizations. Large-scale intervention projects to reduce staff absences have incorporated applied behavior analysis methods but there are few studies in the extant literature. In the present study, the authors record staff absenteeism at a specialized school for students with developmental disabilities during a baseline phase and following implementation of a systems-change intervention that included distribution of an informational brochure, lottery-based financial incentive, and public posting. Intervention is found to be associated with improved staff attendance and reduced “lost wages.” Practice and research implications are discussed.
Testing the Construct Validity of Dixon and Johnson's (2007) Gambling Functional Assessment
Authors: Miller Joseph C. , Meier Ellen , Muehlenkamp Jennifer , Weatherly Jeffrey N.
Published: July 2008

The Gambling Functional Assessment (GFA; Dixon & Johnson, 2007) is a 20-item self-report inventory identifying four potential consequences maintaining gambling behavior. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses are performed for two large, nonclinical samples of university undergraduates. For the exploratory analysis, the optimal model yields two factors: Positive Reinforcement (correlated with GFA Sensory, Attention, and Tangible scores) and Negative Reinforcement (correlated with GFA Escape scores). One GFA item fails to load on either factor adequately. Factor loadings are confirmed using structural equation modeling for the second sample. The resulting model yields a mix of adequate and suboptimal fit indicators. Although the 2-factor model of the GFA has great theoretical utility and shows significant promise, confirmation within clinical samples of gamblers will be necessary to further validate the model. GFA Escape scores are uniquely distributed in the two samples and may represent functions most likely to maintain pathological gambling.
Effect of a Classroom-Based Behavioral Intervention Package on the Improvement of Children's Sitting Posture in Japan
Authors: Noda Wataru , Tanaka-Matsumi Junko
Published: July 2008

The present study evaluates the effect of a classroom-based behavioral intervention package to improve Japanese elementary school children's sitting posture in regular classrooms ( N = 68). This study uses a multiple-baseline design across two classrooms with a modified repeated reversal within each class. The article defines appropriate sitting posture as behavior composed of four components (feet, buttocks, back, and a whole body). The intervention package includes modeling, correspondence training, prompt, and reinforcement, among others. The authors counted the number of children with appropriate sitting posture in each classroom across all 28 sessions throughout the study. Interobserver agreement of appropriate sitting posture ranged from 80% to 100%. As a result of the intervention, the mean proportion of children with appropriate posture increased from approximately 20% to 90%. In addition, their academic writing productivity increased with the improved sitting posture. Teachers' acceptance of the intervention program proved to be excellent.
Surfacing Tacit Sources of Success
Authors: Ambrosini Veronique , Bowman Cliff
Published: July 2008

Eliciting and transferring tacit knowledge is critical for the growth ambitions of small knowledge-intensive firms such as management consultancies because their work is often intangible and ambiguous. How this can be done presents a challenge as there are as yet no tools available to help them.This article explains how the use of causal mapping helped the partners of one consultancy firm to surface their tacit knowledge, to uncover what they should try to replicate within the organization to sustain their success, and to refine their raison d'être.Through the mapping process, which is interactive, non-directive, and generates ownership of the outcomes, the partners were encouraged to tap into their ambiguous, tacit knowledge base, which constitutes a large part of their consultancy's success.The article contributes to our understanding of small business management practice, tacit knowledge and consulting interventions.
Moderating Influences on the Firm's Strategic Orientation-Performance Relationship
Authors: Escribá-Esteve Alejandro , Sánchez-Peinado Luz , Sánchez-Peinado Esther
Published: July 2008

This article is focused on the factors that moderate the relationship between firm's strategic orientation and performance in small and medium-sized firms. Much prior research has focused simply on identifying environmental conditions conducive to the effectiveness of the strategic orientation approach. However, recent research has called for studies focused on investigating internal moderators of the strategic orientation-performance relationship. As a result, we propose a contingency framework, considering how corporate and competitive strategies, top management characteristics, and environmental conditions may moderate this relationship. Based on a survey of 295 small and medium-sized enterprises pertaining to seven manufacturing sectors, our study shows that the positive influence of the firm's strategic orientation may be moderated by the environment conditions, the previous experience of top management team, and the corporate and competitive strategies developed by the firm.
Filing Practice of Small and Medium-sized Companies
Authors: Eierle Brigitte
Published: July 2008

Most EU countries differentiate not only applicable accounting standards between companies but also the filing requirements imposed on them.The main objective of allowing small and medium-sized entities (SMEs) to file abbreviated financial statements is to protect them from disclosing too much information to their competitors. However, so far there is a lack of empirical research on the costs and benefits of statutory filing requirements and the usefulness of available filing concessions.This article begins to explore these issues by analysing the compliance with statutory filing requirements as well as the take-up level of available filing concessions and revealed preferences for filing options of a large sample of Austrian GmbHs qualifying as SMEs under Austrian legislation.The study reveals that the take-up level of filing concessions differs strongly between small and medium-sized GmbHs, suggesting that some medium-sized GmbHs expect net benefits from voluntary disclosures, whereas small GmbHs in general value costs arising from voluntary disclosures more highly than the benefits associated with them.
Reflexive Texts
Authors: English Leona M. , Irving Catherine J.
Published: July 2008

This article provides a feminist poststructural analysis of the authors' academic labor during a State of the Field Literature Review of Gender and Adult Learning for a government-funded educational body. Drawing on Foucault and feminist theorists, the authors pay particular attention to how power seeps down through the system to our bodies in our reading, writing, and analyzing tasks. Using a critically reflexive framework, the authors first examine how government's establishment of knowledge centers and committees, as well as calls for proposals, and work as technologies of power to produce effects such as resistances. Then, attention is turned to their position as feminist researchers who have an ambivalent relationship to some of the field's record on gender and learning. In so doing, the authors interrupt the binary of good researchers/bad government and identify themselves as simultaneously complicit and resistant.
Czech Sport Governing Bodies and Social Capital
Authors: Numerato Dino
Published: July 2008

The main objective of the study is to explore the mechanisms influencing the nature of civic engagement in sport federations with a particular interest in barriers undermining their functioning. The article is based on the multi-sited ethnographic study in three sport governing bodies in the Czech Republic (handball, football and sailing) and uses a combination of techniques such as participant and non-participant observation, semi-structured interviews and secondary analysis of available documents. The main barriers identified are seen as a product of encounters between local and national levels of sport governing bodies. The concept of social capital with its structural, relational and cognitive dimensions is presented as a tool to grasp the phenomena under study.
Elite Athletes as Migrants in Danish Women's Handball
Authors: Agergaard Sine
Published: July 2008

A number of studies have been done on the migration of male athletes in well-known sport disciplines such as football. However, we lack knowledge about migration in smaller sport disciplines and about female athletes as sport migrants. The present article examines first of all the growing number of foreign players in the Danish women's handball league from 1999 to 2007. Second, the athletes' motives for moving to Danish handball clubs are categorized, and third, the migrants' experiences in Danish handball clubs are related to the strategies of integration in two prominent handball clubs. The analysis reveals, among others, family- and space-related aspects which have not been covered in the literature on sports migration. Moreover, integration theory forms a useful supplement to migration theory in explaining the ways in which the club experiences of the migrants affect their motives.