bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PRICING COUPON‐BOND OPTIONS AND SWAPTIONS IN AFFINE TERM STRUCTURE MODELS
Authors: Singleton Kenneth J. , Umantsev Len
Published: January 2007

This paper provides a numerically accurate and computationally fast approximation to the prices of European options on coupon‐bearing instruments that is applicable to the entire family of affine term structure models. Exploiting the typical shapes of the conditional distributions of the risk factors in affine diffusions, we show that one can reliably compute the relevant probabilities needed for pricing options on coupon‐bearing instruments by the same Fourier inversion methods used in the pricing of options on zero‐coupon bonds. We apply our theoretical results to the pricing of options on coupon bonds and swaptions, and the calculation of “expected exposures” on swap books. As an empirical illustration, we compute the expected exposures implied by several affine term structure models fit to historical swap yields.
Payout Policy Pedagogy: What Matters and Why
Authors: DeAngelo Harry , DeAngelo Linda
Published: January 2007

This paper argues that we should abandon

MM (1961)

irrelevance as the foundation for teaching payout policy, and instead emphasise the need to distribute the full value generated by investment policy (‘full payout’). Because MM's assumptions restrict payouts to an optimum, their irrelevance theorem does not provide the appropriate prescription for managerial behaviour. A simple example clarifies why the correct prescription is ‘full payout’, and why both payout and investment policy matter even absent agency costs (

DeAngelo and DeAngelo, 2006

). A simple life‐cycle generalisation explains the main stylised facts about the payout policies of US and European firms.
Capital Cash Flows, APV and Valuation
Authors: Booth Laurence
Published: January 2007

This paper examines three different methods of valuing companies and projects: the adjusted present value (APV), capital cash flows (CCF) and weighted average cost of capital (WACC) methods. It develops the appropriate WACC and beta leveraging formulae appropriate for each valuation model, so that given a particular valuation model the correct APV and CCF values can be determined from the WACC value and vice versa. Further it goes on to show when the perpetuity formulae give poor estimates of the value of individual cash flows, even though the overall values are correct. The paper cautions that the APV and CCF models require more information than is currently known, such as the value of the corporate use of debt, and consequently can give misleading results, particularly in sensitivity analyses.
The Validity of the Economic Value Added Approach: an Empirical Application
Authors: Kyriazis Dimitris , Anastassis Christos
Published: January 2007

This study investigates the relative explanatory power of the Economic Value Added (EVA) model with respect to stock returns and firms' market value, compared to established accounting variables (e.g. net income, operating income), in the context of a small European developing market, namely the Athens Stock Exchange, in its first market‐wide application of the EVA measure. Relative information content tests reveal that net and operating income appear to be more value relevant than EVA. Additionally, incremental information tests suggest that EVA unique components add only marginally to the information content of accounting profit. Moreover, EVA does not appear to have a stronger correlation with firms' Market Value Added than the other variables, suggesting that – for our Greek dataset – EVA, even though useful as a performance evaluation tool, need not necessarily be more correlated with shareholder's value than established accounting variables.
Measuring Value‐at‐Risk in Project Finance Transactions
Authors: Gatti Stefano , Rigamonti Alvaro , Saita Francesco , Senati Mauro
Published: January 2007

Despite the remarkable importance of project finance in international financial markets, no quantitative models to measure and quantify the risk associated with a deal for the project's lenders have been developed yet. The topic has recently become crucial, since the New Basle Capital Accord gives banks a choice of whether to adopt simpler (but possibly higher) standard capital requirements or to develop internal rating models for project finance transactions. The paper proposes how Monte Carlo simulations may be used to derive a Value‐at‐Risk estimate for project finance deals and discusses the critical issues that must be considered when developing such a model.
Dynamics of immediate early gene and neuropeptide gene response to prolonged immobilization stress: evidence against a critical role of the termination of exposure to the stressor
Authors: Trnečková Lenka , Rotllant David , Klenerová Věra , Hynie Sixtus , Armario Antonio
Published: January 2007

Stress‐induced expression of immediate early genes (IEGs) appears to be transient even if the exposure to the stressor persists. However, there are some exceptions which suggest that particular characteristics of stressors can affect the dynamics of IEG expression. We studied in selected telencephalic, diencephalic and brainstem regions the mRNA levels of two clearly distinct IEGs (c‐fos and arc) during prolonged exposure to a severe stressor such as immobilization (IMO) and after releasing the rats from the situation. Although regional differences were observed with the two IEGs, overall, c‐fos mRNA levels progressively declined over the course of 4 h of continuous exposure to IMO, whereas arc mRNA levels were maintained at high levels in the brain regions that express this gene under stress (telencephalon). Levels of CRF hnRNA in the hypothalamus paraventricular nucleus only slightly declined during prolonged exposure to IMO. Surprisingly, termination of exposure to IMO did not modify CRF gene expression in the paraventricular nucleus or the pattern of IEGs expression, with the exception of c‐fos in the lateral septum. Thus, putative signals associated to the termination of exposure to IMO were unable to modify either IEG expression in most brain areas or CRF gene expression in the paraventricular nucleus.
Dopaminergic toxicity associated with oral exposure to the herbicide atrazine in juvenile male C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Coban A. , Filipov N. M.
Published: January 2007

The herbicide atrazine (ATR) is a very commonly used pesticide in the United States. and a major ground water contaminant. It has also been recently implicated as a potential basal ganglia toxicant. In the present study, our objective was to determine the effects of ATR exposure on striatal neurochemistry, on the number of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), and, as a reference, in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of male juvenile C57BL/6 mice. Oral exposure to ATR for 14 days dose‐dependently decreased the levels of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites in the striatum for up to a week post‐treatment. ATR exposure also time‐ and dose‐dependently decreased the number of tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive (TH+) dopaminergic neurons in both SNpc and VTA (with effects being slightly more prominent in SNpc), such that the decreases were most evident at 7 weeks post‐cessation of exposure to ATR. Together, these data indicate that, in the juvenile male C57BL/6 mouse, the neurotoxic effects of ATR appear to cause transient neurochemical alterations, whereas the loss of TH+ neurons appears to be persistent, possibly confined to basal ganglia dopaminergic neurons, but not exclusive to the SNpc.
Factors influencing cell fate in the infarct rim
Authors: Yao Hang , Shu Yousheng , Wang Juan , Brinkman Brendan C. , Haddad Gabriel G.
Published: January 2007

In focal ischemia, the fate of penumbral cells is closely linked to the infarcted tissue. Because of the release of cytosolic material from damaged cells, the biochemical and ionic alterations within the core are dramatic. Hence, adjacent cells ( infarct rim) are generally exposed to these changes and may be deleteriously affected. To mimic such conditions in vitro, we have employed a slice culture system and used an ischemic solution (IS) that resembles the milieu in the territory of infarct rim. In contrast to normal artificial cerebral spinal fluid, IS is characterized by low O2, glucose, pH; excitotoxic levels of glutamate; and ionic alterations. In organotypic hippocampal slice cultures, we examined cell injury/death using propidium iodide following exposure to IS. Our data show significant cell injury starting at ∼8 h following IS exposure with cell injury spreading as a function of exposure duration. We further studied the effect of each component in the IS separately, i.e., acidosis, hypoxia, ionic shifts or glutamate exitotoxicity and were able to isolate the contribution of each of these effectors to the IS‐induced cell death. Our results suggest that in IS, acidosis exacerbates the potential for injury while ionic shifts, especially those of K+ and Na+, alleviate the potential for cell death.
Neurochemical changes in Huntington R6/2 mouse striatum detected by in vivo1H NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Tkac Ivan , Dubinsky Janet M. , Keene C. Dirk , Gruetter Rolf , Low Walter C.
Published: January 2007

The neurochemical profile of the striatum of R6/2 Huntington’s disease mice was examined at different stages of pathogenesis using in vivo1H NMR spectroscopy at 9.4 T. Between 8 and 12 weeks, R6/2 mice exhibited distinct changes in a set of 17 quantifiable metabolites compared with littermate controls. Concentrations of creatine, glycerophosphorylcholine, glutamine and glutathione increased and N‐acetylaspartate decreased at 8 weeks. By 12 weeks, concentrations of phosphocreatine, taurine, ascorbate, glutamate, and myo‐inositol increased and phophorylethanolamine decreased. These metabolic changes probably reflected multiple processes, including compensatory processes to maintain homeostasis, active at different stages in the development of HD. The observed changes in concentrations suggested impairment of neurotransmission, neuronal integrity and energy demand, and increased membrane breakdown, gliosis, and osmotic and oxidative stress. Comparisons between metabolite concentrations from individual animals clearly distinguished HD transgenics from non‐diseased littermates and identified possible markers of disease progression. Metabolic changes in R6/2 striata were distinctly different from those observed previously in the quinolinic acid and 3NP models of HD. Longitudinal monitoring of changes in these metabolites may provide quantifiable measures of disease progression and treatment effects in both mouse models of HD and patients.
Hydrogen peroxide triggers the proteolytic cleavage and the inactivation of calcineurin
Authors: Lee Ji‐Eun , Kim Hyungsoo , Jang Hyonchol , Cho Eun‐Jung , Youn Hong‐Duk
Published: January 2007

Increases in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are correlated with a decrease in calcineurin (CN) activity under oxidative or neuropathological conditions. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this ROS‐mediated CN inactivation remains unclear. Here, we describe a mechanism for the inactivation of CN by hydrogen peroxide. The treatment of mouse primary cortical neuron cells with Aβ1–42 peptide and hydrogen peroxide triggered the proteolytic cleavage of CN and decreased its enzymatic activity. In addition, hydrogen peroxide was found to cleave CN in different types of cells. Calcium influx was not involved in CN inactivation during hydrogen peroxide‐mediated cleavage, but CN cleavage was partially blocked by chloroquine, indicating that an unidentified lysosomal protease is probably involved in its hydrogen peroxide‐mediated cleavage. Treatment with hydrogen peroxide triggered CN cleavage at a specific sequence within its catalytic domain, and the cleaved form of CN had no enzymatic ability to dephosphorylate nuclear factor in activated T cells. Thus, our findings suggest a molecular mechanism by which hydrogen peroxide inactivates CN by proteolysis in ROS‐related diseases.
Post‐trauma Lipitor treatment prevents endothelial dysfunction, facilitates neuroprotection, and promotes locomotor recovery following spinal cord injury
Authors: Pannu Ravinder , Christie Douglas K. , Barbosa Ernest , Singh Inderjit , Singh Avtar K.
Published: January 2007

We have previously reported neuroprotection in spinal cord injury (SCI) by Lipitor [atorvastatin (AT)]‐pre‐treatment. Though informative, pre‐treatment studies find only limited clinical application as trauma occurrence is unpredictable. Therefore, this study investigates the efficacy of AT treatment post‐SCI. In a rat model of contusion‐SCI resulting in complete hindlimb paralysis, AT treatment (5 mg/kg; gavage) was begun 2, 4, or 6 h post‐SCI followed by a once daily dose thereafter for 6 weeks. While the placebo vehicle (VHC)‐SCI rats showed substantial functional deficit, AT‐SCI animals exhibited significant functional recovery. AT diminished injury‐induced blood–spinal cord barrier (BSCB) dysfunction with significantly reduced infiltration and tumor necrosis factor‐α/interleukin‐1β/inducible nitric oxide synthase expression at site of injury. BSCB protection in AT‐SCI was attributable to attenuated matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP9) expression – a central player in BSCB disruption. Furthermore, endothelial MMP9 expression was found to be RhoA/ROCK pathway‐mediated and regulated by AT through an isoprenoid‐dependent mechanism. Attenuation of these early inflammatory events reduced secondary damage. Significant reduction in axonal degeneration, myelin degradation, gliosis, and neuronal apoptosis with resultant enhancement in tissue sparing was observed in AT‐SCI compared with VHC‐SCI. In summary, this novel report presenting the efficacy of post‐injury AT treatment might be of critical therapeutic value as effective treatments are currently unavailable for SCI.
Evidence for D2 receptor mediation of amphetamine‐induced normalization of locomotion and dopamine transporter function in hypoinsulinemic rats
Authors: Sevak Rajkumar J. , Owens W. Anthony , Koek Wouter , Galli Aurelio , Daws Lynette C. , France Charles P.
Published: January 2007

Dopamine (DA) D2 receptors regulate DA transporter (DAT) activity, and mediate some behavioral effects of amphetamine. DA clearance and amphetamine‐stimulated locomotion are reduced in hypoinsulinemic [streptozotocin (STZ)‐treated] rats, and these deficits are normalized by repeated treatment with amphetamine. Here, a role for D2 receptors in mediating amphetamine‐induced normalization of these parameters was investigated. One week after a saline or STZ injection (50 mg/kg), rats were treated with amphetamine (1.78 mg/kg), raclopride (0.056 mg/kg), saline, or combinations thereof, every‐other‐day for 8 days with locomotor activity measured following each treatment. Conditioned place preference (CPP) for amphetamine andin vivochronoamperometry to measure DA clearance were carried out on days 17 and 18, respectively, after STZ or saline. Baseline locomotion and DA clearance were significantly reduced in STZ‐treated rats compared with control rats. In STZ‐treated rats, amphetamine treatment normalized DA clearance, and restored the locomotor‐stimulating effects of amphetamine. Raclopride prevented normalization of these parameters. Amphetamine produced CPP in both STZ‐treated and control rats; raclopride significantly attenuated amphetamine‐induced CPP in control and not in STZ‐treated rats. These results support a role for D2 receptors in regulating DA transporter activity, and further demonstrate that D2 receptors contribute to changes in sensitivity to amphetamine in hypoinsulinemic rats.
Copper ions disrupt dopamine metabolism via inhibition of V‐H+‐ATPase: a possible contributing factor to neurotoxicity
Authors: Wimalasena D. Shyamali , Wiese Thomas J. , Wimalasena Kandatege
Published: January 2007

The involvement of copper in the pathophysiology of neurodegeneration has been well documented but is not fully understood. Commonly, the effects are attributed to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production due to inherent redox properties of copper ions. Here we show copper can have physiological effects distinct from direct ROS production. First, we show that extragranular free copper inhibits the vesicular H+‐ATPase of resealed chromaffin granule ghosts. Extragranular ascorbate potentiates this inhibition. The inhibition is mixed type with Kis = 6.8 ± 2.8 µmol/L and Kii = 3.8 ± 0.6 µmol/L, with respect to ATP. Second, extracellular copper causes an inhibition of the generation of a pH‐gradient and rapid dissipation of pre‐generated pH and catecholamine gradients. Copper chelators and the ß‐amyloid peptide 1–42 were found to effectively prevent the inhibition. The inhibition is reversible and time‐independent suggesting the effects of extracellular copper on H+‐ATPase is direct, and not due to ROS. The physiological significance of these observations was shown by the demonstration that extracellular copper causes a dramatic perturbation of dopamine metabolism in SH‐SY5Y cells. Thus, we propose that the direct inhibition of the vesicular H+‐ATPase may also contribute to the neurotoxic effects of copper.
Transcription of rat TRPV1 utilizes a dual promoter system that is positively regulated by nerve growth factor
Authors: Xue Qing , Jong Beverly , Chen Tom , Schumacher Mark A.
Published: January 2007

The capsaicin receptor, also known as ‘transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor subtype 1’ (TRPV1, VR1), is an ion channel subunit expressed in primary afferent nociceptors, which plays a critical role in pain transduction and thermal hyperalgesia. Increases in nociceptor TRPV1 mRNA and protein are associated with tissue injury–inflammation. As little is understood about what controls TRPV1 RNA transcription in nociceptors, we functionally characterized the upstream portion of the rat TRPV1 gene. Two functional rTRPV1 promoter regions and their transcription initiation sites were identified. Although both promoter regions directed transcriptional activity in nerve growth factor (NGF) treated rat sensory neurons, the upstream Core promoter was the most active in cultures enriched in sensory neurons. Because NGF is a key modulator of inflammatory pain, we examined the effect of NGF on rTRPV1 transcription in PC12 cells. NGF positively regulated transcriptional activity of both rTRPV1 promoter regions in PC12 cells. We propose that the upstream regulatory region of the rTRPV1 gene is composed of a dual promoter system that is regulated by NGF. These findings support the hypothesis that NGF produced under conditions of tissue injury and/or inflammation directs an increase of TRPV1 expression in nociceptors in part through a transcription‐dependent mechanism.
High tidal end expiratory flow – an index of dynamic hyperinflation?
Authors: Bake Björn , Houltz Birgitta , Sjölund Patrik
Published: January 2007

Dynamic hyperinflation is considered an important mechanism behind shortness of breath and reduced exercise capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Prevailing methods to assess dynamic hyperinflation are crude because of the large normal variation of both functional residual capacity and inspiratory capacity (IC). In the present study, we hypothesized that expiratory flow on a relatively high level near the end of tidal expiration is an indication of dynamic hyperinflation. A method to measure tidal end expiratory flow (TEEF), i.e. the flow between 0·6 s and 0·04 s before start of inspiration is presented and evaluated in 15 healthy subjects and 16 COPD patients. The COPD patients had more than twice as high TEEF values compared with the healthy subjects (45·4 ± 23·8 and 20·4 ± 7·3 ml s−1 respectively; mean ± SD; P = 0·0002, for TEEF at 0·4 s before start of inspiration). TEEF values correlated to IC, e.g. TEEF at 0·4 s before start of inspiration expressed as a fraction of mean expiratory flow, correlated to IC (% pred.) (r = 0·74; P<0·0001). These results justifies further testing of the relationship between TEEF and dynamic hyperinflation.
Lung protective ventilatory strategies in acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome: from experimental findings to clinical application
Authors: Verbrugge Serge J. C. , Lachmann Burkhard , Kesecioglu Jozef
Published: January 2007

This review addresses the physiological background and the current status of evidence regarding ventilator‐induced lung injury and lung protective strategies. Lung protective ventilatory strategies have been shown to reduce mortality from adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We review the latest knowledge on the progression of lung injury by mechanical ventilation and correlate the findings of experimental work with results from clinical studies. We describe the experimental and clinical evidence of the effect of lung protective ventilatory strategies and open lung strategies on the progression of lung injury and current controversies surrounding these subjects. We describe a rational strategy, the open lung strategy, to accomplish an open lung, which may further prevent injury caused by mechanical ventilation. Finally, the clinician is offered directions on lung protective ventilation in the early phase of ARDS which can be applied on the intensive care unit.
Comparison of methods for editing of ectopic beats in measurements of short‐term non‐linear heart rate dynamics
Authors: Tarkiainen Tuula H. , Kuusela Tom A. , Tahvanainen Kari U. O. , Hartikainen Juha E. K. , Tiittanen Pekka , Timonen Kirsi L. , Vanninen Esko J.
Published: January 2007

Non‐linear heart rate (HR) dynamics characterizes the fractal properties and complexity of the variations in HR. Ventricular and supraventricular ectopic beats might introduce a mathematical artefact to the analyses on sinus rhythm. We therefore evaluated the effects of different editing practices for ectopic beats such that 753 40‐min ECG recordings were (i) not edited for the ectopic beats, or the ectopic beats were edited with (ii) an interpolation or with (iii) a deletion method before the analyses of non‐linear HR dynamics. The non‐linear HR dynamics analyses included detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA), approximate entropy, symbolic dynamics (SymDyn), fractal dimension and return map (RM). We found that the short‐term scaling exponent (α1) of DFA, forbidden words of SymDyn and RM were sensitive measurements to the ectopic beats and there were strong correlations between these measurements and the number of ectopic beats. In addition, the unedited ectopic beats significantly lowered the stability of these measurements. However, the editing either with interpolation or deletion method corrected the measurements for the bias caused by the ectopic beats. On the contrary, the entropy measurements were not as sensitive to the ectopic beats. In conclusion, the ectopic beats affect the non‐linear HR dynamics of sinus rhythm differently, causing a more marked bias in fractal than in complexity measurements of non‐linear HR dynamics. This erroneous effect of ectopic beats can be corrected with a proper editing of these measurements. Therefore, there is an obvious need for standardized editing practices for ectopic beats before the analysis of non‐linear HR dynamics.
Guest editorial: Notes on the macular pigment
Authors: Weale Robert A.
Published: January 2007

Potential functions of the macular pigment are reviewed. Its role as a protector of the retina in respect of the blue‐light hazard, and its relation to the rods and the cones, are examined. It is tentatively suggested that its presence in the human retina originated in the wild as a result of diet and not as a special evolutionary process: the pigment does not appear to be able to offer any significant photic protection, and the effect on chromatic aberration, as recently reported, may be negligible. Its relation to the spectral placing of photopigments is also examined.
The Near Mallett Unit Foveal Suppression Test: a cross‐sectional study to establish test norms and relationship with other optometric tests
Authors: Tang Sosena T. W. , Evans Bruce J. W.
Published: January 2007

When the binocular system comes under prolonged stress in decompensated heterophoria, a small suppression area can develop at the fovea. This foveal suppression (FS) may be an adaptation to eliminate symptoms. The near Mallett unit (NMU) is a hand‐held instrument that contains a binocular status test for detecting and quantifying FS. We measured FS in a cross‐sectional study of 131 patients to investigate the normal range of responses. A ratio scoring method was devised which considers the number of letters read with dichoptic viewing when binocularly fused (b) and under monocular (m) conditions, using the formula 100 × (m − b)/m. The 95th percentile value of the FS ratios was calculated as the limit of the normal range and this gave a value for the right eye (RE; 33%), left eye (LE; 43%) and total (38%). This result shows that statistically significant FS occurs when a patient can read approximately one line further in the test monocularly, compared to under fused dichoptic conditions. A statistically significant correlation was found between absolute values of horizontal aligning prism (associated heterophoria on the NMU) and FS ratio. Some limitations of the FS test and unexpected results became apparent during our research and an abnormal result on the test does not always indicate a binocular vision anomaly. Nonetheless, we feel that the test can provide useful information when the results are taken in the context of other clinical tests. Our results are used to develop recommendations and clinical guidelines for using the FS test, and to make suggestions for improvements in future designs of the test.
Functional outcome following hemilaminectomy without methylprednisolone sodium succinate for acute thoracolumbar disk disease in 51 non‐ambulatory dogs
Authors: Bush William W. , Tiches Deena M. , Kamprad Christina , Murtaugh Robert J. , Barr Christina S.
Published: January 2007

Objective:To report the functional outcome of hemilaminectomy in dogs with acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) without the administration of a methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) protocol.

Design:Prospective study.

Setting:Private practice specialty hospital.

Animals:Fifty‐one, client owned, non‐ambulatory dogs weighing less than 15 kg that had not been treated with MPSS.

Interventions:Myelography and hemilaminectomy

Measurements and main results:Fifty‐one dogs met the inclusion criteria. Before surgery, all dogs were non‐ambulatory (26 paraplegic, 25 paraparetic), and 98% were painful. Preoperative incontinence was not assessed or unknown in most cases. Ten days following surgery, 90% were ambulatory, 98% were pain free, and 82% were fully continent. By 6 weeks, 100% were ambulatory, 94% were pain free, and 86% were fully continent. By 16 weeks, 96% were pain free, and 88% were fully continent.

Conclusion:Hemilaminectomy is highly successful in returning non‐ambulatory, small breed dogs to full function and in these dogs MPSS may not be a necessary adjunct to surgery.
C‐reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin‐6 in dogs with pyometra and SIRS
Authors: Fransson Boel A. , Lagerstedt Anne‐Sofie , Bergstrom Annika , Hagman Ragnvi , Park Jean S. , Chew Boon P. , Evans Marc A. , Ragle Claude A.
Published: January 2007

Objective: To determine the frequency of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in canine pyometra and to evaluate the relationship between C‐reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and SIRS.

Design: Prospective clinical study.

Setting: Veterinary teaching hospital.

Animals: Fifty‐three clinical cases of canine pyometra and 19 healthy control bitches.

Interventions: Upon admission to the veterinary hospital, history and physical examination findings, including previously defined clinical SIRS parameters, were documented. Blood samples were obtained for hematology and biochemical tests and for CRP, TNFα, and IL‐6 analysis. The diagnosis of pyometra was confirmed by histopathology of the uterus after ovariohysterectomy. After surgery, clinical SIRS parameters, length of hospitalization, and mortality were recorded.

Measurements and main results: Pyometra dogs were grouped as SIRS positive (30/53; 57%) or SIRS negative (23/53; 43%). Logistic regression showed that CRP was the only parameter that significantly related to SIRS apart from the clinical criteria that define this syndrome. The mortality rate was low (2/53; 3.8%), and conclusions regarding association with SIRS could not be drawn. A positive SIRS status, high plasma CRP concentration, and high body temperature were variables that related to increased morbidity reflected by the length of hospitalization.

Conclusions: SIRS was seen in 57% of canine pyometra cases and a positive SIRS status showed a positive association with prolonged hospitalization. The mortality rate was low (3.3%) among SIRS positive dogs, indicating that progression to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) rarely occurs in surgically treated cases of pyometra. CRP was associated with SIRS and with prolonged hospitalization. Further studies of plasma CRP may be warranted in canine intensive care cases susceptible to development of SIRS and MODS.
Congregational Health Ministries: A National Study of Pastors' Views
Authors: Catanzaro Ana Maria , Meador Keith G. , Koenig Harold G. , Kuchibhatla Maragatha , Clipp Elizabeth C.
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT
Objectives: Since the 1980s, there has been a growing, but little studied, movement that organizes church‐based health services under the direction of a coordinator, usually a registered nurse. These Congregational Health Ministries (CHMs) emphasize health promotion and disease prevention. We compared the perceptions of pastors with and without organized CHMs and the characteristics of their congregations' health ministries.

Design: We used a quantitative, cross‐sectional survey design.

Sample: We surveyed a national multidenominational sample of 349 pastors representing over 80 Christian denominations.

Results: With limited resources, CHMs provide significant health promotion, disease prevention, and support services. Pastors with CHMs were significantly more involved in health promotion and disease prevention activities. Pastors without CHMs perceived a need for congregations to be involved in health‐related services and were willing to become involved if they have adequate resources.

Conclusions: Because of long‐term trusting relationships that exist between congregants and those who minister to them, religious congregations may be ideally suited to provide cost‐effective, community‐based health promotion and disease prevention services as well as health‐supporting services to community‐dwelling elderly and persons with chronic illnesses.
Health Beliefs of Haitian Elders Related to Influenza Prevention
Authors: Tamara Adonis‐Rizzo M. , Jett Kathleen F.
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT
Objective: Each year, about 20% of the persons living in the United States gets influenza, and the majority of those who die as a consequence are over 65. Many of these deaths may be preventable. In this study, the health beliefs, attitudes, and cultural practices related to the prevention of influenza by Haitian elders are studied.

Design and sample: Using a focused ethnographic approach, 10 adults above the age of 55 and born in Haiti were interviewed.

Methods: Data were collected using interviews and participant observation. Interviews were conducted in Creole by the primary author. Participant observation occurred for the length of a “flu season” in a neighborhood nurse‐managed clinic during the provision of routine health care.

Results: Themes of competing paradigms, fear of sickness, taking care of oneself, and cautious willingness emerged.

Conclusions: The participants described what is known in western medicine as influenza, as “a cold,” or “a big cold.” While they were uncertain of influenza immunizations, there was an overwhelming willingness to accept one if recommended by respected others and trusted health providers. The results of the study can serve as a springboard for future attempts to better understand this unique and at‐risk population.
The Measles Initiative to Control Measles in Kenya
Authors: Bradsher Charlotte A. , Stotts R. Craig , Carter Michael A. , Grabowsky Mark
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT
Purpose: To describe the epidemiology of measles in Kenya and evaluate the Measles Initiative's (MI's) mass immunization campaign and its impact on measles control in Kenya.

Methods: This descriptive study focused on evaluating the MI's simultaneous mass campaigns in the provinces of Kenya, the implementation process of the campaign strategy, post‐campaign impact data, and precampaign measles trends. Secondary data were obtained from the Kenya Ministry of Health and MI documentation involving vaccine coverage, and morbidity and mortality rates. Analysis focused on program achievement with a comparison of immunization coverage results and program goals.

Outcomes: Campaign goals of vaccination coverage were successfully achieved, and subsequent surveillance data indicate significant decreases in measles morbidity and mortality. Barriers to participation, sociocultural factors, and environmental demographics were identified and addressed.

Implications: The success of the MI immunization program was the result of the commitment of expert international public health agencies in partnership with the Kenyan government. The strategies used for this successful public health activity can be applied to improve vaccination programs in other countries.
A Targeted Testing Program for Tuberculosis Control and Prevention Among Baltimore City's Homeless Population
Authors: Lashley Mary
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT
Objective: To identify cases of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and improve access to TB treatment among the inner‐city homeless.

Design: This is an intervention study describing the impact of a public health program on TB prevention and control.

Sample: The target population for the project was residents and recent graduates of a residential addictions recovery program in a faith‐based, inner‐city mission.

Intervention: Faculty and student nurses administered purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculin skin tests and TB symptom assessments on site to homeless Mission residents. Residents testing positive for TB infection were referred to the local city health department for follow‐up. Residents placed on prophylactic therapy received intensive tracking and coaching interventions to encourage adherence to the 9‐month regimen.

Results: Ninety‐eight percent of the target population was screened for LTBI. Ninety percent of residents requiring treatment for LTBI successfully accessed treatment services. Thirty‐three percent of residents completed at least 6 months of treatment.

Conclusion: The program demonstrated a modest improvement in treatment completion among the inner‐city homeless when compared with local City Health Department treatment completion rates. This program demonstrates how a faith‐based organization, an academic institution, and local government can successfully partner together to meet community needs.
Preparing Public Health Nurses for Pandemic Influenza Through Distance Learning
Authors: Macario Everly , Benton Lisa D. , Yuen Janet , Torres Mara , Macias‐Reynolds Violet , Holsclaw Patricia , Nakahara Natalie , Jones Marcy Connell
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT
As a global influenza pandemic appears imminent with the spread of avian influenza, the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) and the California Distance Learning Health Network (CDLHN) presented a live 90‐min satellite broadcast and subsequent 2‐hr small group problem‐solving tabletop exercise to practice interventions needed to minimize the consequences of a pandemic event. Public health nurses (PHNs), managers, and other staff in laboratories, clinical care, veterinary medicine, environmental health, public information and safety, emergency management, and transportation down linked the program, broadcast by satellite from the CDHS Richmond Laboratory Campus, to view on‐site locally. PHNs represented the professional category with the highest number of participants for those conducting the program outside of California. For those in California, PHNs represented the professional category with the second highest number of participants. Participants and distance‐learning facilitators completed a training evaluation survey. Continuing education credits were provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to participants who completed the satellite broadcast evaluation. This distance‐learning‐by‐satellite method of education paired with an activities‐based tabletop exercise, and a focus on local rather than State‐based responsibility, marks an innovative method of training PHNs and other staff in emergency preparedness response.
Paracetamol: New Vistas of an Old Drug
Authors: Bertolini Alfio , Ferrari Anna , Ottani Alessandra , Guerzoni Simona , Tacchi Raffaella , Leone Sheila
Published: January 2007

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is one of the most popular and widely used drugs for the treatment of pain and fever. It occupies a unique position among analgesic drugs. Unlike NSAIDs it is almost unanimously considered to have no antiinflammatory activity and does not produce gastrointestinal damage or untoward cardiorenal effects. Unlike opiates it is almost ineffective in intense pain and has no depressant effect on respiration. Although paracetamol has been used clinically for more than a century, its mode of action has been a mystery until about one year ago, when two independent groups (Zygmunt and colleagues and Bertolini and colleagues) produced experimental data unequivocally demonstrating that the analgesic effect of paracetamol is due to the indirect activation of cannabinoid CB1receptors. In brain and spinal cord, paracetamol, following deacetylation to its primary amine (p‐aminophenol), is conjugated with arachidonic acid to form N‐arachidonoylphenolamine, a compound already known (AM404) as an endogenous cannabinoid. The involved enzyme is fatty acid amide hydrolase. N‐arachidonoylphenolamine is an agonist at TRPV1 receptors and an inhibitor of cellular anandamide uptake, which leads to increased levels of endogenous cannabinoids; moreover, it inhibits cyclooxygenases in the brain, albeit at concentrations that are probably not attainable with analgesic doses of paracetamol. CB1receptor antagonist, at a dose level that completely prevents the analgesic activity of a selective CB1receptor agonist, completely prevents the analgesic activity of paracetamol. Thus, paracetamol acts as a pro‐drug, the active one being a cannabinoid. These findings finally explain the mechanism of action of paracetamol and the peculiarity of its effects, including the behavioral ones. Curiously, just when the first CB1agonists are being introduced for pain treatment, it comes out that an indirect cannabino‐mimetic had been extensively used (and sometimes overused) for more than a century.
Exercise Program for Nursing Home Residents with Alzheimer's Disease: A 1‐Year Randomized, Controlled Trial
Authors: Rolland Yves , Pillard Fabien , Klapouszczak Adrian , Reynish Emma , Thomas David , Andrieu Sandrine , Rivière Daniel , Vellas Bruno
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effectiveness of an exercise program in improving ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), physical performance, and nutritional status and decreasing behavioral disturbance and depression in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial.

SETTING: Five nursing homes.

PARTICIPANTS: One hundred thirty‐four ambulatory patients with mild to severe AD.

INTERVENTION: Collective exercise program (1 hour, twice weekly of walk, strength, balance, and flexibility training) or routine medical care for 12 months.

MEASUREMENTS: ADLs were assessed using the Katz Index of ADLs. Physical performance was evaluated using 6‐meter walking speed, the get‐up‐and‐go test, and the one‐leg‐balance test. Behavioral disturbance, depression, and nutritional status were evaluated using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory, the Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale, and the Mini‐Nutritional Assessment. For each outcome measure, the mean change from baseline to 12 months was calculated using intention‐to‐treat analysis.

RESULTS: ADL mean change from baseline score for exercise program patients showed a slower decline than in patients receiving routine medical care (12‐month mean treatment differences: ADL=0.39, P=.02). A significant difference between the groups in favor of the exercise program was observed for 6‐meter walking speed at 12 months. No effect was observed for behavioral disturbance, depression, or nutritional assessment scores. In the intervention group, adherence to the program sessions in exploratory analysis predicted change in ability to perform ADLs. No adverse effects of exercise occurred.

CONCLUSION: A simple exercise program, 1 hour twice a week, led to significantly slower decline in ADL score in patients with AD living in a nursing home than routine medical care.
Effect of Institutional Respite Care on the Sleep of People with Dementia and Their Primary Caregivers
Authors: Lee David , Morgan Kevin , Lindesay James
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the sleep–wake patterns of community‐dwelling patients with dementia and their primary caregivers before, during, and after 2‐week periods of institutional respite care.

DESIGN: Prospective case series.

SETTING: Four community hospital units in East Midlands, United Kingdom.

PARTICIPANTS: Thirty‐nine patients meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, criteria for dementia and caregivers completed baseline assessments; 33 of these dyads completed the full protocol.

INTERVENTION: A 2‐week period of institutional respite care during which patients were admitted to community hospitals (and received routine care) while caregivers remained at home.

MEASUREMENTS: For patients and caregivers, primary sleep outcomes were derived from 6 weeks of continuous wrist actigraphy (2 weeks baseline; 2 weeks respite; 2 weeks follow‐up) using the Actiwatch system. For caregivers, actigraphic measures were augmented with assessments of quality of life (using the Medical Outcomes Study 36‐item Short Form survey) and quality of sleep (using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) at baseline and by daily sleep diaries and weekly Epworth Sleepiness Scale ratings throughout the study.

RESULTS: At baseline, caregivers and patients showed profiles of clinically significant sleep disturbance. For caregivers, respite periods were associated with significant (P<.05) increases in total sleep time per night, total time in bed per night, and improvements in subjective sleep quality. The benefits of respite were most evident for caregivers who did not share a bedroom with the patient. For patients, respite was associated with significant (P<.05) increases in sleep onset latency, reductions in total sleep time per night, and weakening of the circadian activity rhythm. All measures shifted in the direction of baseline levels at follow‐up.

CONCLUSION: Dementia caregivers show a profile of sleep disturbance consistent with adjustment insomnia, with sleep disturbances partially reversed during periods of institutional respite care. Nevertheless, for patients, respite care worsens already disturbed sleep patterns. To optimize benefits for caregivers and patients, respite care should target sleep management.
Physical Activity Is Associated with Incident Disability in Community‐Based Older Persons
Authors: Boyle Patricia A. , Buchman Aron S. , Wilson Robert S. , Bienias Julia L. , Bennett David A.
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVES:To examine the association between physical activity and the risk of incident disability, including impairment in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), in community‐based older persons free of dementia.

DESIGN:Prospective, observational cohort study.

SETTING:Approximately 40 retirement communities across the Chicago metropolitan area.

PARTICIPANTS:More than 1,000 older persons from the Rush Memory and Aging Project, an ongoing longitudinal clinical‐pathological study of common chronic conditions of old age.

MEASUREMENTS:All participants underwent detailed annual clinical evaluations that included assessments of physical activity, ADLs, IADLs, and gait performance. The associations between physical activity, mortality, and incident disability were examined using a series of Cox proportional hazards models controlled for age, sex, education, and baseline gait.

RESULTS:At baseline, participants spent a mean±standard deviation of 3.0±3.5 hours per week engaging in physical activity (range 0–35). In a proportional hazards model, the risk of death decreased 11% (hazard ratio (HR)=0.89, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.83–0.95) for each additional hour of physical activity per week. For those who were not disabled at baseline, the risk of developing disability in ADLs decreased 7% (HR=0.93, 95% CI=0.88–0.98) for each additional hour of physical activity per week. Similarly, the risk of disability in IADLs decreased 7% (HR=0.93, 95% CI=0.89–0.99) for each additional hour of physical activity.

CONCLUSION:For community‐based older persons without dementia, physical activity is associated with maintenance of functional status, including a reduced risk of developing impairment in ADLs and IADLs.
Women Who Maintain Optimal Cognitive Function into Old Age
Authors: Barnes Deborah E. , Cauley Jane A. , Lui Li‐Yung , Fink Howard A. , McCulloch Charles , Stone Katie L. , Yaffe Kristine
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether older women who maintain optimal cognitive function into old age differ from those who experience minor cognitive decline typically associated with normal aging.

DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

SETTING: The Study of Osteoporotic Fractures.

PARTICIPANTS: Nine thousand seven hundred four older women.

MEASUREMENTS: A modified Mini‐Mental State Examination (mMMSE) was performed at baseline and Years 6, 8, 10, and 15. Random‐effects regression was used to classify subjects as cognitive maintainers (slope≥0), minor decliners (slope < 0 but > lowest tertile), or major decliners (slope ≤ lowest tertile). Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify factors most predictive of being a cognitive maintainer versus a minor decliner (excluding major decliners).

RESULTS: Women had a mean age of 72 at baseline and 85 at follow‐up. Nine percent maintained optimal cognitive function, 58% experienced minor decline, and 33% experienced major decline. Most factors differed progressively over the three cognitive groups. After adjustment for key confounders, odds ratios for factors most predictive of being a cognitive maintainer as opposed to minor decliner were 1.9 (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.2–2.9) for lack of diabetes mellitus, 1.2 (95% CI=1.0–1.4) for lack of hypertension, 1.7 (95% CI=1.3–2.3) for lack of smoking, 1.2 (95% CI=1.1–1.5) for moderate alcohol consumption, 1.4 (95% CI=1.1–1.7) for lack of difficulty with instrumental activities of daily living, and 1.2 (95% CI=1.0–1.4) for lack of low social network.

CONCLUSION: Almost 10% of older women maintained optimal cognitive function into old age. Cognitive maintainers were less likely to have comorbid medical conditions, less likely to have difficulty with daily activities or poor social networks, and more likely to engage in healthy behaviors than minor cognitive decliners.