bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tissue factor activity of blood mononuclear cells is increased after total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Leis Linda A. , Bach Ronald R. , Johnson Gerhard J.
Published: August 2009

Tissue factor (TF) is present in small quantities in normal blood and is reported to be elevated in arterial and venous thrombosis. Patients undergoing total knee arthoplasty (TKA) are at high risk of post-operative venous thromboembolism (VTE). To evaluate the possible contribution of elevated blood TF to VTE risk, we performed serial studies of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) functional TF procoagulant activity (PCA) in 19 patients after TKA. PBMC and platelet TF PCA were measured by a functional, clot-based assay following decryption with a calcium ionophore. Plasma TF antigen levels were measured by ELISA. All subjects received chemoprophylaxis and none had VTE. After TKA total TF PCA of PBMC was elevated in 19 of 19 subjects. The peak increase above preoperative levels was 1. 1–13.6 fold (>two-fold in 58% and >three-fold in 42%). Median TF PCA of PBMC was not elevated following tourniquet removal, but it was significantly elevated on postoperative days 1 and 2. Thereafter, it decreased to near preoperative values at day 6. Neither platelet TF PCA nor plasma TF antigen levels increased significantly. Since the PBMC count did not rise, the increase in TF PCA was attributable to cell synthesis. The increase in blood TF PCA preceded the median time of diagnosis of venous thromboembolism after TKA established previously. These observations indicate a) TKA stimulates synthesis of encrypted PBMC TF PCA which is likely to contribute to the pathophysiology of VTE; b) TF antigen is not a reliable indicator of TF PCA.
The influence of clinical characteristics, laboratory and inflammatory markers on ‘high on-treatment platelet reactivity’ as measured with different platelet function tests
Authors: Elsenberg Ellen H. A. M. , van de Wal Ruud M. A. , Zomer Carla A. , Bouman Heleen J. , Verheugt Freek W. A. , ten Berg Jurriën M. , Hackeng Christian M. , van Werkum Jochem W.
Published: August 2009

High on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity (HCPR) and high on-aspirin platelet reactivity (HAPR) are independently associated with an increased risk of atherothrombotic events. However, despite this positive correlation, the definitions of both HCPR and HAPR vary largely throughout studies and between different platelet function assays.The aim of the present study was to explore clinical and laboratory parameters that are associated with HCPR and HAPR as measured with different platelet function tests. 530 clopidogrel and aspirin pre-treated patients undergoing elective PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) were enrolled. Platelet function measurements were performed with: optical aggregometry, the VerifyNow device and PFA-100 cartridges (including the novel INNOVANCE® P2Y assay). HCPR as measured with Adenosin-Di-Phospate-induced (ADP) aggregation based tests was associated with clinical factors such as older age, female gender and Diabetes mellitus (DM).TheVerifyNow P2Y12 assay was significantly influenced by haemoglobin and haematocrit levels. HAPR as measured with aggregation based tests was significantly influenced by the presence of malignancy, BMI (Body-Mass Index), older age and increased levels of hsCRP (high sensitivity c-reactive proteine).The PFA-100 COL/ EPI (collagen-epinephrine) and COL/ADP (collagen-ADP) cartridges were significantly influenced by monocyte count,hs-CRP, MPV (mean platelet volume), vWF-antigen (von Willebrand factor) and vWF-activity. HCPR as measured with the novel INNOVANCE® P2Y cartridge was associated with clinical determinants such as BMI,female gender,impaired LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction), renal failure and dosing of clopidogrel. Laboratory markers that were associated with HCPR as measured with INNOVANCE® P2Y were platelet count, white blood cells (WBC), hsCRP and fibrinogen.

Both HCPR and HAPR are highly dependent on the type of platelet function assay. Each platelet function assay, in turn, is significantly influenced by distinct clinical and laboratory variables.
Bivalirudin as compared to unfractionated heparin among patients undergoing coronary angioplasty
Authors: Cassetti Ettore , Verdoia Monica , Marino Paolo , De Luca Giuseppe
Published: August 2009

It has been shown that bleeding complications are associated with higher mortality rates among patients undergoing coronary angioplasty. Due to its properties, bivalirudin may provide benefits in terms of bleeding and thrombotic complications as compared to unfractionated heparin (UFH).The aim of the current study was to perform a meta-analysis of randomised trials to evaluate whether bivalirudin might offer benefits in terms of mortality as compared to UFH.

We obtained results from all randomised trials evaluating the benefits of adjunctive bivalirudin as compared to UFH with or without Gp IIb-IIIa inhibitors among patients undergoing coronary angioplasty. The literature was scanned by formal searches of electronic databases (MEDLINE and CENTRAL) from January 1990 to October 2008.The following keywords were used: randomised trial, coronary angioplasty, stent, reperfusion, primary angioplasty, bivalirudin, direct thrombin inhibitors, hirulog. Primary endpoint was mortality. Secondary endpoint was infarction. Safety endpoint was the risk of major bleeding complications. No language restriction was applied.

A total of nine randomised trials were included in the metaanalysis, with 15655 patients randomised to bivalirudin and 13104 patients randomised to UFH. We did not observe any difference in mortality between bivalirudin and UFH (1.73% vs 1.67%, p = 0.15) without any relationship between the baseline risk of mortality (r = 0.17, p = 0.71) or the reduction in major bleeding complications (r = –0.29, p = 0.53) and the benefits in mortality with bivalirudin. A trend in higher risk of myocardial infarction was observed with bivalirudin (6.9% vs 5.9%, p = 0.07, p het = 0.65). Bivalirudin was associated with a significant reduction in major bleeding complications (1.7% vs 3.4%, p < 0.0001), as compared to UFH.

This meta-analysis shows that among patients undergoing coronary angioplasty, bivalirudin is associated with significant reduction in major bleeding complications. However, these benefits did not translate into benefits in mortality, with even a trend in higher risk of myocardial infarction.
Drug-Sensitized Zebrafish Screen Identifies Multiple Genes, Including
GINS3
, as Regulators of Myocardial Repolarization
Authors: Milan David J. , Kim Albert M. , Winterfield Jeffrey R. , Jones Ian L. , Pfeufer Arne , Sanna Serena , Arking Dan E. , Amsterdam Adam H. , Sabeh Khaled M. , Mably John D. , Rosenbaum David S. , Peterson Randall T. , Chakravarti Aravinda , Kääb Stefan , Roden Dan M. , MacRae Calum A.
Published: August 2009

Background—

Cardiac repolarization, the process by which cardiomyocytes return to their resting potential after each beat, is a highly regulated process that is critical for heart rhythm stability. Perturbations of cardiac repolarization increase the risk for life-threatening arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Although genetic studies of familial long-QT syndromes have uncovered several key genes in cardiac repolarization, the major heritable contribution to this trait remains unexplained. Identification of additional genes may lead to a better understanding of the underlying biology, aid in identification of patients at risk for sudden death, and potentially enable new treatments for susceptible individuals.

Methods and Results—

We extended and refined a zebrafish model of cardiac repolarization by using fluorescent reporters of transmembrane potential. We then conducted a drug-sensitized genetic screen in zebrafish, identifying 15 genes, including
GINS3
, that affect cardiac repolarization. Testing these genes for human relevance in 2 concurrently completed genome-wide association studies revealed that the human
GINS3
ortholog is located in the 16q21 locus, which is strongly associated with QT interval.

Conclusions—

This sensitized zebrafish screen identified 15 novel myocardial repolarization genes. Among these genes is
GINS3
, the human ortholog of which is a major locus in 2 concurrent human genome-wide association studies of QT interval. These results reveal a novel network of genes that regulate cardiac repolarization.
Response Gene to Complement 32, a Novel Hypoxia-Regulated Angiogenic Inhibitor
Authors: An Xiaojin , Jin Yi , Guo Hongnian , Foo Shi-Yin , Cully Brittany L. , Wu Jiaping , Zeng Huiyan , Rosenzweig Anthony , Li Jian
Published: August 2009

Background—

Response gene to complement 32 (RGC-32) is induced by activation of complement and regulates cell proliferation. To determine the mechanism of RGC-32 in angiogenesis, we examined the role of RGC-32 in hypoxia-related endothelial cell function.

Methods and Results—

Hypoxia/ischemia is able to stimulate both angiogenesis and apoptosis. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1/vascular endothelial growth factor is a key transcriptional regulatory pathway for angiogenesis during hypoxia. We demonstrated that the increased RGC-32 expression by hypoxia was via hypoxia-inducible factor-1/vascular endothelial growth factor induction in cultured endothelial cells. However, overexpression of RGC-32 reduced the proliferation and migration and destabilized vascular structure formation in vitro and inhibited angiogenesis in Matrigel assays in vivo. Silencing RGC-32 had an opposing, stimulatory effect. RGC-32 also stimulated apoptosis as shown by the increased apoptotic cells and caspase-3 cleavage. Mechanistic studies revealed that the effect of RGC-32 on the antiangiogenic response was via attenuating fibroblast growth factor 2 expression and further inhibiting expression of cyclin E without affecting vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor 2 signaling in endothelial cells. In the mouse hind-limb ischemia model, RGC-32 inhibited capillary density with a significant attenuation in blood flow. Additionally, treatment with RGC-32 in the xenograft tumor model resulted in reduced growth of blood vessels that is consistent with reduced colon tumor size.

Conclusions—

We provide the first direct evidence for RGC-32 as a hypoxia-inducible gene and antiangiogenic factor in endothelial cells. These data suggest that RGC-32 plays an important homeostatic role in that it contributes to differentiating the pathways for vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor 2 in angiogenesis and provides a new target for ischemic disorder and tumor therapies.
Targeted Ablation of PINCH1 and PINCH2 From Murine Myocardium Results in Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Early Postnatal Lethality
Authors: Liang Xingqun , Sun Yunfu , Ye Maoqing , Scimia Maria C. , Cheng Hongqiang , Martin Jody , Wang Gang , Rearden Ann , Wu Chuanyue , Peterson Kirk L. , Powell Henry C. , Evans Sylvia M. , Chen Ju
Published: August 2009

Background—

PINCH proteins are 5 LIM domain–only adaptor proteins that function as key components of the integrin signaling pathway and play crucial roles in multiple cellular processes. Two PINCH proteins, PINCH1 and PINCH2, have been described in mammals and share high homology. Both PINCH1 and PINCH2 are ubiquitously expressed in most tissues and organs, including myocardium. Cardiac-specific PINCH1 knockout or global PINCH2 knockout mice exhibit no basal cardiac phenotype, which may reflect a redundant role for these 2 PINCH proteins in myocardium. A potential role for PINCH proteins in myocardium remains unknown.

Methods and Results—

To define the role of PINCH in myocardium, we generated mice that were doubly homozygous null for PINCH1 and PINCH2 in myocardium. Resulting mutants were viable at birth but developed dilated cardiomyopathy and died of heart failure within 4 weeks. Mutant hearts exhibited disruptions of intercalated disks and costameres accompanied by fibrosis. Furthermore, multiple cell adhesion proteins exhibited reduced expression and were mislocalized. Mutant cardiomyocytes were significantly smaller and irregular in size. In addition, we observed that the absence of either PINCH1 or PINCH2 in myocardium leads to exacerbated cardiac injury and deterioration in cardiac function after myocardial infarction.

Conclusions—

These results demonstrate essential roles for PINCHs in myocardial growth, maturation, remodeling, and function and highlight the importance of studying the role of PINCHs in human cardiac injury and cardiomyopathy.
Quality of Care for Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients With Known Atherosclerotic Disease
Authors: Brilakis Emmanouil S. , Hernandez Adrian F. , Dai David , Peterson Eric D. , Banerjee Subhash , Fonarow Gregg C. , Cannon Christopher P. , Bhatt Deepak L.
Published: August 2009

Background—

Patients with prior atherosclerosis in 1 or more vascular territories (coronary, cerebrovascular, or peripheral arterial) who present with acute coronary syndromes have high cardiovascular risk and may benefit significantly from evidence-based therapies, yet whether these are used consistently is unknown.

Methods and Results—

The Get With the Guidelines–Coronary Artery Disease database was queried to determine whether compliance with quality-of-care treatments for acute coronary syndrome patients was associated with the extent of prior vascular disease. A total of 143 999 patients enrolled at 438 sites between January 2000 and January 2008 were classified according to the absence (n=98 136; 68%) or presence of known preexistent atherosclerosis (before admission) in 1, 2, or 3 vascular territories (n=37 633 [26%], n=7369 [5%], and n=861 [0.6%], respectively). Overall in-hospital mortality was 5.3%, and mean length of stay was 5.6±6.7 days. Compared with patients without prior vascular disease, patients with prior vascular disease were older and had more comorbidities. They were less likely to undergo coronary revascularization and had longer duration of hospital stay and higher in-hospital mortality. After adjustment for clinical and hospital characteristics, compared with patients without prior vascular disease, patients with prior vascular disease had higher mortality and were less likely to receive 3 particular treatments (lipid-lowering therapy, smoking cessation counseling, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor for left ventricular dysfunction).

Conclusions—

Compared with acute coronary syndrome patients without prior vascular disease, those with prior atherosclerosis had higher in-hospital mortality yet were paradoxically less likely to receive specific evidence-based acute coronary syndrome treatments, which can form the basis for targeted intervention.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 Controls Blood Pressure by Regulating Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression
Authors: Facemire Carie S. , Nixon Andrew B. , Griffiths Robert , Hurwitz Herbert , Coffman Thomas M.
Published: August 2009

Drugs and antibodies that interrupt vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathways improve outcomes in patients with a variety of cancers by inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. A major adverse effect of these treatments is hypertension, suggesting a critical role for VEGF in blood pressure (BP) regulation. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying the control of BP by VEGF are unclear. To address this question, we administered a specific antibody against the major VEGF receptor, VEGFR2, to normal mice and assessed the consequences on BP. Compared with vehicle-treated controls, administration of the anti-VEGFR2 antibody caused a rapid and sustained increase in BP of ≈10 mm Hg. This increase in BP was associated with a significant reduction in renin mRNA expression in the kidney (
P
=0.019) and in urinary excretion of aldosterone (
P
<0.05). Treatment with the anti-VEGFR2 antibody also caused a marked reduction in the expression of endothelial and neuronal NO synthases in the kidney. To examine the role of NO in the hypertension caused by blocking VEGFR2, mice were treated with

N
ω

-nitro-
l
-arginine methyl ester (
l
-NAME) (20 mg/kg per day), an inhibitor of NO production.
l
-NAME administration abolished the difference in BP between the vehicle- and anti-VEGFR2–treated groups. Our data suggest that VEGF, acting via VEGFR2, plays a critical role in BP control by promoting NO synthase expression and NO activity. Interfering with this pathway is likely to be one mechanism underlying hypertension caused by antiangiogenic agents targeting VEGF.
Relationship Between Therapeutic Changes in Blood Pressure and Outcomes in Acute Stroke
Authors: Geeganage Chamila M. , Bath Philip M.W.
Published: August 2009

Both low and high blood pressures (BPs) during the acute phase of stroke are associated independently with a poor outcome. Several small clinical trials have involved the alteration of BP, and this study assessed the relationship between change in BP and functional outcome. Randomized, controlled trials of interventions that would be expected, on pharmacological grounds, to alter BP in patients within 1 week of the onset of acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke were sought using electronic searches. Data were collected on BP and clinical outcome. The relationship between the differences in on-treatment BP and odds ratios for outcomes was assessed using meta-regression. Thirty-seven trials involving 9008 patients were included. A U- or J-shaped relationship was found among on-treatment BP difference and early death, death at the end of 90-day follow-up, and combined death or dependency at the end of follow-up. Although outcomes were not significantly reduced at any level of change in BP, the lowest odds occurred at the following times: early death (odds ratio: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.54 to 1.23), 8.1 mm Hg; death at the end of follow-up (odds-ratio: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.31 to 1.65), 14.4 mm Hg; and combined death or dependency at the end of follow-up (odds ratio: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.11 to 1.72), 14.6 mm Hg. Although large falls or increases in BP are associated with a worse outcome, modest reductions may reduce death and combine death or dependency, although the CIs are wide and compatible with an overall benefit or hazard.
Age Determines the Effects of Blood Pressure Lowering During the Acute Phase of Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Leira Rogelio , Millán Mónica , Díez-Tejedor Exuperio , Blanco Miguel , Serena Joaquín , Fuentes Blanca , Rodríguez-Yáñez Manuel , Castellanos Mar , Lago Aida , Dávalos Antonio , Castillo José
Published: August 2009

To increase understanding of the influence of blood pressure (BP) changes on functional outcome, we designed a multicenter, prospective, observational study involving patients with ischemic stroke. We included 1092 patients with ischemic stroke. BP was measured on admission and after 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, and 48 hours, and the averages of the readings were taken every 8 hours on days 3 to 7, at the day of discharge, and at 3 months. The main study variable was modified Rankin scale at 3 months. Systolic BPs >181 mm Hg at the emergency department and after 24 hours were associated with poor prognosis (odds ratio [OR]: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.2 to 4.2 and OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.3, respectively); systolic BP <136 mm Hg at the emergency department also determined worse prognosis at 3 months (OR: 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.9). The influence of systolic BP changes in the first hours depended on patient age. In elder patients (>70 years), reductions in systolic BP determined a significant increase in the proportion of patients with worse prognosis. In patients >80 years of age, decreases in systolic BP >27.2 mm Hg determined a worse prognosis in patients with antihypertensive treatment at the emergency department (n=91) compared with those who did not receive treatment (n=106; OR: 21.7, 95% CI: 13.6 to 33.5 versus OR: 8.5, 95% CI: 3.2 to 19.6). In summary, the effect of BP modification during the acute phase of ischemic stroke on functional outcome is strongly dependent on age.
Genetic Analysis of Blood Pressure in 8 Mouse Intercross Populations
Authors: Feng Minjie , Deerhake Marion E. , Keating Ryan , Thaisz Jill , Xu Lingfei , Tsaih Shirng-Wern , Smith Randy , Ishige Taiichiro , Sugiyama Fumihiro , Churchill Gary A. , DiPetrillo Keith
Published: August 2009

The genetic basis of hypertension is well established, yet very few genes that cause common forms of hypertension are known. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses in rodent models can guide the search for human hypertension genes, but the excellent genetic resources for mice have been underused in this regard. To address this issue, we surveyed blood pressure variation in mice from 37 inbred strains and generated 2577 mice in 8 intercross populations to perform QTL analyses of blood pressure. We identified 14 blood pressure QTL in these populations, including ≥7 regions of the mouse genome not linked previously to blood pressure. Many QTL were detected in multiple crosses, either within our study or in studies published previously, which facilitates the use of bioinformatics methods to narrow the QTL and focus the search for candidate genes. The regions of the human genome that correspond to all but 1 of the 14 blood pressure QTL in mice are linked to blood pressure in humans, suggesting that these regions contain causal genes with a conserved role in blood pressure control. These results greatly expand our knowledge of the genomic regions underlying blood pressure regulation in mice and support future studies to identify the causal genes within these QTL intervals.
The Effect of Local Circulation Variability on the Detection and Attribution of New Zealand Temperature Trends
Authors: Dean S. M. , Stott P. A.
Published: August 2009

A representative temperature record for New Zealand based on station data from 1853 onward is used in conjunction with four coupled climate models to investigate the causes of recent warming over this small midlatitude country. The observed variability over interannual and decadal time scales is simulated well by the models. The variability of simulated 50-yr trends is consistent with the very short observational record. For a simple detection analysis it is not possible to separate the observed 30- and 50-yr temperature trends from the distribution created by internal variability in the model control simulations. A pressure index that is representative of meridional flow (M1) is used to show that the models fail to simulate an observed trend to more southerly flows in the region. The strong relationship between interannual temperature variability and the M1 index in both the observations and the models is used to remove the influence of this circulation variability from the temperature records. Recent 50-yr trends in the residual temperature record cannot be explained by natural climate variations, but they are consistent with the combined climate response to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, ozone depletion, and sulfate aerosols, demonstrating a significant human influence on New Zealand warming. This result highlights the effect of circulation variability on regional detection and attribution analyses. Such variability can either mask or accelerate human-induced warming in observed trends, underscoring the importance of determining the underlying forced trend, and the need to adequately capture regional circulation effects in climate models.
Empirical Orthogonal Functions: The Medium is the Message
Authors: Monahan Adam H. , Fyfe John C. , Ambaum Maarten H. P. , Stephenson David B. , North Gerald R.
Published: August 2009

Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis is a powerful tool for data compression and dimensionality reduction used broadly in meteorology and oceanography. Often in the literature, EOF modes are interpreted individually, independent of other modes. In fact, it can be shown that no such attribution can generally be made. This review demonstrates that in general individual EOF modes (i) will not correspond to individual dynamical modes, (ii) will not correspond to individual kinematic degrees of freedom, (iii) will not be statistically independent of other EOF modes, and (iv) will be strongly influenced by the nonlocal requirement that modes maximize variance over the entire domain. The goal of this review is not to argue against the use of EOF analysis in meteorology and oceanography; rather, it is to demonstrate the care that must be taken in the interpretation of individual modes in order to distinguish the medium from the message.
A Numerical Study of Sea-Breeze-Driven Ocean Poincare Wave Propagation and Mixing near the Critical Latitude
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqian , Smith David C. , DiMarco Steven F. , Hetland Robert D.
Published: August 2009

Near the vicinity of 30° latitude, the coincidence of the period of sea breeze and the inertial period of the ocean leads to a maximum near-inertial ocean response to sea breeze. This produces a propagating inertial internal (Poincare) wave response that transfers energy laterally away from the coast and provides significant vertical mixing. In this paper, the latitudinal dependence of this wave propagation and its associated vertical mixing are investigated primarily using a nonlinear numerical ocean model. Three-dimensional idealized simulations show that the coastal oceanic response to sea breeze is trapped poleward of 30° latitude; however, it can propagate offshore as Poincare waves equatorward of 30° latitude. Near 30° latitude, the maximum oceanic response to sea breeze moves offshore slowly because of the near-zero group speed of Poincare waves at this latitude. The lateral energy flux convergence plus the energy input from the wind is maximum near the critical latitude, leading to increased local dissipation by vertical mixing. This local dissipation is greatly reduced at other latitudes. The implications of these results for the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) at ∼30°N is considered. Simulations with realistic bathymetry of the GOM confirm that a basinwide ocean response to coastal sea-breeze forcing is established in form of Poincare waves. Enhanced vertical mixing by the sea breeze is shown on the model northern shelf, consistent with observations on the Texas–Louisiana shelf. Comparison of the three-dimensional and one-dimensional models shows some significant limitations of one-dimensional simplified models for sea-breeze simulations near the critical latitude.
Changes in the Sociocultural Reality of Chinese Immigrants: Challenges and Opportunities in Help-Seeking Behaviour
Authors: Chung Irene
Published: August 2009

Introduction: This paper uses fi ndings from a larger study to present a nuanced depiction of the interplay of informal and formal help-seeking processes of a sample of Chinese immigrants in their mental healthcare in New York City.

Method: Thirty one participants who were receiving mental health treatment were interviewed with regard to their experiences preceding their suicide attempt. Their narratives were coded for thematic analysis.

Findings: Acculturation difficulties, inaccessibility to services and stigma associated with mental illness were major obstacles in the participants’ help-seeking process, which was consistent with other studies of immigrants of ethnic minority groups in the USA. In addition, the findings showed how changes in this sample of Chinese immigrants’ socio-cultural reality disrupted familiar help-seeking pathways, and perpetuated and amplified the aforementioned stressors. Issues of human connection, immigrants’ resiliency and missed opportunities were also identified as potential resources to modify cultural stigmas and help-seeking behaviour.

Conclusion: There are varied socio-cultural factors that need to be considered in mental health outreach services in immigrant communities.
Tattooing and Body Piercing - What Motivates You To Do It?
Authors: Antoszewski Bogusław , Sitek Aneta , Fijałkowska Marta , Kasielska Anna , Kruk-Jeromin Julia
Published: August 2009

Background: Body ornamentation is becoming more and more popular, especially among young people.

Aims: To establish the sociodemographic characteristics of people with tattoos or body piercing and to analyze the motivations for body ornamentation.

Methods: The questionnaire studies were undertaken in Lodz — one of the largest cities in Poland. The data was collected from a group of 968 people, 476 of whom had a piercing and 492 a permanent tattoo.

Results: Statistical analysis revealed that in the group of people with a tattoo, 36.8% were female and 63.2% were male. Contrary proportions were noted among people with a piercing: 78.8% female and 21.2% male.

Conclusions: Body piercing is significantly more popular among women while tattooing is more popular in men. Among adolescents, body piercing is performed considerably earlier than tattooing. The main reasons for body ornamenting in the Polish population are the desire to enhance one’s individuality and the need to increase sexual attractiveness.
Perceptions of Illness in Self and in Others Among Patients With Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Mathew Anandit J. , Samuel Beulah , Jacob K.S.
Published: August 2009

Aim: The study aimed to examine the perceptions of illness in self and among others in patients with bipolar disorder in remission. The effect of a structured educational programme on the perceptions of illness was also tested.

Method: We examined the perceptions of illness in self and in others (using a vignette) among patients with bipolar disorder in remission attending the Department of Psychiatry, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India. We also examined the effect of a structured educational programme on explanatory models in a randomized controlled trial. Explanatory models were assessed using the Tamil version of the Short Explanatory Model Interview.

Results: Eighty two subjects were recruited for the trial; half of them received structured education while the other half received treatment as usual. There was agreement between perceptions related to the individual’s own illness and their opinion of illness in others as assessed using a vignette at baseline and at follow-up. There were no significant differences in explanatory models between patients who received education and those who did not.

Conclusions: The results of this study show that during periods of remission, patients can clearly see the relationship between their own illness and that described in others, suggesting that insight is state dependent and may be related to psychopathology with good recovery of insight during periods of remission. These findings also argue for the fact that the current multi-dimensional models of insight which focus on biomedical explanations and treatments are not culturally sensitive. The assessment of insight demands universal conventions with comparison to the local cultural standards rather than universal defi nitions and yardsticks which employ Western and biomedical perspectives.
Forecasting Spanish Inflation Using the Maximum Disaggregation Level by Sectors and Geographical Areas
Authors: de Dios Tena Juan , Espasa Antoni , Pino Gabriel
Published: August 2009

This article evaluates different strategies for forecasting Spanish inflation using information from price series for fifty-seven products and eighteen regions in Spain. We consider vector equilibrium correction (VeqCM) models that include cointegration relationships between Spanish prices and prices in the regions of Valencia, Andalusia, Madrid, Catalonia, and the Basque Country. This approach is consistent with economic intuition and is shown to be of tangible importance after suitable econometric evaluation. It is found that sectoral disaggregate models are useful for forecasting inflation in the five largest Spanish regions. Moreover, aggregate inflation forecasts in Spain can be significantly improved by aggregating projections from different sectors and geographical areas and by considering cointegration relationships between regional and national prices. However, in spite of the existence of long-run relationships between sectoral and national prices, they include deterministic components that are not consistent with the law of one price.
Aprotinin protects the cerebral microcirculation during cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Ishibashi N , Iwata Y , Zurakowski D , Lidov HGW , Jonas RA
Published: August 2009

Background and objective: We have previously reported that administration of aprotinin at a single dose protects the cerebral microcirculation. The current study was designed to identify the optimal dose for protecting the cerebral microcirculation with assessment of neurological and behavioral recovery as well as renal function after circulatory arrest and ultra-low-flow bypass. Methods: Twenty-four piglets were randomly assigned to three bypass groups at risk for postoperative cerebral and renal dysfunction. Cerebral microcirculation was assessed by intravital microscopy. Rhodamine-stained leukocytes were observed for adhesion and rolling. Animals were randomized to one of four aprotinin doses. Neurological deficit score, histological score, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were analyzed, both independently for this study as well as in combination with 50 animals who were studied with the same protocol and near-infrared spectroscopy. Results: There was a dose-dependent relationship, resulting in fewer activated rolling leukocytes with a higher aprotinin dose. Aprotinin dose was an independent predictor of more rapid recovery of neurological and behavioral outcome. We present a linear regression model where aprotinin dose predicts neurological score. Aprotinin had no impact on renal function. Conclusions: Aprotinin reduces cerebral leukocyte activation and accelerates neurologic recovery in a dose-dependent fashion. Aprotinin has no measurable impact on standard indices of renal function in young piglets. The current lack of availability of aprotinin is a serious disadvantage for pediatric patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.
Continuous selective bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion through anomalous innominate artery for repair of root, ascending aortic and arch aneurysm – challenges, vagaries and opportunities of bovine arch variant anatomy and review of literature
Authors: Kaul P , Javangula K , Ganti S , Balaji S , Sivananthan M , Gough M , Lindsay S
Published: August 2009

We describe the repair of a root, ascending aortic and arch aneurysm in a 69-year-old man with a bioprosthetic Shelhigh conduit and cylinder, employing continuous bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion through an anomalous innominate artery with a bovine arch variant anatomy. The origin of both the innominate artery and the left common carotid artery from a common stem from the arch in this bovine arch variant puts the whole cerebral circulation at risk, on one hand, yet provides an opportunity of continuous bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion through the right brachial, right axillary, right subclavian or innominate artery, during arch reconstruction under lower body, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Safety and adequacy of selective cerebral perfusion through the right axillary artery in patients with normal arch vessel origin depends on an intact circle of Willis. In this bovine arch variant, both cerebral hemispheres can be perfused through the right brachial, right axillary, right subclavian or the innominate artery, independent of the integrity of the circle of Willis, because of the origin of the left common carotid artery from the innominate artery, except for the area supplied by the left vertebral artery. Although this is the first report of innominate artery perfusion for arch reconstruction for aneurysm in a bovine arch variant, we believe the method described has important implications for cerebral protection in light of the generally reported incidence of bovine arch from 13 to 35 percent.
The Differential Impact of WIC Peer Counseling Programs on Breastfeeding Initiation across the State of Maryland
Authors: Gross Susan M. , Resnik Amy K. , Cross-Barnet Caitlin , Nanda Joy P. , Augustyn Marycatherine , Paige David M.
Published: August 2009

This cross-sectional study examines Maryland’s women, infants, and children (WIC) breastfeeding initiation rates by program participation. The authors report on data regarding demographic and health characteristics and infant feeding practices for infants (n = 18 789) newly WIC-certified from January 1, 2007 to June 30, 2007. The authors compared self-reported, breastfeeding initiation rates for 3 groups: peer counselor (PC-treatment group) and two comparison groups, lactation consultant (LC), and standard care group (SCG). Reported breastfeeding initiation at certification was 55.4%. Multiple logistic regression analysis, controlling for relevant maternal and infant characteristics, showed that the odds of breastfeeding initiation were significantly greater among PC-exposed infants (OR [95% CI] 1.27 [1.18, 1.37]) compared to the reference group of SCG infants, but not significantly different between LC infants (1.04 [0.96, 1.14]) and the SCG. LC and SCG infants had similar odds of breastfeeding initiation. In the Maryland WIC program, breastfeeding initiation rates were positively associated with peer counseling. J Hum Lact. 25(4):435-443.
Marked Transaminase Elevations and Worsening Glycemic Control Associated With Counterfeit Polyherbal Use in a Patient With Diabetes
Authors: Henyan Nickole N. , Riche Daniel M. , Pitcock James J. , Strickland Dayna C.
Published: August 2009

Dietary and herbal supplements, a US$20.3 billion entity, are used by more than half of the adult population in the United States. Since weight loss is beneficial in obese patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease, many obese Americans are ingesting herbal weight loss supplements under the assumption that they are inherently safe. We report the case of a 55-year-old morbidly obese Caucasian female with diabetes, who started multiple polyherbal supplements. Six months after starting several herbal products, the patient’s A1C increased from 7.8% to 9.4% and the AST/ALT were markedly elevated. After discontinuation, transaminases normalized in 28 days. On follow-up visit, the patient reported compliance with prescribed medications and denied use of herbal products. The patient’s A1C approached target goal. The potential for counterfeit herbal supplement production exists. Our patient’s products were analyzed for purity, and 0% Hoodia gordonii was found. A misconception of herbal products is that they are safe because they are natural. Unfortunately, many natural products can act in the same capacity as drugs, educing both benefit and harm. Health care providers, particularly pharmacists, should be aware of counterfeit herbal supplements and closely monitor for dangers of herbal supplement use.
`Presiding Like a Woman': Feminist Gestures for Christian Assembly
Authors: Burns Stephen
Published: August 2009

Feminist engagement with liturgy has produced an abundance of new texts. This essay seeks to complement the production of feminist texts for prayer by considering ways in which feminist liturgy might more intentionally reflect on practices which mediate feminist liturgical principles— and especially the congruence of non-verbal aspects of liturgy with texts for and about feminist liturgy. The essay juxtaposes literature in feminist liturgy with literature in wider circles of liturgical theology. It draws a number of clues from the work of Nicola Slee and also considers contributions from Rosemary Radford Ruether, Letty Russell and Siobhan Garrigan.
Applying "Intelligent" Materials to Materials Education
Authors: Scheer R. J. , Andrade J. D.
Published: August 2009

A very large number of science and engineering courses taught in colleges and universities today do not involve laboratories. Although good instructors incorporate class demonstrations, hands-on homework, and various teaching aids, including computer simulations, the fact is that students in such courses often accept key concepts and experimental results without discovering them for themselves. The only partial solution to this problem has been increasing use of class demonstrations and computer simulations.

We feel strongly that many complex concepts can be observed and assimilated through experimentation with properly designed materials. We propose the development of materials and specimens designed specifically for education purposes.

"Intelligent" and "communicative" materials are ideal for this purpose. Specimens which respond in an observable fashion to new environments and situations provided by the student/experimenter provide a far more effective materials science and engineering experience than readouts and data generated by complex and expensive machines, particularly in an introductory course. Modern materials can be designed to literally communicate with the observer. Although some such materials can be obtained from commercial and research sources and are suitable for experiencing and learning certain materials phenomena and behavior, there has been no concerted effort to develop materials specifically for education application.

We are embarked on a project to develop a series of explorations we call the Labless Labs® utilizing various degrees and levels of intelligence in materials. It is expected that such Labless Labs® would be complementary to textbooks and computer simulations and would be used to provide a reality for students in courses and other learning situations where access to a laboratory is non-existent or limited. Our initial project will center around a Lables Lab® for Polymer Science.
Molecular Wires, Molecular Transducers and Molecular Devices
Authors: Garnier Francis
Published: August 2009

With reference to biological systems, intelligent materials possess the ability, at the molecular level, to read and discriminate the chemical and physical informations from their environment, to store and process these informations, and finally to deliver an answer. Molecular transducers and memories will have thus to be designed, and as the first important step, a macroscopic network of molecular wires has to be built, showing high charge transport properties. The achievement of such high carrier mobilities in organic materials will open the field of molecular devices. As the second step, molecular transducers have to be built by the functionalization of these molecular wires with prosthetic groups presenting specific interactions with the chemical and the physical environment. Both of these steps have been achieved by the molecular engineering of conjugated oligomers and polymers, and examples will be given on chemical and physical recognition.
Intelligent Ceramic Materials: Issues of Brittle Fracture
Authors: Freiman Stephen W. , White Grady S.
Published: August 2009

In this paper we review the brittle fracture behavior of piezoelectric and electrostrictive ceramics of interest for intelligent material systems. Properties of importance, such as critical fracture toughness, strength, and susceptibility to moisture enhanced crack growth, are addressed, especially as they are affected by the material's microstructure and chemistry. Local strains and ferroelectric domains produced by phase transformations in these materials are shown to have a direct influence on both fracture toughness and strength. The cyclic stressing of a piezoelectric ceramic is discussed in terms of the structural damage produced by this mode of loading. Finally, tradeoffs in improved reliability, which may be achievable through suitable variations in composition or microstructure, are compared against possible losses in the piezoelectric properties of interest.
Broadband Performance of a Magnetostrictive Shaker
Authors: Hall David L. , Flatau Alison B.
Published: August 2009

Performance data from a magnetostrictive broadband (100 Hz-10 kHz) vibration source is presented. An original design for a magnetostrictive transducer was built and tested. The transducer used a rod of ETREMA Terfenol-DTM (EDGE Technologies, Ames, Iowa) as the motion source (rod dimensions: 51 mm long x 6.35 mm diameter). This communication will convey the characteristics of magnetostrictive transducer behavior. The shaker is considered to be a single input (electric current) single output (force) system. For low signal operation it behaves in a linear fashion; output force is proportional to input electric current and harmonic content is low. Comparisons with a commercially available permanent magnet shaker show that the magnetostrictive shaker's linear region extends to high enough forces (or displacements) to be of use as a vibration excitation source. Higher input currents eventually lead to degradation of the magnetostrictive shaker's linear behavior; output harmonics become appreciable, force levels increase disproportionately and, of course, linear systems analysis techniques become inappropriate. The magnetostrictive shaker discussed is capable of producing peak acceleration amplitudes in excess of 1960 m/s2 (200 g's, at frequencies greater than 4 kHz with a 24 gram load using sinusoidal excitation). Experimental results are presented for: 1) output force as a function of frequency, load, and current amplitude (30 Hz-10 kHz with sinusoidal excitation); 2) typical electrical impedance as a function of frequency; 3) frequency response functions as Newtons per ampere, Newtons per volt, and meter per ampere; and 4) performance comparisons made with a commercially available permanent magnet shaker. Experimental results 2, 3, and 4 are for operation of the magnetostrictive shaker in its linear range (linear in a least squares sense).
Electromechanical Analysis of Piezoelectric Stack Active Member Power Consumption
Authors: Flint Eric , Liang Chen , Rogers Craig A.
Published: August 2009

In this paper, the coupled electromechanical behavior of piezoelectric (PZT) stack active members has been studied to determine power consumption characteristics. The electromechanical admittance of a PZT stack active member has been derived and shown to be dependent on it's structural dynamics as well as on the dynamic characteristics of the host structure, which may be represented as a driving point structural impedance. The derivation of the coupled elec-tromechanical admittance of the device includes detailed modeling of the influences of the actuator housing, fixture, and host structure. These theoretical predictions were tested experimentally and good correlation was found. Additionally, a simple numerical case study was performed to demonstrate the utility of the analysis technique presented in this paper by determining the power consumption of a mechanical system (modeled as a single-degree-of-freedom spring-mass-damper system) driven by the PZT stack active member. The analysis approach presented in this paper is important for the design of active control systems, in particular for the design of energy efficient active control systems for space structures.
Integration and Design of Piezoelectric Patch Actuators
Authors: Zhou Suwei , Liang Chen , Rogers Craig A.
Published: August 2009

The design of induced strain actuators is a comprehensive issue, involving not only the materials and geometry of the actuators, but also the behaviors of the coupled host structures. In particular, the design of the actuators is essentially related to the prediction of induced strain or stress. A high stress or strain level in the actuators is useful to excite host structures; however, degradation or fatigue damage of the actuators may take place at the same time. This paper presents a dynamic analytical approach for the design of piezoelectric (PZT) patch actuators locally coupled with host structures. Several critical design issues are addressed. These issues include the determination of actuator dynamic outputs, the prediction of energy conversion efficiency, the estimation of system power requirement, and the limitation of induced alternate peak stress. A coupled electromechanical analytical model was developed to reveal the inherent connections among these issues. The mechanical stress behavior of PZT patch actuators was investigated. The attention in parametric design was directed to the thickness and location of the actuators. A simply-supported thin plate with surface-bonded PZT patches was built and tested to directly measure the induced dynamic strain of the PZT actuator so that the prediction accuracy and ability of the design model could be validated.