bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Short‐term prolongation of pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy for genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C patients with early viral response
Authors: Ikeda Hiroki , Suzuki Michihiro , Okuse Chiaki , Yamada Norie , Okamoto Masaru , Kobayashi Minoru , Nagase Yoshihiko , Takahashi Hideaki , Matsunaga Koutarou , Matsumoto Nobuyuki , Itoh Fumio , Yotsuyanagi Hiroshi , Koitabashi Yu , Yasuda Kiyomi , Iino Shiro
Published: May 2009

Aim:  We tailored extended treatments using pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) to viral responses after initiation of therapy and investigated the efficacy and safety of its therapy for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.

Methods:  Eighty‐two genotype 1b CHC patients were enrolled in the present study. All patients received PEG IFN‐α‐2b and weight‐based RBV therapy. We defined a viral response in which serum HCV‐RNA is undetectable at week 4 as rapid viral response (RVR), detectable at week 4 and undetectable by week 12 as early viral response (EVR), and detectable at week 12 and undetectable by week 24 as late viral response (LVR). We set the treatment duration depending on viral response; 48 weeks for RVR patients and 72 weeks for LVR. Furthermore, EVR patients received a short‐term extension of treatment duration to 52–60 weeks. We prospectively investigated sustained viral response (SVR) rates of these groups.

Results:  Overall SVR rate for the total patient group was 57.3%. SVR rates of the RVR, EVR and LVR patients were 100%, 80.5% and 40.0%, respectively. Nine patients could not complete this treatment protocol. Baseline platelet count and mutation in the interferon sensitivity‐determining region of NS5A were significant independent predictors of SVR, and amino acid substitution of the core region was a significant independent predictor of non‐viral response by multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Conclusion:  The results indicate that short‐treatment extension of PEG IFN plus RBV treatment protocols in EVR patients can improve overall SVR rates.
Adult to pediatric living donor liver transplantation for portal cavernoma
Authors: Zhang Mingman , Guo Chunbao , Pu Conglun , Ren Zhimei , Li Yingcun , Kang Quan , Jin Xianqing , Yan Lvnan
Published: May 2009

Aim:  Portal cavernoma (PC) is an important cause of non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension with severe complications, such as variceal hemorrhage in pediatric patients. With the development of new surgical techniques, living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has recently been recognized as a viable but challenging treatment option for PC. The purpose of the present study was to summarize the efficacy of LDLT in PC patients and to carry out a follow‐up study of pediatric recipients.

Methods:  The primary indication for LDLT in our research was PC with severe variceal bleeding and liver function decompensation. Three patients were diagnosed with PC following evaluation with computed tomography angiography and abdominal color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU).

Results:  Various surgical techniques, including jump bypass grafting for portal vein anastomosis, were carried out according to the range and degree of cavernous transformation within the splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein. Postoperative CDU confirmed the early integrity of the portal vein (PV) in each patient. PV rethrombosis occurred in one patient 7 days after LDLT, despite anticoagulation therapy with coumadin. Two of the three patients had no further episodes of variceal hemorrhage during the 2‐year follow‐up period.

Conclusions:  The present study is the first report of the successful use of LDLT to treat pediatric PC patients. We conclude that LDLT is effective for the majority of pediatric patients with PC.
Deconstructing Service–Learning: A Framework for Interior Design
Authors: Zollinger Stephanie Watson , Guerin Denise A. , Hadjiyanni Tasoulla , Martin Caren S.
Published: May 2009

Service–learning has long been essential to university education. With the literature focusing on extolling its benefits to student learning, little direction is offered to educators interested in approaching a service–learning project. Applying this knowledge to a studio–based field like interior design requires additional adjustments, and questions still abound: What must be considered when integrating service–learning in an interior design curriculum? What are the challenges and opportunities that must be recognized? And, how best can the field take advantage of this teaching pedagogy? As universities are increasing the emphasis on service–learning in their missions, it is appropriate for interior design to start a dialogue around ways to strengthen its associations with service–learning.

Drawing from a literature review and three case studies from the interior design program of the University of Minnesota, this paper responds to the above questions and posits that only by deconstructing service–learning projects can educators determine their suitability. The paper proposes a framework, a tool that can guide programs’ decision making of how and if to integrate a service–learning project in their curriculum. The framework consists of four criteria and sets of considerations relevant to each and sheds light on what service–learning projects entail. The authors conclude that educators cognizant of the multiple decisions embedded within each of the criteria (relate to course objectives, apply course knowledge, connect to the community, and reflect on learning) enhance their chances for successful service–learning experiences on all levels: the university, program, students, client, practitioners, and the community at large.
Fluorescent False Neurotransmitters Visualize Dopamine Release from Individual Presynaptic Terminals
Authors: Gubernator Niko G. , Zhang Hui , Staal Roland G. W. , Mosharov Eugene V. , Pereira Daniela B. , Yue Minerva , Balsanek Vojtech , Vadola Paul A. , Mukherjee Bipasha , Edwards Robert H. , Sulzer David , Sames Dalibor
Published: May 2009

Neurotransmission in Living Color

Neurotransmission involves the release of small molecular neurotransmitters from one neuron to another across a synapse.

Gubernator
et al.

(p.
1441
, published online 7 May) introduce a means to observe neurotransmitter release optically, by the design of fluorescent false neurotransmitters, which act as substrates for the synaptic vesicle monoamine transporter. These endogenous monoamine optical tracers enabled visualization of neurotransmitter uptake and release from individual synaptic terminals and were used to evaluate dopamine neurotransmission in the striatum. The fraction of synaptic vesicles that release neurotransmitter per stimulus was frequency dependent, and a frequency-dependent selection of presynaptic terminals was observed.
Cj1123c (PglD), a multifaceted acetyltransferase fromCampylobacter jejuni
Authors: Demendi Melinda , Creuzenet Carole
Published: May 2009

Campylobacter jejuni produces both N- and O-glycosylated proteins. Because protein glycosylation contributes to bacterial virulence, a thorough characterization of the enzymes involved in protein glycosylation is warranted to assess their potential use as therapeutic targets and as glyco-engineering tools. We performed a detailed biochemical analysis of the molecular determinants of the substrate and acyl-donor specificities of Cj1123c (also known as PglD), an acetyltransferase of the HexAT superfamily involved in N-glycosylation of proteins. We show that Cj1123c has acetyl-CoA-dependent N-acetyltransferase activity not only on the UDP-4-amino-4,6-dideoxy-GlcNAc intermediate of the N-glycosylation pathway but also on the UDP-4-amino-4,6-dideoxy-AltNAc intermediate of the O-glycosylation pathway, implying functional redundancy between both pathways. We further demonstrate that, despite its somewhat relaxed substrate specificity for N-acetylation, Cj1123c cannot acetylate aminoglycosides, indicating a preference for sugar-nucleotide substrates. In addition, we show that Cj1123c can O-acetylate UDP-GlcNAc and that Cj1123c is very versatile in terms of acyl-CoA donors as it can use propionyl- and butyryl-CoA instead of acetyl-CoA. Finally, using structural information available for Cj1123c and related enzymes, we identify three residues (H125, G143, and G173) involved in catalysis and (or) acyl-donor specificity, opening up possibilities of tailoring the specificity of Cj1123c for the synthesis of novel sugars.
Resting Ca2+influx does not contribute to anoxia-induced cell death in adult rat cardiac myocytes
Authors: Mont Meghan R. , Carlson C. George , Geisbuhler Timothy P.
Published: May 2009

Calcium has been proposed as a primary influence on cell death during ischemic episodes in myocardial cells. One component of calcium entry into a cell is resting calcium influx. This basal movement of calcium is blocked by 100 µmol/L gadolinium chloride (GdCl3) in cardiac myocytes. Therefore, GdCl3should be cardioprotective under anoxic conditions. To test this, cardiac myocytes isolated from adult male rats were subjected to anoxia (100% N2) in the presence or absence of 100 µmol/L GdCl3in one of 2 ways. In the first method, cells were suspended in media and rendered anoxic for 0, 30, and 60 min, after which cell morphology and viability were scored. After 60 min of anoxia, rod-shaped cells accounted for 46% ± 4% of total cells (viability 81%); 10 min of reoxygenation markedly reduced rod-shaped cells to 27% (viability 72%). GdCl3in the medium did not protect the cells (anoxic rods 49%, reoxygenated rods 30%, viability 77%). In the second method, cells were attached to a laminin substrate, rendered anoxic, and then videotaped for up to 6 h. In this system, cells maintained their shape for some time after the onset of anoxia, and then began to ‘die’ (i.e., to take on either a rigor form or hypercontracted form) at a measurable rate. Time to onset of ‘death’ (t0), time to 50% and 100% ‘death’ (t50and t100), and rate of ‘death’ were used to measure anoxic damage. Without GdCl3, cells on average began to die 115 ± 32 min after the onset of anoxia (t0); they died at an average rate of 0.046 cells/min. t50was achieved in 149 ± 42 min, t100in 183 ± 54 min. Addition of 100 µmol/L GdCl3did not affect any of these parameters. We concluded that GdCl3was not cardioprotective for anoxic myocytes and that cell damage generated by anoxia could not be attributed to resting calcium influx.
Morphology of the rectal gland of the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) shark in response to feeding
Authors: Matey Victoria , Wood Chris M. , Dowd W. Wesley , Kültz Dietmar , Walsh Patrick J.
Published: May 2009

The morphology of the rectal gland was examined in spiny dogfish ( Squalus acanthias L, 1758) sharks fasted (1 week) or 6 and 20 h postfeeding. The morphology of the fasted gland showed a pattern reflecting a dormant physiology, with thick gland capsule, thick stratified epithelium, and secretory parenchyma with tubules of small diameter and lumen. The secretory cells of the tubular epithelium were enlarged and irregularly shaped with abnormally condensed or highly vacuolized cytoplasm containing numerous lysosomes. Early-stage apoptotic cells were not uncommon. Secretory cells showed signs of low activity, e.g., mitochondria with weakly stained matrix and small cristae, poorly branched infoldings of basolateral membranes, and microvesicle-free subapical cytoplasm. All characteristics examined changed significantly upon feeding, consistent with increased salt and fluid secretion: the outer capsule muscle layer and the stratified epithelium decreased in diameter; the tubules enlarged; the secretory cells showed extensive development of the basolateral membrane, more mitochondria, and abundant apical microvesicles. Secretory cell apical surface was increased. The minor differences between morphology in 6 and 20 h postfeeding indicated that changes took place rapidly and were complete by 6 h. Our results are discussed in the context of prior studies of metabolism, proteomics, and cellular pathways of gland activation.
PROJECTIVE EMBEDDINGS AND LAGRANGIAN FIBRATIONS OF KUMMER VARIETIES
Authors: NOHARA YUICHI
Published: May 2009

It is known that holomorphic sections of an ample line bundle L (and its tensor power Lk) over an Abelian variety A are given by theta functions. Moreover, a natural basis of the space of holomorphic sections of L or Lk is related to a certain Lagrangian fibration of A. In our previous paper, we studied projective embeddings of A defined by these basis for Lk. For a natural torus action on the ambient projective space, it is proved that its moment map, restricted to A, approximates the Lagrangian fibration of A for large k, with respect to the "Gromov–Hausdorff topology". In this paper, we prove that the same is true for the Kummer variety associated to A.
CLUSTER STRUCTURE OF FUNCTIONAL NETWORKS ESTIMATED FROM HIGH-RESOLUTION EEG DATA
Authors: SINATRA ROBERTA , DE VICO FALLANI FABRIZIO , ASTOLFI LAURA , BABILONI FABIO , CINCOTTI FEBO , MATTIA DONATELLA , LATORA VITO
Published: May 2009

We study the topological properties of functional connectivity patterns among cortical areas in the frequency domain. The cortical networks were estimated from high-resolution EEG recordings in a group of spinal cord injured patients and in a group of healthy subjects, during the preparation of a limb movement. We first evaluate global and local efficiency, as indicators of the structural connectivity respectively at a global and local scale. Then, we use the Markov Clustering method to analyze the division of the network into community structures. The results indicate large differences between the injured patients and the healthy subjects. In particular, the networks of spinal cord injured patient exhibited a higher density of efficient clusters. In the Alpha (7–12 Hz) frequency band, the two observed largest communities were mainly composed of the cingulate motor areas with the supplementary motor areas, and of the premotor areas with the right primary motor area of the foot. This functional separation strengthens the hypothesis of a compensative mechanism due to the partial alteration in the primary motor areas because of the effects of the spinal cord injury.
CHAOS IN HETEROGENEOUS NETWORKS WITH TEMPORALLY INERT NODES
Authors: TORRES J. J. , MARRO J. , DE FRANCISCIS S.
Published: May 2009

We discuss an attractor neural network in which only a fraction ρ of nodes is simultaneously updated. In addition, the network has a heterogeneous distribution of connection weights and, depending on the current degree of order, connections are changed at random by a factor Φ on short-time scales. The resulting dynamic attractors may become unstable in a certain range of Φ thus ensuing chaotic itineracy which highly depends on ρ. For intermediate values of ρ, we observe that the number of attractors visited increases with ρ, and that the trajectory may change from regular to chaotic and vice versa as ρ is modified. Statistical analysis of time series shows a power-law spectra under conditions in which the attractors' space is most efficiently explored.
VULNERABILITY AND FALL OF EFFICIENCY IN COMPLEX NETWORKS: A NEW APPROACH WITH COMPUTATIONAL ADVANTAGES
Authors: BOCCALETTI S. , CRIADO R. , PELLO J. , ROMANCE M. , VELA-PÉREZ M.
Published: May 2009

An efficient and computationally advantageous definition of vulnerability of a complex network is introduced, through which one is able to overcome a series of practical difficulties encountered by the measurements used so far to quantify a network's security and stability under the effects of failures, attacks or disfunctions. By means of this approach, we prove a series of theorems that allow to gather information on the ranking of the nodes of a network with respect to their strategic importance in order to preserve the functioning and performance of the network as a whole.
PREFERENTIAL ATTACHMENT, AGING AND WEIGHTS IN RECOMMENDATION SYSTEMS
Authors: ZANIN MASSIMILIANO , CANO PEDRO , CELMA OSCAR , BULDÚ JAVIER M.
Published: May 2009

In the present work, algorithms based on complex network theory are applied to Recommendation Systems in order to improve their quality of predictions. We show how some networks are grown under the influence of trendy forces, and how this can be used to enhance the results of a recommendation system, i.e. increase their percentage of right predictions. After defining a base algorithm, we create recommendation networks which are based on a histogram of user ratings, using therefore an underlying principle of preferential attachment. We show the influence of data aging in the prediction of user habits and how the exact moment of the prediction influences the recommendation. Finally, we design weighted networks that take into account the age of the information used to generate the links. In this way, we obtain a better approximation to evaluate the users' tastes.
DEGENERATE HOPF BIFURCATIONS IN CHUA'S SYSTEM
Authors: MESSIAS MARCELO , DE CARVALHO BRAGA DENIS , MELLO LUIS FERNANDO
Published: May 2009

In this paper we study the local codimension one, two and three Hopf bifurcations which occur in the classical Chua's differential equations with cubic nonlinearity. A detailed analytical description of the regions in the parameter space for which multiple small periodic solutions bifurcate from the equilibria of the system is obtained. As a consequence, a complete answer for the challenge proposed in [Moiola & Chua, 1999] is provided.
MASTER–SLAVE SYNCHRONIZATION OF LUR'E SYSTEMS WITH GENERAL SECTOR-BOUNDED NONLINEARITIES
Authors: HAN QING-LONG , MEHDI DRISS , HAN DONGSHENG
Published: May 2009

This paper deals with master–slave synchronization for Lur'e systems subject to a more general sector condition by using time delay feedback control. A new Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional and a new Lur'e–Postnikov Lyapunov functional are proposed to obtain some new delay-dependent synchronization criteria, which are formulated in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). These criteria cover some existing results as their special cases. An example shows that the result derived in this paper significantly improves some existing ones.
CHEMICAL TESSELLATIONS
Authors: DE LACY COSTELLO B. P. J. , JAHAN I. , ADAMATZKY A. , RATCLIFFE N. M.
Published: May 2009

We report a simple set of chemical reactions based on the reaction of a range of metal salts with potassium ferricyanide loaded gels that spontaneously produce complex and colorful tessellations of the plane. These reactions provide a great resource for scientific demonstrations, whilst also constituting an important class of nonlinear pattern forming reaction.
THE SIS MODEL WITH TIME DELAY ON COMPLEX NETWORKS
Authors: XU XIN-JIAN , CHEN GUANRONG
Published: May 2009

We present a time-delayed SIS model on complex networks to study epidemic spreading. We found that the existence of delay will affect, and oftentimes enhance, both outbreak and prevalence of infectious diseases in the networks. For small-world networks, we found that the epidemic threshold and the delay time have a power-law relation. For scale-free networks, we found that for a given transmission rate, the epidemic prevalence has an exponential form, which can be analytically obtained, and it decays as the delay time increases. We confirm all results by sufficient numerical simulations.
DILIBERTO'S THEOREM IN HIGHER DIMENSION
Authors: BONNIN MICHELE , CORINTO FERNANDO , GILLI MARCO
Published: May 2009

The study of the local behavior of nonlinear systems in the neighborhood of a periodic orbit is a classical problem in nonlinear dynamics. Most of our knowledge stems from simulations or the numerical integration of the variational equation. Only in the case of planar oscillators, the solution of the variational equation can be found analytically, provided that an explicit expression for the periodic trajectory is available. The aim of this paper is to extend a classical theorem due to S. P. Diliberto to higher dimensional systems. In doing so, we show how the fundamental matrix solution to the variational equation of higher order differential equations can be obtained in a closed analytical form. To obtain this result, the knowledge of the periodic trajectory is not sufficient anymore, and a specific set of orthogonal vectors has to be determined. The analysis of some examples reveals that finding these vectors may be easier than solving the variational equations.
GENERATING HYPERCHAOTIC ATTRACTORS WITH THREE POSITIVE LYAPUNOV EXPONENTS VIA STATE FEEDBACK CONTROL
Authors: HU GUOSI
Published: May 2009

This letter presents a new hyperchaotic system, which was obtained by adding a nonlinear quadratic controller to the first equation and a linear controller to the second equation of the three-dimensional autonomous modified Lorenz chaotic system. This system uses only two multipliers but can generate very complex strange attractors with three positive Lyapunov exponents. The system is not only demonstrated by numerical simulations but also implemented via an electronic circuit, showing very good agreement with the simulation results.
CONVEX GAMES VERSUS CLAN GAMES
Authors: BRANZEI RODICA , DIMITROV DINKO , TIJS STEF
Published: May 2009

In this paper we provide characterizations of convex games and total clan games by using properties of their corresponding marginal games. We show that a "dualize and restrict" procedure transforms total clan games with zero worth for the clan into monotonic convex games. Furthermore, each monotonic convex game generates a total clan game with zero worth for the clan by a "dualize and extend" procedure. These procedures are also useful for relating core elements and elements of the Weber set of the corresponding games.
NASH EQUILIBRIUM IN TWO-SIDED MATE CHOICE PROBLEM
Authors: MAZALOV VLADIMIR , FALKO ANNA
Published: May 2009

We consider a two-sided search model in which individuals from two distinct populations would like to form a long-term relationship with a member of the other population. The individual choice is determined by the quality of the partner. Initially the quality of individuals in the population is uniform. At every stage the individuals randomly matched from their populations recognize the quality of the partner. If they accept each other they create a couple and leave the game. The partner's quality is the payoff. Unmatched players go to the next stage. At the last stage the individuals accept any partner. Each player aims to maximize her/his expected payoff. In this paper explicit formulas for Nash equilibrium strategies are derived. Also, the model with incoming individuals is analyzed.
STRATEGICALLY SUPPORTED COOPERATION
Authors: PETROSYAN LEON
Published: May 2009

An n-person differential game Γ(x, T-t) with independent motions from the initial state x and with prescribed duration T - t is considered. Suppose that y(s) is the cooperative trajectory maximizing the sum of players' payoffs. Suppose also that before starting the game players agree to divide the joint maximal payoff V(x, T - t; N) according to the imputation α, which is considered as a solution of a cooperative version of the game Γ(x, T - t). Using individual rationality of the imputation α we prove that if in the game Γ(y(s),T - s) along the cooperative trajectory y(s), the solution will be derived from the imputation α with the use of the imputation distribution procedure (IDP), for each given ε > 0 there exists ε-Nash equilibrium in Γ(x, T - t) for which the payoffs of the players in the game will be equal exactly to the components of the imputation α (cooperative outcome). This means that the imputation α is strategically supported by some specially constructed ε-Nash equilibrium in Γ(x, T - t). A similar result is true for a discrete game with perfect information.
1,3-dipolar cycloaddition in the synthesis of glycoconjugates of natural chlorins and bacteriochlorins
Authors: Grin Mikhail A. , Lonin Ivan S. , Lakhina Anna A. , Ol'shanskaya Elena S. , Makarov Alexey I. , Sebyakin Yury L. , Guryeva Lyudmila Yu. , Toukach Philip V. , Kononikhin Alexey S. , Kuzmin Vladimir A. , Mironov Andrey F.
Published: May 2009

Glucose-, galactose- and lactose-containing photosensitizers based on derivatives of chlorophyll a and bacteriochlorophyll a were synthesized with the use of [3+2] cycloaddition between sugar azides and triple bond derivatives of chlorins and bacteriochlorins. Unlike bacteriochlorin cycloimide, chlorin was detected to form a Cu -complex during the click reaction. An approach to the synthesis of metal-free glycosylated chlorins was developed with the use of "protection" by Zn 2+ cation and subsequent demetalation. It is based on the action of alkynyl chlorin e6 derivative Zn -complex, which is resistant to the substitution by copper cation. Bacteriochlorin p cycloimide conjugate with per-acetylated β-D-lactose was obtained and shown to become water-soluble after unblocking of the lactose hydroxy functions. NMR studies allowed for the elucidation of structure, tautomeric form and conformation of the obtained compounds.
TRPA1 in mast cell activation-induced long-lasting mechanical hypersensitivity of vagal afferent C-fibers in guinea pig esophagus
Authors: Yu Shaoyong , Gao Guofeng , Peterson Blaise Z. , Ouyang Ann
Published: May 2009

Sensitization of esophageal sensory afferents by inflammatory mediators plays an important role in esophageal nociception. We have shown esophageal mast cell activation induces long-lasting mechanical hypersensitivity in vagal nodose C-fibers. However, the roles of mast cell mediators and downstream ion channels in this process are unclear. Mast cell tryptase via protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2)-mediated pathways sensitizes sensory nerves and induces hyperalgesia. Transient receptor potential A1 (TRPA1) plays an important role in mechanosensory transduction and nociception. Here we tested the hypothesis that mast cell activation via a PAR2-dependent mechanism sensitizes TRPA1 to induce mechanical hypersensitivity in esophageal vagal C-fibers. The expression profiles of PAR2 and TRPA1 in vagal nodose ganglia were determined by immunostaining, Western blot, and RT-PCR. Extracellular recordings from esophageal nodose neurons were performed in ex vivo guinea pig esophageal-vagal preparations. Action potentials evoked by esophageal distention and chemical perfusion were compared. Both PAR2 and TRPA1 expressions were identified in vagal nodose neurons by immunostaining, Western blot, and RT-PCR. Ninety-one percent of TRPA1-positive neurons were of small and medium diameters, and 80% coexpressed PAR2. Esophageal mast cell activation significantly enhanced the response of nodose C-fibers to esophageal distension (mechanical hypersensitivity). This was mimicked by PAR2-activating peptide, which sustained for 90 min after wash, but not by PAR2 reverse peptide. TRPA1 inhibitor HC-030031 pretreatment significantly inhibited mechanical hypersensitivity induced by either mast cell activation or PAR2 agonist. Collectively, our data provide new evidence that sensitizing TRPA1 via a PAR2-dependent mechanism plays an important role in mast cell activation-induced mechanical hypersensitivity of vagal nodose C-fibers in guinea pig esophagus.
Cardiac MRI of myocardial salvage at the peri-infarct border zones after primary coronary intervention
Authors: O'Regan Declan P. , Ahmed Rizwan , Neuwirth Clare , Tan Yvonne , Durighel Giuliana , Hajnal Joseph V. , Nadra Imad , Corbett Simon J. , Cook Stuart A.
Published: May 2009

The purpose of this study was to use cardiac MRI to define the morphology of the reversibly injured peri-infarct border zone in patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for acute ST elevation myocardial infarction. In 15 patients, T2-weighted myocardial edema imaging was used to identify the ischemic bed or area at risk (AAR), and late gadolinium enhancement imaging was used to measure infarct size. Images were coregistered, and the boundaries of edema and necrosis were defined using an edge-detection methodology. We observed that infarction always involved the subendocardium but showed variable transmural extension within the AAR. The mean infarct size was 22 ± 19% (range: 8–48%), and the mean AAR was 34 ± 12% (range: 20–57%). The infarcted myocardium was always smaller than the ischemic AAR and involved between 34% and 99% (mean 72 ± 21%) of the ischemic bed primarily due to variation in transmural infarct extension. Although a lateral border zone of potentially viable myocardium was often present, its extent was limited (range: 0–11 mm, mean: 5 ± 4 mm). As a result of this, infarcts occupied the majority (range: 70–100%, mean: 82 ± 13%) of the width of the AAR. The mean fractional wall thickening in the infarcted, peri-infarcted, and remote myocardium was 3.6 ± 16.0%, 40.5 ± 26.4%, and 88.2 ± 39.3%, respectively. These findings demonstrate that myocardial salvage is largely determined by epicardial limitation of the infarct within the ischemic AAR after PPCI. The lateral boundaries of necrosis approximate to the lateral extent of the ischemic bed and systolic wall motion abnormalities extend well beyond the infarct border zone.
A simple and valid method to determine thermoregulatory sweating threshold and sensitivity
Authors: Cheuvront Samuel N. , Bearden Shawn E. , Kenefick Robert W. , Ely Brett R. , DeGroot David W. , Sawka Michael N. , Montain Scott J.
Published: May 2009

Sweating threshold temperature and sweating sensitivity responses are measured to evaluate thermoregulatory control. However, analytic approaches vary, and no standardized methodology has been validated. This study validated a simple and standardized method, segmented linear regression (SReg), for determination of sweating threshold temperature and sensitivity. Archived data were extracted for analysis from studies in which local arm sweat rate (ṁsw; ventilated dew-point temperature sensor) and esophageal temperature (Tes) were measured under a variety of conditions. The relationship ṁsw/Tesfrom 16 experiments was analyzed by seven experienced raters (Rater), using a variety of empirical methods, and compared against SReg for the determination of sweating threshold temperature and sweating sensitivity values. Individual interrater differences ( n = 324 comparisons) and differences between Rater and SReg ( n = 110 comparisons) were evaluated within the context of biologically important limits of magnitude (LOM) via a modified Bland-Altman approach. The average Rater and SReg outputs for threshold temperature and sensitivity were compared ( n = 16) using inferential statistics. Rater employed a very diverse set of criteria to determine the sweating threshold temperature and sweating sensitivity for the 16 data sets, but interrater differences were within the LOM for 95% (threshold) and 73% (sensitivity) of observations, respectively. Differences between mean Rater and SReg were within the LOM 90% (threshold) and 83% (sensitivity) of the time, respectively. Rater and SReg were not different by conventional t-test ( P > 0.05). SReg provides a simple, valid, and standardized way to determine sweating threshold temperature and sweating sensitivity values for thermoregulatory studies.
Nitric oxide and carbon monoxide lung transfer in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis
Authors: Degano Bruno , Mittaine Marie , Guénard Hervé , Rami Jacques , Garcia Gilles , Kamar Nassim , Bureau Christophe , Péron Jean-Marie , Rostaing Lionel , Rivière Daniel
Published: May 2009

In advanced cirrhosis, decreased lung transfer for carbon monoxide (TLCO) and increased alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference (PA-aO2≥15 mmHg while breathing ambient air) are frequently detected. Pulmonary membrane diffusion capacity for CO (DmCO) and pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vcap) can be derived from the simultaneous measurement of TLCO and lung transfer for nitric oxide (TLNO). Measurements of single-breath TLNO and TLCO were performed in 49 cirrhotic patients with advanced liver cirrhosis and in 35 healthy controls to derive Vcap, DmCO, and TLNO:TLCO ratio. Twenty-five patients had increased PA-aO2, of whom 11 had hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS). Compared with controls, non-HPS patients with normal PA-aO2had a significant ∼10% decrease in TLCO, DmCO, and Vcap but similar TLNO:TLCO ratios. Compared with non-HPS patients with normal PA-aO2, non-HPS patients with increased PA-aO2had lower Vcap and higher TLNO:TLCO ratio but similar DmCO. HPS patients had lower Vcap and higher TLNO:TLCO ratios than both subgroups of non-HPS patients. In cirrhotic patients, TLNO:TLCO ratios correlated positively, and TLCO (percentage of the predicted value) and Vcap (percentage of the predicted value) correlated negatively with PA-aO2( r2= 0.25, P = 0.0003, r2= 0.48, P < 0.0001 and r2= 0.57, P < 0.0001, respectively). We concluded that, in cirrhotic patients, lower TLCO and increased PA-aO2are associated with lower Vcap. In addition, high TLNO:TLCO ratios in patients with increased PA-aO2suggest a decreased thickness of the capillary blood layer in these patients.
Noncanonical Activity of Seryl-tRNA Synthetase Is Involved in Vascular Development
Authors: Fukui Hajime , Hanaoka Ryuki , Kawahara Atsuo
Published: May 2009

Vascular endothelial growth factor (Vegf) plays central roles in the establishment of stereotypic vascular patterning in vertebrates. However, it is not fully understood how the network of blood vessels is established and maintained during vascular development. A zebrafish
ko095
mutant presented the disorganized vessels with abnormal branching of the established intersegmental vessels (ISVs) after 60 hours postfertilization. The gene responsible for
ko095
encodes seryl-tRNA synthetase (Sars) with a nonsense mutation. The abnormal branching of ISVs in
ko095
mutant was suppressed by the introduction of either wild-type Sars or a mutant Sars (T429A) lacking the enzymatic activity that catalyzes aminoacylation of transfer RNA for serine (canonical activity), suggesting that the abnormal branching is attributable to the loss of function of Sars besides its canonical activity. We further found the increased expression of
vegfa
in
ko095
mutant at 72 hours postfertilization, which was also reversed by the introduction of Sars (T429A). Furthermore, the abnormal branching of ISVs in the mutant was suppressed by knockdown of
vegfa
or
vegfr2
(
kdra
and
kdrb
). Knockdown of
vegfc
or
vegfr3
rescued the abnormal ISV branching in
ko095
mutant. These results suggest that the abnormal ISV branching in
ko095
mutant is caused by the activated Vegfa-Vegfr2 signal and requires the Vegfc-Vegfr3 signal, because the latter is needed for general angiogenesis. Hence, we conclude that noncanonical activity of Sars is involved in vascular development presumably by modulating the expression of
vegfa
.
C-Reactive Protein Inhibits Insulin Activation of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase via the Immunoreceptor Tyrosine-Based Inhibition Motif of FcγRIIB and SHIP-1
Authors: Tanigaki Keiji , Mineo Chieko , Yuhanna Ivan S. , Chambliss Ken L. , Quon Michael J. , Bonvini Ezio , Shaul Philip W.
Published: May 2009

Insulin promotes the cardiovascular protective functions of the endothelium including NO production by endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), which it stimulates via Akt kinase which phosphorylates eNOS Ser1179. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase reactant that is positively correlated with cardiovascular disease risk in patients with type 2 diabetes. We previously showed that CRP inhibits eNOS activation by insulin by blunting Ser1179 phosphorylation. We now elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. We first show in mice that CRP inhibits insulin-induced eNOS phosphorylation, indicating that these processes are operative in vivo. In endothelial cells we find that CRP attenuates insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation, and CRP antagonism of eNOS is negated by expression of constitutively active Akt; the inhibitory effect of CRP on Akt is also observed in vivo. A requirement for the IgG receptor FcγRIIB was demonstrated in vitro using blocking antibody, and reconstitution experiments with wild-type and mutant FcγRIIB in NIH3T3
IR
cells revealed that these processes require the ITIM (immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif) of the receptor. Furthermore, we find that endothelium express SHIP-1 (Src homology 2 domain–containing inositol 5′-phosphatase 1), that CRP induces SHIP-1 stimulatory phosphorylation in endothelium in culture and in vivo, and that SHIP-1 knockdown by small interfering RNA prevents CRP antagonism of insulin-induced eNOS activation. Thus, CRP inhibits eNOS stimulation by insulin via FcγRIIB and its ITIM, SHIP-1 activation, and resulting blunted activation of Akt. These findings provide mechanistic linkage among CRP, impaired insulin signaling in endothelium, and greater cardiovascular disease risk in type 2 diabetes.
Late Emergence of Cognitive Deficits After Unilateral Neonatal Stroke
Authors: Westmacott Robyn , MacGregor Daune , Askalan Rand , deVeber Gabrielle
Published: May 2009

Background and Purpose—

Neonatal arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) affects a surprisingly large number of children each year, yet little is known about the long-term neuropsychological implications.

Methods—

Using age-appropriate Wechsler scales of intellectual ability, this longitudinal study examined 26 children with a history of acutely diagnosed unilateral neonatal AIS as preschoolers (3 years 6 months to 5 years 11 months) and again as grade-school students (6 years 1 month to 12 years 5 months), and contrasted performance with the normative sample of the test.

Results—

As preschoolers, patients’ performance did not differ from the normative sample for Full Scale IQ, Verbal IQ, or Performance IQ, and there were no significant differences associated with infarct laterality. As school-age children, performance was significantly lower than the normative sample for Full Scale IQ Working Memory and Processing Speed, but not for Verbal IQ or Performance IQ. Contrasts between Time 1 and Time 2 revealed a significant decline in Full Scale IQ, which reflected emerging deficits in nonverbal reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. Individual subject analyses revealed that 69% of the children showed significant declines in 1 or more IQ index measures. We found no significant differences in cognitive performance associated with lesion laterality, though males performed more poorly than females on several cognitive measures at Time 2.

Conclusions—

These findings suggest that children with unilateral neonatal stroke, particularly males, are at increased risk for emerging deficits in higher-level cognitive skills during the school years. Continued follow-up of these children is needed, even those with no apparent deficits as toddlers or preschoolers.
The Blame Game: The Effect of Responsibility and Social Stigma on Empathy for Pain
Authors: Decety Jean , Echols Stephanie , Correll Joshua
Published: May 2009

This investigation combined behavioral and functional neuroimaging measures to explore whether perception of pain is modulated by the target's stigmatized status and whether the target bore responsibility for that stigma. During fMRI scanning, participants were exposed to a series of short video clips featuring age-matched individuals experiencing pain who were (a) similar to the participant (healthy), (b) stigmatized but not responsible for their stigmatized condition (infected with AIDS as a result of an infected blood transfusion), or (c) stigmatized and responsible for their stigmatized condition (infected with AIDS as a result of intravenous drug use). Explicit pain and empathy ratings for the targets were obtained outside of the MRI environment, along with a variety of implicit and explicit measures of AIDS bias. Results showed that participants were significantly more sensitive to the pain of AIDS transfusion targets as compared with healthy and AIDS drug targets, as evidenced by significantly higher pain and empathy ratings during video evaluation and significantly greater hemodynamic activity in areas associated with pain processing (i.e., right anterior insula, anterior midcingulate cortex, periaqueductal gray). In contrast, significantly less activity was observed in the anterior midcingulate cortex for AIDS drug targets as compared with healthy controls. Further, behavioral differences between healthy and AIDS drug targets were moderated by the extent to which participants blamed AIDS drug individuals for their condition. Controlling for both explicit and implicit AIDS bias, the more participants blamed these targets, the less pain they attributed to them as compared with healthy controls. The present study reveals that empathic resonance is moderated early in information processing by a priori attitudes toward the target group.
Observed Sea Surface Temperature of Tokyo Bay and Its Impact on Urban Air Temperature
Authors: Oda Ryoko , Kanda Manabu
Published: May 2009

Sea surface temperature (SST) and air temperature were measured in situ in Tokyo Bay. These measurements were made with high spatial and temporal resolutions between November 2006 and September 2007. The analysis of these data revealed 1) the seasonal and diurnal variations of SST and air temperature, and 2) the physical process by which Tokyo Bay lowers urban air temperature in summer. The following were the major findings obtained: 1) the diurnal amplitude of SST was as large as 5.5°C; 2) abrupt increases of SST occurred at the head and mouth of the bay that were due to heated water discharge and the Kuroshio, respectively; 3) the values of the satellite-based objectively analyzed SSTs were higher than those of the in situ SSTs, especially in winter; 4) the relationship between SST and air temperature was classified into three seasonal modes—winter, transient, and summer—and each mode was associated with the seasonal stability condition of the near-surface water; 5) the strong southwesterly wind over the bay in summer decreased the SST mainly because of increased turbulent mixing at the water surface, thereby increasing downward sensible heat flux up to −100 W m−2; 6) the lower SSTs in summer lowered the air temperature, but only for the urban atmosphere near the coast, and no effect was detected at 20 km inland; and 7) the horizontal gradient of air temperature over the land intensified with increasing wind speed.
A Cross-Sector Comparison of Using Nonstandard Workers
Authors: Chen Chung-An , Brudney Jeffrey L.
Published: May 2009

Although the use of nonstandard workers is an irreversible trend, academic literature in public administration is scarce. By using the National Organizations Survey 2002 data set, the authors tested models of reasons and effects of using nonstandard workers. The authors found that (a) organizational hierarchy, the provision of fringe benefits, and employee unionization are important predictors of the use of nonstandard workers; (b) the use of nonstandard workers deteriorates employment relationships and employees' trust; (c) using agency temporaries and contract workers in the private sector and independent contractors in the public sector generate the largest negative impacts. Managers' attention to job-related factors is important to ameliorate potentially negative effects.
Stabilization of heavy metals in wastewater treatment sludge from power plants air heater washing
Authors: Saeedi Mohsen , Hamid Reza Amini
Published: May 2009

In the present investigation, for the first time in Iran, dewatered sludge waste from the air heater washing wastewater treatment of a thermal power plant was subject to investigation with regard to cement-based stabilization in order to reduce the mobility of heavy metals. Studies of the chemical composition, mineralogy, morphology and leaching characteristics of the untreated and treated waste were conducted. The stabilization was done with two cement-based mix designs with different waste/cement ratios in different samples. In the cement stabilization process the leaching of V, Ni, Zn and Cr could be decreased from 314.1, 209.1, 24.8 and 5.5 mg L—1, respectively, in the untreated waste to 6.02, 32.11, 3.57 and 3.68 mg L—1 in a mixture with 20% waste/cement ratio, while during stabilization with cement + sand, the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) leachate contents of the mentioned metals were decreased to 4.24, 16.2, 2.51 and 2.2 mg L —1 for the same waste/cement ratio. Stabilization with sand/cement seemed to be more efficient in reducing metal leaching from the waste. X-ray diffraction studies showed that portlandite, calcite, lime, larnite and quartz were produced during the stabilization process.
Characterization of humic substances in landfill leachate and impact on the hydraulic conductivity of geosynthetic clay liners
Authors: Han Young-Soo , Lee Jai-Young , Miller Carol J. , Franklin Lance
Published: May 2009

A detailed characterization was performed on the humic substances present in landfill leachate derived from the older (10-year) and younger (6-month) municipal landfill cells at a site in Inchion, Korea. The characterization focused on the humic and fulvic acid components of the leachate, relying on information gleaned from the UV/visible spectroscopy, molecular weight distribution, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The effect of the leachates, and specific components of the leachates, on the hydraulic conductivity of a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL), was evaluated. The humic acid extracted from the older leachate was composed primarily of high molecular weight and aromatic compounds, which is typical for humic acids. However, the humic acid extracted from the younger leachate showed characteristics more similar with fulvic acids, indicating that the younger humic acid was at the initial stage of humification. The hydraulic conductivity of the GCLs to the humic and fulvic acids of the older and younger leachate was similar to those permeated with the distilled deionized water (DI). However, the hydraulic conductivity of the samples tested with the raw leachate was more than 200 times the DI value. This fact suggests that cations present in leachate, rather than humic substances, are the key factor in the increase of the permeability.
Aluminium alloys in municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash
Authors: Yanjun Hu  , Rem Peter
Published: May 2009

With the increasing growth of incineration of household waste, more and more aluminium is retained in municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash. Therefore recycling of aluminium from bottom ash becomes increasingly important. Previous research suggests that aluminium from different sources is found in different size fractions resulting in different recycling rates. The purpose of this study was to develop analytical and sampling techniques to measure the particle size distribution of individual alloys in bottom ash. In particular, cast aluminium alloys were investigated. Based on the particle size distribution it was computed how well these alloys were recovered in a typical state-of-the-art treatment plant. Assessment of the cast alloy distribution was carried out by wet physical separation processes, as well as chemical methods, X-ray fluorescence analysis and electron microprobe analysis. The results from laboratory analyses showed that cast alloys tend to concentrate in the coarser fractions and therefore are better recovered in bottom ash treatment plants.