bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three-Dimensional Evaluation of Cyclic Displacement in Single-Row and Double-Row Rotator Cuff Reconstructions Under Static External Rotation
Authors: Lorbach Olaf , Kieb Matthias , Raber Florian , Busch Lüder C. , Kohn Dieter M. , Pape Dietrich
Published: November 2012

Background:

The double-row suture bridge repair was recently introduced and has demonstrated superior biomechanical results and higher yield load compared with the traditional double-row technique. It therefore seemed reasonable to compare this second generation of double-row constructs to the modified single-row double mattress reconstruction.

Hypothesis:

The repair technique, initial tear size, and tendon subregion will have a significant effect on 3-dimensional (3D) cyclic displacement under additional static external rotation of a modified single-row compared with a double-row rotator cuff repair.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Rotator cuff tears (small to medium: 25 mm; medium to large: 35 mm) were created in 24 human cadaveric shoulders. Rotator cuff repairs were performed as modified single-row or double-row repairs, and cyclic loading (10-60 N, 10-100 N) was applied under 20° of external rotation. Radiostereometric analysis was used to calculate cyclic displacement in the anteroposterior (x), craniocaudal (y), and mediolateral (z) planes with a focus on the repair constructs and the initial tear size. Moreover, differences in cyclic displacement of the anterior compared with the posterior tendon subregions were calculated.

Results:

Significantly lower cyclic displacement was seen in small to medium tears for the single-row compared with double-row repair at 60 and 100 N in the x plane ( P = .001) and y plane ( P = .001). The results were similar in medium to large tears at 100 N in the x plane ( P = .004). Comparison of 25-mm versus 35-mm tears did not show any statistically significant differences for the single-row repairs. In the double-row repairs, lower gap formation was found for the 35-mm tears ( P ≤ .05). Comparison of the anterior versus posterior tendon subregions revealed a trend toward higher anterior gap formation, although this was statistically not significant.

Conclusion:

The tested single-row reconstruction achieved superior results in 3D cyclic displacement to the tested double-row repair. Extension of the initial rupture size did not have a negative effect on the biomechanical results of the tested constructs.

Clinical Relevance:

Single-row repairs with modified suture configurations provide comparable biomechanical strength to double-row repairs. Furthermore, as increased gap formation in the early postoperative period might lead to failure of the construct, a strong anterior fixation and restricted external rotation protocol might be considered in rotator cuff repairs to avoid this problem.
Nanoindentation measurements of fumed silica epoxy reinforced nanocomposites
Authors: Tzetzis D , Mansour G , Tsiafis I , Pavlidou E
Published: November 2012

Nanoindentation testing is used in this paper in order to investigate the mechanical properties of specimens with varying weight percentage of fumed silica using a low-viscosity liquid epoxy resin as a matrix. Controversial results are reported in the literature regarding the elastic modulus of fumed silica epoxy nanocomposites using conventional tensile tests, thereby there is much scope in investigating comparatively such systems in a nanometer scale. The results show that the hardness and modulus of the nanocomposites steadily decrease with increasing fumed silica content which was attributed to the severe tendency for cluster formation as studied by optical microscope and scanning electron microscope analysis. The variations in elastic modulus as measured using the nanoindentation testing technique revealed small differences from the tensile test data. A material-depending calibration procedure has been used by utilising the epoxy elastic modulus as measured by the tensile tests in order to account for the indentation inherent uncertainties in the tip shape calibration. The results demonstrate that the nanoindentation testing technique is an effective mechanical testing method for epoxy nanocomposites when an appropriate calibration procedure is followed.
Short beam strength of curaua, sisal, glass and hybrid composites
Authors: da Silva Laís Vasconcelos , Júnior José Humberto Santos Almeida , Angrizani Clarissa Coussirat , Amico Sandro Campos
Published: November 2012

In this study, the short beam strength characteristics of randomly oriented composites were comprehensively investigated. The following parameters were varied: fiber used (curaua or sisal), fiber washing or surface chemical treatment with sodium hydroxide/sodium borohydride, fiber length (from 5 to 60 mm), hybridization with glass fiber and the pre-processing of the polyester resin. The overall fiber volume fraction was kept constant (30 vol.%). In all configurations, the composites containing curaua fiber obtained higher short beam strength than those with sisal. An increase in fiber length yielded higher short beam strength. The optical and electronic micrographs showed mostly horizontal cracks, typical of shear failure. In addition, it was carried out a study of the ASTM D2344 standard regarding the span-to-thickness ratio recommended for testing, the measured strength decreased for higher span-to-thickness ratio for specimens with higher length and width, and the failure mode changed to bending around span-to-thickness >12.
In vitro evaluation of the L-peptide modified magnetic lipid nanoparticles as targeted magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent for the nasopharyngeal cancer
Authors: Chen Yung-Chu , Min Chia-Na , Wu Han-Chung , Lin Chin-Tarng , Hsieh Wen-Yuan
Published: November 2012

The purpose of this study was to analyze the encapsulation of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) by the lipid nanoparticle conjugated with the 12-mer peptides (RLLDTNRPLLPY, L-peptide), and the delivery of this complex into living cells. The lipid nanoparticles employed in this work were highly hydrophilic, stable, and contained poly(ethylene-glycol) for conjugation to the bioactive L-peptide. The particle sizes of two different magnetic lipid nanoparticles, L-peptide modified (LML) and non-L-peptide modified (ML), were both around 170 nm with a narrow range of size disparity. The transversal relaxivity, r2, for both LML and ML nanoparticles were found to be significantly higher than the longitudinal relaxivity r1 (r2/r1 > 20). The in vitro tumor cell targeting efficacy of the LML nanoparticles were evaluated and compared to the ML nanoparticles, upon observing cellular uptake of magnetic lipid nanoparticles by the nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells, which express cell surface specific protein for the L-peptide binding revealed. In the Prussian blue staining experiment, cells incubated with LML nanoparticles indicated much higher intracellular iron density than cells incubated with only the ML and SPION nanoparticles. In addition, the MTT assay showed the negligible cell cytotoxicity for LML, ML and SPION nanoparticles. The MR imaging studies demonstrate the better T2-weighted images for the LML-nanoparticle-loaded nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells than the ML- and SPION-loaded cells.
Postpartum Weight Loss
Authors: Montgomery Kristen S. , Best Melissa , Aniello Tracy B. , Phillips Jennifer D. , Hatmaker-Flanigan Elizabeth
Published: November 2012

Twenty-four women with children 5 years old or younger were interviewed regarding their experiences in losing weight during the postpartum period. Phenomenological interviews were conducted according to Husserl’s perspective. Women who participated in the study revealed the issues related to postpartum weight loss: weight struggles, exercise, breast-feeding, eating, and pregnancy contributions to weight gain. The overall theme that resulted from these in-depth interviews was that women struggle to balance their successes and setbacks in losing weight during the postpartum period.
National Campaigns for Charitable Causes
Authors: van Leeuwen Marco H. D. , Wiepking Pamala
Published: November 2012

The authors present the first cross-national comparison of more than 300 national campaigns for charitable causes in the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United States for the period 1950 to 2011. The authors study frequency and amounts raised, discuss successful and failed campaigns, and review the literature with regard to potential determinants of success. The authors group these determinants into three categories: (a) perceived characteristics of recipients, notably their need, agency, and blamelessness; (b) donor characteristics, such as geographical and cultural proximity, a gain in status or reputation, and material incentives; and (c) structural characteristics of the giving regime, such as the frequency and media formats of campaigns, fundraising rules and regulations, and trust.
From discourse to awareness: Rhetoric, mindfulness, and a psychology without foundations
Authors: Stanley Steven
Published: November 2012

This paper argues for a shift in the grounding of psychology from discourse to a “groundless ground” rooted in an ethically sensitive, within-person, and moment-to-moment embodied awareness. It offers a critique of discursive and rhetorical psychology commensurate with “affective turn” studies and develops an approach based in the practice of mindfulness meditation. This orientation enables the participant-researcher to come into experiential contact with a domain of pre-subjectivity not often addressed by discursive approaches. It also considers parallels between discursive constructionism and Buddhist mindfulness and shows how mindfulness is relationally and rhetorically organized as a social practice.
Diabetic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Goyal BR , Mehta AA
Published: November 2012

Several experimental, pathological, epidemiological, and clinical studies have clearly depicted that diabetes mellitus results in cardiac functional and structural changes. Diabetic cardiomyopathy results in both structural and functional alterations in the myocardium. Several mechanisms have been implicated in the pathophysiology of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Of these, metabolic disturbances, myocardial fibrosis, small vessel disease, and cardiac autonomic neuropathy are the major players in the pathophysiology of diabetic cardiomyopathy. This review is intended to discuss various such pathophysiological mechanisms of diabetic cardiomyopathy. We have also described the systolic and diastolic dysfunctioning and its corelation to structural changes in diabetes.
Orofacial dyskinesia induced by nasal Ritalin® (methylphenidate) sniffing
Authors: Marti G , Fattinger K , Zimmermann H , Exadaktylos A
Published: November 2012

Ritalin® (methylphenidate) is an amphetamine-like prescription stimulant commonly used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults. Recently, the recreational use of Ritalin has increased, particularly among young adults. Well-known symptoms of intoxication include signs of sympathetic nervous stimulation, such as agitation, anxiety, tachycardia, hypertension, headache, tremor, and dizziness. This case report describes oral dyskinesia as a rare presentation of Ritalin intoxication, with the review of pathophysiology and some epidemiological data.
Immunological follow-up of patients with neuromyelitis optica: Is there a good biomarker?
Authors: Chanson J-B , de Seze J , Eliaou J-F , Vincent T
Published: November 2012

A serial assessment of biomarkers related to disease activity could be clinically useful in some autoimmune diseases. Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a severe inflammatory disease of the optic nerves and spinal cord that can be associated with lupus erythematosus, Sjögren syndrome or myasthenia gravis. In this review, we discuss the existing data on the use of biomarkers of disease activity in NMO. A specific and pathogenic antibody (Ab) directed against aquaporin 4 (AQP4) was recently discovered in this disease. The relapses were frequently accompanied by a rise and immunosuppressive therapy by a decrease in serum anti-AQP4 Ab concentrations. However, this association is not strong enough to justify treatment changes based only on anti-AQP4 Ab level variations. This parameter might be helpful as a longitudinal biomarker but only if a threshold inducing a relapse and justifying a switch in therapy can be established. A link between disease severity and serum cytotoxicity against AQP4-expressing cells was proposed but has not yet been confirmed. Finally, the assessment of T cell immunity against AQP4 and specific cytokines could be future directions for research.
Leda and the stylisticians
Authors: Gavins Joanna
Published: November 2012

This article presents an analysis of WB Yeats’ ‘Leda and the Swan’ for the 21st century, adopting a Text World Theory perspective (Gavins, 2007; Hidalgo Downing, 2000; Werth, 1999) on this iconic poem. In so doing, I also trace the evolution of the discipline of stylistics – from its roots in formalist linguistics, through functionalist and contextualised stylistics, to the development of cognitive poetics – by examining a series of shifting analyses of the text. I argue that the varying treatments of Yeats’ poem to be found in Halliday (1966), Widdowson (1975) and Burke (2000) can be seen to mirror the development of stylistics over the last half century. I also argue for the positive contribution cognitive poetics can make towards a fuller contemporary understanding of the complex discoursal configuration of ‘Leda and the Swan’, examining both its textual and conceptual structures and its significant political and historical context.
Repetition, difference and chiasmus in John McGahern’s narratives
Authors: Prusse Michael C.
Published: November 2012

The fiction of John McGahern is characterized by repetitions and circular constructions but never gives the impression of labouring an issue or of repetitiveness. His narratives are frequently structured by natural cycles and by man-made repetitions. Moreover, the author resorts to recurring names, themes and settings and thus creates a unique local universe. In previous analyses of McGahern’s fiction the conspicuous cyclical constructions have been shown to be also recurrent at a micro-level within his texts in the form of chiasmus. The writer may unconsciously have imitated the chiastic structures that are typical of the Bible. McGahern’s distinct narrative style can be illustrated with examples from both his short fiction and his novels. Examples examined in this article show how the author’s frequent resorting to chiastic structuring succeeds in foregrounding specific themes or crucial moments in his narratives.
Empowered Diabetes Management
Authors: Nishita Christy , Cardazone Gina , Uehara Denise Lea , Tom Tammy
Published: November 2012

The Hawai‘i Demonstration to Maintain Independence and Employment was a randomized controlled trial examining the effect of a participant-driven, multicomponent intervention on 190 employed adults with diabetes, 36% of whom were Asian and 35% of whom were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. A no treatment concurrent control group was used, and the treatment group was provided an intervention that paired each participant with a life coach and a pharmacist counselor with whom they worked to achieve collaboratively chosen goals. Treatment fidelity data suggest that the intervention was largely implemented as planned. Life coaches and pharmacists performed key program functions with high to moderate adherence. The quality of their adherence to the intervention model ranged from basic to above basic and below basic to above basic for life coaches and pharmacists, respectively. Results of repeated-measures analysis of covariance analyses indicate that the intervention had a significant positive effect on participants’ diabetes self-efficacy, quality of life, and body mass index but not on hemoglobin A1c levels. Further analyses examining just the treatment group indicate a dosage effect, with body mass index and quality of life outcomes optimized among participants who engaged in a greater number of sessions with life coaches and pharmacists. Implications of the study findings for practice are discussed.
Progress and Directions in Professional Credentialing for Health Education in the United States
Authors: Cottrell Randall R. , Auld M. Elaine , Birch David A. , Taub Alyson , King Laura Rasar , Allegrante John P.
Published: November 2012

This article provides an update on initiatives in individual certification and accreditation of academic programs in public/community health education and school health education in the United States. Although we provide some historical context, the focus primarily addresses credentialing efforts that have evolved since the Galway Consensus Conference was convened in 2008 and publication of the Galway Consensus and related manuscripts in 2009. Significant progress has been achieved in updating the health education competencies for entry and advanced levels of practice, as well as in establishing a Master Certified Health Education Specialist designation. Also discussed are contemporary initiatives to expand and improve the accreditation process of academic programs and the evolving higher education contexts in which such systems operate. We conclude by presenting lessons learned from the U.S. experience with credentialing efforts and by offering recommendations that may be applicable to future quality assurance efforts, both in the United States and abroad.
The relationship between emotion recognition ability and social skills in young children with autism
Authors: Williams Beth T , Gray Kylie M
Published: November 2012

This study assessed the relationship between emotion recognition ability and social skills in 42 young children with autistic disorder aged 4–7 years. The analyses revealed that accuracy in recognition of sadness, but not happiness, anger or fear, was associated with higher ratings on the Vineland-II Socialization domain, above and beyond the influence of chronological age, cognitive ability and autism symptom severity. These findings extend previous research with adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders, suggesting that sadness recognition is also associated with social skills in children with autism.
Morality and ethics behind the screen: Young people’s perspectives on digital life
Authors: Flores Andrea , James Carrie
Published: November 2012

While emerging research illuminates how youth engage with digital media, relatively little attention has been given to moral and ethical issues. Drawing on interviews with 61 teens and young adults, we explored the extent to which youth’s approaches to online life include moral or ethical considerations. We report the prevalence of three ways of thinking about use of social networks, massive multiplayer games, Wikipedia, and downloading. We found that individualistic thinking (focusing on consequences for oneself) dominated participants’ thinking; moral thinking (considering known others) was somewhat prevalent; and ethical thinking (acknowledging unknown others and communities) was least prevalent. We explore the targets and triggers of these approaches to online life, discuss ethical lapses observed, and consider theoretical and practical implications.
Religion and the Internet: A microcosm for studying Internet trends and implications
Authors: Campbell Heidi A
Published: November 2012

This article argues that paying close attention to key findings within the study of religion and the Internet, a subfield of Internet Studies, can enhance our understanding and discussion of the larger social and cultural shifts at work within networked society. Through a critical overview of research on religion online, five central research areas emerge related to social practices, online–offline connections, community, identity, and authority online. It is also argued that observations about these themes not only point to specific trends within religious practice online, but also mirror concerns and findings within other areas of Internet Studies. Thus, studying religion on the Internet provides an important microcosm for investigating Internet Studies’ contribution in a wide range of contexts in our contemporary social world.
Europe – a default or a dream? European identity formation among Bulgarian and English children
Authors: Slavtcheva-Petkova Vera , Mihelj Sabina
Published: November 2012

This article examines the formation of European identity among children in two very different countries: the traditionally Eurosceptic United Kingdom and the enthusiastic EU newcomer, Bulgaria. The paper revisits existing debates about the relationships between European identity, knowledge and the political and historical context, paying particular attention to the meanings attached to Europe. It demonstrates that children who identify as European are more likely to see Europe in geographic terms, which facilitates the perception of the European identity as ‘default’. In contrast, children who refuse to describe themselves as European see Europe as an exclusive political entity, associated with high standards and distant elites. These perceptions are significantly more common among Bulgarian children, who often depict Europe as a dream, and perceive the European identity as an ideal they aspire to reach. The article also shows how ethnicity and the images of Europe influence the relationship between national and European identities.
Riding the Culture Train: An Ethnography of a Plan for Social Mobility through Music
Authors: Aharon Meirav
Published: November 2012

This article examines the production of ‘high culture’ and how it shapes social mobility. I observe how the second generation of immigrants from North Africa have succeeded in rising up the Israeli social hierarchy by appropriating established modes of cultural expression. The founders of the Israel Andalusian Orchestra became aware that the road to full integration was closed to them by the politics of difference, that the way to total segregation from wider Israeli society was closed by economic and ontological dependence on the national state, and the option of multi-culturalism condemned them to a permanently marginal status. They realized that they needed a new political approach and that cultural appropriation was the way by which they could reclaim their ethnic identity yet still establish themselves among the élite of Israel.
Popular Culture as a Resource for Political Engagement
Authors: Inthorn Sanna , Street John , Scott Martin
Published: November 2012

Based on focus groups and interviews with first-time voters in the UK, this study reflects critically on the role of popular culture as a resource of political engagement. Unlike previous studies, it looks at a wide range of popular culture and suggests that entertainment television, video games and popular music provide young citizens with some of the resources they need actively to engage in the public sphere. Young citizens struggle to see the relevance of formal politics in their everyday lives, yet they see themselves as part of a political community and connect with its concerns. They use media texts to learn about social and political issues and to explore the moral values that underpin the society in which they live. While some critics have suggested that the media disconnect citizens from their communities, the findings of this study suggest that media texts are a resource which prepares young people for their engagement in the public sphere.
The International Circulation of Attacks and the Reputational Consequences of Local Context: George Soros’s Difficult Reputation in Russia, Post-Soviet Lithuania and the United States
Authors: McLaughlin Neil , Trilupaityte Skaidra
Published: November 2012

This article examines philanthropist George Soros’s reputation in the United States, Russia and post-Soviet Lithuania from the 1990s to 2005–6. A billionaire currency speculator and left-wing philanthropist, Soros has a ‘difficult reputation’. Attacks from American right-wingers and post-Soviet authoritarians circulated internationally, but his reputation was not constituted globally as extreme globalization theorists might predict. We draw on Bourdieu’s analysis of the international circulation of ideas and emphasis on local context. Reputational entrepreneurs in the United States, Russia and Lithuania certainly made extensive use of internationally circulating attacks in the age of the internet. Nonetheless, Soros’s reputation served domestic political needs and was interpreted within a local cultural context, suggesting the value of a ‘sceptical’ perspective on globalization debates on how reputational attacks travel and are received.
Open Patellar Tendon Debridement for Treatment of Recalcitrant Patellar Tendinopathy
Authors: Gill Thomas J. , Carroll Kaitlin M. , Hariri Sonaz
Published: November 2012

Background:

Patellar tendinopathy can be treated surgically for patients that have failed at least 1 year of nonoperative treatment who continue to have debilitating symptoms. Patellar tendinopathy can cause significant functional deficits, yet little has been reported about the operative treatment of patellar tendinopathy.

Hypothesis:

A combined arthroscopic and open surgical technique for the treatment of recalcitrant patellar tendinopathy results in an improvement in function and pain at a minimum 2-year follow-up. The purpose of this study was to present the indications, combined surgical technique, rehabilitation protocol, and the 2-year minimum follow-up results of the operative treatment of recalcitrant patellar tendinopathy.

Study Design:

Retrospective case series.

Methods:

A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent a surgical primary patellar tendon debridement for recalcitrant patellar tendinopathy by a single surgeon between July 1999 and December 2005. Every patient failed at least 1 year of nonoperative treatment. Patients were excluded from the study if they had previous open knee surgery. Validated patient-reported outcome scores were used to assess function and pain levels pre- and postoperatively (Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee, Tegner activity, and visual analog pain score).

Results:

Thirty-four consecutive patients (37 consecutive cases) with mean follow-up 3.8 ± 1.6 years (range, 2-7.6 years) underwent the procedure with no complications. The mean age at surgery was 29 years (range, 14-51 years). Postoperatively, the visual analog score decreased by an mean of 6 points (range, 1 to −10, P < 0.001), and patients were able to return to their preinjury Tegner activity level. When asked if they were satisfied by the overall outcome of their surgery, 28 patients (82%) were completely or mostly satisfied with their surgical outcome on a particular knee; 6 (18%) were somewhat satisfied; and 2 (6%) were dissatisfied. Twenty-seven patients (79%) said they would have the surgery again.

Conclusion:

The combined arthroscopic and open surgical technique described for chronic recalcitrant patellar tendinopathy successfully reduces knee pain and allows return to preinjury level of activity.
Successes and Opportunities to Adopting Evidence-Based Practices to Improve Asthma Care in New Orleans
Authors: Jack Leonard , Hayes Sandra C. , Post Robert , Rapp Kristi Issac , Malveaux Floyd J. , Morris Nancy , Denham Stacey , Wilson Candice , Sunda-Meya Doryne , Sanders Margaret , Martin Maurice “Bud”
Published: November 2012

Pediatric asthma is a multifactorial disease, requiring complex, interrelated interventions that target children, families, schools, health care providers, and communities. This article describes components of the Head-off Environmental Asthma in Louisiana (HEAL), phase II project, a collaboration between community and medical facilities for children with asthma in New Orleans. HEAL phase II extends and builds on the lessons learned from HEAL I, a post-Katrina research project, an observational study directed by Tulane University Health Sciences Center and the New Orleans Department of Health. HEAL phase II offers an opportunity to understand, from a health system’s perspective, how factors associated with the health care setting, patient-family, health care provider, asthma education, and community work together to create optimal conditions that support pediatric asthma care in New Orleans. In this context, this article will discuss factors contributing to health disparities in asthma; the need for a multidisciplinary approach to address health disparities in asthma; and describe the 4 key components of the HEAL phase II project: health care providers, integration of asthma education by certified asthma educators into clinical settings, utilization of electronic medical records to improve portability of asthma data, and community outreach.
Sick/Beautiful/Freak
Authors: Thomas Morgen L.
Published: November 2012

Nonmainstream body modification practitioners actively demonstrate a confounding agency that often results in the stigmatization of their physical characteristics, their moral constitution, and their behavior. By inscribing meaning and identity in visible ways rather than allowing society to project expectations onto them based on their gender, age, race, sexual orientation, and so on, nonmainstream body modifiers present a unique challenge to American conceptions of what is healthy, what is beautiful, and what is human. Using Patricia Hill Collins’ idea of controlling images, Erving Goffman’s conceptions of stigma, and Arthur W. Frank’s styles of body usage typology, this article examines constructions of deviance within the embodied framework of unconventional body modification practices.
Using Computer-Aided Content Analysis to Map a Research Domain
Authors: Fisk Kylie , Cherney Adrian , Hornsey Matthew , Smith Andrew
Published: November 2012

Content analysis is a powerful tool for investigating attitudes expressed in naturally occurring language data. It is a useful tool to help researchers develop an understanding of a specific research field through identifying how particular issues or topics have been conceptualized or where fieldwork can be limited or prohibitive. This is especially true for research on postconflict reconstruction, where large-scale quantitative surveying or metareviews of the literature can be prohibitive. The present study provides a case study of how a particular content analysis software program—Leximancer—was used to map factors associated with institutional legitimacy in postconflict societies. The case of Timor-Leste is used as an example. We examine texts at three levels of discourse: at the academic, official, and primary levels. Results indicate differing perspectives on legitimacy at each level of discourse. This article offers a snapshot of a potential method for understanding how particular topics are conceptualized within a specific research field and can thus help in the development of evaluation methods or data collection instruments.
The Economic Development Strategy Preferences of Community Leaders in Texas
Authors: Vanderleeuw James , Sowers Thomas , Davis Terri , Sides Jason , Pennington Michael
Published: November 2012

The suburb/central city dichotomy has been a conceptual tool used by scholars to differentiate communities in a number of ways, including politics, policy preference, and political ideology. Given the various changes undergone by suburbs and central cities during the past few decades, a renewed investigation into how well this classification actually accounts for differences in the policy preferences of city leaders is beneficial to an overall understanding of urban politics and policy. Using census data and survey results of several types of city leaders in Texas, we examine the ways in which the suburb/central city dichotomy influences the policy preferences of city leaders. Our findings indicate the dichotomy remains a useful conceptual tool for understanding urban policy making particularly with respect to influencing and promoting particular attitudes among city leaders in the important area of economic development.
Pulmonary gas transfer in children and adolescents born extremely preterm
Authors: Satrell Emma , Røksund Ola , Thorsen Einar , Halvorsen Thomas
Published: November 2012

In extremely preterm-born infants, gas exchange takes place in developmentally fetal lungs, disturbing normal acinar growth and differentiation, potentially with long term negative consequences for lung function. The aim was to compare alveolar function in children and adolescents born extremely preterm and at term by measuring diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Since this procedure may be challenging for subjects with shortcomings often seen after extremely preterm birth, we also assessed the reproducibility of the method.

DLCOandDLCOadjusted for lung volume (KCO) were measured twice within 2 weeks in two population-based cohorts born at gestational age ≤28 weeks or with birth weight ≤1000 g, aged 10.6 years (n = 35) and 17.7 years (n = 46), and in 81 term-born controls individually matched for sex, age and place of birth.

Reproducibility ofDLCOmeasurements was in the same range for preterm and term-born children and young adults, and coefficients of variation were below 10% for all subgroups.KCOwas significantly reduced with 7.9% and 7.2% for the oldest and youngest preterm birth cohorts, respectively.

Reproducibility ofDLCOin children and young adults born extremely preterm was adequate.DLCOandKCOwere modestly reduced, supporting recent reports suggesting continuing alveolar growth throughout childhood.
Simvastatin inhibits smoke-induced airway epithelial injury: implications for COPD therapy
Authors: Davis Benjamin B. , Zeki Amir A. , Bratt Jennifer M. , Wang Lei , Filosto Simone , Walby William F. , Kenyon Nicholas J. , Goldkorn Tzipora , Schelegle Edward S. , Pinkerton Kent E.
Published: November 2012

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death. The statin drugs may have therapeutic potential in respiratory diseases such as COPD, but whether they prevent bronchial epithelial injury is unknown. We hypothesised that simvastatin attenuates acute tobacco smoke-induced neutrophilic lung inflammation and airway epithelial injury.

Spontaneously hypertensive rats were given simvastatin (20 mg·kg−1i.p.) daily for either 7 days prior to tobacco smoke exposure and during 3 days of smoke exposure, or only during tobacco smoke exposure.

Pretreatment with simvastatin prior to and continued throughout smoke exposure reduced the total influx of leukocytes, neutrophils and macrophages into the lung and airways. Simvastatin attenuated tobacco smoke-induced cellular infiltration into lung parenchymal and airway subepithelial and interstitial spaces. 1 week of simvastatin pretreatment almost completely prevented smoke-induced denudation of the airway epithelial layer, while simvastatin given only concurrently with the smoke exposure had no effect.

Simvastatin may be a novel adjunctive therapy for smoke-induced lung diseases, such as COPD. Given the need for statin pretreatment there may be a critical process of conditioning that is necessary for statins’ anti-inflammatory effects. Future work is needed to elucidate the mechanisms of this statin protective effect.
Exercise tolerance with helium-hyperoxiaversushyperoxia in hypoxaemic patients with COPD
Authors: Queiroga Fernando , Nunes Marcos , Meda Ethiane , Chiappa Gaspar , Machado Maria Christina , Nery Luiz Eduardo , Neder J. Alberto
Published: November 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether helium-hyperoxia (HeHOx) would allow greater tolerance to maximal and submaximal exercise compared to hyperoxia (HOx) on isolation in hypoxaemic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients under long-term oxygen therapy.

In a double-blind study, 24 males in the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease functional class IV (forced expiratory volume in 1 s 35.2±10.1% predicted and arterial oxygen tension 56.2±7.5 mmHg) were submitted to incremental and constant load cycling at 70–80% peak work rate while breathing HOx (60% nitrogen and 40% oxygen) or HeHOx (60% helium and 40% oxygen).

HeHOx improved resting airflow obstruction and lung hyperinflation in all but two patients (p<0.05). Peak work rate and time to exercise intolerance were higher with HeHOx than HOx in 17 (70.8%) out of 24 patients and 14 (66.6%) out of 21 patients, respectively (p<0.05). End-expiratory lung volumes were lower with HeHOx, despite a higher ventilatory response (p<0.05). HeHOx speeded on-exercise oxygen uptake kinetics by ∼30%, especially in more disabled and hyperinflated patients. Fat-free mass was the only independent predictor of higher peak work rate with HeHOx (r2= 0.66, p<0.001); in contrast, none of the resting characteristics or exercise responses were related to improvements in time to exercise intolerance (p>0.05).

Helium is a valuable ergogenic aid when added to HOx for most long-term oxygen therapy-dependent patients with advanced COPD.
Effect of oxidative stress on respiratory epithelium from children with Down syndrome
Authors: Bruijn Martijn , Lutter René , Eldering Eric , Bos Albert P. , van Woensel Job B.M.
Published: November 2012

Children with Down syndrome are at high risk for acute respiratory distress syndrome. In Down syndrome, both regulation of inflammation and apoptosis, important in acute respiratory distress syndrome pathophysiology, are abnormal. This has been linked to an imbalance in free radical scavengers. We investigated the expression of free radical scavengers and the effect of oxidative stress in terms of apoptosis and inflammation in respiratory epithelium from children with Down syndrome compared with control subjects.

We cultured primary nasal epithelial cells from Down syndrome children (n=12) and controls (n=17) and exposed them to oxidative stress by supplementing superoxide.

First we showed that the expression of the free radical scavengers CuZn-superoxide dismutase was 28% higher (p=0.06), catalase was 36% lower (p=0.04) and glutathione peroxidase was 73% lower (p=0.004) in Down syndrome children compared with controls. We found no significant difference in apoptosis, between Down syndrome and control subjects after exposure to oxidative stress. We also found no significant difference in levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, vascular endothelial growth factor and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in primary nasal epithelial cell supernatant after exposure to oxidative stress between Down syndrome and control subjects.

We found an imbalance in free radical scavengers in respiratory epithelial cells from children with Down syndrome, but this did not result in increased levels of either apoptosis or inflammation upon exposure to oxidative stress.
Determinants of, and reference equation for, exhaled nitric oxide in the Chinese population
Authors: Ko Fanny W.S. , Leung Ting F. , Wong Gary W.K. , Chu Jojo H.Y. , Sy Hing Y. , Hui David S.C.
Published: November 2012

Measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide concentration (FeNO) has been proposed as a useful biomarker for monitoring and management of airway diseases. Limited information is available regarding reference levels ofFeNOlevels in Chinese adults. This study aimed to investigate the reference equation and determinants ofFeNOin Chinese adults.

1093 (577 males) healthy nonsmoking subjects aged 18–90 years were recruited.FeNOwas measured online using a chemiluminescence analyser. Other assessments included spirometry, skin prick tests, total serum IgE levels and eosinophil count in peripheral blood.

The geometric meanFeNOwas 32.6 (95% reference interval (RI) 31.4–33.7) ppb for all subjects.FeNOvalues were higher in males than females (geometric mean (95% RI) 38.3 (36.5–40.2) ppbversus27.1 (25.8–28.5) ppb, p<0.0001), and in atopic than nonatopic subjects (34.6 (33.0–36.3) ppbversus29.8 (28.3–31.4) ppb, p<0.0001).FeNOcorrelated with age (r2= 0.23), height (r2= 0.20), IgE level (r2= 0.18) and percentage eosinophil count (r2= 0.18) (all p<0.0001), but not with spirometric parameters. Based on multiple regression modelling, the reference equation ofFeNOvalue was:

log(FeNO) = 0.781 + 0.104(sex) + 0.004(age) + 0.084(atopy) + 0.003(height in cm), where for sex 1 = male and 0 = female, age is measured in years, for atopy 1 = atopic and 0 = nonatopic, and height is measured in cm.

TheFeNOof Chinese adults is higher than that of the Caucasian population, and is affected by age, sex, height and atopic status. This study provides useful references for the interpretation ofFeNO.
Long-term macrolide treatment for chronic respiratory disease
Authors: Spagnolo Paolo , Fabbri Leonardo M. , Bush Andrew
Published: November 2012

Long-term macrolide treatment was first shown to alter the natural history of diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) in the late 1980s. Since then, macrolides have been demonstrated to exert anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity in addition to being antimicrobial. Indeed, their spectrum of action extends to the regulation of leukocyte function and production of inflammatory mediators, control of mucus hypersecretion, resolution of inflammation and modulation of host defence mechanisms. As such, the potential benefit of macrolide antibiotics has been evaluated in a variety of chronic respiratory diseases. The best studied condition is cystic fibrosis, of which there have been six randomised controlled trials showing evidence of benefit. However, most of the studies were limited by small numbers of patients and short follow-up. More recently, landmark studies have demonstrated the efficacy of azithromycin in reducing the risk of acute exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but the optimal duration and dosing of macrolide treatment remain uncertain.

With the exception of patients with DPB and cystic fibrosis, until clear evidence of efficacy is available, the long-term use of macrolides should be limited to highly selected patients after careful evaluation of benefit and harm, or in the context of randomised controlled clinical trials.
Identification of novel genes involved in DNA damage response by screening a genome-wide Schizosaccharomyces pombe deletion library
Authors: Pan Xian , Lei Bingkun , Zhou Nan , Feng Biwei , Yao Wei , Zhao Xin , Yu Yao , Lu Hong
Published: November 2012

Background

DNA damage response (DDR) plays pivotal roles in maintaining genome integrity and stability. An effective DDR requires the involvement of hundreds of genes that compose a complicated network. Because DDR is highly conserved in evolution, studies in lower eukaryotes can provide valuable information to elucidate the mechanism in higher organisms. Fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) has emerged as an excellent model for DDR research in recent years. To identify novel genes involved in DDR, we screened a genome-wide S. pombe haploid deletion library against six different DNA damage reagents. The library covered 90.5% of the nonessential genes of S. pombe.

Results

We have identified 52 genes that were actively involved in DDR. Among the 52 genes, 20 genes were linked to DDR for the first time. Flow cytometry analysis of the repair defective mutants revealed that most of them exhibited a defect in cell cycle progression, and some caused genome instability. Microarray analysis and genetic complementation assays were carried out to characterize 6 of the novel DDR genes in more detail. Data suggested that SPBC2A9.02 and SPAC27D7.08c were required for efficient DNA replication initiation because they interacted genetically with DNA replication initiation proteins Abp1 and Abp2. In addition, deletion of sgf73
+, meu29
+, sec65
+ or pab1
+ caused improper cytokinesis and DNA re-replication, which contributed to the diploidization in the mutants.

Conclusions

A genome-wide screen of genes involved in DDR emphasized the key role of cell cycle control in the DDR network. Characterization of novel genes identified in the screen helps to elucidate the mechanism of the DDR network and provides valuable clues for understanding genome stability in higher eukaryotes.
Next generation sequencing and de novo transcriptome analysis of Costus pictus D. Don, a non-model plant with potent anti-diabetic properties
Authors: Annadurai Ramasamy S , Jayakumar Vasanthan , Mugasimangalam Raja C , Katta Mohan AVSK , Anand Sanchita , Gopinathan Sreeja , Sarma Santosh Prasad , Fernandes Sunjay Jude , Mullapudi Nandita , Murugesan S , Rao Sudha Narayana
Published: November 2012

Background

Phyto-remedies for diabetic control are popular among patients with Type II Diabetes mellitus (DM), in addition to other diabetic control measures. A number of plant species are known to possess diabetic control properties.Costus pictusD. Don is popularly known as “Insulin Plant” in Southern India whose leaves have been reported to increase insulin pools in blood plasma. Next Generation Sequencing is employed as a powerful tool for identifying molecular signatures in the transcriptome related to physiological functions of plant tissues. We sequenced the leaf transcriptome ofC. pictususing Illumina reversible dye terminator sequencing technology and used combination of bioinformatics tools for identifying transcripts related to anti-diabetic properties ofC. pictus.

Results

A total of 55,006 transcripts were identified, of which 69.15% transcripts could be annotated. We identified transcripts related to pathways of bixin biosynthesis and geraniol and geranial biosynthesis as major transcripts from the class of isoprenoid secondary metabolites and validated the presence of putative norbixin methyltransferase, a precursor of Bixin. The transcripts encoding these terpenoids are known to be Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR) agonists and anti-glycation agents. Sequential extraction and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) confirmed the presence of bixin inC. pictusmethanolic extracts. Another significant transcript identified in relation to anti-diabetic, anti-obesity and immuno-modulation is of Abscisic Acid biosynthetic pathway. We also report many other transcripts for the biosynthesis of antitumor, anti-oxidant and antimicrobial metabolites ofC. pictusleaves.

Conclusion

Solid molecular signatures (transcripts related to bixin, abscisic acid, and geranial and geraniol biosynthesis) for the anti-diabetic properties ofC. pictusleaves and vital clues related to the other phytochemical functions like antitumor, anti-oxidant, immuno-modulatory, anti-microbial and anti-malarial properties through the secondary metabolite pathway annotations are reported. The data provided will be of immense help to researchers working in the treatment of DM using herbal therapies.