bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organic dust augments nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain expression via an NF-κB pathway to negatively regulate inflammatory responses
Authors: Poole Jill A. , Kielian Tammy , Wyatt Todd A. , Gleason Angela M. , Stone Jeremy , Palm Kelsey , West William W. , Romberger Debra J.
Published: June 2011

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) is involved in innate immune responses to peptidoglycan degradation products. Peptidoglycans are important mediators of organic dust-induced airway diseases in exposed agriculture workers; however, the role of NOD2 in response to complex organic dust is unknown. Monocytes/macrophages were exposed to swine facility organic dust extract (ODE), whereupon NOD2 expression was evaluated by real-time PCR and Western blot. ODE induced significant NOD2 mRNA and protein expression at 24 and 48 h, respectively, which was mediated via a NF-κB signaling pathway as opposed to a TNF-α autocrine/paracrine mechanism. Specifically, NF-κB translocation increased rapidly following ODE stimulation as demonstrated by EMSA, and inhibition of the NF-κB pathway significantly reduced ODE-induced NOD2 expression. However, there was no significant reduction in ODE-induced NOD2 gene expression when TNF-α was inhibited or absent. Next, it was determined whether NOD2 regulated ODE-induced inflammatory cytokine production. Knockdown of NOD2 expression by small interfering RNA resulted in increased CXCL8 and IL-6, but not TNF-α production in response to ODE. Similarly, primary lung macrophages from NOD2 knockout mice demonstrated increased IL-6, CXCL1, and CXCL1, but not TNF-α, expression. Lastly, a higher degree of airway inflammation occurred in the absence of NOD2 following acute (single) and repetitive (3 wk) ODE exposure in an established in vivo murine model. In summary, ODE-induced NOD2 expression is directly dependent on NF-κB signaling, and NOD2 is a negative regulator of complex, organic dust-induced inflammatory cytokine/chemokine production in mononuclear phagocytes.
Pulmonary and systemic inflammatory responses to intra-amniotic IL-1α in fetal sheep
Authors: Kallapur Suhas G. , Kramer Boris W. , Nitsos Ilias , Pillow J. Jane , Collins Jennifer J. P. , Polglase Graeme R. , Newnham John P. , Jobe Alan H.
Published: June 2011

Clinical and epidemiological studies implicate IL-1 as an important mediator of perinatal inflammation. We tested the hypothesis that intra-amniotic IL-1α would induce pulmonary and systemic fetal inflammatory responses. Sheep with singleton fetuses were given an intra-amniotic injection of recombinant sheep IL-1α (100 μg) and were delivered 1, 3, or 7 days later, at 124 ± 1 days gestation ( n=5–8/group). A separate group of sheep were given two intra-amniotic IL-1α injections (100 μg dose each): 7 days and again 1 day prior to delivery. IL-1α induced a robust increase in monocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and IL-8 protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. H2O2secretion was increased in inflammatory cells isolated from lungs of IL-1α-exposed lambs upon LPS challenge in vitro compared with control monocytes. T lymphocytes were recruited to the lung. IL-1β, cyclooxygenase-1, and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression increased in the lung 1 day after intra-amniotic IL-1α exposure. Lung volumes increased 7 days after intra-amniotic IL-1α exposure, with minimal anatomic changes in air space morphology. The weight of the posterior mediastinal lymph node draining the lung and the gastrointestinal tract doubled, inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOSII)-positive cells increased, and Foxp3-positive T-regulatory lymphocytes decreased in the lymph node after IL-1α exposure. In the blood, neutrophil counts and plasma haptoglobin increased after IL-1α exposure. Compared with a single exposure, exposure to intra-amniotic IL-1α 7 days and again 1 day before delivery had a variable effect (increases in some inflammatory markers, but not pulmonary cytokines). IL-1α is a potent mediator of the fetal inflammatory response syndrome.
Membrane Proteins as 14-3-3 Clients in Functional Regulation and Intracellular Transport
Authors: Smith Andrew J. , Daut Jürgen , Schwappach Blanche
Published: June 2011

14-3-3 proteins regulate the function and subcellular sorting of membrane proteins. Often, 14-3-3 binding to client proteins requires phosphorylation of the client, but the relevant kinase is unknown in most cases. We summarize current progress in identifying kinases that target membrane proteins with 14-3-3 binding sites and discuss the molecular mechanisms of 14-3-3 action. One of the kinases involved is Akt/PKB, which has recently been shown to activate the 14-3-3-dependent switch in a number of client membrane proteins.
The Role of EGFR Inhibitors in the Treatment of Metastatic Anal Canal Carcinoma: A Case Series
Authors: Saif Muhammad W. , Kontny Ewa , Syrigos Kostas N. , Shahrokni Armin
Published: June 2011

Anal cancer patients who have exhibited disease progression after having received all approved drugs pose a major therapeutic challenge. In addition to cytotoxic agents, novel targeted agents are being developed and have an established role in the treatment of many solid tumors, including colon cancer. However, their role in anal cancer is yet to be determined. Most anal malignancies are squamous cell carcinomas often strongly expressing epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs). Targeting the latter seems to result in favorable changes in tumor growth. We present three cases of refractory anal cancers, treated with EGFR inhibitors, after having received the recommended chemotherapy regimens. We conclude that EGFR inhibitors may play a vital role in the treatment of anal cancer and we suggest that large trials are be conducted in order to clarify their efficacy and to improve therapeutic management.
Effects of Abrupt Variations of Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure on the High-Latitude Ionosphere
Authors: Coco Igino , Amata Ermanno , Marcucci Maria Federica , Ambrosino Danila , Shepherd Simon G.
Published: June 2011

We show the results of a statistical study on the effects in the high-latitude ionosphere of abrupt variations of solar wind dynamic pressure, using Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) data in both hemispheres. We find that, during periods of quiet ionospheric conditions, the amount of radar backscatter increases when a variation in the dynamic pressure occurs, both positive (increase of the pressure) and negative (decrease of the pressure). We also investigate the behaviour of the Cross-Polar Cap Potential (CPCP) during pressure variations and show preliminary results.
The Exploration of Network Coding in IEEE 802.15.4 Networks
Authors: Zeng Deze , Guo Song , Leung Victor , Hu Jiankun
Published: June 2011

Wireless personal area networks (WPANs) are getting popular in a variety of fields such as smart home, office automation, and e-healthcare. In WPANs, most devices are considerably energy constrained, so the communication protocol should be energy efficient. The IEEE 802.15.4 is designed as a standard protocol for low power, low data rate, low complexity, and short range connections in WPANs. The standard supports allocating several numbers of collision-free guarantee time slots (GTSs) within a superframe for some time-critical transmissions. Recently, COPE was proposed as a promising network coding architecture to essentially improve the throughput of wireless networks. In this paper, we exploit the network coding technique at coordinators to improve energy efficiency of the WPAN. Some related practical issues, such as GTS allocation and multicast, are also discussed in order to exploit the network coding opportunities efficiently. Since the coding opportunities are mostly exploited, our proposal achieves both higher energy efficiency and throughput performance than the original IEEE 802.15.4.
Immortalized Adult Rodent Schwann Cells as In Vitro Models to Study Diabetic Neuropathy
Authors: Sango Kazunori , Yanagisawa Hiroko , Takaku Shizuka , Kawakami Emiko , Watabe Kazuhiko
Published: June 2011

We have established spontaneously immortalized Schwann cell lines from normal adult mice and rats and murine disease models. One of the normal mouse cell lines, IMS32, possesses some biological properties of mature Schwann cells and high proliferative activities. The IMS32 cells under hyperglycemic and/or hyperlipidemic conditions have been utilized to investigate the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy, especially the polyol pathway hyperactivity, glycation, increased oxidative stress, and reduced synthesis of neurotrophic factors. In addition to the mouse cell lines, our current study focuses on the characterization of a normal rat cell line, IFRS1, under normal and high glucose conditions. These Schwann cell lines can be valuable tools for exploring the detailed mechanisms leading to diabetic neuropathy and novel therapeutic approaches against that condition.
Existence of Positive Solutions for a Class of Delay Fractional Differential Equations with Generalization to N‐Term
Authors: Babakhani Azizollah , Baleanu Dumitru
Published: June 2011

We established the existence of a positive solution of nonlinear
fractional differential equations 𝔏(D)[x(t) − x(0)] = f(t, xt), t ∈ (0, b] with finite delay x(t) = ω(t), t ∈ [−τ, 0], where limt→0f(t, xt) = +∞, that is, f is singular at t = 0 and xt ∈ C([−τ, 0], ℝ≥0). The operator of 𝔏(D) involves the
Riemann‐Liouville fractional derivatives. In this problem, the initial conditions with
fractional order and some relations among them were considered. The analysis rely
on the alternative of the Leray‐Schauder fixed point theorem, the Banach fixed point
theorem, and the Arzela‐Ascoli theorem in a cone.
New Exact Solutions for an Oldroyd‐B Fluid in a Porous Medium
Authors: Khan I. , Imran M. , Fakhar K.
Published: June 2011

New exact solutions for unsteady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flows of an Oldroyd‐B fluid have been derived. The Oldroyd‐B fluid saturates the porous space. Two different flow cases have been considered. The analytical expressions for velocity and shear stress fields have been obtained by using Laplace transform technique. The corresponding solutions for hydrodynamic Oldroyd‐B fluid in a nonporous space appeared as the limiting cases of the obtained solutions. Similar solutions for MHD Newtonian fluid passing through a porous space are also recovered. Graphs are sketched for the pertinent parameters. It is found that the MHD and porosity parameters have strong influence on velocity and shear stress fields.
Cognitive Radio for Smart Grid: Theory, Algorithms, and Security
Authors: Ranganathan Raghuram , Qiu Robert , Hu Zhen , Hou Shujie , Pazos-Revilla Marbin , Zheng Gang , Chen Zhe , Guo Nan
Published: June 2011

Recently, cognitive radio and smart grid are two areas which have received considerable research impetus. Cognitive radios are intelligent software defined radios (SDRs) that efficiently utilize the unused regions of the spectrum, to achieve higher data rates. The smart grid is an automated electric power system that monitors and controls grid activities. In this paper, the novel concept of incorporating a cognitive radio network as the communications infrastructure for the smart grid is presented. A brief overview of the cognitive radio, IEEE 802.22 standard and smart grid, is provided. Experimental results obtained by using dimensionality reduction techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA), kernel PCA, and landmark maximum variance unfolding (LMVU) on Wi-Fi signal measurements are presented in a spectrum sensing context. Furthermore, compressed sensing algorithms such as Bayesian compressed sensing and the compressed sensing Kalman filter is employed for recovering the sparse smart meter transmissions. From the power system point of view, a supervised learning method called support vector machine (SVM) is used for the automated classification of power system disturbances. The impending problem of securing the smart grid is also addressed, in addition to the possibility of applying FPGA-based fuzzy logic intrusion detection for the smart grid.
MicroRNA-199a-3p Is Downregulated in Human Osteosarcoma and Regulates Cell Proliferation and Migration
Authors: Duan Zhenfeng , Choy Edwin , Harmon David , Liu Xianzhe , Susa Michiro , Mankin Henry , Hornicek Francis
Published: June 2011

microRNAs (miRNA, miR) play an important role in cancer cell growth and migration; however, the potential roles of miRNAs in osteosarcoma remain largely uncharacterized. By applying a miRNA microarray platform and unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis, we found that several miRNAs have altered expression levels in osteosarcoma cell lines and tumor tissues when compared with normal human osteoblasts. Three miRNAs, miR-199a-3p, miR-127-3p, and miR-376c, were significantly decreased in osteosarcoma cell lines, whereas miR-151-3p and miR-191 were increased in osteosarcoma cell lines in comparison with osteoblasts. Transfection of precursor miR-199a-3p into osteosarcoma cell lines significantly decreased cell growth and migration, thus indicating that the inhibition effect is associated with an increase in the G1-phase and a decrease of the S-phase cell population. In addition, we observed decreased mTOR and Stat3 expression in miR-199a-3p transfected cells. This study provides new insights for miRNAs in osteosarcoma and suggests that miR-199a-3p may play a functional role in osteosarcoma cell growth and proliferation. Restoring miR-199a-3p's function may provide therapeutic benefits in osteosarcoma. Mol Cancer Ther; 10(8); 1337–45. ©2011 AACR.
Notch1 Inhibition Alters the CD44hi/CD24lo Population and Reduces the Formation of Brain Metastases from Breast Cancer
Authors: McGowan Patricia M. , Simedrea Carmen , Ribot Emeline J. , Foster Paula J. , Palmieri Diane , Steeg Patricia S. , Allan Alison L. , Chambers Ann F.
Published: June 2011

Brain metastasis from breast cancer is an increasingly important clinical problem. Here we assessed the role of CD44hi/CD24lo cells and pathways that regulate them, in an experimental model of brain metastasis. Notch signaling (mediated by γ-secretase) has been shown to contribute to maintenance of the cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype. Cells sorted for a reduced stem-like phenotype had a reduced ability to form brain metastases compared with unsorted or CD44hi/CD24lo cells (P < 0.05; Kruskal–Wallis). To assess the effect of γ-secretase inhibition, cells were cultured with DAPT and the CD44/CD24 phenotypes quantified. 231-BR cells with a CD44hi/CD24lo phenotype was reduced by about 15% in cells treated with DAPT compared with DMSO-treated or untreated cells (P = 0.001, ANOVA). In vivo, mice treated with DAPT developed significantly fewer micro- and macrometastases compared with vehicle treated or untreated mice (P = 0.011, Kruskal–Wallis). Notch1 knockdown reduced the expression of CD44hi/CD24lo phenotype by about 20%. In vitro, Notch1 shRNA resulted in a reduction in cellular growth at 24, 48, and 72 hours time points (P = 0.033, P = 0.002, and P = 0.009, ANOVA) and about 60% reduction in Matrigel invasion was observed (P < 0.001, ANOVA). Cells transfected with shNotch1 formed significantly fewer macrometastases and micrometastases compared with scrambled shRNA or untransfected cells (P < 0.001; Kruskal–Wallis). These data suggest that the CSC phenotype contributes to the development of brain metastases from breast cancer, and this may arise in part from increased Notch activity. Mol Cancer Res; 9(7); 834–44. ©2011 AACR.
Circulating Tumor Cells from Patients with Advanced Prostate and Breast Cancer Display Both Epithelial and Mesenchymal Markers
Authors: Armstrong Andrew J. , Marengo Matthew S. , Oltean Sebastian , Kemeny Gabor , Bitting Rhonda L. , Turnbull James D. , Herold Christina I. , Marcom Paul K. , George Daniel J. , Garcia-Blanco Mariano A.
Published: June 2011

During cancer progression, malignant cells undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transitions (MET) as part of a broad invasion and metastasis program. We previously observed MET events among lung metastases in a preclinical model of prostate adenocarcinoma that suggested a relationship between epithelial plasticity and metastatic spread. We thus sought to translate these findings into clinical evidence by examining the existence of EMT in circulating tumor cells (CTC) from patients with progressive metastatic solid tumors, with a focus on men with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and women with metastatic breast cancer. We showed that the majority (>80%) of these CTCs in patients with metastatic CRPC coexpress epithelial proteins such as epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), cytokeratins (CK), and E-cadherin, with mesenchymal proteins including vimentin, N-cadherin and O-cadherin, and the stem cell marker CD133. Equally, we found that more than 75% of CTCs from women with metastatic breast cancer coexpress CK, vimentin, and N-cadherin. The existence and high frequency of these CTCs coexpressing epithelial, mesenchymal, and stem cell markers in patients with progressive metastases has important implications for the application and interpretation of approved methods to detect CTCs. Mol Cancer Res; 9(8); 997–1007. ©2011 AACR.
The N-Terminal Domain of G3BP Enhances Cell Motility and Invasion by Posttranscriptional Regulation of BART
Authors: Taniuchi Keisuke , Nishimori Isao , Hollingsworth Michael A.
Published: June 2011

The regulation of mRNA stability plays an important role in the control of gene expression during cell motility and invasion. We previously reported that GTPase-activating protein [Src homology 3 (SH3) domain] binding protein (G3BP), a marker of cytoplasmic stress granules that are formed in stressed cells and regulate mRNA stability, binds and degrades the mRNA of binder of Arl two (BART) that inhibits retroperitoneal invasion and hepatic metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells. Here, we report that overexpression of the amino (N)-terminal region of G3BP, including the binding region for BART mRNA, dominant-negatively inhibits formation of the complex between endogenous G3BP and BART mRNA, and increases the expression of BART. This, in turn, inhibits the invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cells. On the other hand, the carboxy (C)-terminal region of G3BP is associated with phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) that initiates stress granule assembly but does not modulate the posttranscriptional regulation of BART mRNA. N-terminal G3BP also plays a role in regulating secreted matrix metalloproteinases, transcription factors, and a variety of genes involved in cell adhesion and motility. These results suggest that N-terminal G3BP contributes to posttranscriptional regulation of cell motility and invasive capacity of pancreatic cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 9(7); 856–66. ©2011 AACR.
Control of VEGF Expression in Triple-Negative Breast Carcinoma Cells by Suppression of SAF-1 Transcription Factor Activity
Authors: Ray Alpana , Dhar Srijita , Ray Bimal K.
Published: June 2011

Angiogenesis plays a significant role in cancer by providing increased blood supply to the affected tissues and thus bringing in growth factors, cytokines, and various nutrients for tumor growth. VEGF is the most prominent angiogenic agent that is markedly induced in cancer. Induction of VEGF has been widely studied but as cancer cells are quite adept at acquiring new alternative processes to circumvent surrounding environmental pressures, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating VEGF expression in cancer, especially in triple-negative breast cancer cells, remains incomplete. Here, we present evidence of a novel mode of VEGF induction in triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells that is regulated by serum amyloid A activating factor 1 (SAF-1) transcription factor. Inhibition of SAF-1 by antisense short hairpin RNA profoundly reduces VEGF expression along with reduction in endothelial cell proliferation and migration. By both in vitro and in vivo molecular studies, we show that the effect of SAF-1 is mediated through its direct interaction with the VEGF promoter. In correlation, DNA-binding activity of SAF-1 is found to be significantly higher in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Examination of several breast cancer samples further revealed that SAF-1 is overexpressed in clinical breast cancer tissues. Taken together, these findings reveal that SAF-1 is a hitherto unrecognized participant in inducing VEGF expression in triple-negative breast cancer cells, an aggressive form of breast cancer that currently lacks effective treatment options. Suppression of SAF-1 activity in these cells can inhibit VEGF expression, providing a possible new method to control angiogenesis. Mol Cancer Res; 9(8); 1030–41. ©2011 AACR.
Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Mediates Fibroblast-Dependent Growth in EMMPRIN-Depleted Head and Neck Cancer Tumor Cells
Authors: Liu Zhiyong , Hartman Yolanda E. , Warram Jason M. , Knowles Joseph A. , Sweeny Larissa , Zhou Tong , Rosenthal Eben L.
Published: June 2011

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tumors (HNSCC) contain a dense fibrous stroma which is known to promote tumor growth, although the mechanism of stroma-mediated growth remains unclear. As dysplastic mucosal epithelium progresses to cancer, there is incremental overexpression of extracellular matrix metalloprotease inducer (EMMPRIN) which is associated with tumor growth and metastasis. Here, we present evidence that gain of EMMPRIN expression allows tumor growth to be less dependent on fibroblasts by modulating fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 (FGFR2) signaling. We show that silencing EMMPRIN in FaDu and SCC-5 HNSCC cell lines inhibits cell growth, but when EMMPRIN-silenced tumor cells were cocultured with fibroblasts or inoculated with fibroblasts into severe combined immunodeficient mice, the growth inhibition by silencing EMMPRIN was blunted by the presence of fibroblasts. Coculture experiments showed fibroblast-dependent tumor cell growth occurred via a paracrine signaling. Analysis of tumor gene expression revealed expression of FGFR2 was inversely related to EMMPRIN expression. To determine the role of FGFR2 signaling in EMMPRIN-silenced tumor cells, ligands and inhibitors of FGFR2 were assessed. Both FGF1 and FGF2 enhanced tumor growth in EMMPRIN-silenced cells compared with control vector–transfected cells, whereas inhibition of FGFR2 with blocking antibody or with a synthetic inhibitor (PD173074) inhibited tumor cell growth in fibroblast coculture, suggesting the importance of FGFR2 signaling in fibroblast-mediated tumor growth. Analysis of xenografted tumors revealed that EMMPRIN-silenced tumors had a larger stromal compartment compared with control. Taken together, these results suggest that EMMPRIN acquired during tumor progression promotes fibroblast-independent tumor growth. Mol Cancer Res; 9(8); 1008–17. ©2011 AACR.
Determination of Inadvertent Atrial Capture During Para-Hisian Pacing
Authors: Obeyesekere Manoj , Leong-Sit Peter , Skanes Allan , Krahn Andrew , Yee Raymond , Gula Lorne J. , Bennett Matthew , Klein George J.
Published: June 2011

Background—

Inadvertent capture of the atrium will lead to spurious results during para-Hisian pacing. We sought to establish whether the stimulation-to-atrial electrogram interval at the proximal coronary sinus (stim-PCS) or high right atrium (stim-HRA) could signal inadvertent atrial capture.

Methods and Results—

Para-Hisian pacing with and without intentional atrial capture was performed in 31 patients. Stim-HRA and stim-PCS intervals were measured with atrial capture, His plus para-Hisian ventricular (H+V) capture, and para-Hisian ventricular (V) capture alone. The mean stim-HRA interval was significantly shorter with atrial capture (66±18 ms) than with H+V (121±27 ms,
P
<0.001) or V capture alone (174±38 ms,
P
<0.001). The mean stim-PCS interval was significantly shorter with atrial capture (51±16 ms) than with H+V (92±22 ms,
P
<0.001) or V capture alone (146±33 ms,
P
<0.001). A stim-PCS <60 ms (stim-HRA <70 ms) was observed only with atrial capture. A stim-PCS >90 ms (stim-HRA >100 ms) was observed only in the absence of atrial capture. A stim-HRA of <85 ms was highly specific and stim-PCS of <85 ms highly sensitive at identifying atrial capture. Stim-HRA intervals of 75 to 97 ms and stim-PCS intervals of 65 to 88 ms were observed with either atrial, His, or para-Hisian ventricular capture without atrial capture. In this overlap zone, all patients demonstrated a stim-PCS or stim-HRA interval prolongation of at least 20 ms when the catheter was advanced to avoid deliberate atrial pacing. The QRS morphology was of limited value in distinguishing atrial capture due to concurrent ventricular or H+V capture, as observed in 20 of 31 (65%) patients.

Conclusions—

Stim-PCS and stim-HRA intervals can be used to monitor for inadvertent atrial capture during para-Hisian pacing. A stim-PCS <60 ms (or stim-HRA <70 ms) and stim-PCS >90 ms (or stim-HRA >100 ms) were observed only with and without atrial capture, respectively, but there was significant overlap between these values. Deliberate atrial capture and loss of capture reliably identifies atrial capture regardless of intervals.
Ablation of Ventricular Arrhythmias in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Bai Rong , Di Biase Luigi , Shivkumar Kalyanam , Mohanty Prasant , Tung Roderick , Santangeli Pasquale , Saenz Luis Carlos , Vacca Miguel , Verma Atul , Khaykin Yariv , Mohanty Sanghamitra , Burkhardt J. David , Hongo Richard , Beheiry Salwa , Dello Russo Antonio , Casella Michela , Pelargonio Gemma , Santarelli Pietro , Sanchez Javier , Tondo Claudio , Natale Andrea
Published: June 2011

Background—

In patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy, freedom from ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) after endocardial ablation is limited. We compared the long-term freedom from recurrent VAs by using endocardial-alone ablation versus endo-epicardial substrate-based ablation.

Methods and Results—

Forty-nine patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy undergoing ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) were divided into 2 groups: endocardial-alone ablation (group 1, n=23) and endo-epicardial ablation (group 2, n=26). All patients had an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Conventional and 3D mappings were used to determine the mechanism of induced VTs and to identify area of “scar” or “abnormal” myocardium. All critical sites responsible for VTs and points with “abnormal” potential were targeted for ablation from endocardium (group 1) or from both endocardium and epicardium (group 2). The procedural end point was noninducibility of sustained, monomorphic VT with isoproterenol. The presence of frequent premature ventricular contractions at the end of ablation was recorded. Patients were followed up by ECG, Holter, and ICD interrogation. After a follow-up of at least 3 years, freedom from VAs or ICD therapy was 52.2% (12/23) in group 1 and 84.6% (22/26) in group 2 (
P
=0.029), with 21.7% (5/23) and 69.2% (18/26) patients off antiarrhythmic drugs (
P
<0.001), respectively. Compared with patients with no premature ventricular contractions after ablation, patients with frequent premature ventricular contractions after ablation were more likely to have VA recurrence/ICD therapy [3/33 (9%) versus 12/16 (75%); log-rank
P
<0.001].

Conclusions—

An endo-epicardial–based ablation strategy achieves higher long-term freedom from recurrent VAs off antiarrhythmic therapy in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy when compared with endocardial-alone ablation. The presence of ≥10 premature ventricular contractions per minute after ablation is associated with more VA recurrence.
Genome-Wide Significance and Replication of the Chromosome 12p11.22 Locus Near the
PTHLH
Gene for Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Horne Benjamin D. , Rasmusson Kismet D. , Alharethi Rami , Budge Deborah , Brunisholz Kimberly D. , Metz Torri , Carlquist John F. , Connolly Jennifer J. , Porter T. Flint , Lappé Donald L. , Muhlestein Joseph B. , Silver Robert , Stehlik Josef , Park James J. , May Heidi T. , Bair Tami L. , Anderson Jeffrey L. , Renlund Dale G. , Kfoury Abdallah G.
Published: June 2011

Background—

Peripartum (PP) cardiomyopathy (CM) is a rare condition of unknown etiology that occurs in late pregnancy or early postpartum. Initial evidence suggests that genetic factors may influence PPCM. This study evaluated and replicated genome-wide association of single nucleotide polymorphisms with PPCM.

Methods and Results—

Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms in women with verified PPCM diagnosis (n=41) were compared separately with local control subjects (n=49 postmenopausal age-discordant women with parity ≥1 and no heart failure) and iControls (n=654 women ages 30 to 84 years with unknown phenotypes). A replication study of independent population samples used new cases (PPCM2, n=30) compared with new age-discordant control subjects (local2, n=124) and with younger control subjects (n=89) and obstetric control subjects (n=90). A third case set of pregnancy-associated CM cases not meeting strict PPCM definitions (n=29) was also studied. In the genome-wide association study, 1 single nucleotide polymorphism (rs258415) met genome-wide significance for PPCM versus local control subjects (
P
=2.06×10
−8
; odds ratio [OR], 5.96). This was verified versus iControls (
P
=7.92×10
−19
; OR, 8.52). In the replication study for PPCM2 cases, rs258415 (ORs are per C allele) replicated at
P
=0.009 versus local2 control subjects (OR, 2.26). This replication was verified for PPCM2 versus younger control subjects (
P
=0.029; OR, 2.15) and versus obstetric control subjects (
P
=0.013; OR, 2.44). In pregnancy-associated cardiomyopathy cases, rs258415 had a similar effect versus local2 control subjects (
P
=0.06; OR, 1.79), younger control subjects (
P
=0.14; OR, 1.65), and obstetric control subjects (
P
=0.038; OR, 1.99).

Conclusions—

Genome-wide association with PPCM was discovered and replicated for rs258415 at chromosome 12p11.22 near
PTHLH
. This study indicates a role of genetic factors in PPCM and provides a new locus for further pathophysiological and clinical investigation.
Translating Gender Justice in Southeast Asia: Situated Ethics, NGOs, and Bio-Welfare
Authors: Ong Aihwa
Published: June 2011

This essay shows that regardless of existing laws and prominent female leaders, gender justice as a value must be attuned to the situated ethics of the majority populations in order to gain social legitimacy. Since the 1980s, NGO movements for reformasi, or reform, and democrasi have intervened on women’s behalf in a variety of areas—Muslim feminism, political violence, and the abuse of maids, sex workers, and migrants. They have had to modify rights-based strategies in accordance with religious, legal, and economic conditions. Universalizing gender rights articulate situated fields of power that contest or qualify imposed regulatory systems of humanitarian values. It is important to acknowledge that gender justice intervenes in webs of power that can thwart its regulation as well as form new alliances of solidarity. Gender justice and rights cannot be unilaterally imposed, but are transmitted and translated through negotiations with situated religious and citizenship norms. In postcolonial milieus, ideals of gender justice interact with diverse ethical regimes to shape the conditions of possibility for problematizing gender and possible solutions to gender inequality that cannot be predetermined.
“Keep These Women Quiet:” Colonial Modernity, Nationalism, and the Female Barbarous Custom
Authors: Ibrahim Abdullahi Ali
Published: June 2011

This paper revisits the Rufa’a revolt/riot (1946) in the Sudan led by Mahmoud M. Taha, the elderly Islamic, modernist reformer executed by President Nimerie in 1985, to abolish legislation against female circumcision imposed by the British. Although revered as a martyr for his courage facing death for his beliefs, Taha has been unrelentingly castigated for opposing a measure that intended allegedly to rescue women from this barbarous custom. Not even Taha’s subsequent unprecedented labor for women’s rights took the edge off this criticism of his stand on female circumcision in 1946.The paper will argue that this conflicted view about Tahas’ feminist legacy arose from a sorrowful dichotomy in scholarship about the Sudan. The culturally sensitive feminist writings about female circumcision in the country failed to influence the narrative of Sudanese nationalism. In this narrative colonial modernity’s claim to civilize the “natives” (like rescuing colonial women from their male oppressors) has been widely accepted. Worse, this rescue mission is currently missed and nostalgically remembered as a golden past by both scholars and laymen who were turned off by the disarray of independent Sudan.Drawing on postcolonialism, the paper will seek to bridge the gulf between Sudan feminism and nationalism scholarships to rehabilitate the feminist outlook and praxis of Taha, a consummate, different nationalist. The colonial rescue concept, or modernity, will be viewed as a form of a “colonial nonsense” as developed by Homi Bhabha. This nonsense is an evidence of the sterility of colonialism, an alleged modernist project, torn between the demands of the metropolis raised in the custom of democracy, and the administrative constraints of the colony mired in the custom of power.
The Cognitive Appeal of the Cosmological Argument*
Authors: De Cruz Helen , De Smedt Johan
Published: June 2011

The cosmological argument has enjoyed and still enjoys substantial popularity in various traditions of natural theology. We propose that its enduring appeal is due at least in part to its concurrence with human cognitive predispositions, in particular intuitions about causality and agency. These intuitions seem to be a stable part of human cognition. We will consider implications for the justification of the cosmological argument from externalist and internalist perspectives.
Marketing ‘Women’s Medicines:’ Gender, OTC Herbal Medicines and Medical Culture in Modern Japan1
Authors: Burns Susan L.
Published: June 2011

This essay examines the marketing of ‘women’s medicines’ as a means to understand the evolving relationship between commodity culture and medical culture from the nineteenth century to the present. It examines the print advertisements associated with two of the best-known medicinal products for women, Tsumura Corporation’s Jitsubosan and Kitani Company’s Chūjōtō, two herbal decoctions that claimed efficacy for a wide range of gender specific ills. From the late nineteenth century through the 1950s, as Tsumura and Kitani negotiated the government-sponsored program of medical modernization and an intensely competitive pharmaceutical marketplace, they responded with aggressive advertisement campaigns that medicalised the female body by defining an expanding list of symptoms that required treatment. In the 1950s, however, Kitani and Tsumura confronted a declining market as clinic-based care became routine. As a result, they experimented with new products, defined new efficacies, and ultimately succeeded in repositioning their products in relation to the care now readily available from medical professionals.
Design as Dream and Self-Representation
Authors: Tutter Adele
Published: June 2011

Philip Johnson’s masterpiece—the Glass House—is compared to a dream and conceptualized as containing encrypted and embedded representations of the self. Freud’s masterpiece— The Interpretation of Dreams—is the theoretical and methodological model for this approach to design-as-dream. Drawing on Johnson’s words and forms set in biographical, historical, and cultural context, interpretive paths are traced from manifest design elements of the Glass House to overdetermined latent meanings, yielding new and surprising insights into the Glass House, its elusive architect, and the process of its design. A mirror that reflects an image, a lens that focuses it, and a prism that reveals its components, the Glass House turns a lucid eye onto its maker.
Investigating Merger
Authors: Weinberger Joel , Smith Brian
Published: June 2011

Two programs of empirical research have endeavored to explicate some of the unconscious processes involved in adult phenomena of merger, symbiosis, or oneness. Starting in the 1960s under the leadership of Lloyd Silverman (see, e.g., Silverman, Lachmann, and Milich 1982), subliminal psychodynamic activation (SPA) has used subliminal methods to prime and manipulate these processes. Later research into what was termed oneness motivation (OM) posited the existence of a chronic personality variable and explored it independently of priming (see, e.g., Siegel and Weinberger 1998). These lines of research have established links between unconscious processes of oneness and a range of clinical and nonclinical outcomes.
(De)securitizing frontier security in China
Authors: Cui Shunji , Li Jia
Published: June 2011

Should ‘security’ or ‘securitization’ be accorded positive or negative value? The Copenhagen School prefers desecuritization (positive value) to securitization (negative value). By examining securitization and desecuritization processes in China’s approach to frontier security, the Copenhagen School argues that, in general, a strategy of desecuritization has proved effective. However, that does not mean that desecuritization should be seen as inherently positive; indeed, China’s desecuritization strategy still encounters problems. To build conditions for a lasting frontier security, it is necessary to go beyond the current state-centric national security discourse and to give more attention to the societal security of the frontier people, their identity and culture. Thus, it is suggested in this article that frontier security studies should transcend ‘positive–negative’ debates and focus more on the ‘referent object’ of security: who and what we really want to secure and the means by which these objectives can be achieved.
An evaluation of a worksite exercise intervention using the social cognitive theory
Authors: Amaya Megan , Petosa RL
Published: June 2011

Purpose: To increase exercise adherence among insufficiently active adult employees.

Design: A quasi-experimental separate samples pre-test–post-test group design was used to compare treatment and comparison group.

Setting: The worksite.

Subjects: Employees ( n = 127) who did not meet current American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommendations for exercise.

Intervention: An eight-week educational programme targeting the social cognitive theory constructs.

Measures: Free-living exercise, self-regulation, self-efficacy, social support, and outcome expectations and expectancies. Measurement was at pre-test, post-test, one month and three months post-intervention.

Analysis: One-way analysis of variance.

Results: The treatment group reported important increases in exercise and mediators of exercise. There was a significant difference between groups for moderate intensity exercise and vigorous intensity exercise at post-test and follow-up ( p = .001). There was a significant difference between groups for self-regulation at post-test and follow-up ( p = .001). There was not a significant difference between groups for self-efficacy or outcome expectancies. Family and friend social support group differences were non-significant at post-test and one-month follow-up, but was significant difference at three-month follow-up ( p = .001). Outcome expectations and expectancies were non-significant at all time periods.

Conclusion: The educational intervention was effective in increasing the exercise rates of employees at the worksite.
The influence of parent–adolescent relationship quality, parental monitoring, and peer substance use on substance use in South Korean high school students: Using latent growth curve modelling
Authors: Lee Julie
Published: June 2011

Objective: Substance use, such as alcohol and tobacco, is becoming a critical problem in the area of health promotion and preventive programme. Furthermore, the onset of alcohol use has been becoming increasingly earlier. This study examined developmental trajectories of substance use among high school students in South Korea and effects of peer substance on such trajectories, and also examined the moderating effects of parent–adolescent relationship quality and parental monitoring in the link between peer substance use and adolescents’ own substance use.

Methods: This study used the Korea Youth Panel Survey (KYPS), a nationally-representative sample of 3,125 high school students. The participants were in the 10th grade when first recruited and assessed annually from 2005 to 2007. A latent growth curve model was used for the analysis

Results: Substance use in Korean high school students increased over time. Peer substance use was associated more strongly with the initial level of adolescent substance uses than parenting. Parent–adolescent relationship quality moderated the association between peer and adolescent substance use.

Conclusion: The effect of peer substance use was most strongly associated with the initial level and growth of adolescents’ own substance use.
The price of being an outsider: Labour market flexibility and immigrants’ employment paths in Germany
Authors: Kogan Irena
Published: June 2011

This article attempts to answer the question to what extent recent reforms aimed at flexibilizing the German labour market affected immigrants and how this explains the (in)stability of their employment paths. Based on the 1996–1999 and 2001–2004 German micro-census panels, we focus not only on transitions from employment to unemployment and vice versa, but also on the type of employment, either open-ended or fixed-term. Dynamic random effects models explore the effects of the employment status in the preceding year on the employment status in the subsequent one for various groups of immigrants. Results confirm the more precarious nature of immigrant employment with a more frequent mobility in and out of unemployment, a more pronounced incidence of fixed-term employment and a higher instability of open-ended jobs.
Focusing on the adult attachment style in schizophrenia in community mental health centres: Validation of the Psychosis Attachment Measure (PAM) in a German-speaking sample
Authors: Kvrgic Sara , Beck Eva-Marina , Cavelti Marialuisa , Kossowsky Joe , Stieglitz Rolf-Dieter , Vauth Roland
Published: June 2011

Background:

Assessing attachment style in people with schizophrenia may be important to identify a risk factor in building a strong therapeutic relationship and so indirectly to understand the development of mal-compliance as one of the major obstacles in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Aims:

The present study analysed the psychometric properties of the German version of the Psychosis Attachment Measure (PAM), which assesses avoidant and anxious attachment style.

Methods:

A sample of 127 patients suffering from chronic schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder participated in this study. In testing discriminant validity, we assessed psychopathology, depression, therapeutic relationship and service engagement. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability and factor structure were analysed.

Results:

The German version of PAM exhibited acceptable to good internal and test-retest reliabilities and the two-factor structure of the English version could be replicated. Avoidant attachment style was related to higher levels of positive symptoms and to a poorer therapeutic relationship. In the context of external validation, a regression analysis revealed that a poor therapeutic relationship correlated with avoidant attachment style, independent of anxious attachment style and depressive symptoms. Anxious attachment was associated with higher treatment adherence. Both insecure attachment styles (avoidant and anxious) were found to be correlated with higher levels of depression, but only attachment anxiety had an independent predictive value for self-reported depression in regression analysis.

Conclusions:

The German version of PAM displayed satisfactory psychometric properties and seems to be a reliable measure for assessing attachment style in individuals with schizophrenia. Validation of PAM led to the finding that only the avoidant attachment style might be a risk factor when building a strong therapeutic relationship in schizophrenia. In future studies, other factors influencing therapeutic relationship should be taken into account. Anxious attachment style may be a risk factor for depression, but it also has an enhancing effect on treatment adherence.
The roles of transparency and trust in the relationship between corruption and citizen satisfaction
Authors: Park Heungsik , Blenkinsopp John
Published: June 2011

Reducing corruption and improving citizen satisfaction are important aims of government, yet the link between these two policy aims has rarely been explored. This article reports a study into the roles played by transparency and trust in the relationship between governmental corruption and citizen satisfaction with public services. The study was based on data gathered in South Korea to evaluate a specific initiative that had sought to reduce corruption and increase citizen satisfaction with public works programmes. The data indicated that the relationship between corruption and satisfaction was moderated by transparency and partially mediated by trust.

Points for practitioners

The study sheds light on the roles of transparency and trust in the relationship between corruption and citizen satisfaction with public services, and thus provides insights for developing policy aimed at curtailing corruption and improving satisfaction.
How are they paid? A study of civil service pay in China
Authors: Chan Hon S. , Jun Ma
Published: June 2011

The importance of pay in developing a professional, effective, and honest civil service is widely recognized. The World Bank and OECD have made uninterrupted efforts to encourage many developing countries to carry out pay reform. This study provides useful information for researchers and practitioners to compare civil service pay reform between China and other developing countries. It assesses the level of civil service pay by comparing it with pay in other sectors in China, using updated and credible data recently made available. It clarifies several points in the debate over civil service pay in China and provides new perspectives on the issue of whether the civil service pay in China is high or low. The analysis and findings in this study will be of interest to researchers and practitioners beyond China because the Chinese experience with civil service pay reform has important points in common with similar reforms elsewhere. For example, the Chinese phenomenon of large, non-wage, largely unreported and unofficial, civil service pay in China resembles practices in developing nations such as Vietnam, Egypt, Tanzania, Zambia, and Uganda. Nonetheless, to the extent that pay reform is driven by internal circumstances, strategies and objectives are likely to differ even though the basic problems of wage disparities, anti-corruption, and low civil service performance are similar. Given its economic importance and valuable reform experiences, China may provide a model for reforms elsewhere. This study also provides a benchmark for future research and cautions researchers to view official pay scales potentially as serious understatements of actual remuneration.

Points for practitioners

Many developing and transitional countries have attempted to reform their pay systems, with mixed results. This study provides useful information for researchers and practitioners to compare civil service pay reform between China and other countries. China’s experience in establishing a new civil service pay system provides two useful lessons for practitioners elsewhere. First, the elimination of non-wage income is vital to successful pay reform. Second, reining in non-wage income requires budgetary reform, whereby off-budgetary funds that finance non-wage benefits are incorporated into the formal budget and subjected to proper supervision. China can also learn from other developing and transitional countries’ experiences, particularly with regard to public sector downsizing.