bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Backcountry Settlement Development and Indian Trails A GIS Land-Grant Analysis
Authors: Dobbs G. Rebecca
Published: February 2009

During the 18th century, the Southern backcountry underwent both rapid settlement by Europeans and a period of intense urbanization, in contrast to other parts of the South where town building continued to lag. This article examines one Southern backcountry region, the North Carolina Piedmont, and describes the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze spatial and temporal pattern in the 18th-century granting of land in this region in relation to the emergence of towns. The results support the idea that initial conditions, including the presence of indigenous landscape features such as the Indian Trading Path, must be considered to understand town formation in the backcountry.
The Self-Management of Uncertainty Among Men Undertaking Active Surveillance for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer
Authors: Oliffe John L. , Davison B. Joyce , Pickles Tom , Mróz Lawrence
Published: February 2009

Asymptomatic men with low-risk, early-stage prostate cancer are eligible for active surveillance (AS), which offers a means to monitor the cancer while delaying treatment. However, AS operates within a unique set of circumstances that advocate monitoring, rather than immediate treatment, and men's health practices are central to coping with the inherent uncertainty of living with an untreated cancer. A qualitative study was completed to describe the range of men's self-management strategies used to overcome AS-related uncertainty. The study findings reveal two strategies. First, positioning prostate cancer as benign through stoicism and solitary discourses were common to men intent on “living a normal life.” Second, men committed to “doing something extra” complemented AS protocols, and often collaborated with their wives to focus on diet as an adjunct therapy. Although most participants exhibited typical men's health practices, it is clear that tailored AS psychosocial interventions will benefit men and their families.
Review Article: Targeted Therapy: Comprehensive Review
Authors: Barros Costa Ricardo Lima
Published: February 2009

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization estimates that in 2006, 44.1% of hospice admissions had cancer as primary diagnosis, still representing the most common diagnosis in this level of care. In the recent years, the treatment of cancer sustained unprecedented advances with better understanding of cancer biology. Growth factor receptors emerged as target for effective therapy providing significant clinical benefit, for example epidermal growth factor receptor 2 or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 + breast cancer disease has been routinely treated with trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody, with significant survival benefit. Other cancers had their treatment changed by targeted therapy. This article reviews concepts of cancer cell biology and analyze the current standard of care use of targeted therapy. The data highlights aspects of targeted therapy important to health care professionals involved in hospice and palliative care of patients with cancer.
Influence of Prayer and Prayer Habits on Outcome in Patients With Severe Head Injury
Authors: Vannemreddy Prasad , Bryan Kris , Nanda Anil
Published: February 2009

Objectives. The objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of prayers on the recovery of the unconscious patients admitted after traumatic brain injury. Material and Results. A retrospective study of patients with severe head injury was conducted. The Glasgow Coma Scale and Glasgow Outcome Scale scores were examined along with age, gender, smoking, and alcohol intake. There were 13 patients who received prayer and 13 who did not receive prayer during the hospital stay with almost identical mean Glasgow Coma Scale score. The prayer group stayed in the hospital for more days (P = .03). On multivariate analysis, patients’ age (P = .01), admission Glasgow Coma Scale score (P = .009), and prayer habits (P = .007) were significant factors. Conclusion. Patients with prayers habits recovered better following severe head injury. The role of intercessory prayer needs further studies in larger groups.
Patient Perceptions on the Use of Advance Directives and Life Prolonging Technology
Authors: Clements John M.
Published: February 2009

Introduction: Use of advance directives is underutilized despite the Patient Self Determination Act of 1990. This study was undertaken to determine use and opinions of advance directives by patients at a multidisciplinary.

Methods: Institutional Review Board—approved prospective survey of patients age 18 and over.

Results: Of 306 participants, 77 (25.2%) had a durable power of attorney and 45 (14.7%) had living wills. Of these, 226 (73.9%) responded that it was important to make health care wishes known to their doctor. Only 36 (15.9%) had done so. A total of 266 (86.9%) felt it was important to discuss health care wishes with their family and only 160 (60.1%) had done so.

Conclusions: While adequately describing use and attitudes toward advance directives, it is significant to note that patients believe their wishes for end-of-life care will be honored; however, they fail to take the necessary steps to guarantee this.
Sexual Violence in Europe in World War II, 1939—1945
Authors: Burds Jeffrey
Published: February 2009

Focusing in particular on the German-Soviet war in the East, this article explores variations in patterns of sexual violence associated with armed forces in Europe during and immediately after World War II. Besides soldier violence perpetrated against civilian populations, a significant role was also played by irregular forces: most notably, by partisan guerrillas and civilian vigilantes. Ethnic nationalist partisan forces perpetrated especially brutal sexual violence against women and girls of “enemy” nationalities. Likewise, after liberation civilian reprisals were fairly common throughout Europe against so-called “sexual collaborators”—that is, against women excoriated for providing “sexual comfort” to the enemy during the German occupation.
Managing Misunderstandings
Authors: Monteiro Marko , Keating Elizabeth
Published: February 2009

This article explores how scientists communicate with each other in interdisciplinary collaborative work. It is based on ethnographic research conducted with one such group, which is building a predictive computer model of heat transfer in prostate tissues. The analysis identifies strategies scientists use in their communication practices, including managing different understandings of the validity of knowledge, partial understandings among participants, and interpretive discipline crossing in group meetings. The ideas of productive misunderstandings and of registration as correlating distinct knowledge domains are used to interpret how scientists must manage their unshared backgrounds as part of the collaborative scientific work.
Tax Collection in History
Authors: Coşgel Metin M. , Miceli Thomas J.
Published: February 2009

This article examines the rich variety of tax collection methods that have been employed throughout history. Three general categories have been observed: share contracts, rent contracts, and wage contracts, which differ depending on whether the government needs to measure the actual tax collected, the tax base, or the collector's effort, respectively. We develop a principal—agent model that seeks to explain the choice among these forms based on collector incentives, the value of state-specific collection effort, and measurement costs. We then review the actual use of the various forms in light of the model, both across countries and over time.
Misogyny in Rap Music
Authors: Weitzer Ronald , Kubrin Charis E.
Published: February 2009

Rap music has a reputation for being misogynistic, but surprisingly little research has systematically investigated this dimension of the music. This study assesses the portrayal of women in a representative sample of 403 rap songs. Content analysis identified five gender-related themes in this body of music—themes that contain messages regarding ‘‘essential’’ male and female characteristics and that espouse a set of conduct norms for men and women. Our analysis situates rap music within the context of larger cultural and music industry norms and the local, neighborhood conditions that inspired this music in the first place.
Can ‘‘Men’’ Stop Rape?
Authors: Murphy Michael J.
Published: February 2009

The study analyzes the ‘‘My Strength is Not for Hurting’’ rape prevention public media campaign through the lens of feminist visual culture studies, arguing that the campaign sends contradictory and confusing messages to boys and men about rape and sexual assault. It also touches on the implications of the campaign’s appropriation of a commercial advertising aesthetic; the tendency to objectify women and silence their voices; and complications resulting from efforts to include racial and sexual diversity.
A Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Effectiveness Trial Assessing School-Wide Positive Behavior Support in Elementary Schools
Authors: Horner Robert H. , Sugai George , Smolkowski Keith , Eber Lucille , Nakasato Jean , Todd Anne W. , Esperanza Jody
Published: February 2009

We report a randomized, wait-list controlled trial assessing the effects of school-wide positive behavior support (SWPBS). An effectiveness analysis was conducted with elementary schools in Hawaii and Illinois where training and technical assistance in SWPBS was provided by regular state personnel over a 3-year period. Results document that the training and technical assistance were functionally related to improved implementation of universal-level SWPBS practices. Improved use of SWPBS was functionally related to improvements in the perceived safety of the school setting and the proportion of third graders meeting or exceeding state reading assessment standards. Results also document that levels of office discipline referrals were comparatively low, but the absence of experimental control for this variable precludes inference about the impact of SWPBS. Implications for future research directions are offered.
`Do you know what I mean?': the use of a pluralistic narrative analysis approach in the interpretation of an interview
Authors: Frost Nollaig
Published: February 2009

This article demonstrates a within-method pluralistic approach to narrative analysis. It uses an interview held with a mother expecting her second child, in which she talks about her expectations of second-time motherhood, to show how application of more than one narrative analysis to the data leads to a multi-dimensional interpretation. This approach draws on the strengths offered by each model it employs to privilege the narrator's words. By taking guidance from the interview text itself in each phase of analysis, layers of understanding of the account are built up. The article illustrates how eaxch interpretation is made. It demonstrates that the initial understanding of the story is gradually enriched by systematic exploration of the text until a new story emerges. The article concludes by presenting the new story and considering the strengths and limitations of the approach.
Using focus groups: lessons from studying daycare centers, 9/11, and Hurricane Katrina
Authors: Peek Lori , Fothergill Alice
Published: February 2009

The purpose of this article is to examine focus groups as a qualitative research method. We describe and evaluate the use of focus groups based on three separate research projects: a study of teachers, parents, and children at two urban daycare centers; a study of the responses of second-generation Muslim Americans to the events of September 11; and a collaborative project on the experiences of children and youth following Hurricane Katrina. By examining three different projects, we are able to assess some of the strengths and challenges of the focus group as a research method. In addition, we analyze the design and implementation of focus groups, including information on participant recruitment, the most effective group size, group composition and issues of segmentation, how to carry out focus groups, and the ideal number of groups to conduct. We pay particular attention to the ways in which focus groups may serve a social support or empowerment function, and our research points to the strength of using this method with marginalized, stigmatized, or vulnerable individuals.
Researching sensitive topics: qualitative research as emotion work
Authors: Dickson-Swift Virginia , James Erica L. , Kippen Sandra , Liamputtong Pranee
Published: February 2009

There is a growing awareness that undertaking qualitative research is an embodied experience and that researchers may be emotionally affected by the work that they do. Despite the interest in the emotional nature of qualitative research, there is very little empirical evidence about the researchers' experiences of undertaking qualitative research. A grounded theory analysis of one-on-one interviews with thirty public health researchers working on a qualitative project provided both theoretical and empirical evidence that qualitative researchers undertake emotion work throughout their research projects. The findings provide examples of researchers doing emotion work in their research projects; highlight some of the consequences of emotion work and offer some suggestions for researcher self-care.
Are Mapmakers Able to Target and Protect Congressional Incumbents?
Authors: Murphy Chad , Yoshinaka Antoine
Published: February 2009

Can those in charge of redistricting foster electoral competitiveness by targeting some congressional incumbents while protecting others from potent competition? We provide an answer by presenting the dynamic redistricting thesis, which holds that the type of redistricting plan and the time passed since its enactment affect the emergence of high-quality congressional candidates. We demonstrate that the effect of redistricting on competition depends on whether incumbents belong to the party that controlled the redistricting process. We show that partisan plans have predictable systematic effects, with incumbents in the minority more likely to face strong opponents. Moreover, the effect of redistricting on competition is highest at the beginning of the 10-year redistricting cycle and diminishes in a nonlinear fashion over the course of the cycle. The implications of our theory and findings for democracy are apparent: Institutions are an important determinant of the variation of electoral competition across time and space.
Cost-effectiveness Modeling of Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy Versus Other Interventions for Disabling Spasticity
Authors: Bensmail D. , Ward A.B. , Wissel J. , Motta F. , Saltuari Leopold , Lissens J. , Cros S. , Beresniak A.
Published: February 2009

Objective. To assess by simulation the cost-effectiveness of intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy compared with conventional medical treatments for patients with disabling spasticity and functional dependence caused by any neurological disease. Methods. Two models were created to simulate therapeutic strategies for managing severe spasticity, one with and one without the use of ITB, to assess various treatment sequences over 2 years based on current medical practices in France. Successful treatment at each evaluation was defined as a combination of: (1) the increased patient and caregiver satisfaction as assessed by goal attainment scaling (GAS), and (2) a decrease of at least 1 point on the Ashworth score. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed using 5000 Monte-Carlo simulations taking into account specific distribution curves for direct costs and effectiveness parameters in each treatment option. Results. The model simulations suggest that including ITB as a first option strategy in the management of function of severely impaired patients with disabling spasticity results in a higher success rate (78.7% vs 59.3%; P < .001). In addition, the ITB therapy model revealed a lower cost (59 391 vs 88 272; P < .001) and an overall more favorable cost-effectiveness ratio (75 204/success vs 148 822/success; P < .001), compared with conventional medical management without ITB. Conclusion. Within the assumptions of our modeling, ITB therapy evaluated by a combination of treatment success criteria at 6-month intervals over a 2-year period may be a cost-effective strategy compared to conventional medical management alone.
Promoting Physical Activity in Minority Populations
Authors: Terre Lisa
Published: February 2009

This review discusses evidence-based perspectives on promoting physical activity in minority populations. Future directions for inquiry and empirically driven public policy initiatives also are addressed.
Toward a `New' Strategic Leadership of Place for the Knowledge-based Economy
Authors: Gibney John , Copeland Stuart , Murie Alan
Published: February 2009

This paper addresses the changing leadership task associated with a new agenda about the leadership of place. The shifting development context for cities and regions — including the emergence of the creative city and the knowledge-based region — places a renewed emphasis on the importance of interdisciplinary processes that stimulate the creation and the exploitation of knowledge. Consequently there is a requirement for an approach to the leadership of processes of collaborative learning and `associational'working. There is, however, a general lack of alignment of the literature on leadership, place-shaping and the stimulation of the knowledge-based economy. This article refers to the existing leadership literature and draws upon research related to economic development policy to initiate a discussion about the new leadership of place. It presents a rationale and outlines an initial argument for a more comprehensive approach to the leadership of place that takes account of the paradigm shift occurring in urban and regional studies.
Studying Leadership at Cross-Country Level: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Jepson Doris
Published: February 2009

This article critically evaluates the GLOBE project as an example of existing cross-cultural studies into leadership, recognising the project's value in communicating leadership differences across countries and summarising its methodological limitations. It is suggested that a dynamic and interactive approach is needed to overcome the shortfalls of the GLOBE project. Ailon-Souday and Kunda's (2003) work points the way towards such an approach, and it is the contribution of this article to apply this approach to the relationship between cultural context and leadership in the German and UK chemical industry. Analyses of a mixed methods data set support the theoretical arguments for the dynamic nature of different contexts such as national, organisational, hierarchical and departmental and the importance of this interaction for individual participants'understanding of leadership. Implications are drawn for the development of global managers in light of these new perspectives on the interaction of cultural context and leadership.
Police release with conditions of the accused in cases of domestic violence in Montreal, Canada
Authors: Gauthier Sonia
Published: February 2009

This article presents the results of a study conducted in Montreal (Canada) on how police use their power to release an accused on bail with conditions in incidents of domestic violence, which was granted to them in 1995. Interviews conducted in 2000 with police investigators and lieutenant-detectives revealed that police view this measure favourably. It allows them to release the accused on bail before his first appearance by monitoring him with conditions. According to police, this both reassures and protects the victim and avoids the need to detain the accused just to have conditions imposed by the court. While investigators found the decision to detain or release to be difficult at times, they also felt they were as capable as judicial officials in making the decision to release on bail. The police respondents explained why and how they are prudent in their assessment of the risks associated with release. Future research should evaluate to what degree the conditions they impose are adequate.
The Empire, the police, and the introduction of fingerprint technology in Malta
Authors: Azzopardi Cauchi Jacqueline , Knepper Paul
Published: February 2009

It required more than three decades for fingerprint technology, invented in the British colony of India, to reach the British colony of Malta. Fingerprint technology was not institutionalized in Malta until 1932 owing to a different social context; British colonial authorities tended to see the Maltese as Europeans and never regarded crime prevention as a priority. Nevertheless, a review of policing in Malta in the 19th and early 20th centuries supports the thesis that fingerprint-based identification was invented to maintain surveillance over `otherness'. Although the colonial situation in Malta did not produce anything like the Criminal Tribes Act in British India, the introduction of fingerprint technology coincided with concern over foreign residents. Fingerprint technology became institutionalized following enactment of the Aliens Act in 1899 and formation of a detective and alien branch within the police organization. The diffusion of knowledge within the British Empire did not operate in a predictable direction. Rather, knowledge arising in one colony spread to others, as well as to England, channelled by familiar prejudices as much as scientific discovery.
Nf1 haploinsufficiency and Icsbp deficiency synergize in the development of leukemias
Authors: Koenigsmann Jessica , Rudolph Cornelia , Sander Sandrine , Kershaw Olivia , Gruber Achim D. , Bullinger Lars , Schlegelberger Brigitte , Carstanjen Dirk
Published: February 2009

Loss of neurofibromin or interferon consensus sequence binding protein (Icsbp) leads to a myeloproliferative disorder. Transcription of NF1 is directly controlled by ICSBP. It has been postulated that loss of NF1 expression resulting from loss of transcriptional activation by ICSBP contributes to human hematologic malignancies. To investigate the functional cooperation of these 2 proteins, we have established Icsbp-deficient mice with Nf1 haploinsufficiency. We here demonstrate that loss of Icsbp and Nf1 haploinsufficiency synergize to induce a forced myeloproliferation in Icsbp-deficient mice because of an expansion of a mature myeloid progenitor cell. Furthermore, Nf1 haploinsufficiency and loss of Icsbp contribute synergistically to progression of the myeloproliferative disorder toward transplantable leukemias. Leukemias are characterized by distinct phenotypes, which correlate with progressive genetic abnormalities. Loss of Nf1 heterozygosity is not mandatory for disease progression, but its occurrence with other genetic abnormalities indicates progressive genetic alterations in a defined subset of leukemias. These data show that loss of the 2 tumor suppressor genes Nf1 and Icsbp synergize in the induction of leukemias.
Inverse Langmuir method for oligonucleotide microarray analysis
Authors: Mulders Geert CWM , Barkema Gerard T , Carlon Enrico
Published: February 2009

Background

An algorithm for the analysis of Affymetrix Genechips is presented. This algorithm, referred to as the Inverse Langmuir Method (ILM), estimates the binding of transcripts to complementary probes using DNA/RNA hybridization free energies, and the hybridization between partially complementary transcripts in solution using RNA/RNA free energies. The balance between these two competing reactions allows for the translation of background-subtracted intensities into transcript concentrations.

Results

To validate the ILM, it is applied to publicly available microarray data from a multi-lab comparison study. Here, microarray experiments are performed on samples which deviate only in few genes. The log2 fold change between these two samples, as obtained from RT-PCR experiments, agrees well with the log2 fold change as obtained with the ILM, indicating that the ILM determines changes in the expression level accurately. We also show that the ILM allows for the identification of outlying probes, as it yields independent concentration estimates per probe.

Conclusion

The ILM is robust and offers an interesting alternative to purely statistical algorithms for microarray data analysis.
Expression and evolutionary divergence of the non-conventional olfactory receptor in four species of fig wasp associated with one species of fig
Authors: Lu Bin , Wang Nina , Xiao Jinhua , Xu Yongyu , Murphy Robert W , Huang Dawei
Published: February 2009

Background

The interactions of fig wasps and their host figs provide a model for investigating co-evolution. Fig wasps have specialized morphological characters and lifestyles thought to be adaptations to living in the fig's syconium. Although these aspects of natural history are well documented, the genetic mechanism(s) underlying these changes remain(s) unknown. Fig wasp olfaction is the key to host-specificity. TheOr83bgene class, an unusual member of olfactory receptor family, plays a critical role in enabling the function of conventional olfactory receptors. FourOr83borthologous genes from one pollinator (PFW) (Ceratosolen solmsi) and three non-pollinator fig wasps (NPFWs) (Apocrypta bakeri, Philotrypesis pilosaandPhilotrypesissp.) associated with one species of fig (Ficus hispida) can be used to better understand the molecular mechanism underlying the fig wasp's adaptation to its host. We made a comparison of spatial tissue-specific expression patterns and substitution rates of one orthologous gene in these fig wasps and sought evidence for selection pressures.

Results

A newly identifiedOr83borthologous gene was namedOr2. Expressions ofOr2were restricted to the heads of all wingless male fig wasps, which usually live in the dark cavity of a fig throughout their life cycle. However, expressions were widely detected in the antennae, legs and abdomens of all female fig wasps that fly from one fig to another for oviposition, and secondarily pollination. Weak expression was also observed in the thorax of PFWs. Compared with NPFWs, theOr2gene inC. solmsihad an elevated rate of substitutions and lower codon usage. Analyses using Tajima'sD, Fu and Li'sD*andF*tests indicated a non-neutral pattern of nucleotide variation in all fig wasps. Unlike in NPFWs, this non-neutral pattern was also observed for synonymous sites ofOr2within PFWs.

Conclusion

The sex- and species-specific expression patterns ofOr2genes detected beyond the known primary olfactory tissues indicates the location of cryptic olfactory inputs. The specialized ecological niche of these wasps explains the unique habits and adaptive evolution ofOr2genes. TheOr2gene inC. solmsiis evolving very rapidly. Negative deviation from the neutral model of evolution reflects possible selection pressures acting onOr2sequences of fig wasp, particularly on PFWs who are more host-specific to figs.
Impact of an informed choice invitation on uptake of screening for diabetes in primary care (DICISION): trial protocol
Authors: Mann Eleanor , Prevost A Toby , Griffin Simon , Kellar Ian , Sutton Stephen , Parker Michael , Sanderson Simon , Kinmonth Ann Louise , Marteau Theresa M
Published: February 2009

Background

Screening invitations have traditionally been brief, providing information only about population benefits. Presenting information about the limited individual benefits and potential harms of screening to inform choice may reduce attendance, particularly in the more socially deprived. At the same time, amongst those who attend, it might increase motivation to change behavior to reduce risks. This trial assesses the impact on attendance and motivation to change behavior of an invitation that facilitates informed choices about participating in diabetes screening in general practice. Three hypotheses are tested:

1. Attendance at screening for diabetes is lower following an informed choice compared with a standard invitation.

2. There is an interaction between the type of invitation and social deprivation: attendance following an informed choice compared with a standard invitation is lower in those who are more rather than less socially deprived.

3. Amongst those who attend for screening, intentions to change behavior to reduce risks of complications in those subsequently diagnosed with diabetes are stronger following an informed choice invitation compared with a standard invitation.

Method/Design

1500 people aged 40–69 years without known diabetes but at high risk are identified from four general practice registers in the east of England. 1200 participants are randomized by households to receive one of two invitations to attend for diabetes screening at their general practices. The intervention invitation is designed to facilitate informed choices, and comprises detailed information and a decision aid. A comparison invitation is based on those currently in use. Screening involves a finger-prick blood glucose test. The primary outcome is attendance for diabetes screening. The secondary outcome is intention to change health related behaviors in those attenders diagnosed with diabetes. A sample size of 1200 ensures 90% power to detect a 10% difference in attendance between arms, and in an estimated 780 attenders, 80% power to detect a 0.2 sd difference in intention between arms.

Discussion

The DICISION trial is a rigorous pragmatic denominator based clinical trial of an informed choice invitation to diabetes screening, which addresses some key limitations of previous trials.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN73125647
Feasibility investigation of allogeneic endometrial regenerative cells
Authors: Zhong Zhaohui , Patel Amit N , Ichim Thomas E , Riordan Neil H , Wang Hao , Min Wei-Ping , Woods Erik J , Reid Michael , Mansilla Eduardo , Marin Gustavo H , Drago Hugo , Murphy Michael P , Minev Boris
Published: February 2009

Endometrial Regenerative Cells (ERC) are a population of mesenchymal-like stem cells having pluripotent differentiation activity and ability to induce neoangiogenesis. In vitro and animal studies suggest ERC are immune privileged and in certain situations actively suppress ongoing immune responses. In this paper we describe the production of clinical grade ERC and initial safety experiences in 4 patients with multiple sclerosis treated intravenously and intrathecally. The case with the longest follow up, of more than one year, revealed no immunological reactions or treatment associated adverse effects. These preliminary data suggest feasibility of clinical ERC administration and support further studies with this novel stem cell type.
Incidence of hospital referred head injuries in Norway: A population based survey from the Stavanger region
Authors: Heskestad Ben , Baardsen Roald , Helseth Eirik , Romner Bertil , Waterloo Knut , Ingebrigtsen Tor
Published: February 2009

Background

In three previous Norwegian studies conducted between 1974 and 1993, the annual incidence rates of hospital admitted head injuries were 236, 200 and 169 per 100,000 population. The aim of this study was to describe the incidence of head injury in the Stavanger region and to compare it with previous Norwegian studies.

Methods

All head injured patients referred to Stavanger University Hospital during a one-year period (2003) were registered in a partly prospective and partly retrospective study. The catchment area for the hospital is strictly defined to a local population of 283,317 inhabitants (2003).

Results

The annual incidence rate was 207/100,000 population for hospital referred head injury and 157/100,000 population for hospital admitted head injury. High age- and sex specific incidence rates were observed among the oldest, and the highest rate (882/100,000) among men above 90 years. More than 50% of the injuries were caused by falls.

Conclusion

Comparison with previous Norwegian studies indicates decreasing annual incidence rates for hospital admitted head injury during the last 30 years.
Central sympatholytics prolong survival in experimental sepsis
Authors: Hofer Stefan , Steppan Jochen , Wagner Tanja , Funke Benjamin , Lichtenstern Christoph , Martin Eike , Graf Bernhard M , Bierhaus Angelika , Weigand Markus A
Published: February 2009

Introduction

One of the main causes of death in European and US intensive care units is sepsis. It involves a network of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. Furthermore, there is an up regulation of transcription factors such as nuclear factor (NF) κB. It has previously been shown that clonidine is able to significantly reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines in surgical patients. We therefore hypothesise that the clinically used central alpha-2 agonist clonidine has the ability to improve survival in experimental sepsis by inhibiting the sympathetic tone and consequently inhibiting the pro-inflammatory cytokine release.

Methods

To investigate this therapeutic potential of clonidine in a prospective randomised laboratory investigation we used a murine model of caecal ligation and puncture (CLP) induced sepsis. Animals receiving pre-emptive injections were treated with either clonidine (5 μg/kg) or dexmedetomidine (40 μg/kg) 12 and 1 hours before the operation, as well as 1, 6 and 12 hours afterwards. Another group of animals only received clonidine (5 μg/kg) 1, 6 and 12 hours after the operation, while the pre-emptive injections were normal saline. The control groups received solvent injections at the respective time points.

Results

Pre-emptive administration of a central sympatholytic significantly reduced mortality (clonidine: p = 0.015; dexmedetomidine: p = 0.029), although postoperative administration of clonidine failed to significantly prolong survival. Furthermore pre-emptive administration of clonidine significantly attenuated the cytokine response after CLP-induced sepsis (mIL-1beta: p = 0.017; mIL-6: p < 0.0001; mTNF-α: p < 0.0001), preserved blood pressure control (p = 0.024) and down-regulated the binding activity of NF-κB. There were no changes in the pro-inflammatory cytokine response when peripheral blood was incubated with lipopolysaccharide alone compared with incubation with clonidine (10-4 M) plus LPS (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that the pre-emptive administration of either clonidine or dexmedetomidine have the ability to successfully improve survival in experimental sepsis. Furthermore, there seems to be a connection between the central muscarinic network and the vagal cholinergic response. By down-regulating pro-inflammatory mediators sympatholytics may be a useful adjunct sedative in patients with a high risk for developing sepsis.
Murine dendritic cell antigen-presenting cell function is not altered by burn injury
Authors: Fujimi Satoshi , Lapchak Peter H , Zang Yan , MacConmara Malcolm P , Maung Adrian A , Delisle Adam J , Mannick John A , Lederer James A
Published: February 2009

Severe injury disrupts normal immune regulation causing a transient hyperinflammatory reaction and suppressed adaptive immune function. This report addresses the potential contribution of dendritic cells (DC) to changes in adaptive immune function after injury by specifically measuring injury-induced changes in splenic DC numbers and subsets, cell-surface markers, TLR responses, and APC function. Using a mouse burn injury model, we found that injury did not markedly alter the relative percentage of lymphoid, myeloid, or plasmacytoid DC in the spleens of burn-injured mice. Moreover, we did not observe a significant reduction in cell-surface expression of several major costimulatory molecules, CD40, CD80, CD86, programmed death 1 ligand, ICOS ligand, and B7-H3, on DC. Instead, we observed increased cell-surface expression of CD86 at 1 day after injury with no significant changes in costimulatory molecule expression at 7 days after injury, suggesting that burn injury causes an early activation of DC. In addition, injury did not suppress DC reactivity to TLR2, TLR4, or TLR9 agonists. Most important, DC prepared from injured mice were able to present peptide antigen to naïve OTII TCR transgenic CD4+ T cells as efficiently and effectively as DC from sham-injured mice. We also found that CD4 T cells stimulated with antigen presented by DC from sham or burn mice showed similar levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-13 production. Taken together, these findings support the conclusion that DC do not acquire a suppressive phenotype following severe injury in mice.
Endogenous suppression of mast cell development and survival by IL-4 and IL-10
Authors: Speiran Kelly , Bailey Daniel P , Fernando Josephine , Macey Matthew , Barnstein Brian , Kolawole Motunrayo , Curley Dana , Watowich Stephanie S , Murray Peter J , Oskeritzian Carole , Ryan John J
Published: February 2009

Mast cell development is an important component of atopic and chronic inflammatory diseases such as asthma, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and atherosclerosis. In this study, we found that IL-4 and IL-10 were produced constitutively in cultures of developing mast cells, correlating with mast cell purity. Deletion of either gene increased mast cell numbers and FcεRI expression during culture in IL-3 + stem cell factor (SCF). By adding exogenous IL-4 and IL-10 to bone marrow (BM) cultures containing IL-3 + SCF, we found that IL-4 + IL-10 suppressed mast cell development through mechanisms not used by either cytokine alone. IL-4 + IL-10 elicited a rapid cell death coincidental with reduced Kit receptor expression and signaling and enhanced mitochondrial damage and caspase activation. IL-4 or IL-10 costimulation, unlike either cytokine alone, altered mast cell ontogeny to yield predominantly macrophages in cultures that typically produce mast cells. This effect was observed consistently with unseparated BM cells, purified mouse BM stem cells, and erythrocyte-depleted human umbilical cord blood cells. These experiments demonstrated a major role for Stat6 and Stat3, but not the Stat3-induced transcriptional repressor Ets variant gene 3. Genetic background was also a critical factor, as BALB/c-derived BM cells were completely resistant to IL-10-mediated killing and expressed lower levels of IL-10R. Collectively, these results support the theory that IL-4 and IL-10 function as endogenous regulators of mast cell progenitor development, consistent with a role in immune homeostasis. Loss of this homeostasis, perhaps via genetic polymorphism, could contribute to the etiology of mast cell-associated disease.
Imaging a hydrate-related cold vent offshore Vancouver Island from deep-towed multichannel seismic data
Authors: He Tao , Spence George D. , Wood Warren T. , Riedel Michael , Hyndman Roy D.
Published: February 2009

The Bullseye vent, an approximately [Formula: see text]-diameter deep-sea, hydrate-related cold vent on the midslope offshore Vancouver Island, was imaged in a high-resolution multichannel survey by the Deep-towed Acoustics and Geophysics System (DTAGS) The structure was drilled by the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program at site U1328. Towed about [Formula: see text] above the seafloor, the high-frequency [Formula: see text] DTAGS system provides a high vertical and lateral resolution image. The major problems in imaging with DTAGS data are nonlinear variations of the source depths and receiver locations. The high-frequency, short-wavelength data require very accurate positioning of source and receivers for stacking and velocity analyses. New routines were developed for optimal processing, including receiver cable geometry estimation from node depths, direct arrivals and sea-surface reflections using a genetic algorithm inversion method, and acoustic image stitching based on relative source positioning bycrosscorrelating redundant data between two adjacent shots. Semblance seismic velocity analysis was applied to common-reflection-point bins of the corrected data. The processed images resolve many subvertical zones of low seismic reflectivity and fine details of subseafloor sediment structure. At the Bullseye vent, where a [Formula: see text]-thick near-surface massive hydrate layer was drilled at U1328, the images resolve the upper part of the layer as a dipping high-reflectivity zone, likely corresponding to a fracture zone. Velocity analyses were not possible in the vent structure but were obtained [Formula: see text] to either side. Normal velocities are in the upper [Formula: see text], but over the interval from [Formula: see text] below the seafloor at the northeast side, the velocities are higher than the average normal slope sediment velocity of approximately [Formula: see text]. These high velocities are probably related to the high reflectivity zone and to the bottom portion of the massive hydrate detected by resistivity measurements in the upper [Formula: see text] at U1328.
Inversion and interpretation of a 3D seismic data set from the Ouachita Mountains, Oklahoma
Authors: Aibaidula Abuduwali , McMechan George
Published: February 2009

Acoustic impedance inversion (AI) and simultaneous angle-dependent inversion (SADI) of a 3D seismic data set characterize reservoirs of Mississippian Morrowan age in the triangle zone of the frontal Ouachita Mountains, Oklahoma. Acoustic impedance of the near-angle seismic data images the 3D spatial distributions of Wapanucka limestone and Cromwell sandstone. Lamé [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) and [Formula: see text] sections are derived from the P-wave and S-wave impedance ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) sections produced by the SADI. Lithology is identified from the gamma logs and [Formula: see text]. The [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] are interpreted in terms of a hydrocarbon distribution pattern. The [Formula: see text] is used to identify high [Formula: see text] regions that are consistent with high sand/shale ratio. The estimated impedances and derived Lamé parameter sections are consistent with the interpretation that parts of the Wapanucka limestone and Cromwell sandstone contain potential gas reservoirs in fault-bounded compartments. The Cromwell sandstone contains the main inferred reservoirs; the two largest of these are each [Formula: see text] in pore volume. The inversion results also explain the observed low production in previous wells because those did not sample the best compartments. We propose a single new well location that would penetrate both reservoirs; 3D visualization facilitates this recommendation.
General line integrals for gravity anomalies of irregular 2D masses with horizontally and vertically dependent density contrast
Authors: Zhou Xiaobing
Published: February 2009

Line integrals (LIs) are an efficient tool in calculating the gravity anomaly caused by an irregular 2D mass body because the 2D surface integral is reduced to a 1D LI. Historically, LIs have been derived for 2D mass bodies of depth-dependent density contrast. I derive LIs for 2D mass bodies with density contrast dependent on (1) horizontal and (2) horizontal and vertical directions. Assuming the density contrast depends only on horizontal position, two types of representative LIs are derived: LIs with logarithmic kernel and density-integrated LIs for any integrable density-contrast function. A general density-contrast model that depends on horizontal and vertical directions is developed to include three components: a function of horizontal position, a function of vertical position, and a sum of crossterms of horizontal and vertical positions. Based on the general density-contrast model defined and proper selection of 2D vector gravity potentials, general LIs are derived to calculate the gravity anomaly. The newly developed LI method is then compared with two cases from the literature in calculating gravity anomaly, and agreement is obtained. However, the new LI method allows for more general 2D density-contrast variations and can be used to calculate the gravity anomaly of a 2D mass body. Such a mass body can have any cross-sectional profile that can be approximated by a polygonal cross section with any density-contrast function that can be approximated by a rich set of basis functions.
Delayed Puberty in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Involves a Primary Ovarian Failure Independent of the Hypothalamic KiSS-1/GPR54/GnRH System
Authors: Pinilla L. , Castellano J. M. , Romero M. , Tena-Sempere M. , Gaytán F. , Aguilar E.
Published: February 2009

Spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats, extensively used as experimental models of essential human hypertension, display important alterations in the neuroendocrine reproductive axis, which manifest as markedly delayed puberty onset in females but whose basis remains largely unknown. We analyze herein in female SH rats: 1) possible alterations in the expression and function of KiSS-1/GPR54 and GnRH/GnRH-receptor systems, 2) the integrity of feedback mechanisms governing the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, and 3) the control of ovarian function by gonadotropins. Our data demonstrate that, despite overtly delayed puberty, no significant decrease in hypothalamic KiSS-1, GPR54, or GnRH mRNA levels was detected in this strain. Likewise, in vivo gonadotropin responses to ovariectomy and systemic kisspeptin-10 or GnRH administration, as well as in vitro gonadotropin responses to GnRH, were fully preserved in SH rats. Moreover, circulating LH levels were grossly conserved during prepubertal maturation, whereas FSH levels were even enhanced from d 20 postpartum onwards. In striking contrast, ovarian weight and hormone (progesterone and testosterone) responses to human chorionic gonadotropin (CG) in vitro were profoundly decreased in SH rats, with impaired follicular development and delayed ovulation at puberty. Such reduced hormonal responses to human CG could not be attributed to changes in LH/CG or FSH-receptor mRNA expression but might be linked to blunted P450scc, 3β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase, and aromatase mRNA levels in ovaries from SH rats. In conclusion, our results indicate that the expression and function of KiSS-1/GPR54 and GnRH/GnRH-receptor systems is normal in SH rats, whereas ovarian development, steroidogenesis, and responsiveness to gonadotropins are strongly compromised.
Regulation of Gap Junctions in Porcine Cumulus-Oocyte Complexes: Contributions of Granulosa Cell Contact, Gonadotropins, and Lipid Rafts
Authors: Sasseville Maxime , Gagnon Marie-Claude , Guillemette Christine , Sullivan Robert , Gilchrist Robert B. , Richard François J.
Published: February 2009

Gap-junctional communication (GJC) plays a central role in oocyte growth. However, little is known about the regulation of connexin 43 (Cx43)-based gap-junction channels in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) during in vitro maturation. We show that rupture of COCs from mural granulosa cells up-regulates Cx43-mediated GJC and that gonadotropins signal GJC breakdown by recruiting Cx43 to lipid rafts when oocyte meiosis resumes. Oocyte calcein uptake through gap junctions increases during early in vitro oocyte maturation and remains high until 18 h, when it falls simultaneously with the oocyte germinal vesicle breakdown. Immunodetection of Cx43 and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching assays revealed that the increase of GJC is independent of gonadotropins but requires RNA transcription, RNA polyadenylation, and translation. GJC rupture, in contrast, is achieved by a gonadotropin-dependent mechanism involving recruitment of Cx43 to clustered lipid rafts. These results show that GJC up-regulation in COCs in in vitro culture is independent of gonadotropins and transcriptionally regulated. However, GJC breakdown is gonadotropin dependent and mediated by the clustering of Cx43 in lipid raft microdomains. In conclusion, this study supports a functional role of lipid raft clustering of Cx43 in GJC breakdown in the COCs during in vitro maturation.