bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intensive care management of stroke patients.
Authors: Norris J W , Hachinski V C
Published: June 2011

Two hundred eighty patients were admitted to an intensive care stroke unit over a one-year period. Subsequent investigation indicated that only 199 of these patients actually had cerebral ischemic or hemorrhagic lesions, 10 had other cerebrovascular lesions, and the remaining 71 patients had unrelated diseases, predominantly seizures. Detailed analysis of 103 stroke patients revealed an overall incidence of 59% hypertension, and 72% had hypertensive, ischemic or valvular heart disease. Fifty percent of the patients had various cardiac arrhythmias, some of which were responsible for the acute cerebrovascular lesion. Fourteen patients died during the acute phase, 11 from apparently irreversible cerebral selling, mainly due to cerebral hemorrhage. Secondary complications such as pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, pressure sores and urinary infection were almost nonexistent, but beneficial effects on the primary cerebral lesions were more difficult to demonstrate.
Dexamethasone and DMSO in experimental transorbital cerebral infarction.
Authors: de la Torre J C , Surgeon J W
Published: June 2011

Twenty rhesus monkeys were used to evaluate the effects of dexamethasone and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) following experimental occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) for 17 hours. Animals were initially treated after four hours while the MCA remained occluded and a series of tests was used to evaluate the neurological and cerebral status of each monkey for seven days. The results show that the gross, microscopic and angiographical picture of dexamethasone and no-treatment controls was practically identical. In contrast, DMSO-treated monkeys showed significant protection from the severe neurological deficits seen in the other groups. It is concluded that DMSO has a positive effect in reducing the neurological deficits seen in this model and may be potentially useful in clinical emoblic stroke.
Transient responses of cerebral blood flow and ventilation to changes in PaCO2 in normal subjects and patients with cerebrovascular disease.
Authors: Tuteur P , Reivich M , Goldberg H I , Cooper E S , West J W , McHenry L C , Cherniack N
Published: June 2011

In the present study, the dynamics of the cerebral blood flow (CBF) and ventilatory response to hypercapnia was investigated in a group of patients with a cerebrovascular disease and compared to responses measured in a group of normal volunteers. There was a significant correlation between the rapidity of the transient CBF and ventilatory responses and the severity of the cerebrovascular disease. While the steady state CBF response showed no such correlation, the steady state ventilatory response was reduced in patients with severe cerebrovascular disease. Various explanations for the differences in the dynamic responses of CBF and ventilation in patients with mild or severe cerebrovascular disease compared to normal subjects are considered. Measurement of these circulatory and ventilatory responses may be sensitive means for assessing the changing statls of patients with cerebrovascular disease.
Adrenergic innervation of large cerebral blood vessels of the rabbit studied by fluorescence microscopy. Absence of features that might contribute to non-uniform change in cerebral blood flow.
Authors: Purdy R E , Bevan J A
Published: June 2011

The literature provides evidence for non-uniform regional changes in cerebral blood flow under a variety of circumstances. Possible causes of such changes were sought in the larger cerebral arteries of the rabbit prepared according to the glyoxylic acid fluorescence histochemical technique. The adrenergic innervation of the circle of Willis, the basilar artery and their main branches, although showing small differences, is essentially of uniform density. There is no evidence for collars of adrenergic nerves around the origin of small branches nor for cushions at their orifices. Innervation density appears to diminish as the pial vessels get smaller and all vessels seem to be innervated. Thus non-uniform alterations of cerebral blood flow cannot be accounted for by these factors.
Cerebral circulation after cardiac arrest. Microangiographic and protein tracer studies.
Authors: Lin S R , Kormano M
Published: June 2011

The effects of ventricular fibrillation and subsequent resuscitation on the microcirculation of the verebral cortex were studied with microangiographic and fluorescent protein tracer techniques. Immediately after revival, a transient period of impaired cerebral perfusion occurred before complete recovery from circulatory arrest was obtained. A circulatory arrest of longer than ten minutes, followed by four to six hours of resuscitation, caused defects of cortical capillary filling in both microangiography and Trypan blue fluorescence. This was considered to represent impairment of cortical perfusion, most likely due to edema. Cardiac arrest up to 12 minutes and subsequent resuscitation per se caused no blood-brain barrier damage. Minimal blood-brain barrier damage occurred in one dog following uncomplicated revival from a 14-minute arrest and in animals with prolonged hypertension post-resuscitation. Up to three consecutive carotid angiographies did not cause blood-brain barrier damage in the postischemic brain.
Intracranial aneurysms and subarachnoid hemorrhage - report on a randomized treatment study. IV-A. regulated bed rest.
Authors: Nibbelink D W , Torner J C , Henderson W G
Published: June 2011

Three weeks of regulated bed rest was one of four treatments evaluated in the Cooperative Aneurysm Study. A total of 187 patients with a recently ruptured intracranial aneurysm had subarachnoid hemorrhage confirmed by lumbar puncture. A group of 124 patients were assigned to treatment within 7 days after the bleed, 49 between 8 and 21 days, and 14 between 22 days and 92 days. During the mean follow-up interval of 6.5 years, mortality was 55.1%. A proved rebleed was the cause of death in 34.2%, progressive deterioration from aneurysm rupture in 8.0%, and a suspected rebleed in 4.8%. A total of 47.1% died of causes related directly to the cerebral effects of the ruptured aneurysm.
Implanted device for middle cerebral artery occlusion in conscious cats.
Authors: Little J R
Published: June 2011

A simple implantable device was applied to the left middle cerebral artery of adult cats. One week later the artery was occluded acutely while the animals were conscious. Forced circling and tonic deviation of the head and neck toward the left were noted within seconds of occlusion. A right hemiparesis developed one to two minutes later. Cerebral angiography confirmed the presence of the middle cerebral artery occlusion when the occluding stylet was inserted. Removal of the stylet resulted in reopening of the artery. Light microscopic examination of the brains revealed severe acute ischemic changes in a large left cortical and subcortical area. Partial loss of endothelial lining and thinning of the media were demonstrated in the compressed segment of the middle cerebral artery.
Subclavian steal in Takayasu's arteritis. A hemodynamic study by means of ultrasonic Doppler flowmetry.
Authors: Yoneda S , Nukada T , Tada K , Imaizumi M , Takano T
Published: June 2011

Blood flow in the vertebral artery and the upper extremity was studied in five cases of Takayasu's arteritis with subclavian steal by use of ultrasonic Doppler flowmetry and finger plethysmography. The diagnosis of subclavian steal was made by observation of flow reversal in the vertebral artery on the subclavian steal side during grip exercise and, in addition, the vertebral flow change with brachial artery occlusion. The blood flow increase of both internal cartotid and non-affected (non-subclavian steal side) vertebral arteries during a common carotid compression was almost normal in patients with Takayasu's arteritis in this study. During carotid compression on the side of the subclavian steal, ipsilateral vertebral blood flow greatly decreased, and the amplitude the ipsilateral finger plethysmogram decreased slightly or moderately. It is suggested that there are significantly important factors in suppressing sumptoms of vertebrobasilar ischemia in these patients with Takayasu's arteritis with subclavian steal. These factors are believed to be (1) good function of the circle of Willis, (2) good blood supply to the brain stem, and (3) collateral circulation to the distal subclavian artery not via the vertebral artery.
Doppler cerebrovascular examination: improved results with refinements in technique.
Authors: Barnes R W , Russell H E , Bone G E , Slaymaker E E
Published: June 2011

Doppler ultrasonic assessment of extracranial carotid occlusive disease has been modified to decrease the incidence of false positive and negative diagnoses. The technique, which assessed directional flow in the frontal artery and the influence of sequential compression of each temporal, infraorbital, facial and common carotid artery, was performed on 152 vessels visualized by contrast arteriography. Presence or absence of significant (greater than 50%) stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotid artery was identified correctly in 150 vessels (98.7%). Inasmuch as the classic temporal artery compression test only detected 39 of the 61 abnormal Doppler studies (64%), the more complete examination is recommended for screening patients for significant carotid artery obstruction.
Angiographic spectrum of cervical and intracranial fibromuscular dysplasia.
Authors: Osborn A G , Anderson R E
Published: June 2011

Cephalocervical or intracranial fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) can be identified by its characteristic angiographic appearance. Most of these lesions occur adjacent to the C1-2 interspace, characteristically sparing the origins and proximal segments of the major extracranial vessels. Approximately 65% of our patients had bilateral involvement of the cervical internal carotid arteries. Thirty percent were associated with one or more intracranial aneurysms. The vertebral arteries were involved in 10% of the cases. Twenty-four of 25 cases were associated with symptoms of either subarachnoid hemorrhage or focal cerebral ischemia.
Importance of the hematocrit as a risk factor in cerebral infarction.
Authors: Tohgi H , Yamanouchi H , Murakami M , Kameyama M
Published: June 2011

The relationship between the indicence of cerebral infarction and the hematocrit was studied using 432 consecutive autopsied patients with the average age of 77.1 years. The incidence of cerebral infraction was higher in patients with hematocrit values of more than 46%, (the average in younger adult subjects). The increase in the frequency of cerebral infarction with high hematocrit values was more conspicuous in patients with severe cerebral atherosclerosis than in those with slight cerebral atherosclerosis. High blood pressure per se did not influence the relationship between the hematocrit value and the incidence of cerebral infarction. With hematocrit values of more than 41%, cerebral infarction occurred more frequently in patients over 78 years of age than in the younger patients, but the difference was not significant statistically. High hematocrit values are associated with a higher risk of cerebral infarction in deep subcortical structures of the brain than for cartical infarctions. The pathogenetic and preventive implications of these results are discussed in the light of blood rheology.
Cardiac arrhythmias in acute stroke.
Authors: Norris J W , Froggatt G M , Hachinski V C
Published: June 2011

Cardiac arrhythmias were more frequent (p less than 0.001) in 312 stroke patients admitted to an intensive care stroke unit, than in 92 patients admitted to the unit and subsequently found not to have strokes. This significant difference remained when a stroke subgroup and the non-stroke group were matched for age, sex and duration of stay in the unit (P less than 0.005). Hypertension and hypertensive cardiac disease were more common in the stroke than in the non-stroke patients (P less than 0.001). Ectopic beats and atrial fibrillation, as well as other arrhythmias, were most frequent in patients with cerebral hemisphere infarction, and patients with hemispheric lesions had significantly more arrhythmias than those with brain stem lesions (P less than 0.05). The arrhythmias were rarely (2%) responsible for hemodynamic ischemic cerebrovascular lesions, but may have been associated with cerebral embolism in up to 17% of cases. The cardiac arrhythmias appeared to have little influence on the course of the subsequent recovery from stroke. Although these arrhythmias frequently reflect the high incidence of cardiac disease in stroke patients, in some cases they are secondary to the acute cerebrovascular lesion itself.
Leukocyte Telomere Length Is Associated With High-Risk Plaques on Virtual Histology Intravascular Ultrasound and Increased Proinflammatory Activity
Authors: Calvert Patrick A. , Liew Tze-Vun , Gorenne Isabelle , Clarke Murray , Costopoulos Charis , Obaid Daniel R. , O'Sullivan Michael , Shapiro Leonard M. , McNab Duncan C. , Densem Cameron G. , Schofield Peter M. , Braganza Denise , Clarke Sarah C. , Ray Kausik K. , West Nick E.J. , Bennett Martin R.
Published: June 2011

Objective—

Leukocyte telomere length (LTL), a marker of cellular senescence, is inversely associated with cardiovascular events. However, whether LTL reflects plaque extent or unstable plaques, and the mechanisms underlying any association are unknown.

Methods and Results—

One hundred seventy patients with stable angina or acute coronary syndrome referred for percutaneous coronary intervention underwent 3-vessel virtual histology intravascular ultrasound; 30 372 mm of intravascular ultrasound pullback and 1096 plaques were analyzed. LTL was not associated with plaque volume but was associated with calcified thin-capped fibroatheroma (OR, 1.24; CI, 1.01–1.53;
P
=0.039) and total fibroatheroma numbers (OR, 1.19; CI, 1.02–1.39;
P
=0.027). Monocytes from coronary artery disease patients showed increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. To mimic leukocyte senescence, we disrupted telomeres and binding and expression of the telomeric protein protection of telomeres protein-1, inducing DNA damage. Telomere disruption increased monocyte secretion of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, IL-6, and IL-1β and oxidative burst, similar to that seen in coronary artery disease patients, and lymphocyte secretion of IL-2 and reduced lymphocyte IL-10.

Conclusion—

Shorter LTL is associated with high-risk plaque morphology on virtual histology intravascular ultrasound but not total 3-vessel plaque burden. Monocytes with disrupted telomeres show increased proinflammatory activity, which is also seen in coronary artery disease patients, suggesting that telomere shortening promotes high-risk plaque subtypes by increasing proinflammatory activity.
Simple Multicloud Models for the Diurnal Cycle of Tropical Precipitation. Part II: The Continental Regime
Authors: Frenkel Yevgeniy , Khouider Boualem , Majda Andrew J.
Published: June 2011

The variation of precipitation over land due to the diurnal cycle of solar heating is examined here in the context of a simple multicloud model for tropical convection with bulk atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) dynamics. The model utilizes three cloud types (congestus, deep, and stratiform) that are believed to characterize organized tropical convection based on the first two baroclinic modes of vertical structure in the free troposphere, coupled to the ABL through full bulk boundary layer (FBBL) dynamics, that allow a careful separation between sensible and latent heat surface fluxes. In a land parameter regime, characterized by a strong inversion profile, a large Bowen ratio of 0.4, and active mixing of sensible heat due to cumulus entrainment and downdraft fluxes at the top of the ABL, the model supports a stable 1-day periodic solution that is characterized by a pronounced (7 K day−1) afternoon peak in precipitation consistent with observations of tropical precipitation over continental regions. The current study suggests a division of the diurnal cycle of precipitation over land into a cycle of five phases: 1) an overnight phase of a radiative–convective equilibrium (RCE) state between 2000 and 0600 LST; 2) an early morning CAPE buildup accompanied by a sudden rise in precipitation that quickly dries the middle troposphere occurs between 0600 and roughly 1000 LST; 3) a moistening phase between roughly 1000 and 1600 LST; 4) a phase of maximum precipitation between 1600 and 1800 LST that dries the middle troposphere and quickly consumes CAPE; and 5) a rapid remoistening phase that restores the moisture level to sustain the overnight RCE precipitation and connects to phase 1 in the cycle. Sensitivity tests in the model confirm that the late afternoon precipitation maximum over land depends crucially on a strong inversion, the large Bowen ratio, and the active mixing of sensible heat due to cumulus entrainment and downdraft fluxes at the top of the ABL.
The Madden–Julian Oscillation in CCSM4
Authors: Subramanian Aneesh C. , Jochum Markus , Miller Arthur J. , Murtugudde Raghu , Neale Richard B. , Waliser Duane E.
Published: June 2011

This study assesses the ability of the Community Climate System Model, version 4 (CCSM4) to represent the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO), the dominant mode of intraseasonal variability in the tropical atmosphere. The U.S. Climate Variability and Predictability (CLIVAR) MJO Working Group’s prescribed diagnostic tests are used to evaluate the model’s mean state, variance, and wavenumber–frequency characteristics in a 20-yr simulation of the intraseasonal variability in zonal winds at 850 hPa (U850) and 200 hPa (U200), and outgoing longwave radiation (OLR). Unlike its predecessor, CCSM4 reproduces a number of aspects of MJO behavior more realistically.

The CCSM4 produces coherent, broadbanded, and energetic patterns in eastward-propagating intraseasonal zonal winds and OLR in the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans that are generally consistent with MJO characteristics. Strong peaks occur in power spectra and coherence spectra with periods between 20 and 100 days and zonal wavenumbers between 1 and 3. Model MJOs, however, tend to be more broadbanded in frequency than in observations. Broad-scale patterns, as revealed in combined EOFs of U850, U200, and OLR, are remarkably consistent with observations and indicate that large-scale convergence–convection coupling occurs in the simulated MJO.

Relations between MJO in the model and its concurrence with other climate states are also explored. MJO activity (defined as the percentage of time the MJO index exceeds 1.5) is enhanced during El Niño events compared to La Niña events, both in the model and observations. MJO activity is increased during periods of anomalously strong negative meridional wind shear in the Asian monsoon region and also during strong negative Indian Ocean zonal mode states, in both the model and observations.
Asian Indians and depressive symptoms: Reframing mental health help-seeking behavior
Authors: Leung Patrick , Cheung Monit , Tsui Venus
Published: June 2011

Survey results from 96 Asian Indians in the USA found that those having depressive symptoms were more likely to have experienced social, family or relationship issues. Logistic regression analysis indicated three significant predictors: 1) individuals with anxiety problems were 11.34 times more likely to have depressive symptoms; 2) each unit increase in the score for family or relationship issues increased the likelihood of depression by 3.74 times; and 3) individuals currently employed were 90.9 percent less likely to have depressive symptoms. Reframing mental health symptoms as reactions to family/social issues will help Asian Indians step forward to seek professional help.
City–County Consolidations
Authors: Martin Lawrence L. , Schiff Jeannie Hock
Published: June 2011

This essay explores city–county consolidations and the extent of alignment between the advantages promised by consolidation advocates and the performance of such government structures. Peer-reviewed research specifically bearing on city–county consolidations is presented together with supporting research on the consolidation of local governments in general. The performance of such consolidations is evaluated on three dimensions: efficiency in service delivery, promotion of economic development, and increased equity in terms of urban/suburban disparities and the impact on ethnic minority representation. The authors conclude that little empirical research exists to suggest that city–county consolidations actually increase efficiency, promote economic development, or increase equity.
Native like me: Confessions of an Asiatic black anthropologist
Authors: Harden Jacalyn
Published: June 2011

There has been a great deal of debate among anthropologists over the use of the term ‘native anthropologist’ and whether it continues the discipline’s history of ‘othering’ non-white people (both as researchers and as the researched). Yet what has gone relatively untouched are the persistent assumptions behind the term that a non-white anthropologist is by definition a native anthropologist who is helping to decode his or her people of a similar skin tone or cultural identity, done for non-native (presumably white) anthropologists. In order to truly rethink the problematics surrounding the researcher and research subject, academics must directly confront the unspoken patterns and assumptions that are at the heart of the expectations placed upon non-white anthropologists. Although there are few non-white, non-natives who do not study ‘their own’, and instead focus on other ‘others’, we represent a necessary shift in how future anthropological knowledge should be conceived and produced.
Pre-clinical evaluation of ceramic femoral head resurfacing prostheses using computational models and mechanical testing
Authors: Dickinson A S , Browne M , Wilson K C , Jeffers J R T , Taylor A C
Published: June 2011

Ceramic-on-ceramic hip resurfacing can potentially offer the bone-conserving advantages of resurfacing while eliminating metal ion release. Thin-walled ceramic resurfacing heads are conceivable following developments in the strength and reliability of ceramic materials, but verification of new designs is required. The present study aimed to develop a mechanical pre-clinical analysis verification process for ceramic resurfacing heads, using the DeltaSurf prosthesis design as a case study.

Finite element analysis of a range of in vivo scenarios was used to design a series of physiologically representative mechanical tests, which were conducted to verify the strength of the prosthesis. Tests were designed to simulate ideal and worst-case in vivo loading and support, or to allow comparison with a clinically successful metallic device.

In tests simulating ideal loading and support, the prosthesis sustained a minimum load of 39 kN before fracture, and survived 10 000 000 fatigue cycles of 0.534 kN to 5.34 kN. In worst-case tests representing a complete lack of superior femoral head bone support or pure cantilever loading of the prosthesis stem, the design demonstrated strength comparable to that of the equivalent metal device.

The developed mechanical verification test programme represents an improvement in the state of the art where international test standards refer largely to total hip replacement prostheses. The case study’s novel prosthesis design performed with considerable safety margins compared with extreme in vivo loads, providing evidence that the proposed ceramic resurfacing heads should have sufficient strength to perform safely in vivo. Similar verification tests should be designed and conducted for novel ceramic prosthesis designs in the future, leading the way to clinical evaluation.
Intestinal pseudo-obstruction syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Zhang J , Fang M , Wang Y , Mao J , Sun X
Published: June 2011

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IpsO) occurs in a small subgroup of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and has been under-recognized. The etiology and mechanisms are unclear. Herein, we report two cases. In case 1, IpsO occurred as the complication in a previously diagnosed SLE patient. In case 2, IpsO with an image-evidenced intussusception and a peripheral eosinophilia, was the initial presentation, leading to the diagnosis of SLE. In both cases, IpsO existed concomitantly with ureterohydronephrosis, and evolved into peritonitis, which we called together IpsO syndrome. However, this surgical abdomen-like syndrome had a satisfactory response to glucocorticosteroids instead of antibiotics and surgery. Physician awareness and early diagnosis could positively affect outcomes of this syndrome, avoiding unnecessary surgical intervention.
Vitamin D deficiency and its association with disease activity in new cases of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Bonakdar ZS , Jahanshahifar L , Jahanshahifar F , Gholamrezaei A
Published: June 2011

Evidence has shown a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We evaluated the frequency of vitamin D deficiency and its association with disease activity in new cases of SLE. Women with newly diagnosed SLE, based on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, were enrolled consecutively. Those receiving vitamin D supplements and postmenopausal women were not included. Disease activity was measured by the BILAG index (2004) and serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) was measured by radioimmunoassay method. Forty SLE patients with mean age of 25.3 ± 4.2 years were studied. Severe, moderate, and mild vitamin D deficiency, corresponding to serum 25[OH]D concentrations of <12.5, 12.5–24.9, and 25–39.9 nmol/l, were found in 12.5%, 62.5%, and 17.5% of the patients, respectively. Serum 25[OH]D concentration was inversely correlated with the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) index score ( r = −0.486, p = 0.001). Those with a more severe vitamin D deficiency had also higher concentrations of liver enzymes ( p < 0.05), lower serum albumin and hemoglobin concentrations ( p < 0.05), and higher titers of antibodies to double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA) ( p < 0.001). This study showed that most of the SLE patients in our society have vitamin D deficiency at the time of diagnosis that is associated with a higher disease activity. Routine screening for vitamin D deficiency and its prompt treatment in patients with newly diagnosed SLE is recommended.
Varieties of organizational soul: The ethics of belief in organizations
Authors: Bell Emma , Taylor Scott , Driscoll Cathy
Published: June 2011

This article argues that the expression of religious beliefs within organizations, often made manifest through the notion of soul, provides insight into the ethics of organization in postsecular society. Using examples to illustrate the discursive representation of organizational soul in three US-based multinational companies, we argue that religious organizational beliefs must be located within cultural and material contexts of practice in order to fully appreciate their ethical implications. We show how the use of soul is a contemporary reiteration of the 19th century religious attitude that William James termed ‘healthy-mindedness’. We suggest that this variety of religious experience is limiting through its neglect of the social and political contexts of ethical thought and action and the definition of evil or harm as external to the believer and the organization. Drawing on a pragmatist perspective, we critique this approach to belief-led business and propose that the Jamesian notion of a ‘sick soul’ constitutes a more robust ethical framework for belief-led businesses by encouraging ethical skepticism concerning the nature of organizational activities. We conclude by exploring what our analysis means for the development of postsecular critical organization theory.
Why is it not working? Identifying barriers to the therapy of paediatric obesity in an intercultural setting
Authors: Ciupitu Carmen Cristina , Babitsch Birgit
Published: June 2011

Given the high overweight prevalence among children with a migration background in Germany, this paper describes barriers to the treatment of paediatric obesity in a specialized clinic providing services to an ethnically diverse population. In a cross-sectional mixed-method design, a two-week participant observation was followed by a cultural competence survey among the healthcare professionals employed at the clinic. The present study revealed barriers related to all categories of social actors involved in the therapy process. A major difficulty encountered by providers when working with ethnically diverse patients was the lack of mutual understanding, often associated with language barriers. Language barriers were most prevalent between providers and ethnically diverse mothers. Targeted education programs for adults (particularly women) with a migration background and cultural competence training for healthcare providers are needed in Germany. Special attention should be paid to scheduling appointments and enhancing patients’ engagement in the therapy process.
YouTube interactions between agonism, antagonism and dialogue: Video responses to the anti-Islam film Fitna
Authors: van Zoonen Liesbet , Vis Farida , Mihelj Sabina
Published: June 2011

Fitna is a 2008 short film made by a Dutch member of parliament to support his fight against Islam. It shows shocking footage of terrorism, violence and women’s oppression and claims that these are inherent to Islam. The film caused immense controversy and mobilized people across the world to produce and upload their own views to YouTube. In this article we analyze these videos using different theoretical models of democratic interaction, and distinguishing between antagonism, ‘agonism’ and dialogue. On the basis of a cybermetric network analysis we find that the videos are mostly isolated reactions to the film. Only 13 percent or fewer of the posters interacted with each other through comments, subscriptions or ‘friendship’. These interactions could be qualified as antagonistic or agonistic, but very rarely involved dialogue. We therefore conclude that YouTube enabled a multiplication of views rather than an exchange or dialogue between them.
Listening to suffering: What might ‘proper distance’ have to do with radio news?
Authors: Wright Kate
Published: June 2011

This article investigates whether Roger Silverstone’s notion of ‘proper distance’ provides the conceptual tools which are needed to assess the qualitative nature of radio listeners’ responses to mediated representations of suffering – a vital issue in radio research, given the dependence of most critical theory about journalistic depictions of suffering on ideas of the visual.

Specifically, it seeks to address practitioners’ and theorists’ concerns about the impact of framing on audience reactions, by using an audience study to examine whether beginning a series of packages of the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo with a ‘human interest’ interview generated different kinds of responses to those generated when other kinds of framing methods were used. The series, which was broadcast on BBC Radio Four’s Today programme, produced one of the greatest volumes of audience response in the programme’s history.

But rather than recommending ‘proper distance’ as the best theoretical tool with which to explore this phenomenon, this article advocates caution: questioning the ‘workability’ of Silverstone’s ideas, their cross-cultural applicability, and their sensitivity to empirical evidence about radio listening.
Effect of natural products on commercial oral antidiabetic drugs in enhancing 2-deoxyglucose uptake by 3T3-L1 adipocytes
Authors: Prabhakar Pranav Kumar , Doble Mukesh
Published: June 2011

Objective: The management of diabetes with insulin and synthetic oral hypoglycemic drugs (OHDs) can produce serious side effects and in addition fails to prevent diabetes-related complications in many patients. A new diabetes management strategy is needed that is more effective and has fewer side effects. Methods: This paper analyzes the dose- and time-dependent effect of three phytochemicals: berberine, arecoline and vanillic acid, and two antidiabetic drugs: 2,4-thiazolidinedione (TZD) and metformin, on the uptake of 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) by 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The interactions of the phytochemicals with the OHDs were analyzed with isobolograms and the combination index. Results: TZD and berberine increased 2DG uptake by 3.3-fold (with respect to control) at 15 µM and 25 µM, respectively. The same concentrations of arecoline and vanillic acid increased 2DG uptake by 3.2-and 2.9-fold, respectively, when compared with the basal level. Berberine and arecoline acted synergistically with both the OHDs, whereas vanillic acid had an additive interaction with TZD and an antagonistic interaction with metformin. Arecoline significantly increased the translocation of GLUT4 via the PPARγ pathway, whereas berberine and vanillic acid did this via the AMPK-dependent pathway. Conclusions: These phytochemicals significantly reduced the expression of the enzymes involved in fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis, indicating that they might help prevent the secondary complications of diabetes. The current study suggests that berberine and arecoline could allow dosage reduction of OHDs, which could also lead to a reduction in the toxicity and side effects caused by OHDs.
Outcome of patients with acute myeloid leukemia with monosomal karyotype who undergo hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Fang Min , Storer Barry , Estey Elihu , Othus Megan , Zhang Lisa , Sandmaier Brenda M. , Appelbaum Frederick R.
Published: June 2011

Monosomal karyotype (MK), defined as ≥ 2 autosomal monosomies or a single monosomy in the presence of other structural abnormalities, was confirmed by several studies to convey an extremely poor prognosis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a 4-year overall survival after diagnosis of < 4%. A recent investigation by the Southwest Oncology Group found that the only MK+ patients alive and disease free > 6 years from diagnosis received allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). To expand this observation, we retrospectively analyzed 432 patients treated with HCT at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 14% of whom were MK+. The 4-year overall survival of patients after HCT was 25% for MK+ AML and 56% for MK− AML (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.29, P < .0001). Among the MK+ patients, complex karyotype was associated with a significantly worse outcome than patients with noncomplex karyotype (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.70, P = .03). Thus, although the prognosis of MK+ patients remains worse than that for MK− patients in the transplantation setting, HCT appears to improve the overall outcome of MK+ patients, especially patients without a complex karyotype. However, the 28% of MK+ patients > 60 years had only a 6% 4-year survival rate after HCT, stressing the need for new approaches in these patients.
Comparative evaluation of the potential impact of rotavirus versus hpv vaccination in GAVI-eligible countries: A preliminary analysis focused on the relative disease burden
Authors: Kim Sun-Young , Sweet Steven , Chang Joshua , Goldie Sue J
Published: June 2011

Background

Immunization policymakers at global and local levels need to establish priorities among new vaccines competing for limited resources. However, comparison of the potential impact of single vaccination programs is challenging, primarily due to the limited number of vaccine analyses as well as their differing analytic approaches and reporting formats. The purpose of this study is to provide early insight into how the comparative impact of different new vaccines could be assessed in resource-poor settings with respect to affordability, cost-effectiveness, and distributional equity.

Methods

We compared the health, economic, and financial consequences of introducing the two vaccines in 72 GAVI-eligible countries using a number of different outcome measures to evaluate affordability, cost-effectiveness, and distributional equity. We use simple static models to standardize the analytic framework and improve comparability between the two new vaccines. These simple models were validated by leveraging previously developed, more complex models for rotavirus and human papillomavirus (HPV).

Results

With 70% coverage of a single-age cohort of infants and pre-adolescent girls, the lives saved with rotavirus (~274,000) and HPV vaccines (~286,000) are similar, although the timing of averted mortality differs; rotavirus-attributable deaths occur in close proximity to infection, while HPV-related cancer deaths occur largely after age 30. Deaths averted per 1000 vaccinated are 5.2 (rotavirus) and 12.6 (HPV). Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted were ~7.15 million (rotavirus) and ~1.30 million (HPV), reflecting the greater influence of discounting on the latter, given the lagtime between vaccination and averted cancer. In most countries (68 for rotavirus and 66 for HPV, at the cost of I$25 per vaccinated individual) the incremental cost per DALY averted was lower than each country's GDP per capita. Financial resources required for vaccination with rotavirus are higher than with HPV since both genders are vaccinated.

Conclusions

While lifesaving benefits of rotavirus and HPV vaccines will be realized at different times, the number of lives saved over each target populations' lifetimes will be similar. Model-based analyses that use a standardized analytic approach and generate comparable outputs can enrich the priority-setting dialogue. Although new vaccines may be deemed cost-effective, other factors including affordability and distributional equity need to be considered in different settings. We caution that for priority setting in an individual country, more rigorous comparisons should be performed, using more comprehensive models and considering all relevant vaccines and delivery strategies.
Physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and estimated insulin sensitivity and secretion in pregnant and non-pregnant women
Authors: Gradmark Anna , Pomeroy Jeremy , Renström Frida , Steiginga Susanne , Persson Margareta , Wright Antony , Bluck Les , Domellöf Magnus , Kahn Steven E , Mogren Ingrid , Franks Paul W
Published: June 2011

Background

Overweight and obesity during pregnancy raise the risk of gestational diabetes and birth complications. Lifestyle factors like physical activity may decrease these risks through beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis. Here we examined physical activity patterns and their relationships with measures of glucose homeostasis in late pregnancy compared to non-pregnant women.

Methods

Normal weight and overweight women without diabetes (N = 108; aged 25-35 years) were studied; 35 were pregnant (in gestational weeks 28-32) and 73 were non-pregnant.

Insulin sensitivity and β-cell response were estimated from an oral glucose tolerance test. Physical activity was measured during 10-days of free-living using a combined heart rate sensor and accelerometer. Total (TEE), resting (REE), and physical activity (PAEE) energy expenditure were measured using doubly-labeled water and expired gas indirect calorimetry.

Results

Total activity was associated with reduced first-phase insulin response in both pregnant (Regression r2 = 0.11; Spearman r = -0.47; p = 0.007) and non-pregnant women (Regression r2 = 0.11 Spearman; r = -0.36; p = 0.002). Relative to non-pregnant women, pregnant women were estimated to have secreted 67% more insulin and had 10% lower fasting glucose than non-pregnant women. Pregnant women spent 13% more time sedentary, 71% less time in moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity, had 44% lower objectively measured total activity, and 12% lower PAEE than non-pregnant women. Correlations did not differ significantly for any comparison between physical activity subcomponents and measures of insulin sensitivity or secretion.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that physical activity conveys similar benefits on glucose homeostasis in pregnant and non-pregnant women, despite differences in subcomponents of physical activity.
Respondent-driven sampling on the Thailand-Cambodia border. II. Knowledge, perception, practice and treatment-seeking behaviour of migrants in malaria endemic zones
Authors: Wangroongsarb Piyaporn , Satimai Wichai , Khamsiriwatchara Amnat , Thwing Julie , Eliades James M , Kaewkungwal Jaranit , Delacollette Charles
Published: June 2011

Background

Population movements along the Thailand-Cambodia border, particularly among highly mobile and hard-to-access migrant groups from Cambodia and Myanmar, are assumed to play a key role in the spread of artemisinin resistance. Data on treatment-seeking behaviours, knowledge and perceptions about malaria, and use of preventive measures is lacking as characteristics of this population prevent them from being represented in routine surveillance and the lack of a sampling frame makes reliable surveys challenging.

Methods

A survey of migrant populations from Cambodia and Myanmar was implemented in five selected rural locations in Thailand along the Thai-Cambodian border using respondent driven sampling (RDS) to determine demographic characteristics of the population, migratory patterns, knowledge about malaria, and health-care -seeking behaviours.

Results

The majority of migrants from Myanmar are long-term residents (98%) with no plans to move back to Myanmar, understand spoken Thai (77%) and can therefore benefit from health messages in Thai, have Thai health insurance (99%) and accessed public health services in Thailand (63%) for their last illness. In comparison, the majority of Cambodian migrants are short-term (72%). Of the short-term Cambodian migrants, 92% work in agriculture, 18% speak Thai, 3.4% have Thai health insurance, and the majority returned to Cambodia for treatment (45%), self-treated (11%), or did not seek treatment for their last illness (27%).

Conclusion

Most highly mobile migrants along the Thai-Cambodia border are not accessing health messages or health treatment in Thailand, increasing their risk of malaria and facilitating the spread of potentially resistant Plasmodium falciparum as they return to Cambodia to seek treatment. Reaching out to highly mobile migrants with health messaging they can understand and malaria diagnosis and treatment services they can access is imperative in the effort to contain the spread of artemisinin-resistant P. falciparum.
How many days of monitoring predict physical activity and sedentary behaviour in older adults?
Authors: Hart Teresa L , Swartz Ann M , Cashin Susan E , Strath Scott J
Published: June 2011

Background

The number of days of pedometer or accelerometer data needed to reliably assess physical activity (PA) is important for research that examines the relationship with health. While this important research has been completed in young to middle-aged adults, data is lacking in older adults. Further, data determining the number of days of self-reports PA data is also void. The purpose of this study was to examine the number of days needed to predict habitual PA and sedentary behaviour across pedometer, accelerometer, and physical activity log (PA log) data in older adults.

Methods

Participants (52 older men and women; age = 69.3 ± 7.4 years, range= 55-86 years) wore a Yamax Digiwalker SW-200 pedometer and an ActiGraph 7164 accelerometer while completing a PA log for 21 consecutive days. Mean differences each instrument and intensity between days of the week were examined using separate repeated measures analysis of variance for with pairwise comparisons. Spearman-Brown Prophecy Formulae based on Intraclass Correlations of .80, .85, .90 and .95 were used to predict the number of days of accelerometer or pedometer wear or PA log daily records needed to represent total PA, light PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA, and sedentary behaviour.

Results

Results of this study showed that three days of accelerometer data, four days of pedometer data, or four days of completing PA logs are needed to accurately predict PA levels in older adults. When examining time spent in specific intensities of PA, fewer days of data are needed for accurate prediction of time spent in that activity for ActiGraph but more for the PA log. To accurately predict average daily time spent in sedentary behaviour, five days of ActiGraph data are needed.

Conclusions

The number days of objective (pedometer and ActiGraph) and subjective (PA log) data needed to accurately estimate daily PA in older adults was relatively consistent. Despite no statistical differences between days for total PA by the pedometer and ActiGraph, the magnitude of differences between days suggests that day of the week cannot be completely ignored in the design and analysis of PA studies that involve < 7-day monitoring protocols for these instruments. More days of accelerometer data were needed to determine typical sedentary behaviour than PA level in this population of older adults.
Improvement of cardiac contractile function by peptide-based inhibition of NF-κB in the utrophin/dystrophin-deficient murine model of muscular dystrophy
Authors: Delfín Dawn A , Xu Ying , Peterson Jennifer M , Guttridge Denis C , Rafael-Fortney Jill A , Janssen Paul ML
Published: June 2011

Background

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an inherited and progressive disease causing striated muscle deterioration. Patients in their twenties generally die from either respiratory or cardiac failure. In order to improve the lifespan and quality of life of DMD patients, it is important to prevent or reverse the progressive loss of contractile function of the heart. Recent studies by our labs have shown that the peptide NBD (Nemo Binding Domain), targeted at blunting Nuclear Factor κB (NF-κB) signaling, reduces inflammation, enhances myofiber regeneration, and improves contractile deficits in the diaphragm in dystrophin-deficient mdx mice.

Methods

To assess whether cardiac function in addition to diaphragm function can be improved, we investigated physiological and histological parameters of cardiac muscle in mice deficient for both dystrophin and its homolog utrophin (double knockout = dko) mice treated with NBD peptide. These dko mice show classic pathophysiological hallmarks of heart failure, including myocyte degeneration, an impaired force-frequency response and a severely blunted β-adrenergic response. Cardiac contractile function at baseline and frequencies and pre-loads throughout the in vivo range as well as β-adrenergic reserve was measured in isolated cardiac muscle preparations. In addition, we studied histopathological and inflammatory markers in these mice.

Results

At baseline conditions, active force development in cardiac muscles from NBD treated dko mice was more than double that of vehicle-treated dko mice. NBD treatment also significantly improved frequency-dependent behavior of the muscles. The increase in force in NBD-treated dko muscles to β-adrenergic stimulation was robustly restored compared to vehicle-treated mice. However, histological features, including collagen content and inflammatory markers were not significantly different between NBD-treated and vehicle-treated dko mice.

Conclusions

We conclude that NBD can significantly improve cardiac contractile dysfunction in the dko mouse model of DMD and may thus provide a novel therapeutic treatment for heart failure.