bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relative importance of solitary bees and syrphid flies as pollinators of two outcrossing plant species in the New Zealand alpine
Authors: BISCHOFF MASCHA , CAMPBELL DIANE R. , LORD JANICE M. , ROBERTSON ALASTAIR W.
Published: April 2012

Pollinators vary in their relative contribution to the conspecific pollen deposited onto receptive stigmas, because of variation in both visitation rate and effectiveness of pollen transfer. Syrphid flies and short‐tongued solitary bees are common flower visitors in alpine New Zealand, yet their relative importance as pollinators is unknown. We measured pollinator performance of the New Zealand alpine endemics Hylaeus matamoko (Hymenoptera: Colletidae) and Allograpta spp. (Diptera: Syrphidae) on two New Zealand alpine herbs, Ourisia glandulosa (Plantaginaceae) and Wahlenbergia albomarginata (Campanulaceae). Ourisia glandulosa received visits by solitary bees and syrphid flies at equal frequencies, whereas W. albomarginata was mostly visited by H. matamoko. Based on single‐visit pollen deposition to virgin stigmas, H. matamoko was a much more effective pollinator than Allograpta spp., delivering 10 times as much pollen per visit to O. glandulosa stigmas and 3 times as much to W. albomarginata stigmas. By multiplying visitation frequency by single‐visit pollen deposition, we estimated that H. matamoko performed 90% and 95% of the pollination of O. glandulosa and W. albomarginata, respectively. Although H. matamoko bees are short‐tongued and small in size, they are critically important to plant reproductive success in the New Zealand alpine. These bees contributed most of the pollination, even to a species that received just as many visits by flies, underscoring the need to consider per‐visit effectiveness as well as visitation rate in assessing the importance of different pollinators.
Carbon dioxide insufflation safety in double‐balloon enteroscopy: An experimental animal study
Authors: Soria Federico , Lopez‐Albors Octavio , Morcillo Esther , Martin Carolina , Sarria Ricardo , Esteban Pilar , Carballo Fernando , Perez‐Cuadrado Enrique , Sanchez Francisco M , Latorre Rafael
Published: April 2012

Aim

The aim of the present study was to assess the safety and efficacy of CO2 during double‐balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in an experimental animal model study. In this study, insufflation with room air and with CO2 was compared.

Methods

Twenty healthy swines were used. The animals were randomly allocated to two groups. The room air‐DBE group was insufflated with room air, whereas the CO2‐DBE group was insufflated with CO2. Endoscopy duration was 90 min. The following parameters were measured during the study (basal, 30 min, 60 min, 90 min): invasive hemodynamic parameters, ventilatory parameters, arterial blood gases, exploration depth, as well as biochemical tests. Residual gas was evaluated at the end of DBE, at 180 min and 24 h after DBE.

Results

During the endoscopic exploration none of the animals showed hemodynamic, ventilatory or arterial blood gas alterations in the normal reference range for the swine species. The CO2 group showed statistically significant differences over the room air group with lower post‐procedure residual gas and greater depth of the small bowel explored.

Conclusion

The use of CO2 for insufflation during DBE was safe and no complications associated with CO2 were observed. In addition, the use of CO2 offers benefits over the use of room air for insufflation during DBE.
Investigation of ductile damage development in ferritic steel subject to uniaxial deformation
Authors: FAßMANN D. P. F. , GERSTEIN G. , SCHAPER M. , BACH FR.‐W.
Published: April 2012

The object of this investigation is the influence of uniaxial deformation on both the formation of voids and ductile damage in ferritic steel. Specimens are prepared by means of a method which, to a large extent, is free of manipulation and permits the crystal's interior to be observed. These specimens were investigated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Anisotropic void formation and growth behaviour were exhibited which is correlated with the material texture using an EBSD investigation. Observing the crystalline structure by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) enables the effects of the pore formation and growth to be examined in more detail.
Effect of a variation in material properties on the crack tip opening displacement
Authors: CODRINGTON J. , KOTOUSOV A. , CHANG D.
Published: April 2012

This paper investigates the effect of a variation in material properties on the crack tip opening displacement, a parameter often used in the prediction of fatigue and fracture. This situation is typical when a component is subjected to a relatively slow temperature fluctuation or the material properties undergo direct changes, such as due to a phase transformation. An analytical strip‐yield model is developed using the small‐scale yielding assumption and theory of complex potentials. Four cases of crack tip plasticity behaviour are identified for the different combinations of parameters controlling the variation in material properties. Results of calculations over a wide range of material properties are presented and show a significant effect on the crack tip opening displacement. Finite element simulations are conducted to verify the analytical findings. The implications of the outcomes in relation to several practical situations are also discussed.
On improved crack tip plastic zone estimates based on T‐stress and on complete stress fields
Authors: SOUSA R. A. , CASTRO J. T. P. , LOPES A. A. O. , MARTHA L. F.
Published: April 2012

Cracked ductile structures yield locally to form a plastic zone (pz) around their crack tips, which size and shape controls their structural behaviour. Classical pz estimates are based solely on stress intensity factors (SIF), but their precision is limited to very low σn/SY nominal stress to yield strength ratios. T‐stresses are frequently used to correct SIF‐based pz estimates, but both SIF and SIF plus T‐stress pz estimates are based on truncated linear elastic (LE) stress fields that do not satisfy boundary conditions. Using Griffith's plate complete LE stress field to avoid such truncated pz estimates, the influence of its Williams’ series terms on pz estimation is evaluated, showing that T‐stress improvements are limited to medium σn/SY values. Then, corrections are proposed to introduce equilibrium requirements into LE pz estimates. Finally, these improved estimates are compared with pz calculated numerically by an elastic–plastic finite element analysis.
The extracellular matrix and diffusion barriers in focal cortical dysplasias
Authors: Zamecnik Josef , Homola Ales , Cicanic Michal , Kuncova Klara , Marusic Petr , Krsek Pavel , Sykova Eva , Vargova Lydia
Published: April 2012

Focal cortical dysplasias (FCDs) of the brain are recognized as a frequent cause of intractable epilepsy. To contribute to the current understanding of the mechanisms of epileptogenesis in FCD, our study provides evidence that not only cellular alterations and synaptic transmission, but also changed diffusion properties of the extracellular space (ECS), induced by modified extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and astrogliosis, might be involved in the generation or spread of seizures in FCD. The composition of the ECM in FCD and non‐malformed cortex (in 163 samples from 62 patients) was analyzed immunohistochemically and correlated with the corresponding ECS diffusion parameter values determined with the real‐time iontophoretic method in freshly resected cortex (i.e. the ECS volume fraction and the geometrical factor tortuosity, describing the hindrances to diffusion in the ECS). The ECS in FCD was shown to differ from that in non‐malformed cortex, mainly by the increased accumulation of certain ECM molecules (tenascin R, tenascin C, and versican) or by their reduced expression (brevican), and by the presence of an increased number of astrocytic processes. The consequent increase of ECS diffusion barriers observed in both FCD type I and II (and, at the same time, the enlargement of the ECS volume in FCD type II) may alter the diffusion of neuroactive substances through the ECS, which mediates one of the important modes of intercellular communication in the brain – extrasynaptic volume transmission. Thus, the changed ECM composition and altered ECS diffusion properties might represent additional factors contributing to epileptogenicity in FCD.
Laparoscopy in the surgical treatment of rectal cancer in Germany 2000–2009
Authors: Mroczkowski P. , Hac S. , Smith B. , Schmidt U. , Lippert H. , Kube R.
Published: April 2012

Aim  The goal of this registry study was to compare open surgery with planned laparoscopy and then with laparoscopic to open conversion for rectal cancer surgery.

Method  The study included 17 964 rectal cancer patients, operated on between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2009, from 345 hospitals in Germany. All statistical tests were two‐sided, with the χ2 test (Pearson correlation) for patients and tumour characteristics. Fisher’s exact test was used for complications and 30‐day mortality.

Results  Of the 17 964 rectal cancer patients, 16 308 (90.8%) had an open procedure and 1656 (9.2%) were started with a laparoscopy. The 1455 patients with completed laparoscopic operations had fewer intra‐operative and postoperative complications (5.4%vs 7.0%, P = 0.020, and 20.5%vs 25.8%, P < 0.001, respectively) and a lower 30‐day mortality rate (1.1%vs 1.9%, P = 0.023). Of the 1656 planned laparoscopies, 201 (12.1%) were converted to open. The converted group suffered more intra‐operative complications (18.9%vs 3.6% for completed laparoscopy and 7.0% for open surgery, P < 0.0001) and postoperative complications (32.3%vs 18.9% for completed laparoscopy and 25.8% for open operations, P < 0.0001). The converted group also had a higher 30‐day mortality rate (2.0%vs 1.0% for completed laparoscopy and 1.9% for open surgery, P = 0.043).

Conclusion  The more favourable patient profile provided justification for a laparoscopic procedure. For those converted to an open procedure, however, there were significantly more complications than planned open surgery patients. A move away from the standard open procedure for rectal cancer surgery and towards laparoscopy is not yet feasible.
Young Adolescents' Perceptions of Teachers' and Peers' Goals as Predictors of Social and Academic Goal Pursuit
Authors: Wentzel Kathryn R. , Baker Sandra A. , Russell Shannon L.
Published: April 2012

Young Mexican American adolescents' perceptions of socially derived goals of teachers and peers were examined as predictors of their pursuit of social goals (to be prosocial and responsible) and academic goals (to learn and to perform well), while controlling for perceived parental goals. The role of perceived emotional caring in mediating relations between socially derived goals and goal pursuit also was examined. Results of multiple regression analyses indicated that social and academic expectations from peers were the most consistent positive predictors of students' social and academic goals; findings indicated significant relations within‐domain (e.g. social expectations predicted social goal pursuit) as well as across‐domain (e.g. social expectations predicted academic goal pursuit). Mediating effects were also found such that perceived caring from teachers and peers partly explained relations between socially derived goals and students' academic and social goal pursuits.
Using webcasts in education: Evaluation of its effectiveness
Authors: Giannakos Michail N. , Vlamos Panayiotis
Published: April 2012

Educational webcasts are nowadays widely used by many organizations and institutions all over the world. However, the educational effectiveness of webcasts when used as an autonomous method is yet to be explored. In this paper, the clarification of certain issues concerning their educational effectiveness is attempted. Following specific instructions, an educational webcast was developed, and then a between group evaluation experiment was conducted. The experiment compared traditional learning and an educational webcast. A total of 66 gymnasium (middle school) students were placed in two groups based on a pretest method. The results of the evaluation showed that educational webcasts can be very effective on certain conditions. On the one hand, the educational effectiveness of the webcast was particularly high when applied to tasks that required simple comprehension. On the other hand, the webcast had poor performance in the consolidation of complex tasks.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

Advocates of webcasting in education indicate that these technologies can improve student performance; they mention that webcasting lectures in their entirety are useful for revision, reviewing purposes and assist students to fill in learning gaps.

Webcasts provide students the opportunity to actively engage with the material by allowing learners to directly and repeatedly access a specific section of presentations and/or control the speed to play the media file.

Prior studies (eg, McKinney, Dyck & Luber, 2009; Traphagan, Kucsera & Kishi, 2010) also found that students who reported using lecture webcasts as a replacement for the in‐class lecture exhibited lower performance.

What this paper adds

We focus on the effectiveness of webcast as an autonomous learning tool and find that in some cases, webcast's performance can reach traditional learning performance.

This research found that in simple comprehension tasks, webcasts seem to have much better performance compared with traditional learning.

Findings indicate that in tasks where a greater degree of comprehension is required, webcast and traditional learning seem to have the same performance.

This research found that in complex tasks that required additional comprehension and a great degree of consolidation, webcasts had very low performance and few of the students coped with the complex task.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Asynchronous‐autonomous teaching with webcasts may demonstrate good performance.

Webcast is more efficient when it comes to light‐epidermal tasks (eg, multiple choice questions).

For knowledge that has to be comprehended and consolidated, in order to be used in combination with other knowledge for solving complex tasks, the webcast is not recommended because its performance in this area is very poor.
Celebrity Politics: Bono, Product (RED) and the Legitimising of Philanthrocapitalism
Authors: Farrell Nathan
Published: April 2012

This article reviews a framework developed by John Street which positions aesthetics, style and performance, and celebrity politics as legitimate features within representative democracy. It applies this framework to the example of (RED), a political consumerism campaign fronted by U2 singer Bono, which raises funds for African AIDS victims. It accounts for the use of style by Bono as a celebrity politician to represent himself as an authoritative figure and (RED) as a legitimate response to the epidemic, and relates this representation to the organisational arrangements underpinning the campaign. Further, it examines the relationship between the interests of these organisations and the manner in which (RED) represents AIDS. The article argues for a further integration of textual readings of celebrity politicians based on their aesthetic qualities, and an appreciation of the organisations that contribute to the production of their campaigns.
Paramilitaries, Peace Processes and the Dilemma of Protection: The Ulster Defence Association's Role in ‘Keeping a Lid on Loyalism’
Authors: Mitchell Audra , Templer Sara
Published: April 2012

Paramilitary actors involved in peace processes are expected to contribute to two distinct forms of protection: national-level protection as ‘security’; and local-level security as ‘safety’. Examining the case of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) in Northern Ireland, we explain how these two forms of protection have become interlinked in the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement (GF/BA) and the related peace process. Instead of generating a virtuous cycle, this has created a dilemma between providing protection as ‘safety’ and as ‘security’. Drawing on interviews with key UDA-affiliated actors in 2009–10, against the backdrop of increasing ‘dissident Republican’ violence, we assess how they navigated this dilemma, and its potential effects on the unfolding political context, calling for greater attention to the relationship between different conceptions of protection in peace processes.
How to Read Paddington Bear: Liberalism and the Foreign Subject in A Bear Called Paddington
Authors: Grayson Kyle
Published: April 2012

This article explores Michael Bond's A Bear Called Paddington as a vernacular political text about bordering practices and foreignness. With the foreign subject in the UK positioned as both a cause of and a solution to politico-cultural problems, the Paddington stories illustrate how this ambivalence is deeply embedded within liberalism. It is argued that A Bear Called Paddington unpacks liberal conceptions of identity, migration and tolerance while drawing attention to specific negotiations of difference that render Paddington (and others like him) into precarious positions of insecurity. The article then illustrates how Paddington exemplifies the tensions caused by the presence of the foreigner in societies perceived to be liberal.
Preschoolers Use Intentional and Pedagogical Cues to Guide Inductive Inferences and Exploration
Authors: Butler Lucas P. , Markman Ellen M.
Published: April 2012

Children are judicious social learners. They may be particularly sensitive to communicative actions done pedagogically for their benefit, as such actions may mark important, generalizable information. Three experiments (N = 224) found striking differences in preschoolers’ inductive generalization and exploration of a novel functional property, depending on whether identical evidence for the property was produced accidentally, intentionally, or pedagogically and communicatively. Results also revealed that although 4‐year‐olds reserved strong generalizations for a property that is pedagogically demonstrated, 3‐year‐olds made such inferences when it was produced either intentionally or pedagogically. These findings suggest that by age 4 children assess whether evidence is produced for their benefit in gauging generalizability, giving them a powerful tool for acquiring important kind‐relevant, generic knowledge.
Voting for Redistribution under Desert‐Sensitive Altruism*
Authors: Luttens Roland Iwan , Valfort Marie‐Anne
Published: April 2012

We endow individuals who differ in skills and tastes for working, with altruistic preferences for redistribution in a voting model where a unidimensional redistributive parameter is chosen by majority voting in a direct democracy. When altruistic preferences are desert‐sensitive (i.e., when there is a reluctance to redistribute from the hard‐working to the lazy), we show that lower levels of redistribution emerge in political equilibrium. We provide empirical evidence that preferences for redistribution are not purely selfish, and that desert‐sensitive motivations play a significant role. We estimate that preferences for redistribution are significantly more desert‐sensitive in the US than in Europe.
Credit, reputation, and masculinity in British urban commerce: Edinburgh, c. 1710–701
Authors: PAUL K. TAWNY
Published: April 2012

This article draws on cases of public insult from the Edinburgh consistory court to explore constructions of credit and reputation during the eighteenth century. Scotland's unique legal context offers new insights into the honour of men and women, replacing the received view that female honour was almost entirely about sexual honour and complicating our understanding of male honour among the middling sort. In contrast to studies that view the credit of men and women as principally contradictory, this study instead identifies significant points of both overlap and divergence in male and female reputation and discusses honour as a family matter. Unlike in England, levels of defamation litigation in Scotland remained high through the eighteenth century, and both the social composition of defamation litigants and the types of insult they brought to court remained consistent. However, the forms and settings of disputes over honour changed, reflecting the interiorization of conflict as the eighteenth century progressed.
Intravenous thrombolysis in ischaemic stroke secondary to cervical artery dissection: safe but not effective?
Authors: Vergouwen M. D. I.
Published: April 2012

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Fabry disease in unselected patients with TIA or stroke: population‐based study
Authors: Marquardt L. , Baker R. , Segal H. , Burgess A. I. , Poole D. , Hughes D. A. , Rothwell P. M.
Published: April 2012

Background

Fabry disease (FD) is an X‐linked lysosomal storage disorder frequently associated with cerebrovascular disease. In recent years, the prevalence of FD has been reported to be up to 4% in cryptogenic young stroke patients. However, there have been no population‐based studies in unselected patients with transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or stroke across the full range of ages.

Methods

We determined the prevalence of FD mutations in consecutive patients from a population‐based study of acute TIA or ischaemic stroke (Oxford Vascular Study). Analysis included amplifying of the α‐galactosidase A gene by polymerase chain reaction, denaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography (dHPLC) analysis and sequencing using standard automated sequencing protocols [Mutation Surveyor software (Softgenetics)] where the dHPLC indicated a possible mutation.

Results

Samples of 1046 consecutive patients (52% women; mean age 73.2 years; 15% age <60 years; 572 stroke; 474 TIA) were tested. No patient had a known gene mutation causing FD, giving an upper 95% confidence interval around the estimated frequency of 0.35% overall and 2.37% in the 154 patients aged under 60 years. However, in 5 (0.48%) samples, a known polymorphism or sequence variation in the gene was identified that can be associated with lower than normal enzyme activity in plasma without causing the full clinical manifestation of FD.

Conclusions

Fabry disease is rare in an unselected group of UK patients with TIA or stroke. Larger studies in unselected younger patients with cryptogenic stroke are required to determine whether routine screening is justified in this group.
Forced Migration, Climate Change, Mitigation and Adaptive Policies in Mexico: Some Functional Relationships
Authors: Cohen Ignacio Sánchez , Spring Úrsula Oswald , Padilla Gabriel Díaz , Paredes Julian Cerano , Inzunza Ibarra Marco A. , López Rutilo López , Díaz José Villanueva
Published: April 2012

Natural disasters related to hydro‐meteorological events have increased during the last few decades, both in frequency and severity. Mexico is heavily exposed to climate change, but has also suffered in the past from climate variability (Blümel, 2009). The new risks oblige the government to develop mitigation processes, while the affected people are implementing strategies of adaptation and resilience‐building, mostly at the family and community level. This includes forced migration due to climate change into the slums of megacities or illegal immigration to the United States. The arid, semi‐arid and subhumid condition of 49.2 per cent of the territory of Mexico is seriously affected by climate change. In addition, poverty and the lack of jobs have created complex livelihood situations, in which young people leave rural areas, partly due to socio‐economic pull factors. In this paper, we address the functional relationships between climate patterns and migration processes in Mexico, highlighting the linkages between the origin of migrants, their economic activity and their vulnerability to extreme events and we discuss long‐term climate patterns. Agriculture still uses 78 per cent of the available water in Mexico. In the drylands the competition for water use requires an integrated policy to deal with the new threats from climate change, including mitigation from the top down and adaptation processes from the bottom up to reduce the social vulnerability of the rural population in the highly affected drylands of the central and northern parts of Mexico. The new policy for administering water resources, which promotes the efficient use of an increasingly scarce and polluted resource, still suffers from a lack of participation by the affected rural population. In this paper, we propose an integrated management system from the watershed onwards, involving socio‐economic, political, cultural and hydrological variables, to deal with the rising scarcity of water, and the uncertainty and complexity of climate change.
Repetition of self‐harm and suicide following self‐harm in children and adolescents: findings from the Multicentre Study of Self‐harm in England
Authors: Hawton Keith , Bergen Helen , Kapur Navneet , Cooper Jayne , Steeg Sarah , Ness Jennifer , Waters Keith
Published: April 2012

Background:  Self‐harm (intentional self‐poisoning and self‐injury) in children and adolescents is often repeated and is associated with increased risk of future suicide. We have investigated factors associated with these outcomes.

Method:  We used data collected in the Multicentre Study of Self‐harm in England on all self‐harm hospital presentations by individuals aged 10–18 years between 2000 and 2007, and national death information on these individuals to the end of 2010. Cox hazard proportional models were used to identify independent and multivariable predictors of repetition of self‐harm and of suicide.

Results:  Repetition of self‐harm occurred in 27.3% of individuals (N = 3920) who presented between 2000 and 2005 and were followed up until 2007. Multivariate analysis showed that repetition was associated with age, self‐cutting, and previous self‐harm and psychiatric treatment. Of 51 deaths in individuals who presented between 2000 and 2007 and were followed up to 2010 (N = 5133) half (49.0%) were suicides. The method used was usually different to that used for self‐harm. Multivariate analysis showed that suicide was associated with male gender [Hazard ratio (HR) = 2.4, 95% CI 1.2–4.8], self‐cutting (HR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.1–3.7) and prior psychiatric treatment at initial presentation (HR = 4.2, 95% CI 1.7–10.5). It was also associated with self‐cutting and history of psychiatric treatment at the last episode before death, and history of previous self harm.

Conclusions:  Self‐cutting as a method of self‐harm in children and adolescents conveys greater risk of suicide (and repetition) than self‐poisoning although different methods are usually used for suicide. The findings underline the need for psychosocial assessment in all cases.
Mechanism and molecular basis for the sodium channel subtype specificity of µ‐conopeptide CnIIIC
Authors: Markgraf René , Leipold Enrico , Schirmeyer Jana , Paolini‐Bertrand Marianne , Hartley Oliver , Heinemann Stefan H
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Voltage‐gated sodium channels (NaV channels) are key players in the generation and propagation of action potentials, and selective blockade of these channels is a promising strategy for clinically useful suppression of electrical activity. The conotoxin µ‐CnIIIC from the cone snail Conus consors exhibits myorelaxing activity in rodents through specific blockade of skeletal muscle (NaV1.4) NaV channels.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We investigated the activity of µ‐CnIIIC on human NaV channels and characterized its inhibitory mechanism, as well as the molecular basis, for its channel specificity.

KEY RESULTS Similar to rat paralogs, human NaV1.4 and NaV1.2 were potently blocked by µ‐CnIIIC, the sensitivity of NaV1.7 was intermediate, and NaV1.5 and NaV1.8 were insensitive. Half‐channel chimeras revealed that determinants for the insensitivity of NaV1.8 must reside in both the first and second halves of the channel, while those for NaV1.5 are restricted to domains I and II. Furthermore, domain I pore loop affected the total block and therefore harbours the major determinants for the subtype specificity. Domain II pore loop only affected the kinetics of toxin binding and dissociation. Blockade by µ‐CnIIIC of NaV1.4 was virtually irreversible but left a residual current of about 5%, reflecting a ‘leaky’ block; therefore, Na+ ions still passed through µ‐CnIIIC‐occupied NaV1.4 to some extent. TTX was excluded from this binding site but was trapped inside the pore by µ‐CnIIIC.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Of clinical significance, µ‐CnIIIC is a potent and persistent blocker of human skeletal muscle NaV1.4 that does not affect activity of cardiac NaV1.5.
Blockade of adipocyte differentiation by cordycepin
Authors: Takahashi Shuhei , Tamai Minori , Nakajima Shotaro , Kato Hironori , Johno Hisashi , Nakamura Tomoyuki , Kitamura Masanori
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cordyceps militaris has the potential to suppress differentiation of pre‐adipocytes. However, the active entities in the extract and the underlying mechanisms of its action are not known. Hence, we investigated whether and how cordycepin (3′‐deoxyadenosine), a constituent of C. militaris, inhibits adipogenesis.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Differentiation of 3T3‐L1 pre‐adipocytes and pre‐adipocytes in primary cultures was induced by Insulin, dexamethasone and IBMX, and these were used as in vitro models of adipogenesis. The effects of cordycepin on adipogenesis were examined with particular focus on the regulation of CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein β (C/EBPβ) and PPARγ.

KEY RESULTS Cordycepin suppressed the lipid accumulation and induction of adipogenic markers that occurred on differentiation of pre‐adipocytes and also blocked the down‐regulation of a pre‐adipocyte marker. This anti‐adipogenic effect was reversible and mediated by an adenosine transporter, but not A1, A2 or A3 adenosine receptors. This effect of cordycepin was not reproduced by other adenosine‐related substances, including ATP, ADP and adenosine. Early induction of the adipogenic C/EBPβ–PPARγ pathway was suppressed by cordycepin. Blockade of mTORC1 via inhibition of PKB (Akt) and activation of AMP kinase was identified as the crucial upstream event targeted by cordycepin. In addition to its negative effect on adipogenesis, cordycepin suppressed lipid accumulation in mature adipocytes.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These results suggest that the anti‐adipogenic effects of cordycepin occur through its intervention in the mTORC1‐C/EBPβ–PPARγ pathway. Cordycepin, by blocking both adipogenesis and lipid accumulation, may have potential as a therapeutic agent for effective treatment of obesity and obesity‐related disorders.
Effects of milnacipran, a 5‐HT and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, on C‐fibre‐evoked field potentials in spinal long‐term potentiation and neuropathic pain
Authors: Ohnami S , Kato A , Ogawa K , Shinohara S , Ono H , Tanabe M
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The analgesic action of 5‐HT and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) on nociceptive synaptic transmission in the spinal cord is poorly understood. We investigated the effects of milnacipran, an SNRI, on C‐fibre‐evoked field potentials (FPs) in spinal long‐term potentiation (LTP), a proposed synaptic mechanism of hypersensitivity, and on the FPs in a neuropathic pain model.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH C‐fibre‐evoked FPs by electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve fibres were recorded in the spinal dorsal horn of anaesthetized adult rats, and LTP was induced by high‐frequency stimulation of the sciatic nerve fibres. A rat model of neuropathic pain was produced by L5 spinal nerve ligation and transection.

KEY RESULTS Milnacipran produced prolonged inhibition of C‐fibre‐evoked FPs when applied spinally after the establishment of LTP of C‐fibre‐evoked FPs in naïve animals. In the neuropathic pain model, spinal administration of milnacipran clearly reduced the basal C‐fibre‐evoked FPs. These inhibitory effects of milnacipran were blocked by spinal administration of methysergide, a 5‐HT1/2 receptor antagonist, and yohimbine or idazoxan, α2‐adrenoceptor antagonists. However, spinal administration of milnacipran in naïve animals did not affect the basal C‐fibre‐evoked FPs and the induction of spinal LTP.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Milnacipran inhibited C‐fibre‐mediated nociceptive synaptic transmission in the spinal dorsal horn after the establishment of spinal LTP and in the neuropathic pain model, by activating both spinal 5‐hydroxytryptaminergic and noradrenergic systems. The condition‐dependent inhibition of the C‐fibre‐mediated transmission by milnacipran could provide novel evidence regarding the analgesic mechanisms of SNRIs in chronic pain.
Liposomal clodronate treatment for tumour macrophage depletion in dogs with soft‐tissue sarcoma
Authors: Guth A. M. , Hafeman S. D. , Elmslie R. E. , Dow S. W.
Published: April 2012

Increased numbers of tumour‐associated macrophages correlate with rapid tumour growth and metastasis in tumours. Thus, macrophage depletion has potential as a novel cancer therapy and positive responses have been reported in rodent tumour models. To investigate the effectiveness of this approach in dogs with cancer, we evaluated the effects of the macrophage‐depleting agent liposomal clodronate (LC) in dogs with soft‐tissue sarcoma (STS). To this end, we conducted a clinical trial of LC therapy in 13 dogs with STS. Repeated LC administration was well tolerated clinically. Preliminary examination of tumour biopsy sets from 5 of the 13 dogs demonstrated that the density of CD11b+ macrophages was significantly decreased after LC treatment. Circulating concentrations of interleukin‐8 were also significantly reduced. These preliminary studies are the first to suggest that LC can be used as a systemic macrophage‐depleting agent in dogs to reduce numbers of tumour‐associated macrophages.
Current Topics and Controversies in Menstrual Migraine
Authors: Calhoun Anne H.
Published: April 2012

As menstrual‐related migraine (MRM) has been reported to be longer, more disabling, less responsive to acute therapy, and more prone to recurrence than nonmenstrual migraine attacks, effective preventive strategies are key to their management. Some combined hormonal contraceptives have been suggested as specific preventives for MRM. This article takes a closer look at some of these products, including concerns surrounding them, non‐contraceptive benefits, and their potential role as preventive agents for MRM.
Psychiatric Screening for Headache Patients
Authors: Maizels Morris
Published: April 2012

There are numerous reasons to consider psychiatric screening for migraine patients, as well as valid objections to screening. Although psychiatric comorbidity has been consistently described for migraine patients, there is no evidence that treatment of psychiatric comorbidity influences headache outcomes. The author presents his perspectives on psychiatric screening, offers insight into currently available screening instruments, as well as some clinical pearls for screening.
Temporomandibular Disorders, Facial Pain, and Headaches
Authors: Bender Steven D.
Published: April 2012

Headaches and facial pain are common in the general population. In many cases, facial pain can be resultant from temporomandibular joint disorders. Studies have identified an association between headaches and temporomandibular joint disorders suggesting the possibility of shared pathophysiologic mechanisms of these 2 maladies. The aim of this paper is to elucidate potential commonalities of these disorders and to provide a brief overview of an examination protocol that may benefit the headache clinician in daily practice.
New Daily Persistent Headache
Authors: Evans Randolph W.
Published: April 2012

Primary new daily persistent headache is a rare disorder of children and adults defined by the onset of daily and unremitting headaches within 3 days of onset lasting 4 hours or more daily. There may be a link between a preceding flu‐like or upper respiratory infection in about 15%, a stressful life event in 10%, or extracranial surgery in 10%. Migraine symptoms may be present in over 50%. The headache is generalized in most but may be unilateral in 11% and may be localized to any head region. The diagnosis is one of exclusion as many secondary etiologies can cause similar headaches. The pathophysiology of the primary type is unknown. There are no prospective placebo controlled trials of preventive treatment so prevention is empiric using the same medications for the phenotype of chronic migraine or tension‐type headache. Most patients have persistent headaches, although about 15% will remit, and 8% will have a relapsing‐remitting type.
Peripheral blood stem cell transplant–related Plasmodium falciparum infection in a patient with sickle cell disease
Authors: Mejia Rojelio , Booth Garrett S. , Fedorko Daniel P. , Hsieh Matthew M. , Khuu Hanh M. , Klein Harvey G. , Mu Jianbing , Fahle Gary , Nutman Thomas B. , Su Xin‐Zhuan , Williams Esther C. , Flegel Willy A. , Klion Amy
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND: Although transmission of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) infection during red blood cell (RBC) transfusion from an infected donor has been well documented, malaria parasites are not known to infect hematopoietic stem cells. We report a case of Pf infection in a patient 11 days after peripheral blood stem cell transplant for sickle cell disease.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Malaria parasites were detected in thick blood smears by Giemsa staining. Pf HRP2 antigen was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay on whole blood and plasma. Pf DNA was detected in whole blood and stem cell retention samples by real‐time polymerase chain reaction using Pf species–specific primers and probes. Genotyping of eight Pf microsatellites was performed on genomic DNA extracted from whole blood.

RESULTS: Pf was not detected by molecular, serologic, or parasitologic means in samples from the recipient until Day 11 posttransplant, coincident with the onset of symptoms. In contrast, Pf antigen was retrospectively detected in stored plasma collected 3 months before transplant from the asymptomatic donor. Pf DNA was detected in whole blood from both the donor and the recipient after transplant, and genotyping confirmed shared markers between donor and recipient Pf strains. Lookback analysis of RBC donors was negative for Pf infection.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings are consistent with transmission by the stem cell product and have profound implications with respect to the screening of potential stem cell donors and recipients from malaria‐endemic regions.
Effects of Sheath Injury and Trimetazidine on Endothelial Dysfunction of Radial Artery after Transradial Catheterization
Authors: PARK KYOUNG‐HA , PARK DUK‐WOO , KIM MIN‐KYU , KIM HYUN‐SOOK , PARK WOO JUNG , CHO GOO‐YEONG , CHOI YOUNG‐JIN
Published: April 2012

Objective:

We evaluated the effects of sheath injury and trimetazidine (TMZ) on endothelial dysfunction of the radial artery (RA) after transradial coronary artery angiography (TRCAG) or transradial percutaneous coronary intervention (TRPCI) with flow‐mediated dilation (FMD).

Methods:

One hundred twenty patients who underwent TRCAG or TRPCI with either a long 5Fr or 6Fr sheath were randomly assigned to the TMZ group or the control group. Baseline, postsheath injury (<24 hours after sheath injury), and 10‐week FMDs were performed.

Results:

In all cannulated RAs, the postsheath injury FMDs were significantly lower than the baseline FMDs (P < 0.01). In the control group, the 10‐week FMD was significantly lower than the baseline FMD, but no difference was found in the TMZ group (10.4 ± 3.4% vs. 6.3 ± 2.9%, P < 0.01 and 10.1 ± 3.6% vs. 9.2 ± 3.6%, P = 0.09, respectively). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant differences in FMD between the TMZ group and the control group (F = 9.87, P < 0.01). Including coronary artery disease, heparin dose during procedure, sheath size, sheath‐RA size ratio, sheath indwelling time in RA, RA spasm, repeated RA sheath injury (upsizing from 5Fr to 6Fr), and TMZ use, the multivariate analysis showed that repeated RA sheath injury and TMZ use (OR 7.40, 95% CI 1.42–38.53, P < 0.05, and OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.02–0.30, P < 0.01, respectively) were independent predictors of the decrement of FMD > 50% (ΔFMDbaseline – 10 week > 50%).

Conclusion:

Repeated sheath injury negatively influences endothelial recovery after long 6Fr sheath injury to the RA, and TMZ lessens endothelial dysfunction of the RA after radial catheterization. (J Interven Cardiol 2012;25:411–417)
Direct His Bundle and Parahisian Cardiac Pacing
Authors: Zanon Francesco , Barold S. S.
Published: April 2012

The success rate of direct His bundle pacing (DHBP) and paraHisian pacing has improved remarkably in the last 3–5 years with the advent of dedicated fixation systems that have reduced procedural duration, dislodgement rate, and fluoroscopy time. The methodology of DBHP remains still more complex than paraHisian pacing and is associated with high‐pacing thresholds. Thus, DHBP entails greater battery current drain and reduced device longevity. A shift toward paraHisian pacing (which is fusion pacing of myocardium and His bundle) has occurred because its implementation is easier and the electrical parameters are superior to those of DBHP. Currently, an additional safety lead is inserted at the RV apex or outflow tract to prevent asystole, especially in patients with pure DHBP. It is often possible to avoid a safety lead with paraHisian pacing because ventricular pacing is virtually assured on a long‐term basis via myocardial capture. DBHP and paraHisian pacing can be achieved in a substantial proportion of patients with varying grades of narrow QRS AV block or after AV junctional ablation and in some patients with the ECG manifestation of bundle branch block caused by an intraHisian lesion. Preliminary observations suggest that DHBP may be useful in some patients requiring cardiac resynchronization if it produces a narrow QRS complex because the site of an intraHisian lesion responsible for left bundle branch block is above the site of DHBP.
Prevalence of Conduction Abnormalities in a Systolic Heart Failure Population by Race, Ethnicity, and Gender
Authors: Hebert Kathy , Quevedo Henry C. , Tamariz Leonardo , Dias Andre , Steen Dylan L. , Colombo Rosario A. , Franco Emiliana , Neistein Sholom , Arcement Lee M.
Published: April 2012

Background: There is paucity of data regarding conduction abnormalities in the Hispanic population with systolic heart failure (HF). We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities in a systolic HF population, with attention to the Hispanic population.

Methods: A cross sectional study of 926 patients enrolled in a systolic HF disease management program. ECGS were obtained in patients with an ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 40% by echocardiography at enrollment. Univariate and multivariate analysis adjusted by ethnicities was performed.

Results: White patients exhibited higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (14.7%) than black patients (8.0%, P = 0.01) whereas Hispanics presented higher prevalence of paced rhythm (14.3% in Hispanics vs. 6.5% in whites and 5.2% in blacks, P<0.01 for both comparisons), higher prevalence of left bundle branch block (LBBB, 14.5% in Hispanics vs. 8.8% in whites and 5.8% in blacks, P = 0.002) and increased frequency of abnormal QT intervals (76.7% in Hispanics) than whites (59.6%) and blacks (69%) patients (P< 0.01 for both comparisons). A QRS interval greater than 120 ms was less prevalent among blacks (15.8% vs. 26.0% in whites and 25.3% in Hispanics, P = 0.01 for both comparisons). Univariate and multivariate analysis disclosed no influence of other characteristics (age, sex, coronary artery disease, hypertension, ejection fraction, medications) in the ECG findings.

Conclusions: Hispanics with Systolic HF presented with increased prevalence of paced rhythm, LBBB, and abnormal QT intervals. Attention should be addressed to these ECG variations to recommend additional guidance for therapeutic interventions and provide important prognostic information.
Variations of Left Atrial Activation Patterns in Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: Proietti Riccardo , Mafrici Antonio , Spodick David H.
Published: April 2012

We report about a case of a patient admitted to the Intensive Cardiac Care Unit for severe congestive heart failure which showed modification of P‐wave morphology and duration, correlated with the clinical evolution. In the case here described, we show that ECG analysis, specifically P wave, allow us to assess the hemodynamic evolution of the acute decompensated heart failure patient.

Electrocardiographic examination is the first and the most simple and available diagnostic tool in the evaluation of patients with cardiac diseases. Usually, P‐wave evaluation is not carefully assessed, in spite of very useful informations we can draw from its interpretation. We report about a patient admitted to our Intensive Cardiac Care Unit (ICCU) for severe congestive heart failure which showed peculiar modification of P‐wave morphology and duration, well correlated with the clinical course.
Dynamicity of Early and Late Phases of Repolarization in Patients with Remote Anterior Myocardial Infarction: The Interlead Differences
Authors: Szydlo Krzysztof , Wita Krystian , Trusz‐Gluza Maria , Filipecki Artur , Orszulak Witold , Urbanczyk Dagmara , Tabor Zbigniew
Published: April 2012

Background: Repolarization dynamicity (QT/RR) is supposed to be a prognostic marker in post‐MI patients. However, data on the relationships between early and late phases of QT and RR intervals (QT peak/RR and T peak–T end/RR) are insufficient, and which ECG lead should be used for the analysis is unclear. We analyzed repolarization dynamicity in patients after anterior MI with and without VT/VF history using two leads of Holter recordings‐ modified V5 and V3. The daytime and nighttime periods were also analyzed.

Methods: Cohort of 88 patients after anterior MI (>6 months) consisted of 43 patients without VT/VF (33 males; 59 ± 12 years; LVEF: 41 ± 7%; NoVT/VF), and 45 patients with VT/VF history‐ ICD implanted as secondary prevention (40 males; 64 ± 10 years; LVEF: 32 ± 8%; VT/VF). QT/RR, QT peak/RR and T peak–T end/RR were calculated from 24‐hour ECG for the entire recording, daytime and nighttime periods, from V5 and V3 leads, respectively.

Results: VT/VF patients had lower LVEF (P = 0.001). There were no differences in age and gender. VT/VF group had steeper QT/RR, QT peak/RR, and T peak–T end/RR in V5: 0.233 ± 0.04 versus 0.150 ± 0.05, P = 0.0001, 0.181 ± 0.04 versus 0.120 ± 0.04, P = 0.0001, 0.052 ± 0.02 versus 0.030 ± 0.02, P = 0.0001, and in V3: 0.201 ± 0.04 versus 0.149 ± 0.05, P = 0.0001, 0.159 ± 0.03 versus 0.118 ± 0.04, P = 0.0001, and 0.042 ± 0.02 versus 0.031 ± 0.02, P = 0.004; respectively. VT/VF patients had higher indices in V5 than in V3 lead (P = 0.001). QT/RR and QT peak/RR were steeper at daytime period in both leads. It was not found for T peak–T end/RR.

Conclusions: Patients with VT/VF history are characterized by steeper relationships between repolarization duration and RR intervals. These findings are more evident in modified V5 lead.