bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hematocrit Predicts Long-Term Mortality in a Nonlinear and Sex-Specific Manner in Hypertensive Adults
Authors: Paul Laura , Jeemon Panniyammakal , Hewitt Jonathan , McCallum Linsay , Higgins Peter , Walters Matthew , McClure John , Dawson Jesse , Meredith Peter , Jones Gregory C. , Muir Scott , Dominiczak Anna F. , Lowe Gordon , McInnes Gordon T. , Padmanabhan Sandosh
Published: July 2012

Hematocrit has been inconsistently reported to be a risk marker of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The Glasgow Blood Pressure Clinic Study cohort included 10951 hypertensive patients, who had hematocrit measured at their initial clinic visit and followed for ≤35 years. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios for all-cause, cardiovascular, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and noncardiovascular mortality. There were 3484 deaths over a follow-up period of 173245 person-years. Hematocrit was higher in men (median, 0.44; interquartile range, 0.42–0.47) than in women (median, 0.41; interquartile range, 0.38–0.43). The lowest risk for all-cause mortality was seen in quartile 2 for men (range, 0.421–0.440) and women (range, 0.381–0.400). Compared with quartile 2, the adjusted hazard ratios for quartiles 1, 3, and 4 were, respectively, 1.11 (range, 0.97–1.28), 1.19 (range, 1.04–1.37), and 1.22 (range, 1.06–1.39) in men and 1.17 (range, 1.01–1.36), 0.97 (range, 0.83–1.13), and 1.19 (range, 1.04–1.37) in women. Men showed a J-shaped pattern for cardiovascular mortality and a linear pattern for noncardiovascular mortality in cause-specific analysis, whereas in women a U-shaped pattern was observed for noncardiovascular mortality only. Higher baseline hematocrit was associated with higher on-treatment blood pressure during follow-up. Baseline hematocrit did not affect the time to reach target blood pressure. The increased risk of death attributed to higher hematocrit was seen in men and women irrespective of their achievement of target blood pressure, indicating that the risk is independent of the effect of hematocrit on blood pressure. Hypertensive patients with hematocrit levels outside of the sex-specific reference ranges identified in this study should be targeted for more aggressive blood pressure and cardiovascular risk reduction treatment.
Salt-Induced Hypertension in a Mouse Model of Liddle Syndrome Is Mediated by Epithelial Sodium Channels in the Brain
Authors: Van Huysse James W. , Amin Md Shahrier , Yang Baoli , Leenen Frans H.H.
Published: July 2012

Neural precursor cell expressed and developmentally downregulated 4-2 protein (Nedd4-2) facilitates the endocytosis of epithelial Na channels (ENaCs). Both mice and humans with a loss of regulation of ENaC by Nedd4-2 have salt-induced hypertension. ENaC is also expressed in the brain, where it is critical for hypertension on a high-salt diet in salt-sensitive rats. In the present studies we assessed whether Nedd4-2 knockout (−/−) mice have the following: (1) increased brain ENaC; (2) elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sodium on a high-salt diet; and (3) enhanced pressor responses to CSF sodium and hypertension on a high-salt diet, both mediated by brain ENaC. Prominent choroid plexus and neuronal ENaC staining was present in −/− but not in wild-type mice. In chronically instrumented mice, ICV infusion of Na-rich artificial CSF increased mean arterial pressure 3-fold higher in −/− than in wild-type mice. ICV infusion of the ENaC blocker benzamil abolished this enhancement. In telemetered −/− mice on a high-salt diet (8% NaCl), CSF [Na
+
], mean arterial pressure, and heart rate increased significantly, mean arterial pressure by 30 to 35 mmHg. These mean arterial pressure and heart rate responses were largely prevented by ICV benzamil but only to a minor extent by SC benzamil at the ICV rate. We conclude that increased ENaC expression in the brain of Nedd4-2 −/− mice mediates their hypertensive response to a high-salt diet by causing increased sodium levels in the CSF, as well as hyperresponsiveness to CSF sodium. These findings highlight the possible causative contribution of central nervous system ENaC in the etiology of salt-induced hypertension.
Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Regulates Proliferation of Preglomerular Vascular Smooth Muscle and Mesangial Cells
Authors: Jackson Edwin K. , Kochanek Stanton J. , Gillespie Delbert G.
Published: July 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of dipeptidyl peptidase IV in regulating the effects of 2 of its substrates, neuropeptide Y
1-36
and peptide YY
1-36
, on proliferation of and collagen production by preglomerular vascular smooth muscle and glomerular mesangial cells from spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats. In cells from hypertensive rats, neuropeptide Y
1-36
and peptide YY
1-36
stimulated [
3
H]-thymidine incorporation (cell proliferation index), cell number, and [
3
H]-proline incorporation (index of collagen synthesis); and sitagliptin (dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor) significantly enhanced most of these effects. Neuropeptide Y
3-36
and peptide YY
3-36
(products of dipeptidyl peptidase IV) had little effect on [
3
H]-thymidine incorporation, and sitagliptin did not enhance the effects of either peptide. BIBP3226 (Y
1
receptor antagonist) blocked the effects of neuropeptide Y
1-36
and peptide YY
1-36
on [
3
H]-thymidine incorporation in the absence and presence of sitagliptin. Neuropeptide Y
1-36
and peptide YY
1-36
stimulated [
3
H]-thymidine and [
3
H]-proline incorporation and cell number in cells from normotensive rats; however, the effects were weak and mostly not affected by sitagliptin. Real-time PCR and Western blotting showed similar dipeptidyl peptidase IV mRNA and protein levels in cells from hypertensive versus normotensive rats, with greater levels in smooth muscle versus mesangial cells. Both cell types converted peptide YY
1-36
to peptide YY
3-36
in a concentration-dependent manner that was attenuated by sitagliptin, and dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity was greater in smooth muscle versus mesangial cells. In conclusion, dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors might entail a risk of renal dysfunction because of abnormal proliferation of cells in the preglomerular microcirculation and glomeruli.
Timing of First Childbirth and Young Women’s Postsecondary Education in an Inner-City Minority Cohort
Authors: Ou Suh-Ruu , Reynolds Arthur J.
Published: July 2012

The present study investigated the relationships between the timing of women’s first childbirth and their postsecondary education using an inner-city minority cohort. The study sample (695 females) was drawn from the Chicago Longitudinal Study (CLS), an ongoing investigation of a panel of low-income minority children (94% African American) born in 1980 who grew up in high-poverty neighborhoods in Chicago. The findings indicated that, taking into account sociodemographic factors and early academic achievement, first childbirths before age 18 and between ages 19 and 21 were significantly associated with lower rates of college attendance and bachelor (BA) degree completion. First childbirths between ages 21 and 25 were not significantly associated with any outcome of postsecondary education.
Varieties of Biosocial Imagination
Authors: Lee Nick , Motzkau Johanna
Published: July 2012

The authors present climate change and antibiotic resistance as emergent biosocial phenomena—ongoing products of massively multiple interactions among human lifestyles and broader life processes. They argue that response to climate change and antibiotic resistance is often framed by two varieties of biosocial imagination. Anthropocentric imaginations privilege the question of human distinctiveness. Anthropomorphic imaginations privilege the question of whether biosocial processes can be modeled in terms of centers of moral and causal responsibility. Together, these frame the matter of response in terms of deliberate human action. The authors argue that, considered as emergent biosocial phenomena, climate change and antibiotic resistance “diffract” deliberate human action and thus limit the value of this frame by rendering the human/nonhuman and intended/nonintended distinctions that are crucial to its practical operation locally irrelevant. Alternative biosocial imaginations currently developing around climate change and antibiotic resistance that allow for “diffraction” and therefore frame response differently are considered.
Scoring Yes–No vocabulary tests: Reaction time vs. nonword approaches
Authors: Pellicer-Sánchez Ana , Schmitt Norbert
Published: July 2012

Despite a number of research studies investigating the Yes–No vocabulary test format, one main question remains unanswered: What is the best scoring procedure to adjust for testee overestimation of vocabulary knowledge? Different scoring methodologies have been proposed based on the inclusion and selection of nonwords in the test. However, there is currently no consensus on the best adjustment procedure using these nonwords. Two studies were conducted to examine a new methodology for scoring Yes–No tests based on testees’ response times (RTs) to the words in the test, on the assumption that faster responses would be more certain and accurate whereas more hesitant and inaccurate ones would be reflected in slower RTs. Participants performed a timed Yes–No test and were then interviewed to ascertain their actual vocabulary knowledge. Study 1 explored the viability of this approach and Study 2 examined whether the RT approach presented any advantage over the more traditional nonword approaches. Results showed that there was no clear advantage for any of the approaches under comparison, but their effectiveness depended on factors like the false alarm rate and the size of participants’ overestimation of their lexical knowledge.
Epistemological diversity and moral ends of research in instructed SLA
Authors: Ortega Lourdes
Published: July 2012

In this article I explore epistemological diversity in the field of second language acquisition (SLA) from the perspective that obtains if we examine the moral ends of research, and we ask: In what ways does epistemological diversity relate to enhancing the social value and educational relevance of the research generated by the instructed SLA research community? Is epistemological diversity sufficient in order to produce high-quality SLA research that positively impacts on society and education? Through several illustrations, I show that epistemological diversity is a disciplinary reality that is here to stay and, furthermore, that it is a good thing. At the same time, I argue that it is insufficient in and of itself. Instead, I propose that it is crucial to interrogate the moral ends of our research and to probe the social value and educational relevance of what we choose to investigate and of the knowledge we generate.
The long duration of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a child with acute severe hypoxic respiratory failure treated in a resource-limited center
Authors: Ruangnapa K , Samransamruajkit R , Namchaisiri J , Pongsanont K , Boonthim K , Deelodejanawong J , Prapphal N
Published: July 2012

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) has been indicated in patients with severe refractory respiratory failure from various causes for more than 30 years, even for the small infant.1 Improved outcome from using ECMO for respiratory failure has been reported worldwide, ranging from 15% to over 50% in recent reviews.1,2 The rationale of this therapy is to allow time for the lungs to heal, minimizing further lung injury from positive pressure ventilation.3,4 We describe a case of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with extensive barotrauma supported by VV-ECMO for 96 days in a resource-limited center. This is likely the longest ECMO support ever reported in a child.
Simultaneous retinal and cortical visually evoked electrophysiological responses in between migraine attacks
Authors: Nguyen Bao N , McKendrick Allison M , Vingrys Algis J
Published: July 2012

Purpose: People with migraine often report aversion to flickering lights and show abnormal results on behavioural tasks that require the processing of temporal visual information. Studies have reported that the cortically evoked electrophysiological response to a flickering visual stimulus is abnormal; however, none have considered whether there is an underlying pre-cortical abnormality. In this cross-sectional study, we consider whether people with migraine have retinal and cortical electrophysiological abnormalities to flickering stimuli.

Methods: Monocular transient (1 Hz) and steady-state (8.3 Hz) pattern reversal electroretinograms (PERGs) and pattern visual evoked responses (PVERs) were measured simultaneously in 45 people with migraine (26 without aura, 19 with aura) and 30 non-headache controls at a time between migraine attacks.

Results: PERG amplitude and timing did not differ significantly between groups. Transient PVER amplitude was significantly reduced (28%) in the migraine with aura group compared to the controls F(2,72) = 3.6, p = 0.03). Both migraine groups showed significant reductions (32%, 39%) in steady-state PVER amplitude relative to controls (F(2,70) = 4.3, p = 0.02).

Conclusions: This study finds normal retinal processing of flickering stimuli in the presence of abnormal cortical function between migraine attacks.
Fixation of the Achilles Tendon Insertion Using Suture Button Technology
Authors: Fanter Nathan J. , Davis Edward W. , Baker Champ L.
Published: July 2012

Background:

In the operative treatment of Achilles insertional tendinopathy, no guidelines exist concerning which form of fixation of the Achilles tendon insertion is superior.

Hypothesis:

Transcalcaneal drill pin passage does not place any major plantar structures at risk, and the addition of a Krackow stitch and suture button to the fixation technique provides a significant increase in ultimate load to failure in Achilles tendon insertional repairs.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

The Achilles tendon insertions in 6 fresh-frozen cadaveric ankles were detached, and transcalcaneal drill pins were passed. Plantar dissection took place to evaluate the drill pin relationship to the plantar fascia, lateral plantar nerve and artery, flexor digitorum longus tendon, and master knot of Henry. The Achilles tendons were then repaired with a double-row suture anchor construct alone or with a suture button and Krackow stitch added to the double-row suture anchor construct. The repairs were then tested to maximum load to failure at 20 mm/min. The mode of failure was recorded, and the mean maximum load to failure was assessed using the Student t test for distributions with equal variance.

Results:

Transcalcaneal drill pin passage did not place any selected anatomic structures at risk. The mean maximum load to failure for the suture bridge group was 239.2 N; it was 391.4 N for the group with the suture button ( P = .014). The lateral plantar artery was the structure placed at greatest risk from drill pin placement, with a mean distance of 22.7 mm (range, 16.5-29.2 mm) between the pin and artery.

Conclusion:

In this laboratory study, transcalcaneal drill pin passage appeared to be anatomically safe, and the use of suture button technology with a Krackow stitch for Achilles tendon insertional repair significantly increased repair strength.

Clinical Relevance:

Achilles tendon insertional repair with suture button fixation and a Krackow stitch may facilitate the earlier institution of postoperative rehabilitation and improve clinical outcomes.
Group-as-a-Whole and Complexity Theories: Areas of Convergence. Part II: Application to Group Relations, Group Analysis, and Systems Centered Therapy
Authors: Schermer Victor L.
Published: July 2012

Complexity theory is a scientific paradigm concerned with the ways in which order (determinism) and disorder (unpredictability, turbulence, chaos) combine to produce emergent higher levels of organization. The group-as-a-whole is an example of a living system where interactions among individuals, often at ‘the edge of chaos’, lead to group-qua-group dynamics. In Part I (Group Analysis 45(3)), the author considered the respective paradigms underlying group dynamics and complexity. Some basic concepts of complexity theory were discussed, and recent literature on complexity and group psychotherapy were reviewed. In the current article, the author considers the implications of complexity theory for three predominant frameworks for dynamic group psychotherapy and group-as-a-whole theory: Bion’s basic assumptions and the related Tavistock and A.K. Rice Institute group relations approaches; Foulkes’ group analysis, and Agazarian’s systems-centered therapy.
A Pilot Study of Home-Based Videoconferencing for Breastfeeding Support
Authors: Rojjanasrirat Wilaiporn , Nelson Eve-Lynn , Wambach Karen A.
Published: July 2012

Background:

Research on using videoconferencing for breastfeeding support is limited.

Purpose:

Although European case reports have described videoconferencing for providing lactation support, this was the first study to assess the reliability and feasibility of home videoconferencing for breastfeeding assessment and support in the United States.

Method:

The study used 4 real-time, secure videoconferencing sessions to deliver lactation support to 10 mothers in the home. To assess interrater reliability, percentage agreement was calculated on LATCH assessment scores from telehealth and home-visit International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) during the first 2 visits. Participants’ perceptions of satisfaction and the overall experiences were documented.

Results:

The percentage agreement on the 5 LATCH score dimensions ranged between 40% to 100% during the first visit and 80% to 100% during the second visit. To assess feasibility, participants reported their satisfaction with the technology and their perceptions of the videoconference consultation. All participants “strongly agreed” that they were comfortable talking about breastfeeding concerns using home videoconferencing.

Conclusion:

The findings suggest videoconferencing can potentially be used to support breastfeeding mothers in their homes.
Mental Health Needs and Service Utilization by Hispanic Immigrants Residing in Mid-Southern United States
Authors: Bridges Ana J. , Andrews Arthur R. , Deen Tisha L.
Published: July 2012

Purpose: This study assessed mental health needs and service utilization patterns in a convenience sample of Hispanic immigrants. Design and Method: A total of 84 adult Hispanic participants completed a structured diagnostic interview and a semistructured service utilization interview with trained bilingual research assistants. Results: In the sample, 36% met diagnostic criteria for at least one mental disorder. Although 42% of the sample saw a physician in the prior year, mental health services were being rendered primarily by religious leaders. The most common barriers to service utilization were cost (59%), lack of health insurance (35%), and language (31%). Although more women than men met criteria for a disorder, service utilization rates were comparable. Participants with a mental disorder were significantly more likely to have sought medical, but not psychiatric, services in the prior year and faced significantly more cost barriers than participants without a mental disorder. Conclusions: Findings suggest that Hispanic immigrants, particularly those with a mental illness, need to access services but face numerous systemic barriers. The authors recommend specific ways to make services more affordable and linguistically accessible.
Students With Learning Disabilities in the Music Classroom
Authors: Darrow Alice-Ann
Published: July 2012

There are a number of disabilities that music educators may never encounter among their students in the music classroom; however, all music educators will have students with learning disabilities. Students with learning disabilities may have a variety of “presenting problems” that limit their academic and social success in the music classroom. The students’ level of difficulty or success in music will depend on how the disability presents itself and how music learning is subsequently affected. This column highlights the benefits of music instruction for students with learning disabilities and the benefits for music educators who have these students in class.
Factors Considered in End-of-Life Care Decision Making by Health Care Professionals
Authors: Foo Wei Ting , Zheng Yiliang , Kwee Ann K. , Yang Grace M. , Krishna Lalit
Published: July 2012

Aim:

To explore the importance of factors influencing the end-of-life care decision making of health care professionals (HCPs) in Singapore.

Methods:

This cross-sectional survey encompassed facets of patient, family, and HCP-related care considerations. In total, 187 questionnaires were distributed to physicians and nurses and had a response rate of 78.6%.

Results:

The respondents rated patients’ wishes (96.6%), their clinical symptoms (93.9%), and patients’ beliefs (91.1%) very high. In all, 94.6% of the HCPs would respect a competent patient’s wishes over the family’s wishes when goals conflict. However, 59.9% of HCPs would abide by the family’s wishes when the patient loses capacity even if the patient’s previously expressed wishes are known.

Conclusion:

End-of-life care decision making by HCPs appears largely patient centered, although familial determination still wields significant influence with implications for advance care planning.
Research on rotating speed of a squeeze-film driven rotor based on near-field acoustic driving
Authors: Jia Bing , Chen Chao , Zhao Chunsheng
Published: July 2012

This work deals with the dynamics of a levitated rotor, which is also rotated by a fluid squeeze film created by a vibrating cylinder type stator. The model, which describes the transient behavior of the rotation of a rotor, by means of the squeeze film generated by a traveling flexural wave of the stator surface, is presented. In such problems, the control equations of fluid in the squeeze film are firstly simplified on the basis of several reasonable assumptions. These equations, together with control equation of the rotor, are solved by using explicit finite difference methods. Then, the vibration mode of pressure at the stable time and the transient rotating speed of the rotor with time are evaluated. Finally, the rotating speeds, with different parameters of vibration of the stator, the squeeze film and inertial moment of the rotor, are compared in order to study how to effectively increase and control the rotating speed. This paper will provide the foundations to study the driving technology of squeeze film and will be helpful in the design and application of non-contact ultrasonic actuators.
Optimal sensor and actuator location for unstable systems
Authors: Shaker Hamid Reza , Tahavori Maryamsadat
Published: July 2012

Accurate and reliable process measurements play a key role in the success of process control. In addition to selecting the instrumentation hardware, it is important to determine which variables should be measured in a process. Therefore it is important to study techniques for placing sensors on the processes. Dually the problem of placing actuators on the processes is equally important. In this paper, the problem of determining optimal sensor and actuator locations for the linear systems is addressed. The problem of the sensor locations is viewed as the problem of maximizing the output energy generated by a given state and for the actuator locations is viewed as the problem of minimizing the input energy required to reach a given state. Such design problems occur in many applications, and therefore have been studied extensively. Unfortunately, the results in this context, which have been proposed so far, only support stable systems. However, in industrial practices it is often the case that the system, which is needed to be controlled, is not stable. The method which is proposed in this paper is a general method in the sense that it supports both stable and unstable systems. The technique is successfully used for determining the optimal sensor locations of the linearized Continuous Stirred-Tank Reactor unstable model.
Doxorubicin-loaded drug-eluting beads (DC Bead®) for use in transarterial chemoembolization: A stability assessment
Authors: Hecq Jean-Daniel , Lewis Andrew L , Vanbeckbergen Danielle , Athanosopoulos Alexandre , Galanti Laurence , Jamart Jacques , Czuczman Peter , Chung Ting
Published: July 2012

Purpose: Evaluation of doxorubicin stability over time when stored into the DC Bead embolic agent, in various containers, which are used for the delivery of the doxorubicin-loaded beads to the patients for up to 14 days under refrigerated conditions.

Methods: The doxorubicin was loaded through the ionic exchange mechanism into the calibrated polyvinyl alcohol-based hydrogel beads (DC Bead), with the loading process carried out either in the original DC Bead glass vials or within a polypropylene plastic syringe. The loaded samples were eluted at given time points and the extracted doxorubicin was analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography for concentration and chromatographic area response purity.

Results: The variance on the doxorubicin concentration of the samples stored in the syringes under refrigerated conditions was less than 10% over the 14 days period. The chromatographic purity of doxorubicin eluted from the DC Bead in their primary glass vial packaging was measured at 99.7%. The dissolution test showed that the elution rate and amount recovered from samples stored in vials were statistically similar between Day 0 and Day 14. The chromatographic purity of the doxorubicin loaded into DC Bead in presence of non-ionic contrast medium was >99.0% for 7 days under refrigerated conditions.

Conclusions: Doxorubicin-loaded DC Bead® are shown to have adequate physicochemical stability over a period of 14 days when stored in syringes or vials under refrigerated conditions for up to 14 days. The admixtures of doxorubicin-loaded beads with contrast medium are stable for up to 7 days under refrigerated conditions.
Deaths reported from the accidental intrathecal administration of bortezomib
Authors: Gilbar Peter , Seger Andrew C
Published: July 2012

Medication errors due to the inadvertent intrathecal administration of vincristine and other antineoplastic agents continue to occur despite the development of preventative strategies. Three fatalities due to bortezomib being accidentally given intrathecally instead of by the intended intravenous route have recently been reported by the European Medicines Agency. The most effective method for preventing accidental intrathecal administration is to eliminate the syringe as a means of administrating neurotoxic agents and prepare them in a small volume minibag. However due to a lack of stability data for bortezomib in a minibag and the increasing use of bortezomib via the subcutaneous route necessitates the continued preparation of bortezomib in a syringe. A number of recommendations aimed at preventing the possibility of accidental intrathecal administration of bortezomib are made. These need to be incorporated into standard practice internationally and pharmacists must take the lead to ensure this occurs as a matter of urgency.
The limits of democratizing interest representation: ASEAN’s regional corporatism and normative challenges
Authors: Rüland Jürgen
Published: July 2012

This article addresses the problem of interest representation in regional organizations. Departing from a theory-guided four-dimensional typology, the study explores how the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) responded to normative challenges of its system of interest representation. The findings suggest that ASEAN has skilfully countered external democracy promotion and domestic pressures for democratizing regional governance through variable strategies including rejection, isomorphic adaptation and localization. The multiple strategies employed by the grouping have largely kept intact its ‘cognitive prior’ which rests on a blending of imported European and older local organicist ideas. Given the resilience of this cognitive prior, the prospects for a wholesale liberal-pluralist transformation of ASEAN’s system of interest representation appear dim.
Individual variability in adherence to the norm of group interest predicts outgroup bias
Authors: Montoya R. Matthew , Pittinsky Todd L.
Published: July 2012

The norm of group interest dictates that group members should consider the interests of their group. We propose that individual variability in adherence to this norm accounts for intergroup attitudes and behavior. Study 1 developed a measure for the norm of group interest, and found that adherence to the norm predicted evaluations of the outgroup independent of group identification and collective self-esteem. Studies 2 and 3 demonstrated that the norm of group interest increased competitive behavior only when a competitive group norm was salient, but not when a cooperative norm was salient. These findings highlight the importance of both the norm of group interest and group norms to understanding attitudes and behavior in the intergroup context.
Neighbourhood satisfaction and happiness but not urbanization level affect self-rated health in adolescents
Authors: Shiue IVY
Published: July 2012

Background: It is hypothesized that neighbourhood satisfaction and subjective happiness are associated with self-rated health or mediate the effect from urbanization levels among youth. Methods: Taiwan Youth Project was a cross-sectional study in two cities, Taipei and Yilan, Taiwan including 5,586 students. Information on neighbourhood satisfaction, happiness, urbanization levels, and self-rated health was obtained by interview. Results: Neighbourhood satisfaction and happiness were both significantly associated with self-rated health (both p<0.001) while urbanization level was not ( p>0.05). Neighbourhood satisfaction is also highly correlated with happiness ( p<0.001). Conclusions: Future public health intervention should attend to neighbourhood satisfaction and happiness for youth.
Antisense to protein kinase C-alpha and p47phox attenuates the pro-inflammatory effects of human C-reactive protein in macrophages of biobreeding diabetic rats
Authors: Jialal Ishwarlal , Devaraj Sridevi
Published: July 2012

Objective:

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a pro-inflammatory state characterized by high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Previously, we showed that CRP accentuated a macrophage (MO) activity in spontaneously diabetic biobreeding (BB) rats and increased the MO activity of protein kinase C-alpha (PKC-α) and p47phox. In this report, we tested the effects of molecular inhibition of CRP effects on MO activity using antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) to both PKC-α and p47phox.

Methods:

Prior to administration of human C-reactive protein (hCRP) daily for 3 days, ASO or scrambled ASO to either PKC-α or p47phox was also delivered for 3 days and after killing on day 4, peritoneal MOs were isolated.

Results:

The increase in the levels of superoxide anion, interleukin (IL)-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and IL-6 release in MOs with hCRP compared to human albumin was significantly attenuated by antisense to either PKC-α and p47phox ( p < 0.01 vs. scrambled ASO; n = 5 per group).

Conclusion:

Our novel data suggest that antisense to either PKC-α or p47phox attenuates the pro-inflammatory effects of human CRP on MOs in diabetic rats.
Body mapping of human cutaneous microcirculatory perfusion using a real-time laser Doppler imager
Authors: Harbi Pascal , Thacher Tyler
Published: July 2012

There are many pathologies and/or surgical situations where understanding how cutaneous capillary blood flow is behaving would be of clinical benefit. Laser Doppler imaging (LDI) has long been considered an ideal candidate for this yet was never widely adopted. The technology was deemed too slow, needing minutes to record one image. Here, we present the use of a new, real-time LDI, which is sensitive enough to resolve pulsatile blood flow in the microcirculation and can record images and videos instantaneously. We show that when comparing the ratios of absolute perfusion images from different regions of the body, remarkably reproducible data can be obtained when looking at a control population of male volunteers. In the future, we plan to add more control and diseased groups, effectively giving the clinician a non-invasive, safe and easy-to-use diagnostic for assessing the extent of microcirculatory disorders and high-risk surgical situations.
Maternal postadoption depression: theory refinement through qualitative content analysis
Authors: Foli Karen J. , South Susan C. , Lim Eunjung
Published: July 2012

Background:

Some adoptive parents struggle with depressive symptoms post-placement. Foli’s Mid-Range Theory of Postadoption Depression provided the theoretical context for the analysis.

Research Aim:

To explicate connections between adoptive mothers’ unmet/unrealistic expectations and experiences with postadoption depression in the first 24 months of parenting their child(ren).

Methods:

Data were collected as part of a web-based study that examined predictors of maternal postadoption depression. A qualitative content analysis of approximately 332 responses, ranging from two words to two pages of text, was conducted using a deductive, unrestrained matrix approach.

Major Findings:

Support and refinement of major maternal expectations were attained and new concepts were revealed. Parents reported experiencing depression; they expressed unmet expectations as parents and of their children; they reported wishing they had received more medical and behavioural information about their child; and they reported mixed reactions and support from family and friends. Mothers described trans-racial family characteristics and being an adoptive family as factors in being accepted by society. Finally, the passage of time was described as a contributor to bonding and re-establishing family equilibrium.

Conclusions:

The findings refine and expand Foli’s Mid-Range Theory. Nurses render care to adoptive parents and their children in a number of practice settings, and these findings provide evidence to guide nursing care.
New families of bioactive oxidized phospholipids generated by immune cells: identification and signaling actions
Authors: O'Donnell Valerie B. , Murphy Robert C.
Published: July 2012

Phospholipids are of critical importance in mammalian cell biology, both through providing a permeability barrier and acting as substrates for synthesis of lipid mediators. Recently, several new families of bioactive lipids were identified that form through the enzymatic oxidation of membrane phospholipids in circulating innate immune cells and platelets. These comprise eicosanoids attached to phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine and form within 2-5 minutes of cell activation by pathophysiologic agonists, via the coordinated action of receptors and enzymes. In this review, we summarize what is currently known regarding their structures, mechanisms of formation, cell biology, and signaling actions. We show that phospholipid oxidation by acutely activated immune cells is a controlled event, and we propose a central role in regulating membrane biology and innate immune function during health and disease. We also review the mass spectrometry methods used for identification of the lipids and describe how these approaches can be used for discovery of new lipid mediators in complex biologic samples.
A bioactive peptide analogue for myxoma virus protein with a targeted cytotoxicity for human skin cancer in vitro
Authors: Almansour Nahlah M , Pirogova Elena , Coloe Peter J , Cosic Irena , Istivan Taghrid S
Published: July 2012

Background

Cancer is an international health problem, and the search for effective treatments is still in progress. Peptide therapy is focused on the development of short peptides with strong tumoricidal activity and low toxicity. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of a myxoma virus peptide analogue (RRM-MV) as a candidate for skin cancer therapy. RRM-MV was designed using the Resonant Recognition Model (RRM) and its effect was examined on human skin cancer and normal human skin cells in vitro.

Methods

Cell cultures were treated with various concentrations of the peptides at different incubation intervals. Cellular morphological changes (apoptosis and necrosis) were evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The cytotoxic effects of RRM-MV on human skin cancer and normal human skin cells were quantitatively determined by cytotoxicity and cell viability assays. The effect on human erythrocytes was also determined using quantitative hemolysis assay. DNA fragmentation assay was performed to detect early apoptotic events in treated cancer cells. Furthermore, to investigate the possible cell signalling pathway targeted by the peptides treatment, the levels of p-Akt expression in skin cancer and normal cells were detected by immunoblotting.

Results

Our results indicate that RRM-MV has a dose-dependent toxic effect on cancer cells only up to 18 h. The immunoblotting results indicated that the RRM-MV slightly increased p-Akt expression in melanoma and carcinoma cells, but did not seem to affect p-Akt expression in normal skin cells.

Conclusions

RRM-MV targets and lethally harms cancer cells and leaves normal cells unharmed. It is able to reduce the cancer cell viability, disrupting the LDH activity in cancer cells and can significantly affect cancer progression. Further investigation into other cell signalling pathways is needed in the process leading to the in vivo testing of this peptide to prove its safety as a possible effective treatment for skin cancer.
Coronary artery calcium findings in asymptomatic subjects with family history of premature coronary artery disease
Authors: Taraboanta Catalin , Hague Cameron J , Mancini GB John , Forster Bruce B , Frohlich Jiri
Published: July 2012

Background

To evaluate the frequency of positive coronary arteries calcium (CAC) scores in a unique population of asymptomatic first degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with angiographically confirmed early onset of coronary artery disease (CAD) and to assess their association with carotid ultrasound findings and other cardiovascular risk factors.

Method and results

We scanned, using 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography, 57 asymptomatic FDRs (47 ± 9 years old; 44% male, 56% female), out of the 111 FDRs previously phenotyped for cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. The controls were 616 individuals (57 ± 10 years old; 76% male, 24% female) with no family history of cardiovascular disease, chest pain or diabetes selected out of the 3500 subjects scanned between 2002 and 2007. FDRs had higher risk of abnormal CAC scores compared to controls; odds ratio (OR) for the 75th percentile was 1.96 (95% CI 1.04 – 3.67, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The frequency of abnormal CAC scores is two-fold higher in asymptomatic FDRs than in controls. CAC scan provides additional information on CV risk assessment in asymptomatic FDRs, particularly for those in the intermediate risk category.

Clinical trial registration

NCT00387595
WRAP53 is an independent prognostic factor in rectal cancer- a study of Swedish clinical trial of preoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer patients
Authors: Zhang Hong , Wang Da-Wei , Adell Gunnar , Sun Xiao-Feng
Published: July 2012

Background

Expression of WRAP53 protein has oncogenic properties and it is up regulated in several types of tumors.

Methods

We examined expression of WRAP53 protein in rectal cancers and analyzed its relationship to the response to preoperative radiotherapy and patient survival. The WRAP53 protein was examined by immunohistochemistry in normal mucosa, primary tumors and lymph node metastases from 143 rectal cancer patients participated in a Swedish clinical trial of preoperative radiotherapy.

Results

Frequency of WRAP53 protein expression was increased in primary rectal cancer compared to the normal mucosa (p < 0.05). In non-radiotherapy group positive WRAP53 in primary tumors (p = 0.03, RR, 3.73, 95% CI, 1.13-11.89) or metastases (p = 0.01, RR, 4.11, 95% CI, 1.25-13.14), was associated with poor prognosis independently of stages and differentiations. In radiotherapy group, positive WRAP53 in the metastasis correlated with better survival (p = 0.04). An interaction analysis showed that the correlations of WRAP53 with the prognostic significance with and without radiotherapy in the metastasis differed (p = 0.01). In the radiotherapy group, expression of WRAP53 in metastases gave a better outcome (p = 0.02, RR, 0.32, 95% CI, 0.13-0.84), and an interaction analysis showed significance between the two groups (p = 0.01).

Conclusion

WRAP53 may be a new biomarker used to predict prognosis and to select suitable patients for preoperative radiotherapy.
Beneficial effects of Korean red ginseng on lymphocyte DNA damage, antioxidant enzyme activity, and LDL oxidation in healthy participants: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Kim Ji Young , Park Ju Yeon , Kang Hee Jung , Kim Oh Yoen , Lee Jong Ho
Published: July 2012

Background

The reported health benefits of Korean red ginseng (KRG) include antioxidant, antitumor, antimutagenic, and immunomodulatory activities; however, the effects on oxidative stress have not yet been evaluated. Therefore, we assessed the effect of KRG on antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress markers in humans.

Methods

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with three groups, including placebo, low-dose (3 g/day), and high-dose (6 g/day), which were randomly assigned to healthy subjects aged 20–65 years. Lymphocyte DNA damage, antioxidative enzyme activity, and lipid peroxidation were assessed before and after the 8-week supplementation.

Results

Fifty-seven subjects completed the protocol. Plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity after the 8-week KRG supplementation was significantly higher in the low-and high-dose groups compared to baseline. Plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase activities were also increased after the high-dose supplementation. Furthermore, the DNA tail length and tail moment were significantly reduced after the supplementation (low-dose and high-dose), and plasma oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were reduced in low-dose and high-dose groups, but increased in the placebo group. The net changes in oxidized LDL after the supplementation differed significantly between both KRG supplementation groups and the placebo group. Net changes in GPx, SOD and catalase activities, and DNA tail length and tail moment were significantly different between the high-dose group and the placebo group. Additionally, the net changes in urinary 8-epi-PGF2α were significantly different between the KRG supplementation groups and the placebo group.

Conclusions

KRG supplementation may attenuate lymphocyte DNA damage and LDL oxidation by upregulating antioxidant enzyme activity.
Tumor characteristics and the clinical outcome of invasive lobular carcinoma compared to infiltrating ductal carcinoma in a Chinese population
Authors: Cao A-Yong , Huang Liang , Wu Jiong , Lu Jin-Song , Liu Guang-Yu , Shen Zhen-Zhou , Shao Zhi-Ming , Di Gen-Hong
Published: July 2012

Background

We sought to compare the baseline demographics, standard pathologic factors and long- term clinical outcomes between ILC and infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) using a large database.

Methods

Clinicopathologic features, overall survival (OS), and recurrence/metastasis-free survival (RFS) were compared between 2,202 patients with IDC and 215 patients with ILC.

Results

ILC was significantly more likely to be associated with a favorable phenotype, but the incidence of contralateral breast cancer was higher for ILC patients than for IDC patients (8.4% vs. 3.9%; P =0.001). The frequencies of recurrence/metastasis (P = 0.980) and death (P = 0.064) were similar among patients with IDC and patients with ILC after adjustment for tumor size and nodal status. The median follow-up was 42.8 months.

Conclusions

Chinese women with ILCs do not have better clinical outcomes than their counterparts with IDC. Management decisions should be based on individual patient and tumor biologic characteristics, and not on lobular histology.
JNK signaling is the shared pathway linking neuroinflammation, blood–brain barrier disruption, and oligodendroglial apoptosis in the white matter injury of the immature brain
Authors: Wang Lan-Wan , Tu Yi-Fang , Huang Chao-Ching , Ho Chien-Jung
Published: July 2012

Background

White matter injury is the major form of brain damage in very preterm infants. Selective white matter injury in the immature brain can be induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-sensitized hypoxic-ischemia (HI) in the postpartum (P) day 2 rat pups whose brain maturation status is equivalent to that in preterm infants less than 30 weeks of gestation. Neuroinflammation, blood–brain barrier (BBB) damage and oligodendrocyte progenitor apoptosis may affect the susceptibility of LPS-sensitized HI in white matter injury. c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) are important stress-responsive kinases in various forms of insults. We hypothesized that LPS-sensitized HI causes white matter injury through JNK activation-mediated neuroinflammation, BBB leakage and oligodendroglial apoptosis in the white matter of P2 rat pups.

Methods

P2 pups received LPS (0.05 mg/kg) or normal saline injection followed by 90-min HI. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting were used to determine microglia activation, TNF-α, BBB damage, cleaved caspase-3, JNK and phospho-JNK (p-JNK), myelin basic protein (MBP), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression. Immunofluorescence was performed to determine the cellular distribution of p-JNK. Pharmacological and genetic approaches were used to inhibit JNK activity.

Results

P2 pups had selective white matter injury associated with upregulation of activated microglia, TNF-α, IgG extravasation and oligodendroglial progenitor apoptosis after LPS-sensitized HI. Immunohistochemical analyses showed early and sustained JNK activation in the white matter at 6 and 24 h post-insult. Immunofluorescence demonstrated upregulation of p-JNK in activated microglia, vascular endothelial cells and oligodendrocyte progenitors, and also showed perivascular aggregation of p-JNK-positive cells around the vessels 24 h post-insult. JNK inhibition by AS601245 or by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) significantly reduced microglial activation, TNF-α immunoreactivity, IgG extravasation, and cleaved caspase-3 in the endothelial cells and oligodendrocyte progenitors, and also attenuated perivascular aggregation of p-JNK-positive cells 24 h post-insult. The AS601245 or JNK antisense ODN group had significantly increased MBP and decreased GFAP expression in the white matter on P11 than the vehicle or scrambled ODN group.

Conclusions

LPS-sensitized HI causes white matter injury through JNK activation-mediated upregulation of neuroinflammation, BBB leakage and oligodendrocyte progenitor apoptosis in the immature brain.