bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compound 21 Induces Vasorelaxation via an Endothelium- and Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor-Independent Mechanism
Authors: Verdonk Koen , Durik Matej , Abd-Alla Nalina , Batenburg Wendy W. , van den Bogaerdt Antoon J. , van Veghel Richard , Roks Anton J.M. , Danser A.H. Jan , van Esch Joep H.M.
Published: July 2012

Angiotensin II type 2 (AT
2
) receptor stimulation has been linked to vasodilation. Yet, AT
2
receptor-independent hypertension and hypotension (or no effect on blood pressure) have been observed in vivo after application of the AT
2
receptor agonist compound 21 (C21). We, therefore, studied its effects in vitro, using preparations known to display AT
2
receptor-mediated responses. Hearts of Wistar rats, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), C57Bl/6 mice, and AT
2
receptor knockout mice were perfused according to Langendorff. Mesenteric and iliac arteries of these animals, as well as coronary microarteries from human donor hearts, were mounted in Mulvany myographs. In the coronary vascular bed of Wistar rats, C57Bl/6 mice, and AT
2
receptor knockout mice, C21 induced constriction followed by dilation. SHR hearts displayed enhanced constriction and no dilation. Irbesartan (angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker) abolished the constriction and enhanced or (in SHRs) reintroduced dilation, and PD123319 (AT
2
receptor blocker) did not block the latter. C21 relaxed preconstricted vessels of all species, and this did not depend on angiotensin II receptors, the endothelium, or the NO-guanylyl cyclase-cGMP pathway. C21 constricted SHR iliac arteries but none of the other vessels, and irbesartan prevented this. C21 shifted the concentration-response curves to U46619 (thromboxane A
2
analog) and phenylephrine (α-adrenoceptor agonist) but not ionomycine (calcium ionophore) to the right. In conclusion, C21 did not cause AT
2
receptor-mediated vasodilation. Yet, it did induce vasodilation by blocking calcium transport into the cell and constriction via angiotensin II type 1 receptor stimulation. The latter effect is enhanced in SHRs. These data may explain the varying effects of C21 on blood pressure in vivo.
Power Sharing in Postconflict Societies
Authors: Cammett Melani , Malesky Edmund
Published: July 2012

Which components of power sharing contribute to the duration of peace and what explains the linkages between institutional design and stability? The authors argue that certain types of political power sharing are associated with more durable peace than others, primarily through their positive effects on governance and public service delivery. In particular, closed-list proportional representation (PR) electoral systems stand out among power-sharing arrangements, due to their ability to deliver superior governance outcomes which, in turn, can promote stability by undercutting the initial motivations for conflict or by reducing the feasibility of rebellion. The authors argue that these positive outcomes result from closed-list PR’s ability to increase party discipline and checks on executive power, while reducing incentives for personalistic voting. The introduction of political institutions in postconflict negotiated settlements allows us to test the independent effects of institutions on governance and stability using survival analysis and a case study.
Dynamic positioning simulation, thrust optimization design and control of a drill ship under disturbances and faulty thruster
Authors: Chin CS
Published: July 2012

The dynamic positioning simulation of an actual drill ship under a normal and faulty condition is proposed using MATLAB™ and Simulink™ software. The proposed simulation model provides a means to control a non-linear and coupled OD21 drill ship under different external perturbations, such as wind, wave, current and thruster failure during the design stage. A proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller for the dynamic positioning ship system was designed and validated with experimental results from a sea trial. Through simulation, the proposed PID control and thrust allocation method are able to maintain the desired heading angle under various test conditions, such as drilling, standby and thruster failure.
Characteristic ratio assignment in fractional order systems (case 0 < v ≤ 0.5)
Authors: Tabatabaei Mohammad , Haeri Mohammad
Published: July 2012

Five different approaches are presented to assign characteristic ratios for commensurate fractional order systems having order in (0,0.5]. Through the indirect methods, a closed-loop or plant transfer function is converted to a commensurate order one with an order greater than 0.5 so that the previously designed CRA method by the authors is applicable. The first method among the proposed direct ones is based on increasing the order of the desired closed-loop transfer function that allows the employment of positive characteristic ratios. In the second method the closed-loop response is sped up by augmenting an appropriate zero. The final method uses negative characteristic ratios to reach the goal. Computer simulations are provided to show the performance of the mentioned methods in a comparative study.
Auxiliary device for calibration of roller pumps: development and experimental results
Authors: Vieira FU , de Medeiros J Dantas , Antunes N , Vieira RW , Costa ET
Published: July 2012

Introduction:

Roller pumps are commonly used in surgeries involving extracorporeal circulation and its regulation may influence the hemolysis rate.

Objective:

To describe an auxiliary device for adjusting roller pumps using the dynamic calibration method and show preliminary results of its application in surgical procedures.

Method:

The device was tested in the laboratory environment with three disposable pressure transducers normally used in surgeries. In the operation room, tests were carried out with two groups of patients. Free hemoglobin plasma rates were measured, 5 minutes after perfusion started and immediately before the passage of the residual volume of the pump. For Group 1 (n = 22), occlusion measurements were carried out using the drop rate method and for Group 2 (n = 18), measurements were carried out using the auxiliary device and 300 mmHg calibration (mean pressure for the dynamic calibration method).

Results:

The auxiliary calibration device has shown calibration results statistically equal to those obtained with a reference device in the laboratory environment. We have found less variability of hemolysis rates in the operating room, using the auxiliary device and we did not observe any influence of unbalanced rollers in the hemolysis rates.
Clinical and biochemical outcomes for additive mesenteric and lower body perfusion during hypothermic circulatory arrest for complex total aortic arch replacement surgery
Authors: Fernandes P , Cleland A , Adams C , Chu MWA
Published: July 2012

Surgical repair of transverse aortic arch aneurysms frequently employ hypothermia and antegrade cerebral perfusion as protective strategies during circulatory arrest. However, prolonged mesenteric and lower limb ischemia can lead to significant lactic acidosis and end organ dysfunction, which remains a significant cause of post-operative morbidity and mortality. We report our experience with additive warm mesenteric and lower body perfusion (1-3 L/min, 30°C) in addition to continuous cerebral and myocardial perfusion in 5 patients who underwent total aortic arch replacement with trifurcated head vessel re-implantation and distal elephant trunk reconstruction. Concomitant surgical procedures included re-operations (2), aortic root operations (2), coronary artery bypass (2) and descending thoracic aortic replacement (1). Serum lactate levels demonstrated a rapid decline from a peak 9.9±2.6 post circulatory arrest to 3.4±2.0 in the intensive care unit (ICU). The lowest serum bicarbonate levels were 19.3±3.5 mmol/L, intra-operatively, which normalized to 28.4±2.4 mmol/L on return to the ICU. The lowest pH levels were 7.25±0.10, corrected to 7.43±0.04 on return to the ICU. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times were 361±104 and 253±85 minutes, respectively. Mean cerebral and lower body circulatory arrest times were 0 (0) and 50±35 minutes, respectively. The mean time required for systemic rewarming was 95±66 minutes. There were no in-hospital mortalities and no patient experienced any neurological, mesenteric, renal or lower limb ischemic complications. Two patients required mechanical ventilation >24 hours, and one patient returned for reoperation for bleeding. Median intensive care unit and total hospital lengths of stay were 5 and 16 days, respectively. Our results suggest early serum lactate clearance, normalization of acidosis, and metabolic recovery when utilizing a simultaneous cerebral perfusion and warm body protection strategy for complex aortic arch surgery. This additive perfusion strategy may attenuate visceral and lower body ischemia that normally develops during periods of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.
Investigating the Dutch Movement-Specific Reinvestment Scale in people with stroke
Authors: Kleynen Melanie , Braun Susy M , Beurskens Anna JHM , Verbunt Jeanine A , de Bie Rob A , Masters Rich SW
Published: July 2012

Objective:

Reinvestment is a phenomenon in which conscious control of movements that are best controlled automatically disrupts performance. The propensity for reinvestment may therefore play an important role in the movement rehabilitation process. The Movement-Specific Reinvestment Scale measures an individual’s propensity for reinvestment. The aim of this study was to translate the scale for use with Dutch participants with stroke and to assess its reliability.

Design:

A test–retest design.

Setting:

In community after discharge from rehabilitation centre.

Subjects:

Forty-five people with stroke.

Measures:

Reliability of the translated scale was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland–Altman plot.

Results:

The ICC was 0.85 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74–0.91). Limits of agreement ranged from −2.38 to 3.10.

Conclusion:

The Dutch Movement-Specific Reinvestment Scale appears to be a reliable tool with which to assess the propensity for movement-specific reinvestment by people with stroke.
Are Consumers Acting Fairly Toward Companies?
Authors: Jang Hyunkyu , Chu Wujin
Published: July 2012

Fairness is an important component of all marketing exchange. While previous literature has focused on companies’ fair actions toward consumers, this article examines fair actions of consumers toward companies. Through a series of experiments, the authors investigate consumer fairness in the context of a pay-what-you-want pricing scheme. Results show that some consumers act fairly toward companies, even if they have no obligation to do so. For such consumers, there seems to be a self-signaling motive, in that they want to signal to themselves that they are fair. The authors also show that the distribution of price paid has a similar pattern to that of the dictator game in behavioral economics. Finally, the authors show that consumers can be influenced into taking fair actions by providing cues about “socially correct” actions others are taking. The reason for this is that many consumers act unfairly not because of their inherent propensity but because they believe others are doing the same. Implications for distributive justice in marketing exchange are discussed.
You Can’t Get There from Here: A Social Process Theory of Racism and Race
Authors: Byng Michelle D.
Published: July 2012

Theorizing the social influence of racism and race has long been a concern of sociologists. Theories have addressed how racism, race and race inequality are organized and changed. Yet they have not addressed why racism and race are persistent despite social change. A social process theory of racism and race is proposed that analyzes their flexibility and persistence. It posits that racism is a social process where the meanings of race identities are traded across macro, meso, and micro levels of society. These trades legitimate social policies, are used to define a society as moral, and inform experiences. Black and white identities in light of the civil rights movement and its retrenchment, and the post-9/11 identity of Muslim Americans provide examples for applying the theory. I discuss the implications of the social process theory of racism and race for the future of race inequality in American society and sociological research.
Useful method to monitor the physiological effects of alcohol ingestion by combination of micro-integrated laser Doppler blood flow meter and arm-raising test
Authors: Iwasaki Wataru , Nogami Hirofumi , Ito Hiroki , Gotanda Takeshi , Peng Yao , Takeuchi Satoshi , Furue Masutaka , Higurashi Eiji , Sawada Renshi
Published: July 2012

Alcohol has a variety of effects on the human body, affecting both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. We examined the peripheral blood flow of alcohol drinkers using a micro-integrated laser Doppler blood flow meter (micro-electromechanical system blood flow sensor). An increased heart rate and blood flow was recorded at the earlobe after alcohol ingestion, and we observed strong correlation between blood flow, heart rate, and breath alcohol content in light drinkers; but not heavy drinkers. We also found that the amplitude of pulse waves measured at the fingertip during an arm-raising test significantly decreased on alcohol consumption, regardless of the individual’s alcohol tolerance. Our micro-electromechanical system blood flow sensor successfully detected various physiological changes in peripheral blood circulation induced by alcohol consumption.
Continuity and change in the vegetation of a Central European oakwood
Authors: Jamrichová Eva , Szabó Péter , Hédl Radim , Kuneš Petr , Bobek Přemysl , Pelánková Barbora
Published: July 2012

The issue of continuity in deciduous oakwood vegetation has been in the forefront of woodland ecological studies for many decades. The two basic questions that emerge from existing research are whether or not oakwoods can be characterized by long-term stability and what may be the driving forces of the observed stability or change. To answer these questions in a well-defined case study, we examined the history of a large subcontinental oakwood (Dúbrava) in the southeastern Czech Republic with interdisciplinary methods using palaeoecological and archival sources. Palaeoecology allowed us to reconstruct the vegetation composition and fire disturbances in Dúbrava in the past 2000 years, while written sources provided information about tree composition and management from the 14th century onwards. The pollen profiles show that the present oakwood was established in the mid-14th century with an abrupt change from shrubby, hazel-dominated vegetation to oak forest. This change was most probably caused by a ban on oak felling in ad 1350. From the 14th to the late 18th centuries Dúbrava had multiple uses, of which wood-pasture and hay-cutting kept the forest considerably open. The second remarkable change was dated to the late 18th century, when multiple-use management was abandoned and Dúbrava was divided into pasture-only and coppice-only parts. The last major shift occurred in the mid-19th century, when modern forestry and Scotch pine plantation became dominant. We conclude that Dúbrava Wood did not show stability in the long run and that its species composition has dramatically changed during the last two millennia. The most important driving force in the shaping and maintenance of the unique vegetation of Dúbrava was human management.
Construction and Analysis of a Global GDP Growth Model for 185 Countries through 2050
Authors: Kohli Harpaul Alberto , Szyf Y. Aaron , Arnold Drew
Published: July 2012

This article presents the construction and analysis of a long-run GDP growth model, including sample results, its sensitivity to parameter choices, and explanations of the concepts underpinning it. It is designed to be flexible so that scholars can use it with their own assumptions and parameter choices to customize results. The model estimates GDP as a function of labor force, capital stock, and total factor productivity (TFP) for 185 countries through 2050 under alternate scenarios. It provides rough estimates for real exchange rates, poverty indices, median and percentile incomes and consumption levels, and the populations of the lower, middle, and upper income classes. The model also provides additional evidence for the TFP convergence phenomenon and the effect of the state failure on TFP growth. It can further be used to model stocks, accessibility, and investment requirements for 10 infrastructure sectors. The model can yield counterfactual estimates and actual and roughly estimated comparable historical data for most of the projected series, provided in identical units. For 126 countries, such series (e.g., TFP) are provided back through 1956, and for some even earlier.
India 2039—Transforming Agriculture: Productivity, Markets, and Institutions
Authors: Binswanger-Mkhize Hans , Mukherjee Natasha , Parikh Kirit
Published: July 2012

The central premise of this article is that Indian agriculture must undergo a fundamental transformation between now and 2039, both on the demand and supply side, by emphasizing higher value outputs, increased productivity, and redefined public and private sector roles. Driving this transformation will be the broader trends in the wider Indian and global economies: a dramatic shift in food demand away from staple food grains to higher value products (such as vegetables, milk, eggs, poultry, and fruits) caused by India’s affluence, rising energy costs, much higher rural wages, increasing international prices of agriculture inputs and outputs, the availability of new seeds and other technologies, and, importantly, adverse effects of global climate change. Given the limitations on expanding cultivable area and rising water distress, the only way to meet India’s food needs will be through dramatically increasing productivity and the efficiency of water use.
Stories From a Mexican American Partera
Authors: Champion Jane Dimmitt
Published: July 2012

This is a case study about an 87-year-old Mexican American partera and her stories about her life and practice on the Texas–Mexico border from the 1930s until 1995. These stories describe strong and competent women who rode horses to remote areas to help with many deliveries of babies throughout their lives. Sra. B, the lay midwife agreed to be interviewed so that her work could be shared with others. The stories discussed told part of what she lived. These stories included clinical pearls that told about how to use “a few drops of oregano . . . and salt,” and how to handle situations in which “the Lord was the only one who could help us,” among others. These interviews tell part of the story about how Sra. B learned, lived, and practiced as a partera and how she is remembered by the families throughout the area.
The effects of word exposure frequency and elaboration of word processing on incidental L2 vocabulary acquisition through reading
Authors: Eckerth Johannes , Tavakoli Parveneh
Published: July 2012

Research on incidental second language (L2) vocabulary acquisition through reading has claimed that repeated encounters with unfamiliar words and the relative elaboration of processing these words facilitate word learning. However, so far both variables have been investigated in isolation. To help close this research gap, the current study investigates the differential effects of the variables ‘word exposure frequency’ and ‘elaboration of word processing’ on the initial word learning and subsequent word retention of advanced learners of L2 English. Whereas results showed equal effects for both variables on initial word learning, subsequent word retention was more contingent on elaborate processing of form–meaning relationships than on word frequency. These results, together with those of the studies reviewed, suggest that processing words again after reading (input–output cycles) is superior to reading-only tasks. The findings have significant implications for adaptation and development of teaching materials that enhance L2 vocabulary learning.
Parallel vigilance: Parents’ dual focus following diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes mellitus in their young child
Authors: Niedel Selaine , Traynor Michael , McKee Martin , Grey Margaret
Published: July 2012

There is consensus that enabling patient self-care and expertise leads to better management of chronic illness. Clinicians are being encouraged to manage clinical encounters in ways that promote these outcomes rather than perpetuate hierarchical relationships. This article describes one part of a larger study of 55 outpatient consultations conducted within 14 months of the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes mellitus in young children. Participants were parents and the specialist doctors, nurses, dieticians and social workers who oversee the child’s secondary care. Consultations were audio-recorded and transcribed. Our analysis draws on aspects of conversation analysis (CA) to investigate how parents’ talk enacts a growing confidence in the management of their child’s disease in the face of questioning from professionals. Analysis reveals how this talk distinguishes a duality of focus that combines the normal watchfulness exhibited by all parents as they protect their children, with an additional intense, parallel watchfulness for signs of potentially serious manifestations of diabetes. We term this phenomenon parallel vigilance and illustrate its development using five representative extracts from consultations. The concept of parallel vigilance extends the chronic illness literature and informs our understanding of a process that contributes to parents’ developing expertise and provides new and important insights into the way in which parents conceptualize and implement their evolving role in the care of their child. Moreover, parallel vigilance serves as an enabler of parental contributions to the specialist consultation.
The ‘new majority’ and the academization of journalism
Authors: Bromley Michael
Published: July 2012

The academization of journalism is reliant on the development of the field founded in scholarship demonstrated through the publication of research in peer-reviewed specialist journals. Given the profile of journalism faculty, this means inducting practitioners into a culture of critical research. In Australia at least, this cohort of neophytes is predominantly comprised of middle-aged women who were surveyed about their personal attitudes to research. They were mostly open to the idea of becoming researchers but were inclined to proceed cautiously without necessarily severing their ties with practice. There was evidence to suggest that a generally positive orientation to research was not capitalized on and that they remained uncertain about the role of research. On the other hand, they appeared not to have adopted the orthodoxy of implacable opposition to scholarly inquiry. The change in gender composition in the academy may provide, contrary to historical, but more in line with contemporary, evidence, a renewed impetus to the project of academizing the field.
Pneumatic oil barriers: The promise of area bubble plumes
Authors: McClimans Thomas , Leifer Ira , Gjøsund Svein Helge , Grimaldo Eduardo , Daling Per , Leirvik Frode
Published: July 2012

Reviews of bubble curtain oil herding studies in 1971 and in 1997 concluded that a bubble oil boom, or pneumatic oil barrier, is ineffective for retaining oil spills except in quiescent water, such as harbors. A bubble oil boom generates a sea-surface outwelling flow that traps or blocks oil. The primary bubble oil boom failure mode arises from oil droplet injection due to turbulence and instabilities at the oil slick front, where the outwelling flow balances the oil spreading. Bubble oil boom leakage occurs where these droplets are entrained into and pass through the bubble barrier. Increasing bubble flow creates stronger outwelling flows but increases turbulence and instabilities, leading to enhanced oil droplet entrainment. Natural seep observations, field trials, and laboratory studies demonstrate that a bubble plume with a wide bubble oil boom area, which is driven by an array of several parallel spargers (a bubble raft), can increase oil retention greatly while addressing key bubble oil boom failure modes compared with a line-source bubble curtain plume. Further improvements are identified by synergistic bubble oil boom application with a retaining skirt, dramatically improving the bubble oil boom performance. Specifically, the bubble oil boom keeps the oil distant from the skirt, minimizing or eliminating several conventional oil boom failure mechanisms. Also, entrained droplets, which easily traverse a single bubble curtain, are blocked effectively by a wide bubble plume curtain.
Safety and Feasibility of an Exercise Intervention for Patients Following Lung Resection
Authors: Granger Catherine L. , Chao Caroline , McDonald Christine F. , Berney Sue , Denehy Linda
Published: July 2012

Purpose. Following surgical lung resection, patients frequently suffer functional decline and reduced activity levels. Despite this exercise interventions are not routinely provided. This study aimed to establish the safety and feasibility of exercise administered following lung resection in an Australian setting. Method. Pilot randomized controlled trial. Fifteen individuals (53% male), mean ± standard deviation age 65.5 ± 16.1 years, undergoing surgery for suspected lung cancer. Randomization occurred postoperatively. Control arm received protocolized inpatient respiratory physiotherapy. Intervention arm additionally received twice daily exercise until discharge home and twice weekly as outpatient for 8 weeks. Outcome measures (safety, feasibility, functional capacity, functional mobility, and health-related quality of life [HRQoL]) were assessed preoperatively and 2 and 12 weeks postoperatively. Results. Fifteen participants (lung cancer n = 10) were assigned to control (n = 8) and intervention (n = 7) groups. Inpatient exercise was delivered on 71% of occasions (35 out of 49 planned sessions). Four participants attended outpatient exercise sessions and these participants attended sessions on 81% of occasions (52 out of 64 planned sessions). No adverse events occurred. There was a significant between group difference in 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT; P = .024). In both groups the 6MWT declined from baseline to 2 weeks postoperative and then improved up to 12 weeks; improvements were greater in the intervention group. Intervention was associated with positive trends of improvement in some HRQoL domains. Conclusions. Exercise intervention performed in the inpatient and outpatient settings for individuals following lung resection was safe and feasible. The uptake rate for outpatient exercise was 57%, similar to previous trials; however, adherence was excellent within the subgroup of participants who attended. Further research is required to investigate the best setting of exercise delivery and explore ways to improve the uptake rate.
From television to the film set
Authors: Kim Sangkyun , Wang Hua
Published: July 2012

Daejanggeum ( DJG) is a popular Korean television serial drama that boosted the Korean Wave cultural phenomenon in the mid-2000s and led to screen-tourism in South Korea, attracting international visitors to many DJG filmed locations. This study examines the relationship between level of media exposure, audience involvement and on-site screen-tourism experiences. Data were collected at the Daejanggeum Theme Park, an outdoor DJG film set in Yangjoo, South Korea.  A total of 701 international tourist visitors completed a survey in Chinese, Japanese and Thai. The study validated a three-dimensional scale of audience involvement and a three-dimensional scale of on-site screen-tourism experiences. This study found that the level of media exposure significantly influenced both audience involvement and on-site screen-tourism experiences; audience emotional and behavioural involvement with DJG significantly affected their on-site screen-tourism experiences.
Narrow-band imaging cystoscopy in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a prospective comparison to the standard approach
Authors: Geavlete Bogdan , Jecu Marian , Multescu Razvan , Geavlete Petrisor
Published: July 2012

Objectives:

A single-centre, prospective trial was performed aiming to assess the impact of narrow-band imaging (NBI) cystoscopy in cases of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) in comparison to standard white light cystoscopy (WLC).

Materials and methods:

A total of 95 NMIBC-suspected consecutive cases were enrolled. The inclusion criteria were hematuria, positive urinary cytology or ultrasound suspicion of bladder tumors. All patients underwent WLC and NBI cystoscopy. Standard resection was performed for all lesions visible in white light and NBI transurethral resection of bladder tumors for only NBI-observed tumors.

Results:

The overall detection rates of NMIBC and carcinoma in situ (CIS) were significantly improved for NBI (96.2% versus 87.2% and 100% versus 66.7% respectively). Also, NBI cystoscopy showed significantly superior detection for CIS, pTa and overall tumors (95.2% versus 61.9%, 93.9% versus 85.2% and 94.8% versus 83.9% respectively). Additional tumors were diagnosed by NBI in a significant proportion of patients with CIS, pTa, pT1 and NMIBC (55.5% versus 11.1%, 26.5% versus 10.2%, 30% versus 10% and 30.8% versus 10.3%). Postoperative treatment was significantly improved due to NBI results (16.7% versus 5.1%).

Conclusions:

NBI cystoscopy represents a valuable diagnostic alternative in patients with NMIBC, with significant improvement in tumor visual accuracy as well as detection. This approach provides a substantial improvement to bladder cancer therapeutic management.
The Meanings of Stress
Authors: McLeod Jane D.
Published: July 2012

The concept of meaning plays a central role in major conceptualizations of the stress process, yet it remains underanalyzed by sociologists. In this article, the author proposes a series of research questions that place meaning construction at the center of the stress process. The questions are motivated by a review of limitations of prior approaches to analyzing meaning: appraisals, narrative ratings, social context, and respondents’ personal meanings. These approaches use meaning to improve the prediction of stress outcomes but neglect their social origins. Two new lines of research on meaning are proposed to address this limitation: the structural and cultural origins of meaning and the process of meaning negotiation. These lines of research broaden the view of the “social” in social stress research and allow a more comprehensive understanding of the processes through which social arrangements affect personal distress.
FGF signaling facilitates postinjury recovery of mouse hematopoietic system
Authors: Zhao Meng , Ross Jason T. , Itkin Tomer , Perry John M. , Venkatraman Aparna , Haug Jeffrey S. , Hembree Mark J. , Deng Chu-Xia , Lapidot Tsvee , He Xi C. , Li Linheng
Published: July 2012

Previous studies have shown that fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling promotes hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) expansion in vitro. However, it is unknown whether FGF promotes HSPC expansion in vivo. Here we examined FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) expression and investigated its in vivo function in HSPCs. Conditional knockout (CKO) of Fgfr1 did not affect phenotypical number of HSPCs and homeostatic hematopoiesis, but led to a reduced engraftment only in the secondary transplantation. When treated with 5-fluorouracil (5FU), the Fgfr1 CKO mice showed defects in both proliferation and subsequent mobilization of HSPCs. We identified megakaryocytes (Mks) as a major resource for FGF production, and further discovered a novel mechanism by which Mks underwent FGF-FGFR signaling dependent expansion to accelerate rapid FGF production under stress. Within HSPCs, we observed an up-regulation of nuclear factor κB and CXCR4, a receptor for the chemoattractant SDF-1, in response to bone marrow damage only in control but not in Fgfr1 CKO model, accounting for the corresponding defects in proliferation and migration of HSPCs. This study provides the first in vivo evidence that FGF signaling facilitates postinjury recovery of the mouse hematopoietic system by promoting proliferation and facilitating mobilization of HSPCs.
Comparison of health-related quality of life among patients using atypical antipsychotics for treatment of depression: results from the National Health and Wellness Survey
Authors: Kalsekar Iftekhar , Wagner Jan-Samuel , DiBonaventura Marco , Bates Jay , Forbes Robert , Hebden Tony
Published: July 2012

Background

Use of atypical antipsychotics (AA) in combination with an antidepressant is recommended as an augmentation strategy for patients with depression. However, there is a paucity of data comparing aripiprazole and other AAs in terms of patient reported outcomes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the levels of HRQoL and health utility scores in patients with depression using aripiprazole compared with patients using olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone and ziprasidone.

Methods

Data were obtained from the 2009, 2010, and 2011 National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS), a cross-sectional, internet-based survey that is representative of the adult US population. Only those patients who reported being diagnosed with depression and taking an antidepressant and an atypical antipsychotic for depression were included. Patients taking an atypical antipsychotic for less than 2 months or who reported being diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia were excluded. Patients taking aripiprazole were compared with patients taking other atypical antipsychotics. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and health utilities were assessed using the Short Form 12-item (SF-12) health survey. Differences between groups were analyzed using General Linear Models (GLM) controlling for demographic and health characteristics.

Results

Overall sample size was 426 with 59.9% taking aripiprazole (n = 255) and 40.1% (n = 171) taking another atypical antipsychotic (olanzapine (n = 19), quetiapine (n = 127), risperidone (n = 14) or ziprasidone (n = 11)). Of the SF-12 domains, mean mental component summary (MCS) score (p = .018), bodily pain (p = .047), general health (p = .009) and emotional role limitations (p = .009) were found to be significantly higher in aripiprazole users indicating better HRQoL compared to other atypical antipsychotics. After controlling for demographic and health characteristics, patients taking aripiprazole reported significantly higher mean mental SF-12 component summary (34.10 vs. 31.43, p = .018), bodily pain (55.19 vs. 49.05, p = .047), general health (50.05 vs. 43.07, p = .009), emotional role limitations (49.44 vs. 41.83, p = .009), and SF-6D utility scores (0.59 vs. 0.56, p = .042).

Conclusions

Comparison of patients taking aripiprazole with a cohort of patients using another AA for depression demonstrated that aripiprazole was independently associated with better (both statistically and clinically) HRQoL and health utilities.
Systematic Evaluation of Key L-Carnitine Homeostasis Mechanisms during Postnatal Development in Rat
Authors: Ling Binbing , Aziz Caroline , Alcorn Jane
Published: July 2012

Background

The conditionally essential nutrient, L-carnitine, plays a critical role in a number of physiological processes vital to normal neonatal growth and development. We conducted a systematic evaluation of the developmental changes in key L-carnitine homeostasis mechanisms in the postnatal rat to better understand the interrelationship between these pathways and their correlation to ontogenic changes in L-carnitine levels during postnatal development.

Methods

mRNA expression of heart, kidney and intestinal L-carnitine transporters, liver γ-butyrobetaine hydroxylase (Bbh) and trimethyllysine hydroxylase (Tmlh), and heart carnitine palmitoyltransferase (Cpt) were measured using quantitative RT-PCR. L-Carnitine levels were determined by HPLC-UV. Cpt and Bbh activity were measured by a spectrophotometric method and HPLC, respectively.

Results

Serum and heart L-carnitine levels increased with postnatal development. Increases in serum L-carnitine correlated significantly with postnatal increases in renal organic cation/carnitine transporter 2 (Octn2) expression, and was further matched by postnatal increases in intestinal Octn1 expression and hepatic γ-Bbh activity. Postnatal increases in heart L-carnitine levels were significantly correlated to postnatal increases in heart Octn2 expression. Although cardiac high energy phosphate substrate levels remained constant through postnatal development, creatine showed developmental increases with advancing neonatal age. mRNA levels of Cpt1b and Cpt2 significantly increased at postnatal day 20, which was not accompanied by a similar increase in activity.

Conclusions

Several L-carnitine homeostasis pathways underwent significant ontogenesis during postnatal development in the rat. This information will facilitate future studies on factors affecting the developmental maturation of L-carnitine homeostasis mechanisms and how such factors might affect growth and development.
A novel monoclonal antibody for detection of galectin-9 in tissue sections: application to human tissues infected by oncogenic viruses
Authors: Barjon Clément , Niki Toshiro , Vérillaud Benjamin , Opolon Paule , Bedossa Pierre , Hirashima Mitsuomi , Blanchin Stéphanie , Wassef Michel , Rosen Hugo R , Jimenez Anne-Sophie , Wei Ming , Busson Pierre
Published: July 2012

Background

Galectin-9 is a mammalian lectin which possesses immunosuppressive properties. Excessive production of galectin-9 has been reported in two types of human virus-associated diseases chronic hepatitis C and nasopharyngeal carcinoma associated to the Epstein-Barr virus. The objective of this study was to produce new monoclonal antibodies targeting galectin-9 in order to improve its detection in clinical samples, especially on tissue sections analysed by immunohistochemistry.

Methods

Hybridomas were produced through immunization of mice with the recombinant c-terminus part of galectin-9 (residues 191 to 355 of the long isoform) and semi-solid fusion of spleen cells with Sp2/0 cells. Monoclonal antibodies were characterized using ELISA, epitope mapping, western blot and immunohistochemistry.

Results

We selected seven hybridomas producing antibodies reacting with our recombinant c-terminus galectin-9 in ELISA. Five of them reacted with the epitope “TPAIPPMMYPHPA” (common to all isoforms, residues 210 to 222 of the long isoform) and stained all three isoforms of galectin-9 analysed by western blot. One of them, 1G3,demonstrated very good sensitivity and specificity when used for immunohistochemistry. Using 1G3, we could confirm the intense and constant expression of galectin-9 by Epstein-Barr virus positive malignant cells from nasopharyngeal carcinomas. In most samples, specific staining was detected in both cytoplasm and nuclei. Galectin-9 was also detected in liver biopsies from patients infected by the human hepatitis C or B viruses with expression not only in inflammatory leucocytes and Kupffer cells, but also in hepatocytes. In contrast, galectin-9 was virtually absent in non-infected liver specimens.

Conclusion

The 1G3 monoclonal antibody will be a powerful tool to assess galectin-9 expression and distribution especially in diseases related to oncogenic viruses.
Thrombosed traumatic aneurysm of the occipital artery: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Rao Vikas Y , Hwang Steven W , Adesina Adekunle M , Jea Andrew
Published: July 2012

Introduction

Occipital artery aneurysms are very rare vascular lesions. Most cases reported in the literature have been post-traumatic pseudoaneurysms of the occipital artery.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 14-year-old Caucasian boy presented with a painless non-pulsatile scalp mass that developed rapidly after minor blunt head trauma. The scalp mass was excised six months after the trauma. A pathologic diagnosis of a thrombosed true aneurysm was made. Our patient has had no recurrence of the mass at 15 months follow-up.

Conclusions

We present a case of a true aneurysm of the occipital artery following minor head trauma. We review the literature for similar cases and discuss the difficulty of establishing a diagnosis prior to surgical intervention.
Isolated cardiac metastasis from plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma of the bladder
Authors: Peck Joshua R , Hitchcock Charles L , Maguire Sara , Dickerson Jennifer , Bush Charles
Published: July 2012

A 57-year-old male with a history of hypertension presented with shortness of breath, intermittent substernal chest pain, subjective fevers, and a 30-pound weight loss. He was found to have a bladder mass four months prior to presentation, for which he underwent cystoscopy and surgical removal. Pathology demonstrated high-grade superficial plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma extending into the submucosa but not the muscularis propria. Given the superficial nature of his bladder cancer, a cystectomy was deferred. He was subsequently lost to follow-up care. On arrival, physical exam was notable for tachycardia, tachypnea, and distant heart sounds. An ECG showed an incomplete right bundle branch block and sinus tachycardia. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography revealed a three-cm pericardial effusion. Transthoracic echocardiography confirmed this finding and revealed a mass in the right ventricle (RV) extending into the outflow tract and infiltrating the free wall. The RV was dilated with an estimated RV systolic pressure of 37 mmHg. Pericardiocentesis yielded nearly one liter of serosanguinous fluid with non-diagnostic cytology. Partial median sternotomy with biopsy showed pathologic findings consistent with metastatic urothelial carcinoma, plasmacytoid variant. A PET scan showed increased uptake exclusively in the heart. The oncology team discussed options with the patient including chemotherapy and palliative care. The patient decided to withhold further therapy and went home with hospice care. He died two months later.

Discussion

Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men in the United States. Most patients (69%) with metastatic bladder cancer have multiple organs involved; conversely, our patient had a PET scan indicating his disease was localized to the heart. Plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma is a rare subtype of bladder cancer, and is estimated to make up less than three percent of all invasive bladder carcinomas. At the time of this publication we are aware of only three other reported instances of isolated cardiac metastasis with urothelial bladder origin; none of which were the plasmacytoid variant.

Conclusion

This case highlights a previously unreported presentation of plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma. Clinicians must remember that even superficial cancers can have significant metastatic potential.
BET bromodomain inhibition as a novel strategy for reactivation of HIV-1
Authors: Banerjee Camellia , Archin Nancie , Michaels Daniel , Belkina Anna C , Denis Gerald V , Bradner James , Sebastiani Paola , Margolis David M , Montano Monty
Published: July 2012

BET bromodomain antagonist JQ1 reactivates HIV-1, while suppressing T cell activation genes, and upregulating histone modification genes that favor increased Tat activity.

The persistence of latent HIV-1 remains a major challenge in therapeutic efforts to eradicate infection. We report the capacity for HIV reactivation by a selective small molecule inhibitor of BET family bromodomains, JQ1, a promising therapeutic agent with antioncogenic properties. JQ1 reactivated HIV transcription in models of latent T cell infection and latent monocyte infection. We also tested the effect of exposure to JQ1 to allow recovery of replication-competent HIV from pools of resting CD4+ T cells isolated from HIV-infected, ART-treated patients. In one of three patients, JQ1 allowed recovery of virus at a frequency above unstimulated conditions. JQ1 potently suppressed T cell proliferation with minimal cytotoxic effect. Transcriptional profiling of T cells with JQ1 showed potent down-regulation of T cell activation genes, including CD3, CD28, and CXCR4, similar to HDAC inhibitors, but JQ1 also showed potent up-regulation of chromatin modification genes, including SIRT1, HDAC6, and multiple lysine demethylases (KDMs). Thus, JQ1 reactivates HIV-1 while suppressing T cell activation genes and up-regulating histone modification genes predicted to favor increased Tat activity. Thus, JQ1 may be useful in studies of potentially novel mechanisms for transcriptional control as well as in translational efforts to identify therapeutic molecules to achieve viral eradication.
Requirements for NADPH oxidase and myeloperoxidase in neutrophil extracellular trap formation differ depending on the stimulus
Authors: Parker Heather , Dragunow Mike , Hampton Mark B , Kettle Anthony J , Winterbourn Christine C
Published: July 2012

Neutrophil NET formation induced by PMA, bacteria, and ionomycin has different requirements for NADPH oxidase activity and myeloperoxidase.

Release of NETs by neutrophils is linked with immune protection and host damage. A variety of stimuli promotes NET formation. However, findings from different laboratories often vary, and it is possible that more than one mechanism of NET formation exists. NET formation induced by PMA has been shown to require NADPH oxidase activity, and there is evidence that the granule enzyme MPO is also involved. However, requirements for NADPH oxidase or MPO with other stimuli are less well established. We investigated the role of oxidants in NET formation by human neutrophils induced with PMA, several bacterial genera, and the calcium ionophore ionomycin. With the use of inhibitors of the NADPH oxidase and MPO, oxidant scavengers, and cells from a MPO-deficient individual, we observed that requirements for oxidant generation depend on the stimulus. NADPH oxidase activity was required with PMA and bacterial stimulation but not with ionomycin. Whereas MPO was required for efficient NET formation with PMA, incubation with bacteria induced NETs independently of MPO activity. Although the specific mechanisms whereby oxidants participate in NET formation remain to be clarified, it is possible that other stimuli that mobilize calcium act like ionomycin via an oxidant-independent mechanism, and it cannot be inferred from results with PMA that MPO is required with more physiological stimuli.