bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retrograde Percutaneous Recanalization of Chronic Total Occlusion of the Coronary Arteries
Authors: Rathore Sudhir , Katoh Osamu , Matsuo Hitoshi , Terashima Mitsuyasu , Tanaka Nobuyoshi , Kinoshita Yoshihisa , Kimura Masashi , Tsuchikane Etsuo , Nasu Kenya , Ehara Mariko , Asakura Keiko , Asakura Yasushi , Suzuki Takahiko
Published: February 2009

Background—

Retrograde approach through collaterals has been introduced for percutaneous recanalization of chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the coronary arteries. We investigated the safety and efficacy of retrograde approaches used for percutaneous recanalization of CTO in a consecutive series of patients.

Methods and Results—

We studied 157 consecutive patients who underwent retrograde CTO recanalization between 2003 and 2008 at a single center. A total of 118 (75.2%) of these patients have had previously failed antegrade attempts. Septal, epicardial, and saphenous vein graft collaterals were used in 67.5%, 24.8%, and 7.6% of cases, respectively. Collateral channel was crossed by guide wire successfully in 115 (73.2%) cases, and the procedure was successful by retrograde approach in 103 (65.6%) cases. Collateral channels (CCs) were graded as follows: CC0, no continuous connection; CC1, continuous thread-like connection; and CC2, continuous, small sidebranch-like connection. CC1, collateral tortuosity <90�, and angle with recipient vessel <90� (
P
<0.0001) were significant predictors of success. Epicardial channel use (
P
=0.01), CC0, corkscrew channel (
P
<0.0001), angle with recipient vessel >90� (
P
=0.0007), and nonvisibility of connection with recipient vessel were found to be significant predictors of procedural failure. The CC dissection was observed in 6 patients, with 1 needing coil embolization and others who were managed conservatively. The major adverse cardiac events were low, with 1 coronary artery bypass graft, 1 Q-wave myocardial infarction, 5 non–Q-wave myocardial infarctions, and no deaths in this group of patients.

Conclusions—

The retrograde approach in CTO percutaneous coronary intervention is effective in recanalizing CTO. The success rate by retrograde approach was 65.6%, and final success was 85% in this group with acceptable overall adverse events. We have identified predictors of failure related to collateral morphology.
"The Chambers of the Dead and the Gates of Darkness": A Glimmer of Political Criticism in Strabo's Geography (Strabo 14.5.4, 670 C, ll. 22-3, ed. Radt)
Authors: Pothecary Sarah
Published: February 2009

The prosecution of Caepio and Murena was a politically unpopular event from the early years of Augustus' reign. Strabo refers to the matter using a 'quoted quote' from Euripides. I look at possible conclusions to be drawn from Strabo's indirect way of handling his subject matter. I review the evidence for the date of the prosecution of Caepio and Murena. A bitter scholarly debate has led to the rejection of an early 23 BCE date. This legitimate rejection has resulted in a reaction against any date in 23 BCE. I suggest a date late in 23 BCE. A late 23 BCE date has implications for the trial of Primus, which immediately preceded Murena's own trial. I trace a possible connection between Murena's defence of Primus and his own subsequent prosecution for conspiracy. Whatever lay behind Murena's prosecution and death, his treatment shocked contemporaries so much that even the normally pro-Augustan Strabo feels compelled to register his criticism, albeit in an indirect way.
Figures of Inquiry in Herodotus's Inquiries
Authors: Demont Paul
Published: February 2009

The picture of inquiry that emerges from a study of the multiple inquirers that Herodotus describes is more varied than the usual picture of the Herodotean inquiry. This paper examines which of Herodotus's characters undertake inquiries and describes some noteworthy methods used in these embedded inquiries: trap interviews, cross-checking of information, written or oral testimonies, external observers, prior validation by the informant, religious procedures, hypothesis, banquets and contests, and last-minute modification of prior conclusions. The inquiry itself sometimes turns into a marvellous achievement. The reader's participation often implies, through the mise en abîme between the reported inquiry and the Herodotean inquiry, that one is oneself, as a man, the object of the inquiry.
Le monde romain dans les lettres de Pline le Jeune: espace et valeurs
Authors: Méthy Nicole
Published: February 2009

In this article the geographical allusions are considered which the reader can find in Pliny's letters, with special reference to those containing the writer's appreciation. They suggest a mental representation of the contemporary Roman world. The ancient ciceronian distinction between parua patria and magna patria still remains valid. But Pliny is conscious of belonging to a much larger territory that is neither his native land of northern Italy nor the city of Rome, in which he had his political career: the Roman empire. However, in Pliny's mind this empire is not a completely united one. It is divided into a Roman or occidental and a Greek or oriental half. This distinction is both geographical and moral. Each part is associated with ethical notions, which are for the former part positive ones, for the latter part negative ones. Even if he is periodically aspiring to reject even his Roman roots or links, in order to find an ideal place for intellectual work, Pliny only feels himself as belonging to the western part, which can no longer be only Rome, because of its moral decline, but also includes the most ancient provinces.
The Armed Forces and Transitions from Authoritarian Rule
Authors: Lee Terence
Published: February 2009

Studies of transitions from authoritarian rule have shown that militaries play decisive roles in authoritarian breakdowns. The military possesses coercive resources that can suppress any challenge to authoritarian rule. This article explains why and under what conditions militaries in authoritarian regimes, when faced with popular demonstrations, will support the path of political liberalization. The study argues that armed forces are likely to back transitions from authoritarianism when there is intense conflict within the military; and arising from these contestations, marginalized officers (losers) either enter into a pact with the domestic opposition or have foreign support to act against the regime. The losers' decision to turn against authoritarianism is a move to eliminate the regime and their rivals within the armed forces. The author illustrates this argument in the February 1986 Philippines People Power revolution and May 1998 collapse of Indonesia's President Suharto's regime.
Speak Clearly and Carry a Big Stock of Dollar Reserves
Authors: Spanakos Anthony Peter , Renno Lucio R.
Published: February 2009

Partisan theories of political economy expect that bondholders will panic with the election of a left-wing presidential candidate. The latter seems to be what happened in Brazil in the 2002 presidential elections. However, quantitative analysis of perceptions of sovereign credit risk in Argentine, Brazilian, Mexican, and Venezuelan presidential elections from 1994 until 2007 shows no real evidence of a link between partisanship and perceptions of risk, even if the left-right divide is further broken down into left, center-left, center-right, right. Instead, international and domestic economic fundamentals have a stronger influence on risk evaluations. Qualitative analysis of the individual presidential elections shows the importance of policy uncertainty in explaining why certain electoral periods seemed more critical than others and how bondholders select between multiple equilibria. This research helps shift political analysis away from partisanship and more in the direction of policies and articulation.
Enough!
Authors: El-Mahdi Rabab
Published: February 2009

In 2004-2005, for the first time in more than five decades, Egypt witnessed the rise of a protest movement calling for the end of one-party rule. In 1 year, Egypt witnessed more oppositional demonstrations, rallies, and the organization of nonviolent dissident groups than it has seen in the previous 25 years. However, the outcome of this mobilization in terms of democratic opening remained limited and, some argue, negligible. Using social movement theory, which has been unduly ignored by students of democratic transition in the Middle East, and data from fieldwork, the article analyzes the rise, limitations, and potentials of this prodemocracy movement in Egypt. The article argues that changes in the political opportunity structure and relatively successful cultural framing and mobilizing structures pushed for the rise of this movement, but shortcomings on these same fronts limited the movement's expansion and concomitantly, its direct impact.
Democracy, Autocracy, and Expropriation of Foreign Direct Investment
Authors: Quan Li
Published: February 2009

Stylized evidence indicates that democracies and autocracies both expropriate foreign direct investment but that democracies do so less frequently. What explains the similarities and differences in expropriation between regime types? An analysis of actual expropriation acts in 63 developing countries from 1960 to 1990 shows that democracies are most likely to expropriate foreign investment when leaders face little political constraint and when they reside in countries with frequent leadership turnover. Autocrats are least likely to expropriate foreign assets when they face high political constraints and have stayed in power for a long time. In essence, the chief executive's political incentive and policy-making capacity determine the host government's expropriation decisions. The findings have important implications for the rule of law, property rights protection, investment behaviors, and the prospect of privatization reforms.
The Regulation of Transnational Corporate Identity in Europe
Authors: Fioretos Orfeo
Published: February 2009

Rules governing the corporate identity of multinational companies are national in nature, with the one exception of the European Company Statute. For the first time in the history of capitalism, this statute enables companies to jettison national rules of incorporation in favor of an international legal identity. This article explains why the statute was the most protracted legislative initiative in the history of European integration and why its final form served significantly to constrain the international market for corporate identity in Europe. Its explanations are anchored in an institutional theory of government behavior that draws on the varieties of capitalism and historical institutionalism traditions. The article concludes with suggestions for how these traditions can be extended beyond their normal purview as a means to giving analytical and substantive nuance to the study of international rule-making.
Things Will Get Better: The Anxiety-Buffering Qualities of Progressive Hope
Authors: Rutjens Bastiaan T. , van der Pligt Joop , van Harreveld Frenk
Published: February 2009

Terror management theory argues that people can cope with the psychological threat of their own death by bolstering faith in their cultural worldviews. Based on the notion that—since the Age of Enlightenment—belief or faith in progress has become one of the defining qualities of modern Western thinking, we expected that this belief serves as a buffer against mortality concerns. Three experiments were conducted to test the relationship between existential anxiety and belief in progress. Results of Experiment 1 show that mortality salience increased participants' disagreement with an essay on the illusory notion of human progress. The same essay increased death-thought accessibility in Experiment 2. In Experiment 3, belief in progress and mortality salience were manipulated. Results show that bolstering belief in progress buffered the effects of mortality salience on death-thought accessibility and diminished subsequent defensive reactions to a cultural worldview-threatening essay.
Bedbugs: An Equal Opportunist and Cosmopolitan Creature
Authors: Krause-Parello Cheryl A. , Sciscione Patricia
Published: February 2009

Currently there is a rise in bedbugs seen in schools. The wingless, blood-sucking insects can arrive at school via student book bags, student clothing, or other personal items. If a student presents in the health office with a bite mark, the school nurse will need to differentiate between a bedbug bite and other insect bites, such as fleas, spiders, and scabies in order to provide the most accurate and appropriate intervention measures. This article will further provide school nurses with information about the etiology of the bedbug, mode of transmission, and eradication options for the school and community setting.
Dysfunctional Elimination Behaviors and Associated Complications in School-Age Children
Authors: Kistner Mary
Published: February 2009

Lack of privacy, risk of bullying, limited access, lack of essential products for good hygiene, and dirty bathrooms can all contribute to encouraging a child to withhold urine and stool while in school. Withholding behaviors over time can create a condition known as dysfunctional elimination syndrome (DES). DES is any pattern of voiding or stooling that varies from the developmental norm. These abnormal patterns of elimination can eventually lead to complications of urinary tract infection, vesicoureteral reflux, and incontinence of urine and/or stool. School officials (teachers, school nurses, and school administrators) can help in the prevention of learned behaviors that lead to DES in school-age children. School officials need to realize children are individuals and should not be expected to empty their bowels and bladders according to a set, rigid schedule. In addition, school officials should not expect children to use dirty, unsafe bathrooms that they themselves would not tolerate. School nurses can be a powerful force in protecting children’s health by participating in research and developing evidence-based guidelines to improve bathroom access and conditions.
Building Local Infrastructure for Coordinated School Health Programs: A Pilot Study
Authors: Stoltz Ann D. , Coburn Sheri , Knickelbein Ann
Published: February 2009

Coordinated school health programs (CSHPs) provide an organizational framework for school health practice by combining health education, health promotion, disease prevention, and access to health services in an integrated, systemic manner. This project examined the effects of a regional 2-year training program to increase local school districts’ CSHP infrastructure as measured by the establishment of four structures essential to the CSHP model. These structures include a (a) school health advisory council, (b) school health coordinator, (c) school-based health teams, and (d) school board policy. Nine participating school districts were compared to seven nonparticipating districts. The nine participating districts demonstrated a significant increase in school health services and their infrastructure for CSHP as measured by the establishment of the four essential structures. Academic and physical fitness gains were noted for both the participating and nonparticipating districts. These results suggest that an intervention to increase school districts’ infrastructure for CSHP show promise and provide an impetus for continued efforts at national, regional, and local levels.
The Dynamics of Agenda Convergence and the Paradox of Competitiveness in Presidential Campaigns
Authors: Hayes Danny
Published: February 2009

The mass media’s representation of campaign discourse influences whether voters have the opportunity to scrutinize the candidates’ issue priorities and policy proposals. But it is not clear whether candidate and media issue emphases are more or less similar at an election’s most consequential moments—when it is competitive. In a study of the 1992 and 1996 presidential campaigns, the author finds that as the polls narrow, the media are less likely to reflect candidate discourse. Paradoxically, voters are deprived of an accurate representation of candidate dialogue when they need it most, with media behavior making it difficult for citizens to cast informed ballots in close contests. The results also show that whether the media serve as a conduit for, or filter of, candidate messages depends on a variety of factors, especially electoral context.
Thymolipoma, Report of a Case Suggesting an Origin From Thymic True Hyperplasia
Authors: Kondo Takeshi , Masuya Daiki , Mukai Kiyoshi
Published: February 2009

The authors describe a rare case of thymolipoma in a 26-year-old, otherwise healthy woman presenting with general fatigue. Radiological examinations disclosed a large anterior mediastinal mass. Macroscopically, the resected tumor was approximately 5 × 10 cm2, with nodular configuration, and microscopically, 3 components were identified: a normal thymic rim, hyperplastic thymic tissue, and a typical thymolipomatous component at the periphery of the hyperplastic area. The predominant component of the tumor was hyperplastic thymic tissue. The tumor was diagnosed as thymolipoma at the initial stage of development. This case suggests the histogenesis of thymolipoma—fatty regression or infiltration of fatty tissue into a previously hyperplastic thymus.
The Distinct Patterns of Organized and Elected Representation of Racial and Ethnic Groups
Authors: Reckhow Sarah
Published: February 2009

Studies of minority political incorporation have demonstrated that advocacy organizations are critical for advancing minority electoral success and policy change. Drawing on an original data set of 30 midsized U.S. cities, the author evaluates the extent of organized representation of racial and ethnic groups and the effect of organized representation on elected representation. Latinos and Asian-Americans both have greater numbers of local advocacy organizations as the groups’ proportion of the population increases. Yet many cities with sizable African-American populations have a lower density of advocacy organizations than cities with fewer African-Americans. A smaller field of organizations increases elected representation for African-Americans but not for Latinos.
Cultural Views, Language Ability, and Mammography Use in Chinese American Women
Authors: Liang Wenchi , Wang Judy , Chen Mei-Yuh , Feng Shibao , Yi Bin , Mandelblatt Jeanne S.
Published: February 2009

Mammography screening rates among Chinese American women have been reported to be low. This study examines whether and how culture views and language ability influence mammography adherence in this mostly immigrant population. Asymptomatic Chinese American women ( n = 466) aged 50 and older, recruited from the Washington, D.C. area, completed a telephone interview. Regular mammography was defined as having two mammograms at age-appropriate recommended intervals. Cultural views were assessed by 30 items, and language ability measured women’s ability in reading, writing, speaking, and listening to English. After controlling for risk perception, worry, physician recommendation, family encouragement, and access barriers, women holding a more Chinese/Eastern cultural view were significantly less likely to have had regular mammograms than those having a Western cultural view. English ability was positively associated with mammography adherence. The authors’ results imply that culturally sensitive and language-appropriate educational interventions are likely to improve mammography adherence in this population.
Enhanced expression of p210BCR/ABL and aberrant expression of Zfp423/ZNF423 induce blast crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia
Authors: Miyazaki Kazuko , Yamasaki Norimasa , Oda Hideaki , Kuwata Takeshi , Kanno Yohei , Miyazaki Masaki , Komeno Yukiko , Kitaura Jiro , Honda Zen-ichiro , Warming Søren , Jenkins Nancy A. , Copeland Neal G. , Kitamura Toshio , Nakamura Takuro , Honda Hiroaki
Published: February 2009

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a hematopoietic disorder originating from p210BCR/ABL-transformed stem cells, which begins as indolent chronic phase (CP) but progresses into fatal blast crisis (BC). To investigate molecular mechanism(s) underlying disease evolution, CML-exhibiting p210BCR/ABL transgenic mice were crossed with BXH2 mice that transmit a replication-competent retrovirus. Whereas nontransgenic mice in the BXH2 background exclusively developed acute myeloid leukemia, p210BCR/ABL transgenic littermates developed nonmyeloid leukemias, in which inverse polymerase chain reaction detected 2 common viral integration sites (CISs). Interestingly, one CIS was transgene's own promoter, which up-regulated p210BCR/ABL expression. The other was the 5′ noncoding region of a transcription factor, Zfp423, which induced aberrant Zfp423 expression. The cooperative activities of Zfp423 and p210BCR/ABL were demonstrated as follows: (1) introduction of Zfp423 in p210BCR/ABL transgenic bone marrow (BM) cells increased colony-forming ability, (2) suppression of ZNF423 (human homologue of Zfp423) in ZNF423-expressing, p210BCR/ABL-positive hematopoietic cells retarded cell growth, (3) mice that received a transplant of BM cells transduced with Zfp423 and p210BCR/ABL developed acute leukemia, and (4) expression of ZNF423 was found in human BCR/ABL-positive cell lines and CML BC samples. These results demonstrate that enhanced expression of p210BCR/ABL and deregulated expression of Zfp423/ZNF423 contribute to CML BC.
Malignant mesothelioma after radiation treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: De Bruin Marie L. , Burgers Jacobus A. , Baas Paul , van 't Veer Mars B. , Noordijk Evert M. , Louwman Marieke W. J. , Zijlstra Josée M. , van den Berg Hendrik , Aleman Berthe M. P. , van Leeuwen Flora E.
Published: February 2009

Malignant mesothelioma is a relatively uncommon malignancy. Although the pathogenesis is primarily related to asbestos, the disease may be associated with radiation exposure. Recently, increased risks for second primary mesothelioma after radiation for lymphoma have been reported. Because these findings are based on small numbers of patients, they need to be confirmed. We examined mesothelioma risk in 2567 5-year survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma. The risk was almost 30-fold increased in Hodgkin lymphoma patients treated with irradiation compared with the general population. Although histology and survival of the mesothelioma cases were comparable with cases from the general population, asbestos exposure and the proportion of males were lower than expected. The evidence for radiotherapy as cause for mesothelioma independent of exposure to asbestos is expanding, and the diagnosis of mesothelioma should be kept in mind whenever related symptoms arise in patients who had previous irradiation.
Maturation of mouse NK cells is a 4-stage developmental program
Authors: Chiossone Laura , Chaix Julie , Fuseri Nicolas , Roth Claude , Vivier Eric , Walzer Thierry
Published: February 2009

Surface density of CD27 and CD11b subdivides mouse natural killer (NK) cells into 4 subsets: CD11blowCD27low, CD11blowCD27high, CD11bhighCD27high, and CD11bhighCD27low. To determine the developmental relationship between these 4 subsets, we used several complementary approaches. First, we took advantage of NDE transgenic mice that express enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and diphtheria toxin receptor specifically in NK cells. Diphtheria toxin injection leads to a transient depletion of NK cells, allowing the monitoring of the phenotype of developing EGFP+ NK cells after diphtheria toxin injection. Second, we evaluated the overall proximity between NK-cell subsets based on their global gene profile. Third, we compared the proliferative capacity of NK-cell subsets at steady state or during replenishment of the NK-cell pool. Fourth, we performed adoptive transfers of EGFP+ NK cell subsets from NDE mice into unirradiated mice and followed the fate of transferred cells. The results of these various experiments collectively support a 4-stage model of NK-cell maturation CD11blowCD27low → CD11blowCD27high → CD11bhighCD27high → CD11bhighCD27low. This developmental program appears to be associated with a progressive acquisition of NK-cell effector functions.
Pravastatin prevents miscarriages in mice: role of tissue factor in placental and fetal injury
Authors: Redecha Patricia , van Rooijen Nico , Torry Donald , Girardi Guillermina
Published: February 2009

Pregnancy loss and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are serious pregnancy complications, and the triggers and mediators of placental and fetal damage are not completely understood. Using a mouse model of recurrent spontaneous miscarriages (DBA/2-mated CBA/J mice) that shares features with human recurrent miscarriage and fetal growth restriction, we identified tissue factor (TF) as an essential participating factor in placental and fetal injury. We have previously shown that C5a releases antiangiogenic molecule sFlt-1 in monocytes that causes defective placental development and fetal death in DBA/2-mated CBA/J mice. In this study, we found that TF not only activates the coagulation pathway, but it also mediates sFlt-1 release in monocytes causing defective placental development and fetal death. Blockade of TF with a monoclonal antibody inhibited sFlt-1 release, prevented the pathological activation of the coagulation pathway, restored placental blood flow, prevented placental oxidative stress, and rescued pregnancies. We also demonstrated that pravastatin, by down-regulating TF expression on monocytes and trophoblasts, prevented placental damage and protected pregnancies in DBA/2-mated CBA/J mice. These studies indicate that TF is an important mediator in fetal death and growth restriction and that statins may be a good treatment for women with recurrent miscarriages and IUGR.
Phylogenetic diversity of stress signalling pathways in fungi
Authors: Nikolaou Elissavet , Agrafioti Ino , Stumpf Michael , Quinn Janet , Stansfield Ian , Brown Alistair JP
Published: February 2009

Background

Microbes must sense environmental stresses, transduce these signals and mount protective responses to survive in hostile environments. In this study we have tested the hypothesis that fungal stress signalling pathways have evolved rapidly in a niche-specific fashion that is independent of phylogeny. To test this hypothesis we have compared the conservation of stress signalling molecules in diverse fungal species with their stress resistance. These fungi, which include ascomycetes, basidiomycetes and microsporidia, occupy highly divergent niches from saline environments to plant or mammalian hosts.

Results

The fungi displayed significant variation in their resistance to osmotic (NaCl and sorbitol), oxidative (H2O2 and menadione) and cell wall stresses (Calcofluor White and Congo Red). There was no strict correlation between fungal phylogeny and stress resistance. Rather, the human pathogens tended to be more resistant to all three types of stress, an exception being the sensitivity of Candida albicans to the cell wall stress, Calcofluor White. In contrast, the plant pathogens were relatively sensitive to oxidative stress. The degree of conservation of osmotic, oxidative and cell wall stress signalling pathways amongst the eighteen fungal species was examined. Putative orthologues of functionally defined signalling components in Saccharomyces cerevisiae were identified by performing reciprocal BLASTP searches, and the percent amino acid identities of these orthologues recorded. This revealed that in general, central components of the osmotic, oxidative and cell wall stress signalling pathways are relatively well conserved, whereas the sensors lying upstream and transcriptional regulators lying downstream of these modules have diverged significantly. There was no obvious correlation between the degree of conservation of stress signalling pathways and the resistance of a particular fungus to the corresponding stress.

Conclusion

Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that fungal stress signalling components have undergone rapid recent evolution to tune the stress responses in a niche-specific fashion.
Ultraspecific probes for high throughput HLA typing
Authors: Feng Chen , Putonti Catherine , Zhang Meizhuo , Eggers Rick , Mitra Rahul , Hogan Mike , Jayaraman Krishna , Fofanov Yuriy
Published: February 2009

Background

The variations within an individual's HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) genes have been linked to many immunological events, e.g. susceptibility to disease, response to vaccines, and the success of blood, tissue, and organ transplants. Although the microarray format has the potential to achieve high-resolution typing, this has yet to be attained due to inefficiencies of current probe design strategies.

Results

We present a novel three-step approach for the design of high-throughput microarray assays for HLA typing. This approach first selects sequences containing the SNPs present in all alleles of the locus of interest and next calculates the number of base changes necessary to convert a candidate probe sequences to the closest subsequence within the set of sequences that are likely to be present in the sample including the remainder of the human genome in order to identify those candidate probes which are "ultraspecific" for the allele of interest. Due to the high specificity of these sequences, it is possible that preliminary steps such as PCR amplification are no longer necessary. Lastly, the minimum number of these ultraspecific probes is selected such that the highest resolution typing can be achieved for the minimal cost of production. As an example, an array was designed and in silico results were obtained for typing of the HLA-B locus.

Conclusion

The assay presented here provides a higher resolution than has previously been developed and includes more alleles than previously considered. Based upon the in silico and preliminary experimental results, we believe that the proposed approach can be readily applied to any highly polymorphic gene system.
Orodental phenotype and genotype findings in all subtypes of hypophosphatasia
Authors: Reibel Amélie , Manière Marie-Cécile , Clauss François , Droz Dominique , Alembik Yves , Mornet Etienne , Bloch-Zupan Agnès
Published: February 2009

Background

Hypophosphatasia (HP) is a rare inherited disorder characterized by a wide spectrum of defects in mineralized tissues and caused by deficiency in the tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase gene (ALPL). The symptoms are highly variable in their clinical expression, and relate to numerous mutations in this gene. The first clinical sign of the disease is often a premature loss of deciduous teeth, mostly in the moderate forms.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to document the oral features of HP patients and to relate theses features to the six recognized forms of HP in 5 patients with known genotype and to investigate the genotype-phenotype correlations.

Methods

Clinical and radiographic examinations were carried out. We collected medical and dental history in the kindred and biochemical data. Finally, mutations in theALPLgene were tested by DNA sequencing in SESEP laboratory.

Results

We have for the first time related the known dental anomalies which occur as integral features of HP to the recognized clinical forms of HP. We also pointed out striking dental abnormalities which were never described in association with this rare disease. Accurate genotype-phenotype severity correlations were observed.

Conclusion

This work allowed us to compare orodental manifestations in all the clinical forms of HP within the patient's sample. According to the severity of the disorder, some dental defects were infrequent, while other were always present. The long term prognosis of the permanent teeth varies from a patient to another. As premature loss of primary teeth is often the first, and sometimes the only visible symptom of the milder forms, the paediatric dentist plays a critical role in the detection and diagnosis of the disease.
Reduced IgG anti-small nuclear ribonucleoprotein autoantibody production in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with positive IgM anti-cytomegalovirus antibodies
Authors: Palafox Sánchez Claudia Azucena , Satoh Minoru , Chan Edward KL , Carcamo Wendy C , Muñoz Valle José Francisco , Orozco Barocio Gerardo , Oregon Romero Edith , Navarro Hernández Rosa Elena , Salazar Páramo Mario , Cabral Castañeda Antonio , Vázquez del Mercado Mónica
Published: February 2009

Introduction

Systemic lupus erythematosus is characterized by production of autoantibodies to RNA or DNA–protein complexes such as small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs). A role of Epstein–Barr virus in the pathogenesis has been suggested. Similar to Epstein–Barr virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infects the majority of individuals at a young age and establishes latency with a potential for reactivation. Homology of CMV glycoprotein B (UL55) with the U1snRNP-70 kDa protein (U1–70 k) has been described; however, the role of CMV infection in production of anti-snRNPs is controversial. We investigated the association of CMV serology and autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Methods

Sixty-one Mexican patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were tested for CMV and Epstein–Barr virus serology (viral capsid antigen, IgG, IgM) and autoantibodies by immunoprecipitation and ELISA (IgG and IgM class, U1RNP/Sm, U1–70 k, P peptide, rheumatoid factor, dsDNA, β2-glycoprotein I).

Results

IgG anti-CMV and IgM anti-CMV were positive in 95% (58/61) and 33% (20/61), respectively, and two cases were negative for both. Clinical manifestation and autoantibodies in the IgM anti-CMV(+) group (n = 20) versus the IgM anti-CMV(-)IgG (+) (n = 39) group were compared. Most (19/20) of the IgM anti-CMV(+) cases were IgG anti-CMV(+), consistent with reactivation or reinfection. IgM anti-CMV was unrelated to rheumatoid factor or IgM class autoantibodies and none was positive for IgM anti-Epstein–Barr virus–viral capsid antigen, indicating that this is not simply due to false positive results caused by rheumatoid factor or nonspecific binding by certain IgM. The IgM anti-CMV(+) group has significantly lower levels of IgG anti-U1RNP/Sm and IgG anti-U1–70 k (P = 0.0004 and P = 0.0046, respectively). This finding was also confirmed by immunoprecipitation. Among the IgM anti-CMV(-) subset, anti-Su was associated with anti-U1RNP and anti-Ro (P < 0.05). High levels of IgG anti-CMV were associated with production of lupus-related autoantibodies to RNA or DNA–protein complex (P = 0.0077).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest a potential role of CMV in regulation of autoantibodies to snRNPs and may provide a unique insight to understand the pathogenesis.
Diagnostic value of anti-topoisomerase I antibodies in a large monocentric cohort
Authors: Hanke Katharina , Dähnrich Cornelia , Brückner Claudia S , Huscher Dörte , Becker Mike , Jansen Anthonina , Meyer Wolfgang , Egerer Karl , Hiepe Falk , Burmester Gerd R , Schlumberger Wolfgang , Riemekasten Gabriela
Published: February 2009

Introduction

In the present study, the detection of anti-topoisomerase I (anti-topo I) autoantibodies was evaluated for diagnosis and risk assessment of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients in a well characterized large monocentric cohort.

Methods

Sera from patients with SSc (diffuse n = 96, limited n = 113), from patients with overlap syndromes (n = 51), from patients with other diseases associated with SSc (n = 20), as well as from disease controls (n = 487) were analysed for the presence of anti-topo I antibodies by line immunoblot assay and ELISA. Assessment of organ manifestations was performed as proposed by the European Scleroderma Trial and Research network.

Results

The applied test systems for the detection of anti-topo I antibodies revealed a diagnostic sensitivity for SSc of approximately 24% and a diagnostic specificity of at least 99.6%. The sensitivity to identify patients with diffuse SSc amounted to 60%. Patients with anti-topo I antibodies showed a higher burden of skin and lung fibrosis, contractures, electrocardiogram changes, as well as digital ulcers and had more active disease than antibody-negative patients. Signal strengths correlated only weakly with disease activity, with modified Rodnan skin score, with predicted forced vital capacity, and with predicted diffusion capacity levels (P = 0.01, ρ = 0.234, ρ = 0.413, ρ = -0.215, ρ = -0.219). High signal intensities were associated with an increased mortality in diffuse SSc patients (P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Diagnosis and risk assessment of SSc patients can be supported by the detection of anti-topo I antibodies. Signal intensities as obtained by line immunoblot assay or ELISA can be used as a surrogate marker for fibrosis, active disease and worse prognosis.
Political Strategies of Safety-Net Providers in Response to Medicaid Managed Care Reforms
Authors: Grogan Colleen M. , Gusmano Michael K.
Published: February 2009

Safety-net providers play a central role in the U.S. health care system because they provide the bulk of services to the poor and the uninsured. The health policy literature focuses a great deal on the capacity of these institutions to provide services and the forces that shape these institutions and the services they provide, yet little is made of safety-net providers' potential role as advocates for the poor and for disadvantaged groups. In this article, we draw on findings from a case study of Medicaid policy making in Connecticut to explore efforts by safety-net providers and other nonprofit organizations to advocate around health care policy for the poor. Our findings illustrate how the capacity of nonprofit advocates to represent the poor can be compromised when the rules of the game change and nonprofit providers are asked to compete with for-profit organizations. We find that under a change in the contracting regime—from collaboration to competition—nonprofit service providers may increase political activity to secure a favorable role under the new regime, but these efforts may compromise their ability to act as representatives of the poor.
The Devil's in the Details: Trading Policy Goals for Complexity in Medicaid Nursing Home Reimbursement
Authors: Miller Edward Alan , Mor Vincent , Grabowski David C. , Gozalo Pedro L.
Published: February 2009

There is great variability in how much nursing home providers are paid for a day of care for a Medicaid recipient, how the payment level is set, and what mechanisms are used to reimburse facilities. Given the absence of recent, comprehensive in-depth analyses of state reimbursement systems, this article undertakes a comparative case analysis of Medicaid nursing facility reimbursement in Alabama, California, Minnesota, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. Findings indicate that states design their methods of reimbursement to achieve desired policy outcomes related to facility cost and quality, access to care, payment equity, service capacity, and budgetary control. The result, however, has been the development of enormously complex and demanding rate-setting methodologies, the adverse consequences of which can outweigh and overwhelm the discrete policy objectives contained in the reimbursement formula. This complexity highlights the potential trade-off between achieving desired goals and costly administrative burdens, opportunities for appeal and disagreement, difficulties understanding the ramifications of system changes, reliance on simplified decision-making rules, and exclusion of otherwise interested parties from the policy process.
The stress relaxation and creep behaviour of a manganese-stabilized austenitic stainless steel
Authors: Pagliarello A , Beddoes J
Published: February 2009

The stress relaxation behaviour of 21–4N, a manganese-stabilized austenitic stainless steel, is investigated in terms of the metallurgical state, the application of multiple strain levels during ‘stepped’ stress relaxation testing at 700 °C, the strain level during isostrain stress relaxation tests at 538 °C and 700 °C, and the correspondence with results from constant-load creep tests. The results indicate that for isostrain stress relaxation tests the stress relaxation rate is similar for strains that span both elastic and plastic strain levels. A transition in the stress relaxation behaviour occurs at a stress level approximately equivalent to the tensile stress–strain proportional limit; below this transition the stress–strain rate relationship, or the time predicted for 1 per cent creep strain, obeys a creep power law type of equation. Stress relaxation testing successfully delineates the difference between the creep resistances of two different metallurgical conditions with similar tensile properties using fewer specimens and requiring less time. The time to 1 per cent creep strain determined from the analysis of stress relaxation results is always less than the actual time to 1 per cent creep strain during constant-load creep tests.
A novel, high-sensitivity, small specimen creep test
Authors: Hyde T H , Sun W
Published: February 2009

This paper describes a novel, high-sensitivity, ring-type of small specimen creep test method, which can be used to obtain accurate creep strain data. A full theoretical description of the test technique is given; this is based on the complementary strain energy approach, which leads to an analytical solution for the load line deformation of an elliptical ring. Using the analytical solution, a reference stress approach is used to establish the conversion relationships between the applied load and the equivalent uniaxial stress and between the experimentally measured creep deformations and the equivalent uniaxial creep strains. The main features of the test method are: (a) the ring specimen has a significantly larger equivalent gauge length (EGL), when compared with that of other small specimen types; (b) the method is suitable for testing at lower stresses compared with commonly used current small-specimen test methods (this is because relatively low strains can be obtained from relatively large deformations); (c) specimens have simple geometries and the tests are easy to perform, and (d) the conversion relationships are material independent and practically insensitive to geometry change due to deformation. Experimental validation of the test method is made using the results obtained from creep tests for a P91 steel at 650 °C. Practical applications and future exploitation of the technique are addressed.
Optimal parameters design and maintenance interval for a product with quality and cost considerations
Authors: Jeang A
Published: February 2009

Damage due to deterioration and failure may terminate product life at an earlier time than would normally be the case, and the results may include costly expenses and personal injuries. Hence, a design that takes into account the parameters of compensation and periodic maintenance to alleviate the negative impact of deterioration is essential. In addition, the tolerance value is an important factor affecting product cost and performance quality, which must also be decided in an appropriate manner. In this research, an optimization model considers the minimization of the total cost, including quality loss, minor maintenance cost, and major maintenance cost (tolerance cost), by conducting simultaneous optimization of the decision variables, such as initial setting, process mean, process tolerance, and maintenance interval. Finally, an example of a multicomponent product under the process of deterioration is presented for demonstration. A sensitivity analysis for various parameter values and a comparison with previously developed models are carried out to show the importance of including deterioration in a model. Clearly, the significance of the proposed model encountering the deteriorating process and product failure becomes evident in terms of enhanced quality and the minimal total cost of a product.
Coupled field finite element analysis of railway block brakes
Authors: Suresh Babu A , Siva Prasad N
Published: February 2009

Simulation of interface pressure and temperature distribution in a railway block brake is carried out using a coupled field (structural—thermal) finite element method. Temperature is estimated using the heat generation calculated from the interface pressure. Deceleration of the wheel is simulated by applying rotations. With the use of coupled field analysis along with the simulation of deceleration, heat generation at a point on the rubbing surface is calculated from the instant value of interface pressure at that time. Present results are verified with the experimental values for temperature rise, variation in speed, and stop time.
Potential approach for constrained autonomous manoeuvres of a spacecraft equipped with a cluster of control moment gyroscopes
Authors: Avanzini G , Radice G , Ali I
Published: February 2009

A potential function approach for attitude manoeuvres in the presence of constraints on admissible attitudes is implemented for a spacecraft controlled by a cluster of control moment gyroscopes. An angular velocity command derived from the potential function defined in the quaternion error vector space is directly implemented by means of a gimbal position command generation algorithm. The manoeuvre is performed by tracking the maximum angular momentum component, corresponding to the commanded angular velocity parallel to the eigenaxis that takes the spacecraft directly onto the desired final attitude. Corrections to the resulting desired angular velocity are implemented if the attitude gets close to one of the forbidden attitudes (‘obstacles’), represented by peaks of the Lyapunov function in the attitude space. Numerical simulations are used to demonstrate the validity of the approach and to compare the overall performance with results reported in the literature.
Effect of intracomponental aerodynamic interaction on the performance of a centrifugal compressor
Authors: Salim B
Published: February 2009

This paper presents some of the aerodynamic interactions between stationary components and the rotating impeller of a centrifugal compressor. This experimental study involved three types of inlet shapes and five types of diffuser configurations fitted to the same radial impeller with stationary shroud. The volute casing and exit duct for the facility also remained unchanged. The investigation included full flow range of these systems using traverses of a three-hole probe and static pressure measurements along the diffuser walls as well as diffuser blade surfaces. The results depict that the inlet duct shape, diffuser type, and shape affect the wall static pressure rise both in vaneless and vaned configurations. The vane surface pressure is grossly affected by the diffuser shape and to some extent by the inlet duct. It is also evident from the study that aerodynamics within the impeller is affected by the geometries of the upstream and downstream components due to the intra-componental aerodynamic interaction among these with the impeller.
An overview of technologies and costs of carbon dioxide capture in power generation
Authors: Davison J , Thambimuthu K
Published: February 2009

There is growing concern about climate change resulting from increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. Several techniques including efficiency improvements and increased use of renewable energy sources will be needed to limit emissions of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Another technique that can help to reduce emissions substantially is capture and storage of CO2 (CCS).

This article will describe the main technologies that can be used to capture CO2 from coal- and gas-fired power plants, including postcombustion capture, precombustion capture, and oxy-combustion. The current status of these technologies, their performance and costs, and possible future developments will be reviewed.

The article considers changes in CO2 capture technologies, fuel costs, and plant construction costs that have occurred since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on CCS was written. The article will draw on work carried out by the IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme and other leading organizations working in this field. The analysis concentrates on coal-based gasification combined cycle power plants with precombustion capture and pulverized coal combustion plant with postcombustion capture.