bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brain Arginine Vasotocin Immunoreactivity Differs between Urban and Desert Curve-Billed Thrashers, Toxostoma curvirostre: Relationships with Territoriality and Stress Physiology
Authors: Fokidis H. Bobby , Deviche Pierre
Published: November 2011

The neuropeptide arginine vasotocin (AVT: the avian homolog of vasopressin) has numerous functional roles including mediating social behaviors, coregulating the adrenocortical stress response and maintaining water balance. These functions of AVT make it susceptible to environmental influence, yet little is understood concerning the variation in the AVT system across habitats. In this study, AVT immunoreactivity was compared between male curve-billed thrashers, Toxostomacurvirostre, from native Sonoran Desert locations and those within the city of Phoenix, Ariz. Previous research found that urban thrashers are more responsive to territorial intrusion, secrete more corticosterone (CORT) during capture stress, and they may also have greater access to water than desert counterparts. Variation in AVT immunoreactivity was also related to levels of plasma CORT and osmolality, and with behavioral responses to a simulated territorial intrusion. Birds from these two habitats showed different AVT immunoreactive patterns in two brain regions: the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and the medial bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTM), a part of the limbic system. Immunoreactive AVT within the paraventricular nucleus was associated with plasma CORT levels in urban, but not desert, birds, but no such association with osmolality was observed in birds from either habitat. The total number of BSTM AVT-immunoreactive cells was related to a decreased responsiveness to territorial intrusion. These data suggest that divergence in the AVT system between urban and desert thrashers may help explain observed differences in both the adrenocortical stress response and territorial behavior between populations. Whether differences in water availability between habitats contribute to population differences in the brain AVT system is unknown.
Acute Pharmacokinetics of Memantine in the Mouse
Authors: Saab Bechara J. , Roder John C.
Published: November 2011

The pharmacokinetics of memantine, a widely prescribed medication in the United States and the European Union for the treatment of moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s disease (AD), have not been well explored in the mouse. Memantine is a highly unspecific blocker of many channels and how memantine may be of benefit in AD remains a mystery. Therefore, the investigation of memantine in the mouse, the most commonly chosen subject for modeling AD, has strong potential to lead to better therapies. Here, we present an acute pharmacokinetic analysis of memantine in mouse brain tissue and blood serum for a variety of experimentally relevant doses. The data help shed light on the mechanism of memantine action in vivo, and demonstrate that subcutaneous doses above 10 mg/kg in the mouse are most likely not therapeutically relevant to the human.
Impact of Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy after Gastrectomy with Positive Cytological Findings in Peritoneal Washings
Authors: Imano M. , Imamoto H. , Itoh T. , Satou T. , Peng Y.F. , Yasuda A. , Kato H. , Nishiki K. , Shiraishi O. , Shinkai M. , Tsubaki M. , Yasuda T. , Nishida S. , Takeyama Y. , Okuno K. , Shiozaki H.
Published: November 2011

Background: There is no standard treatment available for gastric cancer patients whose sole ‘non-curative factor’ is positivecytological findings in peritoneal washings (CFPW). The aim of this study was to examine the safety, pharmacokinetics and efficacy for free intraperitoneal cancer cells of intraperitoneal chemotherapy with paclitaxel after gastrectomy with en bloc D2 lymph node dissection in cases of gastric cancer with positive CFPW. Methods: Ten patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy and systemic lymphadenectomy with D2 dissection, without any other non-curative factors besides positive CFPW, were treated with early postoperative intraperitoneal paclitaxel. Intra-chemotherapeutic toxicity and operative complications were measured using NCI-CTC version 3.0. Intraperitoneal and plasma paclitaxel concentrations were measured using a high-performance liquid chromatographic assay. Results: Grade 3/4 toxic effects included anemia (20%) and neutropenia (10%) that required no treatment. Operative complications were, for example, superficial surgical site infections (10%) that were treated with antibiotics. No viable cancer cells were observed in the intra-abdominal fluid 24 h after intraperitoneal administration of paclitaxel. The intraperitoneal/plasma area under the drug concentration-time curve ratio was 2,003.3:1. Conclusion: Intraperitoneal chemotherapy with paclitaxel is a safe and effective treatment modality for free intraperitoneal cancer cells.
Deleted in Malignant Brain Tumors 1 is Present in the Vascular Extracellular Matrix and Promotes Angiogenesis
Authors: Müller Hanna , Hu Jiong , Popp Rüdiger , Schmidt Mirko H.H. , Müller-Decker Karin , Mollenhauer Jan , Fisslthaler Beate , Eble Johannes A. , Fleming Ingrid
Published: November 2011

Objective—

Deleted in malignant brain tumors 1 (DMBT1) belongs to the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich superfamily of proteins and is implicated in innate immunity, cell polarity, and differentiation. Here we studied the role of DMBT1 in endothelial cells.

Methods and Results—

DMBT1 was secreted into the extracellular matrix (ECM) by endothelial cells in vitro and in situ and the presence of DMBT1 in the ECM increased endothelial cell adherence. Endothelial cell-derived DMBT1 associated with galectin-3 (coprecipitation), and human recombinant DMBT1 bound EGF, vascular endothelial growth factor and Delta-like (Dll) 4 (specific ELISAs). Compared to cells from wild-type mice, endothelial cells from DMBT1
−/−
mice demonstrated reduced migration, proliferation, and tube formation. In vivo recovery from hindlimb ischemia was attenuated in DMBT1
−/−
animals as was vascular endothelial growth factor -induced endothelial sprouting from isolated aortic rings; the latter response could be rescued by the addition of recombinant DMBT1. The Notch pathway is involved in multiple aspects of vascular development, including arterial-venous differentiation and we found that endothelial cells from DMBT1
−/−
mice expressed more EphrinB2 than cells from wild-type mice. Levels of Dll1, Dll4, Hes1, Hey1, and EphB4, on the other hand, were decreased.

Conclusion—

Taken together, the results of this study indicate that DMBT1 functions as an important endothelium-derived ECM protein that is able to bind angiogenic factors and promote adhesion, migration, proliferation, and angiogenesis as well as vascular repair. Mechanistically, DMBT1 interacts with galectin-3 and modulates the Notch signaling pathway as well as the differential expression of ephrin-B2 and EphB4.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices as Destination Therapy
Authors: Rogers Joseph G. , Bostic Robin R. , Tong Kuo B. , Adamson Rob , Russo Mark , Slaughter Mark S.
Published: November 2011

Background—

Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have become the dominant devices for mechanical circulatory support, but their cost-effectiveness is undetermined. This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of continuous-flow devices for destination therapy versus optimal medical management in advanced heart failure and compared the results with previous estimates for pulsatile devices.

Methods and Results—

A Markov model was developed to assess cost-effectiveness. Survival, hospitalization rates, quality of life, and cost data were obtained for advanced heart failure patients treated medically or with a continuous-flow LVAD. Rates of clinical outcomes for all patients were obtained from clinical trial databases. Medicare prospective payments were used to estimate the cost of heart failure admissions. The cost of LVAD implantation was obtained prospectively from hospital claims within a clinical trial. Compared with medically managed patients, continuous-flow LVAD patients had higher 5-year costs ($360 407 versus $62 856), quality-adjusted life years (1.87 versus 0.37), and life years (2.42 versus 0.64). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of the continuous-flow device was $198 184 per quality-adjusted life year and $167 208 per life year. This equates to a 75% reduction in incremental cost-effectiveness ratio compared with the $802 700 per quality-adjusted life year for the pulsatile-flow device. The results were most sensitive to the cost of device implantation, long-term survival, cost per rehospitalization, and utility associated with patients' functional status.

Conclusions—

The cost-effectiveness associated with continuous-flow LVADs for destination therapy has improved significantly relative to the pulsatile flow devices. This change is explained by significant improvements in survival and functional status and reduction in implantation costs.
Inhibition of miR-15 Protects Against Cardiac Ischemic Injury
Authors: Hullinger Thomas G. , Montgomery Rusty L. , Seto Anita G. , Dickinson Brent A. , Semus Hillary M. , Lynch Joshua M. , Dalby Christina M. , Robinson Kathryn , Stack Christianna , Latimer Paul A. , Hare Joshua M. , Olson Eric N. , van Rooij Eva
Published: November 2011

Rationale:

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Because endogenous cardiac repair mechanisms are not sufficient for meaningful tissue regeneration, MI results in loss of cardiac tissue and detrimental remodeling events. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression in a sequence dependent manner. Our previous data indicate that miRNAs are dysregulated in response to ischemic injury of the heart and actively contribute to cardiac remodeling after MI.

Objective:

This study was designed to determine whether miRNAs are dysregulated on ischemic damage in porcine cardiac tissues and whether locked nucleic acid (LNA)-modified anti-miR chemistries can target cardiac expressed miRNAs to therapeutically inhibit miR-15 on ischemic injury.

Methods and Results:

Our data indicate that the miR-15 family, which includes 6 closely related miRNAs, is regulated in the infarcted region of the heart in response to ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice and pigs. LNA-modified chemistries can effectively silence miR-15 family members in vitro and render cardiomyocytes resistant to hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte cell death. Correspondingly, systemic delivery of miR-15 anti-miRs dose-dependently represses miR-15 in cardiac tissue of both mice and pigs, whereas therapeutic targeting of miR-15 in mice reduces infarct size and cardiac remodeling and enhances cardiac function in response to MI.

Conclusions:

Oligonucleotide-based therapies using LNA-modified chemistries for modulating cardiac miRNAs in the setting of heart disease are efficacious and validate miR-15 as a potential therapeutic target for the manipulation of cardiac remodeling and function in the setting of ischemic injury.
Activating Transcription Factor 1 Directs Mhem Atheroprotective Macrophages Through Coordinated Iron Handling and Foam Cell Protection
Authors: Boyle Joseph J. , Johns Michael , Kampfer Theresa , Nguyen Aivi T. , Game Laurence , Schaer Dominik J. , Mason Justin C. , Haskard Dorian O.
Published: November 2011

Rationale:

Intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) drives atherosclerosis through the dual metabolic stresses of cholesterol-enriched erythrocyte membranes and pro-oxidant heme/iron. When clearing tissue hemorrhage, macrophages are typically seen storing either iron or lipid. We have recently defined hemorrhage-associated macrophages (HA-mac) as a plaque macrophage population that responds adaptively to IPH.

Objective:

This study aimed to define the key transcription factor(s) involved in HO-1 induction by heme.

Methods and Results:

To address this question, we used microarray analysis and transfection with siRNA and plasmids. To maintain physiological relevance, we focused on human blood-derived monocytes. We found that heme stimulates monocytes through induction of activating transcription factor 1 (ATF-1). ATF-1 coinduces heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and Liver X receptor beta (LXR-β). Heme-induced HO-1 and LXR-β were suppressed by knockdown of ATF-1, and HO-1 and LXR-β were induced by ATF-1 transfection. ATF-1 required phosphorylation for full functional activity. Expression of LXR-β in turn led to induction of other genes central to cholesterol efflux, such as LXR-α and ABCA1. This heme-directed state was distinct from known macrophage states (M1, M2, Mox) and, following the same format, we have designated them Mhem.

Conclusions:

These results show that ATF-1 mediates HO-1 induction by heme and drives macrophage adaptation to intraplaque hemorrhage. Our definition of an ATF-1–mediated pathway for linked protection from foam cell formation and oxidant stress may have therapeutic potential.
Mitochondrial Fusion is Essential for Organelle Function and Cardiac Homeostasis
Authors: Chen Yun , Liu Yingqiu , Dorn Gerald W.
Published: November 2011

Rationale:

Mitochondria constitute 30% of myocardial mass. Mitochondrial fusion and fission appear essential for health of most tissues. Mitochondrial fission occurs in neonatal cardiomycyte and is implicated in cardiomyocyte death. Mitochondrial fusion has not been observed in postmitotic myocytes of adult hearts, and its occurrence and function in this context are controversial.

Objective:

Determine the consequences on organelle and organ function of disrupting cardiomyocyte mitochondrial fusion in vivo.

Methods and Results:

The murine mfn1 and mfn2 genes, encoding mitofusins (Mfn) 1 and 2 that mediate mitochondrial tethering and outer mitochondrial membrane fusion, were interrupted by Cre-mediated excision of essential exons in neonatal (Nkx2.5-Cre) and adult (MYH6 modified estrogen receptor-Cre-modified estrogen receptor plus tamoxifen or Raloxifene) hearts. Embryonic combined Mfn1/Mfn2 ablation was lethal after e9.5. Conditional combined Mfn1/Mfn2 ablation in adult hearts induced mitochondrial fragmentation, cardiomyocyte and mitochondrial respiratory dysfunction, and rapidly progressive and lethal dilated cardiomyopathy. Before heart failure developed, cardiomyocyte shortening and calcium cycling were unaffected by absence of Mfn1 and Mfn2. Based on the time course over which fusion-defective mitochondrial size decreases, a mitochondrial fusion/fission cycle in adult mouse hearts occurs approximately every 16 days.

Conclusions:

Mitochondrial fusion in adult cardiac myocytes is necessary to maintain normal mitochondrial morphology and is essential for normal cardiac respiratory and contractile function. Interruption of mitochondrial fusion causes lethal cardiac failure at a time corresponding to 3 or 4 cycles of unopposed mitochondrial fission.
Ninety-Day Outcome Rates of a Prospective Cohort of Consecutive Patients With Mild Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Khatri Pooja , Conaway Mark R. , Johnston Karen C. ,   for the Acute Stroke Accurate Prediction Study (ASAP) Investigators
Published: November 2011

Background and Purpose—

Prior studies have shown that patients with mild ischemic stroke have substantial disability rates at hospital discharge. We sought to determine disability rates at 90 days among patients not treated with thrombolytic therapy and explore the role of early neurological worsening.

Methods—

We reviewed a prospective cohort of 136 consecutive patients with mild deficits (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≤5) presenting within 24 hours of onset and no baseline disability. Baseline MRIs were performed on all subjects. Five-day MRIs were performed on a prespecified subcohort.

Results—

Among 136 patients, 40 (29%; 95% CI, 22%–38%) had poor outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score 2–6) at 90 days. Early worsening (4-point National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale increase; 25% versus 1%,
P
<0.001) and acute infarct growth (>10% on MRI–diffusion-weighted imaging; 79% versus 53%,
P
=0.02) from baseline to 5 days were more common among those with poor outcome.

Conclusions—

Patients with mild ischemic stroke have substantial rates (29%) of disability at 90 days.
Stroke and Long-Term Exposure to Outdoor Air Pollution From Nitrogen Dioxide
Authors: Andersen Zorana J. , Kristiansen Luise C. , Andersen Klaus K. , Olsen Tom S. , Hvidberg Martin , Jensen Steen S. , Ketzel Matthias , Loft Steffen , Sørensen Mette , Tjønneland Anne , Overvad Kim , Raaschou-Nielsen Ole
Published: November 2011

Background and Purpose—

Years of exposure to tobacco smoke substantially increase the risk for stroke. Whether long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution can lead to stroke is not yet established. We examined the association between long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution and incident and fatal stroke in a prospective cohort study.

Methods—

We followed 57 053 participants of the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort in the Hospital Discharge Register for the first-ever hospital admission for stroke (incident stroke) between baseline (1993–1997) and 2006 and defined fatal strokes as death within 30 days of admission. We associated the estimated mean levels of nitrogen dioxide at residential addresses since 1971 to incident and fatal stroke by Cox regression analyses and examined the effects by stroke subtypes: ischemic, hemorrhagic, and nonspecified stroke.

Results—

Over a mean follow-up of 9.8 years of 52 215 eligible subjects, there were 1984 (3.8%) first-ever (incident) hospital admissions for stroke of whom 142 (7.2%) died within 30 days. We detected borderline significant associations between mean nitrogen dioxide levels at residence since 1971 and incident stroke (hazard ratio, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.99–1.11, per interquartile range increase) and stroke hospitalization followed by death within 30 days (1.22; 1.00–1.50). The associations were strongest for nonspecified and ischemic strokes, whereas no association was detected with hemorrhagic stroke.

Conclusions—

Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution may contribute to the development of ischemic but not hemorrhagic stroke, especially severe ischemic strokes leading to death within 30 days.
Exaggerated Postural Blood Pressure Rise Is Related to a Favorable Outcome in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Aries Marcel J.H. , Bakker Desiree C. , Stewart Roy E. , De Keyser Jacques , Elting Jan Willem J. , Thien Theo , Vroomen Patrick C.A.J.
Published: November 2011

Background and Purpose—

The effects of early upright positioning in the acute phase of ischemic stroke on both blood pressure and functional outcome have not been previously examined.

Methods—

Prospective investigation of mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and peripheral oxygen saturation in the supine, sitting, and (if achievable) active standing position 1, 2, and 3 days after an acute stroke was performed. Also investigated was the presence of a significant postural blood pressure rise and fall using orthostatic definitions and the relation to functional outcome after 3 months.

Results—

One hundred sixty-seven patients were included (mean age, 68.5±15.2 years; median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, 7). Approximately 60% of the patients were able to stand. On average the mean arterial pressure increased when patients moved from the supine to sitting (Day 1: Δ 3.9 mm Hg;
P
<0.001) and from sitting to an active standing position (Day 1: Δ 4.6 mm Hg;
P
<0.001). Changes were most pronounced within the first 24 hours after a stroke. Blood pressure decreased significantly (fall) on standing in 13% of patients and increased significantly (rise) in 20% of the patients. The latter was independently associated with a favorable outcome (
P
=0.003). Moving to the standing position was accompanied by an increase of heart rate. No difference in oxygen saturation was observed in the various positions over the period of investigation.

Conclusions—

We found that a significant blood pressure rise during early upright positioning in patients with acute stroke was independently associated with a favorable outcome. No contraindication to early mobilization was found in this study.
Effects of Public Education by Television on Knowledge of Early Stroke Symptoms Among a Japanese Population Aged 40 to 74 Years
Authors: Miyamatsu Naomi , Kimura Kazumi , Okamura Tomonori , Iguchi Yasuyuki , Nakayama Hirofumi , Toyota Akihiro , Watanabe Makoto , Morimoto Akiko , Morinaga Miho , Yamaguchi Takenori
Published: November 2011

Background and Purpose—

An educational campaign by mass media has been associated with great increases in the knowledge about early symptoms of stroke. However, few studies were conducted with a controlled community intervention study.

Methods—

To clarify the effects of a 1-year television campaign for the whole population on improvement of knowledge about stroke symptoms in 2 cities, a campaign area and a control area in Japan were selected. Before and after the campaign, 1960 randomly selected residents aged 40 to 74 years answered a telephone survey regarding knowledge of early stroke symptoms. We calculated the percentage and 95% CIs of participants who correctly chose all 5 early symptoms of stroke in each area and in each year.

Results—

Before the campaign, 53% of participants (95% CI, 50%–55%) in the campaign area and 46% (95% CI, 44%–49%) in the control area correctly chose 5 early symptoms. After the 1-year television campaign, knowledge was significantly improved only in the campaign area (campaign area, 63%; 95% CI, 60%–66%; control area, 51%; 95% CI, 48%–54%). After sex stratification, only women showed improved knowledge of early symptoms. The audience rate for the campaign television programs was found to be higher in women than in men.

Conclusions–

A 1-year stroke educational television campaign effectively improved knowledge about early stroke symptoms among Japanese women aged 40 to 74 years. No impact was found among men in this age group. Future studies should examine the impact of this approach on stroke knowledge among younger individuals and whether there are any behavioral changes that contribute to earlier presentation for treatment.
How Does Number of Risk Factors Affect Prognosis in Young Patients With Ischemic Stroke?
Authors: Putaala Jukka , Haapaniemi Elena , Kaste Markku , Tatlisumak Turgut
Published: November 2011

Background and Purpose—

We aimed to explore clinical features of young patients with ischemic stroke with no traditional vascular risk factors and to assess the impact of risk factor counts on outcomes.

Methods—

We included 990 patients aged 15 to 49 years with first-ever ischemic stroke followed for a mean of 9.0±3.8 years (survivors). Risk factors were categorized as well-documented and less well-documented. Outcome measures were unfavorable functional outcome (3-month modified Rankin Scale 2–6); recurrent ischemic stroke; myocardial infarction or other arterial noncerebrovascular event; and death from any cause.

Results—

Compared with those with at least 1 well-documented risk factor, the 127 (12.8%) patients without risk factors were younger (median age, 37 versus 44 years;
P
<0.001), likely to be females (54.3% versus 34.9%;
P
<0.001), and they had more frequently a low-risk source of cardioembolism (21.3% versus 8.1%;
P
<0.001), internal carotid artery dissection (12.6% versus 6.4%;
P
=0.011), or vertebral artery dissection (17.3% versus 7.2%;
P
<0.001). The groups had similar 3-month functional outcomes. Patients without well-documented risk factors had less frequently recurrent ischemic strokes (4.7% versus 13.6%; log rank
P
=0.014), noncerebrovascular arterial events (0% versus 6.1%;
P
=0.008), and lower long-term mortality (3.4% versus 14.3%;
P
=0.003) than did those with at least 1 risk factor. Adjusted for demographics and stroke etiology, the number of well-documented risk factors was associated with higher risk for noncerebrovascular events. Increasing count of less well-documented risk factors was, in turn, independently associated with higher long-term mortality.

Conclusions—

In young adults with first-ever ischemic stroke, risk factor counts added independent prognostic information regarding noncerebrovascular events and mortality.
Stroke and Stroke Care in China
Authors: Liu Liping , Wang David , Wong K.S. Lawrence , Wang Yongjun
Published: November 2011

At the same time as the world recognizes the rapid economic development in China, Chinese healthcare system has also had significant improvement. However, this nation of 1.4 billion faces tough challenges in treating stroke, the leading cause of death in China. The recently completed Chinese National Stroke Registry has provided new information on the status of stroke epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and prevention strategies in China. In this article, we summarized these new findings, described the effort of providing and improving stroke care, and illustrated the challenges in risk factor modification and secondary stroke prevention. Well-designed epidemiological surveys and clinical trials for stroke prevention and management are still urgently needed in China.
Time Course of Vascular Reactivity Using Repeated Phase-Contrast MR Angiography in Patients With Carotid Artery Stenosis
Authors: Hartkamp Nolan S. , Hendrikse Jeroen , van der Worp H. Bart , de Borst Gert J. , Bokkers Reinoud P.H.
Published: November 2011

Background and Purpose—

Cerebral vascular reactivity assessment is typically performed with 2 perfusion measurements before and after a vasodilatory challenge. The aim of this study was to assess the time course of the vasodilatory effect in the brain-feeding arteries after a challenge with acetazolamide in patients with a stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA).

Methods—

Twenty-one patients with a symptomatic ICA stenosis and 18 healthy control subjects underwent 2-dimensional phase-contrast MR angiography to repeatedly measure the blood flow (mL/min) in both ICAs at baseline and in 5-minute intervals for 30 minutes after intravenous administration of acetazolamide.

Results—

At baseline, the blood flow was significantly lower in the stenosed ICAs of patients (155±17 mL/min) than in the contralateral ICAs (237±21 mL/min,
P
<0.05) and the ICAs of healthy control subjects (249±15 mL/min,
P
<0.05) and remained lower throughout the time course. The maximum vasodilatory effect in the stenosed ICAs was observed after 15.3±0.9 minutes, which was significantly later than in the contralateral ICAs (within 12.9±0.7 minutes,
P
<0.05) and healthy ICAs (within 12.8±0.8 minutes,
P
<0.05).

Conclusions—

The onset of the maximum vasodilatory effect after administration of acetazolamide is delayed in patients with a symptomatic ICA stenosis.
Why Analyze Mental Models of Local Climate Change? A Case from Southern Mozambique
Authors: Shaffer L. Jen , Naiene Leocadia
Published: November 2011

People construct mental models of local climate change based on their observations and experiences of past climate events and changes. These mental models offer critical insight into locally important factors that trigger responses to new climate conditions and can be used to ground-truth regional climate models. In this paper, the authors explore mental models of changes to local climate patterns and climate-associated environmental changes over the past 45 years (1963–2008) in two rural communities in Matutúine District, Mozambique. Interview results are compared to data from a regional weather station. Residents discuss temperature increases, short-term and long-term precipitation changes, and altered seasonal timing. Measurable climate change in this region includes increasing temperatures and more erratic rainfall leading to drought and altered season timing. The climate-associated environmental changes residents observed draw attention to links between local livelihood practices and climate, as well as emphasize changes that would not necessarily appear in regional climate models. Such changes include reduced crop and wild fruit production, fewer cattle, variable forest size, increased wildfires and elephant conflict, drying up of water sources, poor health, and cultural change. Differences between adjacent communities highlight the potential interaction of landscape and vegetation variability, gender, and livelihoods in observations and experiences of climate change and demonstrate how mental models can provide insight into local ecological patterns and processes.
‘In Our Voice’: Lessons learned from a cardiovascular disease curriculum for American Indian students
Authors: Sprague D , Burgoyne K , Vallie D La , Buchwald D
Published: November 2011

Background:

American Indian children and adolescents are at risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and smoking, all of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Objective:

To address these health issues, we developed, implemented, and evaluated a culturally appropriate cardiovascular disease curriculum called ‘In Our Voice’ for American Indian students in grades 7 through 12. The curriculum consisted of 16 modules lasting 50 minutes each, and it was implemented as a pilot test at five sites in two western states.

Results:

We faced many challenges to success, including competing demands for instructional time and classrooms, which prevented two schools from completing the curriculum. Two notable findings emerged: students preferred a multicultural focus over a culturally tailored focus, and they desired more interactive educational materials.

Conclusion:

Recommendations for successfully implementing an innovative curriculum include ensuring the ongoing presence of researchers at school sites, funding an internal curriculum champion at every site, and maintaining student advisory boards to communicate student feedback to researchers.
Government Subsidies, Market Socialism, and the “Public” Character of Chinese Television
Authors: Xinyu Lu
Published: November 2011

In March 2011 Chongqing Satellite TV was made a public-interest channel and discontinued advertising, losing 0.3 billion yuan in revenue. The shortfall is to be partially made up by annual government subsidies of 0.15 billion yuan. The transformation of Chongqing Satellite TV is very much related to the widely debated reform of governance in Chongqing (the so-called Chongqing model), and thus is inevitably controversial. It has attracted critical commentary from academia, the advertising industry, and netizens, while the TV station and the Chongqing municipal government have not mounted an effective defense. Often, the two sides in the debate have been at cross-purposes and have spoken past each other. This article attempts to move beyond rigid binary oppositions, such as official/civilian and academic/ political, and to look at the arguments of both sides in the debate with an eye toward promoting a clearer understanding of public media in China.
Third Ways
Authors: Szelenyi Ivan
Published: November 2011

This article compares the Chongqing model of the “third hand” with various theories of the “third way” in late socialist Eastern Europe. The third hand is praised as an intriguing attempt to offer an alternative to the invisible hand of the free market and the redistributive hand of state socialism. Funding of public goods from capital gains from government-owned land and real estate is an innovative idea, but it is unclear whether it is a sustainable proposition. China may be developing a real estate bubble similar to the one that has recently burst in the United States and continental Europe. The key question is: can prices of land and real estate grow indefinitely faster than wages?
Partial Intimations of the Coming Whole
Authors: Cui Zhiyuan
Published: November 2011

This article interprets the ongoing Chongqing experiment in light of the theories of Henry George, James Meade, and Antonio Gramsci. It argues that the Chongqing experiment has shown the possibility of integrating rural and urban development and of the co-development of public ownership and private business. Through such practices as sending cadres to work, to live, and to eat together with the peasants, re-registering rural migrant workers as urban residents, “singing red songs,” and providing public rental housing for low- and middle-income people, Chongqing has acted to revitalize the Chinese Communist Party’s relationship with the people.
Localization of Small Parathyroid Adenomas Using Modified 4‐Dimensional Computed Tomography/Ultrasound
Authors: Stucken Emily Z. , Kutler David I. , Moquete Rachel , Kazam Elias , Kuhel William I.
Published: November 2011

Objective

To investigate whether parathyroid gland weight has an impact on the accuracy of preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas with modified 4 dimensional computed tomography/ultrasound. And to determine if the weight of parathyroid adenomas can be calculated accurately based on the dimensions of the gland on the CT images.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary care hospital.

Subjects and Methods

One hundred forty‐two patients who had a preoperative modified 4‐dimensional computed tomography/ultrasound and underwent parathyroidectomy for hyperparathyroidism due to a parathyroid adenoma between 1998 and 2009. Charts were reviewed to identify (1) the sensitivity and specificity for localization of parathyroid adenomas according to gland weight and (2) correlation between preoperative estimate of parathyroid weight and the surgical weight of the parathyroid gland.

Results

Modified 4‐dimensional computed tomography/ultrasound displayed 92% sensitivity for localizing adenomas weighing <150 mg to the correct side of the neck (95% confidence interval [CI], 65%‐99%), 100% sensitivity for glands weighing 150 to 500 mg (95%‐100%), and 98% sensitivity for glands weighing >500 mg (92%‐100%). For localization to the correct quadrant of the neck, sensitivity was 75% (95% CI, 47%‐91%) for glands weighing <150 mg, 89% (79%‐95%) for those weighing 150 to 500 mg, and 94% (85%‐97%) for glands weighing >500 mg. A positive correlation was seen between the preoperative weight estimate based on imaging and the operative weight of the gland, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.96.

Conclusion

Modified 4‐dimensional computed tomography/ultrasound can closely predict the weight of parathyroid glands preoperatively and has good sensitivity for localization of adenomas, even in glands weighing less than 150 mg.
Face and Content Validation of a Virtual Reality Temporal Bone Simulator
Authors: Arora Asit , Khemani Sam , Tolley Neil , Singh Arvind , Budge James , Varela David A. Diaz Voss , Francis Howard W. , Darzi Ara , Bhatti Nasir I.
Published: November 2011

Objective

To validate the VOXEL‐MAN TempoSurg simulator for temporal bone dissection.

Study Design

Prospective international study.

Setting

Otolaryngology departments of 2 academic health care institutions in the United Kingdom and United States.

Subjects and Methods

Eighty‐five subjects were recruited consisting of an experienced and referent group. Participants performed a standardized familiarization session and temporal bone dissection task. Realism, training effectiveness, and global impressions were evaluated across 21 domains using a 5‐point Likert‐type scale. A score of 4 was the minimum threshold for acceptability.

Results

The experienced group comprised 25 otolaryngology trainers who had performed 150 mastoid operations. The referent group comprised 60 trainees (mean otolaryngology experience of 2.9 years). Familiarization took longer in the experienced group (P =. 01). User‐friendliness was positively rated (mean score 4.1). Seventy percent of participants rated anatomical appearance as acceptable. Trainers rated drill ergonomics worse than did trainees (P =. 01). Simulation temporal bone training scored highly (mean score 4.3). Surgical anatomy, drill navigation, and hand‐eye coordination accounted for this. Trainees were more likely to recommend temporal bone simulation to a colleague than were trainers (P =. 01). Transferability of skills to the operating room was undecided (mean score 3.5).

Conclusion

Realism of the VOXEL‐MAN virtual reality temporal bone simulator is suboptimal in its current version. Nonetheless, it represents a useful adjunct to existing training methods and is particularly beneficial for novice surgeons before performing cadaveric temporal bone dissection. Improvements in realism, specifically drill ergonomics and visual‐spatial perception during deeper temporal bone dissection, are warranted.
The Value of Workshops on Psychological Flexibility for Early Childhood Special Education Staff
Authors: Biglan Anthony , Layton Georgia L. , Jones Laura Backen , Hankins Martin , Rusby Julie C.
Published: November 2011

High stress and burnout are common for early childhood special educators, contributing to high rates of attrition, diminished educational effectiveness, and high turnover. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a promising approach for the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of problems. Using a randomized wait-list control design, this pilot study evaluated whether ACT workshops delivered to preschool teachers who serve children with developmental disabilities would improve stress-related problems of teachers (i.e., stress, depression, and burnout) and increase collegial support. At pretest, measures of experiential avoidance (EA) and mindful awareness (MA) showed significant relationships to reports of depression, stress, and burnout. The intervention reduced staff members’ EA, increased teachers’ MA and valued living (VL), and improved teachers’ sense of efficacy. This suggests that ACT workshops can help influence factors affecting depression, stress, and burnout in an early childhood special education setting.
Noncontingent Reinforcement of Disruptive Behaviors in Personal Care Home Settings
Authors: Yury Craig A.
Published: November 2011

The purpose of this case study was to examine the potential of using noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) to reduce the frequency of disruptive behaviors of three elderly persons in personal care home (PCH) settings. Assessment indicated that participants were engaging in the disruptive behaviors to obtain social attention from PCH staff. Social attention, up to 1 min of staff making eye contact with the participant and directing positive verbal statements toward the participant, was given on a fixed time interval (from morning through early evening) beginning every 20 min and fading to every 30 min. Results indicate that NCR reduced the frequency of the disruptive behaviors.
High-Poverty Youth
Authors: Washington Barbara H. , Hughes Carolyn , Cosgriff Joseph C.
Published: November 2011

The authors compared involvement in educational planning and use of self-determination strategies reported by two groups of students attending a high-poverty, predominately Black high school: 19 students with severe intellectual disabilities and 20 general education seniors who were identified as successful. Findings revealed that special education students participated in few activities (e.g., general or career education classes, transition activities, or employment) on a daily basis outside their self-contained special education classes. Special education students were significantly less likely than their general education peers to report involvement in educational planning activities or use of self-determination strategies. Although successful general education peers did take an active and self-determined role in their high school education, they represented only 20 of 114 members of their graduating senior class. Findings are discussed in relation to increasing efforts to promote self-determination and resilience among students with severe intellectual disabilities and their general education peers who are attending high-poverty high schools.
Governing the Future: Citizenship as Technology, Empowerment as Technique
Authors: Ryan Kevin
Published: November 2011

This article examines how citizenship can be deployed as a technology of conduct, and how it combines with the technique of empowerment in instituting the behavioural norms that constitute a neo-liberal social order. It conducts a detailed analysis of policy innovations in the Republic of Ireland, where children have recently been recognized as ‘active citizens’. This field of innovation is framed by the idea that children should be listened to and included in the decisions affecting their lives. The fact that this concerns children is important, because governing children is a way of acting upon the future. Moreover, governing the future is not a matter of reducing inequalities, but of ensuring the inclusion of all into Foucault’s neo-liberal ‘game between inequalities’. In cases of failure, the fault lies with the individual player, not with the game.
A new mathematical model of the behaviour of a four-axle freight wagon with UIC single-link suspension
Authors: Matej J
Published: November 2011

This paper analyses the lateral dynamic behaviour of a four-axle freight wagon with Union Internationale des Chemins de fer (UIC) single-link suspension where dry friction is used to damp oscillations. Mathematical models of the standard UIC single-link suspension have been prepared elsewhere according to non-smooth mechanics assumptions and implemented into established MBS programs. Numerical simulations of the motion of the four-axle freight wagon with a 200 kN static axleload have been performed on straight track according to methods appropriate for predicting the dynamic stability of freight wagons.
When the Brain Decides
Authors: Rosburg Timm , Mecklinger Axel , Frings Christian
Published: November 2011

Humans can make fast and highly efficient decisions by using simple heuristics that are assumed to exploit basic cognitive functions. In the study reported here, we used event-related potentials (ERPs) to disclose the psychological mechanisms underlying one of the most frugal decision rules, namely, the recognition heuristic. According to this heuristic, whenever two objects have to be ranked by a specific criterion and only one object is recognized, the recognized object is ranked higher than the unrecognized object. Using a standard recognition-heuristic paradigm, we predicted participants’ decisions by analyzing an ERP correlate of familiarity-based recognition occurring 300 to 450 ms after stimulus onset. The measure remained a significant predictor even when later ERP correlates were taken into account. These findings are evidence for the thesis that simple heuristics exploit basic cognitive processes. Specifically, the findings show that familiarity—that is, recognition in the absence of recollection—contributes to decisions made on the basis of such heuristics.
Weak-form Market Efficiency and Calendar Anomalies for Eastern Europe Equity Markets
Authors: Guidi Francesco , Gupta Rakesh , Maheshwari Suneel
Published: November 2011

In this article we test the weak form of the efficient market hypothesis for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) equity markets for the period 1999–2009. To test weak-form efficiency in the markets, this study uses autocorrelation analysis runs test and variance ratio test. We find that stock markets of the CEE do not follow a random walk process. This is an important finding for the CEE markets as an informed investor can identify mispriced assets in the markets by studying the past prices in these markets. We also test the presence of daily anomalies for the same group of stock markets using a basic model and a more advanced Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity in Mean (GARCH-M) model. Results indicate that day-of-the-week effect is not evident in most markets except for some. Overall results indicate that some of these markets are not weak and an efficient and informed investor can make abnormal profits by studying the past prices of the assets in these markets.
Understanding Prenatal Health Care for American Indian Women in a Northern Plains Tribe
Authors: Hanson Jessica D.
Published: November 2011

Early and regular prenatal care appointments are imperative for the health of both the mother and baby to help prevent complications associated with pregnancy and birth. American Indian women are especially at risk for health disparities related to pregnancy and lack of prenatal health care. Previous research has outlined a basic understanding of the reasons for lack of prenatal care for women in general; however, little is known about care received by pregnant women at Indian Health Service hospitals. Qualitative interviews were carried out with 58 women to better understand the prenatal health experiences of American Indian women from one tribe in the Northern Plains. Several themes related to American Indian women’s prenatal health care experiences were noted, including communication barriers with physicians, institutional barriers such as lack of continuity of care, and sociodemographic barriers. Solutions to these barriers, such as a nurse midwife program, are discussed.
Evaluating the Influence of Cultural Competence Education on Students’ Transcultural Self-Efficacy Perceptions
Authors: Jeffreys Marianne R. , Dogan Enis
Published: November 2011

Guided by the cultural competence and confidence (CCC) model, the Transcultural Self-Efficacy Tool (TSET) was used to evaluate the influence of cultural competence education on the transcultural self-efficacy (TSE) perceptions of undergraduate nursing students following an integrated approach to cultural competence education. Results continue to support that TSE is influenced by formalized education and other learning experiences. As hypothesized, compared with novice students, advanced students’ scores were higher for all subscales in both cross-sectional ( n = 147) and longitudinal ( n = 36) study designs. Results from analysis of variance and covariance demonstrated that none of the demographic variables predicted change; semester was the sole predictor, lending additional support that (a) the educational interventions throughout the four semesters influenced TSE changes and (b) all students regardless of background benefit (and require) formalized cultural competence education. Implications for nurse educators conclude the article.
Antibiotic Use in Home Health
Authors: Bossaer John B. , Lewis Paul O.
Published: November 2011

Cost containment measures within hospital systems push for earlier discharges on stable patients. Due to patient placement difficulties and costs associated with skilled facilities, antibiotic use in home health care settings is becoming a common occurrence. This trend will likely increase as care continues to shift to outpatient areas. Lack of sufficient serum drug concentrations needed in severe infections and increasing resistance to many of the oral options often necessitates the use of the intravenous (IV) route. Home health care practitioners may have minimal information on patients or limited experience with IV antibiotics that may impact quality of care. This review summarizes key points relevant to IV antibiotics routinely used by home health prescribers, nurses, technicians, and care managers. This review will focus on antibacterial agents including vancomycin, aminoglycosides, beta-lactams, daptomycin, tigecycline, and telavancin. Appropriate dosing, indications, adverse events, monitoring parameters, and feasibility of using IV antibiotics are discussed.