bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self‐Reported Comorbid Pains in Severe Headaches or Migraines in a US National Sample
Authors: Plesh Octavia , Adams Sally H. , Gansky Stuart A.
Published: May 2012

Aims.— To compare prevalence of self‐reported comorbid temporomandibular joint muscle disorder‐type, neck, back, and joint pains in people with severe headache or migraine; and analyze these self‐reported pains in the 2000‐2005 US National Health Interview Survey by gender and age for non‐Hispanic whites, Hispanics, and non‐Hispanic blacks (African Americans).

Methods.— National Health Interview Survey data included information on gender, age, race, ethnicity, health status, and common pain types: severe headache or migraine, temporomandibular joint muscle disorder‐type, neck, and low back in the last 3 months, as well as prior‐month joint pains. Analyses included survey prevalence estimation and survey logistic regression to obtain odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.

Results.— The study included 189,967 adults: 48% males, 52% females; 73% white, 12% Hispanic, and 11% black. Of the entire sample, 29,712 (15%) reported severe headache or migraine, and 19,228 (64%) had severe headache or migraine with at least 1 comorbid pain. Two or more comorbid pains were reported in 10,200 (33%), with no gender difference, and with Hispanics (n = 1847 or 32%) and blacks (n = 1301 or 30%) less likely to report 2 or more comorbid pains than whites (n = 6747 or 34%) (odds ratio = 0.91, P = .032; OR = 0.82, P < .001, respectively). This group also reported significantly lower ratings of self‐rated health (P < .001). Differences in type of comorbid pain by age patterns were found.

Conclusions.— Severe headache or migraine is often associated with other common pains, seldom existing alone. Two or more comorbid pains are common, similarly affecting gender and racial/ethnic groups.
Twiddler’s syndrome in a patient with epilepsy treated with deep brain stimulation
Authors: Penn David L. , Wu Chengyuan , Skidmore Christopher , Sperling Michael R. , Sharan Ashwini D.
Published: May 2012

Twiddler’s syndrome is the conscious or unconscious manipulation of implantable pulse generators (IPGs) or associated wire systems by the patient. Most commonly, this complication has been documented in patients with cardiac pacemakers, but there are reported cases in patients with deep brain stimulators. Twisting of stimulator systems results in dislodgement or damage to leads and loss of stimulation to the desired target. The present case illustrates a rare complication that may have serious consequences in patients with deep brain stimulators. A 21 year‐old woman presented with recurrence of seizures from failure of her deep brain stimulator targeting the anterior nuclei of the thalamus to control refractory epilepsy, 6 months after it was implanted. Radiographic imaging revealed that the IPG had been twisted upon itself causing coiling and looping of extension wires. The patient denied any conscious manipulation of the system, which was subsequently surgically revised. Surgical revision achieved the desired stimulation and effects. On 4‐month follow‐up the deep brain stimulator remained stable and untwisted; however, it was subsequently removed in the fourth month because of infection at the extension site. In conclusion, twiddler’s syndrome is a rare complication occurring in patients with deep brain stimulator implants and warrants awareness among neurologic and neurosurgical epilepsy specialists.
The cognitive effects of interictal epileptiform EEG discharges and short nonconvulsive epileptic seizures
Authors: Nicolai Joost , Ebus Saskia , Biemans Danielle P. L. J. J. G. , Arends Johan , Hendriksen Jos , Vles Johan S. H. , Aldenkamp Albert P.
Published: May 2012

Purpose:  Educational difficulties or even severe cognitive deterioration is seen in many childhood epilepsy syndromes. Many of those cognitive deficits are related directly to the brain disorder underlying the epilepsy syndrome. However, in other types of epilepsy, the epileptic seizures and/or epileptiform activity can be the dominant factor. This is especially unknown for the more “subtle” short nonconvulsive seizure types. For this reason, we analyzed a new cohort of children.

Methods:  A cross‐sectional study of 188 children with epilepsy. Electroencephalography (EEG)–video recordings and cognitive testing were performed simultaneously. The results of children with short nonconvulsive seizures during a 2‐h testing session were compared with all children with epilepsy without seizures during the 2‐h cognitive testing session and with controls without epilepsy. In a second analysis the cognitive effects of frequency of epileptiform EEG discharges were analyzed.

Key Findings:  The cognitive effects of short nonconvulsive seizures were large, ranging from 0.5 to 1 standard deviation and concerned global cognitive function, speed of central information processing, and memory function. In children without seizures during cognitive testing, the occurrence of frequent epileptiform discharges showed more subtle effects. These effects were independent from the occurrence of short nonconvulsive seizures.

Significance:  We concluded that although the effect is less pronounced in number of areas involved and magnitude, the type of association between frequent epileptiform activity (>1% of the time) and cognitive function in children with epilepsy is comparable to the association between short nonconvulsive seizures and cognitive function.
CULTURE CONDITIONS INFLUENCE CELLULAR RNA CONTENT IN ICHTHYOTOXIC FLAGELLATES OF THE GENUS PSEUDOCHATTONELLA (DICTYOCHOPHYCEAE)1
Authors: Dittami Simon M. , Edvardsen Bente
Published: May 2012

Cell counts are the standard measure to quantify harmful algae and the basis for decisions on measures necessary to protect human health. Molecular detection methods have been developed for a range of algal species and genera, but these methods generally quantify DNA or RNA, and corresponding cell numbers are inferred based on the assumption that the cellular nucleic acid content is constant over time and in different conditions. Here, we tested this assumption for ichthyotoxic flagellates of the genus Pseudochattonella (Dictyochophyceae) under different light, temperature, salinity, and nutrient conditions. Our results show changes in cellular RNA contents of nearly one order of magnitude depending on the condition and also the time of exposure, rendering it difficult to anticipate per‐cell RNA yields even if environmental conditions are known. However, cellular RNA content was positively correlated with cell size and growth rate across our experiments, and total RNA was comparable to cell number as a predictor for total biovolume. These results demonstrate the importance of considering the variability of RNA levels for comparisons with cell counts and provide a valuable aid for the interpretation of data from RNA‐based detection methods.
International risk‐sharing in the short run and in the long run
Authors: Baxter Marianne
Published: May 2012

Abstract International risk‐sharing has far‐reaching implications both for economic policy and for basic research in economics. When countries do not share consumption risk, individuals experience consumption fluctuations that are undesirable and possibly unnecessary. We investigate bilateral risk‐sharing at short vs. long horizons. We find substantial cross‐country consumption correlations at trend and business‐cycle frequencies. Correlations are particularly high within Europe. Prior research focused on first‐difference correlations, which are typically quite low. We argue that this reflects measurement error. At all horizons, we find that consumption correlations are not significantly different from output correlations, implying a lack of deliberate consumption risk‐sharing.
Securitization of mortgage debt, domestic lending, and international risk sharing
Authors: Hoffmann Mathias , Nitschka Thomas
Published: May 2012

Abstract Securitization makes mortgage‐related risks internationally tradeable and thus contributes considerably to the international diversification of macroeconomic risk: in the years 2003–2008, the increase in international cross‐holdings of securitized mortgage debt has lowered industrialized countries’ conditional consumption volatility (relative to the United States) by about 10–15 percentage points. We turn to the role of domestic credit in explaining this result. Domestic credit leads to better international risk sharing only if debt is securitized and traded internationally. Conversely, the risk‐sharing benefits from securitization seem to evaporate if credit dries up – as it did in the recent financial crisis.
Portfolio allocation and international  risk sharing
Authors: Benigno Gianluca , Küçük Hande
Published: May 2012

Abstract We show that recent explanations of the consumption‐real exchange rate anomaly that rely on goods and financial market frictions are not robust to introducing just one additional international asset. When portfolios are selected optimally, international trade in two nominal bonds implies a consumption‐real exchange rate correlation that is too high compared with the data even when there are many shocks. Monetary policy specification plays a potentially important role for the degree of risk sharing provided by nominal bonds, both in the benchmark model with only tradable and non‐tradable sector supply shocks and also in the model that allows for news.
Limited asset market participation and the consumption‐real exchange rate anomaly
Authors: Kollmann Robert
Published: May 2012

Abstract Under efficient consumption risk sharing, as assumed in standard international business cycle models, a country's aggregate consumption rises relative to foreign consumption, when the country's real exchange rate depreciates. Yet empirically, relative consumption and the real exchange rate are essentially uncorrelated. This paper shows that this ‘consumption‐real exchange rate anomaly’ can be explained by a simple model in which a subset of households trade in complete financial markets, while the remaining households lead hand‐to‐mouth (HTM) lives. HTM behaviour also generates greater volatility of the real exchange rate and of net exports, which likewise brings the model closer to the data.
The spatial organization of multinational firms
Authors: Defever Fabrice
Published: May 2012

Abstract Using six years of firm‐level data covering 224 regions of the enlarged European Union, we evaluate the importance to a firm of locating its activities (production, headquarters, R&D, logistics and sales) close together. We find that, after controlling for regional characteristics, being closely located to a previous investment positively affects firm location choice. However, the impact of distance is dependent on the type of investment (production or service). The impact dies out faster for service activities. Finally, we show that a surprisingly positive effect comes from locating a new production plant close to an existing production investment, but in another country.
How do school ‘report cards’ affect school choice decisions?
Authors: Friesen Jane , Javdani Mohsen , Smith Justin , Woodcock Simon
Published: May 2012

Abstract. We estimate the effect of information about school achievement that is disseminated to the public through websites and school ‘report cards’ on school choice decisions. We find that students are more likely to leave their school when public information reveals poor school‐level performance. Some parents’ school choice decisions respond to information soon after it becomes available. Others, including non‐English‐speaking parents, alter their school choice decisions only in response to information that has been disseminated widely and discussed in the media. Parents in low‐income neighbourhoods are most likely to alter their school choice decisions in response to new information. JEL classification: I21, D83
How elastic are national corporate income tax bases in OECD countries? The role of  domestic and foreign tax rates
Authors: Riedl Aleksandra , Rocha‐Akis Silvia
Published: May 2012

Abstract To what extent do reductions in corporate income tax (CIT) rates attract foreign tax bases? What are the revenue implications of a unilateral tax reduction when tax bases are internationally mobile? These questions are explored using annual data from 17 OECD countries spanning the period 1982 to 2005. Controlling for fixed country effects, year effects, and country time trends, and subjecting our results to an extensive robustness analysis, we find (i) a country’s aggregate reported corporate profits are negatively and significantly affected by CIT rate reductions in neighbouring countries; (ii) a unilateral reduction in the domestic CIT rate results in lower domestic CIT revenues.
Ricardian trade and the impact of domestic competition on export performance
Authors: Bombardini Matilde , Kurz Christopher J. , Morrow Peter M.
Published: May 2012

Abstract This paper develops and empirically examines a model of relative productivity differences both within and across industries for small open economies. We decompose the effect of industry productivity on export performance into direct effect of own‐firm productivity and an indirect effect of higher peer‐firm productivity. In a sample of Chilean and Colombian plants, we find evidence of both a positive direct effect and a negative indirect effect. The empirical evidence supports our theoretical prediction that industry‐specific factors of production and asymmetric substitutability between domestic and foreign varieties drive the negative indirect effect. JEL classification: F10, F11, F12
Incessant Atrio‐Ventricular Node Reentrant Tachycardia Induced by Unapparent Dual Atrio‐Ventricular Node Conduction
Authors: MAURY PHILIPPE , DETIS NICOLAS , DUPARC ALEXANDRE , MONDOLY PIERRE , ROLLIN ANNE , DELAY MARC
Published: May 2012

We present the case of a patient with incessant slow‐fast atrio‐ventricular (AV) node reentrant tachycardia induced by dual AV node conduction with aborted conduction to the ventricles. The unapparent conduction over the slow pathway was suspected here because of spontaneous nodal echoes without QRS complexes occurring during sinus rhythm, manifested as isolated premature atrial beats and which repetitively induced the tachycardia.
Extraordinarily Favorable Left Ventricular Reverse Remodeling through Long‐Term Cardiac Resynchronization: Super‐Response to Cardiac Resynchronization
Authors: ÇELEBI ÖZLEM , KNAUS THOMAS , BLASCHKE FLORIAN , HABEDANK DIRK , DÖHNER WOLFRAM , NITARDY AISCHA , STOCKBURGER MARTIN
Published: May 2012

Background:

Some chronic heart failure (CHF) patients show remarkable improvement in left ventricular (LV) remodeling after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), for unclear reasons. This study aimed at identifying predictors of an extraordinarily favorable response to CRT.

Methods:

We studied 136 CRT patients (104 men, median 66 years, QRS 162 ms, left ventricular ejection fraction 24 ± 7%, 70% coronary disease, all left bundle branch block [LBBB]). We measured LV end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) before and after long‐term (9.4 ± 6.3 months) CRT. At baseline, LV pre‐ejection interval (LVPEI), interventricular mechanical delay (IVMD), LV dyssynchrony (standard deviation of electromechanical delays [SDEMD] in eight LV segments), exercise capacity (pVO2), and ventilatory efficiency (VE/VCO2) were assessed. Patients with a LVEDD reduction beyond the 80th percentile (high responders [HR]) were compared to low responders (LR).

Results:

In the HR group (n = 22), LVEDD was reduced from 71 to 52 mm (LR 64–61 mm, P < 0.001). HR had predominantly nonischemic heart disease (HR: 72%, LR: 44%, P = 0.019), tended to have a wider QRS (HR: 178 ms, LR: 162 ms, P = 0.066), had a longer LVPEI (HR: 179 ms, LR: 155 ms, P = 0.004), wider IVMD (HR: 60 ms, LR 48 ms, P = 0.05), larger LVEDD (P = 0.002), higher SDEMD (HR: 69 ms, LR: 46 ms, P = 0.044), but higher pVO2 (HR: 17.5 mL/min/kg, LR: 13.5 mL/kg/min, P = 0.025) and lower VE/VCO2 (HR: 31, LR: 35, P = 0.043), all compared to LR patients.

Conclusion:

Extraordinarily favorable reverse LV remodeling through CRT in CHF and LBBB appears to require a particularly dilated LV due to nonischemic heart disease with pronounced electromechanical alteration, but with a fairly preserved functional capacity before CRT. (PACE 2012;XX:1–7)
Kinetics of Atrial Repolarization Alternans in a Free‐Behaving Ovine Model
Authors: JOUSSET FLORIAN , TENKORANG JOANNA , VESIN JEAN‐MARC , PASCALE PATRIZIO , RUCHAT PATRICK , ROLLIN ANNE GARDERES , FROMER MARTIN , NARAYAN SANJIV M. , PRUVOT ETIENNE
Published: May 2012

Kinetics of Atrial Repolarization Alternans. Introduction: Repolarization alternans (Re‐ALT), a beat‐to‐beat alternation in action potential repolarization, promotes dispersion of repolarization, wavebreaks, and reentry. Recently, Re‐ALT has been shown to play an important role in the transition from rapid pacing to atrial fibrillation (AF) in humans. The detailed kinetics of atrial Re‐ALT, however, has not been reported so far. We developed a chronic free‐behaving ovine pacing model to study the kinetics of atrial Re‐ALT as a function of pacing rate.

Methods: Thirteen sheep were chronically implanted with 2 pacemakers for the recording of broadband right atrial unipolar electrograms and delivery of rapid pacing protocols. Beat‐to‐beat differences in the atrial T‐wave apex amplitude as a measure of Re‐ALT and activation time were analyzed at incremental pacing rates until the effective refractory period (ERP) defined as stable 2:1 capture.

Results: Atrial Re‐ALT appeared intermittently but without periodicity, and increased in amplitude as a function of pacing rate until ERP. Intermittent 2:1 atrial capture was observed at pacing cycle lengths 40 ms above ERP, and increased in duration as a function of pacing rate. Episodes of rapid pacing‐induced AF were rare, and were preceded by Re‐ALT or complex oscillations of atrial repolarization, but without intermittent capture.

Conclusion: We show in vivo that atrial Re‐ALT developed and increased in magnitude with rate until stable 2:1 capture. In rare instances where capture failure did not occur, Re‐ALT and complex oscillations of repolarization surged and preceded AF initiation. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 1003‐1012, September 2012)
Long‐Term Outcome of Catheter Ablation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Originating from the Superior Vena Cava
Authors: CHANG HUNG‐YU , LO LI‐WEI , LIN YENN‐JIANG , CHANG SHIH‐LIN , HU YU‐FENG , FENG AN‐NING , YIN WEI‐HSIAN , LI CHENG‐HUNG , CHAO TZE‐FAN , HARTONO BENY , CHUNG FA‐PO , CHENG CHEN‐CHUAN , LIN WEI‐SHIANG , TSAO HSUAN‐MING , CHEN SHIH‐ANN
Published: May 2012

Long‐Term Outcome of SVC AF Ablation. Introduction: Data of the long‐term clinical outcome after superior vena cava (SVC) isolation are limited. We aimed to evaluate the long‐term outcome in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who had triggers originating from the SVC and received catheter ablation of AF.

Methods and Results: The study consisted of 68 patients (age 56 ± 12 years old, 32 males) who underwent the ablation procedure for drug‐refractory, symptomatic paroxysmal AF originating from the SVC since 1999. Group 1 consisted of 37 patients with AF initiated from the SVC only, and group 2 consisted of 31 patients with both SVC and pulmonary vein (PV) triggers. During a follow‐up period of 88 ± 50 months, the AF recurrence rate was 35.3% after a single procedure. The freedom‐from‐AF rates were 85.3% at 1 year and 73.3% at 5 years. In the baseline study, group 2 had larger left atrium (38 ± 4 mm vs 36 ± 5 mm, P = 0.04), left ventricle (50 ± 5 mm vs 46 ± 5 mm, P = 0.003), and PV diameters. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed a higher AF recurrence rate in group 2 compared to that in group 1 (P = 0.012). The independent predictor of an AF recurrence was a larger SVC diameter (P = 0.02, HR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.8).

Conclusion: Among the patients with paroxysmal AF originating from the SVC, 73% remained free of AF for 5 years after a single catheter ablation procedure. Superior vena cava isolation without PV isolation is an acceptable therapeutic strategy in those patients with AF originating from the SVC only. The SVC diameter was an independent predictor of AF recurrence. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 955‐961, September 2012)
Practice‐Based Evidence and Qualitative Inquiry
Authors: Leeman Jennifer , Sandelowski Margarete
Published: May 2012

Purpose: Nurses and other healthcare providers continue to underuse interventions demonstrated to be effective at improving health outcomes. We propose in this article that if more evidence‐based practice is wanted, greater use must be made of qualitative inquiry to obtain practice‐based evidence derived from the experiences and practices of healthcare providers and the contexts of healthcare provision.

Approach: We present a framework for the use of qualitative methods to contribute to the following categories of practice‐based evidence: (a) practice‐based interventions and implementation strategies, (b) causal mechanisms, (c) approaches to adaptation, (d) how‐to guidance, (e) unanticipated effects, and (f) relevant contextual factors.

Conclusions: Qualitative inquiry has an essential role to play in incorporating more practice‐based evidence into the evidence base for nursing practice.

Clinical Relevance: This framework can be used by clinicians to plan for the implementation of interventions in practice, by researchers to discuss the practice implications of their findings, and by researchers to launch qualitative studies explicitly designed to capture practice‐based evidence.
Chairtime needed for an incremental dental care program for schoolchildren in Israel
Authors: Bimstein Enrique , Eidelman Eliecer , Chosack Aubrey
Published: May 2012

Abstract— Chairtime needed to provide initial treatment to 80 children, 6½ to 7½ years of age, in an incremental care program was recorded. An average of 8.2 carious teeth with 14.0 carious surfaces required treatment. The clinical and radiographic examinations were concluded earlier and were not included in the chairtime recorded. One year after completion of the initial treatment, 51 of these children were reexamined to determine the maintenance treatment needs. These were found to be approximately one‐third of the initial treatment needs. The average chairtime required for initial treatment was 2 hours and 37 min. It was estimated that for complete treatment, including examination and preventive measures, 3 hours per child would be required for initial treatment and 1 hour for maintenance care each following year.
Reliability and constancy of information obtained in dental health interviews
Authors: Norheim P. W. , Helöe L. A.
Published: May 2012

Abstract— In a group of 297 persons interviewed about dental health, a random sample of 50 persons was reinterviewed by the same person, posing identical questions. The average interval between interviews was 9 months. Replies to questions concerning actual conditions, i.e. edentulousness, time of extraction and time of filling, showed a high degree of stability and constancy. The subjects' attitude to water fluoridation appeared, on the other hand, to have changed somewhat. Similarly, some of the respondents appeared to have acquired knowledge of dental health care as a result of the first interview and had altered their standpoint accordingly. Still, the results of the replies to the interview seemed reliable as defined by stability over time.
Dental caries in Faeroese children aged 5–13 years
Authors: Thylstrup A. , Poulsen S.
Published: May 2012

Abstract— Before the Act of Free Trade was passed in 1856, dental caries was negligible on the Faeroe Islands. In 1936–37 a survey revealed an increasing prevalence of caries in urban compared with rural areas. The present study was undertaken in order to investigate the prevalence of dental caries among Faeroese children aged 5–13 years in relation to degree of urbanization and presence of a regular School Dental Service. Every third child was selected by a systematic sampling procedure from the total population of children aged 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 years. 88% of the intended sample was examined in school dental clinics by one dentist according to standardized criteria. It was not possible to demonstrate any differences in mean DMFS and dmfs between children according to degree of urbanization and presence of regular School Dental Service. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the School Dental Service as practiced at the moment is unable to reduce the amount of unfilled teeth. The very high prevalence of caries, especially in the primary dentition, is discussed in relation to planning of future dental health services on the Faeroe Islands.
Occupational contact dermatitis in painters – an analysis of patch test data from the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group
Authors: Mose Anja P. , Lundov Michael D. , Zachariae Claus , Menné Torkil , Veien Niels K. , Laurberg Grete , Kaaber Knud , Avnstorp Christian , Andersen Klaus E. , Paulsen Evy , Mortz Charlotte G. , Sommerlund Mette , Danielsen Anne , Thormann Jens , Kristensen Ove , Kristensen Berit , Andersen Bo L. , Vissing Susanne , Nielsen Niels H. , Johansen Jeanne D.
Published: May 2012

Background. Painters are among the occupational groups that most commonly experience occupational contact dermatitis, but few investigations exist concerning this occupation.

Objectives. To characterize painters with contact dermatitis and identify the most common allergens associated with the occupation.

Materials and methods. All patch test results of 219 painters and 1095 matched controls registered by the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group between 2001 and 2010 were analysed.

Results. Hand eczema (p < 0.0001) and occupational contact dermatitis (p < 0.0001) were observed significantly more often in the painters than in the group of controls. Sensitizations to the following allergens from the European baseline series were associated with the occupation and were statistically significant: methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone, epoxy resin, formaldehyde, and quaternium‐15. Three different isothiazolinones emerged as the most frequent sensitizers of the allergens tested in addition to the baseline series.

Conclusions. The results indicate that painters have an increased risk of developing occupational hand eczema. Isothiazolinones and epoxy resin proved to be the two most frequent sensitizers in painters.
Adhesive tooth fragment reattachment with intentional replantation: 36‐month follow‐up
Authors: Dogan Muharrem Cem , Akgun Erkan Onur , Yoldas Hamdi Oguz
Published: May 2012

Crown‐root fracture is one of the most challenging fracture types in dental traumatology literature. Aesthetic and functional rehabilitation is the primary goal of the treatment of crown‐root‐fractured tooth. For this purpose, reattachment of the fragment to its original position is a good choice. This paper reports a case of an adhesive fragment reattachment of a complicated crown‐root fracture with intentional replantation in a 9‐year‐old girl patient and 36‐month follow‐up.
Family‐based genome‐wide association study of frontal theta oscillations identifies potassium channel gene KCNJ6
Authors: Kang S. J. , Rangaswamy M. , Manz N. , Wang J.‐C. , Wetherill L. , Hinrichs T. , Almasy L. , Brooks A. , Chorlian D. B. , Dick D. , Hesselbrock V. , Kramer J. , Kuperman S. , Nurnberger J. , Rice J. , Schuckit M. , Tischfield J. , Bierut L. J. , Edenberg H. J. , Goate A. , Foroud T. , Porjesz B.
Published: May 2012

Event‐related oscillations (EROs) represent highly heritable neuroelectric correlates of cognitive processes that manifest deficits in alcoholics and in offspring at high risk to develop alcoholism. Theta ERO to targets in the visual oddball task has been shown to be an endophenotype for alcoholism. A family‐based genome‐wide association study was performed for the frontal theta ERO phenotype using 634 583 autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) genotyped in 1560 family members from 117 families densely affected by alcohol use disorders, recruited in the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism. Genome‐wide significant association was found with several SNPs on chromosome 21 in KCNJ6 (a potassium inward rectifier channel; KIR3.2/GIRK2), with the most significant SNP at
P = 4.7 × 10−10). The same SNPs were also associated with EROs from central and parietal electrodes, but with less significance, suggesting that the association is frontally focused. One imputed synonymous SNP in exon four, highly correlated with our top three SNPs, was significantly associated with the frontal theta ERO phenotype. These results suggest KCNJ6 or its product GIRK2 account for some of the variations in frontal theta band oscillations. GIRK2 receptor activation contributes to slow inhibitory postsynaptic potentials that modulate neuronal excitability, and therefore influence neuronal networks.
5‐HT depletion, but not 5‐HT1A antagonist, prevents the anxiolytic‐like effect of citalopram in rat contextual conditioned fear stress model
Authors: Masuda Takahiro , Nishikawa Hiroyuki , Inoue Takeshi , Toda Hiroyuki , Nakagawa Shin , Boku Shuken , Koyama Tsukasa
Published: May 2012

Objective

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been widely used in the treatment of most anxiety disorders. In this study, to clarify the mechanism of the anxiolytic effect, we investigated the mechanism underlying the effect of the SSRI citalopram on rat contextual conditioned fear stress (CFS), an animal model of anxiety.

Methods

Rats individually received footshocks in a shock chamber. More than 1 day later, they were given citalopram and/or dl‐p‐chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), various subtype‐selective serotonin (5‐HT) receptor antagonists: the 5‐HT1A receptor antagonist WAY 100635, the 5‐HT2A receptor antagonist MDL 100907, the 5‐HT2C receptor antagonist SB 242084, the 5‐HT3 receptor antagonist tropisetron, the 5‐HT4 receptor antagonist GR 125487, the 5‐HT6 receptor antagonist SB 258585 or the 5‐HT7 receptor antagonist SB 269970. After drug administration, freezing behaviour, which was used as an index of anxiety, was analysed in the same shock chamber without shocks.

Results

Citalopram dose dependently reduced conditioned freezing behaviour. The anxiolytic‐like effect of citalopram was prevented completely by pretreatment with the 5‐HT‐depleting agent PCPA, but not by the 5‐HT1A receptor antagonist WAY 100635. Furthermore, none of the subtype‐selective 5‐HT receptor antagonists significantly affected conditioned freezing or affected the anxiolytic‐like effect of citalopram.

Conclusion

The anxiolytic‐like effect of citalopram in contextual CFS model depends on 5‐HT availability. In addition, contextual CFS model is suggested to be completely different from conventional anxiety models in neural mechanism or manners of serotonergic involvement. However, further studies are needed to identify the pharmacological mechanisms responsible for the anxiolytic‐like effect of citalopram.
Calming effect of orally administered γ‐aminobutyric acid in Shih Tzu dogs
Authors: UETAKE Katsuji , OKUMOTO Ayano , TANI Noriko , GOTO Akihiro , TANAKA Toshio
Published: May 2012

The calming effects of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) by oral administration were investigated in four adult Shih Tzu dogs. Three dosage levels (1, 2 and 4 mg/kg body weight) and non‐administration were tested by an increase and decrease method. Changes in activity (for 1.5 h) and urinary cortisol levels (pre‐administration, 3 and 7 h later) of dogs were monitored after administration. Without reference to dosage level, the mean times spent standing (P = 0.06), sitting (P < 0.05) and walking (P < 0.05) tended to decrease compared to non‐administration. A significant depression in the urinary cortisol level was observed at 7 h after administration (P < 0.05). These results indicate that orally administrated GABA exerts calming effects on dogs as well as humans.
Antagonizing Effects of Soybean Isoflavones on β‐Amyloid Peptide‐Induced Oxidative Damage in Neuron Mitochondria of Rats
Authors: Feng Jin‐Fang , He Ling‐Ling , Li Dan , Yuan Lin‐Hong , Yu Huan‐Ling , Ma Wei‐Wei , Yang Yue , Xi Yuan‐Di , Ding Juan , Xiao Yi‐Xiu , Xiao Rong
Published: May 2012

Soybean isoflavone (SIF) has been demonstrated to have neuroprotective effects induced by β‐amyloid peptides (Aβ) through suppressing oxidative stress; however, the explicit mechanisms still remain uncovered. In the present study, 32 Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: an Aβ1‐42‐treated group, a SIF + Aβ1‐42 group, a SIF‐treated group and a control group. We measured the protein content of 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8‐OhdG) and mRNA expression of 8‐oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1). The protein expression of OGG1, Bcl‐xl, Bad, beta subunit of ATP synthase (ATPB) and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) in brain was also measured. The results showed that the level of 8‐OHdG in both SIF groups was significantly decreased compared to the Aβ1‐42‐treated group (p < 0.05), while the mRNA and protein expression of OGG1 in the SIF + Aβ1‐42 groups were up‐regulated compared with the Aβ1‐42‐treated groups (p < 0.05). The expression of Bcl‐xl was up‐regulated in the SIF‐treated group compared with the Aβ1‐42‐treated groups (p < 0.05), while the expression of Bad was down‐regulated in the two SIF‐treated groups (p < 0.05). Aβ1‐42 significantly down‐regulated the expression of ATPase and PDH proteins compared with the control group (p < 0.05). SIF reversed the down‐regulation effects on the mitochondrial energy metabolic enzymes induced by Aβ1‐42 (p < 0.05) in the rats. These results suggest that SIF alleviate the oxidative stress in neurons and mitochondria of rat brains mediated by Aβ1‐42, and these protective effects might be associated with the regulation of OGG1, Bad, Bcl‐xl, ATPB and PDH.
Syndrome of inappropriate anti‐diuretic hormone secretion secondary to carboplatin after docetaxel‐carboplatin‐trastuzumab combination for early stage HER‐2 positive breast cancer
Authors: TURNER Natalie , STEWART Josephine , BARNETT Frances , WHITE Shane
Published: May 2012

Carboplatin is a platinum analogue, widely used in the treatment of numerous cancer types including lung, genitourinary and ovarian cancers. It is also used in the adjuvant treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive breast cancer, where a non‐anthracycline regimen is preferred. It is considered generally to be less toxic though potentially less efficacious than cisplatin, another platinum compound. Cisplatin is well recognized as causing hyponatremia, through the mechanism of renal salt wasting. Conversely, carboplatin has only rarely been associated with hyponatremia. We report here a case of severe hyponatremia occurring 6 days after adjuvant treatment with a carboplatin‐containing chemotherapy regimen for early stage breast cancer. The mechanism of hyponatremia was consistent with the syndrome of inappropriate anti‐diuretic hormone secretion based on biochemical and clinical findings, and response to fluid restriction. With no previously reported cases of docetaxel‐associated or trastuzumab‐associated hyponatremia, the causative agent was considered to be carboplatin. Additionally there was no recurrence of hyponatremia on recommencement of docetaxel and trastuzumab therapy. Hyponatremia secondary to carboplatin has been rarely reported in the literature, with only three previously reported cases. Although it is rare, oncologists should be aware of the potential for carboplatin to cause hyponatremia and the need to monitor electrolytes throughout therapy.
Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis: An in‐depth look at diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Kennedy Sally
Published: May 2012

Purpose: To provide an in‐depth synthesis of the literature on polymyalgia rheumatic (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) that will assist the primary care nurse practitioner (NP) in recognizing the variety of symptom presentations, accurately evaluating laboratory data, developing a plan of care that includes current treatment guidelines, and adroitly managing patients for improved outcomes.

Data sources: A thorough search of the literature was conducted including MEDLINE, CIHAHL, and PubMed encompassing the decades from the 1970s to the present.

Conclusions: Because of the varied and vague symptom presentations of PMR and GCA, primary healthcare providers often misdiagnose these pathologies, delaying treatment and relief of suffering. Textbooks descriptions often omit supplemental content necessary to understand the intricacies of the presenting symptoms, diagnostic tests needed for work‐up, and specific treatment for these overlapping pathologies.

Implications for practice: Because PMR and GCA often present in the primary care setting, NPs must maintain a high index of suspicion when a patient over 60 years of age presents with vague complaints such as headache, weakness, anorexia, and malaise. Arriving at an accurate diagnosis in a timely fashion will lead to appropriate treatment and minimize patient suffering.
Cognitive dissonance experienced by nurse practitioner faculty
Authors: Fontenot Holly B. , Hawkins Joellen W. , Weiss Josie A.
Published: May 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explicate the concept of cognitive dissonance as experienced and reported by nurse practitioner (NP) faculty members.

Data sources: Responses from NP faculty members to an online survey about their experiences with cognitive dissonance.

Conclusions: The respondents detailed their experiences with cognitive dissonance, citing differences between expectations for which they are rewarded and those for which they are paid.

Implications for practice: Expecting all faculty members to excel in practice, research, teaching, and service may create unrealistic workloads for NP faculty members. Examining expectations and considering creation of a clinical track for faculty who practice may be options administrators of NP programs might explore.
Emergency contraception knowledge among nurse practitioner students
Authors: Lee Carolyn J. , Ahonen Kathleen , Apling Maria , Bork Christopher
Published: May 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the knowledge level of nurse practitioner (NP) students about emergency contraception (EC), and to explore attitudes about EC that may intersect with willingness to prescribe EC.

Data sources: Four hundred and sixty‐seven NP students completed a 30‐item web‐based survey using Vovici survey software.

Conclusions: Students who reported formal content on EC in their program of study showed significantly better mean knowledge scores (t= 5.279, df = 459, p < .001). Gaps in NP students’ knowledge of EC mechanisms of action, understanding of indications and contraindications were apparent. Younger students (F(3,457) = 4.994, p < .002), those newer to nursing (F(4,456) = 6.641, p < .0005), and women's health NP students (F(4,445) = 3.488, p < .008), demonstrated significantly better knowledge. Attitudes regarding EC appeared to be tied to the respondent's knowledge about EC.

Implications for practice: Knowledge is an important factor in informing NP practice decisions. Clinicians need accurate, evidence‐based knowledge to provide health education and counseling to reproductive age women if unintended pregnancies are to be reduced.
Elucidation of Structure‐activity Relationship of 2‐Quinolone Derivatives and Exploration of Their Antitumor Potential Through Bax‐induced Apoptotic Pathway
Authors: Kumar Nitesh , Raj Vasanth P. , Jayshree B. S. , Kar Sidhartha S. , Anandam Arvind , Thomas Seeja , Jain Prateek , Rai Amita , Rao C. M.
Published: May 2012

3‐Aryl‐2‐quinolone derivates were extensively investigated for their inhibition of farnesyl transferase. Taking this as a cue, we studied the other possible mechanism of antitumor activity of 2‐quinolone derivates. A series of new 2‐quinolone derivatives have been synthesized and screened for their cytotoxicity by trypan blue assay on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells and MTT assay on MCF‐7 cells. Compound 1a (nJST) was found to be more effective in both studies with the lowest CTC50 value among all nine synthesized compounds. This compound was further screened on four different cell lines, viz. human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF‐7, MDA‐MB‐231), colon cancer (HCT‐15), murine melanoma (B16F10) cell lines for 24 and 48 h. The CTC50 value of the compound was found to be <10 μm. Compound 1a induced DNA damage which was revealed by DNA fragmentation studies and further confirmed by nuclear staining. The compound also showed significant elevation in Bax and reduction Bcl‐2 gene expression levels. Acute toxicity study in mice indicated that the compound is safe till 2000 mg/kg. Two different doses 50 and 100 mg/kg were selected and studied in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma model of cancer and have shown significant improvement in survival time and hematological parameters.
Combined Pharmacophore and 3D‐QSAR Study on A Series of Staphylococcus aureus Sortase A inhibitors
Authors: Uddin Reaz , Lodhi Mazhar U. , Ul‐Haq Zaheer
Published: May 2012

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus has become a major health concern and it requires new therapeutic agents. Staphylococcus aureus Sortase A enzyme contributes in adherence of bacteria with the cell wall of host cell; consequently, inhibition of S. aureus Sortase A by small molecules could be employed as potential antibacterial agents against methicillin resistant S. aureus. Current study focused on the identification of 3D pharmacophoric features within a series of rhodanine, pyridazinone, and pyrazolethione analogs as S. aureus Sortase A inhibitors. Pharmacophore model was constructed employing representative molecules using Genetic Algorithm with Linear Assignment of Hypermolecular Alignment of Database. The identified pharmacophoric points were then utilized to create alignment hypothesis for three‐dimensional quantitative structure‐activity relationships. Outcome of comparative molecular field analysis and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis experiments were in good agreement (comparative molecular field analysis: q2 = 0.562 and r2 = 0.995, comparative molecular similarity indices analysis: q2 = 0.549 and r2 = 0.978) and capable of explaining the variance in biological activities coherently with respect to the structural features of compounds. The results were also found in concurrence with the outcome of pharmacophoric features.
Berkeley and God in the Quad
Authors: Frankel Melissa
Published: May 2012

In a familiar limerick attributed to Ronald Knox, the narrator asks how a “tree/should continue to be/when there’s no one about in the Quad,” and is subsequently reassured that its continuous existence is guaranteed by God’s being “always about in the Quad” observing it. This is meant to capture Berkeley’s so‐called ‘continuity argument’ for the existence of God, on which the claim that objects exist continuously over time is supposed to entail the existence of a Divine Mind that continuously perceives the ideas that constitute those objects. But the continuity argument is not an uncontroversial one. For one thing, we might ask what divine perception is supposed to be like – does God perceive all of the ideas that we do, and in the same way that we do? And if so, does this mean that God (like us) perceives pain – that God suffers? For another thing, we might ask whether Berkeley is entitled to the claim that objects exist continuously to begin with. In this paper, I look at some of the problems associated with the continuity argument, and then present a reading of divine perception that attempts to prevent these problems from arising at the outset.
Cerebrovascular Consequences of Pseudohyperaldosteronism
Authors: Smith Jonathan H. , Lindor Noralane M. , Rabinstein Alejandro A.
Published: May 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012;00:00–00. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The study of mechanistically defined forms of hypertension may provide insight into the relationship between hypertension and stroke. The author retrospectively studied a cohort of 23 individuals with pseudohyperaldosteronism (PHA), a condition associated with pathologic activation of the distal nephron epithelial sodium channel but low renin and aldosterone levels. During a median follow‐up of 11 years (range: 1–30), 4 of 23 (17.4%) patients had a cerebrovascular event recorded. Intracranial hemorrhage was not observed in any patient. Cerebrovascular events tended to occur in older patients, minorities, and patients with a later diagnosis of PHA and additional vascular risk factors. In addition to strict blood pressure control, patients with PHA should have early evaluation and treatment of other vascular risk factors to reduce the risk of stroke.
Effects of Aliskiren‐Based Therapy on Ambulatory Blood Pressure Profile, Central Hemodynamics, and Arterial Stiffness in Nondiabetic Mild to Moderate Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Kanaoka Tomohiko , Tamura Kouichi , Ohsawa Masato , Wakui Hiromichi , Maeda Akinobu , Dejima Toru , Azushima Kengo , Haku Sona , Mitsuhashi Hiroshi , Yanagi Mai , Oshikawa Jin , Uneda Kazushi , Aoki Kazutaka , Fujikawa Tetsuya , Toya Yoshiyuki , Uchino Kazuaki , Umemura Satoshi
Published: May 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012;00:000–000. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Aliskiren is a direct renin inhibitor that exerts its effect at the rate‐limiting step of the renin‐angiotensin system. This study was performed to examine the beneficial effects of aliskiren‐based antihypertensive therapy on the ambulatory blood pressure (BP) profile, central hemodybamics, and arterial stiffness in untreated Japanese patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Twenty‐one Japanese nondiabetic patients with untreated mild to moderate essential hypertension were initially given aliskiren once daily at 150 mg, and the dose was titrated up to 300 mg as needed. After 12 weeks of aliskiren‐based therapy, the clinic, ambulatory, and central BP values as well as brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were all significantly decreased compared with baseline (clinic systolic BP, 151±11 mm Hg vs 132±11 mm Hg; clinic diastolic BP, 91±13 mm Hg vs 82±9 mm Hg; 24‐hour systolic BP, 144±12 mm Hg vs 133±11 mm Hg; 24‐hour diastolic BP, 88±8 mm Hg vs 81±9 mm Hg; central BP, 162±16 mm Hg vs 148±14 mm Hg; baPWV, 1625±245 cm/s vs 1495±199 cm/s; P<.05). These results show that aliskiren, as a first‐line regimen, improves the ambulatory BP profile and may have protective vascular effects in Japanese nondiabetic patients with untreated mild to moderate essential hypertension.
Post‐introduction evolution in the biological control agent Longitarsus jacobaeae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Szűcs Marianna , Schaffner Urs , Price William J. , Schwarzländer Mark
Published: May 2012

Rapid evolution has rarely been assessed in biological control systems despite the similarity with biological invasions, which are widely used as model systems. We assessed post‐introduction climatic adaptation in a population of Longitarsus jacobaeae, a biological control agent of Jacobaea vulgaris, which originated from a low‐elevation site in Italy and was introduced in the USA to a high‐elevation site (Mt. Hood, Oregon) in the early 1980s. Life‐history characteristics of beetle populations from Mt. Hood, from two low‐elevation sites in Oregon (Italian origin) and from a high‐elevation site from Switzerland were compared in common gardens. The performance of low‐ and high‐elevation populations at a low‐ and a high‐elevation site was evaluated using reciprocal transplants. The results revealed significant changes in aestival diapause and shifts in phenology in the Mt. Hood population, compared with the low‐elevation populations. We found increased performance of the Mt. Hood population in its home environment compared with the low‐elevation populations that it originated from. The results indicate that the beetles at Mt. Hood have adapted to the cooler conditions by life‐history changes that conform to predictions based on theory and the phenology of the cold‐adapted Swiss beetles.