bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling the Effects of Penetrance and Family Size on Rates of Sporadic and Familial Disease
Authors: Al-Chalabi Ammar , Lewis Cathryn M.
Published: August 2011

Background/Aims: Many complex diseases show a diversity of inheritance patterns ranging from familial disease, manifesting with autosomal dominant inheritance, through to simplex families in which only one person is affected, manifesting as apparently sporadic disease. The role of ascertainment bias in generating apparent patterns of inheritance is often overlooked. We therefore explored the role of two key parameters that influence ascertainment, penetrance and family size, in rates of observed familiality. Methods: We develop a mathematical model of familiality of disease, with parameters for penetrance, mutation frequency and family size, and test this in a complex disease: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Results: Monogenic, high-penetrance variants can explain patterns of inheritance in complex diseases and account for a large proportion of those with no apparent family history. With current demographic trends, rates of familiality will drop further. For example, a variant with penetrance 0.5 will cause apparently sporadic disease in 12% of families of size 10, but 80% of families of size 1. A variant with penetrance 0.9 has only an 11% chance of appearing sporadic in families of a size similar to those of Ireland in the past, compared with 57% in one-child families like many in China. Conclusions: These findings have implications for genetic counselling, disease classification and the design of gene-hunting studies. The distinction between familial and apparently sporadic disease should be considered artificial.
A Multicenter Randomized Double-Blind 2-Week Comparison Study of Azelastine Nasal Spray 0.1% versus Levocabastine Nasal Spray 0.05% in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Han Demin , Chen Lei , Cheng Lei , Liu Shixi , Fu Zheng , Zhang Wei , Wang Chengshuo , Xi Lin , Zhang Luo ,   The Chinese Allergic Rhinitis Collaborative Research Group (C2AR2G)
Published: August 2011

Objective: To compare the onset of action, efficacy, and safety of azelastine and levocabastine in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Subjects and Methods: In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial, 244 patients with moderate-to-severe allergic rhinitis were randomized to receive either azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray (ANS) 0.1% or levocabastine hydrochloride nasal spray (LNS) 0.05% for 14 consecutive days. A visual analog scale was used to record total nasal symptom score (TNSS) changes. Indexes for further assessment included onset of action, total effective rate, and evaluation of therapeutic effect. Results: Statistically significant changes from baseline in TNSS were seen in both the LNS group and the ANS group. No significant differences were seen between the two groups in terms of evaluation of therapeutic effect, total effective rate, and onset of action, except for a higher symptom relief rate in the LNS group than in the ANS group within 30 min of administering the first dose. Adverse reactions were mild to moderate, with an incidence of 0.9% for LNS and 2.5% for ANS. Conclusion: Both ANS and LNS were effective and safe in the treatment of moderate-to-severe persistent allergic rhinitis. Moreover, LNS reached a higher symptom relief rate within 30 min of administering the first dose.
Topical and Transdermal Delivery of L-Carnitine
Authors: Fox L.T. , Gerber Minja , du Preez J.L. , Grobler A. , du Plessis J.
Published: August 2011

Background: The two types of skin aging (intrinsic and extrinsic) share important molecular features, while having distinct differences on the macromolecular level: both lead to increased production of reactive oxygen species, enhanced matrix metalloproteinase expression and decreased procollagen synthesis. L-Carnitine L-tartrate has been reported to have anti-aging effects. Aim and Methods: The delivery as well as the transport of L-carnitine to the target sites, i.e. stratum corneum and epidermis-dermis of female abdominal skin, with and without the use of Pheroid™ as delivery system, were investigated during this study by use of Franz diffusion cells and analysed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The presence of endogenous L-carnitine in human skin was also investigated. Results and Conclusion: The Pheroid™ delivery system enhanced the diffusion of L-carnitine through the skin, although the phosphate buffer solution (PBS) showed a higher concentration of the active agent in the skin layers. This could be because Pheroid, being more lipophilic than PBS, improved the diffusion of L-carnitine through the skin layers, consequently leading to a lesser amount of L-carnitine delivered to the target site, i.e. the epidermis-dermis.
Plasma Substance P Levels in Patients with Persistent Cough
Authors: Otsuka Kojiro , Niimi Akio , Matsumoto Hisako , Ito Isao , Yamaguchi Masafumi , Matsuoka Hirofumi , Jinnai Makiko , Oguma Tsuyoshi , Takeda Tomoshi , Nakaji Hitoshi , Chin Kazuo , Sasaki Kazuhiko , Aoyama Norihito , Mishima Michiaki
Published: August 2011

Background: Substance P (SP) is involved in the pathogenesis of cough in animal models. However, few studies in humans have been reported and the roles of SP in clinical cough remain obscure. Objectives: To clarify the relevance of plasma levels of SP in patients with persistent cough. Methods: We studied 82 patients with cough persisting for at least 3 weeks and 15 healthy controls. Patients were classified as having asthmatic cough (cough-variant asthma and cough-predominant asthma; n = 61) or nonasthmatic cough (n = 21; postinfectious cough, n = 6; gastroesophageal reflux disease, n = 5; idiopathic cough, n = 5, and others, n = 5). Correlations were evaluated between plasma SP levels as measured with ELISA and methacholine airway hyperresponsiveness (airway sensitivity and airway reactivity), capsaicin cough sensitivity, sputum eosinophil and neutrophil counts, and pulmonary function. Results: Plasma SP levels were significantly elevated in patients with both asthmatic and nonasthmatic cough compared with controls [31.1 pg/ml (range 18.0–52.2) and 30.0 pg/ml (range 15.1–50.3) vs. 15.4 pg/ml (range 11.3–23.7); p = 0.003 and p = 0.038, respectively] but did not differ between the two patient groups (p = 0.90). Plasma SP levels correlated with airway sensitivity (threshold dose of methacholine) in the patients with asthmatic cough (r = –0.37, p = 0.005) but not with airway reactivity, cough sensitivity, FEV1 values, or sputum eosinophil and neutrophil counts in either group. Conclusions: Increased levels of SP in plasma are associated with persistent cough in humans and might be related to airway sensitivity in asthmatic cough.
Monitoring low dose recombinant factor VIIa therapy in patients with severe factor XI deficiency undergoing surgery
Authors: Riddell Anne , Abdul-Kadir Rezan , Pollard Debra , Tuddenham Edward , Gomez Keith
Published: August 2011

Although factor XI (FXI) concentrate is an effective replacement therapy in severe FXI deficiency without inhibitors, some patients are unwilling to receive it because it is plasma-derived. We report on the use and monitoring of low dose, recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa, NovoSeven®), to cover surgery (caesarean section, cholecystectomy and abdominoplasty) in four female patients (FXI:C 2–4 IU/dl, aged 32–51 years) who wished to avoid exposure to plasma. None of our patients had inhibitors to FXI. Our aim was to find the optimal dose of rFVIIa by in vitro spiking of patient samples and to correlate this with the response to rFVIIa in vivo. Prior to surgery, venous blood was collected into sodium citrate with corn trypsin inhibitor and spiked with 0.25–1.0 μg/ml rFVIIa in vitro, equivalent to a 15–70 μg/kg dose of rFVIIa in vivo. Analysis using thromboelastometry and thrombin generation assays, triggered with tissue factor, showed that the thrombin generation assay was insufficiently sensitive to the haemostatic defect in these patients. A concentration of 0.5 μg/ml was as effective as 1.0 μg/ml FVIIa in normalising thromboelastometry in vitro in all four patients. Therefore, patients received 15–30 μg/kg rFVIIa at 2–4 hourly intervals with tranexamic acid 1g every six hours. Post treatment samples were taken at 10–240 minutes and showed initial normalisation of thromboelastometry with gradual return to baseline after 2–4 hours. In conclusion, low-dose rFVIIa therapy was successfully used in four patients with severe FXI deficiency undergoing surgery to prevent bleeding and can be monitored using thromboelastometry.
A dose ranging phase I/II trial of the von Willebrand factor inhibiting aptamer ARC1779 in patients with congenital thrombotic thrombo - cytopenic purpura
Authors: Jilma-Stohlawetz Petra , Gilbert James , Gorczyca Monika , Knöbl Paul , Jilma Bernd
Published: August 2011

Congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a very rare but potentially life-threatening disorder. This phase I/II trial compared the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and safety of three different administration modes of the anti-von Willebrand factor (VWF) aptamer ARC1779. This was a prospective clinical trial with a partial cross-over design: three periods comprised subcutaneous injections of 50 mg of ARC1779 on seven subsequent days, a low-dose infusion of ARC1779 (0.002 mg/kg/min) for 24–72 hours and a high-dose infusion (0.004–0.006 mg/kg/min) up to 72 hours. ARC1779 concentrations were determined with high performance liquid chromatography, VWF inhibition was measured with enzyme immunoassay and platelet function was determined with the platelet function analyser (PFA-100) and impedance aggregometry. ARC1779 was well tolerated without any bleeding at concentrations spanning over three orders of magnitude. The daily s.c. injection yielded plasma levels (0.5 μg/ml) of the drug that were too low to sufficiently suppress VWF. The low-dose i.v. infusion increased platelet counts in one patient, whereas the high i.v. dose increased plasma concentrations up to 69 μg/ml, completely blocked free A1 domains, VWF-dependent platelet plug formation and enhanced platelet counts in 2/3 patients. In conclusion, infusion of ARC1779 dosedependently inhibits VWF-dependent platelet function and during infusion ARC1779 increases or stabilises platelet counts in congenital TTP. However, the tested doses, particularly the daily s.c. injections, did not correct all clinical or laboratory features of TTP.
Mutations responsible for MYH9-related thrombocytopenia impair SDF-1-driven migration of megakaryoblastic cells
Authors: Bozzi Valeria , Panza Emanuele , Barozzi Serena , Gruppi Cristian , Seri Marco , Balduini Carlo , Pecci Alessandro
Published: August 2011

MYH9-related disease (MYH9-RD) is an autosomal-dominant thrombocytopenia caused by mutations in the gene for the heavy chain of nonmuscle myosin-IIA (NMMHC-IIA). Recent in vitro studies led to the hypothesis that thrombocytopenia of MYH9-RD derives from an ectopic platelet release by megakaryocytes in the osteoblastic areas of bone marrow (BM), which are enriched in type I collagen, rather than in vascular spaces. SDF-1-driven migration of megakaryocytes within BM to reach the vascular spaces is a key mechanism for platelet biogenesis. Since myosin-IIA is implicated in polarised migration of different cell types, we hypothesised that MYH9 mutations could interfere with this mechanism. We therefore investigated the SDF-1-driven migration of a megakaryoblastic cell line, Dami cells, on type I collagen or fibrinogen by a modified transwell assay. Inhibition of myosin-IIA ATPase activity suppressed the SDF-1-driven migration of Dami cells, while over-expression of NMMHC-IIA increased the efficiency of chemotaxis, indicat- ing a role for NMMHC-IIA in this mechanism. Transfection of cells with three MYH9 mutations frequently responsible for MYH9-RD (p.R702C, p.D1424H, or p.R1933X) resulted in a defective SDF-1-driven migration with respect to the wild-type counterpart and in increased cell spreading onto collagen. Analysis of differential localisation of wild-type and mutant proteins suggested that mutant NMMHC-IIAs had an impaired cytoplasmic re-organisation in functional cytoskeletal structures after cell adhesion to collagen. These findings support the hypothesis that a defect of SDF-1-driven migration of megakaryocytes induced by MYH9 mutations contributes to ectopic platelet release in the BM osteoblastic areas, resulting in ineffective platelet production.
Deep-vein thrombosis: A United States cost model for a preventable and costly adverse event
Authors: Holdsworth Mark , Welch Shawn , Borrego Matt , Spyropoulos Alex , Mahan Charles
Published: August 2011

Preventable venous thromboembolism (VTE) and “appropriate” type, dose, and duration of prophylaxis are emerging concepts. Contemporary definitions by key quality organisations, including the World Health Organization, have shifted towards “preventable” VTE being considered an adverse event or adverse drug event. A decision tree and cost model were developed to estimate the United States health care costs for total deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), total hospital-acquired DVT, and total “preventable” DVT. Annual cost ranges were obtained in 2010 US dollars for total ($7.5 to $39.5 billion), hospital-acquired ($5 to $26.5billion), and preventable ($2.5 to $19.5 billion) DVT costs. When the sensitivity analysis was applied – taking into consideration higher incidence rates and costs – annual US total, hospital-acquired, and “preventable” DVT costs ranged from $9.8 to $52 billion, $6.8 to $36 billion, and $3.4 to $27 billion, respectively.
Venous thromboembolism in Asia – an unrecognised and under-treated problem?
Authors: Angchaisuksiri Pantep
Published: August 2011

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been perceived for a long time to be less common in Asian populations, particularly in the Far East, than in Western populations. Generally, thromboprophylaxis is not implemented as frequently as it should be in high-risk patients. However, recent prospective studies undertaken in Asian countries have demonstrated higher rates of VTE after major surgery and in medical wards, approaching those observed in Western populations. Risk factors for VTE are not different in Asian patients from those of Western patients with the exception of thrombophilic mutations. Deficiencies of the natural anticoagulants (protein S, protein C, and antithrombin) are the predominant thrombophilias in Asia whereas factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A gene mutation are not found or rarely reported. Further large well-designed clinical studies are needed to evaluate the magnitude of the risk of VTE and the appropriate use of thromboprophylaxis in different clinical situations.
Cardiac troponin testing and the simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index
Authors: Spirk David , Aujesky Drahomir , Husmann Marc , Hayoz Daniel , Baldi Thomas , Frauchiger Beat , Banyai Martin , Baumgartner Iris , Kucher Nils
Published: August 2011

A low simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (sPESI), defined as age ≤80 years and absence of systemic hypotension, tachycardia, hypoxia, cancer, heart failure, and lung disease, identifies low-risk patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). It is unknown whether cardiac troponin testing improves the prediction of clinical outcomes if the sPESI is not low. In the prospective Swiss Venous Thromboembolism Registry, 369 patients with acute PE and a troponin test (conventional troponin T or I, highly sensitive troponin T) were enrolled from 18 hospitals. A positive test result was defined as a troponin level above the manufacturers assay threshold. Among the 106 (29%) patients with low sPESI, the rate of mortality or PE recurrence at 30 days was 1.0%. Among the 263 (71%) patients with high sPESI, 177 (67%) were troponin-negative and 86 (33%) troponin-positive; the rate of mortality or PE recurrence at 30 days was 4.6% vs. 12.8% (p=0.015), respectively. Overall, risk assessment with a troponin test (hazard ratio [HR] 3.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38–8.37; p=0.008) maintained its prognostic value for mortality or PE recurrence when adjusted for sPESI (HR 5.80, 95%CI 0.76–44.10; p=0.09). The combination of sPESI with a troponin test resulted in a greater area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.63–0.81) than sPESI alone (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.57–0.68) (p=0.023). In conclusion, although cardiac troponin testing may not be required in patients with a low sPESI, it adds prognostic value for early death and recurrence for patients with a high sPESI.
Inhibition of Nitric Oxide–Stimulated Vasorelaxation by Carbon Monoxide-Releasing Molecules
Authors: Marazioti Antonia , Bucci Mariarosaria , Coletta Ciro , Vellecco Valentina , Baskaran Padmamalini , Szabó Csaba , Cirino Giuseppe , Marques Ana Rita , Guerreiro Bruno , Gonçalves Ana M.L. , Seixas João D. , Beuve Annie , Romão Carlos C. , Papapetropoulos Andreas
Published: August 2011

Objective—

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a weak soluble guanylyl cyclase stimulator, leading to transient increases in cGMP and vasodilation. The aim of the present work was to measure the effect of CO-releasing molecules (CORMs) on the cGMP/nitric oxide (NO) pathway and to evaluate how selected CORMs affect NO-induced vasorelaxation.

Methods and Results—

Incubation of smooth muscle cells with some but not all of the CORMs caused a minor increase in cGMP levels. Concentration-response curves were bell-shaped, with higher CORMs concentrations producing lower increases in cGMP levels. Although exposure of cells to CORM-2 enhanced cGMP formation, we observed that the compound inhibited NO-stimulated cGMP accumulation in cells and NO-stimulated soluble guanylyl cyclase activity that could be reversed by superoxide anion scavengers. Reactive oxygen species generation from CORMs was confirmed using luminol-induced chemiluminescence and electron spin resonance. Furthermore, we observed that NO is scavenged by CORM-2. When used alone CORM-2 relaxed vessels through a cGMP-mediated pathway but attenuated NO donor-stimulated vasorelaxation.

Conclusion—

We conclude that the CORMs examined have context-dependent effects on vessel tone, as they can directly dilate blood vessels, but also block NO-induced vasorelaxation.
Racial/Ethnic Variation in the Association of Lipid-Related Genetic Variants With Blood Lipids in the US Adult Population
Authors: Chang Man-huei , Ned Renée M. , Hong Yuling , Yesupriya Ajay , Yang Quanhe , Liu Tiebin , Janssens A. Cecile J.W. , Dowling Nicole F.
Published: August 2011

Background—

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with serum lipid level in populations of European descent. The individual and the cumulative effect of these SNPs on blood lipids are largely unclear for the US population.

Methods and Results—

Using data from the second phase (1991–1994) of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), a nationally representative survey of the US population, we examined associations of 57 GWAS-identified or well-established lipid-related genetic loci with plasma concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio, and non-HDL-C. We used multivariable linear regression to examine single SNP associations and the cumulative effect of multiple SNPs (using a genetic risk score [GRS]) on blood lipid levels. Analyses were conducted in adults from each of the 3 major racial/ethnic groups in the United States: non-Hispanic whites (n=2296), non-Hispanic blacks (n=1699), and Mexican Americans (n=1713). Allele frequencies for all SNPs varied significantly by race/ethnicity, except rs3764261 in
CETP
. Individual SNPs had very small effects on lipid levels, effects that were generally consistent in direction across racial/ethnic groups. More GWAS-validated SNPs were replicated in non-Hispanic whites (<67%) than in non-Hispanic blacks (<44%) or Mexican Americans (<44%). GRSs were strongly associated with increased lipid levels in each racial/ethnic group. The combination of all SNPs into a weighted GRS explained no more than 11% of the total variance in blood lipid levels.

Conclusions—

Our findings show that the combined association of SNPs, based on a GRS, was strongly associated with increased blood lipid measures in all major race/ethnic groups in the United States, which may help in identifying subgroups with a high risk for an unfavorable lipid profile.
Risk of Syncope in Family Members Who Are Genotype-Negative for a Family-Associated Long-QT Syndrome Mutation
Authors: Barsheshet Alon , Moss Arthur J. , McNitt Scott , Polonsky Slava , Lopes Coeli M. , Zareba Wojciech , Robinson Jennifer L. , Ackerman Michael J. , Benhorin Jesaia , Kaufman Elizabeth S. , Towbin Jeffrey A. , Vincent G. Michael , Qi Ming , Goldenberg Ilan
Published: August 2011

Background—

Current clinical diagnosis of long-QT syndrome (LQTS) includes genetic testing of family members of mutation-positive patients. The present study was designed to assess the clinical course of individuals who are found negative for the LQTS-causing mutation in their families.

Methods and Results—

Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the risk for cardiac events (comprising syncope, aborted cardiac arrest [ACA], or sudden cardiac death [SCD]) from birth through age 40 years among 1828 subjects from the LQTS Registry who were found negative for their family LQTS-causing mutation. The median QTc of study subjects was 423 ms (interquartile range, 402–442 ms). The cumulative probability of a first syncope through age 40 years was 15%. However, only 2 patients (0.1%) had ACA, and none died suddenly during follow-up. Independent risk factors for syncope in genotype-negative subjects included female sex (hazard ratio [HR], 1.60;
P
=0.002), prolonged QTc (HR=1.63 per 100 ms increment,
P
=0.02), family history of ACA or SCD (HR=1.89,
P
=0.002), and LQT2 versus LQT1 family mutation (HR=1.41,
P
=0.03). Subgroup analysis showed that the presence of the
K897T
polymorphism in the LQT2 gene in an affected family was associated with an 11-fold (
P
=0.001) increase in the risk of recurrent syncope in genotype-negative subjects.

Conclusions—

Our findings suggest that cardiac events among genotype-negative family members of LQTS patients are dominated by nonfatal syncopal episodes without occurrence of sudden cardiac death. The risk for nonfatal events in this population may be mediated by the presence of common polymorphisms in LQTS genes.
Increased Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability and Brain Edema After Focal Cerebral Ischemia Induced by Hyperlipidemia
Authors: ElAli Ayman , Doeppner Thorsten R. , Zechariah Anil , Hermann Dirk M.
Published: August 2011

Background and Purpose—

Hyperlipidemia is a highly prevalent risk factor for ischemic stroke. Its impact on brain injury and blood–brain barrier permeability, so far, has not been assessed in animal models of ischemic stroke.

Methods—

Wild-type and apolipoprotein E
−/−
mice, fed with normal or cholesterol-rich high-fat food, were subjected to 30 minutes of middle cerebral artery occlusion. Ischemic injury, brain edema, IgG extravasation, lipid peroxidation, calpain-1/2, matrix metalloproteinase-2/9, and RhoA activation, and occludin expression were evaluated 24 hours after reperfusion.

Results—

Cholesterol-rich food, but not apolipoprotein E deficiency, increased IgG extravasation and brain edema without influencing infarct area and the density of DNA fragmented cells. Increased lipid peroxidation and low-density lipoprotein oxidation were noticed in the brain of hyperlipidemic mice and were associated with increased activation of calpain-1/2 and matrix metalloproteinase-2/9, overactivation of RhoA and its guanine exchange factor leukemia-associated guanine exchange factor , and downregulation of the tight junction protein occludin in cerebral microvessels.

Conclusions—

That postischemic blood–brain barrier permeability and brain edema are increased during hyperlipidemia points toward the importance of the recognition and adequate treatment of this highly prevalent condition. Translational studies should more adequately mimic risk factors prevalent in human stroke.
The Prediction of Contralateral Progression in Children and Adolescents With Unilateral Moyamoya Disease
Authors: Yeon Je Young , Shin Hyung Jin , Kong Doo-Sik , Seol Ho Jun , Kim Jong-Soo , Hong Seung-Chyul , Park Kwan
Published: August 2011

Background and Purpose—

To evaluate the factors predictive of contralateral progression in children and adolescents with unilateral moyamoya disease (MMD), the authors retrospectively analyzed clinicoradiological findings.

Methods—

The records of 394 consecutive patients with MMD aged 0 to17 years were reviewed. Unilateral MMD was defined based on the typical angiographic findings of MMD in 1 hemisphere and no abnormality in the contralateral internal carotid artery and the middle cerebral artery. Of the 394 patients with MMD, 45 (11.4%) had unilateral MMD and the prevalence increased with age. Untreated contralateral hemispheres were followed by serial MR angiography. Follow-up angiography was performed if contralateral progression, defined as any noticeable change in the contralateral internal carotid artery and/or middle cerebral artery, was suggested by MR angiography.

Results—

Eight of the 45 (17.8%) had angiographically documented progression over a mean follow-up of 53.4 months. Mean time to contralateral progression was 27 months (range, 21 to 37 months). An age at diagnosis of <9 years was found to be the only independent predictor of contralateral progression (
P
=0.025), which persisted despite adjustment for sex and ipsilateral Suzuki stage (hazard ratio, 8.26; 95% CI, 1.01 to 67.94). Other factors, including abnormalities in the contralateral anterior cerebral artery, were not found to be predictive of progression to bilateral MMD.

Conclusions—

The incidence of contralateral progression in our cohort of children and adolescents with unilateral MMD appears to be lower than those previously reported. Furthermore, contralateral progression tended to occur in children aged <9 years within 3 years of initial diagnosis (32%).
Analysis of Fine-Scale Weather Phenomena
Authors: Toth Zoltan , Albers Steve , Xie Yuanfu
Published: August 2011

No abstract available.
Concentric Eyewall Formation in Typhoon Sinlaku (2008). Part II: Axisymmetric Dynamical Processes
Authors: Huang Yi-Hsuan , Montgomery Michael T. , Wu Chun-Chieh
Published: August 2011

In Part I of this study, the association between the secondary eyewall formation (SEF) and the broadening of the outer swirling wind in Typhoon Sinlaku (2008) was documented. The findings from Part I help lay the groundwork for the application of a newly proposed intensification paradigm to SEF. Part II presents a new model for SEF that utilizes this new paradigm and its axisymmetric view of the dynamics.

The findings point to a sequence of structure changes that occur in the vortex’s outer-core region, culminating in SEF. The sequence begins with a broadening of the tangential winds, followed by an increase of the corresponding boundary layer (BL) inflow and an enhancement of convergence in the BL where the secondary eyewall forms. The narrow region of strong BL convergence is associated with the generation of supergradient winds in and just above the BL that acts to rapidly decelerate inflow there. The progressive strengthening of BL inflow and the generation of an effective adverse radial force therein leads to an eruption of air from the BL to support convection outside the primary eyewall in a favorable thermodynamic/kinematic environment.

The results suggest that the unbalanced response in the BL serves as an important mechanism for initiating and sustaining a ring of deep convection in a narrow supergradient wind zone outside the primary eyewall. This progressive BL control on SEF suggests that the BL scheme and its coupling to the interior flow need to be adequately represented in numerical models to improve the prediction of SEF timing and preferred location.
Association of the Rainy Season Precipitation with Low-Level Meridional Wind in the Yangtze River Valley and North China
Authors: Zeng Gang , Wang Wei-Chyung , Shen Caiming
Published: August 2011

This study first used measurements to establish the association between the rainy season precipitation in the Yangtze River valley (YRV) and north China (NC) and the 850-hPa meridional wind, and then evaluated the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) models’ simulations of both the associations and precipitation amount. It is shown that there exists a statistically significant positive correlation in the June–July precipitation and wind gradient over the YRV, and in the July–August precipitation and wind over NC. These associations are robust at daily, monthly, and interannual scales. Although many models are found to be capable of simulating the associations, the precipitation amount is still quite inadequate when compared with observations, thus raising the issue of the importance of lower-level wind simulations.
Multidecadal Warming and Shoaling of Antarctic Intermediate Water*
Authors: Schmidtko Sunke , Johnson Gregory C.
Published: August 2011

Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) is a dominant Southern Hemisphere water mass that spreads from its formation regions just north of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) to at least 20°S in all oceans. This study uses an isopycnal climatology constructed from Argo conductivity–temperature–depth (CTD) profile data to define the current state of the AAIW salinity minimum (its core) and thence compute anomalies of AAIW core pressure, potential temperature, salinity, and potential density since the mid-1970s from ship-based CTD profiles. The results are used to calculate maps of temporal property trends at the AAIW core, where statistically significant strong circumpolar shoaling (30–50 dbar decade−1), warming (0.05°–0.15°C decade−1), and density reductions [up to −0.03 (kg m−3) decade−1] are found. These trends are strongest just north of the ACC in the southeast Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and decrease equatorward. Salinity trends are generally small, with their sign varying regionally. Bottle data are used to extend the AAIW core potential temperature anomaly analysis back to 1925 in the Atlantic and to ~1960 elsewhere. The modern warm AAIW core conditions appear largely unprecedented in the historical record: biennially and zonally binned median AAIW core potential temperatures within each ocean basin are, with the notable exception of the subtropical South Atlantic in the 1950s–70s, 0.2–1°C colder than modern values. Zonally averaged sea surface temperature anomalies around the AAIW formation latitudes in each ocean and sectoral southern annular mode indices are used to put the AAIW core property trends and variations into context.
Mechanisms for Tropical Tropospheric Circulation Change in Response to Global Warming*
Authors: Ma Jian , Xie Shang-Ping , Kosaka Yu
Published: August 2011

The annual-mean tropospheric circulation change in global warming is studied by comparing the response of an atmospheric general circulation model (GCM) to a spatial-uniform sea surface temperature (SST) increase (SUSI) with the response of a coupled ocean–atmosphere GCM to increased greenhouse gas concentrations following the A1B scenario. In both simulations, tropospheric warming follows the moist adiabat in the tropics, and static stability increases globally in response to SST warming. A diagnostic framework is developed based on a linear baroclinic model (LBM) of the atmosphere. The mean advection of stratification change (MASC) by climatological vertical motion, often neglected in interannual variability, is an important thermodynamic term for global warming. Once MASC effect is included, LBM shows skills in reproducing GCM results by prescribing latent heating diagnosed from the GCMs.

MASC acts to slow down the tropical circulation. This is most clear in the SUSI run where the Walker circulation slows down over the Pacific without any change in SST gradient. MASC is used to decelerate the Hadley circulation, but spatial patterns of SST warming play an important role. Specifically, the SST warming is greater in the Northern than Southern Hemisphere, an interhemispheric asymmetry that decelerates the Hadley cell north, but accelerates it south of the equator. The MASC and SST-pattern effects are on the same order of magnitude in our LBM simulations. The former is presumably comparable across GCMs, while SST warming patterns show variations among models in both shape and magnitude. Uncertainties in SST patterns account for intermodel variability in Hadley circulation response to global warming (especially on and south of the equator).
The Synoptic Climatology of Cool-Season Rainfall in the Central Wheatbelt of Western Australia
Authors: Pook Michael J. , Risbey James S. , McIntosh Peter C.
Published: August 2011

Synoptic weather systems form an important part of the physical link between remote large-scale climate drivers and regional rainfall. A synoptic climatology of daily rainfall events is developed for the Central Wheatbelt of southwestern Australia over the April–October growing season for the years 1965–2009. The climatology reveals that frontal systems contribute approximately one-half of the rainfall in the growing season while cutoff lows contribute about a third. The ratio of frontal rainfall to cutoff rainfall varies throughout the growing season. Cutoff lows contribute over 40% of rainfall in the austral autumn and spring, but this falls to about 20% in August when frontal rainfall climbs to more than 60%. The number of cutoff lows varies markedly from one growing season to another, but does not exhibit a significant long-term trend. The mean rainfall per cutoff system is also highly variable, but has gradually declined over the analysis period, particularly in the past decade. The decline in rainfall per frontal system is less significant. Cutoff low rainfall has contributed more strongly in percentage terms to the recent decline in rainfall in the Central Wheatbelt than the frontal component and accounts for more than half of the overall trend. Atmospheric blocking is highly correlated with rainfall in the region where cutoff low rainfall makes its highest proportional contribution. Hence, the decline in rain from cutoff low systems is likely to have been associated with changes in blocking and the factors controlling blocking in the region.
Association Between Weather and Physical Activity in Baltimore Teens
Authors: O’Neill Allison H. , Lee Sunmin , Yan Alice , Voorhees Carolyn C.
Published: August 2011

Previous studies have suggested that environmental characteristics such as weather may affect physical activity (PA) patterns; however, this association has not been studied in urban teenagers. PA data (measured by accelerometry) from 331 predominately urban, African American (70%) high school students from the Baltimore Active Living Teens Study were analyzed. Daily temperature and precipitation were significantly associated with PA. After adjusting for age, race, gender, and maternal education, for every 10°F increase, average moderate PA increased by 2.5 min (95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.5, 4.6]). Days with precipitation had on average 0.30 fewer minutes of vigorous PA (95% CI = [0.03, 0.56]) compared with days without precipitation. There were no significant associations between Air Quality Index or hours of daylight and PA. In conclusion, weather was associated with adolescents’ PA, which suggests a need for a more diverse array of PA options not affected by weather.
A qualitative study of perceptions related to family risk of bipolar disorder among patients and family members from India
Authors: Pattanayak Raman Deep , Sagar Rajesh
Published: August 2011

Background:

Over the past decade there have been rapid advances in psychiatry genetics and there is a growing concern about the clinical and practical relevance of this knowledge. Efforts are being made to know the perspectives of patients and family members regarding family risk and genetic counselling. However, the area remains largely unexplored in psychiatric research from Asian countries.

Aim:

The primary purpose of the study was to explore the perceptions related to family risk among Indian patients with bipolar disorder and their family members. The study also aimed to explore the related perceptions for etiology of bipolar disorder.

Method:

Patients with bipolar disorder type I and family members of patients with bipolar disorder type I were invited to take part in in-depth interviews after informed consent, targeting a sample of diversity. The qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results:

Eight key themes emerged: (1) higher emphasis on external or situational causes; (2) causal explanations are governed by cultural beliefs; (3) help-seeking is a shared, rather than a personal, decision; (4) the perceived genetic risk is low but worrisome; (5) worries and apprehensions are focused mainly on future generations; (6) there is a desire to modify the perceived genetic risk; (7) knowledge of precise risk can be beneficial as well as anxiety provoking; and (8) there is a need for information on preventive measures.

Conclusion:

The study provides culture-specific perspectives on the causation of illness and explores a sensitive and personal matter of perceived family risk in an Indian sample. It emphasizes the need to further explore the perceptions of family risk in a given cultural context.
The self-stigma of depression for women
Authors: Oakley Linda Denise , Kanter Jonathan W. , Taylor Janette Y. , Duguid Marilyn
Published: August 2011

Background:

Self-stigmatizing women who avoid seeking treatment for depression could believe that they have pragmatic personal reasons for their decision. As a preliminary step towards testing this hypothesis, the aim of this study was to assess diverse, low-income working women for shared self-stigmatizing beliefs about depression.

Methods:

Depression and depression self-stigma were assessed in a targeted sample of African American, Caucasian and Latina women who qualify for public health services and have access to health care services.

Results:

Depression and self-stigmatizing beliefs about depression were positively correlated ( r = .30–.64). Over one third of the women in the study (37.5%) said they would do what they could to keep their depression secret. Over half (55%) indicated that the person they normally would disclose depression to is their best friend. A majority (80%) of the women in the study said they would choose not to disclose personal depression to a health care professional. Pairwise t tests for group differences showed that Caucasian women, women recently seen by a health care professional and women with more years of education had higher self-stigma scores.

Conclusion:

Self-stigmatizing women who feel depressed could knowingly decide to keep their depression secret with the hope of avoiding loss.
Experimentally Evaluating the Impact of a School-Based African-Centered Emancipatory Intervention on the Ethnic Identity of African American Adolescents
Authors: Lewis Kelly M. , Andrews Emily , Gaska Karie , Sullivan Cris , Bybee Deborah , Ellick Kecia L.
Published: August 2011

Ethnic identity, the extent to which one defines one’s self as a member of a particular ethnic group, has been found to be an important predictor of African American adolescents’ psychological and behavioral well-being. This study experimentally examined the effects of a school-based emancipatory intervention on the ethnic identity of African American adolescents. Using a promising education framework drawn from elements of East African Ujamaa philosophy and practice, the intervention was provided to a randomly selected group of 32 eighth graders in a predominately African American inner-city mainstream public school and then compared to a randomly selected group of 33 eighth graders in a regularly scheduled life skills class from the same population. Contrary to expectations, growth trajectory modeling indicated that participants’ ethnic identity significantly decreased throughout the intervention compared to youth in the control group. Intervention and evaluation challenges are discussed as are implications for future practice and research.
A Liturgical Tradition behind the Ending of James
Authors: Allison Dale C.
Published: August 2011

The themes of healing and turning back the wayward, which come together in Jas 5.13-20, were traditionally associated. They appear side by side not only in the Tanak but also in later Jewish and Christian prayer traditions that show engagement with Ezek. 32—33. The final verses of James also reflect the language of those chapters of Ezekiel and probably are influenced by a very primitive church order.
Paul’s Intentional ‘Thankless Thanks’ in Philippians 4.10-20 *
Authors: Briones David
Published: August 2011

The majority of scholarship on Philippians has subscribed to G.W. Peterman’s theory that 4.10-20 lacks an explicit word of thanks because gratitude was an unnecessary act among intimate friends, as demonstrated by friendship letters in antiquity. In this study, however, I intend to challenge this prevalent view by uncovering a theological rationale behind Paul’s supposed ‘Thankless Thanks’. To do so, I will employ the cultural model of brokerage, a financial relationship involving three participants (i.e., a patron, a broker and a client) in reciprocal exchange. Through this heuristic lens, the three-way, gift-giving relationship between God, Paul and the Philippians will come into sharper focus. Ultimately, it will be argued that Paul’s seemingly ungrateful silence intentionally discloses a theological conviction which envisages God as the supreme giver of all gifts and the Philippians as mediators of divine resources. After this relational pattern has been established, an alternative reason for the ‘Thankless Thanks’ will be propounded.
Luke’s Use of Mark as παράφρασις: Its Effects on Characterization in the ‘Healing of Blind Bartimaeus’ Pericope (Mark 10.46-52/Luke 18.35-43)
Authors: Brookins Timothy A.
Published: August 2011

‘The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus’, as Mk 10.46-52 is often called, has been taken over and restated with various changes in Lk. 18.35-43. This article views Luke’s modification of the account in terms of πάράφράσις (‘paraphrase’), a progymnasmatic exercise in which the writer changed the form of expression while keeping the thoughts. It is argued that Luke’s πάράφράσις of Mark’s account enhances characterization of three characters— Jesus, the λάός (‘people’) and the ‘blind man’—by creating a favorable portrait of each of them over against some respective inferior counterpart.
Faith in Romans: The Salvation of the Individual or Life in Community?*
Authors: Dunson Ben C.
Published: August 2011

Over the last half-century communal aspects of Paul’s thought have gained increasing prominence over against individual facets of his theology. Accordingly, many scholars have sought to overturn what they perceive to be an ‘individualistic’ understanding of Pauline faith, replacing it with various alternatives, ranging from faith as participation in Christ, to faith as communal edification. Others have maintained that a classic definition of faith as belief in Christ overrides communal concerns. In light of these debates, this article—based on an exegetical investigation of the clearest statement of Paul’s faith-righteousness language in Romans (namely Rom. 10.6-13) and on the phrase ‘measure of faith’ in Rom. 12.3—contends that faith is the means through which individuals find salvation, but also that faith cannot be understood merely as such; it also plays an indispensable role in building up the communities of Paul’s addressees and in fostering a new communal identity in Christ.
Associations Between Social Relationships and Emotional Well-Being in Middle-Aged and Older African Americans
Authors: Warren-Findlow Jan , Laditka James N. , Laditka Sarah B. , Thompson Michael E.
Published: August 2011

Social relationships may enhance emotional health in older age. The authors examined associations between social relationships and emotional health using data from the Milwaukee African American sample of the second Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS II) study, 2005-2006 ( n = 592). Self-reports indicated good, very good, or excellent emotional health, distinguished from fair or poor. Social relationships were measured by relationship type (family or friend), contact frequency, and levels of emotional support and strain. Control variables included demographic characteristics, types of lifetime and daily discrimination, neighborhood quality, and other social factors. In adjusted results, each increase on a family emotional support scale was associated with 118% greater odds of reporting better emotional health (odds ratio [OR] = 2.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.43, 3.32]). Friend emotional support also was associated with better emotional health (OR = 1.59, CI [1.07, 2.34]). Daily discrimination substantially reduced reported emotional health; family and friend support buffered this effect.
The Health Consequences of Relocation for Nursing Home Residents Following Hurricane Katrina
Authors: Castle Nicholas G. , Engberg John B.
Published: August 2011

In this research, the authors examine whether the relocation of nursing home residents following Hurricane Katrina is associated with subsequent lower physical or mental health. All nursing homes in Louisiana that were closed following Hurricane Katrina ( N = 12) were used, with 439 residents who could be followed to a new location. The authors compare the subsequent health outcomes of these residents to that of a matched sample of other nursing home residents in Southern states, with the match based on prior health status as well as other resident and facility characteristics. Relocated residents were more likely to die than non-relocated residents. In addition, relocated residents were more likely to have pressure ulcers; they were, however, less likely to be physically restrained. Relocated residents were also less likely to have behavioral health issues. These results would appear to have both practical and policy relevance.
Pathologies of recognition
Authors: Canivez Patrice
Published: August 2011

Recognition is not only a response to social pathologies. It is also an unstable and often ambivalent relationship that has its own pathologies. Owing to the intertwining between recognition and power, certain forms of recognition turn out to be forms of alienation in or from the world. Such pathologies affect inter-individual recognition as well as the recognition between individuals and the socio-political institutions. The article proposes a joint reading of Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit and Philosophy of Right, which provide norms for identifying and dealing with these pathologies. The norm for inter-individual recognition is set out in the Phenomenology of Spirit, the norm for state/citizen recognition in the Philosophy of Right. The analysis envisages two other aspects of recognition: the interference of the ‘I–Me’ with the ‘I–You’ relationship and the incorporation of the ‘I–We’ into the ‘We–Us' dimension of recognition. As regards the interpretation of Hegel’s practical philosophy, the article analyses the link between Hegel’s concept of recognition and his theory of action. In this view, the highest form of recognition has more to do with reconciliation – reconciliation between human beings, reconciliation with the ‘finitude of action’ – than with the problematic of individual and collective identity.