bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Regular Surveillance Improve the Long-Term Survival of Arteriovenous Fistulas?
Authors: Shetty Ashwin , Whittier William L.
Published: December 2011

The rate of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) placement continues to rise and AVF failure is a major complication. The main cause of AVF failure is stenosis leading to thrombosis. Although the detection of early stenosis with preemptive correction prior to thrombosis seems to be a plausible option to prevent access failure, there is much debate, on the basis of studies of surveillance with arteriovenous grafts, as to whether early surveillance actually improves the longevity of AVFs. Evaluating the available information for surveillance, specifically the data for AVF stenosis and survival, is necessary to determine if surveillance is warranted. These trials have shown that vascular access flow (Qa) surveillance is beneficial in revealing subclinical stenosis. Preemptive angioplasty and surgical revision have shown to decrease thrombosis rates. However, at the present time, there is only limited data on whether preemptive treatment equates to improved long-term AVF survival.
Gender Differences in Age-Related Changes in Cardiac Autonomic Nervous Function
Authors: Moodithaya Shailaja , Avadhany Sandhya T.
Published: December 2011

Ageing is associated with changes in cardiac autonomic control as measured by Heart Rate Variability (HRV). Not many studies have explored the influence of gender on age-related changes in cardiac autonomic regulation. This study evaluated the gender differences in age-associated changes in cardiac autonomic nervous activity by assessing HRV using frequency domain analysis of short-term stationary R-R intervals. HRV was studied in healthy males and females ranging in age from 6 to 55 years. Total power and absolute power in High-Frequency (HF) and Low-Frequency (LF) components as well as HF in normalized unit declined significantly with ageing. The HF/LF ratio was significantly higher in the adolescent and adult females compared to male of these age groups. This study suggests that gender differences exist in age-related changes in HRV. The finding that gender differences are limited to adolescent and adult age groups may indicate a role for female sex hormones in cardiac autonomic modulation.
Ethical Issues in Pharmacologic Research in Women Undergoing Pregnancy Termination: A Systemic Review and Survey of Researchers
Authors: Gedeon Christelle , Nava-Ocampo Alejandro A. , Koren Gideon
Published: December 2011

Objective. To evaluate the ethics of performing research in the field of maternal-fetal medicine involving women undergoing pregnancy termination.Methods. We identified published pharmacological studies performed during elective pregnancy termination. In addition, a questionnaire was administered to investigate whether this research would be acceptable to professionals performing research in the field of maternal-fetal pharmacology.Results. The majority of participants believe that this form of research is necessary to furthering our understanding of drug use in pregnancy. Twenty studies were identified in women undergoing a pregnancy termination where exogenous drug was administered and drug measurement conducted during an abortion. The majority of studies were completed by international groups and not in North America or Western Europe.Conclusions. While a majority of respondents to the survey felt that, although research in women undergoing a pregnancy termination is ethically acceptable, 40% stated that it is not likely to be approved by institutional review boards of most North American medical institutions.
A Large Spontaneous Abdominal Bruise in a 60-Year-Old Woman: A Case Report
Authors: Mogili Sujatha , Woodlock Timothy
Published: December 2011

Objective: To report a case of severe abdominal bruising successfully diagnosed using systematic hemostatic investigations. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 60-year-old woman developed a large spontaneous nontraumatic, painless bruise over the right lower abdominal wall. Computed tomographic scan of the abdomen showed a subcutaneous hematoma beneath the site of the obvious bruise diagnosed as a hematoma. Laboratory tests revealed an activated partial thromboplastin time of 53 s and a factor VIII level of <1%, consistent with the diagnosis of acquired hemophilia A. The patient was treated with steroids and immunosuppressants and her factor VIII levels gradually normalized. Conclusion: This case report showed that whenever there is spontaneous bruising, factor VIII deficiency should be considered as one of the important differential diagnosis.
Primary Hydatid Cyst of the Axilla: Report of a Case
Authors: Saylam Barıs , Vural Veli , Duzgun Arife Polat , Ozer Mehmet Vasfi , Coskun Faruk
Published: December 2011

Objective: The aim of this work was to report a case of hydatid cyst located in the axilla. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 36-year-old female presented with a painless right axillar swelling of 6 months duration. We removed the entire cyst surgically, and macroscopic and histopathological examinations confirmed the diagnosis of axillar hydatid disease. Seventeen months after the operation there was no recurrence. Conclusion: This case report showed that in cases of a cystic mass in an endemic zone, the diagnosis of hydatid cyst should be considered.
Polymorphisms and Noncardioembolic Stroke in Three Case-Control Studies
Authors: Luke May M. , Berger Klaus , Rowland Charles M. , Catanese Joseph J. , Tong Carmen H. , Ross David A. , Garcia Veronica , Kuhlenbaeumer Gregor , Ringelstein E. Bernd , Pullinger Clive R. , Malloy Mary J. , Deedwania Prakash , Ellis Stephen G. , Kane John P. , Devlin James J. , Lalouschek Wolfgang , Mannhalter Christine
Published: December 2011

Background: Gene variants associated with disease could reveal novel mechanisms. We searched for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with noncardioembolic stroke (nonCES). Methods: We tested 24,926 SNPs in or near genes for association with nonCES in the Vienna Study (551 cases, 815 controls) and then evaluated the associated SNPs in the UCSF-CC Study (570 cases, 1,604 controls) first in pooled DNA samples and then in individual DNA samples. We then asked whether the risk alleles of the SNPs associated with increased risk in both studies were also associated with increased risk of nonCES in the German Study (728 cases, 1,041 controls). Results: Six of the 46 SNPs that were associated with nonCES in both the Vienna and the UCSF-CC Studies were also associated with nonCES in the German Study: rs362277 in HTT (OR 1.39, 90% CI 1.12–1.71), rs2924914 near CSMD1 (OR 1.22, 90% CI 1.04–1.43), rs1264352 near DDR1 (OR 1.20, 90% CI 1.02–1.41), rs544115 in NEU3 (OR 1.63, 90% CI 1.02–2.62), rs12481805 in UMODL1 (OR 1.31, 90% CI 1.01–1.81), and rs2857595 near NCR3 (OR 1.15, 90% CI 1.00–1.32). Accounting for multiple testing of 46 SNPs, these 6 SNPs had a false discovery rate of 0.69. Conclusions: Some of the 6 SNPs may be associated with nonCES but most may be false positives. These 6 SNPs merit investigation in additional nonCES study populations.
On the Effect of Response Transformations in Sequential Parameter Optimization
Authors: Wagner Tobias , Wessing Simon
Published: December 2011

Parameter tuning of evolutionary algorithms (EAs) is attracting more and more interest. In particular, the sequential parameter optimization (SPO) framework for the model-assisted tuning of stochastic optimizers has resulted in established parameter tuning algorithms. In this paper, we enhance the SPO framework by introducing transformation steps before the response aggregation and before the actual modeling. Based on design-of-experiments techniques, we empirically analyze the effect of integrating different transformations. We show that in particular, a rank transformation of the responses provides significant improvements. A deeper analysis of the resulting models and additional experiments with adaptive procedures indicates that the rank and the Box-Cox transformation are able to improve the properties of the resultant distributions with respect to symmetry and normality of the residuals. Moreover, model-based effect plots document a higher discriminatory power obtained by the rank transformation.
Revisiting the Gender Gap in Time-Use Patterns
Authors: Offer Shira , Schneider Barbara
Published: December 2011

This study suggests that multitasking constitutes an important source of gender inequality, which can help explain previous findings that mothers feel more burdened and stressed than do fathers even when they have relatively similar workloads. Using data from the 500 Family Study, including surveys and the Experience Sampling Method, the study examines activities parents simultaneously engage in and how they feel when multitasking. We find that mothers spend 10 more hours a week multitasking compared to fathers and that these additional hours are mainly related to time spent on housework and childcare. For mothers, multitasking activities at home and in public are associated with an increase in negative emotions, stress, psychological distress, and work-family conflict. By contrast, fathers’ multitasking at home involves less housework and childcare and is not a negative experience. We also find several similarities by gender. Mothers’ and fathers’ multitasking in the company of a spouse or children are positive experiences, whereas multitasking at work, although associated with an increased sense of productivity, is perceived as a negative experience.
Stigmatization of people with mental illness among inhabitants of a rural community in northern Nigeria
Authors: Audu Ishaq A. , Idris Suleiman H. , Olisah Victor O. , Sheikh Taiwo L.
Published: December 2011

Background:

Despite the fact that mental illness is a common problem in society, people’s perception of the mentally ill and community attitude towards them is still rather poor, making their rehabilitation and reintegration into society an uphill task.

Aims:

To examine the stigmatization of people with mental illness within a rural community and identify the socio-demographic variables involved.

Method:

A cross-sectional descriptive study using a multi-stage random sampling technique to obtain data through an interviewer-administered questionnaire to 325 adult inhabitants of a rural community in Nigeria.

Results:

The results showed widespread ignorance about causation, mode of transmission and remedies available for mental illness, with only 0.9% of respondents attributing mental illness to brain disease. The others attributed it to spiritual attack, punishment for evil doing and illicit psychoactive substance use, among other things. Negative views about the mentally ill were also widely expressed resulting in discriminatory practices.

Conclusion:

Stigmatization of people with mental illness is still rampant in our community. There is a need for adequate public education about the causes and mode of transmission of mental illness and the treatment options available in the community.
Attachment and hikikomori: A psychosocial developmental model
Authors: Krieg Alexander , Dickie Jane R.
Published: December 2011

Background:

Hikikomori (acute social withdrawal) is a social issue in Japan that affects both the society and the lives of the individual sufferers.

Aims:

This study aims to connect attachment theory and hikikomori by using a culturally sensitive psychosocial developmental model that outlines the various stages of attachment throughout the developmental years.

Method:

Twenty–four hikikomori sufferers and 60 comparison group participants were given questionnaires assessing parent and peer relationships, temperament and school experiences.

Results:

We found the hikikomori participants had a higher incidence of ambivalent attachment, reported more parental and peer rejection and bullying, and expressed greater temperamental shyness. Path analysis supported our developmental model. We found that shy temperament and parental rejection predicted ambivalent attachment, which when coupled with peer rejection predicted hikikomori. Our model implies that treatment and prevention may require attention to attachment insecurities in early childhood, peer rejection in middle childhood and/or early adolescence.

Conclusion:

We believe it is helpful in understanding hikikomori to first understand how the attachment system balances security with exploration and the anxiety associated with novelty and challenge. Finally, we examine implications of the model for intervention, treatment and future research.
Fiscal federalism and soft budget constraints: The case of China
Authors: Ong Lynette H.
Published: December 2011

China has been held up as a modern-day exemplar of ‘market-preserving federalism.’ This article challenges this popular belief by showing that its local governments face soft budget constraints. Fiscal indiscipline among subnational governments, which risks national indebtedness and macroeconomic instability, can pose serious dangers to federations. A large body of literature which proposes solutions to fiscal indiscipline through electoral incentives and political party structure cannot be applied to China. The Chinese Communist Party’s cadre-evaluation and dual accountability systems make it an imperative for local officials to augment fiscal revenue and allow them to tap resources at local credit institutions. This has resulted in mounting local government debt, the lion’s share of which is unrepaid loans owed to local credit institutions. To harden budget constraints, political institutions need to be reconfigured to allow the central government more effectively to hold local authorities accountable for resources deployed in achieving their job-performance targets.
International as opposed to domestic new venturing: The moderating role of perceived barriers to internationalization
Authors: Baum Matthias , Schwens Christian , Kabst Ruediger
Published: December 2011

This article examines how firm-based and founder-based determinants of international (as opposed to domestic) new venturing are moderated by perceived barriers to internationalization. In order to test the theoretically derived hypotheses, this article applies event history analysis to a sample of technology firms. The results show that the influence of growth orientation, international network contacts and knowledge intensity on international new venturing varies depending on the perceived financial barriers. Thus, this article provides a contingent perspective within the research field and a contrast to the quite categorical discussion regarding determinants of international new venturing and barriers to internationalization.
Geographies of friendships
Authors: Bunnell Tim , Yea Sallie , Peake Linda , Skelton Tracey , Smith Monica
Published: December 2011

Friendships are an important part of what makes us, and our geographies of various kinds, human. We consider how geographers can contribute to efforts to afford friendship greater prominence in the social sciences. The main part of the article considers three strands of work on friendship that push the boundaries of research in human geography: (1) geographies of affect/emotion and the ontological construction of the human; (2) children’s and young people’s geographies and the (re)production of social ordering; and (3) geographies of mobility and transnationalism in a world of increased human spatial movement and social relations at a distance.
Former Male Elite Athletes Have a Higher Prevalence of Osteoarthritis and Arthroplasty in the Hip and Knee Than Expected
Authors: Tveit Magnus , Rosengren Björn E. , Nilsson Jan-Åke , Karlsson Magnus K.
Published: December 2011

Background: Intense exercise has been reported as one risk factor for hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate (1) whether this is true for both former impact and nonimpact athletes, (2) if the risk of a hip or knee arthroplasty due to OA is higher than expected, and (3) if joint deterioration is associated with knee injuries.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: The prevalence of OA and arthroplasty in the hip and knee were registered in 709 former male elite athletes with a median age of 70 years (range, 50-93 years), retired from sports for a median 35 years (range, 1-63 years), and compared with 1368 matched controls. Odds ratios (ORs) are presented as means with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results: The risk of hip or knee OA was higher in former athletes (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.5-2.3), as was arthroplasty based on OA in either of these joints (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.6-3.1). The risk of hip OA was doubled (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.5-2.8) and hip arthroplasty was 2.5 times higher (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.6-3.7) in former athletes than in controls, predominantly driven by a higher risk in former impact athletes. Also, the risk of knee OA was higher (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3-2.1), as was knee arthroplasty (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 0.9-2.7), driven by a higher risk in both former impact and nonimpact athletes. Knee OA in impact athletes was associated with knee injury.

Conclusion: Hip and knee OA and hip and knee arthroplasty are more commonly found in former male elite athletes than expected. A previous knee injury is associated with knee OA in former impact athletes but not in nonimpact athletes.
Dielectric relaxation and rheological properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes reinforced poly(3-octylthiophene-2,5-diyl)
Authors: Abu-Abdeen M , Ayesh Ayman S , Aljaafari AA
Published: December 2011

Polymer nanocomposites consisting of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and poly(3-octylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3OT) were prepared at different SWCNT loadings to investigate the influence of SWCNT content on the structure, dielectric and rheological properties of P3OT host. The dielectric parameters and dielectric relaxation behavior were investigated as a function of SWCNT loadings and frequency. Dielectric results reveal that SWCNTs enhance the polar character of P3OT host, shift the peak maximum of loss tangent toward higher frequency values and increase the alternating current conductivity especially above the percolation threshold point. Besides, the rheological properties of SWCNT-P3OT composites were also investigated to realize the effect of SWCNT content on the complex viscosity, storage and loss moduli at different frequency values. The obtained results reveal that nanocomposites become electrically percolated at 0.44 wt% SWCNTs, while the rheological percolation threshold was found at 0.5 wt%. Additionally, this study showed that the relaxation behavior in SWCNT-P3OT composites is mainly due to the viscoelastic relaxation process. Moreover, at high level of SWCNT loadings, the nanotubes became more interconnected to form network like structures in the P3OT host. Finally, results obtained from structure–property analysis reveal that the addition of SWCNTs to P3OT host reduced the vibrational freedom of the polymer chains as a consequence of the intercalation of the polymer matrix into the nanotubes.
Multiscale analysis of stamp forming of a woven composite
Authors: Garnich Mark R , Klymyshyn Nicholas A
Published: December 2011

The stamp forming of a woven composite with thermoplastic matrix was investigated in this study. A mesoscale finite element model of a unit cell of a 2 × 2 twill weave of pre-impregnated tows was used to estimate the effective in-plane shear properties for modeling forming processes and predicting formability. In-plane shear stiffness was shown to be a controlling factor in the formability of unconsolidated textile sheets. The stamp forming of a cone-shaped part was modeled for comparison with the experiments. Results show that the simplified process modeling scheme has the potential to predict issues with wrinkling during die closure. Furthermore, the present work suggests that complex representations of the relatively small fiber direction strains may be unwarranted for this type of process modeling.
Volunteers’ Psychological Contracts
Authors: Vantilborgh Tim , Bidee Jemima , Pepermans Roland , Willems Jurgen , Huybrechts Gert , Jegers Marc
Published: December 2011

There is a growing interest in applying the psychological contract concept to the relationship between volunteers and nonprofit organizations. However, previous studies overlook certain elements of volunteers’ psychological contracts as they build on theory established with reference to paid employees. We argue that the inclusion of a value-based psychological contract type, next to transactional and relational types, enables a more thorough understanding of perceived mutual obligations between volunteers and nonprofit organizations. We use the critical incidents technique to map volunteers’ perceived (un)fulfilled obligations and find that volunteers perceive both fulfilled and unfulfilled value-based obligations. Moreover, we describe specific terms related to the mission and values of the organization reported by volunteers. We conclude that future psychological contract research needs to take this value-based dimension into account, especially in volunteerism.
Holocene environmental changes in central Inner Mongolia revealed by luminescence dating of sediments from the Sala Us River valley
Authors: Li Sheng-Hua , Sun Jimin , Li Bo
Published: December 2011

Luminescence dating of the fluvial and lacustrine sediments from the Sala Us River valley at the south edge of the Mu Us Desert, central Inner Mongolia, is reported. The study region lies in the northwestern marginal zone of the east Asian summer monsoon and is sensitive to climate change. The dating results combined with environmental proxies indicate that the Holocene Climate Optimum period, took place from 8.5 to 5 ka ago and was marked by lake development. After ~5 ka ago, the region became arid, as inferred from lake regression and fluvial activity. Deposition of fluvial sediments lasted from ~5 ka to ~2 ka ago. At about 2 ka ago, incision of the Sala Us River was initiated into the underlying sediments, with a down-cutting rate of ~3–4 cm/yr. Since 2 ka ago, human activities also played an important role in causing environmental change in the region.
Localized indentation of sandwich beam with metallic foam core
Authors: Xie Zhongyou , Zheng Zhijun , Yu Jilin
Published: December 2011

The localized behavior of sandwich structures with foam core subjected to indentation loading is investigated in this article. Based on the principle of virtual velocities, concisely explicit solutions for the indentation forces and shape functions of deformation zones of sandwich beams are derived. Both flat and cylindrical indenters are considered. The indentation force varies linearly with the square root of indenter displacement and thesurface deformation profiles are proportional to the square of the distance from the contact center along the beam direction. Finite element models have been established using the ABAQUS/Explicit code to verify the validity and applicability of the analytical solutions. The theoretical predictions of the profiles of deformation zones and the denting loads of indenters are in good agreement with those by numerical simulation.
Implicit and explicit emotional reactions to witnessing prejudice
Authors: Schmader Toni , Croft Alyssa , Scarnier Marchelle , Lickel Brian , Mendes Wendy Berry
Published: December 2011

The present study examined how individual differences in motivation to respond without prejudice predict self-reported negative affect and physiological responses to the prejudicial acts of others. One hundred and one White participants were paired with a Black “partner” and together they watched two White men on film having either a pro- or antidiversity discussion. The higher participants were on internal motivation to respond without prejudice, the greater their self-reported negative affect and the more they exhibited distress-related physiological responses during the antidiversity discussion. In contrast, during the prodiversity discussion participants lower in internal motivation to respond without prejudice showed greater physiological distress, but did not self-report more negative affect. These results suggest that only those who have internalized egalitarian goals exhibit the negative emotional responses likely to promote opposition to expressions of intergroup bias; those who lack these goals might instead react against efforts to promote diversity.
Young adults with intellectual disability recall their childhood
Authors: Starke Mikaela
Published: December 2011

Eleven young adults with an intellectual disability were interviewed for this exploratory study aimed at charting their experiences of growing up in homes where at least one parent had the same or a similar disability. Two main themes emerged from the interviews. Firstly, a clear majority of the young adults had positive experiences of family life during their upbringing, as expressed especially through their memories of their grandparents. Secondly, the study participants all described experiences of being bullied and harassed outside the family context. The results obtained in this study highlight the importance of the parents, the family, and informal networks in the upbringing of these children. The study also considers the consequences that the study participants’ negative experiences of peer contacts and their sense of exclusion might have for their prospects in later life.
PHQ-9 Response Curve
Authors: Angstman Kurt B. , Rohrer James E. , Rasmussen Norman H.
Published: December 2011

Major depressive disorder is common in primary care. Depression Improvement Across Minnesota—Offering a New Direction (DIAMOND), using a collaborative care model, was first implemented in March 2008 starting with 5 clinics and expanding to more than 70 clinics statewide by 2010. This was intended to improve depression management and to augment the relationship between the patient, the primary care provider, and the psychiatrist. Prior retrospective studies have demonstrated the clinical effectiveness of our program. This study was designed to examine those patients who were in clinical remission (defined as a Patient Health Questionnaire–9 [PHQ-9] score <5) at 6 months (180 days) after enrollment in collaborative care management. By determining the subsequent PHQ-9 data that were obtained, a PHQ-9 response curve was developed for those patients who did improve. The pilot study demonstrated that there appeared to be rapid response to depression treatment, evident by the first month of treatment and more pronounced in severely depressed patients. Also, it demonstrated that in the patients who did respond, there was no any difference in the remission rates over the study period when evaluated by the initial severity of the depression.
Trisomy 12 and elevated GLI1 and PTCH1 transcript levels are biomarkers for Hedgehog-inhibitor responsiveness in CLL
Authors: Decker Sarah , Zirlik Katja , Djebatchie Lauritte , Hartmann David , Ihorst Gabriele , Schmitt-Graeff Annette , Herchenbach Dieter , Jumaa Hassan , Warmuth Markus , Veelken Hendrik , Dierks Christine
Published: December 2011

Hedgehog (HH) signaling is activated in various lymphoid malignancies, but conflicting results exist about its role in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Here, we demonstrate that the expression of essential HH pathway components like GLI1, PTCH1, and the HH ligands is highly diverse in CLL. A subset of 36.7% of 60 tested CLL samples responded to all 3 SMOOTHENED (SMO) inhibitors, whereas 40% were completely resistant. Responsiveness correlated with elevated GLI1 and PTCH1 transcript levels and the presence of trisomy 12, whereas no other karyotype correlated with responsiveness. All trisomy 12 CLLs displayed constitutive HH pathway activation driven by autocrine DESERT HH (DHH) ligand secretion, which could be blocked by the HH-blocking Ab 5E1. Cocultures with DHH-expressing BM stromal cells reduced sensitivity of CLLs to SMO-inhibitor treatment by activation of noncanonical ERK phosphorylation directly downstream of the PTCH1 receptor without involvement of SMO and could be overcome by the HH-blocking Ab 5E1 or a combination of SMO and ERK inhibitors. Our results demonstrate that the HH-signaling pathway is an interesting therapeutic target for a subset of patients with CLL, characterized by high GLI1 and PTCH1 transcript levels, and all patients with trisomy 12 and indicate HH-blocking Abs to be favorable over SMO inhibitors in overcoming stroma-mediated protective effects.
Nocturnal hypoxaemia and hypercapnia in children with neuromuscular disorders
Authors: Bersanini Chiara , Khirani Sonia , Ramirez Adriana , Lofaso Frédéric , Aubertin Guillaume , Beydon Nicole , Mayer Michèle , Maincent Kim , Boulé Michèle , Fauroux Brigitte
Published: December 2011

The aim of the study was to identify daytime predictors of nocturnal gas exchange anomalies in children with neuromuscular disease (NMD) and normal daytime gas exchange.

Lung function tests, respiratory muscle evaluation and nocturnal gas exchange were obtained as part of routine evaluation.

We included 52 consecutive children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (n=20), spinal muscular atrophy (n=10) and other NMD (n=22). 20 patients had nocturnal hypoxaemia, defined as minimal arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (Sp,O2) <90% for ≥2% of night time, and 22 had nocturnal hypercapnia, defined as maximal transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension (Ptc,CO2) >50 mmHg for ≥2% of night time. Forced vital capacity and helium functional residual capacity correlated with minimal nocturnalSp,O2(p=0.009 and p=0.01, respectively). Daytime pH correlated negatively with maximal nocturnalPtc,CO2(p=0.005) and daytime arterial carbon dioxide tension (Pa,CO2) correlated with the percentage of time with aPtc,CO2>50 mmHg (p=0.02). Sniff nasal inspiratory pressure correlated with minimal nocturnalSp,O2(p=0.02). DaytimePa,CO2was a weak predictor of nocturnal hypercapnia (sensitivity 80%; specificity 57%).

Daytime lung function and respiratory muscle parameters correlate poorly with nocturnal hypoxaemia and hypercapnia in children with NMD and normal daytime gas exchange, which necessitates more systematic sleep studies in these children.
Effectiveness of exercise training in patients with COPD: the role of muscle fatigue
Authors: Burtin Chris , Saey Didier , Saglam Melda , Langer Daniel , Gosselink Rik , Janssens Wim , Decramer Marc , Maltais François , Troosters Thierry
Published: December 2011

The improvement in exercise performance in response to exercise training varies greatly from one patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to another. It is possible that in a portion of patients the muscle stimulus applied during exercise training is insufficient to elicit training effects. We investigated whether patients presenting quadriceps contractile fatigue after training have more favourable effects of a rehabilitation programme.

46 patients followed a 3-month high-intensity exercise training programme. Exercise capacity, quadriceps force and quality of life were measured before and after the programme. Exercise training-induced quadriceps contractile fatigue was assessed after 1 month of rehabilitation with magnetic stimulation. A fall in quadriceps force of ≥15%, 15 min after training was considered as significant fatigue.

29 (63%) out of 46 patients developed significant fatigue. Patients with fatigue had a higher increase in 6-min walk distance (median (interquartile range) 57 (47–103) mversus17 (-7–46) m; p=0.0023) and Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire score (mean±sd22±12 pointsversus14±12 points; p=0.028) after the training programme compared with patients without fatigue. Improvements in quadriceps force and maximal exercise capacity were similar in both subgroups.

Patients who develop quadriceps contractile fatigue during exercise training show greater training effects in terms of functional exercise capacity and health-related quality of life.
Prognosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome in neutropenic cancer patients
Authors: Mokart Djamel , van Craenenbroeck Thomas , Lambert Jérôme , Textoris Julien , Brun Jean-Paul , Sannini Antoine , Chow-Chine Laurent , Hamouda Smail , Fouché Louis , Ettori Florence , Faucher Marion , Blache Jean-Louis
Published: December 2011

To date, no study has been specifically designed to identify determinants of death in neutropenic cancer patients presenting with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The aim of this study was to identify early predictive factors of 28-day mortality in these patients. Factors associated with 28-day mortality during intensive care unit (ICU) stay were also described.

70 consecutive cancer patients with ARDS and neutropenia were prospectively analysed over a 6-yr period.

Mortality at 28 days was 63%. Factors independently associated with good prognosis were: lobar ARDS (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.02–0.48), use of initial antibiotic treatment active on difficult to treat bacteria (ticarcillin-resistantPseudomonas aeruginosa,Stenotrophomonas maltophiliaor extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing strains) (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.02–0.33) and first-line chemotherapy (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.02–0.37). During the ICU stay, mortality was associated with the markers of organ dysfunctions, the absence of neutropenia recovery and the use of vasopressors. During the first 3 weeks, the conditional probability of discharge alive from ICU did not decrease.

At ICU admission, first-line chemotherapy, lobar ARDS and antibiotic treatment active on difficult-to-treat bacteria were associated with survival. During ICU stay, mortality was associated with organ dysfunctions and use of vasopressors. Most survivors have an ICU stay of >3 weeks.
Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection decreases the efficacy of an attenuated classical swine fever virus (CSFV) vaccine
Authors: Huang Yu-Liang , Pang Victor Fei , Lin Chun-Ming , Tsai Yi-Chieh , Chia Mi-Yuan , Deng Ming-Chung , Chang Chia-Yi , Jeng Chian-Ren
Published: December 2011

The Lapinized Philippines Coronel (LPC) vaccine, an attenuated strain of classical swine fever virus (CSFV), is an important tool for the prevention and control of CSFV infection and is widely and routinely used in most CSF endemic areas, including Taiwan. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PCV2 infection affects the efficacy of the LPC vaccine. Eighteen 6-week-old, cesarean-derived and colostrum-deprived (CDCD), crossbred pigs were randomly assigned to four groups. A total of 105.3 TCID50 of PCV2 was experimentally inoculated into pigs through both intranasal and intramuscular routes at 0 days post-inoculation (dpi) followed by LPC vaccination 12 days later. All the animals were challenged with wild-type CSFV (ALD stain) at 27 dpi and euthanized at 45 dpi. Following CSFV challenge, the LPC-vaccinated pigs pre-inoculated with PCV2 showed transient fever, viremia, and viral shedding in the saliva and feces. The number of IgM+, CD4+CD8-CD25+, CD4+CD8+CD25+, and CD4-CD8+CD25+ lymphocyte subsets and the level of neutralizing antibodies against CSFV were significantly higher in the animals with LPC vaccination alone than in the pigs with PCV2 inoculation/LPC vaccination. In addition, PCV2-derived inhibition of the CSFV-specific cell proliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was demonstrated in an ex vivo experiment. These findings indicate that PCV2 infection decreases the efficacy of the LPC vaccine. This PCV2-derived interference may not only allow the invasion of wild-type CSFV in pig farms but also increases the difficulty of CSF prevention and control in CSF endemic areas.
MicroRNA-184 downregulates nuclear receptor corepressor 2 in mouse spermatogenesis
Authors: Wu Jingwen , Bao Jianqiang , Wang Li , Hu Yanqin , Xu Chen
Published: December 2011

Background

There have been increasing attentions on the role of small RNAs, especially microRNAs in post-transcriptional gene regulation during spermatogenesis. MicroRNA-184 (miR-184) has been shown to be mainly expressed in the testis and brain, and that its expression levels are by far the highest in the testis. However, the role of miR-184 in mammalian spermatogenesis remains unclear.

Results

In this study, we demonstrated that miR-184 levels were increased during mouse postnatal testis development. Specifically, miR-184 expression was restricted to the germ cells from spermatogonia to round spermatids. Overexpression of miR-184 promoted the proliferation of a germ cell line, GC-1spg. Moreover, miR-184 downregulatednuclear receptor corepressor 2(Ncor2) by targeting its 3' untranslated region through inhibiting NCOR2 protein translation.

Conclusions

MiR-184 may be involved in the post-transcription regulation of mRNAs such asNcor2in mammalian spermatogenesis.
Profiling ascidian promoters as the primordial type of vertebrate promoter
Authors: Okamura Kohji , Yamashita Riu , Takimoto Noriko , Nishitsuji Koki , Suzuki Yutaka , Kusakabe Takehiro G , Nakai Kenta
Published: December 2011

Background

CpG islands are observed in mammals and other vertebrates, generally escape DNA methylation, and tend to occur in the promoters of widely expressed genes. Another class of promoter has lower G+C and CpG contents, and is thought to be involved in the spatiotemporal regulation of gene expression. Non-vertebrate deuterostomes are reported to have a single class of promoter with high-frequency CpG dinucleotides, suggesting that this is the original type of promoter. However, the limited annotation of these genes has impeded the large-scale analysis of their promoters.

Results

To determine the origins of the two classes of vertebrate promoters, we chose Ciona intestinalis, an invertebrate that is evolutionarily close to the vertebrates, and identified its transcription start sites genome-wide using a next-generation sequencer. We indeed observed a high CpG content around the transcription start sites, but their levels in the promoters and background sequences differed much less than in mammals. The CpG-rich stretches were also fairly restricted, so they appeared more similar to mammalian CpG-poor promoters.

Conclusions

From these data, we infer that CpG islands are not sufficiently ancient to be found in invertebrates. They probably appeared early in vertebrate evolution via some active mechanism and have since been maintained as part of vertebrate promoters.
Altered sense of Agency in children with spastic cerebral palsy
Authors: Ritterband-Rosenbaum Anina , Christensen Mark S , Kliim-Due Mette , Petersen Line Z , Rasmussen Betina , Nielsen Jens B
Published: December 2011

Background

Children diagnosed with spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP) often show perceptual and cognitive problems, which may contribute to their functional deficit. Here we investigated if altered ability to determine whether an observed movement is performed by themselves (sense of agency) contributes to the motor deficit in children with CP.

Methods

Three groups; 1) CP children, 2) healthy peers, and 3) healthy adults produced straight drawing movements on a pen-tablet which was not visible for the subjects. The produced movement was presented as a virtual moving object on a computer screen. Subjects had to evaluate after each trial whether the movement of the object on the computer screen was generated by themselves or by a computer program which randomly manipulated the visual feedback by angling the trajectories 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 degrees away from target.

Results

Healthy adults executed the movements in 310 seconds, whereas healthy children and especially CP children were significantly slower (p < 0.002) (on average 456 seconds and 543 seconds respectively). There was also a statistical difference between the healthy and age matched CP children (p = 0.037). When the trajectory of the object generated by the computer corresponded to the subject's own movements all three groups reported that they were responsible for the movement of the object. When the trajectory of the object deviated by more than 10 degrees from target, healthy adults and children more frequently than CP children reported that the computer was responsible for the movement of the object. CP children consequently also attempted to compensate more frequently from the perturbation generated by the computer.

Conclusions

We conclude that CP children have a reduced ability to determine whether movement of a virtual moving object is caused by themselves or an external source. We suggest that this may be related to a poor integration of their intention of movement with visual and proprioceptive information about the performed movement and that altered sense of agency may be an important functional problem in children with CP.
Shrinking projection algorithms for equilibrium problems with a bifunction defined on the dual space of a Banach space
Authors: Chen Jia-wei , Je Cho Yeol , Wan Zhongping
Published: December 2011

Shrinking projection algorithms for finding a solution of an equilibrium problem with a bifunction defined on the dual space of a Banach space, in this paper, are introduced and studied. Under some suitable assumptions, strong and weak convergence results of the shrinking projection algorithms are established, respectively. Finally, we give an example to illustrate the algorithms proposed in this paper.

2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 47H09; 65J15; 90C99.
Bidirectional remodeling of β1-integrin adhesions during chemotropic regulation of nerve growth
Authors: Carlstrom Lucas P , Hines Jacob H , Henle Steven J , Henley John R
Published: December 2011

Background

Chemotropic factors in the extracellular microenvironment guide nerve growth by acting on the growth cone located at the tip of extending axons. Growth cone extension requires the coordination of cytoskeleton-dependent membrane protrusion and dynamic adhesion to the extracellular matrix, yet how chemotropic factors regulate these events remains an outstanding question. We demonstrated previously that the inhibitory factor myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) triggers endocytic removal of the adhesion receptor β1-integrin from the growth cone surface membrane to negatively remodel substrate adhesions during chemorepulsion. Here, we tested how a neurotrophin might affect integrin adhesions.

Results

We report that brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) positively regulates the formation of substrate adhesions in axonal growth cones during stimulated outgrowth and prevents removal of β1-integrin adhesions by MAG. Treatment of Xenopus spinal neurons with BDNF rapidly triggered β1-integrin clustering and induced the dynamic formation of nascent vinculin-containing adhesion complexes in the growth cone periphery. Both the formation of nascent β1-integrin adhesions and the stimulation of axon extension by BDNF required cytoplasmic calcium ion signaling and integrin activation at the cell surface. Exposure to MAG decreased the number of β1-integrin adhesions in the growth cone during inhibition of axon extension. In contrast, the BDNF-induced adhesions were resistant to negative remodeling by MAG, correlating with the ability of BDNF pretreatment to counteract MAG-inhibition of axon extension. Pre-exposure to MAG prevented the BDNF-induced formation of β1-integrin adhesions and blocked the stimulation of axon extension by BDNF.

Conclusions

Altogether, these findings demonstrate the neurotrophin-dependent formation of integrin-based adhesions in the growth cone and reveal how a positive regulator of substrate adhesions can block the negative remodeling and growth inhibitory effects of MAG. Such bidirectional remodeling may allow the growth cone to rapidly adjust adhesiveness to the extracellular matrix as a general mechanism for governing axon extension. Techniques for manipulating integrin internalization and activation state may be important for overcoming local inhibitory factors after traumatic injury or neurodegenerative disease to enhance regenerative nerve growth.
Female employees' perceptions of organisational support for breastfeeding at work: findings from an Australian health service workplace
Authors: Weber Danielle , Janson Anneka , Nolan Michelle , Wen Li Ming , Rissel Chris
Published: December 2011

Background

Women's return to work can be a significant barrier to continued breastfeeding. Workplace policies and practices to promote and support continued, and longer duration of, breastfeeding are important. In the context of the introduction of a new breastfeeding policy for Area Health Services in New South Wales, Australia, a baseline survey was conducted to describe current practices and examine women's reports of perceived organisational support on breastfeeding intention and practice.

Methods

A cross sectional survey of female employees of the Sydney South West Area Health Service was conducted in late 2009. A mailed questionnaire was sent to 998 eligible participants who had taken maternity leave over the 20-month period from January 2008 to August 2009. The questionnaire collected items assessing breastfeeding intentions, awareness of workplace policies, and the level of organisational and social support available. For those women who had returned to work, further questions were asked to assess the perceptions and practices of breastfeeding in the work environment, as well as barriers and enabling factors to combining breastfeeding and work.

Results

Returning to work was one of the main reasons women ceased breastfeeding, with 60 percent of women intending to breastfeed when they returned to work, but only 40 percent doing so. Support to combine breastfeeding and work came mainly from family and partners (74% and 83% respectively), with little perceived support from the organisation (13%) and human resources (6%). Most women (92%) had received no information from their managers about their breastfeeding options upon their return to work, and few had access to a room specially designated for breastfeeding (19%). Flexible work options and lactation breaks, as well as access to a private room, were identified as the main factors that facilitate breastfeeding at work.

Conclusions

Enabling women to continue breastfeeding at work has benefits for the infant, employee and organisation. However, this baseline study of health employees revealed that women felt largely unsupported by managers and their organisation to continue breastfeeding at work.
The HB22.7 Anti-CD22 monoclonal antibody enhances bortezomib-mediated lymphomacidal activity in a sequence dependent manner
Authors: Martin Shiloh M , Churchill Eric , McKnight Hayes , Mahaffey Christopher M , Ma Yunpeng , O'Donnell Robert T , Tuscano Joseph M
Published: December 2011

Most non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) initially respond to chemotherapy, but relapse is common and treatment is often limited by chemotherapy-related toxicity. Bortezomib, is a highly selective proteasome inhibitor with anti-NHL activity; it is currently FDA approved for second-line treatment of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Bortezomib exerts its activity in part through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and also by the induction of apoptosis.

We previously validated CD22 as a potential target in treating NHL and have shown that the anti-CD22 ligand blocking antibody, HB22.7, has significant independent lymphomacidal properties in NHL xenograft models. We sought to determine whether or not these agents would work synergistically to enhance cytotoxicity. Our results indicate that treatment of NHL cell lines with HB22.7 six hours prior to bortezomib significantly diminished cell viability. These effects were not seen when the agents were administered alone or when bortezomib was administered prior to HB22.7. Additionally, HB22.7 treatment prior to bortezomib increased apoptosis in part through enhanced ROS generation. Finally, in a mouse xenograft model, administration of HB22.7 followed 24 hours later by bortezomib resulted in 23% smaller tumor volumes and 20% enhanced survival compared to treatment with the reverse sequence. Despite the increased efficacy of HB22.7 treatment followed by bortezomib, there was no corresponding decrease in peripheral blood cell counts, indicating no increase in toxicity. Our results suggest that pre-treatment with HB22.7 increases bortezomib cytotoxicity, in part through increased reactive oxygen species and apoptosis, and that this sequential treatment combination has robust efficacyin vivo.