bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeted Cytolysins Synergistically Potentiate Cytoplasmic Delivery of Gelonin Immunotoxin
Authors: Pirie Christopher M. , Liu David V. , Wittrup K. Dane
Published: July 2013

Targeted endocytic uptake is a first step toward tissue-specific cytoplasmic macromolecular delivery; however, inefficient escape from the endolysosomal compartment makes this generally impractical at present. We report here a targeted cytolysin approach that dramatically potentiates endosomal release of an independently targeted potent gelonin immunotoxin. Fibronectin domains engineered for affinity to EGF receptor or carcinoembryonic antigen were fused to the plant toxin gelonin or bacterial pore-forming cytolysins. These fusion proteins display synergistic activity in both antigen-specific cytotoxicity in vitro, enhancing potency by several orders of magnitude, and in tumor growth inhibition in vivo. In addition, the number of internalized gelonin molecules required to induce apoptosis is reduced from approximately 5 × 106 to less than 103. Targeted potentiation shows promise for enhancing cytoplasmic delivery of other macromolecular payloads such as DNA, siRNA, and miRNA. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(9); 1774–82. ©2013 AACR.
Combined Inhibition of HER1/EGFR and RAC1 Results in a Synergistic Antiproliferative Effect on Established and Primary Cultured Human Glioblastoma Cells
Authors: Karpel-Massler Georg , Westhoff M.-Andrew , Zhou Shaoxia , Nonnenmacher Lisa , Dwucet Annika , Kast Richard E. , Bachem Max G. , Wirtz Christian R. , Debatin Klaus-Michael , Halatsch Marc-Eric
Published: July 2013

Glioblastoma is the most frequent brain tumor of glial origin in adults. With the best available standard-of-care, patients with this disease have a life expectancy of only approximately 15 months after diagnosis. Because the EGF receptor (HER1/EGFR) is one of the most commonly dysregulated oncogenes in glioblastoma, HER1/EGFR–targeted agents, such as erlotinib, were expected to provide a therapeutic benefit. However, their application in the clinical setting failed. Seeking an explanation for this finding, we previously identified several candidate genes for resistance of human glioblastoma cell lines toward erlotinib. On the basis of this panel of genes, we aimed at identifying drugs that synergistically enhance the antiproliferative effect of erlotinib on established and primary glioblastoma cell lines. We found that NSC23766, an inhibitor of RAC1, enhanced the antineoplastic effects of erlotinib in U87MG, T98MG, and A172MG glioblastoma cell lines for the most part in a synergistic or at least in an additive manner. In addition, the synergistic antiproliferative effect of erlotinib and NSC23766 was confirmed in primary cultured cells, indicating a common underlying cellular and molecular mechanism in glioblastoma. Therefore, agents that suppress RAC1 activation may be useful therapeutic partners for erlotinib in a combined targeted treatment of glioblastoma. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(9); 1783–95. ©2013 AACR.
Synergistic Induction of Apoptosis in Multiple Myeloma Cells by Bortezomib and Hypoxia-Activated Prodrug TH-302, In Vivo and In Vitro
Authors: Hu Jinsong , Van Valckenborgh Els , Xu Dehui , Menu Eline , De Raeve Hendrik , De Bryune Elke , Xu Song , Van Camp Ben , Handisides Damian , Hart Charles P. , Vanderkerken Karin
Published: July 2013

Recently, we showed that hypoxia is a critical microenvironmental factor in multiple myeloma, and that the hypoxia-activated prodrug TH-302 selectively targets hypoxic multiple myeloma cells and improves multiple disease parameters in vivo. To explore approaches for sensitizing multiple myeloma cells to TH-302, we evaluated in this study the antitumor effect of TH-302 in combination with the clinically used proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. First, we show that TH-302 and bortezomib synergistically induce apoptosis in multiple myeloma cell lines in vitro. Second, we confirm that this synergism is related to the activation of caspase cascades and is mediated by changes of Bcl-2 family proteins. The combination treatment induces enhanced cleavage of caspase-3/8/9 and PARP, and therefore triggers apoptosis and enhances the cleavage of proapoptotic BH3-only protein BAD and BID as well as the antiapoptotic protein Mcl-1. In particular, TH-302 can abrogate the accumulation of antiapoptotic Mcl-1 induced by bortezomib, and decreases the expression of the prosurvival proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. Furthermore, we found that the induction of the proapoptotic BH3-only proteins PUMA (p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis) and NOXA is associated with this synergism. In response to the genotoxic and endoplasmic reticulum stresses by TH-302 and bortezomib, the expression of PUMA and NOXA were upregulated in p53-dependent and -independent manners. Finally, in the murine 5T33MMvv model, we showed that the combination of TH-302 and bortezomib can improve multiple disease parameters and significantly prolong the survival of diseased mice. In conclusion, our studies provide a rationale for clinical evaluation of the combination of TH-302 and bortezomib in patients with multiple myeloma. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(9); 1763–73. ©2013 AACR.
Alternative Variants of Human HYDIN Are Novel Cancer-Associated Antigens Recognized by Adaptive Immunity
Authors: Laske Karoline , Shebzukhov Yuriy V. , Grosse-Hovest Ludger , Kuprash Dmitry V. , Khlgatian Svetlana V. , Koroleva Ekaterina P. , Sazykin Alexey Y. , Penkov Dmitry N. , Belousov Pavel V. , Stevanović Stefan , Vass Verona , Walter Steffen , Eisel David , Schmid-Horch Barbara D. , Nedospasov Sergei A. , Rammensee Hans-Georg , Gouttefangeas Cécile
Published: July 2013

A mutation in the hydin gene has been recently described as one possible mechanism leading to lethal congenital hydrocephalus in mice, and a similar defect is proposed to be involved in an autosomal recessive form of hydrocephalus in human. Here, we report for the first time on the cancer association and immunogenicity of two HYDIN variants in humans. One is a previously described sequence derived from the chromosome 1 gene copy, that is, KIAA1864. The second is encoded by a novel alternative transcript originating from the chromosome 16, which we identified by immunoscreening of a testis-derived cDNA expression library with sera of patients with colorectal cancer, and called MO-TES391. Both variants are targeted by immunoglobulin G antibodies in a significant subset of cancer patients but only rarely in healthy donors. Moreover, we identify HLA-A*0201–restricted sequences derived from MO-TES391 and KIAA1864, which are specifically recognized by human cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. Taken together, these results suggest frequent and coordinated adaptive immune responses against HYDIN variants in patients with cancer and propose HYDIN as a novel cancer-associated antigen. Cancer Immunol Res; 1(3); 190–200. ©2013 AACR.
Reduced Myocardial 123-Iodine Metaiodobenzylguanidine Uptake
Authors: Coutinho Maria C. Azevedo , Cortez-Dias Nuno , Cantinho Guilhermina , Conceição Isabel , Oliveira António , Bordalo e Sá Armando , Gonçalves Susana , Almeida Ana G. , de Carvalho Mamede , Diogo António Nunes
Published: July 2013

Background—

Transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy is a hereditary form of amyloidosis characterized by sensorimotor and autonomic neuropathy, cardiac conduction defects, and infiltrative cardiomyopathy. Previous studies have suggested that myocardial sympathetic denervation assessed by 123-iodine metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) imaging occurs early in disease progression. However, its prognostic significance was never evaluated. We aimed to study the long-term prognostic value of myocardial sympathetic denervation detected by MIBG imaging in transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy.

Methods and Results—

A total of 143 individuals with V30M transthyretin mutation underwent Holter, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, echocardiography, and MIBG imaging. Time to all-cause death was compared with late heart-to-mediastinum MIBG uptake ratio (H/M; either in relation to the estimated lower limit of normal [1.60] or as a continuous variable) using Cox proportional hazards regression. Multivariable analyses were performed to test the prognostic accuracy of clinical, neurological, and cardiovascular parameters. During a median follow-up of 5.5 years, 32 (22%) patients died. Five-year mortality rate was 42% for late H/M <1.60 and 7% for late H/M ≥1.60 (hazard ratio, 7.19;
P
<0.001). Late H/M was identified as an independent prognostic predictor. Fifty-three patients were submitted to liver transplantation. In comparison with neurophysiological score–matched controls, transplanted patients had lower long-term mortality (hazard ratio, 0.32;
P
=0.012). Patients with late H/M<1.60 were at higher risk of unfavorable outcome but seemed to have benefited from liver transplantation.

Conclusions—

Cardiac sympathetic denervation as assessed by MIBG imaging is a useful prognostic marker in transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy.
Myocardial Steatosis and Left Ventricular Contractile Dysfunction in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Mahmod Masliza , Bull Sacha , Suttie Joseph J. , Pal Nikhil , Holloway Cameron , Dass Sairia , Myerson Saul G. , Schneider Jurgen E. , De Silva Ravi , Petrou Mario , Sayeed Rana , Westaby Stephen , Clelland Colin , Francis Jane M. , Ashrafian Houman , Karamitsos Theodoros D. , Neubauer Stefan
Published: July 2013

Background—

Aortic stenosis (AS) leads to left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and dysfunction. We hypothesized that cardiac steatosis is involved in the pathophysiology and also assessed whether it is reversible after aortic valve replacement.

Methods and Results—

Thirty-nine patients with severe AS (symptomatic=25, asymptomatic=14) with normal LV ejection fraction and no significant coronary artery disease and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls underwent cardiac 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging for the determination of steatosis (myocardial triglyceride content) and cardiac function, including circumferential strain (measured by magnetic resonance tagging). Strain was lower in both symptomatic and asymptomatic AS (−16.4±2.5% and −18.1±2.9%, respectively, versus controls −20.7±2.0%, both
P
<0.05). Myocardial steatosis was found in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with AS (0.89±0.42% in symptomatic AS; 0.75±0.36% in asymptomatic AS versus controls 0.45±0.17, both
P
<0.05). Importantly, multivariable analysis indicated that steatosis was an independent correlate of impaired LV strain. Spectroscopic measurements of myocardial triglyceride content correlated significantly with histological analysis of biopsies obtained during aortic valve replacement. At 8.0±2.1 months after aortic valve replacement, steatosis and strain had recovered toward normal.

Conclusions—

Pronounced myocardial steatosis is present in severe AS, regardless of symptoms, and is independently associated with the degree of LV strain impairment. Myocardial triglyceride content measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy correlates with histological quantification. Steatosis and strain impairment are reversible after aortic valve replacement. Our findings suggest a novel pathophysiological mechanism in AS, myocardial steatosis, which may be amenable to treatment, thus potentially delaying onset of LV dysfunction.
Arginase‐II Induces Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Senescence and Apoptosis Through p66Shc and p53 Independently of Its
l
‐Arginine Ureahydrolase Activity: Implications for Atherosclerotic Plaque Vulnerability
Authors: Xiong Yuyan , Yu Yi , Montani Jean‐Pierre , Yang Zhihong , Ming Xiu‐Fen
Published: July 2013

Background

Vascular smooth muscle cell (
VSMC
) senescence and apoptosis are involved in atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability. Arginase‐II (Arg‐II) has been shown to promote vascular dysfunction and plaque vulnerability phenotypes in mice through uncoupling of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and activation of macrophage inflammation. The function of Arg‐II in
VSMC
s with respect to plaque vulnerability is unknown. This study investigated the functions of Arg‐II in
VSMC
s linking to plaque vulnerability.

Methods and Results

In vitro studies were performed on
VSMC
s isolated from human umbilical veins, whereas in vivo studies were performed on atherosclerosis‐prone apolipoprotein E‐deficient (ApoE
−/−
) mice. In nonsenescent
VSMC
s, overexpressing wild‐type Arg‐II or an
l
‐arginine ureahydrolase inactive Arg‐II mutant (H160F) caused similar effects on mitochondrial dysfunction, cell apoptosis, and senescence, which were abrogated by silencing p66Shc or p53. The activation of p66Shc but not p53 by Arg‐II was dependent on extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (
ERK
s) and sequential activation of 40S ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1)—c‐Jun N‐terminal kinases (JNKs). In senescent
VSMC
s, Arg‐II and S6K1,
ERK
‐p66Shc, and p53 signaling levels were increased. Silencing Arg‐II reduced all these signalings and cell senescence/apoptosis. Conversely, silencing p66Shc reduced
ERK
and S6K1 signaling and Arg‐II levels and cell senescence/apoptosis. Furthermore, genetic ablation of Arg‐II in ApoE
−/−
mice reduced the aforementioned signaling and apoptotic
VSMC
s in the plaque of aortic roots.

Conclusions

Arg‐II, independently of its
l
‐arginine ureahydrolase activity, promotes mitochondrial dysfunction leading to
VSMC
senescence/apoptosis through complex positive crosstalk among S6K1‐
JNK
,
ERK
, p66Shc, and p53, contributing to atherosclerotic vulnerability phenotypes in mice.
Mating success and wing morphometry in Drosophila melanogaster after long-term rearing on different diets
Authors: Trajković Jelena , Pavković-Lučić Sofija , Savić Tatjana
Published: July 2013

Different environmental factors are important for development, physiology, behaviour and, therefore, adaptation of Drosophila species. Additionally, the presence of genetic and phenotypic variation in traits affecting mate choice forms the basis for sexual selection that may lead to isolation between populations in different nutritive environments. The aim of this research was to determine mating success and wing morphometry of Drosophila melanogaster flies after more than a decade of growing on banana and carrot substrates. Males and females reared on carrot medium were more successful in mating than flies reared on banana diet. Females originating from banana medium rather chose males originating from carrot substrate, while females developed on carrot medium equally chose males developed on both substrates. Differences in wing size and shape were observed between sexes and nutritional strains. Furthermore, the results showed absence of ethological isolation between two ‘nutritional’ strains.
Sensory determinants of agonistic interactions in the red-backed salamander, Plethodon cinereus
Authors: Duhaime-Ross Arielle , Martel Geneviève , Laberge Frédéric
Published: July 2013

Many animals use and react to multimodal signals — signals that occur in more than one sensory modality. This study focused on the respective roles of vision, chemoreception, and their possible interaction in determining agonistic responses of the red-backed salamander, Plethodon cinereus. The use of a computer display allowed separate or combined presentation of visual and chemical cues. A cue isolation experiment using adult male and juvenile salamanders showed that both visual and chemical cues from unfamiliar male conspecifics could increase aggressive displays. Submissive displays were only increased in juveniles, and specifically by the visual cue. The rate of chemoinvestigation of the substrate was increased only by chemical cues in adults, whereas both chemical and visual cues increased this behaviour in juveniles. Chemoinvestigation appears, thus, more dependent on sensory input in juvenile salamanders. A follow-up experiment comparing responses to visual cues of different animals (conspecific salamander, heterospecific salamander and earthworm) or an inanimate object (wood stick) showed that exploratory behaviour was higher in the presence of the inanimate object stimulus. The heterospecific salamander stimulus produced strong submissive and escape responses, while the conspecific salamander stimulus promoted aggressive displays. Finally, the earthworm stimulus increased both aggressive and submissive behaviours at intermediate levels when compared to salamander cues. These specific combinations of agonistic and exploratory responses to each stimulus suggest that salamanders could discriminate the cues visually. This study sheds some light on how information from different sensory modalities guides social behaviour at different life stages in a salamander.
The Demonstrative iyyā-: A Little-Considered Aspect of Arabic Deixis
Authors: Wilmsen David
Published: July 2013

Abstract

The familiar Arabic pronominal object marker iyyā- performs other functions within the language. One of these, the demonstrative, has been recognized in spoken Egyptian Arabic but passes virtually unremarked in written Arabic. Nevertheless, it is so used by writers from the eastern Arabophone world more often than by those from the west. As such, it usually performs four roles in structuring information: expressing contrast, emphatic reflexivity, and two degrees of distal deixis. While modern Arab writers appear to use it demonstratively more often than did those of medieval and classical Arabic, that earlier writers were using it suggests that its demonstrative property is an inherent feature. This is confirmed by comparing object markers in other Semitic languages, which may function as demonstratives in Hebrew and Aramaic, reflexives in Syriac, and in remote deixis in Amharic.
L’histoire de la judicature musulmane revisitée: l’exercice de la justice sous les Abbassides
Authors: Daaif Lahcen
Published: July 2013

Abstract

While it is true that little is known about justice (qaḍāʾ) and how it functioned in the first century of Islam, this is no longer the case for Iraq during the Abbasid period (up to the arrival of the Būyids in 334/945), the subject of Mathieu Tillier’s recent study. In the following pages, I will provide a presentation that traces, chapter by chapter, the history of the judicial institution during this period according to the author’s outline, both in the evolution of its practices and of its means of expression and in its troubled relationship, often one of subordination to political power. When necessary, I will examine points that seem subject to debate and I will suggest some small improvements and formal corrections.
ʿAdālat al-Ṣaḥāba: The Construction of a Religious Doctrine
Authors: Osman Amr
Published: July 2013

Abstract

This article investigates the development of ʿadālat al-ṣaḥāba, a central doctrine in Sunnī orthodoxy that stresses the integrity of the Prophet Muḥammad’s Companions. The examination of relevant Sunnī works indicates that the doctrine crystalized in the 5th/11th century, by which time the basic tenets of the doctrine had been developed. These include, among other things, the definition of Companions and their essential role in securing the authenticity of Islam. Furthermore, it was around that time that medieval Sunnī scholars developed an epistemological—rather than a historical or theological—basis for the doctrine. Establishing the integrity of the Companions during the Prophet’s lifetime on the presumption of innocence that is further confirmed by textual evidence, they argued that good Muslims must continue to accept that integrity given the lack of conclusive evidence that they lost it at a later time, particularly when they participated in civil wars. I argue that this epistemological ground was furnished by Murğiʾism, as the examination of some Murğiʾī texts demonstrates.1
Women and Feminine Images in Muslim Traditions of the End
Authors: Livne-Kafri Ofer
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Heroes of apocalyptic traditions are generally men, such as messiahs and anti-messiahs, leaders and warriors, participants in the dispute over the power in the Muslim community, and others. Nevertheless, the role of women is not entirely ignored. This article deals with women as transmitters of apocalyptic traditions, women playing a role in those traditions, and feminine images. Women in traditions of the End seem to provide a measuring-rod for different situations in Muslim society during times of foretold tribulations, such as horrors, torture, captivity, or threats of moral decline. The feminine images mainly relate to towns in the Last Day and in the apocalyptic times that will precede it. They reflect the impact of the Judaeo-Christian heritage on Muslim traditions through the adaptation of old texts, themes and images to the needs of the Muslim community and its value system.
Submissions to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf: The Practice of Developing States in Cases of Disputed and Unresolved Maritime Boundary Delimitations or Other Land or Maritime Disputes. Part One
Authors: Kwiatkowska Barbara
Published: July 2013

Abstract

This is the first part of a two-part article surveying state practice regarding Disputed and Unresolved Maritime Boundary Delimitations or Other Land or Maritime Disputes under the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) Rules. It reviews basic principles and the interpretation of the 1982 UN Law of the Sea Convention and the CLCS Rules. As the 2006 Annex VII Barbados/Trinidad and Tobago Award and the 2012 ITLOS Bangladesh v. Myanmar Judgment reaffirmed, the CLCS Recommendations must in no way prejudice existing and prospective boundary delimitations, nor must they prejudice other land or maritime disputes. All practical means of giving effect to such “without prejudice” principles are carefully analysed. The present Part covers Latin America and the Wider Caribbean, Northeast and Southeast Asia, and the South Pacific. Part Two will cover South Asia and the Middle East, East Africa—Indian Ocean, South Africa, West Africa and North Africa.
Sweden and the Cold War: A Historiography of a Work in Progress
Authors: Nilsson Mikael
Published: July 2013

This article provides an updated and comprehensive historiography of Swedish military history research concerning Sweden’s security policy during the Cold War for an international audience in the English language. The article reviews the important books and articles on the subject from the early 1990s to the present and evaluates them in an accessible way also for those not familiar with Swedish Cold War history. The article identifies and makes use of three schools of research in order to categorize and systemize this research, namely a moderate school, a critical school, and a radical school. One of the main points of the article is that much of the differences between the critical and the radical school has to do with the fact that the two schools focus on different levels of analysis and thus in reality are more compatible than their proponents may think.
Driving With the Wandering Mind
Authors: Yanko Matthew R. , Spalek Thomas M.
Published: July 2013

Objective:

The principal objective of the present work was to examine the effects of mind state (mind-wandering vs. on-task) on driving performance in a high-fidelity driving simulator.

Background:

Mind-wandering is thought to interfere with goal-directed thought. It is likely, then, that when driving, mind-wandering might lead to impairments in critical aspects of driving performance. In two experiments, we assess the extent to which mind-wandering interferes with responsiveness to sudden events, mean velocity, and headway distance.

Method:

Using a car-following procedure in a high-fidelity driving simulator, participants were probed at random times to indicate whether they were on-task at that moment or mind-wandering. The dependent measures were analyzed based on the participant’s response to the probe.

Results:

Compared to when on-task, when mind-wandering participants showed longer response times to sudden events, drove at a higher velocity, and maintained a shorter headway distance.

Conclusion:

Collectively, these findings indicate that mind-wandering affects a broad range of driving responses and may therefore lead to higher crash risk.

Application:

The results suggest that situations that are likely associated with mind-wandering (e.g., route familiarity) can impair driving performance.
Joint Drumming in Brazilian and German Preschool Children
Authors: Kirschner Sebastian , Ilari Beatriz
Published: July 2013

As a core feature of musical rituals around the world, humans synchronize their movements to the pulse of a shared acoustic pattern—a behavior called rhythmic entrainment. The purpose of the present study was (a) to examine the development of rhythmic entrainment with a focus on the role of experience and (b) to follow one line of evidence concerning its adaptive function. We hypothesized (a) that children learn how to synchronize movements to sound during social interactions, where they experience this behavior as a convention of the surrounding culture’s practice, and (b) that rhythmic entrainment has an adaptive value by allowing several people to coordinate their actions, thereby creating group cohesion and ultimately promoting cooperativeness. We compared the spontaneous synchronization behavior of Brazilian and German preschool children during joint drumming with an experimenter, either vis-à-vis or separated by a curtain, versus drumming along a playback beat. Afterward, we measured the children’s prosocial tendencies toward the experimenter. We found that Brazilian children were more likely than German children to spontaneously synchronize their drumming in a social setting, even if the codrummer was hidden from view. According to hypothesis, the variation in individual synchronization accuracy between and within the two samples could be partly explained by differences in individual experience with active musical practice, as revealed by parental interviews. However, we found no differences in children’s prosocial tendencies depending on whether they just had drummed alone or together with the experimenter.
Core Practices and Pedagogies of Teacher Education
Authors: McDonald Morva , Kazemi Elham , Kavanagh Sarah Schneider
Published: July 2013

Currently, the field of teacher education is undergoing a major shift—a turn away from a predominant focus on specifying the necessary knowledge for teaching toward specifying teaching practices that entail knowledge and doing. In this article, the authors suggest that current work on K-12 core teaching practices has the potential to shift teacher education toward the practice of teaching. However, the authors argue that to realize this vision we must reimagine not only the curriculum for learning to teach but also the pedagogy of teacher education. We present one example of what we mean by reimagined teacher education pedagogy by offering a framework through which to conceptualize the preparation of teachers organized around core practices. From our perspectives, this framework could be the backbone of a larger research and development agenda aimed at engaging teachers and teacher educators in systematic knowledge generation regarding ambitious teaching and teacher education pedagogy. We conclude with an invitation to the field to join with us in imagining approaches to generating and aggregating knowledge about teaching and the pedagogy of teacher education that will move not only our individual practice but also our collective practice forward.
Comparing the Impact of Online and Face-to-Face Professional Development in the Context of Curriculum Implementation
Authors: Fishman Barry , Konstantopoulos Spyros , Kubitskey Beth W. , Vath Richard , Park Gina , Johnson Heather , Edelson Daniel C.
Published: July 2013

This study employed a randomized experiment to examine differences in teacher and student learning from professional development (PD) in two modalities: online and face-to-face. The study explores whether there are differences in teacher knowledge and beliefs, teacher classroom practice, and student learning outcomes related to PD modality. Comparison of classroom practice and student learning outcomes, normally difficult to establish in PD research, is facilitated by the use of a common set of curriculum materials as the content for PD and subsequent teaching. Findings indicate that teachers and students exhibited significant gains in both conditions, and that there was no significant difference between conditions. We discuss implications for the delivery of teacher professional learning.
The Living, Moving and Travel Behaviour of the Growing American Solo: Implications for Cities
Authors: Deka Devajyoti
Published: July 2013

Between 1930 and 2010 the share of single-person, or solo, households in the US increased from 6 per cent to almost 28 per cent, whereas the share of married-couple households decreased from 79 per cent to 49 per cent. Yet solo households have received little attention in urban planning and transport research. Given the significant increase of solo households in US cities, this study identifies the distinctive dwelling, moving and travel characteristics of the American solo households, and examines the reasons for their attraction to cities. It uses historical data from census Public Use Microdata Samples and recent national data from the American Housing Survey and the National Household Travel Survey. Descriptive statistics, basic statistical tests, binary logit models and Heckman sample selection models are used to examine various relationships. Some of the transport-related and environmental implications of the findings are discussed.
Burma’s Transition to Quasi-Military Rule
Authors: Bünte Marco
Published: July 2013

Today, most military regimes have either given way to some form of democracy or been transformed into another form of authoritarianism. This article formulates a framework for the analysis of the detachment of militaries from politics and applies it to the case of Burma/Myanmar, which is an example of deeply entrenched military rule. It is argued that after the retreat from direct rule the military is still in control, although the regime has embarked on a series of reforms that have liberalized the political system. The article identifies the internal dynamics within the military regime as a prime motive. External factors played only an indirect role, as the growing dependence on China was seen as a threat among nationalistic circles. The military decided to bridge the internal impasse and end the external isolation only after it consolidated its own power, finally allowing the leadership succession to run smoothly.
Spontaneous Mental Contrasting and Selective Goal Pursuit
Authors: Sevincer A. Timur , Oettingen Gabriele
Published: July 2013

Mental contrasting a desired future with reality is a self-regulation strategy that fosters selective goal pursuit; people pursue goals for which they have high expectations of success, and let go of those for which they have low expectations. Indulging in the future, dwelling on the reality, or contrasting the reality with the future lead to indiscriminate goal pursuit. We developed a content analytic measure to observe spontaneous mental contrasting in people writing about an important wish (Study 1). Just like induced mental contrasting, spontaneous mental contrasting predicted selective goal pursuit measured by self-reported performance (Study 2) and observed performance (Study 3). The developed coding scheme opens the way to investigating situation, person, and cultural predictors of spontaneous mental contrasting.
The Internet: A new route to good governance
Authors: Khazaeli Susan , Stockemer Daniel
Published: July 2013

In examining the relationship between Internet use and governance across different regime types, the article emphasizes the Internet’s potential to improve governance. Through a pooled time-series analysis of more than 170 countries with annual or biannual data from 1996 to 2010, we establish that countries with higher Internet penetration rates generally enjoy better, more stable governance, regardless of regime type. Our finding has both practical and theoretical implications. More practically, our results strongly entertain the possibility that the Internet improves access to information, accommodates pluralistic sources of information, and produces platforms for political discourse. Our findings also suggest that the Internet’s concomitant facility for reporting and scrutiny in the public sphere may encourage leaders to improve transparency and accountability. More empirically, the article introduces an additional variable to the good governance function, which should be included in future analyses.
Integrated Literature Review of Postdischarge Telephone Calls
Authors: Bahr Sarah J , Solverson Susan , Schlidt Andrea , Hack Deborah , Smith Jeri Lynn , Ryan Polly
Published: July 2013

This systematic review of the literature assessed the impact of a postdischarge telephone call on patient outcomes. Nineteen articles met inclusion criteria. Data were extracted and an evidence table was developed. The content, timing, and professional placing the call varied across studies. Study strength was low and findings were inconsistent. Measures varied across studies, many sample sizes were small, and studies differed by patient population. Evidence is inconclusive for use of phone calls to decrease readmission, emergency department use, patient satisfaction, scheduled and unscheduled follow-up, and physical and emotional well-being. Among these studies, there was limited support for medication-focused calls by pharmacists but no support for decreasing readmission. Health care providers benefited from feedback but did not need to place the call to realize this benefit. Inpatient nurses were unable to manage the volume of calls. There was no standardized approach to the call, training, or documentation requirements.
ICT and empowerment to participate
Authors: Dasuki Salihu Ibrahim , Abbott Pamela , Azerikatoa Daniel
Published: July 2013

Under which conditions can ICT4D initiatives empower poor communities of developing countries? In this paper we evaluate the promise of development associated with the introduction of an ICT initiative in Nigeria. We employ the basic concepts of Sen’s capability approach to understand how the introduction of a prepaid electricity billing system has empowered people to participate in accessing electricity supply. Our analysis illustrates that various activities resulting from the introduction of the system allow for the participation of both consumers and electricity workers, and that in order for them to be empowered to participate in each of the activities, different resources are required. We conclude with some implications for policy makers advancing an agenda for ICTs for development.
Use of food product information in consumption decision among female workers in Nigerian state universities
Authors: Babalola Yemisi T , Opeke Rosaline O , Aja Godwin ND
Published: July 2013

The use of food product information is a globally acknowledged food safety measure. This study surveyed the use of food product information as a determinant of consumption of packaged foods among 561 female academic and non-academic staff of eight state universities in Nigeria using the multi-stage random sampling technique. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistic and binary logistic regression. The findings showed that the use of food product information is a determinant of consumption of packaged foods among the respondents; however, the majority based their consumption decisions on the availability of a National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) registration number. The study concludes that female workers in Nigerian state universities are not taking full advantage of all the food product information available on packaged foods and therefore recommends that NAFDAC intensifies awareness campaigns on the importance of using all food product information available on packaged foods. Also, information professionals should collaborate with public health experts to organize seminars and conferences to further enlighten the public and members of the academic community on the usefulness of this food safety measure.
Exploring the different aspects of Internet leisure use by college students
Authors: Wang Cheng-Cai , Chen Chun-Fu , Chen Chin-Tsu
Published: July 2013

This study treated college students whose Internet usage rate is 100 percent as subjects, and probed into the correlation between flow experience and continuance of leisure Internet usage. The findings demonstrate that college students tend to recognize use perception, flow experience, and continuance intentions in leisure Internet usage positively. Browsers and instant messenger are the most commonly used applications. Male and female users’ continuance intentions of leisure Internet usage are significantly different. Ease of use has significant difference in online games and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) use; use of online games and bulletin board systems show significant differences in continuance intention; use perception and flow experience have significant correlations with college students’ continuance intentions of leisure Internet usage.
Measurement of systemic oxygen consumption in patients during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation — description of a new method and the first clinical observations
Authors: Cheypesh A , Yu X , Li J
Published: July 2013

Background:

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides temporary life-saving support for patients with severe cardiac failure, but is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. While ECMO enables oxygen delivery (DO2), little is known about oxygen consumption (VO2), largely due to technical difficulties. We aimed to introduce the adaptation of respiratory mass spectrometry to measure VO2 in patients during ECMO and to use this unique model to determine the pathological dependency of VO2 on DO2 in humans.

Methods and Patients:

Respiratory mass spectrometry remains the ‘state-of-the-art’ method, allowing the highly sensitive and rapid measurement of VO2 in critically ill patients. The principle and design of the respiratory mass spectrometer are described, together with the setting up of this machine with the ECMO oxygenator and the native lungs of the patients. In two patients with severe dilated cardiomyopathy and little cardiac contraction, the decrease in pump flow and, hence, DO2 by 20% was associated with a decrease in VO2 by 5% and 8%, respectively, whereas the increase in pump flow was not associated with any significant change in VO2.

Conclusions:

The direct measurement of VO2 by respiratory mass spectrometry in ECMO patients provides a unique technique for clinical research on the metabolism and VO2-DO2 relationship in this special group of critically ill patients. Our pilot study is the first to demonstrate a pathological dependency of VO2 on DO2 in humans. Further studies are warranted with this technique to examine the changes and the factors affecting systemic oxygen transport in patients during ECMO.
Does adding noradrenaline reuptake inhibition to selective serotonin reuptake inhibition improve efficacy in patients with depression? A systematic review of meta-analyses and large randomised pragmatic trials
Authors: Bradley Andrew J , Lenox-Smith Alan J
Published: July 2013

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are recommended as first-line pharmacological treatment for depression and are the most commonly prescribed class of antidepressants. However, there is substantial evidence that noradrenaline has a role in the pathogenesis and treatment of depression. This review aims to examine the evidence of including noradrenaline reuptake inhibition with serotonin reuptake inhibition with respect to increasing efficacy in the treatment of depression. Evidence from meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and randomised pragmatic trials was found in support of greater efficacy of the serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), venlafaxine and duloxetine, in moderate to severe depression compared to SSRIs but no evidence was found for superiority of milnacipran. There is sufficient current evidence that demonstrates an increase in efficacy, when noradrenaline reuptake is added to serotonin (5-HT) reuptake, to suggest that patients with severe depression or those who have failed to reach remission with a SSRI may benefit from treatment with a SNRI. However, as these conclusions are drawn from the evidence derived from meta-analyses and pragmatic trials, large adequately powered RCTs using optimal dosing regimens and clinically relevant outcome measures in severe depression and SSRI treatment failures are still required to confirm these findings.
“Inflaming Your Neighbors”
Authors: Lambie Ian , Randell Isabel , McDowell Heather
Published: July 2013

The objective of this article is to consider and discuss existing research and theory concerning copycat problem behaviors and copycat offending and how this may be applicable to populations of firesetting children and adolescents. The primary databases used to search for literature were PsychInfo, Medline, and Eric. Google Scholar was used as an additional Internet search engine. While the primary focus was on literature published since 1990, earlier literature considered to be important was also included. Qualitative and quantitative studies suggest that consumption of violent media affects aggressive behaviors and supports the existence of a copycat effect within some offending populations. Existing literature suggests that processes such as desensitization, observational learning, priming, and alteration of scripts are involved in copycat behaviors and are mediated by individual, environmental, and media factors. While literature concerning firesetters has largely overlooked the possibility of a copycat effect, given their young age, and the often antisocial nature and individual and environmental problems associated with firesetters, they may be a population particularly vulnerable to such an effect. There is a need for consideration of the potential role of the media in copycat behaviors and for care to be taken in the way that the media reports events.
Parenting, Self-Control, and Delinquency
Authors: Jo Youngoh , Zhang Yan
Published: July 2013

Limited studies have examined whether self-control fully mediates the effect of parenting on deviant behavior beyond Western cultures. Using a sample of 882 South Korean middle and high schools students, this article examines the applicability of Gottfredson and Hirschi’s argument about the role of parenting in self-control theory in the context of Asian culture. Results of structural equation modeling (SEM) suggest the relationships among parenting, self-control, and delinquency hold in South Korean culture: Parenting has only an indirect effect through self-control on delinquency. The findings of multigroup SEM, however, indicate that gender differences exist in the relationships among parenting, self-control, and delinquency. This study provides support for cultural invariance of self-control theory but suggests that more studies examining gender differences and interaction between gender and race in the theory are required.
Odorant substances that trigger headaches in migraine patients
Authors: Silva-Néto RP , Peres MFP , Valença MM
Published: July 2013

Objectives

Our objective was to determine odorants that trigger migraine attacks and the time of onset of headache after exposure.

Methods

Migraine or tension-type headache patients, diagnosed according to the criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders-II, were interviewed about lifetime prevalence of headaches triggered by odors and time of onset of pain, after exposure of the patient to the odor.

Results

We studied 200 migraine patients and 200 tension-type headache patients. There were odor-triggered headaches after 25.5 ± 1.9 minutes of exposure in 70.0% (140/200) of migraine patients and none with tension-type headache, which ran at low sensitivity (70.0%, 95% CI 63.1–76.2) and high specificity (100.0%, 95% CI 97.6–100.0). Odor-triggered headaches are distributed in the following order of frequency: perfumes (106/140, 75.7%), paints (59/140, 42.1%), gasoline (40/140, 28.6%) and bleach (38/140, 27.1%). There was significance in the association of odor-triggered migraine, especially among perfume with cleaning (phi = –0.459), cooking (phi = 0.238), beauty products (phi = –0.213) and foul odors (phi = –0.582).

Conclusions

Odorants, isolated or in association, especially perfume, may trigger migraine attacks after a few minutes of exposure.
Changes in Serum Biomarkers of Cartilage Turnover After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
Authors: Svoboda Steven J. , Harvey Travis M. , Owens Brett D. , Brechue William F. , Tarwater Patrick M. , Cameron Kenneth L.
Published: July 2013

Background:

Biomarkers of cartilage turnover and joint metabolism have a potential use in detecting early degenerative changes after a traumatic knee joint injury; however, no study has analyzed biomarkers before an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and again after injury or in comparison with a similar group of uninjured controls.

Hypothesis:

Changes in serum biomarker levels and the ratio of cartilage degradation to synthesis, from baseline to follow-up, would be significantly different between ACL-injured patients and uninjured controls.

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

This case-control study was conducted to examine changes in serum biomarkers of cartilage turnover following ACL injury in a young athletic population. Specifically, 2 markers for type II collagen and aggrecan synthesis (CPII and CS846, respectively) and 2 markers of types I and II degradation and type II degradation only (C1,2C and C2C, respectively) were studied. Preinjury baseline serum samples and postinjury follow-up samples were obtained for 45 ACL-injured cases and 45 uninjured controls matched for sex, age, height, and weight.

Results:

Results revealed significant decreases in C1,2C ( P = .042) and C2C ( P = .006) over time in the ACL-injured group when compared with the controls. The change in serum concentrations of CS846 from baseline to follow-up was also significantly different between the ACL-injured patients and uninjured controls ( P = .002), as was the change between groups in the ratio of C2C:CPII over time ( P = .013). No preinjury differences in the ratio of C1,2C:CPII or C2C:CPII were observed between groups; however, postinjury differences were observed for both ratios.

Conclusion:

Changes in biomarker concentrations after an ACL injury suggest an alteration in cartilage turnover and joint metabolism in those sustaining ACL injuries compared with uninjured matched controls.