bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dose-Dependent Contribution of CD34-Positive Cell Transplantation to Concurrent Vasculogenesis and Cardiomyogenesis for Functional Regenerative Recovery After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Iwasaki Hiroto , Kawamoto Atsuhiko , Ishikawa Masakazu , Oyamada Akira , Nakamori Shuko , Nishimura Hiromi , Sadamoto Kazuyo , Horii Miki , Matsumoto Tomoyuki , Murasawa Satoshi , Shibata Toshihiko , Suehiro Shigefumi , Asahara Takayuki
Published: March 2006

Background—

Multilineage developmental capacity of the CD34
+
cells, especially into cardiomyocytes and smooth muscle cells (SMCs), is still controversial. In the present study we performed a series of experiments to prove our hypothesis that vasculogenesis and cardiomyogenesis after myocardial infarction (MI) may be dose-dependently enhanced after CD34
+
cell transplantation.

Methods and Results—

Peripheral blood CD34
+
cells were isolated from total mononuclear cells of patients with limb ischemia by apheresis after 5-day administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. PBS and 1×10
3
(low), 1×10
5
(mid), or 5×10
5
(high) CD34
+
cells were intramyocardially transplanted after ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery of nude rats. Functional assessments with the use of echocardiography and a microtip conductance catheter at day 28 revealed dose-dependent preservation of left ventricular function by CD34
+
cell transplantation. Necropsy examination disclosed dose-dependent augmentation of capillary density and dose-dependent inhibition of left ventricular fibrosis. Immunohistochemistry for human-specific brain natriuretic peptide demonstrated that human cardiomyocytes were dose-dependently observed in ischemic myocardium at day 28 (high, 2480±149; mid, 1860±141; low, 423±9; PBS, 0±0/mm
2
;
P
<0.05 for high versus mid and mid versus low). Immunostaining for smooth muscle actin and human leukocyte antigen or
Ulex europaeus
lectin type 1 also revealed dose-dependent vasculogenesis by endothelial cell and SMC development after CD34
+
cell transplantation. Reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction indicated that human-specific gene expression of cardiomyocyte (brain natriuretic peptide, cardiac troponin-I, myosin heavy chain, and Nkx 2.5), SMC (smooth muscle actin and sm22α), and endothelial cell (CD31 and KDR) markers were dose-dependently augmented in MI tissue.

Conclusions—

Human CD34
+
cell transplantation may have significant and dose-dependent potential for vasculogenesis and cardiomyogenesis with functional recovery from MI.
Stem Cell Mobilization Induced by Subcutaneous Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor to Improve Cardiac Regeneration After Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Ripa Rasmus Sejersten , Jørgensen Erik , Wang Yongzhong , Thune Jens Jakob , Nilsson Jens Christian , Søndergaard Lars , Johnsen Hans Erik , Køber Lars , Grande Peer , Kastrup Jens
Published: March 2006

Background—

Phase 1 clinical trials of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment after myocardial infarction have indicated that G-CSF treatment is safe and may improve left ventricular function. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aimed to assess the efficacy of subcutaneous G-CSF injections on left ventricular function in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Methods and Results—

Seventy-eight patients (62 men; average age, 56 years) with ST-elevation myocardial infarction were included after successful primary percutaneous coronary stent intervention <12 hours after symptom onset. Patients were randomized to double-blind treatment with G-CSF (10 μg/kg of body weight) or placebo for 6 days. The primary end point was change in systolic wall thickening from baseline to 6 months determined by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An independent core laboratory analyzed all MRI examinations. Systolic wall thickening improved 17% in the infarct area in the G-CSF group and 17% in the placebo group (
P
=1.0). Comparable results were found in infarct border and noninfarcted myocardium. Left ventricular ejection fraction improved similarly in the 2 groups measured by both MRI (8.5 versus 8.0;
P
=0.9) and echocardiography (5.7 versus 3.7;
P
=0.7). The risk of severe clinical adverse events was not increased by G-CSF. In addition, in-stent late lumen loss and target vessel revascularization rate in the follow-up period were similar in the 2 groups.

Conclusions—

Bone marrow stem cell mobilization with subcutaneous G-CSF is safe but did not lead to further improvement in ventricular function after acute myocardial infarction compared with the recovery observed in the placebo group.
Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A
2
and Its Association With Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes in the PROVE IT-TIMI 22 (PRavastatin Or atorVastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy–Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) Trial
Authors: O’Donoghue Michelle , Morrow David A. , Sabatine Marc S. , Murphy Sabina A. , McCabe Carolyn H. , Cannon Christopher P. , Braunwald Eugene
Published: March 2006

Background—

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A
2
(Lp-PLA
2
) is associated with the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events in population-based studies. The prognostic value of Lp-PLA
2
in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) has not been established.

Methods and Results—

Plasma levels of Lp-PLA
2
activity were measured at baseline (n=3648) and 30 days (n=3265) in patients randomized to atorvastatin 80 mg/d or pravastatin 40 mg/d after ACS in the PROVE IT-TIMI 22 (PRavastatin Or atorVastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy–Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) trial. The primary end point was death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, revascularization, or stroke (mean follow-up 24 months). At baseline after ACS, the risk of recurrent CV events was similar across all quintiles of Lp-PLA
2
activity (
P
trend
=0.88). Overall, mean levels of Lp-PLA
2
were lower at 30 days of follow-up than at baseline (35.7 versus 40.9 nmol · min
−1
· mL
−1
,
P
<0.001). In particular, treatment with atorvastatin 80 mg/d was associated with a 20% reduction in Lp-PLA
2
activity (
P
<0.001), whereas Lp-PLA
2
rose 3.6% with pravastatin 40 mg/d (
P
<0.001). Patients with 30-day Lp-PLA
2
activity in the highest quintile were at significantly increased risk of recurrent CV events compared with those in the lowest quintile (26.4% versus 17.6%,
P
trend
=0.002). After adjustment for cardiac risk factors, treatments, achieved low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and C-reactive protein, Lp-PLA
2
activity in the highest quintile remained independently associated with a higher risk of recurrent CV events (adjusted hazard ratio 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 to 1.74).

Conclusions—

Lp-PLA
2
is not useful for risk stratification when measured early after ACS. At 30 days, Lp-PLA
2
activity is significantly lowered with high-dose statin therapy and is associated with an increased risk of CV events independent of C-reactive protein and LDL cholesterol levels.
The Criticism of Powerful Women by Western Han Dynasty Portent Experts
Authors: Hinsch Bret
Published: March 2006

Western Han portent experts investigated unusual natural phenomena that they considered signs of Heaven's will. Beginning as a marginal method of historical analysis and cosmological theory, portent studies matured into a standard form of political discourse and critique. Landmark research on portents by influential scholars such as Dong Zhongshu, Jing Fang, and Liu Xiang provided sophisticated metaphysical justifications for excluding certain women from political life. This article discusses the development of Western Han portent studies to demonstrate how a new politicized ideology of gender emerged from these historical and cosmological researches. Durant la période Han occidentale, les experts en divination s'intéressaient aux phénomènes naturels qu'ils interprétaient comme des manifestations de la volonté céleste. Les études divinatoires commencèrent comme une méthode marginale d'analyse historique et comme une théorie cosmologique ; elles se muèrent en un discours politique et critique. Des études importantes sur les signes divinatoires par des lettrés influent tels que Dong Zhongshu, Jin Fang et Liu Xiang fournirent des justification métaphysiques pour l'exclusion de certaines femmes de la vie politique. Cet article analyse le développement des études divinatoires durant la période Han occidentale et montre comment une nouvelle idéologique politiques des sexes a émergé de ces recherches historiques et cosmologiques.
Population dynamics of Pratylenchus coffeae on banana in North Vietnam
Authors: Nguyet Duong Thi Minh , Uyet Nguyen Thi , De Waele Dirk , Nhi Ho Huu , Van den Bergh Inge
Published: March 2006

The reproductive fitness of a Pratylenchus coffeae population, collected from banana roots in North Vietnam, was studied in relation to temperature and moisture under screenhouse and field conditions. In the screenhouse, the population grew much more slowly during the cooler winter months than during the summer and an excess of soil moisture reduced the nematode population drastically. The results were confirmed in the field. The nematode population in the roots of the banana plants initially increased over time but was reduced during the cooler winter months and remained nearly constant during the wettest months when the field was almost continuously flooded. These observations may explain why P. coffeae populations on Musa do not increase to dramatic levels in North Vietnam, with its cool winter temperatures and periods of abundant rainfall during several months of the year.
Influence of fungi on multiplication and distribution of the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, in axenized Pinus thunbergii cuttings
Authors: Suzuki Kazuo , Sakaue Daisuke , Yamada Toshihiro , Wang Yu
Published: March 2006

Influence of fungi on multiplication and distribution of the pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, was investigated in Pinus thunbergii cuttings. Axenized nematodes and/or one of two fungi isolated from healthy and PWN-killed P. thunbergii were inoculated together into autoclaved cuttings. A close relationship between the existence and distribution of fungal hyphae, and the multiplication and distribution of PWN was observed. The PWN did not multiply when only axenized nematodes were inoculated in the absence of fungi. When fungi were present, PWN population size increased markedly. The number of nematodes was high at sites where fungal hyphae were distributed. It is suggested that the restriction of a large portion of the nematode population near the inoculation site during the early stage of disease development is closely related to restricted distribution of fungal hyphae.
Interactions of three species of plant-parasitic nematodes with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus macrocarpus, and their effect on grape biochemistry
Authors: Al-Sayed Al-Sayed , Kesba Hosny
Published: March 2006

The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AM fungus),Glomus macrocarpus, and the nematodes, Meloidogyne incognita and Tylenchulus semipenetrans, have negative reciprocal effects on spore production, nematode development and reproduction when coinfecting grape roots. Glomus macrocarpus was antagonistic to Rotylenchulus reniformis development and reproduction whilst the nematode was synergistic to spore production. Glomus macrocarpus alone or in combination with M. incognita or T. semipenetrans increased root protein, total soluble sugars, total carbohydrates and decreased lipids and dry matter. Glomus macrocarpus together with R. reniformis decreased protein, total soluble sugars, total carbohydrates and dry matter and greatly increased lipids. Compared to the healthy control, G. macrocarpus alone or in combination with M. incognita or R. reniformis decreased the N, P and K content of leaves. Glomus macrocarpus together with T. semipenetrans improved N, P and K concentrations but the latter was still less than that of healthy plants.
Nematodes of the order Rhabditida from Andalucía Oriental: Pseudacrobeles elongatus (de Man, 1880) comb. n.
Authors: Peña-Santiago Reyes , Abolafia Joaquín
Published: March 2006

Material of the nematode previously known as Heterocephalobus elongatus (and the type of the genus) was collected in four localities from the southern Iberian Peninsula and is described and illustrated. The first SEM study of the species is presented. The species is transferred to the genus Pseudacrobeles on the basis that the lateral field fades out near the phasmid. Within this genus it is classified under the subgenus Pseudacrobeles as the lip region has a triradiate symmetry. The combination Pseudacrobeles (Pseudacrobeles) elongatus (de Man, 1880) comb. n. is proposed. As a result of synonymising the type of Heterocephalobus, the genus itself becomes a junior synonym and is herein placed under the genus Pseudacrobeles, subgenus Pseudacrobeles. The species formerly listed under Heterocephalobus are returned to their original combination and listed as species incertae sedis or species inquirendae.
ADCP Measurements of Momentum Balance and Dynamic Topography in a Constricted Tidal Channel
Authors: Vennell Ross
Published: March 2006

The dynamics of tidal flow through inlets are not fully understood; observations are scarce because of the small spatial scales over which the flow varies. This paper gives the first detailed measurements of the 2D structure of tidal currents and the dynamical terms of the momentum equation within a tidal inlet, leading to an improved understanding of the physics of tidal inlets. In the 180 cm s−1 peak flow the near-steady-state momentum balance is dominated by horizontal advection and the pressure gradient, with bottom friction playing a secondary role. At slack water, there is a balance between local acceleration and the pressure gradient. Numerical integration of the ADCP-measured terms in the momentum equation yields 60-m- resolution dynamic topography that shows a 7-cm variation at peak flood consistent with Bernoulli’s equation. The surface topography because of friction forms a linear ramp with a peak irreversible head loss of 2 cm over 600 m. Tidal velocities were extracted from the ADCP measurements by extending an existing spline analysis technique. This technique is known to be sensitive to the number and location of the nodes where weights are applied to the spline. Simulations with artificial data representative of the tidally varying ADCP measurements show that, provided there are sufficient nodes to resolve the smallest spatial scale of interest, velocities predicted by the spline technique are insensitive to the number or locations of the nodes.
When Are Eddy Tracer Fluxes Directed Downgradient?
Authors: Wilson Chris , Williams Richard G.
Published: March 2006

The mechanisms controlling the direction of eddy tracer fluxes are examined using eddy-resolving isopycnic experiments for a cyclic zonal channel. Eddy fluxes are directed downgradient on average when either (i) there is a Lagrangian increase in tracer variance or (ii) there is strong dissipation of tracer variance. The effect of the eddies on the mean tracer evolution can be described through an ensemble of eddies that each have a particular life cycle. Local examination of the eddy behavior, such as fluxes, eddy kinetic energy, and tracer variance appears complex, although the cumulative time-mean picture has coherence: eddies are preferentially formed in localized regions with downstream growth and increase in tracer variance concomitant with downgradient eddy tracer fluxes, while eventually the eddies decay with a decrease in tracer variance and upgradient eddy tracer fluxes. During spinup, tracer deformation through flow instability leads to an area-average increase in tracer variance (although locally it is increasing and decreasing with the individual eddy life cycles) and therefore an implied area-average, downgradient tracer flux. At a steady state, part of the pattern in eddy fluxes simply reflects advection of background tracer variance by the time-mean and eddy flows. The eddy flux becomes biased to being directed downgradient if there is a strong sink in the tracer, which is likely to be the case for eddy heat fluxes along isopycnals outcropping in the mixed layer or for eddy nitrate fluxes along isopycnals intersecting the euphotic zone.
Influence of Midlatitude Winds on the Stratification of the Equatorial Thermocline*
Authors: Nonaka Masami , McCreary Julian P. , Xie Shang-Ping
Published: March 2006

The stratification of the equatorial thermocline is a key variable for tropical climate dynamics, through its influence on the temperature of the water that upwells in the eastern equatorial ocean. In this study, two types of ocean models are used, an ocean general circulation model (GCM) and a 1½-layer model, to investigate processes by which changes in the midlatitude winds affect the equatorial stratification. Specifically, the influences of anomalous mode-water formation, Ekman pumping, and entrainment in the subpolar ocean are examined. The effects of a “sponge layer” adjacent to the northern boundary of the basin are also assessed. Solutions are forced by idealized zonal winds with strong or weak midlatitude westerlies, and they are found in rectangular basins that extend from the equator to 36°N (small basin) or to 60°N (large basin). In the GCM solutions, a prominent response to reduced winds is the thinning of the mixed layer in the northwestern region of the subtropical gyre, leading to less subduction of low-potential-vorticity mode water and hence thinning of the upper thermocline in the central-to-eastern subtropics. Almost all of this thinning signal, however, recirculates within the subtropics, and does not extend to the equator. Another midlatitude response is shallowing (deepening) of the thermocline in the subtropical (subpolar) ocean in response to Ekman pumping. This, primarily, first-baroclinic-mode (n = 1) response has the most influence on the equatorial thermocline. First-baroclinic-mode Rossby waves propagate to the western boundary of the basin where they reflect as packets of coastal Kelvin and short-wavelength Rossby waves that carry the midlatitude signal to the equator. Subsequently, equatorial Kelvin waves spread it along the equator, leading to a shoaling and thinning of the equatorial thermocline. The layer-thickness field h in the 1½-layer model corresponds to thermocline depth in the GCM. Both the sponge layer and subpolar Ekman suction are important factors for the 1½-layer model solutions, requiring water upwelled in the interior ocean to be transported into the sponge layer via the western boundary layer. In the small basin, equatorial h thins in response to weakened westerlies when there is a sponge layer, but it thickens when there is not. In the large basin, equatorial h is unaffected by weakened westerlies when there is a sponge layer, but it thins when water is allowed to entrain into the layer in the subpolar gyre. It is concluded that the thinning of the equatorial thermocline in the GCM solutions is caused by the sponge layer in the small basin and by entrainment in the subpolar ocean in the large one.
Local and Equatorial Forcing of Seasonal Variations of the North Equatorial Countercurrent in the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Yang Jiayan , Joyce Terrence M.
Published: March 2006

The seasonal variation of the North Equatorial Countercurrent (NECC) in the tropical Atlantic Ocean is investigated by using a linear, one-layer reduced-gravity ocean model and by analyzing sea surface height (SSH) data from Ocean Topography Experiment (TOPEX)/Poseidon (T/P) altimeters. The T/P data indicate that the seasonal variability of the NECC geostrophic transport, between 3° and 10°N, is dominated by SSH changes in the southern flank of the current. Since the southern boundary of the NECC is located partially within the equatorial waveguide, the SSH variation there can be influenced considerably by the equatorial dynamics. Therefore, it is hypothesized that the wind stress forcing along the equator is the leading driver for the seasonal cycle of the NECC transport. The wind stress curl in the NECC region is an important but smaller contributor. This hypothesis is tested by several sensitivity experiments that are designed to separate the two forcing mechanisms. In the first sensitivity run, a wind stress field that has a zero curl is used to force the ocean model. The result shows that the NECC geostrophic transport retains most of its seasonal variability. The same happens in another experiment in which the seasonal wind stress is applied only within a narrow band along the equator outside the NECC range. To further demonstrate the role of equatorial waves, another experiment was run in which the wind stress in the Southern Hemisphere is altered so that the model excludes hemispherically symmetrical waves (Kelvin waves and odd-numbered meridional modes of equatorial Rossby waves) and instead excites only the antisymmetrical equatorial Rossby modes. The circulation in the northern tropical ocean, including the NECC, is affected considerably even though the local wind stress there remains unchanged. All these appear to support the hypothesis presented in this paper.
Does the Sex of Firstborn Children Influence Subsequent Fertility Behavior?: Evidence from Family Reconstitution
Authors: Kemkes Ariane
Published: March 2006

According to recent studies in evolutionary anthropology, firstborn daughters influence both parity progression and sibling survival by acting as so-called helpers at the nest. Based on 534 sets of household data from family reconstitution, the current analysis fails to show that offspring sex had any direct impact on maternal fertility, sibling survivorship, birth spacing, or reproductive span. Instead, the results indicate that fertility decisions were heavily affected by proximate factors such as child mortality and gender preferences. Families who had experienced child death were swift to substitute the loss with another pregnancy—a phenomenon known as replacement strategy. Similarly, a surplus of daughters acted as a strong impulse for parity progression, not because of potential helping effects but in an attempt to conceive additional sons. This is particularly apparent when the odds of grandmultiparity are considered.
Is Working Memory Involved in the Transcribing and Editing of Texts?
Authors: Hayes John R. , Chenoweth N. Ann
Published: March 2006

Generally, researchers agree that that verbal working memory plays an important role in cognitive processes involved in writing. However, there is disagreement about which cognitive processes make use of working memory. Kellogg has proposed that verbal working memory is involved in translating but not in editing or producing (i.e., typing) text. In this study, the authors used articulatory suppression, a technique that reduces working memory to explore this question. Twenty participants transcribed six texts from one computer window to another, three of the texts with articulatory suppression and three without. When participants were in the articulatory suppression condition, they transcribed significantly more slowly and made significantly more errors than they did in the control condition. Implications for Kellogg’s proposal are discussed.
The Humanist Scholar as Public Expert
Authors: Eisenhart Christopher
Published: March 2006

Although the rhetoric of expertise stemming from the hard and social sciences has been well researched, the scholarship has not tended to focus on acts of public expertise by scholars from the humanities. This article reports a case study in the rhetorical practices of a theologian, acting as a public expert, first attempting to affect decision making in the Waco conflict in 1993 and then attempting to participate in and shape the public debates that followed it. To compare the practices of this humanities scholar to expectations from research on the rhetoric of expertise, a rhetorical analysis was conducted on the context, style, genre, and argument in the scholar’s public writings. This article discusses (a) the role of kairos in the policy cycle in determining the scholar’s bids for acceptance as an expert, (b) the use of narrative as a generic hybrid of intra- and interdisciplinary practice, and (c) the role of “understanding” asa special topic.
Therapeutic Considerations in Working With the Family, Friends, and Partners of Transgendered Individuals
Authors: Zamboni Brian D.
Published: March 2006

Family, friends, romantic partners, and other loved ones of transgendered relatives may experience denial, anger, and depression during the coming-out process. Cognitively, families and friends likely need to ask questions and understand the implications of having a transgender loved one in their family. Families need to mourn any perceived losses and reconcile changes to the family identity and the transgender relative’s personal identity. Therapists can help families by giving them space, alone and later with the transgender loved one, to express themselves. Validating emotions, increasing social support, and providing accurate information on transgenderism are important components of therapy. With appropriate professional guidance, family, friends, and partners can learn to appreciate a transgendered loved one and strengthen family bonds.
A Call for Feminist Research: A Limited Client Perspective
Authors: Murray Kirsten
Published: March 2006

Feminist approaches embrace a counselor stance that is both collaborative and supportive, seeking client empowerment. On review of feminist family and couple counseling literature of the past 20 years using several academic databases, no research was found that explored a client’s experience of feminist-informed family and couple counseling. The author addresses the aims and trends of a systemic feminist approach and areas of limited research. Implications for attending to clients’ experiences of a feminist approach are also addressed from a multicultural, ethical, and political perspective.
Evaluating the Effects of Attachment Styles on Relationship Maintenance Behaviors in Father-Daughter Relationships
Authors: Punyanunt-Carter Narissra M.
Published: March 2006

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of attachment styles on relationship maintenance behaviors in father-daughter relationships. Two hundred and seven father-daughter dyads participated in the study. Results indicate that both daughters’ and fathers’ attachment styles do not affect their relationship maintenance behaviors. Results also demonstrate that fathers are more likely than daughters to use all the relationship maintenance behaviors except for social networks. Moreover, fathers are more likely to use shared tasks and advice relationship maintenance behaviors than are their daughters.
Themes in Marriage and Family Counseling: A Content Analysis of The Family Journal
Authors: Southern Stephen
Published: March 2006

A content analysis determines the most frequent themes in marriage and family counseling as evidenced by publication of articles, book reviews, and features in The Family Journal. An additional concern of the study is detecting changes in themes in the 52 issues of the journal beginning with Volume 1, Number 1, published in January 1993, and ending with Volume 13, Number 4, published in October 2005. The results and conclusions help determine the context of contemporary issues, demonstrate the evolution of the specialization, and forecast publication needs for the future. The content analysis forms a foundation for identifying publishing priorities, neglected areas of research, and insights about publishable articles.
Help Me Help You: A Systematic Approach to Goal Support for Couples
Authors: Hydock Rosalie , Eckstein Dan
Published: March 2006

An overview of the topic of goal support and its relevance to couples was presented. Mutual support systems can be improved through applications of the 4-Factor Goal Support (4FGS) system.
“Union Differentiates”: Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s Philosophy Applied to Couple Relationships
Authors: Luquet Wade
Published: March 2006

Philosopher, scientist, and theologian Pierre Teilhard de Chardin used his scientific and theological knowledge to devise philosophical ideas to explain the development of humans and their continuing evolutionary development of the noosphere—the thinking and conscious layer of his evolutionary model. This article extends Teilhard’s thoughts into the realm of committed couple relationships. Couples in relationships that use dialogical communication to work through difficulties and to seek understanding are operating at a level of increased complexity in an effort to re-image the relationship and, thus, add to their conscious, relational knowledge. Teilhard’s theories are briefly explained and then expanded into couple relationships with some suggestions on how the couple therapist can use this theory in their practice.
Preparing Counselors-in-Training to Work With Couples: Using Role-Plays and Reflecting Teams
Authors: Shurts W. Matthew , Cashwell Craig S. , Spurgeon Shawn L. , Degges-White Suzanne , Barrio Casey A. , Kardatzke Kerrie N.
Published: March 2006

The use of experiential learning practices is a cornerstone of marriage and family training. In this article, two novel experiential approaches for teaching couples counseling are detailed. Specifically, the evolution from the original format to the final version of the learning experience is described. The two primary components of the experiences include (a) a semester-long role-play enacted by doctoral student graduate assistants and (b) student reflecting teams. The authors found that students benefited from these experiences and were able to provide validation, offer encouragement, and act as catalysts for change both with their classmates and in mock couples sessions. The reflecting team format was especially helpful in promoting a safe, interactive learning environment. In addition to describing the experience, suggestions are made for adapting the approaches to fit other programs.
Assessing Perturbation and Suicide in Families
Authors: McGlothlin Jason M.
Published: March 2006

Perturbation refers to a client’s level or degree of emotional pain. Such perturbation has been identified as a critical component in a family member’s suicidal ideation. This article describes how to assess perturbation by using scaling questions and how to process the impact of a suicidal family member’s perturbation.
Inverse correlation between cerebral blood flow measured by continuous arterial spin-labeling (CASL) MRI and neurocognitive function in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA)
Authors: Strouse John J. , Cox Christiane S. , Melhem Elias R. , Lu Hanzhang , Kraut Michael A. , Razumovsky Alexander , Yohay Kaleb , van Zijl Peter C. , Casella James F.
Published: March 2006

Overt stroke, clinically “silent” cerebral infarct, and neurocognitive impairment are frequent complications of sickle cell anemia (SCA). Current imaging techniques have limited sensitivity and specificity to identify children at risk for neurocognitive impairment. We prospectively evaluated 24 children with SCA with a neurologic exam, complete blood count, transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD), measurement of intelligence quotient (IQ), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF) using continuous arterial spin-labeling (CASL) MRI. Average CBF to gray matter was 112 ± 36 mL/100 g/min. We identified a strong inverse relationship between performance IQ and CBF (-1.5 points per 10 mL/100 g/min increase in CBF, P = .013). Elevated steady-state white blood cell count (≥ 14 × 109/L [14 000/μL]) was associated with lower full scale IQ (86 ± 9 vs 99 ± 10, P = .005). CASL MRI may identify children with neurocognitive impairment, before damage is evident by structural MRI or TCD. (Blood. 2006;108:379-381)
Combined effects of novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor AMN107 and histone deacetylase inhibitor LBH589 against Bcr-Abl–expressing human leukemia cells
Authors: Fiskus Warren , Pranpat Michael , Bali Purva , Balasis Maria , Kumaraswamy Sandhya , Boyapalle Sandhya , Rocha Kathy , Wu Jie , Giles Francis , Manley Paul W. , Atadja Peter , Bhalla Kapil
Published: March 2006

AMN107 (Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Basel, Switzerland) has potent in vitro and in vivo activity against the unmutated and most common mutant forms of Bcr-Abl. Treatment with the histone deacetylase inhibitor LBH589 (Novartis) depletes Bcr-Abl levels. We determined the effects of AMN107 and/or LBH589 in Bcr-Abl–expressing human K562 and LAMA-84 cells, as well as in primary chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells. AMN107 was more potent than imatinib mesylate (IM) in inhibiting Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase (TK) activity and attenuating p-STAT5, p-AKT, Bcl-xL, and c-Myc levels in K562 and LAMA-84 cells. Cotreatment with LBH589 and AMN107 exerted synergistic apoptotic effects with more attenuation of p-STAT5, p-ERK1/2, c-Myc, and Bcl-xL and increases in p27 and Bim levels. LBH589 attenuated Bcr-Abl levels and induced apoptosis of mouse pro-B BaF3 cells containing ectopic expression of Bcr-Abl or the IM-resistant, point-mutant Bcr-AblT315I and Bcr-AblE255K. Treatment with LBH589 also depleted Bcr-Abl levels and induced apoptosis of IM-resistant primary human CML cells, including those with expression of Bcr-AblT315I. As compared with either agent alone, cotreatment with AMN107 and LBH589 induced more loss of cell viability of primary IM-resistant CML cells. Thus, cotreatment with LBH589 and AMN107 is active against cultured or primary IM-resistant CML cells, including those with expression of Bcr-AblT315I.
An acute graft-versus-host disease activity index to predict survival after hematopoietic cell transplantation with myeloablative conditioning regimens
Authors: Leisenring Wendy M. , Martin Paul J. , Petersdorf Effie W. , Regan Anne E. , Aboulhosn Nada , Stern Jean M. , Aker Saundra N. , Salazar Raymond C. , McDonald George B.
Published: March 2006

Algorithms for grading acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) are inaccurate in assessing mortality risk. We developed a method to predict mortality by using data from 386 patients with acute GVHD. From the onset of GVHD to day 100, GVHD manifestations were scored for the skin, liver, and upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, and data were recorded for immunosuppressive treatment, performance, and fever. Logistic regression models predicting nonrelapse mortality (NRM) at day 200 were developed with data from 193 randomly selected patients and then validated in the remaining 193 patients. Clinical parameters were grouped to optimize predictive accuracy measured as the area under a receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve. The optimal model included the total serum bilirubin concentration, oral intake, need for treatment with prednisone, and performance score. When the overall burden of GVHD was measured by using average Acute GVHD Activity Index (aGVHDAI) scores for each patient in training and validation data sets, areas under ROC curves were 0.87 and 0.85, respectively. Contour lines were generated to reflect the predicted NRM at day 200 as a function of current aGVHDAI scores. These results demonstrate that clinical manifestations of GVHD severity can be used to accurately predict the risk of NRM in real time.
Thermal Stability of Proteins
Authors: BISCHOF JOHN C. , HE XIAOMING
Published: March 2006

Abstract: Protein stability is critical to the outcome of nearly all thermally mediated applications to biomaterials such as thermal therapies (including cryosurgery), burn injury, and biopreservation. As such, it is imperative to understand as much as possible about how a protein loses stability and to what extent we can control this through the thermal environment as well as through chemical or mechanical modification of the protein environment. This review presents an overview of protein stability in terms of denaturation due to temperature alteration (predominantly high and some low) and its modification by use of chemical additives, pH modification as well as modification of the mechanical environment (stress) of the proteins such as collagen. These modifiers are able to change the kinetics of protein denaturation during heating. While pH can affect the activation energy (or activation enthalpy) and the frequency factor (or activation entropy) of the denaturation kinetics, many other chemical and mechanical modifiers only affect the frequency factor (activation entropy). Often, the modification affecting activation entropy appears to be linked to the hydration of the protein. While the heat‐induced denaturation of proteins is reasonably well understood, the heat denaturation of structural proteins (e.g., collagen) within whole tissues remains an area of active research. In addition, while some literature exists on protein denaturation during cold temperatures, relatively little is known about the kinetics of protein denaturation during both freezing and drying. Further understanding of this kinetics will have an important impact on applications ranging from preservation of biomaterials and pharmaceutics to cryosurgery. Interestingly, both freezing and drying involve drastic shifts in the hydration of the proteins. It is clear that understanding protein hydration at the molecular, cellular, and tissue level will be important to the future of this evolving area.
Molecular Crowding Effects on Protein Stability
Authors: DESPA FLORIN , ORGILL DENNIS P. , LEE RAPHAEL C.
Published: March 2006

Abstract: The volume fraction occupied by the dry matter of the cell can be as large as 40%, of which more than half (∼60%) are proteins. Thus, cellular proteins and protein assemblies occupy a large volume that can have a profound effect on their own native‐state stabilities and on their unfolding/refolding rates. In addition, macromolecular crowding can change the properties of a significant fraction of the water in the cell. We review features of the molecular crowding effect which are relevant for describing the microscopic mechanism of thermal injuries.
Thermally Induced Injury and Heat‐Shock Protein Expression in Cells and Tissues
Authors: RYLANDER MARISSA NICHOLE , FENG YUSHENG , BASS JON , DILLER KENNETH R.
Published: March 2006

Abstract: Heat‐shock proteins (HSPs) are critical components of a cell's defense mechanism against injury associated with adverse stresses. Initiating insults, such as elevated or depressed temperature, diminished oxygen, and pressure, increase HSP expression and can protect cells against subsequent, otherwise lethal, insults. Although HSPs are very beneficial to the normal cell, cancer cells can also use HSPs in response to stresses associated with various therapies (hyperthermia, chemotherapy, radiation), mitigating injury incurred by these treatments. Hyperthermia is a common treatment option for prostate cancer. HSPs can be induced in regions of the tumor where temperatures are insufficient to cause lethal thermal necrosis. Elevated HSP expression can enhance tumor cell viability and impart increased resistance to subsequent chemotherapy and radiation treatments, thereby promoting tumor recurrence. An understanding of the structure, function, and thermally stimulated HSP kinetics and cell injury for prostate cancer cells is essential to designing effective hyperthermia protocols. Measured thermally induced cellular HSP expression and injury data can be employed to develop a treatment planning model for optimization of the tissue response to therapy based on accurate prediction of the HSP expression and cell damage distribution.
Cryo‐Injury and Biopreservation
Authors: FOWLER ALEX , TONER MEHMET
Published: March 2006

Abstract: Mammalian cells appear to be naturally tolerant to cold temperatures, but the formation of ice when cells are cooled leads to a variety of damaging effects. The study of cryo‐injury, therefore, becomes the study of when and how ice is formed both inside and outside the cell during cooling. Protectant chemicals are used to control or prevent ice formation in many preservation protocols, but these chemical themselves tend to be damaging. Cooling and warming rates also strongly affect the amount and location of ice that is formed. Through careful modification of these parameters successful cold preservation techniques for many cell types have been developed, but there are many more cell types that have defied preservation techniques, and the extension of cell‐based techniques to tissues and whole organs has been very limited. There are many aspects to the damaging effects of ice in cells that are still poorly understood. In this brief article we review our current understanding of cellular injury and highlight the aspects of cellular injury during cryopreservation that are still poorly understood.
Oxidative Reactive Species in Cell Injury: Mechanisms in Diabetes Mellitus and Therapeutic Approaches
Authors: FRIDLYAND LEONID E. , PHILIPSON LOUIS H.
Published: March 2006

Abstract: Mammalian cells are continuously subject to insult from reactive species. Most of the pathogenic mechanisms that have been considered to date reflect overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or a peculiar failure in intracellular defenses against ROS. We have attempted to consider briefly the most important mechanisms of ROS production, defense, and reactive species‐induced cell damage and approaches to therapy, focusing on the example of diabetes mellitus. An improved understanding of these mechanisms should facilitate development of antioxidant intervention strategies leading to reduction in diseases associated with oxidative stress.
Mortality and Vascular Outcomes in Patients Treated for Thyroid Dysfunction
Authors: Flynn R. W. V. , MacDonald T. M. , Jung R. T. , Morris A. D. , Leese G. P.
Published: March 2006

Context: There are limited studies describing mortality and morbidity in patients treated for hyperthyroidism, and no data exist for people with treated hypothyroidism.

Objective: The objective of the study was to describe all-cause mortality and vascular mortality and morbidity in patients after treatment for hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

Design: This was a population-based cohort study from 1994 to 2001.

Setting: The study was conducted in Tayside, Scotland.

Patients: All patients were treated for thyroid dysfunction.

Intervention(s): Event rates among patients with thyroid dysfunction were compared with rates in the general population. We measured standardized mortality ratio and standardized incidence ratio (SIR).

Main Outcome Measure(s): The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. The secondary outcome was serious vascular event, the composite end point of nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or vascular death.

Results: There were 15,889 primary hypothyroid and 3,888 hyperthyroid patients. There were 3,116,719 patient-years of follow-up in 524,152 subjects in the general population. No increase was found in all-cause mortality or serious vascular events in patients with treated hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Nonfatal ischemic heart disease [SIR 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10–1.36] and dysrhythmias (SIR 1.32, 95% CI 1.11–1.57) were increased in treated hypothyroidism when adjusted for age, sex, diabetic status, and previous vascular disease. In treated stabilized hyperthyroidism, only the risk of dysrhythmias was increased (SIR 2.71, 95% CI 1.63–4.24). Risk of heart failure or cerebrovascular disease was not increased in either patient group.

Conclusions: We found no increase in all-cause mortality in subjects with treated thyroid disease. However, there was increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity in patients with treated primary hypothyroidism and dysrhythmias in treated hyperthyroidism.
Protein kinase Cδ-mediated proteasomal degradation of MAP kinase phosphatase-1 contributes to glutamate-induced neuronal cell death
Authors: Choi Bo-Hwa , Hur Eun-Mi , Lee Jong-Hee , Jun Dong-Jae , Kim Kyong-Tai
Published: March 2006

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) is a dual-specificity phosphatase that is involved in the regulation of cell survival, differentiation and apoptosis through inactivating MAPKs by dephosphorylation. Here, we provide evidence for a role of MKP-1 in the glutamate-induced cell death of HT22 hippocampal cells and primary mouse cortical neurons. We suggest that, during glutamate-induced oxidative stress, protein kinase C (PKC) δ becomes activated and induces sustained activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) through a mechanism that involves degradation of MKP-1. Glutamate-induced activation of ERK1/2 was blocked by inhibition of PKCδ, confirming that ERK1/2 is regulated by PKCδ. Prolonged exposure to glutamate caused reduction in the protein level of MKP-1, which correlated with the sustained activation of ERK1/2. Furthermore, knockdown of endogenous MKP-1 by small interfering (si)RNA resulted in pronounced enhancement of ERK1/2 phosphorylation accompanied by increased cytotoxicity under glutamate exposure. In glutamate-treated cells, MKP-1 was polyubiquitylated and proteasome inhibitors markedly blocked the degradation of MKP-1. Moreover, inhibition of glutamate-induced PKCδ activation suppressed the downregulation and ubiquitylation of MKP-1. Taken together, these results demonstrate that activation of PKCδ triggers degradation of MKP-1 through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, thereby contributing to persistent activation of ERK1/2 under glutamate-induced oxidative toxicity.
Ubiquitylation, phosphorylation and Orc2 modulate the subcellular location of Orc1 and prevent it from inducing apoptosis
Authors: Saha Tapas , Ghosh Soma , Vassilev Alex , DePamphilis Melvin L.
Published: March 2006

Previous studies have suggested that the activity of the mammalian origin recognition complex (ORC) is regulated by cell-cycle-dependent changes in its Orc1 subunit. Here, we show that Orc1 modifications such as mono-ubiquitylation and hyperphosphorylation that occur normally during S and G2-M phases, respectively, can cause Orc1 to accumulate in the cytoplasm. This would suppress reassembly of pre-replication complexes until mitosis is complete. In the absence of these modifications, transient expression of Orc1 rapidly induced p53-independent apoptosis, and Orc1 accumulated perinuclearly rather than uniformly throughout the nucleus. This behavior mimicked the increased concentration and perinuclear accumulation of endogenous Orc1 in apoptotic cells that arise spontaneously in proliferating cell cultures. Remarkably, expression of Orc1 in the presence of an equivalent amount of Orc2, the only ORC subunit that did not induce apoptosis, prevented induction of apoptosis and restored uniform nuclear localization of Orc1. This would promote assembly of ORC-chromatin sites, such as occurs during the transition from M to G1 phase. These results provide direct evidence in support of the regulatory role proposed for Orc1, and suggest that aberrant DNA replication during mammalian development could result in apoptosis through the appearance of `unmodified' Orc1.