bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global DNA hypomethylation is an early event inHelicobacter pylori-related gastric carcinogenesis
Authors: Compare Debora , Rocco Alba , Liguori Eleonora , D'Armiento Francesco Paolo , Persico Giovanni , Masone Stefania , Coppola-Bottazzi Enrico , Suriani Renzo , Romano Marco , Nardone Gerardo
Published: May 2011

Aim

Cancer, particularly gastric cancer (GC), is prevalently an epigenetic phenomenon that is dependent on an altered DNA methylation pattern. In gastric carcinogenesis, many genes show aberrant methylation; however, none of them may be used as a biomarker of cancer risk and progression. The authors aimed to evaluate the global DNA methylation of gastric mucosa inHelicobacter pylori(Hp)-related chronic gastritis, in GC and in 10 patients with preneoplastic lesions (ie, atrophy and intestinal metaplasia) followed up for 10 years.

Methods

The authors analysed 93 dyspeptic patients who underwent upper endoscopy, 41 surgical GC samples and 10 patients with preneoplastic gastric lesions followed up for 10 years after successfulHperadication therapy. Global DNA methylation status and surrogate markers of cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated by immunohistochemistry using the anti-5-methylcytosine (5-MC), anti-Ki-67 and anti-p53 (anti-apoptotic marker)-specific antibodies, respectively.

Results

Global DNA methylation of gastric mucosa gradually decreased from normal mucosa toHp-positive gastritis,Hp-positive chronic atrophic gastritis, independent of Cag-A status and GC; however, the variation was significant (p<0.05) only betweenHp-negative subjects andHp-positive chronic gastritis. Interestingly, the 5-MC immunostaining was absent in areas of intestinal metaplasia. In the 10 patients with preneoplastic lesions, global DNA methylation decreased over time despite the eradication ofHpinfection, but reached significance only at 10 years versus baseline. The 5-MC immunostaining negatively correlated with Ki-67 and p53 expression in all groups.

Conclusion

Global DNA hypomethylation is an early molecular event inHp-related gastric carcinogenesis. Further studies with more cases and a longer follow-up are needed to establish the potential GC predictive role of DNA hypomethylation.
The morality of care: case study and review
Authors: Tatnell Ryan , Malpas Phillipa J
Published: May 2011

This case concerns aspects of the treatment of a post-surgical patient in a major public hospital in New Zealand during the author's experiences as a fourth year medical student. This case is used to consider the interlinked ethical issues of sympathy, moral virtue, dignity and how the medical environment can realign these values.
From genomic databases to translation: a call to action
Authors: Knoppers Bartha Maria , Harris Jennifer R , Burton Paul R , Murtagh Madeleine , Cox David , Deschênes Mylène , Fortier Isabel , Hudson Thomas J , Kaye Jane , Lindpaintner Klaus
Published: May 2011

The rapid rise of international collaborative science has enabled access to genomic data. In this article, it is argued that to move beyond mapping genomic variation to understanding its role in complex disease aetiology and treatment will require extending data sharing for the purposes of clinical research translation and implementation.
Assessment of veterinary practitioners in the British Isles' approaches towards the management of canine osteoarthritis
Authors: Bound N. J. , Upjohn M. J. , Jackson S. , Baines S. J.
Published: May 2011

The aim of this questionnaire‐based retrospective study was to ascertain veterinary practitioners in the British Isles' approaches to osteoarthritis in dogs. The Mann‐Whitney U test, Kruskal‐Wallis test and multiple ordinal logistic regression were used to compare demographic data with treatment options. Questionnaires were returned by 228 practitioners (a response rate of 22.8 per cent). The majority of responses were from males (70 per cent). Eighty‐six per cent (188 of 220) of the respondents had graduated from veterinary schools in the UK and Ireland. Veterinarians who had graduated less recently used exercise modulation less frequently (P<0.004, odds ratio [OR]=1.06) and ranked exercise modulation as less important (P=0.008, OR=1.04). Veterinarians who had graduated outside the UK or Ireland were less likely (P=0.033, OR=0.46) to use exercise modulation than those who had graduated in the UK or Ireland. Veterinarians who had graduated more recently were less likely (P=0.008, OR=0.95) to use medications. Female veterinary surgeons were less likely to rank medications as important (P<0.0001, OR=0.29) and less likely to rank corticosteroids as important (P=0.046, OR=0.42) than male veterinary surgeons. Practitioners who had graduated outside the UK or Ireland were less likely (P=0.01, OR=0.30) to rank corticosteroids as important. There was a significant mild negative correlation between the frequency of use of structure‐modifying osteoarthritis drugs (SMOADs) and practitioners' opinions on rank importance (−0.32, P<0.0001). Medications such as SMOADs and nutraceuticals were ranked as not important but were used frequently. Overall, age, sex, the university of graduation and the number of canine consultations per day had an impact on the practitioners' treatment protocols.
GREGORY–LAFLAMME INSTABILITY OF A SLOWLY ROTATING BLACK STRING
Authors: YOO CHUL-MOON , TANZAWA SUGURE , SASAKI MISAO
Published: May 2011

We study the Gregory–Laflamme instability of a five-dimensional slowly rotating black string in which the four-dimensional section is described by the Kerr black hole. We treat the rotation in a perturbative way introducing a small parameter for the rotation. It is found that rotation makes the Gregory–Laflamme instability stronger. Both the critical wavelength at the onset of instability and the growth time-scale are found to decrease as the rotation increases.
A new method to study changes in microvascular blood volume in muscle and adipose tissue: real-time imaging in humans and rat
Authors: Sjøberg Kim A. , Rattigan Stephen , Hiscock Natalie , Richter Erik A. , Kiens Bente
Published: May 2011

We employed and evaluated a new application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for real-time imaging of changes in microvascular blood volume (MBV) in tissues in females, males, and rat. Continuous real-time imaging was performed using contrast-enhanced ultrasound to quantify infused gas-filled microbubbles in the microcirculation. It was necessary to infuse microbubbles for a minimum of 5–7 min to obtain steady-state bubble concentration, a prerequisite for making comparisons between different physiological states. Insulin clamped at a submaximal concentration (∼75 μU/ml) increased MBV by 27 and 39% in females and males, respectively, and by 30% in female subcutaneous adipose tissue. There was no difference in the ability of insulin to increase muscle MBV in females and males, and microvascular perfusion rate was not increased significantly by insulin. However, perfusion rate of the microvascular space was higher in females compared with males. In rats, insulin clamped at a maximal concentration increased muscle MBV by 60%. Large increases in microvascular volume and perfusion rate were detected during electrical stimulation of muscle in rats and immediately after exercise in humans. We have demonstrated that real-time imaging of changes in MBV is possible in human and rat muscle and in subcutaneous adipose tissue and that the method is sensitive enough to pick up relatively small changes in MBV when performed with due consideration of steady-state microbubble concentration. Because of real-time imaging, the method has wide applications for determining MBV in different organs during various physiological or pathophysiological conditions.
A Novel Role of Dipeptidyl Peptidase 9 in Epidermal Growth Factor Signaling
Authors: Yao Tsun-Wen , Kim Woo-Shin , Yu Denise MT. , Sharbeen George , McCaughan Geoffrey W. , Choi Kang-Yell , Xia Pu , Gorrell Mark D.
Published: May 2011

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP4), DPP8, DPP9, and fibroblast activation protein (FAP), the four proteases of the DPP4 gene family, have unique peptidase and extra-enzymatic activities that have been implicated in various diseases including cancers. We report here a novel role of DPP9 in regulating cell survival and proliferation through modulating molecular signaling cascades. Akt (protein kinase B) activation was significantly inhibited by human DPP9 overexpression in human hepatoma cells (HepG2 and Huh7) and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T), whereas extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) activity was unaffected, revealing a pathway-specific effect. Interestingly, the inhibitory effect of DPP9 on Akt pathway activation was growth factor dependent. DPP9 overexpression caused apoptosis and significantly less epidermal growth factor (EGF)-mediated Akt activation in HepG2 cells. However, such inhibitory effect was not observed in cells stimulated with other growth factors, including connective tissue growth factor, hepatic growth factor, insulin or platelet-derived growth factor-BB. The effect of DPP9 on Akt did not occur when DPP9 enzyme activity was ablated by either mutagenesis or inhibition. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway is a major downstream effector of Ras. We found that DPP9 and DPP8, but not DPP4 or FAP, associate with H-Ras, a key signal molecule of the EGF receptor signaling pathway. These findings suggest an important signaling role of DPP9 in the regulation of survival and proliferation pathways. Mol Cancer Res; 9(7); 948–59. ©2011 AACR.
Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy Technique for Thyroid Nodules with Respect to Adequacy of Cytological Material
Authors: Kandil Emad , Khalek Mohamed Abdel , Alabbas Haytham , Moroz Krzysztof , Islam Tareq , Friedlander Paul , Jaffe Bernard M.
Published: May 2011

Background: Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) sampling of the thyroid represents a standard diagnostic procedure in the evaluation of thyroid nodules. The specimen can be acquired using either of two different techniques. In the first, the short axis is used with observation only of the tip of the needle whilst in the nodule. In the second technique, the long axis is used with the observation of the entire length of the needle. The decision to sample utilizing either technique was done randomly. This study is a retrospective review performed to compare these two techniques with regard to specimen adequacy. Methods: Ultrasound-guided FNACs were performed in 80 thyroid nodules between May 2008 and February 2009. One physician acquired the cytology specimens using one of these two methods after localization. Data on the type of technique and its diagnostic accuracy were collected. Results: Forty-nine of 80 thyroid nodules were sampled using the long-axis technique. The overall and deep-lesion diagnostic adequacies of specimens were significantly higher using this technique (93.9 and 95.1%, respectively, p < 0.01) than the short-axis technique. When comparing the long and short axes for superficial lesions, there was no significant difference in adequacy of the samples (p = 0.92). Conclusions: This is the first study to compare long- and short-axis techniques with regard to specimen adequacy for thyroid nodules. The long-axis technique decreased the rate of inadequate material and provided more accurate cytological evaluation for deeper lesions.
Evolutionary Origins of Animal Skeletal Biomineralization
Authors: Murdock Duncan J.E. , Donoghue Philip C.J.
Published: May 2011

The evolutionary history of biomineralization in animals is crucial to our understanding of modern mineralized tissues. Traditional methods of unravelling this history have aimed to derive a theory of the development of biomineralization through evolution by the comparison of mineralized systems in model organisms. This has led to the recognition of the ‘biomineralization toolkit’ and raised the question of the homology of mineralized tissues versus convergent or parallel evolution. The ‘new animal phylogeny’ reveals that many of the groups known to biomineralize sit among close relatives that do not, and it favours an interpretation of convergent or parallel evolution for biomineralization in animals. In addition, the fossil record of the earliest mineralized skeletons presents a rapid proliferation of biomineralization across a range of animal phyla with fossil representatives of many modern biomineralizing phyla. A synthesis of molecular, developmental, phylogenetic and fossil evidence demonstrates the convergent or parallel evolution of biomineralization in animals at the phylum level. The fossil record of the Cambrian explosion not only provides vital evidence for the evolution of animal mineralized tissues but also suggests a mechanism for its rapid and synchronous convergent origin.
Percentiles of Inspiratory Capacity in Healthy Nonsmokers: A Pilot Study
Authors: Bottai Matteo , Pistelli Francesco , Di Pede Francesco , Baldacci Sandra , Simoni Marzia , Maio Sara , Carrozzi Laura , Viegi Giovanni
Published: May 2011

Background: Over the past decade inspiratory capacity (IC) has received increasing attention, especially in studies on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Though a few recent studies provide reference values for IC, still little is known on the distribution of its values in healthy subjects. Objective: To estimate percentiles of IC in a sample of healthy nonsmokers by applying quantile regression. Methods: We applied quantile regression to estimate seven percentiles of IC from 5 to 95% for a given age, height and body mass index, separately in males and females, in a sample of 411 healthy nonsmokers, aged 8–73 years, drawn from the general population in Northern Italy. Results: The magnitude and statistical significance of the effect of age, height and body mass on IC varied across percentiles and between genders. When the 50th percentile of IC was compared with the predicted values of several studies, including those published by the European Community for Coal and Steel, the differences were as large as 0.86 liters in males and 0.90 liters in females. The possible advantage of the 5th percentile predicted from quantile regression over the ‘traditional 5th percentile’ as lower limit of normal was also illustrated. Conclusions: Inference on percentiles, rather than just the mean, of IC and other lung function measures may help in the future to better understand the effect of various risk factors, model growth curves and derive more accurate reference values.
Initial MRI Findings Predict Progressive Lacunar Infarction in the Territory of the Lenticulostriate Artery
Authors: Takase Kei-ichiro , Murai Hiroyuki , Tasaki Rina , Miyahara Shin-ichiro , Kaneto Shuji , Shibata Mieko , Takashima Nobuyoshi
Published: May 2011

Background/Aims: The mechanisms underlying neurological deterioration in patients with acute lacunar infarction in the lenticulostriate artery (LSA) territory are currently unclear. We aimed to identify predictors for progressive neurological deficits using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Methods: We studied 40 consecutive patients who were classified into two groups based on their NIHSS scores: progressive infarction (PI) and non-progressive infarction (NPI). We calculated the size of DWI abnormalities and evaluated clinical characteristics on admission for both groups. Results: 19 patients (47.5%) exhibited neurological deterioration. Time from onset to MRI was 8.2 ± 6.7 h for all patients. DWI area was significantly larger in the PI relative to the NPI group (1.1 ± 0.5 cm2 for PI vs. 0.7 ± 0.3 cm2 for NPI; p = 0.002), although patients’ NIHSS scores at admission were not significantly different between both groups. The optimal cut-off value of infarct area between PI and NPI was 0.98 cm2. Multivariate analysis revealed that an infarct area on DWI ≧0.98 cm2 (odds ratio 10.57; 95% confidence interval 2.24–68.32; p = 0.006) was a significant independent predictor of PI. Conclusions: A large infarct area on initial DWI was an independent predictor of neurological deterioration in patients with acute lacunar infarctions in the LSA territory.
Facial Blaschkitis: Case and Review
Authors: Imhof Laurence , Kerl Katrin , Barysch Marjam J. , Dummer Reinhard , French Lars E. , Hofbauer Günther F.L.
Published: May 2011

We report on a 15-year-old female with a 3-month history of a pruritic, erythematous cutaneous eruption on the right cheek and perioral area. The lesion had a linear distribution following the lines of Blaschko. Histopathological findings and direct immunofluorescence were compatible with chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE). Treatment with topical steroids and systemic antimalarial agents over 2 months showed hardly any improvement contrary to similar cases reported in the literature in the past. Histological findings move this case close to LE. However, the unusual clinical presentation as well as the resistance to antimalarial drugs do not fully allow to confirm this suspicion. Therefore, we recommend to call this new entity LE-like facial Blaschkitis of the adult.
Correlation of Routine Examinations for the Diagnosis of House Dust Mite Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Liu Chengyao , Han Demin , Zhang Luo
Published: May 2011

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between the routine diagnostic tests for house dust mite (HDM) sensitization in Chinese allergic rhinitis (AR) patients, including the skin prick test (SPT), serum HDM-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) and nasal smear eosinophilia. Methods: The ImmunoCAP assay was employed to detect serum total IgE and sIgE. The SPT and nasal smear eosinophil counts were performed using standard procedures. Results: Of 82 subjects with HDM-related symptoms and positive SPT results, 55 individuals showed an sIgE level equal to or greater than CAP class 1 for both Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) and D. farinae (Der f), and 62 individuals demonstrated positive eosinophils in nasal smears. sIgE of Der p and Der f presented a linear correlation, and the level of serum HDM-sIgE was also positively correlated with total IgE. An increasing sIgE level was correlated with higher SPT grades in both Der p and Der f. Meanwhile, the correlation coefficient exhibited an increase in value with aging, and the 31- to 40-year age group demonstrated the highest value for both Der p and Der f. Conclusion: The positive correlation between SPT and sIgE reaction to HDM varied according to the age of patients with AR.
Intralesional Infliximab in Noninfectious Cutaneous Granulomas: Three Cases of Necrobiosis Lipoidica
Authors: Barde C. , Laffitte E. , Campanelli A. , Saurat J.-H. , Thielen A.-M.
Published: May 2011

Background: Necrobiosis lipoidica is a rare granulomatous noninfectious skin disease. Treatment of this chronic debilitating disease is of importance because ulceration of the plaques may induce important psychological and physical morbidity. Objective: Infliximab, an anti-TNF-α chimeric monoclonal antibody used intravenously and intralesionally for other extradermatological granulomatous diseases including Crohn’s disease and sarcoidosis, was administered by intradermal injection in necrobiosis lipoidica. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of a locally delivered drug compared to its systemic use. Patients and Methods: Weekly injections of intralesional infliximab for 3 weeks were followed by a 1-week treatment interruption. This treatment schedule was repeated thrice. Results: Two patients who benefitted from complete treatment experienced almost complete remission for up to 18 months. The third patient, who had treatment interruptions, showed partial improvement. No serious side effects were noticed, although the injections caused pain. Conclusions: This is the first report about the efficacy and safety of a therapy consisting of intralesional injections of infliximab for a granulomatous skin disease. Although this approach was clearly effective for necrobiosis lipoidica, the disease recurred several months after treatment interruption, raising the question of the need for maintenance therapy. Further controlled long-term trials are thus necessary.
Aldosterone Regulates Vascular Gene Transcription via Oxidative Stress–Dependent and –Independent Pathways
Authors: Newfell Brenna G. , Iyer Lakshmanan K. , Mohammad Najwa N. , McGraw Adam P. , Ehsan Afshin , Rosano Giuseppe , Huang Paul L. , Mendelsohn Michael E. , Jaffe Iris Z.
Published: May 2011

Objective—

Aldosterone (Aldo) antagonism prevents cardiovascular mortality by unclear mechanisms. Aldo binds to the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, which is expressed in human vascular cells. Here we define the early Aldo-regulated vascular transcriptome and investigate the mechanisms of gene regulation by Aldo in the vasculature that may contribute to vascular disease.

Methods and Results—

Gene expression profiling of Aldo-treated mouse aortas identified 72 genes regulated by Aldo. These genes are overrepresented in Gene Ontology categories involved in vascular function and disease. Quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm and further explore mechanisms of vascular gene regulation by Aldo. Aldo-regulated vascular gene expression was inhibited by actinomycin D and MR antagonists supporting a transcriptional MR-dependent mechanism. Aldo regulation of a subset of genes was enhanced in the setting of vascular endothelial denudation and blocked by the free radical scavenger Tempol, supporting synergy between Aldo and vascular injury that is oxidative stress dependent. In the aortic arch, a region predisposed to atherosclerosis, the injury-enhanced genes also demonstrated enhanced expression compared with the descending aorta, both at baseline and after Aldo exposure. Furthermore, the clinically beneficial MR antagonist spironolactone inhibited expression of the identified genes in aortic tissue from humans with atherosclerosis.

Conclusion—

This study defines the Aldo-regulated vascular transcriptome and characterizes a subset of proatherogenic genes with enhanced Aldo-stimulated, oxidative stress–dependent expression in the setting of vascular injury and in areas predisposed to atherosclerosis. Inhibition of MR regulation of these genes may play a role in the protective effects of Aldo antagonists in patients with vascular disease, and these pathways may provide novel drug targets to prevent atherosclerosis in humans.
Endogenous Muscle Atrophy F-Box Mediates Pressure Overload–Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy Through Regulation of Nuclear Factor-κB
Authors: Usui Soichiro , Maejima Yasuhiro , Pain Jayashree , Hong Chull , Cho Jaeyeaon , Park Ji Yeon , Zablocki Daniela , Tian Bin , Glass David J. , Sadoshima Junichi
Published: May 2011

Rationale:

Overexpression of muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx/atrogin-1), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, induces proteasomal degradation in cardiomyocytes. The role of endogenous MAFbx in regulating cardiac hypertrophy and failure remains unclear.

Objective:

We investigated the role of MAFbx in regulating cardiac hypertrophy and function in response to pressure overload. Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) was applied to MAFbx knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice.

Methods and Results:

Expression of MAFbx in WT mice was significantly increased by TAC. TAC-induced increases in cardiac hypertrophy were significantly smaller in MAFbx KO than in WT mice. There was significantly less lung congestion and interstitial fibrosis in MAFbx KO than in WT mice. MAFbx KO also inhibited β-adrenergic cardiac hypertrophy. DNA microarray analysis revealed that activation of genes associated with the transcription factor binding site for the nuclear factor-κB family were inhibited in MAFbx KO mice compared with WT mice after TAC. Although the levels of IκB-α were significantly decreased after TAC in WT mice, they were increased in MAFbx KO mice. MAFbx regulates ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of IκB-α in cardiomyocytes. In primary cultured rat cardiomyocytes, phenylephrine-induced activation of nuclear factor-κB and hypertrophy were significantly suppressed by MAFbx knockdown but were partially rescued by overexpression of nuclear factor-κB p65.

Conclusions:

MAFbx plays an essential role in mediating cardiac hypertrophy in response to pressure overload. Downregulation of MAFbx inhibits cardiac hypertrophy in part through stabilization of IκB-α and inactivation of nuclear factor-κB. Taken together, inhibition of MAFbx attenuates pathological hypertrophy, thereby protecting the heart from progression into heart failure.
Hypertension Impairs Vascular Reactivity in the Pediatric Brain
Authors: Wong Linda J. , Kupferman Juan C. , Prohovnik Isak , Kirkham Fenella J. , Goodman Sharon , Paterno Kara , Sharma Madhu , Brosgol Yuri , Pavlakis Steven G.
Published: May 2011

Background and Purpose—

Chronic hypertension impairs cerebrovascular regulation in adults, but its effects on the pediatric population are unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate cerebrovascular abnormalities in hypertensive children and adolescents.

Methods—

Sixty-four children and adolescents aged 7 to 20 years underwent transcranial Doppler examinations of the middle cerebral artery at the time of rebreathing CO
2
. Time-averaged maximum mean cerebral blood flow velocity and end-tidal CO
2
were used to quantify cerebrovascular reactivity during hypercapnia. Patients were clinically categorized as hypertensive, prehypertensive, or white coat hypertensive based on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements. Their reactivities were compared with 9 normotensive control subjects and evaluated against baseline mean blood pressure z-scores and loads.

Results—

Untreated hypertensive children had significantly lower hypercapnic reactivity than normotensive children (2.556±1.832 cm/s · mm Hg versus 4.256±1.334 cm/s · mm Hg,
P
<0.05). Baseline mean diastolic blood pressure z-scores (
r
=−0.331,
P
=0.037) and diastolic blood pressure loads (
r
=−0.351,
P
=0.026) were inversely related to reactivity.

Conclusions—

Untreated hypertensive children and adolescents have blunted reactivity to hypercapnia, indicating deranged vasodilatory reactivity. The inverse relationship between diastolic blood pressure indices and reactivity suggests that diastolic blood pressure may be a better predictor of cerebral end organ damage than systolic blood pressure.
TWO ACES
Authors: Olivot Jean-Marc , Wolford Connie , Castle James , Mlynash Michael , Schwartz Neil E. , Lansberg Maarten G. , Kemp Stephanie , Albers Gregory W.
Published: May 2011

Background and Purpose—

To evaluate a novel emergency department-based TIA triage system.

Methods—

We developed an approach to TIA triage and management based on risk assessment using the ABCD
2
score in combination with early cervical and intracranial vessel imaging. It was anticipated that this triage system would avoid hospitalization for the majority of TIA patients and result in a low rate of recurrent stroke. We hypothesized that the subsequent stroke rate among consecutively encountered patients managed with this approach would be lower than predicted based on their ABCD
2
scores.

Results—

From June 2007 to December 2009, 224 consecutive patients evaluated in the Stanford emergency department for a possible TIA were enrolled in the study. One hundred fifty-seven were discharged to complete their evaluation at the outpatient TIA clinic; 67 patients were hospitalized. One hundred sixteen patients had a final diagnosis of TIA/minor stroke or possible TIA. The stroke rates at 7, 30, and 90 days were 0.6% (0.1%–3.5%) for patients referred to the TIA clinic and 1.5% (0.3%–8.0%) for the hospitalized patients. Combining both groups, the overall stroke rate was 0.9% (0.3%–3.2%), which is significantly less than expected based on ABCD
2
scores (
P
=0.034 at 7 days and
P
=0.001 at 90 days).

Conclusions—

This emergency department-based inpatient versus outpatient TIA triage system led to a low rate of hospitalization (30%). Recurrent stroke rates were low for both the hospitalized and outpatient subgroups.
Impairment of Cerebral Blood Flow Regulation in Astronauts With Orthostatic Intolerance After Flight
Authors: Blaber Andrew P. , Goswami Nandu , Bondar Roberta L. , Kassam Mahmood S.
Published: May 2011

Background and Purpose—

We investigated cerebral blood flow regulation in astronauts before and after flights. We hypothesized that autoregulation would be different before flight and after flight between nonfinishers and the finishers of a stand test.

Methods—

Twenty-seven astronauts from shuttle missions lasting 8 to 16 days underwent a 10-minute stand test: 10 days before flight, 1 to 2 hours and 3 days after landing. Mean blood flow velocity of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was measured using transcranial Doppler; Mean arterial pressure was measured using a Finapres (Ohmeda, Englewood, CO) and was adjusted to the level of the MCA (BP
MCA
). Cross-spectral power, gain, phase, and coherence were determined for the relation between BP
MCA
and the cerebrovascular resistance index mean blood flow velocity/BP
MCA
.

Results—

BP
MCA
was reduced with stand (
P
<0.001). Differences between finishers and nonfinishers (
P
=0.011) and over test days (
P
=0.004) were observed. Cerebrovascular conductance was affected by stand (
P
<0.001), by group (
P
<0.001) with a group by stand, and test day interaction (
P
<0.01). Preflight data suggest that the nonfinishers were operating at a higher cerebral vasodilation than finishers for a given BP
MCA
, and on landing day the nonfinishers had a greater decrease in mean blood flow velocity as a function of BP
MCA
with standing compared to finishers and preflight. There was a significant interaction effect of gender over the test days and from supine to stand (
P
=0.035).

Conclusions—

Our results indicate that the cause of presyncope in astronauts may be related to a mismatch of cerebral blood flow with blood pressure. Astronaut gender may also play a role in susceptibility to orthostatic intolerance after flight.
Self-Construal and the Intra- and Interethnic Social Interactions of Ethnic Minorities
Authors: Nezlek John B. , Schaafsma Juliette , Safron Magdalena , Krejtz Izabela
Published: May 2011

This study examined relationships between self-construal and the quality of daily interactions of three ethnic minority groups in Europe: ethnic Turks and Moroccans in the Netherlands and Chechens in Poland. They described the social interactions they had for 2 weeks and they completed measures of independent and interdependent self-construal. We expected that, regardless of whether individuals’ self-construals match with prevailing construals in the host society, interdependent self-construal would be positively related to the quality of intra- and interethnic contact. The results largely confirmed this expectation. Across the two samples, participants who were higher in interdependent self-construal had more positive (and less negative) interactions than participants who were lower in interdependent self-construal. Some of these relationships varied as a function of whether or not a majority group member was present, however. Persons with a more interdependent construal of self felt more liked, respected, accepted, and free to express opinion during interactions in which a majority group member was present, whereas no such relationships were found for intra-ethnic interactions. There were very few relationships between independent self-construal and the quality of either intra- or interethnic contact. The results suggest that for the quality of ethnic minorities’ daily interactions, their interpersonal orientation is more important than a match between their orientation and the dominant orientation of the majority culture.
Population Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Clopidogrel in Korean Healthy Volunteers and Stroke Patients
Authors: Lee Joomi , Hwang Yangha , Kang Wonku , Seong Sook Jin , Lim Mi‐sun , Lee Hae Won , Yim Dong‐Seok , Sohn Dong Ryul , Han Seunghoon , Yoon Young‐Ran
Published: May 2011

Population pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) modeling of clopidogrel was developed from pooled data from healthy volunteers (n = 44) and stroke patients (n = 35). The PK modeling used plasma concentrations of the clopidogrel metabolite (SR26334), and the PD modeling used platelet aggregation. The models were developed using NONMEM and evaluated via visual predictive check (VPC). Data were analyzed by 2‐compartment modeling with Erlang's absorption and first‐order elimination. There was no statistically significant covariate for each model parameter. The typical point estimates of PK were ktr (identical transfer rate constant) = 5.97 h−1, ke (elimination rate constant) = 0.126 h−1, kd (distribution rate constant) = 0.212 h−1, V2 (volume of central compartment) = 21.0 L, and V3 (volume of peripheral compartment) = 38.8 L. The typical point estimates of PD were kin (input rate) = 27.9 h−1, Emax (maximum effect on input rate) = 0.292 h−1, EC50 (median effective concentration) = 0.00629 ng/mL, and BASE (predose aggregation) = 66.7%. The final model was used to estimate individual parameters using patient data and showed good predictions using VPC.
From Chaos to a New Order
Authors: McCaffrey Cecily
Published: May 2011

In November 1891, Jindan, Zaili, and Wushengmen sectarians rose up in revolt in eastern Inner Mongolia, a region where Mongols and Han lived interspersed. The Chinese rebels attacked Mongol banner offices and burned Catholic churches during the month-long rebellion. This uprising is best understood in the context of Qing policies that differentiated between Mongol and Han subjects, privileging the Mongol banner organizations that enjoyed near-exclusive control over land and resources in the area. While the uprising was orchestrated by popular religious sects, the social tensions resulting from Qing administrative practice should be considered the underlying cause of the revolt. Following the rebellion, the Qing court readdressed its policies in the region, with the result that Mongol banner privileges were constrained in favor of Han interests; these changes foreshadowed the reforms of the New Policies period.
Is There an Accurate Method to Measure Metabolic Requirement of Institutionalized Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy?
Authors: Lee Siu Pik Peggy , Cheung Ka Ming , Ko Chun Hung , Chiu Heung Chin
Published: May 2011

Objectives: This study hypothesized that there is no difference between energy expenditure measured by indirect calorimetry (IC) and that estimated by predicted formulas compared with the actual intake of children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Fifteen children aged 3 to 18 years with spastic CP and associated complications were recruited. IC was used to measure mean energy expenditure (MEE) compared with 3 predicted equations for energy expenditure (PEE), including body surface area (BSA), the recommended daily allowance (RDA), and an equation designed specifically for patients with CP. Friedman and paired t tests were used to examine the variance between PEE and MEE. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to explore the correlation between MEE and PEE. The pretest and posttest core temperatures were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: Mean ± standard deviation MEE was 800.5 ± 295.7 kcal/d; BSA was 1,213.4 ± 171.2 kcal/d; RDA was 1,928.1 ± 341.0 kcal/d; and CP was 1,603.1 ± 215.8 kcal/d. The actual diet intake provided 935.3 ± 222.9 kcal/d. Post hoc analysis revealed a significant difference between mean MEE and PEE (P < .001) but not mean actual intake (P = .128). In addition, the ICC of MEE vs PEE was 0.635 at a 95% confidence interval, indicating a weak correlation. In addition, mean pretest body temperature was 36.4°C ± 1°C, and mean posttest body temperature was 35.8°C ± 2°C. Conclusions: The study showed that MEE was significantly different from PEE, but not from actual intake. This warrants further exploration to develop a population‐specific PEE for children with spastic CP.
Fashion in Organization Theory: An Empirical Analysis of the Diffusion of Theoretical Concepts
Authors: Bort Suleika , Kieser Alfred
Published: May 2011

We discuss whether organization theory is susceptible to fashion. Theories of scientific progress often assert that scientists’ research is guided exclusively by the need to solve problems that are left unexplained by existing theories. In contrast, we argue that scientists, to some extent, create and follow fashions. We formulate a number of hypotheses on fashion in scientific communication and test them with a sample of 44 concepts that were published and discussed in 1784 articles in organization studies journals from the year 1960 until 2005. We suggest that conditions such as reputation of authors and of the outlets in which concepts are published, or the provision of a methodology for empirical analyses, increase the attractiveness of academic publications and eventually set off a fashion. Overall, our results show that fashion is present in communication within organization studies while demonstrating that the field is characterized by trends toward positivistic empirical studies and economic reasoning. We conclude by discussing whether fashion has positive or negative effects on theory development, whether it is avoidable at all in the field of science, and how evaluation systems impact on fashion and innovation in organizations theory.
Enhancing Information Usefulness by Line Managers’ Involvement in Cross-Unit Activities
Authors: Foss Kirsten , Rodgers Waymond
Published: May 2011

Organization and management scholars have long advocated that efficient use of information is critical for firms to compete successfully in the modern marketplace. This study examines whether the use of managerial cross-unit involvement in an organization enhances managers’ propensity to use useful information provided by a functionally related unit in the organization. Senior line managers in a major global bank participated in our study in which they provided information related to their information processing and assessments of the usefulness of corporate audit information. We analyse the effect of line managers’ prior involvement with Corporate Audit using Throughput Modeling. This model allows us to understand how line managers’ cross-unit involvement influenced the way they process information received from Corporate Audit. Our results show that managers’ cross-unit involvement positively influences their assessment of information from Corporate Audit in a way that influences their propensity to use information from that unit. The results indicate that cross-unit involvement is more than an effective means of transmitting information — it can also be used as a means of building boundary-spanning capabilities in managers.
Applicability of financial theories of capital structure to the Chinese cultural context: A study of privately owned SMEs
Authors: Newman Alexander , Gunessee Sailesh , Hilton Brian
Published: May 2011

Using a new dataset of 1539 Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises this article investigates the firm-level determinants of capital structure and tests them against the predictions of financial theory. Firm size and profitability are both found to be related to leverage as posited by pecking-order theory. In contrast little support is found for the predicted relationship between asset structure and leverage. These findings are discussed in relationship to their Chinese cultural context. The managerial and policy implications of the research are then explored.
What has globalization done to developing countries’ public libraries?
Authors: Ignatow Gabe
Published: May 2011

The goal of this article is to highlight the major trends in the establishment of public libraries in developing countries under conditions of globalization. Based on a review of research from library history and the sociology of culture, the author develops hypotheses about the conditions under which public libraries are likely to be established in relatively large numbers in developing countries. Analysis of historical trends in library establishments and crisp-set qualitative comparative analysis of UNESCO data on public libraries in six developing nations reveal that globalization is associated with decreasing or flat numbers of public libraries on a per capita basis. The only observed exceptions are Malaysia and Chile, where public libraries have been established in large numbers partly for purposes of national integration as a counter to sectarian and ethnic heterogeneity. Implications of these findings for research in the information society paradigm, and for development theory, are discussed.
Effect of adjunctive treatment with aripiprazole to atypical antipsychotics on cognitive function in schizophrenia patients
Authors: Yasui-Furukori Norio , Kaneda Ayako , Sugawara Norio , Tomita Tetsu , Kaneko Sunao
Published: May 2011

Second-generation antipsychotics yield only a modest improvement in cognitive benefit compared to first-generation antipsychotics. Aripiprazole, which is a partial dopamine D2 receptor agonist, may have an impact on cognitive dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia. This study administered aripiprazole or placebo to 36 outpatients with schizophrenia also receiving risperidone or olanzapine for 12 weeks in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) just prior to drug administration as well as 12 weeks after. The PANSS and UKU side effect rating scales were used to evaluate the clinical response to additional treatment with aripiprazole. In a primary analyses, ANCOVA showed that there was an interaction between the treatment group and time for verbal fluency ( p < 0.05), but not for any domain in BACS, PANSS or UKU side effect rating scales. Upon secondary analysis, however, the ameliorative change in motor speed as assessed by the BACS ( p < 0.05) for those receiving aripiprazole was greater than that for the placebo group, whereas deterioration in verbal fluency ( p < 0.01) and executive function ( p < 0.01) in those receiving aripiprazole was significantly greater than in the placebo group. These results suggest that adjunctive treatment with aripiprazole improves motor speed but worsens some cognitive functions. It is likely that these effects are due to the dopamine D2 antagonistic effect of aripiprazole.
Goal Setting and Gainsharing: The Evidence on Effectiveness
Authors: Gardner Alexander C.
Published: May 2011

Throughout the last decade, there has been a great deal of research focused on strategic human resource management, but much of the literature has neglected strategic compensation strategies such as goal setting and gainsharing. This article outlines the variables, functions and mechanisms of goal-setting and gainsharing strategies and summarizes the empirical research. The purpose of the article is to provide a practical framework for integrating goal-setting theory and gainsharing strategies so that they can be used to achieve desired organizational outcomes.
Correlates of Physician Visits Among Older Adults in China
Authors: Li Yawen , Chi Iris
Published: May 2011

Objective: We examined how family support influenced the use of health services among older Chinese adults. Method: Data came from a national representative survey including 20,255 respondents aged 60 and older. The dependent variable was the number of physician visits in the past 12 months. Family support variables include living arrangement, family size, financial support, instrumental support, and filial piety. Results: Providing or receiving financial support increased the likelihood as well as number of physician visits. By contrast, living with children and regarding children as filial decreased physician visits. Discussion: Financial sufficiency as indicated by the exchange of financial resources within families indicates the importance of money in predicting older adults’ physician visits. Living with children may indicate a higher level of support, which substitutes some of physician services. Perceiving children as being filial may render psychological protective effects to older adults which results in less health service use.
Melting the Icepacks of Enmity: Forgiveness and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland
Authors: Biggar Nigel
Published: May 2011

The virtue of forgiveness is controversial. Christianity’s affirmation of it is unusually pronounced. Nevertheless, common experience teaches that self-preservation requires the moderation of resentment; and Christian anthropology, self-reflection and history teach that compassion for perpetrators requires it too. This inner, psychological work of forgiveness is unilateral and unconditional, and I call it ‘forgiveness as compassion’. Some of the work of forgiveness is relational, however, and this should be reciprocal and conditional, refusing to open the door to reconciliation before repentance is forthcoming. I call this ‘forgiveness-as-absolution’. The Peace Process in Northern Ireland has seen little repentance and therefore should see little forgiveness-as-absolution and little reconciliation in the sense of full embrace. No truth commission will be able to achieve a shared interpretation of the past. In the form proposed by the 2009 report of the Consultative Group on the Past (CGP), however, it could help to ‘reconcile’ Unionists to the Peace Process and all parties to a different future. In addition to these attenuated forms of reconciliation, forgiveness-as-compassion could also find expression via the CGP’s ‘recognition payment’ to the families of all those killed in the Troubles, and in transgressions of tribal boundaries such as the attendance of the enemy’s public remembrance ceremonies.
The relationship between bilingual exposure and vocabulary development
Authors: Thordardottir Elin
Published: May 2011

The relationship between amount of bilingual exposure and performance in receptive and expressive vocabulary in French and English was examined in 5-year-old Montreal children acquiring French and English simultaneously as well as in monolingual children. The children were equated on age, socio-economic status, nonverbal cognition, and on minority/majority language status (both languages have equal status), but differed in the amount of exposure they had received to each language spanning the continuum of bilingual exposure levels. A strong relationship was found between amount of exposure to a language and performance in that language. This relationship was different for receptive and expressive vocabulary. Children having been exposed to both languages equally scored comparably to monolingual children in receptive vocabulary, but greater exposure was required to match monolingual standards in expressive vocabulary. Contrary to many previous studies, the bilingual children were not found to exhibit a significant gap relative to monolingual children in receptive vocabulary. This was attributed to the favorable language-learning environment for French and English in Montreal and might also be related to the fact the two languages are fairly closely related. Children with early and late onset (before 6 months and after 20 months) of bilingual exposure who were equated on overall amount of exposure to each language did not differ significantly on any vocabulary measure.
When Going in Circles is Going Backward: Outcome Uncertainty in NASCAR
Authors: Berkowitz Jason P. , Depken Craig A. , Wilson Dennis P.
Published: May 2011

Using data from the 2007, 2008, and 2009 National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) seasons, this article shows that the uncertainty of outcome hypothesis pertains to both race attendance and television audience, with the former only responding to season-level uncertainty and the latter responding to both race-level and season-level uncertainties. Counter to conventional wisdom, the price of gasoline and unemployment were unrelated to the reported level of attendance. Furthermore, NASCAR broadcasts lose audience when competing against other high-interest sporting events and declines in both television ratings and audience size during the NASCAR season were not unique to 2009. Overall, the empirical evidence suggests that declining competitive balance might have been the common factor that reduced both television audiences and race attendance during this period.