bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public‐Private Partnerships: Form Over Substance?
Authors: WALKER R. G.
Published: August 2009

Public‐private partnerships have been devised to avoid treating financing arrangements as government “debt”. Governments face incentives to avoid treating these arrangements as giving rise to liabilities. Both the Australian and UK standards boards have avoided a “substance over form” approach in order to accept that PPPs may be kept off‐balance‐sheet. The analysis supporting their conclusions was based on consideration of whether PPPs led to the acquisition of an asset, using the analogy of accounting for finance leases, rather than addressing whether the substance of commercial arrangements means that contractual commitments may evolve into liabilities.
User Requirements for Not‐For‐Profit Entity Financial Reporting: An International Comparison
Authors: KILCULLEN LYDIA , HANCOCK PHIL , IZAN H. Y.
Published: August 2009

This study investigates the not‐for‐profit (NFP) external financial reporting regulatory environments of the US, the UK, Canada and New Zealand and compares them with that of Australia. It finds a lack of clarity in the definition of a NFP entity under Australian accounting standards. The study also identifies various types of information that earlier research and the guidance in other countries suggest are useful to the users of NFP entities' financial statements. This information is not currently required under Australian accounting standards.
A Quantitative Method for Assessment of Car Inclination Effects on Thermal Management of the Underhood Compartment
Authors: Khaled Mahmoud , Harambat Fabien , Peerhossaini Hassan
Published: August 2009

The study presented here concerns the impact of car inclination on the temperatures in the vehicle underhood compartment. We report here underhood thermal measurements carried out on a vehicle in wind tunnel S4 of Saint-Cyr, France. The underhood is instrumented by 80 surface and air thermocouples. Measurements are carried out for three different thermal charges (thermal functioning points). During tests, the engine is in operation, and the front wheels positioned on the test facility equipped with rollers, permitting the wheel power and rotational speed control. Three car inclinations are tested.
Aerothermal Challenges in Syngas, Hydrogen-Fired, and Oxyfuel Turbines—Part II: Effects of Internal Heat Transfer
Authors: Chyu Minking K. , Siw Sean C. , Karaivanov Ventzislav G. , Slaughter William S. , Alvin Mary Anne
Published: August 2009

Future advanced turbine systems for electric power generation, based on coal-gasified fuels with CO2 capture and sequestration, are aimed for achieving higher cycle efficiency and near-zero emission. The most promising operating cycles being developed are hydrogen-fired cycle and oxyfuel cycle. Both cycles will likely have turbine working fluids significantly different from that of conventional air-based gas turbines. In addition, the oxyfuel cycle will have a turbine inlet temperature target at approximately 2030 K (1760°C), significantly higher than the current level. This suggests that aerothermal control and cooling will play a critical role in realizing our nation’s future fossil power generation systems. This paper provides a computational analysis in comparing the internal cooling performance of a double-wall or skin-cooled airfoil to that of an equivalent serpentine-cooled airfoil. The present results reveal that the double-wall or skin-cooled approach produces superior performance than the conventional serpentine designs. This is particularly effective for the oxyfuel turbine with elevated turbine inlet temperatures. The effects of coolant-side internal heat transfer coefficient on the airfoil metal temperature in both hydrogen-fired and oxyfuel turbines are evaluated. The contribution of thermal barrier coatings toward overall thermal protection for turbine airfoil cooled under these two different cooling configurations is also assessed.
Demonstrations of analog-to-digital conversion techniques
Authors: Kraftmakher Yaakov
Published: August 2009

Two analog-to-digital conversion techniques are demonstrated using the ScienceWorkshop data-acquisition system and the DataStudio software from PASCO scientific.
Higher harmonic detection employing wavelength modulation spectroscopy and near infrared diode lasers: An undergraduate experiment
Authors: Rao Gottipaty , Gudipaty Chakrapani , Martin Daniel
Published: August 2009

Frequency modulation and harmonic detection are extensively employed in a variety of experimental techniques and offer a detection sensitivity limited only by quantum noise. We discuss a simple experiment using wavelength modulation spectroscopy and near infrared diode lasers operating in the 780 nm region to detect rubidium hyperfine spectra. Modulation spectroscopy techniques are employed to improve the signal to noise ratio for the detection of weak signals and thus significantly improve the sensitivity and specificity for detection. By using quantum cascade lasers and wavelength modulation spectroscopy, one can detect trace species at sub-ppm level, which has numerous applications in diverse areas such as medical diagnostics, food processing, industrial applications, and environmental monitoring.
Mechanics of two pendulums coupled by a stressed spring
Authors: Maianti M. , Pagliara S. , Galimberti G. , Parmigiani F.
Published: August 2009

The mechanics of two pendulums coupled by a stressed spring is discussed, and the behavior for small oscillations is described. When the system is in its highest symmetry configuration, the pendulums are independent and the normal frequencies are degenerate.
The rainbow as a student project involving numerical calculations
Authors: Amundsen David Skålid , Kirkemo Camilla Nestande , Nakkerud Andreas , Trømborg Jørgen , Vistnes Arnt Inge
Published: August 2009

It is a challenge to find interesting and realistic projects where numerical methods can be used to enhance student understanding of physical phenomena. We present such a project in which a group of students used numerical methods to analyze the physics of the rainbow. The project is suitable for students in an undergraduate physics course on the basic principles of geometrical optics. The central part of this paper is written by a group of students, and the introduction and discussion are written by their teacher. In this way both the students’ and teacher’s perspectives on using numerical methods are presented.
Application of high-speed imaging to determine the dynamics of billiards
Authors: Mathavan S. , Jackson M. R. , Parkin R. M.
Published: August 2009

In spite of interest in the dynamics of the billiards family of games (for example, pool and snooker), experiments using present-day inexpensive and easily accessible cameras have not been reported. We use a single high-speed camera and image processing techniques to track the trajectory of snooker balls to 1 mm accuracy. Successive ball positions are used to measure the dynamical parameters involved in snooker. Values for the rolling and the sliding coefficients of friction were found. The cushion-ball impact was studied for impacts perpendicular to the cushion. The separation angles and separation velocities after an oblique collision were measured and compared with predicted values. Our measurement technique is a simple, reliable, fast, and nonintrusive method, which can be used to test the numerous theories for the dynamics of billiards. The addition of a spin tracking element would further broaden its capabilities.
Antiretroviral Tissue Kinetics: In Vivo Imaging Using Positron Emission Tomography
Authors: Di Mascio Michele , Srinivasula Sharat , Bhattacharjee Abesh , Cheng Lily , Martiniova Lucia , Herscovitch Peter , Lertora Juan , Kiesewetter Dale
Published: August 2009

Our current knowledge on the antiviral efficacy, dosing, and toxicity of available highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens is mostly derived from plasma or blood kinetics of anti-human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV) drugs. However, the blood comprises only 2% of the total target cells in the body. Tissue drug levels may differ substantially from corresponding plasma levels, and drug distribution processes may be characterized by high intertissue variability, leading to suboptimal target site concentrations and the potential risk for therapeutic failures. Positron emission tomography has greatly expanded the scope of the pharmacokinetic measurements that can be performed noninvasively in animal models or humans. We have prepared [18F]FPMPA, a fluorine-18-radiolabeled analogue of tenofovir, to study antiretroviral tissue kinetics in vivo noninvasively and tested the imaging probe in rats. The biodistribution of the fluorine-18 analogue closely follows that of nonfluorinated tenofovir. Compared to that in the blood, the levels of penetration of the antiretroviral drug were found to be significantly reduced in the spleen and submandibular lymph nodes (∼2-fold), in the mesenteric lymph nodes and the testes (∼4-fold), and in the brain compartment (∼25-fold). Intersubject variability of the trough drug concentration (measured at 120 min) in certain tissues, like the colon (coefficient of variation, >100%), is not reflected by the intersubject variability in the blood compartment (coefficient of variation, 24%). Positron emission tomography imaging of the fluorine-18 analogue revealed the accumulation of the antiretroviral drug in the cortex of the kidneys, a potential correlate of tenofovir-induced nephrotoxicity observed in HIV-1-infected treated patients. Thus, [18F]FPMPA is a promising radiotracer for evaluation of tenofovir biodistribution under carefully controlled drug administration protocols.
Prospective Randomized Trial of Six-Month versus Nine-Month Therapy for Intestinal Tuberculosis
Authors: Park Sang Hyoung , Yang Suk-Kyun , Yang Dong-Hoon , Kim Kyung Jo , Yoon Soon Man , Choe Jae Won , Ye Byong Duk , Byeon Jeong-Sik , Myung Seung-Jae , Kim Jin-Ho
Published: August 2009

Intestinal tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a common disease worldwide. However, the optimal duration of anti-TB medication has not been well established. We therefore compared the efficacy of 6-month and 9-month therapy in the treatment of intestinal TB. Ninety patients definitely diagnosed with intestinal TB were randomized into 6-month (
n
= 45) or 9-month (
n
= 45) treatment groups, prospectively. The primary end point was complete response, defined as endoscopic healing of active lesions. Patients were followed up monthly for 3 months after therapy initiation, then every 3 months until the end of therapy, and finally 1 year later. Relapse was assessed 1 year after the end of therapy by patient interview and colonoscopy. Baseline characteristics were similar in the 6-month and 9-month groups. Intention-to-treat analysis revealed no significant differences between the two groups in complete response (6-month group, 93.3%; 9-month group, 91.1%;
P
= 1.00) or recurrence rate (6-month group, 2.4%; 9-month group, 0.0%;
P
= 1.00). Median follow-up duration was 39 months in the 6-month group and 32 months in the 9-month group. No surgery was performed on any patient in either group. In conclusion, the 6-month therapy was as effective as 9-month therapy in patients with intestinal TB and may have the additional benefits of reduced treatment cost and increased compliance.
Strategy To Create Chimeric Proteins Derived from Functional Adhesin Regions of
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
for Vaccine Development
Authors: Schurwanz Nicol , Jacobs Enno , Dumke Roger
Published: August 2009

The cell wall-less bacterium
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
is one of the most common agents of respiratory tract diseases in humans. Adhesin-mediated binding of the bacteria to host cells is a crucial step in colonization and subsequent pathogenesis. For the first time, we expressed 16 recombinant proteins covering almost the whole major adhesin P1 and the adherence-associated protein P30 to characterize these proteins immunologically and functionally. We describe a new in vitro assay using several human cell lines in combination with fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis to screen antisera raised against the recombinant proteins quantitatively for adherence inhibition activity. The protein derived from the nearly C-terminal part of the P1 adhesin (amino acids [aa] 1288 to 1518) and the protein P30 (aa 17 to 274) especially showed prominent immunoreactivity with sera from
M. pneumoniae
-immunized guinea pigs as well as with
M. pneumoniae
-positive patient sera. We demonstrate that the same protein regions are involved in mediating cytadherence since antibodies against these adhesin regions decrease mycoplasma adhesion to human cells significantly. For further vaccine studies, we optimized the immunogenic and adherence-mediating properties of the antigen by combining both the P1 and the P30 regions in a novel chimeric protein. Antibodies against this protein show an increased reduction of
M. pneumoniae
adherence to human bronchial epithelial cells by 95%, which is comparable to results with polyspecific anti-
M. pneumoniae
animal serum. Our strategy results in a promising defined antigen candidate for reducing or even preventing
M. pneumoniae
colonization of the respiratory tract in future vaccination studies.
Complicated Urinary Tract Infection Is Associated with Uroepithelial Expression of Proinflammatory Protein S100A8
Authors: Reyes Leticia , Alvarez Sophie , Allam Ayman , Reinhard Mary , Brown Mary B.
Published: August 2009

F344 rats chronically infected with
Ureaplasma parvum
develop two distinct profiles: asymptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) and UTI complicated by struvite urolithiasis. To identify factors that affect disease outcome, we characterized the temporal host immune response during infection by histopathologic analysis and in situ localization of
U. parvum
. We also used differential quantitative proteomics to identify distinguishing host cellular responses associated with complicated UTI. In animals in which microbial colonization was limited to the mucosal surface, inflammation was indistinguishable from that which occurred in sham-inoculated controls, and the inflammation resolved by 72 h postinoculation (p.i.) in both groups. However, inflammation persisted in animals with microbial colonization that extended into the deeper layers of the submucosa. Proteome profiling showed that bladder tissues from animals with complicated UTIs had significant increases (
P
< 0.01) in proteins involved in apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Animals with complicated UTIs (2 weeks p.i.) had the highest concentrations of the proinflammatory protein S100A8 (
P
≤ 0.005) in bladder tissues, and the levels of S100A8 positively correlated with those of proinflammatory cytokines GRO/KC (
P
≤ 0.003) and interleukin-1α (
P
≤ 0.03) in urine. The bladder uroepithelium was a prominent cell source of S100A8-S100A9 in animals with complicated UTIs (2 weeks p.i.), which was not detected in animals with asymptomatic UTIs (2 weeks p.i.) or in any bladder tissues harvested at earlier p.i. time points. Based on these results, we surmise that invasive colonization of the bladder triggers chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation, which may be critical to struvite formation.
Biotransformations of morphine alkaloids by fungi: N-demethylations, oxidations, and reductions
Authors: Chaudhary Vigi , Leisch Hannes , Moudra Alena , Allen Blake , De Luca Vincenzo , Cox D. Phillip , Hudlický Tomáš
Published: August 2009

Morphine alkaloids and some of its derivatives (morphine, codeine, thebaine, oripavine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone) were subjected to fermentations with six fungal strains. The alkaloids were transformed to a variety of products via biological oxidations, reductions, and oxidative demethylations. The strain Cunninghamella echinulata proved to be the most effective for demethylations of all of the above compounds, except for morphine. The time profile of the conversion of 3-[14CH3]thebaine to 3-[14CH3]northebaine by C. echinulata cultures was also determined.
Simulation output analysis using integrated paths II
Authors: Calvin James M.
Published: August 2009

This article is a sequel to a previous article that introduced a class of variance estimators for steady-state simulation output analysis. The estimators were constructed by applying a quadratic function to a vector obtained from iterated integrations of the simulation output. The previous article concentrated on deriving the limiting distributions of the estimators and on their computational efficiency for a particular choice of quadratic function. The present article considers estimators constructed from different quadratic functions, chosen mainly to reduce bias compared to the estimators of the previous article. Overlapping and nonoverlapping batch means versions of the estimators are discussed.
The optimizing-simulator
Authors: Wu Tongqiang Tony , Powell Warren B. , Whisman Alan
Published: August 2009

There have been two primary modeling and algorithmic strategies for modeling operational problems in transportation and logistics: simulation, offering tremendous modeling flexibility, and optimization, which offers the intelligence of math programming. Each offers significant theoretical and practical advantages. In this article, we show that you can model complex problems using a range of decision functions, including both rule-based and cost-based logic, and spanning different classes of information. We show how different types of decision functions can be designed using up to four classes of information. The choice of which information classes to use is a modeling choice, and requires making specific choices in the representation of the problem. We illustrate these ideas in the context of modeling military airlift, where simulation and optimization have been viewed as competing methodologies. Our goal is to show that these are simply different flavors of a series of integrated modeling strategies.
Extending the loop language with higher-order procedural variables
Authors: Crolard Tristan , Polonowski Emmanuel , Valarcher Pierre
Published: August 2009

We extend Meyer and Ritchie's Loop language with higher-order procedures and procedural variables and we show that the resulting programming language (called Loop
ω
) is a natural imperative counterpart of Gödel System T. The argument is two-fold:

(1) we define a translation of the Loop
ω
language into System T and we prove that this translation actually provides a lock-step simulation,

(2) using a converse translation, we show that Loop
ω
is expressive enough to encode any term of System T.

Moreover, we define the “iteration rank” of a Loop
ω
program, which corresponds to the classical notion of “recursion rank” in System T, and we show that both translations preserve ranks. Two applications of these results in the area of implicit complexity are described.
Resource control graphs
Authors: Moyen Jean-Yves
Published: August 2009

Resource Control Graphs are an abstract representation of programs. Each state of the program is abstracted by its size, and each instruction is abstracted by the effects it has on the state size whenever it is executed. The abstractions of instruction effects are then used as weights on the arcs of a program's Control Flow Graph.

Termination is proved by finding decreases in a well-founded order on state-size, in line with other termination analyses, resulting in proofs similar in spirit to those produced by Size Change Termination analysis.

However, the size of states may also be used to measure the amount of space consumed by the program at each point of execution. This leads to an alternative characterisation of the Non Size Increasing programs, that is, of programs that can compute without allocating new memory.

This new tool is able to encompass several existing analyses and similarities with other studies, suggesting that even more analyses might be expressable in this framework, thus giving hopes for a generic tool for studying programs.
The big picture on small screens delivering acceptable video quality in mobile TV
Authors: Knoche H. , Sasse M. A.
Published: August 2009

Mobile TV viewers can change the viewing distance and (on some devices) scale the picture to their preferred viewing ratio, trading off size for angular resolution. We investigated optimal trade-offs between size and resolution through a series of studies. Participants selected their preferred size and rated the acceptability of the visual experience on a 200ppi device at a 4:3 aspect ratio. They preferred viewing ratios similar to living room TV setups regardless of the much lower resolution: at a minimum 14 pixels per degree. While traveling on trains people required videos with a height larger than 35mm.
Playout buffer and rate optimization for streaming over IEEE 802.11 wireless networks
Authors: Li Mingzhe , Claypool Mark , Kinicki Robert
Published: August 2009

Most streaming rate selection and buffer optimization algorithms are developed for wired networks and can perform poorly over wireless networks. Wireless MAC layer behavior, such as rate adaptation, retransmissions, and medium sharing, can significantly degrade the effectiveness of current streaming algorithms. This article presents the Buffer and Rate Optimization for Streaming (BROS) algorithm to improve streaming performance. BROS uses a bandwidth estimation tool designed specifically for wireless networks and models the relationship between buffer size, streaming data rate, and available bandwidth distribution. BROS optimizes the streaming data rate and initial buffer size, resulting in a high data rate but with few frame losses and buffer underflow events, while still keeping a small initial buffer delay. BROS is implemented in the Emulated Streaming (EmuS) client-server system and evaluated on an IEEE 802.11 wireless testbed with various wireless conditions. The evaluation shows that BROS can effectively optimize the streaming rate and initial buffer size based on wireless network bandwidth conditions, thus achieving better performance than static rate or buffer selection and jitter removal buffers.
The Empirical Study of Terrorism: Social and Legal Research
Authors: LaFree Gary , Ackerman Gary
Published: August 2009

Social science research on terrorism has grown rapidly in recent years, aided by social and legal studies. In this review, we examine research on the causes of terrorism and the effectiveness of strategies for countering it. We define terrorism as the threatened or actual use of illegal force directed against civilian targets by nonstate actors in order to attain a political goal through fear, coercion, or intimidation. Our review of causes is divided by level of analysis into sections on individual-, group-, and macro-level explanations. Our evaluation of counterterrorism strategies includes reviews of legal, criminal justice, military, and legitimacy campaigns. Psychopathological approaches have been largely discredited; however, evidence suggests that certain experiences, attitudes, and behaviors are overrepresented among terrorists. The potential impact of ideology, leadership, popular support, Diasporic communities, and socialization on group dynamics all provide fertile areas for additional research. Terrorism feeds on the ability of groups to portray governments and their agents as illegitimate. There is also evidence for high rates of terrorism in countries that are in democratic transition or are described as failed states. Research on connections between religious motives and terrorism is mixed. Although research on the efficacy of counterterrorism methods has grown rapidly in recent years, it is still rarely evaluated with strong empirical methods. All of these conclusions are qualified by the fact that both individual- and group-level empirical data on terrorism are in short supply.
Effects of atherogenic diet on hepatic gene expression across mouse strains
Authors: Shockley Keith R. , Witmer David , Burgess-Herbert Sarah L. , Paigen Beverly , Churchill Gary A.
Published: August 2009

Diets high in fat and cholesterol are associated with increased obesity and metabolic disease in mice and humans. To study the molecular basis of the metabolic response to dietary fat, 10 inbred strains of mice were fed atherogenic high-fat and control low-fat diets. Liver gene expression and whole animal phenotypes were measured and analyzed in both sexes. The effects of diet, strain, and sex on gene expression were determined irrespective of complex processes, such as feedback mechanisms, that could have mediated the genomic responses. Global gene expression analyses demonstrated that animals of the same strain and sex have similar transcriptional profiles on a low-fat diet, but strains may show considerable variability in response to high-fat diet. Functional profiling indicated that high-fat feeding induced genes in the immune response, indicating liver damage, and repressed cholesterol biosynthesis. The physiological significance of the transcriptional changes was confirmed by a correlation analysis of transcript levels with whole animal phenotypes. The results found here were used to confirm a previously identified quantitative trait locus on chromosome 17 identified in males fed a high-fat diet in two crosses, PERA × DBA/2 and PERA × I/Ln. The gene expression data and phenotype data have been made publicly available as an online tool for exploring the effects of atherogenic diet in inbred mouse strains ( http://cgd-array.jax.org/DietStrainSurvey ).
Higher‐Order Solutions of Coupled Systems Using the Parameter Expansion Method
Authors: Ganji S. S. , Sfahani M. G. , Modares Tonekaboni S. M. , Moosavi A. K. , Ganji D. D.
Published: August 2009

We consider periodic solution for coupled systems of mass‐spring. Three practical cases of these systems are explained and introduced. An analytical technique called Parameter Expansion Method (PEM) was applied to calculate approximations to the achieved nonlinear differential oscillation equations. Comparing with exact solutions, the first approximation to the frequency of oscillation produces tolerable error 3.14% as the maximum. By the second iteration the respective error became 1/5th, as it is 0.064%. So we conclude that the first approximation of PEM is so benefit when a quick answer is required, but the higher order approximation gives a convergent precise solution when an exact solution is required.
A Case of Concurrent Riedel’s, Hashimoto’s and Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis
Authors: Pirola I. , Morassi M. L. , Braga M. , De Martino E. , Gandossi E. , Cappelli C.
Published: August 2009

Riedel’s thyroiditis (RT) is a rare form of infiltrative and inflammatory disease of the thyroid, first described by Bernard Riedel in 1896. The concurrent presence of RT and other thyroid diseases has been reported, but, the association of RT with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and acute thyroiditis has not yet been reported. We present a case of concurrent Riedel’s, Hashimoto’s and acute thyroiditis that occurred in a 45-year-old patient.
Surface Plasmon Resonance‐Based Fiber Optic Sensors: Principle, Probe Designs, and Some Applications
Authors: Gupta B. D. , Verma R. K.
Published: August 2009

Surface plasmon resonance technique in
collaboration with optical fiber technology has
brought tremendous advancements in sensing of
various physical, chemical, and biochemical
parameters. In this review article, we present the
principle of SPR technique for sensing and various
designs of the fiber optic SPR probe reported for
the enhancement of the sensitivity of the sensor.
In addition, we present few examples of the
surface plasmon resonance‐ (SPR‐) based fiber optic
sensors. The present review may provide
researchers valuable information regarding fiber
optic SPR sensors and encourage them to take this
area for further research and development.
Breast Carcinoma Cells in Primary Tumors and Effusions Have Different Gene Array Profiles
Authors: Konstantinovsky Sophya , Smith Yoav , Zilber Sofia , Tuft Stavnes Helene , Becker Anne-Marie , Nesland Jahn M. , Reich Reuven , Davidson Ben
Published: August 2009

The detection of breast carcinoma cells in effusions is associated with rapidly fatal outcome, but these cells are poorly characterized at the molecular level. This study compared the gene array signatures of breast carcinoma cells in primary carcinomas and effusions. The genetic signature of 10 primary tumors and 10 effusions was analyzed using the Array-Ready Oligo set for the Human Genome platform. Results for selected genes were validated using PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Array analysis identified 255 significantly downregulated and 96 upregulated genes in the effusion samples. The majority of differentially expressed genes were part of pathways involved in focal adhesion, extracellular matrix-cell interaction, and the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Genes that were upregulated in effusions includedKRT8, BCAR1, CLDN4, VIL2, whileDCN, CLDN19, ITGA7, andITGA5were downregulated at this anatomic site. PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry confirmed the array findings forBCAR1, CLDN4, VIL2, andDCN. Our data show that breast carcinoma cells in primary carcinomas and effusions have different gene expression signatures, and differentially express a large number of molecules related to adhesion, motility, and metastasis. These differences may have a critical role in designing therapy and in prognostication for patients with metastatic disease localized to the serosal cavities.
Interrelationships Among HDL Metabolism, Aging, and Atherosclerosis
Authors: Walter Michael
Published: August 2009

HDL plasma concentrations decline with age in prospective studies. Decline in HDL concentration and function may occur secondary because of hormonal changes, inflammatory processes, and diabetes mellitus. Beyond these effects specific aging processes may be involved. Replicative aging, the telomere-driven loss of divisional capacity, is a species-specific aging mechanism that may decrease HDL concentration and function. Cross-sectionally, by contrast, HDL levels do not change much or even slightly increase with age, suggesting that only people with still high HDL concentrations survive. A selection bias by HDL lowering genetic variation may explain why HDL deficiency is extremely rare among centenarians. Vice versa, HDL may modulate the aging process, not only by its well-known antiatherogenic effects, eg, its ability to remove cellular lipids and by antiatherogenic pleiotropic effects on cell survival, but possibly also by direct interfering with aging signaling or survival factor KLOTHO. Most of the current findings, however, are based on cell culture and selected animal experiments and await further confirmation by appropriate in vivo models.
Renal Dysfunction Potentiates Foam Cell Formation by Repressing ABCA1
Authors: Zuo Yiqin , Yancey Patricia , Castro Iris , Khan Wasif , Motojima Masaru , Ichikawa Iekuni , Fogo Agnes B. , Linton MacRae F. , Fazio Sergio , Kon Valentina
Published: August 2009

Objective—

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have the highest risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Current interventions have been insufficiently effective in lessening excess incidence and mortality from CVD in CKD patients versus other high-risk groups. The mechanisms underlying the heightened risk remain obscure but may relate to differences in CKD-induced atherogenesis, including perturbation of macrophage cholesterol trafficking.

Methods and Results—

We examined the impact of renal dysfunction on macrophage cholesterol homeostasis in the apoE
−/−
mouse model of atherosclerosis. Renal impairment induced by uninephrectomy dramatically increased macrophage cholesterol content, linked to striking impairment of macrophage cholesterol efflux. This blunted efflux was associated with downregulation of the cholesterol transporter ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) and activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). Treatment with the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) losartan decreased NF-κB and restored cholesterol efflux.

Conclusions—

Our findings show that mild renal dysfunction perturbs macrophage lipid homeostasis by inhibiting cholesterol efflux, mediated by decreased ABCA1 transporter and activation of NF-κB, and that ARB can restore cholesterol efflux.
Left Ventricular Endocardial Pacing Improves Resynchronization Therapy in Canine Left Bundle-Branch Hearts
Authors: van Deursen Caroline , van Geldorp Irene E. , Rademakers Leonard M. , van Hunnik Arne , Kuiper Marion , Klersy Catherine , Auricchio Angelo , Prinzen Frits W.
Published: August 2009

Background—

We investigated the benefits of the more physiological activation achieved by left ventricular (LV) endocardial pacing (ENDO) as compared with conventional epicardial (EPI) LV pacing in cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Methods and Results—

In 8 anesthetized dogs with experimental left bundle-branch block, pacing leads were positioned in the right atrium, right ventricle, and at 8 paired (EPI and ENDO) LV sites. Systolic LV pump function was assessed as LVdP/dtmax and stroke work and diastolic function as LVdP/dtmin. Electrical activation and dispersion of repolarization were determined from 122 epicardial and endocardial electrodes and from analysis of the surface ECG. Overall, ENDO-biventricular (BiV) pacing more than doubled the degree of electrical resynchronization and increased the benefit on LVdP/dtmax and stroke work by 90% and 50%, respectively, as compared with EPI-BiV pacing. During single-site LV pacing, the range of AV intervals with a >10% increase in LV resynchronization (79�31 versus 32�24 ms,
P
<0.05) and LVdP/dtmax (92�29 versus 63�39 ms) was significantly longer for ENDO than for EPI pacing. EPI-BiV but not ENDO-BiV pacing created a significant (40�21 ms) transmural dispersion of repolarization.

Conclusions—

Data from this acute animal study indicate that the use of an endocardial LV pacing electrode may increase the efficacy of resynchronization therapy as compared with conventional epicardial resynchronization therapy.
Deficiency of the Long Pentraxin PTX3 Promotes Vascular Inflammation and Atherosclerosis
Authors: Norata Giuseppe Danilo , Marchesi Patrizia , Pulakazhi Venu Vivek Krishna , Pasqualini Fabio , Anselmo Achille , Moalli Federica , Pizzitola Irene , Garlanda Cecilia , Mantovani Alberto , Catapano Alberico Luigi
Published: August 2009

Background—

Immune responses participate in several phases of atherosclerosis; there is, in fact, increasing evidence that both adaptive immunity and innate immunity tightly regulate atherogenesis. Pentraxins are a superfamily of acute-phase proteins that includes short pentraxins such as C-reactive protein or long pentraxins such as PTX3, a molecule acting as the humoral arm of innate immunity. To address the potential role of PTX3 in atherogenesis, we first investigated the expression of PTX3 during atherogenesis, generated double-knockout mice lacking PTX3 and apolipoprotein E, and then studied the effect of murine PTX3 deficiency on plasma lipids, atherosclerosis development, and gene expression pattern in the vascular wall.

Methods and Results—

PTX3 expression increases in the vascular wall of apolipoprotein E–knockout mice from 3 up to 18 months of age. Double-knockout mice lacking PTX3 and apolipoprotein E were fed an atherogenic diet for 16 weeks. Aortic lesions were significantly increased in double-knockout mice and mice heterozygous for PTX3 compared with apolipoprotein E–knockout mice. Mice lacking PTX3 showed a more pronounced inflammatory profile in the vascular wall as detected by cDNA microarray and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis and an increased macrophage accumulation within the plaque. Finally, lesion size correlated with the number of bone marrow monocytes.

Conclusion—

PTX3 has atheroprotective effects in mice, which, in light of the cardioprotective effects recently reported, suggests a cardiovascular protective function of the long pentraxin 3 through the modulation of the immunoinflammatory balance in the cardiovascular system.
Plasma Vitamin B
6
and Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Women
Authors: Page John H. , Ma Jing , Chiuve Stephanie E. , Stampfer Meir J. , Selhub Jacob , Manson JoAnn E. , Rimm Eric B.
Published: August 2009

Background—

We prospectively evaluated the relationships between fasting plasma levels of vitamin B
6
, as pyridoxal phosphate, and subsequent myocardial infarction risk in women.

Methods and Results—

Among 32 826 women who provided blood samples between 1989 and 1990 (27% of the original 1976 cohort), 239 were diagnosed with incident myocardial infarction (fatal and nonfatal) after blood collection but before July 1998. Of these women, 144 had provided a sample after fasting >10 hours. Cases were matched 1:2 by age, cigarette smoking status, and month of and fasting status at the time of blood collection with controls from the same cohort. Conditional logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounders, including traditional coronary risk factors, anthropometric factors, dietary intake, and selected biomarkers. Median age at blood collection was 63 years. Plasma levels of pyridoxal phosphate were inversely associated with risk of myocardial infarction; the multivariable-adjusted rate ratio for the highest compared with the lowest quartiles (>70 versus <27.9 pmol/mL) was 0.22 (95% confidence interval, 0.09 to 0.55;
P
for trend=0.05). The association varied by age: among women who were <60 years of age at blood sampling, the rate ratio comparing the highest and lowest quartiles was 0.05 (95% confidence interval, 0.004 to 0.61), whereas among older women, the corresponding rate ratio was 0.36 (95% confidence interval, 0.13 to 1.02).

Conclusions—

Fasting plasma concentration of pyridoxal phosphate was inversely associated with myocardial infarction risk, an effect that was in part independent of dietary B
6
intake. In addition to dietary vitamin B
6
intake, there are other determinants of plasma vitamin B
6
status, and these factors warrant further research.
Optimism, Cynical Hostility, and Incident Coronary Heart Disease and Mortality in the Women’s Health Initiative
Authors: Tindle Hilary A. , Chang Yue-Fang , Kuller Lewis H. , Manson JoAnn E. , Robinson Jennifer G. , Rosal Milagros C. , Siegle Greg J. , Matthews Karen A.
Published: August 2009

Background—

Trait optimism (positive future expectations) and cynical, hostile attitudes toward others have not been studied together in relation to incident coronary heart disease (CHD) and mortality in postmenopausal women.

Methods and Results—

Participants were 97 253 women (89 259 white, 7994 black) from the Women’s Health Initiative who were free of cancer and cardiovascular disease at study entry. Optimism was assessed by the Life Orientation Test–Revised and cynical hostility by the cynicism subscale of the Cook Medley Questionnaire. Cox proportional hazard models produced adjusted hazard ratios (AHRs) for incident CHD (myocardial infarction, angina, percutaneous coronary angioplasty, or coronary artery bypass surgery) and total mortality (CHD, cardiovascular disease, or cancer related) over ≈8 years. Optimists (top versus bottom quartile [“pessimists”]) had lower age-adjusted rates (per 10 000) of CHD (43 versus 60) and total mortality (46 versus 63). The most cynical, hostile women (top versus bottom quartile) had higher rates of CHD (56 versus 44) and total mortality (63 versus 46). Optimists (versus pessimists) had a lower hazard of CHD (AHR 0.91, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.99), CHD-related mortality (AHR 0.70, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.90), cancer-related mortality (blacks only; AHR 0.56, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.88), and total mortality (AHR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.93). Most (versus least) cynical, hostile women had a higher hazard of cancer-related mortality (AHR 1.23, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.40) and total mortality (AHR 1.16, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.27; this effect was pronounced in blacks). Effects of optimism and cynical hostility were independent.

Conclusions—

Optimism and cynical hostility are independently associated with important health outcomes in black and white women. Future research should examine whether interventions designed to change attitudes would lead to altered risk.
Rheumatic Heart Disease Screening by Echocardiography
Authors: Marijon Eloi , Celermajer David S. , Tafflet Muriel , El-Haou Saïd , Jani Dinesh N. , Ferreira Beatriz , Mocumbi Ana-Olga , Paquet Christophe , Sidi Daniel , Jouven Xavier
Published: August 2009

Background—

Early case detection is vital in rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in children to minimize the risk of advanced valvular heart disease by preventive measures. The currently utilized World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for echocardiographic diagnosis of subclinical RHD emphasize the presence of pathological valve regurgitation but do not include valves with morphological features of RHD without pathological regurgitation. We hypothesized that adding morphological features to diagnostic criteria might have significant consequences in terms of case detection rates.

Methods and Results—

We screened 2170 randomly selected school children aged 6 to 17 years in Maputo, Mozambique, clinically and by a portable ultrasound system. Two different echocardiographic sets of criteria for RHD were assessed: “WHO” (exclusively Doppler-based) and “combined” (Doppler and morphology-based) criteria. Independent investigators reviewed all suspected RHD cases using a higher-resolution, nonportable ultrasound system. On-site echocardiography identified 18 and 124 children with suspected RHD according to WHO and combined criteria, respectively. After consensus review, 17 were finally considered to have definite RHD according to WHO criteria, and 66 had definite RHD according to combined criteria, giving prevalence rates of 7.8 (95% confidence interval, 4.6 to 12.5) and 30.4 (95% confidence interval, 23.6 to 38.5) per 1000 children, respectively (
P
<0.0001, exact McNemar test).

Conclusions—

Important consideration should be given to echocardiographic criteria for detecting subclinical RHD because the number of cases detected may differ importantly according to the diagnostic criteria utilized. Currently recommended WHO criteria risk missing up to three quarters of cases of subclinically affected and therefore potentially treatable children with RHD.
Deficiency of Nectin-2 Leads to Cardiac Fibrosis and Dysfunction Under Chronic Pressure Overload
Authors: Satomi-Kobayashi Seimi , Ueyama Tomomi , Mueller Steffen , Toh Ryuji , Masano Tomoya , Sakoda Tsuyoshi , Rikitake Yoshiyuki , Miyoshi Jun , Matsubara Hiroaki , Oh Hidemasa , Kawashima Seinosuke , Hirata Ken-ichi , Takai Yoshimi
Published: August 2009

The intercalated disc, a cell-cell contact site between neighboring cardiac myocytes, plays an important role in maintaining the homeostasis of the heart by transmitting electric and mechanical signals. Changes in the architecture of the intercalated disc have been observed in dilated cardiomyopathy. Among cell-cell junctions in the intercalated disc, adherens junctions are involved in anchoring myofibrils and transmitting force. Nectins are Ca
2+
-independent, immunoglobulin-like cell-cell adhesion molecules that exist in adherens junctions. However, the role of nectins in cardiac homeostasis and integrity of the intercalated disc are unknown. Among the isoforms of nectins, nectin-2 and -4 were expressed at the intercalated disc in the heart. Nectin-2–knockout mice showed normal cardiac structure and function under physiological conditions. Four weeks after banding of the ascending aorta, cardiac function was significantly impaired in nectin-2–knockout mice compared with wild-type mice, although both nectin-2–knockout and wild-type mice developed similar degrees of cardiac hypertrophy. Banded nectin-2–knockout mice displayed cardiac fibrosis more evidently than banded wild-type mice. The disruption of the intercalated discs and disorganized myofibrils were observed in banded nectin-2–knockout mice. Furthermore, the number of apoptotic cardiac myocytes was increased in banded nectin-2–knockout mice. In the hearts of banded nectin-2–knockout mice, Akt remained at lower phosphorylation levels until 2 weeks after banding, whereas c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase were highly phosphorylated compared with those of wild-type mice. These results indicate that nectin-2 is required to maintain structure and function of the intercalated disc and protects the heart from pressure-overload–induced cardiac dysfunction.
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System in Schlager Genetically Hypertensive Mice
Authors: Davern Pamela J. , Nguyen-Huu Thu-Phuc , La Greca Luisa , Abdelkader Amany , Head Geoffrey A.
Published: August 2009

Early studies indicate that the hypertension observed in the Schlager inbred mouse strain may be attributed to a neurogenic mechanism. In this study, we examined the contribution of the sympathetic nervous system in maintaining hypertension in the BPH/2J mouse and used c-Fos immunohistochemistry to elucidate whether neuronal activation in specific brain regions was associated with waking blood pressure. Male hypertensive (BPH/2J; n=14), normotensive (BPN/3J; n=18), and C57/Bl6 (n=5) mice were implanted with telemetry devices, and after 10 days of recovery, recordings of blood pressure, heart rate, and locomotor activity were measured to determine circadian variation. Mean arterial pressure was higher in BPH/2J than in BPN/3J or C57/Bl6 mice (
P
<0.001), and BPH/2J animals showed exaggerated day-night differences (17±2 versus 6±1 mm Hg in BPN/3J or +8±2 mm Hg in C57/Bl6 mice;
P
<0.001). Acute sympathetic blockade with pentolinium (7.5 mg/kg IP) during the active and inactive phases reduced blood pressure to comparable levels in BPH/2J and BPN/3J mice. The number of c-Fos–labeled cells was greater in the amygdala (+180%;
P
<0.01), paraventricular nucleus (+110%;
P
<0.001), and dorsomedial hypothalamus (+48%;
P
<0.001) in the active (hypertensive) phase in BPH/2J compared with BPN/3J mice. The level of neuronal activation was mostly similar in these regions in the inactive phase. Of all of the regions studied, neuronal activation in the medial amygdala, as detected by c-Fos, was highly correlated to mean arterial pressure (
r
=0.98). These findings indicate that the hypertension is largely attributable to sympathetic nervous system activity, possibly generated through greater levels of arousal regulated by neurons located in the medial amygdala.
Low Resting Heart Rate and Antisocial Behavior
Authors: Armstrong Todd A. , Keller Shawn , Franklin Travis W. , Macmillan Scott N.
Published: August 2009

Despite a large body of research demonstrating a clear and consistent relationship between resting heart rate and antisocial behavior, little is understood about the relative influence on antisocial behavior of resting heart rate and other constructs central to criminological theories. Here, the authors offer an initial effort to bridge this gap in the literature by testing the relationship between resting heart rate and a measure of antisocial behavior net of attachment to parents, self-control, peer delinquency, and potential physiological confounds. Results from ANOVA show that those with low resting heart rates have significantly higher rates of severe antisocial behavior and aggressive antisocial behavior net of physiological confounds. Results from multivariate regression models show that low resting heart rate has a statistically significant relationship with severe antisocial behavior and aggressive behavior in models controlling for attachment to parents, self-control, peer delinquency, and physiological confounds.