bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics of Beriplex P/N prothrombin complex concentrate in healthy volunteers
Authors: Ostermann Helmut , Haertel Sabine , Kalina Uwe , Jung Kerstin , Pabinger Ingrid , Knaub Sigurd
Published: October 2007

Prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) are widely administered for emergency oral anticoagulation reversal and for coagulation defects in liver disease. Pharmacokinetic data may help to optimize treatment. The objective of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetics of a PCC (Beriplex P/N) containing coagulation factors II (FII),VII (FVII), IX (FIX) and X (FX) and anticoagulant proteins C and S. Fifteen healthy volunteers received a single rapid 50 IU/kg infusion of PCC and underwent frequent blood sampling until 144 hours (h) after infusion. Coagulation factors and anticoagulant protein pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by non-linear regression. The mean infusion rate of PCC was 7.9 ml/min, equivalent to 196.4 IU/min. By the earliest post-infusion sampling point at 5 minutes (min), plasma FIX concentration increased by a median of 73%. Median increases in FII, FVII and FX at 5 min were 122%, 62% and 158%, respectively. Proteins C and S also increased rapidly. The median terminal half-life of FIX was 16.7 h, FII 59.7 h, FVII 4.2 h and FX 30.7 h. The median in-vivo recovery of FIX was 1.57 %/IU/kg and that of the other three coagulation factors > 2 %/IU/kg. Plasma concentration of thrombogenicity marker D-dimer did not increase, and there was no clinical evidence of thrombosis.Through up to 12 weeks follow-up there were no laboratory findings indicating PCC-related viral exposure. Rapid PCC infusion produced prompt sustained increases in coagulation factors and anticoagulant proteins with no clinical evidence of thrombosis or viral transmission.
Identification of an inactivating cleavage site for α-thrombin on the heavy chain of factor Va
Authors: Bukys Michael , Orfeo Thomas , Mann Kenneth , Erdogan Evrim , Kalafatis Michael
Published: October 2007

Previous studies of factor (F)Va inactivation on human umbilical vein endothelial cells have shown that α-thrombin cleaves the heavy chain near the COOH-terminus to produce a Mr 97,000 fragment containing the NH2-terminal portion of the heavy chain and a Mr 8,000 peptide containing the rest of the molecule. The α-thrombin cleavage appeared to occur between amino acid residues 586 and 654 of FV. This region contains a consensus sequence for α-thrombin cleavage located at residues 640–644 (S-S-P-R-S). To test the hypothesis that α-thrombin cleaves the FVa heavy chain at Arg643 and to evaluate the functional importance of this cleavage for FVa inactivation, sitedirected mutagenesis was used to create recombinant FV molecules with mutations R643→Q (FVR643Q) and R643→A (FVR643A). All recombinant molecules were purified to homogeneity and assayed for activity following extended activation with α-thrombin. Under similar experimental conditions, appearance of the Mr 97,000 heavy chain fragment in the plasma and wild-type FVa molecules correlated with partial loss of cofactor activity, while following extended incubation of FVR643Q and FVR643A with α-thrombin no cleavage of the heavy chain at Arg643 was detected and no presence of the Mr 97,000 heavy-chain fragment was noticed. Further, no loss in cofactor activity was observed using these mutant recombinant FVa molecules. Our data demonstrate that cleavage of FVa at Arg643 by α-thrombin results in a partially inactive cofactor molecule and provides for an activated protein C (APC)-independent anticoagulant effect of α-thrombin.
The Haemostatic Role of Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor
Authors: Crawley James T.B. , Lane David A.
Published: October 2007

Under normal conditions the blood circulates freely within the confines of the vascular system, carrying oxygen, nutrients, and hormonal information around the body and removing metabolic waste. If blood gains access to extravascular sites, or the vasculature becomes pathologically challenged, hemostasis may be activated. This process is finely regulated by positive and negative feedback loops that modulate fibrin clot formation. Blood coagulation revolves around the activation and assembly of the components of the prothrombinase complex, which converts the inactive zymogen, prothrombin, into its active form, thrombin. This serine protease catalyzes the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, the structural scaffold that stabilizes platelet aggregates at sites of vascular injury. The extent of the hemostatic response is controlled by the action of inhibitory pathways, which ensure that thrombin activity and the spread of the hemostatic plug is limited to the site of vessel damage. This review article focuses on the major physiological regulator of tissue factor–induced coagulation, tissue factor pathway inhibitor, its expression, anticoagulant function, and its role in normal hemostasis.
Free Interleukin (IL)-18 Levels, and the Impact of
IL18
and
IL18BP
Genetic Variation, in CHD Patients and Healthy Men
Authors: Thompson Simon R. , Novick Daniela , Stock Carmel J. , Sanders Julie , Brull David , Cooper Jackie , Woo Patricia , Miller George , Rubinstein Menachem , Humphries Steve E.
Published: October 2007

Objective—

To investigate free interleukin-18 (fIL-18) levels, and variation within the IL-18 system genes, in heart surgery patients, and healthy men.

Methods and Results—

fIL-18 was calculated from IL-18 and IL-18 binding protein (BP) levels, in 421 healthy men and 196 post–coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients. After surgery, fIL-18 peaked at 6 hours (from 117 to 331 pg/mL) but fell to below presurgery levels at 24 hours (99 pg/mL), because of changes in total IL-18 and IL-18BP. fIL-18 24 hours postsurgery was significantly higher in those who suffered a major complication after surgery (125 versus 80 pg/mL,
P
<0.01). Baseline total IL-18 was also higher in healthy men who went on to suffer an MI over 17 years of prospective study (276 versus 240 pg/mL,
P
=0.01). Tagging SNPs for IL18 (n=5) and IL18BP (n=3) were determined, in both studies the
IL18 Hap
III haplotype (frequency 30%) was associated with 36% lower baseline fIL-18 levels before surgery (
P
<0.01), and 7% lower in healthy men (
P
=0.04). The frequency of
Hap
III was lower in CABG patients than in healthy men (20.7 versus 29.8%,
P
<0.01).

Conclusions—

IL-18 levels, which are determined in part by variation in
IL18
, play a role in CHD development and postsurgery outcome.
Sex-Dependent Attenuation of Plaque Growth After Treatment With Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells
Authors: Nelson Wendy D. , Zenovich Andrey G. , Ott Harald C. , Stolen Craig , Caron Gabriel J. , Panoskaltsis-Mortari Angela , Barnes Samuel A. , Xin Xiangrong , Taylor Doris A.
Published: October 2007

There are clinically relevant differences in symptomatology, risk stratification, and efficacy of therapies between men and women with coronary artery disease. Sex-based differences in plaque attenuation after administration of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMNCs) are unknown. Forty-five male and 57 female apolipoprotein-E knockout (apoE
−/−
) mice were fed a high-fat diet. At 14 weeks of age, animals received 4 biweekly intravenous sex-matched (males, n=11; females, n=13) or -mismatched (males, n=12; females, n=14) BMNCs obtained from C57BL6/J mice. The rest of the apoE
−/−
mice were vehicle treated (males, n=13; females, n=20) or were age-matched untreated controls (males, n=9; females, n=10). Aortic plaque burden, progenitor cell profiles in bone marrow (BM) and 22 circulating cytokines/chemokines were examined 1 week following the final injection. Only female BMNCs infused into male apoE
−/−
recipients significantly decreased plaque formation (
P
<0.001). This reparative response univariately correlated with increased CD34
+
(
P
=0.02), CD45
+
(
P
=0.0001), and AC133
+
/CD34
+
(
P
=0.001) cell percentages in the BM of recipients but not with total serum cholesterol or percentage of BM-CD31
+
/CD45
low
cells. In a multivariate analysis, BM-AC133
+
/CD34
+
and BM-CD45
+
percentage counts correlated with a lower plaque burden (
P
<0.05). Increased granulocyte colony-stimulating factor levels highly correlated with plaque attenuation (
r
=−0.86,
P
=0.0004). In untreated apoE
−/−
mice of either sex, BM-AC133
+
/CD34
+
cells rose initially and then fell as plaque accumulated; however, BM-AC133
+
/CD34
+
percentages were higher in females at all times (
P
≤0.01). We have demonstrated an atheroprotective effect of female-derived BMNCs administered to male atherosclerotic apoE
−/−
mice; this reparative response correlated with the upregulation of BM-AC133
+
/CD34
+
and CD45
+
cells and of circulating granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Atherosclerotic female apoE
−/−
mice did not exhibit atheroprotection after BMNCs of either sex. Our findings may have implications for clinical cell therapy trials for coronary artery disease. Further exploration of sex-based differences in atheroprotection and vascular repair is warranted.
Laminar Arrangement of Ventricular Myocytes Influences Electrical Behavior of the Heart
Authors: Hooks Darren A. , Trew Mark L. , Caldwell Bryan J. , Sands Gregory B. , LeGrice Ian J. , Smaill Bruce H.
Published: October 2007

The response of the heart to electrical shock, electrical propagation in sinus rhythm, and the spatiotemporal dynamics of ventricular fibrillation all depend critically on the electrical anisotropy of cardiac tissue. A long-held view of cardiac electrical anisotropy is that electrical conductivity is greatest along the myocyte axis allowing most rapid propagation of electrical activation in this direction, and that conductivity is isotropic transverse to the myocyte axis supporting a slower uniform spread of activation in this plane. In this context, knowledge of conductivity in two directions, parallel and transverse to the myofiber axis, is sufficient to characterize the electrical action of the heart. Here we present new experimental data that challenge this view. We have used a novel combination of intramural electrical mapping, and experiment-specific computer modeling, to demonstrate that left ventricular myocardium has unique bulk conductivities associated with three microstructurally-defined axes. We show that voltage fields induced by intramural current injection are influenced by not only myofiber direction, but also the transmural arrangement of muscle layers or myolaminae. Computer models of these experiments, in which measured 3D tissue structure was reconstructed in-silico, best matched recorded voltages with conductivities in the myofiber direction, and parallel and normal to myolaminae, set in the ratio 4:2:1, respectively. These findings redefine cardiac tissue as an electrically orthotropic substrate and enhance our understanding of how external shocks may act to successfully reset the fibrillating heart into a uniform electrical state. More generally, the mechanisms governing the destabilization of coordinated electrical propagation into ventricular arrhythmia need to be evaluated in the light of this discovery.
Staged Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting Followed by Cardiac Surgery in Patients With Severe Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis
Authors: Van der Heyden Jan , Suttorp Maarten J. , Bal Egbert T. , Ernst Jef M. , Ackerstaff Rob G. , Schaap Jeroen , Kelder Johannes C. , Schepens Mark , Plokker Herbert W.
Published: October 2007

Background—

The strategy for treating patients with severe asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis and cardiac disease remains unresolved. Staged or combined carotid endarterectomy in these patients offers the potential benefit of decreased neurological morbidity during and after cardiac surgery; however, in high-risk patients with severe coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or renal impairment, the incidence of death and stroke is significantly higher.

Methods and Results—

We report the results of a prospective, single-center study designed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of carotid artery angioplasty and stenting (CAS) before cardiac surgery in neurologically asymptomatic patients. The periprocedural and long-term outcomes of 356 consecutive patients who underwent CAS before cardiac surgery were analyzed. The procedural success rate of CAS was 97.7%. The death and stroke rate from time of CAS to 30 days after cardiac surgery was 4.8% (n=17). The myocardial infarction rate from time of CAS to 30 days after cardiac surgery was 2.0% (n=7), and the combined death, stroke, and myocardial infarction rate was 6.7% (n=24). Distal embolic protection devices were used in 40% of the cases.

Conclusions—

This large cohort of asymptomatic patients who underwent staged CAS and cardiac surgery experienced a low periprocedural complication rate. The high rate of freedom from death and stroke during the 5 years of follow-up supports the long-term durability of this approach. Our findings suggest that this new strategy may become a valuable alternative in the treatment of patients with combined carotid and cardiac disease.
Resynchronization of Separated Rat Cardiomyocyte Fields With Genetically Modified Human Ventricular Scar Fibroblasts
Authors: Pijnappels Daniël A. , van Tuyn John , de Vries Antoine A.F. , Grauss Robert W. , van der Laarse Arnoud , Ypey Dirk L. , Atsma Douwe E. , Schalij Martin J.
Published: October 2007

Background—

Nonresponse to cardiac resynchronization therapy is associated with the presence of slow or nonconducting scar tissue. Genetic modification of scar tissue, aimed at improving conduction, may be a novel approach to achieve effective resynchronization. Therefore, the feasibility of resynchronization with genetically modified human ventricular scar fibroblasts was studied in a coculture model.

Methods and Results—

An in vitro model was used to study the effects of forced expression of the myocardin (
MyoC
) gene in human ventricular scar fibroblasts (hVSFs) on resynchronization of 2 rat cardiomyocyte fields separated by a strip of hVSFs. Furthermore, the effects of
MyoC
expression on the capacity of hVSFs to serve as pacing sites were studied. MyoC-dependent gene activation in hVSFs was examined by gene and immunocytochemical analysis. Forced
MyoC
expression in hVSFs decreased dyssynchrony, expressed as the activation delay between 2 cardiomyocyte fields (control hVSFs 27.6±0.2 ms [n=11] versus MyoC-hVSFs 3.6±0.3 ms [n=11] at day 8,
P
<0.01). Also, MyoC-hVSFs could be stimulated electrically, which resulted in simultaneous activation of the 2 adjacent cardiomyocyte fields. Forced
MyoC
expression in hVSFs led to the expression of various connexin and cardiac ion channel genes. Intracellular measurements of MyoC-hVSFs coupled to surrounding cardiomyocytes showed strongly improved action potential conduction.

Conclusions—

Forced
MyoC
gene expression in hVSFs allowed electrical stimulation of these cells and conferred the ability to conduct an electrical impulse at high velocity, which resulted in resynchronization of 2 separated cardiomyocyte fields. Both phenomena appear mediated mainly by MyoC-dependent activation of genes that encode connexins, strongly enforcing intercellular electrical coupling.
Smooth Muscle Cells Healing Atherosclerotic Plaque Disruptions Are of Local, Not Blood, Origin in Apolipoprotein E Knockout Mice
Authors: Bentzon Jacob F. , Sondergaard Claus S. , Kassem Moustapha , Falk Erling
Published: October 2007

Background—

Signs of preceding episodes of plaque rupture and smooth muscle cell (SMC)–mediated healing are common in atherosclerotic plaques, but the source of the healing SMCs is unknown. Recent studies suggest that activated platelets adhering to sites of injury recruit neointimal SMCs from circulating bone marrow–derived progenitor cells. Here, we analyzed the contribution of this mechanism to plaque healing after spontaneous and mechanical plaque disruption in apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE
−/−
) mice.

Methods and Results—

To determine the origin of SMCs after spontaneous plaque disruption, irradiated 18-month-old apoE
−/−
mice were reconstituted with bone marrow cells from enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) transgenic apoE
−/−
mice and examined when they died up to 9 months later. Plaque hemorrhage, indicating previous plaque disruption, was widely present, but no bone marrow–derived eGFP
+
SMCs were detected. To examine the origin of healing SMCs in a model that recapitulates more features of human plaque rupture and healing, we developed a mechanical technique that produced consistent plaque disruption, superimposed thrombosis, and SMC-mediated plaque healing in apoE
−/−
mice. Mechanical plaque disruption was produced in irradiated apoE
−/−
mice reconstituted with eGFP
+
apoE
−/−
bone marrow cells and in carotid bifurcations cross-grafted between apoE
−/−
and eGFP
+
apoE
−/−
mice. Apart from few non–graft-derived SMCs near the anastomosis site in 1 transplanted carotid bifurcation, no SMCs originating from outside the local arterial segment were detected in healed plaques.

Conclusions—

Healing SMCs after atherosclerotic plaque disruption are derived entirely from the local arterial wall and not circulating progenitor cells in apoE
−/−
mice.
Prediction of Atrial Fibrillation via Atrial Electromechanical Interval After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Roshanali Farideh , Mandegar Mohammad Hossein , Yousefnia Mohammad Ali , Rayatzadeh Hussein , Alaeddini Farshid , Amouzadeh Farshad
Published: October 2007

Background—

We assessed the validity of the atrial electromechanical interval, measured by transthoracic tissue Doppler echocardiography, in determining patients at risk of post–coronary artery bypass graft atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods and Results—

This prospective study recruited 355 patients in sinus rhythm who were candidates for coronary artery bypass grafting. The patients underwent a preoperative transthoracic echocardiography with a tissue Doppler evaluation and were monitored with continuous ECG telemetry during their hospital stay. Sixty-eight patients had postoperative AF (19.2%), with the incident occurring 2.3±0.7 days after surgery. The median length of hospitalization was 7.0 days for the AF patients and 6.0 days for the non-AF patients (
P
<0.0001). The subjects with postoperative AF differed from the sinus rhythm patients in that the former had a lower ejection fraction (40.4±8.5% versus 48.4±9.4%), a reduced maximal A-wave transmitral Doppler flow velocity (44.3±4.6 versus 53.3±10.9 cm/s), an increased total atrial volume (68.7±12.6 versus 55.3±11.8 mL), and a prolonged atrial electromechanical interval (141.9±13.4 versus 100.3±10.3 ms, respectively;
P
<0.0001 for all). In addition, the AF patients were older than the sinus rhythm group (66.0±8.0 versus 59.8±8.5 years). The atrial electromechanical interval was the best independent discriminator of the history of AF. We defined a cutoff point for the atrial electromechanical interval and chose 120 milliseconds for categorization, which yielded 100% sensitivity and 94.8% specificity for the prediction of AF.

Conclusions—

The atrial electromechanical interval by transthoracic tissue Doppler echocardiography could be a valuable method for identifying patients vulnerable to post–coronary artery bypass graft AF.
Sodium-Selective Salt Sensitivity
Authors: Schmidlin Olga , Forman Alex , Sebastian Anthony , Morris R. Curtis
Published: October 2007

We tested the hypothesis that the Na
+
component of dietary NaCl can have a pressor effect apart from its capacity to complement the extracellular osmotic activity of Cl
−
and, thus, expand plasma volume. We studied 35 mostly normotensive blacks who ingested a low-NaCl diet, 30 mmol/d, for 3 weeks, in the first and third of which Na
+
was loaded orally with either NaHCO
3
or NaCl, in random order (250 mmol/d). In subjects adjudged to be salt sensitive (n=18; Δ mean arterial pressure: ≥5 mm Hg with NaCl load), but not in salt-resistant subjects (n=17), loading with NaHCO
3
was also pressor. The pressor effect of NaHCO
3
was half that of NaCl: mean arterial pressure (millimeters of mercury) increased significantly from 90 on low NaCl to 95 with NaHCO
3
and to 101 with NaCl. The pressor effect of NaCl strongly predicted that of NaHCO
3.
As judged by hematocrit decrease, plasma volume expansion with NaCl was the same in salt-resistant and salt-sensitive subjects and twice that with NaHCO
3
, irrespective of the pressor effect. In salt-sensitive subjects, mean arterial pressure varied directly with plasma Na
+
concentration attained with all Na
+
loading. In salt-sensitive but not salt-resistant subjects, NaHCO
3
and NaCl induced decreases in renal blood flow and increases in renal vascular resistance; changes in renal blood flow were not different with the 2 salts. Responses of renal blood flow and renal vascular resistance to NaHCO
3
were strongly predicted by those to NaCl. In establishing the fact of “sodium-selective” salt sensitivity, the current observations demonstrate that the Na
+
component of NaCl can have pressor and renal vasoconstrictive properties apart from its capacity to complement Cl
−
in plasma volume expansion.
Cross-Talk of Expression Quantitative Trait Loci Within 2 Interacting Blood Pressure Quantitative Trait Loci
Authors: Lee Norman H. , Haas Brian J. , Letwin Noah E. , Frank Bryan C. , Luu Truong V. , Sun Qiang , House Carrie D. , Yerga-Woolwine Shane , Farms Phyllis , Manickavasagam Ezhilarasi , Joe Bina
Published: October 2007

Genetic dissection of the S rat genome has provided strong evidence for the presence of 2 interacting blood pressure quantitative trait loci (QTLs), termed QTL1 and QTL2, on rat chromosome 5. However, the identities of the underlying interacting genetic factors remain unknown. Further experiments targeted to identify the interacting genetic factors by the substitution mapping approach alone are difficult because of the interdependency of natural recombinations to occur at the 2 QTLs. We hypothesized that the interacting genetic factors underlying these 2 QTLs may interact at the level of gene transcription and thereby represent expression QTLs or eQTLs. To detect these interacting expression QTLs, a custom QTL chip containing the annotated genes within QTL1 and QTL2 was developed and used to conduct a transcriptional profiling study of S and 2 congenic strains that retain either 1 or both of the QTLs. The results uncovered an interaction between 2 transcription factor genes,
Dmrta2
and
Nfia
. Furthermore, the “biological signature” elicited by these 2 transcription factors was differential between the congenic strain that retained Lewis alleles at both QTL1 and QTL2 compared with the congenic strain that retained Lewis alleles at QTL1 alone. A network of transcription factors potentially affecting blood pressure could be traced, lending support to our hypothesis.
Heterogeneity of Aldosterone-Producing Adenomas Revealed by a Whole Transcriptome Analysis
Authors: Lenzini Livia , Seccia Teresa M. , Aldighieri Enrico , Belloni Anna S. , Bernante Paolo , Giuliani Luisa , Nussdorfer Gastone G. , Pessina Achille C. , Rossi Gian Paolo
Published: October 2007

Aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs) are a common cause of arterial hypertension, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown, although a transcriptional modulation of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) has been suggested. Aldosterone synthesis involves 2 main rate-limiting steps: cholesterol transport into mitochondria and CYP11B2 gene transcription. Evidence supports a role of Ca
2+
/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases (CAMKs) in the regulation of angiotensin II– and potassium-stimulated aldosterone production. CAMK-I mediates CYP11B2 transcription via cAMP response element binding protein and activating transcription factor 1 transcription factors and nuclear receptor Nur-related factor 1. CAMK-II affects cholesterol transport into mitochondria by acting on steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and/or cytoskeleton proteins. We analyzed the whole transcriptome of APAs as compared with a pool of normal human adrenocortical tissues. Based on steroidogenic enzyme gene expression profiles, we identified 2 APA subgroups: 1 featuring overexpression of CYP11B2, CAMK-I, 11-β-hydroxylase, 3-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and 21-hydroxylase and the underexpression of CAMK-IIB and the other one with an opposite profile. The low CYP11B2 group exhibited a longer known duration of hypertension and a lower rate of long-term cure. Thus, aldosterone overproduction in APAs involves complex alterations of aldosterone synthesis regulation rather than simply increased aldosterone synthase gene expression. Whether the molecular signature of APA carries prognostic information is worth further investigation.
The Maritime Merchants of Surat: A Long-term Perspective
Authors: Nadri Ghulam
Published: October 2007

In the literature on the early-modern Asian commercial world, the lack of historical longevity of mercantile wealth has been accepted as a major attribute. This paper establishes that some merchant families of Surat did experience longevity and family fortunes were kept up for five or six generations. It analyzes the institutional dimensions of trade and examines the ways in which these merchants articulated commercial strategies to ensure a long span of their family businesses. The paper demonstrates that fortunes were built and sustained primarily through trade and that the association with the European Companies was an important but additional means of achieving commercial affluence. La littérature scientifique traitant du monde commercial asiatique dans la période moderne paraît unanime à constater l'absence de longévité de la richesse fondée sur la pratique du commerce. Or, l'analyse du parcours de quelques familles de négociants de Surat durant cette période témoigne que des fortunes familiales furent conservées sur cinq ou six générations. Les dimensions institutionnelles de ces activités, mais également les stratégies commerciales utilisées par ces familles pour maintenir leur statut, sont examinées. Ces fortunes étaient édifiées et soutenues en premier par la pratique du commerce, l'association avec des compagnies européennes, certes importante, n'étant qu'un moyen complémentaire pour assurer leur prospérité.
Spatial and Temporal Continuities of Merchant Networks in South Asia and the Indian Ocean (1500-2000)
Authors: Dharampal-Frick Gita , Bhattacharya Bhaswati , Gommans Jos
Published: October 2007

We believe ourselves to be the most astute men that one can encounter, and the people here surpass us in everything. And there are Moorish merchants worth 400,000 to 500,000 ducats. And they can do better calculations by memory than we can do with the pen. And they mock us, and it seems to me that they are superior to us in countless things, save with sword in hand, which they cannot resist.
The Two Arms of Cambay: Diasporic Texts of Ecumenical Islam in the Indian Ocean
Authors: Ho Engseng
Published: October 2007

Long-distance trade, entailing as it does repeated exchanges across countries and cultures, often brings in its train consequences beyond the exchange of goods and specie. As other exchanges—of warfare, kinship, supplication, devotion—thicken social relations across routes pioneered by trade, new ways of imagining society across a larger space emerge. This paper examines the transcultural work that may be performed to create such enlarged imaginations of society, with a particular reference to the Hadramis of Yemen. In such ways, we suggest that a world religion, such as Islam, can give specific cultural shape to the distant horizons of world trade, as both expanded across the Indian Ocean over the past five centuries. Le commerce de longue distance impliquait des échanges répétés entre régions et cultures; il en entraînait souvent d'autres qui, tels la guerre, les liens de parenté, les actes cultuels, renfor çaient les relations sociales, suscitant de nouvelles perspectives d'approches de la société sur une plus large échelle. Fondée plus particulièrement sur le cas des Hadramis du Yémen, cette contribution examinera les études transculturelles à mener pour appréhender une plus large société. Il est ainsi suggéré qu'une religion universelle, l'Islam, a pu apporter quelque forme culturelle spécifique au commerce mondial quand, durant les cinq derniers siècles, ils se déploient de concert sur l'Océan indien.
Catullus 14B, 16, 41, 43, 55, 58B: Adnotationes criticae
Authors: Kokoszkiewicz Konrad
Published: October 2007

Several conjectures to the following poems of Catullus are considered: 14b, 16, 55, 58b, along with critical notes on the transmitted text and the style used. A brief remark on poems 41 and 43 is also included. The main goal of the article is to present versions of poems 16 and 55 emended according to the conjectures and other proposals mentioned above.
Are Petitionary Dreams Non-predictive? Observations on Artemidorus' Oneirocritica 1.6 and 4.2
Authors: Boter Gerard , Flinterman Jaap-Jan
Published: October 2007

In two passages of the Oneirocritica, Artemidorus discusses the practice of asking the gods for a dream containing a prediction or an advice. The prevailing opinion among scholars is that Artemidorus rejects this type of dreams categorically. In this article it is argued that, on the contrary, Artemidorus does accept the validity of petitionary dreams, provided that some rules are taken into account. Further, a couple of proposals for improvement of the text are made for a pivotal passage on petitionary dreams, namely 246.15-8 Pack.
Greek Compounds of the Type ισóεoς 'Equal to a God', αξιóλoγoς 'Worthy of Note', απειρoμαχας 'Ignorant of War', etc.
Authors: Tribulato Olga
Published: October 2007

In the majority of Greek compounds the head occurs on the right. Within this system, a number of left-oriented categories are tolerated, chiefly preposition- and verb-first compounds, but also a handful of minor groups. This article aims to provide a more thorough appraisal of a specific subtype of left-oriented compounds: those showing an adjectival head (type ισóεoς, αξιoλoγoς, etc.). It first provides an overview of the various types of left-oriented compounds in Greek (section 2). It then assesses the claim that adjectival left-oriented compounds derive from left-oriented syntactic phrases by supplying a full corpus of such forms, and comparing them to existing syntagms of the type adjective plus noun (section 3). The subsequent sections investigate the autonomous morphological reasons behind the left-headedness of such compounds, which the syntactic model does not adequately explain. Section 4.1 addresses the question of why such compounds could not have been right-oriented. Section 4.2 identifies the morphological features which—as in the case of prepositional compounds—characterise adjectives in left-oriented compounds, and are largely responsible for their placement on the left.
Homeostasis and Religious Behaviour
Authors: Schjødt Uffe
Published: October 2007

The classic dichotomy between bodily and cognitive processes has survived in scientific thought and can still be seen undiminished in the classic paradigm of the cognitive sciences. Lately, however, the notion of amodal cognitive systems has been challenged by new insights. More and more findings from neurobiological and perceptual studies support the assumption that cognitive processes solely rely on the brain's modal activities – even the most complex ones. Discarding amodal systems, however, would have profound effects not only on the cognitive sciences, but also on the broader study of human behaviour. During the last two decades, cognitivist theories have made their entrance into humanistic studies, including the study of religion. Thus, in discarding one of the basic premises of the cognitive paradigm, as I argue in this article, could lead to a radical rethinking of the science of religion. I will argue that the body and its sensory-motor modalities are not only the mind's representational base, but also encompass the intentionality behind human behaviour in general and religious behaviour in particular. I will call this intentionality homeostatic intentionality, as it has to do with the self-regulation and optimization of the organism. Ignoring physiological activities, including homeostatic ones, in the mind's complex cognitive processes is unfortunately a characteristic of classic cognitivist theories, and this negligence, it seems to me, rules out a satisfying and realistic account of religious behaviour.
"What's HIDD'n in the HADD?"
Authors: Lisdorf Anders
Published: October 2007

The consensus in the cognitive science of religion is that some sort of hyperactive agency detection in the human mind is responsible for the origin and spread of beliefs in superhuman agents such as gods, spirits and ancestors among human populations. While it is expressed differently in different authors, they all agree that hyperactive agency detection is a basic function of human cognition. Most well known perhaps is the formulation of this by Justin Barrett as the Hyperactive Agency Detection Device or HADD. Problems, however, arise when we begin to consider the neural basis of this: It doesn't add up, or more precisely the HADD does not work that way. Like the magician pulling rabbits from the hat this explanation may be a "self"-conjuring trick, only for us the hat is a HADD and the rabbits are superhuman agents (no reference to were-rabbits intended). This paper will try to point to a more parsimonious explanation.
A protein homology detection between rattlesnakes (Viperidae: Crotalinae) from South and North America deduced from antigenically related metalloproteases
Authors: Rodríguez-Acosta Alexis , Magaldi Sylvia , Pérez John , Sánchez Elda , Girón María , Aguilar Irma
Published: October 2007

Despite the fact that the analysis of two venom proteins is a limited investigation, the occurrence of proteins antigenically related between two Crotalus species from very distant geographic locations may be of importance to a further understanding of venom immunology. In this study, shared venom antigens of crotaline snakes are determined by immunoprecipitin analysis using rocket line immunoelectrophoresis (RLIE). Metalloprotease components were detected in the venom of Uracoan Rattlesnake (Crotalus vegrandis) from Venezuela, and in the venom of the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) from Texas, USA. Cross-reactive components detected in both species were identified using rocket line immunoelectrophoresis (RLIE). The present study was focused on a comparison of Crotalus antigens by anode deflection. There was cross-reactivity between Uracoina-1 from C. vegrandis and C. atrox venom tested with polyvalent Bothrops/Crotalus antivenom. Moreover, a common sequence of amino acids has been found between Uracoina-1 (C. vegrandis) and a catrocollastatin precursor from C. atrox. These results confirm the existence of cross-reacting components between antigenic extracts of both snake venoms. Rattlesnakes originally spread from North to South America, and both studied species, which share a similar protein, have probably been separated since the Cretaceous, for more than 80 million years.
Globalization, Veto Players, and Welfare Spending
Authors: Ha Eunyoung
Published: October 2007

This article examines the role of globalization and its interaction with domestic political institutions (veto players) in shaping welfare spending in 18 advanced industrial countries from 1960 to 2000. First, the author evaluates how integrated world markets have influenced welfare expenditures. Results suggest that globalization increased welfare spending in this sample. Second, the author studies how domestic political institutions mediate the impact of globalization on welfare spending. With a new data set on veto players for the years 1960 to 2000, the author finds that as the number of and ideological distance among veto players increases, the upward pressure of globalization on welfare spending is reduced. The results show that globalization has pressured states to expand welfare spending, but the extent to which states have responded to pressure critically depends on the number of and ideological distance among veto players, whose agreement is required to change welfare policy.
A Great Place to Start?
Authors: Kleykamp Meredith
Published: October 2007

This article examines the effect of prior military service on hiring for entry-level jobs in a major metropolitan labor market. The research employs an audit method in which resumes differing only in the presentation of military experience versus civilian work experience are faxed in response to an advertised position. Results suggest that employers exhibit preferential treatment of black military veterans with transferable skills over black nonveterans. Veterans with traditional military experience in the combat arms do not experience preferential treatment by employers, regardless of racial/ethnic background. These findings suggest a possible mechanism generating the postmilitary employment benefit among blacks found in prior observational studies. A veteran premium in hiring may stem from the concentration of blacks in military occupational specialties with a high degree of civilian transferability, combined with employer preferences for military veterans with such work experience over their nonveteran peers.
Recent developments in flexible wearable electronics for monitoring applications
Authors: Lam Po Tang S.
Published: October 2007

With the technology miniaturization and wireless revolution, electronics have found new applications in the form of flexible wearables for monitoring purposes. Ongoing research on wearable electronic systems has resulted in a number of prototype garments that can monitor and relay various types of data. As a review of the latest development in this area, this paper outlines and discusses the various components required for such a system, including sensors, actuators, circuitry and power management.
Physiological measurements in smart clothing: a case study of total body water estimation with bioimpedance
Authors: Hännikäinen Jaana , Vuorela Timo , Vanhala Jukka
Published: October 2007

A wearable physiological bioimpedance measurement system has been designed and implemented. Measured bioimpedance values can be utilized for total body water (TBW) estimation. This information can be useful for, eg, athletes whose performance weakens due to dehydration. The system is integrated into a sport suit and its functionality has been tested by performing walking, fitness cycling and running tests. Also reference tests in a sauna have been performed. Altogether, nine persons have been participating in tests. During long-term exercising, TBW values were decreased. However, more tests are needed in order to analyse the measurement results accurately.
Characterization about the shape memory behaviour of woven fabrics
Authors: Hu Jinlian , Chung Siuping , Li Yuenkei
Published: October 2007

In this article, a characterizing method is established for evaluating the shape memory behaviour in fabrics. Shape memory polymers with different recipes are used to finish woven cotton fabrics. In order to evaluate thermo-sensitivity of shape memory fabrics, shape memory angle was measured when the fabrics are immersed in hot water. Difference between wrinkle recovery angle and shape memory angle is distinguished. Moreover, a shape memory coefficient is defined to indicate the shape memory behaviour in fabrics. The efficacy of the evaluation methods is also discussed.
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy as an objective method for characterization of textile electrodes
Authors: Priniotakis G. , Westbroek P. , Van Langenhove L. , Hertleer C.
Published: October 2007

Textile electrodes are being developed for monitoring, eg, heart and respiration rate. Textile materials are comfortable and thus enable long-term monitoring. This flexibility, however, leads to many artefacts in the signals. One of the main problems in testing such sensors on a human body is the huge variability of the latter. This paper describes and objective method that enables accurate and reproducible characterization of textile electrodes using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The effect of textile structure, presence of sweat, sensor size and long-term stability are being studied.
Level of Bonding to School and Perception of the School Environment by Bullies, Victims, and Bully Victims
Authors: Cunningham Nancy J.
Published: October 2007

Commitment and attachment to school and perception of school norms were examined in a sample of sixth, seventh, and eighth graders to determine whether bullies, victims, bully victims, and students who reported no or low levels of bullying and victimization differed in their level of bonding to school and their perceptions of standards and expectations for behavior in the school environment (protective factors). Risk factors for bullying were also examined. Results of a discriminant analysis demonstrated differences among the groups on the measures of risk and protective factors and perception of school norms. The grouping of variables differentiated between the comparison group and the bully, victim, and bully victim groups on a dimension of healthy functioning indicated by low risk for bullying and an investment in prosocial behaviors and beliefs. The results have implications for schools in promoting prosocial bonding through the development of academic, emotional, and social competence.
Intravenous Sodium Valproate Versus Diazepam Infusion for the Control of Refractory Status Epilepticus in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Mehta Vishal , Singhi Pratibha , Singhi Sunit
Published: October 2007

An open-label, randomized controlled study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital to compare efficacy and safety of intravenous sodium valproate versus diazepam infusion for control of refractory status epilepticus. Forty children with refractory status epilepticus were randomized to receive either intravenous sodium valproate or diazepam infusion. Refractory status epilepticus was controlled in 80% of the valproate and 85% of the diazepam patients. The median time to control refractory status epilepticus was less in the valproate group (5 minutes) than the diazepam group (17 minutes; P < .001). None of the patients in the valproate group required ventilation or developed hypotension, whereas in the diazepam group 60% required ventilation and 50% developed hypotension after starting diazepam infusion. No adverse effects on liver functions were seen with valproate. It is concluded that intravenous sodium valproate is an effective alternative to diazepam infusion in controlling refractory status epilepticus in children and is free of respiratory depression and hypotension.
Lack of Influence of Body Mass Index on the Efficacy of the Ketogenic Diet
Authors: Hamdy Rana F. , Turner Zahava , Pyzik Paula L. , Kossoff Eric H.
Published: October 2007

The ketogenic diet is carefully calculated by dietitians in an effort to achieve the child's ideal body weight, theoretically to improve seizure control. This study researched whether achieving a stable body mass index or ideal body mass index-for-age correlates with efficacy with the traditional ketogenic diet. The outcomes of 123 children started on the ketogenic diet were analyzed at clinic visits 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after diet onset. Children who were at 40% to 59% body mass index-for-age did not have higher efficacy than those at a higher or lower body mass index-for-age, except at the 12-month clinic visit (81% versus 48%; P = .02). No clear link was demonstrated between either an ideal body mass index or changes in the body mass index and seizure control in the management of children receiving a ketogenic diet. Attributing changes in seizure control to a rapid weight gain or loss may be unjustified.
Calcium Antagonism in Neonatal Rats With Kaolin-Induced Hydrocephalus
Authors: Khan Osaama H. , McPhee Lisa C. , Moddemann Lisa N. , Del Bigio Marc R.
Published: October 2007

Juvenile rats with kaolin-induced hydrocephalus have reduced brain injury if treated with nimodipine or magnesium sulfate. Experiments were conducted to determine if the neuroprotective effects could be replicated in neonatal rats with experimental hydrocephalus at an age comparable to prematurely born humans. In a blinded and randomized manner, drugs were administered for 14 days beginning 7 days after induction of hydrocephalus. Nimodipine was given twice daily by subcutaneous injections. Daily doses greater than 38 mg/kg of body weight were fatal. Daily doses of 3.8 to 30 mg/kg were not associated with behavioral, structural, or biochemical improvements. Magnesium chloride was administered via daily subcutaneous minipump infusion (0.87 or 1.74 mM/kg) along with twice daily injections of 0.74 or 1.48 mM/kg. Magnesium sulfate was administered by twice daily subcutaneous doses of 1.54 or 7.72 mM/kg. Sedation occurred, but there was no statistically significant protection in regard to behavior, brain structure, or brain composition in any of the magnesium experiments. Developmental alterations in calcium channels of the neonatal rat brain could account for differences from prior experiments in young hydrocephalic rats.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Isolated Sulfite Oxidase Deficiency
Authors: Hoffmann Chen , Ben-Zeev Bruria , Anikster Yair , Nissenkorn Andreea , Brand Natan , Kuint Jacob , Kushnir Tammar
Published: October 2007

Isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency is a rare genetic neurometabolic disease. The first symptoms of this disorder (similar to symptoms of ischemic events) may lead to misdiagnosis and to subsequent birth of affected children in these families. This study characterizes the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and (for the first time, to our knowledge) the MR spectroscopy features of isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency to provide a means for early and correct diagnosis. Three patients with isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency are studied who manifested intractable seizures and severe hypotonia in the immediate postnatal period with an unknown diagnosis, despite extensive workup. MR imaging and proton MR spectroscopy examinations were performed early in the neonatal period in 2 infants and after 5 months in the third infant. The prominent MR features were early cystic white matter damage, accompanied by profound cerebral atrophy in the third infant. Compared with hypoxic-ischemic disorder, MR findings in isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency demonstrate a more severe condition, without subsequent recovery. The MR spectroscopy studies indicate early onset of energetic and metabolic imbalance. Urine stick findings demonstrated high sulfite levels in 2 patients, and the final diagnosis was subsequently made based on molecular, biochemical, and genetic findings. Magnetic resonance imaging and MR spectroscopy measurements may help differentiate isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency from hypoxic-ischemic condition in patients in whom this diagnosis is not clinically suspected and may lead to further genetic antenatal inquiry that might prevent the birth of other infants affected with this severe and incurable congenital disease.