bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Battery and Development
Authors: Martínez Pilar Rodríguez , Khalil Huzefa
Published: November 2012

This article focuses on the changes in attitudes about sexuality, gender equality, and intimate partner violence within the context of modernization. Revised modernization theory predicts that increasing development leads to greater levels of egalitarian gender values and liberal sexual mores as part of a larger change in society. Our analysis leads to the conclusion that although both these sets of attitudes are a part of the movement towards postmaterialist values, in the context of intimate partner violence, different dynamics prevail at different levels of development. Using regression analysis and data from the fifth wave of the World Values Survey, we find a significant relationship between attitudes towards intimate partner violence, egalitarian gender values and liberal sexual mores. In general, liberal attitudes towards sexuality do not necessarily mean a lower tolerance for intimate partner violence. Crucially, the relationship between these three sets of values depends on the level of development. We find that in agrarian and industrial societies, higher levels of liberal sexual mores with lower levels of egalitarian gender values lead to a higher level of support for intimate partner violence against women.
Rosuvastatin Changes Cytokine Expressions in Ischemic Territory and Preserves Heart Function After Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rats
Authors: Hu Xinying , Sun Aijun , Xie Xinxing , Huang Zheyong , Jia Jianguo , Yao Ruiming , Ge Junbo
Published: November 2012

Aim:

To investigate the mechanism of rosuvastatin in preserving cardiac function after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a rat model.

Methods:

Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to receive either rosuvastatin (5 mg/kg every day) or placebo (0.5% CMC-Na), respectively, by daily gavage from 7 days before AMI. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) model was induced by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation through a lateral thoracotomy in rats. The expressions of stromal-cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), chemokine motif CXC receptor 4 (CXCR-4), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) in peri-infarction region and nonischemic region at different time points were determined by the Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemistry analysis was performed on the 28th day after AMI to investigate the accumulation of CD90+, CD133+, and c-kit+ progenitor cells in the peri-infarction region. Masson staining and echocardiograph were performed to evaluate the left ventricular remodeling and postinfarction cardiac function 4 weeks after AMI.

Results:

Western blot analysis showed that rosuvastatin could change the cytokine expressions in the peri-infarction region by upregulating the SDF-1 expression and downregulating the expressions of CXCR-4, ICAM-1, and VEGF in 4 to 14 days after AMI. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that rosuvastatin treatment was associated with increased accumulation of CD90+, CD133+, and c-kit+ progenitor cells in the peri-infarction region. Masson staining and echocardiograph confirmed that rosuvastatin could attenuate left ventricular remodeling and improve postinfarction systolic function.

Conclusion:

The data suggest that rosuvastatin can protect the heart from ischemic injury and preserve the cardiac function in rats in vivo. The changing expressions of SDF-1, CXCR-4, ICAM-1, and VEGF, and the accumulation of progenitor cells were involved in this process.
Salivary α-Amylase and Intended Harsh Caregiving in Response to Infant Crying
Authors: Out Dorothée , Bakermans-Kranenburg Marian J. , van Pelt Johannes , Van IJzendoorn Marinus H.
Published: November 2012

This is the first study on adults’ physiological reactivity to infant cry sounds and the association with intended harsh parenting using salivary α-amylase (sAA) as a novel and noninvasive marker of autonomic nervous system activity. The sample consisted of 184 adult twin pairs. In an experimental design, cry sounds were presented and adults’ perception and their intended caregiving responses were measured. Saliva samples were collected after each cry sound. For the majority of the sample, a decrease in sAA across the cry paradigm was observed. However, adults who indicated that they would respond in a harsh way to the crying infant were significantly less likely to show a decrease in sAA. Consistent with previous studies on physiological hyperreactivity in abusive parents, these findings suggest that failure to habituate to repeated infant crying may be one of the mediating mechanisms through which excessive, inconsolable, and high-pitched infant crying triggers less optimal caregiving.
Protecting the “Impressionable Minds” from the “Impressionable Minds”
Authors: Maksl Adam , Schraum Brian
Published: November 2012

Support for student expression and First Amendment attitudes were measured among Missouri high school principals ( n = 86). Findings demonstrated that the third-person effect was a significant predictor of these attitudes. The more principals perceived mass media to affect others over themselves, the less supportive they were for student free expression rights, particularly with regard to support for online, off-campus student speech. In addition to applying communication theory to a largely atheoretical field of scholarship, this research helps suggest several directions for future research to better understand restrictions on student speech.
Reliability model of a system of k nodes with simultaneous failures for high-performance computing applications
Authors: Thanakornworakij Thanadech , Nassar Raja , Leangsuksun Chokchai Box , Paun Mihaela
Published: November 2012

A high-performance computing (HPC) system, which is composed of a large number of components, is prone to failure. To maximize HPC system utilization, one should understand the failure behavior and the reliability of the system. Studies in the literature show that the time to failure of a node is best described by a Weibull distribution. In this study, we consider, without loss of generality, the Weibull as the distribution of time to failure and develop a reliability model for a system of k nodes where nodes can fail simultaneously. From this model, we develop expressions for the probability of failure of the system at any time t, for the failure rate, and for the mean time to failure. Also, we validate the model by using failure data from the Blue Gene/L logs obtained from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Results show that if failures of the components (nodes) in the system possess a degree of dependency, the system becomes less reliable, which means that the failure rate increases and the mean time to failure decreases. Also, an increase in the number of nodes decreases the reliability of the system.
From the Physician to the Marlboro Man
Authors: White Cameron , Oliffe John L. , Bottorff Joan L.
Published: November 2012

The “More doctors smoke camels” advertising campaign ran from 1946 until 1954. The campaign featured a series of advertisements centered around and celebrating the physician in American life. Neatly bookending the demise of the physician was the appearance, in 1955, of the Marlboro Man. The dominant figure in the Marlboro Man campaign was the cowboy. This shift away from the physician to the cowboy will be situated in the context of 1950s fears about smoking and health. The similarities and differences in the masculine virtues of the physician and the cowboy will be analyzed in terms of the relationship between men and health in mid-century America.
On being green and being enterprising: narrative and the ecopreneurial self
Authors: Phillips Mary
Published: November 2012

This article offers a narratological reading of two ‘ecopreneurial’ self-narratives to demonstrate how individuals achieve a relatively coherent sense of self-identity by connecting the discursively available world ‘out there’ with ‘inner selves’. The narratives of ecopreneurs, who claim to be motivated by the creation of social and environmental value over economic value, provide an appropriate empirical platform for this work because ecopreneurs have to negotiate between sets of discourses and social groups relating to the environment and to enterprise which are particularly conflicting. An analysis of the structure and shaping of these narratives demonstrates that narrators draw on a range of such discourses, each of which is felt as essential to a sense of self. These provide underlying scaffolding, within which narrators position characters of self and others. However, this identity positioning reveals existential dissonances resulting from combining conflicting environmental and business commitments. As they attempt to reconcile such conflicts, their appraisals of the same behaviours and values shifts at different points in the narratives, according to whether they attempt to identify themselves with, or against, the characterization of their others. Furthermore, they also employ strategies of distancing and deflection to negotiate a narrow, twisting path between binary oppositions into which they jettison what might disrupt the narration of a coherent identity.
Immigration policy and electoral competition in Western Europe
Authors: Akkerman Tjitske
Published: November 2012

This article estimates policy positions of mainstream parties and radical right parties in seven countries in Western Europe over the past two decades. The assumption that mainstream parties have moved rightwards under pressure from the electoral success of radical right parties is assessed in close-up. A fine-grained analysis has been used to measure party distances in this specific policy field. Moreover, the new dataset is sufficiently differentiated to enable the identification of specific programmatic strategies followed by mainstream parties. The article concludes that the impact of radical right parties on mainstream policy agendas tends to be overestimated.
The ultimate sacrifice: Perceived peer honor predicts troops’ willingness to risk their lives
Authors: Mandel David R. , Litt Amrit
Published: November 2012

Honor is a central concept in the profession of arms. The present study of 2,254 Canadian Forces (CF) members examined how they viewed the honor of their peers at ranks below, at, or above their own. Although rank is itself a form of vertical honor, participants’ mean assessments of honor were inversely related to these relative-rank distinctions. As well, averaged across vertical honor, the assessed honor of other CF members directly predicted their willingness to risk their lives in combat operations. This effect was fully mediated by participants’ affective commitment to the CF and it was partially mediated by their sense of duty. The findings show that how professionals perceive the honor of their peers does not simply follow vertical indices of honor, and that those perceptions predict attitudinal states (e.g., affective commitment) and behavioral intentions (willingness to risk one’s life to perform one’s duties).
The importance of honor concerns across eight countries
Authors: Guerra Valeschka Martins , Giner-Sorolla Roger , Vasiljevic Milica
Published: November 2012

Honor concerns are considered an important part of one’s self-image, and strongly associated to cultural values. However, there is a lack of research studies that explore these concerns in more than two cultural communities. Across eight countries (Brazil, Israel, Japan, Macedonia, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom, and United States), participants (total N = 1098) answered the Honor Scale and the Community, Autonomy, and Divinity Scale. Individualistic cultures, such as the USA, were predominantly concerned with integrity honor, while Israel, Macedonia, and Japan (i.e., honor cultures) rated family honor closer to integrity in importance. Subscales measuring masculine and feminine honor showed gender differences, but not in all cultures; “masculine” honor items were often endorsed by both men and women alike. Regarding honor associations to moral codes, family concerns were closely related to community, integrity concerns were related to autonomy, and feminine concerns were related to divinity.
Expecting racial outgroups to view “us” as biased: A social projection explanation of Whites’ bias meta-stereotypes
Authors: MacInnis Cara C. , Hodson Gordon
Published: November 2012

Meta-stereotypes, the stereotypes believed to be held about one’s ingroup by an outgroup, represent barriers to positive intergroup contact. Little is known, however, about factors accounting for meta-stereotypes. Although previous researchers have speculated on conceptual overlap between social projection (perceiving one’s personal attitudes to be commonly held) and meta-stereotypes, these constructs are typically studied separately. We propose the notion that meta-stereotypes can be explained by social projection processes. We examined Whites’ “bias meta-stereotypes” (perceptions that Blacks consider Whites biased) across two studies. Participants projected personal biases onto both their ingroup (Whites) and outgroup (Blacks); in turn, both ingroup and outgroup bias perceptions uniquely predicted bias meta-stereotypes. Overall, the positive relation between personal bias perceptions and bias meta-stereotypes was fully mediated (i.e., explained) by heightened perceptions of ingroup (White) and outgroup (Black) bias. Overall, there is considerable value in integrating basic social projection within intergroup domains, particularly with regard to meta-stereotyping.
The totality of burn care
Authors: Price Leigh Ann , Milner Stephen M
Published: November 2012

The overall improvement in mortality following severe burns has dramatically increased in the last half century with enhanced methods of resuscitation, treatment of inhalation injury, control of infection, early wound excision and novel methods of skin resurfacing. Although burn care begins at the onset of injury, reconstruction and rehabilitation feature highly throughout the various stages of treatment. Ultimately, we will have achieved little if the patient cannot be integrated back into society. For descriptive purposes burn care has been considered chronologically under the following headings: (1) First Two Minutes (Prehospital Care/First Aid), (2) First Two Hours (Emergency Room care), (3) First two days (resuscitation), (4) First Two Weeks (surgical excision and grafting), (5) First Two Months (rehabilitation and psychology), (6) First Two Years (reconstruction).
Regional attachment and support for European integration
Authors: Chacha Mwita
Published: November 2012

The European Union has evolved into a system of multilevel governance. EU actions have facilitated the involvement of regional/subnational authorities in EU policy formulation and implementation, thus enabling a downward shift in competencies toward subnational authorities. In this article, I argue that regional attachment facilitates support for European integration. Specifically, I show that individuals holding inclusive regional attachment sentiments perceive EU policies that result in the empowerment of subnational authorities in a positive light. In the process, these individuals are more likely to be supportive of European integration. This article’s findings contribute to the literature on public opinion and European integration by exploring regionalist sources of support for European integration. Moreover, these findings contribute to the growing research on the emergence of a ‘Europe of the regions.’
Firm performance and aspiration levels as determinants of a firm’s strategic repositioning within strategic group structures
Authors: Schimmer Markus , Brauer Matthias
Published: November 2012

Previous studies on strategic group dynamics have generated valuable insights into the industry-level determinants of changes in strategic group membership and group strategy. Complementary to this line of research, the present study focuses on the firm-level determinants underlying shifts in firm positioning within strategic group structures. Drawing on the behavioral theory of the firm, the study examines the influence of firm performance and performance aspirations on the extent to which firms strategically diverge from or converge towards their strategic groups. Empirical results from a longitudinal analysis of the strategic repositioning by 1191 US insurance firms over a 10-year time period (1999–2008) suggest that firms performing below aspirations show a greater inclination to diverge from their current strategic group than firms performing above aspirations. Industry conditions are found to moderate the relationship between performance aspirations and strategic divergence–convergence. The study’s findings highlight the influence of performance feedback on strategic group dynamics, and the importance of considering the interplay between firm-level and industry-level characteristics in explaining strategic group dynamics.
Political Correctness, Selection Bias, and the NCAA Basketball Tournament
Authors: Paul Rodney J. , Wilson Mark
Published: November 2012

Allegations of selection bias toward the major conferences and teams with committee representation have previously been levied on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Basketball tournament selection committee. We illustrate the source of this bias is political correctness. When using the computer ranking of Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), which uses only wins and losses in its analysis, bias in the selection process seems evident. No bias is revealed when the Sagarin “Predictor” rating is substituted for RPI. The Sagarin “Predictor” rating uses margin of victory and results compared to expectations in its analysis; the selection committee appears to use the same factors when determining at-large bids.
Predicting Attendance at Dementia Family Support Groups
Authors: Steffen Ann M. , Mangum Kristin R.
Published: November 2012

This longitudinal study examined the predictors of dementia family caregivers’ self-reported attendance at support group meetings over 6 months. First-time attendees were contacted by telephone after their first meeting and assessed for ( a) perceptions of similarity between themselves and other members, ( b) depressive symptoms, and ( c) perceptions of social support from the facilitator and other members. Participants (N = 70) were recontacted 6 months later to obtain self-reports of attendance patterns. Self-reported attendance at any meeting during this follow-up period was predicted by perceived similarity in care recipient’s stage of dementia and perceived support from group members as assessed at the first interview. Greater perceived support from group members and fewer depressive symptoms at time 1 predicted a higher frequency of support group attendance over the follow-up period. Results have implications for orienting new support group members as well as training and supporting group facilitators.
Changes in Bimanual Coordination During the First 6 Weeks After Moderate Hemiparetic Stroke
Authors: Metrot Julien , Mottet Denis , Hauret Isabelle , van Dokkum Liesjet , Bonnin-Koang Huei-Yune , Torre Kjerstin , Laffont Isabelle
Published: November 2012

Background. Better understanding of how bimanual coordination changes over the first weeks of recovery after stroke is required to address the potential utility for bimanual rehabilitation. Three-dimensional kinematic analysis can provide quantitative assessment of unimanual and bimanual movements. Objective. To assess the natural evolution of reaching kinematics during standard poststroke rehabilitation, focusing on bimanual coordination. Methods. A total of 12 hemiparetic, moderately impaired patients were included within 30 days after a first unilateral ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke; 7 kinematic assessments were performed once a week for 6 weeks and at 3 months after inclusion. The reach-to-grasp task was performed in 3 different conditions: unimanual with the healthy limb (UN), unimanual with the paretic limb (UP), and bimanual (BN/BP). Results. For the paretic limb, movement fluency (number of movement units and total movement time) was lower for bimanual reaching compared with unimanual reaching. For bimanual reaching, (1) movement kinematics were similar for both limbs, (2) recovery patterns of both limbs followed a similar profile with a plateau phase at 6 weeks poststroke, and (3) intertrial variability of between-hands synchronization decreased over sessions, although the mean delays remained the same. Conclusions. Bimanual coordination started to become efficient 6 weeks after onset of stroke, so for patients such as those we tested, this time could be most opportune to start bimanual-oriented rehabilitation. The challenge in future research includes determining the characteristics of patients who may best benefit from bimanual therapy.
Assessing the determinants of public confidence in the police: A case study of a post-conflict community in Northern Ireland
Authors: Ellison Graham , Pino Nathan W , Shirlow Peter
Published: November 2012

Drawing upon original survey research this article seeks to identify the generative processes that influence perceptions of the police in the context of an inner-city neighbourhood in Northern Ireland that has been affected by increases in crime and disorder in the aftermath of the peace process. Conceptually we draw upon recent research from England and Wales that outlines confidence in the police in terms of instrumental and expressive dimensions. We apply this framework and consider whether it provides a useful template for understanding the post-conflict dynamics of police–community relations in our study area. Contrary to much received wisdom our analysis suggests that instrumental concerns about crime and illegal activity are a more influential predictor of attitudes to the police than expressive concerns with disorder and anti-social behaviour. Consequently our discussion points to the variance in local and national survey data and questions the degree to which the latter can usefully inform our understanding of trends and developments in discrete micro-spaces. Our conclusion outlines the potential policy implications for state policing practice in deprived urban spaces.
Residual stresses in P91 steel electron beam welds
Authors: Kundu A , Bouchard P J , Kumar S , Venkata K A , Francis J A , Paradowska A , Dey G K , Truman C E
Published: November 2012

This paper describes the characterisation of residual stress in electron beam welded P91 ferritic–martensitic steel plates (9 mm thick) by neutron diffraction and contour measurement methods. The novelty of the work lies in revealing the residual stress profile at a fine length scale associated with a ∼1 mm wide fusion zone. A characteristic ‘M’ shaped distribution of stresses across the weld line is observed with high tensile peaks situated just beyond the heat affected zone/parent material boundary. Measured stresses close to the weld centreline are significantly less tensile than the adjacent peaks owing to martensitic phase transformation during cool down of the weld region. The effect of applying a second smoothing weld pass is shown to be undesirable from a residual stress standpoint because it increases the tensile magnitude and spread of residual stress. The results are suitable for validating finite element predictions of residual stress in electron beam welds made from ferritic–martensitic steels.
Macrophage microvesicles induce macrophage differentiation and miR-223 transfer
Authors: Ismail Noura , Wang Yijie , Dakhlallah Duaa , Moldovan Leni , Agarwal Kitty , Batte Kara , Shah Prexy , Wisler Jon , Eubank Tim D. , Tridandapani Susheela , Paulaitis Michael E. , Piper Melissa G. , Marsh Clay B.
Published: November 2012

Key Points

Macrophage-derived microvesicles induced cellular differentiation in naive monocytes. Macrophage-derived microvesicles shuttle of miRNAs to target cells.
AngiomiR-126 expression and secretion from circulating CD34+ and CD14+ PBMCs: role for proangiogenic effects and alterations in type 2 diabetics
Authors: Mocharla Pavani , Briand Sylvie , Giannotti Giovanna , Dörries Carola , Jakob Philipp , Paneni Francesco , Lüscher Thomas , Landmesser Ulf
Published: November 2012

Several peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)–derived cell populations can promote angiogenesis, and differences in CD34+ or CD14+ surface expression have been used to separate PBMC subpopulations in this respect. AngiomiRs, microRNAs regulating angiogenesis, are key regulators of angiogenic processes. The present study examines differential angiomiR expression/secretion from CD34+/CD14+, CD34+/CD14−, CD34−/CD14+, and CD34−/CD14− PBMC subsets and their relevance for different proangiogenic properties. Notably, both circulating human CD34+/14+ and CD34+/14− PBMC subsets and their supernatants exerted more potent proangiogenic effects compared with CD34− PBMC subsets. MiR-126 was identified as most differentially expressed angiomiR in CD34+ compared with CD34− PBMC subsets, determined by miR-array and RT-PCR validation. Modulation of miR-126 by anti–miR-126 or miR-mimic-126 treatment resulted in significant loss or increase of proangiogenic effects of CD34+ PBMCs. MiR-126 levels in supernatants of CD34+ PBMC subsets were substantially higher compared with CD34− PBMC subsets. MiR-126 was secreted in microvesicles/exosomes, and inhibition of their release impaired CD34+ PBMCs proangiogenic effects. Notably, high-glucose treatment or diabetes reduced miR-126 levels of CD34+ PBMCs, associated with impaired proangiogenic properties that could be rescued by miR-mimic-126 treatment. The present findings provide a novel molecular mechanism underlying increased proangiogenic effects of CD34+ PBMCs, that is, angiomiR-126 expression/secretion. Moreover, an alteration of angiomiR-126 expression in CD34+ PBMCs in diabetes provides a novel pathway causing impaired proangiogenic effects.
Traffic-related air pollution is related to interrupter resistance in 4-year-old children
Authors: Eenhuizen Esther , Gehring Ulrike , Wijga Alet H. , Smit Henriette A. , Fischer Paul H. , Brauer Michael , Koppelman Gerard H. , Kerkhof Marjan , de Jongste Johan C. , Brunekreef Bert , Hoek Gerard
Published: November 2012

Outdoor air pollution has been associated with decrements in lung function and growth of lung function in school-age children. Lung function effects have not been examined in preschoolers, with the exception of one study on minute ventilation in newborns. Our goal was to assess the relationship between long- and short-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution and interrupter resistance in 4-year-old children.

Lung function was measured using the interrupter resistance method in children participating in a Dutch birth cohort study. Long-term average air pollution concentrations of fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and soot at the residential address at birth were assessed using land-use regression models. Daily average air pollution concentrations on the day of clinical examination were obtained from the Dutch National Air Quality Monitoring Network.

Significant associations were found between long-term average air pollution concentrations and interrupter resistance. Interrupter resistance increased by 0.04 kPa·s·L−1(95% CI 0.01–0.07) per interquartile range increase (3.3 μg·m−3) in fine particle concentration. Short-term exposure was not associated with interrupter resistance.

Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution was associated with increased interrupter resistance in 4-year-old children, supporting previous birth cohort studies reporting effects of air pollution on subjectively reported respiratory symptoms in preschool children.
Proxy-reported questionnaires for young children with asthma: a structured review
Authors: Barrett Amy , Clark Marci , DeMuro Carla , Esser Dirk
Published: November 2012

Which proxy-reported outcome measures have been developed for use with children aged 6 years and younger to assess asthma symptoms, asthma control, and asthma-specific health-related quality of life, and do these questionnaires' measurement properties support their use as end-points in clinical trials?

A two-phase literature search was conducted: 1) studies describing relevant questionnaires were identified, and the questionnaires were assessed against predefined criteria; 2) studies providing information on the measurement properties of questionnaires meeting the predefined inclusion criteria were identified. Literature sources included PubMed and EMBASE databases, scientific conference proceedings, a clinical trial registry, and a quality of life instrument database.

The initial search of literature databases and conference abstracts identified 631 records. 20 paediatric asthma proxy-reported outcome instruments were identified; seven met the inclusion criteria: Childhood Asthma Control Test, Control de Asma en Niños Questionnaire, Pediatric Asthma Caregiver Diary, Pediatric Asthma Control Tool, PedsQL 3.0 Short-Form 22 Asthma Module, PedsQL Asthma Symptoms Scale, and Test for Respiratory and Asthma Control in Kids.

Three proxy-reported outcome instruments were considered suitable for use as end-points in paediatric asthma clinical trials; the Pediatric Asthma Caregiver Diary possesses the strongest measurement properties of the three.
Hyperhomocysteinaemia predicts the decline in pulmonary function in healthy male smokers
Authors: Nunomiya Keiko , Shibata Yoko , Abe Shuichi , Inoue Sumito , Igarashi Akira , Yamauchi Keiko , Aida Yasuko , Kishi Hiroyuki , Sato Masamichi , Watanabe Tetsu , Konta Tsuneo , Ueno Yoshiyuki , Kato Takeo , Yamashita Hidetoshi , Kayama Takamasa , Kubota Isao
Published: November 2012

Hyperhomocysteinaemia is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the relationship between plasma homocysteine levels and spirometric measures has not been investigated in a general population. We aimed to determine whether homocysteine levels are predictive for a rapid decline in lung function among healthy current smokers.

Blood sampling and spirometry were performed on subjects participating in a community-based annual health check in Takahata, Japan, from 2004 to 2006 (n=3257). Spirometry was re-evaluated in 147 male current smokers in 2009.

On initial assessment, forced vital capacity (FVC) % predicted and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) % predicted correlated inversely with homocysteine levels and were predictive for homocysteine levels, independent of various clinical factors. Homocysteine levels were higher in subjects with restrictive, obstructive or mixed ventilatory disorders. In addition, homocysteine levels were higher in subjects with mixed ventilatory disorders, compared with restrictive or obstructive disorders. On follow-up, subjects showing a decline in FEV1had higher homocysteine levels than those who did not. Logistic regression analysis indicated that homocysteine levels were predictive for a decline in FEV1.

FVC % pred and FEV1% pred were significantly associated with homocysteine levels, and hyperhomocysteinaemia predicted the annual rate of decline in FEV1among male smokers.
Amelioration of hyperoxia-induced lung injury using a sphingolipid-based intervention
Authors: Tibboel Jeroen , Joza Stephen , Reiss Irwin , de Jongste Johan C. , Post Martin
Published: November 2012

The aim of this study was to characterise lung function and bronchoalveolar lavage sphingolipid profile in newborn mice during hyperoxia exposure and recovery in room air, and to examine the effect ofd-sphingosine supplementation during recovery.

Newborn mice were exposed to 80% oxygen for 4 weeks and allowed to recover in room air for another 4 weeks. Lung function measurements and morphometrical analysis of lung tissue were performed and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected during hyperoxia and recovery with and withoutd-sphingosine supplementation.

Hyperoxia exposure altered lung function, which partially recovered in room air. Lungs had fewer and enlarged alveoli which persisted during recovery. Multiple sphingolipids were significantly increased after hyperoxia. Ceramides were increased after 2 weeks of recovery, but normalised to control values after 4 weeks. The addition ofd-sphingosine during the first 5 days of recovery accelerated the normalisation of ceramide levels at 2 weeks and partially reversed the hyperoxia-induced increase in alveolar size and arrest in alveolarisation at 4 weeks.

Exposure of newborn mice to hyperoxia caused restrictive and obstructive lung function changes that partially recovered in room air, while alveolar morphology remained abnormal. Hyperoxia increased ceramide levels, with normalisation after recovery.d-sphingosine addition during recovery reduced ceramide levels and ameliorated hyperoxia-induced alveolar arrest.
Clinical assessment for identifying causes of acute respiratory failure in cancer patients
Authors: Schnell David , Mayaux Julien , Lambert Jérôme , Roux Antoine , Moreau Anne-Sophie , Zafrani Lara , Canet Emmanuel , Lemiale Virginie , Darmon Michael , Azoulay Élie
Published: November 2012

In cancer patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF), early adequate therapy is associated with better outcomes. We investigated the performance of the DIRECT approach, which uses criteria available at the bedside at admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), to identify causes of ARF in cancer patients.

This cohort study included cancer patients with ARF of determined aetiology. Associations of aetiological groups with the selected criteria were evaluated using correspondence analysis.

424 cancer patients were included: 201 (47%) with bacterial pneumonia, 131 (31%) with opportunistic infections and 92 (22%) with noninfectious disorders. Mechanical ventilation (both invasive and noninvasive) was needed in 328 (77%) patients, treatment for shock in 217 (51%) patients and dialysis in 82 (19%) patients. 142 (34%) patients died in the ICU. Correspondence plots showed that bacterial pneumonia was associated with neutropenia, solid tumour, multiple myeloma, <3 days since symptom onset, shock, unilateral crackles and unilateral radiographic pattern. Opportunistic infections were associated with steroids, lymphoproliferative disorders and haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation, whereas noninfectious disorders were associated with acute leukaemia

The selected criteria are strongly associated with causes of ARF in cancer patients and could be used to develop an algorithm for selecting first-line diagnostic investigations and empirical treatments.
Evolving stochastic context-free grammars for RNA secondary structure prediction
Authors: WJ Anderson James , Tataru Paula , Staines Joe , Hein Jotun , Lyngsø Rune
Published: November 2012

Background

Stochastic Context–Free Grammars (SCFGs) were applied successfully to RNA secondary structure prediction in the early 90s, and used in combination with comparative methods in the late 90s. The set of SCFGs potentially useful for RNA secondary structure prediction is very large, but a few intuitively designed grammars have remained dominant. In this paper we investigate two automatic search techniques for effective grammars – exhaustive search for very compact grammars and an evolutionary algorithm to find larger grammars. We also examine whether grammar ambiguity is as problematic to structure prediction as has been previously suggested.

Results

These search techniques were applied to predict RNA secondary structure on a maximal data set and revealed new and interesting grammars, though none are dramatically better than classic grammars. In general, results showed that many grammars with quite different structure could have very similar predictive ability. Many ambiguous grammars were found which were at least as effective as the best current unambiguous grammars.

Conclusions

Overall the method of evolving SCFGs for RNA secondary structure prediction proved effective in finding many grammars that had strong predictive accuracy, as good or slightly better than those designed manually. Furthermore, several of the best grammars found were ambiguous, demonstrating that such grammars should not be disregarded.
Comparative genomic analysis and phylogenetic position of Theileria equi
Authors: Kappmeyer Lowell S , Thiagarajan Mathangi , Herndon David R , Ramsay Joshua D , Caler Elisabet , Djikeng Appolinaire , Gillespie Joseph J , Lau Audrey OT , Roalson Eric H , Silva Joana C , Silva Marta G , Suarez Carlos E , Ueti Massaro W , Nene Vishvanath M , Mealey Robert H , Knowles Donald P , Brayton Kelly A
Published: November 2012

Background

Transmission of arthropod-borne apicomplexan parasites that cause disease and result in death or persistent infection represents a major challenge to global human and animal health. First described in 1901 as Piroplasma equi, this re-emergent apicomplexan parasite was renamed Babesia equi and subsequently Theileria equi, reflecting an uncertain taxonomy. Understanding mechanisms by which apicomplexan parasites evade immune or chemotherapeutic elimination is required for development of effective vaccines or chemotherapeutics. The continued risk of transmission of T. equi from clinically silent, persistently infected equids impedes the goal of returning the U. S. to non-endemic status. Therefore comparative genomic analysis of T. equi was undertaken to: 1) identify genes contributing to immune evasion and persistence in equid hosts, 2) identify genes involved in PBMC infection biology and 3) define the phylogenetic position of T. equi relative to sequenced apicomplexan parasites.

Results

The known immunodominant proteins, EMA1, 2 and 3 were discovered to belong to a ten member gene family with a mean amino acid identity, in pairwise comparisons, of 39%. Importantly, the amino acid diversity of EMAs is distributed throughout the length of the proteins. Eight of the EMA genes were simultaneously transcribed. As the agents that cause bovine theileriosis infect and transform host cell PBMCs, we confirmed that T. equi infects equine PBMCs, however, there is no evidence of host cell transformation. Indeed, a number of genes identified as potential manipulators of the host cell phenotype are absent from the T. equi genome. Comparative genomic analysis of T. equi revealed the phylogenetic positioning relative to seven apicomplexan parasites using deduced amino acid sequences from 150 genes placed it as a sister taxon to Theileria spp.

Conclusions

The EMA family does not fit the paradigm for classical antigenic variation, and we propose a novel model describing the role of the EMA family in persistence. T. equi has lost the putative genes for host cell transformation, or the genes were acquired by T. parva and T. annulata after divergence from T. equi. Our analysis identified 50 genes that will be useful for definitive phylogenetic classification of T. equi and closely related organisms.
The rise of the Himalaya enforced the diversification of SE Asian ferns by altering the monsoon regimes
Authors: Wang Li , Schneider Harald , Zhang Xian-Chun , Xiang Qiao-Ping
Published: November 2012

Background

The rise of high mountain chains is widely seen as one of the factors driving rapid diversification of land plants and the formation of biodiversity hotspots. Supporting evidence was reported for the impact of the rapid rise of the Andean mountains but this hypothesis has so far been less explored for the impact of the “roof of the world”. The formation of the Himalaya, and especially the rise of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau in the recent 20 million years, altered the monsoon regimes that dominate the current climates of South East Asia. Here, we infer the hypothesis that the rise of Himalaya had a strong impact on the plant diversity in the biodiversity hotspot of the Southwest Chinese Mountains.

Results

Our analyses of the diversification pattern of the derived fern genus Lepisorus recovered evidence for changes in plant diversity that correlated with the strengthening of South East Asian monsoon. Southwest China or Southwest China and Japan was recovered as the putative area of origin of Lepisorus and enhancing monsoon regime were found to shape the early diversification of the genus as well as subsequent radiations during the late Miocene and Pliocene.

Conclusions

We report new evidence for a coincidence of plant diversification and changes of the climate caused by the uplift of the Himalaya. These results are discussed in the context of the impact of incomplete taxon sampling, uncertainty of divergence time estimates, and limitations of current methods used to assess diversification rates.
Frank-ter Haar syndrome associated with sagittal craniosynostosis and raised intracranial pressure
Authors: Bendon Charlotte L , Fenwick Aimée L , Hurst Jane A , Nürnberg Gudrun , Nürnberg Peter , Wall Steven A , Wilkie Andrew OM , Johnson David
Published: November 2012

Background

Frank-ter Haar syndrome is a rare disorder associated with skeletal, cardiac, ocular and craniofacial features including hypertelorism and brachycephaly. The most common underlying genetic defect in Frank-ter Haar syndrome appears to be a mutation in the SH3PXD2B gene on chromosome 5q35.1. Craniosynostosis, or premature fusion of the calvarial sutures, has not previously been described in Frank-ter Haar syndrome.

Case presentation

We present a family of three affected siblings born to consanguineous parents with clinical features in keeping with a diagnosis of Frank-ter Haar syndrome. All three siblings have a novel mutation caused by the deletion of exon 13 of the SH3PXD2B gene. Two of the three siblings also have non-scaphocephalic sagittal synostosis associated with raised intracranial pressure.

Conclusion

The clinical features of craniosynostosis and raised intracranial pressure in this family with a confirmed diagnosis of Frank-ter Haar syndrome expand the clinical spectrum of the disease. The abnormal cranial proportions in a mouse model of the disease suggests that the association is not coincidental. The possibility of craniosynostosis should be considered in individuals with a suspected diagnosis of Frank-ter Haar syndrome.
Calpain system protein expression in carcinomas of the pancreas, bile duct and ampulla
Authors: Storr Sarah J , Zaitoun Abed M , Arora Arvind , Durrant Lindy G , Lobo Dileep N , Madhusudan Srinivasan , Martin Stewart G
Published: November 2012

Background

Pancreatic cancer, including cancer of the ampulla of Vater and bile duct, is very aggressive and has a poor five year survival rate; improved methods of patient stratification are required.

Methods

We assessed the expression of calpain-1, calpain-2 and calpastatin in two patient cohorts using immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays. The first cohort was composed of 68 pancreatic adenocarcinomas and the second cohort was composed of 120 cancers of the bile duct and ampulla.

Results

In bile duct and ampullary carcinomas an association was observed between cytoplasmic calpastatin expression and patient age (P = 0.036), and between nuclear calpastatin expression and increased tumour stage (P = 0.026) and the presence of vascular invasion (P = 0.043). In pancreatic cancer, high calpain-2 expression was significantly associated with improved overall survival (P = 0.036), which remained significant in multivariate Cox-regression analysis (hazard ratio = 0.342; 95% confidence interva l = 0.157-0.741; P = 0.007). In cancers of the bile duct and ampulla, low cytoplasmic expression of calpastatin was significantly associated with poor overall survival (P = 0.012), which remained significant in multivariate Cox-regression analysis (hazard ratio = 0.595; 95% confidence interval = 0.365-0.968; P = 0.037).

Conclusion

The results suggest that calpain-2 and calpastatin expression is important in pancreatic cancers, influencing disease progression. The findings of this study warrant a larger follow-up study.
Long-term neurocognitive effects of methylphenidate in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, even at drug-free status
Authors: Huang Yu-Shu , Wang Liang-Jen , Chen Chih-Ken
Published: November 2012

Background

Methylphenidate (MPH), a psycho-stimulant, is the most widely administered drug for the pharmacological management of patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study attempts to determine whether sustainable improvements occur in neurocognitive function among ADHD patients following 12-month treatment with MPH, at drug-free status. Whether age groups, gender or ADHD subtypes differ in neurocognitive performance during MPH treatment is also examined.

Methods

Study participants consisted of 103 ADHD patients (mean age: 9.1 ± 1.9 years old) who were drug naïve or drug free for at least 6 months. The patients were prescribed oral short-acting MPH at each dose range of 0.3–1.0 mg/kg daily. During 12 months of the study, the patients underwent the test of variables of attention (TOVA) at the baseline, month 6 and month12. Patients were instructed to not intake MPH for one week before the second and the third TOVA.

Results

Seventy five patients completed the study. Results of this study indicated that although commission errors and response sensitivity (d’) significantly improved during MPH treatment for 12 months, omission errors, response time, response time variability and ADHD score did not. While younger ADHD patients (<9 y/o) performed better in response time, response time variability, d’ and ADHD score than older ones (≥9 y/o), the latter more significantly improved in response time than the former during 12 months of treatment. Additionally, boys improved more than girls in omission error and d’. Moreover, although ADHD subtypes significantly differed in ADHD score during the treatment, MPH treatment and ADHD subtypes did not interact with each other for all TOVA indices.

Conclusions

ADHD patients significantly improved in impulsivity and perceptual sensitivity, determined as TOVA, during MPH treatment for 12 months. Age and gender, yet not ADHD subtypes, appear to influence the MPH treatment effects in some indices of TOVA. A future study containing a comparison group is suggested to confirm whether the neurocognitive improvements are attributed to long-term effects of MPH or natural maturation of patients.
Relationship between prehypertension and chronic kidney disease in middle-aged people in Korea: the Korean genome and epidemiology study
Authors: Kim Min-Ju , Lim Nam-Kyoo , Park Hyun-Young
Published: November 2012

Background

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a major risk factor for the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, little is known about the influence of prehypertension on CKD. In this study, we investigated the relationship between prehypertension and CKD in a middle-aged Korean population. Furthermore, we prospectively evaluated the effect of active BP control on deterioration of kidney function during the two-year follow-up.

Methods

The Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study is a community-based prospective cohort study started in 2001, with a follow-up survey conducted every two years. A total of 9509 participants aged 40–69 years were included in a baseline study. BP was classified according to the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on High BP (JNC-7) categories and CKD was defined as the presence of proteinuria or eGFR< 60mL/min/1.73m2. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify associations between BP and CKD.

Results

The overall prevalence of CKD was 13.2%, and significantly increased with BP level. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratio of CKD was 1.59 for prehypertension and 2.27 for hypertension, compared with a normal BP. At the two-year follow-up, among the participants with prehypertension, subjects whose BP was poorly controlled had a significantly higher risk of eGFR drop (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.13-1.67), as compared to controls. The prevalence of eGFR drop was 57.8% in the controlled BP group and 66.0% in the poorly-controlled BP group.

Conclusions

Prehypertension, as well as hypertension, is significantly associated with CKD among middle-aged Koreans. Our results indicate that active control of the blood-pressure of prehypertensive individuals is needed to prevent deterioration of kidney function.