bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Responses of neurons in the caudal medullary lateral tegmental field to visceral inputs and vestibular stimulation in vertical planes
Authors: Moy Jennifer D. , Miller Daniel J. , Catanzaro Michael F. , Boyle Bret M. , Ogburn Sarah W. , Cotter Lucy A. , Yates Bill J. , McCall Andrew A.
Published: September 2012

The dorsolateral reticular formation of the caudal medulla, or the lateral tegmental field (LTF), has been classified as the brain's “vomiting center”, as well as an important region in regulating sympathetic outflow. We examined the responses of LTF neurons in cats to rotations of the body that activate vestibular receptors, as well as to stimulation of baroreceptors (through mechanical stretch of the carotid sinus) and gastrointestinal receptors (through the intragastric administration of the emetic compound copper sulfate). Approximately half of the LTF neurons exhibited graviceptive responses to vestibular stimulation, similar to primary afferents innervating otolith organs. The other half of the neurons had complex responses, including spatiotemporal convergence behavior, suggesting that they received convergent inputs from a variety of vestibular receptors. Neurons that received gastrointestinal and baroreceptor inputs had similar complex responses to vestibular stimulation; such responses are expected for neurons that contribute to the generation of motion sickness. LTF units with convergent baroreceptor and vestibular inputs may participate in producing the cardiovascular system components of motion sickness, such as the changes in skin blood flow that result in pallor. The administration of copper sulfate often modulated the gain of responses of LTF neurons to vestibular stimulation, particularly for units whose spontaneous firing rate was altered by infusion of drug (median of 459%). The present results raise the prospect that emetic signals from the gastrointestinal tract modify the processing of vestibular inputs by LTF neurons, thereby affecting the probability that vomiting will occur as a consequence of motion sickness.
Influence of α-adrenergic vasoconstriction on the blunted skeletal muscle contraction-induced rapid vasodilation with aging
Authors: Casey Darren P. , Joyner Michael J.
Published: September 2012

We tested the hypothesis that elevated sympathetic tone is responsible for lower peak vasodilation after single muscle contractions in older adults. Young ( n = 13, 7 men and 6 women, age: 27 ± 1 yr) and older ( n = 13, 7 men and 6 women, age: 69 ± 2 yr) adults performed single forearm contractions at 10%, 20%, and 40% of maximum during 1) control, 2) sympathetic activation via lower body negative pressure (LBNP; −20 mmHg), and 3) intra-arterial infusion of phentolamine (α-adrenergic antagonist). Brachial artery diameter and velocities were measured via Doppler ultrasound, and forearm vascular conductance (FVC; in ml·min−1·100 mmHg−1) was calculated from blood flow (in ml/min) and blood pressure (in mmHg). Peak vasodilator responses [change in (Δ) FVC from baseline] were attenuated in older adults at 20% and 40% of maximum ( P < 0.05). LBNP reduced peak ΔFVC at 10% (98 ± 17 vs. 70 ± 12 ml·min−1·100 mmHg−1), 20% (144 ± 12 vs. 98 ± 3 ml·min−1·100 mmHg−1), and 40% (209 ± 20 vs. 161 ± 21 ml·min−1·100 mmHg−1, P < 0.01 vs. control) in younger adults but not in older adults (71 ± 11 vs. 68 ± 11, 107 ± 13 vs. 106 ± 16, and 161 ± 22 vs. 144 ± 22 ml·min−1·100 mmHg−1, respectively, P = 0.22–0.99). With phentolamine, peak ΔFVC was enhanced in older adults at each contraction intensity (100 ± 14, 147 ± 22, and 200 ± 26 ml·min−1·100 mmHg−1, respectively, P < 0.01 vs. control) but not in younger adults (94 ± 13, 153 ± 13, and 224 ± 27 ml·min−1·100 mmHg−1, respectively, P = 0.30–0.81 vs. control). Our data indicate that α-adrenergic vasoconstriction and/or blunted functional sympatholysis might contribute to the age-related decreases in skeletal muscle contraction-induced rapid vasodilation in humans.
Changes in taste receptor cell [Ca2+]i modulate chorda tympani responses to salty and sour taste stimuli
Authors: DeSimone John A. , Ren ZuoJun , Phan Tam-Hao T. , Heck Gerard L. , Mummalaneni Shobha , Lyall Vijay
Published: September 2012

The relationship between taste receptor cell (TRC) Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and rat chorda tympani (CT) nerve responses to salty [NaCl and NaCl+benzamil (Bz)] and sour (HCl, CO2, and acetic acid) taste stimuli was investigated before and after lingual application of ionomycin+Ca2+, 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane- N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA-AM), U73122 (phospholipase C blocker), and thapsigargin (Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor) under open-circuit or lingual voltage-clamp conditions. An increase in TRC [Ca2+]i attenuated the tonic Bz-sensitive NaCl CT response and the apical membrane Na+ conductance. A decrease in TRC [Ca2+]i enhanced the tonic Bz-sensitive and Bz-insensitive NaCl CT responses and apical membrane Na+ conductance but did not affect CT responses to KCl or NH4Cl. An increase in TRC [Ca2+]i did not alter the phasic response but attenuated the tonic CT response to acidic stimuli. A decrease in [Ca2+]i did not alter the phasic response but attenuated the tonic CT response to acidic stimuli. In a subset of TRCs, a positive relationship between [H+]i and [Ca2+]i was obtained using in vitro imaging techniques. U73122 inhibited the tonic CT responses to NaCl, and thapsigargin inhibited the tonic CT responses to salty and sour stimuli. The results suggest that salty and sour taste qualities are transduced by [Ca2+]i-dependent and [Ca2+]i-independent mechanisms. Changes in TRC [Ca2+]i in a BAPTA-sensitive cytosolic compartment regulate ion channels and cotransporters involved in the salty and sour taste transduction mechanisms and in neural adaptation. Changes in TRC [Ca2+]i in a separate subcompartment, sensitive to inositol trisphosphate and thapsigargin but inaccessible to BAPTA, are associated with neurotransmitter release.
Home point-of-care international normalised ratio monitoring sustained by a non-selective educational program in children
Authors: Elie Caroline , Cheurfi Radhia , Grazioli Aurélie , Traore Maladon , Souillard Patrick , Boudjemline Younes , Jourdain Patrick , Bajolle Fanny , Lasne Dominique , Bonnet Damien
Published: September 2012

Adverse events related to vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy might be reduced by point-of-care international normalised ratio (POC INR) monitoring supported by an education program (EP). Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of a non-selective VKA paediatric EP (regardless of the social, economic, educational or linguistic levels) by analysing the time spent in the therapeutic range (TTR), VKA adverse events and compliance to treatment, and INR control prescriptions. The EP was modified from the pediatric EP previously described but improved by a specifically devised child-focused game. One hundred four consecutive children (median age 8 years) receiving VKA were included in a standardised E P. Patients were in self-testing, and dose adjustments were made by a single physician for three tolerance ranges according to the underlying disease: [2.5–4], [1.8–3.2], and [1.5–2.5]. The median follow-up was 481 days [70–1,001]. The overall TTR was 81.4% [36–100]. The TTR were 74%, 85.6% and 89% for the ranges [2.5–4], [1.8–3.2], and [1.5–2.5], respectively. These results were sustainable during the study period. Only one serious VKA adverse event was recorded. The median number of POC INR tests was 2.5 [1.6–5.7] INR per patient and month. Patients/families performed POC INR when requested in 86.9% of the cases. More than 90% of the families found the EP supportive and wished to follow a long-term reinforcement program. In conclusion, this non-selective child-focused EP for VKA therapy, strongly supported by our dedicated game, is useful in maintaining efficacy, safety and compliance to anticoagulation and its monitoring.
Asymmetric Fate of the Posterior Part of the Second Heart Field Results in Unexpected Left/Right Contributions to Both Poles of the Heart
Authors: Domínguez Jorge N. , Meilhac Sigolène M. , Bland Yvette S. , Buckingham Margaret E. , Brown Nigel A.
Published: September 2012

Rationale:

The second heart field (SHF) contains progenitors of all heart chambers, excluding the left ventricle. The SHF is patterned, and the anterior region is known to be destined to form the outflow tract and right ventricle.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to map the fate of the posterior SHF (pSHF).

Methods and Results:

We examined the contribution of pSHF cells, labeled by lipophilic dye at the 4- to 6-somite stage, to regions of the heart at 20 to 25 somites, using mouse embryo culture. Cells more cranial in the pSHF contribute to the atrioventricular canal (AVC) and atria, whereas those more caudal generate the sinus venosus, but there is intermixing of fate throughout the pSHF. Caudal pSHF contributes symmetrically to the sinus venosus, but the fate of cranial pSHF is left/right asymmetrical. Left pSHF moves to dorsal left atrium and superior AVC, whereas right pSHF contributes to right atrium, ventral left atrium, and inferior AVC. Retrospective clonal analysis shows the relationships between AVC and atria to be clonal and that right and left progenitors diverge before first and second heart lineage separation. Cranial pSHF cells also contribute to the outflow tract: proximal and distal at 4 somites, and distal only at 6 somites. All outflow tract–destined cells are intermingled with those that will contribute to inflow and AVC.

Conclusions:

These observations show asymmetric fate of the pSHF, resulting in unexpected left/right contributions to both poles of the heart and can be integrated into a model of the morphogenetic movement of cells during cardiac looping.
Dealcoholized Red Wine Decreases Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure and Increases Plasma Nitric Oxide
Authors: Chiva-Blanch Gemma , Urpi-Sarda Mireia , Ros Emilio , Arranz Sara , Valderas-Martínez Palmira , Casas Rosa , Sacanella Emilio , Llorach Rafael , Lamuela-Raventos Rosa M. , Andres-Lacueva Cristina , Estruch Ramon
Published: September 2012

Rationale:

Experimental studies have shown a potential blood pressure (BP) lowering effect of red wine polyphenols, whereas the effects of ethanol and polyphenols on BP in humans are not yet clear.

Objective:

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of red wine fractions (alcoholic and nonalcoholic) on BP and plasma nitric oxide (NO) in subjects at high cardiovascular risk.

Methods and Results:

Sixty-seven men at high cardiovascular risk were studied. After a 2-week run-in period, subjects were randomized into 3 treatment periods in a crossover clinical trial, with a common background diet plus red wine (30g alcohol/day), the equivalent amount of dealcoholized red wine, or gin (30g alcohol/day), lasting 4 weeks each intervention. At baseline and after each intervention, anthropometrical parameters, BP and plasma NO were measured. Systolic and diastolic BP decreased significantly after the dealcoholized red wine intervention and these changes correlated with increases in plasma NO.

Conclusions:

Dealcoholized red wine decreases systolic and diastolic BP. Our results point out through an NO-mediated mechanism. The daily consumption of dealcoholized red wine could be useful for the prevention of low to moderate hypertension. Trial registered at
controlled-trials.com
: ISRCTN88720134.
Cardiomyogenesis in the Aging and Failing Human Heart
Authors: Kajstura Jan , Rota Marcello , Cappetta Donato , Ogórek Barbara , Arranto Christian , Bai Yingnan , Ferreira-Martins João , Signore Sergio , Sanada Fumihiro , Matsuda Alex , Kostyla James , Caballero Maria-Virginia , Fiorini Claudia , D'Alessandro David A. , Michler Robert E. , del Monte Federica , Hosoda Toru , Perrella Mark A. , Leri Annarosa , Buchholz Bruce A. , Loscalzo Joseph , Anversa Piero
Published: September 2012

Background—

Two opposite views of cardiac growth are currently held; one views the heart as a static organ characterized by a large number of cardiomyocytes that are present at birth and live as long as the organism, and the other views the heart a highly plastic organ in which the myocyte compartment is restored several times during the course of life.

Methods and Results—

The average age of cardiomyocytes, vascular endothelial cells (ECs), and fibroblasts and their turnover rates were measured by retrospective
14
C birth dating of cells in 19 normal hearts 2 to 78 years of age and in 17 explanted failing hearts 22 to 70 years of age. We report that the human heart is characterized by a significant turnover of ventricular myocytes, ECs, and fibroblasts, physiologically and pathologically. Myocyte, EC, and fibroblast renewal is very high shortly after birth, decreases during postnatal maturation, remains relatively constant in the adult organ, and increases dramatically with age. From 20 to 78 years of age, the adult human heart entirely replaces its myocyte, EC, and fibroblast compartment ≈8, ≈6, and ≈8 times, respectively. Myocyte, EC, and fibroblast regeneration is further enhanced with chronic heart failure.

Conclusions—

The human heart is a highly dynamic organ that retains a remarkable degree of plasticity throughout life and in the presence of chronic heart failure. However, the ability to regenerate cardiomyocytes, vascular ECs, and fibroblasts cannot prevent the manifestations of myocardial aging or oppose the negative effects of ischemic and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.
Measurement of Convective Entrainment Using Lagrangian Particles
Authors: Yeo Kyongmin , Romps David M.
Published: September 2012

Lagrangian particle tracking is used in a large-eddy simulation to study an individual cumulus congestus. This allows for the direct measurement of the convective entrainment rate and of the residence times of entrained parcels within the cloud. The entrainment rate obtained by Lagrangian direct measurement is found to be higher than that obtained using the recently introduced method of Eulerian direct measurement. This discrepancy is explained by the fast recirculation of air in and out of cloudy updrafts, which Eulerian direct measurement is unable to resolve. By filtering these fast recirculations, the Lagrangian calculation produces a result in very good agreement with the Eulerian calculation.

The Lagrangian method can also quantify some aspects of entrainment that cannot be probed with Eulerian methods. For instance, it is found that more than half of the air that is entrained by the cloud during its lifetime is air that was previously detrained by the cloud. Nevertheless, the cloud is highly diluted by entrained air: for cloudy air above 2 km, its mean height of origin is well above the cloud base. This paints a picture of a cloud that rapidly entrains both environmental air and its own detritus.
The Entrepreneurial Slum: Civil Society, Mobility and the Co-production of Urban Development
Authors: McFarlane Colin
Published: September 2012

This paper explores the co-production of urban entrepreneurialism by examining the work of civil society groups in producing mobile models of slum entrepreneurialism. While slums and slum activists have been largely absent from accounts of urban entrepreneurialism, they increasingly play important roles in co-constituting mobile entrepreneurial models and in producing and valuing particular forms of entrepreneurial subjectivity. A focus on the co-production of entrepreneurialism requires attention to both the mobile models that constitute relations between different groups, from states and donors to activists and residents, and the local contexts and histories that shape, translate and differently enact entrepreneurialism. The paper concludes by highlighting three implications for research on urban entrepreneurialism.
From Primed Construct to Motivated Behavior
Authors: DeMarree Kenneth G. , Loersch Chris , Briñol Pablo , Petty Richard E. , Payne B. Keith , Rucker Derek D.
Published: September 2012

Past research has found that primes can automatically initiate unconscious goal striving. Recent models of priming have suggested that this effect can be moderated by validation processes. According to a goal-validation perspective, primes should cause changes in one’s motivational state to the extent people have confidence in the prime-related mental content. Across three experiments, we provided the first direct empirical evidence for this goal-validation account. Using a variety of goal priming manipulations (cooperation vs. competition, achievement, and self-improvement vs. saving money) and validity inductions (power, ease, and writing about confidence), we demonstrated that the impact of goal primes on behavior occurs to a greater extent when conditions foster confidence (vs. doubt) in mental contents. Indeed, when conditions foster doubt, goal priming effects are eliminated or counter to the implications of the prime. The implications of these findings for research on goal priming and validation processes are discussed.
Equality and territorial (in-)justice? Exploring the impact of devolution on social welfare for older people in the UK
Authors: Chaney Paul
Published: September 2012

This paper examines the impact of devolution on social welfare for older people and the associated administration of age equality. Analysis of policy discourse, rights and stakeholders’ views reveals divergent practice in the constituent nations of the UK. In normative terms this is shown to present a tension between universal welfare rights and entitlements – and regional differentiation. It is argued that this presents a dilemma in terms of territorial justice. Whilst, in distributive-welfare terms, variations between polities might be seen as unjust, they are founded on the autonomy of national minorities to determine local priorities and are shown to have fostered progressive practices that go beyond the prescriptions of the central state.
Beyond cultural stereotypes: Educated mothers’ experiences of work and welfare in Iran
Authors: Mehdizadeh Narjes
Published: September 2012

The tensions and pressures that mothers experience when they have to make decisions about combining the care of children with entry into the labour market are by now well established. Much of the research in this area, however, has focused on Europe or North America. In this article, the focus is on a society where women’s employment and its relationship to childcare has seldom been explored: Iran. Iran has often been presented as a state that is not particularly women-friendly and as distinctly different from the seemingly more pluralistic and egalitarian states of Western Europe. The argument here is that mothers’ employment in Iran should not be viewed through clichés of religion and patriarchy, rather that it is significantly affected, as in other countries, by care structures, the general acceptance of leaving one’s children to a caregiver, the availability of employment opportunities and the general policy environment.
Anthropology and the commodity form: The Philadelphia Commercial Museum
Authors: Walsh Casey
Published: September 2012

Anthropologists working in the political economy tradition have generated a sizeable amount of work that focuses on commodities. This article discusses approaches that focus on the form and structure of the commodity, in particular the work of Lukács, Sohn-Rethel and Benjamin, and uses them to examine the Philadelphia Commercial Museum, an institution where encyclopedic statistics and anthropology were especially conditioned by commodity relations. These authors help the anthropology of commodities to grasp both the relation between political economy and culture, and the influence of commodity on the discipline itself.
Identifying Breastfeeding-Sensitive Conditions by Expert Consensus
Authors: Quinn Celia , Bonuck Karen
Published: September 2012

Background:

Infant feeding-related health outcomes need to be consistently defined prior to inclusion in health services research.

Objective:

To categorize conditions common in infants under 12 months old by their association with breastfeeding for use as outcome measures in a randomized, controlled trial of breastfeeding promotion.

Methods:

A modified Delphi consensus method synthesized opinions of 13 physician experts on breastfeeding’s association with ICD-9 infant diagnosis codes derived from literature review and medical center experience. A pilot round and 2 subsequent Delphi rounds were used. For the first round, consensus was achieved when more than 80% of experts agreed on a classification for a particular condition, with a predetermined level of certainty based on a 7-point Likert scale. For the second round, consensus was achieved when a majority of experts agreed on the classification from Round 1.

Results:

An initial 68 diagnosis codes were identified for evaluation by the expert panel. After a pilot round, the codes were refined and condensed, which resulted in 38 diagnoses for categorization into 1 of 3 categories: (1) breastfeeding protects against the condition; (2) breastfeeding may cause or worsen the condition; and (3) breastfeeding is unrelated to the condition. At the conclusion of the process, consensus was achieved on the classification of 31 conditions, and 7 conditions remained unclassified because of a lack of consensus.

Conclusions:

This study provides a list of conditions common in infants under 12 months of age classified based on relationship to infant feeding method and validated by expert consensus. These conditions, based on readily available insurance claims data, contribute to the standardization of outcome measures used for health services research related to breastfeeding promotion.
Bronchopneumonia in two dairy calves associated with Mannheimia species cluster V infection
Authors: Britton Ann P. , Zabek Erin N.
Published: September 2012

The pathological, bacteriological, and molecular findings of two 3-week-old Holstein calves with bronchopneumonia are presented. Heavy pure growth of a Mannheimia species most closely aligned with the unnamed cluster V strains on the basis of 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing was detected in the lungs of both calves in association with Bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection. While Mannheimia species closely related to cluster V strains have occasionally been reported in association with pneumonia, meningitis, and abortion in cattle, the current report provides a description of the gross and histopathological lesions produced by a cluster V strain of Mannheimia species. Lesions in the lung were found to be typical of those described for Mannheimia haemolytica with the absence of areas of coagulation necrosis rimmed by leukocytes and more pronounced intra-alveolar hemorrhage. Lesions were linked to the presence of leukotoxin A based on phenotypic hemolysis and molecular demonstration of the leukotoxin A gene.
The New American Gang? Gangs in Indian Country
Authors: Freng Adrienne , Davis Taylor , McCord Kristyn , Roussell Aaron
Published: September 2012

Gangs remain a problem across the country. American Indian communities started to see increased gang activity in the 1990s. Despite this, there is little information on American Indian gangs in the literature. This article provides an overview of the characteristics of American Indian gang members and gangs from a Western American Indian reservation community. Utilizing survey responses from 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th graders, the authors explore the characteristics of American Indian gangs, the members who belong to these groups, and the risk factors that differentiate those individuals who become involved in gangs in tribal communities from youth who do not. This study contributes to the overall understanding of gangs and provides additional knowledge regarding American Indian gangs to help target law enforcement, prevention, and intervention services.
A refined shear lag model for adhesively bonded piezo-impedance transducers
Authors: Bhalla Suresh , Moharana Sumedha
Published: September 2012

The performance (sensing/actuating) of a piezotransducer highly depends upon the ability of the bond layer to transfer the stress and strain (through shear lag mechanism) between the transducer and the structure. Therefore, the coupled electromechanical response of the piezotransducer should consider the effect of dynamic behaviour, geometry and composition of the adhesive layer used to bond the transducer patch on the structure. This article presents a new refined analytical model for inclusion of the shear lag effect in modelling of adhesively bonded piezoelectric ceramic (lead zirconate titanate) patches for consideration in the electromechanical impedance technique. The previous models neglected the inertial term in shear lag formulations for simplicity. The present refined model, on the other hand, considers the inertial and the shear lag effects simultaneously, and is therefore more rigorous and complete. In this article, the formulations are first derived for one-dimensional case, and then extended to two-dimensional lead zirconate titanate–structure interaction. The overall results are found to be in better proximity to experimental observations. The refined formulations are employed for a detailed stress analysis of the bond layer. The article concludes with a parametric study on the influence of various sensor parameters on the electromechanical impedance signatures.
Playing With Conflict
Authors: Powers Richard B. , Kirkpatrick Kat
Published: September 2012

Playing With Conflict is a weekend course for graduate students in Portland State University’s Conflict Resolution program and undergraduates in all majors. Students participate in simulations, games, and experiential exercises to learn and practice conflict resolution skills. Graduate students create a guided role-play of a conflict. In addition to an oral debriefing, students wrote a debriefing report following the Description, Interpretation, Evaluation (DIE) model of debriefing. The written debriefing report gave all students an opportunity to reflect, analyze, and evaluate their experience in depth. The use of two facilitators allows one to facilitate while the other observes and rests, makes 2 points of view available for the debriefing, and offers a model for resolving minor disagreements between them. Trust among students increased across the weekend as evidenced by an increase in cooperative choices and estimates of the likelihood that others would cooperate in the TAKE-A-CHANCE game, a version of PRISONER’S DILEMMA. Most reported having fun while they learned about themselves, interpersonal conflict, and some large-scale social conflicts.
Moderatism or Polarization? Representation of Advocacy Groups’ Ideology in Newspapers
Authors: McCluskey Michael , Kim Young Mie
Published: September 2012

Scholars and commentators argue that the United States has become politically polarized in recent years, with news content itself favoring polarized views. If true, this represents a radical shift from Gans’s enduring news value of moderatism. By examining 208 advocacy groups’ ideology and their representation in 118 newspapers, this study revisits Gans’s moderatism argument and investigates polarization in news content. Analysis demonstrates that moderate groups had less prominence within articles, with no differences in tone. Polarization may offer a higher news value by presenting inherent conflict and a means for journalistic balance.
Maternal Postadoption Depression, Unmet Expectations, and Personality Traits
Authors: Foli Karen J. , South Susan C. , Lim Eunjung , Hebdon Megan
Published: September 2012

Background:

There are approximately 2 million adoptive parents in the United States and some struggle with depressive symptoms postplacement. We know little about personality traits that may be associated with depression in adoptive parents.

Objectives:

This study describes the relationships between personality traits, unmet expectations, and maternal postadoption depression.

Design:

Adoptive mothers ( N = 136) were surveyed for depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Analyses included correlations and a regression analysis between depressive symptoms and unmet expectations with the Five-Factor Model personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, openness to experience) as measured by the Ten-Item Personality Inventory.

Results:

Both the CES-D and EPDS were significantly, negatively correlated with all five personality dimensions. Mothers whose expectations of themselves as parents matched pre- and postplacement were more likely to be emotionally stable and extraverted. Approximately 36% of the variance in depressive symptoms was explained by personality traits (emotional stability: p < .0001).

Conclusions:

The postadoption period is a crucial time of transition for mothers and their children. Maternal emotional stability, depressive symptoms, and unmet expectations may affect this period. Mothers who are lower in emotional stability may be at risk for postadoptive depressive symptoms. In planning and providing innovative care that promotes positive mother–child relationships, nurses should assess adoptive mothers for depressive symptoms, emotional stability, and unmet expectations.
The Prevalence of ADHD
Authors: Wolraich Mark L. , McKeown Robert E. , Visser Susanna N. , Bard David , Cuffe Steven , Neas Barbara , Geryk Lorie L. , Doffing Melissa , Bottai Matteo , Abramowitz Ann J. , Beck Laoma , Holbrook Joseph R. , Danielson Melissa
Published: September 2012

Objective: To describe the epidemiology of ADHD in communities using a DSM-IVTR case definition. Method: This community-based study used multiple informants to develop and apply a DSM -IVTR-based case definition of ADHD to screening and diagnostic interview data collected for children 5-13 years of age. Teachers screened 10,427 children (66.4%) in four school districts across two states (SC and OK). ADHD ratings by teachers and parent reports of diagnosis and medication treatment were used to stratify children into high and low risk for ADHD. Parents (n = 855) of high risk and gender frequency-matched low risk children completed structured diagnostic interviews. The case definition was applied to generate community prevalence estimates, weighted to reflect the complex sampling design. Results: ADHD prevalence was 8.7% in SC and 10.6% in OK. The prevalence of ADHD medication use was 10.1% (SC) and 7.4% (OK). Of those medicated, 39.5% (SC) and 28.3% (OK) met the case definition. Comparison children taking medication had higher mean symptom counts than other comparison children. Conclusions: Our ADHD estimates are at the upper end of those from previous studies. The identification of a large proportion of comparison children taking ADHD medication suggests that our estimates may be conservative; these children were not included as cases in the case definition, although some might be effectively treated.
Antibasal Ganglia Antibodies and Antistreptolysin O in Noncomorbid ADHD
Authors: Toto Maddalena , Margari Francesco , Simone Marta , Craig Francesco , Petruzzelli Maria Giuseppina , Tafuri Silvio , Margari Lucia
Published: September 2012

Objective: An association between streptococcal infections, ABGA positivity, and no comorbidity ADHD (nc-ADHD) has been little investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the streptococcal infection frequency, defined entitled serum antistreptolysin O (ASO), and frequency of serum ABGA positivity in a sample of patients with nc-ADHD. Method: In all 40 participants were investigated the ASO titer and ABGA. Results: The results showed that ABGA positivity was statistically significantly higher in patients affected by ADHD than in patients of a control group, and pathological values of ASO were statistically more frequent in the ADHD group than the control group. Conclusion: These data suggest that streptococcal infections and autoimmune reactions against the basal ganglia are more frequent in ADHD patients than patients in a control group.
Women and economic statecraft: The negative impact international economic sanctions visit on women
Authors: Drury A. Cooper , Peksen Dursun
Published: September 2012

Though it is widely accepted that advancing women’s rights is crucial to promoting more economic prosperity, good governance, and social equality, very few studies have analyzed the gender-specific effects of foreign policy tools. In this study, we focus on the impact that a frequently used coercive tool — international economic sanctions — has on women’s well-being. Sanctions can have a devastating impact on both the target country’s economic and political stability, and women often suffer significantly from the effects of such external shocks due to their vulnerable socioeconomic and political status. We thus argue that foreign economic pressures will reduce the level of respect for women’s rights in the targeted countries. We use four different measures of women’s economic, political, and social status to analyze the gender-specific consequences of economic coercion. Results from the analysis for the period 1971–2005 indicate that sanctions are likely to exacerbate women’s rights. The data analysis also shows that the suggested negative impact of economic coercion on women’s well-being is conditioned by the wealth of a targeted country; women in poor countries are hit the hardest by economic sanctions.
A cognitive–perceptual model of symptom perception in males and females: The roles of negative affect, selective attention, health anxiety and psychological job demands
Authors: Goodwin Laura , Fairclough Stephen H , Poole Helen M
Published: September 2012

Kolk et al.’s model of symptom perception underlines the effects of trait negative affect, selective attention and external stressors. The current study tested this model in 263 males and 498 females from an occupational sample. Trait negative affect was associated with symptom reporting in females only, and selective attention and psychological job demands were associated with symptom reporting in both genders. Health anxiety was associated with symptom reporting in males only. Future studies might consider the inclusion of selective attention, which was more strongly associated with symptom reporting than negative affect. Psychological job demands appear to influence symptom reporting in both males and females.
Complete modelling of a piezo actuator last-generation injector for diesel injection systems
Authors: Salvador Francisco J , Plazas Alejandro H , Gimeno Jaime , Carreres Marcos
Published: September 2012

An experimental and computational study of an increasingly used third-generation common-rail injection system with a piezo actuator has been carried out. A complete characterization of the different elements of the system, both geometrically and hydraulically, has been performed in order to describe its behaviour. The information obtained through the characterization has been used to create a one-dimensional model that has been implemented in the commercial software AMESim and extensively validated against experimental data. The results of the validation demonstrate the model ability to predict the injection rate of the injector with a high level of accuracy, therefore, constituting a powerful tool in order to carry out further studies of this type of injection system.
Rose Blossom Speaks
Authors: Schrader Valerie Lynn
Published: September 2012

This autoethnographic essay explores the representation of one of the heroines in the old-fashioned western melodrama Deadwood Dick. Through an examination of the author’s experience performing the role of one of the heroines in a local community theatre production, this essay reflects on the way heroines are portrayed in western melodramas. It is observed that the audience plays a major role in the interpretation of the performance, thus allowing for the western melodrama to evolve and adapt to the twenty-first century.
“West of Everything”
Authors: Alexander Bryant Keith
Published: September 2012

This short essay serves as an introduction to the Special Issue, while also establishing an argument for the importance of critical autoethnographic reflections on how “western/cowboy and Indian” movies shape the emotional, political, ethical, gendered and cultural lives of viewers; establishing a social consciousness of race, sex, gender, class and the hierarchical notions of human rights.
Audience Engagement
Authors: Alexander Bryant Keith
Published: September 2012

An audience engagement included in the QI 2012 panel. The engagement was listed in the program.
The Influence of Instrument Configuration on Tissue Handling Force in Laparoscopy
Authors: Horeman Tim , Kurteva (DD Kurteva) Desislava Dimitrova , Valdastri Piedro , Jansen Frank Willem , van den Dobbelsteen John J. , Dankelman Jenny
Published: September 2012

In single-access surgery, instruments enter the abdominal cavity through only 1 incision, the position of the instruments relative to each other is different compared with that in conventional laparoscopy. Changes in instrument configuration may increase task complexity and therefore affect tissue handling skills. The aim of this study is to determine if a relation exists between instrument configuration and tissue interaction force. A study was performed to investigate the differences in manipulation force between a single-port (SP) and 2-port (TP) instrument configuration in a standard box trainer. A force platform was placed under a tissue manipulation task in a box trainer and used to measure the pulling forces and trial time. A total of 28 medical students with no previous experience in laparoscopic surgery were divided into 2 equal groups. Group 1 trained the task 6 times with the TP configuration and subsequently performed 6 trials with the SP configuration. Group 2 used the configurations in the opposite order. For both groups, the learning curves of the maximum force and task time were compared. Time and maximum pulling forces were significantly different between the 2 instrument configurations. In both groups, the participants used significantly more force in the SP configuration than in the TP configuration. The force data indicate that the increased complexity in instrument handling with straight instruments in a SP configuration increases the tissue manipulation force. Furthermore, the tissue handling skills of novices who mastered the task with the TP configuration decreased after switching to the SP configuration.
Enhancing Fundamental Robot-Assisted Surgical Proficiency by Using a Portable Virtual Simulator
Authors: Chien Jung Hung , Suh Irene H. , Park Shi-Hyun , Mukherjee Mukul , Oleynikov Dmitry , Siu Ka-Chun
Published: September 2012

Background. The development of a virtual reality (VR) training platform provides an affordable interface. The learning effect of VR and the capability of skill transfer from the VR environment to clinical tasks require more investigation. Methods. Here, 14 medical students performed 2 fundamental surgical tasks—bimanual carrying (BC) and peg transfer (PT)—in actual and virtual environments. Participants in the VR group received VR training, whereas participants in the control group played a 3D game. The learning effect was examined by comparing kinematics between pretraining and posttraining in the da Vinci Surgical System. Differences between VR and playing the 3D game were also examined. Results. Those who were trained with the VR simulator had significantly better performance in both actual PT ( P = .002) and BC ( P < .001) tasks. The time to task completion and the total distance traveled were significantly decreased in both surgical tasks in the VR group compared with the 3D game group. However, playing the 3D game showed no significant enhancement of fundamental surgical skills in the actual PT task. The difference between pretraining and posttraining was significantly larger in the VR group than in the 3D game group in both the time to task completion ( P = .002) and the total distance traveled ( P = .027) for the actual PT task. Participants who played the 3D game seemed to perform even worse in posttraining. Conclusions. Training with the portable VR simulator improved robot-assisted surgical skill proficiency in comparison to playing a 3D game.
Overall Health and Health Care Utilization Among Latino American Men in the United States
Authors: Ai Amy L. , Noël La Tonya , Appel Hoa B. , Huang Bu , Hefley William E.
Published: September 2012

Although the Latino American male population is increasing, the subgroup Latino men’s health remains underinvestigated. This study examined the overall pattern of Latino male health and health care utilization in major subgroups, using a nationally representative sample ( N = 1,127) from the National Latino and Asian American Study. The authors evaluated rates of chronic, behavioral, and mental health service utilization in this first nationally representative survey. The results identified significant cross-subgroup differences in most physical and chronic conditions with Puerto Rican American men having high rates in 8 of 15 physical ailments, including life-altering conditions such as cardiovascular diseases. Despite differences in racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural factors, Cuban American men shared similar rates of heart diseases and cancer with Puerto Rican American men. In addition, Puerto Rican American men had higher rates of substance abuse than other Latinos. For health providers, the authors’ findings encourage awareness of subgroup differences regarding overall health issues of Latino American men to provide culturally appropriate care.
Extraskeletal Osteochondroma of the Medial Arch of the Foot
Authors: Sit Yan Kit , Lui Tun Hing
Published: September 2012

Extraskeletal osteochondromas are benign, slow growing, and often painless neoplasms. Although they are histologically similar to conventional osteochondromas, extraskeletal osteochondromas are not attached to a parent bone. When a well-defined osseous mass in the soft tissue without any direct continuity with the adjacent bone or joint is encountered, a diagnosis of extraskeletal osteochondroma should be strongly considered. It should be identified to avoid unnecessary aggressive surgical treatment. We present a patient with symptomatic extraskeletal osteochondroma of the medial arch of the foot. It was treated by local excision and no evidence of local recurrence clinically or radiographically after 51 months of follow-up.

Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV, Case study
Allograft Replacement for Absent Native Tissue
Authors: Chaudhury Salma , Wanivenhaus Florian , Fox Alice J. , Warren Russell F. , Doyle Maureen , Rodeo Scott A.
Published: September 2012

Context:

Structural instability due to poor soft tissue quality often requires augmentation. Allografts are important biological substitutes that are used for the symptomatic patient in the reconstruction of deficient ligaments, tendons, menisci, and osteochondral defects. Interest in the clinical application of allografts has arisen from the demand to obtain stable anatomy with restoration of function and protection against additional injury, particularly for high-demand patients who participate in sports. Traditionally, allografts were employed to reinforce weakened tissue. However, they can also be employed to substitute deficient or functionally absent tissue, particularly in the sports medicine setting.

Objective:

This article presents a series of 6 cases that utilized allografts to restore functionally deficient anatomic architecture, rather than just simply augmenting the degenerated or damaged native tissue. Detailed discussions are presented of the use of allografts as a successful treatment strategy to replace functionally weakened tissue, often after failed primary repairs.
Decreased mitochondrial apoptotic priming underlies stroma-mediated treatment resistance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Davids Matthew S. , Deng Jing , Wiestner Adrian , Lannutti Brian J. , Wang Lili , Wu Catherine J. , Wilson Wyndham H. , Brown Jennifer R. , Letai Anthony
Published: September 2012

Stroma induces treatment resistance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), possibly because of alterations in the BCL-2 family of proteins, which are key regulators of apoptosis. We previously developed BH3 profiling, a functional assay that assesses mitochondrial depolarization in response to BH3-only peptides, to measure “apoptotic priming,” the proximity of a cell to the apoptotic threshold. In the present study, we use BH3 profiling to show that CLL cells from the PB are highly primed. Increased priming is associated with improved clinical response and, unexpectedly, with unmutated IGHV status. Coculturing CLL cells in vitro with stroma decreases priming. Using matched PB, BM, and lymph node compartment samples, we found in vivo that BM-derived CLL cells are the least primed. CLL cells cocultured with stroma were treated with the PI3K δ-isoform inhibitor CAL-101 (GS1101). CAL-101 caused CLL cell de-adhesion, leading to increased CLL cell priming. Stimulation of CLL cells with anti-IgM or CXCL12 caused decreased priming that could be reversed by CAL-101. Our results show that inhibition of stromal interactions leading to displacement of CLL cells into the blood by CAL-101 in vivo may increase CLL cell priming, suggesting a mechanism by which agents inducing lymphocyte redistribution might facilitate improved clinical response when used in combina-tion with other therapies.
Targeting NAD+ salvage pathway induces autophagy in multiple myeloma cells via mTORC1 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) inhibition
Authors: Cea Michele , Cagnetta Antonia , Fulciniti Mariateresa , Tai Yu-Tzu , Hideshima Teru , Chauhan Dharminder , Roccaro Aldo , Sacco Antonio , Calimeri Teresa , Cottini Francesca , Jakubikova Jana , Kong Sun-Young , Patrone Franco , Nencioni Alessio , Gobbi Marco , Richardson Paul , Munshi Nikhil , Anderson Kenneth C.
Published: September 2012

Malignant cells have a higher nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) turnover rate than normal cells, making this biosynthetic pathway an attractive target for cancer treatment. Here we investigated the biologic role of a rate-limiting enzyme involved in NAD+ synthesis, Nampt, in multiple myeloma (MM). Nampt-specific chemical inhibitor FK866 triggered cytotoxicity in MM cell lines and patient MM cells, but not normal donor as well as MM patients PBMCs. Importantly, FK866 in a dose-dependent fashion triggered cytotoxicity in MM cells resistant to conventional and novel anti-MM therapies and overcomes the protective effects of cytokines (IL-6, IGF-1) and bone marrow stromal cells. Nampt knockdown by RNAi confirmed its pivotal role in maintenance of both MM cell viability and intracellular NAD+ stores. Interestingly, cytotoxicity of FK866 triggered autophagy, but not apoptosis. A transcriptional-dependent (TFEB) and independent (PI3K/mTORC1) activation of autophagy mediated FK866 MM cytotoxicity. Finally, FK866 demonstrated significant anti-MM activity in a xenograft-murine MM model, associated with down-regulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation and proteolytic cleavage of LC3 in tumor cells. Our data therefore define a key role of Nampt in MM biology, providing the basis for a novel targeted therapeutic approach.