bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Nonpharmacological Interventions on Subjective Memory Complaints: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Metternich B. , Kosch D. , Kriston L. , Härter M. , Hüll M.
Published: November 2009

Background: Subjective memory complaints (SMC) in the absence of psychiatric or neurological disorders are common among older adults. Although increasing numbers of individuals are suffering from SMC, research into interventions alleviating SMC is sparse. The present systematic review was conducted in order to present a clearer picture of the quality, quantity and outcomes of SMC intervention research. Methods: PubMed and PsychInfo were searched with a comprehensive search string delivering 4,496 hits. Abstracts and – if applicable – full texts of these studies were screened by independent raters according to predefined criteria. Fourteen relevant studies were included in the review. The categories of intervention were: conventional memory training (MT; n = 8), expectancy change (EC: cognitive restructuring, psychoeducation, etc.; n = 5), combined interventions (n = 5), physical training (n = 1), and physical and mental training combined (n = 2). The outcomes were: subjective memory measures, objective memory, depressive symptoms and well-being. Results: EC, followed by combined interventions, was most efficient in influencing subjective memory. MT or physical and mental training combined were not efficient. On objective memory, MT was the only efficient intervention. No effects were found on depressive symptoms and well-being, with low numbers of studies in these comparisons. Conclusion: EC seems to be most efficient in influencing SMC, whereas in objective memory MT is the only effective intervention. Depressive symptoms or well-being do not seem to be influenced significantly by any of the interventions. To date, the number of high-quality publications on SMC interventions is relatively low. More randomized controlled trials including measures of depressive symptoms and well-being are needed.
Is Routine TORCH Screening Warranted in Neonates with Lenticulostriate Vasculopathy?
Authors: de Jong E.P. , Lopriore E. , Vossen A.C.T.M. , Steggerda S.J. , Te Pas A.B. , Kroes A.C.M. , Walther F.J.
Published: November 2009

Background: Congenital infections are associated with a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms, including lenticulostriate vasculopathy (LSV). Objective: To determine the relationship between LSV and congenital infections, as diagnosed by TORCH serology and viral culture for cytomegalovirus (CMV). Methods: All neonates with LSV admitted to our neonatal intensive-care unit from 2004 to 2008 were included in the study. Results of maternal and neonatal TORCH testing were evaluated. Results: During the study period, cranial ultrasound scans were performed in 2,088 neonates. LSV was detected in 80 (4%) neonates. Maternal and/or neonatal serological TORCH tests were performed in 73% (58/80) of cases. None of the mothers or infants (0 of 58) had positive IgM titres for Toxoplasma, rubella, CMV or herpes simplex virus. Additional urine culture for CMV was performed in 38 neonates. None of the infants (0 of 38) had a positive CMV urine culture test. Conclusions: Routinely applied efforts to diagnose congenital infections in cases presenting with LSV have a poor yield. Routine TORCH screening in neonates with LSV cases should only be regarded as mandatory once well-designed studies demonstrate a clear diagnostic benefit.
N-Carbamylglutamate in Emergency Management of Hyperammonemia in Neonatal Acute Onset Propionic and Methylmalonic Aciduria
Authors: Filippi Luca , Gozzini Elena , Fiorini Patrizio , Malvagia Sabrina , la Marca Giancarlo , Donati Maria Alice
Published: November 2009

In propionic aciduria and methylmalonic aciduria, hyperammonemia as a symptom of metabolic decompensation is one of the major clinical problems. Hyperammonemia is a true neonatal emergency with high mortality and neurological complications in most survivors. It requires a rapid and vigorous treatment in order to normalize the ammonia concentration as fast as possible. We report on two full-term neonates, one with propionic aciduria and the other with methylmalonic aciduria, whose plasma ammonia concentrations responded dramatically to oral N-carbamylglutamate. N-carbamylglutamate, added to the classic treatment, quickly normalized plasma ammonia levels in both patients and avoided the need of hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. A particularly sudden fall of ammonia was obtained in one patient through beginning N-carbamylglutamate treatment precociously.
Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex and Balance Maturation in Healthy Children Aged from Six to Twelve Years
Authors: Charpiot A. , Tringali S. , Ionescu E. , Vital-Durand F. , Ferber-Viart C.
Published: November 2009

Objectives: Because both the vestibulo-ocular and vestibulospinal pathways depend on neurological maturation during childhood, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the vestibulo-ocular reflexes (VOR) and balance parameters of children aged from 6 to 12 years. Methods: 147 healthy children were included in the study. The visual vestibulo-ocular reflex (VVOR) and VOR were recorded during sinusoidal rotation (videonystagmography), with calculation of the gain. The sensory organization on postural control was studied using computerized dynamic posturography (EquiTest®), with equilibrium scores (ES) and sensory organization tests. Results: Data were analyzed according to age groups: group a from 6 to 8 years, group b from 9 to 10 years, and group c from 11 to 12 years. Whereas VVOR gain was comparable in the three groups, VOR gain was lower in groups b and c compared to group a. Global ES increased with age. Analyzing each sensory component for postural control, the only score that increases with age is the vestibular one. Somesthetic and visual scores remained comparable in the three groups. Conclusions: Our results in a large cohort of children confirm previous ones: VOR gain is higher in young children, whereas ES is lower. Moreover, it seems that the 10- to 12-year-old children use their vestibular inputs more compared to younger ones. From these results it can be suggested that both the vestibulo-ocular and vestibulospinal pathways are still maturing between 6 and 12 years.
Orthostatic Hypotension and Cognitive Function: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study
Authors: Rose Kathryn M. , Couper David , Eigenbrodt Marsha L. , Mosley Thomas H. , Sharrett A. Richey , Gottesman Rebecca F.
Published: November 2009

Background: To examine the association between orthostatic hypotension (OH) and cognitive function in middle-aged adults. Methods: Participants were 12,702 men and women from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. OH was defined as decrease in systolic blood pressure (BP) by ≧20 mm Hg or diastolic BP by ≧10 mm Hg upon standing. At the 2nd and the 4th follow-up examinations, cognitive function was assessed using the Delayed Word Recall Test, Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and Word Fluency Test (WFT). Results: After age adjustment, those with OH were more likely to be in the lowest quintile of the DSST (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.12–1.62) and WFT (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.03–1.51) than were those without OH. After adjustment for sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors, associations were no longer significant. In age-adjusted models only, OH was associated with increased odds of being in the greatest quintile of decline in DSST score between visits 2 and 4 (OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.04–1.58). Conclusions: OH was associated with less favorable cognitive function, but this association was largely attributable to demographic and cardiovascular risk factors. Episodic asymptomatic hypotension in middle age may not be an independent cause of cognitive decline. Further study, including emphasis on neuroimaging, is needed.
Habitat Quality of the Woolly Spider Monkey (Brachyteles hypoxanthus)
Authors: da Silva Júnior Wilson Marcelo , Alves Meira-Neto João Augusto , da Silva Carmo Flávia Maria , de Melo Fabiano Rodrigues , Moreira Leandro Santana , Barbosa Elaine Ferreira , Dias Luiz Gustavo , da Silva Peres Carlos Augusto
Published: November 2009

This study examines how habitat structure affects the home range use of a group of Brachyteles hypoxanthus in the Brigadeiro State Park, Brazil. It has been reported that most of the annual feeding time of woolly spider monkeys is spent eating leaves, but they prefer fruits when available. We hypothesise that the protein-to-fibre ratio (PF; best descriptor of habitat quality for folivorous primates) is a better descriptor of habitat quality and abundance for these primates than the structural attributes of forests (basal area is the best descriptor of habitat quality for frugivorous primates of Africa and Asia). We evaluated plant community structure, successional status, and PF of leaf samples from the dominant tree populations, both within the core and from a non-core area of the home range of our study group. Forest structure was a combination of stem density and basal area of dominant tree populations. The core area had larger trees, a higher forest basal area, and higher stem density than the non-core area. Mean PF did not differ significantly between these sites, although PF was influenced by differences in tree regeneration guilds. Large-bodied monkeys could be favoured by later successional stages of forests because larger trees and denser stems prevent the need for a higher expenditure of energy for locomotion as a consequence of vertical travel when the crowns of trees are disconnected in early successional forests. Forest structure variables (such as basal area of trees) driven by succession influence woolly spider monkey abundance in a fashion similar to frugivorous monkeys of Asia and Africa, and could explain marked differences in ranging behaviour and home range use by B. hypoxanthus.
Capsule Endoscopy Removal through Flexible Bronchoscopy
Authors: Depriest Kirk , Wahla Ali S. , Blair Russell , Fein Bennett , Chin, Jr. Robert
Published: November 2009

Since its introduction over 9 years ago, capsule video endoscopy has become increasingly popular within the gastroenterology community, leading to its use in a growing number of patients including the elderly. With the widespread adoption of this diagnostic modality within the elderly population comes the added risk of capsule aspiration. We present such a case where a 90-year-old patient was admitted after accidental aspiration of a capsule. Removal of the capsule posed a therapeutic challenge. In the article, we discuss the novel use of a Roth Net expandable foreign body extractor to remove the capsule using a flexible bronchoscope with minimal need for sedation. As video capsule endoscopy is used more routinely in elderly patients and clinical pulmonologists will be more frequently called up to assist in foreign body removal, our experience highlights that it is possible to remove these large capsules with a flexible bronchoscope and avoid the need for rigid bronchoscopy in this high-risk patient group.
Estrogen-Induced Sexual Incentive Motivation, Proceptivity and Receptivity Depend on a Functional Estrogen Receptor α in the Ventromedial Nucleus of the Hypothalamus but Not in the Amygdala
Authors: Spiteri Thierry , Musatov Sergei , Ogawa Sonoko , Ribeiro Ana , Pfaff Donald W. , Ågmo Anders
Published: November 2009

The display of copulatory behaviors usually requires the presence of a mate and is, therefore, preceded by a search for and approach to a potential partner. The intensity of approach behaviors is determined by a process labeled sexual incentive motivation. Although it is known that female sexual motivation depends on estrogens, their site of action within the brain is unknown. In the present experiment, we obtained data relevant to this issue. An shRNA encoded within an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector directed against the estrogen receptor α (ERα) gene (or containing a nonsense base sequence as a control treatment) was injected bilaterally into the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN) or the posterodorsal amygdala (MePDA) of female rats. After an 80% reduction of the number of ERα in the VMN, sexual incentive motivation was absent after treatment with estradiol and progesterone. Proceptivity and receptivity were also much reduced, while the number of rejections was enhanced. Suppression of the ERα in the MePDA lacked these effects. Likewise, the inactive control AAV vector failed to modify any behavior. Thus, the ERα in the VMN, but not in the MePDA, is important for proceptivity and receptivity as well as for sexual incentive motivation. These results show that ERα in the VMN is crucial for the entire sequence of behavioral events from the processes leading to the establishment of sexual contact until the accomplishment of copulatory behaviors.
Subsyndromal Mood Symptoms: A Useful Concept for Maintenance Studies of Bipolar Disorder?
Authors: Bauer Michael , Glenn Tasha , Grof Paul , Schmid Rita , Pfennig Andrea , Whybrow Peter C.
Published: November 2009

Objective: To explore the measurement of subsyndromal mood symptoms in relation to studies of maintenance therapy for bipolar disorder. Methods: Literature review of the Medline database using the following selection criteria: (1) ‘bipolar disorder’ plus ‘inter-episode or interepisode or subsyndromal or subclinical or residual or subthreshold’ and (2) ‘bipolar disorder’ plus ‘maintenance or prophylaxis or longitudinal’. Studies of children or adolescents and non-English-language reports were excluded. Results: Of the studies published between 1987 and October 2007, 77 articles about subsyndromal mood symptoms and 257 studies of maintenance therapy agents were found. Only 11 of the 257 studies of maintenance therapy agents discussed subsyndromal mood symptoms. Of the 77 articles, two thirds were published after 2000. Inconsistent definitions of subsyndromal mood symptoms and different evaluation tools and methodologies were used in the studies. Conclusions: There is a need to standardize definitions and validate measuring approaches for subsyndromal mood symptoms. However, when measured in both naturalistic studies and clinical trials, subsyndromal mood symptoms were frequently reported by patients receiving maintenance therapy and were associated with poor functioning. As with other chronic illnesses, knowledge of the patient’s perspective of daily morbidity is important for improving the clinical outcome. Studies of maintenance therapy for bipolar disorder, regardless of the approach, should measure subsyndromal mood symptoms as an additional outcome.
Psychosis, Affective Disorders and Anxiety in Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Prevalence and Nosological Considerations
Authors: Skokauskas Norbert , Gallagher Louise
Published: November 2009

Background: This review aimed to find relevant published studies on the co-morbidity of autism and Asperger’s syndrome with psychotic, anxiety and/or mood disorders, assess them, synthesize the findings, present an overview and make recommendations for future research. Methods: Systematic literature searches were performed using several databases. Selected articles had to describe an original study that provided prevalence and/or incidence estimates on autism and/or Asperger’s syndrome co-morbidity with psychotic, anxiety and/or mood disorders. Results and Conclusion: There is conflicting evidence regarding the frequency of schizophrenia in this population. Depression appears to be common, although most individuals with autism do not have sufficient language skills to verbalize changes in mood. Anxiety disorders represent the most common psychiatric co-morbidity in this population.
TGF-β1-Induced Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Therapeutic Intervention in Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Hills Claire E. , Squires Paul E.
Published: November 2009

Background/Aims: Epithelial-to-mesenchymal cell transformation (EMT) is the trans-differentiation of tubular epithelial cells into myofibroblasts, an event underlying progressive chronic kidney disease in diabetes, resulting in fibrosis. Mainly reported in proximal regions of the kidney, EMT is now recognized as a key contributor to the loss of renal function throughout the nephron in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Concomitant upregulation of TGF-β in diabetes makes this pro-fibrotic cytokine an obvious candidate in the development of these fibrotic complications. This article reviews recent findings clarifying our understanding of the role of TGF-β and associated sub-cellular proteins in EMT. Methods: To understand the pathology of EMT and the role of TGF-β, we reviewed the literature using PubMed for English language articles that contained key words related to EMT, TGF-β and DN. Results: EMT and phenotypic plasticity of epithelial cells throughout the nephron involves cytoskeletal reorganization and de novo acquisition of classic mesenchymal markers. Concurrent downregulation of epithelial adhesion molecules results in a loss of function and decreased cell coupling, contributing to a loss of epithelial integrity. TGF-β1 is pivotal in mediating these phenotypic changes. Conclusion: TGF-β-induced EMT is a key contributor to fibrotic scar formation as seen in DN, and novel routes for future therapeutic intervention are discussed.
Penetration of Corticosteroids through the Skin in Relation to the Vehicle
Authors: Ponec M.
Published: November 2009

Results of in vitro studies on the penetration of a corticosteroid hydrocortisone 17-butyrate (HCB) in relation to the vehicle are reported. When HCB is dissolved completely in the vehicle, penetration is enhanced, and only under this condition an increase in HCB concentration (in the range 0.05–0.2%) leads to an increase in the penetration. Evaluation of the efficiency of various vehicles (an oil/water cream, Plastibase® or gels) in which HCB was dissolved in propylene glycol or ethanol, showed that Plastibase with propylene glycol was the most effective for both 0.1 and 0.2% HCB. The results of experiments in which HCB was applied in ethanolic solutions suggests that at least initially HCB and ethanol together penetrate through the epidermis.
Particle Size of Dexamethasone Incorporated in Ointment and Its Behaviour during Penetration in the Stratum corneum of Living Skin
Authors: Kleine-Natrop H.E.
Published: November 2009

The particle size of dexamethasone was microscopically determined in polarized light in two emulsion ointments: a standard water-in-oil formula (aqueous wool alcohol ointment), and a standard oil-in-water formula (aqueous hydrophilic ointment), both containing 0.025% dexamethasone. The distribution of dexamethasone was on average smaller and finer in the water-in-oil emulsion than in the oil-in-water emulsion. In a further series of experiments we studied by means of the adhesive tape-stripping method the proportions of the particle size and counted the total number of particles in various layers of the stratum corneum in vivo. The difference between the two emulsion types once again proved to be significant, but only as far as the epidermal barrier. A new, uniform particle size spectrum was formed at this level, having a maximum value of 24 μm, which, irrespective of the type of ointment, allows a release of the dexamethasone in the live epidermis and dermis. The original particle size distribution is thus qualitatively insignificant in so far as the therapeutic effect of dexamethasone below the barrier zone is concerned. Since the particle size has a strongly distorted frequency distribution, with a marked shift to the left, only about 0.5% of the particles in the w/o emulsion and only about 2% in the o/w emulsion are in fact larger than 56 μm, the maximum value measured lying just below the surface of the horny layer. Any loss during further penetration is probably negligible.
Steroid Atrophy – A Histological Appraisal
Authors: Jones Wilson
Published: November 2009

The histological changes induced by 1 month’s applications of various corticosteroids to normal forearm skin were studied. Marked epidermal atrophy was present at 1 month with the more potent steroids, but the dermal changes were minimal or absent. The methods outlined in this study could serve as a useful model for assessing the unwanted atrophogenic action of potent corticosteroid preparations.
Influence of Corticosteroids on Connective Tissue
Authors: Asboe-Hansen G.
Published: November 2009

All glucocorticosteroids inhibit growth, regeneration and repair of cellular or intercellular components of dermal connective tissues, when penetrated through the skin barrier. The resulting atrophy is a logical manifestation of the action of these compounds.
Systemic Effects and Percutaneous Absorption of Topically Applied 0.1% Hydrocortisone 17-Butyrate
Authors: Kukita A. , Yamada K. , Takeda Y.
Published: November 2009

The systemic effects of topically applied 0.1% hydrocortisone 17-butyrate during treatment with and without occlusion were measured in terms of the functions of the pituitary-adrenal axis. Corticosteroid levels in the blood were determined by the modified method of Murphy, a competitive protein-binding radioassay. Circulating eosinophils were counted and the urinary 17-OHCS and 17-KS excretion were also determined. Percutaneous absorption following the topical application of 14C hydrocortisone 17-butyrate1 (HC 17-B, Locoid®) was measured by means of autoradiography. The application of the corticosteroid to the normal skin without occlusion did not induce systemic effects, whilst the application of the drug under occlusive dressing showed that systemic effects may possibly be induced. The number of circulating eosinophils, corticosteroid levels in the blood and urinary 17-OHCS excretion all decreased. However, these values returned to normal about 2 days after the withdrawal of the application, so we consider the systemic effects induced by the topical corticosteroid to be of a temporary nature. The percutaneous absorption of the corticosteroid was proved by an autoradiographic technique using 14C-labelled HC 17-B. At various intervals after the application, radioactive substances were observed as silver grains in the horny layer of the epidermis and skin appendages, and the density of the silver grains gradually increased with the course of time. It may be surmised that locally applied HC 17-B will be retained in the horny layer of the epidermis at a very early stage after the application and then absorbed in the blood via the epidermis and skin appendages. The reservoir of the corticosteroid in the skin was demonstrated 24 h after the withdrawal of the application.
The Treatment of Steroid-Induced Rosacea and Perioral Dermatitis
Authors: Sneddon I.B.
Published: November 2009

Description of adverse’ effects of strong corticosteroids in rosacea. Perioral dermatitis also seems to be caused by treatment with strong corticosteroids. The rebound effect after weaning the patient from strong corticosteroids might be obviated by hydrocortisone 17-butyrate or hydrocortisone 21-acetate. Continued oral tetracycline treatment is recommended.
MicroRNA-133a Protects Against Myocardial Fibrosis and Modulates Electrical Repolarization Without Affecting Hypertrophy in Pressure-Overloaded Adult Hearts
Authors: Matkovich Scot J. , Wang Wei , Tu Yizheng , Eschenbacher William H. , Dorn Lisa E. , Condorelli Gianluigi , Diwan Abhinav , Nerbonne Jeanne M. , Dorn Gerald W.
Published: November 2009

Rationale
:

MicroRNA (miR)-133a regulates cardiac and skeletal muscle differentiation and plays an important role in cardiac development. Because miR-133a levels decrease during reactive cardiac hypertrophy, some have considered that restoring miR-133a levels could suppress hypertrophic remodeling.

Objective
:

To prevent the “normal” downregulation of miR-133a induced by an acute hypertrophic stimulus in the adult heart.

Methods and Results
:

miR-133a is downregulated in transverse aortic constriction (TAC) and isoproterenol-induced hypertrophy, but not in 2 genetic hypertrophy models. Using
MYH6
promoter-directed expression of a miR-133a genomic precursor, increased cardiomyocyte miR-133a had no effect on postnatal cardiac development assessed by measures of structure, function, and mRNA profile. However, increased miR-133a levels increased QT intervals in surface electrocardiographic recordings and action potential durations in isolated ventricular myocytes, with a decrease in the fast component of the transient outward K
+
current,
I
to,f
, at baseline. Transgenic expression of miR-133a prevented TAC-associated miR-133a downregulation and improved myocardial fibrosis and diastolic function without affecting the extent of hypertrophy.
I
to,f
downregulation normally observed post-TAC was prevented in miR-133a transgenic mice, although action potential duration and QT intervals did not reflect this benefit. miR-133a transgenic hearts had no significant alterations of basal or post-TAC mRNA expression profiles, although decreased mRNA and protein levels were observed for the
I
to,f
auxiliary KChIP2 subunit, which is not a predicted target.

Conclusions
:

These results reveal striking differences between in vitro and in vivo phenotypes of miR expression, and further suggest that mRNA signatures do not reliably predict either direct miR targets or major miR effects.
Structural Heterogeneity in the Ventricular Wall Plays a Significant Role in the Initiation of Stretch-Induced Arrhythmias in Perfused Rabbit Right Ventricular Tissues and Whole Heart Preparations
Authors: Seo Kinya , Inagaki Masashi , Nishimura Satoshi , Hidaka Ichiro , Sugimachi Masaru , Hisada Toshiaki , Sugiura Seiryo
Published: November 2009

Rationale
:

Mechanical stress is known to alter the electrophysiological properties of the myocardium and may trigger fatal arrhythmias when an abnormal load is applied to the heart.

Objective
:

We tested the hypothesis that the structural heterogeneity of the ventricular wall modulates globally applied stretches to create heterogeneous strain distributions that lead to the initiation of arrhythmias.

Methods and Results
:

We applied global stretches to arterially perfused rabbit right ventricular tissue preparations. The distribution of strain (determined by marker tracking) and the transmembrane potential (measured by optical mapping) were simultaneously recorded while accounting for motion artifacts. The 3D structure of the preparations was also examined using a laser displacement meter. To examine whether such observations can be translated to the physiological condition, we performed similar measurements in whole heart preparations while applying volume pulses to the right ventricle. At the tissue level, larger stretches (≥20%) caused synchronous excitation of the entire preparation, whereas medium stretches (10% and 15%) induced focal excitation. We found a significant correlation between the local strain and the local thickness, and the probability for focal excitation was highest for medium stretches. In the whole heart preparations, we observed that such focal excitations developed into reentrant arrhythmias.

Conclusions
:

Global stretches of intermediate strength, rather than intense stretches, created heterogeneous strain (excitation) distributions in the ventricular wall, which can trigger fatal arrhythmias.
Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2 and Class II Histone Deacetylases Control a Gender-Specific Pathway of Cardioprotection Mediated by the Estrogen Receptor
Authors: van Rooij Eva , Fielitz Jens , Sutherland Lillian B. , Thijssen Victor L. , Crijns Harry J. , Dimaio Michael J. , Shelton John , De Windt Leon J. , Hill Joseph A. , Olson Eric N.
Published: November 2009

Rationale
:

Gender differences in cardiovascular disease have long been recognized and attributed to beneficial cardiovascular actions of estrogen. Class II histone deacetylases (HDACs) act as key modulators of heart disease by repressing the activity of the myocyte enhancer factor (MEF)2 transcription factor, which promotes pathological cardiac remodeling in response to stress. Although it is proposed that HDACs additionally influence nuclear receptor signaling, the effect of class II HDACs on gender differences in cardiovascular disease remains unstudied.

Objective
:

We aimed to examine the effect of class II HDACs on post–myocardial infarction remodeling in male and female mice.

Methods and Results
:

Here we show that the absence of HDAC5 or -9 in female mice protects against maladaptive remodeling following myocardial infarction, during which there is an upregulation of estrogen-responsive genes in the heart. This genetic reprogramming coincides with a pronounced increase in expression of the estrogen receptor (ER)α gene, which we show to be a direct MEF2 target gene. ERα also directly interacts with class II HDACs. Cardioprotection resulting from the absence of HDAC5 or -9 in female mice can be attributed, at least in part, to enhanced neoangiogenesis in the infarcted region via upregulation of the ER target gene vascular endothelial growth factor-a.

Conclusions
:

Our results reveal a novel gender-specific pathway of cardioprotection mediated by ERα and its regulation by MEF2 and class II HDACs.
MRI Detection of New Microbleeds in Patients With Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Gregoire Simone M. , Brown Martin M. , Kallis Constantinos , Jäger H. Rolf , Yousry Tarek A. , Werring David J.
Published: November 2009

Background and Purpose—

Little is known about the development of cerebral microbleeds in patients with ischemic stroke. We studied the incidence of new microbleeds in a cohort of patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack screened for microbleeds at baseline.

Methods—

Twenty-one surviving patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack were followed up after a mean interval of 5.5 years with repeat MRI and clinical assessment. Predictors of new microbleeds were tested in logistic regression.

Results—

Of patients with microbleeds at baseline, 50% had new microbleeds at follow-up compared with 8% of those without baseline microbleeds (
P
=0.047). The presence of microbleeds at baseline predicted new microbleeds (OR, 12; 95% CI, 1.02 to 141.34;
P
=0.048), as did mean systolic blood pressure (OR, 1.28 per unit increase; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.33;
P
<0.001). One patient had a stroke (intracerebral hemorrhage) during follow-up.

Conclusions—

Patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack are at risk of developing new microbleeds over 5.5 years, despite most surviving patients remaining clinically stable. Systolic blood pressure is the strongest predictor of microbleed development; better control of hypertension may help prevent new microbleed formation.
Accurate and Efficient CPU/GPU-Based 3-DOF Haptic Rendering of Complex Static Virtual Environments
Authors: Kim Jong-Phil , Lee Beom-Chan , Kim Hyungon , Kim Jaeha , Ryu Jeha
Published: November 2009

This paper proposes a novel, accurate, and efficient hybrid CPU/GPU-based 3-DOF haptic rendering algorithm for highly complex and large-scale virtual environments (VEs) that may simultaneously contain different types of object data representations. In a slower rendering process on the GPU, local geometry near the haptic interaction point (HIP) is obtained in the form of six directional depth maps from virtual cameras adaptively located around the object to be touched. In a faster rendering process on the CPU, collision detection and response computations are performed using the directional depth maps without the need for any complex data hierarchy of virtual objects, or data conversion of multiple data formats. To efficiently find an ideal HIP (IHIP), the proposed algorithm uses a new “abstract” local occupancy map instance (LOMI) and the nearest neighbor search algorithm, which does not require physical memory for storing voxel types during online voxelization and reduces the search time by a factor of about 10. Finally, in order to achieve accurate haptic interaction, sub-voxelization of a voxel in LOMI is proposed. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is subsequently demonstrated with several benchmark examples.
Leveraging Collaborative Virtual Environment Technology for Inter-Population Research on Persuasion in a Classroom Setting
Authors: McCall Cade , Bunyan Debra P , Bailenson Jeremy N , Blascovich Jim , Beall Andrew C
Published: November 2009

Immersive collaborative virtual environments (CVEs) allow us to interact with geographically distant others while experiencing social presence to a degree that goes far beyond text chatting or teleconferencing. Moreover, these environments provide this high level of realism within social contexts that are impossible in the physical world. Given these facts, CVEs provide behavioral researchers with an ideal platform to study social interaction both within and between geographically and culturally distinct communities. The study reported here leveraged these two unique capabilities of CVEs within a persuasive context by: (1) placing people who are seated in physically distal places into the exact same virtual world, and (2) structuring virtual space to maximize persuasion. Specifically, we report data from a study in which pairs of participants listened to a speaker deliver a persuasive passage within the same digital immersive virtual room. The individual members of each pair were separated by hundreds of kilometers, located at two different college campuses. Within the CVE, we digitally transformed the placement of participants' seats in the virtual classroom. Participants in the front of the classroom were more persuaded by the speaker and had more positive impressions of the speaker. Patterns in both persuasion and memory differed between campuses. Together these findings speak to the utility of wide range CVEs to maximize persuasion and demonstrate the viability of using CVEs for inter-site research.
Domain-Specific Design of 3D Interaction Techniques: An Approach for Designing Useful Virtual Environment Applications
Authors: Chen Jian , Bowman Doug A
Published: November 2009

Few production virtual environment (VE) applications involve complex three-dimensional (3D) interaction. Our long-term collaboration with architects and engineers in designing 3D user interfaces (3D UIs) has revealed some of the causes: existing interaction tasks and/or techniques are either too generic when isolated from the application context, or too specific to be reusable. We propose a new design approach called domain-specific design (DSD) that sits between the generic and specific design approaches, with an emphasis on using domain knowledge in 3D interaction techniques. We also describe an interaction design framework encompassing generic, domain-specific, and application-specific interaction tasks and techniques. This framework can be used by designers to think of ways to produce domain-specific interaction techniques. We present a particular DSD method, and demonstrate its use for the design of cloning techniques in a structural engineering application. Results from empirical studies demonstrate that interaction techniques produced with domain knowledge in mind outperformed other techniques by improving task efficiency, work flow, and usefulness of the 3D UI.
Haptic Augmented Reality: Taxonomy and an Example of Stiffness Modulation
Authors: Jeon Seokhee , Choi Seungmoon
Published: November 2009

Haptic augmented reality (AR) enables the user to feel a real environment augmented with synthetic haptic stimuli. This article addresses two important topics in haptic AR. First, a new taxonomy for haptic AR is established based on a composite visuo-haptic reality-virtuality continuum extended from the conventional continuum for visual AR. Previous studies related to haptic AR are reviewed and classified using the composite continuum, and associated research issues are discussed. Second, the feasibility of haptically modulating the feel of a real object with the aid of virtual force feedback is investigated, with the stiffness as a goal haptic property. All required algorithms for contact detection, stiffness modulation, and force control are developed, and their individual performances are thoroughly evaluated. The resulting haptic AR system is also assessed in a psychophysical experiment, demonstrating its competent perceptual performance for stiffness modulation. To our knowledge, this work is among the first efforts in haptic AR for systematic augmentation of real object attributes with virtual forces, and it serves as an initial building block toward a general haptic AR system. Finally, several research issues identified during the feasibility study are introduced, with the aim of eliciting more research interest in this exciting yet unexplored area.
The Matrioshka Principle and How it was Overcome: Portuguese and Habsburg Imperial Attitudes in Sri Lanka and the Responses of the Rulers of Kotte (1506-1598)
Authors: Biedermann Zoltán
Published: November 2009

This article deals with roughly the first hundred years of Portuguese expansion in Sri Lanka (1506-1600), the local “reactions” to it, and how the interaction was changed when the Portuguese Crown fell to the Habsburgs in 1580. It analyzes how Portuguese and Sri Lankan notions of kingship, authority and Empire were included in a dialog that indicates the existence of commonalities in the field of political culture. The imperial projects of Portugal and the Sri Lankan kingdom of Kotte, so it seems, had a potential for mutual accommodation, although some misunderstandings remained inevitable. The argument then moves to the transformations that occurred in the 1580's-90's, when a new policy of territorial conquest was put into practice by the Portuguese authorities. It is argued that this change of policy had to do with the Iberian Union of Crowns, although Spanish influence on Portuguese imperial policy in Asia was not linear. Crucially, another set of factors has to be sought in the Sri Lankan political landscape.
Costly Signaling and the Origin of Religion
Authors: Murray Michael , Moore Lyn
Published: November 2009

Costly signaling theories of religion contend that religious belief and behaviors function as costly signals of cooperative intent. Such signals are evolvable because they allow likely cooperators to find one another, while excluding potential cheats or free riders that would be unwilling (or unable) to pay the price associated with sending the signal. As a result, under the right conditions, religious costly signaling can emerge as an evolutionary stable strategy. However, reliability certifying costly signaling can evolve and stabilize only when certain necessary conditions are satisfied. In this paper we argue that current versions of the theory do not adequately demonstrate that these conditions are met.
Counterintuitiveness in Folktales: Finding the Cognitive Optimum
Authors: Barrett Justin , Burdett Emily Reed , Porter Tenelle
Published: November 2009

The present study sought to (1) determine whether Barrett's counterintuitiveness coding and quantifying scheme (CI-Scheme) could be applied to cultural materials with sufficient intercoder reliability, (2) provide evidence concerning just how counterintuitive is too counterintuitive for a concept to be a recurrent cultural idea, and (3) test whether counterintuitive intentional agent concepts are more common in folktales than other classes of counterintuitive concepts. Seventy-three folktales from around the world were sampled from larger collections. Using Barrett's CI-Scheme, two independent coders identified 116 counterintuitive objects and scored them for degree of counterintuitiveness with very high inter-rater concordance. Of folktales, 79% had one or two counterintuitive objects. Of the counterintuitive objects 93% had a counterintuitiveness score of only one. Of counterintuitive objects, 98% were agents. Results suggest the CI-Scheme may have utility for analyzing cultural materials, that the cognitive optimum for cultural transmission falls around one counterintuitive feature, and that counterintuitive agents are more common than other types of counterintuitive objects in folktales.
The Adaptationist-Byproduct Debate on the Evolution of Religion: Five Misunderstandings of the Adaptationist Program
Authors: Sosis Richard
Published: November 2009

The primary debate among scholars who study the evolution of religion concerns whether religion is an adaptation or a byproduct. The dominant position in the field is that religious beliefs and behaviors are byproducts of cognitive processes and behaviors that evolved for other purposes. A smaller group of scholars maintain that religion is an adaptation for extending human cooperation and coordination. Here I survey five critiques of the adapationist position and offer responses to these critiques. Much of the debate can be resolved by clearly defining important but ambiguous terms in the debate, such as religion, adaptation, adaptive, and trait, as well as clarifying several misunderstandings of evolutionary processes. I argue that adaptationist analyses must focus on the functional effects of the religious system, the coalescence of independent parts that constitute the fabric of religion.
South African Children's Understanding of AIDS and Flu: Investigating Conceptual Understanding of Cause, Treatment and Prevention
Authors: Legare Cristine , Gelman Susan
Published: November 2009

The present study examined children's understanding of illness in a peri-urban community in South Africa where AIDS is prevalent (n=138). Results suggest that children were surprisingly knowledgeable about AIDS at an early age, and may have even erroneously analogized from AIDS to the flu. Furthermore, all age groups attributed different causes for AIDS (transmitted by blood) and flu (casual contagion). However, although factual knowledge about AIDS was identified among all age groups, there was no evidence of understanding biological causal mechanisms. The data have implications both for developmental research on biological reasoning in diverse cultural contexts and for the design of health education programs.
Globalisation and Local Identities: The Rise of New Ethnic and Religious Movements in Post-Suharto Indonesia
Authors: Reuter Thomas
Published: November 2009

A worldwide resurgence of local ethnic or religious identities has led to numerous conflicts locally, and also globally, since the end of the Cold War. This trend is exemplified by Indonesia, where political liberalisation after 32 years of authoritarian rule have allowed local identities and political aspirations to be expressed more freely and in new ways. In this paper, I look at new social movements that are demanding regional autonomy, more local control of local resources and greater recognition for traditional institutions. Such movements shed light on the challenges faced by the multi-ethnic nation of Indonesia today and, more generally, on shifting local identities in developing nations in a globalising world. An example of regional cultural revival movements in Indonesia is the Ajeg Bali Movement. This movement stems from a growing sense of disenfranchisement and desire for self-empowerment among Hindu Balinese. Contributing factors are political liberalisation and decentralisation, the 'touristification' of local culture, increasing dependence on the global economy, the threat of terrorism after the Bali bomb, the influx of Muslim labour migrants and fears of an Islamisation of the Indonesian state.
Negotiating Charisma: The Social Dimension of Philippine Crucifixion Rituals
Authors: Bräunlein Peter
Published: November 2009

The Philippines are the only predominantly Christian nation in Southeast Asia. The tradition of the passion of Christ is supposed to be the centre of Philippine religiousness and the fascination with the suffering, battered and dead Christ can be regarded as a characteristic feature of Philippine lowland society. The most spectacular expressions of the so-called Philippine 'Calvary Catholicism' are flagellation and crucifixion. In 1996–1998, the author studied Philippine passion rituals in the village of Kapitangan. During the Holy Week, thousands of people mostly from Manila visit the church and observe the spectacle of ritual crucifixions on Good Friday in the churchyard. In Kapitangan, mostly women are nailed to the cross, which is, however, is not an act of volition. They act under directions 'from above', possessed by Sto. Niño or Jesus Nazareno. All of them are (faith-)healers. All of them are founders of a religious movement. In this article, the author uses Ernst Troeltsch's typology — church, sect, mysticism — as a tool to raise questions about ritual crucifixion as a focus of community and collective identity formation, both on the local and national level of society. Troeltsch's typology sheds light on the delicate relation between the Philippine 'official' church and practices of the so-called 'folk-Catholicism'. It illuminates motives and aims of the healers, who are called 'new mystics' by some scholars, and the sense of belonging of their followers. It also reveals discourses of consent and dissent among the spectators and general public, provoked by that literal re-enactment of Jesus' death.
The Revitalisation and Reflexive Transformation of the Manooraa Rongkruu Performance and Ritual in Southern Thailand: Articulations with Modernity
Authors: Horstmann Alexander
Published: November 2009

In this article, I consider the changing forms of a traditional art genre and ritual cycle, Manooraa Rongkruu, in which it is possible for the living to communicate with the dead. I did fieldwork on the dynamics of Theravada Buddhism, Islam and indigenous religion and multi-religious rituals in Southern Thailand from 2004–2007. Religious forms in Southern Thailand have been hybridised, fragmented, post-modernised and revitalised. The performance and art genre of the Manooraa enjoy high popularity in certain parts of Southern Thailand and is used to heal a number of modern ailments. The public performances in Takae, Patthalung and Ta Kura, Songkhla, attract hundreds of thousands of worshippers. I show that the revitalised and reflexive religious practices of people in Southern Thailand to engage and worship the great ancestor spirits represent a multi-vocal arena, in which social transformations and discursive shifts are negotiated. Illustrations of the new performances of the Manooraa Rongkruu are provided to illustrate a ritual in movement that negotiates traditional obligations and postmodern requirements.
Invisible Blood: Self-censorship and the Public in Uplander Ritual, Laos
Authors: Sprenger Guido
Published: November 2009

In upland Southeast Asia, the internal reproduction of society by ritual is fuelled and changed through its relation to external ritual systems like Buddhism. Rmeet (Lamet), a non-Buddhist upland population in Laos, regularly alter their rituals when Buddhist lowlanders are present. In particular, the display of spilling the blood of sacrificial animals is suppressed. One recurring reason for this is the notion of 'shame' or 'fear of exposure'. Thus, the notion of 'shame' functions as a semantic operator that indicates the shifting of boundaries between inside and outside, Rmeet and lowland ritual systems. It also addresses how the border between these two ritual domains historically became defined by blood-spilling. The argument is based on a new approach to ritual change that considers rituals as information-processing systems.
Nikolaus von Autrecourt über das erste Prinzip und die Gewißheit von Sätzen
Authors: Krause Andrej
Published: November 2009

Nicholas of Autrecourt maintains in his second letter to Bernard of Arezzo that with the exception of the certitude of faith, there is no other certitude but the certitude of the law of non-contradiction, or the one that can be resolved to this law. The article examines this statement, which implies that natural theology is not possible. It comes to the conclusion that, in general, Nicholas in his letter seems to identify the relation "…can be resolved…" between two certain sentences with the relation "…follows from…". This identification leads to problems which are discussed. Further, Nicholas says that in every valid inference the consequent is identical with the antecedent or is part of it. This can be understood in two ways.