bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attempted Suicide in Immigrants from Turkey: A Comparison with Swiss Suicide Attempters
Authors: Yilmaz A. Tarik , Riecher-Rössler Anita
Published: October 2012

Background/Aims: Turkish migrants have been shown to have an increased rate of suicide attempts as compared to native local populations and also to people in Turkey. In this study we conducted in-depth interviews with patients regarding their reasons for the attempt. Subjects and Methods: Seventy Turkish immigrants admitted to the emergency unit of the Basel University Hospital after a suicide attempt were interviewed. Seventy Swiss suicide attempters, matched for age and sex, served as a comparator (case-control study). Results: Turkish immigrants showed high rates of suicide attempts. The gender ratio (women/men) was 2.2; 38.6% of all Turkish suicide attempters were women aged between 15 and 25 years. Most patients mentioned problems in their partnerships as the main reason for the suicide attempt (63% of Swiss and 54% of Turkish patients); 14% of the Swiss but none of the Turkish suicide attempters named social isolation as a cause; 9% of the Turkish patients reported ‘threat of loss/rejection of status as refugee’ as the main reason. Immigrants used analgesics more often, whilst Swiss patients tended to favour benzodiazepines. Conclusions: Our study suggests that cultural and immigration-specific issues play a role in the suicidal behaviour of immigrants. Turkish women aged between 15 and 25 years seem to be at an especially high risk.
Discriminative Hypomania Checklist-32 Factors in Unipolar and Bipolar Major Depressive Patients
Authors: Perugi Giulio , Fornaro Michele , Maremmani Icro , Canonico Pier Luigi , Carbonatto Paolo , Mencacci Claudio , Muscettola Giovanni , Pani Luca , Torta Riccardo , Vampini Claudio , Parazzini Fabio , Dumitriu Arina , Angst Jules ,   on behalf of Come To Me Study Group
Published: October 2012

Background: Although manic or hypomanic episodes define bipolar disorder (BD), most patients show a predominance of depressive symptomatology, often associated with delayed or disregarded BD diagnosis. The Hypomania Checklist-32 (HCL-32) has therefore been developed and tested internationally to facilitate BD recognition. Sampling andMethods: Five hundred seventy-one (563 eligible) patients diagnosed with a major depressive episode according to DSM-IV criteria were consecutively enrolled in a cross-sectional, multicenter, observational study (Come To Me). Lifetime manic or hypomanic features were assessed by the HCL-32, and severity of depressive and anxious symptomatology was assessed using the Zung’s self-report questionnaires for depression and anxiety. Results: Among the patients diagnosed with BD (n = 119), either type I or type II, the occurrence of (hypo)manic symptoms was significantly higher compared to major depressive disorder (MDD) symptoms according to HCL-32 total and subscale scores obtained using a score of 14, which ensured an optimal discrimination between BD and MDD with a sensitivity of 0.85 and a specificity of 0.78. Conclusions: Although some false positives might occur, the HCL-32 was confirmed to be a useful instrument in the detection of past hypomania in MDD patients, finally contributing to proper therapeutic choices.
Characterizing and Identifying Incipient Carious Lesions in Dental Enamel Using Micro-Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Mohanty B. , Dadlani D. , Mahoney D. , Mann A.B.
Published: October 2012

Early detection of dental caries is vital if improved patient outcomes are to be achieved by reversal of the demineralization process. Current techniques used by dentists for identifying carious lesions are effective in identifying more advanced lesions, but do not have sufficient sensitivity and specificity to detect them at the earliest stages. This study focused on characterizing the growth of incipient carious lesions in vitro using micro-Raman spectroscopy. The incipient carious lesions were grown on the buccal faces of human molars by controlled exposure to lactic acid. Lesions were cross-sectioned to expose the subsurface body of the lesion and then examined using micro-Raman spectroscopy. The intensity of the phosphate peaks in the Raman spectra was found to differ significantly between healthy enamel and the demineralized region of the lesions. The sensitivity of the phosphate peaks to the degree of demineralization was observed by taking a series of spectra over the cross section of the lesions. This revealed that the body of the lesion is highly demineralized, but in a narrow surface region (up to 10 µm) there is little demineralization. All the phosphate peaks were found to be sensitive to the degree of demineralization; however, changes in the intensity of the pronounced phosphate peak at 961 cm–1 offer the most promise for identifying lesions. The results indicate that micro-Raman spectroscopy has both the sensitivity and selectivity to identify incipient carious lesions, but the presence of a surface layer with a relatively high mineral content could complicate the analysis.
Audiological Follow-Up of Children with the m.1555A>G Mutation in Mitochondrial DNA
Authors: Häkli Sanna , Luotonen Mirja , Sorri Martti , Majamaa Kari
Published: October 2012

The age at onset and the severity of hearing impairment (HI) varies widely among subjects and within families with the m.1555A>G mutation in mitochondrial DNA. We examined prospectively the hearing of 19 children in three nuclear families of a pedigree with m.1555A>G during a period of 7.8 years. The children underwent an audiological examination annually. At the end of the follow-up, the children were 2–13 years old. The parents were asked about the exposure of the children to risk factors of HI. We found that the 19 children with m.1555A>G were born with normal hearing and that 10 of them had developed HI by the end of the follow-up. High frequencies were affected first. The median age at the onset of HI was 3.7 years. Both the severity of HI and the age of onset varied within and between families. Most commonly, audiograms revealed a sensorineural, progressive HI sloping towards high frequencies. We could not identify environmental factors which could modify the development of HI. In conclusion, we were able to pinpoint the time of onset of HI and to follow the progression of HI in childhood. Our results show that there are distinct phenotypes, but at present there are no means to predict which phenotype will develop. It is important to follow up the hearing of children in families with the m.1555A>G mutation, because these children generally pass the newborn hearing screening, and the age at onset or the phenotype of HI cannot be predicted.
Strontium and Caries: A Long and Complicated Relationship
Authors: Lippert F. , Hara A.T.
Published: October 2012

Investigations into the role of strontium (Sr) in caries prevention have attracted great interest in the research community in the past, with their peak in the 1970–80s. To this date, no clear indication of the relative importance of Sr in caries prevention has been provided. A vast number of animal caries, epidemiological and mechanistic studies have been conducted. Although there is much discrepancy, the majority of studies suggest that Sr exhibits some cariostatic properties, predominantly in the presence of fluoride. An optimum Sr concentration of 5–10 ppm in drinking water has been proposed as a direct result of several epidemiological caries studies. Despite these results, no direct link can be established between Sr and caries prevention as, to date, no relevant, randomized controlled trials have been reported. The extrapolation of potential cariostatic properties of Sr from epidemiological studies is difficult due to the co-presence of several other trace elements in the water of the study areas, with many of these elements being attributed cariostatic properties in their own right. Furthermore, the role of caries risk factors was not taken into consideration. There is a clear need for further research, especially on the mineral phases in the dental hard tissues, plaque and plaque fluid associated with Sr as these may give rise to a better understanding of this subject matter. Based on the current data, the cariostatic properties of Sr, or at least those proposed by some authors, cannot be supported.
Cross-Cultural Adaption and Translation of the Voice Handicap Index into Norwegian
Authors: Karlsen Tom , Grieg Anne Rita Hella , Heimdal John-Helge , Aarstad Hans Jørgen
Published: October 2012

Aims: To examine the psychometric properties of a Norwegian translation of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and test its ability to discriminate between patients and controls. Abbreviated versions of VHI were also studied. Method: Following standard translation, 126 healthy subjects and 126 patients with laryngeal disease answered the Norwegian translation of the VHI-30 [hereafter, VHI-30(N)]. Results: The VHI(N) showed a high Cronbach α. Control/patient scores were as follows: Emotional (E): 0.88/0.90; Functional (F): 0.77/0.91; Physical (P): 0.86/0.83, and total: 0.93/0.94. One three-level question where the subjects rated the level of voice disease correlated well with the VHI(N) scores. The 90th (95th) percentile of the control score was 18 (33), whereas the mean ± SEM patient score was 52.3 ± 2.04 of a maximum of 120 points. Differences between patient and control groups were significant for all questions on the VHI(N). Receiver operating characteristic analyses demonstrate that the F, P, E and total VHI scores discriminated very well between patients and controls. This was also the case when the abbreviated scales were analyzed as published by Nawka et al. [Folia Phoniatr Logop 2009;61:37–48] and Rosen et al. [Laryngoscope 2004;114:1549–1556]. Conclusion: This Norwegian version of the VHI questionnaire seems to be psychometrically sound.
Comparison of Resolute Zotarolimus-Eluting Stents and Sirolimus-Eluting Stents in Patients With De Novo Long Coronary Artery Lesions
Authors: Ahn Jung-Min , Park Duk-Woo , Kim Young-Hak , Song HaeGeun , Cho Young-Rak , Kim Won-Jang , Lee Jong-Young , Kang Soo-Jin , Lee Seung-Whan , Lee Cheol Whan , Park Seong-Wook , Yun Sung-Cheol , Han Seungbong , Lee Sung Yun , Lee Bong-Ki , Cho Jang-Hyun , Yang Tae-Hyun , Lee Nae-Hee , Yang Joo-Young , Park Jong-Seon , Shin Won-Yong , Kim Moo Hyun , Bae Jang Ho , Kim Myeong-Kon , Yoon Junghan , Park Seung-Jung
Published: October 2012

Background—

Procedural and clinical outcomes still remain unfavorable for patients with long coronary lesions who undergo stent-based coronary interventions. Therefore, we compared the relative efficacy and safety of resolute zotarolimus-eluting stents (R-ZES) and sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) for patients with de novo long coronary lesions.

Methods and Results—

This randomized, multicenter, prospective trial, called the Percutaneous Treatment of LONG Native Coronary Lesions With Drug-Eluting Stent-IV (LONG-DES IV) trial, compared long R-ZES and SES in 500 patients with long (≥25 mm) native coronary lesions. The primary end point of the trial was in-segment late luminal loss at 9-month angiographic follow-up. The baseline characteristics were not different between R-ZES and SES groups, including lesion lengths (32.4±13.5 mm versus 31.0±13.5 mm,
P
=0.27). At 9-month angiographic follow-up, the R-ZES was noninferior to the SES with respect to in-segment late luminal loss, the primary study end point (0.14±0.38 mm versus 0.12±0.43 mm,
P
for noninferiority=0.03,
P
for superiority=0.68). In addition, in-stent late luminal loss (0.26±0.36 mm versus 0.24±0.42 mm,
P
=0.78) and the rates of in-segment (5.2% versus 7.2%,
P
=0.44) and in-stent (4.0% versus 6.0%,
P
=0.41) binary restenosis were not significantly different between the 2 groups. There were no significant between-group differences in the rate of adverse clinical events (death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, target-lesion revascularization, and composite outcomes).

Conclusions—

For patients with de novo long coronary artery disease, R-ZES implantation showed noninferior angiographic outcomes as compared with SES implantation.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01186094.
First Serial Assessment at 6 Months and 2 Years of the Second Generation of Absorb Everolimus-Eluting Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold
Authors: Ormiston John A. , Serruys Patrick W. , Onuma Yoshinobu , van Geuns Robert-Jan , de Bruyne Bernard , Dudek Dariusz , Thuesen Leif , Smits Pieter C. , Chevalier Bernard , McClean Dougal , Koolen Jacques , Windecker Stephan , Whitbourn Robert , Meredith Ian , Dorange Cecile , Veldhof Susan , Hebert Karine Miquel , Rapoza Richard , Garcia-Garcia Hector M.
Published: October 2012

Background—

Nonserial observations have shown this bioresorbable scaffold to have no signs of area reduction at 6 months and recovery of vasomotion at 1 year. Serial observations at 6 months and 2 years have to confirm the absence of late restenosis or unfavorable imaging outcomes.

Methods and Results—

The ABSORB trial is a multicenter single-arm trial assessing the safety and performance of an everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold. Forty-five patients underwent serial invasive imaging, such as quantitative coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound, and optical coherence tomography at 6 and 24 months of follow-up. From 6 to 24 months, late luminal loss increased from 0.16±0.18 to 0.27±0.20 mm on quantitative coronary angiography, with an increase in neointima of 0.68±0.43 mm
2
on optical coherence tomography and 0.17±0.26 mm
2
on intravascular ultrasound. Struts still recognizable on optical coherence tomography at 2 years showed 99% of neointimal coverage with optical and ultrasonic signs of bioresorption accompanied by increase in mean scaffold area compared with baseline (0.54±1.09 mm
2
on intravascular ultrasound,
P
=0.003 and 0.77±1.33 m
2
on optical coherence tomography,
P
=0.016). Two-year major adverse cardiac event rate was 6.8% without any scaffold thrombosis.

Conclusions—

This serial analysis of the second generation of the everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold confirmed, at medium term, the safety and efficacy of the new device.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00856856.
Valve-in-Valve Implantation of Medtronic CoreValve Prosthesis in Patients with Failing Bioprosthetic Aortic Valves
Authors: Linke Axel , Woitek Felix , Merx Marc W. , Schiefer Conrad , Möbius-Winkler Sven , Holzhey David , Rastan Ardawan , Ender Jörg , Walther Thomas , Kelm Malte , Mohr Friedrich W. , Schuler Gerhard
Published: October 2012

Background—

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using the Medtronic CoreValve (MCV) system might represent an alternative to conventional redo surgery in older high-risk patients with a failing aortic valve bioprosthesis.

Methods and Results—

Symptomatic patients with failing aortic valve bioprosthesis, aged ≥65 years with a logistic EuroSCORE ≥10 % were considered for treatment. Local anesthesia was used to retrogradely implant the MCV system into the failing bioprosthetic valve. Clinical events were recorded and a transthoracic echocardiography was performed to evaluate the impact of MCV on hemodynamics after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. A total of 27 patients (aged 74.8±8 years, logistic EuroSCORE of 31±17%) were treated. In those with AS and AS and AR (n=25), the mean gradient declined from 42±16 mm Hg before to 18±8 mm Hg after MCV implantation (
P
<0.001), in those with AR the level declined by 2. There was no intraprocedural death and no procedural myocardial infarction. On the basis of the definitions of the Valvular Academic Research Consortium, the rate of major stroke was 7.4 %, of life-threatening bleeding 7.4%, of kidney failure stage III 7.4%, and of major access site complication 11.1 %, respectively. Within 30 days after the procedure, 2 patients died; 1 from stroke and 1 from cardiac failure (30-day mortality: 7.4%).

Conclusions—

These results suggest that transfemoral MCV implantation into a wide range of degenerated aortic bioprosthetic valves—irrespective of the failure mode—is feasible, safe, and improves hemodynamics in older patients with higher risk for conventional aortic valve redo surgery.
Pharmacodynamic Effect of Switching Therapy in Patients With High On-Treatment Platelet Reactivity and Genotype Variation With High Clopidogrel Dose Versus Prasugrel
Authors: Sardella Gennaro , Calcagno Simone , Mancone Massimo , Palmirotta Raffaele , Lucisano Luigi , Canali Emanuele , Stio Rocco Edoardo , Pennacchi Mauro , Di Roma Angelo , Benedetti Giulia , Guadagni Fiorella , Biondi-Zoccai Giuseppe , Fedele Francesco
Published: October 2012

Background—

High on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) is associated with adverse outcomes. We aim to compare the novel thienopyridine prasugrel versus double-dose clopidogrel in patients with HTPR and explore the interaction between CYP2C19 genotype and both drugs.

Methods and Results—

Consecutive stable patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention were screened with the Multiplate Analyzer P2Y12 assay, defining HTPR as area under the curve >450. Those with HTPR were randomized to prasugrel (10 mg/day) or high-dose clopidogrel (150 mg/day) for 2 weeks and then crossed-over to, respectively, clopidogrel and prasugrel, repeating the P2Y12 assay at the end of each cycle. Clinical follow-up (until 3 months) and CYP2C19 genotyping was performed in all patients. The primary end point was platelet reactivity after 14 days of prasugrel versus high-dose clopidogrel. Thirty-two patients were randomized to prasugrel and then high-dose clopidogrel or to high-dose clopidogrel followed by prasugrel. Prasugrel was associated with a significantly lower platelet reactivity than high-dose clopidogrel was (325.8 versus 478.5 area under the curve,
P
=0.028). No patient treated with prasugrel exhibited HTPR, whereas 9 (28.1%) receiving high-dose clopidogrel still had prevalence of HTPR (
P
=0.001). Similar findings were obtained changing cutoffs or considering platelet reactivity as a continuous variable. Genotyping showed the same efficacy between high-dose clopidogrel and prasugrel in the 18 (56.3%) CYP2C19*2 noncarriers (HTPR in 12.5% versus 0,
P
=0.274), whereas it was significantly worse in the 14 (43.7%) carriers (HTPR in 43.7% versus 0,
P
=0.003).

Conclusions—

HTPR is successfully abolished by therapy with prasugrel irrespective of CYP2C19 genotype. Conversely, high-dose clopidogrel can address HTPR only in CYP2C19*2 noncarriers.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01465828.
Bivalirudin Versus Heparin Plus a Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitor in Patients With Non–ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention After Clopidogrel Pretreatment
Authors: Ndrepepa Gjin , Neumann Franz-Josef , Deliargyris Efthymios N. , Mehran Roxana , Mehilli Julinda , Ferenc Miroslaw , Schulz Stefanie , Schömig Albert , Kastrati Adnan , Stone Gregg W.
Published: October 2012

Background—

The optimal antithrombotic therapy for patients with non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention is not well defined. We investigated the efficacy and safety of bivalirudin versus heparin plus a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor (GPI) in patients with non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention after clopidogrel pretreatment.

Methods and Results—

This study included 3798 clopidogrel-pretreated patients with non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, who were randomly assigned to receive bivalirudin (n=1928) or heparin (unfractionated heparin or enoxaparin; n=1870) plus a GPI in the setting of the Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage Strategy (ACUITY) and Intracoronary Stenting and Antithrombotic Regimen: Rapid Early Action for Coronary Treatment (ISAR-REACT) 4 trials. Major end points were a composite of death, recurrent myocardial infarction or urgent target vessel revascularization (efficacy end point), major bleeding (safety end point), and the composite of death, recurrent myocardial infarction, urgent target vessel revascularization, or major bleeding (net adverse clinical events [NACE]) at 30 days. The incidence of the efficacy end point was 10.6% (n=205) in the bivalirudin group versus 10.2% (n=191) in the heparin plus a GPI group (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.85–1.27;
P
=0.69). The incidence of safety end point was 3.4% (n=66) in the bivalirudin group versus 6.3% (n=117) in the heparin plus a GPI group (OR, 0.54 [0.40–0.72];
P
<0.001). NACE occurred in 258 patients (13.4%) in the bivalirudin group versus 275 patients (14.7%) in the heparin plus a GPI group (OR, 0.90 [0.76–1.06];
P
=0.21).

Conclusions—

NACE rates were not significantly different between bivalirudin and heparin plus a GPI in patients with non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention after clopidogrel pretreatment. Although no significant difference in efficacy was seen in terms of suppression of adverse ischemic events, bivalirudin was superior to heparin plus a GPI in terms of reducing bleeding events.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique Identifier: NCT00093158 and NCT00373451.
S100A1 Deficiency Impairs Postischemic Angiogenesis Via Compromised Proangiogenic Endothelial Cell Function and Nitric Oxide Synthase Regulation
Authors: Most Patrick , Lerchenmüller Carolin , Rengo Giuseppe , Mahlmann Adrian , Ritterhoff Julia , Rohde David , Goodman Chelain , Busch Cornelius J. , Laube Felix , Heissenberg Julian , Pleger Sven T. , Weiss Norbert , Katus Hugo A. , Koch Walter J. , Peppel Karsten
Published: October 2012

Rationale:

Mice lacking the EF-hand Ca
2+
sensor S100A1 display endothelial dysfunction because of distorted Ca
2+
-activated nitric oxide (NO) generation.

Objective:

To determine the pathophysiological role of S100A1 in endothelial cell (EC) function in experimental ischemic revascularization.

Methods and Results:

Patients with chronic critical limb ischemia showed almost complete loss of S100A1 expression in hypoxic tissue. Ensuing studies in S100A1 knockout (SKO) mice subjected to femoral artery resection unveiled insufficient perfusion recovery and high rates of autoamputation. Defective in vivo angiogenesis prompted cellular studies in SKO ECs and human ECs, with small interfering RNA–mediated S100A1 knockdown demonstrating impaired in vitro and in vivo proangiogenic properties (proliferation, migration, tube formation) and attenuated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)–stimulated and hypoxia-stimulated endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) activity. Mechanistically, S100A1 deficiency compromised eNOS activity in ECs by interrupted stimulatory S100A1/eNOS interaction and protein kinase C hyperactivation that resulted in inhibitory eNOS phosphorylation and enhanced VEGF receptor-2 degradation with attenuated VEGF signaling. Ischemic SKO tissue recapitulated the same molecular abnormalities with insufficient in vivo NO generation. Unresolved ischemia entailed excessive VEGF accumulation in SKO mice with aggravated VEGF receptor-2 degradation and blunted in vivo signaling through the proangiogenic phosphoinositide-3-kinase/Akt/eNOS cascade. The NO supplementation strategies rescued defective angiogenesis and salvaged limbs in SKO mice after femoral artery resection.

Conclusions:

Our study shows for the first time downregulation of S100A1 expression in patients with critical limb ischemia and identifies S100A1 as critical for EC function in postnatal ischemic angiogenesis. These findings link its pathological plasticity in critical limb ischemia to impaired neovascularization, prompting further studies to probe the microvascular therapeutic potential of S100A1.
Vascular Injury Triggers Krüppel-Like Factor 6 Mobilization and Cooperation With Specificity Protein 1 to Promote Endothelial Activation Through Upregulation of the Activin Receptor-Like Kinase 1 Gene
Authors: Garrido-Martín Eva M. , Blanco Francisco J. , Roquè Mercé , Novensà Laura , Tarocchi Mirko , Lang Ursula E. , Suzuki Toru , Friedman Scott L. , Botella Luisa M. , Bernabéu Carmelo
Published: October 2012

Rationale:

Activin receptor-like kinase-1 (ALK1) is an endothelial transforming growth factor β receptor involved in angiogenesis. ALK1 expression is high in the embryo vasculature, becoming less detectable in the quiescent endothelium of adult stages. However, ALK1 expression becomes rapidly increased after angiogenic stimuli such as vascular injury.

Objective:

To characterize the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of ALK1 on vascular injury.

Methods and Results:

Alk1 becomes strongly upregulated in endothelial (EC) and vascular smooth muscle cells of mouse femoral arteries after wire-induced endothelial denudation. In vitro denudation of monolayers of human umbilical vein ECs also leads to an increase in ALK1. Interestingly, a key factor in tissue remodeling, Krüppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) translocates to the cell nucleus during wound healing, concomitantly with an increase in the ALK1 gene transcriptional rate. KLF6 knock down in human umbilical vein ECs promotes ALK1 mRNA downregulation. Moreover,
Klf6
+/−
mice have lower levels of Alk1 in their vasculature compared with their wild-type siblings. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays show that KLF6 interacts with ALK1 promoter in ECs, and this interaction is enhanced during wound healing. We demonstrate that KLF6 is transactivating ALK1 gene, and this transactivation occurs by a synergistic cooperative mechanism with specificity protein 1. Finally, Alk1 levels in vascular smooth muscle cells are not directly upregulated in response to damage, but in response to soluble factors, such as interleukin 6, released from ECs after injury.

Conclusions:

ALK1 is upregulated in ECs during vascular injury by a synergistic cooperative mechanism between KLF6 and specificity protein 1, and in vascular smooth muscle cells by an EC–vascular smooth muscle cell paracrine communication during vascular remodeling.
Institutional Determinants of New Firm Entry in Russia: A Cross-Regional Analysis
Authors: Bruno Randolph Luca , Bytchkova Maria , Estrin Saul
Published: October 2012

We investigate how the regional institutional environment—in particular, the political environment—affects Russian new firm entry across regions, industries, firm size classes, and time. We find that entry rates in Russia are explained by natural entry rates and the institutional environment. Industries that are characterized by low entry barriers in developed market economies are found to have lower entry rates in regions subject to greater political fluidity, as in the case of gubernatorial change. We also find that higher levels of political fluidity and democracy increase relative entry rates for small-sized firms but reduce them for medium-sized or large ones.
Remittances Deteriorate Governance
Authors: Ahmed Faisal Z.
Published: October 2012

I use a natural experiment of oil-price-driven remittance flows to poor, non-oil-producing Muslim countries to demonstrate that remittances deteriorate the quality of governance, especially in countries with weak democratic institutions. The results indicate that a 1 standard deviation increase in remittances raises corruption by 1.5 index points (on a 6-point scale), which is equivalent to a [dollar]600 decrease in per capita GDP. Concomitantly, remittances may enable governments to reduce their delivery of public services (for example, health care, school enrollment). The results suggest that political institutions may mediate the potentially beneficial socioeconomic effects of remittance inflows.
Crime and Immigration: Evidence from Large Immigrant Waves
Authors: Bell Brian , Fasani Francesco , Machin Stephen
Published: October 2012

This paper focuses on empirical connections between crime and immigration, studying two large waves of recent U.K. immigration (the late 1990s/early 2000s asylum seekers and the post-2004 inflow from EU accession countries). The first wave led to a modest but significant rise in property crime, while the second wave had a small negative impact. There was no effect on violent crime; arrest rates were not different, and changes in crime cannot be ascribed to crimes against immigrants. The findings are consistent with the notion that differences in labor market opportunities of different migrant groups shape their potential impact on crime.
Match Quality, Worker Productivity, and Worker Mobility: Direct Evidence from Teachers
Authors: Jackson C. Kirabo
Published: October 2012

I investigate the importance of the match between teachers and schools for student achievement. I show that teacher effectiveness increases after a move to a different school and estimate teacher-school match effects. Match quality explains away a quarter of and has two-thirds the explanatory power of teacher quality. Match quality is negatively correlated with school switching, is unrelated to exit, and increases with experience. This paper provides the first estimates of worker-firm match quality using output data, as opposed to inferring productivity from wages or employment durations. The results suggest that workers seek high-quality matches for reasons other than higher pay.
Peer Effects and Multiple Equilibria in the Risky Behavior of Friends
Authors: Card David , Giuliano Laura
Published: October 2012

We study social interactions in the initiation of sex and other risky behaviors by best friend pairs in the Add Health panel. Focusing on friends with minimal experience at the baseline interview, we estimate bivariate ordered-choice models that include both peer effects and unobserved heterogeneity. We find significant peer effects in sexual initiation: the likelihood of initiating intercourse within a year increases by almost 5 percentage points (on an 11% base rate) if one's friend also initiates intercourse. Similar effects are present for smoking, marijuana use, and truancy. We find larger effects for females and important asymmetries in nonreciprocated friendships.
Suitability and acceptability of computerised cognitive behaviour therapy for anxiety disorders in secondary care
Authors: Carter Frances A , Bell Caroline J , Colhoun Helen C
Published: October 2012

Objective:

To evaluate the suitability and acceptability of computerised cognitive behaviour therapy (CCBT).

Method:

Participants were patients who had been referred to a secondary care service in the usual manner, and then offered participation in a randomised controlled trial comparing the efficacy of CCBT with a control condition (waitlist) for patients with a current primary diagnosis of generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder or social phobia. Data were collected regarding the recruitment and retention of patients, and patient ratings (anchored Likert scales) of treatment credibility, treatment satisfaction, treatment acceptability and telephone support.

Results:

A total of 1141 referrals were received by the secondary care service. Of the 1141, 748 (66%) were not suitable for the study, 178 (16%) declined to participate and 127 (11%) were not contactable. Therefore, of the 1141 patients referred to the secondary care service, only 88 patients (8%) were eligible and consenting for the study. The single most common reason for patients not being suitable for the study was that the referral was urgent. In a clinical setting where CCBT could be used alongside clinical management, many of these patients may have been suitable for CCBT. Of the patients randomised to treatment ( n = 40), 65% completed treatment. Drop-out rates were not significantly different across diagnostic groups. The single most commonly cited reason for not completing treatment was ‘too busy’. Patient ratings of treatment were typically favourable (credibility, satisfaction, acceptability and telephone support).

Conclusions:

CCBT was typically rated favourably by patients referred to a secondary care service and randomised to treatment. However, only a small minority of patients was eligible and consenting for the trial. Therefore, while CCBT may be an acceptable treatment, its suitability for secondary care settings remains unclear.
Bridging the gap from evidence to policy and practice: Reducing the progression to metabolic syndrome for children and adolescents on antipsychotic medication
Authors: Eapen Valsamma , Shiers David , Curtis Jackie
Published: October 2012

Objectives:

For children and adolescents, the adverse effects from antipsychotic medicines exaggerate the already considerable burden of having a serious mental illness. Many of these young people face a future not only limited by stigmatizing psychiatric illness but also a life restricted and shortened by physical ill-health, particularly cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes. This review focuses on bridging the current gap between available evidence and practice guidelines and policies.

Method:

Following an extensive literature search, key papers focusing on the evidence of the nature and occurrence of metabolic morbidity in children and adolescents following the use of antipsychotic medication were included.

Results:

There is growing evidence to suggest that some of the key antecedents of metabolic syndrome occur soon after diagnosis and initiation of antipsychotic medication, and they accumulate over time.

Conclusion:

While guidelines and policies around the monitoring of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents with mental illness receiving antipsychotic medication are limited, an opportunity lies in altering the trajectory towards cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes by early recognition and intervention to reduce cardiometabolic risk rather than waiting until disease end-points are reached later in life.
In search of a transnational capitalist class: Alternative methods for comparing director interlocks within and between nations and regions
Authors: Burris Val , Staples Clifford L
Published: October 2012

Theorists of globalization have hypothesized the emergence of a transnational capitalist class that is becoming increasingly integrated across national borders. One method of evaluating this hypothesis has been to apply network analysis to study the frequency and pattern of transnational ties within global interlocking directorates. The results of such studies are mixed, both as regards the extent of transnational interlocking and its regional distribution. In an effort to resolve this ambiguity and advance the state of research in this area we undertake two main tasks. First, we submit the prevailing methodology used in such studies to a critical evaluation in which we identify and address some of its theoretical and methodological limitations. Second, we introduce and illustrate three alternative methods for assessing the extent and pattern of global interlocking directorates. Each method conceptualizes transnational interlocking in a slightly different manner and brings different aspects of the process into focus. Despite these differences, all four methods point to the conclusion that a transnational capitalist class is very far from being realized on a global scale. On the other hand, the combined evidence is much stronger and relatively consistent for the emergence of a more circumscribed transnational capitalist class, centered in the North Atlantic region, which has made significant strides in transcending national divisions within and between Europe and North America.
Attitudes toward achievement motivation among Kuwaiti social workers
Authors: Ashkanani Hadi Ridha
Published: October 2012

The following is an exploratory study of the attitudes toward achievement motivation among Kuwaiti social workers. A number of factors are explored, including attitudes toward collaboration and its relationship to achievement. No studies have been conducted in Kuwait regarding factors of motivation and collaboration among social workers in different organizations, or its relation to their achievement. Participants were a convenience sample of 313 social workers from various institutions in Kuwait. Results of the study indicated that years of experience, age, and number of children correlated positively with the social worker motivation towards achievement. Additionally attitude toward collaboration, number of children, and income were significant predictors of social worker achievement motivation. Suggestions for future research are discussed.
Family Factors and Mediators of Substance Use Among African American Adolescents
Authors: Clark Trenette T. , Nguyen Anh B.
Published: October 2012

This study uses a sample of 424 African American 8th- and 12th-grade students (mean age = 16.55; 65.1% girls) in the United States to examine how family protective factors explain cultural and school protective factors that prevent substance use. Questionnaires were administered between 2007 and 2009. Using structural equation modeling, results indicated that cultural and school factors partially mediated the relationship between family factors and lifetime substance use. School factors fully mediated the relationship between cultural factors and lifetime substance use. The findings suggest that parents promote cultural attributes, which in turn promotes school achievement, and in turn contributes to lower substance use. Limitations of the study, and implications for future research and prevention programs are discussed.
Personal Museums of Memory
Authors: Martin-Jones David , Montañez María Soledad
Published: October 2012

Two Uruguayan documentaries, Al pie del árbol blanco (2007) and El círculo (2008), engage with the process of uncovering or recovering the recent past under military rule in Uruguay (1973–1985). Rather than following the established documentary convention of deploying archival footage, both films use a variety of cinematographic techniques to depict present-day places in an effort to reconstruct links between the past and the present. Contextualized in relation to the recent construction of museums of memory in the public sphere in countries such as Uruguay and Argentina, these documentaries construct two very personal virtual (in the sense of cinematic rather than physical) “museums of memory.” In this way they illustrate how individual attempts to reconstruct the lost past can fill in the gaps in official recollections of history.

Dos documentales uruguayos, Al pie del árbol blanco (2007) y El círculo (2008) abordan el proceso de descubrimiento y recuperación del pasado reciente bajo mando militar en el Uruguay (1973 -1985). En vez de seguir convenciones establecidas en el documental desplegando metraje de archivo, ambas películas usan una variedad de técnicas cinematográficas para representar lugares actuales en un esfuerzo para reconstruir vínculos entre el pasado y el presente. En el contexto relacionado con la construcción de museos de la memoria en el ámbito público en países como el Uruguay y la Argentina, estos documentales construyen dos muy personales “museos virtuales (en el sentido cinematográfico al opuesto del físico) de la memoria.” De modo de que ilustran cómo es que los esfuerzos individuales para reconstruir un pasado perdido llenan los vacíos en el recuerdo oficial de la historia.
Quantitative Histopathological Assessment of Retardation of Islets of Langerhans Degeneration in Rosiglitazone-dosed Obese ZDF Rats Using Combined Insulin and Collagens (I and III) Immunohistochemistry with Automated Image Analysis and Statistical Modeling
Authors: Jones Huw B. , Bigley Alison L. , Pemberton John , Randall Kevin J.
Published: October 2012

Islets of Langerhans represent a heterogeneous population in insulin resistant and diabetic animals and humans as histological appearances and function vary substantially. Mathematical representation that reflects this morphological diversity will assist in assessment of degeneration and regeneration, enabling comparisons between species, strains, and experimental investigations. Our investigative approach used a model of islet degeneration in diabetic male obese Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats and evaluated its prevention using rosiglitazone treatment. Immunohistochemical staining (insulin and collagens I/III) with automated image analysis reliably measured numbers, area, clustering, and staining intensity of β-cells and degree of islet fibrosis. Finite mixture mathematical modeling for the joint probability distribution of seven islet parameters to represent islet numerical data variation provided an automatic procedure for islet category allocations as normal or abnormal. Allocations for obese ZDF controls and rosiglitazone-treated animals were significantly different, with no significant difference between the latter and lean ZDF controls, indicative of differences within islet populations of individual animals, between lean and obese rat strains and following drug treatment. Islet morphology showed clear association with mathematical characterization. Information on islet morphology obtained by histopathological assessment of single pancreatic tissue sections was confirmed by this method showing drug-induced retardation of islet of Langerhans degeneration.
Walls, Segregating Downtown Cairo and the Mohammed Mahmud Street Graffiti
Authors: Abaza Mona
Published: October 2012

This article explores the recent urban transformations of downtown Cairo, in particular around the area of Mohammed Mahmud Street and Tahrir Square, after a year and a half of violent confrontations between the protesters and the military junta. The article first looks at how these confrontations led to the segregation of the city through the use of buffer-concrete walls, army tanks, check-points and barbed-wire barricades that made life for its inhabitants impossible. The squeezing of Tahrir and its surroundings created mostly a delineated and restricted war zone. This was undertaken after a series of killings and massacres took place. The article reflects upon the explosion of sardonic graffiti and epic murals that followed these events as a vibrant expression of dissenting street art, as well as the creation of a memorial space.
A hemolysis study of an intravascular blood cooling system for localized organ tissue cooling
Authors: Merrill TL , Mingin T , Merrill DR , Botbyl J , Akers JE
Published: October 2012

Therapeutic hypothermia can reduce both ischemic and reperfusion injury arising after strokes and heart attacks. New localized organ cooling systems offer a way to reduce tissue damage more effectively with fewer side effects. To assess initial blood safety of our new organ cooling system, the CoolGuide Cooling System (CCS), we investigated safe operating conditions and configurations from a hemolysis perspective. The CCS consists of a peristaltic pump, a custom-built external heat exchanger, a chiller, biocompatible polyvinyl cellulose (PVC) tubing, and a control console. The CCS cools and circulates autologous blood externally and re-delivers cooled blood to the patient through a conventional catheter inserted directly into the organ at risk. Catheter configurations used included: a 7F guide catheter only, a 7F guide with a 0.038” wire inserted through the center and advanced 2 cm distal to the catheter distal tip, a 6F guide catheter only and a 6F guide with a 0.014” guidewire similarly inserted through the center. Using porcine blood, an in vitro test rig was used to measure the degree of hemolysis generation, defined as the percentage change in free hemoglobin, adjusted for total hemoglobin and hematocrit, between exiting and entering blood. The highest degree of hemolysis generation was 0.11±0.04%, based on the average behavior with a 6F catheter and a 0.014” guidewire configuration at a blood flow rate of approximately 130 mL/min. In terms of average percentage free hemoglobin exiting the system, based on total hemoglobin, the highest value measured was 0.17%±0.03%, using this 6F and 0.014” guidewire configuration. This result is significantly below the most stringent European guideline of 0.8% used for blood storage and transfusion. This study provides initial evidence showing hemolysis generation arising from the CoolGuide Cooling System is likely to be clinically insignificant.
The influence of stress, optimism, and music training on music uses and preferences
Authors: Getz Laura M. , Marks Stephen , Roy Michael
Published: October 2012

In the present study we examined how different aspects of a person’s life, such as the amount of stress experienced, levels of optimism, and the amount of musical training received, were related to their motives for listening to music (for emotional regulation and/or for cognitive stimulation) and their preferences for what types of music to listen to. Participants ( N = 154) completed surveys measuring stress, optimism, music uses, and music preferences. Results indicate that high stress ratings predicted the use of music for emotional regulation. Additionally, optimistic individuals also tended to use music emotionally, meaning that stress and optimism, though highly negatively correlated, appear to influence uses of music independently. People with more music training followed a different pattern; even though they had higher stress ratings and lower optimism ratings overall, individuals with music training tended to listen to music for cognitive reasons more than for emotional regulation. These findings help us further understand the variables that lead to individual differences in music uses and preferences.
The effects of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by 2,2-bis[4-(acryloxypropoxy)phenyl]propane via caspases in human gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Yang Ming-Ling
Published: October 2012

The toxicity of dental materials has raised public concern over the past years. One of the most commonly used methacrylic monomers for building the three-dimensional structure of the dental resin composites is 2,2-bis[4-(acryloxypropoxy)phenyl]propane (BAPP). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential toxicological implication of BAPP on human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Flow cytometric, fluorometric, and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assays were used to detect the mode of cell death, caspase activities, and cell viability, respectively. In addition, alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (COMET) and cytokinesis block micronucleus (MN) assays were applied to evaluate the genotoxicity. According to the results BAPP demonstrated a cytotoxic effect on HGFs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. With increasing concentrations of BAPP, the mode of cell death shifted from apoptosis to necrosis, and the activities of caspases 3, 8, and 9 were also significantly induced. Moreover, a dose-related increase in the number of micronucleus and DNA strand breaks hinted at the expression of genotoxicity by BAPP. In conclusion, the results gathered from this study had demonstrated that BAPP-induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity on HGFs were mediated by DNA damage and the activation of caspases 3, 8, and 9.
Survey of the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in dairy products marketed in Iran
Authors: Rahimi Ebrahim
Published: October 2012

In this survey the incidence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) contamination in some dairy products collected from the Iran market was investigated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. From February 2011 to February 2012, a total of 200 samples composed of yoghurt (60 samples), cheese (80 samples), and ice-cream (60 samples) showed that 75.5% of the tested samples were contaminated with various levels of AFM1 ranging from 14.3 to 572.1 ng/L. AFM1 was detected in 48 (80.0%) yoghurt samples (ranging from 19.7 to 319.4 ng/L), in 69 (86.3%) chesses samples (ranging from 14.3 to 572.1 ng/L) and in 34 (56.7%) of ice cream samples ranging from (ranging from14.9 to 147.4 ng/L). Eleven of cheese samples (13.8%) and three of yoghurt samples (5.0%) were higher that maximum tolerance limit accepted by European union/codex Alimentarius (250 ng/L). It was concluded that widespread occurrence of AFM1 in cheese samples was considered to be possible hazards for public health especially for children. This study suggests a regular monitoring of AFM1 in milk and milk products in the country.