bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spectrofluorometric Determination of Certain Antihyperlipidemic Agents in Bulk and Pharmaceutical Preparations
Authors: El-Bagary Ramzia I. , ElKady Ehab F. , Kadry Ahmed M.
Published: June 2012

A simple, rapid, and sensitive spectrofluorometric method was developed for the determination of three antihyperlipidemic drugs, namely, rosuvastatin calcium (RSV), ezetimibe (EZE), and pitavastatin calcium (PIT). The method is based on measuring the native fluorescence of the cited drugs at their optimum excitation and emission wavelengths. The fluorescence intensity was measured atλem 362 nm, 309 nm, and 373 nm upon excitation atλex 315 nm, 260 nm, and 245 nm for RSV, EZE, and PIT, respectively. The calibration graphs were linear over the concentration ranges 0.50–10.0, 0.25–4.0, and 0.10–3.00 μg mL−1for RSV, EZE, and PIT, respectively. Besides, a spectrofluorometric method for the simultaneous determination of RSV and EZE was developed. The fluorescence was measured atλem 309 nm for EZE and 432 nm for RSV upon excitation atλex 260 nm for both. The proposed methods were applied to the determination of the cited drugs either in bulk and pharmaceutical preparations.
Synchronization for a Class of Fractional‐Order Hyperchaotic System and Its Application
Authors: Tan Wen , Jiang Feng Ling , Huang Chuang Xia , Zhou Lan
Published: June 2012

A new controller design method is proposed to synchronize the fractional‐order hyperchaotic system through the stability theory of fractional calculus; the synchronization between two identical fractional‐order Chen hyperchaotic systems is realized by designing only two suitable controllers in the response system. Furthermore, this control scheme can be used in secure communication via the technology of chaotic masking using the complex nonperiodic information as trial message, and the useful information can be recovered at the receiver. Numerical simulations coincide with the theoretical analysis.
Spectrophotometric Determination of Carbon Disulphide in the Workplace Air
Authors: Pitschmann V. , Kobliha Z. , Tušarová I.
Published: June 2012

This papre describes a simple method of carbon disulphide determination in the air of working environment in the chemical companies and plants after its absorption into aprotic N,N‐dimethylformamide solvent. Carbon disulphide absorbed into aprotic solvent was transformed by using ammonium hydroxide on sulphides which were determined by spectrophotometry. 5,5′‐Dithiobis(2‐nitrobenzoic acid) and blue tetrazolium chloride were used as chromogenic sensing reagents. Colour‐reducing products were measured at the wavelength of 500, respectively 520 nm. Detection limits for determination of carbon disulphide in the air are 0.2, respectively 0.4 mg·m−3.
Caveolin-1 Increases Aerobic Glycolysis in Colorectal Cancers by Stimulating HMGA1-Mediated GLUT3 Transcription
Authors: Ha Tae-Kyu , Her Nam-Gu , Lee Min-Goo , Ryu Byung-Kyu , Lee Jin-Hee , Han Jikhyon , Jeong Seong-In , Kang Min-Ju , Kim Nam-Hoon , Kim Hyo-Jong , Chi Sung-Gil
Published: June 2012

Caveolin-1 (CAV1) acts as a growth suppressor in various human malignancies, but its expression is elevated in many advanced cancers, suggesting the oncogenic switch of its role during tumor progression. To understand the molecular basis for the growth-promoting function of CAV1, we characterized its expression status, differential roles for tumor growth, and effect on glucose metabolism in colorectal cancers. Abnormal elevation of CAV1 was detected in a substantial fraction of primary tumors and cell lines and tightly correlated with promoter CpG sites hypomethylation. Depletion of elevated CAV1 led to AMPK activation followed by a p53-dependent G1 cell-cycle arrest and autophagy, suggesting that elevated CAV1 may contribute to ATP generation. Furthermore, CAV1 depletion downregulated glucose uptake, lactate accumulation, and intracellular ATP level, supporting that aerobic glycolysis is enhanced by CAV1. Consistently, CAV1 was shown to stimulate GLUT3 transcription via an HMGA1-binding site within the GLUT3 promoter. HMGA1 was found to interact with and activate the GLUT3 promoter and CAV1 increased the HMGA1 activity by enhancing its nuclear localization. Ectopic expression of HMGA1 increased glucose uptake, whereas its knockdown caused AMPK activation. In addition, GLUT3 expression was strongly induced by cotransfection of CAV1 and HMGA1, and its overexpression was observed predominantly in tumors harboring high levels of CAV1 and HMGA1. Together, these data show that elevated CAV1 upregulates glucose uptake and ATP production through HMGA1-mediated GLUT3 transcription, suggesting that CAV1 may render tumor cells growth advantages by enhancing aerobic glycolysis. Cancer Res; 72(16); 4097–109. ©2012 AACR.
Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase p110α Is a Master Regulator of Exercise-Induced Cardioprotection and PI3K Gene Therapy Rescues Cardiac Dysfunction
Authors: Weeks Kate L. , Gao Xiaoming , Du Xiao-Jun , Boey Esther J.H. , Matsumoto Aya , Bernardo Bianca C. , Kiriazis Helen , Cemerlang Nelly , Tan Joon Win , Tham Yow Keat , Franke Thomas F. , Qian Hongwei , Bogoyevitch Marie A. , Woodcock Elizabeth A. , Febbraio Mark A. , Gregorevic Paul , McMullen Julie R.
Published: June 2012

Background—

Numerous molecular and biochemical changes have been linked with the cardioprotective effects of exercise, including increases in antioxidant enzymes, heat shock proteins, and regulators of cardiac myocyte proliferation. However, a master regulator of exercise-induced protection has yet to be identified. Here, we assess whether phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) p110α is essential for mediating exercise-induced cardioprotection, and if so, whether its activation independent of exercise can restore function of the failing heart.

Methods and Results—

Cardiac-specific transgenic (Tg) mice with elevated or reduced PI3K(p110α) activity (constitutively active PI3K [caPI3K] and dominant negative PI3K, respectively) and non-Tg controls were subjected to 4 weeks of exercise training followed by 1 week of pressure overload (aortic-banding) to induce pathological remodeling. Aortic-banding in untrained non-Tg controls led to pathological cardiac hypertrophy, depressed systolic function, and lung congestion. This phenotype was attenuated in non-Tg controls that had undergone exercise before aortic-banding. Banded caPI3K mice were protected from pathological remodeling independent of exercise status, whereas exercise provided no protection in banded dominant negative PI3K mice, suggesting that PI3K is necessary for exercise-induced cardioprotection. Tg overexpression of heat shock protein 70 could not rescue the phenotype of banded dominant negative PI3K mice, and deletion of heat shock protein 70 from banded caPI3K mice had no effect. Next, we used a gene therapy approach (recombinant adeno-associated viral vector 6) to deliver caPI3K expression cassettes to hearts of mice with established cardiac dysfunction caused by aortic-banding. Mice treated with recombinant adeno-associated viral 6-caPI3K vectors had improved heart function after 10 weeks.

Conclusions—

PI3K(p110α) is essential for exercise-induced cardioprotection and delivery of caPI3K vector can improve function of the failing heart.
Exercise Hemodynamics in Patients With and Without Diastolic Dysfunction and Preserved Ejection Fraction After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Andersen Mads J. , Ersbøll Mads , Bro-Jeppesen John , Gustafsson Finn , Hassager Christian , Køber Lars , Borlaug Barry A. , Boesgaard Søren , Kjærgaard Jasper , Møller Jacob E.
Published: June 2012

Background—

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (DD) is common after myocardial infarction (MI) despite preservation of left ventricular ejection fraction, yet it remains unclear how or whether DD affects cardiac hemodynamics with stress.

Methods and Results—

Invasive hemodynamic exercise testing was performed in 46 patients with a recent MI and left ventricular ejection fraction >45% and in 10 healthy volunteers. MI patients were enrolled prospectively and divided into those with DD (MI+DD; left atrial volume index >34 mL/m
2
and diastolic E/e′ ratio>8; n=35) and those without DD (MI–DD; left atrial volume index <34 mL/m
2
and E/e′ ratio<8; n=11). All underwent a supine cycle ergometer test with simultaneous right heart catheterization and echocardiography. At rest, 10 patients in MI+DD (29%) had pulmonary capillary wedge pressure >15 (14±4 mm Hg), whereas none of the MI−DD (10±2 mm Hg) or controls (9±2 mm Hg) displayed pulmonary capillary wedge pressure elevation (
P
=0.03). During exercise, an abnormal rise in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (>25 mm Hg) was observed in 94% of MI+DD (36±6 mm Hg) compared with 36% of MI−DD (24±6 mm Hg) and none of the controls (16±6 mm Hg;
P
<0.0001). Exercise right atrial pressure was the highest in MI+DD followed by MI−DD and control (15±5 versus 9±4 versus 7±5 mm Hg;
P
<0.001), whereas no difference in cardiac index was found between groups.

Conclusions—

In post-MI patients with preserved ejection fraction and left ventricular DD, cardiac output with exercise is maintained at the expense of substantially increased filling pressure. DD and loss of diastolic reserve may promote progression from stage B to stage C heart failure after MI. (Circ Heart Fail. 2012;5:-451.)
Suppression of Arterial Thrombosis Without Affecting Hemostatic Parameters With a Cell-Penetrating PAR1 Pepducin
Authors: Zhang Ping , Gruber András , Kasuda Shogo , Kimmelstiel Carey , O'Callaghan Katie , Cox Daniel H. , Bohm Andrew , Baleja James D. , Covic Lidija , Kuliopulos Athan
Published: June 2012

Background—

Thrombin-dependent platelet activation is heightened in the setting of percutaneous coronary intervention and may cause arterial thrombosis with consequent myocardial necrosis. Given the high incidence of adverse effects in patients with acute coronary syndromes, there remains an unmet need for the development of new therapeutics that target platelet activation without unduly affecting hemostasis. The thrombin receptor, PAR1, has recently emerged as a promising new target for therapeutic intervention in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Methods and Results—

We report the development of a first-in-class intracellular PAR1 inhibitor with optimized pharmacokinetic properties for use during percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndromes. PZ-128 is a cell-penetrating pepducin inhibitor of PAR1 that targets the receptor–G-protein interface on the inside surface of platelets. The structure of PZ-128 closely resembles the predicted off-state of the corresponding juxtamembrane region of the third intracellular loop of PAR1. The onset of action of PZ-128 was rapid and suppressed PAR1 aggregation and arterial thrombosis in guinea pigs and baboons and strongly synergized with oral clopidogrel. There was full recovery of platelet function by 24 hours. Importantly, PZ-128 had no effect on bleeding or coagulation parameters in primates or in blood from patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Conclusions—

Based on the efficacy data in nonhuman primates with no noted adverse effects on hemostasis, we anticipate that the rapid onset of platelet inhibition and reversible properties of PZ-128 are well suited to the acute interventional setting of percutaneous coronary intervention and may provide an alternative to long-acting small-molecule inhibitors of PAR1.
Nucleotide Excision DNA Repair Is Associated With Age-Related Vascular Dysfunction
Authors: Durik Matej , Kavousi Maryam , van der Pluijm Ingrid , Isaacs Aaron , Cheng Caroline , Verdonk Koen , Loot Annemarieke E. , Oeseburg Hisko , Bhaggoe Usha Musterd , Leijten Frank , van Veghel Richard , de Vries René , Rudez Goran , Brandt Renata , Ridwan Yanto R. , van Deel Elza D. , de Boer Martine , Tempel Dennie , Fleming Ingrid , Mitchell Gary F. , Verwoert Germaine C. , Tarasov Kirill V. , Uitterlinden Andre G. , Hofman Albert , Duckers Henricus J. , van Duijn Cornelia M. , Oostra Ben A. , Witteman Jacqueline C.M. , Duncker Dirk J. , Danser A.H. Jan , Hoeijmakers Jan H. , Roks Anton J.M.
Published: June 2012

Background

Vascular dysfunction in atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus, as observed in the aging population of developed societies, is associated with vascular DNA damage and cell senescence. We hypothesized that cumulative DNA damage during aging contributes to vascular dysfunction.

Methods and Results

In mice with genomic instability resulting from the defective nucleotide excision repair genes
ERCC1
and
XPD
(

Ercc1
d/−
and Xpd
TTD

mice), we explored age-dependent vascular function compared with that in wild-type mice.

Ercc1
d/−

mice showed increased vascular cell senescence, accelerated development of vasodilator dysfunction, increased vascular stiffness, and elevated blood pressure at a very young age. The vasodilator dysfunction was due to decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase levels and impaired smooth muscle cell function, which involved phosphodiesterase activity. Similar to

Ercc1
d/−

mice, age-related endothelium-dependent vasodilator dysfunction in

Xpd
TTD

animals was increased. To investigate the implications for human vascular disease, we explored associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms of selected nucleotide excision repair genes and arterial stiffness within the AortaGen Consortium and found a significant association of a single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs2029298) in the putative promoter region of DDB2 gene with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity.

Conclusions

Mice with genomic instability recapitulate age-dependent vascular dysfunction as observed in animal models and in humans but with an accelerated progression compared with wild-type mice. In addition, we found associations between variations in human DNA repair genes and markers for vascular stiffness, which is associated with aging. Our study supports the concept that genomic instability contributes importantly to the development of cardiovascular disease.
Tree-Ring-Reconstructed Summer Temperatures from Northwestern North America during the Last Nine Centuries*
Authors: Anchukaitis Kevin J. , D’Arrigo Rosanne D. , Andreu-Hayles Laia , Frank David , Verstege Anne , Curtis Ashley , Buckley Brendan M. , Jacoby Gordon C. , Cook Edward R.
Published: June 2012

Northwestern North America has one of the highest rates of recent temperature increase in the world, but the putative “divergence problem” in dendroclimatology potentially limits the ability of tree-ring proxy data at high latitudes to provide long-term context for current anthropogenic change. Here, summer temperatures are reconstructed from a Picea glauca maximum latewood density (MXD) chronology that shows a stable relationship to regional temperatures and spans most of the last millennium at the Firth River in northeastern Alaska. The warmest epoch in the last nine centuries is estimated to have occurred during the late twentieth century, with average temperatures over the last 30 yr of the reconstruction developed for this study [1973–2002 in the Common Era (CE)] approximately 1.3° ± 0.4°C warmer than the long-term preindustrial mean (1100–1850 CE), a change associated with rapid increases in greenhouse gases. Prior to the late twentieth century, multidecadal temperature fluctuations covary broadly with changes in natural radiative forcing. The findings presented here emphasize that tree-ring proxies can provide reliable indicators of temperature variability even in a rapidly warming climate.
Back to basics: Informing the public of co-morbid physical health problems in those with mental illness
Authors: Ahire Mrinalini , Sheridan Judith , Regbetz Shane , Stacey Phillip , Scott James G
Published: June 2012

Objective:

Those with mental illness are at increased risk of physical health problems. The current study aimed to examine the information available online to the Australian public about the increased risk and consequences of physical illness in those with mental health problems and the services available to address these co-morbidities.

Methods:

A structured online search was conducted with the search engine Google Australia ( www.google.com.au ) using generic search terms ‘mental health information Australia’, ‘mental illness information Australia’, ‘depression’, ‘anxiety’, and ‘psychosis’. The direct content of websites was examined for information on the physical co-morbidities of mental illness. All external links on high-profile websites [the first five websites retrieved under each search term ( n = 25)] were examined for information pertaining to physical health.

Results:

Only 4.2% of websites informing the public about mental health contained direct content information about the increased risk of physical co-morbidities. The Australian Government’s Department of Health and Ageing site did not contain any information. Of the high-profile websites, 62% had external links to resources about physical health and 55% had recommendations or resources for physical health. Most recommendations were generic.

Conclusions:

Relative to the seriousness of this problem, there is a paucity of information available to the public about the increased physical health risks associated with mental illness. Improved public awareness is the starting point of addressing this health inequity.
Classroom Learning Environment Differences Between Resilient, Average, and Nonresilient Middle School Students in Reading
Authors: Padrón Yolanda N. , Waxman Hersh C. , Lee Yuan-Hsuan
Published: June 2012

The lack of achievement of students from high-risk and high-poverty environments necessitates changes in today’s middle school environments to create a caring, supportive environment where all middle school students can succeed. This study investigated the classroom learning environments of resilient, average, and nonresilient minority students in middle school reading classrooms. A total of 1,295 seventh- and eighth-grade minority students were administered an adapted version of the My Class Inventory. The results revealed that resilient students had more positive perceptions of their reading class than average and nonresilient students. On the other hand, nonresilient students perceived their reading class to be more difficult and have more friction than average and resilient students. Further research is needed in this area that examines specific ways that teachers can improve the learning environments for nonresilient students without diminishing the more supportive learning environment that currently exists for other students in their classes.
Panel Design Variations in the Multistage Test Using the Mixed-Format Tests
Authors: Kim Jiseon , Chung Hyewon , Dodd Barbara G. , Park Ryoungsun
Published: June 2012

This study compared various panel designs of the multistage test (MST) using mixed-format tests in the context of classification testing. Simulations varied the design of the first-stage module. The first stage was constructed according to three levels of test information functions (TIFs) with three different TIF centers. Additional computerized adaptive test (CAT) conditions provided baseline comparisons. Three passing rate conditions were also included. The various MST conditions using mixed-format tests were constructed properly and performed well. When the levels of TIFs at the first stage were higher, the simulations produced a greater number of correct classifications. CAT with the randomesque-10 procedure yielded comparable results to the MST with increased levels of TIFs. Finally, all MST conditions achieved better test security results compared with CAT’s maximum information conditions.
Older professional workers and continuous learning in new capitalism
Authors: Fenwick Tara
Published: June 2012

Amidst projected shortages of skilled workers, policy measures to retain older workers in employment include increasing their participation in learning. However, the few studies produced to date examining older workers’ learning suggest complexities not recognized in human capital conceptions of skill development and assumptions of declining seniors’ participation. To build on these studies, particularly in older professionals’ learning, which has received little attention despite concerns regarding professional transitions in a knowledge economy, this article examines older professionals’ approaches to and conceptions of learning. The study involved 816 accountants’ survey responses and 60 interviews with older (50+) Certified Management Accountants in Canada. Far from withdrawing from learning, these older professionals are particularly focused in what, when and how they engage. Their enactments are complex, and demonstrate ambivalences related to discourses of both age and learning. More fundamentally, they negotiate the various pressures associated with new capitalism strategically: deliberately complying with some, refusing others, and generally resisting subjectification either as excluded ‘older workers’ or as continuous learners.
Does It Matter Where You Read the News Story? Interaction of Incivility and News Frames in the Political Blogosphere
Authors: Borah Porismita
Published: June 2012

The political blogosphere is replete with uncivil discussions and is apt to examine the influence of incivility on news frames. The present study brings in literature from incivility and framing effects and uses two experiments to examine the influence of incivility on news frames for democratic outcomes such as willingness to participate, online participation, openmindedness, and attitude certainty. Primary findings indicate the detrimental effects of incivility causing less openmindedness and more attitude certainty. At the same time, incivility causes more willingness to participate and online participation. More importantly, the findings demonstrate how incivility interacts with news frames. Implications for news framing effects in the social media landscape are discussed.
The American Way of Land Use
Authors: Carruthers John I. , Hepp Selma , Knaap Gerrit-Jan , Renner Robert N.
Published: June 2012

This article examines the ability of proportional hazard models to evaluate changes in land use through time. There are three specific objectives: (a) to review previous research on the complexity of urbanization and explain how the spatial hazard framework accommodates that complexity; (b); to estimate a series of spatial hazard models characterizing land use in the twenty-five highest growth core-based statistical areas (CBSAs) of the United States in 1990, 2000, and 2006; and (c) to use the estimation results to track land use change region-by-region over the 16-year time frame. Overall, the analysis reveals that the spatial hazard framework offers a highly effective means of describing land use change. Along the way, it also illustrates that the classic model of urbanization continues to hold in an evermore-complex world—albeit, in an explicitly uncertain and inherently probabilistic manner.
A Schumpeterian Model of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Regional Economic Growth
Authors: Batabyal Amitrajeet A. , Nijkamp Peter
Published: June 2012

The authors provide the first theoretical analysis of a one-sector, discrete-time, Schumpeterian model of growth in a regional economy in which consumers are risk neutral, there is no population growth, monopolistic entrepreneurs produce intermediate goods, and a single consumption good is produced competitively. The authors' analysis generates several new results. In the deterministic model, R&D in time t surely leads to an innovation in time t + 1. In this setting, the authors show that relative to the balanced growth path (BGP) equilibrium, the social planner always allocates more labor to R&D and hence achieves a larger size of innovation and a higher growth rate. Next, in the stochastic model, R&D in time t probabilistically leads to an innovation in time t + 1. In this setting, the authors first define the equilibrium and the steady state BGP allocations. Second, the authors generalize the notion of the steady state and determine the number of unemployed workers. Third, the authors show that the regional economy experiences bursts of unemployment followed by periods of full employment. Finally, the authors show that a decline in the time discount rate increases the average growth rate and the average unemployment.
Preschooler’s faces in spontaneous emotional contexts—how well do they match adult facial expression prototypes?
Authors: Gaspar Augusta , Esteves Francisco G.
Published: June 2012

Prototypical facial expressions of emotion, also known as universal facial expressions, are the underpinnings of most research concerning recognition of emotions in both adults and children. Data on natural occurrences of these prototypes in natural emotional contexts are rare and difficult to obtain in adults. By recording naturalistic observations targeted at emotional contexts in day-to-day kindergarten activities, we investigated the spontaneous facial behavior of 3-year-old children in order to explore associations between context and facial activity and verify the degree of matching between the well-known adult prototypes and facial configurations actually produced by children. When taken individually, most facial actions matched those that comprise the respective emotion prototypical face, but full facial configurations with all characteristic facial actions were scarce but for joy.
Stigmatization and Promotive Factors in Relation to Psychological Health and Life Satisfaction of Adolescents in Planned Lesbian Families
Authors: van Gelderen Loes , Gartrell Nanette N. , Bos Henny M. W. , Hermanns Jo M. A.
Published: June 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate whether stigmatization was associated with psychological adjustment in adolescents from planned lesbian families and, if so, to examine whether individual and interpersonal promotive factors influenced this association. Seventy-eight adolescents (39 girls, 39 boys; mean age = 17.05 years) completed an online questionnaire about psychological health problems and life satisfaction. In addition, information was obtained about androgynous personality traits (an individual factor) of the adolescents. The adolescents were also queried about family compatibility and peer group fit (two interpersonal factors). Hierarchical multiple-regression analyses revealed that stigmatization was associated with more psychological health problems and less life satisfaction, but family compatibility and peer group fit ameliorated this. These findings suggest that stigmatization has a negative impact on the psychological adjustment of adolescents with same-sex parents. Interpersonal promotive factors decrease the strength of this association.
Spontaneous Neoplastic Lesions in Control Syrian Hamsters in 6-, 12-, and 24-Month Short-Term and Carcinogenicity Studies
Authors: McInnes Elizabeth F. , Ernst Heinrich , Germann Paul-Georg
Published: June 2012

Male and female Syrian hamsters of the strain Han: AURA from the Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine breeding colony were maintained as control animals for five toxicity/carcinogenicity studies and were examined for the presence of neoplastic disease either when they died or when the study terminated. In total, 250 male animals and 250 female animals in three carcinogenicity studies were analyzed as well as the results of a 6-month study (fifty males and fifty females) and a 12-month study (fifty males and fifty females). In the 24-month studies, in the male animals, twenty-five organs were affected with malignant and benign tumors. In the female animals, twenty-four organs were affected with malignant and benign tumors. The most frequently affected tissue in the three 24-month studies was the adrenal gland where 141 cortical adenomas (56.4%) were noted in 250 male animals and 115 cortical adenomas (46%) noted in 250 female animals. In addition, a high incidence of squamous cell papilloma in the vagina was noted in female hamsters on the 24-month studies. A moderate incidence of squamous cell papilloma of the nonglandular forestomach, benign granulosa cell tumor of the ovary, lymphoma of the hemopoietic system, endometrial stromal polyp, and adenocarcinoma of the uterus and islet cell adenoma of the pancreas were also observed on the 24-month studies.
A Systematic Review of the Endoscopic Repair of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks
Authors: Psaltis Alkis J. , Schlosser Rodney J. , Banks Caroline A. , Yawn James , Soler Zachary M.
Published: June 2012

Objectives

To provide an up‐to‐date review of the literature on the safety and efficacy of the endoscopic technique for cerebrospinal (CSF) leak repairs.

Data Sources

PubMed, Medline/Old Medline, and Cochrane Central databases.

Review Methods

Using the above outlined data sources, studies involving the endoscopic repair of CSF leaks were reviewed independently by 2 researchers. Studies included met the following criteria: full‐text article written in the English language, at least 5 human patients undergoing purely endoscopic surgical repair of a CSF leak, and documented follow‐up. Data extracted included leak etiology, presentation and location, the use of imaging, intrathecal fluorescein, and adjunctive measures as well as the success rate of the repair.

Results

Fifty‐five studies, involving 1778 fistulae repairs, were included for analysis. Spontaneous leaks were most prevalent, with the ethmoid roof and sphenoid the most common sites involved. The overall success rate of repair was high at 90% for primary and 97% for secondary repairs. A low complication rate of less than 0.03% was reported.

Conclusion

The endoscopic repair of CSF fistula is both safe and effective and should be considered the standard of care for most cases. Evidence supporting adjunctive measures such as lumbar drains and antibiotics remains limited despite their common use.
‘It makes me feel that I’m still relevant’: A qualitative study of the views of nursing home residents on dignity therapy and taking part in a phase II randomised controlled trial of a palliative care psychotherapy
Authors: Hall Sue , Goddard Cassie , Speck Peter , Higginson Irene J
Published: June 2012

Background:

Trials of dignity therapy (a palliative care psychotherapy) have shown self-reported benefits for participants from taking part, although more so in intervention than control groups. However, the sources of these benefits are unknown.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to explore and compare participants’ views on taking part in a mixed methods phase II randomised controlled trial of dignity therapy.

Design:

This was a qualitative study, using the framework approach to the analysis.

Setting/participants:

It involved residents, aged 65+, with no major cognitive impairment, living in one of 15 nursing/care homes in London, UK (49 residents at 1-week follow-up, 36 residents at 8-week follow-up).

Results:

Residents’ views were represented in nine themes, and three of these themes were evident only in the intervention group: views on the generativity document; generativity; and reminiscence. Six themes were evident in both groups: refocusing; making a contribution; interaction with the researcher or therapist; diversion; not helping with their problems; and cognitive impairment. Our findings support some of the proposed mechanisms of action for this palliative care intervention (pride, hopefulness, care tenor) but also draw attention to some of the potential problems of delivering the intervention. We show how residents could benefit from taking part in research, regardless of whether or not they receive the intended intervention.

Conclusions:

Dignity therapy is likely to be beneficial to some care home residents, albeit the small minority who have the desire and the capacity to engage in such an intervention. Whether or not dignity therapy helps distressed residents, and the most effective way of screening for those who might benefit from it, need to be determined.
The creation of the expected Aboriginal woman drug offender in Canada
Authors: Dell Colleen Anne , Kilty Jennifer M
Published: June 2012

This article illustrates how the Aboriginal female drug user is responded to as an expected offender based on the intersection of her gender, race, and class. Drawing on the findings of a national Canadian study documenting the lived experiences of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit female drug users, we argue that the strengthening of cultural identity can potentially disrupt this expected status at both the individual and social system levels. Within the framework of critical victimology, the challenge then becomes to translate this understanding into praxis. In response, we suggest advancing women’s agency at the individual level in the face of disempowering images and practices related to the offender, the victim, and Aboriginality. For change at the system level, we return to Christie’s notion of the need to dismantle the stereotypical construction of the Aboriginal female drug user. We illustrate both levels of change with an innovative form of knowledge sharing, which aims to evoke transformation with respect to individual and socially constructed conceptualizations of identity.
Victims or offenders
Authors: Marchetti Elena
Published: June 2012

There were 11 Indigenous females who died in custody and whose deaths were investigated by the Australian Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC). The RCIADIC is one of the most comprehensive inquiries conducted about Indigenous Australians, and it is often cited to support the introduction of Australian Indigenous justice policy reforms. This article describes the lives (as both victims and offenders) of the 11 females whose deaths were investigated by the RCIADIC. The inquiry was initially established to examine whether the state’s practices in prisons and watch-houses contributed to the 99 deaths that were investigated. This article documents how the deceased females arguably became invisible as both victims and offenders in favour of the Indigenous males who had died in custody, despite the fact that the inquiry attempted to include a racialized perspective. The article concludes by comparing the recommendations of the Manitoba Aboriginal Justice Inquiry − a Canadian inquiry that took place around the same time as the RCIADIC, and which, at the time, was able to adequately consider the difficulties facing Canadian Aboriginal women when confronted by the Manitoba justice system. This intersectional race and gender analysis illustrates that without proper consideration the needs of racialized women will remain unmet when having to contend with criminal justice and legal processes.
Hippocampal N-acetylaspartate and morning cortisol levels in drug-naive, first-episode patients with major depressive disorder: effects of treatment
Authors: Wang Ying , Jia Yanbin , Chen Xinjian , Ling Xueying , Liu Sirun , Xu Guiyun , Huang Li
Published: June 2012

An excess of glucocorticoids has been associated with hippocampal pathology in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the relationships between depression, hippocampal structure and function, and cortisol levels are unclear, and the effects of antidepressant treatment on the measures are not well studied. For this study, 26 first-episode, treatment-naive, non-late-life adult depressed patients and 13 healthy controls were enrolled. Subjects underwent proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) to obtain metabolite levels from the bilateral hippocampus. Patients with MDD were treated with serotonergic–noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor duloxetine for 12 weeks. After the 12-week period, all subjects with MDD underwent 1H MRS again. Morning serum cortisol levels also were measured both before and after antidepressant treatment. Comparison of baseline values indicated that there were no significant differences in any of the metabolite ratios (N-acetyl aspartate/creatine (NAA/Cr) and choline (Cho)/Cr) in the bilateral hippocampus. After treatment, NAA/Cr ratios increased significantly in the right hippocampus compared with pre-treatment values. There was no correlation between morning serum cortisol levels and bilateral hippocampal NAA/Cr or Cho/Cr in patients with MDD. These findings suggest that there are unaltered hippocampal metabolites in the early stage of MDD. Antidepressant treatment may affect hippocampal NAA levels in patients with MDD. In addition, the results do not support cortisol-mediated hippocampal neurotoxicity as the major etiological mechanism.
Looking at Patients’ Choices through the Lens of Expected Utility
Authors: Russell Louise B. , Schwartz Alan
Published: June 2012

The expected utility framework underlies much research in medical decision making. Because the framework requires decisions to be decomposed into probabilities of states and the values of those states, researchers have investigated the two components separately from each other and from patients’ actual decisions. The authors propose that it would be productive to focus more research on the relationships among risk perceptions, outcome valuations, and choices in the same decision makers. They outline exploratory analyses based on two existing national surveys, the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and the Joint Canada/United States Survey of Health.
Differential effects of cognitive load on university wind students’ practice
Authors: Stambaugh Laura A.
Published: June 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cognitive load during practice on university wind students’ learning. Cognitive load was manipulated through instrument family (woodwind or brass) and the amount of repetition used in practice (highly repetitive or random). University woodwind and valved-brass students ( N = 46) completed two practice sessions and two retention testing sessions. Participants practiced three seven-pitch tasks in either a blocked, repetitive order or in a random order. Performance trials were scored for accuracy, speed and evenness. At 24-hour retention, woodwind players who had practiced in a random order were able to play significantly faster, F(4,80) = 4.448, p = .003, η2 = .15, and more evenly, F(4,80) = 4.464, p = .003, η2 = .16, than woodwind players who had practiced in a blocked order. However, for brass players, blocked practice supported better accuracy, F(4,64) = 3.508, p = .012, η2 = .15, and speed, F(4,64) = 4.489, p = .003, η2 = .18, than random practice. A secondary research question examined participants’ judgment of learning. At the end of the second practice session, participants predicted the tempo they expected to be able to play the tasks at during the 24-hour retention session. A significant correlation between predicted and performed tempo was found for brass players using blocked practice ( r = .360, p = .04).
Measuring monetary policy expectations
Authors: Murik Vijay A
Published: June 2012

We evaluate the accuracy of the fixed-income market in pricing for future movements in monetary policy. Yields implied by market pricing on various fixed-income securities are regressed on returns on the cash rate over corresponding periods. Where the market pricing is subject to risk premia, instrumental variables are used to strip away the effects of the risk premia as if they were measurement errors. When we apply our framework to Australian fixed-income pricing from 2004 to 2010, we find that, consistent with findings in the extant literature, the market is quite effective in forecasting cash rate movements over horizons of up to six months. Beyond that horizon, the presence of risk premia diminishes to a large extent the signal on expectations in market pricing, but our instrumental variables framework suggests, nonetheless, that there is important information in fixed-income market pricing regarding expected cash rate movements over the one to three-year horizon.

JEL Classification: E43, G12
The In Vivo Performance of Osteochondral Allografts in the Goat Is Diminished With Extended Storage and Decreased Cartilage Cellularity
Authors: Pallante Andrea L. , Chen Albert C. , Ball Scott T. , Amiel David , Masuda Koichi , Sah Robert L. , Bugbee William D.
Published: June 2012

Background:

Currently, osteochondral allografts (OCA) are typically used after 4°C storage for prolonged durations (15-43 days), which compromises chondrocyte viability, especially at the articular surface. The long-term in vivo performance of these fresh-stored allografts, in association with variable cellularity, is unknown.

Purpose:

To determine the effect of 4°C storage duration (14, 28 days) versus the best (fresh) and worst (frozen) conditions of chondrocyte viability on structure, composition, and function of cartilage in the goat and the association of retrieved chondrocyte cellularity with those tissue properties.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

The effect of allograft storage on in vivo repair outcomes was determined for OCA transplanted into 15 recipient goats and analyzed at 12 months. Repair outcomes were assessed by examining cartilage structure (gross, histopathology), composition (cellularity by depth, matrix fixed charge), and biomechanical function (stiffness). Relationships between cellularity and structural scores, matrix fixed charge, and stiffness were assessed by linear regression.

Results:

Repair outcomes in 4°C-stored OCA were similar after 14 and 28 days of storage, and both were inferior to fresh OCA and were accompanied by diminished cellularity at the surface, matrix fixed charge, and histopathological structure. Overall, cellularity by depth and matrix fixed charge in cartilage of fresh OCA were similar to nonoperated controls. However, cellularity at the articular surface and matrix fixed charge in 4°C-stored OCA were lower than fresh, by ~55% (95% confidence interval [CI], 32%-76%) and ~20% (CI, 9%-30%), respectively. In frozen OCA, cellularity and matrix fixed charge were lower than 4°C-stored OCA, by ~93% (CI, 88%-99%) and ~22% (CI, 10%-35%), respectively. Cellularity correlated negatively with cartilage health indices, including structural scores, and positively with matrix fixed charge and stiffness.

Conclusion:

Reduced cellularity at the articular surface, resulting from 4°C storage, was associated with variable long-term outcomes versus consistently good repair by fresh allografts. Cellularity at the articular surface was an important index of biological performance.

Clinical Relevance:

Normal chondrocyte density in vivo, especially in the superficial region of cartilage, is important for maintaining long-term cartilage function and matrix content. In human cartilage, containing cells at ~3 to 5 times lower density than goat, repair outcomes may be related to absolute minimum number of cells rather than density.
Tear Patterns, Surgical Repair, and Clinical Outcomes of Patellar Tendon Ruptures After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With a Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone Autograft
Authors: Benner Rodney W. , Shelbourne K. Donald , Urch Scott E. , Lazarus David
Published: June 2012

Background:

Patellar tendon ruptures are rare after graft harvest for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Few reports are available in the literature.

Purpose:

To report the common tear patterns and results of treatment with tendon repair and cable augmentation.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

All tendon ruptures were repaired to bone with suture anchors and augmented with a Dall-Miles cable, followed by an aggressive rehabilitation protocol. The tear location was recorded. Range of motion, strength, and subjective survey testing were conducted preoperatively and postoperatively.

Results:

Thirteen patellar tendon ruptures were found from our database of 5364 ACL reconstructions, for an incidence of 0.24%. Seven ruptures occurred from the patellar origin medially and the tibial attachment laterally in a Z-shaped pattern. Four were completely distal, and 2 were completely proximal ruptures. All patients exhibited early flexion loss, but 11 of 13 patients maintained full, terminal hyperextension throughout treatment. The mean postoperative side-to-side flexion deficit was 33° at 1 month, 6° at 3 months, and 3° at latest follow-up at a mean of 4.8 years after tendon repair (range, 1-16 years). By International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) criteria, 10 patients had normal flexion, and 3 were nearly normal at latest follow-up. Twelve patients had normal extension, and 1 had nearly normal extension at latest follow-up. Mean isokinetic quadriceps muscle strength was 68.7% of the other side at 3 months after repair and 100.0% at latest follow-up, occurring at a mean of 47.5 months (range, 12-120 months). At a mean of 2 years (range, 1-4 years) after repair, the mean modified Noyes subjective score was 89.8 ± 9.2.

Conclusion:

Patellar tendon ruptures are rare after ACL graft harvest. These ruptures usually occur in either a proximal-medial and distal-lateral pattern or an entirely distal pattern, in contrast to the proximal-only tear pattern commonly observed in unharvested patellar tendons. Good objective and subjective results were achieved with repair of postoperative patellar tendon ruptures using suture anchors and Dall-Miles cable augmentation, followed by aggressive, immediate range of motion exercises.
Is There a Correlation Between Circulating Levels of Citrulline and Intestinal Dysfunction in the Critically Ill?
Authors: Noordally S. Oaleed , Sohawon Schoeb , Semlali Hamza , Michely David , Devriendt Jacques , Gottignies Philippe
Published: June 2012

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between plasma citrulline and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, survival, inflammation (C‐reactive protein [CRP]), inotrope use, serum levels of prealbumin and albumin, and renal failure in the critically ill patient.

Methods:

This prospective observational single‐center controlled study included 91 adult patients over a 2‐year period. Inclusion criteria were patients staying in the intensive care unit for >48 hours. Patients’ renal status was categorized as those with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) >60 mL/min without renal support, a GFR >60 mL/min with renal support, a GFR <60 mL/min without renal support, and a GFR <60 mL/min with renal support. Plasma citrulline concentrations were categorized into 3 groups: low (0–15 µmol/L), medium (16–35 µmol/L), and high (>36 µmol/L). The relationship between the recorded parameters and these different cut‐off values of plasma citrulline concentrations was analyzed.

Results:

Ninety‐one patients (34% female and 66% male) with a mean (SD) age of 69.3 (11.9) years, a mean (SD) body mass index of 24.8 (5.34) kg/m2, a mean (SD) APACHE II score of 22.4 (7.92), a mean (SD) SOFA score of 8 (4.4), and a mean (SD) plasma citrulline of 21.7 (13.1) µmol/L were enrolled. Only patients with intestinal dysfunction had low plasma citrulline level <15 µmol/L (P = .014). No correlations between serum levels of CRP, albumin, or prealbumin; renal failure; inotrope use; SOFA score; and APACHE II score were found with plasma citrulline level.

Conclusion:

Low plasma citrulline levels in patients correlate well with intestinal dysfunction.
Safety of Enteral Feeding in Patients With Open Abdomen, Upper Gastrointestinal Bleed, and Perforation Peritonitis
Authors: Guillaume Alexandra , Seres David S.
Published: June 2012

Provision of enteral nutrition (EN) has historically been withheld after major abdominal operations until bowel activity returns. Evidence suggests that EN is safe in critically ill patients with a variety of illnesses, specifically after abdominal surgery. There is a strong association between poor nutrition status and worse outcomes in critically ill patients. The fear has been that EN, by virtue of increased luminal pressure or demand to the splanchnic circulation, may compromise the integrity of anastomotic repairs and place patients at risk for complications. In this review, the authors analyze the safety of EN in the setting of the open abdomen, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and perforation peritonitis, with evidence from published clinical trials and meta‐analyses.