bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protein-Protein Interaction Changes in an Archaeal Light-Signal Transduction
Authors: Kandori Hideki , Sudo Yuki , Furutani Yuji
Published: June 2010

Negative phototaxis inNatronomonas pharaonisis initiated by transient interaction changes between photoreceptor and transducer.pharaonisphoborhodopsin (ppR; also calledpharaonissensory rhodopsin II,psR-II) and the cognate transducer protein,pHtrII, form a tight 2 : 2 complex in the unphotolyzed state, and the interaction is somehow altered during the photocycle ofppR. We have studied the signal transduction mechanism in theppR/pHtrII system by means of low-temperature Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. In the paper, spectral comparison in the absence and presence ofpHtrII provided fruitful information in atomic details, where vibrational bands were identified by the use of isotope-labeling and site-directed mutagenesis. From these studies, we established the two pathways of light-signal conversion from the receptor to the transducer; (i) from Lys205 (retinal) ofppR to Asn74 ofpHtrII through Thr204 and Tyr199, and (ii) from Lys205 ofppR to the cytoplasmic loop region ofpHtrII that links Gly83.
Review of Prediction Models to Estimate Activity-Related Energy Expenditure in Children and Adolescents
Authors: de Graauw Suzanne M. , de Groot Janke F. , van Brussel Marco , Streur Marjolein F. , Takken Tim
Published: June 2010

Purpose. To critically review the validity of accelerometry-based prediction models to estimate activity energy expenditure (AEE) in children and adolescents.Methods. The CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and PubMed/MEDLINE databases were searched. Inclusion criteria were development or validation of an accelerometer-based prediction model for the estimation of AEE in healthy children or adolescents (6–18 years), criterion measure: indirect calorimetry, or doubly labelled water, and language: Dutch, English or German.Results. Nine studies were included. Median methodological quality was5.5±2.0 IR (out of a maximum 10 points). Prediction models combining heart rate and counts explained 86–91% of the variance in measured AEE. A prediction model based on a triaxial accelerometer explained 90%. Models derived during free-living explained up to 45%.Conclusions. Accelerometry-based prediction models may provide an accurate estimate of AEE in children on a group level. Best results are retrieved when the model combines accelerometer counts with heart rate or when a triaxial accelerometer is used. Future development of AEE prediction models applicable to free-living scenarios is needed.
Incomplete Time Series Prediction Using Max‐Margin Classification of Data with Absent Features
Authors: Zhaowei Shang , Lingfeng Zhang , Shangjun Ma , Bin Fang , Taiping Zhang
Published: June 2010

This paper discusses the prediction of time series with missing data. A novel forecast model is proposed based on max‐margin classification of data with absent features. The issue of modeling incomplete time series is considered as classification of data with absent features. We employ the optimal hyperplane of classification to predict the future values. Compared with traditional predicting process of incomplete time series, our method solves the problem directly rather than fills the missing data in advance. In addition, we introduce an imputation method to estimate the missing data in the history series. Experimental results validate the effectiveness of our model in both prediction and imputation.
Metastatic Melanomas Express Inhibitory Low Affinity Fc Gamma Receptor and Escape Humoral Immunity
Authors: Cohen-Solal Joel F. G. , Cassard Lydie , Fournier Emilie M. , Loncar Shannon M. , Fridman Wolf Herman , Sautès-Fridman Catherine
Published: June 2010

Our research, inspired by the pioneering works of Isaac Witz in the 1980s, established that 40% of human metastatic melanomas express ectopically inhibitory Fc gamma receptors (FcγRIIB), while they are detected on less than 5% of primary cutaneous melanoma and not on melanocytes. We demonstrated that these tumoral FcγRIIB act as decoy receptors that bind the Fc portion of antimelanoma IgG, which may prevent Fc recognition by the effector cells of the immune system and allow the metastatic melanoma to escape the humoral/natural immune response. The FcγRIIB is able to inhibit the ADCC (antibody dependent cell cytotoxicity) in vitro. Interestingly, the percentage of melanoma expressing the FcγRIIB is high (70%) in organs like the liver, which is rich in patrolling NK (natural killer) cells that exercise their antitumoral activity by ADCC. We found that this tumoral FcγRIIB is fully functional and that its inhibitory potential can be triggered depending on the specificity of the anti‐tumor antibody with which it interacts. Together these observations elucidate how metastatic melanomas interact with and potentially evade humoral immunity and provide direction for the improvement of anti‐melanoma monoclonal antibody therapy.
Nondestructive Investigation of Stress-Induced Damage in Concrete
Authors: Shokouhi P. , Zoëga A. , Wiggenhauser H.
Published: June 2010

The changes in the sonic surface wave velocity of concrete under stress were investigated in this paper. Surface wave velocities at sonic frequency range were measured on a prismatic concrete specimen undergoing several cycles of uniaxial compression. The loading was applied (or removed) gradually in predefined small steps (stress-controlled). The surface wave velocity was measured at every load step during both loading and unloading phases. Acoustic Emission (AE) test was conducted simultaneously to monitor the microcracking activities at different levels of loading. It was found that the sonic surface wave velocity is highly stress dependent and the velocity-stress relationship follows a particular trend. The observed trend could be explained by a combination of acoustoelasticity and microcracking theories, each valid over a certain range of applied stresses. Having measured the velocities while unloading, when the material suffers no further damage, the effect of stress and damage could be differentiated. The slope of the velocity-stress curves over the elastic region was calculated for different load cycles. This quantity was normalized to yield a dimensionless nonlinear parameter. This parameter generally increases with the level of induced damage in concrete.
On Regularized Quasi‐Semigroups and Evolution Equations
Authors: Janfada M.
Published: June 2010

We introduce the notion of regularized quasi‐semigroup
of bounded linear operators on Banach spaces and its infinitesimal generator, as a generalization of regularized semigroups of
operators. After some examples of such quasi‐semigroups, the properties of this family of operators will be studied. Also some applications of regularized quasi‐semigroups in the abstract evolution equations will be considered. Next some elementary perturbation results on regularized quasi‐semigroups will be discussed.
Data Downloading on the Sparse Coverage‐Based Wireless Networks
Authors: Chowdhury Helal , Lehtomäki Janne , Mäkelä Juha-Pekka , Kota Sastri
Published: June 2010

Infostation, hotspot, and drive‐thru internet are examples of sparse coverage‐based wireless networks. These wireless communication networks provide low‐cost, delay insensitive high data rate services intermittently with discontinuous coverage. Radio propagation parameters, velocity of the user, distance between the user, and access point are the key factors that affect the throughput and the amount of information downloaded from such sparse coverage‐based wireless networks. To evaluate the performance of such wireless communication networks analytically the impact of above mentioned factors can be modeled with simplified relationship model such as received signal strength versus distance or signal to noise ratio versus throughput. In the paper, we exploit the relationship between throughput and distance and develop two throughput distance relationship models to evaluate the performance of multirate wireless networks. These two throughput distance relationship models are used in calculation of average throughput as well as downloaded file size. Numerical values are presented for the IEEE 802.11n standard. The numerical results verify that the new proposed technique can be used as an alternative to the simulations to evaluate the performance of sparse coverage‐based wireless networks.
Fabrication of Si3N4Nanocrystals and Nanowires Using PECVD
Authors: Song Jingwei , Ma Xiying , Zui Wang , Wei Chen , Chen Zhongpin
Published: June 2010

Si3N4nanowires and nanocrystals were prepared on Si substrates with or without Fe catalyst using silane (SiH4) and nitrogen (N2) as reactive gases through plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technology. With Fe catalyst,Si3N4nanowires were developed, indicating that Fe catalyst played a role forSi3N4molecules directionally depositing into strings. The density of the nanowires is closely related to the density of Fe catalyst. When the density of Fe ions on the substrate was decreased remarkably, a smooth superlongSi3N4nanowire with 12 μm in length was fabricated. Having analyzed the growth mechanism, a growth model forSi3N4nanowires was developed. The growth ofSi3N4nanocrystallines was attributed to be a vapor-solid (V-S) deposition process.
A Patient with Splenic Artery Aneurysm Rupture and the Importance of Rapid Sonography in the ED
Authors: Iyanaga Masayuki , Watts Susan , Kasai Takeshi
Published: June 2010

We report a case of a splenic artery aneurysm rupture presenting with shock which required timely embolization therapy. This case demonstrates how the rapid use of bedside ultrasound by emergency department (ED) physicians can help identify the cause of shock and, therefore, initiate appropriate treatment quickly even if the cause is rare, as in this case.
Two-Hour Lactate Clearance Predicts Negative Outcome in Patients with Cardiorespiratory Insufficiency
Authors: Scott Sean , Antonaglia Vittorio , Guiotto Giovanna , Paladino Fiorella , Schiraldi Fernando
Published: June 2010

Objective. To evaluate 2-hour lactate clearance as a prognostic marker in acute cardiorespiratory insufficiency.Design. Prospective observational study.Setting. Emergency Department (ED) and 16-bed medical High Dependency Unit (HDU).Methods and Main Results. 95 consecutive admissions from the ED for acute cardiorespiratory insufficiency were prospectively enrolled. Arterial lactate concentration was assessed at ED arrival and 1, 2, 6, and 24 hours later. The predictive value of 2-hour lactate clearance was evaluated for negative outcomes defined as hospital mortality or need for endotracheal intubation versus positive outcomes defined as discharge or transfer to a general medical ward. Logistic regression and ROC curves found 2-hour lactate clearance>15% was a strong predictor of negative outcome (P<.0001) with a sensitivity of 86% (95%CI=67%–95%) and a specificity of 91% (95%CI=82%–96%), Positive predictive value was 80% (95%CI=61%–92%), and negative predictive value was 92% (95%CI=84%–98%).Conclusions. Systematic monitoring of lactate clearance at 2 hours can be used in to identify patients at high risk of negative outcome and perhaps to tailor more aggressive therapy. Equally important is that a 2-hour lactate clearance>15% is highly predictive of positive outcome and may reassure clinicians that the therapeutic approach is appropriate.
Interferon Alpha in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Niewold Timothy B. , Clark Daniel N. , Salloum Rafah , Poole Brian D.
Published: June 2010

The pleiotropic cytokine interferon alpha is involved in multiple aspects of lupus etiology and pathogenesis. Interferon alpha is important under normal circumstances for antiviral responses and immune activation. However, heightened levels of serum interferon alpha and expression of interferon response genes are common in lupus patients. Lupus-associated autoantibodies can drive the production of interferon alpha and heightened levels of interferon interfere with immune regulation. Several genes in the pathways leading to interferon production or signaling are associated with risk for lupus. Clinical and cellular manifestations of excess interferon alpha in lupus combined with the genetic risk factors associated with interferon make this cytokine a rare bridge between genetic risk and phenotypic effects. Interferon alpha influences the clinical picture of lupus and may represent a therapeutic target. This paper provides an overview of the cellular, genetic, and clinical aspects of interferon alpha in lupus.
On the Tempo of Genome Size Evolution in Angiosperms
Authors: Beaulieu Jeremy M. , Smith Stephen A. , Leitch Ilia J.
Published: June 2010

Broadly sampled phylogenies have uncovered extreme deviations from a molecular clock with the rates of molecular substitution varying dramatically within/among lineages. While growth form, a proxy for life history, is strongly correlated with molecular rate heterogeneity, its influence on trait evolution has yet to be examined. Here, we explore genome size evolution in relation to growth form by combining recent advances in large-scale phylogeny construction with model-based phylogenetic comparative methods. We construct phylogenies for Monocotyledonae (monocots) and Fabaceae (legumes), including all species with genome size information, and assess whether rates of genome size evolution depend on growth form. We found that the rates of genome size evolution for woody lineages were consistently an order of magnitude slower than those of herbaceous lineages. Our findings also suggest that growth form constrains genome size evolution, not through consequences associated with the phenotype, but instead through the influence of life history attributes on the tempo of evolution. Consequences associated with life history now extend to genomic evolution and may shed light on the frequently observed threshold effect of genome size variation on higher phenotypic traits.
Design and Methodologies of the POSTconditioning during Coronary Angioplasty in Acute Myocardial Infarction (POST-AMI) Trial
Authors: Tarantini Giuseppe , Favaretto Enrico , Napodano Massimo , Perazzolo Marra Martina , Cacciavillani Luisa , Babuin Luciano , Giovagnoni Andrea , Renda Pietro , De Biasio Valeria , Plebani Mario , Mion Monica , Zaninotto Martina , Mistrorigo Flavio , Panfili Marco , Isabella Giambattista , Bilato Claudio , Iliceto Sabino
Published: June 2010

Background: Reperfusion remains the definitive treatment for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but restoring blood flow carries the potential to exacerbate the ischemia-related injury. Postconditioning might modify reperfusion-induced adverse events. Study Design: The POSTconditioning during Coronary Angioplasty in Acute Myocardial Infarction (POST-AMI) trial is a single-center, prospective, randomized study, with a planned inclusion of 78 patients with ST-elevation AMI. Patients will be randomly assigned to the postconditioning arm [primary angioplasty (PA) and stenting followed by brief episodes of ischemia-reperfusion early after recanalization] or non-postconditioning arm. All patients will be treated medically according to current international guidelines, including glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors before PA. The primary end point is to evaluate whether postconditioning, compared to plain PA, reduces infarct size estimated by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) at 30 ± 10 days after the AMI. Secondary end points are microvascular obstruction observed at CMR, ST-segment resolution, angiographic myocardial blush grade <2, non-sustained/sustained ventricular tachycardia in the 48 h following PA, left ventricular remodeling and function at follow-up CMR, and the reduction of major adverse cardiac events at 30 days and 6 months. Conclusion: The POST-AMI trial will evaluate the usefulness of postconditioning in limiting infarct size during the early and late phases after AMI.
Association of Inflammatory Markers and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness with the Risk of Cardiovascular Events in High-Risk Patients
Authors: Okazaki Shuhei , Furukado Shigetaka , Abe Yuko , Tanaka Makiko , Miwa Kaori , Yamagami Hiroshi , Sakaguchi Manabu , Sakoda Saburo , Kitagawa Kazuo
Published: June 2010

Objective: Both inflammatory markers and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) are associated with future cardiovascular disease (CVD). We investigated whether inflammatory markers can be predictors for incident CVD independent of carotid IMT in atherosclerotic high-risk patients and evaluated the joint effect of inflammatory markers and IMT in CVD prediction. Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study of 770 patients who had one or more atherosclerotic risk factors. Serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-18, and carotid IMT were assessed at baseline and the incidence of CVD was determined. Results: During 4.3 years of mean follow-up, CVD occurred in 104 patients (14%). In univariate analyses, higher levels of hsCRP, IL-6, and IL-18 were significantly related to an increased risk of CVD. However, only IL-6, but not hsCRP or IL-18, was associated with incident CVD after adjustment for conventional risk factors and carotid IMT (hazard ratio of upper half to lower half, 1.87; 95% confidence interval, 1.20–2.93). Measuring IL-6 level in combination with carotid IMT improves the prediction of incident CVD. Conclusions: Elevated IL-6 is associated with the risk of CVD independently of carotid IMT in atherosclerotic high-risk patients.
New Cerebral Lesions on T2*-Weighted Gradient-Echo Imaging after Cardiac Valve Surgery
Authors: Jeon Sang-Beom , Lee Jae-Won , Kim Sang Joon , Chung Cheol-Hyun , Kwon Sun U. , Choi Choong Gon , Choo Suk-Jung , Nah Hyun-Wook , Kim Jong S. , Kang Dong-Wha
Published: June 2010

Background: It is well known that silent ischemic brain lesions on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) commonly occur after various interventional procedures or surgeries. However, to our knowledge, postoperative new lesions on T2*-weighted gradient-echo imaging (GRE) have never been explored. Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled 19 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery. Preoperative and postoperative (within 7 days) GRE and DWI were performed. New GRE lesions were defined as signal loss lesions on postoperative GRE which were not observed on preoperative GRE. Long-term follow-up GRE was performed in a limited number of cases. Results: Twelve patients developed 26 small (<10 mm) new GRE lesions. Of these patients, 1 had a generalized seizure accompanied by confusion and facial weakness with DWI lesions, and 1 showed confusion of short duration without DWI lesions. Long-term follow-up GRE was performed 3 years after surgery in 4 patients. Of the 12 new GRE lesions in these 4 patients, 11 lesions were still observable on long-term follow-up GRE. Conclusions: New cerebral lesions on GRE after cardiac valve surgery are common and are presumed to be rapidly developed microbleeds and mostly asymptomatic. Further studies are needed to investigate the precise nature and clinical implications of new GRE lesions.
Predicting Survival in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Benza Raymond L. , Miller Dave P. , Gomberg-Maitland Mardi , Frantz Robert P. , Foreman Aimee J. , Coffey Christopher S. , Frost Adaani , Barst Robyn J. , Badesch David B. , Elliott C. Gregory , Liou Theodore G. , McGoon Michael D.
Published: June 2010

Background—

Factors that determine survival in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) drive clinical management. A quantitative survival prediction tool has not been established for research or clinical use.

Methods and Results—

Data from 2716 patients with PAH enrolled consecutively in the US Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-Term PAH Disease Management (REVEAL) were analyzed to assess predictors of 1-year survival. We identified independent prognosticators of survival and derived a multivariable, weighted risk formula for clinical use. One-year survival from the date of enrollment was 91.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89.9 to 92.1). In a multivariable analysis with Cox proportional hazards, variables independently associated with increased mortality included pulmonary vascular resistance >32 Wood units (hazard ratio [HR], 4.1; 95% CI, 2.0 to 8.3), PAH associated with portal hypertension (HR, 3.6; 95% CI, 2.4 to 5.4), modified New York Heart Association/World Health Organization functional class IV (HR, 3.1; 95% CI, 2.2 to 4.4), men >60 years of age (HR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.6 to 3.0), and family history of PAH (HR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.2 to 4.0). Renal insufficiency, PAH associated with connective tissue disease, functional class III, mean right atrial pressure, resting systolic blood pressure and heart rate, 6-minute walk distance, brain natriuretic peptide, percent predicted carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, and pericardial effusion on echocardiogram all predicted mortality. Based on these multivariable analyses, a prognostic equation was derived and validated by bootstrapping technique.

Conclusions—

We identified key predictors of survival based on the patient’s most recent evaluation and formulated a contemporary prognostic equation. Use of this tool may allow the individualization and optimization of therapeutic strategies. Serial follow-up and reassessment are warranted.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00370214.
Equilibrium Contrast Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance for the Measurement of Diffuse Myocardial Fibrosis
Authors: Flett Andrew S. , Hayward Martin P. , Ashworth Michael T. , Hansen Michael S. , Taylor Andrew M. , Elliott Perry M. , McGregor Christopher , Moon James C.
Published: June 2010

Background—

Diffuse myocardial fibrosis is a final end point in most cardiac diseases. It is missed by the cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) late gadolinium enhancement technique. Currently, quantifying diffuse myocardial fibrosis requires invasive biopsy, with inherent risk and sampling error. We have developed a robust and noninvasive technique, equilibrium contrast CMR (EQ–CMR) to quantify diffuse fibrosis and have validated it against the current gold standard of surgical myocardial biopsy.

Methods and Results—

The 3 principles of EQ–CMR are a bolus of extracellular gadolinium contrast followed by continuous infusion to achieve equilibrium; a blood sample to measure blood volume of distribution (1−hematocrit); and CMR to measure pre- and postequilibrium T1 (with heart rate correction). The myocardial volume of distribution is calculated, reflecting diffuse myocardial fibrosis. Clinical validation occurred in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis or myectomy in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (n=18 and n=8, respectively). Surgical biopsies were analyzed for picrosirius red fibrosis quantification on histology. The mean histological fibrosis was 20.5±11% in aortic stenosis and 17.1±7.4% in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. EQ–CMR correlated strongly with biopsy histological fibrosis: aortic stenosis,

r
2

=0.86, Kendall Tau coefficient (T)=0.71,
P
<0.001; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,

r
2

=0.62, T=0.52,
P
=0.08; combined

r
2

=0.80, T=0.67,
P
<0.001.

Conclusions—

We have developed and validated a new technique, EQ–CMR, to measure diffuse myocardial fibrosis as an add-on to a standard CMR scan, which allows for the noninvasive quantification of the diffuse fibrosis burden in myocardial diseases.
Heart Rate Response to Exercise Stress Testing in Asymptomatic Women
Authors: Gulati Martha , Shaw Leslee J. , Thisted Ronald A. , Black Henry R. , Bairey Merz C. Noel , Arnsdorf Morton F.
Published: June 2010

Background—

The definition of a normal heart rate (HR) response to exercise stress testing in women is poorly understood, given that most studies describing a normative response were predominately based on male data. Measures of an attenuated HR response (chronotropic incompetence) and age-predicted HR have not been validated in asymptomatic women. We investigated the association between HR response to exercise testing and age with prognosis in 5437 asymptomatic women.

Methods and Results—

Participants underwent a symptom-limited maximal stress test in 1992. HR reserve (change in HR from rest to peak), chronotropic index, and age-predicted peak HR were calculated. Deaths were identified to December 31, 2008. Mean age at baseline was 52±11 years, with 549 deaths (10%) over 15.9±2.2 years. Mean peak HR was inversely associated with age; mean peak HR=206–0.88(age). After adjusting for exercise capacity and traditional cardiac risk factors, risk of death was reduced by 3% for every 1–beat-per-minute increase in peak HR, and by 2% for every 1–beat-per-minute increase in HR reserve (
P
<0.001). Inability to achieve 85% age-predicted HR was not an independent predictor of mortality, but being ≥1 SD below the mean predicted HR or a chronotropic index <0.80 based on the prediction model established by this cohort were independent predictors of mortality (
P
<0.001 and
P
=0.023, respectively).

Conclusions—

Chronotropic incompetence is associated with an increased risk of death in asymptomatic women; however, the traditional male-based calculation overestimates the maximum HR for age in women. Sex-specific parameters of physiological HR response to exercise should be incorporated into clinical practice.
Tumor Suppressor A20 Protects Against Cardiac Hypertrophy and Fibrosis by Blocking Transforming Growth Factor-β–Activated Kinase 1–Dependent Signaling
Authors: Huang He , Tang Qi-Zhu , Wang Ai-Bing , Chen Manyin , Yan Ling , Liu Chen , Jiang Hong , Yang Qinglin , Bian Zhou-Yan , Bai Xue , Zhu Li-Hua , Wang Lang , Li Hongliang
Published: June 2010

A20 or tumor necrosis factor–induced protein 3 is a negative regulator of nuclear factor κB signaling. A20 has been shown previously to attenuate cardiac hypertrophy in vitro and postmyocardial infarction remodeling in vivo. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that overexpression of A20 in the murine heart would protect against cardiac hypertrophy in vivo. The effects of constitutive human A20 expression on cardiac hypertrophy were investigated using in vitro and in vivo models. Cardiac hypertrophy was produced by aortic banding in A20 transgenic mice and control animals. The extent of cardiac hypertrophy was quantitated by echocardiography, as well as by pathological and molecular analyses of heart samples. Constitutive overexpression of human A20 in the murine heart attenuated the hypertrophic response and markedly reduced inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis. Cardiac function was also preserved in hearts with increased A20 levels in response to hypertrophic stimuli. Western blot experiments further showed A20 expression markedly blocked transforming growth factor-β–activated kinase 1–dependent c-Jun N-terminal kinase/p38 signaling cascade but with no difference in either extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 or AKT activation in vivo and in vitro. In cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes, [3H]proline incorporation and Western blot assays revealed that A20 expression suppressed transforming growth factor-β–induced collagen synthesis and transforming growth factor-β–activated kinase 1–dependent Smad 2/3/4 activation. In conclusion, A20 improves cardiac functions and inhibits cardiac hypertrophy, inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis by blocking transforming growth factor-β–activated kinase 1–dependent signaling.
Inorganic Nitrate Supplementation Lowers Blood Pressure in Humans
Authors: Kapil Vikas , Milsom Alexandra B. , Okorie Michael , Maleki-Toyserkani Sheiva , Akram Farihah , Rehman Farkhanda , Arghandawi Shah , Pearl Vanessa , Benjamin Nigel , Loukogeorgakis Stavros , MacAllister Raymond , Hobbs Adrian J. , Webb Andrew J. , Ahluwalia Amrita
Published: June 2010

Ingestion of dietary (inorganic) nitrate elevates circulating and tissue levels of nitrite via bioconversion in the entero-salivary circulation. In addition, nitrite is a potent vasodilator in humans, an effect thought to underlie the blood pressure–lowering effects of dietary nitrate (in the form of beetroot juice) ingestion. Whether inorganic nitrate underlies these effects and whether the effects of either naturally occurring dietary nitrate or inorganic nitrate supplementation are dose dependent remain uncertain. Using a randomized crossover study design, we show that nitrate supplementation (KNO3capsules: 4 versus 12 mmol [n=6] or 24 mmol of KNO3(1488 mg of nitrate) versus 24 mmol of KCl [n=20]) or vegetable intake (250 mL of beetroot juice [5.5 mmol nitrate] versus 250 mL of water [n=9]) causes dose-dependent elevation in plasma nitrite concentration and elevation of cGMP concentration with a consequent decrease in blood pressure in healthy volunteers. In addition, post hoc analysis demonstrates a sex difference in sensitivity to nitrate supplementation dependent on resting baseline blood pressure and plasma nitrite concentration, whereby blood pressure is decreased in male volunteers, with higher baseline blood pressure and lower plasma nitrite concentration but not in female volunteers. Our findings demonstrate dose-dependent decreases in blood pressure and vasoprotection after inorganic nitrate ingestion in the form of either supplementation or by dietary elevation. In addition, our post hoc analyses intimate sex differences in nitrate processing involving the entero-salivary circulation that are likely to be major contributing factors to the lower blood pressures and the vasoprotective phenotype of premenopausal women.
Effect of Modest Salt Reduction on Skin Capillary Rarefaction in White, Black, and Asian Individuals With Mild Hypertension
Authors: He Feng J. , Marciniak Maciej , Markandu Nirmala D. , Antonios Tarek F. , MacGregor Graham A.
Published: June 2010

Microvascular rarefaction occurs in hypertension. We carried out a 12-week randomized double-blind crossover trial to determine the effect of a modest reduction in salt intake on capillary rarefaction in 71 whites, 69 blacks, and 29 Asians with untreated mildly raised blood pressure. Both basal and maximal (during venous congestion) skin capillary density were measured by capillaroscopy at the dorsum and the side of the fingers. In addition, we used orthogonal polarization spectral imaging to measure skin capillary density at the dorsum of the fingers and the hand web. With a reduction in salt intake from 9.7 to 6.5 g/day, there was an increase in capillary density (capillaries per millimeter squared) from 101±21 to 106±23 (basal) and 108±22 to 115±22 (maximal) at the dorsum, and 101±25 to 107±26 (basal) and 110±26 to 116±26 (maximal) at the side of the fingers (
P
<0.001 for all). Orthogonal polarization spectral imaging also showed a significant increase in capillary density both at the dorsum of the fingers and the web. Subgroup analysis showed that most of the changes were significant in all of the ethnic groups. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between the change in 24-hour urinary sodium and the change in capillary density at the side of the fingers. These results demonstrate that a modest reduction in salt intake, as currently recommended, improves both functional and structural capillary rarefactions that occur in hypertension, and a larger reduction in salt intake would have a greater effect. The increase in capillary density may possibly carry additional beneficial effects on target organs.
Employment Decentralisation: Polycentricity or Scatteration? The Case of Barcelona
Authors: Garcia-López Miquel-Àngel , Muñiz Ivan
Published: June 2010

At the present time, most large cities in the world are polycentric and, at the same time, they are undergoing processes of employment decentralisation and deconcentration. It has been argued that polycentricity is just an intermediate stage between monocentricity and a more unstructured, chaotic and amorphous location model, scatteration. For the case of the polycentric Barcelona, the aims of this study are to test: whether its employment is moving from polycentricity to scatteration; and, whether its employment location model is increasingly random and unstructured. The results show that, in spite of the decentralisation and deconcentration processes, employment concentrated in centres still represents a significant percentage of total employment and new sub-centres have emerged in the periphery. What is more, the results also show an increasing influence of employment sub-centres on employment location and density conditions. As a result, polycentricity has been reinforced.
Silver Bullet or Trojan Horse? The Effects of Inclusionary Zoning on Local Housing Markets in the United States
Authors: Schuetz Jenny , Meltzer Rachel , Been Vicki
Published: June 2010

Many local governments are adopting inclusionary zoning (IZ) as a means of producing affordable housing without direct public subsidies. In this paper, panel data on IZ in the San Francisco metropolitan area and suburban Boston are used to analyse how much affordable housing the programmes produce and how IZ affects the prices and production of market-rate housing. The amount of affordable housing produced under IZ has been modest and depends primarily on how long IZ has been in place. Results from suburban Boston suggest that IZ has contributed to increased housing prices and lower rates of production during periods of regional house price appreciation. In the San Francisco area, IZ also appears to increase housing prices in times of regional price appreciation, but to decrease prices during cooler regional markets. There is no evidence of a statistically significant effect of IZ on new housing development in the Bay Area.
Occupational Attainment of Migrants and Local Workers: Findings from a Survey in Shanghai’s Manufacturing Sector
Authors: Yu Chen
Published: June 2010

This article addresses the linked topics of internal migration and occupational discrimination against migrants. The data, collected from 21 manufacturing companies in Shanghai, indicate that migrants are a heterogeneous group in terms of their origins. Migrants from rural areas are the least well-educated. In contrast, migrants from other cities in China have attained significantly higher education than local workers in Shanghai. Much of the literature compares the occupations of rural migrants and local residents; urban migrants are often neglected. By examining occupational patterns for rural migrants, urban migrants and local workers, this study adds to the literature through a full assessment of occupational inequalities. Such inequalities reflect both market forces (rewards for differing productivity) and institutional factors (rewards on grounds of residential status).
External Legitimacy, Goal Congruence and Collective Resistance
Authors: Ju Chang Bum , Tang Shui-Yan
Published: June 2010

This paper examines two cases of collective resistance involving partnerships between local grassroots organisations and external environmental NGOs against government-sanctioned land use policies in South Korea. In both cases, the partnerships used apparently similar strategies of resistance in response to similar institutional pressures in similar physical circumstances, but the outcomes of the two collective movements differed. In the case of Daeji, the resistance movement succeeded by transforming its local cause into a broader environmental one, appealing to stakeholders in the larger society. Reinforced by goal congruence between the partnering organisations, the movement was able to gain regulative legitimacy through co-optation and influence strategies for normative and cognitive legitimacy from the larger society. In the case of Won-Dong, plagued by a lack of goal congruence between partnering organisations, the resistance movement failed to secure the necessary regulative legitimacy in the absence of normative and cognitive legitimacy.
The Temporary Permanence of Dominican Bodegueros in Philadelphia
Authors: Pine Adam Marc
Published: June 2010

The relationship between ‘neighbourhood’ and ‘community’ is contentious: while neighbourhoods are spatially based, communities are more amorphous institutions that are connected to local places through far-flung transnational networks. Dominican corner-store owners ( bodegueros) in Philadelphia, USA, understand their role in their local neighbourhood community as a form of ‘temporary permanence’ because their economic development model involves building networks between the US and the Dominican Republic. The mobility practices of grocers and interviews with community leaders in Philadelphia are used to make two propositions about constructions of place-based ‘neighbourhood communities’ in the US: the mobility of the grocers highlights the spatial entrapment experienced by other urban residents and thus their embrace of place-based communities; and, in the mobility of the grocers and conversations with some neighbourhood leaders, we see actualised a more fluid and expansive understanding of the concept of a ‘neighbourhood community’ which is embedded in transnational networks.
Exploring Spatial Dynamics with Land Price Indexes
Authors: Spinney Jamie , Kanaroglou Pavlos , Scott Darren
Published: June 2010

The purpose of this study is to explore the within-region spatial dynamics of appreciation and depreciation rates using three different representations of geographical space. Mean value indexing methods are used to construct global land price indexes, sub-market land price indexes and local land price indexes using transaction price data for vacant residential land within the City of Hamilton, Ontario, between 1995 and 2003. The results are validated against Statistics Canada’s series of New Housing Price Indexes, followed by a comparison of the relative performance of the three geographical representations of land price indexes. The results indicate that the mean value indexing methods are robust, although subject to outliers and sample selection bias, and clearly illustrate the spatial dynamics of annual appreciation and depreciation rates across the study area. The results also underscore the need for regular surveillance of the spatial dynamics of urban land markets.
The Development and Validation of the Feedback Orientation Scale (FOS)
Authors: Linderbaum Beth A. , Levy Paul E.
Published: June 2010

The 21st century has been marked by a focus on employee development and continuous learning to engage and retain employees. To stay competitive, organizations must to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to employee development. Organizations are challenged to understand the unique needs and motivators of each individual. Effectively using performance feedback in a way that addresses individual differences can be a competitive advantage to support engaging work environments. Given the impact of the feedback recipient on the feedback process, it is important to understand individual differences in how people respond to feedback. Feedback orientation, a construct proposed by London and Smither, is an individual’s overall receptivity to feedback. The current research developed and validated a multidimensional measure of feedback orientation. This new instrument will be a valuable tool for researchers and practitioners to better understand individual differences in the feedback process.
Genetic moderation of CO2-induced fear by 5-HTTLPR genotype
Authors: Schruers Koen , Esquivel Gabriel , van Duinen Marlies , Wichers Marieke , Kenis Gunter , Colasanti Alessandro , Knuts Inge , Goossens Lies , Jacobs Nele , van Rozendaal Jalet , Smeets Hubert , van Os Jim , Griez Eric
Published: June 2010

Inhalation of an increased concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) has been shown to induce a state of negative affect in healthy subjects that is closely related to the clinical phenomenon of panic. It has been suggested that the vulnerability to CO2 is moderated by differences in serotonin (5-HT) activity, caused by a functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the 5-HT transporter (5-HTTLPR) gene. Our aim was to examine the relationship between bi- and tri-allelic 5-HTTLPR genotype and the affective response to different dosages of inhaled CO2 in healthy volunteers. Ninety-six subjects performed a double inhalation of four mixtures containing, respectively, 0%, 9%, 17.5% and 35% CO2, following a double-blind, cross-over, randomized design. Affective responses were measured with a visual analogue scale for fear and the Panic Symptom List. 5-HTTLPR genotype was expressed as LL, SL and SS. Subjects with the SL and SS genotype reported less fear than LL subjects. A significant interaction effect was found between genotype and CO2 dosage: the SS genotype showed lower fear scores than the LL genotype, particularly in the 17.5% CO2 dose condition. The present study suggests that the dose-dependent fear reaction to CO2 is moderated by a polymorphism in the 5-HT transporter gene, particularly at intermediate CO2 dosages. It also underscores the usefulness of the introduction of an intermediate phenotype related to panic to reveal an underlying genetic vulnerability otherwise staying elusive. These results are in line with current theories on the role of 5-HT in both panic and respiration.
Swelling and Mechanical Properties of Modified HEMA-based Superporous Hydrogels
Authors: Omidian Hossein , Park Kinam , Kandalam Umadevi , Rocca Jose G.
Published: June 2010

Superporous hydrogels (SPHs), based on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), were prepared by adding minute amounts of an ion-complexable hydrophilic acrylic acid. PHEMA SPHs are generally strong, but their swelling is minimal. To improve the swelling, different poly(HEMA-co-acrylic acid) hydrogels were polymerized and crosslinked, then physically treated with divalent calcium and trivalent aluminum cations. The incorporation of acrylic acid copolymer into the SPH, followed by crosslinking of the copolymer with calcium or aluminum ions produced SPHs with improved swelling and strength. Cells in the presence of hydrogel showed high viability indicating the absence of cytotoxicity and stimulatory effect.
The Effect of Therapeutic Touch on Postoperative Patients
Authors: Bulette Coakley Amanda , Duffy Mary E.
Published: June 2010

Background: Therapeutic Touch (TT) is a complementary modality that has been demonstrated to reduce psychological distress and help patients to relax. It is unclear if there is an impact of TT on biobehavioral markers such as cortisol and natural killer cells (NKCs). There is some preliminary evidence that suggests relaxation may have positive effects on the immune system. Purpose: To test the efficacy of TT on pain and biobehavioral markers in patients recovering from vascular surgery. Framework: The study was grounded in a psychoneuroimmunology framework to address how complementary therapies affect pain and biobehavioral markers associated with recovery in surgical patients. Design: This was a between-subjects intervention study. Sample: Twenty-one postoperative surgical patients. Measures: Measures of level of pain and levels of cortisol and NKCs were obtained before and after a TT treatment. Results: Compared with those who received usual care, participants who received TT had significantly lower level of pain, lower cortisol level, and higher NKC level. Conclusions and Implications: Evidence supports TT as a beneficial intervention with patients. Future research on TT is still needed to learn more about how it functions. However, there is evidence to support incorporating TT into nursing practice.
A Study of the Feasibility of Introducing Therapeutic Touch Into the Operative Environment With Patients Undergoing Cerebral Angiography
Authors: Madrid Mary M. , Barrett Elizabeth A. M. , Winstead-Fry Patricia
Published: June 2010

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether Therapeutic Touch (TT) can be effectively used in the operative setting and whether it could produce positive outcomes in the period from cerebral angiography to discharge. The specific outcomes to be assessed were blood pressure, pulse, and respirations. TT is an intervention that involves the intentional direction of energy for the purpose of healing. The present study was developed within the conceptual framework of Rogers’s model of unitary human beings. Data were collected at a center for endovascular surgery. The participants were 40 men and women aged between 18 and 80 years who were referred to the center for cerebral angiograms. The participants were English-speaking, ambulatory patients, with no history of prior cerebral angiograms and no psychiatric diagnosis. The design was a randomized, single-blind experiment. The research data were collected in the normal course of the angiogram procedure and recovery room. The blood pressure, pulse, and respirations were routinely noted before, during, and after the procedure. The study was significant in three aspects: (a) it was the first study to develop a protocol for delivering TT in the preoperative course of neurological patients, (b) the study is conceptualized within Rogers’s conceptual model of unitary human beings, and (c) the study explored the impact of TT on selected outcomes in endovascular patients. A protocol for delivering TT in the operative setting was successfully developed and implemented. The efficacy of TT on the blood pressure, respirations, and pulse of the experimental group was not statistically significant. The reasons for this finding are explored, and suggestions are made for future research.
Caregiving in a Patient’s Place of Residence
Authors: Dill Janette S. , Cagle John
Published: June 2010

Objectives: High turnover and staff shortages among home care and hospice workers may compromise the quality and availability of in-home care. This study explores turnover rates of direct care workers for home care and hospice agencies. Methods: OLS (ordinary least square) regression models are run using organizational data from 93 home care agencies and 29 hospice agencies in North Carolina. Results: Home care agencies have higher total turnover rates than hospice agencies, but profit status may be an important covariate. Higher unemployment rates are associated with lower voluntary turnover. Agencies that do not offer health benefits experience higher involuntary turnover. Conclusion: Differences in turnover between hospice and home health agencies suggest that organizational characteristics of hospice care contribute to lower turnover rates. However, the variation in turnover rates is not fully explained by the proposed multivariate models. Future research should explore individual and structural-level variables that affect voluntary and involuntary turnover in these settings.
Witchcraft
Authors: Vanashree
Published: June 2010

Witchcraft accusation is an issue beyond historical recollection and yet it does not figure in the public sphere. Branding a woman Daayan or Chodail has been a common practice in rural India. This article’s engagement with Mahasweta Devi’s play, Bayen, intends to provide a searching analysis of the mechanism of witchcraft accusations in India. How the accused is seen in possession of an uncanny gaze by which she bewitches her unfortunate victim, how the mob violence condemning her is seen in terms of popular justice, how literate or illiterate people seek a scapegoat in the accused; someone they could blame for their misfortune. The fact that it also gets the sanction of women along with men belonging to the same community does not rule out that it is gendered since most accused are women.

Invoking several narratives of violence and torture upon the body of women accused of practicing witchcraft and in closely analysing Bayen, the article probes the way spectacle of torture and exclusion is performed as the ceremony of punishment recalling Arendt’s and Foucault’s understanding of the psychology of crowd power and the relationship between power and surveillance. In this context, it also goes on to debate the identity categories in which subaltern and gendered subjectivity are assumed to speak and discovers in the postcolonial feminist frame of reference the psychic identity of the gendered subaltern as varied, contingent, and capable of showing modes of resistance. In spite of deranged illusions, and dehumanisation, Mahasweta Devi’s Chandidasi survives emotional and physical devastation and renders claims of power and control, discipline and punishment doubtful.