bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DNA Microarray and Proteomic Strategies for Understanding Alcohol Action
Authors: Sikela James M. , MacLaren Erik J. , Kim Young , Karimpour‐Fard Anis , Cai Wei‐Wen , Pollack Jonathan , Hitzemann Robert , Belknap John , McWeeney Shannon , Kerns Robnet T. , Downing Chris , Johnson Thomas E. , Grant Kathleen J. , Tabakoff Boris , Hoffman Paula , Wu Christine C. , Miles Michael F.
Published: March 2006

This article summarizes the proceedings of a symposium presented at the 2005 annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism in Santa Barbara, California. The organizer was James M. Sikela, and he and Michael F. Miles were chairs. The presentations were (1) Genomewide Surveys of Gene Copy Number Variation in Human and Mouse: Implications for the Genetics of Alcohol Action, by James M. Sikela; (2) Regional Differences in the Regulation of Brain Gene Expression: Relevance to the Detection of Genes Associated with Alcohol‐Related Traits, by Robert Hitzemann; (3) Identification of Ethanol Quantitative Trait Loci Candidate Genes by Expression Profiling in Inbred Long Sleep/Inbred Short Sleep Congenic Mice, by Robnet T. Kerns; and (4) Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of AC7‐Modified Mice, by Kathleen J. Grant.
Hepatitis C Infection and Alcohol Use: A Dangerous Mix for the Liver and Antiviral Immunity
Authors: Szabo Gyongyi , Aloman Costica , Polyak Stephen J. , Weinman Steven A. , Wands Jack , Zakhari Sam
Published: March 2006

This article presents the proceedings of a symposium presented at the meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism, held in Santa Barbara, California, in June 2005. The organizers and chairs were Sam Zakhari and Gyongyi Szabo. The presentations included (1) Mitochondrial Abnormalities Induced by Hepatitis C –Alcohol Interaction by Steven Weinman; (2) Effects of Acute and Chronic Ethanol on Innate Antiviral Signaling Pathways, Hepatitis C Replication, and Human Liver Cell Transcription by Stephen Polyak; (3) Ethanol Alters Dendritic Cell Function In Vivo and Impairs the Subsequent Cellular Immune Responses to Hepatitis C Proteins by Costica Aloman; and (4) Pathogenic Interactions Between Hepatitis C Virus and Alcohol Use in Humans: Dendritic Cells as Common Targets by Gyongyi Szabo. This symposium summarizes the state of knowledge of cellular and molecular pathways by which alcohol and HCV have pathogenic interactions resulting in depression of the immune response and liver damage in chronic HCV infection.
Cytokines and Alcohol
Authors: Crews Fulton T. , Bechara Rabih , Brown Lou Ann , Guidot David M. , Mandrekar Pranoti , Oak Shilpa , Qin Liya , Szabo Gyongyi , Wheeler Michael , Zou Jian
Published: March 2006

Cytokines are multifunctional proteins that play a critical role in cellular communication and activation. Cytokines have been classified as being proinflammatory (T helper 1, Th1) or anti‐inflammatory (T helper 2, Th2) depending on their effects on the immune system. However, cytokines impact a variety of tissues in a complex manner that regulates inflammation, cell death, and cell proliferation and migration as well as healing mechanisms. Ethanol (alcohol) is known to alter cytokine levels in a variety of tissues including plasma, lung, liver, and brain. Studies on human monocyte responses to pathogens reveal ethanol disruption of cytokine production depending upon the pathogen and duration of alcohol consumption, with multiple pathogens and chronic ethanol promoting inflammatory cytokine production. In lung, cytokine production is disrupted by ethanol exacerbating respiratory distress syndrome with greatly increased expression of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ). Alcoholic liver disease involves an inflammatory hepatitis and an exaggerated Th1 response with increases in tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). Recent studies suggest that the transition from Th1 to Th2 cytokines contribute to hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. Cytokines affect the brain and likely contribute to changes in the central nervous system that contribute to long‐term changes in behavior and neurodegeneration. Together these studies suggest that ethanol disruption of cytokines and inflammation contribute in multiple ways to a diversity of alcoholic pathologies.
Why People Believe They Were Exposed to Biological or Chemical Warfare: A Survey of Gulf War Veterans
Authors: Brewer Noel T. , Lillie Sarah E. , Hallman William K.
Published: March 2006

The study sought to understand better how people come to believe they have been exposed to biological and chemical warfare. We conducted telephone interviews with 1,009 American veterans (65% response rate) deployed and not deployed to the Gulf War, a conflict during which there were credible threats that such warfare could be used. Only 6% of non‐Gulf War veterans reported exposure to biological or chemical warfare, but most of Gulf War veterans reported exposure (64%). The majority of these were unsure whether the exposure was chemical or biological in nature. The most commonly reported exposure indicators were receiving an alert from the military and having physical symptoms. Veterans who were certain of the type of exposure (biological or chemical) were more likely to recall having been told by the military and to recall physical symptoms. Future communications with soldiers and the general public about biological and chemical warfare may need to emphasize the uncertain nature of such risk information. Evaluations of exposure diagnostic technologies should take into account the problem of people initially believing, but not later discounting, false positive results.
Short versus Long Coalitions: Electoral Accountability and the Size of the Public Sector
Authors: Bawn Kathleen , Rosenbluth Frances
Published: March 2006

This article examines the policy consequences of the number of parties in government. We argue that parties externalize costs not borne by their support groups. Larger parties thus internalize more costs than small parties because they represent more groups. This argument implies that the public sector should be larger the more parties there are in the government coalition. We test this prediction using yearly time‐series cross‐sectional data from 1970 to 1998 in 17 European countries. We find that increasing the number of parties in government increases the fraction of GDP accounted for by government spending by close to half a percentage point, or more than one billion current dollars in the typical year. We find little support for the alternative claim that the number of legislative parties affects the size of the public sector, except via the number of parties in government.
Citizens, Knowledge, and the Information Environment
Authors: Jerit Jennifer , Barabas Jason , Bolsen Toby
Published: March 2006

In a democracy, knowledge is power. Research explaining the determinants of knowledge focuses on unchanging demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. This study combines data on the public's knowledge of nearly 50 political issues with media coverage of those topics. In a two‐part analysis, we demonstrate how education, the strongest and most consistent predictor of political knowledge, has a more nuanced connection to learning than is commonly recognized. Sometimes education is positively related to knowledge. In other instances its effect is negligible. A substantial part of the variation in the education‐knowledge relationship is due to the amount of information available in the mass media. This study is among the first to distinguish the short‐term, aggregate‐level influences on political knowledge from the largely static individual‐level predictors and to empirically demonstrate the importance of the information environment.
Racing to the Bottom? Trade, Environmental Governance, and ISO 14001
Authors: Prakash Aseem , Potoski Matthew
Published: March 2006

Globalization critics argue that international trade spurs a race to the bottom among national environmental standards. ISO 14001 is the most widely adopted voluntary environmental regulation which encourages firms to take environmental action beyond what domestic government regulations require. Drawing on a panel study of 108 countries over seven years, we investigate conditions under which trade linkages can encourage ISO 14001 adoption, thereby countering environmental races to the bottom. We find that trade linkages encourage ISO 14001 adoption if countries' major export markets have adopted this voluntary regulation.
Liberalizing Electoral Outcomes in Competitive Authoritarian Regimes
Authors: Howard Marc Morjé , Roessler Philip G.
Published: March 2006

In the wake of the third wave of democratization, competitive authoritarianism has emerged as a prominent regime type. These regimes feature regular, competitive elections between a government and an opposition, but the incumbent leader or party typically resorts to coercion, intimidation, and fraud to attempt to ensure electoral victory. Despite the incumbent's reliance on unfair practices to stay in power, such elections occasionally result in what we call a “liberalizing electoral outcome” (LEO), which often leads to a new government that is considerably less authoritarian than its predecessor. Using a “nested” research design that employs both cross‐national statistical analysis and a case study of Kenya, we seek to explain how and why LEOs occur. Our findings highlight in particular the importance of the choices made by opposition elites to form a strategic coalition for the purpose of mounting a credible challenge to the ruling party or candidate in national elections.
Social Context and Campaign Volatility in New Democracies: Networks and Neighborhoods in Brazil's 2002 Elections
Authors: Baker Andy , Ames Barry , Renno Lucio R.
Published: March 2006

In new democracies party systems are often young, so partisan cues and roots in the electorate tend to be weak. The results, in many instances, include volatile campaigns with comparatively high degrees of short‐term preference change among voters. We explore the mechanisms of voter volatility and, more broadly, the ways in which citizens learn about issues and candidates in weak‐party systems. We claim that citizens in such settings rely heavily upon persuasive information gathered from their immediate social contexts. Utilizing a unique panel survey implemented during Brazil's historic 2002 presidential election, we demonstrate the importance of political discussion within social networks and neighborhood context for explaining preference change during election campaigns. We also demonstrate the concrete political consequences of social context by showing how candidate momentum runs can be driven by waves of discussion.
Economic Voting and Multilevel Governance: A Comparative Individual‐Level Analysis
Authors: Anderson Cameron D.
Published: March 2006

An important component of incumbent support is the reward/punishment calculus of economic voting. Previous work has shown that “clarity of responsibility” within the central state government conditions national economic effects on incumbent vote choice: where clarity is high (low), economic effects are greater (less). This article advances the “clarity of responsibility” argument by considering the effect of multilevel governance on economic voting. In institutional contexts of multilevel governance, the process of correctly assigning responsibility for economic outcomes can be difficult. This article tests the proposition that multilevel governance mutes effects of national economic conditions by undermining responsibility linkages to the national government. Individual‐level data from the Comparative Study of Electoral Systems Module 1 are used to test this proposition. Results demonstrate that economic voting is weakest in countries where multilevel governance is most prominent. Findings are discussed in light of the contribution to the economic voting literature and the potential implications of multilevel governance.
Video‐Assisted Thoracoscopy to Treat Atrial Tachycardia Arising from Left Atrial Appendage
Authors: YAMADA YUICHIRO , AJIRO YOUICHI , SHODA MORIO , KAWAI AKIHIKO , HAGIWARA NOBUHISA , KUROSAWA HIROMI , KASANUKI HIROSHI
Published: March 2006

A 17‐year‐old male with tachycardia‐induced cardiomyopathy presented with persistent, drug‐resistant atrial tachycardia (AT). An electrophysiological study suggested focal abnormal automaticity, and localized the AT origin to the left atrial appendage. Radiofrequency catheter ablation at the site of the earliest endocardial activation during AT failed. A minimally invasive, video‐assisted thoracoscopic (VAT) atrial appendectomy terminated the AT and restored left ventricular contractility. The patient remained free of AT and normal left ventricular function was maintained over a 24‐month follow‐up period. To our knowledge, we are the first to use VAT atrial appendectomy to treat focal AT.
Methemoglobinemia Following Transesophageal Echocardiography: A Case Report and Review
Authors: BheemReddy Swarnalatha , Messineo Frank , Roychoudhury Debasish
Published: March 2006

Benzocaine (ethyl aminobenzoate) is a topical anesthetic widely used for oropharyngeal anesthesia prior to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Topical anesthetics have been reported to cause methemoglobinemia, but this adverse event is extremely rare and has not been listed as one of the possible complications of TEE. However, recently the number of published case reports of TEE‐associated methemoglobinemia has increased.
Since its first description in 1950, 65 cases of methemoglobinemia have been reported including a recent report of five cases from a single center. Physicians who are not familiar with the association of TEE with benzocaine‐induced methemoglobinemia may not recognize the idiosyncratic and often nonspecific characteristic of this condition. Recognition is critical, however, since left untreated methemoglobinemia can lead to cardiopulmonary compromise, neurological sequelae, and even death. The current report documents an additional case of TEE‐associated methemoglobinemia from a high‐volume (8000 cases /year including 400–450 TEE/year) echo lab. A review of the literature suggests that this complication may be more prevalent, than generally appreciated. This case report emphasizes the importance of appropriate dose, recognition, and the treatment of this entity to cardiologists performing TEE.
Maximum Longitudinal Relaxation Velocity of the Left Ventricle: Its Clinical Value and Relationship with NT‐proBNP Plasma Levels in Heart Failure
Authors: Taléns‐Visconti Raquel , Rivera Miguel , Climent Vicente , Valero Ricardo , Martínez‐Dolz Luis , Sancho‐Tello Ma José , Cortés Raquel , Miro Vicente , Sevilla Begoña , Perez‐Bosca Jose Leandro , Bertomeu Vicente , Salvador Antonio , Jordan Alejandro , Marin Francisco , Sogorb Francisco
Published: March 2006

Background: M‐mode recordings of the mitral annulus to measure the maximum ascending velocity during early diastole as an expression of maximum longitudinal relaxation velocity of the left ventricle (RVm) can be used as an index of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of RVm with LV functional parameters in patients with heart failure, with N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) plasma levels, and with their functional classification. Methods and Results: RVm was recorded in 97 patients by M‐mode echocardiography. Patients were classified according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) and the concentration of NT‐proBNP was determined. Patients with ejection fraction (EF) > 40 showed a significant correlation between RVm and mitral annulus motion (MAM), mitral flow propagation velocity, E/A, age, deceleration time (DT), and NT‐proBNP. In patients with EF ≤ 40, RVm correlated significantly with MAM, EF, and NT‐proBNP. RVm values were higher in NYHA class I compared to II and III, P < 0.0001. Conclusions: RVm correlates better with functional parameters in patients with EF > 40, though its relationship with NT‐proBNP both in patients with EF > or ≤ 40 is to be highlighted. Correlation between RVm and NT‐proBNP is influenced by age, EF, and E/A, whereas in patients with EF > 40 it is influenced only by age. RVm values showed a significant decrease in NYHA class II and III.
Coronary Flow Velocity Reserve Measurement in Three Major Coronary Arteries Using Transthoracic Doppler Echocardiography
Authors: Murata Eriko , Hozumi Takeshi , Matsumura Yoshiki , Fujimoto Kohei , Sugioka Kenichi , Takemoto Yasuhiko , Watanabe Hiroyuki , Yamagishi Hiroyuki , Yoshiyama Minoru , Iwao Hiroshi , Yoshikawa Junichi
Published: March 2006

Background: Measurement of the coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE) has been reported to be useful for the noninvasive assessment of significant coronary artery stenosis or myocardial ischemia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of this method in three major coronary arteries for detecting myocardial ischemia in the clinical setting. Methods: We studied 89 consecutive patients who were referred to our outpatient clinic because of chest pain. We measured CFVR using TTDE in three major coronary arteries. We defined CFVR < 2.0 in at least one vessel as being positive for myocardial ischemia. The accuracy of CFVR measurements for detecting myocardial ischemia was determined in comparison with exercise thallium‐201 (Tl‐201) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) as a reference standard. Results: CFVR in at least one vessel was successfully measured in 87 of 89 patients (98%). The sensitivity and specificity of CFVR < 2.0 in at least one coronary vessel, in any of the coronary territories, was 86% and 89%, respectively. In terms of assessing myocardial ischemia in each coronary artery territory, the agreement between CFVR < 2.0 and Tl‐201 SPECT for the left anterior descending coronary artery, the posterior descending coronary artery, and the left circumflex coronary artery territories was 95%, 81%, and 73%, respectively. Conclusion: Noninvasive CFVR measurement by TTDE may be useful for detecting myocardial ischemia, as well as for identifying ischemic territories in the clinical setting.
The Impact of Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors on Intravascular Ultrasound‐Derived Morphologic Indices of Human Coronaries
Authors: Kahlon Jaskamal P.S. , Torey James , Nordstrom Cheryl K. , LaLonde Thomas A. , Ali Arshad , Schreiber Theodore L. , Ogawa Toshihiro , Maciejko James J. , Rosman Howard , Gardin Julius M.
Published: March 2006

Objective: The relationship of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)‐derived measurements of atherosclerotic plaque to various coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors is not well known. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of percent coronary luminal stenosis by IVUS to other IVUS measures of CAD, as well as the relationship of common IVUS measures of CAD to traditional CAD risk factors. We hypothesized that one or more IVUS measures of CAD might relate more strongly to CAD risk factors than does percent luminal coronary stenosis. Methods: The records of 897 consecutive patients (57% men, mean age 62 years) who underwent IVUS investigation of their coronary arteries from 1996 through 2001 were retrospectively reviewed. IVUS was performed using a 20‐MHz probe (Jomed, Rancho Cordoba, CA) and a manual pull‐back technique to image the coronary arteries. Coronary artery remodeling ratio—i.e., the ratio of coronary lesion external elastic membrane cross‐sectional area (EEM CSA) to proximal reference artery EEM CSA; plaque burden—i.e., plaque plus media CSA divided by EEM CSA; calcium arc; and percent stenosis of luminal cross‐sectional area were measured by a single reader. Results: Percent area stenosis, the most commonly used IVUS parameter, did not correlate with the other three IVUS‐derived parameters, nor was it related to any of the CAD risk factors considered. In contrast, remodeling ratio was directly correlated with plaque burden (r = 0.22, P < 0.001), but inversely related to calcium arc (r =−0.13, P = 0.01). IVUS plaque burden was significantly correlated with male gender (P < 0.0001) and diabetes mellitus (DM) (P = 0.003). In multivariate analyses including age, gender, and CAD risk factors, plaque burden was significantly associated with age, male gender, and DM, but not with chronic renal failure, hypertension, or hypercholesterolemia. The multivariate model also revealed that the calcium arc was significantly associated with male gender and age. These IVUS findings provide anatomic documentation that the traditional CAD risk factors relate more strongly to plaque burden than to percent coronary arterial luminal narrowing.
Echocardiographic Diagnosis of Air Embolism Associated with Central Venous Catheter Placement: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Maddukuri Prasad , Downey Brian C. , Blander Jessica A. , Pandian Natesa G. , Patel Ayan R.
Published: March 2006

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is a valuable tool in the evaluation of patients with suspected air embolism. This report describes the presentation and evaluation of a critically ill woman with spontaneous air embolism occurring during a central venous catheter replacement. Bedside TTE established the diagnosis of air embolism, allowing prompt initiation of appropriate therapy. This case report highlights this uncommon but potentially life‐threatening complication of central line placement and the utility of echocardiography in its evaluation.
Technical Aspects of Diastology: Why Mitral Inflow and Tissue Doppler Imaging Are the Preferred Parameters?
Authors: Bess Renee L. , Khan Shahabuddin , Rosman Howard S. , Cohen Gerald I. , Allebban Zuhair , Gardin Julius M.
Published: March 2006

Doppler methods for assessing left ventricular (LV) diastolic function have increased in number and complexity. However, time constraints may prevent measurement of all parameters during routine transthoracic echocardiography. Therefore, we designed a study to determine which Doppler parameters could be most successfully and quickly obtained. The recording success rate and time required to record different LV diastolic function parameters were evaluated in 80 patients. A specific recording protocol was followed by an experienced, credentialed sonographer and time intervals to record each parameter were measured. In comparison with color Doppler M‐mode of LV inflow propagation velocities (Vp) and pulmonary venous (PV) flow measurements, transmitral valve (MV) flow and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of the mitral annulus had the highest recording success rate and required the shortest time to record. PV flow and Vp took longer to obtain (80.1 ± 34.3 sec and 57.1 ± 29.1 sec, respectively) than did mitral valve inflow (36.3 ± 20.7sec) and mitral valve annular TDI (29.3 ± 18.4 sec for septal and 33.3 ± 14.5sec for lateral). MV flow velocities, Vp, and TDI were successfully recorded in virtually all patients (99–100%). In comparison, the PV flow velocities and durations were successfully recorded less often. The range of success rates for the six PV flow parameters was 49–84%. Since MV flow and TDI also have been shown by us to have the lowest interreader variability, measurement of these two parameters may be preferred for routine clinical evaluation of LV diastolic function in a busy echocardiography laboratory.
Differentiation of Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction, Identification of Pseudonormal/Restrictive Mitral Inflow Pattern and Determination of Left Ventricular Filling Pressure by Tei Index Obtained from Tissue Doppler Echocardiography
Authors: Su Ho‐Ming , Lin Tsung‐Hsien , Voon Wen‐Chol , Lee Kun‐Tai , Chu Chih‐Sheng , Lai Wen‐Ter , Sheu Sheng‐Hsiung
Published: March 2006

Background: Tei index obtained from tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE‐Tei index) has an inherent advantage of recording its systolic and diastolic components simultaneously on the same cardiac cycle. The aims of this study are to evaluate whether TDE‐Tei index also exerts a correlation with left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function and filling pressure and to see whether it can effectively identify the pseudonormal/restrictive mitral filling pattern. Methods: Echocardiographic examination was performed in 243 consecutive patients. These patients were classified into three groups as normal, abnormal relaxation, and pseudonormal/restrictive groups according to the transmitral E/A‐wave velocity (E/A), early diastolic velocity of lateral mitral annulus (Ea) and E/Ea. Results: Standard Doppler indices of LV filling such as E, A, E/A, and E‐wave deceleration time had a bimodal distribution, but Ea decreased and E/Ea and TDE‐Tei index increased progressively with worsening of LV diastolic function. The sensitivity and specificity of TDE‐Tei index >0.51 in the discrimination of pseudonormal/restrictive filling pattern were 85% and 96%, respectively. After stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, TDE‐Tei index had a significant negative correlation with Ea (β=−0.296, P < 0.001) and ejection fraction (β=−0.293, P < 0.001) and positive correlation with E/Ea (β= 0.235, P = 0.001). Conclusions: TDE‐Tei index increased with worsening of LV diastolic function and can effectively identify the pseudonormal/restrictive mitral inflow pattern. It also correlated with the echocardiographic parameters of LV systolic and diastolic function and filling pressure. It suggests that TDE‐Tei index is a simple and feasible marker in assessing global LV function.
Live/Real Time Three‐Dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiographic Assessment of Mycotic Pseudoaneurysm Involving the Descending Thoracic Aorta
Authors: Rajdev Sanjay , Nanda Navin C. , Patel Vinod , Singh Anurag , Yelamanchili Pridhvi , Duncan Kurt , Mehmood Farhat
Published: March 2006

We describe a patient in whom a mycotic aneurysm involving the distal descending thoracic aorta could be definitively diagnosed by live/real time three‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography.
Abnormalities in Fractal Heart Rate Dynamics in Chagas Disease
Authors: De Sousa Marcos Roberto , Huikuri Heikki V. , Lombardi Federico , Perez Amanda A. , Gomes Murilo E.D. , Lins Barros Marcio Vinícius , Val Barros Vladimir Costa , Costa Rocha Manoel Otávio , Pinho Ribeiro Antonio Luiz
Published: March 2006

Background and Methods: In order to study fractal HR dynamics in Chagas disease, we performed detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA)—along with analysis of power‐law β slope (β index) and standard deviation of N–N intervals (SDNN)—in edited and unedited (with ventricular premature beats — VPBs, only in DFA analysis) series of R‐R intervals from Holter monitoring of healthy controls (Group 0, n = 27) and Chagas disease patients with left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction >50% (Group 1, n = 137) and with LV ejection fraction <50% (Group 2, n = 23).

Results: When analyzed from the edited R‐R interval data, the long‐term scaling exponent α2 is altered both among the Chagas patients with and without LV dysfunction. The short‐term scaling exponent α1 was higher in Group 1 Chagas patients as compared to controls (P < 0.01) and did not differ between Group 2 and controls. In unedited R‐R interval series, α1 was significantly reduced in Group 2 Chagas patients (0.55 ± 0.002) as compared to controls (0.90 ± 0.002) and Group 1 (0.91 ± 0.003) (P < 0.001), but did not differ between Group 1 and controls. Similarly α2 was lower in Group 2 compared to other groups (P < 0.001). SDNN did not differ between the groups, but the β index derived from 1/f model was reduced both in Group 1 and 2 Chagas patients as compared to controls (P < 0.01). There was strong correlation (rs = 0.82; P < 0.001) between the β and α2 index from edited series. There was an inverse correlation (rs =−0.63, P < 0.01) between the number of VPBs and α1 index of unedited series.

Conclusions: The long‐term fractal HR dynamics altered in chagasic patients with and without LV dysfunction could be an early sign of autonomic dysfunction. Patients with impaired LV function show marked alterations in short‐term fractal HR dynamics toward more random behavior, mainly due to frequent ectopy. Prospective studies are necessary to define the value of these indices as predictors of death in Chagas disease.
Right Ventricular Infarction Mimicking Anterior Infarction
Authors: Vavuranakis Manolis , Drakopoulou Maria , Toutouzas Konstantinos , Polychronis Dilaveris , Stefanadis Christodoulos
Published: March 2006

It is rare to observe ST elevation in anterior derivations caused by right ventricular branch occlusion. We described the case of a patient with unstable angina who developed acute right ventricular myocardial infarction with ST‐segment elevation in anterior precordial leads (V1–V4) shortly after coronary angiography. Coronary angiogram revealed total occlusion of the right coronary artery (RCA) proximally to the right ventricular branch. This reminds us that the presence of diffuse ST‐segment elevation in the precordial leads could be due to acute RCA occlusion. The differentiation of these two entities is important, as their therapies are quite different.
Stenosis in hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula: Evaluation and treatment
Authors: CAMPOS Rodrigo P. , DO NASCIMENTO Marcelo M. , CHULA Domingos C. , DO NASCIMENTO Daniel E. , RIELLA Miguel C.
Published: March 2006

Vascular access complications are one of the main causes associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality in stage 5 chronic kidney disease patients. The arteriovenous fistula is regarded as the vascular access of choice for hemodialysis (HD) because of its superior patency and lower complication rates. Stenosis is considered the major cause of dysfunction of arteriovenous fistula. Despite the relatively low thrombosis rates of arteriovenous fistula, surveillance programs are necessary for detection of stenosis. We report a case of a HD patient who had never achieved an adequate Kt/V since the start of maintenance HD. During the investigation, abnormal findings were found on physical examination of the fistula, in addition to an alteration in intra‐access pressure (IAP) measurements. A venous stenosis was diagnosed by Doppler ultrasound and then promptly treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. The purpose of the discussion is to highlight the peculiarities of arteriovenous fistulae, methods of surveillance, including physical examination, IAP, recirculation, and measurements of blood flow, and the importance of the correction procedures for the stenosis.
Effect of Incorporating Method of Niobium on the Properties of Doped Barium Titanate Ceramics
Authors: Yaseen Hanady , Baltianski Sioma , Tsur Yoed
Published: March 2006

A series of undoped and doped barium titanate powders were prepared and examined by: X‐ray diffraction, high‐resolution scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, particle size, ζ‐potential, specific surface area, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), impedance spectroscopy, and secondary‐ion mass spectrometry. The doped samples were prepared by two different methods: (1) coating powders with chlorides and (2) mixing chlorides in a hydrothermal reactor. Different distribution profiles of the dopant atoms were observed for the two incorporation methods. Two TC peaks were detected by DSC for samples doped by coating. Analysis of electrical measurements revealed time constant distributions that were more spread in samples that had a core–shell structure.
Nano‐Blast Synthesis of Nano‐size CeO2–Gd2O3 Powders
Authors: Vasylkiv Oleg , Sakka Yoshio , Skorokhod Valeriy V.
Published: March 2006

CeCl3·7H2O and GdCl3·6H2O that were dissolved in water were precipitated with urea (NH2CONH2) to produce matrix agglomerates for three‐component nano‐reactors. Mixing hexamethylenetetramine with dilute nitric acid resulted in the formation of well‐dispersed nano‐particles of cyclotrimetilene trinitramine (C3H6N6O6) (RDX) in the solvent. Nano‐reactors were produced by impregnating the nano‐C3H6N6O6 into the matrix agglomerates of an intermediate complex of cerium and gadolinium compounds. Blast initiation of the C3H6N6O6 resulted in extremely rapid detonation and gaseous products formation at temperatures of 2000°–5000°C, which were compressed into a volume nearly equal to the initial volume of each RDX nano‐particle. Multiple “nano‐blasts” occurred in the volume of each nano‐reactor. The impact of the blast waves led to fragmentation of the surrounding matter. The evolution of a large volume of gaseous products dissipated the heat of the process and limited temperature increase, thus reducing the possibility of local sintering among the primary particles. The short‐term high temperature generated during the blasts enhanced the solid solubility of the metal oxides. Uniform aggregates of 22∼74 nm consisting of 6∼14 nm crystallites of gadolinia in ceria solid solution were synthesized.
Energy‐Filtered TEM Study of Ostwald Ripening of Si Nanocrystals in a SiOC Glass
Authors: Gregori Giuliano , Kleebe Hans‐Joachim , Readey Dennis W. , Sorarù Gian Domenico
Published: March 2006

Sol–gel‐derived SiOC ceramics are metastable glasses that undergo microstructural modifications upon annealing at temperatures exceeding 1000°C. Typically, silicon‐rich SiOC compounds show the presence of a low volume fraction of silicon and silicon carbide nanocrystals upon exposure to 1200°C. Here, the microstructural changes occurring in a Si‐rich SiOC composition after long‐term annealing experiments performed at 1300°C for 1, 10, and 100 h were investigated by high‐resolution (HRTEM) and energy‐filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM), in order to characterize the size evolution of the Si precipitates. The elemental maps obtained through EFTEM analysis indicate that the nanocrystals grow as a function of the annealing time according to the classical mechanism of Ostwald ripening. The estimated diffusion constant of silicon in the SiOC matrix is on the order of 7 × 10−17 cm2/s.
Mechanism of ZrTiO4 Synthesis by Mechanochemical Processing of TiO2 and ZrO2
Authors: Gajović Andreja , Furić Krešimir , Musić Svetozar , Djerdj Igor , Tonejc Antun , Tonejc Anđelka M. , Su Dangsheng , Schlögl Robert
Published: March 2006

High‐energy ball milling initiates a solid‐state reaction in an equimolar mixture of TiO2 and ZrO2. The first stage of ball milling induced the transformation of anatase TiO2 to high‐pressure phase TiO2 (II), isostructural with ZrTiO4. The formation of solid solutions monoclinic ZrO2/TiO2 and TiO2 (II)/ZrO2 was observed in the intermediate stage. Afterward, a nanosized ZrTiO4 phase was formed in the milled product from the TiO2 (II)/ZrO2 solid solution. The sintering of the milled product at a temperature <1100°C was examined in situ by Raman spectroscopy. The full solid‐state reaction toward ZrTiO4 ceramic is completed at a temperature considerably lower than reported in the literature.
Early intervention of recent onset mild persistent asthma in children aged under 11 yrs: the Steroid Treatment As Regular Therapy in early asthma (START) trial
Authors: Chen Yu‐Zhi , Busse William W. , Pedersen Søren , Tan Wan , Lamm Carl‐Johan , O'Byrne Paul M.
Published: March 2006

Inhaled corticosteroids are known to be effective in persistent asthma, but their long‐term effect in mild persistent disease of recent onset, which is particularly relevant in children, requires clarification. The objective of this study was to determine the long‐term efficacy of regular inhaled low‐dose budesonide in children aged <11 yrs with mild persistent asthma with onset within 2 yrs of enrollment. Children aged 5–10 yrs formed part of the population of the inhaled Steroid Treatment As Regular Therapy in early asthma (START) study, and they were randomized in a double‐blind manner to treatment with once daily budesonide 200 μg or placebo via TurbuhalerTM in addition to usual clinical care and other asthma medication. The double‐blind treatment phase continued for 3 yrs. Of the 1974 children, 1000 in the budesonide group and 974 in the placebo group, were analyzed for efficacy. Addition of once‐daily budesonide to usual care was associated with a significant increase in the time to first severe asthma‐related event (SARE) and significantly reduced risk of SARE over 3 yrs. The hazard ratio relative to usual care (placebo) was 0.60 (95% confidence interval: 0.40–0.90; p = 0.012), with a relative risk reduction of 40%. Children receiving budesonide also needed significantly less intervention with other inhaled corticosteroids (12.3% vs. 22.5% over 3 yrs; p < 0.01), with trends towards decreased usage of oral/systemic corticosteroids and inhaled short‐acting β2‐agonists. Budesonide treatment also had a significant beneficial effect on lung function relative to placebo. In conclusion, early intervention adding once‐daily budesonide to usual care in children with mild, persistent asthma of recent onset reduces the long‐term risk and frequency of SAREs and improves lung function compared with usual care alone.
Separation, cultivation and biological characteristics of oral carcinoma‐associated fibroblasts
Authors: Liu Y , Hu T , Shen J , Li SF , Lin JW , Zheng XH , Gao QH , Zhou HM
Published: March 2006

Objectives:  Carcinoma‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been suggested to regulate the initiation and progression of many types of solid tumors. The aim of the study was to separate, cultivate, identify oral CAFs, and to investigate their biological characteristics.

Materials and methods:  The primary CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) of the tongue were obtained by tissue culture. Then cells were dissociated by 0.25% trypsin and purified by curettage method combining with trypsinization. The cells were verified according to morphological observation and immunohistochemical staining of certain proteins. Multiple proliferation indexes and karyotype of the cells were assayed.

Results:  Third passage purified oral CAFs and NFs were attained successfully. The morphological characteristics of the CAFs changed significantly comparing to the NFs. The CAFs showed positive staining for vimentin, α‐smooth muscle actin and matrix metalloproteinases‐2. The proliferation and mitosis ability of the CAFs were significantly increased compared with the NFs (P < 0.05). No karyotypic abnormalities were found in the CAFs.

Conclusions:  There were obvious differences in the biological characteristics between oral CAFs and NFs. The results may provide us an experimental foundation for further studies on the roles of CAFs in the initiation and progression of oral cancer.
Phosphodiesterase 1B differentially modulates the effects of methamphetamine on locomotor activity and spatial learning through DARPP32‐dependent pathways: evidence from PDE1B‐DARPP32 double‐knockout mice
Authors: Ehrman L. A. , Williams M. T. , Schaefer T. L. , Gudelsky G. A. , Reed T. M. , Fienberg A. A. , Greengard P. , Vorhees C. V.
Published: March 2006

Mice lacking phosphodiesterase 1B (PDE1B) exhibit an exaggerated locomotor response to d‐methamphetamine and increased in vitro phosphorylation of DARPP32 (dopamine‐ and cAMP‐regulated phosphoprotein, Mr 32 kDa) at Thr34 in striatal brain slices treated with the D1 receptor agonist, SKF81297. These results indicated a possible regulatory role for PDE1B in pathways involving DARPP32. Here, we generated PDE1B × DARPP32 double‐knockout (double‐KO) mice to test the role of PDE1B in DARPP32‐dependent pathways in vivo. Analysis of the response to d‐methamphetamine on locomotor activity showed that the hyperactivity experienced by PDE1B mutant mice was blocked in PDE1B–/–x DARPP32–/– double‐KO mice, consistent with participation of PDE1B and DARPP32 in the same pathway. Further behavioral testing in the elevated zero‐maze revealed that DARPP32–/– mice showed a less anxious phenotype that was nullified in double‐mutant mice. In contrast, in the Morris water maze, double‐KO mice showed deficits in spatial reversal learning not observed in either single mutant compared with wild‐type mice. The data suggest a role for PDE1B in locomotor responses to psychostimulants through modulation of DARPP32‐dependent pathways; however, this modulation does not necessarily impact other behaviors, such as anxiety or learning. Instead, the phenotype of double‐KOs observed in these latter tasks may be mediated through independent pathways.
Thermal nociception in adult Drosophila: behavioral characterization and the role of the painless gene
Authors: Xu S. Y. , Cang C. L. , Liu X. F. , Peng Y. Q. , Ye Y. Z. , Zhao Z. Q. , Guo A. K.
Published: March 2006

Nociception, warning of injury that should be avoided, serves an important protective function in animals. In this study, we show that adult Drosophila avoids noxious heat by a jump response. To quantitatively analyze this nociceptive behavior, we developed two assays. In the CO2 laser beam assay, flies exhibit this behavior when a laser beam heats their abdomens. The consistency of the jump latency in this assay meets an important criterion for a good nociceptive assay. In the hot plate assay, flies jump quickly to escape from a hot copper plate (>45 °C). Our results demonstrate that, as in mammals, the latency of the jump response is inversely related to stimulus intensity, and innoxious thermosensation does not elicit this nociceptive behavior. To explore the genetic mechanisms of nociception, we examined several mutants in both assays. Abnormal nociceptive behavior of a mutant, painless1, indicates that painless, a gene essential for nociception in Drosophila larvae, is also required for thermal nociception in adult flies. painless is expressed in certain neurons of the peripheral nervous system and thoracic ganglia, as well as in the definite brain structures, the mushroom bodies. However, chemical or genetic insults to the mushroom bodies do not influence the nociceptive behavior, suggesting that different painless‐expressing neurons play diverse roles in thermal nociception. Additionally, no‐bridgeKS49, a mutant that has a structural defect in the protocerebral bridge, shows defective response to noxious heat. Thus, our results validate adult Drosophila as a useful model to study the genetic mechanisms of thermal nociception.
Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Release in a Tropical Seasonal Rain Forest of Xishuangbanna, Southwest China1
Authors: Zheng Zheng , Shanmughavel P. , Sha Liqing , Cao Min , Warren Matthew
Published: March 2006

We studied litter decomposition and nutrient release in a tropical seasonal rain forest of Xishuangbanna, Southwest China. The monthly decay rates (k) of leaf litter ranged from 0.02 to 0.21/mo, and correlated with rainfall and soil moisture. Annualkvalues for leaf litter (1.79/yr) averaged 4.2 times of those for coarse wood (2.5–3.5 cm in diameter). The turnover coefficients of forest floor mass (annual litterfall input/mean floor mass) were: 4.11/yr for flowers and fruits, 2.07/yr for leaves, and 1.17/yr for fine wood (≤2 cm in diameter), with resident time decreasing from fine woods (0.85 yr) to leaves (0.48 yr) and to flower and fruits (0.24 yr). Nutrient residence times in the forest floor mass were ranked as: Ca (1.0 yr) > P (0.92 yr) > Mg (0.64 yr) > N (0.36 yr) > K (0.31 yr). Our data suggest that rates of litter decomposition and nutrient release in the seasonal rain forest of Xishuangbanna are slower than those in typical lowland rain forests, but similar to those in tropical semideciduous forests.
“De‐risking” Corporate Pension Plans: Options for CFOs
Authors: Berner Richard , Boudreau Bryan , Peskin Michael
Published: March 2006

Until the stock market bubble burst in 2000–2002, most CFOs viewed their defined benefit pension plans as profit centers and relatively risk‐free sources of income. Since neither pension assets nor liabilities were reported on corporate balance sheets, and expected returns on pension stocks could be substituted for actual returns when reporting net income, the risks associated with DB plans were masked by GAAP accounting and thus assumed to have no bearing on corporate capital structure. But when stock prices and corporate profits fell together, the risks associated with conventional stock‐heavy pension plans showed up first in reduced pension surpluses (or, in many cases, deficits) and then later in higher required cash contributions and lower reported earnings. As a consequence, today's investors (and rating agencies) are viewing pension and other legacy liabilities as corporate debt, and demands for transparency and increased funding have triggered accounting changes and proposed legislative reforms that will further unmask the economics.

This article aims to provide both private‐sector and public‐sector CFOs with suggestions for reducing and controlling the cost of providing for the retirement of their employees. Profitable, tax‐paying companies with DB plans should consider (1) funding any unfunded liabilities (if necessary, by issuing debt) and (2) reducing pension equity and interest rate exposures by shifting some (if not all) pension assets into bonds and defeasing the pension liability (achieving a tax arbitrage in the process). And in cases where the expected costs of maintaining DB plans outweigh the benefits, companies should consider freezing or terminating their plans and switching to a defined contribution (DC) or some form of hybrid plan. The authors also propose similar changes for public pension plans, where underfunding and mismatch problems are greater, less transparent, and in some ways less tractable than those of corporate DB plans.
Risk Allocation in Retirement Plans: A Better Solution
Authors: Fuerst Donald E.
Published: March 2006

The corporate world is reconsidering the cost‐effectiveness of defined benefit pension plans while contemplating a change to defined contribution plans. This article begins by examining the three primary risks faced by sponsors of most DB pension plans—investment risk, interest rate risk, and longevity risk—and shows how shifting these risks to employees through a DC plan would affect both the corporation and the individual. Although DC plans clearly help companies manage risks, they provide at best an incomplete solution for individual participants.

This article describes an innovation in pension design—the Retirement Shares Plan (RSP)—that combines many of the best features of DB and DC plans. An RSP provides:

predictable and stable cost to the plan sponsor, with little chance of unfunded liabilities;

lifetime income, guaranteeing that retirees will never outlive their benefits;

a benefit accrual pattern comparable to that of traditional pension plans that preserves value for older, long‐service employees; and

potential inflation protection for retirees.

The RSP accomplishes this by allocating risk to sponsors and individuals differently than either a traditional DB plan or a DC plan. Unlike most DB plans, the RSP shifts investment and interest rate risks from plan sponsors to participants. Unlike DC plans, the RSP keeps longevity risk with the sponsor.
Defeasing Legacy Costs*
Authors: Berner Richard , Peskin Michael
Published: March 2006

The authors propose a new way to defease the legacy costs of America's defined benefit pension system that will help ensure its viability. The proposal would allow companies to exchange their legacy pension debt for another liability with more attractive terms—to the benefit of the sponsor, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), and the plan participants. The transparency gained by separating the past from future liabilities will give better insight into sponsors' balance sheets. And it could take the PBGC out of the impossible position of insuring against events over which the insured have considerable control.