bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Raphe Serotonin Neurons in the Human Brain Stem in Normal Controls and Patients with Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer Type and Parkinson's Disease: Relationship to Monoamine Oxidase Enzyme Localization (Part 1 of 3)
Authors: Chan-Palay V. , Höchli M. , Jentsch B. , Leonard B. , Zetzsche T.
Published: August 2007

The raphe serotonin system was studied in patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) or with Parkinson's disease and compared with normal controls. Postmortem brain stems were cut in coronal sections from the red nucleus to the decussation of the pyramidal tract and were reacted with PH8 antibodies (PH8) which cross-react with tryptophan hydroxylase, the synthesizing enzyme for serotonin. In addition, adjacent sections were reacted with antibodies against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) to detect catecholamine neurons in the locus ceruleus (LC), with monoamine oxidase (MAO) A antibodies, which labeled most neurons in the LC, or with MAO B antibodies which labeled a subpopulation of neurons in the raphe nuclei. A computer-based-image-analysis system was used for counting cell numbers and, in addition, 3-dimensional reconstructions of all raphe nuclei were made with this program. In SDAT, a loss of PH8-immunoreactive (PH8-i) neurons was detected in the raphe nuclei. This loss was most pronounced in the ventrolateral division of the dorsal raphe nucleus and was correlated to the cortical pathology and age of the patients. In addition the number of TH-immunoreactive (TH-i) neurons was reduced in the LC, with the rostral parts of the nucleus being the most severely affected. A comparison of the morphological changes in SDAT revealed that, in the same cases, the greatest neuronal alterations were found in the TH-i neurons in the LC rather than in the PH8-i neurons in the raphe nuclei. This reduction of TH-i neurons was matched by a loss of MAO A-immunoreactive (MAO A-i) neurons in the LC in SDAT. Similarly, the loss of PH8-i neurons was accompanied by a loss of MAO B-immunoreactive neurons in the raphe nuclei. In Parkinson's disease two different types of pathologies were found in the raphe nuclei; in one case with dementia a reduction of PH8-i neurons was seen in the ventrolateral and caudal subnucleus of the dorsal raphe. In two other cases with depression, severe cell loss was found in the raphe obscurus. All these Parkinson cases showed a considerable reduction of TH-i and MAO A-i neurons in the LC. Thus, the catecholamine lesions of the LC are more severe than the serotonin lesions of the raphe in SDAT patients and this was true of Parkinson patients as well. The relationships of catecholamine neurons with the MAO A enzyme localization and of serotonin neurons with the MAO B enzyme were also confirmed.
Full Complement Activation Fails in Diffuse Plaques of the Alzheimer's Disease Cerebellum
Authors: Lue Lih-Fen , Rogers Joseph
Published: August 2007

By using single- or double-color immunohistochemistry of Β-amyloid peptide, complement proteins C4d, C3d, and C5b-9, and the HLA-DR marker LN-3, differences were detected in the extent of complement activation in the two major types of cerebellar Β-amyloid peptide deposit, diffuse and compacted senile plaques. Both types of deposit were highly co-localized with immunoreactivity of complement protein C4d, an early stage complement fragment. However, immunoreactivity of C3d, an intermediate stage complement fragment, co-localized predominantly with compacted plaques and could only occasionally be found in diffuse plaques. Immunoreactivity for C5b-9, the membrane attack complex formed as a final step in full complement activation and responsible for lysis of bystander cells, could only be detected unequivocally in compacted plaques, not in diffuse plaques. The failure of full complement activation in diffuse plaques, which greatly predominate in the Alzheimer's cerebellum, may underlie the relative paucity of cerebellar pathology and clinical symptomatology in Alzheimer's disease.
A Comparative Study of Attentional Deficits in Senile Dementias of Alzheimer and Lewy Body Types
Authors: Sahgal Arjun , Galloway Peter H. , McKeith Ian G. , Edwardson James A. , Lloyd Stephen
Published: August 2007

Most neuropsychological studies of senile dementia, including Alzheimer's type (SD AT) and Lewy body type (SDLT), have investigated mnemonic deficiencies. In this study, we compared and contrasted attentional ability in two (SDAT, SDLT) groups of patients in equivalently mild stages of dementia. Based on evidence from previous autopsy material, it was predicted that SDLT patients would have especially severe attentional deficits, reflecting the nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration associated with this form of dementia. Both groups were impaired, compared to the control, on an attentional set-shifting task. The SDLT group's visual search matching-to-sample performance was, however, worse than that seen in SDAT patients (who performed at nearly control levels). We conclude that there are quantitative and, more importantly, qualitative differences between SDAT and SDLT in terms of cognitive dysfunction, the latter group's attentional deficiencies resembling those reported for Parkinson's disease.
TAFI and Pancreatic Carboxypeptidase B Modulate In Vitro Capillary Tube Formation by Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Guimarães Ana H.C. , Laurens Nancy , Weijers Ester M. , Koolwijk Pieter , van Hinsbergh Victor W.M. , Rijken Dingeman C.
Published: August 2007

Objective—

Besides having a key role in fibrinolysis, the plasminogen system has been implicated in cell migration and angiogenesis. A common mechanism is the binding of plasminogen to carboxy-terminal lysine residues in partially degraded fibrin or on cellular surfaces. Here we examined the involvement of thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) and pancreatic carboxypeptidase B (CPB) in an in vitro capillary tube formation system, which is largely plasminogen-dependent.

Methods and Results—

Human microvascular endothelial cells (hMVECs) were seeded on a 3D plasma clot matrix and subsequently stimulated with bFGF/tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Tube formation was analyzed and fibrin degradation products (FbDP) were determined in the medium. Supplementation of the matrix with additional TAFI or CPB produced a reduction in tube formation. Pretreatment of hMVECs with CPB before seeding resulted in a similar effect. FbDP-levels indicated a concomitant reduction in matrix proteolysis. A TAFIa inhibitor increased tube formation and FbDP release into the medium. In separate assays, CPB impaired the migration of hMVECs in a dose-dependent manner, whereas proliferation and adhesion remained unaffected.

Conclusions—

Overall, these results demonstrate that TAFI and CPB in these systems modulate the plasminogen system both in the matrix and on the cell surface, thus leading to the inhibition of endothelial cell movement and tube formation.
Laminar Shear Inhibits Tubule Formation and Migration of Endothelial Cells by an Angiopoietin-2–Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Tressel Sarah L. , Huang Ruo-Pan , Tomsen Nicholas , Jo Hanjoong
Published: August 2007

Objective—

Fluid shear stress plays a role in angiogenesis. Laminar shear stress (LS) promotes endothelial cell (EC) quiescence, whereas oscillatory shear stress (OS) promotes EC turnover and dysfunction, which could lead to pathological angiogenesis. We hypothesized that LS inhibits EC migration and tubule formation, 2 functions important in angiogenesis, by inhibiting the secretion of proangiogenic factors.

Methods and Results—

Human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs), human microvascular ECs (HMECs), or bovine aortic ECs (BAECs) were subjected to either LS (15 dyn/cm
2
) or OS (±5 dyn/cm
2
) for 24 hours and used in Matrigel tubule formation or scratch migration assays. Exposure of HUVECs, HMECs, but not BAECs, to LS inhibited tubule formation compared with OS. LS also inhibited migration of HUVECs and BAECs compared with OS. Angiopoietin-2 (Ang2), a known angiogenic protein, was found to be downregulated by LS both in cultured ECs and mouse aortas. Using Ang2 siRNA, Ang2 knockdown blocked OS-mediated migration and tubule formation and the LS-inhibited tubule formation was partially rescued by recombinant Ang2.

Conclusions—

Our data suggests that Ang2 produced by OS in ECs plays a critical role in migration and tubule formation, and may play an important role in diseases with disturbed flow and angiogenesis.
Connexin43 Remodeling Caused by Inhibition of Plakophilin-2 Expression in Cardiac Cells
Authors: Oxford Eva M. , Musa Hassan , Maass Karen , Coombs Wanda , Taffet Steven M. , Delmar Mario
Published: August 2007

Desmosomes and gap junctions are distinct structural components of the cardiac intercalated disc. Here, we asked whether the presence of plakophilin (PKP)2, a component of the desmosome, is essential for the proper function and distribution of the gap junction protein connexin (Cx)43. We used RNA silencing technology to decrease the expression of PKP2 in cardiac cells (ventricular myocytes, as well as epicardium-derived cells) obtained from neonatal rat hearts. We evaluated the content, distribution, and function of Cx43 gap junctions. Our results show that loss of PKP2 expression led to a decrease in total Cx43 content, a significant redistribution of Cx43 to the intracellular space, and a decrease in dye coupling between cells. Separate experiments showed that Cx43 and PKP2 can coexist in the same macromolecular complex. Our results support the notion of a molecular crosstalk between desmosomal and gap junction proteins. The results are discussed in the context of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, an inherited disease involving mutations in desmosomal proteins, including PKP2.
Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Stimulates Chondrogenic and Inhibits Adipogenic Differentiation of Pericytes
Authors: Kirton John Paul , Crofts Nicola J. , George Sarah J. , Brennan Keith , Canfield Ann E.
Published: August 2007

The aberrant differentiation of pericytes along the adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic lineages may contribute to the development and progression of several vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and calcific vasculopathies. However, the mechanisms controlling pericyte differentiation and, in particular, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation are poorly defined. Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulates cell differentiation during embryonic and postnatal development, and there is increasing evidence that it is involved in vascular pathology. Therefore, this study tested the hypothesis that Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulates the chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation of pericytes. We demonstrate that pericytes express several Wnt receptors, including LDL receptor–related proteins 5 and 6, and Frizzled 1 to 4 and 7, 8, and 10, and that Wnt/β-catenin signaling is stimulated by both Wnt3a and LiCl. Furthermore, induction of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by LiCl enhances chondrogenesis in pericyte pellet cultures in the presence of transforming growth factor-β3, as demonstrated by increased Sox-9 expression and glycosaminoglycan accumulation into the matrix. In contrast, transduction of pericytes with a recombinant adenovirus encoding dominant-negative T-cell factor-4 (RAd/dnTCF), which blocks Wnt/β-catenin signaling, inhibited chondrogenesis, leading to reduced Sox-9 and type II collagen expression and less glycosaminoglycan accumulation. Together, these data demonstrate that transforming growth factor-β3 induces the chondrogenic differentiation of pericytes by inducing Wnt/β-catenin signaling and T-cell factor–induced gene transcription. Induction of Wnt/β-catenin signaling also attenuates adipogenic differentiation of pericytes in both pellet and monolayer cultures, as demonstrated by decreased staining with oil red O and reduced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2 expression. This effect was negated by transduction of pericytes with RAd/dnTCF. Together, these results demonstrate that Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibits adipogenic and enhances chondrogenic differentiation of pericytes.
Impaired Heart Contractility in Apelin Gene–Deficient Mice Associated With Aging and Pressure Overload
Authors: Kuba Keiji , Zhang Liyong , Imai Yumiko , Arab Sara , Chen Manyin , Maekawa Yuichiro , Leschnik Michael , Leibbrandt Andreas , Markovic Mato , Schwaighofer Julia , Beetz Nadine , Musialek Renata , Neely G. Greg , Komnenovic Vukoslav , Kolm Ursula , Metzler Bernhard , Ricci Romeo , Hara Hiromitsu , Meixner Arabella , Nghiem Mai , Chen Xin , Dawood Fayez , Wong Kit Man , Sarao Renu , Cukerman Eva , Kimura Akinori , Hein Lutz , Thalhammer Johann , Liu Peter P. , Penninger Josef M.
Published: August 2007

Apelin constitutes a novel endogenous peptide system suggested to be involved in a broad range of physiological functions, including cardiovascular function, heart development, control of fluid homeostasis, and obesity. Apelin is also a catalytic substrate for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, the key severe acute respiratory syndrome receptor. The in vivo physiological role of Apelin is still elusive. Here we report the generation of Apelin gene–targeted mice. Apelin mutant mice are viable and fertile, appear healthy, and exhibit normal body weight, water and food intake, heart rates, and heart morphology. Intriguingly, aged Apelin knockout mice developed progressive impairment of cardiac contractility associated with systolic dysfunction in the absence of histological abnormalities. We also report that pressure overload induces upregulation of Apelin expression in the heart. Importantly, in pressure overload–induced heart failure, loss of Apelin did not significantly affect the hypertrophy response, but Apelin mutant mice developed progressive heart failure. Global gene expression arrays and hierarchical clustering of differentially expressed genes in hearts of banded Apelin
−/y
and Apelin
+/y
mice showed concerted upregulation of genes involved in extracellular matrix remodeling and muscle contraction. These genetic data show that the endogenous peptide Apelin is crucial to maintain cardiac contractility in pressure overload and aging.
Regional Systems of Care to Optimize Timeliness of Reperfusion Therapy for ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Ting Henry H. , Rihal Charanjit S. , Gersh Bernard J. , Haro Luis H. , Bjerke Christine M. , Lennon Ryan J. , Lim Choon-Chern , Bresnahan John F. , Jaffe Allan S. , Holmes David R. , Bell Malcolm R.
Published: August 2007

Background—

Quality improvement efforts have focused on strategies to improve the timeliness of reperfusion therapy in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients who present to hospitals with and without percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) capability. We implemented and evaluated a protocol to optimize the timeliness of reperfusion therapy and to coordinate systems of care for a PCI center and 28 regional hospitals located up to 150 miles away across 3 states.

Methods and Results—

The present study focused on a prospective, observational cohort of 597 patients who presented with ST-segment elevation and within 12 hours of symptom onset to Saint Marys Hospital and 28 regional hospitals up to 150 miles away between May 2004 and December 2006. The Mayo Clinic ST-elevation myocardial infarction protocol implemented strategies to improve timeliness of reperfusion therapy and to coordinate systems of care for transfer between hospitals. The study sample consisted of 258 patients who presented to Saint Marys Hospital and were treated with primary PCI (group A), 105 patients who presented to a regional hospital with symptom onset >3 hours and then were transferred for primary PCI (group B), and 131 patients who presented to a regional hospital with symptom onset <3 hours and were treated with full-dose fibrinolytic therapy (group C). For groups A and B, median door-to-balloon times were 71 and 116 minutes, respectively. Door-to-balloon time <90 minutes was achieved in 75% of group A and 12% of group B. Median door-to-needle time was 25 minutes for group C, and 70% had door-to-needle time <30 minutes.

Conclusions—

The Mayo Clinic ST-elevation myocardial infarction protocol demonstrates the feasibility of implementing strategies to optimize the timeliness of reperfusion therapy and the times that can be achieved through coordinated systems of care for ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients presenting to a PCI center (Saint Marys Hospital) and 28 regional hospitals without PCI capability located up to 150 miles away across 3 states.
Stroke Symptoms in Individuals Reporting No Prior Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack Are Associated With a Decrease in Indices of Mental and Physical Functioning
Authors: Howard George , Safford Monika M. , Meschia James F. , Moy Claudia S. , Howard Virginia J. , Pulley LeaVonne , Gomez Camilo R. , Crowther Martha
Published: August 2007

Background and Purpose—

Stroke symptoms in the absence of recognized stroke are common, but potential associated dysfunctions have not been described.

Methods—

We assessed quality-of-life measures using the Physical and Mental Component Summary scores of the Short Form 12 (PCS-12 and MCS-12) in the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort. Differences in mean PCS-12 and MCS-12 scores were assessed among participant groups symptoms-free (n=16 090); history of stroke symptoms but free of stroke/transient ischemic attack (n=3404); history of stroke (n=1491); and history of transient ischemic attack (n=818).

Results—

Participants with symptoms (but no diagnosis) had average PCS-12 scores 5.5 (95% CI: 5.2 to 5.9) points lower than those without symptoms, a difference similar to transient ischemic attack (6.0; 95% CI: 5.3 to 6.7) and over one half the effect of stroke (8.4; 95% CI: 8.0 to 9.0). MCS-12 scores were 2.7 (95% CI: 2.4 to 3.0) points lower for those with symptoms, −0.5 for transient ischemic attack (95% CI: 0.0 to −1.1), and −1.6 for stroke (95% CI: −1.2 to −2.0). Differences in demographic and vascular risk factors, health behaviors, physiological measures, and indices of socioeconomic status did not fully explain these differences. Those reporting history of weakness or numbness had larger current decrements in physical functioning, and those reporting history of inability to express themselves or understand language had larger current decrements in mental functioning.

Conclusions—

Individuals with clinically consistent symptoms but no stroke diagnosis have a lower quality of life than those without symptoms. The difference in physical functioning is substantial with a smaller decline in mental functioning. Apart from so-called “silent stroke,” there appear to be many individuals with possibly symptomatic cerebrovascular disease—either stroke or transient ischemic attack—who are not being diagnosed. Furthermore, these symptomatic but undiagnosed strokes may not be benign.
Mobile Aortic Plaques Are a Cause of Multiple Brain Infarcts Seen on Diffusion-Weighted Imaging
Authors: Ueno Yuji , Kimura Kazumi , Iguchi Yasuyuki , Shibazaki Kensaku , Inoue Takeshi , Hattori Nobutaka , Urabe Takao
Published: August 2007

Background and Purpose—

Multiple brain infarcts are often seen on diffusion-weighted images in cardioembolic stroke patients. Recently, mobile aortic plaques (MAPs) have been proposed as embolic sources. However, the clinical characteristics of patients with MAPs are unclear.

Methods—

We prospectively studied patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent transesophageal echocardiography. The patients were classified into 3 groups based on transesophageal echocardiography findings: atheromatous aortic plaques <4 mm, atheromatous aortic plaques ≥4 mm without mobility, and MAPs. Based on their diffusion-weighted image findings, the patients were divided into 3 subgroups: (1) single lesion; (2) multiple lesions in a single vascular territory; and (3) multiple lesions in multiple vascular territories. We assessed the clinical characteristics and the diffusion-weighted image findings of stroke patients with MAPs.

Results—

One hundred sixty-seven patients (age, 70±12 years; 98 males) were enrolled; 128 (77%) had atheromatous aortic plaques <4 mm, 27 (16%) had atheromatous aortic plaques ≥4 mm, and 12 (7%) had MAPs. Older age, male gender, coronary artery disease, and cerebral arterial stenotic lesions were seen most frequently in patients with MAPs. On diffusion-weighted image findings, patients with MAPs were most frequent in the multiple lesions in multiple vascular territories group (
P
=0.001). On multiple logistic regression analysis, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.22;
P
=0.039), arterial stenotic lesions (OR: 4.71; 95% CI: 1.35 to 16.41;
P
=0.015), and mobile aortic plaques (OR: 14.44; 95% CI: 2.87 to 72.66;
P
=0.001) were significantly associated with the multiple lesions in multiple vascular territories group.

Conclusions—

MAPs were not uncommonly observed in patients with acute ischemic stroke. MAPs could cause multiple brain infarcts on diffusion-weighted images.
Outcome of Stroke With Mild or Rapidly Improving Symptoms
Authors: Nedeltchev Krassen , Schwegler Benjamin , Haefeli Tobias , Brekenfeld Caspar , Gralla Jan , Fischer Urs , Arnold Marcel , Remonda Luca , Schroth Gerhard , Mattle Heinrich P.
Published: August 2007

Background and Purpose—

Acute ischemic stroke with mild or rapidly improving symptoms is expected to result in good functional outcome, whether treated or not. Therefore, thrombolysis with its potential risks does not seem to be justified in such patients. However, recent studies indicate that the outcome is not invariably benign.

Methods—

We analyzed clinical and radiological data of patients with stroke who presented within 6 hours of stroke onset and did not receive thrombolysis because of mild or rapidly improving symptoms. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed to define predictors of clinical outcome.

Results—

One hundred sixty-two consecutive patients (110 men and 52 women) aged 63±13 years were included. The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission was 2 (range, 1 to 14). All patients presented within 6 hours of symptom onset. After 3 months, modified Rankin Scale score was ≤1 in 122 patients (75%), indicating a favorable outcome. Thirty-eight patients (23.5%) had an unfavorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale 2 to 5) and 2 patients (1.3%) had died. Baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥10 points increased the odds of unfavorable outcome or death 16.9-fold (95% CI: 1.8 to 159.5;
P
<0.013), and proximal vessel occlusion increased the odds 7.13-fold (95% CI: 1.1 to 45.5;
P
<0.038).

Conclusions—

Seventy-five percent of patients with mild or rapidly improving symptoms will have a favorable outcome after 3 months. Therefore, a decision against thrombolysis seems to be justified in the majority of patients. However, selected patients, especially those with proximal vessel occlusions and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores ≥10 points, might derive a benefit from thrombolysis.
Can the Ischemic Penumbra Be Identified on Noncontrast CT of Acute Stroke?
Authors: Muir Keith W. , Baird-Gunning Jonathan , Walker Leighton , Baird Tracey , McCormick Michael , Coutts Shelagh B.
Published: August 2007

Background and Purpose—

Early ischemic changes on noncontrast CT in acute stroke include both hypoattenuation and brain swelling, which may have different pathophysiological significance.

Methods—

Noncontrast CT and CT perfusion brain scans from patients with suspected acute stroke <6 hours after onset were reviewed. Five raters independently scored noncontrast CTs blind to clinical data using the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS). Each ASPECTS region was scored as hypodense or swollen. A separate reviewer measured time to peak and cerebral blood volume in each ASPECTS region on CT perfusion. Time to peak and cerebral blood volume were compared for each region categorized as normal, hypodense, or isodense and swollen.

Results—

Scans of 32 subjects a median 155 minutes after onset yielded 228 regions with both CT perfusion and noncontrast CT data. Isodense swelling was associated with significantly higher cerebral blood volume (
P
=0.016) and with penumbral perfusion (posttest:pretest likelihood ratio 1.44 [95% CI: 0.68 to 2.90]), whereas hypodensity was associated with more severe time to peak delay and with core perfusion (likelihood ratio 3.47 [95% CI: 1.87 to 6.34]). Neither isodense swelling nor hypodensity was sensitive for prediction of perfusion pattern, but appearances were highly specific (87.2% and 91.0% for penumbra and core, respectively). Intrarater agreement was good or excellent, but interrater agreement for both hypodensity and swelling was poor.

Conclusions—

Regions exhibiting hypoattenuation are likely to represent the infarct core, whereas regions that are isodense and swollen have increased cerebral blood volume and are more likely to signify penumbral perfusion. Although noncontrast CT is not sensitive for detection of core and penumbra, appearances are specific. Some information on tissue viability can therefore be obtained from noncontrast CT.
Sex Differences in Stroke Recovery and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life
Authors: Gargano Julia Warner , Reeves Mathew J.
Published: August 2007

Background and Purpose—

Little is known about sex differences in stroke recovery. The few available studies have found that female stroke survivors are less likely to achieve independence in activities of daily living and have poorer quality of life than male survivors.

Methods—

A total of 373 acute stroke survivors discharged from 9 hospitals participating in a statewide stroke registry were prospectively enrolled in an outcomes study. Follow-up data, including the Barthel Index and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life, were obtained from the survivor or a proxy by telephone interview 90 days postdischarge. The independent effects of sex on activities of daily living independence (Barthel Index ≥95) and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life scores, controlling for age, race, subtype, prestroke ambulatory status, and other patient characteristics, were determined using adjusted odds ratios and least-squares means, respectively.

Results—

Twenty-five percent of the patients required a proxy respondent. In adjusted models, females were less likely to achieve activities of daily living independence (adjusted OR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.87). Females had lower least-squares means Stroke-Specific Quality of Life scores in Physical Function (3.9 versus 4.2,
P
=0.02), Thinking (2.8 versus 3.4,
P
<0.001), Language (4.3 versus 4.5,
P
=0.03), and Energy (2.6 versus 3.0,
P
<0.01). Interactions between sex and prior stroke were found for Mood, Role Function, and Summary Score, resulting in lower least-squares means for females only among subjects without prior stroke.

Conclusions—

Compared with males, female stroke survivors had lower functional recovery and poorer quality of life 3 months postdischarge. These differences were not explained by females’ greater age at stroke onset or other demographic or clinical characteristics.
Progression of Leukoaraiosis and Cognition
Authors: Schmidt Reinhold , Petrovic Katja , Ropele Stefan , Enzinger Christian , Fazekas Franz
Published: August 2007

Background and Purpose—

Leukoaraiosis is used interchangeably with the term white matter lesions on MRI and seen to some degree in more than half of the routine scans in older persons. Clinicians often struggle to explain the implications of these findings to their patients. Recent data on the progression rate of ischemic white matter damage and its cognitive consequences may help in patient counseling and have implications on treatment trials in vascular cognitive impairment.

Summary of Review—Leukoaraiosis progresses over time. Its extent at baseline is an important predictor for the subsequent rate of lesion progression. Subjects with punctate abnormalities on MRI have a low tendency for progression, individuals with early confluent and confluent changes tend to progress rapidly. Differences in measurement methods and cohort composition make it difficult to compare progression rates reported by different studies. Nevertheless, in community-dwelling cohorts, white matter lesions volume increased by as much as one quarter per year in subjects with confluent abnormalities at baseline. Progression of leukoaraiosis relates to cognitive decline, but this association is complex and modulated by other morphological factors like brain atrophy.

Conclusions—

Evidence for rapid progression of widespread leukoaraiosis and the associated cognitive decline in domains particularly affected by cerebral small vessel disease has set the stage for exploratory clinical trials in vascular cognitive impairment using white matter lesions progression as a surrogate marker.
Spatiotemporal Patterns and Return Periods of Tropical Storm and Hurricane Strikes from Texas to Maine
Authors: Keim Barry D. , Muller Robert A. , Stone Gregory W.
Published: August 2007

The authors analyze 105 yr (1901–2005) of tropical cyclone strikes at 45 coastal locations from Brownsville, Texas, to Eastport, Maine, with the primary objective of examining spatiotemporal patterns of storm activity. Interpretation of the data suggests that geographically, three focal points for activity are evident: south Florida, the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and the north-central Gulf Coast. Temporally, clusters of hyperactivity are evident in south Florida from the 1920s through the 1950s and then again during the most recent years. North Carolina was a region of enhanced activity in the 1950s and again in the 1990s. A more consistent rate of occurrence was found along the north-central Gulf Coast; the last two years, however, were active in this region. Return periods of tropical storm strength systems or greater range from a frequency of once every 2 yr along the Outer Banks of North Carolina, every three years on average in southeast Texas, southeastern Louisiana, and southern Florida, and about once every 10–15 yr in northern New England. Hurricane return periods range from 5 yr in southern Florida to 105+ years at several sheltered portions of the coastline (e.g., near Cedar Key, Florida, Georgia, and the northeastern seaboard), where some locations experienced only one strike, or no strikes through the entire period of record. Severe hurricane (category 3–5) return periods range from once every 15 yr in South Florida to 105+ in New England.
The Response of the Extratropical Hydrological Cycle to Global Warming
Authors: Lorenz David J. , DeWeaver Eric T.
Published: August 2007

The change in the hydrological cycle in the extratropics under global warming is studied using the climate models participating in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report. The changes in hydrological quantities are analyzed with respect to the increases expected from the Clausius–Clapeyron (C–C) equation, which describes the rate of increase of a hydrological quantity per temperature increase. The column-integrated water vapor increases at a rate close to the C–C rate, which is expected if relative humidity remains nearly constant. The poleward moisture transport and the precipitation increase with temperature at a rate less than the C–C rate, with the precipitation increasing the least. In addition, the intermodel variance of poleward moisture transport and precipitation is explained significantly better when the zonal-mean zonal wind change as well as the temperature change is taken into account. The percent increase in precipitation per temperature increase is smallest during the warm season when energy constraints on the hydrological cycle are more important. In contrast to other hydrological quantities, the changes in evaporation in the extratropics are not explained well by the temperature or zonal wind change. Instead, a significant portion of the intermodel spread of evaporation change is linked to the spread in the poleward ocean heat transport change.
Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Feedback in the Southern Annular Mode
Authors: Sen Gupta Alexander , England Matthew H.
Published: August 2007

Previous studies have demonstrated that while the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) is an intrinsic feature of the atmosphere, it projects strongly onto the ocean and sea ice properties and circulation. This study investigates the extent of “back interaction” whereby these oceanic SAM anomalies feed back to the atmosphere. A comparison between atmosphere-only and full coupled climate models demonstrates that air–sea interactions in the coupled system act to increase the persistence of the SAM in the atmosphere. To identify the nature of feedback from the ocean to the atmosphere, ensemble experiments are carried out in both atmosphere-only and full coupled models whereby a continuous SAM-like sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly is imposed. Both coupled and uncoupled experiments show a direct thermal response that affects the lower-tropospheric temperature and surface meridional winds. An indirect upper troposphere–wide response is also seen whose characteristics are sensitive to the coupling. For the uncoupled experiment a negative-phase SAM SST perturbation produces an indirect atmospheric response that projects strongly onto the SAM. A positive-phase anomaly, however, shows little robust response away from the local heating at the surface. The coupled experiments, however, do show linearity with respect to the sign of the anomaly. However, the response is considerably weaker than the uncoupled case and the projection of the response onto the SAM mode is poorer. Nonetheless the authors find a clear persistence of the SAM at interseasonal time scales that relies on air–sea coupling and cannot be reproduced in unforced atmosphere-only experiments. This demonstrates that the ocean plays a role in modulating the Southern Annular Mode at these time scales.
Territoriality
Authors: Kaya Naz , Burgess Brigitte
Published: August 2007

Students' degree of territoriality based on gender and seat preferences in different types of classroom arrangements was studied. The types of classroom arrangements included rows of tablet-arm chairs, U-shaped, clusters, and rows of tables with individual chairs. The study was carried out through a survey at a large public institution in the southeast region of the United States. Results indicate that students who preferred seats at the end of rows of tables with individual chairs and tablet-arm chair arrangements had higher scores on claiming a particular seat than those who preferred middle seats in a row. In the rows of tables with individual chair arrangement, students who preferred seats at the end of rows also had more need to define their own territory than students who preferred middle seats in a row. No significant results were found in the U-shaped and cluster layouts. Females had higher scores on claiming a particular seat than males regardless of seating arrangement.
Destination Governance: Using Corporate Governance Theories as a Foundation for Effective Destination Management
Authors: Beritelli Pietro , Bieger Thomas , Laesser Christian
Published: August 2007

This article adds to the ongoing debate on the performance of corporate-based versus community-based destination management models. New forms of integrated, centrally managed destinations challenge the business models of traditional, historically grown destinations driven by decentralized ownership. This article analyzes the contribution of corporate governance theories to the explanation of destination governance structures and evolution. The research uses six selected dimensions of corporate governance, and the operationalization through concrete items, to analyze and assess twelve destinations in the Swiss Alps. Various destination governance forms and mechanisms reveal the context for conditions for success.
Predictors of Workplace Accommodations for Employees With Mobility-Related Disabilities
Authors: Balser Deborah B.
Published: August 2007

Our understanding of reasonable accommodations in the workplace is incomplete. Frequently, research on disability either neglects issues of accommodation or examines the receipt of any accommodation, without specifying type. However, people with disabilities need specific accommodations, not any accommodation. This article uses comprehensive models to test the predictors of four types of accommodations received by employees with mobility-related disabilities. Overall, the results show that different factors predicted receipt of different types of accommodations. Furthermore, factors that facilitate or constrain an employer's capacity to make particular accommodations were more powerful predictors than an individual's need for accommodation or socioeconomic status.
The Reliability of Self-Reported Menarcheal Timing
Authors: Smolak Linda , Krieg Dana B. , Hayward Chris , Shisslak Catherine M. , Taylor C. Barr
Published: August 2007

Self-reports of grade at first menstrual period for 1,967 fourth-grade through ninth-grade girls were used to categorize girls as early maturers. The categories of early maturer and other (on-time or late maturers) were then examined for stability over a 3-year period using McNemar tests and κ coefficients. Although the results showed significant stability, 15% through 20% of the early maturing girls were eventually reclassified into the other category. This was true for Hispanic, Black, and White girls as well as for 1-, 2-, and 3-year time spans. Implications for measuring menarcheal timing and its effects are discussed.
Exposure to Violence in Early Adolescence
Authors: Sullivan Terri N. , Farrell Albert D. , Kliewer Wendy , Vulin-Reynolds Monique , Valois Robert F.
Published: August 2007

This study examined the relation between self-restraint and exposure to violence (witnessing violence and victimization) in predicting increased frequencies of aggression and drug use among an ethnically diverse sample of sixth graders attending four rural middle schools ( n = 913). Lower levels of self-restraint predicted higher rates of witnessing violence and victimization, but neither witnessing violence nor victimization was related to changes in self-restraint over time. Indirect effects of self-restraint on aggression and drug use were found through increased witnessing violence and victimization. Gender differences were tested using multiple-group structural equation modeling, and for all models, a constrained model in which paths and correlations were fixed to be equal for boys and girls best fit the data. These findings provide information about the generalizability of prior research and have important implications for intervention efforts.
'To Cap it All': The Waterford Cap of Maintenance
Authors: Devitt Cliodna
Published: August 2007

The article introduces the cap and letter dated the 30 April 1536 sent to the mayor and inhabitants of the City of Waterford by King Henry VIII, traces the history of caps of maintenance in England prior to that and points to its apparent uniqueness being officially styled as a cap of maintenance in a royal letter for use in mayoral ceremonial.

It also introduces William Wyse the bearer of the cap; educated at court and later Mayor of Waterford. It discusses Wyse and Waterford's loyalty during the Geraldine rebellion, how the cap was a token of the king's recognition of Waterford, and grants of land and a knighthood to Wyse. A record of the history and use of the cap is made, comparing it with contemporary royal caps of maintenance and caps/hats of fashion. Its assembly, materials and decoration are recorded and discussed.
Rainbow for a Reign: The Colours of a Queen's Wardrobe
Authors: Lawson Jane A.
Published: August 2007

This paper evaluates the wardrobe of Queen Elizabeth I on the basis of the colours that she wore. The author takes an often quoted comment, that Elizabeth I stated 'these are my colours' of black and white, and using evidence collected from the New Year's gift rolls provides details of over thirty different colours worn by the queen. The article examines the colours in groups to see if they were associated with a particular time in Elizabeth's life, a particular occasion or activity. The paper is supported by appendices providing a glossary of colour and dress terms, the years when particular colours were worn, how they were used, if they were used in combination with other colours and a list detailing the locations of the extant gift rolls.
A Fashionable Confinement: Whaleboned Stays and the Pregnant Woman
Authors: Waterhouse Harriet
Published: August 2007

For around 400 years fashion and decency required a neatly boned body, yet at the same time many women spent much of their adult lives pregnant. How women were able to dress would affect their role in public society, yet letters and diaries show little reduction in their daily activities. Evidence of what was actually worn is scarce, perhaps because the dilemma was not so great as we imagine — whenever clothing is mentioned or depicted we see women wearing normal garments adapted with the addition of one or two items. Front-lacing stays could be adapted with stomachers, and some back-lacing ones exist with additional side-lacing; both styles would suit the pregnant and non-pregnant state alike. It is not until the nineteenth century that specific maternity corsets and clothing begin to appear, when general corset design and fashion styles became impossible to adapt without structural alteration.
The Wearing of the Red: The Redcoat and the British Brand
Authors: Arch Nigel
Published: August 2007

As a concept, the idea of product branding offers insights into the history of uniform in Britain. The creation of a brand, by which a product is understood and recognised by its name, fits the cultural history of the red coat, that part of his uniform by which the British infantryman was known for over three hundred years.

While the earliest references to the redcoat in this context occur in the sixteenth century, it is really from the eighteenth century onwards that the term becomes widely employed to denote the soldier. However, a review of royal portraiture in Britain from the late seventeenth century onwards also reveals that monarchs used the red coat as a way of uniting the ideals of patriotism with the monarch — a device that was particularly important for the Hanoverian dynasty.

Both literature and the visual arts helped identify the red coat as a synonym for the soldier. Numerous references may be adduced, from Jane Austen writing of polite society, to Rudyard Kipling's Tommy. Lady Elizabeth Butler was perhaps the most famous artist to depict red-coated heroes in battles, which marked the defence or development of the Empire.
EKLF and KLF2 have compensatory roles in embryonic β-globin gene expression and primitive erythropoiesis
Authors: Basu Priyadarshi , Lung Tina K. , Lemsaddek Wafaa , Sargent Thanh Giang , Williams David C. , Basu Mohua , Redmond Latasha C. , Lingrel Jerry B , Haar Jack L. , Lloyd Joyce A.
Published: August 2007

The Krüppel-like C2/H2 zinc finger transcription factors (KLFs) control development and differentiation. Erythroid Krüppel-like factor (EKLF or KLF1) regulates adult β-globin gene expression and is necessary for normal definitive erythropoiesis. KLF2 is required for normal embryonic Ey- and βh1-, but not adult βglobin, gene expression in mice. Both EKLF and KLF2 play roles in primitive erythroid cell development. To investigate potential interactions between these genes, EKLF/KLF2 double-mutant embryos were analyzed. EKLF−/−KLF2−/− mice appear anemic at embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) and die before E11.5, whereas single-knockout EKLF−/− or KLF2−/− embryos are grossly normal at E10.5 and die later than EKLF−/−KLF2−/− embryos. At E10.5, Ey- and βh1-globin mRNA is greatly reduced in EKLF−/−KLF2−/−, compared with EKLF−/− or KLF2−/− embryos, consistent with the observed anemia. Light and electron microscopic analyses of E9.5 EKLF−/−KLF2−/− yolk sacs, and cytospins, indicate that erythroid and endothelial cells are morphologically more abnormal than in either single knockout. EKLF−/−KLF2−/− erythroid cells are markedly irregularly shaped, suggesting membrane abnormalities. EKLF and KLF2 may have coordinate roles in a common progenitor to erythroid and endothelial cells. The data indicate that EKLF and KLF2 have redundant functions in embryonic β-like globin gene expression, primitive erythropoiesis, and endothelial development.
Inference of transcriptional regulation using gene expression data from the bovine and human genomes
Authors: Zadissa Amonida , McEwan John C , Brown Chris M
Published: August 2007

Background

Gene expression is in part regulated by sequences in promoters that bind transcription factors. Thus, co-expressed genes may have shared sequence motifs representing putative transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs). However, for agriculturally important animals the genomic sequence is often incomplete. The more complete human genome may be able to be used for this prediction by taking advantage of the expected evolutionary conservation in TFBSs between the species.

Results

A method of de novo TFBS prediction based on MEME was implemented, tested, and validated on a muscle-specific dataset.

Muscle specific expression data from EST library analysis from cattle was used to predict sets of genes whose expression was enriched in muscle and cardiac tissues. The upstream 1500 bases from calculated orthologous genes were extracted from the human reference set. A set of common motifs were discovered in these promoters. Slightly over one third of these motifs were identified as known TFBSs including known muscle specific binding sites. This analysis also predicted several highly statistically significantly overrepresented sites that may be novel TFBS.

An independent analysis of the equivalent bovine genomic sequences was also done, this gave less detailed results than the human analysis due to both the quality of orthologue prediction and assembly in promoter regions. However, the most common motifs could be detected in both sets.

Conclusion

Using promoter sequences from human genes is a useful approach when studying gene expression in species with limited or non-existing genomic sequence. As the bovine genome becomes better annotated it can in turn serve as the reference genome for other agriculturally important ruminants, such as sheep, goat and deer.
Nucleotide diversity and linkage disequilibrium in 11 expressed resistance candidate genes in Lolium perenne
Authors: Xing Yongzhong , Frei Uschi , Schejbel Britt , Asp Torben , Lübberstedt Thomas
Published: August 2007

Background

Association analysis is an alternative way for QTL mapping in ryegrass. So far, knowledge on nucleotide diversity and linkage disequilibrium in ryegrass is lacking, which is essential for the efficiency of association analyses.

Results

11 expressed disease resistance candidate (R) genes including 6 nucleotide binding site and leucine rich repeat (NBS-LRR) like genes and 5 non-NBS-LRR genes were analyzed for nucleotide diversity. For each of the genes about 1 kb genomic fragments were isolated from 20 heterozygous genotypes in ryegrass. The number of haplotypes per gene ranged from 9 to 27. On average, one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was present per 33 bp between two randomly sampled sequences for the 11 genes. NBS-LRR like gene fragments showed a high degree of nucleotide diversity, with one SNP every 22 bp between two randomly sampled sequences. NBS-LRR like gene fragments showed very high non-synonymous mutation rates, leading to altered amino acid sequences. Particularly LRR regions showed very high diversity with on average one SNP every 10 bp between two sequences. In contrast, non-NBS LRR resistance candidate genes showed a lower degree of nucleotide diversity, with one SNP every 112 bp. 78% of haplotypes occurred at low frequency (<5%) within the collection of 20 genotypes. Low intragenic LD was detected for most R genes, and rapid LD decay within 500 bp was detected.

Conclusion

Substantial LD decay was found within a distance of 500 bp for most resistance candidate genes in this study. Hence, LD based association analysis is feasible and promising for QTL fine mapping of resistance traits in ryegrass.