bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultra‐short course immunotherapy in children and adolescents during a 3‐yrs post‐marketing surveillance study
Authors: Rosewich Martin
Published: December 2009

Rosewich M, Schulze J , Fischer von Weikersthal‐Drachenberg K J, and Zielen S. Ultra‐short course immunotherapy in children and adolescents during a 3‐yrs post‐marketing surveillance study. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: e185–e189. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Ultra‐short course immunotherapy (uSCIT) has shown good efficacy and tolerability in children and adolescents with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), conjunctivitis and/or asthma in clinical studies. Here, we investigate the efficacy of uSCIT in the juvenile subpopulation of a 3‐year post‐marketing surveillance (PMS) study. To assess the differences in the efficacy of uSCIT between adults and children respectively adolescents enrolled in a PMS study. In a prospective open study 422 patients aged 6–18 years with SAR, conjunctivitis and/or asthma received four pre‐seasonal injections with pollen allergoids formulated with monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL, Pollinex® Quattro) over a minimum of 3 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated by response to therapy and consumption of anti‐allergic medication during the pollen season. Tolerability was evaluated by patients' acceptance of therapy. These results were compared with the adult subpopulation of this study. Response to treatment was assessed as good or very good in 94% of patients, mirroring findings for the entire cohort. Further improvements were noted in patients receiving subsequent courses of therapy. Anti‐allergic medication use decreased from 83% to 24% of patients after the first treatment course (p < 0.0001). Therapy was well accepted by children/adolescents and considered ‘very good’ or ‘good’ by 93% of juveniles. No serious adverse events or cases of anaphylaxis were reported. This subanalysis indicated that uSCIT with Pollinex Quattro had similar efficacy and tolerability in children/adolescents and adults. The convenient dosing regimen and favourable safety profile of uSCIT may support a wider uptake of uSCIT in this patient population.
Simple quantitative analysis of asbestos body using the sediment of formalin injected into surgically resected lung cancers
Authors: Sakai Yasuhiro , Ohbayashi Chiho , Itami Hiroe , Kajimoto Kazuyoshi , Sakuma Toshiko , Uchino Kazuya , Yoshimura Masahiro , Matsumoto Shoji , Idei Yuka , Oka Teruaki
Published: December 2009

A simple screening method for quantitatively analyzing asbestos bodies that can be carried out even in community hospitals, is needed in order for laborers and neighborhoods in the vicinity of asbestos factories to apply for compensation for asbestos‐related injury. Eighty‐eight consecutive cases of surgically resected primary lung cancer were analyzed for asbestos bodies using two methods, and the correlation between them was statistically examined. The first was the conventional technique using lung tissue digestion and phase‐contrast scanning, and the second was the authors' method using light microscopy to scan the sediment of formalin‐injected lung specimens. The overall correlation coefficient of the concentration of asbestos bodies between the authors' method (CAB/SED) and the conventional method (CAB/DLT) was 0.4576, a weak statistically significant correlation; in patients with occupational asbestos exposure, however, the correlation coefficient was 0.7341. Despite the cost, it may be prudent to use the conventional method under the present law for patients with CAB/SED≥3.5/mL. CAB/DLT >3000/g dry lung tissue when CAB/SED is ≥3.5/mL suggests the potential for the accumulation of asbestos absorption by lung tissue.
Family Control and Ownership Monitoring in Family‐Controlled Firms in Japan
Authors: Yoshikawa Toru , Rasheed Abdul A.
Published: December 2009

abstract

This paper focuses on a type of firms that have been traditionally neglected in both family business and governance research, namely, family‐controlled, publicly‐listed firms. Although principal–agent conflicts may be less prevalent in such firms, family control can potentially give rise to principal–principal conflicts, leading to expropriation of the wealth of minority owners by family owners. Superior firm performance and the willingness to distribute the profits through dividend payments would suggest the absence of such expropriation. Based on a sample of 210 OTC firms in Japan, we examined the relationships between family control and dividend payouts and profitability. Our results indicate that family control was positively related to dividend payouts. Further, we found that while foreign ownership interacted with family control to reduce dividend payouts and increase profitability, bank ownership did not have such an effect.
Genetically pyramiding protease‐inhibitor genes for dual broad‐spectrum resistance against insect and phytopathogens in transgenic tobacco
Authors: Senthilkumar Rajendran , Cheng Chiu‐Ping , Yeh Kai‐Wun
Published: December 2009

Protease inhibitors provide a promising means of engineering plant resistance against attack by insects and pathogens. Sporamin (trypsin inhibitor) from sweet potato and CeCPI (phytocystatin) from taro were stacked in a binary vector, using pMSPOA (a modified sporamin promoter) to drive both genes. Transgenic tobacco lines of T0 and T1 generation with varied inhibitory activity against trypsin and papain showed resistance to both insects and phytopathogens. Larvae of Helicoverpa armigera that ingested tobacco leaves either died or showed delayed growth and development relative to control larvae. Transgenic tobacco‐overexpressing the stacked genes also exhibited strong resistance against bacterial soft rot disease caused by Erwinia carotovora and damping‐off disease caused by Pythium aphanidermatum. Thus, stacking protease‐inhibitor genes, driven by the wound and pathogen responsive pMSPOA promoter, is an effective strategy for engineering crops to resistance against insects and phytopathogens.
Carbon monoxide improves adaptation of Arabidopsis to iron deficiency
Authors: Kong Wei Wei , Zhang Li Ping , Guo Kai , Liu Zhao Pu , Yang Zhi Min
Published: December 2009

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an endogenous gaseous molecule and regulates a variety of biological processes in animals. However, whether CO regulates nutrient stress responses in plants is largely unknown. In this paper, we described an observation that CO can regulate iron‐homeostasis in iron‐starved Arabidopsis. Exogenous CO at 50 μm was able to prevent the iron deficient‐induced chlorosis and improve chlorophyll accumulation. Expression of AtIRT1, AtFRO2, AtFIT1 and AtFER1 was up‐regulated by CO exposure in iron‐deficient seedlings. CO‐regulated iron homeostasis could also be found in monocot maize and green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Treatment with external CO increased iron accumulation in iron‐deficient Arabidopsis and C. reinhardtii, and restored leaf greening in Maize ys1 and ys3 mutants (defective in Fe uptake). Moreover, endogenous CO level was increased in Arabidopsis under iron‐deficiency. Finally, CO exposure induced NO accumulation in root tips. However, such an action could be blocked by NO scavenger cPTIO. These results indicate that CO may play an important role in improving plant adaptation to iron deficiency or cross‐talking with NO under the iron deficiency.
No Country Left Behind? Performance Standards and Accountability in US Foreign Assistance
Authors: Goldsmith Arthur A.
Published: December 2009

The accountability movement in public policy hails a new programme for US foreign assistance – the Millennium Challenge Account established in 2004 with the aim of ‘picking winners’ for grants among developing countries based on their demonstrated quality of governance. This article uses the MCA's own rating system to dispute its claim to know in advance which countries are best positioned to meet major development goals. High governance scores alone bear little or no relationship to growth in national income or decline in poverty. Attempting to measure public‐policy performance limits the range of choice available to policy‐makers, and may inadvertently limit true performance.
The SDR Aid Link: It's Now or Never
Authors: Bird Graham
Published: December 2009

The international community, in the form of the United Nations and, more recently, the G20, has committed itself to the Millennium Development Goals. The global financial crisis of 2008/9 served to increase the economic problems faced by low‐income countries, making it much less likely that the goals will be attained. At the same time, the decision has been made to reactivate the SDR scheme by making a new allocation of SDRs in order to create additional international liquidity. This article explores the idea of linking SDR creation with the provision of development assistance. Although the idea of a link is not original, contemporary global economic and political circumstances may generate an environment particularly conducive to the acceptance of the proposal.
State‐Building Taxation for Developing Countries: Principles for Reform
Authors: Everest‐Phillips Max
Published: December 2009

The practical implications of adopting a state‐building approach to tax reform need clarity now that the international community has come to recognise the importance of taxation as a ‘state‐building’ process. This article seeks to address this gap. It identifies seven operating principles (political inclusion; accountability and transparency; perceived fairness; effectiveness; political commitment to shared prosperity; legitimisation of social norms and economic interests; and effective revenue‐raising) as the essential characteristics for state‐building taxation, and offers recommendations on potential reforms to implement them, illustrated by DFID/World Bank tax reforms in Yemen, Sierra Leone and Vietnam.
Semi‐Supervised Learning in Reconstructed Manifold Space for 3D Caricature Generation
Authors: Liu Junfa , Chen Yiqiang , Miao Chunyan , Xie Jinjing , Ling Charles X. , Gao Xingyu , Gao Wen
Published: December 2009

Recently, automatic 3D caricature generation has attracted much attention from both the research community and the game industry. Machine learning has been proven effective in the automatic generation of caricatures. However, the lack of 3D caricature samples makes it challenging to train a good model. This paper addresses this problem by two steps. First, the training set is enlarged by reconstructing 3D caricatures. We reconstruct 3D caricatures based on some 2D caricature samples with a Principal Component Analysis (PCA)‐based method. Secondly, between the 2D real faces and the enlarged 3D caricatures, a regressive model is learnt by the semi‐supervised manifold regularization (MR) method. We then predict 3D caricatures for 2D real faces with the learnt model. The experiments show that our novel approach synthesizes the 3D caricature more effectively than traditional methods. Moreover, our system has been applied successfully in a massive multi‐user educational game to provide human‐like avatars.
Vertical Specialization and International Business Cycle Synchronization*
Authors: Arkolakis Costas , Ramanarayanan Ananth
Published: December 2009

We explore the impact of vertical specialization—trade in goods across multiple stages of production—on the relationship between trade and business cycle synchronization across countries. We develop an international business cycle model in which the degree of vertical specialization varies with trade barriers. With perfect competition, we show analytically that fluctuations in measured total factor productivity are not linked across countries through trade. In numerical simulations, we find little dependence of business cycle synchronization on trade intensity. An extension of the model to allow for imperfect competition has the potential to resolve these shortcomings.
Products and Productivity*
Authors: Bernard Andrew B. , Redding Stephen J. , Schott Peter K.
Published: December 2009

When firms make decisions about which product to manufacture at a more disaggregated level than observed in the data, measured firm productivity reflects both characteristics of the firm and attributes of the products that are non‐randomly chosen by the firm. This paper develops a model of industry equilibrium in which firms endogenously sort across products and characterizes the resulting bias in measured firm and aggregate productivity. Calibrating the model's parameters, we show that endogenous product selection can have quantitatively important effects on measured firm and aggregate productivity and their response to changes in parameter values.
Redistributing Gains from Globalisation*
Authors: Egger Hartmut , Kreickemeier Udo
Published: December 2009

This paper analyses the effects of redistribution in a model of international trade with heterogeneous firms in which a fair‐wage effort mechanism leads to firm‐specific wage payments and involuntary unemployment. The redistribution scheme is financed by profit taxes and gives the same absolute lump‐sum transfer to all workers. International trade increases aggregate income and income inequality, ceteris paribus. If, however, trade is accompanied by a suitably chosen increase in the profit tax rate, it is possible to achieve higher aggregate income and a more equal income distribution than in autarky, provided that the share of exporters is sufficiently high.
Product Choice and Market Competition: The Case of Multiproduct Electronic Plants in Taiwan*
Authors: Aw Bee Yan , Lee Yi
Published: December 2009

We examine the strategies of multiproduct plants in the Taiwanese electronics sector by introducing two new measures of product dissimilarity to capture the technological gaps of product pairs within the plant. The plant‐level index is used to analyze product mix decisions of plants. We find that plants whose products have large technological gaps are more likely to give up product lines. The product‐level index is used to show that, with increased competition, multiproduct plants exit markets where production technologies are farthest away from their core products and they also perform better than plants that continue to produce a wider range of products.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE CAPPADOCIANS: PAST AND PRESENT
Authors: BEELEY CHRISTOPHER A.
Published: December 2009

Theologians have long recognized that the Cappadocian fathers are a valuable resource for contemporary reflection on the Holy Spirit. The modern use of their work, however, tends to reflect only a thin sampling of their many writings; it shows little awareness of their complicated historical situation; and it generally operates on the false assumption that Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa offer but three versions of the same theological project. This article provides a new comparative assessment of Cappadocian pneumatology in connection with larger Trinitarian concerns and with practical matters of spirituality, monasticism, and the role of divine grace in the Christian life. It highlights the distinctive character of each theologian's approach to the Holy Spirit by analyzing their relationships to prior fourth‐century traditions, their respective uses of Origen, and their differing stances in the contemporary debates with the Pneumatomachians. It argues that Basil's work on the Spirit is less fully Trinitarian and ascetically weaker than that of the other two, that Gregory Nazianzen offers the most fully Trinitarian and methodologically insightful pneumatology of the three, and that the Holy Spirit plays only a minor role in Gregory of Nyssa's theological and ascetical system. In conclusion, it identifies three key areas in which the Cappadocians can still make a significant contribution to current work on the Holy Spirit.
Persistence of CCR5 usage among primary human immunodeficiency virus isolates of individuals receiving intermittent interleukin‐2
Authors: Ghezzi S , Pacciarini F , Nozza S , Racca S , Mariani SA , Vicenzi E , Lazzarin A , Veglia F , Tambussi G , Poli G
Published: December 2009

Objective

To investigate the impact of intermittent interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) plus combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) on HIV‐1 entry co‐receptor use.

Methods

Primary HIV‐1 isolates were obtained from 54 HIV‐1‐positive individuals at baseline and after 12 months using co‐cultivation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with activated PBMC of HIV‐negative healthy donors. HIV‐1 co‐receptor use was determined on U87‐CD4 cells.

Results

Fourteen out of the 21 (67%) IL‐2‐treated individuals harbouring a primary CCR5‐dependent (R5) HIV‐1 isolate at baseline confirmed an R5 virus isolation after 12 months in contrast to 3 out of 7 (43%) of those receiving cART only. After 12 months, only 1 R5X4 HIV‐1 isolate was obtained from 21 cART+IL‐2‐treated individuals infected with an R5 virus at entry (5%) vs. 2/7 (29%) patients receiving cART alone, as confirmed by a 5‐year follow‐up on some individuals.

Conclusions

Intermittent IL‐2 administration plus cART may prevent evolution towards CXCR4 usage in individuals infected with R5 HIV‐1.
Chile's (Inter)National Identities: Framing the Relations with Bolivia and Peru
Authors: VAN DER REE G.
Published: December 2009

National identities play a significant role in Latin American international relations. They affect the ways in which policy‐makers view themselves and others, as well as influencing the ways in which their policies are ‘received’ abroad. In this way, identities create opportunities and constraints for foreign policy‐making, framing the relations between Latin American countries. The author argues that, since 1990, three main patterns of Chilean identity recently affected the country's relations with its northern neighbours Bolivia and Peru: a ‘neoliberal identity’, a ‘legalistic identity’ and a ‘progressive identity’. These three patterns of identity have created opportunities for cooperation as well as causes for conflict.
Ferroportin is a manganese‐responsive protein that decreases manganese cytotoxicity and accumulation
Authors: Yin Zhaobao , Jiang Haiyan , Lee Eun‐Sook Y. , Ni Mingwei , Erikson Keith M. , Milatovic Dejan , Bowman Aaron B. , Aschner Michael
Published: December 2009

J. Neurochem. (2010) 112, 1190–1198.

Although manganese (Mn) is an essential trace element for human development and growth, chronic exposure to excessive Mn levels can result in psychiatric and motor disturbances, referred to as manganism. However, there are no known mechanism(s) for efflux of excess Mn from mammalian cells. Here, we test the hypothesis that the cytoplasmic iron (Fe) exporter ferroportin (Fpn) may also function as a Mn exporter to attenuate Mn toxicity. Using an inducible human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) cell model, we examined the influence of Fpn expression on Mn‐induced cytotoxicity and intracellular Mn concentrations. We found that induction of an Fpn‐green fluorescent protein fusion protein in HEK293T cells was cytoprotective against several measures of Mn toxicity, including Mn‐induced cell membrane leakage and Mn‐induced reductions in glutamate uptake. Fpn‐green fluorescent protein mediated cytoprotection correlated with decreased Mn accumulation following Mn exposure. Thus, Fpn expression reduces Mn toxicity concomitant with reduced Mn accumulation. To determine if mammalian cells may utilize Fpn in response to increased intracellular Mn concentrations and toxicity, we assessed endogenous Fpn levels in Mn‐exposed HEK293T cells and in mouse brain in vivo. We find that 6 h of Mn exposure in HEK293T cells is associated with a significant increase in Fpn levels. Furthermore, mice exposed to Mn showed an increase in Fpn levels in both the cerebellum and cortex. Collectively, these results indicate that (i) Mn exposure promotes Fpn protein expression, (ii) Fpn expression reduces net Mn accumulation, and (iii) reduces cytotoxicity associated with exposure to this metal.
Integrating multiple landscape‐scale drivers in the lichen epiphyte response: climatic setting, pollution regime and woodland spatial‐temporal structure
Authors: Ellis Christopher J. , Coppins Brian J.
Published: December 2009

Aim  To quantify the role of multiple biodiversity drivers – pollution, woodland structure and climate – controlling lichen epiphyte composition and diversity.

Location  Scotland, north‐west Europe.

Methods  Four compatible datasets were assembled: site‐scale species distribution data (response) and base‐line modelled data on climate, pollution loads and extent of old‐growth woodland (explanatory variables). First, partial‐canonical correspondence analysis was used: (1) to compare the importance of environmental variables to pure spatial effects and (2) to partition the importance of environmental variables in explaining species composition. Secondly, patterns of species richness were investigated using multiple least‐squares regression.

Results  Old‐growth woodland was the most important control of species richness. Pollution was the most important explanatory variable for species composition. The impact of pollution on composition (and to a lesser extent on richness) is explained: (1) By recovery of lichens with declining SO2 pollution, although with epiphyte composition shifted by the recent effects of N‐pollution and (2) By the limited spatial extent of severe pollution, and generally low‐to‐moderate pollution loads across our study area, combined with the positive effect of old‐growth woodland extent in controlling species richness. The effect of climate and old‐growth woodland on species composition covaried, supporting an interaction between habitat quality and climatic setting, which may be important in understanding the epiphyte response to climate change.

Conclusions  Advances in conservation planning will likely require an integrated approach to understanding simultaneous effects of multiple drivers, providing opportunities for integrated management strategies. Our study provides a preliminary example of this approach by combining three key biodiversity drivers into a single framework for lichen epiphytes. Thus, reducing pollution loads may make old‐growth woodland that currently exists in a polluted landscape available for colonization, thereby extending the available habitat for epiphytes, and facilitating an effective species response to climate change.
Flu: Effect of Vaccine in Elderly Care Home Residents: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Gaughran Fiona , Walwyn Rebecca , Lambkin‐Williams Rob , Whelan Paul , Chatterton Katherine , Oxford John , Macdonald Alastair ,   for the Flu—Effect of Vaccine in Elderly Residents Trial team
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether assessing seroprotection after influenza vaccine and administering booster vaccination where not achieved reduces hospitalization and death. To estimate the overall seroprotection rate of influenza vaccine.

DESIGN: A two‐arm, partially blind, randomized, multicenter, parallel‐group, controlled trial.

SETTING: Twenty‐six care homes in three South London boroughs in fall 2004.

PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred seventy‐seven elderly permanent care home residents meeting eligibility criteria.

INTERVENTION: Postvaccination blood samples were randomized to booster evaluation or no booster evaluation (control). If evaluation revealed inadequate seroprotection, a booster vaccine was administered.

MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome was hospitalization to end April 2005; secondary outcomes were death, antibiotic use, and seroprotection.

RESULTS: Sixty percent of the controls and 41% of the booster evaluation group responded to routine vaccination. Booster vaccination where indicated increased seroprotection rates in the booster evaluation group to 66%. Treatment groups did not differ in any outcome measures in the intention‐to‐treat analysis (hospitalization odds ratio=1.02, 95% confidence interval=0.55–1.87). There was a tendency towards greater differences between groups in the per‐protocol analysis than in the intention‐to‐treat analysis, particularly regarding seroprotection rates. The same effect was observed in the a priori exploratory analysis of residents not seroprotected after routine vaccination alone.

CONCLUSION: In a year without circulating influenza, there is no clinical benefit of administering a booster vaccine if routine trivalent vaccination fails to result in seroprotection. Hemagglutination titers rose in two strains postbooster vaccination but fell against the novel strain, Wyoming. The benefit of such a booster strategy when influenza is prevalent thus remains unc ertain.
Is red blood cell rheology preserved during routine blood bank storage?
Authors: Henkelman Sandra , Dijkstra‐Tiekstra Margriet J. , De Wildt‐Eggen Janny , Graaff Reindert , Rakhorst Gerhard , Van Oeveren Willem
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND:Red blood cell (RBC) units stored for more than 2 weeks at 4°C are currently considered of impaired quality. This opinion has primarily been based on altered RBC rheologic properties (i.e., enhanced aggregability, reduced deformability, and elevated endothelial cell interaction), during prolonged storage of nonleukoreduced RBC units. In this study, the rheologic properties and cell variables of leukoreduced RBC units, during routine blood bank storage in saline‐adenine‐glucose‐mannitol, were investigated.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:Ten leukoreduced RBC units were stored at the blood bank for 7 weeks at 4°C. RBCs were tested weekly for aggregability, deformability, and other relevant variables.

RESULTS:RBC aggregability was significantly reduced after the first week of storage but recovered during the following weeks. After 7 weeks aggregability was slightly, but significantly, reduced (46.9 ± 2.4‐44.3 ± 2.2 aggregation index). During storage the osmotic fragility was not significantly enhanced (0.47 ± 0.01% phosphate‐buffered saline) and the deformability at shear stress of 3.9 Pa was not significantly reduced (0.36 ± 0.01 elongation index [EI]). The deformability at 50 Pa was reduced (0.58 ± 0.01‐0.54 ± 0.01 EI) but remained within reference values (0.53 ± 0.04). During 5 weeks of storage, adenosine triphosphate was reduced by 54% whereas mean cell volume, pH, and mean cell hemoglobin concentration were minimally affected.

CONCLUSIONS:RBC biochemical and physical alterations during storage minimally affected the RBC ability to aggregate and deform, even after prolonged storage. The rheologic properties of leukoreduced RBC units were well preserved during 7 weeks of routine blood bank storage.
Novel single‐nucleotide change in GYP*A in a person who made an alloantibody to a new high‐prevalence MNS antigen called ENEV
Authors: Velliquette Randall W. , Hu Zong , Lomas‐Francis Christine , Hue‐Roye Kim , Allen Jean L. , Mirabella Donna , Reid Marion E.
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND: Alloantibodies that define some high‐prevalence MNS antigens are made by people with glycophorin A (GPA) altered by a single‐amino‐acid change or replacement of amino acids from part of the Pseudoexon 3 of GYP*B. The finding of a patient whose plasma contained a novel alloanti‐EnaFR prompted this study.

RESULTS: The patient's serum contained an alloantibody to a high‐prevalence antigen, resistant to papain, ficin, trypsin, α‐chymotrypsin, or dithiothreitol. The antibody was strongly reactive with all panel red blood cells (RBCs) tested, showed reduced reactivity with ENEP− and ENAV− RBCs, and was nonreactive with MkMk, En(a−), GP.Hil/GP.Hil, and GP.JL/Mk RBCs. The patient's RBCs typed M+N−S+s−, Wr(a−b+w), ENEP−, and ENAV−. These results indicated that the antibody recognized a new high‐prevalence antigen in the MNS system. Sequencing of DNA prepared from the patient's white blood cells revealed a GYP*A nucleotide substitution of 242T>G (predicted to change Val62 of GPA to Gly). This change ablates an RsaI restriction enzyme site and polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism confirmed that the proband was homozygous for Nucleotide 242G.

CONCLUSIONS: We describe a novel high‐prevalence MNS antigen, characterized by Val62 in GPA and named ENEV. The absence of the antigen is associated with Gly62. The change explains the weakened reactivity of the patient's serum with ENEP− and ENAV− RBCs and nonreactivity with anti‐ENEP and anti‐ENAV against her RBCs. The ENEV antigen has been assigned the ISBT number MNS45.
Procedure‐specific preoperative red blood cell preparation and utilization management in pediatric surgical patients
Authors: Schmotzer Christine L. , Brown Amy E. , Roth Steven , Johnson Jennifer , Ines‐Castillejo Marta , Reisner Andrew , Hillyer Christopher D. , Josephson Cassandra D.
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND: Data‐driven practices in preoperative red blood cell (RBC) preparation for pediatric surgical procedures are not well established. Adaptation of established adult preparation guidance methods to pediatric populations may improve perioperative RBC utilization.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective audit of preoperative RBC preparation volumes (Vp) and intraoperative RBC transfusion volumes (Vt) for pediatric surgical procedures was undertaken at a large children's hospital from January to June 2006. RBC preparation‐to‐transfusion volume (mL/kg) ratios (P:T) were calculated for all surgeries, subspecialties, and select procedures. P:T equals Vp divided by Vt. Resulting P:Ts were compared to a target P:T of 2:1. A model for maximum procedure‐specific Vp (Vp‐max) defined Vp‐max as the RBC transfusion volume able to meet the needs of 80% of patients undergoing an individual surgical procedure. Vp‐max values were applied to the study data set to predict the impact on P:Ts and Vp.

RESULTS: RBCs were prepared for 332 surgical procedures and transfused during 113 procedures. P:T was 3.5:1 for total surgical procedures (subspecialty range, 2.7:1‐46:0), exceeding the 2:1 target. Vp‐max modeling for spinal fusion, craniotomy for neoplasia, craniotomy for seizure, and craniosynostectomy yielded P:T ratios of 1.5:1, 1.5:1, 1.7:1, and 1.0:1, respectively, predicting a 30% decrease in Vp for these four surgical procedures.

CONCLUSIONS: P:Ts for pediatric surgical procedures at this institution indicate potentially excessive preoperative RBC preparations. Determination of data‐driven procedure‐specific Vp may increase the efficiency of preoperative RBC preparation practices.
The impact of simple donor education on donor behavioral deferral and infectious disease rates in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Gonçalez Thelma T. , Sabino Ester C. , Salles Nanci Alves , De Almeida‐Neto Cesar , Mendrone‐Jr Alfredo , Dorlhiac‐Laccer Pedro E. , Liu Jing , Murphy Edward L. , Schreiber George B.
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) residual risk is higher in Brazilian than in US and European blood donors, probably due to failure to defer at‐risk individuals in Brazil. This study assessed the impact of an educational brochure in enhancing blood donors' knowledge about screening test window phase and reducing at‐risk individuals from donating.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This trial compared an educational intervention with a blood center's usual practice. The brochure was distributed in alternating months to all donors. After donating, sampled participants completed two questions about their HIV window period knowledge. The impact on HIV risk deferral, leaving without donation, confidential unit exclusion (CUE) use, and test positivity was also analyzed.

RESULTS: From August to November 2007 we evaluated 33,940 donations in the main collection center of Fundação Pró‐Sangue/Hemocentro de São Paulo in São Paulo, Brazil. A significant (p < 0.001) pamphlet effect was found on correct responses to both questions assessing HIV window phase knowledge (68.1% vs. 52.9%) and transfusion risk (91.1% vs. 87.2%). After adjusting for sex and age, the pamphlet effect was strongest for people with more than 8 years of education. There was no significant pamphlet effect on HIV risk deferral rate, leaving without donation, use of CUE, or infectious disease rates.

CONCLUSION: While the educational pamphlet increased window period knowledge, contrary to expectations this information alone was not enough to make donors self‐defer or acknowledge their behavioral risk.
Assessment of a New Model for Femoral Ultrasound‐guided Central Venous Access Procedural Training: A Pilot Study
Authors: Wadman Michael C. , Lomneth Carol S. , Hoffman Lance H. , Zeger Wesley G. , Lander Lina , Walker Richard A.
Published: December 2009

Objectives:  Repetitive practice with feedback in residency training is essential in the development of procedural competency. Lightly embalmed cadaver laboratories provide excellent simulation models for a variety of procedures, but to the best of our knowledge, none describe a central venous access model that includes the key psychomotor feedback elements for the procedure, namely intravascular contents that allow for determination of correct needle position by either ultrasonographic imaging and/or aspiration or vascular contents.

Methods:  A cadaver was lightly embalmed using a technique that preserves tissue texture and elasticity. We then performed popliteal fossa dissections exposing the popliteal artery and vein. Vessels were ligated distally, and 14‐gauge catheters were introduced into the lumen of each artery and vein. The popliteal artery and vein were then infused with 200 mL of icterine/gel and 200 mL of methylene blue/gel, respectively. Physician evaluators then performed ultrasound (US)‐guided femoral central venous line placements and rated the key psychomotor elements on a five‐point Likert scale.

Results:  The physician evaluators reported a median of 10.5 years of clinical emergency medicine (EM) experience with an interquartile range (IQR) of 16 and a median of 10 central lines placed annually (IQR = 10). Physician evaluators rated the key psychomotor elements of the simulated procedure as follows: ultrasonographic image of vascular elements, 4 (IQR = 0); needle penetration of skin, 4.5 (IQR = 1); needle penetration of vein, 5 (IQR = 1); US image of needle penetrating vein, 4 (IQR = 2); aspiration of vein contents, 3 (IQR = 2); passage of dilator into vein, 4 (IQR = 2); insertion of central venous catheter, 5 (IQR = 1); US image of catheter insertion into vein, 5 (IQR = 1); and overall psychomotor feedback of the simulated procedure compared to the evaluators’ actual patient experience, 4 (IQR = 1).

Conclusions:  For the key psychomotor elements of central venous access, the lightly embalmed cadaver with intravascular water‐soluble gel infusion provided a procedural model that closely simulated clinicians’ experience with patients.

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:88–92 © 2009 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Inferior Vena Cava Percentage Collapse During Respiration Is Affected by the Sampling Location: An Ultrasound Study in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Wallace David J. , Allison Michael , Stone Michael B.
Published: December 2009

Objectives:  Physicians are unable to reliably determine intravascular volume status through the clinical examination. Respiratory variation in the diameter of the inferior vena cava (IVC) has been investigated as a noninvasive marker of intravascular volume status; however, there has been a lack of standardization across investigations. The authors evaluated three locations along the IVC to determine if there is clinical equivalence of the respiratory percent collapse at these sites. The objective of this study was to determine the importance of location when measuring the IVC diameter during quiet respiration.

Methods:  Measurements of the IVC were obtained during quiet passive respiration in supine healthy volunteers. All images were recorded in B‐mode, with cine‐loop adjustments in real time, to ensure that maximum and minimum IVC dimensions were obtained. One‐way repeated‐measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for comparison of IVC measurement sites.

Results:  The mean (±SD) percentage collapse was 20% (±16%) at the level of the diaphragm, 30% (±21%) at the level of the hepatic vein inlet, and 35% (±22%) at the level of the left renal vein. ANOVA revealed a significant overall effect for location of measurement, with F(2,35) = 6.00 and p = 0.006. Contrasts showed that the diaphragm percentage collapse was significantly smaller than the hepatic (F(1,36) = 5.14; p = 0.03) or renal caval index (F(1,36) = 11.85; p = 0.002).

Conclusions:  Measurements of respiratory variation in IVC collapse in healthy volunteers are equivalent at the level of the left renal vein and at 2 cm caudal to the hepatic vein inlet. Measurements taken at the junction of the right atrium and IVC are not equivalent to the other sites; clinicians should avoid measuring percentage collapse of the IVC at this location.

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:96–99 © 2009 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Visibility and the Stigmatization of Cancer: Context Matters1
Authors: Knapp‐Oliver Sarah , Moyer Anne
Published: December 2009

Few experimental studies have been conducted to investigate the effect of disease characteristics, such as visibility, on the stigmatization of cancer. The current study tested the reactions of undergraduates to vignettes that manipulated the visibility of cancer and the context in which help was needed by an individual with cancer. Results showed that participants were less willing to help the target individual when the cancer was visible and the context allowed stigmatization to be subtle. Further research should consider the relationships among disease attributes, the specific context where help is needed, and the stigmatization of individuals with cancer.
Body Objectification, MTV, and Psychological Outcomes Among Female Adolescents1
Authors: Grabe Shelly , Hyde Janet Shibley
Published: December 2009

In response to the American Psychological Association's Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls, the present study explored the role of sexually objectifying media—in this case, music television—in a host of psychological consequences among a community sample of adolescents girls (M age = 13 years). Objectification theory posits that the consequences of sexual objectification involve the process of self‐objectification. As such, we hypothesized that music television consumption would first and foremost be associated with self‐objectification, which would, in turn, predict a number of body‐related consequences. The findings support a model in which self‐objectification mediates a direct relation between music television viewing and body esteem, dieting, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and confidence in math ability.
Remembrance of Eyewitness Testimony: Effects of Emotional Content, Self‐Relevance, and Emotional Tone1
Authors: Block Stephanie D. , Greenberg Seth N. , Goodman Gail S.
Published: December 2009

This experiment concerned the effects of emotional content, self‐relevance, and emotional tone of testimony on memory. Eyewitness accounts of 4 events were constructed that systematically differed in emotionality and self‐relevance. The testimony, captured on videotape, was expressed with or without negative emotion. After viewing one of the videotaped accounts, participants were administered cued‐recall and recognition memory tests. Significant main effects indicated that participants best remembered testimony that was emotional in content, self‐relevant, and negatively expressed. Although emotional content and self‐relevance interacted to affect state anxiety, the latter did not mediate memory effects. Overall, significant gender differences in state anxiety but not memory emerged. Implications for understanding the influence of emotion on juror memory are discussed.
Cross‐Functional Team Organizational Citizenship Behavior in China: Shared Vision and Goal Interdependence Among Departments1
Authors: Wong Alfred , Tjosvold Dean , Liu Chunhong
Published: December 2009

This study proposes that a shared organizational vision develops cooperative interdependence among departments that, in turn, facilitates cross‐functional teams' organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Team members indicated their organizations' shared vision, and leaders indicated the goal interdependence among departments and the OCB of the teams. Structural equation analysis suggested that a shared organizational vision shapes goal interdependence among departments that, in turn, affected the OCB of 101 cross‐functional teams. The analysis suggested combining independent and competitive goals, and this combined measure negatively predicted team OCB. These results suggest that a shared organizational vision and cooperative goals among departments are important foundations for cross‐functional teams to contribute to the effective working of organizations through citizenship behavior.
Framing Charity Advertising: Influences of Message Framing, Image Valence, and Temporal Framing on a Charitable Appeal1
Authors: Chang Chun‐Tuan , Lee Yu‐Kang
Published: December 2009

This study examined when and how charitable advertisements could be effective in the context of child poverty. An experiment investigated the influences of message framing, image valence, and temporal framing on a charitable appeal. The results indicate that image valence enhances framing effects on advertising effectiveness of a charitable appeal when the image is congruent with the framed message, especially when the image and the message are presented negatively. A short‐term temporal frame facilitates effects of a negatively framed message with a negative pictorial presentation. Alternatively, a long‐term temporal frame increases advertising influences of a positively framed message with a positive pictorial image. Relevance for information processing of charity advertising is discussed.
Dependency Stereotypes and Aging: The Implications for Getting and Giving Help in Later Life
Authors: Adams‐Price Carolyn E. , Morse Linda W.
Published: December 2009

Older adults are often stereotyped as dependent on others. This study explored how seeing an older adult receiving help triggers the dependency stereotype, by examining perceptions of older and younger adults helping and being helped by others. Participants (183 younger and older adults) read vignettes of young and old people helping others and rated the helpers and helpees on 2 variables: one a composite of dependency and capability; and the other composed of thoughtfulness, generosity, and unselfishness (i.e., considerateness). Participants rated older helpees as dependent, no matter who helped them. Younger helpers and those who helped the elderly rated high on considerateness. Females rated helpers more positively than did males. Implications of these findings for older adults are discussed.
Expanding the Affective and Normative Components of the Theory of Planned Behavior: A Meta‐Analysis of Anticipated Affect and Moral Norms
Authors: Rivis Amanda , Sheeran Paschal , Armitage Christopher J.
Published: December 2009

Meta‐analysis was used to determine the predictive validity of anticipated affect and moral norms in the theory of planned behavior (TPB; Ajzen, 1991). Medium‐to‐large sample‐weighted average correlations were obtained. Anticipated affect and moral norms increased the variance explained in intentions by 5% and 3%, respectively, controlling for TPB variables. Intention mediated the influence of both variables on behavior. Moderator analyses showed that younger samples and behaviors with a moral dimension were associated with stronger moral‐norm/intention relations, and anticipated regret was associated with a stronger anticipated‐affect/intention relation. The implications of the findings for the TPB are discussed.
Does the extreme skin sensitization potency of benzoquinone result from special chemistry?
Authors: Roberts David W. , Aptula Aynur O.
Published: December 2009

Background: Benzoquinone is known to be an extreme skin sensitizer. Until now there has been no consideration of whether it owes its extreme skin sensitization potency to unique aspects of its chemistry or simply to its high reactivity as a Michael acceptor.

Objectives: To answer these questions, we have applied two mechanistic approaches to estimate a theoretical potency value for benzoquinone.

Patients/Methods: A mechanistic read‐across (MRA) approach, using known potency data for moderate sensitizers in the Michael acceptor domain, and a published quantitative mechanistic model (QMM) for skin sensitization potency of Michael acceptors, all in the moderate and weak range, were used.

Results: The read‐across approach gives a theoretical local lymph node assay (LLNA) EC3 value of 0.04%, and the QMM approach gives a theoretical value of 0.013%, compared with an experimental value of 0.010%.

Conclusions: The good agreement between the theoretical and experimental EC3 values supports the strength of the MRA and QMM approaches, and provides strong evidence that the extreme sensitization potency of benzoquinone can be attributed solely to its high reactivity as a Michael acceptor.
Solution‐Focused Brief Therapy With Persons With Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Roeden John M. , Bannink Fredrike P. , Maaskant Marian A. , Curfs Leopold M. G.
Published: December 2009

Solution‐Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a short‐term, goal‐focused, and client‐directed therapeutic approach that helps the client construct solutions rather than dwell on problems. SFBT has rarely been used with clients with intellectual disabilities (ID). The authors discuss how this relatively new form of therapy in an adapted form can be made suitable for clients with ID. The assumptions of this therapeutic approach, the types of problems and settings addressed by SFBT, and a description of the interventions used in SFBT are considered. Indications and contraindications for SFBT and empirical data on the effectiveness of the therapy are discussed both with regard to clients with or absent ID. The authors suggest that tailoring SFBT to clients with ID can be done by using simple language, modified interventions, and inserting other adaptations into the therapy process. In practice, even though clinical practice experience with SFBT has shown great promise, empirical research into SFBT applications with clients with ID is lacking. Research is thus needed to demonstrate whether SFBT with this target group can yield sufficiently effective results and to what extent SFBT is valued by clients and their carers.
Health Status and Activities of Daily Living and Walking in Older People With Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Henderson C. Michael , Acquilano James P. , Meccarello Jon C. , Davidson Philip W. , Robinson Laura M. , Janicki Matthew P.
Published: December 2009

This study's aim was to describe the association between health status and activities of daily living (ADLs) in older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Health status and level of independence associated with ADLs and walking were surveyed in a cohort of 1,371 adults over age 40 years from two regions of upstate New York using the Rochester Health Status Survey. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between number of organ system disorders (OSDs) and level of independence in eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, and walking. Increasing numbers of comorbidities correlated with impairments in ADLs and walking, which were independent of increasing age. The severity of I/DD was correlated with impairments in some ADLs regardless of the number of OSDs and across age groups. The study's findings mirror patterns reported in the general population of older adults; health status, and not older age, is a predictor of functional impairment.