bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metastatic Breast Cancer or Multiple Myeloma? Camouflage by Lytic Lesions
Authors: Hough Bruce , Brufsky Adam , Lentzsch Suzanne
Published: March 2010

We report a case of a female with stage I infiltrating ductal carcinoma who received adjuvant therapy including trastuzumab. One year later she developed lytic lesions and was retreated with trastuzumab that was held after she developed symptomatic heart failure. Lytic lesions were attributed to relapse of breast cancer, and cardiac failure attributed to prior trastuzumab therapy. After complications necessitated multiple hospitalizations, a further workup revealed that the lytic lesions were not metastatic breast cancer but multiple myeloma. Her advanced multiple myeloma was associated with systemic amyloidosis involving gut and heart, which ultimately led to her demise. This report addresses the pitfalls of overlapping symptoms and the question of which patients with suspected metastatic disease should undergo a biopsy.
A Patient with Four-Year Survival after Nonsmall Cell Lung Carcinoma with a Solitary Metachronous Small Bowel Metastasis
Authors: Kant Klaas M. , Noordhoek Hegt Vincent , Aerts Joachim G. J. V.
Published: March 2010

Solitary small bowel metastasis secondary to lung cancer is very uncommon. In this report, we present a patient with NSCLC and a metachronous solitary metastasis of the jejunum. She is alive without evidence of disease and doing well four years after palliative surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report describing a prolonged survival in a patient with a symptomatic solitary small bowel metastasis treated with palliative surgery, chemo- and radiotherapy instead of complete surgical resection.
A Survey of Stimulation Methods Used in SSVEP-Based BCIs
Authors: Zhu Danhua , Bieger Jordi , Garcia Molina Gary , Aarts Ronald M.
Published: March 2010

Brain-computer interface (BCI) systems based on the steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) provide higher information throughput and require shorter training than BCI systems using other brain signals. To elicit an SSVEP, a repetitive visual stimulus (RVS) has to be presented to the user. The RVS can be rendered on a computer screen by alternating graphical patterns, or with external light sources able to emit modulated light. The properties of an RVS (e.g., frequency, color) depend on the rendering device and influence the SSVEP characteristics. This affects the BCI information throughput and the levels of user safety and comfort. Literature on SSVEP-based BCIs does not generally provide reasons for the selection of the used rendering devices or RVS properties. In this paper, we review the literature on SSVEP-based BCIs and comprehensively report on the different RVS choices in terms of rendering devices, properties, and their potential influence on BCI performance, user safety and comfort.
Minimizing Costs Can Be Costly
Authors: Rasmussen Rasmus
Published: March 2010

A quite common practice, even in academic literature, is to simplify a decision problem and model it as a cost-minimizing problem. In fact, some type of models has been standardized to minimization problems, like Quadratic Assignment Problems (QAPs), where a maximization formulation would be treated as a “generalized” QAP and not solvable by many of the specially designed softwares for QAP. Ignoring revenues when modeling a decision problem works only if costs can be separated from the decisions influencing revenues. More often than we think this is not the case, and minimizing costs will not lead to maximized profit. This will be demonstrated using spreadsheets to solve a small example. The example is also used to demonstrate other pitfalls in network models: the inability to generally balance the problem or allocate costs in advance, and the tendency to anticipate a specific type of solution and thereby make constraints too limiting when formulating the problem.
Digital Holographic Capture and Optoelectronic Reconstruction for 3D Displays
Authors: Kelly Damien P. , Monaghan David S. , Pandey Nitesh , Kozacki Tomasz , Michałkiewicz Aneta , Finke Grzegorz , Hennelly Bryan M. , Kujawinska Malgorzata
Published: March 2010

The application of digital holography as a viable solution to 3D capture and display technology is examined. A review of the current state of the field is presented in which some of the major challenges involved in a digital holographic solution are highlighted. These challenges include (i) the removal of the DC and conjugate image terms, which are features of the holographic recording process, (ii) the reduction of speckle noise, a characteristic of a coherent imaging process, (iii) increasing the angular range of perspective of digital holograms (iv) and replaying captured and/or processed digital holograms using spatial light modulators. Each of these challenges are examined theoretically and several solutions are put forward. Experimental results are presented that demonstrate the validity of the theoretical solutions.
Ordered Non-Archimedean Fuzzy Metric Spaces and Some Fixed Point Results
Authors: Altun Ishak , Miheţ Dorel
Published: March 2010

In the present paper we provide two different kinds of fixed point theorems on ordered nonArchimedean fuzzy metric spaces. First, two fixed point theorems are proved for fuzzy order "Equation missing"-contractive type mappings. Then a common fixed point theorem is given for noncontractive type mappings. Kirk's problem on an extension of Caristi's theorem is also discussed.
Numerical Investigation of Aeroelastic Mode Distribution for Aircraft Wing Model in Subsonic Air Flow
Authors: Shubov Marianna A. , Wineberg Stephen , Holt Robert
Published: March 2010

In this paper, the numerical results on two problems originated in aircraft wing modeling have been presented. The first problem is concerned with the approximation to the set of the aeroelastic modes, which are the eigenvalues of a certain boundary‐value problem. The affirmative answer is given to the following question: can the leading asymptotical terms in the analytical formulas be used as reasonably accurate description of the aeroelastic modes? The positive answer means that these leading terms can be used by engineers for practical calculations. The second problem is concerned with the flutter phenomena in aircraft wings in a subsonic, incompressible, inviscid air flow. It has been shown numerically that there exists a pair of the aeroelastic modes whose behavior depends on a speed of an air flow. Namely, when the speed increases, the distance between the modes tends to zero, and at some speed that can be treated as the flutter speed these two modes merge into one double mode.
Power Loss of Stratified Log-Rank Test in Homogeneous Samples
Authors: Feng Changyong , Wang Hongyue , Tu Xin M.
Published: March 2010

We study the loss of power of the stratified log-rank test (SLRT) compared to the unstratified log-rank test (ULRT) in the case of a large number of strata with relatively a small number of stratum sizes in terms of the asymptotic distributions of test statistics under local alternatives. The SLRT tends to lose information due to overstratification. It is better to test the homogeneity among strata before using the stratified log-rank test.
Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia Is Caused by Mutation-Linked Defective Conformational Regulation of the Ryanodine Receptor
Authors: Uchinoumi Hitoshi , Yano Masafumi , Suetomi Takeshi , Ono Makoto , Xu Xiaojuan , Tateishi Hiroki , Oda Tetsuro , Okuda Shinichi , Doi Masahiro , Kobayashi Shigeki , Yamamoto Takeshi , Ikeda Yasuhiro , Ohkusa Tomoko , Ikemoto Noriaki , Matsuzaki Masunori
Published: March 2010

Rationale
:

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is caused by a single point mutation in a well-defined region of the cardiac type 2 ryanodine receptor (RyR)2. However, the underlying mechanism by which a single mutation in such a large molecule produces drastic effects on channel function remains unresolved.

Objective
:

Using a knock-in (KI) mouse model with a human CPVT-associated RyR2 mutation (R2474S), we investigated the molecular mechanism by which CPVT is induced by a single point mutation within the RyR2.

Methods and Results
:

The R2474S/+ KI mice showed no apparent structural or histological abnormalities in the heart, but they showed clear indications of other abnormalities. Bidirectional or polymorphic ventricular tachycardia was induced after exercise on a treadmill. The interaction between the N-terminal (amino acids 1 to 600) and central (amino acids 2000 to 2500) domains of the RyR2 (an intrinsic mechanism to close Ca
2+
channels) was weakened (domain unzipping). On protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation of the RyR2, this domain unzipping further increased, resulting in a significant increase in the frequency of spontaneous Ca
2+
transients. cAMP-induced aberrant Ca
2+
release events (Ca
2+
sparks/waves) occurred at much lower sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca
2+
content as compared to the wild type. Addition of a domain-unzipping peptide, DPc10 (amino acids 2460 to 2495), to the wild type reproduced the aforementioned abnormalities that are characteristic of the R2474S/+ KI mice. Addition of DPc10 to the (cAMP-treated) KI cardiomyocytes produced no further effect.

Conclusions
:

A single point mutation within the RyR2 sensitizes the channel to agonists and reduces the threshold of luminal [Ca
2+
] for activation, primarily mediated by defective interdomain interaction within the RyR2.
Disruption of SM22 Promotes Inflammation After Artery Injury via Nuclear Factor κB Activation
Authors: Shen Jianbin , Yang Maozhou , Ju Donghong , Jiang Hong , Zheng Jian-Pu , Xu Zhonghui , Li Li
Published: March 2010

Rationale
:

SM22 (or transgelin), an actin-binding protein abundant in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), is downregulated in atherosclerosis, aneurysm and various cancers. Abolishing SM22 in apolipoprotein E knockout mice accelerates atherogenesis. However, it is unclear whether SM22 disruption independently promotes arterial inflammation.

Objective
:

To investigate whether SM22 disruption directly promotes inflammation on arterial injury and to characterize the underlying mechanisms.

Methods and Results
:

Using carotid denudation as an artery injury model, we showed that
Sm22
knockout (
Sm22
−/−
) mice developed enhanced inflammatory responses with higher induction of proinflammatory genes, including
Vcam1
,
Icam1
,
Cx3cl1
,
Ccl2
, and
Ptgs2
. Higher expression of these genes was confirmed in primary
Sm22
−/−
VSMCs and in PAC1 cells after
Sm22
knockdown, whereas SM22 recapitulation in primary
Sm22
−/−
VSMCs decreased their expression. NFKB2 was prominently activated in both injured carotids of
Sm22
−/−
mice and in PAC1 cells after
Sm22
knockdown and may mediate upregulation of these proinflammatory genes. As a NF-κB activator, reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased in primary
Sm22
−/−
VSMCs and in PAC1 cells after
Sm22
knockdown. ROS scavengers blocked NF-κB activation and induction of proinflammatory genes. Furthermore,
Sm22
knockdown increased
Sod2
expression and activated p47phox, reflecting contributions of mitochondria and NADPH oxidase to the augmented ROS production; this may result from actin and microtubule cytoskeletal remodeling.

Conclusions
:

Our findings show that SM22 downregulation can induce proinflammatory VSMCs through activation of ROS-mediated NF-κB pathways. This study provides initial evidence linking VSMC cytoskeleton remodeling with arterial inflammation.
Secondary Prevention of Ischemic Stroke in Urban China
Authors: Wei Jade W. , Wang Ji-Guang , Huang Yining , Liu Ming , Wu Yangfeng , Wong Lawrence K.S. , Cheng Yan , Xu En , Yang Qidong , Arima Hisatomi , Heeley Emma L. , Anderson Craig S.
Published: March 2010

Background and Purpose—

We aimed to describe the uptake of proven secondary prevention strategies for ischemic stroke in urban China.

Methods—

In a prospective, multicenter, hospital-based registry of 4782 cases of acute ischemic stroke in China during 2006, the use of secondary prevention regimens was evaluated before hospital discharge and 3 and 12 months after stroke. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine associations between various baseline variables and in-hospital use of antihypertensive, antiplatelet, and lipid-lowering therapies, and to identify variables associated with their continuation at 12 months.

Results—

In-hospital initiation of antihypertensive (63%), antiplatelet (81%), and lipid-lowering (31%) therapies was influenced favorably by previous use and comorbid cardiovascular risk factors and unfavorably by stroke severity. Antihypertensive use was well-maintained during follow-up, whereas use of antiplatelet and lipid-lowering therapy decreased (66% and 17%, respectively;
P
<0.001) by 12 months after stroke, with discontinuation related to patient and physician factors.

Interpretation—

There was a high level of uptake of secondary prevention for ischemic stroke in this nationwide sample of hospitalized patients in urban China. However, use of antiplatelet and lipid-lowering therapy declined substantially after discharge, apparently related to misperceptions of subsequent disease risk by both doctors and patients.
Increased Risk of Stroke After Adhesive Capsulitis
Authors: Kang Jiunn-Horng , Sheu Jau-Jiuan , Lin Herng-Ching
Published: March 2010

Background and Purpose—

No previous study has described the association between stroke and previous adhesive capsulitis (AC). This study aims to investigate the risk of stroke after AC with a population-based database.

Method—

Records for 10 935 with a principal diagnosis of AC and 32 805 randomly selected controls were collected between 2000 and 2003. The log-rank test was performed to analyze the differences in accumulated stroke-free survival rates between the 2 groups. Cox proportional hazard regressions were performed to calculate the longitudinal hazard of stroke.

Results—

During the follow-up period, 575 patients from the study group (5.3%) and 1201 from the comparison group (3.7%) had strokes. The crude hazard ratio for stroke for patients with AC was 1.46-times greater than for controls (95% CI, 1.32–1.62;
P
<0.001), and the adjusted hazard ratio was 1.22 (95% CI, 1.06–1.40;
P
=0.002).

Conclusions—

Our study demonstrates increased prevalence and risk of stroke after AC. Further study is needed to confirm our findings and explore underlying mechanisms.
National Survey of Canadian Neurologists’ Current Practice for Transient Ischemic Attack and the Need for a Clinical Decision Rule
Authors: Perry Jeffrey J. , Mansour Marlène , Sharma Michael , Symington Cheryl , Brehaut Jamie , Taljaard Monica , Stiell Ian G.
Published: March 2010

Background and Purpose—

Four percent to 10% of patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) have a stroke or die within 1 week of their diagnosis. This national survey examined Canadian neurologists’ current practice for managing TIA, the need for a clinical decision rule to identify high-risk patients, and the required sensitivity of such a rule.

Methods—

We surveyed 650 neurologists registered in a national physician directory. We used a modified Dillman technique with a prenotification letter and up to 5 survey attempts using a mailed letter. Neurologists were asked 33 questions about demographics, current management of adult patients with TIA, if a clinical decision rule is required to identify high-risk patients with TIA for impending stroke/death, and the required sensitivity of this rule.

Results—

We had a response rate of 49.8% (324 of 650). Respondents were 78.3% male and had a mean age of 50.3 years. Of respondents, 49.2% (95% CI: 45.3% to 53.1%) reported using an existing clinical tool to risk-stratify patients. Overall, 95.0% (95% CI: 93.3% to 96.7%) reported they would consider using a sensitive, validated clinical decision rule for risk-stratifying patients with TIA. The median required sensitivity of a rule was 92% (interquartile range, 90 to 95).

Conclusions—

We found that Canadian neurologists would use a highly sensitive clinical decision rule to risk-stratify patients with TIA. The median required sensitivity of 92% is higher than the high risk category of any existing tool. Our results indicate a clinical decision rule to predict high-risk TIA needs to be more sensitive than the currently available rules.
Turbulence Characteristics in an Elevated Shear Layer over Owens Valley
Authors: Jiang Qingfang , Doyle James D. , Grubišić Vanda , Smith Ronald B.
Published: March 2010

Characteristics of turbulence in the lower and middle troposphere over Owens Valley have been examined using aircraft in situ measurements obtained from the Terrain-Induced Rotor Experiment. The two events analyzed in this study are characterized by a deep turbulent layer from the valley floor up to the midtroposphere associated with the interaction between trapped waves and an elevated shear layer. Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) instability develops above the mountaintop level and often along the wave crests where the Richardson number is reduced. The turbulence induced by KH instability is characterized by a progressive downscale energy cascade, a well-defined inertial subrange up to 1 km, and large eddies with vertical to horizontal aspect ratios less than unity. The turbulence below the mountaintop level is largely shear induced, associated with wave steepening and breaking, and is more isotropic. Evaluation of structure functions indicates that while the turbulence energy cascade is predominately downscale, upscale energy transfer exists with horizontal scales from a few hundred meters to a few kilometers because of the transient energy dispersion of large eddies generated by KH instability and gravity wave steepening or breaking.
Relation between Large-Scale Circulation and European Winter Temperature: Does It Hold under Warmer Climate?
Authors: Goubanova K. , Li L. , Yiou P. , Codron F.
Published: March 2010

The idea of using large-scale information to predict local climate variability is widely exploited in climate change impact studies as an alternative to computationally expensive high-resolution models. This approach implies the hypothesis that the statistical relationship between large-scale climate states and local variables defined for the present-day climate remains valid in the altered climate. In this paper, the concept of weather regimes is used to deduce a relationship between large-scale circulation and European winter temperature. The change in temperature with increased greenhouse gases is, however, not homogeneous among the individual regimes. As a result, the impact of the weather regimes on local temperature changes varies in the future, limiting its usefulness for refining temperature changes to the small scale.
Chemistry–Climate Model Simulations of Twenty-First Century Stratospheric Climate and Circulation Changes
Authors: Butchart Neal , Cionni I. , Eyring V. , Shepherd T. G. , Waugh D. W. , Akiyoshi H. , Austin J. , Brühl C. , Chipperfield M. P. , Cordero E. , Dameris M. , Deckert R. , Dhomse S. , Frith S. M. , Garcia R. R. , Gettelman A. , Giorgetta M. A. , Kinnison D. E. , Li F. , Mancini E. , McLandress C. , Pawson S. , Pitari G. , Plummer D. A. , Rozanov E. , Sassi F. , Scinocca J. F. , Shibata K. , Steil B. , Tian W.
Published: March 2010

The response of stratospheric climate and circulation to increasing amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and ozone recovery in the twenty-first century is analyzed in simulations of 11 chemistry–climate models using near-identical forcings and experimental setup. In addition to an overall global cooling of the stratosphere in the simulations (0.59 ± 0.07 K decade−1 at 10 hPa), ozone recovery causes a warming of the Southern Hemisphere polar lower stratosphere in summer with enhanced cooling above. The rate of warming correlates with the rate of ozone recovery projected by the models and, on average, changes from 0.8 to 0.48 K decade−1 at 100 hPa as the rate of recovery declines from the first to the second half of the century. In the winter northern polar lower stratosphere the increased radiative cooling from the growing abundance of GHGs is, in most models, balanced by adiabatic warming from stronger polar downwelling. In the Antarctic lower stratosphere the models simulate an increase in low temperature extremes required for polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) formation, but the positive trend is decreasing over the twenty-first century in all models. In the Arctic, none of the models simulates a statistically significant increase in Arctic PSCs throughout the twenty-first century. The subtropical jets accelerate in response to climate change and the ozone recovery produces a westward acceleration of the lower-stratospheric wind over the Antarctic during summer, though this response is sensitive to the rate of recovery projected by the models. There is a strengthening of the Brewer–Dobson circulation throughout the depth of the stratosphere, which reduces the mean age of air nearly everywhere at a rate of about 0.05 yr decade−1 in those models with this diagnostic. On average, the annual mean tropical upwelling in the lower stratosphere (∼70 hPa) increases by almost 2% decade−1, with 59% of this trend forced by the parameterized orographic gravity wave drag in the models. This is a consequence of the eastward acceleration of the subtropical jets, which increases the upward flux of (parameterized) momentum reaching the lower stratosphere in these latitudes.
North Atlantic Multidecadal Climate Variability: An Investigation of Dominant Time Scales and Processes
Authors: Frankcombe Leela M. , von der Heydt Anna , Dijkstra Henk A.
Published: March 2010

The issue of multidecadal variability in the North Atlantic has been an important topic of late. It is clear that there are multidecadal variations in several climate variables in the North Atlantic, such as sea surface temperature and sea level height. The details of this variability, in particular the dominant patterns and time scales, are confusing from both an observational as well as a theoretical point of view. After analyzing results from observational datasets and a 500-yr simulation of an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) climate model, two dominant time scales (20–30 and 50–70 yr) of multidecadal variability in the North Atlantic are proposed. The 20–30-yr variability is characterized by the westward propagation of subsurface temperature anomalies. The hypothesis is that the 20–30-yr variability is caused by internal variability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC) while the 50–70-yr variability is related to atmospheric forcing over the Atlantic Ocean and exchange processes between the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.
Atmospheric Blocking Signatures in Total Ozone and Ozone Miniholes
Authors: Barriopedro David , Antón Manuel , García José Agustín
Published: March 2010

This paper analyzes the statistical relationship between the total ozone column (TOC) and atmospheric blocking using 40-yr European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Re-Analysis (ERA-40) data for the 1978–98 period, with special emphasis on winter and the European and eastern Pacific sectors. Regional blocking occurrence is accompanied by a decrease of TOC within the anticyclonic circulation region and a distinctive ozone increase upstream and downstream (upstream and south) in the Pacific (European) sector. Blocking significantly enhances the likelihood of low TOC extremes, especially over the Scandinavian and the Alaska Peninsulas, where more than 50% of winter blocks lead to TOC values in the lowest tail of the distribution. The relationship between ozone miniholes and blocking is confined to the high latitudes of both basins and is strong in Europe, where about half of the ozone miniholes occur simultaneously with blocking. Blocking-related ozone miniholes (blocking ozone miniholes) are also among the most intense and persistent. Although blocking activity does not drive the interannual variability of regional ozone miniholes, blocking ozone miniholes account for up to two-thirds of the total observed trend of ozone miniholes in Europe. The polar vortex is proposed as a feasible candidate for explaining the enhanced coupling of blocking and ozone miniholes in Europe and its long-term modulation. Blocking ozone miniholes are consistent with an almost purely dynamic origin caused by horizontal transport of ozone-poor air and vertical motions working together at different levels to reduce ozone content. Although the contribution of the former is dominant, accounting for two-thirds of ozone reduction in the 330–850-K column, the effect of the latter becomes a distinctive feature of blocking ozone miniholes.
Advent of Greige Cotton Non-Wovens Made using a Hydro-Entanglement Process
Authors: Sawhney A.P.S. , Condon Brian , Reynolds Michael , Slopek Ryan , Hui David
Published: March 2010

Using greige (scour/bleach-less) cotton, non-woven fabrics have been successfully produced by adopting conventional fiber opening, cleaning and (modified) carding machines followed by cross-lapping, pre/light needling, and hydro-entanglement (HE) on modern commercial machinery and equipment. Using standard test methods and procedures, the fabrics were evaluated for their weight, thickness, burst strength, tensile and tear failures in both machine (MD) and cross (CD) directions, and absorbency. Dimensional characteristics of the fabrics were determined before and after an ordinary wash. Microscopic examinations of the fiber/fabric surfaces before and after various conditions/degrees of H-E were conducted. Results of these preliminary research investigations have shown that a run-of-the-mill greige cotton, processed on a conventional cotton cleaning and preparatory system, can indeed be efficiently processed on the downstream non-wovens production equipment. In addition, it has been shown that different processing conditions, especially the high-pressure (HP) hydraulic energy of the H-E system, have a considerable influence on properties of the fabrics produced. At the nominal fabric production rates deployed in the research trials, pressure greater than 100 bar (at the system’s two HP jet-heads) produces a fabric that is partially hydrophilic: a desirable attribute for many end-use applications of cotton non-wovens. Based on a previous in-house investigation, it seems that the HP (hydraulic energy) at certain levels partly removes some of the greige cotton fiber’s natural hydrophobic defensive membrane (outer-surface barrier) of heavy hydrocarbons, such as waxes, pectins, etc., thus making the fiber/fabric partially hydrophilic. Further, it has been observed that the high water pressures (HP), under otherwise similar processing conditions, tend to fracture some cotton fibers into tiny fibrils, as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. These ruptured fibers, by way of exposing their inner (hydrophilic) walls, could also partly contribute to the fabric’s improved absorbency at elevated hydraulic energy levels. Furthermore, a rather unique fabric structure, comprising certain well-defined fibrous “strands and channels,” observed at elevated (HP) pressures is also deemed to partly contribute to the greige fabric’s improved wickability.
Effects of Urban Growth Controls on Intercity Commuting
Authors: Ogura Laudo M.
Published: March 2010

This paper presents an empirical study of the effects of urban growth controls on the intercity commuting of workers. Growth controls (land use regulations that attempt to restrict population growth and urban sprawl) have increased housing prices and diverted population growth to uncontrolled cities. It has been suggested that resulting changes in local labour supply might stimulate intercity commuting from uncontrolled to controlled cities. To test this hypothesis, a gravity model of commuting flows between places in California is estimated using alternative econometric methods (OLS, Heckman selection and count-data). The possibility of spatial dependence in commuting flows is also taken into consideration. Results suggest larger commuting flows to destination places that restrict residential growth.
Beyond Differences
Authors: Rojas Hernández Belkis
Published: March 2010

The essay presents an in-depth analysis of the institutionalization of the Sociology of Education in Cuba, ranging from a critical investigation of the discipline to its inclusion in the curriculum for teacher training in contemporary Cuba. The essay describes the findings of several studies undertaken to determine the causes and consequences of, and solutions to, various issues surrounding the relationship between society and education. It also notes the insufficient instruction given to Cuban teachers about sociological issues and the lack of texts that identify the key problems in a clear and systematic way. The investigation concludes with suggestions on consolidating the discipline within the sociological context of contemporary Cuba. Such suggestions include the need for connections between macro- and micro-sociological issues, the need for educational institutions to launch internal studies of themselves and the need for an examination of how changes in educational policy affect society. Such efforts would both contribute to the development of the discipline and to a better understanding of the relationship between education and society.
Accuracy of the Anterior Apprehension Test as a Predictor of Risk for Redislocation after a First Traumatic Shoulder Dislocation
Authors: Safran Ori , Milgrom Charles , Radeva-Petrova Denitsa R. , Jaber Saleh , Finestone Aharon
Published: March 2010

Background

The treatment options for a first traumatic shoulder dislocation in a young patient are either nonoperative care or primary surgery. It would be valuable to find patient-specific assessments that could predict the risk for redislocation in these patients and thereby identify those who would benefit from primary surgery.

Hypothesis

The supine apprehension test, performed after completion of physical therapy in first traumatic shoulder dislocators, can predict risk for redislocation. Patients with a positive test would be at very high risk for redislocation and therefore would be candidates for primary surgery.

Study Design

Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods

Men aged 17 to 27 years who sustained first traumatic shoulder dislocations were treated in a shoulder immobilizer for 4 weeks and then treated according to a physical therapy protocol. At the 6-week follow-up, an anterior apprehension test was performed to assess risk of redislocation. Follow-up of patients was done at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. Follow-up continued yearly for up to another 2 years.

Results

Fifty-two men with a mean age of 20.3 years (standard deviation, 2.5) participated. Seventy-nine percent were combat soldiers. Twenty-four participants (46.2%) sustained redislocation. The minimum follow-up period was 24 months (range, 24-48 months; mean, 39.6 months). Redislocations were sustained in 36.8% of participants with negative apprehension tests and 71.4% with positive tests (P = .03). The odds ratio was 4.285 (95% confidence interval, 1.129-16.266). The sensitivity of the apprehension test was 41.7% and the specificity was 85.7%.

Conclusion

The anterior apprehension test performed 6 to 9 weeks after a first traumatic dislocation is not a definitive tool to predict risk for recurrent dislocation. It can, however, categorize patients into groups at higher and lower risk for recurrence. The redislocation rate found in this study is less than that of previous reports.
Attention Problems and Parent-Rated Behavior and Stress in Young Children at Risk for Developmental Delay
Authors: Tervo Raymond C.
Published: March 2010

The aim of this article is to characterize the neurobehavior of young children at risk for developmental delay and attention problems. Two hundred and eighty-one children, ages 18 to 70 months, were evaluated. All parents/guardians completed the Child Development Inventory, Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1½ to 5, Inventory for Client and Agency Planning, and Parenting Stress Index—Short Form. All children had significant delays (developmental ratios <.70). A Mann-Whitney U test compared those with and without attention problems (T score >70). A 2-tailed P value of <.05 indicated statistical significance. Children with attention problems were more likely to have withdrawn behavior, sleep problems, and aggressive behavior. All had severe problem behaviors, and their families experienced significant stress. Attention problems and other serious problem behaviors occur frequently in young children at risk for developmental delay. Parental stress warrants prompt intervention for their children and positive supports for them.
Psychological Changes of Children Surviving Terrorist Shock in Indian Kashmir
Authors: Basu Biswanath , Dutta N.
Published: March 2010

This study was undertaken with the objectives to assess psychological responses in children surviving terrorist attack and to observe relationships between various risk factors and subsequent psychological changes. Assessment of psychological changes was done on 131 children who were directly exposed to terrorist attack. Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist was used to assess victimized children for analysis purpose. Possible risk factors were assessed by questionnaire to the parents. What has emerged as the most interesting aspect of this research is that, whereas for adults, pretraumatic risk factors are extremely important predictors of chronic posttraumatic symptoms, for children, the most important consideration appears to be the death of the mother and number of stressors.
Review: Quality of Mental Health Care for Nursing Home Residents: A Literature Review
Authors: Grabowski David C. , Aschbrenner Kelly A. , Rome Vincent F. , Bartels Stephen J.
Published: March 2010

Because of the high proportion of nursing home residents with a mental illness other than dementia, the quality of mental health care in nursing homes is a major clinical and policy issue. The authors apply Donabedian’s framework for assessing quality of care based on the triad of structure, process, and outcome-based measures in reviewing the literature on the quality of mental health care in nursing homes. Quality measures used within the literature include mental health consultations and hospitalizations, inappropriate use of medications, and mental health survey deficiencies. Factors related to the resident’s welfare (nurse staffing), provider norms (locality), and financial factors (payer mix) were associated with the quality of mental health care. Although future research is necessary, the extant literature suggests that persons with mental illness are frequently admitted to nursing homes and their care is often of poor quality and related to a series of resident and facility factors.
A proto-oncogene BCL6 is up-regulated in the bone marrow microenvironment in multiple myeloma cells
Authors: Hideshima Teru , Mitsiades Constantine , Ikeda Hiroshi , Chauhan Dharminder , Raje Noopur , Gorgun Gullu , Hideshima Hiromasa , Munshi Nikhil C. , Richardson Paul G. , Carrasco Daniel R. , Anderson Kenneth C.
Published: March 2010

Constitutive B-cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl-6) expression was undetectable in multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines, except U266 cells. However, it was up-regulated by coculture with bone marrow (BM) stromal cell-culture supernatant (SCCS). Bcl-6 expression in patient MM cells in the BM was positive. Anti–interleukin-6 (IL-6)–neutralizing antibody significantly blocked SCCS-induced Bcl-6 in MM cells. Indeed, IL-6 strongly triggered Bcl-6 expression in MM cells, whereas Janus kinase inhibitor and STAT3 siRNA down-regulated Bcl-6. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) also triggered Bcl-6, but independently of STAT3, whereas IκB kinaseβ inhibitor down-regulated TNF-α–induced Bcl-6, indicating that the canonical nuclear factor-κB pathway mediates TNF-α–induced Bcl-6 expression. Importantly, down-regulation of Bcl-6 by shRNA significantly inhibited MM cell growth in the presence of SCCS. Our results therefore suggest that Bcl-6 expression in MM cells is modulated, at least in part, via Janus kinase/STAT3 and canonical nuclear factor-κB pathways and that targeting Bcl-6, either directly or via these cascades, inhibits MM cell growth in the BM milieu.
TC-motifs at the TATA-box expected position in plant genes: a novel class of motifs involved in the transcription regulation
Authors: Bernard Virginie , Brunaud Véronique , Lecharny Alain
Published: March 2010

Background

The TATA-box and TATA-variants are regulatory elements involved in the formation of a transcription initiation complex. Both have been conserved throughout evolution in a restricted region close to the Transcription Start Site (TSS). However, less than half of the genes in model organisms studied so far have been found to contain either one of these elements. Indeed different core-promoter elements are involved in the recruitment of the TATA-box-binding protein. Here we assessed the possibility of identifying novel functional motifs in plant genes, sharing the TATA-box topological constraints.

Results

We developed an ab-initio approach considering the preferential location of motifs relative to the TSS. We identified motifs observed at the TATA-box expected location and conserved in both Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa promoters. We identified TC-elements within non-TA-rich promoters 30 bases upstream of the TSS. As with the TATA-box and TATA-variant sequences, it was possible to construct a unique distance graph with the TC-element sequences. The structural and functional features of TC-element-containing genes were distinct from those of TATA-box- or TATA-variant-containing genes. Arabidopsis thaliana transcriptome analysis revealed that TATA-box-containing genes were generally those showing relatively high levels of expression and that TC-element-containing genes were generally those expressed in specific conditions.

Conclusions

Our observations suggest that the TC-elements might constitute a class of novel regulatory elements participating towards the complex modulation of gene expression in plants.
A sequence motif enriched in regions bound by the Drosophila dosage compensation complex
Authors: Gallach Miguel , Arnau Vicente , Aldecoa Rodrigo , Marín Ignacio
Published: March 2010

Background

In Drosophila melanogaster, dosage compensation is mediated by the action of the dosage compensation complex (DCC). How the DCC recognizes the fly X chromosome is still poorly understood. Characteristic sequence signatures at all DCC binding sites have not hitherto been found.

Results

In this study, we compare the known binding sites of the DCC with oligonucleotide profiles that measure the specificity of the sequences of the D. melanogaster X chromosome. We show that the X chromosome regions bound by the DCC are enriched for a particular type of short, repetitive sequences. Their distribution suggests that these sequences contribute to chromosome recognition, the generation of DCC binding sites and/or the local spreading of the complex. Comparative data indicate that the same sequences may be involved in dosage compensation in other Drosophila species.

Conclusions

These results offer an explanation for the wild-type binding of the DCC along the Drosophila X chromosome, contribute to delineate the forces leading to the establishment of dosage compensation and suggest new experimental approaches to understand the precise biochemical features of the dosage compensation system.
High-resolution ex vivo magnetic resonance angiography: a feasibility study on biological and medical tissues
Authors: Rasmussen Anne S , Lauridsen Henrik , Laustsen Christoffer , Jensen Bjarke G , Pedersen Steen F , Uhrenholt Lars , Boel Lene WT , Uldbjerg Niels , Wang Tobias , Pedersen Michael
Published: March 2010

Background

In biomedical sciences, ex vivo angiography is a practical mean to elucidate vascular structures three-dimensionally with simultaneous estimation of intravascular volume. The objectives of this study were to develop a magnetic resonance (MR) method for ex vivo angiography and to compare the findings with computed tomography (CT). To demonstrate the usefulness of this method, examples are provided from four different tissues and species: the human placenta, a rice field eel, a porcine heart and a turtle.

Results

The optimal solution for ex vivo MR angiography (MRA) was a compound containing gelatine (0.05 g/mL), the CT contrast agent barium sulphate (0.43 mol/L) and the MR contrast agent gadoteric acid (2.5 mmol/L). It was possible to perform angiography on all specimens. We found that ex vivo MRA could only be performed on fresh tissue because formalin fixation makes the blood vessels permeable to the MR contrast agent.

Conclusions

Ex vivo MRA provides high-resolution images of fresh tissue and delineates fine structures that we were unable to visualise by CT. We found that MRA provided detailed information similar to or better than conventional CTA in its ability to visualize vessel configuration while avoiding interfering signals from adjacent bones. Interestingly, we found that vascular tissue becomes leaky when formalin-fixed, leading to increased permeability and extravascular leakage of MR contrast agent.
Inequalities in the psychological well-being of employed, single and partnered mothers: the role of psychosocial work quality and work-family conflict
Authors: Dziak Ewelina , Janzen Bonnie L , Muhajarine Nazeem
Published: March 2010

Background

A large body of international research reveals that single mothers experience poorer mental health than their partnered counterparts, with socioeconomic disadvantage identified as an important contributory factor in understanding this health disparity. Much less research, however, has focused specifically on the psychological well-being of single mothers who are employed, despite their growing presence in the labor force. Of the research which has considered employment, the focus has been on employment status per se rather than on other important work-related factors which may impact psychological health, such as psychosocial work quality and work-family conflict. The aim of this study was to: (1) compare employed single mothers and employed partnered mothers on measures of psychological distress, psychosocial work quality and work-family conflict; and (2) explore the potential role of work-family conflict and psychosocial work quality as explanations for any observed differences in psychological distress based on partner status.

Method

Analysis of data obtained from a cross-sectional telephone survey of employed parents in a mid-sized Western Canadian city. Analyses were based on 674 employed mothers (438 partnered and 236 single), who were 25-50 years old, with at least one child in the household.

Results

Compared to employed single mothers, employed partnered mothers were older, had more education and reported fewer hours of paid work. Single mothers reported higher levels of psychological distress, financial hardship, work-family conflict and poor psychosocial work quality. Statistical adjustment for income adequacy, psychosocial work quality and work-family conflict each independently resulted in single motherhood no longer being associated with psychological distress.

Conclusions

While single employed mothers did experience higher levels of psychological distress than their partnered counterparts, differences between these groups of women in income adequacy, psychosocial work quality, and work-family conflict were found to explain this relationship. Future research employing a longitudinal design and subject to lower selection biases is required to tease out the interrelationship of these three life strains and to point to the most appropriate economic and social policies to support single mothers in the workforce.
Mercury induces inflammatory mediator release from human mast cells
Authors: Kempuraj Duraisamy , Asadi Shahrzad , Zhang Bodi , Manola Akrivi , Hogan Jennifer , Peterson Erika , Theoharides Theoharis C
Published: March 2010

Background

Mercury is known to be neurotoxic, but its effects on the immune system are less well known. Mast cells are involved in allergic reactions, but also in innate and acquired immunity, as well as in inflammation. Many patients with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have "allergic" symptoms; moreover, the prevalence of ASD in patients with mastocytosis, characterized by numerous hyperactive mast cells in most tissues, is 10-fold higher than the general population suggesting mast cell involvement. We, therefore, investigated the effect of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) on human mast cell activation.

Methods

Human leukemic cultured LAD2 mast cells and normal human umbilical cord blood-derived cultured mast cells (hCBMCs) were stimulated by HgCl2 (0.1-10 μM) for either 10 min for beta-hexosaminidase release or 24 hr for measuring vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and IL-6 release by ELISA.

Results

HgCl2induced a 2-fold increase in β-hexosaminidase release, and also significant VEGF release at 0.1 and 1 μM (311 ± 32 pg/106cells and 443 ± 143 pg/106cells, respectively) from LAD2 mast cells compared to control cells (227 ± 17 pg/106cells, n = 5, p < 0.05). Addition of HgCl2(0.1 μM) to the proinflammatory neuropeptide substance P (SP, 0.1 μM) had synergestic action in inducing VEGF from LAD2 mast cells. HgCl2also stimulated significant VEGF release (360 ± 100 pg/106cells at 1 μM, n = 5, p < 0.05) from hCBMCs compared to control cells (182 ± 57 pg/106cells), and IL-6 release (466 ± 57 pg/106cells at 0.1 μM) compared to untreated cells (13 ± 25 pg/106cells, n = 5, p < 0.05). Addition of HgCl2(0.1 μM) to SP (5 μM) further increased IL-6 release.

Conclusions

HgCl2stimulates VEGF and IL-6 release from human mast cells. This phenomenon could disrupt the blood-brain-barrier and permit brain inflammation. As a result, the findings of the present study provide a biological mechanism for how low levels of mercury may contribute to ASD pathogenesis.
Antidepressants are a rational complementary therapy for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Aboukhatwa Marwa , Dosanjh Laura , Luo Yuan
Published: March 2010

There is a high prevalence rate (30-50%) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and depression comorbidity. Depression can be a risk factor for the development of AD or it can be developed secondary to the neurodegenerative process. There are numerous documented diagnosis and treatment challenges for the patients who suffer comorbidity between these two diseases. Meta analysis studies have provided evidence for the safety and efficacy of antidepressants in treatment of depression in AD patients. Preclinical and clinical studies show the positive role of chronic administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants in hindering the progression of the AD and improving patient performance. A number of clinical studies suggest a beneficial role of combinatorial therapies that pair antidepressants with FDA approved AD drugs. Preclinical studies also demonstrate a favorable effect of natural antidepressants for AD patients. Based on the preclinical studies there are a number of plausible antidepressants effects that may modulate the progression of AD. These effects include an increase in neurogenesis, improvement in learning and memory, elevation in the levels of neurotrophic factors and pCREB and a reduction of amyloid peptide burden. Based on this preclinical and clinical evidence, antidepressants represent a rational complimentary strategy for the treatment of AD patients with depression comorbidity.