bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolite Profiling Identifies Pathways Associated With Metabolic Risk in Humans
Authors: Cheng Susan , Rhee Eugene P. , Larson Martin G. , Lewis Gregory D. , McCabe Elizabeth L. , Shen Dongxiao , Palma Melinda J. , Roberts Lee D. , Dejam Andre , Souza Amanda L. , Deik Amy A. , Magnusson Martin , Fox Caroline S. , O'Donnell Christopher J. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Melander Olle , Clish Clary B. , Gerszten Robert E. , Wang Thomas J.
Published: April 2012

Background—

Although metabolic risk factors are known to cluster in individuals who are prone to developing diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, the underlying biological mechanisms remain poorly understood.

Methods and Results—

To identify pathways associated with cardiometabolic risk, we used liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry to determine the plasma concentrations of 45 distinct metabolites and to examine their relation to cardiometabolic risk in the Framingham Heart Study (FHS; n=1015) and the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study (MDC; n=746). We then interrogated significant findings in experimental models of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. We observed that metabolic risk factors (obesity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and dyslipidemia) were associated with multiple metabolites, including branched-chain amino acids, other hydrophobic amino acids, tryptophan breakdown products, and nucleotide metabolites. We observed strong associations of insulin resistance traits with glutamine (standardized regression coefficients, −0.04 to −0.22 per 1-SD change in log-glutamine;
P
<0.001), glutamate (0.05 to 0.14;
P
<0.001), and the glutamine-to-glutamate ratio (−0.05 to −0.20;
P
<0.001) in the discovery sample (FHS); similar associations were observed in the replication sample (MDC). High glutamine-to-glutamate ratio was associated with lower risk of incident diabetes mellitus in FHS (odds ratio, 0.79; adjusted
P
=0.03) but not in MDC. In experimental models, administration of glutamine in mice led to both increased glucose tolerance (
P
=0.01) and decreased blood pressure (
P
<0.05).

Conclusions—

Biochemical profiling identified circulating metabolites not previously associated with metabolic traits. Experimentally interrogating one of these pathways demonstrated that excess glutamine relative to glutamate, resulting from exogenous administration, is associated with reduced metabolic risk in mice.
Quantifying Uncertainty for Climate Change and Long-Range Forecasting Scenarios with Model Errors. Part I: Gaussian Models
Authors: Gershgorin Boris , Majda Andrew J.
Published: April 2012

Information theory provides a concise systematic framework for measuring climate consistency and sensitivity for imperfect models. A suite of increasingly complex physically relevant linear Gaussian models with time periodic features mimicking the seasonal cycle is utilized to elucidate central issues that arise in contemporary climate science. These include the role of model error, the memory of initial conditions, and effects of coarse graining in producing short-, medium-, and long-range forecasts. In particular, this study demonstrates how relative entropy can be used to improve climate consistency of an overdamped imperfect model by inflating stochastic forcing. Moreover, the authors show that, in the considered models, by improving climate consistency, this simultaneously increases the predictive skill of an imperfect model in response to external perturbation, a property of crucial importance in the context of climate change. The three models range in complexity from a scalar time periodic model mimicking seasonal fluctuations in a mean jet to a spatially extended system of turbulent Rossby waves to, finally, the behavior of a turbulent tracer with a mean gradient with the background turbulent field velocity generated by the first two models. This last model mimics the global and regional behavior of turbulent passive tracers under various climate change scenarios. This detailed study provides important guidelines for extending these strategies to more complicated and non-Gaussian physical systems.
Rebound in Atmospheric Predictability and the Role of the Land Surface
Authors: Guo Zhichang , Dirmeyer Paul A. , DelSole Timothy , Koster Randal D.
Published: April 2012

Total predictability within a chaotic system like the earth’s climate cannot increase over time. However, it can be transferred between subsystems. Predictability of air temperature and precipitation in numerical model forecasts over North America rebounds during late spring to summer because of information stored in the land surface. Specifically, soil moisture anomalies can persist over several months, but this memory cannot affect the atmosphere during early spring because of a lack of coupling between land and atmosphere. Coupling becomes established in late spring, enabling the effects of soil moisture anomalies to increase atmospheric predictability in 2-month forecasts begun as early as 1 May. This predictability is maintained through summer and then drops as coupling fades again in fall. This finding suggests summer forecasts of rainfall and air temperature over parts of North America could be significantly improved with soil moisture observations during spring.
Changes in the Deep Western Boundary Current at 53°N
Authors: Myers Paul G. , Kulan Nilgun
Published: April 2012

Southward transports in the deep western boundary current across 53°N, over 1949–99, are determined from a historical reconstruction. Long-term mean transports, for given water masses, for net southward transport (the southward component of the transport not including recirculation given in parentheses) are 4.7 ± 2.3 Sv (5.1 ± 2.4 Sv) (Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) for the Denmark Strait Overflow Water, 6.1 ± 2.7 Sv (6.8 ± 1.7 Sv) for the Iceland–Scotland Overflow Water, 6.5 ± 2.6 Sv (7.1 ± 1.8 Sv) for classical Labrador Sea Water, and 2.3 ± 1.9 Sv (2.7 ± 3.4 Sv) for upper Labrador Sea Water. The estimates take into account seasonal and interannual variability of the isopycnal positions and suggest the importance of including this factor. A strong correlation, 0.91, is found between variability of the total and baroclinic transports (with the barotropic velocity removed) at the annual time scale. This correlation drops to 0.32 if the baroclinic transports are, instead, computed based upon the use of a fixed level of no motion at 1400 m. The Labrador Sea Water layer shows significant variability and enhanced transport during the 1990s but no trend. The deeper layers do show a declining (but nonstatistically significant) trend over the period analyzed, largest in the ISOW layer. The Iceland–Scotland Overflow Water presents a 0.029 Sv yr−1 decline or 1.5 Sv over the 50-yr period, an 18%–22% decrease in its mean transport.
The Impact of Forcing Datasets on the High-Resolution Simulation of Tropical Storm Ivan (2004) in the Southern Appalachians
Authors: Sun Xiaoming , Barros Ana P.
Published: April 2012

The influence of large-scale forcing on the high-resolution simulation of Tropical Storm Ivan (2004) in the southern Appalachians was investigated using the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF). Two forcing datasets were employed: the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR; 32 km × 32 km) and the NCEP Final Operational Global Analysis (NCEP FNL; 1° × 1°). Simulated fields were evaluated against rain gauge, radar, and satellite data; sounding observations; and the best track from the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Overall, the NCEP FNL forced simulation (WRF_FNL) captures storm structure and evolution more accurately than the NARR forced simulation (WRF_NARR), benefiting from the hurricane initialization scheme in the NCEP FNL. Further, the performance of WRF_NARR is also negatively affected by a previously documented low-level warm bias in NARR. These factors lead to excessive precipitation in the Piedmont region, delayed rainfall in Alabama, as well as spatially displaced and unrealistically extreme rainbands during its passage over the southern Appalachians. Spatial filtering of the simulated precipitation fields confirms that the storm characteristics inherited from the forcing are critical to capture the storm’s impact at local places. Compared with the NHC observations, the storm is weaker in both NARR and NCEP FNL (up to Δp ~ 5 hPa), yet it is persistently deeper in all WRF simulations forced by either dataset. The surface wind fields are largely overestimated. This is attributed to the underestimation of surface roughness length over land, leading to underestimation of surface drag, reducing low-level convergence, and weakening the dissipation of the simulated cyclone.
Primat de l’authenticité et besoin de reconnaissance. La société de consommation et la nouvelle régulation du religieux1
Authors: Gauthier François
Published: April 2012

La lecture de la production en sociologie des religions donne à penser que nous sommes toujours dans une période transitoire, en chemin vers une nouvelle configuration religieuse encore largement indiscernable. Or la littérature sociologique et les enquêtes empiriques depuis une trentaine d’années décrivent une situation se stabilisant autour de certaines caractéristiques globales, tant et si bien qu’on peut se demander si de nouvelles logiques n’auraient pas vu le jour dont il serait possible de montrer la systématicité. Inspiré des travaux de Charles Taylor, cet article esquisse les grandes lignes de l’hypothèse d’une nouvelle régulation du religieux en proposant de comprendre l’avènement de la société de consommation sous l’angle d’un accomplissement du tournant subjectif moderne et de la radicalisation conséquente de la culture de l’authenticité et de l’expressivité. Par-delà leur éclatement, les religiosités contemporaines se donnent à lire comme autant de réponses à l’impératif social d’un projet de soi, des constructions identitaires ou « itinéraires de sens » (Raymond Lemieux) soumis aux enjeux d’une reconnaissance porteuse d’une puissante normativité.

The bulk of the production in the sociology of religion today tends to corroborate the idea that contemporary societies are defined by their transience, as if en route towards some kind of future religious configuration still indiscernible. Yet one can note that empirical studies and scientific literature alike have been describing a situation which has tended to stabilize around certain characteristics these last two or three decades. This article argues that such stability signifies that these characteristics form an interdependent and coherent system and sketches out the hypothesis of a new regulation of religion in our societies contradicting such ideas as fragmentation and atomization. Following some of Charles Taylor’s ideas, this article considers the advent of consumer society as realizing the subjective-turn part of the modernization process through a radicalization of the culture of authenticity and expressivity. Thus contemporary religiosities are individual answers to the social imperative to construct a self and a personal life narrative which in turn must be expressed in order to be recognized, this recognition being the mechanism through which consumer societies efficiently regulate.
The International System in the Twenty-First Century
Authors: Groom A.J.R.
Published: April 2012

A speculative analysis of disturbing trends evident now, which will require attention from decision-makers in twenty-five years time, identifies a number of problems with structural implications. Assets for broaching these problems are analyzed leading to an assessment of the requirements for global leadership. A comparison between the situation in 2010 and 2035 demonstrates the necessity for and likelihood of change. Options range from global suicide to a consortium of rising and declining great powers. The outcome will need to reflect forces rising bottom–up in global society. Examples of the strengths and weaknesses of India’s contribution are given.
Regional Trading Arrangements and Developing Countries: Understanding the Phenomena
Authors: Pant Manoj
Published: April 2012

One of the remarkable features of international trade has been the explosion of regional trading arrangements (RTAs) especially after 1990. In particular, developing countries have been in the forefront in contracting RTAs, especially among themselves. The period after 1995 is also characterized by the growth of trade among developing countries while their trade with developed countries has been on the decline. It seems that the latter phenomenon is driven by RTAs. India too has been very active in recent years in contracting RTAs. This article argues that the causality seems to be from trade to RTAs rather than the other way round. It is seen that conventional gains from RTAs via tariff reduction do not show up in empirical work. RTAs thus do not lead to increased trade among countries and are, in fact, a de facto rationalization of growing trade relations between countries. It is argued further that the growth in RTAs is explained more by developments in international politics and the emergence of a multi-polar world rather than by the conventional calculus of economic theory.
Global Quest and Regional Reversal: Rising India and South Asia
Authors: Basrur Rajesh M.
Published: April 2012

The end of the Cold War coincided with a significant change in India’s relationship with the rest of the world. The somnolent elephant awoke to energize itself by liberalizing its economy and quickly emerged as a potential major power in global politics. From the standpoint of its neighbours in South Asia, there might well be cause for anxiety. India has long been viewed as a hegemonic power in the region. Do the strengthening sinews of the regional ‘hegemon’ bode ill for them? The article argues that India was a limited hegemon in the past, but that, in the contemporary era, while its economic and military power are growing significantly, it is actually becoming less hegemonic in its orientation towards its neighbours. In contrast with its strategic behaviour in the 1980s, it has now adopted a less interventionist relationship with its neighbours and its strategic gaze is focused beyond South Asia to the global setting as it pursues the status of a world power.
New Directions in India’s Role in West Asia and the Gulf
Authors: Pasha A.K.
Published: April 2012

Friendly and beneficial relations with the countries of West Asia, and the Gulf region in particular, have remained a key component of India’s foreign policy on account of geopolitical, economic and strategic interests. The reasons for significance of this region for India now go beyond the assured supplies of energy resources. While non-alignment as a bonding has declined in bilateral relations with countries like Egypt after the end of the Cold War, the opportunities for trade and investments have gained salience in India’s relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The political uncertainty over the representative character of regimes in many countries of the region, the political fallout of the United States’ policies and interests in respect of Iraq, Iran and the Palestine issue, along with India’s new priorities in the form of stronger linkages with both the US and Israel could impinge on India’s role in the region. It is in India’s economic and strategic interest to maintain a positive relationship with all the West Asian countries by avoiding any undue influence from the US or Israel. It is also incumbent on India to stand by the people’s voice for the introduction of genuine democratic political systems in these countries.
India and Africa in the Post-Cold War Period: An Overview
Authors: Harshe Rajen
Published: April 2012

This article presents an overview of Indo-African ties in the post-Cold War period in the context of the accelerated pace of globalization and economic reforms. It begins by taking cognizance of a few significant social realities in Africa such as the advent of democratic regimes in different African countries, the burgeoning of regional organizations as also the emergence of the African Union, the growing presence of India and China in Africa, etc. Subsequently, it analyzes the complexities of Indo-African ties in the realm of security, trade, business, investment and overall development cooperation and suggests the pathways that could refashion such ties under globalization.
India and Russia in the Changing International Setting
Authors: Chenoy Anuradha M.
Published: April 2012

In the first decade of the post-Cold War era, relations between India and Russia have suffered because of mutual neglect and clear attempts to prioritize establishment of the friendliest relations with the sole superpower, the United States. However, the natural preference in both countries to work for multipolarity in world politics helped in repairing the relationship, particularly during the past one decade. Remarkably, relations with the US are no longer an obstacle to better India–Russia relations. The troubled security environment characterized by what is often believed as the state-sponsored terrorism in sensitive regions of Asia, the war in Afghanistan, and the political instability in Afghanistan as well as in countries of Central Asia has paved the way for India–Russia strategic partnership. Moreover, issues of energy security have added a new dimension, although the glitches in promoting optimal economic and trade relations remain to be fully overcome.
Am I My Mother’s Keeper? Children as Unexpected Sources of Social Support Among African American Women Living With HIV-AIDS
Authors: Edwards Lorece V. , Irving Shalon M. , Amutah Ndidi N. , Sydnor Kim D.
Published: April 2012

HIV-AIDS continues to be an escalating health problem, particularly among women. In the United States, African American women are among the leading demographic groups for HIV prevalence. African American women represent 65% of the total women living with HIV-AIDS. The typical woman with HIV-AIDS is young, in her 20s, economically challenged, and of childbearing age. Adherence to HIV therapies is critical if patients are to achieve and maintain virologic suppression. Adherence is especially significant for women, who are often the gatekeepers of care for the family. Scholars have long recognized the importance of social support for general health and well-being. This study explores unexpected sources of social support among women living with HIV-AIDS and how social support networks may affect medication adherence, health, and well-being. Young children were identified as social actors of care.
PDGF-Simvastatin Delivery Stimulates Osteogenesis in Heat-induced Osteonecrosis
Authors: Chang P.-C. , Lim L.P. , Chong L.Y. , Dovban A.S.M. , Chien L.-Y. , Chung M.-C. , Lei C. , Kao M.-J. , Chen C.-H. , Chiang H.-C. , Kuo Y.-P. , Wang C.-H.
Published: April 2012

Heat generated during implant osteotomy might lead to osteonecrosis and delayed bone repair, thus resulting in impaired early osseointegration and fixation of bone-anchoring devices. In this study, we proposed to overcome heat-induced injury to bone by fabricating core-shell polymeric biodegradable microspheres encapsulating a mitogenic factor, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and a differentiation factor, simvastatin, in a simultaneous or sequential release profile. Microspheres encapsulating bovine serum albumin (BSA), PDGF, simvastatin, PDGF-in-core with simvastatin-in-shell, and simvastatin-in-core with PDGF-in-shell were delivered to fill standardized osteotomy sites on edentulous ridges of rat maxillae under irrigated or non-irrigated conditions. In the absence of irrigation, significant reduction of cell viability and increase in inflammation and sequestrum formation without evidence of osteogenesis were observed. Both PDGF and simvastatin deliveries facilitated cell viability and reduced osteonecrosis. Localized osteogenesis was seen under simvastatin treatment, while generalized but primitive osteogenesis was noted in PDGF-treated osteotomy sites. In addition, sequential PDGF-simvastatin delivery further augmented osteogenesis and promoted bone maturation. The results suggested that sequential PDGF-simvastatin delivery was an effective modality to prevent heat-induced complications and facilitate bone apposition after implant osteotomy, potentially favoring the early fixation of bone-anchoring devices and oral implant osseointegration.
Culturally Responsive Teaching as an Ethics- and Care-Based Approach to Urban Education
Authors: Shevalier Rae , McKenzie Barbara Ann
Published: April 2012

Research shows culturally responsive teaching affects urban students positively. Current literature is an excellent resource for urban teacher preparation and provides definitions, models, and examples to help preservice teachers recognize the “how” and “what” of culturally responsive teaching. Missing, however, is an accessible, in-depth discussion of the “why” or theoretical components of culturally responsive teaching—a crucial part of developing culturally responsive teaching practices appropriately. This article addresses the gap by using Noddings’s care theory to frame culturally responsive teaching as question of ethics, inquiry, and caring and explores critically the theory–practice links that make this approach so effective.
Comprehensive Assessment of Human Pharmacokinetic Prediction Based on In Vivo Animal Pharmacokinetic Data, Part 1: Volume of Distribution at Steady State
Authors: Lombardo Franco , Waters Nigel J. , Argikar Upendra A. , Dennehy Michelle K. , Zhan Jenny , Gunduz Mithat , Harriman Shawn P. , Berellini Giuliano , Rajlic Ivana Liric , Obach R. Scott
Published: April 2012

The authors present a comprehensive analysis on the estimation of volume of distribution at steady state (VDss) in human based on rat, dog, and monkey data on nearly 400 compounds for which there are also associated human data. This data set, to the authors— knowledge, is the largest publicly available, has been carefully compiled from literature reports, and was expanded with some in‐house determinations such as plasma protein binding data. This work offers a good statistical basis for the evaluation of applicable prediction methods, their accuracy, and some methods‐dependent diagnostic tools. The authors also grouped the compounds according to their charge classes and show the applicability of each method considered to each class, offering further insight into the probability of a successful prediction. Furthermore, they found that the use of fraction unbound in plasma, to obtain unbound volume of distribution, is generally detrimental to accuracy of several methods, and they discuss possible reasons. Overall, the approach using dog and monkey data in the íie‐Tozer equation offers the highest probability of success, with an intrinsic diagnostic tool based on aberrant values (<0 or >1) for the calculated fraction unbound in tissue. Alternatively, methods based on dog data (single‐species scaling) and rat and dog data (íie‐Tozer equation with 2 species or multiple regression methods) may be considered reasonable approaches while not requiring data in nonhuman primates.
Serotonin transporter genotype differentially modulates neural responses to emotional words following tryptophan depletion in patients recovered from depression and healthy volunteers
Authors: Roiser Jonathan P , Levy Jamey , Fromm Stephen J , Goldman David , Hodgkinson Colin A , Hasler Gregor , Sahakian Barbara J , Drevets Wayne C
Published: April 2012

Previous studies have suggested that polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) influences responses to serotonergic manipulation, with opposite effects in patients recovered from depression (rMDD) and controls. Here we sought to clarify the neurocognitive mechanisms underpinning these surprising results. Twenty controls and 23 rMDD subjects completed the study; functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and genotype data were available for 17 rMDD subjects and 16 controls. Following tryptophan or sham depletion, subjects performed an emotional-processing task during fMRI. Although no genotype effects on mood were identified, significant genotype*diagnosis*depletion interactions were observed in the hippocampus and subgenual cingulate in response to emotionally valenced words. In both regions, tryptophan depletion increased responses to negative words, relative to positive words, in high-expression controls, previously identified as being at low-risk for mood change following this procedure. By contrast, in higher-risk low-expression controls and high-expression rMDD subjects, tryptophan depletion had the opposite effect. Increased neural responses to negative words following tryptophan depletion may reflect an adaptive mechanism promoting resilience to mood change following perturbation of the serotonin system, which is reversed in sub-groups vulnerable to developing depressive symptoms. However, this interpretation is complicated by our failure to replicate previous findings of increased negative mood following tryptophan depletion.
Methodological Research on “Sensitive” Topics
Authors: Lee Yeon-Ok , Lee Raymond M.
Published: April 2012

Drawing on van Meter’s (2000) article examining the methodological literature relating to research on “sensitive” topics, we analyse the corresponding journal literature in the decade following. We present data on authorship patterns, identify thematic continuities and discontinuities, and draw attention to gaps in the existing literature.
Is palynology a credible climate proxy in the Subantarctic?
Authors: Van der Putten Nathalie , Verbruggen Cyriel , Björck Svante , de Beaulieu Jacques-Louis , Barrow Chris J , Frenot Yves
Published: April 2012

Pollen and spore analysis is the most successfully used palaeobotanical discipline for reconstructing Holocene vegetation and climate history throughout the world. Subantarctic islands are very specific areas. They are located in the circum-Antarctic Southern Ocean in latitudes that are under strong influence of the southern westerly winds, and are characterised by a treeless, phanerogam-poor flora. Palynological research on many of these islands has resulted in diverging conclusions about how to infer climate history from pollen data. In this study we compare pollen data with macrofossil data on the one hand, and the palaeoenvironmental history based on a multiproxy record on the other hand, of two peat sequences from two different subantarctic islands, South Georgia and Île de la Possession (Îles Crozet). We conclude that palynology must be used with caution as a proxy for climate change on these islands, especially when no other proxy data are available. The upland–lowland principle, as it has been applied in pollen studies in the South Indian Ocean islands, results in erroneous conclusions about climate change on Île de la Possession. More palaeoclimatic multiproxy and pollen studies, in combination with pollen–vegetation relationship studies, can, however, contribute to a more reliable model of how to interpret pollen data in the Subantarctic. We want to stress that our conclusions are only based on Holocene records. Consequently, the question remains if palynology can be used as a palaeoclimatic proxy when climatic changes were more pronounced such as during the last glacial–interglacial transition.
Health and human rights advocacy: Perspectives from a Rwandan refugee camp
Authors: Pavlish Carol , Ho Anita , Rounkle Ann-Marie
Published: April 2012

Working at the bedside and within communities as patient advocates, nurses frequently intervene to advance individuals’ health and well-being. However, the International Council of Nurses’ Code of Ethics asserts that nurses should expand beyond the individual model and also promote a rights-enabling environment where respect for human dignity is paramount. This article applies the results of an ethnographic human rights study with displaced populations in Rwanda to argue for a rights-based social advocacy role for nurses. Human rights advocacy strategies include sensitization, participation, protection, good governance, and accountability. By adopting a rights-based approach to advocacy, nurses contribute to health agendas that include more just social relationships, equitable access to opportunities, and health-positive living situations for all persons.
Developing and Establishing School-Based Sexual Health Services
Authors: Hayter Mark , Owen Jenny , Cooke Jo
Published: April 2012

School-based sexual health clinics are emerging as one of the key ways to promote sexual health among young people, and school nurses play an important role in developing and delivering these services. This study used a qualitative design to explore the experiences of health professionals and policy makers involved in setting up such services in U.K. schools. It presents the internationally transferable messages from this study for school nurses. Particularly, the ways in involving young people in developing and evaluating services, dealing with social and parental objections, and building alliances with school staff are important aspects of working in this important but socially sensitive area of school health. It also explores how sexual health services can be branded and marketed and highlights some of the barriers and facilitators for developing successful school-based or school-linked sexual health clinics.
Modulation of Platelet Activation in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients on Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents
Authors: Farag Youssef M. K. , Keithy-Reddy Sai Ram , Mittal Bharati V. , Bansal Vinod , Fareed Jaweed , Singh Ajay K.
Published: April 2012

Background: Clinical trials demonstrate either no benefit or increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) targeted for higher hemoglobin levels, who are treated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). The mechanism underlying this observation remains unexplained. Methods and Results: We assessed platelet activation by measuring soluble P-selectin (sPsel), CD40 ligand (CD40L), and circulating microparticles (CMP) in patients with CKD. Higher hemoglobin levels were associated with increased Psel levels in patients on ESAs but not in ESA-naïve anemic and nonanemic patients. Psel positively correlated with CMP and CD40L in both anemic and nonanemic patients. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed an association between increased Psel levels and hemoglobin concentration in patients receiving ESAs. Conclusions: Anemic CKD patients on ESAs demonstrate increased levels of markers of platelet activation. These observations suggest a potentially complex interplay between platelet activation, impaired kidney function, and treatment of CKD anemia with ESAs.
Efficacy of Recombinant Human Soluble Thrombomodulin in Severe Postpartum Hemorrhage With Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
Authors: Sugawara Junichi , Suenaga Kaori , Hoshiai Tetsuro , Sato Takahiro , Nishigori Hidekazu , Nagase Satoru , Yaegashi Nobuo
Published: April 2012

Objective:

To investigate the efficacy of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rTM) in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) associated with severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).

Patients and Methods:

We conducted a retrospective review of 36 patients with severe PPH complicated by DIC admitted to a single tertiary center. The first 26 patients were treated without rTM (control group), and the next 10 consecutive patients were treated with rTM. Clinical parameters including bleeding symptoms and coagulation indices were evaluated.

Results:

Baseline characteristics, total blood loss, and transfusion requirements were similar between the 2 groups. On day 2, there was a significant difference between the 2 groups in the decrease in d-dimer level from baseline. The incidence of bleeding symptoms was decreased in the rTM group compared with the control group. No adverse events were observed in the rTM group.

Conclusion:

Recombinant human thrombomodulin may be an effective adjunctive therapy in the management of DIC related to PPH.
Femoral artery percutaneous revascularization for patients with critical limb ischemia: Outcomes compared to patients with claudication over 2.5 years
Authors: Todoran Thomas M , Connors Gerard , Engelson Brian A , Sobieszczyk Piotr S , Eisenhauer Andrew C , Kinlay Scott
Published: April 2012

Patients with critical limb ischemia have higher rates of death and amputation after revascularization compared to patients with intermittent claudication. However, the differences in patency after percutaneous revascularization of the superficial femoral artery are uncertain and impact the long-term risk of amputation and function in critical limb ischemia. We identified 171 limbs from 136 consecutive patients who had angioplasty and/or stenting for superﬁcial femoral artery stenoses or occlusions from July 2003 through June 2007. Patients were followed for primary and secondary patency, death and amputation up to 2.5 years, and 111 claudicants were retrospectively compared to the 25 patients with critical limb ischemia. Successful percutaneous revascularization occurred in 128 of 142 limbs (90%) with claudication versus 25 of 29 limbs (86%) with critical limb ischemia ( p = 0.51). Overall secondary patency at 2.5 years was 91% for claudication and 88% for critical limb ischemia. In Cox proportional hazards models, percutaneous revascularization for critical limb ischemia had similar long-term primary patency (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.4, 2.6; p = 0.89) and secondary patency (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.2, 6.0; p = 0.95) to revascularization for claudication. Patients with critical limb ischemia had higher mortality and death rates compared to claudicants, with prior statin use associated with less death ( p = 0.034) and amputation ( p = 0.010), and prior clopidogrel use associated with less amputation ( p = 0.034). In conclusion, percutaneous superficial femoral artery revascularization is associated with similar long-term durability in both groups. Intensive treatment of atherosclerosis risk factors and surveillance for restenosis likely contribute to improving the long-term outcomes of both manifestations of peripheral artery disease.
Mothers’ and fathers’ insights into teenagers’ use of the internet
Authors: Sorbring Emma , Lundin Linda
Published: April 2012

Previous research indicates that parents have limited insight into their teenagers’ activities and experiences on the internet. The purpose of the present study was therefore to investigate associations between mothers’ and fathers’ insight and teenagers’ experiences of the internet. A total of 538 teenagers (242 girls, 296 boys), aged between 13 and 15, and their 798 parents (491 mothers, 307 fathers) participated in the present study. Findings revealed that parental trust in sensible teenage internet use and parental active participation in teenage internet use were related to parental insight into teenage experiences on the internet. It is possible that a relationship based on trust and active engagement facilitates parental insight into teenage activities.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Authors: Galer-Unti Regina A.
Published: April 2012

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has come under intense scrutiny about its mandate for individual health insurance purchase, yet it has received little praise in the popular press for its prevention measures. Irrespective of the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the “individual mandate,” it is important for public health professionals to advocate for the preservation of the prevention and wellness provisions in the current law. The article addresses the Supreme Court’s hearing for the “individual mandate,” the likely impact of the general election in 2012, and specific prevention components of the law that should be championed by health education and health promotion advocates.
A novel method to assess degree of crystallinity of aramid filament yarns
Authors: Uppal Rohit , Ramaswamy Gita N , Loughin Thomas
Published: April 2012

An equation was developed to predict the morphology of aramid fibers using dissolution time ( t) data of Kevlar and Nomex multifilament yarns, which were heat set at various temperatures. The degree of crystallinity of the fibers was characterized by WAXS and the dissolution time of the samples was measured. The degree of crystallinity and dissolution time of the fibers increases with both heat treatment time and heat treatment temperature. The coefficient of correlation between 1/ t and the X-ray degree of crystallinity was found to be −0.88 for Nomex aramid and −0.95 for Kevlar aramid multifilament yarns. The dissolution times of completely amorphous and fully crystalline fibers can be predicted using regression and were substituted in a novel equation to characterize the morphology of the aramid fibers. New equations were proposed to assess the degree of crystallinity of the aramid multifilament yarns. For Nomex, the equation is χc = [(0.053) − (1/ t)]/(0.00054). For Kevlar, the equation is χc = [(0.12) − (1/ t)]/(0.0015).
Benefits and Drawbacks of SILS Cholecystectomy
Authors: Kehagias Ioannis , Karamanakos Stavros N. , Markopoulos George A. , Kalfarentzos Fotis
Published: April 2012

Background. Single-incision laparoscopic surgery is a rapidly emerging approach to gallbladder disease. Methods. From February 2009 to September 2010, 60 patients were subjected to single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In all the patients, a 12-mm incision was made in the umbilicus and a 2-trocar technique was applied. Gallbladder was suspended with 2 sutures and the procedure was accomplished with standard partly reusable laparoscopic instruments. Results. In all, 41 women (68.3%) and 19 men (31.7%) were enrolled in this study. Mean age was 50.7 years (range = 17-72 years), mean body mass index was 26.2 kg/m2 (range = 18.3-37.7 kg/m2) and mean operative time was 52.6 minutes (range = 30-120 minutes). No mortality or morbidity was recorded and hospital stay was less than 24 hours. At follow-up visits, no complications were recorded and cosmesis was excellent. Conclusion. Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely performed with conventional instrumentation with minimal cost.
The Free Radical Theory of Aging and Antioxidant Supplements
Authors: Buehler Bruce A.
Published: April 2012

Free radical excess occurs when cells are exposed to reactive oxygen species greater than the amount that can be neutralized by cellular produced antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase. This is termed oxidative stress, which can be caused by excessive energy intake or external pollutants. Excess free radicals are proposed to increase the rate of cell aging, injury, and mutations leading to a shortened cell life span. Vitamins A, C, and E and flavoproteins are supplements that function as free radical scavengers. Antioxidants are present in natural foods but added amounts beyond the diet may detoxify excess free radicals during “oxidative stress.” Antioxidant supplements decrease cellular damage from excess reactive oxygen species but they have not been proven to prolong life span.
Overcoming “aspirin resistance” in MPN
Authors: Tefferi Ayalew
Published: April 2012

In this issue of Blood, Pascale and colleagues show that biochemical resistance to aspirin in patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) can be reversed by twice-daily dosing.1
TAFI made stickier
Authors: Abshire Thomas
Published: April 2012

Bleeding in hemophilia is the result of factor VIII/IX deficiency with corresponding reduced thrombin production and enhanced fibrinolysis secondary to lower thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) production. Factor replacement is the cornerstone of hemophilia treatment but is often not possible in developing countries.1
ALDH marks leukemia stem cell
Authors: Fleischman Angela G.
Published: April 2012

In this issue of Blood, Gerber et al use aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity to further subdivide the CD34+CD38− compartment in the bone marrow of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. They identify a unique population with intermediate ALDH activity (ALDHint) that contains leukemia stem cells (LSCs). Moreover, persistence of this population after therapy is a marker of clinically significant minimal residual disease.1
Splenic re-irradiation for waldenstrőm’s macroglobulinemia
Authors: Wei Zhou , Yanxia Yu , Ying Xu , Han Wang , Yuhua Jiang
Published: April 2012

We report on a case of Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM) treated with splenic re-irradiation. To the best of our knowledge this has not been reported before. A 69-year-old Asian female patient with WM received a three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, with 24 Gy in 12 treatment fractions in the first stage. She tolerated the treatment well, with a 37% reduction of the monoclonal immunoglobulin, an impalpable spleen, and improved hematological laboratory tests for 4 months. She was then treated with splenic re-irradiation up to 24 Gy for tumor progression. She showed no evidence of progression one year after re-irradiation, with a 55% reduction of the monoclonal immunoglobulin. Our experience demonstrates that splenic irradiation is an effective treatment to control the progression of WM.
Flux-normalized wavefield decomposition and migration of seismic data
Authors: Ursin Bjørge , Pedersen Ørjan , Arntsen Børge
Published: April 2012

Separation of wavefields into directional components can be accomplished by an eigenvalue decomposition of the accompanying system matrix. In conventional pressure-normalized wavefield decomposition, the resulting one-way wave equations contain an interaction term which depends on the reflectivity function. Applying directional wavefield decomposition using flux-normalized eigenvalue decomposition, and disregarding interaction between up- and downgoing wavefields, these interaction terms were absent. By also applying a correction term for transmission loss, the result was an improved estimate of the up- and downgoing wavefields. In the wave equation angle transform, a crosscorrelation function in local offset coordinates was Fourier-transformed to produce an estimate of reflectivity as a function of slowness or angle. We normalized this wave equation angle transform with an estimate of the plane-wave reflection coefficient. The flux-normalized one-way wave-propagation scheme was applied to imaging and to the normalized wave equation angle-transform on synthetic and field data; this proved the effectiveness of the new methods.
On mapping seafloor mineral deposits with central loop transient electromagnetics
Authors: Swidinsky Andrei , Hölz Sebastian , Jegen Marion
Published: April 2012

Electromagnetic methods are commonly employed in exploration for land-based mineral deposits. A suite of airborne, land, and borehole electromagnetic techniques consisting of different coil and dipole configurations have been developed over the last few decades for this purpose. In contrast, although the commercial value of marine mineral deposits has been recognized for decades, the development of suitable marine electromagnetic methods for mineral exploration at sea is still in its infancy. One particularly interesting electromagnetic method, which could be used to image a mineral deposit on the ocean floor, is the central loop configuration. Central loop systems consist of concentric transmitting and receiving loops of wire. While these types of systems are frequently used in land-based or airborne surveys, to our knowledge neither system has been used for marine mineral exploration. The advantages of using central loop systems at sea are twofold: (1) simplified navigation, because the transmitter and receiver are concentric, and (2) simplified operation because only one compact unit must be deployed. We produced layered seafloor type curves for two particular types of central loop methods: the in-loop and coincident loop configurations. In particular, we consider models inspired by real marine mineral exploration scenarios consisting of overburdens 0 to 5 m thick overlying a conductive ore body 5 to 30 m thick. Modeling and resolution analyses showed that, using a [Formula: see text] transmitting loop with 20 A of current, these two configurations are useful tools to determine the overburden depth to a conductive ore deposit and its thickness. In the most extreme case, absolute voltage errors on the order of 10 nV are required to resolve the base of a 30 m thick ore deposit. Whether such noise floors can be achieved in real marine environments remains to be seen.
Identification of Critical Residues Involved in Ligand Binding and G Protein Signaling in Human Somatostatin Receptor Subtype 2
Authors: Parry Jesse J. , Chen Ronald , Andrews Rebecca , Lears Kimberly A. , Rogers Buck E.
Published: April 2012

G protein signaling through human somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2) is well known, but the amino acids involved in stimulation of intracellular responses upon ligand binding have not been characterized. We constructed a series of point mutants in SSTR2 at amino acid positions 89, 139, and 140 in attempts to disrupt G protein signaling upon ligand binding. The aspartic acid changes at position 89 to either Ala, Leu, or Arg generated mutant receptors with varying expression profiles and a complete inability to bind somatostatin-14 (SST). Mutations to Asp 139 and Arg 140 also led to varying expression profiles with some mutants maintaining their affinity for SST. Mutation of Arg 140 to Ala resulted in a mutated receptor that had a Bmax and dissociation constant (Kd) similar to wild-type receptor but was still coupled to the G protein as determined in both a cAMP assay and a calcium-release assay. In contrast, mutation of Asp 139 to Asn resulted in a mutated receptor with Bmax and Kd values that were similar to wild type but was uncoupled from G protein-mediated cAMP signaling, but not calcium release. Thus, we identified mutations in SSTR2 that result in either receptor expression levels that are similar to wild type but is completely ablated for ligand binding or a receptor that maintains affinity for SST and is uncoupled from G protein-mediated cAMP signaling.
Prematurely Elevating Estradiol in Early Baboon Pregnancy Suppresses Uterine Artery Remodeling and Expression of Extravillous Placental Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and α1β1 and α5β1 Integrins
Authors: Bonagura Thomas W. , Babischkin Jeffery S. , Aberdeen Graham W. , Pepe Gerald J. , Albrecht Eugene D.
Published: April 2012

We previously showed that advancing the increase in estradiol levels from the second to the first third of baboon pregnancy suppressed placental extravillous trophoblast (EVT) invasion and remodeling of the uterine spiral arteries. Cell culture studies show that vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) plays a central role in regulating EVT migration and remodeling of the uterine spiral arteries by increasing the expression/action of certain integrins that control extracellular matrix remodeling. To test the hypothesis that the estradiol-induced reduction in vessel remodeling in baboons is associated with an alteration in VEGF and integrin expression, extravillous placental VEGF and integrin expression was determined on d 60 of gestation (term is 184 d) in baboons in which uterine artery transformation was suppressed by maternal estradiol administration on d 25–59. EVT uterine spiral artery invasion was 5-fold lower (P < 0.01), and VEGF protein expression, quantified by in situ proximity ligation assay, was 50% lower (P < 0.05) in the placenta anchoring villi of estradiol-treated than in untreated baboons. α1β1 and α5β1 mRNA levels in cells isolated by laser capture microdissection from the anchoring villi and cytotrophoblastic shell of estradiol-treated baboons were over 2-fold (P < 0.01) and 40% (P < 0.05) lower, respectively, than in untreated animals. In contrast, placental extravillous αvβ3 mRNA expression was unaltered by estradiol treatment. In summary, extravillous placental expression of VEGF and α1β1 and α5β1 integrins was decreased in a cell- and integrin-specific manner in baboons in which EVT invasion and remodeling of the uterine spiral arteries were suppressed by prematurely elevating estradiol levels in early pregnancy. We propose that estrogen normally controls the extent to which the uterine arteries are transformed by placental EVT in primate pregnancy by regulating expression of VEGF and particular integrin extracellular remodeling molecules that mediate this process.