bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microparticles and Their Impact on Intestinal Immunity
Authors: Becker Helen M. , Bertschinger Martina M. , Rogler Gerhard
Published: January 2013

Microparticles are small (<1 µm), nonbiological particles that are used in many areas of daily life. As food additive they are used as anticaking agents or food colorants. The most common food-derived ingested compounds are aluminium silicate and titanium dioxide (TiO2), the latter being a white pigment used in toothpaste or sugar toppings. The increasing abundance of microparticles in the Western diet raises the question of the potential risks associated with gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohn’s disease (CD). Accumulation of particles has been shown in cells of Peyer’s patches, but it is not clear whether this also has pathological effects. NLRP3 is a member of the intracellular pattern recognition receptor family and it is part of the inflammasome, a multiprotein complex containing caspase-1 which activates the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. With regard to recent findings identifying small particles such as asbestos and monosodium urate as NLRP3 activators, TiO2 may be another potential target for inflammasome studies. We found that macrophage-like cells readily take up TiO2 after 6 h. Incubation of cells with TiO2 resulted in the assembly of NLRP3 with caspase-1. This inflammasome assembly correlated with secretion of IL-1β. In intestinal epithelial cells, TiO2 also was found to be ingested. The counting of particles localized intracellularly revealed a dose-dependent increase of TiO2-positive cells. This points to the fact that in humans with a leaky intestinal barrier (such as IBD patients), TiO2 microparticles may be taken up by macrophages and intestinal epithelial cells, may activate the inflammasome and induce IL-1β and IL-18 secretion. This may aggravate inflammation in susceptible individuals.
Circulating Antibodies against Bacterial Wall Products: Are There Arguments for Early Immunosuppression?
Authors: Rieder Florian , Kugathasan Subra
Published: January 2013

The disease course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is highly heterogeneous and unpredictable. The risk of fistulae formation and stricturing complications that lead to surgery during the disease course is substantial. Use of early and aggressive immunosupressive therapies such as immunomodulation could have the potential for altering the natural history of IBD, namely reducing the number of hospitalizations and surgeries. If diagnostic tools are available to predict disease activity, response to therapy, disease complications as well as the need for surgery or hospitalizations, one could identify IBD patients at risk that might benefit from more intense immunosuppression. Circulating antibodies against bacterial wall products, such as anti-Saccharomyces cervisiae antibodies have been investigated for the diagnosis and disease stratification of IBD. These markers are mainly linked to Crohn’s disease (CD), are associated with genetic polymorphisms such as NOD2, and are linked to and possibly predictive of complicated CD behavior and CD-related surgery. No association of these antibodies has been found on assessment of disease activity, tissue healing or surgical recurrence. Perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies are linked to ulcerative colitis (UC) and are associated with a severe UC disease course, the need for surgery and (potentially) the response to therapy, but not disease activity. Serological antimicrobial antibodies are promising tools for the identification and prediction of risk for the development of complicated disease during the disease course in CD. To truly improve daily clinical practice serological antimicrobial antibodies need to be incorporated into clinical therapeutic trials to assess their role in identifying patients who may benefit from early immunosuppressive therapy.
Specific Probiotics or ‘Fecal Transplantation’
Authors: Kruis Wolfgang
Published: January 2013

The intestinal ecosystem consists mainly of the enteric flora and to a large extent determines intestinal but also extraintestinal health and disease. General alterations and specific molecular changes of intestinal bacteria cause local as well as systemic immune reactions. Nonantibiotic treatment of the enteric flora has a long tradition and spans a range of different interventions from nutrition to specific probiotics and complete fecal transplantation. When comparing therapy to specific probiotics and fecal transplantation, several aspects need to be considered, like biological consequences, safety and therapeutic evidence. The introduction of probiotics into therapy occurred more than hundred years ago. In contrast, experiences with fecal transplantation are more recent and more limited. Safety issues have not been definitively clarified. Because of the different biological activities of probiotics and fecal transplantation, it can be hypothesized that they may play different roles in the treatment of various diseases. More research is needed before the details, safety and therapeutic effects of bacteriotherapy for IBD become sufficiently clear.
Methotrexate: Underused and Ignored?
Authors: Herfarth Hans H. , Long Millie D. , Isaacs Kim L.
Published: January 2013

For more than a decade, methotrexate has been known to be an effective therapeutic agent in the treatment of steroid-dependent active Crohn’s disease. However, international data on medication utilization suggest that this drug is rarely used in clinical practice for an indication of Crohn’s disease. This review investigates the potential reasons for the underuse of methotrexate in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.
Recent Advancements of Bortezomib in Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Treatment
Authors: Du Xiao-Li , Chen Qi
Published: January 2013

Although survival rates for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), especially in children, have shown dramatic improvement over time, poor outcomes are still observed in patients who have refractory or relapsed disease after conventional chemotherapy. New therapeutic options are urgently needed. Bortezomib (Velcade, formerly PS-341) is the first proteasome inhibitor approved by the US FDA for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma and relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. Although the mechanisms of bortezomib anticancer activity are still not completely understood, it is a new treatment option for patients with refractory or relapsed ALL, particularly when used in combination with conventional chemotherapy or targeted agents. This review summarizes recent advancements in the understanding of the bortezomib molecular mechanism of action in ALL. Understanding of the molecular approaches might help customize cancer chemotherapy for each individual patient, directing the field towards rational therapeutics.
Neuronal and Behavioral Correlates of Health Anxiety: Results of an Illness-Related Emotional Stroop Task
Authors: Witthöft Michael , Mier Daniela , Ofer Julia , Müller Tobias , Rist Fred , Kirsch Peter , Bailer Josef , Diener Carsten
Published: January 2013

Background: Health anxiety (HA) is defined as the objectively unfounded fear or conviction of suffering from a severe illness. Predominant attention allocation to illness-related information is regarded as a central process in the development and maintenance of HA, yet little is known about the neuronal correlates of this attentional bias. Methods: An emotional Stroop task with body symptom, illness, and neutral words was employed to elicit emotional interference in healthy participants with high (HA+, n = 12) and low (HA–, n = 12) HA during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Prolonged reaction times for indicating the color of symptom words and a decrease in rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) activation were seen in HA+ participants. Emotional interference effects on the behavioral level were negatively related to rACC activity over the whole group. Groups did not differ during the processing of threatening illness words. Conclusion: The results indicate stronger attention allocation toward body symptom words already in subclinical HA. This attentional bias appears to be linked to hypoactivity of the rACC which impedes effective emotional interference reduction, leading instead to a ruminative processing of the stimulus content.
Acute Hemorrhage in Monochorionic Twins with Ruptured Velamentous Vessels: Anemic Twin Resuscitated by Its Co-Twin through Placental Vascular Anastomoses?
Authors: Gillissen A. , Sueters M. , van Lith J.M. , Walther F.J. , Lopriore E.
Published: January 2013

Monochorionic (MC) twin pregnancies are at increased risk of several complications including acute or chronic twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS). Both TTTS and TAPS result from inter-twin fetofetal transfusion through the placental vascular anastomoses. In addition, MC twin pregnancies are at increased risk of having a velamentous cord insertion, which has been linked with poor perinatal outcome due to risk of rupture of the velamentous vessels. In sporadic cases, these vascular connections may have a positive effect instead of a deleterious effect. We present a case of acute fetal distress in a MC twin pregnancy caused by acute hemorrhage following rupture of velamentous vessels. An emergency cesarean section delivery was performed at 29+2 weeks' gestation. One infant was severely anemic at birth and required immediate treatment with volume expansion and blood transfusion. Acute fetal blood loss through the ruptured vessels led to an acute fetofetal transfusion from the co-twin through the placental vascular anastomoses. Delayed intervention could have resulted in severe hypovolemic shock and acute anemia in both fetuses. Instead, in the current case, placental vascular anastomoses had a transient protective role and allowed transfusion of blood from one co-twin into the circulation of the anemic twin.
Genetic and Pharmacologic Disruption of Interleukin-1β Signaling Inhibits Experimental Aortic Aneurysm Formation
Authors: Johnston William F. , Salmon Morgan , Su Gang , Lu Guanyi , Stone Matthew L. , Zhao Yunge , Owens Gary K. , Upchurch Gilbert R. , Ailawadi Gorav
Published: January 2013

Objective—

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are common, but their exact pathogenesis remains unknown and no specific medical therapies are available. We sought to evaluate interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) in an experimental AAA model to identify novel therapeutic targets for AAA treatment.

Methods and Results—

IL-1β mRNA and protein levels were significantly elevated in abdominal aortas of 8- to 12-week-old male C57Bl/6 mice after elastase aortic perfusion (wild-type [WT]) compared with saline perfusion. Mice with genetic deletion of IL-1β (IL-1β knockout [KO]) or IL-1R (IL-1R KO) that underwent elastase perfusion demonstrated significant protection against AAA formation, with maximal aortic dilations of 38.0±5.5% for IL-1β KO and 52.5±4.6% for IL-1R KO, compared with 89.4±4.0% for WT mice (
P
<0.005). Correspondingly, IL-1β KO and IL-1R KO aortas had reduced macrophage and neutrophil staining with greater elastin preservation compared with WT. In WT mice pretreated with escalating doses of the IL-1R antagonist anakinra, there was a dose-dependent decrease in maximal aortic dilation (
R
=–0.676;
P
<0.0005). Increasing anakinra doses correlated with decreasing macrophage staining and elastin fragmentation. Lastly, WT mice treated with anakinra 3 or 7 days after AAA initiation with elastase demonstrated significant protection against AAA progression and had decreased aortic dilation compared with control mice.

Conclusion—

IL-1β is critical for AAA initiation and progression, and IL-1β neutralization through genetic deletion or receptor antagonism attenuates experimental AAA formation. Disrupting IL-1β signaling offers a novel pathway for AAA treatment.
Functional Role of Soluble Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products in Stroke
Authors: Tang Sung-Chun , Wang Yu-Chi , Li Yu-I , Lin Hsiao-Ching , Manzanero Silvia , Hsieh Yu-Hsuan , Phipps Simon , Hu Chaur-Jong , Chiou Hung-Yi , Huang Yi-Shuian , Yang Wei-Shiung , Mattson Mark P. , Arumugam Thiruma V. , Jeng Jiann-Shing
Published: January 2013

Objective—

Little is known about the involvement of the soluble form of receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) in acute ischemic stroke (IS). Here, we aim to identify the role of plasma sRAGE and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in imaging-confirmed IS patients, as well as mice subjected to focal ischemic stroke.

Methods and Results—

IS patients were recruited and plasma samples were collected for the measurement of sRAGE and HMGB1 after stroke. The relation of sRAGE and HMGB1 with acute IS was also investigated in a C57BL/6J mouse model of focal ischemic stroke and primary cortical neurons subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation. Plasma levels of sRAGE and HMGB1 were both significantly increased within 48 hours after IS, and the sRAGE level was an independent predictor of functional outcome at 3 months poststroke. Immunoprecipitation assays revealed that the binding of plasma HMGB1 to sRAGE increased progressively after IS both in patients and mice. Administration of recombinant sRAGE significantly reduced infiltrating immune cells and improved the outcome of injury in mice, protected cultured neurons against oxygen and glucose deprivation–induced cell death, and ameliorated the detrimental effect of recombinant HMGB1.

Conclusion—

Early poststroke plasma sRAGE may play a protective role in IS by capturing HMGB1. Hence, recombinant sRAGE is a potential therapeutic agent in acute IS.
Anti-miR-33 Therapy Does Not Alter the Progression of Atherosclerosis in Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Deficient Mice
Authors: Marquart Tyler J. , Wu Judy , Lusis Aldons J. , Baldán Ángel
Published: January 2013

Objective—

To determine the efficacy of long-term anti-miR-33 therapy on the progression of atherosclerosis in high-fat, high-cholesterol–fed
Ldlr
–/–
mice.

Methods and Results—

Ldlr
–/–
mice received saline, or control or anti-miR-33 oligonucleotides once a week for 14 weeks. The treatment was effective, as measured by reduced levels of hepatic miR-33 and increased hepatic expression of miR-33 targets. Analysis of plasma samples revealed an initial elevation in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol after 2 weeks of treatment that was not sustained by the end of the experiment. Additionally, we found a significant increase in circulating triglycerides in anti-miR-33–treated mice, compared with controls. Finally, examination of atheromata revealed no significant changes in the size or composition of lesions between the 3 groups.

Conclusion—

Prolonged silencing of miR-33 fails to maintain elevated plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and does not prevent the progression of atherosclerosis in
Ldlr
–/–
mice.
Electrochemical Failure of the Brain Cortex Is More Deleterious When it Is Accompanied by Low Perfusion
Authors: Dreier Jens P. , Victorov Ilya V. , Petzold Gabor C. , Major Sebastian , Windmüller Olaf , Fernández-Klett Francisco , Kandasamy Mahesh , Dirnagl Ulrich , Priller Josef
Published: January 2013

Background and Purpose—

Clinical and experimental evidence suggests that spreading depolarization facilitates neuronal injury when its duration exceeds a certain time point, termed commitment point. We here investigated whether this commitment point is shifted to an earlier period, when spreading depolarization is accompanied by a perfusion deficit.

Methods—

Electrophysiological and cerebral blood flow changes were studied in a rat cranial window model followed by histological and immunohistochemical analyses of cortical damage.

Results—

In group 1, brain topical application of artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) with high K
+
concentration ([K
+
]
ACSF
) for 1 hour allowed us to induce a depolarizing event of fixed duration with cerebral blood flow fluctuations around the baseline (short-lasting initial hypoperfusions followed by hyperemia). In group 2, coapplication of the NO-scavenger hemoglobin ([Hb]
ACSF
) with high [K
+
]
ACSF
caused a depolarizing event of similar duration, to which a severe perfusion deficit was coupled (=spreading ischemia). In group 3, intravenous coadministration of the L-type calcium channel antagonist nimodipine with brain topical application of high [K
+
]
ACSF
/[Hb]
ACSF
caused spreading ischemia to revert to spreading hyperemia. Whereas scattered neuronal injury occurred in the superficial cortical layers in the window areas of groups 1 and 3, necrosis of all layers with partial loss of the tissue texture and microglial activation were observed in group 2.

Conclusions—

The results suggest that electrochemical failure of the cortex is more deleterious when it is accompanied by low perfusion. Thus, the commitment point of the cortex is not a universal value but depends on additional factors, such as the level of perfusion.
An Observational Study of Thrombolysis Outcomes in Wake-Up Ischemic Stroke Patients
Authors: Manawadu Dulka , Bodla Shankaranand , Keep Jeff , Jarosz Jozef , Kalra Lalit
Published: January 2013

Background and Purpose—

Wake-up ischemic stroke (WUIS) patients are not eligible for thrombolysis; the a priori hypothesis was that thrombolysis of selected WUIS patients who meet clinical and imaging criteria for treatment is associated with better outcomes.

Methods—

The sample consisted of consecutive WUIS patients who fulfilled predefined criteria: (1) were last seen normal >4.5 hours and <12 hours before presentation; (2) National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score ≥5; (3) No or early ischemic changes <1/3 middle cerebral artery territory on computed tomography imaging; (4) No absolute contraindications to thrombolysis. The primary outcome measure was the modified Rankin Scale of 0 to 2 at 90 days. Other outcome measures were mortality and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage.

Results—

WUIS patients constituted 10.5% (193/1836) of all stroke admissions. Inclusion criteria were fulfilled by 122 (63%) patients, of whom 68 (56%) were thrombolysed. Thrombolysed and nonthrombolysed patients were comparable for baseline characteristics, but the median baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score was higher in thrombolysed patients (9 versus 11.5;
P
=0.034). There was no difference in modified Rankin Scale 0 to 2 (25 [37%] versus 14 [26%];
P
=0.346), death (10 [15%] versus 14 [26%];
P
=0.122), and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (2 versus 0;
P
=0.204) between thrombolysed and nonthrombolysed patients. After adjusting for age, sex, and baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score thrombolysis was associated with odds ratio of 5.2 (95% confidence interval 1.3–20.3),
P
=0.017 for modified Rankin Scale 0 to 2 at 90 days and odds ratio of 0.09 (95% confidence interval 0.02–0.44),
P
=0.003 for death.

Conclusions—

Thrombolysis in selected WUIS patients is feasible and may have potential of benefit.
Elevated Homocysteine and Carotid Plaque Area and Densitometry in the Northern Manhattan Study
Authors: Alsulaimani Sara , Gardener Hannah , Elkind Mitchell S.V. , Cheung Ken , Sacco Ralph L. , Rundek Tatjana
Published: January 2013

Background and Purpose—

Studies have linked elevated total homocysteine (tHcy) levels to atherosclerotic carotid plaque development, but data are limited to predominantly white populations. We examined the association between tHcy and carotid plaque burden and morphology in a multiethnic cohort.

Methods—

In the Northern Manhattan Study, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis among 1327 stroke-free subjects (mean age, 66±9; 41% men; 19% black; 62% Hispanic; 17% white) with serum tHcy and ultrasonographic assessment of plaque morphology measured by gray-scale median (GSM) and total plaque area (TPA). GSM and TPA were examined in 4 categories. High and low GSM categories were considered echodense and echolucent plaque, respectively, and compared with no plaque. Logistic regression models were used to assess the associations of tHcy with GSM and TPA adjusting for demographics, vascular risk factors, renal insufficiency, and B
12
deficiency.

Results—

The mean tHcy was 9.4±4.8 µmol/L (median=8.6). The prevalence of carotid plaque was 57% (52% among Hispanics, 58% black, and 70% white). Among those with plaque, the mean TPA was 20.3±20.6 mm
2
(median=13.6) and mean GSM 90.9±28.5 (median=93.0). The top 2 tHcy quartiles (versus quartile 1) had an elevated risk of having either echolucent plaque (tHcy Q3, odds ratio [OR]=1.8; [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.2–2.8]; tHcy Q4, OR=1.9 [95% CI 1.2–3.1]) or echodense plaque (tHcy Q3, OR=1.7 [95% CI, 1.1–2.7]; tHcy Q4, OR=1.9 [95% CI, 1.2–3.2]). The top 2 tHcy quartiles were also more likely to be in the highest TPA category (tHcy Q3, OR=1.8 [95% CI, 1.1–3.0]; tHcy Q4, OR=2.2 [95% CI, 1.3–3.7]).

Conclusions—

In this population-based multiethnic cohort, elevated tHcy was independently associated with plaque morphology and increased plaque area, subclinical markers of stroke risk.
Fingolimod Reduces Hemorrhagic Transformation Associated With Delayed Tissue Plasminogen Activator Treatment in a Mouse Thromboembolic Model
Authors: Campos Francisco , Qin Tao , Castillo José , Seo Ji Hae , Arai Ken , Lo Eng H. , Waeber Christian
Published: January 2013

Background and Purpose—

The sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor agonist fingolimod reduces infarct size in rodent models of stroke and enhances blood–brain barrier integrity. Based on these observations, we hypothesized that combination of fingolimod with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) would reduce the risk of hemorrhagic transformation associated with delayed administration of tPA.

Methods—

We evaluated the effects of fingolimod in a mouse model of thromboembolic stroke, in which both the beneficial effect of reperfusion associated with early tPA treatment and hemorrhagic transformation associated with delayed administration mimic clinical observations in humans.

Results—

Our results demonstrate that fingolimod treatment attenuates the neurological deficit and reduces infarct volume after in situ thromboembolic occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Combination of fingolimod and tPA improves the neurological outcome of the thrombolytic therapy and reduces the risk of hemorrhagic transformation associated with delayed administration of tPA.

Conclusion—

This study confirms the protective efficacy of fingolimod as a treatment against ischemic stroke in another rodent model of stroke (thromboembolic occlusion), and suggests that fingolimod could potentially be used in combination with tPA to reduce the risk of brain hemorrhage.
Turbulence and Vertical Fluxes in the Stable Atmospheric Boundary Layer. Part I: A Large-Eddy Simulation Study
Authors: Huang Jing , Bou-Zeid Elie
Published: January 2013

This study seeks to quantitatively and qualitatively understand how stability affects transport in the continuously turbulent stably stratified atmospheric boundary layer, based on a suite of large-eddy simulations. The test cases are based on the one adopted by the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX) Atmospheric Boundary Layer Study (GABLS) project, but with a largely expanded stability range where the gradient Richardson number (Rig) reaches up to around 1. The analysis is mainly focused on understanding the modification of turbulent structures and dynamics with increasing stability in order to improve the modeling of the stable atmospheric boundary layer in weather and climate models, a topic addressed in Part II of this work. It is found that at quasi equilibrium, an increase in stability results in stronger vertical gradients of the mean temperature, a lowered low-level jet, a decrease in vertical momentum transport, an increase in vertical buoyancy flux, and a shallower boundary layer. Analysis of coherent turbulent structures using two-point autocorrelation reveals that the autocorrelation of the streamwise velocity is horizontally anisotropic while the autocorrelation of the vertical velocity is relatively isotropic in the horizontal plane and its integral length scale decreases as stability increases. The effects of stability on the overall turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) and its budget terms are also investigated, and it is shown that the authors' large-eddy simulation results are in good agreement with previous experimental findings across varied stabilities. Finally, Nieuwstadt's local-scaling theory is reexamined and it is concluded that the height z is not a relevant scaling parameter and should be replaced by a constant length scale away from the surface, indicating that the z-less range starts lower than previously assumed.
Thermodynamic Environments of Deep Convection in Atlantic Tropical Disturbances
Authors: Davis Christopher A. , Ahijevych David A.
Published: January 2013

Conditional composites of dropsondes deployed into eight tropical Atlantic weather systems during 2010 are analyzed. The samples are conditioned based on cloud-top temperature within 10 km of the dropsonde, the radius from the cyclonic circulation center of the disturbance, and the stage of system development toward tropical cyclogenesis. Statistical tests are performed to identify significant differences between composite profiles. Cold-cloud-region-composite profiles of virtual temperature deviations from a large-scale instantaneous average indicate enhanced static stability prior to genesis within 200 km of the center of circulation, with negative anomalies below 700 hPa and larger warm anomalies above 600 hPa. Moist static energy is enhanced in the middle troposphere in this composite mainly because of an increase in water vapor content. Prior to genesis the buoyancy of lifted parcels within 200 km of the circulation center is sharply reduced compared to the buoyancy of parcels farther from the center. These thermodynamic characteristics support the conceptual model of an altered mass flux profile prior to genesis that strongly favors convergence in the lower troposphere and rapid increase of circulation near the surface. It is also noted that the air–sea temperature difference is greatest in the inner core of the pregenesis composite, which suggests a means to preferentially initiate new convection in the inner core where the rotation is greatest.
Modified Hitschfeld–Bordan Equations for Attenuation-Corrected Radar Rain Reflectivity: Application to Nonuniform Beamfilling at Off-Nadir Incidence
Authors: Meneghini Robert , Liao Liang
Published: January 2013

As shown by Takahashi et al., multiple path attenuation estimates over the field of view of an airborne or spaceborne weather radar are feasible for off-nadir incidence angles. This follows from the fact that the surface reference technique, which provides path attenuation estimates, can be applied to each radar range gate that intersects the surface. This study builds on this result by showing that three of the modified Hitschfeld–Bordan estimates for the attenuation-corrected radar reflectivity factor can be generalized to the case where multiple path attenuation estimates are available, thereby providing a correction to the effects of nonuniform beamfilling. A simple simulation is presented showing some strengths and weaknesses of the approach.
A ‘Transnormative’ View of Society Building: Simmel’s Sociological Epistemology and Philosophical Anthropology of Complex Societies
Authors: Fitzi Gregor
Published: January 2013

In an epoch of ‘liquid modernity’, normativity assumes unforeseeable forms. Neither the theories of normative integration nor post-normative approaches can explain its contradiction: binding normativity still prevails, but its validity is limited in space and time. Only a ‘transnormative approach’ can therefore address the issue. An ideal-typical reconstruction of sociological theories as a contrast between normative and transnormative approaches allows us to appreciate the decisive contribution Simmel makes to the understanding of complex societies. A precondition is, however, to explain the epistemological efforts he made to overcome axiomatic assumptions about human sociability that unconsciously guide sociological thought. To this end, Simmel develops two different nuclei of sociological and philosophical theory: sociological epistemology and philosophical anthropology of complex societies. These are analysed as a process of relationship-building in a transnormative sense. To interact, individuals are required to comply with expectations of the other. Therefore living in society always presupposes a dialectic between the public and the private person. Enquiring into this issue allows Simmel to ground a non-normative theory of social integration. As long as individuals realize their potential through social interaction, this process permits society building even though there are no shared value orientations.
C. Wright Mills 50 Years On: The Promise and Craft of Sociology Revisited
Authors: Gane Nicholas , Back Les
Published: January 2013

This article takes the fiftieth anniversary of the death of American sociologist C. Wright Mills as a cue to revisit his legacy but also the value of sociology today. It argues that the enduring relevance of Mills’ work is his cultivation of a sociological sensibility, which is both an attentive and sensuous craft and also a moral and political project. The article returns to some of the key aspects of Mills’ life and work, and focuses, in particular, on his influential book The Sociological Imagination. Revisiting the opening and closing chapters of this book – entitled ‘The Promise’ and ‘On Intellectual Craftsmanship’ – this article argues that the contemporary social imagination needs to offer its students the capacity to open out to the world through a heightened sensory attentiveness, which in turn makes possible a different kind of social imaginary. In this way Mills’ gift to the future is a sociological sensibility furnished by its tradition, but one also that is constantly re-tuned to the circumstances and problems of the present.
Accepting Rotation in the Method Prism
Authors: Keyton Joann
Published: January 2013

Methodological differences among group and team scholars are heightened when scholars submit manuscripts to interdisciplinary conferences and publications. Although multiple philosophical and theoretical frames for the study of group phenomena are often accepted, it seems that scholars are less accepting of methodological differences. This is problematic in that the study of groups and teams is prismatic—wonderfully rich and complex. This article describes some of these types of problems and describes how scholars can bridge methodological differences.
Integrating Altruism and the Theory of Planned Behavior to Predict Patronage Intention of a Green Hotel
Authors: Teng Yi-Man , Wu Kun-Shan , Liu Hsiao-Hui
Published: January 2013

This study describes the use of the new model of environmental behavior, which links altruism with the theory of planned behavior (TPB), to predict the relatively difficult behavioral intention of visiting a green hotel in Taiwan. The objectives of the study are threefold. First, the authors empirically examine how individual characteristics of the TPB model affect traveler intention to visit green hotels; second, they apply a TPB model to construct an amended model that focuses on altruism, imported from psychology-based research. Third, by capturing the affective component that motivates behavioral intention, the altruism construct will help bolster the TPB model to the domain of visiting a green hotel. The findings show that attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and altruism all positively affect customer intention to visit a green hotel. This study also derives wider implications for managers in the hospitality industry, both from a theoretical and practical viewpoint.
Patient self-reported adherence for the most common chronic medication therapy
Authors: Boskovic Jelena , Leppée Marcel , Culig Josip , Eric Mirela
Published: January 2013

Aims: The aims of this study was to determine adherence to chronic disease medication measured by self-reported questionnaire. Methods: The survey was conducted at 106 Zagreb pharmacies, and the questionnaire was filled out by the study subjects. Results: A total 1,357 diagnoses were reported by survey respondents (i.e., an average of 2.1 diagnoses per respondent). The most common diagnoses were diseases of the circulatory system ( n = 500; 36.8%). The great majority of study subjects reported forgetfulness (‘I just forgot’) as the main reason for skipping drug doses. Conclusions: Among the many reasons people give for not adhering to drug treatment, forgetfulness was the most common. Common barriers to adherence are under the patient’s control, so that attention to them is a necessary and important step in improving adherence. The existence of more than one cause of risk considerably increases the non-adherence risk of a patient.
Yoga Improves Autonomic Control in Males
Authors: Friis Anna M. , Sollers John J.
Published: January 2013

This study compared expert yoga practitioners (n = 18) with a metabolically matched group (n = 17) and a group with comparatively higher cardiovascular fitness (n = 19) to investigate autonomic effects of yoga compared with physical exercise. Mean interbeat interval (in milliseconds) and heart rate variability were recorded in response to physical and mental challenges. Results showed that yoga males had different patterns of autonomic responding to speech task compared with all other participants. Yoga males showed a larger increase in mean interbeat interval and a corresponding decrease in heart rate variability in response to the speech task, followed by a larger decrease in mean interbeat interval and a corresponding increase in heart rate variability during speech recovery. This was interpreted as evidence of situation-appropriate autonomic regulation and suggests long-term yoga practice could be particularly beneficial for males in terms of autonomic flexibility.
OBFC2A/RARA: a novel fusion gene in variant acute promyelocytic leukemia
Authors: Won Dahae , Shin So Youn , Park Chan-Jeoung , Jang Seongsoo , Chi Hyun-Sook , Lee Kyoo-Hyung , Lee Jin-Ok , Seo Eul-Ju
Published: January 2013

Key Points

A novel fusion gene, OBFC2A/RARA, in variant acute promyelocytic leukemia. In vitro all-trans retinoic acid sensitivity.
Determination of the social related factors of suicide in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Nazarzadeh Milad , Bidel Zeinab , Ayubi Erfan , Asadollahi Khirollah , Carson Kristin V , Sayehmiri Kourosh
Published: January 2013

Background

Suicide, a social phenomenon, is a major health problem in most countries. Yet data relating to the role social factors play in the development of this condition are lacking, with some factors shrouded in greater ambiguity than others. As such, this review aimed to determine the prevalence of social-related factors resulting in suicide and to present these findings through meta-analyses, allowing for causes of heterogeneity to be examined.

Methods

Scientific databases including PubMed and Science direct were searched using sensitive keywords. Two researchers reviewed the eligibility of studies and extracted data. Meta-regression with the Mantel-Haenszel method was conducted using a random effect model, in addition to subgroup analysis and Egger’s test.

Results

A total of 2,526 articles were retrieved through the initial search strategy, producing 20 studies from 16 provinces for analysis. The most frequent cause of attempted suicide among the 20 analyzed articles was family conflict with 32% (95% CI: 26–38). Other related factors included marital problems (26%; 95% CI: 20–33), economic constrains (12%; 95% CI: 8–15) and educational failures (5%; 95% CI: 3–8). Results of meta-regression analysis found that sample size significantly affects heterogeneity for the factor ‘family conflict’.

Conclusions

Social factors such as family conflicts and marital problems have a noticeable role in Iranian suicidology.
Decoupling the use and meaning of strategic plans in public healthcare
Authors: Lega Federico , Longo Francesco , Rotolo Andrea
Published: January 2013

Background

The culture of New Public Management has promoted the diffusion of strategic management tools throughout Public Healthcare Organisations (PHOs). There is consensus that better strategic planning tools are required to achieve higher levels of organisational performance. This paper provides evidence and understanding of the emergent uses and scope of strategic planning in PHOs, in order to answer three research questions: (i) has the New Public Management approach changed the organisational culture of PHOs in terms of how they adopt, diffuse, and use strategic planning documents? (ii) how coherent are strategic planning documents in PHOs? and (iii) what are the main purposes of strategic documents in PHOs?

Methods

An analysis was carried out in three Italian Local Health Authorities. We analysed the number and types of formal strategic documents adopted between 2004 and 2012, evaluating their degree of coherence and coordination, their hierarchy, their degree of disclosure, and the consistency of their strategic goals. A content analysis was performed to investigate overlap in terms of content and focus, and a qualitative analysis was carried out to study and represent the relationships between documents.

Results

The analysis showed that a rich set of strategic documents were adopted by each PHO. However, these are often uncoordinated and overlap in terms of content. They adopt different language and formats for various stakeholders. The presence of diverse external drivers may explain the divergent focus, priorities and inconsistent goals in the strategic documents. This planning complexity makes it difficult to determine how the overall goals and mission of an organisation are defined and made visible.

Conclusions

The evidence suggests that PHOs use a considerable number of strategic documents. However, they employ no clear or explicit overarching strategy currently, and strategic planning appears to be externally oriented. All the documents communicate similar topics to different stakeholders, although they use different language to answer to the different expectations of each stakeholder. Therefore, strategic planning and plans seem to be driven by neo-institutional approaches, as they are means to build consensus and negotiate ground for strategic actions, rather than means to identify strategic choices and priorities.
Detection of a CO and NH3 gas mixture using carboxylic acid-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Dong Ki-Young , Choi Jinnil , Lee Yang Doo , Kang Byung Hyun , Yu Youn-Yeol , Choi Hyang Hee , Ju Byeong-Kwon
Published: January 2013

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are extremely sensitive to environmental gases. However, detection of mixture gas is still a challenge. Here, we report that 10 ppm of carbon monoxide (CO) and ammonia (NH3) can be electrically detected using a carboxylic acid-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (C-SWCNT). CO and NH3 gases were mixed carefully with the same concentrations of 10 ppm. Our sensor showed faster response to the CO gas than the NH3 gas. The sensing properties and effect of carboxylic acid group were demonstrated, and C-SWCNT sensors with good repeatability and fast responses over a range of concentrations may be used as a simple and effective detection method of CO and NH3 mixture gas.
Evaluation of the efficacy of memantine in the treatment of fibromyalgia: study protocol for a doubled-blind randomized controlled trial with six-month follow-up
Authors: Olivan-Blázquez Bárbara , Puebla Marta , Masluk Bárbara , Pérez-Yus Mari-Cruz , Arcega Raquel , Andrés Eva , López-del-Hoyo Yolanda , Magallon Rosa , Roca Miquel , Garcia-Campayo Javier
Published: January 2013

Background

Fibromyalgia is a prevalent chronic rheumatic disease of great clinical importance. Recent studies have found raised levels of glutamate in the insula, hippocampus and posterior cingulate cortex regions of the brains of fibromyalgia (FM) patients. This finding has led researchers to speculate about the usefulness of glutamate-blocking drugs such as memantine in the treatment of fibromyalgia. The hypothesis of this study is that the administration of memantine will reduce the glutamate levels, and futhermore, will decrease the perceived pain. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of memantine in the treatment of pain (pain perception). A secondary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of memantine in the treatment of other clinical symptoms of FM, and to evaluate the efficacy of memantine in reducing brain levels of glutamate, and its effects on the central nervous system as a whole.

Method/Design

A double-blind parallel randomized controlled trial. Participants, Seventy patients diagnosed with FM will be recruited from primary health care centers in Zaragoza, Spain. Intervention. The subjects will be randomized in two groups: A) A treatment group (n = 35), which will receive 20 mg of memantine daily; B) A control group (n = 35), to which will be administered a placebo. There will be a six-month follow-up period (including a titration period of one month). Outcomes. The main efficacy variable of this study is pain (pain perception). The secondary efficacy variables are clinical symptoms (pain threshold, cognitive function, health status, anxiety, depression, clinical impression and quality of life) and glutamate levels in different regions of the brain, which will be assessed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Randomization and blinding. Randomization has been computer-generated, and the random allocation sequence will be implemented by telephone. Subjects of the study and the research assistants will be blinded to group assignment.

Discussion

There is a need for the development of innovative and more effective treatments for fibromyalgia. This clinical trial will determine whether memantine can be an effective pharmacological treatment for fibromyalgia patients.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trialshttp://ISRCTN45127327 EUDRACT 2011-006244-73
Synthesis, crystal structure and larvicidal activity of novel diamide derivatives against Culex pipiens
Authors: Wu Rui , Zhu Cong , Du Xiu-Jiang , Xiong Li-Xia , Yu Shu-Jing , Liu Xing-Hai , Li Zheng-Ming , Zhao Wei-Guang
Published: January 2013

Background

Culex is an important mosquito as vectors for the transmission of serious diseases, such as filariasis, West Nile virus, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya and other encephalitides. Nearly one billion people in the developing countries are at risk. In order to discover new bioactive molecules and pesticides acting on mosquito, we designed active amide structure and synthesized a series of novel diamide derivatives.

Results

A series of novel diamide derivatives were designed and synthesized. Their structures were characterized by 1 H NMR, FTIR and HRMS. The single crystal structure of compound 6n was determined to further elucidate the structure. Biological activities of these compounds were tested. Most of them exhibited higher mosquito larvicidal activity. Especially compound 6r displayed relatively good activity to reach 70% at 2 μg/mL.

Conclusion

A practical synthetic route to amide derivatives by the reaction of amide with another acid is presented. This study suggests that the diamide derivatives exhibited good effective against mosquito.
Optimizing statistical parametric mapping analysis of 18F-FDG PET in children
Authors: Archambaud Frederique , Bouilleret Viviane , Hertz-Pannier Lucie , Chaumet-Riffaud Philippe , Rodrigo Sebastian , Dulac Olivier , Chassoux Francine , Chiron Catherine
Published: January 2013

Background

Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) procedure is an objective tool to analyze 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose-positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET) images and a useful complement to visual analysis. However, SPM requires a comparison to control data set that cannot be obtained in healthy children for ethical reasons. Using adults as controls showed some limitations. The purpose of the present study was to generate and validate a group of pseudo-normal children as a control group for FDG-PET studies in pediatrics.

Methods

FDG-PET images of 47 children (mean ± SD age 10.2 ± 3.1 years) with refractory symptomatic (MRI-positive, n = 20) and cryptogenic (MRI-negative, n = 27) focal epilepsy planned for surgery were analyzed using visual and SPM analysis. Performances of SPM analysis were compared using two different control groups: (1) an adult control group consisting of healthy young adults (n = 25, 30.5 ± 5.8 years, adult PET template) and (2) a pediatric pseudo-control group consisting of patients (n = 24, 10.6 ± 3.1 years, children PET template) with refractory focal epilepsy but with negative MRI and with PET considered normal not only on visual analysis but also on SPM.

Results

Among the 47 children, visual analysis succeeded detecting at least one hypometabolic area in 87% of the cases (interobserver kappa = 0.81). Regarding SPM analysis, the best compromise between sensitivity and specificity was obtained with a threshold of p less than 0.001 as an extent of more than 40 voxels. There was a significant concordance to detect hypometabolic areas between both SPM analyses [kappa (K) = 0.59; p < 0.005] and between both SPM and visual analyses (K = 0.45; p < 0.005), in symptomatic (K = 0.74; p < 0.005) as in cryptogenic patients (K = 0.26; p < 0.01). The pediatric pseudo-control group dramatically improved specificity (97% vs. 89%; p < 0.0001) by increasing the positive predictive value (86% vs. 65%). Sensitivity remained acceptable although it was not better (79% vs. 87%, p = 0.039). The main impact was to reduce by 41% the number of hypometabolic cortical artifacts detected by SPM, especially in the younger epileptic patients, which is a key point in clinical practice.

Conclusions

This age-matched pseudo-control group is a way to optimize SPM analysis of FDG-PET in children with epilepsy. It might also be considered for other brain pathologies in pediatrics in the future.
Establishing and maintaining gene expression patterns: insights from sensory receptor patterning
Authors: Rister Jens , Desplan Claude , Vasiliauskas Daniel
Published: January 2013

In visual and olfactory sensory systems with high discriminatory power, each sensory neuron typically expresses one, or very few, sensory receptor genes, excluding all others. Recent studies have provided insights into the mechanisms that generate and maintain sensory receptor expression patterns. Here, we review how this is achieved in the fly retina and compare it with the mechanisms controlling sensory receptor expression patterns in the mouse retina and in the mouse and fly olfactory systems.