bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A health economic analysis of clinical islet transplantation
Authors: Beckwith Jessica , Nyman John A. , Flanagan Brian , Schrover Rudolf , Schuurman Henk‐Jan
Published: February 2011

Beckwith J, Nyman JA, Flanagan B, Schrover R, Schuurman H‐J. A health economic analysis of clinical islet transplantation.  Clin Transplant 2012: 26: 23–33.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract: Islet cell transplantation is in clinical development for type 1 diabetes. There are no data on the cost in relationship to its benefits. We performed a cost‐effectiveness analysis and made a comparison with standard insulin therapy, using Markov modeling and Monte Carlo simulations. The patient population was adults aged 20 yr suffering from hypoglycemia unawareness. Data were estimates from literature and clinical trials: costs were based on the situation in the United States. For insulin therapy, cumulative cost per patient during a 20‐yr follow‐up was $663 000, and cumulative effectiveness was 9.3 quality‐adjusted life years (QALY), the average cost‐effectiveness ratio being $71 000 per QALY. Islet transplantation had a cumulative cost of $519 000, a cumulative effectiveness of 10.9 QALY, and an average cost‐effectiveness ratio of $47 800. During the first 10 yr, costs for transplantation were higher, but cumulative effectiveness was higher from the start onwards. In sensitivity analyses, the need for one instead of two transplants during the first year did not affect the conclusions, and islet transplantation remained cost‐saving up to an initial cost of the procedure of $240 000. This exploratory evaluation shows that islet cell transplantation is more effective than standard insulin treatment, and becomes cost‐saving at about 9–10 yr after transplantation.
New transgenic pigs for xenotransplantation, part 2: Strategies to overcome cellular rejection
Authors: Keßler B. , Kurome M. , Klymiuk N. , Wünsch A. , Seissler J. , Wolf E.
Published: February 2011

The successful generation of α‐1,3 galactosyltransferase knockout (αGal‐KO) pigs and pigs expressing human complement regulators was a crucial step forward in xenotransplantation research. These genetic modifications helped to control hyperacute rejection, but vascular and cellular mechanisms still represent a major hurdle for pig‐to‐primate xenotransplantation.

Coagulation incompatibilities between human blood and porcine endothelium lead to thrombotic microangiopathy, which could be observed as a key rejection mechanism in pig‐to‐primate transplantation using αGal‐KO pigs as organ donors. Circulating human thrombin is bound by porcine thrombomodulin, but the resulting heterodimer fails to activate protein C, which inhibits the coagulation cascade. We established a vector for endothelial‐specific expression of human thrombomodulin (hTM) in αGal‐KOxCD46 pigs. The hTM construct was combined with a floxed blasticidin resistance cassette and transfected mixed cell populations were used as donors for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Two hundred and ninety‐eight reconstructed embryos were transferred to four recipients, resulting in one pregnancy, which lead to the birth of three living piglets. All of them showed strong endothelial hTM expression.

In contrast to vascularised organs, pancreatic islets are not subject to hyperacute rejection, but to cellular rejection, mainly based on T‐cell stimulation as islets of mature pigs express αGal‐epitopes only at a very low level and are vascularized by recipient capillaries after transplantation. Human CTLA4‐Ig is a potent inhibitor of T‐cell activation, excelled by its derivate LEA29Y which has higher binding affinity to the costimulatory B7 receptors. We have established the coding sequence of LEA29Y under the transcriptional control of a regulatory fragment of the porcine insulin gene. The construct also contained a floxed neomycin resistance cassette. Porcine fetal fibroblasts were transfected, followed by selection under geneticin for 7 days. Stably transfected cell clones were pooled and used as donor cells for SCNT. Transfer of 216 reconstructed embryos to three recipients resulted in two pregnancies with nine born piglets, including two stillbirths. Seven piglets were shown to be transgenic. Immunohistochemistry of the pancreata of two transgenic founders showed high expression levels of LEA29Y at an age of 3 months.
Coagulopathy in α‐galactosyl transferase knockout pulmonary xenotransplants
Authors: Bush Errol L. , Barbas Andrew S. , Holzknecht Zoie E. , Byrne Guerard W. , McGregor Christopher G. , Parker William , Davis R. Duane , Lin Shu S.
Published: February 2011

Bush EL, Barbas AS, Holzknecht ZE, Byrne GW, McGregor CG, Parker W, Duane Davis R, Lin SS. Coagulopathy in α‐galactosyl transferase knockout pulmonary xenotransplants. Xenotransplantation 2011; 18: 6–13. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract: Background:  After substantial progress on many fronts, one of the remaining barriers still opposing the clinical application of xenotransplantation is a disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) that is observed in the pre‐clinical model of porcine‐to‐primate transplantation. The onset of DIC is particularly rapid in recipients of pulmonary xenografts, usually occurring within the first days or even hours of reperfusion.

Methods:  In this study, we describe the results of two porcine‐to‐baboon transplants utilizing porcine lungs depleted of macrophages, deficient in the α‐1,3‐galactosyltransferase gene, and with the expression of human decay‐accelerating factor, a complement regulatory protein.

Results:  In both cases, evidence of DIC was observed within 48 h of reperfusion, with thrombocytopenia and increases in levels of thrombin–antithrombin complex evident in both cases. Depletion of fibrinogen was observed in one graft, whereas elevation of D‐dimer levels was observed in the other. One graft, which showed focal lymphocytic infiltrates pre‐operatively, failed within 3 h.

Conclusions:  The results indicate that further efforts to address the coagulopathy associated with pulmonary xenotransplantation are needed. Further, evidence suggests that resident porcine immune cells can play an important role in the coagulopathy associated with xenotransplantation.
Determination of the Correlation Between Stallion’s Age and Number of Sex Chromosome Aberrations in Spermatozoa
Authors: Bugno‐Poniewierska M , Kozub D , Pawlina K , Tischner M , Tischner M , Słota E , Wnuk M
Published: February 2011

Contents

The aim of this study was a cytogenetic analysis of stallions semen to find sex chromosome aberrations and to determine if there was an association between stallion’s age and aberration frequency for the sex chromosomes. Sperm samples were collected from 22 stallions of various age from 3 to 23 years. Multicolour FISH was performed on each sample, using probes for the sex chromosomes and EGFR gene, localized on 4p12 in domestic horse. A total of 26199 sperm cells were analysed (from 1 070 to 1 532 per animal). Among the analysed cells, there were 50.318% with X chromosome, 48.543% with Y chromosome and 1.139% with aberrant chromosomes. The frequency of aberrations was: sex chromosomes nullisomy (0.466%), XY aneuploidy (0.454%), XX disomy (0.146%), YY disomy (0.041%), diploidy (0.024%) and trisomy XXY (0.008%). Additionally there was a correlation between the age of an animal and the frequency of sex chromosome aberration and a significant positive correlation between age and disomy of XY, XX, YY, trisomy of XXY, autosomal disomy was seen. A Correlation between the age of a stallion and the level of nullisomy was negative. The present study demonstrated that FISH technique is a powerful method to identify sex chromosome aberrations in equine spermatozoa and might be very helpful for a breeder during a selection for the best stallion.
Parasympathetic nervous system: A new therapeutic target in cardiovascular disease?
Authors: Su Ding‐Feng
Published: February 2011

[See original article on page 300]
Gestational and family risk factors for carriers of congenital heart defects in southern Brazil
Authors: Zen Tatiana Diehl , Rosa Rafael Fabiano Machado , Zen Paulo Ricardo Gazzola , Trevisan Patrícia , da Silva Alessandra Pawelec , Ricachinevsky Cláudia Pires , Paskulin Giorgio Adriano
Published: February 2011

Background:  Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a serious threat to public health. Despite this, its etiology is poorly understood and few cardiac teratogens have been defined. The aim of the present study was to identify gestational and family risk factors for CHD in a sample of patients from a pediatric hospital in southern Brazil.

Methods:  A prospective and consecutive sample from subjects with or without CHD, hospitalized at a pediatric intensive care unit, was enrolled. All patients with CHD underwent a GTG‐banding karyotype. Chromosomal abnormalities were observed in 47 subjects (15.8%), and these were excluded from the study. The final sample consisted of 250 CHD subjects and 303 controls.

Results:  After statistical analysis, using logistic regression, the variables age, rural location, gestational loss, use of anti‐hypertensive medication, antibiotics and alcohol in the first trimester of pregnancy were all independently associated with CHD. These results were similar to those of some studies and different from others. It should be noted, however, that, for several variables, the data in the literature as well as the present study were insufficient to determine risk.

Conclusions:  Some differences found may be explained by genetic factors and sociocultural diversity. In contrast, because CHD consists of a heterogeneous group of lesions, the etiology may vary. The standardization of research data and classification of methods for future studies are essential.
Prognostic variables for shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) treatment success: no impact of body mass index (BMI) using a third generation lithotripter
Authors: Hatiboglu Gencay , Popeneciu Valentin , Kurosch Martin , Huber Johannes , Pahernik Sascha , Pfitzenmaier Jesco , Haferkamp Axel , Hohenfellner Markus
Published: February 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Therapy success in SWL treatment differs between individuals. According to recent studies done with first and second generation lithotripters, different prognostic variables like stone size, stone location, stone composition, age of patient and BMI have been shown to have prognostic relevance for outcome after SWL treatment.

This study has been performed with a newer, third generation lithotripter. According to this study, BMI has no impact on SWL treatment success. Therefore, SWL treatment with newer generation lithotripters should be considered for the treatment of kidney stones in overweight and obese patients.

OBJECTIVE

• To investigate the effect of different variables including body mass index (BMI) on therapy outcome in patients with upper urinary tract stones treated with a third generation lithotripter, as BMI has been reported to be an independent predictor for stone‐free status after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) performed with first or second generation lithotripters.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• In all, 172 patients with kidney stones with a mean (range) size of 9.2 (3.0–32.0) mm were included in the study.

• In all, 91 patients (52.9%) were treated with a ureteric stent in situ.

• For SWL therapy a third generation, electromagnetic lithotripter (Siemens LithoskopTM) was used. Stone‐free status was reached, when no more treatable stones were present (no stone or stone < 3 mm).

• BMI, stone size and localization, age, gender, treatment parameters and ureteric stent in situ were evaluated for their prognostic relevance on therapy success.

RESULTS

• The mean (range) BMI of all patients was 27.8 (19.0–58.6) kg/m2.

• Patients were categorized into two groups: A) patients that were stone free after one treatment; B) patients with residual stones. The mean (sd) BMI was 27.4 (4.6) kg/m2 and 28.4 (6.1) kg/m2 for A and B, respectively.

• Univariate and multivariate analysis for freedom of stones showed that only stone size (P < 0.01) and presence of a ureteric stent (P= 0.01) were independent prognostic variables.

• BMI had no significant influence on therapy outcome (P= 0.51).

CONCLUSIONS

• Using a third generation lithotripter, BMI was not an independent predictor of stone‐free rate after SWL therapy of kidney stones.

• This effect might be attributed to a greater penetration depth of the shockwave energy. Stone size and a ureteric stent in situ were the only variables with prognostic significance.
ROSES: role of self‐monitoring of blood glucose and intensive education in patients with Type 2 diabetes not receiving insulin. A pilot randomized clinical trial
Authors: Franciosi M. , Lucisano G. , Pellegrini F. , Cantarello A. , Consoli A. , Cucco L. , Ghidelli R. , Sartore G. , Sciangula L. , Nicolucci A. ,   on behalf of the ROSES Study Group
Published: February 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 789–796 (2011)

Aims  To estimate the efficacy of a self‐monitoring‐based disease management strategy in patients with Type 2 diabetes treated with oral agent monotherapy.

Methods  This was an open‐label, randomized, pilot study, primarily led by diabetes nurses. Patients were randomly allocated to either a self‐monitoring‐based disease management strategy or usual care (ratio 3:1) and followed up for 6 months. Education was centred on how to modify lifestyle according self‐monitoring readings. Self‐monitoring of blood glucose results were discussed during monthly telephone contact. The primary endpoint was mean change in HbA1c levels, estimated with an ANOVA for repeated measures. All analyses were intention to treat.

Results  Three diabetic clinics recruited 62 patients, of whom five were lost to follow‐up. At baseline, both groups had a mean HbA1c value of 7.9% ± 0.6% (63 ± 6 mmol/mol). After 6 months, mean HbA1c reduction was 1.2 ± 0.1% (–13 ± 1 mmol/mol) in the intervention group and 0.7 ± 0.2 (–8 ± 2 mmol/mol) in the control group, with an absolute mean difference between groups of –0.5% (95% CI −0.9 to −0.0%; P = 0.04) (−5 mmol/mol, 95% CI −10 to 0). At study end, 61.9% of patients in the intervention group and 20.0% in the control group reached the target level of HbA1c < 7.0% (< 53 mmol/mol) (P = 0.005). Body weight reduction was significantly greater in the intervention group than in the control group (between‐group absolute mean difference: −3.99 kg; 95% CI −7.26 to −0.73; P = 0.02). Therapy changes were more frequent in the control group.

Conclusions  A self‐monitoring disease management strategy, primarily led by diabetes nurses and allowing a timely and efficient use of self‐monitoring readings, is able to improve metabolic control, primarily through lifestyle modifications leading to weight loss.
Inspection of Home Education in European Countries
Authors: Blok Henk , Karsten Sjoerd
Published: February 2011

In many European countries and in North America, home education is a viable alternative for education at school. Parents who want to home school their child are legally allowed to do so, although some countries impose rather strict conditions. This article concentrates on the way authorities supervise or inspect the quality of home education. A comparison is made of inspection regulations in 14 European countries. Substantial differences were found, regarding among other things the function of inspection, inspection methods and the outcomes. Most countries do not have data on the effectiveness of inspection. It is recommended that governments screen their procedures for the inspection of home education using criteria such as transparency, consistency, and efficiency.
The Career Paths of Doctoral Graduates in Austria
Authors: Schwabe Markus
Published: February 2011

Economists and policy makers often emphasise the importance of human capital as a key determinant in the pursuit of economic growth. The highest formal qualification in the educational system is the doctorate, which is attained after the first stage of tertiary education at ISCED 6 level. Doctorate holders play a central role in research and innovation in any industrialised economy, with highly specialised knowledge and research capabilities acquired during their studies. However, their employment depends on the availability of suitable positions on the labour market. Despite huge demand for relevant employment data for this particular group, the available data in most countries is scant. The data collection on Careers of Doctorate Holders (CDH) initiated by EUROSTAT, the OECD and the UNESCO somewhat clarifies the professional situation of doctorate holders. This article presents some key findings of the Austrian CDH data collection carried out in 2006–07. The results are, amongst other things, that in Austria the general employment situation of doctorate holders is relatively good. However, they are faced with a shortage of adequate positions, especially in research. Often doctorate holders have to compromise between the intellectual challenge of working in research and the higher job security outside of research. The employment situation and the sectors of employment depend primarily on the field of science and technology of the doctoral degree.
The Conceptual and Constitutional Challenge of Transnational Private Regulation
Authors: Scott Colin , Cafaggi Fabrizio , Senden Linda
Published: February 2011

Transnational private regulation (TPR) is a key aspect of contemporary governance. At first glance TPR regimes raise significant problems of legitimacy because of a degree of detachment from traditional government mechanisms. A variety of models have emerged engaging businesses, associations of firms, and NGOs, sometimes in hybrid form and often including governmental actors. Whilst the linkage to electoral politics is a central mechanism of legitimating governance activity, we note there are also other mechanisms including proceduralization and potentially also judicial accountability. But these public law forms do not exhaust the set of such mechanisms, and we consider also the contribution of private law forms and social and competitive structures which may support forms of legitimation. The central challenge identified concerns the possibility of reconceptualizing the global public sphere so as better to embrace TPR regimes in their myriad forms, so that they are recognized as having similar potential for legitimacy as national and international governmental bodies and regulation.
Neither ‘Public’ nor ‘Private’, ‘National’ nor ‘International’: Transnational Corporate Governance from a Legal Pluralist Perspective
Authors: Zumbansen Peer
Published: February 2011

This paper contends that the challenging nature of the regulation of global corporate conduct requires an adequately differentiated approach towards the identification and analysis of the norms in question. In part I, I review the context of ‘state intervention’ and ‘market self‐regulation’, in which the current discussion of regulatory responses to the economic/financial crisis and the role of self‐regulation occurs, before laying out the concept of ‘transnational legal pluralism’ in part II. In part III, I argue that an exemplary area such as corporate governance can best be understood as an instance of transnational legal pluralism, a field that becomes visible through a particular methodological lens. In part IV, I conclude by suggesting how the lessons of such a case study can contribute to an ongoing theoretical investigation into the nature of global regulatory governance, using the concept of ‘rough consensus and running code’.
Privatized Sovereign Performance: Regulating in the ‘Gap’ between Security and Rights?
Authors: De Londras Fiona
Published: February 2011

This article explores what I term ‘privatized sovereign performance’: the ‘private’ operationalization of functions that are intimately connected with the sovereign identity of the state. It is considered in the context of corporate involvement in extraordinary rendition in order to outline the rights‐related difficulties it creates or exacerbates, and explore the ways in which transnational private regulatory mechanisms have a role to play in crafting a rights‐based response. It argues that the ‘public’ is saturated in rights‐based regulation which pushes a state that wants to conceal its torturous activity into the ‘private’; that the conventional private regulatory mechanism of litigation faces significant obstacles and is ineffective in this circumstance; and that transnational private regulation holds potential to align the structural and legal obstructions to torture between the public and private sphere, thus making the ‘escape hatch’ from rights seemingly presented by the privatization of sovereign performance more difficult to access.
Maimonides and Psychoanalysis – Maimonides' Cure of Souls: Medieval Precursor of Psychoanalysis – By David Bakan, Dan Merkur and David Weiss
Authors: Blumenthal David R.
Published: February 2011

This book is fascinating. For those of us for whom the study of Maimonides has been rooted in history of thought or in systematic philosophy and theology, this book provides a psychotherapeutic and psychoanalytic reading of Maimonides. And, for those of us for whom study of Freud has been rooted in history of psychoanalysis, this book provides an insight into an important source for some of Freud's most radical ideas.
THE CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THREE FUNDAMENTAL MORAL ETHICS: AUTONOMY, COMMUNITY, AND DIVINITY
Authors: Jensen Lene Arnett
Published: February 2011

Abstract.  In this essay, I describe my Cultural‐Developmental Template Approach to moral psychology. This theory draws on my research with the Three Ethics of Autonomy, Community, and Divinity, and the work of many other scholars. The cultural‐developmental synthesis suggests that the Ethic of Autonomy emerges early in people's psychological lives, and continues to hold some importance across the lifespan. But Autonomy is not alone. The Ethic of Community too emerges early and appears to increase in importance across the life course. Then, it also seems that in most places and at most times, the Ethic of Divinity has found a voice—and in some traditions this ethic may become audible in adolescence. Ethics of Autonomy, Community, and Divinity, then, may have universal roots in the human condition. However, they are also clearly culturally and historically situated. Cultural communities—whether defined by religious, national, or other boundaries—vary in how they prioritize the three ethics and the extent to which they reinforce their development.
DEVELOPING THE CAPACITY TO CONNECT
Authors: Banks Amy
Published: February 2011

Abstract.  The American dream of the “self‐made man” is as central to the functioning of our capitalist society as Wall Street and as familiar as the Statue of Liberty. According to this dream, the tired masses have a shot at making it on their own if they have the will power, stamina, and intestinal fortitude to survive and compete. What do we do now that we are faced with scientific evidence that this very strategy is driving society into disconnection, despair, and even poor health? Relational‐cultural theory states that growth happens through and toward relationships not toward increased separation and autonomy. Relational‐cultural theory describes empathy and mutuality as key components to healthy relationships. This essay will focus on the latest research in the neuroscience of relationships—the development of the capacity to connect within relationships, the systems that help us read and empathize with others, the adaptability and plasticity of the central nervous system, and the destructive nature of isolation.
CONCEPTUAL EVIDENTIALISM
Authors: NAYDING INGA
Published: February 2011

Two recent arguments purport to find a new and firmer foundation for evidentialism in the very nature of the concept of belief. Evidentialism is claimed to be a conceptual truth about belief, and pragmatism to be ruled out, conceptually. But can the conclusion of such conceptual arguments be regarded as the denial of pragmatism? The pragmatist traditionally conceived belief through its motivational role. Therefore, when confronted with conceptual evidentialism, the pragmatist should cede the term ‘belief,’ but insist that pragmatism be understood as a claim about another attitude, a motivational duplicate of belief. Thus, the original dispute is simply relocated terminologically.
WHY FREE WILL REMAINS A MYSTERY
Authors: SHABO SETH
Published: February 2011

Peter van Inwagen contends that free will is a mystery. Here I present an argument in the spirit of van Inwagen's. According to the Assimilation Argument, libertarians cannot plausibly distinguish causally undetermined actions, the ones they take to be exercises of free will, from overtly randomized outcomes of the sort nobody would count as exercises of free will. I contend that the Assimilation Argument improves on related arguments in locating the crucial issues between van Inwagen and libertarians who hope to demystify free will, while avoiding objections these arguments have faced.
Responsibility modulates neural mechanisms of outcome processing: An ERP study
Authors: Li Peng , Han Chunhui , Lei Yi , Holroyd Clay B. , Li Hong
Published: February 2011

The role of personal responsibility in decision‐making and its influence on the outcome evaluation process have been investigated relatively rarely in cognitive neuroscience. The present event‐related brain potential (ERP) study manipulated the subjective sense of responsibility by modifying outcome controllability in a gambling task. Participants reported a higher sense of responsibility and produced a larger fERN when they were told that the game was ‘controllable’ compared with when they were told that the game was ‘uncontrollable.’ In addition, fERN amplitude was correlated with individual self‐reports of personal responsibility over the outcomes. These results indicate that self‐attribution of responsibility associated with different degrees of controllability affects the outcome evaluation process and fERN amplitude.
Individual placement and support – a model to get employed for people with mental illness – the first Swedish report of outcomes
Authors: Nygren Ulla , Markström Urban , Svensson Bengt , Hansson Lars , Sandlund Mikael
Published: February 2011

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25; 591–598
 
Individual placement and support – a model to get employed for people with mental illness – the first Swedish report of outcomes

Lack of participation in the open labour market is highly prevalent for people with a mental illness across countries, and the proportion of people who get some kind of sickness benefit because of mental illness is steadily growing in Europe. Vocational rehabilitation through individual placement and support (IPS) has been shown to be effective and is evidence‐based for people with severe mental illness. In Sweden, the method is used but not scientifically evaluated. The aim was to investigate vocational and nonvocational outcomes at a 1‐year follow‐up and the relationships between these outcomes, at two different sites in the north of Sweden. The participants were 65 men and women, mostly younger than 30 years of age and with a mental illness. Occupational situation, psychiatric symptoms, self‐esteem, quality of life and psychosocial functioning were assessed. The vocational outcome during 1 year was that 25% of the participants were employed, and 14% were in education. Most of the participants moved from unemployment to work practice for a prolonged time. Participants in employment, education or work practice at follow‐up showed higher satisfaction with their occupational situation than those without regular activities outside home. Among the participants in work practice, improvements in psychiatric symptoms and global functioning were identified. This attempt is the first to evaluate supported employment according to the IPS model for persons with mental illness applied in the Swedish welfare system. There is a need for a longer follow‐up period to evaluate whether interventions such as further education and work practice actually will lead to real work.
Pharmacodynamic interaction between pantoprazole and vecuronium at neuromuscular junction
Authors: Vadgama V. K. , Patel Y. A. , Patel T. K. , Tripathi C. B.
Published: February 2011

1 The effect of pantoprazole on vecuronium‐induced neuromuscular blockade in in vivo has not been clearly defined. In this study, we demonstrate that chronic administration, but not acute administration, of pantoprazole alters the pattern of vecuronium‐induced neuromuscular blockade.

2 This study was designed to evaluate the effect of acute and chronic administration of pantoprazole on vecuronium‐induced neuromuscular blockade using the rat in vivo sciatic nerve‐stimulated gastrocnemius preparation.

3 Vecuronium was administered as a slow intravenous infusion (29.41 μg kg−1 min−1) until the gastrocnemius twitch response to sciatic nerve stimulation was completely abolished. The effect of acute (single dose, i.v.) and chronic administration (per oral for 21 days) of pantoprazole (3.64 mg kg−1) on vecuronium‐induced blockade was assessed by comparing ED50 values, time required for 50% block, ED95 values, block duration and percentage of recovery with respect to control.

4 Acute administration of pantoprazole had no significant effect on any parameter of vecuronium‐induced neuromuscular blockade. Chronic administration of pantoprazole significantly reduced vecuronium ED50 value, time for 50% block, ED95 value and percentage recovery from blockade compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Reduction in the duration of vecuronium‐induced blockade was not significantly affected by chronic treatment with pantoprazole compared with control.

5 On chronic administration, pantoprazole may produce earlier block, quick relaxation and reduces the recovery of vecuronium without affecting its duration of action.
Humanist Aristotelianism in the vernacular: two sixteenth‐century programmes
Authors: OLMOS PAULA
Published: February 2011

This study presents a comparative survey of the works and endeavours of two sixteenth‐century humanist scholars: the Italian Alessandro Piccolomini and the Spaniard Pedro Simón Abril. Within a period of about forty years, they undertook a rather similar enterprise, with the aim of making the basis of Aristotelian philosophy available in their respective vernacular languages (Tuscan and Castilian). The idea is to look for both common features and differences between their proposals, taking in account that both authors developed alternative pedagogic programmes aiming at a better diffusion of basic philosophical lore among people who would not attend university courses (including an explicit mention of women, in Piccolomini's case). In a period of profound epistemic polemics with a characteristically rich variety of opinions about the reorganization of the sciences and the disciplines, their particular innovations and methodologies, may reveal new trends and possibilities which, despite being neglected by their contemporaries, did in fact offer a real alternative to current curricula.
An Examination of a Small–Group Decoding Intervention for Struggling Readers: Comparing Accuracy and Automaticity Criteria
Authors: Hudson Roxanne F. , Isakson Carole , Richman Taylor , Lane Holly B. , Arriaza–Allen Stephanie
Published: February 2011

In this study, we compared methods to improve the decoding and reading fluency of struggling readers. Second–grade poor readers were randomly assigned to one of the two practice conditions within a repeated reading intervention. Both interventions were in small groups, were 20–28 min long, took place 2–4 days per week, and consisted of phonemic awareness training, letter sound practice, and practice in word families. Students in the accuracy condition ( n= 27) practiced each page until they reached 98 percent accuracy while students in the accuracy + automaticity condition ( n= 29) practiced until they reached rate (30–90 cwpm) and accuracy criteria. Hierarchical linear modeling revealed no differences between practice conditions in decoding accuracy, reading comprehension, and grade–level text reading fluency. Significant differences favoring the accuracy + automaticity group were found in measures of decoding automaticity.
Familial monoclonal gammopathy: hyper‐responsive B cells in unaffected family members
Authors: Steingrímsdóttir Hlíf , Einarsdóttir Helga K. , Haraldsdóttir Vilhelmína , Ögmundsdóttir Helga M.
Published: February 2011

Background:  In Iceland, eight families have been identified with multiple cases of monoclonal gammopathies (MG) and other lymphoproliferative diseases. In one of these families with several cases of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and Waldenströms macroglobulinemia, in vitro stimulation with poke‐weed mitogen revealed hyper‐responsive B cells showing increased immunoglobulin production in one‐third of disease‐free family members.

Design and methods:  In this study, the families were further traced and the list of names produced was compared with The Icelandic Cancer Registry (ICR) to find all recent cases of lymphoproliferative diseases. First‐degree relatives and descendants older than 20 yrs of age (n = 350) were selected for screening for paraprotein. Selected family members were tested for B‐cell hyper‐responsiveness and the lymphocyte phenotype was analysed by flow cytometry.

Results:  Comparison of the total list of 4370 family members with the ICR revealed 22 new cases and screening for serum paraprotein identified nine new cases of MG, eight being first‐degree relatives of known probands. Sixty cases of lymphoproliferative diseases are currently known within the eight families, five of them containing both IgG/A and IgM disorders. Twelve hyper‐responders (HR) were identified in four families, eight from one family, of whom four were known already. Stimulated B cells from HR had a significantly higher proportion of CD27+ memory/plasma cells than controls.

Conclusion:  Identification of new affected family members by screening confirms a hereditary predisposition to B‐cell proliferative diseases. Contrary to most studies, IgG/A and IgM disorders occurred together in five families. In four families, enhanced B‐cell responsiveness was found in healthy subjects clustered around cases.
Time‐trend changes and psychological risk factors for soiling: findings from the Finnish 16‐year time‐trend study
Authors: Sourander Andre
Published: February 2011

Aims:  To study changes and associated risk factors in 8‐year‐old children’s soiling at three time points: 1989, 1999 and 2005.

Methods:  Three cross‐sectional representative samples were compared. All children born in 1981 (1989 sample, n = 1038), 1991 (1999 sample, n = 1035) and 1997 (2005 sample, n = 1030) living in selected school districts in south‐west Finland served as study samples. Parents were asked about the child’s soiling at age eight. Information about parental education level, family structure and child psychopathology was obtained from parents, teachers and children.

Results:  The prevalence of soiling among 8‐year‐old boys was very similar (1989/1999/2005: 4.9%/4.9%/4.5%) while among girls the prevalence increased (1.0%/2.9%/3.7%; p < 0.05) during the 16‐year period. Living in a non‐intact family and mother’s lower education level were associated with soiling among boys, while a high level of conduct, emotional and self‐reported depressive symptoms was associated with soiling among girls. Hyperactivity symptoms were associated with soiling among both boys and girls.

Conclusions:  The study shows an increase in prevalence of soiling among girls. Soiling among girls is associated with psychiatric problems.
48,XXYY, 48,XXXY and 49,XXXXY syndromes: not just variants of Klinefelter syndrome
Authors: Tartaglia Nicole , Ayari Natalie , Howell Susan , D’Epagnier Cheryl , Zeitler Philip
Published: February 2011

Sex chromosome tetrasomy and pentasomy conditions occur in 1:18 000–1:100 000 male births. While often compared with 47,XXY/Klinefelter syndrome because of shared features including tall stature and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, 48,XXYY, 48,XXXY and 49,XXXXY syndromes are associated with additional physical findings, congenital malformations, medical problems and psychological features. While the spectrum of cognitive abilities extends much higher than originally described, developmental delays, cognitive impairments and behavioural disorders are common and require strong treatment plans. Future research should focus on genotype–phenotype relationships and the development of evidence‐based treatments.

Conclusion:  The more complex physical, medical and psychological phenotypes of 48,XXYY, 48,XXXY and 49,XXXXY syndromes make distinction from 47,XXY important; however, all of these conditions share features of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and the need for increased awareness, biomedical research and the development of evidence‐based treatments.
IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—INTRACRANIAL CRYPTOCOCCAL MASS IN A CAT
Authors: HAMMOND JAMES J. , GLASS ERIC N. , BISHOP TODD M. , KENT MARC , De LAHUNTA ALEXANDER
Published: February 2011

A 4‐year‐old neutered female domestic shorthair was evaluated for mentation changes and left prosencephalic signs. This imaging report describes the imaging findings for this patient. A diagnosis of a cryptococcal mass was made based on imaging and additional diagnostics. Complete resolution of the mass was demonstrated by follow‐up imaging. This report serves as a reminder that masses associated with cryptococcal infection should be included on the differential list for cats with intracranial masses. In addition, this report provides evidence that large intracranial cryptococcal masses may resolve with long‐term medical therapy.
Monarchy in the UK
Authors: Hunt Tristram
Published: February 2011

On screen or in magazines, the popularity of the royal family seems undiminished. Tristram Hunt takes a critical look at the role of the monarchy in 21st‐century Britain and asks how Prince William, second in line to the throne, might remake his role to serve a modern, progressive society.
Towards a progressive politics of ‘recognition’
Authors: Kenny Michael
Published: February 2011

To re‐engage with its traditional working‐class base, Michael Kenny argues that the centre‐left must embrace the politics of recognition, building a project that creates a new, progressive sense of belonging across a range of geographic and cultural communities.
Managing migration
Authors: Andrews Rhys , Boyne George A , Meier Kenneth J , O'Toole Laurence J , Walker Richard M
Published: February 2011

Rhys Andrews, George A Boyne, Kenneth J Meier, Laurence J O'Toole Jr and Richard M Walker review their empirical study of the effects of immigration on local public services and conclude that, by sharing good practice and building human and social capital, councils can minimise the costs of immigration and maximise its benefits.
Weight gain and nutritional intake in obese pregnant women: Some clues for intervention
Authors: DE JERSEY Susan J. , ROSS Lynda J. , HIMSTEDT Kellie , MCINTYRE H. David , CALLAWAY Leonie K. ,   for the BAMBINO Study Group
Published: February 2011

Aim:  Maternal obesity is associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes for mothers and offspring. Strategies to better manage maternal obesity are urgently needed; however, there is little evidence to assist the development of nutrition interventions during antenatal care. The present study aimed to assess maternal weight gain and dietary intakes of overweight and obese women participating in an exercise trial. Results will assist the development of interventions for the management of maternal overweight and obesity.

Methods:  Fifty overweight and obese pregnant women receiving antenatal care were recruited and provided dietary and weight data at baseline (12 weeks), 28 weeks, 36 weeks gestation and 6 weeks post‐partum. Data collected were compared with current nutritional and weight gain recommendations. Associations used Pearson's correlation coefficient, and ANOVA assessed dietary changes over time, P < 0.05.

Results:  Mean prepregnancy body mass index was 34.4 ± 6.6 kg/m2. Gestational weight gain was 10.6 ± 6 kg with a wide range (−4.1 to 23.0 kg). 52% of women gained excessive weight (>11.5 kg for overweight and >9 kg for obese women). Gestational weight gain correlated with post‐partum weight retention (P < 0.001). Dietary intakes did not change significantly during pregnancy. No women achieved dietary fat or dietary iron recommendations, only 11% achieved adequate dietary folate, and 38% achieved adequate dietary calcium. Very few women achieved recommended food group servings for pregnancy, with 83% consuming excess servings of non‐core foods.

Conclusion:  Results provide evidence that early intervention and personalised support for obese pregnant women may help achieve individualised goals for maternal weight gain and dietary adequacy, but this needs to be tested in a clinical setting.
Everyone's problem but nobody's job: Staff perceptions and explanations for poor nutritional intake in older medical patients
Authors: ROSS Lynda J. , MUDGE Alison M. , YOUNG Adrienne M. , BANKS Merrilyn
Published: February 2011

Aim:  Up to 60% of older medical patients are malnourished with further decline during hospital stay. There is limited evidence for effective nutrition intervention. Staff focus groups were conducted to improve understanding of potential contextual and cultural barriers to feeding older adults in hospital.

Methods:  Three focus groups involved 22 staff working on the acute medical wards of a large tertiary teaching hospital. Staff disciplines were nursing, dietetics, speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, pharmacy. A semistructured topic guide was used by the same facilitator to prompt discussions on hospital nutrition care including barriers. Focus groups were tape‐recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically.

Results:  All staff recognised malnutrition to be an important problem in older patients during hospital stay and identified patient‐level barriers to nutrition care such as non‐compliance to feeding plans and hospital‐level barriers including nursing staff shortages. Differences between disciplines revealed a lack of a coordinated approach, including poor knowledge of nutrition care processes, poor interdisciplinary communication, and a lack of a sense of shared responsibility/coordinated approach to nutrition care. All staff talked about competing activities at meal times and felt disempowered to prioritise nutrition in the acute medical setting. Staff agreed education and ‘extra hands’ would address most barriers but did not consider organisational change.

Conclusions:  Redesigning the model of care to reprioritise meal‐time activities and redefine multidisciplinary roles and responsibilities would support coordinated nutrition care. However, effectiveness may also depend on hospital‐wide leadership and support to empower staff and increase accountability within a team‐led approach.
Successful treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis in a cat
Authors: Hazell KLA , Swift IM , Sullivan N
Published: February 2011

A 7‐year‐old, spayed female Domestic Longhair cat was evaluated for a 6‐week history of coughing. Thoracic radiography revealed a pleural effusion. Thoracic ultrasound revealed a pleural effusion and a focal lung mass. The cat underwent exploratory thoracotomy and a total left pneumonectomy was performed. Histopathology and cultures revealed fungal pneumonia and pyothorax caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. Abdominal ultrasound, repeat thoracic radiography, urinalysis with culture, and retroviral screening failed to detect evidence of systemic disease. The cat's poorly regulated diabetes mellitus is suspected to be the predisposing factor allowing a fungal pulmonary infection to become established. At 18 months after surgery the cat was still disease‐free. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of successful treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis in the cat.
Hepatotoxicosis in dogs consuming a diet of camel meat contaminated with indospicine
Authors: FitzGerald LM , Fletcher MT , Paul AEH , Mansfield CS , O'Hara AJ
Published: February 2011

Background  Four dogs presented with clinical signs of severe hepatic disease after consuming a commercial camel meat diet.

Methods  Laboratory investigation revealed evidence of severe liver disease, including markedly increased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and total bilirubin concentration, and prolonged clotting times.

Results  Two dogs deteriorated despite supportive therapy and were euthanased. Histologically, both livers appeared similar, with the main lesion being extensive periacinar necrosis and haemorrhage. Indospicine, a toxic amino acid of plant origin, was detected in the serum and/or plasma from all four dogs, as well as in tissues of a dog that was necropsied and in a sample of the camel meat fed to this animal. Serum biochemistry tests using blood samples collected from 15 additional dogs identified as having eaten the diet detected indospicine was in the serum of 14 and 3 had increased ALT activity. One of the latter dogs subsequently developed clinical signs of severe liver disease and was euthanased.

Conclusion  To the authors' knowledge, this is the first published report of the detection of indospicine residues in camel meat and the occurrence of severe, sometimes fatal, liver disease in dogs that consumed this contaminated meat.
Racial Differences in Oxidative Stress and Inflammation: In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Feairheller Deborah L. , Park Joon‐Young , Sturgeon Kathleen M. , Williamson Sheara T. , Diaz Keith M. , Veerabhadrappa Praveen , Brown Michael D.
Published: February 2011

African American race is an independent risk factor for enhanced oxidative stress and inflammation. We sought to examine whether oxidative‐stress and inflammatory markers that are typically measured in humans also differ by race in cell culture. We compared levels between African American and Caucasian young adults and then separately in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from both races. We found heightened oxidative stress and inflammation in the African Americans both in vitro and in vivo. African American HUVECs showed higher nitric oxide (NO) levels (10.8 ± 0.4 vs. 8.8 ± 0.7 μmol/L/mg, p = 0.03), Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) levels (61.7 ± 4.2 vs. 23.9 ± 9.0 pg/mg, p = 0.02), and lower superoxide dismutase activity (15.6 ± 3.3 vs. 25.4 ± 2.8 U/mg, p = 0.04), and also higher protein expression (p < 0.05) of NADPH oxidase subunit p47phox, isoforms NOX2 and NOX4, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS), inducible NOS, as well as IL‐6. African American adults had higher plasma protein carbonyls (1.1 ± 0.1 vs. 0.8 ± 0.1 nmol/mg, p = 0.01) and antioxidant capacity (2.3 ± 0.2 vs. 1.1 ± 0.3 mM, p = 0.01). These preliminary translational data demonstrate a racial difference in HUVECs much like that in humans, but should be interpreted with caution given its preliminary nature. It is known that racial differences exist in how humans respond to development and progression of disease, therefore these data suggest that ethnicity of cell model may be important to consider with in vitro clinical research. Clin Trans Sci 2011; Volume 4: 32–37