bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic afferent synapses to decision-making networks improve performance in tasks requiring stimulus associations and discriminations
Authors: Bourjaily Mark A. , Miller Paul
Published: March 2012

Animals must often make opposing responses to similar complex stimuli. Multiple sensory inputs from such stimuli combine to produce stimulus-specific patterns of neural activity. It is the differences between these activity patterns, even when small, that provide the basis for any differences in behavioral response. In the present study, we investigate three tasks with differing degrees of overlap in the inputs, each with just two response possibilities. We simulate behavioral output via winner-takes-all activity in one of two pools of neurons forming a biologically based decision-making layer. The decision-making layer receives inputs either in a direct stimulus-dependent manner or via an intervening recurrent network of neurons that form the associative layer, whose activity helps distinguish the stimuli of each task. We show that synaptic facilitation of synapses to the decision-making layer improves performance in these tasks, robustly increasing accuracy and speed of responses across multiple configurations of network inputs. Conversely, we find that synaptic depression worsens performance. In a linearly nonseparable task with exclusive-or logic, the benefit of synaptic facilitation lies in its superlinear transmission: effective synaptic strength increases with presynaptic firing rate, which enhances the already present superlinearity of presynaptic firing rate as a function of stimulus-dependent input. In linearly separable single-stimulus discrimination tasks, we find that facilitating synapses are always beneficial because synaptic facilitation always enhances any differences between inputs. Thus we predict that for optimal decision-making accuracy and speed, synapses from sensory or associative areas to decision-making or premotor areas should be facilitating.
Greater benefits of multisensory integration during complex sensorimotor transformations
Authors: Buchholz Verena N. , Goonetilleke Samanthi C. , Medendorp W. Pieter , Corneil Brian D.
Published: March 2012

Multisensory integration enables rapid and accurate behavior. To orient in space, sensory information registered initially in different reference frames has to be integrated with the current postural information to produce an appropriate motor response. In some postures, multisensory integration requires convergence of sensory evidence across hemispheres, which would presumably lessen or hinder integration. Here, we examined orienting gaze shifts in humans to visual, tactile, or visuotactile stimuli when the hands were either in a default uncrossed posture or a crossed posture requiring convergence across hemispheres. Surprisingly, we observed the greatest benefits of multisensory integration in the crossed posture, as indexed by reaction time (RT) decreases. Moreover, such shortening of RTs to multisensory stimuli did not come at the cost of increased error propensity. To explain these results, we propose that two accepted principles of multisensory integration, the spatial principle and inverse effectiveness, dynamically interact to aid the rapid and accurate resolution of complex sensorimotor transformations. First, early mutual inhibition of initial visual and tactile responses registered in different hemispheres reduces error propensity. Second, inverse effectiveness in the integration of the weakened visual response with the remapped tactile representation expedites the generation of the correct motor response. Our results imply that the concept of inverse effectiveness, which is usually associated with external stimulus properties, might extend to internal spatial representations that are more complex given certain body postures.
Canine Liver Transplantation Model and the Intermediate Filaments of the Cytoskeleton of the Hepatocytes
Authors: Sergi Consolato , Abdualmjid Reem , Abuetabh Yasser
Published: March 2012

Liver transplantation has been a successful therapy for liver failure. However, a significant number of recipients suffer from graft dysfunction. Considerably, ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury is the most important factor leading to organ dysfunction, although the pathogenesis has not been fully described. I/R injury have several established features that are accompanied by and/or linked to bile duct loss or ductopenia, cholestasis, and biliary ductular proliferations in the posttransplant liver biopsy. However, biliary marker levels increase usually only 5–7 days after transplantation. Intermediate filaments are one of the three cytoskeletal proteins that have a major role in liver protection and maintaining both cellular structure and integrity of eukaryotic cells. We reviewed the canine liver transplantation model as I/R injury model to delineate the intermediate filaments of the cytoskeleton that are probably the determinants in changing the phenotype of hepatocytes to cholangiocytes. Remarkably, this interesting feature seems to occur earlier than frank cholestasis. We speculate that I/R liver injury through a phenotypical switch of the hepatocytes may contribute to the poor outcome of the liver graft.
A Combined Approach on RBC Image Segmentation through Shape Feature Extraction
Authors: Wang Ruihu , Fang Bin
Published: March 2012

The classification of erythrocyte plays an important role in clinic diagnosis. In terms of the fact that the shape deformability of red blood cell brings more difficulty in detecting and recognize for operating automatically, we believed that the recovered 3D shape surface feature would give more information than traditional 2D intensity image processing methods. This paper proposed a combined approach for complex surface segmentation of red blood cell based on shape‐from‐shading technique and multiscale surface fitting. By means of the image irradiance equation under SEM imaging condition, the 3D height field could be recovered from the varied shading. Afterwards the depth maps of each point on the surfaces were applied to calculate Gaussian curvature and mean curvature, which were used to produce surface‐type label image. Accordingly the surface was segmented into different parts through multiscale bivariate polynomials function fitting. The experimental results showed that this approach was easily implemented and promising.
Frequency of Celiac Disease in Patients with Hypothyroidism
Authors: Mehrdad Mojtaba , Mansour-Ghanaei Fariborz , Mohammadi Fereshteh , Joukar Farahnaz , Dodangeh Salimeh , Mansour-Ghanaei Roya
Published: March 2012

Background. Celiac disease (CD) is closely associated with other autoimmune endocrine disorders, particularly autoimmune thyroid disease. The aim of this study was to find the frequency of celiac disease in patients with hypothyroidism in Guilan province, north of Iran.Methods. A total of 454 consecutive patients with hypothyroidism underwent celiac serological tests antiGliadin antibodies (AGA), antitissue transglutaminase antibodies (IgA-tTG) and antiendomysial antibodies (EMA-IgA). Small intestinal biopsy was performed when any of celiac serological tests was positive.Results. Eleven (2.4%) patients were positive for celiac serology, and two patients with documented villous atrophy were diagnosed with classic CD (0.4%; 95%). Two patients with classic CD had Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) (0.6%; 95%). Six (54.5%) of 11 were suffering from overt hypothyroidism and 45.5% from subclinical hypothyroidism. Six (54.5%) had HT, and 45.5% had nonautoimmune hypothyroidism.Conclusions. In this study, prevalence of CD was lower than other studies. Most of the patients with CD were suffering from HT, but there was no significant statistical relation between CD and HT.
Small Cell Carcinoma of the Larynx Treated by Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy: A Case Report
Authors: Nakahara Susumu , Takemoto Norihiko , Inohara Hidenori
Published: March 2012

Small cell carcinoma (SmCC) generally occurs in the lung and extrapulmonary SmCC is a relatively rare entity. Here, we present a case of a 42-year-old male with SmCC of the larynx diagnosed as cT3N0M0. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy using cisplatin (CDDP) and etoposide (VP-16) was given, which achieved complete response (CR). Lung metastasis became evident in 16 months whereas the locoregional control remained good. In spite of intensive chemotherapy using CDDP and irinotecan (CPT-11), the patient died of disease in 34 months after the first interview. Since the prognosis of laryngeal SmCC is extremely poor, organ preservation therapy should be considered instead of radical laryngectomy.
Modeling Optimal Scheduling for Pumping System to Minimize Operation Cost and Enhance Operation Reliability
Authors: Luo Yin , Yuan Shouqi , Tang Yue , Yuan Jianping , Zhang Jinfeng
Published: March 2012

Traditional pump scheduling models neglect the operation reliability which directly relates with the unscheduled maintenance cost and the wear cost during the operation. Just for this, based on the assumption that the vibration directly relates with the operation reliability and the degree of wear, it could express the operation reliability as the normalization of the vibration level. The characteristic of the vibration with the operation point was studied, it could be concluded that idealized flow versus vibration plot should be a distinct bathtub shape. There is a narrow sweet spot (80 to 100 percent BEP) to obtain low vibration levels in this shape, and the vibration also follows similar law with the square of the rotation speed without resonance phenomena. Then, the operation reliability could be modeled as the function of the capacity and rotation speed of the pump and add this function to the traditional model to form the new. And contrast with the tradition method, the result shown that the new model could fix the result produced by the traditional, make the pump operate in low vibration, then the operation reliability could increase and the maintenance cost could decrease.
The Bioethanol Industry in Sub-Saharan Africa: History, Challenges, and Prospects
Authors: Deenanath Evanie Devi , Iyuke Sunny , Rumbold Karl
Published: March 2012

Recently, interest in using bioethanol as an alternative to petroleum fuel has been escalating due to decrease in the availability of crude oil. The application of bioethanol in the motor-fuel industry can contribute to reduction in the use of fossil fuels and in turn to decreased carbon emissions and stress of the rapid decline in crude oil availability. Bioethanol production methods are numerous and vary with the types of feedstock used. Feedstocks can be cereal grains (first generation feedstock), lignocellulose (second generation feedstock), or algae (third generation feedstock) feedstocks. To date, USA and Brazil are the leading contributors to global bioethanol production. In sub-Saharan Africa, bioethanol production is stagnant. During the 1980s, bioethanol production has been successful in several countries including Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Kenya. However, because of numerous challenges such as food security, land availability, and government policies, achieving sustainability was a major hurdle. This paper examines the history and challenges of bioethanol production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and demonstrates the bioethanol production potential in SSA with a focus on using bitter sorghum and cashew apple juice as unconventional feedstocks for bioethanol production.
Gap Nanoantennas toward Molecular Plasmonic Devices
Authors: Lereu Aude L. , Hoogenboom Jacob P. , van Hulst Niek F.
Published: March 2012

Recently we have demonstrated that single fluorescent molecules can be used as non-perturbative vectorial probes of the local field. Here, we expand on such experiments exploiting fluorescence lifetime of single molecules to probe various types of gap nanoantennas. First, studies of the nanoantennas are carried out to evaluate the electric field. We then investigate hybrid systems composed by nanoantennas and randomly positioned fluorescent molecules. Finally, we present a fabrication scheme for the controlled placement of fluorescent molecules at welldefined positions with respect to the dimer nanoantenna, which is a more direct route to probe the local field in ana prioridetermined way.
The Myocardial Unfolded Protein Response during Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Thorp Edward B.
Published: March 2012

Heart failure is a progressive and disabling disease. The incidence of heart failure is also on the rise, particularly in the elderly of industrialized societies. This is in part due to an increased ageing population, whom initially benefits from improved, and life-extending cardiovascular therapy, yet ultimately succumb to myocardial failure. A major cause of heart failure is ischemia secondary to the sequence of events that is dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and myocardial infarction. In the case of heart failure postmyocardial infarction, ischemia can lead to myocardial cell death by both necrosis and apoptosis. The extent of myocyte death postinfarction is associated with adverse cardiac remodeling that can contribute to progressive heart chamber dilation, ventricular wall thinning, and the onset of loss of cardiac function. In cardiomyocytes, recent studies indicate that myocardial ischemic injury activates the unfolded protein stress response (UPR) and this is associated with increased apoptosis. This paper focuses on the intersection of ischemia, the UPR, and cell death in cardiomyocytes. Targeting of the myocardial UPR may prove to be a viable target for the prevention of myocyte cell loss and the progression of heart failure due to ischemic injury.
Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor: Current Management and Recent Findings
Authors: Dufresne Armelle , Cassier Philippe , Couraud Laure , Marec-Bérard Perrine , Meeus Pierre , Alberti Laurent , Blay Jean-Yves
Published: March 2012

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare and highly aggressive mesenchymal tumor that develops in the abdominal cavity of young men adults. Patients typically present with symptoms of abdominal sarcomatosis. Diagnosis is based on histological analysis of biopsies which typically show small round blue cells in nests separated by an abundant desmoplastic stroma. DSRCT is associated with a unique chromosomal translocation t(11:22) (p 13; q 12) that involves theEWSR1andWT1genes. The prognosis is particularly poor; median survival ranges from 17 to 25 months, largely due to the presentation of the majority of patients with metastatic disease. Management of DSRCT remains challenging and current schemes lack a significant cure rate despite the use of aggressive treatments such as polychemotherapy, debulking surgery and whole abdominal radiation. Several methods are being evaluated to improve survival: addition of chemotherapy and targeted therapies to standard neoadjuvant protocol, completion of surgical resection with HIPEC, postoperative IMRT, treatment of hepatic metastases with [90Y]Yttrium microsphere liver embolization.
Sarcopenia: A Major Challenge in Elderly Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Domański Maciej , Ciechanowski Kazimierz
Published: March 2012

Sarcopenia is a condition of multifaceted etiology arising in many elderly people. In patients with chronic kidney, the loss of muscle mass is much more intensive and the first signs of sarcopenia are observed in younger patients than it is expected. It is associated with the whole-body protein-energy deficiency called protein-energy wasting (PEW). It seems to be one of the major factors limiting patient's autonomy as well as decreasing the quality of life. If it cannot be treated with the simple methods requiring some knowledge and devotion, we will fail to save patients who die due to cardiovascular disease and infection, despite proper conduction of renal replacement therapy. Many factors influencing the risk of sarcopenia development have been evaluated in number of studies. Many studies also were conducted to assess the efficacy of different therapeutic strategies (diet, physical activity, hormones). Nevertheless, there is still no consensus on treatment the patients with PEW. Therefore, in the paper we present the reasons and pathophysiology of sarcopenia as an important element of protein energy wasting (PEW) in elderly patients suffering from chronic kidney disease. We also analyze possible options for treatment according to up-to-date knowledge.
Regulatory T Cells in Type 1 Autoimmune Pancreatitis
Authors: Uchida Kazushige , Kusuda Takeo , Koyabu Masanori , Miyoshi Hideaki , Fukata Norimasa , Sumimoto Kimi , Fukui Yuri , Sakaguchi Yutaku , Ikeura Tsukasa , Shimatani Masaaki , Fukui Toshiro , Matsushita Mitsunobu , Takaoka Makoto , Nishio Akiyoshi , Okazaki Kazuichi
Published: March 2012

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a newly recognized pancreatic disorder. Recently, International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria for AIP (ICDC) was published. In this ICDC, AIP was classified into Type 1 and Type 2. Patients with Type 1 AIP have several immunologic and histologic abnormalities specific to the disease, including increased levels of serum IgG4 and storiform fibrosis with infiltration of lymphocytes and IgG4-positive plasmacytes in the involved organs. Among the involved organs showing extrapancreatic lesions, the bile duct is the most common, exhibiting sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC). However, the role of IgG4 is unclear. Recently, it has been reported that regulatory T cells (Tregs) are involved in both the development of various autoimmune diseases and the shift of B cells toward IgG4, producing plasmacytes. Our study showed that Tregs were increased in the pancreas with Type 1 AIP and IgG4-SC compared with control. In the patients with Type 1 AIP and IgG4-SC, the numbers of infiltrated Tregs were significantly positively correlated with IgG4-positive plasma cells. In Type 1 AIP, inducible costimulatory molecule (ICOS)+and IL-10+Tregs significantly increased compared with control groups. Our data suggest that increased quantities of ICOS+Tregs may influence IgG4 production via IL-10 in Type 1 AIP.
A Review of Hypothesized Determinants Associated with Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) Die-Offs
Authors: Miller David S. , Hoberg Eric , Weiser Glen , Aune Keith , Atkinson Mark , Kimberling Cleon
Published: March 2012

Multiple determinants have been hypothesized to cause or favor disease outbreaks among free-ranging bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) populations. This paper considered direct and indirect causes of mortality, as well as potential interactions among proposed environmental, host, and agent determinants of disease. A clear, invariant relationship between a single agent and field outbreaks has not yet been documented, in part due to methodological limitations and practical challenges associated with developing rigorous study designs. Therefore, although there is a need to develop predictive models for outbreaks and validated mitigation strategies, uncertainty remains as to whether outbreaks are due to endemic or recently introduced agents. Consequently, absence of established and universal explanations for outbreaks contributes to conflict among wildlife and livestock stakeholders over land use and management practices. This example illustrates the challenge of developing comprehensive models for understanding and managing wildlife diseases in complex biological and sociological environments.
Immunosuppressive Activity of Size-Controlled PEG-PLGA Nanoparticles Containing Encapsulated Cyclosporine A
Authors: Tang Li , Azzi Jamil , Kwon Mincheol , Mounayar Marwan , Tong Rong , Yin Qian , Moore Robert , Skartsis Nikolaos , Fan Timothy M. , Abdi Reza , Cheng Jianjun
Published: March 2012

We encapsulated cyclosporine A (CsA) in poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PEG-PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) by nanoprecipitation of CsA and PEG-PLGA. The resulting CsA/PEG-PLGA-NPs were <100 nm in diameter with a narrow particle size distribution. The NP size could be controlled by tuning the polymer concentration, solvent, or water/solvent ratio during formulation. The PEGylated NPs maintained non-aggregated in salt solution. Solid NPs lyoprotected with bovine serum albumin were prepared for the convenience of storage and transportation. The release kinetics of CsA (55.6% released on Day 1) showed potential for maintaining therapeutic CsA concentrationsin vivo. In T-cell assays, both free CsA and CsA/PEG-PLGA-NPs suppressed T-cell proliferation and production of inflammatory cytokines dose dependently. In a mixed lymphocyte reaction assay, the IC50values for free CsA and CsA/PEG-PLGA-NPs were found to be 30 and 35 ng/mL, respectively. This nanoparticulate CsA delivery technology constitutes a strong basis for future targeted delivery of immunosuppressive drugs with improved efficiency and potentially reduced toxicity.
Fetuin-A Characteristics during and after Pregnancy: Result from a Case Control Pilot Study
Authors: Farhan Serdar , Handisurya Ammon , Todoric Jelena , Tura Andrea , Pacini Giovanni , Wagner Oswald , Klein Katharina , Jarai Rudolf , Huber Kurt , Kautzky-Willer Alexandra
Published: March 2012

Objective. Fetuin-A has been associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We investigated fetuin-A levels during and after pregnancy in women with GDM. Fetuin-A measurements were performed in 10 women with GDM and 10 age and body mass index (BMI) matched healthy pregnant women. All women underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in and 3 months after gestation.Results. Fasting fetuin-A correlated with BMI in women with former GDM (r=0.90,P<0.0001) but showed no association with parameters of glucose tolerance in women with GDM or post-GDM. GDM featured significantly lower insulin sensitivity and higher insulin and C-peptide secretion profiles compared to NGT during pregnancy (P<0.05). Fasting and postprandial fetuin-A did not differ between groups, neither during nor after pregnancy.Conclusion. Fetuin-A is not influenced by glucose tolerance during or after pregnancy or acute glucose elevations following glucose ingestion in young women, but closely relates to BMI early postpartum.
Global Convergence of a Modified LS Method
Authors: JinKui Liu , Xianglin Du
Published: March 2012

The LS method is one of the effective conjugate gradient methods in solving the unconstrained optimization problems. The paper presents a modified LS method on the basis of the famous LS method and proves the strong global convergence for the uniformly convex functions and the global convergence for general functions under the strong Wolfe line search. The numerical experiments show that the modified LS method is very effective in practice.
Urinary 8-Oxoguanine as a Predictor of Survival in Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy
Authors: Roszkowski Krzysztof , Olinski Ryszard
Published: March 2012

Background: Because of the importance to identify prognostic indicator for radiotherapy, herein we decided to check whether the parameters which describe oxidative stress/DNA damage may be used as a marker of the therapy. The aim of this work was to investigate whether fractionated radiotherapy of patients with cancer (n = 99) is responsible for oxidative DNA damage on the level of the whole organism and whether the biomarkers of the damage such as 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) and its modified base 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxo-Gua) in urine and DNA may be used as a predictor of radiotherapy success.

Methods: All the aforementioned modifications were analyzed using techniques which involve high-performance liquid chromatography/electrochemical detection (HPLC/EC) or HPLC/gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS).

Results: Of all analyzed parameters only patients with significantly elevated urinary excretion of the 8-oxo-Gua with concomitant unchanged level of 8-oxo-dG in leukocytes DNA in the samples collected 24 hours after the first fraction in comparison to the initial level have significantly increased survival time (60 months after the treatment, survival of 50% of the patients who fulfill the above mentioned criteria, in comparison with 10% of the patients who did not).

Conclusions: Results of our work suggest that patients with higher urinary 8-oxo-Gua and concomitant stable level of 8-oxo-dG in leukocytes DNA, after 24 hours of the first dose should be regarded as better responder to radiotherapy as being at lower risk of mortality.

Impact: The above mentioned statement could make it possible to use these parameters as markers to predict the clinical success. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(4); 629–34. ©2012 AACR.
Kinetics of DNA Adduct Formation in the Oral Cavity after Drinking Alcohol
Authors: Balbo Silvia , Meng Lei , Bliss Robin L. , Jensen Joni A. , Hatsukami Dorothy K. , Hecht Stephen S.
Published: March 2012

Background: Alcohol consumption is one of the top 10 risks for the worldwide burden of disease and an established cause of head and neck cancer, as well as cancer at other sites. Acetaldehyde, the major metabolite of ethanol, reacts with DNA to produce adducts, which are critical in the carcinogenic process and can serve as biomarkers of exposure and, possibly, of disease risk. Acetaldehyde associated with alcohol consumption is considered “carcinogenic to humans.” We have previously developed the technology to quantify acetaldehyde–DNA adducts in human tissues, but there are no studies in the literature defining the formation and removal of acetaldehyde–DNA adducts in people who consumed alcohol.

Methods: We investigated levels of N2-ethylidene-dGuo, the major DNA adduct of acetaldehyde, in DNA from human oral cells at several time points after consumption of increasing alcohol doses. Ten healthy nonsmokers were dosed once a week for three weeks. Mouthwash samples were collected before and at several time points after the dose. N2-Ethylidene-dGuo was measured as its NaBH3CN reduction product N2-ethyl-dGuo by liquid chromatography–electrospray–tandem mass spectrometry.

Results: N2-ethylidene-dGuo levels increased as much as 100-fold from baseline within 4 hours after each dose for all subjects and in a dose-responsive manner (P = 0.001).

Conclusion: These results show an effect of alcohol on oral cell DNA adduct formation, strongly supporting the key role of acetaldehyde in head and neck cancer caused by alcohol drinking.

Impact: Our results provide some of the first conclusive evidence linking exposure to a lifestyle carcinogen and kinetics of DNA adduct formation in humans. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(4); 601–8. ©2012 AACR.
Impact of Frequency-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Guidance for Optimal Coronary Stent Implantation in Comparison With Intravascular Ultrasound Guidance
Authors: Habara Maoto , Nasu Kenya , Terashima Mitsuyasu , Kaneda Hideaki , Yokota Daisuke , Ko Euihong , Ito Tsuyoshi , Kurita Tairo , Tanaka Nobuyoshi , Kimura Masashi , Ito Tatsuya , Kinoshita Yoshihisa , Tsuchikane Etsuo , Asakura Keiko , Asakura Yasushi , Katoh Osamu , Suzuki Takahiko
Published: March 2012

Background—

Frequency-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) is a novel, high resolution intravascular imaging modality. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a widely used conventional imaging modality for achieving optimal stent deployment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of FD-OCT guidance for coronary stent implantation compared with IVUS guidance.

Methods and Results—

A total of 70 patients with de novo coronary artery lesions and either unstable or stable angina pectoris were enrolled in this randomized study (optical coherence tomography [OCT] group: n=35, IVUS group: n=35). In the OCT group, stent implantation was performed under FD-OCT guidance alone and final stent expansion was evaluated by IVUS. In the IVUS group, conventional IVUS guidance was used and final stent apposition was evaluated by FD-OCT. There were no significant differences regarding the procedural, fluoroscopy time, and contrast volume. Although device and clinical success rates also were similar, the visibility of vessel border was significantly lower in the OCT group (
P
<0.05). Minimum and mean stent area and focal and diffuse stent expansion were smaller (6.1±2.2 mm versus 7.1±2.1 mm, 7.5±2.5 versus 8.7±2.4 mm, 64.7±13.7% versus 80.3±13.4%, 84.2±15.8% versus 98.8±16.5%,
P
<0.05, respectively), and the frequency of significant residual reference segment stenosis at the proximal edge was higher in the OCT group (
P
<0.05). Incomplete apposed struts in both groups were similar (
P
=0.34).

Conclusions—

FD-OCT guidance for stent implantation was associated with smaller stent expansion and more frequent significant residual reference segment stenosis compared with conventional IVUS guidance.
MicroRNAs and Stem Cells
Authors: Heinrich Eva-Marie , Dimmeler Stefanie
Published: March 2012

Stem cells hold great promise for regenerative medicine and the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The mechanisms regulating self-renewal, pluripotency, and differentiation are not fully understood. MicroRNAs (miRs) are small noncoding RNAs controlling gene expression, either by inducing mRNA degradation or by blocking mRNA translation. The expression of miRs was shown to regulate various aspects of stem cell functions, including the maintenance and induction of pluripotency for reprogramming. In addition, some miRs control cell fate decisions. This review summarizes the role of miRs in reprogramming and embryonic stem cell self-renewal, and specifically addresses the regulation of cardiovascular cell fate decisions by miRs.
Platelets Contribute to the Pathogenesis of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Langer Harald F. , Choi Eun Young , Zhou Hong , Schleicher Rebecca , Chung Kyoung-Jin , Tang Zhongshu , Göbel Kerstin , Bdeir Khalil , Chatzigeorgiou Antonios , Wong Connie , Bhatia Sumeena , Kruhlak Michael J. , Rose John W. , Burns James B. , Hill Kenneth E. , Qu Hongchang , Zhang Yongqing , Lehrmann Elin , Becker Kevin G. , Wang Yunmei , Simon Daniel I. , Nieswandt Bernhard , Lambris John D. , Li Xuri , Meuth Sven G. , Kubes Paul , Chavakis Triantafyllos
Published: March 2012

Rationale:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and its mouse model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), are inflammatory disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). The function of platelets in inflammatory and autoimmune pathologies is thus far poorly defined.

Objective:

We addressed the role of platelets in mediating CNS inflammation in EAE.

Methods and Results:

We found that platelets were present in human MS lesions as well as in the CNS of mice subjected to EAE but not in the CNS from control nondiseased mice. Platelet depletion at the effector-inflammatory phase of EAE in mice resulted in significantly ameliorated disease development and progression. EAE suppression on platelet depletion was associated with reduced recruitment of leukocytes to the inflamed CNS, as assessed by intravital microscopy, and with a blunted inflammatory response. The platelet-specific receptor glycoprotein Ibα (GPIbα) promotes both platelet adhesion and inflammatory actions of platelets and targeting of GPIbα attenuated EAE in mice. Moreover, targeting another platelet adhesion receptor, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa), also reduced EAE severity in mice.

Conclusions:

Platelets contribute to the pathogenesis of EAE by promoting CNS inflammation. Targeting platelets may therefore represent an important new therapeutic approach for MS treatment.
Nanobodies Targeting Mouse/Human VCAM1 for the Nuclear Imaging of Atherosclerotic Lesions
Authors: Broisat Alexis , Hernot Sophie , Toczek Jakub , De Vos Jens , Riou Laurent M. , Martin Sandrine , Ahmadi Mitra , Thielens Nicole , Wernery Ulrich , Caveliers Vicky , Muyldermans Serge , Lahoutte Tony , Fagret Daniel , Ghezzi Catherine , Devoogdt Nick
Published: March 2012

Rationale:

A noninvasive tool allowing the detection of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques is highly needed. By combining nanomolar affinities and fast blood clearance, nanobodies represent potential radiotracers for cardiovascular molecular imaging. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM1) constitutes a relevant target for molecular imaging of atherosclerotic lesions.

Objective:

We aimed to generate, radiolabel, and evaluate anti-VCAM1 nanobodies for noninvasive detection of atherosclerotic lesions.

Methods and Results:

Ten anti-VCAM1 nanobodies were generated, radiolabeled with technetium-99m, and screened in vitro on mouse and human recombinant VCAM1 proteins and endothelial cells and in vivo in apolipoprotein E–deficient (ApoE
−/−
) mice. A nontargeting control nanobody was used in all experiments to demonstrate specificity. All nanobodies displayed nanomolar affinities for murine VCAM1. Flow cytometry analyses using human human umbilical vein endothelial cells indicated murine and human VCAM1 cross-reactivity for 6 of 10 nanobodies. The lead compound cAbVCAM1-5 was cross-reactive for human VCAM1 and exhibited high lesion-to-control (4.95±0.85), lesion-to-heart (8.30±1.11), and lesion-to-blood ratios (4.32±0.48) (
P
<0.05 versus control C57Bl/6J mice). Aortic arch atherosclerotic lesions of ApoE
−/−
mice were successfully identified by single-photon emission computed tomography imaging.
99m
Tc-cAbVCAM1-5 binding specificity was demonstrated by in vivo competition experiments. Autoradiography and immunohistochemistry further confirmed cAbVCAM1-5 uptake in VCAM1-positive lesions.

Conclusions:

The
99m
Tc-labeled, anti-VCAM1 nanobody cAbVCAM1-5 allowed noninvasive detection of VCAM1 expression and displayed mouse and human cross-reactivity. Therefore, this study demonstrates the potential of nanobodies as a new class of radiotracers for cardiovascular applications. The nanobody technology might evolve into an important research tool for targeted imaging of atherosclerotic lesions and has the potential for fast clinical translation.
Substrate- and Isoform-Specific Proteome Stability in Normal and Stressed Cardiac Mitochondria
Authors: Lau Edward , Wang Ding , Zhang Jun , Yu Hongxiu , Lam Maggie P.Y. , Liang Xiangbo , Zong Nobel , Kim Tae-Young , Ping Peipei
Published: March 2012

Rationale:

Mitochondrial protein homeostasis is an essential component of the functions and oxidative stress responses of the heart.

Objective:

To determine the specificity and efficiency of proteome turnover of the cardiac mitochondria by endogenous and exogenous proteolytic mechanisms.

Methods and Results:

Proteolytic degradation of the murine cardiac mitochondria was assessed by 2-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Mitochondrial proteases demonstrated a substrate preference for basic protein variants, which indicates a possible recognition mechanism based on protein modifications. Endogenous mitochondrial proteases and the cytosolic 20S proteasome exhibited different substrate specificities.

Conclusions:

The cardiac mitochondrial proteome contains low amounts of proteases and is remarkably stable in isolation. Oxidative damage lowers the proteolytic capacity of cardiac mitochondria and reduces substrate availability for mitochondrial proteases. The 20S proteasome preferentially degrades specific substrates in the mitochondria and may contribute to cardiac mitochondrial proteostasis.
Early Developmental Outcome in Children With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and Related Anomalies
Authors: Newburger Jane W. , Sleeper Lynn A. , Bellinger David C. , Goldberg Caren S. , Tabbutt Sarah , Lu Minmin , Mussatto Kathleen A. , Williams Ismee A. , Gustafson Kathryn E. , Mital Seema , Pike Nancy , Sood Erica , Mahle William T. , Cooper David S. , Dunbar-Masterson Carolyn , Krawczeski Catherine Dent , Lewis Alan , Menon Shaji C. , Pemberton Victoria L. , Ravishankar Chitra , Atz Teresa W. , Ohye Richard G. , Gaynor J. William
Published: March 2012

Background—

Survivors of the Norwood procedure may experience neurodevelopmental impairment. Clinical trials to improve outcomes have focused primarily on methods of vital organ support during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Methods and Results—

In the Single Ventricle Reconstruction trial of the Norwood procedure with modified Blalock-Taussig shunt versus right-ventricle-to-pulmonary-artery shunt, 14-month neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed by use of the Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) and Mental Development Index (MDI) of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II. We used multivariable regression to identify risk factors for adverse outcome. Among 373 transplant-free survivors, 321 (86%) returned at age 14.3±1.1 (mean±SD) months. Mean PDI (74±19) and MDI (89±18) scores were lower than normative means (each
P
<0.001). Neither PDI nor MDI score was associated with type of Norwood shunt. Independent predictors of lower PDI score (
R
2
=26%) were clinical center (
P
=0.003), birth weight <2.5 kg (
P
=0.023), longer Norwood hospitalization (
P
<0.001), and more complications between Norwood procedure discharge and age 12 months (
P
<0.001). Independent risk factors for lower MDI score (
R
2
=34%) included center (
P
<0.001), birth weight <2.5 kg (
P
=0.04), genetic syndrome/anomalies (
P
=0.04), lower maternal education (
P
=0.04), longer mechanical ventilation after the Norwood procedure (
P
<0.001), and more complications after Norwood discharge to age 12 months (
P
<0.001). We found no significant relationship of PDI or MDI score to perfusion type, other aspects of vital organ support (eg, hematocrit, pH strategy), or cardiac anatomy.

Conclusions—

Neurodevelopmental impairment in Norwood survivors is more highly associated with innate patient factors and overall morbidity in the first year than with intraoperative management strategies. Improved outcomes are likely to require interventions that occur outside the operating room.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00115934.
Long-Term Outcomes of Mechanical Valve Replacement in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Kim Joon Bum , Moon Joon Suk , Yun Sung-Cheol , Kim Wan Kee , Jung Sung-Ho , Choo Suk Jung , Song Hyun , Chung Cheol Hyun , Lee Jae Won
Published: March 2012

Background—

The long-term benefits of the maze procedure in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation undergoing mechanical valve replacement who already require lifelong anticoagulation remain unclear.

Methods and Results—

We evaluated adverse outcomes (death; thromboembolic events; composite of death, heart failure, or valve-related complications) in 569 patients with atrial fibrillation–associated valvular heart disease who underwent mechanical valve replacement with (n=317) or without (n=252) a concomitant maze procedure between 1999 and 2010. After adjustment for differences in baseline risk profiles, patients who had undergone the maze procedure were at similar risks of death (hazard ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.65–2.03;
P
=0.63) and the composite outcomes (hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.50–1.34;
P
=0.42) but a significantly lower risk of thromboembolic events (hazard ratio, 0.29; 95% confidence interval, 0.12–0.73;
P
=0.008) compared with those who underwent valve replacement alone at a median follow-up of 63.6 months (range, 0.2–149.9 months). The effect of superior event-free survival by the concomitant maze procedure was notable in a low-risk EuroSCORE (0–3) subgroup (
P
=0.049), but it was insignificant in a high-risk EuroSCORE (≥4) subgroup (
P
=0.65). Furthermore, the combination of the maze procedure resulted in superior left ventricular (
P
<0.001) and tricuspid valvular functions (
P
<0.001) compared with valve replacement alone on echocardiographic assessments performed at a median of 52.7 months (range, 6.0–146.8 months) after surgery.

Conclusion—

Compared with valve replacement alone, the addition of the maze procedure was associated with a reduction in thromboembolic complications and improvements in hemodynamic performance in patients undergoing mechanical valve replacement, particularly in those with low risk of surgery.
Mass Privatization, State Capacity, and Economic Growth in Post-Communist Countries
Authors: Hamm Patrick , King Lawrence P. , Stuckler David
Published: March 2012

Why did the transition from socialism to capitalism result in improved growth in some countries and significant economic decline in others? Scholars have advanced three main arguments: (1) successful countries rapidly implemented neoliberal policies; (2) failures were not due to policies but to poor institutional environments; and (3) policies were counterproductive because they damaged the state. We present a state-centered theory and empirically demonstrate for the first time one of several possible mechanisms linking neoliberal policies to poor economic performance: mass privatization programs, where implemented, created a massive fiscal shock for post-communist governments, thereby undermining the development of private-sector governance institutions and severely exacerbating the transformational recession. We performed cross-national panel regressions for a sample of 25 post-communist countries between 1990 and 2000 and found that mass privatization programs negatively affected economic growth, state capacity, and property rights protection. We further tested these findings with firm-level data from a representative survey of managers in 3,550 companies operating in 24 post-communist countries. Within countries that implemented mass-privatized programs, newly privatized firms were substantially less likely to engage in industrial restructuring but considerably more likely to use barter and accumulate tax arrears than their state-owned counterparts.
Reciprocal Stakeholder Behavior
Authors: Hahn Tobias
Published: March 2012

This article develops the notion of reciprocal stakeholder behavior by applying the concept of reciprocal behavior from experimental economics to stakeholder theory. A reciprocal stakeholder behavior model shows under which conditions stakeholders can translate normative demands for prosocial corporate behavior into economic incentives for companies through reciprocal sanctions. The author argues effective reciprocal stakeholder sanctions represent a strong mechanism to implement normative stakeholder demands for prosocial corporate behavior. Conceptually, the author introduces behavioral motives as an important element of stakeholder behavior and stakeholder influence. The argument shows that the notion of reciprocal stakeholder behavior adds substantially to a better understanding of (a) how normative stakeholder demands for prosocial corporate behavior are formulated, and (b) why and under which conditions companies voluntarily comply with stakeholder demands for prosocial corporate behavior that goes beyond legal requirements.
Promoting Corporate Responsibility in Private Banking
Authors: Maggetti Martino
Published: March 2012

In recent years, the fight against money laundering has emerged as a key issue of financial regulation. The Wolfsberg Group is an important multistakeholder agreement establishing corporate responsibility (CR) principles against money laundering in a domain where international coordination remains otherwise difficult. The fact that 10 out of the 25 top private banking institutions joined this initiative opens up an interesting puzzle concerning the conditions for the participation of key industry players in the Wolfsberg Group. The article presents a fuzzy-set analysis of seven hypotheses based on firm-level organizational factors, the macro-institutional context, and the regulatory framework. Results from the analysis of these 25 financial institutions show that public ownership of the bank and the existence of a code of conduct are necessary conditions for participation in the Wolfsberg Group, whereas factors related to the type of financial institution, combined with the existence of a black list, are sufficient for explaining participation.
Vitamin Serum Level Variations Between Cycles of Intermittent Parenteral Nutrition in Adult Patients With Short Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Ferreira Iahel Manon de Lima , Braga Camila Bitu Moreno , Dewulf Nathalie de Lourdes Souza , Marchini Julio Sérgio , Cunha Selma Freire de Carvalho da
Published: March 2012

Background: An alternative form of nutrition therapy for patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) who do not have home parenteral nutrition (PN) available is the administration of the PN cycle during regular hospital admissions and oral vitamin supplement at home. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of folic acid and vitamins A, B12, C, and E before and after the PN cycle in patients with SBS. Materials and Methods: This research was conducted with 10 patients with SBS (less than 15 minutes of total barium transit time) who were receiving the PN cycle and oral vitamin supplement at home. Patients were evaluated regarding total food ingestion and oral vitamin supplement intake. Serum levels of vitamins were evaluated immediately after the end of each PN cycle (phase 1) and before the beginning of the next PN cycle (phase 2). Results: Patients’ nutrient ingestion was in accordance with recommendations for healthy individuals. Regarding the oral vitamin supplement intake, 20% of the patients presented low adherence. Although all patients had a normal serum level of folic acid and vitamin B12, PN vitamin infusion during hospitalization and home oral vitamin supplement were not enough to make the serum levels of vitamins A, C, and E achieve normal values. Conclusion: This study documented that patients did not receive an adequate administration of oral vitamin supplements of vitamins A, C, and E through PN. More studies need to be conducted investigating higher doses of vitamin administration (oral or intravenous administration), assessing differences between water and liposoluble supplements.
Meningoencephalitis Associated With Carnobacterium maltaromaticum–Like Bacteria in Stranded Juvenile Salmon Sharks (Lamna ditropis)
Authors: Schaffer P. A. , Lifland B. , Sommeran S. Van , Casper D. R. , Davis C. R.
Published: March 2012

Juvenile salmon sharks beach yearly along the California coast, primarily during late summer and early fall. Fresh, frozen, and formalin-fixed tissues from 19 stranded salmon sharks were collected for examination. Histopathology revealed meningitis or meningoencephalitis in 18 of 19 shark brains with intralesional bacteria observed in 6 of the affected brains. Bacterial culture of fresh or frozen brain, liver, and/or heart blood from 13 sharks yielded pure cultures characterized molecularly and/or biochemically as belonging to the genus Carnobacterium. The 16s ribosomal DNA sequence of 7 tissue isolates from 7 separate sharks was 99% homologous to C. maltaromaticum (GenBank FJ656722.1). Sequence of the large ribosomal DNA intergenic spacer region (ISR) was 97% homologous to C. maltaromaticum (AF374295.1). This is the first report of Carnobacterium infection in any shark species, and the authors posit that brain infection caused by Carnobacterium is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in juvenile salmon sharks found stranded along the Pacific coast of California.
Civil Service Reform in China
Authors: Jing Yijia , Zhu Qianwei
Published: March 2012

Despite a consistent task to balance political, managerial, and legal values, China’s civil service reform in the past three decades demonstrated a paradigmatic shift from a conflict-oriented to harmony-oriented model. The 2005 Civil Service Law highlighted a legal effort to institutionalize the coexistence of competing values. Such a shift was justified by, besides the changed path of political reform, contextual factors including the convergence of values, the strategy of decoupling, and the validated advantages of a unified system. An examination of the post-2005 developments discloses complex patterns of interaction between values across reform arenas, showing a limit to the harmony-oriented model. Despite its capability to constrain outright conflicts, China’s integrated political system faces an urgent demand of institutional capacities to balance the competing values.