bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of gender and obesity on electrical current thresholds
Authors: Maffiuletti Nicola A. , Morelli Andrea , Martin Alain , Duclay Julien , Billot Maxime , Jubeau Marc , Agosti Fiorenza , Sartorio Alessandro
Published: February 2011

Introduction: In this study we investigated the influence of gender and obesity on electrical current thresholds in an attempt to optimize the application of skeletal muscle electrical stimulation (ES) in clinical practice. Methods: Thirty‐two obese and 35 age‐matched, non‐obese men and women received graded ES to the quadriceps muscle for sensory (detection) and motor (contraction) threshold assessment. Concomitant pain and tolerance to ES were recorded. Results: Sensory threshold was lower in women than in men (P < 0.001), both obese and non‐obese. Sensory and motor thresholds were higher in obese than in non‐obese subjects (P < 0.05), and body mass index was a strong predictor of motor excitability (r2 = 0.56–0.61). Current tolerance to motor stimulation was reduced in obese individuals, particularly in women, whereas pain was not influenced by gender or obesity. Conclusions: We suggest that both gender and obesity factors should be carefully considered in the design of rational ES treatments. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Compatibilized PP/EPDM/PA6 ternary blends: extended morphological studies
Authors: Shokoohi Shirin , Arefazar Ahmad , Naderi Ghasem
Published: February 2011

Polypropylene (PP)/polyamide6 (PA6)/ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) (70/15/15) ternary polymer blends compatibilized with maleic‐anhydride‐grafted EPDM (EPDM‐g‐MA) were prepared by melt blending using a twin‐screw extruder (TSE) in different processing conditions (barrel temperature profile, screw speed, and mixing sequence). The microstructures of prepared ternary blends were studied and compared to the predictions of spreading coefficient, minimum relative interfacial energy (RIE), and dynamic interfacial energy phenomenological models. The observed morphologies were somehow different from the model predictions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tandem application of cationic colloidal silica and Triton X‐114 for plasma membrane protein isolation and purification: Towards developing an MDCK protein database
Authors: Mathias Rommel A. , Chen Yuan‐Shou , Goode Robert J. A. , Kapp Eugene A. , Mathivanan Suresh , Moritz Robert L. , Zhu Hong‐Jian , Simpson Richard J.
Published: February 2011

Plasma membrane (PM) proteins are attractive therapeutic targets because of their accessibility to drugs. Although genes encoding PM proteins represent 20–30% of eukaryotic genomes, a detailed characterisation of their encoded proteins is underrepresented, due, to their low copy number and the inherent difficulties in their isolation and purification as a consequence of their high hydrophobicity. We describe here a strategy that combines two orthogonal methods to isolate and purify PM proteins from Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. In this two‐step method, we first used cationic colloidal silica (CCS) to isolate adherent (Ad) and non‐adherent (nAd) PM fractions, and then subjected each fraction to Triton X‐114 (TX‐114) phase partitioning to further enrich for hydrophobic proteins. While CCS alone identified 255/757 (34%) membrane proteins, CCS/TX‐114 in combination yielded 453/745 (61%). Strikingly, of those proteins unique to CCS/TX‐114, 277/393 (70%) had membrane annotation. Further characterisation of the CCS/TX‐114 data set using Uniprot and transmembrane hidden Markov model revealed that 306/745 (41%) contained one or more transmembrane domains (TMDs), including proteins with 25 and 17 TMDs. Of the remaining proteins in the data set, 69/439 (16%) are known to contain lipid modifications. Of all membrane proteins identified, 93 had PM origin, including proteins that mediate cell adhesion, modulate transmembrane ion transport, and cell–cell communication. These studies reveal that the application of CCS to first isolate Ad and nAd PM fractions, followed by their detergent‐phase TX‐114 partitioning, to be a powerful method to isolate low‐abundance PM proteins, and a useful adjunct for in‐depth cell surface proteome analyses.
Conducting polymers: Efficient thermoelectric materials
Authors: Dubey Nidhi , Leclerc Mario
Published: February 2011

This review highlights the recent progress made in the area of thermoelectric (TE) applications of conducting polymers and related composites. Several examples of such materials and their TE properties are discussed. TE properties of new poly(2,7‐carbazole) derivatives are highlighted. References are also made to carbon nanotube/polymer composites and their improved electrical and TE performance. Studies on polymer/inorganic materials composites have also taken a step forward and have shown very promising TE properties. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011
Flux compactifications on toric varieties
Authors: Larfors M.
Published: February 2011

Smooth, compact toric varieties (SCTV) can admit a reduced structure group, and thus be suitable as internal manifolds in flux compactifications. We review the construction of SU(3) structures on three‐dimensional SCTV proposed in [1]. We summarise the techniques used to construct the reduced structure group and read off the torsion classes. Some examples illustrate the proposed method.
Risk factors for incidental prostate cancer—who should not undergo vaporization of the prostate for benign prostate hyperplasia?
Authors: Voigt Susan , Hüttig Friederike , Koch Rainer , Propping Stefan , Propping Catharina , Grimm Marc‐Oliver , Wirth Manfred
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND

Vaporization of the prostate (e.g., using laser devices) for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia does not allow for subsequent histological examination. Therefore, patients should be counseled about the risk of missing an incidental prostate cancer (incPCa). In this study the risk of an incPCa was determined based on all preoperative parameters.

METHODS

Thousand three hundred and fifty seven (04/2004–09/2008) patients underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in our department. Cases with less than 10 g removed tissue, PSA >20 ng/ml or with known PCa were excluded. Data of the remaining 1,000 consecutive patients were collected retrospectively and statistically analyzed using SAS.

RESULTS

Mean age was 69.4 (36–96) years, mean PSA 4.41 (0.08–19.5) ng/ml, mean weight of removed tissue 30.9 (10–110) g. An incPCa was detected in 111 cases. Thirty‐four out of these were considered to be clinically relevant (relPCa; stage T1b and/or Gleason sum ≥7).

In univariate analysis age, volume of the prostate and body mass index correlated with incPCa while age, volume of the prostate and PSA correlated with relPCa. Predictive parameters for a multivariate logistic regression model are age and body mass index for incPCa and age, prostate volume, and number of prior biopsies for relPCa.

CONCLUSIONS

More than 1 in 10 patients undergoing TURP has an incPCa and 3.4% have a relPCa. Patients should be counseled carefully about the risk of missing especially relPCa when undergoing vaporization of the prostate. Our model significantly improves prediction of relPCa compared to PSA and digital examination alone. Prostate 71:1325–1331, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Different Transport Activity of Human Triallelic MDR1893Ala/Ser/Thr Variant and its Association with Herb Extracts
Authors: Kim Jeong‐Hyun , Kim Soon Re , Song Im‐Sook , Shin Ho‐Jung , Kim Han‐Seop , Lee Jung‐Ha , Ko Seong‐Gyu , Shin Yong‐Cheol
Published: February 2011

Individual pharmacokinetic differences for herb–drug interaction have been associated with genetic variations of the multidrug resistance (MDR) gene. A high level expression of MDR protein increases cellular efflux and might decrease drug sensitivity. This study investigated the drug efflux activity difference of human MDR1 triallelic variant 2677G/T/A (rs2032582), as a nonsynonymous 893Ala/Ser/Thr, using Xenopus laevis oocytes and MDR1 overexpressing LLC‐PK1 cells. Two MDR1 variants (2667T/893Ser and 2667A/893Thr) were generated using human MDR1 cDNA (2677G/893Ala). No significant difference in the expression of MDR1 893Ala/Ser/Thr was found in X. laevis oocytes. However, the MDR1 2667A/893Thr variant interestingly showed a significant decrease of efflux activity for both digoxin and daunorubicin compared with those of 893Ala and 893Ser variants. In further investigation assessing the inhibitory effects of three herbal extracts on MDR1, 893Ala and 893Ser showed significant decreases of efflux activities in treatments with P. cocos (p = 0.005 for 893Ser) and D. dasycarpus (p = 0.0009 for 893Ala; p = 0.002 for 893Ser) in X. laevis oocytes. The results in this study suggest that herbal medicines could interact with other drugs and change the therapeutic effects depending on the genetic polymorphisms of individuals. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Group‐based hybrid authentication scheme for cooperative collision warnings in VANETs
Authors: Riley Marshall , Akkaya Kemal , Fong Kenny
Published: February 2011

Cooperative collision warnings (CCWs) is one of the important applications of Vehicular Ad‐Hoc Networks (VANETs) where secure and timely delivery of messages to the neighboring vehicles are needed. Secure communication is as important as timely communication to take proper actions in order to avoid collisions and thus prevent fatal accidents. However, security and delay are two competing metrics since security brings additional processing overhead, increasing the packet delays. While symmetric‐key‐based security techniques can be more efficient as opposed to public‐key cryptography (PKC) in terms of delay, they introduce significant key maintenance overheads with the increased number of vehicles in VANETs. To alleviate this overhead and take the advantage of faster processing, we exploit the natural group behavior in CCW applications. We propose a delay efficient authentication scheme for VANETs which is based on group communication. Groups are created and maintained dynamically led by leader vehicles. Since the data communication within the groups will be dominating the overall packet traffic, we utilize symmetric‐key techniques within each group which is handled by the group leader. Group creations on the other hand are less frequent events and thus are done by PKC. We analyzed the security properties of our proposed scheme and tested it with real‐world vehicle data. Simulations results confirmed the efficiency in terms of delay with respect to other existing techniques. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mitigating On‐Off attacks in reputation‐based secure data aggregation for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Alzaid Hani , Foo Ernest , Nieto Juan González , Ahmed Ejaz
Published: February 2011

In‐network aggregation is considered as an efficient way to reduce the energy consumption in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). However, it opens doors for a compromised node to distort the integrity of the aggregated data by altering the data and disrupting transmission of the aggregation results. Thus, several secure data aggregation protocols were designed to mitigate the effect of the node compromise attack and ensure data integrity. Most protocols can detect the manipulation of the aggregation results and then reject them at the base station, which gives a single node compromise the opportunity to disrupt the limited resources in the network. Reputation‐based secure data aggregation protocols take a step further in helping to identify compromised nodes as early as possible. However, reputation‐based protocols are prone to On‐Off attacks (OOs) in which a compromised node is able to affect the aggregation results without being detected. The compromised node behaves maliciously now and then to ensure that its reputation value is within the trustable level. A solution to defeat this attack is proposed in this paper. The significance of the proposal is twofold: (i) it extends Alzaid et al.'s protocol and mitigates the effect of the OO on the aggregation results, and (ii) it considers non‐homogeneous environments, which requires distinguishing between abrupt and incipient changes. In a comparative analysis of our proposal with Alzaid et al.'s protocol, plain estimate, and reputation‐based estimate shows its superior performance in mitigating the effect of the attack. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
LPA: a new location‐based privacy‐preserving authentication protocol in VANET
Authors: Xue Xiaoping , Ding Jia
Published: February 2011

In this paper, we introduce a location‐based privacy‐preserving authentication protocol (LPA) in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) to address the issue on conditional privacy preservation in which safety messages can be anonymously authenticated by peer vehicles while an authority can trace the sender in a dispute. Specifically, in the LPA protocol, we propose a top‐down security system: the top authority (TA) authorizes the roadside units (RSUs) to issue group certificates to the onboard units (OBUs). In addition, we also introduce RSU neighbor set to enhance security and efficiency. We demonstrate the merits of the proposed scheme through extensive analysis and performance evaluation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bayesian approaches to sensory integration for motor control
Authors: Berniker Max , Kording Konrad
Published: February 2011

The processing of sensory information is fundamental to the basic operation of the nervous system. Our nervous system uses this sensory information to gain knowledge of our bodies and the world around us. This knowledge is of great importance as it provides the coherent and accurate information necessary for successful motor control. Yet, all this knowledge is of an uncertain nature because we obtain information only through our noisy sensors. We are thus faced with the problem of integrating many uncertain pieces of information into estimates of the properties of our bodies and the surrounding world. Bayesian approaches to estimation formalize the problem of how this uncertain information should be integrated. Utilizing this approach, many studies make predictions that faithfully predict human sensorimotor behavior. WIREs Cogni Sci 2011 2 419–428 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.125

This article is categorized under:

Neuroscience > Behavior
The residential segregation of mixed-nativity married couples
Authors: Iceland John , Nelson Kyle Anne
Published: February 2011

This article examines the ways in which mixed-nativity marriage is related to spatial assimilation in metropolitan areas of the United States. Specifically, we examine the residential patterns of households with a mixed-nativity—and, in some cases, interracial—marriage to determine whether they are less segregated from the native-born than entirely foreign-born households. Using restricted-use data from the 2000 census, we find that compared with couples in which both spouses are foreign-born, mixed-nativity couples tend to be less segregated from various native-born racial and ethnic groups. Further, among both foreign-born Asians and Hispanics, those with a native-born non-Hispanic white spouse are considerably less segregated from native-born white households than from other foreign-born Asian and Hispanic households. We also find that even though nativity status matters for black couples in a manner consistent with assimilation theory, foreign-born and mixed-nativity black households still each display very high levels of segregation from all other native-born racial/ethnic groups, reaffirming the power of race in determining residential patterns. Overall, our findings provide moderate support for spatial assimilation theory and suggest that cross-nativity marriages often facilitate the residential integration of the foreign-born.
A cross‐sectional study of docosahexaenoic acid status and cognitive outcomes in females of reproductive age with phenylketonuria
Authors: Yi Sarah H. L. , Kable Julie A. , Evatt Marian L. , Singh Rani H.
Published: February 2011

Diet therapy for phenylketonuria (PKU) requires restricted phenylalanine (Phe) intake, with the majority of protein and other nutrients coming from synthetic medical food. The fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is important in brain development and function; however, there are reports of low blood DHA concentrations in people treated for PKU. Although the implications of this low blood DHA are unclear, subtle cognitive deficits have been reported in those treated early and continuously for PKU. For this study, we investigated the relationship between DHA status and cognitive performance in 41 females 12 years and older with PKU. Participants were attending the baseline visit of a research‐based camp or a supplementation trial. We assessed the domains of verbal ability, processing speed, and executive function using standardized tests, and the proportions of DHA in plasma and red blood cell (RBC) total lipids using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Percent plasma and RBC total lipid DHA were significantly lower in the participants compared with laboratory controls (P < .001), and participants consumed no appreciable DHA according to diet records. Plasma and RBC DHA both negatively correlated with plasma Phe (P < .02), and performance on the verbal ability task positively correlated with RBC DHA controlling for plasma Phe (R = .32, P = .03). The relationship between DHA and domains related to verbal ability, such as learning and memory, should be confirmed in a controlled trial. Domains of processing speed and executive function may require a larger sample size to clarify any association with DHA.
Gender variability in presentation with Alpers’ syndrome: a report of eight patients from the UAE
Authors: Mohamed Khalid , FathAllah Waseem , Ahmed Elamin
Published: February 2011

Introduction

Alpers’ syndrome is a progressive and often fatal cerebral and hepatic degeneration caused by a mutation in the polymerase gamma (POLG) gene involved in mitochondrial DNA replication.

Objective

We report on eight successive cases from five families.

Methods

Our analysis consisted of case series reports and literature search.

Results

The eight patients were from five extended families, all with clinical manifestations of the syndrome. Seven were confirmed by POLG sequence analysis and one died before testing was possible. We observed that whereas the five females presented with advanced hepatic disease at the onset of neurological symptoms, the three males had normal hepatic function well after presentation, with progressive neurological disease. Two of the three males are distant relatives; two of the five females were sisters of two male patients.

Discussion

Most authors report the coexistence of both hepatic and cerebral disease at the onset of Alpers’ syndrome. It is unusual that all three males in our series had no signs of liver disease but had advanced neurological signs.

Conclusion

Initial manifestations in Alpers’ syndrome may be gender specific. In males, the condition should be considered in patients with seizures and encephalopathy, even in the absence of hepatic disease.
The Implication of Rawls’ Approach to Public Reason
Authors: Xin Liu
Published: February 2011

Rawls’ appealing to free agreement in the original position cannot be understood as the source of real commitment to principles of social justice. According to the contextualistic interpretation, to establish and clarify the reasonableness of one context, one needs to appeal to the reasonableness of some higher-order contexts. Because the two meta-contexts of global basic structure and domestic basic structure can be seen as higher-order or lower-order context relative to each, depending on concrete cases, by excluding the consideration of global situation that must have effects on the realization of domestic justice, “justice as fairness” is blind both to the global context of domestic justice and to the domestic context of global justice.
Efficacy of a microencapsulated iron pyrophosphate-fortified fruit juice: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in Spanish iron-deficient women
Authors: Blanco-Rojo Ruth , Pérez-Granados Ana M. , Toxqui Laura , González-Vizcayno Carmen , Delgado Marco A. , Vaquero M. Pilar
Published: February 2011

Fe-deficiency anaemia is a worldwide health problem. We studied the influence of consuming an Fe-fortified fruit juice on Fe status in menstruating women. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 16 weeks of duration was performed. Subjects were randomised into two groups: the P group (n58) or the F group (n64), and consumed, as a supplement to their usual diet, 500 ml/d of a placebo fruit juice or an Fe-fortified fruit juice, respectively. The Fe-fortified fruit juice, containing microencapsulated iron pyrophosphate, provided 18 mg Fe/d (100 % of the RDA). At baseline and monthly, dietary intake, body weight and Fe parameters were determined: total erythrocytes, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), red blood cell distribution width (RDW), Hb, serum Fe, serum ferritin, serum transferrin, transferrin saturation, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP). The fruit juice consumption involved increased intake of carbohydrates and vitamin C, and increased BMI within normal limits. Ferritin was higher in the F group after week 4 (P < 0·05) and became 80 % higher than in the P group after week 16 (P < 0·001), and transferrin decreased in the F group compared with the P group after week 4 (P < 0·001). RDW was higher at weeks 4 and 8 in the F group compared with the P group (P < 0·05). Transferrin saturation increased after week 8, and haematocrit, MCV and Hb increased after week 12, in the F group compared with the P group. Serum Fe did not change. sTfR and ZnPP decreased in the F group at week 16 (P < 0·05). Iron pyrophosphate-fortified fruit juice improves Fe status and may be used to prevent Fe-deficiency anaemia.
Flavonoid intake in relation to cognitive function in later life in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936
Authors: Butchart Catherine , Kyle Janet , McNeill Geraldine , Corley Janie , Gow Alan J. , Starr John M. , Deary Ian J.
Published: February 2011

Previous studies have suggested a link between flavonoid intake and better cognitive function in later life but have not been able to control for possible confounding by prior intelligence quotient (IQ). The aim of the present study was to address this issue in a cross-sectional survey of 1091 men and women born in 1936, in whom IQ was measured at age 11 years. At the age of 70 years, participants carried out various neuropsychological tests and completed a FFQ. Associations between test scores and nutrient intake were assessed by linear regression with adjustment for potentially confounding variables. Total fruit, citrus fruits, apple and tea intakes were initially found to be associated with better scores in a variety of cognitive tests, but the associations were no longer statistically significant after adjusting for confounding factors, including childhood IQ. Flavanone intake was initially found to be associated with better scores in verbal fluency (P = 0·003, with standardised regression coefficient 0·10), but, again, the association was no longer statistically significant after adjusting for confounding factors. These findings do not support a role for flavonoids in the prevention of cognitive decline in later life. Studies of diet and cognitive function should include measurement of potential confounding variables, including prior IQ wherever possible.
Mapping the Sovereign State: Technology, Authority, and Systemic Change
Authors: Branch Jordan
Published: February 2011

This article examines the effect of cartography on the development of the modern state system. I argue that new mapping technologies in early modern Europe changed how actors thought about political space, organization, and authority, thus shaping the creation of sovereign states and international relations. In particular, mapping was fundamental to three key characteristics of the medieval-to-modern shift: the homogenization of territorial authority, the linearization of political boundaries, and the elimination of nonterritorial forms of organization. Although maps have been interpreted as epiphenomenal to political change, each of these three transformations occurred first in the representational space of maps and only subsequently in the political practices of rulers and states. Based on evidence from the history of cartographic technologies and their use by political actors, the practices and texts of international negotiations, and the practical implementation of linearly bounded territoriality by states, this article argues that changes in the representational practices of mapmaking were constitutive of the early-modern transformation of the authoritative structure of politics. This explanation of the international system's historical transformation suggests useful new directions for investigations into the possibility of fundamental political change due to the economic, social, and technological developments of globalization.
‘New Violence’: Silencing Women's Experiences in the Favelas of Brazil
Authors: WILDING POLLY
Published: February 2011

This article contributes to recent analyses of gendered violence in Latin America by highlighting the relative neglect of women's experiences of violence in the discussion of ‘new violence’. In Latin America, women are consistently missing from mainstream debates about violence, which concentrate on urban crime, youth gangs and the police. With a focus on urban Brazil, this article argues for a gendered approach to the range of different forms of violence in order to render visible the variety of roles that women play in the context and in specific incidents of urban violence. It also explores the gendered impacts of various forms of violence and the gendered socialisation of violence. The article challenges the un-gendered concept of new violence, questioning its ability to capture the full gamut of violences that men and women experience, and the connections between these various forms. By adjusting the parameters of the debate, this article highlights the complexity of the gendered social relations and processes that reproduce violence, and adds a further dimension to the discussion of violence and security.
Feminist Activism, Union Democracy and Gender Equity Rights in Mexico
Authors: BRICKNER RACHEL K.
Published: February 2011

Beyond competitive elections, democratisation should include a transformation of the institutions of state and civil society into spaces that recognise the rights of citizens and allow for their participation. This study explores the question of how Mexican labour unions are transformed into institutions with a commitment to the rights and participation of women workers. Drawing on evidence from five unions, the paper shows that compared to their corporatist counterparts, unions with a ‘democratic ethos’ provide a context within which gender equity rights are more readily recognised. However, recognition of gender equity is primarily dependent on feminist activism and union leadership. The paper argues that women's efforts to transform their unions into spaces that reflect and advocate for gender equity rights are critical to strengthening democratic citizenship in Mexico.
China's Global Expansion and Latin America
Authors: JENKINS RHYS
Published: February 2011

China's rapid growth and increased integration with the global economy over the past three decades have significant economic impacts and political implications for Latin America. This paper reviews the debate over whether these impacts have on balance been positive or negative for the region. It argues that those who emphasise the positive economic impacts of China have been over-optimistic and underplay some of the negative impacts associated with Chinese competition in manufacturing and increasing Latin American specialisation in primary products. On the other hand, when focusing on the political dimensions, there has been a tendency to exaggerate both the extent of China's influence in the region and the fears to which this gives rise, particularly among US commentators.
Divine deception and monotheism: a reply to Hasker
Authors: TUGGY DALE
Published: February 2011

In two recent pieces William Hasker argues that my arguments against Social Trinitarianism fail. I argue here that he hasn't successfully refuted or rebutted them, and that his response to the quaternity problem sacrifices monotheism.
Extent of the Ross Orogen in Antarctica: new data from DSDP 270 and Iselin Bank
Authors: Mortimer N. , Palin J.M. , Dunlap W.J. , Hauff F.
Published: February 2011

The Ross Sea is bordered by the Late Precambrian–Cambrian Ross–Delamerian Orogen of East Antarctica and the more Pacific-ward Ordovician–Silurian Lachlan–Tuhua–Robertson Bay–Swanson Orogen. A calcsilicate gneiss from Deep Sea Drilling Project 270 drill hole in the central Ross Sea, Antarctica, gives a U-Pb titanite age of 437 ± 6 Ma (2σ). This age of high-grade metamorphism is too young for typical Ross Orogen. Based on this age, and on lithology, we propose a provisional correlation with the Early Palaeozoic Lachlan–Tuhua–Robertson Bay–Swanson Orogen, and possibly the Bowers Terrane of northern Victoria Land. A metamorphosed porphyritic rhyolite dredged from the Iselin Bank, northern Ross Sea, gives a U-Pb zircon age of 545 ± 32 Ma (2σ). The U-Pb age, petrochemistry, Ar-Ar K-feldspar dating, and Sr and Nd isotopic ratios indicate a correlation with Late Proterozoic–Cambrian igneous protoliths of the Ross Orogen. If the Iselin Bank rhyolite is not ice-rafted debris, then it represents a further intriguing occurrence of Ross basement found outside the main Ross–Delamerian Orogen.
Production of transgenic canine embryos using interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer
Authors: Hong So Gun , Oh Hyun Ju , Park Jung Eun , Kim Min Jung , Kim Geon A. , Koo Ok Jae , Jang Goo , Lee Byeong Chun
Published: February 2011

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has emerged as an important tool for producing transgenic animals and deriving transgenic embryonic stem cells. The process of SCNT involves fusion of in vitro matured oocytes with somatic cells to make embryos that are transgenic when the nuclear donor somatic cells carry ‘foreign’ DNA and are clones when all the donor cells are genetically identical. However, in canines, it is difficult to obtain enough mature oocytes for successful SCNT due to the very low efficiency of in vitro oocyte maturation in this species that hinders canine transgenic cloning. One solution is to use oocytes from a different species or even a different genus, such as bovine oocytes, that can be matured easily in vitro. Accordingly, the aim of this study was: (1) to establish a canine fetal fibroblast line transfected with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene; and (2) to investigate in vitro embryonic development of canine cloned embryos derived from transgenic and non-transgenic cell lines using bovine in vitro matured oocytes. Canine fetal fibroblasts were transfected with constructs containing the GFP and puromycin resistance genes using FuGENE 6®. Viability levels of these cells were determined by the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay. Interspecies SCNT (iSCNT) embryos from normal or transfected cells were produced and cultured in vitro. The MTT measurement of GFP-transfected fetal fibroblasts (mean OD = 0.25) was not significantly different from non-transfected fetal fibroblasts (mean OD = 0.35). There was no difference between transgenic iSCNT versus non-transgenic iSCNT embryos in terms of fusion rates (73.1% and 75.7%, respectively), cleavage rates (69.7% vs. 73.8%) and development to the 8–16-cell stage (40.1% vs. 42.7%). Embryos derived from the transfected cells completely expressed GFP at the 2-cell, 4-cell, and 8–16-cell stages without mosaicism. In summary, our results demonstrated that, following successful isolation of canine transgenic cells, iSCNT embryos developed to early pre-implantation stages in vitro, showing stable GFP expression. These canine–bovine iSCNT embryos can be used for further in vitro analysis of canine transgenic cells and will contribute to the production of various transgenic dogs for use as specific human disease models.
Insulin–transferrin–selenium (ITS) improves maturation of porcine oocytes in vitro
Authors: Hu Junhe , Ma Xiaoling , Bao Jian Chang , Li Wei , Cheng De , Gao Zhimin , Lei Anmin , Yang Chunrong , Wang Huayan
Published: February 2011

The objective of this study was to determine if insulin–transferrin–selenium (ITS) promoted a nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of porcine oocytes that better supports subsequent embryonic development. The rate of oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) in an experimental group treated with hormones for 42 h was significantly increased compared with that in a control group without hormone treatment (47.8% vs. 11.7%, respectively, p < 0.05). Following reduction of the hormone treatment period from 42 h to 21 h, which included both the first 21 h period of hormones treatment (45.4%) and the second 21 h period of hormone treatment (44.8%), the rate of oocyte IVM was still higher than that of the control group (p < 0.05). To improve porcine oocyte nuclear maturation, 1% ITS was added to medium supplemented with hormones. The rate of nuclear maturation in the ITS-treated group was significantly higher than in the ITS-untreated group (78.6% vs. 54.4%, respectively, p < 0.05). ITS treatment also significantly reduced the per cent of oocytes with type I and type III cortical granule (CG) distribution, respectively, and significantly increased the per cent of oocytes with type II CG distribution (85.3%). These observations indicated that the synchronization rates of nuclear and ooplasmic maturation reached 67.04% (78.56 × 85.33%). In conclusion, the combination of modified Tissue Culture Medium-199 (mM199) + 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor (EGF) + 10 IU/ml pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) + 10 IU/ml human chorion gonadotrophin (hCG) + 2.5 IU/ml follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) + 1% ITS is suitable for culturing porcine oocytes in vitro, and effectively enhances porcine oocyte nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation.
The pressure wire as a diagnostic tool in patients with congenital cardiac disease
Authors: Hamid Tahir , Hadi Haider , Clarke Bernard , Mahadevan Vaikom
Published: February 2011

The pressure wire has emerged as a useful tool to assess the clinical severity of moderate coronary artery lesions. We report a novel use of the pressure wire in adult patients with complex congenital cardiac disease in whom it was used in assessing pressures beyond the stenosis in the distal pulmonary artery, aorto-pulmonary collaterals, and across prosthetic tricuspid valves, where conventional catheters were unable to reach. We used this in three of our patients for assessment of pulmonary artery pressures and in two patients for assessment of pressures across a prosthetic St Jude® valve. Out of the three patients referred for assessment, only two had significantly raised distal pulmonary pressures enabling them to receive appropriate therapy. Out of the two patients with a prosthetic tricuspid valve, only one required surgery based on this assessment. We describe a novel use of the pressure wire in the functional assessment of adults with congenital cardiac disease in whom conventional catheter techniques may not be able to provide adequate data. It can be a guide to provide appropriate therapy and avoid unnecessary interventions in this patient group.
Anaesthetic and post-operative management of a modified Norwood operation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome: a retrospective series of 11 cases
Authors: Yildiz Yahya , Kirbas Ahmet , Gurer Onur , S. Bilal Mehmet
Published: February 2011

Objective

This study aimed to describe the pre-operative and operative findings, as well as the post-operative haemodynamics of patients operated on for hypoplastic left heart. The findings of patients who survived or did not survive were also compared to anticipate the risk factors for mortality.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the anaesthetic and intensive care records of 11 (seven male and four female) patients who underwent a modified Norwood operation as neonates. There were eight patients who survived, while three did not survive after the operation. Haemodynamics, oxygenation, and medications of patients were recorded for the pre-operative and post-operative conditions for 2 days, and compared between groups of patients who survived and those who did not.

Results

The normalised modified Blalock–Taussig shunt area was 3.28, 0.57 square millimetres per kilogram (mean, standard deviation) for the group of patients who survived and 3.55, 1.4 square millimetres per kilogram for the group of patients who did not survive (p = 0.51). The group of patients who survived had a significantly larger normalised aortic annulus area (3.3, 0.89 square millimetres per kilogram versus 1.68, 0.21 square millimetres per kilogram, p = 0.01), lower median age (5.57 (3–8) days versus 46.67 (4–90) days, p = 0.02), and lower weight (2.95, 0.46 kilograms versus 3.85, 0.56 kilograms, p = 0.03) than the group of patients who did not survive. Furthermore, the group of patients who did not survive had a significantly worse pre-operative condition, lower systemic venous and arterial oxygen saturation, and need for a high dose of drugs in the pre-operative and post-operative periods (p was less than 0.05 for each variable).

Conclusion

The pre-operative, operative, and post-operative findings may be related to mortality early after the modified Norwood operation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
Early extubation in tetralogy of Fallot patients after complete repair
Authors: Karthekeyan Ranjith Baskar , Sundar Ayya Syama , Sulaiman Sajith , Thangavelu Periyasamy , Vakamudi Mahesh , Kasianandan Thenali
Published: February 2011

Aim

To document the feasibility of early extubation and to know the effect of age, weight, and post-operative right ventricle/left ventricle ratio in early extubation in intracardiac repair for tetralogy of Fallot.

Materials and methods

This is a prospective study of 76 consecutive patients undergoing intracardiac repair between January, 2010 and April, 2010. The patients were compared between duration of ventilation with age, weight, and post-operative left ventricle/right ventricle ratio.

Results

In the age group less than 10 years, 47 patients were extubated within 4 hours and 12 after 4 hours. In the age group of 10–20 years, eight patients were extubated within 4 hours and seven patients after 4 hours. In the more than 20 years category, one patient was extubated within 4 hours and the other after 4 hours. In the weight category less than 10 kilograms, 17 patients were extubated within 4 hours and seven patients after 4 hours. In the 10–20 kilogram category, 27 patients were extubated before 4 hours and four patients after 4 hours. In the more than 20-kilogram category, 12 patients were extubated before 4 hours and nine patients after 4 hours. Where the ratio was less than 0.5, 47 patients were extubated within 4 hours and 14 patients after 4 hours. Where the ratio was greater than 0.5, nine patients were extubated within 4 hours and six patients after 4 hours.

Conclusion

There was no correlation between duration of ventilation with age, weight, and right ventricle/left ventricle ratio. Early extubation in patients after intracardiac repair in tetralogy of Fallot is safe and effective.
Of markets and men: comments on Chang
Authors: BROUWER MARIA
Published: February 2011

The discussion about the role of institutions in economic development should revolve around the relative performance of institutions and not around the alleged superiority of one system over the other.
Institutions and development: generalizations that endanger progress
Authors: NUGENT JEFFREY B.
Published: February 2011

This article draws on several of the major breakthroughs in the institutions and development field to demonstrate that criticisms of work in this field as a whole based on its allegedly universal and unquestioning support for liberalizing institutions and the simplistic rationale and deficient empirical methods that have been used to buttress that support are outdated, inappropriate and misleading.
The International Committee of the Red Cross in Afghanistan: reasserting the neutrality of humanitarian action
Authors: Terry Fiona
Published: February 2011

Neutrality as a guiding principle of humanitarian action was roundly rejected by most actors in Afghanistan's latest conflict. One party to the conflict commandeered assistance and aid organizations into a counter-insurgency campaign, and the other rejected Western aid organizations as agents of an imperialist West. The murder in 2003 of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) water engineer Ricardo Munguia, because of what he symbolized, cast doubt on whether the ICRC could be perceived as neutral in this highly polarized context. Rather than abandon a neutral stance, however, as so many aid organizations did, the ICRC persevered and, through some innovative and sometimes risky initiatives, managed to show both sides the benefits of having a neutral intermediary in conflict. Today, the ICRC continues to expand its reach to Afghans in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
The Effect of Associative and Dissociative Attentional Focus Strategies on Muscle Activity and Heart Rate During a Weight Training Exercise
Authors: Neumann David L. , Heng Sandor
Published: February 2011

Performance outcomes, such as the distance rowed or run, can be influenced by the type of attentional focus an individual adopts. The present study tested how attentional focus during a weight training exercise influenced a direct measure of performance production (muscle activity) and heart rate. Participants (27 men, 3 women; age range 18–37 years) executed bicep curls while adopting an associative, dissociative, or no specific attentional focus. Muscle activity, as measured by electromyographic recordings, and heart rate were lower in the associative condition than in the dissociative and control conditions (all p values < .01). The participant’s level of experience in weight training and the amount of weight lifted had no influence on this pattern of results. The results highlight that attentional focus is an important variable that can influence muscle activity, and ultimately training outcomes, during exercise.
Early Negativity Bias Occurring Prior to Experiencing of Emotion
Authors: Dong Guangheng , Zhou Hui , Zhao Xuan , Lu Qilin
Published: February 2011

The present study analyzed event-related potentials (ERPs) in different valence conditions to investigate whether negativity bias can occur prior to the experiencing of negative emotion. There were two tasks: One was challenging and participants were asked to react as quickly as possible; the other was easy and participants were asked to react after the stimuli disappeared. ERPs were compared to determine if negativity bias had occurred. Anterior hemispheric asymmetries tests (AHAT) were conducted to test emotion-evoking effects. The ERP results showed that negativity bias occurred in both tasks. However, AHAT showed that emotion was not effectively evoked in the challenging task. These results suggested that negativity bias could occur even without effective experiencing of emotion. This prompted a new viewpoint regarding the properties of negativity bias: Early negativity bias was caused by the features of negative stimuli but not by negative emotions.
Association Between Event-Related Potentials and Pain Ratings
Authors: Vossen Helen G. M. , van Breukelen Gerard J. P. , van Os Jim , Hermens Hermie J. , Lousberg Richel
Published: February 2011

The association between event-related potentials (ERP) and ratings of pain has frequently been demonstrated, usually through bivariate correlations. However, the use of bivariate correlations precludes studying or correcting for confounding factors. The current study reinvestigated the association between ERP and the subjective experience of pain, using the more extensive statistical approach of multilevel analysis. Using this technique, it was possible to investigate and correct for effects of intensity and habituation. Eighty-five healthy subjects received intracutaneous electrical pain stimuli with simultaneous EEG registration. Each subject was asked to rate the intensity of each stimulus on a numeric rating scale (NRS). The multilevel analyses revealed a within-subject association between the ERP measures (especially P1 and P3) and the NRS score. Furthermore, this association was moderated by intensity of the stimulus and habituation. These results suggest that a direct translation from the pain ERP to subjective experience is delicate and that factors such as stimulus intensity and habituation must be taken into account.
The P3 Event-Related Potential as an Index of Motivational Relevance
Authors: Franken Ingmar H. A. , Van Strien Jan W. , Bocanegra Bruno R. , Huijding Jorg
Published: February 2011

Watching motivationally relevant pictures modulates two types of event-related brain potentials (ERPs), the early posterior negativity (EPN) and the P3. Several studies show that the EPN and P3 to emotional stimuli are enhanced as compared to neutral stimuli. The goal of the present study was to investigate whether experimentally conditioned abstract stimuli (Gabor patches) that predict the occurrence of a subsequent emotional event are able to elicit an enhanced EPN and P3. This would confirm that these ERP components indeed reflect the motivational relevance of a stimulus, rather than other stimulus properties such as complexity. In a conditioning paradigm, abstract patches (conditioned stimuli; CS) were contingently paired with emotional or neutral pictures (unconditioned stimuli; UCS). Both EPN and P3 to these CS were measured in 80 healthy participants. The results demonstrate an enhanced P3 to CS predicting emotional stimuli as compared to CS predicting neutral stimuli. The EPN was not modulated by the CS. These results show that the P3 is a suitable index of acquired motivational relevance and is not, at least not completely, dependent on task-irrelevant stimulus properties such as complexity and contrast. The EPN seems less suitable as an index of recently acquired motivational relevance because, although the CS acquired emotional significance, this did not result in the typical EPN modulation.