bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognosis of Patients with Arteriosclerosis Obliterans Treated with LDL-Apheresis
Authors: Agishi Tetsuzo , Nakasato Satoshi , Ota Kazuo
Published: November 2007

A total of 55 arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) patients with hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol [TC] ≥ 220 mg/dL or low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] ≥ 140 mg/dL) were treated with LDL-apheresis. A follow-up questionnaire was sent to 39 of these patients by mail. Reported herein are effects of the LDL-apheresis and prognosis in 26 patients (17 men and 9 women) who undertook the LDL-apheresis and responded to the follow-up questionnaire. The subjective symptoms reported were investigated at three stages: before the treatment, immediately after the final LDL-apheresis, and at the follow- up observation time (March, 1993). An LDL-cholesterol level was reduced from 171 ±30 (mean ±SD) to 83 ±39 mg/dL by 10 ±3 applications of the apheresis. No aggravation in clinical symptoms was observed in any patient. Improvement rates of the clinical symptoms immediately after the final LDL-apheresis in these particular patients were as follows: foot chillness 52%, foot numbness 58%, foot dullness 81%, intermittent claudi cation 62%, foot pain at rest 75%, and ulcer at toes 100%. According to analysis of the questionnaire, these improvements in the clinical symptoms have been maintained at relatively high rates such as 69% in foot chillness, 91% in foot numbness, 100% in foot dullness, 81% in intermittent claudication, 89% in foot pain at rest, and 100% in ulcer at toes for 1.2 ± 0.8 (0.1 to 2.4) years of the observation period. The improvements are suggested to be due to the amelioration in peripheral blood flow as evidenced by devel opment of new collaterals observed on arteriograms.
Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm with Concomitant Subclavian Artery Aneurysm Initially Diagnosed with Scintigraphic Evaluation
Authors: Erkmen Böke M. , Sarigül Ali , Ugurlu Baran , Sariosmanoglu Nejat , Erbas Belkis
Published: November 2007

Internal carotid and subclavian artery aneurysms combined in a single case, diagnosed noninvasively with scintigraphy, are described here. A tomographic brain perfusion study was also performed to evaluate hemispheric perfusion distribution for deciding on the use of a carotid shunt. A carotid angiogram was also obtained before the operation, in which the aneurysms were removed and the artery was repaired with end-to-end primary anas tomosis.
Mammary Artery: Difference in Structure Since Birth as Compared with Coronary and Renal Artery
Authors: Ferro Maurizio , Forni Marco , Palladin Daniela , Crivello Roberta , Conti Maggiorino , Palestro Giorgio
Published: November 2007

A light microscopy study was made of the structure of the left coronary, internal mammary, and renal arteries (LCA, IMA, RA) in 11 newborns after autopsy (mean age 22 ±22.6 days). Their intima and media thicknesses were measured. The mean intima/media ratios were: LCA 0.0745 ±0.0621; IMA 0.0837 ±0.0603, RA 0.0699 ± 0.0616. The only significant difference was between the media thicknesses of the LCA and the IMA (P=0.023). The media was thinnest in the IMA, thickest in the LCA. A previous study pointed out in adults, on the other hand, the intima thickness and the intima/media ratio are significantly different in the LCA as compared with the IMA and the RA. The ratio of only the neonatal LCA is significantly different from that of the adult (P=0.005). Media thickness in newborns and intima thickness in the adult are responsible for these differences in the ratio.

The conclusion is drawn that the different structures present at birth are altered in function by the stress these arteries are subjected to and, more specifically, in direct proportion to increases in peripheral resistance. Another factor is the greater freedom of nutrition and metabolic exchange offered by the thin media of the IMA. This, indeed, may help to explain the relative immunity to atherosclerosis that has led to the use of this artery in bypass surgery.
Successful Surgical Management of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm with Acute Aortoduodenal Fistula
Authors: Shinkai Masahiko , Okazaki Tsuyoshi , Fujiwara Hiroshi , Nasu Michihiro , Sono Jun , Okada Yukikatsu , Miyamoto Satoru , Nishiuchi Sunao , Shomura Toyo
Published: November 2007

A primary aortoduodenal fistula is a rare complication of atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The operative mortality is very high, because of lack of a precise preoperative diagnosis and contamination of the operative field. The authors report a case of a sixty-five-year-old man with aortoduodenal fistula. He was transferred to the emergency unit soon after cardiac arrest. An emergency laparotomy revealed a fistula between the third portion of the duodenum and an AAA. The authors successfully performed graft replacement for infrarenal AAA and primary repair for the penetrated wall of the duodenum.
Traumatic Vascular Disruption in the Thoracocervical Region: Surgical Outcome and Predictors of Survival
Authors: Flum David R. , Cernaianu Aurel C. , Vassilidze Teimouraz V. , Cilley Jonathan H. , Grosso Michael A. , Maurer Monica , Ross Steven E. , DelRossi Anthony J.
Published: November 2007

Traumatic vascular injury in the thoracocervical region is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The goal of this study was to examine surgical outcome of these injuries and to establish predictors of survival. The medical records of all patients sustaining traumatic injury to the carotid, vertebral, subclavian, and proximal axillary vessels and undergoing operative repair were retrospectively reviewed. Sixteen patients (11 men, 5 women, mean age 31.1 ±16.6) during a four-year period underwent emergent surgical repair for traumatic vascular disruption. There were 6 lesions of the carotid, 7 of the subclavian, and 2 of the proximal axillary vessels and 1 vertebral artery injury. Sixty- two percent of the patients were hemodynamically unstable on admission. In these patients the diagnosis was established by clinical examination. Hemodynamically stable patients with a high index of suspicion for vascular injury underwent urgent arteriog raphy to confirm the diagnosis and assist in the operative approach. Surgical procedures included lateral arteriorrhaphy (2), end-to-end anastomoses (2), synthetic interposition grafts (3), and autogenous vein graft (2). Seven patients underwent emergent ligation of the subclavian, carotid, or vertebral artery. Despite 3 of 16 patients presenting in either unresponsive shock or with severe head trauma, overall mortality was 25%. Nonsurvivors had significantly higher injury severity scores than survivors (36.3 ±13.1 vs 19.8 ±7.9, P < 0.05). Length of time from trauma scene to hospital was a significant predictor of survival (33.4 ± 13.3 vs 50.8 ±6.5 minutes) as was the presence of associated organ system injury (2.8 ±0.9 organ systems vs 4.3 ±0.9, P < 0.05) in survivors and nonsur vivors, respectively. No neurologic compromise or limb ischemia was noted in the group undergoing arterial ligation. Among similarly injured vessels, the type of surgical repair did not influence patient survival. The outcome of surgical repair of a traumatic lesion of the thoracocervical vessels depends upon the rapid recognition of the injury, time delay to the trauma unit, and the magnitude of associated injury.
Air Plethysmography for the Detection of Acute DVT: New Criteria
Authors: Kalodiki Evi , Nicolaides Andrew N.
Published: November 2007

In order to determine the value of air plethysmography (APG) in the detection of acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the authors studied prospectively 79 consecutive patients referred for suspected acute DVT. All patients were examined with venography and APG.

Venography demonstrated acute DVT in 38 patients. In 8 patients the DVT was confined to the calf and in 30 this was in the popliteal and/or more proximal veins. Venography was negative in 41 patients. An outflow fraction value with superficial occlusion of the long saphenous vein at the knee of less than 28% in combination with a venous volume of less than 50 mL identified all patients with acute proximal DVT. There was one false-positive result. However, isolated calf vein thrombi were equally distrib uted, and half of them were not detected.

Air plethysmography is a reliable, inexpensive, easy to perform, and accurate nonin vasive test for the diagnosis of proximal acute DVT. It may be a useful screening test when there is a big demand for noninvasive tests, and relatively little time is available on a duplex scanner.
Arterial Adaptation to Increased Wall Shear Stress
Authors: Bendick Phillip J. , Juleff Randall S. , Glover John L.
Published: November 2007

The timing and magnitude of arterial dilation in response to increased flow velocities and the effect on wall shear stress were evaluated in a chronic nonatherogenic animal model. A 7 mm femoral arteriovenous fistula was constructed in one groin in 10 mongrel dogs, the other groin serving as a control. Duplex ultrasound was used at regular intervals to make bilateral measurements of systolic and diastolic luminal diameters, peak systolic velocity, and volume flows to allow estimation of wall shear stress and any vasodilation; measured systemic pulse pressure was used to calculate compliance. Data were acquired at baseline; immediately postoperatively; at one and two weeks, and at one, three, five, and seven months. There were no significant changes from baseline in control vessels at any time interval in blood flow (135 ±56 mL/min), lumen diameter (4.4 ±0.4 mm), wall shear stress (8.8 ±4.3 dynes/cm2), or compliance (0.14 ±0.04 %/mmHg). In the experimental vessels, baseline values were not significantly different from those seen on the control side. Immediate postoperative fistula flow was 1590 ±295 mL/minute, and these flow values were maintained throughout the study. Immediately postoperatively the luminal diameter increased to 5.6 ±0.5 mm with a calculated shear stress of 49.8 ±14.1 dynes/cm 2 (P < 0.001 compared with baseline). This increase in luminal diameter and the resulting shear stress remained essentially constant throughout the study, with values of 5.8 ±0.3 mm and 47.0 ± 11.5 dynes/cm2, respectively, at seven months. No significant changes in compliance were seen during the study. The authors conclude that increased blood flow alone causes early moderate arterial dilation but will not produce a complete normalization of wall shear stress. For that to occur, additional mechanisms may be involved relating increased shear stress and dysfunctional vascular endothelium, such as occurs in hypercholesterolemia.
Sequential Successful Surgical Management of Extracranial Internal Carotid Stenosis and Ipsilateral Intracranial Aneurysm
Authors: Detry O. , Defraigne J.O. , Desiron Q. , Martin D. , Born J. , Hans P. , Limet R.
Published: November 2007

The coexistence of extracranial internal carotid stenosis and ipsilateral intracranial aneurysm is a rare event whose management is controversial. Theoretically, the correc tion of a significant stenosis of the extracranial internal carotid may lead to an increase in the downstream pressure in the intracranial carotid and may, consequently, increase the risk of rupture of the ipsilateral aneurysm. Moreover, dramatic increase of blood pressure is not uncommon after carotid endarterectomy and may promote aneurysmal rupture. Intracranial surgical correction of a hypoperfused aneurysm down to an extracra nial carotid stenosis should carry an increased risk of inadequate cerebral flow during the procedure, and unspecific postoperative stimulation of platelets aggregation and coagu lation may complete obstruction of a subtotal carotid stenosis. The authors describe successful treatment of 2 patients by a two-stage surgical procedure. In a first step, the intracerebral aneurysms were controlled and electively excluded by clipping. In a second step, carotid endarterectomies were performed some days later without any neurologic complications. Postoperative recoveries were uneventful, and six months after these surgical procedures, clinical examination of both patients did not reveal any worsening of the preoperative neurologic status.
Popliteal Venous Aneurysm Leading to Massive Pulmonary Embolus in a Child
Authors: Carlin Robert E. , McGraw Daniel J. , Xenos Elefterios S. , Villavicencio J. Leonel
Published: November 2007

Popliteal venous aneurysms are rarely reported but represent a known source for pulmonary emboli. Early diagnosis with prompt excision of the aneurysm and venous reconstruction eliminate the embolic source and prevent long-term sequelae of venous stasis. The authors present the case of a twelve-year-old girl with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome who presented with a massive pulmonary embolus. Magnetic resonance angiography defined a saccular aneurysm of the popliteal vein, which was confirmed by contrast venography. The patient underwent resection of the venous aneurysm and lateral venorrhaphy. This is the twenty-sixth report in the English-language literature of pulmonary embolism originating from a popliteal venous aneurysm, and the youngest patient to date.
Long-Term Results of Common/External Iliac Vein Reconstruction Using Internal Jugular Vein
Authors: Bergamini Thomas M. , Henke Peter K. , Wilson Mark A. , Bock Richard W.
Published: November 2007

This case report gives the long-term outcome of a patient undergoing reconstruction of the iliac vein with internal jugular vein interposition graft following trauma. A 51-year- old woman sustained a gunshot wound at the confluence of the right common, internal, and external iliac veins as well as injuries to the small and large bowel. The internal iliac vein was ligated and the external and common iliac vein was reconstructed with inter position internal jugular vein graft. The internal jugular vein was chosen because of the fecal contamination due to the enteric injuries and the equivalent size and endothelial ized surface of the conduit. The internal jugular vein interposition graft has maintained long-term patency. The patient has been followed for six years with no development of leg swelling or chronic venous valvular insufficiency.
Patient Selection for Nonoperative Management of Popliteal Artery Injuries
Authors: Mohan Chittur R. , Sharp William J. , Hoballah Jamal J. , Boeve Theodore , Kresowik Timothy F. , Corson John D.
Published: November 2007

A twenty-six-year-old man was involved in a farming accident, whereby a corn head from a combine fell on his legs. He was transported by air care to the emergency room approx imately seventy-five minutes after the accident. Upon examination the patient was alert with a pulse of 100/minute, blood pressure 116/80 mmHg, and respiratory rate 20/minute. There was an anterior dislocation of the left knee with a wound in the popliteal fossa measuring 8 x 6 cm. There was a normal palpable left femoral pulse, but distal pulses were detectable only by Doppler. There was no evidence of an expanding hematoma or bruit. He had a left-sided foot drop with a cold, pale foot with diminished sensation. Roentgenograms of the lower extremities revealed an anterior dislocation of the left knee without any associated fracture. The patient was taken urgently to the operating room, and under general anesthesia a reduction of the anterior dislocation of the left knee, with debridement and irrigation of the wound, was done followed by stabi lization of the knee with an external fixator. The patient had palpable left posterior tibial and dorsal pedis artery pulses following the reduction. Intraoperative arteriography under fluoroscopy was then performed via the left femoral route by the Seldinger technique. This revealed a 50% 5-cm-long smooth stenosis of the left popliteal artery with normal distal runoff. It was decided to manage the patient's popliteal artery injury nonoperatively with anticoagulation and in-hospital serial observations. Duplex examination of the left popliteal artery confirmed the arteriographic findings. The patient was given intravenous heparin therapy for three days followed by warfarin for three months and is currently taking aspirin (325 mg/day). A follow-up duplex examination at one week and at one, six, and fifteen months following the injury revealed a normal healed popliteal artery.

Traumatic knee dislocations have a well-known association with popliteal artery injuries. Because of a high amputation rate associated with missed or delayed diagnosis of popliteal artery injuries, early diagnosis and repair of such injuries is the standard of care.

The authors describe the nonoperative management of this injury and review the literature on this subject.
Pentoxifylline Improves Skeletal Muscle Recovery After Acute Ischemic and Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Petrik Pavel V. , Braithwaite Bruce , Moore Wesley S. , Gelabert Hugh A. , Quinones-Baldrich William
Published: November 2007

Purpose: Skeletal muscle ischemia is associated with complex interactions involving neutrophils, erythrocytes, oxygen free radicals, and complement factors that lead to development of reperfusion injury on restoration of blood flow. Pentoxifylline is known to decrease neutrophil margination, improve erythrocyte passage through the capillary system, and possibly serve as an oxygen radical scavenger. The authors hypothesized that the addition of pentoxifylline to the reperfusate might improve muscle recovery after acute ischemic injury.

Methods: Twenty-four New Zealand White rabbits underwent vascular isolation of both hind limbs, leaving the external iliac and femoral arteries as sole inflow arteries for each respective limb. The animal was secured to an operating board such that each tibialis anterior muscle was attached to a force transducer, and muscle contractions after maximal tetanic stimulation were recorded on an oscilloscope at timed intervals. Acute occlusion was induced in the right hind limb by use of removable vascular clips and continued until < 15% of contralateral limb function was achieved. The animal was then (continued on next page) (Abstract continued) reperfused with saline "control " or pentoxifylline (50 mg/kg) "treated." Muscle function was recorded in each limb at 5, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after reperfusion.

Results: A continual trend of muscle function improvement was noted in the pentoxi fylline-treated group, reaching statistical significance compared with controls after 30 minutes (16.8% of contralateral limb; P<0.04) and 120 minutes (36.7% of contralat eral limb ; P<0.04) of reperfusion. Control animals failed to demonstrate significant improvement in muscle function over the 2-hour reperfusion period.

Conclusion: Pentoxifylline improved muscle function recovery after acute ischemic injury in the rabbit hind limb model.
Disappointing Results of Staged Arteriovenous Reversal (AVR) in Severely Ischemic Extremity
Authors: Özçelik Cemal , Inci Ilhan , Nizam Özgür , Özgen Gökalp
Published: November 2007

Between 1991 and 1995 the authors performed the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) procedure, which forms the first stage of staged arteriovenous reversal (AVR), in 6 patients (4 with Buerger's disease, 2 with atherosclerosis obliterans) with lower extremity arterial occlusive disease. The patients were all men with a mean age of forty-one years. The clinical indications for revascularization included rest pain and nonhealing ischemic ulcer. The results were disappointing: 4 patients with patent fistulas underwent major amputation, and 2 with occluded fistulas underwent toe amputation.
Access Results in 206 Consecutive ESRF Patients
Authors: Kirov Buryan , Anastassov Vassil , Zakhariev Yani
Published: November 2007

The authors present the access results obtained with all 206 end-stage renal failure (ESRF) patients who began chronic hemodialysis in their clinic during the period of January, 1989, through January, 1994. In all patients they established initial vascular access in the distal forearm by anastomosis of the radial artery to the cephalic vein. The average age of the patients was forty-seven years; 61.2% were men and 38.8% women. Of these 206 patients, 154 (74.8%) developed no early complications, while 52 (25.2%) did. These latter developed 95 early complications, consisting of 91 instances of throm bosis (95.8%), 3 instances of bleeding (3.2%), and 1 instance of graft infection (1%). Of these 52 patients, 50 thrombosed their arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs), several recurrently. In 35 of these 50 patients, the authors reestablished a functioning direct AVF in the forearm at the same site, in 19 by thrombectomy and in 16 by thrombectomy plus redo of the anastomosis. By this aggressive policy of early reoperation for fistula complica tions, the authors were able to maintain a functioning direct AVF in the distal forearm in 191 (92.7%) of the patients. In 41 of these 206 patients, 80 late complications occurred, consisting of thrombosis, 74 (93%); bleeding, 2 (2.5%); graft thrombosis, 2 (2.5%); false aneurysm, 1 (1.2%); and infection, 1 (1.2%). The five-year primary and secondary patencies of the 156 direct AVFs that did not develop early thrombotic complications were 83% and 90% respectively, while those of the 35 direct AVFs that thrombosed early were 55% and 61%. The cumulative five-year patency rate for all patients' AVFs were 59% and 83% respectively. The primary and secondary patencies at three years of the 8 interposition graft AVFs were 44% and 63%.
Arteriovenous Fistula Resulting from Lumbar Disc Surgery
Authors: Dolapçl Mete , Koçak Savaş , Bumin Cihan , Anadol Erdal
Published: November 2007

A 44-year-old woman is described who developed palpitation and fatigue on minimal exertion following surgery to a lumbar disc. She had a continuous bruit localized to the left lower abdominal quadrant and minimal cardiomegaly. Diagnosis of arteriovenous fistula between the left internal iliac artery and the external iliac vein was confirmed by color flow and image-directed Doppler ultrasound and by digital subtraction angiography. Corrective surgery results in resolution of cardiomegaly.
Development of the Subfascial Endoscopic Perforator Vein Surgery (SEPS) and Its Influence on the Final Postoperative Results
Authors: Ciostek Piotr , Gorski Grzegorz , Noszczyk Wojciech
Published: November 2007

The aim of this study is to present results of treatment of 97 patients (118 lower extrem ities) with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) by use of the new technique of subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery (SEPS). Forty-seven extremities were assigned to class 4, 33 to class 5, and 38 to class 6 of CVI. Eighty extremities (group A), were operated on earlier (1989-1993) by use of standard open endoscopic approach under direct vision, which is described further, whereas 38 extremities (group B) were operated on later (1993-1994) with use of modified endoscopic technique. The latter involved indirect vision by means of video technique, application of vascular clips, subfascial insufflation of CO2, skin traction, and routine use of subfascial drainage. Clinical outcome of the early postoperative and three monthly follow-ups was judged on a published catego rization of operative results. There were 83.7% mild and moderate improvements in group A vs 89.4% in group B. The most significant late complication was dysesthesia in the distribution of the saphenous nerve. This was observed in 6.2% of patients in group A vs 2.6% in group B. We conclude that improvement of results of treatment was related to our growing experience and implementation of the modifications presented here.
The Durability of Duplex-Directed Manual Occlusion of Femoral False Aneurysms
Authors: Brandt Dörthe , Robinson Kevin D. , Gregory Roger T. , DeMasi Richard J. , Dickson Christopher S. , Gayle Robert G. , Parent F. Noel , Sorrell Kathryn A.
Published: November 2007

Duplex-directed manual occlusion (DDMO) has emerged as a first line treatment in selected cases of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms related to interventional and therapeutic femoral artery cannulations. Early recurrences after successful closure of femoral false aneurysms (FFA) are described in the literature; however, very little long-term follow-up data are available. Therefore, the authors reviewed their experience with DDMO of 45 FFAs between February 1991 and December 1994. Follow-up was arranged to assess the durability of this noninvasive procedure.

DDMO was unsuccessful in three of 45 FFAs (6.6%). Symptomatic recurrences of two FFAs were documented by repeat duplex ultrasound at 7 and 20 days post DDMO. Repeat DDMO was successful on one whereas the other required surgical closure. One additional patient experienced persistent groin discomfort despite successful DDMO necessitating surgical evacuation of a large hematoma. Four patients died during the follow-up period. Thirty-five patients with 36 FFAs remained eligible for long-term eval uation. Three were lost to follow-up and six patients were interviewed by phone and denied symptoms suggestive of recurrence but refused further follow-up. Twenty-six patients with a history of 24 FFAs underwent repeat duplex scans. No recurrent FFAs were identified with mean follow-up of 17.5 months (range 1-35). The authors conclude that DDMO is a safe, effective, and durable treatment of iatrogenic femoral false aneurysms.
Efficacy of Preoperative Computed Tomography for Diagnosing Major Anomalies of the Inferior Vena Cava Associated with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Onohara Toshihiro , Takahashi Ikuo , Nishizaki Takashi , Wakasugi Kenzo , Matsusaka Toshimitsu , Kume Kazuhiro , Fujinaga Yutaka
Published: November 2007

Anomalies of the inferior vena cava are rare but clinically important entities encountered during aortic surgery. Among 92 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm, two inferior vana caval anomalies, including one case of left-sided inferior vena cava (IVC) and one case of duplicated IVC, were found. Computed tomography with contrast medium showed the presence of inferior vena caval anomalies associated with abdominal aortic aneurysms. Preoperative diagnosis of such inferior vena caval anomalies may reduce the risk of hazardous venous injury. Therefore, computed tomography is useful for routine examination before aortic surgery.
Delayed Traumatic Pseudoaneurysm of a Jejunal Artery
Authors: Chenoweth Jeffrey L. , Patel Bhargavi K. , Khosla Anil
Published: November 2007

The authors report a rare case of giant delayed traumatic pseudoaneurysm of a jejunal branch of the superior mesenteric artery secondary to abdominal trauma. A forty-seven- year-old patient presented with a painless, enlarging epigastric mass eleven years after a stab wound to the abdomen. A giant post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of a jejunal artery was diagnosed by computed tomography, confirmed by ultrasound and angiography, and successfully treated surgically. This case demonstrates the importance of computed tomography in diagnosis of abdominal pseudoaneurysm in patients with previous abdominal trauma.
Introduction
Authors: Ross Alison
Published: November 2007

This introduction places the key themes of Giorgio Agamben's suite of works on biopolitics next to some of the concerns and problems that motivate the work of Michel Foucault and Jean-Luc Nancy. It considers the interrelation between Agamben's ontological mode of approach to political problems and his claim that a new vocabulary is needed for politics now that the categories of the citizen and the worker have lost their original meanings. It is argued that Agamben treats political topics with the tools of philological analysis and merely presumes the explanatory hold of extreme examples on our general political situation. He thus lacks the historico-institutional perspective necessary to support his claims.
Spermatocyte cytokinesis requires rapid membrane addition mediated by ARF6 on central spindle recycling endosomes
Authors: Dyer Naomi , Rebollo Elena , Domínguez Paloma , Elkhatib Nadia , Chavrier Philippe , Daviet Laurent , González Cayetano , González-Gaitán Marcos
Published: November 2007

The dramatic cell shape changes during cytokinesis require the interplay between microtubules and the actomyosin contractile ring, and addition of membrane to the plasma membrane. Numerous membrane-trafficking components localize to the central spindle during cytokinesis, but it is still unclear how this machinery is targeted there and how membrane trafficking is coordinated with cleavage furrow ingression. Here we use an arf6 null mutant to show that the endosomal GTPase ARF6 is required for cytokinesis in Drosophila spermatocytes. ARF6 is enriched on recycling endosomes at the central spindle, but it is required neither for central spindle nor actomyosin contractile ring assembly, nor for targeting of recycling endosomes to the central spindle. However, in arf6 mutants the cleavage furrow regresses because of a failure in rapid membrane addition to the plasma membrane. We propose that ARF6 promotes rapid recycling of endosomal membrane stores during cytokinesis, which is critical for rapid cleavage furrow ingression.
Obligatory participation of macrophages in an angiopoietin 2-mediated cell death switch
Authors: Rao Sujata , Lobov Ivan B. , Vallance Jefferson E. , Tsujikawa Kaoru , Shiojima Ichiro , Akunuru Shailaja , Walsh Kenneth , Benjamin Laura E. , Lang Richard A.
Published: November 2007

Macrophages have a critical function in the recognition and engulfment of dead cells. In some settings, macrophages also actively signal programmed cell death. Here we show that during developmentally scheduled vascular regression,resident macrophages are an obligatory participant in a signaling switch that favors death over survival. This switch occurs when the signaling ligand angiopoietin 2 has the dual effect of suppressing survival signaling in vascular endothelial cells (VECs) and stimulating Wnt ligand production by macrophages. In response to the Wnt ligand, VECs enter the cell cycle and in the absence of survival signals, die from G1 phase of the cell cycle. We propose that this mechanism represents an adaptation to ensure that the macrophage and its disposal capability are on hand when cell death occurs.
Spacecraft re-entry strategies: Meeting debris mitigation and ground safety requirements
Authors: Ailor W H , Patera R P
Published: November 2007

Re-entry of space hardware into the atmosphere is a recommended technique for disposal of space hardware at end of life. However, while aerodynamic heating and loads will break a reentering object apart and a substantial fraction of the object's mass will be melted away, evidence shows that large and potentially hazardous fragments can survive re-entry and impact the Earth's surface. Standards and regulations are emerging that will limit the acceptable hazard and require that space hardware exceeding a survivability threshold be deorbited into a safe ocean area. The current paper provides an overview of re-entry breakup, presents on-the-ground evidence that large, hazardous objects survive, highlights current guidelines, and requirements to limit the hazard to people and property, and discusses how re-entry hazards are estimated.
Markets: Preserving Funeral Markets with Ready-to-Embalm Laws
Authors: Harrington David E
Published: November 2007

Thirty-nine states currently have ready-to-embalm laws, which typically require that all firms selling any type of funeral service (even those specializing in cremations) have embalming preparation rooms and all funeral directors be trained as embalmers. Ready-to-embalm laws are designed to preserve the status-quo in funeral markets, thereby protecting currently licensed funeral directors from the ravages of competition. These laws attempt to preserve funeral markets as they existed in the mid-twentieth century, markets that centered on traditional funerals sold by small, full-service funeral homes. The economic chemicals needed to preserve the status quo are harsh, leading to higher funeral prices and often poorer-quality services. The empirical evidence suggests that these laws reduce the cremation rate, the market share of Internet casket retailers, the penetration of national chains, and the number of funeral directors who are immigrants. They also appear to substantially increase the retail price of direct cremations and the cost of traditional funerals. Commissions in several states have recently recommended repealing ready-to-embalm laws, arguing that they are anticompetitive. The evidence presented in this paper should make their recommendations harder to ignore.
Macroeconomic Modeling for Monetary Policy Evaluation
Authors: Galsí Jordi , Gertler Mark
Published: November 2007

We describe some of the main features of the recent vintage of macroeconomic models used for monetary policy evaluation. We point to some of the key differences with respect to the earlier generation of macro models and highlight the insights for policy that these new frameworks have to offer. Our discussion emphasizes two key aspects of the new models: 1) the significant role of expectations of future policy actions in the monetary transmission mechanism and 2) the importance for the central bank of tracking the flexible price equilibrium values of the natural levels of output and the real interest rate. We argue that both features have important implications for the conduct of monetary policy.
How the World Achieved Consensus on Monetary Policy
Authors: Goodfriend Marvin
Published: November 2007

The worldwide progress in monetary policy is a great achievement and, especially considering the situation 30 years ago, a remarkable success story. I describe how the world achieved a working consensus on the core principles of monetary policy by the late 1990s. I survey the muddled state of affairs in the 1970s, and then ask: What happened in Federal Reserve policy to produce an understanding of the practical principles of monetary policy? How did formal institutional support for targeting low inflation abroad follow from an international acceptance of these ideas? And how did a consensus theoretical model develop in academia? I explain how the modern theoretical consensus—known alternatively as the New Neoclassical Synthesis or the New Keynesian model of monetary policy—reinforces key advances: the priority for price stability; the targeting of core rather than headline inflation; the importance of credibility for low inflation; and preemptive interest rate policy supported by transparent objectives and procedures. Of course, a working consensus does not constitute complete agreement. Accordingly, the conclusion identifies important monetary policy issues that remain to be explored.
Early detection of subclinical HIV sensory polyneuropathy using intraepidermal nerve fibre density quantification: association with HIV stage and surrogate markers
Authors: Skopelitis E , Aroni K , Kontos A N , Konstantinou K , Kokotis P , Karandreas N , Kordossis T
Published: November 2007

The linear intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) and secondary branching were evaluated from skin biopsy of both the distal calf and the proximal thigh after staining with protein gene product 9.5 in 94 individuals of an HIV outpatient cohort. Possible correlations with clinical and electrophysiological evidence of distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP), patients' demographics, antiretroviral history and HIV surrogate markers were analysed. Reduced IENFD was recognized in the majority of this population (mean ± standard deviation [SD] IENFD in the calf and the thigh was 3.19 ± 1.91 and 7.07 ± 3.5 fibres/mm, respectively). One-third of the patients with low IENFD had no clinical or electrophysiological evidence of DSP. The level of prior immunosuppression as expressed by lower nadir CD4 count, more advanced HIV stage and prior exposure to combinations of neurotoxic antiretrovirals was associated with more decreased IENFD. Increased SB was associated with symptomatic DSP.
Expression of the Embryonic Transcription Factor Oct4 in Canine Neoplasms: A Potential Marker for Stem Cell Subpopulations in Neoplasia
Authors: Webster J. D. , Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan V. , Trosko J. E. , Chang C.-C. , Kiupel M.
Published: November 2007

Neoplastic cells and stem cells share several phenotypic characteristics. Recently, numerous studies have identified adult stem cells that have been hypothesized to be the cellular origin for cancer in several tissues. Oct4 has been consistently associated with pluripotent or stemlike cells, and it is hypothesized that Oct4 is necessary for the maintenance of pluripotency. We hypothesize that Oct4-positive cells are present in all canine neoplasms and that these subpopulations of neoplastic cells might represent “cancer stem” cells. To test this hypothesis, 83 canine neoplasms representing 21 neoplastic diseases were evaluated for Oct4 expression using immunohistochemistry. The results of this study showed that all tumors included in this study contained a subpopulation of Oct4-positive cells, although the proportion of Oct4-positive cells and the intensity of immunoreactivity varied both within and between tumor types. Subpopulations of Oct4-positive cells identified in these tumors are likely to represent “cancer stem” cells and therefore might be responsible for the maintenance and propagation of the tumors. If these cells represent cancer stem cells, and are therefore responsible for the maintenance and growth of the neoplastic cellular population, then these cells should serve as relevant therapeutic targets and offer the greatest potential for curative treatment.
Conservation of Epigenetic Regulation, ORC Binding and Developmental Timing of DNA Replication Origins in the Genus Drosophila
Authors: Calvi B R , Byrnes B A , Kolpakas A J
Published: November 2007

There is much interest in how DNA replication origins are regulated so that the genome is completely duplicated each cell division cycle and in how the division of cells is spatially and temporally integrated with development. In the Drosophila melanogaster ovary, the cell cycle of somatic follicle cells is modified at precise times in oogenesis. Follicle cells first proliferate via a canonical mitotic division cycle and then enter an endocycle, resulting in their polyploidization. They subsequently enter a specialized amplification phase during which only a few, select origins repeatedly initiate DNA replication, resulting in gene copy number increases at several loci important for eggshell synthesis. Here we investigate the importance of these modified cell cycles for oogenesis by determining whether they have been conserved in evolution. We find that their developmental timing has been strictly conserved among Drosophila species that have been separate for ∼40 million years of evolution and provide evidence that additional gene loci may be amplified in some species. Further, we find that the acetylation of nucleosomes and Orc2 protein binding at active amplification origins is conserved. Conservation of DNA subsequences within amplification origins from the 12 recently sequenced Drosophila species genomes implicates members of a Myb protein complex in recruiting acetylases to the origin. Our findings suggest that conserved developmental mechanisms integrate egg chamber morphogenesis with cell cycle modifications and the epigenetic regulation of origins.
An Evolutionarily Conserved Domain of roX2 RNA Is Sufficient for Induction of H4-Lys16 Acetylation on the Drosophila X Chromosome
Authors: Park Seung-Won , Kang Yool Ie , Sypula Joanna G , Choi Jiyeon , Oh Hyangyee , Park Yongkyu
Published: November 2007

The male-specific lethal (MSL) complex, which includes two noncoding RNA on X (roX)1 and roX2 RNAs, induces histone H4-Lys16 acetylation for twofold hypertranscription of the male X chromosome in Drosophila melanogaster. To characterize the role of roX RNAs in this process, we have identified evolutionarily conserved functional domains of roX RNAs in several Drosophila species (eight for roX1 and nine for roX2). Despite low homology between them, male-specific expression and X chromosome-specific binding are conserved. Within roX RNAs of all Drosophila species, we found conserved primary sequences, such as GUUNUACG, in the 3′ end of both roX1 (three repeats) and roX2 (two repeats). A predicted stem–loop structure of roX2 RNA contains this sequence in the 3′ stem region. Six tandem repeats of this stem–loop region (72 nt) of roX2 were enough for targeting the MSL complex and inducing H4-Lys16 acetylation on the X chromosome without other parts of roX2 RNA, suggesting that roX RNAs might play important roles in regulating enzymatic activity of the MSL complex.
Five Drosophila Genomes Reveal Nonneutral Evolution and the Signature of Host Specialization in the Chemoreceptor Superfamily
Authors: McBride Carolyn S , Arguello J Roman
Published: November 2007

The insect chemoreceptor superfamily comprises the olfactory receptor (Or) and gustatory receptor (Gr) multigene families. These families give insects the ability to smell and taste chemicals in the environment and are thus rich resources for linking molecular evolutionary and ecological processes. Although dramatic differences in family size among distant species and high divergence among paralogs have led to the belief that the two families evolve rapidly, a lack of evolutionary data over short time scales has frustrated efforts to identify the major forces shaping this evolution. Here, we investigate patterns of gene loss/gain, divergence, and polymorphism in the entire repertoire of ∼130 chemoreceptor genes from five closely related species of Drosophila that share a common ancestor within the past 12 million years. We demonstrate that the overall evolution of the Or and Gr families is nonneutral. We also show that selection regimes differ both between the two families as wholes and within each family among groups of genes with varying functions, patterns of expression, and phylogenetic histories. Finally, we find that the independent evolution of host specialization in Drosophila sechellia and D. erecta is associated with a fivefold acceleration of gene loss and increased rates of amino acid evolution at receptors that remain intact. Gene loss appears to primarily affect Grs that respond to bitter compounds while elevated Ka/Ks is most pronounced in the subset of Ors that are expressed in larvae. Our results provide strong evidence that the observed phenomena result from the invasion of a novel ecological niche and present a unique synthesis of molecular evolutionary analyses with ecological data.
Membrane fluidity and lipid composition in clinical isolates of Candida albicans isolated from AIDS/HIV patients
Authors: Mishra N. , Prasad T. , Sharma N. , Prasad R. , Gupta D.
Published: November 2007

In this study, we describe the membrane lipid composition of eight clinical isolates (azole resistant and sensitive strains) of
Candida albicans
isolated from AIDS/ HIV patients. Interestingly, fluorescence polarization measurements of the clinical isolates displayed enhanced membrane fluidity in fluconazole resistant strains as compared to the sensitive ones. The increase in fluidity was reflected in the change of membrane order, which was considerably decreased (decrease in fluorescence polarization
“p”
value denotes higher membrane fluidity) in the resistant strains. The ergosterol content in azole susceptible isolates was greater, almost twice as compared to the resistant isolates. However, no significant alteration was observed in phospholipid and fatty acid composition of these isolates. Labeling experiments with fluorescamine dye revealed that the percentage of phosphatidylethanolamine exposed to the membrane’s outer leaflet was higher in the resistant strains as compared to the sensitive strains, indicating increased floppase activity of the two major ABC drug efflux pumps,
CDR1
and
CDR2
possibly due to their overexpression in resistant strains. The results of the present study suggest that changes in the status of membrane lipid phase especially the ergosterol content and increased activity of drug efflux pumps by overexpression of ABC transporters,
CDR1
and
CDR2
might contribute to fluconazole resistance in
C. albicans
isolated from AIDS/HIV patients.
Métrique accentuelle et métrique quantitative
Authors: Dominicy Marc , Nasta Mihai
Published: November 2007

M. Dominicy & M. Nasta

Written within a neo-jakobsonian framework, this paper provides the reader with a survey of metrical typology that focuses on accentual and quantitative metrics. The hexameter verse of ancient Greek and Latin Poetry, and the accentual 10-syllable verse of Modern languages, are studied in some detail.
Devoir épistémique, marqueur modal ou évidentiel ?
Authors: Dendale Patrick
Published: November 2007

Patrick Dendale : « Epistemic devoir, modal or evidential marker ? »

It is generally recognized that the French verb devoir has deontic and epistemic senses. We focus on the epistemic sense and claim that the basic value of epistemic devoir is an evidential one whereas the modal values (probability, quasi-certainty) actually derive from it. We consider the nature of evidential devoir to be inferential and show how inference is to be understood as a complex operation including the search for premisses and the evaluation of competing conclusions.
Savoir et croire
Authors: Vet Co
Published: November 2007

Co Vet : « Savoir and croire »

It is generally assumed that savoir « to know » and croire « to believe » belong to the same class of attitudinal predicates. In this article it is shown however that, from a syntactic point of view, their behaviour is quite different (for example, savoir can be in the scope of croire, but not vice versa). It is also shown that, when used « directly » (first person, present tense), croire serves to modify the truth value of the proposition, whereas savoir can be used to correct what the hearer thinks the speaker knows.
La création du monde par l'article défini. Le marqueur évidentiel ?
Authors: De Mulder Walter
Published: November 2007

Walter De Mulder : « The "creation of the world" by the definite article. Le : an evidential marker ? »

To use/interpret a definite description, the speaker/hearer has to justify the uniqueness conveyed by the definite article. To do this, he has to construct information by making a number of inferences, by default or in accordance with Levinson's principle of informativity. Since these inferences affect the degree of reliability of the utterance, the definite article, whose linguistic meaning triggers them, is to be considered a marker of evidentiality as defined by Dendale, but, as can probably also be maintained for other evidential markers in French, this evidential value is not to be equated with its basic meaning.
Contexte, interprétation et mémoire : approche standard vs approche cognitive
Authors: Kleiber Georges
Published: November 2007

Georges Kleiber : « Contexte, interprétation et mémoire : approche standard vs approche cognitive »

The aim of this paper is to show how the classic static conception of the context has evolved in a more dynamic one which incorporates crucially the memory. In the first section, we expose the principal ideas of the standard approach and emphasize the main failures of it. The second section presents then the cognitive theory of the context which offers new solutions to the building of the interpretation of an utterance.
Appropriation du français dans le sud du Cameroun
Authors: De Féral Carole
Published: November 2007

Carole de Féral : « Appropriation du français dans le sud du Cameroun »

French in the Southern provinces of French-speaking Cameroon is an object of « appropriation ». As a result one should expect to find structural changes. However these are less numerous if one compares the spoken varieties of French in Cameroon not to Standard French but to everyday metropolitan spoken French. A particularly original form of appropriation manifests itself in a vernacular variety used among students and called camfranglais because of the presence of English and Pidgin English lexical items within a French syntax.