bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exchange Rate Policy: The Euro Area, the United States and Asia*
Authors: Coutinho Leonor 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThis paper uses a three‐country stylized model of the United States, the euro area and Asia to analyse alternative policy responses to an exogenous depreciation of the US dollar. It is assumed that the Asian authorities respond by maintaining their peg to the dollar, while the European Central Bank (ECB) can either maintain its monetary policy stance or attempt to stabilize the euro's exchange rate. Using simulations, we find that in many cases, it is not optimal for the ECB to try to offset euro appreciation. The basic results are driven by the degree of substitutability among US, euro area and Asian goods, and the degree of product market competition within each market.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: ‘I’m going to be here long after you’ve gone’ – sibling perspectives of the future
Authors: Rawson Hollie 
Published: December 2009

Accessible summary

Adult brothers and sisters of people with learning disabilities often do not have enough support.
For this research, adult brothers and sisters were interviewed to find out what worries they have for the future and what support they would like.
Many were concerned about being responsible for their brother or sister in the future.
This report discusses ways in which organisations can better support adult brothers and sisters.

SummaryIn recent years there has been a shift to recognise the needs of siblings and a growth in sibling support largely for under 16s. However, siblings will often require support into adulthood as they undertake additional responsibilities from parents in the care or advocacy of their brother or sister. Therefore this project aimed to investigate what concerns young adult siblings have for the future and what support they feel they need to develop and improve support for this sibling age group. The findings from interviews with young adult siblings of young people attending a 52 week residential school for people with complex needs highlighted many concerns for the future, particularly around the transition into adult services and holding a paucity of knowledge. It appears that many siblings are struggling with achieving the balance between being responsible, yet just being a brother or sister. This dichotomy is discussed in more detail along with strategies adopted at the residential setting to improve support.
Should liquid‐based cytology be performed prior to colposcopy? A comparison of the accuracy, unsatisfactory rates and cost in a tertiary referral setting
Authors: ANGSTETRA Donald , TAIT Thomas , TAN Jeffrey , SYMONDS Ian 
Published: December 2009

Objective:  To compare the use of liquid‐based cytology (LBC) with conventional cytology (CC) in the assessment cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) prior to colposcopy.Design:  Retrospective Cohort Study.Methods:  Liquid‐based cytology and CC findings were compared with colposcopic assessment and directed cervical biopsy in terms of sensitivity and specificity for high grade lesions only and for any abnormalities. The degree of correlation was sought. Secondary outcomes were unsatisfactory rate and cost.Results:  A total of 1961 women had colposcopy of whom 528 had cervical biopsy. LBC and CC have similar sensitivity and specificity for both high‐grade lesions and any abnormalities. In comparison with cervical biopsy, LBC and CC sensitivity for high‐grade disease was 89.1% and 88.6% respectively and for any abnormalities, the sensitivity was 86.6% and 87.0%. Specificity for high‐grade disease was 83.1% and 84.7% and for any abnormalities, the specificity was 53.8% and 56.4%. The unsatisfactory rate was significantly lower in LBC 4.38% compared to 1.84% (P < 0.001). However, the use of LBC was associated with an additional cost of A$1496 for each unsatisfactory smear avoided.Conclusion:  In high prevalence setting, LBC showed no statistically significant difference in sensitivity and specificity from CC for the detection of CIN. A reduction in unsatisfactory smears was evident, but at significant additional cost.
Successful antiepileptic drug withdrawal in infants with epilepsy and cytomegalovirus neuroinfection: Longitudinal study
Authors: Dunin‐Wasowicz Dorota , Kasprzyk‐Obara Jolanta , Jóźwiak Sergiusz 
Published: December 2009

SummaryPurpose:  A prospective study estimating antiepileptic and antiviral regimens administered to infants with symptomatic epilepsy and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) neuroinfection followed for at least 4 years.Methods:  Thirty‐two infants (19 female, 13 male) with epileptic seizures and HCMV neuroinfection diagnosed during the first year of life. Detection of HCMV DNA by qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood leukocytes, and urine confirmed the diagnosis. Infants were treated with intravenous ganciclovir (GCV) and different antiepileptic drugs. All had multiple electroencephalographic and neuroimaging examinations. Outcome of seizures was assessed using Engel classification system in the child’s fourth year of life.Results:  Cessation of seizures was achieved in 19 infants (59.4%). In 11 children (34.4%) it was possible to withdraw administration of AEDs after 30–36 months. No infantile spasms, generalized tonic–clonic seizures, or polymorphic seizures were observed. They remained seizure‐free for 1–6 years without relapse and their psychomotor development was normal. Four patients with intractable epilepsy (class V) had the longest GCV treatment (median 8 weeks). GCV treatment was implemented at the time or within 1 month after the onset of epileptic seizures in 10 of 11 infants withdrawn from AEDs.Conclusion:  Early introduction of antiepileptic and antiviral GCV regimens in epilepsy and CMV neuroinfection may result in discontinuation of antiepileptic treatment and normal psychomotor development in infants.
Ex vivo bone morphogenetic protein‐2 gene delivery using gingival fibroblasts promotes bone regeneration in rats
Authors: Shin Joong‐Ho , Kim Kyoung‐Hwa , Kim Su‐Hwan , Koo Ki‐Tae , Kim Tae‐Il , Seol Yang‐Jo , Ku Young , Rhyu In‐Chul , Chung Chong‐Pyoung , Lee Yong‐Moo 
Published: December 2009

Shin J‐H, Kim K‐H, Kim S‐H, Koo K‐T, Kim T‐I, Seol Y‐J, Ku Y, Rhyu I‐C, Chung C‐P, Lee Y‐M. Ex vivo bone morphogenetic protein‐2 gene delivery using gingival fibroblasts promotes bone regeneration in rats. J Clin Periodontol 2009; 37: 305–311. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐051X.2009.01522.x.AbstractAim: The aim of the present study was to investigate bone regeneration following ex vivo bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) gene delivery using human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) in rat calvarial defects.Materials and Methods: An 8 mm craniotomy defect was created in Sprague–Dawley rats. The animals were divided into four groups: (1) non‐grafted group, the defect was left empty; (2) collagen matrix group, the defect was filled with collagen matrix only; (3) HGF group, the defect was filled with non‐transduced HGFs on collagen matrix; (4) BMP‐2/HGF group, the defect was filled with BMP‐2 gene‐transduced HGFs on collagen matrix. Animals were sacrificed at 2 and 4 weeks after surgery, and micro‐computed tomographic and histologic observations were performed.Results: The BMP‐2/HGF group showed promoted osseous healing of calvarial defects, as compared with the other groups. At both 2 and 4 weeks, regenerated bone area was significantly greater in the BMP‐2/HGF group than the other three groups. Quite a few number of transplanted HGFs were observed within the regenerated bone tissues.Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that ex vivo BMP‐2 gene delivery induces prominent bone regeneration in vivo and HGFs may be useful as target cells for ex vivo gene therapy.
Role of the pJM1 plasmid‐encoded transport proteins FatB, C and D in ferric anguibactin uptake in the fish pathogen Vibrio anguillarum
Authors: Naka Hiroaki , López Claudia S. , Crosa Jorge H. 
Published: December 2009

Summary Vibrio anguillarum serotype O1 is part of the natural flora in the aquatic habitat, but under certain circumstances it can cause terminal haemorrhagic septicemia in marine and fresh water fish due to the action of the anguibactin iron uptake system encoded by the virulence plasmid pJM1. This plasmid harbours the genes for the biosynthesis of the siderophore anguibactin and the ferric anguibactin transport proteins FatD, C, B and A encoded in the iron transport operon. The FatA protein is the outer membrane receptor for the ferric siderophore complex and the FatB lipoprotein provides the periplasmic domain for its internalization, whereas the FatC and D proteins are located in the cytoplasmic membrane and might play a role as part of the ABC transporter for internalization of the ferric siderophore. In this work we demonstrate the essential role of these two inner membrane proteins in ferric anguibactin transport and that the lipoprotein nature of FatB is not necessary for ferric anguibactin transport.
Contribution of epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation in angiotensin II-induced enhanced expression of Gi protein and proliferation in A10 vascular smooth muscle cellsThis article is one of a selection of papers published in a special issue on Advances in Cardiovascular Research.
Authors: Gomez Sandoval Yessica-Haydee , Lévesque Louis-Olivier , Anand-Srivastava Madhu B. 
Published: December 2009

We have recently shown that vasoactive peptides such as angiotensin II (Ang II) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) increased the expression of Gi proteins and proliferation of A10 vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) through MAP kinase / PI3 kinase pathways. The present study was undertaken to examine the implication of growth factor receptor activation in Ang II-induced enhanced expression of Gi proteins and proliferation of A10 VSMC and to further investigate the underlying mechanisms responsible for these increases. Cell proliferation was determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation, and the expression of Gi proteins and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was determined by Western blotting. Treatment of A10 VSMC with Ang II enhanced the expression of Gi proteins, which was attenuated by Ang II AT1receptor antagonist but not by AT2receptor antagonist. The inhibitor of EGFR also attenuated the enhanced expression of Gi proteins induced by Ang II to control levels. In addition, Ang II enhanced the phosphorylation of EGFR in A10 VSMC, and this was restored to control levels by the EGFR inhibitor and antioxidants. Furthermore, Ang II also augmented the proliferation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation of A10 VSMC, which were restored to control levels by the EGFR inhibitor. These data suggest that the Ang II-induced increase in oxidative stress transactivates EGFR, which through MAP kinase signaling may contribute to the enhanced expression of Gi proteins and thereby to the increased proliferation of A10 VSMC.
Attenuation of ischemia–reperfusion-induced alterations in intracellular Ca2+in cardiomyocytes from hearts treated withN-acetylcysteine andN-mercaptopropionylglycineThis article is one of a selection of papers published in a special issue on Advances in Cardiovascular Research.
Authors: Saini-Chohan Harjot K. , Dhalla Naranjan S. 
Published: December 2009

This study was undertaken to test whether Ca2+-handling abnormalities in cardiomyocytes after ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) are prevented by antioxidants such as N-acetyl l-cysteine (NAC), which is known to reduce oxidative stress by increasing the glutathione redox status, and N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine (MPG), which scavenges both peroxynitrite and hydroxyl radicals. For this purpose, isolated rat hearts were subjected to 30 min of global ischemia followed by 30 min of reperfusion, and cardiomyocytes were prepared to monitor changes in the intracellular concentration of free Ca2+([Ca2+]i). Marked depression in the left ventricular developed pressure and elevation in the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in I/R hearts were attenuated by treatment with NAC or MPG. Cardiomyocytes obtained from I/R hearts showed an increase in the basal level of [Ca2+]ias well as augmentation of the low Na+-induced increase in [Ca2+]i, with no change in the KCl-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. These I/R-induced alterations in Ca2+handling by cardiomyocytes were attenuated by treatment of hearts with NAC or MPG. Furthermore, reduction in the isoproterenol-, ATP-, ouabain-, and caffeine-induced increases in [Ca2+]iin cardiomyocytes from I/R hearts were limited by treatment with NAC or MPG. The increases in the basal [Ca2+]i, unlike the KCl-induced increase in [Ca2+]i, were fully or partially prevented by both NAC and MPG upon exposing cardiomyocytes to hypoxia–reoxygenation, H2O2, or a mixture of xanthine and xanthine oxidase. These results suggest that improvement in cardiac function of I/R hearts treated with NAC or MPG was associated with attenuation of changes in Ca2+handling by cardiomyocytes, and the results support the view that oxidative stress due to oxyradical generation and peroxynitrite formation plays an important role in the development of intracellular Ca2+overload in cardiomyocytes as a consequence of I/R injury.
Omega-3 fatty acids and atorvastatin affect connexin 43 expression in the aorta of hereditary hypertriglyceridemic ratsThis article is one of a selection of papers published in a special issue on Advances in Cardiovascular Research.
Authors: Dlugošová Katarína , Weismann Peter , Bernátová Iveta , Sotníková Ružena , Slezák Ján , Okruhlicová Ľudmila 
Published: December 2009

Statins and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) reduce cardiovascular disease incidence during hypertriglyceridemia (HTG). To elucidate possible cardioprotective mechanisms, we focused on gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43). Its expression is disturbed during atherogenesis, but little information is available on its expression during HTG. Experiments were performed on adult male hereditary HTG (hHTG) rats treated with n-3 PUFA (30 mg/day) and atorvastatin (0.5 mg/100 g body weight per day) for 2 months. Cx43 expression and distribution in the aorta were investigated by using Western blotting and immunolabeling, followed by quantitative analysis. Transmission electronmicroscopy was used to study ultrastructure of endothelial contact sites. In contrast to age-matched Wistar, Cx43 expression in aorta of hHTG rats was significantly higher (p < 0.05), and prominent Cx43 immunospots were seen in tunica media and less in endothelium of hHTG rats. Changes in Cx43 expression were accompanied by local qualitative subcellular alterations of interendothelial connections. Treatment of hHTG rats with n-3 PUFA and atorvastatin markedly lowered Cx43 expression in aorta and modified connexin distribution in endothelium and media (p < 0.05 vs. untreated hHTG). The protective effect of treatment of HTG was observed on the structural integrity of the endothelium and was readily visible at the molecular level. Results indicate the involvement of altered Cx43 expression in vascular pathophysiology during HTG and during HTG treatment.
The Wintertime Wind Stress Curl Field in the North Atlantic and Its Relation to Atmospheric Teleconnection Patterns
Authors: Sugimoto Shusaku , Hanawa Kimio 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Adopting a rotated empirical orthogonal function (REOF) analysis and a maximum covariance analysis (MCA), characteristics of the wintertime wind stress curl (WSC) anomaly field in the North Atlantic are investigated. In terms of both temporal variation and spatial distribution, the first four leading modes of WSC show a one-to-one relation with four atmospheric teleconnection patterns over the North Atlantic sector: the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the east Atlantic (EA), tropical–Northern Hemisphere (TNH), and Pacific–North American (PNA) patterns. These four patterns characterize the WSC variations over the different regions in the North Atlantic: NAO and EA over the eastern side of the basin, TNH over the central part of the basin, and PNA over the western side of the basin.
Momentum Advection and the Gradient of a Vector Field: A Discussion of Standard Notation
Authors: DeCaria Alex J. , Sikora Todd D. 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
The confusion and ambiguity in the literature regarding the notation (V · ∇)V versus V · ∇V is discussed, and the equivalence of the two expressions is demonstrated. The invariance of this notation in any coordinate system is also shown.
Two-Dimensional Continuous Wavelet Analysis and Its Application to Meteorological Data
Authors: Wang Ning , Lu Chungu 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe two-dimensional continuous wavelet transform (2D CWT) has become an important tool to examine and diagnose nonstationary datasets on the plane. Compared with traditional spectral analysis methods, the 2D CWT provides localized spectral information of the analyzed dataset. It also has the advantage over the 2D discrete wavelet transform (DWT) in that it covers the domain of the analyzed data with a continuous analysis from which detailed, shift-invariant spectral information of different positions and orientations can be obtained. In this paper, a brief introduction of the 2D CWT and some of the most common wavelet mother functions are given, and some practical issues arising from the implementation and applications of the 2D CWT are discussed. The 2D CWT is applied to several test functions to illustrate the effects of the transforms. To demonstrate its practical application, the 2D CWT is used to analyze a set of meteorological data obtained from a numerical model stimulation.
Patient-centred tuberculosis treatment delivery under programmatic conditions in Tanzania: a cohort study
Authors: Egwaga Saidi , Mkopi Abdallah , Range Nyagosya , Haag-Arbenz Vera , Baraka Amuri , Grewal Penny , Cobelens Frank , Mshinda Hassan , Lwilla Fred , van Leth Frank 
Published: December 2009

Abstract

Background
Directly observed therapy (DOT) remains the cornerstone of the global tuberculosis (TB) control strategy. Tanzania, one of the 22 high-burden countries regarding TB, changed the first-line treatment regimen to contain rifampicin-containing fixed-dose combination for the full 6 months of treatment. As daily health facility-based DOT for this long period is not feasible for the patient, nor for the health system, Tanzania introduced patient centred treatment (PCT). PCT allows patients to choose for daily DOT at a health facility or at their home by a supporter of choice. The introduction of fixed dose combinations in the intensive and continuation phase made PCT feasible by eliminating the risk of selective drug taking by patients and reducing the number of tablets to be taken. The approach was tested in three districts with the objective to assess the effect of this strategy on TB treatment outcomes

Methods
Cohort analysis comparing patients treated under the PCT strategy (registered April-September 2006) with patients treated under health-facility-based DOT (registered April-September 2005). The primary outcome was the cure rate. Differences were assessed by calculating the risk ratios. Associations between characteristics of the supporters and treatment outcomes in the group of patients opting for home-based DOT were assessed through logistic regression.

Results
In the PCT cohort there were 1208 patients and 1417 were included in the historic cohort. There was no significant difference in cure rates between the cohorts (risk ratio [RR]: 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96-1.16). In the PCT cohort, significantly more patients had successful treatment (cure or treatment completed; RR: 1.10; 95%CI: 1.01-1.15). There were no characteristics of supporters that were associated with treatment outcome.

Conclusion
The PCT approach showed similar cure rates and better treatment success rates compared to daily health-facility DOT. The results indicate that there are no specific prerequisites for the supporter chosen by the patient. The programmatic setting of the study lends strong support for scaling-up of TB treatment observation outside the health facility.
Wolfram Syndrome presenting with optic atrophy and diabetes mellitus: two case reports
Authors: Manaviat Masoud Reza , Rashidi Maryam , Mohammadi Seyed Mohammad 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Wolfram syndrome is the constellation of juvenile onset diabetes mellitus and optic atrophy, known as DIDMOAD (Diabetes Insipidus, Diabetes Mellitus, Optic Atrophy, and Deafness).
Patients demonstrate diabetes mellitus followed by optic atrophy in the first decade, diabetes insipidus and sensorineural deafness in the second decade, dilated renal outflow tracts early in the third decade, and multiple neurological abnormalities early in the fourth decade.
This study reports two siblings with late diagnosed wolfram syndrome with diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy, deafness and severe urological abnormalities.
In conclusion, cases having early onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and optic atrophy together need to be evaluated with respect to Wolfram.
Duration of red blood cell storage and outcomes in pediatric cardiac surgery: an association found for pump prime blood
Authors: Ranucci Marco , Carlucci Concetta , Isgrò Giuseppe , Boncilli Alessandra , De Benedetti Donatella , De la Torre Teresa , Brozzi Simonetta , Frigiola Alessandro 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Introduction
Cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass in newborns, infants and small children often requires intraoperative red blood cell transfusions to prime the circuit and oxygenator and to replace blood lost during surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of red blood cell storage time prior to transfusion on postoperative morbidity in pediatric cardiac operations.

Methods
One hundred ninety-two consecutive children aged five years or less who underwent cardiac operations using cardiopulmonary bypass and who received red blood cells for priming the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit comprised the blood-prime group. Forty-seven patients receiving red blood cell transfusions after cardiopulmonary bypass were separately analyzed. Patients in the blood-prime group were divided into two groups based on the duration of storage of the red blood cells they received. The newer blood group included patients who received only red blood cells stored for less than or equal to four days and the older blood group included patients who received red blood cells stored for more than four days.

Results
Patients in the newer blood group had a significantly lower rate of pulmonary complications (3.5% versus 14.4%; P = 0.011) as well as a lower rate of acute renal failure (0.8% versus 5.2%; P = 0.154) than patients in the older blood group. Major complications (calculated as a composite score based on pulmonary, neurological, and gastroenterological complications, sepsis and acute renal failure) were found in 6.9% of the patients receiving newer blood and 17.1% of the patients receiving older blood (P = 0.027). After adjusting for other possible confounding variables, red blood cell storage time remained an independent predictor of major morbidity. The same association was not found for patients receiving red blood cell transfusions after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Conclusions
The storage time of the red blood cells used for priming the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit in cardiac operations on newborns and young infants is an independent risk factor for major postoperative morbidity. Pulmonary complications, acute renal failure, and infections are the main complications associated with increased red blood cell storage time.