bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protection of vascular barrier integrity by activated protein C in murine models depends on protease-activated receptor-1
Authors: Fernández José , Griffin John , Schuepbach Reto , Feistritzer Clemens , Riewald Matthias 
Published: March 2009

SummaryProtease activated receptor-1 (PAR1) mediates barrier protective signalling of activated protein C (APC) in human endothelial cells in vitro and may contribute to APC’s beneficial effects in patients with severe sepsis. Mouse models are of key importance for translational research but species differences may limit conclusions for the human system. We analysed whether mouse APC can cleave, activate and induce signalling through murine PAR1 and tested in newly established mouse models if long-term infusion of APC prevents from vascular leakage. Cell surface immunoassays demonstrated efficient cleavage of endogenous murine endothelial PAR1 by either murine or human APC. Pharmacological concentrations of APC of either species had powerful barrier protective effects on cultured murine endothelial cells that required PAR1 cleavage. Vascular endothelial growth factor-mediated hyperpermeability in the skin was reduced by either endogenously generated as well as directly infused recombinant mouse APC in wild-type mice. However APC did not significantly alter the vascular barrier function in PAR1-deficient mice. In endotoxin-challenged mice, infused APC significantly prevented from pulmonary fluid accumulation in the wild-type mice but not in mice lacking PAR1. Our results directly show that murine APC cleaves and signals through PAR1 in mouse endothelial cells. APC reduces vascular permeability in mouse models and PAR1 plays a major role in mediating these effects. Our data in vitro and in vivo support the paradigm that PAR1 contributes to protective effects of APC on vascular barrier integrity in sepsis.
Role of antithrombin concentrate in treatment of hereditary antithrombin deficiency
Authors: Rodgers George 
Published: March 2009

SummaryAntithrombin (AT) functions as a potent natural anticoagulant and serine protease inhibitor that inactivates many enzymes in the coagulation cascade. Antithrombin also possesses anti-inflammatory properties, many of which are mediated by its actions as an anticoagulant. Hereditary AT deficiency is a rare, underrecognised medical condition that is associated with inadequate endogenous anticoagulation thought to result from impaired inhibition of serine protease coagulation factors. Inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, congenital AT deficiency typically reduces functional AT levels to 40–60% of normal. As a result, individuals with hereditary AT deficiency have a ≥50% lifetime risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Specifically, AT deficiency is associated with a three- to seven-fold higher risk of VTE compared with other thrombophilias. Thus, maintaining adequate levels of AT during high-risk periods is an important treatment goal. Long-term anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis is not recommended in asymptomatic patients with AT deficiency because of the increased risk of haemorrhage. However, treatment guidelines recommend short-term thromboprophylaxis in high-risk clinical settings, including surgery, trauma, and management of pregnancy, labour, and delivery. The goal of treatment for patients with hereditary AT deficiency is an initial increase in AT activity to ≥120% of normal levels followed by maintenance of AT activity at ≥80% of normal levels. Plasma-derived AT, heparin, fresh frozen plasma, and human recombinant AT are treatment options for individuals with hereditary AT deficiency. The objective of this review is to discuss hereditary AT deficiency and the role of AT replacement therapy in the treatment of patients with this congenital disorder.
The role of circulating mesenchymal progenitor cells (fibrocytes) in the pathogenesis of fibrotic disorders
Authors: Keeley Ellen , Mehrad Borna , Strieter Robert 
Published: March 2009

SummaryFibrocytes are bone marrow-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells that express markers of leukocytes, haematopoietic progenitor cells, and fibroblasts. They play a pivotal role in tissue remodelling and fibrosis in both physiologic and pathologic settings. Fibrocytes are unique in that they are capable of differentiating into fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, as well as adipocytes. In this review we will present data supporting the critical role they play in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory fibrotic diseases of the lungs, heart and vasculature.
In-hospital symptomatic venous thromboembolism and antithrombotic prophylaxis in Internal Medicine
Authors: Campanini Mauro , Silingardi Mauro , Scannapieco Gianluigi , Mazzone Antonino , Magni Giovanna , Valerio Antonella , Iori Ido , Ageno Walter , Gussoni Gualberto ,   the GEMINI Study Group
Published: March 2009

SummaryHospitalised medical patients are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), but the incidence of hospitalisation-related VTE in unselected medical inpatients has not been extensively studied, and uncertainties remain about the optimal use of thromboprophylaxis in this setting. Aims of our prospective, observational study were to assess the prevalence of VTE and the incidence of symptomatic, hospitalisation-related events in a cohort of consecutive patients admitted to 27 Internal Medicine Departments, and to evaluate clinical factors associated with the use of thromboprophylaxis. Between March and September 2006, a total of 4,846 patients were included in the study. Symptomatic VTE with onset of symptoms later than 48 hours after admission (”hospital-acquired” events, primary study end-point) occurred in 26 patients (0.55٪), while the overall prevalence of VTE (including diagnosis prior to or at admission) was 3.65٪. During hospital stay antithrombotic prophylaxis was administered in 41.6٪ of patients, and in 58.7% of those for whom prophylaxis was recommended according to the 2004 Guidelines of the American College of Chest Physicians. The choice of administering thromboprophylaxis or not appeared qualitatively adherent to indications from randomised clinical trials and international guidelines, and bed rest was the strongest determinant of the use of prophylaxis. Data from our real-world study confirm that VTE is a relevant complication in patients admitted to Internal Medicine Departments, and recommended tromboprophylaxis is still under-used, in particular in some patients groups. Further efforts are needed to better define risk profile and to optimise prophylaxis in the heterogeneous setting of medical inpatients.
Serine proteases, inhibitors and receptors in renal fibrosis
Authors: Eddy Allison 
Published: March 2009

SummaryChronic kidney disease (CKD) is estimated to affect one in eight adults. Their kidney function progressively deteriorates as inflammatory and fibrotic processes damage nephrons. New therapies to prevent renal functional decline must build on basic research studies that identify critical cellular and molecular mediators. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), a potent fibrosis-promoting glycoprotein, is one promising candidate. Absent from normal kidneys, PAI-1 is frequently expressed in injured kidneys. Studies in genetically engineered mice have demonstrated its potency as a pro-fibrotic molecule. Somewhat surprising, its ability to inhibit serine protease activity does not appear to be its primary pro-fibrotic effect in CKD. Both tissue-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen deficiency significantly reduced renal fibrosis severity after ureteral obstruction, while genetic urokinase (uPA) deficiency had no effect. PAI-1 expression is associated with enhanced recruitment of key cellular effectors of renal fibrosis – interstitial macrophages and myofibroblasts. The ability of PAI-1 to promote cell migration involves interactions with the low-density lipoprotein receptor-associate protein-1 and also complex interactions with uPA bound to its receptor (uPAR) and several leukocyte and matrix integrins that associate with uPAR as co-receptors. uPAR is expressed by several cell types in damaged kidneys, and studies in uPAR-deficient mice have shown that its serves a protective role. uPAR mediates additional anti-fibrotic effects – it interacts with specific co-receptors to degrade PAI-1 and extracellular collagens, and soluble uPAR has leukocyte chemoattractant properties. Molecular pathways activated by serine proteases and their inhibitor, PAI-1, are promising targets for future anti-fibrotic therapeutic agents.
An Inferred Climatology of Icing Conditions Aloft, Including Supercooled Large Drops. Part II: Europe, Asia, and the Globe
Authors: Bernstein Ben C. , Le Bot Christine 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Because of a lack of regular, direct measurements, limited information is available about the frequency and the spatial and temporal distribution of icing conditions aloft, including supercooled large drops (SLD). Research aircraft provide in situ observations of these conditions, but the sample set is small and can be biased. Surface observations of freezing fog and freezing precipitation provide additional insight, but cannot be used alone to assess the presence of icing aloft. Climatologies based solely on such observations can underestimate their presence in areas where subfreezing temperatures are uncommon. Other techniques can be used in an effort to reduce some of these biases and limitations. Expanding upon results for North America reported in Part I, the frequencies of icing and SLD over Europe and Asia are inferred here using 1) surface weather observations in conjunction with vertical profiles of temperature and moisture and 2) model reanalyses of temperature and moisture. Icing maxima and minima are found to migrate seasonally, both geographically and in the vertical, and to vary in their intensity. They are linked to the location of common storm tracks and other forcing, such as that associated with sloped terrain. After establishing reasonable consistency between the methods over data rich regions, the model analyses are used to examine icing frequencies over the remainder of the globe.
Aerosol Remote Sensing over Clouds Using A-Train Observations
Authors: Waquet F. , Riedi J. , Labonnote L. C. , Goloub P. , Cairns B. , Deuzé J-L. , Tanré D. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
The detection of aerosol above clouds is critical for the estimate of both the aerosol and cloud radiative impacts. In this study, the authors present a new method to retrieve the aerosol properties over clouds that uses the multiangle polarization measurements of the Polarization and Directionality of Earth Reflectances (POLDER)–Polarization and Anisotropy of Reflectances for Atmospheric Sciences Coupled with Observations from a Lidar (PARASOL) instrument. The method is illustrated and applied to a case study exploiting the coincident observations from other passive and active sensors of the NASA A-Train satellite constellation. The case study is relative to an elevated biomass burning aerosol layer that originates from southern Africa and is then transported over low-level clouds extending over the Atlantic Ocean. It is shown that the comparison between the cloud-top heights retrieved with the different passive techniques developed for the A-Train sensors can be used to detect the presence of aerosols above clouds. The analysis of the PARASOL observations showed that the aerosols significantly affect the polarized light reflected by the clouds over the 80°–120° scattering angle range and in the rainbow region. A single scattering model permitted the reproduction of the polarization observations and the retrieval of an estimate of the aerosol layer optical thickness of 0.225 at 0.865 μm. The retrieved aerosol optical thicknesses over clouds agree quantitatively with the closest ones retrieved over clear-sky ocean (±0.04 as a maximum departure), demonstrating the value of the method. This innovative technique based solely on passive measurements is expected to provide a better understanding of aerosol properties in regions where significant cloud cover usually prevents the retrieval of aerosol optical thickness. As such, this new retrieval method can provide significant and valuable information about the radiative impact of clouds and aerosols, especially where they can potentially interact strongly with each other.
Stochastic Subgrid Parameterizations for Simulations of Atmospheric Baroclinic Flows
Authors: Zidikheri Meelis J. , Frederiksen Jorgen S. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractA stochastic subgrid modeling method is used to parameterize horizontal and vertical subgrid-scale transfers in large-eddy simulations (LESs) of baroclinic flows with large-scale jets and energy spectra typical of the atmosphere. The approach represents the subgrid-scale eddies for LES (at resolutions of T63 and T31) by a stochastic model that takes into account the memory effects of turbulent eddies. The statistics of the model are determined from a higher-resolution (T126) direct numerical simulation (DNS). The simulations use a quasigeostrophic two-level model and the subgrid terms are inhomogeneous in the vertical and anisotropic in the horizontal and are represented by 2 × 2 matrices at each wavenumber. The parameterizations have the largest magnitudes at a cusp near the largest total wavenumbers of the truncations. At T63 the off-diagonal elements of the matrices are negligible (corresponding to effectively decoupled levels) and the diagonal elements are almost isotropic. At the lower resolution of T31 the off-diagonal elements are more important and even the diagonal elements are more anisotropic. At both resolutions, and for anisotropic or isotropized subgrid terms, LESs are in excellent agreement with higher-resolution DNS.
On the Role of Radiative Processes in Stratosphere–Troposphere Coupling
Authors: Grise Kevin M. , Thompson David W. J. , Forster Piers M. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Climate change in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) polar stratosphere is associated with substantial changes in the atmospheric circulation that extend to the earth’s surface. The mechanisms that drive the changes in the SH troposphere are not fully understood, but most previous hypotheses have focused on the role of atmospheric dynamics rather than that of radiation.
This study quantifies the radiative response of temperatures in the SH polar troposphere to the forcing from long-term temperature and ozone trends in the SH polar stratosphere. A novel methodology is employed that explicitly neglects changes in tropospheric dynamics and hence isolates the component of the tropospheric temperature response that is radiatively driven by the overlying stratospheric trends. The results reveal that both the amplitude and seasonality of the observed cooling of the middle and upper SH polar troposphere over the past few decades are consistent with a reduction in downwelling longwave radiation induced by cooling in the SH polar stratosphere. The results are compared with analogous calculations for trends in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) polar stratosphere. Both the observations and radiative calculations imply that the comparatively weak trends in the NH polar stratosphere have not played a central role in driving NH tropospheric climate change.
Overall, the results suggest that radiative processes play a key role in coupling the large trends in SH polar stratospheric temperatures to tropospheric levels. The tropospheric radiative temperature response documented here could be important for triggering the changes in internal tropospheric dynamics associated with stratosphere–troposphere coupling.
Estimating the Influence of Evaporation and Moisture-Flux Convergence upon Seasonal Precipitation Rates. Part II: An Analysis for North America Based upon the NCEP–DOE Reanalysis II Model
Authors: Anderson Bruce T. , Ruane Alex C. , Roads John O. , Kanamitsu Masao 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
In this paper, a diagnostic metric—termed the local-convergence ratio—is used to analyze the contribution of evaporation and atmospheric moisture-flux convergence to model-based estimates of climatological precipitation over the North American continent. Generally, the fractional evaporative contribution is largest during spring and summer when evaporation is largest and decreases as evaporation decreases. However, there appears to be at least three regions with distinct spatiotemporal seasonal evolutions of this ratio. Over both the northern and western portions of the continent, the fractional evaporative contribution peaks in spring and early summer and decreases during fall and into winter. Over the northern portion, this fall decrease is related to an increase in atmospheric moisture-flux convergence associated with enhanced meridional moisture fluxes into the region; over the western coastal regions, the fall decrease in evaporative contribution is associated with a decrease in evaporation and an increase in total moisture-flux convergence, most likely associated with increased storm activity. In contrast, over the central portions of the continent, the fractional evaporative contribution to precipitation remains relatively low in spring—when enhanced low-level jet activity increases the low-level atmospheric moisture flux convergence into the region—and instead peaks in summer and fall—when the moisture-flux convergence associated with the low-level jet decreases and precipitation is balanced predominantly by local evaporation. Finally, over the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, the fractional evaporative contribution to precipitation is found to contain a wintertime minimum as well as a secondary minimum during summer. This latter feature is due to a substantial increase in low-level atmospheric moisture-flux convergence associated with the large-scale monsoon circulation that influences this region during this time.
Follow-Up with Students After 6 Years of Participation in Project EXCITE
Authors: Lee Seon-Young , Olszewski-Kubilius Paula , Peternel George 
Published: March 2009

Project EXCITE is a program for minority students that supplements the regular school offerings with an emphasis on enhancing students' interest and performance in math and science. This study examines the experience and perceptions of 14 student participants in the program and their parents. In student and parent interviews, Project EXCITE was deemed fun and challenging and as enabling the students to enrich and improve academic performance. A desire for placement in advanced academic settings and better preparation for schoolwork in high school motivated the students to persist in the program for 6 years. The perceptions of expanded social networks with high ability minority peers, enhanced social support for high achievement, and confidence to successfully compete academically with peers were other positive outcomes. Negative peer pressure was not identified as a concern, but balancing academic work and social interaction with peers outside the program was a major concern for students. Putting the Research to Use: There is a growing demand for programs and initiatives to achieve the goal of reducing or eliminating the achievement differences between high-potential White or Asian students and high- potential African-American or Hispanic students. Designing effective programs requires attention to and understanding of not only the cognitive variables involved, but also the affective variables. Studying the feelings and perceptions of Project EXCITE students who invested over 400 hours of their time over a six-year period by attending out-of-school classes and studying the feelings and perceptions of their parents offer a new look at some key affective variables that impact the achievement gap. Variables such as a student's sense of belonging, self-confidence, and social network, as well as parental aspirations, must be considered in the design of any program that intends to close the achievement gap.
Core Social Values in Contemporary Societies
Authors: Wei Pan 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis essay intends to build an analytical tool for understanding social values. It proceeds by defining the term ‘social value’, differentiating ‘core’ and ‘non-core’ social values and discussing their respective functions in society. Then, it extracts from social values a seven-tier system of core social values, built on seven basic social relationships: self–other, man–nature, individual–community, community–society, people–government, people–(state) nation, and (state) nation–world system. The corresponding views of right and wrong on these types of relationships are ‘core values’ and concern perceptions of morality, nature, groups, society, politics, nation, and the world. The very core of the construct is the universal morality of human beings, and the outermost tier is the perception of world affairs. In a further section, the functional connection between the tiers is explored, to show how a core value system collapses. Lastly, the author presents a rudimentary idea of how a core social value system might be built or rebuilt.
Under the Same Sky: A New World-view from China
Authors: Sisci Francesco 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis paper deals with the geo-political implications of neo-universalist tendencies in current Chinese political philosophy. It is stated how Chinese philosophy can contribute to overcome a ‘clash’ theory of intercultural relations. The author underlines that the growing economic and political role of China in this century forces China to develop a real global world-view tradition, and discusses Zhao Tingyang's philosophy of Tian-xia as a paradigmatic example of such new universalism.
The Feminist Concept of Self and Modernity
Authors: Wei Xiao 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe relationship between community and individual is the key issue in contemporary political philosophy and ethics. The concept of self seems very important for individualism, communitarianism and feminism when they respond to relationships, particularly when we have to situate selfhood in the conditions of modernity. Consequently, this paper can be divided into seven parts. First it introduces the debate about the concept of the self between individualism and communitarianism. Second, it discusses the feminist critique of this issue and analyses the feminist concept of self, and then addresses modernity as the condition of women. Next it attempts to analyze how women situate themselves in the conditions of modernity. Then it discusses how Chinese women are reshaping their selfhood under the conditions of modernity, and finally draws some brief conclusions claiming that neither communitarian nor individualist self is adequate in contemporary society. Chinese women, it is argued, are expected to reshape their own selfhood resting on the positive side of Confucian ethics and a feminist concept of self.