bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Evaluation of 1–84 PTH Measurement in Relation to Bone Alkaline Phosphatase and Bone Gla Protein in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Miwa Naoko , Nitta Kosaku , Kimata Naoki , Watanabe Yoshihiko , Suzuki Koichi , Kawashima Akira , Haga Masahiro , Watanabe Ryo-ichiro , Aoki Takanao , Akiba Takashi , Nihei Hiroshi
Published: July 2003

Background/Aim: It has been suggested that higher levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) are required to maintain normal bone turnover in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. Serum PTH levels determined by intact PTH (i-PTH) assay may overestimate the actual activity of circulating PTH in HD patients. The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical usefulness of whole PTH assay on the evaluation of bone turnover in HD patients. Materials and Methods: We performed measurement of parameters on bone turnover in 179 HD patients (116 men, 63 women; mean age 61.0 ± 13.1 years). Serum whole PTH levels were determined as cyclase-activating PTH (CAP) by an immunoradiometric assay, and compared with those of i-PTH. Cyclase-inactivating PTH (CIP) was calculated as (i-PTH-CAP). The correlations between serum whole PTH levels and clinical parameters such as serum levels of Ca, P, bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), bone Gla protein (BGP), total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), urea nitrogen (SUN), and creatinine (Cr) were analyzed using multivariate analysis. Results: The mean values of i-PTH and CAP were 124.1 ± 97.4 and 86.9 ± 71.6 pg/ml, respectively, indicating that the serum CAP levels were about 70% of i-PTH levels. The serum CAP levels significantly correlated with that of i-PTH (r = 0.959, p < 0.001). Moreover, a significant positive correlation between serum CAP levels and metabolic bone markers such as BAP (r = 0.400, p < 0.01) and BGP (r = 0.481, p < 0.01) was observed. Stepwise multivariate analysis revealed that serum levels of CAP were significantly determined by serum levels of Ca, P, Alb, and oral dosage of vitamin D (F ratio = 18.81, adjusted r2 = 0.302). Conclusions: These data suggest that the biological activity of circulating PTH in HD patients is lower than the levels estimated by conventional i-PTH assay.
Accelerated Progression of Calcific Aortic Stenosis in Dialysis Patients
Authors: Perkovic Vlado , Hunt David , Griffin Sian V. , du Plessis Moira , Becker Gavin J.
Published: July 2003

Background: Abnormalities of the aortic valve occur with increased frequency in patients with renal failure and may contribute to the observed excess cardiovascular mortality. Little data exist on the rate at which aortic stenosis progresses in this patient group. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was designed to compare the rate of progression of aortic stenosis in dialysis patients with that in sex-matched controls. Dialysis patients with aortic stenosis were identified by a search of the echocardiography database. Twenty-eight dialysis patients were compared to 56 sex-matched controls, all of whom had aortic stenosis on at least two echocardiograms 6 months apart. Changes in mean and peak transvalvular gradient as well as valve area were calculated from echocardiographic data and compared. Results: Aortic stenosis progressed more rapidly in the dialysis patients than in the controls when measured by change in valve area (–0.19 vs. –0.07 cm2/year; p < 0.001) and change in peak transvalvular gradient (6.5 vs. 3.9 mm Hg/ year; p = 0.04). There was also a trend towards more rapid progression of mean transvalvular gradient (4.9 vs. 2.5 mm Hg/year; p = 0.052). On multivariate linear regression analysis, only end-stage renal failure (p = 0.02) and baseline valve area (p = 0.04) predicted accelerated progression of aortic stenosis. Conclusions: Aortic stenosis progressed more rapidly in the presence of renal failure. The time frames for review and operation in dialysis patients should be shorter than for the general population.
Impaired Taste Acuity in Patients with Diabetes mellitus on Maintenance Hemodialysis
Authors: Matsuo Shunya , Nakamoto Masahiko , Nishihara Gakusen , Yasunaga Chikao , Yanagida Taihei , Matsuo Kenzo , Sakemi Takanobu
Published: July 2003

Aims: It has been reported that taste acuity for the four primary tastes, sour, sweet, salty and bitter, is impaired in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, there have been no studies reported on taste acuity of diabetic HD patients. The present study aimed to quantify and compare the taste acuity of diabetic and non-diabetic HD patients, and further to determine if there were correlations between diminished taste acuity and certain blood serum parameters typically askew in hemodialysis patients. Methods: In a test group of 24 diabetic and 24 non-diabetic HD patients matched for age, body mass index and duration of HD, taste acuity for the four tastes was determined by asking patients to identify them at varying concentrations. Results: Statistical analyses indicate that bitter and total taste acuity were significantly impaired in diabetic HD patients. In diabetic HD patients, correlation was found between sweet, salty or total taste acuity and blood urea nitrogen or normalized protein catabolic rate. Conclusions: We conclude that taste acuity is partially impaired in diabetic HD patients, and suggest this contributes to reduced appetite, leading to malnutrition and poor prognoses.
What Can a Frog Tell Us about Human Kidney Development
Authors: Ryffel Gerhart U.
Published: July 2003

The development of the first form of kidney, the pronephros, in the frog Xenopus is most attractive to study nephrogenesis in vertebrates. The formation of the pronephros can be readily analyzed during organogenesis by manipulating the activity of specific factors in the developing Xenopus embryo. In addition embryonic explants of Xenopus can be induced to pronephric differentiation in vitro by adding defined signaling molecules. The available data show that the same transcription factors and signaling molecules play a role in Xenopus pronephros differentiation as in mammalian nephrogenesis. This allows the dissection of the molecular and cellular events relevant for nephrogenesis in an easy amenable experimental system. Thus, Xenopus pronephros formation can be used to define nephrogenic regulators and to identify the morphogenetic potential of mutated factors associated with renal diseases in humans.
Osteopontin Traffic in Hypoxic Renal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Hampel Dierk J. , Sansome Christine , Romanov Victor I. , Kowalski Aaron J. , Denhardt David T. , Goligorsky Michael S.
Published: July 2003

Osteopontin (OPN), a secretory RGD-containing phosphoprotein, is induced in acute renal injury where it plays a renoprotective role. To investigate in depth the mode of OPN secretion under stress conditions, we analyzed OPN traffic in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (RPTEC). Western blot analysis and fluorescence microscopy revealed trace amounts of OPN in intact cells, whereas cytoplasmic OPN levels were significantly increased after 24–48 h hypoxia. Immunoelectron microscopy of RPTEC showed predominantly apical localization of gold-labeled OPN under normal conditions. Hypoxia (24 h) increased 2.5-fold immunodetectable gold-labeled OPN at the apical plasma membrane; further reoxygenation (2 h) augmented apical and basolateral labeling 2- and 10-fold, respectively. Analysis of apical and basolateral medium conditioned by RPTEC grown on semipermeable membranes using a specially developed ELISA showed a global decrease in secreted OPN after hypoxia, which recovered following 2 h reoxygenation. Agents known to disrupt the function of the Golgi apparatus (brefeldin A, monensin) or actin cytoskeleton (cytochalasin B) significantly inhibited OPN-GFP secretion in normoxic cells. In cells recovering from hypoxia, however, OPN secretion required functional Golgi apparatus, but was not affected by cytochalasin B. These findings demonstrate that stress inhibits OPN secretion by the process dependent on the functional Golgi apparatus and actin cytoskeleton; recovery restores OPN secretion, although its polarity may become perturbed.
Prognostic Impact of Renal Impairment and Sodium Imbalance in Patients Undergoing Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunting for the Prevention of Variceal Rebleeding
Authors: Schepke Michael , Roth Felix , Koch Lydia , Heller Jörg , Rabe Christian , Brensing Karl-August , Schiedermaier Peter , Schild Hans H. , Sauerbruch Tilman
Published: July 2003

Background/Aim: Kidney function and portal pressure have prognostic relevance in nonshunted patients with cirrhosis. Since insertion of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) reduces portal pressure and may improve the renal function, the aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic role of renal impairment and portal hemodynamics in patients with compensated cirrhosis electively shunted due to recurrent variceal hemorrhages. Methods: Data of 101 consecutive and prospectively followed patients with compensated cirrhosis (bilirubin <5 mg/dl) undergoing elective TIPS due to recurrent variceal bleeding (45 died, and 8 were transplanted during the follow-up period) were evaluated in a multivariate Cox model. Results: Creatinine and sodium were identified as the only independent predictors of survival in this model. The 90th percentile of creatinine (>1.7 mg/dl) defined a subgroup with a similar poor prognosis as the 90th percentile of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. Neither baseline nor post-TIPS portal pressure correlated with the long-term outcome. Conclusions: In compensated patients undergoing TIPS due to variceal bleeding, renal impairment indicates a poor prognosis. Portal hemodynamic parameters are not predictive of survival in TIPS patients.
Neuroendocrine Profiles in Galanin-Overexpressing and Knockout Mice
Authors: Hohmann John G. , Krasnow Stephanie M. , Teklemichael Dawit N. , Clifton Donald K. , Wynick David , Steiner Robert A.
Published: July 2003

The peptide galanin has been implicated in the neuroendocrine regulation of reproduction and energy balance. To gain more insight into the functional significance of galanin in these processes, we studied the phenotype of mice that either overexpress galanin in the brain under the control of the dopamine β-hydroxylase promoter (GALTG) or have a complete absence of galanin expression (GALKO). Both GALTGs and GALKOs had body weights and feeding patterns that were indistinguishable from wild-type (WT) control animals, and both genotypes were reproductively competent. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone were significantly higher in GALKOs and slightly lower in GALTGs than in their respective WT controls. Both GALTGs and GALKOs showed a normal response to fasting, but when GALKO mice were treated with leptin during fasting, levels of corticosterone and testosterone were altered compared to WT mice. In addition, GALKOs were more sensitive than WT controls to the effects of chronic leptin treatment on body weight and fat pad mass, whereas GALTGs showed responses to this metabolic challenge that were indistinguishable from their controls. When galanin was administered centrally, GALKOs had lower testosterone and corticosterone levels than did WT mice. These results suggest that the complete loss of galanin leads to significant alterations in neuroendocrine homeostasis, whereas targeted overexpression of galanin in the brain does not interfere with normal neuroendocrine function.
Review of Animal Models of Surgically Induced Spinal Neural Tube Defects: Implications for Fetal Surgery
Authors: George Timothy M. , Fuh Eric
Published: July 2003

Animal models have been used to help study the embryopathy and pathophysiology of neurological deterioration in open neural tube defects. Results from studies of lesion induction and defect repair in these animals have become the basis for intrauterine repair in humans. This review attempts to discern the advantages and flaws in animal models that may help us understand why spinal cord function is not preserved to the same degree in humans compared to the animal models.
Transsphenoidal Microsurgery for Pediatric Craniopharyngioma: Special Considerations Regarding Indications and Method
Authors: Im So-Hyang , Wang Kyu-Chang , Kim Seung-Ki , Chung You-Nam , Kim Hee-Soo , Lee Chul-Hee , Cho Byung-Kyu
Published: July 2003

Although the transsphenoidal approach offers a narrow operative field and poor visual control through a small sellar opening, this approach has the advantage of being associated with minimal surgical trauma, especially in children. We share our experience of good surgical outcome achieved by the transsphenoidal approach in selected craniopharyngiomas in childhood, and report on our pediatric series of transsphenoidal complete removals of six relatively large craniopharyngiomas and one Rathke’s cleft cyst. The most common presenting symptom was visual dysfunction (6/7). All tumors were ‘prechiasmatic’ cystic masses with moderate to marked suprasellar extensions and elevated diaphragm sellae. The tumors measured from 25 to 37 mm in maximum diameter in the midsagittal plane (median 33 mm). In 5 of the 7 tumors, the suprasellar portion (range 11–27 mm) was larger than the intrasellar portion (range 8–14 mm). Gross total resection was achieved in all patients. Special attention should be paid to multicystic craniopharyngiomas to prevent the possibility of incomplete tumor resection. The ‘bone in a fat pocket’ method was useful for preventing postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Vision was improved in all six patients who had preoperative visual disturbances. Hypopituitarism was provoked by radical tumor removal in all patients and managed by hormonal supplementation therapy. Transsphenoidal surgery is an appropriate approach for the radical excision of intrasellar-suprasellar ‘prechiasmatic’ craniopharyngiomas, even in children, and even if the tumor has a relatively large suprasellar component.
Ruptured Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm with Intramural Myxoid Degeneration in a Child
Authors: Fujita Keishi , Yanaka Kiyoyuki , Kamezaki Takao , Noguchi Masayuki , Nose Tadao
Published: July 2003

A 9-year-old girl presented with a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Cerebral angiography showed a saccular aneurysm arising from the horizontal portion of the right middle cerebral artery. The aneurysm was successfully clipped, and the dome of the aneurysm was excised for pathological study. Histological examination of the aneurysm wall showed that the entire thickness of the wall showed an increased myxoid degeneration. No dissection was present. Most intracranial aneurysms in childhood are believed to be of the saccular type similar to that in adults, but the pathogenesis of the aneurysm formation remains controversial. Myxoid degeneration may cause intracranial saccular aneurysm with eventual rupture, even in the absence of dissection. This is the first case reported of a ruptured saccular aneurysm caused by myxoid degeneration in a child. The possible pathophysiology is discussed.
Management of Acute Variceal Bleeding
Authors: Lata Jan , Hulek Petr , Vanasek Tomas
Published: July 2003

Portal hypertension as a consequence of liver cirrhosis is responsible for its most common complications: ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatorenal syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy and the most important one – variceal hemorrhage. Variceal bleeding results in considerable morbidity and mortality. This review covers all areas of importance in the therapy of acute variceal hemorrhage – endoscopic and pharmacological treatment, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, surgery and balloon tamponade. Indications and limitations of these therapeutic modalities are widely discussed.
Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage – Surgical Aspects
Authors: Lundell Lars
Published: July 2003

During the last decades, significant advantages have been achieved with the use of emergency endoscopy and respective hemostatic interventions. Rebleeding, however, remains a significant clinical problem, and currently re-endoscopy or surgical intervention offers advantages and disadvantages. With the discovery of Helicobacter pylori as a main causative factor behind peptic ulcer disease, a more conservative surgical approach is mandated even in situations with significant rebleeding. In case of large gastric ulcer, however, resection is a wise strategy depending on the risk of malignancy. Liver transplantation has immensely improved the prognoses for variceal bleeding in end-stage liver disease in carefully selected patients.
Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding – The Role of Endoscopy
Authors: Messmann Helmut
Published: July 2003

Endoscopy is the method of choice in diagnosing the cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding, and it offers the opportunity to treat patients suffering from lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopic procedures must be integrated with other approaches to reach a correct diagnosis rapidly, safely, and economically. In all patients, evaluation begins with a history and physical examination. The sequence of other tests depends on many factors, especially the rate of bleeding. New technologies such as wireless capsule endoscopy will influence the management of patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
Acute Pancreatitis: Treatment Strategies
Authors: Kahl Stefan , Zimmermann Sandra , Malfertheiner Peter
Published: July 2003

Acute pancreatitis is an acute painful abdominal disease of sudden onset that ranges from a mild and self-limited illness to a severe and severe life-threatening condition. In spite of decades of intensive research, there are no causal therapeutic options. Treatment relies on supportive treatment principles based on adequate volume replacement to compensate for fluid loss in the intraperitoneal space and analgesics for pain relief. In cases with acute pancreatitis predicted to have a severe course of the disease, antibiotic therapy is recommended to avoid infection of pancreatic necrosis. Despite a substantial set of clinical trials in favor of antibiotic treatment to reduce morbidity, there is no general consensus on the prophylactic antibiotic treatment. Adequate nutritional support is required for patients with severe acute pancreatitis and a protracted course of the disease. Enteral nutrition appears to be superior to enteral nutrition.
Severe Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Medical Management
Authors: Farthing Michael J.G.
Published: July 2003

The majority of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have mild or moderate disease. However, a minority have a severe attack requiring hospital admission. Acute severe colitis (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s colitis) continues to be a medical emergency requiring careful joint management by physicians and surgeons. Extensive Crohn’s jejuno-ileitis can also present major management problems, particularly in children. The evidence base for the management of this potentially severe form of Crohn’s disease is limited and thus treatment has to be largely tailor-made for individual cases. Acute intestinal failure occurs in Crohn’s disease in a variety of clinical settings, but the most challenging problem in the acute phase is the management of the major losses of fluid and electrolytes.
The Vowel Systems of Quichua-Spanish Bilinguals
Authors: Guion Susan G.
Published: July 2003

This study investigates vowel productions of 20 Quichua-Spanish bilinguals, differing in age of Spanish acquisition, and 5 monolingual Spanish speakers. While the vowel systems of simultaneous, early, and some mid bilinguals all showed significant plasticity, there were important differences in the kind, as well as the extent, of this adaptability. Simultaneous bilinguals dffered from early bilinguals in that they were able to partition the vowel space in a more fine-grained way to accommodate the vowels of their two languages. Early and some mid bilinguals acquired Spanish vowels, whereas late bilinguals did not. It was also found that acquiring Spanish vowels could affect the production of native Quichua vowels. The Quichua vowels were produced higher by bilinguals who had acquired Spanish vowels than those who had not. It is proposed that this vowel reorganization serves to enhance the perceptual distinctiveness between the vowels of the combined first- and second-language system.
Analysis of English Nonsense Syllable Recognition in Noise
Authors: Benkí José R.
Published: July 2003

English nonsense consonant-vowel-consonant syllables were presented at four different signal-to-noise ratios for recognition. Information theory methods are used to analyze the response data according to segment type and phonological feature, and are consistent with previous studies showing that the consonantal contrast of voicing is more robust than place of articulation, word-initial consonants are more robust than word-final consonants, and that vowel height is more robust than vowel backing. Asymmetrical confusions are also analyzed, indicating a bias toward front vowels over back vowels. The results are interpreted as parts of phonetic explanations for synchronic and diachronic phonological patterns.
Thrombin Generation in Platelet-Poor Plasma Is Normal in Patients with Hereditary Mucocutaneous Haemorrhages
Authors: Quiroga Teresa , Goycoolea Manuela , Giesen Peter L.A. , Morales María , Muñoz Blanca , Aranda Eduardo , Rodríguez Soledad , Panes Olga , Martínez Carlos , Pereira Jaime , Mezzano Diego
Published: July 2003

Mild hereditary bleeding disorders presenting with mucocutaneous haemorrhages are usually difficult to diagnose. We measured thrombin generation in platelet-poor plasma (TG-PPP) in 206 patients with a clinically unequivocal bleeding tendency: 45 with von Willebrand disease (vWD), 49 with platelet aggregation/secretion defects (PASD), 10 with a combination of both and 102 who did not fit the diagnostic criteria for any known haemostatic disorder. TG-PPP was not significantly different from controls in all patient groups, indicating that an abnormality in the plasmatic clotting system is unlikely to contribute to the bleeding in patients with type 1 vWD and PASD. In patients with undiagnosed mild hereditary bleeding disorders, there must be other mechanisms which explain the abnormal haemorrhagic tendency, most likely as yet unrecognized defects in platelet-vessel wall interaction. As a next step we plan to investigate thrombin generation in PRP.
Role of Actions of Calcium Antagonists on Efferent Arterioles – with Special References to Glomerular Hypertension
Authors: Hayashi Koichi , Ozawa Yuri , Fujiwara Keiji , Wakino Shu , Kumagai Hiroo , Saruta Takao
Published: July 2003

Although calcium antagonists are used as a first-line antihypertensive agent, controversy attends the renal microvascular effects of calcium antagonists. Since calcium antagonists elicit predominant vasodilation of the afferent arteriole, they might ostensibly aggravate glomerular hypertension. Recently, novel types of calcium antagonists have been developed, some of which are reported to dilate efferent as well as afferent arterioles. The present review attempted to characterize the renal microvascular action of calcium antagonists, and evaluated the consequences of renal injury following the treatment with these antagonists. In contrast to predominant afferent arteriolar action of conventional calcium antagonists (e.g. nifedipine, nicardipine, amlodipine and diltiazem), novel antagonists (e.g. manidipine, nilvadipine, benidipine and efonidipine) potently dilated both afferent and efferent arterioles. The vasodilator action on efferent arterioles appears to be mediated in part by the blockade of T-type calcium channels, particularly through the inhibition of the intracellular calcium release mechanism. The comparison of the anti-proteinuric action of calcium antagonists in subtotally nephrectomized rats showed that efonidipine and enalapril, both possessing vasodilator action on efferent arterioles, exerted more prominent action than other calcium antagonists. Finally, in patients with chronic renal disease, a 48-week treatment with efonidipine reduced proteinuria, and this effect was seen even when the mean arterial blood pressure failed to reach below 100 mm Hg. In conclusion, although calcium antagonists potently inhibit afferent arteriolar constriction, efferent arteriolar responses to these agents vary, depending on the types of calcium antagonists used. These divergent actions of these agents on the efferent arteriole may alter differently the glomerular hemodynamics, and could affect the final outcome of underlying renal diseases.
Protection of the Liver by Ischemic Preconditioning: A Review of Mechanisms and Clinical Applications
Authors: Koti Rahul S. , Seifalian Alexander M. , Davidson Brian R.
Published: July 2003

Ischemic preconditioning refers to the endogenous mechanism of protection against a sustained ischemic insult following an initial, brief ischemic stimulus. Ischemia-reperfusion injury of the liver is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in liver surgery and transplantation and ischemic preconditioning is a promising strategy for improving the outcome of liver surgery. The preconditioning phenomenon was first described in a canine model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in 1986 and since then has been shown to exist in other organs including skeletal muscle, brain, kidneys, retina and liver. In the liver, the preconditioning effect has been demonstrated in rodents and a recent study has demonstrated human clinical benefits of preconditioning during hemihepatectomies. Ischemic preconditioning has been described as an adaptive response and although the precise mechanism of hepatoprotection from preconditioning is unknown it is likely to be a receptor-mediated process. Several hypotheses have been proposed and this review assesses possible mechanisms of ischemic preconditioning and its role in hepatic surgery and liver transplantation. The future lies in defining the mechanisms of the ischemic preconditioning effect to allow drug targeting to induce the preconditioning response.
Agonists of Peroxisome-Proliferator Activated Receptor-Gamma Reduce Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Sivarajah Ahila , Chatterjee Prabal K. , Patel Nimesh S.A. , Todorovic Zoran , Hattori Yoshiyuki , Brown Paul A.J. , Stewart Keith N. , Mota-Filipe Helder , Cuzzocrea Salvatore , Thiemermann Christoph
Published: July 2003

Background/Aims: Recent evidence indicates that peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) agonists protect against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Here we investigate the effects of the PPAR-γ agonists, rosiglitazone and ciglitazone, on the renal dysfunction and injury caused by I/R of the rat kidney in vivo. Methods: Rosiglitazone or ciglitazone were administered to male Wistar rats prior to and during reperfusion. Biochemical indicators of renal dysfunction and injury were measured and histological scoring of kidney sections was used to assess renal injury. Expression of PPAR isoforms and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 during renal I/R were assessed using RT-PCR and Northern blot, respectively. Myeloperoxidase activity and activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) were used as indicators of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell infiltration and oxidative stress, respectively. Results: Expression of PPAR-α, PPAR-β and PPAR-γ1 (but not PPAR-γ2) was observed in kidneys with down-regulation of PPAR-α expression during renal I/R. Rosiglitazone and ciglitazone significantly reduced biochemical and histological signs of renal dysfunction and injury. Renal expression of ICAM-1 caused by I/R was reduced by rosiglitazone and ciglitazone which was reflected by decreased PMN infiltration into reperfused renal tissues. Both rosiglitazone and ciglitazone reduced PARP activation indicating a reduction of oxidative stress. Conclusion: These results suggest that the PPAR-γ agonists rosiglitazone and ciglitazone reduce the renal dysfunction and injury associated with I/R of the kidney. We propose that one mechanism underlying the protective effects involves inhibition of the expression of ICAM-1, a reduction of PMN infiltration into renal tissues and subsequent reduction of oxidative stress.
Targeted Downregulation of Extracellular Nephrin in Human IgA Nephropathy
Authors: Gagliardini Elena , Benigni Ariela , Tomasoni Susanna , Abbate Mauro , Kalluri Raghu , Remuzzi Giuseppe
Published: July 2003

Background: The identification of nephrin and CD2AP, podocyte proteins which modulate the properties of glomerular barrier selectivity, has made it possible to unravel the mechanisms undergoing foot process effacement and proteinuria. Here we explored the role of nephrin and CD2AP together with the integrity of the slit diaphragm in the pathogenesis of proteinuria in patients with acquired glomerular diseases. Methods: Nephrin mRNA and protein expression were systematically evaluated in 28 renal biopsy samples from adult patients with primary glomerular disease and proteinuria by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry using antibodies directed against extra- and intracellular nephrin and compared with biopsy samples from normal controls. CD2AP protein expression by immunohistochemistry was also assessed. Morphometrical analysis of the filtration slit was performed by transmission electron microscopy. Results: Nephrin mRNA and expression of the extracellular nephrin were markedly reduced in IgA nephropathy. No changes were found in patients with minimal change nephrosis and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. The staining of intracellular nephrin and CD2AP did not change among patients. A comparable frequency of the filtration slits was observed in all patient groups, except in minimal change disease patients, due to extensive foot process effacement. The percentage of slit diaphragms with a filamentous image was markedly reduced in IgA nephropathy, but was comparable to controls in minimal change disease. Slit pore width showed a tendency to decrease both in patients with minimal change disease and IgA nephropathy. Conclusions: These results indicate that the ultrastructure of the filtration slit diaphragm is altered in patients with IgA nephropathy as a consequence of targeted downregulation of extracellular nephrin. Further studies are needed to evaluate the pathophysiological meaning of nephrin abnormality in IgA nephropathy and how these changes can be modulated by antiproteinuric therapy.
Analytic Expressions for Rate and CV of a Type I Neuron Driven by White Gaussian Noise
Authors: Lindner Benjamin , Longtin André , Bulsara Adi
Published: July 2003

We study the one-dimensional normal form of a saddle-node system under the influence of additive gaussian white noise and a static “bias current” input parameter, a model that can be looked upon as the simplest version of a type I neuron with stochastic input. This is in contrast with the numerous studies devoted to the noise-driven leaky integrate-and-fire neuron. We focus on the firing rate and coefficient of variation (CV) of the interspike interval density, for which scaling relations with respect to the input parameter and noise intensity are derived. Quadrature formulas for rate and CV are numerically evaluated and compared to numerical simulations of the system and to various approximation formulas obtained in different limiting cases of the model. We also show that caution must be used to extend these results to the neuron model with multiplicative gaussian white noise. The correspondence between the first passage time statistics for the saddle-node model and the neuron model is obtained only in the Stratonovich interpretation of the stochastic neuron model, while previous results have focused only on the Ito interpretation. The correct Stratonovich interpretation yields CVs that are still relatively high, although smaller than in the Ito interpretation; it also produces certain qualitative differences, especially at larger noise intensities. Our analysis provides useful relations for assessing the distance to threshold and the level of synaptic noise in real type I neurons from their firing statistics. We also briefly discuss the effect of finite boundaries (finite values of threshold and reset) on the firing statistics.
Variational Bayesian Learning of ICA with Missing Data
Authors: Chan Kwokleung , Lee Te-Won , Sejnowski Terrence J.
Published: July 2003

Missing data are common in real-world data sets and are a problem for many estimation techniques. We have developed a variational Bayesian method to perform independent component analysis (ICA) on high-dimensional data containing missing entries. Missing data are handled naturally in the Bayesian framework by integrating the generative density model. Modeling the distributions of the independent sources with mixture of gaussians allows sources to be estimated with different kurtosis and skewness. Unlike the maximum likelihood approach, the variational Bayesian method automatically determines the dimensionality of the data and yields an accurate density model for the observed data without overfitting problems. The technique is also extended to the clusters of ICA and supervised classification framework.
Transcending the Madhhab-in Practice: the Case of the Sudanese Shaykh Muhammad Majdhub (1795/6-1831
Authors: Hofheinz Albrecht
Published: July 2003

Muhammad Majdhūb was one of many Muslims who in the nineteenth century argued against strict adherence to the established

madhhab

system and sought ways to overcome it. This case study, based on an examination of Majdhūb's writings and contemporary documents, analyses what this position meant in practice, how it was expressed, and what it signified in a given social context. The challenge to

madhhab

affiliation appears to have been more radical in theory than in practice. While dismissing

fiqh

rationality and basing himself on Prophetic Tradition and inspiration, Majdhūb's practical conclusions consistently - if implicitly - agree with the Shāfi ī school. In the context in which such views were propagated, however, we find interesting social and political factors that contributed to their attractiveness. Here, they served to transcend a politicised deadlock between proponents of different

madhhabs

while lending 'Prophetic' support to the local as opposed to the ruling Ottoman party.
Time in the Art of Ancient Egypt: From Ideological Concept to Visual Construct
Authors: Bochi Patricia
Published: July 2003

The pervasiveness and immutability of time forced the ancient Egyptians to deal with its impact on everyday life in various ways. Yet, so far most studies have focused on the written expression of the concern for time, thus overlooking other areas of cognition equally capable of accounting for the ancient Egyptians' attempt at addressing the issue. Thus, the present study focuses on the way in which the ancient Egyptians conceptualized and visually represented the phenomenon of time. After examining the image-making process, the study analyzes the socio-cultural implications of such visual approach within the context of ancient Egyptian society.
"For Every Time there is a Season: John Philoponus on Plato's and Aristotle's Conception of Time"
Authors: McGinnis Jon
Published: July 2003

The originality of John Philoponus' temporal theory has been underestimated.The paper emphasizes Philoponus' creativity, especially in his reconciliation of Plato's and Aristotle's temporal theories (or at least one possible interpretation of Aristotle's account of time). To this end, the paper sketches both Plato's (and later Neoplatonic interpretations of Plato) and suggests an interpretation of Aristotle's accounts of time, which is at odds with the Platonic and Neoplatonic view of time. It next presents Philoponus' reconstruction of Aristotle's account along Platonic lines and concludes with the relevance of these ancient theories to contemporary temporal discussions.
Appraising Behaviour During Male-male Interaction in the Japanese Horned Beetle Trypoxylus Dichotomus Septentrionalis (Kono)
Authors: Hongo Yoshihito
Published: July 2003

Detailed contest behaviour of the Japanese horned beetle, Trypoxylus dichotomus septentrionalis, was examined in the field. Male-male interactions have three sequences, and in these sequences four behavioural stages were recognized. After two males encountered (Stage 1), they always faced and shoved each other with their horns (Stage 2: 'Shoving'). Then, if the horn length or body size difference between the contestants was large, one male began to retreat and was chased by the other male, and the interactions terminated (Stage 4A: 'Chasing'). If the difference was small, the interactions proceeded to the escalated fighting stage (Stage 3: 'Pry'), in which two males put their horns under their opponents and push and try to flip them up each other. The interactions, which proceeded to Stage 3, have two ways of termination. If the body size difference was large, one male was flipped up by the other male, and the interactions was terminated quickly (Stage 4B). If the difference was small, the interactions was not terminated so quickly and continued until one male began to retreat, proceeding to Stage 4A. It is suggested that males with shorter horns relative to the opponents avoid the escalated fighting stage, 'Pry', after perceiving the horn length difference during 'Shoving', which would be an appraising behaviour. Thus, 'Shoving' is the most important stage among all the interaction processes in that the highest proportion of judgement is made here. The great allometric variation of horn length would presently function more greatly for enhancing the efficiency of mutual appraisal than that in actual fighting.
Grooming Interactions Among the Chimpanzees of the Budongo Forest, Uganda: Tests of Five Explanatory Models
Authors: Whiten Andrew , Arnold Kate
Published: July 2003

Patterns of allogrooming among the Sonso community of chimpanzees of the Budongo Forest, Uganda, were examined and found to closely resemble those at other study sites. Strong affiliative bonds among males were reflected in high levels of grooming compared with other sex combinations. Adult males groomed, and received grooming most often from, other adult males and also adolescent females which were the only females with regular oestrous cycles during the study. Males had a wider diversity of grooming partners than females and groomed more equitably. However, males concentrated the majority of their effort on a very small number of partners compared with other sites. Grooming reciprocity was found among all age/sex combinations with the exception of adult male-female dyads once immediate reciprocation in the form of synchronous mutual grooming was removed from the analysis. Since grooming among males is thought to play a major role in servicing relationships and agonistic coalitions that can improve dominance status, competition for high-ranking grooming partners was predicted to influence the distribution of grooming among males. Grooming was indeed directed up the male hierarchy and closely ranked males groomed each other more often than those that were distantly ranked. However, when only adult males were considered, rank had little effect on grooming distributions. High rank appeared to influence access to females, but did not attract more female grooming partners. Grooming distributions in this average-sized community did not fit a number of alternative priority of access models which assume competition for high-ranking grooming partners that Watts (2000b) found to have some explanatory value in one very large community of chimpanzees, but not in a smaller, more representative one. Although rank is highly likely to influence coalition partner choice, whether such relationships depend upon strategic grooming partner choices in wild chimpanzees is presently unclear.
A Proposal for Internationalizing Counseling Psychology in the United States:
Authors: Leong Frederick T. L. , Ponterotto Joseph G.
Published: July 2003

This article, written by the coeditors of The Counseling Psychologist' s (TCP) International Forum section, reviews the status of counseling psychology from an international perspective and presents a rational and modest proposal for promoting counseling psychology's commitment to global perspectives. The brief history of TCP' s International Forum section is reviewed and specific recommendations for internationalizing counseling psychology are put forth. These recommendations are organized along (a) methods of psychological science, (b) profession-based initiatives, (c) Division 17 (counseling psychology) initiatives, and (d) program-specific activities. The marked challenges to internationalizing counseling psychology are also addressed.
Culturally Biased Assumptions in Counseling Psychology
Authors: Pedersen Paul B.
Published: July 2003

Eight clusters of culturally biased assumptions are identified for further discussion from Leong and Ponterotto's (2003 [this issue]) article. The presence of cultural bias demonstrates that cultural bias is so robust and pervasive that is permeates the profession of counseling psychology, even including those articles that effectively attack cultural bias itself such as Leong and Ponterotto's. Readers are warned to not underestimate the power of cultural bias and cultural encapsulation as generic issues in the profession of counseling psychology. The internationalization of counseling psychology is a struggle to be consistent with the scientist-practitioner model and the scientific foundation of psychology itself.
A Journey Worth Traveling:
Authors: Leung S. Alvin
Published: July 2003

Although it is an established psychological specialty in the United States, counseling psychology is still a culturally encapsulated discipline confined to its national borders. Internationalizing the discipline will require colleagues in the United States to examine their attitudes, abandon their sense of self-sufficiency, and engage counseling psychologists worldwide as equal partners. International counseling psychologists should avoid a wholesale importation of mainstream counseling psychology into their cultures, as indigenous practices and models are vital to the development of a global counseling psychology discipline. International counseling psychologists should play a major role in internationalizing the discipline by documenting their theories and practices, using their multilingual ability to bridge and foster scholarly communications among professionals from different regions, and promoting exchanges and visits that could lead to long-term cross-cultural collaborations. Only through breaking its isolation can counseling psychology move forward to become a relevant discipline worldwide.
Counseling Psychology's Wide New Horizons
Authors: Takooshian Harold
Published: July 2003

Is it truly important to “internationalize” counseling psychology? If so, how can we best do this? This reaction to Leong and Ponterotto (2003 [this issue]) documents four general points about international psychology today—its origins, growth, ethnocentrism, and diversity—and relates these to their bold and comprehensive proposal to internationalize counseling psychology in the United States.
When Does the “Duty to Protect” Apply with a Client Who has Anorexia Nervosa?
Authors: Werth James L. , Wright Kimberly S. , Archambault Rita J. , Bardash Rebekah J.
Published: July 2003

Individuals with eating disorders, especially those with anorexia nervosa, have the potential to experience significant harm and even death as a result of behaviors related to their condition. Because of this risk, the authors argue that there is a duty to protect (i.e., an obligation to take some action when a person is engaging or considering engaging in a behavior that may lead to self-harm) when a client's anorexia-related behavior has progressed to the point of medical jeopardy—that is, her or his life is in danger. This article reviews information on anorexia, including mortality data; ethical and legal issues when a client is believed to be a harm-to-self; and the literature related to involuntary hospitalization and compulsory treatment of clients with anorexia. The article concludes with a set of guidelines for when the duty to protect when a client has anorexia nervosa begins and with suggestions for interventions.
A Concomitant Examination of the Relations of Perceived Racist and Sexist Events to Psychological Distress for African American Women
Authors: Moradi Bonnie , Subich Linda Mezydlo
Published: July 2003

Conceptualizations of the role of racism and sexism in African American women's lives suggest that racism and sexism may have unique and interactive links to psychological distress. Path analysis was used to examine concomitantly these links for a sample of 133 African American university and community women. Respondents'·self-reported experiences of perceived racist and sexist events and psychological distress were gathered. Results indicated that perceived racist and sexist events correlated positively, and comparably, with psychological distress; but when examined concomitantly, only perceived sexist events accounted for unique variance in psychological distress. Furthermore, racist and sexist events did not interact to predict distress. The substantial correlation between reports of racist and sexist events and the overlap in their relations to psychological distress suggest that the constructs of racism and sexism may, at least in part, be fused for African American women.
Identity, Quality of Life, and Sustainability in an Urban Suburb of Barcelona
Authors: Pol Enric , Moreno Emilia , Guàrdia Joan , íñiguez Lupicinio
Published: July 2003

This article presents a summary of a descriptive analysis of a town in the suburban area of Barcelona and the adjustment of the data compiled to the City-Identity-Sustainability (CIS) structural models. The analysis was conducted in a reduced sample of a wider study and aimed to identify and analyze potential social effects of the plans for the town’s urban growth. In addition to the CIS questionnaire, ethnographic, qualitative, and quantitative studies were also carried out to collect complementary information; these are not reported here. The results show high levels of satisfaction and perceived quality of life that are independent of the objective life conditions. The adjustment to the CIS structural models shows that identity correlates with propensity to sustainability. The results are related to the emergence of a positive social identity that fits the social cohesion model in poor and standard areas, whereas the well-structured urban areas present a good fit with the identification model.
Identity and Sustainability in Two Neighborhoods of Guadalajara, Mexico
Authors: Jiménez-Domínguez Bernardo , Aguilar Rosa M. López
Published: July 2003

As part of the international project City-Identity-Sustainability, a study was carried out in two popular neighborhoods in the city of Guadalajara. One of the neighborhoods, Analco, was traditional and well consolidated; the other, Los Colorines, was new and in the process of consolidation. An adapted survey was applied to evaluate identity, sustainability, and demographic data. Results suggest that the relationship between greater or lesser consolidation and practices of sustainability is mediated mainly by factors of identity and collective satisfaction with the place.