bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Applicability of Green-Red Vegetation Index for Remote Sensing of Vegetation Phenology
Authors: Motohka Takeshi , Nasahara Kenlo Nishida , Oguma Hiroyuki , Tsuchida Satoshi
Published: October 2010

We evaluated the use of the Green-Red Vegetation Index (GRVI) as a phenological indicator based on multiyear stand-level observations of spectral reflectance and phenology at several representative ecosystems in Japan. The results showed the relationships between GRVI values and the seasonal change of vegetation and ground surface with high temporal resolution. We found that GRVI has the following advantages as a phenological indicator: (1) “GRVI = 0” can be a site-independent single threshold fordetection of the early phase of leaf green-up and the middle phase of autumn coloring, and (2) GRVI can show a distinct response to subtle disturbance and the difference of ecosystem types.
Les « secondes victimes » : vivre au quotidien auprès des personnes atteintes de la maladie d'Alzheimer
Authors: Samitca Sanda
Published: October 2010

The « second victims »: people living with patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease

Caring for a relative suffering from Alzheimer's disease put the family in complex and difficult circumstances, and remain the object of few studies. This paper stress the role of the informal carers for the care of Alzheimer' s disease patients, and how they become the « second victims » of the disease. Various types of reaction and coping strategies are experienced by the caregivers and are to be undestood for an adequate management of the patients.
Marginalité contraceptive et figures du féminin : une expérience de la contraception injectable hormonale en France
Authors: Bretin Hélène
Published: October 2010

Marginal contraception and feminine representations: an experience with injectable hormone contraception in France

In France, where the pill and the IUD are used extensively, injectable hormone contraception is more of an exception. What meaning does it have in this context? This article, which draws on data from sociological and epidemiological research undertaken in the suburbs of Paris (1986-1990), examines the experiences of women and prescribing doctors. The medical conception of the method as a « last resort » induces a form of marginality associated with particular representations of the feminine as regards control of fertility. The reproductive trajectories of the users interviewed are less clear-cut than the social categories defined by doctors. For these women in socially and economically underprivileged situations, injectable hormone contraception is a compromise in which the inequalities characterizing social uses of contraception and the tensions between reproductive and contraceptive necessities are revealed.
La contraception, levier réel ou symbolique de la domination masculine
Authors: Bajos Nathalie , Ferrand Michèle
Published: October 2010

Contraception: actual or symbolic lever of maie domination

The development and diffusion of medical contraception can be thought to have promoted gender equity in areas of social life such as sexuality, family and work over the last three decades, period during which the feminist agenda has slowly been institutionalized in policies and laws. This article shows, however, that the advent of medical contraception was unable to subvert the gender hierarchy. Indeed, this technology does not challenge, but rather consolidates, the construction of female identities based on motherhood. While the use of medical contraceptives allows women to conciliate with greater ease professional activity and motherhood, this practice does not question the sexual division of productive and reproductive work, which remains an important component of social order. An analysis of practices and représentations in the sphere of sexuality reveals the persistancy of a gender divide.
L'espace du fauteuil roulant. Sociabilité ambulatoire en institution gériatrique
Authors: Hédouin Arnaud
Published: October 2010

El espacio de la silla de ruedas. Sociabilidad ambulatoria en la institución geriátrica

En un establecimiento geriátrico, la silla de ruedas es un objeto ordinario. Aún así su utilización no déja de ser problemática. No solamente su utilización pone en evidencia los límites impuestos a la movilidad por la organización física del espacio, sino que muchas veces necesita la intervencicón de un tercero. Esta particularidad da cuenta de la dimensión social que requiere el hecho de desplazar este objeto en el espacio. En este sentido, la silla de ruedas determina un marco de sociabilidad ambulatoria en el interior del edificio, esquematizado aqui en forma de metáfora de autopista. La silla de ruedas reparte los lugares y las identidades de los individuos alrededor de su uso, al mismo tiempo que le permite apropiarse de esos espacios a los ancianos que dependen de ella.
Diagnostic prénatal de la drépanocytose et interruption médicale de grossesse chez les migrantes africaines
Authors: Bonnet Doris
Published: October 2010

Antenatal diagnosis of sickle-cell and therapeutical abortion for African immigrant women

French Doctors recommend to pregnant women from Africa, the antenatal detection of sickle-cell, a widely spread genetical disease. When the foetus has a severe type of disease, they are offered a therapeutic abortion. The practice of medical abortion, while it is forbidden in their native countries, and the idea of giving birth to a handicap child, while the perception of this disease is not linked to a handicap, send them back to a new health pattern. In this context, the African woman experiments a normative, but also emancipatory scheme of the medical System.
Incidence du pronostic sur la construction des modèles explicatifs de la maladie d'Alzheimer à l'île de la Réunion
Authors: Enjolras Franck
Published: October 2010

Impact of the prognostic into the construction of disease's explanatory models: the Alzheimer's disease in l'île de la Réunion

While the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease used to be more confined in the occidental society, it is presently found in Creole society, in particular in l'île de la Réunion. The cultural perception of this disease reminds processes described for others diseases. It shows the evolution of the relationship between a part of the population of l'île de la Réunion and senility's disorders. This article shows up firstly how the evolution of the care system in l'île de la Réunion depends on news economic data and on cultural processes as creolization, and presents researches on environmental data around Alzheimer's disease. Central in the apprehension of this disease, the investigation of the notion of memory gives an opportunity to think over the inscription of the Alzheimer's disease in the White Creole population. Finally, the way families cope with the diagnosis of the disease refers to already well known mechanisms and emphasized the importance of the prognosis in the construction of explanatory models.
KAIMO KULTŪRINIO KRAŠTOVAIZDŽIO VERTĖ
Authors: Jurevičienė Jūratė
Published: October 2010

The paper discusses changes of the concept of cultural value of agrarian landscape in a few last decades. The interaction of the community and landscape, urgent problems of assessment and treatment of cultural landscape in rural areas of today’s Lithuania are revealed. Recent changes in the understanding of the value and shifts in the contents of this concept require improvement of the legal system of Lithuania on a few levels. Contradictions in the system of listing in the context of low efficiency of urban heritage preservation and economic decline are analysed. Inadequate role of local communities is revealed as one of the basic factors of threats to authenticity of relict agrarian landscapes. Recent international documents on cultural landscape protection enable perfection of this heritage preservation.

Santrauka

Nagrinėjamos kaimo kultūrinio kraštovaizdžio problemos, susijusios su jo vertės sampratos kaita pastaraisiais dešimtmečiais Vakarų šalyse ir Lietuvoje. Atskleidžiami mažai nagrinėti Lietuvos kaimo kraštovaizdžio vertės aspektai. Siekiama atskleisti dabartinėje Lietuvos kaimiškojo kraštovaizdžio reglamentavimo sistemoje slypinčius pavojus jo vertingosioms savybėms išlikti. Lyginami reikalavimai, nustatyti šiuose dokumentuose ir Lietuvos ratifikuotuose Europos Sąjungos teisės aktuose. Lyginama vietos bendruomenių sąsajų su kraštovaizdžiu svarba ir ribotos teisinės bei ūkinės prielaidos joms dalyvauti kaimiškojo kultūrinio kraštovaizdžio vertės nustatymo ir jos išsaugojimo procesuose.
FACE/FAÇADE: THE VISUAL AND THE ETHICAL
Authors: Kalaga Wojciech
Published: October 2010

Face and façade share not only the same etymological derivation, but also the appeal to the visual perceptual apparatus. Their operation as visual signs/texts, however, reaches far beyond the merely iconic; in the context of the Western culture, face and façade perform the role of the exterior as symbolically representing the interior. In spite of what they have in common, the two concepts connote different ethical values. Face, especially in the Levinasian sense, implies absolute sincerity and truthfulness; façade, as a “face of the building,” is in fact a simulacrum of the interior; it implies excess and uses performative-rhetorical devices of deception. Yet the metonimical representation of the inside by the façade naturalizes – through semiotic conventions and games – its fraudulently excessive character; it is only when façade – in its derivative sense as mask – returns to the face and becomes its metaphorical substitute, that its negative ethical value comes to the fore. The paper explores and theorizes – with intercultural references – the semiotic operation of face and façade, as well as provide analyses of visual examples. Santrauka Pasitelkiant tarpkultūrinius pavyzdžius ir semantinės analizės metodą straipsnyje tiriami Veido ir Fasado vaizdinių/sąvokų reikšminis ir etinis aspektai. Ieškoma panašumo tarp abiejų vaizdinių/sąvokų etimologijos ir vizualinio suvokimo struktūrų. Gilinamasi į Veidą ir Fasadą kaip į eksterjero ženklus, simboliniame lygmenyje reprezentuojančius interjerą. Straipsnyje išryškinama, kad tiriamos sąvokos konotuoja skirtingas etines vertes nepaisant dalinio jų tarpusavio panašumo. Veidui priskiriama nuoširdumo ir tikrumo reikšmė. Fasadas (pastato veidas) interpretuojamas kaip interjero simuliakras, todėl siejamas su netikrumu, apgaulingumu.
TAUTINIO STILIAUS PAIEŠKOS VLADIMIRO DUBENECKIO VISUOMENINIUOSE INTERJERUOSE
Authors: Preišegalavičienė Lina
Published: October 2010

The paper is dedicated to the famous Lithuanian interwar architect, painter, set designer, teacher Vladimir Dubenecky (1888–1932). Russian-born artist who lived and worked in Kaunas (in 1919–1932), has left for Lithuania significant heritage of creative work. One of the unique features of V. Dubenecky‘s creative biography was that, being not a Lithuanian, he became the first seeker for the Lithuanian national style in architecture and interior design. The part of V. Dubenecky‘s projects, which reflects search for the national style in the interior design, is discussed in the paper. Three public interiors designed by V. Dubenecky are selected for a review (Karmėlava Church (1919), Frumkinai Store (1922) and “Lietuva” hotel (also named “Metropolis” hotel) (1925) as well as their interaction with the national style which was expressed in the Lithuanian interwar architecture. Representativeness, as one of the most characteristic conceptual aspirations in public interior, is also discussed.

Santrauka

Straipsnis skirtas žinomam tarpukario Lietuvos architektui, dailininkui, scenografui ir pedagogui Vladimirui Dubeneckiui (1888–1932). Rusų kilmės menininkas, gyvenęs ir dirbęs Kaune 1919–1932 m., paliko Lietuvai nemažą kūrybinį palikimą. Vienas iš išskirtinių V. Dubeneckio kūrybinės biografijos bruožų tas, kad, būdamas ne lietuvis, jis tapo pirmuoju tautinio stiliaus ieškotoju Lietuvoje. Straipsnyje aptariama V. Dubeneckio kūrybos dalis, kurioje atsispindėjo tautinio stiliaus paieškos visuomeniniuose interjeruose. Straipsnio apžvalgai atrinkti trys ryškiausi V. Dubeneckio projektuoti interjerai (Karmėlavos bažnyčia – 1919 m., Frumkinų parduotuvė – 1922 m. ir „Lietuvos“ viešbutis – 1925 m.) bei jų sąveikos su tarpukario laikotarpiu architektūroje besireiškusiu tautiniu stiliumi, kartu aptariamas visuomeninio interjero reprezentatyvumo aspektas kaip vienas būdingiausių konceptualių interjero siekių.
Serum and Urinary Cell–free MiR-146a and MiR-155 in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: WANG GANG , TAM LAI-SHAN , LI EDMUND KWOK-MING , KWAN BONNIE CHING-HA , CHOW KAI-MING , LUK CATHY CHOI-WAN , LI PHILIP KAM-TAO , SZETO CHEUK-CHUN
Published: October 2010

Objective.

Recent studies showed that micro-RNA play important roles in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. We studied the levels of miR-146a and miR-155 in the serum and urinary supernatant of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods.

The serum and urinary supernatant levels of miR-146a and miR-155 were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 40 patients with SLE and 30 healthy controls.

Results.

Compared to controls, serum miR-146a and miR-155 levels were lower, and the urinary level of miR-146a was higher, in SLE. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) correlated with both serum miR-146a (r = 0.519, p = 0.001) and miR-155 (r = 0.384, p = 0.014). Serum miR-146a inversely correlated with proteinuria (r = −0.341, p = 0.031) and the SLE Disease Activity Index (r = −0.465, p = 0.003). Serum miR-146a and miR-155 levels also correlated with red blood cell count, platelet count, and lymphocyte count. After treatment with calcitriol for 6 months, serum miR-146a level of SLE patients increased significantly (p < 0.001), and its change inversely correlated with the level of calcium-phosphate product (r = −0.466, p = 0.003).

Conclusion.

The results suggested that serum miR-146a and miR-155 participate in the pathophysiology of SLE and might be used as biomarkers of SLE.
Sociologies de la musique
Authors: Ravet Hyacinthe
Published: October 2010

Résumé Qu’est-ce que « la sociologie de la musique » ? Et d’ailleurs, peut-on parler d’ une sociologie de la musique ? En interrogeant la manière d’aborder le fait musical de plusieurs sociologues français (J.-L. Fabiani, A. Hennion, P.-M. Menger et E. Pedler), contributeurs à ce numéro spécial de L’Année sociologique et parmi les principaux auteurs à avoir insufflé un développement de ce champ disciplinaire dans les années 1980 en France, l’article montre la diversité des conceptions théoriques et empiriques en sociologie de la musique. Le rapport personnel et scientifique qu’entretient chacun des auteurs avec la musique n’y est pas étranger. Cette entreprise nécessite au préalable de questionner le caractère réputé « insaisissable » de la musique et de reconstituer les débuts de la discipline en France. Elle conduit à souligner comment, en retour, la musique et les sociologies de la musique interrogent la musicologie et la sociologie de manière générale.
La question de la tonalité : retour sur le partage nature-culture. relire Lévi-Strauss avec des lunettes pragmatistes ?
Authors: Hennion Antoine
Published: October 2010

Résumé L’auteur propose de relire la fameuse digression de Lévi-Strauss sur la musique qui ouvre les Mythologiques . L’intérêt de ce retour n’est pas de critiquer ou défendre ce texte provocant, mais de profiter de ses analyses, des critiques qu’il a essuyées, des incompréhensions qu’il a provoquées, et même de ses manques, pour poser à nouveaux frais la question de la tonalité, et se demander quelles remises en cause implique une telle entreprise : penser l’articulation entre les propriétés physiques du son et le langage musical. Lévi-Strauss lui-même ne cherchait pas à appliquer son modèle à la musique. L’articulation nature-culture que cet art réalise, réussite pour lui très mystérieuse, lui servait au contraire à pousser ses conceptions à leurs limites. En mettant en évidence une série de paradoxes, l’auteur revient notamment sur l’héritage du structuralisme, et en détache la position de Lévi-Strauss, qu’il éclaire depuis les apports des Science & Technology Studies ( sts ) et de la sociologie pragmatiste.
Live at the village Vanguard. Le paradoxe de l'écoute enregistrée du jazz
Authors: Fabiani Jean-Louis
Published: October 2010

Résumé Le paradoxe de la musique de jazz tient tout entier dans le rapport complexe entre la revendication de la présence réelle et l’accès à l’altérité musicale par le biais du disque, sous ses formes successives. Il convient de décrire précisément les présupposés de l’appréciation du jazz comme musique improvisée et produite localement (1. Les sons et les lieux) . Il est alors possible de rendre compte de l’importance que le jazz a eue dans la constitution d’une ambivalence fonctionnelle concernant le rapport à l’écoute dans les sociétés contemporaines (II. La vie capturée et le rêve de l’amateur) . Dans un troisième moment, on développera une problématique de la présence réelle du jazz qui pourrait être susceptible de subir, sous certaines conditions, l’épreuve de la généralisation (III. La présence désincarnée du jazz) . Le jazz a été l’un des mondes sociaux au sein desquels le disque a été le plus fétichisé, non pas comme un substitut imparfait à la singularité du concert, mais comme un univers autonome. Ainsi l’ambivalence du jazz finit-elle par être inscrite dans la définition même de cet objet indécis.
Low levels of ethnic intolerance do not create large ghettos a discussion about an interpretation of Schelling's model
Authors: Forsé Michel , Parodi Maxime
Published: October 2010

Résumé Dans les années 1970, Thomas C. Schelling a proposé un modèle pour expliquer le lien entre ségrégation spatiale et préférences individuelles concernant cette ségrégation. Au moyen de simulations, il cherche à montrer qu’un haut niveau de ségrégation globale peut être le résultat collectif de décisions individuelles qui sont loin de viser une telle ségrégation. Cet article montre cependant que les contraintes structurelles du modèle expliquent intégralement les niveaux de ségrégation atteints. Une faible exigence individuelle pour s’entourer de voisins identiques conduit à une ségrégation collective faible et une exigence forte conduit à une ségrégation forte. Les niveaux de ségrégation correspondant à un seuil donné de satisfaction individuelle n’ont rien de surprenant en regard du hasard et de ce que chaque individu souhaite réellement. Le modèle de Schelling ne permet pas de conclure que, de manière générale, de larges ghettos naissent d’innocentes décisions.
Coopération en R&D et hétérogénéité des compétences
Authors: Manant Matthieu
Published: October 2010

Résumé Cet article analyse les stratégies de coopération de firmes dotées de compétences technologiques différentes dans le cadre d’un duopole à la Cournot. On suppose l’existence d’un coût fixe de coopération et que les effets de spillovers dépendent des compétences des firmes. On montre que, pour un coût de coopération intermédiaire, des firmes ayant un faible écart technologique entre elles (c’est-à-dire des compétences proches) n’ont pas intérêt à coopérer, alors que des firmes ayant un fort écart ont intérêt à coopérer. On montre également qu’en cas de faible écart technologique il faut davantage d’effets de spillovers pour que la coopération soit profitable d’un point de vue social qu’en cas de fort écart.
Les effets des fluctuations du prix du pétrole sur les marchés boursiers dans les pays du Golfe
Authors: Arouri Mohamed El Hédi , Rault Christophe
Published: October 2010

Résumé Ce travail utilise les techniques récentes de coïntégration en panel et la méthode d’estimation sur pour tester l’existence d’une relation de long terme entre le prix du pétrole et le cours des actions dans les pays du Conseil de coopération du Golfe ( ccg ). Ces pays étant des acteurs majeurs du marché mondial de l’énergie, leurs marchés boursiers devraient être sensibles aux chocs affectant le prix du pétrole. En utilisant une base de données mensuelle couvrant la période allant de janvier 1996 à décembre 2007, notre étude met en évidence, d’une part, l’existence d’une relation de coïntégration entre le prix du pétrole et le cours des actions dans les pays du ccg , et, d’autre part, les estimations sur indiquent que les augmentations du prix du pétrole ont un impact positif sur les rentabilités boursières, sauf en Arabie Saoudite.
Efficacité comparée de deux stratégies de prévention des infections nosocomiales : impact sur les représentations et les pratiques autodéclarées
Authors: Quintard Bruno , Lecigne A. , Pascual A. , Rogues A.-M. , Parneix Pierre
Published: October 2010

Résumé La présente recherche se propose de comparer l’impact de deux formations visant au respect des recommandations professionnelles édictées pour prévenir les infections nosocomiales ( in ). 74 infirmiers ( ide ) et aides-soignants ( as ) ont été répartis de façon aléatoire dans deux groupes. La « formation standard », privilégiait un contenu médical, à visée strictement didactique ; la condition « engageante », privilégiait la réflexion et la concertation, sans aucun apport relatif aux in (en référence aux théories de l’engagement de Joule et Beauvois, 1998). L’observance des recommandations professionnelles est meilleure après les interventions, et ce, quel que soit le contenu dispensé. Cette observance est optimisée chez les sujets qui ont bénéficié d’un contenu « engageant ». La condition engageante a un impact significativement plus favorable sur les ide que sur les as qui sont elles-mêmes plus sensibles à la formation « standard ». En revanche, on n’observe aucun effet significatif des deux types de formations sur les représentations que les soignants ont des in .
Assessment of genetic diversity in Aloe germplasm accessions from India using RAPD and morphological markers
Authors: Nayanakantha NMC , Singh BR , Gupta AK
Published: October 2010

Eleven Aloe germplasm accessions; A. vera, A. perryi, A. lotus, A. zeylanicum and seven strains of A. vera available at the Defense Agricultural Research Laboratory (DARL), Pithoragarh, and Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Research Development Centre (MRDC), Pantnagar, Uttaranchal, India were subjected to Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis in relation to morphometric parameters for estimating the extent of diversity within and between species. Morphological evaluation of the 11 accessions for selected characters showed qualitative variation among the accessions studied. The RAPD analysis revealed comparable inter and intra species variation. A total of 192 bands were amplified with 7 primers. Out of 192 bands amplified, 89% was polymorphic and 10.9% was unique to a particular accession which made it distinct from all other accessions. Maximum similarity of 61% was observed between DARL 1 and DARL 3 (A. vera) and minimum similarity of 6.8 % was observed between A. lotus and A. perryi. Thus, Aloe accessions maintained at DARL showed high genetic diversity. The RAPD profiles would be useful in genetic improvement and authentication of species and genotype of this medicinally and economically important genus. Key words: Aloe vera; cluster analysis; genetic similarity DOI: 10.4038/cjsbs.v39i1.2315 Cey. J. Sci. (Bio. Sci.) 39 (1): 1-9, 2010
An assessment of the human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka
Authors: Santiapillai Charles , Wijeyamohan S , Bandara Ganga , Athurupana Rukmali , Dissanayake Naveen , Read Bruce
Published: October 2010

The association between man and elephant in Sri Lanka is ancient. Elephants being the largest terrestrial herbivores require relatively large areas and diversity of environments to forage. With the increase in human population density and changes in the land-use patterns, elephant habitat is being continuously reduced. As a result, much of the present day elephant range extends into and overlaps with agricultural lands resulting in conflict with man. The assessment of the human-elephant conflict was carried out from January to March 2008 through the use of a questionnaire in 100 villages selected randomly from five provinces whose combined extent is 42,559 km2 which amounts roughly to 65% of the total land area of Sri Lanka. 65% of the respondents identified crop depredations with bull elephants, both young and old. At least 13 food items have been identified by the villagers as preferred by wild elephants in agricultural areas. Crop damage to paddy accounted for 69% of the complaints. At the same time, most of the farmers identified citrus trees as the most likely crop to be avoided by elephants. Failure to recognize the significance of the human-elephant conflict can result in a negative attitude to elephants and apathy or indifference to conservation initiatives. Although it is unlikely that the human-elephant conflict can be eliminated altogether, yet every effort must be taken to reduce it to tolerable levels. Key words: Asian elephant; Elephas maximus; crop depredations; mortality DOI: 10.4038/cjsbs.v39i1.2350 Cey. J. Sci. (Bio. Sci.) 39 (1): 21-33, 2010
Root growth promotion of Ficus species during air-layering
Authors: Gamlath Mihiri , Abeywickrama Krishanthi , Wickramarachchi Suranga
Published: October 2010

Three chitosan concentrations (1%, 3%, 5% w/v) were tested for their root growth promotion properties in air-layering of three popular ornamental Ficus species namely Ficus triangularis, Ficus microcarpa and Ficus benjamina. Subsequently, these treatment responses were compared with a rooting hormone (naphthalic acetic acid) and an organic root promoting extract (Root Most) available in the local market. Tap water was used as the control. Air-layered plants were further subjected to export simulation for 14 days at 12-14°C and 90% relative humidity (RH) with the aim of lengthening the storage period. 3% (w/v) chitosan treatment concentration was shown to promote the root growth significantly. 3% (w/v) chitosan treatment resulted in the highest mean root length of (15.3 cm) in F. triangularis compared to the 10.3 cm of tap water control. Similarly, highest mean root length of 38.8 cm was recorded for F. microcarpa for 3% (w/v) chitosan treated layers compared to 14.8 cm of tap water treated layers. Further, the highest mean root density of 3.17 was recorded for 3% (w/v) chitosan treated layers of F. triangularis. A cost effective packaging system was developed during this research which could be utilized in cold storage of air-layers during air or sea freight. Key words: 3% (w/v) chitosan; packaging; cold storage; export DOI: 10.4038/cjsbs.v39i1.2352 Cey. J. Sci. (Bio. Sci.) 39 (1): 45-51, 2010
Analysis of morphological variation of four populations of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de man, 1879) (Crustacea: Decapoda) in Sri Lanka
Authors: Munasinghe DHN , Thushari GGN
Published: October 2010

Freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879) is one of the most economically important crustacean species cultured within its' natural distribution and beyond. In Sri Lanka, Macrobrachium rosenbergii has gained a value as an important organism in aquaculture. In culturing programs, brood stocks are collected from the wild populations. Thus, wild stocks are important as an immediate resource for addressing diversity problems in cultured stocks. This study analysed intraspecific variation among four populations of M. rosenbergii using morphological data. Samples were collected from four localities (populations): Negombo lagoon, Bolgoda estuary, Walawe River estuary and Nilwala River estuary. Total of 179 individuals were analysed using 10 morphometric and 2 meristic parameters. To determine the significant difference of size standerdized morphometric parameters among four populations, One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used. To distinguish four populations, Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) was performed using morphometric parameters. First two discriminate functions totally accounted for 88.9% (69.3% and 19.6%) variables. First discriminate function by itself identified nine morphometric characters as contributors for this analysis. According to the results of ANOVA, all morphometric characters were variable among four populations which indicated the availability of adaptive traits within the species. However, Discriminant Function Analysis failed to distinguish geographically separated four M. rosenbergii populations. The importance of collecting information on population diversity levels of economically valuable aquatic species when constructing aquaculture and conservation programs are discussed. Key words: aquaculture; adaptive traits; population variation DOI: 10.4038/cjsbs.v39i1.2353 Cey. J. Sci. (Bio. Sci.) 39 (1): 53-60, 2010
Comparison of Identical and Functional Igh Alleles Reveals a Nonessential Role for Eμ in Somatic Hypermutation and Class-Switch Recombination
Authors: Li Fubin , Yan Yi , Pieretti Joyce , Feldman Danielle A. , Eckhardt Laurel A.
Published: October 2010

Somatic hypermutation (SHM), coupled with Ag selection, provides a mechanism for generating Abs with high affinity for invading pathogens. Class-switch recombination (CSR) ensures that these Abs attain pathogen-appropriate effector functions. Although the enzyme critical to both processes, activation-induced cytidine deaminase, has been identified, it remains unclear which cis-elements within the Ig loci are responsible for recruiting activation-induced cytidine deaminase and promoting its activity. Studies showed that Ig gene-transcription levels are positively correlated with the frequency of SHM and CSR, making the intronic, transcriptional enhancer Eμ a likely contributor to both processes. Tests of this hypothesis yielded mixed results arising, in part, from the difficulty in studying B cell function in mice devoid of Eμ. In Eμ’s absence, VH gene assembly is dramatically impaired, arresting B cell development. The current study circumvented this problem by modifying the murine Igh locus through simultaneous insertion of a fully assembled VH gene and deletion of Eμ. The behavior of this allele was compared with that of a matched allele carrying the same VH gene but with Eμ intact. Although IgH transcription was as great or greater on the Eμ-deficient allele, CSR and SHM were consistently, but modestly, reduced relative to the allele in which Eμ remained intact. We conclude that Eμ contributes to, but is not essential for, these complex processes and that its contribution is not as a transcriptional enhancer but, rather, is at the level of recruitment and/or activation of the SHM/CSR machinery.
The Neuroimmune Semaphorin-3A Reduces Inflammation and Progression of Experimental Autoimmune Arthritis
Authors: Catalano Alfonso
Published: October 2010

Semaphorin-3A (Sema3A), a member of a large family of conserved proteins originally implicated in axon guidance, is expressed by activated T cells and downmodulates T cell activation in vitro. This study examined the effect and mechanism of action of Sema3A overexpression in a mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis. Prophylactic i.p. administration of plasmid DNA encoding Sema3A markedly reduced the incidence, disease severity, and articular inflammation compared with control plasmid without insert. Treatment of Sema3A reduced anticollagen IgG levels and suppressed collagen-specific proinflammatory cytokine (IFN-γ and IL-17) release, but increased IL-10 concentration in the serum. In line with results in arthritic mice, Sema3A expression is defective in CD4+ T cells derived from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In contrast, increased expression of the Sema3A receptor neuropilin-1 (NP-1) is detected in the same cells. The CD4+NP-1+ T cells are a T cell subset involved in the control of the immune responses. They express greater amounts of IL-10 and show suppressive activities on autologous CD4+ T cells. Sema3A acted directly on CD4+NP-1+ T cells, because it could increase IL-10 production and influence the regulatory function on CD4+ T cell growth. Therefore, I propose that Sema3A increases the CD4+NP-1+ T cell ability to suppress alloresponses, that its transient expression is altered in rheumatoid inflammation, and that reintroduction of Sema3A is sufficient to attenuate collagen-induced arthritis, supporting its therapeutic potential in the treatment of autoimmune disorders.
CXCL1 Regulates Pulmonary Host Defense to Klebsiella Infection via CXCL2, CXCL5, NF-κB, and MAPKs
Authors: Cai Shanshan , Batra Sanjay , Lira Sergio A. , Kolls Jay K. , Jeyaseelan Samithamby
Published: October 2010

Pulmonary bacterial infections are a leading cause of death. Since the introduction of antibiotics, multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae became an escalating threat. Therefore, development of methods to augment antibacterial defense is warranted. Neutrophil recruitment is critical to clear bacteria, and neutrophil migration in the lung requires the production of ELR+ CXC chemokines. Although lung-specific CXCL1/keratinocyte cell-derived chemokine (KC) transgene expression causes neutrophil-mediated clearance of K. pneumoniae, the mechanisms underlying KC-mediated host defense against K. pneumoniae have not been explored. In this study, we delineated the host defense functions of KC during pulmonary K. pneumoniae infection using KC−/− mice. Our findings demonstrate that KC is important for expression of CXCL2/MIP-2 and CXCL5/LPS-induced CXC chemokine, and activation of NF-κB and MAPKs in the lung. Furthermore, KC derived from both hematopoietic and resident cells contributes to host defense against K. pneumoniae. Neutrophil depletion in mice before K. pneumoniae infection reveals no differences in the production of MIP-2 and LPS-induced CXC chemokine or activation of NF-κB and MAPKs in the lung. Using murine bone marrow-derived and alveolar macrophages, we confirmed KC-mediated upregulation of MIP-2 and activation of NF-κB and MAPKs on K. pneumoniae infection. Moreover, neutralizing KC in bone marrow-derived macrophages before K. pneumoniae challenge decreases bacteria-induced production of KC and MIP-2, and activation of NF-κB and MAPKs. These findings reveal the importance of KC produced by hematopoietic and resident cells in regulating pulmonary host defense against a bacterial pathogen via the activation of transcription factors and MAPKs, as well as the expression of cell adhesion molecules and other neutrophil chemoattractants.
Inducible microRNA-155 Feedback Promotes Type I IFN Signaling in Antiviral Innate Immunity by Targeting Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1
Authors: Wang Pin , Hou Jin , Lin Li , Wang Chunmei , Liu Xingguang , Li Dong , Ma Feng , Wang Zhugang , Cao Xuetao
Published: October 2010

Effective recognition of viral infection and subsequent triggering of antiviral innate immune responses are essential for the host antiviral defense, which is tightly regulated by multiple regulators, including microRNAs. Our previous study showed that a panel of microRNAs, including miR-155, was markedly upregulated in macrophages upon vesicular stomatitis virus infection; however, the biological function of miR-155 during viral infection remains unknown. In this paper, we show that RNA virus infection induces miR-155 expression in macrophages via TLR/MyD88-independent but retinoic acid-inducible gene I/JNK/NF-κB–dependent pathway. And the inducible miR-155 feedback promotes type I IFN signaling, thus suppressing viral replication. Furthermore, suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1), a canonical negative regulator of type I IFN signaling, is targeted by miR-155 in macrophages, and SOCS1 knockdown mediates the enhancing effect of miR-155 on type I IFN-mediated antiviral response. Therefore, we demonstrate that inducible miR-155 feedback positively regulates host antiviral innate immune response by promoting type I IFN signaling via targeting SOCS1.
Lymphatic Endothelial Murine Chloride Channel Calcium-Activated 1 Is a Ligand for Leukocyte LFA-1 and Mac-1
Authors: Furuya Momoko , Kirschbaum Sara B. , Paulovich Amanda , Pauli Bendicht U. , Zhang Heidi , Alexander Jonathan S. , Farr Andrew G. , Ruddell Alanna
Published: October 2010

The lymphatic circulation mediates drainage of fluid and cells from the periphery through lymph nodes, facilitating immune detection of lymph-borne foreign Ags. The 10.1.1 mAb recognizes a lymphatic endothelial Ag, in this study purified by Ab-affinity chromatography. SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry identified murine chloride channel calcium-activated 1 (mCLCA1) as the 10.1.1 Ag, a 90-kDa cell-surface protein expressed in lymphatic endothelium and stromal cells of spleen and thymus. The 10.1.1 Ab-affinity chromatography also purified LFA-1, an integrin that mediates leukocyte adhesion to endothelium. This mCLCA1–LFA-1 interaction has functional consequences, as lymphocyte adhesion to lymphatic endothelium was blocked by 10.1.1 Ab bound to endotheliumor by LFA-1 Ab bound to lymphocytes. Lymphocyte adhesion was increased by cytokine treatment of lymphatic endothelium in association with increased expression of ICAM-1, an endothelial surface protein that is also a ligand for LFA-1. By contrast, mCLCA1 expression and the relative contribution of mCLCA1 to lymphocyte adhesion were unaffected by cytokine activation, demonstrating that mCLCA1 and ICAM-1 interactions with LFA-1 are differentially regulated. mCLCA1 also bound to the LFA-1–related Mac-1 integrin that is preferentially expressed on leukocytes. mCLCA1-mediated adhesion of Mac-1– or LFA-1–expressing leukocytes to lymphatic vessels and lymph node lymphatic sinuses provides a target for investigation of lymphatic involvement in leukocyte adhesion and trafficking during the immune response.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERIODONTAL DISEASE (PD) AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (CVD).
Authors: Trevisan Maurizio , Dorn Joan
Published: October 2010

The recent focus on the potential link between periodontal and cardiovascular disease (PD and CVD)  is part of the larger renewed interest on the role of infection and inflammation in the etiology of atherosclerosis and its clinical manifestations.  Periodontal Disease is an inflammatory process affecting the periodontium, the tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth . The process usually starts with an inflammatory process of the gum (gingivitis) but it may progress with an extensive involvement of the gum, as well as the periodontal ligament and the bone surrounding the teeth resulting in substantial bone loss. Periodontal disease is a common oral pathological condition in the adult age and represents the leading cause of tooth loss. PD prevalence increases with age and there are estimates that up to 49,000,000 Americans may suffer from some form of gum disease. The gingival plaque associated with PD is colonized by a number of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria that have been shown to affect the initiation and development of PD and have been associated with the potential etiological role of PD in CVD and other chronic conditions. A potential etiological link between PD and CVD may have important public health implications as both the exposure (PD) and the outcomes (CVD) are highly prevalent in industrialized societies. In situations in which both the exposure and the outcome are highly prevalent even modest associations, like those observed in the studies reporting on the link between PD and CVD outcomes, may have relevance. There are  not  definite data on the effect of periodontal treatment on CVD clinical outcomes (either in primary or secondary prevention) however it should be pointed out that the limited (both in terms of numbers and study design) experimental evidence in humans suggests a possible beneficial effect of periodontal treatment of indices of functional and structural vascular health.
Garside groups have the falsification by fellow-traveller property
Authors: Holt Derek F.
Published: October 2010

A group

G

is said to have the
falsification by fellow-traveller property
(FFTP) with respect to a specified finite generating set

X

if, for some constant

K

, all non-geodesic words over

X ∪ X^{−1} K

-fellow-travel with

G

-equivalent shorter words. This implies, in particular, that the set of all geodesic words over

X ∪ X^{−1}

is regular. We show that Garside groups with appropriate generating set satisfy FFTP.
Can Dehn surgery yield three connected summands?
Authors: Howie James
Published: October 2010

A consequence of the Cabling Conjecture of Gonzalez-Acuña and Short is that Dehn surgery on a knot in S3 cannot produce a manifold with more than two connected summands. In the event that some Dehn surgery produces a manifold with three or more connected summands, then the surgery parameter is bounded in terms of the bridge number by a result of Sayari. Here this bound is sharpened, providing further evidence in favour of the Cabling Conjecture.
Nil graded self-similar algebras
Authors: Petrogradsky Victor M. , Shestakov Ivan P. , Zelmanov Efim
Published: October 2010

In [19], [24] we introduced a family of self-similar nil Lie algebras

\bm L

over fields of prime characteristic

p > 0

whose properties resemble those of Grigorchuk and Gupta–Sidki groups. The Lie algebra

\bm L

is generated by two derivations

\begin{aligned}
v1 &= \partial_1 + t0p − 1(\partial_2 + t_1^{p − 1}(\partial_3 + t_2^{p − 1}(\partial_4 + t_3^{p − 1}(\partial_5 + t_4^{p − 1}(\partial_6 + \cdots ))))), \\
  v2 &= \partial_2 + t_1^{p − 1}(\partial_3 + t_2^{p − 1}(\partial_4 + t_3^{p − 1}(\partial_5 + t_4^{p − 1}(\partial_6 + \cdots ))))
\end{aligned}

of the truncated polynomial ring

K[t_i, i \in \mathbb N\ |\ t_i^p = 0,\ i \in \mathbb N]

in countably many variables. The associative algebra

\bm A

generated by

v_1,\ v_2

is equipped with a natural

\mathbb Z \oplus \mathbb Z

-gradation. In this paper we show that for p, which is not representable as

p = m^2 + m + 1

,

m \in \mathbb Z

, the algebra

\bm A

is graded nil and can be represented as a sum of two locally nilpotent subalgebras. L. Bartholdi [3] and Ya. S. Krylyuk [15] proved that for

p = m^2 + m + 1

the algebra

\bm A

is not graded nil. However, we show that the second family of self-similar Lie algebras introduced in [24] and their associative hulls are always

\mathbb Z^p

-graded, graded nil, and are sums of two locally nilpotent subalgebras.
Strategies in Management of Oral Mucositis
Authors: Vahanwala Sonal , Pagare Sandeep
Published: October 2010

Oral mucositis is a clinically important and sometimes dose-limiting complication of Cancer Therapy. Mucositis lesions are painful, affect nutrition, quality of life and often hampers continuity of the treatment modality. The pathogenesis of oral mucositis is multifactorial and complex. This is a review paper which discusses various aspects a clinician should know in management of mucositis.
Embryo and Oocyte Wastage in ART: Is it Inevitable?
Authors: Kar Sujata
Published: October 2010

Natural human reproduction is very inefficient in achieving live births. Number of studies have shown that the maximum chances of conceiving a clinically recognized pregnancy in one natural menstrual cycle is about 30%, under optimal conditions for conception. Which implies in nature almost 70% of human embryos are lost at various stages from preimplantation embryo to full term pregnancies. From the time of number of oocytes retrieved, to cleavage stage embryos formed, IVF technologies are also marred with high loss of oocytes and embryos, low implantation and high early pregnancy loss rates. In fact right from the time of fetal germ cell production to live births—human reproduction is an extremely wasteful exercise both in nature and also in assisted reproduction. A process of continuous reduction or selection against aneuploid embryos starts right from the time of fertilization. Current methods used in the laboratory for embryo selection, do help choose better embryos but are still inaccurate. PGS and metabolomic profiling are technique that may help select chromosomaly normal embryos, how ever are not practical and cost-effective yet. This raises the obvious question of how far we can take the success of IVF? Have we reached the limits of improving pregnancy rates in IVF? Is it possible that majority of oocytes and embryos are intrinsically abnormal and not capable for implantation or developing further?
Primary Amenorrhea: Analysis of 108 Cases
Authors: Chowdhury TA , Mahmud Nusrat , Khatoon Habiba
Published: October 2010

Primary amenorrhea is defined as the absence of menses in females by the age of 14 years in the absence of secondary sex characteristics or the absence of periods by the age of 16 years regardless of appearance of secondary sex characters. A total of 108 cases of primary amenorrhea were referred to gynecological out-patient department of BIRDEM Hospital, Bangladesh between July 1995 to July 2008. These patients were studied with the aim to find out the cause of amenorrhea. After taking the detailed history, physical examinations and necessary investigations, patients were subjected to laparoscopic evaluation. The study highlights the role of transabdominal sonography in the work up of these cases and compare those with laparoscopic findings. About 69.4% of primary amenorrhoea were due to mullerian dysgenesis; 19.4% due to gonadal dysgenesis; 2.7% due to male pseudohermaphroditism with virilization; 2.7% due to genital tuberculosis and only one case was due to testicular feminization syndrome. Sonographic findings differ from laparoscopic findings in many cases. It can be observed that for optimal evaluation of primary amenorrhea, laparoscopy is the key tool for diagnosis.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Study
Authors: Sharma Paban K , Shrestha Ashis
Published: October 2010

Background

Maternal hyperglycemia is considered a risk factor for both fetus and mother which can lead to significant morbidity and sometimes, even mortality. Here, we present a two years study of gestational diabetes which was intended to see the incidence and its determinants in the Patan Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. Patan Hospital is a tertiary care level teaching hospital.

Subjects and Methods

All pregnant women visiting ANC clinic or admitted to the ward with the diagnosis of GDM from July 2005 to June 2007 at Patan Hospital were taken for the study. In Patan Hospital, pregnant ladies are routinely screened for diabetes with 50 gm glucose challenge test (GCT) and if the value is more than 140 mg/dl, they are subjected to 100 gm Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). If two or more than two values are increased, they are managed as gestational diabetes. These cases of gestational diabetes are enrolled for the study. Data was collected by interview and laboratory investigations using standard set of questioner.

Results

Out of 13,382 consecutive deliveries, 53 patients were admitted with the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Among them, 40.4% were Brahmin, 38.5% Newar, 11.5% Chettri and 9.6% from other cast. GDM was more common in the age group 26 to 35 years and was more prevalent in urban population than rural (urban 84.6% vs rural 15.4%). Similarly, it was more common in multipara patients. Only 28.8% of the cases were having polyhydramnios on ultrasound. Mean weight gain in pregnancy was 8.96 kg with a range of 3 to 20 kg approximately, 58% of patients had family history of diabetes, 48.7% of patients had history of GDM in previous pregnancy and 7.7% of patients had overt diabetes. Most of the patients needed insulin (92.3%) and only 7.7% of patients were managed with only diet and exercise. No significant fetomaternal complication was observed in our study.

Conclusion

There was significant number of cases diagnosed as GDM. All patients who were diagnosed early and treated accordingly had less complications related to mother and child.
Misplaced Intrauterine Device (IUD): The Endoscopic Management
Authors: Duhan Nirmala , Lakra Pinkey , Dahiya Krishna
Published: October 2010

CuT is widely accepted contraceptive method because of its safety, economy, efficiency and reversibility. This is a retrospective analysis of 30 patients with misplaced IUD's. In 21 patients device was found to be intrauterine and removed hysteroscopically and in 9 patients device was found extrauterine, retrieved laparoscopically in 77.7% cases while 22.2% patients required laparotomy. Endoscopic procedure should be considered as first line attempt to removal of misplaced intrauterine or extrauterine device.