bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF EXPERIMENTAL DISSEMINATED INTRAVASCULAR COAGULATION (DIC)
Authors: Toyofuku Hiroyuki , Hayashi Keiki , Awai Michiyasu
Published: January 2009

The experiment was focused on clarifying changes in fibrin or fibrinogen related materials (FRMs) in blood, urine, and renal tissues of rats with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). DIC was induced by a continuous infusion of massive volume of physiologic saline (100 ml) immediately after endotoxin injection. FRM response was checked by biochemical and histo‐chemical examinations at various intervals. In the blood of DIC rats, platelet and fibrinogen levels initially decreased, followed by an increasing plasma fibrin degradation products (FDP). Parallel with elevation of blood FDP the percentage of glomeruli with FRMs increased. Thereafter, FRMs were observed in renal tubuli and urine. Our observations indicated that FRMs in renal tubuli were derived from glomerular capillaries via Bowman's space. In conclusion, in DIC the immunoenzymehistochemical (IEH) procedure appeared necessary for an accurate pathological diagnosis, and the presence of FRMs in renal tubuli appeared to be an important finding even in absence of FRMs in glomeruli.
PASSIVE TRANSFER OF EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS WITH LYMPHOCYTES COLLECTED FROM BRAINS OF IMMUNIZED GUINEA PIGS
Authors: Ohkawa Tokitada , Chino Fumitoshi
Published: January 2009

Lymphocytes were collected from the brains of guinea pigs immunized with syngeneic spinal cord emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant. Sixteen to 32 times 106 lymphocytes were inoculated into the vein of each inbred guinea pig (NIH 13). Recipient animals without clinical signs of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) were sacrificed 20 days later. Some of the recipients had perivascular infiltrates of a large number of mononuclear cells mostly in choroid plexus and meninges of the brain and spinal cord. Demyelination, which was not so intense, was also observed in the vicinity of the perivascular infiltrates. Thus, the lymphocytes from the brain as well as lymph node and spleen were clear to have the ability to transfer EAE.
INDUCTION OF MELANOGENESIS IN SCHWANN CELL AND PERINEURAL EPITHELIUM BY 9, 10‐DIMETHYL‐l, 2‐BENZANTHRACENE (DMBA) AND 12‐o‐TETRADECANOYLPHORBOL‐13‐ACETATE (TPA) IN BDF1 MICE
Authors: Kanno Jun , Matsubara Osamu , Kasuga Tsutomu
Published: January 2009

Six‐week‐old female BDF, mice were treated with a single topical application of DMBA followed by repeated application of TPA on the clipped dorsal skin. Several weeks after DMBA application, the intradermal melanocytes of perifollicular melanocytic network began to proliferate to form melanocytic tumors in all treated mice skin. Besides these changes, single membrane‐bound melansomes and premelanosomes were found in the cytoplasm of perineural epithelia and Schwann cells with mesaxons of the nerve bundles involved, and the melanogenic activity of the Schwann cell and the perineural epithelium of the dermal peripheral nerve bundle was discussed in terms of a common feature of neuro‐ectodermal cells.
NEOPLASTIC ANGIOENDOTHELIOMATOSIS Report of Two Autopsy Cases with Special Reference to the Origin of Atypical Cells
Authors: Nakamura Toshitsugu , Watanabe Masahide , Hotchi Masao , Fujimori Naoharu , Mizuno Masahiko
Published: January 2009

Two autopsy cases of neoplastic angioendotheliomatosls (NAE) were presented. Both patients were elderly woman, characterized by an ascending progression of transverse myelopathy and abnormal brain shadows similar to metastatic tumor in computer tomographic examination in Case 1, and by typical clinical features of cerebral infarction in Case 2. Postmortem examinations of both cases revealed an exclusive intravascular distribution of large atypical cells in generalized organs, especially in the central nervous system, and associated multiple cerebral infarcts and, in Case 1, widespread demyelina‐tion of the spinal cord. There were no distinct lesions suggestive of a primary focus. In both cases only a few atypical cells were immunohistochemically positive for factor VHI‐related antigen, likely due to non‐specific absorption of serum factor VIII into the cells. On the other hand, almost all of the atypical cells were immunoreactive for LN‐1, LN‐2, and leukocyte common antigen, suggestive of lymphocytic (B cell) origin.
FUNCTIONING OXYPHIL CELL ADENOMA IN A PATIENT WITH SECONDARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM
Authors: Misonou Jun , Ishikura Hiroshi , Aizawa Miki , Ohira Seiji
Published: January 2009

A 45‐year‐old Japanese woman who has been receiving haemodialysis for 13 years suffered from an ectopic calcifying nodule and deformity of the thorax. She was diagnosed as hyperparathyroidism secondary to chronic renal failure. Total parathyroidectomy was performed, and the excised parathyroid glands showed hyperplasia in four and an adenoma in the left upper gland. On the electron microscopic study, the adenoma was composed of oxyphil cells and transitional oxyphil cells, the latter predominating in number. It was revealed from immunohistochemical study that the oxyphil cells in adenoma were strongly stained for parathyroid hormone (PTH). Continuous stimuli to secrete PTH seemed to generate the functioning oxyphil cell adenoma with an ability of PTH production, as well as hyperplasia of parathyroid chief cells. It seems to be the first case of tertiary hyperparathyroidism caused by an oxyphil cell adenoma. Functions of oxyphil cells and transitional oxyphil cells are briefly discussed.
DELAYED POSTTRAUMATIC ISCHEMIC STRICTURE OF THE SMALL INTESTINE
Authors: Lien Gi‐Shih , Mori Masaki , Enjoji Munetomo
Published: January 2009

Three men and one woman with delayed posttraumatic Ischemic stricture of the small intestine were studied, clinicopathologically. Three sustained trauma in traffic accidents, and the other one was injured at a workshop. The chief signs and symptoms were repeatedly occurring incomplete intestinal obstruction. The interval between operation and trauma ranged from 1.5 to 14 months, with a mean of 4 months. The lesions were present in the jejunum 150 cm distant from the ligament of Treitz in one, and in the terminal ileum in three. Shallow ulcers, transmural inflammation, fibromusculosis, and neovas‐cularity in the submucosa, as well as siderophages and foreign body reaction in the subserosa were evident, microscopically. The associated deeper ulcers proximal to the strictures in three were considered to have been induced by ischemic plus mechanical factors.
A Comment on Weak Disposability in Nonparametric Production Analysis
Authors: Färe Rolf , Grosskopf Shawna
Published: January 2009

In his 2005 paper in this journal, Kuosmanen argues that Shephard's specification of weak disposability in activity analysis (DEA) models is not correct. We show that Shephard's specification does satisfy weak disposability and is the “smallest” technology to do so.
Standards as Barriers Versus Standards as Catalysts: Assessing the Impact of HACCP Implementation on U.S. Seafood Imports
Authors: Anders Sven M. , Caswell Julie A.
Published: January 2009

The United States mandated a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) food safety standard for seafood in 1997. Panel model results for 1990 to 2004 suggest that HACCP introduction had a negative and significant impact on overall imports from the top thirty‐three suppliers. While the effect for developed countries was positive, the negative effect for developing countries supports the view of “standards as barriers” versus “standards as catalysts.” A different perspective emerges from individual country‐level analysis. Regardless of development status, leading seafood exporters generally experienced a positive HACCP effect, while most other smaller trading partners faced a negative effect.
How Closely Do Hypothetical Surveys and Laboratory Experiments Predict Field Behavior?
Authors: Chang Jae Bong , Lusk Jayson L. , Norwood F. Bailey
Published: January 2009

We compare the ability of three preference elicitation methods (hypothetical choices, nonhypothetical choices, and nonhypothetical rankings) and three discrete‐choice econometric models (the multinomial logit [MNL], the independent availability logit [IAL], and the random parameter logit [RPL]) to predict actual retail shopping behavior in three different product categories (ground beef, wheat flour, and dishwashing liquid). Overall, we find a high level of external validity. Our specific results suggest that the nonhypothetical elicitation approaches, especially the nonhypothetical ranking method, outperformed the hypothetical choice experiment in predicting retail sales. We also find that the RPL can have superior predictive performance, but that the MNL predicts equally well in some circumstances.
Optimal Investment in Transportation Infrastructure When Middlemen Have Market Power: A Developing‐Country Analysis
Authors: Mérel Pierre R. , Sexton Richard J. , Suzuki Aya
Published: January 2009

Transportation costs and buyer market power reduce prices and income received by farmers in developing countries. Transportation costs directly affect the marketing margin and also exacerbate market power by limiting farmers’ access to buyers. This article develops a multistage spatial model to determine optimal investment in transportation improvements, taking account of impacts on marketing costs and competition. The beneficial impact of investments from farmers’ perspective is mainly through enhanced competition, meaning significant under‐investment may occur if this effect is ignored. However, the optimal investment depends on the relative importance of transportation costs; in some settings, transportation improvements reduce farm prices because buyers rationally over‐compensate farmers for these costs.
Reconciling ‘Voice’ and ‘Exit’: Swiss and Italian Populists in Power
Authors: Albertazzi Daniele
Published: January 2009

This article focuses on the strategic communication of four populist parties which have served in national and/or sub-national governments during the last two decades: the Lega Nord (LN) and Forza Italia (FI) in Italy, as well as the Lega dei Ticinesi (LDT) and the Schweizerische Volkspartei/Union Démocratique du Centre (SVP/UDC) in Switzerland. The analysis identifies two strategies which have been adopted by these parties (i.e. the ‘opposition within government’ and ‘role playing’), as they try to maintain their identity and balance their recourse to ‘spectacular politics’ with the responsibilities of office. Unlike others, this study provides little support for the idea that government participation must bring with it the ‘moderation’ of populists, at least as far as their strategic communication is concerned.
Iris Robinson's Excitable Speech: Sexuality and Conflict Transformation in Northern Ireland
Authors: Ashe Fidelma
Published: January 2009

In the summer of 2008, the Westminster MP and Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Iris Robinson, made homophobic statements during interviews with the media. Robinson's anti-gay remarks highlight the continuing challenges for sexual politics in Northern Ireland. However, conflict transformation literature in the region has elided issues of sexuality. This article, drawing on elements of Judith Butler's analysis of injurious speech, assesses the issues that Robinson's homophobic speech highlights in relation to sexual equality in Northern Ireland. It concludes by assessing the role of conflict transformation literature in charting sexual politics in the region.
Paths between Positivism and Interpretivism: An Appraisal of Hay's Via Media
Authors: Clarke Chris
Published: January 2009

Hay's Political Analysis raises foundational issues for all social scientists, not least in its outline for a via media, or middle way, between positivist and interpretivist social science. In this view, social science should be firmly grounded in empirical study but take seriously the notion that there is no privileged vantage point from which to generate dispassionate knowledge claims about the social world. This article asks whether this apparent via media is coherent and meaningfully captures what it means to be doing positivist and interpretivist social science without, so to speak, conceding too much ground to the other approach.
Unravelling the Putin Myth: Strong or Weak Caesar?
Authors: Worth Owen
Published: January 2009

Having left office, the legacy of Putin will be examined in a multitude of different ways and from a variety of contrasting positions. The approach suggested here is that Putin can be seen as a leader who embarked upon a series of Caesarist strategies in order to create a stable and distinct sociological base for the post-communist Russian state. Its success can be assessed by whether Putin managed to appear as a ‘strong prince’ and/or succeeded in harmonising Russian civil and political society towards a hegemonic state, or whether he ultimately failed to solve the problems of instability that were left by his predecessor.
Making Short Politics Placements Work
Authors: Curtis Steven , Axford Barrie , Blair Alasdair , Gibson Caroline , Huggins Richard , Sherrington Philippa
Published: January 2009

Short placements can provide an important and meaningful experience of politics in action for students who are unable to benefit from the generally lengthy placements currently on offer. This article is based on the findings of the three-year HEFCE-funded project The Scholarship of Engagement for Politics and explores the potential of short, local, research-based placements, which are embedded in modules, supported by online journaling and effectively assessed, to enrich students' understanding of politics and enhance their employability.
Counteractive Self-Control
Authors: Myrseth Kristian Ove R. , Fishbach Ayelet , Trope Yaacov
Published: January 2009

We propose a self-control analysis of the role of availability in valuation. We explored the hypothesis that, when temptation becomes available, counteractive self-control processes render it less valuable. We found evidence for devaluation of available temptation among gym users before they choose to forgo an unhealthy snack rather than after they make their choice (Study 1), and among students evaluating leisure activities when their decision to enroll in an uninteresting class is reversible rather than irreversible (Study 2).
Religion and Support for Suicide Attacks
Authors: Ginges Jeremy , Hansen Ian , Norenzayan Ara
Published: January 2009

In four studies carried out across different cultural, religious, and political contexts, we investigated the association between religion and popular support for suicide attacks. In two surveys of Palestinians and one cognitive priming experiment with Israeli settlers, prayer to God, an index of religious devotion, was unrelated to support for suicide attacks. Instead, attendance at religious services, thought to enhance coalitional commitment, positively predicted support for suicide attacks. In a survey of six religions in six nations, regular attendance at religious services positively predicted a combination of willing martyrdom and out-group hostility, but regular prayer did not. Implications for understanding the role of religion in suicide attacks are discussed.
Stimulus-Specific Delay Activity in Human Primary Visual Cortex
Authors: Serences John T. , Ester Edward F. , Vogel Edward K. , Awh Edward
Published: January 2009

Working memory (WM) involves maintaining information in an on-line state. One emerging view is that information in WM is maintained via sensory recruitment, such that information is stored via sustained activity in the sensory areas that encode the to-be-remembered information. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we observed that key sensory regions such as primary visual cortex (V1) showed little evidence of sustained increases in mean activation during a WM delay period, though such amplitude increases have typically been used to determine whether a region is involved in on-line maintenance. However, a multivoxel pattern analysis of delay-period activity revealed a sustained pattern of activation in V1 that represented only the intentionally stored feature of a multifeature object. Moreover, the pattern of delay activity was qualitatively similar to that observed during the discrimination of sensory stimuli, suggesting that WM representations in V1 are reasonable “copies” of those evoked during pure sensory processing.
External Imbalances and the Extensive Margin of Trade
Authors: Galstyan Vahagn , Lane Philip R.
Published: January 2009

We quantify the role of the extensive margin in the recent trade dynamics of selected countries that are running large and persistent trade imbalances. We find that the role of the extensive margin is quite substantial, although it varies in significance across the countries in the sample. Finally, we highlight differences in behaviour between the fixed‐varieties and varieties‐adjusted terms of trade.
The Impact of a Disorderly Resolution of Global Imbalances on Global Wealth
Authors: Warnock Francis E.
Published: January 2009

Partly reflecting structural advantages such as liquidity and strong investor protection, foreigners have built up extremely large positions in US (as well as other dollar‐denominated) financial assets. This paper describes the impact on global wealth of an unanticipated shock to US financial markets. For every 10 per cent decline in the dollar, US equity markets, and US bond markets, total wealth losses to foreigners could amount to about 5 percentage points of foreign GDP. Four stylized facts emerge: (i) foreign countries, particularly emerging markets, are more exposed to US bonds than to US equities; (ii) over time US exposure has increased for most countries; (iii) on average, US asset holdings of developed countries and emerging markets (scaled by GDP) are very similar; and (iv) based on their reserves position alone, wealth losses of emerging market governments could on average amount to about 2¾ percentage points of their GDP.
Reserves, Sovereign Wealth Funds and the Resilience of Global Imbalances
Authors: Alberola Enrique , Serena José María
Published: January 2009

Reserves and sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) assets should be jointly considered for the assessment of global imbalances, hence their denomination as sovereign external assets (SEAs): both are public capital outflows from developing to developed countries, both hinder adjustment in current account surplus and deficit countries and, therefore, both contribute to sustain global imbalances. They represented 135 per cent and 50 per cent of net and gross US financing needs, respectively, in 2007. Reserves contribute 80 per cent and SWFs 20 per cent. They will go on providing resilience to the global imbalances, and the relative importance of SWFs is set to increase if commodity prices stay high.
Effects of selected antioxidants on physical and sensory characteristics of yeast bread containing flaxseed meal
Authors: Conforti Frank D. , Cachaper Katherine F.
Published: January 2009

Flaxseed has been identified as a potential functional food because of its high content of phytochemicals, alpha‐linolenic (α‐linolenic) acid and lignans. Flaxseed can be used in baked goods because of its minimal loss of α‐linolenic acid. Alpha‐linolenic acid is susceptible to oxidation and the development of off‐aromas and flavours in the food. The focus of this study was to determine the effectiveness of both synthetic and natural antioxidants that were incorporated into a yeast bread that contained 15% flaxseed as a partial replacement for bread flour. The study evaluated the effectiveness of the antioxidants on the physical and sensory characteristics of the bread. Physical properties, such as per cent moisture and loaf volume, were not affected (P > 0.05) by the antioxidants, but ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole, independently, had a softening affect (P < 0.05) on crumb firmness. Sensory analysis indicated significant (P < 0.05) changes in aroma, grainy taste, aftertaste and moistness in all bread samples regardless of antioxidant, however, only ascorbic acid was rated as effective in maintaining a softer (P < 0.05) crumb.
Who buys newspapers in Spain? An analysis of the determinants of the probability to buy newspapers and of the amount spent
Authors: Escardíbul Josep‐Oriol , Villarroya Anna
Published: January 2009

In this paper, we examine the determinants of household consumption of newspapers and the amount spent on their purchase by considering several explanatory variables related to household characteristics and the main household wage earner. Results show that the variables have quite similar effects on both the relative probability of buying newspapers and the amount spent. The key variables are the age and occupational status of the main wage earner, the number of household members, income and having to pay for the house, as well as a number of geographical variables. However, certain differences are also observed. The most important is the education of the main wage earner: while its effect on buying newspapers is very small (only those who did not complete primary education are less likely to buy), its effect on the amount spent increases with the level of education. As other studies of cultural goods and services consumption have suggested, education and occupational status are more relevant determinants than income.
The ownership and use of small kitchen domestic appliances by a Cypriot population
Authors: Efstathiou Aglaia , Maxwell Sheila M.
Published: January 2009

The nutritional habits of consumers have become a cause for concern with an increasing number of people suffering from diseases related to nutrition. In Cyprus, traditionally the Mediterranean diet was consumed, which was protective against coronary heart disease. Recently the incidence of coronary heart disease is increasing and has become a cause for concern. The way in which food is prepared may contribute to the nutritional content of the diet. Traditional methods of cooking and eating are being influenced by increased ownership of domestic appliances. The aim of this study was to carry out a cross‐sectional survey of people living in Cyprus to determine the ownership and use of small kitchen appliances. An opportunistic sample of 300 female subjects was recruited. Data were collected using a self‐completion questionnaire consisting of questions concerning personal details, cooking techniques, and the ownership and use of domestic appliances. The Liverpool John Moores University Ethics Committee granted ethics approval for the study.

The majority of Cypriots were found to spend more than 2 h cooking each day. Toasters, sandwich makers, kettles and juice makers were owned by over 75% and microwave ovens, food processors and blenders by over 50% of Cypriots. Those with a professional occupation were significantly more likely to own crepe and pancake makers, electric grills, coffee makers, blenders and food mixers (P < 0.05). There were no significant associations between age groups and ownership of any of the domestic appliances. The results indicated that a considerable number of Cypriots own and use small domestic kitchen appliances. The use of these appliances may contribute to a tendency for this population to move away from their traditional diet. The relationship between usage and nutrient intake remains to be investigated.
Food allergic consumers' preferences for labelling practices: a qualitative study in a real shopping environment
Authors: Voordouw Jantine , Cornelisse‐Vermaat Judith R. , Yiakoumaki Vassiliki , Theodoridis Gregory , Chryssochoidis George , Frewer Lynn J.
Published: January 2009

Food allergy is a chronic disease that can only be managed through avoidance of problematic proteins in the diet. Inappropriate communication about food allergens can cause stress and insecurity, which may have a negative impact on quality of life. The aim was to investigate whether information provided through current labelling practices meets the need of food allergic consumers. A total of 40 participants (20 adult food allergy suffers and 20 parents of food allergic children) were recruited from two different European countries (Greece and The Netherlands), and interviewed while shopping in a supermarket. Participants were asked to purchase 15 potentially problematic food items as if for their own household. Their information search behaviour was observed, and participants were questioned about their preferences for food allergen information provision. Participants reported experiencing problems associated with current food allergy information provision. It was reported that inappropriate use of fonts, colours and languages, application of precautionary labelling and lack of harmonization in labelling practices across countries can cause (un)necessary dietary restrictions for food allergic consumers. Research is needed to investigate the feasibility and implementation possibilities for new information delivery strategies and amendments to existing European labelling policy.
The effects of family structure and socialization influences on compulsive consumption: a life course study in France
Authors: Benmoyal‐Bouzaglo Sarah , Moschis George P.
Published: January 2009

Compulsive consumption is regarded as a global phenomenon that can adversely affect consumer well‐being. Although the topic has been studied in different cultural settings, we have seen relatively little theory development and explanations of compulsive behaviour. Nearly all previous empirical studies attempt to explain this behaviour by correlating measures of compulsive behaviour with independent variables taken within the same time frame. However, recent developments in social sciences suggest that such a phenomenon may best understood in the context of the person's earlier‐in‐life experiences. Using the life course paradigm as an overarching framework, the present research extends previous work on this topic. Hypotheses derived from life course perspectives are formulated, and a survey of young adults in France is used to test them. The findings have implications for theory development and suggest directions for further research.
Mammography screening from the perspective of quality of life: a review of the literature
Authors: Hafslund Bjørg , Nortvedt Monica W.
Published: January 2009

Aims:  The purpose of this literature review was to explore how women attending a national mammography screening programme reacted to the screening process on quality of life (QoL). The research question was what implications regarding true‐negative results and false‐positive results from mammography screening were found among women?

Quality of life including life domains as psychological, physical and social was the theoretical reference in the study.

Method:  Guided by the concept of QoL on mammography screening a database search of Medline, Cinahl and Cochrane was carried out. Search terms such as QoL, anxiety and mammography have been used.

Findings:  A review of studies between 1995 and 2007 showed that the implications regarding a negative result were less than those regarding false‐positive one. It was found that women with negative results after mammography screening experience minor negative psychological consequences, and some women have even measured less anxiety following mammography than before because of the reassurance given by a clear negative result.

False‐positive result and recalls were a problem for many women. The process following recalls do affect women emotionally, decrease their wellbeing and QoL for weeks and even months.

Conclusion:  Future research should be directed at measuring the short‐term outcomes in representative populations for whom screening and prevention are indicated. This knowledge would be useful for the organisation of the mammography programmes and for communication with the general population, the women coming for screening and those who do not attend.
Degeneration of biogenic superparamagnetic magnetite
Authors: LI Y.‐L. , PFIFFNER S. M. , DYAR M. D. , VALI H. , KONHAUSER K. , COLE D.R. , RONDINONE A. J. , PHELPS T. J.
Published: January 2009

Magnetite crystals precipitated as a consequence of Fe(III) reduction by Shewanella algae BrY after 265 h incubation and 5‐year anaerobic storage were investigated with transmission electron microscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. The magnetite crystals were typically superparamagnetic with an approximate size of 13 nm. The lattice constants of the 265 h and 5‐year crystals are 8.4164Å and 8.3774Å, respectively. The Mössbauer spectra indicated that the 265 h magnetite had excess Fe(II) in its crystal‐chemistry (Fe3+1.990Fe2+1.015O4) but the 5‐year magnetite was Fe(II)‐deficient in stoichiometry (Fe3+2.388Fe2+0.419O4). Such crystal‐chemical changes may be indicative of the degeneration of superparamagnetic magnetite through the aqueous oxidization of Fe(II) anaerobically, and the concomitant oxidation of the organic phases (fatty acid methyl esters) that were present during the initial formation of the magnetite. The observation of a corona structure on the aged magnetite corroborates the anaerobic oxidation of Fe(II) on the outer layers of magnetite crystals. These results suggest that there may be a possible link between the enzymatic activity of the bacteria and the stability of Fe(II)‐excess magnetite, which may help explain why stable nano‐magnetite grains are seldom preserved in natural environments.
A Century in Thirty Years: Sheikh Zayed and The United Arab Emirates
Authors: Qasimi Fahim Bin Sultan Al , Al‐Shamsi Fatima S. , Tétreault Mary Ann , Richards Alan , Mallett Robert L. , Al‐Sayegh Fatma , Kechichian Joseph A. , Al‐Alkim Hassan H. , Jahshan Khalil E. , III F. Gregory Gause
Published: January 2009

Following are excerpts from an April 20, 1999, conference convened by the Middle East Policy Council. The papers these presentations are drawn from will be published as a book, forthcoming in 1999.
Symposium: Policy Implications of the Price of Oil
Authors: Copaken Robert R. , Kern Nathaniel R. , Steenhagen Jim , Kemp Geoffrey
Published: January 2009

The following is an edited transcript of the eighteenth in a series of Capitol Hill conferences convened by the Middle East Policy Council. The meeting was held on March SO, 1999, in the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
Sandler, Freedman and Telhami: Religion in Israeli Politics The Religious‐Secular Divide in Israeli Politics
Authors: Sandier Shmuel , Freedman Robert O. , Telhami Shibley
Published: January 2009

The following is the edited text of a Sadat Forum held at the Brookings Institution on February 23, 1999. The cosponsors are the Brookings Foreign Policy Program and the Anwar Sadat Chair for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland.
Politics and Culture: Toward an Arab Agenda for the 21st Century
Authors: Salem Paul
Published: January 2009

The author o/Bitter Legacy: Ideology and Politics in the Arab World (Syracuse University Press, 1994), the editor of Conflict Resolution in the Arab World: Selected Essays (American University of Beirut 1997), and numerous articles on Lebanon and the Arab world.
Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Use and Incident Frailty in Women Aged 65 and Older: Prospective Findings from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study
Authors: Gray Shelly L. , LaCroix Andrea Z. , Aragaki Aaron K. , McDermott Mary , Cochrane Barbara B. , Kooperberg Charles L. , Murray Anne M. , Rodriguez Beatriz , Black Henry , Woods Nancy F.
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVES: To examine the associations between current use, duration, and potency of angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and incident frailty in women aged 65 and older who were not frail at baseline.

DESIGN: Data were from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (WHI‐OS), a prospective study conducted at 40 U.S. clinical centers.

PARTICIPANTS: Women aged 65 to 79 at baseline who were not frail (N=27,378).

MEASUREMENTS: Current ACE inhibitor use was ascertained through direct inspection of medicine containers at baseline. Components of frailty were self‐reported low physical function or impaired walking, exhaustion, low physical activity, and unintended weight. Frailty was ascertained through self‐reported and physical measurements data at baseline and 3‐year clinic contacts.

RESULTS: By the 3‐year follow‐up, 3,950 (14.4%) women had developed frailty. Current ACE inhibitor use had no association with incident frailty (multivariate adjusted odds ratio=0.96, 95% confidence interval=0.82–1.13). Duration and potency of ACE inhibitor use were also not significantly associated with incident frailty. A similar pattern of results was observed when incident cardiovascular disease events were studied as a separate outcome or when the sample was restricted to subjects with hypertension.

CONCLUSION: Overall, incidence of frailty was similar in current ACE inhibitor users and nonusers.
Stylet penetration behavior resulting in inoculation of beet severe curly top virus by beet leafhopper, Circulifer tenellus
Authors: Stafford C. A. , Walker G. P. , Creamer R.
Published: January 2009

Beet leafhopper, Circulifer tenellus (Baker) (Homoptera: Cicadellidae), is the only known North American vector of beet curly top virus (Geminiviridae), which causes major economic losses in a number of crops including sugar beet, tomato, beans, and peppers. Beet curly top virus is a phloem‐limited, persistently transmitted, circulative geminivirus. The strain/species of curly top virus used in this study is the CFH strain, also referred to as beet severe curly top virus (BSCTV). The direct current (DC) electrical penetration graph technique was used to determine the specific stylet penetration behavior associated with inoculation of BSCTV. Viruliferous leafhoppers were allowed to feed on healthy 3–4‐week‐old sugar beet plants until specific electrical penetration graph waveforms were produced, at which point feeding was artificially terminated. A series of comparisons between leafhoppers that produced different combinations of waveforms clearly implicated waveform D1 as the only waveform correlated with inoculation of BSCTV. All successful inoculations contained waveform D1, and 56 out of 64 leafhoppers that produced waveform D1 successfully inoculated test plants. Eighty‐five leafhoppers did not produce waveform D1 and none of these inoculated BSCTV. While the occurrence of waveform D1 appears to be necessary for BSCTV inoculation, there was no correlation between duration of waveform D1 and inoculation success rate. The correlation of waveform D1 and BSCTV inoculation found in this study implies that waveform D1 is associated with phloem salivation.
Effect of homocysteine on calcium mobilization and platelet function in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Alexandru N. , Jardin I. , Popov D. , Simionescu M. , García‐Estañ J. , Salido G. M. , Rosado J. A.
Published: January 2009

Type 2 diabetes mellitus induces a characteristic platelet hyperactivity that might be due to several factors including oxidative stress and abnormal intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Hyperhomocysteinaemia is considered a risk factor in the development of thrombosis although its effect on platelet function and the mechanisms involved are still poorly understood. Here we show that homocysteine (Hcy) induce a concentration‐dependent increase in endogenous production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which was significantly greater in platelets from diabetic patients than in controls. Platelet treatment with Hcy resulted in Ca2+ release from the dense tubular system and the acidic stores. Ca2+ mobilisation‐induced by Hcy consisted in two components, an initial slow increase in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and a rapid and marked increase in [Ca2+]i, the second leading to the activation of platelet aggregation. As well as ROS generation, Ca2+ mobilization and platelet aggregation were significantly greater in platelets from diabetic donors than in controls, which indicate that platelets from diabetic donors are more sensitive to Hcy. These findings, together with the hyperhomocysteinaemia reported in diabetic patients, strongly suggest that Hcy might be considered a risk factor in the development of cardiovascular complications associated to type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Cytotoxic activity of nemorosone in neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Díaz‐Carballo D. , Malak S. , Bardenheuer W. , Freistuehler M. , Reusch H. P.
Published: January 2009

Neuroblastoma is the second most common solid tumour during childhood, characterized by rapid disease progression. Most children with metastasized neuroblastoma die despite intensive chemotherapy due to an intrinsic or acquired chemotherapy resistance. Thus, new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Here, we demonstrate that the novel compound nemorosone isolated from alcoholic extracts of Clusia rosea resins by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC) exerts cytotoxic activity in neuroblas‐toma cell lines both parental and their clones selected for resistance against adriamycin, cisplatin, etoposide or 5‐fluorouracil. Cell cycle studies revealed that nemorosone induces an accumulation in G0/G1‐ with a reduction in S‐phase population combined with a robust up‐regulation of p21Cip1. Furthermore, a dose‐dependent apoptotic DNA laddering accompanied by an activation of caspase‐3 activity was detected. Nemorosone induced a significant dephosphorylation of ERK1/2 in LAN‐1 parental cells probably by the inhibition of its upstream kinase MEK1/2. No significant modulation of signal transducers JNK, p38 MAPK and Akt/PKB was detected. The enzymatic activity of immunoprecipitated Akt/PKB was strongly inhibited in vitro, suggesting that nemorosone exerts its anti‐proliferative activity at least in part by targeting Akt/PKB in the cell lines studied. In addition, a synergistic effect with Raf‐1 inhibitor BAY 43‐9006 was found. Finally, nemorosone induced a considerable down‐regulation of N‐myc protein levels in parental LAN‐1 and an etoposide resistant sub‐line at the same drug‐concentrations.
Hierarchical determinants of the functional richness, evenness and divergence of a vertebrate predator assemblage
Authors: Farias Ariel A. , Jaksic Fabian M.
Published: January 2009

Environmental factors are hypothesized to affect the functional diversity of assemblages hierarchically. First, ecological filters constrain the range of functional traits potentially displayed by an assemblage by determining its taxonomic composition. Second, some factors determine actual functional traits through the phenotypic plasticity of species. Little is known about the relative importance of each set of factors and, by using a priori functional information, most empirical studies report only the variability expected from species turnover and neglect that associated to phenotypic plasticity. Herein, we use structural equation models to assess the factors driving the functional richness, evenness, and divergence of a top‐predator assemblage faced with high variability in resource availability and assemblage structure (i.e. species richness and abundance). We measured actual functional traits (i.e. diet composition and predation pressure) in the field and contrasted the effects of environmental filters and phenotypic plasticity (i.e. behavioral responses) by controlling for species turnover and sample size with a null model. We found that a priori estimations (i.e. null‐model expectations) tended to significantly underestimate (richness and divergence) or overestimate (evenness) functional‐diversity components, explaining just a fraction (13–63%) of the variability in observed values. Furthermore, while species richness strongly affected functional richness (positively) and evenness (negatively), and resource availability slightly affected functional divergence, via compositional effects, changes in functional‐diversity components attributable to behavioral responses of predators showed little or no association with environmental variables. As a consequence, results indicated that in productive years, functionally‐distinctive species exerting relatively low predation pressure entered the assemblage, increasing functional richness and decreasing functional evenness. However, the strong behavioral responses of functionally dominant species buffered such compositional changes, affecting to different extents the three functional‐diversity components. Thus, we argue in favor of considering phenotypic plasticity in future studies of functional diversity.
TNF-α Knockout Mice Have Increased Corpora Cavernosa Relaxation
Authors: Carneiro Fernando S. , Sturgis Lashon C. , Giachini Fernanda R.C. , Carneiro Zidonia N. , Lima Victor V. , Wynne Brandi M. , Martin Sebastian San , Brands Michael W. , Tostes Rita C. , Webb R. Clinton
Published: January 2009

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction is considered an early clinical manifestation of vascular disease and an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events associated with endothelial dysfunction and increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, suppresses endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression.

Aim

Considering that nitric oxide (NO) is of critical importance in penile erection, we hypothesized that blockade of TNF-α actions would increase cavernosal smooth muscle relaxation.

Methods

In vitro organ bath studies were used to measure cavernosal reactivity in wild type and TNF-α knockout (TNF-α KO) mice and NOS expression was evaluated by western blot. In addition, spontaneous erections (in vivo) were evaluated by videomonitoring the animals (30 minutes). Collagen and elastin expression were evaluated by Masson trichrome and Verhoff-van Gieson stain reaction, respectively.

Main Outcome Measures

Corpora cavernosa from TNF-α KO mice exhibited increased NO-dependent relaxation, which was associated with increased eNOS and neuronal NOS (nNOS) cavernosal expression.

Results

Cavernosal strips from TNF-α KO mice displayed increased endothelium-dependent (97.4 ± 5.3 vs. Control: 76.3 ± 6.3, %) and nonadrenergic-noncholinergic (93.3 ± 3.0 vs. Control: 67.5 ± 16.0; 16 Hz) relaxation compared to control animals. These responses were associated with increased protein expression of eNOS and nNOS (P < 0.05). Sympathetic-mediated (0.69 ± 0.16 vs. Control: 1.22 ± 0.22; 16 Hz) as well as phenylephrine-induced contractile responses (1.6 ± 0.1 vs. Control: 2.5 ± 0.1, mN) were attenuated in cavernosal strips from TNF-α KO mice. Additionally, corpora cavernosa from TNF-α KO mice displayed increased collagen and elastin expression. In vivo experiments demonstrated that TNF-α KO mice display increased number of spontaneous erections.

Conclusion

Corpora cavernosa from TNF-α KO mice display alterations that favor penile tumescence, indicating that TNF-α plays a detrimental role in erectile function. A key role for TNF-α in mediating endothelial dysfunction in ED is markedly relevant since we now have access to anti-TNF-α therapies.
Women’s Partnered Orgasm Consistency Is Associated with Greater Duration of Penile–Vaginal Intercourse but Not of Foreplay
Authors: Weiss Petr , Brody Stuart
Published: January 2009

Introduction

It has been asserted that women’s likelihood or consistency of partnered orgasm (her orgasm as a result of sexual activities with a partner) is determined by duration of foreplay, but not by duration of penile–vaginal intercourse.

Aims

The objective was to examine the extent to which women’s likelihood or consistency of partnered orgasm is associated with duration of foreplay, duration of penile–vaginal intercourse, and age.

Methods

In a representative sample of the Czech population, 2,360 women reported their consistency of orgasm with a partner (from “never” to “almost every time”), and estimates of their typical durations of foreplay and of penile–vaginal intercourse.

Main Outcome Measures

The association of consistency of partnered orgasm with typical durations of both foreplay and penile–vaginal intercourse.

Results

In univariate analyses, consistency of partnered orgasm was more associated with penile–vaginal intercourse duration than with foreplay duration (consistency also correlated negatively with age). In multivariate analysis, foreplay ceased to be a significant correlate of partnered orgasm consistency (the exclusion of respondents reporting a penile–vaginal intercourse duration of 1 minute or less did not alter the results).

Conclusions

When both sexual activity categories are examined in tandem on a population level, women’s likelihood or consistency of partnered orgasm is associated with penile–vaginal intercourse duration, but not with foreplay duration. In contrast to the assumptions of many sex therapists and educators, more attention should be given to improve the quality and duration of penile–vaginal intercourse rather than foreplay.
Vaginismus and Accompanying Sexual Dysfunctions in a Turkish Clinical Sample
Authors: Dogan Sultan
Published: January 2009

Introduction

Although vaginismus is a common sexual dysfunction in Turkey, there are only limited data about sexual behavior characteristics and comorbidity with other sexual dysfunctions in vaginismic patients.

Aim

To investigate the frequency of female sexual dysfunctions (FSDs) in a Turkish clinical sample and to determine the comorbidity of other FSDs in women diagnosed with lifelong vaginismus.

Methods

The study included 54 female patients who presented to a psychiatry department with sexual problems/complaints.

Main Outcome Measures

The subjects were evaluated using a semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed by the researchers in order to assess sexually dysfunctional patients and included detailed questions about socio-demographic variables, and general medical and sexual history. All participants were also assessed using the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction.

Results

The most common primary FSD in our sample was vaginismus (75.9%), followed by hypoactive sexual desire (9.2%). Regarding comorbidity, in 36 female patients with lifelong vaginismus, we found dyspareunia in 17 women (47.2%), orgasmic disorder in eight women (22.2%), and sexual desire disorder in six women (16.6%) as a second sexual dysfunction, based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition, Text Revision criteria.

Conclusions

With respect to FSDs within the Turkish clinical population, vaginismic patients constitute the largest group and cultural factors may play a role in the occurrence of this condition. Additionally, our data indicated that there was a strong correlation between vaginismus and dyspareunia. There was also a high frequency of hypoactive desire and orgasm disorder in vaginismic patients. These results suggest that multidimensional assessment of sexual dysfunction in female patients is of great importance.