bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution and Distribution of Class II-Related Endogenous Retroviruses
Authors: Gifford Robert , Kabat Peter , Martin Joanne , Lynch Clare , Tristem Michael
Published: April 2005

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are widespread in vertebrate genomes and have been loosely grouped into “classes” on the basis of their phylogenetic relatedness to the established genera of exogenous retroviruses. Four of these genera—the lentiviruses, alpharetroviruses, betaretroviruses, and deltaretroviruses—form a well-supported clade in retroviral phylogenies, and ERVs that group with these genera have been termed class II ERVs. We used PCR amplification and sequencing of retroviral fragments from more than 130 vertebrate taxa to investigate the evolution of the class II retroviruses in detail. We confirm that class II retroviruses are largely confined to mammalian and avian hosts and provide evidence for a major novel group of avian retroviruses, and we identify additional members of both the alpha- and the betaretrovirus genera. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that the avian and mammalian viruses form distinct monophyletic groups, implying that interclass transmission has occurred only rarely during the evolution of the class II retroviruses. In contrast to previous reports, the lentiviruses clustered as sister taxa to several endogenous retroviruses derived from rodents and insectivores. This topology was further supported by the shared loss of both the class II PR-Pol frameshift site and the class II retrovirus G-patch domain.
Role of Genes That Modulate Host Immune Responses in the Immunogenicity and Pathogenicity of Vaccinia Virus
Authors: Jackson Shawn S. , Ilyinskii Petr , Philippon Valérie , Gritz Linda , Yafal Alicia Gómez , Zinnack Kimberly , Beaudry Kristin R. , Manson Kelledy H. , Lifton Michelle A. , Kuroda Marcelo J. , Letvin Norman L. , Mazzara Gail P. , Panicali Dennis L.
Published: April 2005

Poxvirus vaccine vectors, although capable of eliciting potent immune responses, pose serious health risks in immunosuppressed individuals. We therefore constructed five novel recombinant vaccinia virus vectors which contained overlapping deletions of coding regions for the B5R, B8R, B12R, B13R, B14R, B16R, B18R, and B19R immunomodulatory gene products and assessed them for both immunogenicity and pathogenicity. All five of these novel vectors elicited both cellular and humoral immunity to the inserted HIV-BH10envcomparable to that induced by the parental Wyeth strain vaccinia virus. However, deletion of these immunomodulatory genes did not increase the immunogenicity of these vectors compared with the parental vaccinia virus. Furthermore, four of these vectors were slightly less virulent and one was slightly more virulent than the Wyeth strain virus in neonatal mice. Attenuated poxviruses have potential use as safer alternatives to current replication-competent vaccinia virus. Improved vaccinia virus vectors can be generated by deleting additional genes to achieve a more significant viral attenuation.
Papillomavirus Subtypes Are Natural and Old Taxa: Phylogeny of Human Papillomavirus Types 44 and 55 and 68a and -b
Authors: Calleja-Macias Itzel E. , Kalantari Mina , Allan Bruce , Williamson Anna-Lise , Chung Lap-Ping , Collins Robert J. , Zuna Rosemary E. , Dunn S. Terence , Ortiz-Lopez Rocio , Barrera-Saldaña Hugo A. , Cubie Heather A. , Cuschieri Kate , Villa Luisa L. , Bernard Hans-Ulrich
Published: April 2005

A human papillomavirus (HPV) type is defined as an HPV isolate whose L1 gene sequence is at least 10% different from that of any other type, while a subtype is 2 to 10% different from any HPV type. In order to analyze the phylogeny behind the subtype definition, we compared 49 isolates of HPV type 44 (HPV-44) and its subtype HPV-55, previously misclassified as a separate type, and 41 isolates of the subtype pair HPV-68a and -b, sampled from cohorts in four continents. The subtypes of each pair are separated by deep dichotomic branching, and three of the four subtypes have evolved large phylogenetic clusters of genomic variants forming a “star” phylogeny, with some branches specific for ethnically defined cohorts. We conclude that subtypes of HPV types are natural and old taxa, equivalent to types, which either diverged more recently than types or evolved more slowly.
Macropolyhedral Boron-Containing Cluster Chemistry. A Metallathiaborane from S2B17H17: Isolation and Characterisation of [(PMe2Ph)2PtS2B16H16]; A neo-arachno Ten-Vertex Cluster Shape, and the Constitution of the [arachno-B10H15]- Anion
Authors: Carr Michael J. , Londesborough Michael G. S. , Bould Jonathan , Císařová Ivana , Štíbr Bohumil , Kennedy John D.
Published: April 2005

The deprotonation of S2B17H17 with sodium hydride and subsequent reaction with [PtCl2(PMe2Ph)2] gives the new macropolyhedral metallathiaborane [(PMe2Ph)2PtS2B16H16], of which the cluster consists of a conventional eleven-vertex nido {SB10} unit, fused, with two boron atoms in common, with a {PtSB8} unit of unique ten-vertex neo-arachno constitution and geometry. The latter geometry suggests a configuration for the previously structurally uncharacterised [B10H15]- anion; starting from this configuration, DFT calculations of structure and thence of boron nuclear shieldings, which are found very closely to mimic those found experimentally, thence support a fluxional structure for [B10H15]- with three {BHB(bridging)} and two {BH(endo)} hydrogen atoms around a six-membered open face.
New Heterocyclic Derivatives of 2-Amino-1,6-anhydro-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranose Containing 1,4-Oxazepane or Azepane Ring
Authors: Trtek Tomáš , Černý Miloslav , Buděšínský Miloš , Trnka Tomáš , Císařová Ivana
Published: April 2005

Two heterocyclic derivatives of D-glucosamine, 2-amino-1,6-anhydro-2-deoxy-2-N,4-O-(ethane1,2-diyl)-β-D-glucopyranose (13) and 2-amino-1,6-anhydro-2,4-dideoxy-2-N,4-(propane-1,3-diyl)-β-D-glucopyranose (14) were prepared from 1,6-anhydro-β-D-glucopyranose (levoglucosan) in ten steps via O-4 or C-4 substituted 1,6:2,3-dianhydro-β-D-mannopyranose derivatives 2 and 4. Selective oxirane-ring cleavage with sodium azide at C-2 followed by tosylation afforded 2-azido-2-deoxy derivatives 7 and 8 of D-gluco configuration. These were reduced to amines and, after tosylation, azepane and oxazepane N-tosyl derivatives 11 and 12 were formed by intramolecular substitution. Their detosylation afforded the target D-glucosamine derivatives 13 and 14.
1,2-Anhydrosaccharides and 1,2-Cyclic Sulfites as Saccharide Donors in Convergent Synthesis of Glucopyranosyl-, Mannopyranosyl- and Ribofuranosylbenzocamalexin
Authors: Humeník Martin , Kutschy Peter , Kováčik Vladimír , Bekešová Slávka
Published: April 2005

A convergent synthesis of 1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-, 1-(α-D-mannopyranosyl)- and 1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)benzocamalexin was elaborated as an alternative route to the linear approach based on the indoline-indole method. 1,2-Anhydrosaccharides and 1,2-cyclic sulfites as saccharide donors were used in the key glycosylation step. Coupling with benzocamalexin resulted in moderate to excellent yields of nucleoside analogs, depending on the saccharide donor, catalyst and solvent used.
Primary antibody deficiency and diagnostic delay: Table 1
Authors: Seymour B , Miles J , Haeney M
Published: April 2005

Aims:To assess the occurrence of diagnostic delay in primary antibody deficiency in the period 1989–2002, since a similar study in 1989, and to assess the impact of UK national guidelines communicated in 1995.

Methods:A retrospective case note review was performed of 89 consecutive patients with antibody deficiency referred to a regional referral centre for clinical immunology in north west England and north Wales. The delay in diagnosis and the estimated resulting morbidity in terms of infections were assessed.

Results:Fifty six of the 89 patients experienced delay in diagnosis. The overall median delay was 2 years (mean, 4.4), resulting in substantial morbidity (equivalent to two major infections and one minor infection). This shows a moderate improvement since the previous study in 1989 and since the introduction of UK national guidelines in 1995. Respiratory infections are the most frequent presenting infections, and respiratory physicians the most common source of referral.

Conclusions:There is still considerable delay in the diagnosis of primary antibody deficiency, but the data suggest an improvement in practice since the previous study in 1989 and the distribution of national guidelines in 1995.
Postmortem molecular diagnosis of sickle β thalassaemia: Figure 1
Authors: Kutlar F , Mirmow D , Glendenning M , Holley L , Kutlar A
Published: April 2005

This report describes a case in which the diagnosis of sickle cell disease (SCD) was established after death. The diagnosis of sickle cell syndrome was made in a 68 year old black patient who was found to have sickled red blood cells in many organs at necropsy although the disease had not been diagnosed during her lifetime. DNA was isolated from a peripheral blood smear obtained on the day of the patient’s death. The β globin gene was polymerase chain reaction amplified and sequenced, revealing that the patient had S-β+thalassaemia. This study shows that blood smears are a suitable source for retrospective DNA analysis studies. This case illustrates that relatively “mild” forms of SCD can be overlooked, despite symptomatology suggestive of a sickle syndrome, and demonstrates the feasibility of the postmortem molecular diagnosis of haemoglobinopathies in such cases.
Expression and gene amplification of primary (A, B1, D1, D3, and E) and secondary (C and H) cyclins in colon adenocarcinomas and correlation with patient outcome
Authors: Bondi J , Husdal A , Bukholm G , Nesland J M , Bakka A , Bukholm I R K
Published: April 2005

Background/Aims:Deregulation of cell cycle control is a hallmark of cancer. The primary cyclins (A, B1, D1, D3, and E) are crucial for cell cycle progression. Secondary cyclins (C and H) have putative indirect effects on cell cycle progression and have not previously been evaluated in colon cancer. This study examined cyclin protein expression and gene amplification in colon adenocarcinoma and the correlation with patient outcome.

Methods:Immunohistochemistry and real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to determine cyclin expression and gene amplification in 219 tumours. The results were compared with clinical variables and patient outcomes.

Results:Cyclin H was overexpressed in all tumours, cyclin C in 88%, cyclin B1 in 58%, cyclin A in 83%, cyclin D3 in 36%, cyclin E in 25%, and cyclin D1 in 11% of the tumours. Extra gene copies of cyclin A were seen in 6.2% of the tumours, cyclin B1 in 9%, cyclin C in 26.9%, cyclin D1 in 55%, cyclin D3 in 20.5%, cyclin E in 19.1%, and cyclin H in 5.1%. A significant correlation between protein overexpression and gene amplification was seen for cyclin C only. High expression of cyclin A was independently associated with improved survival. Amplification of cyclin C was independently associated with an unfavourable prognosis.

Conclusions:Amplification of the cyclin C gene was related to an unfavourable prognosis and high protein expression of cyclin A was associated with a better outcome in colon adenocarcinoma.
Processing of radical prostatectomy specimens for correlation of data from histopathological, molecular biological, and radiological studies: a new whole organ technique
Authors: Jhavar S G , Fisher C , Jackson A , Reinsberg S A , Dennis N , Falconer A , Dearnaley D , Edwards S E , Edwards S M , Leach M O , Cummings C , Christmas T , Thompson A , Woodhouse C , Sandhu S , Cooper C S , Eeles R A
Published: April 2005

Aims:To develop a method of processing non-formalin fixed prostate specimens removed at radical prostatectomy to obtain fresh tissue for research and for correlating diagnostic and molecular results with preoperative imaging.

Methods/Results:The method involves a prostate slicing apparatus comprising a tissue slicer with a series of juxtaposed planar stainless steel blades linked to a support, and a cradle adapted to grip the tissue sample and receive the blades. The fresh prostate gland is held in the cradle and the blades are moved through the cradle slits to produce multiple 4 mm slices of the gland in a plane perpendicular to its posterior surface. One of the resulting slices is preserved in RNAlaterTM. The areas comprising tumour and normal glands within this preserved slice can be identified by matching it to the haematoxylin and eosin stained sections of the adjacent slices that are formalin fixed and paraffin wax embedded. Intact RNA can be extracted from the identified tumour and normal glands within the RNAlater preserved slice. Preoperative imaging studies are acquired with the angulation of axial images chosen to be similar to the slicing axis, such that stained sections from the formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded slices match their counterparts on imaging.

Conclusions:A novel method of sampling fresh prostate removed at radical prostatectomy that allows tissue samples to be used both for diagnosis and molecular analysis is described. This method also allows the integration of preoperative imaging data with histopathological and molecular data obtained from the prostate tissue slices.
BEST PRACTICE NO 184Screening for thyroid disease in pregnancy: Table 1
Authors: Lazarus J H , Premawardhana L D K E
Published: April 2005

Although gestational hyperthyroidism is uncommon (0.2%), hypothyroidism (autoimmune disease or suboptimal iodine intake) occurs in 2.5% of women and is predictive of reduced neonatal and child neuropsychological development and maternal obstetric complications. Postpartum thyroid dysfunction (PPTD) occurs in 5–9% of women and is associated with antithyroid peroxidase antibodies (antiTPOAb) in 10% of women in early pregnancy. Therefore, screening for thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy should be considered. T4 and thyroid stimulating hormone measurements could be used to screen for hypothyroidism, which would require levothyroxine intervention treatment. T4 supply is crucial to fetal nervous system maturation; currently, the recommended daily iodine intake is 200 μg, and this is not always achieved, even in the UK. At present, a randomised prospective trial is ongoing to provide the evidence base for this screening strategy. Meanwhile, it is reasonable to (a) optimise iodine nutrition during pregnancy; (b) ascertain women with known thyroid disease; (c) identify women at increased risk of thyroid disease—for example, those with other autoimmune diseases. PPTD can be predicted by measurement of antiTPOAb in early gestation.
A study to determine plasma antioxidant concentrations in patients with Barrett’s oesophagus
Authors: Clements D M , Oleesky D A , Smith S C , Wheatley H , Hullin D A , Havard T J , Bowrey D J
Published: April 2005

Background:Dietary questionnaire studies have suggested that patients with oesophageal adenocarcinoma are deficient in antioxidants. It is not known whether the same holds true for patients with the precursor lesion, Barrett’s oesophagus.

Aims:To evaluate the hypothesis that patients with Barrett’s oesophagus are deficient in antioxidants compared with patients without evidence of Barrett’s oesophagus.

Patients and methods:Plasma antioxidant profiles (copper, selenium, zinc; vitamins A, C, and E; carotenoids) were determined for patients with Barrett’s oesophagus (n  =  36), patients with erosive oesophagitis (n  =  32), and patient controls (n  =  35).

Results:Patients with Barrett’s oesophagus had significantly lower plasma concentrations of selenium, vitamin C, β cryptoxanthine, and xanthophyll compared with the other groups.

Conclusions:This study confirms the hypothesis that patients with Barrett’s oesophagus are deficient in certain antioxidants.
Low-coordinate iron complexes as synthetic models of nitrogenase
Authors: Holland Patrick L
Published: April 2005

Three-coordinate iron sites are potentially important intermediates in the reduction of dinitrogen by the enzyme nitrogenase, but synthetic work to outline the behavior of three-coordinate iron complexes is in its infancy. Recent work shows that bulky diketiminate ligands give a general route to three-coordinate iron complexes with a variety of third ligands. The low coordination number leads to exciting new reactions in which NN bonds are weakened or broken. Such complexes show great promise for evaluating the ability of low-coordinate iron to perform bond cleavage reactions akin to the individual steps of the nitrogenase system.Key words: nitrogenase, three-coordinate iron, diketiminate, NN cleavage.
ON-LINE SEAT RESERVATIONS VIA OFF-LINE SEATING ARRANGEMENTS
Authors: KOHRT JENS S. , LARSEN KIM S.
Published: April 2005

When reservations are made to for instance a train, it is an on-line problem to accept or reject, i.e., decide if a person can be fitted in given all earlier reservations. However, determining a seating arrangement, implying that it is safe to accept, is an off-line problem with the earlier reservations and the current one as input. We develop algorithms with optimal running time to handle problems of this nature.
Quantum Dots as Cellular Probes
Authors: Alivisatos A. Paul , Gu Weiwei , Larabell Carolyn
Published: April 2005

▪ Abstract  Robust and bright light emitters, semiconductor nanocrystals [quantum dots (QDs)] have been adopted as a new class of fluorescent labels. Six years after the first experiments of their uses in biological applications, there have been dramatic improvements in understanding surface chemistry, biocompatibility, and targeting specificity. Many studies have shown the great potential of using quantum dots as new probes in vitro and in vivo. This review summarizes the recent advances of quantum dot usage at the cellular level, including immunolabeling, cell tracking, in situ hybridization, FRET, in vivo imaging, and other related technologies. Limitations and potential future uses of quantum dot probes are also discussed.
Deterministic and Stochastic Elements of Axonal Guidance
Authors: Maskery Susan , Shinbrot Troy
Published: April 2005

▪ Abstract  An enormous literature has been developed on investigations of the growth and guidance of axons during development and after injury. In this review, we provide a guide to this literature as a resource for biomedical investigators. We first review briefly the molecular biology that is known to regulate migration of the growth cone and branching of axonal arbors. We then outline some important fundamental considerations that are important to the modeling of the phenomenology of these guidance effects and of what is known of their underlying internal mechanisms. We conclude by providing some thoughts on the outlook for future biomedical modeling in the field.
Genome-wide survey of V-ATPase genes inDrosophilareveals a conserved renal phenotype for lethal alleles
Authors: Allan Adrian K. , Du Juan , Davies Shireen A. , Dow Julian A. T.
Published: April 2005

V-ATPases are ubiquitous, vital proton pumps that play a multiplicity of roles in higher organisms. In many epithelia, they are the major energizer of cotransport processes and have been implicated in functions as diverse as fluid secretion and longevity. The first animal knockout of a V-ATPase was identified in Drosophila, and its recessive lethality demonstrated the essential nature of V-ATPases. This article surveys the entire V-ATPase gene family in Drosophila, both experimentally and in silico. Adult expression patterns of most of the genes are shown experimentally for the first time, using in situ hybridization or reporter gene expression, and these results are reconciled with published expression and microarray data. For each subunit, the single gene identified previously by microarray, as upregulated and abundant in tubules, is shown to be similarly abundant in other epithelia in which V-ATPases are known to be important; there thus appears to be a single dominant “plasma membrane” V-ATPase holoenzyme in Drosophila. This provides the most comprehensive view of V-ATPase expression yet in a multicellular organism. The transparent Malpighian tubule phenotype first identified in lethal alleles of vha55, the gene encoding the B-subunit, is shown to be general to those plasma membrane V-ATPase subunits for which lethal alleles are available, and to be caused by failure to accumulate uric acid crystals. These results coincide with the expression view of the gene family, in which 13 of the genes are specialized for epithelial roles, whereas others have spatially or temporally restricted patterns of expression.
Different Effect of Cyclosporine A and Mycophenolate Mofetil on Passive Heymann Nephritis in the Rat
Authors: Blume Cornelia , Heise Gunhild , Hess Alexandra , Waldner Christoph , Grabensee Bernd , Schroer Karsten , Heering Peter
Published: April 2005

Background: While cyclosporine A (CsA) is an effective therapy for nephrotic syndrome, it has nephrotoxic side effects. We compared the anti-proteinuric effects and nephrotoxicity in rats with passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) of CsA and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Methods: PHN was induced in female Wistar rats. Two treatment groups consisting of 8 rats each received either 25 mg of CsA or 25 mg of MMF/kg body weight/day and were compared with untreated controls. Kidney function and proteinuria were monitored over 4 weeks. Western blots were used for densitometric analysis of renal cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression. Thromboxane B2 (TxB2) and 6-keto-PGF1α were determined by radioimmunoassays (RIAs) in renal tissue and urine. Results: Rats with PHN exhibited a marked proteinuria of 12.76 ± 4.42 vs. 0.73 ± 0.28 mg/24 h (p < 0.01) and showed increased glomerular concentrations of TxB2 and 6-keto-PGF1α (992.6 ± 216.9 and 1,187.0 ± 54.2 pg/mg protein, respectively) compared with healthy controls (595 ± 196.17 and 729 ± 297.84, respectively) and a strongly induced COX-2 protein expression. CsA and MMF treatment reduced PHN-related proteinuria to 2.10 ± 1.47 and 1.47 ± 7.2 mg/24 h, respectively. In rats with PHN, CsA induced a significant deterioration of renal function and enhanced urine excretion of thromboxane A2, paralleled by a significant, twofold increase in COX-2 protein expression and renal prostaglandins. By contrast, MMF treatment in rats with PHN was not nephrotoxic and had no effect on prostaglandin production. COX-2 protein expression under MMF was suppressed. Conclusion: While the antiproteinuric efficacy of MMF and CsA in PHN was comparable, the absence of nephrotoxicity might favor MMF in the treatment of nephrotic syndrome. The CsA-induced increase in COX-2 expression and COX-2-dependent prostacyclin may indicate a mechanism that compensates nephrotoxicity in the diseased and CsA-exposed kidney.
Two-Stage Community-Based Screening Model for Estimating Prevalence of Diabetic Polyneuropathy (KCIS No. 6)
Authors: Hsu Wei-Chih , Chiu Yueh-Hsia , Chiu Hou-Chang , Liou Horng-Huei , Jeng Ya-Chung , Chen Tony Hsiu-Hsi
Published: April 2005

The aim of this study was to apply a calibrated two-stage community-based design to estimate the prevalence of diabetic distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DPN) in Taiwan. Type 2 diabetics were identified from a population-based screening program in Keelung, Taiwan. Administration of the Neurological Symptom Score (NSS) questionnaire identified 210 DPN-positive cases of the 587 diabetic subjects tested. The accuracy of this NSS screening was tested with sensitive electrophysiological DPN diagnosis. A smaller validation study was also conducted to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of the NSS questionnaire. In the validation study, the overall prevalence rate for DPN among type 2 diabetics was 26.79%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values were 73.33, 30.49, 24.72 and 75.76%, respectively. The estimates of sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive values were 75.00, 33.33 and 42.86% for old cases of diabetes, and 72.22, 29.69 and 22.41% for newly diagnosed cases. The range of prevalence rate in the main study was adjusted to 28.46–36.30% after calibration for sensitivity and specificity with the validation study data. A two-stage community-based screening model with calibration of prevalence rate was developed and enabled a cost-effective DPN prevalence rate estimate in a study with a large number of subjects.
Early Life Socioeconomic Status and Late Life Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Wilson Robert S. , Scherr Paul A. , Hoganson George , Bienias Julia L. , Evans Denis A. , Bennett David A.
Published: April 2005

The authors examined the relation of early life socioeconomic status to incident Alzheimer’s disease (AD), level of cognition and rate of cognitive decline in old age. For up to 10 years, 859 older Catholic clergy members without dementia at baseline completed annual clinical evaluations as part of the Religious Orders Study. The evaluations included clinical classification of AD and detailed cognitive testing. At baseline, indicators of early life household socioeconomic level (e.g., parental education) and the county of birth were ascertained. Socioeconomic features of the birth county (e.g., literacy rate) were estimated with data from the 1920 US Census. Composite measures of early life household and community socioeconomic level were developed. In analyses that controlled for age, sex and education, higher household and community socioeconomic levels in early life were associated with higher level of cognition in late life but not with risk of AD or rate of cognitive decline. The results suggest that early life socioeconomic level is related to level of cognition in late life but not to rate of cognitive decline or risk of AD.
Factor Structure of Motor Signs in Essential Tremor
Authors: Louis Elan D. , Applegate LaKeisha , Factor-Litvak Pam , Parides Michael K.
Published: April 2005

Motor signs in essential tremor (ET) are varied. Patients may have limb tremors, including postural, kinetic (e.g. writing, pouring), and rest tremors, head tremor, voice tremor, or chin tremor. Factor analysis allows one to determine whether these signs fall into a smaller number of discrete domains. Such an analysis has not been performed on a group of ET cases. ET cases (n = 168) were recruited from the Neurological Institute of New York and a videotaped examination was performed. A factor analysis was performed on 17 motor items. Four distinct factors emerged, explaining 68.7% of the total variance. These were factor I (action tremor in the dominant arm), factor II (action tremor in the nondominant arm), factor III (tremor at rest) and factor IV (chin tremor, head tremor, and voice tremor). The demonstration of these four factors will be of potential use for pathological and genetic studies as well as interventional studies, as will be discussed.
Clinical Significance of C-Reactive Protein in Patients on Hemodialysis: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Teruel José L. , Marcen Roberto , Ocaña Javier , Fernández-Lucas Milagros , Rivera Maite , Tabernero Guadalupe , Ortuño Joaquín
Published: April 2005

Background/Aim: The levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) have been related to hypoalbuminemia and the necessity of erythropoietin in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. However, in several studies, the patients’ clinical situation is not taken into account. The aim of the present work was to analyze the relationship between CRP and serum albumin and hemoglobin and the erythropoietin resistance index (ERI) in a population of patients on chronic hemodialysis classified according to their clinical situation. Methods: In a cohort of 53 patients followed for 12 months, we analyzed the CRP level and its association with albumin and hemoglobin levels and the ERI (ratio of total weekly erythropoietin dose in units/weight to hemoglobin concentration in g/dl) at the start of the study and at 6 and 12 months thereafter. The patients were divided into three groups based on the presence of inflammatory/infectious disorders during the 4 weeks prior to CRP determination (group A) or the use of a jugular catheter (group B) or an arteriovenous fistula (group C) as vascular access for hemodialysis. Results: At baseline, the CRP levels (47.1 mg/l in group A, 30.7 mg/l in group B, and 9.4 mg/l in group C) and the ERI (23.9 in group A, 24.6 in group B, and 10.7 in group C) were higher in groups A and B than in group C (p < 0.001 for both parameters). Serum albumin (3.9 g/dl in group A, 4.1 g/dl in group B, and 4.4 g/dl in group C) and hemoglobin (10.4 g/dl in group A, 11.3 g/dl in group B, and 12 g/dl in group C) were lower in groups A and B than in group C (p < 0.05 for serum albumin and p < 0.01 for hemoglobin). In all patients, the baseline CRP level correlated with the albumin level (r = –0.3853, p < 0.01), with the hemoglobin level (r = –0.2950, p < 0.05), and with the ERI (r = 0.4378, p < 0.01). However, if we only considered the group C patients, there was no correlation between baseline CRP and albumin, hemoglobin, and ERI. Similar results were observed at 6 and 12 months. Conclusions: The CRP, albumin, and hemoglobin levels and the ERI mostly depend on the existence of ongoing inflammatory/infectious disorders and the use of a catheter as vascular access. In the absence of these clinical conditions, we could not correlate the CRP level with the other parameters. The relationship between CRP, albumin, and anemia may be an epiphenomenon
TGF-β1-Induced Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CCN2) Expression in Human Renal Proximal Tubule Epithelial Cells Requires Ras/MEK/ERK and Smad Signalling
Authors: Phanish Mysore K. , Wahab Nadia A. , Hendry Bruce M. , Dockrell Mark E.C.
Published: April 2005

Background: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF, CCN2) plays a fundamental role in the development of tissue fibrosis by stimulating matrix deposition and mediating many of the pro-fibrotic effects of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. CCN2 induction by TGF-β in renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs) is likely to play an important role in the development of tubulointerstitial fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the induction of CCN2 by TGF-β1 and the possible mechanisms of this induction in human PTECs. Methods: Experiments were performed on primary and transformed (human kidney cell (HKC)-clone 8) human PTECs. Induction of CCN2 in response to TGF-β1 was studied at the gene promoter level by reporter gene assay, mRNA by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and protein by immunoblotting. While chemical inhibitors were used to assess the role of Ras/MEK/ERK1,2 signalling, an HKC cell line over-expressing Smad7 was used to assess the role of Smad signalling in induction of CCN2 by TGF-β1. Results: TGF-β1 induced CCN2 promoter activity, mRNA and protein in human PTECs. TGF-β1-dependent CCN2 promoter activity was reduced by inhibiting Ras and MEK activation. MEK inhibition also resulted in inhibition of the TGF-β1-induced secreted CCN2 protein. There was no significant increase in CCN2 gene promoter activity or protein by TGF-β1 in Smad7 over-expressing HKCs. Conclusions: TGF-β1 induces the expression of CCN2 in human PTECs. This induction is dependent on Ras/MEK/ERK and Smad signalling. Inhibiting TGF-β induced CCN2 by targeting Smad and/or Ras/MEK/ERK1,2 signalling pathways could be of therapeutic value in renal fibrosis.
Reduced Arteriolar Responses to Skeletal Muscle Contraction after Ingestion of a High Salt Diet
Authors: Marvar Paul J. , Nurkiewicz Timothy R. , Boegehold Matthew A.
Published: April 2005

We previously reported that in skeletal muscle arterioles of rats fed a very high salt (HS; 7%) diet, the bioavailability of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) is reduced through scavenging by reactive oxygen species. Because arteriolar NO can play an important role in local blood flow control, we investigated whether arteriolar responses to increased tissue metabolism become compromised in skeletal muscle of salt-fed rats. Consumption of a HS (4%) diet for 4 weeks had no effect on arteriolar diameters, volume flow or shear stress in resting spinotrapezius muscle. Arteriolar responses to a modest elevation in metabolic demand (0.5 Hz contraction) were not different from those in rats fed a normal diet, but diameter responses to a greater elevation in metabolic demand (4 Hz contraction) were significantly less in HS rats than in rats fed a normal diet. In both groups, the NO synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine reduced resting arteriolar diameters and flow by a similar amount and had little or no effect on arteriolar diameter or flow responses to muscle contraction. Arterioles in HS rats exhibited an increase in overall oxidant activity (tetranitroblue tetrazolium reduction) but not in superoxide activity (dihydroethidine oxidation). Reactive oxygen species scavengers (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl and catalase) did not normalize the reduced arteriolar responses to muscle contraction in HS rats. These findings suggest that increased oxidant activity in the arteriolar network of salt-fed rats is not due to accumulation of superoxide anion and that neither this oxidant activity nor reduced NO availability can account for the blunted active arteriolar dilation in rats fed a 4% salt diet.
Prominent Involvement of Activated Th1-Subset of T-Cells and Increased Expression of Receptor for IFN-Gamma on Keratinocytes in Atopic Dermatitis Acute Skin Lesions
Authors: Lugović Liborija , Lipozenčić Jasna , Jakić-Razumović Jasminka
Published: April 2005

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an allergic skin disease mediated by antigen-specific IgE and an important role has been ascribed to CD4+ cells (Th cells). The objective of the study was to evaluate humoral and cellular immunological factors in the blood and the skin lesions of AD patients, and to analyze the presence of inflammatory cell-surface markers in blood and skin biopsies. Methods: The parameters for monitoring of 40 AD patients included results of prick test to inhalant allergens and epicutaneous (patch) test to contact allergens; values of total IgE, serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM) and different cell markers in the sera (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD21, CD23, HLA-DR). We also analyzed the presence of inflammatory cell-surface markers (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD20, CD1a, CD23, CD29, CD45Ro, IFNγ+ markers) in the biopsies of skin lesions from 10 AD patients and 5 healthy controls (HCs) by immunohistochemical analysis (method of avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase). Results: Beside increased total serum IgE and positive skin tests, a significantly higher percentage of CD23+ cells with lower percentage of CD21+ cells was revealed in peripheral blood of AD patients in comparison to HCs. A positive epidermal expression of the majority of markers of T cells (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD29+, CD45Ro+, IFNγ+) and those of Langerhans’ cells (LCs) (CD1a, CD23+), without those of B cells (CD20+) were noted in AD patients, but no in the skin of HCs. Furthermore, significant difference was also found between the two groups for increased expression of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD29, CD45Ro, IFNγ+ markers (markers for IFNγ receptor) and higher intraepidermal CD23+ LCs and intradermal CD1a+ LCs in AD skin lesions. Conclusions:The obtained results suggest involvement of various humoral factors with increased production of IgE and cooperation between Th subsets and LCs, with higher production of related cytokines, and disturbed cellular immunity, including epidermal LCs with IgE receptors of high and low affinity in AD. The annotation of activated Th1 cells with increased producing of IFNγ in acute AD skin lesions is notable, and might lead to IFNγ binding to keratinocytes and consequently inflammatory skin changes in the disease.
Political Loyalty in the Biblical Account of 1 Samuel XX-XXII in the Light of Hittite Texts
Authors: Taggar-Cohen Ada
Published: April 2005

The historicity of the Book of Samuel has been critically denied, but comparison with Ancient Near Eastern documents may show that some of its stories can be placed in the context of its historical background. Hittite documents from the late second millennium BCE show striking similarities in the legal systems on which the concepts of royalty and loyalty are based. The relations between David and Jonathan (1 Sam. xx) are compared with the relations among the royalty described in the Hittite Bronze Tablet, while the execution of the priests of Nob (1 Sam. xxii) is interpreted as a justifiable reaction to the violation of the loyalty oath by the king's servants as prescribed in CTH 264.
Prophetaphobia: Fear and False Prophecy in Nehemiah VI
Authors: Shepherd David
Published: April 2005

While it has long been recognized that Nehemiah vi is animated by the twin concerns of fear and false prophecy, the present study offers a new reading of this chapter which brings Nehemiah's account of his opponents' terror tactics into sharp focus. How does Nehemiah unmask Shemaiah as a false prophet? What were Nehemiah's real reasons for rejecting Shemaiah's prophetic oracle? Why does Noadiah, the prophetess, come in for special criticism from Nehemiah? The author suggests that Nehemiah's account of his enemies' actions and his own reactions may be brought into focus by viewing it through the lens of the Deuteronomic torah-instruction regarding the false prophet (Deut. xviii). By scrutinizing Nehemiah vi through this lens, the present study illustrates how many of the vexing interpretive questions which have long been asked of it, may best be answered by carefully attending to the text of the chapter itself.
Numbers Xi: seeing Moses plain
Authors: Reis Pamela Tamarkin
Published: April 2005

This essay presents an interpretation of Numbers xi that highlights its coherence and humor. Although source-critics see opposing views of Moses stitched together from separate sources by a later redactor—a bad Moses in the quail segment and a good Moses in the elders segment, this essay manifests the chapter's narrative integrity. A close literary analysis reveals an aesthetically-pleasing account, free of the disjunctions and non-sequiturs posited by other commentators; theme, puns, wordplay, and an ingenious man/quail metaphor unite all of the pericope's verses in a single favorable view of Moses. Far from revealing him as "snitch" and "informer," this holistic reading of the undivided text harmonizes with the rest of the Bible's consistent portrayal of Moses as the invariant champion of the Israelites, their never-failing mediator before God.
The Telecom Crisis and beyond
Authors: Jin Dal Yong
Published: April 2005

The global telecom system has undergone dramatic change under neoliberal globalization. A swift restructuring of the telecom industries, which began in the early 1980s, was possible because governments around the world adopted neoliberal telecom polices, as they confronted intensifying pressure not only from corporations but also directly from international organizations and the US government. Telecom companies, however, have in recent years begun to present symptoms of what appears to be the same life-threatening disease. This in turn has expedited new strategies such as spin-off and/or split-off strategies as well as counter-deregulation. This article examines who set the agenda for telecom policy over the last two decades to analyze a long-term change in the global telecom system. It investigates how transnational corporations were involved in the reshaping of the global telecom system by exploring the consolidation through mergers and acquisitions. It also examines the relationship between national policies and institutions on the one hand and international organizations on the other. Then, it attempts to clarify whether the transformation of the global telecom system has influenced the telecom crisis in recent years, and to find new strategies and/or new business models.
Why Do Some Children Bully at School?
Authors: Rigby Ken
Published: April 2005

The tendency for school children to bully others was conceived as lying along a continuum of frequency, ranging from zero to very high. To examine social factors that may influence the position of individual students on this continuum, questionnaires were administered to Australian school children attending state coeducational schools: primary (N = 200) and secondary (N = 200). They completed measures to assess: (i) frequency of engaging in bullying others; (ii) attitudes towards victims of bullying and (iii) the extent to which they believed specified others expected them to support victims of bullying. Those specified included mother, father, friends and teachers. Multiple regression analyses indicated that negative attitudes to victims and the perceived expectations of friends were associated with self-reported bullying behaviour ( p < 0.001); in addition, boys were more likely to report bullying others than girls ( p < 0.01). Reporting bullying others was related to perceived expectations of parents for girls only; for neither sex was there evidence that the perceived expectations of teachers influenced reported bullying behaviour. The attitudes students have developed towards victims and the views of their peers may be critical. Anti-bullying programs promoting empathic attitudes to victims and ways of mobilizing peer influence to counter bullying are supported.
The Evolving Context of Special Education Classification in the United States
Authors: Truscott Stephen D. , Catanese Angela M. , Abrams Laura M.
Published: April 2005

Researchers, practitioners and theorists have raised concerns about the special education delivery and classification processes in the United States. The President’s Commission on Excellence in Special Education report (PCESE: 2002) examined these concerns and existing special education research, reports and opinions to develop recommendations for the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disability Act. National Association of School Psychologists Position Statements and other publications support the basic findings of the PCESE report. If enacted as recommended, the proposals will fundamentally change special education classification and service delivery. The changes have the potential to alter in fundamental ways the prevailing school psychology practices in the US. This article: (a) outlines some of the concerns and research that lead to calls for radical special education reform; (b) identifies National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Position Statements and PCESE findings that respond to identified special education issues and (c) presents information about school-based practices that will likely change if reform actually occurs.
Consultation in International Development
Authors: Duch Helena
Published: April 2005

This article reviews the role of a school psychologist hired to consult with UNICEF Maldives in the development and implementation of an integrated policy for early childhood development in the Republic of Maldives. Working with UNICEF staff, government officials, non-governmental organizations, teachers, parents and children, the unique training received by school psychologists appeared to be an ideal match to respond to the varied and multiple demands of the task at hand. This article advocates that the specific training received by school psychologists matches the efforts of many international organizations working for the well-being of young children and encourages graduate programs and professionals to take an active role in international development work.
Life Satisfaction Among Korean Children and Youth
Authors: Park Nansook
Published: April 2005

A cross-sectional study of developmental differences and similarities in the levels and correlates of life satisfaction was conducted with 716 South Korean students in elementary, middle and high school. With age, global and domain-specific life satisfaction (with family, school, living environment and self) decreased; satisfaction with friends did not change with age. The family domain was an important predictor of global life satisfaction of Korean students of all ages. The importance of the self domain to global life satisfaction increased substantially with age to emerge as the most important contributor for global life satisfaction among high school students. School satisfaction was consistently important for Korean students’ global life satisfaction across all ages, although its relative importance decreased with age. These findings were discussed with respect to the development of concerns and interests among children and adolescents and in terms of Korean cultural values based on Confucianism.
An Initial Exploration into the Psychological Implications of Adolescents’ Involvement with Professional Wrestling
Authors: Bernthal Matthew J. , Medway Frederic J.
Published: April 2005

Professional wrestling has become an internationally popular type of ‘sport entertainment’ among youth. The professional wrestling industry targets children as consumers for live events, televised programming and product merchandising. However, the nature of wrestling has changed in the last two decades and many educators are unaware of the themes and messages that wrestling promotes. This article provides a historical and contemporary overview of professional wrestling and discusses the psychological implications of the violence of wrestling on children. In an initial study, measures of wrestling involvement, aggressive response to shame and Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC) scores were analysed for 121 male participants (ages 10 to 17). Results indicated that those participants reporting more wrestling involvement tended to respond more aggressively to shame, demonstrated moderately higher levels of school maladjustment, showed higher levels of internalizing problems such as anxiety and social stress and showed lower levels of self-esteem and perceived self-adequacy. Directions for future research and implications for school psychologists are discussed.
Writing and Drawing Performance of School Age Children
Authors: Bonoti Fotini , Vlachos Filippos , Metallidou Panagiota
Published: April 2005

The aim of our study was to investigate possible relationships between writing and drawing performance of school-aged children, in order to compare the two skills at the within-individual level. The sample consisted of 182 right- and left-handed children, aged 8 to 12 years. Children were examined by the Greek adaptation of the Luria-Nebraska neuropsychological battery in spontaneous writing, copying and writing to dictation and they were asked to complete four different drawing tasks. The results produced significant correlations between drawing scores and scores in all three writing tasks. Significant differences in drawing performance among proficient and poor hand writers were also found. On the other hand, there were no significant differences between right- and left-handers’ performance on the above tasks, despite the overrepresentation of left-handed amongst between poor writers. Our findings create a fruitful ground for the further study of early drawing as a means to predict later handwriting problems.
The Impact of Team Atmosphere on Knowledge Outcomes in Self-managed Teams
Authors: Zárraga Celia , Bonache Jaime
Published: April 2005

This study defines the construct of team atmosphere and provides a framework within which causes and consequences of team atmosphere in knowledge transfer and creation can be empirically investigated. Data were collected using a survey of 363 individuals of 12 companies who worked in self-managed teams. As predicted, results indicated that a ‘high care’ atmosphere among team members favours both the transfer and the creation of knowledge. Findings also showed that certain management initiatives foster this type of atmosphere. The study concludes with some recommendations for future research in this area.