bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age-related differential mRNA expression of T cell cytokines in NZB/NZW F1 mice
Authors: Yoshii H. , Yamamoto K. , Okudaira H. , Dohi M. , Suko M. , Fukata Y. , Yago H. , Suehiro S. , Ito K.
Published: November 2007

The mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-2 receptor-alpha-chain (IL-2Rα, IL-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in spleen cells from NZB/NZW F1 (B/W F1) mice following the stimulation with concanavalin A (Con A) was examined by Northern blot analysis. Kinetic patterns of the mRNA expression after the stimulation were not different between 2-month-old and 6 to 8-month-old B/W F1 mice. However, relative mRNA expression of IL-2 to a cytoskeletal protein, α-Tubulin was lower in 6 to 8-month-old B/W F, mice than in 2-month-old mice. Similar but not significant tendency was observed in IL-2R mRNA expression. In contrast, relative IL-4 mRNA expression in 6 to 8-month-old B/W F1 mice was significantly higher than that in 2-month-old animals. On the other hand, no apparent change was observed in IFN-γ mRNA expression. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that there was no apparent difference in proportion of L3T4 positive T cells in spleen cells from 2 and 6 to 8-month-old B/W F1 mice. These results suggest that mRNA expression of IL-2 and IL-4 differentially changes with aging in autoimmune B/W F1 mice.
Anticardiolipin antibodies and acute alcoholic intoxication
Authors: Biron C. , Lalloyer N. , Tonnelot J.L. , Larget D. , Gris J.C. , Schved J.F.
Published: November 2007

Many clinical features have been associated with the antiphospholipid antibodies. In a preliminary prospective study, among 1014 consecutive patients admitted to a Medicine Department, 72 (7.1%) patients were found to be anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) positive. Eight ( 11 %) of these aCL positive patients had alcoholic intoxication. Chronic alcoholism is known to be associated with a high prevalence of autoimmune disorders. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of aCL in patients with acute alcoholic intoxication.

Sixty two patients (13 women; 49 men), mean age 35 years (range 17-63 years) referred to the emergency care unit were studied. A control population of 62 apparently healthy subjects, age and sex matched, were also tested. Alcoholaemia, aCL, antinuclear antibodies (ANA), Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) and Treponema pallidum immobilisation (TPHA) were determined.

The mean alcoholaemia among all patients tested was 2.35 g l-1 (range 0.1-4). aCL were found positive in 10 patients (16%); eight men and two women. Seven patients had aCL IgG level of ≥ 15 UG PL/ml while two had IgM level of ≥ 12.5 UMPL/ml. One had both elevated aCL IgG and IgM. Statistical analysis confirmed that aCL positivity is more frequently encountered in alcoholic patients compared with an age and sex matched population (P = 0.0298). Among alcoholic patients, 12 (19%) had ANA. Four of them were VDRL positive while all were TPHA negative. Two of the 62 control subjects were found aCL positive. From these data, it can be concluded that increased aCL levels are frequently associated with acute alcoholic abuse.
Fibrinolytic treatment in primary antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Camps Garcia MT , Guil M. , Sanchez-Lora J. , Grana MI , Martinez J. , Ramón E.
Published: November 2007

We document a 30 y old man with Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome (PAPS) and thrombosis of the common femoral vein and both the external and common iliac veins, extending to the lower vena cava, which failed to respond to high dose heparin. After three days of fibrinolytic treatment with urokinase there was complete venous recanalization.
The effect of OM-89 (SUBREUM®) on the murine model of systemic lupus erythematosus MRL-lpr/lpr
Authors: Dhaher YY , Khamashta MA , Hartley B. , Taub N. , Farine JC , Hughes Grv
Published: November 2007

OM-89 (Subreum®), an E. coli extract, is used clinically in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

In this study, the authors examined the effect of OM-89 on some aspects of SLE in the murine model MRL-lpr/lpr. Animals were given OM-89 orally at a dose of 400 mg/kg weight (40 mg active substance) 5 d a week from six weeks old.

It was found that mice receiving the drug reached the point of 55% (6/11) survival at the age of 33 weeks compared with 27 weeks for the control group (54%; 7/13). There was a significant increase in the delay before developing alopecia in the treated group ( P < 0.01). The increase in proteinuria in the control group was significantly higher than in the treated group ( P < 0.03). In a second set of experiments sacrificing the animals at week 22, a significant decrease in anti-dsDNA auto-antibodies was also found in the treated group ( P < 0.05), histopathologically a less severe tubular destruction in the kidney was observed in the treated group. It can be concluded that the oral treatment of OM-89 can significantly reduce the severity of SLE in this strain of mice. It can be postulated that the administration of the bacterial extract could modulate the immune response, modifying the Th1 and Th2 balance and inducing oral tolerance.
Can Nursing Survive? a View Through the Keyhole
Authors: Skidmore David
Published: November 2007

Nursing in the United Kingdom is undergoing massive retrenchment. An increasing number of nurses are unable to obtain employment following qualification and agency nursing and short-term contracts are becoming the norm. Amalgamations of colleges of nursing have resulted in redundancies of nurse teachers and a significant reduction in student nursing places. The profession of nursing in the UK is in a state of crisis from which it may never recover. Nurses have generated and facilitated this situation in their self-interested quest for professional status. Essentially, nurses have turned their backs on many nursing skills and allowed others to take on the role. British nursing may find its survival through its health care assistants. Nurses in other countries should take note and take steps to safeguard the profession on an international level.
The Nurse's Challenge in Coping With Ethical Dilemmas in Occupational Health
Authors: Tabak Nili , Ben-Or Tamar
Published: November 2007

This paper discusses the occupational health nurse's dilemmas by illustrating two cases faced by nurses in occupational health practice and setting out their analysis according to a decision-making model. The counter-interests, which may offend the principles of conserving professional occupational ethics among service consumers and employers as well as fellow professionals, are emphasized. This paper also describes the complex problems involved in the worker's safety and the safeguarding of their autonomy, while preserving interpersonal relations among the various people concerned.
The Right to Touch and Be Touched
Authors: Routasalo Pirkko , Isola Arja
Published: November 2007

Touching is an integral part of human behaviour; from the moment of birth until they die, people need to be touched and to touch others. Touching is an intimate action that implies an invasion of the individual's personal, private space. In ethical terms, the ques tion of touching is closely related to the patient's right to integrity and inviolability.

The purpose of this study was to describe touching as it is experienced by elderly patients and nurses in long-term care. Touching was approached as a form of commu nication and as an important part of nursing practice. The participants, 25 patients and 30 nurses, were interviewed using a semistructured schedule. The data were analysed using the method of content analysis. The patients experienced touching by nurses as gentle, comforting and important. The nurses, for their part, experienced touching by patients as easy and natural. The patients rarely touched nurses more than was neces sary. In some cases, nurses had to cope with violent touching by patients. Some women nurses interpreted touches by male patients as having a sexual nature and as annoying. This had taught male patients to avoid touching nurses. On the other hand, friendly and grateful touches by patients were very important to nurses. When used for emotional purposes only, touching presupposed a good relationship between nurses and their patients. Although touching is extremely common in nursing practice, there has been very little research into its meaning. More work is therefore needed to explore the role and meaning of touching in nursing.
Self-Determination in Clinical Practice: the Psychiatric Patient's Point of View
Authors: Välimäki Maritta , Leino-Kilpi Helena , Helenius Hans
Published: November 2007

This article looks at the relevance of the concept of self-determination to psychiatric patients by studying the existence, importance and manifestations of self-determination. The data were collected by interviewing long-term patients (n = 72) in one mental health care organization, which included a psychiatric hospital and an outpatient department. Self-determination was defined in terms of the right to decision-making, the right to information, the right of consent, the right to refuse treatment, and the right to be heard and taken into account. It was found that, with the exception of the right to refuse and consent, these rights are indeed present in the practice of psychiatric nursing and that they are relevant and important to psychiatric patients. The patients typically gave ethical, practical and legal reasons for a psychiatric patient's right to self-determination. The main reasons why psychiatric patients said they lacked the right to self-determination were illness and staff authority. Recommendations for educational, clinical and methodological implications for the future in nursing are discussed.
Naming Our Sexual and Sexualized Bodies in the Classroom
Authors: Gust Scott William , Warren John T.
Published: November 2007

This is an essay about what teachers come to know as they struggle to name their historically minoritized, non-normatively sexual and sexualized bodies as teachers in a variety of educational contexts. Regardless of one's opinion on the efficacy of “coming out” in the classroom—and the authors ask the readers to kindly consider the possibility that one might “come out” as heterosexual— it is certain that teachers' bodies are sexual and sexualized. Therefore, what the authors ask the readers to consider is not a question of if they name their sexual and sexualized bodies as teachers but rather how they name their sexual and sexualized bodies as teachers. And not naming counts, too. In this essay, the authors commingle their stories of doing the naming of their sexualized teachers' bodies with a collection of scholarly attempts to name sexual bodies in theory.
Between remission and cure: patients, practitioners and the transformation of leukaemia in the late twentieth century
Authors: Barnes Emm
Published: November 2007

Objectives: During the course of the 1960s and 1970s, acute leukaemia in childhood ceased to be invariably fatal and was recategorized as curable. The meaning of cure in this case, however, was problematic, as it was impossible for physicians to be certain that cancer would not return. This paper uses historical methods to explore how remission was understood by families with children with acute leukaemia during the period in which the first cures were announced, roughly 1972—77.

Methods: These comprised documentary analysis of records of the Medical Research Council's leukaemia working parties, published papers and letters on treatments for childhood leukaemia, and interviews with eight UK paediatric oncologists practising in UK hospitals in the 1960s and 1970s.

Results: Two approaches to defining `cure' in leukaemia can be identified. The first relied on statistical assessment of survival rates. I argue that the concept of `indefinite remission' came to serve for researchers and clinicians as a proxy measure of cure. However, the concept of `indefinite remission' left many patients and their families quite uncertain as to whether a cure had really happened. A second approach to defining cure therefore developed. Faced with uncertainty, patients, parents and psychologists sought to develop alternative measures of success — including the notion of `psychological cure' — that brought forward the moment of cure and its relief.

Conclusions: Changing conceptualizations of leukaemia shaped and were shaped by negotiations over the meaning of `remission' and `cure'. On the one hand, the statistical definition of cure was not available for years. On the other hand, psychological cure could begin from the time of first remission, even if medical absolution was not available for years.
Towards a new era of tissue-based diagnosis and research
Authors: Sebire N.J. , Dixon-Woods M.
Published: November 2007

Molecular investigation of tissue obtained from patients with many chronic illnesses is becoming increasingly important. Using the example of childhood cancer, we show how such investigations contribute in important ways to understanding the underlying pathophysiological basis of disease, determining optimal patient management, and identifying targets for potential new novel therapeutic approaches. Tissue banks are now recognized as an important resource for biomedical research in this area. Challenges for the future of tissue-banking include formalization of technical matters, including the generation of standard operating procedures and quality-control methods. More complex challenges attend the legal and ethical issues in tissue banking. Notwithstanding recent UK legislation, there are many legal uncertainties. Use of excised tissue in research is often claimed to raise a range of ethical issues, but it is not at all clear that public confidence and support for tissue-based research is as negative as some accounts in the socio-anthropological and ethical literature would suggest. Nonetheless, ensuring confidence and trust in tissue-banking will remain an important objective, and the possibilities of novel governance structures should be explored.
NSOM/QD-based nanoscale immunofluorescence imaging of antigen-specific T-cell receptor responses during an in vivo clonal Vγ2Vδ2 T-cell expansion
Authors: Chen Yong , Shao Lingyun , Ali Zahida , Cai Jiye , Chen Zheng W.
Published: November 2007

Nanoscale imaging of an in vivo antigen-specific T-cell immune response has not been reported. Here, the combined near-field scanning optical microscopy– and fluorescent quantum dot–based nanotechnology was used to perform immunofluorescence imaging of antigen-specific T-cell receptor (TCR) response in an in vivo model of clonal T-cell expansion. The near-field scanning optical microscopy/quantum dot system provided a best-optical-resolution (<50 nm) nano-scale imaging of Vγ2Vδ2 TCR on the membrane of nonstimulated Vγ2Vδ2 T cells. Before Ag-induced clonal expansion, these nonstimulating Vγ2Vδ2 TCRs appeared to be distributed differently from their αβ TCR counterparts on the cell surface. Surprisingly, Vγ2Vδ2 TCR nanoclusters not only were formed but also sustained on the membrane during an in vivo clonal expansion of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells after phosphoantigen treatment or phosphoantigen plus mycobacterial infection. The TCR nanoclusters could array to form nanodomains or microdomains on the membrane of clonally expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T cells. Interestingly, expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T cells bearing TCR nanoclusters or nanodomains were able to rerecognize phosphoantigen and to exert better effector function. These studies provided nanoscale insight into the in vivo T-cell immune response.
Dynamic simulation of regulatory networks using SQUAD
Authors: Di Cara Alessandro , Garg Abhishek , De Micheli Giovanni , Xenarios Ioannis , Mendoza Luis
Published: November 2007

Background

The ambition of most molecular biologists is the understanding of the intricate network of molecular interactions that control biological systems. As scientists uncover the components and the connectivity of these networks, it becomes possible to study their dynamical behavior as a whole and discover what is the specific role of each of their components. Since the behavior of a network is by no means intuitive, it becomes necessary to use computational models to understand its behavior and to be able to make predictions about it. Unfortunately, most current computational models describe small networks due to the scarcity of kinetic data available. To overcome this problem, we previously published a methodology to convert a signaling network into a dynamical system, even in the total absence of kinetic information. In this paper we present a software implementation of such methodology.

Results

We developed SQUAD, a software for the dynamic simulation of signaling networks using the standardized qualitative dynamical systems approach. SQUAD converts the network into a discrete dynamical system, and it uses a binary decision diagram algorithm to identify all the steady states of the system. Then, the software creates a continuous dynamical system and localizes its steady states which are located near the steady states of the discrete system. The software permits to make simulations on the continuous system, allowing for the modification of several parameters. Importantly, SQUAD includes a framework for perturbing networks in a manner similar to what is performed in experimental laboratory protocols, for example by activating receptors or knocking out molecular components. Using this software we have been able to successfully reproduce the behavior of the regulatory network implicated in T-helper cell differentiation.

Conclusion

The simulation of regulatory networks aims at predicting the behavior of a whole system when subject to stimuli, such as drugs, or determine the role of specific components within the network. The predictions can then be used to interpret and/or drive laboratory experiments. SQUAD provides a user-friendly graphical interface, accessible to both computational and experimental biologists for the fast qualitative simulation of large regulatory networks for which kinetic data is not necessarily available.
Antihyperlipemic and antihypertensive effects of Spirulina maxima in an open sample of mexican population: a preliminary report
Authors: Torres-Duran Patricia V. , Ferreira-Hermosillo Aldo , Juarez-Oropeza Marco A.
Published: November 2007

Background

Spirulina maxima is a filamentous cyanobacterium used as food supplement because of its high nutrient contents. It has been experimentally proven, in vivo and in vitro that posses several pharmacological properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Spirulina maxima orally supplied (4.5 g/day, for 6 weeks) to a sample of 36 subjects (16 men and 20 women, with ages between 18–65 years) on serum lipids, glucose, aminotransferases and on blood pressure. The volunteers did not modify their dietary habits or lifestyle during the whole experimental period. From each subject, a sample of blood was drawn in fasting state of 12 hours to determi the plasma concentrations of glucose, triacylglycerols (TAG), total cholesterol (TC), cholesterol associated to high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Anthropometric measurements including systolic (SYST-P) and diastolic (DIAST-P) blood pressure, height, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) were also recorded.

Results

Comparing initial and final data, the results showed that there were no significant changes in the values of glucose and AST, but significant differences in TAG, TC, and HDL-C, were observed: TAG 233.7 ± 177.8 vs. 167.7 ± 100.7 mg/dL (p < 0.001), TC 181.7 ± 37.5 vs. 163.5 ± 34.4 mg/dL (p < 0.001), C-HDL 43.5 ± 14.4 vs. 50 ± 18.8 mg/dL (p < 0.01). The univariated analysis showed that the changes in the HDL-C and TC concentrations were dependent on TAG concentration (p = 0.247 and p = 0.108, respectively); nevertheless the calculated values for cholesterol associated to low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) were significantly reduced by the Spirulina maxima treatment but independently of the TAG changes. In addition, significant differences were found comparing initial and final SYST-P and DIAST-P blood pressure in both male and female: SYST-P male 121 ± 9 vs. 111 ± 8 mm Hg (p < 0.01), DIAST-P male 85 ± 6.5 vs. 77 ± 9 mm Hg (p < 0.01); SYST-P female 120 ± 9.5 vs. 109 ± 11 mm Hg (p < 0.002), DIAST-P female 85 ± 11 vs. 79 ± 7.5 mm Hg (p < 0.03).

Conclusion

The Spirulina maxima showed a hypolipemic effect, especially on the TAG and the LDL-C concentrations but indirectly on TC and HDL-C values. It also reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Clusters of orthologous genes for 41 archaeal genomes and implications for evolutionary genomics of archaea
Authors: Makarova Kira S , Sorokin Alexander V , Novichkov Pavel S , Wolf Yuri I , Koonin Eugene V
Published: November 2007

Background

An evolutionary classification of genes from sequenced genomes that distinguishes between orthologs and paralogs is indispensable for genome annotation and evolutionary reconstruction. Shortly after multiple genome sequences of bacteria, archaea, and unicellular eukaryotes became available, an attempt on such a classification was implemented in Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins (COGs). Rapid accumulation of genome sequences creates opportunities for refining COGs but also represents a challenge because of error amplification. One of the practical strategies involves construction of refined COGs for phylogenetically compact subsets of genomes.

Results

New Archaeal Clusters of Orthologous Genes (arCOGs) were constructed for 41 archaeal genomes (13 Crenarchaeota, 27 Euryarchaeota and one Nanoarchaeon) using an improved procedure that employs a similarity tree between smaller, group-specific clusters, semi-automatically partitions orthology domains in multidomain proteins, and uses profile searches for identification of remote orthologs. The annotation of arCOGs is a consensus between three assignments based on the COGs, the CDD database, and the annotations of homologs in the NR database. The 7538 arCOGs, on average, cover ~88% of the genes in a genome compared to a ~76% coverage in COGs. The finer granularity of ortholog identification in the arCOGs is apparent from the fact that 4538 arCOGs correspond to 2362 COGs; ~40% of the arCOGs are new. The archaeal gene core (protein-coding genes found in all 41 genome) consists of 166 arCOGs. The arCOGs were used to reconstruct gene loss and gene gain events during archaeal evolution and gene sets of ancestral forms. The Last Archaeal Common Ancestor (LACA) is conservatively estimated to possess 996 genes compared to 1245 and 1335 genes for the last common ancestors of Crenarchaeota and Euryarchaeota, respectively. It is inferred that LACA was a chemoautotrophic hyperthermophile that, in addition to the core archaeal functions, encoded more idiosyncratic systems, e.g., the CASS systems of antivirus defense and some toxin-antitoxin systems.

Conclusion

The arCOGs provide a convenient, flexible framework for functional annotation of archaeal genomes, comparative genomics and evolutionary reconstructions. Genomic reconstructions suggest that the last common ancestor of archaea might have been (nearly) as advanced as the modern archaeal hyperthermophiles. ArCOGs and related information are available at:ftp://ftp.ncbi.nih.gov/pub/koonin/arCOGs/.

Reviewers

This article was reviewed by Peer Bork, Patrick Forterre, and Purificacion Lopez-Garcia.
Vitamin C-induced hyperoxaluria causing reversible tubulointerstitial nephritis and chronic renal failure: a case report
Authors: Rathi Shradha , Kern William , Lau Kai
Published: November 2007

Vitamin C is a precursor of oxalate and promoter of its absorption, potentially causing hyperoxaluria. Malabsorption causes Calcium (Ca) chelation with fatty acids, producing enteric hyperoxaluria.

Case

A 73-year-old man with both risk factors was hospitalized with serum creatinine of 8.4 mg/dL (versus 1.2 mg/dL four months earlier) (normal 0.6–1.3 mg/dL). Given his oxalate-rich diet, chronic diarrhea, and daily 680 mg vitamin C and furosemide, we postulated Ca oxalate-induced nephropathy, a diagnosis confirmed by documenting hyperoxaluria, and finding of diffuse intraluminal crystals and extensive interstitial fibrosis on biopsy. He was hemodialysed 6 times to remove excess oxalate. Two weeks off vitamin C, his creatinine spontaneously fell to 3.1 mg/dL. Three months later, on low oxalate diet and 100 mg vitamin B6, urine oxalate to creatinine ratio decreased from 0.084 to 0.02 (normal < 0.035), while creatinine fell and stayed at 1.8 mg/dL.

Conclusion

1) High-dose vitamin C can induce hyperoxaluric nephropathy and progressive renal failure, especially if aggravated by diarrhea, oxalate-rich diet, metabolic acidosis, and dehydration. 2) The diagnosis should be suspected in unexplained renal insufficiency when associated with these risk factors. 3) Since prompt treatment could avert end-stage renal disease, we recommend monitoring urinary oxalate in patients on high-dose vitamin C and renal biopsy if necessary.
Estrogens Promote Human Testicular Germ Cell Cancer through a Membrane-Mediated Activation of Extracellular Regulated Kinase and Protein Kinase A
Authors: Bouskine Adil , Nebout Marielle , Mograbi Baharia , Brücker-Davis Françoise , Roger Cyril , Fenichel Patrick
Published: November 2007

Clinical and experimental studies have suggested that estrogens, the archetype of female hormones, participate in the control of male germ cell proliferation and that fetal exposure to environmental estrogens may contribute to hypofertility and/or to testicular germ cell cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. 17β-Estradiol (E2) conjugated to BSA was able to stimulate human testicular seminoma cell proliferation by triggering a rapid, nongenomic, membrane-mediated activation of ERK1/2 and cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). Both ERK1/2 and PKA participated in this promoting effect. This activation was associated with phosphorylation of the transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein and the nuclear factor retinoblastoma protein. Enhanced proliferation together with ERK activation could be reversed by pertussis toxin, a G protein inhibitor. Estrogen receptors (ERs) in JKT-1 were characterized by immunofluorescence, subcellular fractioning, and Western blot. JKT-1 cells did not express ERα but ERβ, which localized to the mitochondria and the nucleus but not to the membrane. Moreover, neither ICI-182,780, a classical ER antagonist, nor tamoxifen, a selective ER modulator, could reverse the 17β-estradiol-BSA-induced promoting effect. Estrogens contribute to human testicular germ cell cancer proliferation by rapid activation of ERK1/2 and PKA through a membrane nonclassical ER. This nongenomic effect represents a new basis for understanding the estrogenic control of spermatogenesis and evaluating the role of fetal exposure to xenoestrogens during malignant transformation of testicular germ stem cells.
Factors Contributing to Obesity in Bombesin Receptor Subtype-3-Deficient Mice
Authors: Ladenheim Ellen E. , Hamilton Nahketah L. , Behles Robert R. , Bi Sheng , Hampton Lori L. , Battey James F. , Moran Timothy H.
Published: November 2007

Mice with a targeted disruption of bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3 KO) develop hyperphagia, obesity, hypertension, and impaired glucose metabolism. However, the factors contributing to their phenotype have not been clearly established. To determine whether their obesity is a result of increased food intake or a defect in energy regulation, we matched the caloric intake of BRS-3 KO mice to wild-type (WT) ad libitum (ad lib)-fed controls over 21 wk. Although BRS-3 KO ad lib-fed mice were 29% heavier, the body weights of BRS-3 KO pair-fed mice did not differ from WT ad lib-fed mice. Pair-feeding BRS-3 KO mice normalized plasma insulin but failed to completely reverse increased adiposity and leptin levels. Hyperphagia in ad lib-fed KO mice was due to an increase in meal size without a compensatory decrease in meal frequency resulting in an increase in total daily food intake. An examination of neuropeptide Y, proopiomelanocortin, and agouti-related peptide gene expression in the arcuate nucleus revealed that BRS-3 KO mice have some deficits in their response to energy regulatory signals. An evaluation of the satiety effects of cholecystokinin, bombesin, and gastrin-releasing peptide found no differences in feeding suppression by these peptides. We conclude that hyperphagia is a major factor leading to increased body weight and hyperinsulinemia in BRS-3 KO mice. However, our finding that pair-feeding did not completely normalize fat distribution and plasma leptin levels suggests there is also a metabolic dysregulation that may contribute to, or sustain, their obese phenotype.
Relationships between Supplementary Benefits Offices and Social Services Departments
Authors: Leach S. N.
Published: November 2007

There has, of course, been some kind of relationship between local supplementary benefit offices and local authority Social Services departments for as long as they, or their predecessors have both existed. Given that a number of ‘claimants’ at the former will also be ‘clients’ at the latter, it is apparent that the actions of the one organisation will often be of significance for the other, if only through their common, though differently conceived concern with the claimant/client. However at least two major influences have been operating in recent years to make this relationship a much more significant one for both parties. First, there has been since the mid 60s a steady year-by-year increase in both the absolute numbers of those claiming supplementary benefit, and the proportion of the total population they represent. More significantly, amongst the fastest growing groups of claimants have been those family units living under the kind of stresses which make them prima fade, particularly likely candidates for Social Servicesattention, e.g.single parent families, the long-term unemployed, and the physically or mentally handicapped. Secondly, Social Services departments themselves have experienced a significant broadening of their role since the Seebohm re-organisation.
Moralism, Self-Interest and Attitudes to Welfare
Authors: Taylor-Gooby Peter
Published: November 2007

Public opinion supports some welfare services much more strongly than others. One tradition in social policy theory has interpreted this distinction as a dichotomy between ‘deserving’ and ‘undeserving’ needs and seen it as reflecting moralistic judgements on the citizenship status of different categories of recipients. An alternative approach argues that ideas about the extent to which services supply felt interests are more important. The two perspectives have different implications for the extent to which a process of conscious reflection on self-interest as against the unconscious internalisation of norms is the crucial factor in judgements on welfare. The more opinion is a matter of active evaluation, the more amenable it is to modification by considerations of argument and the more likely is it that the norms of the market will not prove insuperable obstacles to citizen acceptance of welfare policy in capitalist society. This paper analyses evidence from a recent survey to show (a) that judgements of self-interest in welfare show some correspondence to claims by political scientists about the objective social circumstances that produce need for services, and (b) that felt interest plays an important role in public opinion about the welfare state.
NG2 Proteoglycan Expression in Mouse Skin: Altered Postnatal Skin Development in the NG2 Null Mouse
Authors: Kadoya Kuniko , Fukushi Jun-ichi , Matsumoto Yoshihiro , Yamaguchi Yu , Stallcup William B.
Published: November 2007

In early postnatal mouse skin, the NG2 proteoglycan is expressed in the subcutis, the dermis, the outer root sheath of hair follicles, and the basal keratinocyte layer of the epidermis. With further development, NG2 is most prominently expressed by stem cells in the hair follicle bulge region, as also observed in adult human skin. During telogen and anagen phases of the adult hair cycle, NG2 is also found in stem cell populations that reside in dermal papillae and the outer root sheaths of hair follicles. Ablation of NG2 produces alterations in both the epidermis and subcutis layers of neonatal skin. Compared with wild type, the NG2 null epidermis does not achieve its full thickness due to reduced proliferation of basal keratinocytes that serve as the stem cell population in this layer. Thickening of the subcutis is also delayed in NG2 null skin due to deficiencies in the adipocyte population.
Aqueous Aluminum Nanofluid Combustion in Diesel Fuel
Authors: Kao Mu-Jung , Ting Chen-Ching , Lin Bai-Fu , Tsung Tsing-Tshih
Published: November 2007

This paper presents a significant chemical reaction of hydrogen combustion during aqueous aluminum nanofluid combustion in diesel fuel. The results show that hydrogen burns in a diesel engine in the presence of an active aqueous aluminum nanofluid. The nano particles are made by applying a plasma arc to aluminum nanopowder submerged in water. The average diameter of the aluminum nanoparticles is about 40–60 nm and they are covered with thin layers of aluminum oxide due to the high oxidation activity of pure aluminum. This provides a large contact surface area with water and high activity for the decomposition of hydrogen from water during the combustion process. During combustion the alumina serves as a catalyst and the coated aluminum nanoparticles are denuded and decompose the water to yield the hydrogen. The combustion of the diesel fuel mixed with aqueous aluminum nanofluid shows the following phenomena: total combustion heat increases while the concentration of smoke and nitrous oxide in the exhaust emission from diesel engine are decreased.
Serine proteases and serine protease inhibitors in testicular physiology: the plasminogen activation system
Authors: Le Magueresse-Battistoni Brigitte
Published: November 2007

The testis is an organ in which a series of radical remodeling events occurs during development and in adult life. These events likely rely on a sophisticated network of proteases and complementary inhibitors, including the plasminogen activation system. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the testicular occurrence and expression pattern of members of the plasminogen activation system. The various predicted functions for these molecules in the establishment and maintenance of the testicular architecture and in the process of spermatogenesis are presented.
On the coefficients of the Laplacian characteristic polynomial of trees
Authors: Gutman Ivan , Pavlovic Ljiljana
Published: November 2007

Let the Laplacian characteristic polynomial of an n-vertex tree T be of the form ?(T, ?) = ?nk=0(-l)n-k ck(T)?k . Then, as well known, C0(T) = 0 and c1 (T) = n. If T differs from the star (Sn) and the path (Pn), which requires n ? 5, then c2(Sn} < C2(T) < C2(Pn) and c3(Sn) < c3(T) < c3(Pn). If n = 4, then c3(Sn) = c3(Pn).
Universal minimal flows of automorphism groups
Authors: Kechris A.S. , Pestov V. , Todorcevic S.
Published: November 2007

We investigate some connections between the Fraiss? theory of amalgamation classes and ultrahomogeneous structures, Ramsey theory, and topological dynamics of automorphism groups of countable structures. We show, in particular, that results from the structural Ramsey theory can be quite useful in recognizing the universal minimal flows of this kind of groups. As result we compute universal minimal flows of several well known topological groups such as, for example, the automorphism group of the random graph, the automorphism group of the random triangle-free graph, the automorphism group of the ?-dimensional vector space over a finite field, the automorphism group of the countable atomless Boolean algebra, etc. So we have here a reversal in the traditional relationship between topological dynamics and Ramsey theory, the Ramsey-theoretic results are used in proving theorems of topological dynamics rather than vice versa.
Quasiasymptotic expansion of distributions with applications to the Steltjes transform
Authors: Gaikwad S.B. , Chandhari M.S.
Published: November 2007

Following the approach of Drozinov, Vladimirov and Zavialov we investigate the quasiasymptotic expansion of distributions and give Abelian type results for the ordinary asymptotic behavior of the distributional modified Stieltjes transform of a distribution with appropriate quasiasymptotic expansion .
Distribution analogue of the Tumarkin result
Authors: Manova-Erakovik Vesna , Pandeski N. , Nastovski Lj.
Published: November 2007

We give a distribution analogue of the Tumarkin result that concerns approximation of some functions by sequence of rational functions with given poles. AMS Mathematics Subject Classification (2000): 46F20, 30E25, 32A35.
Political thought of French existentialists in the works of Yugoslav praxis-philosophers
Authors: Boskovic Dusan
Published: November 2007

The text presents the basic theses involved in elaborating the topic of political Thought of French Existentialists in the Works of Yugoslav Praxis-Philosophers. One representative example is briefly analyzed.
Law and morality in contemporary philosophy of law
Authors: Stankovic Dejan
Published: November 2007

In this paper, author tries to analyze complex character of the relation between law and morality in contemporary law philosophy. There are three approaches to the issue of relation between law and morality: natural law theory (identity thesis), positivist (separation thesis) and Anglo-American analytical jurisprudence (polarity thesis). The identity thesis-law and morality are basically identical, although basic principles of morality are subordinated to the positive legal rules; the separation thesis-law and morality are quite different system of norms: positive legal rules are completely deprived of any moral content; Polarity thesis - law and morality are different systems of norms which complement to each other. The polarity thesis is exemplified in theories of Herbert Hart and Ronald Dworkin's. At the logical level, polarity thesis overcomes and specifically synthesizes abstract character and reductionism of identity and separation thesis. At the socio-historical level, the polarity thesis is result of historical development of legal and political institutions.
Constitutional consensus in post communism: The case of Serbia
Authors: Podunavac Milan
Published: November 2007

In the light of the dramatic events in political society in Serbia the author examines the most basic question of political theory of constitutionalism, i.e. how is it possible for a revolution to culminate in a viable form of constitutional government.
Mythical aspects of Serbian identity
Authors: Djeric Gordana
Published: November 2007

The paper deals with the use of mythical contents of Serbian national identity and stereotypes about Serbs in different kinds of public discourses; publicist. political and scientific. Mythical content and stereotypes are related to 'comprehensive image of the Serbian people', not to empirically testable particular identifiers. Moreover, vague stories about Serbian national being have epistemological priority over unambiguous descriptions of common collective ways of life. This feature of its usage make national myths suitable for political and cultural propaganda. They are a powerful tool for social control and manipulation. Political and cultural elites are reluctant to abandon abuses of mythical aspects in maintaining their positions. The aim of the proposed research is to identify particular abuses of mythical aspects in Serbian public discourse and disclose their historical sources, as well as to opt for a reassessment of Serbian national identity through open and scientifically grounded public discussion.
The real aims of the USA and the EU in the Balkans
Authors: Cavoski Kosta
Published: November 2007

The article explores the real aims of the so-called international community which is usually understood as the USA, as the only remaining super power and the European Union, particularly France. Great Britain and Germany. The author argues that the real and particularly long-term aims of these powers should be primarily inferred from their real deeds and only subsequently from public statements of their officials. By analyzing a number of examples in the Balkans and in other parts of the world the author comes to unexpected conclusions. While in words big Western powers supported multi-ethnicity and preservation of multi-ethnic states, in deeds they not only instigated nationalism and separatism but also hastened and recognized the dissolution of three European federations into 22 more or less national states. And while in words they apparently supported so-called democratization, in practice they not only supported authoritarian regimes but also identified democracy with occupation in Republika Srpska.
The crisis of modernity as the crisis of the political: Towards a critique of the reason of the ethos
Authors: Elakovic Simo
Published: November 2007

The crisis of modernity as the crisis of the political is seen by the author primarily as a crisis of the "measure" of the criterion of political decision making and action. This crisis is understood in the first place as a crisis of self-awareness and practice of the ethos. Machiavelli was the first to attempt a solution to this problem by introducing the concept of virtus, which became the fundamental principle of modern political philosophy. However, many modern and contemporary interpreters of Machiavelli's thought often ignore the social and political context in which the political doctrine of the Florentine thinker arose. Namely, Machiavelli's effort to find an authentic form of the political act that would make possible a harmonization and stabilization of the dramatic political circumstances then prevailing in Italian cities required a reliable diagnosis and adequate means for a successful therapy of the sick organism of the community. The epochal novelty in Machiavelli's political theory was the shift from the ancient theorization of virtue to its modern operationalization. Nevertheless, this shift is often interpreted as a radical opposing of the Greek concept of arete to the Roman virtus, which is crudely and simplistically reduced to bravery and strength necessary for taking and keeping political power. Hegel in his political philosophy travels an important part of the road - unconsciously rather than consciously - along with Machiavelli and Shelling. This particularly holds for his understanding of the necessity of strength and bravery in the process of operationalizing the spirit of freedom in history through the mediation of "negation" as "the power of evil". The mediation of subjectivity and substantiality, according to Hegel, takes place in the state by the brutal bridling of the world spirit where not just individuals but whole peoples are sacrificed - toward freedom, i.e. its realization in the community of the ethos. The "trouble of the times" is a consequence of the separation between I and the world (Entzeiung) and stems from a reduced political reason which lacks the criterion of the ethical totality for political action and decision making. By the separation of the ethos this reason get routinized and political action is reduced to naked technique of winning and keeping political power. In the concluding segment of the paper the author points to some global consequences of the crisis of political decision making in the historical reality at the end of 20th century.
On political and philosophical identity: From dissident Marxist to revolutionary democrat
Authors: Stojanovic Svetozar
Published: November 2007

In this paper the author seeks to shed light on the political and philosophical context of the second half of 20th century in which he intellectually came of age. In his intellectual and political development the author distinguishes three main phases. He characterizes the first phase of his development as Praxis, revisionist, dissident Marxism and reformist communism. The second phase was post-Marxism and post-communism, while in the last decade of the 20th century the author defines his theoretical views as non-Marxist. The author defines his latest philosophical-political standpoint as social democratic which, after his own self-understanding, comes closest to West European social democracy. .
The philosopher in a freemasons' lodge
Authors: Lolic Marinko
Published: November 2007

Fichte's Philosophy of Freemasonry took as its object the culture of a secret society, quite influential and widespread but no less obscure in times of Enlightenment and early Romanticism. He tried clarify it from the perspective of classical German idealism, and to use it for his own purposes: through it, Fichte sought to realize the idea of man as citizen of the world and thus to influence the so-called or public society, as well as politics.
Zizek's return to Lenin
Authors: Subotic Milan
Published: November 2007

The paper offers a critical discussion of the thesis about the revived philosophical and political significance of Lenin, as recently propounded by Slavoj Zizek. Analyzing Zizek's writings, the author argues that the call for a "return to Lenin" derives from Zizek's strategy of "textual provocation" and the frustrating position of the leftist, radical tradition of political thought after the collapse of communism.
Poetics and anthropology
Authors: Sekulic Nada
Published: November 2007

The entering of poetics into the field of anthropology, intimated by Nietzsche (through his critique of anthropocentrism), introduced by Bachelard and Bataille and continued in the framework of poststructuralism has influenced the scope and the models of knowledge traditionally related to anthropology, by reexamining and changing them. This influence is researched through the analysis of several authors, discussing the political aspects of their writings at the same time. Their notions of polarity, discontinuity, suspension, transgression and dissemination make visible possible directions of transformation of anthropology.
The concepts of time and space through the lense of "mental maps"
Authors: Djeric Gordana
Published: November 2007

The article explores the meaning and usages of "communicative and cultural memory" in the context of "mental maps". It looks particularly at theories which, on the basis of constructed symbolic divisions (such as "Europe" vs. "Balkans"), connote a "lasting Balkan/European reality". The explication focuses on the content considered by these theories as specifically Balkan (or specifically Serbian) understanding of the concepts of Space and Time.
A sociological view of the Russian religious renaissance at the end of the twentieth century: Its scope, limits and tendencies
Authors: Blagojevic Mirko
Published: November 2007

In this article I have dealt with empirical proofs for the Russian religious renaissance which came after the fall of the Soviet socialistic empire and carried on all through the nineties as a pro-religious (pro-orthodox) consensus and a religious belief. Likewise, I have dealt with proofs suggesting certain limitations of the renaissance in question which manifested mainly in irregular fulfillment of religious duties.
Eternal peace and world citizen order
Authors: Lolic Marinko
Published: November 2007

In this paper the author examines the key principles of Kant's conception of eternal peace and the possibility of an international legal order grounded in Reason. The central segment of the paper consists of an analysis of the problem of mediation between Kant's normative theory and political practice.