bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitric Oxide Metabolites, Leukocyte Activation Markers and Oxidative Status in Dialyzed Subjects
Authors: Caimi G. , Carollo C. , Montana M. , Iatrino R. , Bondì B. , Lo Presti R.
Published: January 2009

Aims: Our purpose was to evaluate, in a group of 42 end-stage renal disease patients who regularly undergo hemodialysis, some indexes of leukocyte activation, nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) and other parameters that reflect the oxidative stress before and after a standard hemodialysis session. Methods: Elastase and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were determined by means of ELISA. The NO production was evaluated by a micromethod which measures the concentration of NOx. The oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids was evaluated in plasma by detection of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). Total antioxidant status (TAS) was obtained using spectrophotometry. Results: At baseline, we observed an increase of elastase, NOx, TBARS and TAS, without any variation of MPO. After the dialysis session, we found an increase in elastase and MPO, a decrease in NOx and TAS and no variation in TBARS. No modification occurred after subdividing the patients in two subgroups. Conclusions: Our data confirm the involvement of leukocytes and oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients.
Clinical Characteristics of Gastric Cancer Associated with Pregnancy
Authors: Lee Hyuk-Joon , Lee In Kyu , Kim Jong Won , Lee Kuhn Uk , Choe Kuk Jin , Yang Han-Kwang
Published: January 2009

Background/Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical features and treatment outcome of gastric cancer associated with pregnancy. Methods: Clinicopathologic characteristics of 15 patients who were diagnosed as having gastric cancer during pregnancy or within 1 year after delivery (the P-related group) were compared with those of 53 age-matched pregnancy-unrelated gastric cancer patients (the control group). Results: Significant differences were found in tumor stage and surgical curability; the numbers of stage IV disease were 12 (80%) and 21 (40%; p = 0.006), and those of curative resection were 4 (27%) and 20 (62%; p = 0.02) in the P-related and the control group, respectively. Three-year survival rate was significantly lower in the P-related group (23.3%) than in the control group (52.8%; p = 0.007). In the P-related group, only 3 patients, including one patient diagnosed using endoscopy, survived without recurrences. In the multivariate analysis, pregnancy was not identified as an independent risk factor associated with poor outcome. Conclusion: Gastric cancer associated with pregnancy is discovered at its advanced stage and consequently shows a dismal prognosis. Considering that the patients who underwent curative resection have a favorable prognosis, primary efforts should be focused on early diagnosis.
Additional Value of External Ultrasonography of the Neck after CT and PET Scanning in the Preoperative Assessment of Patients with Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Omloo J.M.T. , van Heijl M. , Smits N.J. , Phoa S.S.K.S. , van Berge Henegouwen M.I. , Sloof G.W. , van Lanschot J.J.B.
Published: January 2009

Introduction: Lymphatic dissemination of a (non-cervical) esophageal tumor to the neck is generally considered as distant metastasis. The aim of this study was to determine the additional value of external ultrasonography (US) to detect lymphatic metastasis to the neck after normal CT scan (CT) with or without normal PET scan (PET). Methods: Between January 2003 and December 2005, 306 patients were analyzed for esophageal cancer in our department. A total of 233 patients underwent both CT and external US of the neck. PET was performed in 109 of these patients as part of a prospective cohort study. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) was only performed if external US reported suspected lymph nodes. FNA was defined as gold standard. Results: In 176 patients (76%), CT did not identify any suspected nodes, but external US disagreed in 36 of them. In 9 of these patients, FNA confirmed metastasis, resulting in an additional value of external US after normal CT scanning of 5% (9/176). In 74 patients (68%), CT and PET did not identify any suspected nodes, but external US disagreed in 11 of them. In 3 of these patients, FNA confirmed metastasis, resulting in an additional value of external US after normal CT and PET of 4% (3/74). Conclusion: Considering its minimal invasiveness and wide availability in combination with the importance of the potential therapeutic consequences, we conclude that external US of the neck should be part of the routine diagnostic work-up in patients with esophageal cancer, even after normal CT and PET scanning.
Sulfadiazine Partially Protects the Rat Temporal Cortex from Amyloid Beta Peptide (25–35)-Induced Alterations of the Somatostatinergic System
Authors: Burgos-Ramos E. , Puebla-Jiménez L. , Hernández-Pinto A. , Arilla-Ferreiro E.
Published: January 2009

The aim of this study was to elucidate whether sulfadiazine, shown to improve cognitive capacity in the elderly, can prevent amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) (25–35)-induced impairment of the somatostatinergic system previously reported by our group in rat temporal cortex. Male Wistar rats were thus treated with sulfadiazine (160 mg/kg) or vehicle, via a gastric cannula, twice on the day prior to Aβ(25–35) treatment. On the following day and during 14 days, Aβ(25–35) was administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) via an osmotic minipump connected to a cannula implanted in the right lateral ventricle (300 pmol/day). Sulfadiazine (80 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered once again the last 2 days of the Aβ(25–35) infusion. All animals were sacrificed by decapitation 24 h after the last sulfadiazine dose. The findings obtained reveal that sulfadiazine partially prevents the decrease in somatostatin (SRIH)-like immunoreactivity content in the temporal cortex of rats infused with Aβ(25–35) during 14 days. In addition, sulfadiazine blocks the Aβ(25–35)-induced reduction in the SRIH receptor density and in SRIH receptor subtype 2 expression. Sulfadiazine treatment also restored the inhibitory effect of SRIH on basal adenylyl cyclase activity back to control values. Altogether, the results suggest that sulfadiazine might have beneficial effects in the early treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Direct Inotropic Effects of Exogenous and Endogenous Urotensin-II
Authors: Quaile Michael P. , Kubo Hajime , Kimbrough Carie L. , Douglas Stephen A. , Margulies Kenneth B.
Published: January 2009

Background—

Urotensin-II (U-II) is an endogenous peptide upregulated in failing hearts. To date, insights into the myocardial actions of U-II have been obscured by its potent vasoconstrictor effects and interspecies differences in physiological responses to U-II.

Methods and Results—

We examined the direct effects of exogenous U-II on in vitro contractility in nonfailing and failing human myocardial trabeculae (n=47). Rapid cooling contractures (RCC) were used to examine sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca
2+
load. In nonfailing myocardium, exogenous U-II increased developed force (DF), rates of force generation and decline and RCC amplitude suggesting increased sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca
2+
load. In isolated myocyte suspensions from nonfailing hearts, U-II increased phospholamban phosphorylation. In failing myocardium, exogenous U-II reduced DF and rates of force generation and decline without a significant change in RCC amplitude in trabeculae or a change in phospholamban phosphorylation in myocytes. To examine the effects of endogenous U-II, we administered the peptidic U-II receptor antagonist (UT-A) GSK248451A to isolated trabeculae. UT-A induced a decrease in DF in nonfailing myocardium and an increase in DF in failing myocardium. UT-A increased RCC amplitude slightly in both nonfailing and failing myocardium. During ongoing UT-A, exogenous U-II had little effect on DF and RCC amplitude, confirming effective receptor blockade.

Conclusions—

U-II modulates contractility independent of vasoconstriction with opposite effects in failing and nonfailing hearts. Positive inotropic responses to UT-A alone suggests that increased endogenous U-II constrains contractility in failing hearts via an autocrine or paracrine mechanism. These findings support a potential therapeutic role for UT-A in heart failure.
Rational Miracles, Cultural Rituals and the Fear of Syncretism: Defending Contentious Muslim Practice among Tamil-speaking Muslims
Authors: Tschacher Torsten
Published: January 2009

Discussions of everyday Islamic religiosity commonly distinguish two distinct forms of Muslim religiosity, one 'normative' and 'formal,' the other 'accommodative' and 'informal.' It is invariably the latter form that is identified as the site of engagement with other religious traditions. This paper sets out to question the common association of 'popular' Islamic religiosity with 'syncretism' by analysing the methods by which Muslims defend contentious practices in everyday life. Drawing on fieldwork among Tamil-speaking Muslims in India and Southeast Asia, various strategies for defending contentious practices will be analysed, most important among which are references to Islamic scripture and scholarly tradition. Concomitantly, the discourse surrounding the defence of contentious practices and beliefs shows a heightened concern with authenticity, resulting in an often stridently anti-syncretic rhetoric. Finally, the paper will deal with an alternative way of defending contentious practices particularly salient in Southeast Asia, which tries to remove contentious practices from the sphere of 'religion' to that of 'culture.' In all cases, the respective defensive strategies clearly inhabit the same discursive space as the criticism levelled at contentious practice, revealing the problematic nature of the assumed binaries of Muslim religiosity.
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the European Union and the Rule of Law: What is going on in the Adriatic Sea?
Authors: Vidas Davor
Published: January 2009

In October 2003, Croatia declared an “Ecological and Fisheries Protection Zone” in the Adriatic Sea. However, in June 2004 Croatia decided to delay the implementation of that Zone for the European Union (EU) Member States. Then, in December 2006 it decided to implement the Zone fully from 1 January 2008—only to discontinue its application to EU countries from 15 March 2008. The developments and underlying reasons for the changing jurisdictional picture in the Adriatic Sea are the subject of this article. Key Adriatic Sea features, trends in uses of its living resources and maritime space, and resource conservation and marine pollution concerns are presented. Developments leading to recent national legislation and positions on maritime jurisdiction by Croatia as well as Italy and Slovenia are discussed. These regulations, positions and developments are assessed from the perspective of the law of the sea. Relevant policy perspectives, including aspects of EU membership, are included.
Analysis of IUU Fishing in Indonesia and the Indonesian Legal Framework Reform for Monitoring, Control and Surveillance of Fishing Vessels
Authors: Sodik Dikdik Mohamad
Published: January 2009

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is considered as a major threat to Indonesian fish stocks. The battle against IUU fishing activities has recently become a high priority in the national fisheries management agenda. Indonesia has implemented a series of laws and regulations concerning monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS). This article analyses the adequacy of the Indonesian legislation relating to MCS. After a discussion of the relevant IUU fishing, the adequacy of the national instruments is measured against the international fisheries instruments. The article will seek to demonstrate gaps in the current legal framework governing MCS for fishing vessels. The author recommends that Indonesia fully implement the MCS provisions of all relevant international fisheries instruments as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention (LOSC), the UN Fish Stocks Agreement and the FAO International Plan of Action-IUU.
The Freedom of Christ in the Early Lonergan
Authors: Moloney Raymond
Published: January 2009

The central problem posed in this article concerns the coexistence in Christ of both divine freedom and human freedom. Drawing on the thought of Bernard Lonergan the article first considers the problem against the background of the difference between intellectualist and voluntarist tendencies. Human freedom arises in considering means to an end, but only in so far as the will is necessitated with regard to the end. This fits in well with the notion of the unshakeable commitment of Christ's human will to that of his Father. When this is treated in terms of Lonergan's account of how God stands outside the order of past, present and future, and in a sense outside the order of the necessary and the contingent, we have some basis for resolving the antinomies which arise from the coexistence of two freedoms in the one person.
Race and Art
Authors: Agnello Richard
Published: January 2009

This article investigates the extent to which economic markets have incorporated mainstream artistic acceptance of African American art. Prices of oil paintings sold at auction from 1972 to 2004 for African American artists are compared to their contemporaries. Gross means between the two groups reveal averages significantly lower for African American artists throughout the time period. Hedonic regressions, used to refine the statistical analysis by controlling for factors characterizing the painting and auction environment, also reveal that African American artists fetch lower prices. The hedonic regressions, however, reveal a narrowing gap between the two groups since price appreciation has been higher for works by African American artists. The high investment returns have made investment in paintings by African American artists a relatively profitable niche in recent years comparing well with traditional investments such as stocks and bonds. This profitability may continue since painting prices for African Americans have not completely caught up to those of contemporaries.
Prediction of the Elastic—Plastic Stress/Strain Response for Injection-Molded Long-Fiber Thermoplastics
Authors: Nghiep Nguyen BA , Bapanapalli Satish K. , Kunc Vlastimil , Phelps Jay H. , Tucker Charles L.
Published: January 2009

This article proposes a model to predict the elastic—plastic response of injection-molded long-fiber thermoplastics (LFTs). The model accounts for elastic fibers embedded in a thermoplastic resin that exhibits the elastic—plastic behavior obeying the Ramberg—Osgood relation and J-2 deformation theory of plasticity. It also accounts for fiber length and orientation distributions in the composite formed by the injection-molding process. Fiber orientation was predicted using an anisotropic rotary diffusion model recently developed for LFTs. An incremental procedure using Eshelby's equivalent inclusion method and the Mori—Tanaka assumption is applied to compute the overall stress increment resulting from an overall strain increment for an aligned-fiber composite that contains the same fiber volume fraction and length distribution as the actual composite. The incremental response of the latter is then obtained from the solution for the aligned-fiber composite by averaging over all fiber orientations. Failure during incremental loading is predicted using the Van Hattum—Bernado model that is adapted to the composite elastic—plastic behavior. The model is validated against the experimental stress—strain results obtained for long-glass-fiber/polypropylene specimens.
Maintenance cost of chiller plants in Hong Kong
Authors: Lai Joseph HK , Yik Francis WH , Chan Aggie KP
Published: January 2009

Research findings about maintenance costs of chiller plants — a ubiquitous installation in large buildings, are rare. The study reported in this paper was conducted through inspection of 40 maintenance contracts, their associated monthly service reports and payment records, and interviews with the contract administrators. Routine maintenance cost was found to dominate among the maintenance resources. Repair maintenance work accounts for a less, but significant portion. The cost incurred for emergency maintenance work is minimal and condition analysis is seldom applied. Large chiller plants, by virtue of their scale, can economise on their maintenance cost. Total maintenance cost varies with plant age following a `bell-shape' pattern, with relatively less expenditure for new and old plants whereas that incurred for middle-aged plants spreads over a wide range. Factors that potentially affect the cost relation between preventive maintenance and corrective maintenance have been identified. Apart from investigating their effects clearer, future work is needed to explore how to improve the practice of recording plant faults, which are crucial performance data to reflect whether the costs spent on maintenance are value-for-money.

Practical application: The study has revealed the significance of various maintenance cost elements and the empirical cost relation between preventive maintenance and corrective maintenance. The effects of plant capacity, age of plant, operation period and heat rejection method on maintenance cost have also been analysed. Understanding the influence of these factors can help practitioners prepare maintenance budgets and perform benchmarking exercises. Besides, the lack of proper record of plant faults, as identified, is a barrier, which needs to be overcome before evaluating the value of maintenance service.
Temperature gradient effects on moisture transport in porous building materials
Authors: Baker Paul H , Galbraith Graham H , McLean R. Craig
Published: January 2009

Whilst considerable research has been carried out on the process of moisture transmission through porous building materials under a concentration gradient with isothermal conditions, limited experimental data are available on the influence of temperature gradients on moisture transfer rates. Such thermodiffusion can be predicted from irreversible thermodynamics, however, its significance to concentration-driven transfer in materials has not been definitively established. Models for the prediction of moisture movement in building structures generally neglect such effects, and rely on moisture transport properties based on isothermal measurements. This paper describes an investigation to determine the significance of non-isothermal effects on the total moisture transfer through building materials. The investigation concluded that the vapour pressure gradient is the critical driving potential for moisture transfer, whilst thermodiffusion is not significant.

Practical application: Building professionals can be confident that the use of vapour permeabilities of building materials measured under isothermal conditions are satisfactory for the prediction of moisture transport through building envelopes under temperature gradients: no correction for thermodiffusion effects is necessary.
Recommendations for Routine Sampling, Trimming, and Paraffin-Embedding of Female Reproductive Organs, Mammary Gland, and Placenta in the Cynomolgus Monkey
Authors: van Esch Eric , de Rijk Eveline P.C.T. , Buse Eberhard , Zöller Martina , Cline J. Mark
Published: January 2009

In toxicity studies, the nonhuman primate is often the species of choice to evaluate the toxicologic potential of chemicals and drugs. Especially in the case of effects on female reproductive organs and mammary glands, other animal species are less predictive for man. To enable reliable histopathologic interpretation allowing a solid safety assessment, it is a prerequisite to obtain material of consistently high quality. Standardization of autopsy techniques, tissue sampling, and fixation and staining procedures will help significantly to obtain the quality that is needed. For this purpose, a detailed description of the procedures from necropsy to microscopic slide preparation of the female reproductive organs of the cynomolgus monkey is given. Procedures to sample and process the placenta are included. These recommendations can be used to achieve consistent, high-quality tissue preparations, allowing pathologists to conduct sensitive, accurate, and meaningful evaluations of the study material.

Competing Interests: This article was sponsored by Covance Inc. and Schering- Plough. Martina Zölle and Eberhard Buse are employed by Covance Inc. Eveline P. C. T. de Rijk and Eric Van Esch are employed by Schering-Plough. No other competing interests were declared.
The Mammary Glands of Macaques
Authors: Cline J. Mark , Wood Charles E.
Published: January 2009

This review describes the normal biology and physiology of the mammary gland in macaques, including the typical histologic appearance across the life span (development, reproductive maturity, lactation, and senescence). The molecular events regulating breast morphogenesis are described, as well as systemic and local hormonal regulators of mammary gland proliferation, differentiation, and function. Similarities and differences to the human breast are described. Regulatory events are illuminated by discussion of genetically modified mouse models. Tissue response markers, including immunohistochemical markers of proliferation and other hormonally induced changes and studies to date, regarding the effects of exogenous hormones, are briefly summarized. In general, estrogens stimulate progesterone receptor expression and proliferation in the mammary gland, and combinations of estrogens and progestogens cause greater proliferation than estrogens alone. Evaluation of novel chemical agents in macaques requires careful evaluation of age and hormonal context to avoid the confounding effects of mammary gland development, past reproductive history, and other influences on mammary gland morphology. The expression of proliferation markers and progesterone receptors may be used as biomarkers to measure chemically induced hormonal effects.

Competing Interests: This article was sponsored by Covance Inc. and Schering-Plough. The authors did not declare any other competing interests.
Summary Comparison of Female Reproductive System in Human and the Cynomolgus Monkey (Macaca fascicularis)
Authors: Van Esch Eric , Cline J. Mark , Buse Eberhard , Wood Charles E. , de Rijk Eveline P. C. T. , Weinbauer Gerhard F.
Published: January 2009

Competing Interests: This article was sponsored by Covance Inc. and Schering-Plough. Gerhard F. Weinbauer and Eberhard Buse are employed by Covance Inc. Eveline P. C. T. de Rijk and Eric Van Esch are employed by Schering-Plough. No other competing interests were declared.
Discrete Time-delay Optimal Control of Structures under Seismic Excitations using the Balanced Reduction Scheme
Authors: Lu X. , Tan S.J. , Lin J.H. , Kennedy D. , Williams F.W.
Published: January 2009

The time-delay discrete-time equations are derived directly from the differential vibration equations for structures in state space, with discrete parameters obtained via the precise integration method. Then a state vector expansion method is used to transform these equations into ones which do not contain time-delay terms explicitly. Next, the order of this system is substantially reduced by using the balanced reduction method to form a dominant subsystem which is based on the eigenmodes of the state subspace with highest controllability. The controllers are then designed by the discrete time-delay optimal control theory, which contains the control terms not only of the current state but also of a few previous states, in order to reflect the effect of time delays. By using the proposed method, the order of the controller is very substantially reduced without causing any essential difference in the control effect. A numerical example for a shear-type building is presented and it shows the effectiveness of the proposed method even when time delays are quite large.
Finite Element Study of the Effect of Structural Modifications on Structure-borne Vehicle Interior Noise
Authors: Georgiev V.B. , Krylov V.V.
Published: January 2009

This paper presents the results of the numerical investigation of structure-borne vehicle interior noise in a simplified model of vehicle compartment. The aim of the paper is to analyze the effects of different variations of certain geometrical and material parameters of vehicle structure on structural-acoustic frequency response functions. It has been found that geometrical modifications have little influence on the structural natural frequencies. However, they strongly affect the acoustic natural frequencies and normal modes as well as the resulting sound pressure responses. The increase in thickness of the bottom plate suppresses the sound pressure responses very efficiently. However, variations of material characteristics of wind- and back-screen do not have much influence on the interior noise.
Optimizing Outcomes in Multiple Sclerosis – A Consensus Initiative
Authors: Coyle P , Arnason B , Hurwitz B , Lublin F
Published: January 2009

Background

Initiation of immunomodulators in patients experiencing a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) may delay progression to clinically definite MS. However, lack of consensus remains on many issues affecting optimal management of MS.

Method

A panel of 21 MS experts met during 9 meetings to explore key issues in MS and CIS. Meetings addressed 3 phases: 1. CIS definition and diagnosis; 2. initial therapy; and 3. monitoring disease progression and treatment efficacy. Newsletters covering each phase were sent to 5000 U.S.-based neurologists who were invited to participate in an online survey on key issues.

Results

Most panel members agreed that early treatment may minimize neurodegeneration and most would recommend it for patients; that a dose-response relationship exists for beta-interferon therapy; that more aggressive therapy was most effective early in the disease course; and, that MRI has a role in monitoring disease progression. In face of suboptimal response, most would switch patients to a different therapy; while combination therapy would be reserved for those failing monotherapy regimes. Most online survey respondents agreed with these positions.

Conclusions

There was uniform consensus from this panel of MS experts that early initiation of immunomodulator therapy was beneficial for CIS patients.
The civilizing brand
Authors: Binkley Sam
Published: January 2009

This article proposes a theoretical framework bridging Norbert Elias' theory of the civilizing process with historical debates on the growth of consumption in capitalist societies. Elias' theory of the civilizing process, and its extension into an informalizing process, is figured together with historical accounts of the rise of mass-market consumerism and its turn to lifestyle consumerism, particularly as the latter is mediated by lifestyle branding. Attention is paid to the role of the body as an object of shame, and the ways in which shame thresholds are lowered (applied with less tolerance) under the civilizing influences of mass consumerism and raised again (applied with more tolerance) under the informalizing influences of lifestyle brands. Illustrative cases are cited from historical scholarship on the history of consumerism and contemporary advertising.
Talking to Bowie fans
Authors: Stevenson Nick
Published: January 2009

Drawing upon recent interviews of `lifelong' Bowie fans, this article contributes to debates in respect of celebrity and audience studies. In contrast with other approaches to fan identities, it emphasizes the extent to which the fan experience is a gendered way of handling a number of existential questions in respect of individualization processes. Star-texts act as a `guide' or cultural resource to help many men and women deal with a number of threats to their identity. Fears of atomization, disintegration and meaninglessness were an ever-present feature of the interviews. Relations to star-texts resist easy forms of categorization but help to inscribe ambivalent identities. Mainly focusing upon male fans (and the construction of masculine identity), it was discovered that certain hegemonic features of masculinity can be connected to the consumption of so-called `alternative' texts, while exploring a number of other more ambivalent features often ignored by audience research.
Talking film, talking identity
Authors: Thornley Davinia
Published: January 2009

This article examines the themes produced from a series of focus groups with expatriate New Zealanders (also known as `Kiwis') undertaken in London in mid-2006. The participants were questioned about their experiences of watching New Zealand films now that they were living overseas, in order to understand their perspectives on national identity. The themes that developed include: the importance of national film viewing by expatriates in creating and celebrating `Kiwiness'; the `cultural translation' that expatriate Kiwis undertake for their British friends and acquaintances; and the nostalgic associations produced through visual portrayals of national landscape and landmarks. Additionally, this article acts as a methodological `case study' of this kind of research, one which bridges the disciplinary boundaries between traditional film studies work and other qualitative, sociological fields such as mass communications and ethnography.
Punitive attitudes toward criminals
Authors: Costelloe Michael T. , Chiricos Ted , Gertz Marc
Published: January 2009

This article examines whether and in what ways punitive attitudes toward criminals can be understood as having roots in two hypothesized sources of anxiety in western society. The first is the danger of crime and its salience and the second is economic insecurity. Both have been seen as sources of growing perceptions that the State is failing in its responsibility to provide for citizen's physical safety and economic security. Punitiveness toward criminals is hypothesized by some to be a way to act decisively in a time of relative uncertainty. It also serves to distinguish between the `undeserving poor' and those who are economically insecure. Interviews with 2250 randomly selected Florida residents provide the data for this study. Our results indicate that crime salience, especially fear and concern about crime consistently predict punitiveness. When economic insecurity is measured in terms of expected circumstances in the near future, it is significantly linked to punitive attitudes among white males, particularly those who are less well educated and earn less income. The results are consistent with some aspects of an `angry white male' phenomenon, particularly to the extent that those negative sentiments have a racial focus.
The transfer of sentenced persons in Europe
Authors: De Wree Eveline , Vander Beken Tom , Vermeulen Gert
Published: January 2009

In recent years new instruments have been developed in Europe that allow sentenced persons to be transferred to their country of nationality/origin or permanent residence, where the sentence is then carried out. The most commonly referred to ratio legis for these regulations is the reintegration or rehabilitation of offenders. But is the optimization of offender reintegration really the objective and the result of these transfers? Reintegration features in many theories on the goals of punishment, and since Martinson proclaimed in the 1970s that `Nothing Works' a steady flow of publications has demonstrated that there are interventions that can reintegrate offenders successfully. The theoretical and empirical framework of rehabilitation is well developed, and it is therefore possible to explore which components of reintegration feature in regulations surrounding the transfer of prisoners. Rehabilitation can be divided in a number of components: orientation towards change, room for subjectivity in decisions on the length and type of sanction, the subsidiarity of the prison sentence, and attention to societal bonds. A critical evaluation of the intended goals of the transfer instruments in terms of whether they are reflected in the policies' implementation and application finds that some of these components appear to be present in the regulations, to some extent, but others are completely absent. Therefore the actual impact of transfer regulations may not be what the legislators intended.
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Communication-Based Treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Brunner Debra Lynn , Seung HyeKyeung
Published: January 2009

This literature review examines the present level of evidence in support of communication-based treatments for children with autism spectrum disorders. Reviews to date have reported on research published through 2002. The current article included 36 studies published between 2002 and 2007. Best available evidence is presented for seven treatment categories: applied behavior analysis, naturalistic behavioral, developmental, classroom-based, video modeling, social skills, and augmentative and alternative communication. Findings indicate that empirical support has been obtained for the efficacy of several methods, whereas other methods remain in an exploratory stage of investigation.
The Bifid Median Nerve Re-Visited
Authors: AL-QATTAN M. M. , AL-ZAHRANI K. , AL-OMAWI M.
Published: January 2009

This report presents a venous malformation arising from the persistent median vessels associated with a bifid median nerve. The literature on bifid median nerve is reviewed and a classification of its associated abnormalities is offered.
Characterization of gene expression profiles for different types of mast cells pooled from mouse stomach subregions by an RNA amplification method
Authors: Tsuchiya Soken , Tachida Yuki , Segi-Nishida Eri , Okuno Yasushi , Tamba Shigero , Tsujimoto Gozoh , Tanaka Satoshi , Sugimoto Yukihiko
Published: January 2009

Background

Mast cells (MCs) play pivotal roles in allergy and innate immunity and consist of heterogenous subclasses. However, the molecular basis determining the different characteristics of these multiple MC subclasses remains unclear.

Results

To approach this, we developed a method of RNA extraction/amplification for intactin vivoMCs pooled from frozen tissue sections, which enabled us to obtain the global gene expression pattern of pooled MCs belonging to the same subclass. MCs were isolated from the submucosa (sMCs) and mucosa (mMCs) of mouse stomach sections, respectively, 15 cells were pooled, and their RNA was extracted, amplified and subjected to microarray analysis. Known marker genes specific for mMCs and sMCs showed expected expression trends, indicating accuracy of the analysis.

We identified 1,272 genes showing significantly different expression levels between sMCs and mMCs, and classified them into clusters on the basis of similarity of their expression profiles compared with bone marrow-derived MCs, which are the cultured MCs with so-called 'immature' properties. Among them, we found that several key genes such asNotch4had sMC-biased expression andPtgr1had mMC-biased expression. Furthermore, there is a difference in the expression of several genes including extracellular matrix protein components, adhesion molecules, and cytoskeletal proteins between the two MC subclasses, which may reflect functional adaptation of each MC to the mucosal or submucosal environment in the stomach.

Conclusion

By using the method of RNA amplification from pooled intact MCs, we characterized the distinct gene expression profiles of sMCs and mMCs in the mouse stomach. Our findings offer insight into possible unidentified properties specific for each MC subclass.
Restorative effect of endurance exercise on behavioral deficits in the chronic mouse model of Parkinson's disease with severe neurodegeneration
Authors: Pothakos Konstantinos , Kurz Max J , Lau Yuen-Sum
Published: January 2009

Background

Animal models of Parkinson's disease have been widely used for investigating the mechanisms of neurodegenerative process and for discovering alternative strategies for treating the disease. Following 10 injections with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP, 25 mg/kg) and probenecid (250 mg/kg) over 5 weeks in mice, we have established and characterized a chronic mouse model of Parkinson's disease (MPD), which displays severe long-term neurological and pathological defects resembling that of the human Parkinson's disease in the advanced stage. The behavioral manifestations in this chronic mouse model of Parkinson's syndrome remain uninvestigated. The health benefit of exercise in aging and in neurodegenerative disorders including the Parkinson's disease has been implicated; however, clinical and laboratory studies in this area are limited. In this research with the chronic MPD, we first conducted a series of behavioral tests and then investigated the impact of endurance exercise on the identified Parkinsonian behavioral deficits.

Results

We report here that the severe chronic MPD mice showed significant deficits in their gait pattern consistency and in learning the cued version of the Morris water maze. Their performances on the challenging beam and walking grid were considerably attenuated suggesting the lack of balance and motor coordination. Furthermore, their spontaneous and amphetamine-stimulated locomotor activities in the open field were significantly suppressed. The behavioral deficits in the chronic MPD lasted for at least 8 weeks after MPTP/probenecid treatment. When the chronic MPD mice were exercise-trained on a motorized treadmill 1 week before, 5 weeks during, and 8–12 weeks after MPTP/probenecid treatment, the behavioral deficits in gait pattern, spontaneous ambulatory movement, and balance performance were reversed; whereas neuronal loss and impairment in cognitive skill, motor coordination, and amphetamine-stimulated locomotor activity were not altered when compared to the sedentary chronic MPD animals.

Conclusion

This study indicates that in spite of the drastic loss of dopaminergic neurons and depletion of dopamine in the severe chronic MPD, endurance exercise training effectively reverses the Parkinson's like behavioral deficits related to regular movement, balance and gait performance.
Neural network committees for finger joint angle estimation from surface EMG signals
Authors: Shrirao Nikhil A , Reddy Narender P , Kosuri Durga R
Published: January 2009

Background

In virtual reality (VR) systems, the user's finger and hand positions are sensed and used to control the virtual environments. Direct biocontrol of VR environments using surface electromyography (SEMG) signals may be more synergistic and unconstraining to the user. The purpose of the present investigation was to develop a technique to predict the finger joint angle from the surface EMG measurements of the extensor muscle using neural network models.

Methodology

SEMG together with the actual joint angle measurements were obtained while the subject was performing flexion-extension rotation of the index finger at three speeds. Several neural networks were trained to predict the joint angle from the parameters extracted from the SEMG signals. The best networks were selected to form six committees. The neural network committees were evaluated using data from new subjects.

Results

There was hysteresis in the measured SMEG signals during the flexion-extension cycle. However, neural network committees were able to predict the joint angle with reasonable accuracy. RMS errors ranged from 0.085 ± 0.036 for fast speed finger-extension to 0.147 ± 0.026 for slow speed finger extension, and from 0.098 ± 0.023 for the fast speed finger flexion to 0.163 ± 0.054 for slow speed finger flexion.

Conclusion

Although hysteresis was observed in the measured SEMG signals, the committees of neural networks were able to predict the finger joint angle from SEMG signals.
The SAM domain of the RhoGAP DLC1 binds EF1A1 to regulate cell migration
Authors: Zhong Dandan , Zhang Jingfeng , Yang Shuai , Soh Unice J. K. , Buschdorf Jan Paul , Zhou Yi Ting , Yang Daiwen , Low Boon Chuan
Published: January 2009

Deleted in liver cancer 1 (DLC1) is a multi-modular Rho-GTPase-activating protein (RhoGAP) and a tumor suppressor. Besides its RhoGAP domain, functions of other domains in DLC1 remain largely unknown. By protein precipitation and mass spectrometry, we identified eukaryotic elongation factor 1A1 (EF1A1) as a novel partner for the sterile alpha motif (SAM) domain of DLC1 but not the SAM domain of DLC2. The solution structure of DLC1 SAM revealed a new monomeric fold with four parallel helices, similar to that of DLC2 SAM but distinct from other SAM domains. Mutating F38, L39 and F40 within a hydrophobic patch retained its overall structure but abolished its interaction with EF1A1 with F38 and L39 forming an indispensable interacting motif. DLC1 SAM did not localize to and was not required for DLC1 to suppress the turnover of focal adhesions. Instead, DLC1 SAM facilitated EF1A1 distribution to the membrane periphery and ruffles upon growth factor stimulation. Compared with wild-type DLC1, the non-interactive DLC1 mutant is less potent in suppressing cell migration, whereas overexpression of the DLC1 SAM domain alone, but not the non-interactive mutant SAM or DLC2 SAM, greatly enhanced cell migration. This finding reveals a novel contribution of the SAM-EF1A1 interaction as a potentially important GAP-independent modulation of cell migration by DLC1.
A common cofilin activity cycle in invasive tumor cells and inflammatory cells
Authors: van Rheenen Jacco , Condeelis John , Glogauer Michael
Published: January 2009

In many cell types, the formation of membrane protrusions and directional migration depend on the spatial and temporal regulation of the actin-binding protein cofilin. Cofilin, which is important for the regulation of actin-polymerization initiation, increases the number of actin free barbed ends through three mechanisms: its intrinsic actin-nucleation activity; binding and severing of existing actin filaments; and recycling actin monomers from old filaments to new ones through its actin-depolymerization activity. The increase in free barbed ends that is caused by cofilin initiates new actin polymerization, which can be amplified by the actin-nucleating ARP2/3 complex. Interestingly, different cell systems seem to have different mechanisms of activating cofilin. The initial activation of cofilin in mammary breast tumors is dependent on PLCγ, whereas cofilin activation in neutrophils is additionally dependent on dephosphorylation, which is promoted through Rac2 signaling. Although the literature seems to be confusing and inconsistent, we propose that all of the data can be explained by a single activity-cycle model. In this Opinion, we give an overview of cofilin activation in both tumor cells and inflammatory cells, and demonstrate how the differences in cofilin activation that are observed in various cell types can be explained by different starting points in this single common activity cycle.
Training in human factor skills: lessons from aviation
Authors: Vickers Rachel
Published: January 2009

The contribution of poor human factor skills in causing adverse incidents to both patients and staff is well recognized. This article describes the approach and delivery of training in these skills in Queen's Hospital, Burton, and the development of a user-led patient safety group as a direct result of the training.
Knockdown of SLBP results in nuclear retention of histone mRNA
Authors: Sullivan Kelly D. , Mullen Thomas E. , Marzluff William F. , Wagner Eric J.
Published: January 2009

Histone mRNAs are the only eukaryotic cellular mRNAs that are not polyadenylated. Synthesis of mature histone mRNA requires only a single processing reaction: an endonucleolytic cleavage between a conserved stem–loop and a purine-rich downstream element to form the 3′ end. The stem–loop binding protein (SLBP) is required for processing, and following processing, histone mRNA is transported to the cytoplasm, where SLBP participates in translation of the histone mRNA and is also involved in regulation of histone mRNA degradation. Here we present an analysis of histone mRNA metabolism in cells with highly reduced levels of SLBP using RNA interference. Knocking down SLBP in U2OS cells results in a reduction in the rate of cell growth and an accumulation of cells in S-phase. Surprisingly, there is only a modest (twofold) decrease in histone mRNA levels. Much of histone mRNA in the SLBP knockdown cells is properly processed but is retained in the nucleus. The processed histone mRNA in SLBP knockdown cells is not rapidly degraded when DNA replication is inhibited. These results suggest a previously undescribed role for SLBP in histone mRNA export.
Uncoupling of lin-14 mRNA and protein repression by nutrient deprivation in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Holtz Janette , Pasquinelli Amy E.
Published: January 2009

In animals, microRNAs (miRNAs), typically, pair to sites of partial complementarity in the 3′-untranslated regions (3′UTRs) of target genes. Regulation by miRNAs often results in down-regulation of target mRNA and protein expression by mechanisms that are yet to be fully elucidated. Additionally, changes in environmental conditions have been shown to influence miRNA function in some cell culture systems. Here, we report the effect of nutrient deprivation on regulation of an endogenous miRNA target in developing worms. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the lin-4 miRNA recognizes multiple sites in the lin-14 3′UTR and directs mRNA degradation and translational repression, but it is unclear how these processes are coupled. In this study, we demonstrate that nutrient deprivation results in loss of lin-14 mRNA, but not protein, repression. In worms removed from feeding conditions, lin-14 mRNA reaccumulates despite the continued expression of lin-4 miRNA. The relative increase in lin-14 mRNA levels during nutrient deprivation is less pronounced in genetic mutants lacking lin-4 miRNA or the lin-14 3′UTR target sites. In conclusion, regulation of lin-14 at the mRNA and protein levels can be uncoupled by changes in culture conditions, indicating that miRNA function can be modulated by environment in multicellular organisms. The awareness that endogenous miRNA pathways can be sensitive to environment is an important consideration for elucidating the mechanism used by miRNAs to regulate target mRNA and protein expression.
A dominant mutation in DCL1 suppresses the hyl1 mutant phenotype by promoting the processing of miRNA
Authors: Tagami Yuko , Motose Hiroyasu , Watanabe Yuichiro
Published: January 2009

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are sequence-specific negative regulators of gene expression generated by DICER-LIKE1 (DCL1) with the assistance of a double-stranded RNA-binding protein, HYPONASTIC LEAVES1 (HYL1), in Arabidopsis. To achieve a better understanding of miRNA biogenesis, we isolated hyl1 suppressors. Our genetic screening identified a novel semidominant mutation in DCL1 (dcl1-13), which causes an amino acid substitution of Glu-395 with Lys in the ATPase/DExH-box RNA helicase domain. This mutation confers significant restoration from the developmental abnormality and a reduction in the level of miRNA in the loss-of-function mutant of HYL1. However, the dcl1-13 single mutant, exhibiting a decreased number of leaves, showed a slight decrease in miRNA accumulation. Thus, the effect of the dcl1-13 mutation is HYL1 dependent: it promotes miRNA processing in the absence of HYL1, but conversely, impairs it in the presence of HYL1. Our results suggest significant roles of the helicase domain of DCL1, which remain unclear to date, possibly in relation with HYL1.
Beyond implementation and resistance: how the delivery of ICT policy is reshaping healthcare
Authors: Halford Susan , Obstfelder Aud , Lotherington Ann Therese
Published: January 2009

New information and communication technologies (ICTs) offer great promise for the organisation of healthcare. Despite difficulties in implementation, commitment to the use of ICT in healthcare policy remains strong. Using examples from Norway, this article argues that this has set in motion changes beyond concerns about implementation and resistance, tied to an emergent mode of policy delivery dependent on private sector contractors and ICT experts working inside healthcare bureaucracies. We explore the consequences of this, as new centres of knowledge driven by distinctive and often conflicting rationalities come to shape the policy outcomes of strategic importance in healthcare.