bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Golden Pigment Production and Virulence Gene Expression Are Affected by Metabolisms in
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Lan Lefu , Cheng Alice , Dunman Paul M. , Missiakas Dominique , He Chuan
Published: April 2010

The pathogenesis of staphylococcal infections is multifactorial. Golden pigment is an eponymous feature of the human pathogen
Staphylococcus aureus
that shields the microbe from oxidation-based clearance, an innate host immune response to infection. Here, we screened a collection of
S. aureus
transposon mutants for pigment production variants. A total of 15 previously unidentified genes were discovered. Notably, disrupting metabolic pathways such as the tricarboxylic acid cycle, purine biosynthesis, and oxidative phosphorylation yields mutants with enhanced pigmentation. The dramatic effect on pigment production seems to correlate with altered expression of virulence determinants. Microarray analysis further indicates that purine biosynthesis impacts the expression of ∼400 genes involved in a broad spectrum of functions including virulence. The purine biosynthesis mutant and oxidative phosphorylation mutant strains exhibit significantly attenuated virulence in a murine abscess model of infection. Inhibition of purine biosynthesis with a known small-molecule inhibitor results in altered virulence gene expression and virulence attenuation during infection. Taken together, these results suggest an intimate link between metabolic processes and virulence gene expression in
S. aureus
. This study also establishes the importance of purine biosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation for
in vivo
survival.
Muropeptide Rescue in
Bacillus subtilis
Involves Sequential Hydrolysis by β-
N
-Acetylglucosaminidase and
N
-Acetylmuramyl-
l
-Alanine Amidase
Authors: Litzinger Silke , Duckworth Amanda , Nitzsche Katja , Risinger Christian , Wittmann Valentin , Mayer Christoph
Published: April 2010

We identified a pathway in
Bacillus subtilis
that is used for recovery of
N
-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc)-
N
-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) peptides (muropeptides) derived from the peptidoglycan of the cell wall. This pathway is encoded by a cluster of six genes, the first three of which are orthologs of
Escherichia coli
genes involved in
N
-acetylmuramic acid dissimilation and encode a MurNAc-6-phosphate etherase (MurQ), a MurNAc-6-phosphate-specific transcriptional regulator (MurR), and a MurNAc-specific phosphotransferase system (MurP). Here we characterized two other genes of this cluster. The first gene was shown to encode a cell wall-associated β-
N
-acetylglucosaminidase (NagZ, formerly YbbD) that cleaves the terminal nonreducing
N
-acetylglucosamine of muropeptides and also accepts chromogenic or fluorogenic β-
N
-acetylglucosaminides. The second gene was shown to encode an amidase (AmiE, formerly YbbE) that hydrolyzes the
N
-acetylmuramyl-
l
-Ala bond of MurNAc peptides but not this bond of muropeptides. Hence, AmiE requires NagZ, and in conjunction these enzymes liberate MurNAc by sequential hydrolysis of muropeptides. NagZ expression was induced at late exponential phase, and it was 6-fold higher in stationary phase. NagZ is noncovalently associated with lysozyme-degradable particulate material and can be released from it with salt. A
nagZ
mutant accumulates muropeptides in the spent medium and displays a lytic phenotype in late stationary phase. The evidence for a muropeptide catabolic pathway presented here is the first evidence for cell wall recovery in a Gram-positive organism, and this pathway is distinct from the cell wall recycling pathway of
E. coli
and other Gram-negative bacteria.
Identification of Novel Acetyltransferase Activity on the Thermostable Protein ST0452 from
Sulfolobus tokodaii
Strain 7
Authors: Zhang Zilian , Akutsu Jun-ichi , Kawarabayasi Yutaka
Published: April 2010

A 401-residue-long protein, ST0452, has been identified from a thermophilic archaeon,
Sulfolobus tokodaii
strain 7, as a glucose-1-phosphate thymidylyltransferase (Glc-1-P TTase) homolog with a 170-residue-long extra C-terminus portion. Functional analyses of the ST0452 protein have confirmed that the protein possessed dual sugar-1-phosphate nucleotidylyltransferase (sugar-1-P NTase) activities. The 24 repeats of a signature motif sequence which has been found in bacterial acetyltransferases, (L/I/V)-(G/A/E/D)-XX-(S/T/A/V)-X, were detected at the C terminus of the ST0452 protein. This observation prompted our group to investigate the acetyltransferase activity of the ST0452 protein. Detection of the release of coenzyme A (CoA) from acetyl-CoA and the production of UDP-
N
-acetyl-
d
-glucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) from glucosamine-1-phosphate (GlcN-1-P) and UTP in the presence of the ST0452 protein revealed that this protein possesses the GlcN-1-P-specific acetyltransferase activity. In addition, analyses of substrate specificity showed that acetyltransferase activity of the ST0452 protein is capable of catalyzing the change of galactosamine-1-phosphate (GalN-1-P) to
N
-acetyl-
d
-galactosamine-1-phosphate (GalNAc-1-P) as well as GlcN-1-P and that its sugar-1-P NTase activity is capable of producing UDP-GalNAc from GalNAc-1-P and UTP. This is the first report of a thermostable bifunctional enzyme with GalN-1-P acetyltransferase and GalNAc-1-P uridyltransferase activities. The observation reveals that the bacteria-type UDP-GlcNAc biosynthetic pathway from fructose-6-phospate is utilized in this archaeon and represents a novel biosynthetic pathway for producing UDP-GalNAc from GalN-1-P in this microorganism.
ArcB1, a Homolog of
Escherichia coli
ArcB, Regulates Dimethyl Sulfoxide Reduction in
Shewanella oneidensis
MR-1
Authors: Shroff Namita P. , Charania Moiz A. , Saffarini Daad A.
Published: April 2010

Shewanella oneidensis
is a metal reducer that uses the cyclic AMP receptor protein, CRP, to regulate anaerobic respiration. In addition, ArcA

So

is required for anaerobic growth with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and plays a role in aerobic respiration. The sensor kinase that activates ArcA

So

in
S. oneidensis
is not known. ArcB1

So

, a homolog of the
Escherichia coli
sensor kinase ArcB

Ec

, was identified and found to be required for DMSO reductase gene expression. In combination with HptA, ArcB1

So

complemented an

E. coli arcB
Ec

mutant. ArcA

So

, ArcB1

So

, and HptA appear to constitute a two-component signal transduction system that regulates DMSO reduction in
S. oneidensis
.
RELATIONS BETWEEN MULTIPLICITY AND DIVISOR CLASS GROUP FOR RATIONAL SURFACE SINGULARITIES
Authors: GURJAR R. V. , WAGH VINAY
Published: April 2010

In this paper we prove that a rational surface singularity with divisor class group ℤ/(2) is a rational double point. This generalizes a result by Brieskorn: if the divisor class group of a rational singularity is trivial then it is the E8 singularity [3].

We also prove several inequalities involving the integers e, δ, mi, [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the fundamental cycle. The proof of this result uses ideas from Minkowski's theory of reduction of positive-definite quadratic forms. We also give some interesting counterexamples to some of the related questions in this context.
ADVANCED CLASSIFICATION AND RULES-BASED EVALUATION OF MOTION, VISUAL AND BIOSIGNAL DATA FOR PATIENT FALL INCIDENT DETECTION
Authors: DOUKAS CHARALAMPOS , MAGLOGIANNIS ILIAS
Published: April 2010

The monitoring of human physiological data, in both normal and abnormal situations of activity, is interesting for the purpose of emergency event detection, especially in the case of elderly people living on their own. Several techniques have been proposed for identifying such distress situations using either motion, audio or video data from the monitored subject and the surrounding environment. This paper aims to present an integrated patient fall detection system that may be used for patient activity recognition and emergency treatment. Visual data captured from the user's environment, using overhead cameras among with motion and physiological data collected from the subject's body are utilized. Appropriate tracking techniques are applied to the aforementioned visual perceptual component enabling the trajectory tracking of the subjects, while acceleration data from the sensors can indicate a fall incident. Trajectory information and subject's visual location can verify fall and indicate an emergency event, whereas the interpretation of biosignals like electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood oxygen saturation (SPO2) can indicate the severity of the incident with the help of rules-based evaluation. The paper includes also the assessment of several classifiers and meta-classifiers in terms of accuracy in detecting falls and a user based evaluation.
BRANE–BULK ENERGY EXCHANGE AND AGEGRAPHIC DARK ENERGY
Authors: SHEYKHI AHMAD
Published: April 2010

We consider the agegraphic models of dark energy in a braneworld scenario with brane–bulk energy exchange. We assume that the adiabatic equation for the dark matter is satisfied while it is violated for the agegraphic dark energy due to the energy exchange between the brane and the bulk. Our study shows that with the brane–bulk interaction, the equation of state parameter of agegraphic dark energy on the brane, wD, can have a transition from the normal state, where wD > -1, to the phantom regime, where wD < -1, while the effective equation of state for dark energy always satisfies [Formula: see text].
Vascular hypertrophy-associated hypertension of profilin1 transgenic mouse model leads to functional remodeling of peripheral arteries
Authors: Hassona Mohamed D. H. , Abouelnaga Zeinb A. , Elnakish Mohammad T. , Awad Mohamed M. , Alhaj Mazin , Goldschmidt-Clermont Pascal J. , Hassanain Hamdy
Published: April 2010

Increased mechanical stress/hypertension in the vessel wall triggers the hypertrophic signaling pathway, resulting in structural remodeling of vasculature. Vascular hypertrophy of resistance vessels leads to reduced compliance and elevation of blood pressure. We showed before that increased expression of profilin1 protein in the medial layer of the aorta induces stress fiber formation, triggering the hypertrophic signaling resulting in vascular hypertrophy and, ultimately, hypertension in older mice. Our hypothesis is that profilin1 induced vascular hypertrophy in resistance vessels, which led to elevation of blood pressure, both of which contributed to the modulation of vascular function. Our results showed significant increases in the expression of α1- and β1-integrins (280 ± 6.3 and 325 ± 7.4%, respectively) and the activation of the Rho/Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) II pathway (260 and 350%, respectively, P < 0.05) in profilin1 mesenteric arteries. The activation of Rho/ROCK led to the inhibition of endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression (39 ± 5.4%; P < 0.05) and phosphorylation (35 ± 4.5%; P < 0.05) but also an increase in myosin light chain 20 phosphorylation (372%, P < 0.05). There were also increases in hypertrophic signaling pathways in the mesenteric arteries of profilin1 mice such as phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and phospho-c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (312.15 and 232.5%, respectively, P < 0.05). Functional analyses of mesenteric arteries toward the vasoactive drugs were assessed using wire-myograph and showed significant increases in the vascular responses of profilin1 mesenteric arteries toward phenylephrine, but significant decreases in response toward ROCK inhibitor Y-27632, ACh, sodium nitrite, and cytochalasin D. The changes in vascular responses in the mesenteric arteries of profilin1 mice are due to vascular hypertrophy and the elevation of blood pressure in the profilin1 transgenic mice.
Local adenosine receptor blockade accentuates the sympathetic responses to fatiguing exercise
Authors: Cui Jian , Leuenberger Urs A. , Blaha Cheryl , Yoder Jonathan , Gao Zhaohui , Sinoway Lawrence I.
Published: April 2010

The role adenosine plays in evoking the exercise pressor reflex in humans remains controversial. We hypothesized that localized forearm adenosine receptor blockade would attenuate muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) responses to fatiguing handgrip exercise in humans. Blood pressure (Finometer), heart rate, and MSNA from the peroneal nerve were assessed in 11 healthy young volunteers during fatiguing isometric handgrip, postexercise circulatory occlusion (PECO), and passive muscle stretch during PECO. The protocol was performed before and after adenosine receptor blockade by local infusion of 40 mg aminophylline in saline via forearm Bier block (regional intravenous anesthesia). In the second experiment, the same amount of saline was infused via the Bier block. After aminophylline, the MSNA and blood pressure responses to fatiguing handgrip, PECO, and passive stretch (all P < 0.05) were significantly greater than during the control condition. Saline Bier block had no similar effects on the MSNA and blood pressure responses. These data suggest that adenosine receptor antagonism in the exercising muscles may accentuate sympathetic activation during fatiguing exercise.
Transient stiffening of mitral valve leaflets in the beating heart
Authors: Krishnamurthy Gaurav , Itoh Akinobu , Swanson Julia C. , Miller D. Craig , Ingels Neil B.
Published: April 2010

Anterior mitral leaflet stiffness during isovolumic contraction (IVC) is much greater than that during isovolumic relaxation (IVR). We have hypothesized that this stiffening is due to transient early systolic force development in the slip of cardiac myocytes in the annular third of the anterior leaflet. Because the atrium is excited before IVC and leaflet myocytes contract for ≤250 ms, this hypothesis predicts that IVC leaflet stiffness will drop to near-IVR values in the latter half of ventricular systole. We tested this prediction using radiopaque markers and inverse finite element analysis of 30 beats in 10 ovine hearts. For each beat, circumferential ( Ec) and radial ( Er) stiffness was determined during IVC (Δ t1), end IVC to midsystole (Δ t2), midsystole to IVR onset (Δ t3), and IVR (Δ t4). Group mean stiffness ( Ec ± SD; Er ± SD; in N/mm2) during Δ t1 (44 ± 16; 15 ± 4) was 1.6–1.7 times that during Δ t4 (28 ± 11; 9 ± 3); Δ t2 stiffness (39 ± 15; 14 ± 4) was 1.3–1.5 times that of Δ t4, but Δ t3 stiffness (32 ± 12; 11 ± 3) was only 1.1–1.2 times that of Δ t4. The stiffness drop during Δ t3 supports the hypothesis that anterior leaflet stiffening during IVC arises primarily from transient force development in leaflet cardiac myocytes, with stiffness reduced as this leaflet muscle relaxes in the latter half of ventricular systole.
Involvement of A1adenosine receptors in altered vascular responses and inflammation in an allergic mouse model of asthma
Authors: Ponnoth Dovenia S. , Nadeem Ahmed , Tilley Stephen , Mustafa S. Jamal
Published: April 2010

Poor lung function and respiratory disorders like asthma have a positive correlation with the development of adverse cardiovascular events. Increased adenosine levels are associated with lung inflammation that could lead to altered vascular responses and systemic inflammation. We hypothesized that asthmatic lung inflammation has systemic effects through A1adenosine receptors (A1AR) and investigated the effects of aerosolized adenosine on vascular reactivity and inflammation, using A1AR knockout (A1KO) and corresponding wild-type (A1WT) mice that were divided into three experimental groups each: control (CON), allergen sensitized and challenged (SEN), and SEN + aerosolized adenosine (SEN + AD). Animals were sensitized with ragweed (200 μg ip; days 1 and 6), followed by 1% ragweed aerosol challenges ( days 11 to 13). On day 14, the SEN + AD groups received one adenosine aerosol challenge (6 mg/ml) for 2 min, and aortae were collected on day 15. 5′- N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA; nonselective adenosine analog) induced concentration-dependent aortic relaxation in the A1WT CON group, which was impaired in the A1WT SEN and SEN + AD groups. All groups of A1KO mice showed similar (no significant difference) concentration-dependent relaxation to NECA. The A1WT SEN and SEN + AD groups had a significantly higher contraction to selective A1agonist 2-chloro- N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA) compared with the CON group. Western blot data showed that aortic A1AR expression was significantly increased in WT SEN and SEN + AD mice compared with CON mice. Gene expression of ICAM-1 and IL-5 was significantly increased in allergic A1WT aorta and were undetected in the A1KO groups. A1WT allergic mice had significantly higher airway hyperresponsiveness (enhanced pause) to NECA, with adenosine aerosol further enhancing it. In conclusion, allergic A1WT mice showed altered vascular reactivity, increased airway hyperresponsiveness, and systemic inflammation. These data suggest that A1AR is proinflammatory systemically in this model of allergic asthma.
The Proapoptotic Molecule BLID Interacts with Bcl-XL and Its Downregulation in Breast Cancer Correlates with Poor Disease-Free and Overall Survival
Authors: Broustas Constantinos G. , Ross Jeffrey S. , Yang Qifeng , Sheehan Christine E. , Riggins Rebecca , Noone Anne-Michelle , Haddad Bassem R. , Seillier-Moiseiwitsch Françoise , Kallakury Bhaskar V.S. , Haffty Bruce G. , Clarke Robert , Kasid Usha N.
Published: April 2010

Purpose: BLID is a BH3-like motif containing apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family of proteins. This study was designed to investigate the mechanism of BLID-induced apoptosis and to assess the significance of BLID expression in breast cancer.

Experimental Design: The interaction between BLID and Bcl-XL was examined using in vitro transcription/translation, coimmunoprecipitation, and immunoflourescence assays. The relationship between BLID mRNA expression and pathologic measures in breast cancer specimens (n = 55) was examined using the publicly available ONCOMINE microarray database. Immunohistochemistry was done using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of 148 cases of invasive ductal breast carcinomas (IDC) and 58 cases of invasive lobular breast carcinomas, and breast tissue microarrays representing additional 437 cases (>85% IDC) with associated clinicopathologic database and long-term clinical follow-up (median 7 years).

Results: BLID was found to interact with Bcl-XL, and the binding was enhanced in cancer cells exposed to doxorubicin or cisplatin. Exogenous expression of BLID correlated with activation of Bax and an increase in cytosolic cytochrome c. BLID mRNA expression was significantly reduced in grade 3 relative to grade 1 and 2 breast cancer (P = 0.023). Cytoplasmic BLID immunoreactivity was absent in IDC compared with invasive lobular breast carcinoma (P < 0.001). Lack of BLID expression was associated with younger age (median 40 years), African American ethnicity, tumor size, and triple-negative breast cancer (estrogen receptor negative, progesterone receptor negative, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative; all P < 0.005). Significant correlations were observed between BLID negativity and declines in overall, cause-specific, and local relapse-free survival (all P < 0.03). Multivariate analysis indicated that BLID is an independent prognostic factor of distant metastasis-free survival (hazard ratio, 0.302; 95% confidence interval, 0.160-0.570, P = 0.0002).

Conclusion: BLID is a new binding partner of Bcl-XL and a significant prognostic factor in breast cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 16(11); 2939–48. ©2010 AACR.
Inhibition of the PI3K Pathway: Hope We Can Believe in?
Authors: van der Heijden Michiel S. , Bernards René
Published: April 2010

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is one of the most commonly activated pathways in human cancer and has roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis, protein synthesis, and metabolism. The PI3K pathway can be activated by amplification or activating mutation of upstream receptor tyrosine kinases, and by mutations or deletions downstream in the pathway. Trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), has been one of the most successful and most widely used targeted therapies. However, many HER2-positive cancers are not sensitive to HER2-based therapies or become resistant during treatment; downstream activation of the pathway is one of the causes of resistance. Because of the common activation of the PI3K pathway in cancer, compounds targeting proteins downstream in the pathway have been developed in recent years. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors everolimus and temsirolimus have been shown to be beneficial in certain cancer types; many other inhibitors of the PI3K pathway are in various stages of clinical development. Ongoing research should clarify which molecular cancer subtypes are most susceptible to specific compounds and explore combinatorial approaches, ultimately leading to individualized patient treatment. Clin Cancer Res; 16(12); 3094–9. ©2010 AACR.
A Four-Kallikrein Panel Predicts Prostate Cancer in Men with Recent Screening: Data from the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer, Rotterdam
Authors: Vickers Andrew J. , Cronin Angel M. , Roobol Monique J. , Savage Caroline J. , Peltola Mari , Pettersson Kim , Scardino Peter T. , Schröder Fritz H. , Lilja Hans
Published: April 2010

Purpose: We have developed a statistical prediction model for prostate cancer based on four kallikrein markers in blood: total, free, and intact prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and kallikrein-related peptidase 2 (hK2). Although this model accurately predicts the result of biopsy in unscreened men, its properties for men with a history of PSA screening have not been fully characterized.

Experimental Design: A total of 1,501 previously screened men with elevated PSA underwent initial biopsy during rounds 2 and 3 of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer, Rotterdam, with 388 cancers diagnosed. Biomarker levels were measured in serum samples taken before biopsy. The prediction model developed on the unscreened cohort was then applied and predictions compared with biopsy outcome.

Results: The previously developed four-kallikrein prediction model had much higher predictive accuracy than PSA and age alone (area under the curve of 0.711 versus 0.585, and 0.713 versus 0.557 with and without digital rectal exam, respectively; both P < 0.001). Similar statistically significant enhancements were seen for high-grade cancer. Applying the model with a cutoff of 20% cancer risk as the criterion for biopsy would reduce the biopsy rate by 362 for every 1,000 men with elevated PSA. Although diagnosis would be delayed for 47 cancers, these would be predominately low-stage and low-grade (83% Gleason 6 T1c).

Conclusions: A panel of four kallikreins can help predict the result of initial biopsy in previously screened men with elevated PSA. Use of a statistical model based on the panel would substantially decrease rates of unnecessary biopsy. Clin Cancer Res; 16(12); 3232–9. ©2010 AACR.
‘TRPing’ Synaptic Ribbon Function in the Rat Pineal Gland: Neuroendocrine Regulation Involves the Capsaicin Receptor TRPV1
Authors: Reuss Stefan , Disque-Kaiser Ursula , Binzen Uta , Greffrath Wolfgang , Peschke Elmar
Published: April 2010

Synaptic ribbons (SRs) are presynaptic structures thought to regulate and facilitate multivesicular release. In the pineal gland, they display a circadian rhythm with higher levels at night paralleling melatonin synthesis. To gain more insight into the processes involved and the possible functions of these structures, a series of experiments were conducted in rodents. We studied the regional distribution of a molecular marker of pineal SRs, the kinesin motor KIF3A in the gland. Respective immunoreactivity was abundant in central regions of the gland where sympathetic fibers were less dense, and vice versa, revealing that intercellular communication between adjacent pinealocytes is enhanced under low sympathetic influence. KIF3A was found to be colocalized to the transient receptor potential channel of the vanilloid receptor family, subtype 1 (TRPV1). The TRPV1 agonist capsaicin increased melatonin secretion from perifused pineals in a dose-dependent manner that was blocked by the competitive TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine. No change in free intracellular calcium was observed in response to TRPV1 ligands applied to pinealocytes responding to norepinephrine, bradykinin and/or depolarization. These data clearly indicate that TRPV1 actively regulates pineal gland function.
Profits Without Honour? Economics, Theology and the Current Global Recession
Authors: Bradstock Andrew
Published: April 2010

This article argues that the global economic crisis which began in 2008 creates opportunity for a wide-ranging debate about how internal and international markets operate; a debate to which theology would have much to contribute. While on the one hand it is important to look at the factors behind the crisis with a view to preventing its repetition, of greater worth would be a conversation—involving all stakeholders—about the values that should underpin economic activity once the crisis has passed. This will involve asking questions about the fundamental purpose of market activity—is it simply to achieve ‘growth’ in GDP terms or, additionally, outcomes like ‘happiness’ and ‘well-being’—and exploring how markets can operate to strengthen societies and enable all to enjoy ‘fullness of life’.
Plurality and Peace: Inter-Religious Dialogue in a Creative Perspective
Authors: Illman Ruth
Published: April 2010

Within the research on inter-religious relations, dialogue is by tradition treated primarily as an intellectual challenge for political and religious leaders. The aim of this article is to show that this challenge is ethical and practical rather than merely theoretical in nature and to offer analytical reflections on the foundations of dignity in difference. The article focuses on Judaism, Christianity and Islam, treating dialogue and difference as complex questions of interpersonal relatedness. The article analyses creative forms of dialogue as an alternative to traditional rationally defined dialogue efforts. As an example, the groundbreaking work of the Spanish musician Jordi Savall is followed closely through an empirical analysis of his efforts to bring people of different faiths together in music—a ‘dialogue of souls’ engaging people deeply as unique, actively responsible, thinking and feeling individuals who manage to combine plurality and peace into a public theology.
Alzheimer’s and the Dementia of God
Authors: Kevern Peter
Published: April 2010

Recent developments in the theory and practice of care for persons with dementia have reopened questions, traditionally explored by theologians, to do with the nature of personal identity and its dialectical relationship to social recognition. This new perspective on classical theological questions serves as a potential theological resource in contemporary western society, where God appears to have withdrawn from the prevailing public discourses. In this article, I explore the analogical potential of imagery of a ‘dementing God’, as a way to describe the contemporary experience of western Christians, to develop appropriate responses to the current climate in public theology and to continue to talk of God in public, while respecting Bonhoeffer’s desire to celebrate a secular world in which humanity may ‘come of age’.
Christianity’s Role in the Modernization and Revitalization of Korean Society in the Twentieth-Century
Authors: Kim Kirsteen
Published: April 2010

The development of South Korea and its growth to become the world’s eleventh largest economy has been accompanied by the introduction of Christianity and its increase to become the major religious group, to which nearly thirty per cent of the population are affiliated. This article probes the connection between these two spectacular examples of development; economic and religious. By highlighting moments or episodes of Christian contribution to aspects of development in Korean history and linking these to relevant aspects of Korean Christian theology, there is shown to be a constructive, although not always intentional, link between Korean Christianity and national development. The nature of the Christian contribution is seen not primarily in terms of the work ethic it engenders (as argued by Max Weber in the case of European capitalism) but mainly in the realm of aspirations (visions, hope) of a new society and motivation (inspiration, empowerment) to put them into effect. In other words, it was the public theology of Christianity that played a highly significant role in the modernization and revitalization of Korean society in the twentieth century.
The Limits of Supply Chain Responsibility: A Critical Analysis of Corporate Responsibility Instruments
Authors: Mares Radu
Published: April 2010

One challenge in the area of supply chain management has been achieving sustainable compliance with labour rights throughout the entire production chain, including lower tiers of production. This article inquires specifically around sub-contracting, especially what is a brand's or a buyer's responsibility regarding workers' rights beyond its first tier of suppliers. In-depth literature on this issue remains scarce despite buyer's responsibility being at the core of outsourcing, the very area that brought disrepute to Nike and thus moved corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the international limelight 15 years ago. This article reviews 12 prominent CSR instruments and asks: do they provide legitimacy to calls that buyers should be responsible for labour conditions down their supply chains? Where do these responsibilities end as abuses become more remote and take place at lower tiers of the value chain? What are the concepts, the principles that attribute responsibility to the buyer company and what concepts are used to limit these responsibilities? What strategies exist to improve conditions at sub-contractor level? Reading a dozen CSR instruments with a keen eye to sub-contracting reveals a staggering diversity of answers. The responsibility of the core company, particularly the limits of responsibility, move in and out of focus. Questions around buyers' responsibilities remain open, but there is a wealth of concepts and experience to draw upon. Professor Ruggie, a United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General, could bring clarity in this area of CSR and is invited to reconsider the justification, scope and content of a buyer company's responsibility to protect workers' rights in its value chains.
The Principle of "Effectiveness" in the Recent Jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights: Its Different Dimensions and Its Consistency with Public International Law – No Need for the Concept of Treaty Sui Generis
Authors: Rietiker Daniel
Published: April 2010

The recent past has shown an ever-growing fragmentation of the international legal system where lawyers and judges are facing more and more the phenomenon of the same legal question being discussed in different fora. This is particularly the case in the field of human rights that entails the dispersal of responsibilities for interpretation of numerous instruments among various different judicial and quasi-judicial bodies, of both universal and regional nature. In order to secure coherence and legal certainty in the system, it is important to respect a set of principles and rules of general international law, in particular Articles 31–33 of the 1969 Vienna Convention of the Law of Treaties (VCLT). The first goal of this article is to analyse whether the Court applies the rules of the VCLT to the interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Secondly, assuming that the VCLT fully applies, it will be analysed whether Article 31(1) VCLT is flexible enough to allow nevertheless some leeway for the development of specificities, especially as a result of the particular nature of the ECHR. Thirdly, it will be shown that the Court has indeed developed a set of specific methods of interpretation, aiming to render the rights enshrined in the ECHR effective. From the author's point of view, they can all be regarded as sub-forms (or partial aspects) of the teleological interpretation. He distinguishes between four dimensions of the principle of "effectiveness".
What are the Objectives of International Criminal Procedure? – Reflections on the Fragmentation of a Legal Regime
Authors: Klamberg Mark
Published: April 2010

International criminal courts pursue several objectives including retribution, deterrence, creating a historical record and giving a voice to the victims while the rights of the accused are protected. A problem is that these objectives pull in different directions creating tensions and fragmentation in the procedural system. Numerous legal issues, referred to as 'hard cases', entail a choice where the judge has to make a choice between two or several objectives. In the interest of legal certainty solutions should ultimately controlled by the law and not by the discretion of the judge. This article examines whether it is possible to identify a universally acceptable hierarchy of objectives. It is argued that the relevant objectives which determine the outcome of a hard case vary depending on the procedural stage and in each procedural stage there is a structural bias towards one or several objectives. Considering that law exists as a response to several social needs, it appears as unattainable to identify a universal and fixed hierarchy of objectives.
Implementation of the MARPOL Convention in Developing Countries
Authors: Karim Md. Saiful
Published: April 2010

Over the years a large set of international conventions have been adopted under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization for prevention of vessel-source marine pollution. However, most of developing countries failed to effectively implement these conventions. Against this backdrop, this article aims to assess the inherent suitability of the MARPOL Convention for implementation in developing countries. It also examines the role of global community for effective implementation of the MARPOL Convention and identifies the legal and institutional bottlenecks in the current implementation regime.
What You Want Depends on What You Know: Firm Preferences in an Information Age
Authors: Newman Abraham L.
Published: April 2010

Information has become a core input for many companies. This article examines how this affects firm policy preferences. In contrast to national typologies of capitalism or microeconomic expectations, it uses information economics and historical institutionalism to construct a deductive model positing two basic logics. Firms with significant information assets view data as a private good, supporting policies that constrain information access and distribution. Companies with few information assets face a network effects economy and thus call for policies that promote a liberal data environment. The information asset argument is examined in the context of initial data privacy legislation passed in the United States, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom in the 1970s and early 1980s. The finding of the article contributes to literature interested in the political economy of services-based economies, underscores the significance of sociohistorical processes for preference formation, and calls attention to the boundary conditions of historically derived causal propositions.
Familial Aggregation of Maxillary Lateral Incisor Agenesis
Authors: Pinho T. , Maciel P. , Lemos C. , Sousa A.
Published: April 2010

In spite of recent developments, data regarding the genes responsible for the less severe forms of hypodontia are still scarce and controversial. This study addressed the hypothesis that agenesis of maxillary lateral incisors (MLIA) is a distinct type of hypodontia, by evaluating its familial aggregation and the occurrence of other types of ageneses or microdontia in probands’ relatives. Sixty-two probands with MLIA were identified, and information was collected on 142 first-degree relatives. Relative risk (RR) was calculated and compared by re-assessment of data previously published for the Swedish, Utah, and Israeli populations, for the same trait. A RR of 15 was obtained in the Portuguese, 16 in the Swedish, 12 in Utah, and 5 in the Israeli population. Our results support a significant familial aggregation of MLIA, show that MLIA almost never segregates with other forms of agenesis, and suggest that microdontia of maxillary lateral incisors is part of the same phenotype.
Building Caries Risk Assessment Models for Children
Authors: Gao X.-L. , Hsu C.-Y.S. , Xu Y. , Hwarng H.B. , Loh T. , Koh D.
Published: April 2010

Despite the well-recognized importance of caries risk assessment, practical models remain to be established. This study was designed to develop biopsychosocial models for caries risk assessment in various settings. With a questionnaire, an oral examination, and biological (salivary, microbiological, and plaque pH) tests, a prospective study was conducted among 1782 children aged 3-6 years, with 1576 (88.4%) participants followed in 12 months. Multiple risk factors, indicators, and protective factors were identified. Various risk assessment models were constructed by the random selection of 50% of the cases and further validated in the remaining cases. For the prediction of a “one-year caries increment”, screening models without biological tests achieved a sensitivity/specificity of 82%/73%; with biological tests, full-blown models achieved the sensitivity/specificity of 90%/90%. For identification of a quarter of the children with high caries burden (baseline dmft > 2), a community-screening model requiring only a questionnaire reached a sensitivity/specificity of 82%/81%. These models are promising tools for cost-effective caries control and evidence-based treatment planning. Abbreviations: decayed, missing, filled teeth in primary dentition (dmft); receiver operation characteristics (ROC); relative risk (RR); confidence interval (CI); National Institutes of Health (NIH); World Health Organization (WHO); US Department of Health and Human Services (US/DHHS); American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD).
A Periodontal Case Report by Dr. S.L. Clemens
Authors: Maloney W.J.
Published: April 2010

Mark Twain provides a humorous and insightful look into the origins of periodontal therapy and anesthesia in “Happy Memories of the Dental Chair”. The main character of this story is Dr. John Riggs, the father of periodontics. Dr. Horace Wells, a pioneer in the field of anesthesia, also appears in the story. Twain presents his autobiographical experiences with dentistry in his literary work in a form that can be seen to be similar to a case report in a professional dental journal.
The Randomized Shortened Dental Arch Study
Authors: Walter M.H. , Weber A. , Marré B. , Gitt I. , Gerß J. , Hannak W. , Hartmann S. , Heydecke G. , Huppertz J. , Jahn F. , Ludwig A. , Mundt T. , Kern M. , Klein V. , Pospiech P. , Stumbaum M. , Wolfart S. , Wöstmann B. , Busche E. , Böning K. , Luthardt R.G.
Published: April 2010

The evidence concerning the management of shortened dental arch (SDA) cases is sparse. This multi-center study was aimed at generating data on outcomes and survival rates for two common treatments, removable dental prostheses (RDP) for molar replacement or no replacement (SDA). The hypothesis was that the treatments lead to different incidences of tooth loss. We included 215 patients with complete molar loss in one jaw. Molars were either replaced by RDP or not replaced, according to the SDA concept. First tooth loss after treatment was the primary outcome measure. This event occurred in 13 patients in the RDP group and nine patients in the SDA group. The respective Kaplan-Meier survival rates at 38 months were 0.83 (95% CI: 0.74-0.91) in the RDP group and 0.86 (95% CI: 0.78-0.95) in the SDA group, the difference being non-significant.
Glycosaminoglycan Chain of Dentin Sialoprotein Proteoglycan
Authors: Zhu Q. , Sun Y. , Prasad M. , Wang X. , Yamoah A.K. , Li Y. , Feng J. , Qin C.
Published: April 2010

Dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) is processed into dentin sialoprotein (DSP) and dentin phosphoprotein. A molecular variant of rat DSP, referred to as “HMW-DSP”, has been speculated to be a proteoglycan form of DSP. To determine if HMW-DSP is the proteoglycan form of DSP and to identify the glycosaminoglycan side-chain attachment site(s), we further characterized HMW-DSP. Chondroitinase ABC treatment reduced the migration rate for portions of rat HMW-DSP to the level of DSP. Disaccharide analysis showed that rat HMW-DSP contains glycosaminoglycan chains made of chondroitin-4-sulfate and has an average of 31-32 disaccharides/mol. These observations confirmed that HMW-DSP is the proteoglycan form of DSP (renamed “DSP-PG”). Edman degradation and mass spectrometric analyses of tryptic peptides from rat DSP-PG, along with substitution analyses of candidate Ser residues in mouse DSPP, confirmed that 2 glycosaminoglycan chains are attached to Ser241 and Ser253 in the rat, or Ser242 and Ser254 in the mouse DSPP sequence.
Cleavage Site Specificity of MMP-20 for Secretory-stage Ameloblastin
Authors: Chun Y.-H.P. , Yamakoshi Y. , Yamakoshi F. , Fukae M. , Hu J.C.-C. , Bartlett J.D. , Simmer J.P.
Published: April 2010

Ameloblastin is processed by protease(s) during enamel formation. We tested the hypothesis that MMP-20 (enamelysin) catalyzes the cleavages that generate secretory-stage ameloblastin cleavage products. We isolated a 23-kDa ameloblastin cleavage product from developing enamel and determined its N-terminus sequence. Ameloblastin was stably expressed and secreted from HEK293-H cells, purified, and digested with MMP-20 or Klk4 (kallikrein 4). The digests were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting, and cleavage products were characterized by N-terminal sequencing. Six fluorescent peptides were digested with MMP-20 and Klk4 and analyzed by RP-HPLC and by mass spectrometry. MMP-20 cleaved each peptide exactly at the sites corresponding to ameloblastin cleavages catalyzed in vivo. Klk4 cleaved ameloblastin and the fluorescent peptides at sites not observed in vivo, and cleaved at only a single correct site: before Leu171. We conclude that MMP-20 is the enzyme that processes ameloblastin during the secretory stage of amelogenesis, and we present a hypothesis about the sequence of ameloblastin cleavages.
Living with Uncertainty
Authors: Durham J. , Steele J.G. , Wassell R.W. , Exley C.
Published: April 2010

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a common group of chronic illnesses. There is evidence that health professionals find them difficult to diagnose and manage. A consequence of this difficulty in diagnosis might be that sufferers of TMDs have an experience of illness comparable with other chronic illnesses. To explore the sufferers’ experience of TMDs, we conducted a qualitative study with a purposive maximum variation sample of secondary care TMD patients. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the sample and were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data collection and analysis continued until data saturation (n = 19). For analysis, we broadly followed the constant comparative method and used frameworks to organize the data. The key finding was that a lack of diagnosis caused uncertainty over the nature of the cause of the sufferer’s complaint. This uncertainty reportedly caused negative impacts on sufferers’ daily lives. Clearly, diagnosis of TMDs needs to be encouraged at the first point of contact.
Azithromycin Decreases Crevicular Fluid Volume and Mediator Content
Authors: Ho W. , Eubank T. , Leblebicioglu B. , Marsh C. , Walters J.
Published: April 2010

Azithromycin enhances the response to root planing and produces anti-inflammatory effects in treating chronic lung disease. This led us to hypothesize that azithromycin inhibits inflammatory mediator production in gingiva, leading to decreased gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) volume. To test this hypothesis, ten periodontally healthy volunteers received azithromycin every 24 hours for 48 hours. GCF samples were collected from 12 maxillary interproximal sites prior to azithromycin (baseline) and 2, 4, 7, and 14 days later. Samples were assayed for IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α, VEGF, IL-6, and IL-10. With azithromycin treatment, GCF volume decreased significantly on days 2 through 7 (P < 0.05), but increased toward baseline levels on day 14. This was accompanied by a transient decrease in the content of IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α, and VEGF (P < 0.05). IL-6 and IL-10 were not detected. Since plaque was absent throughout the study, the findings suggest that azithromycin produces anti-inflammatory effects in gingiva.
IL-17 in Sera from Patients with Aggressive Periodontitis
Authors: Schenkein H.A. , Koertge T.E. , Brooks C.N. , Sabatini R. , Purkall D.E. , Tew J.G.
Published: April 2010

Interleukin-17 (IL-17), the prototype cytokine produced by the Th17 subset of T-helper cells, plays a role in inflammatory responses, autoimmunity, and antimicrobial responses in a variety of infectious and inflammatory diseases. In view of the inflammatory nature and severity of aggressive periodontitis, we hypothesized that IL-17 might be detected in sera from patients with aggressive periodontitis. We used ELISA to measure IL-17 serum concentrations from 67 periodontally healthy (NP) individuals and from 53 patients with localized (LAgP) and 49 patients with generalized (GAgP) aggressive periodontitis. IL-17 was barely detectable in sera from periodontally healthy individuals (1.9 ± 2.0 pg/mL), but was present at significantly higher concentrations in sera from those with LAgP (7.6 ± 2.2 pg/mL) and GAgP (17.1 ± 2.3 pg/mL). Multivariate analyses demonstrated associations of IL-17 concentrations with periodontal attachment loss, but not with current smoking. Therefore, Th17 responses may be characteristic of AgP, and IL-17 may play a role in the pathogenesis of aggressive periodontitis.
Open Trial of Vinyasa Yoga for Persistently Depressed Individuals: Evidence of Feasibility and Acceptability
Authors: Uebelacker Lisa A. , Tremont Geoffrey , Epstein-Lubow Gary , Gaudiano Brandon A. , Gillette Tom , Kalibatseva Zornitsa , Miller Ivan W.
Published: April 2010

The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability and feasibility of Vinyasa yoga as an adjunctive treatment for depressed patients who were not responding adequately to antidepressant medication. The authors also planned to ask participants for qualitative feedback on their experience of the class and to assess change over time in depression and in possible mediating variables. The authors recruited 11 participants in 1 month for an 8-week open trial of yoga classes. They found that 10 participants completed follow-up assessments, 9 of 10 were positive about their experience, and all provided feedback about what was and was not helpful about yoga, as well as barriers to class attendance. Over the 2-month period, participants exhibited significant decreases in depression symptoms and significant increases in an aspect of mindfulness and in behavior activation. This pilot study provided support for continuing to investigate Vinyasa yoga as an adjunct treatment for depression. The next step required is a rigorous randomized clinical trial.
The Structure of Reciprocity
Authors: Molm Linda D.
Published: April 2010

Reciprocity is one of the defining features of social exchange and social life, yet exchange theorists have tended to take it for granted. Drawing on work from a decade-long theoretical research program, I argue that reciprocity is structured and variable across different forms of exchange, that these variations in the structure of reciprocity have profound effects on the emergence of integrative bonds of trust and solidarity, and that these effects are explained and mediated by a set of risk- and conflict-based processes. I discuss the consequences of this work for organizational theories of embeddedness and the production of social capital through network ties. Finally, I ask how the structure of networks and the structure of reciprocity are related to one another, and explore possible implications of the structure of reciprocity for exchange theorists’ assumptions about actor motivations.