bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eosinophil activity markers in peripheral blood have high predictive value for bronchial hyper‐reactivity in patients with
Authors: Roquet A. , Halldén G. , Ihre E. , Hed J. , Zetterström O.
Published: April 2008

The present study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of eosinophils and markers of their activity for bronchial hyper‐reactivity (BHR) in a population of patients with recently developed clinical symptoms of asthma. The activation of eosinophils was estimated by measuring eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in serum. In addition, flow cytometry was used to measure the expression of the EG2‐epitope on intracellular ECP in eosinophils from peripheral blood. Twenty‐eight consecutive patients with clinical history of asthma were studied. Of the 28 patients, 18 had a positive bronchial challenge test measured as PD20 1600 μg histamine. A significantly higher concentration of eosinophils and a trend to higher ECP in the peripheral blood was found in the hyper‐reactive group than in the nonreactive group. However, the intracellular expression of ECP did not correlate with the PD, value, and no significant difference between the groups was found. With one eosinophil activity marker, either serum ECP or EG2, BHR could be predicted in 70% of the patients. If we combined any two of the activity markers (serum ECP, EG2, or the percentage of eosinophils), the predictive value increased to 100%. We conclude that the blood eosinophil concentration, as well as, to some extent, serum ECP, has a high specificity for BHR in patients with recently developed clinical symptoms of asthma. Despite normal bronchial reactivity, some patients had signs of activated eosinophils, i.e., high serum ECP and increased EG2 expression. Thus, these markers may reflect early stages in the development of BHR. Our results also indicate that a combined evaluation of percentage of eosinophils and of eosinophil activity markers is of clinical value to predict BHR.
Enhancement of basophil histamine release by interleukinl‐3: reduced effect in atopic subjects
Authors: Miadonna A. , Salmaso C. , Cottini M. , Milazzo N. , Tedeschi A.
Published: April 2008

The inducing and enhancing effects of interleukin‐3 (IL‐3) on basophil histamine release in patients with respiratory allergy (n= 28) and in normal subjects (n= 22) were compared. Leukocyte suspensions. prepared by dextran sedimentation, were stimulated with anti‐IgE (1/5000), N‐formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (FMLP, 1 μM), and IL‐3 (0.1–10 ngiml), and histamine concentration was measured by an automated fluorometric method. A trend toward highef histamine release after challenge with anti‐IgE, FMLP, and IL‐3 was found in atopic subjects. Preincubation of basophils with IL‐3 resulted in a dose‐dependent increase of anti‐IgE‐ and FMLP‐induced histamine release, with a more marked effect in nonatopic than in atopic subjects. Mean net enhancement of anti‐IgE‐induced histamine release by 10 ng/ml IL‐3 was 2.5±5% in atopic subjects and 29.6±4.2% in nonatopic subjects (P<0.001). The enhancement of FMLP‐induced histamine release by IL‐3 was 10.3 ± 3.9% in atopic patients and 29±2.4% in nonatopic subjects (P<0.01). In atopic subjects, a negative correlation was found between anti‐IgE‐ or FMLP‐induced histamine release and net enhancement by IL‐3 (r= ‐0.45, P<0.02; r= ‐0.48, P<0.01, respectively). The results of this study indicate that in atopic subjects IgE‐mediated histamine release can scarcely be enhanced by a basophil response modifier such as IL‐3. It is conceivable that the frequent basophil stimulation in atopic patients leads to a reduced sensitivity to the enhancing effect of IL‐3.
Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) as a marker of disease activity and treatment efficacy in seasonal asthmi
Authors: Vatrella A. , Ponticiello A. , Parrella R. , Romano I. , Zofra S. , Leva A. Di , Bariffi F.
Published: April 2008

This study was carried out to determine whether serum cosinophil cationic protein (ECP) represents a sensitive marker for disease activity in atopic asthmatic patients during the pollen season. The study. in double‐blind fashion, was performed between February and June 1994. Two groups of 10 seasonal asthmatic patients randomly received two different treatments. The first group was treated with inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) 500 kg bid; the second received a matched placebo (P). At the beginning and every month, blood samples for determination of ECP and eosinophil count were collected and lung function (FEV1) and methacholine responsiveness (PD20) were performed. Subjects recorded daily symptoms of asthma, salbutamol consumption, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) values. In the P group, all indices, except FEV1, showed significant changes during the pollen season (P< 0.001). In the BDP group, significant changes were detected for symptom score (P<0.01). salbutamol consumption (P<0.01), and eosinophil number (P<0.05). Between the two groups, significant differences for symptom score (P<0.001), salbutamol consumption (P< 0.001), ECP levels (P<0.05), eosinophil count (P<0.02), PD20 methacholine (P<0.02), and PEF values (P<0.01) were detected. Changes in serum ECP significantly correlated with changes in other parameters (P< 0.001), except FEV1. Our results provide evidence that serum ECP is a sensitive marker for monitoring of the disease activity in seasonal asthma. Furthermore, it may offer a useful tool for estimating treatment efficacy.
Inflammatory remonses in skin and airways after allergen challenge in brown Norway rats sensitrzed to trimvellitic anhydride
Authors: Andius P. , Arakawa H. , Mölne J. , Pullerits T. , Skoogh B.‐E. , Lötvall J.
Published: April 2008

Trimellitic anhydride (TMA) is a low‐molecular‐weight compound which causes occupational allergy. Brown Norway rats were sensitized to TMA injected intradermally (0.3% TMA suspended in oil). Three weeks later, we examined responses to either free TMA injected intradermally, or TMA conjugated to rat serum albumin (TMA‐RSA) given by inhalation (0.5%, nebulized for 15 min). Twenty‐one days after the sensitization, Evans blue dye was given i.v. (20 mg/kg), and extravasation of dye in skin was measured 30 min after oil or TMA injections (0.03–10% in oil). In a separate series of experiments, we evaluated the accumulation of eosinophils in the skin after single and repeated injections of TMA (0.03–0.3%). The injection sites were removed and fixed in formalin 18–24 h after the last injection. In a third series of experiments, we evaluated the effects of airway exposure to TMA‐RSA (0.5% in 0.9% saline) on the accumulation of eosinophils in the bronchial wall counted with quantitative light microscopy. Intradermal injections of free TMA caused a dose‐dependent increase of Evans blue dye extravasation which was significantly higher in sensitized animals than in controls. Skin histology revealed a significant and dose‐dependent increase in eosinophils after repeated TMA injections in sensitized animals. Exposure to aerosolized TMA‐RSA caused a significant increase of eosinophils in the bronchial wall of sensitized rats compared with nonsensitized rats. Sensitized animals showed significantly higher levels of specific IgG and IgE. We conclude that brown Norway rats can be used as a model of TMA‐induced allergic inflammation, mimicking occupational asthma.
Complement split products and proinflammatory cytokines in intraoperatively salvaged unwashed blood during hip replacement: comparison between heparin‐coated and non‐heparin‐coated autotransfusion systems
Authors: Kvarnström A. , Schmidt A. , Tylman M. , Jacobsson M. , Bengtsson A.
Published: April 2008

Background and Objectives  The aim of the present study was to investigate the quality of shed blood collected in a new intraoperative autotransfusion system (Sangvia®, AstraTech, Sweden) and to study whether heparin‐coated surfaces in the device reduce the production of inflammatory mediators.

Material and Methods  The study was randomized and prospective. Twelve total hip arthroplasty patients whose blood was collected with a device having a heparin‐coated surface and 12 patients whose blood was collected with a device having a non‐heparin‐coated surface were included. Venous blood was drawn from the patients preoperatively. Intraoperatively 200 ml salvaged blood was collected and samples were also withdrawn; samples were obtained from the blood bag.

Results  Compared to venous blood, elevated concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL‐6), IL‐8, C3a and polymorphonuclear elastase were found in collected blood. No significant differences in inflammatory mediators were found between the heparin‐coated and the non‐heparin‐coated groups. The median haemoglobin concentration in the salvaged blood was 74 g/l in both groups. Plasma haemoglobin and potassium concentrations were also elevated. There were no significant differences between the groups.

Conclusion  The present study indicates that the blood salvaged intraoperatively contains elevated levels of complement split product and proinflammatory cytokines and that heparin‐coated surfaces of the salvage device do not significantly influence the formation of inflammatory mediators.
Reproductive biology of Cyrtopodium polyphyllum (Orchidaceae): a Cyrtopodiinae pollinated by deceit
Authors: Pansarin L. M. , Pansarin E. R. , Sazima M.
Published: April 2008

The genus Cyrtopodium comprises about 42 species distributed from southern Florida to northern Argentina. Cyrtopodium polyphyllum occurs on rocks or in sandy soils, in restinga vegetation along the Brazilian coast. It flowers during the wet season and its inflorescences produce a high number of resupinate yellow flowers. Cyrtopodium polyphyllum offers no rewards to its pollinators, but mimics the yellow, reward‐producing flowers of nearby growing Stigmaphyllon arenicola (oil) and Crotalaria vitellina (nectar) individuals. Several species of bee visit flowers of C. polyphyllum, but only two species of Centris (Centris tarsata and Centris labrosa) act as pollinators. Visits to flowers of C. polyphyllum were scarce and, as a consequence, low‐fruit set was recorded under natural conditions. Such low‐fruit production contrasts with the number of fruits each plant bears after manual pollination, suggesting deficient pollen transfer among plants. C. polyphyllum is self‐compatible and has a high‐fruit set in both manual self‐ and cross‐pollinated flowers. Furthermore, fruits (2%) are formed by self‐pollination assisted by rain. This facultative self‐pollination mechanism is an important strategy to provide reproductive assurance to C. polyphyllum as rainfall restricts the foraging activity of its pollinating bees. Fruits derived from treatments and under natural conditions had a similar high rate of potentially viable seed. Moreover, these seeds had a low polyembryony rate, which did not exceed 5%. C. polyphyllum acts by deceit involving optical signals and exploits other yellow‐flowered species within its habitat by attracting their pollinators. The low capsule production under natural conditions was expected, but its reproductive success is assured through self‐pollination by rain and high seed viability.
A case of extraventricular neurocytoma of the spinal cord
Authors: Gokhan Guzide A. , Gurer Inanc E. , Akyuz Mahmut , Tuncer Recai
Published: April 2008

Central neurocytoma is a rare neuroectodermal tumor generally found in young adults. It mainly originates from lateral ventricles. Extraventricular location of this kind of tumor, especially spinal cord involvement, is extremely rare. This article is the ninth case of central neurocytoma derived from the spinal region, and includes a review of the literature. The patient in this case is a 49‐year‐old woman presenting with C3–C5 spinal mass with typical histopathologic findings and low MIB−1 index.
Differences of Munchausen syndrome by proxy according to predominant symptoms in Japan
Authors: Fujiwara Takeo , Okuyama Makiko , Kasahara Mari , Nakamura Ayako
Published: April 2008

Background: The purpose of the present paper was to investigate differing characteristics of Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) between subjects with predominantly physical symptoms and those with predominantly psychological symptoms.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was sent to 11 leading doctors in the child abuse field in Japan, each located in different hospital‐based sites. Child abuse doctors answered questions regarding the characteristics of MSBP subjects for whom they had helped care. The differences of characteristics between groups were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables and Mann‐Whitney U‐test for continuous variables.

Results: Among 21 reported MSBP subjects, 16 MSBP subjects with predominantly physical symptoms (PHY) and five MSBP subjects with predominantly psychological symptoms (PSY) were found. PHY were more likely to be produced, whereas PSY cases were more often simulated. PHY cases were more often life‐threatening than PSY cases, but decisions made by the Child Guidance Center surrounding the custodial outcome of MSBP victims did not differ between PHY and PSY cases.

Conclusions: Social welfare services that need to decide on custody for MSBP victims should recognize the relatively high risk of life‐threatening danger of PHY cases in their family of origin.
Positive and negative work characteristics associated with burnout among primary care pediatricians
Authors: Kushnir Talma , Cohen Avner H.
Published: April 2008

Background: There is little research regarding specific work features that might cause chronic stress and burnout among primary care pediatricians. The aim of the present study was first, to assess specific negative and positive characteristics of the job that might be related to burnout; and second, to compare burnout levels and work characteristics among board‐certified versus general pediatricians; and clinic directors versus non‐directors.

Methods: Questionnaires were sent to 200 pediatricians employed full‐time in pediatric primary care community centers in the largest Israeli Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). Respondents replied anonymously. The questionnaires assessed sociodemographic details, burnout levels, and negative and positive job characteristics.

Results: There were no differences in burnout levels between board‐certified and general pediatricians. Positive job features had stronger associations with burnout than negative features. Compared with general pediatricians, board‐certified pediatricians reported significantly higher levels of negative features (e.g. conflicts between the medical and administrative system in the HMO; parents disregarding instructions); but higher levels of autonomy and appreciation from patients. Compared with regular pediatricians, clinic directors had significantly higher levels of negative job features (e.g. less access to resources); and higher levels of positive work features.

Conclusions: The absence of positive job features (e.g. autonomy, recognition for one’s work and utilization of skills) may be more important in causing burnout than the presence of negative characteristics (e.g. overload, demanding and noisy parents). It is consistent with recent suggestions that in the presence of positive features, employees can better tolerate stressful aspects of the job and still feel motivated and engaged.
Levofloxacin resistant Escherichia coli sepsis following an ultrasound‐guided transrectal prostate biopsy: Report of four cases and review of the literature
Authors: Miura Tetsuya , Tanaka Kazushi , Shigemura Katsumi , Nakano Yuzo , Takenaka Atsushi , Fujisawa Masato
Published: April 2008

Abstract:  Fluoroquinolones are the most commonly used prophylactic antimicrobials for ultrasound‐guided transrectal prostate biopsy due to their broad pathogen spectrum, pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and ease of oral administration. However, although Escherichia. coli (E. coli) is the most common pathogen associated with infections after transrectal prostate biopsy, the prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistant strains of E. coli is increasing. Levofloxacin resistant E. coli sepsis occurred in four (0.6%) of 665 patients who received oral levofloxacin prophylaxis and underwent transrectal prostate biopsy from July 2002 to December 2006 in this institute. All patients had obstructions of the lower urinary tract and three of the four had a history of previous use of quinolones. Although two of the four patients developed septic shock, all of the patients were treated with carbapenems immediately and made a complete recovery. Since a case of multiresistant E. coli sepsis and fatal anaerobic sepsis after transrectal prostate biopsy had been reported, intravenous carbapenem is recommended as antimicrobial therapy for sepsis after transrectal prostate biopsy.
Report from the second Japanese Urological Association–Japanese Society of Medical Oncology joint conference, 2007: ‘Diagnosis and treatment of urological malignant tumors: How can we promote subspecialists?’
Authors: Saijo Nagahiro , Miki Tsuneharu , Kubota Yoshinobu , Naito Seiji , Akaza Hideyuki , Takahashi Shunji , Minami Hironobu
Published: April 2008

Preface:  The second Japanese Urological Association–Japanese Society of Medical Oncology joint conference was held on 25 October 2007. The theme of this year's conference was ‘Diagnosis and treatment of urological malignant tumors: How can we promote subspecialists?’ This Meeting Report briefly discusses the themes of uro‐oncology education; collaboration of urologists and medical oncologists for treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma; the role of urologists in treatment of urological cancer; the role of the medical oncologist in therapy, and collaboration between the JUA and the JSMO.
Despite GABAergic neurotransmission, GABAergic innervation does not compensate for the defect in glycine receptor postsynaptic aggregation in spastic mice
Authors: Muller Emilie , Le Corronc Hervé , Scain Anne‐Laure , Triller Antoine , Legendre Pascal
Published: April 2008

In the hypoglossal nucleus of wild‐type mice, early mixed glycinergic‐GABAergic inhibitory transmission becomes mainly glycinergic during postnatal maturation. In spastic mice (SPA), a model of human hyperekplexic syndrome, an insertion into the gene of the glycine receptor (GlyR) β subunit results in a decreased accumulation of GlyRs at postsynaptic sites and an impaired glycinergic neurotransmission. In SPA mice displaying a mild phenotype (B6C3Fe strain), a compensatory process involving an increased aggregation of GABAA receptors (GABAARs) at postsynaptic sites was proposed to explain survival of mutant animals until adulthood. However, C57BL/6J strain SPA mice which express a lower amount of GlyR β subunit die 2–3 weeks after birth, suggesting that GABAergic compensation does not necessarily take place. We performed a morphofunctional study of inhibitory synapses in the developing hypoglossal nucleus of C57BL/6J SPA mice. In this mutant, the inhibitory synaptic activity was mainly GABAergic. Accordingly, we observed a developmental loss of glycinergic presynaptic terminals and an increase in the density of GABAergic presynaptic terminals during the first two postnatal weeks. In addition, while C57BL/6J SPA mice displayed a strong impairment in GlyR aggregation at postsynaptic loci, the proportion of inhibitory presynaptic terminals facing diffuse GABAARs significantly increased during development. Our results suggest crosstalk between postsynaptic and presynaptic elements, leading to the developmental regulation of the presynaptic terminal neurotransmitter content according to the level of postsynaptic GlyR aggregation. They also indicate that GABAergic neurotransmission does not compensate for defects in GlyR postsynaptic aggregation leading to spastic syndrome in C57BL/6J SPA mice.
Political Science Research in Sweden 1960–1975: An Overvie
Authors: RUIN OLOF
Published: April 2008

Swedish research on politics during the fifteen year period 1960–1975 has not been confined to the departments of political science in Sweden. Research of this kind has also occurred in other university departments as well as outside the universities. However, the major portion of the country's political research has taken place within the framework of political science.
JOHN LOCKE: BETWEEN CHARITY AND WELFARE RIGHTS
Authors: Rea Bruno
Published: April 2008

In the past quarter century C. B. MacPherson's reading of Locke has enjoyed a wide appeal. We are all by now familiar with Locke as the ardent proponent of possessive individualism, with its accompanying acquisitive tendencies and egoism. To be sure, MacPherson's interpretation has not gone unopposed. Of late it has been challenged in all its fundamentals by the scholarly and ingenious work of James Tully. Far from seeing Locke as providing the theoretical underpinnings for unbridled capitalism, Tully puts forward the view that Locke was sympathetic to the possibility of radical redistributive measures. That is, that he was not in principle opposed to rights to welfare.
WORLD HUNGER AND A MORAL RIGHT TO SUBSISTENCE
Authors: Howie John
Published: April 2008

We live in a world in which one of every five persons does not get enough to eat. Each day more than ten thousand people die of starvation; thousands more, both adults and children, suffer brain damage and other functional abnormalities because of malnutrition. Often there is simply not enough drinking water or not enough food available. Some people must do without. A drought has come and some are allowed to die. Or, less food has been grown because less fertilizer was imported and hundreds or thousands die.
THE SLIPPERY SLOPE ARGUMENT AGAINST THE LEGALIZATION OF VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA*
Authors: Nielsen W. H.
Published: April 2008

In all great moral issues the moralist must choose and choosing has a price.
CONCERNING THE MORAL DIMENSION OF GLOBAL CAPITALISM IN A COMMUNIST‐FREE WORLD*
Authors: Moutafakis Nicholas J. , Rosenbaum Alan S.
Published: April 2008

The socio‐economic “pro‐democracy” revolutions which are currently sweeping the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in the name of glasnost and perestroika have virtually stunned all but the best informed in the Western World. The demand for reform throughout the so‐called “Soviet block,” and the concomitant impatience with the progress of these changes in the economic and basic social fabric of these societies, have come to exhibit an urgency which few observers, if any, had been able to forecast a few short years ago. The declarations by some members of the U.S. Congress that these changes are indicative of the fact that the cold war has been won by the West, and that we are now witnessing the precipitous collapse of Marxist ideology, together with the widespread sentiment that there is “no going back” to the repressive Leninist‐inspired regimes of Stalin, Khruschev, and Brezhniev are all synergistic to the creation of a sentiment of optimism that indeed we have turned the corner in East‐West relations. To a world which has lived under the long night of thermonuclear extinction for over four decades, the feeling accompanying the prospect of a possible end to the nightmare of Armageddon further enhances the euphoric sentiment.
UNDERDEVELOPMENT AND THE PROBLEM OF CAUSATION
Authors: Kebede Messay
Published: April 2008

Underdevelopment is the most controversial issue of our time. In a world which apparently exhibits so much power and yet does so little to drive it back, it represents the challenge par excellence. However, concerning this most pressing and controversial issue of underdevelopment, of all the disciplines which study man, philosophy is the one which until now said the least. At first sight, to mark off in the topic of underdevelopment an area of real philosophical concern does not seem feasible indeed. Underdevelopment understood as a mere failure of development appears to be within the competence of the disciplines of the social sciences, especially of economics, rather than that of philosophy. Viewed as a technical problem, it could thereby be declared outside the sphere of direct philosophical inquiry.

But this reason is no sooner accepted than it comes up against itself by the very nature of the conflicts in which the social sciences got bogged down in their attempt to understand underdevelopment. Although not directly spelt out, the conflicts are unmistakably pervaded throughout by philosophical questions. It suffices to point out the main cause of the theoretical split which divides scholars, in the general issue of tradition and modernity, to really bring out the eminently philosophical nature of the debate. We are obviously referring to the conflict between modernization theory and the neo‐Marxist school. The purpose of this paper is precisely to show that the topic of underdevelopment, not only raises one of the basic and oldest problems of philosophy, namely the nature of the connection between the spiritual and the material, but also helps positively to reformulate it.
BEYOND THE LAW: A BRIEF ETHICAL ANALYSIS OF MILKEN'S SECURITIES VIOLATIONS
Authors: Dunfee Thomas W.
Published: April 2008

Looking at the Milken case has provided an opportunity to apply a social contracts based set of rule of thumb principles to insider trading and related issues. The actions involved were found to:

always violate the principle of willing compliance with law

in certain instances violate the principle of avoiding actual conflicts of interest

in certain instances violate the principle of honoring confidentiality.
WHY ARROW'S IMPOSSIBILITY THEOREM IS INVALID
Authors: Gendin Sidney
Published: April 2008

In 1951, Kenneth Arrow published his now celebrated book Social Choice and Individual Values. Although not the first book to be written on social choice, Arrow's work ushered in a voluminous literature mostly produced by economists but by philosophers and political scientists as well. Arrow's chief result was a proof of the impossibility of a social welfare function (hereafter “SWF”). He showed that there could be no decision procedure for aggregating individual preference orderings into a grand, overall social preference ordering. The result has been hailed by some as a sort of Godel Theorem of economics. It has seemed to many to have, if not the complexity of the Godel Theorem, at least the same astonishing counter‐intuitiveness. On the other hand, some social choice theorists, while conceding the validity of the Arrow Theorem, have challenged its soundness by quarreling with one or more of its presuppositions.
PATRIOTISM AND POLITICAL OBLIGATION
Authors: Montague Phillip
Published: April 2008

Arguments aimed at undermining certain accounts of the grounds of political obligations—no matter how successful they may be—fall far short of demonstrating that there are no such obligations. Doubts about the efficacy of these arguments in this latter regard seem even more justified when it is recognized that parallel lines of reasoning can be developed in the area of filial obligations (and probably obligations of friendship and others as well), which arguments provide rather less than conclusive reasons for denying that there are filial obligations (obligations of friendship, and so forth).

Furthermore, we have good reason to believe that there are political obligations if patriotism is a virtue, and also that patriotism is indeed a virtue. We therefore have a basis on which to affirm the existence of political obligations—a basis whose soundness is independent of the acceptability of particular accounts of the grounds of political obligation. Hence, even if standard accounts of the grounds of political obligations are problematic in certain respects, we should not regard this consideration as capable by itself of establishing that there are no such obligations.
WOMEN, POWER, AND MEAT: COMPARING THE SEXUAL CONTRACT AND THE SEXUAL POLITICS OF MEAT
Authors: McKenna Erin
Published: April 2008

Eating animals acts as mirror and representation of patriarchal values. Meat eating is the re‐inscription of male power at every meal. The patriarchal gaze sees not the fragmented flesh of dead animals but appetizing food. If our appetites re‐inscribe patriarchy, our actions regarding eating animals will either reify or challenge this received culture. If meat is a symbol of male dominance then the presence of meat proclaims the disempowering of women.1
Porn Revisited
Authors: Mann Doug
Published: April 2008

In this paper I will revisit the debate over pornography by doing three things: (a) I will suggest a more sophisticated, two‐dimensional set of distinctions between positons in the debate; (b) I will then go on to attack both libertarians and the group I call “repressive feminists”; and (c) I will conclude by suggesting that by means of Hume's theory of sympathy we could support a limited form of censorship to bring women more fully into our moral and political community. I turn first to the labors of definition.
Good Women and Bad Men: A Bias in Feminist Research
Authors: Landau Iddo
Published: April 2008

The variety of feminist thought has produced many fruitful discussions and debates. Liberal, radical, postmodern, psychoanalytic, and other feminists have criticized each others' work and underlying presuppositions. The aim of this paper is to point out a prejudice which has not yet received sufficient attention, although it lies at the base of a fair amount of feminist research: the bias that whereas men are bad and aggressive, women are good and peaceful. Although as an explicit view this contention has been debated, its distortive influence on feminist research has so far remained undiscussed. In what follows I present examples of the effect of this bias on feminist research (sections 1 and 2). Then I suggest why the bias has not yet been discussed (section 3). Finally I argue that feminist research should be as critically received and treated as any other (section 4).
A Reply to McDonald: A Defense in Favor of Requirement Conflicts
Authors: McKenna Michael S.
Published: April 2008

In “The Presumption in Favor of Requirement Conflicts” Julie McDonald has offered some serious and challenging criticisms of the recent literature centered around the moral dilemmas debate. If McDonald is correct, the philosophers who have contributed to this debate share some questionable presuppositions about the role and significance of an adequate moral theory. It is beyond dispute that the moral dilemmas debate has elevated the importance of requirement conflicts above other types of conflicts. McDonald argues that this is a needlessly restrictive way to approach the issue. She maintains that the potential for unavoidable moral residue in the form of guilt, as well as the chance of moral unresolvability, are the two central concerns which motivate the issue. These concerns then figure into her diagnosis of the implicit background assumptions that explain the rationality of the debate. In what follows I shall consider whether or not the participants to this debate are forced to accept these assumptions.
The Curious Tale of Atlas College
Authors: Cahn Steven M.
Published: April 2008

Atlas College, a liberal arts institution, was founded during the middle of the nineteenth century. At that time the Board of Trustees adopted as the school's motto the maxim of the Roman poet Juvenal, mens sana in corpore sano, “a sound mind in a sound body.” The saying attracted little notice over the years, but several decades ago a recently appointed member of the board complained at a Trustees' meeting that, while attending a reception to greet members of the faculty, he had found to his dismay that the school's professors were not physically well‐conditioned, most appearing either scrawny or corpulent. “How,” he inquired of his fellow Board members, “can these individuals exemplify the ideals of our College, if they fail to display soundness of body?”
Rights, Wrongs, and Aristotelian Egoism: Illuminating the Rights/Care Dichotomy
Authors: Smith Tara
Published: April 2008

Since the recent work of Carol Gilligan, Nel Noddings, and others, it has become commonplace in moral philosophy to employ a dichotomy between an ethics of “Care” and an ethics of “Rights.” Gilligan claims that men and women view moral issues in fundamentally divergent ways. Responses to moral problems tend to divide along lines emphasizing respect for rights, in the case of men, and caring for others, in the case of women. Inspired by these findings, several authors have classified moral theories in two basic camps, revolving around the injunction to care or the mandate to respect rights. While many concede that the Care and Rights perspectives are not mutually exclusive, it is increasingly common to view ethicists as forced to choose between these two types of theories.
Concomitant degradation of β‐catenin and GSK‐3β potently contributes to glutamate‐induced neurotoxicity in rat hippocampal slice cultures
Authors: Lee Jee Hee , Lee Eun Ok , Kang JiHee Lee , Chong Young Hae
Published: April 2008

Increasingly, published evidence links glutamate with the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. We investigated the molecular mechanism underlying glutamate‐induced neurotoxicity in hippocampus, which is primarily linked to cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease. Acute exposure of rat hippocampal slices to glutamate significantly induced cell death, as determined by media lactate dehydrogenase levels and PI staining. Moreover, this was accompanied by Ca2+ influx and calpain‐1 activation, as confirmed by the proteolytic pattern of spectrin. Notably, glutamate‐induced calpain‐1 activation decreased the level of β‐catenin, and this process appeared to be independent of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK‐3β), since glutamate also led to loss of GSK‐3β. Calpeptin, a calpain inhibitor, attenuated the glutamate‐mediated degradations of spectrin, synaptophysin, and β‐catenin except GSK‐3β and modestly increased cell survival. In contrast, the NMDA receptor antagonist 2‐amino‐5‐phosphonopentanoic acid (APV) effectively reduced all glutamate‐evoked responses, i.e., the breakdowns of spectrin, synaptophysin, β‐catenin and GSK‐3β, and cell death. Pharmacological studies and in vitro calpain‐1 proteolysis confirmed that in the glutamate‐treated hippocampus, calpain‐1‐mediated decrease of β‐catenin could occur independently of GSK‐3β and of proteasome, and that GSK‐3β degradation is independent of calpain‐1. These findings together provide the first direct evidence that glutamate promotes the down‐regulations of β‐catenin and GSK‐3β, which potently contribute to neurotoxicity in hippocampus during excitotoxic cell death, and a molecular basis for the protection afforded by calpeptin and APV from the neurotoxic effect of glutamate.
IVRT′/IVRT Index Is a Useful Tool for Detection of Elevated Left Ventricular Filling Pressure in Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Rudko Rafal , Przewlocki Tadeusz , Pasowicz Mieczyslaw , Biernacka Barbara , Kablak‐Ziembicka Anna , Tracz Wieslawa
Published: April 2008

Objective: Deterioration of active relaxation results in prolongation of isovolumteric relaxation time (IVRT), however, when left ventricular filling pressure elevates, mitral valve opens earlier and IVRT shortens. This shortening is not seen when IVRT is measured with tissue Doppler imaging (IVRT′). Then, IVRT′ prolongs with the deceleration of active relaxation independent of left ventricular filling pressure. We hypothesized that IVRT′ reflects the relaxation rate, thus, the ratio of IVRT′ to IVRT may possibly detect left ventricular filling pressure elevation. Methods: The group of 39 subjects (aged 64 ± 5 years) with preserved ejection fraction (EF > 50%) underwent combined echocardiographic and hemodynamic examinations. Echocardiographic parameters of mitral inflow and mitral annular motion were correlated with invasive indices of left ventricular relaxation and filling pressure. Results: Time constant of isovolumetric pressure decline (tau) correlated closely with IVRT′ (r = 0.73, P < 0.001) but not with early diastolic velocity of mitral annulus (E′) (r =−0.207, P = 0.206). The best parameter correlating with M‐LVDP was IVRT′/IVRT (r = 0.694, P < 0.001, M‐LVDP = 7.7 × IVRT′/IVRT + 5.1). A weaker relation was also noted between the ratio of early mitral peak inflow velocity to early diastolic velocity of mitral annulus (E/E′) and M‐LVDP (r = 0.469, P < 0.001). The relationships between standard Doppler parameters and left ventricular diastolic pressures were uniformly poor. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that IVRT′ may serve as a surrogate of left ventricular active relaxation. IVRT′/IVRT index may be applied to estimate left ventricular filling pressure.
Continuing Medical Education Program in Echocardiography
Authors: Fan Pohoey , Kerut Edmund Kenneth
Published: April 2008

Article Title: The Mitral L Wave: A Relatively Common but Ignored Useful Finding.
C6‐peptide serology as diagnostic tool in neuroborreliosis
Authors: TJERNBERG IVAR , SCHÖN THOMAS , ERNERUDH JAN , WISTEDT ANNIKA CARLSSON , FORSBERG PIA , ELIASSON INGVAR
Published: April 2008

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of borrelia serology (Quick ELISA C6 Borrelia assay kit) as a diagnostic tool in cases of suspected neuroborreliosis. A retrospective patient material consisting of 124 paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples with a positive anti‐borrelia antibody index (AI) using the IDEIA Lyme Neuroborreliosis test was compared with 124 AI‐negative matched control subjects. The patients were divided into four groups based on presence of pleocytosis and age above or below 12 years. The presence of positive C6 serology in AI‐positive patients with pleocytosis was 89% (83/93), significantly different (p<0.01) from in patients without pleocytosis (58%, 18/31). In AI‐positive patients aged ≥12 years with pleocytosis, 94% (51/54) had a positive C6 serology. Of AI‐positive patients with a symptom duration of more than 30 days, 93% (27/29) were positive by the C6 test. We conclude that the C6 serum test, together with clinical evaluation, is a powerful diagnostic tool in adult (≥12 years) European patients with suspected neuroborreliosis with a symptom duration of more than 30 days. Patients with suspected neuroborreliosis and positive C6 results should be further investigated by lumbar puncture for definite diagnosis.
Cultured human periodontal ligament cells constitutively express multiple osteotropic cytokines and growth factors, several of which are responsive to mechanical deformation
Authors: Pinkerton Mark N. , Wescott David C. , Gaffey Benjamin J. , Beggs Kyle T. , Milne Trudy J. , Meikle Murray C.
Published: April 2008

Background and Objective: A role for cytokines and growth factors in mediating the cellular and molecular events involved in orthodontic tooth movement is well established. The focus to date, however, has been largely on individual mediators, rather than to study cytokines in terms of complex interacting networks. Our objective was to expand our knowledge of the cytokines and growth factors expressed by human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells and to identify new genes that are responsive to mechanical deformation.

Material and Methods: Human PDL cells were strained with a cyclic deformation of 12% for 6–24 h, and the differential expression of 79 cytokine and growth factor genes was quantified using real‐time RT‐PCR arrays. For statistical comparison,t‐tests were used with mean critical threshold (CT) values derived from triplicate samples.

Results: Forty‐one genes were detected at CT values < 35 and, of these, 15 showed a significant change in relative expression. These included seven interleukins (IL):IL1A,IL1F7,IL6andIL7(down),IL8,IL11andIL12A(up). Eight genes representing other cytokine and growth factor families showed comparable mechanical sensitivity, includingVEGFDandOPG(down) andPDGFA,INHBA,GDF8and two transforming growth factor β genes,TGFB1andTGFB3(up). The genesCSF2/GMCSF and IL11were found to be consistently stimulated across all three time points. Genes that were not expressed included: (1) the immunoregulatory lymphokines (IL2–IL5),IL17andIL17B; (2) IL10and other members of the IL‐10 family of anti‐inflammatory cytokines (IL19,IL20,IL22andIL24); and (3)TNFandRANKL.

Conclusion: Human PDL cells constitutively express numerous osteotropic cytokines and growth factors, many of which are mechanoresponsive.
Regulating physician‐assisted dying for minors in the Netherlands: views of paediatricians and other physicians
Authors: Vrakking Astrid M. , Van Der Heide Agnes , Onwuteaka‐Philipsen Bregje D. , Van Der Maas Paul J. , Van Der Wal Gerrit
Published: April 2008

Aim: In 2002, the Dutch Euthanasia Act came into effect, which made euthanasia available to individuals from the age of 12 and above. The objective of our study was to gain insight into how Dutch paediatricians and other physicians treating children feel about the regulation of physician‐assisted dying.

Methods: We interviewed 63 paediatricians, 125 general practitioners and 208 clinical specialists about their views on physician‐assisted dying and the Euthanasia Act.

Results: Of the paediatricians, 44% agreed with the age limit of 12 years, and 52% agreed with the requirement that parents be involved. Somewhat more than half thought the Act could contribute to the disclosure of end‐of‐life practices (52%), the quality of the review procedure (61%), careful decision making (54%) and the reporting rate (65%). These percentages were comparable for other physicians. A minority of the physicians in all groups indicated that, with this Act in place, they would be more willing to report such practices. The most optimistic in this respect were the paediatricians, of whom 39% expected such an effect.

Conclusions: About half of Dutch paediatricians support the Euthanasia Act and expect it to achieve its aims, which is the same percentage as was found for other clinical specialists and general practitioners. However, most physicians do not foresee an increase in willingness to report cases of physician‐assisted dying.
A new method for the treatment of recurrent abdominal pain of prolonged negative stress origin
Authors: Alfvén G , Lindstrom A
Published: April 2008

Objective: To test the hypothesis that psychological treatment given in combination with somatic treatment can relieve recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) of psychosomatic origin in childhood.

Study design: Stomach Pain Clinic Group A, comprising 25 children receiving a combination of psychological treatment and physiotherapy given by two different persons and Stomach Pain Clinic Group B, comprising 23 children receiving physiotherapy only, were constituted in a randomized manner. Stomach Pain Clinic Group C, including 35 children receiving an integrated combination of psychological treatment and somatic treatment given by the same person was also constituted, as well as a reference group. Treatment outcome was measured by calculating a pain score and tender points (TP) score at inclusion and after 1 year.

Results: The pain score after 1 year improved significantly in all four groups. Stomach Pain Clinic Groups A and B did not show any significant difference, but Stomach Pain Clinic C had a significantly better outcome than Stomach Pain Clinic Group B. Stomach Pain Clinic Groups A and C had a significant decrease in the TP score after 1 year. Pain scores and TP scores calculated for all Stomach Pain Clinic groups correlated significantly at follow‐up after 1 year.

Conclusion: For children with psychosomatic RAP, a special method for integrated psychological and somatic treatment is probably effective. The results have to be confirmed in a randomized controlled study. These children have a special pattern of TPs related to their disorder, which diminishes with improvement in the disorder.
Agreement between Cochrane Neonatal Group reviews and clinical guidelines for newborns at a Copenhagen University Hospital—a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Brok Jesper , Greisen Gorm , Jacobsen Thorkild , Gluud Lise L , Gluud Christian
Published: April 2008

Aim: To assess the agreement between Cochrane Neonatal Group reviews and clinical guidelines of a University Neonatology Department, to evaluate the reasons for potential disagreements and to ascertain whether Cochrane reviews were considered for the guidelines development.

Methods: The recommendations in the reviews and guidelines were compared and classified as being in ‘agreement’, ‘partial agreement’ or ‘disagreement’. The guideline authors were interviewed for reasons about disagreement and whether Cochrane reviews were considered during the guideline development.

Results: Agreement between reviews and guidelines was found for 133 interventions (77%), partial agreement for 31 interventions (18%) and disagreement for nine interventions (5%). Six interventions were recommended in the guidelines, but not in the reviews. Three interventions were recommended in the reviews, but not in the guidelines. Use of consensus statements, evidence on surrogate markers, observational studies, basic immunology and pathophysiological knowledge, expert opinion, economical constraints, reservations about the external validity and unawareness of reviews were reasons for disagreement. Cochrane reviews were rarely (22%) used during the guideline development.

Conclusion: We found agreement between more than three quarters of Cochrane reviews and neonatal guidelines. However, few important disagreements occurred. Reviews were only used for guideline development in about a fifth of cases.
Medical problems in adolescents with myelomeningocele (MMC): an inventory of the Swedish MMC population born during 1986–1989
Authors: Olsson I , Dahl M , Mattsson S , Wendelius M , Åström E , Westbom L
Published: April 2008

Aim: To describe the prevalence of myelomeningocele (MMC) and the medical needs of adolescents, 15–18 years, with MMC in Sweden, at a time when they are on the threshold of adulthood, leaving paediatrics.

Methods: In a retrospective study, we identified all adolescents with MMC, born during 1986–1989 and living in Sweden on July 1, 2004. An inventory was agreed upon with questions concerning their medical problems and need for medical care.

Results: There were 175 persons 15–18 years of age, born with MMC or lipoMMC (prevalence 3.8 per 10 000). Hydrocephalus was seen in 86%, 31% had been operated because of tethered cord syndrome, and 6% for Chiari malformation symptoms. The majority had motor impairments. Clean intermittent catheterisation for bladder emptying was used by 85%, and 59% used enemas on a regular basis because of the neurogenic bowel dysfunction. Renal dysfunction was seen in 1.7% of the adolescents.

Conclusion: Lifelong follow‐up by many specialists, among others neurologists and neurosurgeons, urotherapists and urologists, orthopaedic surgeons and orthotists, is necessary for individuals with MMC. The complex medical situation, often in combination with cognitive difficulties, makes it necessary to coordinate medical services for this increasing group of adults with multiple impairments.