bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rac1-mediated NADPH oxidase release of O2− regulates epithelial sodium channel activity in the alveolar epithelium
Authors: Takemura Yoshizumi , Goodson Preston , Bao Hui Fang , Jain Lucky , Helms My N.
Published: January 2010

We examine whether alveolar cells can control release of O2− through regulated NADPH oxidase (NOX) 2 (NOX2) activity to maintain lung fluid homeostasis. Using FACS to purify alveolar epithelial cells, we show that type 1 cells robustly express each of the critical NOX components that catalyze the production of O2− (NOX2 or gp91 phox, p22 phox, p67 phox, p47 phox, and p40 phox subunits) as well as Rac1 at substantially higher levels than type 2 cells. Immunohistochemical labeling of lung tissue shows that Rac1 expression is cytoplasmic and resides near the apical surface of type 1 cells, whereas NOX2 coimmunoprecipitates with epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). Since Rac1 is a known regulator of NOX2, and hence O2− release, we tested whether inhibition or activation of Rac1 influenced ENaC activity. Indeed, 1 μM NSC23766 inhibition of Rac1 decreased O2− output in lung cells and significantly decreased ENaC activity from 0.87 ± 0.16 to 0.52 ± 0.16 [mean number of channels ( N) and single-channel open probability ( Po) ( NPo) ± SE, n = 6; P < 0.05] in type 2 cells. NSC23766 (10 μM) decreased ENaC NPo from 1.16 ± 0.27 to 0.38 ± 0.10 ( n = 6 in type 1 cells). Conversely, 10 ng/ml EGF (a known stimulator of both Rac1 and O2− release) increased ENaC NPo values in both type 1 and 2 cells. NPo values increased from 0.48 ± 0.21 to 0.91 ± 0.28 in type 2 cells ( P < 0.05; n = 10). In type 1 cells, ENaC activity also significantly increased from 0.40 ± 0.15 to 0.60 ± 0.23 following EGF treatment ( n = 7). Sequestering O2− using 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine- N-oxyl (TEMPO) compound prevented EGF activation of ENaC in both type 1 and 2 cells. In conclusion, we report that Rac1-mediated NOX2 activity is an important component in O2− regulation of ENaC.
The rat: a laboratory model for studies of the diving response
Authors: Panneton W. Michael , Gan Qi , Juric Rajko
Published: January 2010

Underwater submersion in mammals induces apnea, parasympathetically mediated bradycardia, and sympathetically mediated peripheral vasoconstriction. These effects are collectively termed the diving response, potentially the most powerful autonomic reflex known. Although these physiological responses are directed by neurons in the brain, study of neural control of the diving response has been hampered since 1) it is difficult to study the brains of animals while they are underwater, 2) feral marine mammals are usually large and have brains of variable size, and 3) there are but few references on the brains of naturally diving species. Similar responses are elicited in anesthetized rodents after stimulation of their nasal mucosa, but this nasopharyngeal reflex has not been compared directly with natural diving behavior in the rat. In the present study, we compared hemodynamic responses elicited in awake rats during volitional underwater submersion with those of rats swimming on the water's surface, rats involuntarily submerged, and rats either anesthetized or decerebrate and stimulated nasally with ammonia vapors. We show that the hemodynamic changes to voluntary diving in the rat are similar to those of naturally diving marine mammals. We also show that the responses of voluntary diving rats are 1) significantly different from those seen during swimming, 2) generally similar to those elicited in trained rats involuntarily “dunked” underwater, and 3) generally different from those seen from dunking naive rats underwater. Nasal stimulation of anesthetized rats differed most from the hemodynamic variables of rats trained to dive voluntarily. We propose that the rat trained to dive underwater is an excellent laboratory model to study neural control of the mammalian diving response, and also suggest that some investigations may be done with nasal stimulation of decerebrate preparations to decipher such control.
Quantifying proximal and distal sources of NO in asthma using a multicompartment model
Authors: Shelley David A. , Puckett James L. , George Steven C.
Published: January 2010

Nitric oxide (NO) is detectable in exhaled breath and is thought to be a marker of lung inflammation. The multicompartment model of NO exchange in the lungs, which was previously introduced by our laboratory, considers parallel and serial heterogeneity in the proximal and distal regions and can simulate dynamic features of the NO exhalation profile, such as a sloping phase III region. Here, we present a detailed sensitivity analysis of the multicompartment model and then apply the model to a population of children with mild asthma. Latin hypercube sampling demonstrated that ventilation and structural parameters were not significant relative to NO production terms in determining the NO profile, thus reducing the number of free parameters from nine to five. Analysis of exhaled NO profiles at three flows (50, 100, and 200 ml/s) from 20 children (age 7–17 yr) with mild asthma representing a wide range of exhaled NO (4.9 ppb < fractional exhaled NO at 50 ml/s < 120 ppb) demonstrated that 90% of the children had a negative phase III slope. The multicompartment model could simulate the negative phase III slope by increasing the large airway NO flux and/or distal airway/alveolar concentration in the well-ventilated regions. In all subjects, the multicompartment model analysis improved the least-squares fit to the data relative to a single-path two-compartment model. We conclude that features of the NO exhalation profile that are commonly observed in mild asthma are more accurately simulated with the multicompartment model than with the two-compartment model. The negative phase III slope may be due to increased NO production in well-ventilated regions of the lungs.
CO2 chemoreception in cardiorespiratory control
Authors: Putnam Robert W.
Published: January 2010

Considerable progress has been made elucidating the cellular signals and ion channel targets involved in the response to increased CO2/H+ of brain stem neurons from chemosensitive regions. Intracellular pH (pHi) does not exhibit recovery from an acid load when extracellular pH (pHo) is also acid. This lack of pHi recovery is an essential but not unique feature of all chemosensitive neurons. These neurons have pH-regulating transporters, especially Na+/H+ exchangers, but some may also contain HCO3−-dependent transporters as well. Studies in locus ceruleus (LC) neurons have shown that firing rate will increase in response to decreased pHi or pHo but not in response to increased CO2 alone. A number of K+ channels, as well as other channels, have been suggested to be targets of these pH changes with a fall of pH inhibiting these channels. In neurons from some regions it appears that multiple signals and multiple channels are involved in their chemosensitive response while in neurons from other regions a single signal and/or channel may be involved. Despite the progress, a number of key issues remain to be studied. A detailed study of chemosensitive signaling needs to be done in neurons from more brain stem regions. Fully describing the chemosensitive signaling pathways in brain stem neurons will offer new targets for therapies to alter the strength of central chemosensitivity and will yield new insights into the reason why there are multiple central chemoreceptive sites.
Physiologically interpretable prediction equations for spirometric indexes
Authors: Lubiński Wojciech , Gólczewski Tomasz
Published: January 2010

The need for ethnic-specific reference values of lung function variables (LFs) is acknowledged. Their estimation requires expensive and laborious examinations, and therefore additional use of results in physiology and epidemiology would be profitable. To this end, we proposed a form of prediction equations with physiologically interpretable coefficients: a baseline, the onset age (A0) and rate (S) of LF decline, and a height coefficient. The form was tested with data from healthy, nonsmoking Poles aged 18–85 yr (1,120 men, 1,625 women) who performed spirometry maneuvers according to American Thoracic Society criteria. The values of all the coefficients (also A0) for several LFs were determined with regression of LF on patient's age and deviation of patient's height from the mean height in the year group of this patient. S values for forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), peak expiratory flow, and maximal expiratory flow at 75% of FVC (MEF75) were very similar in both sexes (1.03 ± 0.07%/yr). FEV1/FVC declines four to five times slower. S for MEF25 appeared age dependent. A0 was smallest (28–32 yr) for MEF25 and FEV1. About 50% of each age subgroup (18–40, 41–60, 61–85 yr) exhibited LFs below the mean, and 4–6% were below the 5th percentile lower limits of normal, and thus the form of equations proposed in the paper appeared appropriate for spirometry. Additionally, if this form is accepted, epidemiological and physiological comparison of different LFs and populations will be possible by means of direct comparison of the equation coefficients.
Fetal Scalp Lactate Microsampling for Non-Reassuring Fetal Status during Labor: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Ramanah Rajeev , Martin Alain , Clement Marie-Caroline , Maillet Robert , Riethmuller Didier
Published: January 2010

Objective: The aim was to study the predictive value and feasibility of fetal scalp lactate microsampling in the management of non-reassuring fetal status during labor. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on cord blood gas samplings from 7,617 singleton and cephalic deliveries at ≧37 weeks of gestation. In this population, 450 fetal scalp blood samples (FBS) were performed for abnormal fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns. Microvolume scalp lactate measurements were compared to scalp pH, neonatal cord blood gas parameters (pH, lactate, base deficit) and the Apgar score. Results: Scalp lactate correlated significantly with scalp pH (r = –0.56, p = 0.001), umbilical artery pH (r = –0.39, p = 0.03), umbilical artery lactate (r = 0.48, p = 0.01) and umbilical artery base deficit (r = 0.51, p = 0.01), but not with Apgar scores. Using receiver operating characteristic curves, a scalp lactate cutoff value of 5 mmol/l was the most predictive for neonatal acidosis. Sampling failure with scalp lactate was inferior to scalp pH (1.3 vs. 14%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Lactate microsampling in fetal scalp blood was found to be an attractive alternative to pH analysis and a useful 2nd-line tool for monitoring fetal asphyxia during labor.
Regulation of Tracheal Ciliary Beat Frequency by Nitric Oxide Synthase Substrate L-Arginine
Authors: Jiao Jian , Han Demin , Meng Na , Jin Shanzhe , Zhang Luo
Published: January 2010

Objectives: Our purpose was to investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) synthase substrate L-arginine (L-arg) in the regulation of airway ciliary beat frequency (CBF). Methods: We studied the effects of L-arg on CBF of rabbit tracheal epithelial cells by using high-speed digital microscopy and determined the expression and distribution of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in intact tracheal mucosa and in isolated cilia by using immunohistochemistry and Western blot, respectively. Results:L-arg dose- and time-dependently increased CBF compared with the control groups, and the effect was blocked by pretreatment with the NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Immunoreactivity to 3 isoforms of NOS (nNOS, iNOS, and eNOS) was observed in cilia of epithelial cells, and the signal intensity of eNOS was stronger than that of both nNOS and iNOS. Western blot analysis of isolated ciliary preparations also detected all 3 isoforms of NOS, and the expression level is eNOS > nNOS > iNOS. Conclusion:L-arg increases the CBF of rabbit tracheal epithelial cells via the NOS-NO signal pathway.
Order Out of Chaos in the Hybrid Plant Nucleus
Authors: Jones R.N. , Hegarty M.
Published: January 2010

The plant nucleus is a highly ordered and dynamic structure, with a considerable level of variation between species in terms of genome size, genome organisation, chromosome territories and patterns associated with developmental changes. Diploids naturally represent the simplest state of affairs, but in the plant world more than 70% of species may have been involved in polyploidisation events at some stage during their evolution. Autopolyploids have multiple sets of chromosomes from a single species, and aside from the complexities of meiosis we may expect them to accommodate their polysomic state as well as their disomic relatives. Allopolyploids are at the other extreme, with multiple sets of chromosomes from 2 or more species, embedded in the cytoplasm of the maternal parent following hybridisation, and this presents the nucleus of nascent allopolyploids with certain zones of conflict. Nature has found ways to make the accommodation, and recent developments in molecular analysis have now opened a window for the experimenter to view the process of this adjustment, and to see how rapidly it takes place and what processes are involved. The nature of the resolution of nuclear conflicts in diploid hybrids and in allopolyploids is discussed.
Accelerated Wound Healing by S-Methylmethionine Sulfonium: Evidence of Dermal Fibroblast Activation via the ERK1/2 Pathway
Authors: Kim Won-Serk , Yang You Jin , Min Hyung Geun , Song Min Gyu , Lee Ji-Seon , Park Keung-Young , Kim Jin-Ju , Sung Jong-Hyuk , Choi Jun-Seok , Cha Hyuk-Jin
Published: January 2010

S-Methylmethionine sulfonium (SMMS) is a derivative of the amino acid methionine, and is synthesized in a variety of plants. SMMS is widely referred to as vitamin U because of its potent therapeutic effect on gastrointestinal ulceration. Skin wounds are accompanied by mucosal erosion and share similar histopathological aspects with gastric ulcers, so it is plausible that SMMS may promote skin wound healing. In animal models, topical administration of SMMS for a given period of time, to both physical and chemical wounds, facilitated wound closure and promoted re-epithelialization compared with a control. In addition, single SMMS treatment was sufficient to promote the growth of human dermal fibroblasts (hDFs) as well as the migration of hDFs, which are indispensable steps for skin wound healing. The promotion of hDF proliferation and migration resulted from considerable activation of ERK1/2 by SMMS, and inhibition of ERK activity by a chemical inhibitor significantly abrogated both the promoted proliferation and migration of hDFs. Therefore, we concluded that SMMS facilitated the repair process of skin damage by activation of dermal fibroblasts, which suggests that SMMS has potential as a skin wound-healing agent.
Comparison in the Performance of Glucose Meters in Blood Glucose Monitoring during Pregnancy
Authors: Kong Grace Wing Shan , Tam Wing Hung , Chan Michael Ho Ming , So Wing Yee , Lam Christopher Wai Kei , Yiu Ivy Po Chu , Loo Kit Man , Li Chi Yin
Published: January 2010

Aims: To compare the performance of the four latest models of glucose meters in capillary blood glucose monitoring during pregnancy. Methods: 208 pregnant women with gestational diabetes were recruited. Each subject had simultaneous capillary glucose monitoring by two study glucose meters and venous plasma glucose assay. The performance of four glucose meters was compared using error grid analysis (EGA) and the agreement between the meter readings and plasma glucose by Bland-Altman plot analysis. Results: Elite, Advantage II and CareSens had more than 90% of readings in the acceptable target range of EGA. CareSens had the lowest mean bias by Bland-Altman analysis while Advantage II had the highest proportion of readings within 5% difference from plasma glucose. Readings from all glucose meters except Optium were not influenced by the change in maternal hematocrit levels. Conclusions: The performance of four study glucose meters appeared very similar.
Bisphosphonate Use in Chronic Kidney Disease: Association with Adynamic Bone Disease in a Bone Histology Series
Authors: Amerling Richard , Harbord Nikolas B. , Pullman James , Feinfeld Donald A.
Published: January 2010

Dual X-ray absorptiometry is the standard diagnostic modality for identification of low bone mineral density, a finding which is in the general population usually indicative of osteopenia or osteoporosis. However, chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis may in actual fact have renal osteodystrophy with high or low bone turnover. While bisphosphonates are currently prescribed for the prevention of fractures in osteoporosis and high-risk osteopenic patients, the clinical utility of bisphosphonate therapy in CKD has not been established. Furthermore, bisphosphonates accumulate in bone, inhibit osteoclasts, and may cause or exacerbate low-turnover (adynamic) bone disease – particularly in patients presenting with low parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels or receiving treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism. Bone biopsy with non-decalcified histopathology remains the gold standard for the identification and evaluation of bone disorders, including osteoporosis and renal osteodystrophy. Thirteen CKD patients (stage II–IV), referred to our clinic over a 12-month period, were identified as having taken bisphosphonates from 4 to >60 months after a diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis. All patients underwent biopsies of trabecular bone from the iliac crest following oral administration of time-separated doses of doxycycline and tetracycline. Bone pathology was assessed after processing for mineralized histology. For all patients, clinical data collection included assessment of likely causes of kidney disease, MDRD glomerular filtration rate, calcium-phosphate product, intact PTH level, alkaline phosphatase, and bisphosphonate exposure. All 13 patients were diagnosed with adynamic bone on biopsy evaluation. Eleven biopsies revealed decreased cancellous bone mass; 8 showed decreased osteoid surface; 8 disclosed decreased osteoid thickness, and all 13 demonstrated low or low-normal osteoclast/osteoblast interface. Assessment of dynamic bone formation demonstrated decreased or absent single- or double-labeled osteoid in all 13 bone specimens. Based on these observations, the use of bisphosphonates in CKD cannot be recommended.
Reduced NO-cGMP Signaling Contributes to Vascular Inflammation and Insulin Resistance Induced by High-Fat Feeding
Authors: Rizzo Norma O. , Maloney Ezekiel , Pham Matilda , Luttrell Ian , Wessells Hunter , Tateya Sanshiro , Daum Guenter , Handa Priya , Schwartz Michael W. , Kim Francis
Published: January 2010

Objective—

Diet-induced obesity (DIO) in mice causes vascular inflammation and insulin resistance that are accompanied by decreased endothelial-derived NO production. We sought to determine whether reduced NO-cGMP signaling contributes to the deleterious effects of DIO on the vasculature and, if so, whether these effects can be blocked by increased vascular NO-cGMP signaling.

Methods and Results—

By using an established endothelial cell culture model of insulin resistance, exposure to palmitate, 100 μmol/L, for 3 hours induced both cellular inflammation (activation of IKKβ–nuclear factor-κB) and impaired insulin signaling via the insulin receptor substrate–phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway. Sensitivity to palmitate-induced endothelial inflammation and insulin resistance was increased when NO signaling was reduced using an endothelial NO synthase inhibitor, whereas endothelial responses to palmitate were blocked by pretreatment with either an NO donor or a cGMP analogue. To investigate whether endogenous NO-cGMP signaling protects against vascular responses to nutrient excess in vivo, adult male mice lacking endothelial NO synthase were studied. As predicted, both vascular inflammation (phosphorylated IκBα and intercellular adhesion molecule levels) and insulin resistance (phosphorylated Akt [pAkt] and phosphorylated eNOS [peNOS] levels) were increased in endothelial NO synthase
−/−
(eNOS
−/−
) mice, reminiscent of the effect of DIO in wild-type controls. Next, we asked whether the vascular response to DIO in wild-type mice can be reversed by a pharmacological increase of cGMP signaling. C57BL6 mice were either fed a high-fat diet or remained on a low-fat diet for 8 weeks. During the final 2 weeks of the study, mice on each diet received either placebo or the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor sildenafil, 10 mg/kg per day orally. In high-fat diet–fed mice, vascular inflammation and insulin resistance were completely prevented by sildenafil administration at a dose that had no effect in mice fed the low-fat diet.

Conclusion—

Reduced signaling via the NO-cGMP pathway is a mediator of vascular inflammation and insulin resistance during overnutrition induced by high-fat feeding. Therefore, phosphodiesterase-5, soluble guanylyl cyclase, and other molecules in the NO-cGMP pathway (eg, protein kinase G) constitute potential targets for the treatment of vascular dysfunction in the setting of obesity.
Intake of Red Wine Increases the Number and Functional Capacity of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells by Enhancing Nitric Oxide Bioavailability
Authors: Huang Po-Hsun , Chen Yung-Hsiang , Tsai Hsiao-Ya , Chen Jia-Shiong , Wu Tao-Cheng , Lin Feng-Yen , Sata Masataka , Chen Jaw-Wen , Lin Shing-Jong
Published: January 2010

Objective—

Red wine (RW) consumption has been associated with a reduction of cardiovascular events, but limited data are available on potential mediating mechanisms. This study tested the hypothesis that intake of RW may promote the circulating endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) level and function through enhancement of nitric oxide bioavailability.

Methods and Results—

Eighty healthy, young subjects were randomized and assigned to consume water (100 mL), RW (100 mL), beer (250 mL), or vodka (30 mL) daily for 3 weeks. Flow cytometry was used to quantify circulating EPC numbers, and in vitro assays were used to evaluate EPC functions. After RW ingestion, endothelial function determined by flow-mediated vasodilation was significantly enhanced; however, it remained unchanged after water, beer, or vodka intake. There were significantly increased numbers of circulating EPC (defined as KDR
+
CD133
+
, CD34
+
CD133
+
, CD34
+
KDR
+
) and EPC colony-forming units only in the RW group (all
P
<0.05). Only RW ingestion significantly enhanced plasma levels of nitric oxide and decreased asymmetrical dimethylarginine (both
P
<0.01). Incubation of EPC with RW (but not beer or ethanol) and resveratrol in vitro attenuated tumor necrosis factor-α–induced EPC senescence and improved tumor necrosis factor-α–suppressed EPC functions and tube formation. Incubation with nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside significantly ameliorated the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-α on EPC proliferation, but incubation with endothelial nitric oxide synthase inhibitor
l
-NAME and PI3K inhibitor markedly attenuated the effect of RW on EPC proliferation.

Conclusion—

The intake of RW significantly enhanced circulating EPC levels and improved EPC functions by modifying nitric oxide bioavailability. These findings may help explain the beneficial effects of RW on the cardiovascular system. This study demonstrated that a moderate intake of RW can enhance circulating levels of EPC in healthy subjects by increasing nitric oxide availability. Direct incubation of EPC with RW and resveratrol can modify the functions of EPC, including attenuation of senescence and promotion of EPC adhesion, migration, and tube formation. These data suggest that RW ingestion may alter the biology of EPC, and these alterations may contribute to its unique cardiovascular-protective effect.
Glibenclamide Is Superior to Decompressive Craniectomy in a Rat Model of Malignant Stroke
Authors: Simard J. Marc , Tsymbalyuk Natalia , Tsymbalyuk Orest , Ivanova Svetlana , Yurovsky Vladimir , Gerzanich Volodymyr
Published: January 2010

Background and Purpose—

Treating patients with malignant cerebral infarctions remains a major unsolved problem in medicine. Decompressive craniectomy (DC) improves the bleak outlook but is suboptimal. Using a rat model of severe ischemia/reperfusion with very high mortality due to malignant cerebral edema, we tested the hypothesis that blocking of sulfonylurea receptor 1–regulated NC
Ca-ATP
channels with glibenclamide would compare favorably to DC when reperfusion and treatment were begun 6 hours after onset of ischemia.

Methods—

Male Wistar rats underwent filament occlusion of the middle cerebral artery to reduce laser Doppler flowmetry perfusion signals by >75%, with filament removal plus treatment 6 hours later. In rats treated with vehicle versus glibenclamide (10 μg/kg IP plus 200 ng/h SC), we compared mortality, neurologic function, and brain swelling at 24 hours. In rats treated with DC versus glibenclamide, we compared neurologic function for 2 weeks and histologic outcomes.

Results—

Compared with vehicle, glibenclamide treatment reduced 24-hour mortality from 67% to 5% and reduced hemispheric swelling at 24 hours from 21% to 8%. DC eliminated 24-hour mortality, but neurologic function during the next 2 weeks was significantly better with glibenclamide compared with DC. Watershed cortex and deep white matter were significantly better preserved with glibenclamide compared with DC.

Conclusions—

In a rat model of severe ischemia/reperfusion, with reperfusion and treatment beginning 6 hours after onset of ischemia, glibenclamide is as effective as DC in preventing death from malignant cerebral edema but is superior to DC in preserving neurologic function and the integrity of watershed cortex and deep white matter.
A Gaussian Attractor Network for Memory and Recognition with Experience-Dependent Learning
Authors: Hu Xiaolin , Zhang Bo
Published: January 2010

Attractor networks are widely believed to underlie the memory systems of animals across different species. Existing models have succeeded in qualitatively modeling properties of attractor dynamics, but their computational abilities often suffer from poor representations for realistic complex patterns, spurious attractors, low storage capacity, and difficulty in identifying attractive fields of attractors. We propose a simple two-layer architecture, gaussian attractor network, which has no spurious attractors if patterns to be stored are uncorrelated and can store as many patterns as the number of neurons in the output layer. Meanwhile the attractive fields can be precisely quantified and manipulated. Equipped with experience-dependent unsupervised learning strategies, the network can exhibit both discrete and continuous attractor dynamics. A testable prediction based on numerical simulations is that there exist neurons in the brain that can discriminate two similar stimuli at first but cannot after extensive exposure to physically intermediate stimuli. Inspired by this network, we found that adding some local feedbacks to a well-known hierarchical visual recognition model, HMAX, can enable the model to reproduce some recent experimental results related to high-level visual perception.
Rural Development in Malaysia-Issues and Problems Conf ronting MADA, FELDA and RISDA1
Authors: Kwan Alex Yui-Huen
Published: January 2010

Asia is predominantly a rural society. And yet, a quarter century ago, when the Asian countries emerged as politically independent nations from centuries of colonial rule, they adopted a development model2 which was indifferent if not inimical to rural development. Support for this model, which essentially permitted continuation of existing international economic relationships, came from two external sources-the developed countries of the West and the developed centrally planned countries.3 Recent years have also witnessed a heightened concern in the Third World countries over the problem of economic development. In most developing countries, past development efforts appear to have failed to bring about a real development breakthrough. Yet the recent spate of world economic crises, associated with global inflation-cum-recession, oil price increases, food shortages, instabilities in the world commodity markets, have hit many developing countries very hard, especially those in South Asia which have actually experienced a reduction in average per capita living standards over the past few years. In Malaysia, some even suggested that although money income has gone up, there are disquieting signs that the quality of life is deteriorating and that many people are finding it more and more difficult to satisfy their basic needs.4 Then the crisis of the world's agriculture and its peasant masses had led to the proposal of a number of development strategies in the rural areas (i.e. Redistribution of land; Abolition of rents and tenant arrangements; Landholding reform; Intensification of peasant agriculture; Family farms; Cooperatives; and Collective farms, etc.), all of which have been tried with more or less success in different parts of the world. Within this paper, we will specially look at the rural development efforts of Malaysia, especially some of the issues and problems encountered by some of it's rural development programmes.
Population Education and China: P rospects for the One Child Family
Authors: Fraser Stewart E.
Published: January 2010

We must conscientiously carry out ideological, educational and technical work as well as child care and health work throughout the country so that people can practise family planning willingly, safely and effectively, practical measures should be taken to reward couples who limit themselves to a single child and gradually to institute social insurance for aged people who are childless ... This year, we must do everything we can to lower the country's population growth rate to about 10 per thousand and we must continue to lower it year by year in the future. By 1985, it should drop to 5 per thousand. * Premier Hua Guofeng: Report on the Work of the Government, Beijing, June 25, 1979.
Crime and Socio-Economic Change in Hong Kong
Authors: Traver Harold
Published: January 2010

Expanded crime has been linked with increasing affluence in the United States and Europe, the dislocation of tribal peoples in Africa, and a widening disparity between rich and poor in Latin America. In short, it appears that virtually any part of the world that has been touched by urbanization, industrialization, and economic development must expect increases in crime and delinquency (Cf. Wolf, 1971, Christiansen, 1960). However, crime in Asia has received somewhat less than its fair share of attention. The assumption appears to be that in contrast to other parts of the world a unique combination of cultural values has enabled many Asian countries to maintain low rates of crime in the face of extensive social and economic change (Cf. Schmitt, 1963; Canter and Canter, 1971, and Behrman, 1976). While there can be little doubt that the level of crime in Asian countries is generally below that found in advanced western industrial societies, this is not to say that significant increases in crime have not been observed. Hong Kong is a case in point. More than most societies Hong Kong has managed to successfully compress a great deal of social and economic change into a relatively brief period of time, and during this same period Hong Kong has also experienced pronounced increases in many types of crime. This article reports on an effort to measure trends in crime in Hong Kong and determine what social and economic forces might lie back of these trends. Concentrating on the relation between crime trends and social and economic change shifts attention away from the offender to the offense. Individual motivations obviously has a role to play in crime, but this alone cannot adequately explain why the volume of crime changes over time or why it should apparently be higher in one country than in another. Viewed in this way crime begins to take on a wider significance than if it were merely an expression of personal characteristics or an abberation existing in what would otherwise be a healthy society. Among other things, the magnitude to crime in society and the direction it is moving in may serve as an important means for better understanding how society itself works and what is happening to it.
Impact of Policy on the Family: Can the Family Be Strengthened by Legislation?
Authors: Quah Stella R.
Published: January 2010

The present interest on the family in Singapore is shared by other countries. There is continuous discussion on the effects of legislation on the family both in Europe and in the United States. The concern is primarily with family well-being and with the search for effective strategies to attain it. This search leads to the question: can the family be strengthened by legislation? The aim of this paper is to suggest a qualified answer to this question based on our own and other nations' experiences. The discussion will be divided into three parts. The first part is a brief review of what is meant by family and family policy. The second part deals with the situation of family and policy in Singapore and discusses some direct and indirect policies affecting the family. The third and final part draws some lessons for the 1980s.
The White Man's Burden and Brown Humanity: Colonialism and Ethnicity in British Malaya
Authors: Stockwell A.J.
Published: January 2010

Ethnicity is one of several boundary phenomena (another is class) marking out groups within society. Ethnic identity may be perceived according to a variety of terms such as race, culture, religion, language or according to the place of origin of the group's members. In the colonial context the most obvious boundary was between Europeans and non-Europeans. Cast into an alien environment, Europeans acquired a self-awareness and a corporate sense, and the first part of this paper deals with this colonial experience, including the alienation of the individual, the growth of white tribalism and the emergence of a colonial ideology which was partly common to the empire as a whole and partly peculiar to Malaya. I then turn to examine European perceptions of non-Europeans (especially Malays) and the way ethnic attitudes affected colonial administration. I conclude by briefly considering the British influence upon the Malay's image of themselves.
The Stowe Enigma: Decoding the Mystery
Authors: Coffey Brendan
Published: January 2010

The Stowe Missal is something of an enigma for the modern scholar. In attempting to decode this enigma, we discover that two avenues of investigation open up before us. We can treat the Stowe Missal as the exemplar of a Celtic liturgical tradition, but we are hampered in this approach by the fact that Stowe is a lone example of this tradition. Alternatively, we can examine this missal as an insular example in the wider western liturgical tradition and see what this has to tell us about the liturgical practice of the ninth-century Irish Church. This is the approach adopted in this article.
Kierkegaard and Levinas on More Perfect Human Love
Authors: Casey Thomas G.
Published: January 2010

The article examines how both Søren Kierkegaard and Emmanuel Levinas offer a challenging vision of human love, a demanding paradigm that is radical and uncompromising in its demands. Although their prophetic stance is admirable, the author argues that both thinkers tend to divorce eros from agape. In their later writings especially, they prefer to set aside eros altogether, even though there is an occasional and grudging acknowledgment of its value. But as a rule they refuse to recognize any kinship between these two kinds of love, and instead treat them as distinct realities. Thus they fail to offer an adequate depiction of human love in all its fullness, and their contribution needs to be complemented by an approach that affirms the similarities between these two types of love without thereby denying the enduring differences between them.
The Flesh of the Church: De Lubac, Marion, and the Site of the Phenomenality of Givenness
Authors: Halloran Nathan
Published: January 2010

Jean-Luc Marion’s debt to Henri de Lubac is significant, particularly regarding his theology of the Eucharist. However, de Lubac’s ecclesiology, I believe, can also be substantially enriched by coming into contact with the philosophical categories of Marion’s thought, particularly his notion of the saturated phenomena. The purpose of this article is to explore what this enrichment would look like, and how the wedding of these minds in the field of ecclesiology offers a new contribution to contemporary thinking about the Church. The article begins with an analysis of de Lubac’s rich theological thought, and then turns to Marion in order to explore the contribution of his new philosophical categories for de Lubac’s theological thought.
Bishops and Presbyters in Early Christian Ireland
Authors: de Bhaldraithe Eoin
Published: January 2010

The description of the first order of saints in the Catalogus Sanctorum Hiberniae gives witness to very early church traditions. One infers that Christianity was already established in Ireland by 400 CE. Every church had a bishop. One of them became ‘first bishop’, or primate. This was initially the Patrick of the Confessio. The next primate was Palladius, also called ‘ Second Patrick’ and ‘Old Patrick.’ Presbyters lived with the bishop in the main church and travelled to the ‘kills’ for Sunday services. There was also a shadowy figure of power, sometimes called the princeps and sometimes the abbot. Conventual abbots, unlike the Roman type, were priests. By the second millennium, many features of the Irish church seemed abusive to outsiders but they witness to traditions inherited from earlier times.
Clozapine: Agonistic and Antagonistic Salivary Secretory Actions
Authors: Ekström J. , Godoy T. , Riva A.
Published: January 2010

Individuals receiving clozapine treatment for schizophrenia complain of drooling. Reports on salivary flow measurements are contradictory in humans and lacking in animals. Clozapine has affinity for several different receptor types and may, hypothetically, both stimulate and inhibit salivary secretion. In rats, intravenous clozapine evoked a long-lasting secretion, being more prominent from submandibular than from parotid glands. Chronic denervation enhanced the responses. Clozapine acted on muscarinic (M1-) receptors of acinar cells, independent of central nervous mechanisms, pre-synaptic intraglandular events, or circulating catecholamines. A fraction of the methacholine- and parasympathetic-nerve-evoked secretion was abolished by clozapine at doses below those evoking secretion. Sympathetic-nerve-evoked secretion was partially reduced by clozapine, due to antagonistic action on α-adrenoceptors; the β-adrenoceptor-mediated response persisted. Subsecretory doses of clozapine enhanced secretion induced by the β-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline. The overall actions of clozapine suggest that, in clozapine-treated humans, salivation is increased during sleep and at rest, but is decreased during meals.
Fentanyl Transdermal Absorption Linked to Pharmacokinetic Characteristics in Patients Undergoing Palliative Care
Authors: Van Nimmen Nadine F. J. , Poels Katrien L. C. , Menten Joannes J. , Godderis Lode , Veulemans Hendrik A. F.
Published: January 2010

Delivery rates and plasma concentrations vary among patients treated with fentanyl patches. Absorption and urinary excretion characteristics of fentanyl were studied in patients undergoing palliative care. Almost 500 patches were analyzed for residual fentanyl content. Fentanyl and norfentanyl levels were determined in the urine of 50 patients. General and mixed effects linear regression models were established for the relationship between fentanyl dose rate and urinary excretion and to incorporate influencing factors. For different patch nominal dose strengths, wide but comparable variability in estimated dose rate and delivery efficiency was observed (coefficients of variation of 15% to 17%). Fentanyl delivery efficiency was 8.5% higher for patches of 25 μg/h as compared to 75 μg/h and, accordingly, 7.5% for patch application on the arm as compared to the leg. Urinary fentanyl and norfentanyl concentrations varied considerably. The general linear model revealed a positive effect of the calculated transdermal dose rate on urinary fentanyl levels, explaining 34% of the variability (P< .0001). In addition, gender (P= .04) and type of cancer pathology (P= .03) exerted significant effects on the linear model, explaining 40% and 64% of the variability, respectively. Delivery efficiency of fentanyl patches can vary substantially, possibly leading to either underdosing or overdosing.
Formula Induces Intestinal Apoptosis in Preterm Pigs Within a Few Hours of Feeding
Authors: Oste Marijke , Van Haver Els , Thymann Thomas , Sangild Per , Weyns André , Van Ginneken Christa J.
Published: January 2010

Background: Nutrition regimens influence postnatal small intestinal development, which shows prominent changes after 6 hours of suckling. Such influences are particularly important in preterm neonates as inappropriate feeding responses may predispose to gastrointestinal disorders such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The authors investigated the early morphological responses to enteral feeding, prior to the time period when a large proportion of preterm pigs normally develop clinical NEC symptoms. Methods: Preterm piglets (106‐107 days of gestation) were fed parenteral nutrition (PN) for 2 days with or without a subsequent 8‐hour or 17‐hour period of enteral nutrition (EN) with sow's colostrum or formula. Another group of piglets was delivered at 108–109 days of gestation and used for comparison to PN pigs before enteral feeding. Stereological measurements of the mucosal surface density and the volume densities of the tunica mucosa, tunica muscularis, proliferative, and apoptotic cells were made and related to microscopical NEC‐lesion score. In addition, villus length and crypt depth were measured. Results: PN‐fed piglets showed minimal PN‐induced mucosal atrophy, although their crypts were deeper, together with lower cell proliferation and higher apoptotic indices, than newborn (NB) unfed piglets. After PN, enteral feeding with colostrum, for just 8 hours, induced a rapid increase in the mucosal volume density while formula feeding was associated with an elevated number of both proliferating and apoptotic cells and a higher NEC lesion score than PN‐ or colostrum‐fed pigs. Conclusion: Enteral feeding of formula, for only a few hours, induces rapid enterocyte turnover and mucosal structural changes that may predispose to later development of NEC.
Parenteral Amino Acid Intakes in Critically Ill Children
Authors: Verbruggen Sascha , Sy Jama , Arrivillaga Ana , Joosten Koen , van Goudoever Johaness , Castillo Leticia
Published: January 2010

Background: Parenteral and enteral amino acid requirements for nutrition balance and function have not been defined in critically ill children or adults. In addition to playing a role in protein synthesis, amino acids trigger signaling cascades that regulate various aspects of fuel and energy metabolism and serve as precursors for important substrates. Amino acids can also be toxic. In this study, parenteral intakes of essential and nonessential amino acids (EAAs and NEAAs) supplied to critically ill children were assessed as an initial step for further studies aimed at establishing parenteral amino acid requirements. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted to assess intakes of parenteral amino acid for 116 critically ill children, and these intakes were compared with EAA intakes recommended by the Institute of Medicine. Because there are no recommended intakes for NEAA, NEAA intakes were compared with mixed muscle protein content in the older children and breast milk amino acid content in the infants. Results: Parenteral EAAs were provided in amounts that exceeded recommended intakes for healthy children, except for phenylalanine and methionine, which although excessive, were given in less generous amounts. NEAAs were supplied in lower or higher amounts than the content of mixed muscle proteins or breast milk. Parenteral amino acid formulas are limited in taurine, glutamine, and asparagine despite the fact that inflammatory/immune proteins are rich in these amino acids. Conclusions: Amino acid composition of parenteral formulas is variable and lacks scientific support. Parenteral amino acid intakes should be based on measured requirements to maintain nutrition and functional balance and on knowledge of toxicity.
Domain analysis with text mining: Analysis of digital library research trends using profiling methods
Authors: Jae Yun Lee  , Kim Heejung , Pan Jun Kim
Published: January 2010

This study analysed the research domain ‘digital library’ from the perspective of library and information science. The authors searched keywords digital library/digital libraries in database LISA from 1994 to 2008. Fifty-four journals and 120 descriptors were selected and analysed with profiling, parallel nearest neighbour clustering and cluster-based network methods. Phase 1 included fundamental research (with main descriptor electronic media); Phase 2 research was related to user studies; Phase 3 research was related to metadata.
A knowledge-driven shift in perception of ICT implementation barriers: Comparative study of US and European SMEs
Authors: Wielicki Tom , Arendt Lukasz
Published: January 2010

This paper reports on findings of a comparative study conducted among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the USA, Spain, Portugal and Poland regarding different aspects of the business digital divide. Specifically, this study explores a shift in the perception and ranking of barriers to implementation of information and communication technology (ICT)-based solutions among SMEs, which can be attributed to the degree of ICT readiness exhibited by a given country. We have verified a hypothesis that the more knowledge-based a given economy is (as measured by ICT indexes), the more likely it is that perception of the key ICT implementation barriers among SMEs will shift away from mere lack of funds and technology toward lack of knowledge, education and information system planning. The conclusion of this study may well serve a better distribution of resources allocated by the governments to overcome the business digital divide that limits productivity of so many SMEs.
Commodity Culture and Porous Socio-Religious Boundaries
Authors: Mehta Shalina
Published: January 2010

Based on fieldwork, this article portrays the deep influence exercised by modern media on the women in a Muslim neighbourhood in Delhi during the past 30 years. While visual media consumption was earlier largely tabooed and restricted, today’s consumers of media products appear significantly influenced by a media-driven com-modification of culture. The research findings indicate that a revision of ‘traditional’ assumptions about the lifestyles and thought patterns of Muslim women, at least in this particular neighbourhood in Delhi, is required to understand the current daily realities of Muslim women’s lives in South Asia.