bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phagocytosis of apoptotic inflammatory cells by microglia and its therapeutic implications: Termination of CNS autoimmune inflammation and modulation by interferon‐beta
Authors: Chan Andrew , Seguin Rosanne , Magnus Tim , Papadimitriou Christina , Toyka Klaus V. , Antel Jack P. , Gold Ralf
Published: July 2003

Apoptosis of autoaggressive T‐cells in the CNS is an effective, noninflammatory mechanism for the resolution of T‐cell infiltrates, contributing to clinical recovery in T‐cell‐mediated neuroinflammatory diseases. The clearance of apoptotic leukocytes by tissue‐specific phagocytes is critical in the resolution of the inflammatory infiltrate and leads to a profound downregulation of phagocyte immune functions. Adult human microglia from surgically removed normal brain tissue was used in a standardized, light‐microscopic in vitro phagocytosis assay of apoptotic autologous peripheral blood‐derived mononuclear cells (MNCs). Microglia from five different patients had a high capacity for the uptake of apoptotic MNCs in contrast to nonapoptotic target cells with the phagocytosis rate for nonapoptotic MNCs amounting to only 61.6% of the apoptotic MNCs. A newly described phosphatidylserine receptor, critical in the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages, is also expressed at similar levels on human microglia. The effects of the therapeutically used immunomodulatory agent interferon‐beta (IFNβ) were investigated using Lewis rat microglia and apoptotic, encephalitogenic, myelin basic protein‐specific autologous T‐cells. Also, rat microglia had a high capacity to phagocytose apoptotic T‐cells specifically. IFNβ increased the phagocytosis of apoptotic T‐cells to 36.8% above the untreated controls. The enhanced phagocytic activity was selective for apoptotic T‐cells and was not mediated by increased IL‐10 secretion. Apoptotic inflammatory cells may be efficiently and rapidly removed by microglial cells in the autoimmune‐inflamed human CNS. The in vitro increase of phagocytosis by IFNβ merits further investigations whether this mechanism could also be therapeutically exploited. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cytokine, chemokine and growth factor gene profiling of cultured human astrocytes after exposure to proinflammatory stimuli
Authors: Meeuwsen Sonja , Persoon‐Deen Carla , Bsibsi Malika , Ravid Rivka , Noort Johannes M. Van
Published: July 2003

Astrocytes play key roles in CNS development, inflammation, and repair by producing a wide variety of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. Understanding the regulation of this network is important for a full understanding of astrocyte functioning. In this study, expression levels of 268 genes encoding cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and their receptors were established in cultured human adult astrocytes using cDNA arrays. Also, changes in this gene profile were determined following stimulation with TNFα, IL‐1β, and IFNγ. The data obtained reveal a highly reproducible pattern of gene expression not only between different astrocyte cultures from a single source, but also between astrocytes from different donors. They also identify several gene products not previously described for human astrocytes, including a.o. IL‐17, CD70, CD147, and BIGH3. When stimulated with TNFα astrocytes respond with increased expression of several genes, notably including those encoding the chemokines CCL2 (MCP‐1), CCL5 (RANTES), and CXCL8 (IL‐8), growth factors including BMP‐2A, BMP‐3, neuromodulin (GAP43), BDNF, and G‐CSF, and receptors such as the CRF receptor, the calcitonin receptor (CTR), and TKT. The response to IL‐1β involves largely the same range of genes, but responses were blunted in comparison to the TNFα response. Treatment with IFNγ had no or only marginal effects on expression of any of the 268 genes analyzed. Astrocytes treated with a mixture of all three stimuli together displayed responses that are largely similar to those found in response to TNFα or IL‐1β alone, with only few additional synergistic effects. The Supplementary Material referred to in this article can be found at the GLIA website (http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/0894‐1491/suppmat/2003/v43.html) © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Microglia density decreases with age in a mouse model of Huntington's disease
Authors: Ma Li , Morton A. Jennifer , Nicholson Louise F.B.
Published: July 2003

Huntington's disease (HD) is characterized by selective neuronal loss and reactive gliosis. In the R6/2 transgenic HD mouse model, there is no selective cell loss, although astrocytosis has been reported. Since there have been no previous studies on microglia in this model, we have undertaken a detailed investigation of microglia in six different forebrain regions in the R6/2 mouse and their wild‐type littermates at two time points. Microglia were identified using the histochemical marker isolectin B4 and interactions of genotype, region, and age were analyzed. Results showed that there was a significant decrease in the number of microglia with age in both wild‐type and R6/2 brains, which was more pronounced in the transgenic mouse. There were also morphological changes with age observed in both genotypes. As early as 7 weeks of age, structural microglial abnormalities could be seen in R6/2 brains, including bulbous swellings and long stringy processes; comparable changes were seen at 16 weeks in wild‐type brains. At 14.5 weeks, microglia in R6/2 mouse brains were smaller in size with condensed nuclei and fragmentation of their processes. We suggest that the density and morphology of microglia change with normal aging and that this process is accelerated in R6/2 brains. Such changes in the dynamic status of microglia may lead to an impairment of their neurosupportive functions. Further studies are needed to understand better the role of microglia in aging and neurodegeneration. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Binding of an antibody against a noncompact myelin protein to presumptive glial cells in the visual system of the crab Ucides cordatus
Authors: Da Silva Simone Florim , Bressan Cristine M. , Cavalcante Leny A. , Allodi Silvana
Published: July 2003

Glial cells, in both vertebrate and invertebrate nervous systems, provide an essential environment for developmental, supportive, and physiological functions. However, information on glial cells themselves and on glial cell markers, with the exception of those of Drosophila and other insects, is not abundant in invertebrate organisms. A common ultrastructural feature of invertebrate nervous systems is that layers of glial cell cytoplasm‐rich processes ensheath axons and neuronal and glial somata. In the present study, we have examined the binding of a monoclonal antibody to 2′,3′‐cyclic nucleotide 3′‐phosphodiesterase (CNPase) in the compound eye and optic lobe of the crab Ucides cordatus using both light and electron microscopy. CNPase is a noncompact myelin protein that is a phenotypic marker of oligodendroglial and Schwann cells, is apparently involved in the ensheathment step prior to myelin compaction, and is also expressed by the potentially myelinating olfactory ensheathing glia. CNPase has raised much interest, first by virtue of its unusual enzymatic activity and more recently by its membrane‐skeletal features and possible involvement in migration or expansion of membranes. We have found CNPase‐like immunoreactivity in most cells of the compound eye basement membrane and both in optic cartridges of the synaptic layer and cells of the outer sublayer of the lamina ganglionaris. The results suggest that in the crab visual system some, but not all, glial cells, including some adaxonal glia, may express the noncompact myelin protein CNPase or a related protein. GLIA 9999:000–000, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reducing stigma and discrimination against older people with mental disorders: a technical consensus statement
Authors: Graham Nori , Lindesay James , Katona Cornelius , Bertolote José Manoel , Camus Vincent , Copeland John R. M. , de Mendonça Lima Carlos A. , Gaillard Michel , Gély Nargeot Marie Christine , Gray John , Jacobsson Lars , Kingma Mireille , Kühne Nicolas , O'Loughlin Anne , Rutz Wolfgang , Saraceno Benedetto , Taintor Zebulon , Wancata Johannes
Published: July 2003

This technical consensus statement is jointly produced by the Old Age Psychiatry section of the World Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization, with the collaboration of several NGOs and the participation of experts from different Regions.

It is intended to be a tool for (i) promoting debate at all levels on the stigmatisation of older people with mental disorders; (ii) outlining the nature, causes and consequences of this stigmatisation; and (iii) promoting and suggesting policies, programmes and actions to combat this stigmatisation. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stigma and discrimination against older people with mental disorders in Europe
Authors: de Mendonça Lima Carlos A. , Levav Itzhak , Jacobsson Lars , Rutz Wolfgang
Published: July 2003

Background and objectives

The European Office of the World Health Organization (WHO/EURO) has established a Task Force On Destigmatization. Upon the release of the Technical Statement on Old Age Psychiatry ‘Reducing stigma and discrimination against older people with mental disorders’, the Task Force run a small survey in two European subregions to investigate the extent of stigma and discrimination with reference to the elderly person affected from a psychiatric disorder in the countries of those subregions.

Methods

WHO/EURO mental health counterparts completed a short questionnaire inquiring on the inclusion of epidemiological studies on the elderly in their country's research program; the time devoted to the teaching to old age psychiatry during psychiatric residence; the degree of coverage of services for the elderly person and their caregivers; and the extent of stigma present in society with regard to three psychiatric disorders.

Results

Stigma and discrimination seem to be present both in the health sector and among the public at large.

Conclusion

The development of effective health and social facilities to support older persons with mental disorders should be a high priority of any strategy to reduce stigma and discrimination. These facilities should coordinate their efforts with those of other sectors of society to reach the highest possible impact. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Teaching and training in old age psychiatry: a general survey of the World Psychiatric Association member societies
Authors: Camus Vincent , Katona Cornelius , de Mendonça Lima Carlos Augusto , Abdel Hakam Addul Moneim , Graham Nori , Baldwin Robert , Tataru Nicoletta , Chiu Edmond
Published: July 2003

Objective

One of the main goals of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) section on old age psychiatry is to promote its discipline and consequently to help member societies to promote and develop locally specific medical education programmes in old age psychiatry. In order to target its support to the needs expressed by the member societies, the section conducted a survey within the WPA during the year 2001.

Method

A questionnaire was sent to each of the 116 WPA member societies in 93 countries. It assessed the level of development of medical education in old age psychiatry in each country, as well as the perceived needs in educational material.

Results

Answers were obtained from 50 WPA member societies (response rate 54%) from 48 countries (response rate 52%). The existence of specific old age psychiatry services was reported in 40 (83%) countries, but the discipline is recognized as a subspecialty in only 13 (27%). Formal teaching in old age psychiatry was reported at the undergraduate level in 44 (92%) countries. Specific learning objectives for postgraduate training were reported in 30 (86%) of the countries where the discipline is not yet recognized as a subspecialty. Specific Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs were however reported in only 50% of the countries. Support for the development of educational material was mostly thought to be useful at the postgraduate level. Depression, dementia, psychopharmacology and psychotherapy were among the most frequently cited areas in which educational material might be usefully provided.

Conclusion

Support for the development of postgraduate training is seen as the most pressing need by WPA member societies. Such support could help to increase the level of recognition of the discipline locally and hence provide more effective support to older people with mental disorders. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Opioid treatment for agitation in patients with advanced dementia
Authors: Manfredi Paolo L , Breuer Brenda , Wallenstein Sylvan , Stegmann Marian , Bottomley Gail , Libow Leslie
Published: July 2003

Background

Some patients with advanced dementia cannot convey the experience of pain verbally and may react to pain with aggressive and agitated behaviors. We hypothesized that unrecognized pain could contribute to agitation and that low dose opioid therapy might reduce agitation by reducing pain. We therefore attempted to determine the effect of opioids on agitation in demented patients.

Methods

We administered placebo for 4 weeks and a long‐acting opioid for another 4 weeks to nursing home patients with advanced dementia and severe agitation despite treatment with psychotropic drugs. Patients and study nurses did not know if the medication administered was placebo or opioid. We measured the Cohen‐Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) score at baseline and every two weeks.

Results

Among 47 patients who entered the study, 25 completed the two phases. The median age for the 25 patients was 85.5 years. Analyses of the data of these 25 patients and of the patients <85 years‐old showed no significant differences in agitation level between the placebo and opioid phases. However, among the 13 patients who completed the study and were ≥85 years old, the agitation level at the end of the opioid phase was significantly lower than at the end of the placebo phase (mean change in CMAI score: −6.4; 95% confidence interval (CI): −10.96, −1.8). The decrease in agitation in the patients ≥85 years old persisted after adjusting for sedation. The results remained unchanged when we expanded the analyses to include four ≥85 patients who dropped out of the study after the second week of the opioid phase.

Conclusion

Low dose, long‐acting opioids can lessen agitation that is difficult to control in very old (≥85) patients with advanced dementia. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can IQCODE detect poststroke dementia?
Authors: Tang Wai Kwong , Chan Sandra S. M. , Chiu Helen F. K. , Wong Ka Sing , Kwok Timothy C. Y. , Mok Vincent , Ungvari Gabor S.
Published: July 2003

Background

Little is known about the performance of the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) in the screening of post‐stroke dementia (PSDE).

Methods

At 3 months after the index stroke, a research assistant administered the IQCODE to relatives of 189 Chinese patients with acute stroke who were consecutively admitted to a general hospital. A psychiatrist, who was blind to the IQCODE scores, interviewed all 189 patients and made DSM‐IV diagnosis of dementia, which served as the benchmark for judging the performance of IQCODE in screening PSDE.

Results

The optimal cut‐off point of IQCODE was 3.40. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of IQCODE, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, were 88%, 75%, 33%, 98%, and 0.88, respectively.

Conclusions

When used as a sole instrument, IQCODE does not appear to be useful in screening PSDE in Chinese elderly. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prevalence of dementia in a semi‐urban population in Sri Lanka: report from a regional survey
Authors: Silva H. A. de , Gunatilake S. B. , Smith A. D.
Published: July 2003

Background

The prevalence of dementia in Sri Lanka, which has a rapidly ageing population, is unknown.

Objective

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias in a semi‐urban elderly Sinhala‐speaking population in Ragama, Sri Lanka.

Methods

The study was conducted in two phases. Phase I: After informed consent 703 subjects aged ≥65 years from the study area (population 15 828) were screened for cognitive impairment using the Sinhalese Mini Mental State Examination. Subjects scoring ≤17 were regarded as suspected dementia cases. Phase II: All subjects who screened positive in phase I were included in phase II for detailed evaluation for dementia according DSM IV and NINCDS‐ADRDA criteria which included structured neuropsychiatric assessment, laboratory investigations, an axial CT scan of the brain and an informant interview.

Results

In the study sample, 61% were female and 86% were between 65–75 years. 42 subjects screened positive in phase I. Of these, 28 subjects were diagnosed as having dementia, giving an overall prevalence rate of 3.98% (95% Confidence Intervals (CI) =2.6−5.7%). Of these, 20 (71.4%) had probable AD, four had vascular dementia (14.3%), two had mixed (vascular and AD) dementia (7.1%), one had Lewy body dementia, and one had dementia due to syphilis. Greater age, illiteracy and female gender were associated with higher prevalence of dementia.

Conclusion

Comparison with other community studies performed in North India suggests that dementia prevalence is higher in Sri Lanka. This may be due to regional differences in disease incidence. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A UK survey of psychiatric services for older people in general hospitals
Authors: Holmes John , Bentley Kris , Cameron Ian
Published: July 2003

Background

Psychiatric illness is common in older people in general hospitals, but little is known of the service models operating in the UK, or of the views of old age psychiatrists regarding service provision in this area. We set out to determine the range of UK old age psychiatry service models for older people in general hospital wards, and the opinions of clinicians on future service priorities and development.

Method

A postal questionnaire survey of old age psychiatrists providing psychiatric services to older people in general hospital wards.

Results

73% of services were provided through a generic, sector‐based, consultation psychiatry model. The remaining 27% employed a range of general hospital‐based liaison psychiatry services for older people, involved in proactively seeking referrals and educating general hospital staff. Those providing a generic sector‐based model were significantly slower at responding to referrals. 89% of respondents were unhappy with their service to older people in general hospital wards, with only 11% preferring the generic sector‐based model. Organisational barriers to change identified included the management of mental health care and physical care by different organisations. Training, both of psychiatric staff in this specialist area, and of general hospital staff in the detection and basic management of common psychiatric conditions in the general hospital setting, was felt to be necessary.

Conclusions

The management of co‐morbid psychiatric and physical illness in older people is an important issue for health services. Old age psychiatrists are unhappy with the prevalent, reactive, consultation‐based model, preferring a range of liaison psychiatry models based in the general hospital. The most important barriers to service development in this area were the separate managerial arrangements for psychiatric and physical care services, and a lack of evidence for effective old age psychiatry services in this setting. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gender, kinship and caregiver burden: the case of community‐dwelling memory impaired seniors
Authors: Chumbler Neale R. , Grimm James W. , Cody Marisue , Beck Cornelia
Published: July 2003

Background

This study examined whether there were gender and kinship (spouse, child, more distant relative) differences in caregiver burden. It further examined the constellation of gender and kinship by examining whether adult daughter caregivers experienced greater burden compared to wives, husbands, sons, and other more distant relatives.

Methods

The sample consisted of 305 family caregivers of memory‐impaired individuals who were age 70 years or older and resided in non‐institutional settings in Arkansas. A cross‐sectional design was employed using validated measures to assess both the memory‐impaired elders' and family caregivers' self‐reported physical and memory status.

Results

After controlling for the age and health status characteristics of the memory‐impaired elder, sociodemographic and health status characteristics of the family caregiver, and the caregiver coping response (measured by the sense of coherence), multiple regression analyses found kinship, but not gender differences in caregiver burden. Adult children experienced more caregiver burden than more distant relatives. There were no significant differences in caregiver burden between adult children and spouses. Adult daughters had greater caregiver burden scores compared to more distant relatives, but had comparable scores to wives, sons, and husbands. Other significant correlates of burden included caregiver personal characteristics (age and ethnicity) and the sense of coherence.

Conclusions

The study discusses the practice implications of adult children and adult daughters' propensity to suffer burden when caring for their memory‐impaired parents living in the community. It also discusses the relevance of caregiver personal characteristics and the sense of coherence as correlates of burden. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance on the CERAD Word List Memory task: a comparison of university‐based and community‐based groups
Authors: Andel Ross , McCleary Carol A. , Murdock Gail A. , Fiske Amy , Wilcox Rand R. , Gatz Margaret
Published: July 2003

Background

Evaluation of patients for Alzheimer's disease often compares an individual's performance on cognitive tests to established norms. The purpose of this study was to compare performance on the CERAD Word List Memory tasks in normal controls from an Alzheimer's disease registry and in community volunteers.

Methods

Scores on Word List Memory tasks were evaluated in cognitively intact participants enrolled in a university‐based Alzheimer's disease registry (n=103) and in a sample of community volunteers (n=51). Scores for the two samples were also compared with previously published data from registry‐based normal controls and from a representative community‐based sample.

Results

University‐based participants outperformed community volunteers, with most marked differences on Delayed Recall and on a Savings score that contrasted immediate to delayed recall. University‐based participants performed similarly to previously published scores for normal controls from another university‐based Alzheimer's disease registry, while community volunteers were consistent with published scores available from a representative community sample.

Conclusions

Accurate neuropsychological assessment of Alzheimer's disease may require consideration of potentially subtle differences between older adults tested at university centers and those tested in the community. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Negative symptoms in Alzheimer's disease: a confirmatory factor analysis
Authors: de Jonghe Jos F. M. , Goedhart Arnold W. , Ooms Marcel E. , Kat Martin G. , Kalisvaart Kees J. , van Ewijk Wouter M. , Ribbe Miel W.
Published: July 2003

Objective

To examine different conceptual models of negative symptoms in Alzheimer's disease.

Design

Confirmatory factor analysis of cross‐sectional data.

Subjects

Alzheimer patients (n=281) admitted to a psychogeriatric observation ward.

Materials

Nurses' Behavioural observation scale for psychogeriatric inpatients (GIP). Global clinical ratings of severity of dementia and depression based on the Cambridge Examination for Mental Disorders of the Elderly‐Dutch version (CAMDEX‐N).

Results

A unidimensional model of dementia fitted the data poorly. Multidimensional models produced better results. In two‐ and three‐factor models negative symptoms were separated from cognitive impairment and mood disturbances. The more severe the memory impairment, the more socially withdrawn patients were. In this sense negative symptoms may have been secondary to cognitive decline. However, no association was found between negative symptoms and mood disturbances.

Conclusions

Negative symptoms are a prominent clinical feature of Alzheimer's disease and they are related to memory impairment but not to mood disturbances. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of health economics in Alzheimer's disease (AHEAD): treatment with galantamine in the UK
Authors: Ward A. , Caro J. J. , Getsios D. , Ishak K. , O'Brien J. , Bullock R.
Published: July 2003

Objective

To assess the long‐term health and economic impact of treating mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) with galantamine (16 mg or 24 mg per day) compared to no cholinesterase therapy in the UK.

Methods

The long‐term costs and outcomes were assessed using a model developed from longitudinal data on a cohort of AD patients. The model predicts the time until patients require full‐time care, defined as the consistent requirement for a significant amount of care and supervision each day. Efficacy data were obtained from three clinical trials comparing galantamine with placebo, forecasts were made for ten years. Costs were determined in 2001 British pounds (£) and discounted at 6% per annum, while outcomes such as time to full‐time care were discounted at 1.5%.

Results

Without pharmacological treatment, patients are expected to incur costs of £28,134 over ten years, 70% of costs accrue from providing full‐time care. Galantamine (16 mg per day) is predicted to reduce the duration of the full‐time care state by 12%; approximately five patients need to be treated to avoid one year of full‐time care. The ten‐year incremental costs per month of full‐time care avoided average £192 per patient and £8,693 per QALY. Savings (£1380) are predicted for patients who continue treatment beyond six months and whose cognitive function is maintained or improved. Comparable results were estimated for the 24 mg dose.

Conclusion

In addition to the clinical benefits associated with galantamine treatment, the savings predicted from delaying when full‐time care is needed may offset the treatment costs. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The History of the Student Credit Hour
Authors: Shedd Jessica M.
Published: July 2003

The student credit hour was invented as a tool for smoothing transitions from K–12 into higher education and was reinforced by foundations wanting to encourage business models—including competition and unit‐cost analysis—in higher education.
Policies and Practices in Enforcing the Credit Hour
Authors: Shedd Jessica M.
Published: July 2003

Although all institutions use the student credit hour, it is rarely defined and not consistently enforced.
The Credit Hour as a Potential Barrier to Innovation: Lessons from Innovative Institutions
Authors: Ehrlich Thomas
Published: July 2003

The premise of the credit hour is the equation of student learning with class time. Leaders at institutions particularly known for innovations in student learning have found ways to work with and around the metric, although it remains an obstacle to innovation at most institutions.
The Credit Hour and Faculty Instructional Workload
Authors: Ehrlich Thomas
Published: July 2003

The credit hour is the common metric for measuring faculty instructional workload and is a part of a larger system that makes innovation more difficult.
Accreditation and the Credit Hour
Authors: Wellman Jane V.
Published: July 2003

Accreditation, the process of peer review to ensure the quality of a degree program, has depended on institutions measuring degree content in student credit hours.
Of Time and the Feds: The Federal Interest in Enforcing the Credit Hour
Authors: Wellman Jane V.
Published: July 2003

The expansion of federal financial aid programs means that in the past twenty years, the federal government has become the biggest single regulator of the student credit hour as a time‐based measure. Yet, the federal government shows interest in moving away from focusing on administrative and financial matters to issues of academic policy and quality.
The Credit Hour and Public Budgeting
Authors: Wellman Jane V.
Published: July 2003

One of the most pervasive uses of the credit hour is as a workload and resource measure in public budgeting, although it is often a poor proxy for measuring workload and resource use. It works to the particular disadvantage of public community colleges.
The Student Credit Hour: An International Exploration
Authors: Wolanin Thomas R.
Published: July 2003

Higher education systems in other developed nations that have operated without the student credit hour are increasingly interested in introducing it or similar metrics that facilitate internationalization of the curriculum and the introduction of more electives and student transfer options.
The Credit Hour: The Tie That Binds
Authors: Wellman Jane V. , Ehrlich Thomas
Published: July 2003

The credit hour is a universal translator that allows complicated institutions to translate disparate activities into a common language. It contributes to bad habits within the academy, particularly in relation to goals and assessment of student learning. Further, ways need to be sought to correct for the inequities in the student credit‐hour system.
Editorial introduction: locating geographies of diaspora
Authors: Ní Laoire Caitríona
Published: July 2003

This special issue of the International Journal of Population Geography continues a theme raised in previous issues, that is, the perceived need for a greater engagement between population geography and other parts of the discipline and of the social sciences more generally. It is suggested that new approaches to the study of geographies of international migration, such as diaspora studies, may represent a valuable space of interdisciplinary connection. In this spirit, this special issue on Geographies of Diaspora aims to demonstrate the contribution that geographers can make to the study of diaspora, as well as the potential for geographies of diaspora to enable a greater engagement between population geography, human geography and other disciplines. Papers by Paul White, Kathy Burrell, Michael Samers, David Howard, Alison Blunt and Yvonne McKenna all contribute to our understandings of diasporic groups and processes, while engaging with current debates in the theorisation of diasporas and transnationalism. A particular contribution of this collection is its demonstration of the potential for approaches grounded in everyday practices or in political/economic structures to address critiques of postmodern approaches to diaspora, without losing the value of non‐essentialised approaches to identity. Furthermore, the papers demonstrate the need for approaches that can recognise the specificity of diasporic experiences and the contingency of historical and material processes that give rise to different diaspora spaces. The special issue, then, contributes to the ongoing re‐conceptualisation of the concept of diaspora, and reflects the contribution that can be made to this process by geographical approaches. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Geographies of diaspora and mixed descent: Anglo‐Indians in India and Britain
Authors: Blunt Alison
Published: July 2003

This paper explores geographies of diaspora for Anglo‐Indians (formerly known as ‘Eurasians’) through a focus on their ‘homing desire’ in two diaspora spaces: firstly, an imperial diaspora in British India, and secondly, a decolonised diaspora in Britain after independence in 1947. Before independence, although Anglo‐Indians were ‘country‐born’ and domiciled in India, many imagined Britain as home and identified with British life in India even though they were largely excluded from it. Britain was often imagined as the fatherland, embodied by the memory of a British paternal ancestor, as enacted by settlement at an independent homeland for Anglo‐Indians established at McCluskieganj in Bihar in 1933. By 1947, there were about 300,000 Anglo‐Indians in India, but a third had migrated by the 1970s. I explore the implications not only of independence but also the British Nationality Act of 1948, which required many Anglo‐Indians to prove the British origins of a paternal ancestor. The difficulties of tracing British ancestry are explored with reference to the work of the Society of Genealogists in London on behalf of Anglo‐Indians in the subcontinent. Drawing on these records, as well as material from the Anglo‐Indian press and interviews with women from one school who migrated after independence, I argue that ideas of Britain as home were intimately bound up with ideas of whiteness. Ideas about an Anglo‐Indian diaspora existed long before decolonisation, and the migration of Anglo‐Indians under the British Nationality Act led in many ways to a recolonisation of identity. Unlike studies that concentrate on ‘feminising the diaspora’, I argue that the diasporic ‘homing desire’ of Anglo‐Indians invoked ideas of imperial masculinity in both imaginative and material terms. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Forgotten migrants: Irish women religious in England, 1930s–1960s
Authors: McKenna Yvonne
Published: July 2003

In the post‐independence period, as emigration rates increased and the population of Ireland continued to decline, the number of women entering religious life rose substantially, reaching a peak in the late 1960s. Many of these women lived some or all of their lives outside Ireland. However, despite the recent growth of Irish migration or diaspora studies, very little attention has been given to the role or experiences of women religious, who themselves tend not to publish subjective accounts. Based on oral history testimonies, this article seeks to explore the experience of migration for a sample of women who left Ireland to live in religious congregations in England between the 1930s and the 1960s. Growing up in the newly established Irish state, Catholicism was a fundamental part of being Irish for these women. Post‐migration, the women's experience of Irishness was influenced both by their choice of congregation (none of which were Irish in origin) and the wider society in which those congregations were placed. Focusing on the experiences of two groups of women – those who entered congregations with a majority Irish population, and those who entered a middle‐class English congregation whose population was at most a third Irish – this article examines the space that was available within religious life for expressions of ethnicity and Irishness. Situated within the context of the second ‘great wave’ of Irish emigration, it examines the complex processes of inclusion and exclusion (being othered and othering) that occurred within the ‘diaspora space’ of religious community and English society. Religious life during this period was organised according to a strict code of rules and was especially designed to facilitate its transcendence over individual identities, including ethnicity. Notwithstanding this, however, and as this article will argue, ethnicity for the women of this study remained deeply significant within religious life and helped shape their experience of it. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Japanese in Latin America: on the uses of diaspora
Authors: White Paul
Published: July 2003

International migration only began to affect Japan in the late nineteenth century, but since then there have been three waves of emigration, two of them customarily regarded as diasporas. Recent discussions of the concept of diaspora have highlighted a tendency for the broadening of the definition to encompass many different migratory situations. This article considers the debate over the characteristics of diaspora and examines a set of five criteria for a definition that can be used, among other things, to distinguish diaspora from immigrant settlement and transnationalism. These criteria are then set against the case of the first Japanese diaspora which led to the establishment of significant communities of Nikkeijin in the Americas from the 1890s to the 1970s. The Nikkeijin are shown to be a model diasporic group, except for a lack of transnational contacts within the diaspora. The paper also considers further theoretical propositions concerning the evolution of ‘homeland’ society views of the diaspora. It is shown that these may have considerable importance in determining any ‘return’ migration that may occur. In the Japanese case, the migration of Nikkeijin to Japan since 1990 has been problematic. Constructions of the continuing Japanese‐ness of the diaspora population have been contested, and differences rather than similarities have been stressed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Small‐scale transnationalism: homeland connections and the Polish ‘community’ in Leicester
Authors: Burrell Kathy
Published: July 2003

The concept of an implicitly national territory has an important influence on both the construction and maintenance of diasporic national identity and migrant transnational consciousness. Based on evidence collected through 31 in‐depth interviews, this article considers the homeland relationship and the transnational activities of a small and settled migrant group, namely the Polish community in Leicester. Taking these interviews as its base, and situating them within wider debates surrounding transnationalism, it concentrates on three key themes. Firstly, the nature of the break with the homeland is analysed to demonstrate how forced migration can foster a protective attitude towards the national territory from exile. Secondly, the differing types of participation within established transnational networks with Poland are outlined as evidence supporting the notion of ‘small‐scale transnationalism’. Finally, the concept of transnationalism itself is evaluated, highlighting its often exclusive characteristics, and debating the importance of memories and emotional ties as transnational connections. The overall findings of the research are two‐fold: that transnational activism is a highly personalised experience, ranging widely in form and intensity; and that the homeland territory continues to exert a powerful influence over migrant identity, providing strong ties to the native country which, although not immediately obvious or visible, are important nevertheless. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reappraising race? Dominicans in New York City
Authors: Howard David
Published: July 2003

How do Dominican migrants living in New York City relate to the changing social and cultural contexts that accompany experiences of migration, settlement and return? Dominicans, on migrating to the United States, confront a blunt racialised categorisation of black, white, Asian or latino/a, as opposed to the seemingly more fluid labelling in the Caribbean. In this paper, which draws on interview‐based research in the US and the Dominican Republic, I explore the impact of contemporary international migration on racialised discourse and identification among Dominicans. Given the popular and historical rejection of African Caribbean or black identity in Dominican society, migrants who would not identify asnegro/a(literally translated as black) ormulato/ain the Dominican Republic, find themselves being labelled as black Hispanic or latino/a in the US. Increasing emigration and transnational connections since the 1960s have not heralded a predicted re‐evaluation of racialised discourse in the Dominican Republic. The commonly used termindio/a, which retains meanings specific to the Dominican context with regard to the rejection ofnegritudand concomitant anti‐Haitian sentiment, remains a popular term of reference among Dominican migrants and returnees. While Dominicans living in the US may ‘overcome the legacy of denial regarding the African part of their heritage’ (Torres‐Saillant and Hernández, 1998: 145), I argue that the much‐vaunted dynamics of transnationalism have so far failed to lead to a full reappraisal of racialised identification in Dominican society, both on the island and within the US. Transnational experiences, rather than stimulating a wider understanding of race, have promoted stasis or further reinforced existing racialised identities and prejudice. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diaspora unbound: Muslim identity and the erratic regulation of Islam in France
Authors: Samers Michael E.
Published: July 2003

Despite the apparent innocuity of the diaspora concept, it has not escaped critical reflection and sustained debate. Some have bemoaned its obscurantist fetishism, and in particular its reliance on ‘ethnic essentialism’, while others defend it as a useful metaphor for explaining at least some types of migrant communities. In terms of the latter, Sayyid (2000) argued for a Muslim umma – a shared identity that may be considered ‘diasporic’. While he certainly had reservations about its use, he argued that reference to a diasporic umma need not imply unanimity among those supposedly divided by seemingly more ontologically grounded social categories such as class and gender. In this paper, then, I tread a path between the critique of diaspora as an essentialist concept, and how we might employ Sayyid's conceptualisation in the context of Maghrebin (North African) migrants in France during the 1980s and 1990s. In particular, I seek to demonstrate how the state in both Algeria and France shaped the relationship between Islam and identity among Muslims of Maghrebin origin in France. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reactive oxygen species inhibited by titanium oxide coatings
Authors: Suzuki Richard , Muyco Julie , McKittrick Joanna , Frangos John A.
Published: July 2003

Titanium is a successful biomaterial that possesses good biocompatibility. It is covered by a surface layer of titanium dioxide, and this oxide may play a critical role in inhibiting reactive oxygen species, such as peroxynitrite, produced during the inflammatory response. In the present study, titanium dioxide was coated onto silicone substrates by radio‐frequency sputtering. Silicone coating with titanium dioxide enhanced the breakdown of peroxynitrite by 79%. At physiologic pH, the peroxynitrite donor 3‐morpholinosydnonimine‐N‐ethylcarbamide (SIN‐1) was used to nitrate 4‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid (4‐HPA) to form 4‐hydroxy‐3‐nitrophenyl acetic acid (NHPA). Titanium dioxide‐coated silicone inhibited the nitration of 4‐HPA by 61% compared to aluminum oxide‐coated silicone and 55% compared to uncoated silicone. J774A.1 mouse macrophages were plated on oxide‐coated silicone and polystyrene and stimulated to produce superoxide and interleukin‐6. Superoxide production was measured by the chemiluminescent reaction with 2‐methyl‐6‐[p‐methoxyphenyl]‐3,7‐dihydroimidazo[1,2‐a]pyrazin‐3‐one (MCLA). Titanium dioxide‐coated silicone exhibited a 55% decrease in superoxide compared to uncoated silicone and a 165% decrease in superoxide compared to uncoated polystyrene. Titanium dioxide‐coated silicone inhibited IL‐6 production by 77% compared to uncoated silicone. These results show that the anti‐inflammatory properties of titanium dioxide can be transferred to the surfaces of silicone substrates. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 66A: 396–402, 2003
Multiaxial fatigue behavior of conventional and highly crosslinked UHMWPE during cyclic small punch testing
Authors: Villarraga M. L. , Kurtz S. M. , Herr M. P. , Edidin A. A.
Published: July 2003

Previous observations of reduced uniaxial elongation, fracture resistance, and crack propagation resistance of highly crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) have contributed to concern that the technology may not be appropriate for systems undergoing cyclic fatigue loading. Using a “total life” approach, we examined the influence of radiation crosslinking on the fatigue response of UHMWPE under cyclic loading via the small punch test. Our goal in this study was to evaluate the suitability of the small punch test for conducting miniature‐specimen, cyclic loading, and fatigue experiments of conventional and highly crosslinked UHMWPE. We subjected four types of conventional and highly crosslinked UHMWPE to cyclic loading at 200 N/s and at body temperature in a small punch test apparatus. After failure, the fracture surfaces were characterized with the use of field emission scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the fatigue mechanisms. Cyclic small punch testing under load control was found to be an effective and repeatable method for relative assessment of the fatigue resistance of conventional and highly crosslinked UHMWPE specimens under multiaxial loading conditions. For each of the four conventional and highly crosslinked UHMWPE materials evaluated in this study, fatigue failures were consistently produced according to a power law relationship in the low cycle regimen, corresponding to failures below 10,000 cycles. The fatigue failures were all found to be consistent with a single source of initiation and propagation to failure. Our long‐term goal in this research is to develop miniature‐specimen fatigue testing techniques for characterization of retrieved UHMWPE inserts. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 66A: 298–309, 2003
In vivo comparison of the osseointegration of vacuum plasma sprayed titanium‐ and hydroxyapatite‐coated implants
Authors: Aebli Nikolaus , Krebs Jörg , Stich Hermann , Schawalder Peter , Walton Mark , Schwenke Daryl , Gruner Heiko , Gasser Beat , Theis Jean‐Claude
Published: July 2003

For the last 15 years, orthopedic implants have been coated with hydroxyapatite (HA) to improve implant fixation. The osteoconductive effect of HA coatings has been demonstrated in experimental and clinical studies. However, there are ongoing developments to improve the quality of HA coatings. The objective of this study was to investigate whether a rough and highly crystalline HA coating applied by vacuum plasma spraying (VPS) had a positive effect on the osseointegration of special, high‐grade titanium (Ti) implants with the same surface roughness. Ti alloy implants were coated (VPS) with special, high‐grade Ti or HA. The osseointegration of the implants was evaluated by either light microscopy or pullout tests after 1, 2, and 4 weeks of unloaded implantation in the cancellous bone of 18 sheep. The interface shear strength increased significantly over all time intervals. By 4 weeks, values had reached ∼10N/mm2. However, the difference between the coatings was not significant at any time interval. Direct bone–implant contact was significantly different between the coatings after 2 and 4 weeks, and reached 46% for Ti and 68% for HA implants by 4 weeks. This study indicates that the use of a rough and highly crystalline HA coating, applied by VPS, enhances early osseointegration. Accelerated establishment of secondary implant fixation decreases the risk of early loosening. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 66A: 356–363, 2003