bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pleiotropic Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide in Arteries and Veins From Normotensive and Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Thakali Keshari , Davenport Lauren , Fink Gregory D. , Watts Stephanie W.
Published: January 2006

Hydrogen peroxide causes vascular contraction and relaxation and contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension. We hypothesized that the contractile state of blood vessels governs whether H
2
O
2
causes contraction or relaxation. Hydrogen peroxide (1 μmol/L to 1 mmol/L) concentration-dependently contracted thoracic aorta and vena cava from sham normotensive and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. The maximal contraction to H
2
O
2
was 3 times greater in DOCA aorta compared with sham aorta but unchanged in DOCA vena cava compared with sham vena cava. In prostaglandin F
2α
(20 μmol/L)–contracted aorta and vena cava from sham and DOCA rats, H
2
O
2
(1 μmol/L to 1 mmol/L) induced a concentration-dependent relaxation that was impaired in DOCA aorta but not DOCA vena cava. In contrast, in KCl (30 mmol/L)-contracted vessels, maximal H
2
O
2
-induced contraction was enhanced 15-fold in sham aorta and 5-fold in DOCA aorta but only 2-fold in sham vena cava. Tetraethylammonium (10 mmol/L), BAY K 8644 (100 nmol/L), and ouabain (1 mmol/L) all enhanced maximal aortic H
2
O
2
-induced contraction, whereas only ouabain enhanced venous H
2
O
2
-induced contraction. The removal of extracellular Ca
2+
reduced H
2
O
2
-induced contraction in KCl-contracted aorta, whereas maximal venous H
2
O
2
-induced contraction (under basal conditions) was unchanged. Our data suggest that differences in arterial and venous K
+
channel activity and extracellular Ca
2+
influx are responsible for differences in arterial and venous contraction to H
2
O
2
. In DOCA-salt hypertension, arterial but not venous contraction to H
2
O
2
is enhanced, and relaxation to H
2
O
2
is reduced.
Massive Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Kucher Nils , Rossi Elisa , De Rosa Marisa , Goldhaber Samuel Z.
Published: January 2006

Background—

Acute massive pulmonary embolism (PE) carries an exceptionally high mortality rate. We explored how often adjunctive therapies, particularly thrombolysis and inferior vena caval (IVC) filter placement, were performed and how these therapies affected the clinical outcome of patients with massive PE.

Methods and Results—

Among 2392 patients with acute PE and known systolic arterial blood pressure at presentation, from the International Cooperative Pulmonary Embolism Registry (ICOPER), 108 (4.5%) had massive PE, defined as a systolic arterial pressure <90 mm Hg, and 2284 (95.5%) had non–massive PE with a systolic arterial pressure ≥90 mm Hg. PE was first diagnosed at autopsy in 16 patients (15%) with massive PE and in 29 patients (1%) with non–massive PE (
P
<0.001). The 90-day mortality rates were 52.4% (95% CI, 43.3% to 62.1%) and 14.7% (95% CI, 13.3% to 16.2%), respectively. In-hospital bleeding complications occurred in 17.6% versus 9.7% and recurrent PE within 90 days in 12.6% and 7.6%, respectively (
P
<0.001). In patients with massive PE, thrombolysis, surgical embolectomy, or catheter embolectomy were withheld in 73 (68%). Thrombolysis was performed in 33 patients, surgical embolectomy in 3, and catheter embolectomy in 1. Thrombolytic therapy did not reduce 90-day mortality (thrombolysis, 46.3%; 95% CI, 31.0% to 64.8%; no thrombolysis, 55.1%; 95% CI, 44.3% to 66.7%; hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.44 to 1.43). Recurrent PE rates at 90 days were similar in patients with and without thrombolytic therapy (12% for both;
P
=0.99). None of the 11 patients who received an IVC filter developed recurrent PE within 90 days, and 10 (90.9%) survived at least 90 days. IVC filters were associated with a reduction in 90-day mortality (hazard ratio, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.85).

Conclusions—

In ICOPER, two thirds of the patients with massive PE did not receive thrombolysis or embolectomy. Counterintuitively, thrombolysis did not reduce mortality or recurrent PE at 90 days. The observed reduction in mortality from IVC filters requires further investigation.
The Historical Triangulation of Education, Politics and Economy
Authors: Vanderstraeten Raf
Published: January 2006

In the course of the long 18th century, basic conceptual and discursive changes took place in the western world. Even words which remained the same took on new meanings.The new concepts indicate how the social reality is comprehended in the modern era. Various segments of the population relied on them to act, to understand, interpret and reform reality.These concepts are crucial to the discursive constitution of the world. They take part in the dissolution of the ‘old’ world and the emergence of a ‘new’ one.They do not merely reflect structural patterns; they accompany and stimulate an ongoing transition process.This article deals with a small aspect of the historical co-evolution of concepts and structures in education. It examines the non-random character of the variations in the discourses on the social function of education. It offers an analysis of the changing relationship between education, politics and economy in that period. It analyzes how different conceptualizations of the function of education are both a factor in, and an indicator of, the morphogenesis of the modern educational system.
‘If I Ever Play Football, Dad, Can I Play for England or India?’
Authors: Burdsey Daniel
Published: January 2006

The overall scope of this article is to examine how young British Asians experience and articulate recent transformations in popular notions of ‘race’, nation and culture. The context for the analysis is sport, which acts as a prominent arena in which these variables are contested and, indeed, embodies the complexities of national affiliations and identities.The article argues that despite continuing ethnically exclusive manifestations of ‘Englishness’ – both in football and in the wider society – increasing numbers of young British Asians are expressing their support for the England football team.This is in direct contrast to cricket, where large numbers choose to follow a team from the Indian subcontinent.The article argues that these trends reflect the multifaceted, fragmented nature of diasporic identities, in that the diverse sporting affiliations of young British Asians enable them to emphasize both their cultural traditions and the permanency of South Asian settlement in Britain.
Young People's Constructions of the Self
Authors: O'Connor Pat
Published: January 2006

This article looks at the ways in which young people reflexively construct their self within a rapidly changing society. Drawing on texts written by young people aged 14–17 years, it explores the existence of patterns identified by theorists of late modernity as regards relationships, fateful moments, a search for authenticity, life plans and life styles and looks at gender-differentiated trends in these areas drawing on a ‘weak cultural feminist tradition’ (Evans, 1995: 91).These texts are part of a sub-sample of approximately 34,000 texts written by young people in a school context in response to an invitation to ‘tell their life stories’ by writing a page ‘describing themselves and the Ireland they inhabit’.The article suggests that gender is a repressed but crucially important framework in the construction of young people's sense of self, while also identifying areas where consumer society is eroding gender difference.
Familial Ethnic Socialization Among Adolescents of Latino and European Descent
Authors: González Andrea G. , Umaña-Taylor Adriana J. , Bámaca Mayra Y.
Published: January 2006

This article examines gender and family composition differences in 98 biethnic adolescents’ reports of familial ethnic socialization and ethnic identity. Using analysis of variance, four groups (i.e., adolescent males with Latina mothers and European American fathers, adolescent females with Latina mothers and European American fathers, adolescent males with European American mothers and Latino fathers, and adolescent females with European American mothers and Latino fathers) are compared on the above measures. Results indicate that sons of Latina mothers reported the highest levels of familial ethnic socialization. No significant differences emerge between groups on a measure of ethnic identity.
Breaking the Mold
Authors: Thorstad Roxane R. , Anderson Tamara L. , Hall M. Elizabeth Lewis , Willingham Michele , Carruthers Lisa
Published: January 2006

Women who have chosen to invest in multiple roles as wife, mother, and professional often experience difficulty in balancing these roles. However, research shows that spousal support for women investing in multiple roles can be an important factor in their experience of distress. The authors conduct qualitative interviews designed to gather experiential information with 30 women who are both faculty members at Christian universities around the country and mothers of children living in the home. Information on the participants’ relationships with their husbands and their experiences of spousal support, both practically and emotionally, are determined. Participants report that their spouses help them practically through child care, household chores, and availability in a crisis. Additionally, spouses help their wives through emotional support, including mutual respect, pride in their wives’ accomplishments, and interest in their wives’ work.
An overview on the production of pigment grade titania from titania-rich slag
Authors: Sahu Kamala Kanta , Alex Thomas C. , Mishra Devabrata , Agrawal Archana
Published: January 2006

To recover pigment grade TiO2, operating plants all over the world use chemical processes. Slag-based technology is considered to be attractive because of low waste generation and low chemical cost due to high titanium content and is poised to replace the conventional technology. This paper provides a review of the slag-based technology with the specific aim to produce leachable slag and achieving high titania yield from recovered wastes. Leachable oxides of the lower oxidation state, such as TiO and Ti2O3, facilitate the leaching process. However, during smelting these oxides increase the viscosity of the slag. Formation of titanium carbide or carbonitride is also not desirable as it leads to resistance to the leaching of titanium. This report highlights the problems and their possible solutions to obtain leachable slag.
Spectral cullet classification in the mid-infrared field for ceramic glass contaminants detection
Authors: Serranti Silvia , Bonifazi Giuseppe , Pohl Roland
Published: January 2006

The presence of glass-like contaminants inside waste glass products, usually resulting from both industrial and differentiated urban waste collection, has greatly increased in recent years, due to the introduction to the market of a large amount of goods manufactured from ceramic glass. The presence of contaminants in the glass recycling streams reduces product quality and increases production costs. The detection of ceramic glass detection is an unresolved problem, as such material looks like normal glass and can only be detected by trained personnel. In this study an innovative approach to ceramic glass recognition, based on the spectral signature in the mid-infrared (MIR) field, was proposed and investigated. The study specifically addressed the spectral characterization of glass and ceramic glass fragments collected in a real recycling plant from two different production lines: coloured container glass and white container glass. To define suitable inspection strategies to separate the useful (glass) from the polluting (ceramic glass) materials at the recycling plants, fragments presenting different colour, thickness, size, shape and manufacturing were selected. Both dirty and clean cullet was considered. The analyses, carried out in the MIR spectral field (2280- 4480 nm), show that ceramic glass and glass fragments can be recognized according to their different spectral signature. In particular, by selecting a specific wavelength ratio the two classes of materials can be rapidly recognized, suggesting the possibility of developing an integrated hardware and software sorting system for ‘on-line’ ceramic glass separation.
Making the difference in social Europe: deservingness perceptions among citizens of European welfare states
Authors: van Oorschot Wim
Published: January 2006

Welfare states treat different groups of needy people differently. Such differential rationing may reflect various considerations of policymakers, who act in economic, political and cultural contexts. This article aims at contributing to a theoretical and empirical understanding of the popular cultural context of welfare rationing. It examines European public perceptions of the relative deservingness of four needy groups (elderly people, sick and disabled people, unemployed people, and immigrants). Hypotheses, deduced from a literature review, are tested against data from the 1999/2000 European Values Study survey. It is found that Europeans share a common and fundamental deservingness culture: across countries and social categories there is a consistent pattern that elderly people are seen as most deserving, closely followed by sick and disabled people; unemployed people are seen as less deserving still, and immigrants as least deserving of all. Conditionality is greater in poorer countries, in countries with lower unemployment, and in countries where people have less trust in fellow citizens and in state institutions. At the national level there is no relation with welfare regime type or welfare spending. Individual differences in conditionality are determined by several socio-demographic and attitudinal characteristics, as well as by certain features of the country people live in.
Adapting private pensions to public purposes: historical perspectives on the politics of reform
Authors: Whiteside Noel
Published: January 2006

This paper compares how extensions of pension rights were developed and implemented in major European economies in the decades following the Second World War. Governments in Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Britain adapted earnings-related systems as a common policy agenda to meet rising public demand for more generous pension provision. However, this generated divergent policy pathways as a common approach became translated through different institutional mechanisms and different conventions of governance - the points at which states could legitimately intervene to secure policy goals. In consequence, divisions between public and private pension provision (and the boundaries of welfare states) were blurred by the emergence of institutional hybrids. Neither state nor market, these developed in continental Europe as negotiated compromises that fostered social representation in the management of collective provision under various forms. By contrast, in the UK such governing conventions were absent and, hence, the division between public and private has proved more deep-rooted. Historical precedent suggests that current pressures towards private pension solutions cannot but produce another compromise in the form of a public-private hybrid to reconcile financial imperatives with popular demands for pension security.
Welfare-state decommodification in 18 OECD countries: a replication and revision
Authors: Scruggs Lyle , Allan James
Published: January 2006

We present and discuss a replication and reassessment of the welfare-state decommodification index, and introduce a new, publicly available data set of key welfare-state programme characteristics. Using the same programme features used to create the ‘decommodification index’ in The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism, one of the most widely cited sources in the field, we are able to replicate the results quite closely. However, our investigation suggests a number of likely errors in the original formulation. Once these are accounted for, we find very limited empirical support for the ‘three worlds’ typology in the decommodification data. Though some clear differences remain, there is also much less overall variation among countries. Furthermore, there is little evidence of ‘clustering’ among programme scores, a finding which is at odds with the idea of distinctive national regimes. Our results point to the need for a detailed re-investigation of welfare-state benefits in advanced industrial democracies. Our data set helps to provide a basis for such an assessment.
Note. Behaviour of a Mixture of Acacia glomerosa, Enterolobium cyclocarpum and Hymenaea courbaryl Gums in Ice Cream Preparation
Authors: Rincón F. , de Pinto G. León , Beltrón O.
Published: January 2006

A mixture of gums from Acacia glomerosa, Enterolobium cyclocarpum and Hymenaea courbaril were tested as stabilisers in the preparation of ice cream. Quality characteristics of the product (viscosity, overrun (OR), FE, meltdown, shape factor and sensory properties) were determined. These characteristics were compared with those exhibited for products obtained with a mixture of commercial gums. The mixture tested provided suitable viscosity for ice creams with the corresponding OR and texture. It gave better foaming properties and air incorporation than the commercial gums tested and had the highest score flavour (8.16), creaminess (8.02), overall acceptability (8.12) and lowest score of iciness (2.92). The mixture of the investigated gums showed good functionality in the preparation of ice cream.
Resistant Starch Production from Non-conventional Starch Sources by Extrusion
Authors: González-Soto R. A. , Sánchez-Hernández L. , Solorza-Feria J. , Núñez-Santiago C. , Flores-Huicochea E. , Bello-Pérez L. A.
Published: January 2006

The production of resistant starch from non-conventional sources using an extruder was studied. Starch was isolated from unripe banana and mango fruits, commercial corn starch was used for comparison purposes. Moisture, ash and fat content were higher in non-conventional starch sources than in corn starch, but corn starch presented a lower protein and dietary fibre content than banana and mango starches. Amylose content was higher in banana and mango starches than in corn starch. Besides, mango had the smallest granule size (5–10 m). Extruded mango had the lowest solubility which may be related with the granule size, and in the case of the swelling, extruded products from corn starch had the highest values, a pattern that may be due to the amylose/amylopectin ratio, because corn starch had the lowest amylose content of the starches studied. Extruded products from mango presented a resistant starch (RS) content that decreased when the screw speed increased, for banana starch, the RS values from the extruded products was similar at 30 rpm and 65 rpm, and at 40 rpm it was the highest. In the case of retrograded resistant starch (RRS), the values of the extruded products prepared with non-conventional starches had a defined pattern, because they decreased when screw speed increased.
Comparison Between Two Different Levels of Replacement of Free-range Rearing by an Oleic Acid and-tocopherol Enriched Diet on the Quality of Fresh Meat from Iberian Duroc (50%) Pigs
Authors: González E. , Velardo B. , Tejeda J. F.
Published: January 2006

The aim of this work was to study the effect of two types of pig feeding systems (known as recebo) on fatty acid composition, tocopherols contents and susceptibility to lipid oxidation in muscle. A total of 26 Iberian Duroc (50%) barrows were divided into two groups (named as short replacement (SR) and long replacement (LR) groups) according to length of replacement of free-range rearing (based on acorn and pasture) by an oleic acid and B-tocopherol (200 mg/kg) enriched concentrate feed (SR group: 67 days in free-range rearing and finished during 20 days with concentrate diet; LR: 55 days in free-range rearing, finished 50 days with concentrate). No differences were found in chemical composition and colour of Gluteo biceps muscle between the two management systems, except for B-tocopherol content, which showed higher content (p 0.001) in LR pigs than in SR pigs. The fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat was slightly affected by feeding system. Total intramuscular and neutral lipids from Gluteo biceps muscle presented a higher proportion of C18: 1 n 9 (p 0.05) in SR than in LR pigs; however, no differences were found in total saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Composition of polar lipids revealed a higher proportion of MUFA and lower of total n 3 fatty acids in LR than in SR pigs. Feeding regime significantly affected susceptibility of muscle to iron-ascorbate-induced peroxidation. Muscles from pigs reared on SR system showing higher levels (p 0.05) of MDA after 50 and 100 min of incubation. These results indicate that the content of oleic acid and tocopherol in muscle depends on the levels of both provided by dietary means, more than the practised handling.
Antioxidant Potential of Ecklonia cavaon Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging, Metal Chelating, Reducing Power and Lipid Peroxidation Inhibition
Authors: Senevirathne Mahinda , Kim Soo-Hyun , Siriwardhana Nalin , Ha Jin-Hwan , Lee Ki-Wan , Jeon You-Jin
Published: January 2006

The antioxidative potential of different fractions (respective organic and aqueous fractions of n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate) of 70% methanol extract of Ecklonia cava(a brown seaweed) was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, nitric oxide, ferrous ion chelating, reducing power and lipid peroxidation inhibition (conjugated diene hydroperoxide and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances production) assays. The 70% methanol extract showed significant (p< 0.05) activities in all antioxidant assays and contained a high level of total phenolic content. It was observed that the level of hydrophilic phenolic content was higher than that of hydrophobics. Among those organic solvent fractions, ethyl acetate fraction exhibited significant activities due to the highest level of total phenolic content and their IC50 values were 0.013mg/mL, 0.009mg/mL and 0.33mg/mL in DPPH, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide radical inhibition, respectively. These activities were superior to those of a commercial synthetic and natural antioxidants tested. The aqueous chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions also exhibited significant (p< 0.05) activities in reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and metal chelating, attributed to the high amount of hydrophilic phenolics. Moreover, E. cava extracts showed strong reducing power and a notable capacity to suppress lipid peroxidation.
Effects of Combined Coating and Microwave Assisted Hot-air Drying on the Texture, Microstructure and Rehydration Characteristics of Apple Slices
Authors: Askari G. R. , Emam-Djomeh Z. , Mousavi S. M.
Published: January 2006

The effect of coating, hot-air and microwave drying on the texture, microstructure and rehydration characteristics of Golden Deliciousapple slices (22mm diameter, 4mm thickness) was investigated. Blanching was carried out in hot water (80°C, 1 min) to prevent undesirable enzymatic reactions. To induce a porous structure during microwave treatment, coating with a starch (suspension), pectin and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) solution (20 g/L) with and without CaCl2 (10 g/L) was carried out. A puncture test and a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique were used to analyse the effects of these processes on texture and microstructure. Rehydration in distilled water was also studied. Coating, air-drying (70°C, 1.5 m/s) and microwave treatment (300W, 10s) resulted in the production of puffed and porous products. Microstructure of samples coated by starch and pectin with CaCl2 improved. Coating had a beneficial effect on the microstructure of samples after microwave treatment. In addition, microstructural studies showed that coating with pectin had a significant effect on the thickness of the cell wall whereas those treated with starch or CMC did not exhibit such an effect. Adding CaCl2 to the coating solution improved the microstructural properties and prevented central heating phenomena.
How can systematic reviews incorporate qualitative research? A critical perspective
Authors: Dixon-Woods Mary , Bonas Sheila , Booth Andrew , Jones David R. , Miller Tina , Sutton Alex J. , Shaw Rachel L. , Smith Jonathan A. , Young Bridget
Published: January 2006

Systematic review has developed as a specific methodology for searching for, appraising and synthesizing findings of primary studies, and has rapidly become a cornerstone of the evidence-based practice and policy movement. Qualitative research has traditionally been excluded from systematic reviews, and much effort is now being invested in resolving the daunting methodological and epistemological challenges associated with trying to move towards more inclusive forms of review. We describe our experiences, as a very diverse multidisciplinary group, in attempting to incorporate qualitative research in a systematic review of support for breastfeeding. We show how every stage of the review process, from asking the review question through to searching for and sampling the evidence, appraising the evidence and producing a synthesis, provoked profound questions about whether a review that includes qualitative research can remain consistent with the frame offered by current systematic review methodology. We conclude that more debate and dialogue between the different communities that wish to develop review methodology is needed, and that attempts to impose dominant views about the appropriate means of conducting reviews of qualitative research should be resisted so that innovation can be fostered.
Behavioral ethics meets natural justice
Authors: Gintis Herbert
Published: January 2006

Binmore's Natural Justiceoffers an evolutionary approach to morality, in which moral rules form a cultural system that is robust and evolutionarily stable. The folk theorem is the analytical basis for his theory of justice. I argue that this is a mistake, as the equilibria described by the folk theorem lack dynamic stability in games with several players. While the dependence of Binmore's argument on the folk theorem is more tactical than strategic, this choice does have policy implications. I do not believe that moral rules are solutions to the Nash bargaining problem. Rather, I believe that human beings are emotionally constituted, by virtue of their evolutionary history, to embrace prosocial and altruistic notions of in-group–out-group identification and reciprocity. These aspects of human nature are incompatible with Binmore's notion that humans are self-regarding creatures. I present empirical evidence supporting a specific form of human, other-regarding preferences known as strong reciprocity.
The evolution of fairness norms: an essay on Ken Binmore's Natural Justice
Authors: Seabright Paul
Published: January 2006

This article sets out and comments on the arguments of Binmore's Natural Justice, and specifically on the empirical hypotheses that underpin his social contract view of the foundations of justice. It argues that Binmore's dependence on the hypothesis that individuals have purely self-regarding preferences forces him to claim that mutual monitoring of free-riding behavior was sufficiently reliable to enforce cooperation in hunter-gatherer societies, and that this makes it hard to explain why intuitions about justice could have evolved, since in such a society intuitions about justice would have had no adaptive advantage. I argue that it is empirically plausible that human beings display systematic other-regarding preferences (even if these are not always very strong). These could be incorporated into Binmore's general framework in a way that would enrich it and make it more useful for solving practical problems about justice.
How the resettlement of prisoners promotes desistance from crime
Authors: Maguire Mike , Raynor Peter
Published: January 2006

The article considers current developments in the ‘resettlement’ of prisoners in the light of recent theory and research on factors promoting desistance from crime. While recognizing improvements promised by the Reducing Re-offending National Action Plan and the concept of ‘end-to-end’ offender management, it is argued that these are unlikely to reduce re-offending significantly without greater attention to individual offenders' mental processes and levels of selfmotivation, which are identified by the desistance literature (as well as much of the ‘what works’ literature) as critical factors in personal change. An account is given of a promising approach adopted in the ‘Resettlement Pathfinders’, where a cognitive-motivational programme was combined with practical services, with encouraging early results. However, concerns are expressed that even the most innovative approaches may be undermined by features of the broader context within which correctional services are delivered, including an excessive emphasis on enforcement (which makes no allowance for the ‘zigzag’ nature of desistance) and the potentially negative impact of ‘contestability’ on relational continuity.
Supporting offenders with multiple needs
Authors: McSweeney Tim , Hough Mike
Published: January 2006

This article draws on an evaluation of a large-scale programme in London, ‘From Dependency to Work’ (D2W), to discuss the obstacles to effective work with offenders with multiple needs. D2W, a five-year programme funded through the Single Regeneration Budget, aimed to support offenders with a range of multiple needs including drug dependence, mental health issues, employment problems and illiteracy. It was an ambitious programme that sought to co-ordinate the work of statutory and voluntary agencies in a similar way to the ‘mixed economy’ model envisaged for the National Offender Management Service (NOMS); that met with implementation problems, which limited its overall impact. These related in part to problems in finding ways of effectively assessing those with multiple needs, and planning a rational sequence of interventions; but the way in which the programme was performance-managed also destabilized the partnership to a considerable degree. The study carries important lessons for NOMS, both in relation to approaches to offender management and to contract management.
Drug use desistance
Authors: Frisher Martin , Beckett Helen
Published: January 2006

Drug dependence is generally thought to involve a loss or reduction of individual autonomy. Yet of the 11 million people in the UK (27 per cent of the population aged 16–74) who have ever used illicit drugs at some point in their life, probably no more than 300,000 (1%) are drug dependent. Many commentators find the apparently self-destructive behaviour of problematic drug users difficult to explain. According to rational theory, choices are made with respect to a long timeframe so as to maximize overall utility. Under maximization, individuals cannot gradually slide towards a very high level of drug use at the expense of other activities as this would reduce their overall utility. The key to understanding drug dependence is that it involves ‘matching’ different behavioural combinations at any given point in time that do not take account of long-term consequences. There is growing evidence that drug users are much more likely to match compared to non-drug users and that they have difficulty in learning to maximize. We argue that current practice within the UK criminal justice system is implicitly based on the idea that relearning the value of alternative behaviours can lead to drug use desistance.
Elevated Serum B-Lymphocyte Stimulator Levels in Patients With Familial Lymphoproliferative Disorders
Authors: Novak Anne J. , Grote Deanna M. , Ziesmer Steven C. , Kline Michael P. , Manske Michelle K. , Slager Susan , Witzig Thomas E. , Shanafelt Tait , Call Timothy G. , Kay Neil E. , Jelinek Diane F. , Cerhan James R. , Gross Jane A. , Harder Brandon , Dillon Stacey R. , Ansell Stephen M.
Published: January 2006

Purpose

Serum B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) levels have been found to be elevated in a number of immune disease models. Therefore, we sought to establish whether BLyS levels were elevated in patients with B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders and to determine whether elevated BLyS levels correlated with clinical characteristics of the disease.

Patients and Methods

Specimens were collected from the peripheral blood of individuals diagnosed with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL; n = 70) or from age- and sex-matched patients seen at the same institution (n = 41). Serum BLyS levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and sequencing of the BLyS promoter was performed by conventional methods and confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

Results

We found that elevated BLyS levels were more common in patients with familial B-CLL than individuals with sporadic B-CLL or normal controls. Because of this association, we sequenced the BLyS promoter in patients with B-CLL and normal controls and identified a polymorphic site, −871 C/T. We found that the wild-type sequence was significantly underrepresented in patients with familial B-CLL (4%) compared with patients with sporadic B-CLL (30%; P = .01) or controls (24%; P = .04). Furthermore, using a luciferase reporter under control of the BLyS promoter containing either a C or a T at position −871, we found that the reporter construct containing a T at −871 had a 2.6-fold increase in activity (P = .004).

Conclusion

Our data suggest serum BLyS levels are elevated in patients with familial B-CLL and that elevated BLyS levels correlate with the presence of a T at −871 in the BLyS promoter.
Cardiorespiratory and minimum alveolar concentration sparing effects of a continuous intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine in halothane or isoflurane-anaesthetized rats
Authors: Rioja E , Santos M , Martínez Taboada F , Ibancovichi J A , Tendillo F J
Published: January 2006

Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a highly selective α2-adrenoceptor agonist in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Its cardiorespiratory effects have been described; however, these effects have not been reported when it is used in combination with volatile anaesthetics in rats. The cardiovascular and respiratory actions of a continuous intravenous infusion of 0.25 μg/kg/min of DEX administered to rats anaesthetized at 1 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of either halothane (HAL) or isoflurane (ISO) were studied. Twenty-eight rats were grouped into four treatment groups: HAL alone, ISO alone, DEX + HAL and DEX + ISO. The MACHAL or MACISO was determined in each rat from alveolar gas samples at the time of tail clamping. Control MAC values, expressed as mean ± standard deviation, were 1.31 ± 0.1% for HAL and 1.46 ± 0.05% for ISO. DEX reduced HAL MAC from 1.31 ± 0.1% to 0.36 ± 0.22% (72 ± 17% MAC reduction) and ISO MAC from 1.46 ± 0.05% to 0.83 ± 0.2% (43 ± 14% MAC reduction). Heart rate (HR) was decreased in both DEX groups at 1 MAC, with no differences between HAL and ISO. The mean arterial pressure was significantly depressed in the DEX + ISO group compared with the ISO only group. This difference in mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) was not seen between the DEX + HAL and HAL only groups. Respiratory depression was minor at 1 MAC with both inhalant anaesthetics. DEX reduced the MAC of HAL to a degree greater than it decreased the MAC of ISO. The effects of DEX on HR and ventilation were similar in rats anaesthetized with HAL or ISO at 1 MAC; however, hypotension was more pronounced when DEX was combined with ISO at 1 MAC.
Transcutaneous vascular ultrasound in hypercholesterolaemic rabbits: a new method to evaluate endothelial function
Authors: Hiss Katrin , Steioff Kerstin , Loehn Matthias , Ruetten Hartmut
Published: January 2006

Measurement of endothelial function in patients with atherosclerosis and lipid disorders is an important tool for the risk evaluation of a cardiovascular event, such as acute myocardial infarction and stroke. The feasibility of measuring endothelial function non-invasively in animal models has been limited so far. Therefore, we compared the assessment of endothelial function by in vivo transcutaneous vascular ultrasound (TVU) with the classical method of ex vivo organ bath, using the carotid artery of hypercholesterolaemic and normocholesterolaemic rabbits. The assessments of endothelial function by both techniques were performed on the same segments of the carotid artery. Vascular ultrasound detected impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation induced by acetylcholine in the common carotid artery of hypercholesterolaemic rabbits. These results strongly correlated with measurements of endothelial function of isolated carotid artery rings. Furthermore, atherogenic diet caused significant fatty streak formation in the aorta, as well as significant increase of C-reactive protein and cholesterol levels. Endothelial function, an early marker of cardiovascular risk, could be non-invasively assessed and graded by TVU measurements. It correlated highly with vasoreactivity of isolated vessels in an organ bath ( r2=0.68). We conclude that vascular ultrasound in hypercholesterolaemic rabbits is a valid method for evaluating endothelial function associated with atherosclerosis.
Fluid collection within the synovial sheath of the tendon of the flexor hallus longus muscle in the tarsal joint of rats: an anatomic variant detectable with magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Wang Y-X J , Westwood F R
Published: January 2006

Magnetic resonance (MR) images of the right tarsal joint of 22 normal male Han:Wistar rats were acquired using a 4.7 T magnet. An intermediate–high signal area associated with the tendon of the flexor hallus longus muscle was noticed in three rats on T2-weighted images. These areas appeared as an intermediate–high signal on lightly T2-weighted images, but appeared as an iso-signal to muscle structure on proton density weighted images. Histology preparations showed that such areas were caused by a sizable fluid collection within the synovial sheath of the tendon of the flexor hallus longus muscle, with all other joint structures appearing normal. This anatomic variant could be potentially regarded as a lesion on T2-weighted MR images, such as inflamed tissue with oedema, especially when the spatial resolution and/or signal-to-noise ratio are not optimal.
Detection of rat parvovirus type 1 and rat minute virus type 1 by polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Wan C-H , Bauer B A , Pintel D J , Riley L K
Published: January 2006

Two newly recognized parvovirus species, rat parvovirus 1 (RPV-1) and rat minute virus 1 (RMV-1), were recently identified in naturally infected rats. In this study, two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were developed to specifically detect RPV-1 and RMV-1. The RPV-1 PCR assay amplified the expected 487-bp deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragment only in the presence of RPV-1 DNA; the RMV-1 PCR assay amplified the expected 843-bp product only from RMV-1 DNA, not from other rodent parvoviruses. The RPV-1 and the RMV-1 PCR assays detected approximately 18 and 70 copies of DNA template, respectively. These two PCR assays were shown to be sensitive, specific and rapid methods for detecting RPV-1 and RMV-1 infections in rats. These assays may also be valuable for evaluation of biological specimens for parvovirus contamination.
Effects of epidural morphine and transdermal fentanyl analgesia on physiology and behaviour after abdominal surgery in pigs
Authors: Malavasi L M , Nyman G , Augustsson H , Jacobson M , Jensen-Waern M
Published: January 2006

The objective of this work was to evaluate the physiological and behavioural effects of opioid analgesic treatment in pigs subjected to abdominal surgery. Ten Swedish Landrace × Yorkshire pigs (20 ± 4 kg b.w.) were submitted for intestinal cannulation. The pigs were allocated into two groups during one preoperative, one surgical and two postoperative days. All pigs were anaesthetized with medetomidine, tiletamine and zolazepam. One group was treated with epidural morphine (0.1 mg/kg) preoperatively, and transdermal fentanyl patches (50 μg/kg/h) were applied behind the ear immediately after surgery. The other group received epidural saline (equivalent volume) and placebo patches. All pigs were regularly weighed and clinically examined and repeated blood samples were analysed for serum concentrations of cortisol, β-endorphin and fentanyl. Pre- and postoperative behaviours were evaluated by a swine specialist blinded to the treatment, three times a day, and were also videotape recorded for a total of 84 h per pig. No differences in behaviour were noted by the observer. During the first postoperative 12 h, treated pigs did not differ in activity compared with preoperative recordings, while untreated pigs were found to be less active. The treated group started to show interest in eating immediately after anaesthesia recovery, whereas the placebo group did not. During the 12–60 h postoperative period, the treated group had lower activity levels compared with the preoperative levels, which were similar to those in the placebo group. Treated pigs gained 0.5 ± 0.2 kg during the subsequent two postoperative days, whereas the untreated pigs lost weight throughout the experiment. Cortisol concentration differed immediately after the surgery: Group P had 325 ± 120 nmol/L and Group M 159 ± 49 nmol/L. β-endorphin concentration did not differ between groups. The highest serum fentanyl concentration (0.37 ± 0.3 ng/mL) was measured 24 h postoperatively. Preoperative epidural morphine in combination with postoperative transdermal fentanyl resulted in earlier return to normal activity levels and an immediate weight gain after surgery.
Comparison of crystal structure interactions and thermodynamics for stabilizing mutations in the Tetrahymena ribozyme
Authors: GUO FENG , GOODING ANNE R. , CECH THOMAS R.
Published: January 2006

Although general mechanisms of RNA folding and catalysis have been elucidated, little is known about how ribozymes achieve structural stability at high temperature. A previous in vitro evolution experiment identified a small number of mutations that significantly increase the thermostability of the tertiary structure of the Tetrahymena ribozyme. Because we also determined the crystal structure of this thermostable ribozyme, we have for the first time the opportunity to compare the structural interactions and thermodynamic contributions of individual nucleotides in a ribozyme. We investigated the contribution of five mutations to thermostability by using temperature gradient gel electrophoresis. Unlike the case with several well-studied proteins, the effects of individual mutations on thermostability of this RNA were highly context dependent. The three most important mutations for thermostability were actually destabilizing in the wild-type background. A269G and A304G contributed to stability only when present as a pair, consistent with their proximity in the ribozyme structure. In an evolutionary context, this work supports and extends the idea that one advantage of protein enzyme systems over an RNA world is the ability of proteins to accumulate stabilizing single-site mutations, whereas RNA may often require much rarer double mutations to improve the stability of both its tertiary and secondary structures.
Dissection of Prp8 protein defines multiple interactions with crucial RNA sequences in the catalytic core of the spliceosome
Authors: TURNER IAN A. , NORMAN CHRISTINE M. , CHURCHER MARK J. , NEWMAN ANDREW J.
Published: January 2006

Current models of the core of the spliceosome include a network of RNA–RNA interactions involving the pre-mRNA and the U2, U5, and U6 snRNAs. The essential spliceosomal protein Prp8 interacts with U5 and U6 snRNAs and with specific pre-mRNA sequences that participate in catalysis. This close association with crucial RNA sequences, together with extensive genetic evidence, suggests that Prp8 could directly affect the function of the catalytic core, perhaps acting as a splicing cofactor. However, the sequence of Prp8 is almost entirely novel, and it offers few clues to the molecular basis of Prp8–RNA interactions. We have used an innovative transposon-based strategy to establish that catalytic core RNAs make multiple contacts in the central region of Prp8, underscoring the intimate relationship between this protein and the catalytic center of the spliceosome. Our analysis of RNA interactions identifies a discrete, highly conserved region of Prp8 as a prime candidate for the role of cofactor for the spliceosome’s RNA core.
Identification and characterization of RsmE, the founding member of a new RNA base methyltransferase family
Authors: BASTUREA GEORGETA N. , RUDD KENNETH E. , DEUTSCHER MURRAY P.
Published: January 2006

A variety of RNA methyltransferases act during ribosomal RNA maturation to modify nucleotides in a site-specific manner. However, of the 10 base-methylated nucleotides present in the small ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli, only three enzymes responsible for modification of four bases are known. Here, we show that the protein encoded by yggJ, a member of the uncharacterized DUF558 protein family of predicted alpha/beta (trefoil) knot methyltransferases is responsible for methylation at U1498 in 16S rRNA. The gene is well-conserved across bacteria and plants, and likely performs the same function in other organisms. A yggJ deletion strain lacks the methyl group at U1498 as well as the specific methyltransferase activity. Moreover, purified recombinant YggJ specifically methylates m3U1498 in vitro. The deletion strain was unaffected in exponential growth in rich or minimal media at multiple temperatures, but it was defective when grown in competition with isogenic wild-type cells. Based on these data, we conclude that yggJ is the founding member of a family of RNA base methyltransferases, and propose that it be renamed rsmE.
Lengthening and transfer of hamstrings for a flexion deformity of the knee in children with bilateral cerebral palsy
Authors: Ma F. Y. P. , Selber P. , Nattrass G. R. , Harvey A. R. , Wolfe R. , Graham H. K.
Published: January 2006

Between July 2000 and April 2004, 19 patients with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy who required an assistive device to walk had combined lengthening-transfer of the medial hamstrings as part of multilevel surgery. A standardised physical examination, measurement of the Functional Mobility Scale score and video or instrumented gait analysis were performed pre- and post-operatively. Static parameters (popliteal angle, flexion deformity of the knee) and sagittal knee kinematic parameters (knee flexion at initial contact, minimum knee flexion during stance, mean knee flexion during stance) were recorded. The mean length of follow-up was 25 months (14 to 45).

Statistically significant improvements in static and dynamic outcome parameters were found, corresponding to improvements in gait and functional mobility as determined by the Functional Mobility Scale. Mild hyperextension of the knee during gait developed in two patients and was controlled by adjustment of their ankle-foot orthosis. Residual flexion deformity > 10° occurred in both knees of one patient and was treated by anterior distal femoral physeal stapling. Two children also showed an improvement of one level in the Gross Motor Function Classification System.
Transfer of the tendon of latissimus dorsi for the treatment of massive tears of the rotator cuff
Authors: Habermeyer P. , Magosch P. , Rudolph T. , Lichtenberg S. , Liem D.
Published: January 2006

We describe 14 patients who underwent transfer of latissimus dorsi using a new technique through a single-incision. Their mean age was 61 years (47 to 76) and the mean follow-up was 32 months (19 to 42).

The mean Constant score improved from 46.5 to 74.6 points. The mean active flexion increased from 119° to 170°, mean abduction from 118° to 169° and mean external rotation from 19° to 33°. The Hornblower sign remained positive in three patients (23%) as did the external rotation lag sign also in three patients (23%). No patient had a positive drop-arm sign at follow-up. No significant difference was noted between the mean pre- and postoperative acromiohumeral distance as seen on radiographs. An increased grade of osteoarthritis was found in three patients (23%). Electromyographic analysis showed activity of the transferred muscle in all patients.