bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Philosophy of Religion
Authors: Kvanvig Jonathan L.
Published: May 2010

The philosophy of religion became a recognizable subdiscipline in philosophy in the mid- to late 20th century, together with other notable subdisciplines such as the philosophy of science and the philosophy of language. Work in the philosophy of religion has always been present in the history of philosophy, but prior to the 20th century, it tended to be embedded in larger philosophical projects. By the mid-20th century, however, the process of specialization in philosophy led to an identifiable subfield with identifiable specialists in the area. This subfield can be roughly characterized in terms of its epistemological and metaphysical aspects. On the epistemological side are the various attempts to demonstrate or prove God’s existence (e.g., the classic ontological, cosmological, and teleological arguments) or nonexistence (e.g., the problem of evil) and the discussions of what is required for an adequate demonstration or proof, and there are further discussions of whether a proof or demonstration is needed in order for belief in God to be rational or justified. Included in the latter area is the large question of the degree to which one’s intellectual life ought to be guided by purely truth-related concerns or whether pragmatic concerns are legitimate factors in determining not only how to act but also what to think. On the metaphysical side are controversies about a proper conception of the nature of God, both about specific characteristics of God such as omnipotence, omniscience, simplicity, eternity, and moral perfection, and also about what general approach to the issue of the nature of God is appropriate (e.g., whether a process conception is preferable to a perfect being conception). There is also the question of God’s relationship to the world, both in terms of creation and providential control, and the related issue of whether miracles are possible and whether it is ever reasonable to believe that one has occurred. Finally, there is the further question of the significance of religious language itself, whether sense can be made of talking about a being and realms of reality that are difficult to account for in terms of empirical acquaintance and, if so, exactly what precise account can be given of the content of such language.
Supernatant of Aged Erythrocytes Causes Lung Inflammation and Coagulopathy in a “Two-Hit”In Vivo Syngeneic Transfusion Model
Authors: Vlaar Alexander P. J. , Hofstra Jorrit J. , Levi Marcel , Kulik Willem , Nieuwland Rienk , Tool Anton T. J. , Schultz Marcus J. , de Korte Dirk , Juffermans Nicole P.
Published: May 2010

Background

Transfusion of erythrocytes is associated with increased morbidity in certain patient groups. Storage time of erythrocytes may contribute to respiratory complications. Using a syngeneic in vivo transfusion model, we investigated whether transfusion of stored rat erythrocytes causes lung injury in healthy and in lipopolysaccharide-primed rats in a "two-hit" model of lung injury.

Methods

Rats were infused with aged rat erythrocytes (14 days of storage) and washed aged erythrocytes or supernatant of aged erythrocytes. Controls received fresh rat erythrocytes (0 days of storage) or saline. In the "two-hit" model of lung injury, lipopolysaccharide was used as a "first hit" before transfusion. Rat and control human erythrocyte products were analyzed for lysophosphatidylcholine accumulation.

Results

In healthy rats, transfusion of aged erythrocytes caused mild pulmonary inflammation but no coagulopathy. In lipopolysaccharide-pretreated rats, transfusion of aged erythrocytes augmented lung injury by inducing coagulopathy, both in the pulmonary and systemic compartment, when compared with transfusion with fresh erythrocytes. When transfused separately, supernatant of aged erythrocytes, but not washed aged erythrocytes, mediated coagulopathy in the "two-hit" model. Analysis of the supernatant of aged erythrocytes (rat and human) showed no lysophosphatidylcholine accumulation.

Conclusions

Transfusion of aged erythrocytes induces lung injury in healthy rats. In a "two-hit" model, injury induced by aged erythrocytes was characterized by coagulopathy and was abrogated by washing. Washing of aged erythrocytes may decrease pulmonary complications in patients with an inflammatory condition who are exposed to a blood transfusion.
Re‐treatment of Children With Chronic Hepatitis C Who Did Not Respond to Interferon‐α Treatment
Authors: Gerner Patrick , Hilbich Juliane , Wenzl Tobias G , Behrens Rolf , Walther Frank , Kliemann Guido , Enninger Axel , Wirth Stefan
Published: May 2010

Backround:

Many patients with chronic hepatitis C do not respond to antiviral treatment. In adult patients the re‐treatment of these patients has been extensively investigated. Because the response to re‐treatment in children is not well defined we evaluated the efficacy and safety of interferon (IFN)‐α plus ribavirin in patients who have failed to respond to previous treatment.

Patients and Methods:

In an open‐label, uncontrolled study, 18 chronically infected children were investigated. Fifteen children had been treated with IFN‐α plus ribavirin and 3 patients with IFN‐α alone. Fourteen patients were nonresponders; 4 experienced viral breakthrough during treatment and/or relapse after treatment. Patients received IFN‐α 3 times per week subcutaneously plus ribavirin for 48 weeks. Sixteen patients were infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1, 2 with genotype 4, and 1 with genotype 3 and co‐infection with hepatitis B.

Results:

Four patients showed early viral response to therapy and became HCV‐RNA negative after 12 weeks. Sustained viral response (HCV‐RNA negative 6 months after end of treatment) was documented in 2 of them. These 2 patients belonged to the group of 4 children who relapsed or experienced a viral breakthrough during previous treatment. None of the 14 patients with prior nonresponse had sustained viral response.

Conclusions:

Re‐treatment with IFN‐α plus ribavirin may be useful in children who relapsed in a previous antiviral treatment but seems not to be useful in nonresponders. These results are in line with studies from adult patients and should be therefore encouraged to provide a second chance for healing in a subgroup of patients.
Sir Martin Roth. 6 November 1917 — 26 September 2006
Authors: Rutter Michael , Klug Aaron
Published: May 2010

Martin Roth was distinguished for his major contributions to the understanding and classification of mental disorders in the elderly. These led to a new discipline, psychogeriatrics, as the problems of late life became recognized as constituting a major medical and social problem. His pioneering investigations led to the crucial demonstration of the differences between the dementias and the affective and other mental disorders of old age. The quantitative neuropathological and psychological studies undertaken by Roth and his colleagues established the pathology of Alzheimer disease as indicative of a disease separate from normal ageing and from other psychiatric disorders. These early studies led to collaborative molecular studies that pointed to a possibly causal pathological process.
Dennis William Sciama. 18 November 1926 — 19 December 1999
Authors: Ellis George F. R. , Penrose Sir Roger
Published: May 2010

The quarter-century period starting in the mid-1950s is sometimes referred to as ‘the renaissance of general relativity and cosmology’. Many contributed to this activity, but in the UK a major factor was the guidance and leadership provided by the warmly enthusiastic personality of Dennis Sciama, whose broad knowledge and deep insights greatly inspired many in their individual achievements.
Generation of magnetic and particle Pc5 pulsations during the recovery phase of strong magnetic storms
Authors: Pilipenko V. , Kozyreva O. , Belakhovsky V. , Engebretson M. J. , Samsonov S.
Published: May 2010

The dynamics of intense ultra-low-frequency (ULF) activity during three successive strong magnetic storms during 29–31 October 2003 are considered in detail. The spatial structure of Pc5 waves during the recovery phases of these storms is considered not only from the perspective of possible physical mechanisms, but as an important parameter of the ULF driver of relativistic electrons. The global structure of these disturbances is studied using data from a worldwide array of magnetometers and riometers augmented with data from particle detectors and magnetometers on board magnetospheric satellites (GOES, LANL). The local spatial structure is examined using the IMAGE magnetometers and Finnish riometer array. Though a general similarity between the quasi-periodic magnetic and riometer variations is observed, their local propagation patterns turn out to be different. To interpret the observations, we suggest a hypothesis of coupling between two oscillatory systems—a magnetospheric magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waveguide/resonator and a system consisting of turbulence + electrons. We propose that the observed Pc5 oscillations are the result of MHD waveguide excitation along the dawn and dusk flanks of the magnetosphere. The magnetospheric waveguide turns out to be in a meta-stable state under high solar wind velocities, and quasi-periodic fluctuations of the solar wind plasma density stimulate the waveguide excitation.
The square root depth wave equations
Authors: Cotter C. J. , Holm D. D. , Percival J. R.
Published: May 2010

We introduce a set of coupled equations for multi-layer water waves that removes the ill-posedness of the multi-layer Green–Naghdi (MGN) equations in the presence of shear. The new well-posed equations are Hamiltonian and in the absence of imposed background shear, they retain the same travelling wave solutions as MGN. We call the new model the square root depth (

) equations from the modified form of their kinetic energy of vertical motion. Our numerical results show how the

equations model the effects of multi-layer wave propagation and interaction, with and without shear.
Identification and Regulation of Plasma Membrane Sulfate Transporters in Chlamydomonas
Authors: Pootakham Wirulda , Gonzalez-Ballester David , Grossman Arthur R.
Published: May 2010

Chlamydomonas (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) exhibits several responses following exposure to sulfur (S)-deprivation conditions, including an increased efficiency of import and assimilation of the sulfate anion (SO4  2−). Aspects of SO4  2− transport during S-replete and S-depleted conditions were previously studied, although the transporters had not been functionally identified. We employed a reverse genetics approach to identify putative SO4  2− transporters, examine their regulation, establish their biogenesis and subcellular locations, and explore their functionality. Upon S starvation of wild-type Chlamydomonas cells, the accumulation of transcripts encoding the putative SO4  2− transporters SLT1 (for SAC1-like transporter 1), SLT2, and SULTR2 markedly increased, suggesting that these proteins function in high-affinity SO4  2− transport. The Chlamydomonas sac1 and snrk2.1 mutants (defective for acclimation to S deprivation) exhibited much less of an increase in the levels of SLT1, SLT2, and SULTR2 transcripts and their encoded proteins in response to S deprivation compared with wild-type cells. All three transporters were localized to the plasma membrane, and their rates of turnover were significantly impacted by S availability; the turnover of SLT1 and SLT2 was proteasome dependent, while that of SULTR2 was proteasome independent. Finally, mutants identified for each of the S-deprivation-responsive transporters were used to establish their critical role in the transport of SO4  2− into S-deprived cells.
Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of bendamustine hydrochloride in relapsed or refractory indolent B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma
Authors: Ogura Michinori , Uchida Toshiki , Taniwaki Masafumi , Ando Kiyoshi , Watanabe Takashi , Kasai Masanobu , Matsumoto Yosuke , Shimizu Daisuke , Ogawa Yoshiaki , Ohmachi Ken , Yokoyama Hiroki , Tobinai Kensei ,   the Japanese Bendamustine Lymphoma Study Group
Published: May 2010

Bendamustine is a cytotoxic agent with a novel mechanism of action. This phase I, dose‐escalation study evaluated the safety, tolerability, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of bendamustine in Japanese patients with relapsed/refractory indolent B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (B‐NHL) or mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) without major organ dysfunction. Bendamustine 90 or 120 mg/m2 (dose escalation) was administered intravenously over 60 min on days 1 and 2 every 3 weeks for up to three cycles. Nine patients (eight indolent B‐NHL and one MCL) received per‐protocol treatment, three at 90 mg/m2 and six at 120 mg/m2. No dose‐limiting toxicities were observed; thus, the maximum‐tolerated dose was not reached. Grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities were neutropenia (33%) and leukopenia (33%). Non‐hematologic toxicities were grade 1/2 and included gastrointestinal events and fatigue. Peak plasma concentrations of bendamustine occurred near the end of infusion in both dose groups and were equivalent to therapeutic concentrations observed in vitro. Bendamustine was rapidly eliminated, with a mean elimination half‐life (t1/2) of 29 min. Plasma concentrations of active metabolites M3 and M4 were approximately 4 and <1% of the plasma concentration of the parent molecule, with t1/2 of 42 and 33 min, respectively. Two unconfirmed complete responses and six partial responses were observed for an overall response rate (ORR) of 89%. The recommended dose for this schedule in phase II trials is 120 mg/m2. The acceptable safety profile and high ORR warrant further investigation of bendamustine in relapsed or refractory indolent B‐NHL and MCL. (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT00389051). (Cancer Sci 2010)
Ten‐year follow‐up after intense chemoimmunotherapy with Rituximab‐HyperCVAD alternating with Rituximab‐high dose methotrexate/cytarabine (R‐MA) and without stem cell transplantation in patients with untreated aggressive mantle cell lymphoma
Authors: Romaguera Jorge E. , Fayad Luis E. , Feng Lei , Hartig Kimberly , Weaver Pamela , Rodriguez Maria Alma , Hagemeister Fredrick B. , Pro Barbara , McLaughlin Peter , Younes Anas , Samaniego Felipe , Goy Andre , Cabanillas Fernando , Kantarjian Hagop , Kwak Larry , Wang Michael
Published: May 2010

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) has a poor overall survival after treatment with conventional chemotherapy. Intense chemoimmunotherapy without consolidation stem cell transplantation is a potential therapeutic option. We report on a prospective Phase II study with rituximab in combination with fractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin and dexamethasone (R‐Hyper‐CVAD) alternating with rituximab in combination with high‐dose methotrexate‐cytarabine (R‐MA) in untreated patients with diffuse and nodular MCL and their blastoid variants. Ninety‐seven patients were treated, of whom 97% responded and 87% achieved a complete remission. At 10 years of follow up (median 8 years), the median overall survival (OS) for all patients had not been reached and the median time to failure (TTF) for all patients was 4.6 years, without a plateau in the curves. For the group of patients aged 65 years or younger, the median OS had not been reached and the median TTF was 5.9 years. Multivariate analysis revealed pre‐treatment serum levels of β2 microglobulin, International Prognostic Index (IPI) score and mantle cell IPI (MIPI) score, as predictive of both OS and TTF. We conclude that intense chemoimmunotherapy without stem cell transplantation is effective for untreated aggressive MCL.
Using a graph of the abnormal predictive value versus the positive predictive value for the determination of outlier laboratories in the National Health Service cervical screening programme
Authors: Blanks R. G.
Published: May 2010

R.G. Blanks Using a graph of the abnormal predictive value versus the positive predictive value for the determination of outlier laboratories in the National Health Service cervical screening programme.

Objective:  The positive predictive value (PPV) for the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 or worse of referral to colposcopy from moderate dyskaryosis or worse (equivalent to high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or worse) is a standard performance measure in the National Health Service cervical screening programme. The current target is to examine ‘outlier’ laboratories with PPVs outside the 10th–90th percentile, which automatically identifies 20% of laboratories for further investigation. A more targeted method of identifying outliers may be more useful.

Methods:  A similar measure to the PPV, the abnormal predictive value (APV), can be defined as the predictive value for CIN2 or worse for referrals from borderline (includes atypical squamous and glandular cells) and mild dyskaryosis (equivalent to low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) combined. A scatter plot of the APV versus the PPV can be produced (the APV‐PPV diagram). Three kinds of ‘outlier’ can be defined on the diagram to help determine laboratories with unusual data. These are termed a true outlier value (TOV) or an extreme value (EV) for either PPV or APV, or a residual extreme value (REV) from the APV‐PPV best line of fit.

Results:  Using annual return information for 2007/8 from 124 laboratories, two were defined as having EVs for PPV (both had a relatively low PPV of 62%). For APV, four laboratories were considered to have EVs of 34%, 34%, 34% and 4% and one was considered to be a TO with an APV of 45%. Five were identified as REV laboratories, although three of these were also identified as having extreme or outlier values, leaving two that had not been identified by the other methods. A total of eight (6%) laboratories were therefore identified as meriting further investigation using this methodology.

Conclusions:  The method proposed could be a useful alternative to the current method of identifying outliers. Slide exchange studies between the identified laboratories, particularly those at opposing ends of the diagram, or other further investigations of such laboratories, may be instructive in understanding why such variation occurs, and could therefore potentially, lead to improvements in the national programme.
Dissolved organic matter leaching in some contrasting New Zealand pasture soils
Authors: Ghani A. , Müller K. , Dodd M. , Mackay A.
Published: May 2010

Leaching of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from pastoral soils is increasingly seen as an important but poorly understood process. This paper examined the relationship between soil chemical properties, microbial activity and the losses of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON) through leaching from six pasture soils. These soils differed in carbon (C) (4.6–14.9%) and nitrogen (N) (0.4–1.4%) contents and in the amount of organic C and N that had accumulated or been lost in the preceding 20+ years (i.e. −5131 to +1624 kg C ha−1 year−1 and −263 to +220 kg N ha−1 year−1, respectively). The paper also examined whether between‐soil‐type differences in DOC and DON leaching was a major explanatory factor in the observed range of soil organic matter (SOM) changes in these soils. Between 280 and 1690 kg C ha−1 year−1 and 28–117 kg N ha−1 year−1 leached as DOC and DON, respectively, from the six soils in a lysimeter study, with losses being greater from two poorly drained gley soils. Losses of C and N of this magnitude, while at the upper end relative to published data, could not fully explain the losses at Rawerawe, Bruntwood and Lepperton sites reported by Schipper et al. (2007). The study highlights the leaching of DOM as a significant pathway of loss of C and N in pasture soils that is often ignored or given little attention in predictive models and nutrient budgeting. Leaching losses of DOC and DON alone, or in combination with slightly increased respiration losses of SOM given a 0.2°C increase in the mean annual soil temperature, do not fully explain long‐term changes in the SOM observed at these sites. When soils examined in the present study were separated on the basis of drainage class, the losses of DOC by leaching were correlated with both total and hot‐water extractable C (HWC), the latter being a measure of the labile SOM fraction. Basal microbial CO2 respiration rates, which varied between 1 and 3.5 µg CO2‐C g−1 soil hour−1 in surface soils (0–75‐mm depth), was also linked to HWC and the quantities of C lost as DOC. Adoption of the HWC method as an approach that could be used as a proxy for the direct measurement of the soil organic C lost by leaching as DOC or respired needs to be examined further with a greater number of soils. In comparison, a poor relationship was found between the hot‐water extractable N (HWN) and loss of DON by leaching, despite HWN previously being shown to be a measure of the mineralizable pool of N in soils, possibly reflecting the greater competition for N than C in these soils.
Elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide impairs the performance of root‐feeding vine weevils by modifying root growth and secondary metabolites
Authors: JOHNSON SCOTT N. , BARTON ADAM T. , CLARK KATHERINE E. , GREGORY PETER J. , MCMENEMY LINDSAY S. , HANCOCK ROBERT D.
Published: May 2010

Predicting how insect crop pests will respond to global climate change is an important part of increasing crop production for future food security, and will increasingly rely on empirically based evidence. The effects of atmospheric composition, especially elevated carbon dioxide (eCO2), on insect herbivores have been well studied, but this research has focussed almost exclusively on aboveground insects. However, responses of root‐feeding insects to eCO2 are unlikely to mirror these trends because of fundamental differences between aboveground and belowground habitats. Moreover, changes in secondary metabolites and defensive responses to insect attack under eCO2 conditions are largely unexplored for root herbivore interactions. This study investigated how eCO2 (700 μmol mol−1) affected a root‐feeding herbivore via changes to plant growth and concentrations of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phenolics. This study used the root‐feeding vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus and the perennial crop, Ribes nigrum. Weevil populations decreased by 33% and body mass decreased by 23% (from 7.2 to 5.4 mg) in eCO2. Root biomass decreased by 16% in eCO2, which was strongly correlated with weevil performance. While root N concentrations fell by 8%, there were no significant effects of eCO2 on root C and N concentrations. Weevils caused a sink in plants, resulting in 8–12% decreases in leaf C concentration following herbivory. There was an interactive effect of CO2 and root herbivory on root phenolic concentrations, whereby weevils induced an increase at ambient CO2, suggestive of defensive response, but caused a decrease under eCO2. Contrary to predictions, there was a positive relationship between root phenolics and weevil performance. We conclude that impaired root‐growth underpinned the negative effects of eCO2 on vine weevils and speculate that the plant's failure to mount a defensive response at eCO2 may have intensified these negative effects.
Surgery in patients with haemophilia and high responding inhibitors: Izmir experience
Authors: BALKAN C. , KARAPINAR D. , AYDOGDU S. , OZCAN C. , AY Y. , AKIN M. , KAVAKLI K.
Published: May 2010

Summary.  This report evaluates the haemostatic efficacy of recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) and activated prothrombin complex concentrate (APCC) in patients with haemophilia and high responding inhibitors who underwent major and minor surgery. Data pertaining to surgeries from 2001 to 2009 at a single centre were retrospectively analysed. During this period, 53 surgical procedures were performed in 30 haemophiliacs with high responding inhibitors. Mean age was 16.2 ± 9.4 years. Eleven major surgeries in 4 patients, 41 radioisotope synovectomies (RS) and one circumcision classified as minor surgery in 28 patients were performed. Among the major surgery procedures, four were treated with rFVIIa, five with APCC and two with sequential use of APCC and rFVIIa. We used rFVIIa at the dosage of 80–120 μg kg−1 every 2 h and APCC 100 IU kg−1 every 12 h for the major surgery. When performing RS, we used rFVIIa in 18 patients with 26 target joints and APCC in 9 patients with 15 target joints. Three consecutive doses of rFVIIa (90 μg kg−1) were used at 2‐h intervals followed by additional three doses at 6‐h intervals. The initial dose of APCC was 75 IU kg−1 followed by a second and third dose of 50 IU kg−1 at 12‐h intervals. APCC and rFVIIa demonstrated excellent efficacy in our major and minor surgical interventions [100% (22/22) and 94% (31/33), respectively]. We had only two bleeding complications with rFVIIa. There were no thromboembolic complications. APCC and rFVIIa provide an effective and safe first line haemostatic therapy for inhibitor‐positive haemophiliacs, allowing both major and minor surgery to be successfully performed.
Tim‐1 is induced on germinal centre B cells through B‐cell receptor signalling but is not essential for the germinal centre response
Authors: Wong See Heng , Barlow Jillian L. , Nabarro Stephen , Fallon Padraic G. , McKenzie Andrew N. J.
Published: May 2010

T‐cell immunoglobulin mucin‐1 (Tim‐1) has been proposed to be an important T‐cell immunoregulatory molecule since its expression on activated T cells was discovered. To study the role of Tim‐1 on T cells in vitro and in vivo we generated both Tim‐1‐deficient mice and several lines of Tim‐1 transgenic mice with Tim‐1 expression on either T cells, or B and T cells. We demonstrate that neither deficiency nor over‐expression of Tim‐1 on B and T cells results in modulation of their proliferation in vitro. More surprisingly, T helper type 2 cells generated either from Tim‐1‐deficient mice or Tim‐1 transgenic mice did not show enhancement of interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), IL‐5 and IL‐10 production. Furthermore, using a Schistosoma mansoni egg challenge as a potent T helper type 2 response inducer we also show that Tim‐1 is not essential for T‐ and B‐cell responses in vivo. However, we observe induction of Tim‐1 on B cells following B‐cell receptor (BCR), but not Toll‐like receptor 4 stimulation in vitro. We show that the induction of Tim‐1 on B cells following BCR stimulation is phosphoinositide‐3 kinase and nuclear factor‐κB pathway dependent. More importantly, we conclude that Tim‐1 is predominantly expressed on germinal centre B cells in vivo although the percentage of germinal centre B cells in wild‐type and Tim‐1‐deficient mice is comparable. Identification of Tim‐1 as a marker for germinal centre B cells will contribute to the interpretation and future analysis of the effects of the anti‐Tim‐1 antibodies in vivo.
TNFR1 signalling is a critical checkpoint for developing macrophages that control of T‐cell proliferation
Authors: Raveney Ben J. E. , Copland David A. , Calder Claudia J. , Dick Andrew D. , Nicholson Lindsay B.
Published: May 2010

Macrophages (Mϕ) are professional antigen‐presenting cells, but when they accumulate at sites of inflammation, they can inhibit T‐cell proliferation. In experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis, this limits the expansion of T cells within the target organ. To define requirements for the elaboration of this outcome, we have generated populations of Mϕin vitro that could also regulate T‐cell responses; stimulating CD4+ T‐cell activation and cytokine production, but simultaneously suppressing T‐cell proliferation. When T cells are removed from the influence of such cells, normal T‐cell responses are restored. We show that tumour necrosis factor 1 (TNFR1) signalling is a critical checkpoint in the development of such Mϕ, as TNFR1−/− Mϕ are unable to suppress T‐cell proliferation. This deficit in antigen‐presenting cells results in a lack of production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and nitric oxide, which are critical effector mechanisms that inhibit T‐cell division. However, TNFR1 signalling is not required for the inhibitory function of Mϕ because we could circumvent the requirement for this receptor, by maturing Mϕ in the presence of exogenous interferon‐γ and PGE2. This produced TNFR1−/− Mϕ that inhibited T‐cell proliferation and indicates that TNFR1 delivers a signal that is necessary for the development but not the execution of this function.
Effects of turning on skin‐bed interface pressures in healthy adults
Authors: Peterson Matthew J. , Schwab Wilhelm , Van Oostrom Johannes H. , Gravenstein Nikolaus , Caruso Lawrence J.
Published: May 2010

peterson m.j., schwab w., van oostrom j.h., gravenstein n. & caruso l.j. (2010) Effects of turning on skin‐bed interface pressures in healthy adults. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(7), 1556–1564.

Title.  Effects of turning on skin‐bed interface pressures in healthy adults.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study of the effects of lateral turning on skin‐bed interface pressures in the sacral, trochanteric and buttock regions, and its effectiveness in unloading at‐risk tissue.

Background.  Minimizing skin‐support surface interface pressure is important in pressure ulcer prevention, but the effect of standard patient repositioning on skin interface pressure has not been objectively established.

Methods.  Data were collected from 15 healthy adults from a university‐affiliated hospital. Mapped 24‐inch × 24‐inch (2304 half‐inch sensors) interface pressure profiles were obtained in the supine position, followed by lateral turning with pillow or wedge support and subsequent head‐of‐bed elevation to 30°.

Results.  Raising the head‐of‐bed to 30° in the lateral position statistically significantly increased peak interface pressures and total area ≥32 mmHg. Comparing areas ≥32 mmHg from all positions, 93% of participants had skin areas with interface pressures ≥32 mmHg throughout all positions (60 ± 54 cm2), termed ‘triple jeopardy areas’. The triple jeopardy area increased statistically significantly with wedges as compared to pillows (153 ± 99 cm2 vs. 48 ± 47 cm2, P < 0·05).

Conclusion.  Standard turning by experienced intensive care unit nurses does not reliably unload all areas of high skin‐bed interface pressures. These areas remain at risk for skin breakdown, and help to explain why pressure ulcers occur despite the implementation of standard preventive measures. Support materials for maintaining lateral turned positions can also influence tissue unloading and triple jeopardy areas.
Perceived support from healthcare practitioners among adults with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Oftedal Bjørg , Karlsen Bjørg , Bru Edvin
Published: May 2010

oftedal b., karlsen b. & bru e. (2010) Perceived support from healthcare practitioners among adults with type 2 diabetes. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(7), 1500–1509.

Title.  Perceived support from healthcare practitioners among adults with type 2 diabetes.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study of how adults with type 2 diabetes perceive different attributes of support provided by healthcare practitioners and how various attributes of support can influence people’s motivation to self‐manage their disease.

Background.  Motivational problems seem to be a major reason for poor diabetes management. According to well‐known theories of motivation, expectations of being able to perform certain behaviours are a key element. Different attributes of support from healthcare practitioners are likely to influence such expectations. To date, no researchers have specifically examined how people with type 2 diabetes perceive different attributes of support from healthcare practitioners and how these may influence their motivation to manage their disease themselves.

Methods.  A descriptive/explorative qualitative design and focus groups were used to collect data. The sample consisted of 19 adults with type 2 diabetes, and the data were collected in 2007 and analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Findings.  Five themes were identified, reflecting perceived attributes of support from healthcare practitioners: (1) an empathetic approach, (2) practical advice and information, (3) involvement in decision‐making, (4) accurate and individualized information and (5) ongoing group‐based support.

Conclusion.  Healthcare practitioners may strengthen the self‐management motivation among adults with type 2 diabetes by enhancing expectations of being able to perform the necessary diabetes care, and through the provision of empathetic, individualized, practical and ongoing group‐based support.
Coping behaviour checklist for Chinese children: development and psychometric testing
Authors: Li Ho Cheung William , Chung Oi Kwan Joyce , Wong Mi Ling Eliza , Ho Ka Yan
Published: May 2010

li h.c.w., chung o.k.j., wong m.l.e. & ho k.y. (2010)
 Coping behaviour checklist for Chinese children: development and psychometric testing. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(7), 1633–1643.

Title.  Coping behaviour checklist for Chinese children: development and psychometric testing.

Aim.  This paper is a report of development and psychometric testing of the coping behaviour checklist for Chinese children.

Background.  An understanding of the coping behaviour of children is an essential prerequisite for the design of an appropriate psychological intervention to enhance children’s ability to cope with stressful medical procedures and hospitalization. Review of literature reveals that there is lack of child‐sensitive measurement tools in the Chinese culture for assessing coping behaviours of children with good psychometric properties.

Methods.  An instrument development and validation study was conducted. Phase 1 was designed to develop a checklist of coping behaviour for Chinese children, while in phase 2 the psychometric properties of the new scale were tested. A total of 168 (phase 1) and 236 (phase 2) children between the ages of 7 and 12 years, were invited to participate in this study in 2008 and 2009, respectively; 228 completed both phases of data collection.

Results.  On the basis of the results of qualitative interview data, the coping behaviour checklist for Chinese children was developed. The newly developed scale had adequate internal consistency reliability and test–retest reliability, high content validity and appropriate construct validity. Confirmatory factor analysis further added evidence of the construct validity of the scale.

Conclusion.  The instrument can be used to identify the coping behaviour of Hong Kong Chinese children aged between 7 and 12 years. Knowing the coping behaviour of children in advance can help nurses to shape and design appropriate psychological interventions that can help children better cope with stressful medical procedures and hospitalization.
New computational solution to quantify synthetic material porosity from optical microscopic images
Authors: DE ALBUQUERQUE V.H.C. , FILHO P.P. REBOUÇAS , CAVALCANTE T.S. , TAVARES J.M.R.S.
Published: May 2010

This paper presents a new computational solution to quantify the porosity of synthetic materials from optical microscopic images. The solution is based on an artificial neuronal network of the multilayer perceptron type and a backpropagation algorithm is used for training. To evaluate this new solution, 40 sample images of a synthetic material were analysed and the quality of the results was confirmed by human visual analysis. In addition, these results were compared with ones obtained with a commonly used commercial system confirming their superior quality and the shorter time needed. The effect of images with noise was also studied and the new solution showed itself to be more reliable. The training phase of the new solution was analysed confirming that it can be performed in a very easy and straightforward manner. Thus, the new solution demonstrated that it is a valid and adequate option for researchers, engineers, specialists and other professionals to quantify the porosity of materials from microscopic images in an automatic, fast, efficient and reliable manner.
A new factor stimulating peptidoglycan hydrolysis to separate daughter cells in Caulobacter crescentus
Authors: Collier Justine
Published: May 2010

Cell division in Gram‐negative bacteria involves the co‐ordinated invagination of the three cell envelope layers to form two new daughter cell poles. This complex process starts with the polymerization of the tubulin‐like protein FtsZ into a Z‐ring at mid‐cell, which drives cytokinesis and recruits numerous other proteins to the division site. These proteins are involved in Z‐ring constriction, inner‐ and outer‐membrane invagination, peptidoglycan remodelling and daughter cell separation. Three papers in this issue of Molecular Microbiology, from the teams of Lucy Shapiro, Martin Thanbichler and Christine Jacobs‐Wagner, describe a novel protein, called DipM for Division Involved Protein with LysM domains, that is required for cell division in Caulobacter crescentus. DipM localizes to the mid‐cell during cell division, where it is necessary for the hydrolysis of the septal peptidoglycan to remodel the cell wall. Loss of DipM results in severe defects in cell envelope constriction, which is deleterious under fast‐growth conditions. State‐of‐the‐art microscopy experiments reveal that the peptidoglycan is thicker and that the cell wall is incorrectly organized in DipM‐depleted cells compared with wild‐type cells, demonstrating that DipM is essential for reorganizing the cell wall at the division site, for envelope invagination and cell separation in Caulobacter.
CutaneousAlternaria infectoriainfection in a dog in association with therapeutic immunosuppression for the management of immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia
Authors: Dedola Carla , Stuart Alasdair P. G. , Ridyard Alison E. , Else Roderick W. , Van Den Broek Adri H. M. , Choi Jong Soo , Sybren de Hoog G. , Thoday Keith L.
Published: May 2010

A 4‐year‐old, ovariohysterectomized, English springer spaniel on immunosuppressive therapy was re‐examined for the review of its immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia and the recent development of skin lesions. For the 3 months since hospital discharge, the dog had been receiving 1.3 mg/kg prednisolone and 2.6 mg/kg ciclosporin, both administered orally twice daily. Physical examination revealed hepatomegaly and multiple, purulent, crusting, erosive to ulcerative lesions over different body areas. Onychorrhexis had occurred on one digit and the underlying corium had blackened. There were two proliferative and one plaque‐like lesions in the mouth. Thick walled fungal hyphae were detected in impression smears from all skin lesions and staining with periodic acid–Schiff’s stain confirmed the presence of multiple fungal hyphae and spores in all biopsies examined. Fungal culture isolated a heavy, pure growth of anAlternariasp. which was identified asA. infectoriaby sequencing the internal transcribed spacer 1 region of the rRNA gene. The animal’s condition prevented detailed investigation of the oral lesions. Withdrawal of the ciclosporin and reduction of the prednisolone dosage resulted in spontaneous resolution of the skin lesions within 40 days. Further gradual decrements in the prednisolone dosage to zero were carried out without recurrence of the immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia. After 12 months, there has been no recurrence of either the skin lesions or the anaemia. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case ofA.infectoriainfection in a dog.
THERMAL PERTURBATION DIFFERENCE SPECTROSCOPY OF PROTEINS
Authors: Leach S. J. , Smith John A.
Published: May 2010

The shifts which occur in the ultraviolet spectra of 5 proteins in response to temperature changes in the pre‐transition range have been measured as difference spectra. These spectra are characteristic for the perturbation of tyrosine or tryptophan residues and permit an estimation of the number of such chromophores which are hydrated. The estimates for insulin, ribonuclease, and lysozyme are compatible with their known 3‐dimensional structures. The spectra produced by bovine serum albumin are more complex but show evidence of the presence of tyrosine residues in environments which are less polar than pure water. Although the contributions of inaccessible chromophores to the difference spectra can not yet be assessed, the method of thermal perturbation merits further development as a probe of protein surface topography and offers certain advantages over solvent perturbation spectroscopy.
SYNTHESIS OF A NONAPEPTIDE SEQUENCE (A11‐A19) OF RUBREDOXIN.
Authors: Stevenson David , Cook Ronald M. , Weinstein Boris
Published: May 2010

A synthesis is described for the protected N‐terminal nonapeptide (A 11‐A 19) fragment of rubredoxin, methyl Na‐benzyloxycarbonyl‐O‐t‐butyl‐L‐tyrosyl‐L‐isoleucyl‐O‐t‐butyl‐L‐tyrosyl‐L‐t‐butyl‐L‐aspartyl‐L‐prolyl‐L‐alanyl‐L‐leucyl‐L‐valyl‐glycinate.
An epidemiological model of host–parasite coevolution and sex
Authors: LIVELY C. M.
Published: May 2010

The Red Queen hypothesis posits a promising way to explain the widespread existence of sexual reproduction despite the cost of producing males. The essence of the hypothesis is that coevolutionary interactions between hosts and parasites select for the genetic diversification of offspring via cross‐fertilization. Here, I relax a common assumption of many Red Queen models that each host is exposed to one parasite. Instead, I assume that the number of propagules encountered by each host depends on the number of infected hosts in the previous generation, which leads to additional complexities. The results suggest that epidemiological feedbacks, combined with frequency‐dependent selection, could lead to the long‐term persistence of sex under biologically reasonable conditions.
Family Affects Sibling Cannibalism in the Black Widow Spider,Latrodectus hesperus
Authors: Johnson J. Chadwick , Kitchen Kathryn , Andrade Maydianne C. B.
Published: May 2010

Adaptive foraging tactics are shaped by genes, the environment and gene–environment interactions. Because of relatively high levels of agonism toward conspecifics, spiders have been a popular focus for behavioral–ecological examinations of conspecific predation, or cannibalism. Surprisingly, studies examining the underlying, proximate assumption that cannibalism in spiders is a heritable trait shaped by interactions between genes and the environment are virtually non‐existent. Here, we examine the influence of family on the expression of sibling cannibalism in the post‐hatching, group‐living phase of an otherwise solitary, web‐building spider, the North American black widow (Latrodectus hesperus). Our results showed significant levels of variation in cannibalistic propensity among 26 sibships, with some families cannibalizing full sibs within 2 d and other families waiting 3 wk before resorting to cannibalism. A similar family‐level effect was evident in measures of sibling cohabitation, voracity toward cricket prey, and development speed. Negative correlations between maternal egg sac investment and offspring cannibalism suggest that this family effect may stem, at least in part, from a maternal effect, although we were not able to directly test the prediction that cannibalism is most common from spiderlings in poor condition. Thus, we present novel data suggesting family effects seem to be responsible for cannibalism inL. hesperusspiderlings; however, future work will be required to disentangle the relative importance of shared genes and shared maternal environment. We discuss several mechanisms that could explain the persistence of family‐level variation in cannibalism, a trait that seems likely to be subject to strong directional selection.
Zoledronic acid for the treatment of osteopenia in pediatric Crohn's disease
Authors: Sbrocchi Anne Marie , Forget Sylviane , Laforte Diane , Azouz E. Michel , Rodd Celia
Published: May 2010

Background:  Pediatric patients with Crohn's disease often have low bone mass (osteopenia) for age. No randomized, placebo‐controlled trials using zoledronic acid have ever been performed in this population. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of zoledronic acid in children with Crohn's disease and osteopenia.

Methods:  A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled design was used. Thirteen adolescents received either a single intravenous dose of zoledronic acid (0.066 mg/kg, max 4 mg, n= 7) or saline placebo (n= 6). The primary outcome was change in lumbar spine bone mineral density (LSBMD) z‐score at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included bone markers and adverse events.

Results:  At 6 months, the change in LSBMD z‐score was significantly higher in the zoledronic acid group compared to placebo (0.7 vs 0.1, P < 0.001). Volumetrically adjusted LSBMD z‐score also significantly increased in the treated group. This significant difference persisted until 12 months. With zoledronic acid, urinary C‐telopeptide excretion decreased by 50% at 6 months and remained suppressed at 12 months (P= 0.02), but no changes were observed with placebo. Both groups had similar adverse events which included transient fever, arthralgias, and nausea (3/7 treated, 2/6 placebo, P= NS).

Conclusions:  In this study, zoledronic acid demonstrated a significant increase in LSBMD at 6 and 12 months following a well‐tolerated infusion.
Effect of sorafenib on experimental choroidal neovascularization in the rat
Authors: Park Young‐Hoon , Roh Sang Y , Lee Young‐Chun
Published: May 2010

Abstract

Purpose:  This study was designed to evaluate the effect of sorafenib administration on laser‐induced experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in rats.

Methods:  A total of 36 rats were divided into three groups. Sorafenib, an oral, multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg per day (n = 12) or 30 mg/kg per day (n = 12) for 1 day before the laser induction of CNV. Rats continued to receive the drug for 14 days. Fluorescein angiograms were analysed for CNV dye leakage and the thickness of CNV was assessed by histology. The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet‐derived growth factor, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 mRNA were measured by the use of real‐time quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Results:  Sorafenib‐treated rats had significantly less fluorescence leakage as compared with vehicle‐treated rats (P < 0.05), The CNV thickness in sorafenib‐treated rats was significantly reduced as compared with vehicle‐treated rats in a dose‐dependent manner (P = 0.00163 for 10 mg/kg and P < 0.00001 for 30 mg/kg). After sorafenib (30 mg/kg) administration, expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 genes was significantly decreased (P < 0.05 and P = 0.00802).

Conclusion:  These results suggest that sorafenib may be potentially beneficial for the treatment of CNV in human; further studies on this subject are warranted.