bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Effects of Osmotic, Sodium Nitrite-Induced, and pH-Induced Stress on Growth and Survival of
Clostridium perfringens
Type A Isolates Carrying Chromosomal or Plasmid-Borne Enterotoxin Genes
Authors: Li Jihong , McClane Bruce A.
Published: December 2006

About 1 to 2% of
Clostridium perfringens
isolates carry the enterotoxin gene (
cpe
) necessary for causing
C. perfringens
type A food poisoning. While the
cpe
gene can be either chromosomal or plasmid borne, food poisoning isolates usually carry a chromosomal
cpe
gene. Previous studies have linked this association between chromosomal
cpe
isolates (i.e., C-
cpe
isolates) and food poisoning, at least in part, to both the spores and vegetative cells of C-
cpe
isolates being particularly resistant to high and low temperatures. The current study now reveals that the resistance phenotype of C-
cpe
isolates extends beyond temperature resistance to also include, for both vegetative cells and spores, enhanced resistance to osmotic stress (from NaCl) and nitrites. However, by omitting one outlier isolate, no significant differences in pH sensitivity were detected between the spores or vegetative cells of C-
cpe
isolates versus isolates carrying a plasmid-borne
cpe
gene. These results indicate that both vegetative cells and spores of C-
cpe
isolates are unusually resistant to several food preservation approaches in addition to temperature extremes. The broad-spectrum nature of the C-
cpe
resistance phenotype suggests these bacteria may employ multiple mechanisms to persist and grow in foods prior to their transmission to humans.
Dynamic Changes in Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokine Profiles and Gamma Interferon Receptor Signaling Integrity Correlate with Tuberculosis Disease Activity and Response to Curative Treatment
Authors: Sahiratmadja Edhyana , Alisjahbana Bachti , de Boer Tjitske , Adnan Iskandar , Maya Anugrah , Danusantoso Halim , Nelwan Ronald H. H. , Marzuki Sangkot , van der Meer Jos W. M. , van Crevel Reinout , van de Vosse Esther , Ottenhoff Tom H. M.
Published: December 2006

Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and their signaling pathways play key roles in protection from and pathogenesis of mycobacterial infection, and their balance and dynamic changes may control or predict clinical outcome. Peripheral blood cells' capacity to produce proinflammatory (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], interleukin-12/23p40 [IL-12/23p40], and gamma interferon [IFN-γ]) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines in response toMycobacterium tuberculosisor unrelated stimuli (lipopolysaccharide, phytohemagglutinin) was studied in 93 pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients and 127 healthy controls from Indonesia. Their cells' ability to respond to IFN-γ was examined to investigate whetherM. tuberculosisinfection can also inhibit IFN-γ receptor (IFN-γR) signaling. Although there was interindividual variability in the observed responses, the overall results revealed thatM. tuberculosis-induced TNF-α and IFN-γ levels showed opposite trends. Whereas TNF-α production was higher in active-TB patients than in controls, IFN-γ production was strongly depressed during active TB, correlated inversely with TB disease severity, and increased during therapy. By contrast, mitogen-induced IFN-γ production, although lower in patients than in controls, did not change during treatment, suggesting anM. tuberculosis-specific and reversible component in the depression of IFN-γ. Depressed IFN-γ production was not due to decreased IL-12/IL-23 production. Importantly, IFN-γ-inducible responses were also significantly depressed during active TB and normalized during treatment, revealing disease activity-related and reversible impairment in IFN-γR signaling in TB. Finally, IFN-γ/IL-10 ratios significantly correlated with TB cure. Taken together, these results show thatM. tuberculosis-specific stimulation of IFN-γ (but not TNF-α) production and IFN-γR signaling are significantly depressed in active TB, correlate with TB disease severity and activity, and normalize during microbiological TB cure. The depression of both IFN-γ production and IFN-γR signaling may synergize in contributing to defective host control in active TB.
Immunization of Cattle with Live Tachyzoites of
Neospora caninum
Confers Protection against Fetal Death
Authors: Williams D. J. L. , Guy C. S. , Smith R. F. , Ellis J. , Björkman C. , Reichel M. P. , Trees A. J.
Published: December 2006

Neospora caninum
is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes abortion in cattle. It is normally found as a latent infection controlled by a T-helper-cell type 1 response involving CD4
+
cytotoxic T cells and gamma interferon. Cattle may be infected by two different routes: transplacentally as a result of activation of the latent infection in the mother causing congenital infection or abortion and by ingestion of oocysts, which, if it occurs during gestation, can also result in abortion. Here, for the first time, we establish proof that live vaccination protects against fetal death, whereas immunization using whole-tachyzoite lysate in different adjuvants fails to protect against fetal death. Strong antibody responses were induced in all the vaccinated groups, and the quality and magnitude of these responses were similar in the live- and the lysate-vaccinated groups. In contrast, only the group immunized with live tachyzoites had strong cellular and gamma interferon responses prior to challenge, and these responses correlated with protection against fetopathy. These results suggest that a cellular immune response may be important in the mechanisms involved in protection against
N. caninum
-associated abortions.
Identification of Candidates for a Subunit Vaccine against Extraintestinal Pathogenic
Escherichia coli
Authors: Durant Lionel , Metais Arnaud , Soulama-Mouze Coralie , Genevard Jean-Marie , Nassif Xavier , Escaich Sonia
Published: December 2006

Extraintestinal pathogenic
Escherichia coli
(ExPEC) strains cause a large spectrum of infections. The majority of ExPEC strains are closely related to the B2 or the D phylogenetic group. The aim of our study was to develop a protein-based vaccine against these ExPEC strains. To this end, we identified ExPEC-specific genomic regions, using a comparative genome analysis, between the nonpathogenic
E. coli
strain K-12 MG1655 and ExPEC strains C5 (meningitis isolate) and CFT073 (urinary tract infection isolate). The analysis of these genomic regions allowed the selection of 40 open reading frames, which are conserved among B2/D clinical isolates and encode proteins with putative outer membrane localization. These genes were cloned, and recombinant proteins were purified and assessed as vaccine candidates. After immunization of BALB/c mice, five proteins induced a significant protective immunity against a lethal challenge with a clinical
E. coli
strain of the B2 group. In passive immunization assays, antigen-specific antibodies afforded protection to naive mice against a lethal challenge. Three of these antigens were related to iron acquisition metabolism, an important virulence factor of the ExPEC, and two corresponded to new, uncharacterized proteins. Due to the large number of genetic differences that exists between commensal and pathogenic strains of
E. coli
, our results demonstrate that it is possible to identify targets that elicit protective immune responses specific to those strains. The five protective antigens could constitute the basis for a preventive subunit vaccine against diseases caused by ExPEC strains.
Chlamydia pneumoniae
-Induced Macrophage Foam Cell Formation Is Mediated by Toll-Like Receptor 2
Authors: Cao Fei , Castrillo Antonio , Tontonoz Peter , Re Fabio , Byrne Gerald I.
Published: December 2006

Chlamydia pneumoniae
induces macrophage foam cell formation, a hallmark of early atherosclerosis, in the presence of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). This study examined the role that Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 may play in pathogen-induced foam cell formation. Murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells either infected with
C. pneumoniae
or treated with the TLR4 ligand
E. coli
lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or the TLR2 ligand Pam
3
-Cys-Ala-Gly-OH (Pam) became Oil Red O-stained foam cells and showed increased cholesteryl ester (CE) content when cocultured with LDL. In macrophages from TLR2
−/−
mice, foam cells were induced by
Escherichia coli
LPS but not by
C. pneumoniae
or Pam. Conversely,
C. pneumoniae
or Pam, but not
E. coli
LPS, induced foam cells in the TLR4-deficient GG2EE macrophage cell line, suggesting that
C. pneumoniae
elicits foam cell formation predominantly via TLR2. Enhancing cholesterol efflux using the liver X receptor (LXR) agonist GW3965 significantly decreased the CE content of cells exposed to each of the three TLR ligands (
C. pneumoniae
, Pam, and
E. coli
LPS). Overall, our results suggest that activation of the LXR signaling pathway may affect potentially atherogenic processes modulated by the TLR ligands.
Cystine calculi: challenging group of stones
Authors: Ahmed Kamran , Dasgupta Prokar , Khan Mohammad Shamim
Published: December 2006

Cystinuria is an autosomal recessive disorder in renal tubular and intestinal transport of dibasic amino acids, which results in increased urinary excretion of cystine, ornithine, lysine and arginine. It affects 1 in 20 000 people and is caused by a defect in the rBAT gene on chromosome 2. Development of urinary tract cystine calculi is the only clinical manifestation of this disease. Owing to recurrent episodes of stone formation, these patients require a multi-modal approach to management. The role of medical management and minimally invasive surgery was reviewed for the treatment of cystinuria.
Tropical malabsorption
Authors: Ramakrishna B S , Venkataraman S , Mukhopadhya A
Published: December 2006

Malabsorption is an important clinical problem both in visitors to the tropics and in native residents of tropical countries. Infections of the small intestine are the most important cause of tropical malabsorption. Protozoal infections cause malabsorption in immunocompetent hosts, but do so more commonly in the setting of immune deficiency. Helminth infections occasionally cause malabsorption or protein-losing enteropathy. Intestinal tuberculosis, chronic pancreatitis and small-bowel bacterial overgrowth are important causes of tropical malabsorption. In recent years, inflammatory bowel disease and coeliac disease have become major causes of malabsorption in the tropics. Sporadic tropical sprue is still an important cause of malabsorption in adults and in children in South Asia. Investigations to exclude specific infective, immunological or inflammatory causes are important before considering tropical sprue as a diagnosis. This article briefly reviews the management of tropical sprue and presents an algorithm for its investigation and management.
Factors contributing to inappropriate ordering of tests in an academic medical department and the effect of an educational feedback strategy
Authors: Miyakis Spiros , Karamanof Georgios , Liontos Michalis , Mountokalakis Theodore D
Published: December 2006

Aims

To identify factors contributing to laboratory overutilisation in an academic medical department, and to assess the effect of an educational feedback strategy on inappropriate test-ordering behaviour.

Methods

The records of 426 patients admitted during a 6-month period were reviewed. The usefulness of 25 investigations (haematology, basic biochemistry and arterial blood gases) was assessed according to implicit criteria. Trainees' acquaintance with investigation costs was assessed via a multiple-choice questionnaire. The medical staff was informed about their test-ordering behaviour, cost awareness and the factors associated with overuse of diagnostic tests. The test-ordering behaviour of the same doctors was reassessed on 214 patients managed during 6 months after the intervention.

Results

Overall, 24 482 laboratory tests were ordered before the intervention (mean 2.96 tests/patient/day). Among those, 67.9% were not considered to have contributed towards management of patients (mean avoidable 2.01 tests/patient/day). Patient age ⩾65 years, hospitalisation beyond 7 days and increased case difficulty (death or inability to establish a diagnosis) were factors independently associated with overuse of laboratory tests. Senior trainees ordered more laboratory examinations, but the percentage of avoidable tests requested by junior trainees was higher. A moderate and disparate level of trainees' awareness about the cost of common laboratory examinations was disclosed. The avoidable tests/patient/day were significantly decreased after the intervention (mean 1.58, p = 0.002), but containment of unnecessary ordering of tests gradually waned during the semester after the intervention.

Conclusion

Repeated audit, continuous education and alertness of doctors, on the basis of assessment of factors contributing to laboratory overutilisation, result in restraining the redundant ordering of tests in the hospital setting.
LARGE COMPONENT QCD AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK OF HEAVY QUARK EFFECTIVE FIELD THEORY
Authors: WU YUE-LIANG
Published: December 2006

Based on a large component QCD derived directly from full QCD by integrating over the small components of quark fields with |p| < E + mQ, an alternative quantization procedure is adopted to establish a basic theoretical framework of heavy quark effective field theory (HQEFT) in the sense of effective quantum field theory. The procedure concerns quantum generators of Poincaré group, Hilbert and Fock space, anticommutations and velocity superselection rule, propagator and Feynman rules, finite mass corrections, trivialization of gluon couplings and renormalization of Wilson loop. The Lorentz invariance and discrete symmetries in HQEFT are explicitly illustrated. Some new symmetries in the infinite mass limit are discussed. Weak transition matrix elements and masses of hadrons in HQEFT are well defined to display a manifest spin-flavor symmetry and 1/mQcorrections. A simple trace formulation approach is explicitly demonstrated by using LSZ reduction formula in HQEFT, and shown to be very useful for parametrizing the transition form factors via 1/mQexpansion. As the heavy quark and antiquark fields in HQEFT are treated on the same footing in a fully symmetric way, the quark–antiquark coupling terms naturally appear and play important roles for simplifying the structure of transition matrix elements, and for understanding the introduction of "dressed heavy quark"–hadron duality. In the case that the "longitudinal" and "transverse" residual momenta of heavy quark are at the same order of power counting, HQEFT provides a consistent approach for systematically analyzing heavy quark expansion in terms of 1/mQ. Some interesting features in applications of HQEFT to heavy hadron systems are briefly outlined.
TOPOLOGICAL ASPECT OF BLACK HOLE WITH SKYRME HAIR
Authors: DUAN YISHI , ZHANG XINHUI , ZHAO LI
Published: December 2006

Based on the ϕ-mapping topological current theory, we show that the presence of the black hole leaves fractional baryon charge outside the horizon in the Einstein–Skyrme theory. A topological current is derived from the Einstein–Skyrme system, which corresponds to the monopoles around the black hole. The branch process (splitting, merging and intersection) is simply discussed during the evolution of the monopoles.
HAMILTONIAN GENERAL RELATIVITY IN FINITE SPACE AND COSMOLOGICAL POTENTIAL PERTURBATIONS
Authors: BARBASHOV B. M. , PERVUSHIN V. N. , ZAKHAROV A. F. , ZINCHUK V. A.
Published: December 2006

The Hamiltonian formulation of general relativity is considered in finite space–time and a specific reference frame given by the diffeo-invariant components of the Fock simplex in terms of the Dirac–ADM variables.

The evolution parameter and energy invariant with respect to the time-coordinate transformations are constructed by the separation of the cosmological scale factor a(x0) and its identification with the spatial averaging of the metric determinant, so that the dimension of the kinemetric group of diffeomorphisms coincides with the dimension of a set of variables whose velocities are removed by the Gauss-type constraints in accordance with the second Nöther theorem. This coincidence allows us to solve the energy constraint, fulfil Dirac's Hamiltonian reduction, and to describe the potential perturbations in terms of the Lichnerowicz scale-invariant variables distinguished by the absence of the time derivatives of the spatial metric determinant. It was shown that the Hamiltonian version of the cosmological perturbation theory acquires attributes of the theory of superfluid liquid, and it leads to a generalization of the Schwarzschild solution.

The astrophysical application of this approach to general relativity is considered under supposition that the Dirac–ADM Hamiltonian frame is identified with that of the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation distinguished by its dipole component in the frame of an Earth observer.
HIGH SENSITIVE HYDROGEN SENSOR BY Pd/OXIDE/InGaP MOS STRUCTURE
Authors: YARN KAO-FENG
Published: December 2006

Experimental formation of LPO (liquid phase oxidation)-grown InGaP native oxide near room temperature (~60° C ) is demonstrated. A high oxidation rate is obtained and checked by SEM and AES. The native oxide is determined to be composed of InPO 4 and Ga 2 O 3, analyzed by the results of XPS measurement. Due to the presence of the excellent quality of InGaP native oxide, high hydrogen ( H 2) sensitivity in output current of a Pd /oxide/ InGaP MOS Schottky diode is observed. Under the applied voltage of -1 V and 50 ppm H 2/air, a high sensitivity of 1090 is obtained. An obvious variation of output current and a short response time due to the exposure to different H 2 concentration are also achieved. For example, the adsorption (τa) and desorption (τb) time constants under 50 ppm H 2/air are 2.3 s and 2.7 s, respectively.
STUDY OF THE INHOMOGENEITY OF SCHOTTKY BARRIER HEIGHT IN NICKEL SILICIDE BY THE INTERNAL PHOTOEMISSION SPECTROSCOPY
Authors: HUANG SHIHUA , WU FENGMIN
Published: December 2006

The inhomogeneity of Schottky barrier height (SBH) in nickel silicide/ Si contacts was observed by the internal photoemission spectroscopy. New Fowler equations were introduced to analyze the observed properties. We assumed that two or three regions with different SBHs coexist in Ni silicide/ Si contacts, and then the individual barrier height was evaluated. We found that SBH increases monotonously with the increase of annealing temperature in the case of T annealing <600° C . When T annealing is 600°C, SBH becomes maximal, then decreases monotonously with the increase of annealing temperature in the case of T annealing > 600° C . The formation of the two regions (Regions II and III) in nickel silicide/ Si Schottky contacts annealed at different temperatures, was explained by the model of the Fermi-level pinning or the metal-induced gap states.
DEPLETION OF HARMONICALLY CONFINED, INTERACTING BOSE ATOMS FROM THE GROUND STATE
Authors: GNANAPRAGASAM G. , KIM S.-H. , DAS M. P.
Published: December 2006

The macroscopic occupation of atoms in the ground state of an interacting Bose gas confined by an external harmonic potential is calculated as a function of the interaction strength. The effect of the inter-atomic interaction to the ground state distribution is discussed.
MONTE CARLO SIMULATION OF SURVIVAL FOR MINORITY LANGUAGES
Authors: SCHULZE CHRISTIAN , STAUFFER DIETRICH
Published: December 2006

Our earlier language model is modified to allow for the survival of a minority language without higher status, just because of the pride of its speakers in their linguistic identity. An appendix studies the roughness of the interface for linguistic regions when one language conquers the whole territory.
SOME SPECIAL DECENTRALIZED CONTROL PROBLEMS IN CONTINUOUS-TIME INTERCONNECTED SYSTEMS
Authors: DUAN ZHISHENG , WANG JINZHI , HUANG LIN
Published: December 2006

In this paper, some decentralized control problems composed of two subsystems are addressed from a special perspective. First, it is pointed out that some subsystems must be unstable to stabilize the overall interconnected system in some special cases. Then, a special kind of decentralized control problem is studied. This kind of problem can be viewed as harmonic control among independent subsystems. Research results show that two unstable systems can generate a stable system through some effective cooperations. And a linear matrix inequality method is provided for decentralized controller design by using the parameter-dependent Lyapunov function method. Two examples are given to illustrate the results.
MULTI-DIMENSIONAL PIECE-WISE SELF-AFFINE FRACTAL INTERPOLATION MODEL IN TENSOR FORM
Authors: ZHANG TONG , LIU JIANLIN , ZHUANG ZHUO
Published: December 2006

Iterated Function System (IFS) models have been used to represent discrete sequences where the attractor of the IFS is piece-wise self-affine in R2 or R3 (R is the set of real numbers). In this paper, the piece-wise self-affine IFS model is extended from R3 to Rn (n is an integer greater than 3), which is called the multi-dimensional piece-wise self-affine fractal interpolation model.

This model uses a "mapping partial derivative" and a constrained inverse algorithm to identify the model parameters. The model values depend continuously on all the model parameters, and represent most data which are not multi-dimensional self-affine in Rn. Therefore, the result is very general. Moreover, the multi-dimensional piece-wise self-affine fractal interpolation model in tensor form is more terse than in the usual matrix form.
EMERGENT PERIODIC BEHAVIOR IN COUPLED CHAOTIC SYSTEMS
Authors: YANG XIAO-SONG , WANG LEI
Published: December 2006

Emergent behavior in interconnected systems (complex systems) is of fundamental significance in natural and engineering sciences. A commonly investigated problem is how complicated dynamics take place in dynamical systems consisting of (often simple) subsystems. It is shown though numerical experiments that emergent order such as periodic behavior can likely take place in coupled chaotic dynamical systems. This is demonstrated for the particular case of coupled chaotic continuous time Hopfield neural networks. In particular, it is shown that when two chaotic Hopfield neural networks are coupled by simple sigmoid signals, periodic behavior can emerge as a consequence of this coupling.
CHAOTIC BEHAVIOR OF A PERIODICALLY FORCED PREDATOR–PREY SYSTEM WITH BEDDINGTON–DEANGELIS FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE AND IMPULSIVE PERTURBATIONS
Authors: ZHANG SHUWEN , TAN DEJUN , CHEN LANSUN
Published: December 2006

The effects of periodic forcing and impulsive perturbations on the predator–prey model with Beddington–DeAngelis functional response are investigated. We assume periodic variation in the intrinsic growth rate of the prey as well as periodic constant impulsive immigration of the predator. The dynamical behavior of the system is simulated and bifurcation diagrams are obtained for different parameters. The results show that periodic forcing and impulsive perturbation can very easily give rise to complex dynamics, including quasi-periodic oscillating, a period-doubling cascade, chaos, a period-halving cascade, non-unique dynamics, and period windows.
Cyclooxygenase-1 Is Involved in Endothelial Dysfunction of Mesenteric Small Arteries From Angiotensin II–Infused Mice
Authors: Virdis Agostino , Colucci Rocchina , Fornai Matteo , Duranti Emiliano , Giannarelli Chiara , Bernardini Nunzia , Segnani Cristina , Ippolito Chiara , Antonioli Luca , Blandizzi Corrado , Taddei Stefano , Salvetti Antonio , Del Tacca Mario
Published: December 2006

Angiotensin II induces endothelial dysfunction by reducing NO availability and increasing reactive oxygen species. We assessed whether cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 or COX-2 participate in the angiotensin II–induced endothelial dysfunction in murine mesenteric small arteries and examined the role of reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate–dependent reactive oxygen species production. Mice received angiotensin II (600 ng/kg per minute, SC), saline (controls), angiotensin II + apocynin (reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase inhibitor, 2.5 mg/day), or apocynin alone for 2 weeks. Endothelial function of mesenteric arteries was assessed by pressurized myograph. In controls, acetylcholine-induced relaxation was inhibited byNG-monomethyl-l-arginine and unaffected by DFU (COX-2 inhibitor), SC-560 (COX-1 inhibitor), or ascorbic acid. In angiotensin II–infused animals, the attenuated response to acetylcholine was less sensitive toNG-monomethyl-l-arginine, unaffected by DFU, and enhanced by SC-560 and, similarly, by SQ-29548, a thromboxane–prostanoid receptor antagonist. Moreover, response to acetylcholine was unchanged by ozagrel, a thromboxane synthase inhibitor, and normalized by ascorbic acid. Apocynin prevented the angiotensin II–induced vascular dysfunctions. In angiotensin II–infused mice, RT-PCR analysis showed a significant COX-2 downregulation, whereas COX-1 expression was upregulated. These changes were unaffected by apocynin. Modulation of COX isoform by angiotensin II was also documented by immunohistochemistry. In small mesenteric vessels, the reduced NO availability and oxidant excess, which characterize endothelial dysfunction secondary to angiotensin II, are associated with a reduced COX-2 and an increased COX-1 function and expression. Angiotensin II causes an oxidative stress–independent COX-1 overexpression, whereas angiotensin II–mediated oxidant excess production stimulates COX-1 activity to produce a contracting prostanoid endowed with agonist activity on thromboxane–prostanoid receptors.
Inhibition of Complement Component C3 Reduces Vein Graft Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E3–Leiden Transgenic Mice
Authors: Schepers A. , de Vries M.R. , van Leuven C.J. , Grimbergen J.M. , Holers V.M. , Daha M.R. , van Bockel J.H. , Quax P.H.A.
Published: December 2006

Background—

Venous bypass grafts may fail because of development of intimal hyperplasia and accelerated atherosclerosis. Inflammation plays a major role in these processes. Complement is an important part of the immune system and participates in the regulation of inflammation. The exact role of complement in the process of accelerated atherosclerosis of vein grafts has not yet been explored, however.

Methods and Results—

To assess the role of complement in the development of vein graft atherosclerosis, a mouse model, in which a venous interposition was placed in the common carotid artery, was used. In this model, vein graft thickening appeared within 4 weeks. The expression of complement components was studied with the use of immunohistochemistry on sections of the thickened vein graft. C1q, C3, C9, and the regulatory proteins CD59 and complement receptor-related gene y could be detected in the lesions 4 weeks after surgery. Quantitative mRNA analysis for C1q, C3, CD59, and complement receptor-related gene y revealed expression of these molecules in the thickened vein graft, whereas C9 did not show local mRNA expression. Furthermore, interference with C3 activation with complement receptor-related gene y–Ig was associated with reduced vein graft thickening, reduced C3 and C9 deposition, and reduced inflammation as assessed by analysis of influx of inflammatory cells, such as leukocytes, T cells, and monocytes. In addition, changes in apoptosis and proliferation were observed. When C3 was inhibited by cobra venom factor, a similar reduction in vein graft thickening was observed.

Conclusions—

The complement cascade is involved in vein graft thickening and may be a target for therapy in vein graft failure disease.
A Randomized Study Comparing Same-Day Home Discharge and Abciximab Bolus Only to Overnight Hospitalization and Abciximab Bolus and Infusion After Transradial Coronary Stent Implantation
Authors: Bertrand Olivier F. , De Larochellière Robert , Rodés-Cabau Josep , Proulx Guy , Gleeton Onil , Manh Nguyen Can , Déry Jean-Pierre , Barbeau Gérald , Noël Bernard , Larose Éric , Poirier Paul , Roy Louis
Published: December 2006

Background—

Systematic use of coronary stents and optimized platelet aggregation inhibition has greatly improved the short-term results of percutaneous coronary interventions. Transradial percutaneous coronary interventions have been associated with a low risk of bleeding complications. It is unknown whether moderate- and high-risk patients can be discharged safely the same day after uncomplicated transradial percutaneous coronary interventions.

Methods and Results—

We randomized 1005 patients after a bolus of abciximab and uncomplicated transradial percutaneous coronary stent implantation either to same-day home discharge and no infusion of abciximab (group 1, n=504) or to overnight hospitalization and a standard 12-hour infusion of abciximab (group 2, n=501). The primary composite end point of the study was the 30-day incidence of any of the following events: death, myocardial infarction, urgent revascularization, major bleeding, repeat hospitalization, access site complications, and severe thrombocytopenia. The noninferiority of same-day home discharge and bolus of abciximab only compared with overnight hospitalization and abciximab bolus and infusion was evaluated. Two thirds of patients presented with unstable angina and ≈20% presented with high-risk acute coronary syndrome prior to the procedure. The incidence of the primary end point was 20.4% in group 1 and 18.2% in group 2 (
P
=0.017 for noninferiority) with a troponin T–based definition of myocardial infarction; the incidence of the primary end point was 11.1% in group 1 and 9.6% in group 2 (
P
=0.0004 for noninferiority) with a creatinine kinase myocardial band–based definition of myocardial infarction. No death occurred. Rate of major bleeding in both groups was extremely low at 0.8% and 0.2%, respectively. From 504 patients randomized in group 1, 88% were discharged home the same day.

Conclusion—

Our data suggest that same-day home discharge after uncomplicated transradial coronary stenting and bolus only of abciximab is not clinically inferior, in a wide spectrum of patients, to the standard overnight hospitalization and a bolus followed by a 12-hour infusion. This novel approach offers a safe strategy for same-day home discharge after uncomplicated coronary intervention.
HFE
Genotype, Particulate Air Pollution, and Heart Rate Variability
Authors: Park Sung Kyun , O’Neill Marie S. , Wright Robert O. , Hu Howard , Vokonas Pantel S. , Sparrow David , Suh Helen , Schwartz Joel
Published: December 2006

Background—

Particulate air pollution has been associated with cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Transition metals such as iron bound to the particles may be responsible for those associations. The protein product of the hemochromatosis (
HFE
) gene modulates uptake of iron and divalent cations from pulmonary sources and reduces their toxicity. Two
HFE
polymorphisms (C282Y and H63D) associated with increased iron uptake may modify the effect of metal-rich particles on the cardiovascular system.

Methods and Results—

We investigated the association between particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter and heart rate variability in 518 older men from the Normative Aging Study who were examined between November 2000 and December 2004. Linear regression models were fit to evaluate interactions between
HFE
genotype and particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter in relation to heart rate variability, controlling for potential confounders. A 10-μg/m
3
increase in particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter during the 48 hours before heart rate variability measurement was associated with a 31.7% (95% CI, 10.3% to 48.1%) decrease in the high-frequency component of heart rate variability in persons with the wild-type genotype, whereas no relationship in the high-frequency component was observed in persons with either
HFE
variant. The difference in effect of particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter on the high-frequency component between persons with and without
HFE
variants was significant (
P
for interaction=0.02).

Conclusions—

The effect of particles on cardiac autonomic function was shielded in subjects with at least 1 copy of an
HFE
variant compared with wild-type subjects. Transition metals, including iron, bound to ambient particles and the related oxidative stress may play an important role in cardiac toxicity of particles.
Overlap Syndrome of Cardiac Sodium Channel Disease in Mice Carrying the Equivalent Mutation of Human
SCN5A
-1795insD
Authors: Remme Carol Ann , Verkerk Arie O. , Nuyens Dieter , van Ginneken Antoni C. G. , van Brunschot Sandra , Belterman Charly N. W. , Wilders Ronald , van Roon Marian A. , Tan Hanno L. , Wilde Arthur A. M. , Carmeliet Peter , de Bakker Jacques M. T. , Veldkamp Marieke W. , Bezzina Connie R.
Published: December 2006

Background—

Patients carrying the cardiac sodium channel (
SCN5A
) mutation 1795insD show sudden nocturnal death and signs of multiple arrhythmia syndromes including bradycardia, conduction delay, QT prolongation, and right precordial ST-elevation. We investigated the electrophysiological characteristics of a transgenic model of the murine equivalent mutation 1798insD.

Methods and Results—

On 24-hour continuous telemetry and surface ECG recordings,
Scn5a

1798insD/+

heterozygous mice showed significantly lower heart rates, more bradycardic episodes (pauses ≥500 ms), and increased PQ interval, QRS duration, and QTc interval compared with wild-type mice. The sodium channel blocker flecainide induced marked sinus bradycardia and/or sinus arrest in the majority of
Scn5a

1798insD/+

mice, but not in wild-type mice. Epicardial mapping using a multielectrode grid on excised, Langendorff-perfused hearts showed preferential conduction slowing in the right ventricle of
Scn5a

1798insD/+

hearts. On whole-cell patch-clamp analysis, ventricular myocytes isolated from
Scn5a

1798insD/+

hearts displayed action potential prolongation, a 39% reduction in peak sodium current density and a similar reduction in action potential upstroke velocity.
Scn5a

1798insD/+

myocytes displayed a slower time course of sodium current decay without significant differences in voltage-dependence of activation and steady-state inactivation, slow inactivation, or recovery from inactivation. Furthermore,
Scn5a

1798insD/+

myocytes showed a larger tetrodotoxin-sensitive persistent inward current compared with wild-type myocytes.

Conclusions—

Mice carrying the murine equivalent of the
SCN5A
-1795insD mutation display bradycardia, right ventricular conduction slowing, and QT prolongation, similar to the human phenotype. These results demonstrate that the presence of a single
SCN5A
mutation is indeed sufficient to cause an overlap syndrome of cardiac sodium channel disease.
Global Patterns and Determinants of Sex Differences in Smoking
Authors: Pampel Fred C.
Published: December 2006

The worldwide spread of tobacco use in recent decades raises questions about the relative prevalence of smoking among men and women. Does the degree of gender equality in nations promote equality in cigarette use? Does rising use of cigarettes by women stem from the stage of cigarette diffusion and earlier increases among men? Or have changes in economic factors and smoking policy affected the sexes differently? This study uses aggregate data for 106 nations, measures of smoking prevalence circa 2000, and lagged measures of gender equality, cigarette diffusion, and tobacco access to address these questions and evaluate the underlying theories. With the logged ratio of female to male prevalence as the dependent variable, regression results reveal that gender equality has inconsistent effects on women's smoking relative to men, cigarette diffusion has more consistent and moderately strong effects, and economic factors have weak effects. Global patterns of adoption of cigarettes by women appear most closely associated with the early adoption by men and then movement through a regular pattern of cigarette diffusion.
Steigmann-Gall, The Holy Reich
Authors: Piper Ernst
Published: December 2006

Steigmann-Gall confronts us with the provocative thesis that National Socialism was in reality a Christian movement. He wishes to correct the ‘mistaken belief of the last 50 years’ that the nazi movement was stamped by a basic hostility to Christianity. Steigmann-Gall's thesis is original. But it does not convince. The list of crown prosecution witnesses he calls to the bar has no consistency and lacks the necessary weight. Steigmann-Gall mistakes the ideological nature of nazism, which in reality did not want to tolerate any kind of religion in the long run, since every religion would inevitably represent competition with it and thus question the claim of the ideological dictatorship of National Socialism to a monopoly over people's beliefs. In the 1990s there was a lively debate about the idea of nazism as a political religion, a debate unfortunately largely ignored in Steigmann-Gall's book. This debate took as its starting point the thesis that nazism intended to be a secular religion. But one has to ask in this context whether the concept of political religion is based on a meaningful concept of religion per se. Whatever the case may be, there was certainly one thing that nazism did not want to be: Christian.
Social Morals, the Sacred and State Regulation in Durkheim’s Sociology
Authors: Varga Ivan
Published: December 2006

English

Durkheim analysed the mechanisms and types of institutions that create organic solidarity and prevent it from imploding for lack of moral cement. In conformity with his life-long preoccupation with the origins and role of morals, he laid great emphasis on professional ethics and civic morals, together with the institutions—professional associations (“corporations”) and the state—that ought to ensure the maintenance of solidarity and avoid, or at least reduce, anomie. His considerations, explicitly or implicitly, involve the concept of the sacred, its relationship to “political society” and morality, authority, democracy, citizenship and “world patriotism”.

French

Durkheim analysait les mécanismes et types des institutions qui créent la solidarité organique et empêchent qu'elle n'implose à cause du manque de ciment moral. Conformément à sa préoccupation de toujours par rapport aux origines et au rôle des moeurs, il mettait en relation l'éthique professionnelle et les moeurs civiles avec les institutions -- associations civiles (``corporations'') et l'État -- qui doivent assurer le maintien de la solidarité et éviter, ou au moins réduire, l'anomie. Ses réflexions impliquent, explicitement ou implicitement, le concept du sacré, son rapport à la ``société politique'' et à la moralité, à l'autorité, à la démocratie, à la citoyenneté et au ``patriotisme mondial''.
Les prélats africains et les tentatives de démocratisation du début de la décennie 1990
Authors: Bédard-St-Pierre Nadine
Published: December 2006

English

In the beginning of the 1990s, unforeseen actors emerged from the periods of political crisis that took place in Africa. Among those actors was the Catholic Church. Approaching the mobilization for democratization from the angle of the resources activated by the various actors, this article analyses “compromise” as a resource which made it possible for the national catholic authorities to play a role in these sociopolitical transformations. If, to this day, the theoretical range of “compromise” has been adequately brought to light, the empirical value of the concept is not well known. This is why this contribution mainly aims at exposing the conceptual operationalization of “compromise” obtained from an analysis of contents. As a conclusion, we propose a three-point discussion.

French

Les périodes de crise politique en Afrique au début des années 1990 ont fait surgir des acteurs imprévus. Parmi eux, l'Église catholique. Abordant les mobilisations, en vue de la démocratisation, sous l'angle des ressources activées par les différents acteurs, l'auteure analyse dans cet article le compromis comme ressource qui aurait permis d'inscrire les autorités catholiques nationales au coeur de cette dynamique de transformation de l'ordre sociopolitique. Si, à ce jour, la portée théorique du compromis a efficacement été mise en lumière, la valeur empirique du concept demeure, pour sa part, méconnue. C'est pourquoi, cette contribution vise principalement à exposer l'opérationnalisation conceptuelle du compromis qui fut réalisée en vue d'une analyse de contenu. En guise de conclusion, une discussion en trois volets est proposée.
The Ambivalence of Religiosity and Religion: A Reading of Georg Simmel
Authors: Laermans Rudi
Published: December 2006

The author discusses Georg Simmel’s writings on religiosity and religion, which only cover a rather tiny part of his total oeuvre, in view of a possible illumination of the material object of the sociology of religion. The distinction between religiosity and religion, which is fundamental according to Simmel, is presented against the more general background of Simmel’s so-called formal sociology and his overall “Lebensphilosophie” [philosophy of life]. Particular attention is given to the two basic social forms of religiosity, i.e. belief or trust and the experience of social unity.

According to Simmel, religion is at once an externalization and purification of religiosity, resulting in the creation of an autonomous sphere of transcendence. It is argued that, in contradistinction to, for instance, Emile Durkheim, Simmel clearly wanted to avoid religion being reduced to a mere reflection of religiosity in general and to the discussed social manifestations of religiosity in particular. The author ends with a brief discussion of Simmel’s pessimistic diagnosis of the fate of religion within modernity. In his view, modernity is in need of a religion that no longer situates transcendence in an autonomous sphere, cut off from mundane life.

French

L'auteur discute les écrits de Georg Simmel sur la religiosité et la religion, qui constituent seulement une fraction de son óuvre, en vue d'éclaircir l'objet „matériel de la sociologie de la religion. La distinction entre religiosité et religion, qui est fondamentale selon Simmel, est présentée sur l'arrière-fond plus général de la ``sociologie formelle simmelienne'' et de sa ``Lebensphilo sophie'' [philosophie de vie]. Une attention particulière est portée aux deux formes sociales les plus élémentaires de religiosité, la croyance ou la confiance et l'expérience de l'unité sociale.

Selon Simmel, la religion est simultanément une externalisation et une purification de la religiosité, résultant en la création d'une sphère autonome de transcendance. Il est soutenu que, contrairement à Emile Durkheim, par exemple, Simmel souhaitait clairement éviter que la religion soit réduite à un simple reflet de la religiosité en général et, plus particulièrement, à des manifestations sociales de la religiosité. L'auteur conclut par une brève discussion à propos du diagnostic pessimiste du destin de la religion dans la modernité posé par Simmel. Selon lui, la modernité a besoin d'une religion qui ne situe plus la transcendance dans une sphère autonome, séparée de la vie quotidienne.
Non-institutional Religious Re-composition among the Chinese Youth
Authors: Ji Zhe
Published: December 2006

English

The author seeks answers to the perplexing phenomenon: the increasing widespread youth religiosity in contemporary China. How is it possible for young people to acquire such religiosity in a society where the State vigorously opposes religion through its policy and practice? Using data from my own and others’ field observation and investigations, I show that in the past two decades, religious representations and practices have filtered to the Chinese through a variety of secular and non-institutional forms in the widening social and cultural space. These new reformulations of the religious traditions in turn have provided the youth with a wealth of symbolic references from which they can select according to their personal needs. To some extent, the strict state control of the religious institutions contributes ironically to the thriving growth of the individual, non-institutional and sectarian forms of the religiosity among the youth in contemporary China.

French

L'auteur cherche des réponses à un phénomène troublant: la religiosité croissante et répandue des jeunes de la Chine contemporaine. Comment est-il possible pour ces jeunes d'acquérir une telle religiosité dans une société où l'État s'oppose vigoureusement à la religion dans ses politiques et ses pratiques? En utilisant des données propres et issues du champ d'observation et d'investigation d'autres chercheurs, l'auteur montre que pendant les deux dernières décennies, les représentations et pratiques religieuses se sont infiltrées parmi les Chinois à travers une grande variété de formes séculières et non-institutionnelles dans un espace social et culturel s'élargissant. Ces nouvelles reformulations des traditions religieuses ont, à leur tour, fourni aux jeunes une richesse de références symboliques, parmi lesquelles ils peuvent effectuer une sélection selon leurs besoins personnels. Dans une certaine mesure, le contrÂle étatique strict des institutions religieuses contribue ironiquement à la croissance vigoureuse de formes individuelles, non-institutionnelles et sectaires de religiosité parmi les jeunes de la Chine contemporaine.
In Search of a ‘Good Mix’: ‘Race’, Class, Gender and Practices of Mothering
Authors: Byrne Bridget
Published: December 2006

Drawing on interviews with white middle-class mothers, this article examines the ways in which mothering involves practices and identities which are classed, raced and gendered. In particular, it focuses on the construction and articulation of middle-classness with whiteness. The article examines the women’s descriptions of how they constructed social networks as mothers, chose schools for their children and planned their after-school activities. It argues that these activities involved in being mothers and bringing up children can be understood as performative of race, class and gender.That is, practices of mothering are implicated in repeating and re-inscribing classed and raced discourses
Stigma or Respect: Lesbian-parented Families Negotiating School Settings
Authors: Lindsay Jo , Perlesz Amaryll , Brown Rhonda , McNair Ruth , de Vaus David , Pitts Marian
Published: December 2006

This article explores the interface between lesbian-parented families and mainstream society through the example of schools. Lesbian-parented families are an increasingly visible family form; they are diverse and complex and raise challenges for heteronormative social institutions. Based on qualitative family interviews with lesbian-parented families in Melbourne, we discuss the dialectic between schools and families. In many heteronormative school contexts family members were stigmatized and burdened by secrecy and fear about their family configuration. However, there were also a significant minority of family members who felt respected, supported and safe within the school environment.These parents and children were out and proud about their families, and schools had responded with acceptance in both the schoolyard and the curriculum. We discuss the contextual factors (including social location and family formation), impacting on and constraining the interface between the families and schools, and point to opportunities for change.