bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of malectin in Glc2Man9GlcNAc2-dependent quality control of α1-antitrypsin
Authors: Chen Yang , Hu Dan , Yabe Rikio , Tateno Hiroaki , Qin Sheng-Ying , Matsumoto Naoki , Hirabayashi Jun , Yamamoto Kazuo
Published: August 2011

Malectin was first discovered as a novel endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–resident lectin from Xenopus laevis that exhibits structural similarity to bacterial glycosylhydrolases. Like other intracellular lectins involved in glycoprotein quality control, malectin is highly conserved in animals. Here results from in vitro membrane-based binding assays and frontal affinity chromatography confirm that human malectin binds specifically to Glc2Man9GlcNAc2(G2M9) N-glycan, with a Kaof 1.97 × 105M−1, whereas binding to Glc1Man9GlcNAc2(G1M9), Glc3Man9GlcNAc2(G3M9), and other N-glycans is barely detectable. Metabolic labeling and immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrate that before entering the calnexin cycle, the folding-defective human α1-antitrypsin variant null Hong Kong (ATNHK) stably associates with malectin, whereas wild-type α1-antitrypsin (AT) or N-glycan–truncated variant of ATNHK(ATNHK-Q3) dose not. Moreover, malectin overexpression dramatically inhibits the secretion of ATNHKthrough a mechanism that involves enhanced ER-associated protein degradation; by comparison, the secretion of AT and ATNHK-Q3 is only slightly affected by malectin overexpression. ER-stress induced by tunicamycin results in significantly elevated mRNA transcription of malectin. These observations suggest a possible role of malectin in regulating newly synthesized glycoproteins via G2M9 recognition.
Evolutionary analysis of serotype A foot-and-mouth disease viruses circulating in Pakistan and Afghanistan during 2002–2009
Authors: Jamal Syed M. , Ferrari Giancarlo , Ahmed Safia , Normann Preben , Curry Stephen , Belsham Graham J.
Published: August 2011

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Three different serotypes of the virus, namely O, A and Asia-1, are responsible for the outbreaks of this disease in these countries. In the present study, the nucleotide-coding sequences for the VP1 capsid protein (69 samples) or for all four capsid proteins (P1, seven representative samples) of the serotype A FMD viruses circulating in Pakistan and Afghanistan were determined. Phylogenetic analysis of the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) VP1-coding sequences from these countries collected between 2002 and 2009 revealed the presence of at least four lineages within two distinct genotypes, all belonging to the Asia topotype, within serotype A. The predominant lineage observed was A-Iran05 but three other lineages (a new one is named here A-Pak09) were also identified. The A-Iran05 lineage is still evolving as revealed by the presence of seven distinct variants, the dominant being the A-Iran05AFG-07and A-Iran05BAR-08sublineages. The rate of evolution of the A-Iran05 lineage was found to be about 1.2×10−2substitutions per nucleotide per year. This high rate of change is consistent with the rapid appearance of new variants of FMDV serotype A in the region. The A22/Iraq FMDV vaccine is antigenically distinct from the A-Iran05BAR-08viruses. Mapping of the amino acid changes between the capsid proteins of the A22/Iraq vaccine strain and the A-Iran05BAR-08viruses onto the A22/Iraq capsid structure identified candidate amino acid substitutions, exposed on the virus surface, which may explain this antigenic difference.
Male Sterile2 Encodes a Plastid-Localized Fatty Acyl Carrier Protein Reductase Required for Pollen Exine Development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Chen Weiwei , Yu Xiao-Hong , Zhang Kaisi , Shi Jianxin , De Oliveira Sheron , Schreiber Lukas , Shanklin John , Zhang Dabing
Published: August 2011

Male Sterile2 (MS2) is predicted to encode a fatty acid reductase required for pollen wall development in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Transient expression of MS2 in tobacco (Nicotiana  benthamiana) leaves resulted in the accumulation of significant levels of C16 and C18 fatty alcohols. Expression of MS2 fused with green fluorescent protein revealed that an amino-terminal transit peptide targets the MS2 to plastids. The plastidial localization of MS2 is biologically important because genetic complementation of MS2 in ms2 homozygous plants was dependent on the presence of its amino-terminal transit peptide or that of the Rubisco small subunit protein amino-terminal transit peptide. In addition, two domains, NAD(P)H-binding domain and sterile domain, conserved in MS2 and its homologs were also shown to be essential for MS2 function in pollen exine development by genetic complementation testing. Direct biochemical analysis revealed that purified recombinant MS2 enzyme is able to convert palmitoyl-Acyl Carrier Protein to the corresponding C16:0 alcohol with NAD(P)H as the preferred electron donor. Using optimized reaction conditions (i.e. at pH 6.0 and 30°C), MS2 exhibits a K  m for 16:0-Acyl Carrier Protein of 23.3 ± 4.0 μm, a V  max of 38.3 ± 4.5 nmol mg−1 min−1, and a catalytic efficiency/K  m of 1,873 m  −1 s−1. Based on the high homology of MS2 to other characterized fatty acid reductases, it was surprising that MS2 showed no activity against palmitoyl- or other acyl-coenzyme A; however, this is consistent with its plastidial localization. In summary, genetic and biochemical evidence demonstrate an MS2-mediated conserved plastidial pathway for the production of fatty alcohols that are essential for pollen wall biosynthesis in Arabidopsis.
Use of NK cell activity in cure by transplant
Authors: Leung Wing
Published: August 2011

Analogous to T cells, Natural Killer (NK) cells may facilitate engraftment, combat infection, and control cancer in bone marrow or haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT); however, NK cells do not cause graft‐versus‐host disease. Killer immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs) regulate NK cell function, and recent data suggest that KIR is as important as its ligand (human leucocyte antigen; HLA) in HSCT for both malignant and non‐malignant conditions. Because there is substantial variability in KIR gene content, allelic polymorphism, and cell‐surface expression among people, careful selection of donors based on HLA and KIR is essential to optimize HSCT outcomes. Furthermore, NK cells may be used for adoptive immunotherapy after HSCT in place of conventional donor lymphocyte infusion, as part of pre‐transplant cytoreductive therapy, or as an independent therapeutic agent in high‐risk leukaemia in place of sibling donor HSCT.
Complexes between nuclear factor-κB p65 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 are key actors in inducing activation-induced cytidine deaminase expression and immunoglobulin A production in CD40L plus interleukin-10-treated human blood B cells
Authors: Lafarge S , Hamzeh-Cognasse H , Richard Y , Pozzetto B , Cogné M , Cognasse F , Garraud O
Published: August 2011

The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) transcription factor pathway plays an important role in many biological phenomena. STAT3 transcription is triggered by cytokine-associated signals. Here, we use isolated human B cells to analyse the role of STAT3 in interleukin (IL)-10 induced terminal B cell differentiation and in immunoglobulin (Ig)A production as a characteristic readout of IL-10 signalling. We identified optimal conditions for inducing in-vitro IgA production by purified blood naive B cells using IL-10 and soluble CD40L. We show that soluble CD40L consistently induces the phosphorylation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 but not of STAT3, while IL-10 induces the phosphorylation of STAT3 but not of NF-κB p65. Interestingly, while soluble CD40L and IL-10 were synergistic in driving the terminal maturation of B cells into IgA-producing plasma cells, they did not co-operate earlier in the pathway with regard to the transcription factors NF-κB p65 or STAT3. Blocking either NF-κB p65 or STAT3 profoundly altered the production of IgA and mRNA for activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), an enzyme strictly necessary for Ig heavy chain recombination. Finally, the STAT3 pathway was directly activated by IL-10, while IL-6, the main cytokine otherwise known for activating the STAT3 pathway, did not appear to be involved in IL-10-induced-STAT3 activation. Our results suggest that STAT3 and NF-κB pathways co-operate in IgA production, with soluble CD40L rapidly activating the NF-κB pathway, probably rendering STAT3 probably more reactive to IL-10 signalling. This novel role for STAT3 in B cell development reveals a potential therapeutic or vaccine target for eliciting IgA humoral responses at mucosal interfaces.
Plasma C‐type natriuretic peptide forms and thyroid status in prepubertal children with acquired thyroid disease
Authors: Reh C. S. , Olney R. C. , Azen C. , Prickett T. C. , Espiner E. A. , Geffner M. E.
Published: August 2011

Objective  C‐type natriuretic peptide (CNP) and thyroid hormone (TH) are essential for normal skeletal growth. Plasma CNP peptides correlate with growth velocity, but the relationship between thyroid status and CNP production is unknown. This study examined the impact of restoring normal TH levels on CNP and height velocity (HV) in children with acquired hypo‐ and hyperthyroidism.

Design  We performed a prospective, observational study in prepubertal children with acquired hypothyroidism (n = 15) and hyperthyroidism (n = 12).

Measurements  Blood levels of CNP, amino‐terminal proCNP (NTproCNP), bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), IGF‐I and TH levels were measured before and during the first 6 months of standard treatment for hypo‐ and hyperthyroidism, and correlations were determined.

Results  At baseline, HV, CNP, NTproCNP and BSAP were significantly higher in hyper‐ than in hypothyroid subjects. Changes in TH after treatment were closely coupled to change in CNP and NTproCNP in hyperthyroid, but not in hypothyroid, children. In addition, a positive association of HV with CNP peptides was found during treatment of hyperthyroidism. Normalizing TH did not correlate with changes in BSAP or IGF‐I in either group.

Conclusions  Plasma CNP peptides are higher in children with hyperthyroidism than in those with hypothyroidism at diagnosis and, in hyperthyroid children, change concordantly with TH and HV during treatment. Differential responses of CNP in the two groups suggest CNP production is dependent on growth plate activity and not a direct effect of TH on CNP gene expression. Our findings suggest novel mechanisms underlying changes in skeletal response during treatment in children with acquired thyroid disease.
Endocrine and metabolic characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome in Chinese women with different phenotypes
Authors: Xu Xinghua , Shi Yuhua , Cui Yuqian , Ma Jinlong , Che Li , Chen Zi‐Jiang
Published: August 2011

Objective  The aim of this study was to describe the endocrine and metabolic characteristics of Chinese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) according to different phenotypes, including menstrual cycle pattern and body mass index (BMI).

Design  Retrospective study.

Patient(s)  A total of 3539 patients with PCOS and 590 controls were recruited from the Centre for Reproductive Medicine. Patients with PCOS were divided into three groups according to the characteristics of the menstrual cycle (amenorrhoea, oligomenorrhea and eumenorrhea) and the BMI (<25 kg/m2; 25 ≤ and ≤ 30 kg/m2; and BMI > 30 kg/m2).

Measurements  Waist circumference, hip circumference, weight, height, Ferriman–Gallwey score, and endocrine and metabolic variables were measured.

Results  The serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and oral glucose tolerance test 2 h‐glucose levels were increased in the amenorrhoea group (P < 0·05). The triglycerides (TG) and low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (LDL) levels were the highest in the amenorrhoea group (P < 0·05). The same trend existed in total cholesterol and non‐ high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (HDL) levels, although there was no statistical significance (P > 0·05). Subjects with a BMI<25 kg/m2 had higher values of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), LH, LH/FSH and prolactin (P < 0·001) than the other two groups. The levels of TG, LDL and non‐HDL and the indices of glucose and insulin metabolism increased with the change in BMI (P < 0·001).

Conclusions  The amenorrhoea group had severe endocrine and metabolic abnormalities, which appeared to be related to latent long‐term complications and higher morbidity. The degree of dysbolism was positively associated with the change in BMI.
Changing subcellular localization of nuclear transport factors during human spermatogenesis
Authors: Whiley P. A. F. , Miyamoto Y. , McLachlan R. I. , Jans D. A. , Loveland K. L.
Published: August 2011

Spermatogenesis requires progressive changes in gene expression mediated by hormonal and local factors. Regulated macromolecular movement between nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments enables these essential responses to changing extracellular cues, and dynamic production of the nucleocytoplasmic transporters and importin proteins, throughout gametogenesis in rodents implicates them as key mediators of germline differentiation. We examined normal adult human testis expression profiles of six importins plus five additional proteins involved in nucleocytoplasmic transport. Although most were detected in the nucleus during germline differentiation, importin α4 was exclusively observed in Sertoli and germ cell cytoplasm. Many proteins were present in round spermatid nuclei (importins α1, α3, β1, β3; exportin‐1, Nup62, Ran, RanBP1, RCC1), and remarkable intense nuclear and/or nuclear‐associated signals were detected for importin α1, importin α3 and Nup62 in spermatocytes. This study identifies conserved aspects of nucleocytoplasmic transport during spermatogenesis and extends our knowledge of the dynamic presence of these proteins, which indicates that they contribute to germ cell‐specific cargo trafficking and potentially to other functions during human spermatogenesis. We also demonstrate for the first time that importin α3 is nuclear in spermatocytes, when exportin‐1 is cytoplasmic, suggesting that nuclear transport is altered during meiosis.
Dying like rabbits: general determinants of spatio‐temporal variability in survival
Authors: Tablado Zulima , Revilla Eloy , Palomares Francisco
Published: August 2011

1.Identifying general patterns of how and why survival rates vary across space and time is necessary to truly understand population dynamics of a species. However, this is not an easy task given the complexity and interactions of processes involved, and the interpopulation differences in main survival determinants.

2.Here, using European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) as a model and information from local studies, we investigated whether we could make inferences about trends and drivers of survival of a species that are generalizable to large spatio‐temporal scales. To do this, we first focused on overall survival and then examined cause‐specific mortalities, mainly predation and diseases, which may lead to those patterns.

3.Our results show that within the large‐scale variability in rabbit survival, there exist general patterns that are explained by the integration of factors previously known to be important at the local level (i.e. age, climate, diseases, predation or density dependence). We found that both inter‐ and intrastudy survival rates increased in magnitude and decreased in variability as rabbits grow old, although this tendency was less pronounced in populations with epidemic diseases. Some causes leading to these higher mortalities in young rabbits could be the stronger effect of rainfall at those ages, as well as, other death sources like malnutrition or infanticide.

4.Predation is also greater for newborns and juveniles, especially in population without diseases. Apart from the effect of diseases, predation patterns also depended on factors, such as, density, season, and type and density of predators. Finally, we observed that infectious diseases also showed general relationships with climate, breeding (i.e. new susceptible rabbits) and age, although the association type varied between myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease.

5.In conclusion, large‐scale patterns of spatio‐temporal variability in rabbit survival emerge from the combination of different factors that interrelate both directly and through density dependence. This highlights the importance of performing more comprehensive studies to reveal combined effects and complex relationships that help us to better understand the mechanisms underlying population dynamics.
A Population‐based Investigation of the Autoantibody Profile in Mothers of Children with Atrioventricular Block
Authors: Salomonsson S. , Dzikaite V. , Zeffer E. , Eliasson H. , Ambrosi A. , Bergman G. , Fernlund E. , Theander E. , Öhman A. , Rydberg A. , Skogh T. , Wållberg‐Jonsson S. , Elfving Å. , Fored M. , Ekbom A. , Lundström U. , Mellander M. , Winqvist O. , Sonesson S.‐E. , Gadler F. , Jonzon A. , Wahren‐Herlenius M.
Published: August 2011

The objective of the study was to investigate the antigen specificity and occurrence of individual autoantibodies in mothers of children diagnosed with atrioventricular (AV) block in a nation‐wide setting. Patients with AV block detected before 15 years of age were identified using national quality registries as well as a network of pediatric and adult cardiologists and rheumatologists at the six university hospitals in Sweden. Patients with gross heart malformations, surgically or infectiously induced blocks were excluded. Blood samples were obtained from the mothers and maternal autoantibody profile, including the occurrence of antibodies against Ro52, Ro60, La, SmB, SmD, RNP‐70k, RNP‐A, RNP‐C, CENP‐C, Scl‐70, Jo‐1, ribosomal RNP and histones was investigated in 193 mothers of children with AV block by immunoblotting and ELISA. Autoantibody reactivity was detected in 48% (93/193) of the mothers of children with AV block. In autoantibody‐positive mothers, the vast majority, 95% (88/93), had antibodies against Ro52, while 63% (59/93) had autoantibodies to Ro60 and 58% (54/93) had autoantibodies to La. In addition, 13% (12/93) of the autoantibody‐positive mothers had antibodies to other investigated antigens besides Ro52, Ro60 and La, and of these anti‐histone antibodies were most commonly represented, detected in 8% (7/93) of the mothers. In conclusion, this Swedish population‐based study confirms that maternal autoantibodies may associate with heart block in the child. Further, our data demonstrate a dominant role of Ro52 antibodies in association with AV block.
Inferring larval taxonomy and morphology in Maladera species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Sericini) using DNA taxonomy tools
Authors: ŠÍPEK PETR , AHRENS DIRK
Published: August 2011

Based on a comparative molecular study of scarab chafers we matched adult and larval instars to identify and describe unknown larvae of Sericini. Here, we use for the first time a two‐fold DNA taxonomy approach based on: (i) mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers of a local sample (from Nepal) of adults and larvae, in combination with character and tree‐based species delimitation methods; and (ii) a global search of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) sequences with GenBank data. In the latter analysis we used a sequence of a specimen that resulted in the first analysis conspecific with the larvae of Maladera affinis (Blanchard) as the query sequence in GenBank, and checked in a minimum evolution tree whether larva–adult matches from the local approach were altered through interference with other taxa of the worldwide database. Both approaches unambiguously identified the unknown larvae as belonging to M. affinis and Maladera cardoni (Brenske). Based on this robust framework of taxonomic identification we could associate names to the larval morphology of the third larval instar of these two Nepalese Maladera species, which are both known for their economical importance in agriculture. They are described here in detail and are compared with known related taxa, especially with Maladera castanea (Arrow).
Individual differences in discount rate are associated with demand for self‐administered cocaine, but not sucrose
Authors: Koffarnus Mikhail N. , Woods James H.
Published: August 2011

Substance abusers, including cocaine abusers, discount delayed rewards to a greater extent than do matched controls. In the current experiment, individual differences in discounting of delayed rewards in rats (choice of one immediate over three delayed sucrose pellets) were assessed for associations with demand for either sucrose pellets or an intravenous dose of 0.1 mg/kg/infusion cocaine. Twenty‐four male Sprague Dawley rats were split into three groups based on sensitivity to delay to reinforcement. Then, demand for sucrose pellets and cocaine was determined across a range of fixed‐ratio values. Delay discounting was then reassessed to determine the stability of this measure over the course of the experiment. Individual differences in impulsive choice were positively associated with elasticity of demand for cocaine, a measure of reinforcer value, indicating that rats having higher discount rates also valued cocaine more. Impulsive choice was not associated with the level of cocaine consumption as price approached 0 or with any parameter associated with demand for sucrose. Individual sensitivity to delay was correlated with the initial assessment when reassessed at the end of the experiment, although impulsive choice increased for this cohort of rats as a whole. These findings suggest that impulsive choice in rats is positively associated with valuation of cocaine, but not sucrose.
A Complex View of Barycentric Mappings
Authors: Weber O. , Ben‐Chen M. , Gotsman C. , Hormann K.
Published: August 2011

Barycentric coordinates are very popular for interpolating data values on polyhedral domains. It has been recently shown that expressing them as complex functions has various advantages when interpolating two‐dimensional data in the plane, and in particular for holomorphic maps. We extend and generalize these results by investigating the complex representation of real‐valued barycentric coordinates, when applied to planar domains. We show how the construction for generating real‐valued barycentric coordinates from a given weight function can be applied to generating complex‐valued coordinates, thus deriving complex expressions for the classical barycentric coordinates: Wachspress, mean value, and discrete harmonic. Furthermore, we show that a complex barycentric map admits the intuitive interpretation as a complex‐weighted combination of edge‐to‐edge similarity transformations, allowing the design of “home‐made” barycentric maps with desirable properties. Thus, using the tools of complex analysis, we provide a methodology for analyzing existing barycentric mappings, as well as designing new ones.
The Rejuvenation of Community Studies? Neighbours, Networks and Policy
Authors: Bulmer Martin
Published: August 2011

Why have community studies in Britain undergone such a decline? Several reasons are suggested for the decrease in popularity of this type of research since the mid-1960s, but several signs of possible resurgence are detected. Sociologists may also have something to learn from applied work in this area. The definition of the field is shifting from the geographical community to the study of primary group relations among neighbours, friends and kin. An effective methodological strategy which avoids hypostatising geographical space is social network analysis. Current theoretical issues are exemplified from Philip Abrams's work. There is revival too in the study of local-level political action.
Viewpoint: Place and Space in Sociological Fieldwork
Authors: Stimson Gerry V.
Published: August 2011

This brief note argues against the tendency in sociological fieldwork to limit observation and explanation to one medium of communication – speech. Against such ethnographic reductionism, it pleads for a reincorporation of a sense of place and space in fieldwork, and for attention to the multiple ways in which messages are communicated.
The Power of the Powerless: Prostitution and the Reinforcement of Submissive Femininity
Authors: Dominelli Lena
Published: August 2011

Deviancy has been explored in terms of its potential to challenge the existing power structure. However, the implications of gender for power relationships, even in discussions of women deviants have been largely ingnored by crimonologists. Using Liazos’ paradigm of power as its starting point, the interaction between power and gender is explored by examining prostitution and the efforts of prostitutes to organise collectively in PROS to decriminalize prostitution. The significance of the gender base of power for social work intervention with ‘deviant’ groups is also considered. It concludes that women deviants can become more powerful by organising collectively, though their organisation ultimately fails to challenge existing social relationships and the distribution of power between men and women Female subordination is reinforced despite their protest.
Simmel, Rationalisation and the Sociology of Money
Authors: Turner Bryan S.
Published: August 2011

Simmel was born in 1858. Raised in the centre of the Jewish business culture of Berlin. Simmel studied history and philosophy, becoming a Privatdozent in 1885. Although he published numerous books and artickes, simmel was excluded from influential university positions as a result of the pervasive anti-Semitism of the period and it was bot until 1914 that Simmel was finally promoted to a full professorship at the University of Strasbourg. Like Durkheim. Simmel was both the object of anti-Semitic prejudice and a fervent supporter of the nationalist cause in the First World War. Simmel died in 1918 if cancer of the liver.1 This basic and naïve factual biography of Simmel in many respects provides many of the themes in Simmel's sociology. First, his sociology is held to be the brilliant reflection of the glittering, cospospolitan world of pre-war Berlin and that his commentary on that world took the form of impressionism his sociological essays are snapshots sub specie aeternitatis”? simmel's perspective has been regarded as an example of the nature of modern society as contained in Robert Musil's The Man's Without Qualities. That is a social existence without roots, commitments or purpose.3 Secondly, Simmel was and remained a social outsider despite his good connections with Berlin's cultural elite. His writing has been as a result characterised as perspectivism and an aestheticication of reality. As an indication of this, Simmel's influence has in the past often rested on such minor contributions as ‘The Stranger’4 Thridly, because Simmel failed to secure an influential location within the German university system, there was no development of the Simmelian school of sociology at all comparable to Durkheimain sociology. Decades of sociological interpretation of Simmel's work have still left Simmel as a theoretical enigma on the ambitus of the sociological tradition. His sociology has been categorised as interactionist, formal and conflict sociology.5 In more recent years there has been a renewal of interest in Simmel which has begun to show a greater appreciation of the unity and stature of his sociology. This renewal has been brought about by the cominentaries of Levine. Frisby, Robertson, and Holzner. 6 More importantly, the translation of Simmel's The Philosophy of Money7 by Bottomore and Frisby provides a new opportunity for a systematic evaluation of Simmel's sociology of modern culture. The main burden of this paper is that existing commentaries have failed to focus on the central theme of ‘alienation’ and ‘rationalisation’ in The Philosophy of Money which provided the major theoretical backing for on the one hand, Weber's analysis capitalism as the iron cage and on the other Lukács so-called rediscovery of the alienation theme in the young Marx.
Durkheim and Individualism
Authors: Miller W. Watts
Published: August 2011

Durkheim endorses moral and rejects methodological individualism. But he arrives at this ‘general position’ via a particular development of it that runs into serious sociological, apart from any philosophical, trouble. It depends on an ethical relativism that in turn depends on an idea of society qua harmonious system, generating more or less practical aspirations, and a single appropriate, ‘normal’ morality. Yet modern society generates ideals quite unrealisable in it, and continuing, fundamental conflicts between moral doctrines and beliefs. To uphold central humanist, individualist ideals, we cannot rely on Durkheim's particular sociology or on his ethical relativism, and to defend his general position must unhook it from both.
The Social World as Will and Idea: Schopenhauer's Influence upon Durkheim's Thought
Authors: Mestrovic Stjepan G.
Published: August 2011

The starting-point for this analysis is a remark made by André Lalande, that Durkheim was so enamoured with Schopenhauer's philosophy that his students nicknamed him ‘Schopen’. The intellectual context shared by Schopenhauer and Durkheim is explored, especially with regard to the opposition between the id-like ‘will’ and the mind. Schopenhauer's influence upon Durkheim's contemporaries is examined briefly. Then, this new context for apprehending Durkheim's thought is applied to selected problems in Durkheimian scholarship, problems that have to do with the dualism of human nature, perception, the unconscious and the unity of knowledge relative to the object-subject debate. The implications for sociological theory are also discussed.
Integrating Process and Structure in the Concept of Youth: A Case for Secondary Analysis
Authors: Jones Gill
Published: August 2011

During its eighty-year history, the sociology of youth has provided a succession of partial explanations of the circumstances and responses of the young. The paper critically reviews this history and defines the challenge currently faced by sociologists: to develop a conceptual framework for understanding both the transitions young people pass through as they become adult, and the differential experiences of young people from different social groups. It is argued that such a framework requires the integration of the concepts of process and structure Secondary analysis of existing large data sets is suggested as an available means of meeting the challenge, since such data sets can provide both large representative samples which allow inter-group comparisons, and wide-ranging longitudinal data which allows the study of processes
‘Racial’ Referents: Images of European/Aboriginal Relations in Australian Feature Films, 1955–1984
Authors: Brown Kevin M.
Published: August 2011

The article discusses fifteen feature films which re-present aspects of European/Aboriginal relations. Through an analysis of the narrative structures of the films, three basic themes are identified and outlined, each of which could be implicated in the processes through which racist ideology inheres in the encoding/decoding nexus. The concept of ‘racial’ register is utilised to signify the limits to these forms of representations. It is argued that at both the levels of the narrative theme (intertextual) and the syntagmatic (intratextual), the ‘racial’ register works to reconstruct ‘race’ as an overdetermined ideological notion which cements ideas of essential difference and fixes them to ideas of place. The article concludes with an examination of three films which lie partially outside the ‘racial’ register.
Colonial Science and Dependent Development: The Case of the Irish Experience
Authors: Yearley Steven
Published: August 2011

This paper draws on recent studies of colonial science and of the social function of science in the underdeveloped world to analyse the social development of science in Ireland and, subsequently, the Irish Republic. It is suggested that after the Act of Union scientific activity in Ireland became prized as a cultural practice, largely isolated from its local context and potential local applications. Because of governmenta priorities in the new state and because of the Anglo-Irish character of much of the scientific culture, this isolation persisted after Partition. The recent history of science in the Irish Republic is interpreted in terms of this isolation or marginality.
Age Relations in An English Church
Authors: Jerrome Dorothy
Published: August 2011

Age identities are a product of negotiation between acquaintances and intimates. The negotiation takes place against a background of assumptions about appropriate ways of moving through the life span. This study of ageing in the context of an English church shows how organisational needs must be taken into account in understanding the ageing strategies of participants. The paper is based on fieldwork conducted in the south of England in 1985–6. The analysis draws on the literature of social gerontology which is mainly American. It is part of a larger ESRC-funded study of the social construction of old age in Britain.
LOCATING OUTSIDE A LINEAR CITY CAN BENEFIT CONSUMERS*
Authors: Matsumura Toshihiro , Matsushima Noriaki
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT We investigate the effects of restricting the locations of firms in Hotelling duopoly models. In standard location‐price models, the equilibrium distance between firms is too great from the viewpoint of consumer welfare. Thus, restricting the locations of firms and shortening the distance between them improves consumer welfare by reducing prices and transport costs. We introduce strategic reward contracts into location‐price models and find that, in contrast to the above result, restrictions on the locations of firms reduce consumer welfare. These restrictions reduce transport costs but increase prices by changing the strategic commitments of the firms.
Inequality Regimes and Men's Positions in Social Work
Authors: Dahlkild‐Öhman Gunilla , Eriksson Maria
Published: August 2011

The aim of this article is to contribute to the exploration of men's positions in professions numerically dominated by women through an in depth analysis of the gendering practices in groups of social workers. The empirical material consists of interviews with three work groups in Sweden, each with one man and several women as members. The analysis focuses upon gendering practices in the interview setting. It shows how the positions occupied by the men in the sample confirm or undermine constructions of masculinity as dominance. Furthermore, it is argued that to fully understand men's positions in these groups the analysis needs take other forms of inequality into account in addition to gender. It is shown that in the empirical cases under scrutiny men's positions are shaped by regimes of inequality where age and gender relations, as well as notions of professional experience, are interconnected.
The effectiveness and safety of adalimumab in the treatment of non‐reimbursed patients with mild‐to‐moderate psoriasis
Authors: Chiu H.‐Y. , Wang T.‐S. , Chang C.‐Y. , Tsai T.‐F.
Published: August 2011

Background  Few reports exist on the use of biologics for treating patients with mild‐to‐moderate psoriasis, especially for non‐reimbursed patients.

Objectives  This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of adalimumab in non‐reimbursed patients with mild‐to‐moderate psoriasis.

Methods  Fifty one patients with mild‐to‐moderate psoriasis treated with adalimumab 40 mg every other week (eow) in a tertiary referral hospital in Taiwan between 2007 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical effectiveness of adalimumab was assessed using Subject’s Global assessment (SGA) and Physician’s Global Assessment (PGA), and the reasons for discontinuation were evaluated.

Results  After 12 weeks of adalimumab (40 mg subcutaneously eow without a loading dose) treatment, 66% and 74% of patients had SGA and PGA scores of at least marked improvement (greater than 50% improvement compared with baseline psoriasis), respectively, with 60% and 53% of patients achieving SGA and PGA scores of at least marked improvement after 24 weeks. Ten (71%) of 14 previous non‐responders to etanercept achieved a SGA or PGA score of at least marked improvement after adalimumab treatment. Adalimumab was generally well tolerated, but four patients (7.8%) discontinued adalimumab due to adverse events. The mean time required for resumption of systemic anti‐psoriatic therapy was 6 months (range, 1–12 months). Apart from financial limitations, the most common reasons for discontinuation were primary (23.5%) and secondary (13.7%) lack of efficacy.

Conclusion  In non‐reimbursed mild‐to‐moderate psoriasis patients, SGA and PGA remained high for adalimumab. Effectiveness and remission duration were key factors affecting patients’ willingness to pay for prolonged adalimumab treatment.
Peritoneal and Plasma d‐lactate Concentrations in Horses with Colic
Authors: Yamout Sawsan Z. , Nieto Jorge E. , Beldomenico Pablo M. , Dechant Julie E. , leJeune Sarah , Snyder Jack R.
Published: August 2011

Objective

To evaluate the association between peritoneal fluid and plasma d‐lactate concentration with variables used in the diagnosis and prognosis of horses with colic.

Animals

Clinically healthy horses (n=6) and 90 horses with colic.

Study Design

Prospective cross‐sectional study.

Methods

d‐lactate concentration was determined in peritoneal fluid and plasma of all horses. Information on other blood and peritoneal fluid variables, signalment, results from the physical examination, outcome, need for surgery, lesion location, and type was retrieved from medical records.

Results

Peritoneal d‐lactate concentration was strongly correlated with plasma d‐lactate concentration (r=0.71; P<.001). Peritoneal and plasma d‐lactate concentrations were positively correlated with peritoneal (r=0.8; P<.001) and plasma l‐lactate (r=0.33; P=.001) concentrations, respectively. Peritoneal d‐lactate concentration was negatively correlated with survival to discharge (U=430.5; P<.001). Median peritoneal d‐lactate concentration of horses with septic peritonitis (455.2 μmol/L) and horses with gastrointestinal rupture (599.5 μmol/L) were higher compared with horses with nonstrangulating obstructions (77.7 μmol/L). A cut‐off concentration of peritoneal d‐lactate of 116.6 μmol/L had a sensitivity of 0.813 and a specificity of 0.651 to differentiate between nonstrangulating and strangulating obstructions.

Conclusions

Peritoneal d‐lactate concentration may be more useful for identifying horses with strangulating obstructions (high sensitivity, low probability of a false negative) than to ruling out strangulating obstruction (moderate specificity, high probability of a false positive).
Fracture load of tooth–implant‐retained zirconia ceramic fixed dental prostheses: effect of span length and preparation design
Authors: Gabbert Olaf , Karatzogiannis Efstathios , Ohlmann Brigitte , Schmitter Marc , Karl Jochen , Rammelsberg Peter
Published: August 2011

Objectives: Evaluation of the effect of different span length and preparation designs on the fracture load of tooth–implant‐supported fixed dental prostheses (TIFDPs) manufactured from yttrium‐stabilized zirconia frameworks.

Material and methods: Forty‐eight TIFDPs were manufactured using a CAD/CAM system and veneered with a press ceramic. Rigidly mounted implants (SLA, diameter 4.1 mm, length 10 mm) in the molar region with a titanium abutment were embedded in PMMA bases pairwise with premolars. All premolars were covered with heat‐shrink tubing to simulate physiological tooth mobility. Six different test groups were prepared (a) differing in the preparation design of the premolar (inlay [i]; crown [c]), (b) the material of the premolar (metal [m]; natural human [h]) and (c) the length of the TIFDPs (3‐unit [3]; 4‐unit [4]). All TIFDPs underwent thermomechanical loading (TCML) (10,000 × 6.5°/60°; 6 × 105× 50 N). The load to fracture (N) was measured and fracture sites were evaluated macroscopically.

Results: None of the restorations failed during TCML. The mean fracture loads (standard deviations) were 1,522 N (249) for the 3‐unit, inlay‐retained TIFDPs on a metal abutment tooth (3‐im), 1,910 N (165) for the 3‐cm group, 1,049 N (183) for group 4‐im, 1,274 N (282) for group 4‐cm, 1,229 N (174) for group 4‐ih and 911 N (205) for group 4‐ch. Initial damages within the veneering ceramic occurred before the final failure of the restoration. The corresponding loads were 24–52% lower than the fracture load values.

Conclusions: All restorations tested could withstand the mastication forces expected. Fracture‐load values for 3‐ and 4‐unit inlay–crown and crown–crown‐retained TIFDPs should spur further clinical investigation.
Effects of training periodization on cardiac autonomic modulation and endogenous stress markers in volleyball players
Authors: Mazon J. , Gastaldi A. , Di Sacco T. , Cozza I. , Dutra S. , Souza H.
Published: August 2011

We investigated the effects of selective loads of periodization model (SLPM) on autonomic modulation of heart rate variability (HRV) and endogenous stress markers before and after a competition period in volleyball players (N=32). The experimental protocol for the evaluation of HRV consisted of using spectral analysis of time series composed of the R–R intervals derived from electrocardiogram obtained in the supine position and during the tilt test. Stress marker levels were determined by quantifying the plasma concentration of endogenous catecholamines, cortisol and free testosterone. The results showed no changes between the levels of HRV before and after a competition period. In contrast, the quantification of the plasma concentration of endogenous stress markers revealed reductions in the levels of total catecholamines, noradrenaline and cortisol. These changes were accompanied by increases in the concentration of free testosterone and in the testosterone/cortisol ratio. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the SLPM did not change the cardiac autonomic modulation of HRV, but promoted beneficial adaptations in athletes, including positive changes in the plasma concentration of the endogenous stress markers. The absence of changes in HRV indicates that there is no direct relationship between cardiac autonomic modulation and endogenous stress markers in the present study.
High injury incidence in TeamGym competition: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Lund S. S. , Myklebust G.
Published: August 2011

TeamGym is a relative new form of gymnastics originating from Scandinavia. Little is known regarding injury incidence and injury types. The aim of this study was to examine the injury pattern and incidence in Norwegian TeamGym competition. The study is a prospective cohort, with one 10‐month season [17 competitions, n=8418 athlete‐exposures (A‐Es), a total of 1134 h of exposure]. Injury pattern, incidence and exposure during competition were collected using an injury registration form. During the competitions, 115 injuries were reported including 49 (43%) acute injuries, 58 (50%) exacerbations and eight (7%) re‐injuries. The injury incidence was 50.3/1000 h or 6.8/1000 A‐Es. Ankle injuries accounted for 25.6/1000 h. A total number of 30 time‐loss injuries were found, giving 27 injuries per 1000 h. The high proportion of exacerbations shows that the gymnasts competed even if they had not recovered fully from previous overuse or acute injuries. A higher injury rate was observed in competition than during the pre‐competition apparatus warm‐up. Eighty‐four per cent of the injuries occurred in the landing phase of the gymnastic skill. No sex differences were observed. The injury rate in Norwegian TeamGym competition is high, in particular for ankle injuries.
Increased glucose concentration results in reduced proteasomal activity and the formation of glycogen positive aggresomal structures
Authors: Puri Rajat , Jain Navodita , Ganesh Subramaniam
Published: August 2011

Recent studies indicate that glycogen, besides being a principal storage product, confers protection against cellular stress through an unknown physiological pathway. Abnormal glycogen inclusions have also been considered to underlie pathology in a few neurodegenerative disorders that are caused by proteolytic dysfunctions, although a link between proteolytic pathways and glycogen accumulation is yet to be established. In the present study, we investigated the subcellular localization of glycogen particles and report that their distribution is altered under physiological stress. Using a cellular model, we show that glycogen particles are recruited to the centrosomal aggresomal structures upon proteasomal or lysosomal blockade, and that this recruitment is dependent on the microtubule function. We also show that an increase in the glucose concentration leads to decreased cellular proteasomal activity and the formation of glycogen positive aggresomal structures. Proteasomal blockade also leads to the formation of diastase‐resistant polyglucosan bodies. The glycogen particles in aggresomes might provide energy to the proteolytic process and/or function as a scaffold. Taken together, the findings of the present study suggest a functional link between proteasomal function and polyglucosan bodies, and also suggest that these two physiological processes could be linked in neurodegenerative disorders.
Bone‐anchored hearing aids for people with bilateral hearing impairment: a systematic review
Authors: Colquitt J.L. , Loveman E. , Baguley D.M. , Mitchell T.E. , Sheehan P.Z. , Harris P. , Proops D.W. , Jones J. , Clegg A.J. , Welch K.
Published: August 2011

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2011, 36, 419–441

Background:  Bone‐anchored hearing aids (BAHAs) are indicated for people with conductive or mixed hearing loss who can benefit from amplification of sound. In resource limited health care systems, it is important that evidence regarding the benefit of BAHAs is critically appraised to aid decision‐making.

Objective of review:  To assess the clinical effectiveness of BAHAs for people with bilateral hearing impairment.

Type of review:  Systematic review.

Search strategy:  Nineteen electronic resources were searched from inception to November 2009. Additional studies were sought from reference lists, clinical experts and BAHA manufacturers.

Evaluation method:  Inclusion criteria were applied by two reviewers independently. Data extraction and quality assessment of full papers were undertaken by one reviewer and checked by a second. Studies were synthesised through narrative review with tabulation of results.

Results:  Twelve studies were included. Studies suggested audiological benefits of BAHAs when compared with bone‐conduction hearing aids or no aiding. A mixed pattern of results was seen when BAHAs were compared to air‐conduction hearing aids. Improvements in quality of life with BAHAs were found by a hearing‐specific instrument but not generic quality of life measures. Issues such as improvement of discharging ears and length of time the aid can be worn were not adequately addressed by the studies. Studies demonstrated some benefits of bilateral BAHAs. Adverse events data were limited. The quality of the studies was low.

Conclusions:  The available evidence is weak. As such, caution is indicated in the interpretation of presently available data. However, based on the available evidence, BAHAs appear to be a reasonable treatment option for people with bilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss. Further research into the benefits of BAHAs, including quality of life, is required to reduce the uncertainty.