bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lipopolysaccharide Induces a Significant Increase in Expression of Iron Regulatory Hormone Hepcidin in the Cortex and Substantia Nigra in Rat Brain
Authors: Wang Qin , Du Fang , Qian Zhong-Ming , Ge Xiao Hu , Zhu Li , Yung Wing Ho , Yang Lei , Ke Ya
Published: May 2008

Hepcidin plays an essential role in maintaining normal iron homeostasis outside the brain. This recently discovered iron regulation hormone is predominantly expressed in the liver, and regulated by iron and hypoxia. As an antimicrobial peptide, this hormone is also elevated during infections and inflammation. In this study we investigated the expression of hepcidin mRNA and protein in different brain regions, including the cortex, hippocampus, striatum, and substantia nigra, and the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the expression of hepcidin using quantitative real-time RT-PCR and immunofluorescence analysis. Our data provided further evidence for the existence of hepcidin in all the regions we examined. We also demonstrated for the first time that LPS administration by iv injection can regulate the expression of hepcidin mRNA and protein not only in peripheral organs such as the liver, but also in the brain. LPS induced a significant increase in the expression of hepcidin mRNA and protein in the cortex and substantia nigra, but not in the hippocampus and striatum, indicating a regionally specific regulation of LPS on hepcidin in the brain. The relevant mechanisms and the functions of hepcidin in the brain remain to be elucidated.
Orexins Stimulate Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein Expression through Multiple Signaling Pathways in Human Adrenal H295R Cells
Authors: Ramanjaneya Manjunath , Conner Alex C. , Chen Jing , Stanfield Peter R. , Randeva Harpal S.
Published: May 2008

Orexins mediate a variety of physiological processes, including feeding behavior, the circadian pathway, and cortisol secretion. Steroidogenesis is regulated by a variety of neuropeptides, and one of the key rate-limiting steps is cholesterol transport across the mitochondrial membrane by the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR). StAR expression can be regulated through several different signaling pathways. Despite the clear link between orexins and steroid production, the actions of the orexin family of hormones on steroid biosynthesis are not fully understood. We present data showing that 100 nm of both orexins A and B for 4 or 24 h significantly up-regulates StAR, in H295R pluripotent adrenocortical cells. We present the dose-dependent and time-dependent characteristics of StAR up-regulation at the protein level, showing significant increases after 4 h at a relatively low agonist concentration (1 nm). We have provided a key analysis of the precise G protein-coupled signaling pathways required for the up-regulation of StAR in response to orexins A and B. This has involved dominant-negative G protein analysis, and the direct inhibition of the protein kinase A, protein kinase C, ERK1/2, and p38 pathways. This shows a fundamental role for multiple G protein-coupled and MAPK-mediated signaling pathways leading to StAR expression. Antagonist analysis also showed that orexin effects on StAR were primarily, but not exclusively, acting through the orexin receptor type 1. This is the first study linking orexin action on StAR expression and comprehensively describes the signaling pathways involved in regulating the complexity of hormone biosynthesis.
Autocrine Human Growth Hormone Stimulates Oncogenicity of Endometrial Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Pandey Vijay , Perry Jo K. , Mohankumar Kumarasamypet M. , Kong Xiang-Jun , Liu Shu-Min , Wu Zheng-Sheng , Mitchell Murray D. , Zhu Tao , Lobie Peter E.
Published: May 2008

Recent published data have demonstrated elevated levels of human GH (hGH) in endometriosis and endometrial adenocarcinoma. Herein, we demonstrate that autocrine production of hGH can enhance the in vitro and in vivo oncogenic potential of endometrial carcinoma cells. Forced expression of hGH in endometrial carcinoma cell lines RL95-2 and AN3 resulted in an increased total cell number through enhanced cell cycle progression and decreased apoptotic cell death. In addition, autocrine hGH expression in endometrial carcinoma cells promoted anchorage-independent growth and increased cell migration/invasion in vitro. In a xenograft model of human endometrial carcinoma, autocrine hGH enhanced tumor size and progression. Changes in endometrial carcinoma cell gene expression stimulated by autocrine hGH was consistent with the altered in vitro and in vivo behavior. Functional antagonism of hGH in wild-type RL95-2 cells significantly reduced cell proliferation, cell survival, and anchorage-independent cell growth. These studies demonstrate a functional role for autocrine hGH in the development and progression of endometrial carcinoma and indicate potential therapeutic relevance of hGH antagonism in the treatment of endometrial carcinoma.
Estrogen Receptor-α Overexpression Suppresses 17β-Estradiol-Mediated Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression and Activation of Survival Kinases
Authors: Bake Shameena , Ma Lijiang , Sohrabji Farida
Published: May 2008

Estrogen and its receptors influence growth and differentiation by stimulating the production and secretion of growth factors. Our previous studies indicate an increased expression of estrogen receptor (ER)-α and decreased growth factor synthesis in the olfactory bulb of reproductive senescent female rats as compared with young animals. The present study tests the hypothesis that abnormal overexpression of ERα contributes to decreased growth factor synthesis. We developed the HeLa-Tet-On cell line stably transfected with ERα (HTERα) that expresses increasing amounts of ERα with increasing doses of doxycycline (Dox). Increasing doses of Dox had no effect on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion in HTERα cells. However, in the presence of 40 nm 17β-estradiol, VEGF secretion increased in low-dose Dox-exposed HTERα cultures, which was attenuated by the ERα antagonist, 1,3-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-methyl-5-[4-(2-piperidinylethoxy)phenol]1H-pyrazole dihydrochloride. However, at high-dose Dox and, consequently, high ERα levels, estradiol failed to increase VEGF. In the HeLa X6 cell line in which the Tet-On construct is upstream of an unrelated gene (Pitx2A), estradiol failed to induce VEGF at any Dox dose. Furthermore, in the HTERα cell line, estradiol selectively down-regulates phospho-ERK2 and phospho-Akt at high ERα expression. This study clearly demonstrates that the dose of receptor critically mediates estradiol’s ability to regulate growth factors and survival kinases. The present data also support the hypothesis that 17β-estradiol treatment to an ERα overexpressing system, such as the senescent brain, could reverse the normally observed beneficial effect of estrogen.
Leupaxin, a Novel Coactivator of the Androgen Receptor, Is Expressed in Prostate Cancer and Plays a Role in Adhesion and Invasion of Prostate Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Kaulfuss Silke , Grzmil Michal , Hemmerlein Bernhard , Thelen Paul , Schweyer Stefan , Neesen Jürgen , Bubendorf Lukas , Glass Andrew G. , Jarry Hubertus , Auber Bernd , Burfeind Peter
Published: May 2008

In the present study, we demonstrate that leupaxin mRNA is overexpressed in prostate cancer (PCa) as compared with normal prostate tissue by using cDNA arrays and quantitative RT-PCR analyses. Moderate to strong expression of leupaxin protein was detected in approximately 22% of the PCa tissue sections analyzed, and leupaxin expression intensities were found to be significantly correlated with Gleason patterns/scores. In addition, different leupaxin expression levels were observed in PCa cell lines, and at the subcellular level, leupaxin was usually localized in focal adhesion sites. Furthermore, mutational analysis and transfection experiments of LNCaP cells using different green fluorescent protein-leupaxin constructs demonstrated that leupaxin contains functional nuclear export signals in its LD3 and LD4 motifs, thus shuttling between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. We could also demonstrate for the first time that leupaxin interacts with the androgen receptor in a ligand-dependent manner and serves as a transcriptional activator of this hormone receptor in PCa cells. Down-regulation of leupaxin expression using RNA interference in LNCaP cells resulted in a high rate of morphological changes, detachment, spontaneous apoptosis, and a reduction of prostate-specific antigen secretion. In contrast, knockdown of leupaxin expression in androgen-independent PC-3 and DU 145 cells induced a significant decrease of both the invasive capacity and motility. Our results therefore indicate that leupaxin could serve as a potential progression marker for a subset of PCa and may represent a novel coactivator of the androgen receptor. Leupaxin could function as a putative target for therapeutic interventions of a subset of advanced PCa.
Transient elevation of corticosterone alters begging behavior and growth of white-crowned sparrow nestlings
Authors: Wada Haruka , Breuner Creagh W.
Published: May 2008

Developing animals may face a cost–benefit tradeoff during growth mediated through hormones such as glucocorticoids, as the hormone is essential for development but can have detrimental consequences. To investigate potential tradeoffs caused by brief, moderate elevations of corticosterone in avian young, we artificially elevated the hormone levels in two ways: feeding corticosterone-containing worms and applying corticosterone dermal patches. The former experiment tested the effects of an acute corticosterone elevation(25 min) on begging behavior, whereas the latter explored the effects of artificially elevated corticosterone for 24 to 48 h on growth. Corticosterone altered both begging behavior and growth of white-crowned sparrow nestlings. It increased latency to beg immediately after the treatment and suppressed growth as early as 24 h after the patch application. These experiments also showed that the effects depended on the age or types of development (e.g. gaining mass or growing feathers) that the nestlings were going through.
The effects of viscosity on the axial motor pattern and kinematics of the African lungfish (Protopterus annectens) during lateral undulatory swimming
Authors: Horner Angela M. , Jayne Bruce C.
Published: May 2008

Separate studies of terrestrial and aquatic locomotion are abundant, but research addressing locomotion in transitional environments (e.g. mud) is scant. The African lungfish (Protopterus annectens) moves in a gradation of water to mud conditions during seasonal droughts, and breathes air. Thus, the lungfish was an ideal organism for our study to determine the effects of a wide range of viscosities on lateral undulatory swimming and to simulate some of the muddy conditions early tetrapods may have encountered. Regardless of viscosity, several aspects of lungfish swimming were similar to those of other swimming vertebrates including: posteriorly propagated muscle activity that was unilateral and alternated between the left and right sides at each longitudinal location, and posterior increases in the amount of bending, the amplitude of muscle activity and the timing differences between muscle activity and bending. With increased viscosity (1–1000 cSt),significant increases occurred in the amount of lateral bending of the vertebral column and the amplitude of muscle activity, particularly in the most anterior sites, but the distance the fish traveled per tail beat decreased. The magnitude of the phase shift between EMG onset relative to bending increased by as much as 13% of a cycle with increased viscosity, so that the muscles were increasingly active during lengthening rather than shortening. Therefore, with increased viscosity the relationship between axial muscle activity and bending in the lungfish became more dissimilar rather than converging on the motor pattern used by other ectothermic vertebrates when undulating in fully terrestrial environments.
The landing–take-off asymmetry of human running is enhanced in old age
Authors: Cavagna G. A. , Legramandi M. A. , Peyré-Tartaruga L. A.
Published: May 2008

The landing–take-off asymmetry of running was thought to derive from,or at least to be consistent with, the physiological property of muscle to resist stretching (after landing) with a force greater than it can develop during shortening (before take-off). In old age, muscular force is reduced,but the deficit in force is less during stretching than during shortening. The greater loss in concentric versus eccentric strength with aging led us to hypothesize that older versus younger adults would increase the landing–take-off asymmetry in running. To test this hypothesis, we measured the within-step changes in mechanical energy of the centre of mass of the body in old and young subjects. The difference between the peaks in kinetic energy attained during the fall and during the lift of the centre of mass is greater in the old subjects. The difference between the time to lift and accelerate the centre of mass (positive work) and to absorb the same amount of energy during the downward displacement (negative work) is also greater in the old subjects. Both these findings imply a difference in force between stretching and shortening during the bounce, which is greater in the old subjects than in the young subjects. This is qualitatively consistent with the more asymmetric force–velocity relation found in aged muscle and supports, even if does not prove, the hypothesis that the landing–take-off asymmetry in running derives from the different response of muscle to stretching and shortening.
Gene expression changes in a zebrafish model of drug dependency suggest conservation of neuro-adaptation pathways
Authors: Kily Layla J. M. , Cowe Yuka C. M. , Hussain Osman , Patel Salma , McElwaine Suzanne , Cotter Finbarr E. , Brennan Caroline H.
Published: May 2008

Addiction is a complex psychiatric disorder considered to be a disease of the brain's natural reward reinforcement system. Repeated stimulation of the`reward' pathway leads to adaptive changes in gene expression and synaptic organization that reinforce drug taking and underlie long-term changes in behaviour. The primitive nature of reward reinforcement pathways and the near universal ability of abused drugs to target the same system allow drug-associated reward and reinforcement to be studied in non-mammalian species. Zebrafish have proved to be a valuable model system for the study of vertebrate development and disease. Here we demonstrate that adult zebrafish show a dose-dependent acute conditioned place preference (CPP) reinforcement response to ethanol or nicotine. Repeated exposure of adult zebrafish to either nicotine or ethanol leads to a robust CPP response that persists following 3 weeks of abstinence and in the face of adverse stimuli, a behavioural indicator of the establishment of dependence. Microarray analysis using whole brain samples from drug-treated and control zebrafish identified 1362 genes that show a significant change in expression between control and treated individuals. Of these genes, 153 are common to both ethanol- and nicotine-treated animals. These genes include members of pathways and processes implicated in drug dependence in mammalian models, revealing conservation of neuro-adaptation pathways between zebrafish and mammals.
Occludin immunolocalization and protein expression in goldfish
Authors: Chasiotis Helen , Kelly Scott P.
Published: May 2008

Tight junctions (TJs) are an integral component of models illustrating ion transport mechanisms across fish epithelia; however, little is known about TJ proteins in fishes. Using immunohistochemical methods and Western blot analysis, we examined the localization and expression of occludin, a transmembrane TJ protein, in goldfish tissues. In goldfish gills,discontinuous occludin immunostaining was detected along the edges of secondary gill lamellae and within parts of the interlamellar region that line the lateral walls of the central venous sinus. In the goldfish intestine,occludin immunolocalized in a TJ-specific distribution pattern to apical regions of columnar epithelial cells lining the intestinal lumen. In the goldfish kidney, occludin was differentially expressed in discrete regions of the nephron. Occludin immunostaining was strongest in the distal segment of the nephron, moderate in the collecting duct and absent in the proximal segment. To investigate a potential role for occludin in the maintenance of the hydromineral balance of fishes, we subjected goldfish to 1, 2 and 4 weeks of food deprivation, and then examined the endpoints of hydromineral status,Na+,K+-ATPase activity and occludin protein expression in the gills, intestine and kidney. Occludin expression altered in response to hydromineral imbalance in a tissue-specific manner suggesting a dynamic role for this TJ protein in the regulation of epithelial permeability in fishes.
The relationship between shape of the skull and bite force in finches
Authors: van der Meij Maria A. A. , Bout Ron G.
Published: May 2008

In finches husking time is non-linearly related to the ratio of seed hardness to maximal bite force. Fringillids produce larger bite force and husk relatively hard seeds faster than estrildids of similar size. This is at least partly explained by their relatively larger jaw muscle mass and a difference in husking technique. However, the effect of differences in skull geometry on bite force is unclear. In this study differences in skull morphology that may contribute to the difference in bite force between fringillids and estrildids are analyzed. The shape of the skull was described by the 3D coordinates of a set of landmarks and, after eliminating size, the effect of differences in the shape of the skull on bite force was determined using a static force model. EMG recordings of jaw muscles during seed cracking were used to validate assumptions about the muscle activation patterns used for the static bite force model. The analysis shows that most of the variation in skull geometry is related to differences in size. Although the shape of the skull is highly convergent between fringillids and estrildids, the shape of the skull differs significantly between the two groups. A principal component analysis of the landmark coordinates shows several patterns of allometric shape changes, one of which is expressed more strongly in estrildids than in fringillids. Three characters dominate the effect of shape changes on bite force. Bite force increases with a more caudal position of the quadrate, a more downward inclined beak and a relatively short jugal and palatine. A more downward inclined beak is typically found in estrildids. The height of the upper bill and a number of other changes in skull shape have little effect on bite force. An estimate of the relative contributions of jaw muscle size and skull geometry to the difference in bite force between fringillids and estrildids suggests that the contribution of muscle size is much larger than the contribution of skull geometry.
Alternating egg-brooding behaviors create and modulate a hypoxic developmental micro-environment in Children's pythons (Antaresia childreni)
Authors: Stahlschmidt Zachary R. , DeNardo Dale F.
Published: May 2008

Parental care is a widespread and ecologically relevant adaptation known to enhance the developmental environment of offspring. Parental behaviors,however, may entail both costs and benefits for developing offspring. In Children's pythons (Antaresia childreni), we monitored both maternal egg-brooding behavior and intra-clutch oxygen partial pressure(PO2) in real-time to assess the effects of various brooding behaviors on PO2 in the clutch micro-environment at three stages of development. Furthermore, at the same developmental stages, we measured O2 consumption rates(V̇O2) of eggs at varying PO2 to determine their critical oxygen tension (i.e. the minimal PO2 that supports normal respiratory gas exchange) and to predict the impact that naturally brooded intra-clutch PO2 has on embryonic metabolism. At all three stages of development, a tightly coiled brooding posture created an intra-clutch PO2 that was significantly lower than the surrounding nest environment. Maternal postural adjustments alleviated this hypoxia, and the magnitude of such corrections increased with developmental stage. Mean intra-clutch PO2 decreased with stage of development,probably because of increasing egg V̇O2. Additionally, embryo critical oxygen tension increased with developmental stage. Together, these results suggest that python embryos are unable to maintain normal metabolism under brooded conditions during the final 10% of incubation. These results demonstrate that specific parental behaviors can impose obligatory costs to developing offspring and that balancing these behaviors can mediate deleterious consequences.
Safety assessment of underground vehicles passing over highly resilient straight track in the presence of a broken rail
Authors: Gonzalez F J , Suarez B , Paulin J , Fernandez I
Published: May 2008

The current article presents the results of a research study that dealt with the simulation of vehicle—track interaction for a new slab track design, conceived to reduce noise and vibration levels transmitted to the neighbouring buildings. This design is mainly distinguished by its high elasticity and damping. A more elastic track, however, leads to greater rail deflections, which could affect the train's overall running safety. In this study, the derailment risk for trains running on slab track when encountering a broken rail has been evaluated. Two different types of rail fastening system with different elasticities have been analysed and compared. The results of this study will be considered in future track work projects. Up to now, the study has only been applied to straight track, even though the model is currently being extended to also study curved tracks.

Numerical methods were used in order to simulate the dynamic behaviour of the train—track interaction. For that purpose, multi-body system (MBS) modelling techniques were combined with the techniques based on the finite-element method (FEM). MBS modelling was used for modelling the vehicle and FEM for simulating the elastic track. The simulation model was validated by comparing simulated results with experimental data obtained in field testing.

During the simulations, various safety indices, characteristic of derailment risk, were analysed. The simulations realized at the maximum running velocity of 110 km/h showed a similar behaviour for several track types. When reducing the running speed, the safety indices worsened for both cases. Although the worst behaviour was observed for the track with a greater elasticity, in none of the simulations did a derailment occur when running over the broken rail.
Investigation of the weld unzipping failure mode during collisions of welded aluminium rail vehicles
Authors: Kotsikos G , Robinson M , Zangani D , Roberts J
Published: May 2008

The performance of aluminium welds in rail vehicles under high dynamic loading conditions has been investigated. Aluminium alloy welded joints subjected to dynamic loading can fail by a mechanism of unstable crack growth along the heat affected zone/weld metal interface, a phenomenon commonly known as ‘weld unzipping’. Modelling of weld unzipping in large rail structures is a challenging task since it requires knowledge of material tearing instability and material fracture parameters, as well as addressing the problem of mesh resolution, which together pose severe challenges to computability. The proposed methodology for the prediction of weld failure is based on the validation of the numerical models through correlation with laboratory scale tearing tests. The tearing tests were conducted on samples taken from real rail extrusions with the purpose of obtaining the failure parameters under dynamic loading and understanding the effect of weld material composition on joint behaviour. The validated material models were used to construct a finite-element analysis simulation of the collision of an aluminium rail car and investigate the effect of joint geometry on the failure mechanism. Comparisons of the model with the failure observed in an aluminium rail vehicle that was involved in a high-speed collision have shown that it is possible to model the phenomenon of weld unzipping with good accuracy. The numerical models have also been used as a tool for the optimization of joint design to improve crashworthiness. A proposed thickening of the aluminium sheet at the weld region is shown to eliminate the weld unzipping failure mode with the impact energy absorbed by controlled buckling of the structure.
Extracellular plasma RNA from colon cancer patients is confined in a vesicle-like structure and is mRNA-enriched
Authors: García José Miguel , García Vanesa , Peña Cristina , Domínguez Gemma , Silva Javier , Diaz Raquel , Espinosa Pablo , Citores Maria Jesús , Collado Manuel , Bonilla Félix
Published: May 2008

Little is yet known about the origin and protective mechanism of free nucleic acids in plasma. We investigated the possibility of these free nucleic acids being particle associated. Plasma samples from colon cancer patients and cell culture media were subjected to various antibody incubations, ultracentrifugation, and RNA extraction protocols for total RNA, epithelial RNA, and mRNA. Flow cytometry using a Ber-EP4 antibody and confocal laser microscopy after staining with propidium iodide were also performed. mRNA levels of the LISCH7 and SDHA genes were determined in cells and in culture media. Ber-EP4 antibody and polystyrene beads coated with oligo dT sequences were employed. We observed that, after incubation, total RNA and mRNA were always detected after membrane digestion, and that epithelial RNA was detected before this procedure. In ultracentrifugation, mRNA was caught in the supernatant only if a former lysis mediated or in the pellet if there was no previous digestion. Flow cytometry determinations showed that antibody-coated microbeads keep acellular structures bearing epithelial antigens apart. Confocal laser microscopy made 1- to 2-μm-diameter particles perceptible in the vicinity of magnetic polystyrene beads. Relevant differences were observed between mRNA of cells and culture media, as there was a considerable difference in LISCH7 mRNA levels between HT29 and IMR90 cell co-cultures and their culture media. Our results support the view that extracellular RNA found in plasma from cancer patients circulates in association with or is protected in a multiparticle complex, and that an active release mechanism by tumor cells may be a possible origin.
Single-stranded RNA facilitates nucleocapsid: APOBEC3G complex formation
Authors: Bogerd Hal P. , Cullen Bryan R.
Published: May 2008

Binding of APOBEC3G to the nucleocapsid (NC) domain of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Gag polyprotein may represent a critical early step in the selective packaging of this antiretroviral factor into HIV virions. Previously, we and others have reported that this interaction is mediated by RNA. Here, we demonstrate that RNA binding by APOBEC3G is key for initiation of APOBEC3G:NC complex formation in vitro. By adding back nucleic acids to purified, RNase-treated APOBEC3G and NC protein preparations in vitro, we demonstrate that complex formation is rescued by short (≥10 nucleotides) single-stranded RNAs (ssRNAs) containing G residues. In contrast, complex formation is not induced by add-back of short ssRNAs lacking G, by dsRNAs, by ssDNAs, by dsDNAs or by DNA:RNA hybrid molecules. While some highly structured RNA molecules, i.e., tRNAs and rRNAs, failed to rescue APOBEC3G:NC complex formation, other structured RNAs, i.e., human Y RNAs and 7SL RNA, did promote NC binding by APOBEC3G. Together, these results indicate that ternary complex formation requires ssRNA, but suggest this can be presented in the context of an otherwise highly structured RNA molecule. Given previous data arguing that APOBEC3G binds, and edits, ssDNA effectively in vitro, these data may also suggest that APOBEC3G can exist in two different conformational states, with different activities, depending on whether it is bound to ssRNA or ssDNA.
N-Terminal Pro–B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Concentrations Predict the Risk of Cardiovascular Adverse Events from Antiinflammatory Drugs: A Pilot Trial
Authors: Brune Kay , Katus Hugo A , Moecks Joachim , Spanuth Eberhard , Jaffe Allan S , Giannitsis Evangelos
Published: May 2008

Background: We investigated whether higher concentrations of N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) predicts cardiovascular adverse events (CV-AEs) in patients with osteoarthritis treated with antiinflammatory drugs.

Methods: NT-proBNP was measured in baseline samples from 433 patients enrolled in a prospective randomized study designed to test the therapeutic effect of a novel metalloproteinase inhibitor. We monitored CV-AEs and retrospectively investigated their relationship to the concomitant use of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors (coxibs), traditional nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (tNSAIDs), and glucocorticoids. CV-AEs included myocardial infarction, stroke, new or worsening of preexisting arterial hypertension, congestive heart failure, and several less severe CV-AEs.

Results: We observed 82 mild to serious CV-AEs during an observational period of 200 days. The risk of such events was 1.95-fold higher in patients who were taking tNSAIDs, glucocorticoids, or coxibs (i.e., any inhibitor) and who had NT-proBNP concentrations ≥100 ng/L than in patients taking any inhibitor who had NT-proBNP values <100 ng/L (P < 0.05). Patients taking coxibs (alone or in addition to tNSAIDs or glucocorticoids) with baseline NT-proBNP values ≥100 ng/L had a 7.41-fold higher risk for CV-AEs than those with baseline values <100 ng/L (P < 0.01). Patients who were taking 2 or more antiinflammatory drugs and had NT-proBNP values ≥100 ng/L had a 3.74-fold higher risk for CV-AEs than those with NT-proBNP values <100 ng/L (P < 0.05). An NT-proBNP value <100 ng/L was associated with negative predictive values of >85% across all treatment groups.

Conclusions: NT-proBNP may be a useful marker for anticipating cardiovascular risk associated with the use of antiinflammatory drugs for osteoarthritis.
Plasma Dehydroepiandrosterone and Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Women
Authors: Page John H , Ma Jing , Rexrode Kathryn M , Rifai Nader , Manson JoAnn E , Hankinson Susan E
Published: May 2008

Background: In this study we prospectively evaluated the relationships between plasma concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and subsequent myocardial infarction in women.

Methods: Using case-control sampling, we selected participants from the Nurses’ Health Study cohort. Blood samples were collected from 1989 to 1990 when the women were 43 to 69 years old. During follow-up through June 1998, 239 women were diagnosed with myocardial infarction (fatal and nonfatal). We matched cases 1:2 by age, cigarette smoking status, fasting status, and month of blood collection and used conditional logistic regression to adjust for potential confounders, including anthropometric factors and dietary intake.

Results: Baseline median (10th, 90th percentiles) concentrations of DHEA were 17.1 (4.3, 46.7) nmol/L among women who subsequently developed myocardial infarction and 16.6 (6.1, 37.9) among controls. The risk of myocardial infarction increased with plasma concentrations of DHEA and its sulfate. Women in the highest DHEA quartile had a rate ratio (RR) of 1.27 (95% CI 0.92–1.74, P for trend = 0.008) for myocardial infarction compared with those in the lowest quartile, after adjusting for covariates. The results did not vary significantly by menopausal status, postmenopausal estrogen therapy, fasting status, or age at time of blood collection. Similar relationships between concentrations of DHEA-S and risk were observed, with an RR of 1.58 (95% CI 1.13–2.21; P for trend = 0.06) for myocardial infarction in the highest vs lowest quartile.

Conclusions: We observed a modest positive relationship between plasma concentrations of DHEA and its sulfate and the risk of subsequent myocardial infarction among predominantly postmenopausal women.
Girls Troubles, Girls' Delinquency, and Gender Responsive Programming: A Review
Authors: Chesney-Lind Meda , Morash Merry , Andersen Tia S.
Published: May 2008

This article begins with a consideration of the interconnected troubles and needs that research has documented for girls who become enmeshed in the juvenile justice system. Special attention is given to findings from research that gives girls in the system some ‘voice’ in explaining what services and programs they need and want. After offering some explanation of the gap in programs and services for girls, the article notes the failure of evaluation results to shed light on effective program models, and thus the importance of available documentation on programs as a guide for developing effective, gender responsive programs for girls. Available documentation is analysed, with particular attention to the fit of girls' assessed and expressed needs to the descriptive material on programs.
Temporal, Situational and Interactional Features of Women's Violent Conflicts
Authors: Mullins Christopher W. , Miller Jody
Published: May 2008

This article examines contextual and situational influences on the processural development of women's violent conflicts. Through close analysis of 3 women's accounts of their disputes and associated violent behaviours, we provide a rich description of how such events evolved over time and how the interviewees managed this process. Drawing upon both criminological and feminist theories, our analysis highlights existing gaps in the literature, providing an exploratory discussion of the interaction of gender with situational elements and the production of assaultive events.
Working ‘the Code’: On Girls, Gender, and Inner-City Violence
Authors: Jones Nikki
Published: May 2008

Much attention is given to young men's experience with inner-city violence; however, this ethnographic study demonstrates that innercity girls are not necessarily isolated by virtue of their gender from much of the violence experienced by poor, urban boys and men. Over time, both young women and men in distressed inner-city neighbourhoods come to realise how reputation, respect and retaliation — the fundamental elements of ‘the code of the street’ (Anderson, 1999) — organise their social world. At times, how young people work the code is similar across gender. Gender also works to shape teenaged girls' and boys' experiences with violence in distinct ways.
Problem Behaviour and Associated Risk Factors in Young Children
Authors: Martin Andrew J. , Linfoot Ken W. , Stephenson Jennifer
Published: May 2008

There is increasing concern about the number of preschool children displaying problem behaviour. This study examines the relative contribution of potential risk factors, particularly those related to families, to problem behaviour in the lives of a sample of western Sydney three- to five-year-old children. Problem behaviour was assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach & Edelbrock, 1991), encompassing measures of anxious, depressed, uncommunicative, obsessive, somatic complaint, social withdrawal, hyperactive, aggressive, and delinquent behaviours. Particularly salient risk factors associated with problem behaviour were found to be children's behaviour when very young (an indicant of temperament), personal stress in parents associated with concerns about the family and economic worries, and parenting characterised by guilt and anxiety.
The Influence of Bullying Behaviours on Sense of School Connectedness, Motivation and Self-Esteem
Authors: Skues Jason L. , Cunningham Everarda G. , Pokharel Trilochan
Published: May 2008

The aim of the current study was to examine how bullying by peers relates to self-esteem, school connectedness and motivation for academic success in an Australian high school. Questionnaires were completed by 975 students across years 7 to 12. As predicted, male students were subjected to more direct forms of bullying than female students. However, contrary to expectations, there were no significant differences between males and females in their reported experience of indirect forms of bullying. Also, students in the lower year levels of high school reported being bullied more frequently than students in high year levels. Findings supported predictions that students who were bullied by their peers at school tended to report having lower levels of self-esteem, feeling less connected to their peers, teachers and school, and being less motivated to perform well at school. These results may have implications for school-based intervention programs that are designed to reduce bullying behaviours.
Ethnicity and Coping: What Young People Do and What Young People Learn
Authors: D'Anastasi Tanya , Frydenberg Erica
Published: May 2008

In a number of studies, using the Adolescent Coping scale as a measure of coping, we are able to see clearly that young people from different communities cope in different ways. For example, in studies of Australian, Columbian, German, Irish and Palestinian young people it was found that coping varied in the different countries, but even within the same country, such as Australia, there are variations in coping across ethnic communities. These findings are confirmed by a recent smaller scale investigation that found that a group of students who were labelled ‘Australian minority group’ (comprising of Asian, African, Pacific Islanders and Middle Eastern students) used more spiritual support and resorted to social action more than did Anglo-Australian students. Of particular note is that the Australian minority group were found to significantly decrease their use of self-blame after participating in a school-based coping skills program, while Anglo-Australian students increased their use of physical recreation. These findings collectively demonstrate the impact of ethnic identity in both the act of coping and the acquisition of coping skills.
The Impact of Grouping Gifted Primary School Students on Self-Concept, Motivation and Achievement From Parents' Perspectives
Authors: Chessor Danuta , Whitton Diana
Published: May 2008

A degree of controversy and debate exists about the best educational experiences to fulfil the potential of gifted students. Special class placement can give good educational experiences and opportunities for gifted students. However, Marsh and Parker (1984) described the big-fish-little-pond effect (BFLPE) where equally able students have lower academic self-concepts in high-ability schools than in low-ability schools. Self-concept is an important factor in determining academic achievement. The place of motivation in academic achievement is well documented (Ames, 1992; Ames & Archer, 1988; Blumenfeld, 1992; Dweck, 1986) and determined by mastery or performance-goal orientation (Dweck, 1986). The motivation will ultimately have a bearing on both achievement and self-concept. The purpose of this research was to determine the interrelationship of self-concept, motivation and achievement in gifted primary school children in a variety of groupings from a parent's perspective.
DVD Reviews
Authors: Gustaf Lars , Cartelli Philip , Wayant Chelsea
Published: May 2008

INDEX 020: Kurt Kren: Which Way to CA? (2006) Austria Contains the following short films: 18/68 Venecia Kaputt (1968), 22/69 Happy-End (1969), 23/69 Underground Explosion (1969), 24/70 Western (1970), 26/71 Zeichenfilm Balzac und das Auge Gottes
(1971), 27/71 Auf der Pfaueninsel (1971), 29/73 Ready-Made (1973), 30/73 Coop Cinema Amsterdam (1973), 33/77 Keine Donau (1977), 34/77 Tschibo (1977), 39/81 Which Way to CA? (1981), 40/81 Breakfast im Grauen (1981), 41/82 Getting Warm
(1982), 42/83 No Film (1983), 43/84 1984 (1984), 44/85 Foot'Age Shoot'-Out (1985), 46/90 Falter 2 (1990), 50/96 Snapshots (for Bruce) (1996). Runtime c.56 minutes Produced and Distributed by INDEX/sixpackfilm DVD PAL (no regional code) Extras
Hans Scheugl, Keine Donau: Kurt Kren und seine Filme (1988), 55 minutes. Eighteen-page bilingual (German/English) brochure with filmography and notes and the essay, Dokumentarische Aufzeichnung, by Michael Palm.

INDEX 023: As She Likes It: Female Performance Art from Austria
(2006) Austria Contains the following short films: Maria Lassnig Kantate (Maria Lassnig and Hubert Sielecki, 1992), Im Leo (Miriam Bajtala, 2003), Strangers (Carola Dertnig, 2003), Byketrouble (Carola Dertnig, 1998), Neurodermitis (Kerstin Cmelka, 1998),
SW-N 04 (Barbara Musil and Karo Szmit, 2004), Mock Rock (Ulrike Mller, 2004), Schminki 1, 2 + 3 (Fiona Rukschcio, 1999), Legal Errorist (Mara Mattuschka and Chris Haring, 2004), Der Schlaf der Vernunft (Michaela Pschl, 1999). Runtime 71 minutes Produced
and Distributed by INDEX/sixpackfilm DVD PAL (no regional code) Extras Self-presentations of several artists. Eighteen-page bilingual (German/English) brochure with filmography and notes.

La Haine (1995) France Director Mathieu Kassovitz Screenplay Mathieu
Kassovitz Producer Christophe Rossignon Director of Photography Pierre Am Art Director Giuseppe Ponturo Costumes Virginie Montel With Vincent Cassel (Vinz), Hubert Kound (Hubert), Sad Taghmaoui (Sad), Mathieu Kassovitz (Young Skinhead) Runtime 97 minutes
DVD USA, 2007 Produced and Distributed by The Criterion Collection (region 1) Aspect Ratio 1.85:1 Sound Mix Stereo 5.1 Extras New restored high-definition digital transfer. Audio commentary by Mathieu Kassovitz. Video introduction by Jodie Foster. Theatrical
trailers. Ten Years of La Haine, an 84-minute documentary. Video featurette on the film's setting. Behind-the-scenes footage. Deleted and extended scenes. Stills gallery. Booklet with essays by Costa-Gavras and Ginette Vincendeau.

Flag Wars (2003) USA Directors Linda
Goode Bryant and Linda Poitras Producers Linda Goode Bryant and Linda Poitras Director of Photography Laura Poitras Runtime 86 minutes DVD USA, 2007 Produced and Distributed by Zeitgeist Films (region 1) Aspect Ratio 1.85:1 Extras 16:9 anamorphic
transfer. Enhanced for widescreen televisions. Promotional trailer. English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired. Interview with the film-makers.
Difficulties in the detection of the culprit drug for an adverse drug reaction in a complicated case
Authors: Kopcsányi Henriette , Feldmann Julianna , Péch Zsófia , Jurcsik Ágnes
Published: May 2008

Az adverz gyógyszerreakciók különféle klinikai megjelenési formái alapján a kiváltó gyógyszerre nehéz következtetni. A gyanúba vett gyógyszerek elhagyása után fellépő javulás vagy az empirikus tapasztalat, esetleg irodalmi adatok alapján lehet a felelős gyógyszert feltételezni. A gyógyszerérzékenység bizonyítása bonyolult, jól átgondolt orvosi tevékenység útján lehetséges, és azokban az esetekben szükséges, amikor a gyanús gyógyszer más vegyületcsoportba tartozó szerrel nem helyettesíthető, és a betegnek feltétlenül szükséges szednie. A jelen közlemény célja egy eset kapcsán körvonalazni azokat a lehetőségeket és veszélyeket, melyek a kivizsgálás során alkalmazhatók, illetve megjelenhetnek. A kivizsgálás során használt módszerek a gyanúba vett gyógyszerekkel – lamotrigin, risperidon, sertralin – zopiclonum, atorvastatin elvégzett epicutan teszt során egyedül a sertralin adott a multiform tünetekkel azonos pozitív reakciót. A pozitív bőrteszt területéről készült hisztológiai vizsgálat eredménye visszautalt az eredetileg észlelt klinikai formára (erythema exsudativum multiforme Stevens–Johnson-szindróma). A beteg bipoláris affektív zavara miatt a negatív bőrtesztet adó készítményekkel per os provokáció történt, ez azonban a beteg számára kockázatos, de az egyetlen megbízható és biztos módszer. Az elvégzett per os expozíció során a törzsön a lamotrigintől már tört adag bevételét követően három órán belül diffúz erythema, 12 órán belül az alkalmazott szteroid- és antihisztamin-kezelés ellenére scarlatiniform exanthema jelent meg. Az eset érdekessége, hogy a gyanúba vett gyógyszerek során epicutan teszttel egy gyógyszer érzékenysége igazolódott, azonban a másik gyanúba vett készítménnyel végzett pozitív per os expozíciós próba is váratlanul tünetet provokált (scarlatiniform, azonnali reakciót). Megállapítható, hogy csupán egy bizonyos módszer még a klinikai képpel való egyező eredmény alapján sem elegendő adverz gyógyszerreakció provokáló tényezőjének bizonyítására.
Factors Affecting Accuracy of Stream Channel Slope Estimates Derived from Geographical Information Systems
Authors: Neeson Thomas M. , Gorman Ann Marie , Whiting Peter J. , Koonce Joseph F.
Published: May 2008

Stream channel slope is often a critical component of geographical information systems (GIS)-based models of preferred habitat of aquatic species, but the relative accuracy of various GIS slope derivation methods is not well established. We examined the accuracy of GIS-derived stream slopes for a set of stream reaches in Idaho and Ohio. We also used the Ohio data set to examine in more detail the effects of stream reach length, source of GIS file representing the stream path (“shapefile”), and digital elevation model (DEM) resolution on the accuracy of GIS-derived slopes. The accuracy of GIS-derived slopes in the Ohio dataset improved with increasing reach length, but we could not draw any consistent conclusions about the effect of DEM resolution or shapefile. We present a simple and efficient method for improving GIS-derived slopes by identifying probable elevation errors in the GIS-derived longitudinal stream profiles. The resulting derived slopes were improved in all cases; the slopes derived by using a 10-m DEM and a manually traced stream shapefile were the most accurate. We demonstrate how our results can be used to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a GIS-based habitat model of sea lampreys Petromyzon marinus.
Cryopreservation of Sperm from Endangered Pallid Sturgeon
Authors: Wayman William R. , Looney Gregory L. , Holm Robert J. , Tiersch Terrence R.
Published: May 2008

We sought to develop sperm cryopreservation methods for the pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus, a federally listed endangered species. Males were injected with synthetic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone at 50 μg/kg of body weight. After 24 h, sperm were collected, diluted at a ratio of 1:4 (sperm : extender) with Hanks' balanced salt solution (HBSS; diluted to 100 milliosmoles/kg), and kept refrigerated until use. Methanol was used as a cryoprotectant at concentrations of 5, 10, and 15% (volume per volume) and was mixed 1:1 with HBSS before the experiment to reduce effects of initial mixing. Sperm were mixed with the cryoprotectant, loaded into 0.5-mL straws, packed into goblets (5 straws/goblet), and placed in the lower position on aluminum canes. Motility was estimated before freezing to determine the effects of cryoprotectant toxicity; there was no significant difference in motility at the concentrations tested (P = 0.4828). After a 2-min equilibration period, the canes were lowered into a nitrogen vapor shipping dewar. The cooling rate of −22°C/min was recorded by thermocouples inserted into 0.5-mL straws filled with extender and cryoprotectant. After 1 year of storage in liquid nitrogen, straws were thawed in a 40°C water bath for 9 s and motility was estimated. Postthaw motility did not differ among the cryoprotectants tested (P = 0.4880). Each sample was used to fertilize approximately 150 eggs, which were incubated at 21°C. Sperm that was cryopreserved with 5% or 10% methanol produced eggs with significantly higher hatch rates did sperm cryopreserved with 15% methanol (P < 0.0001). The development of techniques for cryopreserved sperm of pallid sturgeon allows for the creation of germplasm repositories that will aid in the recovery of this endangered species.
Traumatic Arteriovenous Malformation following Maxillary Le Fort I Osteotomy
Authors: Smith I. M. , Anderson P. J. , Wilks M. J. , David D. J.
Published: May 2008

Objective:

Complications following maxillary Le Fort I osteotomy are rare. The authors present the rare complication of an arteriovenous malformation following such a procedure in a 25-year-old woman with a cleft lip and palate that was treated successfully with radiologically guided embolization.