bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship Between Cigarette Smoking and Human Papilloma Virus Types 16 and 18 DNA Load
Authors: Xi Long Fu , Koutsky Laura A. , Castle Philip E. , Edelstein Zoe R. , Meyers Craig , Ho Jesse , Schiffman Mark
Published: December 2009

Background: Although cigarette smoking has been associated with increased human papilloma virus (HPV) detection, its impact on HPV DNA load is unknown.

Methods: The study subjects were women who were positive for HPV16 and/or HPV18 at enrollment into the Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance–Low-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion Triage Study. Assessments of exposure to smoke and sexual behavior were based on self-report. Viral genome copies per nanogram of cellular DNA were measured by multiplex real-time PCR. Linear or logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between cigarette smoking and baseline viral load.

Results: Of the 1,050 women (752 with HPV16, 258 with HPV18, and 40 with both HPV16 and HPV18), 452 (43.0%) were current smokers and 101 (9.6%) were former smokers at enrollment. The baseline viral load was statistically significantly greater for current compared with never smokers (P = 0.03 for HPV16; P = 0.02 for HPV18) but not for former smokers. Among current smokers, neither HPV16 nor HPV18 DNA load seemed to vary appreciably by age at smoking initiation, smoking intensity, or smoking duration. The results remained similar when the analysis of smoking-related HPV16 DNA load was restricted to women without detectable cervical abnormality.

Conclusion: Higher baseline HPV16 and HPV18 DNA load was associated with status as a current but not former smoker. A lack of dose-response relationship between cigarette smoking and viral load may indicate a low threshold for the effect of smoking on HPV DNA load. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(12):3490–6)
Methods Used in Internal Industry Clinical Trials to Assess Tobacco Risk Reduction
Authors: Rees Vaughan W. , Kreslake Jennifer M. , O'Connor Richard J. , Cummings K. Michael , Parascandola Mark , Hatsukami Dorothy , Shields Peter G. , Connolly Gregory N.
Published: December 2009

Objective: Methods to assess reduced exposure products should include those that aid in determining likely patterns of human use and exposure. Tobacco industry clinical trial methods may provide insight into strategies to assess potential reduced exposure products (PREP) for public health purposes. Internal tobacco industry documents detailing human clinical research with PREPs were examined to document major research strategies used and identify potentially fruitful methods not currently used in the mainstream arena.

Methods: Primary data were obtained from records of research conducted internally by tobacco companies and affiliated researchers, and included manuscript drafts, presentations, protocols, and instruments relating to internal clinical trials of human tobacco use and exposure.

Results: Tobacco industry clinical research has focused on reduced exposure products, most notably Premier, Accord, and Eclipse. The most widely used strategy observed is switching studies, and details of study designs and protocols favored by the industry are described. Key measures include biomarkers of exposure (e.g., cotinine, CO, and specific carcinogens) and acute health effects such as physical health and fitness.

Conclusions: Tobacco industry clinical research has used relatively standard switching study methods, but with a broad set of measures. Clinical switching studies have been conducted by the industry primarily to support existing claims or to develop new claims. Knowledge of prior industry activity can guide and inform future public health research efforts. Although industry clinical trial methods are comparable with current mainstream methods, limited information about the validity of outcome measures used limits their viability for immediate adoption in mainstream science. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(12):3196–208)
Active and Involuntary Tobacco Smoking and Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancer Risks in a Multicenter Case-Control Study
Authors: Lee Yuan-Chin Amy , Marron Manuela , Benhamou Simone , Bouchardy Christine , Ahrens Wolfgang , Pohlabeln Hermann , Lagiou Pagona , Trichopoulos Dimitrios , Agudo Antonio , Castellsague Xavier , Bencko Vladimir , Holcatova Ivana , Kjaerheim Kristina , Merletti Franco , Richiardi Lorenzo , Macfarlane Gary J. , Macfarlane Tatiana V. , Talamini Renato , Barzan Luigi , Canova Cristina , Simonato Lorenzo , Conway David I. , McKinney Patricia A. , Lowry Raymond J. , Sneddon Linda , Znaor Ariana , Healy Claire M. , McCartan Bernard E. , Brennan Paul , Hashibe Mia
Published: December 2009

Introduction: Several important issues for the established association between tobacco smoking and upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancer risks include the associations with smoking by cancer subsite, by type of tobacco, and among never alcohol drinkers and the associations with involuntary smoking among nonsmokers. Our aim was to examine these specific issues in a large-scale case-control study in Europe.

Methods: Analysis was done on 2,103 UADT squamous cell carcinoma cases and 2,221 controls in the Alcohol-Related Cancers and Genetic Susceptibility in Europe project, a multicenter case-control study in 10 European countries. Unconditional logistic regression was done to obtain odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Results: Compared with never tobacco smoking, current smoking was associated with UADT cancer risks (OR, 6.72; 95% CI, 5.45-8.30 for overall; OR, 5.83; 95% CI, 4.50-7.54 for oral cavity and oropharynx; OR, 12.19; 95% CI, 8.29-17.92 for hypopharynx and larynx; and OR, 4.17; 95% CI, 2.45-7.10 for esophagus). Among never drinkers, dose-response relationships with tobacco smoking pack-years were observed for hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancers (Ptrend = 0.010) but not for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers (Ptrend = 0.282). Among never smokers, ever exposure to involuntary smoking was associated with an increased risk of UADT cancers (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.04-2.46).

Conclusion: Our results corroborate that tobacco smoking may play a stronger role in the development of hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancers than that of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers among never drinkers and that involuntary smoking is an important risk factor for UADT cancers. Public health interventions to reduce involuntary smoking exposure could help reduce UADT cancer incidence. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(12):3353–61)
Passive Smoking and Risk of Breast Cancer in the California Teachers Study
Authors: Reynolds Peggy , Goldberg Debbie , Hurley Susan , Nelson David O. , Largent Joan , Henderson Katherine D. , Bernstein Leslie
Published: December 2009

Background: Although recent reviews have suggested active smoking to be a risk factor for breast cancer, the association with passive smoke exposure remains controversial. This risk association was explored in a large prospective study of women, the California Teachers Study.

Methods: Detailed lifetime information on passive smoke exposure by setting (home, work, or social) and by age of exposure was collected in 1997 from 57,523 women who were lifetime nonsmokers and had no history of breast cancer. In the ensuing decade, a total of 1,754 women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Cox proportional hazards models were fit to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) associated with several lifetime passive smoke exposure metrics.

Results: For all breast cancer, measures of higher lifetime passive smoking intensity and duration were associated with nonstatistically significant HRs of 1.11 to 1.14. For postmenopausal women, HRs for lifetime low, medium, and high cumulative exposure were 1.17 (95% CI, 0.91-1.49), 1.19 (95% CI, 0.93-1.53), and 1.26 (95% CI, 0.99-1.60). For women exposed in adulthood (age ≥20 years), risk was elevated at the highest level of cumulative exposure (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.00-1.40), primarily among postmenopausal women (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.01-1.56). A statistically significant dose response was detected when analysis was restricted to women with moderate to high levels of passive smoke exposure.

Conclusion: These results suggest that cumulative exposures to high levels of sidestream smoke may increase breast cancer risk among postmenopausal women who themselves have never smoked tobacco products. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(12):3389–98)
Utility and Relationships of Biomarkers of Smoking in African-American Light Smokers
Authors: Ho Man Ki , Faseru Babalola , Choi Won S. , Nollen Nicole L. , Mayo Matthew S. , Thomas Janet L. , Okuyemi Kolawole S. , Ahluwalia Jasjit S. , Benowitz Neal L. , Tyndale Rachel F.
Published: December 2009

Although expired carbon monoxide (CO) and plasma cotinine (COT) have been validated as biomarkers of self-reported cigarettes per day (CPD) in heavy smoking Caucasians, their utility in light smokers is unknown. Further, variability in CYP2A6, the enzyme that mediates formation of COT from nicotine and its metabolism to trans-3′-hydroxycotinine (3HC), may limit the usefulness of COT. We assessed whether CO and COT are correlated with CPD in African-American light smokers (≤10 CPD, n = 700), a population with known reduced CYP2A6 activity and slow COT metabolism. We also examined whether gender, age, body mass index, smoking mentholated cigarettes, or rate of CYP2A6 activity, by genotype and phenotype measures (3HC/COT), influence these relationships. At baseline, many participants (42%) exhaled CO of ≤10 ppm, the traditional cutoff for smoking, whereas few (3.1%) had COT below the cutoff of ≤14 ng/mL; thus, COT seems to be a better biomarker of smoking status in this population. CPD was weakly correlated with CO and COT (r = 0.32-0.39, P < 0.001), and those reporting fewer CPD had higher CO/cigarette and COT/cigarette, although the correlations coefficients between these variables were also weak (r = −0.33 and −0.08, P < 0.05). The correlation between CPD and CO was not greatly increased when analyzed by CYP2A6 activity, smoking mentholated cigarettes, or age, although it appeared stronger in females (r = 0.38 versus 0.21, P < 0.05) and obese individuals (r = 0.38 versus 0.24, P < 0.05). Together, these results suggest that CO and COT are weakly associated with self-reported cigarette consumption in African-American light smokers, and that these relationships are not substantially improved when variables previously reported to influence these biomarkers are considered. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(12):3426–34)
Childhood Exposure to Secondhand Smoke and Functional Mannose Binding Lectin Polymorphisms Are Associated with Increased Lung Cancer Risk
Authors: Olivo-Marston Susan E. , Yang Ping , Mechanic Leah E. , Bowman Elise D. , Pine Sharon R. , Loffredo Christopher A. , Alberg Anthony J. , Caporaso Neil , Shields Peter G. , Chanock Stephen , Wu Yanhong , Jiang Ruoxiang , Cunningham Julie , Jen Jin , Harris Curtis C.
Published: December 2009

Background: Exposure to secondhand smoke during adulthood has detrimental health effects, including increased lung cancer risk. Compared with adults, children may be more susceptible to secondhand smoke. This susceptibility may be exacerbated by alterations in inherited genetic variants of innate immunity genes. We hypothesized a positive association between childhood secondhand smoke exposure and lung cancer risk that would be modified by genetic polymorphisms in the mannose binding lectin-2 (MBL2) gene resulting in well-known functional changes in innate immunity.

Methods: Childhood secondhand smoke exposure and lung cancer risk was assessed among men and women in the ongoing National Cancer Institute-Maryland Lung Cancer (NCI-MD) study, which included 624 cases and 348 controls. Secondhand smoke history was collected via in-person interviews. DNA was used for genotyping the MBL2 gene. To replicate, we used an independent case-control study from Mayo Clinic consisting of 461 never smokers, made up of 172 cases and 289 controls. All statistical tests were two-sided.

Results: In the NCI-MD study, secondhand smoke exposure during childhood was associated with increased lung cancer risk among never smokers [odds ratio (OR), 2.25; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.04-4.90]. This was confirmed in the Mayo study (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.00-2.15). A functional MBL2 haplotype associated with high circulating levels of MBL and increased MBL2 activity was associated with increased lung cancer risk among those exposed to childhood secondhand smoke in both the NCI-MD and Mayo studies (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.13-5.60, and OR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.18-3.85, respectively).

Conclusions: Secondhand smoke exposure during childhood is associated with increased lung cancer risk among never smokers, particularly among those possessing a haplotype corresponding to a known overactive complement pathway of the innate immune system. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(12):3375–83)
Newcastle Disease Virus Infection Promotes Bax Redistribution to Mitochondria and Cell Death in HeLa Cells
Authors: Molouki Aidin , Hsu Yi-Te , Jahanshiri Fatemeh , Rosli Rozita , Yusoff Khatijah
Published: December 2009

Background/Aims: Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is an avian paramyxovirus that has gained a lot of interest in cancer viro-therapeutic applications because of its ability to selectively induce apoptosis in human cancer cells. However, the underlying mechanisms by which NDV induces apoptosis in human cancer cells are still not entirely understood. Methods: In this study we examined the effect of a Malaysian velogenic strain of NDV, known as AF2240, on some elements of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Results: We show that NDV infection leads to conformational change of Bax protein. This is associated with the translocation of Bax from the cytoplasm to mitochondria and the release of cytochrome c into the cytoplasm. Interestingly, the level of Bcl-2 protein was not affected by NDV treatment. Conclusion: We have shown that Bax conformational change and subcellular distribution is involved in the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis induced by NDV.
Comprehensive Detection and Identification of Seven Animal Coronaviruses and Human Respiratory Coronavirus 229E with a Microarray Hybridization Assay
Authors: Chen Qin , Li Jian , Deng Zhirui , Xiong Wei , Wang Quan , Hu Yong-qiang
Published: December 2009

Based on microarray hybridization, a diagnostic test for coronavirus infection was developed using eight coronavirus strains: canine coronavirus (CCoV), feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), feline coronavirus (FCoV), bovine coronavirus (BCoV), porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCoV), turkey enteritis coronavirus (TCoV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), and human respiratory coronavirus (HRCoV). Up to 104 cDNA clones of eight viruses were obtained by reverse transcription PCR with different pairs of primers designed for each virus and a pair of universal primers designed for the RNA polymerase gene of coronavirus. Total RNAs extracted from virus were reverse transcribed, followed by multi-PCR amplification and labeled with Cy3-dCTP. All labeled cDNAs and prepared gene chips were subjected to specific hybridization. The results showed that extensive cross-reaction existed between CCoV, FCoV, FIPV, TGEV and PRCoV, while there was no cross-reaction between BCoV, TCoV and HRCoV. The ultimate specific gene chip was developed with DNA fragments reamplified from the chosen recombinant plasmids without cross-reaction between different coronaviruses. The hybridization results showed that this gene chip could specifically identify and distinguish the eight coronaviruses and the sensitivity of the chip may be 1,000× more sensitive than PCR, indicating that it can be used for the diagnosis of eight coronavirus infections at the same time.
Interferon Alpha Receptor 2 Expression by Peripheral Blood Monocytes in Patients with a High Viral Load of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1 Showing Substitution of Amino Acid 70 in the Core Region
Authors: Ishii Koji , Shinohara Mie , Sawa Misato , Kogame Michio , Higami Katsuya , Sano Masanari , Morita Toshisuke , Sumino Yasukiyo
Published: December 2009

Background/Aim: When patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) are treated with interferon (IFN)-based therapy, achieving serum HCV-RNA negativity by week 12 (early viral response, EVR) is an important predictor of a sustained virologic response. The aim of this study was to clarify whether changes in IFN-α receptor 2 (IFNAR-2) expression by peripheral blood monocytes (Mo) and the EVR rate differed between patients with genotype 1b and a high viral load showing substitution of amino acid 70 in the core region of HCV (mutant, n = 20) and patients without this substitution (wild, n = 23). Patients and Methods: Forty-three CHC patients were studied, and received pegylated IFN plus ribavirin. IFNAR-2 expression by Mo was determined using flow cytometry to measure the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) before and up to 28 days after starting therapy. Results: The EVR rate of the mutant group was significantly lower than that of the wild group (35 vs.70%). The MFI of Mo was significantly higher in the wild group than in the mutant group before and also 3, 7, and 28 days after starting therapy. Conclusions: Mutation of HCV was related to lower IFNAR-2 expression by Mo before and after starting therapy.
Detection of Truncated Circular DNA Species in Escherichia coli with a PCV2-Containing Plasmid with a Single PCV2 Origin of Replication
Authors: Van Doorsselaere J. , Lefebvre D.J. , Nauwynck H.J. , Delputte P.L.
Published: December 2009

Objective: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is a small circular single-stranded DNA virus that causes postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome in pigs. Cloning of the PCV2 genome in a plasmid allows the construction of infectious clones. Our objective was to clone single PCV2 genomes from an isolate containing a mixture of strains, in a plasmid in order to obtain pure PCV2 strains. Methods: PCR amplification of PCV2 genomes and cloning followed by restriction enzyme analysis and sequencing. Transfection and PCV2 titration on PK-15 cells. Results: Single-copy PCV2 genomes from three Belgian PCV2 strains were cloned. Unexpectedly, agarose gel analysis revealed that additional circular DNA species were generated in Escherichia coli. Restriction enzyme analysis and sequencing showed that the circular DNA species were truncated and derived from the plasmid containing the PCV2 genome. Mutagenesis of the PCV2 replicase gene abolished the formation of these DNA species. The infectious clones were transfected in PK-15 cells and pure PCV2 viral strains were obtained. Conclusion: Infectious clones were obtained that can be used for antigenic mapping and mutagenesis. In addition, our findings suggest that the replicase protein was expressed in E. coli and involved in the generation of the truncated DNA species.
Altered Renal Expression of Aquaporin Water Channels and Sodium Transporters in Rats with Two-Kidney, One-Clip Hypertension
Authors: Ma Seong Kwon , Bae Eun Hui , Kim In Jin , Choi Chan , Lee JongUn , Kim Soo Wan
Published: December 2009

Aims: To determine whether the renal regulation of aquaporin (AQP) water channels and sodium transporters are altered in 2-kidney, 1-clip (2K1C) hypertension. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. They were made 2K1C hypertensive for 1 week. The renal expression of AQPs and sodium transporters was determined by semiquantitative immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. The activity of adenylyl cyclase was measured by stimulated generation of cAMP. Results: Systolic blood pressure was increased in 2K1C rats. Experimental rats revealed impaired urinary concentration in association with increased urine volume. Urinary sodium excretion also increased. The expression of AQP1–3 was decreased in the clipped kidney compared with the control kidney, whereas it was unchanged in the non-clipped kidney. The adenylyl cyclase activity provoked by arginine vasopressin, sodium fluoride or forskolin was blunted in the clipped kidney, but remained unaltered in the contralateral kidney. The expressions of the Na,K-ATPase α1-subunit, type 3 Na+/H+ exchanger, Na-K-2Cl cotransporter and epithelial sodium channels were decreased in the clipped kidney, while remaining unchanged in the non-clipped kidney. Conclusion: The downregulation of AQPs and major sodium transporters/channels in the clipped kidney may play a role in the urinary concentration defect and impaired sodium reabsorption in 2K1C hypertension.
Impacts of Changes in Obesity Parameters for the Prediction of Blood Pressure Change in Japanese Individuals
Authors: Ishizaka Nobukazu , Ishizaka Yuko , Toda Ei-Ichi , Koike Kazuhiko , Yamakado Minoru , Nagai Ryozo
Published: December 2009

Aims and Methods: By analyzing data from 2,861 individuals who underwent general health screening 2 years running, we have investigated the impact of changes in waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) over a 1-year period on systolic blood pressure (BPs). We termed WC, BMI, and BPs at the first visit as WC1, BMI1, and BPs1, respectively, and those at the second visit as WC2, BMI2, and BPs2, respectively. The %dWC, %dBMI, and %dBPs was defined as (WC2 – WC1)/WC1 × 100, (BMI2 – BMI1)/BMI1 × 100, and (BPs2 – BPs1)/BPs1 × 100, respectively. Results: In multivariate regression analysis using age, BPs1, WC1, and %dWC as independent variables, %dWC was a significant predictor for %BPs only in men. %dBMI was a significant predictor for %BPs in both genders when age, BPs1, BMI1, and %dBMI were used as independent variables. Compared with individuals with both %dWC <0 and %dBMI <0, age-adjusted %dBPs was significantly greater in those with both %dWC <0 and %dBMI ≧0; however, it did not significantly differ in those with both %dWC ≧0 and %dBMI <0. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the impact of BMI change might be greater than WC change in terms of BPs change during this short period.
Robust Age at Onset Linkage Analysis in Nuclear Families
Authors: Callegaro A. , van Houwelingen J.C. , Houwing-Duistermaat J.J.
Published: December 2009

Objective: Standard methods for linkage analysis ignore the phenotype of the parents when they are not genotyped. However, this information can be useful for gene mapping. In this paper we propose methods for age at onset genetic linkage analysis in sibling pairs, taking into account parental age at onset. Methods:Two new score statistics are derived, one from an additive gamma frailty model and one from a log-normal frailty model. The score statistics are classical non-parametric linkage (NPL) statistics weighted by a function of the age at onset of the four family members. The weight depends on information from registries (age-specific incidences) and family studies (sib-sib and father-mother correlation). Results:In order to investigate how age at onset of sibs and their parents affect the information for linkage analysis the weight functions were studied for rare and common disease models, realistic models for breast cancer and human lifespan. We studied the performance of the weighted NPL methods by simulations. As illustration, the score statistics were applied to the GAW12 data. The results show that it is useful to include parental age at onset information in genetic linkage analysis.
Test Selection with Application to Detecting Disease Association with Multiple SNPs
Authors: Pan Wei , Han Fang , Shen Xiaotong
Published: December 2009

We consider the motivating problem of testing for association between a phenotype and multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within a candidate gene or region. Various statistical approaches have been proposed, including those based on either (combining univariate) single-locus analyses or (multivariate) multilocus analyses. However, it is known in theory that there is no single uniformly most powerful test to detect association with multiple SNPs. On the other hand, several tests have been shown to be among frequent winners across a range of practical situations, but the identity of the most powerful one changes with the situation in an unknown way. Here we propose a novel test selection procedure to select from five such tests: a so-called UminP test that combines multiple univariate/single-locus score tests by taking the minimum of their p values as its test statistic, a multivariate score test and its two modifications, and a so-called sum test. We also illustrate its application to selecting genotype codings for the sum test since the performance of the sum test depends on its genotype coding in an unknown way. Our major contributions include the methodology of estimating the power of a given test with a given dataset and the idea of using the estimated power as the criterion for test selection. We also propose a fast simulation-based method to calculate p values for the test selection procedure and for any method of combining p values. Our numerical results indicated that the proposed test selection procedure always yielded power close to the most powerful test among the candidate tests at any given situation, and in particular, our proposed test selection performed either better than or as well as the popular combining method of taking the minimum p value of the candidate tests.
Early Responses of VEGF during Acute Lung Injury Induced by Seawater Immersion after Open Chest Trauma
Authors: Hu Xiao-hong , Duan Yun-you , Li Yi , Xue Zhi-qiang
Published: December 2009

Background: Immersion in seawater after open chest trauma may induce acute lung injury. Higher osmotic pressure is one of the main characteristics of seawater. The effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on endothelial cell permeability and proliferation have been demonstrated in studies. The early responses and effects of the VEGF on acute lung injury induced by seawater immersion after open chest trauma (SWI-ALI) are unknown. Objective: To investigate the levels of VEGF and its receptors in SWI-ALI and further explore whether the levels of VEGFs are connected with the pathogenesis of SWI-ALI. Methods: We put dogs into group ‘seawater’ and group ‘control’. The control group only suffered from open chest trauma, whereas the seawater group was exposed to seawater after trauma. The levels of total protein in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured to calculate the pulmonary permeability index. 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h after open chest trauma, the plasma samples were collected to test the levels of VEGFs with ELISA kit. Western blotting and real-time RT-PCR were used to measure the VEGF levels in lung. Results: Compared with control animals, plasma osmotic pressure, VEGF and sVEGFR-1 significantly increased in plasma, while VEGF and VEGFR-2 significantly increased in seawater-immersion lung tissue. The levels of VEGF in plasma were significantly correlated with plasma osmotic pressure and pulmonary permeability index. Conclusion: Early release of VEGFs increases pulmonary vascular permeability and partially leads to the development of SWI-ALI. VEGFs may have a crucial role in the early onset of SWI-ALI.
Muslim-Christian Dialogue: The Gap Between Theologians and Communities
Authors: Prideaux Melanie
Published: December 2009

Inter-faith dialogue is increasingly seen by the state as important in the development of cohesive communities. Yet many of the traditional theological texts of inter-faith dialogue which inform religious leaders neither address the needs of local communities, nor hear from their experiences. Based on fieldwork in Leeds this article explores the lived reality of a predominantly Muslim and Christian neighbourhood where there is a taken-for-granted response to theology that sees it as irrelevant to the real needs and issues of a local community. This article offers a reflection on the way in which the distance between Christians and Muslims is perhaps not as great as the distance between inter-faith theology and religiously diverse communities.
Ethiopian Conceptions of the Human Person and their Implications for Development: Covenant Revisited
Authors: Mohammed Girma
Published: December 2009

This article is a critical appraisal of the Ethiopian conception(s) of covenant as a device for defining the human person, among other things. After analysing the conceptions of human person in three historical areas, I show their implications for development work. The first part is therefore devoted to the conception of the human person in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC), where the notion of covenant is shaped by political monism and philosophical/theological dualism. I explore the reason for such a conceptual enigma, before drawing out its implications for development. The second part explores the Marxist attempt at demystification of the human person at the expense of covenantal understanding. The third part explores the ethnic compartmentalization that was introduced by the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Front (EPRDF) against the covenantal backdrops. In the final part, I argue that using the notion of covenant to understand the human person is essential in the Ethiopian context. Even then, I contend that that there is a need to employ a different epistemology (from the traditional one). Consequently, I argue that (re)conceptualization helps us to avoid repeating historical mistakes and allows us to have a better understanding of the human person with a more progressive approach to development.
Al-Muhalhil in the historical akhbār and folkloric Sīrah
Authors: Nasser Shady
Published: December 2009

Al-Muhalhil b. Rabī'ah was a Pre-Islamic poet who, according to classical sources, was the first to establish the Qasīdah form and who participated in the forty-year war of al-Basūs, between Bakr and Taghlib, to revenge the assassination of his brother Kulayb. On the other hand, al-Zīr Sālim Abū Laylā al-Muhalhil, is the protagonist of the folkloric sīrah, whose character is substantially different from his “historical” counterpart, nonetheless they do share the same “historical” setting, events, and characters surrounding them. This article will examine the development of al-Muhalhil as a character in both, the “historical” adab sources and the sīrah, while breaking up the narratives into separate motifs. I argue that the narrator(s) of the sīrah was/were well aware of the “historical” sources on al-Muhalhil, and that the changes that the sīrah protagonist underwent were intentional and deliberate.
Retelling “al-Maqāma al-Madīriyya”: Intertextuality between a Modern Short Story and a Classical Maqāma
Authors: Tlili Sarra
Published: December 2009

This paper examines elements of intertextuality between a modern short story and a classical maqāma. “Al-Naqra masdūda”, a 1971 short story by the late Tunisian writer al-Bashīr Khurayyif, recalls al-Hamadhānī's most famous work, “al-Maqāma al-madīriyya”, in subtle yet remarkable ways. In addition to being an appealing work in its own right, “al-Naqra masdūda” represents an original way of interacting with classical Arabic literary heritage.
"Another Look at the Fourth Servant Song of Second Isaiah"
Authors: Story Cullen
Published: December 2009

This essay argues for a contextual exegetical reading of the servant songs in Second Isaiah. By reading the songs in the literary context of references to the "second exodus" and hymns of celebration, several conclusions can be drawn. There are three servant figures in the four servant songs: one servant (Israel) in need of redemption, one servant (Second Isaiah) who proclaims redemption, and one servant (the Messiah) who procures redemption. This servant of the fourth song is not the prophet himself or Israel but a servant figure whose sacrifice will break the yoke of Babylon.
Turning Status 'Upside Down' in Philippi Christ Jesus' 'Emptying Himself' as Forfeiting Any Acknowledgment of His 'Equality with God' (Phil 2:6-11)
Authors: Moessner David
Published: December 2009

Rather than reward Christ Jesus for his obedience to a humiliating death, the 'hymn' to Christ, Phil 2:6-11, exalts "the death of the cross" as the most sublime disclosure of the status and power of God. This elevation of the Self-sacrificing 'character' of God turns the notion of status 'upside down.' That Christ Jesus "did not take advantage of his equality with God but rather deprived himself of all justification" of that status is a particularly poignant message to a status-saturated, 'race to honor' colony like Roman Philippi.
Hope in the Midst of Tragedy: (Isa 5:1-7; 27:2-6; Matt 21:33-46 par.)
Authors: Story J. Lyle
Published: December 2009

The unity of the Bible is exemplified through the agrarian image of the vine/vineyard in the songs of Isa 5:1-7; 27:2-6 and in the parable of Matt 21:33-46. The metaphor expresses a development and reinterpretation of the themes of judgment and promise, wherein God wills to accomplish his purposes for his people, despite his repeated frustration with human rebellion. God expresses his love for his people in a wholly vulnerable manner. Both Isaiah and Jesus underscore the truth that God could do nothing more than he had already done for his people; no blame can be attached to God. Where there is unbelief and rejection of the Beloved Son, there is tragedy and destruction. Where there is receptivity, there is joy, promise, fruitfulness and fulfillment.
Avicenna's Enthymeme: A Pointer
Authors: Reisman David
Published: December 2009

In reaction to earlier scholarship on the role of Aristotelian political theory among medieval Arabic-writing intellectuals, this paper argues that another approach of those intellectuals might more profitably be followed: that of the role of rhetorical speech. That political speech is investigated in Aristotle's Rhetoric makes it a suitable candidate for such a pursuit. However, what the present investigation concludes is that even this aspect of political theory by way of the Rhetoric also was not perceived to warrant investigation among medieval Arabic-writing intellectuals. In a review of all constituents of Greek political theory as it is now understood, this paper finds that there was one aspect of rhetorical speech that captivated the attention of these writers: the use of the enthymeme in speech patterns. Drawing on the writings of Avicenna, the author concludes that, instead of the application of the enthymemic construction of political rhetoric, Avicenna perceived yet another arena for its applicability: the training of philosophy students.
Conflicting Loyalties: Fugitives and “Traitors” in the Russo-Manchurian Frontier, 1651-1689
Authors: Ivanov Andrey
Published: December 2009

For many contemporary historians, the 1689 Treaty of Nerchinsk was not only the first diplomatic treaty between China and a European power, but also an example of a peaceful boundary settlement, which ended the protracted conflict between the two expanding empires. Yet despite modern emphasis on territorial demarcation, clarity of border signs hardly dominated this seventeenth century conflict in the Far East. In fact, careful examination of the published Russian archival record of Muscovite-Qing diplomatic correspondence reveals that competition for tributary allegiances of indigenous and settler populations proved to be a much greater source of tension between the two empires. Ultimately, the mercurial loyalties of local Tungus and Mongol tribes as well the cross-nation desertions of Cossacks, military commanders and Ming loyalists drove both Qing and Muscovite officials to stabilize their shared frontiers through negotiation.
Author, Publisher, Patron, World: A Case Study of Old Books and Global Consciousness
Authors: Wills, Jr. John
Published: December 2009

This essay focuses on the big books on distant parts of the world compiled by Olfert Dapper of Amsterdam between 1668 and 1688. It shows that in addition to his own efforts his publisher, Jacob van Meurs, and his patron, Nicolaes Witsen, made vital contributions to these works. It makes a case for the vital contribution to European knowledge of a wider world, and to the impact of that knowledge on broader cultural trends, of one who was not an eyewitness of distant shores but a diligent and sophisticated stay-at-home compiler. It urges scholars of these distant areas to pay attention to these books and others like them, and teachers to think about the benefits of discussing them with their students.
The Community of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Introduction
Authors: Knibb Michael A.
Published: December 2009

This article is intended to provide an introduction to the essays included in this special issue of Dead Sea Discoveries on the theme of the community of the Dead Sea Scrolls and to offer an assessment of some of the issues that they raise. Support is offered for the view that the S tradition was not intended for a single group, and that the yahad was not confined to Qumran, and it is argued that the communal organization of the Dead Sea Scrolls movement was more flexible and more complex than is sometimes imagined.
An Experiment on Idem Identity in the Qumran Movement
Authors: Jokiranta Jutta
Published: December 2009

The debate on the relationship between the Rule of the Community (S) and the Damascus Document (D) can be distorted by concentrating on the differences between the documents, without a clear appreciation of the significance of their mutual correspondences. The concept of Idem identity is here adopted to demonstrate that what the movement was considered to be is at least as important to ask as who its members were considered (and considered themselves) to be (questions of their ipse identity). The movement could be perceived to be the same, persisting overtime, despite various kinds of differences. The article seeks to identify critical elements of diversity allowed within the same movement. An experiment on the Idem identity is provided by looking at the rule documents and the admission in particular. In its shared social identity, the movement seems to depict itself rather in terms of its activities such as counsel and qualifications than particular forms of communities and organizations.
Problems in Reconstructing the Organizational Chart of the Essenes
Authors: Metso Sarianna
Published: December 2009

Attempts at reconstructing the nature and organizational structure of the Essene movement have largely been based on the manuscripts of the Damascus Document and the Rule of the Community. This article calls attention to a number of additional fragmentary documents from Cave 4, and examines the challenges they pose and how they relate to various theories regarding the nature of the communities behind them. A fundamental question is to what extent the so-called rule texts reflect actual historical circumstances, and this question is intrinsically linked to the question of the function of the texts in the communities that used them. A study of the organizational terms used in the documents reveals that these terms were used in a variety of ways, and while some terms may reflect actual historical circumstances, others probably did not. This result has implications for the feasibility of using these texts for historical reconstruction.
The Oath and the Community
Authors: VanderKam James C.
Published: December 2009

The Serek and the Damascus Document describe aspects of the procedures by which a person joined the community, and Josephus explains the entry procedures for aspiring Essenes. An oath is included in all of these descriptions, but, it has been claimed, it is placed at different points in them. A close examination of the texts shows that all of the sources probably locate the oath at the same point in the process of entry into the community; as a result, this aspect of the entry procedures constitutes another close parallel between the communal texts found at Qumran and Josephus's description of the Essenes.
Trading on Knowledge: The Iddin-Papsukkal Kin Group in Southern Babylonia in the 7th and 6th Centuries B.C.
Authors: Nielsen John
Published: December 2009

The witness list in BM 113927 dated at Ur in 658 includes the names of a father and son who, on the basis of evidence from three colophons, can be shown to have been members of the Iddin-Papsukkal kin group. These men appear to have had their origins at Borsippa, were active in temple affairs at Ur, and they or their descendants may have become part of the personnel at the Eanna temple at Uruk. The author makes arguments concerning the identity of these men and then proposes a link between them and a lineage from the Iddin-Papsukkal kin group at Uruk. The author concludes with observations about the movements of scholars between temples in Babylonia.
An Old Babylonian Incantation Collective with Incantations Involving a Counter-Measure Against Oath-Breaking and the Alteration of a Dream of the King
Authors: Peterson Jeremiah
Published: December 2009

A previously unpublished fragmentary Old Babylonian incantation collective that is housed in the University Museum in Philadelphia furnishes a duplicate to VAS 17: 28, a royal ritual text that is devoted to changing an ill-portending dream into a good one.
Distributions of Raindrop Sizes and Fall Velocities in a Semiarid Plateau Climate: Convective versus Stratiform Rains
Authors: Niu Shengjie , Jia Xingcan , Sang Jianren , Liu Xiaoli , Lu Chunsong , Liu Yangang
Published: December 2009

Joint size and fall velocity distributions of raindrops were measured with a Particle Size and Velocity (PARSIVEL) precipitation particle disdrometer in a field experiment conducted during July and August 2007 at a semiarid continental site located in Guyuan, Ningxia Province, China (36°N, 106°16′E). Data from both stratiform and convective clouds are analyzed. Comparison of the observed raindrop size distributions shows that the increase of convective rain rates arises from the increases of both drop concentration and drop diameter while the increase of the rain rate in the stratiform clouds is mainly due to the increase of median and large drop concentration. Another striking contrast between the stratiform and convective rains is that the size distributions from the stratiform (convective) rains tend to narrow (broaden) with increasing rain rates. Statistical analysis of the distribution pattern shows that the observed size distributions from both rain types can be well described by the gamma distribution. Examination of the raindrop fall velocity reveals that the difference in air density leads to a systematic change in the drop fall velocity while organized air motions (updrafts and downdrafts), turbulence, drop breakup, and coalescence likely cause the large spread of drop fall velocity, along with additional systematic deviation from terminal velocity at certain raindrop diameters. Small (large) drops tend to have superterminal (subterminal) velocities statistically, with the positive deviation from the terminal velocity of small drops being much larger than the negative deviation of large drops.
Removing ENSO-Related Variations from the Climate Record
Authors: Compo Gilbert P. , Sardeshmukh Prashant D.
Published: December 2009

An important question in assessing twentieth-century climate change is to what extent have ENSO-related variations contributed to the observed trends. Isolating such contributions is challenging for several reasons, including ambiguities arising from how ENSO itself is defined. In particular, defining ENSO in terms of a single index and ENSO-related variations in terms of regressions on that index, as done in many previous studies, can lead to wrong conclusions. This paper argues that ENSO is best viewed not as a number but as an evolving dynamical process for this purpose. Specifically, ENSO is identified with the four dynamical eigenvectors of tropical SST evolution that are most important in the observed evolution of ENSO events. This definition is used to isolate the ENSO-related component of global SST variations on a month-by-month basis in the 136-yr (1871–2006) Hadley Centre Sea Ice and Sea Surface Temperature dataset (HadISST). The analysis shows that previously identified multidecadal variations in the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans all have substantial ENSO components. The long-term warming trends over these oceans are also found to have appreciable ENSO components, in some instances up to 40% of the total trend. The ENSO-unrelated component of 5-yr average SST variations, obtained by removing the ENSO-related component, is interpreted as a combination of anthropogenic, naturally forced, and internally generated coherent multidecadal variations. The following two surprising aspects of these ENSO-unrelated variations are emphasized: 1) a strong cooling trend in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean and 2) a nearly zonally symmetric multidecadal tropical–extratropical seesaw that has amplified in recent decades. The latter has played a major role in modulating SSTs over the Indian Ocean.
An Observed Tropical Oceanic Radiative–Convective Cloud Feedback
Authors: Lebsock Matthew D. , Kummerow Christian , Stephens Graeme L.
Published: December 2009

Anomalies of precipitation, cloud, thermodynamic, and radiation variables are analyzed on the large spatial scale defined by the tropical oceans. In particular, relationships between the mean tropical oceanic precipitation anomaly and radiative anomalies are examined. It is found that tropical mean precipitation is well correlated with cloud properties and radiative fields. In particular, the tropical mean precipitation anomaly is positively correlated with the top of the atmosphere reflected shortwave anomaly and negatively correlated with the emitted longwave anomaly. The tropical mean relationships are found to primarily result from a coherent oscillation of precipitation and the area of high-level cloudiness. The correlations manifest themselves radiatively as a modest decrease in net downwelling radiation at the top of the atmosphere, and a redistribution of energy from the surface to the atmosphere through reduced solar radiation to the surface and decreased longwave emission to space. Integrated over the tropical oceanic domain, the anomalous atmospheric column radiative heating is found to be about 10% of the magnitude of the anomalous latent heating. The temporal signature of the radiative heating is observed in the column mean temperature that indicates a coherent phase-lagged oscillation between atmospheric stability and convection. These relationships are identified as a radiative–convective cloud feedback that is observed on intraseasonal time scales in the tropical atmosphere.