bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strongly increased levels of fibrinogen elastase degradation products in patients with ischemic stroke
Authors: De Lau Lonneke M. L. , Cheung Elim Y. L. , Kluft Cornelis , Leebeek Frank W. G. , Meijer Piet , Laterveer Ria , Dippel Diederik W. J. , De Maat Moniek P. M.
Published: November 2008

Ischemic stroke is associated with leucocyte activation. Activated leucocytes release elastase, an enzyme that can degrade fibrinogen. Fibrinogen elastase degradation products (FgEDP) may serve as a specific marker of elastase proteolytic activity. In a case‐control study of 111 ischemic stroke patients and 119 controls, significantly higher FgEDP levels were observed in cases than in controls, both in the acute phase and in the convalescent phase. Results were only slightly affected by adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, C‐reactive protein and fibrinogen. Our findings suggest that FgEDP might be involved in the pathogenesis of stroke.
Dasatinib inhibits the proliferation and function of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells
Authors: Fei Fei , Yu Yingzhe , Schmitt Anita , Rojewski Markus Thomas , Chen Baoan , Götz Marlies , Döhner Hartmut , Bunjes Donald , Schmitt Michael
Published: November 2008

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) can influence various immune responses. Little is known about the effects of the Abl/Src kinase inhibitor dasatinib on Tregs which regulate anti‐tumor/leukaemia immune responses. The present study demonstrated that dasatinib inhibited proliferation of Tregs and CD4+CD25− T cells in a dose‐dependent manner, which was associated with the decreased production of corresponding cytokines. Treatment of Tregs with dasatinib inhibited the suppressive capacity of Tregs. The mechanisms of this inhibition included arrest of cells in the G0/G1 phase of cell cycle, down‐regulation of the transcription factor forkhead box P3, glucocorticoid‐induced tumour necrosis factor receptor and the cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated protein 4 as well as inhibition of signaling events through Src and nuclear factor κB. Dasatinib showed an inhibitory effect on the proliferation and function of both Tregs and CD4+CD25− T cells at therapeutically relevant concentrations of the drug. Clinical administration of dasatinib might influence not only the graft‐versus‐leukaemia effect but also the graft‐versus‐host‐disease in patients receiving dasatinib after allogeneic stem cell transplantation and/or donor lymphocytes infusion as the function of both Tregs and effector T cells are hampered in a similar way by dasatinib.
Biological control of water hyacinth – the South African experience1
Authors: Coetzee J. A. , Hill M. P.
Published: November 2008

Water hyacinth remains one of the worst aquatic weeds worldwide, and its presence in South Africa since the early twentieth century prompted research into biological control options. The first control agent released in South Africa was the weevil Neochetina eichhorniae in 1974, but the project was terminated three years later, and resumed in 1985. Since then, five arthropod biocontrol agents have been released in South Africa, more than anywhere else in the world, including another weevil, N. bruchi, a moth, Niphograpta albiguttalis, a mite, Orthogalumna terebrantis and a mirid, Eccritotarsus catarinensis. To date, the success of biological control of water hyacinth in South Africa has been variable, and this has been ascribed to, amongst other factors, climatic incompatibility of control agents, and eutrophication of water hyacinth impoundments. Successful control is achieved in warm subtropical sites which are not affected by frost in winter, and in water bodies that are not heavily polluted with nitrates and phosphates. The biocontrol programme is the result of collaborative research with scientists from the USA, Australia and Argentina, and the experience obtained and lessons learned in these regions and South Africa can be used to initiate a biocontrol programme in Europe.
Cytotoxicity of endodontic materials over 6‐weeks ex vivo
Authors: Brackett M. G. , Marshall A. , Lockwood P. E. , Lewis J. B. , Messer R. L. W. , Bouillaguet S. , Wataha J. C.
Published: November 2008

Aim  To test the hypothesis that extending the time of a traditional ex vivo cytotoxicity test helps to identify trends in the behaviour of root core materials and sealers, which could ultimately aid in predicting their clinical safety and performance.

Methodology  Endodontic sealers and core specimens were initially tested in direct contact with L929 fibroblasts for 72 h. Cell response was estimated by measuring cellular succinate dehydrogenase activity relative to Teflon controls. Cytotoxicity (% of more active cells) was reassessed after 1, 3, 4 and 6 weeks, with the specimens stored in a physiologically balanced salt‐solution between tests.

Results  Distinct trends in cytotoxicity among both core materials and sealers were observed over the 6‐week test. Four of the six sealers and two of the three core materials showed cell viabilities of <30% of Teflon after 6 weeks (>70% cytotoxicity).

Conclusions  The current results suggest that some endodontic materials have an elevated biological risk for extended intervals.
The effectiveness of targeted feeding assistance to improve the nutritional intake of elderly dysphagic patients in hospital
Authors: Wright L. , Cotter D. , Hickson M.
Published: November 2008

Background  Dysphagic older patients are prescribed texture modified food or fluids as treatment. The present study aimed to determine whether targeted feeding assistance using trained volunteers increased oral intake in elderly dysphagic patients.

Method  Individualized feeding assistance was given to patients who were diagnosed with dysphagia by a speech and language therapist. Data were collected between 08.00 h and 16.00 h and compared with previously collected data from dysphagic patients who received no targeted feeding assistance.

Results  The group with targeted assistance (n = 16) had higher intakes of energy and protein from both meals and supplements combined compared to the controls (n = 30); mean difference = 2327 kJ (554 kcal) (95% CI = 1294–3360 kJ; P < 0.001) and 28 g protein (95% CI = 13–41 g; P = 0.01). The assisted group ate more from meals only; mean difference = 1336 kJ (318 kcal) (95% Cl = 517–2155 kJ; P = 0.002) and 6 g of protein (95% Cl = 2–26 g; P = 0.02); and from nutritional supplements only, median difference = 1205 kJ (287 kcal) (95% CI = 613–1273 kJ; P = 0.0002) and 15 g protein (95% CI 6.9–15 g; P < 0.0001).

Conclusion  Nutritional intake can be improved by targeted feeding assistance in hospitalized elderly dysphagic patients on texture modified diets.
Microenvironmental influences in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: the role of antigen stimulation
Authors: Ghia P. , Chiorazzi N. , Stamatopoulos K.
Published: November 2008

Several studies suggest that immune‐mediated pathways are important in the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The in vivo accumulation of leukaemic lymphocytes is facilitated by interactions of CLL cells with other cells and soluble factors that probably occur more often within the microenvironment through classical receptor–ligand interactions. These include CD40L–CD40 and chemokine–chemokine receptor interactions as well as B cell receptor (BCR) engagement by (auto)antigens. Indeed, the categorizations of CLL patients based on immunoglobulin heavy variable (IGHV) gene mutations and structure of the clone’s BCR suggest that CLL patient outcome could be a reflection of ongoing BCR signalling in the context of other co‐signals.
In vitro characterization and preferential infection by canine distemper virus of glial precursors with Schwann cell characteristics from adult canine brain
Authors: Orlando E. A. , Imbschweiler I. , Gerhauser I. , Baumgärtner W. , Wewetzer K.
Published: November 2008

Aims: Canine distemper virus (CDV)‐induced demyelinating leukoencephalomyelitis is a naturally occurring model for multiple sclerosis. The aim of this study was to establish primary glial cell cultures from adult canine brain for the analysis of CDV spread and cell tropism. Methods: Cultures were inoculated with the CDV‐R252 and a CDV‐Onderstepoort strain expressing the green fluorescent protein (CDV‐OndeGFP). CDV antigen expression was studied using cell type‐specific antibodies at different days post infection. Glial cells expressing p75NTR were purified using antibody‐based techniques and characterized with regard to antigen expression and proliferation. Results: Three weeks after seeding, cultures contained spindle‐shaped cells expressing p75NTR, oligodendrocytic cells, astrocytes, microglia and fibroblasts. Both CDV strains induced a mild to moderate cytopathic effect that consisted of single necrotic and few syncytial giant cells, but displayed in part a differential cell tropism. Whereas CDV‐OndeGFP expression in microglia and astrocytes did not exceed 1% and 50%, respectively, CDV‐R252 infected 100% and 80% of both cell types, respectively. The cells most early infected by both CDV strains expressed p75NTR and may correlate to cells previously identified as aldynoglia. Treatment of p75NTR+ cells with Schwann cell mitogens and serum deprivation increased proliferation and A2B5 expression, respectively, indicating common properties compared with Schwann cells and oligodendrocyte precursors. Conclusions: Infection of adult canine astrocytes and microglia revealed CDV strain‐specific cell tropism. Moreover, this is the first identification of a glial cell type with Schwann cell‐like properties in adult canine brain and, more importantly, these cells displayed a high susceptibility to CDV infection.
Tocopherol deficiency in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants leads to accelerated senescence
Authors: ABBASI ALI‐REZA , SAUR ALEXANDRA , HENNIG PETER , TSCHIERSCH HENNING , HAJIREZAEI MOHAMMAD , HOFIUS DANIEL , SONNEWALD UWE , VOLL LARS M.
Published: November 2008

α‐Tocopherol constitutes the major lipophilic antioxidant in thylakoid membranes, which cooperates with the soluble antioxidant system to alleviate oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) during oxygenic photosynthesis. Tocopherol accumulates during leaf senescence, indicating the necessity for increased redox buffer capacity in senescent leaves, and tocopherol deficiency has been shown to restrict sugar export from source leaves by inducing callose plugging in the vasculature. We have generated tocopherol‐deficient tobacco plants that contain as few as 1% of wild‐type (WT) tocopherol in leaves by silencing homogentisate phytyltransferase (HPT). Employing HPT : RNAi plants, we have assessed the importance of tocopherol during leaf senescence and for sugar export.

Irrespective of whorl position, the content of free sugars and starch was lower in HPT : RNAi leaves than in WT during the vegetative phase, and no accumulation of callose or a reduction in sugar exudation compared to WT was evident. Based on our observations, we discuss lipid peroxidation as a potential modulator of tocopherol‐mediated signalling.

Furthermore, senescence was accelerated in lower leaves of HPT transgenics, as indicated by elevated GS1 and reduced rbcS transcript amounts. Oxidative stress was increased in virescent lower source leaves, suggesting that the lack of tocopherol triggers premature senescence.
The effect of crop, cultivation and seed addition for birds on surface weed seed densities in arable crops during winter
Authors: HOLLAND J M , SMITH B M , SOUTHWAY S E , BIRKETT T C , AEBISCHER N J
Published: November 2008

Weed seeds present an agronomic threat, but are also an important food resource for wildlife in winter. Weed seed densities on the soil surface in winter were examined from 1999 to 2002 in 105 fields on three different farms in UK. The effect of the preceding crop, cultivation, position within the field and the application of seed for birds (bird seed) on surface seed abundance and species composition was tested. Six or fewer species comprised c. 80% of the weed seeds. By January of each study year, the densities of seeds important for farmland birds (key seeds) were 73% or 87% lower compared with early winter on two of the farms, but were stable on the third where seeds were incorporated through cultivation. At the edge and mid‐field, seed densities only exceeded 400 m−2 in 17%, 10% and 12% of fields for total, key and dicotyledonous seeds respectively. The preceding crop only affected seed densities at one site; stubbles of winter barley had fewer seeds compared with winter wheat or spring barley. Seed densities varied between the edge and mid‐field, but trends were inconsistent between sites. The density of the larger seeds (Atriplex patula, Viola arvensis, Polygonum aviculare and Chenopodium album) were reduced in fields receiving bird seed. The objectives of weed control and conservation may not be mutually exclusive because seed return was most reduced where the ground remained uncultivated through the winter, yet this also provided the best foraging opportunities for surface feeding seed predators.
Phomopsis cirsii: a potential biocontrol agent of Cirsium arvense
Authors: LETH V , NETLAND J , ANDREASEN C
Published: November 2008

Cirsium arvense is a noxious perennial weed which has become an increasing problem in north European countries. Biological control by natural antagonists is of increasing interest to supplement mechanical and chemical control. Several attempts to use fungi such as Alternaria cirsinoxia, Puccinia punctiformis and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum as biocontrol agents have been initiated. No mycoherbicides against C. arvense have been developed and the search for aggressive pathogens continues. In a Danish survey, several fungi were isolated from C. arvense. Four are new records in Denmark: the white rust fungus Pustula andropogonis, the leaf spot fungi Ramularia cirsii, Septoria cirsii and Phomopsis cirsii. Our study shows that P. cirsii is pathogenic to C. arvense, causing stem canker and die back, and that it may have potential as a mycoherbicide against its host. Growth characteristics of P. cirsii on artificial media are described, as well as a scale measuring severity of visible symptoms of P. cirsii on C. arvense. The taxonomic characteristics of Phomopsis spp. are compared and discussed in relation to other records of Phomopsis spp. found on Cirsium spp. and C. arvense.
Two new HLA‐C alleles: Cw*0222 and Cw*0434
Authors: Johnson J. , Street J. , Hammond L. , Iley C. , Darke C.
Published: November 2008

HLA‐Cw*0222 differs from Cw*020202 by three nucleotides at codons 114, 116 and 127, while HLA‐Cw*0434 differs from Cw*0408 by two nucleotides at codons 152 and 156.
How Reliable are the Methods for Estimating Repertoire Size?
Authors: Botero Carlos A. , Mudge Andrew E. , Koltz Amanda M. , Hochachka Wesley M. , Vehrencamp Sandra L.
Published: November 2008

Quantifying signal repertoire size is a critical first step towards understanding the evolution of signal complexity. However, counting signal types can be so complicated and time consuming when repertoire size is large, that this trait is often estimated rather than measured directly. We studied how three common methods for repertoire size quantification (i.e., simple enumeration, curve‐fitting and capture‐recapture analysis) are affected by sample size and presentation style using simulated repertoires of known sizes. As expected, estimation error decreased with increasing sample size and varied among presentation styles. More surprisingly, for all but one of the presentation styles studied, curve‐fitting and capture–recapture analysis yielded errors of similar or greater magnitude than the errors researchers would make by simply assuming that the number of types in an incomplete sample is the true repertoire size. Our results also indicate that studies based on incomplete samples are likely to yield incorrect ranking of individuals and spurious correlations with other parameters regardless of the technique of choice. Finally, we argue that biological receivers face similar difficulties in quantifying repertoire size than human observers and we explore some of the biological implications of this hypothesis.
Reliable computing in estimation of variance components
Authors: Misztal I.
Published: November 2008

The purpose of this study is to present guidelines in selection of statistical and computing algorithms for variance components estimation when computing involves software packages. For this purpose two major methods are to be considered: residual maximal likelihood (REML) and Bayesian via Gibbs sampling. Expectation‐Maximization (EM) REML is regarded as a very stable algorithm that is able to converge when covariance matrices are close to singular, however it is slow. However, convergence problems can occur with random regression models, especially if the starting values are much lower than those at convergence. Average Information (AI) REML is much faster for common problems but it relies on heuristics for convergence, and it may be very slow or even diverge for complex models. REML algorithms for general models become unstable with larger number of traits. REML by canonical transformation is stable in such cases but can support only a limited class of models. In general, REML algorithms are difficult to program. Bayesian methods via Gibbs sampling are much easier to program than REML, especially for complex models, and they can support much larger datasets; however, the termination criterion can be hard to determine, and the quality of estimates depends on a number of details. Computing speed varies with computing optimizations, with which some large data sets and complex models can be supported in a reasonable time; however, optimizations increase complexity of programming and restrict the types of models applicable. Several examples from past research are discussed to illustrate the fact that different problems required different methods.
Does the Microbial Flora in the Ejaculate Affect the Freezeability of Stallion Sperm?
Authors: Ortega‐Ferrusola C , González‐Fernández L , Muriel A , Macías‐García B , Rodríguez‐Martínez H , Tapia JA , Alonso JM , Peña FJ
Published: November 2008

Contents

In an attempt to evaluate the possible relationship between the microbial flora in the stallion ejaculate and its ability to freeze, three ejaculates from five stallions were frozen using a standard protocol. Before freezing, an aliquot was removed for bacteriological analysis. Bacterial growth was observed in all the ejaculates studied. The isolated microorganisms were: Staphylococcus spp. and Micrococcus spp. (in all the stallions), β‐haemolytic Streptococcus (in stallions 3 and 4), Corynebacterium spp. (in stallions 1, 3–5), Rhodococcus spp. (in stallion number 2), Pseudomonas spp. (in stallion number 1) and Klebsiella spp. (in stallions 1, 3 and 5). The presence and richness of Klebsiella and β‐haemolytic Streptococcus in the ejaculate were related to two sperm variables post‐thaw, namely the proportion of dead spermatozoa (ethidium+ cells; r = 0.55, p < 0.05) and the amplitude of lateral displacement of the sperm head (ALH, μm; r = −0.56, p < 0.05), respectively. The degree of growth of Corynebacterium spp. in the ejaculate was positively correlated with the percentage of spermatozoa showing high caspase activity post‐thaw (r = 0.62, p < 0.05). The presence and number of colonies of β‐haemolytic Streptococcus were negatively correlated (r = −0.55, p < 0.05) with low sperm caspase activity. It is concluded that the microbial flora of the equine ejaculate may be responsible for some of the sublethal damage experimented by the spermatozoa during cryopreservation.
Pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung expressing podoplanin and calretinin
Authors: Kenmotsu Hirotsugu , Ishii Genichiro , Nagai Kanji , Nakao Masayuki , Kawase Akikazu , Kojika Masakazu , Murata Yukinori , Nishiwaki Yutaka , Ochiai Atsushi
Published: November 2008

Pleomorphic carcinoma (PC) of the lung is classified as a subtype of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung, and peripheral PC is sometimes difficult to differentiate from the sarcomatoid component of mesothelioma. An 80‐year‐old man was referred to National Cancer Center Hospital East because a chest X‐ray showed an abnormal shadow. CT scans of the chest indicated two solid masses located in the right lower lobe, and CT‐guided needle biopsy yielded spindle‐shaped tumor cells that were immunoreactive for both podoplanin and calretinin. Mesothelioma could not be ruled out, and the tumors were surgically resected to facilitate definitive pathological diagnosis. Both tumors were composed of undifferentiated carcinoma, bronchioloalveolar carcinoma and spindle cell carcinoma, and spindle cell component was immunoreactive for podoplanin and calretinin. Ten other tumors diagnosed as peripheral PC were also tested for podoplanin and calretinin expression. The sarcomatoid component in four of the 11 cases (36%) was immunoreactive with podoplanin, and it was calretinin positive in nine of the 11 cases (82%). When making the differential diagnosis between PC and the sarcomatoid component of mesothelioma, care is required in diagnosing biopsy specimens of peripheral lung spindle‐cell tumors that are positive for both podoplanin and calretinin.
Aggregations of retinal pigment epithelial cells on inferior retinal blood vessels, a clinical sign of early proliferative vitreoretinopathy
Authors: Williamson Tom H , Laidlaw D Alistair H , Doyle Eddie
Published: November 2008

Abstract

Purpose:  To determine the relationship between ‘pigment clusters’ on blood vessels (BvRPE) on the inferior retina in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and existing proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).

Methods:  A prospective observational non‐comparative study of consecutive patients presenting with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment to a tertiary referral university department was performed. The retina was inspected preoperatively for the detection of BvRPE. A relationship with existing PVR was determined.

Results:  A total of 103 patients were recruited, 70 men and 32 women, mean age 56.7 years, with 57 left eyes. Mean duration of follow up was 9.2 months. Nineteen patients (18.4%) had BvRPE, and 20 had RPE clusters off blood vessels (nine had both). In those with the sign of BvRPE the mean number of RPE clusters on blood vessels was 5.7 (SD 5.8). The mean number of clock hours affected was 2.32 (SD = 1.58). Eight had B grade PVR and three C grade PVR. Patients with BvRPE were more likely to have PVR grades B or C than those without the sign (P = 0.002). The mean number of operations in those with the sign was 1.32 (SD = 0.58) and was statistically similar to those without BvRPE. Visual outcome was statistically similar in those with and without the sign.

Conclusion:  Patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment may demonstrate ‘pigment clusters’ on blood vessels in the inferior retina (BvRPE). This is likely to be a specific feature found in PVR and an early sign of activation of retinal pigment epithelial cells.
Sexual activity and prostate cancer risk in men diagnosed at a younger age
Authors: Dimitropoulou Polyxeni , Lophatananon Artitaya , Easton Douglas , Pocock Richard , Dearnaley David P. , Guy Michelle , Edwards Steven , O’Brien Lynne , Hall Amanda , Wilkinson Rosemary ,   The UK Genetic Prostate Cancer Study Collaborators, British Association of Urological Surgeons Section of Oncology, Eeles Rosalind , Muir Kenneth R.
Published: November 2008

OBJECTIVE

To examine, in a case‐control study, the association between the frequency of sexual activity (intercourse, masturbation, overall) and prostate cancer risk in younger men diagnosed at ≤60 years old.

PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS

In all, 431 prostate cancer cases and 409 controls participated and provided information on their sexual activity. In particular, the frequencies of intercourse and masturbation during the participants’ different age decades (20s, 30s, 40s, 50s) were collected.

RESULTS

Whereas frequent overall sexual activity in younger life (20s) increased the disease risk, it appeared to be protective against the disease when older (50s). Alone, frequent masturbation activity was a marker for increased risk in the 20s and 30s but appeared to be associated with a decreased risk in the 50s, while intercourse activity alone was not associated with the disease.

CONCLUSION

These findings could imply different mechanisms by which sexual activity is involved in the aetiology of prostate cancer at different ages. Alternatively, there is a possibility of reverse causation in explaining part of the protective effect seen for men in their 50s.
Stress assessment in acute care department nurses by measuring interleukin‐8
Authors: Fukuda H. , Ichinose T. , Kusama T. , Sakurai R. , Anndow K. , Akiyoshi N.
Published: November 2008

Background:  Cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)‐8, have been shown to be related to depressive symptoms or inflammatory diseases and may be useful as stress biomarkers.

Aim:  This study was to assess whether urinary IL‐8 levels were reliable indicators of stress among acute care department (AD) nurses.

Methods:  A total of 118 nurses participated in the study. Urinary IL‐8 levels of 49 AD nurses were compared with levels of a control group of 69 chronic care department (CD) nurses.

Results:  The urinary IL‐8 levels of AD nurses, who reported a higher level of professional stress, were higher than the levels of CD nurses (P < 0.01).

Conclusion:  Measurement of urinary IL‐8 may be an appropriate biomarker for stress assessment in nurses.
The Rational Reconstruction of Weighing and Balancing on the Basis of Teleological‐Evaluative Considerations in the Justification of Judicial Decisions
Authors: FETERIS EVELINE T.
Published: November 2008

In this contribution the author develops an argumentation model for the reconstruction of weighing and balancing on the basis of teleological‐evaluative considerations. The model is intended as a heuristic and critical tool for the rational reconstruction of the justification of judicial decisions. From the perspective of a rational discussion, it makes explicit the choices underlying the weighing and balancing on the basis of goals and values so that they can be made explicit and submitted to rational critique.
Temporality of disasters: The politics of women's livelihoods ‘after’ the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka
Authors: Ruwanpura Kanchana N.
Published: November 2008

The devastation caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami in Sri Lanka is represented as a ‘natural disaster’. Yet, the tsunami did not occur in a sociopolitical and historical vacuum. How people responded to the tsunami, the challenges of and attitudes to relocation and post‐tsunami livelihoods, were/are shaped by uneven development, social exclusion and ethnonationalist war. All these responses are embedded in structures of gender, caste, class, and ethnicity. The tsunami, thus, brought to the forefront preexisting inequalities, showing up complexities in the temporality of disasters. Drawn from fieldwork in two coastal areas in the Southern and Eastern provinces, this paper shows how gendered structures within the local political economy influenced the ways that institutional actors as well as the displaced communities and women initially devised livelihood strategies. These reactions show how place matters as much as preexisting gendered political economy conditions and reveal the complex ways in which women continue to mediate and negotiate everyday responses in the aftermath of a ‘natural’ disaster.
The use of Therapeutic Storywriting Groups to support pupils with emotional difficulties
Authors: WATERS TRISHA
Published: November 2008

Trisha Waters presents the theoretical basis for Therapeutic Storywriting Groups, an outline of how they work in practice and a summary of the research report commissioned by SERSEN to evaluate their impact on pupils' learning. The article finishes with a short case study of a nine‐year‐old boy who is on the special educational needs register for behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.
PRAGMATISM, REALISM, AND RELIGION
Authors: Slater Michael R.
Published: November 2008

Pragmatism is often thought to be incompatible with realism, the view that there are knowable mind‐independent facts, objects, or properties. In this article, I show that there are, in fact, realist versions of pragmatism and argue that a realist pragmatism of the right sort can make important contributions to such fields as religious ethics and philosophy of religion. Using William James's pragmatism as my primary example, I show (1) that James defended realist and pluralist views in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and philosophy of religion, and (2) that these views not only cohere with his pragmatism but indeed are basic to it. After arguing that James's pragmatism provides a credible and useful approach to a number of basic philosophical and religious issues, I conclude by reflecting on some ways in which we can apply and potentially improve James's views in the study of religion.
Human Rights and Unfair Dismissal: Private Acts in Public Spaces
Authors: Mantouvalou Virginia
Published: November 2008

This article addresses the termination of employment because of the conduct of the employee in her leisure time, in the light of the right to private life. It explores the impact on the retention of employment of activities taking place outside the workplace and outside working hours, and argues that the approach of UK courts and tribunals, which is based on a primarily spatial conceptualisation of privacy, is flawed. A fresh approach to privacy, resting on the idea of domination, is proposed, which is sensitive to the particularities of the employment relationship. Considering the fairness enquiry in dismissal, it argues that off‐duty conduct may lead to lawful termination of employment only if there is a clear and present impact or a high likelihood of such impact on business interests; a speculative and marginal danger does not suffice. It further proposes that a particularly meticulous test is appropriate when certain suspect categories, such as the employees' sexual preferences, are at stake.
Defining Damage in the House of Lords
Authors: Turton Gemma
Published: November 2008

This comment examines the recent House of Lords decision in Rothwell v Chemical and Insulating Co Ltd. It concludes that despite seeming unsympathetic to claimants, the decision is to be welcomed for the clarity it brings to the tort of negligence by defining the concept of damage more precisely.
GEORGE TYRRELL AND KARL RAHNER: A DIALOGUE ON REVELATION
Authors: CANDELARIO MA. DELIA A.
Published: November 2008

The reality of revelation was one of the fundamental questions that occupied 1 Tyrrell as a writer until he died on 15 July 1909. The centenary of his death is an opportune time to engage this English Modernist in a dialogue with Karl Rahner on the subject of revelation. Tyrrell insists on the primacy of the interior experience of revelation. An exaggerated emphasis on inner religious experience, however, led him inevitably to a separation of the interior dimension of revelation from its verbal expressions and doctrinal formulations.

Rahner also affirms the primacy of the originating inner experience of God but stresses at the same time the intrinsic unity between this transcendental revelation and its categorical, historical dimension. Revelation corresponds to the symbolic nature of the addressee. The Mystery of the Incarnation is the point of reference for understanding God's self‐communication. The fullness of revelation has been realized in the indissoluble and irreversible unity of the Divine Logos with the Man Jesus.
Objectification Theory and Psychology of Women: A Decade of Advances and Future Directions
Authors: Moradi Bonnie , Huang Yu-Ping
Published: November 2008

Fredrickson and Roberts (1997) proposed objectification theory as an integrative framework for understanding how women's socialization and experiences of sexual objectification are translated into mental health problems. This article reviews the past decade of research grounded in objectification theory and highlights needed directions for future scholarship in this area. Specifically, this article reviews research organized according to the following themes: (a) self-objectification and its proposed consequences, (b) sexual objectification experiences as a proposed precursor, and (c) disconnections from bodily functions. An overview of emerging objectification theory research with men is also provided. The review concludes with needed directions for future theoretical and research efforts aimed to advance the psychology of women.
AN AXIOMATIC APPROACH TO NATIONAL ACCOUNTING: AN OUTLINE
Authors: Aukrust Odd
Published: November 2008

Reprinted from The Review of Income and Wealth 12: 179–189 (1966)

This article deals in an axiomatic manner with problems of definition, classification, and measurement in the national accounts. It argues that the elementary units which must be classified in national accounting are economic objects (real and financial), rather than transactions. The article defines briefly a set of postulates, and shows that the structure of a simple system of national accounting can be derived from them. There are twenty postulates–certain of them establishing basic categories such as sector, time, economic object, value (price); others establishing relations between categories (for example the notion of ownership); and others describing operations in which economic objects can be involved, such as production, final consumption, change of ownership, and change of debtor and creditor (in the case of financial objects). It is shown that the system of postulates makes it possible to consider a large number of accounting concepts (flows or stocks) as classes (baskets) of real objects (e.g., exports, real capital) or financial objects (e.g., payments, total debt of a sector). These concepts can be defined without reference to prices, although prices are necessary to measure them. Other concepts cannot be defined in this way in this system of postulates, for example value added, foreign balance, saving, net worth. However, it is possible to define magnitudes of the latter type and measure them in terms of value: for example, value added can be defined as the difference between the value of receipts and the value of outlays of a sector. In this way it is possible to establish algebraic relations among the national accounting concepts. (This article is a summary of certain parts of the doctoral thesis of the author, published in Norwegian in 1955.)
Market Structure, Internal Capital Markets, and the Boundaries of the Firm
Authors: MATHEWS RICHMOND D. , ROBINSON DAVID T.
Published: November 2008

We study how the creation of an internal capital market (ICM) can invite strategic responses in product markets that, in turn, shape firm boundaries. ICMs provide ex post resource flexibility, but come with ex ante commitment costs. Alternatively, stand‐alones possess commitment ability but lack flexibility. By creating flexibility, integration can sometimes deter a rival's entry, but commitment problems can also invite predatory capital raising. These forces drive different organizational equilibria depending on the integrator's relation to the product market. Hybrid organizational forms like strategic alliances can sometimes dominate integration by offering some of its benefits with fewer strategic costs.
Trusting the Stock Market
Authors: GUISO LUIGI , SAPIENZA PAOLA , ZINGALES LUIGI
Published: November 2008

We study the effect that a general lack of trust can have on stock market participation. In deciding whether to buy stocks, investors factor in the risk of being cheated. The perception of this risk is a function of the objective characteristics of the stocks and the subjective characteristics of the investor. Less trusting individuals are less likely to buy stock and, conditional on buying stock, they will buy less. In Dutch and Italian micro data, as well as in cross‐country data, we find evidence consistent with lack of trust being an important factor in explaining the limited participation puzzle.
Stock Returns and Volatility: Pricing the Short‐Run and Long‐Run Components of Market Risk
Authors: ADRIAN TOBIAS , ROSENBERG JOSHUA
Published: November 2008

We explore the cross‐sectional pricing of volatility risk by decomposing equity market volatility into short‐ and long‐run components. Our finding that prices of risk are negative and significant for both volatility components implies that investors pay for insurance against increases in volatility, even if those increases have little persistence. The short‐run component captures market skewness risk, which we interpret as a measure of the tightness of financial constraints. The long‐run component relates to business cycle risk. Furthermore, a three‐factor pricing model with the market return and the two volatility components compares favorably to benchmark models.
Performance of a Ventricular Automatic‐Capture Algorithm in a Wide Clinical Setting
Authors: PECORA DOMENICO , MORANDI FRANCESCA , LICCARDO MATTIA , PEPI PATRIZIA , ORAZI SERAFINO , CAICO SALVATORE IVAN , SCACCIA ALBERTO , BIZEAU OLIVEIR , CITERNE OLIVIER , RACITI GIOVANNI , GIUDICE GIOVANNI DEL
Published: November 2008

Background: The optimal
programming of a pacemaker (PM) voltage output considers both efficiency (prolonging battery cell longevity) and patient safety (adequate safety margin). Currently, automatic capture (AC) algorithms are designed to ensure safe automatic stimulation threshold determination and pacing with a safety margin.

Methods: The aims of this prospective observational study were (1) to evaluate, over a short‐term follow‐up, the extent of backup pacing in patients implanted with an AC‐featured PM produced by Boston Scientific (Insignia) and a wide range of ventricular leads; (2) to identify patient‐ or lead‐specific predictors of ventricular threshold increase or missed detection of the ventricular pacing threshold; and (3) to analyze day‐to‐day fluctuations in the ventricular pacing threshold and the relationship between their magnitude, the characteristics of patients, and the system implanted.

Results: Five hundred and seventy‐nine patients implanted with 89 different leads were followed up for a median of 2.1 months. Five hundred and thirty‐six patients (92.5%) never experienced failure of automatic threshold testing; 571 (98.6%) did not experience permanent failure requiring continuous backup pacing at high energy. On multivariate analysis, none of the patient or lead characteristics predicted the occurrence of high‐energy backup pacing during the study period. Day‐to‐day threshold fluctuations were associated only with higher thresholds (>1 V).

Conclusion: AC algorithm reliably measures ventricular pacing thresholds in most patients: in only 1.4% of patients the system is permanently unable to detect the ventricular threshold. Backup pacing is not dependent on lead or patient characteristics, including lead polarization, polarity, and maturation.
Attenuation (Augmentation) of Intrinsic and Paced QRS Complexes before (after) Hemodialysis
Authors: MADIAS JOHN E.
Published: November 2008

A patient with complete atrioventricular block after hemodialysis (HD) for which he had a permanent pacemaker implanted showed attenuation of the amplitude of the intrinsic and paced QRS complexes while awaiting HD, and augmentation of paced QRS complexes after HD. These QRS perturbations correlated with the changes in his weight. The mechanism of these phenomena and their clinical implications are discussed.
The impact of clinical significance criteria on subthreshold depression prevalence rates
Authors: Baumeister H. , Morar V.
Published: November 2008

Objective:  To examine and compare prevalence rates of subthreshold depression (SD) based on symptom count only as well as additional categorically and dimensionally operationalized clinical significance (CS) criteria.

Method:  Data were drawn from the German National Health Survey (n = 4181). DSM‐IV‐SD and categorically defined CS criteria were operationalized by means of the Munich‐Composite International Diagnostic Interview, dimensionally defined CS criteria by means of the SF‐36‐mental component summary score (MCS) Scale.

Results:  Four‐week and 12‐month prevalence rates of SD ranged from 0.7% (MCS‐CS criteria) to 1.8% (symptom count) and 1.8% to 6.8% respectively. Prevalence rates of SD were lower than those of Major Depression (5.7% and 10.9%). Within linear regression models, the association between SD and health care utilization variables remained insignificant.

Conclusion:  Although prevalences rates of SD are bound to the CS criterion used, they are lower than for Major Depression. The use of a CS criterion is recommended to avoid pathologizing human behavior.
Severe mental illness and criminal victimization: a systematic review
Authors: Maniglio R.
Published: November 2008

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of criminal victimization among people with severe mental illness and to explore risk factors.

Method: Four databases (MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, ERIC, and AMED) were searched for articles published between January 1966 and August 2007, supplemented with hand‐search of reference lists from retrieved papers. The author and a Medical Doctor independently abstracted data and assessed study quality. Disagreements were resolved by consensus after review of the article and the review protocol.

Results: Nine studies, including 5195 patients, were identified. Prevalence estimates of criminal victimization ranged from 4.3% to 35.04%. Rates of victimization among severely mentally ill persons were 2.3–140.4 times higher than those in the general population. Criminal victimization was most frequently associated with alcohol and/or illicit drug use/abuse, homelessness, more severe symptomatology, and engagement in criminal activity.

Conclusion: Prevention and intervention programs should target high‐risk groups and improve patients’ mental health and quality of life.
Retrievability of implant‐retained crowns following cementation
Authors: Mehl Christian , Harder Sönke , Wolfart Mona , Kern Matthias , Wolfart Stefan
Published: November 2008

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the retrievability of cemented implant crowns using two different removal devices. The influence of five cement types and two cement application techniques was evaluated.

Methods: Forty copings were cast from a CoCr alloy for 40 tapered titanium abutments (5° taper, 4.3 mm diameter, 6 mm height, Camlog, Germany). Twenty copings were modeled as single crowns, whereas 20 copings were modeled with an extension to simulate fixed partial dentures (FPDs). Before cementation, the inner surfaces of the copings were air‐abraded (50 μm Al2O3 particles at 2.5 bars), while the abutments were used as delivered with machined surfaces. Copings were cemented with eugenol‐free zinc oxide (Freegenol), zinc phosphate (Harvard), glass ionomer (Ketac Cem), polycarboxylate (Durelon) and so‐called self‐adhesive resin (RelyX Unicem) cement. Cement was applied in a thin film band of 1 or 3 mm to the cervical margin of the inner surface of the copings, respectively. After cementation, specimens were stored in saline solution for 24 h. The Coronaflex and a standardized custom‐made removal device were used to remove the copings from the abutments.

Results: Using the same cement, no statistically significant influence with regard to the type of restoration (crown/FDP), cement application mode and device was detected (P>0.05). Therefore, data of specimens cemented with the same cement were pooled. Median attempts to remove the copings were: zinc oxide: 3, self‐adhesive resin: 3, zinc phosphate: 5, glass ionomer: 16 and polycarboxylate: 58. Four levels of significance (P<0.0001) were found: (1) zinc oxide/self‐adhesive resin; (2) zinc phosphate; (3) glass ionomer; and (4) polycarboxylate.

Conclusions: Zinc phosphate and glass ionomer cement might be suitable for a so‐called ‘semipermanent’ (=retrievable) cementation, while polycarboxylate seems to provide the most durable cementation.
Effects of Coccoloba uvifera L. on UV‐stimulated melanocytes
Authors: Silveira Jéssica Eleonora Pedroso Sanches , Pereda Maria del Carmen Velazquez , Eberlin Samara , Dieamant Gustavo Campos , Di Stasi Luiz Claudio
Published: November 2008

Background: Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces generation of reactive oxygen species, production of proinflammatory cytokines and melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (MSH) as well as increase in tyrosinase activity. The potential photoprotective effects of Coccoloba uvifera extract (CUE) were evaluated in UV‐stimulated melanocytes.

Methods: Human epidermal melanocytes were used as an in vitro model to evaluate the effects of CUE on the production interleukin‐1α (IL‐1α), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), and α‐MSH under basal and UV‐stimulated conditions. Antioxidant and anti‐tyrosinase activities were also evaluated in membrane lipid peroxidation and mushroom tyrosinase assay, respectively.

Results: Coccoloba uvifera L. showed antioxidant and anti‐tyrosinase activities and also inhibited the production of IL‐1α, TNF‐α and α‐MSH in melanocytes subjected to UV radiation (P<0.01). Moreover, CUE inhibited the activity of tyrosine kinase in cell culture under basal and UV radiation conditions (P<0.001), corroborating the findings of the mushroom tyrosinase assay.

Conclusion: This study supports the photoprotective potential of CUE.
Emerging pathways in genetic Parkinson’s disease: tangles, Lewy bodies and LRRK2
Authors: Devine Michael J. , Lewis Patrick A.
Published: November 2008

The last decade has seen clear links emerge between the genetic determinants and neuropathological hallmarks of parkinsonism and dementia, notably with the discovery of mutations in α‐synuclein and tau. Following the description of mutations in LRRK2 linked to Parkinson’s disease, characterized by variable pathology including either α‐synuclein or tau deposition, it has been suggested that LRRK2 functions as an upstream regulator of Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis. This minireview explores this model, in the context of our current understanding of the biochemistry of LRRK2, α‐synuclein and tau.
Emerging pathways in genetic Parkinson's disease: Potential role of ceramide metabolism in Lewy body disease
Authors: Bras Jose , Singleton Andrew , Cookson Mark R. , Hardy John
Published: November 2008

Heterozygous loss‐of‐function mutations at the glucosecerebrosidase locus have recently been shown to be a potent risk factor for Lewy body disease. Based on this observation, we have re‐evaluated the likelihood that the different PARK loci (defined using clinical criteria for disease) may be misleading attempts to find common pathways to pathogenesis. Rather, we suggest, grouping the different loci which lead to different Lewy body disease may be more revealing. Doing this, we suggest that several of the genes involved in disparate Lewy body diseases impinge on ceramide metabolism and we suggest that this may be a common theme for pathogenesis.