bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Control or Protection of the Child? the Debates On the Industrial Schools Acts 1857—1894
Authors: Moore Marianne
Published: September 2008

Industrial schools were the first state-funded institutions for the protection of children. The debates surrounding their establishment and enlargement illuminate a unique relationship between the state, the family, and the child. From the 1850s and 1860s when the state first began to grapple with the notion of intervening in family privacy, to the 1870s and 1880s when the concept and boundaries of childhood were affirmed, the protection of children from want and neglect was the motivation behind the institutions. Industrial schools were the state's solution to the care of children until fin-de-siècle England saw their popularity wane. Twentieth-century child policy has subsequently promoted family, rather than child, protection.
Family Policy in Germany: Appraisal and Assessment
Authors: Honekamp Ivonne
Published: September 2008

The German government spends about € 185 billion on measures to support families. This amount is above European Union average, but still, families have become smaller and the number of childless couples has increased. This article outlines some of the 145 German policy measures to support families and their purpose. An assessment that takes into account economic theory and empirical studies shows that an increase of monetary incentives could influence the decision to bear a child only moderately. This implies that policy measures alone cannot be held responsible for the entire difference in fertility rates between countries. Cited studies based on surveys among the German and French populations reveal how different attitudes of the population may also play their role in determining the fertility rate of a country.
Flax Seed, Goose Grease, and Gun Powder: Medical Practices By Women Homesteaders in Saskatchewan (1882-1914)
Authors: Rollings-Magnusson Sandra
Published: September 2008

Various studies conducted over the past three decades have highlighted the social, political, and economic impact that women homesteaders had on the western prairie region. Their involvement on the family homestead, whether taking part in subsistence and domestic chores or as workers in the fields, was a necessary aspect of the development and success of family farming and an agriculture-based economy in Western Canada. This paper reveals details of another aspect of family labor that often fell on the shoulders of women, that is, the provision of medical care needed to ensure the health of themselves, their spouses, and their children. Given the labor-intensive nature of the frontier lifestyle, the associated physical hazards, the number of disease-susceptible children in the region, and the scarcity of medical institutions and personnel, women were often called upon by their families and neighbors to deal with outbreaks of disease, injuries, and health crises. Using survey data collected by the Saskatchewan Archives Board in 1955 to illustrate the nature of the work performed, this paper argues that women's health care labor efforts were vital to the preservation of homesteading families in the prairie region.
Family Trauma Through Generations: Incest and Domestic Violence in Rural Sweden in the Nineteenth Century
Authors: Drugge Ulf
Published: September 2008

Two generations of a family who lived in mid-nineteenth rural Sweden are described. Domestic violence was a common feature in the first generation family. The salient feature there was undoubtedly the incestuous father-daughter relationships. The way incest appeared in Sweden about 150 years ago, the role of local authorities, and the serious consequences to those victimized is analyzed with reference to both the cultural context of that time and to modern theories of incest. Seemingly puzzling violence committed by a second generation family member is related to the domestic violence in the previous generation. Due to the extraordinary character of the incest cases and the specific church council sessions in which the incest case was treated, aspects of family life normally hidden behind curtains of conventions were made public. Reaction patterns drawn from this case indicate a patriarchal system of oppression and badly-directed considerations.
Crofter Forestry, Land Reform and the Ideology of Community
Authors: Brown Alison P.
Published: September 2008

Government policy towards the crofting form of land tenure in Scotland is investigated in terms of the ideology of `community'. The example of `crofter forestry', the creation of woodland on crofts, is examined, and the assumptions of law and policy are contrasted with the experience of crofters themselves. A comparison is then made between the croft forestry legislation and later land reform legislation that applied not only to crofting tenure but also to other rural communities, in terms of a changing approach by the state to the construction of community.
What Public Presence? Access, Commons and Property Rights
Authors: Mitchell Jonathan
Published: September 2008

The development of a rigorous basis for what it means to be public in rural space depends in large part on the distinctive language and ideas of access and commons. Understandings of rural space that inform policy-making are peculiarly dominated by the rhetorical and political power of private property. It is access and commons that give an opportunity to confront this. The article draws on an example of a challenge by a landowner to the heralded public access provisions of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to demonstrate the inadequate versions of access and the public presence that the current deference to private property is producing. The ensuing Public Inquiry was premised on an inadequate conception of public rights to space and a concomitant privileging of private property. In several ways the Inquiry set out deliberately to exclude the voices and claims of publics. The article identifies four primary areas in which the possibilities for promoting a new public presence in rural space via access and commons coincide.
Governing Global Fisheries: Commons, Community Law and Third-Country Coastal Waters
Authors: Witbooi Emma
Published: September 2008

Key fish stocks off the West African coast are currently overexploited, raising biological alarm-bells and threatening the socioeconomic well-being of regional inhabitants. International law obliges states to cooperate towards the sustainable use of fisheries in all waters, as reflected in the fisheries management policy of the European Union (EU). To date, however, these legal regimes have failed to secure the goal of sustainable fishing. This is particularly so in West African coastal waters, where various foreign fleets (including of the EU) enjoy access in terms of legally sanctioned arrangements. In this article I investigate the failure of international law to facilitate the realization of sustainable fisheries in these waters, referring to EU—Senegal fisheries relations as an illustrative case study. In doing this, I discuss the difficulties of sustainable fisheries management in light of their common resource nature and outline the legal responses to these challenges. Drawing on empirical research, I identify the manner in which the international system sanctions unsustainable fisheries relations between Western nations and developing coastal states and argue that the regime must be re-crafted (together with the domestic systems shaped by it) to better facilitate interactions that are not exploitative but rather genuinely cooperative towards the goal of sustainable fisheries.
Papillary Hemangiomas and Glomeruloid Hemangiomas Are Distinct Clinicopathological Entities
Authors: Suurmeijer Albert J. H.
Published: September 2008

The author reviews and compares the clinicopathological features of papillary hemangiomas and glomeruloid hemangiomas, 2 rare, cutaneous intravascular capillary-type vascular lesions with overlapping morphological details. Immunostaining for collagen IV highlighted discriminating features in these lesions. Thin basement membranes and glomeruloid architecture are typical of glomeruloid hemangiomas, whereas papillae with thick mantles of a basement membrane— like matrix enveloping pericytes are prominent in papillary hemangiomas. Thus, collagen IV staining patterns provide further evidence that papillary and glomeruloid hemangiomas represent distinct histopathological entities. This additional technique should allow pathologists to readily distinguish between the lesions and make a proper diagnosis. What is important is that glomeruloid hemangiomas—often presenting in a spectrum of multiple cutaneous vascular lesions, including cherry hemangiomas—are a hallmark of POEMS (acronym for polyneuropathy, oganomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes) syndrome and/or multicentric Castleman’s disease, whereas papillary hemangiomas clinically present as innocent solitary cutaneous hemangiomas in otherwise healthy individuals.
An APOA1 promoter polymorphism is associated with cognitive performance in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Koutsis G , Panas M , Giogkaraki E , Karadima G , Sfagos C , Vassilopoulos D
Published: September 2008

Background

Elevated ApoA1 levels have been associated with decreased dementia risk. The A-allele of the APOA1 –75G/A promoter polymorphism has been associated with elevated ApoA1 levels.

Objective

We sought to investigate the effect of the APOA1 –75G/A promoter polymorphism on cognitive performance in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods

A total of 138 patients with MS and 43 controls were studied and underwent neuropsychological assessment with Rao’s Brief Repeatable Battery and the Stroop test. All patients were genotyped for APOA1.

Results

APOA1 A-allele carriers displayed superior overall cognitive performance compared with non-carriers ( P 0.008) and had a three-fold decrease in the relative risk of overall cognitive impairment (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.11–0.74). Regarding performance on individual cognitive domains, although APOA1 A-allele carriers performed better than non-carriers on all tests, this was significant only for semantic verbal fluency and the Stroop interference task ( P 0.036 and 0.018, respectively).

Conclusions

We found an association of the APOA1 –75G/A promoter polymorphism with cognitive performance in MS. This effect was most prominent on semantic verbal fluency and the Stroop interference task.
Evaluation and Negotiated Order
Authors: Callaghan Gill
Published: September 2008

This article argues that complexity theory has the potential to bring important insights in reframing of the role and practice of evaluation but that the utility of complexity theory needs to be developed to support its application in evaluation research.This article focuses on the implications of a reformed relationship between theory and the empirical setting for what we can learn in evaluating policy. It suggests that while complexity theory provides a new way of looking at causal relationships and how we should approach them, we need to develop complexity-consistent approaches to understanding the interplay of agency and structure at the local level, the level at which explanation is deemed possible in complexity theory. It is proposed that the theory of negotiated order offers a basis to fill that gap in evaluation practice and to provide promise for theory-informed policy.
Learning about Advocacy
Authors: Ringsing Bettina , Leeuwis Cees
Published: September 2008

Advocacy has become an important area of development support. Simultaneously, the interest in learning-oriented monitoring of advocacy programmes has increased. Starting from the premise that learning has sociopolitical dimensions, this article explores how the challenges and contradictions of such monitoring present themselves in Latin American advocacy activities supported by a Danish NGO. Our case-study demonstrates that two largely separate monitoring systems coexist. Side by side with a conventional formal and indicator-based monitoring system, project staff and stakeholders have developed a more informal and dialogical mode of monitoring advocacy. Although the latter has potential advantages from a learning perspective, the article demonstrates that its actual contribution to organizational learning is suboptimal and points to several sociopolitical obstacles and influences that lead to limited learning.The article concludes that the improvement of learning-oriented monitoring first and foremost requires affirmative `political' action and leadership towards widening the space for learning and reflexivity.
The Fidelity—Adaptation Relationship in Non-Evidence-Based Programs and its Implication for Program Evaluation
Authors: Shen Jianping , Huilan Yang  , Honggao Cao  , Warfield Charles
Published: September 2008

Based on our experience in helping design, implement, and evaluate a non-evidence-based program, we explore a non-conventional fidelity and adaptation relationship and its implications for program evaluation.We find that in non-evidence-based interventions, program fidelity and adaptation may not be competitors but serve to complement each other.This non-conventional relationship leads to expanded roles of evaluation in program design and implementation.
Evaluation Workshops for Capacity Building in Welfare Work
Authors: Karlsson Per-Åke , Beijer Elisabeth , Eriksson Bengt , Leissner Tom
Published: September 2008

Ever increasing demands are being made on welfare organizations to display efficiency. Evaluation workshops constitute a form of learning for the purposes of building up competence to conduct evaluations within welfare organizations, with the support of research and development units. In workshops of this kind, welfare work professionals meet in order to conduct evaluations together with researchers/professional evaluators.This article presents experiences from 10 such evaluation workshops conducted in western Sweden.The workshops were perceived very positively by the participants. While the evaluations are being conducted, the participants also develop a more general competence in this field.The evaluations conducted at the workshops are primarily internal, but with external support, with all the limitations this involves in relation to the possibilities for critical scrutiny. Evaluation workshops have a beneficial effect on the learning of evaluation methods by directly combining learning and conducting evaluation. The workshops may also serve to build capacity in the organizations for evaluative work.
The Emergence of Evaluation in Switzerland
Authors: Bussmann Werner
Published: September 2008

This contribution portrays the institutionalization and practice of evaluation in Switzerland.The main actors and patterns of evaluation development patterns differ from those presented so far in relation to other countries. This raises questions regarding the relevance of the theories previously advanced.The entry points of evaluation into the political process are described.As suggested by other authors, evaluation up to now has a rather limited role in strategic political decision-making.
Physician Burnout in Hungary
Authors: Ádám Szilvia , Györffy Zsuzsa , Susánszky Éva
Published: September 2008

In a study among Hungarian physicians ( N = 420), we tested the hypothesis that compared to men female physicians experience higher work—family conflict (WFC) and consequent burnout. As predicted, female physicians scored significantly higher on the emotional exhaustion subscale of the Maslach Burnout Inventory and significantly more female physicians experienced high levels of emotional exhaustion compared to male physicians. WFC emerged as a significant predictor of burnout (emotional exhaustion and depersonalization). These findings suggest a potential path from WFC to burnout in a scarcely researched population of physicians in a unique cultural setting and provide further data for cross-cultural burnout research.
Social Capital and Health
Authors: Abbott Stephen , Freeth Della
Published: September 2008

Social capital is widely considered to influence health. It is usually defined as a list of components such as social networks, social participation, trust and reciprocity. It is trust and reciprocity that are the subjects of this article. The presumed relationship of each with health is rarely explained in social capital studies. Trust is usually treated simplistically, both conceptually and in relation to measurement, while reciprocity is misunderstood, under-theorized and rarely measured. Pathways from trust and reciprocity to better health may be by way of reduced stress. Clarification and valid measures are needed to progress studies of social capital and health.
Coping with a Diagnosis of C Trachomatis or N Gonorrhoeae
Authors: Schwartz Rebecca M. , Hogben Matthew , Liddon Nicole , Augenbraun Michael , Mccormack William M. , Rubin Steven , Wilson Tracey E.
Published: September 2008

The current study sought to add to the stress and coping literature by examining whether coping responses are elicited from a diagnosis of chlamydia or gonorrhea and, if so, whether active or passive coping responses are associated with particular psychological factors and prevention behaviors. Data from 259 urban, minority participants recently diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea were analyzed. Results indicated that denial was associated with having more baseline depressive symptoms and with having more one-time partners at follow-up. Problem-focused coping was associated with more consistent condom use at follow-up. Important sex and ethnicity differences were found. Intervention implications are discussed.
Communicating about Self and Others within an Online Support Group for Women with Breast Cancer and Subsequent Outcomes
Authors: Shaw Bret R. , Jeong Yeob Han  , Hawkins Robert P. , McTavish Fiona M. , Gustafson David H.
Published: September 2008

Research suggests communicating too much about one's self within an online support group may amplify breast cancer patients' focus on their own problems and exacerbate negative emotions while focusing on others may have the opposite effects. This study explored how pronoun usage within an online support group was associated with subsequent mental health outcomes. There were 286 patients recruited into the study who filled out the pre-test and 231 completed post-tests four months later with survey measures including breast cancer-related concerns and negative emotions. Messages were analyzed using a program counting first person and relational pronouns. A positive relationship was found between use of first person pronouns and negative emotions.
Peer Crowd Identification and Indoor Artificial UV Tanning Behavioral Tendencies
Authors: Stapleton Jerod , Turrisi Rob , Hillhouse Joel
Published: September 2008

In this study, the relation between peer crowd identification and indoor tanning behavioral tendencies was examined. Participants were 174 undergraduate students at a large university in the USA. Results indicated peer crowd identification was significantly associated with indoor artificial UV tanning behavioral tendencies (attitudes, normative beliefs, past year use and intentions) independent of gender and skin type. Participants who identified with the popular peer crowd were at the greatest risk for indoor tanning UV exposure while identification with the brain crowd was protective against such behavior. The findings are discussed in terms of implications for future skin cancer intervention efforts.
Excel as a Qualitative Data Analysis Tool
Authors: Meyer Daniel Z. , Avery Leanne M.
Published: September 2008

Qualitative research seeks to examine the interconnections in rich, complex data sources. The statistical tools of quantitative methods separate out pieces of data in a manner that defeats the purpose. But, like quantitative researchers, qualitative researchers often still find themselves overwhelmed by the amount of data and equally in need of tools to extend their human senses. This has led the development of a number of software packages designed for this purpose. An often overlooked option, however, is Microsoft Excel. Excel is generally considered a number cruncher. However, its structure and data manipulation and display features can be utilized for qualitative analysis. In this article, the authors discuss data preparation, analysis, and presentation, including discussion of lesser known features of Excel.
Intranasal administration of a detoxified endotoxin vaccine protects mice against heterologous Gram-negative bacterial pneumonia
Authors: Chen Wilbur H. , Tae Jin Kang  , Bhattacharjee Apurba K. , Cross Alan S.
Published: September 2008

When given passively or elicited actively, antibodies induced by a detoxified Escherichia coli J5 mutant lipopolysaccharide (J5dLPS)-group B meningococcal outer membrane protein (-OMP) vaccine previously protected animals from lethal sepsis. To assess the use of this vaccine for the treatment of Gram-negative bacillary pneumonia, we vaccinated mice, with or without the adjuvant CpG, by intranasal (i.n.) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) routes of administration. Local and systemic IgG levels were 2—3 logs higher following i.p. immunization compared to i.n. However, i.n. immunization elicited both local and systemic IgA, unlike i.p. administration. The addition of CpG to the vaccine, by either route of administration, elicited greater levels of antibody. Intranasal immunization protected mice against lethal heterologous Gram-negative bacillary pneumonia and post-immunization serum and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid mediated enhanced bacterial killing with peritoneal and alveolar macrophages in vitro. We conclude that further studies on the use of J5dLPS-OMP for the prevention of nosocomial pneumonia are warranted.
A polymer-type water-soluble peptidoglycan exhibited both Toll-like receptor 2- and NOD2-agonistic activities, resulting in synergistic activation of human monocytic cells
Authors: Natsuka Mizuho , Uehara Akiko , Shuhua Yang  , Echigo Seishi , Takada Haruhiko
Published: September 2008

Bacterial peptidoglycan (PGN) has been reported to be sensed by cell-surface Toll-like receptor (TLR)2. On the other hand, intracellular NOD-like receptors recognize PGN partial structures: NOD1 and NOD2 recognize the peptide moiety containing diaminopimelic acid, and the muramyldipeptide (MDP) moiety, respectively. In this study, we examined in human monocytic THP-1 cells the pro-inflammatory cytokine-inducing abilities of PGNs and their fragments enzymatically prepared from Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 155: a polymer-type water-soluble PGN possessing an intact glycan chain (SEPS) and a monomer-type PGN (SEPS-M). The water-soluble PGN polymer, SEPS, exhibited considerably stronger activities to induce pro-inflammatory cytokines than parent PGNs and the PGN monomer, SEPS-M. Short interference RNA targeting TLR2 and NOD2 markedly reduced the activities of SEPS. In the same experiments, the activities of PGNs were mainly reduced in TLR2-silenced cells, whereas the activities of SEPS-M as well as a synthetic MDP were markedly reduced in NOD2-silenced cells. Furthermore, the PGNs and a reference PGN from Staphylococcus aureus in combination with MDP synergistically induced interleukin-8 in THP-1 cells. These findings strongly suggested that a polymer-type water-soluble PGN fragment, SEPS, exhibits both TLR2-and NOD2-agonistic activities, which induced the synergistic activation of human monocytic cells.
A combination of proteasome inhibitors and antibiotics prevents lethality in a septic shock model
Authors: Reis Julia , Xiaoyu Tan  , Rongjie Yang  , Rockwell Cheryl E. , Papasian Christopher J. , Vogel Stefanie N. , Morrison David C. , Qureshi Asaf A. , Qureshi Nilofer
Published: September 2008

Our recent studies with lactacystin, a prototype proteasome inhibitor, have suggested that the proteasome is a key regulator of LPS-induced signaling pathways contributing to the inflammatory process. Moreover, lactacystin protects animals from LPS-induced shock. Therefore, we sought to identify other less toxic compounds that would block the chymotrypsin-like activity of the proteasome or LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO). After screening over 100 natural compounds (based on chemistry and inhibition of LPS-induced biological activities), we now report for the first time that quercetin, like lactacystin (the prototype proteasome inhibitor), and mevinolin are also inhibitors of the chymotrypsin-like activity of the cellular proteasome within living cells. In addition, this study also suggests that mevinolin and quercetin both have relatively potent anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-treated macrophages in vitro. Interestingly, both of these compounds behave like lactacystin in that they block LPS-induced NO to a greater extent than TNF-α. The results of our experiments clearly suggest that mevinolin, in combination with the antibiotic imipenem, can provide protection against polymicrobial septic lethality induced by cecal-ligation and puncture in mice. Collectively, these studies strongly support the conclusion that therapeutic targeting of cellular proteasomes, in conjunction with standard antimicrobial therapy, may be of considerable survival benefit in the treatment of septic shock.
Role of actin cytoskeleton in LPS-induced NF-κB activation and nitric oxide production in murine macrophages
Authors: Eswarappa Sandeepa M. , Pareek Vidhi , Chakravortty Dipshikha
Published: September 2008

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major cell wall component of Gram-negative bacteria and is known to cause actin cytoskeleton reorganization in a variety of cells including macrophages. Actin cytoskeleton dynamics influence many cell signaling pathways including the NF-κB pathway. LPS is also known to induce the expression of many pro-inflammatory genes via the NF-κB pathway. Here, we have investigated the role of actin cytoskeleton in LPS-induced NF-κB activation and signaling leading to the expression of iNOS and nitric oxide production. Using murine macrophages, we show that disruption of actin cytoskeleton by either cytochalasin D (CytD) or latrunculin B (LanB) does not affect LPS-induced NF-κB activation and the expression of iNOS, a NF-κB target gene. However, disruption of actin cytoskeleton caused significant reduction in LPS-induced nitric oxide production indicating a role of actin cytoskeleton in the post-translational regulation of iNOS.
Alterations in Helicobacter pylori outer membrane and outer membrane vesicle-associated lipopolysaccharides under iron-limiting growth conditions*
Authors: Keenan Jacqueline I. , Davis Kylie A. , Beaugie Clare R. , McGovern Joseph J. , Moran Anthony P.
Published: September 2008

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) shed from the gastroduodenal pathogen Helicobacter pylori have measurable effects on epithelial cell responses. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of iron availability, and its basis, on the extent and nature of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produced on H. pylori OMVs and their parental bacterial cells. Electrophoretic, immunoblotting and structural analyses revealed that LPSs of bacterial cells grown under iron-limited conditions were notably shorter than those of bacteria and OMVs obtained from iron-replete conditions. Structural analysis and serological probing showed that LPSs of iron-replete cells and OMVs expressed O-chains of Lewisx with a terminal Lewisy unit, whereas Lewisy expression was notably reduced on bacteria and OMVs from iron-limiting conditions. Unlike the O-chain, the core oligosaccharide and lipid A moieties of iron-replete and iron-limited bacteria and their OMVs were similar. Quantitatively, shed OMVs from iron-replete bacteria were found to be LPSenriched, whereas shed OMVs from iron-limited bacteria had a significantly reduced content of LPS. These differences were linked to bacterial ATP levels. Since iron availability affects the extent and nature of LPS expressed by H. pylori, host iron status may contribute to H. pylori pathogenesis.
Review: New techniques for assessment of vascular function
Authors: Smith Ronald D. , Levy Pavel J.
Published: September 2008

The noninvasive measurement of hemodynamic variables associated with hypertension and cardiovascular disease processes needs to be recognized as a viable adjunct to clinical practice. This review traces the history of the inception and development of noninvasive measurement of hemodynamic variable. It then identifies well established, useful, and available devices, and then notes clinical studies verifying the clinical relevance of these measurements. Given the need to intervene earlier in the course of cardiovascular disease processes, tools are needed to assist the medical team to evaluate, prognosticate, and guide their patient's therapy correctly. It is the goal of this review to heighten the awareness and enhance and encourage the implementation of these devices in our armamentarium for the betterment of our patient's health.
Review: Cardiogenic potential of endothelial progenitor cells
Authors: Murasawa Satoshi , Asahara Takayuki
Published: September 2008

Transplantation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are one of the promising strategies to recover the capillary flow in ischaemic diseases such as ischaemic heart disease and peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the leg. However, our previous and another group's works suggested the scarcity of the number of EPCs in peripheral blood might cause insufficient effect for the ischaemic diseases. There are several strategies to overcome this issue, such as (1) in vivo EPC expansion; (2) ex vivo EPC expansion; (3) local (not systemic) EPC injection; and (4) modification of EPC by gene transfer. Recent publications from our own and other groups have reported the possibility of cardiogenic potential of EPCs. We would like to focus on the strategies of EPC transplantation and cardiomyogenesis of EPCs in this review.
Interleukin-1–mediated hematopoietic cell regulation in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros region of the mouse embryo
Authors: Orelio Claudia , Haak Esther , Peeters Marian , Dzierzak Elaine
Published: September 2008

Hematopoiesis during development is a dynamic process, with many factors involved in the emergence and regulation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and progenitor cells. Whereas previous studies have focused on developmental signaling and transcription factors in embryonic hematopoiesis, the role of well-known adult hematopoietic cytokines in the embryonic hematopoietic system has been largely unexplored. The cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1), best known for its proinflammatory properties, has radioprotective effects on adult bone marrow HSCs, induces HSC mobilization, and increases HSC proliferation and/or differentiation. Here we examine IL-1 and its possible role in regulating hematopoiesis in the midgestation mouse embryo. We show that IL-1, IL-1 receptors (IL-1Rs), and signaling mediators are expressed in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) region during the time when HSCs emerge in this site. IL-1 signaling is functional in the AGM, and the IL-1RI is expressed ventrally in the aortic subregion by some hematopoietic, endothelial, and mesenchymal cells. In vivo analyses of IL-1RI–deficient embryos show an increased myeloid differentiation, concomitant with a slight decrease in AGM HSC activity. Our results suggest that IL-1 is an important homeostatic regulator at the earliest time of HSC development, acting to limit the differentiation of some HSCs along the myeloid lineage.
BCR-ABL fusion transcript types and levels and their interaction with secondary genetic changes in determining the phenotype of Philadelphia chromosome–positive leukemias
Authors: Jones Dan , Luthra Rajyalakshmi , Cortes Jorge , Thomas Deborah , O'Brien Susan , Bueso-Ramos Carlos , Hai Seema , Ravandi Farhad , de Lima Marcos , Kantarjian Hagop , Jorgensen Jeffrey L.
Published: September 2008

It remains unresolved how different BCR-ABL transcripts differentially drive lymphoid and myeloid proliferation in Philadelphia chromosome–positive (Ph+) leukemias. We compared BCR-ABL transcript type and level with kinase domain (KD) mutation status, genotype, and phenotype in 1855 Ph+ leukemias. Compared with e1a2/p190 BCR-ABL cases, de novo e13-e14a2/p210 Ph+ lymphoid leukemia more frequently showed CML-type background, had higher blast-normalized BCR-ABL transcript levels, and more frequent persistent BCR-ABL transcript in the absence of detectable lymphoblasts. Secondary lymphoid blast transformation of CML was exclusively due to e13/e14a2/p210 BCR-ABL but was associated, at a much higher level than p210 myeloid transformation, with acquisition of new KD mutations and/or Ph genomic amplification. In contrast, myeloid blast transformation was more frequently accompanied by new acquisition of acute myeloid leukemia-type chromosomal aberrations, particularly involving the EVI1 and RUNX1 loci. Therefore, higher kinase activity by mutation, transcriptional up-regulation or gene amplification appears required for lymphoid transformation by p210 BCR-ABL.
Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and safety of a new recombinant asparaginase preparation in children with previously untreated acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a randomized phase 2 clinical trial
Authors: Pieters Rob , Appel Inge , Kuehnel Hans-Juergen , Tetzlaff-Fohr Iris , Pichlmeier Uwe , van der Vaart Inekee , Visser Eline , Stigter Rolinda
Published: September 2008

The pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and safety of a new recom-binant Escherichia coli–asparaginase preparation was compared with Asparaginase medac. Thirty-two children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were randomized to receive one of both agents at a dose of 5000 U/m2 every 3 days, for a total of 8 doses during induction treatment. The serum activity-time profile after the first dose of recombinant asparaginase was similar to that of Asparaginase medac. The trough serum activities were greater than the desired threshold of 100 U/L in both treatment groups. Asparagine was completely depleted in serum and in cerebrospinal fluid, whereas glutamine levels were only moderately influenced. No significant difference between the 2 treatments regarding the degree of asparagine depletion, duration of depletion, complete remission rate, and minimal residual disease status at the end of induction, overall frequency or intensity of adverse events was seen. Observed adverse reactions are known as possible and labeled side effects of asparaginase treatment and chemotherapy. We conclude that the new recombinant asparaginase and other native Asparaginase medac are bioequivalent and have the same pharmacodynamic effects and the same direct toxicity profile in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This trial was registered at http://www.controlled-trials.com as no. ISRCTN 75734403.
The hazards of blood transfusion in historical perspective
Authors: Alter Harvey J. , Klein Harvey G.
Published: September 2008

The beginning of the modern era of blood transfusion coincided with World War II and the resultant need for massive blood replacement. Soon thereafter, the hazards of transfusion, particularly hepatitis and hemolytic transfusion reactions, became increasingly evident. The past half century has seen the near eradication of transfusion-associated hepatitis as well as the emergence of multiple new pathogens, most notably HIV. Specific donor screening assays and other interventions have minimized, but not eliminated, infectious disease transmission. Other transfusion hazards persist, including human error resulting in the inadvertent transfusion of incompatible blood, acute and delayed transfusion reactions, transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD), and transfusion-induced immunomodulation. These infectious and noninfectious hazards are reviewed briefly in the context of their historical evolution.
How I treat rare venous thromboses
Authors: Martinelli Ida , Franchini Massimo , Mannucci Pier Mannuccio
Published: September 2008

Venous thromboembolism may involve venous sites other than the lower limbs, such as cerebral, splanchnic, and upper limb veins. Although uncommon, these thromboses may be clinically severe and challenging for caregivers. In this review, the main pathogenic, clinical, and therapeutic features of thromboses in rare venous sites are discussed. Even though there was a lot of recent progress in understanding the mechanistic role of inherited and acquired thrombophilia and of the interactions between different risk factors, the optimal management of these patients is still unsettled, being currently based on the consensus of experts due to the lack of randomized trials. The implementation of large interdisciplinary registries is a necessary weapon to optimize the treatment of rare venous diseases.
Homozygous deletion of HFE produces a phenotype similar to the HFE p.C282Y/p.C282Y genotype
Authors: Le Gac Gérald , Gourlaouen Isabelle , Ronsin Christophe , Géromel Vanna , Bourgarit Anne , Parquet Nathalie , Quemener Sylvia , Le Maréchal Cédric , Chen Jian-Min , Férec Claude
Published: September 2008

Hemochromatosis is predominantly associated with the HFE p.C282Y homozygous genotype, which is carried by approximately 1 person in 200 in Northern European populations. However, p.C282Y homozygosity is often characterized by incomplete penetrance. Here, we describe the case of a woman who had a major structural alteration in the HFE gene. Molecular characterization revealed an Alu-mediated recombination leading to the loss of the entire HFE gene sequence. Although homozygous for the HFE deleted allele, the woman had a phenotype similar to that seen in most women homozygous for the common p.C282Y mutation. Contrasting with previously reported results in Hfe knockout and Hfe knockin mice, our report gives further evidence that progression of the disease depends on modifying factors.
"TOF2H": A precision toolbox for rapid, high density/high coverage hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry via an LC-MALDI approach, covering the data pipeline from spectral acquisition to HDX rate analysis
Authors: Nikamanon Pornpat , Pun Elroy , Chou Wayne , Koter Marek D , Gershon Paul D
Published: September 2008

Background

Protein-amide proton hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX) is used to investigate protein conformation, conformational changes and surface binding sites for other molecules. To our knowledge, software tools to automate data processing and analysis from sample fractionating (LC-MALDI) mass-spectrometry-based HDX workflows are not publicly available.

Results

An integrated data pipeline (Solvent Explorer/TOF2H) has been developed for the processing of LC-MALDI-derived HDX data. Based on an experiment-wide template, and taking an ab initio approach to chromatographic and spectral peak finding, initial data processing is based on accurate mass-matching to fully deisotoped peaklists accommodating, in MS/MS-confirmed peptide library searches, ambiguous mass-hits to non-target proteins. Isotope-shift re-interrogation of library search results allows quick assessment of the extent of deuteration from peaklist data alone. During raw spectrum editing, each spectral segment is validated in real time, consistent with the manageable spectral numbers resulting from LC-MALDI experiments. A semi-automated spectral-segment editor includes a semi-automated or automated assessment of the quality of all spectral segments as they are pooled across an XIC peak for summing, centroid mass determination, building of rates plots on-the-fly, and automated back exchange correction. The resulting deuterium uptake rates plots from various experiments can be averaged, subtracted, re-scaled, error-barred, and/or scatter-plotted from individual spectral segment centroids, compared to solvent exposure and hydrogen bonding predictions and receive a color suggestion for 3D visualization. This software lends itself to a "divorced" HDX approach in which MS/MS-confirmed peptide libraries are built via nano or standard ESI without source modification, and HDX is performed via LC-MALDI using a standard MALDI-TOF. The complete TOF2H package includes additional (eg LC analysis) modules.

Conclusion

"TOF2H" provides a comprehensive HDX data analysis package that has accelerated the processing of LC-MALDI-based HDX data in the authors' lab from weeks to hours. It runs in a standard MS Windows (XP or Vista) environment, and can be downloaded http://tof2h.bio.uci.edu or obtained from the authors at no cost.
An analysis of hospital preparedness capacity for public health emergency in four regions of China: Beijing, Shandong, Guangxi, and Hainan
Authors: Li Xingming , Huang Jianshi , Zhang Hui
Published: September 2008

Background

Hospital preparedness is critical for the early detection and management of public health emergency (PHE). Understanding the current status of PHE preparedness is the first step in planning to enhance hospitals' capacities for emergency response. The objective of this study is to understand the current status of hospital PHE preparedness in China.

Methods

Four hundred hospitals in four city and provinces of China were surveyed using a standardized questionnaire. Data related to hospital demographic data; PHE preparation; response to PHE in community; stockpiles of drugs and materials; detection and identification of PHE; procedures for medical treatment; laboratory diagnosis and management; staff training; and risk communication were collected and analyzed.

Results

Valid responses were received from 318 (79.5%) of the 400 hospitals surveyed. Of the valid responses, 264 (85.2%) hospitals had emergency plans; 93.3% had command centres and personnel for PHE; 22.9% included community organisations during the training for PHE; 97.4% could transport needed medical staff to a PHE; 53.1% had evaluated stockpiles of drugs; 61.5% had evaluated their supply systems; 55.5% had developed surveillance systems; and 74.6% could monitor the abnormity(See in appendix). Physicians in 80.2% of the analyzed hospitals reported up-to-date knowledge of their institution's PHE protocol. Of the 318 respondents, 97.4% followed strict laboratory regulations, however, only about 33.5% had protocols for suspected samples. Furthermore, only 59.0% could isolate and identify salmonella and staphylococcus and less than 5% could isolate and identify human H5N1 avian flu and SARS. Staff training or drill programs were reported in 94.5% of the institutions; 50.3% periodically assessed the efficacy of staff training; 45% had experts to provide psychological counselling; 12.1% had provided training for their medical staff to assess PHE-related stress. All of the above capacities related to the demographic characteristics of hospitals and will be discussed in-depth in this paper.

Conclusion

Our survey suggested that, at the time of the survey, hospital preparedness for PHE in China was at an early stage of development. Comprehensive measures should be taken to enhance hospital capacity in the prevention and management of PHE.
Aging and partial body weight support affects gait variability
Authors: Kyvelidou Anastasia , Kurz Max J , Ehlers Julie L , Stergiou Nicholas
Published: September 2008

Background

Aging leads to increases in gait variability which may explain the large incidence of falls in the elderly. Body weight support training may be utilized to improve gait in the elderly and minimize falls. However, before initiating rehabilitation protocols, baseline studies are needed to identify the effect of body weight support on elderly gait variability. Our purpose was to determine the kinematic variability of the lower extremities in young and elderly healthy females at changing levels of body weight support during walking.

Methods

Ten young and ten elderly females walked on a treadmill for two minutes with a body weight support (BWS) system under four different conditions: 1 g, 0.9 g, 0.8 g, and 0.7 g. Three-dimensional kinematics was captured at 60 Hz with a Peak Performance high speed video system. Magnitude and structure of variability of the sagittal plane angular kinematics of the right lower extremity was analyzed using both linear (magnitude; standard deviations and coefficient of variations) and nonlinear (structure; Lyapunov exponents) measures. A two way mixed ANOVA was used to evaluate the effect of age and BWS on variability.

Results

Linear analysis showed that the elderly presented significantly more variability at the hip and knee joint than the young females. Moreover, higher levels of BWS presented increased variability at all joints as found in both the linear and nonlinear measures utilized.

Conclusion

Increased levels of BWS increased lower extremity kinematic variability. If the intent of BWS training is to decrease variability in gait patterns, this did not occur based on our results. However, we did not perform a training study. Thus, it is possible that after several weeks of training and increased habituation, these initial increased variability values will decrease. This assumption needs to be addressed in future investigation with both "healthy" elderly and elderly fallers. In addition, it is possible that BWS training can have a positive transfer effect by bringing overground kinematic variability to healthy normative levels, which also needs to be explored in future studies.
Defects and Conductivity in Ceria-based Oxides
Authors: Kilner J A
Published: September 2008

The electrical conductivity of ceria solid solutions has been extensively investigated for many years, and many theories have been advanced to explain the differences seen in ostensibly identical materials. This short review looks at some recent theoretical and experimental evidence which has thrown new light onto the complex interplay between the cation and anion sublattice in these technologically important materials.
Dialkylzinc-accelerated α-Trifluoromethylation of Carbonyl Compounds Catalyzed by Late-transition-metal Complexes
Authors: Tomita Yuichi , Itoh Yoshimitsu , Mikami Koichi
Published: September 2008

Trifluoromethylation of ketone silyl enol ethers is found to be significantly accelerated by late-transition-metal catalysts and dialkylzincs to give α-trifluoromethyl ketones in good yields. Addition of dialkylzinc is the key to the high yielding α-trifluoromethylation of carbonyl compounds.
Indium-mediated Allylation of Heteroaryl, Benzyl, and Cinnamyl Thiocyanates: A Novel Route for 3-(Allylsulfanyl)-1H-indoles
Authors: Yadav J S , Reddy B V Subba , Chandrakanth D , Gopal A V Hara
Published: September 2008

Heteroaryl, benzyl, and cinnamyl thiocyanates undergo smooth allylation with allyl bromide in the presence of indium or zinc metal in THF at room temperature to produce the corresponding allyl sulfides in good yields and with high selectivity.
Design Rationalization of Irregular Cellular Structures
Authors: Schlueter Arno , Bonwetsch Tobias
Published: September 2008

Complex geometries found in nature are increasingly used as images and analogies for the creation of form and space in architectural design. To be able to construct the resulting complex building forms, strategies to handle the resulting production requirements are necessary. In the example of a design project for a Japanese noodle bar, a strategy for the realization of an irregular cellular spatial structure is presented. In order to represent its complex geometry, building principles relating to foam are applied to transform and optimize the design, which is based on hexagonal, cellular compartments defining the different interior spaces. The principles are converted into software code and implemented into a digital design toolbox to be used within a 3D-modelling environment. Utilizing the tools within the redesign process made a rationalization of the cellular structures possible without sacrificing the desired visual irregularity. The toolbox also enables the extraction of the cell geometry to support the generation of production documents. The result is the dramatic reduction of production effort to realize the complex cellular structures by keeping a maximum of design flexibility and desired visual appearance.