bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgery for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Arising in Hereditary Hemochromatosis
Authors: Sotiropoulos Georgios C. , Molmenti Ernesto P. , Lang Hauke , Beckebaum Susanne , Kaiser Gernot M. , Brokalaki Eirini I. , Frilling Andrea , Malagó Massimo , Neuhäuser Markus , Broelsch Christoph E.
Published: July 2006

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a well-known complication of hereditary hemochromatosis. The benefit of surgical therapy in this clinical entity is not well documented. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of such patients both in our own experience as well as in the published literature. Methods: 320 patients with a diagnosis of HCC were evaluated at our institution to undergo either surgical resection (n = 262) or liver transplantation (n = 58) during the 4- year period from January 2001 to December 2004. We identified 5 patients with HCC arising in the setting of hemochromatosis. A literature search was performed to estimate resectability rates as well as outcomes after liver transplantation for HCC arising in hemochromatosis. Results: HCC was multifocal in 4 instances and solitary in 1 case. The liver was cirrhotic in all but 1 case. Three patients underwent an exploratory laparotomy, 1 an exploratory laparoscopy, and 1 underwent transplantation. HCC was unresectable in all cases. The patient with a solitary tumor and cirrhosis underwent 5 sessions of transarterial chemoembolization and is alive 37 months after surgical exploration. The 3 patients with multifocal tumors who underwent exploratory laparotomies died within 6 months after the intervention. The fifth patient who underwent a deceased donor split liver transplantation for multifocal tumor is alive without recurrence 3 years after transplantation. These results are similar to those in the literature that concur with the low resectability rate and the favorable outcome after liver transplantation. Conclusion: Resectability rates of HCCs arising in hemochromatosis are extremely low, given that tumors are usually multifocal and the livers cirrhotic in the majority of the instances. Early detection of hemochromatosis as well as intensive tumor screening of cirrhotic patients with hemochromatosis could possibly optimize the role of surgery or accelerate the decision to proceed with liver transplantation.
Does Epidermal Growth Factor Participate in the Regulation of Glucose, Insulin and Glucagon Levels?
Authors: Jansen Claes , Lundquist Ingmar , Salehi Albert , Axelson Jan , Ohlsson Bodil
Published: July 2006

Background/Aims: The presence of receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGF) on β cells in the rat pancreatic islets has been established, but the physiological role remains to be settled. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of EGF on glucose homeostasis. Methods: Fasted rats were treated with intraperitoneal injections of 10, 40 or 80 µg/kg body weight, either with EGF or 1% bovine serum albumin (controls). In a second experiment, fasted rats received an intraperitoneal injection of 1 mg glucose/kg body weight, followed by an injection of EGF or bovine serum albumin. Blood was drawn before the injections and at different time points afterwards. The plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin and glucagon were measured. Results:A modest elevation of the concentrations of glucose and insulin in plasma during the study was found in fasted rats in experiment 1. The increase in insulin concentration was attenuated by EGF, but after glucose injection this effect was reversed. Plasma glucagon levels were dose-dependently elevated by EGF and increased instead of decreased after glucose injection. Conclusion: Our data suggest that EGF might play an important role in the regulation of glucagon secretion by preventing the lowering effect of glucose on plasma glucagon levels.
Renal Replacement Lipomatosis
Authors: Xu Y. , Liu R.L. , Zhang Z.H. , Zhao W.M. , Yang Q.C.
Published: July 2006

We report a relatively rare case of renal replacement lipomatosis presenting as a renal mass. Computed tomography revealed a predominantly low-density and roundish mass, with an irregular renal parenchyma, high-density calcification, and abundant low-density fat. The differential diagnosis before surgery was squamous cell carcinoma, teratoma, or angiomyolipoma of the kidney. The case was initially misdiagnosed, because we had no experience with this disease. After mass exploration, histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of renal replacement lipomatosis. The patient was free from signs of recurrence 10 months after the operation.
Consequences of Intrauterine Growth Restriction for the Kidney
Authors: Schreuder Michiel , Delemarre-van de Waal Henriette , van Wijk Ans
Published: July 2006

Low birth weight due to intrauterine growth restriction is associated with various diseases in adulthood, such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and end-stage renal disease. The purpose of this review is to describe the effects of intrauterine growth restriction on the kidney. Nephrogenesis requires a fine balance of many factors that can be disturbed by intrauterine growth restriction, leading to a low nephron endowment. The compensatory hyperfiltration in the remaining nephrons results in glomerular and systemic hypertension. Hyperfiltration is attributed to several factors, including the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and nitric oxide. Data from human and animal studies are presented, and suggest a faltering IGF-I and an inhibited RAS in intrauterine growth restriction. Hyperfiltration makes the kidney more vulnerable during additional kidney disease, and is associated with glomerular damage and kidney failure in the long run. Animal studies have provided a possible therapy with blockage of the RAS at an early stage in order to prevent the compensatory glomerular hyperfiltration, but this is far from being applicable to humans. Research is needed to further unravel the effect of intrauterine growth restriction on the kidney.
Vasopressin Antagonists: Role in the Management of Hyponatremia
Authors: Yeates Karen E. , Morton A. Ross
Published: July 2006

Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte disorder associated with potentially serious or life-threatening consequences. Serum osmolality and sodium concentration [Na+] are regulated by thirst, the hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP), and renal water and sodium handling. Hyponatremia is frequently caused by dysregulation of AVP, which accompanies disorders of water retention, such as congestive heart failure (CHF) and the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Clinical trials with AVP receptor antagonists have confirmed the important role of AVP in the pathophysiology of hyponatremia and suggest these agents are efficacious in treating hyponatremia associated with SIADH, cirrhosis, and CHF. Acting directly at AVP receptors in the renal tubules, these agents promote aquaresis – the electrolyte-sparing excretion of free water – in patients with hyponatremia. In clinical trials, AVP receptor antagonists have been shown to increase the serum [Na+] and urine output while decreasing urine osmolality.
Role of Narrow Mountains in Large-Scale Organization of Asian Monsoon Convection*
Authors: Xie Shang-Ping , Xu Haiming , Saji N. H. , Wang Yuqing , Liu W. Timothy
Published: July 2006

The Asian summer monsoon is organized into distinct convection centers, but the mechanism for this organization is not well understood. Analysis of new satellite observations reveals that narrow mountain ranges are an important organizing agent anchoring monsoon convection centers on the windward side. The Bay of Bengal convection, in particular, features the heaviest precipitation on its eastern coast because of orographic lifting as the southwest monsoon impinges on the coastal mountains of Myanmar (also known as Burma). This is in contrast to the widely held view that this convection is centered over the open ocean as implied by coarse-resolution datasets, a view that would require an entirely different explanation for its formation. Narrow in width and modest in height (≤1 km), these mountains are hardly mentioned in conceptual depictions of the large-scale monsoon and poorly represented in global climate models. The numerical simulations of this study show that orographic rainbands are not a local phenomenon but exert far-reaching effects on the continental-scale monsoon. The realization that these overlooked geographical features are an important element of the Asian monsoon has important implications for studying the monsoon in the past, present, and future.
Climate–Carbon Cycle Feedback Analysis: Results from the C4MIP Model Intercomparison
Authors: Friedlingstein P. , Cox P. , Betts R. , Bopp L. , von Bloh W. , Brovkin V. , Cadule P. , Doney S. , Eby M. , Fung I. , Bala G. , John J. , Jones C. , Joos F. , Kato T. , Kawamiya M. , Knorr W. , Lindsay K. , Matthews H. D. , Raddatz T. , Rayner P. , Reick C. , Roeckner E. , Schnitzler K.-G. , Schnur R. , Strassmann K. , Weaver A. J. , Yoshikawa C. , Zeng N.
Published: July 2006

Eleven coupled climate–carbon cycle models used a common protocol to study the coupling between climate change and the carbon cycle. The models were forced by historical emissions and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) A2 anthropogenic emissions of CO2 for the 1850–2100 time period. For each model, two simulations were performed in order to isolate the impact of climate change on the land and ocean carbon cycle, and therefore the climate feedback on the atmospheric CO2 concentration growth rate. There was unanimous agreement among the models that future climate change will reduce the efficiency of the earth system to absorb the anthropogenic carbon perturbation. A larger fraction of anthropogenic CO2 will stay airborne if climate change is accounted for. By the end of the twenty-first century, this additional CO2 varied between 20 and 200 ppm for the two extreme models, the majority of the models lying between 50 and 100 ppm. The higher CO2 levels led to an additional climate warming ranging between 0.1° and 1.5°C.

All models simulated a negative sensitivity for both the land and the ocean carbon cycle to future climate. However, there was still a large uncertainty on the magnitude of these sensitivities. Eight models attributed most of the changes to the land, while three attributed it to the ocean. Also, a majority of the models located the reduction of land carbon uptake in the Tropics. However, the attribution of the land sensitivity to changes in net primary productivity versus changes in respiration is still subject to debate; no consensus emerged among the models.
EFL Learners’ Beliefs about and Strategy Use of Translation in English Learning
Authors: Liao Posen
Published: July 2006

Although the use of translation in learning a foreign language is much maligned by language teachers, translation is widely used in learners’ foreign language learning process. It appears that learners often use translation as a learning strategy to comprehend, remember, and produce a foreign language. However, relatively little research attention so far seems to have been devoted to a consideration of the use of translation in language learning. Thus, this study aims to explore the role of translation in Taiwanese college students’ English learning, particularly in terms of their learning beliefs and learning strategies about using translation to learn English. The data from survey questionnaires and qualitative interviews will address the following research questions: (1) What are students’ beliefs about using translation to learn English? (2) What learning strategies employing translation do students report using? (3) What are the relationships among learners’ beliefs about and use of translation? (4) To what extent do learners’ background variables relate to their beliefs about and use of translation? Pedagogical implications are also discussed. The results of the study hope to sensitize EFL teachers to various learning strategies involving translation and to the possible benefits of using translation for English learning reported by the students.
‘The Teacher Is an Octopus’
Authors: Farrell Thomas S.C.
Published: July 2006

Preservice teachers come to any teacher education course with prior experiences, knowledge and beliefs about learning and teaching. Additionally, the belief systems of preservice teachers often serve as a lens through which they view the content of the teacher education program. Consequently, it is essential that teacher educators take these prior beliefs into account because any new material taught will have to compete with these existing beliefs and theories. However, these beliefs are usually held tacitly. One method of making this prior knowledge explicit is to examine the metaphors preservice teachers use during their practice teaching. This paper outlines a case study of the metaphors three preservice English teachers used before, during and after a six-week practice teaching experience in Singapore. Results showed that metaphors used can be classified within the following three-part typology: social order, cultural transmission and learner-centered growth.
Why ‘Good’ Jobs Lead to Social Exclusion
Authors: Yates Charlotte A.B. , Leach Belinda
Published: July 2006

This article challenges analyses that connect engagement in paid work with social inclusion. The article critiques much of the existing literature for its simplistic connectivity between paid work and social inclusion, arguing instead for an approach that recognizes the reciprocal and interactive relations between paid work, structural labour market factors and the everyday lives of working people. Drawing upon a selection of interviews of working people in Canada, the article examines how workers experience control, respect and trust and insecurity in the labour process, their work-life balance and the labour market. The article concludes that restructuring of work and the labour market have encouraged feelings and life practices that result in isolation, anger and a declining capacity of working people to look after their families and participate in their communities. In short, engagement in paid work, even so-called ‘good’ work, is leading to social exclusion rather than inclusion.
Temporary Workers and Direct Voting Systems for Workers’ Representation
Authors: Malo Miguel A.
Published: July 2006

In this article, the author analyses whether in direct voting systems of workers’ representation the voting probability is affected by the contract type, using the Spanish union elections as a ‘natural’ experiment. Although temporary workers are formally covered by this electoral system, the author finds that it strongly discourages the participation of temporary workers in elections. The main consequence is that unions have fewer incentives to include temporary workers’ preferences in collective bargaining, and temporary workers lose an institutional channel to pressure for improvements in their inferior working conditions. The importance of other channels to include interests of temporary workers in unions’ strategies (such as membership) is discussed as well.
Grandparents, Adolescents, and Parents
Authors: Yi Chin-chun , Pan En-ling , Chang Ying-hwa , Chan Chao-wen
Published: July 2006

This article examines intergenerational relations from the perspective of Taiwanese youth. Specifically, the major focus is on how the relations between second and third generations may be affected by prior family experiences between first, second, and third generations. Possible effects of the three-generation living arrangement on intergenerational relations are also explored. Panel data of 2,500 seventh graders in 2000 in northern Taiwan show that half of teenagers were raised in coresidence living arrangement with grandparents. Results confirm that relations between grandparents and parents and between grandparents and grandchildren do affect parent-teenager relations. Notably, more so than coresidence, the early family experience of being cared for by paternal grandparents produces significant positive effects on adolescent-father relations and negative adolescent-father relations if cared for by maternal grandparents. It is suggested that the impact of earlier family process on subsequent family relations is worth further investigation.
A Household-Based Convoy and the Reciprocity of Support Exchange Between Adult Children and Noncoresiding Parents
Authors: Chen Chaonan
Published: July 2006

In response to the transition of the social support structure under rapid population change, this article proposes a four-layer household-based convoy to fully depict support structures. The four layers are referred to as the household type, family network, kinship network, and social network from the innermost to the outermost layer. The 2001 Taiwan Social Change Survey (Chang & Fu, 2002) is used to construct the household-based convoy. The results of this study show that the reciprocity of social support is mainly affected by support strategies that are probably because of spatial separation among family members. Different strategies are employed based on the nature of the social support.
Intergenerational Relationships in Cross-Cultural Comparison
Authors: Nauck Bernhard , Suckow Jana
Published: July 2006

The article explores the relevance of intergenerational relationships within the overall network of young mothers and grandmothers in seven societies: Japan, Korea, China, Indonesia, Turkey, Israel, and Germany. The empirical base is 2,945 named network members in 249 pairs of interviews of grandmothers and their daughters from a cross-cultural pilot study. The network composition of both generations and the network activities with spouses, daughters, and mothers is described. The results confirm the high exclusivity and expressivity of the conjugal family in societies with an affinal kinship regime and the high, lifelong significance of instrumental and expressive exchange relationships between mothers and daughters in patrilineal societies. Furthermore, in all societies, common expressive activities are decisive for the perceived quality of the intergenerational relationships, whereas instrumental activities are without any influence even in those societies where they are of great importance for the intergenerational relationships.
Comte and the Encyclopedia
Authors: Wernick Andrew
Published: July 2006

Against the current background of renewed publisher interests in encyclopedias, the article examines the modern genealogy of the Encyclopedia project. The article focuses particularly on three moments: Bacon’s ‘Great Instauration’ and attempted fashioning of a ‘New Organon’ (as against the old one of Aristotle), the Encylopedia of 1751 and its revolutionary-era successors, and Comte’s ‘system’ of positive philosophy. D’Alembert and Diderot’s classificatory tree, with its secularized capture of moral and political philosophy, was an attempt to improve on Bacon. Comte’s grand systematizing was an attempt to cap their efforts by being entirely ‘positive’. For this, a science of society and a social standpoint were essential. His effort to fulfill Bacon’s totalizing dream of fully scientific (re-)systematization of knowledge, was a heroic and perhaps absurd failure. But, the article argues, Comte’s critique of Diderot and d’Alembert, with respect to what he took to be the radical incoherence of their classificatory ‘tree’ of knowledge, and his more general critique of both Bacon and 18th-century ‘encyclopedism’ for holding out the possibility of an objective (as opposed to subjective, and human-centered) synthesis of knowledge, touch on ‘metaphysical’ features of the epistemic landscape that, in new forms, are still with us. Comte’s forthright (and sociologically reflexive) articulation of the technocratic and religious dimensions of the Baconian project also illuminates elements of the (French) Enlightenment and derivatives from it that have not received sufficient attention, particularly in relation to one another.
Peter Greenaway’s Encyclopaedism
Authors: Maciel Maria Esther
Published: July 2006

This article focuses, through a transdisciplinary perspective, on Peter Greenaway’s films, operas, installations and artworks, exploring the elements that characterize this oeuvre as encyclopaedic. In order to do so, it investigates possible concepts of encyclopaedia, the rhizomatic character of the contemporary encyclopaedic model and its consonance with the demands of plurality and heterogeneity of the globalized world. This article approaches, moreover, the critical-creative appropriation that the director makes of the scientific systems of classification, showing that the use of taxonomies in his work aims at not only revealing the insufficiency and arbitrariness of such systems, but also subverting the ordering logic that defines them. The article also links Greenaway to some of his literary precursors like Jorge Luis Borges and Georges Perec, who also brought together in their encyclopaedic works the rules of classification and the parodic laws of fiction.
Embodied Political Performativity in Excitable Speech
Authors: Rothenberg Molly Anne
Published: July 2006

The critical commentary on Judith Butler’s Excitable Speech: A Politics of the Performative focuses primarily on her use of speech-act theory for political purposes. Admitting the limitations of Austin’s work, she introduces an extended supplement to her linguistically based performative theory in Excitable Speech: a discussion of embodied subjectivity presented in ways never before instanced in her work. That is, in this text, she continues to use speech-act theory articulated with Derridean iterability (her usual practice) to ground performativity, while presenting a version of embodiment newly derived from psychoanalysis to establish the political efficacy of the subject. Although this shift has gone unremarked in the literature, Butler herself treats this psychoanalytic dimension as animating the entire argument. This article reviews her logic and the place that psychoanalysis holds in her theory to establish the viability of the embodied political performative and its utility for historicism.
‘Beyond a Boundary’ (of a ‘Field of Cultural Production’)
Authors: Smith Andrew
Published: July 2006

This article responds to the suggestion that C.L.R. James’ discussion of cricket, and particularly his defence of the ‘spirit of the game’, represent an ideological blind-spot on his part. James’ autobiographical account of the cricketing field, it is argued, is comparable to Pierre Bourdieu’s account of the ‘fields’ of culture more generally. In particular, James recognized that what was at stake in the defence of cricketing ethics was a defence of the principle by which the sport was able to operate with a relative autonomy from the forces of political and economic power. It was only in this respect that cricket was able to provide, within contexts such as those of the pre-independence Caribbean, a field on which an expressive critique of those very forces of power was possible.
Lacan’s Misuse of Psychology
Authors: Billig Michael
Published: July 2006

This article critically examines the relations between Lacan’s psychoanalytic theory and more conventional psychological ideas. It does so by concentrating on Lacan’s notion of the ‘mirror stage’. Lacan and some of his followers have suggested that psychoanalytic theory is ‘beyond psychology’. It is argued that Freud believed that psychoanalytic theory was beyond conventional psychology in a synthetic rather than rejectionist way. Lacan cited the work of orthodox psychologists such as Wolfgang Köhler, James Mark Baldwin and Charlotte Bühler as providing evidential basis for his ideas about the mirror stage. The rhetoric of these citations is examined in detail. It is suggested that Lacan makes a distinction between the ‘facts’ of psychology and the interpretation of the facts. However, close rhetorical examination shows inaccuracies in his citations about the behaviour of children and chimpanzees in reaction to mirror images. Moreover, the evidential basis that he cites is neither supported by contemporary psychology, nor, more seriously, did it suggest what Lacan was claiming at the time of his writing.
Personality and the Student Evaluation of Teaching
Authors: Clayson Dennis E. , Sheffet Mary Jane
Published: July 2006

Students' perception of the instructor's personality and the evaluation of instruction were found to be strongly related. Students appear to be using a contaminated measure to establish personality and its relationship to the evaluations. The findings do not support the contention that the association reflects a valid measure of instruction. Implications for changing evaluations and the use of the instruments are discussed.
A Framework for the Control of Nonholonomic Mobile Manipulators
Authors: Fruchard Matthieu , Morin Pascal , Samson Claude
Published: July 2006

A general framework for the feedback control of mobile manipulators is proposed. Its main originality lies in its capacity to address in a unified manner both cases of omnidirectional and nonholonomic mobile platforms. It also allows for the execution of the desired manipulation task without the manipulator colliding into its joint limits, whenever these two objectives are compatible. This is obtained without having to rely upon trajectory planning. In the nonholonomic case this feature, which is not demonstrated for previous feedback control schemes proposed in the literature, is instrumental for performing reflex maneuvers automatically. It relies upon the concept, used in the control design, of a companion omnidirectional frame associated with the physical platform. The generality of the approach can be appreciated from its applicability to various nonholonomic platforms, for example unicycle-type and car-like.
Treating Sexual Offenders With Learning Disabilities in the Community
Authors: Craig Leam A. , Stringer Ian , Moss Tania
Published: July 2006

This study offers a critical review of a treatment group for sexual offenders with learning disabilities. The participants were diverted from criminal proceedings due to their level of cognitive functioning and attended a 7-month treatment program comprising of four main components: sex education, cognitive distortions, offending cycle, and relapse prevention. A number of psychometric assessments were administered immediately before and after intervention. Although no significant differences were found in attitudes toward sexual offending following treatment, the trend was for improvements in sex knowledge and honesty of sexual interest. Improvements in socialization skills (leisure time and interpersonal skills) were significant. No further incidents of sexual offending have been reported during a 12-month follow-up. A number of explanations for the nonsignificant improvement in attitudes are considered and recommendations for future treatment evaluation studies are made. The development of specific questionnaires and treatment programs for sexual offenders with learning disabilities is discussed.
Acceptance and Completion of Treatment Among Sex Offenders
Authors: Langevin Ron
Published: July 2006

A sample of 778 male sex offenders, assessed from the 1960s to the 2000s, was examined on expressed desire for treatment, treatment attendance, and completion of at least one course of therapy. A variety of treatment approaches was used, reflecting practices of the times. Overall, 50.6% expressed a desire for treatment, 42.0% attended, and 13.6% completed therapy. Offenders’ admitter status, criminal history, age, education, and marital status all played some role in desire for treatment, attendance, and completion. Analysis revealed that the desire for and completing treatment has declined over time. Offenders who were exhibitionists or substance abusers or who scored higher on psychopathy, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or learning difficulties or had head injuries were more likely to enter treatment but were no more likely to complete it than were offenders who scored low. The need to focus on motivating different types of sex offenders to accept and participate in treatment is discussed.
Locus of Control and Sex Offenders With an Intellectual Disability
Authors: Langdon Peter E. , Talbot Tiffany J.
Published: July 2006

Locus of control has been implicated as an important construct that is related to treatment outcome for several groups of offenders, including sexual offenders. However, little attention has been paid to how this construct is related to sexual offending by people with intellectual disabilities. Given this, 41 participants with intellectual disabilities were recruited into three groups: sex offenders who had undergone psychological treatment, sex offenders who had no history of treatment, and nonoffenders. All participants completed measures of locus of control and distorted cognitions. There was a significant difference between those who had and had not completed treatment in terms of cognitive distortions relating to sexual offending. There was no significant difference between the three groups on the measure of locus of control, with all three groups endorsing an external locus of control. Three possible explanations for how locus of control relates to sexual offending by people with intellectual disabilities is explored and discussed.
The Impact of a Family Systems Nursing Educational Program on the Practice of Psychiatric Nurses
Authors: Goudreau Johanne , Duhamel Fabie , Ricard Nicole
Published: July 2006

A pilot study was conducted to examine the impact of a Family Systems Nursing educational program on the practice of psychiatric nurses and to explore the nurses' perceptions of the educational program. One year after the program, six nurses were asked to complete logbooks and to participate in an individual semistructured interview based on open-ended questions and on the critical incident approach to describe their family nursing interventions and to explore their perceptions on how the educational program influenced their practice of family nursing care. Content analyses indicated that participant nurses integrated systemic family interventions in their practice and were satisfied with the program.
Doing citizenship
Authors: Dahlgren Peter
Published: July 2006

The notion of civic agency gains relevance in the discussions about declining participation in democracy. This article argues that we need to take a ‘cultural turn’ in our understanding of such agency, seeing citizenship not just in formal terms but also in regard to meaning, practices, communication and identities. It pulls together various strands of thought that are helpful in conceptualizing civic agency, first from the republican conception of democracy, and then from perspectives on civil society. Thereafter it focuses on public spheres and the civic competencies associated with them, particularly the communicative variety. Finally, it critically addresses the notion of deliberative democracy, a concept that has come to signal the mode of communicative interaction of the public sphere, and suggests that this view of civic communication ignores a number of important issues in regard to the cultural aspects of civic competence.
Culture and citizenship
Authors: Couldry Nick
Published: July 2006

This article argues that, instead of assuming that we know what ‘cultural citizenship’ involves, we should investigate more closely the uncertainties about what constitutes the ‘culture’ (or cultures) of citizenship. The article argues for the distinctive contribution of cultural studies to the problem of democratic engagement, as usually framed within political science. It then reports some preliminary findings from the recently completed ‘Media Consumption and the Future of Public Connection’ project, which focus on the importance of social opportunities for talk about public issues, the possibilities of withdrawal from news because it presents issues which people can do nothing about, and alternative forms of collective connection through media (such as celebrity culture) which exhibit no effective link to public issues.
Rethinking Political Myth
Authors: Bottici Chiara , Challand Benoît
Published: July 2006

This article argues for the need to recover the concept of political myth in order to understand the crucial phenomena of our epoch. By drawing on Blumenberg’s philosophical reflections on myth, it proposes to understand political myth as the continual process of work on a common narrative by which the members of a social group can provide significance to their political conditions and experience. In order to show how this understanding of political myth can throw light on important aspects of contemporary politics, the article analyses the work on one of the most conspicuous political myths of our time: the clash of civilizations. By reconstructing the mechanisms through which this myth works, the article shows how a paradigm that has been strongly criticized as too simplistic and scientifically inadequate could have turned into a successful political myth, i.e. into a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Disclosing Critique
Authors: Bonacker Thorsten
Published: July 2006

This article discusses the problem of understanding in Adorno’s critical theory. It is argued that another rationale for the contingency of understanding is provided by Adorno, one that justifies understanding critical theory as disclosing critique. For Adorno, what is responsible for the contingency of understanding is not the local limitation of our knowledge and vocabulary, but the presupposition of understanding itself. In this article, two readings of this contingency of understanding are distinguished: an epistemo-critical one and an ideology-critical one. Finally, the case is made for adopting the epistemo-critical view of the contingency of understanding in preference to the ideology-critical view - not least because it contains a normative impulse which goes beyond contextualism.
Discursive Discrimination
Authors: Boréus Kristina
Published: July 2006

This article presents a typology of discursive discrimination, discrimination carried out through the use of language. It is argued that such a typology should fulfil certain criteria in order to be useful for empirical research. The proposed typology consists of four main concepts: (1) exclusion from discourse; (2) negative other-presentation; (3) objectification; and (4) proposals pointing towards unfavourable non-linguistic treatment. The related concept of othering - the creation of a psychological distance to people understood to belong to groups others than ‘us’ - is also presented. The manner in which the different forms of discursive discrimination and othering can be operationalized is demonstrated through examples from empirical studies of discourses of people categorized as mentally deficient, as deaf, and as immigrants in public debate in Sweden in the past 75 years.
Altered B-cell receptor signaling kinetics distinguish human follicular lymphoma B cells from tumor-infiltrating nonmalignant B cells
Authors: Irish Jonathan M. , Czerwinski Debra K. , Nolan Garry P. , Levy Ronald
Published: July 2006

The B-cell receptor (BCR) transmits life and death signals throughout B-cell development, and altered BCR signaling may be required for survival of B-lymphoma cells. We used single-cell signaling profiles to compare follicular lymphoma (FL) B cells and nonmalignant host B cells within individual patient biopsies and identified BCR-mediated signaling events specific to lymphoma B cells. Expression of CD20, Bcl-2, and BCR light chain isotype (κ or λ) distinguished FL tumor B-cell and nontumor host B-cell subsets within FL patient biopsies. BCR-mediated signaling via phosphorylation of Btk, Syk, Erk1/2, and p38 occurred more rapidly in tumor B cells from FL samples than in infiltrating nontumor B cells, achieved greater levels of per-cell signaling, and sustained this level of signaling for hours longer than nontumor B cells. The timing and magnitude of BCR-mediated signaling in nontumor B cells within an FL sample instead resembled that observed in mature B cells from the peripheral blood of healthy subjects. BCR signaling pathways that are potentiated specifically in lymphoma cells should provide new targets for therapeutic attention.
Gene transfer of cytidine deaminase protects myelopoiesis from cytidine analogs in an in vivo murine transplant model
Authors: Rattmann Ina , Kleff Veronika , Sorg Ursula R. , Bardenheuer Walter , Brueckner Annette , Hilger Ralf A. , Opalka Bertram , Seeber Siegfried , Flasshove Michael , Moritz Thomas
Published: July 2006

Hematopoietic stem cell gene transfer of the drug-resistance gene cytidine deaminase (CDD) protecting cells from the cytotoxic cytidine analogs cytarabine and gemcitabine was investigated in a murine transplant model. Following transplantation of CDD-transduced cells and cytarabine application (500 mg/kg; days 1-4; intraperitoneally) significant myeloprotection was demonstrated with nadir counts of peripheral blood granulocytes and thrombocytes of 2.9 ± 0.6/nL versus 0.7 ± 0.1/nL (P < .001) and 509 ± 147/nL versus 80 ± 9/nL (P = .008), respectively (CDD versus control). Protection also was observed from otherwise lethal gemcitabine treatment (250 mg/kg; days 1-3). Stable levels of gene-marked cells in primary and secondary recipients were demonstrated for up to 9 months, and whereas CDD overexpression clearly reduced B- and T-lymphocyte numbers, no major toxicity was observed in the myeloid compartment. Despite the profound myeloprotective properties, however, CDD overexpression did not allow for pharmacologic enrichment of transduced hematopoiesis in our model. Thus, in summary, our data establish CDD as a drug-resistance gene highly suitable for myeloprotective purposes, which, given the lack of selection observed in our hands, might best be used in combination with selectable drugresistance genes such as MGMT (P140K) or MDR1.
Standard chemotherapy with interferon compared with CHOP followed by high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplantation in untreated patients with advanced follicular lymphoma: the GELF-94 randomized study from the Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte (GELA)
Authors: Sebban Catherine , Mounier Nicolas , Brousse Nicole , Belanger Coralie , Brice Pauline , Haioun Corinne , Tilly Herve , Feugier Pierre , Bouabdallah Redah , Doyen Chantal , Salles Gilles , Coiffier Bertrand
Published: July 2006

The purpose of this study is to compare our standard chemotherapy regimen (CHVP [cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, teniposide, and prednisone]) plus interferon with 4 courses of CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) followed by high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in treatment-naive patients with advanced follicular lymphoma. Four hundred one patients were included from July 1994 to March 2001: 209 received 12 cycles of CHVP plus interferon α for 18 months (CHVP-I arm) and 192 received 4 cycles of CHOP followed by high-dose therapy (HDT) with total body irradiation and ASCT (CHOP-HDT arm). Overall response rates were similar in both groups (79% and 78% after induction chemotherapy, respectively). One hundred thirty-one of the 150 patients eligible for HDT underwent transplantation (87%). Intent-to-treat analysis after a median follow-up of 7.5 years showed that there was no difference between the 2 arms for overall survival (P = .53) or event-free survival (P = .11). Patients with a complete response at the end of the induction therapy had a statistically longer event-free survival and overall survival (P = .02 and < .001, respectively). After long-term follow-up, our study showed that there was no statistically significant benefit in favor of first-line high-dose therapy in patients with follicular lymphoma. High-dose therapy should be reserved for relapsing patients.
Endogenous thrombospondin-1 is a cell-surface ligand for regulation of integrin-dependent T-lymphocyte adhesion
Authors: Li Shu Shun , Liu Zhiwen , Uzunel Mehmet , Sundqvist Karl-Gösta
Published: July 2006

Lymphocyte adhesion to cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) via integrins plays a pivotal role for the function of the immune system. We show here that endogenous thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is a cell-surface ligand for cis interaction of surface receptors in T lymphocytes controlled by integrins and the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR/CD3). Stimulation of CD3 triggers rapid surface expression of TSP-1 in quiescent T cells, whereas activated cells express TSP-1 constitutively. Endogenous TSP-1 is attached to lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1/CD91) and calreticulin (CRT) on the cell surface through its NH2-terminal domain. Adhesion via integrins to ICAM-1 or ECM components up-regulates TSP turnover dramatically from a low level in nonadherent cells, whereas CD3 stimulation inhibits TSP turnover through interference with CD91/CRT-mediated internalization. Integrin-associated protein (IAP/CD47) is essential for TSP turnover and adhesion through interaction with the C-terminal domain of TSP-1 in response to triggering signals delivered at the NH2-terminal. These results indicate that endogenous TSP-1 connects separate cell-surface receptors functionally and regulates T-cell adhesion.
Treatment of solid organ transplant recipients with autologous Epstein Barr virus–specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs)
Authors: Savoldo Barbara , Goss John A. , Hammer Markus M. , Zhang Lan , Lopez Teresita , Gee Adrian P. , Lin Yu-Feng , Quiros-Tejeira Ruben E. , Reinke Petra , Schubert Stephan , Gottschalk Stephen , Finegold Milton J. , Brenner Malcolm K. , Rooney Cliona M. , Heslop Helen E.
Published: July 2006

We have investigated the in vivo safety, efficacy, and persistence of autologous Epstein Barr virus (EBV)–specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) for the treatment of solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients at high risk for EBV-associated posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). EBV-CTLs generated from 35 patients expanded with normal kinetics contained both CD8 and CD4 lymphocytes and produced significant specific killing of autologous EBV-transformed B lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). Twelve SOT recipients at high risk for PTLD, or with active disease, received autologous CTL infusions without toxicity. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) monitoring of EBV-DNA showed a transient increase in plasma EBV-DNA suggestive of lysis of EBV-infected cells, although there was no consistent decrease in virus load in peripheral-blood mononuclear cells. Interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay and tetramer analysis showed an increase in the frequency of EBV-responsive T cells, which returned to preinfusion levels after 2 to 6 months. None of the treated patients developed PTLD. One patient with liver PTLD showed a complete response, and one with ocular disease has had a partial response stable for over one year. These data are consistent with an expansion and persistence of adoptively transferred EBV-CTLs that is limited in the presence of continued immunosuppression but that nonetheless produces clinically useful antiviral activity.
Streptococcus pneumoniae induced c-Jun-N-terminal kinase- and AP-1 -dependent IL-8 release by lung epithelial BEAS-2B cells
Authors: Schmeck Bernd , Moog Kerstin , Zahlten Janine , van Laak Vincent , N'Guessan Philippe Dje , Opitz Bastian , Rosseau Simone , Suttorp Norbert , Hippenstiel Stefan
Published: July 2006

Background

Although pneumococcal pneumonia is one of the most common causes of death due to infectious diseases, little is known about pneumococci-lung cell interaction. Herein we tested the hypothesis that pneumococci activated pulmonary epithelial cell cytokine release by c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinase (JNK)

Methods

Human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) or epithelial HEK293 cells were infected withS. pneumoniaeR6x and cytokine induction was measured by RT-PCR, ELISA and Bioplex assay. JNK-phosphorylation was detected by Western blot and nuclear signaling was assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). JNK was modulated by the small molecule inhibitor SP600125 and AP1 by transfection of a dominant negative mutant.

Results

S. pneumoniaeinduced the release of distinct CC and CXC, as well as Th1 and Th2 cytokines and growth factors by human lung epithelial cell line BEAS-2B. Furthermore, pneumococci infection resulted in JNK phosphorylation in BEAS-2B cells. Inhibition of JNK by small molecule inhibitor SP600125 reduced pneumococci-induced IL-8 mRNA expression and release of IL-8 and IL-6. One regulator of theil8promoter is JNK-phosphorylated activator protein 1 (AP-1). We showed thatS. pneumoniaetime-dependently induced DNA binding of AP-1 and its phosphorylated subunit c-Jun with a maximum at 3 to 5 h after infection. Recruitment of Ser63/73-phosphorylated c-Jun and RNA polymerase II to the endogenousil8promoter was found 2 h afterS. pneumoniaeinfection by chromatin immunoprecipitation. AP-1 repressor A-Fos reduced IL-8 release by TLR2-overexpressing HEK293 cells induced by pneumococci but not by TNFα. Antisense-constructs targeting the AP-1 subunits Fra1 and Fra2 had no inhibitory effect on pneumococci-induced IL-8 release.

Conclusion

S. pneumoniae-induced IL-8 expression by human epithelial BEAS-2B cells depended on activation of JNK and recruitment of phosphorylated c-Jun to theil8promoter.
The claudin gene family: expression in normal and neoplastic tissues
Authors: Hewitt Kyle J , Agarwal Rachana , Morin Patrice J
Published: July 2006

Background

The claudin (CLDN) genes encode a family of proteins important in tight junction formation and function. Recently, it has become apparent thatCLDNgene expression is frequently altered in several human cancers. However, the exact patterns ofCLDNexpression in various cancers is unknown, as only a limited number ofCLDNgenes have been investigated in a few tumors.

Methods

We identified all the humanCLDNgenes from Genbank and we used the large public SAGE database to ascertain the gene expression of all 21CLDNin 266 normal and neoplastic tissues. Using real-time RT-PCR, we also surveyed a subset of 13CLDNgenes in 24 normal and 24 neoplastic tissues.

Results

We show that claudins represent a family of highly related proteins, with claudin-16, and -23 being the most different from the others. Fromin silicoanalysis and RT-PCR data, we find that most claudin genes appear decreased in cancer, whileCLDN3,CLDN4, andCLDN7are elevated in several malignancies such as those originating from the pancreas, bladder, thyroid, fallopian tubes, ovary, stomach, colon, breast, uterus, and the prostate. Interestingly,CLDN5is highly expressed in vascular endothelial cells, providing a possible target for antiangiogenic therapy.CLDN18might represent a biomarker for gastric cancer.

Conclusion

Our study confirms previously knownCLDNgene expression patterns and identifies new ones, which may have applications in the detection, prognosis and therapy of several human cancers. In particular we identify several malignancies that expressCLDN3andCLDN4. These cancers may represent ideal candidates for a novel therapy being developed based on CPE, a toxin that specifically binds claudin-3 and claudin-4.