bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morbid Attention—A Factor in Nervous Disorder
Authors: Mackenzie Ian C. K. , Mackenzie Ivy
Published: August 2008

It is not surprising that the treatment of mental disorder should have brought in its train a clearer insight into the ordinary course of events in the human mind. In this as in every other department of medical experience the hidden processes of nature are revealed to advantage when they become manifest in some abnormal form. One has only to think of the importance of the part played by the recognition of heart-block and of muscular paralysis in elucidating the meaning of the successive phases of the cardiac cycle. In a wider field a greater claim can be made for clinical pathology in its contributions to knowledge of the structure and function of the nervous system. In the work of Hughlings Jackson (1) alone may be recognized the foundations of a new era not only of neurological medicine and surgery, but also in the more scientific spheres of anatomy and physiology. The subtle complexities that underlie the apparently even tenor of nature's average path may first come to light when disturbed by disease.
The Modern Treatment of Epilepsy
Authors: Blair Donald
Published: August 2008

Epilepsy is as old as history. To the ancients it was a sacred disease, each convulsion signifying a visitation of its victim by one of the gods. Hippocrates first seriously attributed epilepsy to material causes, but the light of scientific approach which he momentarily kindled was soon extinguished, and for centuries the mysteries of epilepsy remained shrouded in a cloud of mysticism and religious cult, and if treatment was administered at all it usually consisted of incantations and spirit-exorcising rituals. In the modern era of medicine scientific battle has been joined with this disease in common with all others, and since the epileptic, like most other sufferers, is liable to an exacerbation of his disease in times of mental and physical stress, the present human warfare cannot but render more important than ever successes in the therapeutic field against epilepsy.
Severe Toxic Effects of Sodium Diphenyl Hydantoinate in Mentally Defective Epileptics
Authors: Williamson B. A. MacGregor
Published: August 2008

The anti-convulsant value of sodium diphenyl hydantoinate (S.D.H.), marketed in America as Dilantin and in England as Epanutin, as found by Putnam and Merritt and introduced by them in the treatment of epilepsy has been amply confirmed by all subsequent reports, as it is by this one. Its clinical application, however, will, it is thought, be modified by reason of its toxic nature becoming more generally known.
Palaeophrenia: A Re-Evaluation of the Concept of Schizophrenia
Authors: Osborne Raymond L.
Published: August 2008

Schizophrenia may conservatively be listed among the greatest scourges of present-day society, yet the average citizen has scarcely heard of it.

“The etiology … is unsettled; its pathology unknown and its clinical limits in dispute and yet it is a more serious problem than either tuberculosis or cancer. There are twice as many hospital cases of schizophrenia as of tuberculosis. Each year not less than 30,000 to 40,000 individuals, soon after adolescence or in the first flush of manhood or womanhood, fall victims to this condition. Annually 75,000 new patients are admitted to state hospitals and at least one fourth are schizophrenics…. They are condemned to a veritable living death, devoid of emotional life as others savour it and barred from participation in the normal activities and affairs of living” (1).
Delusions
Authors: Maudsley Henry
Published: August 2008

The meditations of the philosopher cannot be uninfluenced, nor the heart of the philanthropist be unmoved, by the fact, which statistics prove, that there are at the present moment in England alone more than thirty thousand people who are deprived of all their active rights as human beings, and made, as far as possible, nonentities in the world. About twenty-six thousand of these are actually shut up in lunatic asylums; and of that number but very few are ever likely to leave their undesired abodes until they take their leave of life itself. It cannot, then, be unprofitable to endeavour, in one department of an extensive subject, to follow the gradual course of mental degeneration, and, by the exhibition of it, to justify the world's manner of dealing with the particular discords in nature's general harmony.
I.—Foreign Psychological Literature
Authors: Arlidge J. T.
Published: August 2008

To make our retrospect more complete, we propose to give the titles of such essays and papers on insanity and cerebral disease as appear in the foreign journals exchanged with us or purchased, but winch, from want of space and other reasons, we are unable to present to our readers in summary. By so doing we shall increase the value of these quarterly reports on the progress of psychological medicine, particularly to those who desire to make reference to the opinions and practice of Continental and American physicians. In other words, our retrospect will serve as a more complete index to the labours of our contemporaries in other countries.
I.—Foreign Psychological Literature
Authors: Arlidge J. T.
Published: August 2008

‘American Journal of Insanity.’—The July number of this Journal has the unusual quality in American literary productions of being made up of original articles by Americans. This is a proper subject of congratulation, for it must be more gratifying to both editors and subscribers that its original articles should be home-grown, and not mere reprints from British periodicals. To ourselves also it is much more satisfactory, on opening this ‘Journal of Insanity,’ to find it occupied with the results of American thought and observation, than with borrowed articles from contemporaneous literature. The very large number of public and private asylums in North America afford a most ample field for study and research, and the numerous learned and skilful physicians who superintend those asylums have no apology for neglecting its cultivation and failing to contribute the fruits of their labour for the benefit of their colleagues practising in the same department, through the medium of the Journal which is supposed to represent the state of psychological medicine in their native land. It is far from our purpose to imply that it is an evil to reproduce in the journals of any one country articles or memoirs appearing in those of other lands; indeed, this section of our own publication proves how far such an idea is from our minds; but it is a very different matter, and attains the magnitude of an evil, when it becomes a custom to occupy the bulk of a periodical with reprints of papers taken bodily from other journals, and not merely in abstract, to the exclusion of original communications. It is an evil long since noticed in many American publications, and has tended, and will tend so long as carried on, to blight original thought and arrest research.
On the Influence of Sex in Hereditary Disease
Authors: Sedgwick W.
Published: August 2008

In an elaborate paper upon this subject in the last two numbers of the ‘British and Foreign Review’ (April and July, 1863), Mr. Sedgwick has recorded numerous facts, which he has been at the pains to collect from various English and French sources; so numerous, indeed, are his observations, that his paper will supply a valuable storehouse of references to those who may wish specially to study the subject. The more general reader, overwhelmed by the multitude of unconnected details which seem to point to no conclusion, may, perhaps, find the ancient adage involuntarily rise to his lips—Non numerandæ sed perpendendæ observationes. It is an adage, however, which is more often the refuge of idleness unwilling to labour at the tedious collection of facts, than it is the legitimate expression of a just censure.
Concurrent Doxorubicin Plus Docetaxel Is Not More Effective Than Concurrent Doxorubicin Plus Cyclophosphamide in Operable Breast Cancer With 0 to 3 Positive Axillary Nodes: North American Breast Cancer Intergroup Trial E 2197
Authors: Goldstein Lori J. , O'Neill Anne , Sparano Joseph A. , Perez Edith A. , Shulman Lawrence N. , Martino Silvana , Davidson Nancy E.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The combination of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) is a standard adjuvant regimen. Doxorubicin and docetaxel (AT) is one of the most active cytotoxic regimens for metastatic breast cancer. The purpose of this trial was to determine whether adjuvant AT improved disease-free survival compared with AC in operable breast cancer.

Patients and Methods

Women with invasive breast cancer were eligible if there were one to three positive lymph nodes or if the node-negative tumor was greater than 1 cm. Patients were randomly assigned after surgery to receive doxorubicin (60 mg/m2) plus either cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m2; AC) or docetaxel (60 mg/m2; AT) given every 3 weeks for four cycles, followed by hormone therapy for patients with estrogen receptor (ER) and/or progesterone receptor (PR)–positive tumors.

Results

There were 2,882 eligible patients enrolled. After a median follow-up of 79.5 months, there was no significant difference in disease-free survival (DFS; 85% in both arms) or overall survival (91% v 92%) at 5 years. The hazard ratio for AC versus AT was 1.02 (95% CI for DFS, 0.86 to 1.22; P = .78). In an exploratory analysis of prespecified stratification factors by ER and PR expression there were trends toward improved DFS for AT in ER/PR-negative disease. Grade 3 neutropenia associated with fever or infection occurred more often with AT (26% v 10%; P < .05).

Conclusion

AT did not improve DFS or overall survival in this population, and was associated with more toxicity.
Heroes and History's Remainders: The Restes of Pierre Corneille
Authors: Ibbett Katherine
Published: August 2008

This essay examines the figure of the reste—the things or people left behind—in the tragedies of Pierre Corneille, in particular though not only in the late plays, which are themselves a body of work left behind by the canon. These remainders provide a new perspective on Corneille's treatment of heroic action and its place in history, and the remainder becomes, in Corneille's work, something capable of redemption and new life. The argument is focused on three tragedies: Médée (1634), Sertorius (1662), and Tite et Bérénice (1670).
Approximating the GI/GI/1+GI Queue with a Nonlinear Drift Diffusion: Hazard Rate Scaling in Heavy Traffic
Authors: Reed J. E. , Ward Amy R.
Published: August 2008

We study a single-server queue, operating under the first-in-first-out (FIFO) service discipline, in which each customer independently abandons the queue if his service has not begun within a generally distributed amount of time. Under some mild conditions on the abandonment distribution, we identify a limiting heavy-traffic regime in which the resulting diffusion approximation for both the offered waiting time process (the process that tracks the amount of time an infinitely patient arriving customer would wait for service) and the queue-length process contain the entire abandonment distribution. To use a continuous mapping approach to establish our weak convergence results, we additionally develop existence, uniqueness, and continuity results for nonlinear generalized regulator mappings that are of independent interest. We further perform a simulation study to evaluate the quality of the proposed approximations for the steady-state mean queue length and the steady-state probability of abandonment suggested by the limiting diffusion process.
Lineage development of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells
Authors: Giebel Bernd , Punzel Michael
Published: August 2008

Hematopoietic stem cells have the potential to develop into multipotent and different lineage-restricted progenitor cells that subsequently generate all mature blood cell types. The classical model of hematopoietic lineage commitment proposes a first restriction point at which all multipotent hematopoietic progenitor cells become committed either to the lymphoid or to the myeloid development, respectively. Recently, this model has been challenged by the identification of murine as well as human hematopoietic progenitor cells with lymphoid differentiation capabilities that give rise to a restricted subset of the myeloid lineages. As the classical model does not include cells with such capacities, these findings suggest the existence of alternative developmental pathways that demand the existence of additional branches in the classical hematopoietic tree. Together with some phenotypic criteria that characterize different subsets of multipotent and lineage-restricted progenitor cells, we summarize these recent findings here.
Cytokine combinations differentially influence the SDF-1α-dependent migratory activity of cultivated murine hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells
Authors: Kassmer Susannah H. , Niggemann Bernd , Punzel Michael , Mieck Christine , Zänker Kurt S. , Dittmar Thomas
Published: August 2008

Stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) is a strong migratory stimulant for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). The hematopoietic cytokines thrombopoietin (TPO), Flt3-ligand (FL), stem cell factor (SCF) and interleukin 11 (IL-11) are able to stimulate amplification of primitive murine hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in vitro. The effects of these cytokines on SDF-1α-induced migratory activity of murine Lin-c-kit+ HSPC were analyzed by cultivation of these cells in the presence of 12 combinations of FL, TPO, SCF and IL-11. Migratory activity was measured in a three-dimensional collagen matrix using time-lapse video microscopy. Each cytokine combination had a distinct effect on SDF-1α-stimulated migratory activity. For instance, FL- and SCF-cultivated cells showed a high migratory SDF-1α response, while cells cultivated with SCF, TPO and IL-11 did not react to SDF-1α stimulation with an elevated migration rate. Our data indicate that the differences in the migratory SDF-1α response are not related to different CXCR4 expression levels, but rather to the differential engagement of the CXCR4-dependent MAPKp42/44 and PI3K signal transduction pathways. This indicates that hematopoietic cytokines can have a significant impact on SDF-1α-stimulated migratory activity and the underlying intracellular signaling processes in cultivated HSPCs.
Plasticity after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Rovó Alicia , Gratwohl Alois
Published: August 2008

The postulated almost unlimited potential of transplanted hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to transdifferentiate into cell types that do not belong to the hematopoietic system denotes a complete paradigm shift of the hierarchical hemopoietic tree. In several studies during the last few years, donor cells have been identified in almost all recipient tissues after allogeneic HSC transplantation (HSCT), supporting the theory that any failing organ could be accessible to regenerative cell therapy. However, the putative potential ability of the stem cells to cross beyond lineage barriers has been questioned by other studies which suggest that hematopoietic cells might fuse with non-hematopoietic cells and mimic the appearance of transdifferentiation. Proof that HSCs have preserved the capacity to transdifferentiate into other cell types remains to be demonstrated. In this review, we focus mainly on clinical studies addressing plasticity in humans who underwent allogeneic HSCT. We summarize the published data on non-hematopoietic chimerism, donor cell contribution to tissue repair, the controversies related to the methods used to detect donor-derived non-hematopoietic cells and the functional impact of this phenomenon in diverse specific target tissues and organs.
Prospective of Ras signaling in stem cells
Authors: Chakrabarty Koushik , Heumann Rolf
Published: August 2008

The Ras signaling pathway plays a predominant role during development and controls diverse biological process in all eukaryotic cells. It is a member of the large family of GTPases proteins that binds and hydrolyzes GTP. Ras is a lipid-anchored protein on the intracellular membrane compartments, and cycles between inactive GDP-bound and the signaling competent GTP-bound conformation. Studies have demonstrated Ras to be a central regulator in signal transduction pathways responding to diverse extracellular and intracellular stimuli. Much progress has been made towards delineating specific genes involved in the process of pluripotency and differentiation of stem cells. Here, we discuss recent aspects of Ras signaling pathways in mediating stem cell properties.
A hypoallergenic hybrid molecule with increased immunogenicity consisting of derivatives of the major grass pollen allergens, Phl p 2 and Phl p 6
Authors: Linhart Birgit , Mothes-Luksch Nadine , Vrtala Susanne , Kneidinger Michael , Valent Peter , Valenta Rudolf
Published: August 2008

Allergen-specific immunotherapy is currently based on the administration of allergen extracts containing natural allergens. However, its broad application is limited by the poor quality of these extracts. Based on recombinant allergens, well-defined allergy vaccines for allergen-specific immunotherapy can be produced. Furthermore, they can be modified to reduce their allergenic activity and to avoid IgE-mediated side effects. Here, we demonstrate that the immunogenicity of two grass pollen-derived hypoallergenic allergen derivatives could be increased by engineering them as a single hybrid molecule. We used a hypoallergenic Phl p 2 mosaic, generated by fragmentation of the Phl p 2 sequence and reassembly of the resulting peptides in an altered order, and a truncated Phl p 6 allergen, to produce a hybrid protein. The hybrid retained the reduction of IgE reactivity and allergenic activity of its components as shown by ELISA and basophil activation assays. Immunization with the hybrid molecule demonstrated the increased immunogenicity of this molecule, leading to higher levels of allergen-specific IgG antibodies compared to the single components. These antibodies could inhibit patients' IgE binding to the wild-type allergens. Thus, the described strategy allows the development of safer and more efficacious vaccines for the treatment of grass pollen allergy.
Hydro-hegemony in the context of the Orange River Basin
Authors: Turton Anthony , Funke Nikki
Published: August 2008

Hydro-hegemony is about power, usually expressed as a problem. In the real world we find that the concept of power is far more nuanced than this simplistic notion would allow us to understand. South Africa is clearly a regional hegemon in the context of the Orange River Basin, but it has used that power to create a stable basin-wide regime to the mutual benefit of all riparian states. This has been done over time when the regional setting was one of hostile military-styled confrontation as a local theatre of the Cold War. South Africa is an example of a plus-sum hydro-hegemon. Power is thus highly nuanced and needs to be analysed as such if that analysis is to be meaningful at a higher level of generalization. A counter theory is offered in the form of a Hydropolitical Complex in which different forms of power can be deployed to reach an outcome that is mutually beneficial to all riparian states. This paper analyses the Orange River basin as a Pivotal Basin in the Southern African Hydropolitical Complex and illustrates that power can be a solution as well.
Hydro-hegemony in the Amu Darya Basin
Authors: Wegerich Kai
Published: August 2008

The water allocations in the Amu Darya Basin reflect the colonial legacy of the Soviet Union: the downstream riparian states, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, were utilized to produce cotton while upstream Tajikistan used water for energy production and it was anticipated to increase its reservoir capacity further to provide water storage and facilitate agricultural production downstream, Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan were considered simple producers of water without having a real claim to it. Independence manifested inequitable water allocations, giving rise to the perception that especially Uzbekistan is the hydro-hegemon in the Amu Darya Basin. But the post-Soviet basin may be, in fact, without a hydro-hegemon. Data presented in this paper suggest that the riparian states are currently engaged in strategies of resource capture, by increasing their water demand without renegotiating agreements. In addition, while during the Soviet hegemony the increase of reservoir capacity upstream was perceived as ‘integration’ into the larger framework, today the re-emergence of these plans are perceived as a threat. The analysis of different aspects of hydro-hegemony, such as control over data, current discourses and control over provision infrastructure, demonstrates that Uzbekistan's control over the flows is hardly consolidated.
Rehabilitation and maintenance of water distribution network assets
Authors: Christodoulou S. , Charalambous C. , Adamou A.
Published: August 2008

In light of the increasing and pressing need to efficiently manage scarce water resources, there has been renewed interest by water distribution network owners to develop and implement water management strategies and tools that would assist in the integrated and automated management of those networks. Such asset management strategies should assist the network owners to evaluate the condition of the water distribution network, assess historical incident data (leakage or breakage) and risk of failure, visualise areas of high risk, propose “repair or replace” strategies and prioritise the work based on the inherent risk and cost of action. The methodology and support system outlined in this paper can form an integral part of a leakage management strategy and provide a useful decision-making tool. The work presented outlines an integrated methodology and a decision support system for arriving at such “repair-or-replace” decisions, as part of a long-term pipeline asset management program that could be undertaken by a water utility to improve on the reliability of the water distribution networks.
Comprehensive Association Study of Type 2 Diabetes and Related Quantitative Traits With 222 Candidate Genes
Authors: Gaulton Kyle J. , Willer Cristen J. , Li Yun , Scott Laura J. , Conneely Karen N. , Jackson Anne U. , Duren William L. , Chines Peter S. , Narisu Narisu , Bonnycastle Lori L. , Luo Jingchun , Tong Maurine , Sprau Andrew G. , Pugh Elizabeth W. , Doheny Kimberly F. , Valle Timo T. , Abecasis Gonçalo R. , Tuomilehto Jaakko , Bergman Richard N. , Collins Francis S. , Boehnke Michael , Mohlke Karen L.
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE—Type 2 diabetes is a common complex disorder with environmental and genetic components. We used a candidate gene–based approach to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants in 222 candidate genes that influence susceptibility to type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—In a case-control study of 1,161 type 2 diabetic subjects and 1,174 control Finns who are normal glucose tolerant, we genotyped 3,531 tagSNPs and annotation-based SNPs and imputed an additional 7,498 SNPs, providing 99.9% coverage of common HapMap variants in the 222 candidate genes. Selected SNPs were genotyped in an additional 1,211 type 2 diabetic case subjects and 1,259 control subjects who are normal glucose tolerant, also from Finland.

RESULTS—Using SNP- and gene-based analysis methods, we replicated previously reported SNP-type 2 diabetes associations in PPARG, KCNJ11, and SLC2A2; identified significant SNPs in genes with previously reported associations (ENPP1 [rs2021966, P = 0.00026] and NRF1 [rs1882095, P = 0.00096]); and implicated novel genes, including RAPGEF1 (rs4740283, P = 0.00013) and TP53 (rs1042522, Arg72Pro, P = 0.00086), in type 2 diabetes susceptibility.

CONCLUSIONS—Our study provides an effective gene-based approach to association study design and analysis. One or more of the newly implicated genes may contribute to type 2 diabetes pathogenesis. Analysis of additional samples will be necessary to determine their effect on susceptibility.
Persistence of Pre-Diabetes in Overweight and Obese Hispanic Children
Authors: Goran Michael I. , Lane Christianne , Toledo-Corral Claudia , Weigensberg Marc J.
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE—To examine changes in risk factors in overweight and obese Hispanic children at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We recruited 128 overweight/obese Hispanic children with a family history of type 2 diabetes primarily from clinics in East Los Angeles. Children were evaluated annually for 4 years with an oral glucose tolerance test, applying American Diabetes Association criteria to define diabetes and pre-diabetes. Insulin sensitivity (Si), acute insulin response (AIR) to glucose, and β-cell function (BCF) were determined from frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests, and total body fat by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and intra-abdominal and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (IAAT and SAAT) by magnetic resonance imaging were assessed in years 1, 2, and 4.

RESULTS—No subjects developed type 2 diabetes, 40% never had pre-diabetes, 47% had intermittent pre-diabetes with no clear pattern over time, and 13% had persistent pre-diabetes. At baseline, those with persistent pre-diabetes had lower BCF and higher IAAT. In repeated measures, Si deteriorated regardless of pre-diabetes, and there was a significant effect of pre-diabetes on AIR (42% lower in pre-diabetes; P = 0.01) and disposition index (34% lower in pre-diabetes; P = 0.021) and a significant interaction of pre-diabetes and time on IAAT (greater increase over time in those with pre-diabetes; P = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONS—In this group of Hispanic children at high risk of type 2 diabetes, 1) pre-diabetes is highly variable from year to year; 2) the prevalence of persistent pre-diabetes over 3 years is 13%; and 3) children with persistent pre-diabetes have lower BCF, due to a lower AIR, and increasing visceral fat over time.
Common Missense Variant in the Glucokinase Regulatory Protein Gene Is Associated With Increased Plasma Triglyceride and C-Reactive Protein but Lower Fasting Glucose Concentrations
Authors: Orho-Melander Marju , Melander Olle , Guiducci Candace , Perez-Martinez Pablo , Corella Dolores , Roos Charlotta , Tewhey Ryan , Rieder Mark J. , Hall Jennifer , Abecasis Goncalo , Tai E. Shyong , Welch Cullan , Arnett Donna K. , Lyssenko Valeriya , Lindholm Eero , Saxena Richa , de Bakker Paul I.W. , Burtt Noel , Voight Benjamin F. , Hirschhorn Joel N. , Tucker Katherine L. , Hedner Thomas , Tuomi Tiinamaija , Isomaa Bo , Eriksson Karl-Fredrik , Taskinen Marja-Riitta , Wahlstrand Björn , Hughes Thomas E. , Parnell Laurence D. , Lai Chao-Qiang , Berglund Göran , Peltonen Leena , Vartiainen Erkki , Jousilahti Pekka , Havulinna Aki S. , Salomaa Veikko , Nilsson Peter , Groop Leif , Altshuler David , Ordovas Jose M. , Kathiresan Sekar
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE—Using the genome-wide association approach, we recently identified the glucokinase regulatory protein gene (GCKR, rs780094) region as a novel quantitative trait locus for plasma triglyceride concentration in Europeans. Here, we sought to study the association of GCKR variants with metabolic phenotypes, including measures of glucose homeostasis, to evaluate the GCKR locus in samples of non-European ancestry and to fine- map across the associated genomic interval.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We performed association studies in 12 independent cohorts comprising >45,000 individuals representing several ancestral groups (whites from Northern and Southern Europe, whites from the U.S., African Americans from the U.S., Hispanics of Caribbean origin, and Chinese, Malays, and Asian Indians from Singapore). We conducted genetic fine-mapping across the ∼417-kb region of linkage disequilibrium spanning GCKR and 16 other genes on chromosome 2p23 by imputing untyped HapMap single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genotyping 104 SNPs across the associated genomic interval.

RESULTS—We provide comprehensive evidence that GCKR rs780094 is associated with opposite effects on fasting plasma triglyceride (Pmeta = 3 × 10−56) and glucose (Pmeta = 1 × 10−13) concentrations. In addition, we confirmed recent reports that the same SNP is associated with C-reactive protein (CRP) level (P = 5 × 10−5). Both fine-mapping approaches revealed a common missense GCKR variant (rs1260326, Pro446Leu, 34% frequency, r2 = 0.93 with rs780094) as the strongest association signal in the region.

CONCLUSIONS—These findings point to a molecular mechanism in humans by which higher triglycerides and CRP can be coupled with lower plasma glucose concentrations and position GCKR in central pathways regulating both hepatic triglyceride and glucose metabolism.
Lack of FFAR1/GPR40 Does Not Protect Mice From High-Fat Diet–Induced Metabolic Disease
Authors: Lan Hong , Hoos Lizbeth M. , Liu Li , Tetzloff Glen , Hu Weiwen , Abbondanzo Susan J. , Vassileva Galya , Gustafson Eric L. , Hedrick Joseph A. , Davis Harry R.
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE—FFAR1/GPR40 is a G-protein–coupled receptor expressed predominantly in pancreatic islets mediating free fatty acid–induced insulin secretion. However, the physiological role of FFAR1 remains controversial. It was previously reported that FFAR1 knockout (Ffar1−/−) mice were resistant to high-fat diet–induced hyperinuslinemia, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hepatic steatosis. A more recent report suggested that although FFAR1 was necessary for fatty acid–induced insulin secretion in vivo, deletion of FFAR1 did not protect pancreatic islets against fatty acid–induced islet dysfunction. This study is designed to investigate FFAR1 function in vivo using a third line of independently generated Ffar1−/− mice in the C57BL/6 background.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We used CL-316,243, a β3 adrenergic receptor agonist, to acutely elevate blood free fatty acids and to study its effect on insulin secretion in vivo. Ffar1+/+ (wild-type) and Ffar1−/− (knockout) mice were placed on two distinct high-fat diets to study their response to diet-induced obesity.

RESULTS—Insulin secretion was reduced by ∼50% in Ffar1−/− mice, confirming that FFAR1 contributes significantly to fatty acid stimulation of insulin secretion in vivo. However, Ffar1+/+ and Ffar1−/− mice had similar weight, adiposity, and hyperinsulinemia on high-fat diets, and Ffar1−/− mice showed no improvement in glucose or insulin tolerance tests. In addition, high-fat diet induced comparable levels of lipid accumulation in livers of Ffar1+/+ and Ffar1−/− mice.

CONCLUSIONS—FFAR1 is required for normal insulin secretion in response to fatty acids; however, Ffar1−/− mice are not protected from high-fat diet–induced insulin resistance or hepatic steatosis.
OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS ‐ HOW IT IS ORGANISED AND WHY
Authors: Lindgren Therese , Castell Pål
Published: August 2008

Housing companies manage a considerable proportion of urban open green space in Sweden. This article explores how 62 Swedish housing companies, municipal and private, organise their open space maintenance and the reasons behind organisational structure. Here, organisational structure covers three aspects of open space maintenance: (1) whether performed in‐house or by a contractor, (2) whether performed by local managers or circulating teams, and (3) whether and how residents are involved in management. The organisational structures varied widely among the housing companies studied. Mixed structures were common. Formal resident involvement processes were almost only found in municipally owned areas with local managers. The arguments could be derived from two general management approaches, prioritizing either customer relations more or economic efficiency. The conclusion was that management approach might be important in choosing organisational structure. Santrauka Švedijos miestuose nemažą dalį atvirų žaliųjų plotų tvarko namų administravimo įmonės. Šiame straipsnyje nagrinėjama, kaip 62 (savivaldybių ir privačios) namų administravimo įmonės organizuoja atvirų plotų priežiūrą Švedijoje ir kokios priežastys lemia organizacinę struktūrą. Čia organizacinė struktūra apima tris atvirų plotų priežiūros aspektus: (1) plotus tvarko pačios ar samdo kitus, (2) tvarko vietiniai vadybininkai ar laikinos komandos, (3) ar prie tvarkymo prisideda ir kaip prisideda gyventojai. Nagrinėtose namų administravimo įmonėse rasta labai skirtingų organizacinių struktūrų. Mišrios struktūros populiariausios. Formalūs gyventojų įtraukimo procesai aptikti beveik išskirtinai tik savivaldybėms priklausančiose zonose su vietiniais tvarkytojais. Įrodymų buvo galima gauti iš dviejų pagrindinių vadybos požiūrių, prioritetą suteikiant ryšiams su klientais arba ekonominiam efektyvumui. Prieita prie išvados, kad vadybos požiūris gali būti svarbus renkantis organizacinę struktūrą.
INTRODUCING MORE TRANSPARENT AND EFFICIENT LAND MANAGEMENT IN POST‐SOCIALIST CITIES: LESSONS FROM KYRGYZSTAN
Authors: Kaganova Olga , Akmatov Abdirasul , Undeland Charles
Published: August 2008

The Urban Institute (UI) worked with five cities in post‐Soviet Kyrgyzstan to apply better management practices through the development of Strategic Land Management Plans. Kyrgyzstan transferred property to local governments, but municipal land management had remained poor owing to a proliferation of responsible agencies, lack of rule of law, corruption, and passiveness on the part of local governments. UI worked with local governments to make an inventory of municipal land, publicize the results, and develop a strategy that articulated principles for land management and an implementation plan. This led to several improvements including proper registration of parcels and proactive policies to lease and sell land through open competition. It also established a model for determining public policy that countered corruption and public deliberation of costs and benefits in the use of local assets. Donor involvement to promote good land legislation, the property registration system, and decentralization was also critical to success.

Santrauka

Urbanistikos institutas bendradarbiavo su penkiais posovietinės Kirgizijos miestais, kad, plėtodamas strateginės žemėtvarkos planus, įvestų geresnę vadybos praktiką. Kirgizijoje nuosavybė perduota vietos valdžiai, tačiau žemėtvarkos būklė savivaldybėse išliko vargana dėl atsakingų tarnybų gausos, įstatymų trūkumo, korupcijos ir vietos valdžios pasyvumo. Urbanistikos institutas bendradarbiavo su vietos valdžia, siekdamas inventorizuoti savivaldybių žemę, paskelbti rezultatus ir sukurti strategiją, pabrėžiančią žemėtvarkos principus ir įgyvendinimo planą. Tai leido kai ką patobulinti, įskaitant deramą sklypų registravimą ir aktyvią žemės nuomos bei pardavimo per atvirus konkursus politiką. Be to, sudarytas modelis, nustatantis viešąją politiką, kovojančią su korupcija, ir viešus sąnaudų ir naudos svarstymus naudojant vietinį turtą. Prie gerų žemės įstatymų, nuosavybės registravimo sistemos ir decentralizacijos sėkmingo propagavimo daug prisidėjo ir rėmėjai.
Significantly Enhanced Photoluminescence of Doped Polymer‐Metal Hybrid Nanotubes
Authors: Park Dong Hyuk , Kim Hyun Seung , Jeong Mi‐Yun , Lee Yong Baek , Kim Hyun‐Jun , Kim Dae‐Chul , Kim Jeongyong , Joo Jinsoo
Published: August 2008

We report on the significantly enhanced photoluminescence (PL) of hybrid double‐layered nanotubes (HDLNTs) consisting of poly(3‐methylthiophene) (P3MT) nanotubes with various doping levels enveloped by an inorganic, nickel (Ni) metal nanotube. From laser confocal microscopy PL experiments on a single strand of the doped‐P3MT nanotubes and of their HDLNTs, the PL peak intensity of the HDLNT systems increased remarkably up to ∼350 times as the doping level of the P3MT nanotubes of the HDLNTs increased, which was confirmed by measurements of the quantum yield. In a comparison of the normalized ultraviolet and visible absorption spectra of the doped‐P3MT nanotubes and their HDLNTs, new absorption peaks corresponding to surface‐plasmon (SP) energy were created at 563 and 615 nm after the nanoscale Ni metal coating onto the P3MT nanotubes, and their intensity increased on increasing the doping level of the P3MT nanotube. The doping‐induced bipolaron peaks of the HDLNTs of doped‐P3MT/Ni were relatively reduced, compared with those of the doped‐P3MT nanotubes before the Ni coating, due to the charge‐transfer effect in the SP‐resonance (SPR) coupling. Both energy‐transfer and charge‐transfer effects due to SP resonance contributed to the very‐large enhancement of the PL efficiency of the doped‐P3MT‐based HDLNTs.
The Influence of UV Irradiation on Ketonic Defect Emission in Fluorene‐Based Copolymers
Authors: Scheiber Horst , Graf Michael , Plank Harald , Zojer Egbert , Slugovc Christian , Kappaun Stefan , Galbrecht Frank , Scherf Ullrich , List Emil J. W.
Published: August 2008

The influence of UV irradiation in inert atmosphere on the emission spectrum of fluorenone containing poly[9,9‐bis(2‐ethyl)hexylfluorene] (PF2/6) has been investigated by means of optical absorption, photoluminescence (PL) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. It is shown that a substantial reduction of green emission arising from ketonic defect sites can be achieved by irradiation of thin films with UV light. This is found to be accompanied by partial cross‐linking of the films. FTIR measurements show no reduction of the C=O stretching mode upon irradiation, and, moreover, the degree of cross‐linking does not scale with the relative fluorenone content (0.1, 0.5, and 5%). Therefore, the reduced emission intensity in the green spectral region is rather associated with the occurrence of interruptions in the polymer backbone, which reduce the effective conjugation length and subsequently inhibit the energy transfer onto the ketonic defect sites. The found results enabled us to build organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) that can be structured by selective illumination of the emitting layer with an intense UV light source. This method allows for the fabrication of rather efficient (2000 cd m−2 at 7 V) two‐color OLEDs.
Arsenic and iron removal from water using constructed soil filter—a novel approach
Authors: Nemade Pravin , Kadam Avinash M. , Shankar Hariharan S.
Published: August 2008

Arsenic poisoning is a global problem. It is known that groundwater in Bangladesh and West Bengal predominantly contains As(III) and concentrations of Fe(II) which are often too low for removal of arsenic in optimum quantities. To eliminate arsenic from drinking water, several basic methods such as coagulation, adsorption, ion exchange, filtration, membrane processes, are reported. To deal with this issue on a small to large scale, we present a novel approach to remove arsenic and iron from water by constructed soil filter (CSF).

In CSF, As (III) is oxidized to As(V) by media via natural oxidation and subsequently, arsenic is co‐precipitated with iron. Here water containing arsenic, iron, and phosphate is passed through the CSF media at the rate of 100 ml/min. Results show a mean residence time of 8.6 min and a holdup of 1.85 l. Results of six runs show that with initial As(III) of 300 µg/l and iron concentration of 5–10 mg/l, residual arsenic levels below 10 ppb and residual iron < 0.30 mg/l in water can be achieved.

In CSF, no chemicals are needed for the oxidation of As(III) to As(V). The oxidation takes place due to the presence of various oxides such as iron, manganese, aluminum, and the microbial diversity in the media of soil bioreactor. Such a novel technology is also applied for purification of water and wastewater. Copyright © 2008 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The behavior of dithiocarbimate derivative as safety accelerator of natural rubber compounds
Authors: Mariano Roberta M. , da Costa Helson M. , Oliveira Marcelo R. L. , Rubinger Mayura M. M. , Visconte Leila L. Y.
Published: August 2008

A conventional vulcanization system containing tetrabutylammonium bis(4‐methylphenyldithiocarbimato)zincate(II) (ZNIBU) was used for curing of natural rubber (NR) compounds. Rheometric (ts1, t90, and CRI) and mechanical properties, such as tensile and tear strengths and modulus at 300%, were measured to evaluate the acceleration potential of ZNIBU. Commercial accelerators (TMTD, MBTS, and CBS) and a binary system CBS/ZNIBU were also tested for comparison purposes. It was observed that ZNIBU alone does not give either safe scorch time or cure rates appropriate for industrial applications. Nevertheless, mechanical properties are comparable to those given by the other accelerators used. As for the binary system, positive synergistic effects can be found in tear strength and modulus of NR vulcanizates. Besides, ZNIBU does not contribute for the formation of nitrosamines in the vulcanization process. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Glycan Arrays on Aluminum‐Coated Glass Slides
Authors: Tseng Susan Y. , Wang Cheng‐Chi , Lin Chin‐Wei , Chen Cheng‐Lung , Yu Wen‐Yueh , Chen Chung‐Hsuan , Wu Chung‐Yi , Wong Chi‐Huey
Published: August 2008

We have developed a novel method of immobilizing glycans onto aluminum‐coated glass (ACG) slides for potential use in disease diagnosis and drug discovery. The quality of these sugar chips can be assessed by mass spectrometry and fluorescence measurements with high sensitivity. The unique properties of ACG slides include: 1) the metal oxide layer on the surface can be activated for grafting organic compounds such as modified oligosaccharides; 2) the surface remains electrically conductive, and the grafted oligosaccharides can be simultaneously characterized by mass spectrometry and carbohydrate‐binding assay; and 3) the slides are more sensitive than transparent glass slides in binding analysis. To demonstrate this, we synthesized a model compound of mannose with a built‐in photocleavable linker bound to the ACG slide surface. The molecular weight of the grafted mannose was identified by mass spectrometry, and the slide was subjected to biotinylated ConA binding followed by Cy3‐tagged streptavidin detection. This method was further extended to the preparation of glycan arrays containing lactose and the cancer antigen Globo H.
Tandem Hydroformylation–Hydrogenation of 1‐Decene Catalyzed by Rh‐Bidentate Bis(trialkylphosphine)s
Authors: Ichihara Takeo , Nakano Koji , Katayama Masaya , Nozaki Kyoko
Published: August 2008

A series of 2,2′‐bis[(dialkylphosphino)methyl]biphenyls (alkyl‐BISBIs) were synthesized and applied to the tandem hydroformylation–hydrogenation of 1‐decene. The alkyl‐BISBI ligands with “small” primary alkyl groups such as methyl or n‐hexyl groups on the phosphorus atoms provided 1‐alkanols selectively, whereas those with larger alkyl groups such as isopropyl or neopentyl groups showed much lower conversion from alkanals to alkanols. Observation of rhodium complexes of the BISBI‐type ligands under H2/CO atmosphere revealed that the presence of a stable [RhH(CO)2(ligand)] species seems to be less favorable for the second step, the hydrogenation of aldehydes.
Switch‐Peptides: Design and Characterization of Controllable Super‐Amyloid‐Forming Host–Guest Peptides as Tools for Identifying Anti‐Amyloid Agents
Authors: Camus Marie‐Stéphanie , Dos Santos Sonia , Chandravarkar Arunan , Mandal Bhubaneswar , Schmid Adrian W. , Tuchscherer Gabriele , Mutter Manfred , Lashuel Hilal A.
Published: August 2008

Several amyloid‐forming proteins are characterized by the presence of hydrophobic and highly amyloidogenic core sequences that play critical roles in the initiation and progression of amyloid fibril formation. Therefore targeting these sequences represents a viable strategy for identifying candidate molecules that could interfere with amyloid formation and toxicity of the parent proteins. However, the highly amyloidogenic and insoluble nature of these sequences has hampered efforts to develop high‐throughput fibrillization assays. Here we describe the design and characterization of host–guest switch peptides that can be used for in vitro mechanistic and screening studies that are aimed at discovering aggregation inhibitors that target highly amyloidogenic sequences. These model systems are based on a host–guest system where the amyloidogenic sequence (guest peptide) is flanked by two β‐sheet‐promoting (Leu‐Ser)n oligomers as host sequences. Two host–guest peptides were prepared by using the hydrophobic core of Aβ comprising residues 14–24 (HQKLVFFAEDV) as the guest peptide with switch elements inserted within (peptide 1) or at the N and C termini of the guest peptide (peptide 2). Both model peptides can be triggered to undergo rapid self‐assembly and amyloid formation in a highly controllable manner and their fibrillization kinetics is tuneable by manipulating solution conditions (for example, peptide concentration and pH). The fibrillization of both peptides reproduces many features of the full‐length Aβ peptides and can be inhibited by known inhibitors of Aβ fibril formation. Our results suggest that this approach can be extended to other amyloid proteins and should facilitate the discovery of small‐molecule aggregation inhibitors and the development of more efficacious anti‐amyloid agents to treat and/or reverse the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative and systemic amyloid diseases.
Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Enantioselective Transfer Hydrogenation of Imines: A Density Functional Theory Study of Reaction Mechanism and the Origins of Enantioselectivity
Authors: Marcelli Tommaso , Hammar Peter , Himo Fahmi
Published: August 2008

The phosphoric acid catalyzed reaction of 1,4‐dihydropyridines with N‐arylimines has been investigated by using density functional theory. We first considered the reaction of acetophenone PMP‐imine (PMP=p‐methoxyphenyl) with the dimethyl Hantzsch ester catalyzed by diphenyl phosphate. Our study showed that, in agreement with what has previously been postulated for other reactions, diphenyl phosphate acts as a Lewis base/Brønsted acid bifunctional catalyst in this transformation, simultaneously activating both reaction partners. The calculations also showed that the hydride transfer transition states for the E and Z isomers of the iminium ion have comparable energies. This observation turned out to be crucial to the understanding of the enantioselectivity of the process. Our results indicate that when using a chiral 3,3′‐disubstituted biaryl phosphoric acid, hydride transfer to the Re face of the (Z)‐iminium is energetically more favorable and is responsible for the enantioselectivity, whereas the corresponding transition states for nucleophilic attack on the two faces of the (E)‐iminium are virtually degenerate. Moreover, model calculations predict the reversal in enantioselectivity observed in the hydrogenation of 2‐arylquinolines, which during the catalytic cycle are converted into (E)‐iminium ions that lack the flexibility of those derived from acyclic N‐arylimines. In this respect, the conformational rigidity of the dihydroquinolinium cation imposes an unfavorable binding geometry on the transition state for hydride transfer on the Re face and is therefore responsible for the high enantioselectivity.