bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From Inwardness to Social Action: A shift in the locus of religious experience
Authors: Davis Charles
Published: July 2007

There is now general agreement that Christians, in virtue of their Christian commitment, should engage in social and political action, particularly on behalf of the poor and oppressed. That is the presupposition behind liberation theology. At the same time the conviction persists that social and political action is not properly religious action, but, strictly speaking, only the consequence or overflow of religion into a non-religious, secular sphere. Hence the felt necessity, especially on the part of those with religious authority, to qualify the acceptance of liberation theology with frequent warnings that the Christian religion should not be reduced to social and political action.

More widespread among ordinary religious people is the manner in which the perennial need for reflection becomes a devaluing of social and political action in favour of interior contemplation as alone truly religious. People are urged to withdraw at regular intervals from their social involvement, which is dubbed external activity, in order to find God once more in the properly religious activity of personal, meditative prayer. The religious life is seen as the inner life in contrast to the outer life. The locus of the Transcendent and of religious experience is identified with the realm of interiority. To work for the liberation of the poor and oppressed may be demanded by religious faith, hope and love. It is applied religion, but it is not of the essence of religion, which is found in the inwardness of union with God.

This tendency of the Christian religion has been strongly reinforced by interest in the Eastern religions.
Catherine De‘ Ricci and the Will of God: Part II
Authors: di Agresti Domenico
Published: July 2007

If everyone lived the love of God as fully as it is often talked about,
it would not be a pious exaggeration to say that this world would be
paradise. Unfortunately, in reality nothing is more rare than a pure, total
love of God, and the proof of this is that there are so few saints, who are,
by definition, people who do live this love to a heroic degree. It is also
only too easy to draw up theories about the love of God and its various
stages and degrees, but between word and deed there lies the will. Because
Catherine was serious about living the love of God, we can sum up all her
sanctity and the whole way she followed in one simple sentence, which she
wrote in a letter to her bishop on 15 February 1552: ‘This is what
my Lord pleases ... I want it to be pleasing to me too’
[CRE I 248], Or in what she wrote to
Giovambattista de’ Servi on 20 May 1552, ‘Please pray
that his most holy Majesty will, if it pleases him, grant me holiness enough
to be able to fulfil my office [of prioress] to his honour; if not, then his
will be done in me always, in this and in everything else’ [CRE I
266].
The Death of Jesus: Its Universal Impact
Authors: Roy Louis
Published: July 2007

I am convinced that many reject this aspect of Christianity because it is misunderstood. Thus I would like to present it in a way that may bring its meaning to light. Many contemporary exegetes and Catholic theologians have renounced the ‘high Christology’ which underpins the doctrine of Redemption. However, if one purifies it of certain unfortunate interpretations acquired in modern times, the classic soteriology maintained by Catholicism may turn out to provide the best account of the Christian experience of salvation. Insights into this Catholic conception can also aid interreligious dialogue.
Evil and the Limits of Theology
Authors: Kilby Karen
Published: July 2007

How ought evil to be dealt with in Christian theology? In what follows I will approach this question by reflecting on what is arguably a different intellectual tradition—the production of theodicies—and on the relationship between theology and this other tradition. What I shall try to show is that Christian theology ought neither to construct theodicies, nor ignore the kinds of problem theodicies try to address. It ought instead to acknowledge itself to be faced with questions it cannot answer, and to be committed to affirming things it cannot make sense of.
Limited suppression of the interferon‐β production by hepatitis C virus serine protease in cultured human hepatocytes
Authors: Dansako Hiromichi , Ikeda Masanori , Kato Nobuyuki
Published: July 2007

Toll‐like receptors and RNA helicase family members [retinoic acid‐inducible gene I (RIG‐I) and melanoma differentiation associated gene‐5 (MDA5)] play important roles in the induction of interferon‐β as a major event in innate immune responses after virus infection. TRIF (adaptor protein of Toll‐like receptor 3)‐mediated and Cardif (adaptor protein of RIG‐I or MDA5)‐mediated signaling pathways contribute rapid induction of interferon‐β through the activation of interferon regulatory factor‐3 (IRF‐3). Previously, it has been reported that the hepatitis C virus NS3‐4A serine protease blocks virus‐induced activation of IRF‐3 in the human hepatoma cell line HuH‐7, and that NS3‐4A cleaves TRIF and Cardif molecules, resulting in the interruption of antiviral signaling pathways. On the other hand, it has recently been reported that non‐neoplastic human hepatocyte PH5CH8 cells retain robust TRIF‐ and Cardif‐mediated pathways, unlike HuH‐7 cells, which lack a TRIF‐mediated pathway. In the present study, we further investigated the effect of NS3‐4A on antiviral signaling pathways. Although we confirmed that PH5CH8 cells were much more effective than HuH‐7 cells for the induction of interferon‐β, we obtained the unexpected result that NS3‐4A could not suppress the interferon‐β production induced by the TRIF‐mediated pathway, although it suppressed the Cardif‐mediated pathway by cleaving Cardif at the Cys508 residue. Using PH5CH8, HeLa, and HuH‐7‐derived cells, we further showed that NS3‐4A could not cleave TRIF, in disagreement with a previous report describing the cleavage of TRIF by NS3‐4A. Taken together, our findings suggest that the blocking of the interferon production by NS3‐4A is not sufficient in HCV‐infected hepatocyte cells.
Crystal structure of archaeal highly thermostable L‐aspartate dehydrogenase/NAD/citrate ternary complex
Authors: Yoneda Kazunari , Sakuraba Haruhiko , Tsuge Hideaki , Katunuma Nobuhiko , Ohshima Toshihisa
Published: July 2007

The crystal structure of the highly thermostable l‐aspartate dehydrogenase (l‐aspDH; EC 1.4.1.21) from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus was determined in the presence of NAD and a substrate analog, citrate. The dimeric structure of A. fulgidusl‐aspDH was refined at a resolution of 1.9 Å with a crystallographic R‐factor of 21.7% (Rfree = 22.6%). The structure indicates that each subunit consists of two domains separated by a deep cleft containing an active site. Structural comparison of the A. fulgidusl‐aspDH/NAD/citrate ternary complex and the Thermotoga maritimal‐aspDH/NAD binary complex showed that A. fulgidusl‐aspDH assumes a closed conformation and that a large movement of the two loops takes place during substrate binding. Like T. maritimal‐aspDH, the A. fulgidus enzyme is highly thermostable. But whereas a large number of inter‐ and intrasubunit ion pairs are responsible for the stability of A. fulgidusl‐aspDH, a large number of inter‐ and intrasubunit aromatic pairs stabilize the T. maritima enzyme. Thus stabilization of these two l‐aspDHs appears to be achieved in different ways. This is the first detailed description of substrate and coenzyme binding to l‐aspDH and of the molecular basis of the high thermostability of a hyperthermophilic l‐aspDH.
The Collusion‐deterring Effect of Pre‐attributed Supplies and the Hog Auction in Quebec
Authors: Lame Bruno , Romain Robert , Gervais Jean‐Philippe , Salha Sami Ben
Published: July 2007

The hog/pork industry in Quebec has been going through major institutional changes since 1989, the year an electronic auction was put in place to market all of the hogs in the province. Because the auction's ability to generate high prices did not meet the expectations of hog producers, the pure auction system was replaced by a hybrid one in 1994. In this system, most of the hog supply was pre‐attributed to processors at a negotiated price based on the US. price while the remainder of the provincial supply of hogs was sold through the auction. In this paper, we investigate how a seemingly inefficient marketing mechanism like pre‐attributions can increase the efficiency of a usually efficient mechanism like an auction. We present theoretical arguments regarding the sustainability of collusion under the pure auction and hybrid systems in addition to analyzing auction prices with modern time series tools.
Relationship Between Effluent Levels of β2‐Microglobulin and Peritoneal Injury Markers in 7.5% Icodextrin‐Based Peritoneal Dialysis Solution
Authors: Minami Satoshi , Hora Kazuhiko , Kamijo Yuji , Higuchi Makoto
Published: July 2007

Abstract:  The removal of low molecular weight proteins such as β2‐microglobulin (β2MG) is accelerated by using a 7.5% icodextrin‐based peritoneal dialysis solution (ICO) dwell. To examine the possibility of peritoneal injury in ICO, we investigated the relationship between β2MG and the injury markers in effluent. Sixteen ICO‐treated patients (11 male and five female, mean age 50.1 ± 10.9 years) with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD; mean duration 54.6 ± 30.8 months) were studied. The patients were treated with ICO 2 L and 2.27% glucose‐based solution 2 L for an 8‐h dwell and the effluent was collected. We investigated the correlations between β2MG and the injury markers (e.g. hyaluronic acid [HA], interleukin‐6 [IL‐6], matrix metalloproteinase‐2 [MMP‐2]) in each effluent sample. The β2MG level in the ICO effluent was 8978 ± 2431 μg/L, significantly higher than in the 2.27% glucose‐based solution effluent (6454 ± 2956 μg/L; P = 0.0032). The levels of HA and MMP‐2 in ICO effluent were significantly higher than those in the 2.27% glucose‐based solution effluent (P = 0.00214, P = 0.0113, respectively). There was a trend toward higher IL‐6‐values in ICO effluent, although no significant differences were seen. There were positive correlations between levels of various injury markers and β2MG. We propose that the subclinical injury of the peritoneum by ICO treatment may accelerate peritoneal permeability to increase β2MG in effluent. ICO's biocompatibility might not be superior to that of glucose‐based solution.
The variable radio counterpart and possible large-scale jet of the new Z source XTE J1701−462
Authors: Fender R. P. , Dahlem M. , Homan J. , Corbel S. , Sault R. , Belloni T. M.
Published: July 2007

We report radio observations, made with the Australia Telescope Compact Array, of the X-ray transient XTE J1701−462. This system has been classified as a new ‘Z’ source, displaying characteristic patterns of behaviour probably associated with accretion on to a low magnetic field neutron star at close to the Eddington limit. The radio counterpart is highly variable, and was detected in six of 16 observations over the period 2006 January–April. The coupling of radio emission to X-ray state, despite limited sampling, appears to be similar to that of other ‘Z’ sources, in that there is no radio emission on the flaring branch. The mean radio and X-ray luminosities are consistent with the other Z sources for a distance of 5–15 kpc. The radio spectrum is unusually flat, or even inverted, in contrast to the related sources, Sco X-1 and Cir X-1, which usually display an optically thin radio spectrum. Deep wide-field observations indicate an extended structure 3 arcmin to the south which is aligned with the X-ray binary. This seems to represent a significant overdensity of radio sources for the field and so, although a background source remains a strong possibility, we consider it plausible that this is a large-scale jet associated with XTE J1701−462.
The radius and mass of the subgiant star β Hyi from interferometry and asteroseismology
Authors: North J. R. , Davis J. , Bedding T. R. , Ireland M. J. , Jacob A. P. , O'Byrne J. , Owens S. M. , Robertson J. G. , Tango W. J. , Tuthill P. G.
Published: July 2007

We have used the Sydney University Stellar Interferometer to measure the angular diameter of β Hydri. This star is a nearby G2 subgiant the mean density of which was recently measured with high precision using asteroseismology. We determine the radius and effective temperature of the star to be 1.814 ± 0.017 R⊙ (0.9 per cent) and 5872 ± 44 K (0.7 per cent) respectively. By combining the radius with the mean density, as estimated from asteroseismology, we make a direct estimate of the stellar mass. We find a value of 1.07 ± 0.03 M⊙ (2.8 per cent), which agrees with published estimates based on fitting in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram, but has much higher precision. These results place valuable constraints on theoretical models of β Hyi and its oscillation frequencies.
Nurse practitioners and managed care: Patient satisfaction and intention to adhere to nurse practitioner plan of care
Authors: Hayes Eileen
Published: July 2007

Purpose: To explore patient satisfaction, intention to adhere to nurse practitioner (NP) plan of care, and the impact of managed care on NPs’ patients in multiple settings, the final phase of a three‐part study of NPs and managed care.

Data sources: Postvisit questionnaires and narrative comments about patient satisfaction with NP communication, overall satisfaction with visit, recall of plan of care, intention to adhere to NP’s recommendations, and impact of managed care on ease of obtaining healthcare resources.

Conclusions: Patients were very satisfied with NP communication and with their healthcare visit. They mostly intended to adhere to the NP‐recommended plan of care but less so to recommended lifestyle changes. Patients trusted their NPs, valued their expertise, were confident in the NPs’ care, and believed that the NPs considered their best interests. They appreciated that the NPs took time to listen to their concerns and helped them to obtain healthcare resources. Most patients were not greatly impacted by managed care and obtained needed healthcare resources with little difficulty.

Implications for practice: Although the first two phases of this study found that many NPs had strong negative attitudes toward managed care, these attitudes were not conveyed toward patients in this sample. NPs, however, will continue to face new challenges as third‐party payers attempt to reduce healthcare costs, further testing NP adaptability and resourcefulness.
Structural Studies on Unpackaged Foods during Their Freezing and Storage
Authors: Campañone Laura A. , Roche Luis A. , Salvadori Viviana O. , Mascheroni Rodolfo H.
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT:  During the freezing and frozen storage of unpackaged foods, their surface is exposed to mass transfer with the environment. Basically, ice sublimes and forms a dry, porous layer. This fact alters the sensory characteristics of the products and originates an important quality loss. In this work, a mathematical model was used to predict the thickness of the dehydrated layer, taking into account the influence of operating conditions and food characteristics. Based on the predictions of the numerical model, 2 regression equations were proposed to calculate the size of the dehydrated layer after freezing and storage, having the operating conditions and food properties as parameters. Besides, the frozen storage of the products was studied over different time periods (1, 2, and 3 mo) using beef cylinders and slices, as well as minced beef balls and hamburgers. The dimension of the dehydrated layer and the induced changes in the food surface structure were determined by image analysis and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). The experiments determined an increase in the depth of the dehydrated layer when storage times are longer, which could be adequately related to storage conditions through the predictions from the numerical model and the regression equations.
Neuro-Genetic Optimization of Temperature Control for a Continuous Flow Polymerase Chain Reaction Microdevice
Authors: Lee Hing Wah , Arunasalam Parthiban , Laratta William P. , Seetharamu Kankanhalli N. , Azid Ishak A.
Published: July 2007

In this study, a hybridized neuro-genetic optimization methodology realized by embedding finite element analysis (FEA) trained artificial neural networks (ANN) into genetic algorithms (GA), is used to optimize temperature control in a ceramic based continuous flow polymerase chain reaction (CPCR) device. The CPCR device requires three thermally isolated reaction zones of 94°C, 65°C, and 72°C for the denaturing, annealing, and extension processes, respectively, to complete a cycle of polymerase chain reaction. The most important aspect of temperature control in the CPCR is to maintain temperature distribution at each reaction zone with a precision of ±1°C or better, irrespective of changing ambient conditions. Results obtained from the FEA simulation shows good comparison with published experimental work for the temperature control in each reaction zone of the microfluidic channels. The simulation data are then used to train the ANN to predict the temperature distribution of the microfluidic channel for various heater input power and fluid flow rate. Once trained, the ANN analysis is able to predict the temperature distribution in the microchannel in less than 20min, whereas the FEA simulation takes approximately 7h to do so. The final optimization of temperature control in the CPCR device is achieved by embedding the trained ANN results as a fitness function into GA. Finally, the GA optimized results are used to build a new FEA model for numerical simulation analysis. The simulation results for the neuro-genetic optimized CPCR model and the initial CPCR model are then compared. The neuro-genetic optimized model shows a significant improvement from the initial model, establishing the optimization method’s superiority.
Biomechanical Alterations in Intact Osteoporotic Spine Due to Synthetic Augmentation: Finite Element Investigation
Authors: Higgins Kathryn B. , Sindall David R. , Cuitino Alberto M. , Langrana Noshir A.
Published: July 2007

A three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model (FEM) was developed for a parametric study that examined the effect of synthetic augmentation on nonfractured vertebrae. The objective was to isolate those parameters primarily responsible for the effectiveness of the procedure; bone cement volume and bone density were expected to be highly important. Injection of bone cement was simulated in the FEM of a vertebral body that included a cellular model for the trabecular core. The addition of 10% and 20% cement by volume resulted in an increase in failure load, and the larger volume resulted in an increase in stiffness for the vertebral body. Placement of cement within the vertebral body was not as critical a parameter as cement amount. Simulated models of very poor bone quality saw the best therapeutic benefits.
Differences Between Local and Orbital Dynamic Stability During Human Walking
Authors: Dingwell Jonathan B. , Kang Hyun Gu
Published: July 2007

Currently there is no commonly accepted way to define, much less quantify, locomotor stability. In engineering, “orbital stability” is defined using Floquet multipliers that quantify how purely periodic systems respond to perturbations discretely from one cycle to the next. For aperiodic systems, “local stability” is defined by local divergence exponents that quantify how the system responds to very small perturbations continuously in real time. Triaxial trunk accelerations and lower extremity sagittal plane joint angles were recorded from ten young healthy subjects as they walked for 10min over level ground and on a motorized treadmill at the same speed. Maximum Floquet multipliers (Max FM) were computed at each percent of the gait cycle (from 0% to 100%) for each time series to quantify the orbital stability of these movements. Analyses of variance comparing Max FM values between walking conditions and correlations between Max FM values and previously published local divergence exponent results were computed. All subjects exhibited orbitally stable walking kinematics (i.e., magnitudes of Max FM<1.0), even though these same kinematics were previously found to be locally unstable. Variations in orbital stability across the gait cycle were generally small and exhibited no systematic patterns. Walking on the treadmill led to small, but statistically significant improvements in the orbital stability of mediolateral (p=0.040) and vertical (p=0.038) trunk accelerations and ankle joint kinematics (p=0.002). However, these improvements were not exhibited by all subjects (p⩽0.012 for subject × condition interaction effects). Correlations between Max FM values and previously published local divergence exponents were inconsistent and 11 of the 12 comparisons made were not statistically significant (r2⩽19.8%; p⩾0.049). Thus, the variability inherent in human walking, which manifests itself as local instability, does not substantially adversely affect the orbital stability of walking. The results of this study will allow future efforts to gain a better understanding of where the boundaries lie between locally unstable movements that remain orbitally stable and those that lead to global instability (i.e., falling).
Changes in Muscle Activity in Response to Different Impact Forces
Affect Soft Tissue Compartment Mechanical Properties
Authors: Boyer Katherine A. , Nigg Benno M.
Published: July 2007

Electromyographic (EMG) activity is associated with several tasks prior to landing in walking and running including positioning the leg, developing joint stiffness and possibly control of soft tissue compartment vibrations. The concept of muscle tuning suggests one reason for changes in muscle activity pattern in response to small changes in impact conditions, if the frequency content of the impact is close to the natural frequency of the soft tissue compartments, is to minimize the magnitude of soft tissue compartment vibrations. The mechanical properties of the soft tissue compartments depend in part on muscle activations and thus it was hypothesized that changes in the muscle activation pattern associated with different impact conditions would result in a change in the acceleration transmissibility to the soft tissue compartments. A pendulum apparatus was used to systematically administer impacts to the heel of shod male participants. Wall reaction forces, EMG of selected leg muscles, soft tissue compartment and shoe heel cup accelerations were quantified for two different impact conditions. The transmissibility of the impact acceleration to the soft tissue compartments was determined for each subject/soft tissue compartment/shoe combination. For this controlled impact situation it was shown that changes in the damping properties of the soft tissue compartments were related to changes in the EMG intensity and/or mean frequency of related muscles in response to a change in the impact interface conditions. These results provide support for the muscle tuning idea—that one reason for the changes in muscle activity in response to small changes in the impact conditions may be to minimize vibrations of the soft tissue compartments that are initiated at heel-strike.
THE PARTIAL HOMOGENIZATION: CONTINUOUS AND SEMI-DISCRETIZED VERSIONS
Authors: PANASENKO GRIGORY
Published: July 2007

The partial homogenization is a new method for the treatment of the boundary layers in the homogenization theory. It keeps the initial formulation near the boundary, passes to the high order homogenization at some distance from the boundary and prescribes the asymptotically precise junction conditions between the homogenized and the heterogeneous models at the interface. This method is related to the method of asymptotic partial domain decomposition MAPDD (see G. Panasenko, Method of asymptotic partial decomposition of domain, Math. Mod. Meth. Appl. Sci.8 (1998) 139–156). The partial homogenization (as well as the MAPDD) can be interpreted as a multi-scale model coupling the homogenized (macroscopic) description in the internal main part of the domain and the microscopic zoom in the domain of the location of the boundary layers. The semi-discretized partial homogenization uses some high order finite element projection in the homogenized subdomain.
STUDY OF THE SURFACE MORPHOLOGY OF THE {101} CLEAVAGE PLANES OF LATF CRYSTALS BY ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY
Authors: LIU X. J. , XU D. , WANG Z. Y. , YU G. W. , ZHANG G. H. , WANG X. Q. , ZHU L. Y.
Published: July 2007

Surface morphology of the {101} freshly cleaved planes of L-arginine trifluoroacetate crystals grown from aqueous solutions have been studied by atomic force microscopy. Various step patterns are described and discussed. Moreover, the dislocations are not easily found and all of them are devoid of hollow cores on the emergence points. The reason may be that the stress field is too weak to generate hollow cores.
EFFECT OF STAND-OFF DISTANCE ON STRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HYDROXYAPATITE COATINGS PLASMA-SPRAYED ONTO CARBON/CARBON COMPOSITES
Authors: SUI JIN-LING , BO WU , HAI ZHOU , CAO NING , LI MU-SEN
Published: July 2007

Plasma-spraying parameters are of crucial importance to the fabrication of high-quality hydroxyapatite (HA) coating for biomedical use. In this paper, hydroxyapaptite was coated onto carbon fiber reinforced carbon composites ( C/C composites) by a plasma spraying method. The effect of stand-off distances on the microstructure, phase composition and shear strength of hydroxyapatite coatings was studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to characterize the phase composition and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examined the morphology of the sprayed surface and polished cross-sections. The shear strength of the HA coatings– C/C substrates was detected on a RGD-5 electric tension machine. The interface of the HA coating– C/C composites was also detected. Results showed that the extent of melting of particles increased with increasing stand-off distances, while the crystallinity of the HA decreased at a power level of 30 kW. Mechanical bonding plays a dominant role at the interface of the rough substrate and the deformed HA particles.
ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY OF VERY THIN METALLIC FILMS WITH ISOTROPIC AND ANISOTROPIC SURFACES
Authors: CATTANI M. , SALVADORI M. C. , TEIXEIRA F. S. , WIEDERKEHR R. S. , BROWN I. G.
Published: July 2007

A quantum mechanical approach is developed to calculate the surface-induced electrical conductivities of very thin metallic films with isotropic and anisotropic surfaces. Two particular cases are analyzed with this formalism: (1) films with isotropic surfaces and (2) films with anisotropic surfaces which have different morphological properties along two orthogonal directions. It is shown that, depending on the differences between these morphological properties, the surface-induced resistivities can be different along these directions. In order to investigate the validity of these predictions we have fabricated Pt films, with thickness in the 0.90 ≤ d ≤ 11.10 nm range, with very different morphological properties along two orthogonal directions. Measuring the electrical resistivities of these films, we have found different resistivities along these directions. We show that this anisotropic resistivity can be well explained by our theoretical approach.
EDITORIAL
Authors: DAIM TUGRUL U. , KOCAOGLU DUNDAR F. , ANDERSON TIMOTHY R.
Published: July 2007

We present a series of two special issues with selected papers from PICMET (Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology) conferences held in 2005 and 2006. These issues focus on the path of emerging technologies from planning phase into innovation phase. This issue is the first of the series and focuses on the earlier part of the path. Its theme is "Management of Emerging Technologies". Seven papers investigating different phases of this path are included in this issue.
Molecular dissection of G protein preference using Gsα chimeras reveals novel ligand signaling of GPCRs
Authors: Hsu Shih-Han , Luo Ching-Wei
Published: July 2007

Although only 16 genes have been identified in mammals, several Gα subunits can be simultaneously activated by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to modulate their complicated functions. Current GPCR assays are limited in the evaluation of selective Gα activation, thus not allowing a comprehensive pathway screening. Because adenylyl cyclases are directly activated by Gsα and the carboxyl termini of the various Gα proteins determine their receptor coupling specificity, we proposed a set of chimeric Gsα where the COOH-terminal five amino acids are replaced by those of other Gα proteins and used these to dissect the potential Gα linked to a given GPCR. Unlike Gqα, G12α, and Giα outputs, compounding the signals from several Gα members, the chimeric Gsα proteins provide a superior molecular approach that reflects the previously uncharacterized pathways of GPCRs under the same cAMP platform. This is, to our knowledge, the first time allowing verification of the whole spectrum of Gα coupling preference of adenosine A1 receptor, reported to couple to multiple G proteins and modulate many physiological processes. Furthermore, we were able to distinguish the uncharacterized pathways between the two neuromedin U receptors (NMURs), which distribute differently but are stimulated by a common agonist. In contrast to the Gqsignals mainly conducted by NMUR1, NMUR2 routed preferentially to the Gipathways. Dissecting the potential Gα coupling to these GPCRs will promote an understanding of their physiological roles and benefit the pharmaceutical development of agonists/antagonists by exploiting the selective affinity toward a certain Gα subclass.
The effect of fat removal on glucose tolerance is depot specific in male and female mice
Authors: Shi Haifei , Strader April D. , Woods Stephen C. , Seeley Randy J.
Published: July 2007

Energy is stored predominately as lipid in white adipose tissue (WAT) in distinct anatomical locations, with each site exerting different effects on key biological processes, including glucose homeostasis. To determine the relative contributions of subcutaneous and visceral WAT on glucose homeostasis, comparable amounts of adipose tissue from abdominal subcutaneous inguinal WAT (IWAT), intra-abdominal retroperitoneal WAT (RWAT), male gonadal epididymal WAT (EWAT), or female gonadal parametrial WAT (PWAT) were removed. Gonadal fat removal in both male and female chow-fed lean mice resulted in lowered glucose levels across glucose tolerance tests. Female lean C57BL/6J mice as well as male and female lean FVBN mice significantly improved glucose tolerance, indicated by decreased areas under glucose clearance curves. For the C57BL/6J mice maintained on a high-fat butter-based diet, glucose homeostasis was improved only in female mice with PWAT removal. Removal of IWAT or RWAT did not affect glucose tolerance in either dietary condition. We conclude that WAT contribution to glucose homeostasis is depot specific, with male gonadal EWAT contributing to glucose homeostasis in the lean state, whereas female gonadal PWAT contributes to glucose homeostasis in both lean and obese mice. These data illustrate both critical differences among various WAT depots and how they influence glucose homeostasis and highlight important differences between males and females in glucose regulation.
Reflex Response to Imposed Bilateral Hip Oscillations in Human Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Onushko Tanya , Schmit Brian D.
Published: July 2007

In human spinal cord injury (SCI), imposed unilateral hip movements trigger multijoint, coordinated reflexes that might incorporate interneuronal circuitry involved in normal motor control, such as neural pathways associated with the reflex control of locomotion. To further investigate the complexity of these hip-triggered reflexes, we measured the effects of kinematics of the contralateral hip on this type of spastic reflex activity in 11 chronic SCI subjects. A novel servomotor drive system was constructed to impose bilateral hip oscillations while the knees and ankles were held stationary in instrumented leg braces. Surface electromyograms (EMGs) and joint torques were recorded during the imposed hip oscillations. Tests were conducted at two different frequencies to test for velocity dependence of the reflexes and the following four paradigms were used to examine the effects of contralateral hip afferents on hip-triggered spastic reflexes: 1) bilateral alternating, 2) bilateral synchronous, 3) unilateral leg oscillation with the contralateral leg held stationary in hip extension, and 4) unilateral leg oscillation with the contralateral leg held stationary in hip flexion. The response to bilateral alternating movements resulted in a significantly larger reflex magnitude compared with the bilateral synchronous movements ( P < 0.001). Unilateral leg perturbations yielded reflex patterns that were consistent with the reflex patterns observed during alternating and synchronous hip oscillations. These observations suggest that spastic reflex excitability is modulated through afferent input from the contralateral hip in a manner that is generally consistent with locomotion.
Top-Down Signal of Retrieved Information From Prefrontal to Inferior Temporal Cortices
Authors: Inoue Masato , Mikami Akichika
Published: July 2007

We compared neuronal activities in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) and the inferior temporal cortex (IT) during the retrieval of an object from the working memory. About one third of IT neurons showed color- and target-selective (CT) or target-selective (T) response during the color cue period of the serial probe reproduction (SPR) task. These object-selective (CT and T) responses in IT could be correlated with the retrieval process of an object from the memorized multiple objects because no objects were presented during this period. However, proportion of CT and T responses was smaller in IT than in VLPFC, where two thirds of neurons showed object-selective response. In addition, object-selective response started earlier in VLPFC than in IT. These results suggest that VLPFC retrieves particular object information from the working memory and sends the retrieved object information to IT. The fact that the responses in the error trials did not decrease in IT suggests that IT is not a critical area for the retrieval process from the working memory.
Muscle Synergies Characterizing Human Postural Responses
Authors: Torres-Oviedo Gelsy , Ting Lena H.
Published: July 2007

Postural control is a natural behavior that requires the spatial and temporal coordination of multiple muscles. Complex muscle activation patterns characterizing postural responses suggest the need for independent muscle control. However, our previous work shows that postural responses in cats can be robustly reproduced by the activation of a few muscle synergies. We now investigate whether a similar neural strategy is used for human postural control. We hypothesized that a few muscle synergies could account for the intertrial variability in automatic postural responses from different perturbation directions, as well as different postural strategies. Postural responses to multidirectional support-surface translations in 16 muscles of the lower back and leg were analyzed in nine healthy subjects. Six or fewer muscle synergies were required to reproduce the postural responses of each subject. The composition and temporal activation of several muscle synergies identified across all subjects were consistent with the previously identified “ankle” and “hip” strategies in human postural responses. Moreover, intertrial variability in muscle activation patterns was successfully reproduced by modulating the activity of the various muscle synergies. This suggests that trial-to-trial variations in the activation of individual muscles are correlated and, moreover, represent variations in the amplitude of descending neural commands that activate individual muscle synergies. Finally, composition and temporal activation of most of the muscle synergies were similar across subjects. These results suggest that muscle synergies represent a general neural strategy underlying muscle coordination in postural tasks.
Delayed Progression of Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia in a Conditional KrasG12D Mouse Model by a Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitor
Authors: Funahashi Hitoshi , Satake Makoto , Dawson David , Huynh Ngoc-An , Reber Howard A. , Hines Oscar J. , Eibl Guido
Published: July 2007

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas are thought to arise from noninvasive, intraductal precursor lesions called pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanIN). The study of PanINs holds great promise for the identification of early detection markers and effective cancer-preventing strategies. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) represents an intriguing target for therapeutic and preventive approaches in various human malignancies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of a selective COX-2 inhibitor to prevent the progression of PanINs in a conditional KrasG12D mouse model. Offspring of LSL-KRASG12D x PDX-1-Cre intercrosses were randomly allocated to a diet supplemented with the selective COX-2 inhibitor nimesulide (400 ppm) or a control diet. After 10 months, animals were sacrificed. Successful recombination in the pancreas was evaluated by PCR. The pancreas of KRASG12D;PDX-1-Cre mice was analyzed for the presence of murine PanINs. Animals fed the COX-2 inhibitor had significantly fewer PanIN-2 and PanIN-3 lesions than control animals (P < 0.05). Ten percent of all pancreatic ducts in the nimesulide-fed animals showed PanIN-2 or PanIN-3 lesions, whereas 40% of the pancreatic ducts in the control animals had PanIN-2 or PanIN-3 lesions. Intrapancreatic prostaglandin E2 levels were reduced in nimesulide-fed animals. Immunohistochemistry confirmed COX-2 expression in early and late PanINs. In summary, we found that the selective COX-2 inhibitor nimesulide delays the progression of pancreatic cancer precursor lesions in a preclinical animal model. These data highlight the importance of COX-2 in the development of pancreatic cancer. Inhibition of COX-2 may represent an intriguing strategy to prevent pancreatic cancer in high-risk patients. [Cancer Res 2007;67(15):7068–71]
Selective Fetocide Reversed Mirror Syndrome in a Dichorionic Triplet Pregnancy with Severe Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Chang Yao-Lung , Chao An-Shine , Hsu Jenn-Jein , Chang Shuenn-Dyh , Soong Yung-Kuei
Published: July 2007

We report a patient with a dichorionic triplet pregnancy complicated by Quintero stage IV twin-twin transfusion syndrome, presenting with hypertension and severe edema at 19 weeks of gestation. Sonography revealed one set of female twins with poly-/oligohydramnios sequence, the recipient twin showing hydropic changes, and another male fetus with normal amniotic fluid content. The maternal laboratory data revealed that, in addition to mild anemia (hemoglobin 10.2 g/dl, hematocrit 32%), there was a high lactate dehydrogenase level of up to 1,042 U/l. Due to the placenta of the uninvolved male fetus hampering the insertion of a fetoscope into the recipient sac and because the distance of the two cords of the 2 female fetuses was as short as 2.5 cm, laser coagulation of the communicating vessels on the placenta of the female twins with twin-twin transfusion syndrome would have posed great difficulty. After discussing other treatment options, including serial amniocentesis, selective termination of the hydropic fetus, or reducing the triplet pregnancy to a singleton pregnancy, the parents decided to perform selective fetocide. Hypertension and severe edema of the mother resolved after selective termination of the hydropic fetus, and so did the lactate dehydrogenase level that dropped from 1,042 to 90 U/l. Unfortunately the donor twin died in utero 2 days after selective termination, and the whole pregnancy was lost at the gestational age of 21 weeks. Nevertheless, we have demonstrated an example of reversal of maternal symptoms and signs after termination of the hydropic fetus in twin-twin transfusion syndrome complicated by mirror syndrome.
Intraabdominal Umbilical Vein Dilatation and Term Delivery
Authors: Mantas N. , Sifakis S. , Koukoura O. , Avgoustinakis E. , Koumantakis E.
Published: July 2007

Dilatation of the fetal umbilical vein is a rare, most commonly isolated finding. Approximately 100 cases have been reported in the literature that describe different management approaches, especially regarding the time of delivery. We present a new case of umbilical vein dilatation diagnosed at 23 weeks’ gestation as an isolated sonographic finding, in a fetus with short umbilical cord, delivered at 38 weeks’ gestation. The clinical and sonographic features as well as the management options of this uncommon condition are shortly discussed.
Postnatal Chest Wall Deformities after Fetal Thoracoamniotic Shunting for Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation
Authors: Merchant Aziz M. , Peranteau William , Wilson R. Douglas , Johnson Mark P. , Bebbington Michael W. , Hedrick Holly L. , Flake Alan W. , Adzick N. Scott
Published: July 2007

Objectives: Large macrocystic congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations (CCAMs) can be treated with thoracoamniotic (TA) shunting to reduce CCAM volume. Two CCAM fetuses treated with TA shunt had postnatal radiographic rib deformities. Study Design: Retrospective review of prenatal TA shunting for large macrocystic CCAMs evaluated for the presence of rib deformities. Comparison groups not eligible for TA shunting included nonshunted CCAMs resected postnatally (group A) and size-matched nonshunted CCAMs resected postnatally (group B). Results: Chest wall abnormalities were identified in 77% of newborns ranging from severe concavity and fractures (in two fetuses shunted at 18 and 20 weeks of gestation) to rib thinning compared to comparison groups A and B. The severity of chest wall deformity correlated with earlier gestational age at shunting. Conclusions: TA shunting at less than 21 weeks of gestational age may result in postnatal chest wall deformity. This observation should be discussed during counseling for this procedure.
Multiple True Umbilical Knots: A Silent Risk for Intrauterine Growth Restriction with Anomalous Hemodynamic Pattern
Authors: Clerici G. , Koutras I. , Luzietti R. , Di Renzo G.C.
Published: July 2007

True knots of the umbilical cord can represent a serious complication for the fetus due to the possible alteration in the fetal circulation with consequent intrauterine growth restriction or fetal death. We report a case of 5 true umbilical cord knots associated with severe fetal growth restriction and an abnormal hemodynamic pattern. The Doppler examination showed a hemodynamic pattern characterized by an early alteration in the waveform profile in the fetal venous districts with normal impedance to flow values in both uterine and umbilical arteries. This normal profile of the umbilical arteries remained unchanged until the last stage of hemodynamic decompensation, while the profiles of the uterine arteries remained normal until delivery. This case report suggests that it is important to pay close attention to the evaluation of the fetal cord in situations in which the above described hemodynamic pattern is noted. Although the ultrasound diagnosis of true knots is extremely difficult, the presence of a true knot should always be suspected in the presence of an intrauterine growth restriction fetus when the venous district is altered before the fetal arterial districts after exclusion of other detectable reasons for growth restriction.
Outcome of Toxoplasmosis Acquired during Pregnancy following Treatment in Both Pregnancy and Early Infancy
Authors: Galanakis Emmanouil , Manoura Antonia , Antoniou Maria , Sifakis Stavros , Korakaki Eftichia , Hatzidaki Eleftheria , Lambraki Dimitra , Tselentis Yiannis , Giannakopoulou Christina
Published: July 2007

Objectives: Congenital toxoplasmosis is associated with clinical dilemmas as untreated infants may have a guarded prognosis and as treatment may induce severe side effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of infants born to mothers with toxoplasmosis acquired during pregnancy, following administration of appropriate regimens both during pregnancy and early infancy. Study Design: All 35 infants, born to mothers with toxoplasmosis acquired during pregnancy, and referred to the major Neonatal Department in Crete, Greece, during the 7-year period 1997–2003 were included. All neonates were evaluated soon after birth and on a regular follow-up. Results: Almost all mothers received spiramycin from diagnosis through labor and 2 received pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. At birth, infants had IgG antibody titers ranging from 1/1,350 to 1/109,350. All infants initially received pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine and folinic acid but in only 4 cases treatment was continued beyond the second month of life. Transient neutropenia was commonly observed. A follow-up period of 1.2–8.2 years did not reveal any remarkable sequelae. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that effective treatment both during pregnancy and early infancy is safe and may contribute to a good outcome of infants born to mothers with toxoplasmosis acquired during pregnancy.
Takayasu Arteritis in Pregnancy: Safe Management Options in Antenatal Care
Authors: Papantoniou Nikolaos , Katsoulis Ioannis , Papageorgiou Ioannis , Antsaklis Aris
Published: July 2007

Takayasu arteritis is a nonspecific chronic inflammatory vascular disease of unknown etiology with a higher incidence during the child-bearing years. It usually involves the branches of the aortic arch. Most of the patients enter the pregnancy being already diagnosed as having the disease and being on medication. The state of the disease in early pregnancy is a definitive factor for determining its management. Although it seems that pregnancy is a state favorable to this disease, nevertheless, complications should be anticipated, and close multidisciplinary maternal and fetal surveillance is mandatory. Early-onset hypertension is the commonest complication, and its magnitude during the late gestational period is the second definitive factor for the management of these pregnancies. A vaginal delivery should be aimed at term with continuous electronic fetal monitoring. The immediate postpartum period is usually uncomplicated despite the circulatory alterations that take place.