bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non‐invasive assessment of liver fibrosis by transient elastography in post transfusional iron overload
Authors: Mirault Tristan , Lucidarme Damien , Turlin Bruno , Vandevenne Philippe , Gosset Pierre , Ernst Olivier , Rose Christian
Published: March 2008

Background:  Liver fibrosis, assessed by biopsy, is the main complication of post transfusional liver iron overload. Transient elastography (TE) is a new, non invasive method able to measure liver stiffness (LS) caused by fibrosis.

Method:  We prospectively evaluated the predictive value of LS measurement for liver fibrosis evaluation in 15 chronically transfused patients and compared these results with the METAVIR histological fibrosis stage from liver biopsies.

Results:  Mean TE values significantly differed in patients with severe fibrosis (METAVIR F3, F4): 9.1 (±3.7 SD) kPa from those with mild or no fibrosis (METAVIR F0, F1, F2): 5.9 (±1.8 SD) kPa (P = 0.046). TE value above 6.25 kPa (Se = 80%; Sp = 70%; AUROC = 0.820) identified patients at risk for severe fibrosis (Negative Predictive Value 88%; Positive Predictive Value 57%).

Conclusion:  Transient elastography appears to be a reliable tool to evaluate liver fibrosis in post‐transfusional iron overload.
Enhancement of T cell activation by immobilized hu5C8 (anti‐CD40L) monoclonal antibody
Authors: Arpinati Mario , Chirumbolo Gabriella , Rondelli Damiano
Published: March 2008

Background:  Soluble monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) targeting CD40L on T cells can partially block T cell alloreactivity by preventing the costimulatory signal of antigen presenting cells through CD40. However, it is not known if these MoAbs can also deliver inhibiting or stimulating signals through the CD40L receptor.

Materials and methods:  Blood mononuclear cells were stimulated by mitogens or allogeneic stimulator cells in the presence of hu5C8 MoAb, either in soluble form, or immobilized to the culture wells. T cell responses were evaluated by means of primary and secondary mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC), cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) generation, immunophenotype, apoptosis assay and cytokine release. Also, the effect of hu5C8 on cells inhibited by CTLA4‐Ig was tested.

Results:  While the soluble hu5C8 inhibited T cell proliferation, the immobilized hu5C8 enhanced both mitogen and alloantigen‐induced proliferative and cytotoxic T cell responses, without inducing further apoptotic T cell death. In the presence of CTLA4‐Ig, immobilized hu5C8 increased the residual CD28‐independent proliferation of alloantigen‐specific T cells both in primary and secondary MLC, and prevented the inhibiting effect of CTLA4‐Ig on the generation of CTL. Immobilized hu5C8 MoAb‐stimulated T cells also showed a limited capacity of producing interleukin (IL)‐10, even in the presence of CTLA4‐Ig.

Conclusions:  We show that the hu5C8 MoAb has a strong mitogenic activity when immobilized, likely due to higher crosslinking capacity as compared to the soluble antibody. Strategies to induce ex‐vivo T cell responses against tumor or viral antigens by means of hu5C8 MoAb antibody will be exploited based on these findings.
β‐Thalassemia intermedia due to two novel mutations in the promoter region of the β‐globin gene
Authors: Agouti Imane , Bennani Mohcine , Nezri Meyer , Levy Nicolas , Badens Catherine
Published: March 2008

Two novel β‐thalassemia mutations affecting the promoter region of the β‐globin gene are described. The first mutation, found in a Moroccan family, is a G→A substitution at position −190 relative to the β‐globin gene Cap site. The second, found in an Algerian patient, is a G→C substitution at position −56 relative to the β‐globin Cap site. These two mutations occur in a region (−50 to −300) where promoter elements important for differential control of gene expression have been described and lead to β‐thalassemia intermedia in association with a β0‐thalassemia mutations.
Thalidomide in consecutive multiple myeloma patients: single‐center analysis on practical aspects, efficacy, side effects and prognostic factors with lower thalidomide doses
Authors: Haas P. S. , Denz U. , Ihorst G. , Engelhardt M.
Published: March 2008

Purpose:  In this single‐center analysis, we assessed whether lower thalidomide doses are feasible and result in favourable treatment response in multiple myeloma (MM) patients.

Results:  Between May 2001 and October 2006, 38 consecutive MM patients received thalidomide. Their median age was 62.4 yr, all had stage II/III MM and 31.6% had deletion 13q14 (del13q14). Prior to thalidomide, patients had received a median of two treatment lines. The median thalidomide dose was 100 mg/d (range 50–800) and the median treatment duration was 34 wk. The median cumulative thalidomide dose was 24 g. Sixteen patients received thalidomide as a single agent and 22 in combination (+dexamethasone n = 18; others n = 4). The median time‐to‐treatment failure (TTF) after thalidomide initiation was 30.4 wk. Analysis of prognostic factors showed a significantly prolonged TTF without del13q14 (38.1 vs. 8.9 wk with del13q14; P = 0.006). Our analysis of TTF between thalidomide given alone vs. in combinations showed a better TTF for the combination (23.6 vs. 30.6 wk), albeit not reaching significance (P = 0.20). Other parameters, such as age, stage, and prior SCT showed no difference in TTF. Peripheral polyneuropathy (PNP) frequencies were increased with longer (>28 wk) and increased cumulative thalidomide doses (>40 g), which emphasizes (a) the need to carefully escalate thalidomide from 50 to 200 mg/d, thereby reducing side effects and increasing patient compliance, and (b) that PNP occurs more frequently with longer and higher thalidomide doses.

Conclusion:  The strategy to lower thalidomide doses seems a feasible and attractive approach in MM patients, this being currently tested in prospective randomized trials.
Haplotype analysis of the H63D, IVS2+4t/c, and C282Y polymorphisms of the HFE gene reveals rare events of intragenic recombination
Authors: Curcio Michele , Fornaciari Silvia , Mariotti Maria Luciana , Chelazzi Silvia , Scatena Fabrizio , Presciuttini Silvano
Published: March 2008

Objective:  Two missense mutations of the HFE gene, one (C282Y) being a major gene for hereditary hemochromatosis and the other (H63D) playing a minor role in this disease, are carried by different haplotypes. Among other sequence variants of HFE, IVS2+4t/c polymorphism has been reported as a possible splicing mutation or risk modifier. Our aims were to identify sequence variants possibly associated with iron overload in our population, to study the intragenic haplotypes of the HFE gene, and to evaluate the role of IVS2+4t/c in hyperferritinemia.

Methods:  We screened by direct sequencing the coding sequence and intron–exon boundaries of HFE in 265 patients with hyperferritinemia and 185 subjects from the general population.

Results:  Linkage disequilibrium between the three pairs of polymorphic sites was complete between H63D and C282Y, whereas all four gametic types were present for both the H63D–IVS2+4t/c and the IVS2+4t/c–C282Y site pairs. The data supported a model in which the IVS2+4t/c polymorphism was ancestral, the D63 mutation occurred on the t chromosome, and the Y282 mutation occurred on the c chromosome; after the population spread of both mutations, intragenic recombination occurred on both sides of the t/c polymorphism, generating the rare haplotypes D63‐cIVS2+4‐C282 and H63‐tIVS2+4‐Y282.

Conclusions:  The IVS2+4c/t is a neutral polymorphism with regard to risk of iron overload. The presence of recombinant haplotypes on both its sides suggests a considerable evolutionary age of the two main risk alleles.
Characterization of a patient with atypical amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia
Authors: Kanaji Sachiko , Kanaji Taisuke , Migita Masahiro , Kunishima Shinji , Kunicki Thomas J. , Okamura Takashi , Izuhara Kenji
Published: March 2008

We report a 6‐year‐old girl with amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia, the first case of this rare congenital disorder not to have an MPL gene mutation. Although no mutations were identified in MPL, Mpl protein was absent in the platelets and TPO induced phosphorylation of the Janus tyrosine kinase 2 (Jak2) was not detected. In addition to the defect of Mpl, the patient demonstrated markedly reduced expression of glycoprotein VI (GPVI) in contrast to normal expression of other platelet‐specific proteins GPIbα, GPIbβ, and GPIIb. To explore the causes for the absence of Mpl, the entire coding resion of Jak2 and AML1 were sequenced and no mutations were identified. To our knowledge, this is the first report that describes a case of amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia that is not caused by a mutation in MPL and demonstrates the severe impairment of GPVI expression on platelets.
Peripheral blood stem cell transplant for POEMS syndrome is associated with high rates of engraftment syndrome
Authors: Dispenzieri Angela , Lacy Martha Q. , Hayman Suzanne R. , Kumar Shaji K. , Buadi Francis , Dingli David , Litzow Mark R. , Gastineau Dennis A. , Inwards David J. , Elliott Michelle A. , Micallef Ivana N. , Ansell Stephen M. , Hogan William J. , Porrata Luis F. , Johnston Patrick A. , Afessa Bekele , Bryce Alan , Kyle Robert A. , Gertz Morie A.
Published: March 2008

Polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M protein and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome is a devastating syndrome, characterized by peripheral neuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal plasma cells, skin changes, papilledema, volume overload, sclerotic bone lesions, thrombocytosis and high vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). High‐dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (ASCT) ultimately yields excellent clinical responses, but there can be considerable peritransplant morbidity. We have treated 30 POEMS patients with ASCT at Mayo Clinic, Rochester. During transplant period, patients had high rates of fever, diarrhea, weight gain and rash (93%, 77%, 53% and 43%, respectively). Only 13% remained outpatient, and median time to discharge from hospital was transplant day 17 (range 0–175). Splenomegaly was the baseline factor that best predicted for a complicated peritransplant course. Depending on the definition used, ∼50% of patients satisfied criteria for engraftment syndrome. Earlier and more aggressive use of corticosteroids may be associated with less complicated post‐transplant courses. Median overall survival has not been reached; the treatment‐related mortality was 3%. In addition, important clinical improvements and reductions in plasma VEGF levels can occur in the absence of significant decrease in the monoclonal protein. Unraveling the mechanisms of the syndrome both in the context of ASCT and in general are challenges for the future.
The Oklahoma Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura–Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Registry: the Swiss connection
Authors: George James N. , Kremer Hovinga Johanna A. , Terrell Deirdra R. , Vesely Sara K. , Lämmle Bernhard
Published: March 2008

Objectives:  Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) was initially described as an uncommon and usually fatal disorder. With effective treatment it is more frequently diagnosed, the clinical presentations are more diverse, and long‐term sequelae are becoming recognized.

Methods:  Patient data are from The Oklahoma TTP‐hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) Registry, an inception cohort of 348 consecutive patients with their first episode of clinically diagnosed TTP or HUS, 1989–2006. The Registry enrolls all patients in a defined region who are diagnosed with TTP or HUS and for whom plasma exchange treatment is requested. ADAMTS13 activity has been analyzed on 235 (93%) of 254 patients since 1995 at the University of Berne, Switzerland. Patients are described by clinical categories, related to their associated conditions and clinically apparent etiologies, and by the presence of severe ADAMTS13 deficiency.

Results and conclusions:  The clinical spectrum of syndromes described as TTP is variable with multiple etiologies. Advances in clinical and laboratory investigation have provided better understanding of the pathogenesis of these syndromes, their clinical evaluation and management, and their long‐term outcomes. In addition to new information about TTP, these studies provide a model for translational research to define the complete community spectrum of uncommon disorders.
Overexpression of a Plant Reticulon Remodels the Lumen of the Cortical Endoplasmic Reticulum but Does not Perturb Protein Transport
Authors: Tolley Nicholas , Sparkes Imogen A. , Hunter Paul R. , Craddock Christian P. , Nuttall James , Roberts Lynne M. , Hawes Chris , Pedrazzini Emanuela , Frigerio Lorenzo
Published: March 2008

We have cloned a member of the reticulon (RTN) family of Arabidopsis thaliana (RTNLB13). When fused to yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) and expressed in tobacco leaf epidermal cells, RTNLB13 is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Coexpression of a soluble ER luminal marker reveals that YFP‐tagged, myc‐tagged or untagged RTNLB13 induces severe morphological changes to the lumen of the ER. We show, using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) analysis, that RTNLB13 overexpression greatly reduces diffusion of soluble proteins within the ER lumen, possibly by introducing constrictions into the membrane. In spite of this severe phenotype, Golgi shape, number and dynamics appear unperturbed and secretion of a reporter protein remains unaffected.
Epigenetics: differential DNA methylation in mammalian somatic tissues
Authors: Nagase Hiroki , Ghosh Srimoyee
Published: March 2008

Epigenetics refers to heritable phenotypic alterations in the absence of DNA sequence changes, and DNA methylation is one of the extensively studied epigenetic alterations. DNA methylation is an evolutionally conserved mechanism to regulate gene expression in mammals. Because DNA methyation is preserved during DNA replication it can be inherited. Thus, DNA methylation could be a major mechanism by which to produce semi‐stable changes in gene expression in somatic tissues. Although it remains controversial whether germ‐line DNA methylation in mammalian genomes is stably heritable, frequent tissue‐specific and disease‐specific de novo methylation events are observed during somatic cell development/differentiation. In this minireview, we discuss the use of restriction landmark genomic scanning, together with in silico analysis, to identify differentially methylated regions in the mammalian genome. We then present a rough overview of quantitative DNA methylation patterns at 4600 NotI sites and more than 150 differentially methylated regions in several C57BL/6J mouse tissues. Comparative analysis between mice and humans suggests that some, but not all, tissue‐specific differentially methylated regions are conserved. A deeper understanding of cell‐type‐specific differences in DNA methylation might lead to a better illustration of the mechanisms behind tissue‐specific differentiation in mammals.
Functional domains of the human epididymal protease inhibitor, eppin
Authors: McCrudden Maelíosa T. C. , Dafforn Tim R. , Houston David F. , Turkington Philip T. , Timson David J.
Published: March 2008

Eppin has two potential protease inhibitory domains: a whey acid protein or four disulfide core domain and a Kunitz domain. The protein is also reported to have antibacterial activity against Gram‐negative bacteria. Eppin and its whey acid protein and Kunitz domains were expressed in Escherichia coli and their ability to inhibit proteases and kill bacteria compared. The Kunitz domain inhibits elastase (EC 3.4.21.37) to a similar extent as intact eppin, whereas the whey acid protein domain has no such activity. None of these fragments inhibits trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4) or chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.21.1) at the concentrations tested. In a colony forming unit assay, both domains have some antibacterial activity against E. coli, but this was not to the same degree as intact eppin or the two domains together. When bacterial respiratory electron transport was measured using a 2,3‐bis(2‐methoxy‐4‐nitro‐5‐sulfophenyl)‐2H‐tetrazolium‐5‐carboxanilide assay, eppin and its domains caused an increase in the rate of respiration. This suggests that the mechanism of cell killing may be partly through the permeablization of the bacterial inner membrane, resulting in uncoupling of respiratory electron transport and consequent collapse of the proton motive force. Thus, we conclude that although both of eppin’s domains are involved in the protein’s antibacterial activity, only the Kunitz domain is required for selective protease inhibition.
The complex of the insect LDL receptor homolog, lipophorin receptor, LpR, and its lipoprotein ligand does not dissociate under endosomal conditions
Authors: Roosendaal Sigrid D. , Kerver Jana , Schipper Maria , Rodenburg Kees W. , Van der Horst Dick J.
Published: March 2008

The insect low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLR) homolog, lipophorin receptor (LpR), mediates endocytic uptake of the single insect lipoprotein, high‐density lipophorin (HDLp), which is structurally related to LDL. However, in contrast to the fate of LDL, which is endocytosed by LDLR, we previously demonstrated that after endocytosis, HDLp is sorted to the endocytic recycling compartment and recycled for resecretion in a transferrin‐like manner. This means that the integrity of the complex between HDLp and LpR is retained under endosomal conditions. Therefore, in this study, the ligand‐binding and ligand‐dissociation capacities of LpR were investigated by employing a new flow cytometric assay, using LDLR as a control. At pH 5.4, the LpR–HDLp complex remained stable, whereas that of LDLR and LDL dissociated. Hybrid HDLp‐binding receptors, containing either the β‐propeller or both the β‐propeller and the hinge region of LDLR, appeared to be unable to release ligand at endosomal pH, revealing that the stability of the complex is imparted by the ligand‐binding domain of LpR. The LpR–HDLp complex additionally appeared to be EDTA‐resistant, excluding a low Ca2+ concentration in the endosome as an alternative trigger for complex dissociation. From binding of HDLp to the above hybrid receptors, it was inferred that the stability upon EDTA treatment is confined to LDLR type A (LA) ligand‐binding repeats 1–7. Additional (competition) binding experiments indicated that the binding site of LpR for HDLp most likely involves LA‐2–7. It is therefore proposed that the remarkable stability of the LpR–HDLp complex is attributable to this binding site. Together, these data indicate that LpR and HDLp travel in complex to the endocytic recycling compartment, which constitutes a key determinant for ligand recycling by LpR.
Cholesterol interaction with the related steroidogenic acute regulatory lipid‐transfer (START) domains of StAR (STARD1) and MLN64 (STARD3)
Authors: Reitz Julian , Gehrig‐Burger Katja , Strauss Jerome F. , Gimpl Gerald
Published: March 2008

The steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR)‐related lipid transfer (START) domains are found in a wide range of proteins involved in intracellular trafficking of cholesterol and other lipids. Among the START proteins are the StAR protein itself (STARD1) and the closely related MLN64 protein (STARD3), which both function in cholesterol movement. We compared the cholesterol‐binding properties of these two START domain proteins. Cholesterol stabilized STARD3‐START against trypsin‐catalyzed degradation, whereas cholesterol had no protective effect on STARD1‐START. [3H]Azocholestanol predominantly labeled a 6.2 kDa fragment of STARD1‐START comprising amino acids 83–140, which contains residues proposed to interact with cholesterol in a hydrophobic cavity. Photoaffinity labeling studies suggest that cholesterol preferentially interacts with one side wall of this cavity. In contrast, [3H]azocholestanol was distributed more or less equally among the polypeptides of STARD3‐START. Overall, our results provide evidence for differential cholesterol binding of the two most closely related START domain proteins STARD1 and STARD3.
Serum Aluminium Levels in Glue‐Sniffer Adolescent and in Glue Containers
Authors: Akay Cemal , Kalman Süleyman , Dündaröz Ruşen , Sayal Ahmet , Aydın Ahmet , Özkan Yalçın , Gül Hüsamettin
Published: March 2008

Abstract:  Glue sniffing is a serious medical problem among teenagers. Various chemical substances such as toluene and benzene containing glues have been reported to be toxic. It has been demonstrated that some toxic metals such as lead are elevated in the blood of solvent‐addicted patients. Whereas aluminium is an element that has toxic effects on neurological, hematopoetic system and bone metabolism. We want to determine the serum levels of aluminium in glue‐sniffer adolescents in comparison with healthy subjects. In addition, we compared aluminium levels of different commercial glue preparations (i.e. metal and plastic containers), to determine which type of container is better for less aluminium toxicity. We measured serum levels of aluminium in 37 glue‐sniffer and 37 healthy subjects using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The average duration of glue‐sniffer was 3.8 ± 0.8 years. We also measured aluminium levels of 10 commercial glue preparations that seven of them with metal and three with plastic containers. We found that serum levels of aluminium were 63.29 ± 13.20 ng/ml and 36.7 ± 8.60 ng/ml in glue‐sniffer and in control subjects, respectively (P < 0.001). The average aluminium level in the glues was 8.6 ± 3.24 ng/g in the preparations with metal containers, whereas 3.03 ± 0.76 ng/g with plastic containers (P < 0.001). Therefore, to decrease the incidence of aluminium toxicity in glue‐sniffers, it may be a good step to market of glue preparations in plastic instead of metal containers.
THE CRIME OF STAGING AN EFFECTIVE STRIKE AND THE ENDURING ROLE OF CRIMINAL LAW IN MODERN LABOR RELATIONS
Authors: White Ahmed A.
Published: March 2008

This article concerns the role of criminal law in modern, post‐New Deal labor relations. I emphasize the continuing function of the criminal law in limiting basic labor rights (to organize, strike, and provoke collective bargaining) as reflected in several common practices: the prosecution of labor organizing and protest activity as crimes; the persistent use of injunctions by the courts to curtail labor rights; and the indirect use of the criminal law by the courts and the NLRB to define unfair labor practices and to limit the scope of worker protections under the labor law. I hope to show how these functions reflect both change and continuity relative to the criminal law in pre‐New Deal times.

The modern criminal law's labor‐repressive functions are far less crude and overt, and administered in a far more professional fashion, than in the days when criminal conspiracy, syndicalism, and vagrancy laws, for example, were used so extensively and blatantly to undermine labor rights. And rather than simply destroying labor rights, these functions operate alongside, and are incorporated into, a body of labor law designed to protect labor rights. On the one hand, this shift has been of real benefit to labor, allowing workers and organizers much more freedom in their struggles with employers. On the other hand, I argue, modern criminal law still plays a significant role in limiting labor rights. The very factors that now ease the criminal law's impact on workers—the subtlety, professionalism, and procedural regularity with which it is applied, and its coexistence alongside a functional system of labor laws—also obscure and rationalize its real effects on labor rights, making it easier for governments to use the criminal law against labor and harder for labor activists to challenge such practices. My goal is to help unmask these functions of the criminal law with the hope that organized labor and its supporters might better work against and around them.
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RIGHTS: A BRIEF GUIDE TO THE CONSTITUTION OF WORK AND LIVELIHOODS
Authors: Forbath William E.
Published: March 2008

Work and livelihoods; poverty and dependency; economic security and insecurity: for most of our history, their constitutional importance was self‐evident. The framers of 1789 had no doubt that personal liberty and political equality demanded a measure of economic independence and material security. In the wake of industrialization and urbanization, generations of reformers declared that America needed a “new economic constitutional order” and a “second Bill of Rights,” securing the old promises of individual freedom, opportunity, and well‐being via new government duties and new social and economic rights. Yet today, with the important exception of employment discrimination, work, livelihoods, and the material bases of membership in the community have vanished from the constitutional landscape. That is a scandal; for the U.S. is no different from other nations: constitutional democracy is impossible here, just as it is elsewhere, without some limits on social and economic deprivation. Nonetheless, “welfare rights,” as most Americans understand them, have been tried and rejected; “redistribution” is more likely to seem constitutionally suspect than constitutionally commanded. Using history and contemporary experience, this short essay tries to answer that question how, if at all, should the Constitution be interpreted to safeguard social rights or a social minimum in the twenty‐first century?
OUT OF THE SHADOWS AND INTO THE SPOTLIGHT: IMMIGRANTS AND ORGANIZED LABOR
Authors: Ontiveros Maria Linda
Published: March 2008

Immigrant workers have always been forced to organize in the shadow of antilabor laws because they have been systematically excluded from their protection. This essay begins by examining the ways in which the labor laws (the National Labor Relations Act and others workplace laws) have systematically excluded immigrant workers. It then discusses a wide variety of pragmatic legal approaches (lawsuits, collective bargaining agreements and legislative enactments) used by organized labor, acting in solidarity with immigrant workers (on the national and international arenas) to protect immigrant workers. Finally, it suggests a moral framework, grounded in the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to support these approaches.
Characterization of a candidate locus for malaria susceptibility in human populations: a (TA)n microsatellite in the promoter region of the CYBB gene, the gp91phox subunit of the NADPH oxidase
Authors: Soares‐Souza G. B. , Tarazona‐Santos E. , Chanock S. J.
Published: March 2008

We have analysed the linkage disequilibrium pattern between the promoter TA microsatellite and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) haplotypes for the CYBB gene. None of the CYBB SNPs serve as good surrogates for the microsatellite alleles, previously associated with mild malaria. Thus, the candidate (TA)n microsatellite should be directly tested in genetic epidemiology studies.
A search for cyclophilin‐A gene (PPIA) variation and its contribution to the risk of atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction
Authors: Palacín M. , Rodríguez I. , García‐Castro M. , Ortega F. , Reguero J. R. , López‐Larrea C. , Morís C. , Alvarez V. , Coto E.
Published: March 2008

Cyclophilin A is secreted by vascular smooth muscle cells in response to inflammatory stimuli, and could thus contribute to atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that the genetic variation at the cyclophilin A gene (PPIA) could affect the risk for developing atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. This study included 250 myocardial infarction patients (all male and < 60 years; 95% are smokers). All these cases had at least one atherosclerotic diseased coronary vessel. DNA was obtained from patients and from 250 healthy controls. The variation at the PPIA gene was determined in the patients through single‐strand conformation analysis and direct sequencing of seven polymerase chain reaction fragments. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared between patients and controls. The effect of a promoter polymorphism (–11 G/C) on gene expression was in vitro analysed with luciferase‐reporter assays. We found two common polymorphisms in the PPIA promoter (–11 G/C) and the 5′ non‐translated (+36 G/A) regions. Cells transfected with luciferase‐plasmids containing the –11 G had significantly higher luciferase activity. Genotype frequencies for these polymorphisms did not differ between patients and controls. In conclusion, we reported a functional variant in the PPIA promoter. However, the PPIA variation did not significantly contribute to the risk of suffering from myocardial infarction among patients with atherosclerotic diseased vessels.
Nursing Diagnoses in Long‐Term Care: A Longitudinal Perspective for Strategic Planning
Authors: Rantz Marilyn , Vinz‐Miller Tari , Matson Sandra
Published: March 2008

The authors analyzed nursing diagnoses recorded in care plans for a 328–bed midwestern county‐owned and operated nursing home over a ZO‐year period from 1984 to Z993, Data were analyzed using a test for increasing or decreasing the linear trend in the proportion of residents with a particular nursing diagnosis over the ZO‐year period. Based on nursing diagnoses trends, the current population of nursing home residents has greater dependency, nutritional, and physiological needs and greater cognitive impairment than ten years ago. Analyses of nursing diagnoses can provide measurable data to assist executive and clinical nursing staff in nursing homes.
Diagnostic Reliability: A Study of the Process
Authors: O'Connell Beverly
Published: March 2008

The clinical use of nursing diagnosis raises questions in relation to reliability. Specifically, do nurses who assess the same patient identify similar nursing diagnoses? Student and registered nurses (N = 100) were asked to assess a “patient” and list the nursing diagnoses. Professional actors played the part of the patient and responded according to the script. The total number of correct and incorrect diagnoses listed for each assessment was recorded. Data were analyzed using MANOVA. The results revealed some discrepancy in the way in which nurses state similar patient problems and highlight areas of strengths and concerns in relation to the diagnostic concept.
A Trifocal Model of Nursing Diagnosis: Wellness Reinforced
Authors: Kelley Jane , Frisch Noreen , Avant Kay
Published: March 2008

As nurses have identified the phenomena of concern to nursing and developed diagnostic language, there has been a persistent omission of diagnostic labels that reflect health and a wellness orientation. The fact that the term “diagnosis” has been identified with problems and deficits has impeded work on wellness diagnoses. Further, lack of consensus regarding a definition of health further complicates work in this area. The authors propose a model that incorporates a category of “opportunity to enhance,” in addition to the categories of “problem” and “high risk” to derive a trifocal model of nursing diagnoses. Examples from nursing practice are given.
Invertebrate vectors of Phytophthora palmivora, causing black pod disease of cocoa in Ghana
Authors: EVANS H. C.
Published: March 2008

Evidence is presented for the involvement of a range of invertebrates in the epidemiology of black pod disease of cocoa. Tent‐building ant species, notably Crematogaster striatula, Camponotus acvapimensis and Pheidole megacephala, are considered to contribute to vertical spread of the pathogen within the cocoa tree. The building material used in tent construction is a potential source of inoculum. Certain phytophagous invertebrates and sugar‐feeding Diptera colonize black pods in the field and may carry viable inoculum externally, on their bodies and mouthparts, or internally, in their faeces. Two species, Brachypeplus pilosellus (Coleoptera) and Chaetonerius latifemur (Diptera), stand out as important vectors because of their abundance, their habit of visiting wounded pods and their proven efficiency in transmission experiments. These vector species quickly colonize the lesions of pod‐wounding insects (mirids, pod borers) and are considered to be the main means of local and long‐distance horizontal spread of the pathogen. Radioactive tracers were extensively used to determine the movements of potential vectors.
Studies on plant growth‐regulating substances: The metabolism of indole‐3‐acetonitrile and related compounds in wheat and pea tissues
Authors: CHAMBERLAIN K. , WAIN R. L.
Published: March 2008

The plant growth‐regulating activity of a number of new indole derivatives is reported. It is shown that indole‐3‐acetonitrile (IAN) is converted to indole‐3‐carboxylic acid by metabolism within wheat and pea tissues, and the mechanism of this a‐oxidation reaction has been studied. The relevant indole compounds were synthesized and their metabolism investigated by T.L.C. techniques. N‐Methylindole‐3‐acetonitrile was also shown to be degraded by a‐oxidation in wheat and pea tissues and this was separately investigated. While no definite conclusions can be drawn, the evidence indicates that conversion of indole‐ and Af‐methylindole‐3‐acetonitriles to the corresponding indole‐3‐aldehyde‐cyanohydrins can occur. These compounds then become metabolized to the aldehydes and then to the respective indole‐3‐carboxylic acids. Indole‐ and A7‐methylindole‐3‐glyoxylic acids do not appear to be involved in the a‐oxidation reaction to any significant extent. Relevant studies on the metabolism of indole‐3‐acetaldehyde‐cyanohydrin are also described.
Effects of time of application of Ethrel on male sterility and ear emergence in wheat Triticum aestivum
Authors: HUGHES W. G. , BENNETT M. D. , BODDEN J. J. , GALANOPOULOU STELLA
Published: March 2008

The induction of male sterility in wheat by application of Ethrel at different concentrations and times was investigated in glasshouse‐grown Triticum aestivum cv. Sirius. The results obtained agree with our previous findings, that to induce full sterility, Ethrel must be applied before meiosis is initiated in the oldest florets of the ear. However, to ensure full emergence of sterilized ears, the application has to be made as close to this stage as possible using a concentration of between 1000 and 2000 ppm. Ethrel application thus shows promise as a method for detecting heterotic combinations by producing sufficient F1 seed for small‐scale field trials.
Affect and Cognition
Authors: Forgas Joseph P.
Published: March 2008

One of the greatest puzzles of human nature concerns the poorly understood interplay between affect and cognition—the rational and emotional ways of dealing with the social world around us. Affect is a ubiquitous and powerful phenomenon in our lives, yet research on human affectivity has been neglected until quite recently. This article reviews traditional and contemporary approaches to this issue, and recent theoretical and empirical work exploring the links between affect and cognition is considered. The major achievements and shortcomings of this now-thriving research area are discussed, and the future prospects of psychological research on human affectivity are considered.
Discrimination and Well-Being: Perceptions of Refugees in Western Australia
Authors: Fozdar Farida , Torezani Silvia
Published: March 2008

This paper reports the apparent paradox of high levels of discrimination experienced by humanitarian migrants to Australia, in the labor market and everyday life, yet simultaneous reporting of positive well-being. How can people feel discriminated against, yet still be relatively satisfied with life? The study draws on quantitative and qualitative data from a study of 150 refugees from the former Yugoslavia, the Middle East, and Africa. Possible reasons for the level of well-being are explored, including “relative deprivation theory,” as well as various resiliency and mitigating factors, including personal and social supports. The notion of eudaimonic well-being – whereby experiences of difficulty produce positive well-being – is also applied to the findings. The negative experiences and perceptions appear to map onto low-level dissatisfaction or disgruntlement, and specifically directed or contained disappointment, rather than serious dissatisfaction with life generally, orientation to Australia, or negative subjective well-being.
U.S. Deportation Policy, Family Separation, and Circular Migration
Authors: Hagan Jacqueline , Eschbach Karl , Rodriguez Nestor
Published: March 2008

Since the mid-1990s the United States has enacted a series of laws that make it easier to deport noncitizens. Drawing on findings from interviews with a random sample of 300 Salvadoran deportees, we examine how family relations, ties, remittance behavior, and settlement experiences are disrupted by deportation, and how these ties influence future migration intentions. We find that a significant number of deportees were long-term settlers in the United States. Many had established work histories and had formed families of their own. These strong social ties in turn influence the likelihood of repeat migration to the United States.
Immigrants' TANF Eligibility, 1996–2003: What Explains the New Across-State Inequalities?
Authors: Graefe Deborah Roempke , De Jong Gordon F. , Hall Matthew , Sturgeon Samuel , VanEerden Julie
Published: March 2008

Why did some states adopt stringent TANF-eligibility policies toward immigrants, while others implemented more lenient rules throughout the post-1996 welfare reform period? We use immigrant-specific welfare rule measures to examine predominant theoretical frameworks for understanding state stringency in welfare policy. Analysis, utilizing a simultaneous equations modeling (SEM) strategy, uses annual data for all states. Results show consistent support for the median voter (primarily, the percent of liberal voters) theoretical explanation for less stringent state welfare eligibility rules regarding immigrants. While the size of the Social-Security-recipient population (tax capacity indicator) and perhaps unacceptable reproductive behavior (teen birth rate) relate to more stringent rules, key state economic and fiscal characteristics (i.e., per capita welfare expenditures, per capita personal income) explain less stringent TANF eligibility rules. Importantly recent immigrant population concentration patterns (in new and traditional destination states) add to the theoretical explanation of less stringent state TANF immigrant eligibility policies.
Which Skilled Temporary Migrants Become Permanent Residents and Why?
Authors: Khoo Siew-Ean , Hugo Graeme , McDonald Peter
Published: March 2008

While most countries of destination of temporary migrants expect them to return home, it is likely that some temporary migration will become permanent if the migrants decide that they would like to remain longer or indefinitely for various reasons. This paper examines the factors associated with temporary migrants' decision to become or not become permanent residents and the reasons for their decision, using survey data on skilled temporary migrants in Australia. It also looks at whether temporary migration facilitates or substitutes for permanent migration and discusses the likely effectiveness of temporary migration programs that assume temporary migrants will return home.
Attitudes toward Immigrants, Immigration, and Multiculturalism in New Zealand: A Social Psychological Analysis
Authors: Ward Colleen , Masgoret Anne-Marie
Published: March 2008

The research examines attitudes toward immigrants and immigration policy based on a random sample of 2,020 New Zealand households. The analyses revealed that New Zealanders have positive attitudes toward immigrants and endorse multiculturalism to a greater extent than Australians and EU citizens. In addition, structural equation modeling produced an excellent fit of the data to a social psychological model commencing with multicultural ideology and intercultural contact as exogenous variables, leading, in turn, to diminished perceptions of threat, more positive attitudes toward immigrants, and, finally, support for New Zealand's policies on the number and sources of migrants.
Numbers vs. Rights: Trade-Offs and Guest Worker Programs
Authors: Ruhs Martin , Martin Philip
Published: March 2008

This paper examines the relationship between the number and rights of low-skilled migrant workers in high-income countries. It identifies a trade-off: Countries with large numbers of low-skilled migrant workers offer them relatively few rights, while smaller numbers of migrants are typically associated with more rights. We discuss the number-vs.-rights trade-off in theory and practice as an example of competing goods, raising the question of whether numbers of migrants or rights of migrants should get higher priority. There is no easy or universal answer, but avoiding an explicit discussion of the issue – as has been done in recent guest worker debates – can obscure an important policy choice.
Social Protection in Vietnam and Obstacles to Progressivity
Authors: Evans Martin , Harkness Susan
Published: March 2008

The present paper analyzes the incidence and progressivity of Vietnamese state income transfers using survey data from the Vietnamese Household Living Standards Survey 2004. Data quality and sample selection issues are highlighted, especially in the coverage of rural‐urban migrants. Simple income‐based profiles of incidence are matched to several influences that confound and complicate the measurement of progressivity. The issue of the informal economy is highlighted through analysis of both the extent of private inter‐household transfers and remittances and their relationship with state transfers, and in the informal charges that accompany uptake of state services and other petty corruption. Second, the issue of user‐charges for health and education services is considered, as a considerable portion of state transfers are related to the take up of schooling and health care. Third, the issue of behavioral effects is also considered, concentrating on private inter‐household transfers. The paper concludes by drawing together the evidence and the obstacles to measurement and progressivity to argue a range of data collection, methodological and policy recommendations.
Cyclical training enhances the melanophore responses of zebrafish to background colours
Authors: Hatamoto Kenji , Shingyoji Chikako
Published: March 2008

Zebrafish respond to visual stimuli to adapt their body colour to the background. If, rather than being a simple on/off reaction to visual stimulation, the colour change involves cognitive and memory‐related processes, training fish with cyclical changes of the background would be expected to increase its ability to change colour. To test this, we developed a standardized procedure for quantifying the responses of melanophores to background changes in living adult specimens of leopard, a zebrafish mutant with spotted stripes. After training with 2‐day cyclical alternation of white and black backgrounds for over 20 days, the proportion of the melanosome‐filled area of dorsal melanophores, which was 20% on the black background before the training, increased up to 97%. In these trained fish, a rapid melanosome aggregation occurred within 10 s of the background change from black to white. The results indicate that the zebrafish melanophore responses can be modulated by learning, in which areal and speed control of melanosome movement are important for dispersion and aggregation, respectively.
Inlet Air Cooling Applied to Combined Cycle Power Plants: Influence
of Site Climate and Thermal Storage Systems
Authors: Palestra Nicola , Barigozzi Giovanna , Perdichizzi Antonio
Published: March 2008

The paper presents the results of an investigation on inlet air cooling systems based on cool thermal storage, applied to combined cycle power plants. Such systems provide a significant increase of electric energy production in the peak hours; the charge of the cool thermal storage is performed instead during the night time. The inlet air cooling system also allows the plant to reduce power output dependence on ambient conditions. A 127MW combined cycle power plant operating in the Italian scenario is the object of this investigation. Two different technologies for cool thermal storage have been considered: ice harvester and stratified chilled water. To evaluate the performance of the combined cycle under different operating conditions, inlet cooling systems have been simulated with an in-house developed computational code. An economical analysis has been then performed. Different plant location sites have been considered, with the purpose to weigh up the influence of climatic conditions. Finally, a parametric analysis has been carried out in order to investigate how a variation of the thermal storage size affects the combined cycle performances and the investment profitability. It was found that both cool thermal storage technologies considered perform similarly in terms of gross extra production of energy. Despite this, the ice harvester shows higher parasitic load due to chillers consumptions. Warmer climates of the plant site resulted in a greater increase in the amount of operational hours than power output augmentation; investment profitability is different as well. Results of parametric analysis showed how important the size of inlet cooling storage may be for economical results.
Estimating HP-IP Midspan Packing Leakage in Combined Cycles
Authors: Fiadjoe Tsatsu
Published: March 2008

When a turbine has combined high-pressure (HP) and intermediate-pressure (IP) sections, there is a steam flow path between the sections. In combined cycle steam turbines, this internal leakage flow rate needs to be determined for the steam turbine performance calculations. However, since the leakage is internal to the turbine, it cannot be measured directly. One method, which has been employed in determining the midpacking leakage flow rate, is the variation of initial and̸or reheat temperature method. It involves using the convergence of IP efficiency plots from multiple test runs to estimate the HP-IP leakage flow rate. Although this method has been employed successfully in large steam applications, it has generally not produced consistent results for combined cycle steam turbines. The lack of convergence for combined cycles may be due to the fact that some of the assumptions made in applying the method to large steam applications are not valid for combined cycle applications. Some of the assumptions, which need to be reviewed and modified for combined cycle application, are as follows: (a) constant IP efficiency for all test runs, (b) constant throttle flow during all test runs, (c) constant section pressure ratios for all test runs, and (d) no influence of external cooling or admission flows. This paper reviews the modifications to the traditional initial and/or reheat temperature variation method to make the midpacking leakage calculations more consistent for combined cycle applications. Some data have shown that incorporating these additional changes improves the convergence of midpacking leakage determination.
Fatigue Life Prediction for Large-Diameter Elastically Constrained Ball Bearings
Authors: Sawicki Jerzy T. , Johansson Samuel A. , Rumbarger John H. , Sharpless Ronald B.
Published: March 2008

The application of large-diameter bearing rings and the thereof inherited low stiffness make them susceptible to local distortions caused by their surrounding structures, which are often under heavy loads. The standard accepted design criteria for these bearings are based on the estimation of the internal load distribution of the bearing, under the assumption of rigid circular and flat supporting structures, that keep the bearing inner and outer races in circular, flat, i.e., not deformed shapes. However, in the presence of structural distortions, the element load distribution can be severely altered and cannot be predicted via the standard design criteria. Therefore, the application of large-diameter ball and roller bearing rings as the critical components in rotating machines becomes more of a design task than making a catalog selection. The analytical and finite element approach for fatigue life prediction of such a bearing application is presented. The undertaken approach and the results are illustrated based on the analysis and fatigue life simulation of the computed tomography scanner’s main rotor bearing. It has been demonstrated that flexibility of the rings can significantly reduce the fatigue life of the ball bearing.