bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new adhesive technique for internal fixation in midfacial surgery
Authors: Endres Kira , Marx Rudolf , Tinschert Joachim , Wirtz Dieter Christian , Stoll Christian , Riediger Dieter , Smeets Ralf
Published: May 2008

Background

The current surgical therapy of midfacial fractures involves internal fixation in which bone fragments are fixed in their anatomical positions with osteosynthesis plates and corresponding screws until bone healing is complete. This often causes new fractures to fragile bones while drilling pilot holes or trying to insert screws. The adhesive fixation of osteosynthesis plates using PMMA bone cement could offer a viable alternative for fixing the plates without screws. In order to achieve the adhesive bonding of bone cement to cortical bone in the viscerocranium, an amphiphilic bone bonding agent was created, analogous to the dentin bonding agents currently on the market.

Methods

The adhesive bonding strengths were measured using tension tests. For this, metal plates with 2.0 mm diameter screw holes were cemented with PMMA bone cement to cortical bovine bone samples from the femur diaphysis. The bone was conditioned with an amphiphilic bone bonding agent prior to cementing. The samples were stored for 1 to 42 days at 37 degrees C, either moist or completely submerged in an isotonic NaCl-solution, and then subjected to the tension tests.

Results

Without the bone bonding agent, the bonding strength was close to zero (0.2 MPa). Primary stability with bone bonding agent is considered to be at ca. 8 MPa. Moist storage over 42 days resulted in decreased adhesion forces of ca. 6 MPa. Wet storage resulted in relatively constant bonding strengths of ca. 8 MPa.

Conclusion

A new amphiphilic bone bonding agent was developed, which builds an optimizied interlayer between the hydrophilic bone surface and the hydrophobic PMMA bone cement and thus leads to adhesive bonding between them. Our in vitro investigations demonstrated the adhesive bonding of PMMA bone cement to cortical bone, which was also stable against hydrolysis. The newly developed adhesive fixing technique could be applied clinically when the fixation of osteosynthesis plates with screws is impossible. With the detected adhesion forces of ca. 6 to 8 MPa, it is assumed that the adhesive fixation system is able to secure bone fragments from the non-load bearing midfacial regions in their orthotopic positions until fracture consolidation is complete.
Severe asthma and the omalizumab option
Authors: Miller Christopher WT , Krishnaswamy Narayanaswamy , Johnston Chambless , Krishnaswamy Guha
Published: May 2008

Atopic diseases and asthma are increasing at a remarkable rate on a global scale. It is now well recognized that asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. The inflammatory process in many patients is driven by an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-dependent process. Mast cell activation and release of mediators, in response to allergen and IgE, results in a cascade response, culminating in B lymphocyte, T lymphocyte, eosinophil, fibroblast, smooth muscle cell and endothelial activation. This complex cellular interaction, release of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors and inflammatory remodeling of the airways leads to chronic asthma.

A subset of patients develops severe airway disease which can be extremely morbid and even fatal. While many treatments are available for asthma, it is still a chronic and incurable disease, characterized by exacerbation, hospitalizations and associated adverse effects of medications. Omalizumab is a new option for chronic asthma that acts by binding to and inhibiting the effects of IgE, thereby interfering with one aspect of the asthma cascade reviewed earlier.

This is a humanized monoclonal antibody against IgE that has been shown to have many beneficial effects in asthma. Use of omalizumab may be influenced by the cost of the medication and some reported adverse effects including the rare possibility of anaphylaxis. When used in selected cases and carefully, omalizumab provides a very important tool in disease management. It has been shown to have additional effects in urticaria, angioedema, latex allergy and food allergy, but the data is limited and the indications far from clear.

In addition to decreasing exacerbations, it has a steroid sparing role and hence may decrease adverse effects in some patients on high-dose glucocorticoids. Studies have shown improvement in quality of life measures in asthma following the administration of omalizumab, but the effects on pulmonary function are surprisingly small, suggesting a disconnect between pulmonary function, exacerbations and quality of life. Anaphylaxis may occur rarely with this agent and appropriate precautions have been recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As currently practiced and as suggested by the new asthma guidelines, this biological agent is indicated in moderate or severe persistent allergic asthma (steps 5 and 6).
The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL™) family impact module: reliability and validity of the Brazilian version
Authors: Scarpelli Ana C , Paiva Saul M , Pordeus Isabela A , Varni James W , Viegas Cláudia M , Allison Paul J
Published: May 2008

Background

Pediatric health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has emerged as an important health outcome in clinical trials and healthcare research, for which HRQOL assessment instruments have played an important role. However, these instruments are not available in all countries or all languages. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL™) Family Impact Module is a multidimensional instrument developed to assess the impact of chronic medical conditions on the HRQOL of parents and family functioning. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the PedsQL™ Family Impact Module cross-culturally adapted for use in Brazil.

Methods

The PedsQL™ Family Impact Module was administered to 95 parents/guardians of children with cancer in active therapy from 2 to 18 years of age of both genders. Subjects were recruited by means of convenience samples from the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Centers at two public hospitals. The 'in-patient' sample was defined as individuals who were hospitalized for the administration of chemotherapy. The 'out-patient' sample was defined as individuals who were receiving chemotherapy and were not hospitalized.

Results

Test-retest reliability exhibited correlation values ranging from 0.81 to 0.96 for all subscales. Internal consistency reliability was demonstrated for the PedsQL™ Family Impact Module: Total Scale Score (α = 0.89), Parent Health-Related Quality of Life Summary Score (α = 0.83) and Family Summary Score (α = 0.73). The Total Impact Score for the in-patient and out-patient samples was 67.60 and 56.43, respectively (p < 0.01). The construct validity demonstrated that the PedsQL™ Family Impact Module proved capable of distinguishing between families whose children/adolescents were hospitalized and families of children/adolescents who are being taken care of at home.

Conclusion

The Brazilian version of the PedsQL™ Family Impact Module was considered reliable and valid for assessing the impact of a chronic pediatric health condition on the HRQOL of parents and family functioning. The instrument should be field tested on other chronic pediatric illnesses.
Plasma 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) and mineralocorticoid receptor testicular expression during rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss spermiation: implication with 17alpha, 20beta-dihydroxyprogesterone on the milt fluidity?
Authors: Milla Sylvain , Terrien Xavier , Sturm Armin , Ibrahim Fidaa , Giton Franck , Fiet Jean , Prunet Patrick , Le Gac Florence
Published: May 2008

Background

In rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), the endocrine control of spermiation is not fully understood. Besides 11ketotestosterone (11KT) and 17alpha, 20beta-dihydroxyprogesterone (MIS), the potential physiological ligand of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC), is a credible candidate in O. mykiss spermiation regulation as spermiation is accompanied with changes in aqueous and ionic flows.

Methods

In this study, we investigated potential roles of DOC during spermiation 1) by describing changes in blood plasma DOC level, MR mRNA abundance during the reproductive cycle and MR localization in the reproductive tract 2) by investigating and comparing the effects of DOC (10 mg/kg) and MIS (5 mg/kg) supplementations on sperm parameters 3) by measuring the in vitro effect of DOC on testis MIS production.

Results

The plasma concentration of DOC increased rapidly at the end of the reproductive cycle to reach levels that were 10–50 fold higher in mature males than in immature fish. MR mRNA relative abundance was lower in maturing testes when compared to immature testes, but increased rapidly during the spermiation period, immediately after the plasma rise in DOC. At this stage, immunohistochemistry localized MR protein to cells situated at the periphery of the seminiferous tubules and in the efferent ducts. Neither DOC nor MIS had significant effects on the mean sperm volume, although MIS treatment significantly increased the percentage of males producing milt. However, a significant reduction in the spermatocrit was observed when DOC and MIS were administrated together. Finally, we detected an inhibitory effect of DOC on testis MIS production in vitro.

Conclusion

These results are in agreement with potential roles of DOC and MR during spermiation and support the hypothesis that DOC and MIS mechanisms of action are linked during this reproductive stage, maybe controlling milt fluidity. They also confirm that in O. mykiss MIS is involved in spermiation induction.
Down regulation by a low-zinc diet in gene expression of rat prostatic thymidylate synthase and thymidine kinase
Authors: Ishikawa Yuko , Kudo Hideki , Suzuki Satoe , Nemoto Nahoko , Sassa Shuji , Sakamoto Shinobu
Published: May 2008

Background

Zinc has a wide spectrum of biological activities and its deficiency is related to various abnormalities of cell metabolism.

Methods

Wistar male rats, at age of 4 weeks, were fed a low-zinc diet for six weeks. The levels of bromodeoxyuridine incorporated into the prostatic DNA and the mRNA expression levels of prostate thymidylate synthase and thymidine kinase were examined.

Result

The low-zinc diet caused a marked reduction in the body growth and organ weights, resulted in a low hematopoiesis, hypo-albuminemia and hypocholesterolemia. Although there were few differences in plasma biochemical markers, plasma levels of luteinizing hormone and testosterone were reduced by the low-zinc diet. Bromodeoxyuridine-immunoreactive (S-phase) cells and mRNA expression levels of thymidylate synthase and thymidine kinase in the prostate cells were markedly affected by the low-zinc diet.

Conclusion

A low-zinc diet appears to reduce the body growth and organ weights including prostate, causing low plasma levels of luteinizing hormone and testosterone and reduction in prostate DNA replication in growing-rats.
Defining a Modular Signalling Network from the Fly Interactome
Authors: Baudot Anaïs , Angelelli Jean-Baptiste , Guénoche Alain , Jacq Bernard , Brun Christine
Published: May 2008

Background

Signalling pathways relay information by transmitting signals from cell surface receptors to intracellular effectors that eventually activate the transcription of target genes. Since signalling pathways involve several types of molecular interactions including protein-protein interactions, we postulated that investigating their organization in the context of the global protein-protein interaction network could provide a new integrated view of signalling mechanisms.

Results

Using a graph-theory based method to analyse the fly protein-protein interaction network, we found that each signalling pathway is organized in two to three different signalling modules. These modules contain canonical proteins of the signalling pathways, known regulators as well as other proteins thereby predicted to participate to the signalling mechanisms. Connections between the signalling modules are prominent as compared to the other network's modules and interactions within and between signalling modules are among the more central routes of the interaction network.

Conclusion

Altogether, these modules form an interactome sub-network devoted to signalling with particular topological properties: modularity, density and centrality. This finding reflects the integration of the signalling system into cell functioning and its important role connecting and coordinating different biological processes at the level of the interactome.
Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy in close proximity to the skin: a case report
Authors: Zagouri Flora , Sergentanis Theodoros N , Koulocheri Dimitra , Giannakopoulou Georgia , Nonni Aphrodite , Dardamanis Dimitrios , Michalopoulos Nikolaos V , Flessas Ioannis , Bramis John , Zografos George C
Published: May 2008

Introduction

Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy is a minimally invasive technique used increasingly for the assessment of mammographically detected, non-palpable breast lesions. The effectiveness of vacuum-assisted breast biopsy has been demonstrated on lesions both with and without microcalcifications. Given that the position of the lesion represents a major factor in stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy, targeting lesions in close proximity to the skin (superficial lesions) has been described as a problematic issue.

Case presentation

A 53-year-old woman presented with a newly developed, non-palpable lesion in her left breast. The lesion consisted of widely spread microcalcifications located approximately 5 mm from the skin. The lesion was isoechoic on ultrasound examination. Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy was scheduled (on the Fischer's table, using 11-gauge probes, under local anaesthesia). The vacuum-assisted breast biopsy probe was inserted antidiametrically into the breast, the probe reached the lesion and effort was made to excise the microcalcifications. As only a small proportion of the microcalcifications were excised an accurate diagnosis could not be expected. However, with the probe having entered the breast antidiametrically, the probe tip underlying the skin could be palpated. Following the palpation of the tip, the exact point was marked by a pen, the probe was removed and the patient was transferred to the surgery room to have the remaining lesion removed by a spindle-form excision under local anaesthesia. The mammogram of the removed specimen confirmed the total excision of the suspicious microcalcifications.

Conclusion

Isoechoic superficial lesions can be localized with a hook-wire and open breast biopsy under general or local anaesthesia can be performed. However, vacuum-assisted breast biopsy might offer an alternative solution and serve as an alternative approach to localize the lesion. The clinical significance of the present exploratory effort remains to be assessed in the future.
Pro-neural transcription factors as cancer markers
Authors: Vias Maria , Massie Charlie E , East Philip , Scott Helen , Warren Anne , Zhou Zongxiang , Nikitin Alexander Yu , Neal David E , Mills Ian G
Published: May 2008

Background

The aberrant transcription in cancer of genes normally associated with embryonic tissue differentiation at various organ sites may be a hallmark of tumour progression. For example, neuroendocrine differentiation is found more commonly in cancers destined to progress, including prostate and lung. We sought to identify proteins which are involved in neuroendocrine differentiation and differentially expressed in aggressive/metastatic tumours.

Results

Expression arrays were used to identify up-regulated transcripts in a neuroendocrine (NE) transgenic mouse model of prostate cancer. Amongst these were several genes normally expressed in neural tissues, including the pro-neural transcription factors Ascl1 and Hes6. Using quantitative RT-PCR and immuno-histochemistry we showed that these same genes were highly expressed in castrate resistant, metastatic LNCaP cell-lines. Finally we performed a meta-analysis on expression array datasets from human clinical material. The expression of these pro-neural transcripts effectively segregates metastatic from localised prostate cancer and benign tissue as well as sub-clustering a variety of other human cancers.

Conclusion

By focussing on transcription factors known to drive normal tissue development and comparing expression signatures for normal and malignant mouse tissues we have identified two transcription factors, Ascl1 and Hes6, which appear effective markers for an aggressive phenotype in all prostate models and tissues examined. We suggest that the aberrant initiation of differentiation programs may confer a selective advantage on cells in all contexts and this approach to identify biomarkers therefore has the potential to uncover proteins equally applicable to pre-clinical and clinical cancer biology.
Rituximab Improves the Efficacy of High-Dose Chemotherapy With Autograft for High-Risk Follicular and Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Multicenter Gruppo Italiano Terapie Innnovative nei Linfomi Survey
Authors: Tarella Corrado , Zanni Manuela , Magni Michele , Benedetti Fabio , Patti Caterina , Barbui Tiziano , Pileri Alessandro , Boccadoro Mario , Ciceri Fabio , Gallamini Andrea , Cortelazzo Sergio , Majolino Ignazio , Mirto Salvo , Corradini Paolo , Passera Roberto , Pizzolo Giovanni , Gianni Alessandro M. , Rambaldi Alessandro
Published: May 2008

Purpose

To investigate the impact of adding rituximab to intensive chemotherapy with peripheral-blood progenitor cell (PBPC) autograft for high-risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLB-CL) and follicular lymphoma (FL).

Patients and Methods

Data were collected from 10 centers associated with Gruppo Italiano Terapie Innnovative nei Linfomi for 522 patients with DLB-CL and 223 patients with FL (median age, 47 years) who received the original or a modified high-dose sequential (HDS) chemotherapy regimen. HDS was delivered to 396 patients without (R−) and to 349 patients with (R+) rituximab; 154 (39%) and 178 patients (51%) in the R− and R+ subsets, respectively, underwent HDS for relapsed/refractory disease.

Results

A total of 355 R− (90%) and 309 R+ patients (88%) completed the final PBPC autograft. Early treatment-related mortality was 3.3% for R− and 2.8% for R+ (P = not significant). Two parameters significantly influenced the outcome: disease status at HDS, with 5-year overall survival (OS) projections of 69% versus 57% for diagnosis versus refractory/relapsed status, respectively, and rituximab addition, with 5-year OS of 69% versus 60% in the R+ versus R− groups, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, these two variables maintained an independent prognostic value. The marked benefit of rituximab was evident in patients receiving HDS as salvage treatment: the 5-year OS projections for R+ versus R− were, respectively, 64% versus 38%, for patients with refractory disease or early relapse and 71% versus 57%, for patients with late relapse, partial response, or second/third relapse.

Conclusion

The results of this large series indicate that rituximab should be included in the current practice of PBPC autograft for DLB-CL and FL.
Induction Therapy for Poor-Prognosis Anal Canal Carcinoma: A Phase II Study of the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB 9281)
Authors: Meropol Neal J. , Niedzwiecki Donna , Shank Brenda , Colacchio Thomas A. , Ellerton John , Valone Frank , Budinger Susan , Day Jeannette M. , Hopkins Judy , Tepper Joel , Goldberg Richard M. , Mayer Robert J.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

Although most patients with anal canal cancer are cured with sphincter-preserving, nonsurgical, combined-modality therapy, those with large tumors and lymph node involvement have a poor prognosis. To establish the safety and efficacy of induction chemotherapy with infusional fluorouracil (FU) plus cisplatin followed by FU plus mitomycin C with concurrent radiation in patients with poor-prognosis squamous cell cancers of the anal canal.

Methods

Patients with previously untreated anal canal cancers with T3 or T4 tumors and/or extensive nodal involvement (bulky N2 or N3) received two 28-day cycles of induction treatment with infusional FU plus cisplatin followed by two 28-day cycles of FU plus mitomycin C with concurrent split-course radiation. A third cycle of FU and cisplatin with radiation boost was given to patients with persistent primary site disease or bulky N2 or N3 disease at presentation.

Results

Forty-five assessable patients received protocol therapy. Treatment was generally well tolerated, and gastrointestinal and hematologic toxicities were the most common. Induction chemotherapy resulted in eight complete and 21 partial responses. After induction, combined-modality, and boost therapy, 37 (82%) of 45 assessable high-risk patients achieved a complete response. After 4 years of follow-up, 68% of patients are alive, 61% are disease-free, and 50% are colostomy- and disease-free.

Conclusion

A combined-modality approach that includes induction treatment with FU and cisplatin followed by combined-modality therapy with FU, mitomycin C, and concurrent radiation results in long-term disease control in the majority of patients with poor-prognosis anal canal cancer.
The intraflagellar transport protein IFT57 is required for cilia maintenance and regulates IFT-particle–kinesin-II dissociation in vertebrate photoreceptors
Authors: Krock Bryan L. , Perkins Brian D.
Published: May 2008

Defects in protein transport within vertebrate photoreceptors can result in photoreceptor degeneration. In developing and mature photoreceptors, proteins targeted to the outer segment are transported through the connecting cilium via the process of intraflagellar transport (IFT). In studies of vertebrate IFT, mutations in any component of the IFT particle typically abolish ciliogenesis, suggesting that IFT proteins are equally required for IFT. To determine whether photoreceptor outer segment formation depends equally on individual IFT proteins, we compared the retinal phenotypes of IFT57 and IFT88 mutant zebrafish. IFT88 mutants failed to form outer segments, whereas IFT57 mutants formed short outer segments with reduced amounts of opsin. Our phenotypic analysis revealed that IFT57 is not essential for IFT, but is required for efficient IFT. In co-immunoprecipitation experiments from whole-animal extracts, we determined that kinesin II remained associated with the IFT particle in the absence of IFT57, but IFT20 did not. Additionally, kinesin II did not exhibit ATP-dependent dissociation from the IFT particle in IFT57 mutants. We conclude that IFT20 requires IFT57 to associate with the IFT particle and that IFT57 and/or IFT20 mediate kinesin II dissociation.
Optimal Allocation of Risk-Reduction Resources in Event Trees
Authors: Sherali Hanif D. , Desai Jitamitra , Glickman Theodore S.
Published: May 2008

In this paper, we present a novel quantitative analysis for the strategic planning decision problem of allocating certain available prevention and protection resources to, respectively, reduce the failure probabilities of system safety measures and the total expected loss from a sequence of events. Using an event tree optimization approach, the resulting risk-reduction scenario problem is modeled and then reformulated as a specially structured nonconvex factorable program. We derive a tight linear programming relaxation along with related theoretical insights that serve to lay the foundation for designing a tailored branch-and-bound algorithm that is proven to converge to a global optimum. Computational experience is reported for a hypothetical case study, as well as for several realistic simulated test cases, based on different parameter settings. The results on the simulated test cases demonstrate that the proposed approach dominates the commercial software BARON v7.5 when the latter is applied to solve the original model by more robustly yielding provable optimal solutions that are at an average of 16.6% better in terms of objective function value; and it performs competitively when both models are used to solve the reformulated problem, particularly for larger test instances.
Fatigue Behavior of Adhesively Bonded Aluminium Double Strap Joints
Authors: Nolting A. E. , Underhill P. R. , DuQuesnay D. L.
Published: May 2008

The fatigue life and failure mode of double strap joints constructed from bare and clad aluminum alloys were examined. Substrate failures were found to occur at lower stress levels, while the failure mode at higher stresses was debonding of the patches. The stress/strain state at the edge of the patch was altered by changing the patch thickness, patch modulus, or by tapering the edges of the patch. The specimens were modeled using finite element analysis. The results of the finite element analysis revealed a power law relationship between fatigue life and either the peak principal strain in the adhesive for adhesive failures, or the nominal axial stress in the substrate for substrate failures. The fatigue life and failure mode of a double strap joint specimen can be determined by calculating the failure life for that specimen under adhesive and substrate failure. The failure mode with the shortest life will indicate the failure mode and fatigue life of that specimen.
The Virgin of Guadalupe in My Backyard
Authors: Read M Rebecca
Published: May 2008

•Photographer Jayson Ming Triplett
Anthropology and Environment Section
Authors: Ogden Laura
Published: May 2008

•Applied Archaeology in the Bolivian Yungas Christian Isendahl
Association for Africanist Anthropology
Authors: Coffman Jennifer E
Published: May 2008

•Africans in America: The Lost Girls of Sudan Adapt to Life in Colorado Laura DeLuca  •Last Call: AfAA Award Nominations Due May 15th
Association for Feminist Anthropology
Authors: Upton Rebecca L
Published: May 2008

•Thank You! •The Sylvia Forman Prize, 14th Annual Competition
Association for Political and Legal Anthropology
Authors: Krause Elizabeth , Bhan Mona
Published: May 2008

•Ethnography, the Courts and Juvenile "Delinquency" in France Susan J Terrio
Association of Senior Anthropologists
Authors: Doughty Paul L
Published: May 2008

•Tracing the Career of Justine Cordwell Alice Kehoe
Council on Anthropology and Education
Authors: Bialostok Steve
Published: May 2008

•Risk History and Risk Reality R L Whitman  •Listserv
Council for Museum Anthropology
Authors: Herold Joyce
Published: May 2008

•The International Committee of Museums of Ethnography Annette Fromm
Culture and Agriculture
Authors: Rich Ronald
Published: May 2008

•C&A Student Paper Competition •Task Force on World Food Problems Ben Blount  •Agricultural Applications of Climate Science: A Growing Role for Anthropologists Carla Roncoli
Evolutionary Anthropology Society
Authors: Ziker John P
Published: May 2008

•Evolutionary Anthropology and Religion
General Anthropology Division
Authors: Lassiter Luke Eric
Published: May 2008

•GAD Committees and Interest Groups •Committee on Teaching Anthropology John Mike Coggeshall  •2008 Forsythe Prize Call for Nominations
National Association of Student Anthropologists
Authors: Chio Jenny
Published: May 2008

•Forthcoming from NASA •Launch of the NASA e‐Journal •2008 Annual Meeting Events •New Web Address •Correction
Society for Anthropological Sciences
Authors: Lyon Stephen
Published: May 2008

•SASci Annual Meeting •Member Gives Congressional Testimony •New Resources
Society for the Anthropology of North America
Authors: Hyatt Susan B
Published: May 2008

•Cubans Make a Home in South Georgia Jenna Andrews  •15th Annual SANA Prize
Society for the Anthropology of Religion
Authors: Selby Jennifer
Published: May 2008

•Ritual Transformation of Agency: NAASR Panel Report Jens Kreinath
Society for the Anthropology of Work
Authors: Jancius Angela
Published: May 2008

•Anthropologists Engaging Work Ann Kingsolver
Society for Latin American and Caribbean Anthropology
Authors: Caballero‐Arias Hortensia
Published: May 2008

•Annual Roseberry‐Nash Student Paper Award •JLACA Call for Papers
Society of Lesbian and Gay Anthropologists
Authors: Houston David L R
Published: May 2008

•Afterword: Books, Beliefs and Connections
Is Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Children With Vesicoureteral Reflux Effective in Preventing Pyelonephritis and Renal Scars? A Randomized, Controlled Trial
Authors: Pennesi Marco , Travan Laura , Peratoner Leopoldo , Bordugo Andrea , Cattaneo Adriano , Ronfani Luca , Minisini Silvia , Ventura Alessandro ,   for the North East Italy Prophylaxis in VUR study group
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVES. There has been intense discussion on the effectiveness of continuous antibiotic prophylaxis for children with vesicoureteral reflux, and randomized, controlled trials are still needed to determine the effectiveness of long-term antibiotics for the prevention of acute pyelonephritis. In this multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled trial, we tested the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis in preventing recurrence of pyelonephritis and avoiding new scars in a sample of children who were younger than 30 months and vesicoureteral reflux.

METHODS. One hundred patients with vesicoureteral reflux (grade II, III, or IV) diagnosed with cystourethrography after a first episode of acute pyelonephritis were randomly assigned to receive antibiotic prophylaxis with sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim or not for 2 years. The main outcome of the study was the recurrence of pyelonephritis during a follow-up period of 4 years. During follow-up, the patients were evaluated through repeated cystourethrographies, renal ultrasounds, and dimercaptosuccinic acid scans.

RESULTS. The baseline characteristics in the 2 study groups were similar. There were no differences in the risk for having at least 1 pyelonephritis episode between the intervention and control groups. At the end of follow-up, the presence of renal scars was the same in children with and without antibiotic prophylaxis.

CONCLUSIONS. Continuous antibiotic prophylaxis was ineffective in reducing the rate of pyelonephritis recurrence and the incidence of renal damage in children who were younger than 30 months and had vesicoureteral reflux grades II through IV.
Solution of the polynomial equation kp ′( z ) q ( z ) − lp ( z ) q ′( z ) = cpm ( z )
Authors: Sigray István
Published: May 2008

We give a combinatorial description of the solutions of the polynomial equation
kp
′(
x
)
q
(
x
) −
lp
(
x
)
q
′(
x
) =
cpm
(
x
). The equation is motivated by a result of Abhyankar about the Jacobian conjecture. The main technique is Hurwitz’s description of branched coverings.
On weighted approximation by lacunary polynomials on the rays emerging from the origin
Authors: Gao Zhiqiang , Deng Guantie
Published: May 2008

We obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for the lacunary polynomials to be dense in weighted Banach spaces of functions continuous on the rays emerging from the origin. This generalizes the solution to the classical Bernstein problem given by S. Izumi, T. Kawata and T. Hall.
Swamp Sublime: Ecologies of Resistance in the American Plantation Zone
Authors: Allewaert M.
Published: May 2008

I propose that William Bartram'sTravelsyields an ecological conception of revolution that alters theorizations of resistance in the eighteenth-century plantation zone. The entanglements that proliferated in the plantation zone disabled taxonomies distinguishing the human from the animal from the vegetable from the atmospheric, giving rise to an awareness of ecology. This ecological orientation departs from an eighteenth-century political and aesthetic tradition distinguishing persons—in particular white colonial subjects—from the objects and terrains they surveyed. In fact, Bartram's increasingly ecological orientation compromised his ability to function as a citizen-subject of print culture. Focusing on Anglo-European travelers and on African resistance, I argue that instead of simply producing subjects who gained power through an abstract and abstracting print culture, the plantation zone witnessed the emergence of agents who gained power from combining with ecological forces.
From Idiot Beast to Idiot Sublime: Mental Disability in John Cleland's Fanny Hill
Authors: Gabbard D. Christopher
Published: May 2008

This essay investigates an erotic encounter between the libertine Louisa and Good-natured Dick, foregrounding the way Dick's representation challenges early modern notions of idiocy as a fixed condition and Enlightenment assumptions (articulated in John Locke's Essay) that rationality and linguistic capability underwrite human superiority. Employing disability studies as a frame, it explores how cognitive impairment can serve as a device for elucidating the text's thematic preoccupation with valorizing signs and sensation over language and reason. David Mitchell and Sharon Snyder's concept of “narrative prosthesis” comes into play as the piece interrogates the passage's sublime rhetoric and allusion to the theriophilic paradox. References to discourses concerning animal soul (René Descartes and Pierre Gassendi), sign language (Johann Conrad Amman), medical understandings of the nerves and sensation (Thomas Willis), and setting species boundaries (Julien de La Mettrie) illustrate that the episode is a locus classicus of anti-Lockean epistemology, one pointing forward to the abbé de Condillac and Jean-Marc-Gaspard Itard (originator of special education).
Polyphony and the Atomic Age: Bakhtin's Assimilation of an Einsteinian Universe
Authors: Stone Jonathan
Published: May 2008

Mikhail Bakhtin described a novelistic world bound to the reader's point of view and perception of reality. Albert Einstein's theory of relativity justified Bakhtin's elevation of the reader to a central position in his theory of the novel. This essay examines Bakhtin's engagement with Einsteinian relativity in the context of two of his most influential contributions to critical discourse—polyphony and the chronotope. Originating in the 1920s, Bakhtin's notion of polyphony was initially an expression of his Kantian mind-set. When Bakhtin reworked his formulation of polyphony in 1963 (having already broached the topic of literary spaciotemporality with the chronotope), Einstein had replaced Kant as Bakhtin's guiding intellectual paradigm. In advocating a relativistic model to explicate the literary world, Bakhtin aligned centuries of novelistic tradition with a distinctly modern worldview. His use of the epistemological possibilities inaugurated by twentieth-century physics allowed him to interpret centuries-old texts with an insightfulness available only to a post-Einsteinian reader.
Secularism in the Framework of Heterodoxy
Authors: Yiswanathan Gauri
Published: May 2008

The rise of the religious right in societies around the world has brought back the contentious issue of religion's place in modern life. The secularization thesis is constantly invoked to explain the historical devaluation of religion's function in society (at least in the Protestant world) from normative to nominal as religion is relegated to the private space of individual belief. While the subject has engaged historians, sociologists, and religious scholars for a long time, yielding a vast and proliferating body of work (Asad; Berger; Casanova; Connolly; Taylor,Secular Age;Wilson), the field of literary studies has not witnessed a corresponding breadth of scholarship. This may be partly due to literature's self-definition as a secular vehicle for ideas whose possible religious origins were subsequently effaced as religious sensibility became absorbed into aesthetic form and imagery, especially in modernist writing. Contributing in no small measure to the perception that literature represents an outgrowth of secularism is Matthew Arnold's influential claim that literature succeeds a depleted Christianity and contains the moral values and direction once supplied by a religious ethos.
Stanniocalcin 2 expression is regulated by hormone signalling and negatively affects breast cancer cell viability in vitro
Authors: Raulic Sanda , Ramos-Valdes Yudith , DiMattia Gabriel E
Published: May 2008

Stanniocalcin 1 (STC1) and STC2 are secreted, homodimeric glycoproteins that share 30% amino acid sequence identity. Breast tumour gene profiling studies have demonstrated significantly upregulated STC2 expression in hormone-responsive positive breast tumours; therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate STC2 hormonal regulation and function in breast cancer cells. Here we report that STC2 is expressed in a number of human breast cancer cell lines, regardless of their oestrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) receptor status, and its expression is readily detectable in human and mouse mammary gland tumours. Besides E2, retinoic acid (RA) and P4 play an important role in the regulation of STC2 expression, not only in MCF-7 but also in other breast cancer and non-breast cell lines. The expression of the related hormone, STC1, is not affected by the above hormones in breast and endometrial cancer cell lines implying a fundamental difference in regulation in cancer cell lines. The induction of STC2 expression by E2 and RA occurs at the transcriptional level but through intermediary transcription factors. The STC2 proximal promoter region is not responsible for hormonal induction, but exhibits a high basal transcriptional activity. Constitutive STC2 expression in human breast cancer cell lines resulted in significant impairment of cell growth, migration and cell viability after serum withdrawal. In conclusion, STC2 is a downstream target of E2, P4 and RA signalling pathways. In hormone receptor negative cell lines it can function in a paracrine/autocrine fashion to reduce cell proliferation.
Sex differences in vascular function: implication of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor
Authors: Villar Inmaculada C , Hobbs Adrian J , Ahluwalia Amrita
Published: May 2008

The vascular endothelium plays a crucial role in the regulation of vascular homeostasis by controlling vascular tone, coagulation, and inflammatory responses. These actions are exerted by endothelial factors including nitric oxide, prostacyclin, and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). The greater incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in men and postmenopausal women compared with premenopausal women implies a vasoprotective phenotype of females, which may be influenced by sex hormones. These hormones, particularly estrogen, have modulatory effects on the endothelium and circulating cells that have been implicated in vascular inflammation and in the development of CVD. EDHF seems to be the predominant endothelial factor in the resistance vasculature of females and this mediator could afford the beneficial cardiovascular risk profile observed in premenopausal woman. In this review, we discuss sex differences in EDHF biology and how sex hormones can modulate EDHF responses. We also review the implication of sex hormone-dependent regulation of EDHF in inflammatory processes, platelet function, and repair after vascular damage, each of which have a critical role in several aspects of the pathogenesis of CVD.
Oestrogen-mediated cardioprotection following ischaemia and reperfusion is mimicked by an oestrogen receptor (ER)α agonist and unaffected by an ERβ antagonist
Authors: Jeanes Helen L , Tabor Caroline , Black Darcey , Ederveen Antwan , Gray Gillian A
Published: May 2008

Oestrogen protects the heart from ischaemic injury. The current study aims to characterise two novel oestrogen receptor (ER) ligands, an ERα agonist ERA-45 and an ERβ antagonist ERB-88, and then use them to investigate the roles of ERα and ERβ in mediating the cardioprotection by E from ischaemia–reperfusion injury in the rat. The ER ligands were characterised by gene transactivation assay using ER-transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and in bioavailability studies in vivo. Female rats (n=48) were ovariectomised and implanted with 17β-oestradiol (17βE2) releasing or placebo pellets. ERA-45, ERB-88 or vehicle was administered for 5 days prior to ischaemia–reperfusion studies. Necrosis, neutrophil infiltration (myeloperoxidase activity) and oxidant stress production (electron paramagnetic resonance) from the area-at-risk were measured to assess reperfusion injury. The ERα agonist ERA-45 showed more than 35-fold selectivity for ERα compared with ERβ gene transactivation. In vitro, the ERβ antagonist ERB-88 inhibited transactivation by 17βE2 via ERβ with 46-fold selectivity relative to inhibition via ERα. In vivo, 17βE2 significantly reduced neutrophil infiltration, oxidant stress and necrosis following ischaemia and reperfusion. Cardioprotection by 17βE2 was not inhibited by ERB-88 but was completely reproduced by ERA-45. In conclusion, protection of the rat heart after ischaemia–reperfusion by 17βE2 is achieved through the reduction of cardiomyocyte death, neutrophil infiltration and oxygen-free radical availability.The results of this study indicate that these effects are primarily mediated via activation of ERα.
Regulation of electrolyte transport across cultured endometrial epithelial cells by prolactin
Authors: Deachapunya Chatsri , Poonyachoti Sutthasinee , Krishnamra Nateetip
Published: May 2008

The effect of prolactin (PRL) on ion transport across the porcine glandular endometrial epithelial cells was studied in primary cell culture using the short-circuit current technique. Addition of 1 μg/ml PRL either to the apical solution or to the basolateral solution produced a peak followed by a sustained increase in Isc, but with a lesser response when PRL was added apically. Basolateral addition of PRL increased the Isc in a concentration-dependent manner with a maximum effect at 1 μg/ml and an effective concentration value of 120 ng/ml. The PRL-stimulated Isc was significantly reduced by pretreatment with an apical addition of 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid (200 μM), diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid (1 mM) or 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (200 μM), Cl− channel blockers, but not by amiloride (10 μM), a Na+ channel blocker. In addition, pretreatment with bumetanide (200 μM), a Na+–K+–2Cl− cotransporter inhibitor, in the basolateral solution significantly reduced the PRL-stimulated Isc. Replacement of Cl− or in the bathing solutions also decreased the Isc response to PRL. Pretreatment of the monolayer with AG490 (50 μM), an inhibitor of JAK2 activity significantly inhibited the PRL-induced increase in Isc. Western blot analysis of the porcine endometrial epithelial cells revealed the presence of short isoform of PRL receptor (PRLR-S) that could be regulated by 17β-estradiol. The results of this investigation showed that PRL acutely stimulated anion secretion across the porcine endometrial epithelial cells possibly through PRLR-S present in both apical and basolateral membranes. The PRL response appeared to be mediated by the JAK2-dependent pathway.
Home garden coffee as a repository of epiphyte biodiversity in Ethiopia
Authors: Hylander Kristoffer , Nemomissa Sileshi
Published: May 2008

To mitigate extinction of tropical forest biota, it is becoming increasingly important to focus on the role of agriculture‐dominated landscapes in preserving biodiversity. Previous studies have focused on the importance of native trees for improving forest species conservation in the agroecological matrix, but we show that a cultivated crop (coffee) may also be important. In Ethiopia, coffee's place of origin, home garden coffee shrubs functioned as a substrate for a large number of epiphytic rainforest bryophytes and vascular plants and were of the same or higher importance in terms of harboring forest biota than shade trees in the same system. Our results highlight the potential for shade‐coffee agroecosystems to serve as a conservation and restoration tool for both tree and shrub‐layer biodiversity in densely populated and heavily deforested regions.
Age, Education, and the Gender Gap in the Sense of Control
Authors: Slagsvold Britt , SØrensen Annemette
Published: May 2008

High sense of control is related to benefits in many aspects of life, and education is known to be strongly related to sense of control. In this article we explore why women tend to feel a lower sense of control than men, and why the sense of control tends to be lower among the elderly than among younger people. In particular we explore the role played by education in explaining age- and gender differences in sense of control. The analysis is based on data from the first wave of the Norwegian NorLAG study, with a representative sample of adults aged 40–79 in 30 municipalities. We find that education accounts for some of the age and gender differences in sense of control, but the mediating effects of education are rather modest. We find an increasing gender gap in sense of control with age, and this increasing gap is completely explained by differences in education. Gender differences in sense of control is explained completely by four factors, which are related to resources and power; physical health, education, living with a partner, and leadership experience. Age differences in sense of control are only partially explained. Education, physical health and employment status cuts the age effect on sense of control to half. The effect of education on sense of control is partly mediated through what we suggest are tangible benefits of education, namely health, employment, and leadership experience. Education also influences individuals through socialization mechanisms. We view agentive orientation as a psychological benefit of education, and measure this characteristic with Bem's (1981) sex-role scale on masculinity. Agentive orientation completely explains the remaining effect of education on sense of control.
Species of Aphis inhabiting European Oenothera: their biology, morphology and systematics (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Authors: Rakauskas Rimantas
Published: May 2008

Information on the Aphis species that feed on evening primroses (Oenothera spp.) has been summarized in the catalogue of the aphid species inhabiting herbaceous plants of the world (Blackman & Eastop, 2006). Recent descriptions of the European species, A. holoenotherae (Rakauskas, 2007), that appeared to be a sibling of the American A. oenotherae, demonstrated the need of reexamining the current state of knowledge of the Aphis species inhabiting evening primroses in Europe. The present study, based on published original data, revealed nine aphid species of the genus Aphis which are capable of living on Oenothera plants in Europe. Only two of them are really dependent on Oenothera species during their life cycle: A. oenotherae Oestlund and A. holoenotherae Rakauskas. They have different life cycles and host plant spectrum, although they are very close in their morphology. Processus terminalis length appeared to be the most reliable morphological character in distinguishing between apterous and alate viviparous females, and males of A. oenotherae and A. holoenotherae at the present time. A. grossulariae is not a typical Oenothera-feeder in Europe, occurring on evening primroses only by chance. Other Aphis species (epilobiaria, fabae, sambuci, praeterita, frangulae, nasturtii), are opportunistic inhabitants of Oenothera plants. Information about host specificity and morphology of the Oenothera-inhabiting European Aphis species is summarized, and a key for the entire range of species found living on European Oenothera is provided.
An Approach to Optimization of an Enterprise's Activity
Authors: Gomółka Zdzisław
Published: May 2008

An Approach to Optimization of an Enterprise's Activity

The paper presents an approach to optimization of an enterprise's activity based on cybernetics and the theory of systems. The method proposed is based on the model describing optimum activity of an enterprise in a changing environment. The method assumes identification of the immanent objective of an enterprise's activity and conditions of this activity, as well as definition of the objective function in the form of optimisation criteria. The model facilitates proper identification of problems related to activity of an enterprise, their hierarchisation and evaluation as well as coordination of the optimisation ventures.