bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Marine Gas Hydrates and Associated Free Gas Distribution Offshore Uruguay
Authors: Tomasini Juan , de Santa Ana Héctor , Conti Bruno , Ferro Santiago , Gristo Pablo , Marmisolle Josefina , Morales Ethel , Rodriguez Pablo , Soto Matías , Veroslavsky Gerardo
Published: October 2011

Natural gas hydrates are crystalline solids formed by natural gas (mainly methane) and water that are stable under thermobaric conditions of high pressure and low temperature. Methane hydrate is found in polar areas of permafrost and in offshore basins of continental margins. These accumulations may represent an enormous source of methane. Based on global estimations of methane concentration in natural gas hydrates, the methane content may be several times greater than those of technically recoverable, conventional natural gas resources. In the continental margin of Uruguay, seismic evidence for the occurrence of gas hydrate is based on the presence of (bottom simulating reflectors) BSRs in 2D seismic reflection sections. Here we present results regarding gas hydrates and associated free gas distribution assessment offshore Uruguay, based on BSR mapping and applying a probabilistic approach. A mean value of 25,890 km2 for the area of occurrence shows a great potential for this nonconventional resource, encouraging further research.
The Combined Effect of Electrical Stimulation and High‐Load Isometric Contraction on Protein Degradation Pathways in Muscle Atrophy Induced by Hindlimb Unloading
Authors: Fujita Naoto , Murakami Shinichiro , Fujino Hidemi
Published: October 2011

High‐load isometric exercise is considered an effective countermeasure against muscle atrophy, but therapeutic electrical stimulation for muscle atrophy is often performed without loading. In the present study, we investigated the combined effectiveness of electrical stimulation and high‐load isometric contraction in preventing muscle atrophy induced by hindlimb unloading. Electrical stimulation without loading resulted in slight attenuation of muscle atrophy. Moreover, combining electrical stimulation with high‐load isometric contraction enhanced this effect. In electrical stimulation without loading, inhibition of the overexpression of calpain 1, calpain 2, and MuRF‐1 mRNA was confirmed. On the other hand, in electrical stimulation with high‐load isometric contraction, inhibition of the overexpression of cathepsin L and atrogin‐1 mRNA in addition to calpain 1, calpain 2, and MuRF‐1 mRNA was confirmed. These findings suggest that the combination of electrical stimulation and high‐load isometric contraction is effective as a countermeasure against muscle atrophy.
Safety Evaluation of EXPAREL (DepoFoam Bupivacaine) Administered by Repeated Subcutaneous Injection in Rabbits and Dogs: Species Comparison
Authors: Richard Brigitte M. , Rickert Douglas E. , Newton Paul E. , Ott Laura R. , Haan Dean , Brubaker Abram N. , Cole Phaedra I. , Ross Paul E. , Rebelatto Marlon C. , Nelson Keith G.
Published: October 2011

EXPAREL (bupivacaine extended-release liposome injection), DepoFoam bupivacaine, is in development for prolonged postsurgical analgesia. Repeat-dose toxicity studies were conducted in rabbits and dogs to compare the potential local and systemic toxicities of EXPAREL and bupivacaine HCl (Bsol), and the reversibility of any effects. Dogs tolerated much larger doses than rabbits. EXPAREL-related minimal-to-moderate granulomatous inflammation was noted at the injection sites. In recovery animals, the granulomatous inflammation was observed less frequently and was characterized by an increased number of multinucleated giant cells. These effects were considered a normal response to liposomes and nonadverse. Rabbits are more sensitive than dogs. In rabbits, convulsions were noted with EXPAREL and more frequently with Bsol; a NOAEL was not identified. In dogs, EXPAREL was well tolerated (NOAEL > 30 mg/kg/dose). The cumulative exposure of EXPAREL in these studies is well in excess of the proposed maximum single-dose exposure that is intended in humans.
Uterine Carcinosarcomas (Malignant Mixed Müllerian Tumours): A Review with Special Emphasis on the Controversies in Management
Authors: Kanthan Rani , Senger Jenna-Lynn
Published: October 2011

Uterine carcinosarcomas (MMMT—malignant mixed Müllerian tumours) are highly aggressive, rare, biphasic tumours composed of epithelial and mesenchymal elements believed to arise from a monoclonal origin. While hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy remains the mainstay treatment, high rates of recurrence and metastases suggest a need for lymphadenectomy and postoperative adjuvant treatment. There are no established consensus guidelines for therapeutic patient management. Though well recognized that it improves locoregional control, the role of radiation in improving overall survival outcomes remains undecided. Although various combinations of chemotherapy have been explored, an optimal therapeutic modality is yet to be determined. As overall survival rates have not improved in thirty years, it is suggested that targeted chemotherapy and/or a multimodality approach may yield better outcomes. This paper provides a summary of the aetiopathogenesis of carcinosarcomas (MMMT) limited to the uterus with special emphasis on the controversies in the management of these patients.
A Topological Approach to Bend‐Twist Maps with Applications
Authors: Pascoletti Anna , Zanolin Fabio
Published: October 2011

In this paper we reconsider, in a purely topological framework, the concept of bend‐twist map previously studied in the analytic setting by Tongren Ding in (2007). We obtain some results about the existence and multiplicity of fixed points which are related to the classical Poincaré‐Birkhoff twist theorem for area‐preserving maps of the annulus; however, in our approach, like in Ding (2007), we do not require measure‐preserving conditions. This makes our theorems in principle applicable to nonconservative planar systems. Some of our results are also stable for small perturbations. Possible applications of the fixed point theorems for topological bend‐twist maps are outlined in the last section.
Hypersensitivity Reaction to a Mosquito Bite in a Patient with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Dior Uri P. , Salameh Shaden , Gershinsky Yonatan , Stalnikowicz Ruth
Published: October 2011

A twenty-one-year-old male patient with an exaggerated hypersensitivity reaction to a mosquito bite presented to the department of emergency medicine for further evaluation. He was noted on physical examination to have splenomegaly. The hematological blood tests that were performed were compatible with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In this case, the mosquito bite heralded the diagnosis of CML.
Arsenic-Induced Pancreatitis
Authors: Connelly Sean , Zancosky Krysia , Farah Katie
Published: October 2011

The introduction of all-transretinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide has brought about tremendous advancement in the treatment of acute promyelocytic myelogenous leukemia (APML). In most instances, the benefits of these treatments outweigh the risks associated with their respective safety profiles. Although acute pancreatitis is not commonly associated with arsenic toxicity, it should be considered as a possible side effect. We report a case of arsenic-induced pancreatitis in a patient with APML.
Catheter Fracture and Embolization Related to an Arm Venous Port
Authors: Burbridge Brent E.
Published: October 2011

This 55-year-old female had a chest X-ray during a follow-up visit for the management of her breast cancer. The chest X-ray demonstrated an embolized venous catheter superimposed upon the mediastinum. It was determined that the catheter of the patient's arm port had fractured and embolized to the pulmonary circulation. The catheter was retrieved, in the interventional radiology suite, under fluoroscopic guidance. The patient suffered no ill effects. Subsequently, one day later, the old vein port was removed and a new arm port and associated catheter were implanted to facilitate the delivery of the patient's ongoing chemotherapy.
Implications of the Global Financial Crisis for China: A Dynamic CGE Analysis to 2020
Authors: Strutt Anna , Walmsley Terrie
Published: October 2011

The global financial crisis resulted in a significant downturn in the global economy, with impacts felt throughout the world. In this paper, we use a dynamic global general equilibrium model to explore the longer‐term impacts of the financial crisis, with a particular focus on China. The economies of most countries suffered to some extent, with the extent of declines in the long run likely to depend on the extent to which investment declines. Our results suggest that overall the financial crisis leads to international trade falling by approximately 14 percent from the 2020 baseline level. Within this, the composition of trade changes, particularly reflecting changes in demand for construction of investment goods and increasing longer‐term demand from economies like China. We also briefly consider the impact of a more protracted recovery from the crisis, which has even more significant impacts on the global economy.
Induction of Virus‐Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes as a Basis for the Development of Broadly Protective Influenza Vaccines
Authors: Hillaire Marine L. B. , Osterhaus Albert D. M. E. , Rimmelzwaan Guus F.
Published: October 2011

There is considerable interest in the development of broadly protective influenza vaccines because of the continuous emergence of antigenic drift variants of seasonal influenza viruses and the threat posed by the emergence of antigenically distinct pandemic influenza viruses. It has been recognized more than three decades ago that influenza A virus‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes recognize epitopes located in the relatively conserved proteins like the nucleoprotein and that they cross‐react with various subtypes of influenza A viruses. This implies that these CD8+ T lymphocytes may contribute to protective heterosubtypic immunity induced by antecedent influenza A virus infections. In the present paper, we review the evidence for the role of virus‐specific CD8+ T lymphocytes in protective immunity against influenza virus infections and discuss vaccination strategies that aim at the induction of cross‐reactive virus‐specific T‐cell responses.
Structural and Optical Characteristics ofγ-In2Se3Nanorods Grown on Si Substrates
Authors: Yang M. D. , Hu C. H. , Tong S. C. , Shen J. L. , Lan S. M. , Wu C. H. , Lin T. Y.
Published: October 2011

This study attempted to grow single-phaseγ-In2Se3nanorods on Si (111) substrates by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) confirmed that the In2Se3nanorods are singularly crystallized in theγphase. The photoluminescence ofγ-In2Se3nanorods at 15 K was referred to as free and bound exciton emissions. The bandgap energy ofγ-In2Se3nanorods at room temperature was determined to be~1.99 eV, obtained from optical absorption.
Evaluation of Wedged Arterial Injection as a New Technique for Delivery of Experimental Therapeutic Sustances into the Porcine Pancreas
Authors: Latorre Rafael , Hernández Wendy , Sun Fei , Sánchez-Margallo Francisco , Gil Francisco , López-Albors Octavio , Vázquez Jose M. , Usón Jesús
Published: October 2011

Objectives. To prospectively evaluate the technical feasibility and efficacy of wedged arterial injection (WAI) as a potential route for experimental selective therapy to the pancreas of healthy pigs.Materials and Methods. Selective angiographies were completed in ten pigs under general anaesthesia. By superselective angiography, the catheter was inserted and wedged into the major pancreatic artery, blocking the blood flow. In order to evaluate the efficacy of the WAI method, a DNA-specific fluorescent dye (Hoechst 33258) was used.Results. Histological study revealed a uniform distribution of the fluorescent dye within the nuclei of the endocrine and exocrine pancreatic cells. Pancreatic and liver enzymes as well as histopathology of the pancreas were normal.Conclusion. WAI is a highly effective minimally invasive methodology to target the porcine pancreas. The findings suggest that WAI may contribute to developing preclinical assays of pancreas gene or cell-transfer therapies in swine model.
Postnatal Corticosteroids for Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Lung Disease in the Preterm Newborn
Authors: Gupta Sachin , Prasanth Kaninghat , Chen Chung-Ming , Yeh Tsu F.
Published: October 2011

Despite significant progress in the treatment of preterm neonates, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) continues to be a major cause of neonatal morbidity. Affected infants suffered from long-term pulmonary and nonpulmonary sequel. The pulmonary sequels include reactive airway disease and asthma during childhood and adolescence. Nonpulmonary sequels include poor coordination and muscle tone, difficulty in walking, vision and hearing problems, delayed cognitive development, and poor academic achievement. As inflammation seems to be a primary mediator of injury in pathogenesis of BPD, role of steroids as antiinflammatory agent has been extensively studied and proven to be efficacious in management. However, evidence is insufficient to make a recommendation regarding other glucocorticoid doses and preparations. Numerous studies have been performed to investigate the effects of steroid. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate these studies in order to elucidate the beneficial and harmful effects of steroid on the prevention and treatment of BPD.
Spinal Cord Stimulation: The Clinical Application of New Technology
Authors: Hegarty Dominic
Published: October 2011

The use of neuromodulation for pain relief is among the fastest-growing areas of medicine, involving many diverse specialties and impacting on hundreds of thousands of patients with numerous disorders worldwide. As the evidence of efficacy improves, the interest in spinal cord stimulation (SCS) will increase because it is minimally invasive, safe, and a reversible treatment modality with limited side effect profile. While the mechanism of action evades complete understanding, the technological improvements have been considerable and current neuromodulation developments have been coupled with the rapid growth of the neuromodulation device industry resulting in the development of the next-generation neuromodulation systems. The development, the newest technicaliti and the future for the clinical application of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) are reviewed here.
Glycosaminoglycan Storage Disorders: A Review
Authors: Coutinho Maria Francisca , Lacerda Lúcia , Alves Sandra
Published: October 2011

Impaired degradation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) with consequent intralysosomal accumulation of undegraded products causes a group of lysosomal storage disorders known as mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs). Characteristically, MPSs are recognized by increased excretion in urine of partially degraded GAGs which ultimately result in progressive cell, tissue, and organ dysfunction. There are eleven different enzymes involved in the stepwise degradation of GAGs. Deficiencies in each of those enzymes result in seven different MPSs, all sharing a series of clinical features, though in variable degrees. Usually MPS are characterized by a chronic and progressive course, with different degrees of severity. Typical symptoms include organomegaly, dysostosis multiplex, and coarse facies. Central nervous system, hearing, vision, and cardiovascular function may also be affected. Here, we provide an overview of the molecular basis, enzymatic defects, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of each MPS, focusing also on the available animal models and describing potential perspectives of therapy for each one.
Understanding the Dual Nature of CD44 in Breast Cancer Progression
Authors: Louderbough Jeanne M.V. , Schroeder Joyce A.
Published: October 2011

CD44 has been the subject of extensive research for more than 3 decades because of its role in breast cancer, in addition to many physiological processes, but interestingly, conflicting data implicate CD44 in both tumor suppression and tumor promotion. CD44 has been shown to promote protumorigenic signaling and advance the metastatic cascade. On the other hand, CD44 has been shown to suppress growth and metastasis. Histopathological studies of human breast cancer have correlated CD44 expression with both favorable and unfavorable clinical outcomes. In recent years, CD44 has garnered significant attention because of its utility as a stem cell marker and has surfaced as a potential therapeutic target, necessitating a greater understanding of CD44 in breast cancer. In this review, we attempt to unify the literature implicating CD44 in both tumor promotion and suppression, and explain its dualistic nature. Mol Cancer Res; 9(12); 1573–86. ©2011 AACR.
Mapping of IgE and IgG4 Antibody-Binding Epitopes in Cyn d 1, the Major Allergen of Bermuda Grass Pollen
Authors: Yuan Han-Chih , Wu Keh-Gong , Chen Chun-Jen , Su Song-Nan , Shen Horng-Der , Chen Yann-Jang , Peng Ho-Jen
Published: October 2011

Background: Bermuda grass pollen (BGP) is an important seasonal aeroallergen worldwide which induces allergic disorders such as allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and asthma. Cyn d 1 is the major allergen of BGP. This study is aimed to map human IgE and IgG4 antibody-binding sequential epitopes on Cyn d 1 by dot immunoblotting. Methods: Synthetic peptides (10-mers; 5 overlapping residues) spanning the full length of Cyn d 1 were used for dot immunoblotting to map human IgE and IgG1–4 antibody-binding regions with sera from BGP-allergic patients. Synthetic peptides with more overlapping residues were used for further mapping. Essential amino acids in each epitope were examined by single amino acid substitution with alanine. Peptides with sequence polymorphism of epitopes of Cyn d 1 were also synthesized to extrapolate their differences in binding capability. Results: Four major IgE-binding epitopes (peptides 15–1, 21, 33–2 and 35+1, corresponding to amino acids 70–79, 101–110, 159–167 and 172–181) and 5 major IgG4-binding epitopes (peptides 15–1, 30–2, 33–2, 35+1 and 39, corresponding to amino acids 70–79, 144–153, 159–167, 172–181 and 192–200) were identified. They are all located on the surface of the simulated Cyn d 1 molecule, and three of them are major epitopes for both IgE and IgG4. Their critical amino acids were all characterized. Major epitopes for human IgG1 to IgG4 are almost identical. Conclusions: This is the first study to map the sequential epitopes for human IgE and IgG4 subclasses in Cyn d 1. It will be helpful for future development in immunotherapy and diagnosis.
Diagnostic Value of the Serum-Specific IgE Ratio of ω-5 Gliadin to Wheat in Adult Patients with Wheat-Induced Anaphylaxis
Authors: Park Han-Jung , Kim Joo-Hee , Kim Jeong-Eun , Jin Hyun-Jung , Choi Gil-Soon , Ye Young-Min , Park Hae-Sim
Published: October 2011

Background: Wheat is an important food allergen associated with severe allergic reactions, including wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA) and wheat-induced anaphylaxis (WIA). To diagnose WDEIA, an exercise challenge test following wheat ingestion is performed, which is time-consuming and unsafe. The compound ω-5 gliadin has been identified as a major allergen for WDEIA and WIA. We evaluated the diagnostic value of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) ratios of ω-5 gliadin to wheat in adult patients with WDEIA or WIA. Methods: In total, 27 patients were enrolled and classified into 2 groups according to the severity of their allergic reactions to wheat. Serum IgE, specific to wheat and ω-5 gliadin, was measured using the ImmunoCAP system. To evaluate the diagnostic value, receiver operator characteristic curves were produced. Results: Group 1 included 17 patients with a history of anaphylaxis and group 2 included 10 patients having urticaria or atopic dermatitis. Serum IgE specific to wheat was increased in 47% of group 1 and 100% of group 2. However, all patients in group 1 had high serum IgE specific to ω-5 gliadin, whereas only 20% of group 2 showed increased levels. To identify a better diagnostic value, the log-transformed IgE ratio of ω-5 gliadin to wheat was calculated, with the cutoff value at 0.3. Based on these criteria, we found 100% sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions: This study confirms that the serum IgE ratio of ω-5 gliadin to wheat may be a useful marker for the diagnosis of WDEIA and WIA.
Potential Role of Antioxidant Food Supplements, Preservatives and Colorants in the Pathogenesis of Allergy and Asthma
Authors: Zaknun Daniela , Schroecksnadel Sebastian , Kurz Katharina , Fuchs Dietmar
Published: October 2011

A significant increase in the incidence of allergy and asthma has been observed during the past decades. The background of this phenomenon has not been well explained, but changes in lifestyle and habits are heavily discussed as contributing factors. Among these is a too clean environment, which may predispose individuals to increased sensitivity to allergic responses. Also the increase in dietary supplements including preservatives and colorants may contribute to this. In vitro, we and others have shown in freshly isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells that antioxidant compounds like vitamins C and E as well as food preservatives and colorants exert significant suppressive effects on the Th1 immune activation cascade. The effects observed may be based on the interaction of antioxidant compounds with proinflammatory cascades involving important signal transduction elements such as nuclear factor-ĸB. Although only obtained in vitro, these results show an anti-inflammatory property of compounds which could shift the Th1-Th2-type immune balance towards Th2-type immunity. This review article discusses the potential role of increased use of antioxidant food supplements as well as preservatives and colorants in the increase in allergy and asthma in the Western world.
Determination of Histamine in Microdialysis Samples from Guinea Pig Skin by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection
Authors: Yoshitake T. , Ijiri S. , Yoshitake S. , Todoroki K. , Yoshida H. , Kehr J. , Nohta H. , Yamaguchi M.
Published: October 2011

Aim: To develop a sensitive and selective liquid-chromatographic method for the determination of histamine in microdialysis samples from guinea pig skin following allergenic provocation. Methods: The novel fluorescence derivatization method is based on an intramolecular excimer-forming reaction between 2 amino moieties of histamine and 2 molecules of 4-(1-pyrene)butanoyl chloride (PBC) yielding the corresponding dipyrene-labeled derivative. Results: The PBC derivative of histamine was separated within 20 min, and the detection limit (signal-to-noise ratio = 3) of histamine was 0.6 fmol/20 µl volume injected. The basal extracellular levels of histamine in guinea pig skin microdialysates were 20.6 ± 1.7 fmol/10 µl. Subcutaneous administration of histamine liberator compound 48/80 (3 mg/kg) increased the extracellular histamine levels in the skin dialysates by about 860%, whereas ovalbumin challenge (2 mg/kg i.v.) in the sensitized guinea pigs increased the extracellular histamine levels by about 3,030%. Conclusion: The novel technique for histamine determination in microdialysis samples from the guinea pig skin may be utilized in preclinical research of antihistaminergic drugs and evaluation of allergenic properties of various dermal preparations such as transdermal drug delivery systems.
Reduction of Erosive Wear in situ by Stannous Fluoride-Containing Toothpaste
Authors: Huysmans M.C.D.N.J.M. , Jager D.H.J. , Ruben J.L. , Unk D.E.M.F. , Klijn C.P.A.H. , Vieira A.M.
Published: October 2011

Background/Aims: Stannous fluoride (SnF) has been suggested as a dental erosion-preventive agent. The aim of this single-centre, randomized, double-blind, in situ study was to evaluate the effect of toothpastes with SnF in the prevention of erosive enamel wear. Methods: A combined split-mouth (extra-oral water or toothpaste brushing) and crossover (type of toothpaste) set-up was used. Twelve volunteers wore palatal appliances containing human enamel samples. Three toothpastes were used, in three consecutive runs, in randomized order: two toothpastes containing SnF (coded M and PE) and one toothpaste containing only sodium fluoride (coded C). On day 1 of each run the appliances were worn for pellicle formation. On days 2–5 the samples were also brushed twice with a toothpaste-water slurry or only water (control). Erosion took place on days 2–5 extra-orally 3 times a day (5 min) in a citric acid solution (pH 2.3). Enamel wear depth was quantified by optical profilometry. The effect of toothpastes was tested using General Linear Modeling. Results: Average erosive wear depth of control samples was 23 µm. Both SnF toothpastes significantly reduced erosive wear: M by 34% (SD 39%) and PE by 26% (SD 25%). The control toothpaste reduced erosive wear non-significantly by 7% (SD 20%). Both SnF-containing toothpastes significantly reduced erosive wear compared to the sodium fluoride toothpaste. Conclusion: We conclude that SnF-containing toothpastes are able to reduce erosive tooth wear in situ.
Effect of Thymol on Ca2+ Homeostasis and Viability in MG63 Human Osteosarcoma Cells
Authors: Chang Hong-Tai , Hsu Shu-Shong , Chou Chiang-Ting , Cheng Jin-Shiung , Wang Jue-Long , Lin Ko-Long , Fang Yi-Chien , Chen Wei-Chuan , Chien Jau-Min , Lu Ti , Pan Chih-Chuan , Cheng He-Hsiung , Huang Jong-Khing , Kuo Chun-Chi , Chai Kuo-Liang , Jan Chung-Ren
Published: October 2011

Aims: The effect of the natural product thymol on cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and viability in MG63 human osteosarcoma cells was examined. Methods: The Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2 was applied to measure [Ca2+]i. Results: Thymol at concentrations of 200–1,000 µmol/l induced a [Ca2+]i rise in a concentration-dependent fashion. The response was decreased partially by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Thymol-induced Ca2+ entry was inhibited by nifedipine, econazole, SK&F96365 and protein kinase C modulators. When extracellular Ca2+ was removed, incubation with the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor thapsigargin or 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone (BHQ) inhibited the thymol-induced [Ca2+]i rise. Incubation with thymol also inhibited the thapsigargin or BHQ-induced [Ca2+]i rise. Inhibition of phospholipase C with U73122 abolished the thymol-induced [Ca2+]i rise. At concentrations of 100–600 µmol/l, thymol killed cells in a concentration-dependent manner. This cytotoxic effect was not changed by chelating cytosolic Ca2+ with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid/AM. Annexin V/propidium iodide staining data suggest that thymol (200 and 400 µmol/l) induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Thymol (200 and 400 µmol/l) also increased levels of reactive oxygen species. Conclusions: In MG63 cells, thymol induced a [Ca2+]i rise by inducing phospholipase C-dependent Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum and Ca2+ entry via protein kinase C-sensitive store-operated Ca2+ channels. Thymol induced cell death that may involve apoptosis via mitochondrial pathways.
Diagnosis and Endoscopic Management of Sinonasal Schwannomas
Authors: Suh Jeffrey D. , Ramakrishnan Vijay R. , Zhang Paul J. , Wu Arthur W. , Wang Marilene B. , Palmer James N. , Chiu Alexander G.
Published: October 2011

Aims: Survey the clinical symptoms, radiological features, management, and long-term outcomes of sinonasal and anterior skull base schwannomas. Patients and Methods: Retrospective review of patients with sinonasal schwannomas treated from June 2001 through January 2010 at two academic institutions. Results: There were 4 women and 3 men in this study. The mean age was 46 years (range 17–68). The mean tumor size was 2.4 cm (range 1.4–3.8 cm). Tumor locations included ethmoid sinuses (3), nasal cavity (2) and pterygopalatine fossa (2). Six patients had endoscopic resections, while 1 was approached and resected via a lateral rhinotomy. The mean follow-up was 2.8 years. There were no tumor recurrences during the study period. Conclusions: Schwannomas of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity are uncommon tumors that can usually present with vague and nonspecific symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging can suggest the diagnosis; however, a definitive diagnosis is made by correlation with histopathological findings. Treatment is complete surgical resection. This study illustrates the effectiveness of the endoscopic endonasal approach in the treatment of these benign tumors.
Decreased Expression of EBI3 and Foxp3 in CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T Cells in Murine Experimental Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Ouyang Yuhui , Nakao Atsuhito , Fan Erzhong , Li Ying , Zhao Liping , Zhang Wei , Han Demin , Zhang Luo
Published: October 2011

Background: Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3 (EBI3) is a widely expressed interleukin-12-related protein that plays a critical role in the regulation of effector T cells and inflammatory responses. Methods: Allergic rhinitis (AR) was induced in mice by both intraperitoneal injection and intranasal administration of ovalbumin. By using immunohistochemical techniques, we investigated EBI3 expression in mouse spleens. The expressions of EBI3 and forkhead transcription factor 3 (Foxp3) in CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells isolated from spleens were assessed by flow cytometry. RNA extraction and RT-PCR were used to measure EBI3 and Foxp3 mRNA expression. Results: EBI3 and Foxp3 were expressed mainly in the white pulp of the spleens. Flow cytometry analysis showed that EBI3 and Foxp3 coexpressed in mouse CD4+CD25+ Treg cells. Furthermore, RT-PCR and flow cytometry analysis showed that expression of both Foxp3 and EBI3 was reduced in CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in an AR mouse model compared with controls, but there was no difference in the frequency of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells. Conclusions: The deficiency in CD4+CD25+ Treg cell suppressive activity in AR is associated with the molecular mediators EBI3 and Foxp3.
Depressive Symptoms in Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia: A One-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Fritze Friederike , Ehrt Uwe , Hortobagyi Tibor , Ballard Clive , Aarsland Dag
Published: October 2011

Objective: To explore the course of depression in people with mild dementia and identify predictors for depression at 1-year follow-up. Methods: Patients with mild dementia (n = 199) were assessed using Montgomery and Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the depression item from Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) at baseline and after 1 year. A score above 6 on MADRS indicates at least mild depression. Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of change in depression scores. Results: Among subjects with depression at baseline, 68.1% remained depressed at follow-up, whereas 31.9% had remitted, based on MADRS. Among patients without depression at baseline, 77.1% remained non-depressed at follow-up, whereas 22.9% had incident depression. The proportion with persistent depression was higher in the combined dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)/Parkinson’s disease with dementia (PDD) group (45.5%) compared to AD (28%) (p < 0.05). Greater decline on the Mini Mental State Examination (p < 0.001) and higher baseline MADRS score (p < 0.001) were significant predictors of increased MADRS score. Conclusion: Two thirds of patients with depression at baseline were still depressed at follow-up, more so in DLB with PDD compared to AD. Cognitive decline was associated with worsening of depressive symptoms.
Prognostic Implications of Creatine Kinase-MB Elevation After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Lindsey Jason B. , Kennedy Kevin F. , Stolker Joshua M. , Gilchrist Ian C. , Mukherjee Debabrata , Marso Steven P. , Pencina Michael J. , Kleiman Neal S. , Cohen David J.
Published: October 2011

Background—

Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) elevation after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been associated with increased risk for mortality. Although most studies have defined periprocedural myocardial infarction (pMI) as an elevation in CK-MB >3× upper limit of normal (ULN), use of different CK-MB assays and variation in site-specific definitions of the ULN may limit the value of such relative thresholds.

Methods and Results—

We used data from the multicenter Evaluation of Drug-Eluting Stents and Ischemic Events (EVENT) registry to examine the impact of variations in site-specific thresholds for CK-MB elevation on the incidence of pMI as well as the relationship between absolute peak levels of CK-MB after PCI and 1-year mortality. The study cohort consisted of 6347 patients who underwent nonemergent PCI and had normal CK-MB at baseline. Across the 59 study centers, the ULN for CK-MB ranged from 2.6 to 10.4 ng/mL (median, 5.0 ng/mL), and there was an inverse relationship between the site-specific ULN and the incidence of pMI (defined as CK-MB elevation >3× ULN). Although any postprocedure elevation of CK-MB was associated with an adverse prognosis, in categorical analyses, only CK-MB ≥50 ng/mL was independently associated with increased 1-year mortality (hazard ratio, 4.71; 95% confidence interval, 2.42 to 9.13;
P
<0.001). Spline analysis using peak CK-MB as a continuous variable suggested a graded, nonlinear relationship with 1-year mortality, with an inflection point at ≈30 ng/mL.

Conclusions—

Among unselected patients undergoing PCI, there is a graded relationship between CK-MB elevation after PCI and 1-year mortality that is particularly strong for large CK-MB elevations (>30 to 50 ng/mL). Future studies that include pMI as a clinical end point should consider using a core laboratory to assess CK-MB (to ensure consistency) and raising the threshold for defining pMI above current levels (to enhance clinical relevance).
Moses Through New Testament Spectacles
Authors: Hay David M.
Published: October 2011

In the New Testament treatment of Moses, the early church affirmed its continuity with him and therefore with the Jewish community of which he was the leader, a continuity which offers a basis for improving modern Jewish-Christian dialogue.
The Crisis of Scriptural Authority
Authors: Fiorenza Francis Schüssler
Published: October 2011

Because the current crisis of scriptural authority is not simply a crisis of Scriptures but also a crisis of modernity, any understanding of that crisis must look to our present intellectual environment as much as it does to the way Scriptures are viewed.
On the Trinity
Authors: Thistlethwaite Susan Brooks
Published: October 2011

In the debate over trinitarian language, the fact remains that terms such as Father or Son are heard as referring to males To forge a doctrine of the Trinity for today, the question we need to ask is, “What would be an emancipatory retrieval of Christian speech about God as Triune?”
The Doctrine of the Trinity
Authors: Wainwright Geoffrey
Published: October 2011

In the struggle over traditional trinitarian doctrine, criticism from feminist, deistic, and religionist quarters can stimulate the churches in their revival of this soteriologically vital pattern of the Christian faith.
“The Foolishness of Preaching”
Authors: Rogers John B.
Published: October 2011

Like the word of resurrection uttered at the mouth of Jesus' tomb, preaching is the proclamation of a word from beyond ourselves, a word of God's invincible grace and steadfast love.
The Problematic of Preaching in the Third Millennium
Authors: Van Seters Arthur
Published: October 2011

To envisage the shape of preaching in the Third Millennium, four factors call for comment: preaching as an ecclesial act; the creative exposition of Scripture; the changing world in which we live; and preaching as issuing in doxology.
A Crisis of the Imagination
Authors: Towner W. Sibley
Published: October 2011

Our secular cities are burdened with problems of class conflict, crime, and sprawl. Jerusalem has all these problems, too, but it bears an extra burden as well. It is holy.
The Best of Times and The Worst of Times
Authors: Moeser John V.
Published: October 2011

The story of Richmond, Virginia is a window to the American urban experience. The political challenges this city faces can serve as a call to action to effect reconciliation across the lines that divide the metropolitan family.
The City on the Hill
Authors: Young Andrew
Published: October 2011

The successful city of the future must do more than simply foster economic growth. It must also impart a moral, even spiritual, vision that can transcend all racial and social divisions.
Crafting Communities of Forgiveness
Authors: Jones L. Gregory
Published: October 2011

Forgiveness is much more than isolated acts and words of individuals. The capacity to discover what it means to forgive and be forgiven depends, in part, on the richness of one's communal practices and disciplines.
Forgiveness and Life in Community
Authors: Hylen Susan E.
Published: October 2011

The church must respond to the crisis of domestic violence with a renewed vision of forgiveness. As suggested in a parable of Jesus, forgiveness is viable when it is exercised within a community of mutual confession and accountability.
The Apocalyptic Gospel in Galatians
Authors: Martyn J. Louis
Published: October 2011

Galatians is a clear witness to a basic conviction of Paul: the gospel is not about human movement into blessedness, but about God's liberating invasion of the cosmos. Christ's love enacted in the cross has the power to change the world because it is embodied in the new community of mutual service.
Preaching to Galatians
Authors: Bartlett David L.
Published: October 2011

In Galatians, Paul points to a God who reaches out to all of humankind in Jesus Christ. It is not what we work but what God works in us that shapes faithful Christian living.
Curing Anxious Adolescents Through Fatherlike Performance
Authors: Capps Donald
Published: October 2011

Jesus' encounter with two “troubled” adolescents exposes the distance between the generations resulting from the anxieties their conflicts provoke. As a “surrogate” father, Jesus brings a nonanxious presence that heals and empowers these young people.
“Whatever Your Hand Finds to Do”
Authors: Brown William P.
Published: October 2011

Contrary to popular opinion, Qoheleth does not disparage work; he redefines it by dislodging it from the arena of the marketplace and setting it within the ethos of enjoyment. Qoheleth's “work ethic” is profoundly subversive and relevant.
The Bible in Political Context
Authors: Lee Nancy C. , Arapović Borislav
Published: October 2011

Biblical translators and interpreters operate not only with theolog- ical assumptions about their place in God's scheme but also with political assumptions about their place in society.
A Theology of the Way (Tao)
Authors: Park Andrew Sung
Published: October 2011

As Jews and Christians serve the unutterable YHWH, Asians have revered the nameless Tao. A Tao-based theology that regards Jesus as the Way of God directly addresses the pain many Asian Americans face today.
Resisting and Imitating the Empire
Authors: Carter Warren
Published: October 2011

God's parabolic word always comes in cultural garb. Although employing the rhetoric and values of the imperial hegemony, the parables—and Matthew's gospel in general—render a trenchant critique.
Grace
Authors: Bassler Jouette M.
Published: October 2011

Paul's concept of grace was not static. His experiences as an apostle of Christ led him to probe its limits, but not necessarily to reach them.
Historiography, “Hazards,” and the Study of Ancient Israel
Authors: Niditch Susan
Published: October 2011

The biblical “historians,” perhaps more than their modern day counterparts, show history to be a messy, complicated affair. For all its ambivalence about power and human relationships, the book of Judges functions as a profoundly thoughtful foundation myth.
Anti-Judaism in Hebrews?
Authors: Williamson Clark M.
Published: October 2011

The question of whether Hebrews is anti-Jewish has vexed readers. To answer it, one must pay careful attention to what the text says and does not say. Moreover, the coherence of the author's claim that the old covenant is superseded by the new covenant is open to question.
“For No Reason”
Authors: Balentine Samuel E.
Published: October 2011

The words “for no reason” hang over Job's story like the sword of Damocles. When the sword falls, we are plunged into a world that seems to hold “no more beginnings.” Why Israel's scriptures should include such a story, and why this story seeds any new beginnings for life “east of Eden,” is Job's question ... and ours.
Theology of Religions after Knitter and Hick: Beyond the Paradigm
Authors: Muck Terry C.
Published: October 2011

Both Paul Knitter and John Hick rely heavily on the exclusivist-inclusivist-pluralist paradigm. In a world that has become increasingly suspicious of missionary activity, moving beyond this paradigm calls for a bigger theology, wider methodology, and deeper missiology characterized by participant theologizing.
Christians, Muslims (and Jews) before the One God: Jean Daniélou on Mission Revisited
Authors: Burrell David
Published: October 2011

The reflections of Jean Daniélou on the relationship of Christianity to non-Christian religions, in light of missionary activity; offer a means to assess our current situation. Using a key insight of Bernard Lonergan, this essay offers a reprise of nearly sixty years of theological practice. Recent reflections by Tariq Ramadan help us to see ways of bringing these to an institutional focus.
Augustine and the Psalms
Authors: Williams Rowan
Published: October 2011

To understand what the Psalms “made of” Augustine is to grasp the central issues of faith and ecclesiology as Augustine understood them. To read the Psalms is to make our own voice the voice of the Body of Christ in worship.
The Righteousness of the Law and the Righteousness of Faith in Romans
Authors: Westerholm Stephen
Published: October 2011

–Righteousness– is normally what one ought to do, and the –righteous– are those who do it. Paul sees the law of Moses as explicating “righteousness” required of all human beings and “justification by faith” as the extraordinary path to “righteousness” offered by God to the unrighteous of all nations.
Preaching Romans Today
Authors: Long Thomas G.
Published: October 2011

If preachers are going to get a fresh view of Romans, they will have to allow Paul to get up off the psychoanalyst's couch. Romans is the expression not primarily of an anxiety-ridden soul but of a confident apostle who has wagered his whole life on the promises of God.
Matthew 26:47–56
Authors: Siker Judy Yates
Published: October 2011

The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies
“The One Who Called You ...”
Authors: Grieb A. Katherine
Published: October 2011

God's saving work in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the disruptive grace that called Paul, his co-workers, and their churches to an unexpected new freedom and service. They must all learn how to walk the way of the cross and live in the newness of resurrection. The church's grave danger is that, expecting too little from God, it will settle for less than the gospel.
The Called Life
Authors: Lischer Richard
Published: October 2011

The pastoral office is God's way of helping the church discern its true vocation in the world. Before the ordained ministry is a job or a profession, it is a gift from above.
Narrating the Gospel in 1 and 2 Peter
Authors: Green Joel B.
Published: October 2011

Narrative theology emphasizes the overall aim and recounting of God's ways revealed in Scripture and ongoing in history. An exploration of 1 and 2 Peter from this perspective accentuates the theological role of these short letters in shaping the identity of God's people.
The First Section of the Book of the Twelve Prophets: Hosea—Joel—Amos
Authors: Schart Aaron
Published: October 2011

Missing information in one of the first three writings of the Book of the Twelve can be filled in by reading all three of them in sequence, so that understanding one prophet depends on reading the others. Five topics—the superscriptions, the call to return to YHWH, the Day of the Lord, the end of God's patience, and the Sinai Torah—are considered in detail before introducing redaction-critical hypotheses.
Philippians and the Politics of God
Authors: Grieb A. Katherine
Published: October 2011

The “same mind” that Paul urges upon the Philippian community does not imply their uniformity on matters of doctrine or ethics. Rather, it is an injunction to have within themselves the mind that Christ Jesus had, one that will lead them to think of the interests of others. Adopting that “same mind” today will lead the church to discover new practices that build community.
Preaching to Philippians
Authors: Thompson James W.
Published: October 2011

Preachers who discover the distance between the ancient text and the contemporary church may find that words addressed to vulnerable Christians in a pre-Christian era leap over the distance of the centuries to address Christians in a post-Christian era.
Gerhard von Rad as a Theologian of the Church
Authors: Oeming Manfred
Published: October 2011

Gerhard von Rad was both a professor and a preacher. He understood and taught the Old Testament as a text to be preached and closely connected with the New Testament to form a theological basis for Christian faith.
Abraham's Sacrifice: Gerhard von Rad's Interpretation of Genesis 22
Authors: Schmid Konrad
Published: October 2011

From the perspective of Heilsgeschichte, Gerhard von Rad saw clearly that Genesis 22 deals with the possible annihilation of the covenant promise. A fresh approach to Genesis corroborates this view and demonstrates that innerbiblical exegesis has shaped the message of Genesis 22.
Back to the Future: The Eschatological Vision of Advent
Authors: O'day Gail R.
Published: October 2011

The cyclical nature of the church's timekeeping means that the sacred story begins anew at Advent, inviting the church to place the coming of the Christ child in a cosmic context in which even time is redefined by God's anticipated in-breaking into the world. Advent is the season of new beginnings and new hopes in its anticipation of the dawning of God's new age.
Accommodating “Jezebel” and Withdrawing John: Negotiating Empire in Revelation Then and Now
Authors: Carter Warren
Published: October 2011

Revelation addresses a struggle over how followers of Jesus might negotiate the complex imperial realities of Roman rule. The call for societal distance and disengagement resists and seeks to conceal other voices that urge greater levels of societal interaction. Revelation also raises the urgent issue of how contemporary followers of Jesus might negotiate the world's most powerful empire—the one we in the United States inhabit.
Babylon Boycott: The Book of Revelation
Authors: Callahan Allen Dwight
Published: October 2011

Revelation challenges contemporary readers to escape the impending destruction of global imperialism. John of Patmos calls upon Christians to boycott the imperialist political economy that murders “all the peoples of the earth” (Rev 18:24). To be true to their conscience and to their God, those in true solidarity with Jesus must withdraw from the evil system in which they live or suffer the consequences of their complicity with it.
From Erasmus to Calvin: Exploring the Roots of Reformed Hermeneutics
Authors: Brashler James
Published: October 2011

Calvin's debt to the church reformers who preceded him both inside and outside the reform movements of the sixteenth century has not been sufficiently understood or appreciated. The humanistic methods of interpreting and teaching classical texts—including Scripture—as developed by Erasmus of Rotterdam decisively shaped Calvin's biblical hermeneutic.