bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Religion, Advocacy Coalitions, and the Politics of U.S. Public Schooling
Authors: Lugg Catherine A. , Robinson Malila N.
Published: December 2008

Employing the Advocacy Coalition Framework to ground the analysis, this article begins with an historical overview of the US Protestant Right and its involvement with the politics of public schooling. It then moves to a discussion of a few current legal and policy issues (intelligent design, evolution, the Kansas state board of education, school prayer, and prayers offered at commencement), and how Protestant Right groups, at the local, state, and national levels, have played key roles in shaping the debates, and in some cases, the litigation. The article then turns to a brief discussion of the role of Protestant Right in the confirmation process of Supreme Court nominees John Roberts, Harriet Miers, and Samuel Alito. This article concludes with a discussion of the Protestant Right, the changing religious demography of the US, advocacy coalitions and where the politics of religion and public schooling may be moving.
Prayer and Morality in the Sermon on the Mount
Authors: O'Donovan Oliver
Published: December 2008

The Lord's Prayer is at the centre of the Sermon on the Mount in a section on restraint in religious performance. The flanking sections treat of the opposition of lower and higher law, and of simplicity of agency, themes reflected in the central section in the opposition of public and secret. The Lord's Prayer inducts the worshipper into the elementary relations of the universe: the Father, the source of intelligible governance of the universe; the community of human beings created to live and act within the world; the temptation which is the final test of the enterprise of human living.
The Sermon on the Mount and Political Ethics
Authors: Battle John
Published: December 2008

The Sermon on the Mount is not abstract idealism. It connects to our political contest not least because it insists on the big questions of purpose and ends and how society should be ordered. Rooted in the Old Testament focus on the fair distribution of wealth (ensuring the poor get priority) — cf. Proverbs 2, 8, 9, 14, 15, 29 — the Sermon is a programme for social citizenship and local community development.
Collaborative Project Management with Supplier Involvement
Authors: Wang X.H. , Ming X.G. , Kong F.B. , Wang L. , Zhao C.L.
Published: December 2008

Under the trend of lean product development thinking, more parts of a product were out-sourced or off-shored, which brings the challenges of collaboration between core enterprise and its suppliers. Both the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) and its suppliers are moving toward quickly providing better products in shorter time by establishing the virtual enterprise. So, effective and efficient collaboration between them throughout the entire product and project lifecycle is becoming significantly important for the win-win situation. To address this need, a scenario for collaborative project management with supplier involvement is proposed in this article. What and how to collaborate with supplier are proposed as well. The system architecture, and the corresponding function, information, process collaboration methods are developed and implemented in this study. Indeed, it is hoped that the development of such a system for the collaboration of project lifecycle in virtual enterprise will lay the frontier basis for the further research of effective project management within virtual enterprise to pursue the most advanced competitiveness.
Web Service-oriented Electronic Catalogs for Product Customization
Authors: Yongsheng Ma  , Jianxin Jiao  , Yimin Deng
Published: December 2008

This article is about online product customization, which potentially connects multiple customers and suppliers throughout an entire supply chain. This article proposes a web service-oriented approach, such that users can source competitive offers and generate feature-based CAD models from different vendors over the Internet. The key technique is to create feature markup descriptions for the requested library elements. Group technology is applied to classify and control the geometry configurations of component models. The approach enhances traditional un-parameterized and platform-dependent electronic catalogs by avoiding hard coding of catalogs within specific CAD systems, and thereby facilitates the updating of databases.
International Standard Development for Knowledge Based Engineering Services for Product Lifecycle Management
Authors: Fan Ip-Shing , Bermell-Garcia Pablo
Published: December 2008

In September 2005, the international information technology standard body Object Management Group (OMG) published a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an international standard for Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) Services for Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). The standard aims to facilitate the integration of KBE applications in a PLM environment. KBE has been used in key engineering industry to deliver significant business benefits and has been a catalyst for changes in engineering processes. In recent years, mainstream CAD vendors begin to incorporate KBE functionalities in their solutions. PLM is evolving from the platform to manage engineering data to the repository of complete enterprise knowledge. As CAD becomes more knowledge based, the convergence of KBE and PLM is expected to happen soon. The OMG standard RFP is an action to accelerate this convergence. The RFP is the result of an international effort with a team that includes engineering end users, software vendors and researchers. This paper presents the essence and the development process of the RFP to widen the engagement with the engineering research community.
Development Life Cycle for Semantically Coherent Data Exchange Specification
Authors: Kulvatunyou Boonserm , Morris K.C. , Ivezic Nenad , Frechette Simon
Published: December 2008

In enterprise integration, a data-exchange specification is an architectural artifact that evolves along with the business. Maintaining a coherent, data-exchange, semantic model is an important, yet nontrivial task. A coherent, semantic model of data — exchange specifications supports reuse, promotes interoperability, and, consequently, reduces integration costs. Components of data-exchange specifications must be consistent and valid in terms of agreed upon standards and guidelines. In this article, we propose an activity model for the creation, test, and maintenance of a shared semantic model that is coherent and supports scalable standards-based enterprise integration. While it frames our research and the development of tools to support those activities for semantic models implemented using XML (Extensible Markup Language) Schema, the activity model presented in this article is independent of the data-exchange technology.
Ontology-based Multi-layered Knowledge Framework for Product Lifecycle Management
Authors: Lee Jae-Hyun , Suh Hyo-Won
Published: December 2008

This paper proposes an ontology-based multi-layered knowledge framework for a product lifecycle management. Participants in a product life cycle want to share comprehensive product knowledge without ambiguity or heterogeneity. However, previous knowledge management approaches are limited in providing these aspects. Our knowledge framework has a systematic lattice structure with three product knowledge types and four layers. The three knowledge types are axioms, knowledge maps, and specialized knowledge for a domain. The four layers consist of a product context model, a product specific model, a product planning model, and a product manufacturing model. These layers represent different abstraction levels of the product knowledge conceptualization. Each layer includes the aforementioned three knowledge types in order to accommodate comprehensive knowledge and is represented with first order logic for a uniform representation. We provide formal definitions of the framework to manage comprehensive knowledge according to the proposed knowledge framework. In addition, we develop a prototype system for realization of the framework. The system will help knowledge engineers create, edit, and visualize product knowledge according to the framework and infer new knowledge with a prolog inference engine.
Balance or Dominance? Party Competition in Congressional Politics
Authors: Robbins Suzanne M. , Norpoth Helmut
Published: December 2008

With a pioneering application of probability models in political science, Stokes and Iversen established “the existence of forces restoring party competition.” Whatever the margin of victory in a given election, the partisan vote subsequently tends to return to the point of equal division. The authors introduce an expanded test of electoral equilibrium that allows for effects of major realignments and regional differences, using congressional elections since 1828. They find that the vote division gravitates to the mean but that the mean vote, in most periods of American history and in several regions, departs significantly from the point of equal division and in some instances is prone to a pronounced drift. Hence, during much of their lifetime, many Americans do not experience, in congressional elections, party competition that gives the opposition much of a chance to win.
Use of Aspirin Versus Clopidogrel Plus Aspirin After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
Authors: Sanon Saurabh , Lee Vei-Vei , Elayda MacArthur , Wilson James M.
Published: December 2008

Aspirin and clopidogrel together reduce the risk of recurrent thrombosis-related events in patients with acute coronary syndromes or stent revascularization and may reduce thrombosis-induced saphenous vein graft failure. In this retrospective, observational study, 4297 patients were assigned to 2 groups after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, based on medications prescribed at hospital discharge: aspirin only (n = 3318) or aspirin plus clopidogrel (n = 979). At 4-year follow-up, unadjusted survival was similar between the 2 groups (aspirin—clopidogrel, 87.9% vs aspirin-only, 88.8%, P = .43). After statistical adjustment using Cox regression analysis, dual anti-platelet therapy at hospital discharge was not associated with improved survival (odds ratio 1.055, 95% confidence interval 0.7-1.4, P = .72). In propensity score-based, case-matched populations (962 patients each), similar results were obtained (odds ratio 0.996, 95% confidence interval 0.7-1.4, P = .98). In our study population, aspirin plus clopidogrel did not provide survival benefit over treatment with aspirin alone in 4 years after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
The Quest for Recognition: Brazilian Immigrants in the United States
Authors: Zubaran Carlos
Published: December 2008

`Hispanic' and `Latino' are imprecise umbrella terms often used in the United States to designate nationals from Central and South America. The labelling of Brazilians in this manner generates inaccurate demographic information, including a significant undercount of the migrant population. Research data indicates that Brazilians object to being designated Hispanics, since Brazilians speak Portuguese and have no Spanish heritage. The labelling of ethnic groups has been criticized as a stereotypical and racist system, which primarily responds to non-scientific demands. This commentary appeals for reform in the way researchers and institutions refer to minority citizens as well as for continued research to investigate racism and ethnic prejudice. The development of new approaches and methodologies to examine social networks, migration and the geographic concentration of poverty is advocated.
The Experience of `Mental Trauma' and its Transcultural Application
Authors: von Peter Sebastian
Published: December 2008

Approaches to the mental health care of refugees and disaster survivors have recently been subject to sustained critique. This article critically examines the notion of `mental trauma' as it has been used by psychosocial intervention programmes addressing the aftermath of the 2004 Asian tsunami. The objective is to shed light on the guidelines' implicit and explicit assumptions about how people are expected to act and feel after a disaster, thereby implying a certain `metaphysic' of emotional experience. It will be argued that feelings can not be separated from intersubjective and public spheres, for they shape and motivate expression and experience. Instead, it is necessary to explore the particular ways in which cultural meaning and social structure relate to discourses and practices through which suffering is produced and represented. To conclude, a method is outlined to operationalize particular experiences of suffering and the institutionalized discourses and practices in which they obtain social meaning and force.
Karo-Kari: A Form of Honour Killing in Pakistan
Authors: Patel Sujay , Gadit Amin Muhammad
Published: December 2008

Karo-Kari is a type of premeditated honour killing, which originated in rural and tribal areas of Sindh, Pakistan. The homicidal acts are primarily committed against women who are thought to have brought dishonour to their family by engaging in illicit pre-marital or extra-marital relations. In order to restore this honour, a male family member must kill the female in question. We conducted a systematic review of the published literature other sources on karo-kari and related forms of honour killing or violence against women. Media and non-governmental organization reports were utilized for case studies and analysis. Although legally proscribed, socio-cultural factors and gender role expectations have given legitimacy to karo-kari within some tribal communities. In addition to its persistence in areas of Pakistan, there is evidence that karo-kari may be increasing in incidence in other parts of the world in association with migration. Moreover, perpetrators of `honour killings' often have motives outside of female adultery. Analysis of the socio-cultural and psycho-pathological factors associated with the practice of karo-kari can guide the development of prevention strategies.
Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) in Patients With Varicose Great Saphenous Vein (GSV) and Incompetent Saphenofemoral Junction (SFJ): An Ambulatory Single Center Experience
Authors: Zafarghandi Mohammad Reza , Akhlaghpour Shahram , Mohammadi Halimeh , Abbasi Ali
Published: December 2008

Objectives: To evaluate treatment results for varicose great saphenous vein (GSV) using endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) in an ambulatory single center.

Material and methods: We prospectively studied 77 limbs with varicose GSV in 74 patients who were treated using 980-nm EVL with a 600-mm laser fiber and the power settings of 10-25 Watts. The patients were followed using color Doppler ultrasound.

Results: Continued closure of treated GSV was found in 98.3% of the legs evaluated at 3-week follow-up (n = 60). At 3- and 6-month intervals, 94.1% and 97% successful occlusion was achieved, respectively. The main complications of the procedure included prolonged leg pain (2 cases), hyperestheasia (one case) and lidocaine sensitivity (one case).

Conclusion: EVLA treatment of the GSV is a safe and highly effective method accompanied with few complications in midterm follow-up. It is feasible in ambulatory settings and the patients return to their daily activities early after intervention.
EVAR in Small Versus Large Aneurysms: Does Size Influence Outcome?
Authors: Wang Grace J. , Carpenter Jeffrey P.
Published: December 2008

Objective: To determine whether there is a difference in outcome between endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (EVAR) of small versus large aneurysms. Methods: A total of 192 patients from the Power-link trial were subdivided into small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA; ≤5 cm) and large AAA (>5 cm) groups. Demographics, perioperative morbidity, mortality, overall survival, and freedom from major adverse events, endoleak, aneurysm-related death, migration, and secondary procedures were assessed. Aneurysmal involvement of the iliacs as well as neck length and angulation was compared between groups. Results: Perioperative morbidity (P = 1.000), mortality (P = .4603), and extent of iliac involvement did not differ between groups (P = .2260). The necks in small AAA were longer (P = .0028) and less angulated (P < .0001). There was no difference in overall survival (P = .6066), freedom from major adverse events (P = .7842), endoleak, (P = .1832), migration (P = .5765), aneurysm-related death (P = .4728), or need for secondary procedures (P = .2323). Conclusion: Under controlled conditions of patient and device selection, there is no significant difference in outcome for EVAR of small versus large AAA.
Social interactions in an online self-management program for rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Shigaki Cheryl L. , Smarr Karen L. , Yang Gong  , Donovan-Hanson Kathleen , Siva Chokkalingam , Johnson Rebecca A. , Ge Bin , Musser Dale R.
Published: December 2008

Objective: To evaluate social interactions among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), participating in an empirically based, cognitive-behavioural, self-management (SM), and peer-support program, delivered in an online format.

Methods: Thirty individuals with RA were recruited online. Subjects were a subset of participants in the treatment arm of a waiting-list controlled study testing the effectiveness of a 10-week, online, SM education and peer support program. Primary outcomes were process variables describing social activity in the online environment during active treatment. Qualitative review of discussion board posts was undertaken to gain insight into participants' perceptions of social interactions.

Results: Participants spent a large proportion of logged-in time accessing educational materials and community-level activity was vibrant, with members utilizing the discussion board and e-mail. The Chat feature was less well-used. Discussion board posts regarding RAHelp were very positive, especially in regard to perceived supportiveness and bonding among participants, and a sense of feeling uniquely understood by others who have RA. Concern arose in response to periods in which the discussion board was `too quiet.'

Discussion: Our work complements the emerging literature supporting acceptance and utility of Internet-based programming as a venue for SM education and social interaction among individuals with chronic illness.
The patient's experience of holistic care: insights from acupuncture research
Authors: Paterson Charlotte , Britten Nicky
Published: December 2008

Objectives: To characterize the diverse nature of peoples' experiences of acupuncture treatment for chronic health problems. Specifically, the paper addresses how this analysis deepens our understanding of holism and its relation to the therapeutic theory base.

Methods: A secondary analysis of five longitudinal interview studies using a constant comparative method. Patients experienced different types of acupuncture — traditional (based on Chinese medicine) and Western-style (based on biomedicine) in a variety of settings in the UK and Australia.

Results: The markedly different experiences of acupuncture treatment were best characterized in relation to the concept of holism. Being treated `as a whole person' was associated with traditional acupuncture in both private and NHS practice, but not within a research trial setting. In the trial, both patients and practitioners `played their part' in a scientific experiment. Holism was especially important to people with several health problems.

Discussion: The findings suggests that the experience of holistic care, in the sense of `being treated as a whole person' is dependent on four factors: (a) the therapeutic theory that underpins the treatment; (b) structural factors such as time and setting; (c) the intention of the practitioner; and (d) the intention and needs of the patient.
In situ synthesised TiC particles reinforced Fe based composite coating produced by laser cladding
Authors: Wang X. H. , Qu S. Y. , Du B. S. , Zou Z. D.
Published: December 2008

Fe based composite coating reinforced by in situ synthesised TiC particles has been fabricated from a precursor mixture of ferrotitanium (Fe–Ti) alloy and graphite powders by laser cladding. The microstructure and wear properties were analysed by means of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, as well as dry sliding wear test. The results showed that TiC carbides were formed via in situ reaction between ferrotitanium (Fe–Ti) and graphite in the molten pool during laser cladding process. The morphologies of TiC were of dendritic, cubic or flower-like shape; and the TiC carbides were distributed uniformly in the composite coating. Compared to the substrate, the hardness and the wear resistance of the coatings reinforced by TiC particles were significantly enhanced, but the coating possesses a lower friction coefficient.
Microstructure of tool steel after low temperature ion nitriding
Authors: Zagonel L. F. , Mittemeijer E. J. , Alvarez F.
Published: December 2008

The microstructural development in H13 tool steel upon nitriding by an ion beam process was investigated. The nitriding experiments were performed at a relatively low temperature of ∼400°C and at constant ion beam energy (400 eV) of different doses in a high vacuum preparation chamber; the ion source was fed with high purity nitrogen gas. The specimens were characterised by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and grazing incidence and Bragg–Brentano X-ray diffractometry. In particular, the influence of the nitrogen surface concentration on the development of the nitrogen concentration depth profile and the possible precipitation of alloying element nitrides were discussed.
Effect of Ti/N ratio on strain aging and plastic anisotropy in extra deep drawing quality steel
Authors: Sarkar B. , Datta R. , Chaudhuri S. K.
Published: December 2008

Small addition of titanium (∼0·01 wt-%) to low carbon (∼0·04 wt-%) aluminium killed extra deep drawing quality steel resulted in a decrease in strain aging as well as a decrease in plastic anisotropy after cold rolling and annealing. The extent of decrease in both the strain aging and plastic anisotropy was found to be a function of Ti/N ratio. It was found that at a Ti/N ratio of 2·4, the aluminium killed low carbon steel was completely non-aging after cold rolling and annealing. However, there was also a concomitant decrease in the plastic anisotropy with the increase in Ti/N ratio. The average plastic anisotropy ratio ravg decreased from a value of 1·8 in steels with no titanium (Ti/N=0), to a value of 1·4 in steels with Ti/N=2·4.
Venous thromboembolism in patients with acute leukemia: incidence, risk factors, and effect on survival
Authors: Ku Grace H. , White Richard H. , Chew Helen K. , Harvey Danielle J. , Zhou Hong , Wun Ted
Published: December 2008

A population-based cohort was used to determine the incidence and risk factors associated with development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among Californians diagnosed with acute leukemia between 1993 to 1999. Principal outcomes were deep vein thrombosis in both the lower and upper extremities, pulmonary embolism, and mortality. Among 5394 cases with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), the 2-year cumulative incidence of VTE was 281 (5.2%). Sixty-four percent of the VTE events occurred within 3 months of AML diagnosis. In AML patients, female sex, older age, number of chronic comorbidities, and presence of a catheter were significant predictors of development of VTE within 1 year. A diagnosis of VTE was not associated with reduced survival in AML patients. Among 2482 cases with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the 2-year incidence of VTE in ALL was 4.5%. Risk factors for VTE were presence of a central venous catheter, older age, and number of chronic comorbidities. In the patients with ALL, development of VTE was associated with a 40% increase in the risk of dying within 1 year. The incidence of VTE in acute leukemia is appreciable, and is comparable with the incidence in many solid tumors.
Functional identification of HugZ, a heme oxygenase from Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Guo Ying , Guo Gang , Mao Xuhu , Zhang Weijun , Xiao Jie , Tong Wende , Liu Tao , Xiao Bin , Liu Xiaofei , Feng Youjun , Zou Quanming
Published: December 2008

Background

Iron is recognized as an important trace element, essential for most organisms including pathogenic bacteria. HugZ, a protein related to heme iron utilization, is involved in bacterial acquisition of iron from the host. We previously observed that a hugZ homologue is correlated with the adaptive colonization of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a major gastro-enteric pathogen. However, its exact physiological role remains unclear.

Results

A gene homologous to hugZ, designated hp0318, identified in H. pylori ATCC 26695, exhibits 66% similarity to cj1613c of Campylobacter jejuni NCTC 11168. Soluble 6 × His fused-HugZ protein was expressed in vitro. Hemin-agrose affinity analysis indicated that the recombinant HugZ protein can bind to hemin. Absorption spectroscopy at 411 nm further revealed a heme:HugZ binding ratio of 1:1. Enzymatic assays showed that purified recombinant HugZ protein can degrade hemin into biliverdin and carbon monoxide in the presence of either ascorbic acid or NADPH and cytochrome P450 reductase. The biochemical and enzymatic characteristics agreed closely with those of Campylobacter jejuni Cj1613c protein, implying that hp0318 is a functional member of the HugZ family. A hugZ deletion mutant was obtained by homologous recombination. This mutant strain showed poor growth when hemoglobin was provided as the source of iron, partly because of its failure to utilize hemoglobin efficiently. Real-time quantitative PCR also confirmed that the expression of hugZ was regulated by iron levels.

Conclusion

These findings provide biochemical and genetic evidence that hugZ (hp0318) encodes a heme oxygenase involved in iron release/uptake in H. pylori.
Development and evaluation of a real-time one step Reverse-Transcriptase PCR for quantitation of Chandipura Virus
Authors: Kumar Satyendra , Jadi Ramesh S , Anakkathil Sudeep B , Tandale Babasaheb V , Mishra Akhilesh Chandra , Arankalle Vidya A
Published: December 2008

Background

Chandipura virus (CHPV), a member of family Rhabdoviridae was attributed to an explosive outbreak of acute encephalitis in children in Andhra Pradesh, India in 2003 and a small outbreak among tribal children from Gujarat, Western India in 2004. The case-fatality rate ranged from 55–75%. Considering the rapid progression of the disease and high mortality, a highly sensitive method for quantifying CHPV RNA by real-time one step reverse transcriptase PCR (real-time one step RT-PCR) using TaqMan technology was developed for rapid diagnosis.

Methods

Primers and probe for P gene were designed and used to standardize real-time one step RT-PCR assay for CHPV RNA quantitation. Standard RNA was prepared by PCR amplification, TA cloning and run off transcription. The optimized real-time one step RT-PCR assay was compared with the diagnostic nested RT-PCR and different virus isolation systems [in vivo (mice) in ovo (eggs), in vitro (Vero E6, PS, RD and Sand fly cell line)] for the detection of CHPV. Sensitivity and specificity of real-time one step RT-PCR assay was evaluated with diagnostic nested RT-PCR, which is considered as a gold standard.

Results

Real-time one step RT-PCR was optimized using in vitro transcribed (IVT) RNA. Standard curve showed linear relationship for wide range of 102-1010 (r2 = 0.99) with maximum Coefficient of variation (CV = 5.91%) for IVT RNA. The newly developed real-time RT-PCR was at par with nested RT-PCR in sensitivity and superior to cell lines and other living systems (embryonated eggs and infant mice) used for the isolation of the virus. Detection limit of real-time one step RT-PCR and nested RT-PCR was found to be 1.2 × 100 PFU/ml. RD cells, sand fly cells, infant mice, and embryonated eggs showed almost equal sensitivity (1.2 × 102 PFU/ml). Vero and PS cell-lines (1.2 × 103 PFU/ml) were least sensitive to CHPV infection. Specificity of the assay was found to be 100% when RNA from other viruses or healthy individual was used.

Conclusion

On account of the high sensitivity, reproducibility and specificity, the assay can be used for the rapid detection and quantitation of CHPV RNA from clinical samples during epidemics and from endemic areas. The assay may also find application in screening of antiviral compounds, understanding of pathogenesis as well as evaluation of vaccine.
Characterization of a murine model of monocrotaline pyrrole-induced acute lung injury
Authors: Dumitrascu Rio , Koebrich Silke , Dony Eva , Weissmann Norbert , Savai Rajkumar , Pullamsetti Soni S , Ghofrani Hossein A , Samidurai Arun , Traupe Horst , Seeger Werner , Grimminger Friedrich , Schermuly Ralph T
Published: December 2008

Background

New animal models of chronic pulmonary hypertension in mice are needed. The injection of monocrotaline is an established model of pulmonary hypertension in rats. The aim of this study was to establish a murine model of pulmonary hypertension by injection of the active metabolite, monocrotaline pyrrole.

Methods

Survival studies, computed tomographic scanning, histology, bronchoalveolar lavage were performed, and arterial blood gases and hemodynamics were measured in animals which received an intravenous injection of different doses of monocrotaline pyrrole.

Results

Monocrotaline pyrrole induced pulmonary hypertension in Sprague Dawley rats. When injected into mice, monocrotaline pyrrole induced dose-dependant mortality in C57Bl6/N and BALB/c mice (dose range 6–15 mg/kg bodyweight). At a dose of 10 mg/kg bodyweight, mice developed a typical early-phase acute lung injury, characterized by lung edema, neutrophil influx, hypoxemia and reduced lung compliance. In the late phase, monocrotaline pyrrole injection resulted in limited lung fibrosis and no obvious pulmonary hypertension.

Conclusion

Monocrotaline and monocrotaline pyrrole pneumotoxicity substantially differs between the animal species.
Costs and consequences of large-scale vector control for malaria
Authors: Yukich Joshua O , Lengeler Christian , Tediosi Fabrizio , Brown Nick , Mulligan Jo-Ann , Chavasse Des , Stevens Warren , Justino John , Conteh Lesong , Maharaj Rajendra , Erskine Marcy , Mueller Dirk H , Wiseman Virginia , Ghebremeskel Tewolde , Zerom Mehari , Goodman Catherine , McGuire David , Urrutia Juan Manuel , Sakho Fana , Hanson Kara , Sharp Brian
Published: December 2008

Background

Five large insecticide-treated net (ITN) programmes and two indoor residual spraying (IRS) programmes were compared using a standardized costing methodology.

Methods

Costs were measured locally or derived from existing studies and focused on the provider perspective, but included the direct costs of net purchases by users, and are reported in 2005 USD. Effectiveness was estimated by combining programme outputs with standard impact indicators.

Findings

Conventional ITNs: The cost per treated net-year of protection ranged from USD 1.21 in Eritrea to USD 6.05 in Senegal. The cost per child death averted ranged from USD 438 to USD 2,199 when targeting to children was successful.

Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) of five years duration: The cost per treated-net year of protection ranged from USD 1.38 in Eritrea to USD 1.90 in Togo. The cost per child death averted ranged from USD 502 to USD 692.

IRS: The costs per person-year of protection for all ages were USD 3.27 in KwaZulu Natal and USD 3.90 in Mozambique. If only children under five years of age were included in the denominator the cost per person-year of protection was higher: USD 23.96 and USD 21.63. As a result, the cost per child death averted was higher than for ITNs: USD 3,933–4,357.

Conclusion

Both ITNs and IRS are highly cost-effective vector control strategies. Integrated ITN free distribution campaigns appeared to be the most efficient way to rapidly increase ITN coverage. Other approaches were as or more cost-effective, and appeared better suited to "keep-up" coverage levels. ITNs are more cost-effective than IRS for highly endemic settings, especially if high ITN coverage can be achieved with some demographic targeting.
Long-Term Actions of Interleukin-1β on Delay and Tonic Firing Neurons in Rat Superficial Dorsal Horn and Their Relevance to Central Sensitization
Authors: Gustafson-Vickers Sabrina L , Van Lu B , Lai Aaron Y , Todd Kathryn G , Ballanyi Klaus , Smith Peter A
Published: December 2008

Background:

Cytokines such as interleukin 1β (IL-1β) have been implicated in the development of central sensitization that is characteristic of neuropathic pain. To examine its long-term effect on nociceptive processing, defined medium organotypic cultures of rat spinal cord were exposed to 100 pM IL-1β for 6–8 d. Interleukin effects in the dorsal horn were examined by whole-cell patch-clamp recording and Ca2+imaging techniques.

Results:

Examination of the cultures with confocal Fluo-4 AM imaging showed that IL-1β increased the change in intracellular Ca2+produced by exposure to 35–50 mM K+. This is consistent with a modest increase in overall dorsal horn excitability. Despite this, IL-1β did not have a direct effect on rheobase or resting membrane potential nor did it selectively destroy any specific neuronal population. All effects were instead confined to changes in synaptic transmission. A variety of pre-and postsynaptic actions of IL-1β were seen in five different electrophysiologically-defined neuronal phenotypes. In putative excitatory ‘delay’ neurons, cytokine treatment increased the amplitude of spontaneous EPSC's (sEPSC) and decreased the frequency of spontaneous IPSC's (sIPSC). These effects would be expected to increase dorsal horn excitability and to facilitate the transfer of nociceptive information. However, other actions of IL-1β included disinhibition of putative inhibitory ‘tonic’ neurons and an increase in the amplitude of sIPSC's in ‘delay’ neurons.

Conclusion:

Since spinal microglial activation peaks between 3 and 7 days after the initiation of chronic peripheral nerve injury and these cells release IL-1β at this time, our findings define some of the neurophysiological mechanisms whereby nerve-injury induced release of IL-1β may contribute to the central sensitization associated with chronic neuropathic pain.
Erratum to: An unusual and difficult diagnosis of intestinal obstruction: The abdominal cocoon. Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Devay Ali O , Gomceli Ismail , Korukluoglu Birol , Kusdemir Ahmet
Published: December 2008

Since publication of our article, "An unusual and difficult diagnosis of intestinal obstruction: The abdominal cocoon. Case report and review of the literature." World J Emerg Surg. 2006, 1: 8 we believe that the case mentioned should have been described as a 'peritoneal encapsulation' rather than 'abdominal cocoon' as concluded in the original publication.
Sclerosing mesenteritis affecting the small and the large intestine in a male patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a case presentation and review of the literature
Authors: Hiridis Savvas , Hadgigeorgiou Renos , Karakitsos Dimitrios , Karabinis Andreas
Published: December 2008

Introduction

Sclerosing mesenteritis is a rare disease resembling a mesenteric tumour. We present here a case of sclerosing mesenteritis that affected both the large and the small intestine of the patient. Therapeutic and diagnostic issues are discussed.

Case presentation

A 62-year-old man with a history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma presented with fatigue, a palpable tender abdominal mass and clinical signs of progressing intestinal obstruction. The preoperative evaluation failed to prove recurrence of the lymphoma or any other definite diagnosis. A laparotomy was performed through a midline incision. The mesentery resembled a tumour-like thickened and fibrotic mass. Abundant, rigid intestinal loop adhesions were observed. Diffuse fibrotic infiltration of the ileum and of the sigmoid colon, which obviously affected the intestinal vascular supply, were identified. A right colectomy and partial sigmoidectomy were performed. Pathological evaluation revealed extensive myofibroblastic reaction of the mesentery with accompanying loci of fat necrosis and areas of inflammation. A diffuse fibrotic infiltration that focally showed a ground-glass appearance was observed. The post-operative course was complicated by respiratory insufficiency and infections and the patient died 2 months after the operation.

Conclusion

Sclerosing mesenteritis that affects both the small and the large intestine is extremely rare. The disease is characterized by myofibroblastic reaction, fat necrosis and diffuse fibrosis of the mesentery. Pathological confirmation may be required for definite diagnosis. If the disease is characterized by severe and diffuse fibrosis, then the application of surgical therapy may be problematic.
Lack of association between glucocorticoid use and presence of the metabolic syndrome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Toms Tracey E , Panoulas Vasileios F , Douglas Karen MJ , Griffiths Helen R , Kitas George D
Published: December 2008

Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) associates with excessive cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, attributed to both traditional and novel cardiovascular risk factors. The metabolic syndrome, a cluster of classical cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, obesity, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidaemia, is highly prevalent in RA. Reports suggest that long-term glucocorticoid (GC) use may exacerbate individual cardiovascular risk factors, but there have been no studies in RA to assess whether it associates with the metabolic syndrome. We examined whether GC exposure associates with the presence of metabolic syndrome in patients with RA.

Methods

RA patients (n = 398) with detailed clinical and laboratory assessments were categorised into three groups according to GC exposure: no/limited (<3 months) exposure (NE), low-dose (<7.5 mg/day) long-term exposure (LE), and medium-dose (greater than or equal to 7.5 mg to 30 mg/day) long-term exposure (ME). The metabolic syndrome was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Programme III guidelines. The association of GC exposure with the metabolic syndrome was evaluated using binary logistic regression.

Results

The metabolic syndrome was present in 40.1% of this population and its prevalence did not differ significantly between the GC exposure groups (NE 37.9% versus LE 40.7% versus ME 50%,P= 0.241). Binary logistic regression did not demonstrate any increased odds for the metabolic syndrome when comparing ME with LE (odds ratio = 1.64, 95% confidence interval 0.92 to 2.92,P= 0.094) and remained non significant after adjusting for multiple potential confounders.

Conclusions

Long-term GC exposure does not appear to associate with a higher prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in patients with RA. The components of the metabolic syndrome may already be extensively modified by other processes in RA (including chronic inflammation and treatments other than GCs), leaving little scope for additive effects of GCs.
Neutrophil elastase activity compensates for a genetic lack of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in leukocyte infiltration in a model of experimental peritonitis
Authors: Kolaczkowska Elzbieta , Grzybek Weronika , van Rooijen Nico , Piccard Helene , Plytycz Barbara , Arnold Bernd , Opdenakker Ghislain
Published: December 2008

Extracellular proteolysis of basement membranes and matrix is required for leukocyte diapedesis and migration to the inflammatory focus. Neutrophil elastase (NE) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are among the enzymes involved in these processes, as shown in mice genetically deprived of such enzymes. However, studies with MMP-9−/− mice revealed that albeit neutrophil influx is impaired initially in these animals versus controls, neutrophilia is subsequently augmented during later stages of zymosan peritonitis. MMP-9 as a MMP and NE as a serine protease belong to different enzyme classes. As MMP-9 and NE are produced by neutrophils and have similar biological effects on matrix remodeling, it was evaluated whether enhanced NE activity might compensate for the lack of MMP-9. In genetically uncompromised mice, two waves of NE expression and activity during zymosan peritonitis were observed in inflammatory neutrophils and macrophages at the time of influx of the respective cell populations into the peritoneum. Additionally, NE expression was associated with the activity of resident peritoneal mast cells and macrophages, as their depletion reduced NE activity. Most importantly, the NE mRNA and protein expression and activity were enhanced significantly in MMP-9−/− mice during late stages of zymosan peritonitis. In addition, the application of a selective NE inhibitor restrained enhanced neutrophil accumulation significantly. In conclusion, during acute peritoneal inflammation, NE expression and activity increase gradually, facilitating leukocyte influx. Moreover, increased NE activity might compensate for a genetic lack of MMP-9 (as detected in MMP-9−/− mice), resulting in delayed accumulation of neutrophils during late zymosan peritonitis.
Leukocyte trafficking in primary immunodeficiencies
Authors: Notarangelo Luigi D , Badolato Raffaele
Published: December 2008

Leukocyte recirculation through central and peripheral lymphoid organs and peripheral tissues is essential to maintain immune homeostasis. Some of the genetically determined, primary immunodeficiencies compromise leukocyte trafficking. Here, we review the mechanisms and consequences of impaired leukocyte trafficking in leukocyte adhesion-deficiency syndromes, Warts-Hypo-γ-globulinemia-Infections-Myelokathexis syndrome and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.
Theory of traveltime shifts around compacting reservoirs: 3D solutions for heterogeneous anisotropic media
Authors: Felício Fuck Rodrigo , Bakulin Andrey , Tsvankin Ilya
Published: December 2008

Time-lapse traveltime shifts of reflection events recorded above hydrocarbon reservoirs can be used to monitor production-related compaction and pore-pressure changes. Existing methodology, however, is limited to zero-offset rays and cannot be applied to traveltime shifts measured on prestack seismic data. We give an analytic 3D description of stress-related traveltime shifts for rays propagating along arbitrary trajectories in heterogeneous anisotropic media. The nonlinear theory of elasticity helps to express the velocity changes in and around the reservoir through the excess stresses associated with reservoir compaction. Because this stress-induced velocity field is both heterogeneous and anisotropic, it should be studied using prestack traveltimes or amplitudes. Then we obtain the traveltime shifts by first-order perturbation of traveltimes that accounts not only for the velocity changes but also for 3D deformation of reflectors. The resulting closed-form expression can be used efficiently for numerical modeling of traveltime shifts and, ultimately, for reconstructing the stress distribution around compacting reservoirs. The analytic results are applied to a 2D model of a compacting rectangular reservoir embedded in an initially homogeneous and isotropic medium. The computed velocity changes around the reservoir are caused primarily by deviatoric stresses and produce a transversely isotropic medium with a variable orientation of the symmetry axis and substantial values of the Thomsen parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The offset dependence of the traveltime shifts should play a crucial role in estimating the anisotropy parameters and compaction-related deviatoric stress components.
Hepatic Lipase, Genetically Elevated High-Density Lipoprotein, and Risk of Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Johannsen Trine Holm , Kamstrup Pia R. , Andersen Rolf V. , Jensen Gorm B. , Sillesen Henrik , Tybjærg-Hansen Anne , Nordestgaard Børge G.
Published: December 2008

Context: Hepatic lipase influences metabolism of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), a risk factor for ischemic cardiovascular disease (ICD: ischemic heart disease and ischemic cerebrovascular disease).

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that genetic variation in the hepatic lipase genetic variants V73M, N193S, S267F, L334F, T383M, and −480c>t influence levels of lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins and risk of ICD.

Design: For the cross-sectional study, we genotyped 9003 individuals from the Copenhagen City Heart Study; hereof were 8971 individuals included in the prospective study, 1747 of whom had incident ICD during 28 yr of follow-up. For the case-control studies, 2110 ischemic heart disease patients vs. 4899 controls and 769 ischemic cerebrovascular disease patients vs. 2836 controls, respectively, were genotyped. Follow-up was 100% complete.

Results: HDL cholesterol was higher by 0.21 mmol/liter in S267F heterozygotes, by 0.06 mmol/liter in −480c>t heterozygotes, and by 0.13 mmol/liter in −480c>t homozygotes, as compared with noncarriers. These HDL increases theoretically predicted hazard ratios for ICD of 0.87 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84–0.90], 0.96 (95% CI 0.95–0.97), and 0.91 (95% CI 0.89–0.94), respectively; this calculation assumes that genetically elevated HDL levels confer decreased risk similar to common HDL elevations. In contrast, when all cases and controls were combined, the observed odds ratios for ICD for these three genetic variants vs. noncarriers were 1.19 (0.76–1.88), 1.04 (0.96–1.13), and 1.08 (0.89–1.30), respectively. Hazard/odds ratios for ICD in carriers vs. noncarriers of the four remaining hepatic lipase genetic variants did not differ consistently from 1.0.

Conclusion: Hepatic lipase genetic variants with elevated levels of HDL cholesterol did not associate with risk of ICD.
TheDrosophilahomolog of vertebrateIslet1is a key component in early cardiogenesis
Authors: Mann Tabea , Bodmer Rolf , Pandur Petra
Published: December 2008

In mouse, the LIM-homeodomain transcription factor Islet1(Isl1) has been shown to demarcate a separate cardiac cell population that is essential for the formation of the right ventricle and the outflow tract of the heart. Whether Isl1 plays a crucial role in the early regulatory network of transcription factors that establishes a cardiac fate in mesodermal cells has not been fully resolved. We have analyzed the role of the Drosophila homolog of Isl1, tailup (tup), in cardiac specification and formation of the dorsal vessel. The early expression of Tup in the cardiac mesoderm suggests that Tup functions in cardiac specification. Indeed, tup mutants are characterized by a reduction of the essential early cardiac transcription factors Tin, Pnr and Dorsocross1-3 (Doc). Conversely, Tup expression depends on each of these cardiac factors, as well as on the early inductive signals Dpp and Wg. Genetic interactions show that tup cooperates with tin, pnr and Doc in heart cell specification. Germ layer-specific loss-of-function and rescue experiments reveal that Tup also functions in the ectoderm to regulate cardiogenesis and implicate the involvement of different LIM-domain-interacting proteins in the mesoderm and ectoderm. Gain-of-function analyses for tup and pnr suggest that a proper balance of these factors is also required for the specification of Eve-expressing pericardial cells. Since tup is required for proper cardiogenesis in an invertebrate organism, we believe it is appropriate to include tup/Isl1 in the core set of ancestral cardiac transcription factors that govern a cardiac fate.