bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Major and trace element geochemistry and isotope (Sr, Nd, Pb, O) systematics of an Archaean basement involved in a 2.0 Ga very high‐temperature (1000°C) metamorphic event: In Ouzzal Massif, Hoggar, Algeria
Authors: PEUCAT J.‐J. , CAPDEVILA R. , DRARENI A. , CHOUKROUNE P. , FANNING C. M. , BERNARD‐GRIFFITHS J. , FOURCADE S.
Published: December 2004

The In Ouzzal granulitic massif is composed mainly of various meta‐igneous rocks which, in spite of Rb, U, Th, Cs and some K and Sr mobility, can be dated and generally classified according to their chemical composition as follows.

Basic and ultrabasic granulites interlayered with the metasediments correspond to (1) ultrabasic cumulates from dislocated tholeiitic bodies, (2) ancient komatiitic to high‐Mg tholeiitic basalts similar to the suites found in Archaean greenstone belts and (3) calcalkaline protoliths of high‐K andesitic composition. No geochronological constraints are available apart from the depositional age of some associated sediments which is younger than 2.70 Ga detrital zircons, and the Nd model age of the andesitic granulites of c. 3.4 Ga.

In spite of the high‐grade metamorphism, the acidic magmatic precursors of the charnockites can be divided in three groups. (1) The most juvenile acid orthogneisses are trondhjemitic or tonalitic in composition, being similar to the TTG suites which are classically considered to be formed by partial melting of mantle‐derived protoliths. The 3.3–3.2 Ga TDM indicates a possible age of separation from the mantle reservoir while the plutons may have been emplaced between 3.3 and 2.7 Ga (U–Pb zircon & Nd ages). (2) A group of alkaline granitic gneisses, similar in composition to rift‐related‐granites, were emplaced at 2650±10 Ma (U–Pb & Rb–Sr ages) in a thick continental crust. (3) Calcalkaline granodioritic and monzogranitic suites derived from the partial melting of continental precursors (3.5–3.3 Ga), in lower to middle levels of the continental crust. They were emplaced close to 2.5 Ga during crustal thickening.

The very high‐temperature metamorphism occurred at 2002±7 Ma from the age of synfoliation intrusions and was probably related to major overthrusting. Retrogressive metamorphism is dated at 1.95 Ga from garnet‐Nd ages. In spite of the very high‐temperature conditions, partial melting during granulite facies metamorphism may be restricted to scarce cordierite‐bearing monzogranitic gneisses. The 2.0 Ga VHT metamorphism could be related to overthrusting, extensional or underplating processes.
Probable anticlockwise P,–T evolution in extending crust: Hlinsko region, Bohemian Massif
Authors: PITRA P. , GUIRAUD M.
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACT In the Hlinsko region (Variscan Bohemian Massif, Czech Republic) a major extensional shear zone separates low‐grade metasedimentary series (Hlinsko schists) and high‐grade rocks of the Moldanubian terrane (Svratka Crystalline Unit). During late‐Variscan extension, a tonalite intruded syntectonically into the normal ductile shear zone, and caused contact metamorphism of the overlying schists. Concurrent syntectonic sedimentation of a flysch series took place at the top of the hangingwall schists. In order to decipher the detailed petrological evolution of the Hlinsko unit situated in the hangingwall of this tectonic contact, a phase diagram approach and petrogenetic grids, calculated with the thermocalc computer program, were used.

The crystallization/deformation relationships and the paragenetic analysis of the Hlinsko schists define a P–T path with an initial minor increase in pressure followed by cooling. Calculated pseudosections constrain this anticlockwise P‐T evolution to the upper part of the andalusite field between 0.36 and 0.40 GPa for temperatures ranging from 570 to 530°C. A low aH2O is required to explain the presence of andalusite‐biotite‐bearing assemblages, and could be related to the presence of abundant graphite.

In contrast, the footwall rocks of the Svratka Crystalline Unit record decompression from around 0.8 GPa at a relatively constant temperature, followed by cooling. Thus, the footwall and the hangingwall units display opposite, but convergent P–T histories. Decompression in the footwall rocks is related to a rapid exhumation. We propose that the inverse, anticlockwise P–T path recorded in the hangingwall pelites is related to the rapid, extension‐controlled sedimentation of the overlying flysch series.
An Insight into the Dendritic Cells at the Maternal–Fetal Interface
Authors: Juretic Koraljka , Strbo Natasa , Crncic Tatjana Bogovic , Laskarin Gordana , Rukavina Daniel
Published: December 2004

The conditions that permit the genetically distinct fetus to survive and develop within the mother are among the most fascinating immunologic puzzles. The presence of dendritic cells in the maternal decidua pointed to a biologic role of antigen‐presenting cells in maternal–fetal interaction. The method of study included recent findings on the lineage, maturity, phenotype and function of dendritic cells at the maternal–fetal interface. The increment of uterine dendritic cells occurs simultaneously with the decisive phase of gestation, when implantation takes place. Decidual dendritic cells of the first trimester pregnancy, with a phenotype characteristic of the mature myeloid lineage, express MHC class II, co‐stimulatory and adhesion molecules, control Th1/Th2 balance and activate the proliferative response of autologous NK cells. Dentritic cells are specifically equipped to control immunity, to trigger immune response and also to maintain tolerance, avoiding the rejection of the conceptus by the maternal immune system.
Sticking Out Like a Sore Thumb: Employee Dissimilarity and Deviance at Work*
Authors: LIAO HUI , JOSHI APARNA , CHUANG AICHIA
Published: December 2004

This study examined demographic‐ and personality‐based employee dissimilarities in relation to organizational and interpersonal deviant behaviors. Perceived organizational support (POS), organizational commitment, perceived coworker support, and coworker satisfaction were proposed as mediators. The results revealed that dissimilarities in ethnicity, Agreeableness, and Openness to Experience were significantly related to organizational deviance; dissimilarities in gender, Conscientiousness, and Extraversion were significantly related to interpersonal deviance. In addition, ethnic dissimilarity negatively predicted POS and organizational commitment, age dissimilarity positively predicted perceived coworker support, Extraversion dissimilarity positively predicted coworker satisfaction, Agreeableness dissimilarity negatively predicted POS, and Openness to Experience dissimilarity negatively predicted POS, organizational commitment, perceived coworker support, and coworker satisfaction. Finally, POS partially mediated the relationship between Agreeableness dissimilarity and organizational deviance. Interpretations of results, implications for management, and future research are discussed.
BFFT FORMALISM APPLIED TO THE MINIMAL CHIRAL SCHWINGER MODEL
Authors: NATIVIDADE C. P. , BOSCHI-FILHO H. , BELVEDERE L. V.
Published: December 2004

We consider the minimal chiral Schwinger model, by embedding the gauge non-invariant formulation into a gauge theory following the Batalin–Fradkin–Fradkina–Tyutin point of view. Within the BFFT procedure, the second-class constraints are converted into strongly involutive first-class ones, leading to an extended gauge-invariant formulation. We also show that, like the standard chiral model, in the minimal chiral model the Wess–Zumino action can be obtained by performing a q-number gauge transformation into the effective gauge non-invariant action.
CP NONINVARIANCE AND AN EFFECTIVE COSMOLOGICAL CONSTANT: THE ENERGY DENSITY IN A PSEUDOSCALAR FIELD WHICH ARISES FROM A COSMOLOGICAL, SPONTANEOUSLY-BROKEN CHIRAL SYMMETRY
Authors: BARSHAY SAUL , KREYERHOFF GEORG
Published: December 2004

We present and discuss the properties and the main results of a cosmological model with a spontaneously-broken chiral symmetry. The model contains and relates dynamically, two spin-zero fields. The scalar field can provide the dynamical basis for inflation in the early universe. The pseudoscalar, Goldstone field can provide an early, small residual vacuum energy density, the absolute value of which we estimate to be similar to the present, empirically small vacuum energy density. The small energy scale for this effective cosmological constant is estimated separately, by relating it dynamically to the empirical, small scale of neutrino mass. CP invariance is broken spontaneously. This provides a natural basis for the early generation of an antineutrino–neutrino asymmetry, whose magnitude we estimate, and find to be significant.
SUSTAINABILITY AND TRANSPORT APPRAISAL: THE CASE OF THE "ACCESS TO HASTINGS" MULTI-MODAL STUDY
Authors: RAYNER TIM
Published: December 2004

Despite recent reforms intended to restore confidence in them, appraisal practices used to develop and assess the desirability of interventions in the UK transport sector remain contested, constituting arenas where competing problem definitions are likely to come into conflict. Through a detailed case study of the first of a new generation of "multi-modal transport studies", this paper explores the politics of the "new approach to appraisal" and subsequent decision-making, examining a number of factors that contributed to the failure in this case, and more widely, to reach consensual decisions. Ambiguities in guidance documents and government policy, and mismatches in the timescales of important policy and plan development processes, combined with inherent uncertainties, are shown to have contributed to a climate in which conflicting local discourses could not be reconciled. Finally, the ultimate outcome of the Hastings study — rejection by central government of a series of bypass proposals — is discussed in terms of its implications for current debates over sustainability appraisal.
EVALUATION OF REGIONAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT — TRANSITIONS AND PROSPECTS
Authors: RAVETZ JOE , COCCOSSIS HARRY , SCHLEICHER-TAPPESER RUGGERO , STEELE PATRICK
Published: December 2004

Evaluation practice, "regional development" and "sustainability" are each complex and contentious. Each shows rapid trends and transitions, and opportunities to be gained for more integrated governance and regional development. This paper takes a case study approach, based on the "Evaluation Workshop" of the EU thematic network project REGIONET. The case studies each concerned the restructuring and modernization process: one in an industrial conurbation, another in an agricultural region and a third in a peripheral region. For each case study, the workshop sessions explored in depth the current evaluation practice, the technical tools, the social processes and the trends and prospects in sight.

The results of this exploration highlight the rapid transitions emerging in several areas — in technical tools, in social participation and in multi-level governance. The implications are for a new kind of evaluation toolkit, a "meta-information system", which helps to link between existing methods and tools. They also point towards an evaluation approach that is based on a proactive "opportunity building", as much as a reactive "impact assessment".
REGIONAL SUSTAINABILITY ACCOUNTING AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL–ECONOMIC BALANCE OF PAYMENTS
Authors: GASSNER JOCHEN , NARODOSLAWSKY MICHAEL
Published: December 2004

Trade induces not only the exchange of money and goods and services between nations. Both directly and/or incorporated in traded goods, resources and environmental pressures are exchanged. It is the aim of this paper to present a way of linking the environmental pressure related to trade, to flows of money and products between nations. After a brief introduction of the Sustainable Economy Indices — a set of indices measuring macroeconomic sustainability — the method of the environmental–economic balance of payments is presented. The accounting system underlying the environmental–economic is outlined and accounts for Austria are calculated.
D5dopamine receptor regulation of phospholipase D
Authors: Yang Zhiwei , Asico Laureano D. , Yu Peiying , Wang Zheng , Jones John E. , Bai Ren-kui , Sibley David R. , Felder Robin A. , Jose Pedro A.
Published: December 2004

D1-like receptors have been reported to decrease oxidative stress in vascular smooth muscle cells by decreasing phospholipase D (PLD) activity. However, the PLD isoform regulated by D1-like receptors (D1or D5) and whether abnormal regulation of PLD by D1-like receptors plays a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension are unknown. The hypothesis that the D5receptor is the D1-like receptor that inhibits PLD activity and serves to regulate blood pressure was tested using D5receptor mutant mice (D5−/−). We found that in the mouse kidney, PLD2, like the D5receptor, is mainly expressed in renal brush-border membranes, whereas PLD1 is mainly expressed in renal vessels with faint staining in brush-border membranes and collecting ducts. Total renal PLD activity is increased in D5−/−mice relative to congenic D5wild-type (D5+/+) mice. PLD2, but not PLD1, expression is greater in D5−/−than in D5+/+mice. The D5receptor agonist fenoldopam decreases PLD2, but not PLD1, expression and activity in human embryonic kidney-293 cells heterologously expressing the human D5receptor, effects that are blocked by the D5receptor antagonist SCH-23390. These studies show that the D5receptor regulates PLD2 activity and expression. The hypertension in the D5−/−mice is associated with increased PLD expression and activity. Impaired D5receptor regulation of PLD2 may play a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension.
Cannabinoids and Endotoxemia
Authors: Gardiner S. M. , Bennett T.
Published: December 2004

Endocannabinoids and CB1 receptors have been implicated in endotoxin (LPS)-induced hypotension: LPS stimulates the synthesis of anandamide in macrophages, and the CB1 antagonist SR-141716 inhibits the hypotension induced by treatment of rats with LPS or LPS-treated macrophages. Recent evidence indicates the existence of cannabinoid receptors distinct from CB1 or CB2 that are inhibited by SR-141716 but not by other CB1 antagonists such as AM251. In pentobarbital-anesthetized rats, intravenous injection of 10 mg/kg LPS elicited hypotension associated with profound decreases in cardiac contractility, moderate tachycardia, and an increase in lower body vascular resistance. Pretreatment with 3 mg/kg SR-141716 prevented the hypotension and decrease in cardiac contractility, slightly attenuated the increase in peripheral resistance, and had no effect on the tachycardia caused by LPS, whereas pretreatment with 3 mg/kg AM251 did not affect any of these responses. SR-141716 also elicited an acute reversal of the hypotension and decreased contractility when administered after the response to LPS had fully developed. The LPS-induced hypotension and its inhibition by SR-141716 were similar in pentobarbital-anesthetized wild-type, CB1−/−, and CB1−/−/CB2−/− mice. We conclude that SR-141716 inhibits the acute hemodynamic effects of LPS by interacting with a cardiac receptor distinct from CB1 or CB2 that mediates negative inotropy and may be activated by anandamide or a related endocannabinoid released during endotoxemia.
Evaluation of the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) in Criminal Justice and Detoxification Settings and in a Swedish Population Sample
Authors: Berman Anne H. , Bergman Hans , Palmstierna Tom , Schlyter Frans
Published: December 2004

Psychometric properties of the 11-item self-report Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) were evaluated in a sample of heavy drug users from prison, probation, and inpatient detoxification settings, and in a general Swedish population sample. In the drug user sample, the DUDIT predicted drug dependence with a sensitivity of 90% for both DSM-4 and ICD-10 and a respective specificity of 78 and 88%. Reliability according to Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.80. In the population sample, 3.1% scored positive on the DUDIT; T-score values are suggested. The DUDIT screens effectively for drug-related problems in clinically selected groups and may prove useful in the context of public health surveys.
Epithelial Framework Reorganization during Human Thymus Involution
Authors: Marinova Tsvetana T.
Published: December 2004

Background: The thymus undergoes age-related (physiological) involution in the course of normal ontogenetic development. In addition to this chronic involution, the thymus can also undergo an acute (age-independent) regression, defined as spontaneous, transient involution. This process is induced by either exogenous or endogenous factors, including some infections (infection-type involution). Objective: The purpose of the present work was to undertake a comparative study of the epithelial framework organization and cytokeratin immunoreactivity of human thymic epithelial cells during age-related and infection-induced involution. Methods: Routine methods for light and transmission electron microscopy, as well as indirect immunoperoxidase staining and immunogold electron microscopy, were applied. Results: The epithelial thymocyte microenvironment was of a generally similar cellular composition in both chronically and acutely involuted thymus. Structurally, aged thymus glands and infection-affected thymus glands displayed a large mass of adipose tissue containing scattered islands composed of epithelial cells, lymphocytes and reticular connective tissue. Correlation between thymus involution and regional peculiarities in the presence and distribution of cytokeratin-immunopositive cells and their intermediate filaments was investigated. Conclusion: The epithelial framework of the thymus undergoes reorganization during both age-related and infection-induced thymus involution. The involutionary processes demonstrated essential regional and intracellular (structural and immunocytochemical) differences. The epithelial cell rearrangement and cytokeratin modulation that we observed might be involved in thymic microenvironment plasticity and reorganization in the course of these processes.
Mapping Genes for Common Diseases: The Case for Genetic (LD) Maps
Authors: Collins Andrew , Lau Winston , De La Vega Francisco M.
Published: December 2004

We examine the current effort to develop a haplotype map of the human genome and suggest an alternative approach which represents linkage disequilibrium patterns in the form of a metric LD map. LD maps have some of the useful properties of genetic linkage maps but have a much higher resolution which is optimal for SNP-based association mapping of common diseases. The studies that have been undertaken to date suggest that LD and recombination maps show some close similarities because of abundant, narrow, recombination hot spots. These hot spots are co-localised in all populations but, unlike linkage maps, LD maps differ in scale for different populations because of differences in population history. The prospects for developing optimized panels of SNPs and the use of linkage disequilibrium maps in disease gene localisation are assessed in the light of recent evidence.
A Haplotype-Based Test of Association Using Data from Cohort and Nested Case-Control Epidemiologic Studies
Authors: Chen Jinbo , Peters Ulrike , Foster Charles , Chatterjee Nilanjan
Published: December 2004

Haplotype-based risk models can lead to powerful methods for detecting the association of a disease with a genomic region of interest. In population-based studies of unrelated individuals, however, the haplotype status of some subjects may not be discernible without ambiguity from available locus-specific genotype data. A score test for detecting haplotype-based association using genotype data has been developed in the context of generalized linear models for analysis of data from cross-sectional and retrospective studies [1]. In this article, we develop a test for association using genotype data from cohort and nested case-control studies where subjects are prospectively followed until disease incidence or censoring (end of follow-up) occurs. Assuming a proportional hazard model for the haplotype effects, we derive an induced hazard function of the disease given the genotype data, and hence propose a test statistic based on the associated partial likelihood. The proposed test procedure can account for differential follow-up of subjects, can adjust for possibly time-dependent environmental co-factors and can make efficient use of valuable age-at-onset information that is available on cases. We provide an algorithm for computing the test statistic using readily available statistical software. Utilizing simulated data in the context of two genomic regions GPX1 and GPX3, we evaluate the validity of the proposed test for small sample sizes and study its power in the presence and absence of missing genotype data.
Effect of Population Stratification on Case-Control Association Studies
Authors: Heiman Gary A. , Hodge Susan E. , Gorroochurn Prakash , Zhang Junying , Greenberg David A.
Published: December 2004

Objectives: This is the first of two articles discussing the effect of population stratification on the type I error rate (i.e., false positive rate). This paper focuses on the confounding risk ratio (CRR). It is accepted that population stratification (PS) can produce false positive results in case-control genetic association. However, which values of population parameters lead to an increase in type I error rate is unknown. Some believe PS does not represent a serious concern [1, 2], whereas others believe that PS may contribute to contradictory findings in genetic association [3]. We used computer simulations to estimate the effect of PS on type I error rate over a wide range of disease frequencies and marker allele frequencies, and we compared the observed type I error rate to the magnitude of the confounding risk ratio. Methods: We simulated two populations and mixed them to produce a combined population, specifying 160 different combinations of input parameters (disease prevalences and marker allele frequencies in the two populations). From the combined populations, we selected 5000 case-control datasets, each with either 50, 100, or 300 cases and controls, and determined the type I error rate. In all simulations, the marker allele and disease were independent (i.e., no association). Results: The type I error rate is not substantially affected by changes in the disease prevalence per se. We found that the CRR provides a relatively poor indicator of the magnitude of the increase in type I error rate. We also derived a simple mathematical quantity, Δ, that is highly correlated with the type I error rate. In the companion article (part II, in this issue) [4], we extend this work to multiple subpopulations and unequal sampling proportions. Conclusion: Based on these results, realistic combinations of disease prevalences and marker allele frequencies can substantially increase the probability of finding false evidence of marker disease associations. Furthermore, the CRR does not indicate when this will occur.
Using Overall Allele-Sharing to Detect the Presence of Large-Scale Data Errors and Parameter Misspecification in Sib-Pair Linkage Studies
Authors: Olson Jane M. , Song Yeunjoo , Lu Qing , Wedig Geoffrey C. , Goddard Katrina A.B.
Published: December 2004

Data errors and marker allele frequency misspecification can lead to incorrect inference in linkage analysis. Here we demonstrate the effect of each on an allele-sharing statistic in a sample of sib pairs. In the context of relationship testing, we propose a new test that compares the sample genome-wide sib-pair allele sharing to its expectation and show that this test can detect the presence of large-scale data and model errors.
Cutaneous Vasculitis in the Course of Hematologic Malignancies
Authors: Bachmeyer Claude , Wetterwald Eric , Aractingi Selim
Published: December 2004

Background: In patients with hematologic malignancies, cutaneous vasculitis is an important manifestation which may be secondary either to the malignancy itself or to many frequent events in these patients such as infections or drug intake. Objective: To assess the underlying events responsible for cutaneous vasculitis in patients with hematologic malignancies. Methods: Twenty-three patients with hematologic malignancies who had a skin biopsy in a single institution between January 1990 and June 1995 disclosing vasculitis were included in this study. Clinical, biological and immunological data, infectious enquiry and drug exposure were reviewed. Results: The 23 patients represented 22% of 95 patients with hematologic malignancies in whom 105 skin biopsies were done. A lymphoproliferative disorder was found in 12/23 (52%) and a myeloproliferative disease in 11/23 (48%). The cutaneous vasculitis developed concomitantly with the malignancy in 39%, before in 26% and after the diagnosis of malignancy in 35%. The hematologic condition seemed to be the sole cause for vasculitis in 61% of the patients while the vasculitis could be attributed to another mechanism than the hematologic malignancy itself in 39%. These consisted in infections, medication and mixed cryoglobulinemia in 13% each. Conclusion: Cutaneous vasculitis constitutes a symptom developing in association with hematologic malignancy and may follow, accompany and also precede the condition. However, search for other triggering factors such as infection, drugs and cryoglobulinemia is required since they are the culprits of the vasculitis in 39% of cases.
Zileuton, an Oral 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitor, Directly Reduces Sebum Production
Authors: Zouboulis Ch.C. , Saborowski A. , Boschnakow A.
Published: December 2004

Background: Zileuton, a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, reduces the number of inflammatory lesions in moderate acne and inhibits the synthesis of sebaceous lipids. Objective: To detect whether zileuton directly reduces sebum synthesis. Methods: A 40-year-old female with mild disseminated sebaceous gland hyperplasia and seborrhea was treated with zileuton 4 × 600 mg/day over 2 weeks, was followed-up for 6 weeks after discontinuation of zileuton and was re-treated with low-dose isotretinoin 10 mg/2nd day over 5 weeks. Casual skin surface lipids and sebum synthesis were determined. Results: Under treatment with zileuton increased casual skin surface lipids were normalized and synthesis of facial sebum was decreased. Six weeks after discontinuation of treatment casual skin surface lipids were increased again and synthesis of sebum returned to baseline. Subsequent low-dose isotretinoin treatment led to similar changes of casual skin surface lipids and sebum synthesis with zileuton already after 2 weeks. Conclusion: Zileuton directly inhibits sebum synthesis in a transient manner with a potency similar to low-dose isotretinoin at least in our patient.
Oral Involvement in Lymphomatoid Papulosis
Authors: Pujol Ramon M. , Muret M. Pilar García , Bergua Paula , Bordes Ramon , Alomar Agustí
Published: December 2004

Oral involvement in cutaneous CD30+ T-cell lymphoid proliferations is rare and has received little attention in the dermatologic literature. The authors report 2 patients with self-healing, recurrent papulonodular eruptions with the classic clinical, histopathological and immunophenotypic features of lymphomatoid papulosis, which developed two ulcerated papules and an ulcerative nodule on the dorsum of the tongue, respectively. The lesions appeared coincident with a new cutaneous relapse of the disease. Histopathological and immunophenotypic features were similar to those of the cutaneous lesions. All lesions regressed spontaneously after several weeks. Since then, and after follow-up periods of 3 and 7 years, respectively, no evidence of extracutaneous involvement has been detected. Oral involvement in lymphomatoid papulosis is an uncommon event, probably without prognostic significance. Previously reported cases are reviewed. The differential diagnosis of atypical T-cell lymphoid infiltrates observed in the oral mucosa is discussed.
Effects of Stamm Gastrostomy on Gastric Emptying Rate in Rats
Authors: Tuğtepe H. , İskit H.S. , Bozkurt Süheyla , Kıyan G. , Yeğen B.Ç. , Dağlı Tolga E.
Published: December 2004

Aim: Although frequency of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) increases after gastrostomy, the role of gastric emptying in GER has not been evaluated. In this study, we examined the effects of Stamm gastrostomy on gastric emptying rate in rats and whether Stamm gastrostomy induces GER or not. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups. Stamm gastrostomy was done in the first group (SG). Sham operation was carried out in group 2 and the 3rd group served as control. Gastric emptying was assessed using both liquid and solid meals in each group at postoperative 14th day. For solid meal emptying, after fasting of 16 h, the rats were fed for 3 h and gastric emptying rate was measured at the fifth hour. Methylcellulose was used for emptying of liquids and it was given after the animals were fasted for 16 h and gastric emptying rate was measured 30 min later. Histological evaluation for GER was performed in all groups. Results: GER was observed pathophysiologically in 5 of the 7 rats in SG group. Gastric emptying rates of liquid and solid meals were found to be similar in control, SG or sham groups. Conclusion: Surgical gastrostomy does not affect the gastric emptying of solid and liquid meals in rats. Other mechanisms should be considered in the development of GER observed following gastrostomy.
Effect of Fluoridated Toothpicks and Dental Flosses on Enamel and Dentine and on Plaque Composition in situ
Authors: Särner B. , Birkhed D. , Huysmans M.C.D.N.J.M. , Ruben J.L. , Fidler V. , Lingström P.
Published: December 2004

The aim was to evaluate the effect of two toothpicks and two dental flosses on demineralized enamel and dentine and on plaque composition, using an in situ model with simulated approximal spaces within dentures. Fifteen subjects with full dentures were recruited and 14 completed the study. It consisted of two crossover periods, the first comparing a birch toothpick with AmF and a birch toothpick with NaF, and the second comparing a dental floss with AmF + NaF and a dental floss without F. Between these four periods, there was a control period without any approximal cleaning. In small, rectangular sample holders, one enamel and one dentine specimen were embedded, forming a triangular, approximal-like space. Two sample holders were mounted in the premolar-molar region of the upper or lower dentures. The subjects used the toothpicks or dental flosses 3 times/day for 4 weeks. The results showed that all toothpicks and dental flosses inhibited further demineralization compared to the control period (p < 0.001). The dental flosses were somewhat more effective in this respect than the toothpicks, especially in dentine. There were relatively small numerical differences between AmF and NaF toothpicks, but in favour of NaF regarding mineral gain (p < 0.05). The fluoridated floss gave somewhat less lesion depth in dentine than the non-fluoridated floss (p < 0.01). Toothpicks and flosses resulted in lower counts of microorganisms in plaque compared to the control period (p < 0.001); the AmF toothpick gave a more pronounced reduction than the NaF toothpick (p < 0.001).
Cytokine Adsorptive Property of Various Adsorbents in Immunoadsorption Columns and a Newly Developed Adsorbent: An in vitro Study
Authors: Oda Shigeto , Hirasawa Hiroyuki , Shiga Hidetoshi , Nakanishi Kazuya , Matsuda Ken-ichi , Nakamura Masataka , Ikeda Hiroyuki , Sakai Masamune
Published: December 2004

Background/Aims: Cytokines play important roles in the pathophysiology of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis. Therefore, some effective measures to remove cytokines from the bloodstream could be effective in the treatment of SIRS and sepsis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytokine adsorptive property of various adsorbents for the purpose of the development of new selective cytokine adsorption columns. Methods: The cytokine adsorptive property of adsorbent in a CF-X column, which consists of cellulose beads cross-linked with hexamethylene-di-isocyanate, was compared with those of various adsorbents in currently available immunoadsorption columns, such as Immusorba TR®, Immusorba PH®, Selesorb®, and Lixelle®, in vitro batchwise test using patients’ plasma. A newly developed adsorbent, MPCF-X, which was modified by coating the surface of the adsorbent in CF-X with 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC), was also tested for its cytokine adsorptive property. Results: The adsorbent in CF-Xshowed a significantly higher adsorption rate for TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 compared with other adsorbents (p < 0.05). Adsorbent in Lixelle® showed good affinity to TNF-α and IL-8. Especially, the adsorbent in CF-X almost completely removed TNF-α, whereas it also had considerable affinity to normal IgG. MPCF-X showed decreased affinity to IgG with considerable adsorptive properties to cytokines. Conclusion: Selective cytokine adsorption columns could be developed with improvement of currently available adsorbents. Such a new selective cytokine adsorption column could be clinically applied for the treatment of SIRS/sepsis.
Caudal Hindbrain Glucoprivation Enhances γ-Aminobutyric Acid Release in Discrete Septopreoptic Structures in the Steroid-Primed Ovariectomized Rat Brain: Role of μ Opioid Receptors
Authors: Singh Sushma R. , Sylvester Paul W. , Briski Karen P.
Published: December 2004

The neurochemical mechanisms underlying hindbrain glucoprivic suppression of the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge are not known. A body of experimental evidence supports the view that gonadal steroid positive-feedback action on the reproductive neuroendocrine axis relieves tonic GABAergic inhibition of gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons by diminishing preoptic release of this neurotransmitter. The present studies evaluated the hypothesis that hindbrain glucoprivic attenuation of the LH surge may be correlated with site-specific modifications in gonadal steroid suppression of γ-aminobutyric acid release in this region of the brain. Individual septopreoptic loci were microdissected from the brains of estrogen, progesterone-primed ovariectomized female rats injected with the glucose antimetabolite, 5-thioglucose (5-TG), or vehicle into the caudal fourth ventricle during the ascending phase of the surge, and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The data show that 5- TG administration increased GABA release within the rostral preoptic area (rPO), anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV), and median preoptic nucleus (MEPO), relative to the vehicle-treated controls, but did not alter neurotransmitter release in other structures evaluated. The rate of GABA turnover in each brain site was equivalent between animals injected with the µ opioid receptor antagonist CTOP and 5-TG versus their vehicle-treated controls. These results constitute novel evidence for site-specific modulation of steroid positive-feedback suppression of this inhibitory neurotransmitter by caudal hindbrain signaling of glucose insufficiency, and support the need for neurochemical characterization of glucoprivic-sensitive afferent input to GABAergic neurons terminating within the rPO, AVPV, and MEPO, as well as the relevance of enhanced local GABA release for reproductive neuroendocrine function.
Novel Slow- and Fast-Type Drug Release Round-Window Microimplants for Local Drug Application to the Cochlea: An Experimental Study in Guinea Pigs
Authors: Arnold Wolfgang , Senn Pascal , Hennig Michael , Michaelis Christiane , Deingruber Kerstin , Scheler Renate , Steinhoff Hans-Joachim , Riphagen Frits , Lamm Kerstin
Published: December 2004

Novel drug release microimplants (0.8 × 1.14 mm; custom-made by Leiras, now Schering OY, Finland) of slow- and fast-release types containing either 0.9 mg beclomethasone or no drug at all were placed unilaterally onto the round-window membrane (RWM) of 45 guinea pigs for a maximum duration of 28 days. The following parameters were tested on days 1, 14 and 28 after implantation: threshold levels of beclomethasone in the perilymph of the scala tympani, auditory brain stem responses (ABR thresholds and ABR threshold shifts), RWM morphology and hair cell loss (cytocochleograms). None of the animals in the non-implanted control group (n = 5) or placebo implant group (n = 15), but all animals in the slow-release-type implant group (n = 15) and fast-release-type implant group (n = 15) revealed the presence of beclomethasone on day 1 (34.9 and 64.3 pg/µl, respectively), day 14 (43.8 and 46.9 pg/µl, respectively) and day 28 after implantation (4.7 and 60.5 pg/µl, respectively). Histology of the RWMs appeared normal, and cytocochleograms revealed no inner hair cell loss and outer hair cell loss within normal ranges (from 0.5 ± 0.4 to 0.8 ± 0.2% per cochlea) in both ears in all experimental groups at any time during examination (days 1, 14 and 28). Initial values of ABR thresholds at 3, 6, 9 and 12 kHz did not differ significantly in any of the experimental groups. In non-implanted controls, no significant differences of ABR thresholds were observed in all frequencies tested in either ear on days 1, 14 and 28 compared to initial values, and ABR threshold shifts ranged from –3 ± 5 dB (min.) to +5 ± 7 dB (max.). On day 28 after implantation, there were no significant differences of ABR threshold shifts between this and the implant groups, except for 6 kHz of the slow-release device. Therefore, the placebo implants, the slow-release and the fast-release beclomethasone implants appear suitable for further experiments.
Kinetic Analysis of Pepsin Digestion of Chicken Egg White Ovomucoid and Allergenic Potential of Pepsin Fragments
Authors: Takagi Kayoko , Teshima Reiko , Okunuki Haruyo , Itoh Satsuki , Kawasaki Nana , Kawanishi Toru , Hayakawa Takao , Kohno Yoichi , Urisu Atsuo , Sawada Jun-ichi
Published: December 2004

Background: The allergenic potential of chicken egg white ovomucoid (OVM) is thought to depend on its stability to heat treatment and digestion. Pepsin-digested fragments have been speculated to continue to exert an allergenic potential. OVM was digested in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) to examine the reactivity of the resulting fragments to IgE in sera from allergic patients. Methods: OVM was digested in SGF and subjected to SDS-PAGE. The detected fragments were then subjected to N-terminal sequencing and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry analysis to confirm the cleavage sites and partial amino acid sequences. The reactivity of the fragments to IgE antibodies in serum samples from patients allergic to egg white was then determined using Western blotting (n = 24). Results: The rate of OVM digestion depended on the pepsin/OVM ratio in the SGF. OVM was first cleaved near the end of the first domain, and the resulting fragments were then further digested into smaller fragments. In the Western blot analysis, 93% of the OVM-reactive sera also bound to the 23.5- to 28.5-kDa fragments, and 21% reacted with the smaller 7- and 4.5-kDa fragments. Conclusion: When the digestion of OVM in SGF was kinetically analyzed, 21% of the examined patients retained their IgE-binding capacity to the small 4.5-kDa fragment. Patients with a positive reaction to this small peptide fragment were thought to be unlikely to outgrow their egg white allergy. The combination of SGF-digestibility studies and human IgE-binding experiments seems to be useful for the elucidation and diagnosis of the allergenic potential of OVM.
Confirmation of the Diagnosis of Natural Rubber Latex Allergy by the Basotest® Method
Authors: Hemery Marie-Laure , Arnoux Bernard , Dhivert-Donnadieu Henriette , Rongier Monique , Barbotte Eric , Verdier Regis , Demoly Pascal
Published: December 2004

Background: The flow cytometry CD63-based basophil activation test (Basotest®) has already been validated for the diagnosis of immediate-type allergy such as venom, house dust mite or cypress pollen allergies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance (specificity and sensitivity) of Basotest in the diagnosis of natural rubber latex allergy. Methods: We included 46 latex allergic patients (clinical symptoms of latex allergy, positive latex skin prick tests and/or latex specific IgE) and 33 control subjects and performed Basotest on all subjects. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of Basotest were 84.8 and 87.9%, respectively, when we considered the theoretic cut-off at 15% of CD63-positive cells. Using ROC curves, the optimal cut-off was evaluated at 22%, for which sensitivity and specificity were 79.3 and 96.7%, respectively. Conclusion: The Basotest is a reliable test in addition to clinical history and tests already validated (such as skin prick tests and specific IgE) to confirm the diagnosis of natural rubber latex allergy.
Place and Personal Commitment In Teaching Environmental Ethics
Authors: Cafaro Philip
Published: December 2004

This essay, a personal account of teaching environmental ethics, advances two main points. First, focusing on local environmental issues makes for better classes. Teachers can take advantage of local environmental expertise at their institutions and in the wider community; local focus provides a good balance given philosophy's tendency to abstractness; students tend to feel more engaged and excited about the class. Second, environmental ethics classes should spend more time helping students articulate their own ethical positions and showing them how to act upon them. In this way, our classes will better prepare and inspire students to do right by nature.
Teaching the Land Ethic
Authors: Nelson Michael
Published: December 2004

This paper discusses the teaching of the Leopoldian Land Ethic in an environmental ethics class. The Leopoldian Land Ethic is arguably the most fully formulated and developed environmental ethic to date. Moreover, at least in North America, it is also the ethical reference point of choice for conservation workers both within and outside of government service, and thus it is particularly important that students who will pursue such careers are exposed to it. Although there are a number of ways to unpack the Land Ethic in a university environmental ethics classroom, and for more public audiences, this paper outlines one method that has been highly effective in both teaching settings over a long period of time.
Teaching Environmental Ethics: Non-indigenous Invasive Species As A Study of Human Relationships to Nature
Authors: Boorse Dorothy
Published: December 2004

This paper uses the question, "what ethical issues inform our response to nonindigenous invasive species?" as a basis to explore human relationships to nature in the context of teaching environmental ethics. While ecologists express increasing concern about the introduction of non-indigenous invasive species (NIS), the public is sometimes unaware of, or ambivalent about, the problems they cause. I argue that this ambivalence stems from conceptual problems—about human-nature relationships, about ethical conflict and about human behavior—that can be addressed in a course on environmental ethics. Such a course can look at NIS in the context of different ethical traditions, and the different bases for action (or not) with regard to NIS that such ethical traditions imply. I suggest ways to use NIS as case studies in either a science course or an environmental ethics course, to introduce fundamental questions and to explore basic worldviews with respect to humans and nature.
From Delight to Wisdom: Thirty Years of Teaching Environmental Ethics at Cornell
Authors: Skillen James , Baer Richard , Hitzhusen Gregory , Johnson Karl , Tantillo James
Published: December 2004

In this paper, the authors retrace the philosophy and method of Natural Resources 407, "Religion, Ethics, and the Environment," which has been continuously taught at Cornell University by the lead author since 1974. The works of Iris Murdoch, Stanley Hauerwas, Reinhold Niebuhr, Joseph Sax, and Thomas Merton are discussed, culminating in an aesthetic vision of environmental ethics as "praise for all things." The course aims more to foster a general moral maturity rather than to instill any any particular set of environmental behaviors in students, and the authors believe that such an aim makes a lasting contribution to environmental ethics.
Elastic–Plastic Stress Analysis and Plastic Region Expansion of Clamped Aluminum Metal–Matrix Laminated Plates with an Elliptical Hole
Authors: Aktaş Alaattin
Published: December 2004

In this study, an elastic–plastic analysis and expansion of plastic region are carried out on symmetric and antisymmetric metal–matrix laminated plates with an elliptical hole. The plates are assumed to be clamped and subjected to transversely distributed loads. Loading is gradually increased from the yield point of the plate by 0.0001 MPa at each load step. Load step numbers are chosen as 300, 400, and 500. Residual stress components and the propagation of the plastic region are obtained for small deformations on the upper and lower surface using finite element method (FEM) and including first-order shear deformation theory.
Effect of MAPP as Coupling Agent on the Performance of Sisal–PP Composites
Authors: Mohanty S. , Nayak S. K. , Verma S. K. , Tripathy S. S.
Published: December 2004

Hybrid composites consisting of polypropylene (PP) and short sisal fibers were prepared by melt mixing followed by compression molding. Various types of chemical treatments such as alkali treatment, cyanoethylation, coupling agent treatment etc. were performed to improve the interfacial adhesion between the fibers and PP matrix. Variations in fiber loading, fiber length, coupling agent concentration and its treatment time period as a function of mechanical strength were studied. The morphology of the interface region was investigated through SEM analysis. Mechanical tests showed that the composites treated with MAPP of grade HC5 exhibited optimum strength. Nearly 50% increase in tensile, 30% in flexural and 58% increase in impact strengths were obtained in the case of composites treated with 1% MAPP concentration. Accelerated weathering and water absorption behavior of the MAPP-treated composites further confirmed an efficient fiber–matrix adhesion. Thermal measurements through DSC were also investigated to corroborate the findings of the mechanical data.
Gene Week: a novel way of consulting the public
Authors: Levitt Mairi , Weiner Kate , Goodacre John
Published: December 2004

Within academic circles, the “deficit” model of public understanding of science has been subject to increasing critical scrutiny by those who favor more constructivist approaches. These suggest that “the public” can articulate sophisticated ideas about the social and ethical implications of science regardless of their level of technical knowledge. The seminal studies following constructivist approaches have generally involved small-scale qualitative investigations, which have minimized the pre-framing of issues to a greater or lesser extent. This article describes the Gene Week Project, sponsored by the Wellcome Trust, which attempted to extend this work to a large-scale consultation on genetics and health through the medium of a local daily newspaper. Readers were invited to respond to a set of open-ended questions that accompanied stimulus material published each day for five consecutive weekdays. The articles were written with the intention of extending the limited range of discourses around genetics and biotechnology that are usually presented by the popular media (hope, fear, tragedy and bravery). Responses raised overarching issues about the place of emerging health technologies in society reminiscent of previous open-ended consultations in this field. The paper ends with a critical discussion about the potential of this method to contribute to the further development of open-ended public consultations.