bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Enhances Cardiovascular Risk Prediction in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Dückelmann Christina , Mittermayer Friedrich , Haider Dominik Georg , Altenberger Johann , Eichinger Jörg , Wolzt Michael
Published: June 2007

Objective—

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether elevated asymmetrical dimethylorginine (ADMA) concentrations are associated with increased cardiovascular risk in chronic heart failure (HF) patients.

Methods and Results—

253 patients with symptomatic chronic HF and impaired left ventricular function (median age 70 years, 202 males) were followed for a median of 14.2 months (interquartile range 6.8 to 21.2). ADMA and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were assessed by high performance liquid chromatography and by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Subjects with ADMA concentrations in the highest tertile had a significantly higher adjusted hazard ratio (HR; 2.00; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 to 3.97) for occurrence of an end point (cardiac decompensation, major adverse cardiovascular events or all-cause mortality) compared with patients in the lowest tertile (
P
=0.046) during the first 6 months of follow-up. NT-proBNP also identified subjects at risk before adjustment for confounders at 6 and 12 months of follow-up. HR for patients with ADMA and NT-proBNP in the highest tertile was significantly increased (3.68, CI 1.67 to 8.14; at 6 months follow-up) compared with patients without ADMA and NT-proBNP in the highest tertile (
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

Elevated ADMA plasma concentrations are associated with adverse cardiovascular outcome in patients with chronic HF. Quantification of ADMA with NT-proBNP improves risk stratification in this cohort.
CTLA-4 Ablation and Interleukin-12–Driven Differentiation Synergistically Augment Cardiac Pathogenicity of Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes
Authors: Love Victoria A. , Grabie Nir , Duramad Paurene , Stavrakis George , Sharpe Arlene , Lichtman Andrew
Published: June 2007

CD8
+
cytotoxic T lymphocytes contribute to viral and autoimmune myocarditis and cardiac allograft rejection. The role of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated antigen (CTLA)-4 as a negative regulator of CD4
+
T cells is well defined, yet CTLA-4 regulation of CD8
+
T cells is less clear. We studied CTLA-4 regulation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in a transgenic model of CD8
+
T-cell–mediated myocarditis. We generated
CTLA-4
−/−
Rag 2
−/−
OT-1 mice, the CD8
+
T cells of which express an ovalbumin (OVA) peptide-specific, class I major histocompatibility complex–restricted T-cell receptor.
CTLA-4
−/−Tc12
OT-1 effectors, differentiated with interleukin-12 present, are hyperproliferative in vitro, compared with
CTLA-4
+/+
Tc12 OT-1 controls. Transfer of low doses of
CTLA-4
−/−Tc12
OT-1 cells to cMy-mOVA mice, which express OVA on cardiac myocytes, causes severe myocarditis, with 99% mortality, compared with no mortality after transfer of low doses of
CTLA-4
+/+
Tc12 OT-1 cells. High doses of
CTLA-4
+/+
Tc12 cells cause lethal myocarditis in cMy-mOVA mice, but high doses of
CTLA-4
+/+
Tc0 CTL, generated without interleukin-12, are hypoproliferative within the cardiac-draining lymph node and do not significantly infiltrate the heart. In contrast,
CTLA-4
−/−Tc0
cytotoxic T lymphocytes do proliferate in the cardiac-draining lymph node and diffusely infiltrate the heart. Nonetheless, high doses of
CTLA-4
−/−Tc0
cells cause only limited tissue damage, and the disease is not lethal. These data show that CTLA-4 regulates myocarditic CD8
+
T cell responses and that CTLA-4 deficiency partly overcomes a differentiation block that exists when naïve CD8
+
T cells are stimulated without interleukin-12. Therefore, targeting CTLA-4 solely or in conjunction with interleukin-12 could influence effector CD8
+
T cell responses in therapeutically beneficial ways.
Central Gene Transfer of Interleukin-10 Reduces Hypothalamic Inflammation and Evidence of Heart Failure in Rats After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Yu Yang , Zhang Zhi-Hua , Wei Shun-Guang , Chu Yi , Weiss Robert M. , Heistad Donald D. , Felder Robert B.
Published: June 2007

The expression of proinflammatory cytokines increases in hypothalamus of rats with myocardial infarction (MI) and heart failure. We used central gene transfer of human interleukin (IL)-10, a potent antiinflammatory cytokine, to counter the effects of brain proinflammatory cytokines and examine their functional significance. Sprague–Dawley rats underwent coronary ligation to induce MI or sham surgery (SHAM). One week later, adenoviral vectors encoding human IL-10 (AdIL-10) or β-galactosidase (βGal) were injected (30 μL over 30 minutes) into lateral ventricle. One week after injection, there was abundant expression of human IL-10 in the brain of MI+AdIL-10 and SHAM+AdIL-10 rats. Compared with SHAM+βGal, MI+βGal had increased (
P
<0.05) IL-1β and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA and protein and nuclear factor κB activity in the hypothalamus, cyclooxygenase-2 fluorescence in perivascular cells of the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus, prostaglandin E
2
in cerebrospinal fluid, and Fra-like activity (indicating neuronal excitation) in paraventricular nucleus. Plasma norepinephrine levels, lung/body weight, right ventricle/body weight, and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure were increased and maximal left ventricular dP/dt was decreased. All of these findings were ameliorated in MI rats treated with AdIL-10. Hypothalamic tumor necrosis factor-α and circulating tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-1β levels, also increased in MI+βGal, were not affected by AdIL-10 treatment. Rat native IL-10 was not affected by MI or AdIL-10. AdIL-10 had no effects on SHAM rats. The results demonstrate that cardiovascular and autonomic mechanisms leading to heart failure after MI can be modulated by manipulating the balance between proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines in the brain.
Genetic Manipulation of Periostin Expression Reveals a Role in Cardiac Hypertrophy and Ventricular Remodeling
Authors: Oka Toru , Xu Jian , Kaiser Robert A. , Melendez Jaime , Hambleton Michael , Sargent Michelle A. , Lorts Angela , Brunskill Eric W. , Dorn Gerald W. , Conway Simon J. , Aronow Bruce J. , Robbins Jeffrey , Molkentin Jeffery D.
Published: June 2007

The cardiac extracellular matrix is a dynamic structural support network that is both influenced by, and a regulator of, pathological remodeling and hypertrophic growth. In response to pathologic insults, the adult heart reexpresses the secreted extracellular matrix protein periostin (Pn). Here we show that Pn is critically involved in regulating the cardiac hypertrophic response, interstitial fibrosis, and ventricular remodeling following long-term pressure overload stimulation and myocardial infarction. Mice lacking the gene encoding
Pn
(
Postn
) were more prone to ventricular rupture in the first 10 days after a myocardial infarction, but surviving mice showed less fibrosis and better ventricular performance.
Pn
−/−
mice also showed less fibrosis and hypertrophy following long-term pressure overload, suggesting an intimate relationship between Pn and the regulation of cardiac remodeling. In contrast, inducible overexpression of Pn in the heart protected mice from rupture following myocardial infarction and induced spontaneous hypertrophy with aging. With respect to a mechanism underlying these alterations,
Pn
−/−
hearts showed an altered molecular program in fibroblast function. Indeed, fibroblasts isolated from
Pn
−/−
hearts were less effective in adherence to cardiac myocytes and were characterized by a dramatic alteration in global gene expression (7% of all genes). These are the first genetic data detailing the function of Pn in the adult heart as a regulator of cardiac remodeling and hypertrophy.
Vascular Progenitor Cells Isolated From Human Embryonic Stem Cells Give Rise to Endothelial and Smooth Muscle–Like Cells and Form Vascular Networks In Vivo
Authors: Ferreira Lino S. , Gerecht Sharon , Shieh Hester F. , Watson Nicki , Rupnick Maria A. , Dallabrida Susan M. , Vunjak-Novakovic Gordana , Langer Robert
Published: June 2007

We report that human embryonic stem cells contain a population of vascular progenitor cells that have the ability to differentiate into endothelial-like and smooth muscle (SM)-like cells. Vascular progenitor cells were isolated from EBs grown in suspension for 10 days and were characterized by expression of the endothelial/hematopoietic marker CD34 (CD34
+
cells). When these cells are subsequently cultured in EGM-2 (endothelial growth medium) supplemented with vascular endothelial growth factor-165 (50 ng/mL), they give rise to endothelial-like cells characterized by a cobblestone cell morphology, expression of endothelial markers (platelet endothelial cell-adhesion molecule-1, CD34, KDR/Flk-1, vascular endothelial cadherin, von Willebrand factor), incorporation of acetylated low-density lipoprotein, and formation of capillary-like structures when placed in Matrigel. In contrast, when CD34
+
cells are cultured in EGM-2 supplemented with platelet-derived growth factor-BB (50 ng/mL), they give rise to SM-like cells characterized by spindle-shape morphology, expression of SM cell markers (α-SM actin, SM myosin heavy chain, calponin, caldesmon, SM α-22), and the ability to contract and relax in response to common pharmacological agents such as carbachol and atropine but rarely form capillary-like structures when placed in Matrigel. Implantation studies in nude mice show that both cell types contribute to the formation of human microvasculature. Some microvessels contained mouse blood cells, which indicates functional integration with host vasculature. Therefore, the vascular progenitors isolated from human embryonic stem cells using methods established in the present study could provide a means to examine the mechanisms of endothelial and SM cell development, and they could also provide a potential source of cells for vascular tissue engineering.
Predictors of Early Cardiac Morbidity and Mortality After Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Prosser Jane , MacGregor Lachlan , Lees Kennedy R. , Diener Hans-Christoph , Hacke Werner , Davis Stephen
Published: June 2007

Background and Purpose—

In the first 3 months after acute ischemic stroke, 2% to 6% of patients die from cardiac causes. This may reflect preexisting cardiac disease, cardiac dysfunction related to the acute neurohumoral and autonomic stress response to stroke, or both. Delineation of a high-risk group could facilitate prevention strategies. We aimed to describe the temporal profile of cardiac risk after stroke and develop a predictive model of serious cardiac adverse events (SCAEs) using baseline variables.

Methods—

We used data from the one trial in the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive that matched prespecified criteria. Survival analysis was used to describe the temporal profile of cardiac events after stroke. Prognostic determinants were assessed with multivariable logistic regression, and a risk score was derived from the key predictor variables.

Results—

Of 846 ischemic stroke patients, 35 (4.1%) died from cardiac causes and 161 (19.0%) suffered at least one SCAE. The hazard of cardiac death was highest (0.001/d) in the second week. Hazard of a first SCAE peaked at 0.02/d between day 2 and 3. The 5 factors most predictive of SCAEs were a history of heart failure (OR 3.33 [2.28, 4.89],
P
<0.001), diabetes (OR 2.11 [1.39, 3.21],
P
<0.001), baseline creatinine >115μmol/L (OR 1.77 [1.16, 2.70],
P
=0.008), severe stroke (OR 1.98 [1.34,2.91],
P
=0.001), and a long QTc or ventricular extrasystoles on ECG (OR 1.93 [1.31, 2.85],
P
=0.001). Risk of SCAEs ranged from 6.3% (no predictors) to 62.2% (≥4 predictors).

Conclusion—

Serious cardiac events are common in the acute period after stroke. Patients at highest risk are identifiable and may benefit from more aggressive strategies to improve survival.
Safety and Tolerability of NXY-059 for Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Lyden Patrick D. , Shuaib Ashfaq , Lees Kennedy R. , Davalos Antoni , Davis Stephen M. , Diener Hans-Christoph , Grotta James C. , Ashwood Tim J. , Hardemark Hans-Goren , Svensson Hannah H. , Rodichok Larry , Wasiewski Warren W. , Åhlberg Gabrielle
Published: June 2007

Background and Purpose—

NXY-059 is a free radical-trapping neuroprotectant developed for use in acute ischemic stroke. To facilitate prompt administration of treatment, potentially before neuroimaging, we investigated the safety of NXY-059 in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods—

We randomized 607 patients within 6 hours of acute ICH to receive 2270 mg intravenous NXY-059 over 1 hour and then up to 960 mg/h over 71 hours, or matching placebo, in addition to standard care. The primary outcome was safety: the mortality and the frequency of adverse events, and the change from baseline for a variety of serum, imaging, and electrophysiological measurements. We also studied the overall distribution of disability scores on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and the Barthel index.

Results—

We treated 300 patients with NXY-059 and 303 with placebo. Treatment groups were well matched for prognostic variables including Glasgow Coma Scale, risk factors, and age. The mean National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score on admission was 14 in both groups. The baseline hemorrhage volume was 22.4±20.1 mL in the NXY-059 group and 23.3±22.8 mL in the placebo group (mean±SD). Most hemorrhages were related to hypertension or anticoagulant use. Mortality was similar in both groups: 20.3% for NXY-059 and 19.8% for placebo-treated patients. The proportion of patients who experienced an adverse event was the same for both groups, whereas for serious adverse events the proportion was slightly higher in the NXY-059 group. However, no pattern emerged to indicate a safety concern. Serum potassium fell transiently in both groups, lower in the NXY-059 group. There were no differences in 3-month function, disability, or neurological deficit scores. The odds ratio for an improved outcome in 3-month mRS scores in the NXY-059 group was 1.01 (95% CI 0.75, 1.35).

Conclusions—

NXY-059 given within 6 hours of acute ICH has a good safety and tolerability profile, with no adverse effect on important clinical outcomes.
Risk Factors for Chest Infection in Acute Stroke
Authors: Sellars Cameron , Bowie Lynsey , Bagg Jeremy , Sweeney M. Petrina , Miller Hazel , Tilston Jennifer , Langhorne Peter , Stott David J.
Published: June 2007

Background and Purpose—

Pneumonia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after stroke. We aimed to determine key characteristics that would allow prediction of those patients who are at highest risk for poststroke pneumonia.

Methods—

We studied a series of consecutive patients with acute stroke who were admitted to hospital. Detailed evaluation included the modified National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale; the Abbreviated Mental Test; and measures of swallow, respiratory, and oral health status. Pneumonia was diagnosed by set criteria. Patients were followed up at 3 months after stroke.

Results—

We studied 412 patients, 391 (94.9%) with ischemic stroke and 21 (5.1%) with hemorrhagic stroke; 78 (18.9%) met the study criteria for pneumonia. Subjects who developed pneumonia were older (mean±SD age, 75.9±11.4 vs 64.9±13.9 years), had higher modified National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower Abbreviated Mental Test scores, and a higher oral cavity score, and a greater proportion tested positive for bacterial cultures from oral swabs. In binary logistic-regression analysis, independent predictors (
P
<0.05) of pneumonia were age >65 years, dysarthria or no speech due to aphasia, a modified Rankin Scale score ≥4, an Abbreviated Mental Test score <8, and failure on the water swallow test. The presence of 2 or more of these risk factors carried 90.9% sensitivity and 75.6% specificity for the development of pneumonia.

Conclusions—

Pneumonia after stroke is associated with older age, dysarthria/no speech due to aphasia, severity of poststroke disability, cognitive impairment, and an abnormal water swallow test result. Simple assessment of these variables could be used to identify patients at high risk of developing pneumonia after stroke.
Risk Factors of Symptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage After tPA Therapy for Acute Stroke
Authors: Lansberg Maarten G. , Thijs Vincent N. , Bammer Roland , Kemp Stephanie , Wijman Christine A.C. , Marks Michael P. , Albers Gregory W.
Published: June 2007

Background—

Studies evaluating predictors of tPA-associated symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) have typically focused on clinical and CT-based variables. MRI-based variables have generally not been included in predictive models, and little is known about the influence of reperfusion on SICH risk.

Methods—

Seventy-four patients were prospectively enrolled in an open-label study of intravenous tPA administered between 3 and 6 hours after symptom onset. An MRI was obtained before and 3 to 6 hours after tPA administration. The association between several clinical and MRI-based variables and tPA-associated SICH was determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis. SICH was defined as a ≥2 point change in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Score (NIHSSS) associated with any degree of hemorrhage on CT or MRI. Reperfusion was defined as a decrease in PWI lesion volume of at least 30% between baseline and the early follow-up MRI.

Results—

SICH occurred in 7 of 74 (9.5%) patients. In univariate analysis, NIHSSS, DWI lesion volume, PWI lesion volume, and reperfusion status were associated with an increased risk of SICH (
P
<0.05). In multivariate analysis, DWI lesion volume was the single independent baseline predictor of SICH (odds ratio 1.42; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.78 per 10 mL increase in DWI lesion volume). When early reperfusion status was included in the predictive model, the interaction between DWI lesion volume and reperfusion status was the only independent predictor of SICH (odds ratio 1.77; 95% CI 1.25 to 2.50 per 10 mL increase in DWI lesion volume).

Conclusion—

Patients with large baseline DWI lesion volumes who achieve early reperfusion appear to be at greatest risk of SICH after tPA therapy.
Somatotopic Organization of Motor Fibers in the Corona Radiata in Monoparetic Patients With Small Subcortical Infarct
Authors: Song Young-Mok
Published: June 2007

Background and Purpose—

The somatotopic organization of the corticospinal fibers is of importance because it is related to certain stroke syndromes. Although it has been suggested that motor fibers are somatotopically arranged in the corona radiata, the evidence is still insufficient in human.

Methods—

The relative anteroposterior and mediolateral location of the lesions was measured on T2-weighted MRI in 28 patients who developed isolated motor deficit limited to the arm, leg, or bulbofacial muscles after a small corona radiata infarct.

Results—

The location of the lesions associated with bulbofacial, arm, and leg paresis showed anterolateral-to-posteromedial distribution.

Conclusions—

The results suggest that motor fibers subserving the bulbofacial, arm, and leg muscles are somatotopically arranged at the level of the corona radiata.
Role of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in the Progression of Cerebral Aneurysms
Authors: Aoki Tomohiro , Kataoka Hiroharu , Moriwaki Takuya , Nozaki Kazuhiko , Hashimoto Nobuo
Published: June 2007

Background and Purpose—

The degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) is a hallmark of a cerebral aneurysm; however, little is known regarding the molecular mechanism leading to this change. Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP) regulates the ECM degradation in vascular walls by inhibiting the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). We investigated the role of TIMPs in the progression of cerebral aneurysms in the present study.

Methods—

TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR in experimentally-induced cerebral aneurysms in rats. The incidence of aneurysmal changes in TIMP-1
−/−
and TIMP-2
−/−
mice was compared with that in the wild-type mice.

Results—

TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were expressed mainly by smooth muscle cells in aneurysmal walls. Quantitative PCR showed an increase of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 mRNA in the early stage of aneurysm progression (form 0 to 1 month) but not in the late stage (form 1 to 3 months), whereas mRNA expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 dramatically increased in the late stage. In both TIMP-1
−/−
mice and TIMP-2
−/−
mice, aneurysm progression was promoted with the increased enzyme activity of MMPs.

Conclusions—

Our findings suggest that TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 have a protective role for the progression of cerebral aneurysms. There is an imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs in the late stage of cerebral aneurysm formation, which may be responsible for ECM degradation leading to the progression and rupture of cerebral aneurysms.
Prognostic Factors for Outcome in Patients With Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Rosengart Axel J. , Schultheiss Kim E. , Tolentino Jocelyn , Macdonald R. Loch
Published: June 2007

Background and Purpose—

The purpose of this study was to describe prognostic factors for outcome in a large series of patients undergoing neurosurgical clipping of aneurysms after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Methods—

Data were analyzed from 3567 patients with aneurysmal SAH enrolled in 4 randomized clinical trials between 1991 and 1997. The primary outcome measure was the Glasgow outcome scale 3 months after SAH. Multivariable logistic regression with backwards selection and Cox proportional hazards regression models were derived to define independent predictors of unfavorable outcome.

Results—

In multivariable analysis, unfavorable outcome was associated with increasing age, worsening neurological grade, ruptured posterior circulation aneurysm, larger aneurysm size, more SAH on admission computed tomography, intracerebral hematoma or intraventricular hemorrhage, elevated systolic blood pressure on admission, and previous diagnosis of hypertension, myocardial infarction, liver disease, or SAH. Variables present during hospitalization associated with poor outcome were temperature >38°C 8 days after SAH, use of anticonvulsants, symptomatic vasospasm, and cerebral infarction. Use of prophylactic or therapeutic hypervolemia or prophylactic-induced hypertension were associated with a lower risk of unfavorable outcome. Time from admission to surgery was significant in some models. Factors that contributed most to variation in outcome, in descending order of importance, were cerebral infarction, neurological grade, age, temperature on day 8, intraventricular hemorrhage, vasospasm, SAH, intracerebral hematoma, and history of hypertension.

Conclusions—

Although most prognostic factors for outcome after SAH are present on admission and are not modifiable, a substantial contribution to outcome is made by factors developing after admission and which may be more easily influenced by treatment.
Bullying and Animal Abuse: Is There a Connection?
Authors: Henry Bill , Sanders Cheryl
Published: June 2007

In recent years, school violence has become an issue of great concern among psychologists, educators, and law-enforcement officials. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between bullying, victimization, and abuse of nonhuman animals. The study assessed bullying and victimization experiences, animal abuse, and attitudes toward animals within a sample of 185 college males. Results of the study highlighted the important distinction between males involved in single episodes of animal abuse and those involved in multiple episodes of animal abuse. Further, results highlighted the significance of the bully/victim phenomenon with regard to participation in multiple acts of animal abuse. Those who were above the median with regard to both victimization and perpetration of physical bullying exhibited the highest rates of involvement in multiple acts of animal abuse and also exhibited the lowest levels of sensitivity with regard to cruelty-related attitudes pertaining to animals. The study discusses theoretical mechanisms linking bullying and animal abuse as well as directions for future research.
'Dog Handlers' and Dogs' Emotional and Cortisol Secretion Responses Associated with Animal-Aassisted Therapy Sessions
Authors: Haubenhofer Dorit Karla , Kirchengast Sylvia
Published: June 2007

The study investigated 13 dog handlers and 18 companion dogs (Canis familiaris) working as teams in nonhuman animal-assisted service. The handlers described in questionnaires what emotions they chose to associate with their daily life and therapeutic work. They described their emotional condition before and after therapeutic sessions, giving analogous descriptions for their dogs. Handlers collected saliva samples from themselves and their dogs (6 non-therapeutic control days) during 3 months of therapeutic work) to measure cortisol concentrations using an enzyme-immunoassay. Handlers chose different emotions from the questionnaires for themselves and their dogs, differing from the cortisol sampling results. Handlers and dogs had increased cortisol concentrations on therapy days compared to control days. Handlers had significantly higher concentrations immediately before therapeutic sessions. In handlers, cortisol concentrations increased steadily with the duration of sessions; in dogs, with the number of sessions per week. Further study of the effects of recreation periods during therapy work days or of more days scheduled without therapy will help clarify what conditions for delivering animal-assisted service best safeguard the welfare of dog and dog handler teams.
Notes on the Reformation, Humanism, and the Study of Hebrew in the Sixteenth Century: The Case of Theodore Bibliander (1505-64)
Authors: Amirav Hagit , Kirn Hans-Martin
Published: June 2007

Theodor Buchmann, better known as eodore Bibliander (1505-64), was Zwingli's immediate successor to the chair of Professor of Old Testament at the theological school in Zurich. An ardent orientalist, who was the first to edit a Latin translation of the Koran and a professed Hebraist, Bibliander could boast a well-articulated theology based on and around the knowledge of languages in general and of Hebrew in particular. In light of the contemporary prevalent notions of harmonia linguarum and concordia mundi, Bibliander sought to promote the study of Hebrew as an essential means to achieving a universal salvation. His treatise, De ratione omnium linguarum et literarum (Zurich, 1548), dedicated to the exposition of the said universalist theology, is the subject of this article. A full annotated translation of the De ratione communi is due to appear in the new series Corpus Reformatorum Minorum (Droz, Geneva).
Harmonia Legis: Conception and Concept of John Calvin's Expository Project on Exodus-Deuteronomy (1559–63)
Authors: de Boer Erik
Published: June 2007

John Calvin's plan to study Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy in the form of a Harmony was conceived in the congrégations, the Bible studies of the ministers of Geneva and its surrounding villages. A surviving manuscript of Calvin's introductory exposition to the series, studied here for the first time since the sixteenth century, reveals intriguing details on the conception of this plan. It also sheds light on the history of the congrégations, this fascinating example of concentration on the Bible in Geneva, on the co-operation of the ministers, and on Calvin's role as the Moderator of the Company of Pastors. The origin of the Harmony idea is an adaptation of the Gospel Harmonies. Calvin's approach is highly original in the history of exegesis. The text of the congrégation points to Calvin's reading of the commentaries of the Lutheran scholars Martin Borrhaus and, possibly, Johannes Brenz.
Democratic language and neo-liberal practice
Authors: Lavalette Michael , Ferguson Iain
Published: June 2007

English

Social workers need to be wary of an uncritical acceptance of the concept of civil society. Despite its democratic veneer it is being utilized by international financial institutions and governments as a cover for privatizing health and welfare services both in the South and in much of the North.

French

Les travailleurs sociaux doivent se montrer prudents envers l’acception non critique de la notion de socié té civile. En dé pit de son vernis dé mocratique, ce terme est en fait utilisé par les institutions financiè res internationales et les gouvernements pour masquer la ré alité de la privatisation des services de santé et d’aide sociale dans les pays du Sud ainsi que dans bon nombre de pays du Nord.

Spanish

Trabajo social necesita ser cauto de la aceptació n sin criticismo del concepto de sociedad civil. A pesar de su apariencia democrá tica el concepto ha sido utilizado por instituciones financieras internacionales y gobiernos para ocultar la privatizació n de salud y servicios sociales tanto en el sur como en el norte.
Quo vadis? Trends in South African child welfare policies
Authors: Schmid Jeanette
Published: June 2007

English

South African child welfare remains in transition a decade post-apartheid. Child Protection assumptions impede policy efforts towards a more intersectoral, holistic, strengths-based, family-centered and community-based approach. Since the Anglo-American child protection orientation is criticized internationally, it is useful to reflect on the South African lessons when considering system change.

French

Une dé cennie aprè s l’apartheid, la protection de l’enfance demeure un domaine en transition en Afrique du Sud. Les plus ré centes politiques tendent à montrer que le champ se dé place vers une approche davantage intersectorielle, holistique, basé e sur les forces, centré e sur la famille et sur la communauté , ce qui s’inscrit tout à fait dans le cadre national de la Developmental Social Welfare. Toutefois, je soutiens que les postulats de la protection de l’enfance empêchent ce virage.

Spanish

El sistema de bienestar infantil en Sudá frica permanece en transició n despué s de una dé cada de post-aparteid. Recientes políticas sugieren que el campo intenta moverse má s hacia un sistema inter-sectorial, holistico, basado en capacidades, centrado en la familia y en enfoque en comunidades los cuales conforman al marco de referencia de Desarrollo Nacional de la Beneficencia Social. Sin embargo, yo argumento que las suposiciones de la protecció n del niño impiden estos cambios.
Under the Shadow of the Collective Good
Authors: Hua Han
Published: June 2007

Before the government instituted birth control policies, did Chinese families deliberately control birth and fertility? Some scholars believe that natural fertility was indeed a fact in Chinese population history; others argue that the Chinese controlled their fertility by such positive checks as late fertility onset, early stopping of reproduction, and long intervals between births. This article joins the debate by providing ethnographic data collected in Xiaoshan, Zhejiang, in 2002. The ethnographic case studies show that deliberate fertility limitation did exist in both rural and urban communities in Xiaoshan. In addition, the article challenges the assumption that Chinese fertility was shaped by collective control rather than individual interests. On the contrary, it demonstrates that the agency of individuals, particularly of women, was often the driving force in family reproduction.
How to spend $9.3 billion in three days: examining the upfront buying process in the production of US television culture
Authors: Lotz Amanda D.
Published: June 2007

This article explores the relatively unstudied practice of the US ‘upfront’ buying process in which advertisers make multimillion-dollar commitments to buy 70 to 90 percent of the commercial time in the upcoming year in just a few days. Using observation of a media buying agency during the 2005 upfront buying period, attendance at a number of upfront presentations in 2003, and interviews with media buyers and planners, this article explains and analyzes the importance of the upfront buying process to the cultural production of the US television industry. I examine the causes of the durability of this significant economic practice, suggestions of its demise and its consequences for cultural production during a time of substantial industry reorganization. Access to industry workers and processes reveals important information about the actual operation of commercial media structures that add valuable insight to established understandings of economic practices.
`Human clones talk about their lives': media representations of assisted reproductive and biogenetic technologies
Authors: Michelle Carolyn
Published: June 2007

This article examines New Zealand print media representations of assisted reproductive and related biogenetic technologies, conceptualized as the products of a concordance of interest between media workers and reproductive specialists, biogenetic scientists and consumers. Such concordance is evident in the predominant use of media frames of anecdotal personalization and technoboosterism, which typically amplify the voices of proponents of emerging technologies while marginalizing and delegitimizing counterdiscourses. Thus, the perspectives of consumers and ‘expert’ sources are privileged at the expense of a more balanced assessment of the value and social, ethical, legal and health implications of assisted reproductive and related biogenetic technologies. Source dependence also detracts from much-needed recognition of the professional and financial interests at stake in the growing privatization and commercialization of these technologies, and in the local context potentially undermines journalistic independence and integrity.
Memory and Matthew Shepard
Authors: Lynch John
Published: June 2007

In March 2002, two different movies about the murder of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard appeared on NBC and HBO. NBC's The Matthew Shepard Story falls into the movie-of-the-week genre and drafts a public memory of gay men that reinforces heteronormativity. HBO's The Laramie Project eschews the television movie genre and provides an alternative public memory that expresses a more progressive vision of gays and lesbians. This article highlights how public memory develops in a series of iterations or drafts that appear first in television and print journalism and then dramatized television treatments. If journalism is the first draft of public memory, then television movies are the second draft, and the public memories television movies express are shaped—and constrained—when they follow generic conventions.
Plugging Back Into The Matrix
Authors: Proffitt Jennifer M. , Djung Yune Tchoi  , McAllister Matthew P.
Published: June 2007

This article argues that The Matrix franchise provided global Hollywood with a model for channeling revenue and fans through different multimedia revenue streams via linked commodity narratives. Building on previous theoretical concepts of the expansion of corporate media texts, the article discusses The Matrix as “commodified intertextual flow” where various consumable forms were marketed as narratively necessary purchases for Matrix fans. Ultimately, The Matrix as a narratively integrated brand expanded the marketing strategies for commodity-oriented media texts and undermined the original film's critique of consumer culture. The integration of DVD technologies, release strategies, and ancillary licensing constructed a narrative necessity and “community” of fans who may have felt compelled to buy into the complete multicommodity narrative.
Circling the Wagons
Authors: Bicket Douglas , Wall Melissa
Published: June 2007

Within the context of a sharp rise in Americans' access to foreign news, especially since September 11, 2001, this article examines the limits of effectiveness of such foreign news influences in influencing the public debate on major policy issues within the United States. With the focus on a major U.K.-originated news story—the “Downing Street Memo” and subsequent leaked U.K. government documents—the article applies and expands the concepts of boundary maintenance and news repair beyond the domestic news realm and considers these as mechanisms by which the U.S. mainstream news media can still contain and limit the effectiveness of such stories in the U.S. public sphere. This study shows that although the rise of the Internet provides substantial new openings for important foreign-originated news stories in the United States, U.S. news media retain some ability to close down stories perceived as threats to their journalistic credibility.
Cartoons as a Site for the Construction of Palestinian Refugee Identity
Authors: Najjar Orayb Aref
Published: June 2007

This study suggests that cartoons are important sites for the construction of the identity of the self and other. Using techniques culled from social psychology, cognition, and anthropology, in conjunction with the cartoon code, this study examines the way cartoonist Naji al-Ali constructed Palestinian refugee and Arab identity. This study illustrates the power of the cartoon as a mode of political expression in the Arab world and discusses the ways cartoons have been utilized in the Middle East and abroad. This study argues that because cartoons provide a stream of social and political commentary and yet are artistic works, they demand a layered interpretation that gets at the symbolism that may lurk in the artistry of the image, in the captions, or in the relationship between the cartoonist and his or her interpretive community.
Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy
Authors: Petersen Wolf , Welp Robert , Rosenbaum Dieter
Published: June 2007

Background

Previous studies have shown that eccentric training has a positive effect on chronic Achilles tendinopathy. A new strategy for the treatment of chronic Achilles tendinopathy is the AirHeel brace.

Hypothesis

AirHeel brace treatment improves the clinical outcome of patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy. The combination of the AirHeel brace and an eccentric training program has a synergistic effect.

Study Design

Randomized controlled clinical trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods

One hundred patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: (1) eccentric training, (2) AirHeel brace, and (3) combination of eccentric training and AirHeel brace. Patients were evaluated at 6, 12, and 54 weeks after the beginning of the treatment protocol with ultrasonography, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle score, and Short Form-36 (SF-36).

Results

The VAS score for pain, AOFAS score, and SF-36 improved significantly in all 3 groups at all 3 follow-up examinations. At the 3 time points (6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 54 weeks) of follow-up, there was no significant difference between all 3 treatment groups. In all 3 groups, there was no significant difference in tendon thickness after treatment.

Conclusions

The AirHeel brace is as effective as eccentric training in the treatment of chronic Achilles tendinopathy. There is no synergistic effect when both treatment strategies are combined.

Clinical Relevance

The AirHeel brace is an alternative treatment option for chronic Achilles tendinopathy.
Evaluation of Defects in FRP Composites by NDT Techniques
Authors: Ray B.C. , Hasan S.T. , Clegg D.W.
Published: June 2007

The very fast developments in the technology of composite materials have led to newer and wider applications of such promising materials. Composite materials offer a number of potential advantages in the aerospace field, particularly in safety-critical structures such as primary and secondary aircraft components. The presence of several types of defects such as voids, inclusions, debonds, improper cure, and delamination are almost common during the manufacture and use of composite materials. The proper assessment of such defects is necessary to utilize the full potential of these materials. This present study has been taken up to detect and characterize such defects using a thermal imaging technique. The technique is found to be deterministic in the acceptable level for the assessment of defects in polymer composites. The thermography, ultrasonics (A-scan and C-scan), and also microscopy (photo-microscope and scanning electron microscope) methods were used here to assess the defects. The detection and characterization of the wide range of defects requires a number of specialized non-destructive methods. The proper assessment of defects is essential, particularly in safety-critical structures such as primary and secondary aircraft components, to avoid catastrophic failure.
Carbon Fiber Composites, Main Engineering Elastic Constants and Macromechanical Characterization
Authors: Djordjević Isidor , Pešikan-Sekulić Danijela , Stevanović Momčilo
Published: June 2007

Unidirectional epoxy matrix composite with carbon fibers was cured by hot pressing the commercial prepreg Hexcel M39 in a mold. Macromechanical characteristics of tested coupons with different fiber content and density, were determined by standard tensile, flexure, interlaminar shear strength, and in-plane shear strength tests. The results obtained from different mechanical tests have been correlated, and have been compared with literature data. The reliability of the results for mechanical properties of tested composites as constructional material have been evaluated.
Weathering Behavior of Fly-ash Jute Polymer Composite
Authors: Acharya S.K. , Mishra S.C.
Published: June 2007

Polymer composites are in great demand due to their versatility. Their uses as machine components vary from household articles to aerospace applications. The degradation/ variation of the mechanical properties of the specimen treated at different environmental/ atmospheric conditions are a primary concern when recommending such a composite for particular use. On the other hand, industrial waste, i.e., fly ash generated from thermal power plants which creates environmental threats, need consideration in terms of disposal and/or utility. The present investigation is aimed at processing a composite using fly ash, jute with epoxy (binder), and to study its weathering behavior on mechanical properties such as flexural strength. The fracture surfaces of the specimen were examined under scanning electron microscope (SEM). From this study, it appears that the composite can be successfully used as a structural material in household and automobile application and as a low-cost building material.
Elastic Stresses in an Adhesively Bonded Functionally Graded Double Containment Cantilever Joint in Tension
Authors: Gul Apalak Z. , Ekici Recep
Published: June 2007

This study investigates the three-dimensional stress state of an adhesively bonded double containment cantilever joint in tension. The plate is composed of a functionally graded region between ceramic (Al2O3) top layer and metal (Ni) bottom layer. The mechanical properties of the graded region were defined based on a power law distribution and modeled with a layered three-dimensional finite element. Stress concentrations occur inside the adhesive fillets along the free edges of the adhesive layer and through the corresponding plate and support regions. The peak adhesive stresses are observed at the free edge of the containment—adhesive interface. The von Mises stress through the graded plate thickness increases uniformly from the metal layer to the ceramic layer. The stress profiles peak around the adhesive free edges. The stress levels change suddenly near the ceramic layer in the metal-rich graded plate whereas the through-the-thickness stress profiles become uniform in the ceramic-rich graded plate. The layer number has a small effect on the through-the-thickness adhesive and plate stress profiles but on the peak stress levels. This effect becomes negligible after a layer number of 20. The compositional gradient exponent considerably affects both the through-the-thickness plate stress profiles and levels. As the material composition is enriched with the ceramic the stress profiles become uniform. The effects of the geometrical parameters and the compositional gradient exponent on the strain energy of the adhesive joint are investigated using the artificial neural networks. Consequently, the plate thickness and the compositional gradient exponent are the most dominant design parameters affecting the strain energy, and the adhesive thickness, the support length, and thickness are others in sequence. The strain energy increases drastically with increasing plate thickness whereas it decreases with increasing support length and thickness and as the material composition of the graded plate enriches with the ceramic. An optimum joint design requires that the plate thickness and the adhesive thickness be minimal, the support length, and thickness be maximal, and the material composition consist of the constituent with higher modulus as possible.
A Method for Predicting the Flexural Strength of RC Beams Strengthened with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer
Authors: Lee Stephen , Moy Stuart
Published: June 2007

An extensive experimental study has shown that the external bonding of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates or carbon fiber sheets (CFS) to the tension face of concrete beams is an effective strengthening method to increase the flexural load capacity and the stiffness. The strengthening mechanism relies on composite action between the concrete and the laminate. If composite action is not fully achieved, the strengthening effect will not be realized. Test results have indicated that the local failure of the concrete layer between the bonded laminate and longitudinal reinforcement in retrofitted beams is predominant. Premature failure due to debonding always occurs before the full composite action of the bonded laminate to the strengthened beam is reached.

The ultimate tensile strength or strain of the laminate may not be fully utilized due to the debonding failure; however, through proper design of the strengthening system, an effective (maximum) laminate strain of the bonded CFS can be achieved. This effective laminate strain can be used for the prediction of the flexural behavior of the strengthened beam. A design-oriented expression for determining an effective laminate strain has been developed. This expression accounts not only for the laminate length and the laminate width but also for the stiffness of the laminate, as well as the stiffness of the member to which the laminate is bonded. Close agreement with the experimental results indicates the accuracy of the proposed method. It can predict correctly the debonding failures for all the tests in this study.
The Effect of Preload on Failure Response of Glass-Epoxy Laminated Composite Bolted-Joints with Clearance
Authors: Pakdil Murat , Sen Faruk , Sayman Onur , Benli Semih
Published: June 2007

In this study, the effect of preload moments on failure response of glass-epoxy laminated composite bolted-joints with bolt/hole clearance was investigated. To evaluate the effects of bolted-joint geometry and stacking sequence of laminated plates on the bearing strength and failure mode, parametric analyses were performed, experimentally. Two different geometrical parameters, edge distance-to-hole diameter ratio (E/D) and plate width-to-hole diameter ratio (W/D), were examined. For this reason, the E/D ratio was selected from 1 to 5, whereas the W/D ratio was chosen from 2 to 5. Besides, preload moments were applied as 0, 3 and 6 Nm. Due to the estimating material parameters effect, laminated plates were oriented as three different groups, [0°/0°/90°/90°]s, [45°/45°/—45°/—45°]s and [60°/60°/—60°/—60°]s, symmetrically. The experiments were also performed under a clearance for the diameters of the bolt and the circular hole for 5 and 6 mm, respectively. Experimental results showed that failure mode and bearing strength are strictly affected by the magnitude of preload moments. Additionally, if material and geometrical parameters of composite bolted-joints are changed, the failure response is completely influenced by this change.