bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An addictive environment: New Zealand film production workers’ subjective experiences of project-based labour
Authors: Rowlands Lorraine , Handy Jocelyn
Published: April 2012

This article uses the theoretical framework provided by social models of addiction to interpret freelance film production workers’ subjective experiences of project-based labour. The article suggests that the structural conditions of project-based labour within the film industry create a subjective experience in which the financial, creative, social and emotional rewards of employment are interspersed with the anxieties of repeated unemployment. The stark contrast between highly gratifying periods in work and highly aversive periods in between work produces an addictive psycho-social dynamic that repeatedly draws freelance production workers back into the industry. This process can only be fully understood by considering the relationship between employment conditions and subjective experiences as an integrated whole. The development of freelance film production workers’ addictive relationships with the film industry is illustrated using qualitative data from in-depth interviews with 11 male and 10 female New Zealand freelance film production workers.
Varieties of regional economic integration and labor internationalism: The case of Japanese trade unions in comparison
Authors: Gajewska Katarzyna
Published: April 2012

This article examines whether Japanese trade unions have developed greater levels of international cooperation as a result of increased regional integration, i.e. economic partnerships with Asian counterparts in the 2000s. Labor rights at the regional level or resources that allow workers to organize are absent in the Japanese case; therefore, its analysis enriches understanding of the impact of those elements on labor internationalism in varieties of international regional integration. Economic partnership agreements were found not to be an incentive for building relations among Japanese and fellow international trade unions. Instead, cooperation was found to be contingent on already established ties. The article also demonstrates a growing interest among Japanese and other trade unions in responding to regional projects of the East Asian Community and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
The Association of Divorce and Extramarital Sex in a Representative U.S. Sample
Authors: Allen Elizabeth S. , Atkins David C.
Published: April 2012

Few studies provide specific rates of marital divorce or separation in association with a history of infidelity. Research based primarily from clinical or help-seeking populations suggests that most couples who have experienced infidelity do not divorce within the time frames assessed. Using self-reported history of extramarital sex (EMS), divorce, and separation data from 16,090 individuals assessed between 1991 and 2008 as part of the General Social Survey (GSS), the authors found that, relative to married (and never divorced) individuals, a history of EMS raised the likelihood of being currently divorced but remarried (odds ratio [OR] = 2.6), divorced and not remarried (OR = 4.1), and separated (OR = 5.8). While there are interpretive limitations, the data from the GSS suggest that more than half of men and women who engage in EMS also separate or divorce from their spouse. Results are discussed in terms of methodological differences among studies as well as clinical implications.
Evaluation of Novel Renal Biomarkers with a Cisplatin Model of Kidney Injury: Gender and Dosage Differences
Authors: Pinches M. , Betts C. , Bickerton S. , Burdett L. , Thomas H. , Derbyshire N. , Jones H. B. , Moores M.
Published: April 2012

A number of novel urinary biomarkers have been identified and partially qualified for use as markers for renal injury in rats. We use two novel multiplex assays to quantify biomarker concentration in multiple urine collections made prior to and following administration of cisplatin, a common nephrotoxicant, to rats. We investigate the correlation of the magnitude of biomarker changes with the severity of histopathological observations and explore the relationship of these to both dose and sex. The novel biomarkers evaluated are urinary albumin, alpha glutathione s-transferase (α-GST), glutathione S-transferase-yb1 (GSTYb1), lipocalin-2, kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), osteopontin, and renal papillary antigen 1 (RPA-1) and plasma cystatin C, alongside the traditional biomarkers of plasma urea, creatinine, and urinary n-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase (NAG), total protein, and glucose. We show for all time points, and for almost all doses, that male rats consistently had either more severely graded or a higher incidence of histologically observed lesions than females; that changes in urinary glucose, total urinary protein, NAG, and the novel urinary biomarkers albumin, osteopontin, and KIM-1 are clearly temporally associated; and that changes are related to the severity of injury. We also found that receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and area under the curve are significantly higher than urea or creatinine for all new biomarkers except aGST, GSTYb1, cystatin c, and total protein in both sexes.
Immunohistochemical Characterization of Feline Mast Cell Tumors
Authors: Mallett C. L. , Northrup N. C. , Saba C. F. , Rodriguez C. O. , Rassnick K. M. , Gieger T. L. , Childress M. O. , Howerth E. W.
Published: April 2012

Expression of histamine, serotonin, and KIT was evaluated in 61 archived feline mast cell tumors (MCTs) from the skin ( n = 29), spleen ( n = 17), and gastrointestinal (GI) tract ( n = 15) using immunohistochemistry. Twenty-eight percent of cutaneous MCTs, 18% of splenic MCTs, and 53% of GI MCTs displayed histamine immunoreactivity. Serotonin immunoreactivity was detected in 3 GI and 1 cutaneous MCT. Sixty-nine percent of cutaneous MCTs, 35% of splenic MCTs, and 33% of GI MCTs were positive for KIT. Expression of these biogenic amines and KIT was less common than expected. Results of this study suggest heterogeneity in feline MCTs based on anatomic location. Further studies are needed to explain the significance of these differences.
Revisiting Public Ownership
Authors: Cumbers Andrew , McMaster Robert
Published: April 2012

Public ownership in the form of nationalization of the banking sector has re-emerged on the public agenda. Yet, there has been very little debate about the meaning, status, and function of public ownership as an alternative strategy in the context of globalization and advanced capitalism. Here, as a contribution to this agenda we advocate forms of public ownership tailored to enhance democratic decision making in the economy, to achieve greater equality and social cohesion, and wherever possible to encourage localized rather than central control and ownership.

JEL classification: B51; H10; L00.
Determination of antimutagenic properties of apigenin-7-O-rutinoside, a flavonoid isolated from Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. ssp. longifolia with yeast DEL assay
Authors: Gulluce Medine , Orhan Furkan , Adiguzel Ahmet , Bal Tugba , Guvenalp Zuhal , Dermirezer Lutfiye Omur
Published: April 2012

Lamiaceae is an important plant family that has been investigated for its medicinal properties due to its large amounts of phenolic acids and flavonoids. Flavonoids have been shown to have antioxidant and antimutagenic activities in different test systems, but their certain mechanisms are still unclear. This study was designed to evaluate the mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of apigenin 7- O-rutinoside, a flavonoid isolated from Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. ssp . longifolia. The possible antimutagenic potential of apigenin 7- O-rutinoside (A7R) was examined against mutagens ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and acridine (AC) in a eukaryotic cell system Saccharomyces cerevisiae RS112. The results showed that A7R has different inhibition rates against EMS and AC-induced mutagenicity. Thus, the properties of A7R are of great pharmacological importance and might be beneficial for reducing the risk of reactive oxygen species–related diseases.
Borax counteracts genotoxicity of aluminum in rat liver
Authors: Turkez Hasan , Geyikoğlu Fatime , Tatar Abdulgani
Published: April 2012

This study was carried out to evaluate the protective role of borax (BX) on genotoxicity induced by aluminum (Al) in rat liver, using liver micronucleus assay as an indicator of genotoxicity. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly separated into six groups and each group had four animals. Aluminum chloride (AlCl3; 5 mg/kg b.w.) and BX (3.25 and 13 mg/kg b.w.) were injected intraperitoneally to rats. Besides, animals were also treated with Al for 4 consecutive days followed by BX for 10 days. Rats were anesthetized after Al and BX injections and the hepatocytes were isolated for counting the number of micronucleated hepatocytes (MNHEPs). AlCl3 was found to significantly ( p < 0.05) increase the number of MNHEPs. Rats treated with BX, however, showed no increase in MNHEPs. Moreover, simultaneous treatments with BX significantly modulated the genotoxic effects of AlCl3 in rats. It can be concluded that BX has beneficial influences and has the ability to antagonize Al toxicity.
Revisiting the Role of Communication in Adolescent Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Messinger Adam M. , Rickert Vaughn I. , Fry Deborah A. , Lessel Harriet , Davidson Leslie L.
Published: April 2012

A growing literature suggests that communication strategies can promote or inhibit intimate partner violence (IPV). Research on communication is still needed on a group ripe for early IPV intervention: high school–aged adolescents. This article revisits our previous analyses of young female reproductive clinic patients (Messinger, Davidson, & Rickert, 2011) by examining how the adolescent and young adult respondents differ. To explore replicability of the adolescent results across populations, they are compared to 487 adolescent female students sampled from four urban high schools. Across samples, all communication strategies were used more frequently within violent relationships. Multivariate analysis identified escalating strategies used and received as being positively associated with physical violence used and received in all three samples. Regarding verbal reasoning and temporary conflict avoidance, substantial differences appeared between the young adult and adolescent clinic samples, and results from the adolescent clinic sample were largely replicated with the adolescent school sample, suggesting that young adult samples in this literature are not adequate proxies for adolescents.
Sexual Predators and Prey
Authors: Rebocho Maria Francisca , Gonçalves Rui Abrunhosa
Published: April 2012

Although there has been an increase in research on sex offenders’ modus operandi, geographic decision making, and hunting behavior, most studies still tend to emphasize criminal motivation while overlooking the role of situational and environmental factors. Studies of mixed samples of rapists and child molesters typically neglect to conduct comparative analyses. Consequently, the full nature of their distinction is not clear. This is particularly problematic for the understanding of crossover or polymorphous sex offenders, who target victims from various age groups. Using a sample of 216 incarcerated sexual offenders, hunting behavior patterns were identified and tested to establish which hunting behavior patterns were associated with each type of offender. Relationships between modus operandi, geographic decision making, and hunting behavior were also examined. Three types of offender were identified: (a) manipulative; (b) opportunist; and (c) coercive. The manipulative offender is typically a child molester. The coercive offender is typically a rapist. The opportunist offender includes both rapists and child molesters. These findings emphasize the relevance of polymorphous, crossover, or versatile sex offenders and suggest new ways of conceptualizing sex offenders and their study.
Revealing a Master Narrative
Authors: Smith Frances L. M. , Dougherty Debbie S.
Published: April 2012

Retirement is an expected phase of life that is made meaningful through social discourses such as master narratives. This study identified and explored a master narrative of retirement. Eighty-four individuals were interviewed representing four work experience phases. A thematic analysis revealed a master narrative of retirement that shaped expectations for retirement. Participants consistently narrated retirement as the ultimate marker of individual success and freedom. Two fractures appeared in this master narrative: the freedom/routine fracture and the individual responsibility/universal expectations fracture. These fractures created tension within the master narrative of retirement. This study has implications for social class as well as implications for the ways in which master narratives are interwoven into the cultural fabric of society.
Hands in the Pockets of Mercurial Donors
Authors: AbouAssi Khaldoun
Published: April 2012

The NGO–donor relationship is especially volatile. NGOs in developing countries heavily rely on foreign donor funding and donor dominance is evident. This article explores the relationship at times when donors revise funding priorities and partner NGOs try to adapt. The article draws on qualitative research of multiple observations to study the decisions of four NGOs in response to several shifts in donor funding. The analysis reveals variation in NGO responses to such shifts: suspend the relationship, reach common ground, automatically execute the donor’s interests, and voluntarily and deliberately adapt to the situation. Building on Hirschman’s typology, four modes of NGOs’ response are identified: exit, voice, loyalty, and, a newly proposed mode, adjustment. Additional interpretation of NGOs’ responses and possible implications for NGO management are discussed.
Demographic Determinants of Perceived Barriers to Community Involvement
Authors: Torgerson Melissa , Edwards Mark Evan
Published: April 2012

Communities all rely to some degree on residents to serve in and lead the local organizations that make those communities vital. Recognizing barriers experienced by specific groups helps community leaders identify why various groups do not participate. Using data from the 2000 Social Capital Benchmark Survey, this analysis examines perceived barriers to community involvement among individuals in rural and urban areas. Findings are generally consistent with earlier research into volunteer behavior, but, among several unexpected findings, we note that parents and employed people are more likely to lack the information they think they need, and minority group members, net of other characteristics, feel unwelcomed and ineffective. Patterns sometimes differ for rural and urban places, particularly when comparing men and women. The results highlight barriers that community leaders can seek to reduce and suggest areas where further place-based research could be beneficial.
Journalists on the news: The structured panel discussion as a form of broadcast talk
Authors: Patrona Marianna
Published: April 2012

This article examines the structured panel discussion as a new form of broadcast news interaction. This involves live conversation among the anchorperson and news journalists on political news stories. The article draws upon the conversation analytic literature on news interviews, as well as detailed discourse analysis of journalistic discourse. By analysing data from Greek commercial prime-time news, it is argued that both the sequential organization and intra-turn design of journalists’ talk help construct their professional role as that of an authoritative expert (analyst and opinionated commentator) on political current affairs. The rhetoric of expertise legitimizes the journalists’ attribution of accountability, as well as their formulation of personal points of view. Given the absence of political actors from such extended exchanges, journalists are enabled to ‘impose’ their preferred readings of political actions and events on the audience. The structured panel discussion is a unique inter-journalistic conversational format, which exists alongside the more standard news interview, and is consequential for the representation of politics and political actors by the broadcast media.
Effects of interferon beta-1b on cognitive performance in patients with a first event suggestive of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Penner Iris-Katharina , Stemper Brigitte , Calabrese Pasquale , Freedman Mark S , Polman Chris H , Edan Gilles , Hartung Hans-Peter , Miller David H , Montalbán Xavier , Barkhof Frederik , Pleimes Dirk , Lanius Vivian , Pohl Christoph , Kappos Ludwig , Sandbrink Rupert
Published: April 2012

Background: Cognitive dysfunction occurs at the earliest stages of multiple sclerosis (MS), including the stage of clinically isolated syndrome (CIS).

Methods: We evaluated the impact of interferon beta-1b (IFNβ-1b) 250 µg on cognitive performance during the CIS stage in the BENEFITstudy. Cognition was assessed by Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test-3” (PASAT-3”) scores.

Results: Improvement in PASAT-3” score from baseline to year two was greater for IFNβ-1b treatment than placebo in patients not reaching clinically definite MS (CDMS) by year two. The treatment effect was maintained at year five and was statistically significant.

Conclusions: To conclude, early IFNβ-1b treatment had a sustained positive effect on PASAT-3” score over the 5-year BENEFIT study.
After method? Ethnography in the knowledge economy
Authors: Mills David , Ratcliffe Richard
Published: April 2012

In this article we argue that the knowledge economy is reshaping anthropological research and popular understandings of ethnography. Interviews with British social anthropologists working in, and outside, academia provide insights into how the practices and meanings of ethnography are being reworked. UK policy expectations that research (and its impact) can be measured, monitored and accounted for in monetary terms place particular demands on qualitative social research. To make our case, we focus on the prominence of the business metaphor of the ‘value chain’ in contemporary accounting practice and its use in the quantitative measurement of social research. Within social anthropology this new economy of measurement can be seen in debates over fieldwork practice. We show that as anthropology departments harden their methodological allegiances to fieldwork, very different understandings of ethnography are being developed beyond the academy. We conclude that methods, and debates over methods, are prisms through which to understand the changing social and economic expectations placed upon qualitative research.
Acting up and acting out: encountering children in a longitudinal study of mothering
Authors: Thomson Rachel , Hadfield Lucy , Kehily Mary Jane , Sharpe Sue
Published: April 2012

Despite a proliferation of research exploring children’s lives and relationships over the past two decades, there is a notable absence of research which explores family relationships from the perspective of very young children (age 0–3). This article reports on data emerging from a study of new mothering with a particular focus on very young children’s active engagement with wider family narratives. The study employs a qualitative longitudinal design, and women have been followed from pregnancy into motherhood. Most recently we have attempted to document a ‘day in the life’ of the mothers using participant observation techniques. This approach has enabled us to capture the emergence of the child (around 2 years old). This article focuses on examples of interaction between researcher, mother and child relating to food, exploring how researcher subjectivity can be interrogated as a source of evidence regarding the place of the child within the research and family dynamic including examples of ‘acting up’ and ‘acting out’ on the part of all participants.
Researching the researcher-as-instrument: an exercise in interviewer self-reflexivity
Authors: Pezalla Anne E , Pettigrew Jonathan , Miller-Day Michelle
Published: April 2012

Because the researcher is the instrument in semistructured or unstructured qualitative interviews, unique researcher characteristics have the potential to influence the collection of empirical materials. This concept, although widely acknowledged, has garnered little systematic investigation. This article discusses the interviewer characteristics of three different interviewers who are part of a qualitative research team. The researcher/interviewers – and authors of this article – reflect on their own and each other’s interviews and explore the ways in which individual interview practices create unique conversational spaces. The results suggest that certain interviewer characteristics may be more effective than others in eliciting detailed narratives from respondents depending on the perceived sensitivity of the topic, but that variation in interviewer characteristics may benefit rather than detract from the goals of team-based qualitative inquiry. The authors call for the inclusion of enhanced self-reflexivity in interviewer training and development activities and argue against standardization of interviewer practices in qualitative research teams.
The Role of Self-Reflection, Emotional Management of Feedback, and Self-Regulation Processes in Self-Directed Leadership Development
Authors: Nesbit Paul L.
Published: April 2012

This article presents and explores a framework of self-directed leadership development (SDLD) to advance conceptual understanding and practical applications for self-development approaches to development of leaders in organizations. Drawing on a diversified literature associated with experiential learning, emotion research, and social cognitive theories of change, the nature of self-development is explored. It is argued that underpinning effective self-development is the integrated operation of three metaskills—skills that are required for the development of other skills—relating to one’s ability to manage emotional reactions to feedback, to carry out effectively the practice of self-reflection, and to enact self-regulatory processes for development. The SDLD framework extends formal organization-based leadership-development practices and integrates multiple processes to aid leaders and human resource development (HRD) practitioners in the promotion and enactment of leadership self-development. The framework also provides guidance for HRD research on self-development and a number of research implications are presented.
Novel agents in renal carcinoma: a reality check
Authors: Najjar Yana G. , Rini Brian I.
Published: April 2012

The discovery of the molecular mechanisms underlying development of renal cell carcinoma have allowed for the development of novel targeted therapy for treatment of this disease. Recently, multiple agents have become approved by regulatory authorities for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma, including sunitinib, sorafenib, bevacizumab (with interferon alpha), pazopanib, temsirolimus and everolimus. While these therapies have generated excitement and have clearly altered the treatment paradigm, multiple limitations have been elucidated over time. These include but are not limited to the fact that treatment is not associated with complete responses, a significant number of patients are primarily refractory to treatment, and clinical trials mostly include clear cell histology. Furthermore, the role of these therapies in the treatment of brain metastases remains unclear and therapies can have considerable toxicities. RECIST criteria (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors) can be inadequate for the assessment of these modalities’ treatment efficacy, and biomarkers predictive of individual patient benefit have been elusive. This review summarizes the major clinical data and discusses these limitations.
MicroRNA-29a and microRNA-142-3p are regulators of myeloid differentiation and acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Wang Xiao-Shuang , Gong Jia-Nan , Yu Jia , Wang Fang , Zhang Xin-Hua , Yin Xiao-Lin , Tan Zhen-Qing , Luo Zi-Mian , Yang Gui-Hua , Shen Chao , Zhang Jun-Wu
Published: April 2012

Although microRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly linked to various physiologic processes, including hematopoiesis, their function in the myeloid development is poorly understood. We detected up-regulation of miR-29a and miR-142-3p during myeloid differentiation in leukemia cell lines and CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. By gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments, we demonstrated that both miRNAs promote the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate–induced monocytic and all-trans-retinoic acid-induced granulocytic differentiation of HL-60, THP-1, or NB4 cells. Both the miRNAs directly inhibited cyclin T2 gene, preventing the release of hypophosphorylated retinoblastoma and resulting in induction of monocytic differentiation. In addition, a target of miR-29a, cyclin-dependent kinase 6 gene, and a target of miR-142-3p, TGF-β–activated kinase 1/MAP3K7 binding protein 2 gene, are involved in the regulation of both monocytic and granulocytic differentiation. A significant decrease of miR-29a and 142-3p levels and an obvious increase in their target protein levels were also observed in blasts from acute myeloid leukemia. By lentivirus-mediated gene transfer, we demonstrated that enforced expression of either miR-29a or miR-142-3p in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells from healthy controls and acute myeloid leukemia patients down-regulated expression of their targets and promoted myeloid differentiation. These findings confirm that miR-29a and miR-142-3p are key regulators of normal myeloid differentiation and their reduced expression is involved in acute myeloid leukemia development.
Targeting recombinant thrombomodulin fusion protein to red blood cells provides multifaceted thromboprophylaxis
Authors: Zaitsev Sergei , Kowalska M. Anna , Neyman Michael , Carnemolla Ronald , Tliba Samira , Ding Bi-Sen , Stonestrom Aaron , Spitzer Dirk , Atkinson John P. , Poncz Mortimer , Cines Douglas B. , Esmon Charles T. , Muzykantov Vladimir R.
Published: April 2012

Thrombin generates fibrin and activates platelets and endothelium, causing thrombosis and inflammation. Endothelial thrombomodulin (TM) changes thrombin's substrate specificity toward cleavage of plasma protein C into activated protein C (APC), which opposes its thrombotic and inflammatory activities. Endogenous TM activity is suppressed in pathologic conditions, and antithrombotic interventions involving soluble TM are limited by rapid blood clearance. To overcome this problem, we fused TM with a single chain fragment (scFv) of an antibody targeted to red blood cells. scFv/TM catalyzes thrombin-mediated generation of activated protein C and binds to circulating RBCs without apparent damage, thereby prolonging its circulation time and bioavailability orders of magnitude compared with soluble TM. In animal models, a single dose of scFv/TM, but not soluble TM, prevents platelet activation and vascular occlusion by clots. Thus, scFv/TM serves as a prodrug and provides thromboprophylaxis at low doses (0.15 mg/kg) via multifaceted mechanisms inhibiting platelets and coagulation.
Down-regulation of PKCζ in renal cell carcinoma and its clinicopathological implications
Authors: Pu Yeong-Shiau , Huang Chao-Yuan , Chen Jyue-Yu , Kang Wang-Yi , Lin Ying-Chu , Shiu Yu-Shiang , Chuang Shu-Ju , Yu Hong-Jeng , Lai Ming-Kuen , Tsai Yu-Chieh , Wu Wen-Jeng , Hour Tzyh-Chyuan
Published: April 2012

Background

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is highly resistant to systemic chemotherapy. Unfortunately, nearly all patients die of the metastatic and chemoresistant RCC. Recent studies have shown the atypical PKCζ is an important regulator of tumorigenesis. However, the correlation between PKCζ expression and the clinical outcome in RCC patients is unclear. We examined the level of PKCζ expression in human RCC.

Methods

PKCζ mRNA and protein expressions were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) respectively in RCC tissues of 144 patients. Cellular cytotoxicity and proliferation were assessed by MTT.

Results

PKCζ expression was significantly higher in normal than in cancerous tissues (P < 0.0001) by real-time PCR and IHC. Similarly, PKCζ expression was down-regulated in four renal cancer cell lines compared to immortalized benign renal tubular cells. Interestingly, an increase of PKCζ expression was associated with the elevated tumor grade (P = 0.04), but no such association was found in TNM stage (P = 0.13). Tumors with higher PKCζ expression were associated with tumor size (P = 0.048). Expression of higher PKCζ found a poor survival in patients with high tumor grade. Down-regulation of PKCζ showed the significant chemoresistance in RCC cell lines. Inactivation of PKCζ expression enhanced cellular resistance to cisplatin and paclitaxel, and proliferation in HK-2 cells by specific PKCζ siRNA and inhibitor.

Conclusions

PKCζ expression was associated with tumorigenesis and chemoresistance in RCC.
Comparison between scaling-root-planing (SRP) and SRP/photodynamic therapy: six-month study
Authors: Berakdar Mohammad , Callaway Angelika , Fakhr Eddin Mohammad , Roß Armin , Willershausen Brita
Published: April 2012

Introduction

The purpose of this long-term clinical study was to examine the additional efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) to scaling and root planing (SRP) in patients with chronic periodontal disease.

Methods

A total of 22 patients (mean age: 59.3 ± 11.7 years) with chronic periodontal disease and four teeth with probing depth ≥ 5 mm were enrolled in the study. Inclusion criteria were: no systemic disease, no smoking, no pregnancy and no long-term medication. Beside the anamnesis, the following clinical parameters were assessed at baseline (one week before therapy), and one, three and six months after the therapy: bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque index (PI) probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment loss. All measurements were done by the same examiner with a fixed periodontal probe (PCP 12, Hu-Friedy) at six measurements/tooth. In each patient, two teeth were treated with SRP alone and two teeth with SRP and PDT (Periowave, Ondine Biopharma, Vancouver, Canada). The nonparametric Wilcoxon test for paired samples was used for comparison of the effect of the two treatments (p ≤ 0.05).

Results

After both types of treatment, the number of teeth positive for BOP declined. At baseline, the CAL measured 7.2 ± 1.2 mm (SRP) or 8.1 ± 1.3 mm (SRP/PDT); one, three and six months after both types of treatment an improvement was observed. At baseline, the probing depth was 5.9 ± 0.8 mm (SRP) or 6.4 ± 0.8 mm (SRP/PDT); after six months, an improvement of 2.4 ± 0.6 mm (SRP) or 2.9 ± 0.8 mm (SRP/PDT) was found. The greater reduction of the PD, achieved by a combination of SRP/PDT, was statistically significant after six months (p = 0.007).

Conclusion

This clinical study demonstrates that SRP in combination with PDT seems to be effective and is therefore suitable as an adjuvant therapy to the mechanical conditioning of the periodontal pockets in patients with chronic periodontal diseases.
Proteomic approach used in the diagnosis of Riedel's thyroiditis: a case report
Authors: Iacconi Pietro , Giusti Laura , Da Valle Ylenia , Ciregia Federica , Giannaccini Gino , Torregrossa Liborio , Proietti Agnese , Donatini Gianluca , Mazzeo Salvatore , Basolo Fulvio , Lucacchini Antonio
Published: April 2012

Introduction

Riedel's thyroiditis, a rare thyroid disease, can be difficult to diagnose prior to surgical removal and can be confused with malignancy both clinically and cytologically.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 72-year-old Caucasian woman who presented with a goiter, which showed a rapid increase in size at ultrasound check, suggesting malignancy. Because of inconclusive cytology, a total thyroidectomy was performed. Fine-needle aspiration of the removed thyroid was processed by two-dimensional electrophoresis, and the proteome was compared with both anaplastic cancer and control samples. Significant differentially expressed protein spots were identified by Western blot analysis by using specific antibodies.

Conclusions

The protein pattern of Riedel's fine-needle aspiration revealed a superimposition with that of the control samples. The comparison of the protein pattern of Riedel's thyroiditis fine-needle aspiration with that of anaplastic cancer showed evidence of a different expression of ferritin heavy chains, ferritin light chains, and haptoglobins, as previously reported in thyroid cancers. Therefore, we performed Western blot analysis of these proteins and validated that their expression levels were low or absent in Riedel's thyroiditis and control samples despite the high concentrations present in fine-needle aspiration anaplastic samples. The concurrent absent or low expression levels of haptoglobin, ferritin light chain, and ferritin heavy chain in Riedel's thyroiditis fine-needle aspiration samples strongly indicate the benign nature of the thyroid lesion. These results suggest the potential applicability of fine-needle aspiration proteome analysis for Riedel's thyroiditis diagnosis.
Prestack traveltime approximations
Authors: Alkhalifah Tariq
Published: April 2012

Many of the explicit prestack traveltime relations used in practice are based on homogeneous (or semi-homogenous, possibly effective) media approximations. This includes the multifocusing, based on the double square-root (DSR) equation, and the common reflection stack (CRS) approaches. Using the DSR equation, I constructed the associated eikonal form in the general source-receiver domain. Like its wave-equation counterpart, it suffers from a critical singularity for horizontally traveling waves. As a result, I recasted the eikonal in terms of the reflection angle, and thus, derived expansion based solutions of this eikonal in terms of the difference between the source and receiver velocities in a generally inhomogenous background medium. The zero-order term solution, corresponding to ignoring the lateral velocity variation in estimating the prestack part, is free of singularities and can be used to estimate traveltimes for small to moderate offsets (or reflection angles) in a generally inhomogeneous medium. The higher-order terms include limitations for horizontally traveling waves, however, we can readily enforce stability constraints to avoid such singularities. In fact, another expansion over reflection angle can help us avoid these singularities by requiring the source and receiver velocities to be different. On the other hand, expansions in terms of reflection angles result in singularity free equations. For a homogenous background medium, as a test, the solutions are reasonably accurate to large reflection and dip angles. A Marmousi example demonstrated the usefulness and versatility of the formulation.
Allosteric Modulators of Steroid Hormone Receptors: Structural Dynamics and Gene Regulation
Authors: Kumar Raj , McEwan Iain J.
Published: April 2012

Steroid hormones are synthesized from cholesterol primarily in the adrenal gland and the gonads and play vital roles in normal physiology, the control of development, differentiation, metabolic homeostasis, and reproduction. The actions of these small lipophilic molecules are mediated by intracellular receptor proteins. It is just over 25 yr since the first cDNA for steroid receptors were cloned, a development that led to the birth of a superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors: the nuclear receptors. The receptor proteins share structurally and functionally related ligand binding and DNA-binding domains but possess distinct N-terminal domains and hinge regions that are intrinsically disordered. Since the original cloning experiments, considerable progress has been made in our understanding of the structure, mechanisms of action, and biology of this important class of ligand-activated transcription factors. In recent years, there has been interest in the structural plasticity and function of the N-terminal domain of steroid hormone receptors and in the allosteric regulation of protein folding and function in response to hormone, DNA response element architecture, and coregulatory protein binding partners. The N-terminal domain can exist as an ensemble of conformers, having more or less structure, which prime this region of the receptor to rapidly respond to changes in the intracellular environment through hormone binding and posttranslation modifications. In this review, we address the question of receptor structure and function dynamics with particular emphasis on the structurally flexible N-terminal domain, intra- and interdomain communications, and the allosteric regulation of receptor action.
Expression and function of heme oxygenase-1 in human gastric cancer
Authors: Yin Yujing , Liu Qingjun , Wang Bo , Chen Gan , Xu Li , Zhou Hong
Published: April 2012

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) potently influences tumor growth and metastasis. To date, no study has been performed on HO-1 expression pattern and its clinicopathological significance in human gastric cancer (GC) cases. In this study, the expression of HO-1 in human GC tissues ( n = 74) and matched non-tumoral adjacent parenchyma ( n = 46) was investigated by immunohistochemistry. The correlation of HO-1 with the clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed. Results showed that HO-1 was expressed in 62 GC tissues from 74 cases (83.8%), which is significantly higher than non-tumoral adjacent parenchyma (20/46, 43.8%, P < 0.05). A high HO-1 expression rate showed a close association with well/moderate histological differentiation and negative lymph node metastasis ( P < 0.05). The expression of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) as well as chemosensitivity to cisplatin of MKN-45 cell lines with genetically altered HO-1 status were then determined by realtime polymerase chain reaction and 3-(4,5 dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), respectively. Whether the induction or inhibition of HO-1 by cobalt-protoporphyrin-IX (CoPP) or zinc-protoporphyrin-IX (ZnPP) could affect the sensitivity of MKN-45 cells to cisplatin was also studied. Results showed that the expression of MMP9 and VEGF-A were up-regulated in MKN-45 cells overexpressing HO-1, and down-regulated in HO-1 interfered cells. HO-1 overexpression could lead to an increased resistance to cisplatin, whereas down-regulation of HO-1 expression by siRNA or chemical inhibition of HO-1 could lead to increased chemosensitivity to cisplatin in MKN-45 cells. HO-1 may have multiple effects on protection against carcinogenesis and progression in GC.
Producing striatal phenotypes for transplantation in Huntington's disease
Authors: Precious Sophie V , Rosser Anne E
Published: April 2012

Neural transplantation as a therapeutic strategy in neurodegenerative disorders offers to replace cells lost during the disease process, with the potential to reconstruct dysfunctional circuitry, thus alleviating associated disease symptoms. The focal loss of striatal cells, specifically medium-sized spiny neurons (MSN) in Huntington's disease (HD), makes transplantation a therapeutic option. Here, we review the progress made in generating striatal MSN phenotypes for transplantation in HD. We discuss the use of primary fetal tissue as a donor source in both preclinical and clinical studies and assess the options for renewable cell sources. We evaluate progress in directing the differentiation of renewable cells towards a striatal MSN phenotype for HD.
Traumatic ulnar artery aneurysm secondary to basketball dunk: a case report and review
Authors: Cohen-Kashi Kambiz J , Leeman Joshua , Rothkopf Ian , Rothkopf Douglas M
Published: April 2012

Ulnar artery aneurysms are uncommon lesions. They are often caused by traumatic injury to the hand. Ulnar artery aneurysms have been reported in association with multiple sports-related activities, but never secondary to a basketball injury. The following is a case presentation of an ulnar artery aneurysm likely formed secondary to repetitive basketball slam dunking with accompanying review of diagnosis and surgical treatment of ulnar artery aneurysms.
Higher incidence of C677T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene in North Indian patients with vascular disease
Authors: Bhargava S , Ali A , Parakh R , Saxena R , Srivastava L M
Published: April 2012

Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid, which is derived from dietary methionine. Hyperhomocysteinemia has been implicated in vascular disease for over a decade now, and can be treated with B vitamins. Among its causes is polymorphism of the MTHFR gene, the most common being the cytidine to thymidine at position 677 (MTHFR C677T), which gives rise to three genotypes – normal homozygous CC, heterozygous CT and homozygous variant TT. An attempt was made to ascertain the prevalence of this MTHFR C677T in our population so that preventive measures may accordingly be instituted. Blood samples from 70 patients with vascular disease and 70 healthy controls were analyzed for plasma homocysteine levels (chemiluminescent immunoassay) and for the presence of MTHFR C677T (polymerase chain reaction analysis). Homocysteine was higher in the homozygous subjects (TT genotype) than in the heterozygous (CT genotype). In patients, the frequency of the C allele was significantly lower, and that of the T allele was significantly higher than the corresponding frequencies in controls. In conclusion, the North Indian urban population has higher homocysteine levels associated with the TT genotype. Hence, instituting measures towards reduction of homocysteine levels in the population would probably reduce the incidence and morbidity of vascular disease in our population.
Estimating the Strength of Selective Sweeps from Deep Population Diversity Data
Authors: Messer Philipp W , Neher Richard A
Published: April 2012

Selective sweeps are typically associated with a local reduction of genetic diversity around the adaptive site. However, selective sweeps can also quickly carry neutral mutations to observable population frequencies if they arise early in a sweep and hitchhike with the adaptive allele. We show that the interplay between mutation and exponential amplification through hitchhiking results in a characteristic frequency spectrum of the resulting novel haplotype variation that depends only on the ratio of the mutation rate and the selection coefficient of the sweep. On the basis of this result, we develop an estimator for the selection coefficient driving a sweep. Since this estimator utilizes the novel variation arising from mutations during a sweep, it does not rely on preexisting variation and can also be applied to loci that lack recombination. Compared with standard approaches that infer selection coefficients from the size of dips in genetic diversity around the adaptive site, our estimator requires much shorter sequences but sampled at high population depth to capture low-frequency variants; given such data, it consistently outperforms standard approaches. We investigate analytically and numerically how the accuracy of our estimator is affected by the decay of the sweep pattern over time as a consequence of random genetic drift and discuss potential effects of recombination, soft sweeps, and demography. As an example for its use, we apply our estimator to deep sequencing data from human immunodeficiency virus populations.
Democracy in public thinking and the emotional atmosphere of society
Authors: Hunyady György
Published: April 2012

A társadalmi közérzet lényeges alkotóeleme, hogy az emberek észlelnek-e egyenlőtlenségeket, mennyiben tudják elfogadni az alá- és fölérendeltségi viszonyokat, bennük az értékek és pozíciók összhangját vagy diszharmóniáját élik-e meg. A rendszerváltó Magyarországon a rendszerigazolás sok helyütt kimutatott és szociálpszichológiai mélységben elemzett tendenciája mellett és helyett szívósan jelen van, sőt a 2010-es éles politikai fordulat után is tovább erősödött a kontraszelekció társadalmi élménye. A társadalmi elégedetlenség legfőbb tudatosított oka a szociális biztonság hiánya. Az országos reprezentatív mintákon 2010–2011-ben végzett kutatások feltárták a közkeletű demokráciafelfogás főbb összetevőit: ezek közül a demokráciába vetett hit komponensei a kontraszelekció feltételezésének kritikai attitűdjével pozitív, a rendszerigazolás tendenciájával negatív korrelációban állnak. A demokráciafelfogásnak a közvéleményt leginkább megosztó faktora az erős állam igénye, amely viszont a rendszerigazolással, az optimizmussal és az akarat kultuszával jár együtt. Az erős állam ideálját jogi formába öntő „húsvéti alaptörvény” több vonatkozásban nem esett egybe a közvélemény domináns várakozásaival.
Au and NiO nanoparticles dispersed inside porous SiO2 sol-gel film: correlation between localized surface plasmon resonance and structure upon thermal annealing
Authors: Della Gaspera Enrico , Mattei Giovanni , Martucci Alessandro
Published: April 2012

The favorable lattice matching between Au and NiO crystals made possible the growth of unique cookie-like nanoparticles (25 nm mean diameter) inside a porous SiO2 film after annealing at 700 °C. The unusual aggregates result from the coupling of well distinguishable Au and NiO hemispheres, which respectively face each other through the (100) and (200) lattice planes. The thermal evolution of the Au and NiO nanoparticles structure has been studied by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and correlated with the evolution of the Au surface plasmon resonance peak.
Tempos e espaços na organização curricular: uma reflexão sobre a dinâmica dos processos escolares
Authors: Thiesen Juares da Silva
Published: April 2012

O presente artigo apresenta uma reflexão sobre os conceitos de tempo e espaço na organização curricular com ênfase na dinâmica dos processos escolares. Destaca inicialmente como essas categorias foram concebidas durante a modernidade sob a influência do pensamento mecanicista/positivista, apontando as críticas que alguns pesquisadores atuais fazem dessa concepção. O texto argumenta em defesa de uma releitura desses mesmos conceitos na contemporaneidade, releitura essa que pode se traduzir em mudanças significativas nas formas de organização curricular na atualidade. Defende que a releitura dos conceitos de tempo e espaço curricular está sendo estimulada em contextos que incluem a democratização da informação via WWW, a globalização econômica, o desenvolvimento das tecnologias da informação e comunicação, a expansão da educação a distância e, muito expressivamente, as contribuições trazidas pelas atuais abordagens sobre currículo e sobre infância.
Fazer de sua vida uma obra
Authors: Fabre Michel
Published: April 2012

A expressão "fazer de sua vida uma obra" tornou-se um slogan que necessita ser questionado. Com efeito, se lembrarmos a distinção aristotélica entre ação e produção, práxis e poiese, não se trataria de uma confusão de categorias? Podemos conceber a vida como um modo de produção? Se for de fato uma produção artística, o que significa então pensar a vida sob uma modalidade estética? Não seríamos levados a explicitar as tensões que não deixam de se manifestar entre estética, ética e moral? Enfim, "fazer uma obra de sua vida" supõe antes de tudo desdobrá-la sob a forma de narrativa para poder avaliar o que nos conduz a explorar - na direção de Paul Ricoeur (1984; 1985) - os dilemas da escrita de si.
Atribuições interpessoais pelo professor e sua relação com emoções e motivação do aluno
Authors: Bzuneck José Aloyseo , Sales Karla Fernanda Suenson
Published: April 2012

O artigo descreve o estado da arte de pesquisas inspiradas na Teoria das Atribuições Interpessoais de Weiner. Professores desenvolvem percepções causais de fatores de sucesso ou fracasso de seus alunos e têm emoções correspondentes. Tais percepções e emoções, baseadas na controlabilidade da causa atribuída, são comunicadas, e os alunos podem ter percepções diferentes e até tentar manipular as de seus professores. A comunicação resulta em consequências emocionais, expectativas e motivação. Quando desadaptadoras, as inferências causais dos professores podem ser modificadas mediante procedimentos de intervenção. As descobertas das pesquisas foram discutidas e foram dadas sugestões para novos estudos e refinamento metodológico.