bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The genesis of violent careers
Authors: Sutterlüty Ferdinand
Published: September 2007

This article discusses the concept of a violent career and demonstrates its explicative value for biographical research and the sociology of crime. Relying on a study grounded in intensive interviews with young repeat offenders, it distinguishes between trajectories of violence and disrespect suffered in the family on the one hand and violent action schemes on the other. After reconstructing the first phase of violent careers - characterized by victimization within the family and presaging a violent reacquisition of power and recognition - the article identifies biographical turning points and explains them using the concept of epiphanic experiences. These turning points bring about an identity-promoting switch in roles from victim to perpetrator. Finally, three essential aspects of violent action schemes are discussed that are characteristic of the second phase of violent careers: interpretive regimes, which can shed light on the long unanswered question of how violent relations in families are transferred to young people's social environments; intrinsic motives for violence, which arise from exhilarating experiences of the use of physical force; and mythologies of violence that enable young people to glorify violent behavior and its effects.
Predictors of good adherence of adolescents with diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus)
Authors: Kyngäs Helvi A.
Published: September 2007

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that predict good adherence to health regimens by adolescents with diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus).

Methods: Altogether, 300 individuals aged 13—17 years were randomly selected from the Finnish Social Insurance Institution's register. Ninety-seven per cent ( N=289) of the selected adolescents returned the questionnaire. The data were analysed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for Windows software package. Logistic regression was used to find the factors that predict good adherence to health regimens.

Results: About one-fifth (19%) of the respondents with diabetes felt that they complied fully with the health regimens, while 75% placed themselves in the category of satisfactory adherence, and the remaining 6% reported poor adherence. The most powerful predictor was the threat to mental wellbeing. The likelihood that adolescents who felt the disease to be a threat to their mental wellbeing would comply with health regimens was 7.68-fold as compared to those who did not regard the disease as a threat to their mental wellbeing. The next most powerful predictor was support from physician. The support from nurses, and the motivation, energy and willpower to take care of themselves and the threat to physical wellbeing, also predicted good adherence. The logistic regression model explained 82% of the variance, and the model predicted correctly 88% of the adolescents with good adherence.

Discussion: This paper shows that adolescents with diabetes show quite good adherence. It also indicates the factors that predict good adherence to health regimens. To improve adherence, these factors should be given special attention in the care of adolescents.
Understanding the diversity and dynamics of living with diabetes: a feasibility study focusing on the case
Authors: Griffiths Frances , Anto Natasha , Chow Elaine , Manazar Uzma , Van Royen Paul , Bastiaens Hilde
Published: September 2007

Despite growing evidence about treatments, many people living with diabetes have poor diabetes control even when healthcare is available. One difficult issue is how to apply medical evidence to individuals. This feasibility study explores change over time and the diversity of pathways to similar health outcomes, to understand how evidence can be tailored to the individual. Six people living with diabetes (two with type 1, and four with type 2) agreed to a series of interviews and diary-keeping. Reading the dataset for each individual reveals a person changing over time through interactions with people and their context. Identifying time as a theme is difficult, as it is ubiquitous. Outcome means little to those living with diabetes: they are living on through time. We developed attributes for each participant relevant to diabetes outcome, describing how they related to others and their environment, capturing emergent properties rather than detail. A similar health outcome could be achieved very differently. Comparison of patterns of attributes may be useful. However, the dynamic, relational nature of the attributes is easily lost from view. How people function in terms of time, change and interaction may be most important for tailoring interventions for improved health outcome.
The physical, social and psychological impact of priapism on adult males with sickle cell disorder
Authors: Addis Gulen , Spector Rachel , Shaw Elizabeth , Musumadi Luhanga , Dhanda Cathy
Published: September 2007

Priapism is defined as prolonged and painful penile erection that does not subside on orgasm. It is considered to be a urological emergency. However, patients do not always seek prompt medical help. The incidence of priapism is increased by sickle cell disease, where it is a complication of the characteristic sickling of the red blood cells. Little is known about the psychological or social implications of this complication or the strategies that sickle cell patients use to manage it. A qualitative study was carried out in order to investigate these topics. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with adult male patients of the Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre in Birmingham in the UK who experienced priapism. These were subsequently analysed using grounded theory. Ten themes were elicited: first occurrence of priapism, pain, precipitants, emotional consequences, self-management, experience of hospital, impact on work and social life, impact on sexual relationships, erectile dysfunction, and disclosure. The dominant experiences were ones of despair, embarrassment, and isolation. Participants described finding it difficult to disclose priapism, with the result that it was often unreported until late in its course. Attempts to manage priapism at home varied, with there being little consensus on their efficacy. The results are discussed with respect to the healthcare services that cater for these patients.
Transfer of care for outpatients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from respiratory care physician to respiratory nurse — a randomized controlled study
Authors: Vrijhoef H.J.M. , Van Den Bergh J.H.A.M. , Diederiks J.P.M. , Weemhoff I. , Spreeuwenberg C.
Published: September 2007

Objectives: To assess effects on patient outcomes when care for patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is transferred from respiratory care physician to respiratory nurse.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was used with a follow-up period of 9 months. Of 720 patients from the respiratory outpatient clinic of the general and teaching hospital in Alkmaar (The Netherlands), 187 were eligible for randomization and gave informed consent. Ninety-three patients received care from the nurse, and 87 received usual care. Outcomes measured were: clinical parameters, health status, self-care behaviour (including knowledge), patient satisfaction, and consultations with key care providers.

Results: The respiratory nurse reported more consultations than the respiratory care physician [mean (standard deviation)]: number of consultations 3.1 (0.7) by nurse and 2.0 (0.9) by physician (p = 0.007). Patients cared for by the nurse showed worsening in mean forced vital capacity [—5.5% (13.3%) v. +2.9% (18.2%) with physician; p = 0.004], and no difference in self-assessed condition, while improvements were found for subjective knowledge (p = 0.017), self-assessed rate for coping with COPD (p = 0.045), overall satisfaction (p = 0.003), and the majority of individual indicators of satisfaction. Groups showed no differences for forced expiratory volume in 1 s, body mass index, smoking status, health status, objective knowledge, other items of self-care behaviour, and consultations with key care providers.

Discussion: Assignment of care for outpatients with stable COPD to the respiratory nurse, working under a protocol, seems to be justified in terms of patient outcomes.
Reduced activation of protein kinase B, Rac, and F-actin polymerization contributes to an impairment of stromal cell–derived factor-1–induced migration of CD34+ cells from patients with myelodysplasia
Authors: Fuhler Gwenny M. , Drayer A. Lyndsay , Olthof Sandra G. M. , Schuringa Jan Jacob , Coffer Paul J. , Vellenga Edo
Published: September 2007

Patients with myelodysplasia (MDS) show a differentiation defect in the multipotent stem-cell compartment. An important factor in stem-cell differentiation is their proper localization within the bone marrow microenvironment, which is regulated by stromal cell–derived factor (SDF-1). We now show that SDF-1–induced migration of CD34+ progenitor cells from MDS patients is severely impaired. In addition, these cells show a reduced capacity to polymerize F-actin in response to SDF-1. We demonstrate a major role for Rac and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and a minor role for the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 signaling pathway in SDF-1–induced migration of normal CD34+ cells. Furthermore, SDF-1–stimulated activation of Rac and the PI3K target protein kinase B is impaired in CD34+ cells from MDS patients. Lentiviral transduction of MDS CD34+ cells with constitutive active Rac1V12 results in a partial restoration of F-actin polymerization in response to SDF-1. In addition, expression of constitutive active Rac increases the motility of MDS CD34+ cells in the absence of SDF-1, although the directional migration of cells toward this chemoattractant is not affected. Taken together, our results show a reduced migration of MDS CD34+ cells toward SDF-1, as a result of impaired activation of the PI3K and Rac pathways and a decreased F-actin polymerization.
Gcet1 (centerin), a highly restricted marker for a subset of germinal center-derived lymphomas
Authors: Montes-Moreno Santiago , Roncador Giovanna , Maestre Lorena , Martínez Nerea , Sanchez-Verde Lydia , Camacho Francisca I. , Cannata Jimena , Martinez-Torrecuadrada Jorge L. , Shen Yulei , Chan Wing C. , Piris Miguel A.
Published: September 2007

GCET1 (germinal center B cell–expressed transcript-1) gene codes for a serpin expressed in germinal center (GC) B cells. Following the observation that follicular lymphoma cases exhibit an increased level of Gcet1 expression, compared with follicular hyperplasia, we have characterized Gcet1 protein expression in human tissues, cell lines, and a large series of lymphomas. To this end, we have performed immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses using a newly generated monoclonal antibody that is reactive in paraffin-embedded tissues. Our results demonstrate that Gcet1 is expressed exclusively by neoplasms hypothetically to be arrested at the GC stage of differentiation, including follicular lymphoma, nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, and a subset of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, T-cell/histiocyte rich B-cell lymphoma, and Burkitt lymphoma. Within these tumors, Gcet-1 protein expression is restricted to a subset of GC B cells, establishing the existence of a distinct heterogeneity among normal and neoplastic GC B cells. None of the other B-cell lymphomas, that is, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, splenic marginal zone lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma, was Gcet1+, which underlines the potential utility of Gcet1 expression in lymphoma diagnosis. The results of RNA and protein expression should prompt further investigation into the role of Gcet1 in regulating B-cell survival.
Electroporation of cDNA/Morpholinos to targeted areas of embryonic CNS in Xenopus
Authors: Falk Julien , Drinjakovic Jovana , Leung Kin Mei , Dwivedy Asha , Regan Aoife G , Piper Michael , Holt Christine E
Published: September 2007

Background

Blastomere injection of mRNA or antisense oligonucleotides has proven effective in analyzing early gene function in Xenopus. However, functional analysis of genes involved in neuronal differentiation and axon pathfinding by this method is often hampered by earlier function of these genes during development. Therefore, fine spatio-temporal control of over-expression or knock-down approaches is required to specifically address the role of a given gene in these processes.

Results

We describe here an electroporation procedure that can be used with high efficiency and low toxicity for targeting DNA and antisense morpholino oligonucleotides (MOs) into spatially restricted regions of the Xenopus CNS at a critical time-window of development (22–50 hour post-fertilization) when axonal tracts are first forming. The approach relies on the design of "electroporation chambers" that enable reproducible positioning of fixed-spaced electrodes coupled with accurate DNA/MO injection. Simple adjustments can be made to the electroporation chamber to suit the shape of different aged embryos and to alter the size and location of the targeted region. This procedure can be used to electroporate separate regions of the CNS in the same embryo allowing separate manipulation of growing axons and their intermediate and final targets in the brain.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that electroporation can be used as a versatile tool to investigate molecular pathways involved in axon extension during Xenopus embryogenesis. Electroporation enables gain or loss of function studies to be performed with easy monitoring of electroporated cells. Double-targeted transfection provides a unique opportunity to monitor axon-target interaction in vivo. Finally, electroporated embryos represent a valuable source of MO-loaded or DNA transfected cells for in vitro analysis. The technique has broad applications as it can be tailored easily to other developing organ systems and to other organisms by making simple adjustments to the electroporation chamber.
Ubiquitous expression of the rtTA2S-M2 inducible system in transgenic mice driven by the human hnRNPA2B1/CBX3 CpG island
Authors: Katsantoni Eleni Z , Anghelescu Nora E , Rottier Robbert , Moerland Matthijs , Antoniou Michael , de Crom Rini , Grosveld Frank , Strouboulis John
Published: September 2007

Background

A sensitive, ubiquitously expressed tetracycline inducible system would be a valuable tool in mouse transgenesis. However, this has been difficult to obtain due to position effects observed at different chromosomal sites of transgene integration, which negatively affect expression in many tissues. The aim of this study was to test the utility of a mammalian methylation-free CpG island to drive ubiquitous expression of the sensitive doxycycline (Dox) inducible rtTA2S-M2 Tet-transactivator in transgenic mice.

Results

An 8 kb genomic fragment from the methylation-free CpG island of the human hnRNPA2B1-CBX3 housekeeping gene locus was tested. In a number of transgenic mouse lines obtained, rtTA2S-M2 expression was detected in many tissues examined. Characterisation of the highest expressing rtTA2S-M2 transgenic mouse line demonstrated Dox-inducible GFP transgene expression in many tissues. Using this line we also show highly sensitive quantitative induction with low doses of Dox of an assayable plasma protein transgene under the control of a Tet Responsive Element (TRE). The utility of this rtTA2S-M2 line for inducible expression in mouse embryos was also demonstrated using a GATA-6 Tet-inducible transgene to show specific phenotypes in the embryonic lung, as well as broader effects resulting from the inducible widespread overexpression of the transgene.

Conclusion

The ubiquitously expressing rtTA2S-M2 transgenic mouse line described here provides a very useful tool for studying the effects of the widespread, inducible overexpression of genes during embryonic development and in adult mice.
Expression pattern of three-finger toxin and phospholipase A2 genes in the venom glands of two sea snakes, Lapemis curtus and Acalyptophis peronii: comparison of evolution of these toxins in land snakes, sea kraits and sea snakes
Authors: Pahari Susanta , Bickford David , Fry Bryan G , Kini R Manjunatha
Published: September 2007

Background

Snake venom composition varies widely both among closely related species and within the same species, based on ecological variables. In terrestrial snakes, such variation has been proposed to be due to snakes' diet. Land snakes target various prey species including insects (arthropods), lizards (reptiles), frogs and toads (amphibians), birds (aves), and rodents (mammals), whereas sea snakes target a single vertebrate class (fishes) and often specialize on specific types of fish. It is therefore interesting to examine the evolution of toxins in sea snake venoms compared to that of land snakes.

Results

Here we describe the expression of toxin genes in the venom glands of two sea snakes, Lapemis curtus (Spine-bellied Sea Snake) and Acalyptophis peronii (Horned Sea Snake), two members of a large adaptive radiation which occupy very different ecological niches. We constructed cDNA libraries from their venom glands and sequenced 214 and 192 clones, respectively. Our data show that despite their explosive evolutionary radiation, there is very little variability in the three-finger toxin (3FTx) as well as the phospholipase A2 (PLA2) enzymes, the two main constituents of Lapemis curtus and Acalyptophis peronii venom. To understand the evolutionary trends among land snakes, sea snakes and sea kraits, pairwise genetic distances (intraspecific and interspecific) of 3FTx and PLA2 sequences were calculated. Results show that these proteins appear to be highly conserved in sea snakes in contrast to land snakes or sea kraits, despite their extremely divergent and adaptive ecological radiation.

Conclusion

Based on these results, we suggest that streamlining in habitat and diet in sea snakes has possibly kept their toxin genes conserved, suggesting the idea that prey composition and diet breadth may contribute to the diversity and evolution of venom components.
Production of monoclonal antibodies reactive with ovine eosinophils
Authors: Sansome Georgina M , Young Anna R , Meeusen Els NT , Bischof Robert J
Published: September 2007

Background

There is strong evidence implicating eosinophils in host defence against parasites as well as allergic disease pathologies. However, a lack of reagents such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for eosinophils has made it difficult to confirm the functional role of eosinophils in such disease conditions. Using an established mammary model of allergic inflammation in sheep, large numbers of inflammatory cells enriched for eosinophils were collected from parasite-stimulated mammary glands and used for the generation of mAbs against ovine eosinophils.

Results

A panel of mAbs was raised against ovine eosinophils of which two were shown to be highly specific for eosinophils. The reactivity of mAbs 3.252 and 1.2 identified eosinophils from various cell and tissue preparations with no detectable reactivity on cells of myeloid or lymphoid lineage, tissue mast cells, dendritic cells, epithelial cells or other connective tissues. Two other mAbs generated in this study (mAbs 4.4 and 4.10) were found to have reactivity for both eosinophils and neutrophils.

Conclusion

This study describes the production of new reagents to identify eosinophils (as well as granulocytes) in sheep that will be useful in studying the role of eosinophils in disease pathologies in parasite and allergy models.
Induction of protective immunity in swine by recombinant bamboo mosaic virus expressing foot-and-mouth disease virus epitopes
Authors: Yang Chung-Da , Liao Jia-Teh , Lai Chen-Yen , Jong Ming-Hwa , Liang Chi-Ming , Lin Yeou-Liang , Lin Na-Sheng , Hsu Yau-Heiu , Liang Shu-Mei
Published: September 2007

Background

Plant viruses can be employed as versatile vectors for the production of vaccines by expressing immunogenic epitopes on the surface of chimeric viral particles. Although several viruses, including tobacco mosaic virus, potato virus X and cowpea mosaic virus, have been developed as vectors, we aimed to develop a new viral vaccine delivery system, a bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV), that would carry larger transgene loads, and generate better immunity in the target animals with fewer adverse environmental effects.

Methods

We engineered the BaMV as a vaccine vector expressing the antigenic epitope(s) of the capsid protein VP1 of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). The recombinant BaMV plasmid (pBVP1) was constructed by replacing DNA encoding the 35 N-terminal amino acid residues of the BaMV coat protein with that encoding 37 amino acid residues (T128-N164) of FMDV VP1.

Results

The pBVP1 was able to infect host plants and to generate a chimeric virion BVP1 expressing VP1 epitopes in its coat protein. Inoculation of swine with BVP1 virions resulted in the production of anti-FMDV neutralizing antibodies. Real-time PCR analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the BVP1-immunized swine revealed that they produced VP1-specific IFN-γ. Furthermore, all BVP1-immunized swine were protected against FMDV challenge.

Conclusion

Chimeric BaMV virions that express partial sequence of FMDV VP1 can effectively induce not only humoral and cell-mediated immune responses but also full protection against FMDV in target animals. This BaMV-based vector technology may be applied to other vaccines that require correct expression of antigens on chimeric viral particles.
Feasibility of a cognitive behavioural group intervention to reduce fear of falling and associated avoidance of activity in community-living older people: a process evaluation
Authors: van Haastregt Jolanda CM , Zijlstra GA Rixt , van Rossum Erik , van Eijk Jacques ThM , de Witte Luc P , Kempen Gertrudis IJM
Published: September 2007

Background

Fear of falling and associated avoidance of activity are common among older people and may have negative consequences in terms of functional decline, quality of life and institutionalisation. We evaluated the effects of a cognitive behavioural group intervention to reduce fear of falling and associated avoidance of activity among older persons. This intervention showed favourable effects on fear of falling, avoidance of activity, daily activity, and several secondary outcomes. The aim of the present study is to assess the feasibility of this cognitive behavioural group intervention for participants and facilitators.

Methods

The intervention consisted of eight weekly group sessions lasting two hours each and a booster session after six months. Self-administered questionnaires, registration forms and interviews were used to collect data from participants (n = 168) and facilitators (n = 6) on the extent to which the intervention was performed according to protocol, participant attendance, participant adherence, and participants' and facilitators' opinion of the intervention. Quantitative data from the questionnaires and registration forms were analysed by means of descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were categorised based on matching contents of the answers.

Results

Facilitators reported no major protocol deviations. Twenty-six percent of the participants withdrew before the start of the programme. Of the persons who started the programme, 84% actually completed it. The participants reported their adherence as good, but facilitators had a less favourable opinion of this. The majority of participants still reported substantial benefits from the programme after six and twelve months of follow-up (71% and 61% respectively). Both participants and facilitators provided suggestions for improvement of the intervention.

Conclusion

Results of this study show that the current cognitive behavioural group intervention is feasible for both participants and facilitators and fits in well with regular care. Minor refinement of the intervention, however, is warranted to further improve intervention effectiveness and efficiency. Based on these positive findings, we recommend implementing a refined version of this effective and feasible intervention in regular care.

Trial registration

ISRCTN43792817
Double blind, randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, using a nitric oxide releasing patch: PATHON
Authors: Silva Sandra Y , Rueda Ligia C , Márquez Gustavo A , López Marcos , Smith Daniel J , Calderón Carlos A , Castillo Juan C , Matute Jaime , Rueda-Clausen Christian F , Orduz Arturo , Silva Federico A , Kampeerapappun Piyaporn , Bhide Mahesh , López-Jaramillo Patricio
Published: September 2007

Background

Diabetes Mellitus constitutes one of the most important public health problems due to its high prevalence and enormous social and economic consequences. Diabetic foot ulcers are one of the chronic complications of diabetes mellitus and constitute the most important cause of non-traumatic amputation of inferior limbs. It is estimated that 15% of the diabetic population will develop an ulcer sometime in their lives. Although novel therapies have been proposed, there is no effective treatment for this pathology. Naturally produced nitric oxide participates in the wound healing process by stimulating the synthesis of collagen, triggering the release of chemotactic cytokines, increasing blood vessels permeability, promoting angiogenic activity, stimulating the release of epidermical growth factors, and by interfering with the bacterial mitochondrial respiratory chain. Topically administered nitric oxide has demonstrated to be effective and safe for the treatment of chronic ulcers secondary to cutaneous leishmaniasis. However, due to their unstable nitric oxide release, the topical donors needed to be applied frequently, diminishing the adherence to the treatment. This difficulty has led to the development of a multilayer polymeric transdermal patch produced by electrospinning technique that guarantees a constant nitric oxide release. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this novel nitric oxide releasing wound dressing for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

Methods and design

A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, including 100 diabetic patients was designed. At the time of enrollment, a complete medical evaluation and laboratory tests will be performed, and those patients who meet the inclusion criteria randomly assigned to one of two groups. Over the course of 90 days group 1 will receive active patches and group 2 placebo patches. The patients will be seen by the research group at least every two weeks until the healing of the ulcer or the end of the treatment. During each visit the healing process of the ulcer, the patient's health status and the presence of adverse events will be assessed. Should the effectiveness of the patches be demonstrated an alternative treatment would then be available to patients.

Trial registration

NCT00428727.
Assessment of nutritional knowledge in female athletes susceptible to the Female Athlete Triad syndrome
Authors: Raymond-Barker Philippa , Petroczi Andrea , Quested Eleanor
Published: September 2007

Background

The study aimed to i) assess nutritional knowledge in female athletes susceptible to the Female Athlete Triad (FAT) syndrome and to compare with controls; and ii) to compare nutritional knowledge of those who were classified as being 'at risk' for developing FAT syndrome and those who are 'not at risk'.

Methods

In this study, participants completed General Nutritional Knowledge Questionnaire (GNKQ), the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) and survey measures of training/physical activity, menstrual and skeletal injury history. The sample consisted of 48 regional endurance athletes, 11 trampoline gymnasts and 32 untrained controls. Based on proxy measures for the FAT components, participants were classified being 'at risk' or 'not at risk' and nutrition knowledge scores were compared for the two groups. Formal education related to nutrition was considered.

Results

A considerably higher percentage of athletes were classified 'at risk' of menstrual dysfunction than controls (28.8% and 9.4%, respectively) and a higher percentage scored at or above the cutoff value of 20 on the EAT-26 test among athletes than controls (10.2% and 3.1%, respectively). 8.5% of athletes were classified 'at risk' for bone mineral density in contrast to none from the control group. Nutrition knowledge and eating attitude appeared to be independent for both athletes and controls. GNKQ scores of athletes were higher than controls but the differences between the knowledge of 'at risk' and 'not at risk' athletes and controls were inconsequential. Formal education in nutrition or closely related subjects does not have an influence on nutrition knowledge or on being classified as 'at risk' or 'not at risk'.

Conclusion

The lack of difference in nutrition knowledge between 'at risk' and 'not at risk' athletes suggests that lack of information is not accountable for restricted eating associated with the Female Athlete Triad.
Microarray gene expression profiling of osteoarthritic bone suggests altered bone remodelling, WNT and transforming growth factor-β/bone morphogenic protein signalling
Authors: Hopwood Blair , Tsykin Anna , Findlay David M , Fazzalari Nicola L
Published: September 2007

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by alterations to subchondral bone as well as articular cartilage. Changes to bone in OA have also been identified at sites distal to the affected joint, which include increased bone volume fraction and reduced bone mineralization. Altered bone remodelling has been proposed to underlie these bone changes in OA. To investigate the molecular basis for these changes, we performed microarray gene expression profiling of bone obtained at autopsy from individuals with no evidence of joint disease (control) and from individuals undergoing joint replacement surgery for either degenerative hip OA, or fractured neck of femur (osteoporosis [OP]). The OP sample set was included because an inverse association, with respect to bone density, has been observed between OA and the low bone density disease OP. Compugen human 19K-oligo microarray slides were used to compare the gene expression profiles of OA, control and OP bone samples. Four sets of samples were analyzed, comprising 10 OA-control female, 10 OA-control male, 10 OA-OP female and 9 OP-control female sample pairs. Print tip Lowess normalization and Bayesian statistical analyses were carried out using linear models for microarray analysis, which identified 150 differentially expressed genes in OA bone with t scores above 4. Twenty-five of these genes were then confirmed to be differentially expressed (P < 0.01) by real-time PCR analysis. A substantial number of the top-ranking differentially expressed genes identified in OA bone are known to play roles in osteoblasts, osteocytes and osteoclasts. Many of these genes are targets of either the WNT (wingless MMTV integration) signalling pathway (TWIST1, IBSP, S100A4, MMP25, RUNX2 and CD14) or the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/bone morphogenic protein (BMP) signalling pathway (ADAMTS4, ADM, MEPE, GADD45B, COL4A1 and FST). Other differentially expressed genes included WNT (WNT5B, NHERF1, CTNNB1 and PTEN) and TGF-β/BMP (TGFB1, SMAD3, BMP5 and INHBA) signalling pathway component or modulating genes. In addition a subset of genes involved in osteoclast function (GSN, PTK9, VCAM1, ITGB2, ANXA2, GRN, PDE4A and FOXP1) was identified as being differentially expressed in OA bone between females and males. Altered expression of these sets of genes suggests altered bone remodelling and may in part explain the sex disparity observed in OA.
First Principle Study of the Electron-transport Behavior of Porphyrin and Metalloporphyrin Wires
Authors: Xu Zhong , Li Ning , Jin Xin , Li Yanwei , Liu Hongmei , Zhao Jianwei
Published: September 2007

The electron transport via a series of porphyrin molecular wires coordinated with various metal cations (Zn2+, Pt2+, Pd2+, and Ni2+) has been investigated with the metal–molecule–metal junctions by using the first principle approach, on basis of density functional theory and nonequilibrium Green’s function calculation. The metal cation effect on the transportation behavior has been compared and discussed in terms of the electronic structures and transmission spectra. The results demonstrate that the coordination of metal cations may decrease the molecular conductance.
Preparation of 99mTc-Labeled Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for In Vivo Imaging in Hyperthermia
Authors: Park Sang Hyun , Gwon Hui Jeong , Choi Sang Mu
Published: September 2007

99mTc-Labeled iron oxide nanoparticles ranging in size from 20 to 70 nm were prepared for in vivo imaging in thermotherapy called hyperthermia. The radiolabeled iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared with a high labeling efficiency (over 99%), and they also showed an excellent stability at room temperature for 6 h. This result can give a useful tool for determining the position of the nanoparticles injected into a tissue when hyperthermia treatment is applied in biomedical fields.
The effect of amino acids on the dissolution rates of amorphous silica in near-neutral solution
Authors: Kawano Motoharu , Obokata Sumine
Published: September 2007

Amino acids are ubiquitous in the Earth’s surface environments as reactive biological molecules produced by every living thing including bacteria. To evaluate the effects of amino acids on mineral dissolution and to reveal the mechanism by which they interact with the mineral surface, we performed dissolution experiments of X-ray amorphous silica in solution containing 0.1 mmol Na with 10.0 mmol amino acids such as cysteine, asparagine, serine, tryptophan, alanine, threonine, histidine, lysine and arginine in near-neutral solutions. Dissolution experiments in solutions of 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 mmol NaCl without amino acids were also conducted as amino acid-free controls. The results of this study indicate that basic amino acids such as histidine, lysine and arginine can interact more strongly with the negatively charged surface of amorphous silica than other non-basic amino acids due to their greater dissociation, thus forming cationic species. This electrostatical interaction enhanced dissolution rates of amorphous silica by approximately one order of magnitude compared with amino acid-free controls. In contrast, no significant effect on the dissolution rates of amorphous silica was observed in solutions containing cysteine, asparagine, serine, tryptophan, alanine and threonine because of lesser interaction with the surface of amorphous silica.
Metamorphic-hosted pyrophyllite and dickite occurrences from the hydrous Al-silicate deposits of the malatya-Pütürge region, central eastern Anatolia, Turkey
Authors: Bozkaya Ömer , Yalçin Hüseyin , Başibüyük Zeynel , Bozkaya Gülcan
Published: September 2007

Hydrous Al-silicate deposits are found to the south of Pütürge in Malatya city, Turkey. The surrounding rocks consist of mylonitic granitic gneiss overlain by muscovite gneiss with kyanite-bearing metabasic schist lenses on top which are cut by silica veins containing prismatic tourmaline and speculante. Pyrophyllite is found within kyanite gneisses overlying the granitic gneisses. Fibrous, platy pyrophyllite is developed along the edges and cleavage planes of kyanite, whereas platy bunches of dickite occur as replacements of the relict kyanites as well as crack- and pore-fillings. Rocks forming the hydrous Al-silicate deposit contain 2M1 pyrophyllite, alunite, topaz, paragonite, dravite, dumortierite, chlorite and epidote as early hypogene minerals, and 2M1 dickite, diaspore, gibbsite, speculante, goethite and crandallite/goyazite as late hypogene minerals. On the basis of fluid inclusion and stable isotope data, it is estimated alterations to pyrophyllite and kaolinite occurred at temperatures are of 150 and 100°C, respectively, the minerals being formed by meteoric waters interacting with metamorphic rocks. Trace and REE variations are highly distinctive in terms of enrichment of most trace elements in pyrophyllite, whereas REEs are clearly abundant in dickite, indicating different conditions during formation such as early and late hypogene processes. The pyrophyllitic alteration took place in the late Cretaceous (69–71 Ma), whereas kaolinization occurred later.
Peer-to-Peer-Forschung – Überblick und Herausforderungen (Peer-to-Peer Research – Overview and Challenges)
Authors: Graffi Kálmán , Kovačević Aleksandra , Mukherjee Patrick , Benz Michael , Leng Christof , Bradler Dirk , Schröder-Bernhardi Julian , Liebau Nicolas
Published: September 2007

Peer-to-Peer ist ein fundamentales Designprinzip und stellt einen Paradigmenwechsel für die Kommunikation in Computernetzwerken dar. In diesem Beitrag wird zunächst definiert, welche Charakteristika Peer-to-Peer-Systeme ausmachen. Anhand von vier Qualitätsmerkmalen hat die Forschergruppe „QuaP2P” ihre Arbeitsbereiche untergliedert. Dieser Gliederung folgend wird anschließend der aktuelle Stand der Wissenschaft und Herausforderungen im Bereich Peer-to-Peer-Forschung zusammengefasst. Dies gibt dem Leser einen strukturieren Überblick, um sich mit den wesentlichen Arbeiten dieses hoch aktuellen Forschungsthemas auseinandersetzen zu können.
Methods for Performance Improvement of Kademlia-based Overlay Networks (Methoden zur Leistungsverbesserung eines Kademlia-basierten Overlay-Netzes)
Authors: Binzenhöfer Andreas , Tran-Gia Phuoc , Schnabel Holger
Published: September 2007

Structured peer-to-peer (p2p) networks are highly distributed systems with a potential to support business applications. There are numerous different suggestions on how to implement such systems. However, before legal p2p systems can become mainstream they need to offer improved efficiency, robustness, and stability. While Chord is the most researched and best understood mechanism, the Kademlia algorithm is widely-used in deployed applications. There are still many open questions concerning the performance of the latter. In this paper we identify the main problems of Kademlia by large scale simulations and present modifications which help to avoid those problems. This way, we are able to significantly improve the performance and robustness of Kademlia-based applications, especially in times of churn and in unstable states. In particular, we show how to increase the stability of the overlay, make searches more efficient, and adapt the maintenance traffic to the current churn rate in a self-organizing way.
Netzwerkeffizienz stabiler Overlay-Streaming-Topologien (Network Efficiency of Stable Overlay Streaming Topologies)
Authors: Wildhagen Jens , Strufe Thorsten , Schäfer Günter
Published: September 2007

Zur Verteilung von Multimediadaten werden mit Peer-to-Peer-Ansätzen Overlay-Netze konstruiert, welche die Teilnehmer logisch durch Kanten verbinden und so eine abstrakte Nachbarschaft definieren. Bei der Konstruktion solcher Overlays für multimediale Live-Streaming-Anwendungen sind zwei Eigenschaften der Topologien von besonderer Bedeutung: die Netzwerkeffizienz bei der Paketverteilung und die Stabilität sowohl gegenüber zufälligen Knotenausfällen als auch vorsätzlichen Sabotageangriffen. In bisherigen Arbeiten zur Steigerung der Stabilitätseigenschaften entstehender Topologien finden Effizienzeigenschaften zumeist keine Berücksichtigung. Um diese Lücke zu schließen, wird in dem vorliegenden Artikel ein Verfahren vorgestellt, das es ermöglicht, einen Kompromiss zwischen der Effizienz und der Stabilität konstruierter Topologien zu finden. Hierzu werden zunächst Stabilitäts- und Effizienzeigenschaften in Form von Kostenmetriken operationalisiert und darauf aufbauend ein verteilter Algorithmus zur dynamischen Topologieoptimierung vorgestellt, der eine Gesamtkostenfunktion optimiert, die durch eine parametrisierbare, gewichtete Kombination der Einzelmetriken definiert ist. Mit Hilfe einer Simulationsstudie wird gezeigt, dass auf diese Weise gute Kompromisse zwischen Effizienz und Stabilität bei der Topologiekonstruktion gefunden werden können.
Potential Program Invariant Representation of Diffusion–Adsorption Related Voltammograms
Authors: Pajkossy Tamás
Published: September 2007

When adsorption and desorption are the only electrode processes on an electrode, the voltammetry curves are symmetric to the potential axis and the charge vs. potential curve exhibits no hysteresis, provided that the sweeprate and adsorbate concentration are sufficiently small and large, respectively. If the latter conditions do not hold, the adsorption process becomes diffusion-controlled, and the voltammograms become asymmetric. Assuming Langmuirian adsorption, a procedure employing a combination of integration and semiintegration of the measured current is suggested by which the effect of diffusion can be removed from the measured voltammograms. The procedure is supported by numerical simulations.
Pd3Fe and Pt Monolayer-Modified Pd3Fe Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Shao M. H. , Sasaki K. , Liu P. , Adzic R. R.
Published: September 2007

In a search for electrocatalysts based on other metals with comparable attributes to very scarce and expensive Pt, we studied the kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on carbon-supported Pd3Fe alloy nanoparticles in HClO4 and NaOH solutions. In acid solution, the electrocatalyst's activity for the ORR is slightly higher than that of commercial Pt/C. The reaction kinetics involves predominantly a four-electron reduction with the first charge-transfer step being the rate-determining one. The synthesis of a Pd overlayer on the Pd3Fe alloy's surface at elevated temperatures is due to strong segregation effects. The major cause of this electrocatalyst's high activity appears to be the downshifting of the d-band center of Pd overlayer, resulting in a weaker interaction between the oxygen-containing species and the Pd surface. We demonstrated a further enhancement of the ORR kinetics with a Pt monolayer-covered Pd3Fe/C electrocatalyst. In HClO4 solution, the mass-specific activity of Pt/Pd3Fe/C was about five times higher than that of commercial Pt/C, surpassing the Pt/Pd/C. In situ XANES data indicate that this elevated ORR activity may be due to the decreased formation of PtOH, and weaker oxygen adsorption on Pt/Pd3Fe/C.
Electrocatalytic Trends on IB Group Metals: The Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Blizanac B. B. , Stamenkovic V. , Markovic N. M.
Published: September 2007

The rotating ring disk method (RRDE) is applied to investigate the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on Cu(111), Ag(111) and Au(111) single crystal surfaces in alkaline and acidic media. Independently of the pH of solution, we found that at low overpotentials the order of activity increases from Cu(111) to Ag(111) to Au(111). At high overpotentials, however, Cu(111) and Ag(111) are much more active than Au(111). An interpretation of the variation in activity is presented based on the premise that the rate of the ORR is controlled by two factors: a chemical-dependent part, Δ G
θ
* = Δ G
0
* + γ Δ G
Θ
0Θad, and the pre-exponential part which is determined by the adsorption of spectator species (Θad) and the availablitiy of bare metal sites, i.e., the (1-Θad) term.
Le P.~Castel et l'ethos du mathématicien
Authors: Roveda Lyndia
Published: September 2007

Abstract The celebrated inventor of the “Ocular Harpsichord” is less well known as the author of Mathématique universelle, published in 1728. In this work, the Jesuit teacher develops a cheerful method of instruction in inspired by his desire to popularize a discipline hitherto marked with the seal of austerity. In order to clear away the illusory superiority of professional geometers, Father Castel makes argumentative breaks from tradition, aiming to devalue the ethos of contemporary mathematicians. Through textual analysis of certain rhetorical professions such as candid directness (aretè), ostentatious goodwill (eunoia) and, in a more general sense, the dissociation of appearance from reality, the present study seeks to place in evidence certain ethical concerns which were shaking Jesuite learned world in its confrontation with the new epistemology of the century of the Enlightenment.
Les bagues de l'Empereur Julien. La mise en pratique de la rhétorique épistolaire dans la correspondance personnelle d'un empereur
Authors: Malosse Pierre-Louis
Published: September 2007

Certain people, says Julian, make a display of the letters they have received from the emperor the way parvenues display their expensive rings. It is perhaps for this reason that we have conserved from this emperor more than thirty pieces—short notes and more developed missives—which call attention to epistolary style in its strictest sense, because they are addressed as from one individual to another, and not as from a sovereign to his subjects or his representatives. The recipients make up a small network of people who share intellectual and religious affinities with the sender. This study seeks to show how epistolary theory in Antiquity was able to be put into practice by Julian. The function of the letter is analysed, therefore, and the mise en scène of the epistolary process, the forms of the incipit and the desinit. Beyond the traditional theme of the letter as an expression of friendship, one notes in this correspondence themes of piety, work, and haste, which are rather specific to Julian, but perhaps also coded because they are constituent parts of his ethos.
Aristotle's Rhetoric in the Later Medieval Universities: A Reassessment
Authors: Briggs Charles F.
Published: September 2007

Abstract This essay offers a reassessment of the reception history of the Latin translation of Aristotle's Rhetoric in the universities and mendicant studia of the thirteenth to fifteenth centuries. While it accepts James J. Murphy's assertion, originally made in 1969, that Aristotle's Rhetoric was studied as part of moral philosophy, it presents new manuscript and textual evidence of how this work was actually used. It argues for its popularity and importance among later medieval scholastics and suggests we take a more nuanced view of what they understood rhetoric to be.
Chemical process to normalize the electrical properties of a-Se
Authors: Badesha S. S. , Abkowitz M. A. , Knier F. E.
Published: September 2007

The influence of specific chemical dopants on the electrophotographic behavior of selenium and its alloys has been established in prior work. This communication describes a chemical procedure that has been found effective in removing electronically active impurities from amorphous selenium. The methodology involves converting contaminated selenium into a chemical intermediate that is separated by selective alcoholic dissolution and then reduced to high-purity selenium. The electrical characteristics of the amorphous films obtained by vacuum evaporation of the latter are determined directly from analysis of xerographic potentials.
Thermodynamic aspects of amorphous phase formation
Authors: Saunders N. , Miodownik A. P.
Published: September 2007

The glass-forming ability of the three alloy systems Co–Zr, Cu–Zr, and Ni–Zr has been analyzed for three distinct production routes: (1) liquid quenching, (2) vapor deposition, and (3) solidstate reaction. Using the free energy and heats of formation curves obtained from the thermodynamic characterization of the respective alloy systems, a satisfactory rationale can be obtained for amorphous phase formation by all three routes. The analysis shows that while amorphous phase formation by quenching from the high-temperature liquid is clearly dependent on factors such as quench rate and the valueTG/TM, it is the low-temperature stability of the amorphous phase relative to the other crystalline structures that enables amorphous phases to be formed by both vapor deposition and solid-state reaction. The underlying free energy curves indicate the interesting possibility of a supersaturation sequence in the nucleation of an amorphous phase by solid-state reaction. The principles underlying thermodynamic characterizations are briefly discussed, and a characterization for Co–Zr is presented.