bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Policy and Collective Action: Unemployed Workers, Community Associations, and Protest in Argentina
Authors: Garay Candelaria
Published: May 2007

Unemployed and informal workers seem an unlikely source of large-scale collective action in Latin America. Since 1997, however, Argentina has witnessed an upsurge of protest and the emergence of unusually influential federations of unemployed and informal workers. To explain this puzzle, this article offers a policy-centered argument. It suggests that a workfare program favored common interests and identities on the part of unemployed workers and grassroots associations, allowing them to overcome barriers to collective action. State responses to demands for workfare benefits generated a pattern of protest and negotiation that strengthened those groups and dramatically expanded social policy.
U.S. Wage Inequality, Technological Change, and Decline in Union Power
Authors: Mosher James S.
Published: May 2007

Wage inequality, including the college/high school education premium, has increased substantially in the United States. A key part of the most widely accepted explanation for this is that skill-biased technological change accelerated during this time. This article suggests that the impact of skill-biased technological change was closer to constant in the second half of the twentieth century. This leaves a large unexplained decrease in the college/high school education premium in the 1940s and a large unexplained increase in the 1980s. The current article provides evidence that the upsurge and decline in union power during those respective periods provide a good explanation for these unexplained wage inequality changes.
The image of the Tuileries Palace in the French press and memoirs, 1871—1883
Authors: Iandoli Louis J.
Published: May 2007

This article examines the image of the Tuileries Palace through references to memoirs of the Commune and to articles published in the Parisian press. It considers the reaction of the French press from 1871 to 1883 to proposals for the restoration or demolition of the palace's remains. The analysis of memoirs and press articles illuminates the controversy regarding the palace's artistic and political importance in the early Third Republic. This study also examines the cultural denial of some critics implied by the conscious rejection of the role of the Tuileries Palace as a major icon in France's past.
Narrative mutations
Authors: Nettelbeck Colin
Published: May 2007

In the most prominent article of nouvelle vague self-definition — that of the filmmaker as `auteur' — the new French cinema was underlining its relationship with the literary tradition that had been both pathway and obstacle to its independence. This paper examines a particularly intense phase of French cinema's quest for `high culture' legitimacy, namely the period covering the Occupation and the rise of the New Wave — 1940 to 1958. It evaluates how the combination of historical circumstance and Vichy government policy enhanced the position of cinema relative to literature, and opened the way for subsequent developments in literary and cinematographic expression, both as independent arts and in their interrelationship. Concentrating on works of fiction, it adopts the Ricoeurian view that such narratives afford crucial insight not only into artistic production, but also into the identity of the society that produced it.
Getting the best out of your data vendor
Authors: Snell Daniel
Published: May 2007

Sets out an approach to managing the relationship between information manager and vendor sales representative. Describes some ill-advised sales scenarios and the pitfalls they present, highlighting common misconceptions held by inexperienced or poorly trained sales people. Proposes a solution based on the information manager creating a sales approach document that spells how they wish to be sold to, emphasizing the need to create a good relationship from the outset and ensure that all communication is authentic. Provides a detailed health check for sales representatives, covering communication, style and approach, service, building a relationship, best practice, and dos & don'ts. Concludes with complementary advice to the sales professional and the information manager on how to develop a good sales relationship.
Sixteen-Item Anxiety Sensitivity Index
Authors: Vujanovic Anka A. , Arrindell Willem A. , Bernstein Amit , Norton Peter J. , Zvolensky Michael J.
Published: May 2007

The present investigation examined the factor structure, internal consistency, and construct validity of the 16-item Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI; Reiss Peterson, Gursky, & McNally 1986) in a young adult sample (n = 420) from the Netherlands. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to comparatively evaluate two-factor, three-factor, and four-factor models of the anxiety sensitivity construct. Support was found for a hierarchical structure of anxiety sensitivity, with one global higher-order factor and four lower-order factors. Internal consistency for the global and lower-order factors of the 16-item ASI was adequate. Convergent and discriminant associations between the 16-item ASI and general mood and panic-specific variables were consistent with anxiety sensitivity theory. In addition, incremental validity of the anxiety sensitivity construct was established, relative to negative affectivity, for unexpected panic attacks and agoraphobic avoidance.
Machining Dynamics Involving Whirling Part I: Model Development and Validation
Authors: Dassanayake Achala V. , Suh C. Steve
Published: May 2007

A complex machining model describing the coupled tool—workpiece dynamics subject to nonlinear regenerative cutting forces, instantaneous depth-of-cut and workpiece whirling due to material imbalance is presented. The workpiece is modeled as a system of three rotors, namely, unmachined, being machined and machined, connected by a flexible shaft, thus enabling the motion of the workpiece relative to the tool and tool motion relative to the machining surface to be three-dimensionally established as functions of spindle speed, depth-of-cut, rate of material removal and whirling. A rich set of nonlinear behaviors of both the tool and workpiece including period-doubling bifurcation and chaos signifying the extent of machining instability at various depth-of-cuts is observed. Results presented herein agree favorably with physical experiments reported in the literature. It is found that, at and up to certain ranges of depth-of-cuts, whirling is non-negligible if the fundamental characteristics of machining dynamics are to be fully understood. Additionally, contrary to one's intuition, whirling is found to have insignificant impact on tool motions.
The Effects of Workpiece Deflection and Motor Features on Quality of Machining Process — Nonlinear Vibrations Analysis
Authors: Dai L. , Wang J.
Published: May 2007

The present research aims at the establishment of a novel methodology to analyze the responses of a nonlinear machining system subjected to cutting forces excitations. For a systematic analysis, a nonlinear dynamic cutting system is developed that includes the main factors affecting vibration in machining. A new cutting vibration model is established to reflect the realistic vibrations of both the workpiece and the cutting tool of a lathe-type machining system. Vibrations of the workpiece and the cutting tool in a turning system are investigated on the basis of a coupled cutting vibration system established in the research. The effects of the workpiece deflection on the vibration of the machining system are considered. Moreover, the influences of nonlinear electrical features of the machining system's drive motor on the cutting vibration response are also considered in quantifying the nonlinear cutting force and the relative displacements between the workpiece and cutting tool. A set of numerical investigations of the behavior of the nonlinear cutting system is also carried out with implementation of the proposed model.
RETRACTED: Modeling and Control of an Elastic Ship-mounted Crane Using Variable Gain Model-based Controller
Authors: Al-Sweiti Yousef , Söffker Dirk
Published: May 2007

We, the editors and publishers of Mathematical and Computer Modelling of Dynamical Systems (Taylor & Francis) and Journal of Vibration & Control (SAGE) are retracting the following articles:

A. Cargo pendulation suppression of ship cranes with elastic booms, Authors: D. Soeffker, Y.M Al- Sweiti*, Mathematical and Computer Modelling of Dynamical Systems, published by Taylor & Francis.

Volume 13, Issue 6, 2007, pages 503–529 DOI: 10.1080/13873950701214424

B. Modelling and control of an elastic ship-mounted crane using variable-gain model-based controller, Yousef Al-Sweiti and Dirk Soeffker, Journal of Vibration & Control, published by SAGE.

Volume 13, Issue 5, 2007, pages 657–685 DOI: 10.1177/1077546307074246

We are now aware that these articles contain sections that substantially overlap with each other and with the following published papers:

1. Yousef Al-Sweiti and Dirk Soeffker, "‘Modelling and control of an elastic ship-mounted crane using variable- gain model-based controller," Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part K: Journal of Multi-body Dynamics, December 1, 2006; vol. 220, 4: pp. 239–255.

2. Yousef Al-Sweiti and Dirk Soeffker, ‘"Planar cargo control of elastic ship cranes with the ‘‘Maryland Rigging’’ system,’’ Journal of Vibration and Control, March 2007, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 241–267.

It is noted that Article (1) has already been retracted by SAGE. We have conducted a detailed investigation with regards to the originality of Articles A and B, and have consulted with each other on the appropriate course of action. Taylor & Francis and SAGE are in agreement that Articles (A) and (B) bear substantial overlap to each other and Article (2), particularly in the Mathematical Modeling and Observer and Controller Design sections.

The Publishers are thus retracting Articles A and B from publication in Mathematical and Computer Modelling of Dynamical Systems and Journal of Vibration and Control.

The authors failed to cite, reference, or properly acknowledge their previous work nor properly identify or quote extracts from that work which subsequently appeared in, and appeared original to the articles (now retracted) in, Mathematical and Computer Modelling of Dynamical Systems and Journal of Vibration and Control.

The authors were therefore in breach of the rules of submission for Mathematical and Computer Modelling of Dynamical Systems and Journal of Vibration and Control, and of the warranties made to both Taylor & Francis and SAGE regarding originality. We note that the Editors of Mathematical and Computer Modelling of Dynamical Systems and Journal of Vibration and Control published the now retracted articles in good faith.

Taylor & Francis SAGE
Digital Filter Based Motion Command Preconditioning of Time Varying Suspended Loads in Boom Cranes for Sway Suppression
Authors: Glossiotis G. , Antoniadis I.
Published: May 2007

Due to the presence of suspended loads, transient and residual sway is present when a motion command is applied to a crane. Various methods for sway suppression have been proposed, based either on closed loop control or command preconditioning procedures. Among command preconditioning methods, conventional FIR filters, when properly designed, have been shown to present in general extremely robust behavior, combined with the introduction of the minimum possible delay. Thus, these filters are proposed for preconditioning the motion commands of boom cranes, the dynamic response of which is strongly non-linear and time varying, characterized by large variations of the sway natural frequencies. Signal processing techniques are exploited for the analysis of the dynamic response of the crane system, and the results of this analysis are applied for the design of the preconditioning procedures. Two alternative methodologies are presented, aiming at sway suppression of the system, and the minimum possible motion duration. It is shown that the use of filtered inputs effectively suppresses payload sway during and after the mechanism motion, while the smooth nature of the resulting response leads to significant decrease in the stress levels induced on the motors and the structure of the crane.
Periodic Motions and Stability in a Semi-Active Suspension System with MR Damping
Authors: Luo Albert C.J. , Rajendran Arun
Published: May 2007

From experimental results, the magneto-rheological (MR) damping varying with relative velocity is modeled through a piecewise-linear model. Periodic motions in a semi-active suspension system with such a piecewise-linear MR damping are investigated. The theory of discontinuous dynamical systems is employed to determine the grazing motions in such a system, and the mapping technique is used to develop the mapping structures of periodic motions. The periodic motions and stability are predicted analytically and verified numerically. The stability and bifurcation analyses of such periodic motions are performed, and the parameters for all possible motions are developed. This model is applicable for the semi-active suspension system with the magneto-rheological damper in automobiles. Further investigation of magneto-rheological damping with full nonlinearity should be completed.
The Dynamic Nature of Homicide Clearances
Authors: Litwin Kenneth J. , Yili Xu
Published: May 2007

Homicide clearance rates in the United States have been steadily declining from the 1960s through the 1990s. Our study asks: (1) Are the factors commonly identified in homicide clearance research as being related to clearances consistent across time? (2) Can these factors shed light on the decline in homicide clearance rates during the past three decades? (3) How are community area characteristics related to clearances across time? Using Chicago data from 1966 to 1995, we find that the factors vary across time and space in terms of statistical significance and magnitude of their relationships. Specifically, the increasing significance of victim's race and firearm usage may account for some of the decrease in homicide clearance rates. Community area characteristics enhance our understanding of homicide clearances, although to a lesser extent than the victim and situational characteristics of a homicide case.
Seeing in 3-D: Examining the Reach of Diabetes Self-Management Support Strategies in a Public Health Care System
Authors: Schillinger Dean , Hammer Hali , Wang Frances , Palacios Jorge , McLean Ivonne , Tang Audrey , Youmans Sharon , Handley Margaret
Published: May 2007

The authors examined whether tailored self-management support (SMS) strategies reach patients in a safety net system and explored variation by language, literacy, and insurance. English-, Spanish-, and Cantonese-speaking diabetes patients were randomized to weekly automated telephone disease management (ATDM) or monthly group medical visits. The SMS programs employ distinct communication methods but share common objectives, including behavioral “action plans.” Reach was measured using three complementary dimensions: (a) participation among clinics, clinicians, and patients; (b) patient representativeness; and (c) patient engagement with SMS. Participation rates were high across all levels and preferentially attracted Spanish-language speakers, uninsured, and Medicaid recipients. Although both programs engaged a significant proportion in action planning, ATDM yielded higher engagement, especially among those with limited English proficiency and limited literacy. These results provide important insights for health communication and translational research with respect to realizing the public health benefits of SMS and can inform system-level planning to reduce health disparities.
Futures research, communication and the use of information and communication technology in households in 2010: a reassessment
Authors: Bouwman Harry , Der Duin Patrick Van
Published: May 2007

Communication studies pay little attention to futures research, while there is a lack of communication knowledge in futures research.This article discusses the function of futures research and ways to embed domain knowledge in predictions. First, it looks at futures research in relation to the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in households in 2010. Second, it incorporates communication knowledge based on the vision of experts. It is interested in the ways in which the contextual factors of the adoption and use of ICT can be taken into account. Scenarios take social changes, political and regulatory trends into account and draw alternative, divergent pictures of a future context within which the adoption, domestication, use and effects of new technologies will take place.Through the use of scenarios different contexts can be described in which the impact of specific technologies can be analysed, making use of the know-how of communication scholars.
Problem gambling on the internet: implications for internet gambling policy in North America
Authors: Wood Robert T. , Williams Robert J.
Published: May 2007

The proportion of North American gamblers who choose to gamble on the internet is increasing at a dramatic rate. Unfortunately, however, relatively little is known about the characteristics of these individuals or their propensity for problem gambling. Past studies predict that internet gamblers are especially at risk for developing gambling problems and that a substantial proportion of them already can be properly classified as problem gamblers. This article investigates this issue using data collected from an internet-based survey administered to 1920 American, Canadian and international internet gamblers. Confirming predictions of a relationship between internet gambling and problem gambling, it finds that 42.7 percent of the internet gamblers in the sample can be classified as problem gamblers. In light of the findings, and bearing in mind the recommendations made by other gambling researchers, it concludes with a discussion of issues and cautions for governments to heed when crafting internet gambling policies.
An Evaluation of a State Hepatitis Prevention and Control Program: Focus Group Interviews With Clients
Authors: Rainey Jacquie
Published: May 2007

This article presents the results of the qualitative component of a comprehensive evaluation of a state hepatitis prevention and control program. The qualitative component of the evaluation was designed to assess the motivational factors behind clients seeking hepatitis-related services and explore their experiences with the services provided by local health departments. The transtheoretical model was employed as a means of identifying the stage of change the client was in and what processes of change were useful in moving the client through the various stages of change. Focus groups were conducted with 44 participants in six different counties in Florida. Results of the focus group interviews support the use of the transtheoretical model in program evaluation using focus group methods. The findings of the focus groups suggest the need for education of the public and health care providers regarding hepatitis and the importance of supportive relationships to clients seeking and receiving hepatitis screening and vaccination.
HIV modulates the expression of ligands important in triggering natural killer cell cytotoxic responses on infected primary T-cell blasts
Authors: Ward Jeffrey , Bonaparte Matthew , Sacks Jennifer , Guterman Jacqueline , Fogli Manuela , Mavilio Domenico , Barker Edward
Published: May 2007

The ability of natural killer (NK) cells to kill virus-infected cells depends on the presence of ligands for activation receptors on the target cells. We found the presence of few, if any, NKp30 and NK46 ligands on T cell blasts infected with HIV, although NKp44 ligands were found on infected cells. HIV does induce the NKG2D ligands ULBP-1, -2, and -3. These ligands are involved in triggering NK cells to kill autologous HIV-infected cells, because interfering with the interaction between NKG2D, but not NKp46, on NK cells and its ligands on HIV-infected cells drastically reduced the lysis of infected cells. Interfering with the binding of the NK-cell coreceptors NTB-A and 2B4 to their ligands also decreased destruction by NK cells. The coreceptor ligands, NTB-A and CD48, were also found to be down-regulated during the course of HIV infection. Thus, ligands for NK-cell receptors are modulated during the course of HIV infection, which may greatly alter NK cells' ability to kill the infected cells.
Cell adhesion induces p27Kip1-associated cell-cycle arrest through down-regulation of the SCFSkp2 ubiquitin ligase pathway in mantle-cell and other non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphomas
Authors: Lwin Tint , Hazlehurst Lori A. , Dessureault Sophie , Lai Raymond , Bai Wenlong , Sotomayor Eduardo , Moscinski Lynn C. , Dalton William S. , Tao Jianguo
Published: May 2007

Mounting evidence suggests that dynamic interactions between a tumor and its microenvironment play a critical role in tumor development, cell-cycle progression, and response to therapy. In this study, we used mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) as a model to characterize the mechanisms by which stroma regulate cell-cycle progression. We demonstrated that adhesion of MCL and other non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cells to bone marrow stromal cells resulted in a reversible G1 arrest associated with elevated p27Kip1 and p21 (WAF1) proteins. The adhesion-mediated p27Kip1 and p21 increases were posttranslationally regulated via the down-regulation of Skp2, a subunit of SCFSkp2 ubiquitin ligase. Overexpression of Skp2 in MCL decreased p27Kip1, whereas inhibition of Skp2 by siRNA increased p27Kip1 and p21 levels. Furthermore, we found cell adhesion up-regulated Cdh1 (an activating subunit of anaphase-promoting complex [APC] ubiquitin ligase), and reduction of Cdh1 by siRNA induced Skp2 accumulation and hence p27Kip1 degradation, thus implicating Cdh1 as an upstream effector of the Skp2/p27Kip1 signaling pathway. Overall, this report, for the first time, demonstrates that cell-cell contact controls the tumor cell cycle via ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathways in MCL and other NHLs. The understanding of this novel molecular pathway may prove valuable in designing new therapeutic approaches for modifying tumor cell growth and response to therapy.
Cardiac asthma in elderly patients: incidence, clinical presentation and outcome
Authors: Jorge Stéphane , Becquemin Marie-Hélène , Delerme Samuel , Bennaceur Mohamed , Isnard Richard , Achkar Rony , Riou Bruno , Boddaert Jacques , Ray Patrick
Published: May 2007

Background

Cardiac asthma is common, but has been poorly investigated. The objective was to compare the characteristics and outcome of cardiac asthma with that of classical congestive heart failure (CHF) in elderly patients.

Methods

Prospective study in an 1,800-bed teaching hospital.

Results

Two hundred and twelve consecutive patients aged ≥ 65 years presenting with dyspnea due to CHF (mean age of 82 ± 8 years) were included. Findings of cardiac echocardiography and natriuretic peptides levels were used to confirm CHF. Cardiac asthma patients were defined as a patient with CHF and wheezing reported by attending physician upon admission to the emergency department. The CHF group (n = 137) and the cardiac asthma group (n = 75), differed for tobacco use (34% vs. 59%, p < 0.05), history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (16% vs. 47%, p < 0.05), peripheral arterial disease (10% vs. 24%, p < 0.05). Patients with cardiac asthma had a significantly lower pH (7.38 ± 0.08 vs. 7.43 ± 0.06, p < 0.05), and a higher PaCO2(47 ± 15 vs. 41 ± 11 mmHg, p < 0.05) at admission. In the cardiac asthma group, patients had greater distal airway obstruction: forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 1.09 vs. 1.33 Liter (p < 0.05), and a forced expiratory flow at 25% to 75% of vital capacity of 0.76 vs. 0.99 Liter (p < 0.05). The in-hospital (23% vs. 19%) and one year mortality (48% vs. 43%) rates were similar.

Conclusion

Patients with cardiac asthma represented one third of CHF in elderly patients. They were more hypercapnic and experienced more distal airway obstruction. However, outcomes were similar.
Isolated receptor binding domains of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 envelopes bind Glut-1 on activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells
Authors: Kinet Sandrina , Swainson Louise , Lavanya Madakasira , Mongellaz Cedric , Montel-Hagen Amélie , Craveiro Marco , Manel Nicolas , Battini Jean-Luc , Sitbon Marc , Taylor Naomi
Published: May 2007

Background

We previously identified the glucose transporter Glut-1, a member of the multimembrane-spanning facilitative nutrient transporter family, as a receptor for both HTLV-1 and HTLV-2. However, a recent report concluded that Glut-1 cannot serve as a receptor for HTLV-1 on CD4 T cells: This was based mainly on their inability to detect Glut-1 on this lymphocyte subset using the commercial antibody mAb1418. It was therefore of significant interest to thoroughly assess Glut-1 expression on CD4 and CD8 T cells, and its association with HTLV-1 and -2 envelope binding.

Results

As previously reported, ectopic expression of Glut-1 but not Glut-3 resulted in significantly augmented binding of tagged proteins harboring the receptor binding domains of either HTLV-1 or HTLV-2 envelope glycoproteins (H1RBDor H2RBD). Using antibodies raised against the carboxy-terminal peptide of Glut-1, we found that Glut-1 expression was significantly increased in both CD4 and CD8 cells following TCR stimulation. Corresponding increases in the binding of H1RBDas well as H2RBD, not detected on quiescent T cells, were observed following TCR engagement. Furthermore, increased Glut-1 expression was accompanied by a massive augmentation in glucose uptake in TCR-stimulated CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes. Finally, we determined that the apparent contradictory results obtained by Takenouchi et al were due to their monitoring of Glut-1 with a mAb that does not bind cells expressing endogenous Glut-1, including human erythrocytes that harbor 300,000 copies per cell.

Conclusion

Transfection of Glut-1 directly correlates with the capacities of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 envelope-derived ligands to bind cells. Moreover, Glut-1 is induced by TCR engagement, resulting in massive increases in glucose uptake and binding of HTLV-1 and -2 envelopes to both CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes. Therefore, Glut-1 is a primary binding receptor for HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 envelopes on activated CD4 as well as CD8 lymphocytes.
Analysis of a possible independent origin of triploid P. formosa outside of the Río Purificación river system
Authors: Schories Susanne , Lampert Kathrin P , Lamatsch Dunja K , de León Francisco J García , Schartl Manfred
Published: May 2007

Background

Unisexuality, or all female reproduction, is rare among vertebrates. Studying these exceptional organisms may give useful information with respect to the evolution and maintenance of sexual reproduction. Poecilia formosa was the first unisexual vertebrate species to be detected and since then has served as a paradigmatic organism for unisexuality and studies on the evolution of sex. It reproduces through gynogenesis, using sperm of males from related species to trigger parthenogenetic development of the unreduced diploid eggs. Like in other unisexual vertebrates, triploids occur in a certain range of P. formosa. It has been suggested that the addition of the host species derived third chromosome set is evolutionary important. Clonal organisms lack sufficient genotypic diversity for adaptive changes to variable environments. Also non-recombining genomes cannot purge deleterious mutations and therefore unisexual organisms should suffer from a genomic decay. Thus, polyploidization leading to triploidy should bring "fresh" genetic material into the asexual lineage. To evaluate the importance of triploidy for maintaining the asexual species, it is important to know whether such an introgression event happens at a reasonable frequency.

Results

In an earlier study it was found that all triploid P. formosa in the Rio Purificación river system are of monophyletic origin. Here we have analyzed fish from a different river system. Using microsatellite analysis we can show that the triploids from this new location are genetically divergent and most probably of an independent origin.

Conclusion

Our data support the hypothesis that triploidy was not a single chance event in the evolutionary history of P. formosa and hence might be a relevant mechanism to increase genotypic divergence and at least partially counteract the genetic degeneration connected to asexuality. It is, however, much rarer than in other asexual vertebrates analyzed so far and thus probably only of moderate evolutionary importance for the maintenance of the asexual breeding complex.
Tilescope: online analysis pipeline for high-density tiling microarray data
Authors: Zhang Zhengdong D , Rozowsky Joel , Lam Hugo YK , Du Jiang , Snyder Michael , Gerstein Mark
Published: May 2007

We developed Tilescope, a fully integrated data processing pipeline for analyzing high-density tiling-array data http://tilescope.gersteinlab.org. In a completely automated fashion, Tilescope will normalize signals between channels and across arrays, combine replicate experiments, score each array element, and identify genomic features. The program is designed with a modular, three-tiered architecture, facilitating parallelism, and a graphic user-friendly interface, presenting results in an organized web page, downloadable for further analysis.
Matrix Metalloproteinase‐2 Expression and Apoptogenic Activity in Retinal Pericytes
Authors: YANG RU , LIU HAIBO , WILLIAMS IYESHA , CHAQOUR BRAHIM
Published: May 2007

Abstract:  Diabetic retinopathy (DR) commences as a basement membrane disorder with a dramatic loss of the innate retinal vascular autoregulation. In this process, retinal pericytes, which regulate endothelial cell proliferation and survival, undergo morphometric changes consistent with apoptosis. The ability of retinal pericytes to survive is dependent on their interaction with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, which are susceptible to rapid degradation by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Here, we examined the potential involvement of MMPs and a membrane‐type MMP in retinal pericyte death in experimental diabetes and in cultured retinal pericytes. Our data showed that chemically induced diabetes of 6 months' duration significantly increased the expression and activity of both MMP‐2 and its physiological activator MT1‐MMP. TdT‐mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)–positive pericytes and endothelial cells were concomitantly detected within the retinal capillaries of diabetic animals. In situ zymography showed a weak MMP activity in control retinas but an intense perivascular MMP activity in retinas from diabetic animals. In vitro studies showed that hyperglycemia‐induced retinal pericyte apoptosis in vitro was attenuated by a specific MMP inhibitor. Incubation of pericytes with purified MMP‐2 significantly increased the number of apoptotic cells. Our data suggest that increased MMP‐2 activity compromises retinal pericyte survival possibly through MMP‐2 action on ECM proteins and/or direct association of MMP‐2 with integrins, which promotes apoptosis/anoikis by loss of cell contact with an appropriate ECM.
Autoreactive T Cells in a Partially Humanized Murine Model of T1D
Authors: GEBE JOHN A. , FALK BEN , UNRATH KELLEE , NEPOM GERALD T.
Published: May 2007

Abstract:  Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65) and insulin are implicated as target antigens in the pathogenesis of human diabetes through correlative measurements of humoral and cellular reactivity to them in diabetics and at‐risk diabetic individuals. Recently, an age‐dependent loss of tolerance to one of several naturally processed epitopes of GAD65 (555–567) has been observed to precede diabetes in diabetes‐prone mice transgenic for diabetes‐correlated human class II genes. Extended studies in these mice (RIP‐B7/DR0404) now show that tolerance is maintained to another DR4‐restricted naturally processed region within GAD65. While tolerance is lost to GAD65 (555–567) in B7/DR0404 mice prior to diabetes, these mice remain T cell–tolerant to GAD65 (273–286). Prediabetes loss of tolerance to GAD65 (555–567) has now been shown to correlate with an impaired response to exogenous glucose in an intraperitoneal (i.p.) glucose tolerance test. In addition, these mice exhibit a T cell response to insulin A(6–21) at the hyperglycemic state. Investigating a possible cause‐and‐effect relationship between T cell reactivity to GAD65 and diabetes pathogenesis, GAD65 (555–567) T cell receptor (TcR) transgenic mice have been generated and future work is aimed at understanding the importance of T cell GAD65 reactivity and its role in diabetes progression.
Development of New‐Generation HU‐PBMC‐NOD/SCID Mice to Study Human Islet Alloreactivity
Authors: KING MARIE , PEARSON TODD , SHULTZ LEONARD D. , LEIF JEAN , BOTTINO RITA , TRUCCO MASSIMO , ATKINSON MARK , WASSERFALL CLIVE , HEROLD KEVAN , MORDES JOHN P. , ROSSINI ALDO A. , GREINER DALE L.
Published: May 2007

Abstract:  The use of “humanized” mice represents an appealing translational model for studies of the pathogenesis of immune‐mediated diseases and for the evaluation of potential therapeutics. The utility of humanized mice depends on their ability to model the human immune system with high fidelity, and, in this respect, previous models have fallen short. The recently developed NOD‐scid Il2rγnull mouse, however, exhibits greatly enhanced ability to support the engraftment of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Herein, we describe the challenges of recapitulating human immunity in humanized mice and features of NOD‐scid Il2rγnull mice that help overcome them.
Human Clonal CD8 Autoreactivity to an IGRP Islet Epitope Shared between Mice and Men
Authors: UNGER W.W.J. , PINKSE G.G.M. , MULDER‐van der KRACHT S. , Van Der SLIK A.R. , KESTER M.G.D. , OSSENDORP F. , DRIJFHOUT J.W. , SERREZE D.V. , ROEP B.O.
Published: May 2007

Abstract:  Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a multifactorial disease characterized by the infiltration and subsequent destruction of the pancreatic insulin‐producing β cells by autoreactive T cells. CD8+ T cells play an essential role in this β cell destruction. However, little is known about the target antigens of CD8+ T cells in human T1D patients. The aim of this study was to assess whether an epitope derived from the islet‐specific glucose‐6‐phosphatase catalytic subunit–related protein (IGRP), IGRP265‐273, which has recently been identified as a target in non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice and is fully homologous to the human epitope, is a target of human diabetogenic CD8+ T cells. We isolated a human CD8 T cell clone against this epitope, which confirms that this IGRP epitope is shared across species.
Obesity and Outcome in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Butturini Anna M. , Dorey Frederick J. , Lange Beverly J. , Henry David W. , Gaynon Paul S. , Fu Cecilia , Franklin Janet , Siegel Stuart E. , Seibel Nita L. , Rogers Paul C. , Sather Harland , Trigg Michael , Bleyer W. Archie , Carroll William L.
Published: May 2007

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of obesity (defined as a body mass index > 95th percentile for age and sex at diagnosis) on outcome of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from 4,260 patients with newly diagnosed ALL enrolled from 1988 to 1995 onto five concurrent Children's Cancer Group studies. Results were verified in a second cohort of 1,733 patients enrolled onto a sixth study from 1996 to 2002.

Results

The 1988 to 1995 cohort included 343 obese and 3,971 nonobese patients. The 5-year event-free survival rate and risk of relapse in obese versus nonobese patients were 72% ± 2.4% v 77% ± 0.6% (P = .02) and 26 ± 2.4 v 20 ± 0.6 (P = .02), respectively. After adjusting for other prognostic variables, obesity's hazard ratios (HRs) of events and relapses were 1.36 (95% CI, 1.04 to 1.77; P = .021) and 1.29 (95% CI, 1.02 to 1.56; P = .04), respectively. The effect of obesity was prominent in the 1,003 patients ≥ 10 years old at diagnosis; in this subset, obesity's adjusted HRs of events and relapses were 1.5 (95% CI, 1.1 to 2.1; P = .009) and 1.5 (95% CI, 1.2 to 2.1; P = .013), respectively. In a second cohort of 1,160 patients ≥ 10 years old, obesity's adjusted HRs of events and relapses were 1.42 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.96; P = .032) and 1.65 (95% CI, 1.13 to 2.41; P = .009), respectively. The effect of obesity on outcome was unrelated to changes in chemotherapy doses, length of intervals between chemotherapy cycles, or incidence and severity of therapy-related toxicity.

Conclusion

Obesity at diagnosis independently predicts likelihood of relapse and cure in preteenagers and adolescents with ALL.
Criteria for Optimizing Prognostic Risk Groups in Pediatric Cancer: Analysis of Data From the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Sposto Richard , London Wendy B. , Alonzo Todd A.
Published: May 2007

Purpose

Physicians who treat cancer often attempt to identify patient subgroups that are homogeneous in their chance of recurrence or death as a way to target the more toxic and presumably more effective treatments to patients with the worst prognosis. However, to date, prognosis-based treatment assignment in pediatric cancer has not been based on a quantitative assessment of the risks and benefits of different treatment strategies or on morbidity and efficacy outcome measures that are relevant to children.

Methods

We performed a quantitative analysis of the risks and benefits of prognosis-based treatment assignment in two examples from the Children's Oncology Group using a mathematical model of cancer cure and permanent treatment morbidity and defined an optimality criterion for assigning treatments to specific risk groups.

Results

In stage 4 MYCN-unamplified neuroblastoma, age-based risk grouping distinguishes clearly between patients with high and low risk of recurrence. However, our analysis suggests that the optimal age cut point depends profoundly on the morbidity of the treatments being considered and agrees with current published recommendations only for treatments that add significant morbidity. In Hodgkin's lymphoma, under our model, no clearly optimal risk groupings exist, and a compelling quantitative rationale for defining risks group at all may not exist.

Conclusion

Our analysis illustrates the inadequacy of naïve application of statistical criteria for defining prognostic risk groups in pediatric cancer and highlights the importance of quantifying treatment morbidity when defining risk groups or when deciding whether risk grouping is warranted.
Long-Term Follow-Up of a Randomized Trial Comparing Concurrent Single Agent Cisplatin, Cisplatin-Based Combination Chemotherapy, or Hydroxyurea During Pelvic Irradiation for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study
Authors: Rose Peter G. , Ali Shamshad , Watkins Edwin , Thigpen J. Tate , Deppe Gunter , Clarke-Pearson Daniel L. , Insalaco Samuel
Published: May 2007

Purpose

We report the long-term survival and toxicity of a randomized phase III study comparing cisplatin alone with cisplatin, flurouracil, and hydroxyurea versus hydroxyurea concurrent with pelvic irradiation for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer with pathologically negative para-aortic nodes.

Patients and Methods

Comparisons of progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) between treatment arms utilized Kaplan-Meier and log-rank statistics. Relative risk estimates adjusting for prognostic factors were determined using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Pearson's χ2 test was used to assess differences in adverse events.

Results

The analysis included 526 patients. The median follow-up among surviving patients was 106 months. Consistent with the original report, improvement in PFS and OS was evident for both cisplatin-containing arms compared with hydroxyurea (P < .001). Analogous results were seen for stage IIB and for stage III disease (each P < .025). The relative risk of progression of disease or death was 0.57 (95% CI, 0.43 to 0.75) with cisplatin and 0.51 (95% CI, 0.38 to 0.67) with cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy compared with hydroxyurea. Among 518 patients who received radiation, acute (grade 3 or 4) gastrointestinal or urologic toxicities occurred in 66 with cisplatin (19.1%) and 29 with hydroxyurea (16.8%). Delayed radiation toxicity occurred in six patients who received cisplatin (1.7%) and two who received hydroxyurea (1.2%; P = .680).

Conclusion

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy during pelvic radiation therapy improves long-term PFS and OS among locally advanced cervical cancer patients collectively and for stage IIB and III disease, individually. There was no observed increase in late toxicity with cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy.
Metabolomics: Available Results, Current Research Projects in Breast Cancer, and Future Applications
Authors: Claudino Wederson Marcos , Quattrone Alessandro , Biganzoli Laura , Pestrin Marta , Bertini Ivano , Di Leo Angelo
Published: May 2007

Metabolomics is the newest “omics” science. It is a dynamic portrait of the metabolic status of living systems. Metabolomics has brought new insights on metabolic fluxes and a more comprehensive and holistic understanding of a cell's environment. This burgeoning field promises to be a potential tool to fill the gap between genotype and phenotype. As its preceding “omics” sciences (ie, genomics and proteomics), metabolomics' aim is to dredge information hidden in a sea of data. This technology permits simultaneous monitoring of many hundreds, or thousands, of macro- and small molecules, as well as functional monitoring of multiple pivotal cellular pathways. In addition, elucidation of cellular responses to molecular damage, including evolutionarily conserved inducible molecular defense systems, could be achieved with metabolomics and could lead to the discovery of new biomarkers of molecular responses to functional perturbations. If metabolomic information could be translated into diagnostic tests, it might have the potential to impact on clinical practice, and it might lead to the supplementation of traditional biomarkers of cellular integrity, cell and tissue homeostasis, and morphological alterations that result from cell damage or death. In this review the concept and characteristics of metabolomics are introduced. Main current applications of metabolomics in cancer research are reviewed, including its potential in the drug discovery field, and, last but not least, its potential impact in the field of monitoring response and toxicity to anticancer agents. In the last section, research projects ongoing at our institution and future challenges for metabolomics will be presented and briefly discussed.
Randomized Trial of an Allogeneic Melanoma Lysate Vaccine With Low-Dose Interferon Alfa-2b Compared With High-Dose Interferon Alfa-2b for Resected Stage III Cutaneous Melanoma
Authors: Mitchell Malcolm S. , Abrams Judith , Thompson John A. , Kashani-Sabet Mohammed , DeConti Ronald C. , Hwu Wen-Jen , Atkins Michael B. , Whitman Eric , Ernstoff Marc S. , Haluska Frank G. , Jakowatz James G. , Das Gupta Tapas K. , Richards Jon M. , Samlowski Wolfram E. , Costanzi John J. , Aronson Frederick R. , Deisseroth Albert B. , Dudek Arkadiusz Z. , Jones Vicky E.
Published: May 2007

Purpose

To compare the overall survival (OS) of patients with resected stage III melanoma administered active specific immunotherapy and low-dose interferon alfa-2b (IFN-α-2b) with the OS achieved using high-dose IFN-α-2b.

Patients and Methods

An Ad Hoc Melanoma Working Group of 25 investigators treated 604 patients from April 1997 to January 2003. Patients were stratified by sex and number of nodes and were randomly assigned to receive either 2 years of treatment with active specific immunotherapy with allogeneic melanoma lysates and low-dose IFN-α-2b (arm 1) or high-dose IFN-α-2b alone for 1 year (arm 2). Active specific immunotherapy was injected subcutaneously (SC) weekly for 4 weeks, at week 8, and bimonthly thereafter. IFN-α-2b SC was begun on week 4 and continued thrice weekly at 5 MU/m2 for 2 years. IFN-α-2b in arm 2 was administered according to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 1684 study regimen.

Results

Median follow-up time was 32 months for all patients and 42 months for surviving patients. Median OS time exceeds 84 months in arm 1 and is 83 months in arm 2 (P = .56). Five-year OS rate is 61% in arm 1 and 57% in arm 2. Estimated 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rate is 50% in arm 1 and 48% in arm 2, with median RFS times of 58 and 50 months, respectively. The incidence of serious adverse events as a result of treatment was the same in both arms, but more severe neuropsychiatric toxicity was seen in arm 2.

Conclusion

OS and RFS achieved by active specific immunotherapy and low-dose IFN-α-2b were indistinguishable from those achieved by high-dose IFN-α-2b. Long RFS and OS times were observed in both treatment arms.
“Waging Peace”: A New Paradigm for Public Diplomacy
Authors: Hughes Karen P.
Published: May 2007

Karen P. Hughes is US Under Secretary of State for public diplomacy and public affairs.
Crisis in the Levant: Lebanon at Risk
Authors: Harris William
Published: May 2007

William Harris is professor in the Department of Political Studies, University of Otago, New Zealand. He is the author of The Levant: A Fractured Mosaic.
Informal Economy, Tax Evasion, and Poverty in a Democratic Setting: Greece
Authors: Danopoulos Constantine P. , Znidaric Boris
Published: May 2007

Constantine P. Danopoulos is professor of political science at San Jose State University.

Boris Znidaric is lecturer on security and insurance at the University of Maribov, Slovenia.
Politics between Market and Islam: The Electoral Puzzles and Changing Prospects of Pro-Islamic Parties
Authors: Tepe Sultan
Published: May 2007

Sultan Tepe is assistant professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
An experimental investigation and design of flow-conditioning devices for orifice metering
Authors: Ouazzane K , Benhadj R
Published: May 2007

The problems associated with the use of flow conditioners usually relate to their ability to remove swirl and produce a fully developed mean velocity and turbulence profiles. In the present research, the mechanism for both swirl reduction and profile correction was suspected to be related to the action occurring within the turbulent mixing zone, which occurs within the first few diameters downstream of the flow straightener. A flow-conditioner device, which consists of a graded perforated plate with upstream vanes and short downstream tabs mounted on the plate has been designed, and demonstrated a good performance in terms of removing swirl and producing a fully developed flow within a short distance downstream of the flow conditioner. Furthermore, the flow conditioner produces good quality results in conjunction with an orifice plate meter. The vaned plate created a self-stabilizing mechanism for the time velocity profile and turbulence structure with respect to the axial position. Furthermore, the deviation on the discharge coefficient was low at around >0.2 per cent. Also the Zanker conditioner performs at its best when using the same design concept as the vaned plate (honeycomb followed by a perforated plate).